campe Secondlye he was instantly persuaded and pursued as well by one Laurence de Ruze Secretary to the Duke d'Aniow as by the sayde la Riuiere to kill by poyson or other wayes the sayd Lord Admirall whiche he might be bolde to do say they without feare of the Admirals children who also shoulde be rooted vp to the vttermost of their race neither néede he stande vpon any dreadfull respect of any his friendes or kinsmen séeyng they assured him that no one of them shoulde euer be well receiued or welcomed to the court as first the Marshall Montmorancy his Cosine shoulde be committed to prison where he should neuer come out with honor and that of the rest of the sayde Mashals brethren there shoulde not remaine one Finally the rather to allure him to such an horrible acte they sealed their last offer with a dampnable promise of xxx thousand crownes in recompence and. xxx thousand Frankes of perpetuitie oute of the towne of Paris besides the fauourable good will all dayes of hys life as well of the Quéene mother Duke d'Aniow as Cardinall of Loraine and the whole court Dalbe yéelded so farre to their murderous enticementes as he gaue his word and promise to kill the Admirall Wherevpon was deliuered him by the sayde la Riuiere certayne white pouder whiche was knowen afterwardes to be eyther Reagar or Arsenicke with a large pasporte from the sayde Kinges Brother wherewith he departed and came to the Lord Admsrall his maister at the siege of Poyctiers his long aboade in the Catholikes campe together with other suspicious circumstaunces appearing at his arriuall persuaded a ielous iudgement of his dealing and therevpon was committed to prison his processe pursued and ended sentence lastly pronounced in these termes Iudgement pronounced the. xx of September 1569. in the councel established by the Prince of Nauarre and Conde present and assisted with the Printe of Orange the Countie Wolrard de Mansfelde Lieuetenant generall of the Almaignes vnder the sayd Princes the Counties Lodouike and Henry de Nassau brethren Menard de Chomber Marshall of the Almaignes camp Hans Boucq Renard Gracco Henry Destam Hans de There 's Colonels of the Reistres Guieryn Gangolf Baron of Grelesee Colonell of a regiment of Launceknightes Theodore Wegger professor of the law and Embassadour frō the Duke de Deux ponts with many other lords knightes Colonels and Keistremaisters of Almaigne the Lord of Corras Councellour to the King in the Parliamente of Tholouse and Chaunceller to the Quéene of Nauarre and the armye the Lorde of Francourt Bricquemau de Mouy de la Noue de Renty de Soubize de Mirambeau de la Caze de Puch-perdillan de Biron de Lestrange with manye other Lordes Gentlemen and Captaynes of Fraunce Séeing the processe made by the commissaries deputed by the said Princes of Nauarre and Conde againste Dominique Dalbe groome of the chamber to the L. Gaspard Counte de Coligny lord of Chastillon and Admirall of France the iii. examinations of the sayd Dalbe afore the Prouost general of the campe and two other afore the Commissioners assigned for that purpose lassly the confessions of the said Dalbe relterated viii ▪ seueral times wherein he acknowledgeth to haue hen instantly sollicited vrged and pressed by la Riuiere Captayne of the garde and one Laurence de Ruze Secretary to the Kings brother to practise and procure the death of the sayd L. Admirall eyther by sword or poyson which hée promised to the sayd la Riuiere to effect with poyson only receyuing to that end of the said la Riuiere certayne money and poison in forme of white powder which he hath shewed since to the said Prouost and Commissioners séeing also the verification and proofe of the sayde poyson tryed by Phisicions and Apotecaries assembled at la Haye in Touraine the xiii of this moneth togyther with a very large pasport graunted to the saide Dalbe the 30. of the last moneth by the Kings brother lying thē at Plessis les Tours and nowe for due punishment and reuenge to such a traiterous and detestable attempt so often acknowledged as well in his priuate confessions as publike assembly the said councell hath and doth con dempne the said Dalbe to be deliuered into the hands of the executioner of high Iustice who tying him vppon a hurdell with a halter about his necke shall drawe hym thorow the stréetes corners accustomed of this towne de Fay la Vineuse with this inscription in parchement about his body This is Dominike Dalbe traytour to the cause of God his Countrey and Maister trayling him first to the lodging gate of the sayd Lord Admiral and there with no other garments than his shirte the halter remayning still about his necke holding in his hande a torche of burning waxe shall demaund pardon of God the King the law and the Lorde Admirall confessinge there that wickedly disloyally and trayterously he had professed promised and practised to kill by poyson the said L. Admirall his maister and at the same instant in his presence the said poyson which he confessed to bée giuen vnto him by the said la Riuiere to be cast into the fire and burned All which being done he shall be ledde keeping still the inscription about his body to the place of publike execution and ther to be hanged and strangled on a gallowes set vp for that purpose And that also humble sute be made to the King to do iustice vpon the sayd la Riuiere and Laurence with their complices and withall if his maiestie be of mind to verifie more ample their said conspiracie with the said Dalbe the same notwithstanding resembling a sufficient trueth against them by his voluntary confession to procéede agaynst them with punishment due to so horrible a fact and the same both to terrifie hereafter others of like villanious humour and also to remaine to all nations as a President of the noble nature and disposition of Fraunce in abhorring such traytrous attemptes declaring the said la Riuiere and Laurence with all other sectes and sortes of traytours kéeping schole and open shoppe to poyson persons of name and vertue to be traytours villayns and men vnworthy of honour either in them selues or their posteritie to the 4. generatiō Lastly it is iudged that afore the execution of iudgement the sayde Dalbe shal be put on the racke to the ende to confesse further practises with his said confederates with other things contayned in interrogatories gyuen to the Prouost This sentence thus pronounced the morrow after being the xxi of September the rack was vsed accordingly where he confirmed his former confession and so the same day the sentence was put in execution Whilest the Kings brother kepte at Chynon in the Countrey of Touraine whether he was retired as is sayd great numbers of men of warre flocked to hym from many partes of the Realme togyther with the horsemen to whom he gaue libertie for recreation and the xx enseignes of footemen Parisiens wherof
all Seigniours Gentlemen and other his subiects vnderstand the cause of the murder of the Admirall and his adherentes and complices which lately happened in this Citie of Paris the xxiiij day of this present moneth of August least the sayd deede shuld be otherwise disguised and reported than it was in deede his Maiestie therfore declareth that which was done was by his expresse commaundement and for no cause of Religion nor breaking his edictes of pacification which he alwayes intended and stil mindeth and intendeth to obserue and keepe yea it was rather done too withstand and preuent a most detestable and curssed conspiracie begon by the sayd Admirall the chiefe captaine thereof and his sayd adherents and complices against the kings person his estate the Queene his mother and the Princes his brethren the King of Nauarre and other Lordes about him VVhereof his Maiestie by this declaration and ordinaunce giueth to vnderstand to all Gentlemen and others of the Religion which they pretend reformed that he mindeth and purposeth that they shall liue vnder his protection with their wiues and children in their houses in as much safegarde as they did before folowing the benefite of the former Edictes of Pacification most expressely commaunding and ordaining that all Gouernours and Lieutenants generall in euerie of his countreyes and Prouinces and other Iustices and Officers to whom it appertaineth do not attempt nor suffer too bee attempted any thing in what sort so euer vpon the persons and goodes of them of the Religion their wiues children and families on paine of death against the faultie and culpable in this behalfe And neuerthelesse too withstande the troubles slaunders suspicions and desiances that may come by sermons and assemblies aswell in the houses of the sayde Gentlemen as in other places as it is suffred by the sayde Edictes of Pacification it is expressely forbidden and inhibited by his Maiestie to all Gentlemen and others of the sayd Religion to haue no assemblies for any cause at all vntill his Maiestie hath prouided and appointed otherwise for the tranquillitie of his Realme vpon paine of disobedience and confiscation of bodie and goods It is also expressely forbidden vnder the paine aforesayd that for the foresayd occasions none shall take or retaine any prisoners or take raunsome of them and that incontinently they certifie the gouernours of euerie pr◅uince and the Lieutenante generall of the name and qualitie of euerie such prisoner whome his Maiestie hath appoynted shall bee released and set at libertie except they bee of the chiefe of the late conspiracie or such as haue made some practise or deuise for them or had intelligence thereof and they shall aduertise his Maiestie of such to knowe his further pleasure It is also ordayned that from hencefo◅th none shall take or arrest any p◅isoner for that cause without his Maiesties commaundement or his Officers nor that none be suffred to roame abroade in the fieldes to take vp dogs Catell Beefes Kine or other beastes goods fruites graine nor any thing else nor too hurt the labourers by word or deede but too let them alone about their worke and calling in peace and safetie At Paris the. xxviij of August 1572. Signed Charles and vnderneath Fizes THE KINGS LETTERS TO THE OFFICERS of Burges of the same argument that the former declaration was OVr trustie and welbeloued wee considering that vnder the colour of the death of the Admiral and his adherents and complices certaine Gentlemen and others our subiectes professing the Religion called Refourmed might rise and assemble together to the preiudice and hinderance of the tranquillitie which we haue alwayes desired should be in our Realme the doyng of the sayd murder being counterfeited and giuen out otherwise than it was VVe haue therefore made a declaration and ordinance which we send you willing you to publishe the same incontinently by sounde of Trumpet and setting the same vp in such places of your Iurisdiction where cryes and Proclamations are vsually made to the end that euery one might knowe it And although we haue alwayes bene diligent obseruers of our Edicts of Pacification yet seing the troubles and seditions which might arise amongst our subiects by the occasion of the sayd murder as well of the Admirall as of his companions we commaunde you and ordeyne that you particularly forbid the principals of the Religion pretended refourmed within your Iurisdiction that they haue no sermons nor assemblies either in their houses or in any other places to take away all doubt and suspition which might bee conceyued agaynst them And likewise that you aduertise such as dwell in the Cities of your Iurisdiction what you iudge meet to be done too the intent they myght in this poynt follow our mind and kepe them quiet in their houses as they may doo by the benefite of our Edict of Pacification and there they shall bee vnder our protection and safegarde but if they will not so retyre themselues after you haue giuen them warning then shall you set on them with all strength and force aswell by the prouostes of the Marishals and their Archers as others which you can-gather toogether by Bell ringing or otherwise so that you hewe them all too pe◅ces as enimies ◅o our Crowne Besides what commaundements so euer wee haue sent by worde of mouth eyther to you or others in our Realme whē we were in feare vpon iuste occasion knowing the conspiracie that the Admirall had begon of some mischaunce that might fall vnto vs we haue and do reuoke willing you and others that no such thing be executed for such is our pleasure Giuen at Paris the. xxx of August 1572. Thus signed Charles and vnderneath De Neuf-ville Published in iudgement REMEMBRAVNCES AND INSTRVCTIONS sent by the King to the Counte of Charny his general Lieutenant in Burgundie of the same argument THe King considering the commotion lately happened in Paris wherin the L. Admirall Chastilion with other Gentlemen of his side were slaine bicause they had mischeuously conspired to set vpon the Kings maiesties person the Queene his mother the Princes his brethren the King of Nauarre and other Princes and Lordes neare about them and vpon his estate and least they of the Religion called refourmed not knowing the true causes of the sayde rebellion shuld arise and put them selues in armes as they haue done in the troubles that be passed and deuise new practises fetches against the weale of his Maiestie and tranquillitie of his Realme if he should not cause the truth of the matter to bee knowne to all Gentlemen and others his subiects of the same religion how it passed and what his pleasure and mind is in their behalfes And thinking that for remedie hereof it is verie needefull for the Gouernours of the Prouinces in his Realme to go rounde about their gouernementes for this occasion he willeth that the Counte of Charnie greate Esquire of Fraunce and his Maiesties Lieutenant generall for the gouernement of Burgundie shall go diligently
the euills like to ensue Finally I will and desire that the league whiche I haue made with the Princes Péeres Nobles and with all those that follow me and shall follow me may be established confirmed by this my writing To the which my fellowes I promise and vow that séeing it hath plea sed God to aduaunce me to so great honor as to make me the Captain and principall of that league and to be a deliuerer of the reformed churches liuing vnder the Kings Edictes from the iniuries and violence of the enemies I wil be the first that will spend my lyfe goods to maintayne the pure worship of God to defende the true professours and followers thereof to restore the King to his former libertie and authoritie and his Edictes and the lawes of the Realme to their proper dignitie In like manner I pray and beséeche all my Confederates that they abyde in the same mind courage and constancy that I am of in this so godly and commendable a purpose hauing alwayes respect vnto the vprightnesse of our cause reposing all their trust in the power of God being fully perswaded of this that fighting for the glory of God for the preseruation of his Church and for the conseruation of the King and the Realme God the mighty Lord of hoastes will stretch forth his mighty hand to helpe Whom I most humbly beséeche to take vpon him the patrociny and defence of our cause and to enter into the Throne of his iudgement before whom I shew and reueale the horrible blasphemies which our aduersaries haue breathed out against his Maiestie the cruelties which thei shewed vpon his poore afflicted meÌ„bers the innocent bloud of so many of his seruauntes that hath ben shed and the bloudy and mischeuouse coun sailes against his glory and the lyfe and safetie of hys Saincts so that hée taking his people vnder his protection would shew his power Iustice and wisdome both in destroying his aduersaries and also in blessing those which séeke to defend his people whereby all the world may know that hée is a refuge for the afflicted in time of trouble a deliuerer of his Church and an enemie anâ—… Iudge of his enemies About this time also the Prince of Condes fellowes sent letters to the Emperour Ferdinande to whom they declared their cause and rendered a reason of all theyr dooings and frustrated the rumors of their aduersaries praying him that hee would be carefull to defende thys cause and also that hée would call backe the Germanes that were gone to helpe the Guises And although saye they the reportes of the troubles which were in France were euery where spred abroad and were come also to the Emperours eares by letters sent from both partes yet notwithstandinge the Prince of Conde sent to the Emperoure whom he vnderstoode should come to an honorable assembly the causes of all his actions that the Emperour himselfe might certefie the whole assembly of the same seeing so great and waighty matters were obiected against him by his aduersaries the Prince of Conde thinking that it became him in a matter of so great waight to shewe the causes of all his dooings to all men and to the Emperour himself being of so highe calling that he might leaue to the whole world euident testimony of his innocency To bring the which matter to passe he may be glad that he hath gotten so good occasion to craue helpe to be ayded in this iust cause for the preseruation of the yong King of France being of suche age that the same of itselfe requireth and ought to obtayne helpe It is no new thing neyther wanteth it exaÌ„ples that Kyngs in their minoritie and infancâ—…e haue receyued the Kyngdome of Fraunce as appeareth by the late times of Charles the sixt and the eight and of others In whose time of minoritie we do not read that there was any contention about the gouernement of the Realme because the Princes which were the Kynges kinsmen left alwayes the gouernement of the Realme to thein which were elected and created by the States of the Realme of Fraunce to whom the gouernement of the Realme was committed so long as the King coÌ„tinuing in his minoritie which was vntill he came to the age of fouretéene yeares The which order of gouernement in the Kyngs Neâ—…age hath ben alwayes so approued that Kyngs haue warely prouided in their Testaments that if they should disceace before their Sonnes were come to their perfect age to gouerne the Realme then the States should prouide for the same gouernement The which doth sufficiently declare that this kind of gouernement doth in no poynt deminish the Kynges aucthoritie or power whom whosoeuer resisteth resisteth the ordinaunce of God but is rather necessary to preserue and defend them so long as they are vnméete to take vppon them any such gouernement through the defect and imbecillitie of Nature But when the Kyng shall come to the age of fouretéene yeres that vicary or substituted gouernemeÌ„t doth cease and all things do so retourne to the Kyng that whatsoeuer he shall will or decrée shall be ratified In the dayes of Charles the sixt after he had raigned many yeres and that it pleased GOD for the sinnes of the people to depriue him of his witte and sences and when the time came that the Realme must of necessitie be gouerned there arose a certaine contention among the Princes that were the Kyngs kinsmen about the same gouernement but this was neuer heard of that a forreyne Prince would euer intrude him selfe into the gouernement of the Realme and that against the will ordinance and decrée of the States as doth now the Duke of Guise at the first with force of armes and afterwardes vnder the coullour and name of the Kyng of Nauar corrupting and breaking all Lawes constitutions and customes that by all meanes possible he might satisfie his ambicious minde and get the gouernement of the Realme into his handes And say they most renowmed Emperour you must not thinke that he is moued to do these things for the loue he beareth to any Religion but doth only make Religion a cleake to fulfill his ambicious desire but vnder this pretence he hath drawne a great part of the people vnto him whom he hath so stirred to outrage crueltie promising that they shall escape vnpunished whatsoeuer they do that now the mad and franticke people throughout the whole Realme of Fraunce do nothing els but kill spoyle and shew al maner of violence After the death of Henry the second and Fraunces the second Kynges of Fraunce it was expedient according to the auncient vse of the lawes that the States of FrauÌ„ce should be called together and that in the greater number because Charles our Kyng was of tender yeres Then the States as it was méete made certayne lawes and statutes the which should only stand in force and strength duringe this time of the Kynges minority according to the institution and
that Edict The Ministers of the Gospel after their othe had authoritie giuen them by the Magistrat to preache in all Prouinces they had also places for the preaching of the word and for the administration of Sacraments grauÌ„ted vnto them in the 〈◊〉 of the Cities al things else peaceably and without any â—…umult Our aduersaries enuying that all things went forwarde so well sought daylye newe occasions to moue troubles At the length their Captaynes the Constable and the Marshall of S. Andrew thinking it good to delay the tyme no leager wrote letters to the Duke of Guise to come with ayde and a power of man to the Courtâ—… and hauing gotten the King of Naâ—…ar on their syde there was great hope that they should haue all things at their pleasure Then the Duke of Guise comming with a great Armie of footemen and a troope of horsemen made hast toward the Courte and by the waye as he came hée â—…uelly handeled the reformed Churches which peaceablely vsed the benefite of the Edict at Vassi setting sodenly vpon a great number of the faithful which were gathered togither to heare the word of God he slew maÌ„ woman and child without all pitie or mercy Thus beginning his busines he went forward on his iourney without feare and came to Nâ—…antuil the house of his territory or Lordship whether the Constable and the Marshiall of Santandre came And when they had deliberated of the matter and had opened the causes of their complaynts some of them bewayling the decaye of their aucthoritie and rule which thei had in the daies of Kyng Fraunces the second other some repining that they must make their accompt according to the decrée of the States at the length they determined to arme them selues And thus of their owne priuate authority they put them selues in Armes to mayntaine their ambition and couetousnes which notwithstandinge they couer with the cloake of Religion they came to the Kyng and Quéene with an Army of men and made them subiect to their power and tooke vppon them the gouernement subtillie foreséeing that there was no better way to make the people to take their part than vnder the pretence of Religion and the name of the Kyng so to abolish the Lawes and constitutions of the States and the Edict it selfe Therfore from that time forward hauing gotten Paris into their hand and brought the Kyng captiue thither they left no kind of mortall crueltie vnshewed no one corner of the Realme was frée from the Ciuill warres which they had stirred vp insomuch that the lamentable remembraunce of things past and of the great destruction like to come would make a man to tremble Nothwithstanding the Quéene being certified of these thinges was very carefull to let and stay their purpose and to frustrate their deuises sent for the Prince of Conde to come to Monceaulx and prayed him to resist the violent force and crueltie of these men by force of Armes and for this cause she appoynted him to be Captaine generall and named certaine men vnto him whose helpe and furtherance he might vse But the Prince of Conde delaying the matter for feare of tumults and vproares was preuented with the expedition and hast of his enemies who had so gotten the Kyng and Quéene into their handes that they abused their willes at their owne pleasure deludinge and abusing also the facillitie and sufferance of the king of Nauar they séeke thereby coullers to hide their tirranie The which sufferaunce notwithstanding of the king of Nauar although his full consent were ioyned therwith as it ought not by any meanes to restraine or deceiue the king of his libertie euen so it can be of no force to excuse the vnbrideled ambition and presumption of the Guises For in giuing authority the simple and bare ratefying is not sufficient but the ciuill lawes do shew that it is néedefull to haue expresse commaundement Furthermore the Kyng of Nanar hath not this authoritie to rule and gouerne the Realme without the Quéene and neither of them haue any such authoritie that they can set ouer the same to any other without the consent of the States Moreouer as touching the tractation of warre and artillerie the Quéene her selfe during the time of the Kynges nonage can do nothing as of her owne authoritie séeing this thing pertayneth to the States who notwithstanding haue not decréed and appoynted this warre but the Guises which haue caused the same to be in euery corner of the Realme Is there any man in the whole Realme that can or ought to take vnto him such power and authoritie as to gather Armies of men and to moue warre to the detrement and hurt of the Kyng and the Realme as the Duke of Guise now doth And this is the seruice that the Triumuiri namely the Duke of Guise the Marshiall of Saint Andrew and the Constable do to the Kyng their soueraigne Lord in this his tender age in the which he is subiect to many iniuries that is to say their wicked actes by which they go about to ouerthrowe the Kyng with the kingdome Which are the causes O Emperour that we put our selues in Armour and haue chosen the Prince of Conde to be our Captaine who shewed him selfe willinger to take so notable a matter in hand being moued the runto by no lesse good will toward the King and the realme than we were The Quéene also her selfe both perswaded and commaunded him to take this warre in hand to deliuer her from that iniury which both she and the king sustayned as appeareth by her expresse wordes in letters to be séene the Coppies wherof we haue sent vnto thée O Emperour Notwithstanding al this the Prince of Conde which was the last which put himself in armes and that at the commaundement of the Quéene neuer ceased to séeke peace and concord offering all indiffereÌ„t and reasonable conditions that might be as That hée would put of his Armour depart from the Court and would go also if néede were out of the Realme so that his aduersaries would do the like and that the Edict of Ianuary might be obserued Also he prayed and doth pray and beséeth by his letters al Christian Princes that are in League and amitie with Fraunce to be meanes for the making of peace and concord and with them all Noble Princes of the Empire whose godly and commendable indeuours for peace and concord were notwithstanding hindered by the Guises who in the meane time sought by al meanes possible to be ayded by straungers And it is manifest that the Prince of Conde hath sought so many waies to establish peace and concord as they haue sought by all meanes possible to hinder the same as may appeare by the last Parley betwene the Quéen the prince of Conde at Baugence they séeking by Treason to circumuent the Prince of Conde Wherefore by the demonstration and knowledge of al these thinges both the trueth and equity of our cause and of the
handes without aide and succour and that he was so forced by them that he would suffer his authoritie to be abused to the murthering of his poore and innocent people to the besieging and spoyling of his Noble Cities to the breaking of good and wholesome Edictes to the iniury of the Kynges kinsmen and Nobles and to the ruine destruction of the Kynges faithfull seruants beside an infinite number of wickednesses mo and all to satisfie their willes and mindes which determined to breake the Kynges Edictes without punnishment which Edictes were made by thē States of the Realme for the preseruation of peace and tranquillitie and for the safetie of the Kyngs Maiestie When also I perceiued that they went about and had already put in practise to ouerthrowe and destroye the Religion and the professors and followers of the same I thought it good and most necessary for these causes to prouide out of hand a more effectuall and forceable remedy that the authors of these troubles might at the last he constrayned to come to peace and concord vppon reasonable conditions least the whole Kyngdome of Fraunce through the vnbrideled and outragious willes of a fewe should bée brought into so great perill And for these causes I sent some of my Counsayle Ambassadours into Fraunce wise graue and experiensed men and addicted to neyther part that in the extremitie of these matters there might bee a remedy found out whereby their Kyng and soueraigne Lorde might be obeyed and the peace and tranquillitie of the Realme mayntayned Notwithstanding this my labor and good indeuour was not thankfully taken neyther could I haue any answere frō the yong Kyng nor from his Mother the Quéene being made a feard by that part which was the cause of all these troubles Whilest therfore I was carefully busied about these thinges and had no other care than for the profite of the Kyng my welbeloued brother without condemning of either part I was other wise delt withall than I looked for Wherby appeared that their will and minde was which so often times denied the bearing of those things which were propounded by me and mine at my commaundement for peace and concordes sake For al my Marchaunts of London and of other partes of my Realme which came into certaine places of Brittaine only about their Marchandize and were preparing to retourne home againe were taken and robbed and dispoyled of all their goodes and they which sought to defend them selues were cxuelly slayne their shippes Marchandize taken by the Magistratrs of those places whereunto they arriued and that for no other cause but for that they were reported to be Huguenotes By the which woord although it séemed strange to those poore Marchaunts and Marriners who knew not what it ment it sufficiently appeared from whom they receyued commaundement to doe these thinges and what they would do more if time and occasion would suffer This was no small rapine or light spoyle but of great waight it was not done sodenly or marage but by the common Magistrate vpon the commaundement of the Gouernour of those partes and that by great contencion with my subiectes The matter being complayned of to those that should haue reformed the same nothing was done but to make a mendes one of my messengers comming homwards with letters of my Ambassadour was robbed the which also escaped vnpunished without any farther examination Wherby I perceiue that the Kyng or Quéene his Mother or rather the Kyng of Nauar do rather want authoritie than good will. And certainely it is manifest both by this and by an infinite sort of other arguments in what state and condition the young Kyng standeth when as he maye not preserue his people and houshold establish his lawes and Edicts nor giue no iust answere to other Princes and Nations By which and by other wicked deuises practised against me and my Realme it appeareth to all men of sound iudgement how greatly that violence which is now vsed in Fraunce by the Guises and his fellowes doth toutch not only Fraunce but also mée and my whole Realme more than any other Prince Therfore forsomuch as the dignity and authoritie of the Kyng and the Queene his Mother of his Counsellers louers of peace cannot at this time so much preuaile as to haue abillitie and leaue to rule and gouern or to do any thing els appertaining either to their own people or to other Nations or to their owne proper persons séeing also the Kynges tender age and the Quéene his Mother are so circumuented and snared that they must condescend and agrée to whatsoeuer the Guises will haue them as may testifie those great destructions and manifold calamities which the authors of these troubles haue brought in besieging assaulting and sacking the Kynges Cities and Townes and in shedding the innocent bloud of his subiects also séeing they haue caused ciuill warre that they might abolish and extinguish in euery place the reformed Religion do séeke to make mortall warre in euery part of the whole world furthermore séeing they are the authors and fautors of these pitifull and lamentable troubles are noted so to be of all men who if they might haue time and oportunitie would séeke by all meanes possible to violate and diminish the state and dignitie of my Realme and to conclude séeing of late also they haue openly gone about to cōtend with me by force of armes but by the grace and goodnes of God were disapoynted of their purpose and do yet diligently séeke the same also to aduaunce them selues to my incōmoditie shall I suffer and beare with those sworne and mortall enemies to peace and concord Shall I suffer the bloud of my neighbours to be cruelly shed if by any maner of meanes I might let the same Shall I suffer the young Kyng my welbeloued brother to bee besieged and in great perill and not to be counted vnthankful and mercilesse Shall I as vnwise and negligent haue no consideration or regard to my mortal enemies and to their practise Therfore for these iust euident and necessary causes of the Kynges subiects requiring my helpe and aide in these tempestes and calamities I commaunded many of my subiectes to be armed both by Sea and land to deliuer the subiectes of my welbeloued brother the Kyng of Fraunce from tirrany Rapine murther and destruction and to kéepe certaine Cities bordering vpon the sea coast and more néere vnto vs in saftie from those enemies least the peace made betwéene me and my brother the Kyng being broken they might the more easely warre against my Realme To prouide for the which thinges tyme calleth vpon me For I haue the testimony of a good conscience and do protest that I in these thinges do vse such sinceritye and integrity that I séeke and iusue christian peace as I ought and I doubt not but that the protection and defence of innocent bloud is acceptable vnto God wil be taken in verye good parte of my wel
writing it shall not be amisse to set downe the same accordinge to the very tenour thereof that all men may sée howe the aduersaries of the trueth go about to abuse the name of God to bring their owne willes to passe Ye may reade of the like in the African History in Hunrich Wandallet tyme practised by him agaynst the Christians The protestantes sayde that because in the forme of that othe exhibited vnto them the Catholiques so called were not comprehended they playnly perecyued that their fidelitie and obedience past and to come was now called in questioÌ„ and that the security of the kings protection was to them vncertayne Also they sayd séeing they were fully perswaded that the Kings Maiesty had spoken nothing vnto them hytherto but the whiche was true and vnfayned without all dissimulation they could not nor would thinke that the same forme of the othe offered vnto them was knowne to the Kinge but rather deuised by some notable enemy both to him and also to the publique peace of all meÌ„ But neuerthelesse because we desire this one thing say they aboue all the reste namely to shewe our true and sincere obedience which we owe to our King and naturall Prince Charles the ninth we modestly humbly desire to make our aunswere to that othe praying beséeching the Kings Maiestie that before he procéede any further in establishing the forme of the same othe it maye please him to consider these our petitions whiche with all reuerence and submission of mynde wée propose in manner and forme following The Forme of the Oathe VVe proteste before God and sweare by his name That wee acknowledge King Charles the nynth too be our soueraigne Lord and naturall King. The Answere We will neuer doubt or stay to sweare in so good and iust a cause but we most humbly beséech our king so to iudge of vs as he hath himselfe spoken of vs in his Edict For our conscience beareth vs witnesse that we neuer had any thing in our mindes contrary to the form and meaning of this Oathe Oathe And are ready to giue vnto him all honor obedience and Submission Answer â–ª To this we wil most gladly and willingly sweare séeing that this exception can not be denyed vs That according to the tenor of hys Edictes we haue graunted to vs the libertie of our consciences the vse of the reformed religion Oathe And that we will neuer beare armour but at his expresse commaundementes as shall appeare vnto vs by his owne letters And that we will neither consent vnto them nor helpe them with Counsaile with Money with vittailes or with any other necessary thing which may arme them against vs. Answer To this also we willingly swere for seing we haue two Edictes of pacification for certaine and plaine demonstrations vnto vs of his wil and meaning we wil account all other commaundements contrary to those two Edictes for false and counterfaite And we will neuer bear armor neither haue we so don at any time vnlesse we haue bene plainely constrained to defende our selues from the iniuries and oppression of those meÌ„ whiche breaking the commaundementes of his maiesties Edictes haue gone about to oppresse vs contrary to his will. Oathe Neither will we make anye collections of Money vnder the collour of anye occasion withoute his expresse commaundement Answere We trust that in this braunche the Money whiche necessarily we gather for the releuing of our Ministers the poore and for the repairing of oure Churches and for other necessarye vses is not comprehended The which being gathered we sweare beyng ordinarilye called that we will not vse them deceytâ—…ully to anye other ende Oathe VVe will not haue any secrete Counsailes nor priuie leagues neither wil we consent vnto them but contrariwise we promise and sweare that we will certifie hym or his officers faithfully of all those things which shall be practised against his Maiestie against the tranquilitie of the Realme or against anye that are neere vnto hys Maiestie Answer By the order of this Article whosoeuer was the author of the same we séeme to be accused as though we had hytherto behaued oure selues otherwise than wée ought to haue done the which certainly we wil neuer confesse For the Kinges Edictes of pacification will not suffer vs so to do séeing it hath pleased his Maiesty by them to acknowledge vs for suche manner of men as in déede we are namely for his lawfull and faithfull Subiectes This being added we will sweare that we will with the helpe of God constantly retain vnto the death this Article of the Oathe Oathe VVe pray and besech with all reuerence and submission of mind his Maiestie that it may please him to extende towardes vs his accustomed clemencie and goodnesse â–ª and to accounte vs for his faithfull and obedient seruaunts and to kepe vs vnder his protection to whom next vnder God we flee vnto Answerâ—… â–ª As we neuer doubted of the clemencie and goodnes of oure King whom we haue acknowledged and do acknowledge for our naturall Prince and supreme Lord next vnto God so are we ready most humbly to praye and beséeche him â–ª to coâ—…tinue the same his good wil vnto vs â–ª his most obedient and faithfull subiectes Notwithstanding if it may be spoken with his highnes fauour and leaue we haue no néede to craâ—…e his fauour and pardon for the time paste seyng by the goodnesse of God our consciences doe beare vs witnesse that we haue neither done nor thought any thing against hys Maiestie and therefore we trustâ—…â—…hat this is not so ment or spoken Oathe To whom we will pray vncessantly for the conseruation of his life and dignitie and for the happy estate of the Queene his mother and of his brethren Answer We haue and alwayes will God willing make our prayers from the bottome of our hart vnto the Lorde And we gyue thankes vnto the Kyng that it pleaseth him to think better of vs than our aduersaries do who both by their wordes writings report vs to be wicked and call our prayers blasphemies Oathe And we do submit our selues willingly to all rygor of paynes and punishments if there shal happen any troubles or tumultes through our default in this Citie Expessing the name of the Citie for the defence whereof vnder the Kinges authoritie and at the commaundement of his Ministers we will willingly spende and bestow our liues and goods Answâ—â— To this Article we answere with all reuerence This being so generally put downe experience hathe taught vs that it will be a ready way and fitte occasion for them of whose mindes we haue had of late to large testimonies to kill vs at their pleasure either by preteÌ„ding iudgement or else by some seditious tumult of which things they are skilfull workemen Therefore as euery one of vs would willingly sweare vnto these things so we most hartely pray and beséech the Kings Maiestie to sée diligently that we maye haue Iustice more truely
territorie of Bellouac of which he being certified fled and in fléeing was chased by souldiours till he came to the Sea In so much that he was constrayned to leaue the greatest part of his cariage behind him and to take Ship to passe ouer into England It was also commonly reported about this tyme that Charles Sonne to King Philip of Spayne was dead The causes were by diuers men diuersly reported but that which was most credible is That the Inquisitors suspecting him of certain things concerning religion ê“uoked stirred vp the displeasure of the Father against the Sonne that he might depriue himselfe of his onely Sonne and of the lawfull heyre of Spayn Shortly after this also newes was brought concerning the death of Elizabeth wyfe to Philip Kinge of Spayne and Sister to Charles King of Fraunce Furthermore the Duke of Alba dayly more more played the tyrant in Flaunders straining no courtesie at the shedding of innocent bloud wherevpon the prince of Orange being moued partely to discharge his dutie being one of the Princes of the Empire and partely for the loue which hée bare to his Countrey caused a great Army to be in a readinesse that hée might withstand the cruell tyrannie of the said Duke of Alba. He had to ayde him great numbers of horsemen footemen which came out of Germany out of Fraunce and also out of the low CouÌ„trey County Lâ—…dowike also his brother a valeaÌ„t captain came with a great number of good souldiours to ioyne with him COME LORD IESV COME QVICKLY The. ix Booke of Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and of the common wealth of Fraunce vnder the Raigne of Charles the ninth THus beganne the third ciuill war in FrauÌ„ce being more notable than the others goyng before both for the great atteÌ„pts and enterprises and also for the continuance of the same for it troubled the Noble Realme of FrauÌ„ce for the space of two yeres Therefore when newes was brought to the Courte of the departure of the Prince of Conde there was open prouision made on both partes for the warre but both their conditions were not alike For the Papistes had Cities Artillery money and all maner of prouision belonging to warre they had also the Kings name authoritie and power by which they preuailed more than by any other meane But as for the Prince of Conde and the Protestantes they had almost nothing but the goodnesâ—…e of their cause and couragious mindes to defende themâ—…elues who though to the perill of the losse of theyr lyues and goods were almost desperate to defende the same Moreouer they which should haue bene helpers and furtherers of their cause were hemde in and shut â—…p throughout the whole Realme in so muche that it was marueile that the Prince of Conde was able to holde warre and to withstand his enemies in so great extreamitie There were great and vrgent caâ—…ses of newe contention â–ª as the diâ—…pleasure taken for the breaking of the oath solemnlye made the breaking of the Kings promise and common peace and the meâ—…itable necessitie of defending their consciences and liues But the Papistes beyng forward enough of themselues tâ—… destroy the godly were pricked forward by the bloudy â—…uriousnesse of the Cardinall of Loraine Therefore by the Kings commaundâ—…ment for vnder this name the Papistes did what they would the Armies that were dismiâ—…t were nowe called backe againe newe choyse and musteâ—…s of men were had and they were all commaunded to be at Staples the. x. dayâ—… of September The wholâ—… ordering and charge of the warre was committed tâ—… Alexander Duke of Angewe the Kings brother being but a young man notwithstanding he had ioyned with him certaine valiant captaines as we sayde before Then were baytes and â—…nares subtiâ—…ly layde and in the Kinges name the gouernours of the Prouinces published a decrée as thus The Kyng commaundeth that all the men of the reformed Religion be vnder his protection no lesse than anye other of his subiectes that they may haue leaue to complaine of iniuries done to them that they may haue remedies prouided out of hande as it is meete and conuenient for their defence and that all Magistrates should be vigilant to defend them In the meane tyme he that caryed the Prince of Condes letters to the King after the deliuerie of them was taken and committed prisoner to a certaine noble man and no answere made to the letters The Prince of Conde when he had stayed in the house of Rochfoucant certaine dayes wente wyth hys whole retinew to Rochel of whose inhabitantes he was very louingly receiued And thether came vnto him the inhabitantes of Xantonge of Poictou of Perigueux of Engolmoys and a great number of noble men of the Regions thereaboutes which embraced the reformed religion and as for the common sort of people they came vnto him out of all those quarters by beapes The Câ—…ties also called Sainctes Tifauge and Montagu offered themselues vnto him But for all this he sente letters to diuers partes of the Realme requiring ayâ—… of hys fellowes and forsomuch as the Protestantes were expulsed almost euery Citie it seemed good vnto him that they shoulde come with all spéede to hiâ—… to Rochel and then hauing greater power to ioyâ—… battaile wyth the enemie Notwithstanding in many places by the wonderfull prouidence of God there were diuers places of refuge reserued throughout the whole Realme as to the men of Francoys Sanferre and Uezelay to the men of Languedoe Montalban Castrealby and Milliaulde to the men of Dolpheny which at that time were in great perill the Cities of Uiuaretze were reserued as Albenac Priuac and many others But before the Prince of Conde began any warre he published a certaine solemne declaration of the causes of the same In manner and forme as followeth I protest before God and his Angels and before this holy assembly that â—…as I also declared in my last letters which I sent vnto the King my Lord intend to do nothing against his Maiestie which may either hurt his person or dignitie but taking him for my Kinge and supreme Lorde next vnder God by him so appoynted I protest that whatsoeuer I doe is for no other cause but to keepe and defende the liberties of our consciences the free vse of the reformed Religion our lyues honours and goods from the tyrannie and oppression of the Cardinall of Loraine and his fellowes â–ª the whiche tyrannie they haue alwayes hytherto shewed and minde still to vse towards the men of the reformed Religion contrary to our kings will whiche he hath openly declared by publique Edicts and decrees thereby breaking the common peace and tranquiâ—…itie And for this cause to the end I may defend their lyues honours goods and the libertie of their consâ—…ences which professe the reformed religion I affirâ—…e that I wyll spende bothe my lyfe and whatso euer eâ—…se God hath giuen vnto me And bâ—…cause there came souldiers daye by daye vnto
Quéenes good will. But the Quéene of Nauar persisting in her former purpose sent letters to the King to the Quéene to the Duks of Aniou and to the Cardinall of Borbon In the which because she doth plainly she we the reasons of hir purpose it shall not be amisse to repeate the summe of them When saith she I receyued your letters I was rea dy to take my iorney hearing the rumor of so great alte ration the which notwithstanding was not vnlike to come our aduersaries beeinge so outragious that their madnesse could not but take awaye from vs all hope of peace which was offred vnto vs most Christian king by your Edict of patification the which notwithstaÌ„ding was not only euill obserued kept but plainly broken also by the subtil meanes of the Cardinal of Lorain who notwithstanding your promises which you haue made to your miserable subiectes hath not ceased both by letters to the parliaments and also to all those whose help he thought hee might haue to frustrate and adnihillate the force and effect of the Edict abusing our patience after he had made a way to an infinite sort of murthers he presumed to procéede farther and sought to preuaile against the Princes your neare kinsmen of the which we haue a manifest example in my brother the Prince of Conde who was so furiously assaulted that hee was constrained to craue aide of his kinsmen And bycause my Sonne and I are so neare of bloud vnto him wée could not chuse but offer vnto him that kindnesse which the Law of nature requireth Wée know sufficiently your mind which you haue declared both by woord and writinge which is to haue at our handes obedience the which we are ready to yéeld vnto you euen to â—…heading of the laste drop of our bloud And furthermore we know most Christian king that your naturall goodnes is wholy enclâ—…ned to preserue vs and not to destroy vs Seing therfore wée sée such practises against vs is ther any man which knowing you to be a faithfull and iuste king and séeing notwithstanding such contrary actions so manifest against your promises will not Iudge that these things are done withour your commaundement and that by the cankered malice and spight of the Cardinall of Loraine Therefore I pray and beséech you most ChristiaÌ„ King to take it in good part the I was gone froÌ„ home to serue our God you also which are our King and supreme Lord and of our owne bloud Wée setting our selues as vtter enemies against their practises so much as wée may which presumptuously go aboute to oppresse vs And I pray you to certifie your selfe that wee haue not put oure selues in armour but onely for these thrée causes least they should vtterly destroye vs as they haue gone about As touching mine owe part I say the the Cardinal hath done great iniurie vnto you in that he hath gone about to chaunge his power and authoritie into violence séeking to take away my Sonne from me perforce that he might be brought vnto you as though your onely commaundement could not sufficiently preuayle both with him and me But we saye and affirms O king and beséeche you so to thinke that we are your most louing and obedient seruaunts in so much that whensoeuer it shall please you to trye vs to compare our fayth with the falshood of the Cardinall and his fellowes I beléeue you shall finde more trueth and trust in my déedes than you shall finde faythfulnes in his wordes The which also we will alwayes performe with all willingnesse of mynd But to the Quéene the Kings mother she wrote after this manner I protest sayeth shée O Quéene before God and men that nothing hath ben is nor shal be hereafter more déere to me than the loue of God the King my Countrey and my own bloude The whiche haue ben so effectuall in me that Monsieur la Mott whoÌ„ you sent vnto me with letters founde mée gone from home with full purpose and intent to spend and bestow my life goodes and all that I haue for their sakes But I pâ—…ay you O Quéene if these my letters be ouer tediouse vnto you that you would impute it to the necessitie of the time which hath brought me into such extremities that I cannot choose but be long in repeating of them meaning thereby to declare vnto you my purpose and to set before your eyes my whole mynde in the which you may haue a liuely view of those things the which I know are after a contrary maner layd to my charge But I pray you gyue me leaue to repeate the whole matter from that tyme in the which the Guises shewed themselues to be enemies to the peace and tran quillitie of the whole realme at what time they flattered the King my husband disceased with fayre wordes making him beléeue that he should recouer his kingdoÌ„ You know with what kinde of men he was then beset on euery syde to my great griese and to your grieâ—…e I dare say also for I knew it then of your own mâ—…th I pray you remember how faythfull you haue alwayes found me when as for the coÌ„mon wealth of the realm â–ª I almost forsooke my husband and my children I pray you also remember what talke you haue had with me and what a trust you séemed to haue in me when I departed from you from Fontainbleau From that time I protest that I haue ben the same woman still And I pray you remember how faithfully I obeyed your letters which you sent vnto me when I was at Vendosme Remember what I did after that in GuiaÌ„ to obey your commaundements Then I lost the King my husband that I might be partaker of the common chaunce calamity of widowes I wil not repeate euery particular iniury that hath ben don to me seeing that I meane to speak of them all generally And I protest againe that the desire I haue to obey god the loue which I owe to my kinâ—…olkes and countrey haue so possessed my mind that I haue almost no respect or consideration of my selfâ—… Let me come therfore to the time of the extréeme troubles theÌ„ renued again when the Cardinal of Lorain brought vs into such straites as you al men know In the mean time I by their malice subtill practises aboad vnprofâ—… table in my own dominioÌ„ who sought al that thei could to intangle me And what I theÌ„ did you are so wel certified of y same that I shal not néed to make ani farther rehearsal therof Therefore to come to this my present state at what time I sée the Edicts of my King not only brokeÌ„ but also quight contemned set at naught his au thoritie despised his kingly promises not regarded all which come to passe by the wicked practises of the Cardinal of Loraine whom I can not so well point out O Quéene as he is knowne vnto you And beside the barbarouse cruelty which he
caused all or most of his troupe to remaine still afore the sayd Castell to withstand that no man should enter till hée sent new forces from S. Flour whether as he spéedely repaired so he dispatched from thence certain numbers of footemen to ioyne with the troupe he had left afore the Castle with charge not to departe till it were taken M. de Sallians to whom both the place and charge belonged lay very sicke who in respecte of his small strength hauing not aboue sixe souldiours and withall doubting spéedy surcours made no great resistance but yéelded the Castle by composition to haue onely their lyues saued which albeit was faithfully promised yet trayterously performed because both her husband was killed and she led prisoner to S. Floure charged to be the onely cause of the lord of S. Hierans hurt The taking of the towne of Oryllac whereof is spoken before amazed greatly them of Auergne wherefore hauing gathered people from many partes determined to besiege it afore they within could haue meane to fortifie themselues And for this purpose the Lord Rocneâ—…onne Gouernour of Puy and the graund Priâ—…r of Auergne with their regimentâ—… of footemen came to Mar zillas in Roargnes attâ—…ding ther as it was said certain caÌ„nons which should be sent from Rhodes to batter Oryllac In the meane while also the Lord de Saint HeraÌ„ with no lesse diligence aduaunsed at S. Flour the other forces and also the Nobilitie of Auergne whom he summoned speedely to repayre thither Albeit hearing in the heat of his diligence of the princes comming to Argentall he let fall his enterprise The men of Auergne fearing the princes would sease vpon the low countrey called la Lymagne and there to winter in respect of the generall fertilitie of that place drew in troupes of paysants and coÌ„munalties into the straites of the mountaines by which they imagined the army should passe and there hewing down great numbers of trées bestowed them athwart the high waies to trouble the passage of the horsemen The rest of the countrey were bestowed by the lord de Saint Heran in townes and Castles to the ende they should not be sodenly taken the princes beguyled their opinion as not passing that way but directed their ioâ—… ney ouer Dordone and so into Quercy and beneath Cadenat passed the riuer of Lot and so from thence arriued at Montauban in Nouember 1569. The Lord de Mirabell and Foulques â–ª hauing remained about Oryllac â—…nee the charge they had neare to Rolliat tooke way about this tyme with their troupes to ende their voyage who passing the Riuer of Lot beneath Cadenat and after they had trauersed the mountaines of Rouarges and Sauennes arriued without let aâ—… Priuas and Aulbenas townes in Viuarez holden by those of the Religion The siege continued all this whyle afore S. Iean de Angely where the King the Quéene mother and Cardinall of Lorraine were in persone The morrowe after that the breache of the Fort was assaulted the Kinge procured the protestantes to be commoned withall to the ende to render the Towne by composition Wherin they vsed this persuasion the rather to entice them that his Maiestie had determined to erect a puissant army to make war in Allemaigne wherein as they might steade that seruice in special turne so his Maiestie was carefull not to spill men of such experience and value otherwayes if they would not embrace his Maiesties offer and composition he would thunder vpon them all his forces till he had won the Towne They answered as before that they would not render the town till ther were a peace assured to the profit and quiet of the whole Reaâ—…e whereupon the King required to speake with the Lord de Personne as well in the causes concerninge the Towne as to send him to the princes in the meane and matter of peace Whereunto the protestants condescended and sent out of the Towne the Lorde de Personne receyuing in his pleadge and hostage the Lord de Guiteniers After the King had conferred with the Lord de Personne they grew to capitulations as followed First that if the Lord de Pilles were not succoured within ten dayes to render the Towne to the Kinge their liues and goodes saued 2 That for the assurance of this there shuld bée deliuered in hostage two Knightes of the order they to be sent either to Rochell or Angoulesme at the protestants choice 3 That during this space of the x. dayes truce should be betwéene them with charge that neither they should fortifie in the towne nor they without vpon their trenches nor yet approche the walles of the towne 4 Lastely that in the meane while the Lord de Personne should go to the Princes with a Gentleman of his Maiestie to treate of peace According to the which the saide L. de Personne with the Kinges Gentleman went to the Princes in the Gentlemans place the Lorde de Guitiniers was sent out of the towne to the campe They which the princes lefte as you haue heard at Sainctes to defend the towne maintained their charge till now And hearing that Sainct Iean d' Angely was in parley and at point to yéeld fearing with all that it was their lotte and turne to be besiéeged next They forsooke the towne retired to the other Garrisons which were thereaboute wherein the Kinge forgot not to embrace the oportunitie sending forthwith certaine companies to sease vppon it to the end that by that meane the way might be cloased from them of the Religion beinge at Angoulesme and Coygnac to go or come to Rochell Likewyse they of Rochell shoulde be bard to sende succoures to them The Lorde of Bricquemau laye all this while in the towne of Boâ—…rg dieu in Berry as hath bin said by reason of his sicknesse During whose aboade there hys troupes made ordinarye warre vppon the Garrison of Chasteau-roux vpon Indre wherin the Lord of the place retained thrée companies of footmen for the catholikes Ther were often incursions and enterviewes betwéen them the same continuing almost sixe wéekes in which time were killed of the one and other side almoste two hundreth men After the saide Lorde Bricquemau was restored to health he retired in this moneth of Nouember with his troupes to Charite During the siéege of S. Iean d' Angely the Towne of Nimes in Languedoc was taken by the Religion the fiuetéenth of this moneth and by this meane there is a mylne in the towne neare to the walles and to make it grynde there comes a spring or fountaine not farre of through a sluse or creuishe in the wall dressed with grates or barres of yron They of the Religion in that Countrey practised intelligence with the miller by whose aide they pluckt vp by night the said yron grate and so conueyed into the towne by that creuish and channel about a hundreth souldioures who hid themselues within the myll attending the houre to execute their enterprise in the meane while they sent from
beloued and estéemed of the Admirall or to haue attained any speciall honour in the saide late warres those he liberally benefited and rewarded To the Admirall himselfe he commaunded one daye to be giuen a hundred thousand pounds of his owne treasure in recompence of his former losses When his brother the Cardinall ChastillioÌ„ endowed with many great and welthy benefices was departed his life the king gaue him the fruites of one whole yéere Also the king wrote to Philibert Duke of Sauoy that he should do him a moste 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 mildnesse toward all other that professed the same Religion within his dominions And for that there was old enmitie betwene the Guisians the Admirall whereby it was to be doubted that perillous coÌ„tentions would arise in the Realme of France 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 agréement the same whereof the foundations had bin layed almoste sixe yéeres before in the towne of Molins wher the king calling to him the greatest estates of his realme after consultation and deliberation had vpon the matter pronounced the admirall not guiltie of the death of the Duke of Guise wherewith 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 Cardinal of Loraine who as we haue said was the very forger of all the former warres to take away al ielousie of new practises was departed to Rome and tooke with him his familiar friend the late created Cardinall Peluey one reputed a moste subtill and craftie persone vnder pretence of going to the election of a newe Pope in place of the old Pope then lately deceassed But there was none greater and more assured token of publike peace and quietnesse than this that the king purposed to giue his sister Margaret in mariage to the Prince Henry the sonne of the Quéene of Nauarre which Prince had in the last warre defended the cause of the Religion and bin soueraigne of their armie Which mariage the king declared that it shuld be the moste 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 said Prince Henry was restrained in conscience so as he might not marrie the Lady Margaret being of a contrarie Religion a Catholike and giuen to the rites of the Romishe Church the king for answere said 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 without all ceremonies in the porch of the great church of Paris the mariage should be celebrate in such a forme as the ministers of the reformed Churche mislyked not Which thing being by reporte and letters spread throughe the world it â—…n not be expressed how much it made the harts of those of the religion assured and out of care and how it cast out all feare and ielosies out of their minds what a confidence it brought them of the Kings good will toward them Finally how muche it reioyced foreine Princes and states that fauored the same Religion But the Admirals minde was muche more stablished by a letter which about the same time Theligny brought him with the Kings own hand and sealed wherein was conteined that whatsoeuer the Admiral should do for the matter of the intended warre of the lowe countrey the Kyng would allowe and ratifie the same as done by his owne commauÌ„demeÌ„t About that time Lodouic of Nassaw with the Quene of Nauarre a Lady most zelously affected to the Religion came to the Frenche court The league was made betwene 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 which cause the Quene of Nauarre during those few 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 sharp witte whome for the Admirals sake the King had aduanced to great honor requiring the Admirall to go before to Paris as well for the saide preparation as also for the matter of the war of the lowe countrey promising that he himselfe woulde within few dayes followe after him assuring him that there was nowe no cause for him to feare the threatnings and mad outrages of the Parisians For in as much as the same towne is aboue all other giuen to superstitions and is with seditious preachings of Monkes and Friers dayly enflamed to crueltie it is harde to expresse howe bitterly they hated the Admirall and the professors of that Religion Whereto was added a griefe of their minde conceiued certaine dayes before by reason of a certaine stone crosse gilted and builte after the manner of a spire stéeple commonly called Gastignes crosse whiche the Admirall with great earnest fute obteyned 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 trumphe to the reproche of one of the Religion it was a monument of ciuill dissention and so a matter offensiue to peace and concorde The King well knowing the deadly hate of the Parisians to the Admirall wrote his letters to Marcell the prouost of the Marchaunts which is the highest dignitie in Paris with sharp thretnings if ther shuld be raised any stir or trouble by reason of the Admirals comming To the same effect also the Duke of Aniow the Kings brother and the Quéene mother wrote to the same Marcell and the rest of the Magistrates of Paris so that nowe there séemed vtterly no occasion lefte for the Admirall to feare or distrust And within few dayes after the King sent Briquemault a man of great vertue and estimation to the Admirall with the same instructions saying that the matter of the low cuntrey could not wel be delt in without his presence The Admirall persuaded by thus many meanes and filled with good hope and courage determined to go to Paris where so soone as he was ariued and had ben honorably and louingly entertained of the King and his brethren and the Quéene mother and consultation entred among them about the preparation for the lowe countrey he declared to the King at large howe the Duke of Alua was in leuying of great power and preparing an armie and that if the King should dissemble his purpose it woulde come to passe that many thereby would shewe themselues slower and slacker to the enterprises and that nowe were offered great meanes to do good whiche if he let slippe he
sonne of Odou by the Frenche Kings commaundement which was not then vnderstoode whereto it tended the King of Nauarre hadde stayed in a Wardrobe adioyning to his owne chamber and caused ▪ them to lodge there all night A little asore daye hearing of the running of men and noyse of armour and cries and killings they rose in hast and immediately de Nance whō we haue before spoken of came to them and commaunded them in the Kings name to come downe into the court and to leaue their weapons behinde them and lastly to depart out of the Castle When de Pilles saw himself thrust out among the multitude of the murthering souldiers and behelde the bodies of them that were slayn he cryed out with a very loude voyce that the King might wel heare him protesting vpon the kings fidelitie and deteūing his trayterous infidelitie and therewith he toke off a riche cloake which he wore and gaue it to one of his acquaintance saying take here this token of Pilles ▪ hereafter remember Pilles moste vnworthily and shamefully slayn Oh my good Monsieur de Pilles sayd 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 dyed And this ende had this most valiant and noble Gentleman And then his body was throwne into the quarrey with the rest which when they that passed by dyd beholde the souldiers cryed out there they be that made assault vpon vs and woulde haue killed the king Leranne beeing thrust through with a sworde escaped and ranne into the Quéene 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 own Phisitions who restored hym bothe to life and health While these things were in doing at Paris Strozzi which as we haue aforesayd was come with al his power to Rochel sent a great number of his Souldiers into the towne vnder coloure of a banket to be made to his friendes in the Castle called la Cheine but by reason of the iealosie and watches of the townes men by whome he sawe his treason was espied he went awaye without his purpose But they of la Charité which as we haue before shewed were trapped by the Italian horssemen taking lesse heede to the salfe keeping of their towne were a little before nyght surprized and within fewe dayes after put to the sworde The next day following where any that had hidden themselues in corners at Paris coulde be founde out the slaughter was renewed also common laborers and porters and other of the most rascals of the people desperate villaines to haue the spoyle of their cloathes stripped the dead bodies stark naked and threwe them into the Ryuer of Seane The profit of all the robberies and spoyles came all for the moste parte to the handes of these laborers and the Souldiers and to the Kings treasurie came very litle or nothing The onely gaine that came to him was that whiche might be made of the vacations as they terme them of offices of places of Magistates Captaines and other romes of charge whereof yet he gaue a great part freely away to diuers of the court For the Admiralles office he gaue to the Marques de Villers the Chancellorship of Nauarre after the murther of Francourt he by and by gaue Henry Memne de Malassise which had béene the truchman and messanger in the treatie of the last peace the office of the master of the Finances after the slaugheer of Prunes he gaue to Villequier the office of President des aides when Plateau was slayne he gaue to de Nully the other offices he solde as his manner is to such as gaue readie maney for them For it hath bin the custome now lately of certen kings of Fraūce such as amōg forein nations hath not bin heard of to put to sale al the profits rights and benefits of the crowne and to kéepe an open market for money of all iudiciall offices and of all the roomes belonging to his tresure and finances according to a rate of price set vpon euery one of them and there is not in manner one in all Fraunce that doth not openly iustifie that he bought his office for readie money and that no man ought to maruell if he desire to fill vp the emptie hole of his stocke againe And therefore Iustice is through all Fraunce vsually bought for money and though there be neuer so many murders committed yet is there no processe awarded to enquire thereof till present coyne be payde to the rakehels scribes This butcherly slaughter of Paris thus performed and foure hundred houses as is abouesayde sacked immediatly messengers were sent in post into all the partes of the Realme with oft shifting their horsses for hast to commaunde all other Cities in the Kings name to followe the example of Paris and to cause to be killed as many as they had among them of the reformed Religion These commaundements 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 spéedie 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 raysed the people and with armed men made assault vpon the band that was assigned to the Admirall for his guard and had broken into the house and slayn the Admirall al his companie and houshold seruants and that the King had hardly kept safe from those daungers his owne Castle of the Louure where he kept himselfe close with his mother and hys brethren the true copie of which letters is hereafter inserted But the same most mightie and by the consent of all nations commonly called the most Christian King within two dayes after came into the Parliament accompanied with a greate trayne 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 Admirall with certaine of his complices had conspired his death and had intended the like purpose against his brethren the Quéene his mother and the King of Nauarre and that for this cause he had commaunded his friendes to slay the sayde Admirall and all his cōfederates so to preuent the treason of his enimies This his testification and declaration the King commaunded to be written and entred in the recordes of Parliament and that it shoulde be proclaymed by the heraldes and published by Printers And he willed a booke to be set forth to this effect that
Admiralles friendes woulde proceede to the reuenge of his hurt and bycause they were suspected to be the authours thereof were so stirred vp this laste nyght that a great and lamentable sedition arose thereof in so muche that the Guarde by mee appoynted for his defence about his house was sette vpon and hee himselfe wyth certaine of his Gentlemen slayne and hauock of other made in diuers places of the Citie whiche was handled wyth suche a rage that I coulde not vse the remedie that I woulde but hadde muche a doe to employ my Guardes and other defence for the safetie of my selfe and my brethren within the Castle of Louure to giue order hereafter for the appeasing of this sedition whiche is at this houre well appeased thankes be to God and came to passe by a particular and priuate quarell of long time fostered betwixte those two houses VVhereof when I foresawe that there woulde succeede some mischieuous purpose I did what I coulde possibly to appease it as all men knowe And yet hereby the Edicte of Pacification is not broken whiche I will to bee kepte as straightly as euer it was as I haue giuen to vnderstande in all places throughout my Realme And bycause it is greatly to be feared that suche an execution might stirre vp my subiectes one against an other and cause greate murthers through the Cities of my Realme whereby I shoulde bee greatly grieued I praye you cause to be published and vnderstoode in all places of your gouernement that euery person abyde and continue in the safegard of his owne house and to take no weapons in bande nor one to hurt an other vpon payne of death commaunding them to kepe and diligently to obserue our Edict of Pacification And to make the offenders and resisters and such as would disobey and breake our will to be punished you shall assemble out of hande as great force as you can as well of your friendes as of them that bee appoynted by me and others aduertising the Captains of Castles and Cities in your gouernement to take heede to the safegarde and preseruation of the sayde places so that no faulte ensue on their behalfe aduertising me also so soone as you can what order you haue giuen herein and how all things haue passed within the circuite of your gouernement Herevpon I pray God to keepe you Cousin in his holy safegard At Paris the. xxiiij of August Signed Charles and vnderneath Brulard ANOTHER LETTER FROM THE KING to the Lorde of Prye his Lieutenant generall in Touraine vpon the same matter that the former Letter was MOnsieur de Prie you haue vnderstoode howe my cousin the Admirall was hurt the last day and in what readinesse I was to do as much as in me lay for the tryall of the fact and to cause so great and spedie iustice to be done as should be an example throughout all my Realme wherin nothing was omitted Since it is so happened that my cousins of the house of Guise and other Lords and Gentlemen their adherents which are no smal partie in this towne as all men know hauing gotten certaine intelligence that the friendes of my sayd cousin the Admirall intended to pursue and execute vpon them the reuenge of this hurte for that they had them in suspicion to be the cause and occasion therof haue made such a stirre this night passed that among them on both partes hath bene raised a greate and lamentable tumulte the Garde that was set about the Lorde Admirals house was distressed himselfe slayne in his house with diuers other Gentlemen as also great slaughter hath bene made of other in sundrie places and quarters of this towne which hath bene done with such furie that it was impossible for me to giue such remedie as was to be wished I hauing enough to do to employe my Garde and other forces to keepe my selfe in safetie in the Castle of Louure to the end to giue order for the appeasing of the whole vproare which at this houre thankes be to God is well quenched for that the same happened by the particular quarrell that hath of long tyme bene betwene those twoo houses whereof alwayes hauing some doubt that some vnhappie effecte woulde ensue I haue as is well knowne to all men before this tyme done all that I coulde for to appease it nothing in this last fact tending too the breache of my Edict of Pacification which contrarywise I will in all things to bee mainteyned as at any time heretofore as I do giue it to vnderstand thorowout my Realme And forasmuch as it is greatly to be seared that this may stirre vp and cause my subiectes to rise one against another and to commit greate slaughters in the townes of my Realme whereof I would bee maruelously sorie I pray you that immediatly vpon the receyte hereof ye cause to be published and done to vnderstande in all places of your charge that euery man as well in towne as in countrey remaine in reste and suretie in his house and do not take armes one against another on payn of death And that more diligently than at any time hertofore ye cause the last Edict of Pacificatiō to be kepte and carefully mainteyned and obserued To the intent abouesayd and to punish such as shal do to the cōtrary to distresse all such as shal rise dysobey our pleasure ye shal immediatly assemble al the strength that ye are able as well of your friends being of our allowance as others aduertising the gouernors and captaines of townes and Castels within your charge that they take good heed to the suretie and safe keeping of their peeces in such sort as there ensue no default informing me with speede of suche order as you shal take therin and how all things shall proceede within the compasse of your authoritie I haue here with me my brother the King of Nauarre and my cousin the Prince of Conde to take suche hap as my self I pray the creator Monsieur de Prie to holde you in his holy safegarde From Paris this xxiiij of August Thus signed Charles and vnderneth Pinart These letters are all of one argument as the former be and written all in one forme and al one day to Monsieur de Prye the Lieutenant of Touraine THE KINGS LETTERS TO THE OFFI cers of Burges vpon the same matter that the former were OVr louing and faithfull wee doubt not but by this tyme you knowe of the sedition which to our greate griefe happened in Paris afewe dayes sithens wherin my cousin the Admirall and certaine others of his side were slaine and a greate murder committed vpon diuerse in many places of this Citie And least the newes thereof should change the quiet estate wherin Burges hath hitherto bene maintained since the Edict of Pacification if remedie were not foreseene it is the cause that wee writ this letter presently vntoo you wherby wee commaund and expressely ordeyne that euerie one of you according to his
charge do see that no commotion or insurrection bee against the inhabitants of the sayd Citie nor that no murder be committed as it is to be feared by those which pretend too breake the Edict of Pacification and thereby would execute a reuenge of their long and priuate grudge too our incredible vexation and anguishe of minde For this cause it is your part to giue to vnderstand and publishe throughout that Citie of ours and other places pertaining to it that euery one should quietly and peacibly kepe their houses without taking weapons in hande and offending one the other vpon payne of death and well and diligently to kepe our Edict of Pacification And if any goe about to contrarie this our intent and minde to cause them to be punished and rigorously chastised by penalties imposed on such offendours in our ordinances hauing a watchfull and diligent eye to the safegarde of that our Citie in such sort that no inconuenience arise in your seruice towards vs as you would haue vs to knowe that you are our loyal and obedient subiectes Giuen at Paris the. xxvij of August 1572. Thus signed Charles and belowe De Neuf-ville A LETTER OF THE TREASORER OF the leagues of the Switzers written by the Kings commaundement vnto the sayd Leagues of the same argument that the former letters were NOble Seigniours Monsieur de la Fontaine Ambassador for the King your assured and perfect friend and confederate and I his Treasorer in this countrey hauing commaundement of his maiestie too communicate with you as with them whome be accompteth his chiefe and sure friends of a chaunce which lately happened in the Citie of Paris his owne person and court then being there whereof he receyued so much more griefe and displeasure bycause it befell on such a time as he least feared or loked for such a thing The matter is this On the xxij day of August last the Admirall as he went from Louure was with an harquebuze shot hurte in the hande and arme whereof when his maiestie was aduertised he commaunded incontinent that search and punishment were had of the offendour and the authors of such a mischiefe whervntoo when he had readilie layde his hande by his officiers and committed the inhabitantes of the house where the harquebuze was shot to prison they which were the cause firste of the mischiefe as it maye easily bee presupposed bycause they woulde preuente the inquisition therof heaping one transgression vpon another on the. xxiij and xxiiij of the sayd moneth assembled a great troupe of people in the night and moued the people of Paris to a verie great sedition who in a rage set vpon the Admirals lodging and enforcing the Garde which his Maiestie had set for the Admirals suretie and keping slew him with certaine other gentlemen in his companie as the like also was committed vpon others in the Citie the matter growing in the verie same instant to such an o◅age and commotion that whereas his Maiestie had thought to prouide remedy for appeasing therof he had much a doe with all his Gardes to keepe his house at Louure where he lodged with the two Queenes his mother and the Spouse the Lords his brethrē the King of Nauarre and other Princes Think therefore ye noble Seigniours in what a perplexitie this yong and courageous King now standeth who as a man may saye hath helde in his hande thornes in steade of a Scepter euer since his comming to the Crowne for the greate troubles which haue almost euer since beene in his Realme and therefore by the good and wise counsell and assistāce of the Queene his mother and the Lords his brethren thought to enioy and establishe a more sure repose in his Realme and a more happie gouernement for himselfe and his subiectes after he had taken away as he thought al occasions of dissentions amōgst his subiectes by the meanes of his Edicts of Pacifications and of the mariage of the King of Nauarre to the Ladie his sister and the Prince of Conde to Madame de Neuers Besides all this to the intent nothing should be lefte vndone that mighte serue for the quieting of al things and especially for the Admirals safegard his Maiestie as euery man knoweth hath done his ind◅uour to the vttermost to appease and reconcile his principall and most daungerous enimies vnto him And so God the true iudge of the Kings Maiesties good and pure intent brought to passe that the peoples rage being quieted within a few houres euery one went home too his house and the king had speciall regard to nothing more than to see nothing attempted or innouated contrarie to his Edicts of Pacification and the repose of his subiectes aswel of the one Religion as of the other And for that purpose hath sent to diuerse of his Gouernours and Officers in his prouinces to loke diligētly to the obser◅ing of his Edictes with expresse commaundement to ◅olde their handes there that euerie one might perceyue that the chaunce at Paris happened for some priuate quarell and not for any purpose to alter his Edicts which his Maiestie wil in no wise suffer VVhich is the principal thing noble Seigniours that his Maiestie hath commaunded vs on his parte to assure you and to let you vnderstand the daungers that depende ouer him and his neyghbours not so much for this seditiō for he trusteth in God that shall growe no further and his Maiestie wil kepe his Realme in as good repose as it hath bene since his last Edict of Pacification but for the greate mustering and assembling men of warre in many places specially in the lowe countreyes where it is yet vncertaine on which side God will giue the victorie nor whither the conqueror will employ his force after his conquest VVherefore his Maiestie prayeth you continuing the good loue and intelligence which hath always bene betwixt the Crowne of Fraunce and his allied and confederate friendes the Seigniours of the Leagues too haue good regarde to him and his Realme in case that neede shall require as he wil haue to you and your prosperous estate if it bee requisite employing in the meane whyle your greate and singular wisdome to the perseruation of the vnion of the Nation in League which is the onely cause to make you not onely able to send succour to your friends but also maintaine your selues in estimation that you may be a terrour to your neighbours how great so euer they be his maiestie promising you in all occurrentes as much friendship fauour and assistance as you can desire and to be as entier and perfect a friend as euer your nation had any A DECLARATION OF THE KING CON cerning the occasion of the Admirals death and his adherents and complices happened in the Citie of Paris the. 24 of August 1572. Imprinted at Paris by Iohn Dallier Stacioner dwelling vpon S. Michaels bridge at the signe of the white Rose by the Kings licence BY THE KING HIs Maiestie desiring to haue
through all Cities and places of the sayde gouernements and as he arriueth in euery place he shall deuise tho best wayes that he can to make peace vnion and quietnesse amongst the Kings subiectes as well of the one Religion as of the other And to bring it the better about he shall gently call before him in open or priuate place as he shal see best cause for his Maiesties seruice herein the Gentlemen of the places and the Burgeses of the Cities of his gouernement that be of the Religion and shal declare vnto them cause them to vnderstand the truth of the sayd commotion least any haue misreported it too them otherwise than it was in deede And shall tell them that vnder the colour of the L. Admirals hurte wherfore his Maiestie would haue caused iustice to be done according to the good order that he had appointed the sayd Admirall and Gentlemen of his Religion which were in the Citie with him without looking for the executiō of the sayd Iustice had made a mischeuous vnhappie and detestable conspiracie against the Kings Maiesties person the Queene his mother the Lordes his brethren the King of Nauarre and other Princes and Lords with them and against the whole estate euen as certaine of the chiefe and adherents of the sayd conspiracie acknowledging their fault haue confessed VVherfore his Maiestie was constrayned to his greate griefe to resiste and preuent so mischieuous pernicious and abhominable a purpose And that which he suffered to bee done on Sunday the. xxiiij of August vpon the Admiral and his complices was not for any Religion nor to goe against the Edict of Pacification he entending neuerthelesse that they of the Religion should still liue and abyde in al libertie and safetie with their wiues children and families in their houses as he hath and will mainteyne them if they be content to liue quietly vnder his obedience as he desireth ▪ For the which cause he willeth that the Counte Charnye shall offer and giue to them his letters of safegarde in good and authentyke forme which shall bee of as good force and vertue as if they should come or be taken from his owne Maiestie and by the authoritie of them they shall bee preserued from all wrongs violences and oppressions enioyning and forbidding most expressely all his catholike subiects whatsoeuer they are to attempt nothing vpon the persons goods or families of anye of the Religion which kepe themselues quietly in their houses on paine of death And if any be so rashe or euil aduised to do against this Iniunction or too violate the safegard promysed his Maiestie willeth that readie and rigorous punishment bee done too the intent that their example may serue too holde in others not too doe the like which is the true and onely meanes of assurance that his Maiestie can giue to them of the Religion with his worde and promise which he giueth them too bee their good and benigne Prince protector and preseruer of them and of all that toucheth them so long as they liue and continue vnder his obedience without doing or enterprising any thing against his will and seruice And bycause his Maiestie hath often knowne that the enterprises and consultations taken in hand by them of the Religion against his seruice haue bene concluded amongs them at assemblies at sermons which Gentlemen had libertie to cause to bee made in their houses and Lordships therfore my L. of Charnye shall particularly giue too vnderstand to Gentlemen which were wont too haue such sermons that his Maiestie in consideration that nothing hath more moued and set on the Catholikes against those of the Religion than such preachings and assemblies and if they continue it is certaine that it wil bee a cause too encrease and mainteine the said commotions desireth that they should cause them to cease off vntil he hath otherwise prouided and appointed and that they applie themselues herevnto as a thing greatly seruing the effect of his intention which is gently to bring his sayd subiects to a true and perfect amitie vnion and concord one with another committing all diuisions and partialities to obliuiō And bycause this may seme hard at the beginning my L ▪ of Charnye shal cause it to bee faire and gently spoken to them least they enter intoo some straunge coniecture or suspition For so his sayd Maiestie would proceede in all true sinceritie towardes them which conforme themselues to his will and obedience wherin he exhorteth them to liue with all the best perswasions that he can and shall assure them in so doing to be surely maintayned and preserued as his other subiects the Catholikes as his Maiestie would that he should do And too the intent his sayd subiects the Catholikes should knowe howe to vse and behaue them selues herein my L. of Charnie shall tel thē that his maiesties pleasure neither is nor hath bene that any wrong or oppression should be done to them of the saide religion which like good and loyall subiects will gently kepe themselues vnder his obedience Declaring vnto the sayd Catholikes that if they forget themselues and burt those of the religion which in such sort behaue themselues toward his maiestie and those also which for that end haue receiued of his maiestie or of my L. of Charnie letters of safeconduite he will cause them to be punished and chastised in the fielde as trangressours of his commaundementes without any hope of grace pardon or remission VVhich the said L. of Charnie shal expresse and declare vnto thē with as plaine words as is possible cause it also to be as streightly executed And after that following his Maiesties intent he hath pacified them by this meanes which is the waye that his maiestie best liketh of and searched the direction to assure a tranquillitie betwixt the subiectes and to set some assuraunce betwixt the one and the other such as shall conforme themselues herein to his sayde maiesties will he will comfort and make them the beste and most gentle intertainement that he possibly can But if any of the Religion become selfe willed and stubborne to his Maiestie without hauing regarde to his sayde warnings and shall assemble in armes together making practises and deuises against the weale of his seruice then the L. of Charnye shall run vpon thē and hew thē in pieces before they haue power to fortifie thē selues and ioyne together And therfore he shal assemble as muche force as he can as well of the ordinarie as of other men of warre Souldiers Footemen of the garrisons and inhabitants of the Catholikes within the Cities of his gouernement and shall besiege them which holde and make themselues strong in Cities about of his gouernement so that the victorie and authoritie may remayne in his maiestie At Paris the. xxx of August 1572. Signed Charles and vnderneath Brulard THE KINGS LETTERS TO THE LORDE of Gwich wherby it may plainely be perceyued how they would search out all them of
beginnings of the Church of Fraunce béeing as yet but of tender yeares as it were and in the fire or at least wise euen now by little and little coÌ„ming out of the fire Let the causes of the hatred and debate â–ª by these very few things be considered with the which the Bishop of Romes men so outragiously vniustly are inflamed against the faith full against the cause of the faithfull We must not looke here to haue a description of the faithfull and professours of Christ in armes as our aduersaries doe nowe obiect vnto vs but rather of the vnarmed naked members of Christ most cruelly afflicted onely for this cause bicause they preferre the true and pure doctrin of the Gospell now a growing before the auncient customes traditions of men The naked Church in time past was vexed and the Gospell dyd run as it were through the sides of poore men and broughte them to death then Christians were accouÌ„ted as lyers called heretikes and by al maner of meanes vexed oppressed then were they cast in prisons and in bonds then were they whipped then suffered they proscriptions and banishmeÌ„ts yea and cruell deathes without fauour But nowe when it pleased the omnipotent God to appoynte vnto his Church a more clears and beautiful estate and to qualifie and quenche those fierce fyres Sathan not forgetting hys olde subtilties and sleightes deuiseth a new accusatioÌ„ whispering into the eares of kings that the Gospell will plucke their Scepters out of their handes and bycause the faithfull throughout the whole kingdom of France defende their libertie graunted vnto them by the Kings Edictes and by all lawfull causes with force of armes a new crime is nowe layde to their charge namely Sedition rebellion and treason to the king and country these crimes are obiected agaynste the godly by those which abusing the Kings name and authoritie to exercise their own tirannie â—…éeke moste of all the destruction of the Kings maiestie and bicause they haue bene let of their purpose by the faithfull therfore do they spewe out all the poyson of their hatred against them By these beginnings it shall euidently appéere how obedient the Faithful haue bene alwayes to their Princes and Magistrates that this thing béeyng layde as it were the foundation it may plainly be séene who they be which are the true authours of so many troubles as haue flowed thorough this whole kingdome God truely hath armed and fortified his Churche at thys daye with many externall helpes and fortresses yet for all that the cause is not chaunged Christe is the selfe same Christe still the Gospell is not chaunged but it is the selfe same Gospell whiche was vnreuerently handled and dealt withall in the persons of the Faithfull by the sharpe punishementes of the wicked The Faithfull are the same men still in obeying their Magistrates and in reuerencing their Princes that they were before But they are rebells whiche abusing the name and authoritie of Princes and disloyally violating all Lawe persecute the Churche go about to extinguish the Gospel and as if they were Giants furiously fight with God. And by the reading of these Commentaries the Faythfull shall finde many things which they maye applye vnto themselues to stay and comfort themselues in the middest of these troubles In these lamentable tymes manye daungers of moste greuous calamities do compasse vs on euery side many difficulties and newe troubles do dayly burst forth also But if we consider weigh the times paste we shall in very déede haue a gesse nowe what wil come to passe hereafter in our tyme For séeing God hath afore time sette and placed hys Churche in a straunge and wonderfull order We maye gather that the same God being a perpetuall keper and defender of his seruauntes will applie his power and prouidence to dispatche vs out of these our troubles the whiche is a most firme and inuincible argument Let vs call to remembrance the thicke mistes and darke cloudes of the former night let vs sette before oure eyes in what state the Church was in the dayes of Francis the first Henry the second and Francis the second All thinges were then full of feare Infinite kindes of punnishmentes and paynes were layde vppon the Church as banishmentes proscriptions and burninges Then no man durst so much as name the Gospell without he would be counted a manifest heritike Fewe men or none and that of the meaner sort when they were in their secret corners durst not once mutter of the Gospell men coulde not then enioy the libertie of the Gospell except they woulde willinglye banishe themselues their countrey and wander into foreine Nations But who will not merueile herevppon at the issue and end of those afflictions Looke what thinges were then harde of a fewe did openly ringe in the eares of all men Looke what things were reiected in some places and greatly punished were publikely receiued of the greatest part of men yea there were many of the Nobles which sealed that doctrine with their bloud By the deathes of Kyngs the Gospell had passage victorie was gotten Triumphe was made and within fewe dayes the Gospell went through the greatest parte of the Kyngdome by open sermons by publique Disputations where most men were assembled together so that the Gospell had gotten many and singular witnesses The places which had séene the tormenting fyres and ashes of the Faithfull before sawe now great assemblies and multitudes of the Faythfull gathered together to heare the worde of God and the Kynges Edictes which were altogether made for the hurt and destruction of the faythfull were at the last for all that the aduersaries could doe made to preserue the faithfull To be short these Commentaries did bring to our remembraunce and consideration such wonderfull and straunge matters the like wherof wée our selues haue not safely séene that by the prosperous and happye issue and ende of these perturbations we oughte to conceyue a sure and vndoubted hope The matter was then tryed by fyre but now by force of armes he which quenched the flamyng fires by the death and destruction of those whiche were fully purposed vtterly to ouerthrow and destroy the Churche the same Lord of hostes graund Captain of battailes shall direct and order these warres to the libertie and peace of his seruants Therfore the examples of those things which wer done in time past do plentifully shew that whatsoeuer shall happen at the length which in déede is not to be measured by humane reason shall fall out for our health and welfare and that bicause God will not leaue his worke vnperfected Wherefore I truste it is euident by the consideration of the things which are set foorth in this Booke what great profite shal come to those whom the boisterous waues of these tempests haue touched And bicause this is not a priuate matter neither appertaineth to euery one man but common to the whole Church of God dispersed throughout the whole world
of crime Some goard with sword some choackt with rope some battred down There many pareÌ„ts wer dispoild of their beloued sonnes Their tongâ—… cut out wheÌ„ they shold dye for feare that they shold speak with guns And more entyse vnto their god that alwayes aydes the weake Oh Fraunce thou famous realm before and eke most populous place Thou art dispeopled wasted tourne thy owne doe thee deface Thy Cities cract thy Townes bereft thy men and nobles rackt Thy faythful subiects burnt and slaine thy welth and strength is sackt Ah pity pity for to heare how altered is thy state Through tyrannous popish cruel carles that Christ his truth did hate The Lord hath iustly plagued thee for so defacing his VVho in the end will ayd his flocke thou maist be sure of this If euer land might loth her lucke and lamed lowring state Fraunce thou hast cause for to deplore and waile thy cruell fate One of thy owne a pearle of thyne by learned treaties loo And true discourse thy mangled state le ts all the world to kno Thy Ramus here thy Phoenix France thy worthy learned clarke In volumes three conioind displaces thy broiles that he did marke And like a good and natrall child lest thinges should be forgot Hath painefully here pend thy brunts that do thy glory blot And like enough through cruell spite for these his learned paines Among the Popish crew of late dasht out was Ramus braines VVhose death ech scholler may bewaile for learning had a fall VVhen Ramus fell replet with skill thy chiefest clarke of all VVhat chief in France some may obiect ther liueth better still If I haue mist I pardon craue I speake it for good will. That I did learned Ramus lend for his sure grounded skill In learnings lore who for because he wrote in Latin stile VVhich only learned vnderstand well pew'rd with learnings file â–ª Tymme truly hath disrobed him of all his Romane tier And decked him in English clothes with zelous good desire To profit all his countrie men that they may see and vew The stormie tempestes of the French and partes of Popish crew The whole three volumes painfully Tymme hath absolued here And offers them vnto thy sight at last good Reader dere VVhich doth conteine the Ciuill warres or true Religions cause The spights of Papists that repind against Gods sacred lawes VVorthy the sight worthy the vew a mirror to beholde Of Gods elect of tirants fell of Papistes proude and bolde How God his chosen Church doth saue among her perillous foes And cancred cursed currishe kind that it oppresse with woes Therfore good Reader here embrace the founder of this frame And honor Ramus painfull pen the author of the same Giue Tym that Tymme doth wel deserue for Englishing this for thee VVhose paines do merit worthy praise let praise then be his see And waile the wracke of frushed France and giue God hâ—…rtie thanks That hath preseru'd this Royall realme froÌ„ such proud popish pranks FINIS Robertus Rollus in Historiam de Gallicae Ecclesiae statu recens editam UExata est olim priscis Ecclesia seclis Carceribus flagris ignibus ense cruce Haud minor est hodie cedes tu Gallia testis â–ª Sis dudum paribus sanguinolenta modis Qui fidei nuper multis fulsere magistri Prôh pudor indignam sustinuere necem Quoque magis possent inceptum absoluere factum Nullum papicola preteriere scelus Penè datur sceleri lex hoc qui credere posset Vix est tale nephas vnus alter erit Ante erat historia hec libris quasi manca duobus Nunc prodit numeris vndique plena suis. Si authorem spectes plena est si rem quota pars est â–ª Omnia nam tangi tempora nostra vetant Ascraei verba illa senis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quà m sunt huîc mirè consona dicta libro Nempe haec quae legimus quasi dimidiata supersunt Et quasi de domini clade relicta sui Quaeque modò aspicimus librisque notata videmus Debemus scriptis Rame deserte tuis Sed neque Tymme tua merita fraudabere laude Cuique oneris pars est pars honôris erit Τελοσ The summe of those things which are contained in these three first bookes of Commentaries IN these thrée first bookes of Commentaries we comprehende the space of foure yeares namely from the yeare 1557. vnto the yeare 1562. which was in the first motions of the ciuill warres beginning at that time which seemeth to be most fitte for this purpose the matter so aptly offering itselfe that we may very néere begin at the same time in the which Iohn Sleidan that learned man left and ended his Commentaries concerning the state of the CoÌ„mon welth and Religion First of all we set forth that great destruction and losse of men which is commonly called by the vulgar people Iacobs slaughter which séemed wholy to deface not onely the Church of Paris but also the Churches of Fraunce being now as it were but in the swadling clothes then we shew what cruell afflictions came at that time vpon the faithfull what the aduersaries did then and what our men also did We declare also that while newe deuises and practises are sought for to abolishe the Gospell quite nowe beginning to growe in Fraunce the whole kingdome being moued and troubled with newe threatenings of Edictes and punishmentes and the kings of Fraunce and Spaine being nowe in councell concerning this matter in the very league euen in the middest of their consultation when a scourge was a preparing for the Church by the solemnitie of mariage eueÌ„ at that time came the sodeine death of Henrie the king of all men vnlooked for Then howe the â—…uises had the gouernement of the Realme during the time of the nonage of king Fraunces the second how Annas Burgaeus a noble Senatour of the Parliament of Paris at that time was cruelly burned and what other persecutions there were also among which persecutions how the tumult of Ambaxian chaunced the causes and effectes whereof shall be declared After this the solemne assemblies had at the kings house at Fontisbellaquaeum to mitigate the tumultes who agréed to call a Parliament and a Nationall Councell or Conuocation to stay the controuersies of Religion of the which also we will intreate in order Also howe the king set forth an Edict promising them to forget and forgiue all former offences committed for Religions sake Then how the Guises went about to subuert and extinguish the Gospell coacting an assemblie to be made at Aurelias for the same purpose howe the deathes of the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde were conspired the tumult and trouble of Ambaxian being maliciously and falslye layde to their charge But while the Prince of Conde was straitly imprisoned and his death a preparing we will shew howe the sodeine death of king Fraunces the seconde happened to the great amasing
euery man could not haue a prisoÌ„ by himself that some of them were thrust togither into one prisoÌ„ so it came to passe that one of theÌ„ receiued comfort of another in somuch that the prison in the which they were souÌ„ded with the prayers Psalmes vttered song by them But to make these men the more to be hated diuers rumors were euery where spred namely that the Lutherans did assemble themselues togither in the night and being on a heape togither without candle light did fulfill their wandring lusts one with another killed their yong infants and committed other wickednesses The Monkes they made exclamation of this thing in euery place to inflame the people to reuenge the same And not only the common sort of people were stayed with these rumors but the same also of these things came eueÌ„ to the eares of the Péeres of the realm in so much that one of the Inquisitors or Commissioners durst auouch before the King that Tables spred and great prouision of daintie cheare was founde in that place where the faythfull had assembled themselues The which report so inflamed the Kings minde that he sought nothing more than the destruction of the faithfull yea and the mindes of all men did so boyle in hatred against them that he thought himselfe to excell that coulde best conspire the death and destruction of the faithfull At the last a coÌ„maundement was giuen by the king that some méete man should be chosen to knowe consider their causes which were taken Nowe at Paris there was a Magistrate a Citizen called Munerius a man as it was commonlye reported verye apt for all maner of fraude and deceyte At thys time this Munerius was as a Batte in the night and did seldome openly shewe himselfe bicause he was accused of falshood in the matter of the Countesse of Senigana or Seniguen the which he pretended to haue committed that Duke Arscotus who was then takeÌ„ and in hold might escape Notwithstanding to this man this office was committed And bicause by this meanes he hoped to haue pardon and shoulde be restored to his former dignitie he was so forward in his businesse that within fewe dayes many of their causes which were taken prisoners were brought to haue sentence and iudgement In the meane time those reliques which remayned behinde of that vaste and great shipwracke of the faithfull were cast into great distresse and sorrowe notwithstanding they thought it not good to faynt or quayle in those extremities For they which were the chiefe gouernours of the Church went about euery mans house exhorted euery one to be of good chéere perswaded that nothing had happened without the singuler prouidence of God by which also it came to passe that many escaped that daunger moreouer they sayd that they remained to defende the other partes of the Church which were left and that this calamitie shoulde not be the ruine and quite ouerthrow of the Church and on the other side that the same is the waye to increase and inlarge the Church which God both by his word hath shewed and also by experience approued for the gathering togither of the Church And thus when they had exhorted and comforted one another and had committed themselues and all things else to the prouidence of God first of al they appoynted that in euery house there should be extraordinary praiers made and that those faâ—…e rumors shoulde be put away by Apollogies and aunsweres of defence and also that the brethren which were taken should be confirmed and strengthned so often as might be with letters and also with wordes Therefore they write letters vnto the king and bring to passe to haue them caried secretly into the Kings chamber by which they ment to pacifie the kings minde to remooue the same from the euill opinion which it had conceyued of them and to obtaine the hearing of their cause They affirme in their letters that they are falsly accused and slaundered with such slaunders as are not newly deuised but with such as long before had bene obiected agaynst the Church by which Satan went about to make Kinges and Princes to hate the same and are now againe put forth by those only which desire to haue the truth oppressed to the ende they may fréely enioy the riches and goods which they haue vsurped and wrongfully gotten by wicked deceit And that be ought to séeke to haue sure and vndoubted proues of euery matter specially in businesse of so great weight For if it were sufficient to condemnation to accuse who shoulde then escape an innocent Wherfore if he would vouchsafe diligently to search out the truth of this matter it shoulde well appeare that they assembled themselues togither for no other ende and purpose than to praye vnto God for his prosperitie and the peace of the kingdome Also that their doctrine did not maintaine sedition neyther was an enimye to the obedience of Magistrates the which thing they had alway hitherto shewed neuer refusing to obey although they were many in number when they were euill intreated onely for following the worde of god And that thys was their onely desire that Christ might appeare to be the chiefe and heade alone and that the inuentions of men being abrogated God might be obeyed and serued according to his prescript will. Wherefore if it woulde please him to vnderstande their cause he might if he woulde make some publike disputation betwéene some one of those that were in prison and the Sorbonistes or others which might dispute of those things now in controuersie In the ende they doe pray and humbly beséech him that he woulde not suffer the innocencie of good men their cause not being hearde to be condemned séeing that wicked men and such as do most déepely transgresse obtain so much libertie as to shew their cause and aunswere for theÌ„selues These letters were read before the king and those also which were then present but small fruite or profite came thereby certaine of the Cardinals then crying that they were lyes and tales so that notwithstanding their reasonable suite and request they had not so much graunted vnto them as libertie to aunswere for themselues After this there was yet another letter sent to the king the effect wherof was that all men did confesse that these calamities with the which the christian coÌ„mon welth was vexed procéeded of the iust iudgement of God being offended that so many he resies and corruptions shoulde take place But the greatest offence to consist in this thing namely that none of those to whome the care and charge of the Common welth was committed had any regarde at all to discerne heretiques by the worde of God from Christian maintayners of the truth And yet notwithstanding that it did belong vnto the King to applie himselfe to know this thing according to the example of the good Kings Ezechias and losias And after certaine notes put downe of true and false religion
it began in maner as followeth Weye and consider with your selfe your estate and you shall finde that all things haue happened ouertwhaâ—…tly vnto you euer since you haue gone about to vexe the Lutheranes When you set forth the Edict made at Cast ellobrian then began warres But when you inhibited and forbad the executioÌ„ of that Edict and were an enimie to the Pope in sending a power into Germanie for the libertie thereof bicause of the afflicted religion your busines had very prosperous successe But what hath hapned vnto you euer since you entred into friendship with the Pope taking the sword of him by which truce being broken warres might begin a fresh God vndoubtedly shall turne thy felicities into those calamities which are now ready to fall vpon thée and thy dignitie To what end went the armie of the Duke of Guise into Italy when he had serued Gods enimie for hire went he not to this ende that when he returned home againe he might vtterly destroy the Churches of the valleys of Pedemonte and might so offer and dedicate his victories vnto God Surely the ende and successe sheweth that God doth bring the deuises and counsels of men to naught when they turne to their own destruction as appeareth by the slaughter which happened on S. Laurence daye of late at what time he derided and frustrated the proude threatninges of the Constable which boasted that if he returned home againe a victor or conquerour he woulde roote out and vtterly destroy Geneua Thus after the repeating of many examples in the which the iudgements of God did appeare against the aduersaries of his truth whose memory also was yet fresh in the heads of al men this letter at the length coÌ„cludeth that afflictioÌ„s cannot abolish destroy the Church of God séeing that as Tertullian sayth The bloud of Martyrs is the seede of the Church and that it is the office of a King to take vpon him the care of religion the which all men might sée by diuers ways to be contaminated and neglected that this might lawfully be done by calling a Councell In the meane time that their cause as yet being vnknowne not certaine they may be peaceably not cruelly intreated which protest that they follow Gods truth and that so holy a name cannot in such wise be coÌ„temned but some inquisition must be made also that iudgement ought to be had not from the deuises of men but from the worde of God the only and most certaine rule of truth Therfore say they if we be not conuinced by Gods word it is neither fire nor sworde nor any maner of punishment that can terrifie vs These shall be the triumph and victorie of our faith that by being ouercome we shall be ouercommers at the last by this Chariote we shall come at the length to the hauen of euerlasting lyfe But that Edict which was made at Cast ellobrian of the which we haue made mention before was very straite and cruell against Religion in the which among many things these were the speciall sentences First that all former Edictes concerning the putting of heretiques to death should be confirmed That no man shoulde be admitted to anye publike office before he had made his coÌ„fession agréeable to the Catholike and Romishe faith That in euery Parliament and in the thirde moneth also there shoulde be assemblies made which are commonly called Mercuriales and that first of all matters concerning Religion shoulde be handled and that there shoulde be speciall regarde and eye had to the assembly of the Parliament least some corruption or heresie might secretly créepe in There was also another Apologie set forth for all men to vse so written that the auncient forme and state of the Church being represented and compared to that which is at this day the auncient fathers themselues also by their own wordes and writings might defend and maintaine the verye selfe and same cause which they nowe defended and in such wise that they which sayde that they reuerenced and embraced antiquitie might heare antiquitie defending and supporting the cause of the reformed Church so called These things truly are plentifully set forth in this wryting but the summe is this That it was against right that the faithfull shoulde be accused for well doing but more iniurious that they should be condemned their cause not being heard Notwithstanding that the Church of Christ before this time long since had felt the same iniuries therfore no maruaile if they whose cause was like were made equall to them in trouble Howbeit that Sathan and his Ministers shoulde so little preuaile that for all their force the Church shoulde arriue through the midst of their temptations to the safe and quiet hauen and the thicke and dark Clowdes being blowne ouer the light of innocencie should appeare and the enimies of the same be founde lyers After this those slaunders and reproches which were obiected against them being particularly examined and considered by them were also fully aunswered altogither out of the writings of the Fathers that their Apologie or defence myght plainly appeare to be true and sounde Furthermore many letters were written to the brethren which were in prison yea and Churches of farre Countries bewayling their estate did comfort them with their letters so that hereby they were wondefrully confirmed And among other Churches or congregations the congregation of Geneua shewed the dutie of the faithfull brethren insomuch that they did not let by all meanes possible to doe them good While those things were prouided for of the faithful the aduersaries on the contrarie part sought by all meanes possible to worke the death of the faithfull which were in prison so soone as they coulde and in this matter Munerius the ciuill Magistrate was not a little diligent and the people for their part gréedily gaped and continually looked for the same Now there came forth a commaundement from the King that all other matters set apart for a time the senate shoulde wholy applye themselues to vnderstande the cause of the faithfull and to iudge of them according to the euidence that shoulde be brought against them by Munerius the eiuill Praetor Notwithstanding the Kings commaundement herein the whole Senate or assembly of the Court refusing and reiecting this Munerius both for that he withstoode the auncient custome of the Court and also bicause as is before sayde he was accused of falshoode concluded that by the relation and report of anye one man which shoulde come forth and giue euidence the iudgement and sentence of those Iudges that were put in trust shoulde be ordered The whole Senate therefore although they were not a little troubled with the great number of prisoners yet notwithstanding what by the expresse commaundements of the King to them and what with the olde and 〈◊〉 spyte they vare to Religion so greatly preuayled within fewe dayes that their causes in déede came to iudgement Of the which they which constantly helde the
confession of the true doctrine were condemned by great consent of the people to dye and were burnt with fire and suffering most excellent Martyrdome by death they woonderfullye triumphed of the crueltie of their enimies The which thinges bicause they be specially touched in another Booke it shall not be néedefull here to speake any more of them Many deliuered theÌ„selues from death by diuers meanes and wayes that were not lawfull But they to whome this charge and trust was commited boldly doing their office and being nothing slow to exercise crueltie certaine of their friendes which 〈◊〉 in holde propounded causes of refusall against the Iudges desiring that there might be other Iudges set in their places This thing for a time stayed the rage of the persecution Notwithstanding the king being certified hereof sendeth letters by which he declaring those refusals to be nothing commaundeth that all other things set apart they giue their diligence only to intende vpon this thing and that the Nobles which were in authoritie should choose out according as they thought good Counsellours to supplie the places of those that were absent and that in the Praetor Munerius â—…oume bicause for the causes before alleaged he was remooued other should serue to be short that final iudgement might be giuen of those matters howbeit that he might haue warning before any matter were ended These letters did againe displease and anger the mindes of those iudges which tooke it heynously that they were refused So that choller was then set on fire against many for this cause séemed as though it would rage and burne in the new yeare following For the aduersaries went about of late to establish bring in the like inquisition that was in Spain which they thought was the only way vtterly to ouerthrow the gospel letters at the last being obtained froÌ„ the Pope by which thrée Cardinals were appointed chief inquisitors they weÌ„t about all that they could to set forward this deuise The king for his part consented Notwithstanding the senate of Paris hauing better consideration of the matter greatlye withstode this new practise alleaged these causes to the king of their withstanding and prohibition saying If this thing should be brought to passe looke how much the power of the ecclesiasticall Iudges and Inquisitors should be enlarged so much should the supreme authoritie of the king be diminished Secondly that it was a matter of great weight for the naturall subiects of the king to be made destitute and after a sort depriued of their King and to be brought to the power of forreine Iudges and to be made subiect to an Offy â—ciall or Inquisitor Thirdlye that it shoulde be a defrauding of the kingdome but specially of the subiectes to be spoyled of the helpe safegarde of the king and to be themselues and all their goodes iudged disposed after the supreme iudgement of an ecclesiasticall Iudge Fourthly that it would come to passe that when they had gotten infinite power and the greatest part of the kings authoritie that is to say when they had gotten power to iudge of life death as theÌ„ listed without further appeale to any higher Court they might easily abuse their offices For say they the libertie to appeale is the onely sanctuarie and defence of innocencie Fiftly and last of all they say that the King to whoÌ„ the appeale should be made is the reuenger and the defender of violated and wronged innocencie and that iniurie shoulde be done if this thing went forward not only to the people but also to Princes to Dukes to Nobles yea and to the Kings nere kinsemen who also shoulde be bounde with this bonde By this prohibition and resistaÌ„ce the matter was delayed for a time at the length when the Kings Court was at Paris the verye same aduersaries of the truth brought to passe that those letters were confirmed of the King as he went to the Senate or Parliament for this cause Thus when they had gotten the lawe into their owne handes and had written new Edictes appointing mortall punishments for the faithfull whome they called Sacramentaries Sectaries and such lyke euery man looking now for grieuous persecutions it pleased God for a time to disappoint those cruell practises and threatenings by troubling the kingdome with warre and other businesse Neither is it to be buried in silence by what meanes God shewed his vengeaunce vpon many of those persecutors which were the chiefe Capitaynes in S. Iames slaughter That Munerius the Praetor which was the first that delt with the causes of the faithfull and had many wayes cruelly intreated them being afterwarde at the length condemned of falshoode in the cause of the Countesse of Senigana suffered by the decrée of the Senate punishment openly in diuers places and being thus ledde from place to place to be made an open spectacle for all men to behold to his great infamie and reproch was also banished his countrie This man while be was kept in prison sayde that he knew that the punishments which he suffered were a iust reward and recompence to him for his euill intreating of the Lutheranes and that he woulde neuer after séeke to do them any harme In like maner one of the Counsellers which were appoynted to vnderstande and iudge of the causes of the faithfull not long after died by sodaine death Another of them likewise being sodenly striken with a most grieuous sickenesse and being also at the poynt of death sayde I see plainly that I haue grieuously sinned against the Lutheranes which so godly pray vnto the Lorde In lyke maner two other whiche were very cruell against the faithfull in the slaughter that was made on S. Iames daye sodenly dyed in the sight of all men Moreouer two other when they retourned from the murther of the afflicted faithfull fell at contention within themselues and at the last were slaine one of another Thus the Lorde shewed many examples of his iust vengeance vpon his aduersaries Then the Church obtayned peace for a time and some occasion to rest and breath for a whyle â–ª by reason of those tempestes They which were before as it were discouraged through that former great slaughter receyued nowe heart and courage againe many others which were eyther confirmed by the constancy of those blessed Martyrs which suffered or els were lately brought to the knowledge of God ioyned themselues to the Church they also which to flye persecution went aside from out of the citie were not altogither vnfruitful Among these there was one which came to a towne called Crucillum in Britayne neare vnto the sea coaste the which towne was at that time greatly giuen to superstition but it was brought to passe by his meanes within short time after that many of the townesmen were called to the acknowledging of truth insomuch that there was a congregation there At the which good successe Satan was greatly grieued Therfore when the fame of this thing was
spred abroade the Bishop of Nâ—…auetensis or Nâ—…auntes with a certaine power of his men came thither whome he had gathered togither for this matter he giueth commaundement that clothes of tapistry work and other ornaments be hoong forth of euery house vpon the solemne daye in the which he with his wandring power shoulde passe through the Citie thinking by this meanes to fynde out who they were that were Lutheranes then he commaundeth the Drumme to be stricken vp and a signe to be giuen for men to prepare themselues to sight and thus he filleth the Citie with armour and tumult There was then present a certaine noble man who was appoynted by the Kings commaundement to presse and muster men for the warre this man admonisheth the Bishop into what perils he may bring the Citie the Englishe men their enimies approching neare who if they had knowledge of these troubles might easily obtaine the Cuie but his perswasion preuailed so little that he was also in daunger of his life and hardly deliuered himselfe from the mad rage of the common people Therefore the franticke people through euery corner of the Citie are as it were drunken mad by the guidance and leading of the Bishop and doe besiege and forciblye set vpon the houses in the which there were ninetéene of the faithfull congregated to make their prayers vnto god But the faithfull earnestlye beseech the people to be quiet and if there were any thing to be obiected against them they were ready to put themselues into the hands of the magistrate The Bishop aunswereth that the cause of their comming was onely to haue the Minister which they knewe to be among them The faithfull intreate that the Magistrate of the Citie might be called forth and he shoulde vnderstande the truth of the matter When the Praetor or Magistrate of the Citie had entred the houses and made diligent search through the same he declareth that the Minister is not there Notwithstanding the Bishop commaundeth the souldiers to set vpon and assault the houses the which thing the people did with all the force they were able to make seeking also to vndermine the houses But all in vaine for the faithfull that were in the houses affirmed that vnlesse they woulde depart they would driue them away And thus they being nothing dismayed or troubled commended themselues vnto God in Psalmes and songs The Bishop hereat being more angry commaundeth them to yéelde themselues the faithfull refused not to come forth to him if the people might depart saying that they were ready to make answere to those thinges whereof they were accused But for all this the gunnes and other instrumentes of warre were set to and bent against the houses The faythfull séeing into what straytes and extremities they were brought thought nowe within themselues that there was no remedie but that they must defende themselues but bicause it coulde not be done without great slaughter of the people if they did rashlye fall to offer strypes they thought it good not so to defende themselues vntill the verye extremitie came Notwithstanding when the people ranne with haste into the houses through the holes of the walles which they had made with Gunnes and other weapons the faythfull shotte at them with Crossebowes by force whereof many of them being stayne the myndes of the other were so discouraged that by and by the whole multitude ranne awaye and great quietnesse was made throughout the whole Citie They therefore being thus miraculouslye deliuered came forth singing the hundreth and foure and twentye Psalme as they went through the middest of the Citie and so escaped The next daye following the people being gathered togither againe ouerthrewe those houses in the which the faythfull had bene yea and their houses also whome they suspected to bée fauourers of their cause The Bishoppe vnderstanding that the Senate of Paris dislyked of this his facte went to the King and brought it so to passe by the meanes of them that were companiens and confederates wyth him in the same hys wicked furoâ—… that the King allowed all that he had done So lyttle was the equitie of the cause of the faythfull estéemed And very neare about this time also there séemed to be giuen a newe occasion to scirre vp affliction For at Paris in a medowe or fielde nere adioyning to the same commonly called the Clearks field â–ª many of the faithfull when others were busie at their sport and playe began to sing Psalmes little thinking that others would be stirred vp to do the like by their ensample Notwithstanding at the length it grewe to this that when this â–ª exercise had bene vsed certayne dayes many and men also of great estimation and fame came togither to heare the swéete and pleasant harmonie of the singing multitude They which coulde not sing and which had not as yet the knowledge of God went into the most conuenient places of the fielde to heare that which was soong and hearing the same confessed that it was wickedly done to forbid the singing of so honest godlie songs But while this went forwarde the aduersaries as though they were vtterly spoyled went to the king and declared to him that the Lutheranes had mooued sedition at Paris that they were ready to thrust his maiestie out of his kingdome that a great number of them were gathered togither in armour to conspire against him and therefore they requested him to prouide for this mischiefe for say they the Catholike Church and your whole kingdome is in great daunger When the King heard this he commaundeth that there be prohibition and stay made by a publike Edict that men sing no more in that place nor in that companie and also that there shoulde be inquirie made of those which had sooâ—…g They which were the chiefe of the reformed Church séeing into what suspitious those companies were brought giue admonition to their friendes that they neuer againe gather themselues togither in that place to sing as they did before if they woulde sing to sing at hâ—…me In the meane time many for this matter were apprehended who notwithstanding afterward for the lightnesse of the cause were set at libertie At the last when the Bishops preachers saw that the king did fauour them they perswaded with the people that it was an atteptable thing vnto God and a meritorious worke as they call in for a man â—…o kill a Lutherane And truly the beastly rage and madnesse of that people by these perswasions was prouoked insomuch that the reynes of temperancie loosed they ran headlong to commit what mischiefe they could of the which matter among many we will bring certaine examples â–ª On a certaine day after a Sermon it so fell out that two men contended togither by wordes in the Churchyarde of S. Innocentes the one of them to the ende he might stirre and procure hatred to the other by a reprochfull and odious name cried that the people might heare which were nowe going out of
which we haue spoken before and that they shoulde first of all deale with matters concerning religion The company therfore being asseâ—… â–ª bled called togither the Kings Solicitor propounded vnto them these matters First that there were diuers opinions in matters that coÌ„cerned Religion founde lately in the Senate disagréeing and contrarie one to another as when lome condemned heretikes to be burnt other some woulde not haue them to be burnt but mittigated the paâ—…ne by banishment the which woulde redounde to the reproche and shame of the Senate Wherefore he required that their sentences and iudgements might be conformable and agréeing euer hereafter with the prescript and tenure of the Edictes which appointed the punishments of death The which in déede was the most speedie and readie way to detect those Iudges that were suspected of religion as after truly it came to passe For when euery man fréely vttred his minde and opinion as the custome is there were diuers iudgementes some woulde haue no punishment by death but banishment other some before any thing was determined woulde haue it knowne whether they were heretikes in déede which were counted heretikes Also he sayd that it was the Kings will that heretikes shoulde be punished and the office of the Senate to sée and finde out who they were that were guiltye of heresie And for this cause he willed them to make supplication vnto the King that according to the first article of the peace concluded he woulde cause a lawfull Councell to be assembled to iudge of these controuersies and that they shoulde in the meane time leaue off to punishe But some sayde that it coulde not be hidde but was apparant for all men to beholde what greate corruptions had inuaded the Church and howe néedefull and requisite it was a reformation to be had and that by the worde of God which is the onely rule of veritie and not custome antiquitie or the opinions of men Furthermore they added that there was daunger and therefore great héede to be taken least while they whome they called Lutheranes were condemned Innocentes also shoulde be put to death For say they the Lutheranes as we terme them haue probable reasons to defend their doctrine withall whose life is irreprouable and without blame vsing themselues oftentimes to praye deuoutly and zealously to God as it hath well appeared to the Senate to be short such is their constancie that thereby they shew themselues not to be such maner of men as they are sayde to be among the common sort of people Thus at this time some spake one thing some another howbeit the greatest part would haue either the punishment to be mittigated or else the men to be quite discharged Many feared least this sentence and determination of those that spake in the behalfe of the Lutheranes shoulde take place wherevpon two of the Councell as it is credibly reported namely Egidius and Minardus went to the King and declared the matter wholy vnto him before the Court had concluded what shoulde be done against both lawe and auncient custome saying vnto him that the matter was nowe come to such a straite that great remedie must be prouided for the same otherwise great perturbations and trouble would ensue adding moreouer that the boldenesse of some was such that they durst arrogantly deride the auncient religion and as for the Edicts of the King they made no account of them at all The King being inflamed and greatly stirred with this newes came the next day into the senate where he declared that he hauing now obtained at the handes of God the most excellent benefit of peace confirmed the same with the societie sure knot of matrimonie there waÌ„ted yet one thing which he greatly desired namely the setting of matters coÌ„cerning religion in a good vniforme order for this cause he said that he came into the Court namely to vnderstand both in what state the matter stoode also to coÌ„fort incourage them by his presence And so he signified by the kéeper of the seales that he would haue them to follow that order which they had begon in shewing their opinions Therefore of theÌ„ which resisted some were more colde fearing some subtill practise to be in hand other som notwithstaÌ„ding â–ª spake their fantasies and opinions with no lesse boldnesse than they did before especially concerning the lawfull calling of a CruÌ„cel or Parliament And among others Anoas Burgaeus a man very godly wel learned when he had first of al giueÌ„ thaks vnto God that he had so wrought in the hart of the Prince that he would be a witnesse indifferent Iudge of so weightie a matter and when he had exhorted the King to bend his minde and giue good eare to so great vrgent cause being in deede the cause of our Lord Iesus Christ which â—…ught to be defended by the patrocinie garde of Kings very boldly and fréely vttered his minde affirming at the length that he dâ—…d wholy giue his coÌ„sent agrée that there should be a couÌ„cel called that the punishments then vsed toward the Lutheranes for that time should surcease Others also after him affirmed the like When the King had heard thefe men he making first his preamble said that to his griefe and sorow he saw corruption to be crept in eueÌ„ into his Court being very sorie that any of his Nobles should be stayned therwith the good he knew as for the others he said he wold â–ª so punish that he would therby extirpe quite pull vp by â–ª the rootes that mischief which was now a growing These threatnings ended talking a while with those that stoode with him he coÌ„mauÌ„ded that Annas Burgaeus Lodouicus Faurus should be takeÌ„ y which his coÌ„mandement was streightway executed by MoÌ„gomerie Captaine of the Garde After this others also were taken as Fumaeus Foixius many others And those that were of these opinions loking to be handled as they were got theÌ„ out of the citie but afterward they were opeÌ„ly proclaimed About the same time almost a Synode was helde at Paris many ministers of the Churches which were theÌ„ called the reformed Churches being then called togither for thys matter in the which both the doctrine of the faith and also Ecclesiasticall discipline were copiously largely intreated of â–ª truly as the time required the forme of discipline which was alredy appointed which was also afterward by many Synodes and Councels inlarged and examined by the rule of Gods word and the approued â–ª customes of the auncient Church brought much profit all which matters here to declare is not our purpose Howbeit these thinges following were the principall points thereof 1 First it is agreed that the confession of the doctrine which may testifie â–ª the coÌ„mon consent of the Churches be registred to the ende that no straunge opinions craftily be conueyed in 2 That all things be done in order in the Churches 3 That so often
spirite in this fayth vnto the ende and that it will please him to graunt me-strength for his mercies sake with my heart and mouth boldly to confesse his holy name both before the faithfull and also before Infidels tyrants and murthering butchers of Antichrist euen to the shedding of the vtmost drop of my bloud All my desire is to liue and dye in this sayth being fully perswaded that the same is grounded vpon the worde of God alone and that all the Saintes Patriarkes Prophetes and Apostles did lyue and dye therein This is the only true knowledge of God in the which the vndoubted and eternall felicitie of men is placed This I saye is the fayth in the which I will both liue and die To this confession I haue subscribed with my owne hande being readye also to seale the same with my bloude for the defence of the doctrine of the sonne of God whom I pray to open the eyes of your heartes that at the length if it be his will ye maye knowe and vnderstande the truth Therefore when he had wholye confirmed that confession and had with his owne mouth plainely testified the same before his Iudges then was there no hope left that Burgaeus shoulde be deliuered For he had great and mightie aduersaries among whome his chiefe and principall enimie was the Cardinall of Loraine who left nothing vndone that might by any maner of meanes hasten his death For he feared least at the length he shoulde bée deliuered by the king For many Noble men as Fredericke Earle of Palatine Prince Elector and others had very earnestly written to the King for him All things therefore being so appoynted as wée haue shewed hys aduersaries thought that they had manye iust reasons by which they might condemne him to dye And therefore on the twentie day of December they pronounce the sentence of death agaynst him namely That Burgaeus being condemned of heresie shoulde be burnt with firé vntill his bodie were consumed to ashes The which sentence Burgaeus heard and receiued cherefully and when he had heard it he gaue thanks vnto God that had suffred him to sée so ioyfull and happie a daye and prayed also vnto God that hée woulde pardon and forgiue his Iudges who had iudged him according to their owne conscience and knowledge but not according to the true knowledge and wisedome of god Many wordes be vttered vnto them at that time which were so rhetoricall weightie and sentencious with vehemencie vttred that it might well appeare the holy ghost rather to speak than he the which his words here to repeare shall be nothing from our purpose Hath sayth he that fraudulent message of hell full of all guile and deceyte and an abhominable lie with deadly hatred still striuing against the truth so preuayled that being accused vnto you falslye for those men which we are not shall so be condemned We I saye are the sonnes of God whome we knowe to be our father with whom there is no respect of persons with whome we are able to doe all thinges and without whome nothing he it is whome you ought to heare speaking nowe vnto you otherwise he threateneth vnto you death and destruction It is trulye the part of great and intollerable boldenesse for men to dare presume so much against the holy and inâ—…tolable commaundement of God. Shall we suffer our redemption and the bloude so plentifullye shed for our sinnes to be troden vnder foote Shall we not obey that our most mightie King who woulde haue vs to defende his cause who séeketh vs who sustaineth vs who is also our â–ª Captaine in fight What shall we do then shall feare make vs vnconstant or driue vs from doing our dutie No we shall rather be strong and valiant séeing we encounter with so weake an enimie But beholde what this wicked generation commaundeth that we suffer God to be blasphemed that we betray the truth of God and such like the which bicause we will not do we are counted execrable and wicked yes we are called seditious Ye are say they rebels to Princes and wherefore bicause we will not offer vnto Baal O good God how long wilt thou suffer the vnbridled lustes and ambitions willes of men to haue their swaye In the meane time most merciful and louing father till it shall please thée to restraine them haue mercy vpon vs leade vs forth and gouerne vs in defending of thy truth to the vtmost of our power Make it to be knowne O Lord that they themselues are rebels in déede to Princes and I for my part while I haue breath will not let to tel them so Is this to play the part of a rebell for a man to giue vnto his Prince both body and goodes and whatsoeuer else to be at his pleasure Is this the part of a traitor and Rebell to praye vnto God for the preseruation and prosperitie of the King and the kingdome and that he and his Ministers Counsellers and Magistrates maye truly and faithfully doe their dutie that all false worship being taken away God may be glorified alone and of all men purely worshipped Is not this rather rebellion to deface Gods glorie and to giue that honor due vnto him to creatures and to followe the deuises and fantasies of men in worshipping him to count it a vertue to rent and teare the name of God with blasphemous othes to suffer brothell houses and common stewes and an infinite number of wickednesses mo I appeale here vnto you ye Senators if ye beare the sworde of the Lorde only to reuenge his cause to the punishment of wickednesse and vice take héede I aduise you what ye doe Will ye giue iudgement and proâ—… condemnation against your selues Weigh and consider I pray you a little with your selues the wickednes that is layde to our charge and first of all iudge whether it be more méete for vs to obey you rather than god Are ye made so drunke with the Cup of the great beast Doe ye after this sorte bring the people from falling into sinne whome ye bring from the true worship of God If you reuerence and feare more the opinions of men than ye do the iudgement of God consider with your selues what the people of forroine nations and kingdomes shall thinke of you when the crueltie of your iudgements shall be spoken of in euery place â–ª yea and that before so famous Princes Howe many wickednesses doe ye commit by the commaundements of that ruddie purpuled Phalaris canst thou O cruel tyrant by the cruel death cease our sobbing sighes who at his owne pleasure for his proper aduauntage and gayne aduanced the authoritie of certaine rulers to the destruction of the King and the whole kingdome At his commaundement ye so racke and torment our bodies that ye your selues are constreyned to pitie the same Howe great is your crueltie But me thinketh I sée teares fall from your eyes Why wéepe you Can you hide the burthen of your consciences
procéede in his well doing promising vnto him great things and to the ende he might not séeme to dallie he gaue vnto him a summe of money for an earnest peny and for the newes he brought him he called him Saint Paule the Conuert To be short this fellowe perceyuing some fruite and profite to come vnto him for his treacherie and playing the Iudas part added yet to his former wickednesse another mischiefe So many as he knew to be weak and not fully seâ—…led in the ChristiaÌ„ profession he perswaded to go to the Inquisitor and to desire his friendship that they might be absolued and discharged of the punishment ensuing Also he caried with him Catchpoles to so many of the houses of the faithfull as he knew that by them they might be apprehended By this his secrete treason he made all the chiefe of the Church to flée Nowe the other which was the Painters seruant enuying his maister for due correction ministred vnto his deserts went and tolde the Iudges that he had frequented the Lutheranes companie by the commaundement and will of his maister Whome the Judges séeing to be so readye to accuse inticed him by many faire promises to bewraye such as he knewe to be Lutheranes The which request of theirs he satisfied to the vttermost saying that the common report was true namely that they satisfied their filthie lustes one with another and saying also that he himselfe had to doe with diuers yong maydens whome he named For the which cause he required that those Maidens with their mothers might be brought before the Judge face to face and the matter throughly examined The which matter at the length being manifestly proued false this wicked accuser was constrayned to confesse that he was procured by Democharis the Inquisitor and one of the chiefe of the Senate to forge these things Howbeit this slaunderous rumor did much harme for it was noysed abroade that all maner of wickednesse was committed by the Lutheranes when they came togither The same wherof being brought to the eares of the yong King made him more cruell against the faithfull And so persecution waxed hote and vehement againe the Iudges Flyes for so were the Inquisitors called flying abrode in euery corner Insomuch that for the space of nyne monethes the faithfull were cast in prison banished murthered and their houses and goodes confiscate Notwithstanding all these things God preserued the remnant of his Church and suffered not for all this the preaching of his worde to be taken away Manye therefore were then burned for the Gospels sake whose coÌ„stancie wan many to the same And among the rest which suffered for the testimonie of the Gospell there was one woman called Margaret Riche a booke sellers wife of wonderfull constancie This woman by the falshoode deceit of hir husband was betrayed into the hands of the Judges who notwithstanding was the first that instructed hir in the truth brought hir to know reiect hir former errors Annas Burgaeus affirmed that he was much encouraged by the constancy of this woman which was kept in bonds when he liued Thus the Kingdome of the yong King Frances being gouerned as it pleased the Guises who hauing gotten the superioritie thought and deuised nowe howe to bring two things to passe which séemed to be so necessary for theÌ„ that without the obtaining of them they could not get their purpose the which two thinges were these the extinguishing and taking away of the libertie of Fraunce and the libertie of the Gospell But while they went about to bring these things to passe many complaintes of them and libeâ—…s that touched the practise of these things were cast abrode namely that the Guises did not secretly go about to conspire against the kingdome that they went about in the dayes of King Henrie by subtil sinister meanes to subuert and wast the Duchie of Andegauensis and the Countie of Prouince that they oftentimes complained that the King had doâ—…e them iniurie in this thing that they went about to proue by learned men whoÌ„ they had taken to search the Chronicles that they came by true lineall discent of Carolus Magnus that Hugo Capetus of whom come the kings of Vales that now raigne vsurped the kingdome that they sayd that they hoped for a time to come at the length when they should haue more coÌ„uenient time to reason iudge of this matter And therfore that the Guises hauing practised these things in the dayes of Henrie the King had now greater hope in these days of the yong king to bring their purpose to passe that it was done against all the lawes of the Realme that they shoulde arrogate to themselues the gouernement of the Kingdome séeing the same pertained to the Princes which were the Kings neare kinsmen whom notwithstanding they had excluded froÌ„ that lawful dignitie appertaining to them that the kingdome could not be committed vnto them without great daunger specially séeing they contended for the same that it wanted not great suspition that they banished the auncient kinsfolks of the king froÌ„ the Court to the intent they might do al things as theÌ„ listed that they did chauÌ„ge the gouernors of Prouinces and Cities to the ende such might beare office as would be ruled by them that it appeared by manye things that their gouernment was pernicious and hurtfull for the kingdome as both by the freshe memorie of the late wicked acte done in the dayes of King Henrie concerning that notable viage to Naples by which the one was minded to make himselfe Pope and the other purposed to make himselfe King and also by the sundrie exactions with the which the people were oppressed when they shoulde rather haue bene eased considering the great warres and charge that they had bene at before being charged with warre a freshe carying the souldiers that were wearied in the former warres into Seotlande and all vnder the pretence of religion And here for examples sake the dealings of those were brought in who vnder the colour of custodie protection and wardship had inuaded the kingdomes of Orphantes These were the contents of those libels dispersed abrode coÌ„cluding also that it was no offence at all but well done with the sworde to resist the tirannie of the Guises While these things were published abrode and on both sides writings of defence dispersed manye rumors were brought from farre Countries to the Guises but among the rest this in especiall namely that manye had made a conspiracie to set vpon them euen in the Kinges house The Guises therefore being moued with these writings and rumors layde the cause of all these things to the Lutheranes charge and went about to perswade the King that the Lutheranes disdaining to be so greatlye afflicted had made a conspiracie to destroy him And for the more safetie of the King they caried him to Ambaxia being a litle towne and fortified with a Castell appointing watch and warde to be in euery place through
which the King should passe to Ambaxia commaunding also to take so manye as they founde armed or by any maner of meanes suspected This done the Kings power and authoritie was committed to Frances Duke of Guise to supplie the Kings roome for confirmation whereof he receyued the Kings letters patentes Notwithstanding all this the Guises as yet were vncertaine of the reported conspiracie as from whence after what maner by what waye they woulde come and who the conspirators were vntill the Cardinall of Loraine was plainly certified thereof by a certaine lawyer of Paris to whome were giuen for his rewarde in reuealing this matter ten thousande French Crownes out of the Kings treasurie But nowe what maner of conspiracie or practise this was ye shall heare There were verie manye which disdained and repined at the authoritie committed vnto the Guises but specially the Noblemen which tooke it in euill part that the libertie of Fraunce shoulde be defaced by the tirannie of straungers Againe many of those which were of the reformed Churches being wearied with sharpe and grieuous afflictions and laying the burthen and blame of all these cruelties vpon the Guiles as the chiefe and principall enimies of religion thought if they might be repressed and put downe they shoulde finde the King more mercifull and readie to heare their petitions and they should defend their cause before the Magistrates if they were there vnto lawfully called Yea the matter came so farre that they thought they had iuste causes to put downe the Guises the which shoulde turne to the profite both of the King and countrie And this counsell and practise was enterprised at Nameta which is a towne in the lower Britayne by certaine which came thither vnder the colour of méeting togither at a mariage The chiefe perswaders and procurers of which matter were Godfridus Barreus Renaudius and Garreus being Noble men Whose determination and purpose was to compell the Guises to giue an account bowe they had discharged their offices and to remoue them from that dignitie which they sayde they had vsurped and to place the Princes which were the Kinges neare kinsemen in the same To bring the which thing to passe they determined if néede shoulde require to take the sworde in hande And thus they concluded their purpose the summe whereof was That nothing shoulde be done against the King against the Kings kinsemen and against the state of the Realme and that their dignitie and the libertie of the countrie shoulde bee defended so much as might bee from the violence of straungers And to bring this thing to passe Renaudius was chosen Captaine to whome they ioyned sixe other whose counsell he might vse in any matter and thirtie men also very skilfull in feates of armes to attende vpon him in seruice of warre The time and place also of méeting was appointed And so euery man diligentlye went about the thing concluded they prouided money and artillerie and appointed souldiers Notwithstanding the manifolde rumors of their doings and the exquisite diligence of the Guises or rather the prouidence of God which had a greater worke to finishe bewrayed their counsels deuises At that time the Earle of Sansserrensis was lieutenant of Turon who hearing that the Lord Castelnouan and certaine valiant captaines with him abode there certaine dayes came to them séeing the Lord Castelnouan whom he knew very earnestly inquired of the matter but at the last they fell togither by the eares Howbeit they escaped and fled to the castle called Nozeus to the which they had before determined to come there by the industrie of Renaudius were gathered togither the number of fiue hundred horsmen But the Earle of Sansserreus went without delay to Ambaxia told there al the whole matter Whervpō captaine Nemorosius was sent to Nozeus with prepared souldiers to take a view also to knowe their intent and meaning Whither when he was come he desired to talke with thē The which being graunted he demaūded what cause they had so to deale asking also if they by their disloyall disobedience woulde bring infamie reproch to all their countrymen who were wel knowne to be euer faithfull and true to their Kings To this they answere by Barō Castelnouan that they ment nothing against the Kings maiestie but were armed to defend the King the state of the Realme intended to shew his Maiestie the fraude and deceyte of the Guises which they practise to destroy the King and the kingdome and that they were therfore gathered togither with a great companie of Nobles to resist the tyrannie of the Guises their manifest violence oppression both of lawes and auncient institutions Affirming also that they woulde retaine the name of faithfull subiectes in the middest of these troubles whatsoeuer they were thought off To this Nemorosius replyed saying that it became not Subiectes to come vnto their Prince with weapons and armour They on the contrarie part sayde that they did not beare armour against their Prince but against the Guises his vndoubted enimies who will suffer none of his subiectes to haue recourse vnto the king And therfore they sayde they were armed that they might haue accesse vnto the Kings maiestie to whome they knewe and woulde giue due honor and reuerence This cōmunication passing betwene them Nemorosius at the last fel to intreating beseching them promising that if they would vpon trust yéelde themselues into his hands and go vnto the king without armor they should sustain no harm Who at y length being perswaded yéelded thēselues into his handes counting it a great good turne if so be they might haue frée accesse vnto the King without the vse of weapons and armour Notwithstanding so soone as they were come to Ambaxia they were cast into prison handled euen as they had bene traytors to the kings Maiestie The day folowing the band of footmen not knowing what had happened went through the woods to Ambaxia being euery one of them inclosed and taken by an hoste of horsemen were the same daye put to death some being hanged and some drowned in the riuer The thirde day the bande of horsemen among whome came Renaudius hauing trauailed all the night by the conducting and skill of Champdeus a Noble man came by the breake of the daye to the Castell gates of Ambaxia But béeynge betrayed they fled away were scattered here there And this was the ende of this enterprise thus it was stayed They whō Nemorosius had persuaded to yéelde which were takē were diuersly put to death some had their heades chopt off some were hanged out of the Castell windowes and some cast into the riuer And among others that were taken Castelnouanus was one of whome we spake before being a man of great fame both for his birth and also for his bringing vp This man hearing himselfe to be pronounced giltie of treason against the Kings maiestie cried out that he was giltie in no respect of that crime
neyther that he coulde so be proued by any meanes This one thing he cōfessed to be true that he went about to resist the tyrannie of the Guises with a great number of the Nobilitie of Fraunce if this were to offende the Kings maiestie sayde he they must be called Kings before I and they can iustly be condemned of treason And séeing they might not haue libertie to appeale to mortall Iudges he sayde that he appealed to the celestiall Iudge for so vniust iudgement giuen vpon him the which ere it be long will take vengeance on innocent bloude so vniustly shed The like also many others affirming and committing their innocencie to God caused manye to lament their state with teares And among the rest one whose name was Villemongius bathing his handes in the bloude of his fellowes which were newlye slayne lifted vp his handes imbrued with bloude to heauen crying Lord this is the bloud of thy seruants thou shalt take vengeance Nowe therefore these horrible slaughters a man woulde thinke had bene sufficient to make Renaudius forsake his former purpose but he notwithstanding continued in the same Wherefore he went about to gather togither againe his men which were dispersed as you haue heard euē now the which while he assayed he met with a horseman of hys enimies side who shot of at Renaudius his dag but missing him was at the last by Renaudius slayne But Renaudius by a souldiour standing by being the seruaunt of the horseman that was slaine was also wounded to death with the shot of a Dagge whome notwithstanding before he died Renaudius also manfully slue But streight after by the grieuousnesse of the wounde he dyed Whose deade carcas being brought to Ambaxia was hanged vp with this title RENAVDIVS captaine of Rebels and Author of Sedition After this it was deuided or quartered into foure partes and set vp in diuers places and his heade set vpon a forke A wonderfull and straunge thing it was that so many men should come togither from all parts of the Realme and yet be séene of none But this was not the ende of this tumult The Guises against whome this conspiracie was made made great search and inquiry for those that were suspected to be guiltie of this conspiracie Moreouer the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde in this contention tooke part against the Guises as hereafter shall be declared The Constable at the commaundement of the King went to the Senate of Paris and there opened the whole matter concerning the tumulte of Ambaxia commending the great diligence of the Guises in pacifying of the same But bicause he sayde that this conspiracie was made against those that were in chiefe authoritie about the King the Guises tooke the same in very euil part who would haue had all men perswaded that it was made for the destruction of the King and the whole Realme that all good order being taken away euery man might rule and gouerne as him lysted At this time Oliuarius the Kinges high Chauncelour who had condemned those that were taken in the tumult of Ambaxia was grieuously taken with sickenesse and being very extréemely handled therewith sayde that he had iustly deserued the same for that those whome he had condemned had great iniurie done vnto them Moreouer hée made exclamation against the cardinal of Loraine who hearing of his extreme sicknesse came to sée him saying Thou O Cardinall art he that bringeth destruction to vs all And so fetching déepe sighes grieuous grones be ended his life Nowe there came forth a newe Edict very cruell against those which followed the newe Religion as they termed it Notwithstanding the late conspiracie being founde to come through the cruell punishmentes layde vpon men whereat they boldly repined brought to passe that the Guises being afrayde thought it best to temper and mittigate those punishments Therefore there were sent abrode letters of pardon in the which the King declared that he would not in the first yere of his reigne begin with the miserable slaughter of his subiects although they had deserued the same but wold rather folow the example of our heauenly father to retain his seruāts by his lenitie mercie than by seueritie and punishments Therfore he sayd he sorgaue all offences concerning religion and gaue generall pardon notwithstanding vpon that condition that they which enioyed the benefite therof should liue catholikely as others did Moreouer the same that came by the conspiracie troubled also the Cardinall of Loraine being a man by nature verye fearefull and wauering insomuch that now after a sort he shewed himselfe very gentle toward the fauourers of the Gospell yea and hearde willingly many of the Ministers of Gods worde which were not afearde to talke with him concerning the chiefe pointes of the Religion nowe in controuersie affirming also that he himselfe did agrée with them in many points But the Quéene to the ende she might vnderstande the true causes of the tumult of Ambaxian and might sée also what remedies might be had for those troubles which were nowe readie to come vpon the kingdome sent for one called Planchaeus bicause he was sayde to be a man that had by long vse great experience who being come and brought into hir priuie chamber she declared that she had sent for him to this ende that she might vnderstande by him what were the causes of the troubles nowe at hande and also what remedies might be prouided for the same Of which she sayde no man coulde better satisfie hir than he Who when he coulde by no excuse shift off or denie this request at the last affirmed that for his obedience sake he woulde take this thing vpon him and so farre as he coulde satisfie hir request First therefore he began thus saying there are two sortes of them who hauing their names altered were no more called Lutheranes but Huguenotes I saye of these there are two factions the one of religious persons the other of Ciuile or politike persons Of the whiche two factions the first for their afflicted Religion the other for that the gouernement of the Realme was put into the handes of the Guises the Princes the Kings neare kinsemen beyng defrauded of the same were greatlye displeased These were the verye causes of these troubles to remedie the which there is no waye but to satisfie both their wylles The first namely the religious persons may easilye be perswaded if so be godly and learned men were gathered togither and disputation made of those articles nowe in controuersie But the others which were of the Temporaltie can not be so easilye pacified bicause they thinke that they haue iust occasion to put themselues in armour and to resist This therefore is the onely remedie if the Princes the Kings neare kinsemen be kept and set in their owne proper degrée and dignitye and the Guises by some faire and gentle meanes remooued from gouerning the Kingdome For the Nobilitie will not suffer the Princes
which are the Kings neare kinsemen to bée in lesse estimation than Straungers And althoughe the Princes throughe their humanitie and great modestie woulde suffer them selues to bée so abased yet notwithstanding the Nobles woulde not beare it nor abyde the gouernement of Straungers And to confirme this which he had spoken he brought in manye examples that the Guises being Straungers were neyther in the number of Princes nor at anye time so accounted and that therefore it was not lawfull for the Guises to arrogate vnto themselues the titles and authoritie of Princes which onely appertained to the Kings bloude as the auncient custome of the kingdome woulde declare This sayth he to pacifie those of the temporaltie whose doings were the more to bée feared for that the greater part of the Nobilitie was of that side sauing such as were woonne and procured awaye by the Guiles for the Kings money Thus Planchaeus largely and fréely vttered his mynde But all the whyle that he had this talke with the Quéene the Cardinall of Loraine was hydde behinde the Tapistrie clothes that hâ—…ng before the wall of the Closet Who when Planchaeus had leaue of the Quéene to depart came forth and talking with the Quéene appointed that Planchaeus shoulde be called agayne and commaunded to procéede in his former declaration and to shewe who they were that were the authors and Captaynes of she late conspiracie the which except he woulde promise to doe that he might be caried to prison Therefore Planchaeus being called againe began to vtter his minde as fréely as he had done before shewing the parentage and stocke of the Guises and also howe they were Straungers and nothing appertaining to Fraunce adding moreouer that it was very euill done to commit the gouernement of the Realme to Straungers and speciallye to such as did contende ambitiouslye for the Kingdome and thought it shoulde appertayne to them The Quéene being offended with his boldnesse and speciallye séeing he affirmed that he knewe nothing of the conspiracie commaunded that he should be caried to prison All which Planchaeus spake was euen as it were the voyces of the people speaking by the mouth of one man. After this Michael Hospitall the Kings Chauncelour after the death of Oliuarius of whom we spake before a man verye well learned and wyse was sent to the Senate of Paris to consult with them about many matters that belonged to the gouernement of the Realme and among the rest concerning the prouiding such remedies as might take away the tumults alredie begon And thus afflictions waxed more easie than they wers before and remedies were prouided for so generall a mischiefe But the fame and report of the increasing of the multitude of the faithfull daylye was in euery place of the Realme and bicause great troubles séemed to be at hande all men had regarde vnto them more than to the report of the increase of the faithful the most part endeuouring themselues to staye and pacifie these troubles And at this time this was the state of France the Guises sent the same prouision of warre with the which they withstoode the religion in Fraunce into Scotland ouer the sea to the intent they might there deface and put downe the religion newly begon For the Nobles of Scotland with a great multitude of the people beside had cast off the Popes yoke from of their neckes had plucked downe their Images their altars and abolished the ceremonies of the Papisticall seruice causing the Quéene to get hir into a little towne by hirselfe for that she was sore offended at that which they had done Therefore lacking helpe the Guises brought to passe to haue an hoste of men sent out of France to the number of foure thousande Of this bande of men Brossaeus was Generall with whome was ioyned the Bishop of Ambianensis to the ende the one might fight with the sword and the other with Papisticall power Therfore they toke their iourney with these coÌ„mandements namely that they should seuerely punish the Rebels and the chiefe authors of sedition and that they shoulde restore the wonted and vsuall obedience of the Pope Wherfore so sone as they were come into Scotland they made proclamation that euery one should go to Masse detest and forsake the new religion The Bishop wrote vnto the King that he woulde bring all the people within fewe dayes to the catholike faith Brossaeus wrote that he woulde destroy all within sixe moneths which woulde not come to the auncient Religion But it came otherwise to passe For after the death of Marie Quéene of England the Guises made claime and title to the Crowne of Englande for their Néece the Quéene of Scottes as though she had bene the lawfull heire Whereat the moste gracious Quéene Elizabeth hauing great disdaine sent worde to the King of Fraunce of this great iniurie done to hir Grace by the Guises and biddeth battaile Nowe the Scottés to the ende they might abide the forren power of the Frenchmen féeling also that they stoode in néede of helpe and ayde from some other place went to the Quéene of England beséeching hir that although they were hir olde enimies yet that she woulde vouchsafe to ayde them in so iust a cause of Religion saying that they had rather to abide any extremitie than the tyrannie of the Pope To whom the Quéenes maiestie willingly and gladly promised and graunted helpe The Scottes therefore being encouraged by this ayde did so withstande the French power that they made great slaughter of the French men and draue them to such a strayte that except the matter had bene taken vp by peace it shoulde séeme that they had bene all vtterly destroyed Peace therfore was concluded and the reformed Religion there established And so that tumult was turned to the peace and quietnesse of the Church notwithstanding the subtill practises and cruell threatnings of the aduersaries There were also at that time grieuous afflictions layde vpon the Church in another place For in the townes of Sixtus and Guardia in the countrie of Calabria there were manye yea to the number of a thousande which by the Popes commaundement were put to death for Religions sake and many horrible cruelties also committed by the meanes of one Marchion Buciane In the Kingdome of Fraunce also in diuers places as at Paris and Rhoane many of the faythfull were murthered vpon the solemne feast daye of the Bishops deambulation For the faithfull began more and more to assemble themselues togither and exhibited vnto the King a little booke containing the confession of their faith requiring to haue libertie graunted vnto them to declare their cause Wherfore it shall not be disagréeing from our purpose to put downe here the same their confession to the ende we may therby sée what a notable consent and agréement there was in the doctrine of faith among the Churches of Fraunce notwithstanding the â—…oysterous tempestes of the first afflictions A Confession of the Fayth made
to be imminent and readye to fall on the kingdome might be appeased and mittigated Therefore at the daye appointed diuers of the kings priuie counsel other noble men came togither The which assembly being made the King declared the cause of their comming togither at that time and commauÌ„ded that euery man should freely declare his mind both for his owne profite and for the benefite of the kingdome also The rest he said they should heare more at large of his Chauncelour of the Duke of Guise and of the Cardinall of Loraine Then the Chauncelour stoode vp made a large discourse concerning the state of the kingdome shewing that all men ought most chiefely to endeuour them selues to finde out the causes of so great perill mischiefe as the whole Realme now stoode in the causes wherof being knowne the remedyes might be the more easily prouided for And to this end and purpose he said this assembly was made namely to finde out the causes of this mischiefe to prouide remedyes for the same Adding moreouer that all things were done for the safetie of the people for whom the King had most deepe and especiall care And after hym the Duke of Guise briefly shewed the cause of his gathering together of an Armie These things onely were done that daye the next daye those which before were assembled came together againe into the same place And then the Chauncelor declared that it was the kings pleasure that euerye man shoulde freelye vtter his minde but firste of all they of the priuie counsell that by their example and beginning the reste might more boldely and cheerefully goe forwarde Then Ianus Monlucius Bishop of Valentia the last couÌ„seller being commaunded first of all to vtter his minde Gasper Castillon the Admirall strait way stepte vp came to the king and when he had reuerently saluted him he deliuereed vnto hym two supplications written in their name which called themselues The faithfull Christians dispersed through diuers places of Fraunce Both the whiche supplications at the Kyngs commaundement were read the summe and effecte wherof was that they had good occasioÌ„ offered them by this their assemblye to offer their supplications and their humble requestes to the King praying and beséeching him that he woulde haue regarde to the greatest parte of his subiectes who were euill intreated euen vntill that present time and that for this cause onelye for that they mynded to frame their lyues according to the prescript rule of the pure word of god Affyrming also that they soughte for nothing else than to haue their doctrine examyned by the same rule of Gods worde and that their cause might throughly be wayed and considered that all men mighte knowe for certaine howe greatly they did hate and abhorre those seditious and heretical opinions with the which hitherto they were falsely burthened Seyng they were thus euill intreated and oppressed they flée vnto his maiestie for succour beseching him that he would not disdaine but vouchsafe to behold and way their cause in the meane time that it would please him to omit the punishments by which their blood had béen shed in euery part of the kingdome by the wickednesse crueltie of many of the Iudges who hauyng no regard to the peace and welfare of the Subiectes but séeking rather to satisfie their owne fantasie lust and desire had shed the blood of poore men vndeseruedly and most vniustly had brought to passe to make a stay that their requests and supplicatioÌ„s might at no time come to the kings eares Wherefore they humbly beséeche his grace that he would maintaine and defende his poore subiects against the wicked crueltie of these men for which cause they acknowledge him to be their King and will render vnto him according to Gods commaundement all due and seruisable obedience and doe commit them selues wholy with all theirs vnder his patrociny and safegarde and also doe account him their bulwarke refuge and staye Protesting before God and hys Maiestie that they neuer intended any thing against hym or to omit that loyall duetie and obedience which they owe vnto him for whose prosperitie they daylie make their prayers vnto god Adding moreouer that they sought for no euill libertie or to haue sinne vnpunished but rather that they might haue libertie to liue so néere as they coulde according to the Gospell which they professed and that in this thing they might not feare the iudgemeÌ„ts of their chiefest aduersaries Againe therefore they beséech and praye his Maiestie that it would please him to graunt them leaue to heare the worde of God and to receiue his Sacraments vntill the matter were more fully wayed and considered of the Counsell and that to this end and vse they might haue Churches graunted vnto them least their congregation or assembly being priuate and secrete might come into false and euill suspicion This libell being red the Admiral desired the King that he would take it in good part bringing in diuers testimonies of his faithfulnesse towardes the kings Maiestie As when he was in Normandy to prouide things necessarye for the Scottishe warre and was appoynted by the Quéenes commaundement diligently to inquire out the dealings and behauiour of those which were called Faithfull â–ª and perceiuing that they rendred certaine reasons of their doings he promised vnto them to offer their supplications vnto the Kings maiestie To this the King aunswered that he had diuers good and notable testimonies of him and of his deserts and also that he did take all things that he had done in very good part And then the King commaunded againe the Bishop of Valentia to speake his iudgement Who in effect vttered this which followeth DIOCLESIAN was wont to say that the state and condition of those Princes was miserable which were often deceyued by those in whome onely they reposed their trust bicause they forsaking the gouernement of the common wealth and being as it were drowned in their pleasures might so be easily deceyued The which hath not happened vnto the King forasmuch as there was diligent prouision made against those perilles by the prudent wisedome of the Quéene and by the diligence and care of the Guises by which it was brought to passe that the tumultes alredy raised were suppressed The which being appeased the King did wisely foresée howe to prouide for the like to come and that for this cause he had caused this assembly to be made in the which there were so manye good men that sought the Kings quietnesse and profite that it coulde not be but that his Maiesties desires should be satisfied in euery poynt For so great is the confusion and trouble in euerye place of the Realme that it coulde not be more expressely described by the Prophete Esay to be the dissipation of all things of all orders and gouernement than it is The doctrine which hath so drawne away the mindes of men was not sâ—…wne lately as it were two yeares ago but for the
him to be a King to this ende that he might kéepe the people vnder the knowledge feare and obedience of God that he might gouerne them by good and wholesome lawes and also to saue and defende them from the enimie and in all thinges to shewe himselfe so studious and carefull for the common wealth that he may be honoured and be beloued as a father of the people For this is the onely difference betwéene a King a Tyrant The King reigneth and ruleth with the good will loue and consent of the people but the tyrant ruleth by violence and force In a King therefore a man may behold the ordinance of God the author and preseruer of Common welthes and humaine societie In the tyrant the force and violence of the Diuel who goeth about to peruert that ende to the which God hath ordeyned Kings and Potentates Herevpon it commeth that as the King is loued of all men and hated of none but of wicked men and Rebels so the tyrant is feared of all men without exception and therefore hated of all according to the olde Prouerbe Quem metuunt oderunt him whome men feare they hate Therefore if the King will be loued and obey the commaundement of God and retaine the obedience and loue of his subiectes he must of necessitie stablishe Religion he must heare the complaintes of the people and must prouide for them remedies as a father prouideth for his children séeing that he is set in the kingdome to that ende neyther can he doe otherwise except he will make himselfe vnworthy of the grace of God by which he confesseth that he doth reigne as both examples of holy Scripture and domesticall examples also do plentifully declare The first bond therfore which confirmeth knitteth and retaineth the obedience of kings is Religion the which is nothing else than to know God as it becommeth vs that is to say according to his prescript wil. And now séeing we ought to acknowledge him to be the creator author preseruer of all things it must néedes folow that al our actions ought to tende to the setting forth of his glory Whervpon it cometh to passe that Religion which is that most assured bonde of humane actions and of the true obedience of subiects towards their Kings ought to be reformed preserued maintained But bicause that bonde is dissolued and broken in these our dayes both by the malice wickednesse of some and also by the doting madnesse and folly of other some and by the corruption of our time it is no doubt an euident demonstration and token of the wrath of God which threateneth vnto vs great destruction not farre hence vnlesse it be prouided for out of hande For besides the varietie of doctrines who euer sawe the ancient discipline of the Church so miserably abused contemned and deiected errors so dispersed and rooted euery where offences and stumbling blockes so common the life of Priests so corrupt and so much to be reprehended and also so many and great tumultes among the people The way to remedie this great euill and mischiefe is a generall Councell the only ancient vsuall meane but as it plainely appeareth that is not to be hoped for and that for two causes The one is It is not in our power to bring to passe that the Pope the Emperour the Kings and the Germanes shoulde by by agree of the time the place and maner of holding of a Councell in which things there are oftentimes great coÌ„trouersies The other cause is this Such is the disease and mischief it so grieueth euery part of the kingdome that there is small hope of any remedie Like as if a man troubled with a coÌ„tinuall feuer or with some other grieuous disease which requireth letting of bloude or some other present remedie cannot tarie to haue the Phisitions help which dwelleth farre of bicause of the great vncertainty of his coÌ„ming Therfore we must bring to passe to call a couÌ„cel of our Nation as it was before concluded the which also the King hath alredy openly promised And this parliament must of necessitie be called both for the necessitie which so vrgeth the miserable Church being brought to so great extremities also for the kings estimation and credit who by his owne letters hath openly giuen forth declared y same but specially bicause there hath nothing happened since that time which might let or hinder the same but on the contrarie part there grow new things occasions daily which do vrge and driue vs to séeke to call a Parliament vnlesse we could be contented to lose all that we haue The Emperour Charles the vâ—…lately deceased wheÌ„ he came to Bononia and had conferred with Pope Clement concerning matters of the Church he willed his Chauncelor to talke with that Pope concerning the calling of a CouÌ„cell both to reforme the maners of Church men and also to establish the doctrine which was in controuersie The Pope vehemently withstode this thing affirming that there was no néede to call a Councell neither for doctrine séeing that al new opinions are refuted condemned of the ancient Councels neither yet for Ecclesiasticall discipline which was so wel appointed that it was sufficient only to obserue kepe the decrées written concerning the same But the Emperour being not satisfied with this answere replied againe that it coulde not be but that the great assembly of the generall Councell shoulde bring great profit doe much good both to cut off that euill which daily increased more and more and also to repaire and confirme those things which were very well already receyued and allowed to hinder cut off that which might abolishe them by discontinuance and want of vse And in this minde concerning the procuring of a Councel he continued so loÌ„g as he liued In the which matter he founde no greater aduersaries than those who shoulde haue set him forwarde in so commendable an enterprise Our auncetours were woont euery fiue yeares to call generall Councels as it is to be séene in the decrees But as touching priuate Councels or Councels assembled out of our owne Nation we shall find in the histories of the Kings of Fraunce that they were called in euerye Kings tyme beginning at the raigne of Clodouaeus vntill the tyme of Charles the great and so forth vntill we come to Charles the feue uth his dayes The which Parliamentes or assemblies were sometimes gathered togither from euery part of the whole kingdome sometimes from one halfe of the Realme sometimes but out of certaine Prouinces onely By which Parliaments it was sildome séene but that there ensued great fruite and profite to the reformation both of doctrine and maners Let vs not staye therefore any longer at the matter but followe the examples and wayes of our elders and let vs not be afrayde to be accused to be bringers in of newe customes séeing that we haue so many examples to followe but
threatnings did nothing at all therein when it came to the pinch Neither would Pope Paule the fourth his successor wheÌ„ he was yet but Cardinal establish that which he thought to be mete necessary I omit that which Bernard other learned fathers haue said only this I say except we aply our minds put our haÌ„ds to the tearing vp of this roote of al euil Jesus Christ will descend from heauen with a whip in his hand to expel vs as buiers sellers out of the temple The third remedie shal be to confesse our faults the which in dede is the first step to helth to make the same manifest by publike generall fastings the which maner was alwayes obserued in the olde Church whensoeuer any great perill or daunger was like to come vpon the Church as plague famine or warre the which thrée euils in these our dayes inuade the realme togither For what greater plague can there be thaÌ„ that which slayeth mens soules What greater famine can therebe than the famine of Gods word Or what warre caÌ„ be more mortall or cruell than the corruption of pure doctrine By which we being drawn froÌ„ God are depriued of the eternal kingdom which Christ by his bloud hath purchased for vs Let vs therfore turn vs vnto those old accustomed remedies as to Câ—…mmon praier to fasting and to wéeping and first of all we must take into our handes the sworde of God that is to say his word the scahard wherof we scarsly retaine neither must we thinke that Myters Croziers Cappes Garments and other ornaments the which in old time were outwardly worne to shewe that which was inwarde that is to say that godly doctrine ought to be ioyned with a godly life can deliuer vs froÌ„ the coÌ„tempt of the people seeing that which is eternall is wanting there onely remaineth an outward shew feined sight Let vs set before our eies this horrible sentence which John the Baptist pronounced against the Jewes saying Nowe is the axe put to the roote of the trees euery tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruite is â—…ew â—…e downe and cast into the fire The fourth remedie shall be while the Councel is a preparing gathering togither to stay seditious persons so to restraine theÌ„ that they break not by any meanes the coÌ„mon peace tranquilitie let this be kept as a law ratified and inuiolable that it is not lawful for any subiect vpoÌ„ any occasioÌ„ or for any cause to take armes to lift vp the sword without the coÌ„mandement or leaue of the Prince the only moderator gouernor of warres This I speak for the sorowful exaÌ„ples sake which hapned are like to happeÌ„ except we take heds Of the one part we saw the tumult of Ambaxia on y other part there were certain Preachers which stirred vp the people to tumult violently to set theÌ„selues to destroy banish those protestaÌ„ts vnder a pretence of godly seditioÌ„ as though that Religion coulde or ought to be established by sedition And thus there was greate offence committed on both parts insomuch that many were slaine which were thought to be Protestants Moreouer those protestants did greatly offend enterprising many things rashly to put away these iniuries offred vnto theÌ„ taking armes therby violating the law of the magistrate which beloÌ„geth to no priuate persoÌ„ For the end of the law is to liue according vnto Gods wil to hurt no man and to obey the lawe of Armes Therfore the king is the maintainer of Gods law and the moderator of wars the which he may and ought to vse to the authoritie of the lawe and to the punishing of rebelles and traitours To be shorte he counteth him selfe a king who although he be not ordained of God yet of his owne will and authoritie moueth warre And truely herevpon it followeth that he ought to be counted of all men as an enimy and to be punished as a breaker of Gods ordinance and publique power For this cause I thinke it good that commaundement be giuen to inferior Magistrates that they diligently attend vpon their charge and offices least some newe thing happen by their carelesse negligence Hereby therefore it euidently appéereth that the first bonde to preserue the kings estate is so to establishe Religion that no man may abuse y same at his owne pleasure against the authoritie of the law and the ende thereof which is that both God and the king maye be obeyed But now to come to the seconde principall point as concerning the ordering and kéeping of the people in due obedience we thinke this to be the waye namely to heare the complaintes of the subiectes and to vse conuenient remedies for the same Notwithstanding there is great differeÌ„ce betwéene priuate open complaintes for if the complaints be made of priuate persons to priuate persons the diligence of the Judges which are appointed to ordinary gouernemeÌ„t is a spéedie way to remedie and helpe them But when there are generall complaints or when eyther the confirmation or alteration of things commeth in question we must straight way haue recourse to those auncient constitutions and orders by whiche the safetie of the kingdome standeth the which are nothing else than those thrée orders which we call the states That is to saye that those things being made manifest and opened which maye bring any confusioÌ„ and the remedies which were prouided to put away the same being diligently sought for the king for the loues sake that he beareth to his people maye determine and appoint that which is iustly required to the honor of God and the coÌ„mon profyte of all men Of the which thing the good will of the people wholy dependeth that hauing done that duetie which he oweth vnto God he may in lyke maner satisfie the mindes and willes of his subiectes And so he shall not onely kéepe the name of a king the gifts of nature appertaining to a kingly name but also may rule and gouerne by peace seing that gentlenesse may allure them of their owne good wils to do more than force or violence can extorte from them And to the ende it may euidentlye appéere that the complaintes are such that they ought to be heard and examined of the assembly of the States I will shewe vnto you a generall reason namely this The extraordinarie taxes tallages tributes haue so increased that now the subiectes not onely are not able to beare this great burthen but also not able to satisfie discharge those old duties which were before time accustomed to be payde Is not this a complaint to be considered talked of in the assembly of States Seing the greatest part of the people complaineth of the same and are by no maner of meanes any thing disburthened but specially seing that to heare the afflicted oppressed is the beginning of consolation to declare a readinesse and good will to ease theÌ„ is
the greatest principall point to heale the which at the least may stay theÌ„ least dispayring they shoulde séeke an alteration remedy If on the coÌ„trary part the king aledge for him self the calamitie and trouble of the long continued warres the diuers and manifolde charges and costes that grewe thereof the scarsitie and emptinesse of his Treasurie and also the greate arrerages and debte in the which he founde the Crowne when he came first to the same Is not this a complaint to be considered and talked of in the assembly of States If the people alledge that the King oughte to maintaine himselfe and his traine by his yeerely reuenewes and that he ought to hold and maintaine warres with his subsidies and to set forth armies with his customes and tributes the which things were for this cause graunted in time paste If in like maner the king declare that he found almost al his demeines distracted deuided and conueyed awaye the greatest part of the subsidies taken vp before hande and yet he himselfe greatly burthened and indebted to the ende he might obtaine by the consent of the people that those burthens being somewhat eased mighte remaine as yet for a time vntil meanes and wayes which are dayly deuised to recouer againe his demeines may be brought to effect But is there no other better waye to be had to bring things to passe than by the assembly of the States To speake briefely if there be anye maner of complaint whatsoeuer pretenced or otherwise where can it be better put forth thaÌ„ in the generall assembly of the States and if it be a iuste complaint where can he haue a more present remedie than that which shal be deuised by so many men but if it be vniust where can the same be sooner found out thaÌ„ in the assembly There is also another consideration of necessitie wherof there arise great daungers seing in these straites and extâ—…emities there is no ordinary remedie vsed First of all the King is scarcely obeyed in his Edictes and statutes the which is one of the greatest signes of sedition For when the people are not heard in those things wherof they do complaine it commeth therevpon that they cast away all hope to haue redresse and so they fall into such desperation that they dare enterprise to ease and vnburden them selues without the hauing of any consideration of the kings coÌ„maundement or his officers yea they arme prepare theÌ„ selues against all perils as though nothing were more sharpe intollerable On the other part they which say that they are greued captiously take this coÌ„plaint of the people increase y same do al that they can to amplifie and enlarge that with newe lyes which they haue once falsely tolde and reported for a truth Herevpon commeth the vnhonest publishing and casting abrode of slaunderous bookes and publique writings And the people being exulcerated and vexed with their owne disease willingly receiueth that which appertaineth to their disease and by the ignorance of the kings matters doe flyde and fall into these sinister and wrong opinioÌ„s Of the which things to haue so great and manifolde destructions arise is great daunger many examples whereof we see dayly To auoide which destructions it séemeth most necessarie to call an assembly of the states And although the causes hytherto spoken of shewe no necessitie yet not withstanding the necessitie of the assembly of these men is such that it ought to be wished for of all men For what is more to be desired méete for a yong King to gouerne his kingdome than to be taught the things that concerne his kingdome that he may know the maners of his people and those things also which belong to the order and gouerning them Therefore let him learne to spende as he may and not to excéede and let hym play the part of a good shepherd who in shearing of his shepe doth not flea and pull of skin and all but leaueth the skinne that he maye receiue the fléece at another time againe and let him consider that whatsoeuer he spendeth more than his ordinarie reuenewes tribute custome and tallage is as it were the substance and bloud of the people whome he is set to gouerne by Gods appointment Herevpon shall come honest and godly education herevpon shall come both good beginnings and happie successe of all things and at the last the king shal get vnto him that Magnificent name with great glorye as to be called Pater Patriae The father of the countrey as King Lodowic the twelth was which leaueth a notable memorie behinde to all the posteritie is more to be desired than the Laureat crowne for victorie in warre Another commoditie also will ensue and that is this The people of Fraunce being chéered vp and comforted by this demonstration they will séeke all that euer they be able to ease those burtheÌ„s for they once vnderstanding their kings businesse and néede will imploye all that euer they haue to doe their king seruice But we must take héede least that prompte willingnesse being to often styrred doe not turne at the laste to impacient and brutishe madnesse And these commodities are ioyned with great honestie for that the king if it please him maye in the beginning of his raigne examine olde customes and lawes the which is the onely waye to correct and amende matters that are out of order For althoughe the king alone be the author of the law he onely can rule yet notwithstanding those things which he hath constituted and ordained by this assembly of the states are of greater force and efficacie and those will the people more willingly obey and kéepe bicause they vnderstande that they were confirmed by many mens opinions and Judgements wheras otherwise onely a fewe being assembled together they Judge that the matter was done according to the mind and phantasie of a fewe the reasons not examined wayed which might haue bene brought against the same For by these meanes the FrenchmeÌ„ haue preserued them selues and the kingdome vnto this daye neither is there anye well ordered kingdome in the which this order of assemblies is not obserued the which ought to be of great waight and highly estemed For seing so many kings do confesse that they féele and perceiue so many commodities to spring and growe of thys good order and that they doe counte the same the staye and strength of their scepter we can not certainely well and honestly departe from so ancient commendable a custome And as for the contrarie reasons which were wonte to be broughte to hinder these assemblies they can preuaile nothing at all seing the perill of those things which happened at another time are by no meanes to be feared the Kings authoritie at this day being so firmely established and confirmed by the counsell of the Quéene and by so many consents of Princes and Nobles that if these reasons might be receiued and take place there
whiche they knowe that thereby it may be knowne how necessary it is to haue either a generall counsell or a Nationall counsell For it is verye profitable to call and assemble all the states together that all men may perceiue and sée how wel the Realme is gouerned And thus he made an ende When they had thus vttered their sentences and minds the King and Quéene gaue thankes to the whole assembly whose Counsell they saide they were readye to followe graunting vnto them that whereupon they had concluded namely That all the states of the Realme should be assembled togither and that if there coulde not be a generall councell there shoulde be with all speede a Nationall Councell Therefore they determined and concluded that the states of the Realme should be at Meldis the tenth day of the moneth of December nexte comming excepte it shoulde please the kings maiestie to appointe some other place And that the States belonging to euerye prouince should make in their prouince an assembly and consultation particular before that time to the ende that those things which should be debated of in the general assemblies might be vnderstoode Also that bycause it was in a maner agréed of a generall Coūcell betwéene the Pope the Emperour and the Christian princes the Bishops should come the tenth day of Ianuary next comming to the king that they might agrée conclude of the sending to the generall Councel or else of the hauing of a particular and Nationall Councell And that in the meane time the Bishops should get them to their Diocesses both to prepare them selues and also diligently to note and marke those things which lacke reformation In like maner that the Ciuill and substituted Magistrates shoulde kéepe the people in peace and obedience sparing and omitting neuerthelesse paynes and punishmentes due to offenders excepte it be to suche as put themselues in armes and moue sedition and yet notwithstanding the King to reserue vnto him selfe his power and authoritie to punishe those which are counted the authors of seditions and tumultes This was the conclusion of that consultation the which shall appéere wonderfull if we consider the state of the former times For that libertie which as yet is but little but before lesse being restored frō fiery flames and from death it selfe so preuailed before the King that it increased more and more But for all that the aduersaryes ceassed not their wicked Councels and practises what faire and paynted wordes so euer they vsed who by and by againe burst forth shewed them selues by these occasions There was a certaine seruant belonging to the King of Nauar whose name was Sagua who being come to a place called Fontisbellaquaeum and méeting with a certain souldier called Banna talked with him earnestly persuaded with him that he would not serue vnder the Guises for sayth he there are wayes deuised to punishe and handle them as they haue deserued and at the laste made rehersal of certaine things more particularly Banna the souldier hearing this went and tolde the whole circumstance to Marshall Brissacus who exhorted him to goe to the Duke of Guise To him therfore he went and tolde him all the whole matter in order Then the Guise desired him to faine friendship and familiaritie toward this Sagua and to fawne vpon him often times to repeate their former communication also to shewe him to one of his householde seruants The which this Banna did And Sagua was apprehended by the Guise There were also taken in the hands of Sagua certaine letters of Monsier Vidam of Carnutum to the Prince of Conde in the which he declared That if the Prince would take any thing in hande worthy of kinglike seruice he was ready to serue him and for his sake to spende both goods and life Upon the onely occasion of these letters the king gaue commaundement that Monsier Vidā of Carnutū shuld be takē The which was with all diligence broughte to passe by the Guises In the meane time there came from Lions frō the Abbat Sauignius letters concerning the bewrayed frustrated practises of Malignius who was said to go about to take Lions Sauignius for his rewarde receiued the Archbishopricke of Orleans By the meanes of these newe tumultes the king came from Fontisbellaquaeum to the Citie Sangerman But the cause and mischiefe of all these things was layde vpon the Prince of Conde who was openlye accused to séeke the alteration of the state of the common weale and also to be the author of the tumulte of Ambaxian Then was Cursolensis sente to the King of Nauarre to commaunde him to come vnto the King and to bring his brother the Prince of Conde with him In the meane time Monsier Vidame althoughe he was very sicke yet was he very straitly imprisoned in so much that his owne wife might not come to visite him And being straitly syfted by those whiche were appointed to examine him concerning the meaning of his letters he still made this answere namely That he did write expresly of those things which appertained to the obedience of the king and of whatsoeuer else that shoulde be done by the kings commaundement Also he saide that he was a néere kinsman and friend of the Duke of Guises yet for all that if there were any priuate controuersie betwéene him and tho King of Nauar and the Prince of Conde he woulde rather take part with them thā with him in so much that for them two namely for the King of Nauar and for the Prince of Conde he would spend both life and goods On the other part the familliar friends of the Prince of Conde with whome he was thoughte to haue conference and consultation were dayly caste in prison and the suspicions of the Huguenotes dayly increased more more for by this newe and straunge name were the faithfull of the reformed Church then called Then was there a newe Edict made That no Prince or any other man whatsoeuer shoulde contribute money armor horses and such like to the setting forth of Souldiers and that he which shoulde be founde to doe this should be counted a Traitor to the King. There was yet a seconde messenger sent to the King of Nauar that he and his brother should come with all spéede This Messenger was Cardinall Burbonius their brother Publique supplicatiōs for the peace of the kingdome were euery where forbidden And wheras the assembly of States was determined before to be holden at Meldis it was now translated and remoued to Aurelias Marshall Termensis being sente with two hundred armed men to kepe the citie At the feast of Saint Michaels order Monsier Vidam being one of the foresaide order put vp a certaine supplication by the Cardinall of Loraine as by the Chauncelor of that order desiring that according to the auncient custome he mighte be iudged of all those that were of that honorable order of Saint Michael and that for those causes onely for
the which he deserued to be dismist of the same This thing at the length was graunted through the earnest sute of the Constable and the selfe same day that Monsier Vidam was dismist of the order of Saint Michael there were xvij into the same honorable order by a newe and vnacustomed maner chosen by the trauaile and meanes of the Guyses ▪ to the intent they might bynde many vnto them by that benefite or promotion While the king of Nauar and the Prince of Conde were loked for commaundement was giuen to the Gouernour of Poictiers to goe to Pictauium and not to suffer the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde his brother to come into the Citie But for al this at the length by the kings letters and commaundement the King of Nauar was receiued of the Marshall Termensis into Pictauium with all his trayne being neuerthelesse on euerye side beset with armed men the which suspicions the King of Nauarre toke in verye euill part Then the King came frō Sangermane to Paris with a great armie both of footemen and horsemen in battaile aray the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Loraine attending vpon him From thence he went to Aurelias with the same army and in warlike order entered into the Citie being reported abroade that the King came thither for two causes the one was to kéepe the Citie from the treason of the king of Nauarre the other was to call and summon a Parliament Many therefore were made afearde but speciallye they which were chosē to be of the assembly or Parliament whē they hearde that so greate an armie of men came with the king Then cōmaundemēt was giuē that euery one should rehearse confesse the confessiō of his faith according to the prescript rule of those articles which were set forth by the Papistes in the yéere of our Lord God M. D. XLII and it was reported for truth that the Cardinal of Loraine had drawn forth in writing those things which shoulde be inacted and established in that assemblye There was also watche and ward throughout the whole Citie appointed to be kept euen as if the enimie had come to assaulte the same Againe commaundement was sent to the King of Nauar that he should come with al spéede and bring his brother the Prince of Conde with him many also were sent into diuers partes of the Realme to take the names of all those that were noted to be of the reformed Religion At the length the king of Nauar the Prince of Conde his brother came to Aurelias there to salute the king But so soone as they had saluted the King the chiefe principall of the kings Garde as they were cōmaūded layd hands vpō the Prince of Conde caried him to the next hold prepared for y same purpose The which holdes were forthwith fortified and made strong with Irō grates in euery window a Castell was hard vy the same erected built to receiue the footemen Thē were there certain mē chosē to watch kepe the King of Nauar whose Chaūcelor also was taken by by with al spéede was the Lady Roye mother in lawe to the Prince of Conde takē and arrested brought to the citie Sangerman to whose charge it was layde that she was giltie of treason The Magistrates were ready to take receiue hir opened the prison dores to bring hir in Straight after this also was Hieroine Grostotius the Gouernour of Aurelias taken in whose house the king lodged being accused of negligence and stouth in searching out the heretikes Howbeit he was quit and discharged of this matter by the decrée Iudgemēt of the Senate of Paris But the Andelote whē he had saluted the King and the Duke of Guise had excused himselfe by the disobedience of the French hoast of footemen departed in very good time otherwise as the most likly report went he should haue bene taken with the Prince In the meane time there were subtile deuises and craftie meanes inuented to assault and trouble the Prince of Conde And when Iudges were chosen oute of the Senate of Paris as Fagus and Viollaeus the Lieutenant of Thou the kings Solicitour was commaunded to open the cace now in controuersie and to procede with the same But the Prince alleaging for himselfe his noble bloud princely state standeth with them vpon this point that he ought not to be iudged of them but rather of the king him selfe of no other in the Senate of Paris the Peeres and Nobles of the Realme beyng assembled together Therfore he saide that he appealed to the king Then the appeale was brought vnto the Priuye Counsell the which appeale they said was nothing and of no force And this was done often times But at the laste they concluded that excepte the Prince woulde answere before those Iudges he should be condemned of hie treason Then the Prince of Condes wife desired of the King that so much libertie might be graunted to hir husband as to cōsult with learned counsell The which was graūted vnto hir in so much the he was permitted to take y coūsel of two lawyers namely of Petrus Robertus Frāciscus Marillacus coūlellers in the court of Paris but he was no otherwise permitted to haue them thā vpon this conditiō that whensoeuer he cōsulted with then the king to haue vmpires indifferent mē to be present at their talke The Prince also required the it might be lawful for him beside these two counsellers to consult confer with his two brethrē the king of Nauar the Cardinal of Burbō also with his wife to ioyne with thē what vmpires witnesses soeuer it shoulde please the King affirming that he was very loth to doe any thing without his brethrē specially in a matter of so great waite The which request notwithstanding was denied him only he obtained leaue to write vnto them his minde At the length being come to the matter in controuersie he said to his counsellers that were present that the affliction which he now suffered was not laid vpon him by God for that he had gone about to worke any thing against the kings maiestie but rather that by this affliction he might trye his constancie Also he said that he did not thinke him selfe to be Captiue seing that he inioyed the fredome of minde and a pure and sound conscience but rather that he thought those to be captiues which had their mindes consciences bound and clogged with the burthen of their sinnes and wickednesses in a body set at libertie When he had thus spoken he gaue certaine notes of the defence of his cause vnto his Counsellers For king Frances by the subtill meanes and false persuasions of the Guises was fully persuaded that the Prince of Conde conspired his death and that therefore he was giltie of treason and worthy to suffer condigne punishment for the same Therefore while the bloudy
slaughter was a preparing and whilest all men loked to sée great things come to passe beholde sodaine and vnloked for alterations happen For the king had a ceataine paine and disease in his eares Of the which after he had bene sicke a while he dyed the fifth day of December in the yeare of Lorde god M. D. LX. At the which sodaine alteration the Guyses were not a little dismayde When King Fraunces was deade the Quéene his mother sent vnto the Constable who had detracted the time to come to Aurelias assuring him of hir friendship and promising vnto him that neuer hereafter none should intrude him selfe into an other mans office and praying him also that he would come vnto hir with all spéede There the Constable came to hir to Aurelias without delay with Martiall Momorencius his sonne and saluted the newe king Neuerthelesse the Prince of Conde was kept in holde still but not without greate reuerence of his kéepers shewed towardes him and continusd in prison after the death of the King by the space of ten dayes denying to go out of prison vntill he knewe his aduersarie in this matter layde to his charge But all the matter was layde vpon the King deceased Therfore by a wonderfull and straunge way or meane as by the death of the King the subtill practises of the aduersaries were brought to naught whose funerall was so slenderlye celebrated that he was depriued of that vsuall pompe which Kings commonly haue at their buriall all men wondering that the Guises woulde suffer the same the which also was very wel noted by a publike Epigram or libel sent abrode There were truly within a short time wonderfull manifest signes of Gods iust iudgemeÌ„t against many Princes the which al meÌ„ at that time did plainly sée acknowledge Concerning the which these verses folowing were made Charles a Tyrant King of all kings that before him went Most craftily by counsell gainst Christ his force he bent Till that his foolish madnesse of children being espied In midst of all his mischiefe most sodenly he died And thou O Henrie eke by men that wicked were nought VVast too much led and therfore greedily hast sought The bloud of godly men thereof to drinke thy fill But he that sittes aboue restrainde thee of thy will. For in thy witlesse mode thy rashnes great thou didst declare therfore wouÌ„d of deth by spere thou hadst ere thou wast ware And so thy bleding corps eÌ„brued the earth with blood Bicause to kill the Saints to thee it seemde so good Frances that was his sonne vnhappie childe did so direct His fete in his yll wayes that Christes voice he did neglect He stopt his eares as deafe when Christ to him did crie And therfore putrefacted eares did cause hiÌ„ streight to die Be warnde therefore O Kings by these examples iust VVisedomes doctrine to receiue or else to turne to dust Thus rumors were spred euerywhere abroade that so wonderous a thing had happened the lyke wherof was neuer heard of before namely that they which were brought to that passe that they should haue bene put to death were now aduaunced to great honor And contrarywise that it was come to passe that they which thought their authoritie to be confirmed for a long time sawe the same taken awaye and were brought to their former state and degree They which were of the assemblie of States trembling and quaking before for feare tooke now vnto themselues a bolde courage and with one consent make petition that the king of Nauar may be the ruler gouernor of the kingdome during the time of the Kings nonage minoritie also that the Princes the kings nere kinsemen with the Constable the Admiral the Andelote with the rest of the Nobles might be always of the kings CouÌ„selâ—… that Cardinals Bishops should be sent to their diocesses to discharge their Ecclesiastical offices according to the rule of the canoÌ„s in that behalf The Kinges mother tooke it not in good part that so great good will and fauour should be shewed to the king of Nauar whom she demed not long ago to be hir enimie they increased these suspitions which went about to coÌ„firme their authority by their dissentioÌ„s working hatred spite against the king of Nauar through the sentence of the assembly of the parliament which wished him to haue the rule of the kingdome And thus the minds of the Nobles being diuided into two factions one part helde of the Quéene another part with the king of Nauar. Insomuch that a man might sée the Constable the Admiral his two brethren alwais in the coÌ„pany of the king of Nauar On the other part the Guises Nemorosius the Marshal Santandrae the Marshal Brislac the cardinal of TurnoÌ„ always were about the Quéene stode w thir So that now there was great daunger of present seditioÌ„ but the king of Nauar by his courtesie suffrance put away all this daunger like to arise yéelding vnto the Quéene authoritie to gouerne the kingdome Then the Quéene being somewhat appeased plainly saide that she knew nowe the causes of all the troubles past namely that all the Princes which were of the Kings blouds were displeased that they were not accouÌ„ted off according to their worthinesse which thing she said she woulde sée reformed euer afterward By this occasion the stomacking and taking of parts betwéene them séemed somewhat to be repressed There folowed therfore a wonderful alteration chauÌ„ge and all men began to talke one to another to say that the companies of armed meÌ„ were prepared gathered togither to some other vse purpose than for the safetie of the King that their couÌ„sels and meanings were otherwise which had arrogated vnto themselues authoritie also that their practises shoulde not so easily haue successe nowe But the churches now which before were in great perplexity fear obtained peace and all men hoped nowe for a better state For amidst those sundrie troubles and manifolde afflictions which happened vnder the raigne of king Frances the administration of the sacraments the preaching of Gods worde neuer ceased in the reformed Churches although the number that were assembled were but small though also the same was not done without great daunger warinesse For at that time there were cruell conspiracies against the Church which woulde haue done great harme to the same had not the Lorde by his prouidence tourned them away Then did the reformed Churches coÌ„maunde solemne prayers with fasting to be vsed and they which were the gouernors and chiefe of the congregation exhorted their brethren to be of good chéere and comforted them willing them paciently to looke for helpe from the Lorde So that after so great afflictions and feare there followed excéeding ioye and the sodennesse of the chaunce made the matter to seeme more wonderfull Then was there newes brought of the death of
Monsieur Vidame of Carnutum who was kept at Paris in holde for those causes whereof we haue spoken before Whose death many of the Nobles tooke very heinously Then were certaine thinges appointed and determined concerning the gouernment of the kingdome the imperie and rule was deuided betwéene the Quéene and the King of Nauarre and that in such order that the chiefest authoritie to gouerne the Realme was giuen to the Quéene against all law and auncient custome of France Wherfore by reason of this sodaine chaunge the assemblye of States were interrupted and brake vp for a certaine space But they were assembled togither againe in the same place the. xiii daye of December Charles the King the Quéene and the Princes according to the maner accompanying them Then the Chancelour at the commaundement of the King declared that there was no lesse willingnesse in the King than there was in his brother before him to haue an assemblie of States and that the rather bicause the King himselfe was newlye come vnto the Kingdome And he procéeded speaking very seriously and plentifully of the cause ende and vse of calling an assemblie of States and why the same being omitted for the space of eight and twentie yeres shoulde nowe againe be brought in vse And when he had shewed the King and the Subiectes also their duties he came to speake of those causes more particularly which brought to passe that there should be an assembly of States that is to say of the Seditions which he wished might be taken quite away for that they were like to bring so great troubles to the whole Realme And to finde out spéedye and profitable Remedies for the same he sayde the causes of so great euill must first of all bée noted and knowne We must sayth he in euery respect and condicion disalowe and vtterlye condemne sedition the which is nothing else but a separation and a pulling awaye of the subiectes from the Kingdome and Common wealth And it springeth of diuers causes First of feare of some imminent euill which may come by iniurie and oppression and also of the expectation of great things to put awaye penurie and scarcenesse But the speciall cause is Religion And this is very straunge and most wonderfull bicause God the only true author and preseruer of Religion as he is an enimy to dissention so is he the defēder and preseruer of peace Christian Religion néedeth not the defence of Armes neither doth the beginning or conseruation therof stand vpon force of armes Neither is their aunswere to be allowed which say That they take not armes and force in hande to offend any man but to defende themselues For by no meanes is it lawfull for the subiect to ryse against the Prince yea it is no lesse vnlawfull for him so to doe than for the children to resist their parents whether they be good and courteous or sharpe and cruell Thus did the godly Christians in tyme past set forth and maintaine Christian Religion namely by long sufferance and pacience also by deuout prayer for wicked Emperors which ouercame their crueltie The very Ethnikes truly praysed highly cōmended those which had suffered iniuries and reproches for their countrie But we which are Christians ought not to allowe the opinions of the Gréekes and Romaynes concerning the killyng of tyrantes If men were such as they ought to be there should neuer come any strife or contention for Religion But it is manifest that there is no greater force than the first conceyued opinion of Religion whether y same be good or euill There is no peace to be hoped for betwéene men of contrarie Religion There is nothing that doth more violently assaile the hearts of men and that doth more inuade them there is no affection that is of greater power and more violent either to bring friendship or to bring hatred than Religion The Jewes hated all other Nations as prophane And all other Nations hated the Jewes But wherefore for Religion What and howe great hatred was there in time past between the fathers and the Arrians But I omit such ancient examples and I will come nearer euen to our selues England and France embracing al one Religion shall be more surely linked and knit in frendship and loue one towardes another thā they which disagréeing in Religion are of one Countrie kinred and name Diuersitie of Religion dissolueth all the bondes of loue it setteth the father against the children and the children against the father brother against brother the man against the wife and the wife against hir husbande according to this place of Scripture I came not to sende peace ▪ but a sworde Herevpon it commeth to passe that in all Realmes there are oftentimes grieuous seditions For if it come to passe that there be variāce disagréement betwéene those that are by nature so fast linked togither by the meanes of Religion what maye we thinke of others Not the diuersitie of tongues but the diuersitie of Religion maketh diuision of Kingdomes and of Common weales Herevpon commeth that olde Prouerbe Vna Fides vna Lex vnus Rex that is to say One fayth one Lawe and one king Among these diuisions and discordes howe can it be that violence and force of armes shoulde not be vsed For warre followeth alwayes discorde and dissention according to these verses Discordia that Ladie of stryfe and of wo hath with hir Bellona hir handmaide also VVho alwayes doth carie a most bloudy scurdge the vndoubted reuenge of strife and of grudge Therefore the principall and chiefe cause of this disease and mischiefe is the discrepance and varietie of Religion To cure the which mischiefe there is not a more present remedie than to haue a Councell as it was lately concluded at Fontubellaquaeum and we haue nowe great hope to obtaine the same at the hands of the Pope In the meane time let vs shewe our due obedience vnto the yong king Let vs not for Gods sake receyue newe opinions according to our owne fantasie Let vs in time with wisedome consider of the matter and let vs diligently seeke to vnderstande the same It is no trifle that we haue in hande but it is the saluation of our soules that is in question If it maye be lawfull for euery man at his owne discretion to receyue what Religion him lysteth take héede that there bée not so many Religions as there be men Thou sayest that thy Religion is better than mine and I defende that which I embrace whether is it more meete that I followe thy opinion or thou mine Who shall ende our controuersies but the holy Councell In the meane time let vs not alter any thing rashlye least by seditions we bring warre into our Kingdome and so there followe a confusion The King and the Queene will leaue nothing vndone that may procure a Councell and if this remedie maye not be had they will séeke other remedies And nowe our Prelates and
Ecclesiasticall persons if they well consider the weightinesse of the matter will looke better vnto their office and duetie than they haue done heretofore Let vs knowe that the dissolution of our Church was the first beginning of heresies but it is to bée thought that a Reformation will take them away againe This victorie must not be sought for by violence or by force of armes but by godlye exhortations and by godlynesse of lyfe Wyth these weapons the Heretikes in tymes past were ouercome We must not hate the menne but the vyces and wickednesses that are in men and wée must goe aboute all that wée maye to bring them into the waye that are in errour Let vs therefore put awaye all factious and seditious names as the names of Lutheranes Huguenotes Papystes and suche lyke and let vs retayne and kéepe still the names of Christians But bicause there are manye founde whyche wyll not bee satisfyed desiring tumult and confusion enimies to peace and the cōmon welth and as it appeareth contemners of God and Religion the King which otherwise of himselfe is gentle and long suffering hitherto hath vene constrayned and peraduenture shall be hereafter vrged to indeuour himselfe to punishe the frowarde obstinate It may seeme a very sharp remedy but if we looke well vpon the disease and mischiefe yet a growing we shall find it very necessary for the same Notwithstanding it is so come to passe as yet by the goodnesse of God and the clemencie of the Prince that there hath bene no greater punishment layde vpon any man nor no greater destruction followed as the subuersion of Cities the burning of houses the disfraunchizing of Cities of their priuiledges and the restraint of their liberties the which other Princes that dwell about vs haue oftentimes vsed euen within the compasse of our remembrance for the punishing of seditious persons And bicause it is to be feared least the armies of souldiers being dismist the seditious will begin to practise and conspire a freshe of two things the one is to be done namely that either the armies be kept and maintained still which cannot be done without the great cost and charge of the Subiectes or else that the Citizens of euery Citie endeuour themselues to punishe such seditious and seditious persons and he that shall be first founde to go about to alter the state of the common welth let him by his seuere punishment be an example to all the rest The King to this ende and purpose will giue you a power of armed men Consider with your selues which of these wayes is most for your profite either that you maintaine garrisons of souldiers to kéepe the cities for the king or that you your selues in your owne persons do it at your owne costes and charges As for all other things the King will prouide and sée vnto them by his officers In the meane time let such as are Ecclesiastical persons doe their dutie by prayers by Sermons and by diligent instructing of the people And so it will come to passe that the King shall be obeyed and you shall enioye peace tranquilitie Whē the Chaūcelor had procéeded thus far forth and had spokē somewhat concerning the Kings substaunce and great erpences exhorting the Court of Parliament to ease the same he declared that it was the King and the Quéenes pleasures that euery man shoulde fréely put forth his complaintes and sutes for that their Maiesties intended with all clemencie as it was meete to prouide for all thinges And this only was done the first day In the next méeting the assemblye of States chose out thrée men to speake for them the which thrée stoode before the King and made their seuerall orations The sum wherof I will briefely repeate so far forth as they shall séeme necessary for our purpose The speaker for the thirde order of States that is to say for the Commonalty was named Angell a Counseller and a pleader of causes in the Senate of Burdeux in Gascoyne This man declared by many reasons that for the due putting away of perturbations and troubles it séemed good and most necessary to the people first of all to remoue and to take away the causes Which causes he saide were partlye the corruptions among Ecclesiasticall persons among which corruptions which were very many in number there were thrée notable and more pernicious than the rest namely Couetousnesse Ignorance and Luxurie Ignorance he sayd was so manifest that no man néede to doubte of the same and so great also that among that sorte of men it was to be séene from the hyest to the lowest Which ignorance is the mother and Nurse of all errours as both experience and also the testimonies of learned fathers aboundantlye declare To remedie this he saide Canons and decrées woulde be prouided but in vaine For so great is the contempte and negligence of preaching and instructing the people which is notwithstanding the office of a good pastour that Bishops at this day counte it a shame and reproch vnto them to féede the flocke of Christ. And such as are Curates and other masse priests following the euill example of Bishoppes doe also euen abhorre their office and doe commit the same to vnlearned vicars who singing Masses for their rewarde haue onely some one slender bosome collation or other which they alwayes vse without discretion as one plaister to all maner of soares The seconde vice is Couetousnesse the whiche as it is no lesse pestiferous than Ignorance so is it no lesse to be séene as well in the heades as in the inferiors And as for Luxurie the pompe and pryde of Prelates he fayde it was suche that it was a great stumbling blocke and offence to all men For they are painted and set for the as though by an outwarde shewe in the world they should represent the maiestie of God when as they shoulde rather expresse the same by godlynesse and integritie of life How greatly haue our Bishoppes of late dayes degenerated from the meane estate puritie and godlynesse of the true Byshoppes of olde time All these corruptions saith he must be taken away by a godly and lawfull Counsel called and also by the kings authoritie The speaker for the Nobilitie was one Iacobus Sillius This man began first to speake many things concerning the power authoritie and office of Kings and largely also concerning the order of Nobles which he saide was verye profitable and necessary to preserue and maintaine the dignitie of the king In speaking of matters concerning Religion he founde this fault aboue all others namely that hytherto there had béene great ouersight in suffering Ecclesiasticall persons to haue so great power and authoritie and so large lyuing and reuenewes who haue incroched vnto them selues the houses of Noble men do wickedly abuse all that euer they haue Wherfore saith he it is necessarye that these sortes of men shuld he reformed Also he wished that it might be diligently
foreséen that the office of an Ecclesiasticall person might not be committed to an vnlearned vnapte and ignoraunt person affirming it to be vnlawfull for them to dwell from their flockes in other places at their owne pleasure and so giuing them selues to worldly businesse wholy to neglecte their offices but sayth he it is the Kings duetie to cal them to their office againe And in the ende he made earnest peticion that there might be wayes taken in time to stop the seditions at hande and also that it wold please the king to haue regard consideration to his nobles as his auncetours had done before him When he had thus spoken he put vp a Supplication in the which peticion was made in the name of the nobilitie that temples might be graunted for the vse and seruice of the reformed Religion After this man one Quintinus Heduus who was chosen to be the speaker for the Clergie when he had commended the king and Quéene to their face saying that the kings of Fraunce were specially chosen euē as if they had béen borne and appointed to be defenders of the Churche of Rome and that therefore they had that moste auncient name from all ages as to be called Most Christian Princes he sayde that this assembly of States or court of Parliament was verye well called The causes of the which assemblye saith he is that the complayntes of the people mighte be hearde and holpen and that meanes and remedyes might be prepared for the scarsitie of the kings treasure and substāce But this saith he is the greatest cause of all whiche I speake with great sorrowe and griefe and yet notwithstanding muste néedes speake the same namely that the corruptions and notable faultes of Ecclesiasticall persons myghte bée refourmed and amended For sayth he the matter is nowe come to thys passe that they thē selues which shuld declare this Ecclesiasticall holynesse by their life are more afrayde of the kings Edictes than they are of Gods word and of the Gospell of christ Notwithstanding we muste therefore thinke saith he that the reformatiō of the Church is sought for which hath not erred neither can erre but a correction only of those most greuous faults in those men which were the chiefe gouerners of the Church which correction must procéede from the king but so notwithstanding the king must vse correctiē that he follow the steppes of those kings that haue gone before him who alwayes fauored the Church Adding to this also that those kings his auncetours woulde neuer haue suffered the wicked practises of these newe fellowes which falsely and wickedly of late time take vnto them selues the profession of the Gospell that they mighte therby both refuse all ecclesiastical order and also abolishe if they might al Ciuill power and authoritie For saith he the king ought to this ende specially to exercise his authoritie and draw his swerde to punishe and vtterly to roote out all heretikes giltie of criminall punishments Therefore he desired that Churches might not be graunted to those horrible men for so he termed them and that they also might be counted punished as heretikes which durst offer the supplications of Heretikes to the king This truely saith he hath bene the olde subtill practise of Sathan to bring this libertie to heretikes that they might the more securely and without feare of punishment destroy the Gospell the which subtill practises he hath nowe also in hande and therefore the more diligent héede saith he ought to be taken In like maner also he desired the king that according to the doyngs of his Auucetours and also according to the example of Charles the great whose name he bare he wold constraine all his subiectes to liue according to the Canons rules of the fathers For detestable sayth he is the boldnesse of these new heretikes which scoffing at the authoritie of the fathers and reiecting the doctrines and Canons of the Churche saye that they will haue nothing but the true Gospell onely as thoughe the promise of Christ were vaine and to no effect who promised that he would neuer forsake his Churche and as thoughe that they were wiser than so many Fathers which left so many godly Canons behynde them in writing also as though they alone vnderstoode the word of god Horrible boldnesse reebllion is that sayth he which casteth of the yoake of the Church and what else will they do at the last but murmur and grudge also against the power and authoritie of the Ciuill Magistrate Moreouer he said that the notes badges of the Church were not obscure which these new men wanted as the euerlasting and continuall successiō from the Apostles time and the Canons and rules which the Fathers left behinde them which badges the Church of Rome hath Therefore saith he that they may neuer hereafter abuse the name of the Churche we must plainely pronounce and affirme That the Church of Rome is the Catholique or vniuersall Church But if these newe men take vnto them the name of the Church we will not denie it them but we saye that they are not of the True Catholique Church but of the Malignant Church Also he made petition that they which had fled the Realme for Religions sake might be banished men for euer that they might loose all maner of priuilege and that they mighte be handled euen as if they were forraine enimyes Furthermore he saide that aboue all things that drowning floud which had flowed out of the diches of Geneua was most pernicious and therfore he exhorted the king that he would to the vtmost of his power roote out all such as came from that place and not to holde the yong childe excused if so be he came from thence seyng that God would call him to an accounte for the doing of his duetie And perswaded Queene Katherine also the kings mother by the example of that Katherine of whome Eusebius maketh mention to ouerthrow and roote out these newe Heretikes Therefore he sayde that this was the onely cause of the great mischief at hande that there were so many heretikes in euery place to the destruction of the Realme and all estates Moreouer he desired of the King that Ecclesiasticall persons might be defended and maintayned accordyng to the commaundement of God bycause they are The Lordes Christes or annointed as their badges that is to say their shauē crownes doe declare Also he complayned that the authoritie to chose Prelates was taken from the Clergy and giuen to Kings saying that it was done against Gods word against the holye Canons and againste the approued examples of the Elders and that euer since that tyme namely from the yeare of oure Lorde god M. D. XUII. when the same was first vsurped all things haue had euyll successe For saith he in that very yeare in the which that lawfull right was abrogated from Ecclesiasticall persons began that damnable heresie of Luther whiche afterwarde soke suche rooting
had of them that he sente his embassage vnto them and that he woulde call them to this Councell as though he were ignorant what Religion the States of the Empire followed who of late that they might reforme their Churches according to the true doctrine of the Gospell were constrayned to plucke their neck out of the Popes yoake that is to say to separate theÌ„selues from their fellowshippe which went about to oppresse and destroy the true doctrine of the Gospell We woulde therefore say they to the Legates that ye should knowe for a suretie that the most noble Princes of Germany will by no meanes obey the Pope nor acknowledge that he hath any power either by Gods lawe or by the lawe of man to call a Councell specially being such a one as maketh dissention strife in the Church and most cruelly warreth against the truth Furthermore they affirmed that they were misreported of slaundered as though they retained no certaine faith but that there were now among them So many heads so many opinioÌ„s So many Gospels so many teachers wheras they retained the plaine and manifest confessioÌ„ made at Ausburgh and offered to the Emperour Charles the. v. in the yéere of our Lord god M. D. XXX in the which not only all the principall grounds of faith are distinctly contained but also y celestial truth manye wayes therby set forth and published Also they said that the generall complaints of all meÌ„ did sufficiently declare with what errors the Church of Rome was filled and with what filthy superstitions the Gospell was there suppressed in so much that the same is rather like to the traditions vaine inuencions of heathen men than Christian Religion Wherfore say they bicause we haue of late separated and deuided our selues from the Churche of Rome not by anye rashnesse or vaine curiositie or being led by any leude affections but by the only commaundement of God which willeth all meÌ„ to flee Idolatry we protest that we wil so abyde most constaÌ„tly and not be subiect any maner of waye to the Pope For we acknowledge no maner of iurisdiction besides the iurisdiction of the most renoumed Emperour Ferdinandus And as touching the two Legates the Princes saide that were it not for the Popes ambassage on which they came they being worshipfully borne in Venice they would shewe vnto them so great courtesie fauour and friendship as might be both for that they loued the countrey of Venice and also bycause the Legates themselues by the dignitie of their birth were worthy as they thought to be well entertained And thus the Popes Legates with lost labour retourned from Germanie againe Then beganne Religion and the great number of the faythfull to increase more throughout euerye prouince of the kingdome of Fraunce but the deuill enuying that notable increase there were then many perturbations and troubles raised vp in many places In Prouince whiche was sometimes called Narbon there was great a doe and much trouble And the Gospell beyng much preached in the region of Langres almost in euery citie with great assemblies of people to heare y same at the laste ensued great affliction by the Earle Villarius Daulphenie also which is called the RegioÌ„ of Sauoy embracing y same doctrin felt the like persecutioÌ„s And by the meanes of one Mottaegondrinus who was Lieutenant to the Duke of Guise there was grieuous persecution at Valentia in so much that a Minister of Gods word and certaine honest citizens with him were beheaded Moreouer garrisons of souldiers were placed throughout euerye citie to the great anoyance and detriment of the faithfull who notwithstanding wonderfully increased both in number in zeale daily The Prince of Conde beyng sente for of the King came to hym to the Courte which was at Fontisbellaquaeums with a fewe onely attending vpon him The daye following he was called before the priuie Councell and beyng come he openly demaunded of the Chauncelor if he had any thing to saye against him who answered that he had nothing to obiect againste him the like answere also made all the reste And then he sat hym downe in his accustomed place Then the King declared before all the assemblye that the Prince of Conde had giuen vnto him due proofes and testimonyes of his innocencie for as we declared before by the practises of the Guises he was accused of treason the which he saids he dyd in no wise doubte of And therfore he gaue commandement to the Senate of Paris to giue leaue to the Prince of Conde to haue larger testimonyes of his innocencie And to the ende the Iudgement of the priuie Councell mighte be knowne to all men commaundement was giuen that the same shoulde be registred in the Register of the Senate and sent also to the Ambassadors of other Nations Therefore for bycause of these things the Prince of Conde went to Paris In the meane time there arose new contâ—…tions betwéen the Quéene and the King of Nauarre he complaining to the Queene that he was not well delt withall for that he was ill requited for that great good will and courtesie which he shewed towardes the Quéene in yéelâ—…ing vnto hir the gouernment of the Realme the Duke of Guise being in office and authoritie aduaunced before him who had not onely the keyes of the Tower to kéepe but also by the Quéenes will did what him liste Saying also that the matter was very ingratefully handled that he which had béen alwayes his enimie euen in the dayes of King Henrye and Frances shoulde as yet be aduaunced before him Also that if he were contented for the Quéenes sake to dissemble all things and not to bewray his griefe it was the more vnméete that he for his facilitie and tractablenesse shoulde be abused by hir In fine he saide that either he or else the Duke of Guise must néedes forsake the Court adding also that he coulde by no meanes abide with the king except the Guise departed To this the Quéene made answere that she did meane to gratifie the king of Nauarre so much as she might and so much also as equitie shoulde require but seing as then she sawe no iust cause she saide that she woulde in no wise expulse the Duke of Guise from the King bicause those offices that were committed vnto him of necessitie required his presence aboute the king She sayde also that she well perceyued that these complaints of the king of Nâ—…uar were continual and that one thing being graunted she must dayly graunt more and more and that there shoulde neuer be any measure or end of these complaintes â–ª Notwithstanding for his sake and to yelde vnto his complaintes she said that she would giue coÌ„maundement that the keyes of the tower mighte be deliuered vnto him although they pertayned to the Duke of Guise bycause he was Lord great Master as maye appéere also by the example of the Constable who heretofore bare the same office To this the King of
Nauar that the Constable didde it not vpon the same consideration aâ—…d in that order but in respecte of his office of the Câ—…nstableship the same thyng proprely appertayning to his office But herevpon was kindeled a more fyerie contention and sharpe and bitter wordes passed on bothe partes and in suche sort that the next day the king of Nauarre made himselfe readie to depart and his caâ—…iage and sumpter horsses béeing sent before he himselfe was now readie to mount on horsebacke and with him were readie to goe all the Princes the kings néere kinsmen the Constable the Chastillions and the greatest part of the Nobles the which if it had come to passe the Guises and they of their parte shuld haue ben left only with the king And the report was that they would go no further than Paris that there calling the assemblie of states together they might fully determine concerning the gouernment of the kingdome The Quéene béeing verie sorie for this sodaine intention and purpose by the aduise of the Cardinall of Turnon called vnto hir the Constable and to the ende she mighte stay and deferre hys going she brought to passe that king Charles hir sonne two Secretaries being called to make record commaunded and charged the Constable in this necessitie to abyde with him as one of the chiefe officers that might not be spared This charge so stayed the Constable that he neuer durst as hée had promised follow the king of Nauarre for all the persuasuasions that duke Momorencius could vse who persuaded him to the same Therfore the king of Nauar was let of his purpose But it was euery where reported that the Quene for the hatred she bare vnto the king of Nauar made muche of the Guyses The which rumour broughte to passe that they which should come to Paris to the particular assemblies of the States as in other prouinces of the realme they did also came the more spéedily In the whiche assemblie many things were moued concerning the order and maner of gouerning the realme as concernyng the remouing and placing some from and to the most honourable offices concerning the Guyses accompt to make of the money whiche was spent in the tyme of king Frances the seconde concerning their euill behauiour in the tyme of king Henrie and concerning their briberie and vnlawfull receyuing of money In the whiche crime also the Marshall Santandrae the Duchesse of Valentien and others were guiltie All whiche were forbidden to be of the Kings priuie Counsell vntill suche tyme as they had made their accompt Then they whiche were for this cause assembled togither at Paris as it is declared before were forbidden to doe any thing concerning the gouernment of the kingdom but they notwithstandyng go forwarde with that whiche they had begonne affirming that the same did specially appertayne to the assemblie of States to be talked of and not to be left to the determination and will of the Princes and kings kinsmen only When the Queene heard this she was oute of meaâ—…ure troubled and fynding no better way or remedie than to be reconciled to the king of Nauarre she desired the Constable that he woulde endeuour himselfe all that he coulde to bring the same to passe And at the length the Constable béeing a meane there was a newe couenaunte and league made betwéene them namely That the King of Nauarre shoulde bee taken for the Vicegerent or Regent throughoute the whole Realme And that the Queene neuer after would doe any thing withoute his counsell and will. This and the rest whiche tended to this effect were confirmed and fully agreed vpon both by words and writings and Registred by the Kings Secretaries in publike record These conditions beeing concluded and agréed vpon all the Princes the Kings kynsmen and the Prince of Conde being for this cause sente for from Paris subscribed to the same The Duke of Guyse in lyke manner subscribed with them promising from thence forwarde to shewe him selfe morâ—… obediente to the Kyng of Nauarre Then commaundemente was giuen to the Marshall Momorentius that he shoulde with all spéed cause the states particularly assembled at Paris to be reuoked and called backe agayn and that the same whiche was done at the first concernyng thâ—… order of gouerning the kingdome should be quietly amended and corrected The which thing was wysely brought to pâ—…sse by him to the great pleasure of the Quéene and also without any offence to the king of Nauarre Among the Ambassadoures of forreyne Princes and nations whiche came into Fraunce to gratifie the newe kyng Charles there was the Ambassadoure of Denmarke called Georgius Gluchus For this man the king of Nauarre made a feaste and desired him to tell his lorde the kyng of Denmarke that be would before a yeare came came about bring to passe that the Gospell should be openly and fréely preached thoroughoute the whole realme of Fraunce â–ª For the whiche thing when thankes was giuen to God and the good intent and purpose of the king of Nauarre commended Georgius Gluchus the Ambassadoure prayed him that hée woulde take héede that the doctrine of Caluine and of the Heluetians myght not be receyued in France but rather the doctrine of Martine Luther Whyche doctrine the king of Denmarke his Lorde and the kyng of Sueuia and many other kings and Princes whose dominion and power is no lesse than theirs whiche acknowledge the bishop of Rome and his Churche doo followe To this the king of Nauarre answered that Martine Luther and Iohn Caluine did wholly disagrée from the Pope in fortie Articles and of those fortie Articles they agréed betwéene themselues in nine and thirtie So that there is but one betwene them in controuersie Wherfore sayeth he both parts must endeuor themselues mutnally to beÌ„d their minds force first of al against the Pope that he being once ouercome they may seriously togither consider confer and come to agréement in that article in controuersie and so the Churche at the length may be brought to his former puritie But the Constable when the Quéene and king of Nauar were made frendeu obteyned great fauour on bothe sydis perswading himselfe that he had not ben a lâ—…ttle beneficiall to both of them by this meanes he was verie familiar with them bothe But when he saw that in Leâ—…t flesh was commonly eaten and openly vought and solde and that there were lermons openly preached in the prince of Condes chamber heard also the Quéen opeÌ„ly say that it was the kings pleasure and hirs also that there should be godly Sermons euery day in the kings house he began to suspecte that the king of Nauarre and the Quéen had secretly agréed together concerning religion And there preached before the Kyng one Ianuâ—… Monlucius Bishop of Valentine at whose preaching the Constable and the duke of Guise were â—…euer but once and the Constable being verie angrie with the bishop of Valentine sayde that it was inough for him to come once and no
for their deliueraunce That they which had fled the Realme for Religions sake shoulde haue leaue to returne home againe with full and safe libertie to enioy their goods and al things else that they had before so that they would be contented to liue Catholikely and without offence But if they would not that it should be lauful for them to sell their goods and to get them to another place These letters the Senate of Paris went aboute to let and stay but in vaine neither could their admonitions as they term them which they sent to the king preuaile so much but that these letters wer euery where published abrode which also almost in euery place were diligently obserued They were deliuered which were kepte in prison for Religion And many which for the Gospell wyllingly chose to lyue in exile in other landes retourning nowe home agayne greatly increased the Churche The Churche more and more flourished the Gospell was confirmed All menne as though they had quite forgotten all other things talked onely of the Gospell Euery one of what estate and degrée soeuer he was of only reasoned of the Gospell Sermons were made euery where both in the Cities and in the fieldes All men diligently resorted to heare them yea the verie rude and ignorant sort of people bicause of the newnesse of the thing came also to heare them of which a great number by this meanes were brought to the knowledge of god But the aduersaries they stoode amazed wondering and musing at so great a matter The seruice of ancient ceremonies began euery where to waxe colde yea and in manie places to be derided yea verie manie casting asyde the Popes badges and markes came into the Churches of the faithfull and were made as one with them So greate alterations came to pauÌ„e in so little a tyme. The Prince of Conde as we haue declared before came to Paris that his innoceÌ„cie and guiltlesnesse might be farther tried by the Senate He therfore the Cardinall of Burbon and many other noble menne attending vpon him pleaded with the Senate of Paris concerning this matter as followeth manie men maruelling that he was thus dealt withall It is sayth he a special token of Gods prouidence by whiche I béeing deliuered from the platformes and secrete traps of my enimies shall get vnto my selfe an euerlasting testimonie of my innocencie in those thynges layde to my charge The lying in wait and mischeuous practizes of wicked men do nothing at all hurt those which haue their hope trust in god I haue always wished that my cause might be throughly wayghed and vnderstode of the Senate which is the moste notable place in Fraunce for the executing of iustice I should sayth he be iniurious to my self vnlesse I should bring the equitie and integritie of my cause againste the slaunders of my aduersaries before so worthy an assemblie that the matter being worthie of the laudable and honorable sentence of the Senate may by the grauitie and vpright iudgemeÌ„t of the same be defined and ended Wherfore he prayed them to consider of his estimation whiche to hym was more deare than his lyfe Then when he had required of the Senate that Petrus Robertus his man of lawe mighte be peaceably and quietly hearde in making his declaration he so departed Then Petrus Robertus by and by made his oration saying That it hadde pleased God to trie the Prince of Conde with that triall of affliction with which â–ª he doth oftentimes trie his faithful seruaÌ„ts which affliction he doth oftentimes sende to those that are his but specially to those that are set in high degrée and that for two speciall causes First that Kings and Princes and men of great calling might know that they haue their power dignitie from God alone vpon whoÌ„ dependeth eyther their preseruation or destruction Secondly that the innocencie of his seruantes maye more euidently appere by false accusation that by that meanes there may be perfect triall of their integritie When he had thus spokeÌ„ he declared what things were wrought against the Prince at Aurelia howe his appeales were not receiued howe he was condemned his cause not heard and therfore he sayd that the sentence pronounced agaynst him was voyd and of none effect At the length wheÌ„ many things were debated reasoned of betwene hym and the Kings Sollicitour it was concluded That all matters that had ben broughte in agaynst the Prince should be referred to the Senate And if nothing could be found that should deserue or require an extraordinarie waye then by and by the Senate should pronounce the ful and absolute sentence of absolution and discharge But if the Senate should find any matter of greater weight that then it shuld be lawful before those testimonies and proofes were receiued and credited to examine the witnesses again and to consider the matter more depely and that the sentence pronounced by the former Iudges should be voyd seing that it appertained to the Senate alone which is the court appertaining to the king to the nobles of France to examine and iudge the causes of the kings kinsmen if any criminall cause were obiected against them The which point Petrus Robertus the prince of Conde his aduocate expounded and opened at large least the Prince shoulde seeme by the weaknesse of his cause to forsake that former iudgemente of the iudges whiche were chosen by king Frances the second of purpose to giue sentence on him He declared therfore that the Prince did refuse those iudges bicause they were far vnmete to iudge him besides that so it shuld haue ben preiudicial to the priuilege right of the princes the kings kinsmen for that they being accused of any matter maye appeale to be iudged of the king only their chiefe lord and the head of their stock in the Senate of Paris To this the kings solicitor answered That he did not only allow the sentence of the kings priuie councel coÌ„cerning the innocencie of the Prince of Conde but also earnestly desired that the same mighte be ratified and confirmed by the iudgement of a parliament notwithstanding saith he the same must be established by an ordinarie and lawful way Therfore the Prince of Conde was made playntiue and the Kings Solicitour the defendant â–ª and it was concluded That for somuche as the Prince of Conde was put vpon his further triall purgation the whole assemblie of the Senate house would receyue any manner of accusation to bee made agaynst the Prince of Conde and duly consider of the same to the ende if nothing coulde be brought agaynst him wherby he myght be founde guiltie â—…e myght straightwaye by publike sentence be declared and pronounced to be innocent and guiltlesse Wherefore all the Senatours commaunded that if any man had any manner of accusation against the Prince of Conde he should come into the Senate house and then he shoulde be hearde Yea euery one of the prince Councell were asked by name
if they had any thing to obiect against the Prince of Conde Who affirmed in generall by a solemne othe that they had nothing to obiecte against him Then was the final senteÌ„ce of the Senat giuen in maner forme folowing that is to say That the Prince of Conde had done nothing against the kings Maiestie but was pure innocent and guiltlesse of all those crimes layd to his charge â–ª that all actions commensed against him were voyde Also that he should haue libertie to arrest and sue whom he thought good that hee myght bee satisfied according to the dignitie of his person VVith prouiso also that this decree shoulde be proclaymed in the hyghest Courtes of the king and registred in publike Recordes Thys ordinaunce and decrée was pronounced and openly read â–ª by the chiefe iudge of the Senate the gates of the Senate house beeing set wyde open and all the Senatours assembled together solemnely apparelled in their Scarlet Roabes accordyng to order And also at the Readyng hereof there was a great multitude of people and the greatest part of the Nobilitie of Fraunce as the kyng of Nauarre the Cardinall Burbon Monpensier and others of the Princes the Kinges kinsmenne and with these also were present the Dukes of Guise Nemorosius the Constable Momorentius the Marshall of Santandrae the Cardinal of Lorrayn and the Chastillion Others also which were accused for the same cause with the prince of Conde receiued the sentence of their purgation openly read And vndoubtedly the Prince of Conde alwayes denyed that he was the author or of the counsell of that â—…umult of Ambaxian howsoeuer the Guises maliciously interpreted that counsell and way which was deuised to kepe them vnder to be intended against the kings maiestie and the state of the realme By these and such like practizes those two brethren the Guyses inflamed the yong king Frances against the men of Burbon leauing nothing vndone that might séeme to proue their accusations Accusers were diligently sought for and matters of accusation inquired after By gifts by threatnings all things were attempted And in the iudgement of the Prince of Conde they leaned specially to one witnesse whose name was Sagua a seruant of the kyng of Nauar of whom we haue made mention before That Sagua being taken and apprehended by the Guises was diligently examined concerning the Prince of Conde if he knewe whether he had conspired against the king or no. Sagua at the first denied this saying that he knew no suche matter But at the length Frances the duke of Guyse broughte it to passe hauing with him a hangman and a halter by thretning death vnto him except he would plainly accuse the Prince of Conde of conspiracie against the king But at the length being escaped out of the Guyses hands he most coÌ„stantly sayd both by word and writing that the accusation agaynst the prince of Conde was extorted from him by force This publike sentence therfore of the Senate toke away from the Prince of Conde that spite and slaunder wherby he was sayd and thought to be guiltie of the tumult of Ambaxian But if the sentence of the Senate had not cléered and purged him yet the effect and sequele of that whiche followed maye be sufficient to approue that he neuer conspired against the king As his only studie and moste vndoubted good will in defending the young king and the realme also being in great perill from the mischiefe and lyings in wait of forrain enimies The which he would neuer haue doon if he had intended to hurt the king any maner of way The Cardinall of Lorrayn complayned to the Quéene that the matter was euery daye worse and worse and that the people presumed and toke too much libertie vpon the kings Edictes and also that the negligence and carelesnesse of the Iudges increased more and more affirming that there was no wiser way to be found than in suche troublesome matters to take counsell of the Senate of Paris It was reported that he went about this thing being assured and certified before of many of the mindes of the Senatours that by this preiudice he myghte helpe the Nationall Councell shortly at hande Therefore the King and the Quéene and all the priuie Councell came vnto the Senate to deliberate wyth them of those matters whiche appertayned to Religion and the gouernement of the realme The Chauncellor briefly declared that they wer therfore called togither by the kings commandement that they might shewe certaine ready and exquisite wayes to qualifie those perturbations and troubles whiche would euery day more and more increase by reason of the diuersitie of Religion to the ende the Kings subiects might peaceably lyue vnder his obedience To the which matter he sayd it pertained nothing at al to talke of religioÌ„ bicause the ciuil gouernmeÌ„t was only now in hand as for religion he sayd it should be reserued to be handled in the Nationall Councell to whome it belonged to discusse the same When the Chauncellour had ended his oration euery man spake his iudgement Some wishing punishements for religions sake to â—…e stâ—…yde vntil the Câ—…uncel had determined of the same Other some wyshing to haue punishment by death which was contrarâ—…e to the ancient câ—…nstitutions of the Bishops of Rome Other some deeming it best to haue the whole matter left to the authorâ—…tie of Ecclesiastical iurisdiction In the meane tyme they thought good to forbid that there should be no conuenticles or assemblies either priuate or publike â–ª eyther with armes or withoute armes allo that there shulâ—… be no sermons or administrations of Sacraments otherwyse than according to the vsuall maner of the Church of Rome And thus the whole assemblie were deuided into three â—…eueral opinions Uerie many were of the first opinion how beit the last opinion and adâ—…iss prâ—…uayled hauyng three voyces more than the other had for the whych cause there arose contention many men suspecting that the Notarie being corrupted wroughte deceytfully reâ—…koning the names of some whiche came vulooked for whyle the assemblie were vttering their opinions the whiche was againste all order and custome of the Senate Neuerthelesse there was an Edicte made whyche was called the Edicte of Iulye The effecte whereof was thys That all men should liue peaceably that there shouled bee no iniuries doone vnder the pretence of religion That all disturbers and breakers of the peace shoulde suffer death that there should be in no wyse any maner of elections or any other things which pertayned to factions or diuisions That preachers should vse no wordes of offencâ—… that myght breed sedition among the people but shuld rather modestly instruct them and that also vnder payn of death That ther should be no sermons made or sacraments ministred either priuatly or publikely either with armes or without armes after any other maner than that which was vsed in the catholike Church set forth by the king and his clergie of France
thus Trâ—…aeus hauing no hope to preuaile by wars against these meÌ„ certified the Duke what a hard matter he had taken in hand Afterward the men of the valleys were called to parley with whom these couenantes were made namely That they shoulde vse their accustomed exerciâ—…es of Religion that they should by no maner of meanes be accused or called to account for this warre that they shoulde haue free libertie and intercourse to bie and sell through all parts of the Dukes dominion that they shuld render vnto the Duke all dutie and obedience belonging vnto him that they also should liâ—…e without offence There were diuers other particular matters which because they serue not for our purpose we omit While these things were thus handled Philip King of Spaine on the other side left nothing vndone to punishe vex with all maner of torments so many as imbraced the Gospel in any part of his dominioÌ„s but specially in Spaine Belgio the murdering inquisitioÌ„ in euery place most cruelly was executed the houses in the which the faithfull came together were burned they which were taken were spedilye put to death some being burned some drowned some tormentes with new kinds of death yea there was no respect of persoÌ„s had were he poore or rich gentlemaÌ„ or noble maÌ„ he was not frée froÌ„ these torments The king being greatly inflamed pricked forward herevnto by the Cardinall Granuellan who a little before was made Cardinall in Belgio at the creation of new bishops Neuerthelesse the faithful of the pâ—…rsecuted churches offer their confessioÌ„ to the king of Spaine and publish the same euery where abrode by publique writing open their cause to the magistrates shew how iniurious a thing it is to condemne a man before his cause be heard beséech that they might haue libertie to be heard that their confessioÌ„ might be read which would manifestly declare that they were vniustly condemned these troubles say they do arise of two sorts of men The first are such as are led by rashe vndiscrete zeale to defend their errors which haue long time continued in the Romish Church The second are such as are afeard to haue the Gospell preuaile bicause they know that the doctrine therof reproueth their wicked doings affections It is great arrogancie to condemne those that leane to the worde of God to prefer the inuentions of meÌ„ before the same Wherfore they desire that before they be coÌ„deÌ„ned they might be coÌ„uinced by the word of God that the disputatioÌ„ might not be with fire and sword for say they the word of God is the vndoubted certaine rule of truth But this was the sum of their confession We beleue in one true God which by his glorious names titles may be discerned froÌ„ false counterfeite Gods which may also be knowne by that most mighty worke of the whole world but specially by his word we also imâ—…race receiue the only word of God by faith not so much bicause the Church receiueth the same but bicause it is sealed in the hartes of the faithful by the holy ghost We beleue that one God in esseÌ„ce is distinguished into thrée persons which are the father the sonne the holy Ghost reseruing notwithstanding to euery persoÌ„ his special propertie We beleue that God which hath created the worlde doth gouerne preserue the same by his prouidence We beleue that he created man after his owne image liknesse that is to say holy good perfect that he fell by his owne faulte hath wrapped his prosteritie in y same giltinesse of sinne corruptioÌ„ that he him selfe was in We beleue that Iesus Christ both God and man in one person is a true mediator the onely meane way to saluation We beleue that he beyng promysed long before vnto the Fathers and represented and shadowed vnder the Ceremonyes and fygures of the lawe came in his time and fulfilled all things that pertayned to oure saluation and that withoute greate sacrilege and robbing him of his honor no other meane can be taken also that the faithful are partakers of these benefites which are the Church of God which is gouerned by the holy ghost and not tyed to places or perfons We beléeue that the pure and sincere preaching of Gods worde the pure Ministration of the sacraments and the discipline by the which the Churche is gouerned according to the rule of Gods worde are notes and markes of the visible Churche We beléeue that the Sacraments were ordained to confirme our faith and doe then profite when they are ioyned to the power of the holy Ghost We beléeue that there doe belong onely two sacraments to the Church namely Baptisme which is a seale of remission of sinnes and of our regeneration and therefore a testimonie of our entrance into the Churche And the Lords supper which signifieth that we are truely made partakers of the body of Christ and of all his graces and benefites that is to saye that oure soules are nourished to euerlasting life by his fleshe and bloude euen as our bodyes are nourished with breade and wine but we muste bring faith to receiue the truth of that Sacrament that is to say Christ therefore we beléeue that the Lords Supper doth only profite the faithfull bringeth to the vnworthie that is to the vnbeléeuing condemnation We beléeue that God to defende and preserue the societie of men hath ordayned lawes and pollitique gouernement which al men ought to obey that tributes custome and other taxes ought to be payed to Magistrates who ought to be reuerenced and for whome we ought to pray vnto God. We beleeue also that Christ shall come againe with al power maiestie and glory in the latter day to iudge the quicke and the dead Thus much concerning their persecution But now to returne to our selues againe When the Duke of Guise had bene at no small variance with the Prince of Conde he purposed with himselfe partlye by his owne mind in hope of profite partly by the Counsel of his friends to come into his fauour and friendship again the Quéene and the Constable exhorting him ther vnto and helping him to haue hys purpose Therefore the King when he had called the Prime Councell together and all the Princes beyng present he called both of them before hym and when the matter was opened he commaunded the Duke of Guise to declare the whole matter to the Prince of Conde The which the Duke of Guise did protesting that he neuer caused nor counselled the King which was departed to apprehend the Prince of Conde To which the Prince of Conde answered that he did counte him a wicked and naughtie person which wente aboute to worke him that mischiefe what so euer he was The Duke of Guise sayde that hée thoughte him in lyke manner to be no lesse but he coulde not helpe it At the length by the Kings
commaundement they embraced one another and promysed to put away all grudge and malyce and to be euer afterwarde true and faithfull friendes This reconciliation gaue the Constable occasion more fréely to ioyne him selfe and to kepe company with the Guises and to begyn afreshe to suppresse Religion the which he had alwayes obstinately resisted We sayde before that the assembly of States or Courte of Parliament was delayed and put off vntill the moneth of May. Therefore they resorted agayne in the moneth of August to Pontosia a towne in Picardie and by and by there arose dissention betwéene the Princes and the Cardinalls aboute the order of sitting the Princes denying to sitte belowe the Cardinalls Wherevpon the Cardinals Turnon Lorayne and Guyse went away verye angry But when the Earles and Nobles were gathered together the Chauncelor proposed the matter according to custome shewing the cause of their comming together and willing euerye man fréely to vtter that which he had to say Therefore the Legates or Speakers for the thrée estates made their seuerall orations in the which they spake much concerning the duetie of the King and of the subiectes and of those matters which are commonly handeled in Ciuill conuocations the whiche we meane not to repeate for bicause they appertaine not to our purpose Notwithstanding this is not to be pretermitted that the Legate for the comminaltie complained very muche of the corruptions of Ecclesiasticall persons bycause they ought to teach the people and to exhorte them both by their doctrine and also by their example to a pure and honest lyfe but foule and filthy ignorance was among them and their corrupte and vnchaste lyâ—…e was a greate offence to all men Moreouer he said that they were hyrelings and carefull for nothing lesse than for â—…oyng their dueties but were whollye gyuen to filthy pleasure and this thing sayth he ariseth hereof for that they bée more plentifully fedde and fatted than their offices wyll beare what hath béene the cause sayth he in tymes paste of all the corruptions in the Churche but the too much ease and lyuing of Ecclesiasticall persons Also he made petition in the name of the thirde state whiche we call the comminaltie that the King woulde refourme these greate faultes and woulde so temper and order the lyuings and reuenewes of Ecclesiasticall persons that they mighte not lyue too licenciously at their ease Moreouer he declared that it was the office of a King to take vpon hym the defence of Religion and bycause so manye troubles daylye did aryse for this cause throughout the whole Realme he sayde it was a presente remedie to pacifie them to call forthwith a Nationall Counsell and to gyue to all men leaue to come vnder safe conducte and that it woulde please the King also with the Princes hys Kinsmen to bée present at the same and to call for learned and godly men to come to that parley and also to remoue all those that might be suspected Furthermore that they whiche thinke that they can not wyth a safe conscience come to the Ceremonyes of the Churche of Rome myghte haue libertie freely and quietly to come together into some temple or other publique place where they maye be taughte the worde of God in theyr vulgar tongue and maye haue the rytes of their Religion Ministred And bycause many things maye be sayde to be done amisse in those assemblyes he wished that the King woulde commaunde certaine of his officers to be presente in those assemblyes to see what shoulde be done Also he sayd that they oughte not to be counted for heretikes whiche were condemned their cause not hearde but should be tried and iudged by the word of God. Finallye he made humble supplications that it woulde please the King to graunte suche reasonable requestes the which also the Nobilitie with one consent required but the Ecclesiasticall order or Clergie soughte diligentlye by all meanes possible to defend their cause But to the ende it maye more plainely appeare what greate alterations haue happened within a shorte tyme it shall not be amisse to repeate certayne things whiche were done in that assemblye concernyng matters Ciuill and yet those things onely which also seeme to be more neere to Religion the state wherof to shewe we meane Therefore these remedyes were deuised to discharge the Kyng of that debte and paymentes of money wyth the whiche wee sayde before the Kyng at that tyme was greatlye burthened Firste that they whiche had had the occupying of the Kyngs Treasure shoulde come to accounte In the meane tyme that so manye as were of the Kings Priuye Counsell shoulde bee forbydden to come into that assemblye vntyll they hadde playnelye made theyr accountes also that all shoulde make an accounte the Queene onely excepted of all excéedyng giftes rewardes and doles That so manye as in their owne persons did not discharge their Ecclesiasticall offices should loose all their reuenewes sauyng some parte which shoulde bee lefte them for the deuine seruice and for aimes deedes That all the reuenewes of Benefices in controuersie should be brought to the kings Treasurie That so many Benefices as had their pastors resident if they were worthe fiue hundred pounde in money shoulde paye vnto the King the fourth parte if they were worthe a thousande pounde the thirde parte if they were worth three thousande pounde that then they shoulde paye vnto the King the one halfe Also that they which had in yearely reuenewes comming vnto them twelue thousande poundes shoulde haue onely remaining to them of the same three thousande and the reste to be payde to the King. That from the Cartusian Fryers the Minimi the Mathurines and the Moniakes should be taken all their reuenews that surmounted and came to more than would finde them ordinarie meate drinke and clothe bycause by the order of their rytes and vowe they ought to haue no more Also they saide they had yet a better and more compendious way and that was this if all the landes of Ecclesiasticall persons belonging to their benefices and spirituall promotions sauyng onely a house for the Bishop Canon Maister of the Colledge or person to dwell in were solde And of some parte of the money for the same the Kings debtes should be payde and the rest to be distributed to Ecclesiasticall persons that had more neede of the same Also to the ende the king with the rest might perceyue howe profitable a way this would be they declared that the reuenews of those ecclesiasticall landes woulde be worth fortie thousand pounde and their proper liuing and remainder neuerthelesse twelue hundred thousand poundes And they sayde that these lands would the sooner be solde because they were frée from tribute were all most lords within themselues Adding moreouer that Ecclesiasticall persons should sustaine no harme hereby for they should neuerthelesse haue inough to liue vpon and the king of the ouerplus of those yearely reuenewes should both pay his debtes and also haue euery yeare a great
summe besides towardes the maintayning of garrisons of souldiers the fortifying of Cities and other such lyke vses to the great profit and commoditie of the people They made Supplication in like maner that the Edict of Iuly of the which we made mention before and in the which the faithfull were forbydden to assemble themselues together might be taken awaye that also there might be vsed peaceable and quyet meanes in matters of Religion and yet notwithstanding that no Heretikes Libertines Anabaptistes Atheistes and suche lyke seditious persons might be borne withal And that there might be called out of hand a Nationall Councell to reforme the errors of Ecclesiasticall persons Furthermore they requested that the King with his kinsmen the Princes woulde be at the counsell that all men might haue frée libertie vnder the kings warrant to come to that conuocation that they might haue Churches for the administration of their doctrine and Sacramentes graunted vnto them which affirme that they cannot with safe conscience come to the Ceremonies of the Romishe Churche that they mighte openly and plainely professe and maintayne their Religion and put awaye all occasions of slaunder and reproche Last of all they required that all iurisdiction mighte be taken away from Ecclesiasticall persons and restored to the King to whome the same truely appertayned that Ecclesiasticall persons myghte haue no place in the Ciuill assemblyes of Parliamentes and also that Ciuill or temporall persons mighte not haue benefices or spirituall promotions These things were spoken by the orators and speaker for the States according to their commission Moreouer at the length motion was made vnto them â—…o helpe to confirme the couenant made betwéene the Quéene and the king of Nauarre concerning the gouernement of the kingdome To the which they answered that it seemed vnto them verye vnmeete and strange that a woman should rule the Realme of Fraunce which was plaine againste the lawe therof called the lawe Salic After long contention by the earnest persuasion of the king of Nauarre who sought to haue the Queenes fauour and sayd that he did willingly giue place vnto hir the speakers answered that if the king of Nauarre woulde departe from his right and that the king and Quéene could so agrée they would not be against it nor hinder it But it was sayde that those speakers dyd not well in that they swarued from their Commissions and therefore that theyr assente to be voyde and of none effecte neither was the facillitie and myldnesse of the King of Nauarre well lyked of Nowe the Pope feared as we sayde before that Nationall Councell which the king had promysed least it woulde be greatly hurtfull vnto him therfore so muche as he could he made haste to haue a generall Councell And for thys cause he sente the Cardinall of Ferrer to the king Thys Romishe Cardinall called hym selfe the Protector of the Churches of Fraunce for the which names sake manye presents and giftes were giuen to him in Fraunce At the nexte comming together of the States it was concluded that the Pope should neuer afterward haue authoritie to giue anye benefice or spirituall promotion in Fraunce Therefore the Cardinall when he was come woulde haue vsed his accustomed power and authoritie but beyng let by the newe decree of the States or Parliament he rayled vp great controuersies Then the Chauncelor 〈◊〉 affirmed that it was a thing not to be suffered that so newe a decrée of Parliament shoulde be infringed and broken Notwithstanding the matter came to that pasâ—…e by the daylye complayntes of the Cardinall that the king gaue straighte commaundement to the ChauÌ„celor to seale his letters The Chauncelor sayde that it was against lawe and equitie so to doe howbeit he sealed his letters with the kings seale and subscribed these wordes with his owne hande without my consente and will. Then these letters according to custome were sent to the Senate of Paris that they also myght confirme them But when the Senate had read these wordes of the Chauncelor they made this answere They cannot neither oughte they to be receyued Which wordes they alwayes vse when they meane to note any vnlawful or vniust matter Therfore Cardinall Ferrar was without hope of his letters and was very sore agréeued to sée the Popes authoritie so sore diminished and shaken in Fraunce besyde this ballets and rymes were made â—…f hym and hauing his Crosier goyng before hym as the manner is he was deryded of boyes and chyldren that followed him also pretie Libels were set forthe agaynst hym and the image of Pope Alexander his grandfather finely paynted with a liuely description of his wickednesse oute of the wordes of the Poet Pontanus was helde forthe in euerye mannes hande againste him The Cardinall taking this in very euill parte departed out of FrauÌ„ce loking for better occasions to haue his purpose the which in deede he gat afterward But shortlye after thys the Popes authoritie was cut off more and more in Fraunce and all the people almoste euerye where sayde that nowe the authoritie of men must not be wayed but the substantialnesse of reason and truth that the great errors whych long ago were growne were nowe spredde abroade that the Couetousnesse and Luxurie of the Churche men was insatiable that they were more outragious and cruell agaynste those whiche followed the contrarye opinion in Religion All estates and degrées had these and the like communications oftentunes in their mouthes yea and they which as yet were on the Popes side came not so often to their owne Churches as they had wonte but came often to the sermons of the refourmed Churche kepte companye with the faythfull and had often conference with them concerning Religion and sayde that for this cause there ought to aryse no trouble nor breache of friendship or brotherly loue They which more obstinately leaned still to their olde opinions kepte theÌ„selues so cloose within their dores that they scarce durst to come in anye companye Many were dayly alured to the companye of the faythfull in so muche that the alteration of Religion séemed nowe withoute all doubte to be at hande The greatest parte of the Nobilitie also embraced the doctryne of the Gospell And the Queene séemed to prefer Religion verye muche and openly to fauour those of the refourmed Religion whether to please the king of Nauarre or to serue the tyme I knowe not and wrote verie earnestly to Pope Pius the fourth desiring him that he would prouide remedies to stay those troubles And when the time of the parley appointed was rome she wrote very large letters to him the fourth of August to this effect as followeth If sayth she the state of the Kingdome of Fraunce maye be expressely described to the holye Father for so she was wonte to call hym in what and howe manye straites and perills the same was by reason of the diuers opinions of Religion he would prouide with al spéede for it and would helpe to staye these
troubles bothe wyth his presence and authoritie and also woulde bende all his Counsell wisedome and power to finde oute remedyes for the same On the one parte he might set before his eyes the infinite multitude of soules which runne headlong as it were into destruction bycause they knowe not well the waye of saluation On the other parte he might sée part of the kingdome to be distracted and drawne away from the communion and fellowship of the Churche whiche consisted of the greatest part of the Nobles of learned men of the best citizens and most ciuil sorte of the common people who wante neyther force nor counsell or any other meanes to atchieue their purpose séeing there are among them men of great wealth and riches which will not let to spend their goods and substance in their cause Furthermore such is the concord consent and vnitie among them that it is wonderful to sée how carefully one of them doe defende an other in somuch that they can neither be drawne from that concord neyther can they be ouercome by force of armes And without present perill this kingdome can not be cast into those straites whiche threaten vnto the same no doubte greate ruine and extreme destruction Seing therfore the matter standeth thus and séeing ther is a manifest token of great troubles as haÌ„d the number of those men increasing and waxing strong euery day more and more she also being persuaded that the holie Father being myndefull of those benefites which he had receyued of the Frenche kings would carefully indeuoure himselfe to prouide remedies to ease these troubles for this cause she was boldâ—… to flee vnto him as to a refuge that he woulde apply all his counsell wisedome and power to procure the vnitie of the Church It may please him therfore to vnderstand that this thing might the more easyly be brought to passe bicause by the goodnesse of God there are not in the whole realme of France any Anabaptistes heretikes or any that speake against the Christian Articles of the faith nor yet against the declaration of those Articles made by the sire generall Councels And she sayd this was the opinion and iudgement of certain lerned men with whom she had conferred that the holie Father might receyue them which confessed that catholike profession of the faith plainly confirmed and expounded by those sixe generall Councels into the Communion felowship of the Church although they were of diuers opinions And that other opinions can not let the vnion of the Churche euen as in tyme past the diuersitie in celebrating the Passeouer the diuers and sundrie obseruations of fastings and rites in sacraments and other partes of diuine seruice did nothing at all hinder the vnion of the Churche and that the same waye then vsed should be very profitable now to stay the controuersies of the Latine and Gréeke Churche Therfore they trust the controuersies being at an end that God wil be with them and that the darke mistie cloudes being driuen awaye at the length he will shewe the true and perfecte lyghte of the truth And sayth she if this generall waye shall not be approued and allowed although it oughte to be referred to a generall Councell yet notwithstandyng it is necessarie that the holie Father do prouide a spéedie remedie before that time considering the present necessitie For delay will bring such greate inconueniences with it as can not easily by any meanes be recouered againe But the remedie séemeth to consiste in two thinges First that they which haue alreadie separated themselues from the CoÌ„mmunion of the Churche might be called and brought to the same agayne Secondly that they which as yet haue not withdrawne themselues might be kept in this communion still To winne the first it may séeme very necessarie to vse often admonitions and to haue mutual and quiet conference on bothe partes Bishops and their ministers muste diligently preache Gods worde and exhorte the people to mutuall peace and concorde and names of reproche on bothe sydes muste quyte be taken awaye The whyche she hoped was a speedie waye to bring concorde and loue The whyche also she sayd she had giuen in commaundemente to those that were separated from the Churche and was hytherto obeyed But as touching those whyche as yet hadde not separated them selues from the Communion of the Churche there are many sayeth she whiche as yet purpose not to departe from the same and yet notwithstanding they stande continually in doubte and specially in these thrée principall poyntes The first is that they vnderstande that the primitiue Churche had no images They knowe that God hathe expressely forbidden to worshyp them or to set them in those places where they maye be worshipped They know also that Gregorie hath foribdden the same and that diuers good men in lyke maner whiche synce that tyme receyued them into the Churches expressely declared that they were ordeined for no other vse than to put the ignorante people in mynde of their Gods whiche were absente Notwithstanding many errours deceytes and lyes haue preuayled and crepte into this kingdome and realme of Fraunce and many deceyuers contrarie to the doctrine of the auncient Fathers haue moste wickedly abused the worshipping of images to their owne lucre and gaine in so muche that the cousciences of many men for this cause are greately offended and therefore will not come into the Churches least they shoulde bowe theyr knée before the Images The matter therefore béeing well examined if on the one parte the inconueniences whyche may aryse héereof and the fruites and commodities whyche are lyke to come bee wyâ—…ely wayed it shall bée founde that it is better to remoue them than to woorship them with offence of many specially seeing the same is neyther the commaundement of God nor yet hath bene receyued of the Churche vpon any necessitie Therefore to cut away all occasions of slaunderous reporte and to keepe those still of whome we speake in the fellowship of the Churche lette it be considered if it bée profitable to remoue these Images from the Altars and to place them aboute the Temple eyther within or without the causes béeing declared namely that certaine vngodly men séeking theyr owne gayne on the one parte and on the other part certaine ignorant and vnskilful men also wil bring to passe that the people shall abuse them against the ordinaunce of the Churche 2 The second principall point is concerning the administration of Sacraments of Baptisme and of the Lords supper In the administration of Baptism it seemeth strange to many good and godly men that Exorcismes and many formes of prayers should be vsed the which may somwhat profite those that vnderstande them but séeing the greatest parte of the people doe not vnderstand them it séemeth better to omit them And where as it is beléeued and taughte that these things are necessarie to be done before Baptism they say that
kepte sylence the King spake in maner and fourme following All men sayth he know well enoughe what and how great perturbations and troubles are in the Realme for the which cause I haue appoynted you to come together at this time that those things which ye knowe haue néede of reformation maye quietly of you be declared without any maner of affection hauing no consideration or care for any thing but for the glorye of God and the peace and quietnesse of consciences The whyche thing I greatlye desire in so much that I haue determined not to suffer you to departe hence before you haue made some ende of all controuersies that at the length all dissentions being taken away mutual peace and concord may be had among all men This thing if ye bring to passe ye shall giue me occasion to maintayne and defende you with no lesse care than those kings my auncestours that haue béene before me haue done Then he commaunded his Chauncelor to declare his minde more at large The Chauncelor therefore began to shew that the kings will was according to the wils of his predecessors that had béene before him in staying the controuersies of Religion the which when those Kings of happie memorie went diligently aboute to bring to passe they had in their labors very small successe in so much that daylie more and more new troubles arose wherfore he would that all men should the more diligently wisely to apply theÌ„ selues to pacifie in time these troubles for the which cause he had caused them to come togither and minded in his royall person to accompany them that disordered matters in Religion which concerned both doctrine and maners might be reformed he vnderstanding that this was the onelye cause of all troubles woulde diligentlye prouide for them as his office required The remedie which nowe he intendeth to vse séemeth to be a present remedie as it was of late deliberated and considered of in the most noble assembly of the Princes CouÌ„cel namely that by this peculiar and particular conference the matters of Religion in controuersie betwéene both parties might be quietly reasoned and disputed of â–ª But to loke or séeke for remedie by a general Councel it is euen as vaine as if a man hauing good and sufficient remedie at home shoulde notwithstanding trauaile to the Indyes to séeke the same For sayth he we our selues shall better prouide remedyes for oure selues than men of strange and forraine countreys can doe which know neither the state of our cause nor the condition of our people of which kinde of strangers notwithstanding the generall Councell shall consiste Greater fruites and profite haue often times come by Nationall Councels than haue come by generall Councels As may appeare by that generall Councell of Ariminum the which Councell openly fauouring and maintaining the secte of the Arrians was reproued and corrected by particular Synodes Also in this our realme of Fraunce Hilary Bishop of Pictauia by his industrye and faithfull dealing in Synodes banished the heresie of the Arrians out of these partes Therfore sayth he there is no doubte but that there shall aryse great profite and commoditie by this assembly specially seing it pleaseth the king to take such paines himselfe who no doubt wil helpe both with his power authoritie Wherfore he wished the disputers on both partes onely to be carefull to doe their duetie both of them ioyntly to seke concorde the greater part not to despise the lesser not to vse curious disputations without profit and to iudge examine al matters by the word of God only which being wel vnderstoode fewe other authours shall serue also that they which say they followe the newe doctrine woulde not counte the prelates of the contrarye parte for their enimyes séeyng by Baptisme they retaine the name of Christians For the king sayth he hath therefore giuen you leaue to come together that men mighte sée what reasons you haue and that the Prelates on the Popes side might séeke by strong arguments to confute theÌ„ that the disputation at the length beyng published abrode all men may euidently sée that they are condemned for iust causes and not by the vaine authoritie of men Therefore take héede in any case that you do nothing ambitiously know ye that ye are not iudges and indeuour yourselues to finde out and manifest the truth So shall you both glorifye God and also profite your countrey and God himselfe shall blisse your indeuours and the moste constant minde of the king in this matter The matter being thus propounded by the Chauncelor the Cardinall of Turnon in the name of the Prelates gaue great thankes to the king to the Quéene and to the Princes that it pleased them to come to this holy assemblye and for that the Châ—…uncelor by the kings commaundement had put forth these matters the which he desired to haue giuen vnto him in writing that they mighte deliberate and consider what was néedefull to be done in these things Then the Chauncelour saide that he woulde not giue the matter in writing seing it was plainely enough declared And thus they coulde get nothing at the handes of the Chauncelor althoughe the Cardinall of Loraine required the same Then the ministers which sat oueragainst them hauing leaue to speake Theodore Beza began thus Seing that all things O king both great small specially those things which belong to the worship of God and which doe far surmounte oure capacitie doe depende vpon the same God we thinke it not troublesome to your maiestie if we begin with prayer vnto god When he had spoken these wordes he falling on his knées with the rest of his fellowes beganne to pray vnto God in that forme of confession of sinnes which is vsed in the refourmed Churches pronouncing the same with a loude voyce and that done straight way he added vnto the same these wordes For so much as O God thou hast bene so fauourable this daye to thy vnworthye seruauntes as to graunt them leaue to professe the knowledge of thy truth before their King and this most honorable assembly we moste humbly beseeche thee O father of lightes that it may please thee according to thy accustomed goodnesse so to illuminate our mindes to gouerne our affections and to make them apt to be taughte so also to direct oure wordes that whatsoeuer knowledge of thy truth thou shalt giue vnto vs according to our capacitie we may both with hearte and mouthe vtter the same to the glorye of thy name to the profit and prosperitie of our King and of all his subiects and specially to the peace and tranquillitie of this Christian common wealth realme WheÌ„ Beza had thus ended his prayer turning his speach to the king he vttered these wordes in manner and forme following They which doe faithfully serue and obey their Princes most noble King doe thinke themselues moste happie in this thing aboue al other if so
be they may behold the faces of their Princes the which representing as it were a certaine visible maiestie of God can not chose but stirre vp and delight the mindes of faithfull subiectes For such is our nature that those things which we sée oure selues with our eyes do more effectually moue our affections thaÌ„ those things which we féele and perceiue by the bare and simple apprehension of the minde But and if it come to passe that not only the subiects may sée their Prince but also may be sene of their Prince and that which is more may be heard at the length approued of him then they thinke that they haue al that they caÌ„ wish or desire Of these foure things O king it pleased God to depriue many of your faithfull subiects for a time to their great sorrowe griefe vntill the same God in his infinite mercy goodnesse at our sorrowful teares continual sighes forgiuing somewhat so spared vs that he hath giuen vnto vs this daye a benefite more of vs wished than hoped for namely libertie to beholde your maiestie that of the same we may both be sene hard in this most noble assembly almost of the whole worlde If we had neuer receiued any other benefite neither should hereafter receiue all the reste of the race of oure life shoulde not be sufficient to celebrate and set forth so great a benefite of God and to giue immortall and condigne thankes to your Maiestie But seing we doe ioyne this also to those former benefites that this daye doth not onely giue vnto vs accesse but dothe also inuite vs with one minde and consente to professâ—…the name of oure God and the obedience due to your maiestie we muste no doubte confesse that oure mindes are farre vnapte to conceiue so greate benefites as these be and oure tongues also lâ—…sse able to vtter and expresse that which we féele in oure myndes Therefore this benefite surpassing all humaine eloquence we had rather by modest sylence to confesse oure imbecillitie than with the barenesse of words to diminishe the greatnesse of the same But this one thing we wiâ—…e that oure duetifull obedience maye be acceptable to your maiestie this daye The which we hope will come to passe if so be our comming together maye ende not onely the miseryes of oure afflictions paste the remembraunce whereof this most happie daye doth quite banishe but that thing also which alwayes séemed vnto vs more bitter than death which was the great troubles raised in this Realme for Religion to the great destruction of manye But nowe there are manye occasions which euen at this day will not suffer vs to enioye so great a benefite and haue also taken cleane awaye from vs al hope to enioy the same except by other meanes we be stayed and comforted First of all there are many men which by what mischiefe I knowe not are throughly persuaded of vs that we are troublesome persons ambitious whollye wedded to our opinions â–ª enimies to peace tranquilitie There are also other some who although they doe thinke vs not to abhorre peace concorde yet notwithstanding they do thinke that we do require the same vpoÌ„ such vnlawful straight coÌ„ditions that we ought by no meanes to be receiued as though we wold inuert the whole world after our owne fantasie make it new againe depriue many from their goods that we our selues might inioye them There are also other suche like great impediments but we had rather to bury them in sylence than in speaking of them to rubbe and renewe olde punishments specially at this tyme when complaintes are not to be made but rather the remedies of complaintes to be sought and prouided for But who doth incourage vs among so many lets stays We are destitute of helpe O King seeing of all men we are the most base sorte But this maketh vs bolde namely our good conscience whiche is a helpe vnto our cause the which we trust God will defend reuenge by the meanes of your Maiestie In lyke maner your clemencie O king which most dilectably is to be seene in your mouthe countenance and talke the equitie and vprightnesse of your mind most excellent Quéene the goodnesse of your mynde and of the myndes of the Princes the kings kinsmen moste noble King the occasion also whiche you haue giuen vs to thinke well of you most honorable Councellours who agreeing in one do your selues no lesse desire to giue vnto vs necessarie and pure concorde than we earnestly desire to receiue the same doe giue vnto vs great boldnesse and hope What shoulde I vse many wordes There is also an other thing whiche maketh vs to haue some hope and that is the rule of charitie which we trust will so moderate you with whoÌ„ we must enter into disputation that you will rather seke with vs according to our slender capacitie to manyfeste the truth than to obscure the same to teach than to contend to expend and weye reason than wilfully to refuse reason and also that you will rather restrayne euill that it goe no farther than to loose the reynes to the same and to make it incurable This truely is our hope and persuasion of you And we praye and beséech you by the name of the mightie God which hath gathered vs here togither whiche shall be a witnesse of our cogitatious and wordes that â–ª whatsoeuer hath bene written or spoken for the space of these 40. yeres you will with vs put awaye all preiudiciall meanes which maye possibly hinder the fruite and profite of this laudable way now taken in hand and that it will please you to hope and to assure your selues of that in vs whiche by the grace of God you shall find that is to saye a mynde apt to be taughte and to receyue whatsoeuer shall be shewed out of the pure worde of god Thinke you not that we are come hyther to defende and mayntayne any error but to the ende that wherinsoeuer you or we haue offended we maye acknowledge the same and amende it Thinke you â—…ot that we are so arrogant that we would abolyshe the Churche of our God which is sempiternall Thinke you not that we seeke means to bring you into this vile miserable condition in the which notwithstanding by the greate grace of God we ar very wel quieted contented This is that which we séeke for namely that the ruine of Hierusalem maye be repayred that the spiritual temple may be buylded that the same house of God being builded vp with liuely stones may recouer his former excellencie also that the scattered dispersed shéepe may be gathered brought again into the shéepfold of that only most excellent Shepherd Christ Iesus This is our purpose this is our wil this is our desire the whiche if you as yet beléeue not we truste you will then beléeue when we conferre with you with all pacience and méekenesse But
you to the end of the world He is with vs and he is not with vs for he hath not forsaken those in respecte of his diuinitie whome he hath forsaken and from whom he is departed in respecte of his humanitie Moreouer he sayth VVhen his fleshe was in earthe it was not truely in heauen but nowe bicause it is in heauen it is not no doubte in earth Againe he sayth The onely sonne of God which was also man is contayned in one place according to the nature of his fleshe And is not contained in any place according to the nature of his Diuinitie Nowe in the meane time while these things were thus a working the Prelates came together and certaine of the Pâ—…pisticall doctours of the Canon lawe beyng made acquainted wyth the matter did deliberate and consults together what answere they were beste to gyue to the refourmed Churches Here it is reported that the Cardinall of Lorayne sayde I would to God that eyther he were dumbe or else wee deafe and coulde not heare The matter beyng diuersely reasoned and considered of on bothe sides at the laste it was concluded that answere shoulde be made to tâ—…o speciall pointes of the oration the firste poynt concerning the Churche and the seconde poynt concernyng the Lordes Supper They did also deliberate whether it were not good to haue a confession made which shoulde be offered to the protestants but if their chosen men which were appointed to dispute for them had denied to imbrate the same that then they should haue the sentence of condemnation proncuÌ„ced against them as heretikes so the disputation shâ—…ld ende But this their deuise was not fully concluded vpoÌ„ for that many of them woulde not agrée vnto the same And when the ministers of the reformed Churches heard of this deuise they complained to the king Queene that the matter was not indifferently handled beseching them that the fruit and profite of the conference might not be hindred by these plat formes and subtill deuises Therfore the conference began againe the sixtene day of September the king Quéene the king of Nauar and the Princes the kings kinsmeÌ„ being preseÌ„t And here the Cardinall of Loraine first of all spake very largely in the behalfe of the Prelates concerning the obedience of his fellowes towards the king the which they acknowledged to owe vnto him by the commaundement of God confessed that they wold gladly giue the same vnto him Notwithstanding that the king ought to haue great care to defend the Church not as heade but as a member of the same and that in those things which appertaine to doctrine he ought to be subiecte to the Church and to the ministers thereof as the expresse testimonies of scripture and the examples of the ancient fathers doe declare Therefore saith he we doe make this the grounde of all our reasons that all obedience ought to be giuen to the king But comming more neere to his matter he declareth that the assembly whose cause he had in hand did consist of Archbishops of Bishops ordinarily made of Priests of Canons of a great nuÌ„ber of others Whose legâ—…te saith he I am this is the sum of my imbassage Wher as many to my great griefe were fallen from the Church not long a go professing the contrary Religion neither submitting theÌ„selues to their owne constitutioÌ„s being within these few dayes called thither by the kings coÌ„maundemeÌ„t had declared some good will to profite if they would come againe into their cuntrey and into the ancient house of the Fathers they shall be receiued and haue nothing that is past cast in their téeth if so be that they wil shew themselues penitent and will become obedient children to the Churche Therefore I will frame my selfe according to their infirmities being glad that they professe with vs the articles of our faith and I hartely wishe that as in words so in iudgement we maye agrée together Therefore I will answere them in the spirite of loue and modestie But I will handle onely two articles bicause it will be to tedious to intreate of euery one of them particularly And the two articles whereof I will speake are concerning the Churche and concerning the Lordes Supper Wherfore concerning the firste it is not true I hat the Church doth consist only of the Elect bicause in the Lords barne the chaffe is mingled with the wheate and yet notwithstanding the Church cannot erre But if some part of the Church shoulde erre the whole body ought to be preferred before one corrupte member if any euill should créepe in then we muste haue recourse to antiquitie and muste haue respecte to the chiefe and principall Churches among which the Church of Rome hath had alwayes the principall place If any thing were founde to be amisse in some perticular place of the Church we must set against the Ignoraunce of a small number of men the decrées of the auncient and of the generall Counsels But if this thing maye not suffice we muste diligently séeke for the iudgements of the approued fathers of the Catholique Churche notwithstanding we must specially giue place to the testimonies of Scripture being expounded by the true voyce and interpretation of the Church least heretikes shoulde bragge and saye that they alone haue the worde of god For the Catholique Churche must giue authoritie to the word of god The which order bicause the Arrians kept not they fell into great mischiefes into which destruction they also are like to fal which seyng not the beame in their owne eyes are very busie to plucke out the moate in other mens eyes As touching the seconde pointe which concerneth the Sacrament of the Lordes Supper I must néedes confesse that I and the whole Clergie are greatly gréeued to sée that the blessed Sacrament of the Euchariste which the Lorde left vnto vs to be a bonde and pledge of peace and vnitie should by curiositie of searching out of déepe matters be after a sort an occasion not onely of infinite controuersies but also of forsaking the truth which maye scarcely be kepte among these controuersies For in the Eucharste we ought to consider foure things The firste is the vnion and concorde which ought to be among the faithfull according to that which the Apostle saith that VVe are one body and partakers of one cup. The second is the vnion with Christ Iesus as it is sayd He which eateth my fleshe and drinketh my bloude abideth in me and I in him The thirde is remission of sinnes which is purchased by the effusion of Christe his bloude The fourth is the hope of euerlasting life according to that which is writteÌ„ He which eateth this btead shall liue for euer But the contrary doth happen in this disputation namely distractions and diuisions in the Church the separation from God the losse of remission of sinnes of the hope of euerlasting life Diuers and sundrye are the
controuersies of oure aduersaries concerning this matter of the which there are eight in number It is better to abide in the approued opinion and iudgemente of the Catholike Church which is that the very body of God of our Lord Iesus Christ his very bloude also is present and receiued in this Sacrament according as it is sayd This is my bodie The which wordes excepte they be in déede of as great force as they sounde and séeme to be why are they so diligently repeated in like wordes of all the Euangelistes and of the Apostle Paule also Why did not the other three Euangelistes the Apostle Paule which wrote after Mathew writ after that maner that our Sacramentaries would write specially seyng in a matter of lesse waight they doe one of them expounde another and that which one of them setteth forth obscurely another plainely declareth This is the mynde of the Testator which by no maner of meanes ought to be disalowed or violated This is also the iudgement and doctrine of all the ancient writers that not onely the breade is giuen by the Priest but also the very body of Christ really Therefore I imbrace this stable hole some opinion and I doe abhorre with all my hearte the curious opinions and sayings of these newe men which seme so to represent Christe as if they shoulde bring him forthe in a Tragedie or Comedie As thoughe it were not better to retaine and kepe the simple wordes of our Lorde and saâ—…iour than the false imaginations of men seyng that this is most firme and certaine that we are not onely ioyned to Christe by faithe but also by the force and efficacie of the Euchariste beyng rightlye worthily and really receyued yea and to speake more playnelye Substantially Naturally and Corporally And here he alledged many things out of the ancient fathers and plainely reprehended Beza bicause he vsed the words of Austen in his epistle to Dardanus in this matter of the Sacramentes seyng in that epistle he intreated nothing at all of the Sacramentes also bicause he had condemned the opinion of certaine Germaines concerning Consubstantiation contrarye to his owne opinion And then he concluded his oration with these wordes I come yelde sayth he to your opinion of the Sacramente excepte ye thinke that Iesus Christe as touching his fleshe is in this world from the time of his ascention and that more nowe than he was before he toke vpon him our fleshe excepte ye thinke that Christ hath some other bodye than that whiche is visible excepte ye thinke that he is otherwise in the Sacrament than in the preaching of the worde if ye thinke it to be all one to put on Christ in Baptisme and to eate his body and bloude and to be shorte if ye thinkâ—… that he is so in heauen that he is not in earth also and that he is no otherwise in the Supper than he is in the Myer we which are taughte that the Supper is not in heauen but celebrated in earth and which are not so curious that we woulde by ingenius and wise speculations bryng and separate Christe from the Supper â–ª to answere you fullye affirme that we are so far from your opinion as the heauen is hyer from the lowest parte of the earth Let them therefore sée and consider which iudge and examine oure Religion not by Philosophie but by Diuinitie which of vs two doe attribute more to the power of God and to Iesus christ And so praying to God to roote out these daungerous and deadly opinions and not to suffer these controuersies to be in his Churche he exhorted the king and the Quéene that they woulde take vpon them the patrocinie and defence of thys matter and protested in the name of the Prelates of the French Churche that he would liue and die in the defence of this doctrine which he had set forth After this all the Prelates which were present rose vp and came néere vnto the king and in their name the Cardinal of Turnon protested that this was the confessioÌ„ of their faith which they woulde seale with their owne bloude being the vndoubted truth of the holy mother the Church The which the king oughte to imbrace and followe according to the manner and example of his elders But if they whiche had separated themselues from the Churche of Rome would subscribe to that confession then they shoulde be receyued and be heard more fully in other articles in the which they sayde they woulde be satisfyed otherwyse they oughte not to be hearde at all And it is the Kinges parte to banishe them oute of his Realme the which he must earnestly desired him to doe Then Beza vehementlye desired of the King by and by leaue to make answere oute of hande to the oration of the Cardinall of Loraine For the ministers feared that they shoulde haue no more leaue to come together againe fame reporting euery where that the prelates had determined from that day forward to deale with them no more but by excommunications Notwithstanding thoughe the Ministers that day could obtaine no leaue to answere yet obtained they another day the which neuerthelesse by reason of diuers rumors was deferred vntill the day following Bicause of these detractions of times the ministers fearing that the disputation shoulde be ended they determined to offer vnto the King a supplication praying him that for so much as at his commaundement they were come thether from so far countreys quietly to confer with the Prelates for the rooting out of errors which so manye yeares had oppressed the Church they mighte haue leaue to confer together and to declare their cause that he him selfe woulde take vpon him the defence of Religion whiche they sayde was the meane and way to raygne and rule himself and to preserue his kingdome in peace and tranquillitie When they had offered this Supplication oftentymes to the King at the last they obtayned leaue to haue the conference continued not in publique but in priuate place Therefore at the length the assembly was renewed agayne which a long time was broken off a small number of men the King and Quéene the king of Nauarre the Prelates and twelue chosen Ministers and a few others being only present Then the Cardinall of Loraine began to shew that this assembly was gathered togyther that the Ministers might be heard what answere they would make to those things which he had lately expounded Beza therfore in the name of his fellowes began thus saying When we haue called vpon the name of God that he woulde aide and assist vs in a matter of so great waight and would bring to passe that this assemblie might be gathered together to the glory of his name to your dignitie and specially to the peace and tranquillitie of the king and Quéene of the whole Christian common wealth and kingdome we will briefelye answere to that which was lately propounded by the Lorde Cardinall of Loraine concerning
as the King had founde in the beginning of his raigne diuers and sundrie troubles hee vvente aboute by due aduise and Counsell of the Queene his mother of the Princes his neere kinsmen and of his Lordes and Nobles to prouide remedies for them setting forth to this ende and purpose diuers Edictes and among the rest one the last of Iuly In the vvhich all doctrines vvere plainely forbidden sauing the auncient and accustomed rytes and ceremonies of the Churche of Rome the force notvvithstanding and effecte of the vvhich Edicte vvas not onely let and stayed but thereof also folovved diuers perturbations and troubles through the obstinacie and headinesse of the people complayning and finding fault vvith the seueritie and rigor of the same Edict Therefore he hauing regarde to the peace and tranquillitie of his Subiectes by the Counsell aduise and consent of the Queene the King of Nauarre and by the consente of the Princes and Nobles of this Realme and by the aduise of other vvise and graue meÌ„ of the Parliament hath and doth appoint charge and commaunde That the men of the reformed Religion so called doe forthvvith restore vnto all Ecclesiasticall persons their Churches houses or fieldes and their reuenevves or Tenthes vvhich they haue occupied and that they doe suffer them peaceably and quietly to inioy them that neither directly nor indirectly openly nor priuily they hinder vexe or moleste them Yet notvvithstanding it shall not bee lavvfull for those persons of the reformed Religion eyther vvithin or vvithout the Cities to builde them Temples or other conuenient places for the gathering of assemblies together and for preaching of Sermons Also he vvilleth and commaundeth that no Crosses Crucifixes and Images be ouerthrovven oranye other offence in these things hereafter commited vpon payne of death vvithout any hope of pardon Furthermore it shall not bee lavvfull for them to haue anye Sermons or the administration of Sacramentes vvithin the Cities by any manner of meanes openly or secretely in the day time or in the nighte NotvvithstaÌ„ding for the peace and tranquillities sake of his subiectes vvhich he specially seeketh he hath vvilled and commaunded and by these presents doth vvill and commaunde that vntill the determination of a generall Councell no maner of punishment vnder the pretence of the former Edictes be executed vpon those vvhich shall preach or minister according to the reformed Religion or vvhich shall come to or frequent those Sermons or administrations of the said reformed Religion so that they be vvithout the cities Earnestly charging and forbidding all Magistrates others his Maiesties officers to doe any hurt or harme to the men of that Religion for these causes as for going to Sermons or suche other like exercises yea hee vvilleth and commaundeth the sayd Magistrates and all others that beare any manner of publique office to protecte and defende them and to saue them from all iniurie and harme if they neede armour in their defence to put on armour but in anye vvise notvvithstanding to take and punishe according to the Edicts most seuerely such as are seditious vvhat ReligioÌ„ so euer they say they follovve Also hevvilleth commaundeth all men of both sortes of Religion of vvhat state or condition soeuer they be of that they do not assemble themselues together in armour And that no man bâ—…stirred or prouoked for his Religion or bee miscalled vvith contumelious or factious names but that all men liue peaceably and quietly together Moreouer he vvilleth and commaundeth the Ministers of the reformed Religion so called that they receiue no man into their fellovvship or congregation before their lyfe and manners beevvell examined to the intente that if anye man be founde giltie of anye crime he may be deliuered into the hands of the Magistrate But if any of his officers vvill goe to their assemblyes to heare and consider of the doctrine vvhich is there preached his Maiestie vvill that they be honourably receiued vvith due consideration had of the dignities and offices they beare Also he vvilleth and straightly chargeth that they make no nevve ciuill Magistrates among them and that they haue no Synodes Courtes or Consistories excepte some one of the officers be present therat But if any thing should be needefull to be appointed by them concerning the vse of their Religion then he vvilleth them to bring their matter before his officers that by his authoritie all things maye be confyrmed Also he vvilleth that there be no choise of men or entering into league of either part for the putting avvay of mutuall iniuries That there be no contributions of money but if contribution be made for almes sake let the cause firste be shevved to the Magistrate and then let it be done Furthermore he vvilleth and commaundeth that those men of the reformed Religion doe obserue the politique lavves and specially those things vvhich concerne festiuall dayes that no trouble for this cause doe arise in like manner that they obserue in the bondes of Matrimonie those things vvhich concerne consanguinitie Also that the Ministers of that Religion come vnto the Magistrates to svveare before them to obserue and keepe this Edict and also to preache and teache the people onelye the vvorde of God vvith all purenesse and sinceritie doing nothing against the Nicene Councell and against the bookes of the olde and nevve Testament Moreouer he vvilleth that they vse no reproches nor seeke to constraine any man by force to heare or to beleue their doctrine this he giueth in charge to the Ministers Also he vvilleth and commaundeth that no man of vvhat Religion or condition soeuer he bee of doe bolster hide or conceale anye that is a seditious person vpon payne of forfayting for suche as beryche to the poore a thousande Crovvnes and vpon the paine for suche as be poore and not able to paye of vvhipping and then banishment Finally he vvilleth chargeth and straightly commaundeth that no man make sell or cause to be solde anye Bookes or vvritings that tend to the defaming or sclander of any person vpon paine of Cudgeling for the firste time and for the seconde time death And that Magistrates doe their duetie vvithin their precincte othervvise to be remoued from their offices Also if any seditions happen that then they enquire out the authours of the same and punishe them being found most seuerely the matter being manifestly proued to pronounce against them the sentence of death vpon paine of the Kings displeasure This Edict he commaunded to be proclaimed and obediently obserued and kept throughout his whole Realme without exception or exempting of anye person whatsoeuer Yet notwithstanding the Senate of Paris after the first seconde and third commaundement of the king scarcely published the same where as in all other Courtes and parts of the Realme it had béen very solemnly proclaimed according to the kings commaundement in that behalfe But the obstinate contempt of the Senators which were set on
by manye of the nobles was not altogether hidden but euidently ynonghe appeared to all men that woulde sée the same FINIS The translator to the Reader THus gentle Reader endeth the firste part of these CoÌ„mentaries faithfully collected and gathered by that singular learned man Petrus Ramus of Fraunce who himselfe bycause he was a zealous professor of the Gospell and an enimie to Antichrist was slaine in this last horrible butcherly murther in the yeare of our Lorde God. 1572. The speciall cause that moued the sayde Petrus Ramus to spende his trauaile in penning these Commentaries in the Latine toung was as you maye perceyue by hys preface in the beginning of this Booke that all Christian Realmes might be certifyed of the true originall and cause of all the warres troubles and sheding of Innocente bloude that haue beene from the yeare of our Lorde God. 1557. vntill this present daye To the ende therefore that his desire might be the better satisfyed when I had considered the worthinesse of his trauaile and what great fruite woulde spring of the same to al that will vouchsafe to spende sometime in reading of this worke for that all men vnderstande not the Latine toung I thought good to translate the same into Englishe that none of our Countreymen might be stayed from the taste of such fruite as will growe thereof And as I haue spente sometime in translating this firste parte so I meane God willing to goe forwarde with the other two partes the seconde beeing nowe in hande and shall bee printed if God permitte against the nexte Terme In the meane tyme I beseech thee right Christian Reader contente thy selfe with this accept my labor and requite my good will with diligent reading of the same Before the which I shall desire thee to correct with thy pen suche faults as I haue here caused to be noted In so doing no one sentence I trust shal seeme obscure vnto thee Faultes escaped in Printing Line 2. Page 9 For it reade he Li. 19. pa. 12. for might defende reade might séeme to defend Line 18. pag. 17. reade acknowledging of the truth Line 16. pag. 40 for other wile reade otherwise Line 22. pag. 43. reade as though it had bene Line 5. pag. 73. read we will not deny Line 8. pag. 73. reade name of the Church Line 4. pag. 76. for is sodaine reade is so highe Line 31. pag. 112. for there reade Then. Line 3. pag. 124. reade must not therefore Line 25. pag. 125. in these words and if that leaue out if Line 23. pag. 164. bring in these words might be solde from them Line 32. pag. 194. for Prophetes reade properties Line 5. pag. 167. for although reade as though Line 1. pag. 239. for only thee reade only thrée Line 18. pag. 235. for they shall reade shall they Line 20. pag. 235. for doth reade doth not NOte here good Reader that these faultes escaped in Printing are not so escaped in al the Bookes of this impression but in some Least therefore they to whome those should happen might be troubled in the reading with obscure sense I thought good to make a generall note of all THE INDEX A. Affliction of the Churche after the death of King Henrie 47. Affliction rysing of false reportes 50 Affliction somewhat ceaseth 61. Agronia assaulted 161. Ambaxian Tumult 2. Andelot put in pryson 23. Andelot answereth 23. Andelot escapeth pryson 110. Andelot in fauour againe 24. Annas Burgeus defendeth the gospell in the Parliament house 26. Annas Burgeus caryed to pryson by Mongomerie 27. Annas Burgeus examined 32. Annas Burgeus condemned 33. 39. Annas Burgeus disgraded 35. Annas Burgeus confession 36. Annas Burgeus taketh his iudgement thankfully 39. Annas Burgeus Oration 4. Annas Burgeus burned 43. Annas Burgeus bringing vp 44. Angell speaker for the Comminaltie 121 Apologie for the faythfull Captiues 9. Arrogant threatnings of the Constable 11. Augusta a cittie in Germanie 131. Authoritie of Godâ—… worde 199. Authoritie of the Church 227. B. Baptisme 75. Beza his prayer 189. Bishoppe of Nauntes author of the Tumult 17. Bishoppes of Rome sowers of discorde 82. Bookes of sclaunder 100. Brosaeus Generall of the Armie that went into Scotlande 61. C. Cardinall of Loraine an enemie to Burgeus 39. Cardinall Poole 95. Cardinall of Loraine seeketh to get fame by keeping Lybelles of reproch 104. Cardinall Ferrer sent from Rome to hinder the Nationall Councell 166. Calabria persecuted 63. Christ our righteousnesse 68. Christ God and Man. 68. Christ hath two natures 69. Christ dyed for sinne 69. Christ our Aduocate 71. Church what it is 72. 217. Churches denyed to them of the reformed Religion 124. Commendation of the protestantes 25 Communion with Christ and the Fathers vnder the law 18â—… Comparison betwene the doctrine of the Gospel and papistrie 37. CoÌ„fession of the french church 63 Confession of Annas Burgaeê° 36. Confession of the church of Flanders offered to king Philip. 166. Confirmation 204. Constable proudly threatneth 11. Constable drawne away from the Prince of Conde 140. Constable misseliketh of the profession oft he Admirall ibidem Controuersie betwene Charles the fifth and Pope Clement 91. Contention betwene the Queene and the king of Nauarre 136. Consubstantiation 203 Couetousnesse the beast of Babylon 93. Couetousnesse of Priestes 122. D. Democharis the inquisitour sitteth vpon Burgaeus 32. Democharis a slanderous inquisitour 50. Denises to abolishe the Gospell 1. Discipline of the Church 73. Disputation at Posiat 179. Doctrine of the lawe 71. Duke Arscotus a Brabantine 8. Duke of Guise an enimie to the Andelot 23. E. Earle Villarius an enemie to the Admirall 141. Ecclesiasticall Disciplne 72 Edict of Castellobrian 24. and. 12. Edict of Iuly 150. Election diuine 67. Election of Ministers 74. Example of two false brethren very notable â–ª 48. Excommunication 74. F. Factious names 118. Faith and good vvorkes 167 Faith coÌ„meth by the holy Ghost 70. Faith attaineth righteousnesse 70. Faithfull sclaundered 7. Figures of the Lawe 71. Forewarnings of desolation 92. Fruites of Popishe Sermons 22. G. Geneua a Sanctuarie for the Godly 4. Generall Councell not looked for 90. Generall Councell a vayne remedie 187. Georgius Gluchus Ambassadour out of Denmarke 139. God omnipotent 65. Gospell hath diuers professors 85. Good workes 71. Guises rule the Realme 50. Guises persecutors of the Gospel 51. Guises no Princes 60. Guises make claime to the crowne of England 62. H. Huguenotes a name giuen to the faithfull 59. I. Iacobes slaughter at Paris 1. Iacobus Sillius speaker for the Nobilitie 122. Ianus Contachus moueth controuersies 45. Ignorance of Priestes 122. Iniuries done to the faithfull 17. Innocencie of the Prince of Conde 147. Inquisitors of Fraunce called Flies 50. Intercession of Saintes 71. K. King Hentie the second set against the Protestantes 26. King Henrie threatneth Burgaeus 27. King Henrie slayne 34. Kinges duetie 100. King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde sent for to the King. 107. King Fraunces dyeth 112. King of Nauar yeldeth his authoritie to the Queene
seeme to goe home to their houses 134. Guyses remoue their armye from Bogencia and take Blesa and towers 137. Guyses ayded by the Germans and Switsers 145. Guyses authours of moste horrible murder done at Vassy 10. Guyses come to Paris againste the Queenes commaundement 16. Guyses hauing gotten Paris seke to get the king also 19. Gnyses seeke to staye the Prince of Conde from ioyning wyth the Englishmen 237. Guyse being at the siege of Orleans was slaine by treason 258. H Horrible murder done to them of Towers by the Guyses after they had won the towne 137. Horrible murder coÌ„mitted at MoÌ„bâ—…yse by Baron des Adretze 183. Helpe desired by the Prince of Con de of the Queene of England the princes of Germany 146. I Idols broken downe and defaced at the Citties of Towers and Blayse 50. Idols broken downe at OrleaÌ„s 50. K King of Nauarie being shotte into the shoulder with a small pellâ—…t dyeth 202. L League made betwene the Nobles and the Prince of Conde 25. Letters sent by the olde Queene to the Prince 31. Letters sent from the Prince of Con de to the reformed churches 47. Letters sent by the olde Queene to the Prince 50. Letters sent froÌ„ the prince of CoÌ„de to the Emperour 70. Letters sent from the Senate at Paris to the Prince of Conde 51. Letters sent from the Prince of CoÌ„de to the Prince of Palatine 71. Letters sent to euery congregation from the Counsell holden at Orleans 73. Letters sent to the countie Palatine from the Synode at Orleans 76. Letters from the Prince of Conde to the Queene 115. Letters from the Prince to the king of Nauar. 118. Letters sent by the Prince of Conde to the Queene of Englande and the German princes for aide 146 Letters found in the Papistes tentâ—… after they were put to flight bewraying their hole purpose 195. Letters sent to the Germanes which were in the hoast of the Guyses by the Priaces of Germany to disâ—…ade them to take his part 210. Letters parents giuen out to them which had started awaye froÌ„ the Prince of Conde 212 Letters written to the Germanes which were in the princes of CoÌ„de his army to dehort them from his seruice 2540 M Marshall of S. Andrew being taken and wounded in the head dyeth in the fielde 243. Momorantius the Constable ioyned in amitie with the Guises 3. Montauban taken by the Faythfull 74. Monsieur Montbron put to flighte with his army 181. Monsieur â—…oyse besieged Montpelier 185. Monsieur Bularges got a wonderfull victory ouer the enemy 193. Monsieur de Adretze his acts done in Dolphiny and in the countie of Venayas 143. Mottecondrine slaine 81. N Names of the Captaines ouer the faithfull 139 Narbone is left by the faithfull too the tuition of the Papistes 79 Nemeaux otherwise called Nemis is taken by the faithfull 80 Nemours winneth Vienna 248 Nemours deceiued by an Inhabitant of Lions 249 Noble men of the Prince of CoÌ„des side went too parley with the Queene 133 Nonay cruelly spoyled 252 O Orenge assaulted and taken by the Papistes 140 Orleans vexed with a greeuous pestilence 146 Orleans besieged by the Papists 255 P Paris being gotten by the Guises they seke to get the King also 19 Parleyes hadde betweene the olde Queene the Admirall and the Prince of Conde 2â—…4 Peace offered by the king too the faithfull but vppon conditions 124 Peace taken on bothe partes 260 Poictiers woon by the Maâ—…shall of Saint Andrew 145 Pollicies wrought by the Guises to expell the Conde out of Paris 17 Prince of Conde becoÌ„meth pledge 131 Practises to take the Prince of Conde 131 Prince of Conde returneth to his ar mie backe againe 136 Prince of Conde forsaketh Paris 17 Prince of Conde specially inclined to peace 24 Prince of Conde coÌ„plaineth of the murther done at Sens. 34. Prince of Conde receiueth letters from the Senate at Paris 51 Prince of Conde returneth from Paris to ioyne with the EnglishmeÌ„ 237 Prince of CoÌ„de taken prisoner 242 Purpose of the Guises concerninge warre 22 Pultrot sent from Lions to Orleans with letters 256 Pultrot sâ—…apeth the Guise and by the meere prouideÌ„ce of God is taken againe 258 Pultrot is drawne in peeces with horse for killing the Guises 265 Q Queene of Scottes promised to bee giuen in mariage to the king of Nauar. 7 Queene mother denieth thevse of the reformed Religion too the Prince of Conde 134 Queene mother would haue the Prince of Conde and his friendes banished 135 Queene of Nauar sheweth her self to be a vertuous Lady 202 R. Requestes made by the faithful 124 Roan in Normandye besieged but in vayne 138 Roan besieged the second time 201 Ruzeus a professour of the Gospel commaunded to ward 23 S. Saltanus Lieuetenant of Lyons anenemie to the gospell 82 Slaughter at Tholoze 79 Slaughter of the faythfull at Vassy coÌ„mitted by the Duke of Guise page 10 Supplication offered to the King Queene in the name of the Triumuiri 87 Supplication offered the seconde time to the King and Queen by the Guises and his confederates pag. 90 Suze his army in Dolphiny greatly anoyed the faithful 146 T Talke betwixt the King of Nauar the Old Queene and the Prince of Conde 115 Talke betwene the old Queen and the Nobles on the Prince of CoÌ„de his side 133 The second declaratioÌ„ of the prince pag. 59. The true cause of the firste warres pag. 168 The beginning of the ciuill warres pag. 124 The reasons that stayed the Prince of Conde from going into exile pag. 222 The forme of the gouernement of the realme in the Kings minoritie 222 The order of the meeting of booth the battailes on the plane of Dreux 238 The first battaile wherein the Constable was taken and many Swit sers taken and slaine 240 The Admirall goeth into Normandie 257 V Valentia taken by the faithfull 81 Vienna woon by the Papistes 248 IV VVarre purposed by the Guises 22 VVickednes almost vncredible com mitted by the Papists against the faithfull in Prouance 185 VVritings published by the Queen of England coÌ„cerning the helpe she sent to the Prince of Conde page 203 VVritinges published by the Prince of Conde wherin hee declareth himselfe not to be the beginner of these warres 215 FINIS Faultes escaped in Printing both in the second part and also in the last part Page 57. line 7 leaue out of the which Page 88. line 10. for and reade an Page 97. line last for They then sayd read Thus much they said at that time Page 105. line last for they read the. Page 133. line 13. for orget read forget Page 147. line 13 for oh read of Page 169. line 27. for Bishoppes read Kyngs Page 175. line 6. for a read as Page 174. line 28. for the read then Page 176. line â—…6 for rnd read and. Page 187. line 8. for breathe read bredth Page 188. line 22. for ayy read any Page 204. line 30. for my sée read maye sée Page 224. for it it
read it is Page 51. line 20. for do read to The fourth Booke of Commentaries concerning the state of the common wealth and Religion of Fraunce in the raigne of Kyng Charles IX THe Edict of Ia nuary whereof mention is made in the end of the third Booke goinge before being at the last after the delayes of the Senate of Paris published proclaymed at Paris and in the whole Kingdome made a ioyful and prosperous end of all troubles the Gospell had peaceable passage throughout all the dominions all most of Fraunce and the faythfull according to the tenure and prescript of the Edict gladly leauing the Churches and places which were within the cities flocked together in great assemblies without the Cities insomuch that all men greatly delighted to looke vppon them But Sathan enuying that peace and tranquillitie caused after a while not only priuate perturbations and troubles betwéene man and man but also open and Ciuill warres by the deuises and practises of the aduersaries to the great hurt of the Realme The which things as briefely euen so truely will we declare in this historie In penning whereof we know into what sundry hap and hazard of iudgements we are in what a large scope wée haue to set forth diuers matters and also what hatred and perill we bring vnto our selues But the truth shal defend it selfe and shall also take away all sclaunder reproche Many gréeued and repined at the increase and good successe of the reformed Churches greatly misliking of the Edict of January for that it tended much for their peace and quietnes which fauored the Religion Of these repyning enemies there were two sortes The first sort were such as had their liuing by the Benefices reuenewes and spirituall promotions of Priestes and of these many were gentlemen and men of high calling who perceiuing that the greatest part of their substance came vnto them by the sayd Benefices thought that they should sustaine great hinderance and losse if so be they of the reformed Religion should obtaine and enioye the benefite of the Edict The second sort were such noble men as being inriched not onely with those great and huge sommes of money which came to them by the yerely reuenewes of those Benefices the fatte wherof they reserued to them and theirs but also with the innumerable giftes of King Henry the second and Fraunces the second feared least they being called to giue vp their accompts according to the custome of the Realme should be found giltie of extorcion Among these latter sort the chiefe were the Guises the fatall destruction of the kingdome of Fraunce who also as yet were to make their accoūt for great sommes of money taken out of the Kings Treasury for common affaires and other waightie matters in the time of King Fraunces the second and also of their euill demeynor wherof they were playnely accused vnder the raigne of Kyng Henry the second Also the great losse of that high auctho ritie which almost they alone had during the minority of King Fraunces the second and with the same losse the feare foreséeing the great euilles to come pinched them euen to the hart and gréeued them to the very gall To these also was ioyned the Martiall of S. Andrew a man full of all subtiltie guile and mischief who being out of measure riche with the great giftes which he receyued of Kyng Henry for his euill and cruell seruice was pricked in conscience for spoyling by sinister meanes diuers noble men of his familiar acquayntāce By the practise and endeuour of this Martiall the Constable Momorentius as we sayd in our other Booke a little before a mortall enemie to the Guises hauing diuers times experience of their hatred was brought to the familiaritie and friendship of the Guises And to the intent they might winne the Constable wholely vnto them by a new benefite they graunted franckly vnto him the dominion of Dammartine for the which afore time there had bene great contencion betwéene them Therefore the daily adhortations of the Martiall of S. Andrew and the Duches of Valence beside the domesticall and daily perswasions of his wife and of the Earle of Uillars greatly vrged and pressed the Constable as that the ancient and catholique doctrine was abolyshed that the common wealth was disturbed that they of the reformed Religion did plainly threaten to bring such as had bene officers of the kings afore time to giue vp their accoūts that those mē sought only by lit tle and little to place them selues in authoritye and to abase those that serued and had borne office vnder the kings in time past and to haue the spoil of their goods that the Queene Mother was led away with their perswasions and that shée being an effeminate weake woman would incline to that parte which was moste strong also that it was manifest that shée did fauoure those of the reformed Religion for the king of Nauar hys sake who séeketh all that he can to haue the Religion altered being thervnto prouoked by the Prince of Conde to spight those which are suspected to be the authors that he was cast into prison And therfore that they if they might bring al things to passe after their owne desire as to haue their enemies subdued and the state of the kingdome and of Religion altered would bring the Constable him selfe to their owne bent and wil wold in like manner call him to account These perswasions being oftentimes inculcated and beaten into the Constables eares being rather an enemy to Religion drewe him quite away at the last to the contrary part and so by little and little for saking the king of Nauar and the Prince of Conde he openly shewed his displeasure and choller against the Chastilions Therfore now began to be manifest familiarity and frendship betwéene the Constable and the Guises in so much that they bāketted one another and had oftentimes secreate conference betwéene them selues Wherfore at y last they conspired together namely that the Duke of Guise as a Prince of aliance to the king and Lord great master of Fraunce the Constable as chéefe officer vnder the king and the Martiall of S. Andrew as head Martiall should bend their whole endeuors in this that no parte of the ancient and Catholique Religion might be altered And because notwithstanding the constitutions and Edictes of the former kings a new Religion was brought in they would indeuor them selues with all their force and might that those hereticall doctrines might be quite abolished and destroyed And also that they would not suffer newe Decrées to be made concerning the state of the realme and the willes of the former Kings to be disproued that they would openly declare them selues to be enemies to all those which would go about this thing And finally that in this cause they wold do what they could euen to the spending of their goods and liues To performe the which they swore solemnely one to
aucthoritie and estimation among the Parisians thrée counsels of the Citie sumptuously apparelled and a great concoursâ—… of the Citizens crying God preserue the Duke of Guise The which acclamation is proper only to Kinges Now when they were come there were many doubtfull and vncertaine reportes in the Citie and the conspiracy betweene the Guise the Constable and the Martiall of S. Andrew euidently appeared to all men Who ioyning with them certayne of the Senators of Paris sate in counsell euery daye The Prince of Conde also came to Paris accompanied with certaine noble men and exhorted the faithfull not to forsake him in so great perill and daunger The Guises were very sory for this comming of the Prince of Conde which they iudged would be very hurtfull for them For although the common sort of people of the Citie of Paris were foolish hawtie stout at the first by the coÌ„ming of the Guises yet notwithstanding their courage and pride was brideled and abated euen with the name of the Prince of Conde insomuch that they stayed from open outrage Therfore the Citie by the comming of the Prince of Conde was quieted and as it were newly altered But this thing did very much hinder the purpose of the Guises which greatly desired to obtayne Paris being the chiefe Citie of the kyngdome and a very fit place to bring their matters to passe Therfore first of all they saw that they must bring to passe that the Prince of Conde might depart from the citie Wheruppon they practised by the King of Nauar that Marshall Memorencie the Lefetenant of the citie might be called backe againe and that the Cardinall of Borbon which woulde be at their commaundement might be sent in his stede the necessitie of the tyme saye they greatly requiring this thing The Constable brought to passe that his sonne Momorencie should not greatly refuse this thing who if hée had coÌ„stantly withstoode them and denied their request they had very hardly brought their purpose to effect hée being a man of excellent wisdome and experience but yet withall a tyme seruer By this tyme the King of Nauar was come to the King and the Quéene which lay at Moncaulx thither came also out of hand the chief master of the MarchaÌ„ts an Authour of Seditions hyred and sent by the Guises This fellow declared to the King and Quéene that the Prince of Conde wrought sedition at Paris the whiche would shortly tourne to great mischief except he departed from thence the which if it should come to passe hée to whom authoritie was giuen to prouide remedies for the same should beare all the blame So that with hys often complaynts to the Quéene he brought about that according to his request the king of Nauar should goe out of hand to Paris Then the Guises ioyning with theÌ„ certayne of the Senate of Paris that were fittest for their purpose and séeking to haue the greater authority through the presence of the king of Nauar which was chiefe Uicegerent they determined to haue a common counsell to the which they neuer called the Prince of Conde And this they called The Kings Counsel The king of Nauar by the decrée of this counsel wrote out of haÌ„â—… to the Quéene that it was necessary that the Prince of CoÌ„de should departe from Paris and get him home to hys house except she would haue present perill of sedition by reason of his presence to burst foorth into open and manifest perturbation and garboyle Notwithstanding it was to be doubted what would come to passe For a man might beholde thoroughout the citie the diuersitie of mennes myndes by diuers shewes Somewhile they trembled somewhile they triumphed both partes in one hower chauÌ„ged Diâ—…ers rumours were disperst abroade In so much that there appeared euident and most certayne tokens of imminent sedition Great was the power of the Guises through the authoritie of the king of Nauar The Senat had the handling of the cause The greatest part of the people consented the common multitude being easely led On the other parte the authoritie of the Prince of Conde was not small his name hauing suche a maiestie that the people trembled at the same great also was the number of the faythfull and no lesse was their power In so much that there was no great inequalitie betwéene both partes yet 〈◊〉 the twayne the Popes number was the greater yea by many Also the Prince of Conde perceyued well enough all the practises of the Guises and how they went about to bring the king and Quéene to Paris But hée was not as yet fully determined what to doe for he feared least hée forsaking Paris the Guises should possesse the same and if hée should abyde at Paris that then by the Counsels of the Guises the King and the Quéene should bée wonne from him Notwithstanding he wayed and considered with himselfe the graâ—…itie and wisedome of the Quéene of whom he was fully persuaded that shée would withstande the practises of the Guises And hée could not be altogyther certiâ—…ied That his brother the king of Nauar would be so blynd as to preferre straungers before his owne bloud Being therefore doutefull what way to take hée was the more colde in his busâ—…nesse In the meane tyme the Queene being stirred and prouoked with the dayly complayntes of the Marchant maister wrote vnto the Prince of Conde wisshing him to forsake Paris and to come to the King And the Prince of Conde was dayly disturbed and persuaded hereunto by the Cardinall of Bâ—…urbon his brother who was sent as we sayd before to kepe the Citie Therefore he went from Paris to his house called Fertea in his owne Dominion purposing to goe from thence to the Kinge as the Queene had giuen commaundement Things being thus appointed and the Guises being free from their gâ—…t feare by the departure of the Prince of Conde they appointed a very great and strong garrison of soldiours ordayned before by the Marchant maister to keepe Paris Thus when they had gotten the citie according to their own desire they seekâ—… to atchieue and bring about another principall poynt of their counsels and deuises Therefore they made hast with an armie of men to the king who at that tyme was at Fontainbleau The Queene being amased and afrayd at his sodein preparation looked for the Prince of Conde who euen now also had taken his iourney to come Of the which when the Duke of Guise had intelligence fearing least the Prince of Conde would enter into Paris hée gaue charge and commaundement to the Marchantmaister to looke diligently thereunto Uppon this commaundement the Marchantmaister warned the Captaynes to haue their Souldiours armed and in a readinesse appointed watch and ward to be in euery place of the citie and planted péeces of Ordinance in suche places as he thought néedefull Therefore when the Prince of Conde came néere the citie notwithstanding mynding not to enter therein the whole citie roonge and sounded with the
at the last the streates and the riuer were filled with dead carcasses There was nothing so cruell which the furious multitude did not attempt To this tumultuous and sedicious citie did the Guises bring the king first of all to the Castell which appertayned to the King then the King entered the citie without any maner of kinglike pompe to the Castell called Lower All thinges falling thus out according to the desire of the Guises they now seriously studie and beate their braynes concerning the order of their warres and they communicated their busines with the Kinges counsell which they had almost renued chusing such as they knew were for their purpose and putting out others cōmaunding also Michael Hospitall the kings Chaūcelour to get him home to his house requiring them to prouide for the mayntenaunce of the warres euen as if they should haue delt with the forreyne enemy They sent also Ambassadours into Spaine into Italy and into Zwitserland to haue helpe and ayd from thence Euery where but specially at Paris there was pressing out of souldiours the Marchants and the shaueling Priestes setting forth many souldiours armour goonnes and all maner of furniture being prouided for the warres On the other part the Prince of Conde séemed to be very carefull and disquieted with these commotions musing what successe his enemies should haue and of the euent of the imminent warre being very lothe as it shuld séeme to warre wyth them Wherupon he cau sed the Edictes concerning the maintenance of peace to be proclaimed least any mā for religions sake or for any other cause should make a tumult and declared to the magistrates of the towne and to his Centurious that he desired nothing more than to haue all men liue according to the prescript of the Kings Edicts He wrote also daily letters to the King to the Quéene and to the King of Nauar hys brother beséeching them to take héede and sée that all things were done peaceably and by cōmon consent if it might be admonishing also such as had the gouernment of the Common wealth to be ware least by the ambition of the Guises and of his adherents the King and the Realme were broughte into great pearill and danger for the auoiding whereof so many meanes of late were vsed protesting héerewyth that he desired rather to sée the very extréeme end than warre and that he wished specially that the king in that hys tēder age and hys realme also might be accordingly prouided for Notwithstanding the willes and purposes of hys aduersaries so manifestly appeared that he was admo nished by diuers prudēt and wise men which attended vpon him that it was his part to séeke all that he could to let and hinder them least they did turne to the ruine and subuertion of the whole realme and of the reformed church For there came vnto the Prince of Conde of all estates some from all partes of the Realme and very many also of the Noble men as the Admirall the Andelot his brother and the Cardinall Odette the Earle of Rochefoulcaut the Prince Porcian Piennes Crusol Soubiz Mouy Sanli Estern and manye others which came to the Prince in great number to Orleans These men perceiued wel inough the horrible and wicked enterprises of the Guises and their adherents the manifest violating of the Kings Edicte the iniury offred to the yong King and to the Quéene his mother and the conspiracies of straungers againste the Kings kinsmen and therfore they thought it their duty to prouide for these mischéenes Whervpon after deliberation had with the Prince of Conde they earnestly persuaded with him to take vpon him the patrociny and defēce of the realme for that the right of gouerning the realme during the time of the Kings minoritie pertained vnto him the King of Nauar hys brother neglecting his duty in that behalfe They prayed and most earnestly beséeched him being of the Kings bloud that he wold not forsake the captiued King in such time of perill that he would not suffer the Kings Edictes to be violated and contemned of strangers of whose violence he him selfe not long agoe had experience and principally that he would not permit that true Religion wherof he hym selfe was so zealous a professor to be suppressed so furiously by warre This thing they being the kings faithful subiects most humblely beséeched him that he wold vauchsafe gladly to take in hād they promising to shew them selues ready at all times to shewe all manner of lawfull obedience and to spend their goodes and their liues to in so iust a cause The Prince of Conde being moued in conscience with this plaine declaration of his duety and hauing so oftentimes called vpon the mother Quéene by his letters he at the last toke vpon him the defence of thys cause and the charge so earnestly offered vnto hym Wherevpon the Prince of Conde and the Noble men made a league betwéene them selues for the defence of that cause and then caused the same to be put downe in wryting the eleuenth day of April in maner and forme folowing WE Lodowic Borbon Prince of Conde and the greatest Parte of the Nobilitie of Fraunce whose names are subscribed to this League esteeming nothing more precious next to the honor and glory of God than the obedience of our King and the conseruation of the Crowne aed Dignity during the time of this his Minority established by the Authority of the Quene and by the high Court of Parliament and seeing the presumption and boldnesse of certaine of the Kings subiectes to be such that not only they dare beare armoure contrary to the Kings Edictes to destroy his subiectes because by the benefite of the Edictes they come together to heare the word of God and to call vpon his holy name but also haue taken into their custody the King the Queene and her sonnes againste all Lawe bothe of God and the Realme seking hereby so farre as we can perceiue vnder the pretence of the Kings authoritye to deface true religion and to destroy the greatest part of the Kings Subiectes which in dede were the way to get the Kingdome into their owne handes VVe therefore I say for these causes to restore so much as we may first of all the Kings maiesty to his dignity the Quene to her authority and may also maintaine and kepe the Kings faithfull subiects in the liberty of that Religion and conscience which is licensed and geuen to them by the Kings Edicte made by the iudgements and consents of the Princes the Kings kinsmen and of the Kings counsel and also of the whole assembly of Parliament which ought to abide firme and immutable in this tender age of the King are constrained according to our duety and office as the Kings loyall faithfull subiects to take the sweard in hand the which is the only remedy geuen of God at this time to remedy and resist so muche as we may these outrages and vnlawfull actions For the
more sure accomplishment wherof after we had made our faithfull prayers vnto God and had duely and rightly wayed and considered all things wyth one heart minde and free will haue entered into league by solemne oth of the name of the liuing God the which we haue sworne and before God and his Angelles haue promised to performe and kepe by the assistance of hys grace and mercy inuiolable vpon these conditions First of al we protest that in this League we haue no manner of consideration or regard either of our priuate persons or of our goods but do only set before our eyes the honor of God and the deliuerance of the King and Queenes Maiesties the obseruation of the Edicts which they haue commaunded and a perfecte good will to punish Rebels and such as contemne the King Queenes Maiesties And for these causes only we sweare and promise that we and euery one of vs will spend and bestowe all that euer we haue euen to the last drop of our bloude And this League shall abide inuiolable vntill the Kings Maiority that is to say vntill the King come to his lawfull age and doe take vpon him selfe the gouernment of the kingdome that then we may obey him in all things with voluntary obedience At which time we trust we shall geue so good an accounte of this our League the which also we wil do to the Quene she being at her own libertie whensoeuer she wil that it shal be manifest that this was no conspiracy but our duety of true obedience to preserue their Maiesties in these perillous times Secondly to the end all men maye vnderstand and know that we haue entered into this league with a pure conscience and in the feare of God vppon whom wee call as vppon the vpholder and protector of our society VVe declare and promise by our othe That wee will not suffer any man among vs to commit any thing against the honour of God and against the Kings Edicts as Idolatry Supersticion Blasphemy VVhoredome Theft Sacriledge and all suche otherlike forbidden by the lawe of God and by the last Edict of Ianuary the which if any do commit we will seuerely punish And to the end all thinges may be done according to the prescript rule of Gods word we will haue in all our assemblies faythfull ministers of Gods word which may teach vs the wil of God and whom as it is meete we may heare that we may obey the will of God. Thirdly we elect and nominate the Prince of Conde to be our Captaine generall being the Kinges neere kinsman and therfore one of his Counsel and the lawful protector and mayntayner of the Crowne of Fraunce VVhom we promise to helpe ayd and assist with al our might and to giue to him all obedience in all those thinges which appertayne to this League and if we neglect to do our dutie in any thing we submit our selues to such punishment as it shall please him to lay vppon vs. And if it shall so happen that the Prince of Conde shall not be able to go forward with this enterprise being let with sicknes or with any other reasonable cause we promise to serue and obey him whom he shall nominate to be his Vicar or Deputie And the Prince of Conde for the glory of Gods sake and for the obedience sake which he oweth to the King byndeth him selfe to these conditions promising to all that are of this confederacy by his othe that hee will with all diligence and courage by the helpe of God according to couenant constantly do the dutie of a true Capitayne Fourthly we comprehend in this League all the Kings Counsellers except those which contrary to their office beare armour to make the King and Queene fulfill their mindes The which armoure except they put of againe and do giue an account of their doinges with all subiection and obedience to the Queene and King whensoeâ—…er it shall please her to call them VVe giue them to vnderstand that for these iust and reasonable causes we wil accompt them giltie of treason and troublers of the coÌ„mon wealth And to come to the ende of this our league the which we protest againe wee haue made only for the glory of God for the dignitie and libertie of the King and for the peace and tranquillitie of this Realme which is to be mayntayned vnder the aucthoritie of the Queene mother wee affirme and promise euery one of vs and do confirme the same by solemne othe before God and his Angelles that we will prepare and prouide out of hand all that wee are able as money armoure horses and all other thinges necessary for the warre that wee may be in a readines so soone as we shall be called by the Prince of Conde and that we may followe him whither soeuer it shall please him to commaund vs and also that we may obey him in all thinges that appertayne to this league euen to the vtmost perill of our liues And if it shall happen that any of our companions and fellowes in this seague shall sustayne any hurt or detrement for this leagues sake we promise that we will helpe ayde and assist him all that wee can at the commaundement of the Prince of Conde But if it shall happen as God forbid it should that any one among vs forgetting his dutie and othe should conspire with our enemies and should violate this league by horrible treason and should not stand to these conditions and couenaunts VVe sweare and protest with all constantnes of faith that we wil bring such an offender to the Prince of Conde and will accompt him for an enemy and handle him as a traytor And thus be it ratefied and established betweene vs with free consent and irreuocable This league being made and the causes thereof being declared in maner and fourme as ye sée then euery where published abrode the Prince of Conde sent letters diuers times to the Queene Mother and to the King of Nauar his brother tending still to this effect That they should consider and haue regard to the state and that they should set before their eyes the manifolde perilles and troubles at hand except they according to their office and dutie did better prouide for the same that they should looke to the obseruation of the Edictes made by the act of Parliament specially now in the time of the Kings minority Protesting herewith for himselfe and the rest that they would be subiect and obedient to all thinges reasonable and lawsull but if the matter should come to triall by sword he sayd that then they feared no maner of perilles but would for the mayntayning of the glory of God the Kinges aucthoritie and the libertie of their consciences spend and bestowe all that they had The Queene Mother tooke the matter very gréeuously and signified to the Prince of Conde by her letters that as her person was a Captiue so also she was resâ—…rayned of her will and could not do
what she would whom she perswaded in her letters to take the mateer into his owne hand and to defend the same and declared also at that time by her letters that she did vtterly dislike and abhor the Guises Certaine of the which letters according to the very tenor of them which remay ned in the Prince of Conde his handes I thought good here to bring in The coppie wherof is this I Haue receiued welbeloued Cosen the letters which you sent vnto me by the Lord Guardius and I signifie vnto you good Cosen that I am as fully perswaded of those thinges contayned in your letters as I may bee of any thing and am no lesse assured of them than I am of my selfe neither wiil I bee vnmindfull at any time of those things which you do for the King my sonnes sake And because the same messenger retourneth back again for those causes which he shall declare vnto you I will wright no more at this time Onely â—…his I will request at your hands that you beleue me in those things which he shall speake vnto you in my name who wisheth so well vnto you as if she were your owne mother namely your deare Cosen CATHARINE The Coppie of another of her Letters I Haue talked with M. de Iuoy euen as if you your selfe were present of whose fidelitie and trustines I doubt not And whatsoeuer I send backagain I assure my selfe that he will disclose to none sauing to you and that you in like maner for my sake will keepe all secret Only be mindfull to preserue and defend the Children the Mother and the kyngdome as he to whom this thing doth specially appertaine and he namely the kyng will neuer I warrant you be vnmindfull of so great a benefite Burne this letter when you haue red it Your deare and louing Cosen KATHARINE These things I say at that time were wrytten by the Queene In the meane time the King of Nauar folowing the willes of the Guises and his adherents both thought and spake very muche euell of hys brother the Prince of Conde All things daily on both partes waxed worse and worse Newes was brought to Orlians concerninge the slaughter of the men of Sens which greatly inflamed the mindes of men Sens is a noble Citie bordering vpon Burgondy In the which the faithful according to the Edicte of Ianuarye congregated them selues together to hear the word of god And although there were new rumors daily concerning the perturbations and troubles at hand yet notwithstaÌ„ding they continued in their godly exercises Therefore diuers Bands of soldiers well appoynted at the commaundement of the Cardinall of Guise who was Bishop of the same Towne sodenly and vnloked for sette vpon the Congregation and flew many of them and at the last such was their rage that they killed both old and yong yea wythout all pitye or mercy man woman childe The which slaughter coÌ„tinued the space of thrée dayes and had continued longer if so be any store of the professors of the Gospell had ben left aliue to kill Yea and it was reported that diuers women great wyth childe were put to the swerd and the children most horriblely torne out of their wombes Suche was the spoyling of the houses of the faithfull and the shedding of bloude in this Citie that the horrible murther committed by the Guises at Vassi was counted nothing in respecte of thys When newes héereof was brought to the Court it made all that heard the same abashed Yea they them selues that had commauÌ„ded this to be done when they heard of the euent were also abashed Notwythstanding after these presumptuous enterprises and beginnings after the slaughter of Vassi all men were fully bent to Ciuill warre The Prince of Conde complained of this thing to the Quéene by his letters which he wrote the ninth of Aprill to this effect First he sayth that he thought that the fault and blame of the wickednesses afore time com mitted would haue stayed their boldnesse which enuied the peace and tranquilitye of the common wealth and haue taught them at the length to embrace folowe and obey the Kings Edicts But sayth he so hath their malice increased that they can no more restraine and bridle their wickednesse but do violate and breake al law which may moue vs to loke for nothing but the seuerity of Gods iudgement to fall vpon vs. Of thys brutishe boldnesse sayeth he after so many olde examples there is now a newe come in place to be séene in the pitifull slaughter at Sens vppon those that professed the liberty of the Gospell by the benefit of the Kings Edict the description of the which Tragedy he sayeth he sendeth vnto her Not doubting but that shée according to her natural and great goodnesse wil tremble at the hearing of so horrible a butcherly murther wherby shée hath to consider what is to be looked for at their handes which blinde and beguile men with theyr faire and flattering woordes He cannot he sayeth but he must néedes complaine vnto her of so great wickednesses committed and is constrained also to hys great gréefe to say That if these presumptuous and horrible murthers escape vnpunished the crye of the innocent bloud that is shed will so pearce the heauens and enter into the eares of the highest that the ruine and vtter subuersion of this whole realme by the iust iudgement of God is to be feared Therfore he sayth he beséecheth her setting before her eyes the examples of so greate and horrible wickednesses and considering also his patience in forbearing so long time euen vntill that present day for the King and her Maiesties sake that shée would diligently vse her authority to repel and reform them and not to suffer suche manifest contempt of the Kings maiesty to escape vnpunished least violence and rebellion were planted in steade of equitie and iustice In so doing shée should preserue the Kings maiesty and the tranquillity of the Realme Otherwise lamentablâ—… afflictions were like to ensue NotwithstaÌ„ding thys reasonable and godly request of the Prince both the people of Parris at the hearing of the Rumors waxed more outragious daily and also the Guises wyth their Adherentes wholely bent them selues to warre We haue spoken before concerning the league betwéene the Prince of Conde and hys Adherents All things therefore daily growing from ill to worse nothing now was looked for but warre But before the warres began the Prince of Conde and they of hys part set forth another Proclamation in the which they shewe the causes and reasons of their purpose and why they were constrained to lift vp the swearde And after certaine letters sente to the King and Quéene and to the king of Nauar they sent vnto them that Proclamation also which was to this effect folowing Althoughe they whych of their owne authority doe first of all put them selues in Armoure oughte to geue account and reason of their so doing yet notwithstanding the Prince of
Conde séeing that this motion for diuers circumstances is subiecte to diuers mennes Iudgements and because the knowledge hereof appertaineth to all men would to put away all occasions of slaunders shewe to all men manifest reasons whych haue constrained him to ioyne with a great number of his fréends and retainers to serue the King Quéene and to procure the peace and tranquillity of the whole Realme All men know that after the diuers perturbations and troubles for Religions sake when as greater also wer lyke to ensue to stay appease them at the last in the moneth of Ianuary laste past there was made an Edicte by the Kings commaundement to quiet and pacifie bothe partes wyth the aduice and consent also of the most Noble of the high Court of Parliament The Proclamation of thys Edicte whych at the first was much hindered caused suspicions to arise that these things were done not wythout a confederacie which teâ—…ded to a farther matter The which suspitions wer increased the more by the méetings of the constable and the Magistrates of Paris by the coÌ„moning of the senators also by the often assemblies of the chéefe Marchantes notwithstanding all the whych the Prince of Conde or any of the reformed Churches neuer did or spake any thing which might interrupt or breake the publike peace any manner of meanes Yea euen in the midst of those vexations and troubles they loked quietly and modestly for the Proclamation of the same Edicte in the Senate of Paris Thys proclamation being at the lengthe made at Paris and being extorted by the Supplications of the King and Quéene rather than by commaundements the Prince of Conde after his gréeuous sicknes when he had saluted the King and Quéene gotte hym home to hys house to recreate him selfe Amidst these troubles there came newes concerning the cruell and horrible slaughter at Vassi done in the presence of the Duke of Guise and by hym many of the Kings Subiects both men and women being slain which according to their manner by the benefite of the Kings Edict came together to heare the worde of God. This horrible Acte being reported at Paris greatly moued the mindes of all men of bothe partes insomuch that much mischéefe was like to followe And among other Rumors it was reported that the Duke of Guise was comming with a great armye of men to the intent he might vtterly destroy the churches of the reformed Religion Whervpon the meÌ„ of those Churches came out of diuers places to the Court and required of the King and Quéene punishment of so greate and notable wickednesse committed Thys was the cause why the Prince of Conde going homeward stayed at Paris went from thence to Monceaulx at the commaundement of the King Quéene to whom he said he feared the commotions troubles like to ensue to stay the which he sayd he thought this the only remedy namely that the Duke of Guise which was said to be coÌ„ming to Paris with a great army of men might not be suffered to enter therein the which aduise séemed to please the Quéene and the king of Naâ—…rre very well And according to this aduise the Quéene wrote her letters to the Duke of Guise intreating him that he would come to the king and to her to Monceaulx The which thing being twise required by the Quéene was also twise denied of the Guise the first tyme hée made excuse that hée was busied in entertayning his friendes which were come to sée him and the second time by silence making no aunswer at all â–ª But hée came to Paris with a great nomber of armed men hauing also with him the Constable the Martiall of S. Andrew and diuers others of his counsell And hée was receyued into the citie by the citizens with great pompe the Marchantmaister being their Captayne and the people crying as hée entered into S. Anthonies gate euen as if hée had bene king God preserue the Duke of Guise he séeming in no point to dislike of the same The Prince of Conde returning from Monceaulx that hée might goe to his house according to his former purpose and being certefied of the coÌ„ming of the Duke of Guise and of his company to Paris hée altered his purpose and determined to abyde at Paris according to his dutie to defende the kings subiectes being persuaded that his presence would staye the mindes of the citizens of Paris which began to waxe somewhat haughty by the comming of the Guises And truely all men knowe that so long as the Prince remained at Paris there burst forth no great Sedition Notwithstanding there were many great reasons why the Prince and many of the Nobles which were with him should be disdayned For the Guises so soone as they were come to Paris calling vnto them such out of the Senat as they thoght méet had a counsel which they called the Kings counsell as though a councell consisting of the chief officers of the king were very lawfull The which truly séemed very straunge to the Prince of Conde and to those noble men that were with him Is it lawfull to haue any other kings counsell than that which is néere to the king and Quéene and the Prince of Conde the kings néere kinsman to whome a care of the king and Quéene appertayned and being also in the same town in the which the counsell was held not to know thereof This euidently declared a manifest conspiracy which would bring no small hurt to the king and Quéene For if in that counsell of the Guises those things were handled which appertayned to the preseruation of the kings authoritie and the common wealth what cause was there why thei should shoon the presence of the king and Quéene and of the kings coâ—…sell Moreouer it is well enough knowne what displea sure the Guise tooke with the Quéene when he departed from the court complayning misliking that he was thoght to be made acquainted with Nemours his dealing who was accused to go about to carry away the king The Constable also of late very contemptuously vsed the Quéene in woordes méeting with the kings retinew and being told that the king was present hée passed by so vnreuerently as if hée had met with some strauÌ„gers his proud and lofty wordes whiche he also oftentimes vttered at Paris did plainly declare that ther were some new things a working Also the Martial of S. Andrew â–ª did not only refuse to goe to attend vpon his charge coÌ„mitted vnto him by the kings commaundment but also before all the kings counsel he so contented with the Quéene in brawling woordes that it might euidently appeare that hée leaned to some other greater trust In consideration therfore of these men which seperating themselues from the Kings counsell called a couÌ„sell of their owne authoritie and put men in armour the Prince of Conde could not but looke for some lamen table ende Beside all this when the Quéene had openly declared that hir will was that
moleâ—…eth or troubleth them in their Religion or that doth hinder their Clergie by any maner of meanes And if there were any of vs that would so do or that would behaue our selues otherwise than we ought there are lawes and punishments to punish vs But truely vnder the coullor and pretence of Religion they séeke another thing We denie not but that they hate the truth of the Gospell as they haue of late declared by fyer and sword but this is the speciall thing they séeke for to trap and snare those that before tyme miraculously haue escaped their handes to be reuenged of others whome they haue alwayes hated and to enrich themselues by the spole of others The whicâ—… to bring to passe they care for no Religion And such as go about to resist their practises by which they séeke both the pâ—…rill of our kyng and the destruction of his subiecteâ—… by Ciuill warre they call open enemies to the kyng THese and many other things which time will reueale being wayâ—…d and considered the Prince of Conde testified before the kyng and Quéen these things also following and wished all kyngs Princes Nobles and all others of the Realme of Fraunce and all Christi an Nations â–ª truely to vnderstand these thinges First of all therfore he testifieth that he is not moued by desire of his owne profite but only with loue of the glory of God and of the profite of the whole common wealth to séeke the which he thought him selfe specially bound vnder the Quéenes auethoritie So that for conscience sake to do his dutie and for the loue hée beareth to his Countrey he sayth he is constrayned compelled to séeke all lawfull meanes to set the Quéen and the kinges Sonnes at libertie and to mayntaine and defend the kyngs Edictes and the Edict of Ianuary which was made for the ordering of Religion And he prayeth and beseecheth all the kynges true lawfull subiects waying and considering the matter as is before sayd that they would ayd and assist him in so good and godly a cause And because the king in the beginning of his raigne found him selfe oppressed with a great burthen of debt and hauing but little any maner of waye to discharge the same many of his faithfull subiects gaue vnto him a great summe of money both to discharge the same also to recouer his patrimony but there is no doubt but that they which are the auethors of this Ciuill warre will now laye holde and catch vnto them that sum of money which was giuen to the kyng for those causes and will spend and bestowe the same to oâ—…her vses Whereby both the people shall receiue great hurt and losse and also the hope which the Quéene and the kyng of Nauar had for the paiment and discharge of all the kynges debtes that the people might be brought into the same state in the which they were in the time of kyng Lodowiâ—… the xij that hope I saye by the wasting and consuming of that money should be 〈◊〉 and quight taken awaye For these causes the Prince of Conde affirmeth that they which shall get vn to them that money shal be bound to restore the same againe and at the length shall giue an accompt for the bestowing therof But he testifieth that he and all those that fight vnder his banner shall mayntayne furnish themselues with their owne proper costes and charges And God sayth he will heare from heauen the â—…rie of his poore oppressed people against those which begin warres and refuse all reasonable order which séeke trouble and constrayne vs to defend our selues wyth force of Armes And because all men do vnderstand and knowe that the kyng and Quéene being beset on euery side wyth souldiours and captiued and ruled and that the greater part of the Counsell are so quayled wyth feare that they dare not resist the auâ—…thors of this warre The Prince of Conde would haue all men certefied that hée myndeth and will shew towards the kyng and Quéene all obedience in the which he will giue place to none and that he will not suffer him selfe to be so deceiued mocked vnder the pretence of rescriptes of commaundements and of Letters vnder the kinges name and seale but will warre against them vntill the Kyng and Quéene do recouer their former libertie and authoritie and may declare their willes by their owne méere gouernement Concerninge the kyng of Nauar his brother the Prince of Conde beside the naturall bond of brotherly loue the particuler cause of obedience which he ought and will giue vnto him he testifieth that he doth consider of him according to his worthines and will giue vnto him next vnto the King and Quéene al obâ—…dience And hâ—… trusteth that he wil giue an accompt of his dealing whensoeuer it shal be required at his handes To be short the Prince of Conde and a great multitude of Earles Lordes and Nobles and other estates to declare that they speake simply and in good earnest and that they séeke for nothing more than the glory of God and the excellency and dignitie of their kyng Do earnestly pray and beséech the Queene Mother with all reuerence that setting the feare of men aside whych gard her after a straunge fashion with force of Armes as if she were a captiue that she would according to hir iudgement and mind fréely declare whether part were to be blanted and that she would goe vnto that Citie whererevnto she had most mind that from thence shée might coÌ„maund both parts by the meanest seruant she hath to put of their Armour so they would shew that dew obedience which shoulde become loyall subiectes to shew vnto their soueraigne Lord and would also mo destly answere to their doings according to the lawe The Prince promiseth that he will obey her lawâ—…ull commaundements vppon the condition that others would shew themselues ready to do their duties But if they refuse he testifieth that he with fiftie thousand men more which are of the same mynd will spend their liues And if it please not the Quéene to go to another place to do these thinges then let her first of all seeke that they by whom she is garded and captiued may goe to another place puâ—…tting of their Armour namely the Duke of Guise and his bretherne the Constable and the Marshiall of S. Andrew And although he being a Prince and the kynges néere kinsmen were their superior yet notwithstanding to the inteÌ„t it might apéere that he is in no poynt the cause of trouble and vnquietnâ—…s he promiseth that he and his whole armie will depart euery man home to his owne house vppon those conditions before spoken of Also hee sayth that hee hath a speciall care for this that the Kynges Counsellers may haue their accustomed libertie and that the kyngs lawes and the Edict of January may be obserued and kept vntill the kyng comming vnto his Maioritie may iudge of the matter him selfe and may punish
those according to their desertes which haue abused his auâ—…thoritie But and if these conditions were not perfourmed and that the Guises and their fellowes went on still to shew violence against the Kyng the Quéene and the kynges Counsell to deceaue and beguile men vnder the kynges name and to be iniurious to the kyngs subiectes the Prince of Conde testifieth that hée wyll not beare it and will bring to passe that hée shall not bée found giltie of all those calamities mischiefes and miseries which will happen for these commotions and troubles but rather they themselues which are the authors and only cause thereof This his Protestation being published abrode all mens mindes séemed to be troubled and diuersly occupied the faythfull being more bolde and couragious to defend themselues who at the first sturre of the Guises were not a little terrefied The Prince of Conde sent letters to all the reformed Churches the twenty day of April sending diuers messengers with the Copy of those letters throughout all prouinces of the Realme to this effect Forsomuch as the necessity of the time is such that we must openly resist the violence and tiranny of the Guises aduersaries of the Christian Religion who hauing captiued the King and Quene â–ª do so abuse their name that they tread vnderfote true Religion with the liberty of the Realme and doe what they list them selues see that ye prepare your selues against these troubles and beware that you leaue nothing vndone that may further you in your businesse And because we must nowe of necessitye begin warres be diligent to prouide Armor Mony all kind of Artillery so sone as may be and whatsoeuer you do certefy me of the same by these messengers that I haue sent vnto you But aboue all things see that ye behaue your selues so peaceably as ye may and forget not diligently to call vpon God the vpholder and defender of his truthe and of all iust causes That former declaration wherof we haue spoken before was scaâ—…sely come to Paris when as two Edicts were solemnely proclaimed there in the Kings name to thys effectâ—… The King séeing what great troubles garboyles were in the Realme is very sory and much agréeued who hâ—…th left no remedies vnsoughte for for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity by the aduise of the Quéene the King of Nauar and the Princes as may appeare of late by the Edict made in the moneth of Ianuary by which to order all matters peaceably he shewed him selfe very fauorable contrary to the manner and câ—…ome of his Aâ—…cetors the Kings towards Religion that by this meanes in bearing with the frowardnes of men be â—…ght maintaine publique peace concorde yâ—…t notwithâ—…anding for all this they can not be content and quiet as appeareth by diuers tumultes by them all ready raised manye of them which hath not bene heard of before being so bold that they dare make open warre and take diuers of the Kings Cities The which although it be very greuous vnto him that men should so lewdly and impudently behaue them selues abasing him in this hys tender age to the great hurt of the Realme yet notwithstanding he will continue still toward them hys accustomed clemency and goodnesse And therfore to confirme that his will and meaning he willeth and commaundeth by this publique Edict that al men vse the rites and administration of their religion fréely according to the prescript of the Edicte of Ianuary But because at Paris the Metropolitane Citye of the Realme there haue ben oftentimes great perils of moste gréeuous seditions he willeth in consideration of the present time that there be no exercise of the reformed Religion so called in that City nor in the Suburbes borders and limmites neare adioyning to the same vntill it shall séeme good otherwise to the King. There was also publiquely set forth about the same time very solemly the Kings Rescript whych they call Letters patents in manner and forme folowing All men sée the great perturbations and troubles of the Realme and also howe the mindes of all estates and degrée are so vexed and disquieted that there cannot chuse but insue great hurt except God of his mercy and goodnesse turn away the same Notwithstanding it is wonderfull that men which are the authors of these troubles dissensions shuld so couler ouer the causes of their wickednes that they caÌ„ deceiue therby the simple sort of people But wheras they coÌ„plaine of the violating and breaking of y Edict which was made for Religion the is most false as may apeare by the manifest declaratioÌ„ of the Kings will which he plainly of late shewed by hys Edict And this also is a most impudent slaÌ„der wheras they say that the King and the Queene his mother hys bretheren and sister are captiues in the handes of certaine of his chief officers and seruants and do boast that they lift vp the sworde to the intent they may set them at their lawfull libertie But the King and the Quéene do openly testifie and would haue it generally knowen for a suertie that hée his mother his brethren and hys sister neuer came thankes be to God into that state of captiuitie but coÌ„trarywyse do retaine kéepe libertie autority kingly dignitie and power and shal no doubt by the goodnesse of God enioye the same with the help and diligence of good and faithfull subiects And bicause those seditiouse persons doe greatly abuse the facilitie gentle nature of the Prince of Conde their kinsman whom they haue chosen to be the Captaine of their conspiracie he testifieth that he will doe all that he can to restoare him to his former libertie and to pacefie the troubled state so much as he may There was also at this time mustering of men in Pa ris specially of Noble men which are coÌ„monly appointed to be horsemen and commaundement was sent thorough euery prouince to all men to be in a readinesse against the moneth of May nexte comming Paris also was in euery corner replenished with armour with sol diours and Enseignes The Prince of Conde being entered into Orleans very many of the faythfull which bordered thereaboutes tooke cities for the Prince of Conde professing notwithstanding that they mayntayned the Kings authoritie as they of Towers of Blais of Angew and many others as hereafter shal be declared Notwithstanding the Edict of January was rightly obserued by the seuere coÌ„maundements of the Prince of Conde which were oftentymes repeated by his seruaunts But all things growing dayly néerer warre then peace the greatest part of the inhabitants of Towers and Blayz sodenly rose and went into the popish churches and brake downe and quite defaced the Images and pictures which they there found notwithstanding there was no murther committed When newes hereof was brought to Orleans the Prince of Conde greatly misliked of their doing gaue commaundement that enquirie should be made of the doers hereof and that they shold be punished
according to the prescript of the kings Edicts At Orleans they of both Religions liued peaceably and according to the Edict of January the priests openly in their churches vsed their superstitiouse rytes and ceremonies and the faithfull on the contrary part went out of the Citie to heare sermons The which notwithstāding continewed but a short time as shal be declared anon when occasion is offered to speake of the same The Prince of Conde had sent the causes in writing that moued him to warre of the which we haue spoken before to the King and Quéene and to the king of Nauar his brother praying and beséeching them that vpon the conditions which he propounded vnto them the whole matter might be peaceably ended and concerning the same matter also he wrote to the Senate of Paris that his writings and letters might be kept in the publique Commentaries and Register of the Senat for a remēbrance whatsoeuer might chaunce afterward After the which letters the Quéen answered the Prince of Conde the second of May by hir letters agayne In the which shée sayd she was glad that the Prince of Conde shewed himselfe to be desirouse of peace and concorde whereas otherwyse ther was cause why shée should greatly sorrow and lament for that shée being a woman to whom by the common consent of the States the gouernment of the king and realme was committed was nowe in the middest of so great troubles to be ryd out of which shée trusting to the Prince doubted not but that hée would do all that hée could for the good will and obediēce sake which hée did owe vnto the King and for the profite and quietnesse of the whole Realme and would not refuse any reasonable condicion for the establishing of peace and concord Therefore shée sayd that hée should do very well if so be he would come vnto the King and to her out of hand putting of his armour and trusting to the promises of her fayth which should be as sure vn to him as any obligation if so be hée would remember the friendship and loue which shée alwais bare towards him who loueth him as tenderly as the mother loueth her childe Therefore shée sayeth that hée shall doe very well if so be hée come boldly to the Court that hée may ende all matters at once before the King and hir The Senate of Paris also sent letters of aunswer to the Prince of Conde the fiueth day of May to this effect following Wée haue receyued your letters with the forme of your declaration the which we could not reade without our great sorrow and grief Séeing that wée know you to be a Prince and the Kings neere kinsmā of one of the most noble stockes of the kings kynred neyther do wée doubt but that your nature and disposition is agréeable to your offspringe as it is commonly séene in the best Princes if it be not alienated and drawne away wyth euill counsells And although it be our office onely to deale in the principal poyntes of the law yet neuerthelesse seeing you haue made special complaints vnto vs wée thought it not good to let you want all that wée are able to do in that point but fréely and truly to set before you our opinion and iudgemēt wherby you may know how reuerētly according to our duty we estéeme of you We haue considered and do perceyue that your complaintes do consist in two principall poynts The first principall is that it hath bene told you that the kyng Quéene were captiued in the custodie of certaine of the Nobles which attended vpon them and that many of his Connsellers were with threatninges made afeard Wee beséeche you that you would not any more beléeue these reportes séeing it is so manifest and euidently knowne to all men that it cannot be doubted of how that the King of Nauar your Brother a man of great wisedome and such a one as is very carefull for the preseruation of the king and his dignity is with the King and Queene who will not without all doubt suffer any maner of violence or iniury to be offered to the King being both of kyn to the Kyng as well as you also charged with the king by his office Beside this the Cardinall of Borbon is with them who hath no lesse care for the safetie of the king and the Realme than you haue Moreouer there are with him other Princes his kinsmen men of wisedome which are bound both by their office and also by the bond of loue to defende the kyng with a great sort of his Counsell also which if the kyng were so shamefully misused would lay their heades together to remedy the same because if in this poynt they should fayle to do their dutie they might be sure to be euill spoken of among all men In that therfore they do so diligently séeke with one consent the pre seruation of the state and would haue you to be ioyned with them you may thereby certainely perceiue how false those reports haue bene the which reports would greatly haue offended and gréeued the mindes of your bretherne if that they had not here tofore declared their fayth and great good will for if they should so behaue themselues towards the king it wold greatly redownd to their reproch and shame If you will wey and consider these things you shall find that those reporters do vnto you and to them also great iniury séeing that ye are bretherne This also we woulde haue you to vnderstand that we haue none otherwise confirmed letters concerning the libertie of the King and Quéen then the very truth thereof hath caused vs least you should thinke that we had done any thing rashly or through feare We feare no man in the executing of our office in doing whereof we haue only a consideration of the kyng specially in those thinges which do belong to the obediēce of the kyng and to the profite of the Realme being ready for these causes to spend our life and goods Know you also for suertie that all dew reuerence obedience is shewed here to the King and Quéene And because we vnderstand by your declaratiō that you find fault with certaine of vs as though we forsaking the Kinges lawfull Counsell were present at certaine secret Counselles Know you also this for a certaine that none of vs were present at that counsell which was kept here extraordinarily by the aucthoritie of the king of Nauar your brother but only by the slat commaundement of the Cardinal of Borbō your brother also and the kéeper of the Citie neyther did we heare sée or perceyue that anything was done there which did not appertaine to the obedience of the King. The other principall poynt of your complaints concerneth Religion The which truely is no lesse straung and wonderfull vnto vs Of the which we perceyuing that you haue ben otherwise infourmed than it is haue thought good to certifie you of the trueth You knowe that
the Edicts which haue ben made in these our kings dayes pertaine to no other end than to kéepe the kings subiectes in their obedience and to auoyde seditions vntill such time as the kyng were come to his full age for all those Edictes are temporall and serue but for a tyme to the intent they may be chaunged â–ª if so be necessitie and experience of things shall so declare it to be best The Edict of Iuly was not so soone made as abrogated at the making wherof you your selfe were present and yet notwithstanding the same ought not therfore to be defended by violence â–ª After this there was made another Edict in the moneth of Ianuary And least it should rather bring trouble than tranquillitie at the first we doubted to confirme the same but when we had good hope of peace and tranquillitie we confirmed the same otherwise we would not haue doon it And vppon the same hope of peace thrée dayes agoe we confirmed and published another Edict like to the Edict of Ianuary in euery poynt sauing that Paris the Metropolitane Citie is excepted The which exception was not made without great cause For when the sedition which was there of late dayes wared more gréeuous than in other places it could not be otherwise appeased The end of those Edicts was not to bring in news Religions but as it is sayd already to kéepe the people in peace and tranquillitie If the offence be as great in the first as in the second the Kyng hath power of himself to continew or to alter lawes and not the subiects by priuate aucthoritie by force of Armes The whiib thinge truly wee cannot couller or hide séeing wée read in your declaration how that you say that you and fiftie thousaÌ„d more which are of the same mind wil speÌ„d your liues in this cause We wish that you may receiue this our admonition to your profite to consider that it is a great deale more méet for you being the kings néer kinsman to defend his dignitie than to ioyne your selfe to others which are not in the same conditioÌ„ If by your following of other counselles the dignity of the king be deminished the greater blame reproch shal be youres You know that we haue maintained your InnoceÌ„cie and do perswade wyth you to vse wholesom Counsell least you hurt your selfe We cannot offer vnto you a better testimonye of our good wil ready to serue you which we wil constantly retaine so long as you shew all due obedience to the King and Quéene Concerning other matters which are written in the same your declaration because they doe not appertaine vnto vs you shall vnderstande the Kings will to whome they do appertaine This one thing we adde That the examination of the slaughter committed at Uassi is appoynted to vs to be examined the which shall be handeled of our parte according to oure office and manner wyth iustice and equitie WE haue spoken before concernyng the letters which the Quéene sent to the Prince of Conde In the which shée perswaded him to come vnto the King vnweapened and wythout Armor that the matter might be ended quietly among them and that he might by his presence put away those slanders which were reported of him For there went diuers euell reportes abrode of hym and the more by reason of the Declaration which he caused to be published the Kings Letters being set forth against the same insomuch that the causes of all the troubles were openly layd vpon him Wherevpon the Prince of Conde published another wryting the. ix of May in the which he declared that the Guises whych were called the Triumuiri and not he were the causes of al the troubles declaring reasons by which it might appeare that he had soughte peace did and would still séeke the same And although sayth he I haue alwayes hitherto declared by vndoubted Arguments not only a singuler loue and an obedient mind towards the King and Quéene but also a notable desire and care for the profite and concorde of the Realme the which also of late I declared when as I deferred the putting my self in Armor euen vntil the very pinche and extréeme necessitye at what time I was constrained to doe it that I might resist their violence which threatned to kill and slay and made great bragges and which of late when they had gotten an Army of men contrary to the King and Quéenes commaundement armed them selues entred into Paris where I was at that time being not ignorant what they ment to do yet notwithstanding I made no sturre or do least I should put the City in pearill Yea I hauing no consideration of my estate and condition although I was not the first that put my self in Armor yet notwithstanding at the first commaundement of the Quéene least I might séeme to omit any thing lawful that might bring peace I with mine weÌ„t from Paris minding to get me home to my own house and to dismisse al my train thinking that my aduersaries would haue done the same who notwithstanding coÌ„trarywise kéeping Paris still and doing many things there against their office and also hauing vsurped the Kings authoritye kept the King and Quéene captiues not only in body but also in minde I on the contrarye part ceassed not from that time forward to propounde al reasonable conditions that might be to the end all things might be ended peaceably as testify my wrytings and those men them selues whome I vsed as meanes to bring matters to quiet ende although I say all these things were done thus by me that it might plainly appeare that I desired nothing more than the Kings dignity and the peace and tranquilâ—…ity of the Realme yet notwithstanding fearing least my answers to the Rescripts from the Quéene after I had offered the conditions of peace be not so truely and wholely brought to her handes as they passed from me I thoughte good to haue the whole matter put in wryting both to the ende they may be considered of the King and Quéene and also that they being published throughout all Christian Realmes may be known to all Princes to our Frends in Fraunce and specially to all Courts and ParliameÌ„ts of this Realme of the which but specially of the Court of Paris to the which before this time I haue sent my Declaration I require and craue that these explications of my reasons may be put in the publique Regester to the ende I may geue accounte of all my actions to my Prince and soueraigne Lord the King at what time be shal come to that age that he may Iudge of the merites of his subiects and of their euell desertes also which haue don any thing during the time of the kings Minoritie First of all this I thinke for a suertie that it neyther can nor ought to be sayd that I haue ben the cause either of stirring vp or of maintaining these commotions and troubles when as my ennemies them selues wil
confesse that I was not the first that toke the sweard in hand and when I did take it after them whych put them selues in Armor againste the King and Quéenes willes I had good occasion so to do For by the Lawe of Nature being a Prince and one of the Kings kinsmen I ought and am bound of duety to defend and maintain the dignity of the King and the peace and tranquillitye of the Realme So soone as I put on Armoure I protested that I woulde put of the same againe vppon suche reasonable conditions as shoulde appertaine to the libertye of the King and Quéene and to the peace and concorde of the Realme Whervpon it must néedes follow that they are the causes authours of troubles which haue refused those conditions and which when they could not abyde the peaceable gouernement of the Quéene and that shée should be the head ouer the Kings subiectes and disdayning at her for that shée looked so straytly vnto theÌ„ least they should defraude the kings creditors of any of their debt put themselues in armour came with a bande of soldiours to the King and beset him about with armed men that hauing the king and Quéene in their owne power they might gouerne the Realme as thei list theÌ„selues they committed horrible murthers vppon the kings subiectes liuing peaceably according to the kings lawes and thus haue brought vpon the whole Realme of France these stormy tempestes of trouble beginning euen a litle before to enioy peace and tranquillitie both partes being contented to liue peaceably so that they might enioye their Religion But and if leauing the present state of things wée will call to mind and consider euery mans actes in time past in good sooth wée shall finde these same men which at this day stirre vp these troubles haue ben also aforetyme the causes of great inconueniences to the Crown and dignitie séeking by the perturbation of this realme to enrich themselues whereas by peace and tranquility they decay And to omit that which king Fraunces a maÌ„ of excellent wisdome and Iudgement sayd of them and to omit also many of their bold and presumptuouse enterprises who knoweth not that they hating publique peace concord were the onely causes and authours of the truce and league breaking betwene king Henry and king Philip of Spaynâ—… to the great dammage and hurte of Fraunce In so much that they brought the same by warres in great perilles and all to haue their will and pleasure by one meanes or other Beside this after S. Laurence slaughter when thei had gotten vnto them the Treasurers office which thei had before gréedily gayed for what detriment or hurt did they not bring vnto the kingdome What did they also to King Henâ—…y who disâ—…king being weary of their violent and cruel dispositioÌ„ mynded to haue sent them away froÌ„ the Court to their howse had he not ben preuented by death But afterward in the dayes of king Fraunces the second being but yong these Straungers and violent Carters agaynstâ—… law and equitie and against the auncient constitutious of the realme of Fraunce vsurped the mere impery and gouernement of the kingdome during which time was the realme voyd of troubles Did they not in the sighte of all men go about to set that yong king being by nature very gentle and full of clemency agaynst his subiects and to haue made him infamouse with the note of cruelty for euer Did they not cause him to be a mortall enemie against his subiectes euen in the middest of his raigne in so much that except GOD in his mercy haâ—… turned away so great calamities and miseries lyke too haue ensewed we all should haue rued the same to remember â—…he which it would cause any Christian harte to tremble And to make an end of so lamentable a Tragedie When kinge Fraunces was dead these boysterouse stormes were blowen ouer the sky was more cleare the gouernement of the Realm being committed to the Quéene and to the king of Nauar vntill such tyme as their ambition hating peace and tranquillitie styred them vp and their fellowes to set heauen and earth togyther and to cause the state to be troublesome as to my great gréefe is to be séene Therefore I leaue the Iudgement of these to all indifferent men to discerne who are the authours of troubles whether they which haue sought peace and concord by all meanes possible or they which haue so mayntayned dissensions always that thei dare at this time to the great hurt of the whole Realme proclayme open warres Besides this there is so little cause for any man to marueile why I should be so busie to deale and so ware and circumspecte in the matter that I shuld be in great falte if I did otherwise For their actes in time paste againste me haue taught me sufficiently to beware how I put my selfe into their handes And it is playne enough to be séene that their purpose is to destroy the greatest part of the Nobilitie and of all estates of men which imbrace the truth of the gospell specially those that attende vpoÌ„ mée The which their meaning may easely be gathered by the talk which the Duke of Guise and the Constable had togyther of late in the Senate of Paris before a great assembly But what obedience they shewe towardes the Quéene it may appeare hereby that contrary to the Quéenes wil which she oftentimes declared they dyd frustrate the kings Edict of Ianuary adding this new exception Let not the Religion be vsed at Paris Who seeth not that they intend nothing else but euen to banish the Gospell out of all partes of the Realme when as also of late proclamation was made at Paris to banish al the new Christians To what purpose shoulde I say that by no other meanes the Inhabitants of Paris can be kept in quiet For we haue séene that the Prince of Rochesuryon and Martial Momorentius hauing about them only twelue soldiers haue kept the people of Paris in quiet without any maner of tumult the space of thrée monethes togyther The which continewed euen vntill that daye on the which the Duke of Guise entred into Paris But this is worthy the remembrance that when the same Martiall Memorency had somewhat increased the number of soldiers to kéepe the ordinary watch wherby the confederacies of certeyne factious persons might be preueÌ„ ted the Marchant maister and certeyne of the Citizens sayd that the people might be kept in peace and quyet with lesse ado a great deale Notwithstanding after the comming of the Guises into the Citie the mindes of the people were so altered that to kéepe them in quiet they were fayne to haue a band of men which they appointed without the knowledge and wil of the Quéene But I knowe it came to passe by the singular prouidence of God that the Duke of Guise and the Constable should disclose the secrets of their harts before so great a multitude that their toong
no doubt might runne before their wyt The which thing truly doth sufficiētly declare that those things are true which certeine of their familiar friends and houshold seruaunts haue reported which doth also appere by diuers of their letters that haue ben taken namely that their purpose is to depriue me of that company of men which are here with me to punish them with such punishments as they had already deuised The which in déed the slaughters and spoyling rapine committed by the soldiers of the Constable those things also which were done in diuers places against the mē of the reformed Religion do opeuly declare but specially that horrible murther don by the Guises at Sens. Of the which calamities they are to giue an account and to answer But as touching the cōmaundemēt of the Quéen by which shée hath willed me laying my armour asyde to come vnto the king vpon hir fayth and trust and too make me such assurance in wryting as I shall require I protest truly that I haue a singular desire good will to obey hir commaundements but I vnderstand that these are the subtil practises of my enimies which bring all things to passe as they lust themselues And agayne I sée not how the Quéene can saue me harmlesse so longe as shée is in that state that she is now in For how shall she resist them who putting thēselues in armor against hir wil haue beset hir round about And as like it is that my brother the king of Nauar cānot exercise his power and authoritie as he should whose facilitie sufferance thei haue greatly abused do what they list themselues both against his will and the Quéenes eut̄ as also they haue done oftentimes heretofore when they were put in authoritie to gouerne The which iniuries done to them if they would remember they must néedes think themselues much bound to the prouidence of god which hath safely preserued them from the counsels and practises of the Guises To be short I sée no other way for the safegarde of the king and Queen than for the Guises to depart from the Court home to their howse and for the Quéene hir self to recouer hir former libertie For truly I will not thinke and beléeue that they are to bée trusted so long as they kéepe themselues in armes doo retayne those bandes of men which they haue gathered vnto thē yea I my self am plainly taught to take héedby their promises heretofore For what mischief is it not that they séeke to worke against me and those also that are with me They openly reuile vs as rebelles open enimies to the King and the realme and doe thruste vs out of our offices and also threaten death vnto vs For who knoweth not what false rumors and shamelesse re ports they haue openly bruted abroad against me Who séeth not the preparation of warres which they make against me both within the kings dominions and also without They conspire with foreyne Ambassadours to make warre partly without the Quéenes knoweledge and consent and partly by hir consent which they extorte from hir through feare abusing hir facilitie making hir beléeue that which they intende not They set the King and encourage him agaynst his faythfull subiectes They spende and waste the kings Treasure in warlyke affayres which should be better bestowed to the paying of his debtes So that the same whiche the people gaue to helpe their King withall is nowe tourned to their destruction And to accomplish their wickednesse at the full they mind vtterly to destroye the greatest part of the Nobilitie which mislike of their wicked actes The which certainely is nothing els but to bring the kyng and the Realme into present destruction And in the middest of these their diuelish Counselles am I in safetie For whereas it is sayd that I do séeke my owne priuate commoditie more than the common wealth that certainely cannot be rightly sayde of me but more truly a great deale of them which adde dayly to their olde wickednes new mischiefes being so obstinate and wilful that they had rather bring the kyng and the Realme in to this perill of warre than for common quietnes sake somewhat to relent They say that they will not go home from the Kyng What faythfull Subiecte would denie to obey his soueraine in this To the auoyding the causes of such present and imminent euilles For whereas they obstinately say that it is not méete for them to depart from the Kyng in this his minority they haue no reason for it For the Quéene is sufficient inough to discharge that matter specially whē as great and vrgent cause requireth the same Let them remember that they were aduaunced to their dignities not to do all thinges after their owne mind and contrary to the wils of the kyng and Quéene to bring the Realme into these daungers but to the end they might kéepe the same in peace and concord that is to leaue it in that state in the which it was before thei enterprised to take armoure In putting on of the which dare they say that they haue done according to their office It is lawfull for no man truly in this Realme to put on Armour except it be by the expresse commaundement of the kyng It hath not bene lawfull at any time by the lawes of Fraunce in the dayes of those kynges that haue bene of lawfull age for the kynges naturall bretherne though they retourned from warre to enter armed ▪ into the court And haue they aucthoritie so to do in this time of the Kinges minoritie But if they were the Kynges faithfull subiectes séeing that by their comming in Armour into the Court the whole Realme is in a roare they would for the peace tranquillitie of the Realme depart And séeing this is the only way to bring peace and concord they if they were good and faithfull subiectes woulde shew themselues to haue more regard to the cōmon profite of all men than to themselues Although truly I my selfe am not only as they are an officer to the kyng but also the Kinges néere kinsman and therfore haue more right and authority to be with the king yet notwithstanding I which was not the first that put my self in Armour for the common wealthes sake do protest and promise that I with all that are with me will depart euery man to his house vppon condition that they will do the like To the which condition except they graunt all men may sée that it is not I but they which prefer their owne gaine before the common wealth But and if they cannot be satisfied with these reasons let them also search for examples let them call to mind what hath ben alwayes wont to be done hitherto in these matters and they shall find that the Kynges aforetime of Fraunce haue vsed this meane that when controuersies haue fallen out betwéene their Princes and that both partes had put themselues in Armes by their priuate
aucthoritie to giue commaundement vnto them to vnarme themselues and to go home to their houses and afterward to make them answere to the same But admit that they had aucthority to abide stil with the Kyng against right and all approued customes being but his seruants only and to beset him round about with such souldiours as they haue gathered together by their priuate aucthoritie yet notwithstāding it cānot be denied but that I haue great iniury I I say which shoulde haue this prerogatiue before them beinge the Kinges néere kinsman and which haue not put on Armour but by them constrayned only for this cause to defend the Kyng the Quéene and my selfe from violence these thinges I say considered I haue great iniury except I haue leaue in like mauer for mée mine to be about the kyng which are sworne as well as others vnto him and which I say and affirme are the Kynges faithfull subiectes and seruants as they haue both shewed already and also will shew hereafter at what time they shall be commaunded by the kyng of Nauar the kynges Deputie to defend the kynges libertie and the aucthority of the Quéene and of the kyng of Nauar being ready for the same to spende both their life and goods But and if they will not suffer the Quéene to vse that equallitie that she ought let her not leane to the one part more than to the other howbeit if she be more inclined to any part she should rather be inclined to me being a Prince and the kynges néere kinsman and let her vse her aucthoritie to remedy the mischtefe at hand otherwise than she hath done before for no man wyll thinke that any thing hath ben done by her consent séeing that shée is of such wisedome and so carefull for the preseruation of the kyng her Sonnes dignitie that she woulde not bée negligent to do her dutie in a matter of so great waight But there is no doubt but that which shée did was for feare of them which hauing hir in holde pulled her from doing of her dutie When as also it is manifest that the King is broughte to that state that he is constrained to graunte manye things against his will. To proue this thing their chusing of new Counsellers shall serue whom they therfore chose that vnder the pretence of a Counsell the Quéene might be constrained to do what they wold by a more clenly way For it is knowne in what order it was done and in what estimation they nowe haue the Quéene who deliverate and take counsell together by them selues a parte and do conclude whatsoeuer they them selues do like of They do many things by their owne priuate authority and when they haue don then they come to aske her minde and opinion And what soeuer they them selues lust to haue done they cause the high Courte of Parliament to confirme the same And in very déede they preuatle more wyth those of the Parliament than the Quéene her selfe can Finallye who will deny that it is necessarye at this time to deliuer the Quéene from feare of this violence that shée may recouer her former authority and so they to lay aside their Armor and to goe home to their houses that all suspicion of violence being taken away there maye be more quietnesse héereafter and the perrils of great calamities auoided For I and all that are wyth me he fully perswaded and bent that except the matter be vprightly and indifferently handled rather to abide the extremity and to sèe the end than that they which haue vsurped to them selues power against all law right to the great hurt and detrement of the Kings subiectes hitherto and also as yet going about to worke their vtter destruction by so many horrible murthers cruelly committed against the kings Edicts should still héereafter impudently procéede in their Insolencie And to take away all occasion of slaunder whych they may haue against me héereafter wheras they say that the kings letters were taken away frō the kings Postes by my cōmaundement I answere that I haue geuen contrary commaundement to those that attend vppon me neither were there letters at any time taken by them which were sent eyther to the king to the Quéene or to the king of Nauar. This I confesse to be true that there haue bene many letters taken which haue bene sent to diuers priuate persons by which are to be séene an infinite number of sclaunders false rumours counselles and practises against me many thinges being quite contrary to those promises which they haue made vnto me concerning peace and concorde But concerning the casting downe of the Images at Towers and at Blais I protest that I was very sory for the same in so much that I signified to the kinges Officers which are in those places that I would ayde and assist them to punish those according to the kings lawes which should be found gilty in the fact This is and may be an Argument of my will and meaninge the which also I haue done and doe as yet at Orleans Euery one of what state and condition so euer he be of prayseth and commendeth the moderation and behauiour of al those which are with me which liue peaceably and quietly with the Townes men without any maner of offence or breach in any poynt of the Edicte of Ianuary And as touching those which kéepe in hould certayn Cities I affirme that they do it for no other cause than to keepe those Cities for the vse of the Kinge and not to suffer them to come into their handes which abusing both the Kings name and his Artillery do séeke to get power for their owne priuate profite For so sone as the Quéene shal be restored to her former liberty and into that state wherin she was within these thrée Monethes she shal wel perceiue and vnderstand that those Cities will shew all obedience to the Kinge and to her as they had euer done before and will alwayes continue in the same so faithfull that in that point they will geue place to no Citie within the Kings dominion no not to Paris which of late hath gone about to cause this ciuill warre spending great store of money to that end and all vnder pretence of Religion And nowe I and mine are so farre from forgetting these thinges and buryinge them in silence as we are wished to do that we would rather haue thē to be chronicled for euer to be written in Tables and to be portrayed in letters of Golde and to be shrilly proclaymed throughout all Christian realmes that they may sée our dutifull obedience and faithfull trust shewed towardes our King greatly iniured in this his younge and tender yeres and also that so notable an example of my courage concord with the rest of the Nobilitie of France which haue ioyned our selues together with one hart consent to preserue the dignity of the kinge Quéene may be a memorial for euer in writing to the posteritie I for
my part truly do thinke that I could not haue better occasion offered to expresse my loue and duty towards the kinge and to get vnto my selfe true honour and prayse than by this meanes and fully I am perswa ded that my King and Prince will consider my dutifull seruice which I now shew vnto him when he commeth to that age that he is able to iudge hereof and to weigh the sayth and truth of my good wil shewed in such time of néede For these causes duly considered and weyed I which haue sought al meanes and wayes to paceâ—…y these troubles which are like to bring destruction to the realme which haue offered and do offer still al reasonable coÌ„ditions to be takeÌ„ for the laying aside of armour on both parts only vpon consideratioÌ„ of the king and Quéene of the coÌ„mon welth do protest again before the king quéene before al the states of the realme that the whole fault and blame of all those calamities and mischéeues which are like to ensue by the meanes of these warres is to be attributed to those alone whom I haue declared to be the causes of these perturbations troubles who refuse in the presente peryll of the destruction of the Realme to departe from the Courte and the kinges Counsell which their armor layd apart would bring peace and concord I do earnestly pray and beséech all the kings Courts and Parliaments and all estates and degrées to weigh and consider all thinges in due time and to be diligent in doing of their duties for the preseruation of the kinges dignity and the authority gouernement of the Quéene that one day they may geue an accouÌ„t of their doings as I trust to do of mine to the king when he cometh to his lawful age that they may rather haue praise reward for their doings than reproch ignominy And not to forslow themselues either for to satisfy their own desires or for fear or fauor of those which seeke to colour their faultes And to conclude I hartely pray and beséeth all the Kynges faythfull subiectes to helpe ayde and assiste me in this so good and iust a cause callinge God to witnesse that I onely for the aduancement of Gods glory for the setting of the Kynge and Quéene at theyr former liberty whom I sée beséeged and inclosed about with theyr subiectes for the mainteyninge of the Quéene in her authoritie for the defendinge of the common wealth and for the putting away of those iniuries offered to the Kinges subiectes for these causes I say I haue bene prouoked to put my selfe in armour and to resist theyr violence The which euen at this day I iudge and sée to bée so profitable to bridle the outragious madnesse that I trust hereafter God will blesse my labours and will bringe the woorke which he hath put into my handes to so good effecte and to so prosperous an ende that his name shal be glorified our Kynges dignitie and Royal seate defended and peace and tranquilitie main tayned This was the whole summe of this Protestation which the Prynce of Conde sente to the Kinge and Quéene by certayne Messengers to whom he gaue commaundement to declare howe earnestly he deuÌ„red peace for the which he woulde refuse no indifferente conditions He wrote also to dyuers Princes that were his fréendes in the kingedome of Fraunce and specially to the Princes of Germany whom he prayed to be meanes to make peace amonge them He wrote also letters to the Emperour the fower and twenty day of May to this effect In consideration of the singuler clemency humanity and wonderfull wisedome which for diuers causes I haue thought to be in you I thought it my dutye although to my great gréefe to make you acquaynted with the state of Fraunce Know you therfore that the matter is come to this that the Guises conspiring with the Constable and the Martiall of S. Andrew haue gotten the king into their hands insomuch that they haue taken away from him and froÌ„ the Quéene their liberty and setting at naught the kinges Edictes they do euen what they list themselues And they haue already so begoon their Practises and Counsailes that if they may bring them to effect ther is no doubt but that the kings dignitie and the liberty of the kingdome of Fraunce wil quight be ouer throwne But to the ende you may vnderstand the whole matter I sende here vnto you the trew and plain explication of al things whych both the Guises and I my selfe haue done in this businesse By which it may euidently appeare that the Guises are the conspiratours and the breakers of the kings lawes and dignitie But I to stay these troubles for the defence of my kinge to whom I am bound both by duty and also by the bonde of nature also for the Realme my natiue contrey will spend all that I am able and my life it selfe And I alone will not do this but a great manye more of the same mind Wherfore I huÌ„bly beséech you to waigh and consider the reasons of all my doings the which if they seme iuste and good be an ayde I pray you in these perillous times to the king and Quene and to al the family of Valesia and set to your helping hand for peace and concorde In so doing your maiestie shall do a most godly acte He sent letters also to the Countie Palatine called Frederike all most to the same effect with both his writings also in the which he declared the maner of his doinges and because he had alwaies wished al his actions to be knowen to all men and to be iudged of those that will vprightly consider of the same he sayde he greatly desired that the truth of all thinges might be faithfully and truly knowen to all men to the end all those slaunders might be takeÌ„ away which his aduersaries the authours of al the trouble to his infamy euery where colourably spred abrode Although therefore the truth nedeth no defence and although he had both the testimony of a good conscience and also a sure testimony of many men for all his doinges to maintaine his cause yit notwithstanding he said he thought good to signifi vnto him with how great care labour he had sought as it became a faithful subiecte to do to make peace and quietnesse Where by hée trusted that he should sée both his faithfulnes towardes the king in the which he would alwaies abide and also should marualle at the peruerse obstinacy of his enemies which intend rather to coÌ„fouÌ„d peruert al things than to forsake their ambitiouse desire to rule Therefore hée sayd that hee wold write vnto him those things which he had great cause to lament beséeching him that for the loue and friendship which he bare to the King the realm he would helpe to further his purpose which only tended to the working of peace and tranquillitie To the same effect also he wrote two
letters to the Duke of Sabaudia About the same time there was a Synode of the reformed churches of Fraunce at Orleans to the which there came diuers Ministers of Gods word and certaine chosen men also of other churches There was chosen accor ding to custome by the coÌ„mon consent of the whole assemblie to moderate this Synode Antonius Champdâ—…us minister of Gods word in the congregatioÌ„ of Paris a maÌ„ of singular godlynes learning eloquence and modesty This man was borne of a noble house and being but a very yong man be embraced and professed the doctrine of the Gospell in so much that hée was chosen by the church to the ministery of Gods word the same church being but tender and yong and beside that much anoyed with affliction as he was chosen to this office so was he no lesse diligent in the same whereby hée became a most profitable meÌ„ber to the chuche but specially to the coÌ„gregatioÌ„ of Paris of the which he was SuperinteÌ„dent In this Synode there arose a great controuersie concerning ecclesiastiall discipline which certaine light heads at that time began to discusse seeking to maintayne the licentiousnesse of the common people This controuecsy being at this time stayed burst forth afterwarde more vehemently and troubled many churches And because the ciuill warres increased more more the Ministers by a common decrée proclaymed publique prayers to be made in euery congregatioÌ„ to turn away the wrath of God from the Realme who was not without great cause displeased with the same And they sent to euerye congregacion letters to this effect Al meÌ„ euidently sée what great troubles are at hand like to fall vpon the Realme and the whole churche for the which specially this mischief is prouided Sathan his soldiers enuying the propagation and prosperity of the Gospell and the peace which the same hath enioyed by the great goodnesse of God. And do perceyue that the causes of those troubles are the iuste iudgements of God punishing the sinnes of men which reiect so notable a benefite as the glad tydings of the gospel the power of God to saluatioÌ„ or else estéeme not so reuerently of the same as they ought Our sinnes therfore are the very causes of these calami ties so that we must seriously séeke all that wée may too appease the iust wrath of God but specially they who vnder the name of the reformed Religion liued very wickedly But to such as doo truly and from the bottom of their hartes repent them study to liue in newnesse of life the promises of God are effectuall and doo appertayne Séeing therfore the matter is come to this point that all men maye plainly sée that they which raise vp these troubles of warres do séeke the ruine of the Gospel and of the church and therfore do warre and fight against God himself they must pluck vp their spirits be of good courage and certaynly perswaded that God will not fayle his seruaunts whom he vouchsafeth so to aduaunce that whereas thei haue deserued to be seuerely punished for their sinnes they might be afflicted for the truthes sake and for the glory of his name What haue the enemies left vndone by which thei might extinguish the doctrine of the gospell Yet notwithstanding it hath escaped Sathan and the Romish Antichrist â—…etting fuming in vayn Therfore we must make this our cry The Gospell is assaulted the destruction of the church is sought and open warre proclaymed against god Therfore god will fight for him selfe and for his There are also other causes â—… for beside that their deâ—…estable counseil to abolish the Church all men knowe that they goe about to bring most gréenouse troubles vpon the realm to the ende they themselues alone may gouerne They haue arrogantly broken the Edict of Ianuary they haue added cruelty to their impudent boldnesse they haue put the Kings subiects to death in diuers places vsing quietly the benefit of the Kings Edicts and they haue haÌ„dled them more cruelly than euer were any forreyn enimies What mischief hath not their vnbridled crueltye brought to passe They came to the king being but yoÌ„g to the Quéene a woman and not able to resiste armed with a band of men and tooke them and caryed them wil they nil they whether they would And hauing captiued both their bodies and their willes at their owne pleasure they most impudently abused them breakinge the Kings Edictes and violating his dignitie Therefore say they there are great causes why we shuld hope that God the author of humane societie but specially the preseruer of his church will not suffer the vnbrideled force of those violent and cruell counsailes to procéede more outragiously than they doe but will make hys Churche in the middest of all the trouble the conquerer And we haue a new and manifest argument beside those which haue appered heretofore of this his good wil towards his seruants in that hée hath in these dayes of his afflicted church raysed vp the Prince of Conde to be a Patrone and defender of this cause by miracle of hys diuine prouidence For this cause we must gyue harty thanks vnto God the first and principall author of thys benefit we must looke for happy successe of his cause And because hée will vse this meane to preserue his church we for our partes must be diligent faithful cou ragiouse and constant least we omitte good occasion to bring things to passe being offered Wee séeke the coÌ„ser uation of the Gospell and of the church and for the befendinge of the libertie and dignitie of the King of the Realme and the whole common wealth Who will denie that these are iust and lawfull causes to put on Armour and specially for them to whom that authoritie appertaineth It is méete and necessary ther fore say they that you and we to the vtmost of our pow er and to the spending of our liues do aid and assist the Prince of Conde the rest of the kings officers which haue made a sollemne vow for the defence of the King the Realme and the Church and to be very carefull to giue vnto the Prince of Conde for this cause money fourniture and all maner of warlike prouision whensoeuer he shall require the same In so doing they said this thing should be so profitable for them all that nothing can be more necessary the time being considered And as they thought it to be their dutie to admonish them of these things séeing that now the glory of God the safetie of the Church and the preseruation of humane societie was to be sought for euen so saye they you must not delay the matter being of so great waight by any maner of meanes But forsomuch as all mans helpe is wholely vnprofitable and vaine except wée haue first of all the helpe and ayd of God the aucthor reuenger of this cause We must take héede that wée be diligent in calling vpon God and that we professe
the true Religion with holines of life least in the middest of these troubles of warres the care of true godlinesse be quight extinguished The best weapons that may be had to fight against our enemies is holines of life and godly prayers If these be wanting our words shall runne through our owne sides And because saye they we sée before our eyes such horrible calamities we following the approued custome of the Church haue appoynted by a common decrée of all men that in all congregations their should be fasting and sollemne prayers for certaine dayes which we admonish you to vse modestly deuoutly and godly and also that God should be prayed vnto publiquely and priuatly to send a happie successe of all these troubles to the glory of his name and to the peace and tranquillitie of his Church They wrote letters also in the name of the whole Synode to Frederike County Pallentine at Rheine whom the refourmed Churches of France had found alwayes in time of cruell persecution a fréend and ready to helpe at néede This was the coppie of their letters We are not ignorant that the basenes of our condition is such that we should not trouble you with our letters but notwithstanding both the experience which we haue had of your singuler clemency and humanitie and also the waight and sharpenes of our miseries and calamities do constrayne vs in these our extremities to flée vnto you for ayd séeing that of long time you haue professed the trueth and haue had a singuler care to pro mote the glory of God and to mayntaine and defende those which professe the trueth of the Gospeel in what place soeuer they are First of all therfore we pray vnto God omnipotent and to the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which will haue Kings and Princes to bée Nourses of his Church that he will vouchsafe to confirme and strengthen your highnes in true fortitude constancy by his holy spirit which fortitude you haue hitherto aboundantly shewed with great commendation in setting forth and promooting the woord of God in your Churches And we giue you most harty thankes for those benefites which we receyued of you within these few yeares oftentimes intreating our kynges on the behalfe of our bretherne which were afflicted for the doctrine of Christ. And now we being gathered together of late out of all partes of the Realme for a common Counsell or Synode gladly call to mind the benefits which you haue shewed vppon vs and so much the more willingly also because at this time the truce being broken by which we began to enioye the benefite of the Kinges Edict we stand in great néede of your clemency We foresée the great tempest and calamities of our Churches like to ensue the state of your Churches of Germany in that Ciuill warre comming into our mind the which troubles and calamities being ended by God so happely who hath promised without all doubt to helpe his seruants there is no cause why we should feare Notwith standing we cannot chuse but be very carefull for our flockes commited to our charge But to make the matter more playne because we know that ye vnderstand already our care by certaine Noble men we will not be tedious vnto you Thus much we ad concerning our Churches namely That there is such a conspiracy made against our Churches that except God in his mercy do prouide for the same there is like to ensue no lesse calamitie and confusion than there hath happened long agoe to the Orientall Greeke and Affrican Churches For to conclude the matter in few wordes when the Duke of Guise and they which haue conspired with him perceyued that by the Edict of Ianuary men had leaue fréely and openly to preach the Gospell and that they were restrayned of crueltie which till that time they had declared by all maner of punishments many of the Kinges officers Noble men imbracing the doctrine of the Gospell they made a conspiracie with the enemies of the true Religion to kill in euery Citie the professors of the Gospel Of which their conspiracy we haue had manifest arguments First by the horrible slaughter committed at Uassi it may appeare and then by the cruell and bloudy murther of the men of Sens the Bishoppricke wherof pertayned to the Cardinall of Guise so great slaughter of them being made that for the space of fower dayes there was such killing and steying of men women children without any respect of person that the only remembraunce therof cannot but cause teares to bée shed Yea the dead bodies of such as were slayne came swimming down the Riuer of Seine to Paris requiring as it were their buriall and complayning of this tiranie or rather calling for vengeanee of God and man And now although we know it rather to be our dutie to pray for our enemies and for those which do persecute vs than to accuse them yet notwithstanding we trust that you will interprete to the best these complaints of our iust grief of our manifold calamities And for so much as those our aduersaries to leaue no thing vndone that might be to our destruction haue required your Realme of Germany to ayd and assist them we earnestly pray and beséech you for the loue which you beare to the Church of Christ that you will bend all your might to withstand and put away this euill least Germany imbracing the same truth of the Gospell which we do be euill spoken of for séeking to hurt and anoye vs And we intreat your honour by the tender mercy of God that you will vouchsafe to be a meane for vs to the King and Quéene that there may be some consideration had of our Churches and that you would helpe to mayntayne and defend so iust a cause the time requiring the same Concerning the Letters which the Prince of Conde sent to the refourmed Churches of Fraunce we haue spoken before in the which he willed them when they sawe warres to begin to prepare themselues to the warre with a good courage Whereuppon in many places they obeyed his commaundements some prospering very well in their affayres othersome not hauing so good successe They fortefyed with men and munitiō so much as they could the Cities And after the inhabitants of Towers of Blais and of Angewe had so done also the men of Poicters did the like and then the Normans which fortefied diners Cities tooke their chiefe Citie called Roane But at Burdeux and almost through but Gascoyne except in certaine meane townes the faith full were molested by Monsiere Monluce the Lieutenant who delt very cruelly with the faithfull euery where but specially at Bourdeux By the meanes of this Monsire Monluce there was a great slaughter committed vppon the faithfull at Tholoz and the rest of the multitude which were many in number and had escaped this gréeuous murther brake out of the Citie being a necessary place of refuge both for them and also for
haue sought to the vtmost of our power the aduauncement of your dignities for the mayntenance whereof next to the glory of God we will spend our liues and all that we haue we pray and most humbly beséech you that ye will vnderstand our very purpose and meaninges which we wholely and truely declare vnto you in this Supplication to the end also we might declare the causes why we came vnto you and why also we are with you as yet and why we do thinke in our conscience that we ought not in coÌ„sideration of the offices coÌ„mitted vnto vs to depart from you except we woulde incurre the daunger of perpetuall oprobry and shame both to vs and our posteritie as carelesse and vntrustie seruants to you and as despisers of the glory of God the safetie of the Kyng and of the common peace and tranquillitie of the countrey the which wée sée in most gréeuous perill at this time of ineuitable destruction vnlesse it be holpen in time by the only remedies of these Edictes which we hope you will preferre and which ought to be confirmed by all Parliaments but specially by the Parliament or Court of Paris The which remedies we propound here before your Maiestie with all obedience and reuerence in manner and fourme following First we thinke it necessary not only for our conscience sake but specially for the conseruation of the Kynges dignitie and for the defence of that othe which the Kyng tooke at the time of his coronation by which he bound him selfe to mayntaine the peace tranquillitie and safetie of the whole Realme least the Lawe both of GOD and also of man should be confounded whereby the perturbation and vtter destruction of all Realmes Kingdomes and Monarchies must néedes follow For these causes it is necessary that the Kyng declare by and euerlasting Edict that hee will not suffer hereafter diuersitie of Religion and of Churches diuers doctrines and sundry fashions of administrations of Sacraments and of Ecclesiasticall rites nor the Ministers of such in his Realme But that he would will and commaund one Catholike Apostolique and Romish church which he and the Kyngs his Auncetors before him had receyued to be retayned kept throughout his whole Realme forbidding all other assemblies or congregations to set forth and teach any thing to the contrary That all such as beare any office in this Ralme as Iustices Treasurers or any other such like officer vnder the King be coÌ„maunded to imbrace and follow this only Religion and openly to professe the same and such as should denie or refuse so to do by any maner of waye to be depriued of their offices Prouided notwith standing that for the same thei be indammaged neither in body nor in goods so that they be found not to be the auâ—…thors of troubles of Seditions and of forbidden assemblies That all Prelates of what state or condition soeuer they be of make the same confession of faith of Religion and such as shall disobey this to lose their spiritual promotions and the profites therof to go to the kings treasury or els to place fit men ordinarily called in their roomes That all temples and churches throughout the Realme which were violated spoyled broken downe and defaced to the dishonour of God the contempt of the church and of the king and the manifest breaking of the wholsome lawes made both of late and also aforetime should be reedefied repayred restored to the former comlines deceÌ„t beauty that it euer at any time had that the breakers of the Kings Edicts shuld be punished according to the prescript of the kings Edicts That all maner of men what state or condition so euer they were of throughout the Realme or what couler or pretence soeuer they had should put of their armoure except they had put on the same by the expres coÌ„maundement of the king of Nauar the kinges visegerente of the whole Realme and if any refuse so to do that then they bee proclaymed and accompted of all men for Traitours Rebels enemies to the king the whole Realme That it may be lawfull for the king of Nauar the kinges deputy or for whom soeuer he shall appoint to haue bandes of armed Soldiers for the orderinge of these things and such other like which shal séeme mete for the conseruation of the king and quéene That those Armies which were gathered togither at the Kinges coÌ„maundement for the causes afore sayd may be maintayned for certain monethes in the which space there is great hope that there wil spring some frute of these remedies and that we shal sée publique peace Other matters and necessary Cautions for the workinge of thys peace shal be supplied and put in by the counsell iudge ment of the highe courte of parliment in Paris These things without the which we must néedes looke for the destruction of the Realme being thus ordered and appointed we are euery one of vs ready not only to go home to our houses if it so séeme good vnto you but also to be banished for euer into the vttermost parte of the world wée being fully perswaded that wée haue gyuen vnto God to the king to our countrey and to our selues that honour obedience loue natural affection which wee owe vnto them in so great perill and daunger as is now to auoyd the which wée are ready to spende our lyues and whatsoeuer els wée haue in this world The which we signifie to you and to the king of Nauar both to the end ye may be Iudges witnesses to vs of these thinges and also that ye may apply these conuenient re medies to those inconueniences And wée testifie protest before God and you that we only séeke the safetye peace of your dignities and of the whole Realme And we trust that all they which séeke the same will gladly yéeld vnto the things contayned in this Supplication which we wishe to take effect for the duties sake which wée owe vnto God and you This was the summe of their Supplication To which the King and Quéene made answer that it was not their willes that they should departe thence to any other place Therefore the same day they offered another supplication to the Quéene to this effect Beside those things which wée haue already offered to your Maiesties in writing that ye might plainly vnderstand that wée will submit our willes and opinions to your Iudgements after we hearde that it was your pleasures that we should not depart to any other place wée thoght good to make this offer namely That if they which were at Orleans laying asyde their armour and yéelding vp to the King the Cities and Townes which they had taken would be sworne to shewe all obedience toward the King as to their soueraigne Lorde would also obey the Kings Edictes which were al ready made and shal be made hereafter by our coÌ„sent and confirmed by the Senat of Paris we would depart of our
owne accorde To the which except they will graunt wée cannot in consideration of our office depart from the King except we would shew our selues to be carelesse in defending the King and the Realme in so great necessity But if they will yéeld vnto these conditions we are ready to get vs to our owne houses and to obey the coÌ„mauÌ„dement of the King of Nauar. But we meane not hereby to seclude the Prince of Conde from the Kings company nay we wish rather that he were néere the King and that he were sent for to come from them with whoÌ„ he is now linked and to be daily with the King trusting that so worthy a Prince will do nothing but that which shall become him to doo After that these supplications of the Guise and his fellowes came to the eares of the Prince of CoÌ„de he made answer vnto them sending letters to the Quéene with his answer beseeching hir that she would also diligently wey and consider his reasons and that she would cause both his writing his aduersaries also to bée kept for a memoriall for euer that both their actions might one day be shewed to the king The aunswere which he made was to this effect Although saith he I haue heretofore oftentimes declared both by writing and also by other meanes why I haue put myself in armour and vppon what condicions I am ready to vnarme my self agayn and to go to my house yet notwithstanding I could neuer obtayne any thing at their handes which haue the King and Quéene in hold but threatnings contumelious wordes So soone as I came hither before they vnderstood any thing of me they sent letters such seuere sharpe commaundmente as though they had had to do with théeues the most wicked men aliue But nowe when they perceiue that I regarde not their impudent boasting proud threates that thei cannot stay me froÌ„ my purpose also that I coÌ„staÌ„tly perseuere in my lawfull request hauing no consideration of my selfe but of the libertie of the King Quéene and of the peace and tranquillitie of the realme they séeke to preuayle by other subtil wayes And this forsooth is their deuise they haue offered a certayne supplication to the king in the which they pretend al obedience submission reuereÌ„ce But if a man read mark the same well he shall find it rather a Decrée than a Supplication For it is a flat sentence and decrée made concluded vpon by these thrée namely by the Duke of Guise the Constable Momorencie and by the Martiall of S. Andrew with these also was the Popes Legate the seruants of straungers But they which for six monthes ago marked noted al their doings can testifie vpon what foundacions these conclu sions do stand not vpon zeale of Religion and fayth but rather vpon the fraude deceypt and ambition of those thrée who séeing theÌ„selues to be out of the court were offended not that thei had any iniurie offered them but because they could neuer yet abyde that the Prince being of the kings bloud should be about the king perceiuing also that the Quéene rather sought the Kings profite and the peace and tranquillitie of the Realme than to satisfie their willes they began to ioyne ano associate themselues togyther to recouer their former libertie againe to rule and gouerne all thinges as they list themselues And when they saw that they could not haue helpe of the Nobles nor of the common sorte of people to bring their matters to passe for the they were iustly hated of them they coloured their purpose wyth the pretence of Religion hoping therby that the popish priests and those that hoong vpon them would ayde assist them And thus winning so many to take their parte as they could and séeking to haue ayd by straungers of for reyne Nations they minded to come to the kinge and Quéene in such battayle aray that no man should once resist them And to the end they might haue better hope to rule thei tooke and kept the names of all those whom they thought or suspected would be hurtfull vnto them minding to kil some to banish other some and to spoyle and depriue many of their offices And among the principall number was Michael Hospital the Kings ChauÌ„celour diuers of the kinges counsell and many other good men set in authoritie and office vnder the Kinge There were also already some placed in their roomes which were eyther slaine or banished And truely they very well declared their iudgement of late in chosinge those six whom they appointed to be of the Kings counsel the matter being so ridiculouse that the people made a game or ieste of that choyce The Quéene was sent away to Câ—…enoncellum to busie hir selfe in gardening The Prince Rochsurion the kinges néere kinsman being a very wise and godly person was called away froÌ„ the King and in his place were set new Tutours that he might neuer heare any mention made of God or of any godlynesse nor any thing else which appertained to good education he being of himselfe of a good disposition and well inclined And that he might not bée taught to vnderstande his estate which the Quéene his mother went about to instruct him in teaching him to heare euery mans cause peaceably to make much of his noble men to estéeme the vse of armour for necessities sake to looke to iudgement to maintaine his people to be a gard to the afflicted to deliuer the oppressed and aboue al things to beware least he retayned any suche persons about him which vnder colour of frendship humility would take vpon him the kings office vse tyrannie against the kings subiectes These things I say were taught him of the Quéen his mother which these thrée Suppliants much mislike of who would haue the King frame himself to their bent disposition as to daunce cunningly to sit or ryde a great horse well hansomly to carry a speare to be a waÌ„toÌ„ louer to loue another mans wife more than his owne and to be short to bee ignorant of all honesty vertu For they say the it is not méet for a King to be occupied and troubled with suche hard matters But rather say they it is méete for a king to shewe him selfe very seuere towards his subiectes that come vnto him to enriche his housholde seruaunts and to commit the gouernement of the Realme wholy vnto them not to trouble himself in hearing mens causes in reading letters in setting too his hand and seale least their deceites which they vse vnder the coullour of his seale should be espied to fancy and fauour a few which coÌ„tend one with another who shal be the greatest theef to be liberall only to a few and to other some sparing hard and to dispoyle the people of their goods to sell the offices of Judges for money to simple and vnlearned men last of all to fill the Court full
of al vanities and wickednes I speake not these things vnaduisedly the Quéene knoweth these things to be true as wel as I. These Suppliants therfore haue made a more pernicious and hurtfull conspiracy to this Realme than euer was that which Sylla which Caesar and which the Triumuiri made And it had by this time caused much mischiefe to be done if I my selfe had not with all my might withstode the same vnto this daye I marueyle that they so impudently contend before the Quéene in wordes and I doe wonder that the Quéene will hearken and agrée to their wordes as though she had neuer heard any thing of their wicked counselles the which truly playnly declareth that she is more than a captiue And truly if she were not afeard to be stifeled or strangeled in her bed which they haue threatned to her as I appeale to her selfe if she may speake her conscience she would not haue giuen her consent to their Supplication but would haue tolde them to their téeth that their couetousnes and Ambition is the cause of all these troubles Séeing therfore at this time the Quéene in so great perill cannot speake of the matter as she would nor restst those which abuse her with feare to bring their purpose to passe I my selfe am constrayned to defend her aucthoritie and the Kinges also to answere to their suppliant petitions in the King and Quéenes name of whose libertie I confesse my selfe to be a defender And why should I not trust that God will prosper my indenours and that good will which he hath giuen to mée and the Kinges faythfull subiectes also doing their duty in so honest and godly a cause 1 First of all they begin with their titles of dignitie séeking therby to get the more aucthoritie and magnificently paynt forth the memory of their actiōs in time past and would haue men to iudge of their minds and meanings by these their actions Truly it is necessary that so glorious a beginning shuld haue as euil base an end set against it And why so They haue very well behaued themselues towards their Kinges they say in times past is that sufficient not only to couer their faultes at this time but also so to countenaunce them that wicked actes shal be taken for meritorious déedes If they haue done any thing profitable or worthy of commendation for their Kings as they haue done nothing so farre as I know if they haue not in all this time receiued their deserued recompence it doth not followe that they should so importunatly craue to bée recompenced at this time to the ruine and destruction of the King and the Realme But they thrée séeke so great ly for their profite and are such carefull followers of gayne that they would not tary so long before they would craue and receiue a reward for their deserts if they euer deserued any thing For probation wherof what say you to this That their profites and yerely re uenewes do amount aboue the summe of two hundred and fiftie thousand french Crownes more than their patrimony beside other helpes On the contrary part let them remember if any of them will say that they haue not ben fully satisfied in all thinges How many good and singular men by their meanes were cast in prison how many Noble families haue ben by them destroyed in the raigne of Henry the second and Fraunce the second In so much that it may euidently appeare that they abused the fauour of those Kinges not onely to the inriching of them selues but also to the reuenging of their malicious mindes to the ruine and destruction of many Wherefore if they will haue their mindes and counsayles as they say to bee examined tried and iudged by their actions in time past go to then and let them haue that triall and iudgement and let them denie if they can whether their doinges haue not ben such that they ought to be reproued and resisted by all the Kynges true and faythfull subiects Further more they saye that the Kyng and the Realme are in great perill and least they should fall into that meuitable destruction they offer vnto him certayne sure remedies but say they with all reuerence and obedience If it should be demaunded of them what were the very cause of this destruction and if they aunswered truly as their conscience beareth them witnesse they must néedes impute the cause and the whole blame hereof vnto themselues For after the proclamation of the Edict of January there was peace throughout all partes of the Realme Now if they will denie that they were not the disturbers and breakers of this peace then they shall denie a thing so manifest that all men can giue testimonie against them For in what state was the kyngdome when the Duke of Guise began warre and committed horrible murther at Uassi To what end were the conspiracies of the Constable and the Marshiall of Saint Andrewes What ment the beastly barbarous rudenes and rude barbarousnesse shewed at Paris For where as they professe their reuerence and obedience to the Kyng how incredible séemeth that in the eares of all men Those thrée often times contemned the Quéenes commaundements as when the Quene commaunded thē to go to their Mannors Lordships when by her commaundement also in tyme ef perill they were sent for to Monceaulx is this to shewreuerence and obedience to the king and quéene They came also contrary to the Quéenes commaundement to Paris with an armye of men and would not departe from thence for any thing that the quene could do either by intreaty or otherwise Whereas I my selfe to obey the quéenes commaundementes went from Paris they abyding in Paris at their pleasure when they had made there al things sure came to the king and quéene with an army of men brought them whether they would or no violentlye from Fontainbleau to Paris I appeale to the conscience of the Quéene for testimony of these things if shée may fréely speake They were fully determined to rule all thinges at their owne pleasure But this is their obedience toward the king which they shewe by the open breaking of the kinges Edictes This is their loue toward theyr countrey to destroy the which they thinke it not sufficient to arme thmselues and theirs except also they cause the aunciente enemyes of the Realme to arme themselues against the same 3 They seke to haue a perpetual edict made for religiō but to what end Whē wée desired to haue the Edict of January kept vntil the king came to sufficient age him selfe they sayd it was a very vnlawfull request adding that the king might order change amplify and restrain the Edictes when and how it pleased him and that we in desiring that the same which was decréed by the king and his Counsell might be kept vntill he came to his full and ripe age went about to make the king a bonde man and to shut him vp as it were into prison which would limitte
his power and authoritye with these exceptions They then saide And now they go about to make that an euerlasting and irreuocable lawe which they thrée themselues haue deuised and decréed Truly we may with better reason and truth conclude that they go about to make the king a captiue and bonâ—…man vnto them not only in this his minoriti but in his maiority also Who séeth not their sondry and contrary deuises Who séeth not that they go aboute not only to haue the king in their handes and to rule him at theyr pleasure but the whole Realme also when as in a mat ter of so great waight and perillouse they dare take vpon them to determine decre what they theÌ„selues list Dyd euer those Triumuiri of Rome namely Augustus Antonius and Lepidus which by their conspiracie peruerted the lawes and the common wealth of Rome any thing more bould and presumptiouse If they had ben moued by the loue of peace as they say and not by the outragiouse heate of sedition if they had ben moued by zeale of Religion and not by the force of ambition they would not haue begon those their counsailes with force and murder they would haue come reuerentlie and modestly they would haue declared the causes whi they could not allow of the Edict of January And they would haue intreated the kinge and quéene to consulte with their CouÌ„sail for the remedeing of those troubles to the glory of God the dignity of the king and the conseruation of the Realme And so they should haue declared that they were moued by zeale of their consciences But while they go about these things they sufficiently declare that they take Religion but for a colloure to the end that they may draw away the Kinges subiectes to take their part that by their help by the help of strauÌ„gers they may bring al things to their rule Can the Princes the kings kinsmen suffer this that strauÌ„gers shal make lawes Edictes to rule the king the whole Realme 4 They require to haue the church of Rome which they call Catholike and Apostolicall to be alone through out the whole Realme and that the vse and administration of the reformed religion should be forbidden Let this be the Edict of the Duke of Guise a straunger of the Constable Momorentius and of the Marshall of saint Andrew the kinges seruauntes Let their willes mindes and decrese be set against the authority of the kinges Edict which the king the quéene the king of Nauar the Princes the kinges kinsmen the kinges Counsel and forty chosen men out of euery court of the realm haue made Let them oppose and set this their Edicte both against the decrées of the nobility and the cominaltye by their supplicatioÌ„ which they offered to the king first at Orleans then at saint German concerning the orderinge of ReligioÌ„ after this maner theÌ„ they must nedes acknowledge and confesse that their Edict will be the cause of ciuil warres and in tyme the destruction of the realme But blinde Ambition carieth them out of the way to bind the king and the Realme to them as they saye by these merits For this I affirme that the Duke of Guise and his brethren can not deny but that while they go about to molest trouble those that are of the reformed Religion what zeale soeuer they pretende they brynge the Realme into greate perill Let them remember what happened of late almost in the same counsel to theÌ„ in Scotland There both sortes of men that is to say both papistes and Protestants liued peaceably obediently vnder the gouernement of the Quéene vntill it was commaunded by the aucthority of the Guises that no other religion should be there receyued then that which is of Rome Then a certen smal nomber of men for this cause being raised and appointed to battaile by the wisdome of the quene and by the help of the Nobility were easely put down again The which thing ought to haue made the Guises sease from their former purpose for feare of greater trroubles whiche would ensue by the meanes of those Edictes But they on the contrary part more obstinately went forwarde with their purpose to hinder the reformed religion writing sharp letters vnto the Quéen because shée shewed hirself so fauourable and perswaded with hir that it was necessary that the principal authours and many of the Noble men should be put to death Therefore to bring that to passe in déed which they vttered in woordes they sent an army of meÌ„ into Scotland with M. Brosseus the Bishop of Atniens At whose comming most seuere Edictes were made coÌ„cerning the obseruation of popish rytes and comming to Masse The Bishop said that he would soone cal those that were gone astray as hée sayd to the obedience of the Church of Rome and monsieur Brosseus said that hée would quickly within few dayes by force of armes put all the rebels to flight And as cruelty hath always couetousnesse ioyned with it they beheld considered the landes and possessions of the noble men and wrot to the Guises that they could both make the people tributary to pay vnto the Frenche king two hundred thousande Crownes and also assigne to a thousand Noble men of France which should continually maintayne warre in Scotland houses and land The Guises hearinge of the which were glad but the Quéene Osellus a noble maÌ„ of Scotland said vnto M. Brosseus that the Scotts could not be so easely coÌ„quered who if they were coÌ„strayned would craue helpe of straungees which imbracinge the same Religion would not desire to haue better occasion to banish the Popes Religion out of Scotland whereby the Kings Royall estate should come in peril But they refusing these admonitions of the Quéene Osellus said that the Quéene with hir facilitie and sufferance would marre all and they called Osellus foole and dastard Ther fore these wise men so wrought that the greatest parte of the nobility gathered vnto them an army of men and within few dayes eyther slewe or put to flight the Papistes and sacrifising priests which if this had not ben might haue liued peaceably And thus thei which before would binde Beares and which triumphed before the victory â–ª did not only dishonour the Duke of Guise but also lost the aucthoritie of the Church of Rome By this example the Guises ought to acknowledge their fault and to leaue of their enterprise also to haue no more in their mouthes these wordes One of those two Religions must be banished the realme and some muste needes giue place to other some These proud words become not subiectes and seruaunts but a king of full and perfect age And whereas they would haue no religion but the Romish religion established within the realme which they go about to defende by force of armes they bring the realme into great perill and daunger And truly it were a great deale better to kéepe both partes in peace and concord and
to vse in stéede of blowes woordes and writings omitting all force warres sheding of blood The which peraduenture will so prouoke God and his vengeance to fal that the papists and priests thēselues which might quietly enioye their offices liuings shal be the first that shal féele the furour and madnesse of the people To be short the protection of the Suppliantes cannot chuse but bring great trouble and garboyle vnto them But when they may be assured of this that they néed not without they will themselues be endāmaged neyther in body office nor goods haue they iust cause to complayne except peraduēture they will say that they were carefull and sory for the losse of our soules But what hath made them so sodenly so carefull when as neyther any one Bishop Curate or popish priest hath laboured or takē any maner of paines to that end Séeing therfore we neuer intended to hurt any of thē what néed was there to bring them into this contention and to pretende the name of the Church Is not this too set one against another and to cause the people whiche before could not abyde those priests to hate thē the more Was there euer a more sorowfull sight séene in thys Realme Can there be any profit benefite or good turn so great that it maye make a sufficient mennes for so great destruction Can the Popes pardones and Indulgences restore the bloud that ▪ is shed for this cause These Suppliantes maye one day say vnto the Kinge that they to defend that which no man gainsayed and to preserue the Romish religion which no man wente about to hinder haue lost or went about to loose the one half of his nobilitie and chiefest of his subiectes Then and that truely it shal be obiected vnto them that as by their fayned and dissembled opinions concerning Religion they had brought the Realme of Scotland into great perill of destruction and caused much bloud too bée shed euen so by the same opinions counsayles and Instruments great discord hath ben sowen in this realm and ▪ both sortes of men set togither as it were by the eares in such sort that they may iustly hereafter amōg all posterities be sayd to be the authours and causes of all mischéeues and calamities which shall happen to the men both of the reformed also of the Romish Religiō And to cause more trouble they would haue all the Kings officers and all Ecclesiasticall persones to professe the confession of their faith and that such as should denie or refuse so to do should be depriued if they were temporall men of their offices if they were priests then to loose their benefices For this is the other Edicte of those thrée Suppliants against the receyued approued lawes of the king For there is no man that can remēber neither hath it ben heard of that any king that hath ben heretofore hathe constrayned hys true Subiectes to receiue any other confession of faith than that which is in the Apostels Créede Let that Lawmaker by whose craftie and subtill witte these their supplications were made bring forth but one only example The which truely he cannot do except hee will bring into this Realme the Inquisition of Spaine the which by the iudgement of all other Nations is counted so wicked that they all reiect the same These are the very same trappes and snares which they layd at Aurelias otherwise called Orleans a little before the death of Kyng Fraunces the second and which cannot chuse but bring the extreame ruine and destruction of the kyngs subiectes For those Suppliants know that there are ten thousand Noble men and a hundered thousand souldiours which neither by authority nor by force will forsake that Religion which they haue receiued and wyll not suffer the preaching of the woord and the administration of the Sacraments according to the forme of Religion which they professe to be taken from them and will defend themselues with the sword against them which abuse the aucthoritie of the Kings name That great number cannot be ouercome and destroyed which God forbid without the anoyance and ruine of those that shall set vppon them And to conclude the matter briefely I saye and affirme in the name of the Noble men Gentlemen and of many others which are here with me that this Decrée is made by thrée priuate men which by their authoritie peruert the kynges Edictes and make no accompt of them and to put their decrée in execution before they made the Kyng and Quéene acquaynted with their doinges they put themselues in armour and tooke them both captiue I say and affirme that the same Decrée is against the lawes of this Realme against all Christian order against the State against the Edict of January which was only made for this cause against the dignitie safetie of many of the kings subiects whose enemies they openly shew themselues to be whose goods and life they séeke to take away and all vnder the pretence of Religion conscience This decrée also taketh away the liberty of going to a Counsaile the which should haue ben considered by that subtill counsayler For if it be decréed that the same confession which they call the confession of the Faith shal be receiued of all the inhabitants of this Realme that is to say if all men be constrained to receiue the Popes doctrine and ceremonies this must néedes be a plaine sentence of condemnation against the reformed church neither is it then lawfull for our Ministers or for the Ministers of forreine Nations imbracing the same doctrine to go vnto a Counsaile when as they being not heard are condem ned But before the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Loraine his brother bring forth the decrée concerning the confession of the Romish faith let them renounce denie many speciall poynts of the confession made at Ausburge which when they were at Sauern they said thei imbraced promised to one of the Princes of Germany that they would cause them to be obserued in Fraunce It is néedfull also that the Cardinall of Loraine should declare by open writing whether he do persist in that opinion which sometime he said to the Quéene before a great many witnesses concerning Transubstantiatiō concerning the carying about of the Sacrament concer ning Iustification Inuocation of Saints Purgatory Images and concerning many other speciall points also of which he spake plainely against the iudgment of the Catholique and Apostolique church of Roome 6 ▪ Furthermore in that supplication straight after this they call to mind the throwing downe of Images require that the same Images be repayred and the breakers of them be punished But thervnto I make this answere The punishments wherwith I punish them which brake downe Images first in diuers places at the last in Orleans shall witnesse before God men that this misdemeanor of the rash multitude al wayes displease me both for that it was contrary to the Edict of
January also against the forme of y League othe taken of vs not long since But if that deiection of Images deserueth any punishment because any such fact is contrary to the kyngs Edict what punishments then deserue they which so greatly abuse the kinges name that vnder the coullour therof they coÌ„mit great wickednesse as may appere by the coÌ„mitted murthers at Uassi at Sens at Paris at Tholoz and in many other places He that preferred this Supplication shuld first of all haue considered and remembered himselfe that it is read in no place that a dead Image requireth vengeance but it is read that the bloud of a slaine man which is the liuely Image of God cryeth and calleth for the vengeance of God and doth at the last cause the same to fall vppon the bloudshedders 7 Moreouer those Suppliants or rather commaunders require that they may vnarme themselues which without the commaundement of the king of Nauar put on the same and that they should be counted for Rebels and enemies to the King and the Realme I would glad ly demaund of them which thinke them selues so wise and saye that they séeke for the peace of the common wealth if that be not the way to cut of all hope of concord when they require that I and they that are with me should be counted Rebelles and enemies to the king and the Realme For they say not Let them which wyll not put of their Armoure but which haue put on Armour be accounted the Kinges enemies They which poynt requireth another maner of aunswere than by writing But I trustw tin these few daies to sée them to disputâ—… w titheÌ„ by the dynt of sword whether it be méete for strauÌ„gers two such meÌ„ as they are to iudge a Prince the kings néere kinsman the chiefest part of the Nobility of FrauÌ„ce to be rebels enemies to the king the Realme And let not them pretend the name of the king of Nauar to whom they in the former kinges dayes were sworne enemies They abased him all that they could and caused him to be little regarded of the king hys right and dignity being suppressed in matters of great waighte They cannot deny but that of late dayes when they went about to vsurp the gouernement of the Realme by their meanes it was brought to passe that whatsoeuer the king of Nauar required was denyed al occasion to rule and gouerne either in tyme of war or peace being taken from him and to discharge their spitefull stomacks in the dayes of king Fraunce lately disceased they made him to be lesse estemed then a man of meane state and condition being sent for to Orleans with thretnings and commaundement giuen to Noble men that they should not entertaine him at his cumminge also Marshall Tremen béeinge sent with two armies one of horsemen another of foote men was commaunded to take and â–ª spoyle all his Dominion and to cal the straunger to the pray And when thei saw that their deuise and purpose was let by the soden death of king Fraunces yet notwithstanding they sought by all meanes possible to be deliuered of him and would haue kept him from hauing any authority to rule or gouerne The Duke of Guise openly sayd that he would not departe from the Court neyther at the intreaty nor yet at the commaun dement of the king of Nauar The Marshall of S. Andrew euen in middest of the kinges Counsaile said that be knew no other king or Quene And now they abuse the name of the king of Nauar whoÌ„ they haue so much abused heretofore vnder the pretence wherof they seke the ruin and destruction of his owne naturall brother And they go about to bring to passe that whereas the kinge of Nauar is now beloued of all the Nobilitye of Fraunce he may here after be hated of al that they at the length may spyâ—…te out their venemouse hatred at the full vppon him These are their practises and herevnto tend all their deuises and Counsailes 8 Whereas they require that the king of Nauar wil bend all his force to bring these thinges to passe they plainly euough declare eyther great impudency or els an earnest desire to hinder peace and coÌ„cord For seinge they are fully determined to subdew all those of the reformed Religion to their willes by force of armes they should haue kept it close in secret to themselues vntill we â—…ad bin vnarmed But séeing they do so plainly declare vnto vs their meaning wée will take héede that we be not circumuented and beguiled that is to say we will not vnarme our selues but vpon very sure con ditions and cautions 9 Furthermore they require that by the sentence and wisedome of the Senate of Paris al other things might be added supplied to the making of the Edict Whereby they euideutly shewe in what estimation â–ª they haue the Quéene the king of Nauar and the kings Counsell But I maruaile wherfore they haue no regard of those wise and graue men to vse their Counsell â–ª whom they chose of late to be of the Kinges Counsaile â–ª I doubt not but that ther are in the senate of Paris good men which are nothing inferiour to those of the Senate heretofore in vertue in wisedome and in religion But those thrée Suppliantes haue so handled the matter by bying and selling of offices and by other vnlawfull meanes the the greater number of the Senate are subiect to the Guises so that the voyce of the smaller number â–ª quayleth For probation whereof we haue this The Senat of Paris refused to coÌ„firme that Edicâ—… which was made at that petition of the thrée estates of the Realme and sollemnely confirmed by all the Parliaments and Courtes of the Realme notwithstanding that the kyng him selfe sent his letters and Messengers twise vnto them but of late by the simple commaundement of the kynges Letters another Edict which is contrary to that former Edict in many thinges was by them preferred without any maner of stay This is the hope that we haue of their good and wholesome counsaile 10 To be short they adde this request that the Cities might be yéelded vp againe to the kyng and the Inhabitants therof sworne a new vnto him They woulde bring to passe earnestly séek as they did in the daies of kyng Fraunces the second lately disceased to perswade men that they are the kynges enemies which cannot abide their tirany The Duke of Guise and his bretheren should hold themselues content with this that they haue once already vsed these subtill meanes to the offence of many good men when as they pretented and abused the kyngs name to defend themselues agaynst their enemies If any man were of them suspected to be their enemie â—…ither for that he had at any time spoken vnreuerently of them or for any other cause he was cast by and by into prison was reported to be an enemie to the kyng and to the Realme And because
those their subtil flightes haue once had good successe and haue bene by them abused to the destruction of many if God had not prouided for the same they wold now put them in prac tise againe although there is not one of those which taketh our part which would not willingly spend bestowe all that he hath his life to in the seruice of the kyng yet notwithstanding they call â—…e Rebelles the kynges enemies There is I say not one of vs which would not most gladly for the preseruation of our king whom we alone singularly loue serue reuerence as the only gift of God spend bestowe his life There is none of vs which hath put him self in armour to requier any thing of the Quéen or of the king of Nauar. We require no other kyng whom we may acknowledge reuerence as our liedge Lord Soueraigne Neither do wee require to haue him and his authoritye in our hands We desire not to haue tributes customes taxes other payments due to him to be made to be eased diminished nay on the contrary part we not only haue not refused to beare any burthen that hath ben layed vp pon vs but do also now of our owne accord promise vnto the king to giue vnto him whatsoeuer he wil require so far forth as our goodes wil extend The Cities which are blamed as Rebelles haue not forsaken or changed their Soueraigne they gladly acknowledge al obedieÌ„ce to the kyng They haue not put themselues in armoure against the King such wickednes be farre from them neither haue they sought by force to make the King and his authoritie subiect vnto them But they we haue put our selues in armour against the Guises the Constable and the Marshiall of S. Andrew that with such discre tion modesty that we séeke neither their bloud goods nor offices Therfore they which shall say that we haue put our selues in Armour against the kyng shall impudently lie or els those Suppliants attribute to them selues the kyngs name dignitie But they which shal counsell perswade the king to giue vnto them his authority souldiers money although warre were enter prised against him shal truly one day make an accoÌ„pt of those their couÌ„selles shall declare who hath caused the king the Realme to contend who also hath spent the kings money contrary to the lawes of the Realme And I trust it will so fall out that the goodes which they haue taken out of the Kings treasury to mayntain warres wil be one day repayed againe out of their substance both to the profite of the Kyng and also to the easing and disburthening of the people 11 Last of all they protest that they are ready to goe home to their owne priuate houses yea to the vtmost partes of the world if néede should require and to the end we should not be ignorant they assigne the time of their departure saying When these thinges are fulfilled and brought to passe that is to say When the Edict of January by their priuate authoritie is openly broken when the reformed Religion is wholy abrogated with the preaching of the word of God and the administration of Sacraments when our consciences shal be subiect to the vexatioÌ„ of straunge doctrine wheÌ„ al they that haue im braced the reformed ReligioÌ„ shal be put to sileÌ„ce made subiect to the furor outragions madnes of their enemies being in dauÌ„ger of their liues if they liue otherwise than they would haue them and to vse their owne wordes if they shall liue without offence that is to say if they will come to Masse and to other popish ceremonies this they call to liue without offence These are the conditions which we may looke for at their handes This is their discréete counsaile ¶ But let vs now procéede a little farther and let my petition be ioyned and compared with theirs which I now make as followeth I require the obseruation of the Edict of January they on the contrary part would haue the same abolished They desire the subuersion ruine of many Noble families and of others also I desire that al the kings subiects of what estte or condition soeuer they be of should be in safty stil inioye their goodes liuinges and to be deliuered from all iniury violence and oppression They goe about to kyll and destroye all those of the reformed Religion I séeke to preserue them vntill the Kyng shall come to ryper age to iudge and determine of the whole matter as shall séeme best vnto him and in the meane time I desire that both parts may liue quietly that the papistes may enioy their liuings reuenewes with safety They séeke to deale by open violence not caryng to begin ciuill warre séeking by forrayne ayd to destroy vs spending the kings treasure to the destruction both of the king and also of the realme wherby we are constrayned to defend our selues I neyther desire warres neither do I spend the kinges treasure neither do I séeke the helpe of straungers nay I re fused them alwais hitherto when they haue offered me their seruice so wil I doe still except I be thereunto greatly constrayned by these authours of warres I desire to haue armour put of on both partes do promise that all those which are of my part shal be obedient and that loue and the reuerence which we owe to the king shal more preuail with vs thaÌ„ force of armes for whose preseruation we are ready to spend all that we haue They desire that we may be counted rebells and open enemies our cause not heard yea they séeke our bloud our offices our goods and our consciences We neyther séeke their bloud their offices their goods nor their consciences This only we séeke for at their hands to whoÌ„ wée will be bound that they and wée will go home euery man to his own house according to the tenor of those conditions which we haue more copiously declared in the Instrument which we sent to the King and Quéene con cerning this matter Neyther can they complayne say that they are hereby dishonored séeing that we submit our selues to the same conditions Our peticion is alike without any manner of inequalitie we desire nothing but that which is indifferent for both partes séeing that they theÌ„selues came otherwise then they ought to haue come to the king and were the causes of these troubles by their vntimely vsurping of armour And they haue violently assaulted so many good men that although our petitions are not alike and so indifferent yet notwithstanding it should be expedient for the peace tranquillitie of the realme to haue rather regard consideration of many men than of a few least the whole kingdome for these causes be brought into peril of ciuill warres But although there be no comparison betwéene these two peticions séeing the one is iust and equal but the other vniust and violent
the one seeking warres horrible murther the other peace and the generall profiâ—…e of all men yet notwithstanding the Quéene may iudge determine of the whole matter But and if shée cannot at this time fréely declare hir iudgement eyther beinge stayed by violence or else because shée will not for other causes offend them yet notwithstanding this thing wée craue and request at her hands séeing these times great ly requireth the same namely That their supplication and myne may be registred in the publike Commentaries of the Senate That the Edict of Ianuary maye bée obserued and that both partes laying asyde their weapons may depart to their own houses vntill the Kinge comming to ryper yeares shal be able to iudge and order the whole matter as it shall please him or else till the Quéene with the aduise of hir counsaile shal determine of the same The remedie appertayneth to both partes neither caÌ„ any man complaine that hée receyueth any preiudice it is so easy to be done the whosoeuer shall refuse y same cannot deny himself to be an enemy to the king and the realme Neither can it be but that they shal be iudged of all men to be in the blame which refuse the remedye so easie to be had for so great misery and calamitie lyke too ensue It shal be iudged also who is a traytour and an open enemie to the king and the realme eyther he which willingly offereth to vnarme himselfe or he which had rather destroy all than restore the King agayne to hys former liberty But because ciuil warres haue alwayes euill successe the soldiers minds and handes being not easie to bée restrayned I protest before God and men that I put my self in armour and prepare my soldiers to battaill with great grief of mind and doe hartely desire that so great calamities and miseries as are like to come by these ciuill warres might be auerted and appeased by my bloud only if it might so please god But bicause my reasonable request is reiected and séeing my aduersaries wil be Iudges in this cause I protest agayn that my only purpose and intent is to restore the king and Quéene into their former liberty and to bring the gouernement of y kingdome to the Quéene and to the king of Nauar and to deliuer the greatest part of the people from the tyraÌ„nie and oppression of such as haue vsurped the gouernement of the realme I haue no regard to my owne priuate commoditie or gayne in this cause I am not led by ambition by a desire to reuenge or by couetousnesse as knoweth the Lord whose glory and truth I séeke to defende with the dignitie of the King and peace and tranquillitie of the Realme While the matter was thus canuassed too and fro by writing and the Guises with their compartners bearing only an outward shew to the Quéene of reuerence and séeking notwithstanding daily more and more to rule gouerne the realme themselues the Quéen by hir effeminat and timerouse nature was very doubtful being carefull for hir libertie authoritie which shée had lost and fearing also the ambition of the Guises and his adherents And being afeard of their great power she stood in doubt whether she should incline to them or leane to the Prince of Conde Notwithstanding shée wrote often letters vnto him by faithfull messengers and sometime she sent her mind by word of mouth not daring to send by letters Of some of the which letters we haue here put downe the Coppies I Sée such sights dayly to my great grief my welbeloued Cosin that except I looked for helpe froÌ„ God dyd coÌ„fort my self with the trust which I haue in you wherby I am perswaded that you wil preseÌ„tly seke to preserue me the realme and the king my Son I should be much more gréeued than I am But I hope that all thinges shal be very well ordered by vs with the helpe of your good Counsel to the frustrating of all their actions and practises which séeke to destroy al thinges But because I haue at large declared the whole matter vnto this messenger I wil be here the more briefe Only I besech you to credit that which he shall tell you concerning al those things which I haue giuen him in charge to declare vn to you two Your Cosin CATHARINE Also this which foloweth is the copie of another of her letters I giue you harty thankes my deare Cosine for that you so oftentymes certifie me of your affaires and because I trust to sée you ere it be long face to face and to talke with you my selfe I wil not now write much vnto you Only this I request of you that you fully perswade your selfe that I wil neuer forget those things which you haue done for my sake And if it fortune that I did before I shal be able to acknowledge recompeÌ„ce so great a benefit I wil giue my children charge to supply such lacke in mée to requite the same I haue commaunded this messenger to tell you many things Thus much only I certify you of that I do as I do and behauâ—… my selfe as you knowe to worke if it might be peace and concord the which I knowe that you my welbeloued Cosin desier no lesse than I. Salute I pray you in my name your wyfe your wyues Mother and your Uncle Your deare and louing Cosin CATHARINE Whereas the Quéene complaineth in these letters that shée is in great sorrowe and greefe and noteth also many authours of troubles she speaketh of the Guises and his fellowes whom notwithstanding shée durst not openly resiste neyther yet take part with the Prince of Conde And whereas shée sayeth that shée trusteth it wil shortly come to passe that shée shall sée him face to face the occasion was this when nothing went forward neither by letters nor yet by messengers sent from one to another the Quene made peticion to the Prince of Conde that he would come talke with the King of Nauar to the intent they might haue mutuall conference of the whole matter and might deuise some way for peace and concorde The Prince of Conde yelded to the request the place and time for their meting was appointed namely the first of Iune At which tyme the Quéene the Kynge of Nauar and the Prince of Conde met togither in the Region of Beausse in the mid way betwéene Paris and Orleans At this their méeting they commoned of many thinges of the which we will speake hereafter as they were publiquely put downe in writinge by the Prince of Conde The Quene durst not graunt any thing to the Prince of Conde neither did the king of Nauar his brother shew himself any whit tractable or frendly Wher vpon they brake of and departed without any profite by their méeting and conference their minds being therby not a little exasperated and grudge raysed against one another The Quéene and the Kyng of Nauar plainely denied to the Prince
haue the matter quieted or thei which had rather bring al things into present peril daunger than to forsake their armour which most vniustâ—…y they haue put on and to followe peace which they haue vngodly forsaken Iudge I beséeche you if thâ—… matter came thereunto that they had destroyed them whom they perceyue to resiste their ambition in what state should the kingdome then stande the kéeper protector wherof you are and of what power you should be of to defend and preserue the same If the matter ' concerne your dignitie you may call to mind what manner of persons they are which scarce two yeres since were not contented not only to take away your dignitie but sought your life also And whether they haue since that time chaunged their mindes I cannot tell time truely will reueale but thus much I protest for my selfe that the obedience which I owe vnto you I will performe shew while life doth last vpon condicion that he may bée made equall with those which are neither so néere vnto you by bloud nor yet so borne to obey you as hée is Neuerthelesse you shal graunt me leaue to be ignorant how they can be your friends who are not content agayn to séeke to put your brother to death except thye make you the minister and instrument of their hatred But wey consider that I haue spoken these things not for myne own cause but for the glory of Gods sake for the loue of my countrey and in respect of you before you procéed any further to set vpon him which by the bond of nature is no lesse carefull and louing vnto you than you are to your self for as by the leaue of God hée wil neuer cease to doe his dutie vnto you euen so hée had rather suffer death than to wishe those calamities which will follow this contention which way soeuer the victory shall encline But and if the authours of these troubles which ought to submit them selues to reason and equitie doe prosecute their counsells being not restrayned by you to whom God hath giuen authoritie we trust by the help of God the defence of whose glory wée will séeke to the shedding of the last drop of our bloud that you shall behold that euent which shall euidently declare vnto you the endes of all their counsails and shal also certifie you how faythfull a harte not only I but this whole assembly also haue borne to you next vnto God and the King and Quéene The Prince of Conde sent with his letters also the summe of his petitions briefly contayned in writing in maner and forme following I think saith he that these are conuenient and necessary meanes and waies to auoyd the perturbations and troubles which hange ouer the realm the which I propound by the leaue of the King and Queen For so much as before thei began their counsail which were the first that put themselues in armour and which as yet kéepe the Kinge in their custodie by force of armes all thys whole realme began to enioy peace and tranquillitie concerning religion men of both sorts of religioÌ„ thinking themselues in very good case by the benefite of the Edicte made in the moneth of January last past with the aduise and consent of the Princes the kings kinsmen of the Kings Counsaill and by the consent of all the most notable men of all the kingdome and experience will shewe that without the obseruation of that Edict there cannot be peace and concord kept among the kings subiectes First of all I require this that the same Edicte of January according to the forme thereof be obserued and kept without alteration of the same vntill the determination of another Parliament or vntil such time as the King himself by lawfull age shal be able to take vpon him the gouernement of the Realm and to order the matter according to his owne discretion to whome I and my CoÌ„federates doo yéeld ourselues in such wyse to obey that if it should please the King to take from vs the benefite of the reformed Religion we would also alter our purpose and obey Secondly that al violent actes on both partes coÌ„mitted since the time that they put themselues in armour may be punished and that whatsoeuer hath bene done and constituted since that time may be quite abolished and taken away because the mindes of the Kinge and Quéene were and are captiued by the Guises And because the coÌ„ming of the Guises of the Constable and of the Marshal of S. Andrewe into the Court and many of their déedes which they did are the only causes of these tumults I can sée no other way to bring peace and concord then to haue theÌ„ to depart from the court The which I desire not for that I for my owne parte beare vnto theÌ„ any euill will but to the end the King Quéene may haue their liberty that the Quéene may haue her authority in gouerning the kingdome that the Edictes may be obserued that there may be some con sideration regard had of mée of those which attend vpon me of all the reformed Churches which otherwise stand in great feare I desire therfore that the Guises the Constable and the Marshall of S. Andrew may laie aside their armour and that they may go home to their owne Lordships vntill the kinge come to more perfite age And I promise that I and they which are with mée shall do the like And to the end the matter may be sene to be spoken in good faith I wil giue my Eldest Sonne in hostage and al the rest of my children to be most precious pledges of my faithfull meaning These are the most equall and indifferent pledges that I could deuise And I protest that I will put away all causes of debate and enmity that appertayned to me and the Guises for the kinge and Quéenes sake The which Conditions if they be reiected I sai and affirme the which also I haue oftentymes protested that not I but they are the authours of al those calamities and miseries which by reason of all these Ciuill warres haue happened vnto mée who haue reiected these conditions to the present peril of the kingdome ¶ The fyfth Booke of Commentaries concerning the state of the common wealth and Religion in Fraunce vnder the raigne of King Charles the ninth THESE peticions and admonitioÌ„s of the Prince of Conde to coÌ„corde tooke no place but were lightly regarded whereby the matter daylye waxed worse worse The quene could neyther retaine her authoritie neyther did shée care at the length to haue the same And whereas at the first shée was drawne away from the Prince of Conde through feare shée became now through effeminate rashnes and inconstancy a bitter enemye to him and his cause The Kinge of Nauar being vtterly blinded and bereâ—…t of iudgement was so inflamed with wrath and greate indignation against his brother and his adherents also against the reformed Churches as
though he had neuer heard any thing concerning the truth neyther yet had had experience of the mindes of the Guises Therfore he was wholely led and caried by the Guises whethersoeuer they would haue him who to make him more sure on their side insâ—…ared him with harlots and with other intiseing vaine pleasures in the which they perceiued the King of Nauar to haue most delight He therefore fulfilling the minds of the Guises in euery point stoutly thondred out the Kings authority against the Prince of Conde and his fellowes These were the first beginninges of this Ciuill warre the kingedome and the Church of God being cast into great extremities â–ª So greatly may the subtil deuises of vngodly men disturbe the societie of the godly vnlesse the prouidence of God do gouern the euent and pronide a prosperouse ende amiddest so great outrage There were certain letters brought in the kings name to the Prince of Conde to his fellowes the which promised peace vnto them after a sort vpon these coÌ„dicions namely If the Prince of Conde and his fellowes according to their former coÌ„maundement froÌ„ the king wold out of hand vnarme themselues and would yéeld vp into the Kings power their cities The which if thei wold doo the Guises the Constable the Martial of S. Andrewe promised as they had also done before that they would go home to their houses Also that the King of Nauar should haue at his commaundement all maner of Artillery and should take and chuse out of the armye of the Prince of Conde for the vse of the King and the realme whatsoeuer séemed good vnto him To these thinges if they would yéeld and graunt the King would forgyue pardon their offence in putting themselues in armour and would leaue to euery man the frée vse of Religion so that euery man should liue peaceably at home without receyuing of any hurt for Religion This was don the twelueth day of June the Martial Vielle and the aarle Villarius being sent with the letters for this matter To these letters the Comparteners of the Prince of Conde made this aunswer First We render all humble thanks to your Maiestie for that you seeme to haue so great a care and coÌ„sideration for our peace and safety But whereas it is thought that the putting of our armour would be a great cause of the same it séemeth too vs otherwise for that you stand in néed of our ayd against those which séeke the destruction of you of your realme and of your faithful subietces For by these meanes we may séeke to restore your Maiestie and your mother too that liberty authority which ye had before the Duke of Guise came into the court It séemeth vnto vs at this time that neyther you nor your mother are at libertie as may be perceyued by the effects This we request that the Edict of January may be generally obserued kept throughout the Realme that in certayne places in the which there is most daunger of sedition the faithful mai haue leaue to haue their Temples within the Cities that the Guises the Constable and the Marshiall of S. Andrew may depart from the Court and that they come not into the same agayn nor haue any maner of gouern ment of the kingdom during the Kings minoritie Also that whatsoeuer hath ben done by the kings counsaile from that time since the which the Guises haue kept the King and Quéen in their custody by force of armes may be boyd and of none effect Furthermore wée request that the Cardinall of Ferrar a prâ—…uoker and mouer of warres may forthwith depart the Realme and spéede him to Rome and that he certefie the Pope that if hée will appoint a common counsell either at Lions Auinion or Bezance they were ready by the Kinges leaue to come to that Counsell But whereas it is sayd that wée shall haue pardon for putting on armour there séemeth to vs no cause why we should need any pardone Since we haue not horne armour against the king but for the King yea wée are sofarre fâ—…om deseruing blame herefore that wee rather deserue all commendation prayse and rewarde Which shall well appeare to the Kinge when hée commeth to that rypenesse of yeares that he may iudge of our merites and well deseruing vntill which time we desire that the writings of the Prince of Conde and of the Triumuiri might be registred in all the Courtes of Paris Moreouer it séemeth not necessary vnto vs that any manner of artillerie should be taken awaye onely it is necessary to bring to passe that the Triumuiri which are the authours and causes of the war and these troubles do lay asyde their armour for wée desire nothinge more than peace As for the Cities which we haue fortified we doe and will euer acknowledge them to be the Kings And wée vtterly mislike that the Triumuiri sould bring into the Realme any forrain power Wherefore we desire not that the armies of forrein Princes be brought into the realm but that they would only be suerties for the performance of the Condicions Therefore we desire the Emperour the Princes Electors the Quéenes of England and Scotland the King of Spaine the common wealth of Vennize and the Switzers to giue their warrantise and suertiship for the performance of these condiâ—…ions These thinges notwithstanding were attempted in vayne mens myndes on both sydes béeing inflamed to warres The Prince of Conde and those of his syde trusted to the goodnesse of their cause howbeit they sought all that they coulde for peace and concorde althoughe both in number and also in courage they farre excéeded their aduersaries perswading themselues to haue the victorye The Guises and hys fellowes greatly leaned to the Kinges authoritie and had in their custodye the Kinges treasure So that what with their own subtill practises and what with the helpe of the Kinge of Nauar they brought many things to passe For the kings name and authority carieth with it such a maiestie and reuerence throughout the whole Realme of Fraunce as euer the name of a king hath done or may in any Kingdome the subiectes hauing in them a certaine naturall loue as it were ingraffed By which name how greatly the Guises haue preuailed experience hath taughte The Guises also were holpen by the Spaniards by the Italians and by the Swizers whâ—…se helpe the Guises required euen wheÌ„ they tooke their couÌ„saile first to begin warres The Guises had also on their part the Citie of Paris the Senate the people and many other great and mightie Cities So that they were very strong on both partes insomuch that all thinges considered it was not easie to be diâ—…erned which was the stronger part At this first beginning the Prince of Conde his part were both in number and courage far surpassing the Guises but the Guises and his adherents excéeded the other part in pollicie and subtill sleightes Notwithstanding God did so moderate
he attempted no maner of force because of the letters that came in the meane time The sixe and twenty day following the Guises the Constable and the Marshall of Saint Andrew departed from their Campes And by by word was brought to the Prince of Conde that those thrée accordinge to the forme of the peticion were departed from their armie home to their houses When the Prince of Conde vnderstoode this he came to the King of Nauar to Baugence with a fewe only attending vppon him Wherevppon he was brought through the middest of the host in al the hast to a village called Talsiac wher the Quéene aboade and betwene Baugence that Uillage Talsiac were placed certain Garrisons of soldiers When he came to the Quéene he was of her very louingelye entertained and had many faire promises made him and by request easely obtayned leaue of her that certain of his fellowes might come vnto that place both to the end they might salute her and also that they might conferre and talke togither concerninge concord and peace In the meane tyme woord was brought to the frendes and fellowes of the Prince of Conde that the Guises the Constale and the Marshall of Saint Andrew abode still at Chastellodune which was not far distant from Talsia where the Quéene and the Prince of Conde abode and certaine letters also of the Dukeeof Guise to the Cardinall of Loraine his Brother were taken by the way and brought to them Of which letters this is the summe word for word as they were written I send vnto you this messenger in all hast possible to certefie you that all thinges were yesterday finished And know you this also for certaine that many are blinded and deceiued very much Our Mother and her brother sweare that they will not forsake vs and that they will followe no other Counsell than the Counsayle of such whom you know To be short the reformed Religion if we behaue our selues wisely as we mean to do will haue a fall Ye and our Admirall shall haue euill successe All our power remayneth still whole but theires is broken and dispersed our Cities are rendred vp againe without any maner of mencion of preaching or of the administration of Sacraments This messenger which I send vn to you is trustie There came also to the hands of the Prince of Conde by the meanes of one of the kyng of Nauars houshold seruaunts a note in writing of the Duke of Guises left with the Kyng of Nauar for a remembraunce to this effect Let there be no obligation made for Religion See that the pledge be kept in any wise Concerning the rendering vp of the Cities let there be no delay Order the matter wisely Suffer them in no wise to come any neerer to Orleans Let vs be diligently certefied and admonished of all things These forewarnings greatly troubled the Prince of Conde and his adherents they sawe that he was fallen into the handes of his enemies so that there was great daunger on euery side Notwithstanding his friendes thinking it not good to delay the matter and to suffer the Prince to be in perill when they had giuen the Captaines charge to be vigilant and to haue their souldiers in a redines came to the Queene The principall wherof were these the Admirall the Andelot Monsuer Porcia Monsuer Rochfocald Monsuer Rohan Monsuer Genluis Monsuer Grammontius Monsuer Soubizius and Monsuer Piennius These saluted the Quéene and were very louingly entertayned of her She gaue vnto them thankes for their great diligence and paines for her and the kynges prifite at that time insomuch that she sayd they had pre serued her life and the kyngs the which their merits deseruing honour pryce the sayd she wold neuer or get Then they declared to the Quéene with what fidelitie they had serued the Kyng with their body goods vnder the Prince of Conde they shewed vnto her the equitie of their cause which at that time was in controuersie and their earnest care also which they had for the preseruation of the kynges dignitie and the peace profite of the whole Realme Whereuppon they most hartely prayed and beséeched the Quéene that they might not preferre the immaginations of a few men before those things which appertayned to the glory of God and the safetie of the Realme For God saye they will defend euery good cause and seuerely punish all kind of wickednes which are committed against the Kyngs Edicts abusing the Kinges name therunto For himselfe also the Prince of Conde protested that it séemed very straūge vnto him that some shuld be had in such estimation and no regard at all to be had of him which was not only néere of kin to the king whereas the other were straungers and but seruants to the kyng but also had offered all maner of indifferent conditions and submission Wherefore he sayd it was now high time to prouide some remidies to resist and repell those calamities at hand The Quéene being before instructed concerning euery thing what answere she should make began not to answere to those things which were spoken by the Prince of Conde but to declare That the number power and authority of those was very great which followed and imbraced the Church of Roome and they haue the sword in their hands sayth she and are fully determined to defend that Religion which all former kings haue receiued and imbraced so that they meane this shal be the principall condition among the rest for concord and peace That there be no other Religion obserued followed throughout the whole Realme than the Catholique Religion of Roome But the Prince of Conde in the name of the rest replied that they did not plead their owne priuate cause but whatsoeuer had ben done by them vntill that day was done first for the defence of the kynges libertie and authoritie and secondly for a common wealth and herevppon they put themselues in armour at the first by the Quéenes commaundement for the which cause they did not care if they spent their goods liues so that the kyngs Edict might be obserued and kept wherby euery man might haue leaue to vse the reformed Religiō and the libertie of their conscience without the benefite wherof they thought them selues to be but dead Insomuch that if they in whom so great a number of faithfull did repose their trust for the handling of these matters should so much ouershoote themselues and forget their dutie that they should agrée to those thinges which were so repugnant to the glory of God and the common profite of all men it could not be auoyded but that they should be counted of all men forsakers contemners of the glory of God of the kings dignitie and safetie of the cōmon peace tranquillity of the realme The which rather then it should come to passe shoulde cause them to forsake the realm before they would agrée to those so vniust
the sentence of the Iudge behold sayth he I and my fellowes ouer and aboue the former declarations of our innocencie do publish these things in maner and forme following First of all whereas I am excluded out of that nomber that are counted rebelles the singuler loue care that I haue for the Kinges maiestie and dignitie wyll not suffer me not to accounte my selfe a partaker and sustainer of that wound and hurie which is done vnto those men whom I know neuer to haue had any other respecte and consideration then the preseruation of the Kinges maiestie and of the whole Realme And I affirme that I thinke my selfe so little gratefied hereby that I thinke they haue done vnto me great iniury in that they haue gon about to except and seperate me froÌ„ so honest godly a coÌ„pany of the kinges louinge faith full subiectes Therfore I being perswaded before God men that their Innocencie is such that no one iot of disobedience or rebellion can be iustly imputed to them or mée intend to ioyne my selfe and to be in the same condition with them whose cause and mind is all one who are also of the same religion of the same lyfe that I am of and are also no lesse careful than I to mainetain and aduaunce the true woorship of God in this realme And as I can not nor ought to be disliked of theÌ„ at whose coÌ„mauÌ„dements I haue iustly put my selfe in armour eueÌ„ so I ought not neither wil I seperate my self froÌ„ them who at my entreatie haue armed theÌ„selues with me are of the same will mind that I am of Furthermore I haue sufficient experience of those wonted subtilties in my aduersaries in so much that I may easely vnderstaÌ„d what they go about by making exception of me As also may euidently appeare by those letters rescripts sent to the Liuetenaunt of the prouinces in the which letters I my selfe amonge others am comprehended But to the end it maye appeare that they rather ought to be counted Rebelles which obiecte rebellion vnto vs that is to saie that they are Rebelles in dâ—…de which were the first that put them selues in Armoure to breake the authoritie of the Kinges Edictes and not we which to hinder their mischeuous attempts armed our selues we wil briefly repeat those things which ar more at large setforth in our former declaratioÌ„s Al meÌ„ know the Edit of Ianuary brought such peace traÌ„quilli ty to the whole realme that the state of the kyngdome being before tossed and tormoyled with tempestious waues of diuers troubles séemed to haue attayned at the length to the most quiet hauen of peace and tranquillitie when as the Duke of Guise commiting a most horrible slaughter at Vassi openly declared that he inteÌ„ded nothing but open warre against the Kings dignitie against the peace tranquillitie of the whole Realme The which thing as méete it was I could not take in good part for that I know my self to be bound by the bond of consanguinitie to mayntayne the Kyngs Crowne dignitie which the Guises of late went about to deface For this séemed vnto me to be very lewde that a sub iect durst be so bold so openlyto coÌ„temne the law of his Prince that such a law as was made coÌ„firmed by al the states of the Realme in sollempne Courte of Parliament And although I of my owne aucthoritie had theÌ„ iust occasioÌ„ offered me to withstaÌ„d so bold an enterprise against the king his lawes yet notwithstanding I did moderate stay my selfe vntil such time as I had expresse commaundement to take the matter in hand And here I beséech the Quéene to call to her remembrance how that when she was at Saint Germans she was certified of the whole purpose counsayle and intent of the Guises as that shée should bée put beside her authoritie and that her most faythfull and trustie seruants that were about her should bée put from her to the end that when they had gotten the gouernement of the Realme they might rule and order all thinges at their owne pleasure Of the which matter when she vnderstoode and of the League also which the Spanish â–ª Ambassadours intruded she was wonderfully troubled and gréeued insomuch that for this cause she intreated me that I wold with all spéede gather together so great a power as I could to hinder the same The which request I faithfully accomplished hauinge both a consideration to the Quéenes commaundement and also of my dutie towardes the Kyng and the Realme This was the beginning of all those things which I haue prosecuted euer since that time setting my self against those whom the Quéene iudged to be our enemies And here also let her call to minde those whom at that time shee coulde name one by one But when the Guises by their conspiracies both at Paris and els where had openly bewrayed to all men that thing which before was setretly in their mindes the Quéene againe both by her letters and also by messengers confirmed that her former charge and commaundement giuen vnto mée which was that I shuld withstand the violence of the Guises and his adherents And here I pray and most humbly beséech her that so farre forth as the faith and word of a Quéene ought to stand firme she would set before her eyes euen those things which she wrote vnto me with her owne hand the which I am now constrayned to publish abrode for all men to behold that in her letters also my innocencie maye bee séene For I must néedes assure my selfe of this that shée cannot chuse but be mindfull of those thinges which she wrote vnto me from Fontainbleau â–ª in the Moneth of March commending the Kyng and her selfe also vnto mée in these woordes I commend vnto you â–ª the Mother and her children and of that also which shée wrote vnto me with her owne hand by Monsuer Bocauan at what time the power of the Guises was at Paris that I would not vnarme my selfe before my aduersaries had done the like affirming also that euery man might sée to what end their conspiracie tended Let hir also remember how oftentimes she hath séemed and hath signified also the same by letters to accept and like very well of my doinges which she sayd she would put the Kyng in mind of that when he came to lawfull age he might reward me according to my well deseruing To this purpose it serueth which shée spake to the Admirall a few dayes before he should depart from the Court namely that she knew him to bée so faithfull and obedient to the Kyng and to her that hée would indeuoure himselfe all that he could to deliuer them from the oppression of the Guises Insomuch that of late she wrote vnto him by Monsuer Rembouill that she thought him to be so faythfull a seruant to the King and so carefull for the Kynges crowne and dignitie that she would vse his aduise and counsayle
to pacefie the present troubles To be short her behauiour towardes me and my fellowes when we and shée were together at Baugence do so playnely proue her consent and agréement in this matter that it shall be néedelesse to repeate many other arguments to proue this thing For there before seuen Noble men shée speaking of our dutifull obedience protested vnto vs that she did acknowledge that we by our déedes had preserued her life and the Kynges These thinges considered haue our aduersaries any reason nay haue they any coniecture of Rebellion against vs By whose aucthoritie shall we be sayd to be Rebelles Shall we be sayd to be Rebelles by the Kyng and Quéenes authoritie who haue giuen vs expresse coÌ„maundements to arme our selues who flée vnto vs for succour in these perilles who by their will letters and messages like of our doings giue vs thankes and approue the same as profitable for the preseruasion of this Realme Furthermore all men know that those our enemies haue abused the Kyng Quéenes names whose willes also they haue captiued vnto them â–ª The which is the only cause why I and my fellowes haue hitherto testified and as yet also do vnfainedly protest That we will not receiue any Edicts Rescripts or Decrées comming forth in the Kynges name so long as he enioyeth not his libertie For probation wherof this example may serue namely That the Quéene complayned vnto vs oftentimes in hir letters that she could not therfore graunt vnto vs our requestes because the contrary part was mightier and the people armed And although the Kinges name since the Moneth of Aprill last past hath ben so abused yet notwithstanding the matter thereby hath the more playnely appeared but most playnely by those letters which the Quéene sent by Monsure de Villars and MoÌ„sure Vieilleuill the xxiiy day of May In the which shée wrote that shée deliuered the Kyng into other mens handes vnderstanding by these woordes other mens handes our aduersaries Whereuppon it followeth that this sentence of Rebellion and all other thinges done in the Kynges name ought to be iudged to be done by our enemies séeing the Kyng is in their handes as appeareth by the testimony of the Quéene Let men iudge therfore what sentence that is against the condemned being pronounced by those which are both aduersaries and Iudges But let vs sée what great fault of Rebellion that is which is layed to our charge and why it is ob iected to vs Because say they they will not vnarme them selues If this be the fault I demaund what they are to be called which comming to the Court armed although they had no enemies in Armes yet notwithstanding would not vnarme them selues at the commaundemeÌ„t of the Kyng and Quéene and which continew in the same boldnes and presumption still But who is hée which at the commaundement of the enemie will laye aside the sword which he hath drawne to fight What doth the enemy els in commaunding me to vnarme my selfe than to will me to commit my goods to the spoile and my life to crueltie and also to receiue the lawe at the handes of an outlawe Is not that to breake the fence with the which God hath inclosed his Church that being destitute of fence and inunition men may fall in to the handes of their cruell and fierce enemies Furthermore all men know very well that I alwayes offered to laye aside my Armour so soone as my enemies vnarming them selues had restored the Kyng to his former libertie Was it not méete that they which were the first that put them selues in Armour and that without commauÌ„dement and aucthoritie and against the expresse Edicts and commaundements of the Kyng and Quéene should bée the first in like maner that shoulde vnarme them selues rather than they which by their example put on Armoure that is to saye by the commaundement of the Kyng and Quéene to preserue them and also to defend the Edictes from the oppression and violence of others To be short let all my actes done vntill this day be examined and it shal be found that my aunsweres my declarations conditions and all my actions are testimonies of my innocencie What condition of peace agréeable to reason and equitie haue I aâ—…any time refused nay rather I and my fellowes haue desired the same How often tymes haue I refused straungers least they should enter into thys Realme Haue I not signified the equitie of my cause to forreyne Princes that haue ben in league with thys Realme and desired them that they would be meanes to take vp and pacefie these controuersies With what modesty haue I behaued my selfe in those Cities which were in my handes Was there euer any signe shewed of violence or vniust dealing Whereas the enimies assaulting the Kings Cities and taking away the benefite of the Kings Edictes concerning Religion did all things with barbarouse crueltie in so much that they filled the streates of the Cities with deade bodies and caused the earth to flowe with innocent bloud Let men therefore iudge by the effectes who they bee that are worthy to be counted gilty of Rebellion Am I and my fellowes which haue armed our selues to defende and mayntayne the Kings Lawes made by solemne acte of Parliament so to be counted or our enemies who putting themselues in armoure without the Kings authoritie haue broken the Edictes spoiled Cities brought the Kings subiects to the slaughter and taking awaye the Kinges Edictes and specially that notable and worthy Edict of Ianuary haue made newe Edictes themselues Therefore if all the partes of this cause be vprightly wayed it shal be found that I and my fellowes are falsly accused of Rebellion of those which are theÌ„selues rebelles in déed and of sedition by those which haue ben themselues since the dayes of King Henry the causes of all those troubles which haue afflicted the Realme also of treason by those which go about to oppresse the king depraue the Kings Edictes and abuse his name and authoritie to enriche them selues to his ruine and decaye They euen they are gilty of diuine treason against the maiestie of the liuing God whose actions haue alwais declared that Ambition is their GOD Couetousnesse their Religion and worldly Pleasures their felicitie who haue proclaymed open warre agaynst the sonne of God and agaynst the professours of his word who play the Anabaptistes rebaptizing infantes again who haue their houses full of rapines and their handes defiled with innocent bloud And they are gilty of humane trea son which contemne the Kings lawes kéepe the Kinge as a captiue beset with armed men on euery syde and which seeke the destruction of the King and the Realm And to conclude they are gilty of Treason which haue encouraged and brought the whole Realme to wickednesse and to oppresse the libertie of the Gospell and which doe bind the Kinges subiectes vnto them in seruice by an othe Those outragiouse kindes of wickednesse and horrible actes do crye that the Guises
and his fellowes are rebelles seditiouse and gilty both of Diuine and humane treason Contrarywyse it is euident that they are the true and faithfull subiectes of the King which stoutely withstand their rebellions seditions and wicked practises to ouerthrow the Kings authoritie and the state of the Realme Of the which matter beside the Arguments which I haue alleadged this also may be a testimony That they haue ouerthrowne the Law and Gouernement of this Realme and that in the Senate of Paris whose helpe thei haue abused in this false and perniciouse sentence of Rebellion And truely they could not haue found more wicked and corrupt meÌ„ and more seruiseable to their mindes who either had their offices by fauor of the Guises or else hoped to come to some preferment by them and many of the chiefe of them haue conspired with the Guises the lamentable successe wherof wée féele at this day And truly we must néedes confesse that among all the calamities with the which God hath afflicted this realme this one is the greatest that this Senat which ought to be the place of Iustice the refuge and Sanctuary of the oppressed and the brydel punishment of vice is so declined from his right natu rall vse that it looseth the raynes and openeth the gate to all Iniustice violence and to all vnbrideled wickednesse And for probation hereof I do not only bring in the manifold iniuries which they haue done to diuers the complaintes the cryes and the bloud of so many oppres sed condemned and slayne innocents by them but specially I bring forth this false and peruerse iudgement which thei haue denounced against vs which is an iniury done to a great number of men whose lyfe actions haue alwaye testified the reuerent obedience which we wishe might be giuen to the king But to the end those vniust Iudges might leaue nothing vndone they pronounced this sentence the cause not heard no matters discussed and the reasons of iustification not vnderstood also they being refused and the causes of the refusall or appeale being declared yet neuerthelesse they persisted in their purpose that all men might knowe how that in the Senat of Paris there ar no other Iudges but preposterouse opinions corruptions and hatreds that there are no other lawes than the contempt open violating of the Kings Lawes Edictes and of his approued customes And here I appeale vnto you which beare the name of Iudges What is it to deale vniustly corruptly if this be not so to deale â–ª For where is there any forme of Iustice obserued where are the reasons with the which they that are gilty are conuinced where is y auncient approued custome that one Iudge in one the selfesame cause ought not to be Iudge also plaintiue Wherfore haue you made your selues Iudges of those men which haue refused you to be their Iudges hauing so many reasons mouing theÌ„ therunto as there ar argumeÌ„ts of iniustice in you And to speak truly are ye not iustly and vpon good and sufficient cause refused which haue thrust out of your society all those which yée thought would not condescend agrée to your conspiracies that is to say yée which by that your Edict put the sword into the hande of the furiouse and mad people against the law of God the law of man your own lawes and against the whole peace tranquillitie of the realm Who haue proclaymed the Ministers of the reformed Churches to be open enemies and traytors to the King whom notwithstanding the King had receyued into his fauour and which also vpon this condicion were sworn to the King. You truly which are growne to such boldnesse that by your Deputies Monsieur de Fay and Monsieur Chambo that ye durst say vnto the king that these words concerning the enterance into peace concord séemed won derfull vnto you and perniciouse and that ye would neuer allow these reasons coÌ„cerning the making of peace betwéene mée my aduersaries to take away all doubt that ye were to me and to my fellowes mortall sworn enemies But what néedeth many wordes Let men coÌ„sider the Metropolitane Citie of the kingdome in the which ye dwell let men consider the horrible cruelties which the people dayly commit before your eyes with your consent will and prouocation Let men consider the greatest part of you of the which many to the ende ye may the better shew your selues to haue cast awaye Iustice and rather to vse violence and force than the law are become of Iudges and Councellers or Senators soldiers and haue chaunged your pennes into swordes and your scarlet gownes into armour ye shewe your selues to be warlike Captaines and are openly séene in armour setting forward this kinde of wickednesse very far vnméete for your calling Let all these things be considered But and if rebells cannot iudge of rebellion and open enemies of peace tranquillitie of sedition also if the breakers of the kings lawes cannot iudge of traytours if I say they which are condemned themselues ought not to condemne others ye cannot deny but that those whom ye haue condemned haue iust and vndoubted reasons not onely to refuse you but also to haue you punished accordinge to your wickednesses committed Therfore al these things being iustly wayed in equall ballance shall euidently appeare to all those which shall bring to the discerning of this cause an vpright iudgement without preiudice although nothing be brought to defend my innoceÌ„cy the innoceÌ„cy of my fellowes against this vniust iudgmeÌ„t yet notwithstanding the matter is so apparant plain that it speaketh for it selfe and plainlye conuinceth the false and impudent sclaunders of the Iudges our aduer saries And this thing I leaue to all men to consider of what iust cause I haue to be gréeued séeing that I haue alwayes faythefully obeyed the commaundements of the King and Quéene for their defence and haue done so much as a man of my estate degrée and calling might doo for the peace and profite of the whole Realme and now to be recompenced with these rewardes as to haue my seruise done to y king called in question my obedience couÌ„ted Sedition This thing is not only greuouse vnto me but altogither intollerable And although they cannot touch me with that note of infamy which they lay vnto my charge yet notwithstandinge I professe and acknowledge that I haue a great desier to defend my estimation and credit and the estimation of my fellowes and will séeke by all meanes possible that our innocencie may appeare not only to our contrey men but also to people of forreine nations and that it may be remembred among all pâ—…sterities And because I perceaue that by so vniust a sentence pronounced against me and my fellowes and by the breaking of the lawes and auncient customes of Fraunce the way to attaine iustice is stopt against me that I can haue no hope to looke for the obseruation of the
kinges Edictes and therefore not to declare and shewe forth my innocency as I would for these causes I am compelled to take the sworde in hand as the only and last refuge The which séeinge I haue taken into my handes both at the commaundement of the King and Quéene and also for my office and callinges sake which I am of in this Realme I protest that I am in the same mind that I wil neuer lay away the same vntill such time as my soueraigne Lord the King be of all men peaceably obeyed his Edictes obserued my innocency the innoceÌ„cy also of the rest of my fellowes be made euident plain to all men The glory of God my duty perswade me herevnto I cannot chuse but publish the same Therefore I and my fellowes proteste before God him selfe before the kings maiesty before al people nations to whom the knowledge of these things may come that we are most obedient loyall and faithful subiects seruants of the kings maiesty our soueraine and léege Lord and that we do beare our armoure not againste him but against his aduersaries and enemies Whom we call Rebels seditiouse and Traitoures because they haue peruerâ—…ed the lawes and institutions of the Realme broken the Kinges Edictes impudently violated the authority of the estates of the Realme and besides this they haue thrust theÌ„selues into the Kings counsaile beinge forbidden before by the decrée of the states after which time they troubled and vexed many faithfull and good men of the Kinges priuie Counsaile And also because they hauing taken the King into their handes do depriue him of his liberty do abuse his name authoritie to satisfie their insatiable couetouse and cruell desiers and do dayly make conspiracies and consultations both for the kepinge of that which they haue vsurped also to destroy the greatest part of the Kings true and faithfull subiectes specially for this cause that they may banish the pure sincere preaching of the Gospell out of Fraunce and may quight destroy the louers professors of the truth Therefore only againste those men and for those causes especially I and my fellowes proteste that we haue taken the swerde in hand and that constrained by extreme necessitie seing that we haue no other way to defend maintain the King the authortie of the Kings Edictes the firmity of the Kinges dignity the state of the whole Realme the goodes and liues of many of the Kinges subiectes and the pure woorshiping of God and the King established by Edictes throughout the whole Realme The waight of which thinges do so touch our mindes that when we considered the horrible calamitie and destruction which through murders bloudshed rapines and such kinde of mischieues is like to come vpon the whole realme if they go forward as they haue begon for the space of these fyue monethes we haue determined for the auoyding of such euilles to shunne no perill and for the safetie of the Kinges subiects and the tranquility of the Realme to aduenture our liues and loose our goodes And as for that wicked and false iudgement of Rebellion we feare it not at all but do account the same a false slaunder impudently deuised and published by our aduersaries And truly séeing we do oppose and set our selues against the same we protest that we do not in any point withstand the Kinges will nor the ordinance and decrée of the Parliment lawfully made but the robbery oppression open violence which our aduersaries shew against our liues and goodes Wherfore I pray and beséech not only all the inhabitantes of this Realme which are willing to yelde all obedience vnto the King but also all forreine Princes which loue equyty and right to ioyne with me againste those that vse violence iniury and oppression against the King be ing yet a Childe Whose vertues appearing in this his tender age do put vs in good hope that when he shall come to his ripe perfite age he wil giue harty thanks to the ayders and assisters of him in his great necessityes And specially I pray beseech all forrein Germans and Swysers which are come already and are daily loked for to come to helpe my aduersaries that they will call to their remembraunce that good name renowne and equity which their Elders had alwaies in estimation and reuerence least they do that which shall afterward turne to their reproch shame because they shal fight in the defence of an euil and vniust cause against a good and iuste cause for the Kinges enemies againste the Kings faithfull subiectes for forreine Prnces agaynst a Prince that is the Kings neare kinsman for Papistes and main tainers of the Church of Rome against those which professe the sincere truth of the Gospel And here I call the consciences of all those straungers before the iudgement seate of God which professe purity of the Gospel that they take héede that they be not helpers of our aduersaries to expell and banish the Gospell out of the Realme and all the godly and Christian professors of the same I also pray them to note and marke the pur pose of my aduersaries who although they pretend the name of rebellion and go aboute to lay the same to me and to my fellowes charge yet notwithstanding seke to suppresse the Gospell being contrary to their ambition and cruelty and that therefore I am molested by them because I séeke to defend and mainetaine the libertie of the Gospell graunted by the Kinges Edicte Therefore those forreiners which imbrace with vs the pure and sincere doctrine of the Gospell ought not to giue to my aduersaries occasion to laugh them to scorne as though they could bring to passe by their money which they already boast of that they which had defended the Gospel in their owne countrey should come to warre againste the Gospell in Fraunce I admonish them also to haue farther regard to the matter and to feare that if those enemies of the truth destroye the professoures of the truth of the gospel in France they will also war against the inhabitants of Rheyne to the end thei by the league made with the Pope and other forreyne Princes maye set vppon them also beinge in their houses professinge the same doctrine that we do And although for my part I haue refrayned vntill this day to séeke the helpe ayd of straungers yet notwithstanding séeing my aduersaries haue begon to call straungers to assiste theÌ„ in their euill cause I protest that I will not let hereafter to vse their helpe to defend my cause because the coÌ„seruation of the king standeth thervpon And because this warre which dayly increaseth more more cannot choose but bring great calamities with it I and my fellowes protest before God and men that we are not the causes of those calamities but they which haue stirred vp caused these garboiles that is to say my enemies that they may beare the blame of all
maner of our elders The which is the only foundatioÌ„ of those things which haue happened since that time to the which all those things ought to be referred and brought as to the toutchstone that they may be discerned whether they be good or euill Those lawes and constitutions were deuided into foure principall heades 1 The first concerned the custodie and protection of the Kyng and the Gouernour of the Realme 2 The second concerned those which should be of the Kyngs Counsell for that time 3 The third concerned prouision for warre and all maner of Artillary 4 The fourth concerned Religion and the staying of such troubles as might ensue by occasion therof As touching the first vppon great causes and reasons wise waighed and considered the States or whole body of the Realme haue decréed that the Quéene the Kyngs mother shal haue not only the charge and custodie of the Kynges maiestie her sonne but the gouerment also of the Realme in her owne person and the same not to be put ouer to any other without her consent will and pleasure And this decrée of the States was confirmed and approued by Princes the Kynges kinsmen Also the States decréed that the Queene Mother should be by them so directed that she by her wise ordering and disposing of thinges should discharge the great debt which remained to be paied after the death of king Henry and Fraunces and so the people to be disburthened from such great exactions and payments as they had aforetime payed And that she for her part should endeuour her selfe to bring all thinges to their former state and condition and that the people might liue euery where in peace and tranquillitie The second principall poynt was concerning the Kynges Counsaile The which the States desired to haue furnished with men that were vertuous wise carefull for the Kyng and the Realme Therfore they thought good that the Kynges Counsayle should consist of such men as were not sworne to any forreyne Prince or power as Cardinalles Bishoppes Abbats all such which they call Ecclesiasticall persons both for that they ought to followe their ordinary and proper office and calling and also for the oth which they haue sworne and vowed to the Bishoppes of Rome concerning temporall obedience which haue ben oftentimes enemies to the Bishoppes of Fraunce Therfore they prohibite and disalow any of them to be of the Kynges Counsayle or that there shoulde come vnto that Counsell two bretherne or more together according to the example of other Parliaments NotwithstaÌ„ding here thei except those which are Princes and the Kyngs kinsmen to whom it appertaineth without limitation of number by right to bée of the Kyngs Counsayle except the States haue any thing to obiect against them to the contrary Also they forbid such to be of the Kyngs Counsaile as haue had the ouersight vse and disposing of the Kyngs treasure vntill such time as they haue made their accompts And last of all bicause the Kinges Counsailers are bound to make account to the King of their iuste and lawfull counsaile and also to preserue and maintayne the Kinges treasure and when the Kinges treasurie hath smal store of money in it not to receiue of the King or to suffer to be giuen to any great and large gyftes the states do appoint and determine that all such giftes shal be reuoked and that so many as haue receyued such gyftes be constrained to restore them backe againe and in the meane tyme not to be of the Kinges counsaile Upon this second point dependeth the occasion of the â—…uill warre and sedition which at this day shaketh and violently assalteth the whole Realme of Fraunce the Guises the Constable the Marshall of Santandre perceyuing that they by thys meanes should not only be exclu ded out of the Kinges counsaile but also be constrayned to restore those giftes againe which they haue receyued of the Kinges thereby greatly in riched themselues And so they haue ioyned themselues and coÌ„spired togyther specially to hinder and frustrate that decrée It is no new thing that giftes which Kings haue bestowed contrary to the lawes appointed should be nothing regarded not only of the States which are chiefe in authoritie in the tyme of the Kings nonage but also of the ordinary Iudges of the exchecker by whose indgemeÌ„ts the Kinges afore tyme haue ben put to great expences in gyftes contrary to the lawes of the realme Of these thinges we haue many examples as of the Constable Clisson in the dayes of Charles the vi who was depryued of his office because he had gayned by the seruyce of the King to the valew of sixtene thousand pound But there is greater and more vehement cause at this tyme why they which are bound by the decrée of the states should be called to giue an account of that which they haue receyued and seing that now there is found in the kinges Treasurie the suÌ„me of 330000 poundes which was neuer séene before and yet the people at this present are more burthened with exactions and tributes than euer they were before And it is manifest that King Frauncis the first of that name which had diuers warres for the space of thrée and thirty yeares paied for his discharge a great summe of money and toke not so great and so many tributes of the people lefte notwithstanding in his treasury a greate masse of money Therefore the states demaunde the cause of so great expence And because it is likely that they were spenders and wasters whose dutye it was to husband and increase the same the States vppon verie good consideration do desier to haue an account that restitution and allowance may be made of such vnmeasurable expences The which truly is the verie cause why those thrée haue brought the Realme of Fraunce into these troubles to ouerthrowe those decrées of the states that the same may appeare most true which we saide before namely that they conspire not for religioÌ„s sake but for because they are couetously and ambitiously minded which Religion notwithstanding they take for a cloake to couer and hyde their wickednesse withall The third principall point of their costitutions is this The States would haue it in their power and authoritie during the tyme of the Kinges minoritie to order and appoint warres and at their pleasure to commaund the subiectes to arme themselues Because before they take warres in hand they should vnderstand the causes thereof and by what meanes they might be appeased Therfore also they would haue this authoritie that they which haue prouoked the people to Ciuyll warre might be made knowne to be the authoures of all the calamities and detrements which come by these warres The fourth principal point is that which concerneth Religion by which the states haue decréed that there must be a difference made betwene the cause of Religion and the cause of sedition in so much that for Religions sake no man ought to be condemned
as a seditiouse person aud a Rebell Therefore they thinke it lawfull for the kings subiects to haue liberty to take which religion the ilist that is to say eyther the coÌ„mon Romish Religion or els the Religion reformed according to the Gospell and to cleaue to none other and that all violence eyther pryuate or publique against eyther parte ought to be prohibited and that the Ciuill magistrates should prouide Temples for the ministers of the reformed Religion to haue their diuine seruice in and that no man should receiue any maner of violeÌ„ce or harme for vsing the benefit hereof But because those constitutions manifestly touched the Guises the Constable the Marshall of Saint Andre the Guises for that there were two Cardinals of them which were chosen to be of the Kings Counsaile also the Duke of Guise and the Duke de Aumal also because the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine his Brother were the Kinges treasurers And they touched the Constable and the Marshall of Saint Andrew because they by the same meanes were come to great aboundance and wealth For these causes they haue sought by all meanes possible to adnihillate and disanull these Lawes In the meane time the Quéene the Kings Mother as she hath ben alwaies in al her doinges wyse and circumspecte the which she declared when she had full liberty and was not Ruled by other mens power and violence indeuoured her selfe to make an vnity and concord betweene the Churches by frendly and quyet conference To the which Conference and Disputacion came all the chiefe Prelates of France and many Doctors out of the vniuersitie of Paris many Moonkes also which were sent from Rome and the Cardinall of Ferrer the Popes Legate and beside all these twelue Ministers of the Gospell both partes hoping it would come to passe by this friendly conference that they should come to some concord and agréement The which was greatly hindered and let by the Cardinall of Lorraine by whom after certaine principall pointes of the CoÌ„fession of Ausburge were disseÌ„blingly imbraced the Assembly was dissolued Then the Guises tooke other practises in hande and perswaded the Quéene and the King of Nauar to sende for the Iudges and Counsellers of all the Parliamentes of the Realme that they with the Princes and the Kinges Counsaile might giue their aduice for the present necessitie And to this Counsaill they sent suche as they had bound vnto them afore time by one benefite or other that by this meanes they might abolishe that which the States had decréed The which notwithstanding by the prouidence of God fell out otherwyse than they looked for And to the end they might the more craftely bring their purpose to passe they departed from the court â–ª But before they should go to the ende they might leaue nothing vndone that might serue to worke their wills they subtilly practised to carry with them the Duke of Orleans our Kings brother that if their deuises had not had good successe they might haue had one with them of the Kings linage whose name they might abuse â–ª This thing was plainly proued by diuers arguments and coÌ„fessed also by the Duke of Orleans himselfe who stayed the matter Here it may please you to consider at what time and by what meanes the Guises began to be iniuriouse and to shewe violence to the Quéene out of whose lap shée being a widow and in great trouble they went about to take her sonne Afterward the Guises departed not only from the Court but also to the vtmost partes and limites of the Realm and came to Sauern And there they fayned to like of the Confession made at Ausburge before one of the Princes of the Empire that by theis meanes they might insinuate themselues into the num ber of the Princes of the Empire the which as known to your highnesse we touch by the way But their departure out of France caused all men to hope for peace concorde which was euery where receyued by the rumour of their absence For in all places euery man of what religioÌ„ soeuer he wereof liued peaceably without any offence committed for the diuersitie of Religion all men receyuing that religion which liked him best And the word of God was preached in diuerâ—… places many ioyfully imbracing the same if a few had made any stour or businesse for ReligioÌ„ they by and by were easely suppressed About this time there was an assembly of Iudges and Counsellers which sate in the Court that belongeth to the Princes and to the Kings priuy Counsaill amonge whom was the Constable and the Mashall of S. Andrew who wayted for new troubles The Bourgeses or chosen men for the states declared that there was nothing in those things which the States had decréed to be altered but must stand wholy vpon their determination liking and they sayd that before they began with any other matter they must séeke to purge and to reforme the Kings Counsaill On the contrary part they which were to be thrust out of the Kings counsail by the same decree of the States bare themselues so bold vppon that assembly that they perswaded themselues to escape vnpunished notwithstanding all that the â–ª States could do Who neuerthelesse when they vnderstood the power authoritie which beloÌ„ged to the States would not giue their consent to doo any thing contrary to their decrees And although many of them openly declared that they fauoured the Guises and his fellowes yet notwithstanding there was an Edicte made called the Edicte of Ianuary because it was made the 18. day of Ianuary by the which Edict liberty and leaue was graunted for the word of God to be openly preached â–ª as it was decreed by the States Notwithstanding with this exception So that it were done without the walles of the Citie and that the Churches dedicated to the vses of the Church of Rome were not vsurped The Magistrate being commaunded to take an othe of the Ministers of the gospel that they should preache the word of God purely sincerity quietly without any sedition as is more at large declared in that Edict which was confirmed by the decrees of the States And although that same Edicte was suspected of the men of the reformed Churches least when they were out of the Cities and vnarâ—…ed and farre from their houses to helpe themselues they should easely be made a pray for their enemies as it came afterward to passe in deed yet notwithstanding because they would not be importunate and troublesome to the Queene to the King of Nauar to the Princes to the whole assembly they agreed thereunto vpon this condicion That they should deale vprightly and in good fayth the which also the whole assembly promised vnto them And then euery man sware to obserue and keepe the Edict faithfully truly and the men of more noble calling sware agayne before the Queene that they would not craue pardon for those which had violated or broken
being weary of his lyfe through extréeme payne desperately dyed The Quéene the King of Nauars wyfe being very carefull for his health who shewed hirselfe alwaye very modest and constant both in doing her duty with all obedience notwithstanding his euill dispositioÌ„ towardes harlots and also in firme abyding in y truth being also very carefull for the vertuouse education of her children but specially for the trayninge vp of her sonne in the reformed Religion whom the Guises went about to nussell in all kind of wickednesse Therefore the Prince of Conde wrote letters of comfort vntâ—… hir certefying her that a great many at Orleans were sore agréeued for the death of hiâ—… husbande This therefore was the ende of the Kinge of Nauarrâ—… who after that hée had forsakeÌ„ the defence of the trueth was the cause of many troubles â–ª being so muche more hurtfull to the church as hée might haue ben profitable if it had not ben the purpose of God to declare that hée himselfe is the only authour builder preâ—…eruer and defender of his church and not man how noble so euer hâ—… be for herein standeth the glory of God. The Prince of Conde had oftentimes intreated the Quéene of Englandâ—… while there was some hope that peace might be had by intreaty â–ª that her hignnes would be a helpe to him therin but at the length the matter being brought to be tryed by force of armes as we shewed before hée required of her highnesse money and â—…ouldiours to maintayne warre Therfore about this time when there was a rumor spred abrode of the comming of the Germanâ—…s and of the â—…ide out of England to helpe the Prince of Conde there was a writing published in the name of the Quéene of England who also had sent Ambassadours to the king about the same pacification but they little profited yea returned almost without any answere In the which she both layed to the Guises charges that they were the authors and causes of all the warre and also affirmed that she would take vppon her as it became her the defence of the Kynges cause And also that all Christian Realmes and Princes ought both to be moued to compassion and pitie at the afflicted and troubled state of Fraunce at this time and to moue thom to haue a deepe consideration and care to prouide remedies by which not only the Kyng a child the Quéene his mother and all the Kynges sonnes her children and so all the people of Fraunce may be deliuered and frée from present trouble but also to euell and rent vp by the rootes so great a mischiefe least the same should spred it self to other nations Notwithstanding sayth she there is no man to whom this common care doth more specially appertain than vnto me which being both of my selfe inclined to care and also confirmed and prouoked thereunto by the iudgements of my Counsaylers haue hitherto gone about by all meanes to do the best I could to stoppe and preuent the first beginnings of the great mischiefe like to ensue And why I ought thus to do both the commiseration and pitie of the kyng my welbeloued brother a child and my neighbour of the Quéene his Mother of all the Kynges children and of so great a people and also the present perill of conueying the same warre ouer the Sea vnto as all men of sound iudgement eyther hare or â—…ls where both beholding and talking of these things and also praysing this care of it selfe very commendable may sufficiently declare and shew my mind in this matter worthy of commendation Notwithstanding it séemeth reasonable to setforth in open writing how and after what maner I haue behaueâ—… my selfe herein that all men my sée how I haue delt with my neighbours and how I meane to deale hereafter First all men might sée how greatly euen since the beginning of my raigne I haue desired that euery Christian might enioye prate and concord when as because of the same I haue willingly departed from my right and haue let go some part of my auncient Dominion for a time when as otherwise they for whose sake I haue receiued this losse recouered and receiued by and by all that was taken from them And yet notwithstanding â–ª all men remember and know in how short tyme after and for what iust and manifest causes I am constrained seeing that I am offered great iniury and violence to proclayme also my selfe open warre both to deliuer me and my kyngdome from perill and also to frée my neighbours which fled vnto me for succour froÌ„ open tirrany In the which matter notwithstanding how vprightly I haue delt all men may sée first by exhortations to abstayne from warre then by open declaration that I mynded to deliuer my selfe and mine from violence and wrong after that by all maner of good gouernement and disposing of matters and last of all by the very 〈◊〉 and end of the thing it selfe After the pacification of those troubles to the end I might leaue nothing vndone to make true and assured peace concord â–ª I made a firme and euerlasting League with the Quéene of Scots my welbeloued Sister and my neere neighbour In the which matter how sincerely and truly I haue behaued my selfe God knoweth sundry benefites and gifts whith I bestowed vppon the Guises Uncles to the Quéene of Scottes and vppon their seruants may sufficiently declare my great good will herein beside the mutuall and fréendly communication also which I had with the same Quéen of Scots But amoÌ„g these deliberations and communications concerning peace beside the lacke which I had of the fruite of peace I am also constrayned to haue a study and care for those new troubles in the kingdome of Fraunce raysed vp by those which haue alwayes shewed themselues to be enemies towards me and what they haue done to make new suspicions betwéene me and the Quéene of Scottes for the same Quéene of Scottes sake I haue alwayes hitherto kept silence At the beginning when I knew well enough if these troubles should prenaile it would not only come to passe amidest the Ciuill dissentions that the kyngdome of Fraunce should come into great perill of destruction as now it is but also that other Christian Realmes especially my owne Realme should fall into the same perill both for the néerenes of the places and also because the authors of those troubles are my enemies I vsed all meanes that I could both by Letters also by Ambassages that there might some wayes be taken for peace and concord betwéene both partes Notwithstanding one part refused the same and bursted forth into open violence and mortall warre yet I ceased not from my purpose and good intent But when I sawe that the desire of crueltie dayly more and more enereased and that euery where bloudshed butcherly murther was committed and which was most perillons that the young Kyng and his Mother were sodenly besieged and came into their
in no perell hereafter by any maner of meanes eyther for wearing armour or for Religion commaundinge that all sentences pronounced againste him for these causes to be voyde and of none effect and that his goodes substance which hath bin brought into our treasury be giuen restored to him again and commanding also the watch ward about his house to cease whatsoeuer hath bin ordeyned and decréed in our Parlements for this matter notwithstanding Also that it shal not be nedefull for the said T. R. our suppliant to haue any other argument or proofe to declare our will and pleasure herin but these our letters only Notwith standing prouided that he be no author of seditions of rapines or of spoyling of Churches nor that he secretly conuey to our enemis either money or armour and also vpon this condition that he liue euer hereafter Catholicly and come not to the seruice or rytes of the new Religion that he neuer hereafter beare armour against vs nor do ayde and assiste those that are our enemyes any maner of way But as by these meanes snares were layed to trap entangle the simple and héedelesse sort as shortly after appeared in many when they were come home so there was no staye of excommunications thoondered out at Paris at Tbolouze and at Bordeaulx and in other places where the papistes ruled against such as were counted Huguenotes strayt charge being geuen to al meÌ„ to detect such persones the payne appointed threatened to suche as should conceale any such so suspected and a rewarde promised to him that would detect any such person the Kings Attorney being commaunded to inquire and â—…nd out such causes and to bring them with all spéede before the Senate Then after the publishing of those letters of warrant from the King whereof we spake before the Senate or Parliament of Paris decréed that all those men which came from Burges Poytiers Meaulx Roane Lions and from other Cities which were kepte by the Prince of Conde to Paris should be taken and that they should be punished according to the prescript of the Kings Edicte which commaundeth al men of the new Religion to goe out of Paris notwithstandinge that they had gotten the Kinges letters of warrant and had made a Catholique confession as they terme it of their fayth Roane being wonne as we declared before the army of the Guise came to Paris about the beginning of Nouember the rumour increasing more and more concerning the ayde of the Germanes and of the Englishe men which should come to the Priuce of Conde very shortly Therefore Roan being fortified agayne the breaches of the walles being builded vp and a Garrison left in the towne the Duke of Guise retourned backe agayn with his armie to Paris In the meane tyme came the armies out of Germanie to Orleans sent by the protestant Princes vnder the conduct and charge of the Marshall of Hessen They were thirtéen enseignes of horsemen contayning in iust number 2600 and eleuen enseignes of footemen contayning thrée thousand souldiours Then the Prince of Conde when hée had gathered togyther an armye mynded to remoue from Orleans and to goe to Paris But before his departure from thence hée published a writing in the which he cleareth himselfe from being the author of the first motions and of the ciuill warre deryuing and laying the same vpon the Guises his fellowes and protesteth that dutie moueth him too enter into warre to deliuer the Kinge and the whole Realme from those iniuries and violence This which followeth is the summe of his letter I haue hitherto sufficiently sayeth he by many writings published and sent abroad euidently declared that the Guises the Constable and the Marshiall of S. Andrew are the authours and the first and true causes of those troubles which we sée at this tyme to be so hote outra giouse in the Realme because they tooke disdayne that they should be remoued from the gouernement whiche they vsurped in the dayes of King Fraunces the seconde and were offended at the decrée of the States of the Realme in which thei are commaunded to make an accompt of the excéeding number of giftes which they had receyued in the former Kings dayes and of the ordering and bestowing of the Kings money greatly refusinge not onely to be deliuered from this account but also vsing their former subtilties to enriche and set vp them selues by the ruine and decay of others After that I shewed the diuers Counselles and secret deliberations had they couering their conspiracies with the cloake of Religion and how they began to arme them selues by their owne prinate authoritie contrary to the expresse commaundements of the Quéene and the Decrée of the States breaking the common peace how they contemning the Quéenes authoritie the decree of the States by which they were commaunded to goe home to their owne houses came with an army ofmen and tooke the King and Quéene into their handes perforce with so much grief to the King that hée declared the same with teares openly I haue also declared and will euer euidently declare that I haue for iust and necessary causes and by the expresse commaundements of the Quéen her selfe as may appeare by letters sealed with her owne hand armed my selfe and haue ben nominated and elected by her to take vpon me the defence of this cause as can testifie Monsure Jarnac Monsure Soubize and moÌ„sieur Pordillan to whoÌ„ shée expresly declared that it was her will that the Kings faithfull subiectes should obeye mée and that they should at my commaundement withstand the counselles and practises of the Kinges aduersaries to restrayne their licenciouse willes And as for me if I should not take the sword in hand the King and Quéenes Maiesties and the Realme cannot choose but be ruled by the wills of the aduersaries whom experience hath shewed of late to be the tyraunts of Fraunce And now although I haue the testimonie of a good conscience towardes God and the Quéen who hath power and authoritie to gouerne the Realme and although I haue already declared all my actions and the trueth of my cause by diuers writings yet neuerthelesse because my aduersaries according to their wonted wicked custome do send abroad into forreyne nations many false reportes and sclaunders in writing impudently burthening mée with false lyes making mée the authour and cause of all these troubles I which desire to haue a good name and report among all Christian Princes Nobles and among the Kinges faythfull subiectes which desire to kéepe my honor and dignity thought good after many other to publishe this writing also To the ende all men may vnderstand how carefully euen vntill this present daye I haue laboured sought by al meanes possible to mitigat and pacefie those troubles raysed by their wickednesse not onely because I know what great destruction will come thereby but also because I haue a singular care and desire both to stablish the
Kings authoritie and dignitie the safetie and preseruation of the Kings faithfull subiectes the liberty of their consciences and also the peace and tranquillitie of this Realme in the which I was borne And I am fully perswaded that the only demonstration of the which I haue done and will doe shall proue those my aduersaries lyers and sclaunderers shall bring to passe that neuer hereafter any indifferent man shall giue credit to the like First of all euery man may behold and see how I alone in the beginning of this our Kings raigne procured peace and tranquillitie and sought to put away al occasions of seditions and troubles for the which cause I had much ill will and displeasure in the dayes of King Fraunces II. but I haue forgiuen that iniury Since that time hitherto those enemies of God the King and publike peace were offended with the decrées of the States and with the forme of Gouernement which they then perceyued to be contrary to their ambition when as they had determined to peruerte all things to enlarge their power and tyranny to the which end and purpose they conspired with straungers the which conspiracye is more perniciouse and detestable than was the cōspiracie of the Triumuiri of Rome as now appeareth by the lamentable effects thereof but I on the contrary part to quench that burning fyrebrand of troubles haue left nothing vndone that I could doo Neyther dyd I regarde the goodnesse of my cause nor the wickednesse of my aduersaries cause when as they armed them selues of their owne priuate authoritie to ouerthrow the Edicte made by the consent and aduise of the States neyther did I so estéeme of my place and dignitie that I woulde put my selfe in armour without the expresse commandement of the Quéen yet in the beginning I of my own accorde offered to vnarme my selfe agayne so that my enemies would doe the same and that the Edicte so solemly made by the Decrée of the States might be thoroughly kept as may appeare by my writinge concerning this matter The which conditions seemed to all men very indifferent and reasonable sauinge to them selues Furthermore to the ende we might the better and more safely enter into peace and concord I sought diligently that many Christian Princes might be admo nished of this matter and I entreated them by letters and by Ambassadours that they would be meanes to pacefie the same and to take away all occasions of greater dissentions But my aduersaries euen at the same time when al things might haue ben brought to some quietnesse wēt about to take away all hope of concord and sought for the nonce to exasperat and prouoke our mindes to displeasure by new cruelties shewed vpon our bretheren making more carefull prouision to warre against mée and myne than doth the forreyn enemie when hée inuadeth the boundes and limites of the Realme Beside this they suffered not the Ambassadours of the Princes of Germany which were now cōming forwarde in their iourney to doe their office about the pacification but sought to procure the Italian the Spaniard the Switzer to ayde them in their warre and because a certaine Noble man of Fraunce called Gonor did disallowe the comming of forreyne power into the Realme they abused him with iniuriouse wordes openly among the Kinges counsaill Whereby it may appeare to all indifferent men of sound iudgement what I and my aduersaries haue sought for and whether I could in this time of the Kings minoritie deuise more profitable meanes and wayes to auoid these gréeuouse troubles and also whether they can doe more than they haue done to increase the same For they haue gone about to bring in newe harde and violent lawes playne contrary to the Kings Edicte made by the consent of the whole Realme and agréeing with the Spanish Inquisition which is the ruyne and ouerthrow of peace and tranquillitie that thereby they might not onely bring in an infinite heape of troubles but also the confusion of all things The which also I my selfe by publishing a writing contrarye to the same shewed how much it was disagréeing from al reason and indifferency But what soeuer I could shew vnto the Quéene they had her in such bondage and captiuitie by force and subtiltie that they made her an instrument and meane to doe what soeuer they woulde themselues Notwithstanding shée perceyuinge what great inconuenience would come by warre thought she might do much good if she could bring the matter to parley Therefore the Quéene my brother the Kinge of Nauar and I met togither in the midway betwene Paris and Orleans Then I made declaration vnto them of two things which I sayd were the causes of troubles the which causes being taken away the effectes that is to say great troubles shall with them be remoued also To take away the causes I sayd the first was That the Guise the Constable and the Marshal of Santandre who had broken the peace by arming of them selues by their owne priuate authoritie and had forceably dealt with the Kyng and Quéene and also had broken the kyngs Edict of January might go home to their owne houses and might be forbidden to be of the Kynges Counsell during this time of his minoritie And I my selfe though I were of the Kyngs bloud and of much higher degrée than they promised to do the like The second was I sayd that the Edict of January might be fully obserued and that according to the tenor therof the vse of Religion might bee frée for all men throughout the whole Realme To these two ▪ neither the Quéene nor my brother would agrée Affirminge that it was not lawfull for those being the Kynges seruants to depart from the young King being in such extremitie as he was the request they said was neither indifferent nor profitable for the Realme Moreouer they sayd there could not be two Religions together in one Realme and therfore the Edict of January could not bee suffered because they of the Church of Rome were so many in number so sharpe set to mayntaine their Religion ▪ that if they should not haue their willes greated troubles would dayly arise ▪ To this I replied againe saying that it was neyther indifferent nor profitable for the Realme for them to abide with the Kyng which had both abused the Kyngs age and dignitie and also had brought him the whole Realme into great perill and vnhonestly broken the Kyngs Edict And concerning the Edict of January I sayd what could be more vnseemely than for a few priuate men so little to regard the Kynges dignitie that they durst breake the Kynges Edict to obserue kéepe the which they themselues were sworne by the benefite of which Edict not only Paris but also the whole kingdome enioyed peace Also I said it was a very euell example for the people to be armed to breake the kings Edictes and was the ready way to make them euer after more disobedient also that the
cause which was not perticuler but generally belonging to all men and that I should resist open force and tyrāny and restore libertie of conscience to the men of the reformed Churches by the benefite of the kings Edicte after so great and so longe affliction whereby they sayd I should preserue the authoritie and dignitie of the king and the Estates For these causes the greatest part of Noble men and Gentlemen vppon conscience of their dutie knowing that they were bound hereunto both by diuine and also by mans lawe haue followed me and with these the greatest part of the kings subiectes and his most noble Cities haue voluntarily ioyned themselues with me and rather by diuine than humane reason haue elected and created mée with one voyce and consent for this cause to be their Captayne The which office I being of the kings bloud and naturally bound to the Crowne of Fraunce haue taken vpon mée and haue sworne to maintayne the glory of God the dignity and conseruation of the king the Realme hauing also entered into league with them in respecte whereof I haue bound my selfe vnto them and cannot be discharged of my othe againe without the solemne consent of my fellowes to whom I haue giuē my faith And whereas I offered to the Quéene to become a banished man vpon this condicion If by the departing of vs fewe the common peace and libertie of Religion might bee obtayned it is manifest that my departure shall open a gap to more miserable destruction and therefore there is no cause why I should be bound by that my promise If I should departe the realme I should leaue the King in this his nonage in perill of the ambition and violēce of straungers and the Crowne of the which I am by nature a defender and protector in hasard of lying in the dust Agayne it cannot be that the Kinges subiectes should be in the more securitie through my departure whē this one thing is manifest that the Shepeheard beeing away ▪ the Woulfe maye the more easely destroye the flocke Can I thinke that so great a multitude can be sent out of the realm without their great hurt and without the great destruction of the whole realme Therefore for my duties sake to do the which I am bound both by nature and also by my othe I cannot neyther ought I to depart out of the Realme specially in these perillouse tymes vnlesse I would incurre the faulte of a fugitiue and startaway For as touching the reasons which my aduersaries bring to couer their wickednesse and to diswade me from the defence of so iust a cause they are so weake of so small waight that no man will estéeme them but those which are affectionate vnto them For whereas they say that from that time hitherto the Quéene hath altered her purpose disalowed the Edicte and allowed their bearing of armour and had giuen hir authoritie to the King of Nauarre to rule and order the whole matter it is nothing First bycause it is more probable and agreable to reason that whatsoeuer the King the Quéene and the viceroy determined and decréed when they had full libertie and when the kingdome was in peace is more firme and sure than that which they approue and confirme in these troublesome tymes when they are after a sort constrayned by force of Armes Secondly the Quéene cannot alow the gathering togyther of domesticall and forein Armyes of men and the beginning of warre contrary to the auncient custome of the lawes of Fraunce and the late decrée of the states and that for so euil an end purpose as to breake the Kinges Edicte the decrée aforesaid made solemly by the Quenes cōmandement but she must also ouerthrow the foundation vppon which her authoritie standeth which by that meanes should be of no force Neyther can she of her selfe put ouer to another her authority and power to gouerne bycause it commeth not vnto her by natural right but is giuen vnto her by the benefite and consent of another Moreouer touchinge the king of Nauarre whether hée be Viceroy or Legat he hath no such authority that he may commaund the Guises or any other to gather togyther armies of men and that without the commaundement of the Quene or the kings lawfull Counsaile chosen by the states The which was not obserued when the Quéene gaue them commaundement to put of their armour Neyther is it of greater waight or force that the Quéene since that tyme hath approued the bearing of armour and the musteringe of souldiers bycause in those matters it cānot be sufficient to haue only a bare allowing or approuing in the which a sure and expresse commaundement is required To conclude admit the Kinges Counsaile were such as it ought to be by the decrée of the States and that there were ioyned therwith the authoritie of the Quéene and of the Kinge of Nauar God forbid that any man how great soeuer his authority be in the tyme of the Kinges nonage might gather an army proclayme warre and put the power of the King and the Realme into the hands of a subiect be he neuer so faithfull without the wil and consent of the States first had and specially when the purpose is so euill and that the Kinges ▪ Edict should be broken These thinges of me considered I haue determined not to forsake my king in his young age and my Countrey and Religion all which requyre my helpe Therefore I haue brought my army more neare my enemies my souldiers being very willing and couragious to set vppon the enemy and to ioyne battaile But our enemies which haue so often triumphed ouer vs scorned vs haue found no better way than to packe and steale away secretly in the night Therefore forsaking to ioyn battail with vs thei came to Blais a town without any Garrison vnlooked for besieged the same and when they had won it they shewed al maner of cruelty and since that tyme they haue spoyled as yet do spoile cruelly many of the Cities of this Realme And as for the Quéene though she know the goodnes of our cause and that I haue done nothing but by her commaundement yet neuerthelesse bycause she is more a fraide of the power and subtill practises of our aduersaries than she trusteth to the good successe of oure parte mindeth to giue her selfe wholy vnto them anddoth more openly and vehemently fauour them as may plainly appear by these effectes Therefore shée gaue her selfe wholy to the Cardinal of Lorrayn who at that tyme was with her to be gouerned by him although shée knewe well enough the couetousnes ambition cruell mind which is in him and in the rest of that stocke which haue bin the causes of most greuous troubles in the Realme of Fraunce ▪ since that tyme that they haue borne any rule Therfore the Cardinall left nothing vndone that might hinder peace as may appeare by hys letters which by chaunce came to our handes
Moreouer bicause the Germanes which came to ayde them vnder the conducte and charge of the Râ—…kendolph the Rheingraue vnderstanding some what of our cause refused to warre against vs they deuysed a new practise and brought the King and Quene into their Army to couller hereby al that they had done Neither do they omit any subtiltie or crafte to allure straungers to ayde them and yet notwithstanding they deryde and scorne the Germanes and their Religion as though they for the gredines of money came into Fraunce to subuert and ouerthrow the Gospel which before in their owne countrey they had defended with perill of their lyues And they impudently lyed and fained vnto them to bring the confession of Ausburge into France which they said they had done long a go if so be I had not bin a let vnto them Besides these thinges they obiect against me mine most shameful slaunders saying that we are Rebelles destroyers of the worshippe of GOD vsurpers of the Kinges Crowne possessores of the Kinges Cities and treasure Heretiques Anabaptistes Atheictes without any Religion or faith With these and diuers other like crimes they do so fasty sclaunder vs that we appeale to the consciences of our aduersaries if they haue any conscience at all But by the grace of God we haue a firme and sure testimony of our Religion that is to saye the confession of the reformed Churches so euidently declared and offered to the King to the Quéene to the Kinge of Nauar to the Princes the Kinges kinsmen and to al the kinges Counsaile as they can testify which now go about to suppresse the same and sealed with my hand with the handes of a great nomber besides which also we doubt not to seale with our own bloud The which as it ought â—…o stoppe the aduersaries mouth so also it ought to sâ—…oppe their eares to whom our aduersaries are not afeard to sclaunder and backebyte vs. But and if the life and manners of both partes if the effects of our Religion be compared with our aduersaries although I will not altogether excuse our selues froÌ„ many sins yet notwithstanding this I say that our life by â—…he grace of god is not defiled with blasphemies with whordome with impieties with horrible lustes against nature as the life of many of our aduersaries is which notwithstanding call them selues Catholiques glory in those filthy crimes As for Heresie and Anabaptisme we are so farre from them as it is manifest that our aduersaries are giltie in them and haue ben by vs proued so to be Can they cléere them selues of Anabaptisme which haue rebaptized those infants that were baptized in the reformed Church which is an herisie in all times reprobaled and condemned also by the Decrees and constitutions of Counselles And as for the worship of God we haue not abolished the same for the defence whereof we are ready to spend our liues desiring uothing more than to haue the same purged in the Realme of Fraunce by the puritie and truth of the Gospell from so many superstitions and also that it would please God to illuminate our King with the pure know ledge of his word to blesse the Scepter of his youth and also to deliuer him from all corrupt Tutors masters But how shamefull a thing is this for the Cardinall of Loraine to make as though he loued the confession of Ausburge the which he vtterly refused to allow in the disputation of Possi And it may appeare what loue hée and the rest of them beare toward that confession by y horrible murther committed at Vâ—…ssi As for the Cities which they say we possesse they haue not hitherto disobeyed the kyng neyther will they hereafter so long as they obey my commaundements And whereas they obey not our aduersaries the cause is least they being at their commaundement should be vtterly destroyed The Kynges money also is kept from their hands least they hauing the same should spend it vppon warre against the Kyngs subiectes But whereas they say that I go about to vsurpe the Crowne of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 actions of my life past frée from ambition and 〈◊〉 and my handes pure from innocent bloud do so playnely proue this to be a false lie that I am fully perswaded that no man of sound iudgement will approue the same When as ou the contrary parâ—… al men know by what and how many meanes my aduersaries haue gone about to trouble and molest al the whole Realme by ambition and couetousnes and haue so inriched theÌ„selues that they haue made a plaine and ready way to â—…et the Crowne To put away the suspicion whereof they can neuer bring sufficient reasons the effectes of their desires being so manifest the euents also so lamentable that they shall neuer be able by any maner of meanes to hide them All men sée since the time that they haue had the gouernement in their handes they haue brought the Realme into so great troubles that it was neuer in so miserable an estate being brought all most to ruine extreame destruction the King brought into great debt and his subiectâ—… oppressed with tributs and customes There is yet another exquisit lie deuised by the same Cardinall For he is not afeard to giue out to diuers straungers by his letters that the Kyng and Quéen hauing established and confirmed the assurance of the common faith do giue pardon to all thâ—…se that will put of their Armour go home to their owne houses and liue there without offence But none of al these thinges are contayned and set downe in the forme of any Edict or Rescript for they are but deceitfull baites and snares to intangle men with all and so are they to be counted Dayly many men are both cast into prison and also put to death and that for no other fault but only because they professed the reformed Religion which they make The cause of Sedition of Conspiracie of vnlawfull assemblies and of the breaking both of Gods lawe and mans lawe And being not contented with so great bloud shed knowing that many haue escaped the crueltie of their Decrées they haue caused the Bishoppes their Popish officers to publish and thunder out Excommunications giuing charge that they which knew any of the Kynges officers which came either to the publique or priuate sermons of the reformed Churches to the administration of the Lordes Supper to their prayers or to any other rite or ceremony contrary to the church of Roome or if they knew any that did either eate or drinke with those preachers that they should within three dayes after disclose their names And of late also they haue published a Decrée In the which they commaunded and do commaund â–ª That so many as are come from Orleans Lions Burges Roane Poictiers and from other Cities which are kept at my commaundement to Paris and that all men or women of the reformed Religion should be taken and punished accordinge to the forme of the
Edict what Priuiledge soeuer to the contrary they were able to bring Whereuppon many were taken by the force of those decrées put to death which came home to their houses vppon trust of the Kyngs Letters of warrant Whereby it may euidently appeare how falsely they haue made report to Princes of other Nations of the securitie that men should haue if so be vppon trust thei would put them selues in their handes And because certaine Princes knowing the goodnes of our cause and the vniust dealing of our aduersaries haue sent vnto mee aide to auoyde those miserable calamities at hand they make exclamation to discredit me and my cause that I bring forreyne ayd and power into the Realme But what I dyd before I tooke thys remedie in hande many Princes know whom I entreated to be meanes to make a pacification and who caÌ„ testifie that their Legates were hindered herein Also séeing they haue replenished the whole Realme with straungers as with Spaniardes Switzers Germanes and with Italians to the ende they might execute their tyraÌ„nie how shamelesse be they to reproche and discredite me in saying that I bring forreyn power into the realm And I protest that as I was constrained to take this remedie in hand so I haue determined euer hereafter to séeke by all lawfull meanes and wayes to deliuer the Church of God the King the Countrey and my self froÌ„ this oppression But whereas they haue euery where published abroade the Decrée of rebellion against me and myne which they haue caused to bée made sure cause not knowne nor heard by certayne seditiouse persones which displacing certayne good men out of their roomes take vpon them the name and countenance of Senatours of Paris I haue appealed from them and shewed in wri ting the causes of my appeale And to the ende their fraude and deceit may appeare the more impudent they haue exempted me from the number of those whom falsly they cal rebelles Howbeit if this good and iust cause may be called rebellion I my selfe aboue all the reste ought to be burthened with the same séeing that I account my selfe to be their Captayne and haue taken vpon me the defence of that cause haue called those that attende vpon me to shewe their obedience to the King at the commaundement of the Queene and doo as yet retayne them with me to this ende And I affirme that there can be greater iniury done vnto me than to be separated from so honest and faithfull a company in whoÌ„ I do note so great fidelitie and obedience toward the king in this so present a necessitie that I think that the same their dutifull obedience wil be commended amonge all posterities for euer This therefore is the summe of those things which I haue don vnto this day the which I haue with great simplicitie and without all cooller declared And I pray all those that loue the trueth moste earnestly which shall reade this writing that they will vprightly and without all preiudice waigh the matter and to Iudge not by the words but by the actions God for his mercies sake order and direct the whole matter to the glory of his name to the peace of the Church â–ª to the tranquillitie of the Realme to the confusion of those his enimies which are the authours of these troubles This writing being published abroad and all maner of warlike prouision being prepared the Prince of Conde as we sayde before remoued with his armie from Orleans and conducted the same by the Countrey of Beausse toward Paris And as hée went hée besieged a town called Pluâ—…iers which was kept with seuen Enseignes of footemen and at the length when hee had sore battered the same with his ordinaunce he had it deliuered vp vnto him Then he tooke twoo of their principall Captaines and caused them to be put to death as for the reste of the common soldiers he spared them After this many Townes yéelded vnto him as Escampes la Ferte Dordan and others which hée receyued into his seruice vpon trust Also he minded to besiege the Citie of Corbeil which the Guises kept and mayntayned with a great garrison of souldiours This Citie is of great forte bâ—…rdering vpon the riuer of Sein by which ryuer great prouision and store of vittailes were caryed to Paris And while he was making al things ready for the siege word was brought vnto him of the death of his brother the King of Nauar. Whose office of Uiceroy he perceyuing that he ought to haue by order during this tyme of the Kings minoritie and then hoping to moderate and end al things by peace he left of his purpose of besieging Corbeiâ—… and comming néerer Paris he pitched his campe at Arcel â–ª the first day of DeceÌ„ber Therfore the Queen sending letters vnto him desired to conferre and talke with him not purposing neuerthelesse as the euent declared to conclude concorde and peace but onely to delay and differre the time and to diminishe the force of the Prince of Conde his armye vntill the armies came out of Spayne and Gascoyne which were dayly looked for this was done by the subtill practises of the Guises But because the Prince of Conde was not at that tyme very well at ease the Admirall went firste to talke with the Quéene passing ouer the ryuer of Seyn by the port Angloyse In the meane tyme the Constable came to the Prince of Conde for a pledge But this iourney was in vayne the Quéene saying that she would neuer agrée that the reformed Religion should be vsed in any parte of the Realme Then was the parley appointed againe in a more conuenient place â—…éere vnto the suburbes of S. Mâ—…rceau in a certayne Mill. At which méeting the Prince of Conde propounded these condicions of peace First that the vse of the reformed religion might be frée in those Cities in the which it was before the warre began and that the faithful might liue peaceably in other places and that they might goe vnto such Townes as they knew the reformed Religion to bée vsed in also that there might be diligent héed taken that they sustained no manner of perill for enioying the benefite of religion Secondly that it might be lawfull for all men of the reformed Religion to enioy their goods offices dignities but specially their religion in what part of the Realme soeuer they dwelt and that all sentences and iudgements of any Court pronounced against them for religion be voyd and of none effect that they which for religions sake were fled the realme or hauing before fled were now come home againe might enioye y same benefite and might haue leaue at their retourne to enioy all that they had that euery Noble man might haue libertie to vse the reformed Religion in his house and also that it might be lawfull for euery one of the Kings Counsell to haue the same religion in or about the Court so long as he shall there giue his attendance
the Porters and Warders of the gates had carelesly suspecting nothing lesse thaÌ„ the comming of the enemie opened the gates of the Citie they violently rushed in and oppressed and slew a great number of the Townesmen as they were making of them ready to arme and defend them selues Their purpose was to retourne back agayne to Nonay with as much spéede as possibly they could when they had gotten them armour and weapons and taken the spoyle of the Citie But when by the example of their Gouernour the soldiours gaue themselues to spoyling of houses and spent the time in vayne vppon dalliance with women they gaue great occasion â—…o Monsure Caumout which was not farre from them to worke their destruction For he being certified of their delay and securitie gathered togyther by and by so great a multitude as he could from the places thereaboutes alarme being sounded in euery streat and corner Therefore the men of Nonay béeing busied in their pray in so much that they neyther remeÌ„bered to departe nor yit suspected the comming of their enemies in so great number were sodeynly hemde in with a great number of souldiours which came vnder the charge of Monsieur Caumout and falling into their handes were slayn for the most part of them with their Gouernour and the rest fled And when Monsieur Caumont vnderstood the matter hée marched with his army taking with him certein fielde péeces towards Nonay and finding the same voyd of any garrison and greatly amased with much feare grief after hée had battered the walles at the length tooke the Citie And then shewed extréeme crueltie killing rashly both Papist and Protestant togyther with women also and children which murther most cruelly continued for the space of two dayes But when it was reported that Monsieur des Adretz was comming by Turnon with a very great hoaste Monsieur Caumont remoued in the night and causing great sileÌ„ce to be kept throughout all his armye he stale away secretly And what soeuer the souldiour at his departure could not carry away that hee spoyled as corne and wyne such like casting the corne abroad in the streates knockinge out the heades of Toonnes of wyne and setting fier on diuers places of the Citie I my selfe which haue written these things am also an eye witnesse of this horrible crueltie being present at the same and carying yet and shall do while I liue certayne markes by woundes in my body to remember the same Nonay being desolated with this horrible murther Monsieur Sainmartin a Captaine Liefetenant of the Region of Viuaretz came within few dayes after with a garrison of souldiers and repayred the broken walls and fortified the same so well as hée could Monsieur des Adretz hauing gathered an army entered into consultacioÌ„ about the besieging of Vienna whether Nemours was come with the greatest part of hys army and remoued his army which hée had taken out of Dolpheny and Languedoc to Uienna myndinge to besiege a citie in the vtmost partes of Viuaretz called Saincte Columbe but he bare at that time a false and trayterouse mynde as experience afterward declared Therefore after certaine small skirmishes they entered into parley with Nemours and Monsieur des Adretz was let into Uienna and comming out from thence agayn shewed manifest tokens that his mind was altered And he agréed with Nemours to yéelde vnto him forthwith Roman and Ualentia cities of Dolpheny Therefore he remoued his army from Vienna and appointed Nemours to be at Roman that day where he himselfe had giuen his fayth at the self same time to be and he himselfe went to view and win other cities When his other fellow captaynâ—… vnderstood of this as Cardet Lieftenant of Ualentia Blacon Bari Mouens and others they admonished Monsieur Cursol of the same and they with the help of Mouents tooke Monsieur des Adretz while he was at Valencia thei hauing sitt occasion offered them therunto And then the subtil lying in wayt of Nemours being detected and bewrayed who came with his souldiers at the day appointed to Romane he returned agayne to Vienna disappointed of his purpose And so the treason of Baron des Adretz being discouered he was brought to the citie of Nemaus in the prouince of Languedoc but because of the benefite of peace which was concluded by an Edict he escaped present and deserued death In the meane time the Duke of Guise hauing augmeÌ„ted his army and prouided all things necessary for war remoued from Paris and went to besiege Orleans in the moneth of Ianuary The Admirall was gone from Orleans with the greatest part of his army and with al the troupes of Germane horsemen to ioyne with the English men leauing to kepe and defend Orleans his brother the Andelot with the other part of the army For the Admirall stood in great néed of money Of the which when the Guise vnderstood he sought all that he could to draw away the Germanes from tâ—…king part with the Prince of Conde because they were discouraged from the Guises because he warred against religion and because the faithfull contended for no other cause than to deliuer the King from captiuitie and to defende the Edicte which concerned the reformed religion the Guise affirmed and protested that hée neyther mayntayned warre against Religion nor kept the Kinge nor any of his Captyues And for this cause he procured the Kings letters in the which the King and Quéene declared to the Marshall of Hessen and to the Germanes which ayded the Prince of CoÌ„de vnder hys conduct that neyther of them were captiues This is the summe of their letters In consideration of the great frendship and vnity which hath bin heretofore betwene the Germane Princes and the Kinges of France our auncetoures and in respect of the mutuall loue which the one hath alwaies shewed towardes the other to the profit and commodity of both parties it could not but séeme wonderful and straunge vnto vs that certaine of those Princes of Germany our frendes should ayde and helpe our subiectes which haue lifted vp the swerd against vs and haue seditiously brought our Realme into great troubles But we thinke that it commeth hereof that those seditious persons haue deceiued the Princes with a false couller and pretence making them beleeue that we are captiued and that they for the duty and obedience which they owe vnto vs haue gone about to deliuer vs from the same In the which opinion euen at this day also they go about to perswade and retaine both the Captaines and also the Souldies of those Germanes whom for the cause and pretence aforesaide they haue broughte into this Realme of whose goodnesse and estimation we are so perswaded that we doubt not but that they will for very grefe and sorow be offended that they haue bene so deceyued For these causes we signifye declare to the Marshall Hess the Captaine generall of those Germanes and to the vnder Captains and souldiers that
sodayne punishment of Merae which was so spéedy that hee had not leaue to come before the Iudges according to order of Law to haue the accused present before the accuser Now concerning the peace it was reported of euery where euery one reioyced because of the same yea the naming of peace was pleasant in the eares of all men euery one hoping that so great troubles and calamities were now at an end Notwithstanding the Protestants greatly mâ—…ruelled what the Prince of Conde ment to agrée vnto those slended conditions séeinge the principal heads of their enemyes were destroied some taken and the â—…ost 〈◊〉 discouraged whereas on the contrary part the Prince of Conde had now the lawfull gouernment of the Realme and many couragions captaines to take his part whereby they were like to haue â—…etter successe than euer they had Moreouer the Admirall in Noâ—…ndy and Monsieâ—… Cuâ—…sol in Languedoc prospered very well notwithstanding by letters sent to him from the King and from the Prince of Conde concerning the Edicte and to Monsieur Cursol also which was then besieging of the Castell of Pyle they vnarmed themselues imbraced the peace And the Edicte was there by and by 〈◊〉 â—…ed and in al Townes also where the Protestants inhabited The Catholiques also were suffered fréely to go vnto their Cities and enioyed all thinges to them appertayning according to the benefit of the Kinges Edict Notwithstandinge at Bourdeux and Tholoze the Papistes made much a do about the receiuing of the Kinges Edicte in so much that the Protestants durst not go home to their houses but were faine to make often complaintes here of to the Kinge The English men by the sufferance of the Prince of Conde kept the Portele Grace which is a Citie bordering vppon the Sea in the edge of Normandy who refusing for certain causes of couenant betwéene them to go out of the Citie the Kinges armye remoued to besiege the same the Prince of Conde also himselfe being present with a great part of his army at the which the English men greatly marueiled thinking that he requited them not as they had deserued Notwithstandinge at theyr Quéenes commaundement they departed from thence vppon certaine conditions a League being made betwéene the King of France the Quéene of England Both Armies also of the Germanes went home almost in euery place men wholy vnarmed themselues notwithstanding certain of the Guises armye and of the Prince of Condes also wer reserued stil in their armour for another purpose as shal be hereafter declared The end of the second part ¶ The thirde parte of Commen taries Conteyning the whole discourse of the ciuill warres of Fraunce vnder the raigne of CHARLES the nynth Translated out of Latin into Englishe by Thomas Tymme Minister Seene and allowed Imprinted at London by Frances Coldock And are to be sold at his shop in Pawles churchyard at the signe of the greene Dragon 1574. The Table for the third part A ABbay of Saint Florent burnt page 201 Actes in the time of the Kyngs progresse 46 Admirall accused by the Cardinall of Loraine 11 Admiralls purgation 13 Admiral cleered of the Guises death by the Kings sentence 47 Affaires of the lowe Conntrey 77 Agreement betweene the king and the Duke of Orleans 40 Amanzi slaine 131 Answere of the faithfull to the oth which they should take 124 Andelot commeth to the Prince of Conde with a great armie 174 Andelot passeth ouer the Riuer of Loyer 176 Andelot ioyneth with the Admirall 176 B Battaile woone by the Protestants at Auuergnoys 107 Battaile in the which the Prince of Conde was slaine 208 Brotherhoodes of the Papistes 43 Brissiac slaine 215 Boysuerd slaine 175 C Cardinall accuseth the Admirall 11 Cardinall taketh foolishe and â—…ain journeyes 70 Cardinall of Loraine practiseth too take the principall protestaÌ„s 118 Cardinall of Loraine practiseth too take the Prince of conde 121 Cardinall Sâ—…astillion fleeth into England 162 Church of Lions diuersly vexed 50 Chartres besieged 108 Charite besieged and taken 221 Cities and Townes which tooke part with the Protestants 107 Cities yeelded to the Prince of Con de 174 Cipiere cruelly slaine 119 Conference betweene the Nobles and the Duches of Parme. 86 Conspiracie of the Papistes to destroy the Gospell 92 Constable slaine 102 Countie Panpadon slaine 215 Counsell of Trent traueileth to hiâ—… der the Gospell 23 Congregatiou of the Protestants at Pamiz 37 Craftie disposition of the Queene Mother 11 D Death of the Prince of Condes wife 41 Death of Châ—…els Sonne to Kyng Philip. 162 Death of the Lord of Morueile 227 Death of the Duke of Deuxpons page 223. Declaration of Rossilion gaue a great ouerthrow to the Edict 50 DescriptioÌ„ of the Dukes camp 223. DescriptioÌ„ of the princes army 224 Discipline appointed by the Prince of Conde 164. 165. Duches of Parme causeth an assembly of states 83. Duke of Alba commeth into FlauÌ„ders with the Spaniards 94. Duke of Aniou marcheth toward Loraine 106. Duke of Aniou put to the worse in fight 193. Duke of Deuxpons promiseth aide to the Prince 197. E Edict wrested by the Anuil 5. Edict falsely interpreted 27. Edict enterpreted 45. Edict against the Gospel 106. 177 Edict collerably made by the Catholiques 112. Edict not obserued 115. Edict of peace 300. England a fuccor to Fraunce 109. Endreau reuolteth 212. F Fortresse built at Lions 49. G Germans take both partes 196. Gouernment of D'anuil ouer the Churches of Languedoc 3. Gospell begynneth to florishe in â—…launders 77. Guyses seke to disturb the peace 20 I. Impunitie for the murder done at Towers 69 Images in Flanders go to wrack 85 Iniuries done to the Protestantes pag. 60. 113. Interdiction of Sermons 48. K Kinges progresse with the causes thereof 38. King commeth to Lions 48. King commeth to Languedoc 74. King Philip certified of the increse of the Protestantes in the Lowe countrey 79. King and Queene remoue to Paris 97. L Letters of the king to the Prince of Conde 67. Letters of the Prince to the Kâ—…ng page 98. 132. Letters of the papistes intercepted page 130. Letters of the Queene of Nauar â—…o the Kinge 168. to the Queene mother 169. and to the Cardinal of Borbon 173 Lett es of the Queene of Nauar â—…o the Queene of England 187. Letters pattens from the Pope 184. Lord Boccard dyeth 216. Luzig surrendered 241. M Messenger sent by the Prince of CoÌ„ de taken 162. Merindol apointed for the exercise of the reformed religion 73 Monsuer Cure slaine 44. Monsuer Saltane displaced oute of his office and Monsuer Lossay succedeth him 50. Mons. Cochay taken and many of his men slaine 197. Mons Mouens and his souldiours slaine 186. Motton commaunded to be hanged by the Anuil 6. Murders most horrible 119. Musters of Souldierâ—… 130. N Niort besieged 237. Noyers wonne 198. O Oth of the prince of Nauar. 212. Oth collerably made 130. Order of gods fâ—…ruice in Nemaux â—… P Papistes brag of
see they had set their consciences to sale vvhich thinge certain letters may easely proue which when occasion shall serue I can bring forth that were written from the appointed commissioners to the parlament the vi and xv day of March for the hastening of the execution of Merae in which these woordes were written That the Keepers of Merae were corrupted and that therfore his death was not longer to be deferred for that he would cal back againe that which he had said But I vnderstand that some do take occasion to coygne and forge a sclaunder against me because I confessed in my former writing that I had giuen a certain summe of money to Merae vvhich thinge although I did then and there sufficiently aunswere and thereby shewed that I dealt plainly and truly when as I declared the whole matter simply without any manner dissembling yet notwithstauding I will playnly and sincerely lay forth the cause of the giuinge of that money and therby euidently proue that it is but a meere and malicious surinise whatsoeuer in this matter is objected against me ▪ and chiefely that I may satisfie them that are trayned in Marshall affaires and do exercise that kind of lyfe For I am not ignorant that this matter which came to passe through the occasion of warre and in the Campes of troublesome warriours can not easely bee knowen and vnderstood in the peaceable Courtes of quiet laweyers And yet I could this way easely make ▪ manifest my integrity and innocencie but the testimony of my owne conscience shall suffise me before God and men the double and contrary aunsweres of Merae in his examinations his mind stroken and amazed with the terrour and feare of death the hope of lyfe which he conceyued of the Iudges promyse if he would accuse me which hope hee helde still euen vnto the laste houre of death and of mine owne part the request which I made to haue mine accuser to appeare face to face and my pro testation of my innocencye if that were not graunted the perplexed and headlong affectiō of the Iudges long before by me refused as incompetente To be short the astonied vnquietnes and waueringe inconstancy of my accuser do manifestly and sufficiently declare my vnguiltines and innocency neither truly would I haue differred so long to haue shewed my purpose and intent wherefore I gaue this money vnlesse that hauing written to the Queene and testified vnto her my innocency I had thought my enemyes would not haue made such post and headlong hast with the execution as they did vvhich although it was done for euill will and contrarye to all reason and equitie yet could they not haue gotten a more manifest testimony of my guiltles vprightnesse then that which they themselues thereby did giue mee especially bycause it was necessarie that he should haue bin kept a liue not only for that I was accused of the killing of the Duke of Guise but also for a greater and farre more waightye accusation as though I should haue gone about to haue murdered the king VVherby it ap peareth how shameles those surmises were of the crimes laid to my charge But let that passe and let vs come to shew the end wherfore I gaue that money to Merae least that amongst Strangers geuing credit to rumours and tales the good cause of an harmeles and innocent man be oppressed the matter being neither known nor made manifest And first of all where Merae saith that he offered me his helpe in this matt◅r it is euen so For when he had beinge commended vnto me by Monsieur Subize his letters as I haue more at large declared in my former writing lustely and frankly profered me his seruice I demaunded of him in what thing he could stand me in best stead He aunswered that hee had great acquaintance with the Aumale for that hee had serued in tymes past vnder him in Picardy of whom if he could finde him in the Dukes Campe he would easely know all the Dukes ententes and purposes and that he would forthwith certifye me of them but if the Aumale were not there yet he was so well knowen of a great nomber of Captaines and souldiers that serued vnder the Duke that hee did not doubt but that he should haue both easy and also safe passage into their Campe. The which certainly did make me suspect him when I saw him offer himselfe in such a brauery and I said as much to Monsieur Granmont who was then presente there with mee declaringe vnto him that I had knowen him not passing iii. or iiii dayes and that only by the letters of Monsieur Subize Notwithstanding I gaue him at that tyme xx crounes that I might haue a triall of him For such as are skilfull in feates of warre know what spies and scoutes may do and that money in such a case is not to be spared they who know me can testifie thet I set but little by money when such occasion is offered And this was the first and chiefe cause why I gaue him that money the which truly I counted as caste away For there was nothing I lesse loked for then for Merae when as sodeinly there came vnto me ◅ying at Neuuille Monsieur Tranuie a noble man who said he was come vnto mee at the commaundement of the Andelot my Brother to bring a certaine fellow vnto me that was newly come frō the Guises cāpe And although I looked not for him for I was very often troubled with such matters yet I talked with hym and asked him of diuers small and light matters in the which he seemed to aunswere mee very readily and cunningly wherfore I enquired further of him whether the Duke knew of my departure from Orleance whether I vould go He answered that the Duke knew not the certain day when I would set forward but he knew certainly sixe dayes ago that I meant to go to Normandie and had so prouided for the matter already that I was sure to find many lettes and stayes in my iourney And for this cause there was commaundement gyuen to the Marshal of Vieleuill and the Coūty of Ringraue that they should cause all the Townes both great and small to bee fortified that they should so woorke that there might bee enemies for me in euery place that I could not lay siege to any Towne for that I lacke both footemen and ordinance that the Duke himselfe would see that all the Horses that could bee gotten should bee brought to Paris and that hee would prouide all such Horses as should bee needefull for the cariage of the gunnes that he would bring the matter about that hee would bringe three orfoure thousande shotte on horse besides his light horsemen and men at armes that hee would followe mee so hard and trace me so neerely that I should haue no opportunitie to ioygne with the aide of Normandie no not so much leysure to rest me finally that besides that the
all Fraunce to the great griefe and hart sore of the Papistes for whose cause especially they had procured this exposition of the Edict Wherefore he departing thence went first to the Countrie of Orange and afterwardes at the Quéene of Nauarres commaundment he came to Bearn to confirme and set in order the Churches and Congregations that were there The Papistes now began to mocke and laughe in their sléeues to sée this Declaration gyuen out by the King and published abroad in open writing whereby it was made manifest what an ouerthrow was gyuen to the Edict and being in a brauery and al vpon the hoigh set day and appointed the time and that with threatnings when as it should be vtterly abolished and quite done awaye and warrantinge them selues vppon this beginning they euery day more more without checke violated the Edict There be also new deuises put in practise whereby they might entyce and allure the Prince of Conde from the reformed Religion This fetch was practised before by the Cardinal of Loreine against the king of Nauarre and had preuayled therefore he thought good to proue and trie once againe against the Prince thinking with himselfe that hée might as easely and with the same deuises wherewith he had ouercome the king of Nauar winne also vnto him the Prince of Conde the Quéene of her selfe was ready and desirous to take this matter in hande many other meanes there were that séemed as it were to profer their helpe for the accomplishmeÌ„t thereof The Prince of himselfe was of a myld and soft disposition desirous of peace and euen glutted with the lothsomenesse of the former warres and being altogither bent to kéepe and maintain peace did from his hart abhorre and detest strife and contentious troubles Wherefore hée was much and often at the Court and very familiar both with the King and the Quéene hys mother The Guises also of set purpose séemed not too come so often to the Court nor to be in such fauour with the Quéene as they were wont to bée and all for the Princes sake to win whom there was no fetch no deuise no subtiltie left vntried The Quéene her selfe vsed very often and louingly to shew the deare good will she bare to the Prince and told him that of her self and for her part she dyd fauour and loue him that it was should be both the Kings and her will mind to estéeme and loue as right reason required the Princes their néere kinsmen in their degrée and place that there was good cause why there should bee more néere and deaâ—…e friendship betwixt her and him aboue all others that he should not thinke that any thing had or might hereafter happen that should stay or sâ—…ack the true and perfect good will she bare him so that he would doe his dutie let no occasioÌ„ slip that might aduaunce and enlarge the glory and honour of hers his And many other trayns were intermingled with this talke whereof that subtil and alluring woman thorough her courtly trickes and baytes had great store Beside this there were more particular promises made and that olde forged deuise was renewed of the yéelding and gyuing vp of the I le of Sardina which had ben diuers tymes before that offered to the King of Nauarre and was now agayne promiâ—…ed to the Prince by the Quéen and that in the name of the King of Spayne And that it should not be thought that the matter were but triffled withall in wordes ther were many great gifts bestowed vpon the Prince and his Children Mariage also was attempted that there might be a more sure band and coniunction of amitie amongst them The Marishall of Saint Andrew a man of excéeding great wealth being slayne in the battayle of Dreux had left behind him one onely daughter who was heire of all those goodly and ample possessions To her beinge almost mariageable the Quéene went about to couple the Prince of Condies eldest sonne who was then called the Duke of Augnien the mother of the gentle woman doing all she could to bring that mariage to passe And although the honour and nobilitie of the two howfes were nothing like equall yet the Marshialles daughter had great aboundance of ritchesse on her side which surely is the thing that striketh the strok and beareth greatest sway in marriage matters now in these our dayes wherein men are altogyther gyuen to get wealth and riches The Prince himself was not very vnwilling and therefore kept company very fami liarly with the widowe the Marshialles wife and great curteousie was exercised betwixte them The Marshalles wyfe gaue vnto the Prince of Conde a very fruitfull and beautifull place called the Territory of Ualeri and the Marishiall him selfe had bestowed there for the trimming and beawtifying of it much rickes which King Henry had giuen him in giftes and rewardes this place dyd shée giue vnto the Prince withall the right Title and possessions thereto belonging the Quéen ratifying and allowing the matter very well wherefore euery man looked euery day when that mariage should be solemnized And who in the Courte then but the Prince of Conde who as the nature of man is to slyde and fall through ill companie from exercise and vertuouse trauaill to pleasure and idlenesse began contrary to the institution of the reformed religion and good conuersation to gyue himself to the wanton desire and lust of women and tasting very licentiously of the baytes snaring traynes that were layde for him séemed euery day more and more carelesse of that good and vertuouse Matrone his wife who was of the howse and family of Roye and waxed cold and faynt in the profession and defence of the reformed religion to the great grief feare of all good men but to the great ioy of the papistes who made their vaunts and crackes saying that the Prince would daunce the same daunce that his brother the king of Nauarre had lead defore him And surely there was great likelihood of most lamentable and sorrowfull decay and ruine had not the mercyfull prouidence of god speedely preuented it as hereafter in his place shal bee declared In the vttermost part of the prouince of Languedoc in the way as they go to the mountaines Pyrenâ—…es there is a Citie called Paniez a very rich and populous towne This towne was kept and holden by the Protestants in the time of warre but after that Truce was taken and peace concluded and that Monsieur de Anuill as wee haue before declared was come into Languedoc and had euen wearied all the cities thereof with his outragious and vnruly garrisons the InhabitaÌ„ts of Paniez foreséeing their own dauÌ„ger by other mennes harmes wrote vnto Monsieur de Anuille desiring him that hée woulde not presse and charge them with néedlesse garrisons whereof there should be no need nor vse séeing that they were and would be ready prest to obey all his commauÌ„ dements and did purpose truly
faythefully to mayntayne and kéepe the peace Monsieur de Anuill was therby more earnest and hâ—…te and did straightly charge the Consuls of the Citie for so they in that Countrey do cal their chief Officers that they should leaue of their sute and enterprise otherwise they should be sure to smart for the common peoples faultes wherewith they being terrified made answere that they were ready to obeye him in whatsoeuer it pleased him to lay vpon them and calling the commons togither to an assembly did bitterly and very sharply rebuke them for their stubburnes But the commons on the other side protested that it was agaynst all law and right and that it was done con trary to the tenor and forme of the peace concluded that they would rather complayne to the King of the tyranny of thâ—… President Finally that they would not for any cause commit themselues their goods their wyues and children into the handes of the Lieuetenant being as he was so sore incensed and angrye against them But whilest wordes went too and fro amongest them there begaÌ„ a whot contention betwixt the Magistrates and the commons The people being set on a furie chased away the Magistrates and forthwith fortified and â—…ensed the citie and no entrance would be graunted to M. de Anuilles garrison Who coÌ„plaining to the King of the matter receyued commission from him to punnishe the offenders very seuerely with commaundement also that the Townsmen should receiue in the Garrison The King also sent thither Monsieur 〈◊〉 a noble man with charge that they should eyther receyue such Garrison as the Lieuftenant the Anuill should appoint or els to be greuously punnished who comming thither to the Citie was forthwith receiued in by the Citizens who declared vnto him that they had not committed that fact in way of rebellion but were ready to obey the King their chiefe soueraigne Lord and gouernour that it happened through the rashe and hasty dealing of the Magistrats that the commons being moued and stirred vp with feare of further harme to ensue had behaued themselues otherwyse against them then became them finally that they did willingly and gladly submit them selues their children and goodes to the Kinges will and pleasure So vppon this M. Ramâ—… being entered the Citie certified M. de Anuill of the Townsmennes minds who straight waies comming thither accompanied and garded with certaine bandes of horsmen and footemen was very reuerentlie and humbly receyued of the Citizens But he was no sooner entered the Towne but he immediatly began to vse and handle them as enemies The Citie was spoyled of all her priuiledges the walles razed the Noble men diuersly fined and punnisht many of them beheaded their Minister haÌ„ged their goodes giuen ouer to the Souldiours for a pray and a spoyle the furiouse Souldiers were let loose vppon the honest matrones and Uirgines of the Citie to the number of 800. Citisens were banished to be short that worthy Citie was vtterly wasted spoiled made desolate of the greatest parte of her inhabitantes by the cruell and detestable villany of the Anuill Aboute this tyme there came newes abrode of the Kinges prograce throughout the whole Realme and forsooth there was a cause of this prograce deuised and that was that it stoode the Kinge vppon to take a suruey and a vew of his whole kingedome that he in his owne person might heare and receaue the complaintes of his subiectes and with present remedy help and ease their gréeâ—…ed mindes and that with his presence hee might confirme and encourage euery on to do his duty And though this cause was pretended yet the Quéens had another fetch purpose in her head Whereof the Cardinall of Lorraine both knew and was also authour and first inuenter of it although for other causes hee was not in this prograce the marke she shot at as it is reported of diuers that were more thorowly acquainted with the matter was the King himselfe as it being ignorant of it that the sacred league with the King of Spaine which was begon in the Counsaile of Trent might bee ratified and confirmed and that in the meane season the tender mind of the youug king might be by all meanes possible prouoked and stirred vp against the reformed Religion and al thinges were of set purpose so ordered in euery Citie where the Kinge should come that the Protestantes might complaime as long as they would but al should be in vain and to no purpose yea and they themselues rather accompted and taken for the causers and authours of troubles then obtain any thing where by to redresse their wronges and iniuries Whilest preparation was made for this iourney there came a coÌ„maundement from the King to all those Cities that were holden of the Protestantes in the time of warre VVhere as now after pacification of all former troubles therâ—… is nothing that we more wish and desire than that peace and quietnes may be restored in al partes and quarters of our kingdome wee do now will and commaund to the intent all occasion of new broiles may be remoued and quight taken away that all such munitions fortifications and bulwarkes as were made and built in the tyme of warre for the defence of your Cities bee quight defaced and taken away that all our subiectes hereafter may quietly and without feare of further danger kepe and maintain our peace especially for that our faith and promise sufficiently declared in our Edicte ought to be to all true and faithfull subiectes in sâ—…eede of a sure wall and sheild of defence c. So by this meanes all kind of munition and fortifications was defaced in diuers Cities as in Orleans Mountaubane valence and diuers other of the most famous Cities in France to the great discommoditie and destruction of the whole Realme And that chiefely in 〈◊〉 a moste necessarie and profitable Citie to the whole countrey yea and that in the moste daungerous times of the Kinges and kingdome especially in the tyme of Charles the vii 〈◊〉 the Englishmen were conquerers farre and neare and when all Normandy and Paris the Metropollitane Citie of the Realme were wâ—…nne and vanquished togither with the Countries to them adioyning all the Kingdome in an vprore with enemyes then was Orleans a chiefe and special place of succour and refuge both for the King and all his Notwithstanding these Cities were defaced and marked with the tokens and blemishes of Rebellion for that in tyme of trouble they had preserued a nomber of good and true subiectes especially Orleans was shamefully spoiled and made almoste a poore simple Oraunge or Uillage and a Castle builte at the gate it leades to Paris to gouerne and kepe vnder the Citizens and a very cruell Carrison of Souldiours placed there And yet for all this the administration of Religion was not left of there Like crueltie was exercised vpon Montaubane bycause they had manfully and couragiously defended themselues against the assaultes
declared by the Kings decrée free and cleare from that accusation and that he ought not in any poynt to bee charged therewith and commaundement was giuen that the matter should on both sides be buried in the darke graue of euerlasting forgetfulnesse and obliâ—…i on and be troden vnder foote as though it had neuer bene done The Guises also they of Chastillon were charged to lay aside all hatred and grudge and to be reconciled and euerafter become friendes and louers This commaundement was obeyed and receyued of both sides whereby the wound was stopped couered for a while but not thorowly healed Notwithstanding the Cardinal of Lorayne was here by sinely beguiled and defeated of his purpose thinking by this to haue had iust occasion as the Spanish Kinge br agged in his letters both to haue displaced the Admirall and also vnder a faire shew of this cause to haue violated and broken the peace The Prince of Conde the Admirall the Andelot and other of the chief Nobles that were professors of the reformed Religion went not with the King on this iourney The Cardinall also of Lorrayne taryed behinde in Fraunce as we shall hereafter declare After this the King came to Lions with a very great trayne and was Royally and sumptuously receyued of the Townesmen of both Religions Here they had determined to frame and put in practise many conceyptes and deuises for that if they could ouerthrow and suppresse the congregatign that was here being of all other the chief and most famouse they shold the easier deface and destroy others that were lesse For the state of that most florishing populous church did gréeue the Archepapistes at the very hartes Wherefore they thought it behouable and very expedient by all wayes possible to oppresse and disquiet it Yet contrary to their purpose and meaning they taryed but a small tyme there by reason the plage raged so cruelly that through the stubborne wilfulnes of the Quéene that meant to haue stayed the Court longer there the plague came euen into hir owne chamber and dispatched one of the Noble women of her own trayne out of the way Wherefore thorough feare of the pestilence the Courte remoued from Lions to Rossilon a territorie belonging to the howse of Tarnon their howses being very stately garnished be fore with the Kings owne prouision and furniture and yet the papistes were not idell at Lions although their aboade there was both short and daungerous For the chief men of the reformed Religion were charged to abstayne and not to resort any more to Sermons or other assemblies And that this might the better bee done in all places where the Court should passe there came out a commaundement from the King forbidding That the reformed religioÌ„ should bee exercised in any place where the king should passe or in any place where he lay as loÌ„g as he made his aboade there and that it should not be pra ctised at any tyme hereafter in any of the kinges howses and pallaces the cause also was added least the Catholiques being greeued and offended with it new troubles should arise There was also a pÌ„face adioined That the same was omitted in the Edict wherunto the king would all men should vnderstand he ment not by this interpretation to adde any thing So thus they vsed the name of the Edict where in déed they endeuored to ouerthrowe and abolishe it A fortresse also by the Kings commaundement was begonne to be built at Lions to kéepe in subiection and ouerlooke the Townesmen vpon the hill of S. Sebastian in the highest part of the Citie the garrison augmented with a new supplie of fresh souldiers whereby the protestantes were manifestly marked with the note of rebellion Wée declared before how the Citie of Lions in the be ginning of the former warre was kept and fortified with a garrison of the protestantes and how Monsieur Saltan a noble man had as then the gouernment rule ouer the Citie who being very earnestly requested of the faythfull that he would in the Kings name goe forward in the administration of their common wealth notwithstanding refused to do it and leauing Lions got him quietly home to his owne howse By his defaulte and negligence the Duke of Guise when he liued would say that Lions was taken of the protestants and many complaintes and accusations as touching that matter were put vp against him by the chiefe of the popish Nobilitie and certayn Italians were suborned to accuse him before the King for betraying Lions into the protestaÌ„ts handes To these complaintes Monsieur Saltan maketh aunswere and albeit he had sufficiently proued them to be but méere surmises and false sclaunders and was also quited and discharged by the Kings own Iudgement of that accusation yet notwithstanding no punishment although he complayned diuers tymes to the Kinge therof was executed vpon these wrongful sclauÌ„derers Moreouer intreatie was made with him by Interpreters in the Kinges name that he would gyue ouer his Presidentship wherefore beeing nothing desirous of glorie and authoritie willingly gaue place and resigned his office in whose roome was placed Monsieur Lossay a man of very craftie and deceiptful disposition and excéeding hautie and proud For it is almost impossible to be told with what intollerable pompe and excessiue pride he vaunted and boasted himselfe and how great impunitie and carelesnesse in offending against the protestaÌ„ts was graunted to the papists by him The particular discourse whereof as I haue often sayde before doth not appertayn vnto our purpose for so should we take vpon vs an other mannes charge and our Commentaries which we purposed to make but short and briefe would growe vnto a great and large volume About the fourth day of August a new interpretation of the Edict was enacted and called the declaration of Religion wherein firste was placed a preface at the first vew very goodly That it was the Kinges will and pleasure that his Edict of and for religion should be straightly kept and obserued euery where that they that should be guilty of the contrary should be punished that law and iustice should bee ministred vnto all men indifferentlye and without partialitie and that his maiestie did suruey and visit his Realme and Prouinces to th entent he might meet with and prouide for al such confusions and disorders as were in the common wealth But whereas he is giuen to vnder stand that the libertie that hee had graunted out for the vse of religion did dayly minister occasions of strife and contentioÌ„ he was ready to prouide remedy for that mischiefe And to the entent that here after no doubtfull or double vnderstanding of the Edict which was made and set forth by his authoritie be left stil vncertaine and for that the declaration of his owne and very true meaning doth onely appertaine vnto him selfe for these causes he hath thought good to set it forth in open writing And whereas saith hee we do
to defende themselues vnlesse very spéedy remedie be had For and vppon these considerations I haue thought it my dutie to certifie the King and Quéene thereof as becommeth a good subiect and trustie seruaunt to doe which desireth by all meanes and wayes possible too auoyde and turne away so great and present daunger and perill Neyther sayeth he is there any cause why I should feare that I shal be accompted and taken of their Maiesties as one that is to importune and vnreasonable not regarding eyther tyme or person albeit I haue diuers tymes troubled them already with these matters especially séeing it standeth me vpoon my honor and honestie and the present and vrgent necessitie of thinges doth so earnestly require me to do it that vnlesse I will become both guilty and worthi punishment for so great and common calamities I can not passe so waighty a businesse in silence Wherefore I most humbly beséech your Maiesties that you will not take it in euill parte that I am come by letters to entreat for them that are without all law and Iustice most shamefully spoyled slayne contrary to your highnesse pleasures declared in your Edict And for that they could not by any other meanes obtayne remedie and redresse of their wrongs they are come vnto me for succour thinking that in respect of my néere kynred to your Maiestie the place whereunto I am called in this realme I might obtayn for them that ease and reliefe of their griefes which otherwise they could not get Neyther could I my selfe for these causes and for the obedience I owe to youre Grace refuse to declare and shew vnto your Maiestie with all humble modestie reuerence these so great miseries and calamities For all your highnesse Subiectes haue felt what great profit and vtility hath come to the whole Realme through your Maiesties Edict of peace the which notwithstanding is so defaced and altered from his first forme that no man hath any care once to acknowledge much lesse to obserue and execute it And although your Grace haue diuers tymes plainly declared and exprest that it was your will and pleasure that it should be obserued and kept inuiolably of al men yet notwithstandinge certayne disordered persons that séeke to abolish and deface the reformed religion haue so preuayled that certayne interpretations of the Edict are set forth in your Maiesties name whose prefaces are very notable and good but if a man but of meane iudgement doe marke the ende of them he shall perceyue that they bee nothinge else but deuises and meanes inuented onely to weaken and take away the libertie of the Edicte and now of late at Rossillon when as no man was with your Maiestie that would mayntayne the cause and right of the protestants there was a Declaration set out by which the Edict is so rent and defaced that it is not credible that it should longe continew for thus it hath The Edict sayth Be it lawfull for all noble men hauing chief authoritie their families and those of their iurisdictiō that wil of their own accord to vse and exercise the reformed religion freely and without molestation But the interpretation sayeth That al suche places are exempted from this libertie as were eyther solde or taken by the kings commaundement from the church liuing neyther should such that had any Church reuenewes enioye that benefite Further the Edict sayeth That libertie of religion was not only graunted to the noble men and their families but also to as many of their subiectes as would willingly resort vnto it But the Declaration of Rossillon sayeth further Neyther shall the Noble men suffer or permit any which is not their subiect to come or resort to any sermons or assemblies And that who so doth to the contrary shall for the firste tyme bee fyned at 500. Crownes and for the second tyme loose and forfeite all their howses and Castels wherein any suche sermons or assemblies shal be had or kept Which rigour and seueritie as it is manifest can neuer be obserued and kept séeing that many of the Noble men do not know all their subiectes and few of the subiects one another whereby it may chaunce that one may come to a Noble mans howse and yet be neyther one of his subiectes nor knowne of him who thinkes takes him for his owne subiect and yet notwithstanding should by these meanes be enforced to pay a great fyne and lose also his house wherein the assemblie was gathered togyther The like dannger also should he incurre if one of his neighbours did but come to sée howe he did Which thing would not onely hinder and trouble but also bring to miserable thraldome and slauerie the mutuall and friendly societie of men the chiefe and surest bond of true friendship and the stay and rocke of all common wealthes and Monarchies The Edict saith That there shall be a Citie choosen out and appointed for the administration of the reformed Religion in euery Prouince or presidentship and other places of Iudgement from which it was lawfull to appeale to the high Courtes of Parliament but this last point was neuer yet put in execution neither coulde it be graunted to the protestants although they both earnestly sued for it and the promise it selfe was confirmed by the expresse commaundement of the Kings letters and certaine Cities named to be chosen as fittest and most profitable for that purpose Also where according to the order of the Edict there ought to haue bene a place appoynted for the vse of the reformed Religion within the suburbes of those Cities that were named it was appointed in other inconuenient places xx or xxv leagues of Whervpon followed diuers slaughters and seditions in many places Notwithstanding thys Article of the Edict was altogether broken and violated wherof I doe not thinke your Maiestie causer neyther any of them who without preiudice to eyther part do wishe that the Edict might be truely and incorruptly obserued but rather I iudge your presidentes and other officers to be procurers of it who of a preposterus and disordered zeale and loue they beare to the popishe Religion could not bridle their owne outragious lust but suffered themselues to be carried headlong by their affections to the breach of the Edict and spoyle of them that professe the reformed Religion The Edict saith That liberite and free vse of the reformed Religion is graunted and permitted to all Cities wherein it was exercised the ▪ vii of March 1562. besides those Cities that were to be chosen and appointed in euery Prouince and this shoulde be done in one or two seuerall places of those Cities accordyng as the King thought good to appoint But the interpretation doth permit none to enioy this but those Cities only which were holden by force in the time of warre and so many are defrauded of that liberty in which the vse of the reformed Religion was kepte at the tyme appoynted namely the. vii day of March 1562
Spanishe King their neighbour if so be that the reformed religion dyd take place there Wherefore the Quéene burst not openly disalowe those executions done vpon the Papistes but woulde rather when the Protestantes came to complaine to hir praise them and make as thoughe she liked very well of them and all to shewe what desire she had that lawe and Iustice shoulde be administred to euery man equally without partialitie At the earnest importunate sute of the Protestantes one place was chosen oute of all that Prouince for the assemblyes to haue the vse and administration of the reformed Religion â–ª but it was inconuenient by reason of the vneuenesse and crookednesse of the way to Merindoll Notwithstanding by the great prouidence of God it came to passe that the same place which a little before had receyued the trueth of the Gospell in the darke and dusky dayes of papistrye and had suffered much calamity for that cause should by the Kings Edict be made a receptacle and mansion place for the Gospell and the faythfull and thereby made very famouse and noble Therefore the faythfull came out of all places of Prouance to Merin dol hauing frée libertie to heare the word of God. After this the King came to Aâ—…inion that frâ—…m thence he might goe into Languedock And as he traueiled he was very princely receyued of euery Citye wherethorough he passed and had very large and stately gyftes gyuen vnto him of the which to make relation pertayneth not to our purpose When the King was come to Nemaux there came thyther a great multitude of protestants making great mone and lamentation in so much that the crying and pitiefull voyce of the people came to the house wher the King lodged who might heare them crying and calling for Iustice of their soueraigne Lorde and requiring of the Christian King the libertie of the reformed Religion This noyse of wéeping and crying was so great and so shrill in the Kings eares that the mynd of the yonge King at the hearing of the same was somwhat abashed and straightway demaunded what the matter was the standers by dissembled and excused the matter but hée with angry moode aunswered and sayde I sée that my people are euill entreated and turning to the Quéâ—…ne sayd How chaunce this people are not satisfied I will Lady sayeth he that this my people haue Iustice Notwithstandinge they by and by put in his head that they were seditiouse people which were wont after that fashion to do all things with tumult And then this multitude being dryuen away with violence by the Kinges Garde the Elders gouernours of their Church were called for and being come they were sharply reproued that thei had suffered the vnruly multitude to come thither in such tumultuouse order and were commaunded to deliuer their grief in wryting to the Maister of Requestes and to come to Montpellier to receyue an answere according to the same The like complayntes also were made by the men of Montpellier when the king came thyther but they with the men of Nismes were sent to Blitters and after this the churches of Blitters those thereaboutes making the lyke complayntes destring reformation had the lyke successe they being puâ—… of from day to day and from one place to another The Constable being sore offended that so many coÌ„plaintes should be made against his sonne d' Anuile And beside the infinite verations of d' Anuille which he brought vpon them the Senat of Tholoze left nothing vndone to make the cause of the reformed churches odiouse before the Kinge These were the mendes made for so great iniuries and this was the profit that ensued the Kings iourney THE new yeare brought with it a certeine rumour of the Kings progresse into Baione which was kept secret vntill this present tyme Therefore consultation being had of the matter with the chiefest of the Senate of Tholoze the king passing through Guian comming to euery citie came at the last to Baione in the moneth of Iuly Thither to her brother the king came Elizabeth wife to King Phillip of Spayne and was very pompously receyued of the whole Courte But the cause why Phillip her husband came not thyther with her notwithstanding that the same place bordered vpon his kingdome was as it is reported that the league concerning the destroying of the reformed religion might the more secretly be confirmed Others attribute the cause of his absence to ambition â–ª for that he would not séeme in any thing to séeke to the King of Fraunce Notwithstanding by the comming of Elizabeth that holy league as they termed it was ratifâ—…ed and established by which was ment as is aforesaide to banish and abandon the reformed religion And to the ende the Realme of Fraunce might be an vtter enemy to the professours of that religion the king of Spayn promised vnto the king of FraÌ„ce so great power and ayde as he could the lyke promyse also made the king of France to the king of Spayne both of theÌ„ promisinge one to the other to embrace obserue the doctrine of Rome with the rites cerimonies therof and to do all that they could to remoue take away all lettes and impediments to the same and so to take the next occasions offered to bring this matter to passe After the confirmation of this league to the ruin of the Church there followed lamentable effectes But notwithstanding the secret conclusion of this matter the prince of Conde and all the Noble men of the reformeâ—… Religion vnderstoode the same whose deathes hereby were sought Thus when the king had viewed all the Region of Guian he returned back agayne into that part of FraÌ„ce called by the Frenchmen Francâ—…ys towarde the latâ—…er ende of this yeare IN this yeare and in the next following there was truce taken betwene the Churches and the faithfull had some reste and breathing tyme notwithstandinge not without sustayning diuers iniuries Yea there wer snaring baytes layed and priuy platformes practised agaynst the Admirall and the Andelot which were espied manifestly reuealed and brought before the king but in vayne The kings longe looked for occasions to put their league in execution It shall not be from our purpose if we note certayne thinges concerning the affaires of the lowe Countrey called Belgio â–ª aboute this time for matters concerning religion both for that the cause is all one and also bycause the same Countrey bordereth vpon Fraunce notwithstanding obseruing the order of time we will inserte those thinges whiche specially appertaine to oure history Therefore ye shall vnderstande that this noble and plentifnll countrey was exercised and muche troubled aboute this time with diuers and sondrye contentious conflictes for religions sake Wherby we haue diuers examples set forth vnto vs of the wonderfull prouidâ—…ce of God in ordering and framing of his Churche quite contrary to humaine reason that is to say whereby we may plainly perceiue that the Church is not the
attempte againste the Realme of Frannce or that they mynded to defende Callice against the Quéene of England They sought also other meanes and waies to quarell and contende with the Protestantes mynding to deale with them as giltie of the Edictes broken and to examine those which had done anye thing contrarye to the Edicte specially againste that which was made at Rossillon that is to saye which had gone to anye other places to beare Sermons than to those which were appoynted them by the Kings commaundement or if the Noble men had entertayned any other to the hearyng of the sayd Sermons beside those that were within the compasse of their Iurisdiction and suche like offences As these transgressions had anexed vnto them the pain and punishment of exile so their purpose was to seeke a reformation of these things by seuere putting the same punishmentes in execution according to the tenour of the Edict But least they might séeme to haue no regard to the Counsaile of the Duke of Alba which was It is better to haue one Salmons heade than the heades of a thousand Frogges they went about to snare and catch those Noble men which imbraced the reformed religion as the Prince of Conde the Admirall the Andelot the Rochfoucault and other Noble men And this séemed a present waye to bring the same to passe if so be the Kinge sent for them as standing in néede to haue their aduise in those thinges that concerned the gouernment of the Realme Nowe if they should haue refused to come vnto the King than had he good and iust cause to complaine of them as none of his friendes And if so be they shuld haue neede to vse any force they had at hande two and twentie Giddons of horsemen and certaine Switsers also of which they had already gotten six thousand In the meane time the Prince of Conde the Admiral and diuers other Noble men of the reformed religion were verye carefull For beside these flying rumours bothe the dayly newes of the comming of the Duke of Alba and of the ayde of the Switzers and also the manifest preparation of horsemen with the euident state of all things else caused them to haue a great care For concerning that Holy League made betwéene the kinge of Fraunce and Spayne to destroy the religiō The prince of Conde was fully certifyed by the Prince Rochsuryon the Prince of Condes néere kinsman and of the Kynges bloude of the house of Borbou who a little before hys death exhorted the Prince of Conde to prouide remedye in time for so greate troubles The Noble men aforesayde being very carefull and withall vncertain what to doe fearing least if they should obey the kinges commaundement whose name they perceiued their aduersaries to abuse they shoulde sodainely be oppressed or leaste they shoulde be accused of rebellion if so be they sought meanes to restite the force of their aduersaries they determined I say to séeke all wayes and meanes to appease and quallify these troubles and to certifie the King plainely of their will and mynde herein In the meane time bycause they perceyued their enemyes to be in a readynesse they sente diuers mesiangers to the reformed Churches within the Realme to prepare thēselues and to haue a diligent consideration of all theyr actions They certified diuers of the princes of Germany concerning their affaires requiring aide of them if neede should require This was in the monethes of Iuly and August of this yeare The Spanishe armies aryued at Nice a Citie of the Duke of Sauoy mynding to passe through Pedemont Sauoy and the Countie of Burgundy where the Prince of Orange hadde occasion offered him to finishe notable exploytes if he would haue taken his time but as he dyd in the lowe Countrey so did he nowe leaste he myghte séeme to attempt any thing against the king but within a while after he was very homely requighted by the Duke of Alba. Philbert Duke of Sanoy required of the inhabitantes of Bernoy a great parte of the territory which they had sometyme taken from his Dominion by war and the matter between them was oftentimes solemnly debated in an assembly of the Switzers the men of Bernoys affirming that the same Region was giuen vnto them by the Lawe of Armes and that they had lawfully receiued the same Notwithstanding at the same time when the Spanishe armyes were loked for which came with the Duke of Alba the men of Bernoys communed with the Duke of Sauoy and agréed with him vpon certain conditions and graunted vnto him the thrée Dominions or Lordships that were next to Geneua ▪ By reasō of this agréement the administration and vse of the reformed religion was vsed in those Dominions euen as the men of Bernoys themselues would desire Concerning the purpose and connfaile of the Prince of Conde of the Admirall and of others of the reformed religion we haue spoken before The Prince of Conde therefore by dyuers messengers prayed and intreated the Kinge concerninge the séeking of a reformation for those troubles which were lyke shortly to ensue Declaring vnto him that the comming of the Swirsors into the Realme againe was so perillouse that it would cause the people seditiously to rise The Admirall went often tymes to the Constable his vncle and talked with the Quéene whom he knew to be at Chantilly the Constables house and fréely declared vnto her that if the faithfull were so handled wherby they had iust cause to suspect that war was a preparing for him they could not any longer be kept in peace Notwithstandinge the Quéene and the Costable pretended a notable cause why it was néedefull to haue the aide of forreiners for say they the Spaniardes beare an olde grudge and hatred against the realme of Fraunce so that we haue good cause to feare least they hauing occasion set vppon vs but the King will reforme all thinges so for the faithfulles sake that all men shall sée that he will deale vprightly and iustly towardes all men After this also the Queen made these promises in her letters to the prince of Conde Notwithstanding there came sixe thousand Switsers in the beginning of September and a greate number of horsemen were armed and prepared And the Prince of Conde was fully certified that the Duke of Alba which was already come to Belgio had moued the King of Fraunce in the name of King Phillip to go forward with the holy league and withall had perswaded him to take present occasion to bring his purpose to passe At this time the Cardinall of Lorraine was with the King and a great number of his adherentes also Notwithstanding all thinges waxing dayly woorse and woorse the Prince of Conde and the rest of the péeres and Nobles which professed the reformed religion sawe that ther was no longer stay to be made but that they must of necessity when they could do no good by their letters come before the king themselues and declare vnto him the present daunger
Wherfore they appointed the day to go vnto the King and because they might the more effectually declare the matter before the King and also escape the perill and lyinge in wayâ—…e of the Cardinall they determined to go with the greater number that armed to defend themselues Therefore a hundred and twenty noble men hauing the Prince of Conde theyr Captaine came to Mâ—…nceaux to talke with the King and to offer vp vnto him a supplication in the name of all the faithfull the suâ—…ine whereof was this That for so much as the King had made an Edict to kepe his subiectes in peace and concorde which was necessary both for them and his Realme they most humbly beséeched him that the same might bee better obseruid and kepte than it had bin aforetyme And forso much as vntill that same day they had made the same complaintes afore in vain and that often times they now at that time trusted séeing there were so manifest perill of such greate troubles at hand that he would effectually declare that he made account of the faithfull as of the rest of his subiectes who being abused and iniuried haue no other refuge to flée vnto in their extreame calamities than to his grace their soueraigne Lord and King. The Cardinall of Lorraine vnderstoode of the comming of the prince of Conde with the rest of the nobles declared vnto the King and Quéene what great perill and daunger it was vnto their persons for the Prince of Conde to come vnto them with so greate a power of men intending he sayde nothing else than to take the king his mother and his whole family that then he might doe what him lyst The King and Quéene beyng made afearde wyth these rumors remoued to Paris being garded with the bandes of the Switzers The Prince of Conde being sory for this feare of the King and Quéene stayed at Rozoi a village therabout to the which place the Marshall Momorencius was sent declaring vnto him the causes of his comming saying that he was very sory that he was fallen into so great suspition To whom the Prince deliuered a Supplication and prayed him to deliuer the same to the King and to certifie him of his whole intent and meaning Then he came to Clay whether the Kinge sente vnto him the Chauncellour Hospitall the Marshall Vielleuil Moruilliers to whome when he had more at large declared the cause of his comming he sent letters agayne to the King in the which he protested his fayth and reuerent mynde which he bare towarde the King refuted the sclaunders of his Aduersaries by which they wente about to make hym hated of the King declared also that he was readye to render all obedience to the King for whose sake he sayd he woulde spende his life and goods notwithstandyng he sayde he sawe wicked and vngodly men abusing both the Kinges name and also his age and will whome alone he thought to be the causers of all these troubles and therefore woulde gyue place to none of them vnlesse he ment to shewe himselfe a traytor to hys King and Countrey The Prince of Conde also declared his reasons more particularlye and put downe this in writing as the summe of all his petitions First That accordyng to the firste forme of the Edicte all other interpretations and exceptions taken awaye the faythfull maye enioye their Religion and that all the Kinges Subiectes what Religion soeuer they be of may accordyng to their degree and callyng beaâ—… office vnder the King and bycause both the people and the Nobles haue bene oppressed with tributes vve desire saythe hée that it maye please the Kynge to ease vs of the same After this he remoued from Clay to the Towne of Sandionyse bycause the same beyng néere vnto Paris he might the more conueniently haue conference with the king But all was in vayne the Cardinall of Lorayne inflaming the mindes of the King and Quéene against the Prince of Conde and agaynst the cause of the faithfull But bycause the Prince of Conde woulde if it myghte possible be bring somewhat to passe he made this last request of the King That it would please him to haue some consideration of peace and mens consciences and that all thinges hereafter might be ordered not at the pleasure of their aduersaries but by the Kings will but by a firme and infalliable Edict But the Papistes thinking the Protestantes to be quite done and out of harte with vnaduised rashnesse rushed to warre again the Constable very immodestly and contrary to his gray heares behauing himselfe at Paris euen as thoughe already they had gotten the victory Therefore besyde the Souldiours which they had alreadye gotten and prepared there was choosyng and mustering of men at Paris and manye were preste to the warre in so much that a man might thinke that the Prince of Conde woulde easily now be oppressed and ouercome hauyng so fewe men wyth him notwithstanding within fewe dayes a great number came to him oute of all partes of the Realme and the faithfull in all quarters armed and prepared themselues The. viii Booke of Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and of the common wealth of Fraunce vnder the Raigne of Charles the ninth WAR being thus a fresh begonne all men wayted and looked for new thinges to come to passe NotwithstaÌ„ding these affayres of warre in dyuers places had diuers successe The Catholiques had many mo Cities and Armies of souldiours than the Protestants had howbeit they agayne far excéeded the other in courage and boldnesse being as men after long oppression by iniuries brought into pâ—…rill of their lyues and goodes The Protestantes had but a few cities in their possession Lions a towne of notable force â—…ell from them which by the diligence of the Gouernour of the Towne was out of hand very strongly fortified with new garrisons of men Then went the faythfull to wracke being robbed spoyled and murthered the souldiour the townesman furiously running vp and downe the Citie ransacking the houses of the faythfull their Temples wer set on fire which were very costly builded in two conuenient places yea the honest Citizens went to wrack in euery corner of the citie Howbeit many escaped by the meanes of the castell of Sansebastian the which notwithstanding was appoynted for the destruction of the faythfull but the kéeper was their friend Geneua was their Sanctuarie and refuge in this extréeme tyme of trouble Notwithstanding diuers Cities tooke parte with the Nobles of the reformed Religion as in Dolpheny Ualencia Vienna Roman and Montill In Languedoc Nemaux Montpellier notwithstanding the papistes held the Castell of S. Peter but afterwards were dryuen out of the same by Monsieur Mouents Castra-Albien certaine Cities also of Rhodes of Seuenas and of the territorie of Viâ—…aretz also by the industrie of Uicount Burinquet they had Montaulban and all that bordered vppon the same Moreouer Orleans and the Cities and townes therunto adioyning was
of the garrisons which were so nie Againe they told him that it was certainely reported that the purpose of his aduersaries was to take him and the Admirall Therfore when the Prince of Conde had consulted with the Admirall they perceiuing that they had no longer time to tary they commended the successe of al thinges to the prouidence of God and tooke with them their wiues and their children and fled the xxij daye of August the same day the Prince of Condes letters being deliuered to the Kyng in the which he declared vnto him the cause of his departure and complained also of the iniuries offered vnto him I AM SORY saith he most Christian King that in all my letters which I haue sent vnto you since the proclimation of the Edict you haue found nothing but complaints and lamentations of your subiects and yet I am constrained too write of the same vnto you still For if euer any subiect had iust cause to complaine and lament to his Prince and soueraigne Lord then I and the rest of my bretherne haue cause so to do who a long time haue ben abused and oppressed miserably with all kind of iniuries and violence ▪ The which they haue borne the more paciētly because they haue thought that time at the last would ease them of all their euils and because they wold let passe al occasions that might renue the wounds of former warres although ▪ by the goodnes of God they might haue repelled those iniuries many wayes The causes wherof we know O King are not to bee imputed vnto you who of your selfe are so well inclined and disposed that you are an vtter enemie to such waies The which you haue often times declared vnto me by your letters and also by the communication which you had of late with your Mother the Quéene by which you declared how odious the renuing of troubles was vnto you when as you requested her to séeke to pacefie all thinges and to bring to passe that the ciuil warres might be no more begon which could not chuse but bring in time extréeme destruction But we impute the cause of these troubles to the Cardinall of Loraine and to his fellowes your aduersaries and enemies to your Crowne and dignitie by whose wicked counsaile and familiaritie which they haue with the Kyng of Spaeine dissentions and hartburnings haue ben continued these sixe yeres among your subiectes and are miserably fostered and increased by murthers which are dayly committed euery where at their becke vppon those which refuse to ioyne with them Wherin they do openly abuse your Maiesty that they may make your selfe the instrument of the detestable destruction of your Realme and they do also obscure your Maiesties fame while they go about to constraine you to violate the warrant of your faith openly giuen and confirmed by your othe that this one thing might be to all your subiectes and to all forreine Nations an example neuer to credite your faith hereafter whatsoeuer by woordes you shall professe the which how perilous and pernicious a thing it is for the conser uation of your state do ye not sée For what shall they say which haue heard of our prompt and readie obediēce which we haue shewed towards you in disarming our selues and in dismissing our armies with all spéede go ing home to our houses voyde of armour and discouering our naked brestes to the sharpe swordes of our aduersaries and all vnder trust warrant of your faith Shall your faith be said to be a net and share to intangle and slay your better sort of subiects and shal their faithfull obedience be thus tried How long shall an armie at your cost and charge bee waged to gard and defend your enemies but to woorke the destruction of your good and faithfull subiects What shall they saye which vnderstand of the peace made Surely they wil say that we could not sléepe safe in our owne houses that to saue our liues we are constrained with our wife and children to flée from house to house I was no sooner come to this place in Burgandy but there were diuers spies sent to vew the walles therof and the altitude of the Castell And now because our aduersaries would not faile to bring their mischeuous purpose to passe they haue sent hither the chiefest part of their power to hem vs in and to set vppon vs Insomuch that wée are constrained to depart from hence and too wander vp downe vntill God shall appoint a place of refuge and all to auoyde the brutish madnes the furies and cruelties of the Cardinall and his compartners enemies to the Crowne of Fraunce Can there be found in any monument of histories and Cronicles an example of so great falshode and such detestable trechery executed vnder the pretenced name of the Kyng Will you suffer your faith your promise and name to be so abused by them and your subiects which serue you faithfully and truely to be so violently oppressed Shall an vnchast priest a Tiger and a cruell Tirant ▪ with a ra ble of such as he him selfe is rule you and the rest of your Princes the Péeres and Nobles of the realme How long shall your pacience suffer such Iauelles too abuse your authoritie and name and make you the author of your owne destruction How long shall they bée counted for faithfull subiects and seruants which séeke for your Crowne to deuide the same with straungers And how long shall they be counted for Rebelles and Traytors which willingly submit themselues to that obedience which they owe vnto you and desire only to liue peaceably vnder your protection I might be more tediouse vnto you most Christian King if I would speake all that I might to this effect the which séeing thei are more particularly declared in the Supplication which I haue sent to your highnesse by this bearer I refer my selfe to the same and I shall most humbly pray and beséeche your Maiestie to accept to consider and to way the same as procéeding frō him who seeketh so much the preseruation of youre dignitie and Royall estate as the Cardinall and his fellowes are mortall enemies to the same yea as procéeding frō him who only wisheth to liue and dye in that naturall subiection and loyall obedience which hée oweth vnto you Therefore the Prince of Conde sent with these letters a Supplication which although it be long and tediouse yet notwithstāding because it declareth the causes and reasons of great and gréeuouse complaints and sheweth also the necessitie of the warre which he tooke in hand the third tyme we will not let to put down the same in order And thus the Prince of Conde began Although I neuer doubted most Christian King of your Maiesties singular good will to haue your Edicts of pacification obserued because it is the only and most present remedy to establish the peace and tranquillitie of your Realme séeing also your Maiesty hath oftentymes signified vnto mée
you proteste That you haue appointed watch and ward in the ports bridges passages to no other ende than to keepe your subiectes within the boundes of peace and concorde to defende the good from the practises of the euill and to restraine the force of the wicked In déede I acknowledge your sincere and perfect good will but to the ende you maye know howe im pudently they abuse your name I beséeche you to commaunde them to exhibite vnto you a forme and paterne of the commaundementes which are giuen to those Warders that they maye order the whole matter after their owne wils preferibyng the same to be done in stéede of your commaundemente And by those commaundements you shall plainly perceiue that those warders and souldiers were appointed to no other ende than to vexe and oppresse by all meanes the professors of the reformed Religion and therefore as they abuse your name â–ª so also they abuse your will most impudently as the effectes like and agréeing with these commaundementes do sufficiently declare in the writing of the which commaundementes I do note the style of the Cardinall of Loraine But as touching that which you say in the. xi branch That your Maiestie ought to haue no confideration of appointed garrisons when the aduauncement of your dignitie is in question and that the Queenes houses the houses and landes of other noble men also haue garrisons also set to ouersee them I pray and beséeche you most Christian King to perswade your selfe that there is no man to whom I giue place in shewing my readinesse and good will to obey your Maiestie If therefore it were profitable vnto your Maiesty to appoint Garrisons to ouersée and watch my house I would estéeme it for greate honour to spende not onely my house and landes but also my life to obey you And where as garrisons are appointed ouer the Quéenes houses ouer the houses of other Noble men it is done for another consideration Moreouer I had great iniurie done to me when I was denied to haue passage into my owne Lieutenantship and circute the which cannot iustly be done except I were guiltie of Treason or of some such detestable crime For wheras I am moued in that thyrtene branche Not to credit the rumors of neither part that truely is very daungerous for those things which are reported of vs can be proued by no maner of effecte or déede as for those things which are reported of the catholikes they are euideÌ„tly proued by déedes For wheras you protest that you neuer allowed those Confraternities of the holy Ghost but counted them manifest violations of your Edicte I will not hyde from you what happened of late in this matter About the eightene day of Iuly last paste there was an open conuenticle of thrée thousande men at Diuion in the which Ian Begat a Counseller of the Parliament of Diuion wyth Fioâ—… Raimond and Malleroy his fellowes and with the two sonnes of Tauuans because he himselfe being let with sicknesse could not be there made a long oration to the whole assembly shewing howe necessary it was for euery man to be vigilant least they were oppressed by false Princes which went aboute to rule the Kyng Therefore he exhorted euerye one to prouide Armour Money great horse Gunnes and all manner of Artillerie for the which cause a Treasurie should be made that therin money might be gathered together for the defence of the Fraternitie And for collecting of this money was appointed the Abbot Bussier and when he had exhorted perswaded that assembly with many words to be contributors to the Treasurye he commaunded all that were present to holde vp their hands vpon that condition that if warre were moued euery man shuld to the vttermost of his power séeke to bring those things to passe which were deliberated deuised by the Consistory appointed to this ende without hauing any regarde or consideration of Father Mother Brethren Sisters Wife Children or Kinsfolkes And when one of those which were present by and by demaunded of him whether your Maiestie would allowe the doing of these things Begat made answere that you had alreadie confirmed these things with your letters and that Tauuans had giuen letters vnto his Secretarie for the better credit whereof he himselfe being sicke had sent thither bothe his sonnes to iustifie the same vntill he could be present himselfe which he trusted woulde be shortlye Also he added further that if your Maiestie should not allow of the same it were no great matter because there were others to whom they might safely trust and leane saying moreouer that they oughte to haue regarde to those letters whiche your Maiestie should write to Tauuans or to the Parliament concerning the obseruation of the Edicte bycause there was betwene your Grace and them a speciall and secrete manner of talke which was not of all men vnderstood Tauuans also sent letters to the men of Creuan whiche were deliuered vnto them the seuen and twenty daye of Iuly by which his letters he exhorted them to vse the like societie or brotherhood promising vnto them that he would bring to passe that your highnesse should confirme and allow the same The like confraternitie was begonne at Maine many noble men entering into that societie being Catholikes as Baron Uasse Tuarsi Surchi and manye others which were either presente themselues or else confirmed that societie by their substitutes whom they sent thither with letters The like are also to be founde in diuers other places of your Realme And to the end all men mighte be the more encouraged herevnto they which were presente at these assemblyes were tolde that your highnesse had allowed them by your letters and to other some which were more subtil it was said That the Cardinall of Loraine wonlde bring to passe that you shoulde allowe all those their doings These things O king are contrary to your Edict If they will excuse themselues and say that they had special and necessary occasions offered them thus to do as by your speciall commaundement of the which also you wrote vnto me that there should be musters of men in euery prouince especially of such as were able men I saye that these societies go beyonde that Commission and are nothing agréeable with your coÌ„maundement I saye also that the same deuise to haue a description and vew taken of your people hath giuen occasions to those pernicious assemblies to assaulte your dignitie beside that it is done contrarye to the lawes of your auncetors which were euer ware and circumspect to kéepe secret to themselues the number of their power But as touching the sixtene braunch where you say That I know that your Maiestie hath writteÌ„ to the Senate of Tholoz concerning the rapine there coÌ„mitted In dede I wil not deny but that I knew of the sending of your letters to the men of Tholoz in the whiche you sayd that you had séene many decrées giuen forthe by them expresly against Rapine in
to chalenge and claymâ—… them for the Spanish king Wherein hée hath both done great iniurie to your maiestie and the wole kingdome and also sought thereby to bring your Grace in feare and to stand in awe of him by reason he is in such fauor and estimation with the king of Spayne to whom he coÌ„municateth all the affaires of this realme There was neuer any deuise inuented or practised neither in the first or second warres whereof Kinge Phillip hath not ben both an authour and fautour whose chief desire is to sée the greatest part of your Nobilitie destroyed that he might the easier conquer your kingdome For surely there is no more effectuall meanes to bring that his purpose to passe then to set vs togither by the eares by sowing of strife and dissention And to what other endâ—…â—…an those Confraternities and brother hoodes as they call them of the Holy Goste bee referred then to this For some of the Noble men which are admitted into that fellowship are so wedded vnto it that they vtterly forget their dutie and doo conspire with them the death of such noble men as professe the reformed religioÌ„ whose desire is to liue quietly with them in the bande of brotherly loue as becometh good subiects vnder one prince and friends alied togither either in kinred or affinitie And who I beséeche your maiestie hath ben the author of these holy brotherhoods but the Cardinall who hath promised to procure your warrant for them notwithstanding your highnesse hath declared them to be hurtefull and preiudiciall to your honour and therefore to be disallowed And what shall we thinke of his sendinge abroad through all the whole kingdome wherin he willed that no maÌ„ should either giue credit to or obey your Maiesties commaundements vnlesse the letters which were sent were signed with speciall signet and surely through this his dooing no commission that euer came out from your grace for the obseruation of the Edicte was in any poinct obeyed and executed so that we may both iustly and truly say that he none but he hath ben auctour of these broyles and tumultes Furthermore who did hinder the publishing of the Edict and who doth stâ—…y the execution of it who emboldened the Parliament of Tolouze to rage so tyrannically as they dyd And who but he and his confederates hath driuen your Maiestie into such streight distresse that you are compelled to violate your publique promise made and solemlie confirmed by othe and thereby to haue your credit and honor crackt amongst all forreyne nations yea we are able to proue how he himselfe wrote letters to your Maiesties mother and had the Aâ—…males hand subscribed vnto them letting hiâ—… to vnderstaÌ„d that he could not staye the conclusion of the peace whereto necessitie drane them notwithstaÌ„ding he would so work that it should neuer be kept By whose meanes is iustice equitie banished out of this realme and most fiâ—…thy and dissolute libertie of factions and seditions brought in with all kinde of trayterous murthering of those that will not yéeld to their tyrannie Who is it that sendeth ruffians and desperat persons euery day yea eueÌ„ home to my owne house to murther both me and the Admirall and this haue two whom I haue taken confessed Who entised certaine Knights of S. Michaels order other Captaines to murther the Admirall who God be thanked had warninge geuen by them that should haue done the deed Who procured Monsieur Sipierre to â—…e slaine and to the number of fiue and thirtie Noble men with him but he For his Brother the Duke of Guise would commonly boaste of it a moneth and more before it was done and being done he himselfe had the first tydings of it Yea who but he or his men flue Monsieur Amanze sitting at his owne doore with his younge daughter in his armes who had offended neyther part but liued quietly with all men of both Religions Neuerthelesse when his Nephew the Duke of Lorayn had aduertised him that it were expedient for him that hée absented himselfe from your Grace because many dyd beare him deadly hatred because he ruling al things at his owne pleasure should be charged as authour and causer of al the troubles and miseries that had or shold endammage the common weale of the kingdome Hée made him aunswere That he ruled not at all and that he made not his aboad with your Maiestie but because he did not knowe any other place wherein hee could bée more safe and frâ—…e from daunger Whereby it is euidâ—…nt that for his â—…uegard onely your highnesse Armie is maintaynâ—… tâ—… your excéeding great charges whiche must néedes bring with it a very daungerous and mischéeuous end For if so be the sauetie and strength of a king doth consist vppon the good will and loue of his â—…ub â—…ectes what cause can be inuented whereby hée shoulde enforce your Maiestie to take armour against those whose onely desire is to shewe the liege and loyall obedience they owe to your maiestie But he thinkes the pretence and shew of your name and aucthoritie sufficient to hide and cloake his mischeuous doinges in so much he spared not of late to saye that your highnesse gaue him this answere That shortly men would haue gathered in their hay and corne and haue made an end of their vinetage that the Riuers would be so highe with showers of raine that men could not passe ouer the sayd Riuers that your treasurie should shortly bee enriched with tributes and that then warre should bée proclaymed against those of the reformed religion but in the meane tyme the chief maintainers thereof were to be dispatcht out of the way Yea such is the impudeÌ„cie of the man that he is not ashamed to bragge that the Quéene hath complayning wise found faulte with him That their purpose of our destructioÌ„ was not brought to effect notwithstaÌ„ding the feast of San Ian was past in which tyme he had promised to rid the greatest parte of vs out of the way And as yet none were dispatched but onely Monsieur Sipierre whereunto hée made answere That he had done the best he could to kéepe promise but all would not serue because the Noble men were alwayes spéedely enformed of al his deuises notwithstanding he was in good hope to compasse the matter and in the meane season it was expedient that your maiestie O Christian king should féed vs with vayne hope and gentle letters till they might spye out fit occasion and oportunitie to accomplishe their desires And what other can your grace conceiue of that suÌ„me of money whiche they procured Ian Baptist to sende to you was not the vsurie beyond all reason to giue a hundreth for an hundreth do they not by this their money shewe what good will and loue they beare your highnesse wherefore can any man say that we of the reformed Religion do without vrgent and great cause assaulte the Cardinall of Loraine howe long shall he with subtill trecheries abuse your
Maiestie and make you beléeue that we séeke not him but you seyng we protest before God that we desire to haue no man but him onely and his confederates and why we â—…o so we haue declared both iust necessarie causes How long shall credit be giuen to his olde Iuglings and lyes I most hartily beseche the Quéenes Maiestie to remember his former talke at Chantelliere where she tolde the Constable and the Admirall that the Cardinall was borne to sowe strife discention wheresoeuer he was and that he was the chiefe and onelye cause of all the broyles and factions that were fostred through out all the Realme Let hir cal to hir minde the purpose of that wise and prudent king Henrie who perceiuing the ambitions and wicked dispositions of the Cardinall and al his brethren was fully bente a little before he dyed to haue banished them all from his Court to Loraine But here note the iudgement that the Emperour Maximilianus that nowe is gaue of him when he wrote to your Maiestie That all the warres and dissentions that trouble the state of Christians were both begon and maintained by a couple of Cardinals the Cardinal GranuellaÌ„ and him of Loraine notwithstanding al this he abideth with your Maiestie a great armie is maintained to gard and defende him that subtill Serpente at your charges is maintained to sucke your owne bloud who tarieth for nothing but onely to spie out fit occasion and oportunitie to spit out his venemous poysoÌ„ against your grace What blyndnesse hath bewitched vs that straungers and forreyners can sée the destruction that hangs ouer our heades and yet we cannot perceiue it hauing it amongst vs as it were in our lappes Is there any man so ignoraunt that doth not sée him practise his olde and Iâ—…neterate treacheries to the entent he mighte thrust out and depose the lawful true hieâ—…e froÌ„ the crowne and then giue it to a straunger what doth he make of Religion but a cloke and a veyle to couer his villanie Can any man thinke that he setteth by or beareth any zeale to that Religion which he willingly of his owne accord would haue forsaken and in stead of it haue embraced the confession of Ausburge onely vpon this condition that Francis the Duke of Guise might be chosen one of the Princes electors of the Empire If any man say vnto him that it is very perilous likely that the Spanishe King triumphing at our destruction will to our greaâ—… griefe set vppon and inuade the Kingdome such is his shamlesse impudencie that he will not stick to say openly that the Quéene doth not muche care for that bycause she loueth her daughters as well as her sonnes And although God would graunt your Maiestie both might and power to pacifie all controuersies amongest vs for Religion yet surely there is no hope euer to extinguishe the engraffed grudges and hatred that the Cardinall and his companions do dayly sowe amongst your subiectes For what salue what remedie can be deuised for that wouÌ„d which through murthers and spoyles is made euerie daye more and more incurable Is there any hope to reconcile your subiecâ—…s and set them at one againe whose stâ—…macke are with these furious and bloudy cruelties set on fire with inquenâ—…h able flame of hatred Nay sure it is past all doubt that these olde displeasures and hatefull harthurnings will last from one generatioÌ„ to another and passe from one to another euâ—… by succession and heritage as lands and â—…ubstance doe yea it is to be feared that the same miserie and destruction will ouer whelmâ—… vs that hathe fallen vpon the Quéene of Scots throughe the wicked and diuelishe counsell of the Cardinall If we sée the CoÌ„mons to riâ—…e vp and â—…ebell for custome and tributâ—… of salte and for vnreasonable taxes that there Princes lay vpon them which causes be vnlawfull and feditious what then shall they doe that haue iust and necessarie causes to alledge forthemselues who are not only spoyled and bereâ—…ed of there goods but also of there consciences dignitie honor and life that by this meane he might more easle compasse his long desired wishe to depose your Maiestie and hathe for this purpose full craftely raised ciuill broyles as more fitte for his purpose then foreme warres Is there anye iniurie that can driue a man sooner into desperation then when he séeth his conscience his honor honestie and life affaulted wherfore if I whom it hath pleased God to place in néere degrée of blâ—…d to your Grace am besides that natural coniunction bound by other great occasions to be carefull for the preseruation of your honor and dignitie together with the Admirall one of your chiefe and mostâ—… noâ—…le officers and many other Noble men who are your highnesâ—… naturall liege and loyall subiectes doe sée the enemie euen before your gates shall not we hazarde and spende both life and goods to chase him away shall we be such traitors both to our selues and our Couâ—…ey that when we sée the â—…atter maniâ—… we shall hold our tounges and suffer our enemyes furiouâ—…y withoute râ—…sistance to iâ—…ade vâ—… shall we your Princes and subiectes so behaue our selues that it may worthily and iustly another day be cast in oure téeth and sayd That we without regarde of our allegiance which by 〈◊〉 he wâ—… 〈◊〉 promised to your Grace â—…ue suffâ—…ed our lawfuâ—…l Prince and appoynâ—…ed by God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of his throne shall we suffer our selues to bâ—… 〈◊〉 noted with such repâ—…oche of periurie and trecherie as to haue séene the scepter and Crowne of â—…ur countrey rent from the right and true heire and giuen to an vsurping straunger but admitte the Cardinals doings tende not to the vtter destruction of your Maiestie yet no man can denie but that councell which he giueth vn to your grace is not only disordered and vniust but also very pernicious and intollerable There is nothing more acceptable before God or that draweth néerer too his diuine puritie then for a Kyng to gouerne his subiects and people with Iustice and equitie againe there is nothing more beseeming the office and dutie of a King then to loue promote and further peace and tranquillitie and to defend his subiects committed to his charge from all calamities and anoy What hath bene the cause that so many common welthes haue ben preserued in florishing estate so loÌ„g but only the peaceable and quiet gouernment of the commons without any violence or iniuries But amongst all those counselles which that wicked Cardinall hath and doth giue to your Maiestie can one word bee found that did or doth tend too the maintenance of peace and quietnes Nay rather at your graces great cost and charge he maintaineth an armie that there by he may engender and norish suspicions in your Maiesties brest against those who couet nothing so much as to shew the dutifull obedience they owe to your high nes Is it not thorough him that you suffer
a gloriouse name among the French meÌ„ yea among those that were his enemies for euer There was in this prince a singular loâ—…e toward the gospell a desire most ferueÌ„t to aduauÌ„ce the glory of God to further the dignitie of his prince to maintayne the libertie and peace of his countrey For the which his enemies brought him into great perill and sought by all meanes possible to quenche that burning zeale in him toward the Gospel But he declared himself wise and valeant â–ª in ouer passiug those troubles and also constant in the trueth of the Gospel who for the same hath forsaken great dignities and princely honor and hath consecrated himselfe wholy vnto God and who as he hath for the gospel of God for the dignitie of the king and for the libertie of his countrey spent his life euen so séeing he hath for these causes speÌ„t it he hath in the foyle got the victorie of his enemies and being dead triumpheth ouer death and is yet aliue A myracle which all godly and christian men throughout all posterities will euer embrace In this battaile there were two hundred of the faith full slayne fortie noble men taken prisoners among whom was the bastard sonne of the King of Nauar the Lord de la Noue whose horse was slayne at the firste charge the lord of Teligni de la Balbe de Soubize and de Loue also the Lord Stuard a Scot â–ª and Chastelher portaÌ„t who after they were takeÌ„ were stabbed with daggers and murthered On the Catholiques side were slayne the County de la Miraude the lord de Monsaletz the Ba rons of Ingrande and Prunay with many other After this battaile one part of the horsemen drew to S. Iean de Angely with the Admirall the L. Andelot the Countie de la Rochefocault and Monsieur de Acier the other part tooke their way to Coignac In this Encounter the prince had no other footemeÌ„ than the Lord Pluneaux regiment heretofore meÌ„cioned all the rest of his footemen was retired by his commauÌ„demeÌ„t to Iarnac as being not of mynd to fight that day There was made at Iarnac a bridge of boates to passe the Riuer Charente in time of néed ouer which the footmen séeing the ouerthrow passed ouer to the other syde of the riuer so then brake it in péeces for feare of pursutes soretired to Coignac where were the princes of Nauarre and Anguyen The artillery brought from Coygnac was brought thyther agayne hauing made not great way The said princes of Nauar and Anguyen now prince of CoÌ„de departed from Coygnac the next morning with such horsemen as were retyred vnto theÌ„ And the same day they arriued at Sainctes in Sainctonge leauing their footemen at Coygnac to maintayne warre agaynst the Catholiques Who the morrowe after being the fiuetéene of March presented themselues in battayll before Coygnac with horsemen and footemen making countenance to besiege it There was a great skirmish vpoÌ„ them on the parks side thereto adioyning by meane of a silly made by the Lord Baudine In which encounter were left dead in the same place two hundred bodies and great numbers hurt â–ª whiche made the Catholiques to retire the same day retourning to Iarnac In the meane while the Admirall vnderstanding that the princes were retired to Sainctes went thyther too them and with the horsemen of their trayn he brought them to S. Iean de Angely and from thence to ThonieCharante Now the army of the faithfull were in great sorrow when the Quéene of Nauarre came to them because of the death of the Prince of Conde who vsed these persua sions and exhortations to quiet their minds Whereas fayth shée the prince of Cynde hath spent his life valiantly for the defence of so good a cause â–ª which also in his lyfe time he roÌ„stantly defended the hath left behind him to his fellow souldiers an example of Constancie for them to defend Gods trueth the Kings dignitie and the libertie of their Countrey against whiche wicked men rebell Our good and iust cause is not dead with the Prince of Conde neither ought the minds and courage of so good men to quayle and faynt by any maner of meanes God hath so prouided for his cause that he had raysed vp Defenders thereof in the â–ª Prince of Condes place to succede him Those â–ª and many other comfortable persuasions the Quéene of Nauarre vsed to encourage the moorning Army and then retourned to Rochell The prince of Conde thus taken away and his death no small losse to them of the religion the Kings â–ª brother knowing the princes of Nauarre and d'Anguyen â–ª were passed the ryuer of Botoune determined to follow them and in that purpose departed from Iarnac and came to Dampierre where he passed the ryuer he lodged his armie within halfe a league of S. Iean d'Angely of purpose to execute a certaine enterprise within the sayd towne by meane of the captaine of the Castell In the meane while the Princes Armye passed Charante as well at Thonye Charante as at Tallibourgh kéeping the boates alwayes on their side The Kings brother vnderstanding the sayde armye was passed ouer Charante and also that his enterprise vpon the towne of S. Iean d'Angely was so discouered as he coulde not commit it to safe execution returned from whence he came that is to Iarnac Chastoau-neuf and places about Angoulesme attending his opportunitie to effect an attempt which he had conspired vpoÌ„ that towne and that by meane of the captaine of the Parke which was also discouered as hereafter shall follow The Princes being now on the other side of the ryuer Charente begaÌ„ to suruey their forces viewing first their horsemen and then their footâ—… in order as hereafter shal be shewed All the horsemen were sent for in one day into two places The prince of Nauar and the L. Admirall mustred the battaile and the d' Andelot with the Countie Rochefoucaut the vauntgarde There were viewed and enhabled aboute iiii thousande horsemen well mounted and armed with valiante disposition to follow the cause to a good end It was openly read there to all the horsemen that the prince of Nauarre â–ª declared himselfe chiefe of the armie with promise not to leaue the campe till a good and happye peace and muche lesse to spare his life and goods in that behalfe This béeyng published the horsemen likewise protested by othe not to depart the armie without his leaue nor forbeare life 〈◊〉 liuing in the assistance of the quarell l'Endureau captaine of a hundred light horsemen after she last conflicte reuolted and tooke parte with the Countie du Lude gouernor of Poytou He was greuous after his reuolte to the Protestantes in a number of heauie euils as in pilling and robbing them wythoute respect and also vnder shadow of his white Cassakins wherwith he yet disgnised his people He toke the castell of Montaagu in base Poytou yeelding to the garrison no other mercie than by the edge
And for their partes the better to auouche their integrities in refusing all attempts aspiring preiudicially to the crown of France as the d' Aumalles letters did smisterly suggest the said princes haue protested by letters which he kéepeth sealed with their own hands that if at his being in France he sée or knowe any inclination in them to conspire in any sorte agaynst the crown that he would not only draw awai his succours but conuert them to the enemie and contrary side the rather to reuenge their disloyaltie whiche makes hym iudge of the princes side beleeue that they are not only far from the slaunderous impositions of their enemies but also of vnfained desire rather to reast quietly in their houses than follow so hard doubtful a warre whereunto they haue ben drawen of force as to defend the violent oppression of their malicious ennemies hée alledged besides that when his Cosin the Duke Casimir erected his army in Almaign in the like cause he was also vntruly informed as of purpose to draw him from succouring the Prince of Conde that it was against the Maiestie royall that the said Prince did conspire which notwithstanding was found otherwayes as appeareth by his maiesties Edictes of peace both first and last approuing alwayes the actions of the said Prince as done for the seruice of his Maiestie And to take awaye all suspicion he declared that besides that his meaninge and purpose was to succoure the saide Princes of Nauarre and Conde his enterpryse in comminge intoo Fraunce stretched also to relieue the little ones of the Religion dispersed into their seuerall miseries to whō of very duty being a Christian Prince he could doe no lesse than offer and lend his hande to leade them to Iesus Christ. And to the end his maiestie may vnfainedly resolue in the integrety of his purpose that he vndertakes not this iorney to spoyl his subiects or make pray of their wealthes or for any other perticular profit he protested that if his maiestie would graunt them a safe vse of their religion with a frée exercise of the same without limitation and distinctiō of persons and places together with assurance of their goods honours charges and estates he would not onely returne and dismisse his armye but also defray the whole charges of the same and the sayde Reistremaisters in their passage amounting in all to aboue a hundred thousand crownes protesting for ende that if in refusing his iuste and reasonable offers the quarell doo aggrauate by his comming into Fraunce to wype his handes in innocencie of al imputations hereafter and the faulte to be layde vppon the authors and chiefe Councellers of the warre beyng about his maiestie The Duke hauing now receiued his Launceknightes entered into Fraunce and passyng by Bourgongue came to Charyte beyng coasted sundrye tymes both behinde and before by the armies of the Dukes d' Aumall and Nemors without attempting any thing vpon hym he arriued without let before Charyte the. xvi of Maye which he battred so vehemently that he enforced forthwith a breache in the meane while the Lorde of Mouy passing ouer Loere a little aboue the sayd towne wyth thrée hundred harquebuziers won the suburbes towards the bridge the same so occupying and amazing thē that were besieged that the Duke entred the breache and put the whole garrison to the sworde this towne was taken in good time bycause that if it had lingred neuer so little the Duke d' Aumall being verye néere wyth succours had endaungered the enterprise The towne was no sooner taken then he was discouered not far of with xviii hundred horsemen who comming to shorte to withstande the Dukes entrie returned in hope to hinder the Duke to ioyne with the Princes Armye by meanes that he mette and assembled with the Kinges brothers power who knit together for this purpose in the countrey of Berry In the ende of May the Princes informed of the approche of the Duke de deux Pons and the taking of Charyte began to marche to ioyne with his armye and leauing the Lorde de la Noue to gouerne in the countreys of Poycton and Sainctonge tooke their waye by Angoulmois directly to Perigueux and as they passed thorowe that countrey the Lord of Chaumontes lyght horsemen with certaine companyes of footemen toke the towne of Noutron belonging to the Quéene of Nauar wherin were killed about foure score men that defended it this was the seuenth of Iune 1569. The morrow after the sayde Princes dispatched the Countie Montgomery into Gasoyne to commaunde ouer the army of the Uicounts who otherwayes would not agrée as not acknowleging one aboue another he toke his way by Solliac where he passed the riuer of Dordone and so beneath Cadenat he passed also ouer Lot came to Montauban without any let They of the town of Perigueux fearing the comming of the Princes army desired the Lord Montluc to sende them succours to whome he dispatched immediatly the knight Montluc his sonne wyth xii Ensignes of footemen wyth the which he entred the towne the fourth of Iune In this meane while the Princes armye kepte the waye drawyng to Lymosyn and the Duke de deux Pons hasted by great iorneys to ioyne with them passyng the ryuer of Viene two leagues aboue Limoges The catholikes had sent thither two C. shot to defend the passage who were all cut in pieces by the Lorde de Mouy the ix of this moneth on which day the princes army arriued at Chalus a towne in Lymosyn departing the nexte day to ioyne with the armye of the Duke de deux Pons in a village within two leagues of Chalus belonging to the Lord de Escars Gouernour of the said countrey The Lord Admirall accompanied with two hundred horsemen went where the duke was to salute him the Duke enduring certayne fittes of an ague not manye dayes afore and not cured as yet dyed the xi of thys moneth 1569. in a village thrée leagues from Lymoges a fore his death he called before hym the chiefe and principals of his army with whō he cōmunicated in many pointes but chiefly in persuasion and request to pursue the purpose of their comming into Fraunce leauing for their generall leader in his place the Countie Wolrard de Mansfeld afore his Lieuetenant Generall his body was caryed to the Towne of Angoulesme to be there huryed In the army of the said late Duke were xxviii cornets of horsemen conteining viii thousand and v. hundreth Reistres whereof were Colonels Hans Bucq Reignold Grac Henry d'Estam and Hans de There 's sixe thousand Launceknightes will armed on foote and for the most part pikemen deuided into xxvii Ensignes wher of were Colonels the Lord de Grauillar and the Lorde Guteryn Gansgorffe baron of Grelezee besides ii M. horsemen and ten Ensignes of foote men of Frenche men whereof was Colonell touching the footemen one of the sonnes of the Lord de Bricquemau There were also in the said army diuers personages
Protestants lost an hundreth or sixe score souldieurs with certaine numbers hurt The Lord de Pilles was hurt in the thigh with a small shot wherof he was spéedely cured The Lorde Briquemaux Sonne Colonell of the footemen was also hurte with a harquebush whereof after certain dayes dyed The Lord de S. Marie Dolphinoys with others of mark were also killed On the Catholiques part were killed Captain Passac and the Lorde de Montall with a good number of footmen Before these assaultes the Catholiques sent two meÌ„ to the King and his brother for succours with charge to reueale the estate of the towne and penurie of vittails The Kings brother hauing assembled as much force as he could came to la Haye and to Port de Pilles determining to beset Chastelleraut to the end to drawe the siege from Poytiers and therefore made to march his vauntgarde right to Chastelleraut lodging the monday being the v. of SepteÌ„ber a quarter of a league from the town The morrow after his horsemen and part of his footemen presented in order of battaill before the towne to view it all that day being spent in skirmishinge on the other side the riuer of Vienne The towne was gouerned by the Lorde de la Louë Marshall of the Campe of the vauntgarde to the princes He had first for the defence of it his owne companie of light horsemen and then the Lordes of Ualauoire Bressay la Motte and de Royesses with vii companies of footemen and captayn Normantes companie of harquebusiers on horsebacke The suburbes defaced by fier was no place for the catholikes to lodge in so that they were constrained to encampe further off which they began to do the same day they viewed the Towne The artillery brought by the Swizers arriued at midnight and immediatly appro ches were made and the Cannons ringed in batterye in two seuerall places beating notwithstanding al one breach It beganne the wednesday the vii of the sayde moneth very early neare the gate S. Catherine betwéene a tower of the said gate and an other tower more near drawing to the temple S. Iean Such was the furie of the battery as by two of the clocke in the after noone a breach was forced of thrée or foure score foote wyde the chaunce fell vppon the Italians to giue the assault which they did being backed followed with certain Frenchmen They mounted vpon the breach wher albeit they presented xvii Ensignes yet found they such sharp and spéedy repulse as they were enforced in a moment to turne their faces receyuing great losse by the vaulte of the said gate wherein were bestowed vi score harquebuzears well appointed The Italians lost at this assault v. of their Ensignes which the Protestants tooke from them by force After this the assault and the catholikes retired from the breach Captaine Bernier d' Auphinoys came to succour the towne wyth foure hundreth harquebuzears be ing backt with the horsemen of the Princes uauntgard led by the L. de la Loue and Teligny The Italians were so crushed at this assault as they had no will to make it good again neyther was any other thing worthy of memory done that day The same day the siéege of Poitiers raised to come to xeskue Ch. stellerant marching no further that daye than thrée leagues by reason one of the cannons miscaried and was leste on the place The morrow after the army approched within halfe a league of Chastellerant which made the catholikes raise their siéege and retire to Port de Pille hauing loste in this siéege fiue hundreth menne and almost all Italians whereof the Colonell Fabiano de Rome was one The nexte morninge the Princes vauntgard pursued the catholikes cuttinge of from the taile of their campe about two hundreth footemen and killed them all The same day the Lorde de Sanzay entred Poytiers with x. or xii companyes of footemen almost all Italians and two hundreth horsemen Immediatly after whose comming the Duke of Guise and the Marques du Meine his brother accompanied with xv hundreth horsemen departed the Towne to relieue themselues with freshe aire The morrow after being the x. of September began a skirmish on the hither side the said Port de Pille against two thousand harquebuzears which the catholikes had left ther within the trenches They were at laste enforced to passe spéedily ouer Creuse leauing about iiii or v. hundreth of their company dead on the place The Princes armie drewe to la Haye to passe the sayd Ryuer the next morning being the xi day of the sayd moneth There was no worthy matter performed other than certaine light skirmishes The monday followinge the Princes army ready ringed in battaile very early presented afore the catholikes to giuâ—… them battaile Albeit bycause there was betwéene the two Armies a little Ryuer with maryse shoares which neyther the Princes could passe themselues nor yet coÌ„uey ouer their artillery after the two armies had long remained one within view of another they retired into their seueral quarters The princes army for want of vittailes and seing with all the Catholiques had small disposition to fighte passed againe ouer Creuse and also Vienne the twelth of September retiring so to Faye la Vineuse in Poyctou of purpose chiefly to refresh them The catholiques drewe to Chynon expecting not only forses to be brought from many places in France but also such companyes of men of armyes as had leaue till the first of October as hath bin saide The Prince of Orange departed froÌ„ Faye to returne into Almaigne with a very small company he passed by Charyte and Uezelay and from thence by manye countreyes withoute anye let till he came into Almaigne The brute went that he vndertooke his iourney to hast certaine succours of Reistres As the Admirall laye at Fay vineuse there was one Dominike Dalbe a Gascoine executed by sentence the xxi of this moneth These were the causes proued against hym First that he beyng of the Admirals chamber sent by him to the Duke de deux Pons with letters as well from the sayde Admirall hys maister as other Princes was taken at Brissac a Countrey in the Marches vpon the ende of May last by the Lorde la Riuiere Captaine of the Garde to the Catholikes and being by him earnestly sollicited he reuealed to the Quéene mother Duke d'Aniow hir sonne and Cardinall of Loraine his iourney with the purpose with further promyse that vnder colour to go and deliuer to the sayde Duke his letters of charge to espie hys campe and sounde his secrete determinations and so being presented froÌ„ that tyme with an hundred crownes and an estate or office roomth in the chamber of the sayd Duke d'Aniow he put him on the way to effect his promyse touching the view and report of the Dukes campe from whome hauing spéedie dispatche he returned to the sayd la Riuiere and imparted his full expedition not forgetting to describe at large what he had learned of the state of the Dukes
Pilles sent out by the Port Matta the same Gentleman whom he vsed afore in the supplye of succoures by whose second diligence the Lord de S. Auban a Gentleman of Daulphine accompanied with xl horsmen enterprised to come to the reliefe and succour of the sayde towne who notwithstandinge was so encountered in the way as hée was forced to retire with the losse of thrée of his people and also the Gentleman his guide The xxix day of Nouember Sebastian Luxenburge counte de Martiques knight of the order Captayne of fifty men at armes and Lieuftenaunte generall to the King in his Dutchie and countrey of Britaine being at the battery was stroken in the head with a harquebushot whereof he dyed to the generall griefe of the Papistes In the beginning of December about ix of the clock in the morninge the Catholiques demaunded to parley with the Lord de Pilles wherevnto he listened with lesse difficulty in respect he was not furnished with munition of warre for one assault more if it had bin offred ney ther had he hope to be so spéedily succoured as his perill required which was the cause that the ii of this month after hée had established extréeme actes and prouisions for the Gard of the said towne he was enforced to render it vppon the couenantes following 1 That the Protestants should depart the town their goodes saued with their horses and armour and banner displayed 2 That they should not beare armes for the generall cause of Religion in foure monethes after 3 That their whole companies as well Straungers as inhabitaunts might retire whither they would in al surety 4 That they should be safe conducted to their place of suerty where so euer it were by the Lorde de Byron according to which composition the morrow after the iii. of this moneth S Iean de Angely was yéelded into the handes of the Lord de Guitiniers The lord de Pilles departing the same day about noone by the Port de Matta with eyght hundreth footmen of all sortes and about C. horsmen ▪ taking his way towardes Angoulesme Not withstanding the conduct and presence of the saide lord de Byron the most part of the footemen were spoiled and dyuerse slaine and the baggage of the horsemen taken against their promysse of faith During this siéege died in the towne about a hundreth Souldiours and certain numbers of labourers of the catholikes side without the towne dyed aswell of the hand of the enemye as by diseases about two thousand amongst which were many great lordes Gentlemen and Captaines slayne as the great maister of the artillery whose office was giuen to the saide lord de Biron the gouernment of the towne was giuen to the lord de Guitiniers and for the garde of it the King bestowed eight companies of footemen The same day the King the Quéene mother the Cardynall of Loraine wyth dyuers great lordes of the Courte entred the towne and visited as wel the forte of the gate Aulnis and the castell as the first breach of the tower on the wall and so returned to their places where they were lodged afore Certaine of the Catholikes immediatly after the towne was giuen ouer wente towardes the yles of Marans and Marennes holden of long by them of the religion from whence they were now withdrawen by speciall commaundemente from Rochell whereby the Catholikes entred and seased vpon them wythoute resistance In this tyme were executed in Fraunce certayne iudgements diffinitiue pronounced afore against those of the reformed Religion whose processes were begon and pursued by the Kinges procurers from the begynning of the warres aswell against such as were out of the Realme as those that maintayned parte with the Princes The first sort forsooke the Realme immediatly after the second peace as being denyed to enter their houses goods contrary to the couenaunts of the same ▪ and lesse able to liue withoute mortall perill to theyr persons in the townes of their proper habitation being filled with garrisons of the contrary factiō as hath bene touched in the beginning of these discourses the other sort forsed estsoones to fal into armes were knit and tyed to the army of the Princes to resist the voluntary infringers of the peace and coniured enemyes to the whole Realme both the one and other were procéeded against by personall adiornements in three shorte dayes and for defaulte of apparance their goods were seased to the Kings vse and gouerned by speciall Commissioners of sequestration many ydle officers busied themselues to effect the execution of their goods in many prouinces the sayde iudgements dyd suspend hang vntill after the battell of Montgontour whē they awarded generall and spéedy processe against all men by defaultes procéeding to execution in Effigie and adiudication of their goods to the King wherein suche was the liberal zeale of the iudges that they executed by Effigie such as were dead long time before It hath bene sayd before that the Lord de Sansac lefte the siege of Uezeley by reason his Cannons miscaryed and now hauing got newe prouision of Artillery to the number of twelue or thirtéene péeces and beyng wythall aduertised by certaine of the Towne of Vezeley that the Lorde de Traues with a great part of the Nobilitie present at the firste siege were departed and lefte the Towne came to besiege it of freshe He battered still the tower of the Port du Barle righte against the watering place soone after he remoued his batterie to that fide of the gray Fryers following with so vehement an assaulte that they came to hande strokes vppon the breaches albeit he was repulsed During thys siege Albert de la Chasse a Bourgeys of the town wrote letters to the Catholikes reuealing the particular state of the Towne He threw his letters ouer the wall into a fielde where the Catholikes came and found them and as he was going to the Wall with a letter readye to conueye to the enemie he was taken with the facte and charging a scholemaister as partie to his treason were both hanged forthwith The batterie was such as thee wer spent aboue thrée thousand and fiue hundreth shottes of canon and al not able to force the Protestantes whiche made the Lorde Sansac raise his siege the. xvii of December 1569. loosing in this siege about xv hundreth men amongst whome the Lord de Foyssy Colonell of his footemen was hurte to death with a shot vppon the trenches Within the Towne amongst others M. Iaques Perrin a Minister was killed with a Canon The warre dyd still aggrauate in diuerse places of the Realme contrary to the opinion of such as thought it should haue ben qualified vtterly quēched by the battaile at Montgontour They of Charyte whereof hathe bene spoken before strēgthened themselues with great numbers of men of warre come with the Lord de Bricquemau and Borry with their retinue they maintayned ordinarie warre against the garrisons of the catholikes thereaboutes making many enterprises and one winning of another
The Lorde de Lespau a gentleman of Berry and one called la Rose Sergeant maior to Sanserre attempted an enterprise vpon the Towne of Bourges in Berry by meane of intelligence with a Souldiour of the towne called Vrsin Pallus to whome was promised a greate summe of money with a bill for the assurance payable within two moneths after he had satisfied hys promise This enterprise had bene of long practised and for the execution of it the parties to the practise imparted it with the Lord de Bricquemau de Guercy Liuetenant to the Lord Admirall ouer his men of Armes and gouernour at the present of Charite for the Kinge vnder the princes to the Lord de Borry Barō of Reury des Essarz with others Lordes and Captaynes in those quarters Who vnderstanding the enterprise at large wyth the meanes to execute it iudged with it as a thing very cōuenient to be pursued This Vrsin Pallus in the meane while reuealed it to the Lord de la Charstre gouernour of the towne of Bourges and countrey of Berry and also to Captaine Martyn kéeper of the tower of Bourges who aduised hym to entertayne the enterprise and assure to them of Charite day place and meane to effect it who likewise applyed himselfe to their instructions In the meane while the said Gouernour of Charstres omitting no preparatiue fitte to welcome them deuysed gynnes of fire traines of pouder within the ditches of the place assigned he bestowed also two grates the one at the entry of the little Forte and the other at the dore or false port by which they enter into the great tower bringing lastly into the towne dyuerse horsemen and footemen Italians for their better suerty and defence The day and houre speciall for this purpose was assigned by the said Pallus on S. Thomas night the on and twenteth of December at two of the clock at after midnighte whiche they of Charite fayled not to obserue in poynt And bycause they were dispersed in diuerse places the place of generall méeting was at Baugy a castle taken before by tht Barron of Reury about six leagues from Bourges There met about a thousande or twelue hundreth harquebushears on foote of the troupes of the Lorde Borry and Loruaye with thrée cornets of horsemē guyded by the Lorde Bricquemau all which in very good poynt obserued both the houre and place asseigned called la Grange Francois half a league from Bourges where where likewise met thē the saide Vrsin Pallus ▪ assuring thē still of the facilitie of the enterprise that he could bring thē to the great tower without daūger wherunto to couer all cause of doubte he offered to be their first leader They of the Religion vnder the saith of his worde made march first and formost with him the Lorde de Lespau accompanyed with twelue aswell Captaines as souldiers and entred by a wicket toward the fort of the false port where they pitched ladders to enter within the false porte which was siue foote aboue grounde After him entred the Baron Reury with fiue twenty men and then the Lord de Sarts with fifty souldiers to sustaine the first but as his troupe entred the cordes of the grate were cut when they also within applyed their seuerall engines to vse and put fire to the traines and at the instant the artillery bestowed in flanks thūdred vppon them that were to enter as also Captaine Martyn with his nūber of armed mē charged such as were vnhappely entred who séeing themselues their enterprise betrayed deuised and labored for their safetie aswell as they could some lept from the wall down some gat oute of the grate the same being somewhat hyer because Buysiere stewarde to the late Lord de Autricour was inclosed vnder it being notwithstandyng taken from thence by his company who not able other wise to effect their enterpryse were constrayned to retyre They killed of them of the Religion twelue or fourtene aswell Captaines as Souldiers almost as many kepte prisoners within the towne besides suche as were hurt the Lord de Lespau the Baron of Reurye de Lessartes des Milles with certaine other were taken within the grosse tower After this they of Bourges fearing the courses that they of the religion made euen to their gates aduertised the king of their necessitie who succoured thē spedely with fixe cornets of horsemen which had bene before at the siege of S. Ian d' Angely they arryued at Bourges vpon the ende of December The Princes being come to Montauban as is said executed the cause of their comming adioyning to their armie the forces of the two Uicountes and Montgomerie In this time the King sente backe to Poyctyers the Duke de Aumall with thrée Canons and one coluerine guyded by the Lord de Gouas and his regiment of footemen And so bestowing his garrisons to winter lycensing afore the Italian to go home his Maiesty came to the Towne of Angiers After these long vexations and troubles all men be gan to desire peace the which as it was greatly desired of the faithfull so there were manifest reasons why the Catholiques should desire the same For although the losse and ruine of the faithfull was more hard to be recouered Notwithstanding they that were staine of the Papistes side were not the lesser number And their spoyles made knowne too many in diuers places caused them to feare the desolation and calamities to come the more if warre should be taken in hand againe which séemed to such as wisely beheld al things not hard to be renued of the Princes part séeing among great difficulties they had both renued warres with encredible spéede and also made them with greater force then before the stirred mindes of the subiects being daungerous weapons But all being weary of the continuall troubles wished for peace and quietnes and would the kyngdome take weapon against it selfe to her owne destruction It was sayd that the Kyng was enclined to peace and yet angry for his former losses and moued with the letters of the Emperour the Princes of Germany concerning a mariadge to bée made betwéene him and Maximilian the Emperours daughter vnto whom the Emperour would not consent but vppon condition of peace And so the matter beinge handled of both partes for certaine monethes at the length in the moneth of August with the great expectation and prayers of all men peace was concluded and by the Edict all men of both Religions were commaunded to liue quietly thorow the whole Realme Which Edict after our long and lamentable vnquietnes it shal be good to set forth in maner and forme following VVheras saith the King we perceiue that the troubles of warre which were spread abrode before this time and also now did threaten present ruine and destruction to our realme and subiects to preuent so great a mischiefe and to bring our kyngdome to her former tranquilitie and quietnes by the aduise and consent of our sister our bretheren and
other assemblyes than suche as shal be alowed of vs excepte they meane to suffer the punishment of rebels and traitours 21 I will also that all Prouinces Cities and townes all other places doe enioy those offices and priuiledges which they haue enioyed before these tumultes of wars 22 And to the ende all occasions of complaintes and quarrels may be quite taken away we will that all fauorers of that Religion without respect may be in authoritie and be pertakers of all manner of offices as well as other men also that they may lawfully be present at all assemblyes Counsels and consultations depending vppon those offices and in no wise to be put frō the said offices after the proclamation of this Edict 23 VVe will and cōmaunde that the men of the said Religion be not oppressed more than the catholiques but to beare all a like one burthen according to the consideration had of their goods And because of the great burthens which the men of the sayd religiō haue borne we will that they be not subiect to the payment of the tributes of Cities which shall be hereafter vppon consideration of those things which haue bene done heretofore Notwithstanding they shall be tributary vnto vs at our commaundement as well as the Catholiques 24 VVe will and commaunde that all they whiche because of these warrs are kept in prison be set at libertie and that without any manner of raunsome 25 If any controuersies happen to be for those raunsomes and that the prisoners goods be taken awaye for the same we will that the parties so disagreing and contending do repaire to our brother the Duke of Aniou who shall order and ende the matter 26 VVe will and commaunde that all men of the reformed religion be vnder our protectiō and may peaceably enioy their offices and dignities notwythstanding we will not that their Lieutenāts the deputies belōging vnto thē be restored vnto those offices because we haue otherwise prouided notwithstanding they shall haue our pay for the same 27 The booties and spoyles not taken in wars which as yet shall remaine shal be restored to their owners again the buyers hauing their money gyuen to them againe in such quantitie as was put down in the regester of the court Thus would we haue all moueables restored againe 28 Also we will and commaunde that all owners may receiue the reuenewes of their lands peaceably this yere and we abrogate all sentences to the contrary 29 VVe will and commaunde that the houses Castles Cities and other places of the men of the reformed Religion be free from Garrisons of souldiers and that they be in the same state condition in the which they were before the beginning of these tumultes 30 VVe will and commaunde that the Prince of Orange and the countie Lodouic his brother be really restored to all their dominions which are within the borders of our Realme and that the dominion of Orange be in the same state and case in the which it was before the troubles of warres according to the prescript of the graunt made King Henry our Father and other Kings our Auncetors commaunding also that al instruments Dedes writings belonging to the same be forthwith restored 31 VVe will also that all writinges and euidences of any landes bee presently restored too all men which are owners of the same of what Religion soeuer they be 32 And to the end the remembrance ▪ of all troubles past may so much as may be quite and cleane forgottē VVe will and commaund iudgements against the men of the said religion pronounced since the death of King Henry our father for because of warres or Religion whi ther the sayd sentences or iudgements concerne death or losse of goodes to be voyd and of none effect and to be rased out of the Regesters of all Courtes and that all goods with the ground of houses ouerthrowne and the appertenances be restored to their owners 33 In like maner we abrogate all sentences in controuersie during the time of this warre gotten and obtained against the men of the said Religion in what cause soeuer it be and we will that the controuersies bee in the same state in the which they were before the beginning of these tumultes ▪ 34 VVe will and commaund the men of the said religion to obserue and keepe all pollitique lawes of our Realme as that which concerneth holy dayes and fasting dayes on the one to do no worke and on the other to eate no flesh 35 And to the end all men may haue the lawe without suspicion of hatred or fauour we will that such controuersies as haue bene already moued or shal be moued hereafter betweene the men of cōtrary Religion be first of all brought before the ordinary Iudges and if any appeale be made in the higher Parliaments in respect of the Parliament of Paris which consisteth of seuen Courtes then the men of the reformed Religion may if they will refuse foure of the Iudges or Senators and yet shew no cause of their refusal howbeit the law is against it which will not suffer any man to challenge or refuse a Senator without he shew some lawfull cause And it shal also be lawful for them to refuse any other Senator shew ing according to custome lawfull causes 36 As touching the controuersies of which the appeale is to be made to the Parliament of Tholoz except the parties shall chuse another Parliament to decide the controuersie it shal be lawfull for them to appeale to our Masters of Requestes in the Pallace of Paris who shall define and decide all controuersies in high Court. 38 In the Parliament of Rhoane of Aijgues of Brittaine and of Granople it shal be lawfull for them too refuse sixe Iudges or Senatours that is to saye three in eche court And in Burdeaux foure in euery courte 38 It shall also be lawful for the catholikes to require that all they which haue bene at any time depriued of their offices may not know or vnderstand their controuersies withoute expressing of any farther cause and withall they shall haue leaue to make exception against any other counsellers according to the custome 39 And bicause so many haue bene offended in the time of these warres that they cannot easily forget the iniuries done vnto them which we woulde gladly haue thē to do to the end therefore all occasions of troubles may be taken cleane away we giue vnto the men of the reformed religion the Cities of Rochel Montaubane Cognac and Charite to keepe In the which they maye dwell which woulde not returne home so quickely for feare of troubles And for the safetie of the said Cities the Prince of Nauar and the Prince of Conde our welbeloued kinsmen and twentie Noble men more of that side will stand bound vnto vs and will be sworne vnto vs to saue them from all perill and to
the kyngs name with the most dishonorable spot of periurie and breache of faith it was in other impressions afterward omitted And it was further then declared that albeit the king had in many Edictes before that time permitted the fréedome of Religion yet his meaning euer was to reteine and cause to be reteined of all men the onely Romishe or Popishe Religion within his Realme After many ouerthrowes on both partes giuen and receyued wheras the end of this third warre was thought likely to be the harder by reason of the breach of faith in the yéeres before and on the other side the state of the Realme by reason of the wast that the Cities were brought vnto and the extreme pouertie of the meane people and his husbandmi did require some treatie of composition the king sent messengers to the Admirall to signifie vnto him in the kinges name that the king himselfe had at length founde out a moste sure waye of peace and concorde namely that the armies of both parties ioyned togither should go into the lowe countrey against the Duke of Alua which had bin the authour 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 sodenly slaying all the souldiers there an Islande of the newe found world called Florida which had bin taken by the French and kept vnder his dominion and likewyse the Marquesdome of Finall the inhabitantes whereof had but a litle time before yelded themselues to the kinges subiection and allegeance He saide that the most stedfast band of concord should 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 herof he said it was a matter of most apte opportunitie that Lodouic Counte of Nassaw brother to the Prince of Aurange had bin now two yéeres in the Admiralles camp to whom the Admirall gaue principall credit in all things and that by him and his fellowes of the lowe countrey other whom he vnderstoode to fauour his part it might easily be brought to passe that certaine Cities might be surprised and thereby great aduantage be attained to the atchieuing of the warre The Admiral hearing these things was maruellously troubled For albeit he doubted not of the kings fidelitie yet therwithall many thinges fell into his minde to be considered as the power of the Cardinall the rest of the Guisians who were well knowne to haue bin at all times most affectionate to the king of Spayne For the Duke of Guise had lefte a sonne a very yong man called Henry to whom the Quéene had giuen al the offices and places of honor that his father had borne before being vnfit therto by age and against the ancient lawes and customes and also through the traiterous infidelitie of certaine of the kinges counsaylers whom she knewe for their affection to Popishe Religion to be moste addicted to the Spanish king and that diuers of them had great yéerely pensions of him and did disclose vnto him the affaires of the Realme He remembred howe hereby it came to passe that the same kinges Embassadour which among strange nations séemed vtterly incredible was admitted into the priuie Counsell of Fraunce and that one Biragio a Lumbard and as it is reported a traytour to his owne countrey otherwise altogither vnlearned and specially ignorant of the ciuill lawe was yet for the subtiltie of his witte aduanced to so ḡreat honour that he executed the Chauncellers office Michaell Hospitall being displaced a man knowen to be such a one as there was not in all degrées of mē any either more wise or more learned or more zelously louing his countrey Herewithall he considered the slaunderous cauillations of his aduersaries to whom hereby might seme an occasion giuen as if the Admirall were of a troublesome nature and could not abide any quietnesse nor could long reste at home without some tumultuous stirre Herevnto the messengers replied as they were able therewithall alleaged this cause of so sodaine hatred against the Spanishe king that one Albenie late returned out of Spaine had infourmed the king the Quéene mother for certaintie that king Philip a few monethes before had poysoned his wife the French kings sister and had spred rumors of hir throughout all Spaine such as for the honour of many persones are méete not to be disclosed But nothing moued the Admirall so much as the cherefull earnestnesse of Lodouic of Nassaw who assone as he was aduertised of that purpose of the king omitted nothing that he thought might serue to encourage the Admirall therevnto The Admirall perswaded hereby nothing fearyng the infidelitie of those of the Courte gaue his mynde to hearken to composition And so was the thyrde ciuill warre ended and the peace concluded with the same conditions that were before that euery man should haue frée libertie to vse and professe the Religion Within few moneths after this diuers princes of Germanie that fauoured the Religion refourmed and among those the thrée Electors the Palsgraue 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 subiectes And bicause they accompted it greatly to behoue themselues 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 own dominiōs or without they and their followers should be ready to defend him To this embassage the king first by wordes afterwarde by a booke subscribed with his own hand 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 said purposes for the lowe countrey although oftentimes calling to minde the nature of the Quéene mother he vsed to saye to diuers and specially to Theligny to whome he afterwarde maried his daughter that he greatly suspected the rolling wit of that woman For saith he so soone as she hath brought vs into that preparatiō 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 sent messengers to the king that if it please him to deale with the matter of the lowe countrey they will shortly so doe that he shall by their many and great seruices well perceiue 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 thankes About the same time Maximilian the Emperour pitying the estate of the prince of Aurange as he said treated by his Embassadours with the king of Spaine and had in manner
should not easily recouer the like againe hereafter And therefore it was best to take the aduantage of this opportunitie A fewe dayes before Lodouic of Nassaw went secretely into the frontiers of the lowe countrey and toke with him as partners of his iourney and priuie to his councell thrée FrenchmeÌ„ of great credite with the Admirall namely Saucourt la Noue and Genlis to whome the King hadde giuen in charge to sée if they coulde by any meanes attempt and possesse any townes bordering vpon his Realme They gathering diuers other Gentlemen into their companie wente spéedily into the lowe countrey the Admirall not knowing of it Who as soone as he vnderstoode of their going thither wrote vnto them that he much maruelled what they ment saying that he well knewe there coulde be no power gotten readie before fortie days end and that they should be well aduised to do nothing rashly nor to ouerthrowe with hast their deuises that séemed not ripe to be executed The Countie of Nassaw inflamed with the sight and desire of his countrey and fearing the mutablenesse of the King did first at the sodaine set vpon Valentiennes but being repulsed by the Spanishe Souldiers that were in garrison in the Castell he hastily departed to Montz and toke the town being a place very strong by nature and well furnished with all things necessarie for the warre Which thing being by report and Messangers spread abroade into the lowe countrey and caried into Fraunce and Germanie bothe encouraged all them of the Religion with great hope and also séemed to haue now plainly and openly deciphered and disclosed the mynd of the French king Moreouer Genlis returning to Paris when he had made report to the King of all the matter as it had procéeded easily obtayned of him that by his assente 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 low countrie hauing with him to the number of 4000. footemen and about 400. horssemen they were beset by the Duke of Alua and the most parte of them distressed whiche thing was well knowne to haue bene wrought by the meanes of the Guisians whiche by dayly messages and letters aduertised the Duke of Alua of their purpose and preparation Which falsehood of theirs many moste affectionate to the Romish Religion were highly offended with bicause a great nuÌ„ber were addicted to the same Romish Religion in that coÌ„panie With this losse and with the rescue of the towne of Valentiennes the King semed to be much troubled for he feared least his counsels being disclosed to the Spanish King would at length bréede some cause of querell and warre Howbeit when he began to remember that a great part of his secretes was alreadie reuealed to the Duke of Alua he oftentimes resolued to vtter his minde plainly and to make open warre But he was withdrawne from that purpose by certaine men whiche the Admirall had long before conceiued that they woulde so doe Howbeit he gaue the Admirall libertie to sende what soeuer he thought meete to further the Prince of Aurenge his enterprise and as great supply either of footemen or of horssemen as he could to the armie which the Prince of Aurenge had leuied in Germanie When the Admiral for that cause had made request that he might leuie thirtie troupes of horssemen and as many ensignes of footemen he easily obtayned it For the entertainement of these footmen it behoued to haue money wherfore at the request of the Admirall the King called for his Tresurer and coÌ„maunded him to deliuer to the Admirall so muche money as the Admirall should thinke méete and charged him that he should not in any wise after the vsuall maner of the accompts of finances write the causes of the receipt but onely set it downe in this forme This summe of money was payde to the Admirall suche a daye by the Kings commaundement for certaine causes which the King hath coÌ„maunded not to be written and to this warrant the King subscribed with his 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 ouerthrow of Genlis whiche commaundement it is sayde that Monducet did most faithfully and diligently execute Not long before this Ioane Quéene of Nauarre aboue mentioned died in the Court at Paris of a sodaine sicknesse béeing about the age of fortie and thrée yeres where as the suspition was great that she dyed of poyson and hir body being for that cause opened by the Phisitions there were no tokens of poyson espied But shortely after by the detection of one A. P. it hath ben founde that she was poysoned with a venomed smell of a payre of perfumed gloues dressed by one Renat the Kings Apothicarie an Italian that hath a shop at Paris vpon S. Michaels bridge neare vnto the Pallace which could not be espied by the Phisitions whiche did not open the heade nor loked into the brayne It is well knowne that the same man aboute certaine yeres past for the same intent gaue to Lewes Prince of Conde a poisoned Pomander which the Prince left with one le Grosse his Surgion le Grosse delighted with the same was by little and little poysoned therwith and so swelled that he hardly escaped with his life By hir death the Kingdome came to the Prince Henrie hir sonne to whome as is abouesaide the Kings sister was promised and contracted Thinges being as it séemed throughout al France in most peacible estate and the concord of all degrées well stablished the day was appointed for the mariage of the King of Nauar which day all they that fancied the Religion estéemed so much the more ioyfull to them bicause they sawe the King wonderfully bent thereunto and all good men iudged the same a most assured pleâ—…ge and establishment of ciuill concorde wheras on the contrarie part the Guisians and other enimies of common quietnesse greatly abhorred the same mariage When the day came the mariage was with royall pompe solemnized before the great Churche of Paris and a certaine forme of wordes so framed as disagréed with the Religion of neither side was by the Kings commaundement pronounced by the Cardinall of Buâ—…bon the King of Nauars vncle and so the matrimonie celebrate with great ioye of the King and all good men the bryde was with great traine and pompe led into the Church to heare Masse and in the meane time the brydgrome who mislyked these ceremonies togither with Henrie Prince of Conde sonne of Lewes and the Admirall and other noble meÌ„ of the same Religion walked without the Churche dore wayting for the Brides returne While these thinges were in doing at Paris Strozzi who as we haue sayde had the charge of the Kings power at the Sea houering vpon the coast of Rochel did now and then send of his Captains and
Souldiers into the towne vnder colour of buying things necessarie sometime he came thither also himself The like was done at y same time in an other part of France by the horsmen of Gonzague Duke of Niuers neare to the town of la Charite whiche hath a bridge ouer the Ryuer of Loyre and remained till that time in the power of those of the Religion by reason of the great number of them there inhabiting This troupe was of those horssemen whiche the King hath accustomed to kéepe in ordinarie wages in euery countrey whereof the moste parte were Italians countrimen to their Captaine Lewes Gonzague to whome the Quéene 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 receiued warrant from the King so to do and shewed the Kings letters therfore At Lions the gouernour of the towne commaunded a viewe to be taken of all those that professed the Religion and their names to be written in a boke and brought vnto him which boke shortely after according to the successe was called the bloudie boke After the mariage ended at Paris whiche 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 greate was the magnificence of banquets and shewes and the King so earnestly bent to those matters that he had no leysure not only 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 excéedingly delighteth are coÌ„monly 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 sléepe So great also is the familiaritie men and the women of the Quéene mothers trayne and so greate libertie of sporting entertainement and talking togyther as to foreine nations may séeme incredible and be thought of al honest persons a matter not very conuenient for preseruation of noble yong Ladies chastitie Moreouer if there come any Pandor or bawde out of Italie or any Scholmaster of shamefull and filthy lust he winneth in shorte time maruellous fauour and credite And such a multitude is there begon to be of Italians commonly throughout all Fraunce specially in the Court since the Administration of the Realme was coÌ„mitted to the Quéene mother that many do commonly call it Fraunce-Italian and some terme it a Colonie and some a common sinke of Italie These madnesses of the Court were the cause that the Admiral could not haue accesse to the Kings speach nor entrance to deale in waightie matters But when they that were sente from the reformed Churches to complaine of iniuries commoÌ„ly done to those of the Religion vnderstoode of the Admirals purpose to depart they did with all spéede deliuer to him their bookes and petitions and besought him not to depart from the Court till he had dealt in the cause of the Churches and delyuered their petitions to the King and his Counsell For this cause the Admirall resolued to deferre his going for a while till he might treat with the Kings Counsell concerning those requests for the King had promised him that he would shortly entend those matters be present with the Counsel himselfe Besides this delay there was an other matter that stayed him There was owing to the Rutters of Germanie which 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 priâ—…ie Counsell the 22. of August which was the fifte daye after the King of Nauarres mariage and spente much time in that treatie About noone when he was in returning home from the Counsell with a greate companie of noblemen and Gentlemen beholde a Harquebuzier out of a window of a house néere adioyning shot the Admiral with two bullets of leade through both the armes When the Admirall felte himselfe wounded nothing at all amazed but with the same countenance that he was accustomed he sayde throughe yonder windowe it was done goe sée who are in the house What manner of trecherie is this Then he sente a certaine gentleman of his company to the King to declare it vnto him The King at that time was playing at tennise with the duke of Guise Assone as he heard of the Admirals hurt he was maruellously moued as it séemed and threw away his racket that he 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 Admirall brake into the house froÌ„ whence he receiued his hurt there they found only one woman the kéeper of the house and shortely after also a boy his lackey that had done the déede and therewithall they founde the harquebuze lying vpon the table in that Chamber from whence the noyse was heard him that shot they founde not for he in great hast was runne away out at the back gate and getting on horssebacke whiche he hadde wayting for him readie sadled at the dore he rode a great pace to S. Anthonies gate where he had a fresh horsse tarying for him if néed were and an other at Marcels gate Then by the Kings commaundement a great number rode out in post into all parts to pursue him but for that he was slipped into bywayes and receyued into a certaine Castle they could not ouertake him At the sute of the King of Nauar and the Prince of Conde other the King by and by gaue commission for enquirie to be made of the matter and coÌ„mitted the examining thereof to thrée chosen persons of the Parliament of Paris Thuan Morsant and Viol a Counseller Firste it was founde that the same house belonged to a Priest a Canon of S. Germaine whose name is Villemure whiche had bene the Duke of Guises scholemaster in his youth and still continued a retayner towarde him Then the womaÌ„ which we sayd was found in the house being taken brought before them confessed that a fewe dayes before there came to hir one Challey somtime a master d'hostel of the Duke of Guises house and nowe of the Kings Courte and commaunded hir to make muche of the man that had done this deede and to lodge him in the same bed Chamber where Villemure was wonte to lye 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 diligently kept secret Some saye it was Manreuet which in the thirde ciuill war tratorously slew his Captaine monsieur de Mouy a moste valiante and noble Gentleman and straightway
fled into the enimies campe Some say it was Bondot one of the archers of the Kings guard When the womans confession was brought to the King he immediatly called Monsieur de Nance Captaine of his guarde and commaunded him to apprehend Challey and bring him to him Challey assoone as he heard the stroke of the péece fled into the Kings Castle called the Louure and hid him in the duke of Guises chamber from whence he conueyed himselfe awaye assoone as he had heard of the kings commaundement When de Nance was informed of his departure he aunswered that Challey was a Gentleman of good worship and there was no doubt but when neede were he would appeare before the King and the Magistrates While these things were doing and the Admirals wounde in dressing Theligny went by his coÌ„maundement to the king and moste humbly besought him in the name of his father in lawe that his Maiestie would voutsafe to come vnto him for that his life séemed to be in perill and that he hadde certaine things to say greatly importing to the Kings safetie which he well knewe that none in his Realme durst declare to his maiestie The King courteously answered that he would willingly go to him and within a little while after he sette forwarde The Quéene mother went with him and the Duke of Aniow the Duke of Monpensier a most affectionate subiect to the church of Rome the Count de Rhetz the Queene mothers great familiar Chauigny and Entragny whiche afterwarde were chiefe ringleaders in the butcherie of Paris When 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 answered with such a milde and quiet countenaunce that all they that were present wondered at his temperance and patience the King being much moued as it séemed sayd The hurt my Admirall is done to thée but the dishonour to me but by the death of God saith he I swear I wil so seuerely reuenge bothe the hurte and the dishonor that it shall neuer be forgotten He asked him also howe he liked of the Iudges that he had chosen to whome he had giuen commission for examining the matter The Admirall answered that he coulde not but very well like of those that his maiestie had allowed of yet he besought him if he thought it good that Cauagnes mighte be called to counsell with them albeit that it was no hard matter to find out for it was no doubt sayde he that this good turne was done him by the Duke of Guise the reuenge whereof he referred to god This onely he most heartily and humbly besought of his royall maiestie that the facte might be duely enquired vpon The King answered that he would take earnest care of it and reuenge that iniurie with no lesse seueritie than if it had bin done to himselfe Then the Kings brethren and their mother withdrawing themselues a while the Admirall as it was afterwarde 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 certain persons and he tolde him that though he himselfe had receiued a great wounde yet there was no lesse hanging ouer the Kings heade and that long ago there was treason in practizing against his life which if he would doe wisely he shoulde 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 fame should be brought into sundrie slaunders by enuious persons and such as ought him euil wil by reason of the late warres neuerthelesse he had oftentimes disclosed vnto the King the authors of the dissentions and opened the causes thereof and that â—…od was his witnesse of his moste faithfull heart to the King aâ—… the common weale and that he had neuer holden any thâ—…g dearer than his countrey and the publike safetie The King after such answere â—…ade here vnto as he thought best spake aloude and heartily entreated the Admirall to suffer himselfe to be remoued into his Castle of Louure for that he thought some perill least there shoulde arise some sedition among the commons alreadie in disorder or any stirre in that madde and troublesome Citie Wherto this speech of the king tended could not then be vnderstoode For though the communaltie of Paris hath euer bene accompted the most foolishe and madde of all other yet is it euer most easily appeased not only with the comming and presence of the King but also wyth the very sounde of his name The Admirall most humbly and largely thanked the King and made his excuse vpon the câ—…uÌ„sell of the Phisitions whiche feared that shaking woulde encrease his payne and therefore had taken order that he should not be stirred out of his place Then the Count de Rhetz turning to certaine Gentlemen of the Admirals friendes sayde I would the Admirall would follow the Kings counsell for it is to he feared that some suche stirmay aryse in the towne as the king shal not easily be able to appease Which speach being vttered although no man did yet suspecte whereto that aduise tended yet the Admirall and his friendes thought it good to request of the King to assigne vnto him certaine of the souldiers of the guarde for his safetie The King answered 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 and that he had in admiration the constancie and fortitude of the man and that he neuer before that time beleeued that there could be so great valiaÌ„tnesse of courage in any mortal person Therewith the Duke of Aniow the Kings brother commanded Cossin Captaine of the Kings guarde to place a certaine band of souldiers to warde the Admiralles gate There coulde hardly a man be founde more hatefull against the Admiralles part nor more affected to the Guisians than this Cossin whiche the successe playnly 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 friendes and familiars that lodged in the Fauxburges did drawe â–ª nearer aboute him and forthewith he commaunded the Kings herbingers to warne those to whome they hadde before assigned lodgings in that streat to remoue from thence and to place the Admirals fâ—…iendes in their roomes Which 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 suburbes were nowe holden fast inough being enclosed not only within the walles of the towne but also within the compasse of one narrowe streat The nexte day after the Under-masters of the streates commonly called Quartermen surueyed al the vittailing houses and Innes from house to
house and all the names of those of the Religion togither with the place of euery of their lodgings they put in bokes and wyth speede deliuered ouer the same bokes to those of whome they had receyued that commaundemente After noone the Quéene mother led out the King the Duke of Aniow Gonzague Tauaignes the Counte de Rhetz called Gondiâ—… into hir gardens called Tegliers This place bicause it was somewhat farre from resort she thought most fit for this their laste consultation There she shewed them howe those whome they hadde long bene in waite for were nowe sure in hold the Admirall lay in his bed maymed of both his armes and could not stir the King of Nauar and Prince of Conde were fast lodged in the Castle the gates were kept shut all nyghte 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 thenceforth stir any more Now was a notable opportunitie saide 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 found tenne enimies to a thousande Catholikes that the Parisians were in armour and were able to make thréescore thousande chosen fighting men and that within the space of one houre al the enimiâ—…s 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 doubt but that if the Admiral recouer his health al France will shortly be on fire with the fourth ciuill warre The Quéenes opinion was allowed Howbeit it was thought best partely for his age and partly for the affinities sake that the King of Nauars life should be saued As for the Prince of Conde it was doubted whether it were best to spare him 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 drawne from the Religion So that counsell brake vp with appoyntment that the matter should be put in execution the nexte night earely afore day and that the ordering and doing of all shoulde be committed to the Duke of Guise The Admirall being enformed of stirre and noyse of Armour and threatnings hearde euery where throughout the town and preparation of many things perteyning to tumult sent word thereof to the King who answered that there was no cause for the Admirall to feare for all was done by his coÌ„maundement and not euery where but in certayne places and that there were certayne appoynted by him to be in armour least the people shoulde rise and make any stirre in the towne When the Duke of Guise thought all things readie enough he called to him the abouesayde Marcell and charged him that he should a little after midnight assemble togither the masters of the streates whom they call Diziners into the townhouse 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 newe Prouost of merchauntes guarded with certaine Guisians and among the rest Entragne and Pnygallard made the declaration He sayde that the Kings meaning was to destroy all the Rebels whiche had in these late yeres borne armes against his Maiestie to roote out the race of those wicked men it was nowe very fitly hapned that the chieftaines and ringleaders of them were fast enclosed within the walles of the towne as in a pryson and that the same night they should first beginne with them and afterwarde for the rest assoone 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 bel of the Palace 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 about their lefte arme and a white câ—…osse pinned vppon their cappes In the meane time the Duke of Guise made priuie therevnto the captains of the Kings guard both Gascoignes Frenchmen and Switzers and bad them be ready to go to it with good courage Shortly after the Duke of Guise and the bastard sonne of King Henry commonly called the Cheuaâ—…ier with a great band of armed men following theÌ„ went to the Admirals house which Cossin kept besieged with Harquebuziers placed in ordeâ—… on both sides of the streat The Admirall aduertised of the stirre and the noyse 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 could not be made afrayde trusting as he oft rehearsed vpon the â—…ings good wil toward him approued by so many and so great meanes of assuraunce hauing also coÌ„fidence that the câ—…mmonaltie of Paris if they once vnderstode the King to miâ—…ke of their mad furie how much soeuer they wer in ouâ—…rage yet so sone as they saw Cossin warding the gate they woulde be appeased He repeated also the othe for kéeping of the peace so oft openly sworne by the King and his brethren and their mother and entred in publike recordes the league lately made with the Quéene of Englande for the same cause the articles of treatie couenanted with the Prince of Aurenge the Kingâ—… faithe giuen to the Princes of Germanie some townes attempted and some takeÌ„ in the lowe countâ—…ey by the Kings commaundement the mariage of the Kings sisâ—…er solâ—…nized but sixe days before whiche it was not like that he would suffer to be defiled with bloude siually the iudgement of foraine nations and of pasteritie shame and the honor and constancie of a Prince publike faith and the sacred respecte of the lawe of nations all which it seemed monstrous and iucredible that the â—…ing could assâ—…nt to be stained with so outrageous a crueâ—…l déede Cossin when he saw the noblemen drawe neare â–ª knocked at the gate which as is abouesaide he was commaunded by the Duke of Aniâ—w to kéepe Wherevpon many applyed the olde prouerbe A goodly guarde to make the Woolfe keeper of the shéepe When he was entred without in manner 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 and within the porch of the house he slewe with a partisan that he had in his hand â–ª Which when the Admiral vnderstoode he caused those that were about him to lifte him out of his bâ—d casting on a nightgown vpon him he rose vpright on his feete he bad his friendes and seruants to flee
and make shift for themselues and to take no more care for him for he sayde that he was readie with most willing heart to reÌ„der into the handes of God now calling for it againe the spirit that he had lent him to vse for a time and sayde that this violent crueltie was prepared not so much for his destruction as for the dishonoring of Christe and the tormenting of so many Churches the defence of which Churches he had at the petition 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 on Benuese a Germaine brought vp in the house of the Duke of Guise and to whome it is sayde that the Cardinall of Loraine had giuen one of his bastard daughters in mariage and with him came Cossin the Gascoine Attin a Picarde a retainer and familiar of the Duke d'Aumal one that a fewe yeres before sought to murder d'Andelot by treason and also one Hamfort an Auernois all weaponed with swordes and targets and armed with shirts of maile When they were broken into the Admiralles chamber Benuese came to him and bending his drawne sworde vpon him said Art not thou the Admirall he with a quiet and constant countenance as we haue since vnderstode by theÌ„selues answered I am so called And then seeing the sworde drawne vpon him he sayde yong man consider my age and the weake case that I am now in But the fellowe after blaspheming God fyrste thrust his sworde into the Admiralles breste and then also stroke him vpoÌ„ the head and Attin shot him through the brest with a pistol WheÌ„ thâ—… Admiral was with this wound not yet throughly deade Benuese gaue him the thirde wounde vpon the thygh and so he fell down for deade When the duke of Guise which stayed in the courte with the other noblemen heard this he cried out alowde hast thou done Benuese he answered I haue done Then said the Duke of Guise our Cheuelier meaning King Henries bastard abouesaide vnlesse he sée it with his eyes will not beléeue it throw him down at the window Then Benuese with the helpe of his fellowes toke vp the Admirals body and threwe it downe through the windowe When by reason of the wound in his head and his face couered with bloud they could not well discerne him the Duke of Guise knéeled down on the ground and wiped him with a napkin and sayde now I know him it is he And therewithal going out at the gate with the rest of the Lordes he cryed out to the multitude in armour saying my companions we haue had a good lucky beginning now let vs go forward to the rest for it is the Kings commaundement which words he did ofte repeat aloud saying Thus the King coÌ„maundeth This is the Kings wil this is his pleasure And then he coÌ„maunded the tokeÌ„ to be giuen by ringing tocksein with the great bel of the palace alarme to be raysed and he caused it to be published that the conspiratours wers in armour and about to kill the king Then a certaine Italian of Gonzagues band cut off the Admirals head sent it preserued with spices to Rome to the Pope and the Cardinall of Loreine Other cut off his hands and other his secrete partes Then the common laborers and rascalles thrée days togither dragged the deade bodie thus mangled and berayed with bloude and filth through the streates and afterward drewe it out of the towne to the common gallowes and hanged it vp with a rope by the féete In the meane time those of the noblemens bands brake into all the Chambers of the Admiralles house and such as they found either in their beds or hidden they mangled them with many wounds and so slaughtered them Of that number were two yong children Pages of honorable birth Ther was also the Count Rochfoucault which for the excellent pleasantnesse of his wit and for his valiantnesse was hiely beloued of Kyng Henry and so séemed for the same cause also to be beloued of the king Him was de Nance abouesaide commaunded to kyll but he refusing it for their olde acquaintance and familiaritie one Laberge an Auernois offred himselfe to the King to do it but with this condition that the King shoulde giue him the Captainship of horssemen which Count Rochfoucault had There was also slayne Theligny the Admirals sonne in lawe a yong man of singular towardnesse both of wit and courage to whoÌ„ the King these many yeres had both in words countenance made shew of so gret good wil as that no maÌ„ was thought to be more highly in his fauor He crying out that it was now grieuous to him to liue for that he had euer commended to his father in law the faithfulnesse of the King refused not the death offered him And many other most flourishing yong noblemen and Gentlemen were euery where butcherly murthered in that streat Then the noblemens bandes and Cossins soulders wente ransacking from house to house and the Admiralles house and all the other houses were all sacked and spoyled eueÌ„ in like manner as is vsed to be done by souldiers gréedy of pray in a towne taken by assault and many by this robberie were of beggers sodeinly become rich men For the Duke of Guise the duke of Monpensier the Cheualier king Henries bastard Gonzague Tauaignes the other great Lords did with the reward of the spoyle bootie encourage the multitude to the slaughter and cryed out aloude that this was the Kings will. So al the rest of the day from morning to euening the rascall multitude encouraged by spoyle and robberie ran with their bloudie swordes raging throughout all the towne they spared not the aged nor women nor the verie babes In ioye and tryumph they threw the slaine bodies out at the windowes so as there was not in manner any one streate or lane that séemed not strawed with murthered carcases While these things were thus a doing in the towne the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde whome the King had lodged in his owne Castle of the Louure were by the Kings coÌ„maundement sent for and conueyed vnto him But their company their seruitours of their Chambers their friendes retaining to them their scholemasters and those that had the bringing vp of them crying out aloude to the Kings fidelitie for succour were thrust out of the Chambers and by the Kyngs guarde 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 harde to expresse whether there were more godly zeale in Religion or prowesse in warre Whereby hauing in the late yeres specially in the defence of the towne of S. Iohn d'Angeli whiche the King then besieged gotten great honour of Cheualrie he was thought very well beloued and highly estéemed of the king Him and Leranne the
the slaughter of the Admirall and his adherentes was done by the Kings commaundement for so was his maiesties expresse pleasure bicause they had conspired to kil him and his brethren and the Quéene his mother and the Kyng of Nauarre And farther that the King did forbid that from thenceforthe there should be no moe assemblies holden nor preachings vsed of the Religion After the Kinges oratioÌ„ ended Christopher Thuane PresideÌ„t of that ParliameÌ„t a man very notable for his light brain and his cruell heart did with very large wordes congratulate vnto the King that he had now with guile and subtiltie ouercom these his enimies whome he could neuer vanquishe by armes and battell saying that therein the King had most fully veryfied the olde saying of Lewes the eleuenth his progenitor King of Fraunce which was wont to say that he knew neuer a latine sentence but this one Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare He that can not skil to dissemble can not skil to be a King. But Pibrace the aduocate of the FinaÌ„ces made a short oration the summe whereof was to this effecte that although the King hadde iust and great cause to be displeased yet he thought it more agréeable with his maiesties clemencie and goodnesse to make an ende of the slaughters and common spoyle and not to suffer such outrages to be any longer committed without iudiciall procéeding in the cause and besought his maiestie that from thenceforth it would please him to vse the lawe which is well knowne to be the onely stablishment of kingdomes and Empires and that there had bene already giuen to the commonaltie too perillous an example to followe An arrest of ParliameÌ„t with the Kings royall assent being made to that effect there were immediately Haroldes and trumpeters sent rouÌ„d about all the towne and an Edict proclaimed in the Kings name that from thenceforth the slaughters and common butcherly murtherings should ceasse and that all persons should abstainc from pillage and robberie This being knowne there were diuers speaches vsed of this matter throughout the town and specially of learned meÌ„ The most part sayd that they had read many histories but in all memorie of all ages they neuer heard of any such thing as this They coÌ„pared 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 coÌ„pared 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 faith and credit Those Kings were bound by no promise but such as was giuen to the strangers themselues this King was with newe made league bound to the kings and Princes his neighbors to kepe the peace that he had sworne Those kings vsed no guilefull meanes vnworthie for the maiestie of a King to deceyue this king for a baite and allurement abused the mariage of his owne sister and in a manner besprinkled hir wedding robe with bloud Which dishonor and 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 fame 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 counsell of Themistocles coÌ„cerning the burning of the Lacedemonians nauie although it must needes haue followed that the power of the Lacedemonians their enimies should therby haue bene vtterly weakened â–ª Fuâ—… Camillus receyued not the children of the chief Lords of the Phalice betrayed to him by their schoolemaister but stripped him naked and deliuered him to be whipped home with rods by the same children Pausanias hath left it reported that the posteritie of Philip of Macedon fell into most great 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 patronus clienti fraudem facit sacer esto If the patrone or soueraigne defraude his client or vassall be he out of protection They disputed also that like faith as the vassal 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 seigniorie Some said 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 accounted a king neither of his owne subiects nor of straungers Kingly vertues in tymes past haue bene reported to be these iustice gentlenesse and clemencie but crueltie and outrage haue euer bene dispraised both in all persons and specially 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 Antoninus the Emperor surnamed Pius the kinde or vertuous did oft repeate It was a most shamefull byworde of yong Tyberius to be called clay tempered with bloud They sayd also that kings haue power of life and death ouer their subiects but not without hearing the cause and iudicial proccding 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 théeues and murderers take away mens liues without order of lawe and hearing their cause Who can doubt said they but that this so great outrage so great sheading of ChristiaÌ„ bloud is the frute of the curssed life of the courtiers For said they now throughout al Fraunce whoredom loose leudnesse of life are so frée vsual the now the most part of the women of Fraunce séeme to be in manner common and â–ª the wicked blasphemies and continuall execrations and dishonorings of Gods most holye name and maiestie are suche as God can not longer beare And true it is though incredible among forein Nations that the Catholikes of France haue prescribed themselues this for a special mark to be 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 himselfe is so muche delighted in this custome of swearing and blaspheming and this as it were a pestilent infection is spred abroade and common among the very plowmeÌ„ and peysants so as none
cousin that the beste newes that I shall receyue from you shal be to heare say that you chastise those well of whome I am disobeyed And thus cousin I praye God too kepe you in his holy tuition VVritten from Paris the. xxviij of September 1572. Signed Charles and vnderneath Brulard REMEMBRANCES SENT BY THE KING too all gouernours and Lieutenantes of his Prouinces too put out and remoue all those of the Religion from their estates and charges although they would abiure the same sauing su◅h as haue but small estates and offices to whom his Maiestie permitteth continuāce on condition that they abiure the said religion according to the forme of abiuration sent for that purpose THe King considering how much his officers and Magistrates of Iustice and such as haue the administration and dealing of his Fynes and payments which be of the newe Religion are suspect hated and put his catholike subiects in greate mistrust if they should presently exe◅cise their offices after these freshe commotions for cause that the sayde offices be in their handes that now kepe them therfore least the people should therby be brought to a newe occasiō of stirre and they of the new religiō be in daunger or hazard of their own persons although they woulde abiure their sayd new religiō professe the holye faith and catholike Religiō of Rome his maiestie desiring to auoyde the new mischiefes troubles which may come hath aduised to discharge the said officers frō the exercise of the said offices vntill he shall otherwise appoint And yet neuerthelesse in the meane while if the sayd officers bee obediente vnto his will and liue quietly in their houses without attempting practising or ◅aking any thing in hande against his seruice they shall receyue th◅ir wages and they that will resigne their sayde offices too Catholike persons and come too his maiestie shall bee verie honorably prouided for And as touching other small offices without wages which can not bee troublesome as Notaries sergeants and suche where the officers haue none authoritie which cannot bee so odious nor mistrustfull to the people as the other his Maiestie is aduised that such small officers which will abiure the sayd newe Religion and professe the fayth Catholike Apostolike and Romishe and therin liue continually hereafter shall continue in the exercise and enioying of their estates but they that will continue in their newe opinion shal depart from their offices vntill his Maiestie hath otherwise prouided And this is for the greate mischiefe and inconuenience that may betyde them if they shoulde exercise their sayd estates bycause of the greate mistrust and suspition which the Catholikes haue conceyued of them of the newe Religion Neuerthelesse his Maiestie well considering that the moste part of the sayde officers haue none other way too liue but the exercise of their sayd offices willeth that they shall bee in choyse too resigne to Catholike and capable persons and then too come too him for that effect and he will graunt them the greatest fauour and moderation of his treasorie that is possible The which resolution and pleasure of his Maiestie he willeth to be declared to the sayd officers of the new pretended opinion as wel by gouernours and Lieutenants general of his Prouinces as by thē of his Courtes of Parliamēt of the chamber of his accomptes of the Court of his aydes them of his great Counsel of the Treasorie of Fraunce the Generals of his Fynes his Baylifes Seneshals Pro◅osts Iudges or their Lieutenants and ◅uery one of them as shall ▪ appertaine And to this intēt his maiestie willeth and intendeth that euery one of thē in their calling shal send particularly ◅part for euery of the sayd officers of the new Religiō which be of their incorporatiō charge and lurisdictiō shal admonish thē in this behalf to conforme them selues to his maiesties mind and if any of thē in authoritie bicause of their sayd estates wil returne to the bosome of the Catholike Romish church it shall be sayd to thē that his maiestie liketh verie well of it and that hee taketh a greate and singular affection therein and that it shall giue him the greater assurance and credit of their good will and that his Maiestie will not bar them from his seruice hereafter but will prouide for them as their behauiour shall deserue And notwithstanding for the reasons abouesayd he willeth that they shal cease from the exercise of their estates and offices vntil he otherwise appointeth And bycause that in many places of the Realme they haue proceded by waye of seasing the goods of them of the newe Religion which bee deade or absente and hide themselues and sometimes of those which be in their owne houses although hi◅ Maiestie gaue to vnderstande by his declaration of the xxviij of August last that he would and intēded that they of the new Religion should enioy their goods neuerthelesse to the intent there should be no doubt of his purpose and that no mistrust might arise thervpon he declareth willeth and i◅tendeth againe that according to his declaration of the. xxviij of August they of the newe Religion which be lyuing whether they be present or absent and be not culpable or charged with the last conspiration or to haue attempted against his Maiestie or his estate since his Edict of Pacification shall be restored to their houses and put in possession of all and singular their goodes moueable or vnmoue◅ble And that the wydowes and heyres of them that bee dead may and shall succede them and apprehend all and singular their goodes and that they shall bee maynteyned in them and kepte vnder the protection and safegard of his Maiestie so that no hurte shall bee done or sayd vnto them in any maner of wyse or sort VVilling for this purpose that all necessarie suretie shall be giuen them and that all officers Magistrates Maiors and others which haue publike charge shall mayntayne them in al safetie forbidding al persons of what estate qualitie or condition so euer they be not to hurt them in person or goodes vpon payne of death And neuerthelesse his Maiestie willeth that they of the newe opinion shall submit themselues and promise vpon paine to be declared rebelles and traitours too his Maiestie that they shall hereafter liue vnder his obedience without attempting any thing too the contrarie or taking their parts that do attempt against his Maiestie and estate or things against his ordinances and too acknowledge none but his Maiestie or such as he shall appoint vnder him to haue authoritie to commaund them And if they kno◅◅ any that shal enterprise against his Maiestie seruice to reueale thē incontinent to him and his officers as good and faithfull subiects And to take away all doubte and suspicion as wel from the nobilitie as others bycause that in the declaration of the. xxiiij of the last moneth these wordes are contained Except they bee those of the chiefe which had
vs to God and that their Reliques ◅re to be worshipped That the commaundemēts and traditions of the Catholike Apostolike and Romishe Churche as well they which pertaine to the forme and ceremonies of diuine ◅ruice and to assist the same which I thinke bee too drawe Christian people to pi◅ie 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 holye Fathers continued since the primitiue Church till this time and afterwards brought into the Church by the ordinances of councels receyued in the same of long and auncient time or of late be good and holy to the whiche I wil and ought too obey as prescribed and appointed by the holye ghost the author and directer 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 too haue and kepe the images of Iesus Christ of his holye mother and all other saincts and do honor and reuerēce vnto thē I confesse the power of indulgence and pardōs to be left in the church by Iesus Christ the vse of thē to be very heathful as also I cōfesse the church of Rome to be the mother and chief of al churches and cōducted by the holy Ghost and that other pretended particular inspirations against the same come of the suggestion of the Deuill the Prince of di◅ention which woulde separate the vnion of the mysticall body of the sauiour of the worlde Finally I promise straightly too kepe all that was ordained at the last general councel of Trēt 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 appointed against them which fall backe intoo Apostasie The which Abiuration and Confession I haue subscribed THE KINGS LETTERS TO M. DE GVISE 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 Romish Religion should take place in his Realme THe King knowing that the declaration which he made vpon the occasions which lately cha◅ced in the Citie of Paris the remembrances and instructions of his will which he sent rou◅d 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 cā not hitherto 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 sayd Gouernours into euery of their charges and gouernements assoring 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 shall be deliuered them Besides the contentes wherof M. de Guise the gouernour and Lieutenāt generall for his Maiestie in Champaigne and Brye shall call before him the gentlemen of the newe Religion abyding within his gouernement and shal tell them that the Kings will and intent is to preserue them their wyues children and families and to maintaine 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 doing the King also will defende them that they shall not be molested or troubled by way of Iustice or otherwise in their persons and goods by reason of things done during the troubles before the Edict of Pacificatiō of August 1570. And afterwardes he shal louingly admonish thē to cōtinue no longer in the errour of the new opinions and to returne to the Catholike Religion reconciling themselues to the Catholike Romish Church vnder the doctrine and obedience wherof Kings his predecessors and their subiects haue alwayes holily lyued and this Realme hath bene carefully conducted and mainteyned Shewing too them the mischiefes and calamities which haue happened in this Realme since th◅se newe opinions haue entred intoo 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 themselues f◅om the churche then from their nex◅e of kinred and also to be estranged from the seruice of their king as a man may see since his raigne And although the authors and heades of that side would haue couered their doings vnder the title of Religion and cōscience yet their deedes and workes haue shewen wel inough that the name of religion was but a visarde to couer their driftes and disobedience and vnder that pretence too assemble and subborne people and too 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 whiche 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 too set vpon Cities to burne churches too sacke and pill to trouble the Realme and fill it with bloud and fire they which went so astray to followe them forget all trust and duetie of good subiects to execute and obey their commaundements VVhich things if the gentlemen wil wel consider they shall easely iudge how vnhappie and miserable their condition shall bee if they continue longer therein For they may well thinke of them selues that the King being taught by experience of so greate a daunger from the which it hath pleased God too preserue him and his estate and hauing proued the mischiefes and calamities which this Realme hath suffered by the enterprises of the heads of this cause their adherentes and complices that he wil neuer willingly bee serued with any gentlemen of his subiects that be of any other religion than the Catholike in the which also the King following his predecessors wil liue and die He willeth also to take away al mistrust amōgst 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 gentlemē which desire to be accōpted his good and lawfull subiects and would obtaine his fauour and be employed in charges of his seruice according to their degrees and qualities to make profession hereafter too liue in the same Religion that he doth hauing tryed that discords and ciuil warres will not cease in a state where there be many Religions and that it is not possible for
the Church Canonicall Bookes Actes 17. 2. Peter 1. Cap. 6. lib. 2. in Hiere Hom. 49 in Math. 24. Basill in noua summa Mora. cap. 22. Espensius iâ—…e Sorbonist Succession ordiniarie and extraordinary Traditions of the Fathers Thre councels in S. August time Traditions couÌ„ ted of a Monk of greater force than the scriptures Tertullian Imposition of handes Signes of laufull calling The coÌ„firmâ—…tion of the ministerie Miracles The Gospell Truth will be truth still The place taken out of Tertullian explaned Titus 3. The place of Chrisostome expounded Cardinall of Lorain moderator of the controuersie Augustane confession The subtill sleighes of one Balduine Balduines inconstancie King of Nauar an Apostata 1. Timo. 3. Titus 1. The braule of the Cardinall with Beza Peter Martyr interrupted by the Cardinall The vnapte compaâ—…son of a Spanisha Monke Aust. ad Bonifacius â–ª How the SacrameÌ„tâ—… vnder the law were Figures Beza is here threatned The article agreed vpoÌ„ betvvene the Papistes and the protestantes concerning the presence The deceite of the Cardinall The end of the conference of Posâ—…cene King Philip by the suffâ—…rance of the Pope had certain yeares inioyed the king dome of Nauar which lyeth at that parte of Spaine that bordereth on the mountains Pyrenaei The sedition of Sanmedard The cause of the Edict of Ianuary The Edict of Ianuary SermoÌ„s without the cities permitted Protection of the protestaÌ„tes Inhibition of armour Synodes and Consistories Contribution of money Poll â—…ike laws to be obserued The oth of the Ministers Bookes of infamie The dutie of Magistrates Luke 13. Anno Domini 1561. The very cause of the Ciuill warres was the breaking of the Edict of Ianuary Momorentius the Constable made a friend to the Guises The conspi racie of the Guises the Constable and the Martiall of S. Andrew against the Gospell Queene of Scotts promised to be giuen in mariage to the king of Nauar. The slaugh ter at Vassi made by the Duke of Guise Complaint of the faiâ—…h full of the flaughter The Guise commeth to Paris against the Queenes commaundement The practi ses of the Guises to expell the Prince of Conde out of Paris The Prince of Conde forsaketh Paris The Guise hauing goâ—… ten Paris seke to geâ—… the King also The Prince of Conde commeth to Orleans The purpose of the Guises con cerning VVarre Ruzeus a professour of the Gos pell commaunded towarde The Prince of Conde specially in clined to peace The league betweene the Prince of Conde and the Nobles of Fraunce Letters of the Queen to the Prince of Condâ—… â–ª The prince of Conde complayneth of the murther Letters of the Prince of Conde sent to the reformed churches Certayne Idols broken down letters sent from the Queene to the Prince of Conde Letters froÌ„ the Senat of Paris to the Prince â–ª of Conde This name Triumuiri signifieth three choseÌ„ officers of equall authoritie The secoÌ„d declaratioÌ„ of the Prince of Conde A Tragedy beginneth merily but endeth sorowfully Letters of the prince of Conde to the Emperoure Letters sent to the prince of Palatine A Synode at Orleans Letters seÌ„t from the Synod Letters to the Countie Pallentine from the Synod Vasconia is Gascoyne the slaugh ther of Tolosa Mont aubon The actes of Narbon in general Nemaux otherwise called Nimes Auinion in Prouince Valentia taken Mottecondrinus slaine Saltanus LiefetenaÌ„t of Lions Saltain LiuetenaÌ„t of Lyon. Lions wonne by the Protestants The Prince of Conde sory for that Moâ—… condrin was slayne A Supplica tion offered in the name of the Tâ—…iumuiti Another supplicatioÌ„ offered to the Kinge by the Guise and his The Aunswer of the Prince of Conde to the Supplications â–ª Communication be twene the Quene the King of Nauar and the Prince of Conde Letters of the Prince of Conde to the Queene The beginning of ciuill warres The conditions of peace offered by the king to the faithfull The petitions of the faythfull Triumuiri are these three Guise the CoÌ„stable and the Marshi all of Saint Andrew The Guises vnder the collour of peace seeke to deceiue the Prince of Conde The Guise go home to their houses the Prince of Conde became pledge The practise of the Guises to take the Prince of Conde They meane the Queene and the Kyng of Nauar. The nobles of the Prince of CoÌ„des side weÌ„t to the Queene The communicatioÌ„ betweene the queene and the Nobles The queen denieth the vse of the reformed Religion The queen woulde haue the Prince of Conde his friends banished The Prince of Conde retourned to his army The Guises remoue their army froÌ„ Bogencia take Blesa and Towers The Prince of Conde returneth to Orleans with his â–ª army Roan besie ged in vain by the Aumale Orenge assaulted takeÌ„ by the papistes The army of Suze in Dolpheny greatly anoyed the faithfull The actes of Monsuer de Adretze in Dolpheny and in the Countie of Venais The Marshiall of S. Andrew winneth Poictiers The Germanes and Swisers aid the Guises The decree of the Senate of Paris against the men of Orleans A greeuous pestilence at Oâ—…leans The Prince of Conde craueth helpe of the queene of England and of the Germane Princes The aunswer of the Prince of Conde his friends to the Decree of the Senat of Paris Of this Edict ther is mencion made in the 4. book going before He dehorteth the Germaines which came vnder the charge of the Rokendolfe and the Rhengraue from bearing armour against the King. By the states ye must vnderstand the Nobilitie the Clergy the Tempo 〈◊〉 The true cause of the first warres Power specâ—…all consti tutions in the Kyngs minority The first The secoÌ„d The third The fourth These things are touched before The assault geuen to Cesteron The Army of Monsuer Monbrun put to flight Great wickednes coÌ„mitted in Prouance against the faithfull The horrible slaughter at MoÌ„briso by Adretz CoÌ„spiracy against LaÌ„guedoc Monsieur Ioyse besie ged Montpellier A Franke is a peece of French coyne in value ij s. ij d. q. This great Prier was brother to the Cardinall of Loraine Chaimaiergon the proper name of Camargua A wonderfull victory gotten by Monsieur Bulargues Great slaughter of the Papistes Letters found Montpellier a towne of Surgery phisike The besieging of Burges in Berâ—…i The besieging of Roan in NormaÌ„dy The death of the king of Nauar. the Queen of Nauar a vertuouse Lady A writing published by the Queene of England concerning the helpe she sent to the Prince of Conde She meaneth â–ª Callice Shee meaneth the Scottish Queene Letters of the Princes of Germany to the Germaynes which wer in the army of the Guises â–ª Quillebedouius The Kings letters patents grauÌ„ted to those that started away from the Prince of Conde and the frutes there of The Guise tetourneth to Paris The Guise coÌ„meth to Paris Ayde commeth from the Princes of Germany to the Prince of Conde Another writing of the Prince of Conde Of this meÌ„ cion was made in the second booke
of coÌ„meÌ„taries The conditions offered by the Prince of Conde at the first par ley The reasoÌ„s that staied the Prince of Con de from going into exile The forme of the gouernement of the Realme in Kinges minoritie The Prince of Conde remoued from Paris to Ioyne to him the EnglishmeÌ„ The Duke of Guise se keth to stay the Prince of Conde froÌ„ ioyninge himselfe with the EnglishmeÌ„ Anno 1572 Decem. 19. If that geâ—… tle Reader thou loke in the printed battailes and descriptions of the skirmishes of the Ciuill warres of Fraunce this shal be much more plaine vnto thee for in them thou shalt haue a liuely vew The first battaile in the which the Consta ble was taken and the Swisers dispersed and slaine The second battaile The third battaile The Prince of Conde taken prisoner The fourth battaile The Kings Edict Nemours winneth Vienna Soubize LiefetenaÌ„t of Lions Nemours deceiued of his purpose The winning of Sanstephen and Nonays Nonay cruelly spoiled The Admi rall goeth into Normandy The siege of Orlean â–ª The Kings letters to win from the Prince the Germanes Pultrotseâ—…t from Lions to the Admirall Pultrot killeth the Guise Pultrot taken Peace takeÌ„ Cane in Normandi wonne The state of the com moÌ„ wealth of the church after peace was taken â–ª The state of the chur ch at Orlcaunce Odet Cardi nall of Cha stillon the state of the church at Lions Petrus Vire â—…us the state of the church in Dolpheny the state of the church in Burgun dy and Pro uance the gouern ment of M. Anuil ouer the Churches in Lan guedoc Albanoys The order of calling vppon god his name in Nemaux The Edict violently corrected by the Anuille Monsieur Anuille coÌ„ maundeth Moton to be hanged the state of the church of Venais The state of the chur ches of Orange The state of the churches of Paris The state of the chur ches of Picardie The churches of Brit tanny and Normandy The Churches of Gas coigne and of al Guian The Churches in the dominion of Bearne The Churches in the Cuntrey of Metz. The Churches of Pie mont The Papists brag of abolishing the Edict an D. 1563. The fetches of the Guises to disturbe the peace The craftie wiâ—… of the Quene the Kings mother The Cardinals sharp accusation against the Admirall The Admirall publisheth a wri ting wher in hee cleareth himselfe The words of Merae Monsieur Granmonâ—… Scoutes Monsieur Tranuie The Marshal Hesse The trauell of the CouÌ„ cell of Trent to hinder and stop religioÌ„ in Fraunce The King being of the age of 14. yeares iâ—… declared to be of ful lawfull agâ—… The suâ—…til and craftie deuises of the aduersariâ—…s against Religion violent and false interpÌ„tations of the Edict set â—…orth by the Kings commaundement New sleights put in practise to entice the Prince of Conde froÌ„ the reformed Religion The spoyle wasting of the congregation at Paniez by d'Anuille The Kings progresse causes therof MontaubaÌ„ MontaubaÌ„ agrements made betwene the King his brother the Duke of Orleans The Prince of Conde eseapeth the papists snares and baytes The death of the prin ces wife The slaugh ters of the faithfull Brother hodes of the papiste Monsieur Cure that famous valeant cap taine is slaine And yet scaped vnpunished Moâ—… interpretations of the Edict The Kings progresse The suÌ„me of all that was don in the time of the Kinges Progresse The Admirall adiudged free of the Dukes murther by the kings own iudgement The Guises and the Chastillon are charged to be reconciled The Kings comminge to Lions and what he did there An enterdiction for Sermones A fortresse built at Lyons Monfieur Saltane remoued froÌ„ the gouern ment of Ly ons mon suer Lossay succeded him The sundry troubles of the church at Lions The declaclaration of Rossillon a great ouerthrow to the Edict Restraine of Sinodes ProtestaÌ„ts coÌ„manded to returne to Monachisme The great slaughter of the faith full at Tours The Prince of Conde complaineth of these iniuries The greâ—…ous iniâ—…ries coÌ„mitted against the Protestantes The Kings letters to the Prince of Conde New proclamatioÌ„s for the obserua tion of the Edict The punnishment appointed for the mur ther done at Tours made frustrate The fond and foolish iorneâ—…s of the Cardynall the bloudy suruay that the Marshial of Burdillo made thorough out all Guian Merindol a place appointed for the reformed religion The kinge commeth to Langue doâ—… an do 1566 〈◊〉 do 1566 The affairs of the low Countrey â–ª The beginning enâ—… of the church of Flaunders King Philip certified of the increase of the protestantes in the lowe countrey aâ—… do 156â—… The supplication of the nobles of the confederacy The Duches of Par me causeth â–ª an assembly of States 〈◊〉 Serâ—…ones Images in Flaunders went to wracke The conference betweene the nobles the Duches of Parme. The Prince of Orange commeth to Antwerpe Valleucia besieged Valence surrendred an do 1567 The last coÌ„ spiracy of the Catholiqnes concerning the ruine of the Church of Fraunce The comming of the spanish army with the Duke of Alba. The King Quene remoue to Paris Letters of the Prince to the king The last pe tition of the Prince of Conde The state of the faith full in the beginning of this second war. The Cities townes that tooke part with the protestantes the slaugh rer of the Parisians at Sandioâ—…yse The CoÌ„sta ble wounded to the death The state of the chur ches of the low countrey after the comming of Duke de Alba. The Prince of Conde marcheth to Lorain The Duke of Aniou marcheth towarde Loraine The Kings Edict against the faithfull A battayle in Auuergne the pro testants ha uing the victory an do 1568 Chartres besieged Peace concluded and the summe of the kings Edict The deceit of the Catholiks by this Edict Greate iniures done to the Protestants VVatch ward at hauens bridges Violation â–ª of the Edict Violations of the Edict Troubles â—…t Lions Troubles at Paris 〈◊〉 Sermones Practise of the Cardinal to take the principall profes sors of the Religion Horrible murthers Cipiere cruelly slaine Ten thousand protestantes slain with in the com passe of three Monethes The prince of Conde remoueth to Noyers The Card â–ª of Lorrain practiseth to take the Prince of Conde The Spye taken 90000. Frankes is in our coin foure score and eightteen thousand and nyne hundred and seuen and thirtye poundes ten shillings Victor Vticensis lib. 3 pers Afric the answer of the faith full The coulered deceit in this oth Rochel coÌ„ maunded to be besie ged Musters of Souldiers Letters of the Catholikes souÌ„d out Amanzi a noble man slaine The Prince of Conde in greate perill Letters of the Prince of Conde sent to the Kyng The Prince of Conde goeth to Noyers The Cardi nall ChastilloÌ„ fleeeth into England The death of Charles sonne to King Philip Anno Domini 1568. in the moneth of Au gust The state and condition of both parts The Kings â–ª Decree The messeÌ„â—…er sent froÌ„ the Prince of Conde 〈◊〉 â–ª Discipline appointed by the Prince of Conde A descripâ—… on of tâ—…e disciplin of warre A practisâ—… to draw away the Prince of Nauar froÌ„ the Prince of Conde Letters of the Quene of Nauar to the Kinge Letters of the Quene of Nauar to the Quene Mother Cities yeelded to the Prince of Conde The Ande lot coÌ„meth to the Prince of Conde with a great Army Boysuerd slayne The Andelot passeth ouer the forde of Loyre The Andelot ioyneth with the Admirall An Edict prohibiting the vse of the reformed religion â–ª The Kinge was xii yeâ—… old when his brothâ—… Frances dyed Letters patâ—…es from the Pope Mouents and his souldiers slaine Lettees of the Quene oâ—… Nauar to the Quene of England England a succour to Fraunce The Prince of Conde seeketh to encounter with Monpensier The Duke of Angâ—…we put to the worse The Duke of Aniou by Pollicy delayeth to loyne battaile Duâ—…e Dau maâ—… in Loraine Prince of Orange in the lowe countrey Prince of Orenge seketh to ioyn with the Prince of Conde Tiranny of the Duke of Alba. The Germaneâ—… take both parts Duke of Deuxpous promiseth to helpe the Prince of Cond Mon sieur Cochao taken many of his men slaine Noyers wonne an D. 1569. the Abbay of Saintflo rent won spoyled Sancer besieged The batail in which the Prince of Conde Was slaine The oathe of the Prince of Nauar. l'Endureau reuoltes Brissac slaine Conte Pâ—… padon slaine The Lord Boccarde dead Charite besieged and taken The Duke de Deux Pons dead Description of the Dukes Campe. description of the princes army Snccours from the Pope â–ª the Quene mother en courageth the Souldiours The Lorde Strossi takeÌ„ Strossies men flame â–ª The death of â—…e lord of Moruill The siege of Niort The Lord pluneau succours it The protes tants request to the king for peace To whom the troubles ought to be imputed Luzig rendered Lordes Captains within poâ—… tyers Poictiâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…esieged Battry against Poytâ—…ers Battery against Poie Three assaults giueÌ„ to the suburbes of Roell Assault of Italians The Edict of peace Concord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Noble men that are 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Noble men of 〈◊〉 calling The Queene of 〈◊〉 All 〈◊〉 Places 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Kinges Courâ—… â–ª Paris 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â–ª Hospitals and Colleges The good will of the king toward â—…he prince of Conde and the rest The Duke of Sweburge other Princes The Queene of 〈◊〉 Priuiledges of Cities Offices Payments to be indifferent Deliuery of prisoners Raunsomes All vnder the Kings protecon Mouables restored Reuenewes Of houses castles cities Princes of Nassau Writings of Landes Iudgementes Abrogation of Sentences â–ª Obseruaaion of dollitique Lawes Instice equal ly ministred Appeales froÌ„ Parliaments â–ª Refusall of Iudges Foure Citties graunted for Securities sake Concerning this Edict Trafike Punishments for breaking this Edict Disanulling of all former Edictes The othe of Magistrates Solem proclamation of this Edict
churches any diuisions for this matter Then Beza proceeding with his former purpose sayd Beza Concerning the seconde we doe not saye that the mâ—…rites of the death and passion of Christ are onely signified by the outward signes of bread and wine but also that the verie bodie of Christe which was cruâ—…ified for vs his bloud which was shed for vs is by them represented Also that Iesus Christ very God and perfect man is offered vnto vs by visible signes that our myndes being lifted vp by faith to heauen wher Christ now is may spiritually behold him receiue enioy all his graces to euerlasting life and that so certainly and truely as we sée and receyue and eate and drinke the corporall and visible signes To this the Cardinall of Loraine agreed affirming that he was glad to heare those wordes for so muche as he perceiued that the doctrine of the Faithfull was otherwise than he thought it to bée Beza Concerning the thirde there is greate difference betwéene common water and that with the which we are washed in baptisme betwéene the bread and wine whiche we dayly vse and that whiche is vsed in the Supper For the water of Baptisme the breade and wyne of the Supper are Sacramentes that is to saye visible sygnes and Testimonies of the bodie and bloud of the Lorde But we denie saith he that there is any such mutatioÌ„ in the substaÌ„ce of the Elements but we affirme that the change is in this that they are applyed to an other vse than that which is naturall bycause they seruing of themselues by their owne nature for the nutriment of the body being Sacraments they signifie that thing whiche doth feede our seules Furthermore we doe not assigne the cause of this mutation to the words or to the mynd and purpose of him that pronouÌ„ceth them but to the vertue and power of God whose will is reuealed in his word Therfore bycause the thing signified is offred vnto vs and so truly giuen vnto vs as the signe it selfe we muste also acknowledge by the same reason the coniunction of signes with the thing signifyed And by this meanes the body and bloude of Iesus Chryste in that they are truely giuen vnto vs are in the administration of the Supper and not with vnder or in the breade or in any other place than in heauen where as he is â—…an he is contained vntill he shall come to iudge both the quicke and dead The Cardinal also agréed to the same and affirmed that he did not allow Transubstantiation but thought rather that Chryste shoulde be sought in heauen Notwithstanding as one in dout he added other sayings of certayne Germanes to the end he might therby séeme not to haue greatly trauelled in this matter excusing himselfe to be let from the same by other businesse Then sayde Beza I graunte that we and certaine Germanes doe disagrée in this thyrde Article but in this notwithstanding we agree that we altogyther ioyntly with one consent denie your Transubstantiation Card. Lor. Doe ye confesse that we are truely and substancially partakers of the body and bloud of Chryst Beza This is the fourthe principall poynt whiche before I noted and resteth to be declared In suÌ„me therefore we do affirme that the visible signes whiche are naturally eaten and dronken are touched with the handes that the matter of the Sacrament that is to say the body bloud of Chryst Iesus is offered truely and without deceyte to all men that the same is receyued by faythe and not by naturall reason but yet that the same is so truely giuen vnto vs by faythe as if we were naturally ioyned with Chryst. Then the Cardinall affirmed that Beza hadde satisfyed him in this poynte and very friendly and louingly desired Bâ—…za that he might haue conference with him Notwithstanding it was reported that the Cardinall had confuted Bâ—…za by these firste small tryalles and assayes And so they fully persuaded themselues to haue the victorie But when they which were the chosen meÌ„ of the Churches to dispute lawe that new delayes were founde out day by day they vrged that their petitions whereof we spake before might be graunted vnto them and they desired also to vnderstande the Kings mynde in writing At the length they receyued this answere of the Queene that the Prelates shoulde not be their Iudges but that there shoulde be graunted vnto them certayne of the Kings Secretaries that the matter should be ruled wholy by the word of God and that the King with the Princes his kinsmen woulde be at the disputation And herewith she admonished them to behaue themselues modestly and to seeke onely the glorie of GOD whiche she thought she sayde they greatly desired But to graunt them any thing in writing she thought it not expedient séeing their wordes might serue well inough When the chosen men of the Churches hadde receyued this answere and were departed there came strayght way vnto the Queene certaine Papistes beseeching hir that she woulde not heare these men of the newe religion and if she were mynded to heare them that she would at the least beware and sée that the yong king came not to their disputations bycause it was daungerous least hée in his yong and tender yeares shoulde be taken and snared therewith For say they it is not meete that they shoulde be hearde which not long agoe were conuicted of heresie To whome the Quéene onely answered that she woulde doe nothing without due Counsell and aduise and that they shoulde well vnderstande that the matter shoulde not be handled after the wil and pleasure of those men of the new doctrine as they termed them The next daye after which was the ninth day of September was the time appoynted to begin the disputation Therefore the King and the Quéene his mother the Duke Aurelian the Kings brother Margareâ—… his Sister the King and Queene of Nauarre the Prince of Conde with the reste of the Princes the Kings kinsmeÌ„ and the Priuie Counsel and a greate number also of Noble men and Gentlemen were assembled together in a verye large hall which men commonlye call the Hâ—…ll of the holye Virgins of Posiac Hyther came also the Popes chiefe Prelates the Cardinals the Archebyshoppes and Bishoppes to the number of fiftie beside a great many substitutes and deputies in the places of those that were absent a great many diuines and men of learning counted standing about them In the highest place sat the King and harde beside him according to custome the Princes his kinsmen the Bishops sitting all a long on both sides the hall vpon gréeces one aboue another Then were brought in the chosen men for disputation of the reformed Churches which were twelue Ministers and twentie others which were sent also of the same Churches whom the Kings Gard at the commaundement of the king had brought from Sangerman thyther least there should be some tumult raised against them When euery man