him for his sonne and true heire of the Crowne in France in case he doth decease without issue But to come to the matter now here is a blessed daies worke for the Guyzes and holy Church Vp master Frier and get you to Rome the holy Citie once againe to Sir Hugh to shew him what good lucke wée haue and that all thinges do happen as wée would haue them but that we haue néede of his ghostly counsaile Whilest Frier Mathew carier of the Guyzes goeth to do his message as well as he could they of the Guyze with their partakers do dispearse themselues into all partes of the Realme to allure Townes and Cities but especially them that were Malecontentes to their deuotion after the which progresse of theirs with importunacy they do procure the King to call the assembly of the states of the realme at Bloys to the which they had altogether laboured their fauorers and such as did desire nothing more then the decay of the King and increasing of the Guyzes In the same assembly that the King might haue the blame himselfe of the breaking of the peace it was requested First that the edict of pacification should be reuoked and the exercise of the reformed religion forbidden Secondly that the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and all the nobilitie professing the same religion should be exiled out of the realme all others of the same profession should be enforced either to abiure or els to depart forthwith out of the Realme Thirdly that the 8. townes which were giuen them for 6. yeares should be put into the kinges handes alleaging that the time was expired The king being desirous to entertaine his subiectes in peace knowing well the frutes of ciuil warre dissolued the states promising shortly to assemble the best wisest and most experienced of his realme to haue their aduise for the reformation of all thinges About the same time of the states beeing at Bloys the king of Nauarre sendeth new aduertisementes to the king about the intent and open practises of the league willing him to haue some care of himselfe and sheweth him the present danger that he stood in After the returne of Frier Mathew from Rome the Bariesuits in the latter end of September held a certaine Synode or Clandestine conuenticle in Paris in the which the said Frier Mathew as president did rule the rost hauing receaued direction of Sir Hugh vicar of Rome where according to the said directions they lay downe the methode to stirre vp the coles to raise vp seditions and rebellious in all partes but especially to increase the hatred of all men against them of the religion but namely against the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde and for that end they forged an infamous libell as more amply shal be shewed The king according to his promise made to the States at Bloys in the latter end of the yeare 1584. called at Saint Germayn in Faye his chéefest and best learned Senators of all his Parliamentes there to shew him the best and readiest meanes to ease the people and to restore the realme to some good state On the other side the king of Nauarre considering that the time appointed to surrender the 8. townes committed to his custody was expired and that the rage of his enemies was rather increased then diminished and that their meanes their factions and their furie was now greater then euer it had béene and that imminent daungers were at hand assembled a méeting of the Nobilitie which professed the reformed religion at Montaulban a strong City in Quercye where Monsieur Belieure one of the kinges counsaile was present to prouide for their common affaires And whereas the king of Nauarre his enemies had spread abroad both by false rumors and libels that immediatly after the death of Monsieur he was returned to the Catholike religion and was gone to Masse the said king of Nauarre therefore to satisfy all men against that false rumor and slaunder protested openly that he knew the truth to be on his side and that by Gods assistance he would stand to the profession and defence of the reformed religion vnto the end and that hée would acknowledge none other fortune but onely that There by the common aduise of all that assembly it was thought good that considering the great daungers which seeme to threaten them of the reformed Religion and generally all France a supplication should bee presented to the king that of his méere fauour clemencie be would continue the kéeping of the said Townes to the king of Nauarre for certaine yeares more Vpon this conclusion the Lord Laual with other deputies were sent to the King at the assembly which was at Saint Germain and shewing the cause of their comming to the king and complaining of diuers iuiuries daily done to them of the reformed religion by the leaguers the 11. of December 〈◊〉 the king granted them the keping of the said townes for 2. yeares longer charging them that for iniuries done to them they should not séeke to reuenge their owne cause for breaking of the peace But that they would shew their gréefes to the King of Nauarre who thereupon should make meanes to him for amendes Whilest all these thinges were working on euery side the king of Nauarre séeing that neither so many aduertisementes from euery part of France geuen to the king neither that which hée himselfe saw namely the partialities societies fraternities leagues confederacies and preparations of the house of Guyze did any whit moue or warne the king to looke to himselfe and to his affaires which thing he might easily haue done in time The said king of Nauarre had sent the Lord de Segur Pardillan superintendent of his house to the Quéene of England the king of Dēmarke the Princes electors the Lands-graue of Hessen and to other States of Germany for thrée causes first to compound the controuersies about certaine articles of religion not as yet agréed vpon in the reformed Churches y t the enemies of the commō cause might not distoine them by that occasiō Secondly to renue the ancient friendship and aliaunce in that sort as it had véene of old Thirdly to dispose a summe of money in Germany in such order that therby he might there prouide succour if he were assaulted by his enemies The said Lord Perdillane returned home to the king of Nauarre in December 1584. when the king did hold his counsaile at Saint Germayn The end of the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE NOw when the Guyzes do draw néere their time to bring forth that monster of treason which they had conceaued they haue many secret conferences with y t Duke of Parma pety sonne to Peter Aloyse Pharnese the Popes bastard hanged at his windowes by his owne subiectes for his execrable life Also with Bernardine Mendoze Giouan Bardachino the king of Spaine his Coriero the Bishop of Cominges bastard sonne to the Lord Lansake playing Dromo betweene them
their houses y e goods of the vilages where y e army was lodged and that was true indeede and therefore required that there might be no more geuen to any man or else that they might be taxed to pay money for the army They requested also that they would take order for the paimeÌ„t of the Rutters for a moneth which was promised them and for lacke of the sayd pay they would goe no further adding many difficulties concerning the passage of Loyre beside that the winter did draw neere and that there was but two moneths to keepe the field They were requested patiently to stay a while vntill they might aduertize the king of Nauarre to know his pleasure That in the meane tyme they would goe to soiorne in Beausse where was great quantity of corne and of fodder for the horâ—es so that the armies might there easily berefreshed As for the pay it was impossible to the French men at that present tyme to furnish so much money and that drawing into Beausse and Vandomoys there some money might be had The Germans were contented with that so that speedily they would send to the K. of Nauarre with promise to stay vntil they might heare from him They quartered themselues the next day and all the army was lodged vpon the lands of the Lord Chastilion who offered it willingly to shew example to others to preferre the publike commodities before the particular The Lord Boillon lodged at Chastilion with other noble men to aduise vpon the affaires of that armie Some dayes before Tilman colonell of the regiment of Bearne departed through sicknes Bouschet his Lieutenant wrote a letter to the Lord Cleruaut in the name of all the Swissers that they had determined to let the king vnderstand the causes wherfore they were come into France and to that effect would send Ambassadours to the king That resolution séemed to many very dangerous they sent to him neuerthelesse The towne of Bleneau vpon Loyne aboue the towne of Chastilion had resisted the Baron Oneau for which cause they forced them and vpon that occasion the army soiorned 2. dayes about Chastilion In the meane time newes came that the Duke of Guyze did approach with his forces and was to lodge about Chasteau-renard distant from Chastilion three small leagues The Lord Chastilion then opened them the meanes which he had therein to enclose the sayd Duke of Guyze but many difficultyes were aleaged which did hinder his enterprise Notwithstanding the sayd Lord Chastilion went on horsebacke with twenty horsemen in company euen to the gates of Chasteau-renard and there hauing taken some of that place learned that Guyze was gone thence about one houre before for to ioyne with his brother the Duke de Mayne and that he had lodged in the towne with three hundred horses onely and before his going away had put garrisons in the Castell The said Lord Chastilion brought with him about 25. Harquebusters on horsebacke whom he sent to the Lord Boillon by them he learned as is aforesaid that the Duke of Guyze was gone to ioyne with his brother that all their Bands were so scattered here and there in the Vilages about Some gaue counsell to turne the faces of the army agaynst the Duke of Guyze and his brother that it was an easy thing to force him to battayle afore that hee should approach neerer to the Kinges army or to Montargis to fauour one an other notwithstanding some were of a contrary opinion and that it could not be done but the Lord of Guyze would haue knowledge thereof and then would hee retyre into some sure and safe places which thing being done their returning backe would bring great discommodities to the army which by these meanes would be combered betwéen the riuers Yonne on the East Loyne on the West and Seyne on the North ouer whom they could not find passages when néede should require it and that if they should do no exployt they should repasse that way which they came where they should finde all thinges eaten vp which thing would encrease the discomodities and the complaintes of the strangers this opinion preuayled and therefore nothing was enterprized They went to lodge about Montargis leauing the riuer of Loyne at their right hand for to get the way to Beausse They lodged at Landon and Vimory and other Townes there abouts This way is moorish broken foule and full of quakmiers where the wagons of the Germans and Frenchmen did so sinke that the Rutters were fayne there to lodge The 27. of October the Lords of Guyze Mayne Elleufe Aumall Barre the young Ianuile and the brother of the Lord Mercure with other heads of the League and their forces which were about fifteene hundred horses and fiue thousand Harquebusiers went to lodge at Montargis and thereabouts on the East side of the riuer Loyne which running betweene both let the Germans to goe to them of the League but on the contrary gaue this aduantage to the Leaguers to passe to y t armies side when they would because they had the foordes and bridges at theyr deuotion This aduantage with the fauour of the Towne of Montargis and of the Countrie gaue them occasion to enterprise to set vpon Vimory where the Baron Oneau was lodged with seuen Cornets of Rutters that place being not distant from Montargis aboue a League and a halfe The Enemies arriued at Vimory in the end of Supper about seuen a clocke at night The Rutters the alarum being giuen do repaire to their Cornets with great speede and whilest the enemyes were busie in the streetes to robbe the Baron Oneau did oftentimes charge as well their horsemen as their footmen the first onset was vpon the Duke de Mayne who with a good companie of horsemen made head to the Rutters At this onset the Rutters did so play the men that many notable gentlemen were left dead vpon the place as well of the companies of the Guyze as of his brother de Mayne The Cornet of the Duke de Mayne with the gentleman that carryed it Rowray of Burgondy was taken There were two other Cornets taken whereof one was of the Lord Bordesiere The Duke de Mayne receaued two shot of Pistoll within his armor whereof hee was so amazed that hee came not to himselfe vntil the morrow after about eight a clocke There is no doubt but the League would haue had much adoe if it had not been for a great rayne darkenes and thunder which on a sudden came and parted the fight The League lost there aboue fortye gentlemen notable among them among whom was the Marques d'Arques eldest son to the Lord Listenay and the Lord Cigoigne sonne to the Duches de Mayne and others were sore wounded The Rutters lost aboue fifty men about one hundred seruing men three hundred wagon horses they lost three Cornets of their seruantes wherein were painted the Starre the Horse-comb and the Sponge The Baron Oneau receaued a blow with a sword
payre of staires so narrowe that but one man alone might passe there were none armed neither the Lord Espernon nor any of his were at all which thing caused them to stay their going vp At the same instant a maidseruant aduertised the Lord Espernon that the Maiors brother with a number of armed men did enter into the castle through a hole in the wall on the side of the Curtine The sayd Lord Espernon ran thether who found alreadie the Maiors brother entred with another which both were slaine there and a gard was put at the place At the same time the complices of the conspiracie and among others the foresaid Souchet the Maiors brother in law who had come lately from the Court with some other gentlemen of the countrey seeing that they could not fire the first gate where they found resistance as is sayd before ran to another gate of the Castle with fire to burne it preparing also giâ—s to breake it vp But the Lord Espernon with fiftéene of his men whom he had gathered together ran also to the sayd gate to defend and fortifie it with earth stones boords and such like leauing his gard to keepe the dore of the chamber where the conspirators were locked vp the which endeuoured themselues to issue foorth but notwithstanding were repulsed by the sayd gardes and the Lord Espernon himselfe who hauing deuided his gardes vpon the entries into the Castle went too and fro as néed required and where hee iudged his presence necessarie so that resorting to the foresayd doore he killed one of the sayd conspiratours with his own hand as he went about to issue foorth The inhabitants in the meane time did bestowe their shot freely vppon the chambers of the Castle because they were so great and wide and because the inhabitants had seazed vpon the next houses and among others vppon the house néerest to the Castle called the Quéenes house The diligence of the Lord Espernon and other gentlemen which accompanied him was such that within two houres they assured themselues of the Castle so that it had béen hard for the gentlemen and others who were within the Towne to force it without Canon The labour bestowed in fighting fortifying and breaking the staiers of the chambers and in fiering the narrowe staiers which went vp the chamber where the conspiratours were locked vp had béen quicke and violent The L. EspernoÌ„ desirous to make the gentlemen which were with him to drinke there was found in al the house but foure flagons of wine which were brought in that morning for his breakfast there was no water at all and very small store of bread for the inhabitants had seazed vpon the well which was in the other court and also the way to goe to it which thing did greatly trouble them that were besieged the space of two dayes and a halfe that they were inclosed therein But the discommoditie was little in comparison of the constant resolution which they tooke rather to dye then yéeld themselues vnto that sedicious multitude It is sayd before how the Maior afore hee began to execute his enterprise had by false surmises entised the Lord Bordes gouernour of the Citadell to come to his house making him beléeue that hee would discouer him some great practise against the King whom when he had in his hands he kept prisoner in his house This thing did greatly amaze the Lord Espernon that he heard not the Citadell play against the Citie the cause was that when the fray was begun at the Castle immediatly men appoynted by the Maior brought the sayd Bordes before the Citadell to cause the Lieutenant to surrender it or els to stay him from discharging the Ordinance against the towne which in case hee should doo it they threatned to kill the sayd Lord Bordes The Lieutenant desirous to saue the life of the sayd Lord Bordes promised to doo their request and so kept promise with them The Lord Espernon ignorant of all these things was greatly dismayed fearing least the Citadell had béen in the hands of the conspirators or els had fauoured them The conspirators closed vp in the high chamber of the Castle did affirme the same and when they were summoned to render themselues they answered that it was for the sayd Lord Espernon and his to yeeld that they should quickly see the Canon of the Citadell before the Castle There was an other mischaunce that happened The Ladie Espernon before the coÌ„motion began was gone to Masse to the Dominican friers WheÌ„ the alarum was giuen she went about to go forth to get the citadel ouer her head beleeuing that they were Hugonets that had attempted against y t town she was lead by y e armes by 2. gentlemen to wit Seguency not the secretary but an other of that name Pial she was arrested prisoner and her two Gentlemen slaine by these two Catholicks within the Church doore not permitting the Priest to make an ende of his iuggling game They tooke also many Gentlemen among whom were the Lords Curee Mesme Blere and Captaine Ramel the Baron Coze and many others of all degrees of the traine of the said Lord Espernon The Lords Curee and Mesme went about to get into the Castell but the people with Holbards kept them back although they saide that they would go fight against the Hugonets when they assaid to haue entred the Castel The Lord Haultclerie a man of that countrey of great estimation with much adoo saued their liues Captaine Ramel fell into the same daunger of the people in going about to get into the castell by the Curtine of the towne wall but he saued himselfe by taking the Bishops house In the middest of all these discommodities the Lord Espernon sendeth a Lackie to the Lord Tageus who was at Xainctes with all his horsemen to make haste to succour him The Lacky was let downe the wall of the Parke ioyning to the Castell but he was incontinently taken by the inhabitants Notwithstanding the Lord Tageus was aduertized of the commotion by two Gentlemen who in a good houre went forth of the towne to goe on to hunting who hearing the Toxin did gallop vnto the gate of the Citadell where they caused immediately all the bread and prouision which was in the subburb to be brought in and the selfe same day at night came to Xainctes to warne the Lord Tageus of that commotion The people in the meane while continued in their rage assisted and conducted by diuers gentlemen of the couÌ„try who were of the league among whome was one brought vp in the house of Guyze Messeliere Makuole and Boucheaulx and others who two houres after the commotion summoned the Lord Espernon by a drumme to yeeld and to deliuer the place into their hands promising him and his life and baggage safe That proffer he disdayned and gaue them no other answere but that he would within few houres make them change their language They threatned also the Lady Espernon
Pope the said truce to begin the third day of Aprill and to continue a whole yeare The conditions of the said truce are as followeth First that the King of Nauarre shall not during the time of the said truce employ his forces within nor without the realme but for his seruice and at his commaundement and direction Secondly that wheresoeuer the King of Nauarre shall come he shall alter change nor innouat nor interrupt the exercise of the romish religion nor shew any displeasure to the Priests nor to the places of their deuotions Thirdly that whatsoeuer place Towne Citie Castell or Fortresse he shall take by any meane whatsoeuer immediatly deliuer the same to the Kings pleasure Last of all the King graunteth to them of the reformed religion the liberty of their consciences wheresoeuer within his dominions and the exercise of the same in places were it was exercised at the time of the concluding of this truce also that they all shall enioy their goods wheresoeuer so that likewise they shall suffer the Catholikes to enioy the freedome of their religion and goods in places which are in their power This was proclaymed and recorded in Parliament the thirtie day of Aprill at Tours the day of theyr interuiewe About the same time in like manner the king of Nauarre did set foorth a declaration of the causes of these truces wherein first he doth protest that in all these ciuill warres he hath armed himselfe and his friendes against his will nature and necessitie enâ—orcing him so to doe and sheweth that his warre of the League began vnder a pretence and shadow of religion but in very deede is found a war of estate Protesteth that his great desire hath beene alwayes to doe some good and acceptable seruice to the king Complayneth of the malice of his enemies disguised and coloured with fauourable pretences to ouerthrow the State Commendeth the king who at length hath with a good iudgement discerned his innocencie from their malice through so great and thick mist of colours and calomnies of his enemies Secondly he sheweth that the Leaguers making the world beleeue to warre against the reformed religion whome they doe cal heretikes neuer went to seeke them out where they were but abusing of the kings authoritie and power which they had â—â—il in hand to that end haue by the said forces surprized the townes and fortresses which were furthest and least suspected of religion Thirdly he sheweth that they haue not vsed their preachers and Iesitites to conuert the pretended hereticks as they should haue done but in all places where they haue borne the sway haue made them serue for trompets of sedition and firebrands to sound the alarum and to set the whole Realme on a fire and miserable combustion to rayse the subiects against their prince to seduce them from the obedience of their magistrats to dispose them to tumults alteration and noueities whereby they haue procured an horrible deformitie in the Realme a generall and incredible rebellion by the which they haue banished all pietie and iustice out of all Cities and places which are vnder their tyranny Fourthly he sheweth the causes of this their reconsiliation and interuiew to haue been no respect of religion at all But that he for his parte pitying the miserable state wherunto the enemies had reduced the realm when he mought haue vsed the publike calamities of the saide state for to doe well and assure his affayres forgiuing all iniuries and discurtesies receaued vnto the realme hath offered to the king his life and meanes to assist him to restablish his authoritie which proffers the king of his clementie and goodnes accepted And vpon that acceptation that hee might the better haue meanes to doo him good seruice the sayd King bath conciuded a generall truce throughout all his Dominions for a whole yeare including therein the Countie of Venisse and state of Auignon Last of all hee chargeth and commandeth all them of his side and religion to keepe the conditions of this truee inuiolable forbidding them to enterprise innouate or alter any thing either in religion or policie in any place of the Kings dominions And as the King of his gracious goodnes had giuen libertie to them of the reformed religion to enioy the freedome of their consciences goods he willeth also the like libertie to bee giuen to the Catholikes who are in the Prouinces Townes or Cities holden by them of the reformed religion so long as this truce shall endure Among all other Prouinces which through rebellion had forsaken the Kings obedience Picardy and the I le of France had waded most déepely in that rebellion hauing generally reuolted Calis and Boloigne excepted In the I le of France there is a small Towne named Seulis in the way bewéene Champaigne and Paris that Towne also had rebelled and ioyned to the vnion of the League a Towne of no strength neither in fortifications nor situation About the beginning of Aprill the Lord Thore of the house of Mommorency went vp and downe in the Towne of Seulis conferring with the good and faithfull inhabitants of the sayd Towne who with his good and graue reasons reduced them to the Kings obedience About the beginning of May the sayd Lord Thore within the space of three dayes made a choyse and muster of able men out of the villages of the Dutchy of Mommorency so that as well of his companies as of the inhabitants of the Towne he made a sufficient number of resolute men to the number of two thousand able to stand against any forces that should seeke to assault the Towne furnishing the same aboundantly with victuall and munition and all necessary things for the kéeping and defence thereof This he did not that the place was of any such strength but reposing his trust in God who is a defender of a iust cause and in the courage faithfulnes of the inhabitants and souldiers there The Parisiens amazed to see the sâ—daine reducing of the sayd Towne to the Kings obedience did all their diligence to put out that fire kindled so néere them The Lord of Mayneuile whom wee haue sayd the Duke de Mayne had left gouernour of Paris in great hast with a company of Parisiens well armed came to besiege the sayd Towne of Seulis The Duke d'Aumale with a braue companie of horsemen and a sort of footemen arriued incontinently there after the Lord Mayneuile so that on a sodaine they besieged the Towne being at the dash to the number of foure thousand men The fourth day the Parisiens and other partakers and fellowes of the vnion came posting from many places being well horsed and furnished and found themselues that day before that Towne to the number of sixe thousand men The fift day they sent to Paris for Ordinance whereof three were sent them to wit two Canons and one Culuerine and because none would enterprise to conduct the sayd Ordinance this way was deuised In the alteration which
Mount berry remayned there a whole day to try whether the enemies hauing rested and refreshed themselues thrée dayes in Paris would haue gathered stomacke and pursued him But vnderstanding of their kinde of warre and victories which they had agaynst the Coffers of the citizens of Paris hee determined to leaue those wicked rebels to destroy one another and to take the Towne of Estampes vpon this occasion The Lord Clermont of Lodeshe in Languedocke had thrust himselfe into the sayd Towne with fiftie or threescore Gentlemen through the assurance which the Duke de Mayne had giuen them and confirmed the same by many of his letters which were intercepted that he would come to reléeue them with his armie The King by these letters knowing that the Duke de Mayne stood bound vpon his faith honour to rescue Estampes with all his armie the fift of Nouember hauing sent part of his forces to compasse the sayd towne which was done the same day early he followed and arriued at Estampes with the rest of his armie when it was dark night and at his comming he wonne the Suburbs which the enemies had made shewe to haue defended The same night also the Towne was taken the Souldiers retyring into the Castle The sixt day of Nouember the Castle was enuironed approaches made and two Culuerines placed in batterie The stout Souldiers with the Lord Clermont who did looke so bigg first seeing that the army which should rescue them did not appeare and that they had no newes of it demanded parley and yeelded themselues the same day with condition that eight of them should remayne prisoners vntill such time as they should giue eight others who were named to them to be deliuered After that agréement the King did shew that fauour to the Lord Clermont and vnto fiue others that should haue remayned prisoners to send them away vpon their oathes so there departed out of the Castell about forty Gentlemen and two hundred Souldiours who were safely conducted halfe the way to Paris The King considering that poore Towne of Estampes to haue béene taken thrée times in foure moneths and thought it had been necessary for him to haue kept a good Garison in it yet notwithstanding being of his owne nature as easie to be ouercome with â—lemency as he is inuinsible to his enemies by force was centent to take no other assurance of the towne then the oath of the inhabitants wherein he reposed his trust And that the Castell should not bée a meane of their rigorus vsage hereafter hée determined to rase it and to commit the keeping of the Towne to the townesmen onely perswading himselfe that they comparing the vsage which they haue at his hands and of his enemies together it will be the surest Garison to keepe them in obedience About the eight of Nouember the King remayning yet there arriued a Gentleman from the Quéene Dowager to the King bringing a request which she presented vnto the King veséeching him to doo her iustice for the detâ—stable murther committed vpon the person of the late King her Husband the King deferred the answer vntill such time as hée sat in counsell The ninth day of Nouember the Gentleman was called before the King and his counsel who after he had deliuered his message the request was read aloud in the presence of all the Princes Marshals of France and other Lords and Gentlemen who were then in great number about the King by the which request besides the desiring of the King shee did adiure not onely the Princes and Nobility of France but also all Christian Princes to be assisters in this cause The King making answer himselfe declared that he highly commended her vehemency in following this sute and sent the said supplication vnto his court of Parliament transported to Tours commaunding his generall atturney with the atturney of the said Lady to make information against the offenders to the end the matter might bée determined afterward in his presence in manner and forme conuenient And for his owne part he would not cease to prosecute the matter but vowed in presence of all the company to employ his trauailes and armes vntill such time as he had doue the iustice that God had appoynted him to doo So that as the pittifull tearmes of the request of the said Lady had filled the eyes of all with teares so the princelike answer of the King had quickly dried them vp and replenished their hearts with iust indignation and burnâ—ng desire of reuenge At that time all with a loud voyce renued the oath of not laying downe armes vntill such time as they had reuenged the hatefull death of the late King their master The King séeing that there was no hope to bring the enemy to a battaile but by extreame necessitie sent back the Duke of Longeuile and the Lord la Nouë with such forces as they had brought out of Picardie to refresh themselues in that Prouince he did the like also by the Lorde of Gyury who met him with a good troupe at his departure from Paris and sent him againe into the Country of Brie The King with the rest of his army determined to make a voyage to the riuer of Loyre in the meane time whilest his strange forces that were comming would be further in their way Therefore the tenth of Nouember hee departed from Estampes and marched through the Countrey of Beausse and being aduertised that the towne of Ianuile stopped all the passages he desired to winne it in passing by the way The 11. of Nouember the King arriuing the Captaine that was within it made a shew as though he would defend it but when hée sawe the Canon approach he yéelded it vp and departing with two hundered Harquebusiers the King entred therein and there stayed the day after They of the Towne receaued no displeasure nor discommodity no more then if they neuer had reiected his obedience The King leauing a good Garison in the Castell which is a good strong place departed thence the thirteenth of Nouember to the Towne of Chasteaudunne where as soone as he was arriued he sent to sommon the Towne of Vendosme which was his auncient patrimony and the ancieÌ„t title of his predecessors and because that thereby they were his double subiects they were the more culpable in taking his enemies part yet the King hauing more care to kéepe them from further offending then to punish them for their double treasons he stayed thrée dayes at Chausteaudunne to giue them time to aduise themselues Whilest the King lodged at Chasteaudune the Captaines of the Suissers arriued who were sent immediatly after the death of the late King by their Câ—lonels of the foure Regiments to knowe the pleasure of their superiours whether they should continue in seruice or aske leaue to returne home The saide messengers reported vnto the King that they had expresse charge from their Seignories to giue his Maiesty to vnderstand that they not onely doo commaund the Colonels and
Lords Clermont Antragues one of the Captaynes of the Kings gards who deceased nigh the Kings person The Lord Tischombert who had borne great charges in warre and now would needes serue as a souldier in the Kings Cornet The Lord of Longauluay in Normandy of fourescore yeares of age the Lord of Creuay Cornet bearer to the Prince Montpencier the Lord Vienne Lieftenant to the Lord Benuron the Lords of Manuille Fequers Valoys and twentie Gentlemen more at the most There were hurt the Marquesse of Neste the Earle of Choysy the Lord d'O the Earle Lude the Lords Montluet Lauergne and Rosny and about twentie Gentlemen more without any danger of death The King going to chase the enemie and hauing deuided his companies as is aforesayd left the Marshall Byron with the rest of his forces to conduct them and followe after him Here good Christian Reader thou hast to note certaine fatall periods of things to wit the circumstances of the persons time and place in the execution of Gods iustice vpon his enemies The 23. day of December 1559. Claude Duke of Guize and Charles Cardinall of Lorreyne his brother in the raigne of Francis the second procured Annas du Borg one of the chiefest Senators of the Court of Parliament of Paris to be burned for the Gospell at Saint Ihan in Greues in Paris The 23. of December as their Calender is now which was the day of the natiuitie of Henry of Bourbon which now raigneth in the yeare 1588. the last Duke and Cardinall of Guize were slayne at Bloys when they had concluded to murther the King the next morning following that day The fourth day of March 1561. Claude of Guize father to this last tooke armes agaynst the edict of Ianuary and committed the cruell murther of Vassie by the which breach of the peace were ciuill warres raised vp in France and euer since haue béen entertayned and nourished by his posteritie which warre was his vndoing The same day of the same moneth in the yeare 1585. the last Duke of Guize sonne to the sayd Claude tooke armes against the King which was the beginning of these last ciuill warres of the League by the which they haue procured their owne vndoing and of many others The same day of the moneth the Duke de Mayne brother to the sayd last Duke of Guize and heire of the Captainship of the rebellion made a shipwracke of all his forces at Saynt Andrewes plaine without hope euer to recouer the like forces Claude Duke of Guyze in December in the year 1561. fought the first battell that was giuen in all these ciuill Warres with Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Condie Prince of famous and blessed memory in the plaine of Dreux with an vncertaiue issue but in equall losses so that to this day it is vniudged who had y e victory but well knowen that the Duke of Guyze had the greatest losse The Duke de Maine fought agaynst Henry of Bourbon the fourth of that name now King of France and Nauarre at the plaine of Saint Andrew next adioyning to the other and the places not distant passing a mile a sunder with a reparable losse The Lord Rendan a rebellious Leaguer in Auuergne with such power as he could make in the sayd countrey but specially in the Townes of Rions and Brion rebelled and holden in the same rebellion by the Iesuits besieged Isoire a great and populous towne in the said Auuergne because it continued in the Kings obedience The Lords Chasseran and Rochemayne willing to do some honorable seruice to the King and good to their countrey gathered such power as they could of the Kings subiectes to rescue the sayd towne of Isoire from falling into the handes of the rebels and with a meane power trusting in GOD the defender of his Ordinance and wayghing the right of the cause marched towards Isoire The sayd Lord Rendan vnderstanding of their approach raysed vp the siege and went intending to meete the sayd Lordes Chasseran and Rochemayne and at the same day and time of the battell at Saint Andrewes playne meeting in a playne field not farre from Jsoire tried the quarell by the sword There the sayd Rendan was ouerthrowen and aboue fourescore Gentlemen of his were slayne on the place all his footmen cut to pieces the artillery bagge and bagage with many prisoners taken so the Towne of Isoyre was deliuered from the danger of the enemie retayned and confirmed in the Kings dutifull obedience It is said how after the victory the King deuided his army into foure parts three of them were appointed their quarters to follow the chase and the Marshall Biron to follow after the King with the residue of the army The King hauing taken this order followed after the Duke de Mayne but finding the bridg broaken was faine to go thrée miles about to passe the riuer afoord and in that way he found many straglers whom he tooke prisoners which was a good turne for them or else they had béen slaine by others he came so fast after the Duke d' Mayne that hee did misse him but a little but vnderstanding how he was receaued in Mant the king lodged that night at Rosni as is said very simple The fift day the Duke d'Mayne very early fearing to be besieged there retyred from Mante to Pontoyse where he soiourned few dayes to take some sure order for the safety of the Towne and after went to Saint Denis The same day the King sent to sommon the Towne of Mante which deliuered the keyes of their towne to his Maiesty receaued and acknowledged him their king and prince and continued there vntill the twentie day of March to refresh his army wearied with so many labours and hardnes of winter to take counsel of the course which he was to take hereafter and to expect certaine munition of warre which was comming to him from Diepe The Citie of Paris first author of this warre had conceaued an assured confidence of all prosperous successe by the vaine bragges which the Duke d'Mayne did cast foorth afore hee went out with the army The Friers Iesuites increased this vain confidence in their pulpets by assuring them either of a certaine victory or else of recoyling of the King as farre as beyond Loyre so that euery day they looked for the King dead or aliue and all his spoyles to be brought for a spectacle and to bee solde and bought among them or else to heare of his flight as farre as the riuer of Loyre This great confidence made them to liue very secure and carelesse in prouiding for the Citie besides that they rested much vpon the great multitude which is within the sayd Citie there beeing great bablers and boasters for the Parisien is as Epimenides speaketh of the Cretayns a lyer euill beast and slothfull belly The towns also which then did hold round about their Citie as Pontoyse beneath vpon the same riuer Charonton Meaux Laguye Corbeil Melun Montereau aboue vpon the riuer
appeare that as the sayd Duke of Parma was not able to doo good to his partakers so came he not but to bée a scourge of Gods wrath vnto them For he came to raise the siege from before Paris if that had not béen done by dutifull submission the Citie might haue been relieued iustice iudgement which are more then centâ—plex murus to a Cittie had beene established they might haue had their owne Autonomie to wiâ— their Religion and Franchises in peace security and libertie Their commerce and traffike by which the greatnes of that Citie is entertained and nourished had been opened to bee short it would haue florished more then euer it did but the comming of the Duke of Parma disappointed them of all these benefites The Duke of Parma brought a little store of victuals but hee and his consumed not onely that within a few dayes but also all other prouisions which could be made for the Citie so the inhabitants were hungerbitten still with sorrowfull eies they saw others to intercept that which should haue béen their sustenance So that if it were not for the Kings goodnes which by winking and forbearing some store of victuals to goe to their market they would haue beene enforced in few dayes to open their shambles of horse flesh and dogs flesh Hee came to deliuer them as they thought from cruell handes but what could Busyris haue done to his enemies that this man did not to his friends to their wines and children To be short now he is returneâ— home with shame dishonor hunger nakednes feeblenes and stripes and they remaine in a worse case then euer they were before for before they liued in hope of him now they know that he neither may nor will do them good but hath lingered their miseries and heape of euils that they may perish as with a sharpe and consuming sicknes Last of all that al men may learne by seeing the punishment of rebellion to submit themselues vnto the powers ordayned of God as vnto his ministers for the good of the iust and the punishment of the wicked and vniust and that they may discerne between a sawfull power and 〈◊〉 It is sayd before how after the death of the Duke of Guyze the Lords Diguieres and Valete vppon a good iudgement entred in league of amity for the Kinges seruice and after that separated themselues and within a short space scoured the Leaguers for the most part out of Daulphinee some he enforced to receaue the Kings commandement and the rest enforced to seeke for truces for foure yeares which in March were granted and proclaimed in Grenoble vpon Easter day It is saide how the Lord Valete went into Prouance and gathering the states of the countrey by a common consent they concluded to warre against the Senate of Aix who were the ringleaders of the rebellion and had intelligences with the Duke of Sauoy The Lord Diguieres hauing put the countrey of Daulphine in a good stay went into Prouance to the Lord Valete making warre against the rebellious parliament there and the Duke of Sauoy The rumors went abroad that they had lost a field and were sent into their countrey with store of Bastinadoes but for lack of instructions I affirme nothing The Lord Diguieres being in Prouance with the Lord Valete had diuers letters from the King but specially in the latter end of May commanding him to warre against the Duke of Sauoy But the saide countrey of Prouance being assaulted by the Leaguers of Sauoy Lionnoys and Daulphine he thought good yet to employ the moneths of Iune and Iuly with the Lord Valete for the establishing of the affayres of the sayd Prouance wherein they had so good a successe that the enemie in token of that cowardnesse which their rebellion doth bréede in their hearts abandoned the townes and Castells of Peruis Pumichet Valansele Montignak Soluiers Pignauers and Lorgis some were brought to the kings obedience by force and some by composition In Iuly during the soiourning of the Lorde Diguieres in Prouance there was in Daulphine one captaine Cazete who with intelligences which he had with the Duke of Sauoy would haue sould him the townes of Briancon and Essiles in Piemont yet pertayning to the Dolphinate These two townes were kept by the Neutrals that is to say by them who would admit neither the K. nor the Leaguers The said Cazete had receaued commission from the Duke of Sauoy to leauie souldiers to that intent in expecting the arriuall of foure and twenty companies of Spaniards to bring his enterprize the more easie to passe The inhabitants of the valleies perceauing well that if this trayterous captaine should preuaile great warre and miserable desolations of their countrey would ensue therefore the chiefest of those valleyes making acquainted the Lord Diguieres of their purpose determined to rid the sayd Cazete out of the way and did worke so that the fifteenth day of Iuly his house was blowne vp and he slaine This traytor being made out of the way the inhabitants of the valleis seat word to the Lord Diguieres that they would send their deputies to Ambrun to treate with him Vpon the receipt of this message the Lord Diguieres considering the greatnes of the affayres and that it was very expedient for the king to haue those townes of Briancon and Essiles in possession to haue passe and repasse into Piemont when néede should be departed out of Prouance and in hast marched towards Ambrun where the deputies of the valeys did méete him And among other things shewed the treasons of Cazete by the papers which they had found in his house After that they bound themselues by oath to be faythfull to the King they promised also to doe their indeuour to confirme the people into his Maiesties seruice and obedience this was done about the fourth of August Immediatly after this méeting the Lord Diguieres being aduertized of the wauering which the death of the sayd Cazete and voluntarie yéelding of the valeys did cause in the towne of Briancon which was Neutrall knowing also that those who did fauour the kings side in the towne began to be encouraged caused foure Canons to be drawen and brought to that place and after a breach made the enemie did parley and came to that issue that Clauison appoynted there gouernour by the Duke de Mayne surrendred the towne and Castell the tenth day of August Whilest the Lord Diguieres did these exployts in Daulphine Martinengo one of the Duke of Sauoys great warriors did besiege Saint Maximine in Prouance for which cause the L. Valete did daylie solicit the sayd Diguieres to assist him in the rescuing of the sayd Saint Maximine The Lord Diguieres considering the safetie of Saynt Maximine to make much for the preseruation of Prouance when as hee had gone to Montgeneure to take Essiles vpon intelligences which hee had with the gouernour thereof and séeing that there was neither certaintie in al that neither was he
in forme of excommunication or interdiction in payne of confiscation of bodie and goods as infringers and perturbers of the publique peace The court doth commaund the Ecclesiasticall persons by vertue of the Kings letters directed vnto them that they shall not suffer the liberty of the French Church to be in any sort diminished but beeing assisted by their K. their soueraigne Iustice to oppose themselues against all the Popes enterprises Thirdly the court doth declare the foresayd Marcilius Ladrianus Fryer Gregory his Nuncio acommon enemy of al men a kindler of hatred and a sower of sedition commaunding the sayd pretended Nuncio to be pursued taken and apprehended aliue or dead and to be deliuered to iustice if it bee possible to receaue the punishment according to the greatnes of his offence But if he cannot bee apprehended within three daye â—to be summoned by the voice of the publike Cryer in the towne of Pont de Larche that there it may bee proceeded against him according to the Lawes of the Realme The order of the courts of France is that after a man is summoned at 3. seuerall tymes if he doth not appeare he is condemned as conuicted and then executed in picture Last of al the Court doth declare Fryer Gregory his excommunication and Bulles infamous libels full of impiety heresie deceit and slanders condemneth the same to betorne and burned publikly in the place of execution by the publike executioner of iustice forbidding all men to receaue allow reade fauour or conceale the said infamous libell vppon payne to bee attainted conuicted of high treason commaundeth also all manner of persons quickly to reueale to the court if they should know any such to bee kept secretly on the paines aforesaid This sentence of the Popes banishment and of all his tyrâ—nnie out of France was pronounced the third day of August at Caen in Normandie The selfe same proceedinges were vsed in all Courtes of the Realme whereuppon ensued the burning of the sayd Bulles in diuers and sundry places of the Realme but diuersly but euery where in as infamous maner as could bee It was burned at Tours in this maner The Magistrats and the common people of Tours being assembled before the Pallace gate there a piller was crected a little distant from the foot therof there was a fire made by the common Hang-man of the town then did he take the Bull and hanged it on the top of the Piller which beeing done he kindled another fire at the very foot of the Piller which by degrees crept vp vntill it tooke hold of the Bull which presently was consumed with fire to the great ioy of all the beholders Now Master Fryer I ween you be one of them that did drop out of the horses belly of Troy but I will thinke rather that you dropped out of an Asses bellie because you haue an Asses head Did not a little before your Standard reproue you to your face and told you what would follow your saucines and to put you in consideration of your folly gaue you a souse vpon the pate And you beeing of Asses brood will goe about to get Bulles and lo your Bulles bee turned into gydie Calues You neuer read for reading belongs not to your occupation but scortari crebro crebro conuiuarier that it was writteÌ„ in the horse of Troy sero sapiunt Phryges but it shal be hereafter in Asino Romano scriptum erit sero sapiunt Romanenses You knew not when you were well now haue with you to Auignon The towne of Noyan being surrendered according to the agréement betwéene the King and the gouernour of the saide towne the King went to receaue the right honorable Lord Earle of Essex as is said in the towne of Gisors and from thence returned into Champaigne to ioyn with the Germans who approached the borders of France leauing the Marshall Byron to reconduct his army into Normandie During the siege of Noyan the Lord of Pierrefont had béen taken prisoner and had promised vpon his deliuerance to surrender the Castell Pierrefont a place situated vpoÌ„ a rock and inaccessable almost on euery side The said Lord of Pierrefont being a desperat Leaguer had rather breake his faith with dishonor then to fulfill his promise with honour whereupon the Marshall Byron layed the siege before the saide Castell and battered it with nine skore shot of Ordinance wherewith hee made but a very small hole the stuffe wherewith the said Castell is builded being of such qualitie as resisted the shot euen to admiration which caused the said Marshall Byron to breake off his enterprise and march toward Normandie who ioyned with the English forces conducted by the right Honorable Lord the Earle of Essex the ninth of September and the twenty one of the said moneth laide the siege before the towne of Gourney It is saide before in the seauenth booke how after the cruell death of King Henry the third and last of the rase of Valoys the authors of that murther vnder the conduct of the Duke d'Mayne with great bragges and confidence went with a mighty army into Normandie hoping to oppresse the King who with a small power had retyred to Diepe for the causes there alleaged It is said also how the Duke d'Mayne in that iourney tooke the said towne of Gourney and the Lord Rubempre which his companie therein This Towne is distant from Roan ten Leagues from Gisors fiue from Beauuoys sixe and by estimation somewhat bigger then Diepe The Leaguers had fortified it with fortifications munition of warre and strong garrisons for Leagued Gentlemen of the Countrey to the number of foure skore and such power as they thought good to entertaine had settled themselues therein and from thence issuing dayly made courses to the gates of Mante Vernon Pont de larche and Gisors spoyling and wasting all that was in their way and taking prisoners such as trauailed on the high way to Diepe This towne being besieged the enemy put on a stout countenance at the first and being summoned to surrender the said towne they answered that they had receaued it of the Duke d'Mayne and for him they intended to kéepe it neither would they render it but to him onely This answer being giuen the English forces intrenched themselues within a stones cast of the gate and in making and kéeping the said Trenches they had sixe men hurt and one killed The enemies attempted diuers times to put men into the towne but they were in such sort looked to by the English men that they durst neuer approach The 25. day of September at night the Marshall Byron planted nine pieces of Ordinance before the towne the 26. in the morning hee began to batter it and a breach being made the English men were called to the number of one hundred shot to giue the assault who with great gladnes approached within sixescore pases of the wals the breach was scarse assaultable the ditch was more then halfe full of water it is reported that they had within certaine sluces which they might haue opened and greatly molested the assaulters the French men were very vnable to giue the assault because of their long toyling and wearines yet on a suddaine the enemies demaunded parley which being graunted they yeeldéd to foure dishonorable conditions such is the fainting of rebels First that all Souldiours should depart without bagage and armour with a white rod in their hands But the Lord Earle of Essex excepted the Queenes Maiesties subiects therein was found none but one Irish man who was executed The second was that the Gouernour Captaines Lieutenants and Gentlemen of quality should remaine to his mercy It was thought that the Gouernour and some Captaines should be executed The third was that the Citizens should haue their liues but their goods rested at the Kings pleasure The fourth is that they should receaue such garrisons as should bee thought good The taking of this towne is a great ease to the Countrey and preparation for the siege of Roan About the 28. the army tooke his way toward Caudebeck a smal towne situated vpon a rock on the banck of Seyne betweene Roan and Newhauen entending to cleere all the coast round about Newhauen of all filth of rebellion FINIS ¶ Imprinted at London by Thomas Orwin for Thomas Woodcock and are to be sould at his shop in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the black Beare 1591.
had flocked together to the King of Nauarre Therefore he setteth foorth a declaration of the edict of Iuâ—ie by the which hee dooth admonish them that haue borne armes against the League of whatsoeuer religion they bee either to lay them downe or else to be taken for Rebells and their goods to be sould for the maintaining of the warre Hee commaundeth them of the religion which haue not borne armes to doo with their goods what they will and to depart the Realme within 15. dayes after the publication of the said declaration charging his officers to make diligent enquirie for the performing of the premises by the said declaration hee giueth libertie to women and children according to the former edict It is sayd before how the Prince notwithstanding all counsell and aduise to the contrarie determined to passe the riuer of Loyre all difficulties therfore set aside the eight of October the Prince departed out of his camp with his companies to Taillebourg appointing the rendes vous at a place nigh S. Ihan d'Angely His forces did consist of the companies of the Lord Rohan who were aboue sixe score braue Gentlemen the companies of the Lords Nemours Laual who had much nobilitie with him There were also the companies of the Lords Trimouille and Boulay his own companie which in number and nobilitie passed all others The Harquebusiers on horseback were they of his garde the Regiments of the Lord Aubigny Ousches Campoyse Touche Flesche others with many Gentlemen of Xainctonge and Poytow who were sent for by the Prince and put themselues vnder Noble men as they would themselues The whole of his forces came to the number of eight hundred horsemen and betweene one thousand or twelue hundred Harquebusiers on horsebacke There was a great deale more carriage than was expedient for a voyage to bee done with celeritie and diligence The 9. day the Prince being at Taillebourg the Artillerie which was sent from Rochel to the stege of Browage arriued in the riuer Charante to be brought againe to Rochel by Captaine Bordeaulx For the Prince at his departing from Marans had taken order to retire the Artillerie to auoyd what might ensue not intending to occupie it at Browage but onely to keepe the Towne blocked vntill his returne which hee hoped to bee shortly The same same day the Prince from Taillebourg went to lodge to Villeneufue la contesse where he vnderstood that the Ladie Trimouille was at S. Stephen about a league from thence where he went to salute her and after many spéeches about his marriage with her daughter the sayd Ladie vsed many perswasions to make her sonne the Lord Trimouille to breake his resolution in the which she sawe him to embarke himselfe on the side of the king of Nauarre threatning him of her accurse if he procéeded further But the sayd yong Lord shewed her with much submission and obeisance that if she would weigh the reasons which mooued him so to doo grounded vpon iustice and honour and on the contrary side the vniust cause of the League he was assured that she would turne her cursing into blessing so that he remayned resolute both to followe that part and also not to forsake the Prince in that voyage The tenth day of October all the companies tooke their way toward Niort Baesuiere Argenton Viers and Tence There the Lord S. Gelayes Marshall of the Princes campe with the companie of the Lord Boulay with a certaine number of Harquebusiers on horsebacke departed to goe before to get the bancke of Loyre and following the side of the riuer vpwarde to search some occasion to passe the riuer eyther by surprizing of boates or milles met with a certaine companie of Gentlemen of the League very well appoynted with armour and horses going to the succour of Anger 's whom they tooke and all their carriage The 11. day the Lord Aubigny and Bouet tooke the strong Abbey of S. Maure vpon the riuer of Loyre where was a garrison of the League There they did no violence to the Monkes but licensed them to depart whether they would They tooke the Prior and sent him to the Prince at S. Gemes who courteously entertayned him in his owne house and safely sent him to Anger 's The 14. day Captaine Flesche being of that countrey had aduaunced and began to passe at the towne of Rosiers for there were no companies of the enemies on all that coast For as much as it was thought incredible that without any other intelligences the Hugonets durst passe so great a riuer in a manner in the sight of two great townes to wit Sanâ—â—re aboue where they had retyred all the boates thereabouts and Anger 's beneath where they had forces both of footmen and horsemen greater than any the Prince had so that many seeing such silence suspected y t there was some lying in waite And as for the Lord Clermont whom we haue sayd to haue left the Prince at Pons to passe ouer Loyre to gather the forces of them of the reformed religion scattered in those popish countreys there was no more newes of him than if he had not béen in the world and indeed then he was aboue thirtie leagues from them But Captaine Flesche had seazed vppon three boates laden with wine which after he had caused to bée landed vpon the water side he prepared them to carrie the armie ouer The 15. of October he passed first and lodged at Rosiers and after him passed the Lord Aubiguy with his Regiment that day the Prince arriued at S. Gemes with his troupes which lodged in the villages about The same day also arriued the Lords Saint Gelayse and Boulay to the Prince they had been scouring the wast of the riuer For the right vnderstanding of this voyage the situation and places of the countrey is to be noted In all this discourse we will make mention of three riuers the Loyre Lolion and Loir On the South side of Loyre there bee two townes Samur and Pont de sell betwéene these two townes there be foure other litle townes the Abbey of Planpierd S. Gemes the Abbey of S. Maure and S. Mathurine On the North side of the riuer Loyre right against S. Gemes is the towne Rosiers and betwéene these two townes in the riuer is an Iland in this place passed ouer the Prince and his armie The next riuer on the North side of Loyre is Lolion a little riuer but very déepe and running slowly it washeth part of Vandomoys and Anjou and falleth into the riuer of Loyre at Pont de sel On the North side of the riuer Lolion in the middle way betweene the sayd riuer and Anger 's is situated the towne of Beaufort The third riuer is Loire falling from the countrey of Beause through Vandomoys Anjou receauing 2. other riuers comming from the countrey called Perche which are Sarthre and Huyne and a little aboue Anger 's do fall into the riuer Loyre and somewhat beneath Anger 's
for the which cause he had ordayned aforehand prouisions of corue and wine to be set vp in certayne townes and cities among others the Duke de Mayne was appoynted to that warre not as one who was thought fit for that charge but for the causes which do follow As the Guyzes to wit the Dukes Guyze Mame Cardinal bretheren Aumale cosin vnto them did consent in these three points to wit in altering the state by transporting the crowne from the true owners and haires into their familie in killing degrading or at least disinheriting the house of Bourbon and destroying the auncient nobilitie whom they knew would resist their atempts and beare vnpacientlie their vsurped tiranny The Priests were the fire brands to kindle this ambitious rage and by their money to aduaunce the same So they all did prouide to bring this treason to effect that of all things the kings forces should not fall into any other hands then in to their own or of their partakers but specially that none of the Princes of the bloud should by any meanes be armed with the guiding of the Kings power Wee see then how they all did agree to vndoe the King with his owne forces But herein they did vary for euery one had particular fetches and drifts which did swim in their braynes whereby they went about to aduaunce their particular affaires by the Kings forces for the Duke of Guize did determine to stay nigh the Kings person and not to goe farre from Paris and Belgike where he had gotten great fauours and many partakers there expecting either fit oportunitie to strike the blowe which he had long afore hand purposed or else at the least hee bearing the sway about the Kinges person and counsell might both spy and preuent the Kings driftes and policie if he should seeme to wauer neuer so little and keepe of the Princes of the bloud and Nobilitie from entring into fauour with the King whereby they might disapoint his driftes He also imagined that whatsoeuer might happen Paris and the Belgike being at his deuotion either were able to defend him againstthe Kings attempts or else if the King might be cut off by any misfortune the saide citie and countrey would be able to lift him vp into that roome whereon he did so greatly desire to sit euen against the consent of the rest of the realme and against his owne brother the Duke De Maine whose emulation hee not onely alwaies suspected and desired to preuent but also endeuored to send him farre from the said King citie and countrey beside that he knew to be a fit instrument by skilfull entising and policie to seduce their great and populous cities of Poytiers Limoges Perigueux Bourdeaulx others where he should come regarding not at whose deuotion those cities might bee so that they were not in the power and fidelitie of the King or of the King of Nauarre that by so much they might be weakened The Duke De Mayne being appointed for Guienne not to subdue it but to haue the Kings forces in the hands and at the deuotion of the League and farre from him if at a pinch he should haue neede of them was very vnwilling to depart from Paris to his iourney aleaging alwaies some excuse The causes of his vnwillingnes were loue ambition and feare the obiects of these affections were Masters Saint Beusue and other Courtesans in the towne of Paris where he walowed himselfe in filthie pleasures and whoredome as the Boare in the myre his owne brother whome hee would haue preuented what occasion might haue happened by keeping Paris ouer his head for he was acquainted with the intents and driftes of the League as one of the chiefest of them yet vncertaine of the euents and what in his absence being so farre from Paris might happen vnto the King he would faine haue kept Paris still in possession so that if either nature or violence should bereaue the King of his life â—e might haue that capitall mightie rich and factious citie in his owne possession by whose helpe hee supposed to ataine to his long wished desires and become his eldest brothers master The third cause was feare and the obiect thereof the King of Nauarre for knowing that the said King of Nauarre was priuie to their driftes not onely by his deepe and princelike prudencie many euident tokens and their own too manifest attempts but speciallie by their inticing him and them of the reformed Religion to their conspiracie and faction knowing him also to be a Prince most faithfull to the state Crowne and Realme of France a Prince of great valour and implacable to traitors thus hauing a conscience which is more then a thousand witnesses guiltie feare made him continually to enter into such apprehensions that he thought certainly to goe into Guienne was to goe to a most assured death Thus these two bretheren aspiring both to the crowne yet did varie in thoughts as the auncient saying is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For the Duke De Mayne would faine to keepe the possession of Paris and therefore maketh many excuses hauing not sometime money enough another time hauing to weake forces sometime aleaging health sometime the vnseasonable weather The Duke of Guize was greatly desirous to haue him out of Paris supposing that there his shadowe did infect the citie and therefore to take away all excuse least he should aleage his forces not to be sufficient to march with the King of Nauarre he caused the King to adde vnto him the regiments of Swissers So the Duke De Mayne hauing eight thousand Swissers twelue regiment of French footemen twelue hundred horsemen French Forces sufficient for a good Captaine to subdue the whole countrey receaued eight and twentie thousand Crownes which the treasorer of the Cleargie deliuered him and shortlie after eyght and twentie thousand more and not long after his departing sent him foure and fiftie thousand more Yet the King could by no meanes perswade him to take his iourney for the Kings commaundements he regarded not vntill the newes came to the King that the Prince of Conde had passed Loyre out of Poytow into Anjou so that at length with great importunacie being perswaded by his brother that in the absence of the Prince being as if it were inclosed in he might easily subdue all that countrey and that it was neede with his armie all by one voyage to goe to the other side of Loyre to let the repassing of the Prince if he should atempt it about the 23. of October weeping and wayling as a child he went out of Paris assured of stripes if he should come within the reach of the said King of Nauarre And wher as at his departing he had opened his timerousnes to euiuently he thought good to couer it with the cloake of vanitie for want of a better in breathing bloud slaughter and fire in words and bragges which at length were turned into a blast of colde winde yet fully resolued
gaue occasion to the Prince to retire who carried away the spoyle and armour of that regiment with the Colonels Ensigne the Victorie was fayre but bloudy by reason of the death of the Lords aboue said The Lord Rieulx spake to the very last breath and rendered a notable testimonie to all them that were present of his faith and generositie and of his good nurture which hee had learned in the schoole of godlines so that it may be saide of him that he dyed a true Christian Knight The Prince conceaued a marueilous griefe for the death of these two Lords but especially the Lord Laual their brother who conceaued such sorrow thereby that he fell sick and dyed eyght dayes after to wit the 11. of Aprill he was opened and there was sound an apostume in his head full of yellow stinking water so in few dayes died these foure Lords and brothers to the great griefe and heauines of all good men they were buried in the Temple which is in the Castell Taillebourg Now we haue to speake of the King of Nauarre who did nothing all this time but onely in great silence viewed whereto this voyage of his enemies would come For first perceiuing that the Leaguers had a speciall quarrell to him because they knew him to be in their way and a speciall stoppe of all their trayterous intents they feared greatly his prudent counsell and wisedome He made his complaynt to the King aunswered to the articles of the declaration of his enemies exhorted the King to take heede of them proffâ—red him his seruice prayed him to let him alone with them for if it pleased his Maiestie to giue him leaue hee doubted not but with his owne power hee would so chastice them that they should be an example to their posteritie The King by letters and messengers exhorted and willed him to quiet himselfe to see his Edict of pacification to be obserued in his gouernement shewed him that their cause is but one that hee seeth the intents of the sayd Leaguers well enough and trusteth that GOD shall make him able to represse their madnes protested that he had care of the said K. of Nauarre as of his own selfe and held him as a deere brother the true rightfull heire of his Crown in case he should die without issue It is said also how the King notwithstanding this was driuen to ioyne with them whom he had condemned before and to alowe and iustifie their treasons was enforced through the pernitious counsell of his mother and not only enforced but induced to take conditionâ— and lawes at their handes to assist and arme his enemies whom he had so declared and iudged few dayes before euen traytors against his person state Crowne and life against them I say whome hee had protested to bee his faithfull subiects good brothers and cosins had receiued vnder his protection It is said also how the King of Nauarre before had forewarned the King to beware of such association shewing him the euil which would surely ensue and at length certifieth the King that hee had admitted a higher power a master and controuler ouer himselfe and that hee had weakned himselfe and strengthened his enemies Howe hee went to Saint Ihan de Cadeioux into Languedock there to aduise of his affaires and his friends with the Prince of Conde the Duke Monmorencie and other Nobles where they concluded vpon the defensiue The King of Nauarre returned into Gascoyne kept himselfe in silence abiding all the iniuries that might be possible the preparations braggings boastings attempts of his enemies euen to the great imminent danger of his person before that he would take armes in hande FroÌ„ Gascoyne he went to Bergerak in Perigrod as a time of peace where hauing soiourned for a time he tooke his iourney to Montauban knowing very well that the armie conducted by the Duke de Maine was against him and already in Perigord rauaging pilling spoyling and wasting all that they came by From thence he returned into Gascoyne againe aboute the latter end of Ianuarie 1586. And whereas he knew well that if he had ioyned all his forces with the power of the Prince and the Vicount Turenne hee had been able to stop the way of the Duke de Maine that he had not walked so long at his pleasure as he did But that wise prudent and moderate Prince perceiuing by the attempts of that armie the qualities of the leader and the disorder that was among them but specially hauing Gods fauour on his side And seeing y t Gods curse and wrath was powred on his enemies side he neuer thought it meete to trouble himselfe nor his friends about that accursed companie and villaynoâ—s rabble of rakehells knowing that God himselfe would dissipate them clothe them w t dishonour as with a garment he knew wel also that they did no more but to weaken their faction in spending in vaine the large liberalitie and intollerable expences of the Priests and Monks who entertayned the said armie At length the King of Nauarre determined to passe the riuer of Garonne to repaire into Poytow to visit the places of his gouernement about the riuer of Loyre and being returned from Montauban into Gascoyne the Marshal Matignon had besieged Castets a Castel situated vpon the riuer Garonne pertayning to the Lord Fabas about the moneth of Februarie The King of Nauarre hauing knowledge thereof accompanied with two or three hundred horses and eighteene hundred Harquebusiers did raise the siege and dined in the saide Castle that day in witnes that he accomplished his purpose for that time The K. of Nauarre from thence sent al his companies to garisons and tooke his way to Bearne to see the Ladie his sister and to take order for all necessarie things concerning the securitie and preseruation of the townes and countrey That being done he tooke his iourney to Nerak and passing through Eause which is his prouided for the safety of the same in good time for otherwise it was in danger to be lost and for that purpose there hee soiourned 2. daies There newes was brought vnto him that the Duke de Mayne hasted to let his passage ouer the riuer Garonne for all that hee tooke his waye to Nerak where he soiourned a whole day more to take order for the safetie of the towne Thereunto more aduisement was giuen him that the sayd Duke de Mayn was at Villeneufue d' Agenoys intending to stop his passage ouer the riuer Garonne There was in apparance occasioÌ„ enough to cause the sayd King to aduance and hasten extraordinarylie his voyage but notwithstanding despising all the indeuours of the sayd Duke hee would change nothing of his purpose but to the contrary hauing done at Nerak all his affayres with leasure departed not thence vntill that it was alreadie farre in the day From Nerak he tooke his iourney to Barbase and continued as though he would goe to Castelialoux Many did carefully muse the
them of the Religion as Sorges and others hee was more moderate and voyde of crueltie and sauagenes yet at length seeing that as he had taken one place he left andther and that warre was an endlesse thing there and that with long toyle of warre and lack of money his army was scattered as at length it went inuisible leauing his brother the Lord Valete there with such forces as he had left to doe what he were able so he went to the King againe and not without cause considering he was one of his most faithfullest about his person The young Ioyeuse in Auuergne walked at liberty tooke his pleasures spent the Kings money francklie and when that was done for lacke of more returnd from whence he came as wise as when he went out Thus we see that within the compasse of a yeare 6. armies haue beene sent with great preparation of all necessarie things into seuerall prouinces to warre against heauen and earth and to oppose themselues against all that is good and godly and how they are all fallen to pieces as though they had been smitten downe by the hand of the God of armies as the Lapithes and Centaures are reported by the Poets During these lamentable tempests the which did so tosse France with these sixe armyes in diuers prouinces The Princes and certaine cities in Germanie moued with compassioÌ„ pittying the miserable subuersion and ransaking of France their next neighbours sent an Ambassage to the King to perswade him if it were possible to extinguish that coÌ„bustion raised by the league by peace to restore the state of his Realme to some good stay The Ambassadours were sent by the Princes Electors of Saxony Palatine and Brandenbourg and by other Princes of the sacred empire as the Noble Princes Ioachim Frederick Marquesse of Brandenbourg and administrator of Magdebourg Iuly of Brundswik and Lunebourg William Lewis and George Landgraues of Hessen brethren Ioachim earnest Prince of Chatten with the foure principal imperial cities Strasbourg Vlmes Mersebourg and Frâ—nckefort with the ambassadours of Vtten and Issenbourg they al came except they of Vtten Issenbourg which vpon certaine vrgent affayres went back deliuering their coÌ„missions to their fellowes to Saint Germain in Laye had audience the tenth of October First they offer the commendations and seruices of their Princes and commonwealths vnto him Secondly they recite how they had beene aduertized euen by the letters of Mandolet gouernour of Lyons for the King that his Maiesties intention had been to preserue the edict of pacification stablished vpon the faith of the Maiestie of a Prince Thirdly that they vnderstand that hee had beene enforced contrary to his godly intention to reuoke the said edict of peace and by way of armes to persecute his most faithfull subiects euen the chiefest of the Princes of his blood which thing they would hardly haue beleeued if it had not beeâ—ne made knowne by his owne letters sent vnto some of the said Princes by the Lord Schemberg hearing daâ—e the 22. of October 1585. Fourthly protesting of the good affection of their Princes and common wealths toward his Maiestie they doo in their names in most humble wise beseech him that considering into what pitifull state France had beene reduced by the former warres and the good benefites which haue ensued the last peace he wil not be induced by the perswasioÌ„s of the Pope to bring in againe blood shed hatred of the Crowne of France losse of so many Princes Lords and Nobilitie and of so many his faythfull subiects which haue done to hâ—m and his predecessors so many notable seruices which thing vndoubtedly will ensue if not worse if he do not defend the edict of peace considering that by his owne declaration he confes seth that the reformed Religion will not be rooted out by the sworde Fiftly wheras he had shewed by his declaration that the edict of peace was made by ripe deliberation and counsell and published with all soleÌ„nities requisite thereunto and that the sayd edict was sworn by his brother of happy memory Duke of Alançon by the Princes and Lordes in lifting vp their handes to heauen and that hee himselfe would haue that peace to be called his peace which he made as he said voluntarily without any compulsion for that would haue it kept inuiolable there was no reason why the benefites of that peace should bee cut off by raysing warre at the Popes pleasure Last of all they doo shewe that there will ensue of the reuoking of this edict of peace a most certaine and assured subuersion of the state and Crowne of France And by the way of conclusion they beseech his Maiestie that considering the reasons by them shewed taking some pitie of his poore Realme it may please him to reiect the perswasions of the Pope and Leaguers and to preserue the edict of peace offering vnto him in the names of their Princes and Commonwealths that if there bee any meanes in them that may further a good peace and restablish his estate his Maiestie shall vnderstand how they are affectionate to procure all things which pertaine to his honour and greatnes and if it pleaseth him they will employ all their faithfull seruice in the assuring of his dignitie and royall Crowne and to the benefite of all Christendome but specially to suppresse this warre whereunto in their iudgement he had béen enforced Hauing made an ende of their ambassage they deliuered him their instructions both in Dutch and 〈◊〉 The King giueth answere the 11. of October but such an answere as he seemed rather to be offended with them for their duetie and good will of their Princes Commonwealths than to be mooued to any moderate counsell It is sayd before that in Aprill of this yere 1586. the King made great preparation of warre in prouiding fiue armies all at once at which time also they made a motion for peace vnto the King of Nauarre By this it was an easie thing to iudge that they who disposed themselues to warre so furiously could not bee brought to condescend to any moderate counsell or reasonable peace But whilest al these armies were readie and marching to doo some great exployts and to inuade the Prouinces whereunto they of the reformed religion had retyred and were strong the Q Mother also marched toward Guienne in hope to obtayne a greater victorie in assaulting the King of Nauarre with a parley than al those armies with force For she tooke with her out of the stoare of Italian trickes temptation disuniting and weakening For first she will trie the tricke of Sathan in the 4. of Mathew when he tempting Christ proffered him all the kingdomes of the earth So shée thought to win this godly and noble Prince in shewing him that if he would forsake the Sonne of God he should be declared the right heire of the Crowne in case the King should decease without issue otherwise it would be impossible to him to attayne vnto
trust in man and make their force the arme of flesh Beside these three mighty armies and the armies of the king of Nauarre and Ioyeuse whereof it is spoken before The Lords Mommorency and Diguieres had the fifth in Daulphine agaynst the Lord Valete beside the armes and assembled forces scattered elswhere Such was the state of miserable France which had great cause to grone vnder the heauy burthen of so many so great and mighty armies This tempest was very blacke and thicke and at length thereout issued dreadfull thunder clappes But now we haue to speake of these three armyes conioyntly to wit of the Leaguers lead by the Guyzes of the Catholikes conducted by the king himselfe and of the Germans guided chiefly by the Duke of Boillon Here we haue to consider the iudgementes of God which were powred vpon these armies First y e Leaguers by the K. forces did work y e K. vndooing y t by his fall they might be lifted vp on high The king in pretending y e defence of the Catholike religion which no man did oppugne by violence but the Leaguers went about to root the Gospell of Christ out of France The Germans for the most part were mercenaries who regarded not the right of the cause neither came to serue him who procured them but did in mynd swallow downe the spoyle of France And some among them who were lead with an vpright mind yet being mingled with prophane and irreligious men and trusting in the outward apparance of that army turned theyr confidence from God to the arme of flesh therefore all were disappointed of theyr intents for neyther of them all had any benefit by this great warre but blowes slaughters and calamityes About the latter ende of August after this great armie had passed the mountaine of Zauerne and began to enter into Lorreyne the Dukes eldest sonne with certaine regiments approached so nigh them at Salabrine that 3. of his companies were discomfited and six Ensignes sent to Strasbourg and proceeding further they tooke Blasmond The said army drawing neere to Nancy about the beginning of September certayne seruantes going about to forrage with their cartes were set on by certayne companies which issued out of Nancy when they had seazed vppon some cartes were pursued and beaten into the very gates of Nancy This army of Germans being about Nancy there was a counsell holden to wit agaynst whom they should first turne theyr armes The French men were of that aduile to make warre in Lorreyne and that it was the pleasure of the king of Nauarre that they who had of lustines kindled that miserable warre in France might first of all feele the heauy burthen of the same but specially the Duke of Lorreyne who was one of the heads of the League The Germans in taking a certaine summe of money which the Duke of Lorreyne proffered them were at length content to passe by as neighbours and friends yet notwithstanding they concluded warre did there many acts of hostilitie such as warre doth commonly drawe after it This armie being yet newe and lustie did neglect a notable occasion to oppresse the enemie at the bridge S. Vincent vpon what occasion that opportunitie was neglected it is vncertaine But it is confessed of all men that if they had come to hands that day they had seene the end by the iudgment of men of that warre assoone as the beginning Thus some exployts of warre being done there the scarcitie of victualls beginning to growe they determined to goe foorth out of Lorreyne But vpon the determination of the way which they should followe there was great difficultie found For the Germans desired to passe toward Sedan from whence they might hope of many good commodities and if néede should be they might haue a newe supply of forces out of Germany which thing could not bee if they enclosed themselues among so many riuers which are on the South side of Seyne Some French men on the contrary sayd that they should turne right to the riuer of Loyre for to ioyne with the King of Nauarre The Lord Boillon desired greatly that they would approach to Sedan as they had as he sayd promised him and that in hope of it he had made great preparations of powder and artillerie which hee had made of purpose Considering also that he had to prouide for the securitie of his places which might incurre some daunger if they were not prouided for All reasons debated and weighed on both sides the course to the riuer of Loyre was concluded Whilest these things so passed in Lorreyne the Lord Chastilion the 22. of September came to the armie with his troupes he had much adoo to passe and was as if it were enclosed in the towne of Gresille but was rescued by the Countie de la Mark yonger brother to the Duke of Boillon The armie drawing néere to Chaumont in Bassigny there it was put in deliberation to execute a certaine enterprize which the Lord Chastilion had in hand but it could not be done The armie came to Chasteauuilaine where they soiorned some dayes and in the meane while they tooke a Gentleman named Viliers comming from Rome his iourney to Rome was to solicite the Pope to helpe his master with money to make warre against them of the reformed religion and also to pray the Pope Frier Sixtus to name the King head of the League assuring him that it would greatly mooue him to warre and roote out them of the religion whom he named heretickes The answere which the Pope made him as it appeared by his words was that they should liue in peace with their neighbours and that hee could not furnish them with money being not willing to make warre against any man who desired peace among all men The sayd gentleman carried a letter very ill written which he sayd to be the hand of the Duchesse of Lorreyne mother of the Duke contayning thus much I am very glad to vnderstand the state of your affayres and I aduise you to goe forward for neuer a fayrer occasion was offered you to put the Scepter in your hand and the Crowne vpon your head This letter gaue occasion to them of the Counsell to agree that this Gentleman should be kept carefully and brought to the King of Nauarre The armie soiourning at Chasteauuilaine the King with his great armie stayed about Montereau faut Yonne and Sens but vnderstanding the determination of the Germans retyred with his armie into Berry beyond Loyre there to stop the passing ouer to the King of Nauarre and to giue them freer accesse betwéene the two riuers of Seyne and Loyre where hée thought either to weary them or by ioyning his with the armie of the Leaguers at the tayle of them easily he might oppresse them During this soiourne the Baron Oneau brought the artillerie before the Abbey of Cleruaulx which compounded to giue a certaine summe of money and some quantitie of wine and meale notwithstanding that capitulation
on horsebacke and was then with in a league of the army The Armie marched fiue daies iourney vnto the towne of Lancy in Masconoys where the rendes vous was geuen The Rutters and Frenchmen assembled themselues the 6. day of December The Lords Cormon Lisle and Moriuault came from the Lord Espernon there the heads and the troupes being assembled conferred together of the things which were to be entreated The king fearing greatly that the remnant of that army should escape into Viuarets and Languedock so into Gascoyne to the king of Nauarre Therefore they inuented surmises to increase the terror and impossibility to diuert them if it were possible from going that way which they saw was the easyest and safest to escape the danger into the which they did cast themselues and to cause them to accept of disauantagious offers The Lord Lisle Moriuault being sent by the Duke Espernō opened a rowle in the which was read how many companies of armed men and regimentes of footmen were in the forrest countrey to stop the way to the armie if they should take their iourney to Viuarets he reported also how Mandelot was enforced to retire his armie by reason of the great Snowes which were fallen there so that there was no meanes for them to passe this thing discoraged the army greatly Vpon this deliberation appointed to determine what was to bee done the Lord Chastilion shewed that the hardest most dangerous part of the Forrest was past alreadie that within foure daies they could bee in a place of safetye and shewed them to the eye the mountains of Viuarets where within 24. howers they might haue the Lord Chebault with fifteene hundred Harquebusiers that he knew well the meanes of Mandelot how that he could not gather such companies as could be able to stop their way he warned them to take heed of rumors which were spread abroad by the enemie to terrify them offered vpon his life to conduct the companies into Viuarets without danger The meanes which he proposed were to deuide the army into two partes to put one halfe of the Rutters and Frenchmen in the vaungard with as much of the stuffe as was necessary that which they could not spare and to cut off all the rest but specially all the tired horses which serued for nothing but for lets The other halfe of the armie should march after and that they should resolue themselues to fight against whomsoeuer would oppose themselues in their way either afore or behind And that in so doing he trusted by Gods power that they might ouercome all impediments which might be proffered considering that God had plucked the armie as if it were by the hand out of more and farre greater daungers then they which remayned behinde Thereunto he added that the Lord Espernon was left a long dayes iourney behinde the armie Guize thrée dayes iourney the King was beyond the riuer Loyre and that before the armie there was nothing which might doo hurt He shewed furthermore that there was no cause to accept the disaduantagious and vnhonest conditions which were offered vnworthie to bee accepted of them who professed the true Christian reformed religion On the other side he shewed the small assurance which they might haue of the Kings proffers and the impossibilitie to returne home in safetie the way which they determined to take For first the King did offer safetie to retyre wheresoeuer they would with assurance of enioying their goods as well to them who would repayre to their houses and liue according to the Romish religion as to others who would retyre out of France to liue in freedome of conscience without bearing of armes He did offer also safetie to the straungers to repayre to their countrey with their Cornets and Ensignes requiring onely the Colours of the Frenchmen But now he altereth these conditions and will giue no suretie to returne home nor libertie to enioy their goods but onely to them who will liue after the Popish manner or would promise neuer to beare armes except by his expresse commandement and beside asked all the Cornets and Colours indifferently as well of the Germans as Frenchmen This alteration made him thinke that there was some false dealing euen in the armie it selfe which gaue occasion to the King to reuoke his former proffers and to offer harder considering that it was not vnknowne that the Lord Espernon hath not at this present time fiue hundred horses and not so many harquebusiers on horsebacke so that if he would stay for them which be had on foote he would neuer ouertake the armie going forward But if he should come with them which he had he would be still the weaker and himselfe as wearie as the armie in danger still to be well beaten hauing no reason that hee should doo so now seeing that hee durst not doo it when he had greater forces néerer the armie and in a countrie fauourable to him euery way He concluded therefore that there was nothing so sure for the armie as to passe the Loyre He shewed also that it was impossible to returne into Germany safely for to goe thether they ought to passe the riuer Saosne and that still vpon bridges because it cannot bee passed by foor◠any where He shewed that the bridges and boates were in the power of the Duke de Mayne and that if the Saosne might be passed yet must they go through the enemies lands so that they must needes commit themselues into the Leaguers mercie whose crueltie he knewe the King himselfe were not able to stay Many Germans and others shewed that they approoued well this aduise as the surest way But this is to be confessed that God would not vse the means of this armie and that he would wholly scatter it For although they sawe and approoued the most expedient reasons yet they could not follow them Others thought that they who would returne into Languedock would haue others to followe them for to assure their way Others alleaged the impossibilitie by reason of the Snowes others the barrennes of y t countrey where they should finde foode neither for men nor horses The Rutters thought vppon the losse of their horses when they should passe the downefalls of the mountaynes of Viuarets where the countrey men alone were able to resist them so that easily they were withdrawne from that voiage For then the common sort of them without their Colonels flocked together to heare what the Lord Lisle mariualt would say who perswaded to diminish somewhat of the conditions proposed vnto them or els to carrie away their Cornets and sweare neuer to returne into France except it were for the Kings seruice or the Emperour or els to surrender their Cornets and to goe with libertie and to returne when they would Upon this proposition the Lord Chastilion breaking through y e preace shewed that the Lord Lisle mariuault had no authoritie nor writ to treate with them nor that could binde the King to
that many of them to serue their turne did not feare to affirme that he was the eldest of the house of Bourbon and that if neede were hee was capable of the succession to the Crowne This man therefore serued much to their faction him they thrust forward for the negotiation and aduauncing of their affayres according to the occasions So that hauing determined to send a supplication to the King to asswage his displeasure while they aduise vpon other wayes to entangle and entrap him yet once more They prepose the said Cardinall his name in the said petition that the greatnes of his name onely of that faction of all the house of Bourbon may serue as a vayle to the affections of them who were more watchfull in handling of their affaires theÌ„ the said Cardinall was in the gouerning of his owne They doo present this supplication in the name of the Cardinall of Bourbon and of the Masters of the League who would faine becalled Princesse and in the name of the Citie of Paris and of the other Cities of their confederacie In this supplication they make a low coursie and al contemptious capping with an humble submission and protestation of their good willes with a proffer of their seruice and of all that they haue for the defence of his estate and of the Catholick religion so that the Duke of Guize may haue the leading of his forces and managing of their affaires Secondly they charge the Duke Espernon and his brother the Lord Valette to be fauourers of the hereticks to haue betrayed y e kings forces in hindering all good exploytes to bee done against the hereticks and the King of Nauarre To haue fauored the armie of the Germanes in their retiring home to haue beene the cause by his counsell of the vprore happened of late at Paris To haue wasted the Kinges treasure to be the author of all the disordeâ— which is in the gouernement Thirdly they purge themselues of any priuat inimitie or affection towards him in this accusation and for proofe of the foresaid offences doo referre themselues to the testimonie of the Queene Mother and of the officers of his Crowne if it pleaseth him to examine them vppon the saide crimes and giue them licence to speake their mindes with libertie Fourthly they demand of him instantly with prayer to put the sayd Espernon and Valette his brother and their adherents from his person and fauour and to discharge them from all charges and gouernements which they haue in the Realme that the king will prouide them of some small charges of no importance at all They also doe assure the King that in so doing he shall greatly please the people in deliuering them as they say from that feare which they haue conceaued of the power of the said Espernon These lets being taken away they require him to make warre in Guienne in his owne person to whome they doe promise their ready will courage and assistance against the heretikes and in the meane time to appoynt his mother to gouerne Paris Fiftly they require that the Duke de Maine may haue an armie to goe into Daulphine against them of the Religion they tell him that hee may make a great booty of the spoyle of Espernon his brother to maintaine the warre and that hee will abolish all new subsidies and charges layd vpon the people Sixtly they doe require that he will name a successor Catholick fearing it greatly to fall into the hands of them of the reformed Religion Seuenthly they of Paris as partakers in this request doo faine and glose with the king and pray him most humbly to beleeue them that all which had happened of late at Paris was not that they thought to do him any harme and that it was done by their Magistrates and that onely they doubted least the authors of the counsel in bringing extraordinary forces into the Citie would haue abused his authoritie in oppressing them They fayne themselues very sory that hee went foorth of their Citie in displeasure and mistrust praying him to giue them leaue to liue in rest vnder his obedience Last of all they require that the Lord d'Ho be discharged hereafter of his charge which he had to commaund in the Citie and that he will allow the deposing of the Prouost and Escheuins and approue the new election which they haue made of others and that hereafter it be lawfull for the Citizens to choose their owne officers Also when it shall please him to returne into the Citie hee will not bring within twelue leagues thereof any other forces beside his ordinary guards This supplication was presented to him the eight and tweÌ„tith of May. The King hauing receiued this suplication answereth it the nine and twentith of May at Chartres wherein first hee rehearseth the zeale which he hath to the Catholick religion the great and dangerous warrs which he had done the great charges which hee hath beene at for the same the famous victories obtained by him against them of the reformed religion and how he hath pacified the troubles raysed by the Leaguers and vnited the Catholicks which were by the Leaguers deuided Secondly he sheweth himselfe willing to put vp all iniuries passed against him in Paris when the inhabitants shall behaue themselues hereafter as it becommeth them to doe and in so doing hee proffereth them to preserue them in their liberties as his predecessors haue doone before him Thirdly hee wisheth nothing more than that all the popish Princes Lords and subiects may be reunited againe to warre against the King of Nauarre Fourthly he greatly desireth the reformation of his Realme in al his partes and for because it is a publike contagion he supposeth that it can not be well done without the assembly of the States which he intendeth to assemble in the towne of Bloys the fifteeneth of August where he promiseth to satisfie them in warranting them from falling into the handes of the king of Nauarre or any other hereâ—ick As touching the complaints against the Duke Espernon he promiseth to them iustice therein It is sayd before how the King after the retyre of the Germans returning to Paris intending to make a voyage to Guienne agaynst the King of Nauarre with all his forces and in his proper person had prepared the way to doo great exployts by sending forces vnto Lauerdine Lieutenant of Niort immediatly after the death of the Prince of Conde and how the sayd Lord Lauerdine with those forces seazed vpon the Iles of Marans and tooke all the Forts within the Iland Which exployts being done the Lord Cluseaulx otherwise called Blanchard obtayned the gouernment of the sayd Iland where hee determined to settle himselfe and after many extorsions ransackings and robberies done during and after the siege of Marans to them of the reformed religion who had abandoned all things to saue themselues at Rochel he promised to himselfe to fortifie and kéepe well the sayd places in hope shortly after to
the Lord Argence As they were all ready there to signe the agreement behold a new commotion of the people who will not compound the reason was the arryuing into the towne of the Baron of Tonnerak with diuers gentlemen of the League also of captayne Caze Marshall of the lodgings of the L. Aubeterre who do assure them that the sayd Lord of Aubeterre will come with succour to them the next day morning with three hundred horsmen and fiue hundred footmen The Abbot by these occasions was enforced to get him to the castle agayne with greater danger then at the first by reason of the raging of this Leagued people For they brought him by force before the Citadell to forbid the Souldiers to discharge the ordinance agaynst the towne which thing notwithstanding in a while after they continued to do because that the people assaulted the castell continually vppon a vayne hope incited by those leagued gentlemen newly come The chiefest officers of the King and Bourgeses of the Citty hauing duly considered in the Bishops house the danger wherin their citty stood if so many strangers on euery syde should come in ioyned themselues with the cheefest Gentlemen agaynst the rest who were stubburne They sent agayne 2. of the chiefest Bourgeses to the Lord Espernon to beseech him that it may please him that the Lord Tageus his kinsman newly arryued in the Suburbs with his companies might signe and seale the agréement to the which they added onely that they who were detayned prisoners in the castell should be comprised therein and set at liberty according to the fayth which he had geuen them promising of their part to do the like to them whom they did detayne and all that which had been taken in the houses should be restored The Lord Espernon graunting vnto them their demaund sent againe the Abbot who went forth with them of the towne to the Lord Tageus to make him seale the composition which was done about foure a clocke in the euening Within a while after the trenches were broken the people went away the Lady Espernon was conducted by the sayd Abbot into the castell with all the prisoners detayned in the towne The Lord Bordes entred the Citadell the conspiratours and Maiors fellowes who were prisoners in the castell were set at liberty Mere with his complices went forth out of the towne and retyred into theyr houses vnder the conduct of the Lord Maumont captayne of light horses The dead on both sides were quietly buried and namely the Maior whose corps with the corps of his brother were freely deliuered to their friends to be buried When the agreement was concluded it was nine and thirtie houres that neither the Lord Espernon nor any of his had eate nor dronk There was no more powder for the shot he had determined the night following to issue forth vpon the enemies for to seaze vpon the well hee also looked that night to be rescued by his men to be short by the singuler goodnes of God he escaped a perilous snare of the Leaguers a marueilous great danger for the which to auoyde hee shewed himselfe both valiaunt and watchfull and if he would be thankfull to God for so great deliuerance and consider from whence for what cause these blowes came he should doe the part of a right noble man About the selfe same time that these things were done at Engolâ—sme against the Duke Espernon the Lorde Autragues gouernour of Orleans sent to the King to protest obedience with excuse that the things which he had done in fauour of the League had been for none other cause then for zeale of the Catholick religion but perceiuing that the chiefe Leaguers passed further then he thought he wholly doth renounce detest y â— League and vpon that protestation he was receaued in fauour by the King Whilest the King after hee had sent his writtes to the Prouinces Townes and Cities to make thoyse of their deputies men of wisdome discretion and louers of peace to send with speede to the States preparing all things to resort with a soft pace to Bloys to the States It is said also how the Leaguers peruerted all things suborned all the most vile and accursed traitors that could be picked out in all France It is said also how least that execrable company might be spied or crossed they had obtained by the edict of reunion that none of the reformed religion or suspected to fauour the same and that none of the Princes of the bloud shoulde bee admitted to that house least they shoulde bee spyed when they should go about to make processe against their lawfull King and naturall Prince The King considering the shortnes of the time reiourned his estates vntill the beginning of October following whatsoeuer other causes did moue him so to doo But toward the latter end of September he and his mother accompanied with the Duke of Guize with all their traine ariued at Bloys The Princes of Monpensier County and Soyssons did appeare at Bloys and for because the Prince County had ioyned himselfe to the army of the Germanes the yeare before his company was greatly suspected and many of his friends went about to perswade him to send to the Pope for an absolution but in that following the counsell of his best friends and seruants he did it noâ— The Prince of Soyssons had alreadie obtained a Bull of the Pope containing a pardon for hauing followed the part of them of the religion with a Renuoy for his absolution to the Legat of Venise who was also at the States hee made great difficulties in the matter so that they of the assembly had once resolued to require the King not to suffer the saide Prince to bee admitted but at length it was found good to stay their sute for that time Whilest these things aboue said do passe so diuersly in sundry places the great and mightie armie appoynted for Daulphine vnder the leading of the Duke d' Mayne dooth march and at length arriued in Liomoys there continued long daring not enter far into the Prouince of Daulphine for feare of scalding but soiourned vpon the borders betweene Liomoys and Daulphine as a man that came onely to see whether he could make the hereticks afraide or not The King arriued at Bloys with all his traine maketh readie all the solemnities fit for that assemblie whilest the deputies and assignes of the Prouinces doo make readie their instructions and hast to the place appoynted The King hauing more trust in his subiects then his subiects were to be trusted of him doth expect honest wise and indifferent deputies such as would seeke onely the good of the Common wealth But the Duke of Guize had so laboured of long time and so reduced the people that there was almost no citie towne nor prouince in all France but the complices of the Leaguers vnder colour of zeale of religion preuailed in sending such as were altogether factious and desirous of innouations
alley which was betweene it and the kings chamber encreased his mistrust and would haue gone back yet neuerthelesse he did not He had beene perswaded long before that the Lorde Loignak had vndertaken to kill him so that of all other he hated him most and mistrusted him greatly and entering into the kings chamber he saw the same Lord Loignak sitting vpon a coffer hauing his armes a crosse and supposing that he stayed there to set vpon him for he shewed that hee was touched with a violent apprehension of mistrust although the said L. Loignak did not stir yet the Lord Guize notwithstanding did set vpon him setting his hand to his sword did draw it halfe for he had his cloake as commonly he was wont to haue in scarâ—e wise and vnder the cloake his sworde which was the cause that he could not draw it cleane out of the sheath before that some of them who were there seeing him to enterprize such a violent fray at the Kings chamber doore preuented and killed him there Beholde thou vngratious man thou hast hidden all thy conspiracies vnder a cloake of religion and so hast prophaned a prophane religion say then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thou vnthankfull slaue of ambition hast thou thought to murther thy naturall prince ordayned of God to commaund thee Say then or if thou wilt not I will 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It could not be done without some rumor which was heard out of the counsell chamber whereupon the Cardinall his brother entred into mistrust and conceauing a great feare made haste to get out but he met one of the skottish guardes who had charge to arrest him He tooke that arrest very straunge and made shew to resist but seeing the rumor and daunger hee ceased from his resistaunce and yeelded The Archbishop of Lyons at this alarum went forth furiously and would know more and as he said would succour the Duke of Guyze but he was arrested by some of the guardes and his fury was so cooled that from a woolfe he was turned into the forme of a lambe yet retayning still wooluish conditions so these two Fryers the deuills ghostly fathers remayned both prisoners The graund Pryor was gone very early to awake the Lord Ianuile to to play the match which they had made the day before and found him in his bed and after he had made himself quickly ready but whether it were that he saw the graund Pryor followed incontinently with some of the guardes or some other matter hee began sodaynly to mistrust and went about to slip into a doore of his chamber and to make some resistance seeking to get forth with his sworde in hand against some of the guarde but considering the danger he yeelded him selfe to the sayd guard The graund Pryor seeing that by these new euents the match was broken off went his way At the same instant one Pellicart secretary vnto the Duke of Guyze was taken with al his papers writings by the which many secret counsels of the sayd Guize were discouered to the King with the names of the chiefest of the League as wel of the princes and Nobles as of the priests and townes The king of the Fryers to wit the Cardinall of Bourbon who was at bed was desired by a captayne of the guarde to rise and so was his person made sure The Marquesse d' Albeuf likewise and many other of the partakers of the Lord of Guize were taken and put in places of safety That day the king made a fayre hande for he caught a number of cruell beasts and vncleane foules as Woolues Foxes swine wilde Boars Apes and such like But the loosing of some of them afterward was the cause of his vndooing and death For either through feare of the Popes excommunication or to asswage the displeasure of his subiects or some other cause â—lse he did set at libertie the Archbishop of Lyons which was one of the chiefest counsellors deuisers and procurers of his death These exployts being done at Bloys a gentleman was speedely sent into Poytow to the Lord of Neuers with commaundement to seaze vppon the Lord Chastre gouernour of Berry who was greatly suspected by reason of his great familiaritie with the Lord of Guize But the layd Lord Chastre was aduertized by his friends of all that which happened at Bloys before the gentleman sent by the King arriued at the camp whereupon he went to the Duke of Neuâ—rs saying that he was aduertized how the Duke of Guyze had beene put to death which thing made him beleeue he had enterprized somewhat agaynst the king Hee sayde that he had been alwayes seruant to the Duke of Guize for his particular but that if he had enterprized against the king that hee was neuer made priuie to it And forasmuch as the loue which the said Duke of Guize had borne vnto him might happily make him to be suspected by the king he yeelded himselfe willingly into the hands of the sayd Duke of Neuers for to iustifie his actions Afterward the Gentleman went from the king to the sayd Duke of Neuers who informed him of all that which is aboue sayd and within a while after the Lord Chastre went to the king The King had some speeches with the sayd Lorde Chastre of all that had passed touching the particular of him the Lord Chastre of long continuance which hee woulde forget and vppon the promise which the saide Chastre made to remaine his faithfull seruant commaunded him to make sure the townes of his gouernement to his seruice and to prepare himselfe to goe to Orleans against them of the League which thing the saide Lorde Chastre promised to doo A little while after the death of the Guize the King went to see the Queene his mother and shewed her what was done that morning whereof at the first she was greatly moued yet remembring the iust occasions which the said Duke of Guize had giuen him to seeke reuenge shee prayed God that it might bee well done and willed the King to aduertise the Popes Legat that which was done For a while after the King sent the Cardinall Gundy to shew to the saide Legat the attempt of the Duke of Guize against his person and estate which thing had enforced him to doo that execution he shewed that in it he had followd the Popes his masters counsell who aduised him so to doo if by no other meanes he could auoyde such enterprises Where it is saide that the King dooth aleage to the Popes Legat his masters counsell and consent the matter goeth as the common report gooth It is most certaine that Frier Sixtus and his Chaplines with his predecessors before him had been and were then the chiefest authors setters on and maintainers of the League in France and that by all meanes so that it were not with money for to meddle with the purses of these ghostly fathers is sacriledge and to tirannize the holy Church did fauour foster and further all the
not béen ouerthrown by the way They follow on their accustomed course and method vsed by them these 14. or 15. yeares to wit to seduce the people more and more to make the King hatefull to his subiects that hee may bee forsaken of all men if it be possible and to render the King of Nauarre abhorted of all men in hope that if they could bring to passe any thing vpon the Kings person by these meanes the said King of Nauarre may be excluded from his right of succession The first poynt to performe was left to the assembly of the pretended states as it shal appeare hereafter the other two pieces of work were committed to the Iesuites Friers and other of like sorte de bacchandi calomniandiperitissimis for their dignitie runneth most of all vpon these two common places Whether the King considering the great necessities which hee should haue of money to maintaine a dangerous and long warre against the rebels and traitors had sent his coÌ„missions vnto his threasurors and receauers of his impost to continue the receauing and gathering of tallages and impost as they had done the yeare before or else that the rebells in Paris vsurping the name of the thrée estates of France had forged such a thing I am vncertaine But so it is that if they did not deuise yet they did vse his action to steale away the hearts of the people from his obedience and thereby to make their part stronger to aâ—ure the Kings subiects to ioyne hand with them in their rebellion For immediatly after the Duke d' Mayne came to Paris they set foorth a declaration bearing the name of the Princes Citties and commonalties vnited with the thrée estates of the realme where in deede there was not one Prince onely the Dukes d' Mayne Aumale Nemours and certaine other seditious persons of Paris Anious Roen Orleans and Abeuile with their generall counsell which consisted of seauen and forty persons most vile and for their wickednes picked out of the sinke of that rebellion whereof we haue spoken before First they doo still hide their damnable rebellion vnder the olde ragged gaberdine of defending the popish religion and because the poore people had béen of long time oppressed with diuers payments and greatly impouerished by long continuance of warre vnto the defence of popery they ioyne this plausible snare to wit to ease the people of the former accustomed payments Secondly vsurping the royall authoritie they forbid all manner of officers to gather any payments money tole impost or tallage for the King but to pay vnto their officers the tallages according vnto the rate of the yeare 1576. Thirdly they commaund that in case they haue payed the saide somms vnto their commissioners and the Kings officers should come to demaund the saide sommes or should goe about to compell them to pay the same sommes they to apprehend them and to bring them vnto the next prisons and there processe to be made as vpon publick extortioners Last of all they commaunde all officers and receauers of the Kings demaynes woods graines farmers of salt garners receauers of tenths and others whatsoeuer to bring pay and deliuer the same to none other then to them or their officers and that vpon paine of death It is said before that after the Oracle giuen out by the facultie of Theologie in the colledge of Sorboun the seditious brought it to the Senate of Paris to bee alowed inregistred and published who vppon the refusing of such a disloyall treacherie were all brought to prison and there as malefactors detayned Now vpon the Dukes comming to Paris they were called and offered either to remaine still in prison or else to doo two things First to alowe and approue the resolution of Sorboune Secondly to sweare to the new vnion which was a confederacy of the rebells This Senate in olâ—e time so famous and honorable for feare of this dangerous conspiratie of the Leaguers and rage of the people against their alegeance and loyaltie doo fall to this composition with the generall counsell of the citie aboue saide and the pretended states to wit the Senat shall ioyne with the rebells and sweare with them to persecute their King by all meanes without any respect of person or dignitie for the execution done by him vpon the persons of the Duke of Guize and the Cardinall his brother the 23. and 24. of December which they doo tearme with an odious name of massacre This excerable rebellion nowe hath gotten credit by that so famous and reuerent Senat the second Maiestie of France in olde time so renowmed The 30. day of Ianuarie all the chambers of the Senat with all the officers appertaining to that court to the number of 326. gathered together in the presence of the Duke d' Mayne the generall counsell aboue saide and the pretended states did sweare and subscribe some with their owne bloud as Catelina in olâ—e time in like case that forme of vnion which they had concluded the day before whereof the somme followeth First they doo sweare and promise to God to his mother to the Angels to al the hée saints and shee saints of Paradise to employ their liues their goods and all their meanes to the defence of the Catholick religion and doo protest that all that which they doo in this vnion is for the setting foorth of Gods glory and for the defence of the holy Church Secondly they sweare to defend the citie of Paris with the state there established also other cities of their association which then were or might be hereafter Thirdly they sweare to defend the Princes to wit the Dukes d' Mayne and Aumale for so they loue well to be called the Priestes Lords and Gentlemen vnited with them both in their persons and goods with the liberty of the states of the realme Last of all they sweare to pursue by al meanes possible them that haue violated the publick faith broken the vnion franchizes and liberties of the states meaning the King in committing the massacre so they cal the iust punishment of the Duke of Guize and the Cardinall his brother without any respect of persons dignity or prerogatiue whatsoeuer and also al them who shall fauour and assist the King by any meanes with promise neuer to forsake one another As this rebellious people did rage in the Senat house in the counsell of the citie and in their pretended states so the people are set at liberty to commit al outrages violences the poorer sort are against the rich the vile person against the honorable the wicked against the vertuous the ignorant and blinde against the learned to be short there is nothing but an infernall horror The Iesuits Friers other vncleane fowles of like feathers doo rage no lesse in the places and charges appoynted vnto them to wit in rayling most villanously against the King and slandering the King of Nauarre and them of the reformed religion for the causes aboue saide
Rochefocault and the Countie of Rossie his brother with the Countie of Rochefort with diuers Gentlemen who were néerest to his person all them he set about his footmen deuiding the Swissers into two parts The enemies were 25. thousand and he had not aboue nine thousand and that to the vttermost With this small number the King knowing that God would consider iustice of the cause and was able to vanquish as well with fewe as with a great number hauing earnestly desired Gods ayde in his priuate prayers commaunded publike prayers which being ended marched against his enemies with such resolued and princelike courage that at the first encounter as it were with one blowe the enemie left vpon the place fiue hundred men beside a number of prisoners and wounded souldiers but the rest fled with great feare and disorder In the same méeting the enemie lost as is aboue sayd at the first encounter fiue hundred men among whom were the chiefest Sague Colonell of the light horsemen the Lord S. Vidal chiefe Marshall of the Ordinance the Lord S. Andrew brother to the Countie of Saulx the Lord Vienuille eldest sonne to the Marshall Vienel who were caried to Roen and there buried with many more of great account The Countie Billing Marshall of the Camp Temblecourt the Countie of Lorreyne who had the first regiment and the Lord Sauelak with diuers other Captaines were taken prisoners Of the Kings side dyed but 26. among whom were the Countie Rossie brother to the Lord Rochefocault and also the Lord Bakqueuile whose vertues were commendable among all men for whom the King was greatly grieued There was among the enemies one Lorde Sagonne a proud man greatly boasting of his valiantnes who with feeling escaped from the slaughter at Seulis the Lord Graund Prior prouoked him to fight who ioyning together the saide Lorde Graund Prior gaue him such a blowe that in retyring and lighting downe of his horse hee fell downe and brake his neck Thus the enemy hauing retyred with shame and losse the King commaunded all his forces to refresh themselues which thing being done fifteene hundred Launce-knights presented themselues to a little trench which was kept by some of the Kings Launce-knights and lifting vp their hands protested and desired to yéeld vnto the King so that the Kings seruants as well as they would put vp their weapons This caused great ioy in the army and euery man putting vp their weapons the Kings men scattered themselues among them without any suspition of treason shaking hands like good fellowes two of the Captaines went to meete the King and being examined suddainely faultring in their speach as knowing not what they said as men troubled in minde named themselues seruants to the Duke d' Mayne in the meane while they fed the Kings Souldiours with fayre words to delay the time till their troupes of horsemen shoulde drawe neere to assist them desiring very much to see the King The King hauing no liking of them commaunded his forces to march downe the medowes from them and whilest these villanous dissembling traitors passed toward the Suissers as though in deed they would yeelde themselues to the King seeing no more the kings horsemen before them and their horsemen approaching still then they seazed vpon the Countie Rochefort and began to set vpon the Kings troupes with all their might whilest fiftéene hundered horsemen came marching a long the medowes to assist them The enemies by these meanes being three thousand and the Kinges forces there beeing not aboue three hundered Horsemen put this small companie in great feare and began to retyre toward the Swissers The Swissers neuer shronk for all that multitude but stoode still firmely shewing such a manly countenance that the enemy suspected the retyre of the Kings horsemen to haue been a policy to draw them into the danger of the Swissers At the same instant that the treason was discouered the Lord Chastilion brought out of Deepe fiue hundred Caliuers Thus all these troupes were deuided into two parts the Harquebusiers of the Kings side were so fitly placed that the enemy durst not venture to set vppon them The Canons in the meane time played vppon them and killed manie The King in this extremity and suddaine discouering of this vnlooked treason hauing ordered all things set vpon the enemies and shewed himselfe both King Captaine and Souldier and by his princely courage did encourage all men to play their partes valiantly The King receaued a shot in his boete and his horse being hurt accompanied with the Marshall Byron fought on foote vntill hée was reuenged of his enemies The enemie retired with shame and losse leauing their dead on the place and hid himselfe at Martinglize The King remayned on the field and commaunded certaine pieces of Ordinance to bée discharged against Martinglize which thing being done he gaue thanks to God with earnest praiers for his gracious goodnes succour and presence in defending them and his iust cause This being done hée greatly commended the good and faithfull seruice of the Swissers in presence of their Captaines and dronke to them for their valiant exploytes done that day The 23. of September the Lord Staphord Ambassadour for the most Noble Quéene of England arriued at Diepe bringing both money and munition but hée sawe not the King vntill the next day following About midnight following the same day the King perceaued that the enemy had changed his opinion and that hée would rayse vp his armie The 24. of September very early in the morning the enemy raised vp his Camp without any sound of Drumme or Trompet in the sight of the King and of his army This their remoouing was done with such great feare and so cowardly that they left their wounded in the Villages behind them and without giuing warning to their Sentinels to retire and saue themselues they left their victuall and munition of warre in the way as they went They tooke their iourney as though they went to the towne of Hewe and at length they turned to Saint Vax Quinqueuile and Bures and camped themselues on the other side of Diepe entrenching themselues in the néerest Villages Ianuile Boutiles and Apeuile The King who was on the other side of the hill in battel aray séeing their departing to be like a fearefull flight while hee receaued the Lord Ambassador of England sent certaine companies to puriue them who also tooke many prisoners ofthem These Prisoners beeing demaunded the cause of the sudden retire answered diuersly for some said it was by reason of the comming of the English ships which lately arriued wherein they doubted great aid to bee sent to the King But some gaue another answere to wit that vpon the death of those Noble men who had béen slaine great strife had growen among them for placing other in their roome some allowing one some choosing another so that it seemeth that these two causes troubled the enemy The King seeing the enemy encamped in another side caused
left side was that of the Marshall Aumont consisting of three hundred good horsemen hauing on his two sides 12. regiments of French footmen The second was the squadron of the Prince Montpensier consisting of three hundred Horses and on his left hand foure or fiue hundred Lanceknights and on the right hand a regiment of Swissers euery company of the strangers forces being lyned with footmen The third Squadron was of light horsemen deuided into two companies the one whereof the great Prior Colonell was the Leader and the other company of the light horsemen was conducted by the Lord Gyurye Marshall of the field of the said light horses hee was able to make foure hundred horses These two companies of light horses were placed a little before the foresaid squadrons and at the left hand of them was the artillerie to wit foure cannons and two culuerins The fourth squadron was that of the Baron of Biron which might bee of two hundred and fifty horses and in the same ranke and order at the left hand towards the Prince Montpensier was a company of light Horsemen The fifth squadron was the Kings which made fiue rankes and in euery ranke sixe score horses he had on the left side two regiments of Swissers of the Canton of Glaris and of the Grisons and on his right hand a great Battailon of two other regiments of Swissers the one of the Cantons of Solethurne and the other of the Colonel Balthazare which amount in the whole eighteene ensignes The Battailon on the right hand had the regiment of Brigueulx and on the left wing the regiments of Vignoles and S. Iohn The sixt Squadron was of the Marshall Byron who had two hundred and fiftie good horses with two regiments of French footmen The seauenth Squadron was of the Rutters who had ioyned with them French footmen like as other companies had Things were so ordered by the King and Lord Marshalls and Baron of Byron plied the matter so that in lesse then an houre all was so fitly disposed that it could not be deuised better And while the King did thus set in order his battell the night before and that morning there arriued vnto him sixe hundred horses vnlooked for to wit the companyes of the Prince Countie both horsemen and footmen there came also the Lord Guiche great master of the Ordinance and the Lord Plessis Morney with their companies to whom vpon deliberation was graunted place in the Kings Squadron The same day also while the King stayed in battell array came companies from the garrisons of Deepe and Arques and other companies and Lords out of Normandie to the number of two hundred horse and more who were placed some vnder the gouernment of the Prince Montpencier some with the King and some with the Baron Byron In the meane time the King sent light horsemen for Spyes on the left side of the battell supposing that the enemie did lye at Iury which is a great towne hauing a bridge ouer the riuer Eure thinking there to set vppon the enemie But when they had scarse passed halfe a mile they vnderstood that the enemie was aware of the matter more then they thought and that the enemie had passed the riuer Eure and that they began to shew themselues in battell array The enemie had passed that riuer not thinking to haue the Kings army so nigh But the king hearing of their going to Verneuille thought to méet them there and arriuing thether found that the enemie had sent his Harbingers for to take vp lodgings euen néere the place where the kings army lay When these newes came to the Campe there was an excéeding ioy among all men of all degrees Betweene the two armies there was a Village in the playne which was holden by the enemie which the King made straight way yeeld to him but for al this occasion giuen the enemie did not stirre But the King seeing that it was nigh Sunne setting and hauing not yet descryed the manner of the lodging of their Campe and considering they might bee at some aduantage was aduised not to march for that time any further whereupon there he stayed his armie for that night All that day the two armies were in sight one of the other There were onely some odd skirmishes betweene them in the which prisoners were taken who reported that the number of the enemie was greater then they were aware off and that they were giuen to vnderstand that the Kings companyes were come thether rather for a fashion then minding to bid battaile The night drewe on which caused the army to encampe there where they were set in battell array It is reported that the night following the third day two armies were seene in the Skye and the lesser number put the greater to flight The King would not departe from the army before hee had knowledge of the enemies lodging and had set all his watches in order The Noble men lodged in the villages about the playne which the enemies thought to haue surprized that day the king was the last at fielde and two howers in the night lodged at Foucraynuille which is a Village at the left hand of the same plaine and there hauing a little refreshed himselfe sent word to his men euery one to be in a readines against the morning and after he had rested himselfe about two howres on a pallet obseruing the auncient precept by Homer giuen to the Princes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very early he sent to enquire for newes of the enemies newes came that the enemie séemed to haue repassed the riuer Eure hee sent the second time then word came that vndoubtedly they had not repassed Eure but that they lay in the Villages about Eure some what further then they were supposed to be These newes cheered the king who desired greatly to come to hand with the enemy Day light being come the Princes and Lords Marshalls came to the king and set their men in battaile aray The king bâ—gan in the presence of his houshold seruants and other present to make a most feruent and deuout prayer to God committing his life and the liues of his faithfull subiects and seruants and the defence of his cause vnto him who is the mightie God of battailes The Princes and Lords Catholicks went to heare Masse and their deuotions done went to refresh themselues The King sent to them of the reformed Religion in like manner to commit themselues to Gods most mercifull protection by prayers went in like manner to refresh themselues The king liueth so in the presence of God that hee is a spectacle of royall godlinesse and vertue to men and to the blessâ—d Angels of God All the kings companies hearing that they should ioyne in battaile that day with the enemies did exceedingly reioyce and by nine a clock the king came into the field and vppon warning giuen by two Canon shot by ten a clock all the companies were in order in their places The placing of
him nor good for his master to meddle with the Kings affayres we sayd the Lord Byron hold the King for the true and naturall heire of the Crowne of France That the King maintained their lawes and liberties inuiolable and had none for enemies but fewe straungers thrust forward by ambition who vnder y e pretence of religion sought to ouerthrowe all good lawes to lay downe the foundation of their tyrannie to giue entrance to the Spanish King and for religion to bring in all Atheisme The Frier protested that his master was free from medling in any such enterprises But his doings his practises his ministring of money to the Rebels his conuersation and familiaritie with Bernardine Mendoza was so auerred to the foolish Friers face that he was proued a lying false flattering Frier Thereupon master Frier his stomacke being not yet satisfied would haue a saucie Frierlike fling against the King and demaunded the Marshall Byron how they being professors of the Catholike religion made so light account of his masters holines and purposes to carrie armes against the Catholikes their brethren The Lord Byron answered that they carried armes agaynst rebels and traytors and told him agayne that it were very wisely done for him his master to looke somewhat neerer to his owne estate For if he so encroached and medled with them they would quickly excommunicate him And that there were diuers Bishops in France as good Catholikes as his master who would bee glad to bee made Patriaches in their seuerall Prouinces and would finde as good Scripture to maintaine their authoritie as his master had any to defend his Some reasoning being vpon this poynt Frier Paniguerola was found to be so great a Clark that he could answer little or nothing But at length to conclude the talke he shewed the somme of his Ambassage to wit he desired a good peace to be concluded and some paynes to be taken to bring the King to be a Catholike But he shewed not his intent which was to delay the siege of Paris if the king had intended to besiege it out of hand The other Ambassadour to wit Vileroy was sent by the King to the Lord Plessis Morney a noble man of great wisedome and profound learning who handled the sayd Vileroy very plainly and roughly reproaching vnto him his vnfaithfull and treacherous seruice to his old master Henry the third And when he had denyed these things wherewith he was charged the Lord Beaulieu both condemned his fayre flattering wordes and promises which he brought now full of dissimulation and verified his olde trayterous practises agaynst his olde master it was thought that iustice should haue been executed vppon him for his treasons according to the Kings edicts The King hauing soiourned at Mante fewe dayes tooke his way to Vernon which lyeth between Mante and Pont de larche which also yéelded vnto him From Vernon the Gentlemen of Normandy to the number of fifteene hundred horses retyred to their home about the eight of March The Lord Chartres gouernour of Deepe returned to Deepe sicke in whose absence certaine Leaguers inhabitants there went about to haue seazed vpon the towne for the League who being detected and preuented at his returne were exiled out of the Towne to the number of sixe score among whom were many of the richest sort of all the towne About the same time that the King soiourned at Vernon the Duke of Longueuile the Lord of Tinteuille arriued to the King with eight thousand Rutters The King hauing seazed on Vernon and Mante and stopped the traffique of that riuer with the Citie of Paris on that side and prouided for the safetie of the sayd Townes concluded in his counsell to besiege Paris the principallest Citie of the Realme where it was considered that the Citie being populous and great would easily be woon by famine which would eschewe slaughter both of his owne Souldiers and Citizens whome hée would by all gentle meanes bring to their duetie of obedience and therefore it was thought good to stop the passages of the riuers Oyse Marne and Seyne aboue Paris For in stopping Oyse the Towne of Pontoyse also should bee distressed Therefore the King deuideth his armie as followeth The Duke of Longueuile should haue part of his armie to besiege Beaumont vpon Oyse He sent the Marshall Byron with another part of the armie to scoure the riuer Marne where he tooke Cressie a towne situated in Brie betweene Meaulx and Corbeil where a Parisien named Peter was Captaine for whose raunsome was proffered eight hundred Crownes but the King for some speciall causes commaunded him to be hanged and fiue and twentie of the chiefest of the towne with him The sayd Marshall Byron immediatly after the taking of Cressie layed the siege before Lagnye vpon the riuer Marne right agaynst Corbeil The Citizens required space of time to send vnto the King which was yet in Normandy to craue his gracious mercie which they obtayned The King about the 21. of March hauing receiued certayne munitions from Deepe and taken order for the safetie of Normandy with part of his armie coasted betweene the riuers of Seyne and Eure and tooke the townes of Possie and S. Germain and the Pont S. Clow and marched toward Corbeil to seaze vpon the riuer of Seyne on that side It is said before how the Leaguers had compacted with the King of Spayne vpon some conditions of receiuing a certaine somme of money to haue deliuered the Citie of Marsels a great strong Citie in Prouance vpon the Mediterran Sea but being disappoynted of his purpose as is said in the first Booke that Citie continued faithfull vnto the King vntil the Duke of Guize his death The King of Spayne had corrupted aforehand the chiefe gouernour of the Citie by giuing him pay to the summe of fifty Crownes a day he had also drawne to his faction three score of the chiefest Citizens paying to some forty crownes some more and some lesse a day Thus the hearts of a great number of Citizens being disposed the death of the Duke of Guize was bruted euen to the coast of the Mediterrane Sea The gouernour and his complices hearing of that began to â—nuaigh and bring the City to a wauâ—ring and inconstancy of wills counsels some would haue the Towne to yéelde to the League and some would not so the Citie remayned as neuter hanging neither to Spayne nor to France In the meane time the Lord Valete as is said hauing made peace with the Lord Diguieres and considering the wauering of that Citie had prepared a nauy of Galeys on the Sea before the said City to controule such Ships or other vessels as might come or goe that way to benefit the said Towne whome he molâ—sted as Leaguers The gouernour and the rest of malcontents hired by the King of Spayne practized that the said King of Spayne and the Duke of Sauoy should send Galleys thether in shew to clense the Seas but in déede
done soiourning in Compeigne about fifteene or sixteene dayes The King soiourned in Compeigne for these causes following First to espye what the Duke of Parma would attempt for after the taking of Corbeil hee looked daily that he would haue returned backe to recouer it for which cause the sayd King had sent for his forces to be in a readines at a dayes warning intending vpon such occasion to trye the quarrell with a dayes worke Secondly to expect the Nobilitie of Picardie whom he had inuited to reconduct home the Duke of Parma as is sayd Thirdly that by his neighbourhead he might represse him from attempting vpon any places which were vnder his obedience Fourthly hee stayed in Compeigne without interrupting the soiorning of the Duke of Parma in Brie to geue leasure to the rebellions Prouinces to prooue what difference there is betwixt the milde good iust and fatherlike gouernment of a vertuous and lawful Prince and the cruell bondage of heathenish sauage and barbarous tyrants The sayd King during his abode there among other deliberations concluded to pursue the said Duke of Parma in his retire grounded vppon iustice to wit a wil and desire to punish him who had offended as far as God should geue him power and lawfull means to do it for as much as the D. of Parma beeing not prouoked with iniurie or vniust dealing had not only against the law of nature maintained and assisted the rebels in his realme enemies to all iust and lawful superiority but also had committed horrible murthers and crueltyes contra ius supplicum innumerable whoredoms Sodomitries hereditarie to the papall house of Pharneses all maner of vilanies vpon his faithful Subiects and also the necessary defence of his estate and safety of the places which in that countrey were vnder his obedience Uppon this iust resolution the twentith of Nouember the King with his forces departed from Coeuures in Picardie hauing with him of the Nobility of that countrey about fiue hundred horses beside his own forces and began to march directly against the said Duke of Parma It is said how the Duke of Parma departed from Paris and made their abâ—ad in Brie the causes also of that soiorning there haue béene opened what euents also haue happened during that time Now the sayd Duke perceauing that all his practises in seeking to supplant his friend would not frame vnderstanding of the Kings preparations for to accompany him into his countrey and that the King was all ready at the doore began to feare yet more then euer before séeing the tempest which would follow and wished that the Duke de Mayne had made more speed to send him the succour promised wished also that he might be quit in ceasing the clampering noyse of his Moiles belles and in the meane time about the 23. day of Nouember hee remoued to the towne of Phismes vpon Voisle there within a wall he determined to expect the comming of the Duke de Mayne who was comming with speed The King in this retire of Parma to Phismes arriued and met a certain companie of Spanish footmen whom hee put all to the sword without the losse of any of his men The Duke de Maine with his forces repairing to Parma seeing all this exploit and durst neuer rescue them that exploit done the King went to take his lodging in the Towne Feres in Tartenoys The 25. of Nouember the Duke of Parma accompanied with the Duke de Maine departed from Phismes tooke his way to Pontauers which is a towne situated vppon the riuer Esne where he had determined to lodge the night following The King hauing about eight hundred Launciers and so many Harquebusiers on horseback sent the Baron of Biron with fifteene light horses to view the enemie In the meane time the King tooke 25. horses and kept to the right hand by a wood seeking to iudge by sight the enemies marching But the Baron of Biron brought newes that the enemy was departed from a Village named Bazoges and marched toward Pontauers The King immediatly with all his forces following the enemie entred into the said Village where he found few Farmers and husoandmen armed and ready to fight in his Maiesties behalfe of whom the King learned more particular newes concerning the enemy The Kings Captaines but specially the Baron of Biron still pursued them and meeting with straglers payed them their wages for their comming so farre and gaue many onsets when occasion serued alwaies to the enemies costs The 27 the King sent the Lords Fronterack Chicot and Dauers on the top of Saint Martins hill to view if the enemie had put any ambushes at the hilles foote but they saw them in the open plaine marching apace toward Pontauers the way beeing without ambushes the King sent the Baron of Biron with a troupe of horsemen and he with an other company followed after commaunding the Lord la Now to send him ten out of euery company and to rest the remnant The King made fiue smal squadrons of fiftie horses in euery one of al these companies There was a hot alarum geuen in the enemies camp and gaue a dozen onsets on the enemies But whilest these things were a doing the King spied on an other side behind 300. Harquebuziers on horseback who conducted the carriage of tronkes and baggage and fearing the retyre of the enemy would haue brought him out too farre from his forces retired intending to charge these companies of Harquebuziers One of the Kings Gards beeing fallen into the enemies hands cried for helpe whereuppon the Baron of Biron charged them and slew twelue or thirteene of them but his horse was killed whereby he was put in great danger if he had not béene rescued by the King This fray beeing begun there was a great alarum geuen in the enemies campe which began to march toward the King But he considering that it was better to hazard few common souldiers theÌ„ the Nobilitie caused the companies on horseback of the Captaines Saint Denis and Saint Foelix to light and to charge the enemy there was a hot skirmish begun The K. in the meane time retired with his nobillity to a Village called Longauall thether also the Harquebuziers retired after they had fought a long space and in the retire Captain Saint Foelix was slaine with a shot the Souldiers retyred so leasutely that they did draw the dead corps with them by the legges When the King had passed Longauall toward Pontarsie the Harquebuziers of the enemy came to the wall and in a brauing fury sâ—rooke with their swoords vpon the gates of the towne but being saluted with the Harquebuziers within with shot through loope holes and seeing many of their fellowes fall vpon the place they retired and sound the means by the guiding of a man of that Town to seaze vpon an other gate and entered about sixe of them Captaine Bonmouoyr set vppon them and killed two of them the other retired The Harquebuziers tooke their horses forsooke
the said congregation confessed that for feare of death he had consented to the abominations of Poperie and with many teares very feruently prayed to God to forgiue him exhorted the Church to take heede not to followe his frailtie willing them not to be offended with his fall and with an earnest inuocation of Gods most holy spirit promised euer hereafter by Gods grace constancie and stedfastnes in the confession of the trueth After a long and wofull warre the particular accidents whereof I here omit as hastening to my purpose and referre the reader in that respect to such treatises as are of purpose written concerning those matters at length a peace was concluded about the 27. of Iuly 1576. which was sworne vpon by the King by the King of Nauarre Monsieur the Kings onely brother the Prince of Conde and Casimire other Nobles with the lifting vp of their hands The King to wit Henry the 3. to shew how well pleased he was with this peace willed and commanded that it should bee called his peace because he had graunted it with his owne will and proper motion The King of Nauarre then had not onely a iust cause but also opportunitie to complaine of diuers iniuries done vnto him at and after the murther of Paris and also to demaund amends for his great losses yet he neuer mooued one word least by any priuate commodities of his owne the peace should haue béen hindered By that conclusion of peace the King graunted eight Townes beside them which they held before vnto them of the reformed religion to bee gouerned vnder his obedience by the King of Nauarre for the space of sixe yeares It was agreed also at the request of the reformed religion that the King should call the States of the Realme to confirme this peace and to restore the ancient dignitie of that kingdome These States were so cunningly handled that it did almost fall to the vtter vndoing of them of the religion For the Guizes with the collusion of the King made such meanes as none other might be admitted to the same States than the professed enemies of the Gospell For they caused conuocations to bee assembled in the seuerall Prouinces who appoynted such as were farre from peace with secret instructions to bee presented at the saide States without making the Townes Cities or Commonalties priuie to the same They also caused infamous Libels to be printed and proposed in their seuerall conuocations denouncing open warre vnto them of the reformed religion and vnto all that would not consent to the vndoing of them Furthermore they deuised also the meanes to interrupt that peace which of late concluded by their consent and yet so politickly that the causes should not bee founde in themselues but in the professors of the Gospell For they procured infinite iniuries and violences to be done vnto them of the Religion by their partakers hoping that through dispaire and impatiencie they would breake the peace and so the King would arme the Duke of Guize against them that in the meane time hauing the Kings power in hand he might growe in authoritie and the King decrease Immediatly after the conclusion of peace made the Guizes perceiuing that these three noble Princes had auoyded their clawes for the King of Nauarre was gone into his kingdome the Prince of Conde had auoided into Germanie Monsieur had bin set at libertie without any hope to bring them againe within their reach and that not onely they were a terror but also would be great lets to their drifts and that they were able to cut them out more worke than they would be able to patch as long as they should liue considering the name roome authoritie and power that they were of both in France and with forraine Nations To the ende that at the States appoynted they might oppresse these Princes with the rest of the Nobilitie which would not take part with them to ground a sure foundation vpon a strong Councell then sent they their agent the Bishop of Paris and the aduocate Dauid a worse man did not liue then vpon the earth to Rome the holy Citie to take good aduise and spiritual counsell of their ghostly father The Bishop of Paris and Dauid with him came to Rome the Schoole of all murthers treasons poysonings and slaughters against all the Princes and States of Christendome There assembled all the schoolemasters and teachers of the Sciences aboue saide I meane the Cardinalls among whome Sir Hugh bon companion Vicar of Rome for so was his right name afore he was Pope was the forman There was great complaints framed against the King Monsieur his brother the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde against all the house of Burbon and the Nobilitie of France The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde were heretickes and relapse The King and his brother with a great number of the Nobilitie if they were not heretickes yet were they fauourers of heretickes they caused heresies to grow and to take roote by making peace with heretickes to the vtter ouerthrowe of holy Church of Rome And that it was high time that Sir Hugh Vicar of Rome should prouide for some speedie remedie to preuent the mischiefe There it was shewed to render the King and all the Princes odious how the house of Capet had alwaies withstood the holy Church of Rome and that they had supported in old time the Valdenses and Albigeoys and now that either they are ioyned with the Hugonets or els are fauourers of them But on the contrary side the house of Charles the great which was wrongfully dispossessed of the Crowne by the Papall blessing had a speciall grace giuen them to helpe holy Church and had left yet some lustie buds which are they of the house of Guize in whom is all the hope of holy Church to roote out the hereticks and to restore all things The fable of this Popish blessing heere aboue mentioned is in the Chronicles of Rhegimon a Monke of S. Benet In the time of Pipin father to Charles the great Stephen Pope of Rome being a factious and turbulent man through his ambition did trouble Italy And when Arstulphe King of the Lombards a nation not vsed to bee controulled by Priests went about to chastize him fled into France to stirre Pipin which a fewe yeares before had vsurped the Crowne of France by the helpe of Pope Zachary against the sayd Arstulphe This Pope being at S. Denis nigh Paris fell brainsicke and in his sicknes the diuell deluded him with an entusiasme making him to see in a vision Peter and Paule before the high Altar in their Surplesses by the which as he sayd he knewe them Then came in S. Denis with a leane face hauing a Censor in his hand whom Peter and Paule sent to the sayd Stephen to heale him who charged him to hallowe the sayd Church Pope Stephen could this vision to them which were present there and being about to rise out of his
Masse of that Holy ghost which appeared to your predecessors at the Councell of Laterane in the visible forme of an Owle goe againe to schoole with your Chaplaines and let vs knowe of you what the Hugonets will dóo all that while or els seeing you haue that power to binde and to loose I pray you binde them hand and foote that we may make quickly an end of them or els euery one will say to the great slaunder of holy Church that Sir Hugh is a great Pazzo for not being able to performe all that he taketh vppon In Italiō a Sot him to doo And of all loue be good to master Francis of Lorrayne deuise some good meanes that when the Crowne is set vpon his head the heauines thereof should not put him to paynes and perhaps breake his necke And then what would the world say beshrew you Sir Hugh for in following your counsell we haue lost a great Captaine and a newe King and then be sure that you will neuer be good after But now to speake in sadnesse by these instructions according to the which all the ciuill warres haue been directed euer since the yeare 1576. vntill the death of the last Duke of Guize we may iudge what wisedome and blessings are to be expected from Sir Hugh and his Chaplaines Whilest these things were at working in Rome the Guizes followed diuers wayes to interrupt the peace but now by the returne of Dauid from Rome with these aforesaide instructions they went to worke substantially and by the collusion of the King they made such meanes as none might be admitted to the States but the professed enemies of the reformed Churches For they caused priuate conuocations to be assembled in the seuerall Prouinces which appoynted such as were farre from peace were of the conspiracie of Guize hauing their secret instructions to be presented at the States without making priuie to their counsels any Townes Cities or Commonalties They spread abroad that the Edict of peace could not bee published nor admitted in Townes and Cities than the which nothing was more desired of all sorts of men except onely them of the conspiracie They caused also infamous Libels to be printed and proposed in their seuerall conuocations being of such men as knowing the reports to bee most false yet were readie to make themselues to be true As that they of the reformed religion requested the exercize of the same not for satisfying or contenting of their consciences but for the maintenance of factious and practizes against the King and to fortifie themselues that vpon opportunitie they might shake off the yoke of obedience due to the King They spread abroad also that they of the reformed religion had surprized Lachorite and many Townes and Forts in Poytow Xainctonge Guyen Languedock and Daulphine and that they had committed sundry murthers and cruelties vppon the Catholikes and therefore in the same assemblies they did denounce warre vnto them of the reformed religion and to all them which would not consent to their vndoing They procured infinite number of iniuries and violences to bee done by their partakers euery where to them of the religion hoping through impatience to cause them to breake the Edict of peace so that the causes being found in them the King arming the Duke of Guize should encrease his secret enemies authoritie and decay his owne Notwithstanding these manifolde iniuries proffered vnto them of the religion and the breaking of the peace they of their part obserued the Edict of pacification without molesting the Catholikes but stoode onely vpon the defensiue The Guizes hasting so much as euer they could their enterprizes by their partakers procured many Townes and Prouinces to rebell and to breake the peace pretending that they of the religion sought the oppression of the Cleargie Besides the practizes afore mentioned these good husbands being loth to leaue any stone vnstirred that happily might any way further their deuised plot did not sticke to attempt euen contrary meanes For in like case they followed the olde tricke of Barcocab they went about closely and vnder hand to drawe into their League them of the reformed religion promising them the exercize of their religion according to the Edict of peace and more if they would They solicited also Iohn Casimier Prince Palsgraue to enter in league with them promising to doo nothing against the reformed religion and to deliuer him Townes in their gouernments for pledges And herein if they could haue effected their desire happily they would not haue pretended so rigorous a course against them of the reformed religion as afterward they did when they perceiued that they of the reformed religion did smell detect and abhorred their treacherous ambition and that they were taken forbeu cozba If they might haue preuailed with the reformed they would haue stoode vppon some plausible Common-wealth For their intent herein was not that they cared or regarded any religion but to bring the King and the Princes of the bloud into hatred and the people into a mistiking of the gouernement And seeing their offers were reiected by the reformed they determined to roote them out assuring themselues generally of the Catholikes vnder colour of zeale of Poperie which they fayned more and more And to begin the Q. Mother according to the Gospell brought from Rome by Dauid as is aboue sayd was sent to bring Monsier her sonne to the States at Bloys which she performed Many fayre words were spent many fayre promises giuen and many sore threatnings were vttered either to entice or els to enforce the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde to the States at Bloys But they refused their companie knowing well what their meaning was During this time they were very busie to make Leagues and confederacies and to erect euery where fraternities which they called of the holy Ghost by such meanes to fortifie themselues as they pretended against the Heretickes but indeede to conspire the subuersion both of the King and of the Burbons which could not bee done as they thought without the rooting out of the professors of the reformed religion The secret Councell of Rome could not bee kept so close but that the King of Nauarre had intelligences what was passed at Rome and therefore sendeth a Gentleman of his to the King with remembrances to aduertise him of the conspiracie already concluded at Rome against him and his estate Monsieur his brother in like manner informed him that there were things passed at Rome against him his Crowne and state Iohn Casimier Prince palatine out of Germany sendeth in like manner aduertisements vnto the King about the same matter and besides by Praillon giueth him notice of the drifts of the Leaguers which were to let the free holding of the States by corrupting of the Deputies and by letting that none of the Princes of the bloud or any that haue cause of complayning might appeare with free accesse Thus the Guizes furthering their busines by all
one Salcedo a Spanyard which before had escaped the gibbet of Roan for coyning false coyne with his false gold and siluer wrought by Alchimie fled into Spayne and from thence into Lorrayne where the Guizes hiered him for sixe thousand Crownes which they payed him at Nancie in Lorrayne to murther Monsieur This Salcedo therefore hauing his money and his lesson without the booke went into France proffered his seruice to Monsieur afore he went into the Lowe Countrey and at the recouerie of Cambray shewed some token of dexteritie and in the Low Countrey did all that could be to creepe into greater fauour with Monsieur But withall entered in familiaritie and communication with the yongest sonne of Egmond for which cause the sayd Egmond began to be suspected both of Monsieur and the Prince of Orenge who being examined by the sayd Prince about Salcedos familiaritie answered that their communications were about Alchimie The Prince with a certaine presagious minde replied that he feared that a more dangerous Alchimie would ensue of their familiaritie admonished the sayd Egmond to call to remembrance the dealing of the King of Spayne with his father The Prince of Orenge and Monsieur departed from Antwerpe to Bridges in Flanders where they arriued the 17. day of Februarie Now this conspiracie deuised at Rome confirmed in Spayne brought from thence by Frier Mathewe the Pardoner set in readines to Nancie in Lorrayne the Duke of Parma aduertized thereof thought good with one dayes worke to dispatch these two noble Princes He thought good to bring somewhat of his owne least the Leaguers onely should haue the glorie of this murther therefore to Salcedo he ioyned two companions knowing that a string twisted is not so easily broken These two fellowes were Francisco Baza an Italian of the band of Fernando Gonzago which was in the Campe of the petie Duke of Parma and a Wallon During the time these two Princes were in Bridges Salcedo aduanced himselfe so neere Monsieur that vpon suspition he was apprehended then stayed there in the Court without the sayd Italian and the Wallon tarying for Salcedo This Italian expecting with great desire when Salcedo should come foorth asked of another whether Salcedo were within still Answere was made that he was being asked the question whether hee knewe Salcedo When the Courtier was gone in againe the Italian entring in feare would haue fled but being suddenly layd hold on was examined and confessed the whole conspiracie Salcedo which would not know the Italian before now when he was accused by Baza sayd that the sayd Baza was a muletier and a lyer But Baza answered he would shewe before Salcedo his face such proofes of this matter that his declaratioÌ„s should be found true The malcontent Wallon fled away The 24. of Iuly the young Egmond being brought to the Court to Monsieur perceiuing how Salcedo had accused him reuealed all whatsoeuer Salcedo had opened vnto him Vpon which confession Egmond was committed prisoner to the Magistrate of the towne The 28. Francisco Baza the Italian was examined vppon the Racke who confessed and reuealed horrible things The 30. this desperat Italian with a knife which he had craftily gotten first strooke himselfe in the bellie nigh the nauell and after in the breast on the left side and so killed himselfe And immediatly after by the Magistrate of the Citie was condemned for a murtherer and a Traytor The Wallon malcontent named Nicholas Hugo alias de la borde being afterward taken and examined confessed the conspiracie The King vnderstanding what was done purposed and attempted sent two of his Counsell into the Lowe Countrey to Bridges to bring the said Salcedo into France tooke the paynes in his owne person to examine him and hauing by the said Salcedo his owne confession knowne what was intended at Nancie attempted at Bridges caused the sayd Salcedo to be condemned of treason by the Court of Parliament of Paris and by their sentence the sayd Spanyard Salcedo was drawne and torne with foure Horses There were also some prisoners at Paris about that matter About the same time or not long after one Monsieur de Muy being wounded at the siege of Fere the Duke of Guize went out of Paris in post to be his ghostly father and to giue him some good ghostly counsell not to tell tales out of the schoole nor to discouer holy mysteries The Archdeacon of Toul in Lorreyne named des Rosiers had written a booke of genealogies of the Lorreyns bringing them out of the belly of the house of Eroy to the defacing and disalowing the possession of the crowne by the Valoys About the same time the King sendeth the president Brulard to make his processe and by him was condemned of high treason but afterward by intercession made was quited by recanting and condemning his booke before the Kinges counsaile The Guyzes being thus disappointed of their driftes with the losse of 6. thousand crownes faint not for all y t but follow on their course for they must néeds to see an end of Monsieur whom they thinke to be such a blocke in their way as they cannot ouerlâ—ape without stumbling dangerously There was a holy woman in Paris by name Madam sainte Geneuieue who was so holy that both the King Henry the third and Monsieur his brother would often times goe a pilgrimage to her with much Romish deuotion but with litle honesty she must do the feat for the aduauncing of the holie League and vpholding of the holy Church The Guyzes therefore to spéede well must offer a candell to that Saint of Paris to bée good to them and to doe for them that which God would not doe at their earnest prayers to repaire to Monsieur which was thenat Chasteautierry vpon the riuer of Marne in Brie and that she should haue with her boxes of Concerues This blessed Virgin therefore tooke her iourney to Monsieur ward with her holy boxes with her shée was the more welcome to Monsieur because he had not séene her of a long time he being otherwise somewhat pensiuâ— for missing of his purpose in the low Countrey and for the losse of his credit which he left behinde him at Antwerpe yet for the recreating of him selfe with his olde acquaintance they must banquet together and haue a good merry day once ere they depart Shée came forth with her holy boxes where holy dregges of Rome had béene out of the which she gaue him a bole so hard of digestion that it did him no good for it did lie so heauie vpon his heart that he neuer left vomitting of blood as long as there remained life in him and in like maner as his brother Charles the ninth did before him he died the 10. day of Iuly on the which day his father Henry the second died 24. yeares before As soone as the King was certifyed of the death of his brother he sendeth the Duke de Espernon to the King of Nauarre to aduertise him that he held
rase but to shewe the vnaduised facilitie of that man who suffered himselfe to be so abused as to become a slaue and a Geta vnto the ambition of other men and by the same meane hath set his Countrey in the which hée did beare so many honors his naturall and lawfull Prince his house his kindred and familie so honorable ancient and famous in a miserable combustion and daunger to be rooted out for a vayne imagination to become a King But to returne to the purpose First they make him require the abolishing of the reformed religion and that the stablishing of the Catholike religion may not bee interrupted hereafter whatsoeuer alteration may happen in the succession of the Crowne they all of them I meane the Leaguers naming themselues falsly only except the Cardinall Bourbon Princes of the blood doo require that a Catholike successor may be nominated which to bee the Cardinall himselfe because he had as they supposed but few yeres to liue and therefore was not like to stand long in their way Secondly they doo require that the K. of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and their heires may bee declared incapable to succeede to the Crowne in case the King should dye without issue alleaging that they are heretickes and relaps And note that for the rest of the Princes of Bourbon to wit the Cardinall Vendosme the Earles Princes and Countie of Soyssons they doo exclude them from the succession of the Crowne because they are sonnes of an hereticke or otherwise contemptuously passe them ouer as not able to buckle with them The house of Monpensier is beyond the x. degree of aguation The King himselfe cannot liue long for they will prouide for that therfore the conclusion is easily to be inferred The Crowne is fallen in the laps of the Péeres of France they must procéede to election of a newe King And who should bee elected I pray you but Master Francis of Lorreyne Thirdly they do quarrell with the king for fauouring the Duke Espernon as though the king may not fauour but whom the Leaguers shall appoint him The cause they do pretend is that Espernon is a fauorer of heretikes that is to say he is too faithfull to the king for their turne Fourthly they do alleage that the Clergie Nobilitie and Commons are charged with intollerable bondage and exactions whom they would restore to their old dignity and liberty The king had geuen the gouernment of Prouance to Monsieur the great Pryor who had published the edict of peace according to the kinges commaundement and caused it to bee precisely obserued in his gouernment of Prouance But the Leaguers had drawen to their conspiracie a great number of that Countrey with Spanish pistolets and specially among others two noble men to wit Monsieur de Saultes and Vines These two applyed the market for the League in Prouance with Spanish Pistolets and woon on their side the Consul of Marseilles named Darius and a Captaine of the towne named Boniface The 9. day of Aprill these two heads of sedition came in the euening to the doore of one Boniface brother to this Captayne aforenamed who was the kings receauer in y t countrey with fained letters from Mōsieur great Prior which was at Aix the head towne in Prouance The said Boniface the kinges receauer came to the dore his owne wife carrying the Candel before him who was immediatly slaine by the said Captayne his owne brother the Consull Darius and their company at his owne doore and in his wiues presence This exploit done the Parricide himself with few of his owne company went vp to ransake the house and rifled all that was there to their lyking From thence with a company of seditious people armed they went to the houses of them of the reformed religion whom they lead with great violence and a great number of prisoners into the tower of Saint Iohn afterward made great hauocke of theyr goods The 10. day they tooke 4. of them more manly one named Chiousse and the other Antony Lambalent which they cruelly murthered and after that their bodyes had béen drawen through the stréetes at length they were cast downe ouer the walles into the towne ditch before the face of them who were detained prisoners in Saint Iohns tower intending to dispatch the rest in like sort the morow or shortly after The 11. day the seditious seaze vpon y e fort of Nostre Dame de la garde and wrote letters to Monsieur Vines praying him to come in all hast with some fortes to take the towne to the vse and kéeping of the League promising him their assistance The Duke of Neuers a man of his owne Countrey to wit an Italian did then lurke in Auignon and had procured 4. Galleyes of the Duke of Florence to be in readines in the hauen vnder the colour to goe to a maryage into Italy at the first newes to haue hasted out of Auignon and with his companie ioyning to Monsieur of Vines to haue made that towne sure for the kyng of Spaine according to their agreement when they cosened him of his Pistolets or else to some pety Duke of Italy There was a certayne man in the City of great wealth credit power named Boukier for feare of this man many of the chiefest citizens by reason of some particular displeasures standing in great distrust of him supposing that now he would take occasion to be reuenged of them fledde into the Abbey of Saint Victor But Boukier considering the daunger that the towne stoode in and the common perill of them all sent to them that had fled into the said Abbey aduertysing them that the time did not require to call to remembrance priuat iniuries assured them of his good-will and safety of his part and required their assistance in kéeping the said towne in the kinges obedience and to looke to the common preseruation of themselues These fearfull Citizens being so reconcyled and encouraged by this waighty occasion and ioyning together went to know of the said Consul Darius Captaine Boniface by what authority they did that which they had done And when they answered to haue done it by the commaundement of the grand Prior and could shew nothing for it they were apprehended and the same day letters were dispatched to the grand Prior being then at Aix to aduertize him of the intended and attempted treason and what had passed there The 12. day the graund Prior came from Aix to Marseilles with 2. hundred horses and a Chamber of the Parliament of Prouance who do hold their court there The 13. Day the said Chamber after due examination of the fact and euident knowledge and proofes of the offences there committed pronounced sentence of death against the said 2. heads of the treason to Darius Boniface which out of hand were executed Also they set at libertie them of there formed religion with commaundement on both sides to kepe the kinges edict and so by these meanes
e first declaration of y e Leaguers which he sent to the King beseeching him to reade the said answer and also to shew him y e fauour as to commaund the same to bee read openly in the Parliament Wherein first hée protesteth that hee holdeth the true Christian Catholike and Apostolike religion contayned in the sacred word of God both of the olde and newe Testaments and also doth embrace the symbols or abridgements of the Christian doctrine And that he is ready to bestowe life and goods in the defence of the same Abhorreth holdeth accursed any kind of doctrine diuers or contrary to the same words Secondly he sheweth that he was bred borne and brought vp in the same religion which they call heresie and that he neuer learned nor knew any other and that he beléeueth in his heart to righteousnesse and confesseth with his mouth to saluation that the same doctrine which he doth professe is the infallible trueth of God yet he refuseth not to be taught better if better they can teach him out of Gods word in a generall or nationall Councell duely assembled Thirdly in that which he doth in repurging and sweeping away the errors and abuses brought in by long continuance of time therein he followeth the examples of many Kings and Princes of many godly learned men who for these fiue hundred yeares haue desired and attempted the same Fourthly whereas his enemies doo charge him to be a persecutor of the Catholike religion he will bee iudged by all men voyde of passion who hath greater cause to complayne in that behalfe he or his enemies Last of all after a long consideration of the miseries which fall vpon the heads of men of all degrees and the oppression of the poore people which infallibly will followe these attempts of the Leaguers he doth wish seeing the enemies haue made him partie the quarrell which they haue to him might bee ended with a Combat And debasing himselfe from that high degree of a King in the which God hath placed him for an abridgement of all miseries the sparing of Christian bloud for the ease and quietnes of the poore people doth proffer to his enemies to trie the matter by a Combat betwéene him and the Duke of Guize or two to two ten to ten or more to more in like proportion It is reported how the Duke of Guize after the fight of this challenge being vrged to accept it excused his cowardize by the example of his father which in like case excused himselfe vpon the inequalitie of the persons To wit that it was not lawfull for him to accept that challenge at the hands of one of the Princes as being after the royall house in degree aboue all the rest of the Nobilitie But rather and more truely may it bee sayde that he who being not a Prince did reckon and write his name among the Princes or rather preferred himselfe before the Princes of the royall bloud did refuse this proffer not of any dutifull affection as he pretended whereof hee had broken before the bonds of lawe but rather vpon base cowardize for lacke of fortitude and courage as euer caring not what he spent of other mens bloud so that he might spare his owne These things passing to and fro many exploytes of hostilitie were done and executed on euery side rather to the losse than the aduauntage of the Leaguers being crossed euery way by the true subiects of the King Wherevpon considering that the worlde frowned vpon them so that if they had not the King on their side to salue the sore they were like to haue a great fall therefore they must followe some other course Hetherto the Guizes haue couered themselues vnder the Cardinals hat hauing deriued all the hatred so farre as they might vpon that old man whom they greatly abused Now when the Cardinals hat would not serue the turne they doo put in practise the other part of their dilemma as the Cardinall or the King must couer vs or els we fall but the Cardinall cannot ergo the King must And that the King may doo it we must set Achitophel to work therfore let him come vpon the stageto play his part The Kings Counsellers were eyther seruants to the Guizes or els alied or otherwise deuoted vnto him except the Dukes Espernon and Ioyeuse whereof the last afterward was woon to the Leaguers side Espernon remayned alwayes more faithfull to the King than the King to himselfe For the which cause by the meanes of a Curtizan in Paris named Sainte Beufue they hyred Villeroy one of the Kings Secretaries to haue murthered him so to haue béen eased of that heauy burthen These Counsellers must play Achitophels part they must helpe vp with the packe by the meanes which followe They in the middest of these broyles did of purpose attenuate the growing and forces of the League as a thing weake of it selfe rather to bee despised than regarded as not able to continue long but that it would decay of it selfe and that some certayne inconsiderate zeale of the Catholike Religion had made them somewhat passionate and for to make him more secure on y t side they deriued his thoughts from the Leaguers with a but. But if he would once shewe a token of displeasure towards them of the reformed religion or would onely fayne to intend warre against them the Leaguers of themselues would fall downe vpon their knees before him therefore it were better to let them alone for as much as they would bee ready to be with him whensoeuer he would employ them Also that it were better for him to warre against them of the reformed religion in Poytow Guien Gascoyne Languedocke and Daulphine than against them of his owne religion For although the Protestants were dutifull and obedient enough yet were it better to haue them for enemies being the weaker side than the Leaguers and Catholikes which were the stronger part of his Realme Beside that if he should deuide the Catholikes with an vnseazonable â—issention they all would become a scorne and the pray of hereticks their common enemies The King carried away by this counsell and otherwise inclining to attempt against them of the reformed religion ordayneâ— the Lord Ioyeuse his Generall for Languedock Espernon for Prouance and he in his owne person would assault Poytow Therfore the 18. day of Iune partly for hatred which he bare to y e reformed religion partly already inclining to the League partly not knowing what he did for y e great dangers that he saw himself compassed in by the perswasions of such Counsellers as had blindfolded him according to the saying Si non sua sponte insanit instiga For being in the Citie of Paris he taketh order how to victuall his Armie in Poytow for the which thing he appoynted certayne Townes in Poytow Xainctonge to wit Chatelerault S. Merxent Niort Fonteney Towars Engolesme Xainctes and Coignack there to haue alwaies in store a certayne quantitie of
Corne Dates and Wine as in store houses which order he sendeth to the sayd Townes to be put in execution The King being thus deluded by his Counsell and busying himselfe about these matters of warre agaynst them of the reformed religion whether it were in earnest or by dissimulation God knoweth but at length it turned to earnest he giueth leaue and time to the Leaguers to grow greater in strength and number and forgoeth the occasions and opportunitie to prouide for necessary remedies agaynst them These Counsellers at length when they saw time came once more vpon the stage And on a sudden they terrified the King agayne as of a thing happened beside their expectation with the great strength of the League shewing what great danger might insue if he should seeme to saile against that violent tempest Considering that the resolution of restoring the Catholike religion and of the suppressing the reformed had possessed generally the mindes of the people So that if he should seeme to withstand the zeale of the Leaguers for their treason was with them zeale of the popish religion he would be commoÌ„ly thought to be a fauourer of heretikes and thereby an vniuersall rebellion of his subiects might ensue to the vtter vndoing of him and his estate Therefore that as a good Pilot he must obey the weather and seeke for some reconciliation and make peace with them as much to his aduantage as the necessitie of the affayres may suffer him And that in such an extreame case hée must holde with the strongest side These and many other considerations propounded vnto him which had lost his authoritie and that by them which wholly ruled him through a iust iudgement of God for despising the voyce of him and for persecuting him by whom he raigned and from whom he had receiued all royall authoritie and soueraigne maiestie he began to wauer and hearken to some spéeches of vnion Thus the King through Gods iust iudgement and the pernicious perswasions of his vnfaithfull Counsell bewitched doth determine to make peace with enemies as good cheape as he may and for that thing he must seeke out some good chapman skilfull and practised in olde Italian trickes Therefore he thought that his Mother was most fit as most skilfull in such markets This accursed woman as she had alwaies an ambitious and busie soule so she had also a double mind by the which she studied to haue great thanks for doing no good and to kéepe her selfe in authoritie and in the possession of the gouernment thought it should cost her the subuersion of her owne house and children and the vtter desolation of the Realme For the which cause she thought to kéepe the King alwaies busied hampered in trouble vexation and daunger that she might alwaies haue thankes for her bad seruice The King as a naturall sonne put her alwaies in great trust iudging of her naturalnes and loue towards him as he did iudge of his towards her The Leaguers on the other side were assured that she would doo nothing for the Kings aduauntage and ease for feare she should bee no more employed Therefore she was well liked on both sides Up then old Medea you must shewe yet once againe some of your olde Italian trickes Old Catie must bee the market woman she shall make the bargayne But for as much as two eyes doo see more than one she shall haue some counsellers appoynted her in that negotiation such as would not suffer her to doo any good vnto the King and the Realme if she had béen willing so to doo for they were al the Kings enemies addicted to the Leaguers and such as would haue taught Italian trickes the busâ—est head of all Florence yea such as would haue sent the great Prophet of Italy Machiuell with all his diuellish Prophecies to his Christcrosse Now we will leaue the Q Mother with her counsell to doo their market as well as they can whilest wee discourse of some other matters incident to the cause and the time About the beginning of Iuly the King of Nauarre hearing of the Kings wauering and what was like to passe betwéene the sayd King and the League writeth a letter to him from Nerat the 10. day of Iuly in the which hee repeateth the Kings procéedings against the Leaguers as the condemnation proscription and execution of some of their partakers hée aduiseth the King that if hee make peace with the Leaguers hee armeth rebells agaynst himselfe his state and Crowne he doth lament the miserable state of him and of his Realme comforteth himselfe in his integritie and innocencie referreth all things to Gods diuine prouidence reposeth himselfe in the Lord and trusteth in God that he will assist him in his iust defence But this good counsell of the King of Nauarre will not serue his turne the King must followe the streame and will bee shortly promoted to a higher degrée For he shall be one of the fellowes of the League who shall pay for all and haue least to doo in it It is sayd before how the Papists and they of the reformed religion consented ioyntly to keepe the Castle of Marans Now about the beginning of Iuly the Lord S. Hermin had gathered together some thrée hundred men of the Leagued in Poytow to bring them to the Lord S. Luke into Browage as he sayd but indéede it was to seaze vpon the Castle of Marans and other Forts in the Iles. The sayd S. Hermines with them would haue passed through Marans but they of the religion withstood his passage and began to fortifie the Fort called Alowete so that hée was enforced to take his iourney through Maillezais and Ronde and in that iourney shortly after they were discomfited and slaine by them of S. Ihan d' Angely The night following the comming of S. Hermin nigh Marans there was a great alarum in the Towne and the Papists which were in the Castle to the number of fiue and twentie supposing that S. Hermin and his companie had entered the Towne began to reioyce sing and daunce at the sound of a bag-pipe which they caused to play the most part of that night threatning them of the religion who were but foure in number But these foure standing on their warde charged them not to make any innouation with them of the League so that not onely they kept the Papists in feare but also at length with a certayne amazement of them caused their pag-pipe to cease About the same time the Prince of Conde vnderstanding how things were like to passe betwéene the King and the Leaguers departed from Rochel to repayre to the King of Nauarre and leaueth the Lord Rohan in Poytow to ouerlooke and withstand the attempts of the Leaguers there The sayd Lord. Rohan about y t 12. of Iuly departed from Rochel with foure score horses and rode to Marauns to assure those Ilandes The Papistes had already seazed the fort called Brune where through the sayd Lord should passe but their hartes so
August he calleth to the bowre which is the Kings house the first and second presidents of his Parliament of Paris the Prouost of Paris the Deane of our Ladies Church and prayed the Cardinall of Guize to be present Who all being come in his presence hee made vnto them a short declaration of his will wherein he sheweth himselfe glad that at the instant request of his good and faithfull subiects he hath reuoked the edict of purification and yet cannot beleeue that at this time it will bee easier to execute this last resolution then the former Yet being incoraged and assisted with so many and so good men of all degrees he conceaueth some good hope which makes him enter into these actions And first to come to that which is expected of all men he dooth intend to haue three mightie armies the one for Guyen the other by himselfe the third vpon the borders of Germanie to let the passage of strangers which will amount to foure hundred thousands crownes a moneth Secondly that hee dooth not meane to vndoo himselfe alone but seeing that he hath admitted other mens counsell against his owne in breaking the edict of peace they must help him in maintaining of the warre Thirdly for that the first president of Parliament was one of the chiefest who procured the peace to be broaken neither he nor his felowes may looke to be paied of their stipends during the warre Fourthly for that the people of Paris had shewed so great reioysing at the breaking of the peace he commaundeth the Prouost of the Marchants to leuie vpon the inhabitants of the saide Citie the summe of two hundred thousand crownes for the charges of the warre Fiftly the King beholding the Cardinall of Guize somewhat with a stearne countenance he let him vnderstand that forasmuch as the heads of the Cleargie had chiefely cast him into this warre for his part he is content to beare the charges the first moneth but that the rest should be maintained at the costs of the cleargie and for that hee would neuer expect the Popes license When the King had staied in silence to heare what they would say they began to finde the matter strange Then the King with a token of indignation cried out it had been better said hee then to haue beleeued mee I feare me that when we goe about to put away the preaching we will hazard the Masse I were better then to make peace and I know not whether they will accept it when wee will proffer it so the meeting was ended The Priests being well stoared be like prouided within few daies voluntarilie yet more willing to haue paied nothing one milion of frankes for their portion Whilest these things were a dooing the King had sent three Noble men to the King of Nauarre to wit the Lords Leuoncourt Poigny and the president Barlart to trie their cunning whether they might induce the said King of Nauarre to ioyne with him both in forces and religion These Lords came to the King of Nauarre after his returne from S. Paul de Cadioulx to Nerak greeting him in the Kings name declared to him how the King did hold him as his sonne and heire of the crowne in case he should decease without issue And after they shewed the causes which moued the King to ioyne with the League which was the diuision of the Catholiks which would redound greatly to the preiudice of his estate and the vnquietnes of his Realme Thirdly that for the loue hee bare to him hee wisheth him reunited to the Catholick faith both for the good of his soule and also that hee might the more easily by the meanes of the Catholicks be established in the kingdome which otherwise would be hard for him to bring to passe Fourthly they goe about to perswade him to cause the exercise of the reformed religion to cease during the tearme of sixe moneths perfixed Fiftly they required him in the Kings name to surrender the townes which he did hold for the King The King of Nauarre with like courtesies answereth to the first that if it had been his Maiesties pleasure to haue vsed his seruice in the suppressing of the Leaguers he would haue shewed a proofe of his duetifull obedience towards him To the second he answered that from his cradle he hath been brought vp in the reformed religion in the which hee neuer knew any errour and yet hath and dooth proffer himselfe to bee taught by the word of God in a lawfull councell To the third demaund hee answered that the reformed religion was established by a solemne edict confirmed by an oath and that it was not in his power to let the exercise of the same therefore purposed to deale in that matter To the fourth hee answered that considering the mallice of his enemies towardes him he hath more neede to require others then to surrender those These Ambassadors also mooued the King of Nauarre that if he would conferre with the Q. Mother she would aduance as farre as Champaigne in Toureyne The King of Nauarre answered that he would goe as farre as Bergerake in Perigord Whilest these things passed to and fro many Nobles Gentlemen and others of both religions euen of the Kings companies retired from the Court home and among others the Prince Monpensier But the raging of the League and persecutions which encreased daily caused Henry de la tour Vicount Turenne to assemble some Forces in Limosine Perigord to whom many Captayne 's repayred out of the Countreyes about Limosine and Perigord and Quercye as the Lord Meriake with his regiment The selfe same causes enforced many Noble men and Gentlemen about Paris Niuernoys and all the countries betweene Seyne and Loyre many also out of Bourbonnoys and Berry being at the South side of Loyre accompanyed with many men of sundrye qualities and degrees to forsake their houses and take armes and the field and to repayre to these Prouinces that were of sure accesse vnto them These companies assygned the rendes vous in Berry intending thence to ioyne to the king of Nauarre in Gascoyne They were all Gentlemen Hargebusiers on Horsebacke betweene two or three hundred The men of Marke in these companies were the Lord of Pueilles Fort Laborde Landes Tauennes and others These companies of France marching toward Gascoyne ioyned with the Vicount Turenne about the end of August who within a litle space of time did encrease to the number of fiue or sixe thousand men About the same time another company of Noble men and Gentlemen likewise retyred out of their houses accompanyed with great troupes of souldiers and gaue the rendes vous in Berry among them these were the chiefest of name the Lords D'ouant Roysdulie Sauiere Campoys and diuers others which ioyned with the Prince of Conde being then at Pons in Xainctonge The Lord Montgomery with his company went as farre as to the king of Nauarre into Gascoyn his brother the Lord of Orges went to the Prince
that Crowne considering the great strength of the Catholikes and how eagerly they are bent agaynst the reformed religion If she heareth the same answere of him which Sathan heard of Christ then will she take the second weapon of her warre in hand which is Disuniting for if the sayd King will not consent vpon the proffer of peace to abolish the exercize of the reformed religion then she will render him odious with infamous Libels throughout France both to them of the reformed religion and also to the Catholikes for both were desitous of peace so she imagineth that by these meanes she might disunite them from the King of Nauarre laying to his charge that it rested but in him that France was not at rest If this would not serue neither then she thought sure that the third would doo the feate which was to abuse the true intentions of the sayd King of Nauarre that holding him long about the hope of peace and whilest he should labour about it he might be surprized by some poynt of Italian valour and if not his partakers would bee so weakened in the Prouinces with these armies that either he would not be able hereafter to defend himselfe or withstand his enemies or els that hee would bee inforced by this weakning to accept at their hands a most disaduantagious peace And to begin withall she sendeth to the Lords Monpensier and Monmorency willing them to dispose the heart of the sayd King to peace as she sayd which thing was diuersly taken For the Leaguers feared the authoritie of the Prince Monpensier mistrusting that by these meanes the Queene vnawares would vnite him to the head of his house They of the religion feared his facilitie that he was made a meane for peace least hée should ioyne himselfe to the King of Nauarre in this quarrell and warre raised by the Leaguers to destroy the house of Bourbon so that by one thing both parts tooke occasion to distrust this message Assoone as the negotiation of peace began the practizes of the Leaguers began also to interrupt the peace which they greatly feared For after the message of these two Lords the Abbot of Gadaigne was sent to the King of Nauarre for no Tragedie can be wel played without a Priest who being wel entertayned at Rochel by the sayd King euery man began to hope well of that thing which was so greatly desired But when the Q. Mother came to Cheuonceau a towne lying vpon the riuer Chere which falleth in Loyre beneath Tours all this hope vanished away like a lightming For then the hatred and deceitfull meaning of the Q. Mother was discouered which had lien hid vnder those courteous messages For the Abbot of Gadaigne was sent to Browage there to play Symons part if he could but his going thether was much suspected of the Rochelers The victualling also of Browage was taken for a stoare house against their Towne There was a Gentleman named la Roche the lesser who went many voyages betwéene the King of Nauarre and the Q. Mother to agree of the place and other meanes of the interuiew The Q. by little and little did draw nere to Xainctonge the King of Nauarre would haue aduaunced as farre as Champaigne in Tourene so that the Marshall Byron who had passed Loyre to assault Poytow would retire beyond Loyre and that thing he required for his securitie The Queene would that he should trust in her the King willed her to trust in him she aleaged her good will he aleaged his fidelitie innocencie who did neuer breake his word toward any person Shee did lay to his charge that he was the cause that the parley could not be brought to passe He answered that it did stay but in her that France was not in quietnes that he was ready to see her so that it were in a sure place and that his way might be sure Whilest these thing passed so betweene thē by messengers some counselled the King of Nauarre to help Chastilion which was then besieged by the Duke d'Mayne others willed him not to take heede to her deceitefull words and to expect the same courtesies which he had receaued heretofore at their hands It is saide before how that among those fiue armies which were prepated in Aprill and May the commaunder Chastre was appoynted to furnish a Nauie in Britain well prouided And in August as they were taking order for the place and manner of the interuiew this Nauy on a suddaine came before Rochel which thing was the cause that all was on the point to bee broken The King of Nauarre complained to the King by the Lorde Riaulx beseeching his Maiestie to call back that armie shewing that hee could not leaue a towne of such importance as that was in that state without seeking for the quietnes and safety thereof The armie notwithstanding remoued not thence as long as they had any prouision of victuals whatsoeuer meanes the King of Nauarre made for it but at length in the moneth of Nouember the famine made them hoyse vp sailes and not the Kinges commaundement The selfe same day that the Nauie tooke vp ancker Captaine Arman was taken with letters of the Queene to the commaunder Chastre by the which hee was commaunded not to depart or else not to goe farre from Rochel these letters fell into the hands of the King of Nauarre Hee notwithstanding ouercomming with patience all these occasions which hee might take to refuse the parely he offered to see the Queene vpon the conditions aboue said requiring that in the meane time there should no act of hostilitie be done of either sides The Queene required a truce to be taken and published The King of Nauarre answered that he could not consent thereunto for as much as hee had promised to his partakers to enter into no agreement of peace without their aduise and consent shee found to her thinking that answer very strange Thus like the Carthagenians who wept when they should pay tribute to the Romans but were not moued at all when they yéelded themselues tributaries to them For when the King of Nauarre answered to the Kings messengers that he would stay yet sixe moneths for the Kings succour afore hee would employ his friends and that he would first be demaunded of peace before he would resolue himselfe to warre Now when shee findes that hee hath giuen his word she weepeth it had been better to haue wept when the edicts were broken the innocent iudged guiltie the obedient rebels and the iust malefactors After much a doo the Q. Mother graunted certaine pasports which the King of Nauarre demanded for to aduertise his friends what he was in hand to doo At the selfe same time shee caused the truce to be proclaymed which almost mard all for the King of Nauarre suspected that vnder colour of that truce shee would stay the leauie of the Germanes Thereupon the King of Nauarre shewed vnto her that this truce had a respect vnto a
to him appertayneth and to bereaue the king of the faythfullest friend and seruant hee had But they will not haue such men as I am aboue the king sayd he for thereby they should be miserable he should be better serued and all his subiects better gouerned To this answere the Queene replyed nothing but went about to make himselfe feele the discommodities which hee suffered by meanes of that religion which hee professed I beare them willingly said hee when you haue layed them vpon me as it seemeth to ease your selfe Atlength she reproached him that he did not in Rochel what he would Yes Madam said he for I will nothing but what I should The Duke of Neuers tooke the word that he could not set an impost in Rochel True sayd he for wee haue no Italians among vs. After these speaches shee opened vnto him agayne a generall truce for a yeare on that condition that there should bee no exercise of the reformed religion within the realme and within that time the states should be called He answered that if they of y t religion should so lightly geue ouer their holdes that the League would bee stronger the king weaker and the states more vnprofitable Also that it were impossible to cease the religion in France except it were by a counsell duly assembled So he taking his leaue of the Queene she oftē tymes repeated the same speeches which she had with the Vicount Turenne willed him to let the nobility which folowed him vnderstand of it which thing themorow after he did with great griefe fearing to cause some alteration in theyr mindes After that hee sent two noble men of the mildest spirites in all his troupes to wit the Lords Mauguyon Force to witnes vnto her what sorrow euery one of them had conceaued to see things reduced to such an extreame resolution and also to knowe whether they had any other thing to hope of the power which the king had giuen her The Queene seeing that all was vpon the poynt to be broken said that shouee wld send the Lord Ramboullet to the king to know his last determination She after told the Prince Monpensier that all which she had sayd to the Vicount Turenne was but by the way of discourse dissembling to haue had such speeches in playne tearmes to the king of Nauarre and willed the sayd Prince to let the king of Nauarre vnderstand that shee had a great desire to see him agayne and also prayed him to make meanes of some prorogation of truce which thinge the sayd Prince shewed to the king of Nauarre when hee went to take his leaue from him These double dealings of the Queene was diuersly spoken for some thought to content the League she would not open the meanes topeace Others thought that her Counsell being Leaguers fed her with new hope grounded vpon the afflicted affayres of the religion promising her at length to obtaine a peace to the kinges contentation so they lead her closly to entertaine a warre profitable for the League The Lord Rambouillet returned from the court brought the oth which the king had sworne in the solemnities of the order of the holy ghost neuer to consent to the exercise of the reformed religion at whose returne the Q. Mother was very important to haue a third parley with the king of Nauarre geuing forth that the returne of the Lord Rambouillet should be agreeable to him to the which thing hee was very vnwilling to condescend supposing the hope which he had conceaued of that interuiew would be if not lost yet farre wide out of the way They of his side discouraged him fearing that he would not only continue the speaches which shee had vttered before and also to reiterate often times the truce hauing aduertizements that the truce was sent into Germany and Suisserland Others aduised him that she held him in hand about a treatie of peace in the meane time to prepare warre against him That shee proposed him of hard conditions to induce him to breake off and by that meane to make him hatefull to all France as the onely hinderer of the peace thereof Some others gaue him notice that she solicited the next townes and cities to execute the kinges last edict and that fayning to seeke the common benefit of the state she did much hurt in particular to the state of Rochel Vppon this earnest sute of the Q Mother in Februarie the Leaguers tooke by force the Towne of Vouans and fayre Montau the which being places of no importance caused men to suspect some treachery The K. of Nauarre also thought that hee might not expect y t they would giue him any good thing which tooke so great pains to take away so litle from him notwithstanding the Queene did so presse him that hee graunted the third interview either to make the world know and see that the fault was not in him if they did not obtayne peace or else that he perswaded himselfe that the Queene would not take so much paines to bring him ill newes Shee therefore tooke her iourney to Fontenay The 20. of February the king of Nauarre came to Marans accompanied with many noble men and company of Rochelers about threehundred men guyded by the Lord Gargoleau and other Captaynes hauing the Colonels ensigne of Rochel his comming thether was to parley with the Q. Mother which was already at Fontenay But for because the interuiew was to be made first in the I le Ellen and after for her ease at the Fort Veluyre the Lordes Biron and Sarisack with many other came to the king of Nauarre to agree of the place As the will to see one another did encrease so the mistrust did growe in their counsels For the Q. Mother or rather some of hers did feare to goe to the place where the Rochelers were stronger And for as much as it was reported that the Ensigne Colonell was at the foord Veluyre they made as though they did feare to approach considering also that the Rochelers had set vp strong Barriers for the safetie of the King of Nauarre These things she pretended to bee the causes that she would not come thether But in very deede she and hers sawe not there the commoditie how to execute that which they pretended to doo The King of Nauarre did feare the entrances and turnings of these Marishes for the naturall situation of that countrey is such that a man may doo a feate without great hazard Whilest these going too and fro were betwéene them the League tooke the alarum by these actions of the Q. but partly to let the peace which they did greatly feare and partly seeing some occasion to execute their intended purpose did conspire against the Kings person The Q. Mother perceiuing that she could not execute that for which she was sent for no doubt she neuer entended to make any peace but to commit some treacherie vpon the King of Nauarre his person and by the iust iudgement of God
men money and munition That this was the argument that the Catholikes were betrayed that the King was corrupted by counsell and that he hated and despised them whom hee should loue and embrace and that he had intelligences with the heretickes And that if he would not dishenerite and degrade the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde then there was no cause why the Catholikes should commit their liues to a dissembling King who had nothing in his tongue but warre and in his hart did seeke for peace with heretikes And therefore they cryed out that the enemie was at hand and stoode at the doore and that omitting and leauing all others he onely was to be assaulted This was the text whereupon the Friers Priests and Iesuits made their chattering discourses in the pulpets This was the lesson which his fauourers should repeate with great vehemencie among men of all degrees when they met in companie By these false reports and trayterous slaunders much hatred and misliking of his gouernment was procured to the King Yet considering that both he and his partakers were very néere daunger the Q. Mother was sent out of Poytow where she had béen parlying and brawling with the K. of Nauarre foure or fiue moneths seeking occasion to make her Italian pipes play She in great hast fearing the breaking of good fellowship betwéene the King and the Duke of Guize for by such frayes she had kept her selfe alwayes in authoritie commeth to the Court and by the Leaguers who were about the Kings person easily doo perswade him to holde with the Leaguers and so once more the heads of the Leaguers do obtayne securitie and doo pause a while wayting for a better opportunitie For as much as the voyage and practizes of the Q. Mother agaynst the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde in the parley and interuiew at Saint Brice could not bring to passe the effects pretended her returne to Paris and the intelligences of the leauie of the Germanes gaue matter vnto the King to enter into newe deliberations to defend the Leaguers For without his counsell power and countenance they had béen reduced to that plunge as they had neuer béen able to get out With this newe yeare therefore 1587. we will begin this fourth booke which will shewe marueilous tempests and euents to haue béen brought foorth to the small aduantage of Gods enemies yet to the great furtherance of that rebellion which hath ensued wrought and procured by the Leaguers But first wee will speake and begin by the exployts of warre which had béen done specially in Daulphine and then wee will returne to pursuing of the great stirres and preparations of this yeare It is said before how the Duke Espernon appointed for Daulphine and Prouance did there what hee could and in displacing the Leaguers out of many townes and holdes he did good seruiâ—e to the King but seeing that warre in that countrey to be endlesse committing the remnant of his forces to his brother the Lord Valete repayred to the King in Nouember 1586 after the siege of Sorges After his departure out of Daulphine the Lorde Diguieres recouered the towne of Sorges and imployed three-moneths to wit Ianuarie Februarie and March in visiting the countrey viewing of the places fortifying the holdes and repairing the ruines which the armies had made the yeare before looking to haue a new armie vpon his back the spring folowing which notwithstading came not to passe by reason that the King made all preparations which could bee possible against the Germanes both in the heart of France and on the way which they should come in to receaue them with small courtesie This thing caused that the Lord des Diguieres had apportunitie to doo great things this yeare 1587. in that Prouince as foloweth In the beginning of Aprill the Lorde Diguieres tooke the Castel of Champer two Leagues from Grenoble at which time the Court of Parliament there opened a way to a truce which notwithstanding did not let the exploytes of war for as much as in the meane time the said Lord Diguieres brought three pieces of batterie to Nants to batter Venterol towne and Castell but they surrendred themselues before they saw the cannon The 7. of May the companie of men of armes of the Lorde Diguieres conducted by the Lorde Poligny his Lieutenaunt and the companie of the Lord Rosse a popish Gentleman lead by himselfe did drawe foorth to skirmish the Garison of Saults There they killed sixe skore men among whom there were twentie of commaundement tooke sixe prisoners and wel nigh had entred into the towne mingled with the enemies all this was done with the losse of one man onely of the religion The 31. and last of May the Castell of the Lord Menestrier strong and situated vpon a rock builded againe at the charges of the Countrey to keepe them of the religion in bondage was rendered by composition and rased after it had sustayned 14. dayes siege by the Lord Diguieres assisted by the Lords Brikmaut Morges and others A little before that the Pont of Coignet surprised few dayes before by the Lorde Valete was yeelded at the diseretion of the Lorde Diguieres The towne of Quinsieur in Merindol was compassed about by the Lorde Gouernet and a while after the Lord Diguieres assisted with the Lordes Poet Blacons Montbrune Vacheres Brikmaut the younger and the troupes of the Prouince there conducted three pieces of artilerie at the ariuing and sight of the the which towne was surrendred with their safetie and the Castell at discretion The 18. Beniuay was surrendered likewise The 19. the townes of Pierrelongue and Esgalieres were taken The 22. Ionquieres a towne belonging to the principalitie of Orange was compassed and the same day taken after it had sustained 25. voleys of Ordinance Gygondas also was rendered at the newes of rendering of Ionquieres The 23. Poet Laual was besieged and after it had sustained one hundred and fiftie shot of two field pieces at length was surrendred the 29. of the same moneth although that the breach was not sufficient and that they who besieged had set vp the ladders and after tooke them vp with further assault The thirteenth day of Iuly the Lorde Valete tooke Pierrelongue by composition after sixe score shotte of pieces of battery They who were within the towne came foorth with their armour their stuffe and baggage safe their Ensigne open the drumme playing and their match fired The eightenth day the Lord Diguieres went to Oste a towne vnwalled and bestowed the rest of the moneth in fortifiyng of that place wherein he imployed the Lord Vacheres to make warre against the towne of Cerf halfe a mile distant from that place The Lord Chastilion hauing gathered certain forces in Languedock to ioyne with the Suissers who were comming into Daulphine was expected vpon the Rosne by all the forces of Daulphine from the 19. of Iuly The Lord de Poet gouernour of the towne of
they were not able to withstand so great a power and that they might be vndone ere euer they should perceaue it vseth two shifts to auoide the tempest hee sawe comming First writeth a letter full of flattering prayers protestations and feare for he with an humble stile endeuoureth to make the king beleeue that he had been gentle and tractable neuer refusing the means of a good peace Thē he prayeth the King to thinke no hurt in that which they had done as not proceeding from any malice but rather frō zeale of the Catholike Religion and inflaming him to oppose himselfe and all his forces against the Germanes the auncient enemies of the Realme promiseth him for that purpose a strong ayde and succour against them Last of all hee fayned himselfe his partakers and all the Catholikes to stand in great feare of a successour vnknowen and like to be much inferiour vnto him and an enemie of the Catholike Religion and that if hee would resolue his subiects in that matter doo assure him that all things would prosper and succeede after his owne wishing The King with his armie of Catholikes should stay for them in Berry and keepe their passages ouer the Loyre but should suffer them to goe forward betweene the riuers of Sene Loyre that at length when they had gone forward in that sliue betweene the said two riuers the Catholikes on the one side and the Leaguers on the other side following after them either should enforce them through difficulties to retyre homeward the selfe same way that they came or else by some occasion or surprize should oppresse them The Duke Ioyeuse with his armie should goe to get the aduantage betweene the K. of Nauarre and the Germanes Upon this occasion the Duke Ioyeuse as is sayd repayred to Paris there to haue his instructions to receaue the Kings commandements According to this orer the Duke Mercure almost then king of Britaine taked out of Britaine as many Leaguers as he could and being sent vnto the Duke of Guyze vnder the conduct of the Lord Hautboys they miscaried by the way for about the beginning of September they were met and slayne by the King of Nauarre being then at Monsorean During which time of the soiourning of the King of Nauarre at Mōsoreau the Duke Mercure tooke his iourney out of Britaine to ioyne with the armie of the Duke Ioyeuse his brother in law who hauing encreased his armie with a new supplie of men of armes artillery and inunicion stayed at Tours to march against the King of Nauarre The Vicount Turenne hauing intelligence thereof set vpon him and tooke his rich carriage nigh Saumur and shortly after the sayd King of Nauarre hauing receaued the County of Soyssons with his French companies returned to Xainctonge and so went to Rochel where after he had remayned some dayes at length he departed thence the tenth of October there he tooke some peeces of artillery and going through Taillebourg repayred to Pons where hauing assembled and mustered all his forces determined to passe into Gascoyne partly to gather more forces in going partly to ioyne with his army of Germans which were already farre entred into Bourgundy passing through the Prouinces which were fauourable to him For to execute this determination it was needfull for him to passe the riuers Droune and Lisle which were the nearest with resolution to fight with Ioyeuse if neede were The Duke Ioyeuse had aduaunced already to Saint Mexent when the king of Nauarre departed out of Rochel and knowing the intent of the said King of Nauarre thought to cut his way and with great iourneys passing through Poytow Engomoys came to Barbesieulx so to Rochechalays in Perigord with commaundement as he sayd not to spare the extremity of the battayle if other meanes would not serue concluding that by the ouerthrow of the king of Nauarre which hee made sure in his conceit the army of the Germans would not bee able to continue The chiefest aduantage in this exployt was to passe ouer the sayd riuers for it seemed that hee who first might goe ouer these two Riuers would haue great aduantage vpon the other for the which cause the king of Nauarre vsing that prouidence and accustomed diligence which doth render him admirable accompanied with the Princes of Conde and Soyssons the Lords Trimouille and Turenne and others taketh his way to passe the riuer Droune and lodged at Archiak and Montlieu and other places thereabout The Marshall Matygnon had geuen counsell to the sayd Ioyeuse to seaze vpon Coutras a towne and castell situated somewhat aboue the meeting of the sayd riuers Lisle and Droune a place of importance Both the King of Nauarre and Ioyeuse did striue to get that towne the one did striue to passe ouer the riuer Droune the other to stop the passage thereof The Lord Ioyeuse caused his light horses to aduaunce to the place who arryued there one hower sooner then he could haue done himselfe But as they were taking theyr lodginges there they found the companyes of the king of Nauarre which came thither also to whom the enemy gaue place quickly as beyng the weaker The king of Nauarre therfore passed his forces ouer the foord of Droune but the Duke Ioyeuse hauing great desire to do some great exployt and considering that the king of Nauarre was inclosed betweene two great riuers he promised himselfe an assured victory of him as not able to auoyd any way Therefore he giueth the rendes vous the morrow morning after beyng the 20. of October to a certayne place betweene Rochechalays and Coutras The day being come he tooke his place for the battayle with as much aduantage as he could choose within halfe a league of Coutras Here is the place the persons the causes and euentes to be consideres The place is in the very edge of Xainctonge where he had committed horrible and sauage cruelties and other excesses against them of the reformed religion which haue no names in any language The persons were Leaguers for the most Atheistes walking among them vnder colour of zeale of popish religion men besides polluted for the most part with the bloud of the Saynts which they had spilled like water vpon the earth and other abominations which follow treasons Idolatry Atheisme they were more in number without comparison better armed and furnished with all necessaryes The causes were that after they had for these foure yeares refused all reasonable offers of the king of Nauarre they hated him without a cause they did draw theyr tongues and swords agaynst the God of heauen and his Gospell with a Ciclopicall rage Therefore Adrasta did stay them in that place swolen with pride arrogancie contumelie vaine hope and confidence in the arme of flesh which could not deliuer them There they do◠prooue the force of the God of Battels and drinke a harty draught or rather a carowse of the Dregges of Gods wrath and iustice least that theyr abominable
which pleased him so that euery one in his owne person did some honorable exployt in this victorie This victorie was the more honorable vnto the sayd King of Nauarre that it was not bloudie to him For so great number being slaine on the side of the enemies he lost a very small number of either horsemen or footmen of his own And among that small number there was not found one of marke or commandement On the other side all the chiefest were slaine wounded or taken except Lauerdine who saued himselfe with much a doo Captayne Mercure while they were in battaile ran to Contras to seaze vpon the king of Nauarre his baggage supposing that the Duke Ioyeuse had gotten the victorie But when he heard the crye of victorie for the King of Nauarre he went out in hast and following the bancke of the riuer Droune toward Rochechalays saued himselfe by flight and shame The victorie was pursued three houres and more in the which pursuing were slaine and taken a great number the ordinance was carried away and the baggage lost After the returne from pursuing of the enemie thankes were giuen to GOD vpon the place of the battell the wounded were taken vp the dead buried the campe of the enemie burned vp But that which filled the measure of the King of Nauarre his vertue and honour was that hee shewed himselfe no lesse courteous and gentle toward the prisoners and wounded than hee had shewed himselfe valiant in the fight Let them who haue tried him by experience giue the testimony thereof who also haue acknowledged by effect y e good affection which he beareth to good French men discerning by a wise prudence all good men from the conspiring and traiterous Leaguers enemies of the state He commaunded the wounded to be diligently dressed and attended he sent away almost all the prisoners without any raunsome he gratified many of the chiefest to some he rendered their Ensignes namely vnto the Lord Montigny If he could haue guided the lot of armes in the battell many were left there vpon the place to whom he would haue willingly forgiuen For there was seene in him in this prosperous successe not one token of insolencie or passion which is commonly the mother of crueltie Here foloweth the names of the most notable men who dyed in this battell The Lord Ioyeuse general of the army and Saint Suuer his brother Bressay Roussay County of Suze County Ganelo County Aubjyou Fumel Neufuy in Perigord the elder Rochefort Gurat Saint Fort. Vaulx Lieutenant of Bellegard The Ensigne bearer of the Lorde Montigny Tierceline master of the Campe. Chesner Valade Baculard Champel the younger Pluuiault Brangerie Al these were lords hauing charg in y e army w t many other men of Mark. These folowing were taken prisoners and wounded Bellegard taken wounded and afterward dyed Saint Luke The Marquis of Prennes County Monsoreau Sansak Cipiere Saultray Montigny Villecomblin Chasteaurenauld Maumont Parriere Chasteauuieulx Chastelou Auuerdiere All these were men of commaundement Beside these were a number of Gentlemen Captaines and other men of name part of them slaine part taken The body of Ioyeuse was embaumed and brought to Paris God in that day and place rained from Heauen his fearefull iudgements and made them of France who loue the bloud of ciuill warres to knowe that in the end the losse is common and that such pestilence destroyeth the authors thereof The King being at Gien vpon Loyre aboue Orleans with his armie to withstand the Germans at the passage of Loyre receaued newes that the two armies had met and it was first reported that it was but a little skirmish where the King of Nauarre was put to the worst But the trueth could not be hidden long for at length it was knowne to all men that the King of Nauarre had obtayned the notablest victory which was yet in all the ciuill warres of France for the defence of the religion with an irrecuperable losse of them who would haue it rooted out The Court kept a great mourning thereof which qualified well the great ioy that they had for the ouerthrow of the Germanes which they had promised to theÌ„selues After this victorie the King of Nauarre folowed his purposed iourney into Gascoyne for the causes afore said he brought with him the best part of all the companies hee was accompanied with the Prince of Soissons The Prince of Conde repayred into Xainctonge for to assemble moreouer al that he might and to be at the appoynted rendes vous when they should take their iourney toward the armie of the Germains vpon the riuer of Lisle and afterward willing to goe further for to haste with great diligence his way he left the bodie of his forces with the Vicount Turenne who loosing neither time nor occasion tooke many places vpon the said riuer and in the rountrey round about which hee reduced vnder the power of the King of Nauarre Here foloweth the names of the places taken by force or composition after the battell of Coutras The house and mill of Auber demont nigh Coutras was rendered by composition there were garisons placed The Mill of Penot beaten downe The Mill of Cause taken and the fortifications destroyed The Castell and Mill of Saint Seuerine forsaken by night of them who did holde it Captaine Roux commaunded there for the King of Nauarre The new Mill giuen ouer and burned to the very foundations with all the moueable goods and victuals which were within whereby many men were vndone hauing lost their euidences The Mill of Coâ—y put vnder the protection of the King of Nauarre with the condition to make no warre there The Uicount Miles answered for it The Mill of Meneplet did the like vpon the same condition so did the mill of Vauclere The house of Captaine Fay. The Abbey of Vauclere The Church of Saint Laurens The towne and Abbey of Guistre taken by force and a Garison put there Saint Denis was forsaken and a Garison put therein Lapalays taken by assault after threeskore and fiue shot of Ordinance there were about 31. persons killed and 32. hanged for the great outrages and violences committed therein and many other reasons which were found worthy of Iustice the strong holde the Church and the towne wholy consumed with fire with all the fruites and goods which were within for that it was a very den of theeues and robbers The Castell of Vigneron rendered by composition and a Garison put therein The towne and Church of Puisiguin sustained the siege a day and a halfe was rendered to diseretion there were some executed iudicially for the great iniuries and complaints laide against them The Lord Semens who was wont to be one of the pillers of the League in that countrie brought the rest there abouts to the seruice of the King of Nauarre and did shew himselfe more adicted to the said King of Nauarre then he did euer to the contrarie side The fort and towne of Lussak forsaken
thousand more entring already into France with foure thousand Rutters which were euery day expected he must needes prouide money for them For these shameles Mercenaries who sell themselues to dye at other mens commaundement neuer considering the iustice of the cause will make no warre longer than they are fed with money Considering the great charge which he through euil couÌ„sell had drawen vpon his armes he gathered a great summe of mony vpon the Courts of his Parlâ—aments wherewith he payed those Souldiers But whilest the K. was so busie to fight against the God of battells his Sonne whome he had anoynted vpon his holy hill Sion and pollâ—d his iudges and Magistrates that they might recouer money with aduantage by peruerting indgement Beholde a preamble of that rebellion which followed against him in Paris the moneth of Maie next ensuing There was a certaine Masse Priest Parson of Saint Seuerine at the lower ende of Saint Iames streate named Preuost who preached most seditiously against the King and certain other Lords who were his faithfull seruaunts without any respect of persons degree or dignitie This Priest being threatned to be had before the King a certaine notarie made a great assembly both of armes and men for to defend the Priest The King being aduertized of this misâ—emeanour commanded one of the porters of his chamber accompanied with two Archers of his garde to goe to the sayd Notary to bid him come to speak with the King They which were assembled in the Notaries house seeing the sayde company to enter into the house set vpon them with great violence and enforced them to saue their liues by flight â—rying arme arme and so put al the side of the Vniuersitie in such a wonderfull commotion that there was nothing else to be hoped but a tragicall euent and afterwarde vntill the 8. day of the sayd moneth the whole Citie was in an vprore keeping watch al night at the corners of the streates Now to returne to the course of the history The King hauing three great mighty armyes and no money to entertaine them turned himâ—elfe to the olde shifts broughâ— into France by the Cardinall of Lorreyne and paltring Italians who came with the Q. Mother and gouernd King Henry the second father to this King at their pleasure when they were disposed to make him a slaue to their passions For the ninth of September the King went to Parliament for to establish fifteene Edicts among the which there were three notable the first was of the establishing 27. Secretaries The second was to choose the sixt chamber of enquests consisting of twenty counsellers and two presidents The third was the creation of the Masters of accounts with two presidents out of the which estates he made his reckoning to pluck two Millions of golde Where thou mayest see gentle Reader in what miserable state France was then from the highest to the lowest The Leaguers secretly agaynst the king They openly made warre agaynst God distroyed his subiectes to bring to passe his owne subuersion and to hide the treasons of his enemies refusing to harken vnto any motion of peace proffered him by the king of Nauarre or to any good counsels and for to maintayne this his enterprises iustice must be peruerted by plurality of offices which is one of the principallest pillers of kingdoms by the which magistracy is vpholden mans society entertayned As concerning the armies which were in hand that which should bee lead by the king himselfe consisted of foure score and eight companyes of men of armes and ten thousand footmen twelue thousand Swissers 4. thousand Rutters he caryed twelue double Canons and two thousand Pioners and about the 1. of September the companies began to repayre to Montereau faut Yoynne with commaundement to stay there abouts about Sens in Bourgony vntill his comming and then to repayre all to S. Florentine there to be mustered The king sent to Marshal Biron to Montereau to view the place where they should campe for the king had determined to campe alwayes and for that cause all the Lords had prouided tentes He tooke for his counsel the Lords Villeroy and Bruslard secretaries the Dukes Espernon Danuile Retes and the Marshals Biron and Aumont The Prince Soyssons was with the king of Nauarre and the Prince County was in NormaÌ„dy Mayne Aniow to gather as many companies as he could to ioyne with the Germans knowing well that these great armies were specially prouided to destroy the house of Bourbon vnder the colour of defending the popish religion The Duke d'Aumaule was appoynted Colonel of the Swissers this armie went not further Eastward then Sens from thence turning South and West ward and crossing the Countrey of Auxeroy and Gastinoys passed Loyre into Berry after the determinatiun of the Germanes was knowne As for the third armies thus is it the Duke of Guize Lorreyne at the beginning of September were at Nancy there they had between 20. and 25000. men among them were many horsemen there they receaued 400. Launces of the Duke of Parma all olde Souldiers 2000. footemen Italians and betweene sixe or seauen hundred light horses they made no great account of the Italians the sonne of the Lord Antragues gouernour of Orleans about the 15. of September brought vnto the Duke of Guize beside horsemen about 700. footemen when a little before all the companies of the Leaguers of Britayn sent vnto him by the Duke Mercure vnder the conduct of the Lord Hault Boys were discomfited by the King of Nauarre nigh Monsoreau vpon Loyre as is before reported The army of Germans for y e king of Nauarre when it departed out of Germany was of fiue thousand Rutters fiue thousand Launceknights armed with corsâ—ets and launces sixteene thousand Swissers foure thousand harquebusiers on horsebacke and about thre hundred horses of French men But after they had passed the mountayne of Sauerne the further it went forward the more it did encrease for the Lord Mouy brought two thousand Harquebusiers French men on horsbacke The L. Villeneufue Cormon one thousandand the Lord Lours one thousand The Lord Chastilion the 22. of September brought to it fifteene hundered Harquebusiers about 200. horses so that the totall summe myght amount to 34. or 35. thousand besides the companies which the Prince County brought afterward They had 16. pieces of ordinance to wit foure great culuerines eight field pieces and three peeces which were taken from Salabrine The Lieutenant of the King of Nauarre was the Prince Bullion assisted with a counsel consisting of these which follow the Lordes Guitri Oneaulx Cleruan Beauuoys la Nocle Vezins Digoyne Louet Ramboillet Laube Cheuorles Huguery and Beauuieu This army was the terror of the one side and the hope of the other and yet both were disappointed of their expectation For God shewed to the one part that he hath means ynough to chastife whom and when he pleaseth to the other part hee shewed that they are not safe who do
some disaduantagious streight For without that heauie trou â—â—they might more easily get the height of the riuer Loyre which was the onely sure way which the army could take The other on the contrary shewed that such separation could not be done with out great alteration in the rest of the armie and that if it were not let it would bee the beginning of a dissipation which was like to haue an euill end and that the Germans would do the like at the least occasion and that with the Swissers they were able to beat the kings power which thing they could not do without their aide The K. of Nauarre had shewed what should be done in such extremity to wit to turne their faces toward the Duke of Guyze to enforce him to fight or else to enclose him in what soeuer place he were which thing did not seeme very hard considering that he had no good towne to make his retrait vnto That the Swissers would not refuse to fight against the League and vnto all these thinges aboue said would helpe much the prosperous victory which God had giuen to the king of Nauarre but the Swissers could not be kept hauing so far dealt with the king They vpon the resolution to depart required their Rowles to be sealed to that end that the bodies being asunder the affections might remaine ioyned together and that in so doing they would be sworne to promise to bring to the king of Nauarre two or three regiments of Swissers at the time and tearme prefixed The counsell stood vpon a letter which the Baron of Oneau had written by the which he warned them that if they gaue assurance of pay to the Swissers who contrary to their duty did forsake the seruice of their master they should put no difference betweene the good seruitors and the bad The day for the army to depart which was appointed the 24. being come the Duke of Guyze either of his owne motion or else by intelligences marched all Night and put certaine Harquebuziers into a Castell which was at Aulneau where certayne countreymen had repaired and had agreed with the Rutters to furnish them with all that they needed The gardes of the Baron Oneau who was lodged at Aulneau a little towne enclosed did not perceaue the said Harquebusiers The Duke of Guize with the rest of his troups stayed till the day breaking when the wagons of the Rutters began to goe forth and the gardes were taken vp for to depart that hower seemed vnto him most fit to surprize the sayd Rutters whom otherwise he durst not assault Hauing geuen the watchword they entered into the gates which they found open and without any resistance because that euery one was in his lodging ready to take horse The Harquebuziers of the enemies going along the stréets set on the first lodgings The Rutters vppon the alarum tooke horse and found the gate seazed vpon and the streetes hampered with their wagons so that they could neuer ioyne together to take the field The Baron Oneau with sixe or seauen being the first at the gate pearced through them which came in The gate was quickly shut They of the Rutters which had got on horsebacke ran about the walles to finde a way to get out and when they found none standing on the horse saddle leaped vp the wall and so threwe themselues into the ditch where some saued the Colonels Cornet and fiue others but all the Gentlemen of all these Cornets were for the most part taken or slaine The Baron Oneau with the rest of the Rutters stayed within halfe a league of the Towne The Swissers repayred thether in battell aray where also came the Lord Chastilion There it was propounded to send for the rest of the armie and ordinance and presently to compasse y e towne where they might finde some yet busie about the ransacking but there was no order to hearken vnto that so the Duke Boillon all the Counsell concluded vpon their departing The Lords Cleruant and Chastilion were sent to the Rutters to comfort them about their losse and to cause them to followe the way But the morrowe after the Colonels were mooued to mutinie saying that they would goe to the Swissers and so with them into Germanie and cause their wagons to turne that way These newes were brought to the Prince Countie and the Duke Boillon Notwithstanding an houre after the Baron Oneau sent for the Lords Cleruant and Chastilion to returne to them and that he had so wrought with them that they would come to the rendes vous There it was shewed them that it would not bee honourable to them to retyre so vpon a sudden losse and that there was no safetie for them if they would followe their determination but that it was farre better to remaine with the Frenchmen with whom they were able to fight against whomsoeuer and that the way which they would followe was the néerest for them to returne into Germany Vpon these perswasions they agreed to followe the next day to the rendes vout where they sayd they would see the Frenchmen and that there they would entreate of all things A certaine man a friend of the Lord Chastilion had sent word vnto him from the Kings armie that he had waightie things to tell him The sayd Lord Chastilion had shewed the letter to the Lord Boillon and the rest of the Counsell which willed him to send thether some faithfull friend which thing he did The messenger who was sent returned with the Lord Cormon whom wee haue sayd before to haue been taken prisoner by the enemie bringing offers from the King that he would giue safe returne to the Frenchmen to repayre into Germany or els to their houses with many reasons which were alleaged which could not bee presently answered because the armie marched on There was some aparance of danger least the armie should be pursued by the King and the Leaguers ioyned together which was the cause that it was propounded to the Rutters to burne their wagons and to set as many as they could on horsebacke promising that the Frenchmen should doo the like At the rendes vous it was shewed to the Rutters that within twentie daies they should be brought into the presence of the King of Nauarre or els they should be set in place of safetie That the Prince County the Lords Boillon or Chastilion or other such as they would choose should answer them for the summe which was due to them And in case the King of Nauarre would not content them all assoone as they should come vnto the sayd Lord King of Nauarre they would yéeld themselues their prisoners this was an agreement by words which should haue béen put down in writing and afterward sealed on both parts with assurance and promise giuen by them that they would repayre to the King of Nauarre The rendes vous on the next day was at Landon foure leagues from Montargis an vnfit place by reason of a bridge
to make much for the safetie of Mets. She sent also to her vncle the Prince Monpensier who promised her all assistance to his power The Dukes of Sweibrook sent her word that they would doo what lay in them to diuert those forces from her The King not greatly regarding the suit and protection of the sayd Ladie for hatred of the reformed religion sent backe againe the Lord Reaulx to the Duke of Lorreyne where he taried so long that all things were burned and spoyled before he returned to Sedan And at his returne he deliuered a commission from the King to be receaued as Lieutenant generall for the King and protector of the Princesse and that after being receaued when they had giuen their oth then he would declare what order should be taken They made answere that it was a newe thing and that the soueraigne Lords of Sedan had neuer receaued such charges and therefore they could not accept them considering that they had giuen their oth vnto the Prince Monpensier her vncle and Warden to doo her lawfull and faithful seruice and to keepe the places against all men vnder the protection of his Maiestie who would as he hoped bée contented with the assurance which the Prince Monpensier would giue him About the same time the Lord Nueuile gouernour of Mezieres came to Ioram nigh Sedan seeking by fayre promises of friendship to haue that Lieutenantship and propounding certaine captious articles was so answered that if he had come into Sedan there was not of his kinne enough for halfe the women of Sedan for euen they who mooued the matter first stood in some danger The Prince Monpensier sent diuers times to visite and assist her and went to the Court to obtayne the continuance of her protection But nothing was obtayned for the King sought nothing els but to put in such as he thought would fulfill his desire to oppresse and scatter the Church and to haue in his possession that Princesse to nousse her vp in Poperie that there might not be any hope left hereafter to restore the Church Whilest the Duke of Lorreyne besieged Iamets the Duke of Guize sent to Sedan to proffer them great friendship and to preserue them in all libertie of conscience and religion if so that there might a mariage be made betwéene the Princesse and his sonne The Duke of Lorreyne vsing all manner of hostilitie and villanies that could be possible made suite to haue the sayd Princesse in marriage for his sonne the Lord Vaudimount both with flattering words also by thundring of the double Canon The weaknes of this Princesse caused the enemy to be very secure and carelesse which encouraged them which were besieged at Iamets dayly to make sturdy and stout sallies vppon the enemies geuing them no aduantage not so much as to approach to place their peeces and compelled them to trench themselues in the Vilages where they were charged by them within the towne dayly and this continued vntill the beginning of Aprill next following During these two Moneths of February and March and the continuance of the siege of Iamets the Lord Resne with certayne troupes of Italians Germans Wallons Legeoys and Lorreins to the number of 7. or 8. hundred horses with certayne regiments of footmen did scowre the countrey about Sedan where they fired all thinges so that in all the principality of Boillon there remained in a maner but ashes and calamity besides Sedan and Iamets Their outrages and cruelties were such that the like were neuer heard of For all maner of whoredome rauishments violences and woorse were committed by those infernall helhowndes villaines and sauage robbers besides they put all women maidens and children to raunsome as many as they could take such violences they continued vntill the latter end of March thereby to terrify this yong and desolat Princesse Whilest the Leaguers as fire brands blowne out of hell subiect vnto no law gouernment nor power do proffer iniuries vnto all maner of persons without any respect about the beginning of February while they tryed by al means possible both by faire words open violeÌ„ce to seaze both vpon the person and state of the Princesse of Boillon the chiefest of them assembled at Nancy in Lorreine where they continued in counsell vntil the middest of Februarie in the which assembly they concluded many articles against the Kings person and state also they tooke order to continue the eiuill warres which they had kindled and that still vnder the â—olour of popish religion they might win by little and little and so make themselues way to the state by the vndooing of whome soeuer And for as much as they were out of hope to preuaile against them of the reformed religion in Guyenne or other where they aduised themselues by policie to giue the King no rest by hampring him into new troubles in proposing to him vnreasonable requests and still vnder colour of Catholickisme For there they framed articles which haue three principal finall causes to destroy the King the nobilitie and to saue themselues The first is either to shorten the Kings life by some lot of warre or else at the least to weaken him and make him odious to the Church-men The second is to kindle and entertaine the warre immortall that the nobilitie may be destroyed by mutuall blowes and woundes Thirdly to saue themselues from blowes and charges and to keepe themselues in authoritie vntill the opportunitie which they watched for should proffer it self these things are euidently seen in y e articles following But here first before wee come to these articles marke well Christian Reader the turkish hearts who contemning all that is named God and Iustice they haue extinguished in themselues all humanitie and reuerence of superioritie For contrarie vnto all humanitie they went about to rauâ—sh away that noble Princesse issued of noble race left desolate fatherlesse brotherlesse and friendlesse and also to lay hand vpon her state Now haue they despised the superioritie ordayned of God when they desperatly and imperiously dare giue lawe to their Soueraigne euen such law as is altogether vnreasonable contrarie to the duetie of subiects But now let vs come to the articles First they say the King shall be requested to ioyne himselfe more openly to the League and shall put away from him and out of his strong holdes and out of all states and offices of any waight such as shall bee named vnto him Here first they will haue the King to take vpon him all the shame dishonour and hatred of their detestable actions and iniuries which they doo intend Note to proffer to all manner of men vnder the name of the League which they will the King to take vpon him in these words that they wil haue him to ioyne with the League Secondly whereas they seeke to displace from about him such as they would their intent is to depriue him of his authoritie forces and faithfull friends to put him vnderward that he
may raigne at their discretion and no longer then it shall please them The second article is that the King shall cause the counsell of Trent to be published authorised and receaued in his dominions onely the execution to be stayed for a time concerning the reuoking of certaine exemptions and priuiledges of some Chapters Abbeys and other Churches from their Bishops This article they doo set foorth to bee the seede of immortall warres knowing well that it cannot be published without the sound of the trumpet Note and double Canon The third article is that the King shall establish the holy inquisition of Spayne at the least in good townes which is the onely way to roote out hereticks and suspected so that the officers of the said Inquisition be strangers or at the least be not borne in the places where they may haue neither kindred friends nor alyaunce This is the meanes to execute the decrees of the counsell which in the former article they haue giuen to the kingdome of France for a law that by Note that law all the inhabitants of the realme who shall be to the Inquisitors either hereticks or suspected for who will not be suspected if it pleaseth master Frier the Inquisitour Secondly the inquisitors must needes be either Lorreines or Spaniards two nations delighting in the blood of Frenchmen as the Wolfe in the blood of Lambs or else they may not haue any kindred say they that is that neither blood duetie of nature nor friendship may let theÌ„ from euill doing and from subuerting the french nation The summe of this article is that the french nation may bee destroyed without mercy or compassion The fourth article is that the King shal grant licence vnto the churchmen to redeeme at any time the Church goods and landes which they haue sould of whatsoeuer quality the said goods and lands be or they that haue bought them And that the King shall compell the beneficed men to make such a redemption within a certaine time that shall be prefixed to them according to the abilitie that they shall be found to bee of by them that shall be appoynted to see the state of their reuenewes and lands The Leaguers haue made the churchmen to blowe the Trompet of Note ciuill warres vpon that condition that they should not fight themselues but pay money to them that would fight for them and so haue made them sell their church landes Now they will enforce the poore Priests to buy againe their church lands that they may sell them againe when the Leaguers haue neede of them The fift article is that the King shall put into the handes of some of them certaine places of importance which shall bee named to him In the which it shall be lawfull for them to build Fortresses and put in men of warre as they shall think good and all at the charges of the townes cities and countreys the like also they shall doe in the places which they hold at the time of the making of these articles The leaguers doo thinke that the King had too great a portion in the Note last deuision of his kingdome which they made with him in Iuly 1585. and that the King was too strong for them yet Therefore by this article they doo call him to a new deuision wherein they goe about to doo three things First they would haue more strong places and such as they themselues shall appoynt It is to be thought that they will not make choyse of the worst For if the King should put them to their choyse I dare affirme that they would choose Paris Calis Anious Reymes Bologne Newhauen Caen Roan Orleans Tours Naunts Poytiers Bourdeaulx Limoges Perigeulx Tholouse Bayone Narboune Marseilles Lyons Dijous Auxone Langaes Seus Mets and other such which they doe meane by places of importance Secondly they would haue the King this to doe for them as to suffer them quietly to build citadels and therein to put garrisons which they gently call fortes and men of warre to keepe out the King if at any time he should change his mind and call for his owne The third is that the king and his poore subiectes shall beare the charges of fortifiyng and keeping these places from his obedience that thence they may easily oppresse him when they shall spie time and tyramze his subiects The sixt article is that the King shall giue pay to men ofwarre to be maintained in Lorreyn vpon the borders of Germany to let the entrie of the Note strangers their Neighbours and for that ende shall cause out of hand the goods of herelikes and others which be associat with them to be sould The cause of this article was feare of the vengeance which their conscience represented continually before their eies for the great enormityes iniuries execrable abominations by them committed in the County of Noubeliard for they perceauing their weaknes in strength and wealth against that hot vindicatiue and mighty nation of Germany would haue the King to defend them and so doing iustify their vilanous actions and thereby to begger himselfe and procure the hatred of that Nation which had beene alwayes at amity with the Crowne of France Secondly whereas they require the goods of heretikes and their associats by the which they do vnderstaÌ„d the Princes of the bloud the Duke Mommorency Noble men and other qualities of men which shall please them to be sold I maruell when they will go into Guienne and other Prouinces to pluck sheaue with them it will be hard for them to get y â— sheaue out of their hand yet the king must do all this to iustify the murthers whoredomes Sodomiâ—ryes and other abominations committed agaynst the frendes and alied of the Realme of France The seuenth article is that al they who haue beene heretikes or holden for hereâ—ikes euer since the yeare 1560. of what degree soeuer may bee taxed to the third or fourth part of their goods A research must be made of the space of 28. years past and all liberty geuen Note so oft by the Kings proclaymed by their edicts must néeds be made coÌ„yne Euen they who were reunited by the last ediâ—t of July 1585. made at their owne discretion must be called to account and this is to make the warre immortall vntill they attaine to the marke they shoot at if they do not catch a fall by the way The eight article is that the Catholikes shall pay the tenth part of their reuenues euery yeare And that commissioners be appointed to make the sallies and taxes as well of ecclesiasticall as lay persons others notwithstanding then officers of the Soueraygne courts that all things may be executed more speedily and with lesse charges In this article first the Leaguers spare neither friendes nor foes but Note that they are somewhat more fauourable to the Catholikes then to the heretiks For whereas they were promised at the first rysing of the league to be eased of
bee the King and the Princes of the bloud but among them chiefely the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde Therefore they must bee made away by one meanes or another and whereas warre and violence were neither the safest nor the surest way they concluded that poyson must bee tried But to bring this to an happie end they must haue the helpe of the Q. Mother she must be one instrument to commit parricides for it is to be thought that if she would not spare her owne Sonne Charles the 9. she would not spare them whome she neuer loued for she neuer cared what shee did so that shee might not doo good she is therefore easily won to doo that which she greatly desired Poysoners are hired they haue their drougges and instructions with them some are sent to minister their Phisick to the King of Nauarre if by any meanes they could But howsoeuer it be either that they which were hired to poyson the King of Nauarre did altar their mindes or had not the meanes to execute so vilanous an act so it is that his death was bruted in Lorreyne and at the Court about the same time that the Prince of Conde dyed But it hath pleased the Lord to haue deliuered him from their snares to punish them in time according to the measure of the treacheries and innumerable enormities by them committed As touching the Prince of Conde they had their mindes vpon him for at length the diuel furthering their treacheries procured some of his owne houshold seruants to bee wonne to take the matter in hand and among others one Brillant and a Page vpon whome he had bestowed great benefits to giue him poyson the third day of March at supper he fell sick of a great paine of the stomack about an howre an a halfe after supper that paine was followed incontinentlie with great vomiting comming at sundrie times with continuation of the said paine and with a great thirst hee was assisted by Nicolas Poget his master Chirurgion At the same houre was called Master Bonauenture de Medicis Doctor of Phisick which considering the accidents did helpe the vomitings following therein the motions of nature The sicknes notwithstanding continued all the night hauing inuaded the inferiour bellie with swelling and hardnes of the same with such difficultie to take breath that he could not lie in his bed but was faine to sit still in a chayre The morrow after were called to counsell Lewis Bontempts and Ihan Pallet Doctors of Phisick who altogether did indeuour to helpe his Excellencie with all diligence and fidelitie by all the meanes which they iudged fit according to the accurrant accidents The fift day of March and second of his disease about three a clock in the after noone all things went from worse to worse so that there came a suffocation of all the famolties of nature in the which he rendered his soule to God halfe an houre after In the death of this Prince God did shoote an arrow of his wrath against the vngratefulnes peruersitie of this world but speciallie against France in plucking this Noble Prince out of so many labours into the societie of the inheritance of his Saints in light Henry Bourbon Prince of Conde Sonne vnto Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Conde whose famous name shall bee in the euerlasting remembrance of the righteous was borne and brought vp in the Church of God whose preseruation was as deare vnto him as his owne life God had endued him with noble vertues he was faithfull vnto God duetifull in the true worship of God true vnto his King louer of his Countrey and of the libertie and honour of this realme enemie vnto the perturbers of the peace of the same and of them all whome he knew to be coniurators against the King and state His generositie und valour with the greatnes of courage had been shewed in many noble exploytes done by him but speciallie in ouercomming many assaults labors perils and miseries during these miserable ciuill warres to be short God hath plucked him in all the course of his life out of many daungers His death was the more to be lamented because it was vyolent and in the flower of his age which happened the fift day of March 1588. at S. Jhan d' Angely in Xainctonge to the great griefe of all men among whome from age to age the remembrance of him shall be honorable For the death of this Prince was hurtfull to all France but gainfull onely to him who chaunged a vaine and paynfull life into one onely true and stedfast life immortall quiet and euerlastingly blessed in the assurance of the which hée died in our Lord Iesus Christ This sudden and vnlooked for accident gaue occasion to the sayd Doctors Phisitions and Chirurgions to thinke that this sicknesse came thorowe some extraordinary and vyolent cause For the sayd Phisitions gaue out vnder their hand and seale as followeth After his departing about two houres there began to issue out of his mouth and nostrels a froth thicke and white which gathered by little and little to the bignesse of ones fist and out of the same place a little after did issue yealowish water in great aboundance On the Lords day being the sixt of March by the commandement of his Counsell we Phisitions and Chirurgions haue beside called Peter Mesnard Focault Chotard both Masters Chirurgions of S. Ihan d' Angely to make the anatomie of his bodie and to search altogether the causes of a death so sudden And first wee haue found all the body blewish and leadie the bellie in a strange manner swolne stretched and hard In the opening of the body we found in the lower bellie all the parts thereof with the inwards blewish and blacke and the hollownesse of his bodie full of yealowish waters After searching diligently the stomack we haue also found it blewish and in the right and vpward part of the same an inch or thereabout vnder the Orifice of the sayd stomacke we haue found a round hole eaten through and through that hole had fallen the waters and liquours which we found within the capacitie of the inferiour bellie Then hauing diligently taken vp viewed cut and emptied the sayd stomack we haue seene euidently the whole bodie of the sayd stomacke as well without as within specially on the right side blacke burned vlcered and gangrened in diuers places but notably about the hole aboue sayd So that wee cannot iudge that it could bee done otherwise then by a notable quantitie of burning vlcering and caustick poyson which had left euident markes of his passing in the Oesophage The liuer also in the place ioyning to the sayd hole was found altered and burned the rest of the substance of the sayd liuer blewish as also the lights There was no part of y e bodie of his Excellencie which was not of a very good constitution and very healthfull if the vyolent poyson had not corrupted y e parts aboue sayd All
couered with zeale of popish religion as with a Maske partly for their treacherous intents which shee knew they had against the Crowne of France Yet these petty Lords of Lorreyn must needs haue her whether she will or not but her they may not haue before they take Sedan the chiefest towne of her principalitie which they had terrified all this moneth of March by the barbarous inuasions of the Lord Rosne It is saide also how the besieged in Iamets haue kept off the enemies and had caused to trench themselues in villages thereabouts where they were dayly assaulted by them of Iamets Now in the latter end of March the armie before Iamets was greatly increased inforces so that all things being readie Iamets is pressed and besieged more narrowly then before and after many skirmishes betweene them the arâ—illerie is placed for the battery There remained to them of Jamets for hope of succour after mans iudgement the towne of Sedan in the which vnder the auâ—hority of the Duchesse commaunded the Lord Nieuile a Gentleman famous in counsell valour and experience he had within Sedan a small number of Gentlemen and good Souldiours The army which was before Iamets desirous to cut off all hope of succour from Sedan sent part of their horsemen Frenchmen Italians and Spaniards with a number of Harquebusiers about Sedan to spoyle and to seaze vpon all places and high waiâ—s by which they of Sedan might come to succour Iamets and among others they tooke Vaudelincourt Balan and other places Their courses were raging and their rage spared nothing the contempt which they had of so weake an enemie made them as the manner is both insolent secure and careles of their safetie which was the cause that diuers times and in diuers places they were charged by them of Sedan who issuing out fiercely made great slaughter of them as the time and small meanes which they had suffered them so that they were shamefully driuen out of their villages of Vaudelincourt and Balan But to preuent such inconueniences the Lorde Rosne and other Captaines who conducted the turkish troupes of the League determined to lodge hereafter more closely then they had done before and for that cause the fourth day of Aprill the greatest part of the horsenien and footemen which were on the east side of Mense went to Bemily situated on the west side of the sayd riuer where the L. Rosne lodged and the rest of his companies lodged at Aucourt Haracourt and Raucourt leauing on the east side of Mense the Baron of Saraxenbourg with foure companies of horsemen to wit his owne and the Lord Anthony Vize a frenchman a great friend of the Duke of Guyze the third was the company of the Lord Tilly a Lorreyne and the fourth was conducted by Captaine Carlo an Italian These companies placed themselues within the towne of Douzie belonging to the principalitie of Sedan That towne they determined to fortifie by reason of the situation which is good being situated vpon the riuer named Chize flowing from Iuoy and within a quarter of a league beneath Douzie falleth in the riuer Mense which caÌ„not be passed by foord in winter the sayd Douzie lyeth directly from Sedan to Iamets so that hauing Douzie they be masters of the way from Sedan to Iamets Nigh vnto the village of Douzie beyond the bridge at the ends of the meades at a place called Marie were two companies of horsemen lodged commanded by Ihan and Thomas Albaneses there they were set to succour Douzie for by the meanes of the bridge lying betweene them and the towne in a moment they could recouer the towne The companies which had passed the riuer Mense vnder the conduct of the Lorde Rosne were gone to besiege Raucourt appertayning to the Soueraignety of Sedan They besieged it when it was altogether vnprouided of all necessary things for which cause the Lord Nieuile determined by the aduise of the cousell to furnish it with all necessary things as well with prouision of victuals as munition of warre and by the way to charge three companies of light horsemen which were lodged in Haracourt and to that ende hee departed out of Sedan about eight a clock in the euening the tenth day of Aprill accompanyed with foure score horses and foure hundred Harquebusiers but there fellout such a terrible tempest and violent rayne that they were enforced to retire saue onely they victualed Raucourt The twelfth das of April the Lord Nieuile aduertized of the diligence which the Baron of Saraxenbourg vsed in fortifiyng Douzie he considered that the longer he should delay to charge him the greater the difficulty would be and that the sooner the better without giuing hun leaue to fortifie himselfe in that place which did so presse Sedan and tooke from him the meanes to succour Iamets he therefore called the counsel and propounded them two enterprizes which bee would willingly attempt the â—â—e was to goe to Haracourt the other to Douzie whither it was concluded that they should martch the same night They departed about ten a clock at night with foure hundered Harquebusiers and fourescore and twelue horses commauuded by the Lorde Arsoune and Falayses It was also ordered that the footemen should goe three diuers waies to wit that the Captaines Dorys and Parramentier with one hundred Hâ—rquebusiers should goe to get the bridge of Douzy vpon the riuer Chize to stop the sally of them who were within the towne and by the same meanes to let the companies of the light horsemen who were at Mary distant onely from Douzie the shot of an Harquebush betweene that place and the towne nothing being but the meades and the riuer least they shoulde goe into the towne to succour their fellowes Captain Cheuerdery Lieutenant to the Lord Caulmont should assault the lodging of the Lord Saraxenbourg with 50. Harquebusiers the Captaines Framond and Massart with their troupâ—â— should charge vpon the trenches through the which the horsemen should issue foorth The rest of the footemen commaunded by Captaine Villepoys Seriant Maior should stay with the horsemen for to helpe where neede should bee and to fauour our horsemen when they should ioyne with the enemie The thirteenth day about three a clock in the morning the troupes of Sedan did charge Douize and they who had the charge to sease the bridge came so fitly without finding any great resistance that quickly they were masters of the bridge But it was not so at the barritados whom the Captaine Framond and Massart did charge for there our men were violently resisted by the Barron of Saraxenbourg himselfe and the Lord Anthony Vize Dom Ihan Romeroa Spanyard who made a salley with fiue and twentie or thirtie horsemen who notwithstanding were receaued so coragiously by our footmen who had charged the Barricado that being beaten back they were faine to retire within their trenches so confusedly that our footemen in beating them before entred with them and seazed vpon the barricado In this
things will befall which they greatly desired The feare of these thunderclaps was great euery where the forces in number and furniture were inequall therefore in France many not considering that God may defend his people as well with few as with many and that hée hath Legions of Angels to fight at his commaundement for the defence of his Elect yéelded to the time and reuolted made their abiuration and followed the world The Duke of Guize was the Northen Star by the which all this Nauigation was guided so that it was perceaued that neither all this preparation and stoare neither the Prophesies and visions of the rauing Prophets could assure the happy successe except the Duke of Guize might be in court nigh the Kings elbow Therefore the Q. Mother she must be set to worke she with other Leaguers which were about the Kings person tell what a great wise man the Duke of Guize was and that hée could not bée well without such a counseller hauing such great waightie things in hand The King thought it was a dangerous thing to haue such a guest so nigh him yet supposing that it would be the néerest way to surprise him and that at some occasion he might rid his hands of that perilous burthen consented thereto All caueats and prouisions which the prouidence of man could deuise for his safetie being prouided and made sure he purposeth to depart out of Paris to goe to the court He tooke in his companie the Q. Mother and raigning w t a great traine of the inhabitants of Paris the Lords Byron and Neuers who had béen alwaies with the King the one as a faithfull seruant to the King the other as a secret fauourer of the League went to meete the said Duke At his comming to the Kings presence what welcomes what complainings what excuses what praiers what promises what gréetings and what dissimulations there was betweene them to wit the King Guize euery man of iudgement may consider The Duke of Guize caused his table of great master of France to be established and good and assured meanes for the maintenance thereof he obtained also a patent of great Master of men of war in France which is a â—iminiâ—iue title of Constable for an earnest and in hope shortlie to haue all And whereas in the request presented to the King it was demaunded that he should be the Kings Generall of that armie which should bee sent into Guienne Now he dooth recant and vpon the push doth refuse to take that charge but willeth another to be appoynted and that for two causes he would rather venture another mans skin then his owne knowing well that hee could neuer repasse Loyre without a broaken skin which thing he loued not the second cause was that he would not go farre from the King and from Paris there to be at hand vpon all occasions to take opportunitie to execute his enterprise In his roome therefore the Duke of Neuers is appoynted to conduct the armie into Guienne against the King of Nauarre he maketh his excuse fearing the whip as the other did of his indisposition and offereth to mainetaine one hundred Gentlemen so that he might be excused which charge notwithstanding at length he accepted The wisest sort feared in general that this wound could not be closed vp and healed without some fowle scarre remayning or that hee who had once presumed to beat his Prince out of his imperiall citty should not want audacity to attempt further matters All these vprores being now pacifyed and all these great preparations vrged with great courage they of the reformed religion all ready proscript all things threatning death and desolation by land and by water a parliament of the States is appointed by the King to be holden at Bloys the 15. day of August next following there to determine vpon the affaires of the land according to the said edict of reunion and not otherwise and about the reformation of the State but specially for the disheneriting of the Princes of the bloud that they should not succeede to the Crowne In this Parliament the King and the Duke of Guyze had diuers and contrary meanings and neither of them both did intend to do the thinges aboue sayde touching the affaires of the land and reformation of the State But the Kings purpose was that now hauing recouered as he thought part of his authority hee might bridle his domesticall enemy to wit the Duke of Guyze whose practises and attempts had béen so euidently shewed to the eie of all men agaynst his person and estate and there either to haue had him condemned and executed by the full assembly of the states or else by surprising to haue dispatched him out of the way as hee at length performed The Dukes meaning was either to exclude the King from all gouernment or else to haue condemned him by the authority of all the states or if opportunity might serue to do him away by some violence and after to haue tryed how to bring his intent to passe Euery one of them therfore hauing his contrary thoughts in his mind yet they in common do prepare all things for this assembly of the Parliament they make the ouerthrow of the King of Nauarre and the rasing of the Blockhouse of Rochel as they tearme it very easy While they keepe this great adoo and replenish the world with cruell threatnings and are in hand both by land and by water to aduance the treasons of the Leaguers which cannot be done without the rooting out of the true Religion Therefore it is assaulted on the South syde by the Dukes of Sauoy and Mayne with two mighty armies on the West by the omnipotent Armado on the North by all the forces of y e low Countryes in the middle of France by the Duke of Neuers with a mighty army behold God who holdeth the stearne of the whole world doth produce euents all contrary vnto those which men had promised to themselues For in the meane time God doth execute his dreadfull iudgements against the inuincible as they did call them but in deed barbarous and sauage nation of Spaniards partly beating them out of the narrow Seas with a notable slaughter and shame of them by that nation which they had so deadly hated for the Gospell and so arrogantly despised and partly God sent his messengers the wind storme and tempest with the rocks in their waies that by shipwracke thirst famin and pestilence and other calamities of the Sea they might be drowned in an euerlasting obliuion lyke Pharao his horses and horsemen In August the Kings writtes are sent into all prouinces and citties to send speedily their Deputies so that they were catholikes Romans and not otherwise and in the meane time doth fortify himself but not mistrusting the practises of the Leaguers in the Prouinces he gaue them leaue to do all by partialities in the Prouinces in choise of the Deputies For they gaue order that their partakers might come
horses of carriage the onset was giuen within two leagues of Pilmil suburbe of Nantes The King after giuing of thankes vpon that place where the skirmish was fought for that prosperous successe and victorie made a light dinner vnder a tree and after retyred to his lodging at S. Georges where hee soiourned the whole day following for the long daies iourney which he had made the day before notwithstanding that day hee went a hawking for Partridges and in the euening viewed the towne of Montagne to take order for the fortifications and garrisons of the sayd towne and purposed to haue layed the siege to the towne Clisson not farre thence The King being yet at S. George was strengthened with foure regiments of footmen to wit of Charbonieres Sallignak Preau and the regiment of his gardes commanded by the Lord Querine there also he receaued the light horsemen of the Lord Trimouille who had discomfited the regiment of Lestele and taken foure Ensignes which they presented vnto the sayd King The selfe same day being aduertized of the daunger wherein the Duke Espernon stood within the Towne of Engolesme besieged there within the Castell by a conspiracie of the Leaguers caused him to giue ouer his enterprise vpon Clisson the day following being the 15. of August departed from Saint George purposing to make toward Engolesme to succor the saide Lorde Espernon but hearing by the way how the tumult there was pacified went not so far as that place It is saide before how that the Leaguers in their request presented vnto the King made a great complaint against the Duke Espernon charging him to haue intelligences with the King of Nauarre and them of the religion to haue been the cause that their armies had heretofore small successe and that if he should grow to greater authoritie it were danger that in time he would deliuer the places of his gouernement to the King of Nauarre that he is the onely cause that the politick state is so corrupt and out of frame and therefore the King must needes put him from about his person and fauour This Lord Espernon of the auncient house of Valette grew in great fauour with the King through his faithfull seruice a man altogether sold to popery yet a louer of the Kings person crowne and state a louer of the realme and peace of the same a hater of conspirators and perturbers of the quietnes of the King and his subiects who neuer could bee drawne to the conspiracies of the Leaguers neither by faire promises nor other meanes whatsoeuer which thing was the cause that the Leaguers hated him as the onely man about the Kings person who did hinder the execution â—f their enterprises that man therefore must not be about the King nor be admitted into the assembly of the states The King to giue place to their hatred for a time and to auoyde the inconueniences which through y e malice of his enemies might befall to such a trustie seruant determined to send him out of their sight and where hee thought that they should be least able to practise against him And giuing him a very great power and commission in a most ample manner to commaund in the Prouinces of Aniou Toureyne Poytow Engomoyes Xainctonge commaunded him to depart the Court about the same time that the edict of reunion was made by the Leaguers who hauing soiourned a while in the Tower of Loches situated in Toureyne vpon the riuer Vndre which falleth into Loyre betwéene Tours and Samure to fortifie and assure the said place to the Kings obedience against the practises of certaine Gentlemen of the League made against that place From thence he tooke his iourney to Engolesme where he vnderstoode that many enterprises were a working by the League against the Kings seruice There commaunded the Lorde Tageus his kinseman vnder the charge of the Lord Valette his brother The saide Lorde Espernon arriuing at Engolesme accompanied with a great number of the nobilitie was honorably receaued by the Maior and Aldermen of the Citie by the officers of iustice policie with great numbers of people who went to meete him at the gates of the Citie hee was likewise receaued by the Bishop and his Priests at the doore of Saint Peters Church where they sung solemnly a great te Deum laudamus in the worship of him Not long after the said Lord Espernon called together the Bishop and his Priestes the Maior and the Escheuins the Kings officers and other chiefe Citizens to giue them notice of the occasions of his comming which was first to preserue them all in the Catholicke Romane religion for the which and for the Kings seruice he would willingly aduenture his life against all manner of men Exhorting them to aduise what was requisit for their conseruation and that they would propound the same vnto him All answered with one consent that they would dye vnder his authority in the same resolution and for to testify their willes the better they would haue his authority from the King printed read and published as the manner is through all the towne The said Lord hauing many companies both of horsemen and footmen yet would he innouate nothing not so much as to change any part of the garrison of the Citty and to testify vnto them more apparantly of the confidence which hee had in the promises and fidelity of them he would not lodge in any stronger place nor more aduantagious for his preseruation but in the Castell which is called the Kings house wherein he found his Cosin the Lord Tageus lodged as the gouernours heretofore had accustomed to do This Castell hath no strength which is any thing worth nether in Ditches nor in any handy worke except some great Towers of stone very olde but otherwise very commodious for the store of chambers which are therein The said Lord had brought his Lady with him and had also lodged the Lady Tageus there Hee went the same day into the Citadell wherein he commaunded the Lord Bordes with all the nobility which accompanied him could euen then haue lodged there if he had had any diffidence of the inhabitants for the keies were presented to him by the Lord Bordes That Fortresse was sufficient to haue bridled the inhabitantes considering the strength and great store of Munitions of the said place as well in Ordinance as in other necessary things But specially hauing a gate to get out of the towne whereby may be let in as many men as one would But the sayd Lord in stéed of mistrust kept an open house as well for the nobility of the countrey as for the inhabitantes of the citty without any respect of persons whereof a great number but specially the Maior of the town with his conspiratours sat ordinarily at his table with great curtesy and welcome shewed vnto them by the sayd L. Espernon He walked familiarly with them through the citty and suburbs with a small company of his
the Kings secret enemies and most false traytors to their king and countrey hyding al their intended treasons vnder the old gabardin of the Catholike religion These conspirators against God their King and their Countrey being come at length from euery part of the realme the second day of October being the Lords day the King caused a generall procession to bee made with great solemnitie from the Temple of Saint Sauiour which is in the court of the Castle vnto the Temple commonly called our Ladie of helpe in the Suburbe Vienne on the South side of the riuer Loyre There was in this procession great magnificencie and outward apparance of deuotion but as little godlines loue as could be The King the Quéenes the Princes and Princesses Lords Ladies which were at the Court generally all the people as well strangers as inhabitants of that place were at it there they offered vnto their gods which did stand gazing in their temples with great store of dissimulation and hippocrisie They carried in great pompe that Idoll which commonly they doo call the corpus Domini through the streates which were decked with tapistry and other such things as they are accustomed to bee done that day which they call corpus Christi day In the saide procession the King with all the States marched in this order following The formost of all were the Frieâ—s Monkes and Abbots like a swarme of Locusts after them followed y e deputies of the third estates foure foure They were followed of the nobilitie and after them marched in battaile aray the deputies of the Clergie in long gownes and square caps onely next after them went the Archbishops and Bishops with their rochets after the Bishops went their God otherwise called by the Prophet Idolum vastans by some Corpus Domini and by some Corpus Christi by some the Sacrament of the Altar It was the same God by whome the King with all his Lords and traine did dayly and at euerie word sweare by That God was arayed in pure beaten Gold and had beene so beaten and turmoyled by the hereticks these 27. yeares before that he was gone so weake that it could not goe but was carried verie demurely by the Bishop of Aix in Prouance vnder a Canapie This Canapy could not goe neither no more then their God but was caried by foure Knights of the holy Ghost they sung continuallie so many gaudeamus so many salue fest a dies and so many aleluia and so many ora pro nobis and so many black sanctus that it was too bad and that with such melodie that a man would haue thought that all the Cuckoos of the spring and all the Owles of winter had mett together to try who could make the pretier noyse The King followed that company with the Queenes and Princes and other Lords of the court After they had walked their God through the streats to take ayre and to recreate him a little hauing beene kept so long in very straight and close prison at length in that order they came all to the Temple of our Lady of help where the Archbishop of Bourges iugled and charmed the Masse plaied with his God as the Cat with the mouse and at length eate him vp The Bishop of Eureulx babled out a Sermon as well as he could And that done haue with you to good cheare This was such a painfull iourney to those ghostly fathers but specially for the Bishop of Aix to carie all the way such a heauie fardell that S. Christopher was neuer more combred with his burthen than this piller of the holy Church was with his They would do nothing all that weeke but eate drink sleepe and doe worse as these ghostly fathers can doe that well The 9. day of Octob. the K. the Lords deputies of y e three estats were housed together at the Friery of y e frantick franciscaÌ„ Friers There they did eate so much raw flesh that the canibals of y e west Indies might haue surfeted with one halfe of that which was spent there Blood they dranke none hoping shortly to fill their bellies with the blood of Saintes Such as was the beginning of this assembly such was the end thereof as you shall see hereafter in the sequell It began with heathenish superstition and Idolatry it ended with heathenish murthers and disloyall rebellion As this was done to confirme the vnion and correspondence which was betweene them for performing of their enterprize of which thing by the meanes of this vnion euery man conceaued so good hope that nowe they made no doubt but all would goe well This done the K. delayed the proposition of the States to the sixteenth of October willing in the meane time the officers of the assembly in euery order to be chosen For the Priests in the absence of the Cardinall of Bourbon the Cardinall of Guyze the Archbishop of Bourges was chosen president The County Brissak and Mignade were chosen Presidents of the Nobilitie The Prouost of Paris was for the third estate But the headlings of the League had greater things in their brayne than all this for they were day and night consulting how to make an end of all their labours The sixteenth day of October all the deputies of the States being assembled in the great Hall of the Castell appoynted to that vse their places taken according to their order The King followed and accompanyed with his court maketh an Oration to the assembly by a long doubtfull speach paynted with diuers tearmes of sorrow by the which he sheweth that his minde caried a remembraunce of the iniuries receiued by the Leaguers from time to time by the which he coÌ„playneth his authority to haue decaied and vniustly to haue beene debased And first proposeth the things which ought to be done in that assembly to wit the establishing of Popery the rooting out of heresie the setting of good order in the gouernement the ease of his people and restoring of his authority protesting that he is their lawfull King giuen to them of God and that he will not be but that which he is neither doth he couet greater authoritie or honour in this Realme than hee ought to haue He protesteth also of his great sorrowe which he hath felt in the miseries and oppressions of his subiects acknowledging the same to bee procured by his and their offences in generall Also he sheweth the care which hee hath had to take away the causes of the sayd miseries and how he hath tryed all the wayes that euer hee could dâ—uise and following the auncient manner of the Realme accustomed in such a case had assembled his estates for that intent but that he hath been interrupted alwayes by new vprores stirred vp to hinder his good mind and purpose and to ouerthrow his good indeuours And also complayneth that to bring to passe these things and to make his labour in that behalfe taken frustrate they haue peruerted by false
siege two Gentlemen to wit the Lord Drow one of his house and one Villebeau Captaine of one of the companies of the Lord Salignak The inhabitants of the Iland Bouing had promised to the King of Nauarre who had vsed them very courteously that they would suffer none of the enemies to enter their Iland which promise they kept not The Lord of Guize though very busie at the States at Bloys yet ceased not but as he was very busie to supplant the King at home so was he very diligent to prouide for the affayres of warre and for to crosse in this siege the King of Nauarre if he could He sent to the Duke Mercure the regiment of S. Paule the fayrest and most dreadfull of all the companies of the League The 22. of October and the morrowe after the rendering of the Castle of Beauuoyre the inhabitants of the Iland Bouing against their promise receiued two of the fayrest companies of the sayd regiment of S. Paule But they had not so soone entered into the Iland but that immediatly they tooke such dreadfull feare that without any shame they sent a Drumme to the said king to beseech him to giue them safe conduct to retyre into a place of safetie They had some reason so to doo for the feare of his sworde put them in a fearefull apprehension For he had so prouided that they were at his mercie hauing sent his nauall armie to a place called Collet aboue Bourgneuf of Rhe which was the place where of force they must needes passe by But the accustomed clemencie of that Prince sustayned and eased the feare of these two companies who trusted that he would be no lesse fauourable to them then hee hath accustomably béen vnto others who did submit themselues vnto him Whereof they themselues among many other examples are and ought to bee hereafter witnesses for although hée might haue cut them in peeces yet of his good will leauing a marke of heroicall humanitie vnto the posteritie he gaue them their liues armour with a pasport for their safe returne so that they should retyre the selfe same day He forgaue also the Iland men who had falsified their faith and had rendered themselues worthie of sharpe punishment This clemencie to them shewed did so touch them that they haue remayned euer since most faithfull being otherwise most deuoted and addicted vnto poperie The saide King being desirous to passe into the Iland to sée it could not doo it for the contrarie windes hee left there for gouernour the Lorde Quergroy a Gentleman of Britayn of great reputation with a necessarie Garison And vpon the aduertisements which he receaued of the great preparation and marching of the royall army vnder the conduct of the Duke of Neuers who descended into Poytow he departed thence the 24. of October with all his army taking his way to Montagne where hee left the regiment of the Lorde Preau ordering all necessary things for the defence of that place which as was thought should be the first place where to that army would lay siege which also hee determined to rescue in conuenient time he deuided his garisons in the places which he iudged necessary and among the rest he put Garisons in Mauleon Ganache Talmond Fontenay and other places That being done he tooke his way to Rochel to be at the assembly of all the reformed Churches of France which hee had called thethere for diuers and notable considerations The deputies of all the Churches of all sorts and qualities stayed sometime in Rochel for him where the said King being ariued receaued them with great contentation and according to his naturall facility and mildenes to the great reioysing of all men which hoped for much fruite of this assembly for the preseruation of the realme of the Kings authority against whome the Leaguers vnder colour of the States at Bloys did worke dangerous conspiracies and for the iust defence of them of the religion so long time so cruelly intreated in all partes of the realme The said King being certified of the comming of all the deputies of this assembly of all degrees and conditions Lordes Nobles Iudges Kinges officers Maiors Aldermen and other notable men of the Prouinces gaue an opening vnto the saide assembly by the inuocation of the name of God the 14. of Nouember in the towne house of Rochel assisted by the Lordes of Turenne his Lieutenant general in the prouince of Guienne Trimouille Colonell of the light horses and many other Lords Barons Vicounts Gentlemen and other his counselers The same day were called all the deputies for the assembly the authority which euery one had of the Prouinces for whome they were sent There was almost no Prouince in France which had not sent their deputies to wit deputies were sent out of Gascoyn Amignak Albret and other places from beyond the riuer Garonne out of the Prouinces of Britayne Anjou Tourene Berry Lodunoys the I le of France Normandy Orleans Picardy Champaigne and others beyond the riuer Loyre out of the Prouince of high and lowe Languedock Daulphine Rowergue Mountalban and out of the gouernement of Terrides there were also out of the gouernement of Xainctonge on this side Charante out of all the Iles of Xainctonge other deputed for Rochel for the Prouinces of Limosin Perigord Agenoys for the towne of Bergerak in particular for the Prouinces of Poytow and Engomoys for the principalitie of Orenge and many others for the baily weekes townes and comunalties with sufficient shew of their charges and commissions The 16. day of Nouember after publick inuocation of Gods name the King of Nauarre accompanied as is aboue said represented to the whole assembly the chiefest causes of their conuocation the great necessities which should moue euery man to oppose himselfe to the enemies whose intent was too apparant for they went euen against the King and the whole estate he shewed that hee had hetherto in so iust and godly a cause spared neither goods nor life as his former actions could testifie and that if these mischieues should growe to the worst he for his part felt his courage to be increased of God in the resolution which he had long agoe taken to spend therein euen the last drop of his bloud and the last pennie of all his goods and desired onely that the world would iudge in this his resolution of his good intent as indifferently and truely as himselfe sincerely had walked before God and determined to doo hereafter He shewed how the long continuance of war and lisence of armes had to his great griefe bred and brought in many disorders to the which hee required them as well it might bée to prouide both in respect of the glorie of God of the King of the realme and in respect of all priuat men Prayed them that were of that assembly to bring with them cleane spirites voyde of all passion endued with the loue of the common wealth which thing if they did hee assured
himselfe that God would blesse their counsell and woulde make them to reape much fruite to his glory and the deliuerance of his children Hee represented vnto them the good and prosperous euents which might ensue vpon their firme and fast vnitie in a cause so iust and holy as this that presently was in question by establishing of all good order towards the whichâ—ause hee exhorted all the assembly to continue as well affected as they had done before and to bring so much the more aboundantly as the nouelties and late alterations happened by the malice of the enemies did most euidently require Aboue all things hee willed them to prouide for that which imported most of all the glorie and seruice of God the good order policie and Discipline of the Church And to auoyde the prouoking of Gods wrath by swearing blasphemies rapes whordomes robberies forbidden games and other disorders who had crept among many by the vnhappines of war the required that the lawes made for repressing of such things might bee straightly enioyned commaunded and obserued by the Magistrates without any dissimulation support or respect of persons commaunding also the Magistrates to assist euery one in his behalfe vppon great paines that the Discipline of the Church may haue a due authoritie and execution He willeth them also that the poore may bee assisted with certaine ordinary summes of money which should be dedicated to the same effect according to the forme of the books that should be made for that intent with the authority of certaine chiefe officers magistrates consuls or commissioners appoynted for that purpose Also that charges and offices bee giuen to men capeable and sufficient for the due execution of the same to the ease contentation of euery one and as for other orders it should be ordayned as the sessions and propositions should be made in order All the assembly gaue most humble thankes to his Maiestie for the care which it pleased him to haue as well in particular of the said Churches as true and lawfull nurser protector and defender of the same as also in respect of the publick peace welfare and preseruation of all with proffer of their most humble seruice and obeissance for so good so holy and so lawfull puâ—poses protesting with a most constant resolution to employ their persons their liues their goods to fauour so good and rightfull a cause with praier vnto God to continue in him his blessing and fauour for his honor and glory for the preseruation of his Church for the good and quietnes of the publick estate The Sessions propositions resolutions and ordinances were afterwarde made and continued in good order in the presence of the said king vpon the diuers arguments which were there to be handled And first they entreated of the glory and seruice of God next of iustice of a good counsell and good ordering of the same then afterward of the mannaging of the treasure gifts pasports officers order of warre commissions bootyes prisoners of warre protections â—taking of townes and places of the safety of husbandmen and many other statutes as euery one of the deputies of the Prouinces was seuerally charged by their remembrances and instructions Many such things were there determined vntill the dissolution of the sayde assembly which was made the sayd King sitting accompanied as aboue in the presence of all the deputies on the Lords day being the 17. day of December after the preaching of the worde and inuocation of Gods name with the vnitie consent voluntary approbation of al men to the glory of God and for the Kinges seruice the preseruation of the Crowne and Realme restablishment of the State and for the defence of all faithfull Frenchmen against all enemies leagued mutinous and seditious persons who directly or indirectly would seeke the trouble and euersion of the same Whilest these things did passe and so contrary assemblies did take contrary counsells and resolutions to worke so contrary effects for at Bloys counsell and deliberation was taken to destroy the K. the Crowne the Realme the State the true Church of God In Rochel they went about to saue the King to defend the Crowne to preserue the Realme to vpholde the state to maintaine the true Religion the Duke of Sauoy after great preparations of warre made the Duke de Maine being as then at Liomoys and about the borders of Daulphine inuaded the Marquiz at of Saluces and by treason and intelligences of the Captayne surprized Carmagnole one of the Arseuals of France he tooke also Rauel and Chasteaudauphin with some other holdes These newes brought to Bloys did greatly trouble them who coulde take no pleasure therein But the Leaguers did greatly reioyce thereat For they thought that â—his increase of miseries would further their enterprizes and that the sire being kindled in diuers places that which they did blow in the middest of France would not be either quicklie or easily put out This enterprize of the Duke of Sauoy was by the practize and counsell of the League which was that the armies of these two Dukes of Sauoy and Maine should respectiuely fauour each other each keeping his entent seuerall to himselfe For the Leaguers and the Duke of Sauoy did agree in this to wit in hating the true religion and the professors thereof and in making against them cruell warre to roote them out if they could doe it But the particular thoughts of the partie were kept incommunicable within the heart of them both of them reseruing to themselues the meanes to worke their affayres according to the opportunitie and occasion And in this respect as it commonly falleth out among them who doo aspire to any Soueraignetie there was neither societie nor saith betweene the Duke of Sauoy and the house of Guyze each of them enuying his fellow in that which he wished for himselfe The Duke of Guize with his partakers intended to raigne and to stablish his authoritie in France and would not admit any fellow neither the Duke of Sauoy nor any other The Duke of Sauoy on the other side thought himselfe so well descended in blood that he might claime to haue a good part and thought it very conuenient for himselfe to enlarge his dominions and that being Sonne to a Daughter of France he was nigh enough to possesse all and would haue beene very sory to haue had any companyon either of the house of Guyze or any other whatsoeuer These diuers drifts did lurke close hidden in the hearts of both parts being holpen and aduanced mutually by the common pretence which they tooke on both sides to wit the rooting out of the reformed religion which tearmed heresie and to that end in open words they agreed together did helpe and ayde each other reseruing to the craftiest the beguyling of his felow or to the strongest to preuaile Fryer Sixtus Vicar vnderstanding of this inuasion of the Duke of Sauoy fearing least the King should suppose that to haue beene some of Fryer Sixtus tricks
whence his slacknes in repressing and punishing by time those offences Specially when remembring the fauours that hee and his predecessors had giuen to that famely but he aboue all had more esteemed them then the Princes of his bloud had made him his fellow and companion in all the exploytes done against them of the reformed religion whome hee had fauored with diuers great dignities pardoned him of so many grieuous offences which he would not haue forgiuen to his owne brother to be short he loued and imbraced him as his own soule this incredible vnthankfulnes and treacherie did moue him to great indignation But specially what griefes and sorrowes did this â—nhappy King conceaue in his heart not onely to 〈◊〉 so vnthankfully rewarded of them whome hee trusted most but for that he in the space of 20 yeares had seen so many warnings giueÌ„ both to his Brother Charles the ninth and to himselfe of their aspiring working not onely by the Princes of the bloud by the King of Nauarre by many Lords Gentlemen and learned men in France but also by the Princes of forren nations and specially by the Princes of Germany who from time to time had proffered their seruices and their assistance vnto him for the repressing of their insolent presumptuousnes And namely when he considered how halfe a yeare before when he was in a manner dispossessed of his kingdome Authority after his flight from Paris how his faithfull subiects of all callings and degrees resorted vnto them both to shew him the vnsufferable indignities which he had receaued of that house and also to proffer him their seruice and assistance When hee called to minde how often and how faithfully the King of Nauarre had proffered him his forces and that in such sort that if it had pleased him but to holde vp his hand onely and let him alone with them he with his owne forces and charges would set him at hearts ease from any danger or sâ—ur of the League He I say as a man which is willingly and wittingly lead to his fatall destruction and fall had neuer regarded nor considered all these things vntil now when being destitute of all meanes and deliberation and scarse knowing whome to trust hee is with too late repentance driuen to shift for his owne life as well as hee may which he seeth is most certainely to be taken away within foure and twentie houres if he dooth not preuent the conspiratours The King in this agony and heauy sighes not considering the causes of these blowes and terrors of death full of sorrowes and indignation dooth determine with himselfe as well as hee can to preuent the treasons of his domesticall enemies in this wise The keyes of the Castell were brought euery night vnto the Duke of Guize as being great Master of the Kings house but the saide Duke of Guize the 22. of December the night before his death prouided not so wisely but that the keyes fell into other mens hands then them of his side So the King tooke the keyes of his house in his custody he also caused a rumour to bee noysed abroad that the day following hee will goe on pilgrimage to the Church called our Lady of Clery situated betweene Bloys and Orleans And according to his prudence he prouided that as well in the Castell as in the towne they of the League might not stir with any force against him for within the Castell he doubled his gardes In the towne hee tooke order that night that the gardes of the towne gates should not in any wise open the saide gates vntill they should haue expresse commaundement from him to the contrary so both the Towne Castell and keyes thereof are made sure in that night and all this was done vnknowne to the Duke of Guize The Lord grand Prior that night made a match to play at Tenis with the Lord Ianuile sonne to the Duke of Guize to whome he gaue his word that the next day very early hee would take him in his bed for that end So the King hauing dispatched many things but specially prouided to make all things sure which he thought needefull to preuent the determination of the Duke of Guize which was vpon the poynt of execution retired into his closet where he was all night to doo many needefull dispatches The same night hee wrote to the Duke of Neuers who was in the army at the siege of Smache hee wrote to Lyons and to diuers other places where hee thought it necessary for the assuring of his affaires and the preseruation of his person The same night the Duke of Guize Frier Lewis the Cardinall his brother and the Archbishop of Lyons to take opportunity to commit their parricide concluded to sit in counsell the next morning early The 23. of December the Duke of Guize the Frier Cardinal his brother the Archbishop of Lyons the Marshall Haultmont and others came to sit in counsell in a chamber nigh to the Kings chamber being but a narow aley betweene them The K. being in his closet with certaine Lords and gentlemen sent for 7. or 8. of those 45. Pensioners or gentlemen y t were daylie attendant vpon him very early in y e morning to whom he vsed some speaches about his affaires so greatly importing him so nearely touching his person abouâ— the assured aduise intelligences which he had receiued of the enterprize against his person State They prostered most willingly their ready seruice to execute his coÌ„maundement in such a iust cause and defence Within a while after the Duke of Guize being in the counsell chamber before they began to sit was called to come to the king He saw at his first comming the guards more carefully disposed than of custome so that as it happâ—neth oftentimes y t vpon the instant of great aduentures the mind of euery man is to him as a Prophet of y e euent or a heauy presage of his mishappe euen as hee had iudged of the enterprize of an other man by calling to remembranâ—e of that which he had in his owne mind and tâ—e stroke which he receaued by that which he intended he entred into a motion of extraordinary mistrust so far that his countenance changing at that calling his heart waxed cold as though he had been ready to fall into a swound whereupon hee sent to the L. Pre one of them who did waite in the K. chamber to aske some raysins which were brought him Afore his going out of the counsell chamber hee sent a page to his chamber to fetch him a handkercher his secretary had bound fast in one of the corners thereof a small bill written contayning a warning to get him out or else hee was dead The handkercher was brought but it was not deliuered for it was intercepted with the remembrance when the page came vp againe with it The Duke of Guyze being about to goe vnto the king when hee went forth of the counsell chamber into the
some afterward haue reported certayne discontentments which he said he had receiued which did discourage him in the performance of that seruice to which the occasions and many other reasons did binde him The Lord Preau on the other side said that the place might be reasonably defended That he was seruant to the king of Nauarre to whom he had promised to keepe faithfully that place so long as the skill of warre would permit him and that his credit did restrayne him from consenâ—ing to the rendring thereof Out of this diuersitie of affections the diuision began which afterward was the cause of the so sodaine losse of the place The Lord Colombieres had on his side y e Harquebusiers on horseback which had followed him were there in garrison The Lord Preau had on his side his soure companies some voluntary gentlemeÌ„ and strangers betweene them both were laboured by each partie of the inhabitants there were few or none â—â—t after long reasoning Colombieres the gouernour caryed it away knowing very wel y t the enemie was not ignorant of that diuision and sent to the camp Captayne Courbe his lieftenant to offer agreement to the L. of Neuers who tooke great pleasure in this occasion For the soiourne of 15. dayes before that plate in so fowle weather in so great scarsitie of victualls as was in that armie was a second wound of his dissipation The tearme of this agreement was so short that the king of Nauarre being vpon the poynt to succour them was compelled to breake his enterprize although it was agreed that the king of Nauarre should haue beene aduertized of it The conditions of the agreement were that the colours should be rendered the souldiers should goe forth with their match out and the gentlemen with their furniture that they should all be conducted by a Herault and a trompet as farre as Saint Albine with condition that they should retyre within three dayes The L. Colombieres conducted all the Garrison about halfe a league and then he asked if y t there were any in the companies that would follow him but almost all refused Captaine Courbe with six or seauen more as well of his houshold seruants as others followed him So he taking his leaue and induced either with discontentment or with some other affection he ioyned himselfe to that armie The rest of the troups were safely conducted nigh as farre as Lussen and Saint Gemmes and were left there vpon the conditions abouesaid by the Herault and Trompet But the Lord Sagonne Colonel of the light horsemen did so cut the time prefixed that desirous as it was supposed to reuenge the death of some friend of his in that armie who had been slayn before in that place surprized those companies who were at S. Albine and charged them so hardly that scarce they had time to get into a church and to shut themselues therein They were without munition of necessary things so that they were coÌ„pelled to render themselues yet once againe hauing little resisted This composition was not like the first for they had onely their liues they were vnarmed and ryfled and some few were slaine With a speedy retire they might haue auoyded that iniurie Montagne so surrendred the towne of Ganache was greatly threatned The Marquesse of Belisle who made his abode at Maschecow desired greatly to be dicharged of such neighbours And besides this place was very fit for him if by the meanes of that armie he coulde haue gotten it This place pertained to the Lady of Landimoys of the house of Rohan who had retired to Nantes obaying the kings Edict concerning the alteration of religion The King of Nauarre had giuen the gouernement of this place to the L. Plessis Gette the which diuers times but specially a few dayes afore the siege had been greatly laboured by the said Lady also by the Marquesse of Belisle with faire and large promises to yéeld the place into their hands to whome he would neuer hearken but determined to keep it faithfully The towne of Ganache being distant from Montagne but seauen leagues the Lord Plessis fore seeing the siege dispatched withall diligence to the King of Nauarre who was at Rochel the Lord Sabloniere and Iesserant to let him vnderstand the small commodities that they had to holde that place against a royall army That notwithstanding the saide Lorde Plessis with the rest of the Captaines with him had determined to doo him good seruice so that he would furnish them with meanes At these newes the King dispatched the Baron Vignoles with all his companies to strengthen that place He sent also by sea two Captaines of the regiment of his gardes vnder the conduct of the Lordes Aubiguy and Robiniere who imbarked themselues part at Rochel with powder pikes and other munition of warre part at Esande But the contrarie windes caused them to cast anker at the Iland of Rhe where they stayed eyght daies for winde during which time many being sea sick were found wanting so that at the imbarking againe in stead of two hundred were found fewer in number The Lord Plessis in the meane time laboured hard in the places where was most neede and caused the victuals as well for men as for horses to be brought in out of the vilages round about The L. Ruffigny arriued there with 50. Harquebusiers on horseback by the coÌ„mandement of the said King in staying y e succor which came by sea Ganache is compounded of a towne and Castell situated in the borders of Poytow and Britayn yet holding more of Poytow it is distant from the sea three leagues with an open prospect on that side of the side of Montagne and Maschecow it is woody and couered There is a great poole which compasseth a great part of the towne vppon the Castell side which with diuers brookes watereth the great medowes about it that maketh the waies to the towne moorish and foule but specially in winter The said poole dooth compasse almost two parts of the towne to wit from the suburb Saint Leonard to the suburb of Saint Thomas which is al the side of the Castell The towne is compassed with an indifferent good ditch cut out of a rock the wall is auncient flancked with small towers and made with loope holes after the olde fashion it was found better to resist the cannon then it was thought it would bee specially on the side where it was battered the which for being too feeble and naked hauing but an olde gate the Lord Plessis had fortified and couered with a spurre assoone as he had the gouernement of that place which did him good seruice during the siege Hee made two bulwarkes more on the other side of the towne toward thâ—suburb Saint Thomas the one to couer a tower of the Castell made after the forme of a horseshoo the other nigh vnto the causie which dooth kéep the issue of the poole ten dayes before the siege which was the fourth of December hee builded another
sharpnes of the sicknesse but to a little Castle nigh that village where being the sicknesse did so increase that many doubted of his life He also resolued himselfe constantly to abide the good will of GOD readie willingly to end his life if Gods will was such the thing that only grieued him as that good King Ezechias was the néede which the Church of God might haue of his presence in France if he should fall and also the want of his fidelitie in that kingdome if in the middest of so many great troubles and confusions he should be taken out of this world Notwithstanding he ceased not as much as the disease which was sharpe and violent did permit him to prouide ordayne for the affayres of his armie according as the occasions did fall out He was let bloud and worthily serued and succoured by them who were about him as much as the discommoditie of the place could permit them He sent to all the Churches round about to make prayers and supplications for him which was done with much feruencie and sorrowe The newes of his daungerous disease were brought to Rochel in the euening being the 13. day of Ianuary The congregation was called spéedily with the ringing of the bell to repayre to the Temples This was about seauen of the clocke at night an houre not vsed to such méetings the necessitie notwithstanding requiring the same The people aduertised of the cause ranne with such multitudes to the places of prayers so that the like was neuer seene in that towne All manner of men indifferently euen children and apprentises forsooke the houses to repayre to the Temples the multitude was such that many being not able to goe in went home agayne heauie sad answering by their priuate prayers to those that were made in publike with much lamentation and teares For all men knewe well the greatnes of the affliction throughout all France generally if God at that time so troublesome and confused had taken out of this life that first Prince of the bloud whom he had endued wiâ—h so many graces The sayd extraordinary prayers were continued for the space of many daies vntill that the recouering of his health was certainly knowne The rumour of his death was spread into diuers places of the Realm euen at the Kings Court for the which reports all good and true men did greatly mourne The great contentation which the leagued receiued thereof dured not long for the King receiued newes shortly after of his recouerie It is sayd before how that after the execution done vpon the person of the Duke of Guize the King sent into the Prouinces to aduertise the Gouernours Magistrates and people of the iust causes and necessitie that inforced him to doo that execution And interrupting the continuance of the euents which followed that execution we descended into the lowe Poytow there to see what exployts the great royall armie conducted by the Duke of Neuers had done there and also what the King of Nauarre did all that while Now hauing seene that armie to haue made shipwracke and vanished out of sight we will leaue the King of Nauarre being in bed sicke of a dangerous pleurisie expecting health of the Lord which giueth saluation vnto Kings and to restore him to his health and strength and will come to the matter agayne and consider the horrible accidents which followed the death of the Duke of Guize and of the bounsing Priest the Cardinall his brother After this execution done vpon the bouldest authors of the conspiracie and the rest of the heads of the same being in holde there was great hope that the burning fire of all ciuill dissentions should be on a sudden quenched the flaming torches of tumults being put out But the newes of the sayd execution of the Duke of Guyze being brought into all parts of the Realme by them that fled without bootes and spurres out of the suburbs of Bloys the report came also to the Duke de Mayne being then with an armie in Liomoys he taking with him such as would followe him went out of the Countrey for two causes First fearing vppon these newes the neighbourhood of them of Daulphine Vienoys and Viuarets who might haue doubled their courage vpon that occasioÌ„ being there most of the reformed religion Secondly that because of the death of his brother the hope for the which he and his brother the Duke of Guyze did greatly enuie and malice one an other with mutuall haâ—red doth now proffer it selfe vnto him without any manifest competitour This Duke de Mayne therefore now swallowing downe the crowne of France in one morsell by imagination with as many as would follow him made hast into Burgondie and Champaigne and there made sure to himselfe in those Prouinces as many places as hee could preparing all thinges to warre agaynst the King Here it might bee thought strange how the Duke de Mayne doth so cruelly mooue warre and rebellion against the King seeing that it was he himselfe and his cosin the Duke d'Aumale who gaue aduertisement to the King of the conspiracy and intent of his brother the Duke of Guyze as is aforesayd The question is easily resolued there is no fayth nor fidelity among them who do aspire to the same one kingdome there is no society be it neuer so sworne and holie These three to wit the Duke of Guyze Mayne and Aumale did affect the Kingdome but because the Duke of Guyze was more fauoured of the partakers then the other two he was carryed theretoo as if it were vpon the shoulders by all the partakers who attaining vnto it would haue established the same to himselfe and to his Sonne already in mans estate and to his posterity The Dukes of Mayne and Aumale no doubt did loue more the Duke of Guyze and would haue had the Crowne rather vppon his head then wheâ—e it was yet according to the rules of the Diuinity of Sorboun that charity beginneth at it selfe they would haue worne the Crowne of France euery one vppon his owne head rather then that any other should haue had the occupying of it howsoeuer great and deare friend hee might haue béene This emulation about the affectation of the Crowne was the cause that these two to wit the Dukes de Mayne and Aumale each of theÌ„ in respect of himselfe discouered the conspiracy to the King to the end that he beeing made away they might march a playne way in the same steps which hee had traced before them reseruing to the craftiest or mightiest hereafter to oppresse his cosine for it is not to bee thought that there would haue beene more vnion and loue betweene the Dukes of Mayne and Aumale beeing but cosins then there was between the Dukes of Gnyze and Mayne being brothers Thus wee see what ambition did worke in these new men by affectation of that roall dignity which doth not touch them at all and without any likelihood euer to approch néere vnto namely rebellion
they knew to be about the Kings person in great number wayting for opportunitie to deliuer him prisoner to his enemies or else to dispatch him out of his life with one blow knowing that by their counsels his forces diminished his cities and strong holdes were surprized his enemies waxed strong But specially they feared greatly the playes and tricks which they had taught Charles the ninth his brother and him which they had played many times with them of the religion they I say feared at length to bee snared in the like springes Therefore all these things wel considered they begin euery where to strike the alarum and prepare themselues to the battell against God their King their countrey their liâ—erties and the graues of their fathers So that the Lords Brissak Chastre and Boysdauphin to whome a little before the king had forgiuen great treasons who a little before had promised with an oath obedieÌ„ce to the king who did shewe a semblant of great ioy for the execution done at Bloys they priuily doo steale away and breaking their fayth promise and allegeaunce to their king reuolted agayne to the enemie Brissak went to Anger 's where he thought to cause that Citie to rebell agaynst the king for some of the citie of Anger 's had hitherto dissembled their affection and good wills whch they had to the league and rebellion as well because they had the king at Bloys and Tours who looked to them neerely and narrowly as for not hauing the meanes to execute their enterprize But now at the reuolcing of Brissak they made him head of their enterprize for to seaze vpon the Castell one of the strongest places in all France And for to bring their counsell to a good passe with speede fearing least by delay they might be preuanted by the king being so nigh them therefore they followe a short course for first they trie what corruption may doe They doo promise to the Lord Pichery gouernour of the Castell an hundred thousand crownes and to entertaine foure thousand footmen so that he would keepe it for the league The Lord Pichery as a faith full seruant to his Prince refused all those proffers whereupon the Lord Brissak with the rest of the rebells within the towne did assault the Castel and fortified themselues by all meanes with trenches and barricadoes vpon the ditch of the sayd Castell Whereuppon the Lord Pichery aduertised the King of the state of his affayres and attempts of the Lord Brissak and inhabitantes of the towne The King sent the Marshall Haumont with the regiment of Picardy and part of his guardes who were admitted into the Castell by the Lord Pichery who opened vnto them the great bridge of the said Castell Assoone as the Marshall Haumont entred into the Castel although the rebels were in farre greater number yet the skirmish began then was it tyme for the enemy to packe away in hast many of the rebels were slayne There they were taken prisoners to the Kings vse so many as yeelded one hundred throusand crownes for raunsome Some were executed in the towne and chiefly some Iesuits and Fryers who had beene the firebrands to kindle the combustion and the trompets of the rebellion The Lord Brissak head of the rebellion there saued himselfe by flight with few of his company and seazing vpon the townes of Mans Alençon and Faleze caused the inhabitants there to rebell agaynst the King About the same time the Duke Mercure desirous to get the fauour of the townes and people to assure better the dutchy of Britaine to himselfe tooke vpon him the name of protector of the Romish Church in that prouince of Britanie by the helpe of the Bishops and other rabble of that sinagogue who prescribed certaine formes vnto the Iesuites and Friers whereby in theyr sermons to bring the people to that deuotion Although Christian Reader thou mayst easily perceaue by the whole course of this his history how from time to time the house of Guyze who were not so much by nature as to bee admitted into the society of the Nobility of France at the first made a fayre wether after that preferred them selues before the Princes of the bloud And when through too much lenity of the house of Valoys toward them they had obtayned that they haue practized to steale away the hearts of subiects from their natural Prince at length haue enterprized vpon his life And when by a singular prouidence God had deliuered the King out of their snares and clawes and see they are not able to depriue him of his life they doo depriue him of his Crowne ad dignitie First by the iudgment of Sorboune Secondly by the assotiatiation with they haue sworne to present him to death by all meanes possible Thirdly by taking away from him the name of King though not in plaine tearmes yet by paraphrase as when one taketh vpon him to be the protector of the Crown of France y â— other protector of the Church and giue the same to themselues which properâ—y is and hath beene the office of the king of France For the Kings in France haue had alwayes that honour as due vnto them by right to be Protectors of the Crowne Dignitie State Kingdome Church and people of their dominions and neuer yeelded that title to any man neither durst euer any man vsurpe that title vntill this yeare 1589. by these two companions to wit the Dukes de Mayne and Mercure But it may be obiected that the same title hath béene geuen and taken to the King of Nauarre as protector of the reformed churchs of France and therefore they do that which the heretikes haue taught them To this it may be answered that the case is not alike for the reformed churches were forsaken of the King without any cause at the solicitation of flatterrs sycophantes and clawbaâ—kes who to bring the King to that confusion that hee is come vâ—to did hold his kingdome into troubles and ciuill warres by litle and little to entrench vpon his authority at length to tread him downe vnder feete That part therefore of the Kings subiects which was the best though not the greater in number being wrongfully put from the Kings protection and assaulted euery where haue recourse not to a stranger nor strange bloud the first Peere and Prince of France who after the King hath most interest to the Crowne him they haue requested to protect them vnder the Kings authority against the violences of them who did so counsell the King to forsake the protection of his people But these companyons what hath moued them to vsurpe these tytles The King did neuer forsake the Crowne nor the Romish Church in godliues that way in zeale in integrity and austericy of life in wisedome prudence and fortitude to defend the romish Church he hath passed all the Kings of all ages he hath bestowed his forces hath spent his goods hath ventered his life diuers times hath made shipwracke of his honor for
others who were taken prisoners And because the night drew neere apace the Prince thought good with all speede to assault the other companies of rebels who were at Commeaux who were about a thousand or twelue hundred men conducted by the Lord Beaulieu This company had trenched and fortified themselues and therefore the most part of thē were y e cannons priests monks fryers Iesuites of the Citie of Sees and many persons of the countrey round about who would shewe some proofe of their valour and how they could fight better with a Caliuer then with their Portisse but at length it was found that they had more skill in iugling a Masse and making of Gods then in handling their weapons among them was the Parson of Vimonstier a desperate and sedicious Priest The Lord Beaulieu was their captain who at the first onset the sayd Lord Beaulieu was taken among the first in the forcing of the Fort who being carried away by the Captaine Chauuayne before the Prince sayd that there were within that Fort at the least seauen hundred well armed and appoynted The Prince vnderstanding that commanded the Lords Bakqueuile Archand to get into the Fort and for that purpose he left them the Culuering and went that night to Escouche where he arriued about eleuen of the clocke in the night And assoone as he was gone the rebels of Comeaux vnderstanding how their fellowes had sped yéelded with their liues onely saued who were immediatly disarmed and brought to Escouche to the Prince There the Duke soiourned all the next day being the 21. of Aprill to take the view of the prisoners who were in great number of all qualities of persons The same day the Lords Hallot Bakqueuile Beuil Bellefontayn and Archand went abroad with their companies to see if they could méet with any ranging Rebells where they mist not much to haue taken the Baron Vernier The sayd Baron and Brissake with the rest of their complices retyred in great speede to Argenton fearing to be as kindly hit on the hips as their fellowes had béen The 22. day the Prince leauing the Lords of Harcourt of Saint Mary Venoix and Sassay at Escouche went to Courcy where hee vnderstoode that the Lord Pierrecourt was lodged with some Launciers not farre of he mounted straight on horsebacke and went to finde them out but he had dislodged a little before they came to the place Here Christian Reader marke the presence of God in the assisting of a good cause and handled by persons of lawfull calling First thou seest how the King heretofore in the warres against the K. of Nauarre had not prospered but all things haue fallen to his owne charges dishonour and shame because he persecuted him without a cause and such persons were put in trust of his affayres and aduanced themselues forward intending vnder that colour to supplant their master Now when the King hath a iust cause in hand and put men in trust that are lawfully called bearing a true and vnfayned heart to the King kingdome Crowne and Countrey such as bee the Princes of his bloud and other of the true Nobilitie of France the Lord also is of his side and fighteth for him maketh him victorious and restoreth to him his authoritie by steps as it shall appeare hereafter Secondly here is a notable thing happened which neuer did happen vnto any Captaine that euer I haue read saue vnto that noble Athenian Conon that a Captaine had obtayned three noble victories in one day but vnto this noble Prince of ancient and noble rase Thus the Prince Montpencier by these victories gaue a tast vnto the rebels of the cup of their treasons and so did driue them into Townes and Holds that afterward it was rare to see any rebels abroade except it were when they had neede priuilie to steale out to robb their nigh neighbours of their goods Hauing done this exployt he purposed to bring the artillerie from Courcy and returne to the Citie of Caen intending shortly after to be in the field agayne and to carrie by it vntill he had subdued the countrey to the Kings obedience agayne By a pertinent digression I haue shewed what noble and profitable exployts the Prince Montpencier hath done in Normandy against the Rebels now we will returne to continuance of the narration interrupted It is sayd before how the King seeing himselfe in extreame danger made truces with the King of Nauarre and deliuered him the Towne of Saumour for his safe passage and repassage ouer the riuer of Loyre which he committed to the Lord of Plessis Marline Few dayes being expired after the deliuering of the town of Saumour the King of Nauarre went thether to the great contentation and reioysing of all the inhabitants and of all the Nobility round about well affected to the Kings seruice and good of the realme Liberty was geuen by the K. of Nauarre to all the inhabitants concerning religion indifferently as hée had done in other places The King of Nauarre hauing ordered all things at Saumour about the 17. day of Aprill went foorth and besieged the Castell of Brissak the Lord thereof beeing a traitour and a rebellious Leaguer and tooke it by composition The 18. the King of Nauarre passed all his Forces beyond the riuer of Loyre ouer the bridg of Saumour and within few dayes ioyned with other forces which stayed for him gathered out of Normandy Mayne Anjou Perche Beausse and other countries beeing betweene Loyre and Seyne intending shortly to see face to face the army of the rebels conducted by the Duke de Mayne Thus the King of Nauarre greatly iniuried and offended so often and at the request and for the pleasure of the Duke of Guyze assaulted now commeth to rescue out of danger captiuity and death him that had persecuted him so long with all the forces of a mighty kingdome he commeth I say with a chosen army not onely great in number but also in valour so that euery common souldier might haue supplyed the roome of an Officer Goe on O great King put on the armor of God follow his calling this day thou hast obtayned a greater and more famous victory then at the day of Coutras in ouercomming the desire of reuengement which vpon diuers occasions might haue risen by the frailty of mans nature The 21 the King of Nauarre hauing passed ouer the riuer Loyre and ioyned with his forces gathered out of the Countreys abouesayd setteth forth a declaration shewing the causes of this passage First hee sheweth that hee is called to enter into this action by God by nature by the lawe and by the iust approbation of his Prince which causes do moue him to determine to imploy his lyfe his meanes power for the reestablishing of y e Kings authority restoring of the realm and for the defence of good Subiects within the same decayed and oppressed by the treasons of the Leaguers vnder the colour of godlines and iustice Secondly he protesteth
to hold for enemies onely them who haue declared themselues enemies of the realm by theyr rebellion and outragious insolencies committed against the soueraigne magistrate and iustice promising notwithstanding to receaue to mercy them which deceaued by the enticements of the rebels or feare rather then by their owne malice haue associat themselues to the said rebels Denounceth therfore to all Prouinces Cities Commonalties Church-men Nobles Magistrates Captaynes Souldiers Borgeses Citizens and all other of any degree whatsoeuer to retire speedily from the society of those traitors and rebels and to returne vnder the obedience of their naturall and lawful Prince and King but specially willeth the Church men whereof some haue rendered themselues instruments of the former treacheries and rebellions to loue peace and to keepe themselues within their bounds returning and abiding vnder the obedience of their King Thirdly he protesteth that this his passing the riuer of Loyre by the commaundement of the King is for their defence and therefore taketh all the Kings faithful subiects vnder his protection but specially the Church men forbidding vpon payne of death all his Captaynes and souldiers not to proffer any iniury vnto any of them their goods or places of exercises willing also all the aforesaid persons to repayre vnto the king or vnto him to haue and receaue pasporte and protections that the faythfull may be discerned from the Rebell Fourthly he turneth his speach to the foresaid persons admonishing them to consider the horrible euils which haue already and shall rise out of that damnable rebellion To the Cleargy hee speaketh to consider how godlines is euery where choked in the middest of those tumults the name of God blasphemed and religion despised The Noble men he prayeth to consider how theyr order must needs fall with the ruine of the King Crowne and Estate The Magistrates hee warneth to represent before their eyes what execrable violating of iustice will follow by the examples of the Parliaments of Paris and Tholouse carried away Prisoners as in a triumph by rascals and vilanous persons The commons hee aduertiseth to thinke how they are eased by these tumultes where their goods are exposed to the pray of the vilest sort their traffike interrupted their husbandrie altogether turned into wast and desolation Last of all he exhorteth all men to endeuour themselues to bring what they can to remedy these euils which y e rebels haue procured to the realme which cannot be done without a good peace neither can that be obtayned but by the returning vnder the Kings obedience restoring his royall authority and reestablishing of iustice hee assureth himselfe that God who geueth saluation vnto Kinges will assist him in this enterprise and iust cause Auuergne is a Prouince in France full of hilles and mountains wherein there be three Cityes situated in forme of a triangle and not distant farre one from another to wit Rion Clermont and Monferrant the Kings long before had established at Rion beside other courts a soueraigne court of his treasurers receauers This Citie had receaued the League and had committed rebellion agaynst him in shaking off the yoke of obedience Therefore the King about the 24. of April seeing their obstinacy in their rebellion do reuoke from the said Towne of Rion all his courts and doth transport the same to the Citie of Clermont commaunding all his officers of al his courts in that citty to repaire to the said Clermont and there to execute their charge About the same time also the King doth adiudge all the goods of the Dukes of Mayne Aumale and of the Cheualier Aumale and of the voluntary inhabitants of the cities of Paris Roen Amiens Abeuile Rhemes Orleans Chartres Mans Lyons Tholouse to bee forfaited to his crowne for their treasons and perseuerance in the same aboue the time prefixed vnto them which was the 15. day of March last past and ordained commissioners to sell the sayd goods and lands to his vse The King of Nauarre in the meane time scoureth the countrey and prepareth himselfe to receaue the Kings commaundement and vnderstanding that the Duke de Mayne was lodged at Vendosme and Montoyre the 28. of Aprill he determined to surprize some of the enemies and about foure a clock in the morning taking eight hundered horsemen and one thousand shot on horsbacke went to bait at Chaulx in Anjou ten long leagues from Saumour departing thence hauing already gone forward three leagues he receaued newes how the Duke of Mayne had brought his forces to Chasteaurenault and had sent part of them to besiege the County of Brienne who was at Saint Oyne nigh Amboyse The King hearing of the siege of Chasteaurenault and Saynt Oyne by the enemy hauing him so nigh neighbour and fearing that he would come to lodge in the Suburbs of Tours being in danger to be deliuered into the hands of them by the intelligences which they had wiâ—h the leagued of his Court and of the Citie he did dispatch diuers Postes both to Saumour also to other places to the King of Nauarre And about three leagues from Chaulx toward Vendosme hee was aduertyzed by three Postes that the King sent for him whereuppon the sayd King of Nauarre turned bridle and came that night to lodge at Maille vpoÌ„ Loyre within two leagues of Tours after he had beene 24. howers on horsbacke and immediatly sent word of his comming to the King The King vnderstanding of his being so nigh him did greatly reioyce knowing that the enemy neither would nor durst enterprize any thing whilest he was so nigh his person The enemy sent certayne companies in the euening with a great brauade and tooke a Suburbe of Tours where they defloured a Mayd who had fled into the Church before the high alter in the armes of a Priest but hearing that the King of Nauarre was at hand without any leasure to take breath they retyred presently The King of Nauarre rested himselfe and his troupes the next day but the 30. of Aprill beeing the Lords day in the morning the sayd King of Nauarre iudging that it were necessary for them both to see one another thereuppon to take some certayne resolution of their affayres beeing also requested by the King although his counsell had diuers opinions of that interuiew hee sent to the King by the Lord of Mignouuile that he was gone to set all his troupes in battaile array at the Pont la Mot a quarterr of a league from Tours and thatif it should please his Maiesty to come to the Suburbs he would kisse his Maiesties hands and would receaue his commaundemeÌ„ts to execute theâ— according to the necessity of the affayrs After the said King of Nauarre with all his troupes had stayed about two houres the Marshall Hautmont came to him from the King to pray him that he would passe ouer the riuer to come to him to Plessâ—s les Tours where the King with all the court stayed for him That thing he immediatly determined to
therefore least the smoake of this execrable intended parricide should flee ouer the walles of Paris and so by giuing intelligences their haynous vnnaturall and hellish treason and murther might bée preuented it was diligently prouided that no man should goe out of Paris before the exployt were done Therefore the gates were shut vp and carefully kept and all the issues at the Suburbes end straightly and narrowly watched that no man could goe to tell tales out of the schoole Now the Frier hath on his hypocriticall coate his letters in his hand his lesson in his head his poysoned knife in his sleeue order is taken that no intelligences may be giuen the way is made plaine before this diuellish murtherer euen as farre as to the Kings gate the doores are made open to him by these meanes the execution is to bee performed speedily least delay should disappoynt his enterprise This murtherer accompanied with the other Frier who had confirmed him in his reuelation or illusion wherewith Sathan had deluded him as is aforesayd the 21. of Iuly which by the newe heauen of the Popes making is the first of August out of Paris taking his way to S. Clow which is a Towne vpon Seyne beneath Paris two small leagues and comming to the Campe he tolde them whome hée met first that he had letters from the first President and certaine other Parisiens well affected to the king which contayned matters of great importance and beside that hee had great and waightie things to disclose to the King The King being scarce ready and aduertised of this accursed Friers comming commaunded that he should attend and that speedily hee should be admitted to his speach the Frier did attend with his letter in his hand which he said was from the first president detained prisoner The King being made ready and at such an houre as he was wont to enter into his oratory and when it was not lawfull not for the Princes of the bloud to haue accesse vnto him caused that sauage murtherer to be called to him The Frier came before the King with a bolde countenance the King looking merily vpon him said these words amice ad quid venisti The Frier making a low and humble reuerence euen to the ground gaue the King the letter which he said came from the first president of Paris which letters when the King had read asked the Frier what newes hee brought from Paris the Frier answered that hee had matters of great importance to declare vnto him Whereupon the King commaunded two Gentlemen who waited and serued him at his vprising to goe foorth out of the chamber and sat downe in a chayre to heare what the Frier would say The Frier drew nigh to the King and falling vpon his knées began to tell a tale the King stouping somewhat low to heare what the Frier was about to say gaue more attendance to his words than to his fingers The Frier drawing softly his knife out of his sléeue stabbed the King there with in the lower part of the belly and made hast to get away The King amazed at the suddaine and vnexpected stroak cried out and laying hand vpon a dagger that lay nere him stroak the Frier who partly for the blow partly for feare fell presently down Vppon this noyse the Lordes came running into the Kings chamber and after many woundes slew that cursed Frier Some doo report that the King commaunded that hee should not bee flaine but taken vp and examined which declared who set him on and the authors names of so vile treacherie the wound was presently dressed and as the report went seauen stitches made in it at length the wound being dressed hee was laide on his bed and slept a little vppon his paine and griefe After his sleepe hee made his praiers vnto God and with a loude voyce made a confession of his faith and of the féeling which he had of his redemption adding there unto this feruent praier IF it bee to thy glorie O God and the commodity of thy people graunt me I most humblie desire first pardon of my sinnes and then some longer dayes of life But if it be otherwise I thanke thee most highly O Father that thou doost barre me hence forth from the thraledome of sinne whereby we most oftentimes procure thy wrath against vs and therefore I am ready most willingly to come where thou callest me The King hauing made an end of his praiers sendeth for his brother the King of Nauarre and for the chiefest Lords of his court gouernours and captaines but specially for the heads of the strangers to the intent that if it were Gods will that hee should dye they might knowe his last will First speaking to the King of Nauarre commended vnto him the charge of his Realme the gouernement of his subiects the lawes of France Often times he repeated wordes whereby hee charged the said King of Nauarre to haue a speciall care to keepe Christes flocke in vnity and concord and to preserue the godly and ancient institutions of the realme requested him that by all meanes he would pacify the matter of religion in France and not to alter any thing therein but by the aduise of a generall or naturall counsell lawfully called which things the King of Nauarre promised to doo To the rest of Princes Lords and Noblemen he signified that the lawfull succession of the royall state of France fell not to any other then to the person of Bourbon and declared at that time the King of Nauarre first successor he prayed and exhorted the whole company to acknowledge him and to be faithfull vnto him willed them also to protest in his presence all with one voice the acknowledging of him and to promise true obedience vnto him as to the true lawfull and naturall heire of the Crowne willed them also to cause the like promise and acknowledgement to be made in the Campe by all true and faithfull Captaines and Souldiers that could not be present at that assembly consisting as well of Frenchmen as strangers In all these speaches he shewed himselfe of a good cheere which caused all men to hope that hee stoode in no danger of death The said King sent presently letters to all Prouinces and Cities to aduertise them how things had passed at S. Clow and of his will and last Testament requiring all his faithfull Subiects to protest the fulfilling thereof The second day toward the euening there appeared in the King accidents prognosticating an assured danger not so much through the nature of the wound as through the poysoned contagiousnes of the weapon wherwith the wound was made so that all remedies being vsed by the Phisitions and Chirurgions to preuent the danger and nothing preuailing the King called againe to him the King of Nauarre and other Princes and Lords before whom he greatly bewailed the accursed ciuill warres which had béen the vndooing of his house his nobility and realme and the breeders of so many
the Sonne of God So the Lord knoweth who are his Herein also appeareth euidently the mercifulnes of God who worketh all things to the best and comfort of his children For when as the Rebels and murtherers supposed that by the Kings death they might easily make an alteration of the state and transferre the Crowne vpon the head of the Duke de Mayne and so disappoynt the Princes of Bourbon of their right of succession the Lord turned al their counsels vpside downe For the Lord mooued the King lying on his death bed when he was in perfect memorie and farthest as the manner in such a case from all manner of affection and parciality to pronounce his sentence and decrée or rather supplying the person of God to proclayme the King of Nauarre right heire and successor of the crowne and by the inuocation of the glorious name of GOD bâ—und the Princes péeres Nobles Captaines and Souldiours to yéeld him dutifull obedience so that God himselfe hath béene the iudge of his cause giuing sentence on his side by him whome he appoynted his officer in that behalfe It will stand Thus much of the vnworthy death of so great a King in whom ended the issue of the noble house of Engolesme according vnto the fatall period of great Noble and mighty families which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherein we haue to note the whole family excepted onely Francis the first as Henry the second Francis the second Charles the ninth Francis Duke of Aniou and this last King Henry the third 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per sanguinem ruit and haue died of an vntimely or violent death because they were polluted with that accursed woman Catherine Medicis Pope Clement his sisters brothers daughter And so making an end of the Epitasis of this vnnaturalltragedie played by leaguers we will make an end likewise of this 6. Booke Here endeth the 6. Booke THE SEVENTH BOOKE NOw we will follow the Catastrophe and last act which although it be full of Calamities yet it is like to bee ended with a ioyfull and happie successe The King beeing dead great heauines and sorrowe seazed vppon men of all degrees the Campe was full of sorrow and lamentation the wise saw this to be new seeds of a world of euils which wil worke the vtter subuersion of France On the other side great reioysing was seene among the rebels and traitors authors and procurers of the murther their ioye they shewed diuers waies but speciallie with contumelies and sarcasmes demaunding one of another whether the Friers knife was sharpe enough or not The rebels in Paris certified of the assured death of the King and supposing that the army had béen greatly dismayed replenished with teares and lamentation conceaued a good hope to do some great and notable exploit and imagining that it were easie in this mourning of all men to defeat the Kings forces all that night the Duke de Mayne did muster and prepare a mighty army and early in the morning issuing out of the Suburbs was so receaued by the Kings forces that he was enforced to retire within the Citie with blowes and dishonor That morning being the third of August but by the right calender the 23. of Iuly the King of Nauarre who was appointed the Kings Generall lieutenant by the King after that hee had receaued the wound assembled the Princes Lords Nobility and Captaines to deliberat how to remedy those great euils and to put out that combustion which the rebels had kindled in all partes of the realme First there was a capitulation made and concluded betweene theKing and the said Princes and Nobles Lords gentlemen and souldiers that there should be no innouation made in the Romish religion but the same should stand and be exercised peaceably without any interruption And that the reformed religion should be contained with all liberty in the exercise thereof within the places where it was then at that present time established prouided that the Romish religion should bee there exercised also without any disturbance And that men professing these two religions liuing peaceably like good subiects should be protected by the Kings authoritie in their liues goods liberties and franchizes vntill that by a nationall Councell some good and peaceable order should bee taken for some reconsiliation or vniformitie touching religion Which thing the King promised by the faith of a Prince to kéepe inuiolably and with as much speede as might be to prouide that a Councell and méeting of the learned might be assembled This order being concluded and the obseruation thereof promised by the King all his Princes Nobles Lords Gentlemen and Captaines promised vpon their othes all duetifull fidelitie and obedience vnto the K. and to assist him with their liues goods and meanes as well in the defence of his royall authoritie agaynst all traytors rebels and Leaguers which goe about to vsurpe the state as in the execution of the exemplary punishment vpon them who haue procured or committed that haynous disloyaltie felony and treason vpon the Kings person last deceased and all others who shall be knowne consenting knowing or accessarie to the same This order being taken as the readiest and most expedient to vnite the subiects with the King being promised and sworne the King of Nauarre was saluted declared proclaymed and crowned King of France and Nauarre by the name of King Henry the 4. And whereas in this historie hée had béen discerned from the King of France by the title of King of Nauarre now in the course of this historie following he shall be simply named King without any other addition or title This noble King being proclaymed King is crowned and put in the possession of the Crowne of France due vnto him by right not with triffling childish and Monkish cerimonies with holy oyle holy water holy toyes and holy trashes but after the ancient manner of the Emperours of the Romanes in the Camp by the whole army Princes Péeres Nobles and Captaines of the kingdome Here Christian Reader is to be noted Gods most gracious fauour toward France and prouidence toward this great King for except the Lord had prepared this heroicall Prince to restablish this decayed state which was cast downe headlong into such a depth of miseries by the Leaguers as in mans iudgement it was impossible that it could euer haue been vnited againe but rather reduced into a lamentable desolation But the Lord in his mercie beholding from heauen his holy habitation with his lightfull countenance after so many tempests hath raised vp lead by the hand and placed by his own authoritie and power this great Prince on the Throan of that state whom hee hath endued with wisedome prudence fortitude moderatnes modestie iustice and pietie to bee able to heale the deadly wounds of that sickly state to pacifie the controuersies of religion to lodge therein iustice and iudgement so long exiled out of that common wealth and to restore peace so long wished and desired Againe
his battaile to bee pitched in the plaine of Arques and afterward in the euening brought his army into Diepe and the Suburbs of the same and all night caused great and large Trenches to bee made in a place called the hill of Cats and by the Morning the Trenches beeing strong he placed part of his footmen vnder the gouernment of the Lord Chastilion with thirtéene Ensignes of Swissers vppon the Fort of the side of Januile hee pitched two double Canons which did greatly endomage the enemy because they were all on an heape and their horsemen could not retire into their quarter without the danger of the Canon so that it neuer shot in vaine The King sent the Regiment of the Lord Garde into the Castle of Arques The first day of October the enemy planted sixe pieces of Ordinance vpon the top of the hill by Ianuile and shot fiue or sixe voleies of shot into the Towne wherewith was slaine one of the Kings Cookes a Woman a Maiden and a Boy and great hurt done to two Shippes which lay at Anker in the Hauen The Lord Staphord Ambassador of England had presented a Canonier to the King who beeing very skilfull with a shot killed the master Gunner and dismounted two pieces of the enemies Ordinance which caused them to remooue their Canon during this time the Kings troups dayly did set vppon them and drew them from their Trenches with blowes and deadly woundes who beeing weary of that continuall play the fourth day of October they brake their Rampiers and Gabions vpon intelligences of the comming of the Prince of Soisson the Duke of Longueuile Marshall Aumont retyred with shame and losse of men and in the Kings sight raised their camp and dislodged on a sudden taking their iourney toward Picardie and in the way shewed all crueltyes that could bee The King seeing the sudden and vnexpected departure of the Enemy supposed that he went to fight against the power which was broughtto him by the said Prince of Soissons Duke of Longueuile and Marshall Aumont afore they should ioyne with him which thing he mistrusted the more because the enemies shifted into three seuerall places and neuer frarre from him But the King knowing that these helpes were come within seuen or eight leagues tooke betweene three or foure hundred horsemen to goe to meet with them about the sixt day of October leauing the Marshall Biron in Diepe with all the rest of the armie The same day he tooke the towne and Castle Samache in the sight of the enemy The 8. day hée tooke the towne of Hew giuing great occasions to the Duke d'Mayne to fight Whilest these things were passing at Diepe and sometime before there was a méeting of the deputies of the Dukes d'Mayne and Parma in the town of Aras where the Duke d'Mayne bound himselfe to the Spanyards to deliuer all the townes of Picardie into their hanâ—s so that they would come to ayde him but the Spanyards would not styrre out of their places before hée had performed what hée was bound to doo The Duke d'Mayne therefore to colour his cowardlines shamefull flight and disgrace receaued at Diepe and for that hée durst neuer hazard the battell he bruted abroad that he went into Picardie to take possession of the townes of that Prouince to pledge them to the Spanyards and so hauing passed the riuer of Some he tooke away with him all hope from the King to come to any battaile The King knowing well the nature of the French men who though sometyme in their heat and naturall hastines they doo fall to sedition yet are vnpacient of a strange gouernment assured himselfe that they would neuer admit the gouernment of that nation whom they of all most hated neither would they yeeld vnto the Flemmings whom they hated also for the naturall iniuries which they do proffer one to another in time of warre as it falleth out commonly among Borderers Therefore he stayed yet a while in Diepe as well for the affaires of Normandie where hee left the Prince Montpencier for Gouernour as for to receaue foure thousand Englishmen sent vnto him by the renowmed Queene of England And the 21. of October hee departed from Deepe and with small iourneyes coasted the enemie betwéene the two Riuers of Seyne and Some vntill hee came to Meulan a Towne situated a little aboue Pontoys distant from Paris ten leagues and there vpon that bridge passing on the South side of Seyne with all speede went to Paris for two causes First for to drawe him to fight for although hee would not venture a battell for the winning of Deepe notwithstanding he had so promised to his partakers yet the King was in good hope that he would fight for Paris The other cause was to withdrawe him from Picardy where he had taken the towne of Fere and some other small Townes the most part of the Nobilitie and Gentlemen of the countrey being with the King About the 28. of October the King lodged his armie a mile from Paris in the villages about The morrowe after the king in his owne person went all about to view the Trenches along the Suburbes The last day of October the king hauing prepared all things by the aduise of the Princes Marshals and expert Captaines determined to assault the sayd Suburbs the next morning by breake of the day in three sundrie places and to that purpose deuided his forces into three seuerall companies In the one were the foure thousand Englishmen vnder the gouernement of the Lord Willoughby their Generall with two regiments of Frenchmen and one regiment of Swissers with the Marshall Byron and the Baron Byron his sonne the Lord Guittry diuers other Noblemen who had commandement to assault the Suburbs S. Victor S. Marcel The second troupe was of foure Regiments of Frenchmen two Regiments of Swissers and four companies of aduenturers with the Marshall of Aumont accompanied with the Lord great Esquire and the Lord Rieulx Marshall of the field with a great number of Nobles and Gentlemen who had charge to assault the Suburbs of Saint Iames and Saint Michael The third companie with ten Regiments of French men and one Regiment of Launceknights conducted by the Lordes de la Nouë and Chastilion should assault the Subutbs Saint German Bucy and Nille Euery troupe had a good number of Gentlemen well armed to assist the footmen if any great resistance should be made The King also commaunded two Canons and two Culuerins to be planted in the rereward of euery troupe He seperated also all his horsemen in three companies he himselfe commaunded ouer the first the Prince of Soissons ouer the second the Duke of Longueuile ouer the third each of them appointed to strengtheÌ„ the companies which were set to assault the Suburbs thus deuided as is aforesaid The first day of Nouember by breake of the day beeing a very thicke myst in this order the Suburbs were assaulted and so shaken by
the Kings power that in lesse then an houre they were all taken with the losse of fifteene hundred men of the enemie There were also fourteene Ensignes taken and thirteene pieces of Ordinance The chase was followed with such a furie that the Kings men mingled among the enemies followed euen within the gates of the Citie and if the Kinges Ordinance had come as it was appointed the Gates had béen beaten downe before they could any way haue fortifyed them So the King came into the Suburbs of Saint Iames about seauen or eight a Clocke in the Morning the people crying in the Stréetes with a lowd voice Viue le Roy with more shew of ioy then of any feare at al. About a hundred and fiftie Harquebuziers of the enemies tooke for their defence y e Abbey of Saint Germayn making a shew as though they would hold it perforce which thing they might well haue done by reason of the strength thereof but about midnight beeing charged to render the place they gaue it ouer Then was the King master of all the Suburbs which do lye on the side of the Vniuersitie which are as big as the Citty of London within the walles The King being master of the Suburbs in the space of two hours saue the Abbey as is aboue said tooke such good order that none started from his company for any pillage vntill the Quarters were appointed vnto the Souldiers where they should haue their pray That day was employed about entrenching before the Gates of the Citye and watch and ward set in conuenient places About midnight following the said 1. of October the King was aduertised that the Duke de Mayne came into the Citie of Paris with his Forces whereof the King was exceeding glad for two causes first because the enemy was new retyred from Picardy Secondly because that hee was in good hope that he would bee drawen to a battayle for the defence of that Citie by which meanes he should not be enforced to execute his iustice agaynst the walles of the Citie and his owne subiects who were greatly seduced by the bad perswasions of the enemy The second day of October the King stayed all the day to see what the enemy durst attempt and whether hee would venture to come forth to fight but seeing they shewed no feeling of their losses receaued the day before The third day the King determined to yéeld them the Suburbs to see whether that would prouoke and encourage them to attempt any thing Therefore leauing the Suburbs set himselfe in battayle aray staying in the field from eight vntill a eleuen a clocke and seeing that no man appeared he marched thence quite for two causes First for very compassion which hee had of an infinit number of people seduced from their dutie and obedience supposing that time and this perill which came to theyr doores would make them wiser and call their dutyes to remembrance But if not that it was the iust and heauy iudgement of God who hardneth theyr harts as hee did the Egyptians in olde time that he might reuenge the idolatryes whoredoms contempt and hatred of his Gospell and the bloud of his Saynts which they had powred in their Stréets lyke water and that such a great City when theyr iniquity and rebellion had come to a full measure might be assaulted at any other tyme. Secondly he thought good to reduce into his obedience the Countreys which did lye betweene the riuers Loyre and Seyne which their enemies had seduced for two causes that hee might haue a sure way for munition and victuals out of those countreys which are very fruitfull Secondly to procure a safety vnto the countryes which are vnder his obedience but specially to the Citie of Tours which by his predecessor was made the seat of the Realme and was in a manner all compassed but specially on the North side with townes castles and holds rebelled and furnished with garrisons of rebels The Duke de Mayne playing the night Crowe fearing the day light arriued in the night at Paris neither proffered any issue nor skirmish vnto the King nor shewed any token of his being there no more then if they had béen fallen on a sudden into a lethargie The King being retyred from Paris the sayd Duke fell to a saffer and more profitable kinde of warre for his money being spent in erecting so many Trophées in Normandy with that mightie Army as he did after he had receaued so many stripes and bastonadoes as he sayd that he will no more of that play he determined to search the Coffers of his friends the Parisiens whom he loued well yet their money better And as it is sayd commonly that the man who desireth to kill his dog maketh himselfe beléeue that hee is mad so this valiant Duke to picke a quarrell doth easily make himselfe and the Parisiens beléeue that they had procured the King to come to Paris and that which the King had done by valour was done by winking of them and was enterprised vpon intelligences which they had with him and that if hee had not come with spéede they would haue deliuered the citie to the King No man could deny this for there was within the citie witnesses who were returned from Picardy to the number of twentie thousand who had the Fortresses of the Citie in their hands all these would beare witnesse agaynst them And who will not beléeue such a multitude of witnesses But yet if it had not béen so their goods were sufficient witnesses of the crimes aboue said so that whosoeuer was rich or so accounted was sufficiently conuicted to haue practised against the association and holy vnion Whosoeuer had goods was quickly conuicted to be an heretick and betrayer of the Catholike religion Therefore hot skirmishes were within the Citie deadly warre is proclaymed against the Coffers Closets and Counting houses of rich men Rich Marchants are sent for pulled out of their houses with their wiues and children their goods taken to y e holy vse of the holy League they are made fast to a payre of gallowes and there hanged for the very zeale and deuotion which the Leaguers haue to their Catholike faith and holy mother the Church they did throw into the water the wiues and children of many rich citizens least they should clayme any part of their goods All parts of the Citie were full fo horrible executions weeping mourning and heauie lamentation The King did neuer shewe the hundred part of that extremitie vnto his enemies as the heads of the League did vnto their friends whom they should haue defended from being executed by others So that the heads of the traytors hauing obtayned a profitable and gaynfull victorie agaynst the Counting houses and Coffers of their friends and hauing that which they most desired doo rest themselues take their case after so many skirmishes fought in Normandy but specially in Paris for now they haue money to spend The King being at the Village Liuars vnder
the same moneth by reason of the foule way which hindered the carriage of the Ordinance but hauing sent the Lord Artray certaine daies before he had compassed the Towne and at his first comming tooke the Suburbes and drew them of the Towne to composition Captaine Lago Gouernour of the Towne retyred into the Castle with foure hundred and fiftie Souldiers making shew as though he would defend it The place was very strong enuironed with water and strong wals well flanked and good towers The Marshall of Byron being entred the towne kept so good order in it that it was not seene that it had bin besieged the shops being kept open that day as if it had bin in time of peace and presently caused the artillerie to be brought before the Castle and shot at the defences found meanes to take away their water The 23. of December the King being arriued at Alencon and viewing what was done at the siege of the sayd Castle sayd that the siege would not be long The same day the King caused the sayd Lago who was within the Castell to bee aduertised that he was come and to bee sommoned at which newes he began to bee astonied and the morrowe after he required parley and the same day yeelded the place with promise of safetie of liues armes and baggage The King hauing prouided for the assurance of the place left there for Gouernour the Lord Artrey with a good garison in the towne and castle and departing herehence the 27. of December went and lodged at Sees where the Bishop and his Priests with the Magistrats of the Citie came to méet him and receaued him so well that he trusted vnto the inhabitants of the place without leauing therein any other garrison The 28. of December the King departed from thence to Argenton which is a good towne in Normandie wherein is a Castle of good strength There was in the same Castle three Ensignes of footmen whom the Lord Brissak had left there who with Captaine Picart and his regiment were come from Paris to Man and had promised to shewe himselfe at all the sieges which the King would take in hand and he would empeach him from the taking of any towne in the countreys of Mayne and base Normandie But this great warriour was as olde in courage as he was hot in words for he neuer shewed his face at any siege The inhabitants of the towne of Argenton hauing determined to yeeld to the King came foorth and met him most humbly desiring his Maiestie to receaue them to his fauour which thing he did willingly The Souldiers seeing that retyred into the Castle beseeching the K. to suffer them to depart with their liues and baggage which thing the K. granted vnto them The 29. of December the garrison of Damfront vnderstanding that he had sommoned the towne and that the inhabitants had determined to acknowledge and admit the King entred in consultation what they should doo and being deuided into contrary factions put themselues in armes one agaynst another It happened that they who would submit themselues to the King although they were not halfe so many in number as the other were encouraged and assisted of God for the iustice of the cause had the victorie The Baron of Verny Gouernour of the Castle was slayne and certayne other whereupon as well they of the Castle as of the Towne sent to the King to craue his fauour and clemencie which they obtayned The 30. of December the King sent to the towne to be assured of both partes which thing was done without force or violence The Lord Brissak and his companions rebels being beaten away out of all townes of Anjou Mayne and Perche had put himselfe with the regiment of Captaine Picart into Falaize a Towne situated betweene Argenton and Caen where is a Castell very strong and esteemed to be the best place of base Normandie the Castell of Caen only excepted Thether Brissak had entised many Gentlemen and Souldiours of the Countrey men of his owne humour whose heart did boyle with rebellion and treacherie and also the remnant of the Gantiers who had escaped the slaughter done vpon them before by the Prince Montpencier vaunting that they would repayre the honour of their companions who had yeelded and lost all other townes and that at this place all the spoyle which the King had gotten should be surrendred The night following the 30. of December the King sent the Baron of Byron to enuiron it with certaine troupes of men of warre who came thether the morning following so happily that hee found the Lord Brissak comming out of the Towne purposing to haue burned the Towne of Gybray which is as if it were a Subbâ—b of Falaize The saide Lorde Brissak perceauing the troupes of the Baron of Byron returned back into the Towne in hast and with great terror so that by the comming of the said Byron the Towne of Gybray was kept from burning seazed vpon and the enemies there inforced to râ—tyre into Falaize The 31. of December the King arriued and went presently accompanied with the Marshall Byron to view the Towne and Castell which are both strong The Towne is compassed with a great poole whose water cannot be drawne away the wall is good and flancked with good Towers and hard to approach for the battery of the Ordinance The castell is much stronger fortified with great and strong towers and very good walls with a dongeon separated and compassed with great deepe ditches Besides this the Lorde Brissak was within well accompanied with Gentlemen Captaines and Souldiours and made a great shewe that hee would defend that place effectually with intent to get honour The first day of Ianuaâ—â—e the King sent to sommon the Towne to the which the Lord Brissak made answer with a great bragging of resolution that he had vowed vnto God neuer to speake of any composition for that Towne Vpon this answer the King caused with great diligence and expedition gabions to be made baggs to be filled with earth and al things necessary for the battery to be done which thing was so dil gently followed that the third day of Ianuary all was in a readines and had begon to batter that day but he stayed for three Canons which the Prince Montpencier did bring to him out of the Castell of Caen which arriued at the siâ—ge that same day That sâ—me day the Prince Montpencier came to the King hauing with him about twelue or fifteene hundred Souâ—diours a good troupe of Gentlemen of the Countrey and certaine companies of men of aâ—ms with the three Canons aforesaid They which were within the Towne did neuer all these foure dayes sally out but with great braggings shewed a resolut minde supposing therewith to feare away the King The King hauing put all things in a readines for the battery determined to make one worke of two for knowing that the Castell being won the Towne could not hold out long hee concluded to place three
thousand Duckets On the contrary he shewed vnto them how the King was destitute of men and meanes there were a great number against few their furniture and munition was farre passing that of the King they had the countrey fauorable and enemy vnto him They were strong â—usty rested long but the K. with his forces was wearie weather beaten and weake by reason of his long toyling and moyling all the déepe of winter They had Frier Sixtus blessings but the king had the accurle therefore he concluded that they should make no difficulty of the victory it was too sure on their side and in a manner if GOD himselfe would fight for him for the Friers former spéeches emported but little lesse he could not preuaile He shewed also that there were already in the way forces out of Flanders comming to them by the procurement of Bernardino Mendoza and Frier Cardinall Damnj the King therefore was to be set on before he had any leasure to employ forten Princes to assist him and to shewe the great good affection which Frier Sixtus had to this worke of mercie hée had sent them fiftie thousand Duckets The Duke d' Mayne with the heads of the League receaued this holy money with as great deuotion as the Iubile and pardons or rather greater And if Frier Sixtus had sent all Saint Peters treasures it had been yet more deuoutly accepted and spent as merrily in Paris inter bonas socias as in Rome but they were content to receaue that in hoping for more Now wée sée the state of the Leaguers and rebels very strong and rich for they had set and gathered an excessiue impost and somme of money vpon Paris they had made aboue a million of Gold of the robbing and confiscations and ransoms of the Royalls in the Citie They had receaued three hundred thousand crownes of the Spaniard They receiued fiftie thousand Crownes from Rome nowe they are very lusty they deck themselues all with gold and iewels and perswaded by Frier Henryque they prepare themselues to goe forth out of Paris soone after the holy dayes and to goe to séeke the King vntill they had found a mishap Here endeth the 7. Booke THE EIGHT BOOKE WE haue séene what the Legacie of Frier Henrique hath done in Paris how he hath heated the rebels set them on horseback and sent them packing to séeke ventures Now in this eight booke we will see how they haue sped after their departing from Paris Kind Henry the third intending to besiege Paris sent Captaine Saint Martin with a strong Garison to seaze vpon and kéepe the Castell Vicennes nigh Paris which the rebels had forsaken after their losse at Seulis from whence hée did so molest the Parisiens with continuall roades and courses that no man could venture that way The Duke d' Mayne to pluck that thorne out of the héele of the Parisiens and to set them at liberty that way had practized by all meanes the said Captaine to render the place and to ioyne himselfe with the Leaguers which he would neuer doo therefore about the beginning of Ianuary after they had made their * This is a dronken baÌ„quet vpon Twelf tide as wassellis in England Roy boy in Paris he went forth to besiege that Castell and battered it with foure péeces of Ordinance The said Saint Martin séeing that the King was farre of and he not able to defend the place yéelded it with condition for him and his to goe foorth with bag and bagage and to be suffered safely to repayre to Seulis which was performed It is said also how the said King Henry the third in his way to the siege of Paris had taken Pontoyse and set a strong garison there to intercept all manner of victuals prouisions or marchandize which were carried vp by the riuer Seyne to Paris which did greatly annoy and distresse the Citie The Duke d'Mayne hauing taken Vicennes mustered all his forces and found them all lustie and more glistering with gold then valiant in courage and found his forces to arise to thrée thousand horses and thirtéene thousand footemen with whome whilest his succour of Flanders should draw néere about the latter end of Ianuarie hee lead his forces against Pontoyse which hee besieged in hope to ease the Parisians of that heauie burthen and when he had battered the same they within considering that they were not able to defend it yéelded the place vpon the same conditions that the Leaguers had yéelded it to the King not long before to wit with their armies whereof part went to the King to continue in the Kings seruice and part ioyned with the Leaguers The Duke d'Mayne hauing taken Pontoyse more full of money and hope then courage determined to descend into Normandie And in his iourney with his great army was stayed at Meulan a Towne situated vpon Seyne betweene Mante and Pontoyse distant from Paris ten leagues and from Homfleur where the king was thirtie leagues There he boasted and threatned that he would goe to make the king to raise the siege or else fetch him out of Homfleur but he protracted so the time that the king had time both to seaze vpon the said Towne of Homfleur and to rest and refresh his army there some dayes The causes of the Dukes delay were two First the mistrust of his cause which did still abate his courage which otherwise was neuer great Secondly for that he expected great forces out of Flanders who were already comming vnto him vnder the conduct of the County Egmond and the Lord la Mote gouernour of Graueling Whereupon he tooke occasion to excuse the basenes of his heart who durst neuer see the king face to face except they were three to one or very nigh yet to ease his stomack hee casteth forth these vaine boastings and threatnings aboue said but he durst not come nigh the king afore he had ioyned with this new supply for feare of the bastonado The king on the other side hauing taken the Towne of Homfleur and rested there his forces for certaine dayes said nothing but about the middest of February tooke his iourney to high Normandie to cause the Duke to raise the siege from before Meulan and hauing trauailed thréescore miles in the déepe of winter proffered battell to the enemy But the Dukes heart fayling him and hauing aduertisement that the forces of the Low Countrey were entred into France after that hee had battered Meulan diuers dayes hee went to méete the Flemmings and to muster them The Duke de Mayne receaued in Picardie betweene foure and fiue thousand Wallons conducted by the Lord Mot Gouernour of Graueling and a little after arriued the horsemen conducted by the County Egmond with thirtéene companies of souldiers taken out of the garrisons of Flâ—nders three companies of Launces of Spanyards conducted by Don Iuan Moreo Don Pedro Moreo his brother Don Iuan de Cordoua and a great company of Harquebusiers on horsebacke led by Captaine Colin rising all
to two thousand men all old Souldiers The Duke being flided away and the King seeing the opportunitie of battaile gone with him determined to do his businesse and to take Dreux garded by Captaine Falande with a strong garrison that if he had it in his obedience he might ouerlooke and bridle the Citie of Chartres vntill that conueniently he might haue opportunitie to enterprise vpon it The King in going to the siege of Dreux tooke Noueyncourt and being at Dreux and the breach being readie to giue the assault the King vnderstoode that the Duke was returning toward Seyne for to passe ouer the bridge at the Towne of Nante which then did hold for the Leaguers full of confidence and trust in that proude and mightie army which consisted of thrée and twentie thousand men of all sorts The King considered wel that the Dukes forces were but borrowed and that now out of hand hee must hazard or els his companies in a small time would disband themselues and retyre home and that with delaying with him he might dissipate his forces He knewe well also that they who doo proffer iniurie are commonly more desperat then they who doo withstand it He weighed well his small number in comparison of the great multitude and that there were forces comming to him out of Champaigne as good as these which his enemie had receaued out of the Low Countrey which he might in protracting the time receaue shortly He sawe well that the countrey was fauourable to the enemie which reasons might haue perswaded a great warriour by policie to haue weakened the enemie as Fabius did Hannibal But the King had more sufficient and substanciall reasons which did bid him to encounter the enemie as the assured confidence whereby he reposed himselfe in Gods goodnesse and protection and casted himselfe in his armes the equitie of his cause his lawful vocation agaynst mutinous traytors and parricides so that each of these reasons was stronger to him then so many hundred thousand men which made him to conclude that considering these causes God could and would dissipate his enemies notwithstanding their great forces as well with fewe as with many Being also confirmed by the experience which he had at Arques and in the Suburbs of Paris In the meane time while the King was at Dreux the Duke de Mayne hauing receaued the forces which came out of the low Countrey thought himselfe sure of a prosperous successe and promising an assured victory to his partakers passed his forces ouer the bridge of Manie and marched toward Dammartin which was but four miles off The King vppon the reasons aforesayd resolute to encounter with few that huge multitude on a sudden from before the breach raysed vp the siege from Dreux and departed the second day of March the besieged with great reioysing beholding and wondering at the cause of such a sudden departing The same day the King went backe the way that he was come and lodged in the Towne of Noueyncourt to cut the passage to the enemy of a little riuer which runneth by Assoone as he came thether hee caused warning to be giuen that on the next morning euery man should bee in a readines The night following that day the King set in order the manner of the battaile which in the morning early the third day of March he shewed to the Prince Montpensier to the Marshals Biron and Aumont to the Baron Biron Marshall of the field and to other Princes and Captains of the army who with one voice hauing considered of it according to the skill of warre they approoued and would change nothing of it That day hee gaue charge to the Baron of Biron to set euery man in his place and order and did choose that morning the Lord Vieques sargeant Maior of the battell who was one of the ancient masters of the footmen in France This thing beeing done the King willing to begin this great worke with prayer with great vehemency and confidence hee made his prayers vnto God in the hearing of all men wherein hee called God to witnes that hee knew the purpose of his hart and well vnderstood whether it were for desire of glory or for ambition or for desire of blood or longing for reuenge which made him resolute to this battaile that hee was his iudge and witnes vnreproueable that nothing mooued him thereto but the tender loue that hee did beare to his poore people whose peaceable and quiet estate hee esteemed more then the safety of his owne life he besought God so to direct his will as hee should best see to be good for the benefite of Christendome And as for himselfe he prayed God to saue and helpe him as he knew to be good and profitable to the weale and quiet of the state and not otherwise This prayer eloquent in words but more passing pure and deuout in sense did so rauish all those that were nigh that euery man after his example did the like And after that all that after noone was seene in Noneyncourt the Churches full of Princes Lords Gentlemen and Souldiers of all Nations hearing Masse communicating and playing the good Catholikes They of the reformed religion made their humble prayers and supplications to God The court of Parliament at Tours being aduertised of the things which were like to passe betweene the King and his enemies commaunded generall processions and prayers to be made the third and fourth of March for the King and for his good and prosperous successe Lyke commaundement was sent vnto the reformed Churches about to do the like in their congregations though not in the like forme so that at Tours the Catholikes did almost nothing else these two daies men women and children but pray after their maner This deuotion beeing done at the Campe the whole army did shew such countenances as though euery man had receaued a seuerall answer◠of God concerning the happie successe which each of them should obtaine The King had caused sommons to bee giuen to the Towne of Saint Andrew beeing from Noueincourt eight miles in the way going to Iury where he supposed the enemy and his army had béen lodged The Kings companies came to a great plaine nigh the towne Saint Andrew About the same plaine there are certaine villages and a litle wood called la haye de Pres that is the medowes border or hedge There the King with the Marshals Biron Aumont and the Baron of Birō marshal of the field began to set the battaile in order following the plot agreed vpon before The King hauing tryed in battels and skirmishes before that it is more aduantage to make horsemen fight in squadrons then in rings specially his that haue no launces deuided all his horsemen in seauen squadrons and all the footmen placed at the flankes of the said squadrons and euery squadron had a company of forlorne footmen The front of the battel was in a right line bending somewhat at the 2. endes The first Squadron on the
the Duke d' Mayne his battaile was much like to the kings the Duke d' Mayne with his Cornet which might bee of two hundred and fiftie horses was in the middest of two Squadrons of Launces of them that were come out of Flanders which might be of twelue or thirteene hundred horse The Duke of Nemours with his Squadron of two hundred and fiftie horse for his safety set himselfe in the middle of these Squadrons of launces The Knight d'Aumale likewise thrust himselfe into that companie thinking himselfe there to be safe so that there was in that huge company about eighteene hundred horsemen marching in a front On the sides â—t this great huge companie were two regiments of Swissers lined with French foote men There were two other Squadrons of Launces the one of light horsemen French Italians and Albaneses on the right hand the other on the left side of Wallons and Spanyards in the middle betweene both were French-footemen and Lance-knights The two wings were two great companies of Rutters which might bee on the right wing seauen hundred horse and on the left side fiue hundred they had on their left wing two Culuerins and two bastard Culuerins The king perceauing that the enemy would not come forward went toward them and hauing marched about a hundred and fiftie paces got the aduantage of the sunne and winde and perceaued that his enemies were in number more then they thought for the king perceaued that they were fiue thousand horsemen and eightéene thousand footemen The rebels were glistering with gold which they had gotten out of the coffers of the Citizens of Paris Rhemes and other townes by violence and robery and out of the king of Spayne his coffers and also out of Saint Peters treasure The kings army was glistering with yron and stéele there were in the kings army to bée séene a terrible sight of two thousand Gentlemen in complet armour from top to toe burning in affection to doo their king and Countrey good seruice for the conseruation of their wiues children houses and goods The King was in the front of his Squadron with a great bunch of white feathers on his Helmet and another bunch on his horses forehead The Princes Earles and knights of the holy Ghost and other principall Lords and Gentlemen of the chiefest houses in France were in the fore ranke The king exhorted all his company with great modesty with their humble prayers to commit themselues vnto God and to shew example to others began to conceaue a feruent praier which done the king walked vp and downe willing them to doo the like and encouraging them like valiant men to stand to the defence of a iust cause As soone as hée was come to his place the Lord Mariuault brought him newes that certaine companies of Picardie vnder the conduct of the Lords Humiers and Mouoy with other Lords and Gentlemen to the number of two hundred horse were within two miles of him But the king fully resolued to giue battaile with that power which he had would not delay any longer but sent commaundement to the Lord Guiche to cause him to shoote with the Ordinance which thing hée did straight waies whereby the enemies receaued great hurt for the king had discharged nine Canon shot with great effect before the enemy could begin After thrée or foure voleyes of shot had passed on both sides the 1. Onset Squadron of their old light horsemen compounded of French men Italians Albaneses consisting of fiue or sixe hundred horses came to giue the charge to the Marshall Aumont carrying with them the Lanceknights who were on their side But the Marshall Aumont willing to begin set vppon the enemy so hardly that he enforced them to scatter and to flée with great confusion and feare whome he chased to a little wood on the back side where the said Lord Marshall stayed attending the Kings comming as hee had in charge During this chase the company of Rutters on the right hand of the 2. Onset battaile of the enemies marched to haue seazed vppon the artillerie but they were met with light horsemen who made them quicklie retyre Then the Squadron of Launces Wallons and Flemmings marched 3. Onset on to haue charged with a fresh charge the saide light horsemen fighting with the Rutters but the Baron Byron shewed himselfe in the field and gaue the onset on the reregard because he could not set on the forefront there in the conflict he was hurt in the arme and in the face but at length the enemy was deâ—eted and scattered The Lord Montpencier séeing a great army of seauen hundred Spanish Launciers and thrée hundred Harquebusiers on horseback with corselets and murrions with thrée great standards that were vnder the gouernement of the County Egmond aduaunced toward them and gaue them such a charge as that albeit he was vnhorsed yet quickly getting vp againe brake their aray put them to flight and aboade there Master of the field There was a frantick Franciscan Frier of Biscay called Frier Mathew de Aguirre who runne vp and downe with his GOD whome they call Crucifix in his hand all his wit was in his Crucifixes head and incouraging the rebells and running against the Hugonets as though he would haue frighted them and wrought some myracle with his Idoll or played the bulbegger in a cloyster but a shot of Ordinance did beate him downe and his God so that there he ended his frantick fit At the selfe same time the great Squadron of the Duke d'Mayne came marching to the battailion hauing on the left wing foure hundred 4. Onset Harquebusiers on horseback who gaue a volley of shot within fiue and twentie paces of the Kings Squadron the same volley being ended the head of the enemies Squadron set on the Kings Squadron The King receaued the enemy with such a constancy and courage that after a quarter of an hower of hard fighâ—ing hauing before played the part of a king and great Captaine in commaunding and ordering of things now hee playeth the part of a lusty and braue Souldiour So that in such a great and furious assault he behaued himself so valiantly that he brake and put in disaray that terrible Forrest of Launces and at length after he had put them to flâ—ght with great confusion and terror he followed the victory and being lost in the chase caused a great heauines in his army vntil that within a while they spyed him comming all berayed with the bloud of his enemies without any hurt receaued And as the king was returning from the chase to his company with fifteene or sixtéene horses he was set on by two battailions of Swissers enemies and three companies of Wallons and certaine other who did weare redd crosses The king did set vpon them with his small number tooke away their Cornets and killed those that carryed and guarded them When the King had come to his place againe the whole armie in token of
perswaded them that the King whatsoeuer might happen neither durst come neere them neither was able to let the carriage of the victuals to their citie which was the cause that they liued from hand to mouth and had prouided no more then in tyme of the greatest peace that can be But after the rumor of the ouerthrow of the Leaguers came to Paris all the Cittie was replenished with terror many of the Citizens came to the King to plead their innocency but specially two of the chiefest of the citie to wit Belieure who was one of the Kings lately deceased Secretaries of estate and Brulart President of the Court of Parliament in Paris These two men had béen wauering a great while not faythfull to their old maister King Henry the third who had preferred them neither did greatly trust the Leaguers and yet liued in some suspition of this King now raygning But when they heard of the Kings good successe contrary to their expectation like good Mariners they turned their saileâ— to the wind came to the King to make their excuse and submission and both of them were receaued curteously of the King The King said vnto Belieure that he had thought him to be an honest man vntill he fell to the Q Mother and ioyned to the company of Vileroy but Brulard was receaued with greater fauour whom the King hath employed since in great affayrs as to bee his Ambassador to the Cantons of Swisserland In this consternation the Parisiens who had liued in great security began to open their eies and see the danger whereto the great bragges of the Duke de Mayne the promises of the Fryers and Iesuits their vaine hope had cast them and did threaten them at their doores and caused them to bee deuided into diuers opinions for some who were of a hot nature would haue a new muster to be made in the Cittie and on a sudden afore he had suplyed the roome of them which were dead in the battell to set vppon him but this course was thought rash and dangerous for many eauses Other gaue a wiser counsell if it could haue béen followed to wit to try his elemency and that vpon reasonable conditions ther was no doubt but they should find fauour and peace and for the proofe thereof alleaged his gentle disposition far from all cruelty and desyre of reuenging which hee hath alwayes shewed in all his actions Some were of a contrary opinion and gaue counsell to take order for the prouision and fortifications and pollicy of the citie they shewed that by the multitude and other meanes which they had they were able to geue him a new battell if he would goe about to draw neere to their Câ—tie and at the worst they were able to abide a siege they shewed that he was not able with as great forces agayne as hee had to force them and that hee would not hazard his old experienced Souldiers so rashly knowing that it were hard for him to recouer the like againe to be short great variance rose among them as the manner is in such a case Whilest this variance was among them the Duke de Mayne came to Saint Denis to view the countenance of the Parisiens feare and shame warning him not to come into Paris None or few of the inhabitants of Paris went to salute him but they onely who had sent him to the butchery in the playne of Saint Andrew to wit Frier Henrico Caietano Frier Sixtus his Nuncio the blinde Captaine Bernardino Mendoza the Spanish Moore Ambassador of Spayne there and the incestuous Fryer Byshop of Lyons with few more to comfort him and to goe forward in his begun rebellion Therefore it was thought good to remedy the affayrs as well as they could deuise that the sayd Duke de Mayne and the Comendador Moreo who was then in Paris should goe with all speede into Picardie to stay the remnant of the forces of Flanders which were going home through Picardie after they had lost their guide the County Egmond and that there the Duke de Mayne should gather such new forces as he could the Comendador Moreo should goe to the Duke of Parma to bring him y e goodnewes of the victory of the County Egmond and his company but specially great care should bee had least Paris and Saint Denis should in any case yeeld to the King In the meane time Frier Henrico and Bernardino would take order to pacify the strife and diuersity of opinions They returning to Paris scattered few Pistolets of Spayne and Ducados Italianos among the Fryers and Iesuits to teach them Frierlike Rhetorike These rauing Prophets and among them one Peter Crestin such a one as was of my remembrance magister nostor de cornibus or magister noster Olyuer Maillard stept vp they fret they fume they fome lyke Boars they rayle they reuile there is nothing holy before them they shew how the King is an heretik a relapse son of an heretike father and mother they looke euery day for a new excommunication from Rome he is out of the bosome of holy Church incapable of the Crowne of France no obedience is due vnto him they descant vppon the praise of his gentle nature how it is but fayned and if he were once established hee would shew such cruelty vppon holy Church as hee did vppon Borgoyn Gessey and few other Fryers he would roote out the Catholik religion and plant here sie It were far better to die all then to admit such an heretike ouer them if they die in this quarrell they goe straight way to heauen they are blessed Martirs they shall be Saints as Frier Iames Clement was of late these raging furies of hell do so perswade the people that as a people destitute of reason and â—ereâ—t of their witts are lead to their owne destruction by these enchaunters so that afterward if any man should speake of peace with the King or of any thing besides warre fire and desolation hee was presently murthered by them or cast into the riuer in one day more then twenty persons were so murthered But fearing to bee compassed with a siege afore they had set order in their affayres and pollicy to daly with the King they sent from Paris Fryer Paniguerola Bishop of Aste and in hast and Vileroy to busie him and to dilay the siege which they supposed the K. would haue layedd presently with speeches of truces or peace that they might fortify themselues in the meane space The King would haue no speeches with such companions but yet of his accustomed clemency sent Paniguerola to the Marshall Biron to see what he had to say and what wisedome he had brought with him out of Italy After many salutations and popish blessings the Frier did wonder much to see sayd he that so great companie of Catholikes could finde in their hearts to followe after an hereticall King The Marshall Byron answered the saucie impudent malapert Frier that it would not be safe for
to bring with them thrée thousand men that should vpon a luddaine be landed there at the time appoynted and should seaze vpon the City to the King of Spaynes vse At the time appoynted came the Galeys and Souldiours and tooke land The second magistrate of the city being a faithfull Citizen and in that neutrality of the City suspecting some treason thought to preuent it by diligence and as it pleased God that night tooke vpon him to view the watch and in his way met with certaine Mariners all amazed and frighted requiring him to prouide for the safety of the city for that there were a great number of Spanyards already landed wherupon he commaunded the townesmen presently to arme themselues And going a little further accompanied with some good Citizens did light on the company where the chiefe gouernour was there taking order with the enemy for the entring of the Towne This magistrate dnderstanding of these things already well accompanied with townesmen commaunded the dromme to sound the alarum and with great courage charged vpon the Spanyards whome they slew in great number he tooke many of them and the gouernour of the City prisoner with them and such of his complices as were with them so the City was yet once preserued from the Turkish bondage of the Spaniards Euen as the shéepe straying from their shepheards runne into the Wolues daunger so townes and Cities euen whole Prouinces with drawing themselues from the obedience of their Lords are dayly in danger to be made a pray to their enemies It is said how the Duke d'Mayne after his flight from Saint Andrews plaine went to Saint Denis to sée what entertainement the Parisiens would shew him and after he with few had concluded to holde Paris and Saint Denis specially fast from the Kings power and so he and the Spanish Moore Commendator Moreo went into Picardie thence to Bruxels to the Duke of Parma The Duke d'Mayne soiorned at Pâ—ronne a towne in Picardie situated vpon the riuer Sonie betwéene Amiens and Saint Quintine to gather such forces as he could he craued aide from al parts but they are as slowly to come to him as he is earnest to enuite them Balagny Gouernour of Cambray did promise him fiftéene hundred horses out of Picardie There the Duke d'Mayne séeing that al things went contrary yet to ease his stomack he maketh great braggs how that he will make againe an army of thirty thousand men These great bragges did procéede of the vaine hope which they had already conceaued of the King of Spayne for while these things aboue saide were a dooing by the King about the 20. of March they sent foure Ambassadors into Spayne first from the Duke d'Mayne and another from the Duke of Lorreyne the third from the Duke Merceur and the last in the name of the whole body of the League They arriued at Vadolit in the latter end of Aprill The somme of their Ambassage was to begge and not much neither but thrée Milions of Gold and thirty thousand men vpon that condition that they would make him King of France if he could get it yet promising their furtherance So after much capping and crouching begging and crauing chopping and changing what money they obtayned it is not certaine but it is reported that they were promised one Milion and that they had thirty thousand Crownes which they tooke in hope that more would come and an army out of the Lowe Countreyes of Flanders The King of Spayne was willing to hearken to these Ambassadors for thrée causes ambition feare and desire of reuenging First by the proffer of this Ambassage hée was put in some hope that considering the great power of these three Dukes and the great power of the League that is of the Townes Cities and commons rebelled hée might perhaps spéede better then he looked for And if he should not spéed in the whole yet he might in part thereof The second cause was feare which caused him with all his meanes to keepe the King from growing mighty for considering his great valoure and the iniuries which both his predecessors he had receaued at the Spaniards handes would in time call them to remembrance and seeke the means to recouer his owne The third cause was desire of reuenge supposing that in working him mischiefe he might bee reuenged of the losse reproch and dishonour of his Spaniards and Flemmings who had remayned to dung the playne of S. Andrew by reason of these particular affections not for any loue which hee had to the Leaguers or Leagued he wrote to the Duke of Parma to passe in person with such Forces as hee had and could spare in the lowe Countreis to succour the rebels in France In the meane while that the King soiorned at Mante the Parisiens beeing hardened by the Deuillish and seditious Sermons of the Fryers and Iesuits as the Egyptians were by the enchauntmentes of Iamnes Iambres they elected for gouernor of their city the Duke of Nemours by whose conduct they began to fortify their walles men women and Children night and day they pulled downe many houses in the Suburbs they receaued into the City three thousand Germans whom they placed part of them in the Arsenall and others in watch and ward in the most needfull places of the city They gathered corne and wine into the Citie so much as the could They fortified also Saint Denis Corbeil Melun Montereau fault yonne and Sennes The King passing in the sight of the Citie of Paris layed the siege before Corbeil which shortly after yelded the King stopped the riuer of Seine with a chayne of Iron so that no boats being neuer so little could passe by From Corbeil the King went to lay the siege before Montereau which is a great towne situated vppon the fall of the riuer Yonne into Seine which yeelded without any resisting From Montereau the King returned to Melune a strong towne vppon Seine this town part of it lyeth vpon the South banke of Seine and part is in an Iland within the sayd riuer there the Rebels had placed a strong garrison but the Citizens and Souldiers perceauing that they would be forced and that there was no hope of succour yeelded the place and put themselues in the Kings seruice The King hauing placed a strong garrison there wentbacke agayne to Sens compassed it doth plant sixe pieces of Ordinance agaynst the wall sent a Tâ—ompeter to the City to sommon them to render the place promising them all good and gracious fauour The Gouernor called the Lord Chambalon determined not to receaue him except first he would become a good Catholike Whereupon the K. began to batter the towne in two seuerall places gaue two assaults where he was repulsed beeing within the town one thousand and eight hundred Souldiers besides the Citizens and Inhabitants who were able to make two thousand Souldiers more The king therfore thought good to leaue of that enterprise and to follow the
straine their wine hippocras and by reason of their flegmatick féeding they are all rotten and leapers afore they come to halfe of their age they doo crawle with lice and taken with that sicknes which the ancients doo call Hydrokephalia that is a madnes procured by rotten flegme enflamed The reformed Bernardines are of the dyet of the asse which féedeth vpon grasse and thistles for they eate nothing but hearbs sod or rawe which thing doth cause them to haue dry and skiruy bodies and that diseaze which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but with all to haue asses wits they goe all in black hereby they doo represent to the world their melancholik humor The bare foote Friers doo shew what humor dooth trouble their braine imitating the frantick mad men which haue delight to goe bare foote winter and sommer for we account that man mad that will go bare foote when he may haue shooes to put on All these rakehels armed themselues vnder their lousie raggs doo march in battaile aray through the City mumbling their portuses and when they had giuen a sight of their prowesse vnto the Citizens they would also goe to sée what weather was out of the Towne and when they had marched a while the Kings gardes in the Suburbs tooke the alarum supposing to haue to deale with men but when they had the sight of this legion and perceauing that they were apes imitating men they turned their fury to â—aughter hooping shooting whereupon the apes returned with great speed into the City and this was the end of this skirmish They had for an ensigne a Crucifixe and our Lady carried before them to play the bulbegger About this time bread began to be scarse in Paris whereupon the masters of the Citie fearing the increasing of famine sought out all the poore within the Citie who came to thirty thousand and determined to haue turned them forth out of the City to take their fortune But some of the counsell of the Citie thought that it could not stand with the greatnes and honour of the Citie and therefore were stayed in which thing did greatly hasten the famine which shortly after followed In the middest of Iune the famine being very great there was little or nothing to eate the Souldiours had no pay neither was there money to pay them the Citizâ—ns refused any more to contribute aleaging the great and huge sommes of money which they had disboursed and for feare of some sedition in the Citie Frier Henrico Caietano Frier Goundj Byshop of Paris and the blinde Captaine Bernardino Mendoza consented to rob all the Gods which were in the Temples of Paris they take the golden cuppes of their Gods and all the shrines of golde and siluer which Demetrius his prentizes had made to Diana to Venus to Belona and to many Diuels of hell they turne their reliques old rotten bones of old Friers old dogges and horses which they had made the people worship for the bones of Apostles Martyrs and other Saints of God out of their coates of gold and siluer and make good money to pay the rebells to warre against their naturall and lawfull King contrary to Gods ordinance to that end that things most wickedly abused might remayne still in the same nature The blind Captaine Don Bernardino doth promise to bestow euery day in almes sixe score Crownes Frier Henrico Caietano said he would doo the like but that deuotion waxed as could as the weather was hot according to the Aphorisme of Hypocrates ventres hyeme calidiores estate frigidiores The King knowing well of the great extremity wherewith the Citie was distressed pittyed them and willed them to take some pitty of their distressed estate promised them mercy and fauour but the Friers Henrico Caietano and Goundi answered contrary to the meaning of the poore people that they had determined to dy all rather then to admit an hereticall King Vpon this answer of the Parisiens in the latter end of Iune many noble men and gentlemen began to mutter in the Kings army what great imminent danger was hanging ouer France the ruine of the nobility the decay of so great and noble a City as Paris was and the desolation of the whole realme which euills the King could redresse in making himselfe a Catholicke Of this faction tending to some enterprise was chiefest the prince of Soisson and went so farre as to speake openly that they will serue no longer vnder an hereticall King The King aduertized of this muttering called his nobles and Captaines shewed them what hee was what his right and cause was And whereas they willed him to become a Catholicke he put theÌ„ out of doubt that for to purchase many Kingdomes as great as the realme of France was hee would neuer so little depart from his religion which hee knewe was grounded vpon the infallible truth of God As for their seruice he made no great account knowing that it was God who was his strength force and defender of his cause willed them to depart from his army when they would and that hee had rather haue their roome as their company he knew that GOD would giue him the meanes and power in time to represse his enemies he knew that GOD would raise him friends enough to assist him It is sayd before how the King all in one worke did besiege S. Denis which is a towne walled within foure miles of Paris In this Towne in an Abbey where the burials and monuments of the kings were this towne was so gretaly distressed that they had neither bread nor munition to defend themselues they had consumed all their prouision Horses Asses Dogges Cattes Rattes Mice Hearbes Rootes and whatsoeuer the belly could aduise them Euen to haue tryed to make bread with flower of Oates huske and all and dust of old rotten postes some tryed straw grownd to dust The sayd towne therfore considering how the famin within the sword without did threaten them proffered parly and at length concluded to deliuer the towne to the King with liues reserued vnto all maner of men the souldiers and all manner of men to retire with all thinges which they would carry away who of his great clemency gaue them Horses and Cartes for their carriage The same day the King entred into Saint Denis with great reioycing of all men who had proued his gracious fauour and clemency And beeing setled in his lodging he spyed in the chamber of presence three men walking in the habit of gentlemen whom hee knew not but he suspected that they were there for no good They vppon that suspition were apprehended and examined by certayne noble men appointed by the King vppon a sudden they faultered in their answeres and changing their countenance were sent to prison but afterward being narrowly examined they confessed that two of them were Fryers of Saint Francis order and the third to be a Priest and they three were of the 24. who had coÌ„spired vowed and sworn the
now his age doth great iniurie to his memorie O man too much pride hath put thee out of thy wittes or els hath blowne thy wisedome into thy cap. When hee entred into France hee began to enquire how many dayes marching there was to Rochâ—l for he would take it by the way Man looke well to the would of thy cap. He imagined that the king at the first hearing of his comming would haue runne away and he would haue pursued him as far as the playns of Bourdeaux where he would haue fought with him sent his head in a charger to his master as Herode did of Iohn Baptist The Friers and Iesuits lacked no monkish Rhetorick to encrease nor winde to blowe vp these bladders Wheresoeuer he passed there he left tokens of his progenie to wit tokens of the most vilanous â—â—lthines and most barbarous crueltie that euer was vsed by any wilde people except it were by the Popes adulterous broode But whilest these things were a dooing there fel out such a chance as almost marred all Frier Sixtus a little before he went to render a count of the treasons murthers which he had caused to his power to be committed fearing by the threatning of the Lord Luxembourg who was sent to Rome by the Catholick nobility to doo a message in their name least the King would séeke for reuengement of the presumptuous iniuries receaued at his hands sent a flattering mandamus by the which hée dischargeth the King from excommunication and willed all his subiects nobles and others to obey him and pray for him whose subuersion hee himselfe desired Here ChristiaÌ„ reader thou maist sée what piety iustice or godlines is in this sinke of lewd Friers for aduantage this Frier Sixtus was the chiefest instrument countenance of the Leaguers to raise vp that most cruel warre and confused rebellion that euer was heard of â—n any realme by his excommunication by his aduise practises counsell and money Now when he seeth the whip in the Kings hands fearing to be handled as his countrey men did handle their flaues or as one of the Kings predecessors handled Boniface the eight whom he hanged at his owne window in the Citie Perugia now he sent his Curriero with his mandamus with his praiers he commeth as the Demoniâ—cles came vnto Christ Let therefore Christian Princes take héede not to trust these false dissembling Friers who do carry two faces vnder a hoode for there is nothing so wicked but for aduantage they dare doo there is nothing so vile but for aduantage they will debase themselues thereto But Frier Sixtus his mandamus his Curriero his commaundement was as much regarded of the Catholicks and Leaguers as of them of the reformed religion for the Leaguers will follow their deuotions that is their rebellion though all the Popes that haue béen euer since the diuel layed downe the foundation of that seate should say nay and therefore they tooke that mandamus abusiue for assentamur The Catholick Nobles who were with the King tooke that for a thing which is neither here nor there which could neither hinder nor further the cause wishing that Frier Sixtus would sit at home and make some new almanack or some new calender because yet we lack one or two to furnish the table and that by his Apostolicall authority hée would commaund the Sunne not to goe any more out of the way but to kéepe â—is course as some of his predecessors was so bold as to commaund the Angels They of the reformed religion laughed at the impudency and variablenes of the Friers wit who had breath both to warme his fingers and to coole his potage The K. did make account of all this Frierlike flattering rather to redound to his hindrance and dishonor then to any futtherance of his cause for he knoweth well that the praiets of Iâ—olaters would not be accepted of God and that all the godly minded would without the Popes bidding make their humble praiers and supplications to God for him not onely in France but in all Christendome Neither will he accept that obedience which is done by the Popes câ—â—maundement rather then in consideration of Gods ordinance And to receaue any goodnes of him or depend of him the King dooth knowe well that euery good gift commeth from aboue euen from the father of lighâ—s and that hee is his aboundant reward But the Pope is equus Seianus vnto as many as do meddle with him Whilest the Duke of Parma marched toward France the Duke de Mayne returned home to gather forces as is said before some were cut off by the waies as Aumale and the Vidasme of Amiens but certaine forces he receaned of Balagny gouernour of Cambray and the Lord Saint Paul with whom he made toward Paris The King vnderstanding of this went from his armie with a troupe of horsemen without any baggage and marched 17. Leagues without bayte to meete with the said Duke de Mayne to bid him welcome out of Brabant but the K. came too short by an hower For the Duke de Maine vsed with long experience to flee away from the Kings presence had saued himselfe in the towne of Laon in Champaygne but the King seeing that he had escaped out of the net he returned to his army Shortly after the D. de Mayne hauing gathered all his forces came to Meaux in Brie to ease his stomack geuing out that he came to giue battell to the King whereupon the King departing againe went almost to Meaux but seeing that the Duke had enclosed himselfe betweene the riuers of Marne and that which commeth from Crecy the King returned to his army once more In the latter end of August the Duke of Parma that great Soltan Solymon Mussulman Siech with his dronken Belerbeyes Bassas and Ianissaries entred into France The Duke de Mayne to requite his curtesy shewed him at Bruxels sent the Lord Saint Paul who the other day was a lackay and afterward houshold seruant to the Lord Beauuayes Nangy then he rose a step higher to wit hee was made one of the bawdes of the Duke de Mayne and now one of the chiefest of the League When the Duke of Parma came to Meaux vpon Marne about the 27. of August he thought himselfe to shew yet once an Italian proud tricke to the D. de Mayne for his so basely receauing of him in the land then he began to looke with a sower Italian brow and as the saying is Fronte caperata neither would he goe further except hee had an absolute power to commaund ouer all the forces as well French as Suanish which thing when he had obtayned he began to esteeme lesse the Duke de Mayne and his Captaines then the Duke de Mayne had esteemed him in sending a lackay in a Noble mans apparell to receaue him Now the Duke of Parma beeing on Cockhorse beginneth to triumph and disdayne all he altered the Duke de Mayne his resolution and the course of this voiage
vnderstanding of a great number of boates as great as lighters laden with corne monie and other prouision of war going from Chasteauthierij downe the riuer of Marne to victuall Paris set forward with great diligence to ouertake them which hauing done with great speede were sunk in the middest of the riuer to the number of fifteene of the greatest sorte with all the prouision that was therein few small boats of the lesser sort escaped towards Meaulx The same day the King vnderstanding of some companies of the enemies who were lodged in certaine villages betwéene la Fere and Chasteauthierij being the greatest part of the forces of the enemies departed early from Senlis to Crespij a towne in Valoys But for all the Kings secret and sudden departure yet by that time he had passed fiue miles he vnderstoode that his comming vpon coniecture being blazed among the enemies they had fled and passed beyond the riuer Marne with great amaze and terror this is according to the saying of the wise that sayth that the Kings countenance scattereth the wicked The 22. of Aprill the King from Crespij where he was returned tooke his way to Chauny intending to take the Castles of Manican and Genlis and for the better effecting of his purpose he caused two great Canons of Ordinance to be brought from Compiegne But they who were in Manican Castle did not attende but left the place and fled before hee arriued there The 24. of Aprill the King caused the said Ordinance and more which was brought from S. Quintins to bee brought before Genlis but at the sight of the Ordinance the sayd Castle of Genlis yéelded vnto the King About the same time two regiments of garrisons of the Leaguers were repayring to the Duke de Mayne whereof the Kings garrison of Saint Goubin hauing intelligence issued foorth vpon them and put many to the sword The Duke de Mayne had receaued seauen companies of Germanes being nine Ensignes who most wickedly as Mercenaries and slaues to their owne couetousnesse had for money consented to defend one of the most notable Rebellions that euer had béen hated of God and detested of all good Princes of the world Them the Duke de Mayne in the diuision of his armie as is aboue said had placed in certayne Villages betweene the riuers of Marne and Oyse intending to place them in Meaulx and Soyssons and as they marched they came to Coussie where they supposed to bee receaued but the gates of the towne being kept fast agaynst them and hearing a rumour of the Kings comming such a sudden feare fell vpon them that they fiercely ranne into the Forest hoping thereby to saue themselues The garrison of S. Goubin hearing of this amaze of the enemie sent fifcie men on horsebacke conducted onely by a Sargeant went foorth and taking about fourescore peasants of the countrey with them marched into the Forest This small company was greatly encouraged by hearing of the arriuall of the King from Genlis and pursued after these companies and charged them so roughly terrifying them with this voyce Viue le roy Immediatly the enemie supposing the King to haue been there indeede in great terror fled away without any resistance This small companie little thinking of any such good successe couragiously pursued them slewe them and tooke them in a manuer all except about threescore men who flinging away their weapons and armour the better to saue themselues retyred into the towne la Fere. Their Colonell was slayne and all the Ensignes taken saue two onely About 29. of Aprill the Lord Humiers knowing that the companie of horsemen of Mountcaure had assembled in a Village not farre from Corbeil departed out of the sayd Towne of Corbeil to charge them As he went about that exployt he met by chaunce the companie of horsemen of Dourlay whom he charged in that skirmish most part of the enemies were slayne part were taken prisoners and few by flight saued themselues The company of Mountcaure were in y e village playing some at cardes some at â—ice some drinking and some sléeping garded negligently with a small watch the Lord Humiers hauing done this exploit ceased not to prosecute his former enterprize vpon the said Mountcaure his companies who marching forward and comming to the village where they were set vpon them vnlooked for like a sodaine tempest which should fall sodainly from heauen whom finding busied as is aforesaid easily discomfited them killed them and tooke them without any resistance The King hauing in a little space eased that part of Picardie which bordreth vpon Brie of the insuries of the rebels beaten the enemies which executed intollerable oppressions betweene the riuers of Oyse and Marne as is said was aduertised that the enemie was in fiâ—ld in Britaine his Maiestie tooke his iournie thetherward with a small companie and had there that successe which followeth The Lord Tremblay did commaund in a towne in Britaine named Monconter where is a castell of reasonable strength wherin he had set a garison and departed thence to goe to doe some exploit fifteene leagues off about the beginning of May. The enemie aduertized of the absence of the said L. Tremblay tooke the said Monconter but they of the castell held out attending the succour which was comâ—ing from diuers parts vnto them The L. Tremblay hauing speedy intelligence of that which was past in Monconter tooke his iourney with 50 light horsemen resolued with that small companie to enter into the Castell with ladders which he perfourmed And after out of the sayd Castell he made diuers issues vpon the enemies in the Towne with terrible slaughter of them Many of the nobility of Britaine beeing then at Renes vnderstanding of the sturre of Monconter in the absence of the Prince D'ombes who was a little before ridden foorth about eighteene miles from the sayde Renes mustered vp immediatly so many as they might procure vppon the sudden which was about one hundred and fiftie horse men wel appointed and commaunded straight waies all the garrisons thereabout to march toward the sayd Monconter intending either to rescue the said towne out of the enemyes hand or else to let their further enterprises their forces came to two hundred footmen wel furnished these companies bring in all three hundred and fifty men came about two furlougs from the said towne of Monconter there to stay for other companies who came from other places for the same purpose Whilest these preparations were a making the Lord Saint Laurence Marshall of the army of the rebels vnder Merceur had entred into Monconter with three hundred horsemen well appointed and one thousand Harquebuziers intending to fortife that towne agaynst the King But in the meane while the King in proper person with sixe score horses onely had marched so farre as Londiak intending to search out the enemy The Lord Saint Laurence aduertised of the Kings comming considering that there was mustering round about knowing in his conscience the Kings iust
cause and wisedome and mistrusting the quarel of his side conceaued a great terrour and perceaued to haue cast himselfe so deeply into the Mire that if pollicy doth not plucke him out hee is like there to sticke fast a good while Therefore considering the small company which was about the King determined to assault him with many and for to bring to passe this his intent supposing the better to depart froÌ„ Monconter in time then to enioy it a while to his great domage he departed from Monconter about 11. a clocke in the euening with two hundred and fifty horsemen and sixe hundred Harquebuziers and trauelling all night came to Londiak by sixe a clocke in the morning beeing the twelft day of May. The King being at Londiak vnderstanding of the enemies coÌ„ming delayed no time but went immediatly to the field to receaue the said enemie The enemie perceauing the K. to haue determined to bid him battel to be already in the field left part of his footmen to force the trenches barricadoes of Londiak and this being done the enemie brought his horsemen and part of his footmen into the field to encounter the King there he deuided his companies into two troups in the one there was fiftie horsemen and in the other two hundred The King had but six score horsemen whome he deuided likewise into two troupes in the one thirty and in the other â—ourescore ten horsmen The King hauing set few footmen in battaile array called with a feruent prayer vpon the name of the GOD of armies and cheered vp his souldiers encouraging them to shew themselues men in defending such a iust cause as they had in hand which being done both armies ioyned and the enemie hauing made a verie small resistance was strooken with a sodaine terrour as if it were with a thunder-clap from heauen so that they began to wauer The Kings Souldiers perceauing this sodaine dread vpon the enemie gaue such a fresh and hot charge that they turned their backs and fled The King pursued them two miles from Londiak to a towne holden by their fauourers where these horsemen saued themselues There were fiftie horsemen slayne as many more taken prisoners many footmen slaine on the place and many both horsemen and footmen wounded The rest of the footemen saued themselues by flight into the woods which were neere at hand and there hid themselues Lo how there is neither strength nor counsell against the Lorde Lo howe the wicked is snared in his owne counsell The news of this foyle being blazed abroad throughout the enemies troups came also to Monconter by meanes whereof there rose such a sudaine feare among them that immediatly they retyred from the saide Monconter with al possible speed leauing the town frée from any strength of the enemie The Lord Tremblay being in the Castell and molesting the enemies daylie by sallies and slaughters of them as is sayd seing how wonderfully God had terrified that rebellious route went foorth of the Castell with his forces followed them and immediatly charged them so roughly that they were all slayne and taken prisoners by meanes whereof hee got both bagge and baggage from the enemie So was that accursed company enemies of mankind vtterly rooted out It is said before how the Lord D'ombes had gone from Renes into hase Britaine to a Towne called Quinpercorenten and in departing out of the sayd Towne to returne to Renes the garrisons of the enemies in townes about holden by them charged vpon the sayd Prince but were so receaued by him that there was slaine of the enemies side three Captayns of name and of great estimation among the Rebels seauen gentlemen of great account were taken prisoners all the rest in the pursuite were put to the sword Here thou mayst see Christian Reader that all these blowes slaughters and ouerthrowes euery where receaued cannot make these damned rebels consider the wrongfulnes of the cause which so obstinatly agaynst all lawes of nations agaynst nature and agaynst God they do defend As the rebels haue been beaten euen with a rod of yron by the Lords hand in his wrath both in Picardie and Britayn so now haue wee to consider an other example of Gods iustice executed vppon rebels in the Countrey of Caux in Normandie In this Moneth of May victuals beeing deare wares in the Citie of Roan one regiment appertayning to the Duke of Lorreine and the other to the Lord de la Lownde departed out of Roan planted themselues in a village called Cinqcens determining there to abide and to surprise such victuals for their maintenance as they could come by vntill the next haruest should prouide more plenteously there they fortifyed themselues with Trenches and Barricadoes this place is distant 9 Leagues from Diepe They fearing to be molested from Diepe had placed a troupe of horsemen in a wood distant two leagues from the place which they had fortifyed being fully in the high way from Diepe supposing if any forces should come from Diepe vpon them they might retire backe to geue intelligence vnto the sayd Regiments or else by making resistance should geue leasure to prepare themselues and to procure a fresh supply from Roan to back them if occasion should serue The Lord Chartres commaunder of Malta gouernour for the King in Diepe and Sir Roger Williams an English gentleman of great valoure and experience in militarie affayres who lately came thether hauing receaued intelligence of that fortification of Cinqcens and intent of the enemy resolued speedily to depart from Diepe in the euening the 19. day of May and trauailing all night came to the wood early in the next morning hauing with them four hundred French men and three hundred Englishmen There they found a troup of horsemen to stop their passage vpon whom they made a very fierce assault But they that came from Diepe gaue such a hot charge vpon them that all those horsemen were so slaine that none of them escaped any way Thus they leauing the dead bodies of the horsemen in the wood and taking some of their horses the Gouernor and Sir Roger Williams passed a long to Cinqcens and beeing come thether before noone they discryed the enemy with their Ensignes displayed within the Fort. The Gouernour of Deepe perceauing their fortification so strong alleaged that it was vnpossible to enter it therefore went about to perswade Sir Roger to goe backe agayne considering that the enemie was two to their one Sir Roger answered that it were a great dishonour for him so to doo and determined to set vpon them with his own thrée hundred men though it should cost both him and them their liues and with this resolution aduanced his Colours marching toward the enemie intended by the assistance of God to enter vpon them or els to lose his life in that place The Lord Chartres seeing that most honourable resolution of Sir Roger was wonderfully encouraged to the enterprise and thereupon protested to take
part also in the sayd attempt with his foure hundred Souldiers whatsoeuer should chaunce and therevpon displayed his Ensigne and together with Sir Roger vowed by Gods assistance to enter the Barricadoes and to charge the enemie The sayd Lord vpon this resolution chéered vp his Souldiers and willed them to fight in the behalfe of their lawful King whose right they were bound to defend and God doubtles will prosper the same to the confusion of his enemies Sir Roger in like sort like a true Christian Knight encouraged his Souldiers shewing vnto them that although fewe of their side haue to deale with a great multitude skilfull stout hardie and trayned vp in Martiall Discipline yet considering y t their cause is but an execrable rebellion agaynst their Soueraigne they are but a multitude of traytors opposing themselues to Gods ordinance therfore condemned of God to a shamefull death both here and in the world to come He assured them that God will assist them in the execution of his sentence pronounced agaynst them hée alleaged the common experience in all ages and Nations hee concluded that the God of battailes will so fight for them that their eyes shall haue their desire vpon them as vpon enemies of God of man societie and nature He assureth them that in putting their confidence in GOD not one haire of their heads shall fall which when hee had finished to speake hee prayeth vnto the Lord with great confidence And when he had ended prayer he made them to promise each vnto other to die euery man rather then they would flye one foote These things being done they marched forward with great courage displayed their Ensignes strooke vp their Drummes with their Trompets sounded defiance and with this resolution full of confidence these valiant English Souldiers gaue a fierce charge vpon the enemie and assaulted them in such sort as if they had not trauailed all night This fight continued two houres space the English men still hartening the Frenchmen At length they entred the Barricadoes of the enemie Sir Roger being one of the formost fought hand to hand with the chiefest gouernours of the enemies The gouernour of Deepe on another side entring did valiantly behaue himselfe at length the enemie began to recoyle backe and being all enclosed within their Barricadoes as a flocke of sheepe in a Shéepcot were all put to the sword by the English and Frenchmen suffering none to escape aliue Hauing obtayned this wonderfull victorie vpon their knees in the same place gaue thankes vnto GOD which had subdued their enemies vnder foote and with singing of Psalmes gaue the praise vnto the highest All that the Gouernour and Sir Roger Williams lost were not aboue eleauen men and fewe wounded but not very grieuously This exployt being so prosperously done the Generals tooke order not to stay there at any hand but speedily to returne to Deepe least some newe fresh supply should come from Roan vpon them or by casting about should meete them in the midway homeward They gaue order also that the Souldiers should leaue the spoyle behind them to the end they might not ouercharge themselues with carriage The Souldiers obeying the counsell of their Commander tooke nothing but that which was light and easie of carriage Thus safely they returned to Deepe The enemie as it was supposed came with a great power to meet them in the middest of the high way but they had passed foure houres before and so the enemie disappoynted of his purpose returned backe Wee haue shewed before how the King hauing had a prosperous successe in chastising the Rebells in Picardie went in person into Britaine where likewise God prospered his wayes Whilest the King was in Britaine his armie soiourned for a time at Vernon wayting to surprise the towne of Louiers situated vpon the riuer Eure betweene Pont de larche and Eureux The particularities of this surprise could I neuer heare but such as the King himselfe did write vnto the Prince Countie Gouernour for his Maiestie in Anjou Vendomoys Toureyne Poytow Berry and Limosin The sixt day of Iune ten of the Kings men possessed themselues with one of the gates of the towne and as it is reported by others in this manner There was a certayne Corporall in that Citie who was in great credit with the gouernour of that towne called Fonteyne Martel This Corporall considering the great wrong which the Rebels did to the King and desirous to doo to his Maiestie some seruice of import practised that there should be at seuerall times by sixe at once a number of footmen and horsemen sent into the Wood hard adioyning to the towne and in the meane time hauing woon to himselfe foure or fiue Souldiers of his owne companie his time came of his watch About noone day the sayd gouernour being at dinner and according to his signe giuen there came certaine horsemen of the Kings which he espying went presently to the gouernour who had the keyes lying on the table by him and sayd he marueiled that they sat so long at dinner shewing that there were some friends come vnto him The gouernour commaunded the sayd Corporall to take the key and let them enter which he did The King had caused the Baron of Byron to come néere with his forces who soone also entred therein Fonteyne Martel had one hundred Cuirasses in that towne beside the inhabitants who obstinatly made a strong resistance to the King which was cause of a terrible fight The King himselfe made one of the gates of the Citie to yeeld to him whereto most part of the men of warr and the inhabitants withdrew themselues to resist yet at length the Towne was taken There the Bishop of Eureux and Fonteyne Martel the gouernour of the place were taken prisoners There was found great quantitie of Corne Wine and Bacon beside other munitions and as the report is foure thousand fat Oxen in the medowes That towne was so fortified that it might bee called one of the Forts of France There the King lost about eighteene or twentie men among whom were fiue Captaines At the selfesame time that this exployt was done at Louiers the Lord sent prosperous successe to the Kings affayres in other countreys The Vicount de la Guerche a most wicked rebell in Limosin had greatly troubled the Kings peace in that countrey and about the beginning of Iune had besieged Belak a towne in Lymosin famous in that countrey for making a kinde of rough cloth like vnto Irish rugge with two Canons one Culuerine and a bastard péece of Ordinaunce The Prince Countie being come into Poytow with an armie for the Kings seruice to purge that countrey beyond Loyre of the oppression and tyranny of some remnants of rebels which were spoyling that countrey and being aduertized of the said siege of Belak marched directly thither to rayse the siege or to bid battaile to the said Vicount if he durst stay his comming The fift day of Iune hauing marched a
two thousand Harquebusiers French considered howe daungerous a thing it was to engage his armie before a towne vntill he were master of the field the enemie being farre stronger and fauoured of the countrey who on a sodaine might be assisted with a multitude of Pesants long before armed and addicted to him considering all these difficulties the sayd prince made a stay about the towne of Guingcamp as well to repayre the fortifications of the said towne as to attend the bringing of two Canons and two Culuerines drawen from Brest to Lagnon with certaine powder and munitions brought from England to Pinpoll to the ende that these things being in place of safetie the said Prince might sollow the better his other enterprizes The seauenth of Iune the Duke Merceur arriued at Corlay distant three Leagues from Guingcamp There is a Castell belonging to the Lady Guimeney sister to Boysdaulphine Lieftenaunt to the Duke Merceur they fayned as though the sayd Castell did holde for the King intending thereby to haue drawne the Prince to some disaduantage for the eight day the Castell rendred without the sight of the Canon and the gouernour remayned with the enemie From thence the Duke sent a trompeter to the Prince about certaine prisoners taken at Corlay who signified to the sayde Prince that hee had charge from the Duke to entreate him to appoynt some day and place for the battaile The Prince did greatly reioyce to heare these newes and would not returne answere by the mouth of a Trompetter which might be disanowed but by his writing signed with his owne hand in the which the said Prince least the Duke should alleage any matter either to delay or auoid the battell doth referre to him the choise of the place for the encounter so that it might be able to receaue both armies The Duke Merceur remooued from Corlay the eighth of Iune and came to Saint Giles two small leagues from Chasteau Laudran The same day also the Prince departed from Guingcamp about three a clocke in the morning and lodged that night at Chasteau Laudran where the Duke Merceur his Trompetter met him and deliuered an answer to the sayd Prince from Merceur signed with his owne hande wherein this malapert companion hauing altogether troden vnder foote all reuerence of superiority sheweth the cause of his rebellion to bee both to withstand the Prince called with lawfull vocation and an hereticall King for the defence of the holy catholike religion do assigne the thurseday next at ten of the clocke in the morning and the place most fit for that action betweene Corlay and Guingcamp The Prince to prouoke this cowardly Captaine through impaciency or otherwise to battell sheweth the causes of his comming into Britayne to be to punish him and his complices for their traiterous rebellion against the King and for the opprobrious imputations and tearmes which he geueth to the King and to him hee saith that therein he lyeth this was the ninth day Merceur hauing receaued this prouocation fell to sweare fume brag that he within three dayes would geue the Prince battell And on the ninth day of Iune beeing Wednesday dislodged and that day encamped himselfe at a Village called Quelnec a league and a halfe from Chasteau Laudran situated at the foot of a hill which by deepe ditches hedges and inclosures bordereth vppon a little Heath of two miles compasse The Prince hauing discouered the enemy mounted on horsebacke and goeth to make choise of the place for the battell findeth about three quarters of a mile from the saide Quelenec a large playne skirted with copses w t a little hill and the ground raysed with ditches aduantagious to the enemies who by three large passages might enter into the same heath The tenth of Iune the enemie within a quarter of a league of the Heath sheweth his whole army in order of battaile vpon the top of an hill The Prince on the other side put his troups in order within the heath and by the aduise of Sir Ihon Norris disposeth the same in three battails wherof the English footemen made two and the Launceknights the third that day was spent in light skirmishes wherin the Princes men followed the enemie euen into the maine of their armie The eleuenth day the enemie drew his armie to the foote of the hill and placed his artillerie vpon the side of the heath in a place of such aduantage as commaunded the whole heath and bordreth all the hedges with shotte By that time the enemie had done all these things the Princes armie marched into the heath in order of battaile and presently sent two hundred footemen to view the enemies countenaunce whome they charged put them from their hedges and barricadoes and slew diuers of them Vpon the retraite of these two hundred men the Duke put foorth fiue hundred Frenchmen and three hundred Spaniards to repossesse the places whome he followed with the great of his armie The Prince perceiuing this and remayning on the heath with the L. Hunaulday commaunding the auangard hauing his regiment of horse on the right hand and Generall Norris the Lords of Poigny Pruneaux Mommartin and Bastenay gaue order to put foorth three hundred footemen commaunded by Captaines Anthony Wingfield and Murton and the English horsemen lead by Anthony Sherly The Prince also commaunded to be drawen out of the battaillon of the Launce-knights one hundred men shot and pikes and one hundred and fiftie shot lead by the Baron Molak backed with fortie light horse conducted by the Lord Tremblay appoynted to force y e enemie from the place which they had taken All these set valiantly vpon the enemie whom they enforced to flee many were slayn and the rest saued themselues within the defence of their artillerie where the whole strength of the Spaniards with the rest of the armie was placed During this skirmish there was a great number of shot placed vnder the hedges which hauing meanes to doe hurte stoode quiet as though they had fallen asleepe or else had béen placed there onely to keepe the hedges least the Prince should come to cut them downe and cary them away In this skirmish don Roderigo chiefe marshall of the Spaniards and a Spanish captaine two hundred French Souldiers and threescore Spaniards were slaine The Lord Tremblay tooke the Lord Guebrian Colonell of the foote men of the enemie This charge did so amazethe enemie that the Princes men were suffered to disarme the dead and to leade away prisoners within ten paces of their canon and retired at their â—ase without any proffering to follow Long Lieftenaunt to Captaine Dolphin receaued in his body fiue Harquebuses shott the English men behaued themselues valiantly in that charge the residue of that day they spent in light skirmishes The twelfth day the enemie made a great shew to come foorth to battell but at last sent out some number of shot to skirmish agaynst whome Anthony Sherley with fifteene horse and few footemen made head and
These newes so amazed the whole Armie as though a stroake of a Thunderboult had smitten them from heauen and that so much the more because the enemies forces did flocke together from euery side The army then was scattered in sundry places without hope to bee able to succour one another for the Lord Laual had passed ouer the Riuer the day before and the Lord Borlay had ventured to passe that day at S. Mathurin not without great danger yet without losse The one part of the armie was betweene the Loyre and the Lotion an vnfit place for horsemen by reason of woods and marishes The troupes of the Lord Clermont with the rest of the armie and carriage were yet at Beaufort beetweene Anger 's and Lotion so that if the enemy in such disaduantage had charged them it would haue gone hard with them but the enemy had no good spials The Lord Auantigny in that disorder hauing passed Lotion retyred to the Lord Campoyse who had seazed on some houses right against y e Abbey Saint Maure and had made a baricado vpon the banke In the meane time they sent the Lord Chesue to the Prince who caused the Prince to passe his army backe ouer Lotion to make a ready resolution to passe in fighting or else to take his way at aduenture ouer the countrey of Beause For if he should make any delay without doubt hee should be discomfited hauing the enemy within a litle league both aboue and beneath who reenforced themselues euery howre and that there were other armed Boats discouered which followed the former Therefore to take readily aduise and to informe them thereof and that if neede be the Lord Laual might repasse to them although not without danger The Prince vnderstanding these newes assembled all the heads and Captaynes in the wood which is on the banke of Lorion nigh the place of the passage where they reasoned more then two howres what was expedient to be done in this extremity Some gaue counsell to take their way toward Beause and to get to the Loyre aboue Orleans for that they had forces sufficient ynough to passe all hazardes and to fight if neede were Others were agaynst that and alleaged that the army was weake by passing ouer of the forces of the Lords Laual and Burlay and therefore did aduise to descend into Britayne where ships might bee had out of Rochel so it were easy to passe beneath Nantes and by these meanes to saue their men with the losse of their horses In this diuersity of opinions they could conclude nothing but seeing the night approched they returned to Beaufort their to take resolution of their affayres There was a Noble man one Lord D'ouault an old warrier who not long afore the passage ouer Loyre put him self willingly in the company of the Lord Laual This Noble man vnderstanding that the Prince could not repasse and that he was determined to take his way ouer the countrey of Beause which could not bee done without great hazard did Ieaue the Lord Laual his company who was about to retyre from the banke of Loyre to Poytow did venture to repasse Loyre notwithstāding the great danger protesting that he would die with the Prince if occasion should require it and so with great danger repassing the riuer ouertooke the Prince at Beaufort The resolution to repasse the Lorion caused the Prince and the Lordes who were with him to resolue themselues agaynst whom so euer Notwithstanding euery one did looke vpon his fellow as commonly is done in such ineuitable dangers where is seene no remedy Some sayd saltem olim si meminisse iuuaret others sayd vnasalus victis nullam sperare salutem Few thought that these blowes came from Heauen for the punishment of their vices and specially for swearing and blaspheming which were not punished in that armie where were many of the League who induced others to their wickednes and licentious life All that day there was a great disorder for them that had passed to repasse agayne ouer Lorion hauing but one boate which could not receaue aboue ten horses at once and that caused the disorder for that euery one would bee first and no man last This was to bee noted in the Prince that he chaunged not his countenance but as hee did at the passage of Loyre so now he answered to them y t represented him the danger saying we will fight And because the confusion encreased at the passage of Lorion sending sufficient number of horsemen to euery place where the enemy might come vppon them hee lyghted of his horse and caused men horses and cariage to passe and when it was more then one hower in the night hee passed himselfe notwithstanding many remayned all night in the marshes who passed the next day following in the morning The night following the 25. day of October it was concluded by the Prince Nobles with him to take ouer y e countrey which lyeth betwene the Lorion and Loiz which is a Riuer comming from Vendosme to Anger 's to the end to recouer Beause and so to passe Loyre at Bogeancye Bloys or Sancerre or if the worst came with long iourneyes to attayne to the head of Loyre with resolution to fight agaynst whomsoeuer All that night there was hot skirmishing betweene them that came down from Samur in the boats and the garrison which the Prince had left at the Abbay of Saynt Maure vnder Captayne Serpant where was also the Lord Laual and Boulay who as is afore sayd had repassed the Loyre The Lord Auantigny who remayned all that night in the house called Menetriere not farre from the banke of Loyre to make the retyre passed the Lorion with all the residue very early arryued at Beaufort with the Prince about eight a clocke in the morning the 26. and the same day was the passage of Saint Mathurine beneath Saynt Maure stopped with boats furnished with ordinance and garrison The 26. the Lords Laual and Boulay with the garrison which was at Saint Maur vnderstanding that the Prince was returned beyond Lorion with determination to crosse ouer the countrey of Beause and that the passage of Saynt Mathurine was stopped thought necessarye to retyre into Xainctonge with all diligence and with such forces as they had to oppose themselues against the attemptes of y e enemies which might ryse there to assemble the nobility and other souldiers which were left there also to afsist the troupes which were left at the siege of Browage and to make the places sure in Poytow and Xainctonge and in very deede God did worke al the sayd euentes by their presence there The King aduertised what was passed at Anger 's putteth foorth his forces out of all partes to set vpon the Prince It is sayd before how the King intended to make ciuill warre in Guyenne first of all to beginne in Poitow Xainctonge as being next neighbours to him of all the Prouinces which do professe the Gaspell
treacheries and treasons whereof he feeleth the smart imputing the causes thereof vnto himselfe in that hee had alwaies preferred the bad and violent counsell of his secret enemies before the good wise moderat admonitions and warnings of the Princes of his bloud and many other Princes strangers and faithfull friends willeth him to make a iust reuenge for example sake vpon the authors of such a vile act The King of Nauarre with the rest of the Princes and Nobility departing very sorowfull and dismaied the King called for his Confessor to whose eare he confessed his sinnes and hauing craued pardon for his offences said that he had a sensible feeling that they were forgeuen him through Christ The Mediatour desired to communicat of his sacred body and that all might heare that he had receaued fréely of God the forgeuenes of sinnes in like casehe not onely forgaue the conspiratours but also the very murtherer and procurers of the murther so the poyson preuailing and scattering it selfe through did infect the noble parts whereby the night following the 22. of Iuly he yeelded his soule vnto God Here Christian Reader thou mayest see with the eye notable examples both of Gods iustice and mercy shewed vppon this noble King of a noble kingdome issued out of noble Kings First how this King hauing obstinatly persecuted the Gospell partly for hatred partly at the pleasure and solicitation of Priestes and Fryers and other sycophants and clawbackes who were continually about him and set him on still that vnder the colour of catholike Church and rooting out of heresie they might weaken him spoile him of his authority of his Kingdome and at length of his life For they neuer gaue ouer nor left him at rest vntill they had snatehed his forces out of his hand and kept his armies alwayes in their hands or of their friends and partakers then by calumnies slaunders libels seditious preachings had procured the contempt and hatred of his subieets agaynst him Moreouer vpon oportunity they seazed vppon his Townes and fortresses expelled him out of his owne house seat city of his kingdome and of his realme condemned him twise to die and at last executed that condemnation with hipocrisy and treachery which thing they could not bring to passe by force Who did all these vnnaturall iniuries vnto their naturall King They whom he had so far fauoured as to expose his goods his state his credit his honor his life for the defence of their iuglings filthy pleasures pride ambition and atheisme to wit of the Priests Monks Fryers and Guyzes in whose loue fidelity and force he trusted more then in God But behold with trembling the iudgements of the Lord which are all righteous and pure This King had not harkened vnto Gods wisedome which-cryed in the streates of the Citie O ye foolish how long will yee loue foolishnes Gods wisedome therefore forsooke him in the day of calamitie and so his table was made an occasion of fall vnto him so that his familiar friends with whom hee tooke sweet counsell together in the temple of their Gods haue lifted vp their heeles agaynst him This second iudgement of God is also to be considered with feare and trembling The famous Gaspar Coligny Admiral of France with a great number of the chiefest Nobilitie of the Realme were most vniustly and cruelly murthered in the yeare 1572. the 24. of August This King being then King Charles the 9. his brother and Duke of Anjou who issued out of noble rase not regarding his degree debased himselfe so farre as to become the chiefest Captayne of an accursed sedition and procurer of such a murther as hated both of God and man the fame thereof shall be execrable and stinking in the eares of men for euer And after the murther most cruell indignities were shewed vpon the dead bodies of the sayd Admirall and his fellowes who after were carried to bee hanged at the place where men executed for exemplarie iustice are hanged in chaynes called Monâ—faucon which lieth right against the place where the King was murthered on the North side of the riuer Seyne so that euen as Pompey after the poluting of the Temple of Ierusalem did neuer prosper but after many calamities suffered came to Alexandria where in the hauen as a man should say in the sight of the Temple he was villanously murthered by them whom he trusted Euen so this King after that murther thereby hauing poluted the Temple of iustice neuer prospered and from the Lord deliuered into the hands of vile and base men whom he trusted was brought to receaue the punishment for that murther nigh to that place where they had executed the vttermost poynt of infamie vppon the bodies of the sayd Admirall and other noble men Thirdly whereas S. Peter in his second Epistle and second Chapter doth forwarne the Saints both of false Prophets and errors which they shall bring foorth with them among others maketh mention that they shal not onely contemne but also shall speake euill of authorities Behold thou Christian reader hast seene in the former bookes of this historie all the prankes which this holy League hath played for the space of these twelue yeares all the horrible villanies poysonings and murthers by them committed and hauing in their mouthes nothing els but holy League holy Vnion holy Church holy Catholike faith euen holy murthers and all that is prophane wicked and damnable is holy with them so that it be for holy Church God through iustice and mercie in this peruerse age dangerous times when men will not discerne the trueth from lying by the word but by their affection according to the doctrine of S. Paul 1. Tim. 4. hath marked by these their abominations as with a hot burning yron their idolatries hypocrisie and false religion that men looking vppon the fruites may iudge of the goodnes of the tree which beareth them So in his grace and fauour he hath preserued his Saints professors of his word from such abominable déedes that his trueth being iustified may be louing and amiable vnto men carying the stampe and grauen image of the sonne of God which is innocencie mildnes and perfect Christian loue Herein also is noted the mercifulnes of God who will loose none of his children This king dyed not presently of that wound but God prolonged his life both to giue him time of repentance and to lay the foundation of the restablishing of that afflicted estate For first as concerning his repentance it doth appeare that hée entered déepely into he consideration of his sinnes and by that foundation of faith which remayned in him confessed in the symbole touching the death of Christ the forgiuenes of sinnes through him made him as if it were forget the most part of the idolatrous fantasies and tromperies in the which he had béen brought vp and delighted all the daies of his life and necessitie and feeling of his sinnes enforced him to repose himselfe on the onely sacrifice of
and a ship of pure siluer of the waight of three hundred markes which should be sent by some of the chiefest of the Citie The second idâ—latrous fantasie wherewith they deluded that besotted people was that they made them runne to and fro in procession bare footed and bare legged from Church to Church from Idoll to Idoll carrying their God in the streetes which their Priest had made with fiue words All the streetes did sound with weake Ora pro nobis The third was a Pageant which they played in this wise they had made vppon the great Altar of their Churches a graue like a monument there they buried their God who be like was dead with famine and let him lye for the space of 8. daies and in the same space the Churches were full night and day with Candles smoake idolatries and starued people Who had required these things at your hands It is submitting themselues vnto Gods ordinance that would quickly remedie this distresse and not these idolatries The Oates being spent the famine preuailed more and more the haruest time also was come The King did winke at many sallies which they did to steale away some sheaues of corne hoping by that meanes to intercept some of the heads of the rebellion so there were daily skirmishes about the haruest and they also carried away with them somewhat which although dearely bought did relieue somewhat the extremitie of their hunger Whilest these sallies were adoing about the fifteene day of Iuly the Lord Chastilion arriued vnto the King with one thousand horsemen and two thousand footmen Gascoynes The King perceauing the wilfull obstinacie of that people or rather the hard bondage that they were in vnder fewe rebels set all his forces in order and set vpon all the Suburbs of Paris all at once which seazed vppon without any losse the 18. of Iuly supposing that his neighborhead would cause them enter in consideration of their miseries and daungers This narrow siege debarring them wholy from the fields made the famine yet to preuaile more so that now in few dayes the people dyed by heapes in the houses within and in the streates without Now the common people wisheth for peace and imputeth all their miseries vnto blind Bernardine many did threaten openly in the streates that it were a good déede to hang that Spanish Moore and all his company of Sarrazins broode Blinde Bernardine hearing of these newes wished himselfe to haue béen in Spayne a dauncing naked with the Sarrazen Moores of Spayne yet to pacifie the people hee did bestow of his Spanish potage made of Oates vpon them so much as he could spare for hée was fallen to his olde dyet of Spayne and withall hee gaue them old starued horses which were like to dye for to kill and to eâ—te yet all this poore liberality which then was great consiâ—ering the time could not pacifie the people for as the Prouâ—rb is Ventur non habet aures Therefore many tooke counsell together in the night to haue seazed vppon a gate and to haue let in the Kings forces but this counsel being detected this enterprise could not be effected The morrow after being the 19. day of Iuly a great multitude assembled themselues in the palace and requirâ—d of the Pseudosenat that they might haue peace with the King otherwise there was no remedy but they were like to perish miserably they were intreated to quiet themselues and to haue pacience for ten dayes so they departed like to dye in the meane time with hunger The 27. of Iuly they assembled themselues againe into the palace with strong hand and required of the Pseudesenat either bread or peace and whereas a Marchant of the City named Goys did reproue them by them he was hurt so that within few dayes he yeelded his rebellious soule the matter tending to sedition the Duke of Aumale came to the palace shut vp the doores and tooke some prisoners whereof two of them were hanged Then the mutiny of the people encreasing they went to the Bishops house willing him to goe about the matter that they might haue either bread or peace whereupon some of the counselers of the Pseudosenat pittying their owne and the misery of the people with the Bishop of Lions the Duke of Nemours and others of the chiefest of the rebellion entred in counsell whether they ought to admit the King vpon reasonable conditions specially hauing their autonomy The matter being discoursed and some altogether inclining to peace withstanding that counsell the Duke of Nemours gouernour of the city said in great anger that he had rather see the City consumed then lost meaning that if it were yéelded vnto the King he estéemed it lost and going foorth in great anger would not be present any longer in such deliberation notwithstanding they agréed all to send Ambassadors to the King to entreate of an vniuersall peace The messengers were the Bishops of Paris and Lions and certaine others deputed for the City who went to the King lodged them in Saint Antonies Abbey nigh the City whome he receaued more courteously then they thought he would haue done They propounded to the King two things an vniuersall peace and that he should become a Catholick and so the City of Paris would set open their gates acknowledge and Crowne him King of France The King answered that he would receaue them to mercy without binding himselfe to any thing it appertained vnto Kings to pardon his subiects but not to subiects to prescribe peace and to deuide peares with their King as for his religion hee commaunded them not to mooue any talke thereof for hee was resolued in his faith which he did not meane to change and willed them with this resolution to returne to Paris The Duke d'Mayne vnderstanding that the Kings forces were lodged at the gates of Paris and that the City within was full of vprores of the people perishing for hunger perceauing also the long delayes of the Duke of Parma and fearing greatly that the City would fall into the Kings hands one way or another he sent Vileroy to the King and writeth a letter to the Parisiens to send the Bishops of Paris and Lions to shew how desirous they were to make peace The King gaue them license to come in his presence and also to repaire to the Duke d'Mayne with this answer that hée had not any delight in their misery and vndooing The intent of this Ambassage was but to delay the time least the K. should force the City while he posted to Bruxels there to solicit the Duke of Parma For he wrote a letter vnto the Parisiens by a secretary of the Bishop by the which he willed them to hold out and to make no peace for there was a rescue comming great forces and great store of victuals Now we will leaue the King in the Suburbs and walke to Bruxels in Brabant to see how the Leaguers affaires doo speede there It is saide before how the Leaguers sent foure
Ambassadors into Spayne at one clap and there the causes were shewed which moued the King of Spayne to hearken vnto their petition how he sent to the Duke of Parma to goe into France with such power as he could conueniently make to relieue and rescue Paris Now wée will shew the intent which the King of Spayne kept vncommunicable to himselfe The King of Spayne hauing placed the Duke of Parma as regent in the Low Countries and perceauing that he being setled in the Country and hauing purchased friends and partakers there began to suspect him as that hée should not bée able to haue him out without some wrangling and wrestling 〈◊〉 that the Duke would keepe that countrey in recompence of the Kingdome of Portingal whereof he thought himselfe vniustly defrauded This suspition made the King oftentimes to play the Phisition with the Duke and to minister him spanish phisick afore he was sick as boles pills and potions But the said Duke being skilfull in Italian Phisick prouided such counter phisick that by boles pills and potions he preuented the druggs of Spayne The Spanish King therefore séeing that his Phisick would not work tooke occasion by this Ambassage to rid his hands of him either by some blow y t he might receaue or else by preuention therefore he commaunded him to take such regiments of Wallons Italians as he knew well to fauour the said Duke such Lords as had any amity with him to go with all spéed to ayde the Leaguers y t by these meanes the Spaniards remaining in the countrey while another gouernour should be sent might seaze vpon the holds and forts of the land so to shut him out and exclude him from that gouernement to be sent into Italy from whence he came there to be a petty Duke and to busie his head about the prouiding of a Galey if the Turke should chance to inuade Italy But the Duke of Parma hauing learned this Latine in his youth fraudeÌ„ fraude fullere laus est thought good to obey his masters commaundement though little to his aduauntage for beside his commission hée purposed to take with him the two regiments of Spanyards that were appoynted to remayne in the Countrey and to haue shut him out of the doores The Duke of Parma had béene long sicke of the purre the pockes the murre the cough and the glaunders and yet his teeth were scarse fast in his head And beeing most resolued en his iourney then seemed hee coldest and most vncertayne The Spaniards hauing already through a brain sike imagination conquered France did vrge the iourney the Dukes friends did excuse the delay by his weaknes There was dayly quarrels betweene Spaniards and Italians some Spaniardes were so bold to call him Viliago tradidore The Duke did dilay his iourney to terrify the Duke de Mayne and to driue him of necessity to come in his owne person to begge his helpe The Duke de Mayne as is before sayd hauing taken some order to stay the Kings power from forcing the citie of Paris posted to Bruxels in Brabant there the Duke of Parma entertained him as a gentleman would entertaine a lackay There the D. de Mayne afore he might be admitted to come in the presence of that great Potentate was put to learne so many Italian abassios so many duckinges and Spanish ceremonies by crouching to euery rascall Spaniard that at length when hâ— had learned well to make a legge afâ—â—r the Italian or Spanish maner he was let into basiare las manos There he vrged and prayed very deuoutly for speedy helpe she wing the extremity that Paris stood in if it were not with speed relieued farewell all the League Leaguers and Leagued and Catholike fayth Vppon this extremity the Duke of Parma who had all things in a readines sent the D. de Mayne before him to put such forces in a readines as he could make vp against his comming that entring on the frontiers they might ioyne their forces together The Duke de Mayne returned into France put all the Leaguers in great hope of good successe reuiued y e hungry Parisiens with fair words sent to the Duke de Aumale and Vidsame d' Amiens who were gone into Picardy to relye such forces there as they could and to repaire into Champaigne to him Now hauing brought the Duke de Mayne from Bruxeles into Champaigne againe there we will leaue him to prepare for the comming of the Duke of Parma and returne to the siege of Paris Now in the latter end of Iulye the famin did so preuaile in the Citie of Paris and encreased more and more daily that they dyed by heaps euery where sinking downe in the Streetes starke dead They who were able to buy oaten bread were allowed no more but sixe ounces a day By the end of Iuly they had eaten in the Citie aboue two thousand horses and eight hundred Asses or Moyles great warre was denounced in the Citie agaynst Dogges Whelps Catteâ— Kitlings Rats Mice and other such thingâ—s which the bellie could deuise There was no wine in the Citie nor graine to brue beare They who had money did drinke Tisen made with water and liquorice which was to be sold in wine Tauerns in stead of Wine They who had no money did drinke with the Cow out of the riuer Sein which for the space of thirty yeares they had defiled and coloured red with the bloud of the Saints and now of late with the bloud of the royals In the beginning of August they sought all hearbs and weedes which could bee had and sed them in water without salt which they did sell for a Spanish Royall a pound to them which had money A bushell of wheat was sold for 70. crownes and more Blind Bernardine Ambassador of Spayne one of the chiefest workers of all these mischiefs hapned to tell in a company how he had heard say that in a certain fort of the Turke besieged by y e Persians in like case they did grind bones of dead men and made bread thereof Some who heard this tale told tooke that for a counsell tooke bones whereof is great store in Paris specially in the Churchyard of the Innocents ground them and made bread of that kind of stuffe Some did take the small dust of worm eaten posts mingled with a small deale of Oaten meale wherewith they made bread From the latter ende of Iuly vntill the time that the King raised the siege this miserable people did shift with that kind of poore fare About the 29. of Iuly the asses of Sorboun Monks Friers and Iesuits considering now that asse flesh could not be had any more or that they had no money to buy any and also that it would not bee had neither vpon credit nor for begging Considering also that the 50. thousand duckets which the Pope had sent which they thought to haue had either wholly or in part was bestowed vppon men and Souldiers not vppon Asses and
the conduct of the Marshall Byron to employ it where he should thinke most expedient About the sixt of Nouember arriued at Compiegne a Towne in Picardie situated vppon the miéeting of the riuers Oyse and Ayne where immediatly after his arriuall he sent to the nobility of Picardy to inuite them to come and assist him to reconduct the Duke of Parma according to the honour and papall nobility of his house who had deserued that fauour at his hand if not for any seruice done yet for the small hurt that he had receaued by him The Duke of Parma departed from Paris and soiorned for some dayes in Brie about Chaust heaut herij there in that fat soyle to refresh his Soulours hungerbitten and weake to proue whether hee might procure any of the Leaguers vpon the misliking of séeking parley with the King to forsake the Duke d'Mayne and to make him their Soueraigne generall whereunto by secret practises he solicited a great number But specially he feared greatly to venture his way alone for being forsaken of the Frenchmen he assured himselfe that he would be assaulted in his retyre by the King who did waite for the opportunity not farre of Therefore hée instantly vrged the Duke d'Mayne that he would rely his forces to kéepe him safe caring little what might become either of the Duke d'Mayne or of the Leaguers so that hée might get out of this lurch that hée sawe himselfe in This feare was the chiefest cause of his long soiourne in Brie But whilest hée was carefull of his safe returne into Brabant the King had appoynted the Lord Gyury a man of great valour policie to make choise of some sufficient number of his best and most approoued souldiours and to march toward Corbeil there to seeke opportunitie to reuenge the cruel iniurie done to his subiects by the Spanyards and Wallons wherof part to the number of one thousand were left there in garrison The occasion of recouering Corbeil was thus The maner of Wallons and Spanyards and popish nations beyond the Seas is to drinke and quaffe very largely the tenth day of Nouember in the worship of that good Bishop S. Martin who gaue halfe of his cloake to the diuell when hee was through pouertie enforced to begge But it is most like that they doo keepe that ryot more in the worship of the diuell who begged then of that good man who in his life time knewe very well that it is not the custome of the Church of God to worship the Saints neither with drunkennesse nor by any other meanes els The Lord Gyury knowing that dronken fashion of them very well tooke that opportunitie to do his feate For he delayed the time to approach the Towne vntill he supposed them to bee so crammed with good cheare and wine that it was time for them to goe to sleepe Then about midnight when that Spanish garrison were vino somnéque sepulti he placed his peeces of Ordinance and on a sudden battered the same breach which the D. of Parma had made which was not yet fully repayred The breach being quickly opened the assault was giuen The Spanyards and Wallons halfe dronke and halfe a sleepe ranne as desperat persons to the walles and made a very forcible resistance which continued all that night vntill nigh seauen a clocke in the morning The Duke of Parma heard the battering of Corbeil and fearing least his Trophâ—e should bee marred sent presently a power of Spanyards to succour them but comming too late were enforced to cast away their weapons as Demost henes did that they might fight another time The 11. day betweene sixe and seauen of the clocke in the morning the Town was throughly taken by the Kings forces and reduced to his obedieuce who entred by the same breach which the Duke of Parma had done and entred before There were found slayne two hundred Wallons three hundred Spanyards and among them the Cheualier Aumale brother to the Duke of Aumale one of the greatest cutthrotes of all the Leaguers was found dead The cause of his being at that banquet was that he was appoynted to prouide victuals for Paris Foure hundred were taken prisoners There were taken also foure brasen peeces and two Canons ready charged There were taken many spanish Ensignes which were made newe and newly displayed vppon the wall in token of victorie and in spite of the King There were taken also two hundred fat Oxen and foure hundred sheep some killed and some dressed and some aliue which the Knight Aumale had prouided for Paris This exployt being atchieued the Lord Gyury with all his companies with feruent prayers gaue thankes to God acknowledging this deliuerance and happie successe to haue been the worke of his right hand and power The newes of the retaking of Corbeil caused diuers and contrary motions in diuers persons the King receauing the newes thereof did admyre Gods iustice which euery where thundreth the claps of his displeasure vpon them who doo resist his ordinance and more and more conceaued hope that the Lord would performe the worke which he hath begun first in cloathing his enemies with shame and dishonour as with a garment and secondly in him to restore that afflicted estate The Parisiens and the Duke de Mayne were replenished with rage and feare together for they feared least by the taking of Corbeil and the retyre of the Duke of Parma the shambles of horses asses and dogges should be opened again The Asses of Sorboun began to feare their skinne least for want of foure footed Asses they should be assaulted and brought to the shambles Therefore they ranne to the sayd Duke of Parma they adiured and coniured him by the name of God yea by Gog and Magog and Beelzebub to returne to the recouering of Corbeil But the Duke of Parma remembring the price that hee payed for the sayd Corbeil would no more of that play specially knowing that he which did possesse it was a man resolute of courage valour and industrie Yet to please them he fed them daily vntill he should receaue supplie of forces to gard him with fat morsels of words to wit that he would take Chasteautherij and Compeigne and in the meane while he walked in Brie and Champaigne in like sorâ— as the Hords of sauage Tartarians doo remooue from place to place to grase vp the countreyes so did this great Crimme saue that his cruelties and villanies which he vsed there are yet vnknowne to the Tartarians Whilest he dooth raunge ransacke and riffle that countrey some of the Kings Captaynes tooke the towne of Lagny another Trophee or monument of the Duke of Parma his crueltie which thing both encreased his feare and hasted his iourney out of France Now we will leaue this omnipotent Cham with his hords of Tartarians to deuoure that countrey whose comming the vnnatural inhabitants had procured to maintaine a most damnable rebellion and contempt of lawfull power and we will see what the king had