Saylers cappes to beare pikes and so to march with this mutinous companie that constrained two brethren called Messieurs de Saulx one a Captaine of the Towne the other of the Castle called Trompette to bee their Leaders and to assist them at the spoyling and robbing of diuers houses of the Cittizens their friendes whom they massacred before their eyes Tho sacking of the towne-house and massacring of the Gouernour The Towne-house wherein there laye great quantitie of armour was sacked and Monsieur de Monneins beeing so ill aduised to leaue the Castle of Du Ha where he was in safetie to go out to intreat perswade the people was cruelly murthered with diuers wounds both before and after his death a Locke-smith giuing him the first blowe and the Fryers that within 3. houres after in the night-time sought to take vp his bodie all filthie and moyled with durt and lying in the streets with a gentlemen called Monteluen were in danger of massacring because they buried them within that Temple But the principall Leaders of this mutinie longing to put water into their wine and such as had made their pray by spoyling houses Execution of iustice against the mutinous hauing withdrawne themselues some in one place some into another the parliament beeing strengthened and assisted by honest and peaceable Cittizens beganne to shewe his authoritie and caused some of the notablest companions amongst them to bee taken whom they executed namely La Vergne that was drawne in peeces by foure horses The Constable with all rigor punished those of Burdeaux The king beeing certified thereof wrote vnto the commons assuring them with all speed to take order therein commanding them to laye downe their armes which was the cause that euery man withdrew himselfe But in the meane time an armie was prepared to enter into Saintonge and Quiennie Monsieur de la Deuese ceased vppon the Castle Trompette and put out l'Estonnac and his adherents The Constable had commissiō to punnish those of Guyenne followed by Francis de Lorraine Counte d'Anmalle after Duke of Guise much renowmed in the raignes of Francis the second and Charles the ninth This Earle conducting 4000. Lansquenets and great numbers of French Horsemen entred into Saintonge which hee pacified without resistance not punishing them for their offences past minding to obtaine the name of a milde and gentle Prince and leauing the report of crueltie and seueritie vnto the Constable who being accompanied with all the forces and both the armes ioyned in one entred into Bourdeaux all armed giuing most hard speeches vnto the Captaine of the towne that at his entrie presented him with the keyes of the towne that at his entry presented him with the keyes of the Citie beseeching him to be fauourable vnto the citizens but he being master of the town without blow giuen bereaued the citizens of al their titles registers priuiledges and franchises depriued them of all honours burnt all their priuiledges caused the Court of Parliament to cease wholly disarmed the citizens pulled downe their belles and constrained the principallest of the citie to the number of seuen score to goe to the Fryers there to fetch the body of Monsieur de Monneins and to conuey it to the Church of S. Andrewes where it should be buried each of them with a waxe candle lited in his hands hauing first before the Constables lodging asked mercy both of God and the king and Iustice Estonnoc the two brethren du Saul and others had their heads striken off He forgot not likewise those that had bene assistant at the murthering of the Gouernor and the sacking of the houses a Prouost Marshall with a great number of souldiers went through Bourdeaux Baradois and Agenois executing such as had rung the belles and in the ende he tooke the two chiefe Leaders of the Commons named Talemagne and Galaffie who were broken vpon a wheele hauing first bene crowned with a Crowne of Iron burning hot for their punishment in vsurping the soueraigne Maiestie Pastime in the Court. This Tragedie ended in Comedies at the court for Anthony de Burbon Duke de Vandosine espoused Ieane d'Albert Princesse of Nauarre and Francis de Lorraine Duke d'Aumalle the daughter of the Duke of Ferrare But among those sweete and pleasant conceits they mixed a most rigorous bitter ordinance establishing within Parris an extraordinary chamber Persecutions against those of the religion therein to proceed against those of the religion as then called Lutherans whom they burnt to death if they remained constant in their profession The coronation of the Queene The pleasures of the Court increased more by the deliuery of the Queene of a young sonne and great part of this yere was passed ouer in playes sumptuous sports The Q. being crowned at S. Dennis vpō the 10. of Iune the 16. of the same month the king made his magnificall entry into Parris there ran at tilt to showe some pleasure to the Ladies and Gentlewomen which being ended he sat openly in the Court of Parliment where in presence of the Princes and Peeres of his Realme he gaue iudgement in diuers causes according to the auncient custome of his predecessors Difference betweene the kings in times past those of our time For the auncient kings of France were carefull and vsed ordinarily to hear the complaints of their subiects but of late yeares they referred that maner of exercise vnto the consciences of their Officers seeing by other mens eyes almost concerning all their affaires which is neither good nor comfortable for the people nor yet any meanes to further Iustice And since this carelesnesse hath entred into the maiesty of our kings the estate of the realme hath bin weakned and the maiestie royall imbased so that in the end the peple haue not refused to rise against the person of the king and sometimes to murther him But remedy herein wil be had when our kings abstain from shameful actions and only do that whervnto God hath called them A generall procession After many sports and deuises the king caused a generall solemne procession to be made in the moneth of Iuly wherein hee was present assisted by the Queene the Princes of the bloud Lords Cardinals Orders Estates and dignities of Parris and at his returne from the Bishops Pallace where hee had dyned hee would see and beholde the burning of certaine Christians detesting the errours and abuses mainteined and holden by the Papists and their Doctors Among the which was a Taylor where not long before A notable Taylor by the force and vertue of the spirite of God had made answere and giuen notice of his saith and religion in presence of the king and diuers Courtiers where hee sung a wonderfull lesson vnto the Duches de Valentimois of whom I spake before saying vnto her that she ought to content her selfe to haue so much infected France without mixing her venome and filthiniesse with so holy
intended to compound and make agreement with the Emperour The kings answere to the Princes The King perceiuing that by meanes of his great armie the Protestant Princes had brought the Emperour to some reason and on the other side vnderstanding that the Queene of Hungary with her forces was entered into the field left the Almaines and at his departure made aunswere vnto the Princes that he contented himselfe to be esteemed the cause whereby the Princes that were prisoners should shortly bee deliuered and the countrie of Almaine enioy a happy peace and that if thereafter it should haue cause to vse his helpe hee would not spare what meanes soeuer hee had to doo them good Meane time the armie fedde vppon the poore pesants and the country belonging to those of Strasbourg that stood vpon their guard was nothing spared The Leaders notwithstanding repressing the insolencie of the Souldiers as much as possibly they might but in so great a multitude it is impossible that some disorder should not bee committed The meeting at Passau where the French Ambassadour was present Duke Maurice hauing driuen the Emperor out of Almaine and thereby procured an assembly and meeting to bee holden at Passau there to take order touching the reducing of the Countrie of Almaine into her anâ—â—er 〈◊〉 Ambassadours for the Emperour the Electors and diuers â—â—aces of Germanie met togither Where the Bishop of Bayonne Ambassadour for the King fayled not to come vpon the 3. of Iune in a learned Oration he shewed the ancient long coniunction of the countries of Almaine France the affectioÌ„ that the His Oration king bare vnto the Empire as then hardly and euill gouerned by the Spaniards and their adherents finding it good for the Protestant-Princes to agree and make an accord with the Emperour so the prisoners might be deliuered the ancient alliance of France with the Empire and the last capitilation made with the Princes ratified and confirmed that the Emperour should do him reason and that his whole desire was to consent and agree with them all and particularly with Duke Mauris the answere thervnto was composed with many thankes and declarations couched in such sort that neither the Emperour nor the king Their answere could in any sort bee discontent therewith Touching the renuing of auncient alliances they said that a matter of so great waight importance required great and more ample assembly meane time they desired that the amitie alwaies holden continued between the two nations might stil remaine in force and that the controuersies betweene the Emperour and the king might bee appeased promising therein to imploy all meanes possible meane time they desired the king to shew what wrong he could pretend had beene in any sort offered vnto him by the Emperour to whom they would not faile to write that thereby some end and finall agreement might be made VVarres in the Duchy of Luxenbourg with diuers exployts spotles and pilling of places During this assembly the Queene of Hungary hauing commaunded the Marshall of Cleueland to enter into the Duchy of Luxenberg with an armie of 3000. foote and 600. horse caused them to ioyne with the companies of the lowe countries in such sort that their armie being compassed of 12000. foote and 3000. horse beganne to worke many exployts and hauing taken Stenay vppon Meuse a small Towne belonging to the Duchie of Lorraine they enterprised against other places but not to any effect onely that they burnt certaine villages and small hamblets but the kings armie approaching they beganne to retire which made the Councell to determine vpon the conquest of the Duchie of Luxenbourg wherewith they first set vppon a strong Castle called Roc de Mars which was presently taken and spoyled The like was done to Mont S. Iohn Solieure and other places The Emperours and the kings forces skirmishing before Thionuille the armie passing by it made towards d'Auuille which beeing battered and yeelded vnto the king the Captaines were kept prisoners and the Souldiers suffered to depart without armes onely a white sticke in their hands Iuoy was likewise battered and after yeelded vpon the like condition The Gouernour beeing sent prisoner vnto Parris all the spoyle was giuen vnto the Constable who distributed the greatest part thereof among his troupes and particularly to that of his eldest sonne whereat the Souldiours of the olde companies began to mutinie next Iuoy they tooke Monmedy and while they were imployed therein the Marshall Sedan heire vnto the house la Marshe obtained certaine companies of the King wherewith hee recouered the Towne and Castle of Bouillon with all the places depending belonging to the Duchie VVinning of the Duchy of Bouillon which done the Castles of Lumes Treton Glaion and others were taken and ouerthrowne and to please the olde Souldiers they had the spoyle of Cimay a Towne and Castle belonging vnto the Duke d'Arscot giuen vnto them Where the assieged hauing withdrawne themselues into the Castle and desiring to make some composition were myned vnder the gate and other places of the Castle by the great fury of the assailantes wholly famished and thirsting after spoyle wherevnto they ranne with so great haste that some of their Matches fell into a certaine quantitie of powder The Castle and Towne of Cimay burnt whereby about sixe score of the most forwardest of them were burnt and blowne vp into the aire and to conclude the fury of warre burnt both the Towne and Castle but because the Army began to diminish and to weaken some being laden with spoyle and the greatest part sicke and not well at ease about the ende of Iuly such as were left were placed in Garrisons there to attend the Emperors resolution who hauing to do both with the Protestant Princes and the King determined to agree and compound with the Princes by their meanes to aide himselfe against the King and vpon the last of Iuly he made and concluded a peace with Almaine Peace in Almaine to beginne his warres with France The King was much moued at that agreement yet he discharged the Hostages of Duke Maurice who likewise released his beeing the Earles of Nantueil and Iametz The Emperours enterprises for the recouery of Metz Thoul and Verdun After this appointment with the Almaines the Emperor vsed such means that the Princes and Townes of Almaine by litle and litle agreed to furnish him with men money and Artillery therewith to driue the King out of Metz Thoul and Verdum imperiall Townes to the which ende he gathered an Armie of 50000. foote and 20000. horse with a great number of Artillery and while he was preparing this armie Albert Marquesse of Brandenburge who in the Kings name had made most cruell warre vpon many Townes and Bishopprickes in Almaine being secretly reconciled vnto the Emperour hauing to the number of 2000. horse and 8000. foote with certaine artillery approched the Frontiers of Luxembourge and of Lorraine where
Tombe for the Kinges of France Of person hee was a goodly Prince courteous milde The description of king Henry the second louing his seruaunts and men of valour Much addicted to his pleasures and to beleeue such as knewe how to please his humour who many times caused him to vse muche rigour which hee could not so soone discouer the ambition and auarice of certaine men that prouoked him forwarde were the principall causes of the continuance of warres which heretofore we haue noted specially after the breache of truce set lawes Iustice Offices and benefices to sale diued into and emptied the purses of French men by infinit exactions whereof ensued most great mischiefs The estate of France vnder this Prince Two great sinnes raigned in France during the time of this Prince that is Atheisme and Magicque Whereunto may be added the corruption of learning For that the knowledge thereof induced by King Francis the first chaunged into diuers wicked and curious mindes cause of all mischiefe specially in the forme and phrase of French Poets who in the raigne of Henry by their impure rimes filled with all maner of blasphemies conuerted an infinit number of soules These sinnes and others in great abundance still increased drawing vpon both litle and great within the Realme of France the straunge punishments which in the raignes of the successors to this Henry full well appeared Fiue sonnes and fiue daughters By Catherin de Medicis his wife married in Anno. 1533 he had fiue sonnes and fiue daughters The eldest Francis the second borne the 20. of Ianuary 1543. The second Lois the Duke of Orleans that died at the ende of certaine months The third Charles Maxemilian borne the 20. of Iune 1550. King after the death of his brother The 4. Edward Alexandre after King and called Henry the third born the 19. of September 1551. The fift Hercules after called Francis Duke of Alencon Aniou and Berri and Counte du Maine borne the 18. of March 1554. The eldest daughter was Elizabeth promised to Edward the sixt King of England but marryed to Phillip king of Spaine borne the 11. of Aprill 1545. The second Claude maried to Charles Duke of Lorraine bonre the 12. of Nouember 1547. The third Margaret married to Henry de Bourbon King of Nauarre borne the 14. of May 1552. The fourth and fift named Iane and Victoire borne at one burthen vpon the 24. of Iune 1556 and died presently after In this Historie you may behold the successe and estate of the successors to this Henry beeing his sonnes with the first whereof I meane to begin Heere endeth the troubles that happened in the raigne of Henry the second Francis the second M.D.LIX. The intent of King Henrie KING Henry by the counsell giuen him touching the rupture of the truce and by that which after ensued hauing somewhat discouered who and which they were that gaue him euill aduise concerning his estate was minded and fully resolued after the solemnization of the marriages to looke more particularly into such men therby to retaine some and send the rest vnto the places frō whence they came But the wrath of God lay vppon the Realme hauing striken the head pursued the members as heereafter it appeareth Francis the second yong in aduise The state of France vnder Francis the second The Nobilitie The Courtiers much more in yeares was wholly left to the gouernment of his mother and the vncles of his wife that ruled the land as you shal heare Part of the Nobilitie wearied with the troubles of so long warres desired nought but peace leauing all care of publike charges and casting their eyes vppon the surest side thereon to lay hold The Courtiers went which way the winde would blowe as touching the officers of Iustice most of them were friends or subiects vnto diuers Lords some good and vpright men yet resting in the Court of Parliament durst not almost proceed in any thing as beeing abashed at the suddaine blowe giuen vnto the chiefe and principall Court of Parliament the last Mercurialist The Ecclesiasticall persons The Ecclesiasticall persons held and accounted them for principall Pillers of the Church that were the greatest burners As touching the third estate the great charges and troubles of warres forepast had wholly bereaued them of al liuely feeling and moouing Two parties In the Court were two parts the one those that held with the Constable the other the Guisians The Princes of the blood had almost no care of the Common-wealth nor yet of their owne affaires The Queene-mother an Italian Florentine of the familie of Medicis and one that in 22. yeares wherin she had continued in France had some good time to knowe the humours both of the one and the other and behaued her selfe in such sort that shee onely ruled Those of Guise Which to attaine and desiring wholly to driue away the Constable whom shee did most suspect shee held on the other side and placed seruants about the King of Nauarre by them to know and vnderstand his minde Assoone as king Henry was deceased the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine led the King and his brethren with the Queenes vnto the Louure leauing the Prince of the Blood the Constable the Marshall the Admirall with diuers other knights of the Order and Lords that held with the Constable to attend vppon the dead body The beginning of the raigne of this young Prince promised much when suddainly they beheld Francis Oliuier a man of great reputation Francis Oliuier restored to be Chancellor restored againe vnto his place of Chauncellor that had been put out of the place by meanes of the Duches of Valentinois that wholly ruled the deceased king they were in further hope whē they perceiued this Duches to be wholly out of credit for that assoone as he was dead they caused her to yeeld vp the keyes of the kings closet with all his precious Iewels that then were giuen vnto the Queene Regent But this was onely a particular quarrell betweene women for in truth the Duches during king Henries life had been in all mens sight as Queen of France The Queen-mother that hated her extreamly was very glad to see her wholly dispoyled and driuen out of the Court contenting her selfe therewith not to leese the fauour of those of Guise who although they onely had their aduancement by the Duches meanes perceiuing her to bee as a rotten plancke left her to pleasure themselues another way They sent Bertrand from whom the seales were taken vnto Rome and tooke from d'Auancon the ruling of the Treasures Bertrand keeper of the Seales discharged of his office neuerthelesse hee continued still in the Court as beeing too well acquainted with their affaires and as yet it was not necessary to compell him to accept of any new partie The Marshall of S. Andre aduanced by the fauours of King Henry to whom he was a secret seruant and wholly
the end that in so great a presence they all might heare what aunswere hee would make Presently therevppon the companie was assembled in the great Hall of the Castle and in the kings owne presence where the Prince hauing recited the speeches by the king vsed vnto him and what therevpon had followed said that the person of the king excepted with those of the Princes his bretheren and the Queenes and with reuerence vnto them all those that had said and reported vnto the king that hee should bee the head and conductor of certaine seditous persons that were reported to haue conspired against the person of the king and his estate had fallely and wickedly lyed And that to prooue his innocency therin he would leaue his place dignitie of a Prince of the blood to fight with them and cause them with his sword or launce to confesse themselues to bee right villaines and that they themselues onely sought the ruine of the Estate name and blood royall for the conseruation whereof hee said hee would imploy both life and goods as hee had alwaies made good proofe as also for his interest to the Crowne and house of France the title whereof hee ought to procure with much more right then those that were his accusers summoning all the company that if among them there were any that had made the report or that once would seeme to maintaine it presently to shewe themselues wherevppon no man presenting himselfe he besought the king to esteeme him for an honest man and from thencefoorth not to bend his his eares vnto the secret tales of such flaunderous and bad persons but rather to reiect and bannish them from his presence as enemies both to him and publike peace which done he went out of the Councell to giue them leaue to consult But at a certaine signe made by the Cardinall the king brake vppe the assembly without asking their aduise where as then hee might haue made some alteration or disaduantage to those of Guise The Admirall sheweth himselfe a faithfull seruant to the king and the Realme The Queene-mother much troubled in these tempests yet according to the maner and custome of all the world seeking to holde on the strongest side sent the Admirall into Normandie to know the cause of their commissions desiring him most earnestly without dissembling to certifie her the truth thereof with promise not onely to acknowledge his trauels in that behalfe but to keepe it secret Hee executed his commission with all diligence and without feare of any man nor long after sent a Gentleman to the Queene with large and ample letters therein containing that those of Guise were the onely cause and true originall of all the troubles that happened in France because of their violent and vnlawfull government shewing the proofes thereof adding that the faithful subiects of the Crowne held for certaine that the calamities would neuer be ended as long as straungers gouerned the King and his Estate hee exhorted her therevppon to take the cause in hand and to giue ease and quietnesse to those of the religion causing the edicts that tended therevnto to be well and truly obserued Comfort to the prisoners for religion These aduertisements bred letters that were directed to al the Parliaments and other Iudges freely to release all such prisoners as were detained in their Prisons for the cause of religion the execution of which letters neuerthelesse were long performing an other thing likewise draue forward this wheele which was that cerraine prisoners at Blois and Tours for the enterprise of Amboise hauing found the meanes for to escape out of prison wrote a letter vnto the Cardinall partly in iest and partly full of threatnings that it should not be long before they would come to see him with all the rest that were not in his keeping and that had wholly determined to spoyle his person Hee beeing a man very fearefull for that time put water in his wine which caused the generall inlargement of diuers prisoners throughout all the Realme and it was spoken by diuers men that the Cardinal verified the ancient Prouerbe which is If you touch pitch you shall bee defiled therewith Letters in fauour of those of Guise Further those of Guise perceiuing themselues to bee assayled on all sides by diuers writings beeing as it were the forerunners of some new onset the last of March they caused certaine letters to bee dispatched to all the Parliaments Bailiffes and Stewards as also to straunge Princes wherein such as had beene present at the enterprise of Amboise namely the heads were accused of high treason both against God and man specially those of the religion and their Ministers were therin abused in diuers sorts to the which was added a number of great and large promises of reformation both in the Politicque and Ecclesiasticall Estate Answere to their letters To these letters a most ample and large answer was framed directed vnto the Parliament which painted out the house of Guise in all their colours requiring that they in open Parliament of all the Estates might yeeld account of their behauiour in the gouernment of the Estate The Parliament of Parris sent this answere by one of their Vshers vnto the Cardinal But that of Rouen seeking to doo more their deputies beeing sent vnto the king were constrained presently ro retire and could do nothing Letters vnto the king of Nauarre The ninth of Aprill letters were written and sent in the kings name vnto the K. of Nauarre to the same effect as those that were sent vnto the parliamēts being desired to cease vpō certaine persons that attended about his person accused to be of the enterprise of Amboise therin likewise was set downe the acculatiō imposed against the prince of Conde who for the same cause had iustified himselfe mean time a consultation was holden to cease vpon the person of the Prince of Conde which the Duke of Guise wholly seemed to dislike Hee on the other side sent his Secretarie vnto his brother to aduertise him what had past to aske his counsell and to write him answere thereof This beeing discouered to those of Guise they wrote a letter vnto the Prince full of excuses to the end hee should content himselfe which hee likewise sent vnto his brother that made him a plaine answere fearing to bee discouered Warres in Scotland mooued by those of Guise At that time those of Guise thought to trouble and ouerthrowe the Estate of Scotland which their sister the Queen Dowager and monsieur d'Oisel gouerned peaceably they hauing made the marriage betweene their Cousin and King Francis caused their Cousin to take vpon her the title of Queene of England and of Scotland onely vpon some vaine imaginations and not content therewith they sent certaine intelligencers into England there to mooue the people to fauour their Cousin and to bring the Q. of England in hatred with her subiects specially because of thereligion Their intent
with them Hee likewise made a long answere touching the accusation made against the Prince of Conde shewing it to bee a meere falschood once to thinke or suppose that the enterprise of Amboise was thought or ment against the person of the king or for to trouble the Estate After that he desciphered the originall of those of Guise behauing himselfe in such sort in all his aunsweres like a good Politian and that with so good reasons that thereby hee escaped from the Court and nothing was done either touching him or against the Constable nor any of his Those of the religion next to God commit themselues vnto the protection of the Princes of the blood Those of the religion hauing vnderstood by aduises giuē thē by many Gentlemen in diuers Prouinces that their ouerthrow beganne to approach if with all speed and readinesse they prouided not for themselues Hauing recommended themselues by heartie prayers vnto God determined to cast themselues into the armes of the Princes of the blood as Fathers Tutors and Conseruers of the innocencies of the poore afflicted people and that by the natural lawes of the countrie were called vnto that charge during the minoritie of the kings And for the same cause certaine notable personages were appoynted among them to go vnto the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde at Nerac to whom with all their meanes he offered a large declaration containing a rehearsall of all the wrongs by those of Guise committed against the king and the Realme with a most humble supplication that it would please the said Princes to deuise the meanes to deliuer the king and his Estate out of their hands The explort of Monsieur de Mombrun About this time Monsieur de Mombrun a Gentleman well affected to thereligion beeing narrowly sifted by the Parliament of Grenoble and brauely escaped out of his enemies hands was desired by diuers of the Venitian Marchants to ayde and assist them against the violences and extortions vsed in their behalfes by the Popes Vicelegat contrary vnto their priuiledges and auncient franchises La Motte Goudrin Lieftenant for the Duke of Guise in Dauphine was likewise entertained by the Vicelegat to helpe him with all his forces And although Mombrun had very fewe men yet hee constrained his enemies to seeke for an accord which hauing but violated and broken in all the articles by the Vicelegat and la Motte Goudrin Mombrun raised armes againe and handled the Priests hardly that had slaine some of his men after the accord was made and sworne which done hee put a great number of la Motte Goudrins souldiers vnto the sword and vsed him in such sort that hee made him leaue his fence but hauing beene constrained to dispearse his little troupe and soone after betrayed by one of his domesticall seruants hee saued himselfe by flying out of the Realme hauing trauersed through many daungers and saued himselfe in the territories of Geneua and about the countrie of Berne The Princes counsels discouered by la Sagne wherof ensued the imprisonment of Vidame de Chartres To returne vnto the Princes they beeing much confirmed in the resolution by thē taken to discharge their duties touching the relieuing of the realme of France by the declarations and offers of those of the religion they began to deale therein and among other agents imployed in those affaires the Prince of Conde sent one named la Sagne vnto diuers great Lords to desire them not to saile him of their aydes La Sagne hauing receiued an answere from the Constable and Vidame de Chartres came vnto the Court where hee deliuered certaine letters and as hee stayed fro an aunswere hee was so vndiscreet that hee suffered himselfe to bee vndermined by one Captaine Bonual who hauing discouered it vnto those of Guise ranne after him and brought him prisoner to Fountainebleau where the letters of Vidame de Chartres beeing read wherein he promised the Prince to maintaine his iust quarrell against all men except the king his bretheren and the Queenes those of Guise sent to apprehend him within Parris and to keepe him prisoner in the Bastille where they vsed him with most great rigor vntill hee died They found not so good a baite in the Constables letters or at the least would make no shewe thereof because they would not trouble themselues with so many things at once La Sagne was well payed for his prating for that his nostrils were stretched in such sort that hee tolde all whatsoeuer hee knew and more then truth to prolong his miserable life Mean time his cōfessions made vppon the racke caused those of Guise in all haste to dispatch their affaires for first to their great dishonour and disaduantage of their kinswoman they agreed with the Queene of England prouided for the frontiers of Lorraine caused the olde troupes that came out of Dauphine and Piedemont to lye along by the riuer of Loire writing on both sides to their partakers A proposition in the Councell for calling a Parliament at Fontainebleau On the other side the Queene-mother that feared least shee should bee disgraced whatsoeuer might happen by the aduise of the Chancellor and the Admirall to whom as then she made shewe willingly to hearken she resolued to cause a motion to bee made in open councell that it were requisit that the king should assemble all the Princes Lords knights of the Order and men of authoritie in his Realme to take order for the pacifying of the troubles which they esteemed specially to proceed because of the persecutions against those of the religion Those of Guise found this resolution to bee good thinking thereby to finde a meanes to intrap both the king of Nauarre and his brother trusting likewise for that most part of those that should assemble were of their retinue that nothing should passe therein but for their aduantage and that this meeting would wholly breake off the calling of the generall States and by that meanes make a sure ground for their affaires Wherevppon they began to write into all places in the Kings name who desired euery man to bee at Fontainebleau vppon the 15. day of August for the causes aforesaid Those of Guise sent letters likewise from themselues full of all good promises and rewards The King likewise wrote vnto the King of Nauarre desiring him to bee there with his brother and all such Lords who as then were with him But couertly by the meanes of secret practises those of Guise dealt in such sort that the King of Nauarre resolued not to come and that against the aduise of the Constable and diuers great Lords who said and affirmed that as then the meanes presented it selfe whereby to put downe those of Guise and to reestablish the lawfull gouernment of the Realme And to conclude the Constable verilie supposing that the Princes would bee theee sayled not to come thither with aboue 800. horse which constrained those of Guise as then weake to flie softly
and to shew a good countenance vnto the Constable and his Nephewes The Admirall presented a petition to the King in the behalfe of the religion The 21. of August they were assembled wherein there was not one of the Princes of the blood and before they began to debate of any matter the Admirall presented a request vnto the King for those of the religion in France whose desire was that it would please his Maiestie to graunt them libertie of Churches and free exercises of their religion in all places The King hauing hanked the Admirall for his vigilancie fidelitie and sincere affection caused the petition to be openly read and then hauing declared from poynt to poynt the cause of that assembly desired the assistance euery man in particular freely and without feare or passion to giue him counsell as occasion and necessitie therein should require that done the Queen-mother and the Chauncellour spake and the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall offered but in generall to render vp an account of their administration which finished that daies meeting the assembly beeing remitted vntill the 23. of August wherevnto Monluc Moruilliers du Mortier and d'Auanson al foure of the priuie Councel opposed themselues But hee that spake most to effect and that deserued most praise to bee a faithfull Councellour was Charles de Marillac Archbishop of Vienne Oration and aduise of Marillac who by notable reasons liuely desciphered shewed that it was requisite to assemble a nactionall Councell thereby to remedie the differences in religion and the third Estate to direct the gouernment of the Realme But hee liued not long after this Oration made and many spake diuersly of his death The Admirals Oration censured by those of Guise The next day beeing the 23. of the moneth of August the Admiralles turne fell out to speake whose Oration tended to the ordering of religion and the Estate before mentioned by Marillac but with farre more eloquent phraise wherevnto hee added a most graue and wise censure against those that by inuironing the king with double guardes learned him to feare his subiects and his subiects to hate their Prince desiring the king most certainly to be perswaded that all his subiects reuerenced him and bare most earnest and hartie affection vnto him The Duke of Guise much greeued and offended at that which the Admirall had spoken specially touching the new guards made a large discourse vnto the contrary in such sort that he shewed himselfe in great perplexitie with all the wit hee had to defend his broken cause His brother the Cardinal walked with some more deliberation vppon those pricking thornes assaying to refute the humble protestations contained in the request presented by the Admirall in the name of all those of the religion who from that time foorth was most extreamly hated by those of Cuise who neuerthelesse at that time made shewe not to dislike in any sort that a generall assembly of the Estates should bee assigned and that as touching religion they propounded an other aduise which likewise was allowed as in the articles following you may reade A Parlia-assigned the 10. of December And according to the resolution vpon the last of August letters were dispatched vnto all Bailiffes and Stewards signifying vnto them that the Estates generall were assigned to meete vppon the tenth of December next ensuing within the Towne of Meaux to the end they should take order to cause Deputies to bee chosen against that time But in this Commission there ranne a clause which was that during such elections the Gouernours and Lieftenants of Prouinces should seuerally visit the Townes to inquire and vnderstand the peoples griefes and to bring them vnto the King that prouision and good order might bee taken for the good of euery Prouince A Sinode of the Clargie the 20. of Ianuary By the same letters he assigned the Bishops Prelates and other Ecclesiasticall persons to bee at Parris vppon the 20. of Ianuary next after ensuing to aduise and take counsell what shall be fit and conuenient to be shewed vnto the generall Councell exhorting them in the meane time to reforme that which belongeth to bee reformed and amended by the Church further commaunding them to be watchfull ouer their aduersaries termed wicked spirits composed of the remnants of the rebellion and tumult of Amboise Gathering of troupes of Souldiers Those of Guise hauing by this means assured themselues against the Princes the next day sent letters in the kings name vnto all Bailiffes and Stewards for the assembly of men at armes or lanciers to be readie by the 20. day of the month of September the distribution whereof was done in such manner that the companies were all mingled the suspected inuironed with others that might set vpon them both before behinde the commanders hauing charge to take put to the sword al such as they once esteemed or suspected to march to ayde the Princes On the other side because the declaration which those of the religion had directed vnto the Princes in many points concerned those or Guise At the deniall of Iohn du Tillet a certain yong Councellour named Des Autels of Charrolois presented himselfe that vnder the title of an Oration vnto the people of France made an answere vnto it and with priuiledge from the King caused it to be imprinted But this Orarout was so well schooled by a replye made therevnto that neuer after hee durst hold vppe his nose and was disauouched by the Cardinall that onely had set him on worke saying that both time and his actions would soone procure him reason at the hands of his enemies And those of Guise hauing ioyned the forces Letters from the king to the king of Nauarre the prince of Conde with their answeres returned out of Scotland with the olde troupes of Piedemont Metz and Picardie they caused them to approach near vnto them with 1200. launciers reserued besides the deuisions made within the Prouinces sent a message in the Kings name vnto the King of Nauarre whereby the Prince of Conde was charged to haue enterprised against the Estate of France and to haue sought to cease vpon the least Townes to haue them in his possession for which cause hee desired the King of Nauarre to send his brother vnto him vnder strong and safe conduction which if hee refused hee said hee should in person be constrained to go thither with such a traine that it would not be for his commoditie The King of Nauarre and his brother made a graue and bolde answere which was that if their accusers would make themselues knowne and seeme to defend the accusation against them and beeing bereaued of that authoritie which they vsurped they with a small company would present themselues before the King where in his presence they would euidently shew him that such accusers were the parties guiltie to whose most false reports they besought his Maiestie in any sort not to giue
credit The kings word giuen to the princes to intrap them This aunswere made those of Guise to seeke another course and therevppon dispatched an other message whereby the King sent word vnto the Princes that they might without all feare come vnto him and returne again when they thought good assuring them by the word of a King that nothing should be done or attempted against their persons in any sort whatsoeuer that he would peaceably heare both their causes and instifications without committing them to prison or once making proces against them that his desire was onely to haue an answereby word of mouth touching the poynts wherewith the Prince was charged which the King could not in any sort beleeue and to conclude that they should bee receiued and vsed according to their estates and dignities yea and that they should haue their places restored that of order and custome belonged vnto them touching the mannaging of the affaires of the land to the end to haue their counselles and aduise thereby to reduce all thinges into a good and polliticke order They were betraied by Amaury Bouchart Chancellor of Nauarre without any troubling or molesting the Prince concerning the religion which hee professed The like letters were written vnto them by the Queene-mother At the first the King of Nauarre had a good courage but hauing heard that the affaires in Lyonnois Dauphin had succeeded otherwise then he esteemed begunne to drawe backe although the Deputies of the Prouinces offered to assemble their troupes for his securitie before the French launciers had stopped the passages or if he found that not to be expedient they promised to assemble themselues in all places to strengthen him when hee should go vnto the Parliament He had a Chancellour named Amaury Bouchart Maister of Requests vnto the king who from the beginning had beene very earnest to mooue him to hearken vnto the declarations and requests daylie made vnto him from all the parts of the Realme but this Bouchart hauing heard that the enterprise made against Lyons by Maligny had taken an other effect then he expected wrote secretly vnto the king desiring him to separate the Prince of Conde from the king of Nauarre his brother because that without ceasing hee neuer left off to solicite him to doo diuers things against his Maiesties officers as also to trouble the Realme at the onely instance of certaine Lutherians and Preachers that came from Geneua wherevnto hee said his maister would by no meanes hearken but that it was to bee feared that in the end by long and importunate sute he would diuert him whereof hee said hee could not chuse but aduertise his Maiestie whose most humble natural and faithful subiect hee was and alwaies would bee as also one of the Ministers of his iustice Hee wrote other letters of the same effect vnto the Cardinall promising him by word of mouth to certifie him of certaine things of great importance which as then hee durst not write and to conclude hee promised him the meanes to giue him intelligence how and in what sort hee should deuise and frame proces against the greatest Lords of the Realme Speaking of Geneua hee ment Theodore de Beza whom the King had expressely sent for by the counsell of the said Bouchart himselfe to meete with diuers other notable personages from all the parts of France whose aduise specially of Beza was in any sort to procure that the conclusion of Fontainbleau touching the assembly of the Estates should bee obserued and fully executed But that aduise was not followed and that touching Beza hee returned with great daunger of his person hauing begun to preach publikely in Nerac where the king of Nauarre in person was assistant Some were of opinion that Iarnac who had wholly withdrawn himselfe from the Princes with S. Foy his brother before that Lieftenant of the company of launciers belonging to the Prince of Conde had practised with Bouchart to write those letters They determine to go to the king The Princes giuing credite vnto the kings word and vpon the protestations and promises made vnto them by his Agents and among others the Cardinal of Bourbon his brother sent expressely vnto them accepted the Kings offer and hauing writtē vnto the king that they would ride to Orleans with a small traine before the assembly of the Estates should bee prepared And beeing at Limoges they were presently visited by diuers Lords and Gentlemen to the number of seuen or eight hundreth well mounted and armed at all poyntes they made them offer of sixe thousand footemen out of Gascon Poicton mustered and reaeie to march 4000. both on horse and foote out of Languedoc and as many or more out of Normandie with ful assurance of the good willes of most part of the men at armes or launciers and presents of mony so it would please the king of Nauarre to declare himselfe Protector of the King and of the Realme against the house of Guise But the euill seruants which as then attended on him as Descars and his companions for Bouchart had withdrawn himselfe gaue him so many alarmes deuised such inconueniences vnder pretence that they did not deliuer vnto thē a summe of mony of three or foure hundreth thousand crownes to looke better into those affaires that beeing at Vertueil where another good Agent being the Cardinall of Armaignac came vnto him hee dismissed all his company and countermanded those that were comming with many thankes and promises most earnestly to imploy himselfe in the Parliament for the good and benefit of all the Estates of France They hauing shewed him many reasons for the same and desired that at the least the Prince of Conde might stay behinde thereby to hold their enemies insuspence he answered that their innocencie should suffice that it was no easie matter to put the Princes of the blood to death that if their liues were taken away they would receiue their deaths with patience that God had meanes sufficient to deliuer the Realme of France which that they should bee the cause of the losse and ruine of so many honest men that desired to ioyne with them The Princesse of Conde a Lady for her time as wise vertuous as any could be found vsed all the meanes shee could to diswade her husband from that voyage but all in vaine the Lords and Gentlemen that had accompanied the Princes being vppon the poynt of their retract after many humble congratulations protested that by those meanes being so vnfortunately destituted of their heads yet they doubted not but that God would raise them others thereby to saue and deliuer them from the oppression of Lyrants Those words vsed in the presence of their secret seruants being rehearsed to those of Guise were causes to hang newe belles at their eares and in the meane time vnderstanding that the Princes were alreadie entered into their iourney they caused Monsieur de Mompesat one of their confederates in the kings name
of those that tooke him to cause him as a Traitor to loose his head but all this was but words and nothing else The papers were not forgotten Bouchart taken and ledde to prisoâ— Imprisonment of the Bailiffe of Orleans and Bouchart was ledde to Orleans and then to Melun with other prisoners that came from Lyons by that meanes to make readie the proofes against the Prince whose proces was followed with all diligence Hierome Groslot Bailiffe of Orleans a man both learned vertuous and full of pietie a louer of the good and quietnesse of the Common-wealth and an enemie to all Tyrants and factious persons abhorring auarice ambition within two daies after the Princes arriuall was likewise committed prisoner hauing three daungerous witnesses against him which were his office a goodly house within the the Cittie and another in the countrie The cause pretended was that his father had beene Chancellour to the deceased king of Nauarre and he in Orleans the Protectour of those of the religion and an affected friend vnto the Princes Further when time came that hee should make an Oration vnto the king at his entrie into the Towne the Bailiffe mooued at some wrong offered vnto him as it appeared as he went towards the king togither with the kings countenance that looked frowningly vppon him hee could not vtter his minde as hee had first determined and therevpon those of Guise tooke some occasion to accuse him vnto the King saying that hee felt his owne conscience to be guiltie of his treason Being in prison false witnesses whereof the Curate of Saint Paterne and the Vicar of Saint Catherine were the principall with Iaques Aleaume Iaques L'huillier le Borgne le Alemant and Iaques Masnet accused him to haue determined to deliuer Orleans vnto the King of Nauarre to be of the intelligence of Amboise and to haue beene in a certaine assembly holden by night within the great Church-yard as also to haue manifestly supported those of the religion Dauanson maker of the proces The maker of the proces was Dananson a slaue to those of Guise that sent such witnesses as hee perceiued not to bee sufficiently instructed vnto the Curate of Saint Paterne that by him they might vnderstand their lesson Marshall de Brissac had alreadie laid hold vppon the house in the countrie named l'Isle and in fantasie made diuision of the goods in Sipierre and Boyuin his Secretarie was so bold to say vnto the wife of Groslot that if she would speake boldly shewing her that shee must come off with mony vnto his Maister the Bailiffes affaires might speede the better The Guises practises open the mouthes of the estates of the Prouinces Out of the Kealme those of Guise had made the Pope the king of Spaine and others to thinke that at that time they would roote out all those that bare the name of Lutherians within France whom they held bound both hand and foote hoping that winter to cleare them all out of the countrie in the spring-time to send them into Almaine and Switzerland to visit their friends but their deuises could not impeach diuers and seuerall assemblies in many Prouinces to determine and deuise what were best for them to present at the Parliament to giue them some new worke whereof the Orations made at Blois Anger 's Parris Bazin Plessis Grimaudet Capel and others are proofes sufficient as also in most part of the other Prouinces when the oppressours were discouered and the people disposed to prouide by lawfull meanes against so many disorders introduced and maintained by straungers many of them hauing openly said that they would not indure that those of Guise should so oppresse the Princes of the blood whereof most part that vsed that speech Conspiracie to extirpe those of the religion were men of the religion and those of Guise beeing aduertised could well shewe and propound this article of religion vnto the Duke de Montpensier and other great Lords in diuers places of the Realme to make them the readier and more prompt to leane vnto them The hope of confiscations being mixed therewith which made many rauening fellowes to looke about them there was nothing offered but Estates Offices Benefices Mountaines of Gold to such as would ayde and assist the King to extirpe and roote out the enemies of the Church of Rome Passages kept that no aide should come Besides that the kings forces were diuided by those of Guise into the Townes next about Orleans as farre as Bourges Moulins Blois Tours Saumur Anger 's Chinon Loudun and Poicton and in all the passages from whence they esteemed that any ayde might bee procured to helpe the Princes that were prisoners Those of the religion were narrowly looked vnto in diuers Townes specially in Parris meane time they proceeded vnto the framing of the proces against the Prince But because of the obseruation of the formes of iustice The maner of proceeding against the Prince neither the informations made at Lyons against the Marshall of Saint Andre nor the prisoners of Melun were sufficient they produced the Princes words vsed at Amboise lamenting the death of so many Gentlemen that were executed with that which hee had vttered riding to Bearn vnto Monsieur de Genlis that had renounced the Cerimonies of the Romish Church to the end that not being able to accuse him of high treason they would condemne him of Heresie To strengthen this second proofe those of Guise sent a Priest vnto him apparelled after the Romish manner which certified him that he had expresse commaundement from the King to sing Masse before him in his chamber But the Priest with a rude aunswere was sent backe againe by the Prince with commission to shewe the King from him that hee was not come thither in any sort to bee perticipant or communicate with the impieties and pollutions of the Romaine Antichrist His magnanimitie in Religion wherevnto long before hee had renounced but onely to yeelde him an aunswere vnto the false and forged accusations imposed against him Which answer was not forgotten but thereof a large article was framed both by the deposition of the Priest and of the guarde As also his accusations against those of Guise This magnanimitie much mooued those of Guise but much more in that the Prince spake openly against them to their discredits oftentimes shewing a bag which hee helde in his hand affirming it to be the processe of those Brigands and Guisian theeues by the which many points of high treaon whereof they were culpable were well prooued and verified which hee kept and reserued to present vnto the estates thereby to giue them knowledge of their subtill and vnlawfull gouernments that imputed their owne treasons vnto the Princes of the bloud that sought to oppose themselues against theyr tyrannies and that if euer any man euer sought or ment to enterprise any thing against the King and his Realme it would bee those Harpiers and vpsprung house of
confirmation of the accord aforesaid The States forced to agree to a thing that ouerthrew a lawe of the Realme and to finish vp the matter the King of Nauarre himself went thither in person to certifie them that he had resigned his right title vnto the Queene which notwithstanding the matter was much debated many great personages partly perceiuing the great mischiefs which by that disorder would in fine growe vp in such sort that the Estates agreed not therevnto but with protestation to the contrary in their billes which they presented vnto the king at Saint Germaines in Laye where the general assembly was holden the Chancellour commaunded by the king by a long Oration perswaded the company to determine with themselues whether it would be necessary and conuenient that the assembly of the religion should bee holden or forbidden And after him Lieftenant Autun surnamed Britaigne speaking for the communaltie in a large discourse shewed the abuse both in the goods and iurisdictions of Ecclesiasticall persons their duties the great charges that spoyled and ouerthrew the people required that the persecutions should be ceased against those of the religion that promise should bee made vnto them of an assembly and that to the same end Churches might bee permitted vnto them also that their principall Ministers should bee called to conferre with them of the differences of religion Touching the acquitting of the kings debts and ordering of other affaires the third Estate made a large couerture proposing diuers means to cease diuision and to reduce the Realme into as rich estate as euer it was But because diuers matters propounded touched and concerned many of the greatest personages specially the Spiritualtie it was all but words which likewise were the cause to hasten the principals of such Sects to inuent their conspiracies The Cleargie desiring to get out of the myre made offer that to acquit the king of his debts for the space of sixe months they would euery yeare paye foure tithes at the same time likewise the Imposts of fiue sols vpon euery Alme of Wine entering into euery walled Towne was raised for the terme of sixe yeares and no more besides the eighth and tenth part beeing ordinary custome While the Estates were busied to dispute and determine of matters concerning the Estate The Popes deuise to hinder the assembly of Poissy Pope Pius hauing beene aduertised what had beene determined touching the assembly at Poissy sent the Cardinall of Ferrare his Legat in France with charge to remit all things touching religion vnto his Councell because that among other articles agreed vppon by the States it had beene decreed that the benefices of the Realme should bee conferred by the Ordinaries euery man in his iurisdiction and not by the Pope Also that dispenses should more be allowed There was likewise a question among thē touching the reception of the Legat who in fine made such meanes that the Chancellour was commaunded to seale his letters of authoritie which the Chauncellour did not but after many commissions adding therevnto that it was done without his consent the Court of Parliament would not approoue them and touching the Courtiers at the first the Legat was but hardly vsed by them but he vsed such meanes by his friends that in the end hee got the vpper hand hauing with his assistants in France frustrated the assembly of Poissy Assembly of the Cleargie for the conference at Poissy At the same time the Prelates assembled for the conference at Poissy and because some of them were wholly without learning and the rest little studied in the holy Scriptures they brought with thē a great number of Sorbon Doctors and others whom they appoynted to dispute in their presence thereby to learne what were best for them to say Touching those among them that had any learning they were suspected so that in their particular conferences many times there happened great strife among them and many times blowes whereat the Courtiers made great sport While they were in this debate among themselues diuers Ministers of the Churches in France to the number of twelue with 22. Deputies The Ministers came to Poissy and present a request vnto the king with the confession of the faith by the kings safe conduct and commaundement arriued at Poissy not long after followed by Pierre Martir Theodore Beza whom the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde had caused to come from Zurche and Geneua Those that first arriued presented a petition vnto the king vpon the tenth of August wherein they desired that commaundement might bee made vnto the Prelates to peruse the declaration of the faith of the reformed Churches presented vnto the king since the ninth of Iune then last past to the end that at the first assembly they might shewe what cause they had to deny it and vppon their obiections to heare the defences of the said Churches by the mouths of their Ministers and Deputies They further desired that the Prelates and other Ecclesiastical persons might not bee iudges ouer them seeing they were parties against them that the king and his Councell would bee present at that assembly that all the differences might bee decreed by the onely word of God that two Secretaries might bee chosen on each part that euery day might conferre the notes of their disputations togither and that those notes should not bee holden nor accounted for lawfull before the parties had subscribed vnto them The king receiued the confession and petition The Kings answere by the hands of Augustin Marlorat and Francis de S. Paul in the presence of his Mother the king of Nauarre and other Princes of the blood with diuers Lords of the Councell and with a good countenance said vnto them I will referre your petition vnto my Councell and you shall receiue an aunswere from my Chancellour The 24. of August 1565 Th. de Beza preached at the Court. And the 24. of August 1574. the Massacre was committed against those of the religion Conference betweene Th. de Beza and the Cardinall Theodore de Beza beeing arriued at Saint Germaines in Laye vppon the 24. of August he preached publikely the next day at the Castle within the Prince of Condes Hall where hee had a great and notable assembly without any noyse or trouble The same day about euening beeing sent for into the king of Nauarres Chamber there he found the Queene the king of Nauarre the Prince the Cardinals of Burbon and Lorraine the Duke de Estampes Madame de Crussol where hauing made a lowe reuerence vnto the Queene in fewe words hee shewed her the cause of his comming thither togither with the desire he had as also all his company to serue God and his Maiestie in so holy commendable and necessary an enterprise Thervpon the Cardinall of Lorraine beganne to speake charging Beza to haue been authour of the troubles to haue dispearsed infamous libelles about the Realme of France and to haue
the particular profit and commoditie of some speciall men not that thereby hee pretended to leaue or forsake papisticall religion but protesting onely to doo it that hee might not bee surprised by such as vnder pretence of religion and reformation of abuses sought to imbase his kingly estate and dignitie which hee hoped to impeach by all iust and reasonable meanes that possible he might An edict against small dates and other abuses in the Court of Rome After this protestation hee published an edict made the yeare before touching the obtaining of Benefices against the deceites of pettie dates and other abuses vsed the Court of Rome and also touching the auncient arrests and edicts made against Annates and abuses of reseruations and exactions inuented by the Popes forbidding his subiects not to go to Rome for Annates nor any other occasions touching or concerning Benefices appoynting them to bee disposed and ordered by the ordinaries certifying into all places what wrong Pope Iulius did both to him and to Octauian Fernese Duke of Parma whom hee depriued of the place wherein hee had beene solemnly inuested The Cardinals and others of the Popes creatures in France fearing least this edict whervpon Charles de Moulin a Councel of great vnderstanding wrote a most learned Cōmentary in the which he discouered many terrible practises in Rome wold giue a hard push vnto the Papasie with earnest sute procured the King to publish and ordaine farre straighter and seuerer edicts then euer he did against the religion to the end that Iules the Cardinals on the other side of the mountaines might assure themselues of him to bee their friend as long as they seemed to agree with him Those ordinances were followed by diuers cruell and terrible executions in many places of the Realme against great numbers of the religion that were burned for most boldly confessing the truth of the Gospell reiecting mans traditions induced and brought into the Church and seruice of God Those that were assembled at Trent wrote vnto the king to induce him to accept and allow the decrees of their councell and to send the Bishops of his Realme vnto them as also to intreate him to be a meanes vnto the Switzers to send thither likewise but warre beeing open in all places and the Emperour hauing sent for the Spaniards that were in Almaine to make warre in Italie against Parma the pursuit of the Councell of Trent hung still vpon the field Preparation for warre in Lorraine Warres in this sort beeing kindled the King determined to assure himselfe of Lorraine beeing in some suspition of the Dutches that as then was Dowagar and hauing sent certaine companies into the frontiers the Emperour also strengthened all his fortes and places the one beholding the other with seuerall intents whereof in time the effects appeared The Princes of Almaine take counsel to deliuer themselues from seruitude Because the Emperor proceeced with the Almaine Prince in such sort as seemed inconuenient they not being acquainted with any such kinde of seruitude much lesse to bee in subiection of the Spaniards perceiuing that the King made preparation to set vpon the Emperour esteemed it a most fit good occasion for them to serue their turnes which King Henry of France thereby to abash the Emperour Charles and so to procure the meanes of better and more friendly vsage towardes them on his behalfe or else wholly to leaue them And therevppon entred into secret conference with the King to beseech him that it would please his Maiestie to imploy his meanes to procure the auncient libertie of the Germaines He thinking to haue found an entrie and means to attaine vnto most high and hautie enterprises thereby to abase the greatnesse and pride of his most glorious enemie and by that meanes to erect the honour of France willingly gaue eare vnto the Almaines and to the same end about the beginning of the yeare he sent the Bishop of Bayonne Tho Kings letters to the Protestant Prince vnto the Princes Electors with letters importing many protestations and offers of amitie as also shewing and declaring the many and great wrongs by the Emperour done vnto the Princes and towne of Almaine protesting that hee was fully resolued for their cause to imploy both his forces and his person to defend their rights and priuiledges not exspecting any recompence but onely honour to haue thereby deserued the good will and liking of so puissant a countrie as that of Germaine And therewith assuring them by the faith of a Prince that his only intent and meaning was to deliuer all the estates of Germaine from the oppressions of the Emperour and his Spaniards which hee likewise meant to do particularly in the behalf of his louing Cousin Iohn Duke of Saxon Philip Lant-graue of Hessen as then detained kept in miserable seruitude by the Emperor contrary to his oath promise And in the end of the letter he added these words We wil promise you likewise by the liuing God and before all the Kings Princes and Potentates of Christendome that our intent is not in any sort whatsoeuer to permit that either you in generall or any of you in particular of what estate or condition soeuer he bee shall suffer or endure any wrong or iniurie and much lesse will wee that beare the name of most Christian king permit that any damage or hurt shall be offered or committed either to the persons or goods of your most reuerend Prelates Abbots and other Ecclesiasticall persons as our aduersries haue most wrongfully giuen foorth but rather meane to take and receiue you into our protection and sauegarde so you will acknowledge it both vnto vs and to our allies and therein certifie vs of your whole and full intents hoping for the good and revnion of the Churche whiche is to bee expected by the recouerie of publique and auncient libertie wherein GOD willing wee will imploye all our force and meanes whatsoeuer Which most reuerend Prelates most noble Princes and other estates of the holie Empire we thought good to certifie vnto you to the ende you should not be ignoraunt of the cause of this our warres whereby we meane to pursue the Emperor both with fire and sword and although to our great disliking to cut him off as a putrified member from the bodie of the Common-wealth or at the least constraine him from henceforth from further molesting or troubling of your estate Effects contrary to words While the king in this sort termed himselfe the Protector of Almaine and defendor of the Countrey and nation of the holy Empire giuing a great hope of the revnion of the Church his Officers in many places of the realme burnt such as they called Lutherians and that agreed and consented to the doctrine holden and beleeued by most of the Princes Townes of Almaine open enemies to the traditions and ceremonies of the Pope On the other side he made great preparations for a voyage
fatned by the confiscations of the goods of those of the religion and by borrowings neuer to be repayed hauing made offer of all that hee had to the house of Guise was receiued into their band The Constable sent home The Constable perceiuing that the king in open Parliament had declared that his meaning was that from thence foorth al men should haue recourse touching matters of estate the crowne and of his house vnto his two Vncles the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine and that by consequent his mortall enemie entered into his place and doing that which wholly apperteined to his offices of Constable and Great-Maister of France yea and in the presence of the Spaniards and other straungers who before had made so much account of him about eight daies after the kings death went to present himselfe vnto the king deliuering vppe the seales to him committed by King Henry and hauing been certified from the king that the charge of the treasures and other affaires concerning the estate were as then committed to the Cardinall and to the Duke of Guise the commandement of all things that belonged vnto the warres and that for his part the king permitted him leaue to depart and go vnto his house saying hee still retained him of his Councell and that whensoeuer hee would come vnto the Court hee should bee welcome he thāked the king for suffring him so to retire beseeching him that as touching his comming vnto the Councell his Maiestie would excuse him for two causes the one because hee could not serue vnder such men ouer whom he had alwaies commaunded the other for that beeing holden and accounted for an olde and simple man his counsell would not bee necessarie otherwise he offered both life and goods to serue the King Which done he went to see the Queene mother that handled him very rudely reproching him that he in presence of the king with smiling countenance should say that he had neuer a childe that in any thing resembled him but onely his bastard-daughter that married with the Marshall de Montmorency Yet for the loue of her deceased king and husband she said she was content to remit her owne particular quarrell for which if it pleased her she could haue caused him to loose his head yet she exhorted him not altogither to leaue the Court but to come thither sometimes He denied the accusation which she alledged touching her children affirming it to be false desiring her to haue in remembrance the many seruices by him done to her and to the Realme and not to regard the euill report of such as were his enemies that shuld not do him all the mischief which they pretended And so hauing taken his leaue and brought his maister vnto his Tombe he withdrew himselfe vnto his house The Princes of the blood scattered Touching the Princes of the blood the Prince of Conde was sent into Flanders there to confirme the peace to whom was deliuered a thousand Crownes to beare his charges The Prince of la Roche Suryon was sent thither likewise to beare the order of France vnto the king of Spaine and at his returne appointed with the Cardinal of Burbon to cōduct the Princesse Elizabeth into Spain The Parlimēts were appointed at the good pleasure of those of Guise The Cardinal de Turnō an old enimy to the Cōstable to al those of the religiō was repealed from Rome reestablished of the priuy councel The Kings Officers of his house chaunged part of the old officers of the kings house were discharged part sent home vnto their houses with half their pensions to giue place to others And to cōclude there staied not one in the Court that fauoured the Constable The Prouinces of the Realme and the frontier Townes were filled with Guisians and all Gouernours and men of warre commaunded to obey the Duke of Guise as the king himselfe All the Parliaments were aduertised Those of Guise haue charge of all that the Cardinall had the whole ordering and disposing of the treasures and of the estate The Queene Mother aduanced aboue all obtained the monies proceeding of the confirmation of Offices and the priuiledges of Townes and corporations whereof shee gaue a part to whome it pleased her although such summes ought not of right to be exacted vnlesse the Crowne fall into an other braunch First Edicts The first Edicts were made against such as bare Armes namely Pistols and Bastinadoes then against long Cloakes and great Hose It was a common saying in euery mans mouth that the Cardinall was a fearefull man if there were euer any in all the world hauing vnderstood by a certaine Magician in Rome that by enuie and then when he should be most in credit his enemies would cause him to be slaine with a Bastianado for that cause hee had procured that Edict being alwaies in great distrust euen at the time when all men were in most subiection to him Among so many affaires the 14. of Iuly Letters Pattents from the king confirmed the Commission vnto the Iudges appointed to proceed in iudgement against Anne du Bourg Proces against Anne de Bourg and other prisoners and foure other Councellours that were committed to prison Du Bourg stedfast in religion was hotly pursued Bertrand Cardinall and Archbishop of Siens beeing one of the principall wheeles of this criminall Chariot and the Cardinall of Lorraine the leader therof Those of the religion perceiuing themselues to be at the point of a more violent persecution by expresse Letters vnto the Queene besought her by her authoritie to commaund the leauing off to persecute them in such great rigor Shee promised the Prince of Conde Madame de Roy his mother in lawe and to the Admirall to cause the persecutions for to cease so they would leaue their assembling togither The Queen-mother promiseth to doo for those of the religion and that euery man wold liue according to his own conscience secretly and not to the hurt of others Shee had been most earnestly mooued by the letters of one named Villemadon that knew great part of his secrets putting her in minde of her great affection vnto pittie at such time as shee was barren exhorting her not to withdrawe the Princes of the blood from the mannaging of the affaires of the estate thereby to aduance and make Kings the house of Guise Those letters were written the 26. day of August and wrought with so great effect that from thenceforward for a certaine time the Queene seemed to hearken vnto the comfort and ease of those of the religion meane time those of Guise to make their gouernment seeme agreeable to al the people and to leese nothing in the kings name published letters of the reuocation of all alienations made Alienations made by king Henry reuoked as well for life as yeares beeing for recompences of any seruices past except those sales whereof the monies had beene imployed for the kings great vrgent
affaires the Dowries of the kings daughters and that of the late Queene Ellenor which as then the Princesse of Portingall enioyed the rest to be revnited vnto the Kings domaines ordinary receipts This reuocation was a Bowe to certaine Princes great Lords and notable personages who by such pollicie were defeated of their seruices and all rewards made vnto them by the late deceased King On the other side such as were in fauour with the house of Guise obtained other letters of exemption and by that meanes some were put out and others kept possession or else obtained some other new place The king of Nauarre solicited to come to the Court rideth thither The Constable perceiuing the King would die had sent vnto the King of Nauarre to counsell him with all speede to repaire vnto the Court and to ceise vppon the gouernment of the young King before any other This Prince not greatly desirous to deale with such affaires and as then somewhat distrusting the Constable stirred not giuing those of Guise the meanes leisure to thrust themselues into his place but certaine Princes Lords moouing him againe hee beganne to hearken vnto it communicating the same to foure of his principall Councellours being Iarnac the Bishop of Mande President of his Councell Descars his Chamberlin and Bouchart his Chancellour who were of aduise that without longer delay he should ride vnto the Court whereof those of Guise beeing aduertised promised hilles and mountaines to Mande and Descars if they could finde the meanes to staye him they mooued therewith staying till their maister was on horsebacke and onward of his iourney began to diswade him shewing him of certaine imminent daungers that were not to bee shunned by seeking to stand too much vppon his degree and that hee ought to proceede therein by indifferent meanes without seeking to hazard himselfe and to winne the good report and fauour of all men vpon this counsell beeing come to Poictiers where diuers Princes Noblemen went to meet him hee shewed many resolutions and gaue good hope and comfort vnto the Ministers of the Churches specially those in Parris Orleans and Tours desiring him that they might as yet bee ayded and assisted touching that which concerned the open profession of religion What entertainment hee had The first disliking shewed vnto him when hee approached neare the Court beeing at S. Germain in Laye was that his furriers found no place for him within the Castle and that the Duke of Guise said vnto his Marshall that it should cost him his life and tenne thousand more with him before any man should take the place and lodging which the king had giuen him to be neare vnto his person The second that not any of the Court went to meet and receiue him as the manner is specially to the Princes of the blood The third that being gone to do his dutie to the Queene-mother and after to the king those of Guise in stead of going to imbrace and bid him welcome stayed til he went vnto them and was constrained to accept the lodging of the Marshall of S. Andre who after the courtly manner had offered it vnto him not thinking to be so soone taken at his word The fourth that the next day in stead of being warned to sit in counsell no man was sent vnto him eyther to salute him or once to see what he did The fift that at the end of three or foure daies the king called him aside shewing him that his Vncle 's the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine had the whole charge of all affaires committed vnto them and that whosoeuer would seeke to please him must obey them in all things whatsoeuer But touching his pensions and estates hee confirmed them vnto him assuring him that whensoeuer he would come vnto the Court hee should be heartily welcome Diuers of the king of Nauarres traine perceiuing that he had quietly swallowed all those pilles withdrewe themselues or else claue to the surest side as Iarnac that ioyned with those of Guise Within fewe daies after this Prince went vnto Saint Dennis there to accomplish certaine ceremonies accustomed after the death of king Henry which done he went to Parris accompanied with his brother the Prince of Conde and some others but not many and beeing there hee sounded the aduise and minds of some whom he esteemed to be well affected vnto the Realme but he could not perceiue any thing by them Sacrying of the King as Reims Those of Guise following on their course vpon the 18. of September caused the king to be sacred at Reims and presently after the Queene-mother sent the Admirall and the Cardinall of Chastillon to the Constable to intreat him to resigne his place of Great-maister vnto the Duke of Guise to whom the yeare before king Henry had flatly denied it in exchange whereof she promised him one of the offices of Marshals of France for his eldest son The Constable resigneth his estate of great maister and the Admirall his gouernment which was giuen to Brissae The Constable resigned that office wholly into the kings hāds got the other with al speed to be giuen vnto his son the Duke of Guise was presently inuested therwith The Admirall being Gouernour of Picardie perceiuing that they sought to put him out and that for the same cause they had assayed to set diuision betweene him and the Prince of Conde and that they beganne to cut off some part of the mony that should bee imployed about the charges of the necessary fortifications of the Frontier-townes thereby to bring him in disgrace and so to thrust him out with shame preuented them and shewed the king that the same gouernment for many reasons belonged to the Prince of Gonde whose ancestors had long time held it He had no sooner spoken the word but they presently tooke him thereat as touching the resignation but not concerning the prouision for that in stead of giuing it to the Prince those of Guise got thē a new participant bestowing it vpon the Marshall de Brissac While in this sort Writings against the rule of strangers they vsed both the Princes and great Lords the meaner sort could not be content for that by diuers printed pamphlets whereof some were directed to the Queen-mother some in taunting verse and some in prose both by the behauiors past and present they fully discouered the intent of those of Guise A Target against those deuises whom they printed forth in all their colours they by those dealings perceiuing some secret matter working that their authoritie was but weakly built begā to think better vppō it which was the cause that at one time they made 18. knights of the order whereof sprang the common saying that the order of France is a collor for euery beast And because in those writings it was noted that to preuent such disorders it would bee necessarie to assemble and call a Parliament of all
expressely to forbid the Princes comming vnto the court vppon paine of death not to enter into any of the kings walled Townes as then they were alreadie inclosed among the forces of their enemies vnder the conduct of Marshall de Termes The Cardinall d'Armaignac Descars and others vntrustie seruants made the king of Nauarre beleeue that this verball commaundement of Montpesat was onely but a meere brauado of those of Guise which both the king and his mother would disauouch The Princes refusing all aduertisements went vnto Orleans The Princes hauing past Chastelleraut were more certainly aduertised of their michiefe to come and counselled to keepe the high waies because of diuers Ambassadours that were appoynted and set to kill them if they once went out of the way vnder pretence that they sought to saue themselues and at the same time means was offered vnto them to bring them vnto Anger 's and so into Normandie where they shuld want nothing but they continued in their first resolution trauelling by easie iourneyes and it seemed that one of the bretheren was as a Prouost Marshall that ledde the other to prison Therevpon those of Guise led the king to Orleans thither calling al the Nobilitie men of armes which made both young and olde to thinke that some pretence was ment against the Sates but by a rumour spred abroad it was said that all those forces beeing assembled and brought togither was to assiege and chastice Orleans whereof the principal Citizens were registred in the Criminal bookes to passe the daunger and by their confiscations to grease the hands of diuers hungrie Courtiers vnder pretence that they had beene of the enterprise of Amboise Rigorous dealing towards those of Orleans For this cause Mansieur de Sipierre a slaue to those of Guise appoynted for Lieftenant to the Prince de la Roche Suryon Gouernour of Orleans being arriued in the Towne about the beginning of October disarmed the Inhabitants filled such houses as were suspected with Souldiers and committed the custodie of the Gates vnto the Sheriffes The Prince their Gouernour beeing entered therein about the twelfth of the same month and receiued with honour by the principall Cittizens aduertised them that the king would make his entrie therein vppon the seuenteenth day ensuing which terme beeing prolonged for the space of one day vppon the eighteenth hee made his enterie The troupes of the Towne being in number about foure thousand men to whom they had restored their armes onely their Bastianadoes the principall Cittizens following in good order and all the streets hanged with Tapistrie and other hangings The king beheld all those troupes passing along through the Subburbes which beeing reentered into the Towne hee mounted on horsebacke riding vnder a Canapie of cloth of Gold and so went straight vnto the Church and being on the way his horse stumbled in such maner that he had surely fallen if he had not presently bin relieued After dinner al the troupes went to meet the Queene who likewise made an honourable and braue entrie but those of Guise were at neither of both fearing as some say to meete with some desperate fellow that might hurt them because a Magician in Rome had shewed the Cardinall that both hee and his brother should die a violent death The arriuall of the Princes in Orleans and bow they were receiued The Euen before all Saints day beeing the last of October the Princes trusting to their innocencies and reposing themselues vpon the grace of God to whom they recommended themselues as also caused al those of the religion by praiers to doo the like arriued at Orleans and past from the beginning of the gate vntil they came to the kings lodging in the Estappe through diuers souldiers all footemen ranged along in rankes so close togither all armed that all that long way not any man could passe betweene them Not one Courtier nor Townes-man stepped foorth to meete them onely the Cardinall de Bourbon and the Prince de la Roche Suryon who by expresse licence had obtained that fauour receiued them The king of Nauarre according to the custome desiring to enter on horsebacke within the Court Gate was put backe with a rude aunswere that the great Gates might not bee opened they being then constrained to light went into the king that stayed for them in the great Hall accompanied with his vncles of Guise and other Courtiers whereof not one of them once stepped forward to meete them Their entertainment was but meane and after due and solemne reuerence night grewe on which caused the king to go into his mothers Chamber followed onely by the Princes those of Guise not once seeking to enter The Queen mother hauing receiued them with the water standing in her eyes the king speaking vnto the Prince of Conde said hee had beene aduertised from diuers places The Kings speech to the Prince of Conde The Princes answere that hee sought to make diuers enterprises against him and the State of his Realme for the which cause he had sent for him to heare what hee could say by word of mouth The Prince that neither wanted courage nor audacitie aunswered boldly in his owne defence and in such sort discouered those of Guise his enemies His imprisonment that the king could not otherwise iudge but that great wrong and iniurie was offered vnto his blood neuerthelesse according to the conclusion made before his arriuall the king commaunded Chauigny Captaine of the guard expressely sent thither by those of Guise to take the Prince which hee did and ledde him prisoner vnto a house not farre from thence before the which there was erected a Fort of Bricke fluncard and filled with field-peeces and diuers cannoniers to keepe them which peeces beate along three streetes whereby it was able to defend all men from comming neare vnto the prison The windowes of his chamber were closed vppe and he was kept so straightly that no man spake vnto him but onely his Chamberlaine The king of Nauarre desired that his brother might bee committed vnto his charge The entertainment of the King of Nauarre and others and hee would gage his life for his foorth comming but it was refused him and touching himselfe his guard was taken from him and still hauing watch about him both by night and day At the same time certaine were sent to cease vpon Madame du Roye mother in lawe to the Prince being in her house of Anicy in Picardie from whence with great rigor she was brought vnto Saint Germains by Monsieur de Renouart and de Caronges executers of that commission They likewise sorgot not the Councellour la Haye at Parris as one that dealt for the Prince such as were his faithfull friends within Orleans withdrew themselues out of the daunger Bonchart Chauncellour to the king of Nauarre at the same time was taken in his owne house by Iarnac who in shewe made great apparance of disliking Bouchart threatning him in presence
inioyne all his subiects whatsoeuer to obserue and keepe it vppon such paines and penalties as hee and his learned Councell should thinke most conuenient There were other declarations made touching the wordes of Papistes and to liue Catholickely contained within the edict wherevppon those of the Parliament propounded many difficulties to the great hurt and detriment of those of the religion that were wholly and openly condemned and the Pope expresly named the head and Gods Vicar vppon earth This winde serued but onely with more speede to assemble and bring togither the tempests of ciuill warres which at this day as yet continueth Sacrying of the king The Cardinals complaints In the moneth of Iune the king was sacred in Reims where were present thirteene Peeres of France the kings eldest brother beeing the first and all the other Princes of the blood sitting in their degrees there the Cardinall of Lorraine made great complaintes against those of the religion wherevpon it was determined that a new assembly of the Princes Lords and others of the priuie Councell should bee made in the Court of Parliament in Parrris to take order therein Not long after letters pattents were sent vnto the Presidents de Thou and Seguier to assemble the particular Estates of Parris but vpon the opposition framed by the Councellour Ruze in the name of the Nobilitie those assemblies of Estates were broken vppe without any resolution onely in one poynt which was that the payment of the Kings debts should bee imposed vppon the Cleargie About the same time the act for the clearing the Prince of Conde of treason was newly published proclaimed openly in the Court by President Baillet the doores being open and all the Iudges and Councellors being present in their Scarlet gownes within the great chamber where were present diuers Princes and Noblemen A decree in the Court of Parliament to iustifie the Prince of Conde and others the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine beeing of the traine There the Prince was declared innocent in that which had bin imposed against him and free libertie reserued vnto him to haue lawe against all such as hee therein suspected to bee his enemies and false accusers and such recompence in that case to bee allowed him as to a man of his estate might appertaine The like Actes were read and pronounced at the same time for Madame de Roye Vidame de Chartres deceased Monsieur de Cany and the Councellour de la Haye Not long after the king the Queene his mother and the priuie Councell came into the Parliament and there after many and diuers opinions giuen foorth concerning religion in the moneth of Iuly The edict of Iulie an edict was published vppon paine of death forbidding al iniurious speeches words whatsoeuer on both sides to bee vsed all leagues and things tending vnto sedition all slaunderous words against Preachers and assemblies forbidden to those of the religion who neuerthelesse could not haue beene condemned to indure a greater paine vnlesse it had beene bannishment out of the Realme all which prouision vntill a full and ample declaration should bee made by a generall Councell or by the next assembly of the Prelates all faults past in respect of those of the religion to bee remitted with commaundement to punnish all such as should seem to delay them Bastionadoes forbidden but onely to men of qualitie In like sort the Prelates were sent for to bee at the conference and safe conduct giuen vnto all Ministers freely to come and dispute of their religion Practises against the King of Nauarre The place beeing assigned at Poissy while those of the religion were in good hope because the Cardinall of Lorraine and others protested to reason quietly touching the articles debated by the parcelles of the holy scripture means was practised wholly to diuert the king of Nauarre from the affectiō by him shewed to those of the religion and by the means of the assembly at Poissy to breake off the Parliament as then reiourned vntil the month of August next after ensuing because the Queene-mother knewe full well that the Gentlemen and the Commons would aske to haue Churches allowed vnto them which being agreed vnto would make the Princes part too strong which she doubted Such order therefore was taken in that poynt that Descars before that Chamberlin to the king of Nauarre and put from his Maister Descars entertained hauing discouered him to bee a Pensioner to those of Guise was restored to his place and became in more fauour then euer hee had beene Also the Duke of Guise being returned from Callais where hee had been with Monsieur d'Anuille second sonne to the Constable and a great number of other Courtiers to conduct the Queene of Scots widdowe to Francis the second solicited the Prince of Conde An agreemēt between the Prince of Conde and the Duke of Guise to bee reconciled vnto him at the which agreement made at Saint Germaines in Laye vppon the 24. of August with the king and the Queene-mother there were present all the Princes Noblemen Cardinals Councellours and Knights of the Order The king hauing spoken of the cause of the assembly commannded the Duke of Guise to speake who turning vnto the Prince spake and said Sir I neither haue nor euer ment to do or execute any thing that should bee against your Honour neither was I eyther author meanes or moouer of your imprisonment The Prince of Conde answered him and said I esteeme them both for wicked and mischieuous persons that were the cause thereof The Duke replyed and said I beleeue it well but that toucheth not mee which done at the kings request they imbraced each other with promise from thenceforth to continue good friends and the Queene-mother to witnesse the ioy shee then conceiued that day held a solemne Feast The Queen-mother practise a both with great and small to maintaine her Regency As touching the Estates reiourned vnto Pontoire in the month of August as then it was no longer time to deferre them but the Queene playing secretly on both parts to ratifie the agreement made between her and the king of Nauarre touching the Regencie and to the end it should no more bee spoken of first sent thither the Councellour du Mortier that was sent backe againe finding so many that spake against him Wherewith the Queene calling her wits togither she remembred that he had alwaies borne a good countenance vnto the Admirall pretending in some earnest matter to imploye his ayde and occasion as then falling out this Lord was sought vnto by all meanes and thousands promises were made vnto him for the ease and reliefe of those of the religion hee perceiuing that the King of Nauarre had no desire to deale therein and after the manner of simple men trusting to many and great protestations made and vttered vnto him concerning his future good vsed Clarklike meanes imploying himselfe vnto the Estates for the
persons of all the Parliaments in France with the Princes of the blood Lords Councellours and maisters of Requests therby to aduise and make some new edict touching the gouernment and order of those of the religion as also to answere vnto the demand of the States that had most instantly desired to haue allowances of Temples The chiefe of the Romish Church and among the rest those of Guise found this counsell not to bee expedient alleadging that they ought to bee content with the edict of Iuly and withall they complained of the Queenes leuite openly accusing the king of Nauarre the Prince the Admiral and his bretheren The Queen that sought to assure her Regencie would not hearken therevnto wherby those of Guise tooke occasion to withdrawe themselues from the Court leauing certaine seruitors and solicitors to supply their places The Queene willingly gaue them leaue to depart assuring them of her good will both to them and their religion and desired them to returne assoone as possibly they might They went from thence about the end of Nouember and at the time of their departure there rose a most horrible extraordinary wind aforeshewing as some affirmed of the tēpest that not long after ensued At the same time likewise were brought and sold in the Court three great Pictures most excellently wrought whereof one was bought by the Prince of Conde wherein was represented the bloodie and horrible massacres of the auncient Triumuiras of Rome true Pictures shewes of the cruelties exercised the yeare ensuing by the support and in the presence of French Triumuirat vpon those of the religion Not long before their departure the Queene of Nauarre discouered an enterprise An enterprise of the Duke de Nemours made to take away the Duke of Orleans the Kings brother and to carry him into Lorraine for which cause the Duke de Nemours in all haste saued himselfe and returned not againe vntill the ciuill warres beganne to arise The report also was spread abroad that the King of Spaine and other Princes adherents to the Pope made preparations to ayde their participants in France and to dispearse the assembles of those of the religion The Queen inquireth what forces the religion could make All these things mooued the Queene to make inquirie of the forces and means of those of the religion whereof were found 2150. Churches and more for the which the Deputies had required Churches offering all seruice and obedience vnto the King both with bodies and goods at their owne charges but shee desired to knowe it more at large which by many of the Churches was thought to bee superstitious and thereby they made no such certificates because of the diuersitie of opinions although some of them thought it both good and necessarie to shewe the Queene the number of the forces as well horse as foote which by those of the religion might easilie bee raised iudging that such a power as it after appeared to bee had beene the meanes to drawe the Queene and by consequent the Kings and all the Princes of his part vnto them which would easilie haue stayed those of Guise and their partakers in apparance haue wholly hindered the discipation of the Churches stopping the passage vnto all strangers other suspecting the Queens intent and fearing least so open a discouerie should bee the cause the easlier to expose for a pray vnto their enemies would not proceede so farre The commotion of Medard These things beeing thus imbroyled about the end of the yeare there happened a great mutinie in Parris raised by certaine Priests of Saint Medards Church in the Subburbes of S. Marceau which rang a bell while those of the religion were assembled at a Sermon from whence proceeded wounds murthers and imprisonments where those of the religion not beeing the beginners payed a fine and foure of them one beeing Gabaston knight of the watch were executed to appease the people of Parris and yet not presently done 1562. The Edict of Ianuary In the beginning of the moneth of Ianuary and the absence of those of Cuise that thought vppon other matters as also of the Constable that would not be present a great assembly such as the like had not beene seene in France was made there by to take order touching the Estate and to ordaine an edict wherein after each man had said and propounded his minde touching the which was esteemed by them to bee most conuenient and necessary for the good and quietnesse of the Common-wealth in the end it was agreed to make that solemne edict which vntill this time beareth the name of the edict of Ianuary which being a true meanes to preuent and stoppe the mischiefes which as then threatned the Realme of France was neuerthelesse in the end turned vnto an occasion of the greatest calamities that euer happened therein By it the edict of Iuly was abollished permission graunted to those of the religion to assemble without the Townes and sufficient order taken that eyther part might liue in peace and quietnesse with each other which was agreed vpon and signed at Saint Germaines in Laye the seuenteenth day of Ianuary Difficulties in the same The execution of this edict mooued great difficulties specially on the part of those of the Romish Church Touching those of the religion their Ministers and Deputies hauing resolued vppon certaine doubts that might be made they ranged themseluelues wholly vnto the Kings pleasure The Parliaments onely two or three made much difficultie to publish it that of Diyon would neuer do it and that of Parris made great question vpon it The chiefe President Bourdin the Kings Atturney held firme for the Church of Rome assisted by Merle Prouost of Marchants Marcell Sheriffe and diuers others The King of Nauarre seduced by his enemies The winds that made them turne blew from the Constable and those of Guise yet they had done little or nothing at all if at that time the King of Nauarre had not suffered himselfe to be seduced by his most deadly enemies that had for instruments of his ouerthrow the Ambassadour of Spaine the Popes Legat and the Cardinall de Tournon ayded by two of his principall seruants Descars and the Bishoppe of Mande Hee not being ambitious suffered himselfe to bee perswaded that if bee would but shewe him as newter and cause the Prince his sonne but once to heare Masse the king of Spaine would peaceably yeeld vp the Realme Sardagne vnto him which they affirmed to bee an Iland no lesse in valewe then that of Sicile and foure times as much as his Realm of Nauarre which was as much as a man may say to present him with nothing betweene two dishes and thereby to bereaue him of the certaine and honourable meanes to recouer his Realme of Nauarre if hee would haue hearkened therevnto and continued to haue fauoured and supported those of the religion as he had done vntill the edict of Ienuary neuerthelesse the pernitious counsell of
and little they assembled themselues about the Prince who beeing at Orleans first beganne to write into all places which caused diuers Townes to bee ceased vppon for those of the religion the onely cause to breake diuers intents of their most cruell aduersaries Likewise on both sides they beganne to rayse Souldiers out of the Realme meane time Declarations and protestations of the Prince meane time the Prince published diuers declarations and protestations for the iustification of his defensiue armes referring his enemies from that time named the Triumuirat to the edict of Ianuary and to leaue off armes thereby to set the King at libertie and his Realme in peace The Triumuirat that is The Triumuirats answere the Duke of Guise the Constable and the Marshal de S. Andre made diuers answeres onely tending vnto the suppression of that edict The Emperour and the protestant Princes were by the Prince fully certified of the whole Estate of France who in an open assembly of the Estates shewed the letters of the Queene Regent expresly written vnto him after the ceasing vppon the King and Parris recommending vnto him the mother and her children besides that hee made an agreement at Orleans with the Lords and Gentlemen there assembled to vse their forces and meanes for the deliuery of the king and Queene and for the maintenance of the edicts and state of the Realme this agreement sent vnto the Court the same day beeing the ninth of Aprill A greement made at Orleans a letter was published and registred in the Parliament whereby they certified the King his bretheren and the Queene that as then they were at libertie also by an other the King declared his intent to bee that the edict of Ianuary should bee executed in all places but onely in Parris The Prince for his part solicited those of the religion to send him men and mony The 25. of Aprill the Counte de Rochefoucaut with great troupes went out of Poicton and Xaintonge and arriued in Orleans The next day the Prince receiued a large aunswere Many proceedings on both partes before they proceed to armes vnto a certaine declaration by him made and sent thither but hauing vnderstood that the day before in all the places of the Cittie of Parris both hee and his partakers had publikely beene declared and termed seditious and euill Christians hee made a second declaration wherein hee openly declared and described the horrible cruelties alreadie committed against those of the religion imploring the edicts yeeldeth a reason of his actions and by letters written the 27. to the Parliament of Parris desired that his enemies hauing first raysed armes should laye them downe and that for his part he would do the like thereby to cease the calamities of the Realme And to the end to shewe all forraine Princes his intent two Gentlemen were by him deputed to stay in Almaine to the end that if the Triumuirat should there enterprise to leuie men they should procure that the Prince might there bee ayded and not others which done order was taken for the securitie of Orleans and there they coyned mony in the kings name The Queene therevppon beganne to solicite a peace writing letters vnto the Prince who vppon the first of May made her aunswere withall sending her a memoriall signed with his hand Meanes vsed by the Queene containing the meanes of pacification as hee had declared vnto the Parliament The fourth day after the Triumuirat made a declaration to the contrary requiring the abolution of the edict of Ianuary and of all exercise of religion onely that of Rome and that such as bare armes without the expresse commission and commaundement of the King of Nauarre the kings Lieftenant generall should leaue them off vppon paine to bee declared rebelles and enemies to the king and his Realme desiring likewise the Queene-mother to obtaine that all the forces on both partes might bee vnited and ioyned togither vnder the commaundement of the king of Nauarre and that so doing they were readie to retire vnto their houses The declaration of the Triumuirat but the king made a new declaration wherein the edict of Ianuary was still continued After many speeches in the end they grewe to blowes whereof I will speake as time serueth and first beginne with the Prince and his troupes Iu the beginning of the warre the Queene seeketh to accord and thē with a summary deductiō of that which happened in the Prouinces The companies of Lanciers beeing for the most part arriued at Parris with some of the olde companies of foote the king of Nauarre and the Triumuirat marched towards Chasteau Dun. The Prince at that time beeing as strong as they determined to enter into the field which mooued the Queene to seeke the procuration of a peace while the Triumuirat might haue meanes to gather a greater force One of the principall dealers therein was the Bishoppe of Valence The practises of the Bishop of Valence and what followed who in some sort perswaded the Prince extreamely greeued to see himselfe constrained to enter into a ciuill warre to offer the Queene to goe out of the Realme with all his friends to procure a peace Within two daies after he went to speake with the Queene and shewed her his minde which hee had no sooner vttered but hee was presently taken at his word the Queene making him great promises saying that the next day shee would send vnto him to knowe the conditions by him to bee propounded Wherevpon at his returne the Prince hauing communicated his intent vnto his companie not only the ordinary Councell but all the Coronelles and Captaines were summoned to giue their aduise which was wholly and directly against that declaration and the opinion of Monluc and the Queene-mother Among the rest Missieurs d'Andeloc and Boucard maruellously incouraged all the companie by their bolde and braue resolutions and if they had beleeued Monsieur d'Andelit presently they had set vppon the Triumuirats troupes After the Truce an enterprise of no small importance was begunne but your guides hauing not well conducted the Princes troupes and withall much raigne falling a great aduantage was lost Good discipline for a time in the Princes Armie At that time military discipline among the Princes souldiers was much to bee commended for the Gentlemen neuer molested their Hostes and such as had meanes payd honestly for that they tooke The Pesantes stirred not out of their houses such as offended were punished One named the Barron de Dampmartin that had violated a maide by great fauour escaped death but after continuing his follies hee had his head striken off within Parris this exemption in the beginning of the warres was taken for an euill signe No blasphemie was heard in al the Princes campe Among thē you sawe neither cards nor Dice for women they were from thē no man strayed out of his troup to forrage much lesse to boote-halling morning and euening at rising and
of Mouy who slew some tooke some prisoners and sent away the rest faster then they came as in deede they were mounted to the aduantage vpō Spanish horses fit for such retraits Immediately after this incounter While the Duke tooke his ease the Princes seized vppon sundry places the D. licensed his armie to refresh themselues vntill the beginning of Octob. putting his footemen in Garrison in such places as bordered nearest vpon Guyenne The Princes in the meane time kept the field tooke Tiuiers S. Sulpice Brantonne Chasteau l'Euesque la Chapelle Confolant Chabanez and S. Genais some by force others by composition The Countie du Lude Gouernour in Poictou had promised the Duke to do wonders and while the Princes armie lay in Limosin followed by fiue thousand foot and some cornets of horse he besieged Nyort a town of consequence wherein Puuiaut valiantly entred with certaine horse and foote in despight of the assailants that were repulsed in three assaults and certaine scaladoes and after in the beginning of Iuly constrained to raise their siege hauing lost aboue fiue hundreth men before the towne not accounting foure Cornets of horse belonging to the Countie which la Noue not long before had ouerthrowne at Fontenay halfe a league from Nyort Terigny beeing sent to ayde the besieged was the cause that the Countie hasted his retrait lodging the rest of his armie at Saint Maixant Lusignon and Mirebean meane time the Princes approached Poictou and the 12. of Iuly tooke Chastelleraud by composition and three daies after battered the strong Castle of Lusignon that vpon the 21. of the same moneth was yeelded vnto them by composition establishing the Barron de Mirebeau for Gouernour therin with two Ensignes of footmen great store of cannons and sufficient amunition to resist a puissant armie Two daies after they marched towards Poictiers tooke Couhe where the Garrison of Catholicques chose rather to burne themselues in dispaire with in the Castle then to yeeld thēselues to Verac Lord of the place that held them besiesieged Sanssay Viuonne and other little places neare thereabouts therby to inclose those of Poictiers and to impeach them of victuals Before we depart from the siege of Poictiers Diuers exployts of war let vs adde some notable accidents that happened in diuers places In the month of Iuly Castillon sur Loing Chasteau-Regnard places belōging to the Admirall were surprised and the Admirals mooueables carried to Parris where part were solde in the open outcrie the best stoien and conueyed away by those that finde nothing either too heauie or too hotte Certaine horsemen to the number of fortie departing from the Princes campe after the taking of Strossy lodged themselues within Regeane a Castle belonging to the Bishop of Auxerre but they were presently besieged battered and slain within it onely captain Blosset and some other that escaped Amōg those on whom they exerciled most horrible vengeance was one of Auxerre surnamed Coeur de Roy who beeing taken prisoner was ledde to Auxerre and there presently stripped slaine and hewed in peeces The murtherers pulled the hart out of his bodie and cutting it in peeces was layde on the coales and eaten by certaine of his desperate enemies that during his life had threatned him with that canniball entertainment Horrible crueltie behold how zeale transporteth these Romish Catholicques The Lord of Terride Gouernor of Quercy was sent into Bearne Foix and the lād of Nauarrois there to bring al into the kings obedience in case the Q. of Nauarre and her sonne the Prince The Countie of Montgommeries exployts in Bearne against Terride would not forsake the religious side Terride accompanied with Negropelisse S. Colombe and diuers others had easily seized vpon all and had laid siege to Nauarron in the only place that held for the Q. The Princes hauing notice thereof dispatched away the Countie of Montgommery to withstand him who with 200. horse went and receiued the forces of the vicounties in Gascon so that in the month of Iuly with a smal armie of foure thousand shot and fiue hundreth horse with great diligence and vnwoonted speed which was the safetie of his voyage as deceiuing the Garrisons of the enemie namely the troupes of the Marchal d'Anuil◠Monluc Gohaz and others that with 1000. horse and 4000. shot marched but a daies iourney from the campe he came safe with one daies iourney of Nauarrin forced Terride who had lyen incamped from the beginning of Iune to raise the siege saue himself in Orthez by reason his troupes for their more commodious victualling lay disbanded The Countie followed Terride and to abridge him of all means to reassemble or muster his men besieged assaulted and forced the town with great slaughter then did he as suddainly plant the cannon found in the Towne against the Castle Terrides refuge who terrified with such terrible charges yeelded with the safetie of his life togither with six knights of the Order and many Captaines who all enioyed the benefit of the compositiō except 5 Colombe the Barron of Pordiac Gohas Fauas and some others that were executed because they were found to be the Qu. subiects consequently guiltie of treason for seizing vpon her places causing the most part of her subiects to reuolt seeking to deliuer the land into the dominion of a new Prince This mishap of Ter. being bruted abroad so terrified other the towns strong holds that the vsurpers making their packs in time Na. Foix Bearn were suddainly subdued to their princesse al fauing the town of Peu the principall wherin cōmanded one named Pere who had promised Monluc to defend it had executed some officers slaine the ministers yet vpon the sūmons of a trumpet sent by Montgom he departed with speed leauing the town to the right owner In the mean time Monluc practised some trecherie with Captain Bassillon who had born out the siege of Nauarrin against Terride This practise discouerd Bassillon was slaine Monluc cōming to seize vpō Nauarin was forced to retire whervpon ioyning with la Vallete he forced the town of Mont-Marsan where he discharged his rage vpon the besieged who were in maner all put to the sword Montgommery furnishing the places of his conquest came to Nerac and for a fewe daies warred vppon the next Garrisons and there with all speed returned to the Princes armie with some plentie of quoine gathered in his conquests and fiue hundreth horse that followed him The Duke d'Aniou considering how much the passage imported which the Princes had gotten vpon the riuer of Loire at la Charitee not much fortified since the taking resolued to take that place from them The siege of la Charitee by Lansac and the issue which was well aduised for that winning it hee should bereaue them of all meanes to molest the Prouinces on this side the riuer of Loire and reserue vnto himselfe the sinues of the warres with infinite commodities for the refreshing
courtelasses ponyards kniues and other such bloodie instruments ranne swearing and blaspheming the sacred Maiestie of God throughout the streets and into the houses where most cruelly they massacred all whosoeuer they met without regard of estate condition sexe or age the streets paued with bodies out and hewed in peeces the gates and enteries of houses Pallaces and publicque places died with blood A horrible plague of shoutings and hollowings of the murtherers mixed with continuall blowes of Pistolles and caliuers the pittifull cries of those that were murthered the bodies cast out at windowes vppon the stones drawne through the durt with straunge noyse and whistlings the breaking of doores and windowes with billes stones and other furies the spoyling and sacking of houses Carts carrying away the spoyles and others the dead bodies which were throwne into the riuer of Seine all redde with blood which likewise ranne out of the towne and from the kings owne Pallace The king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde being called to speake with the King and by his owne mouth were certified what had past adding The entertainment of the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde that hee saued their liues vppon condition that they should renounce their religion and follow his otherwise that they should looke for the like punishment that their adherents had and should receiue The King of Nauarre besought the king to remember his promise of the alliance newly contracted and not to constraine him in his religion the Prince of Conde more feruent aunswered that the King had giuen his faith to him and to all those of the religion with so solemne protestation that hee could not be perswaded that he would falsifie so authenticque an oath In respect of the obedience which the King required of him hee had faithfully yeelded vnto him not minding in time to come to depart from it in any sort whatsoeuer But touching the religion wherof the king had granted him the exercise and God the knowledge to whom hee was to yeeld account for his bodie and goods hee left them to the Kings disposition to do with them as pleased him but for his religion hee said hee was fully determined to remaine constant therein which hee would alwaies maintaine to bee true although it were with the losse of his life This aunswere of the Prince set the King in such a chollor that hee beganne to call him rebell seditious and sonne of a seditious person with horrible threatnings to cause him to loose his head if within three daies he took not better counsell which was done in presence of the Queene-mother the Duke of Aniou Birague and others of his secret Councell whose other proceedings must bee set downe They perceiuing that the massacre of Parris would not quench the fire but rather kindle it more because those of the religion might assemble and vnite themselues togither as it happeneth in such miserable chances giue them new worke these Councellours made two messengers the one from the same Sunday to the Gouernours and seditious Catholicques of Towns wherein were diuers of the religion with expresse commaundement to massacre them The other message contained certaine letters to the Gouernours of Prouence by the which hee charged those of Guise with the murther committed vppon the person of the Admirall because of their particular quarrell and of the sedition happened in Parris ceased the same day it began as those letters of the foure and twentieth of August specified by the authoritie and vigilancie of the King whose meaning and commaundement was that his Edict of pacification should be holden as much as euer it was Strange deuises to roote out those of the religion and to couer the action of the massacre through all his Realme Wherevnto he added these words And because it is greatly to bee feared that such execution which by other letters was published to bee made vpon a very small number should cause my subiects to rise one against the other and that great massacres should bee committed within the townes of my Realme which would bee great griefe vnto me I pray you to publish and make it knowne in all the places of your Gouernment that euery man should liue in peace without raising armes nor offending each other vpon paine of death causing our edict of pacification to be carefully obserued and kept and to punish the contradictors and ouerrunne those that would seem to rise and bee disobedient to our will you shall presently assemble all the forces you can make as well of friends as of your ordinarie companies aduertising the Captaines of the Townes and Castles of your gouernment to looke well to the safetie and preseruation of the said places that no fault may bee escaped aduertising mee assoone as possible you may what order you haue taken therein and how all things passe within your gouernment Other notable practises but all to the eternall confusion and reproach of the authors The same day were likewise dispatched other pattents prohibiting the carrying of all forbidden weapons all fraudulent assemblies orrepugnant to the Edict of pacification vnder the benefit whereof the king commaunded all his subiects to liue in quiet and peace each with other The Queene-mother likewise wrote her letters to the Gouernours and Ambassadours in like substance as the king It was agreed betweene the King the Queen-mother his brother Birague the Duke of Neuers and the Countie of Retz and other the Guisians should auoyde Parris and immediately after the deaths of the Admirall and his partakers withdrew thēselues in some of their houses that so the French and their neighbours might the rather think it to be some particular reuenge that bred also the tumult in Parris Vppon this counsell the King had in his Sunday letters layd the whole rage vppon the Guisians who considering more deeply the inormitie of the act wherein they had not spared an infinite number of learned men honorable olde age honest Ladies chaste matrones women with childe young schollers virgins sucking babes but most cruelly cut their throates perceiuing that so they should bring vpon themselues their posteritie the indignation of all men indued with any sparke of vertue or that had any regard of humane societie and consequently make themselues the marke for euery man to ayme at as the sole authors thereof and men guiltie of the most wicked action that could bee deuised refused to forsake Parris But contrariwise insisted and most earnestly laboured that the king should aduow all that had beene done This did they and their Councell so cunningly mannage besides that they were very strong and greatly in the peoples fauour who had been followers of the Duke of Guise in this execution that the king with the aduice of his Councell soone after writ other letters to his Ambassadours Gouernours of Prouin ces and chiefe Townes of France wherein hee gaue them to vnderstand that whatsoeuer had fallen out at Parris was nothing concerning religion but
was done onely to preuent the execution of a cursed conspiracie practised by the Admirall and his confederates against him his mother and bretheren and therefore commaunded that his Edict of pacification should bee most firmly obserued But if it should fall out that any Huguenors incensed with the newes of Parris should gather in armes in any place whatsoeuer hee commaunded his said Gouernours to assist the scattering and dispearsing of them Also to the end the studious of nouelties should not commit any sinister practise his meaning was to haue the gates of all his Towns wel diligently kept referring therest of his minde to the credite of the bearers According to the purport heereof at Meaux in Brie Trois in Champagne Orleans Bourges la Charite Lyons Thoulouse and Bourdeaux those of the religion were handled as they were in Parris not speaking of those that were sacked in other Townes and Villages of the Realme as also in the fields when they thought to saue themselues by going out of the Realme so that in fewe weeks aboue thirtie thousand persons were massacred in France because of the religion The king aduoweth the massacre to be done by his commandement but specifieth no cause why the next day writeth contrarie letters Vpon Tuesday the six and twentieth day of August the king accompanied with his bretheren and the chiefest of his Court went to his Court of Parliament where sitting vpon his bed of iustice all the chambers assembled hee declared in expresse termes that whatsoeuer had happened in Parris had been done not onely by his consent but also by his commandement and of his owne motion and therefore that his meaning was that all should bee attributed to himselfe All which his speech was approoued and allowed by Christopher de Thou chiefe President in the name of the whole companie The next day letters were sent to the Sheriffes and other the kings officers in the Townes giuing them to vnderstand that to his great greefe his Cousin the Admirall and others his partakers besides sundrie particular parties in sundrie parts of Parris had beene slaine whereof hee thought good to giue them notice to the end they might represse all commotion and murther which might breed his incredible greefe and sorrow enioyning them in his name to make proclamation commanding euery man to remaine at home not to take armes nor any to offend other vnder paine of death also to take order that his Edict of peace were well and diligently obserued Thursday the twentieth in Parris was celebrated an extraordinary Iubile with generall procession wherein the king was assistant and whereto hee had but in vaine solicited the king of Nauarre with sweet words and flattering speeches and the Prince of Conde with threats The kings new declaration The same day hee made an other declaration importing that by his own expresse commandement the Admirall with his adherents and confederates had beene slaine not vpon any cause of religion or breach of his Edicts of pacification which hee alwaies had and still ment to haue obserued kept and continued but thereby to preuent the execution of a damnable conspiracie contriued by the Admirall the chiefe deuiser thereof and his adherents and confederates against the said king his estate the Queene his mother his bretheren the king of Nauarre and other Lords and Princes his attendants Withall that hee tooke into his protection all other the protestants but forbad them all assemblies or preachings vpon whatsoeuer occasions To this declaration were there soone after added sundrie restrictions qualifications and amplifications Such of the protestants as in sundrie places relyed vpon them had but bad successe The wiser sort ffed out of the realm which notwithstanding their goods were seized their mooueables partly solde to the most giuer and partly stolen and their immooueables put to the crie There was a long Commentarie made and added to the same declaration by one Gui de Fuur Lord of Pibrac as it was auouched before that of religion who durst affirme that witnesses had been examined before the kings Councell Commentaries vpon this matter that affirmed a conspiracie made by the Admirall not naming who neither yet specifying any circumstance of apparance of trueth for the which cause certaine sharpe aunsweres were made therevnto wherein all the cauillations of the said Commentarie were amply and particularly resuted Within Parris it selfe all men that had any wit or vnderstanding in their common and ordinarie talke touching this horrible cruell iniustice said that there was neither shaddowe nor any apparance of trueth in this accusation and to thinke to make men of any iudgement to beleeue that the Admirall had wrought any thing against the king and his adherents being within Parris Defence made in the Admirals behalfe were vaine it beeing a thing which all men knowes that in the Court there is an ordinarie guard of Gascons Switzers and Scots both for day and night besides the other companies specially then when the most part of the Princes Lords and Gentlemen of France were there to honour the marriage that in lesse then three houres within Parris they may assemble and gather at the least sixtie thousand men well armed who at the first word had deuoured the Admirall and all his friends and if they had been sixe times as many more that the Lords and Gentlemen that had accompanied the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde bringing thither their wiues seruaunts and kinsmen brought but their swords and thought but to run at the ring and to shew their braue apparrell That the declaration did neither specifie the time place adherents nor meanes of this coniuration Before the Admirall was hurt as he receiued all fauour of the king so he held and accounted him for one of his most faithfull seruants whereof the Admirall made proofes with all sinceritie Being come to Parris vppon the word and iterated commandements of the king where no man liuing euer vnderstood other thing from his mouth what aduise soeuer was giuen him to issue out of Parris because he was hated euill willed and inuironed with enemies but onely that hee trusted in the faith and promise of his Prince that heedemaunded nothing but peace wherevnto he perceiued the king to bee inclined and to lay the war vpon the shoulders of the hereditarie enemie of France which is the Spaniard if this conspiracie had been made after hee was hurt how durst a mā being cruelly wounded with two dangerous wounds about Fryday at tenne of the clocke and flaine vppon Sunday at two of the clocke in the morning of great yeares troubled in both his armes whereof one the Surgeans were in counsell to cut off accompanied with three hundreth Gentlemen vnarmed all naturall Frenchmen most affected seruants to the King hauing neither goods parentage alliance pleasure nor contentment with their families but in France bee so bolde or could set vppon sixtie thousand men prepared to fight Nay were it onely
fauor his retire from the Court Others bearing him no great affection spred foorth a rumour that they were in armes prepared to kill the king the Queene and his Councell The first aduise tooke place neuerthelesse to make the latter seeme likely yet vntrue euery man except it were the king Praclises of the Court whereinto sundrie not able to penetrate at the first the gentry of Normandy found themselues deceined whereof ensued the destruction of the Countie of Montgommery perswaded to stay with his traine in great haste dislodging from Saint Germains where they stayed till the lodgings of the Castle of Blois Saint Vincennes were prepared and rid to Parris from nine of the clock till midnight with most great noyse and tumult I must tell you that the Duke of Alencon was in minde to haue departed from the Court and to take the king of Nauarre with him and that this troupe composed of the Gentlemen their seruants came to bring them to the places appointed by them but imagining many difficulties in the executiō hee tooke aduise of la Mole a Gentleman of Prouence that gouerned him who gaue him counsell with al speed to aduerise the king his brother and his mother what his meaning was which was the cause that the king remooued not neuerthelèsse the mother that had som greater matter in her head made that voyage by night and went to the house of the Marshall de Retz in the subburbs of S. Honore The Parisians beleeuing whatsoeuer was told them touching those horses in short time made a great and puissant armie as they said The next day the king went vnto his mother and within eight daies after they went to Blois Saint Vincennes hauing holden diuers councels to deuise the means to intrap the Marshal d'Anuille that gaue them worke to do in Languedoc Meane time the Duke of Alencon and the king of Mauarre vppon the foure and twentieth of March published a declaration touching the matter of Saint Germains protesting their good wils towards the king and that they were resolued to oppose themselues with all their meanes against such as would rebell against him which was an occasion to bring the Marshall de Montmorencic vnto the Court who being come was arested as also the Marshall de Cosse and both most shamefully led prisoners to the Bastille On the other side la Mole Coconnas Tourtay seruants to the Duke of Alencon were committed within Parris and not long after executed hauing onely confessed to haue been of their Maisters counsell to depart out of the Court Diuers Lords and Gentlemen intangled in this processe saued themselues as well as they could the Duke of Alencon and the king of Nauarre were kept more straight and twise examined touching that action The estate of Dauphine Languedoc and poictou These troubles in the Court hindered not those of the religion their associates to looke vnto themselues In Dauphine Mombrun tooke Loriol Linron Alet Graue and Roinac and ouerthrew fiue companies of footmen that sought to impeach them Those of Villeneufue in Viuarais not long before had put certaine troupes to the swood that came against those of the religion without losse of one man and tooke Aubenas a Towne of great importance hauing cut the throates of all the Garrison for the most part composed of the massacres of Lyons The gouernment of Languedoc and Dauphine hauing bin committed to the Prince d'Auphine Monsieur d'Acier ioyned with him the Marshall d'Anuille by letters intercepted discouered what was pretended against him by which meanes hee beganne to draw to those of the religion consulting with Saint Romaine Gouernour of Nismes seized vppon Montpeslier Beaucaire Lunel and Pezenas In Poistou the Polititians ioyned with la Noue tooke Saint Maixaut Melle Fontenay Lusignan and other places In Normandie about the beginning of March What happened in Normandie to the Countie de Montgommery taken prisoner and after executed the Countie Montgommery accompanied with Lorges and Galardon his children departed from the Isle of Gerze and arriued at Rades where Colombieres de Fey with fistie Gentlemen came to meete him from whence hee went to Saint Lo and then with in three daies after assieged and took Carentan by compositiō Within a month after a strong armie of the enemie commaunded by Matignon and Feruaques set vppon him and inclosed him with a little weake towne and ill furnished called Danfrone accompanied with sixtie horse and eight harguebuziers conducted by Captaine la Touche the younger resoluing vppon a valiant defence euen in the beginning of the siege sent foorth siue and twentie horse and some small shot who giuing a sharpe onset slew seuen Gentlemen assaylants and nine horse and soretired with the losse of the Lord of Friaize who was slaine and two prisoners that they left behinde This was the eleuenth of May. The next day the besieged cut in peeces one Corps de garde but soone after some either for feare or won with faire woords forsooke the Countie and yeelded to the assaylants who in reward stripped and put them to their ransome The Queen-mother vnderstanding that the Countie whom shee hated to the death was in her nettes sent forces day and night to strengthen Matignon as also the armie that lay before Saint Lo was commanded with all speed to march to Danfrone where they had in the beginning of the siege six thousand small shot and fifteen hundreth horse The king being very sicke vpon the 23. of May the Castle was battered with six peeces of cannon that in fiue houres shot aboue fiue hundreth times and made a breach of fiue and fortie foote broad Then did most of the Counties men forsake him and in liew of entring the Castle with him fled out of the Towne into the campe where they receiued their deserued entailment as their former companions About two of the clock at after noone the assay lants came fiercely to the breach where they found the Countie on the right side with the lords of Brossay Chauuiny Cornieres Tere yong Touche Mahiliere Crosse Oulfe and others to the number of twentie On the left side were the Lords of Sey Hayes Vaudore Sanssaye Villenenfue and others in like number of twentie All togither fell vpon their knees to hear the prayer which one of the three Ministers there present made in the presence of the assay lants who when it was done came to handie blows in the order following Out of tenne companies of men at armes present at that siege Matignon the other Captains chose one hundreth Gentlemen even ten out of euerie companie well armed followed with 600. small shot with murrians 100. pikemen with their corselers These 800. men with some 200. voluntaries mixed among thē were led by the LL. of Fernaques Villermois S. Golombe Raberprey Lauerdin and others The fight lasted siue hours neither did the cannon cease which indomaged the defer dants with stones wherewith also the Countie was
receiue her Cittizens for his true faithfull and naturall subiects and not to put any difference between them and others vnlesse it were in this poynt to haue in remembrance that they were the first who without constraint acknowledged him for their king and by their example haue gotten vnto him the best part of his flowrishing Scepter Behold the iust reasons and causes of this so suddaine change if the obedience which the subiect draweth from the yoake of strangers to yeeld it vnto his owne superior may be called a change And the more commendable it wil be in so much as that the seruice of the king is not contrarie to the commandement of God that religion remaineth firme within her franchises shining in her glorie inuiolable vnexpugnable in her forces As long as the wars were wholly for religion they contributed whatsoeuer they had but when they once perceiued that the holy conuersion of the king made this war no more war against religion but onely against the estate they could not longer delay nor withdraw out of their mindes the feare and reuerence they owe to the true image of God which is the king beleeuing certainly that those beare armes and fight against God that rebel against a most Catholicke and Christian Prince In this so great disorder great wisedome good order hath bin seene for that the most aduised and best experienced concerning matters of estate iudged this quotidian feuer could by no meanes bee healed but by some strong and violent remedie But by the prouidence of God the disease that in mans iudgement seemed incurable hath been healed without shedding one drop of blood by the constant and firm resolution of those that rather desire to die then not to see themselues franchised from this gouernment which is contrarie to the royall estate and losed from the middle of so many protections which how holy or iust soeuer they be are altogither dangerous and the best title they can bear is of no value To be short this towne which hath alwaies made shew of pure religion towards God and fidelitie to her Prince hath well shewed that the flower de luce which for the space of so many hundreth yeares had been grauen in her heart could not be pulled away but by cleauing and renting in peeces the hearts of all her Cittizens that she could not brooke nor once indure such Frenchmen as are transubstantiated into Spanish minds that gape onely to see this Scepter broken this crowne in peeces that they might gather the remnants and plucke off the flowers Thus much I thought good to speake before I enter into the Historie THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF the last troubles of France vnder the raignes of Henry the third and Henry the fourth now liuing M.D.LXXIIII I Am not abashed if such as at randon discourse speake of our great miseries do so oftentimes run into fond opinions A Historie ought to be without passion because that to get out of so great a laborinth they followe not the right way of the trueth but rather taking the crosse-path of their own passions they leaue the high-way and approache the ditches Their writings are of blacke and thicke cloudes which neuer appeare without some thunder of euill reports iniuries and slaunders Tables representing nothing but infamous pictures of Monsters and Arches of imperfections And when they enter into the deepe consideration of the Authors of our euilles they throwe the fault and mischiefes of these deuisions sometimes vppon one and some times vppon an other their opinions beeing furred onely with the drugges of hated or of zeale which transporteth their mindes Such people that like serpents nourish themselues by poyson The causes of the troubles of France imputed to diuers things and that are better pleased with the darke Eclipses then with the bright shining beams of the Sun and do more reioyce to shewe some execrable action then to speake of any memorable and woorthiething haue in this season raised most straunge mutinies mooued the people armed the greatest cowards with their seditious writings troden the Maiestie and reuerence of Princes vnder foote bannished modestie in her place established insolencie despigh and confusion Therefore to make knowne Against such as say that the King of France and Nauarre are the causes of the troubles through all the parts of the world the beautie excellency and woonders of the royall actions of their liues to drawe so many Princes and great and valiant Captaines out of the circle wherein by these diuisions they are compassed to shewe the Maiestie of our King to bee farre distant from the many vnworthy slaunders of those that affirme and accuse him to bee the onely motion of our countries troubles to declare in this discourse the royall vertues that shine through the thicknesse and obscurities of impietie and rebellion and to disswade mens mindes from so many false perswations I haue drawne out of the most staied and certaine opinions the truth concerning the beginning and proceedings of the last troubles that haue vexed this Realme by the renewing of seuen most cruel bloodie warres a Frāce hath indured seuē warres and hath seene 6. Edicts of pacification God grant that the 7. peace may be the last and the end of ciuil miseries The peace for forraigne warres was made in Ann. 1559. There is no opinion that is deeper with in the hearts of men then the opinion of religion by the hazard of so many battailes the ruin of so many people the taking and spoyling of so many townes and the death of so many Princes that the only remembrance taketh away my sences stoppeth my speeche and maketh my pen to stay◠therefore to begin this matter and to voyde the spindle we must first finde the ende of the third and by the ende of forraigne warres weaue this cloath of ciuill Commotions All war is cruell and endeth with more difficultie then it is taken in hand but those diuisions that happen in any estate touching the point that ought to knit and vnite the spirits of men are more bloodie their beginnings more terrible and their endes more dangerous and the more the pretences are large and faire the more men enter into the sustaining and defending of them for there is nothing that doth mooue them more then the defence of their religion nor any thing that doth more animate nor sooner put them in obliuion of the consideration of respect dutie and obedience then the quarrell concerning the saluation of their soules and the manner of the seruice they ought to minister vnto God euery man esteeming that religion he followeth to bee the true and purest manner of woorshipping condemning and reiecting all that which is not conformable vnto it n = b The Oracle of Apollo gaue answer to the Troiāt that their towne should neuer be takē as lōg as they kept that image of Pallars This is the Paladium of Troy our rest and welfare
religion if there were no other passion that touched his enemies at the heart he added that if the king would not accept his fidelitie hee can do no more but content himselfe with his owne innocencie and affection towards his Maiestie and the State Declaration protestatiō of the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde In his declaration hauing disciphered the cause of leaguers taking armes the vanitie of their pretences and the fruites that all the Estates of France may reape by the conclusion of the treatie of Nemours by breaking the peace and beginning warre Hee protesteth and with him the Prince of Conde his Cousin the Duke de Mommorency the Lords Gentlemen Prouinces Townes and common people as well of the one as of the other religion to oppose themselues against the Authors of those troubles in a lawfull and necessary defence therby to conserue the lawes which are the foundations of all families and to maintaine the estate and libertie of the King and of the Queene his mother Sixtus 5. excommunicateth the king of Nauarre the prince of Conde in September 1585. This Prince had need to bee a strong Bulwarke thereby to defend himselfe against so many assaults on all sides made vppon him For hauing both the king and the league as enemies on the one side on the other side commeth the Pope with his thunderboults of excommunication declaring him incapable to the succession of the Crowne of France abandoning his person and his countries for a praye to such as could obtaine it Touching this Bull many whole bookes both with it and against it were written and set foorth to the which I referre the curiositie of such as desire to knowe whether the Pope hath any authoritie ouer the estate of France for which consideration The King of Nauarres letters to the States the Court of Parliament would not allowe it Therevppon the king of Nauarre complained to all the Estates of France in that they had caused the succession of a king beeing yet aliue to bee decided in the Court of Rome made the title of a Prince of the blood to be iudged by the Pope and suffered the Consistorie to giue that which belonged not vnto them And hauing particularly represented vnto them the mischiefes which thereby might arise togither with the shame and perpetuall reproach vnto this Nation in hauing To the Clergie produced monsters into the world and rebelles among a most obedient people hee endeth his letters with reiecting the mischiefes of those miseries vppon those that are the authors In his letter to the Cleargie hee said If war bee so acceptable vnto you if a battell liketh you better then a disputation a bloodie conspiracie more then a Councell I will wash my handes and the blood that thereby shall bee spilt be vppon your owne heades I am assured that the maledictions of such as shall thereby indure great miserie will not fall vppon mee so that my patience my reasons and obedience are sufficiently knowne Meane time I hope God will blesse my iust quarrell to whom I commend you To the Nobilitie To the Nobilitie hee writeth and saith The Princes of France are the keyes of the Nobilitie I loue you all I feele my selfe perished and become weake in your blood The straunger hath no interest in this losse I haue good cause to complaine of some but I rather bewaile them I am readie to imbrace them all That which most displeaseth me is that those which I most esteem of whom I knowe haue been circumuented I cannot distinguish them being in armes but God knoweth my thought their blood be vpon the authors of these miseries to whom we praye c. To the Commons after he had deplored their woundes and scarres and assured them of his readinesse to shed his blood if his enemies would by a combat of two and two end the warre To the Commons which would be the death of so many thousands of men He saith I am a Frenchman borne I will bee partner of your miseries I haue assayed all meanes to exempt you from ciuill discordes and will neuer spare my life that they may be abridged I will not impute the fault vpon you you are Frenchmen but rather esteem of your good willes I demaund nothing else of all you that according to your vocations are most subiect to indure mischiefe then to doo it but onely your vowes prayers and good-wils But because hee feared the sword of Saint Paul more then the keyes of Saint Peter and that the Gold of Spaine is more daungerous then the Lead of Rome he sent his Ambassadors to the protestant Princes of Germanie to craue their aydes Which the king perceiuing sent the Cardinall of Lenoncourt and the President Brulart vnto him to assure him of his Maiesties good-will of the great desire he had to see him vnited to the Catholicke Church not onely for the safetie of his conscience but also for the easier establishing of his succession to the Crown to declare the causes that had moued him to breake the peace and to desire him to yeeld vp the Townes which he held for his securitie The king of N. hauing yeelded most humble thankes vnto them for his Maiesties good will in his behalfe aunswered that without instruction he could not change his religion for the which so much time and blood had been shed And that those of his side were so farre from yeelding vp the Towns giuen to them for their securitie that following the example of the leaguers they had cause rather to aske for more The Ambassadours perceiuing that neither the one nor the other poynt of their Ambassage tooke effect ended their commission by desiring the king of Nauarre to enter into a treatie wherein the Queene-mother would labour to his contentment Conference agreed vpon and trauell as farre as to Champigny if in the meane time it pleased him to staye the forraine armie Hee willingly accepted of the conference but to the other poynt he said that he neither could nor ought in any sort to stay or withdraw the good willes of those who in so much important an occasion yea and in so extreame necessitie had entered into the field that by restoring the authoritie of the king troden vnderfoote by the breach of his edicts they might defend him from the forraine inuation of the league The Electors Palatin the Duke of Saxe the M. of Brandenburg the D. of Brunswick the Lantgraue of Hessen sent Ambassadors to the king in Parris The Kings answere to the Protestant Ambassadors The Princes of Germainie that sought to ayde such as were of their religion perceiuing France to bee a bodie in a manner wounded to death thought good to procure the remedie thereof rather then to helpe to giue the mortall blowe and to prooue if by intreatie and faire meanes they might cease the causes of their diuision and procure the tranquillitie of the common-wealth by the obseruation
of the edict of peace To the which end they sent their Ambassadors to the king to desire him to open his eyes to the teares and his eares to the complaints of his poore subiects and to vouchsafe the hearing of the humble requests of his neighbours for his owne good and the quietnes and honour of his faith his Crowne and reputation But the king thinking it straunge that forraine Princes should deale with his affaires answered them that hee knew what was necessarie for his subiects and that according to the cause for their good and tranquillitie he had made and changed his ordinances as all soueraigne Princes in Christendome vse to do to whom he referred the care and charge to gouerne their subiects as they thinke good and that for his part hauing the feare of God and the loue of his subiects liuely ingrauen in his heart hee would do nothing against the honour of his conscience nor the fatherly care he had vnto his people With which answere the Ambassadors returned not well pleased and the king that had giuen sixe moneths respite to those of the new religion eyther to leaue it or depart out of the realm perceiuing that by delayes they had meanes to arme and put themselues in defence thereby at the end of the said terme to rise vp against him vnder the assurance of forraine ayde sent to the Gouernours of his Prouinces and the Ministers of iustice to execute the edict The king of N. for his part declareth thē enemies in whose townes the said Edict was published causing the goods rents reuenues and debts to bee ceased vppon and solde He lost no time all his friends were readie and the Sieur de S. Mesmes with standeth the Marshall de Matignon The Sieur de Laual had the charge of Xaintonge raised the siege of Taillebourg where the Ladies de la Trimouille both mother and daughter were assieged The Viscount of Thurenes with three or foure thousand Harquebusiers marched in Limosin and there had taken the Bishoppe of Tulles The D. of Guise being aduertised of the dislike the Ambassadors of the princes of Germanie had touching their answer counselled the king to set vpō the Huguenots before the Rutters entered into France So that in lesse then eighteen moneths the king of Nauarre sawe himselfe assayled by fiue campes royall vnder fiue seuerall Generals The Duke de Mercure in Poictou where the Duke de Mercure thinking that the conquest of the Huguenots in Poitou would bee as easily executed as enterprised left Brittaine not considering the common maxime that hee that will breake must bee stronger then the thing which hee mindeth to breake and that there must bee a proportion betweene him that inforceth and him that is inforced for if the weaker part bee his that will force his owne violence ouerthroweth him and spoyleth it selfe Hee thought with two thousande men to doo a great acte But the Prince of Conde meeting with him caused him to remooue not onely from Fontenay but cleane out of Poitou And from thence the Prince besieged Brouage and hauing reduced it to such necessitie that hee weakened the most hardie he receiued newes of the taking of the Castle of Anger 's The taking of the Castle of Anger 's vpon the Sieur de Brissac by three Captaines one named du Halot Parrisan to the king the second Fresne enemie to the Counte de Brissac and Rochemorte affectioned to the king of Nauarre that agreed togither to take the Castle of Anger 's one of the strongest places in France Brissac therein had a Lieftenant called Captaine Grec with twelue souldiers whither Fresne went to visite him and beeing inuited by him to dinner in company of Rochemort others went thither who wrought so brauely that as they entered they slewe all the souldiers that were not of their faction at which noyse Grec comming foorth was met by Fresne that stabbed him with a Poinyard Du Halot beginning to enter into the Castle and perceiuing the execution stepped backe into the Towne and protested that hee had caused the place to be taken for the king notwithstanding he was kept prisoner Rochemort presently aduertised the Sieur de Clermont who by post sent word to the Prince of Conde to certifie him thereof Those of the Towne besieged the Castle and all the countrie ranne thither in the euening they desired to speake with Fresne who minding to issue and being vpon the Drawe-bridge among diuers harquebusiers one beganne to discharge his peece and seeking to reenter Rochemort and his fellowes perceiuing the daunger drewe vp the bridge and Fresne being shut out hung vpon the chaines where the Townsmen cut of his hands in such manner that hee fell into the ditches where a Hart that was bredde vp in the Towne with his hornes made an end of his life by tearing his bodie in peeces Du Halot was presently executed in the Towne and Rochemort being demaunded for whom he held answered that he held for the king of Nauarre at which answere there was no need to bid them make trenches and to keepe watch attending the comming of the Duke de Ioyeuse that not long after arriued in the Towne Certaine daies passing in that order one day after dinner Rochemort leaning in a windowe of the Castle and falling a sleepe was shotte with a harquebuze wherein there was two bullets the one cut his throate and the other his tongue and so was slaine Whervpon 16. souldiers that were therein being deuided because there were but seuen Huguenots began to parley which indured certain weekes The Prince that lay before Brouage hauing about the beginning of October Anno. 1585. receiued newes of the surprising of the Castle and of Rochemorts answere not knowing what had happened since that time determined with all speede to drawe thither because that seruice would be a stay to the leaguers forces and a great meanes of aduantage for them against the league And hauing considered how it might bee possible for him to make that voyage being in those earnest affaires which as then held him in the end he ventured with 700. or 800. foote and 1000. or 1200. harquebusiers on horsebacke wherewith not without great discommodities he passed by boates ouer the riuer of Loire to Rosiers between Saumur Anger 's being as bold an enterprise as euer was in our time For the voyage in truth was enterprised with too much courage litle cōsideration to passe ouer a great riuer betweene two armies and to runne into a straight not knowing on which side to issue without any boates that stayed for him for that those wherewith hee passed lay readie by chance neuerthelesse hee entered into the Subburbes of Anger 's and within the Barricadoes where he spent a whole day in skirmishing and hauing prooued if hee could haue any newes from the Castle he vnderstood it was no place for him for they made him no signes although his trumpets sounded for the purpose for the
diuers braue and expert Admiralles issued out of France as Enguerrand de Coucy and Hugues Quieret Lewis of Spaine vnder Philip le Bel Aâ—ory Vicount de Narbonne and Iohn de Vienne vnder King Iohn Charles the sixt in whose time the Admiral of France furnished the great armie of twelue hundreth sayle of shippes against the Englishmen Cliret of Brabant Lewis de Coulant vnder Charles the seuenth and Lewis Bastard of Bourbon Iohn of Vienne Admirall and since Constable 1586. Anne de Ioyeuse Admirall 1582. The Duke d'Espernon made Admirall of FraÌ„ce by Parliament the 11. of Ianuarie 1588. The Duke d'Espernon Gouernor of Normandie entred Roanâ— the fourth of May. Earle of Rossillon vnder Lewis the eleuenth and vnder king Frances the Lord of Brion d'Anebaut and la Trimouille for whom the Admiralles of Brittaine and Guyenne were ioyned and made one Gaspart de Coligny was Admirall vnder the same king and confirmed by Henry the second and his children Honorat de Sauoye Marquesse de Villars succeeded him and caused it to bee giuen to Charles de Lorraine Duke of Mayenne that resigned it to Anne de Ioyeuse and after his death the king gaue it to the Duke d'Espernon And to establish him therein presented him in the Court of Parliament and putting off his sword bare-headed and kneeling on his knee hee tooke his oath before the chiefe President where the eloquence of Monsicur d'Espesses the kings Atturney much commended and set foorth the prayses of the Duke Hee succeeded likewise in the gouernment of Normandie and made his entrie into Roane nine daies before the Barricadoes at Parrs Not long before that hee had sent the Regiment of Picardie to lye about Bullen and caused certaine small English boates to descend before the Towne so to impeach the enterprise of the Duke d'Aumale and to preuent that which the said Duke intended against the Towne When the Duke of Guise vnderstood of those troubles in Picardie hee thought the time as then to bee fitte for him to constraine the king eyther to bow or breake to confirme the articles drawne deuised at Nancy and Dyon and to helpe the weakenesse of the Parrissians that without him would haue lost courage And for the same cause hee arriued at Soissons where his Maiestie by Monsieur de Bellieure gaue him to vnderstand that he should do him apleasure if he wold abstaine froÌ„ coÌ„ming to Parris in so troublesome a time wherin so many factioÌ„s raigned that if he came thither against his wil he wold lay the cause The arriuall of the Duke of Guise at Soissons The king prayeth him not to come to Parris vntill the distrusts were laid of the troubles that might arise by his presence vpon him Monsieur de Bellieure who by reason of greatnesse and soundnesse of his iudgement concerning matters of estate and the execution of wise and notable charges to him committed held one of the chiefe places of Councellor about the king vsed many and great reasons to restraine the impetuositie of that prince and to conclude departed from him assuring himselfe that hee had fully disswaded him But his heart attainted with a burning Feuer could finde neither appetite nor pleasure but in that which liked his stomacke beleeued that nothing could hinder him that the heaueÌ„s oght to giue him place that striking with his foote vpon the ground he would make a 100. legions of men to rise that without fear of Iupiters thunderbolts he could rule the chariot of the sun The Parissians had sent for him Left no meanes between the two extremities of his firme resolution but whatsoeuer fell out hee would see the Louure or die in the way And therevppon mounted on horsebacke with eight Gentlemen about nine of the clocke at night leauing his brother the Cardinall of Guise and the Prince de Iuinuille his sonne at Soissons desiring the Archbishop of Lyons to follow him in the morning And so within three houres after the arriuall of Monsieur de Bellieure and about Monday at noone beeing the 9. of May he entered into Parris Sunday the 8. of May 1588. and lighted at the Queen-mothers lodging the Filles Repenties where in great feare half trembling she receiued him led him to the Louure If the streets of Parris had bin as broad as the way of AppieÌ„ they wold hardly haue contained halfe the quantitie of the people that followed this Prince euery man thought himself happy that might put off his hat and kneel on his knee for to salute him The Duke of Guise arriued the Kings not knowing onit all being full of ioyfull cries clapping of hands pleasures and wishes to welcome him He for his part holding his hat in hand answering by his countenaÌ„ce to those populer reioycings marked the most prompt affections to his desire they striuing among themselues who should begin to crie Viue Guise Viue le Pillier del'Eglise Which being heard into the street called S. Honnore where a Gentlewoman sat in a shop she pulled down her maske and spake aloude vnto him vtterring these words Good Prince now you are here we are al safe That done he entered into the kings chamber where he did his dutie to the king but with lesse assurance then ordinary knowing the King would not like well of his comming and in trueth he shewed him no great countenance answering him vnto the reasons hee made touching his iourney to Parris that by M. de Bellieure he had desired him not to come But dinner time approaching they left off the D. of Guise departed to his lodging After dinner he went to visit the Q. in her garden where the king finding him as well as he could dissembled the exterier apparance of yâ— suspition he had conceiued in his heart the D. of Guise iustified his actions with a braue and bolde courage He went to visit the Queen-mother by so much the more as he perceiued thesecret fear of the Kings trembling mind his seruant followers one after the other still entered into Parris for the Archbishop of Lyons being the principal Agent of his Councell arriued vppon Tuesday about dinner time and came not out of the house of Guise vntill the next day that he went to see the Queen-mother being at Masse from thence went with her to her garden where the K. found them he stepped forward to kisse the Kings hand who receiued him with pleasant and chearefull countenance hauing alwayes discouered a certaine inclination that hee had to loue him as knowing him to bee one of the woorthiest Prelates of his order of a prompt and readie witte and wonderfull eloquent and withall remembring that at all times when the stormes of words and reasons were vsed in any matter of estate hee surprised all his Councell Wherevppon hee willingly desired hee had been as much affected to his seruice as to the league wherein hee had entered as al-also in an assured
thou wast so hardy to enter into Parris with no more theÌ„ 8. Gentlemen a signe of thy simple innoceÌ„cie A great matter surely but go thou into Rochel with al thy new Courtiers thy followers thy guard the king of N. wil enter therin but with 4. men only if at thy going out thou runnest not away-he will make thee be shrew thy selfe It is easie to bee said in base Brittaine but those that know that all the kings Councell are on thy side that his mother fauoureth thee that all the mutiners and crocheters of Parris and all the common inhabitants thereof are at thy deuotion We say that thy simplicitie was verie subtill and thy innocencie much to bee suspected How wilt thou haue vs beleeue that thou did-dest put so much trust confidence in the king seeing that after the league and the capitulation of Saint Maur thou wouldest neuer come thither vnlesse thon wert as strong as hee yet during his beeing in his armie against the Rutters thou neuer settest foote within it onely once by surprising it and that for the space of a quarter of an houre No beleeue me it is thy exercise to play these feates and not to excuse them thou art better acquainted with the one then the other Hee saith that the distrust which ceased vppon the people of Parris when the kings forces entered into the publicque places of the Towne constrained his good and faithfull subiects to arme themselues and without conference togither assured of his presence and of certaine order by him suddainly taken among them they Barricadoed themselues on all sides Barricadoes the inuention of the Duke of Guise Then the Barricadoes are the inuention of the Duke of Guise and without his presence the people had not stirred taken armes not banded against the thunder that descended from heauen This is confirmed by the declaration made by the Parrisians the words whereof are these Aduice was giuen that the Regiment of Picardie was sent for in great haste as also the Sieurs de Merâ— and de Thore bringing more then three hundreth horse which could not be prepared vnlesse that matter had beene purposed long before The occasions of the Barricadoes The newes of those troupes made the Parrissians to suspect and the insolencies of those alreadie established made vs as then to inquire of the preparation made by the Duke de Guise and vnderstanding that neither hee nor his were armed euery man thought to ayde himselfe so that as it were by one generall consent euery one in lesse then an houre vnited placed them in the streets for their defence which is a thing natural to al liuing creatures so the Parrissians mooued not but for feare of a Garrison this foundation is not well laid for that all sedition and rebellion is euill and pernicious in kingdomes although the cause bee good and commendable As the Prince should cut off the meanes to the first motions of those troubles and quench the fiers that beeing hatched in a particular house would enter into the Churches Pallaces and publike houses so the people ought to suffer and indure al extremities rather then to rise against their soueraigne although hee were a Tyrant cruell inhumaine for like as all that pleaseth a Prince is not permitted to be done by him so al the is permitted vnto the people is not profitable and oftentimes it happeneth that the remedie is more cruel then the disease it selfe and that seeking to shunne one calamitie we intangle our selues in an infinite of miseries Experience setteth before our eyes the enterprises and successe of coniurations Defence is not permitted to subiects against their King the beginnings haue beene impiteous and the ends miserable The tyrannie of one man is euill that of many is woorse but the worst of all is an vnbridled power and an absolute libertie that hath cast off the yoake of lawes When a people arme themselues against a Tyrant it must take heed that of one it maketh not fifteene or that in seeking to shun tyrannie The words of K. Francis it indureth not confusion and disorder which from the royaltie proceedeth to the populer estate You my Maisters of Parris alleadge that the armes you beare are not to offend any man but onely to defend themselues that is good against a straunge Prince but against the king and your Soueraigne it is most execrable God detesteth and forbiddeth it and whatsoeuer he doth bee it right or wrong it is no more lawfull for you to stirre against him then for a childe to mooue against his Parents Causes of sedition The life of man is the vnion of the bodie and the soule the life of a Realme is commaundement and obedience if the one bee separated from the other that the soule tyrannizeth the bodie and that the bodie will not receiue the lawe of the soule that is of reason it is a death When the Prince commaundeth vniustly and when the subiects will not obey the Realme falleth to ruine her temperature altereth resolueth into the first matter loosing her forme It was to that end that wise King Francis the first said that euery estate of Common-wealth or Monarchie consisteth but in two poynts in the iust commaundement of a Prince and the loyall obedience of the subiects Let vs now see why so many euilles and disobediences haue issued from this pandore all commotions such as that of Paris do commonly growe vpon one of these poynts When the people are charged with supportable exactions by the auarice of the Princes that raiseth them vpon the people by inhumaine and infamous waies and impositions as Caligâ—le raised impositions vppon common Stewes Heliogabalus vpon mens vrin and Alexander Seuerus vpon Hot-houses there is alwaies mutenie And therefore the Parrissians vnder Charles the sixt tooke occasion to mutin because the Gabelliers asked a halfe-penny of a poore woman that solde Cresson When the King giueth estates and dignities to vicious rather then vertuous and vnwoorthie rather then woorthie men For as in a consort of musick the different voyces are ruled by one tune from the which they cannot once so litle varrie but they make a discord in the ears of the Musitians Likewise the Common-wealth composed of men of high meane and base quallities that are vnited by Harmonicall proportion according to the which proportion in the distinction of persons and their merits publicque charges ought to bee supplyed And when honours which is the most daintie morsell of vertue is conferred to colde and rawe stomackes it becommeth contemptible The estate of Barron was renowmed in France but it was afterward imbased when Charles the sixt at the siege of Bourdeaux created 500. at on time The order of S. Michael instituted by King Lewis the 11. The order of Saint Michael continued in his glory vntill such time as our Kings gaue it indifferently to all degrees without exception of persons or quallities that they bestowed it
which is of the third estates of the land which represent the whole Realme Although since that time the name of Parliament is applyed to the companies of Soueraigne Courts that haue the ordering of causes both criminall and ciuill That first age of our Monarchie although rude and simple that held our kings like puples vnder the Maiors of the Pallace assembled the Parliament as often as the publike affaires of the Realme required The kings of France were not seene but once a yeare Aymon lib. 4. cap. 30. and the kings that as then retained the grosse vapors of the Daâ—ubian ayre and of the Orientall France were neuer seene but once euery yeare vppon the first day of May in their Parliaments that is in the assembly of the third orders or estates of their Realme in a place called the field of Mars where the king was borne in a Chariot of flowers Aymon li. 4. cap 30. drawne by foure oxen after the rusticall manner and there placed in a royall throne assisted with his Nobilitie hee heard the complaints of his subiects gaue order for all things that were to bee done that yeare and dispatched the Ambassadors of forrain Princes Vnder the second lyne of the kings of France The estate of France in the second line of the kings of France the Empire inlarging it by force and the kings leauing that seuere greatnesse to haue conuersation with their subiects the estates assembled more commonly not at a certaine and fixed day but according to the opportunitie and necessitie of their affaires therefore Pepin that had caused Childeric to bee shorne put into a Cloyster desiring to establish his vsurpation by the vniuersall consent of the people caused the States to bee assembled at Soissons that confirmed it and another time at Compiegne since that time the diuisions and iealousies of the Princes made those assembles to bee more difficult the kings contented themselues with the Parliament as an abridgement of the three estates wherein there was Prelates Noblemen and Deputies of all townes with the Councell of Parris to determine all things that belonged to iustice the Bailiffes and Stewards euery man in his iurisdiction administring the causes of the Common-wealth but when ignorance auarice and cupiditie entered into that first order that an euerlasting and continuall obscuritie had infolded the beautie of lawes men waxing more malicious and thereby fell into diuers deceits and frauds brablings and quarrellings tooke place Bailiffes and Stewards not administring iustice with such integretie and seueritie as was conuenient and our kings hauing not meanes in their Parliaments that alwaies held about them to bee still imployed in hearing particular mens suites the affaires of estate that daily increased as the Monarchie augmented King Philiple Bel caused the Pallace to bee made where soueraigne iudgements should bee giuen Since that Philip surnamed the Long ordained that it should bee composed of a certaine number of persons Controuersies vnder the raign of Philip le Bel. Vpon this President he tooke the order of knighthood one or two Presidents the first President beeing the Counte of Bourgongne a Prince of the blood eight Clarkes and twelue Lay-men foure Maisters of Request two chambers of Requests wherin were eight Lay-men eight Clarkes as Iudges and foure and twentie Atturneyes he called Clarkes men with long gownes married and vnmarried and the rest Laye-men Noblemen or GentlemeÌ„ The Parliament that serued only for iustice hindered not the assembly of the estates for the benefit of the Common-wealth not at a certaine or ordinary time as in England euery three yeares This is a false surmise of the Author Reasons and necessittes vrging the assembly of the Estates but as often as it pleased the king and no other to summon them for one of these three occasions The first when the succession or right of the Crowne was doubtfull and in controuersie or that it was necessarie to prouide for the ruling and gouerning of the Realme during the captiuitie or minoritie of the kings or when they were troubled and wanted the right vse of their memories and sences The second when it was necessarie to reforme the Realm to correct the abuse of Officers Magistrates by troubles and seditions and to reduce things to their first order and integretie The third for the necessities of the kings and their Realmes in those assemblies of the Deputies of all the parts of the Realme they shewed the people in what estate the kings affaires were and they were courteously mooued intreated and exhorted to graunt subsidies aydes and assistances vnto their kings which otherwise would haue contented themselues with their rents and reuenues to maintaine the glorie of royall dignitie they neuer vsed to impose any subsidies or tallages without the consent thereof and said not as Lewis the eleuenth said that Frunce was a medowe that vsed to bee mowed thrise a yeare so for one of these three causes the estates haue been seene to assemble in diuers places and times The yeare 1327.1380 Frosard li. 2. chap. 58.60 In the yeare 1484. In the yeare 1356. In the yeare 1412. Philip Earle of Vertus They assembled in Parris to chuse a Regent during the minoritie of S. Lewis an other time in the same place to prouide for the gouernment of king Charles the sixt in his minoritie and at Tours for Charles the eight that Lewis the eleuenth had left in infancie They assembled in Parris for the libertie of king Iohn prisoner in England and for the phrensie of Charles the sixt whose gouernment was referred to his two Vncles the Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne They assembled at Auxerre to sweare a peace betweene the children of the houses of Orleans and Bourgongne and by their aduice the marriage of the Counte of Vertus brother to the Duke of Orleans with the daughter of the Duke of Bourgongne was made among the ioyes of this peace the Dukes of Orleans and Bourgongne were seene booth vppon a horse sporting themselues with the other Princes to witnesse their amitie and reconciliation yet it was but a fained peace Monstrelet lib. 1. chap. 59. They were againe assembled in the raigne of Charles the sixt at Parris vnder Francis the second at Orleans and vnder Henry the third at Bloys to appease the difference of the new religion abuses desolations excesse to take order for the administring of iustice to rate the monies and to institute the offices for the gouernment of the treasures in the two last the Deputies required two things one the extirpation of heresies but without wars by a free legitimate Councell the second the easing of the poore people by taking accounts of such as abusing the fauour and libertie of the king had inriched themselues by the oppression of his subiects to the end that the blood being drawne into an other part might be brought into the emptie vaines to quicken the head and animate the most
for his part wrought the hearts and mindes of his Adherents by faire promises and most artificiall subtilties to procure the more strength on his side and to cause all the Deputies to haue no other desire and memoriall in their remembrances then the aduancement and triumph of the league The king that would not returne to Parris excusing himselfe by the preparation for the estates went first to Bloys to take order for their place of assembly partition of chambers and lodgings for the Deputies He gaue the charge of the preparation to the Lord of Marle one of the ordinary controwlers of his house in the absence of the Lord of Roddez Great-Maister of the ceremonies of France to take order for the commodious placings of so great a company cōmanded him to bring the deputies one after the other as they arriued into his chamber that he might see heare know them And because the number of those that made most haste were not sufficient in the the kings minde to debate such waightie affaires hee prolonged their meeting till the last day of the same moneth and in the meanetime all the Deputies arriued out of euery place So that in lesse then tenne daies Bloys was as it were the receptacle of all the Realme of France This most religious Prince desiring to begin this assembly with a publike inuocation vppon the name of God commaunded a solemne procession from the Church of Saint Saueor in the great Court of the Castle at Blois vnto the Church of our Ladie des Aydes in the subburbes of Vienne It was a generall shewe of the French pompe and magnificence and specially of the beautie of the Court of so great a king Their order was in this manner first there went the communalties of the Churches after them the Deputies of the people foure in a ranke then followed the Nobilitie seconded by Ecclesiasticall persons after them came Albon Bishops Archbishops and Cardinals foure knights of the Order of the holy Ghost carried the Canape the Archbishop of Aix bearing the holy Sacrament Then followed his Maieftic on foote with the Queenes Princes and Princesses Monsieur de Saintes Bishop of Eureux made the Sermon and the Archbishop of Bourges saide the Masse in our Lady Church all hanged with the kings richest hangings his Maiestie sat in the Quier vpon a seat couered with veluet This procession was made vpon Sunday the second of October and the next day they were to buy their meeting but as then all the Deputies were not come therefore that day there was nothing done but appoynting of places and chambers for conference The spiritualtie met in the Iacobins the Nobilitie in the Pallace the Deputies for the people in the Towne-house the Presidents and officers of euery Order were chosen the Cardinals of Bourbon Guise for the clargie in their absence the Archbishop of Bourges for the Nobilitie the Earles of Brissac the Lord of Marrignac For the third estate or people Michael Marteau Prouost of Merchants of the towne of Parris the Secretaries of the Cleargie were Master Iues le Tartier Dean of S. Stenens church in Troy Iohn Martin Cannon of Perigueux Deputies for the Cleargie of the same places For the Nobilitie Florimond de Dorne Lord of that place Bailiffe of S. Prerrele Monstier Claude de Moniournal Sieur de Sindre Deputies de Bourbonnois Francis d'Alonuille Sieur d'Oisonuille Deputie of the Baliage and Duchy of Estampes The Secretary of the chamber of the third estate was Iohn Courtin Sieur de Nanteuil Deputie for the 3. estate of the Baliage of Boys The first sitting was put off till the 17. day of the same month for two causes the first because they stayed the comming of the Princes of the blood that as then were not arriued in the Towne and the rest of the Deputies The other to haue time to auoyde the differences and iealousies that happened because of the preuentations and delaies made touching the elections and procurations of Deputies The king at that same time caused a fast to bee published and an abstinence from flesh for the space of three whole daies that men might prepare themselues to the holy communion which was receiued by the king in the Church of Saint Saueor within the Castle the Princes and Lords of the Court in diuers Churches all the other Deputies of the third Estate in the Couent of Iacobins where the Cardinall of Bourbon celebrated the Masse and communicated vnto them The sixteenth of October the Hall where the States should sit was opened which was in this maner It is in length fiue twentie paces and nine in bredth with sixe great stone Pillers in the middle hanged with rich cloth of Arras wrought with golde the Pillers couered with hangings of purple veluet imbrodered with flower deluces of gold the toppe of the Hall couered with Tapistrie betweene the third and fourth piller was placed a great seate in manner of a scaffold rising with three steppes about eleuen or twelue inches high fiue paces long and foure broad in the middle whereof stood a great footstoole about foure or fiue inches high foure foot long and eight foote broad and vppon that an other litle footestoole of sixe foote square whereon stood the kings chaire on the right side vppon the great footestoole was the Queene-mothers chaire on the other side the Queen the kings wife behinde their chaires stood the Captaines of the guard and all along the scaffold the two hundreth Gentlemen with their hatchets or poleaxes on the right hand of the king vppon the great scaffold there were two bankes togither couered with purple veluet imbrodred with flower deluces of gold vpon one of thērnearest towads the king sat the princes of the blood the Cardinal of Vendosme the Earle of Soissons and the D. de Monpeslier on the other banke somewhat further sat the Dukes of Nemours de Neuers and de Retz right against those bankes on the left hand the Cardinalles de Guise de Lenoncourt and de Gondy and behinde them two Priors of the Church the Archbishoppe of Langres and the Bishoppe of Chaalons Before the footeftoole vppon the scaffold there stood a chaire without abacke right before the king couered with purple veluet and imbrodered with flower deluces of gold for the Duke of Guise as great Maister of France his backe towards the king and his face to the people on the left hand and vppon the same scaffold stood a chaire for Monsieur de Monthelon keeper of the great seales of France his face towards the Princes of the blood and his backe to the Cardinalles of Guise and Lenoncourt the place at the kings foote that belonged to the Duke de Maine as Chamberlaine of France and that of the Marshall of France that should bee vppon the last steppe of the scaffold were emptie at the foote of the scaffold right before the kings chaire stood atable for the kings Secretaries beeing Monsieur Ruze Lord
sent his letters pattents sealed with the great seale vnto the Inhabitants of Romorantin forbidding them not to administer victualles nor amunition to the company of Monsieur de Souuray and they had expresse commaundement to send vnto him That in presence of the Queene-mother hee had refused his Maiestie to subscribe to the ordinance which hee ment to publish concerning certaine treasons as then practised and pretended That his only intent was in his person as a supposed branch of the house of Charlemaine to reestablish the greatnesse and vsurped authoritie of the ancient Maiors of the Pallace to the ende the king should onely beare the name and that hee might deale with him as Charles Martel did with Chilperic Some that were present at this Councel the more to stirre vp the kings minde by the auncient perill of an vnrecouerable fall from his authoritie to shewe him that his Maiestie was to remember the dreame he had before the League beganne which was that the Lyons and wilde beasts by him nourished in his Castle of the Louure deuoured him The kings dreame or vision and that beeing mooued with this vision hee had caused them to bee killed and among the rest one Lyon being the most furious beast of them all Lastly they put the King in minde of Salcedoes processe which had discouered all the pretence of the Councell holden at Nancy the first article whereof was to cease vpon the Kings person of the Councell of fiue persons holden at Parris in the time of Lent in An. one thousand fiue hundreth eightie seuē wherin the Duke de Maine couertly inuayed against his Maiestie Of the memorials taken about the Aduocate Dauid of the letters sent by the Queene of Denmarke to her sonne the Duke of Lorraine which were found about the Abbot of Billy comming from Rome and withall the attempt of the Barricadoes was not forgotten therewith to end their Councell Considerations that stayed the kings minde But three things caused the kings minde to wauer and to staye long before hee resolued vpon it one the respect of the Pope the second his oath made touching the protection of the states and the third the troubles that this execution would breed by their meanes that fauoureth the Duke of Guise Touching the first it was shewed him that his holinesse beeing aduertised of the Duke of Guise at the erecting of the Barricadoes had ceased vpon the Bastille and Bois de Vincennes hee said vnto the Bishop of Parris that the enterprise was ouer bolde that it touched the estate and that the offence would prooue vnrecouerable That his holinesse had often written vnto his Maiestie that hee should assure himselfe of the estates what meanes soeuer hee made and that in these so apparant daungers there is no remedie whatsoeuer but it may bee vsed that hee needed not to inquire if it were lawfull to be done and that it was for the same cause that his Maiestie had obtained a Confessor by him to bee resolued of all things touching or concerning the holy Sea of Rome That the heads and authors of factions are so odious vnto Princes iealous of the quietnesse of the estate that therein they pardon not their owne blood as king Philip that pardoned not Charles his owne sonne that sought to surprise the low Countries And the Duke of Guise when speeches were vsed touching the disobediences of the Duke of Aniou deceased had alwaies this example of extreame iustice readie to produce It is knowne why the Cardinall of Caraffe was strangeled Pope Sixtus at this day liuing in the first yeare of his pontificates put to death the Counte de Pepoly one of the most famous families in all Italie because hee kept certaine banished persons his kinsmen secretly in his house In this Realme of France Iohn Earle of Harcourt of the blood royal of Scotland Lewis de Luxembourg Constable of France Iaques Counte de la Marche issued from the house of Castille diuers others of as great quallitie and estate as the Duke of Guise haue indured shamefull ends because they practised and made secret leagues with forraine Princes and kings The Pope thoght that the Duke of Guise had borne armes for the religiō but after the Barricadoes once erected hee beleeued it not and although religion were the cause of the warres yet should it not bee lawfull without the kings authoritie The example is both good and memorable in the Historie of the king of Spaine called Leoncilde both an hereticque and an Arrian This Barbarian pursued the Christians and pardoned not his owneson that had bin instructed and conuerted vnto Christian religion by Leander Bishop of Tolede hee banished him out of kingdome This young Prince being mooued at the miseries and persecutions of the Christians in his countrie Qui contra genitorem quamuis hereticum talia cogitarer didtwise raise armes against his father at the first he was ouerthrowne and sent into exile at the second time he was put to death and slaine vpon Easterday S. Gregory Archbishop of Tours in this example noteth the effects of the iudgements of God condemneth the boldnesse of this Prince that The king is not bound by oath nor obligation vnto his subiects rebelled against his father and his king although both an hereticque an Arrian Touching the oath which is the second consideration that stayed his Maiestie and which is neuer broken nor neglected but repentance followeth it was tolde the King that euen as betweene the bond-man and the Lord there is no obligation to bee made that there can bee no strickt promise betweene the subiect and the Prince that the promises made are not to bee obserued that if faith bee not to bee holden with him that cannot iustly bee called an enemie and that hath no authoritie to make warres who by the lawe is termed a theefe or a rouer the Prince is not bound to keepe his promise with a meane subiect who by his rebellion hath first violated his owne faith vnto his Prince Necessitie hath no lawe wee must vse time as occasion serueth that is when necessitie compelleth and when men break their faith and promise In great assemblies great examples of punishing rebelles are done and executed as at the marriage of the Emperour Zeno with the daughter of Ardaburis where the Bridegome was slaine Balisene and the Emperours father in lawe committed prisoners The kings of England and Polonia haue often summoned Parliaments therein to take and surprise the Lords that had rebelled against them Our kings haue arested them beeing at their bankets These great motions haue alwaies some extraordiry event but necessitie and publike vtilitie doth authorise them A league grounded vpon the good will of the people The third obiectiō of this vnresolued resolutiō was the great credit which the Duke of Guise had gotten among the people wherevpon it was shewed the king that as the said Princes part had no other credit but among the multitude
him by the Cardinall de Gondy to aduertise the Popes Legate which done shee went to visit the Cardinall of Bourbon that lay sicke and was kept prisoner And assoon as he espied her with tears in his eies he spake vnto her and said Ah Madame you haue brought vs hither vnto the slaughter She that seemed to be much abashed at so violent vnexpected change that then had happened assured him that shee neither had giuen consent nor aduise to any such thing and that it was a most incredible greefe vnto her soule The death of the Queene-mother vpon the fift of Ianuary 1589. But the Cardinal redoubling his complaints shee left him striken at the heart with so great greefe that presently shee went to bed and died therevppon the fift of Ianuary after much lamented by the king her sonne who as yet had need of her counsell The king going out of his mothers chamber went to heare masse where at large hee informed the Legate of the causes that had constrained him to put the Duke of Guise to death as hauing attempted against his person About euening the Cardinall and the Archbishop of Lyons were taken out of the chamber wherein they had been shut to leade them into an other stronger and darker then the first in the highest part of the Castle But sorrow and greefe had so much seized vppon the Cardinall that what apprehension of death so euer he must haue he could not chuse but sleepe assoone as hee was layde vppon the mattresse prepared for him After his first sleepe his spirits reuiued and considering the extream imbasing of his greatnesse and the fall of his house he complained to himselfe of his misfortunes The Archbishop of Lyons vsed al the meanes he could to disswade him from the thinking of any other thing then onely of death which he suspected to bee the ende of both their persons They imployed all their Philosophie to make it seeme easie and lesse fearefull thereby to dispoyle it of the horrible and straunge shape wherewith it is figured vnto vs. They confessed themselues each to other reconciling themselues to God committing their causes vnto him and in that conceit of death they only attended the commandement when and where they should receiue With that the Cardinall had desire to sleepe vntill morning that the Archbishop of Lyons rose vp left him sleeping not long after he waked him to rise to Martins The king in the mean time was counselled yea solicited by most violent reasons to put the Cardinal to death which counsel at the first Iustice regardeth not the qualities of men seemed perilous vnto him considering the quallitie of that Prelate beeing a Peer of France Archbishop of Reims Cardinall of Rome and President of his Order in the Parliament but after he had been shewed that iustice hath her eyes closed not to behold the quallities of men and that the greater authoritie a man is in the greater is his fault that treason is more apparant and a worse example in a Cardinall then in a simple Priest That the Cardinall of Guise would succeed in the credit of his brother and that hee had alreadie vsed threatning speeches hee determined to make him follow after his brother the Duke of Guise and therevppon commaunded Monsieur de Gast to kill him who excused himself of that commission saying it was not a thing conuenient for a Gentleman of his calling But in fine for foure hundreth Crownes they found foure instruments to execute that commission One of them went into the chamber where the Cardinal sat and making low reuerence told him the king sent for him The Cardinall before hee went asked if hee sent not likewise for the Archbishop of Lyons but aunswere was made that he onely must come vnto him wherevpon with an assured countenance that not seeming to thinke vpon the mischiefe that attended on him about three steps within the dore hee bad the Archbishop of Lyons farewell who perceiuing the Cardinall to go without any apprehention of death said vnto him Monsieur I pray you thinke vppon God at the which word the Cardinall ceised with feare was abashed and turned his head towards the Archbishop who at that instant fell downe vppon his knees before the Crucifix recommending his soule vnto God beleeuing stedfastly that they would do the like to him that he supposed they ment to execute vpon the Cardinall who beeing about three or foure pases without the chamber was inclosed by foure men that with blowes of rapiers poinyards and partisans dispatched him of his life and beeing slaine they stripped him The King going to Masse accompanied by the Cardinall of Vandosme and others met the Barron de Lux who falling downe on his feete offered his head to saue the Archbishop of Lyons his vncle The king that loued the Gentleman and that desired not to loose such a Prelate thinking by his meanes to attaine vnto the Quintessence of the Leaguers deuises assured him of his life but not of his libertie Not long after the king sent Monsieur Guiotard and Monsieur Languetot two of his priuie Councell with a Clarke to examine the Archbishop touching the causes and accusations layde against the Duke of Guise He said vnto them that they being Lay-men had not any iurisdiction ouer an Archbishop and that hee beeing such might not aunswere vnto them desiring them not to trouble him any more therein The answer of the Archbishop of Lyons vpon the Duke of Guises accusatiō They returned this answere vnto the King who presently sent the Cardinall de Gondy to perswade him to satisfie his commaundement and to aunswere to the propositions that should bee made vnto him the Archbishop aunswered him and saide that hee could say nothing against the Cardinall nor the Duke of Guise his brother with whom hee had imbarked himselfe that for his owne person hee neither could nor ought to aunswere before any man but the Pope or to those whom it should please him to appoynt and that as Primate of France he had no other Iudge And that that the Cardinall de Gondy himselfe beeing Bishop of Parris was vnder his primatie that if the Cadinall Morosin Legate for his holinesse by the aduise of other Prelates assembled in the parliament thought it conuenient for him to answere he wold follow their resolutiō and that so doing it shuld be they not the Arch. of Lyons that shuld break the Priuileges immunities of the church The king to the contrary esteemed that considering the quallitie and importance of the cause he was not bound to haue recourse vnto the Pope to examine the trueth of the Duke of Guises actions It was shewed him The king hath power ouer Bishops that the priuiledge which the Archbishop demaunded much derogated the soueraigntie and power of his Maiestie who at all times had iurisdiction ouer the Bishops of his Realme specially in things touching the Crowne and when processe was to be
finally had indeuoured to kill the king by the meanes of Barriere who was executed at Meleun as hee deposed a little before his death These considerations were cause that the first resolution taken by the Vniuersitie of Paris since the Citties reduction was to require the banishing of the Iesuites To this effect a supplication was presented to the Court of Parliament who hauing a certaine time despised the authoritie thereof in the end constrained by an act made the seuenth of Iuly containing that the indightment which was to be giuen against them should be heard the Monday following in a publicque audience to be iudged in open field they did that day entertaine their Aduocates and men of law in the great chamber before the audience were readie who did declare that to defend the cause on their behalfe he was constrained to say many hard things against diuers that were knowne to bee the kings true seruaunts and for this occasion they requested that the cause might bee pleaded within doores This deuice was made to hinder the people from the cleare knowledge of the corrupt and pernicious purposes of the Iesuites pretending to make all Europe subiect to the Spaniards but for as much as they had obtained their request this inuention had no such successe as they looked for For all their pleadings which were done close within doores was afterward openly published in print where the Aduocates of the vniuersitie men learned and deepely affectioned to the Romaine Church did particularly represent and discouer to the full the horrible wicked and insupportable malice of that sect But the deciding of the matter was suspended Gods prouidence reseruing the same to an othertime which came sooner then many looked for The Spaniards being desirous to continue the fire of discention in France instantly solicited the Duke de Mercoeur Warres in Britaine one of the chiefe of the league and an vsurper of a part of the Duchie of Brittaine alwaies to continue warre His sister Loyse of Vaudemont king Henry the thirds widdow did all shee might to make his peace Certaine troubles hapning in the meane time broke all that was done The Spaniards which were Maisters of Blauet a Fortresse almost inuincible had builded during the Sommer of the yeare 1594. a strong Fort neare vnto Croysil to stoppe◠he enterance to the port of Brest which would haue beene better for them if they had made another right against it and on the other side of the hauen Sir Iohn Norris Captaine Forbisher To hinder them came the Marshall d'Aumont and S. Iohn Norris Generall of the Englishmen to whom was sent a supply by sea vnder the conduct of Captaine Forbisher they soone became Maisters of Quimpercorencin and of the Towne and Castle of Morlay Soone after they assailed the Spaniards new fort and slew foure hundreth souldiers that kept it not without losse of their own men among other the said Forbisher The king on the other side deliberating to make war out of his own realm against the Spaniards agreed with the States of Holland and their confederates to beginne in the Duchie of Luxembourg where the Marshall of Bouillon who married one of the daughters of the deceased Prince of Orange and Earle Philip of Nassau assayed to enter in the moneth of October where they found all the passages shut vp and Earle Charles of Mansfield making head against them especially on the troupes of Holland The king on the other side sought to ouerrunne the frontiers of Picardie and gaue the estates of Artois and Hainaut to vnderstand that if they fauoured him so little to suffer the Spanish forces to molest Cambray and the countries adioyning that hee would then make warre vppon them incontinent This message beeing sent in writing from Amiens by a Trumpetter about the midst of December the estates knew not what to say vnto it and before they would make answere they opened the matter vnto the Arch-duke Ernest the king of Spaines Lieftenant in the lowe Countries whom they intreated that the warre might not continue perceiuing the desolations that were like to follow therevppon and that which had alreadie afflicted them but this Prince who deceased shortly after could neither doo any thing for himselfe nor in their behalfe The seuen and twentieth of December as the king was returning from Picardie to Parris readie booted and spurd within a chamber at Louure hauing about him his cousins the Prince of Countie the Earle of Soissons the Earle of Saint Paul and thirtie or fortie other Lords Gentlemen of his Court there came also in the Lords of Ragne and Montigni who had not as yet taken their leaue of his Maiestie And euen as hee was receiuing them Iohn Chastill attempteth to kil the king hurts him in the mouth and is for the same put to death and in Princely manner kissing them for his farewell a young stripling named Iohn Chastill of a small stature and about eighteene or nineteene yeares of age a Drapers sonne of Parris who was slid into the chamber among the preace drew neare vnto the king before hee was almost perceiued of any bodie and suddainly would haue smote him in the bodie with a knife which hee had in his hand but by reason that his Ma. was verie readie to take vp the Lords which were on their knees before him in his stooping hee strooke him in the face on the vpper iaw on the right side therewithall cutting out one of his teeth Presently this miserable catiue was taken and after hee would haue excused the deed incontinent vppon examination hee confessed the whole trueth voluntarily and without compulcion The king commaunded the Captaine of his guard that had taken him after that hee had throwne his knife to the ground to let him go saying that hee freely forgaue him But afterward vnderstanding that he was a scholler to the Iesuites he said And must it needs be that the Iesuites should bee confounded by my mouth This Parriside beeing brought vnto the Bishops prison freely declared the circumstance of his euill intent discouering many of the Iesuites secret practises Among many other things hee remembred that he heard the fathers of that holy societie say that it was lawfull to kill the king that hee was excommunicate out of the Church that hee was not to bee obeyed nor to be taken for their king vntill such time as he was allowed by the Pope The Court of Parliament cōdemning this Chastil of treason in the highest degree caused him honourably to be brought naked in his shirt before the principal gate of the Cathedrall Church in Parris holding in his hand a taper of waxe lighted of two pound waight and there on his knees to confesse and declare that most wickedly and traiterously hee had attempted this most inhumane and most traiterous parriside hauing hurt the king with a knife in the face That by false and damnable instructions hee had maintained by argument that it was lawfull to
kill these kings and that king Henry the fourth at that present raigning was not of the Church till such time he was allowed by the Pope of all which hee repented himselfe asking forgiuenesse of God of the King and of the lawes which done hee was conueyed vnto the place of execution carrying in his hand the murthering knife wherewith hee intended to murther the king the which was there first cut off his flesh puld off with hotte burning pincers hoth from his armes and thighes after that his bodie was drawne and halde in peeces with foure horses and his quarters cast into the fire and consumed to ashes and the ashes scattered in the winde Moreouer by the same act of Parliament it was forbidden to all persons of what estate condition or quallitie soeuer they were on paine to be punished as traitors to say or publish in any place whatsoeuer the aforesaid slaunder to witte that the king was not of the Church till hee had the Popes allowance or approbation or that it was lawfull to kill the kings By which they Henry 3. Henry 4. vnderstood kings that were not authorised by the Pope In what reputatiō were the Iesuites before the first Parliamēt in Frāce The Court hauing declared the said reports to be scandelous seditious contrarie to the word of God and condemned as false and hereticall by all holy decrees Ordaining also that all the Priests and Schollers of Clermont Colledge and all other of the same societie of Iesus to bee held and reputed as corrupters of youth disturbers of the publicke peace enemies to the king and the estate to auoyde within three daies after the proclamation of the said Edict out of Parris and all other places and Townes where their Colledges are and within fifteene daies after out of the kingdome on paine that being found or taken after the said time prefixed to be punished as guiltie of the said crime of treason That their goodes mooueable and immooueable shall be forfeited and imployed as the said Court shall giue order Forbidding moreouer from thencefoorth all the kings subiects to send their children to any Colledges of that societie out of the kingdome to bee their instructed or trained vppe on the same paine to bee punished as guiltie of high treason This Edict was pronounced to Iohn Chastel executed on thursday the 29. of December During the imprisonment of Chastel some of the Deputies of the Court which were sent to search the Iesuites Colledges hauing seized vppon many papers found among them certaine written bookes made by a Iesuite Priest named Iohn Guignard since the generall pardon giuen by the King to the people of Parris there was written in these bookes many vilde matters both against Henry the third deceased as against Henry the fourth now liuing containing nothing but traiterous practises among the rest these words were found The king was born at Bern for which cause they cal him Bernois That the Bernois being now conuerted to the Catholicke faith was more gently vsed then he deserued that if they would inuest him with the royall Crown they shuld do it in some wel reformed couent wher hee might doo penance for all the euils which hee hath done in France that thankes might be also giuen to God for that hee had giuen him grace to acknowledge his wickednesse before his death That if he might not be deposed without war they ought to war against him and to kill him if he did not otherwise That the Crowne of France ought to be transferred to an other familie then that of Bourbon That Iames Clement did an heroicall act in murthering Henry the third The Court hauing seene such writings sent for Guignard before them who auouched all he had written by meanes whereof he was found guiltie and condemned to be hanged to death which thing was executed the seuenth of Ianuarie Peter Chastel father to Iohn and Iohn Gueret Schoolemaister or Tutor to the young traitor were the same time banished the father for a certaine time out of Parris the tutor for euer out of the realm not to returne on paine of death Moreouer the father was condemned to pay for a fine 2000. Crowns and commadement giuen that his house shuld he puld downe to the ground and a stone piller set in the place where it did stand with an inscription of the cause wherfore it was thus raced The court at that time did again looke ouer Peter Barrieres iudgements wherin the wicked counsel of Varade a notable Iesuite was more throughly marked who had principally and more then any other induced Barriere to kil the K. whom he called tyrant It was also testified that two Switzers passing by Besancon a fewe daies before Chastelles deede was attempted did meet two men attired like Iesuites who said one to the other for shortly the king of Nauarre shall bee either slaine or hurt which deede they esteemed most meritorious in the kingdome of heauen It was also noted that a Iubelie had bin published at Rome which the kings enemies called a peece of ordenance to confound the Bernois as if it had been a good worke the same was also vnderstood by the Spaniards lately arriued in Brittain to succor the rebels This was also hoped for by the Iesuits namely by those that were at Paris some of whom as their Colledges were inuironed about with watchmen incontinent after the king was hurt cried at their gates to their companions in these words Surge frater agitur de religione There were also found among these Iesuites many Anagrames against the king and certain rimes made in their Chases wherof the argument was to suffer death constantly and to assaile the tyrants Againe there was it found that the Maisters of the Colledges of Clermont depriued and forbad the Schollers at any time to pray for the king since the yeelding of Parris to his Maiestie saying that all such as went to heare his Masse were excommunicate Moreouer it was prooued and iustified against an other Iesuite a Scotchman named Alexander Haius that hee taught the people publickly that they might dissemble and obey the King for a time oftentimes faintly speaking these words Iesuita est omnis homo This Iesuite was also charged that he had oftentimes vsed these speeches that if the king did at any time passe before their Colledge that hee would fall out of the window vpon him to the end he might breake his necke On these accusations his inditements being drawne and that his words were found to bee spoken before the yeelding of Parris the Court did onely banish him out of the Realme of France for euer It appeared also by other informations sent from Bourges made the seuenth of Ianuarie that one named Francis Iacobe a Scholler of the Iesuites at Bourges vanted that he wold kill the King but that he thought he was dead alreadie thinking that an other had done the deed In consideration of these matters aforesaid and other prooues
of the league and resistance made by the heads Arrest of the Parliament of Chaalons against the Popes bull and assembly of the estates of the league Proceedings of the heads of the same Death of the Duke of Parma Attempts of the Duke of Maine after his death His declaration against the king 93. The king maketh answere to the Duke And his Councell offer a proposition to the estates of the league who are turned aside out of the way of peace by the Popes Legate and Spanish Ambassadour The king is solicited to go to Masse wherevnto the leaguers apply all their pollicies ouerthrown before by the Parliament of Parris The king maketh profession of the Romaine religion wherevpon ensueth a generall truce and new practise of the leaguers to withdraw the people from acknowledging him In the meane while the tragedies of Peter Barriere are a playing who desirous to haue a part in the league conspired against the life of the king and Duke de Nemours The leaguers turne themselues on euery hand for ther owne maintenance and to ruinate those of the religion Stratagems of certaine Polititians against the king who expresseth his good will to those of the religion and looseth that which he had conquered in Piedmont 94. He bringeth the league vnder subiection enforceth rebellious townes to their former obedience namely Parris where the Parliament opposeth it selfe against the Spanyardes After certaine goings too and fro to Rome the lesse desperate Leaguers are receiued to fauour Amongst others the Parisians who are woont to chase away the auncient enemies of France published a decree or arrest against the league and the Duke de Maine What ensued vpon a fauourable declaration of the king who in Picardie pursued the remainders of this vnion During this the Vniuersitie prosecuted the Iesuites Warre is noysed in Brittain and towards the lowe Countries About the end of the yeare a disciple of the Iesuites attempted to kill the king 95. Processe against the Iesuites and their secret complots discouered Warre proclaimed against the king of Spaine Leaguers of Soisson hewen in peeces Spaniards discomfited in the Dukedome of Luxembourg Warre in Franch-Countie Beaune surrendred to the king Memorable explopts both of one and other part Duke d'Aumale executed in his image and portrature The siege of Fere. The king obtaineth absolution from the Pope Estates of Picardie 96. Marseilles reduced vnder the kings obedience The Cardinall of Austria releeueth Fere and by force of armes taketh Callais and Ardes Neuerthelesse Fere is by composition deliuered into the kings hands Afterwards Marshall Biron made diuers incoursions into Artois And the amitie betweene the king the Queen of England and the vnited Prouinces of the low Countries was confirmed The king conuocateth the estates at Roan discouering briefly vnto them his intention Henry the seconde M. D. XLVII HENRY the second of that name and the 59. King of France Pharamond the only sonne of Francis the first that died vppon the 30. day of the moneth of March in the year of our Lord 1547. succeeded in the Crowne by order of succession according to the auncient salicque lawe of the land Hee while the Nobilitie were busied to prouide for the obsequie and funerals of his deceased father and staying for his sacrying anoynting in the moneth of Aprill following made and ordained an edict An edict against blasphemers to be published against blasphemers of the name of God which action made shewe of a notable and commendable beginning yet that so laudable a worke continued no longer in force then many others had done before it Neuerthelesse it wrought this effect that thereby it euidently appeareth that succession and not the sacrying and annoynting of a Prince is the chiefe originall of royall authoritie The 16. of Iulie the Court was much troubled by a contention and memorable action that happened betweene Messieurs de Iarnac and Chastegneraye gentlemen of great account that had defied each other by reason of certaine words vsed by one of them which had procured the other to giue the lie The King in steade of ending their cause by aduise of his Councell and to constraine the offender to satisfie the offended graunted them the combat wherevpon according to the Kings appoyntment they appeared vpon the day aforesaid at S. Germaines in Laye where in the presence of the King Princes Lords and others they entred into the lists There Monsieur Iarnac who by all the company was esteemed the weaker by reason he was newly recouered of a certaine sicknesse withall despised and litle fauored ouercame the other to whom before they entered into the combat euery man adiudged the victorie and wounded him in such sort that not long after he died to the Kings great griefe who vppon that occasion expresly forbadde all combats whatsoeuer in this manner hee beganne with a bloodie tragedie and ended with the like as heereafter you shall heare The King sacred at Reims The 27. of Iulie after hee was sacried and annoynted at Reims with all the auncient accustomed ceremonies therevnto belonging in the presence of twelue Peeres spirituall and temporall The spiritual were the Arch-bishop of Reims the Bishop of Langres Beauuais Noyon Laon and Challons the temporall the Duke of Bourgongne Normandie and Guyenne the Earles of Champagne Flaunders and Thoulouse Most part of the Princes Nobilitie of the Realme being likewise present with diuers Ambassadours of straunge nations But the Ambassadours of Florence Mantoue and Ferrare came not by reason of a controuersie that fell out between them concerning their preheminence of places and for that they could not agree therevppon they absented themselues till the cause was further debated The Constable exalted Anne de Montmorency Constable of France who certaine yeares before had been bannished the Court and secretly held at Chantilly as soone as Francis the first died was repealed againe and the new king committed the principall charge of the affaires of the Realme vnto him which at that time were executed by the Cardinall de Tournon the Admirall Annebaut who as then had good leisure to repose themselues yeelding their place to him whom the king termed his Gossep one that in times past had done him many seruices as afterward hee did Mesieurs de Longueual d'Espars de Boncour de Framezelle de Antipe the Barron de la Garde the Generall Bayard and others were narrowly sought and pursued for diuers secret causes in such sort that some of them were forced to saue themselues by the gilded Gate others by meanes of their friends Warres in in Scotland The king hauing made a Progresse into Picardie went further into the Realme and caused an Armie to bee leuied vnder the conduct of Monsieur D'esse to ayde the Queene Dowager of Scotland against the Englishmen causing her to be safely conducted into Scotland to the end to impeach the vnion of both those Realmes which might bee to the preiudice of France and thereby to
maintaine the ancient amitie that had long continued betweene the countries of France and Scotland Monsieur Pierre Strossie Coronell of certaine Italian companies Monsieur D'andelot Coronell of the French Infanterie the Rhingraue General of the Lansquenets accompanied Monsieur D'esse And while they with their Troupes kept the Englishmen from inuading Scotland by land Leon Strossi Prior of Capoue with his Gallies and certain French ships came close vnder the Castle of S. Andrew which he entred by force and taking all that hee found therein returned into France D'esse presently after draue the Englishmen out of a Fort by them erected hard by that Castle but before the fire waxed greater by meeting of Ambassadours on both sides the peace before spoken of and propounded at Ardies betweene the kings of England and France was made and concluded whereby that warre ceased The rest of this yeare passed ouer without any matter of importance done in France The king hauing taken such order in Guyenne touching the Impost of Salt and other customes that in fine it prooued the spring and beginning of those insupportable exactions that bred and produced the seditions of the yeare ensuing Ordinances for custome of Salt and other things Autome all the rest of the year was much troubled with showers of raigne whereof ensued great ouerflowings and invndations of waters foreshewings and prescriptions of the troubles that after ensued both within and without the Realme The house of Guise being insinuated into the kings good fauor by means of Diane de Poictiers Duches of Valentinois that wholly ruled him hee gaue the Arch-Bishoppricke Bishoppricke of Reims to Charles yonger brother to the Duke of Guise to whom not long before Pope Paul Farnese had sent the Cardinals Hat this was The Cardinal of Lorraine solicited the Pope to take part with the king of France that great and so much renowmed Cardinall of Lorraine that liued in such fame in the times of the Kings successors to Henry the second Charles of Burbon brother to Henry Duke of Vandosine and after King of Nauarre was also made Cardinall at the same time But the difference was great betweene these two Cardinals The Lorraine a man of great iudgement and one that seemed to be borne onely to stirre vp strife within the Realme was as then sent and imployed in Ambassage vnto the Pope to drawe and perswade him to fauour the King of Francis part and wholly to disswade him from the Emperour against whom as then he was much incensed because his Lieftenant in Italie had ceased vppon the towne of Plaisance after the murther of Pierre Louis the Popes sonne slaine by the conspiracie of his owne subiects the 10. of September 1547. The Emperour and the King sent vnto the Councell The Emperour sent his Ambassadours to the Councell as then holden in Bologne to protest against such as were assembled in that place thereby to induce them to returne againe vnto Trent The King likewise sent his Ambassadors thither to exhort thē to looke vnto thēselues and to prouide for their affaires These practises and deuises in time prooued the sparkles of the fire of vengeance and desire of reenterie into warres inclosed within the hearts and breasts of those two Princes specially of the King who partly prouoked by the opinion of his meanes and partly solicited by such as knowing his nature much inclined to the delights and pleasures of the Court and of a soft spirit little practised or brokē with matters of estate thought to fish in a troubled water as the common saying is not beeing able to distresse the peace made with the Emperor at Cresoy in the year of our Lord 1544. complayning against the animositie of the Emperour vsed towards France and among other examples to pricke him alleadging the death of Coronel Vogelsberg beheaded at Ausbourge at his returne from the warres of Scotland where he had serued the King While the King made preparation to ride on progresse throughout his Realme Gasper de Colligny sieur de Chastillon sent into Picardie The Fort of Chastillon caused a fort to be erected near vnto Bullen that as then was holden by the Englishmen which after annoyed them much The King beeing in Bourgongne made his entrie into most part of the Townes and hauing visited La Bresse Sauoye and Piedemont returned vnto Lyons where hee held a feast for the Knights of the order of S. Michaell Commotions in Guyenne by reason of exactions During his voyage into Sauoye and Piedemont the commons of Guyenne Saintonge and Angoulmois rose vp in armes because of the extortions vsed by those that had farmed the impost of salt and in short space assembled to the number of 40000. men wel armed besides those of the ylands and by common consent set vppon the farmers of Salt and although in the beginning the king of Nauarre had sought by all meanes to disswade them neuerthelesse they held firme and earnestly pursued their enterprise against those of the farmers vppon whom they might lay hands The commons of Gascoigne likewise rose vppe and followed the pernicious examples of the rest whereof ensued the massacring of many of the Kings officers in diuers places of the countrie who abusing their offices had beene the causes of that mutinie Fault of the Gouernour the Iurats of Bourdeaux The Maior and Iurates hauing charge within the Cittie of Bourdeaux the parliment of Guyenne and Monsieur de Monneins that therein commaunded as Lieftenant for the King in stead of remedying and taking order for those tumults defended it too long specially Monsieur de Monneins who not reproouing the insolencie of one of the principal leaders of those troupes named La Vergne made him become so bold and impudent that not long after he presumed to rayse and call the people togither by sound of bell besides this he committed an other fault which is that beeing fearefull and hauing withdrawne himselfe into the Castle of du Ha thereby as hee supposed to put the people in some doubt He sent out diuers Caliuers at seuerall times to represse their insolencie but it fell out contrary to his intent For that this issuing of the Souldiours set the people in such a rage that hauing found mutinous companions for the purpose as La Vergne l'Estonnac Maquanan and others presently they fought where the farmers and their partakers were put to flight and many gentlemens houses vnder pretence of searching for the exactors of Imposts whom they affirmed to bee hidden therein were robbed and spoyled Disorder in the capitall Towne of Guyenne The commons entred into the Towne where they rung a bell to assemble the people no man daring to passe through the streets vnlesse hee were armed and in company of the Nobles otherwise they were cruelly massacred and murthered by such as met them The Councellers of the Court of parliment were constrained to put off their gownes and in their dubblets and hose with
Oppede whereof he was Lord vnder pretence of religion was become a mortall enemy vnto those of Cabrieres and Merindol where those husbandmen dwelt who in haruest time in despight of Menier reaped the corne which as then they found vpon their ground which hee held from them by force so that as then the execution was pursued And thervpon the Parliament at the instant request of M nier sent an huissier to the Cardinall de Tournon at whose request king Francis the first sent letters pattents to the parliament for the execution of that first sentence and by that meanes in the moneth of Aprill 1545. Menier naming himselfe Lieftenant to Monsieur de Grignan Gouernour of Prouence hauing assembled an armie of theeues and beeing accompanied by Monsieur de la Garde set fier in diuers villages about Merindol sent great numbers of poore Countrie-men into the Gallies and caused a young man to bee openly harquebushed and finding no man within Merindol pilled sacked burnt and rased all the houses and hauing besieged battered and by composition taken the litle Towne of Cabrieres in stead of holding his promise made vnto them he chose out 25. or 30. men such as pleased him that were cut and massaced to peeces in a Medowe that lay vnder the Towne about 40. women wherof most of them were great with childe were burnt within a barne and many beeing found hidden in their Cellors were tyed two and two togither and so ledde into the Hall of the Castle of Cabrieres where they were most cruelly murthered Within the Church many olde women young maides and children that had saued themselues were all put to the sword The number of the slaine and massacred amounting vnto 800. persons and more The Barron de la Garde ledde aboue 800. persons away and put them into the Gallies where the most part of them died in great miserie Many women and maides were deflowred and great numbers ledde prisoners to Marseille Aix and Auignon Diuers villages beeing wholly burnt and consumed by fire whereby the desolation and misery of that countrie was exceeding great But king Francis being sicke for the space of certaine years after that cruell massacre and vrged in conscience with a remorse of that mischiefe whereof hee had partly beene the cause and sorrie before his death hee could not execute open punishment vppon those that abusing his name and authoritie had committed so horrible a mischiefe among his subiects of Prouence expresly charged his sonne Henry not to deferre that punishment saying that if he put it in obliuion God wold bee reuenged thereof against him and that their memorie would remaine in horrour and execration vnto all straungers if the persons that had committed so notable a crime should bee suffered to escape vnpunished This clause expresly set downe within the Kings testament aduanced the discredit on the Cardinall of Tournon and put Grignan and la Garde in great paine but to conclude they had more feare then hurt for the king by his letters patents of the 17. of March 5549. caused the matter to bee heard by the Court of Parliament in Parris where Menier and three others his companions appeared in person the rest of the Councellors by their Atturneyes And there after long proces in stead of punishment one man onely called Guerin a Councellor lesse culpable then the rest was hanged in Parris Menier principal of that massacre escaped and falling out of his wits died beeing ceased with a secret fire within his bodie in the open sight knowledge of all the countrie of Prouence The rest of the matter vanished as it were in a smoke before the sight of men but God made both the king his Councell all his Realme to know and well perceiue that the blood of so many innocent persons and others that were put to death both before and after that time for the confessiō of the Gospell is most precious in his sight as the things that happened and fell out in the yeares ensuing haue well declared which we must in order set downe as time and place shall serue The death of Margaret Queene of Nauarre The same year in the month of December did Margaret de Orleans Queen of Nauarre sister to king Francis the first a most noble and famous Princesse and of as notable a spirit as any that liued in her time In the beginning of this year the king suppressed and abolished the imposition of salt in the countrie of Guyenne with all the officers that had the execution thereof for the summe of 450000. frankes with the countries of of Poicton Saintonge Angoulmois Perigort high and lowe Limosin and high lowe Marthe should pay vnto him with 25000. frankes to the officers for their charges Touching those of Bourdeaux in the month of October before they had procured and obtained a general pardon vpō condition that they and their successors shuld alwaies keep two ships furnished for the wars readie to put to sea to serue vnder whomsoeuer it should please the king to commaund and to receiue into the Castles of Trompette and du Ha such garrison as the king should send into them and to victuall them with all sorts of victualls which they should yearely furnish and renue taking away the olde And therevpon in the moneth of Ianuarie after the king reestablished the parlement and their Towne was reduced into the former estate they that had beene beaten making the amends Three Presidents in Parris displaced and after reestablished onely Liset At that time three Presidents of Parris not well thought of by the house of Guise as then beeing in great credit were displaced out of their offices but not long after S. Andre Minard hauing promised to become good seruitors were restored againe Liset was made Abbot of S. Victor that an other of lesse iudgement then himselfe might haue his place And so hee tooke vppon him to deale in matters of diuinitie wherein hee sped so hardly and of a good practition hee became so ignoranta sophister that falling in a great laughter hee was suddainly taken with a disease and so died Hee shewed himselfe a sworne and perpetual enemie to those of the religion thinking to aduance himselfe by cruell inuentions but hee was cut off by the way thereby seruing for an example to many better men then himselfe not to bandie against him vho is able to surprise and intrappe the subtillest in their fond inuentions and against whom the wisedome and force of man is nothing but meere beastlinesse and vanitie Remedies for false clipt mony This yeare because that most of the mony in France was found to be clipped by the kings edict al such mony was commaunded to bee cut in peeces and molten and many of that occupation among the which were diuers quoyners executed Bullen restored to the King In the monthes of Februarie and March a peace was agreed vppon betweene the kings of England France wherevpon
the 25. of Aprill insuing Bullen was deliuered into the hands of the king of France who made his entrie into it vpon the 25. of May after About that time died Claude de Lorraine first Duke of Guise and Iohn Cardinall of Lorraine both beeing poysoned with Humieres the Cardinall of Amboise and Iohn of Caracciol Prince of Melphe Lieftenant generall for the King in Piedemont and Marshall of France after whom succeeded Charles de Cosse Barron de Brissac in his time a most valiant Captaine Now wee enter into warres Occasion of warres begun betweene France and Spaine as hotly begunne as euer they were betweene the Frenchmen and the Spaniards The king from time to time casting his eyes vppon the Duchie of Millan and withall remembring the titles therevnto pretended by the house of Orleans wherevnto they neuer renounced beeing no lesse sorrie for that which had happened in Plaisance in regard of Pierre Louis sonne to Pope Paul Fernese who therin had been slaine by his houshold-seruants For besides that the report went that it had been done and practised by the subtill meanes of Ferdinand de Gonzague Lieftenant for the Emperour in Lombardie thereby to aduance his maisters affaires he had ceased vppon Plaisance The Pope desirous to reuenge himselfe and hauing not an arme as strong as his heart had sent Camille Vrsin to keepe and defend Parma and accepted the offer by the king in ayde vnto him which was to receiue the familie of Farneses and al their lands and goods into his protection The Pope had giuen Parma vnto his Nephew Octauian who not long after was inuested therewith by Iulius the third successour vnto Paul but the Emperour pretending that the Title of protector belonged better to him then to the King that had nothing to doo in Italie and perceiuing that accord between the king and the Pope to be as a thorne within his foote determined to assure himselfe of Parma wrought in such maner that Pope Iulius abandoned his vassall Octauian that had espoused the Emperours Bastard-daughter Octauian repaired to the king that named himselfe Protector of the lands of the Church and of the Ferneses and Pope Iulius being solicited to take order therein made no account thereof wherevppon the king determined to ayde Octauian and not long after Gonzague besieged Parma which caused the king to commaund the Marishall of Brissac his Lieftenant in Peidemont to fortifie and strengthen Mirandole but Gonzague hauing discouered the enterprise surprised the Soldiours that Marshiall Brissac sent thither and caused them to stay On the other side the Pope began to threaten the king because hee had receiued Octauian into his protection and said he would excommunicate him and all the Realme of France To coole the Popes chollor the king expresly forbadde all his subiects not to carrie any mony to Rome neyther yet to go thither for any cause whatsoeuer ordaining the Metropolitans of his Realme to supply their default therein vntill further order should bee taken This was no small blowe vnto the Court of Rome and surely if the king had still continued in that mind the Popes had neuer pilled France in such maner as afterward they did but thereby they had beene taught to become wise Which had surely beene a beginning of reformation throughout Christendome but it being grounded onely vppon temporall considerations and commodities it proceeded to no good end Octauian was declared a rebell vnto the Sea of Rome and presently war was proclaimed against him Gonzague entering by armes into the territories of Parma Beginning of warres beyond the Mountaines On the other side the king dispatched newe forces into Piedemont commaunding the Marshall of Brissac to ayde those of Parma and Mirandole From whence proceeded the taking of Quiers S. Damian with certaine Forts Castles in the Marquisall of Montferrat Whereby Gonzague was constrained to leaue Parma to defend the Millannois At that time the Emperour found himselfe much busied with many important affaires hauing to doo both with the king of Fance the Turkes and Affrica besides the troubles which as then were not fully ended in Almaine The Histories are very diuers touching the breach of this peace betweene the Emperour and the king but it must bee vnderstood by this newe commotion happened betweene two so puissant Princes for asmall matter as it outwardly appeared that they sought some former quarrell whereinto both of them most willingly entred vnder pretence of their new warre for Parma but aboue all things the iust iudgement of God minding to scourge Christendome as then filled with all disorders and culpable of greeuous crimes was the onely cause thereof Preparation for warres in Picardie In the beginning of the yeare 1551. Marie Queene of Hungaria sister to the Emperour and Gouernour in the lowe Countries made great preparations for warres both by sea and land And vnderstanding that the Marshall de S. Andre was readie to sayle into England to beare the order of France vnto Edward king of England sent certaine shippes to lye betweene Douer and Calis to take the Marshal who taking shippe at Deepe held an other course and so performed his voyage And for his securitie hee caused certaine Flemish shippes to bee stayed at Deepe which were presently released assoone as they vnderstood of his arriuall in England On the other side Queene Marie caused an arest to be made of all French Marchants shippes that as then were in any Port within the lowe Countries wherewith diuers Marchants were not very well pleased by reason of the disorders and losses that commonly happen by such arrests Monsieur de Villebon minding to refresh Turouenne wherein hee commaunded with new victuals Monsieur du Reux a great aduersarie to France sent certaine Souldiours to lye in Ambuscado and to impeach that enterprise but in the end hee was constrained to retire without effecting that they went for Irons in this sort beeing heated commaundement was giuen to the Ambassadors on both parts to depart The Queene of Hungaria stayed the Ambassadour of France prisoner in a certaine Castle with a great guard where hee stayed for a time The kings proceedings towards the Pope the Emperour and the Councell of Trent But before further proceeding vnto warres the king sent Monsieur de Termes to Pope Iulius to excuse himselfe in respect of that which he had done in the behalf of Octauian Fernese hee likewise shewed vnto the Emperour what reason mooued him to take armes and sent the Abbot of Bellosanne to signifie vnto the councel of Trent that hee could not send the Bishops of his Realme vnto such a Councell neyther yet esteeme that assembly to bee a generall Councell that they should respect the animositie of the Pope against the Realme of France and the eldest sonne of the Church and therefore that they should not finde it straunge if hee seemed not to shewe obedience to that assembly not made for the common benefite of Christendome but onely for
into Almaine whereby hee shewed as if hee woulde haue driuen the Emperour and all his adherents out of those Countries And minding to goe thither in person in the moneth of March he being in the Court of Parliament in Parris named and ordained Catherin de Medicis his wife Regent of the Realme The first Regency of Catherin de Medicis making many Edicts concerning pollitique Gouernment the ordering of Souldiers and the obseruation of military discipline thereby reforming both the abuse of the Leaders and the insolency of the souldiers so that as then you might haue seene both good and commendable orders among all the souldiers as well on this side as beyond the Mountaines France likewise abounded with Princes Lords Gentlemen and souldiers well ordred and gouerned in respect of that which after was seene in the time of Henry his sonne The Constable Genenall of the army A good order and pollicie among souldiers but not long obserued assisted by the Princes of the bloud and other Noblemen of France marched towards Victry where the Army was to assemble and besides the newe and olde companies of French souldiers there came twentie of the olde companies of Piedemont such as might compare both with the Phalangees of the Macedonians and the auncient Romanes those of Gascoigne seconded them the companies of Monsieur de Duras for the most part beeing composed of Gentlemen and olde Souldiers euerie man able to commaunde Of all this Infantery next to the Admirall Monsieur Chastillon was Coronell besides 10000. Lansquenets in twentie Companies and diuided into two Regiments conducted by Recrod and Rhingraue their Coronels with a great number of horsemen sent vnto the king by the Protestant Princes vnder the conduct of Coronell Chartel The French horsemen whereof Claude de Lorraine Duke of d'Aumalle yongest sonne of the house of Guise was Leader were 1500. men of armes euery man hauing two Archers with him all made 4500. horses 2000. light-horse and as many caliuers on horse-backe Of voluntarie souldiers both Gentlemen and others there were so great numbers that all the countrie was couered with horses but now wee must see what all these troupes effected The Duke and the countrie of Lorraine put into the kings hands The Constable beeing neere to Thoul Chrestienne Duches Dowager of Lorraine came vnto the king byding at Ginuille there to excuse her selfe of the suspitions imposed vpon her because the Emperour was her near kinsman and considering the tempest that as then threatned Lorraine shee committed her selfe and Charles her sonne into the protection of the king who sent the young Prince vnto the Dauphin his sonne where hee was brought vppe and after married a daughter of France Meane time Thoul yeelded vnto the Constable which done he parlied with the Towne of Metz an imperiall and faire Cittie they offered to serue the armie with victuals for their mony and to permitte the king with all his Princes free passage through the Towne as at other times they had done vnto the Emperour but the Constable hauing partly perswaded them by promises and then vsing some threatnings Metz an imperiall Towne surprised and brought vnder the French king in great chollor said vnto thē that the king wold haue a passage and repassage through their Towne without any conditions and that it were best for them not to hazard the contrary if they minded to obtaine the kings good will and fauour without the hurt and discommoditie of his armie Those of Metz would gladly haue resisted both by word and deed but not hauing in time prouided for themselues they were constrained to bid their libertie farewell and to open their gates to two companies of foote which drewe so long a tayle after them that in fine all meanes of resistance was wholly taken from them for that all the valiantest sousdiers in France were there in person and vppon the 10. of Aprill the Constable accompanied with diuers Princes and great Lords stayed the comming of the king who within eight daies after made his entrie into the Towne with all his armie where he stayed three daies to take order for their affaires receiued oath fidelitie of the Cittizens he likewise swearing both to them and those of Thoul to defend them against all men and to preserue their rights and priuiledges and franchises in al things whatsoeuer also to prouide for the strength and fortification of 〈◊〉 place which as then hee fully pretended to make one of the principall bullwarkes and Frontier-townes of France wherein hee left as Gouernour Monsieur de Gonnort brother to the Marshal de Brissac giuing him in charge to looke vnto the citadell and other fortifications of the Towne The French armie goeth towards Strasbourg Metz yeelded to the king the armie beeing composed of 30000. men marched into Almaine and in the beginning of May stayed two daies vppon the plaine of Sauerne the horsemen going within a myle of the towne of Strasbourg the Cittizens whereof being taught by the misfortune of Metz wroght with more pollicie for themselues sending certaine victuals vnto the armie wherewith the Constable seemed not well content thinking to put them in some feare and assoone as Pierre Sturne Goteshem and Sleidam their Deputies were departed hee sent two Gentlemen to the Councell of the Towne to knowe their aunswere where in a long time and eloquent discourse they shewed The Constables proceedings with those of Strasbourg the kings good will and meaning vnto the countrie of Almaine the causes why hee had raised an armie and beene at so great charges requiring that the souldiers might enter into the Towne to buy such necessaries as they wanted but the Councell of the Towne vsing delayes the next day the Constable vsed many speeches vnto the Deputies threatning them very hardly But whatsoeuer hee said it little auayled for those of Strasbourg put a strong Garrison into their Towne preparing themselues vnto resistance if any pretence were offered meane time not refusing to furnish the campe with victuals and all other necessaries whatsoeuer but the armie dooing nothing marched towards Hagenaw and VVisbourg where the Deputies of three of the Electors next adioyning as also of other Princes The request of the Almaine Princes to the king came to beseech the King to pitie the poore pesants to impeach the spoyle of the countrie and not to passe any further but rather to hearken vnto a peace without pressing them to a perpetuall alliance considering their bounden duties vnto the Emperour withal making a specially request for the sauegard of the territories of Strasbourg Letters of Duke Maurice At the same time beeing the eleuenth of May Duke Maurice Elector of Saxon sent letters vnto the King conteining the effect of the treatie made at Lints wherein a peace had beene propounded which the Emperour seemed to hearken vnto concerning Almaine desiring the King if his meaning were to bee comprehended heerein to declare and shewe vppon what conditions hee
for a long time he helde the King in hope to follow the warres for him and all that time his troupes ouerranne the plaine country and there forraged themselues after most strange maner but in the ende he found the meanes to withdraw himselfe from the Kings armie and hauing impeached those of Metz from victualls he departed with all his troupes Difficultie of the siege of Mets. Winter approaching many were of opinion that the Emperour would not hazard so puissant an armie as he then had vnprofitably to fight and striue against the colde and the Ice and by that meanes constraine it of it selfe to be dispearsed and miserably ouerthrowne But the hope he had to recouer the Towne of Metz wherein were many Princes Lords and Gentlemen caused him to reiect all other apprehensions whatsoeuer in such sort that his Forces began to marche and set forward towards the countrey of Lorraine meane time the Duke de Neuers fortified Stenay and constrained the Burgonian Garrison of Vireton to yeeld themselues to him A company of the old bandes being in Roc de Mars were drawne from thence Those that commaunded in Verdun Iuoy Danuille and Monmedy strengthened themselues and made prouision for their owne defence not long after the Emperour came to Sarbruch The Emperors approach a Towne lying within seuen myles of the Citie of Metz from whence hee sent the Duke of Alue his Lieftenant General and the Marquesse of Marignan with 4000. foote 4000. horse and sixe field peeces vnto the Towne to view it and to chuse the most commodious places wherein to lodge his men about it The Duke of Guise being Lieftenant Generall for the King within the Towne caused certaine troupes to issue forth that skirmished with the Emperours Forces A skirmish wherein the Duke of Alue lost aboue 150. men on the French part there was fiue souldiers slaine and one Gentleman of Picardie named Marigni and two Captaines hurt that died not long after The King being at Rheims was aduertised by the Duke d'Aumalle touching The Marquesse of Brandebourg ouerthroweth the Duke d'Aumalle and taketh him prisoner the practises of the Marques of Brandebourg with the Emperour required to send some forces of 200. men of armes with whose helpe and the rest of his troupes he said he doubted not but easilie to ouerthrow the Marques to the which end Monsisur de Bourdillon was sent thither but the Duke for that time sent him backe again esteeming that the Marques as then hauing past the Meuse ment to ioyne with the Emperours armie but about the end of October the Duke beeing aduertised that the Marques beganne to dislodge placed himselfe in order of battell with al his horsemen vpon a plaine called la Croix du Monstier to see what way the Marques held who hauing intelligence that the countrie people and certaine Frenchmen skirmished and spoyled some of his footemen would himselfe in person go to see what they were and went so neare that his Interpreter was slaine with a caliuer standing close by him who therewith reâ—urning in great chollor appoynted his horsemeÌ„ to aduance themselues to set vpon the enemie and so in great furie charged the Dukes companies who as then thought to retire At the first onset the Marques set vpon a great troup of Pages and others that were placed there to make a shewe who were presently dispearsed The second charge was made vpon a squadron of Light-horse and Argolets who in a manner made no resistance and so all the strength fell vppon the Lanciers who presently by the Rutters Pistols were forced to retire beeing ill prouided of Lances to make resistance The Duke perceiuing his horsemen to bee disranked and flying to saue themselues and the Marques at hand-blowes with diuers of his Leaders rancked himselfe in order againe with some fewe of his men and entered into the skirmish where his principall Gentlemen hauing beene slaine before his eyes the rest hurt beaten downe and taken prisoners and all his men put to flight and chased himselfe beeing hurt in two places and his horse slaine vnder him in the end was taken prisoner and all his company in a maner ouerthrowne The Vicount of Rohan slaine by them that tooke him and many Cornets Captaines and Gentlemen to the number of two hundreth and more slaine in the field the number of the prisoners beeing many more this Josse of so many Gentlemen was a mends for the happie successe which the king had about a month after against the Emperour The Marques beeing victorious sent the Duke d'Aumalle his prisoner into Almaine for whom afterward hee got 50000. Crownes for a ransome which the king payed at the instant request of the Duches de Valentinois mother in lawe vnto the prisoner which done he went vnto the Emperour as then beeing before Metz with all his campe at the same time The Counte de Reux Lieftenant generall for the Emperour in the lowe Countries entred into Picardie with a great armie Taking of the towne Castle of Hesdin from the King and the spoyling of Picardie by the Emperours armie where hee burnt Noyon Nesse Chauni Roye and the pleasant Castle of Foulenbray with more then 800. Villages which done he besieged Hesdin the Towne beeing taken they inclosed the Castle hauing beaten downe a great Tower that stood on the Parke side and caused a great peece of a wall to bee vndermined filling the ditches with the rubbish therof which serued the assaulters for a bridge to passe ouer to make the assault wherewith the defendants were striken in such feare that without further resistance they yeelded the Castle vpon condition to depart their liues goods saued A gentleman named Monsieur de Rasse who as then commanded in the Castle in fauour of the Constable made that composition but if his maister had not intreated for him it had cost him his life because hee neuer defended himselfe and not long before had sent word vnto the King that hee doubted not the Castle But for the same cause hee was sent home vnto his owne house and neuer after imployed in the warres Resolution of the assieged within the Towne of Metz. The king hauing receiued that second losse wrote vnto the Duke de Guise to knowe in what disposition he found himselfe to bee within the Towne of Metz. The Duke sent him aunswere whereof the effects prooued correspondent with his words and with all certified him of the order holden by the Emperour in his campe When the king perceiued himselfe to bee secured on that side hee left the Duke de Neuers for Generall of his armie in Lorraine made Monsieur de Chastillon Admirall of France and his Lieftenant in Picardie in place of Monsieur d'Annebaut not long before dead within la Fere. The Admiral de Chastillon presently went to Hesdin the companies of the Duke de Neuers beganne to trouble the Emperors armie by surprising their victuals great pittie it was
ouerrunne the plaine countrie of Sienois which he did with 12000. foote and one thousand fiue hundreth horse on the other side the king sent Monsieur de Termes that set good and strong Garrisons within all the places of the Segnerie of Siene hauing as then vnder the kings pay aboue twelue thousand foote not accounting the naturall countrimen sworne enemies vnto the Spaniards but very fewe horsemen And because the Emperours campe conducted by the Viceroy and Ascagne de la Corne seemed to threaten Siene they fortified the Towne with al diligence The Viceroy assailed Monselice Montelle Montalein where Monsieur de Termes tooke order and maintained himselfe in good sort vntill the king sent Pierre Strossi with a great companie of men and made him his Lieftenant Generall in Toscane Strossi came to Siene raised more Souldiers in Italie whereof Duke Cosme beeing aduertised solicited Pope Iulius and the Emperour in such sort that they ioyned with him to driue out the Frenchmen To this end Iaques de Medicis surnamed le Mediquin Marquis de Marignan hauing charge of the consederates armie about the beginning of the yeare 1554. besieged Siene and approaching it by night had almost surprised it by reason that as then the fortifications were not all finished but the Sienois withstood him and repulsed the Marques who at that time lost many of his men notwithstanding hee left not off to incampe himselfe before the towne and forraging the plaine countrie directed a furious batterie whereby in the end hee reduced the Inhabitants to great extremitie without the comming of Strossi who entering therein presently tooke order for the rampars and the reparation of the breaches not hauing forgotten to furnish all the places about Siene and because Rodolphus Baillon Generall of the Emperours horses and Ascagne de la Corne had made an enterprise vppon Chiusi Strossi by night went to meete them with sixe hundreth men and hauing taken them at an aduantage put their troupes in disorder slewe Baillon and sent la Corne prisoner into France The king with all speede sent new forces into Toscane and the I le of Corse wherein Monsieur de Termes had taken the Townes of S. Florent and S. Boniface a Port of the sea leauing good Garrison therin vnder the charge of Iourdan Vrsin with certaine Captaines Frenchmen and Gascous for the defence of the Yland part whereof as yet obeyed the Geneuois vppon whom being participants with the Emperour Monsieur de Termes had taken those Townes But to returne to Siene the last secorers that the king sent thither beeing of fiue thousand Switzers Gascons with some light-horse Strossi suddainly made a sallie with sixe thousand chosen footemen and fiue hundreth good horse and therewith tooke Montcatin and Montcarlo from the Duke of Florence which hee fortified The Marques of Marignan constrained to leaue the siege of Siene to ayde the Duke was in danger to bee wholly ouerthrowne if Storssi had taken occasion when it was offered But the Marques fortified with new ayde Strosci was constrained to bring his wearied forces to breath themselues within Siene meane time Leon Prior of Capoue and brother to Strossi hauing not the meanes to staye for the French Nauie ceased vpon certaine Geneuois shippes laden with corne and hauing filled them with Souldiers warred vppon the coast of Toscane and to spoyle the Ports of the sea belonging to the Duke of Florence After that hee went to lye before Scarlin where approaching to viewe the place he was stricken with a Harquebus-shot whereof hee died Strossi much greeued thereat went to continue the siege staying for the French ayde which not long after being arriued conducted by Monsieur de Monluc Strossi made his armie wherein he had sixe thousand Italians two thousand Gascons as many Switzers two thousand fiue hundreth Lansquenets and about a thousand horse wherewith he determined to set vppon his enemies if they would come foorth and perceiuing that they withdrewe themselues from Siene he committed the custodie thereof vnto Monsieur de Monluc and went to batter Ciuitelle lying in the territories of Florence to the ayde whereof the Marques of Marignan made so great hast that he had almost surprised the assaylants where there was much blood spilt on both sides Stressi constrained to discampe besieged Foyan a strong and very rich place which the first day of his arriuall was taken by force and Charlot Vrsin with all the souldiers that kept it put to the sword and the Towne spoyled and burnt The Marques hauing recouered certaine cannons approached the armie of Strossi that marched towards Montpulcian where the Italians began to forsake him and by that means his forces were lesse then those of the Marques which constrained him to retire The battell and ouerthrow of Strossi and the French armie in Toscan but in stead of dooing it couertly and by night for the safetie of his troupes he determined to march openly in the day time and to saue his Artillerie he sent it before him Whereof the Marques being aduertised with all speed pursued after him and hauing ouertaken him in the field betweene Martian Lucignan and Foyan gaue him battell where the fight was dangerous and bloodie but Strossi hauing the lesse and weaker companie the Frenchmen fled after Bighet an Italian Ensigne Coronel of the armie that first saued himself after that the horsemē were dispersed The Gascons Switzers that fought valiantly were ouerthrowne by aduancing thēselues too farre among their enemies and almost all their Leaders slaine in the field the number of the slaine is diuersly reported some said two thousand fiue hundreth others foure thousand besides many hurt that liued not long after and fiue or sixe hundreth prisoners The Marques wrote vnto the Emperour that all Strossies footemen were slaine at that bartaile but as then he forgot to pursue his victorie which if hee had done Strossi and all the Kings armie at that time had beene wholly ouerthrowne Strossi that had shewed maruellous prooses of his valour and noblenesse saued himselfe in Montalcin leauing Foyan that was presently taken by the Marques as also Martian Lucignan and other places wherewith the Sienois meruellously abashed were in mind to haue yeelded had it not been for Monluc that assured them and after did great seruice vnto the king as also to the Towne Bighet partly cause of the ouerthrowe of the armie and the Counte d'Alte that had cowardly yeelded vp Lucignan a most impregnable place were beheaded Presently after the Duke solicited those of Siene to yeeld vnto the Emperour and they about the end of Ianuary in the yeare of our Lord 1554. answered him most brauely but yet to vse so great loftie words they had need of better means of resistance while these things were effected Monsieur de Lanssac beeing gone on ambassage to Rome diuers articles were there drawne and set down to end the troubles of Siene The Pope gaue charge to his Legats that laye residents by the
the king and the Admirall de Chastillon went to Bruxelles to the Emperor and king Philip to do the like For certaine moneths that this peace endured one called Villegagnon a knight of Malthe rigged and prepared certaine vessels and made a voiage vnto Amerique Villegagnon saileth for Amerique promising to do woonders for the king in that new world but his minde not well setled and his vniust behauiours wrought him discredit whereby he did nothing to any effect But if this enterprise had beene taken in hand by a wise leader it had surely beene an ouerturne to the execution of great matters But the ruler and disposer of all mens actions had otherwise ordained Beginning of the breach of peace Pope Paul the fourth of the familie of Caraffes in Naples enemie to the Spaniard being aduertised that within Rome certaine assemblies were made and holden in the houses of Marke Anthonie Colonne the Cardinall of Saint Fior enemies to the King of France tooke that for an occasion to reuenge himselfe and without much examination caused the Cardinal Camille Colonne Iulian Cesarin and the Abbot of Bresegue to be committed prisoners in the castle of S. Ange summoned Marke Anthonie watched carefully to take intercept all letters and pacquets disarmed all strangers and placed straight and hard watches and sentinelles throughout all the Citie of Rome Some write that the Colonels suspecting the Pope to be a French man and fearing some surprise thought in time to prouide for their affaires And the Pope taking the matter to bee other then it was vsed the meanes aforesaid The oppressed beeing seruants vnto the king of Spaine gaue him to vnderstand howe they were vsed hee commaunded the Duke of Alue to ayde the Colomnes and others their participants Whereuppon the Duke presently went to Naples and did what hee could to reestablish the Colomnes and Vrsins in their Segneries They on the other side fortifying themselues about Rome and holding the Pope inclosed he determined to demaund ayde of the king of France For the which cause hee sent his Nephewe Cardinall Caraffe that bare a triumphant hat and a sword vnto the king beeing at Fontainebelleau about the ende of the moneth of Iune The king granted his request adding that he would aduertise the king of Spaine thereof which hee likewise did but the answere hee receiued litle pleased Caraffe Whereof ensued the beginning of a fyer that after produced great flames The Annalistes and Hystories of France Italie and Spaine make different discourses of the breach and rupture of this peace which would desire a bigger volume It suffiseth mee to passe it ouer in breefe The Pope was the first that put the Irons into the fyer and the Kings did not greatlye withdrawe theyr eares to lende theyr helping handes as not wishing great good vnto each other Theyr principall officers prouoked by many and diuers passions and those that gouerned them hauing desire to mount aloft and to rise higher and perceiuing that truce imbased them were very well pleased that within Rome they had begun to erect the Scaffold whereon to act some newe tragidie in Christendome and specially in France Warres betweene the kings begun about Rome So the French men would oppose himselfe against the Spaniard for the Popes cause Strossi Marshall of France in place of Monsieur de Sedan deceased at his returne from prison out of the lowe countries was sent to Rome there to resist the Spaniards vntill the ayde of France came thither on the otherside Don Iohn de Lume gouernour of Millan came into France and Duke Octauian Farnese restored to the possession of Plaisance by the Spaniards forsooke the King of France In the meane time the Duke d'Alue forraged the country about Rome tooke Anagne Pilastrine Segne Tiuoli and besieged Ostie cutting off their victualles holding Strossi with Monluc and theyr troupes inclosed within Rome about the end of December the king sent the Duke of Guise to be his Lieftenant General in the armie that marched to help the Pope The Duke of Guise being in Piedemōt giueth alarū to Italie In the month of Ianuary 1557. the Duke of Guise well accompanied being arriued at Turin the Capitall towne of Piedemont the Spaniards fortified Millan and refreshed the Garrisons of the places of importaunce in Italy The Duke of Ferrare armed and lodged souldiers vpon the frontiers of Ferrare garrishing Florence and other townes vnder his obedience specially those that bordered vppon Bologne The Duke of Alue prouided for the townes within the Realme of Naples and vppon the sea coast of Calabria as then all Italie was in armes euery one standing vpon his guard diuersly discoursing vpō the Duke of Guises arriual intents hauing a strōg armie of 14. or 15000. foote 8000. launces and 1200. light-horses some say more the report being giuen forth of an other supply readie to march forward assoone as war shuld bee opened in those parts but it was as necessary to imploy them elsewhere Ostie taken from the Pope by the Spaniards In the meane time the siege of Ostie continued those that kept the Fort hauing sustained many assaults their powder fayling and the Souldiers and Cittizens for the most part beeing hurt a composition was graunted and the place yeelded vnto the Spaniards that agreed with Cardinall Caraffe for fortie daies truce to the end the Pope might haue some time and leisure to thinke vppon some good agreement The Cardinall to the contrary stayed for the Frenchmen and solicited the Venetians to take part with them which they refused Agreement betweene the Pope the King of France and the Duke of Ferrare desiring not to obtaine the King of Spaines ill will but the Duke of Ferrare tooke the French Kings part and receiued the title of Defendor of the Church and betweene the Pope the King and the Duke it was agreed that hee should prouide 20000. foote and 1000. horse and pay al the charges of the armie The King should furnish as many foote and twise as many horse and the Duke sixe thousand foote two hundreth launciers foure hundreth light-horses and twentie Peeces for batterie which had beene sufficient forces to haue made and wrought great conquests if the Popes Cofers had not beene stirred but that Article made all the rest of no effect And how would hee haue furnished mony for so great and puissant an armie whē in effect he suffered the like armie of the Duke of Guise to maintain it selfe or rather to bee dispearsed in such sort that the returne therof seemed rather a company of men ouerthrown and spoyled then a braue retrait of Souldiers comming victorious The nature of the Popes The Popes in these latter times haue alwaies vsed to hold on the stronger side to aduance their affaires at the cost and charges of those that hearken vnto them and when they haue obtained their desires to leaue forsake such as assist them in their greatest need as
the estates of the land they perswaded the king to hold him whatsoeuer he were for a mortall enemie to his authoritie and guiltie of treason that should once speake or mooue the question to bridle it or to appoynt a Protector ouer him that they were but practises and deuises of such as liued discontent solicited therevnto by Hereticques that onely sought to ouerthrowe and spoyle the religion of his fathers Meanes to interrupt the Parliament The Queene-mother likewise no lesse then they doubted the assembly of this Parliament and at that time things were so gouerned that the King of Spaine wrote letters to the King his brother in lawe which were openly read in the Councel-chamber the king of Nauarre being present wherin he said hee vnderstood that certaine mutunous and rebellious persons inforced thēselues to mooue and stirre vp troubles thereby to change the gouernment of the Realme as if the king as then raigning were not sufficient and capable thereof and to giue the charge to whom it pleaseth him without the consent and will of others or of any his subiects that for his part hee would imploye his whole forces to maintaine the authoritie of the King and of his officers whatsoeuer yea that it shuld cost both his and fortie thousand mens liues alreadie prepared if any man were so bolde to attempt the contrary for that hee bare him such affection The King of Spaines declaration as hee said that from thencefoorth hee declared himselfe both Tutor and Protector of him and of his Realme as also of his affaires which hee no lesse regarded then his owne Not long after the king of Nauarre returned vnto Bearg Petitions to the Queene and what ensued The pursuites against the Councellor du Bourg proceeding moued those of the religion in Parris to present a petition to the Queen-mother exhorting her vnto her dutie withall setting downe and threatning the vengeance of God and the daunger that might ensue by meanes of those so hard and rigorous dealings which in the end might turne vnto great troubles At the first she aunswered them with an angrie countenance but in the end she became somewhat milder making shew to desire to see one of the Ministers of Parris to conferre with him Madame de Roy prouided one and this Minister went as farre as Reims where hee stayed a certaine time but neuer could speake with her but shee still found some excuse when any man tolde her of him Besides du Bourg about the end of this yeare diuers were imprisoned within Parris for the religion and their houses pilled and robbed as if it had beene in a Towne taken by assault witnesses beeing seduced Slaunders and false witnesse against those of the religion to protest and verifie that in a certaine assembly made vppon the Thursday before Easter in the place of Manbert at a Councellours house great numbers of Lutherians men women and maides after the sermon and solemnisation of their Sabbaoth had eaten a Pig in stead of the Pascal-lambe and that the candles being put out euery man tooke his woman and had his pleasure with her The Cardinall by these informations mooued all the Court but the Queene-mother for that cause hauing spoken against certaine of her Gentlewomen that were of the religion they found the meanes that in her presence the two principall witnesses were examined beeing two young boyes who said and affirmed both then and many times before they had had their pleasures of that Councellours daughters but in fine they began to stagger and couertly to deny in neuerthelesse the accusation and proces went forward and because that at the taking of the prisoners there had beene some resistance in the subburbes of S. Germaine they sent from house to house to search for all their weapons and tooke them away not leauing them so much as a knise which were carried into the house of Guise The Councellour so shamefully slandered went with his wife and daughters and yeelded himselfe prisoner Innocency found but in no sort maintained as it appeareth where the daughters were sound to bee Virgins but without doing iustice vppon the false witnesses and such as had procured them by vertue of a certaine edict that set prisoners at libertie which were accused for religion and notwithstanding their complaints and declarations they were in a manner forcibly thrust out of the place and while they were holden prisoners diuers were burnt wiihin Parris and other Townes onely for the religion which among all those troubles did much increase A declaration against the authoritie vsurped by strangers On the other side hatred increased both from great and small against the house of Guise About the end of October a Proclamation was made touching the assembly of a Parliament wherein was prooued that it appertained vnto the Parliament to prouide for the gouernment of their kings that were in minoritie that the king spake nothing but by the mouthes of the Vncles of his wife that the Cardinall of Lorraine and the Duke of Guise were vncapable of the Gouernment the one beeing a Priest and a creature of the Pope the other and all his familie euen in the life of the late deceased king hauing beene so bolde to say that the Realme belonged to the house of Lorraine as issued from the race of Charlemaigne vpon the which Hugh Capet had vsurped that they had manisestly striuen for certain members thereof as the Counte of Pronince and the Duchie of Aniou they set downe the lamentable effects of their ambition in the breach of peace and in the last voyage into Italie cause of the ouerthrowe of the battell of S. Lawrence and danger of all the Realme which to auoyde they were constrained to yeeld vppe all the conquests of Francis the first and Henry the second they forgot not likewise their exactions their dealing with the treasures and the great debts of the king Meanes to vphold that authoritie They perceiuing that the king which beganne to growe vppe gaue no great hope eyther of long life or issue beganne likewise with more care to prouide for their affaires They sought to obtaine and procure vnto themselues diuers seruants and friends in the Parliamant inticed the Courtiers and all the captaines and men of warre to fauour them shewing a great zeale to the Romish religion thereby to winne the hearts both of the spiritualtie and the Cannons And in the month of Nouember to please them a rigorous edict was published against the assemblies of those of the religion who being found with the maner were presently condemned to die their houses rased and great recompence promised vnto such as should disclose their assemblies These edicts published the persecution followed but the spies beeing abashed of themselues there were other edicts published against all those that fauoured any of the religion and that once seemed to abash eyther the Iudges or the witnesses in any such proces The President Minard and
hauing inuironed the Castle with a strong guard brought them two vnto Amboise after dinner returned againe with a troupe of fiue or sixe hundreth horses The Barron had sent Renaudie to make haste to come to relieue him not minding to abandon the place wherein hee found both armes powder and munition But perceiuing himselfe inclosed and the Duke returned againe hee beganne to parley being required therevnto and hauing at large declared the causes of that their enterprise the Duke oftentimes desired him to leaue his armes and to come and speake with the king binding himselfe vnto him by the faith of a Prince that neyther hee nor any of his should once be hurt but all freely set at libertie The Barron assuring himselfe vppon the word of a Prince was content to doo as hee desired the like did all the rest But beeing in Amboise they spake not vnto any man but onely to such as the Duke of Guise would send vnto them La Renaudie the same day being aduertised what had past at Noisay commaunded the troupes that were beyond the riuer to march straight vnto Amboise which they did within the wood but beeing stayed and intrapped The troupes sent by Renaudie taken and surprised by the horsemen sent thither by those of Guise most of them were taken who being ledde prisoners were presently hanged and then cast into the water those that were best apparrelled and likeliest men were slaine within the woods to spoyle them of that they had Therest of the troupes stayed for in the place appoynted were taken and the Souldiers were tyed by 15. in a companie at horses tailes and so cast into prison The Duke of Guise king in effect Therevppon the 17. of March letter were sent out by the which after a long discourse made against the prisoners of Amboise the Duke of Guise was by the king declared his Lieftenant Genenerall with all power to raise in both foote horse therewith to punish the rebelles without any other forme or manner of Iustice Other letters were sent out the same day with commmaundement vnto al those that were in armes readie to come vnto Amboise beeing aduertised by their leaders Meanes to dispearse the troupes and vppon their faiths giuen should within 24. houres after the sight of those letters depart and get them home into their countries vpon paine to bee hanged if they once presumed to do the contrary The death of Renaudie The next day as Renaudie sought to assemble his troupes hee was met in the Forrest of the Castle Regnaut by one named Pardillan that shot a Pistole at him but hauing fayled Renaudie slewe him but one of Pardillans seruaunts with a shot of a Caliuer flewe Renaudie his bodie was carried vnto Amboise hanged vppon the Bridge with a writing made fast to his necke containing these words La Renaudie called la Forest chiefe of the rebels The death of la Renaudie was the cause that diuers of those which ment to assemble separated themselues and so retired But no man made any great pursuite after them Renaudie had with him fiue hundreth horse followed by 1000. more not accounting the footemen Among the rest of the prisoners there was one la Bigne that had beene Secretarie vnto la Renaudie about whom was found a paper written in Ciphers and to saue his lise he disciphered the paper which contained nothing but onely that which had been concluded by al the Associates with their expresse protestation not to attempt any thing against the kings Maiestie the Princes of his blood nor against the State of the Realme the articles tending onely to this poynt to take the Gouernment from those of Guise and to cause the auncient custome of France to be obserued by a lawfull Parliament Hee was likewise found ceased with an humble petition vnto the king in the behalfe of those of the religion wherein the vniust proceedings of the Cardinall against the Parliament of Parris Anna du Bourg with others were fully discouered Those of Guise at the first The souldt-diers that were prisoners released wold not haue saued any of the prisoners but thinking that the ouer great number that should bee executed would make them to be hated of all men caused the souldiers to bee set at libertie and to each man they gaue a teston to bring them on their way The Captaines la Motte Cocqueuille and others had not lost courage but gaue a whot alarme vnto the Courtiers of Amboise and had it not beene by meanes of some wrong intelligence that constrained them to retire without losse of their horsemen the enterprise had surely been executed but it was nothing but a meanes to kindle the chollor of those of Guise who that last time caused all the footemen that might bee taken presently to bee hanged and as then it was a most daungerous time for all sorts of men eyther souldiers Marshants or others to bee found abroad without Amboise for that the least hurt they could receiue was presently to bee spoyled and stripped of all they had and then the theeues who vnder colour to ayde the king to whom a new guard was giuen composed onely of such kinde of men both horse and foote committed most straunge and cruell extortions The first execution of the prisoners Those of Guise perceiuing the troupes that ment to cease vpon them to bee gone and the rest in prison and being ayded by those that from all places came to helpe them beganne to make pursuit after such as were retiring whereof some they tooke they commaunded the Prince of Conde in the Kings name not to depart from the Court without expresse licence and beganne to hang drowne and behead their prisoners which continued for the space of one whole moneth All the riuer of Loire being couered with dead bodies tyed by sixe eight tenne twelue and fifteene at long Poles the streetes of Amboise lay full of dead mens blood and euery place was hanged with dead bodies many were hanged at the windowes of the Castle and to make men beleeue that all this proceeded onely from those of the religion that sought to establish themselues by armes they questioned with the greatest part of them touching the Articles of their faith The kings complaints against the Guisians and disputed with them of the poynts of the religion now in controuersie therby to blinde matters and not once touching that which wholly concerned the Estate and for which cause the enterprise was taken inhand Some that returned according to the kings permission being intrapped and brought prisoners to Blois found frends that sent vnto the king the Queen his mother to procure their deliuerance but by no meanes they could be spoken withall the soliciters beeing threatned to bee cut and hewed in peeces if they happened to present themselues before the king he would oftentimes in weeping say vnto them What haue I done vnto my people what mean they to deale thus with
mee I will heare their complaints and doo them iustice Sometimes hee said to those of Guise I knowe not what the matter is but I vnderstand they haue nothing to say but vnto you I would that for a time you should absent your selues from hence to the end that men might see if it bee against mee or you that they complaine They very cunningly and presently bandied such blowes and to diuert the people from giuing credite vnto the demonstrations made touching the cause and iustification of their enterprise they sent letters in the kings name vnto all the Parliaments and Iudges of seuerall prouinces wherein those of the religion were accused to haue conspired against the King A combat of pennes against swords the Princes of the blood and the Estate of the Realme wherevnto was made a most large and ample aunswere wherein all the dealings of those of Guise were fully discouered with plaine and most euident proofes against them to bee guiltie of high treason and not those that had assembled to reduce the King and all his realme into true and perfect libertie There was likewise published an other pamphlet shewing by the example of Phillip de Commines in the last chap. of his first booke that such are open enemies vnto the Estate that say it is treason to speake o◠the assembly of a generall Parliament And that it is the meanes to lessen and diminish the kings authoritie There was likewise aduertisements vnto the people and complaints vnto the Parliament and so some ayded themselues with pen against the swords of their enemies Reuocation of the abolition giuen by the king The 22. of march other letters were sent foorth whereby the king declared that his meaning was not that the abolitiō of the 17. of March shuld extend further but vnto those that simply of ignorance had assembled and trauelled for the keeping of their promise and that therein were not comprehended such as had guided the conspiracie made against his person the Queens Princes and Noble personages that were about him in the which number are contained those that came in armes into the subburbes of the Towne and such as had beene taken about and within the Castle of Noisay which serued for a dispensation of the faith giuen by the Duke de Neuers vnto the Barron of Chastelnau and others Presently after these letters they returned to executions wherin neither day nor night passed but that a great number of prisoners were put to death and all men of quallitie some hanged some drowned the rest beheaded without any publike sentence giuen without declaring the causes of their deaths or without telling their names They constrained the king and his young bretheren to bee assistant at those spectacles Besides that the Duke of Guise many times for a pastime after his dinner caused some of those whom hee most hated of the prisoners to bee brought foorth and hanged out at his chamber windowes The Barron de Chastelnau made a maruellous proces against those of Guise and the Duke de Nemours they beeing present thereby made the Chauncellor stand still and all amazed that dealt in those affaires against his conscience and appealed from the sentence giuē against him before God the like did most of all the rest to the great astonishing of all the assistants perceiuing a most inuincible constancie in all those men but neither the stout courages of the prisoners nor yet the cries of both great and small that as then were present at those executions could not in any sort once mollifie the harts of those of Guise nor yet diuert the rigor of their cruelties A Gentleman named Villemongis beeing vppon the scaffold readie to bee beheaded hauing wet his hands in the blood of his companions lifting them vppe to heauen cryed out saying Lord behold the blood of thy children thou shalt reuenge our cause The death of the Chancellour Oliuier Among the prisoners that after the Barron spake most boldly vnto the Chancellor there were two the one named Picard the other Campagnac that shewed him his petegree from one poynt to the other but the last of them touched him so neare vnto the heart that with griefe thereof the poore Chancellour fell sicke wherein hee continually sighed and murmured to himselfe tormenting his bodie in most straunge manner for that all crooked aged as he was yet he stirred his bodie with such force that he made the bed to shake with greater force then a young man of Iustie yeares could doo The Cardinall going to visit him his paines beganne to increase and perceiuing him a farre of hee cried out and said Ha ha Cardinall thou haste made vs all to be damned But when the Cardinal went neare him saying vnto him that the wicked Spirit sought to seduce him and that hee should remaine constant in the faith That is well done now said hee and so turning his backe presently lost his speech in his great torments many times lamenting the death of the Councellour du Bourg Behold how the chiefe and principall condemners of the prisoners in Amboise was taken and first executed vppon the scaffold of the terrible and manifest iudgements of God The rest in time likewise were brought thither each of them in his turne Monsieur Michell de l'Hospitall an excellent man as then Chancellor of the Duchie of Sauoy was repealed from Nice where he remained to succeed in Oliuiers place and till he came Moruilliers Bishop of Orleans kept the Seales and vsed all the meanes hee could to please the house of Guise The Prince behaueth himselfe boldly in his innocencie against all men The Prince of Conde was in Amboise during those horrible tempests where hee behaued himselfe like a man wholly without feare as knowing himselfe to bee vnculpable Those of Guise animated the king against him setting and appoynting men to watch and looke into his behauiour whereof the Cardinall kept a Register specially of one word spoken by the Prince in chollor perceiuing certaine of the prisoners to bee executed at the Castle windowes saying that the king was counselled otherwise then hee ought to bee to cause such Lords and honest Gentlemen to bee put to death not considering the great seruices by them done vnto the late deceased king and all the Realme of whom beeing so depriued it was to bee feared that during those great troubles straungers would enterprise against the Realme and that if they should bee ayded by any of the Princes they would easilie ouercome it Presently after they caused du Vaux his Sewer to bee committed prisoner and caused the king to send for him into his chamber to shewe him that by the information giuen hee had vnderstood him to beee the chiefe of the conspiracie wherevpon the king added many sharpe threatnings The Prince for answere besought his Maiestie to assemble all the Princes and knights of the Order that as then were within Amboise togither with his priuie Councell to
Garde venturing against the faith and promise made to set vppon Paulon beeing within a straight thing Periury of Captaine Paulon to put both him and his troupes vnto the sword not beeing aboue 50. Souldiers was himselfe inclosed by Paulon that offered him battell but the Barron forgetting his fence although he had tenne times more men then his enemie and a good intent do do great seruice to those of Guise that had dispoyled him of estate of Generall of the Galleyes to giue it vnto the great Prior of France their brother bledde at the nose and by means of a new Capitulation renounced the Councell of Constance and retired with great shame after that for a long time holding himselfe secretly his name seruing for a mockery and ieast to all the world Mouuans flattered by his enemies to be intrapped answereth them in plain French Paulon perceiuing himselfe to bee but hardly bestead in his owne countrie because of the successe of the enterprise of Amboise and of the particular threatnings against him made by the Duke of Guise because of the troubles he had raised in Prouence for a time withdrewee himselfe vnto Geneua whither the Duke sent men expressely to practise with him by infinit promises both by word of mouth and writing in commendations of his vertues and admiring of his valour aboue al the Captains in Prouence to mooue him to return into his countrie But Paulons aunswere to the Duke of Guise was that as long as hee knewe him to bee an enemie both to the religion and the State and that he vsurped the places of the Princes of the blood hee might well assure himselfe to haue Mouuans his mortall enemie and although a poore Gentleman yet one that hath so good credit with the true seruants subiects to the king that they at least fistie thousand where of hee was the least would imploye both liues and goods to cause him to make amends for al the wrongs by him committed against the good subiects and seruants to the king and that hee might be fully assured that as long as one of them both liued hee should neuer bee quiet nor liue in any assurance of his life nor any of his race seeing hee had so much incensed and prouoked the Nobilitie and people of France Not long before his departure out of France hee said Mouuans receiued letters from the king himselfe and from the Queene-mother wherein they gratified him very much as one of the most faithfull and affectioned seruants to his Maiestie promising him great fauour and withall ratifying the accord made by the Counte Gouernour of Prouence But at the same instant Mouuans was aduertised that the Queene-mother had expressely sent vnto the Parliament in Aix that they should finde the means to cause him to cause Mouuans Chasteauneuf and other Captaines that were of the enterprise of Amboise to bee slaine Aduancement of the religion in diuers Prouinces At the same time those of the religion multiplyed in Normandie and Preaching was publikely vsed in diuers places Those of Rouan were troubled by an Anabaptist that was taken and burnt The Church of Tours was much troubled by the seditious dealings of the runnagate Monke named Richelieu Captaine of the Kings new guard but by silence and patience is kept togither the Towne hauing failed twise or thrise to be lacked and spoyled in all the other Prouinces of the Realme those of the religion perceiuing themselues to be wholly destitute of humain ayde tooke a notable resolution not to addresse themselues any more to seeke the helpe of man but what daunger so euer might happen determined to assemble to pray to God to heare his word and to continue in true obedience thereof liuing in great loue and concord one with the other and with much edification to the Catholicques who in great troupes lest the Masse to make profession both of contrary life and doctrine The Queene-mother perceiuing that those of the religion addressed themselues no more to her willed one of her Maisters of Requests called Chastelleus to vse the meane that la Roche one of the Ministers of Parris should come vnto her or some other in his place to conferre with him about somes meanes whereby to procure the quietnesse of those the religion La Roche not being found and they of Tours beeing desired in his place to send Duplessi their Minister they excused themselues beseeching the Queen to content her selfe with letters that should bee written vnto her which shee seemed not to dislike Wherevppon a large discourse was written vnder a deuised name of Theophile for those of the religion wherein after certaine protestations of their sinceritie the depths and grounds of their great griefes against the house of Guise was fully showne then diuers remedies wisely propounded whereby to preuent a ciuell warre which were that prouision should bee made for the good gouernment of the Realme and a Councel to be giuen vnto the king according to the auncient customes of the Realme that to staye and remedie the differences of religion a holy and free councel should be holden and that in the meane time those of the religion should be permitted to liue in peace of conscience and according to the profession of their faith Declarationâ— of the religion against the house of Guise This declaration beeing by Camus deliuered to the Queen-mother fell into the hands of those of Guise which construed it in many sorts to know who that Theophilâ— might bee The messenger was oftentimes in danger of his life and in the end he beeing troubled and tormented in diuers kindes and knowing that such as had giuen it vnto him would not bee knowne but kept themselues secret hee shewed their names in presence of the Queene-mother and those of the house of Guise who likewise charged him to bee of the conspiracie of Ambotse but in stead of beeing secret he tolde them much more truth then they desired to heare and yet hee got out of their hands by vertue of the generall abolution made in the beginning of the raigne of Charles the ninth The Guises proceedings too The Guises perceiuing themselues to bee so much noted and daylie hated in euery place of the Realme specially by those of the religion determined wholly to roote them out and to the same end wrote vnto the King of Spaine and other Catholicque Princes laying the fault vppon those of the religion touching all the troubles that happened in France as also the conspiracie of Amboise To the Princes protestants they wrote that the many and great executions made in France was onely vppon certaine Sacrementaries open enemies vnto the confession of Ausbourg Besides that their intent was to establish the Inquisition in France wherein they thought the Chancellor de l'Hospitall would bee assistant which he did not but like a wise Polititian as he was hee withstood their blowes in such manner that when in the moneth of May the edict of Spaine should haue
Lorraine A Gentleman one of their Participants and in time past very familier with the Prince was appointed by them to conferre with him He pronounceth warre against the Guisians as also to sound his full meaning and intent and therewith to seeke to abate his courage which hee pretending the Prince desired him to shewe those of Guise that for his part hee hadde receiued so many and great wrongs and iniuries at theyr hands that their quarrell could neuer bee fully ended eyther at the swordes poynt or else by Lanuce which if hee coulde not effect yet hee hoped before his death to make them manifestly to bee knowne and founde culpable of those faultes by them imposed vppon him This most haughtie resolution caused them to sende for the President de Thou Barthollomewe Faye and Iaques Violle Counecllours of Parris certayne Maisters of the requests Bourdin Attourney Generall They seeke to make his processe and du Tillet the Clarke to examine the Prince vppon high Treason and that if they coulde not finde him guiltie thereof they shoulde then examine him vppon the Artickles of his fayth The Prince aunswered them that it belonged not vnto them to put any such questions vnto him not specifying diuers causes of refusing them therein which hee might well haue shewed specially against de Thou whome hee most sharpelye reprooued and when they enterprised to proceede further in lawe the Prince appealed vnto the King But the next day being the 15. of Nouember the peale was declared by the priuie Counsell to bee of no force from which the Prince hauing once againe appealed hee was commaunded vpon paine of high treason to aunswere before those Commissioners He purgeth himself of treason and openly professeth religion which he did hauing two Councellers to helpe him And before them he clearely acquited himselfe of treason and boldly confessed and auouched the religion Not long after the Secretary Robertet brought him a certaine paper containing diuers speeches pretended to haue beene spoken by him at Amboise beholding the execution of certaine prisoners Hee therewith at large expounded his meaning vpon those speeches yet was there no witnesses produced against him for the same no nor Bouchart himselfe that had faithfully promised vnto the Cardinall by word of mouth to shewe him many wonderfull things touching the Prince but they proceeded so farre that vppon his aunsweres hee had iudgement of death pronounced vppon him and his head to bee striken off vppon a Scaffold before the Kings Pallace vppon the tenth of December then next ensuing at the entering of the Estates into the Parliament He is condemned by the priuie Councell and participants of Guise It is affirmed and published by writing that this iudgement was vnderwritten and sealed by all the priuie Councell onely the Chauncellour and Monsieur de Mortier that delayed it off as also by diuers great Lords and Barrons by the eighteene knights of the Order newly chosen and by diuers others participants of the house of Guise and by more Maisters of Requests and Councellours of the Parliament which the king sent for and caused to come thither that not once dealt in the cause The Counte de Sancerre refused to signe it desiring the King with weeping eyes rather to cut off his head then once to mooue him therevnto whereat the King much abashed dismissed the Counte not pressing him any further therein They likewise vsed many rude and hard dealings towards the Princesse of Conde who very stoutly and with a meruellous courage sued for her husband Meanes and subtilties vsed that no speech should be had in the Parliament touching religion At the sametime the Pope published a Bull bearing date the twentieth of Nouember wherin hee promised a generall Councell for the ordering and determining of matters of religion assigning it to be holden within the towne of Trent vppon Easter day then next ensuing On the other side the Cardinall of Lorraine had giuen order to write and Register the names of all the principail of the religion in euery Prouince throughout France which rolles were made and diliuered vnto him All those that held on the Princes parts and with religion were as then iudged to die thereby to cease all quarrelles and that no more speech might once bee mooued touching the reformation of religion seeing as then the affaires concerning the same were in that estate which those of Guise desired and for the execution of so high and haughtie enterprises as the assembly of the Estates whereby the libertie of France should wholly haue beene ouerthrown the forces of the Realme diuided into foure parts vnder the conducts of the Duke d'Aumale the Marshals of Saint Andre de Brissac and de Termes marched to clear the Prouinces of all suspected persons touching religion to furnish the charges thereof they tooke the third part of all Ecclesiasticall reuenues the Gold and Siluer of Relicques and the Treasures of the Temple with promise that the confiscations should restore it all againe For supply of Souldiers the Pope dispensed with all the Cleargie and promised to furnish them with a great number of men of that calling As touching the extermination of the Princes and Lords they proceeded therein with time and leisure The King of Nauarre was to bee confined vnto the Castle of Leches the Admirall into the great Tower of Bourges with all his children his Nephewes in another Tower within Orleans which after that was called the Admirall hard by that of Saint Aignan prepared for the chiefe Cittizens of the Towne Determination to kil the king of Nanarre marnellously preserued The Marshals of Saint Andre and Brissac beeing arriued at the Court were of aduise that the King of Nauarre should bee slaine without troubling themselues to set a guard to keepe him wherevppon they determined to poyson him at a banquet and then vppon an euening to kill him as hee went from the kings chamber which taking no effect the king was desired to do it and to stabbe him with his Ponyard and so to shedde his owne blood which Gods mercifull prouidence would not permit although it seemed to bee almost vppon the poynt of execution the King hauing the Ponyard readie vnder his Gowne beeing alreadie entered into certaine rough speeches against the King of Nauarre who in presence of those of Guise made him so sufficient and good an aunswere that hee escaped An other pretence was sought to get him to ride abroade to hunt and in hunting to kill him The Constable had not as yet entered into the Lackes but they were minded to constraine him therevnto hauing alreadie sent out commission to laye hands vppon Monsieur d'Anuille his second sonne As touching the Admirall and his two bretheren the declaration by them made specially the Admiral d'Andelot to bee of the religion was cause sufficient to condemne them Meanes vsed to intrap and extirpe all those of the religion Which to effect the king sent commission to all
the knights of the Order to certifie them that he would holde a generall feast of the Order vppon Christinas day then next after ensuing minding all excuses set apart that euery man should as then come thither which beeing expected the Doctors of the Sorbonists framed such a confession of the faith that not any man how little feeling soeuer hee had of the religion would for a thousand liues haue once signed or consented therevnto The day beeing come this confession was to haue been presented by the King himselfe vnto the knights hee beeing the first that should set hand vnto it requiring the like of euery one of them with oath and promise to holde and obserue the same vnuiolably in euery poynt and to set vppon and ouerrunne all such as should deny it without exception either of friends or Parents whatsoeuer and whosoeuer should make the least deniall or any delay presently without further inquisition forme or manner of proceeding the king should degrade him of the Order and as also of estates dignities and honours and the next day after hee should bee burnt The like should also bee done vpon the same day by an assembly of Cardinals thereby to intrappe the Cardinall of Chastillon that done all the Princes and Lords of the Realme should come to signe to that confession then all the Gentlemen and Domesticall Officers to the king The Chancellour had commaundement to do the like among the Maisters of Requests Iudges Secretaries and other Officers of the Courts of Parliaments The Queene-mother tooke the charge vppon her to cause all the Ladies and Gentlewomen of the Court to do the like it being inioyned vnto al those that had any retinue or houshold to cause them to followe the same rule vpon paine to aunswere to the contrary at their perils After that it was to be sent vnto all the Parliaments Baliages Stewardships and other Iurisdictions of the Realme to exact the like confession of faith vppon euery man and whosoeuer delayed or fayled therein to be presently burnt without any other forme or manner of proces If any belonging vnto the Princes or Lords of the Guises part were exempted from death for hauing refused to signe and after repented their fault for his pennance all his life after hee should weare a Sanuenito or coloured robe after the manner of Spaine for a perpetuall shame and ignominie The Curates and Vicars were charged to go vnto all the houses of their Parishes accompanied with the Clarkes Notaries and other such persons therevnto appoynted to take the Signatures and to keepe a iust record of the number of euery particular Iurisdiction New Commissions likewise beeing sent out vnto the Captains and Gentlemen perticipants with those of Guise to raise men of the same confession that they might iustly execute that which should bee giuen them in charge The Deputies for the Estates put in feare and hardly handled As the Deputies for the Estates arriued and the tenth of December approaching for the beginning of the Parliament expresse commaundement was giuen them from the king vppon paine of death that not any of them should once be so bolde as to vtter one word in open Parliament touching religion because his Maiestie had otherwise disposed thereof But some of them not refraining to say that the letters of commission to assemble specified the same Those they sought by faire meanes to appease or else to blinde their eyes with the Popes new made Bull with the assembly of a Councel others they put in feare and to some they made faires promises but to such as were not of the religion they partly made them priuie to their intents aforesaid At that instant there arriued a packet from the Counte de Villards Lieftenant for the Constable in Longuedoc who wrote that the Deputies for that Prouince that were appoynted to sit in Parliament were such as were most affected vnto religion and such as would not fayle to aske the libertie thereof as hauing speciall charge to doo it wherevppon men were presently sent foorth for to arrest them but they taking an other way to Orleans without giuing leaue to enter into their lodgings they were ceased vpon with all their notes containing most ample instructions both for the good and benefit of the Estate and religion Constancie of the king of Nauarre On the other side certaine Captaines and souldiers solicited the king of Nauarre to saue himselfe presenting him with the meanes diuers of his friendes aduertising him of many daungers that might happen vnto him by staying there But hee committing his life into the hands of God and doubting least his retrait would rather be cause to bereaue him of his life refrained that counsell so that whatsoeuer eyther friends or enemies could say vnto him yea although hee might easilie perceiue himselfe to bee openly disdayned and mocked by the Courtiers hee would not forsake the Towne neyther yet leaue his brother before hee had seene what would bee the effect thereof The Admirall goeth to Orleans The Admirall sent for by the king to come to Orleans without making any account of his friends and other his familiars disswations shewing him into what daunger hee would thereby bring himselfe presently tooke his voyage and beeing arriued at the Court hee vnderstood by the Queene-mother that the Cardinall had fully determined to aske him a reason of his faith in the presence of the King praying him not wilfully to put himselfe in daunger His constant aunswere was reported vnto the Cardinall who therevppon made his full account that eyther the Admirall should as then renounce the religion or else loose his life The day before the Prince should be executed the King fell sicke Vppon Sunday beeing the ninth of December as a part of the Kings houshold were alreadie departed from Orleans to go to Chambourg and Chenoncean the king of Nauarre in the morning going to salute the King hee was warned to come foorth and to ride on hunting vntil the States were come but he excused himselfe considering his brothers captiuitie yet had hee expresse commaundement the next morning to prepare himselfe to ride vppon the which day his brother should haue lost his head but that day the common Prouerbe was truly verified which is that God can alter all mens actions for that the same day about foure of the clocke in the Euening the King beeing at Euening prayer at the Iacobins hee fell in a sound wherewith hee was presently carryed into his Chamber where beeing reuiued hee beganne to complaine of his head on that side of his left eare wherein hee had a continuall Phisola in such sort that with the paine a Feuer ceased vppon him Which notwithstanding Those of Guise seeke to withstand the blow those of Guise caused diuers commissions to be sent abroad vnto the Captaines of their part to raise men in diuers Prouinces and not long before commission had been giuen vnto the Marshall de Termes to march to
those men was of such force that hee fully determined to beleeue it By litle and litle he withdrew himself from those whom he had sauoured Wherevppon hee sent Monsieur d'Anduze into Spaine and Descars to Rome from whence hauing receiued newes hee beganne by little and little to withdrawe himselfe from those of the religion to vse the Queen his wife somewhat hardly and among others to court a Gentlewoman attending vppon the Queene-mother in such sort that from day to day the mischiefe increased to the great greefe and sorrow of all such as before that time honoured him specially of his wife a Princesse most wise and vertuous that sought all means to reduce him but by no meanes could effect it yet was shee solicited by the Queene-mother to seeme to agree and hearken vnto the King her husbandes minde Wherevnto shee aunswered that before she would go to Masse if she were able to hold her Realme of Nauarre and her sonne within her hands she would cast them both into the Sea thereby not to impeach her which was the meanes in that behalfe not to mooue her any more The Queen mother sheweth her selfe a newter The Queene-mother perceiuing the king of Nauarre to yeeld to the other side determined for a time to seeme to be indifferent that of the religion being very strong full of resolution and for that cause she entertained the Prince of Conde and the Admirall with faire speeches giuing order in Parris and other places that those of the religion should bee maintained and vpholden peaceably in the exercise of their religion On the other side couertly making certaine small breaches in the edict by certaine modifications termed declarations made by the King Those of Guise slept not but deuised a new matter in Germanie The Guisians faine to be desirons to be of the confession of Ausbourg therewith to blinde the eyes of the Protestant Princes the Cardinall hauing desired a meeting to bee made by the Duke de Virtemberg at Sauerne there to conferre with the Ministers touching the confession of Ausbourg Iohn Brence and Iaques Andre the Dukes Preachers and two principall Doctors of Germanie came thither and there conferred with the Cardinall who presented them with certaine vesselles of siluer and vsed the matter in such sort that the Duke departed with opiniō to haue done some great matter by that means those Almaine Doctors verily thought within short space to plant their error in France In the meane time those of Guise that laughted at the simplicitie of the Almaine Prince hauing receiued newes that the king of Nauarre held with them determined in all haste to repaire vnto the Court. On the other side the Queene aduertised by many and diuers receipts and solicited by those of the religion Publication of the Edict of Ianuary in Parris A vaine disputation vpon vanitie came to S. Germains to Parris and did so much that vppon the 6. of March the edict of Ianuary was both allowed and published in the Court of Parliament with protestation that neuerthelesse it was done to obey the vrgent necessitie of time and the kings pleasure At the same time shee caused conference to bee holden betweene the Ministers and the Sorbonistes touching the adoration of Images whereof ensued no other thing then onely that each of thē remained stil in their own opinions She likewise sent Monsieur de Cursol into Dauphin and Languedoc to giue order touching the troubles in those places and Monluc into Guyenne for assistant to Monsieur de Burie◠she thought to haue sent the Prince of Conde Miseries of France but that intent brake off whereby those of Guyenne found themselues but in hard case for that therein Monluc vsed great and cruell oppressions which hee himselfe hath set downe within his Comentaries wherein after his death hee hath spit foorth the rest of that his furie which during his life hee could not fully execute vpon them It was thought good likewise thereby to preuent that which not long after fell out that each Gouernour should withdrawe himselfe into his Prouince wherevnto the Marshall de S. Andre well backed aunswered that his office bound him at that time to remaine at the Court neare vnto the King On the other side the King of Nauarre shewed so straunge a countenance vnto the Admirall and his bretheren that they withdrewe themselues into their houses The presumption of the Marshall de S. Andre The Prince of Conde stayed and to take Phisicke went to Parris while the King was ledde by the Queene his mother vnto Mouceaux in Brie Those of Guise beeing aduertised of all that passed determined with a good troupe to ride to Parris where the Constable was to meet them as hee did It is sayd that the Queen desired them to come thither without armes which the Duke of Guise did not as by effect appeareth The first of March hee hauing vpon the day before departed from his house of Ianuille in Champagne A briefe discourse of the massacre of Vassy accompanied with his wife and the Cardinall of Guise his brother hee rode vnto Vassy a Village not farre from thence hauing with him about two hundreth men armed with caliuers pistolles and courtelasses And 8. daies before his company of Lanciers stayed there for him and as they came neare the Village hauing vnderstood the bell to ring vnto a Sermon to be preached by those of the religion within a barne of the said Village of Vassy wherein might bee assembled to the number of one thousand or twelue hundreth persons both men women and children all peaceable and without armes as he lighted from his horse and hauing secretly spoken with the Prouost and the Prior of the Monastery hee went with all his troupe both horse and foote vnto the barne young la Brosse Cornet of his Launciers marched first and entered into the barne seconded by foure or fiue hundreth others where he beganne to blaspheme and sweare that hee would kill them all His men beganne without hauing slaine three and the Gate beeing forced themassacre beganne the Duke beeing there in presence with his naked sword in hand followed by the elder la Brosse Lieftenant of his company On their part of the religion there was no maner of resistance but onely prayers to God running away euery man to saue himselfe as it pleased god where besides a great number of wounded people there was 42. men slaine and many that died in short space after they killed likewise certaine women The poores box was taken and emptied the Pulpit broken downe the Minister hurt in many places was ledde prisoner the dead bodies beeing dispoyled and stripped of coates hoase shooes and all that was about them and many men beeing stripped saued themselues all bloodie and sore wounded New matter against those of Vassy After this valiant combatte which beeing executed with the sound of the Dukes Trumpet as if hee had fought against the enemies
sitting of the watches they had publike prayers and the ayre sounded with their voyces singing Psalmes Diners Ministers were distributed among the troupes that had charge to continue and procure that good order and at one time were better heard then at an other This Discipline was continued almost two moneths at the end whereof Baugency being taken by assault caused a beginning of disorder from whence proceeded la Picoree or boot-halling which since that time became so common that at this day it seemeth to bee chiefe Prince The Admirall a great enemie to boot-hallers with stood it and punished some of them with great rigor but in sine a great number got the vpper hand The armie of the Triumuirat committed most terrible outrages without any reproofe and all vnder pretence to extirpe the Huguenots How the Prince hindred the dispearsing of his armie After the taking of Baugency the occasion of fighting beeing let slippe the heate of those of the religion beganne to quench the meanes to maintaine Souldiers lessened and some of the Nobilitie beganne to doubt of their iust quarrell wherefore to preuent a total dissipation the Prince tooke counsell to imploye part of the Nobilitie that were with him in the Prouinces where the affaires hung as it were in a ballance so that the Counte de la Rochefoucaut with ceraine troupes marched towards Poicton Xantonge and Angoulmois Monsieur de Soubize was sent to Lyons Iuoy with his Regiment to Bourges d'Andelot for the sucours out of Almaine and Briquemaut into England On the other side the king of Nauarre the Triumuirat led the king with them in their armie being assembled at Chartoes determined to besiege Bourges holdē by those of the religion before it should be fortified and by so great a Towne not aboue two daies iournie from Orleans in their iudgement was a great helpe and furtherance to the Princes affaires they marched towards it and hauing besieged it Bourges yeelded to the Triumuirat it made no such resistance as they expected but was yeelded vnto them by composition for the which cause Iuoy Gouernour therein was neuer after esteemed or once accounted of by reason of an euill opinion conceiued against him They beeing puffed vppe with this suddaine and vnexpected victorie which as they said was as it were an arme cut off from those of the religion they with their armie of twelue thousand foote and three thousand horse were readie to march to besiege Orleans wherein the Prince the Admirall continued but the daunger thereby feared to receiue more great losse besides the shame put them in the heads to besiege Roaue gouerned by Monsieur the Counte de Montgommery Roane taken by the Guise with seuen or eight hundreth olde Souldiers and two companies of Englishmen vnder the conduct of Monsieur Kilgre And vpon that resolution about the end of September they besieged Roane where after diuers assaults they tooke it by force The Towne beeing sacked for the space of three daies there they executed many of the best of the Cittizens And on the other side Death of the King of Nauarre the King of Nauarre was wounded at the siege and died vpon the seuenteenth day of Nouember the towne hauing been taken 3. weeks before The hard vsage of the prisoners of Roane was the cause that in Orleans they proceeded in iustice with Baptiste Sapin Councellour of Parris and the Abbot de Bastines taken going into Spaine that were hanged in Orleans about the beginning of Nouember The ouerthrow of the Armie of Duras Not long after the Prince had news of the ouerthrow of the troupes of Gascon led by Mousieur de Duras so that in mans iudgement there rested no more hope vnto the Prince but onely the Almaine forces of Rutters conducted by Monsieur d'Andelot so that he tooke counsell with the Admirall that if they were intercepted hee would himselfe in person trauell into Almaine with all speede to obtaine new ayde while the Admirall should keepe Orleans But about foure daies after they had newes that their Rutters were within foure daies iournie of Orleans where the Counte de Rochefoucaut arriued with three hundreth Gentlemen The Prince marcheth towards Parris and some of the rest of the troupes of Duras The Prince hauing his forraine ayde was counselled with all speed to march to Parris for to impeach them and thereby to force them to seeke for peace and to send into Normandie for 150000. crownes to giue the Rutters wherevpon he set forward with 8. Peeces both great and small wherwith he met the Rutters hard by Pluuiers which was taken by force from thence he went to Estampes some being of aduise that he should march to Parris with all speed while the alarme was in the Towne But they determined to besiege Corbeil which was so well defended by Causseins Maister of the campe and certaine forces put into it by the Marshall de S. Andre that the Prince left to go towards Parris and at his arriuall there hee had a hotte skirmish giuen him whereof the end was A furious sirmish that the forces that had issued out of the trenches of Parris after some fight were constrained in all haste to saue themselues in their said trenches with some losse to the great astonishing of the Parrisians For the space of seuen or eight daies that the Prince remained incamped at Gentilly Arcueil and Montronge Villages not farre from Parris What was done about Parris many conferences or rather delayes were holden and vsed and the Prince perceiuing that his enemies still increased thought to giue them a canuisado which tooke not effect hauing beene discouered by one of the principall of his armie that left him to go to the Duke de Guise whereof within three daies after hee repented being his brother that had yeeled Bourges the Prince saued himself by a most straunge meanes for that fearing that hee would make them acquainted with the defaults of his armie the next day he dislodged The falt of Monsieur de Genlis The Duke de Guise beeing strengthened by certaine companies out of Gascon and some Spaniards had determined vppon the next day in the morning to giue him battell before hee had leisure to assemble his dispearsed companies So the Prince departed vpon the tenth of December and the thirteenth beeing in the way to Chartres after diuers opinions of his Councell hee resolued to march straight towards Normandie to recouer mony and to meete his forces comming out of England there to diuert the siege of Orleans The sixteenth Galardon a small Towne was forcibly taken by the Prince and the next day he marched towards Dreux and as hee passed ouer a small riuer hard by the Castle of Maintenon an olde woman stepping a good way into the water tooke him by the boote staying him and looking vppon him said Go Prince thou must suffer What happened to the Prince not long before the battell
were taken from their mothers and new christened mariages resolemnised the goods moneable and immooueable of 62. of the principall of the Towne ceased vppon and whatsoeuer thereof might be sold the mony was confiscated and sixteen or eighteen men were massacred and hanged by the sentences of the Iudges and at the peoples pleasures among the which were two or three that had denied the religion women likewise were not spared whereof three or foure were drawne through the streetes and cast into the water Besides that the souldiers went out and slewe all that they met without companie the Maior and Sheriffes beeing the principall ayders in those cruelties and in a manner no massacre was done but by the commaundement of the Maior Those of the religion at Bar Sur Seine about seuen myles from Troys hauing â—ound the meanes to be stronger then their aduersaries Bar Sur Seinie for a time maintained themselues in that sort but because it is a place easie to be surprised those that were in the Towne perceiuing the cannon placed against the Castle saued themselues as they could The enemies entering into the Towne therin committed such rare cruelties as neuer were seen specially against women and litle children cleauing some of their breasts and plucking foorth their hearts bit them between their teeth reioycing to haue tasted of a Huguenots heart A young Councellor sonne to Ralet the Kings Atturney was hanged at his own fathers request Those that were within the Castle were taken cruelly handled specially their Captaine partly cause of all the disorder whom they condemned to die being vpon the ladder renounced the religioÌ„ but his Apostacie saued him not from hanging The Towne remaining in their hands that had taken it and with most horrible blasphemies defiled diuers women and children In the month of Ianuary fortie or fiftie horses of the Garrison of Antrain a place beeing but a myle from thence about the breake of day surprised the Towne and at their arriual hauing layde hands vpon Ralet they tyed him vpon the toppe of a house where hee was slaine with Pistolle shotte the rest of the massacres were likewise murthered their goods giuen to others Claude Cousni d'Ay was sore wounded within Espernay Espernay cast into the riuer of Marne where the murtheres finished his misery hurting diuers of the people that wept to behold the crueltie committed against him Monsieur de Saint Estiene beeing returned from Orleans to recreate himselfe in his house hard by Reims with two of his brethreren and others S. Estiene was inclosed besieged by a company of fiue or sixe hundreth men and although the houses were not strong neither of walles towers nor diches yet those Gentlemen with their wiues and seruants beeing but 25. persons hauing gotten into a Tower made long resistance and therein sustained two assaults but in the end a part of the tower hauing been beaten downe with a cannon shot and the besieged constrained to hide themselues within a hollow place of the wall the women were gotten out vppon promise to bee set at libertie as in regard of their honour they were but spoyled of all they had and ledde prisoners to Retel which done they sent certain Pages to cal to Monsieur de S. Estiene and to certifie him that the Duke de Neuers sent for him and that hee should not doubt to come foorth which hee had no sooner performed but his owne Cousin German named the Barron of Serny killed him his two bretheren and sixteene others were stabbed The assaylants lost before this place about one hundreth and fiftie men all well knowne This happened in the moneth of September 1562. Commosion of Pesants The Pesants of Coulours Gerisiers and the Villages bordering vpon them for the most part Tenants to the great Prior brother to the Duke of Guise committed infinit murthers and mischiefes about Troys murthering Monsieur de Vigny his wife and their seruants robbing and spoyling his Castle But Monsieur de Cormononcle a Gentleman of the religion accompanied with eight men onely finding those companions in disorder ouerthrewe them and slaying a great number of them put the rest to flight taking all from them which they had taken and brought away from the house of Landry the Controwler about fiue myles from Troys But the Pesants assembling againe assisted by others called bare feete raysed at Sens and thereabouts besieged Villeneufue a Castle belonging to the Monsieur de Esternay but they were speedily repulsed from thence with great losse but to reuenge themselues they burned the base Court wherin stood the barne the fairest stalles in all France with the Mill and a peece of a house which was done about the end of December Within two moneths after seuen score caliuers returned againe to besiege the Castle but Monsieur de Bethincourt a Gentleman of the religion accompanied with nine horse and foure footemen set so resolutely vpon them that some of them beeing slaine and 25. taken prisoners the rest saued themselues by flight The nineteenth of Nouember one of the Dukes of Lunebourg who in Anno. 1559. had had a quarrel against the Duke of Guise in the campe of Amiens The Duke of Lunebourg slaine in France being at Rameru between Troys Vitry le Francois accompanied only with 18. men minding as it was said to goe to Orleans by the commaundement of Bussy d'Amboise Gouernour of Chaallons was assayled in his lodging beeing in his chamber where sixe of his men were slaine and himselfe wounded with thirteene Pistolle shottes which done they layde him in a Horse-litter and bare him vnto Chaallons where hee died Bussyes executioner named Malfontaine an Apostate of the religion in triumph of that worthie exployt carried before him as in triumph eighteene horses eighteene cloakes eighteen paire of bootes and 36. Pistolles Ceant in Othe In the Towne of Ceant in Othe seuen myles from Troys the commons hauing found the meanes to enter therein vpon the 24. day of August murthered diuers of the Towne and continued therein till the end of Ianuary ensuing The number of those that were specially noted besides those that were murthered in other places were twentie persons and a young childe of fiue yeares burnt with his father Many houses were burnt by them for the space of a myle from the Towne and about sixe score horsemen and three hundreth foote of the religion ledde by Monsier de Semide and other Captaines being not able to followe the Prince of Portien that with other troupes had gotten to Strasbourg about the sixteenth of September for their retrait ceased vppon the Borough Towne Cermoise where they maintained themselues valiantly and ouerthrewe an armie of three thousand men that came to assayle them and slaying one hundreth and fiftie of their brauest Souldiers the rest fledde with the losse of three of their men onely and not long after they ioyned with the Prince of Portien
presently deliuered him to the prouost Marshall who hauing brought him to Anger 's caused him by the Dukes commaundement to be broken vppon a Crosse and there left aliue vpon it liuing in that miserie vntill the next morning at foure of the Clocke without releefe or ease of any man by ending his paine still tempted by two Fryers to conuert from the truth of the religion but hee remained constant The two Traytours that betrayed him to his enemies were likewise hanged and an other that hadde opened the Gate whereby they entred into Rochefort was slaine of whome they thought to bee rewarded Tours and the country about it Eight daies before Easter in Anno 1562. the Duke de Montpensier beeing come to Tours with a small troupe in diuers sorts discouered his euill will against those of the religion who hauing had aduice from the Prince how their affaires proceeded seized vppon the Towne without any disorder onely inregard of the Images that by no meanes could be releeued what counsell or aduice soeuer the stayder sort could giue or procure At the same time the cruell sentence giuen in the Parliament of Parris was published in the gouernment of Touraine Maine and Aniou committed to the charge of the Duke de Montpensier and of Chauigni his Lieftenant Which sentence was expressely to commaund all men of what estate soeuer presently to rise in Armes with permission to sounde belles in euery place to spoyle and destroy all those of the religion that could or might bee founde without respect of qualitie sexe or age and to assaile their houses to kill spoyle and vtterly subuert them This sentence was published euery sunday in al the Parishes and in the termes vsed by the Triumuirat Which is to let the greatest Gray hound loose and presently therevppon all kinde of bad persons assembled both pesants and Artificers and leauing their ordinary labors beganne in great fury to march with the rest against those of the religion Part of them entring into Ligueul where they hanged certaine men put out the ministers eyes and then burnt him with a small fier Others entred into Cormery l'Islebouchart Loches and other places bordering vpon it where they committed an infinit number of villanies Among diuers other murthers fleaing a young man named Mathurin Chaiseau of the age of 17. or 18. years An other troupe of 6. or 700. men fel vpon the village of Aze foure miles from Chinon and burnt it massacring to the number of 25. or 30. persons in presēce of the stuard Agenois who in stead of opening his gates to aide the poore distressed people vnderstanding of their comming stood at his windowes to Iudge what blowes they had In the beginning of Iuly they of Tours being sommoned to yeelde the Towne and hauing no meanes to bee releeued by the Prince departed from thence with their armes making three companies of foote two cornets of horse wēt to march to Poictiers Ioyning with those of Chinon and Chastelleraut Wherby they were about the number of 1000. men or there abouts And being followed by 7. or 8. cōmpanies of Lanciers some Cornets of light horse belonging to the Count de Villards their leaders fainted Wherevpon they were charched by the horsemen and ouerthrowne some beeing slaine the rest robbed and spoyled of all they hadde were ledde prisoners to Chastelleraut from whence they escaped by diuers meanes and some got to Poictiers Their Minister called Ihon de la Tour that had bin at the conference in Poissy aged 75. years was drowned in the riuer of Clain the first that yeelded themselues in that ouerthrow were sent to Tours and about three hundreth of the nimblest of them thought by running to get Tours but at their arriuall the Towns-men beganne to ring a bell at the sound whereof diuers of them saued themselues the rest to the number of two hundreth were taken and committed to prison and the next day sixe or seuen score of them were murthered cast into the riuer of Loire Others beeing found about the Towne were likewise throwne into the water not sparing man woman nor childe After that came Chauigny with his band of Priestes Monkes Friers Cannons and their companions and then the murthers and pillages beganne to bee renued The President of Tours named Bourgeau an ancient man of great credit and authoritie who although he neuer had made profession of the religion yet hee was esteemed to bee one hauing presented Clerueaux Lieftenant to Chauigny with 300. Crownes and a Bason of siluer was ledde foorth of the Gates but beeing perceiued and discouered by such as watched for such things hee was murthered with swords and staues and then stripped into his shirt and hanged by the foote his head in the water vp to the breast and beeing still liuing they cut open his bellie and casting his guttes into the riuer sticking his heart vppon the poynt of a Lance bare it about the Towne saying it was the heart of the President of the Huguenots Not long after the Duke de Montpensier arriued in the Towne causing diuers Gibbets wheeles and flakes to bee set vp and then vnder pretence of iustice the murthers beganne again so that the number of those that were executed before then and since amounted to aboue three hundreth persons most part beeing rich men and many of good account Assoone as the Commons or the Iustice had put any man or woman to death they enrered into their houses and killing their children tooke all they found therein in such manner that Richelieu the Monke boasted to haue as much Veluet Satin and Taffata which hee had gotten in Tours as would reach a league in length his companions likewise had their parts in such maner that such as sixe weeks before were not woorth a groate presently after offered to buy lands and to paye thirtie or fortie thousand Frankes readie mony Let vs now see what past during these first troubles in high and base Normandie and first beginne with Roane Rome the principall Towne in that Prouince The fifteenth of Aprill 1562. those of the religion foreseeing some danger ceased vpon the Towne and fiue daies after yeelded reason of their action vnto the Duke de Bouillon Gouernor thereof Their declaration beeing sent to the Court letters pattents were presently giuen vnto the Duke d'Aumale brother to the Duke de Guise to bee the kings Lieftenant in Normandie The third of May the Artificers with their wiues and children entered into the Churches and in lesse then foure and twentie houres had broken downe and defaced all the Images Altars and other superstitious Reliques in more then 50. Churches as wel of Parishes as of Abbayes and Couents not once taking any thing for themselues in such sort that from that time vntill the taking of the Towne the occupation of Priests and Friers wholly discontinued Seuen daies after the Cittizens mustered themselues and the Court of Parliament withdrew it selfe yet without any cause Meane time
those of the religion whose goods were taken from them was maruellous as well in that Towne as others in Bourgongne as also in other Townes and Prouinces of the Realme The one and twentieth of Iune the house of one of the principall of the Citie was forced and sacked In the moneth ensuing diuers meanes were vsed to cause such as were lest to abiure the religion some remained firme In the beginning of October the Parliament of Dyon assayed to commit some of them prisoners and summoned the rest to appeare and such as appeared at Dyon although innocent were hardly handled others had diuers aduentures and some yet very fewe wounded and slaine So that in Beaune there were not aboue two men and some women of great reputation that made open profession of the religion by the support of their assistance Those of the religion in Mascon vppon the thirteenth of May made themselues the strongest yet without effusion of blood and three daies after Mascon the Images were beaten downe as they had beene at Lyons although the Ministers and auncients were of the contrary aduise Mombrun hauing left Chalon and come downe to Mascon put the Inhabitants in such feare that many of them were of opinion to leaue the Towne Wherevpon Tauanes First siege who not long before had made them many gracious offers came before the Towne minding to enter which the people denyed which caused him to assemble all his forces and vppon the third of Iune besieged the Towne his armie being Bourguignons of the Counte euery man wearing a red scarse which was an occasion that the Towns-men shewed the Kings Councell that it was no reason that they beeing his naturall subiectes desiring to liue peaceably according to his edicts should bee constrained to open their Gates vnto Tauanes beeing accompanied with straungers enemies to the Crowne and for many causes suspected vnto them Wherevppon letters were sent vnto Tauanes who withdrewe himselfe in such sort that not long after hauing receiued an other packet hee sought to cease vppon the Gates vnder the Towne whereof hee sayled hauing receiued a hard repulse And as hee made preparation for a second siege those of Lyons sent Monsieur d'Entrages to ayde the Towne who by his conduction made many sallies and braue skirmishes Second siege which notwithstanding Tauanes caused his trenches vppon the one side of the Towne and the third of Iuly wanne the Subburbes of S. Lawrenre the next day making such a batterie that in lesse then two houres all their defences lay vppon the ground And the same day one Mussy seruant to Tauanes was hanged within the Towne for enterprising to cause the towne to bee surprised Not long after Entrages beeing summoned to yeeld made aunswere that if hee had the Maister in his handes hee would cause him to passe the same way his seruant Mussy had done which set Tauanes in such a rage that besides fifteen or sixteene hundreth shotte made against a Tower they shot diuers hundreth times against the breach whereby diuers men were slaine and maimed But the resolution of the assieged hindred Tauanes from approaching and contenting himselfe to send twelue souldiers to viewe the breach sixe of them were slaine and about eleuen of the clocke at night thirtie souldiers issuing out of the Towne cut the throates of certaine Sentinelles and entered so farre as to the Artillerie to trie if they could stop it which they had done if Tauanes in person had not come thither The next day although the Tower so much beaten and defaced had opened a new breach vnto Tauanes yet hee stirred not but to the contrary making shewe in great haste to returne into Bourgongne suddainly raysed his campe leauing certaine thinges of powder behinde him with an ambuscado if those of the Town had offered to come forth but Entrages beeing a polliticke souldier and one that had not many men to loose suffered not his souldiers to issue Tauanes thereby beeing deceiued lodged his troupes not farre from thence and went vppe againe to Chalon where certaine troupes of Dauphine came to meete him At that time it chanced that two Sheriffes of Mascon hauing by their authoritie in the night time laden certaine boates with the reliques of gold and siluer and other ornaments of the Temple of S. Vincents in Mascon minding to carrie and sell them in Lyons Reliques taken for booty beeing two or three leagues off were discouered by one named Saint Poinct who being ayded by certaine Gentlemen of Dauphine and a good troupe of footemen passed the riuer aboue Belleuille and setting vppon the boates tooke them and became Maisters of all that was within them valewed at the least to the summe of thirtie or fortie thousand frankes The Challices and Images of golde and siluer were broken and parted between S. Poinct and his companions although they termed themselues Romish Catholicques Wherevppon a young Lacquey came to Gascon who hauing falsely charged two Captaines was hanged but the souldiers of those two Captaines beganne to mutin because their leaders had been committed to prison vsing many threatning speeches This beeing appeased Entrages saying he would make a generall muster in a plaine hard by the Towne caused those two companies of mutinous fellowes first to issue forth Belleuille defended by astraunge accident which done he shut the Gates vppon them by which meanes beeing constrained to take the other part they went to Belleuille that held for the religion and arriued therein in good time vppon the 28. of Iuly for that the next morning before the breake of the day S. Poinct with sixe or seuen hundreth foote and two hundreth horse and the Pesants of the countrie besieged the Towne thinking to enter therein without resistance But approaching neare the walles and by chance discouered by the one that rose somewhat early they were so hardly receiued by the souldieis of Mascon that they were cōstrained to retire with shame and great losse to reuenge themselues they draue away the beastes of diuers Farmes and sacked the house of a rich Pesant whom they massacred and cast his bodie into the Soane but his bodie was taken vppe and buried in Belleuille How the Queene mother her Regency Hitherto I haue shewed the estate of the particular Prouinces of France during these first troubles now let vs returne againe vnto the Court The Queene beeing deliuered out of the hands of the Triumuirat to assure her authoritie and to hold the greatest personages in some stay thereby to serue her turne by some of them to checke the rest first shee iuested the young Duke of Guise with the estates and offices of his father and to appease the Parisians much greeued for his death shee deliuered Poltrot vnto them that was executed with as greeuous punishment as if hee had slaine the king himselfe which done something was to bee done for the appeasing of those of the religion that had been spoyled massacred as you haue heard The
first to haue been signified to the Court of Parliament in Parris that the King ought not to permit the exercise of two religions within his Realme that the inhabitants of Parris ought not to be constrained to leaue their armes The Bishop in open tearmes seemed to charge de Thou and all his companions to shew but small vnderstanding in those affaires and much lesse conscience The twentie foure of September following by Decree of the priuie Councell the mawrite of the King or as some are of aduice the regencie and Soueraigntie authoritie of the Queene was confirmed The Pope abandoneth the Realm of Nauarre to him that could take is by force wherevnto the King opposeth At the same time an other deuise was wrought against those of the religion The Pope faining that he could no longer beare with the reformation of religion and doctrine vsed in the Realme of Nauarre and the Soueraigntie of Bearn in the moneth of September caused a declaration to bee published in Rome against Ieane d'Albert Queene of Nauarre who as then made publicque profession of the religion and had driuen the Masse out of her Countries This declaration was made in forme of an excommunication for a dispossession of all that land which as then remained vnto this Princesse by whom soeuer would take it in hand to enioy it as by conquest and his owne proper inheritance Shee was likewise cited to appeare before the Consistorie of Cardinalles within sixe moneths after for default whereof the Pope declared her hereticke her goods confiscate and abandoned as aforesaid The King formed an opposition against this papall thunder which as then was shewed but in Rome The King of Spaine hauing neither the desire nor the meanes to fall vppon that Princesse and the Councell of France esteemed it inconuenient to giue so manifest a shadowe vnto those that were of the religion The death of Charles de Cosse Marshal de Brissac that had done great seruice for the Realm of France in the warres of Piedemont made an ende of this yeare 1563. that dyed vpon the last of December Ann. 1564 In the beginning of this yeare it was permitted vnto the Clergie by an Edict to redeeme their landes that had bin alienated to the value of a hundreth thousand crownes yearely rent An Edict in fauour of the Clergie All this was but a point of cunning vsed to diue into the purses of those who during the warres and that France drowned in teares had sung and for the most part liued at their ease About the beginning of Februarie the Ambassadors of the Pope the Emperour the King of Spaine and the Duke of Sauoy came to Fountainebleau desiring that the King would cause the Decrees of the Councell of Trent to bee wholely obserued within the Realme of France for the which cause The King solicited by the Spaniard to breake the Edict of pacification the Deputies were to be at Nancy vppon the the twentie fiue of March then next ensuing to reade the same in presence of the Ambassadors of all the Papisticall and Catholicque Romish Princes assembled togither there to make and frame a generall league against the Realmes principalities and estates that had withdrawne themselues from the obedience of the Pope They likewise desired the king wholly to cease the alienating of the goods of the Cleargie alleadging it to bee preiudiciall both against him and his Realme and contrarie to the word of God that the king of Spaine and the Duke of Sauoy could not bee payed the monies due vnto them by reason of their mariages with the Cleargies mony desired that those of the religion might bee openly punished whom they disciphered according to their accustomed manner That the pardon and the edict of peace should bee made voyde that the king should doo iustice specially of those that were consenting vnto the death of the Duke of Guise And to effect these requests they added most faire and great offers thereby to cast the realme into the burning flame of a second ciuill warre Answere to the Ambassadors But the Queene and her Councell perceiuing it to bee a ticklish matter and distrusting in the promises of such men caused the young king to aunswere them that hee thanked their Maisters whom hee ment not to trouble hoping to maintaine his subiects in peace according to the institution of the Romish Church That hee had made the edict of pacification to put straunges out of his Realme that as then he could reenter into a new warre within his realme for certaine reasons which in writing he sent vnto them and that in those affaires hee would aske the Counsell and aduise of the Prince of his blood and the chiefe Lords of his Councell and of the Crowne The king of Spaine with that Ambassage deuising how hee might see his kinsmans house in new troubles tooke no order for his own in the lowe countries where as then warres beganne to bee hatched which not long after came foorth and as yet continue therein to his great shame and confusion In the beginning of March the Queene beganne the voyage of Bayonne to speake with the king of Spaine the pretence was that the king beeing Maior and about foureteene yeares of age Beginning of the voyage to Bayonne would ride about his Realme to visit his Prouinces and that his presence would bee a means to remedie many complaints and discontentments and withall strengthen and establish the edict of pacification But the effect that both approached and ensued did partly shewe the intents and secret practises of that woman and her Councell The king beganne that voyage in Champagne and Bourgongne from whence hee went to Lyons What a scita dell was built at Lyons and to the ende those of the religion should not haue the meanes to fortifie themselues therein as they had done at other times a scitadell was then begunne to bee erected and although at that time the plague raigned within the Towne yet the Queen and her Councell would not stirre from thence and kept the king there vntill that scitadell was almost finished But in the end the plague being entered into the Queens Chamber whereof one of her Gentlewomen fell sicke the king was ledde from thence While they built at Lyons to bridle those of the religion by that means to weaken their forces Defacing of Townes the Townes of Orleans and Montauban were vnwalled in other townes scitadels were made which by some were called Chastre-villaines by others the Nests of Tyrants Those of the religion indured all contenting themselues with simple declarations in paper and receiuing paper for payment For that about the beginning of this voyage the Romish Catholikes of Greuan in Bourgongne massacred diuers of the religion being assembled therein to exercise their religion Massacre of those of the religion complaints thereof beeing made vnto the Queene shee gaue faire words promising to send Commissioners to Creuan such as were honestly
eleuen months and certaine daies Their discommodities because of their passage ouer the Loir The next day they were followed by the children of the Admirall and Monsieur d'Andelot who hatting trauersed the riuer of Loire in Berry met with the horsemen that conducted them At which time happened a straunge thing for the Prince making his account suddainly to passe ouer in an vnaccustomed place with two or three small boates hired for the purpose being come to the riuer not farre from Sancerre his men found a shallowe foord which he past ouer followed by fiftie horse the Princesse her women children and seruants passed ouer in the boates but they were scarce gotten out when suddainly the day beeing cleare and faire the riuer rose in such sort that they of Sancerie other Inhabitants of those countries were constrained to acknowledge a particular fauour of God shewed to that small troupe which had beene preuented if the Prince had deferred his passage but two houres longer Beeing ouer he dispatched messengers Monsieur d'Andelot into Brittaine desiring him to raise all the men hee could and to march towards Poitou The Queene those of Guise and their Councellours vnderstanding that the Prince and the Admiral were escaped greeued that they had no sooner sent Tauannes their Deputie in that action beganne to send commissions into all parts appoynting their troupes to meete in Poitou and Cuyenne while the Duke d'Aniou Generall of the armie tooke his leaue of the Ladies in the Court and that preparation was made for his departure It fell out well for the Prince and the Admirall that they were not speedily pursued and that they had such aduersaries who for the first weeke of their retrait contented themselues to laugh and iest saying that the Prince had no neede to make such haste to bee gone for that their meaning was not to hurt him But his aunswere to such as tolde him of it beeing vppon the way was that hee had rather leaue them the emptienests then they should take the birds and if that hee had well thought vppon the promise made by them to be reuenged for their flight from Meaux and to make those of the religion runne their towne he had departed in a better time that he might haue trauelled with ease The collor of the Queen her children their adherents Catholicques at the beginning of these wars discharged it selfe vpon diuers particular persons of the religion Hard vsage of those of the religion who in Orleans and other places were pilled sacked and cruelly put to death The Prince arriued in Rochel vpon the 19. of September hauing in his way certified those that commaunded in the Townes and Prouinces where hee past that hee ment not to vndertake any warre but onely to stay for an answere to the petitions by him sent vnto the king the Gentlemen of high base Poitou not long after assembled themselues to ioyne with him at the same time the Cardinall de Chastillon was constrained to leaue Beauuaisin yet so swiftly followed to the sea side that being constrained to leaue his company he entred into a ship that bare him safely into England The Queene of Nanarre Retrait of the Cardinal de Chastâ—lion and of the Queene of Nauarre and her children taking with her the Prince her sonne and the Princesse her daughter went likewise to Rochel so to auoyde the pretences and intents of her enemies against her and hers Descars and Monluc that commanded at Perigord Limosin and Guyenne vsed all the means they could to hinder her but the troupes that conducted her hauing three Regements of foote and eight Corners of light-horse assured her way wherevppon shee certified the king the Queene the Duke of Aniou and the Cardinall of Bourbon of the causes of her voyage The deportements of the Prince at Rochel Immediately vpon the Princes arriuall at Rochel where his brother the Counte of Roche foucaud was come a little before he assembled the Citizens and vnto them represented the miserable estate of the realm requiring their succours in defence of religion the Common-wealth and the Crowne of France Withall promising particularly to assist them against al such as sought the oppression of their liues and liberties The Maior in the behalfe of all the Cittizens whose affaires hee commended vnto him offered him their liues and goods as also the eight and twentieth of September following hee did to the Prince of Nauarre as well inregard of his Lieftenancie in Guyen as also in hope that hee should inherite his Parents not onely in lands and liuings but also in the loue and fauour that they alwaies had borne to the Rochelers whereof hee assured them The Lord d'Andelot the foure and twentieth of September The aduentures of the Lord d'Andelot in comming to ioyne with the Prince entered the confines of Brittaine and Maue with foure Cornets one company of Argoletiers and foure Ensignes of footemen where hee found many other leaders so that his whole companie amounted vnto a thousand good horse and two thousand harquebusiers With these troupes Andelot coasted towards Loyre to finde some commodious passage whereby to ioyne with the Prince The same day that he gat to the riuers side and within two houres after that his men had taken vp their lodgings in the scattered villages the Duke Martiques Gouernour of Brittaine going towards Saumur to the Duke of Montpensier had intelligence that sundrie troupes of enemies not naming who had taken vp their lodging in his way Hee had but three hundreth launces and fiue hundreth braue Harquebusiers with whom he passed couragiously through all d'Andelots troupes who in regard they lay scattered were not able either to defeat him or to force him to retire so that hauing marched eight leagues and had sundrie skirmishes by the shutting of the night hee gat to Saumur hee and his men with the losse of some twentie men among others of his Lieftenants but by the way slewe fouretimes as many and carried away an Ensigne This was the fruite of his close orderly march togither with his resolution worthie a graue wary leader neither could this surprise or abridge d'Andelot of his hope to passe ouer the riuer of Loire for hauing reassembled his forces into two troupes hee caused the riuer to bee gauged all ouer so that at the last hee found a foord where neuer any man in our memorie had passed there did hee and his with great joy for this vnexspected good hap passe the riuer the next day Before this foord was found as the Lord de la Noue demaunded in case the passage were stopped what they were best to resolue vpon What shuld we do said he but follow an extreame resolution either to die as souldiers or to saue our selues as souldiers A braue resolution in necessitie adding moreouer I thinke it best for vs to ioyne togither and so to retire some seuen or eight leagues into the open countrie thence to scatter
some rumours whereby the Duke de Montpensier and Martigues may bee aduertised of our departure in manner of a flight euery man seeking to saue one for this will easilie bee beleeued In the mean time let vs prepare and encourage our men to the field so that if they drawe after vs as vndoubtedly they will in hope rather of spoyle then of battell we may valiantly encounter them so shal we giue them such an ouerthrow that wee shall not need to feare any troupe that may dare to meete vs for one months space but that we may at ease either passe the riuers or get into Germanie Martiques by this passage purchased great honour but d'Andelot more commoditie by his by bringing himself all his troupes into safetie wherby within eight daies hee ioyned with the Prince Then was there sundrie consultations about their affaires how to imploye both men and the time whilest they leuyed a mightie armie for the duke of Aniou and that the duke of Montpersier assembled diuers troupes in Anion and the countries thereabout to go to it in earnest The Prince bringing some cannons out of Rochel set vpon such townes of Poitou and Xaintongue The Princes first exployts as were but weake and meanly furnished with Garrisons seizing vpon Nyort Fontenay S. Maixaut Saintes S. Iohn d'Angely Ponts and Coignac Depuys Blay and Angoulesme whereof some were gotten easily and others by force and assault To be short within two months space the Prince and his partakers of poore vacabondes as they were at the first became so wealthie that they were able to continue a long war In al these places they lodged some thirtie companies of footmen and seuen or eight cornets of horse which was a great sauing for the fielde and they formed a most pollitieque militarie order as wel for the French as for the conduct of their armie Thus throgh necessitie togither with occasion they of the religion found meanes to make vse of both and the Admiral was wont to their aduenture to attribute the ancient prouerbe of The mislocles saying to his familiers Had we not been lost we had been lost Meaning that had they not committed an ouersight they had not had so great a recouerie as that which did farre surpasse their former condition The delaies of the Romish Catholieques stood the Prince in great stead But if in time they had foreseen that those whō he had caused to dislodge in so great hast went to settle themselues farther off The delay of the one serued for the others good and made speede to impeach them by all apparance the Prince had remained inclosed within Rochell and the wars had not cōtinued But god by those obscure beginnings made an entrie into the notable iudgements which after that appeared It may be that the ioy they had at Parris to see the Townes and Prouinces left which had made so long and hard war against the Parrisians during the first second troubles made diuers of their harts so much in flamed that they disdaind their enemies that were so far off esteeming that Rochel alone could not resist them but y◠within 3. month after they shuld be inclosed therin which discourses are commonly made when our prosperitie is geater then we expect The Q. and her Councelors presently caused an edict to be published at Parris Edicts against those of the religion by y◠which after a long declaration made touching things happened to the realme by of the religion the king among other things declared that the Edict of ianuary by the which he promised the exercise of religion was but prouisionall vntill his Maioritie and that hee was not determined to haue the Edict made before that touching the religion should be any more obserued For which causes beeing atiained to the said age of Maioritie hee fore bad all exercise thereof in the countries of his obedience commaunding without reuocation that there should be no other exercise of religion but onely that of the Romish Church vpon paine of losse of bodie and goods And vppon the same paine commaunded all the Ministers of the religion to depart out of the Realme within fifteene daies after the publication thereof commaunding neuerthelesse that those of the religion should not in any sort be troubled for their consciences so they would liue peaceably in their houses At the same instant an other edict was published certifying that from thencefoorth the king intended not to bee serued with any offices beeing of that profession from that time forward discharging them of all their offices commaunding them to yeelde them vpto him within fifteene daies after otherwise hee would take some stricter order therein These Edicts had been long hatching but their hope was to intrappe the Prince and the Admirall The effects of such edicts wherein hauing failed to get mony of the Cleargie and the third estate the Queene and those of Guise serued themselues with this deuise which was to no great end For that besides the great charges of the Duke of Anious armie wherewith the most dearest Catholicques were twise greeued and offended before the warre was halfe ended diuers of the religion entered into the field who otherwise would haue stayed the rest and quietnesse promised them by the king and not haue left their houses But at this alarme they assayed to ioyne with the troupes further the commaunders sent certaine declarations into England and Almaine to shewe that they were not pursued as seditious persons or such as desired a Crown as their aduersaries reported but onely because of the religion which the Romish Catholicques sought to extirminate France which serued thē well for the furtherance of the leuie of Rutters which the next yeare came into France vnder the conduct of the Duke de Deux Ponts Also there were many about the king the Queen and the Duke of Aniou that desired nothing else but to see all the countrie flaming with fire some to robbe and spoyle without punishment others to execute their vengeances and reuenges the Pensionaries of Spaine to cause the Frenchmen to cut each others throat those of Guise by litle and litle to attaine to the aduancement of their deseignments which discouered themselues in the end of the raigne of Henry the thrid as you shall read After these Edicts the Duke of Aniou made preparation for all things necessarie for his voyage and so puissant an armie whereof by the king hee was made Lieftenant generall That which increased the Princes troupes was the Regiment of foot which Monsieur d'Acier brought out of Dauphine Prouence and Languedoc not long before the Prince had written vnto him as also to diuers Captaines in those Prouinces that they should vse all the means they could to prouide him a certaine number of men therewith to withstand the armie royall that came to assayle him that the Princes Lords and other commaunders might not indure so great disaduantage to bee assieged within a towne
after and ther reloiued to besiege Saint Iohn d'Angely In the mean time Puuiaut forsook Fontenay as not able to stand against such an armie and so came to Rochel where hee craued and obtained succours to defend Marans the keye of that countrie The Protestants troupes retire to la Charite The Princes Garrisons of Chastelleraud Chauuigny Roche-pose castle d' Angle Prully Cleruant and other small places departed to passe through Berry and so with Briguemaut to draw to Sancerre Charite They tooke breath at Bourg Dieu lately surprised to their vse by Captaine Gournay from young Monluc for by the way the Commons of Berry and Chastre the Gouernor of the Countrie had greatly molested them but Guerchy Gouernor of Charite came to free them and maugre all the indeuors of Chastre and the resistance or a fewe Priests of Chasteauneaf a town standing vpon the riuer of Cher who foolishly and with the losse of their liues had changed their portuises into swords and their copes into corslets brought them into couert Asconcerning those of Dauphine and Languedoc Viuarets and Auuergne some of them to the number of sixe or seuen hundreth horse with the princes leaue tooke their way homeward purposing by leisure to prouide for some places in Viuaretz and Auuergne where after many difficulties they did arriue loosing by the way some hundreth men besides such as were stripped for no sooner could any man scatter ortarrie behind but he was presently taken vp by the Pesants who studied onely how to robbe and spoyle The chiefe of these troupes that retired thus were Monbrun Mirabel and Verbelay who afterward commaunded in Orillac in Auuergne from whence Saint Heran the Gouernour did his vtter indeuor to debarre the Princes entrie for indeed there was aspeech that they purposed to come and winter in the plaine countrie called la Limagne but they went an other way for hauing prouided for Rochel Saint Iohn d'Angely and some other places they passed ouer Dordogne drew towards Quercy and below Cadenat passed ouer the riuer of Lot from whence they followed that course which heereafter we will set downe Among other Townes that serued the Princes in these warres we must not for get Rochel a port of the sea well knowne to all men Rochel a great refuge for the Princes for that among other commodities which it did for those of the religion it rigged and prepared great numbers of shippes that tooke many rich prizes whereby great profit ensued for the common cause Although at that time they tooke but the tenth part for the Admiraltie yet the profit amounted vnto aboue three hundreth thousand frankes diuers courses were made by many Captains among the which Sore bare a great name wherewith the Spaniards were not well content Nismes in Languedoc serued likewise greatly for the Prince after they had taken it from one named Saint Andre As also Nismos in Languedoc gotten by a notable denice by meanes of their participants in those quarters that got it by a notable deuice entering by a grate of Iron filed diuers nights with a soft file by a souldier liuing at hazard This grate stood at the foote of the Town wall shutting in a sinke throgh the which there ranne in a fountaine out of a little spring for the commoditie of the Inhabitants The enterprises whereof one named Captaine Saint Cosme was the leader beeing entred by this conduct were presently discouered by the Sintinell that stood vpon it In such sort that the fluee of a mill not farre from thence was presently left open vpon them and some peeces out of the Castle shot against them Neuerthelesse they shunned it being entered and dispearsed in troupes Saint Cosme went to the grate called Carmes where hee put a court of guard to the swoord consisting onely of Priests and going to the Crowne gate hee met a Corporall whom hee constrained to giue him the word forced an other court of guard and slew them all The gate beeing opened certaine souldiers that stayed withour entered with their boyes and running with three trumpets through the streetes of the Towne made a great noyse Chaissi Mingelle and other Captaines companions of Saint Cosme went round about the Towne Saint Andre and his Liefetenant not hauing the meanes to get into the Castle and beeing hardly pursued for they went to bee reuenged vpon them because of their wicked liues and as then also they had those of the religion that had fledde from Nismes against them to whom they had done a thousand mischieses threw themselues off from the wall into the ditches where the one brake his necke the other his thigh and the next day being taken was slaine Captaine Astoul that commanded in the Castle held out almost three months against the Towne but hauing lost part of his souldiers by a mine others dead of sicknesse and the rest poore and miserable hee agreed to yeelde liues and goods saued and so this towne restored to the commandement of the Princes did after serue them to great end in many of their affaires The fiege of Vizelay by Sansac with the successe thereof After the battell of Moncontour the Duke of Aniou commaunded Sanssacto take from those of the religionall that they held beyond Loire According to this commission Sanssac with two and twentie Ensignes of foote and eight cornets of horse foure cannons and two coluerins entered into Donzi which beeing very weake had beene abandoned tooke Noyers vpon composition that the besieged should enioy both liues and goods which notwithstanding the most part of the souliers were transported to Troy in Champagne and threescore of them slaine by the people in the streets Irom thence Sanssac mached toward Vezelay a towne standing vpon the top of a high hil hauing but one way to come at it whereby the Inhabitants came in and out All other waies are so steepe that without many breathings it is vnpossible to climbe to the foote of the walles which are reasonable thicke and strong Therein were inclosed these Captaines Blosset Sarasin Besansen and Ribourpierre with three companies of footemen and two Cornets of horse Most of these souldiers were such as had come thither as to a place of resuge The 8. of Octob. Sanssac caused three companies to make the first approach but the besieged came foorth very resolutely defeated two companies slew their Captaines and about fortie souldiers the third saued themselues in a valley among Then did Sansac with greater forces make his approaches and within two daies after beganne the batterie which continued eight and fortie houres then gaue the assault at two breaches and an escalado neare the Franciscan Fryers But hee had as sharpe a repulse with losse of three hundreth men and aboue as also the defendants lost some thirtie men with their Captain named Sarazin Then did Sansac remooue his batterie into diuers places and gaue an assault which the besieged did valiantly defend and slew euen without
answered that for the losse of such a battell their hope in the strong God of whose aide they were assured was not diminished And the next day after this parley was made the sallie aforesaid wherein Partso◠was slaine and at their returne into the towne they sung the 50. Psalme beginning The mightie God c. And not long after Martigues felt that the strong God is liuing to ayde the weake and to abate those that thinke themselues to be stronger then he During this batterie la Motte Puiols and S. Seurin with eightie horse and two hundreth foot made a braue sallie vpon the besiegers court of guard which consisted of foure Ensignes slew fiftie or sixtie of the principall wounded a great number cloyed sixe coluerins and burned fifteen barrels of powder belonging to the munition also la Motte charged the Switzers that kept the store house wherein were some hundreth barrels and more slew part of the Switzers and scarred the rest so that had they not made speede to the rescue all the powder of the armie had vanished in smoke The besieged retired with two Ensignes many drūmes weapons great bootie without losse of any one man Afterward the furie of the cannon was redoubled and the besiegers resolued to abide but not to fight but with cannon shot Finally the siege hauing continued for the space of two monethes there was a capitulation signed with the kings owne hand importing that the besieged should issue out with their goods armes and horses their Ensignes wound vp and that for the space of foure monethes after they should not beare armes for the generall cause of the religion that as well straungers as others might retire whither they would with all securitie and that they should be conducted by Biron Cosseins Now it remained that they should prouide to depart the next day being the third of Decemb. which they did euery man as well as hee might In the meane time the sicke and wounded the aged impotent and women tooke on mightily neither was there anything heard but weeping and lamentation especially at the departure which was about noone The Duke of Aumale was at the gate of Mattas where the footemen were the first that came forth The vn worthee dealing with those that came foorth of Saint Iohn d'Angelie vpon compesition vnder the leading of Captaine Serido and other Captaines to whom Marshal Vieillenille said Follow me and let your men come after you Beeing come to the midst of the subburbs the Romish Catholicquesouldiers began to discharge vppon therest and with force draue them into their lodgings where they stripped them of their armes apparrel and mony the marshal being hereof aduertised commanded his mēto follow him with their weapons readie but as he ran one way there was much iniurie offered an other Whervpon Serido went twise to complain to the D. d'Aumale and to summon him to see the kings promise performed but Aumale in liew of going himselfe commanded certaine Captaines to take order for it About 50. paces without the subburbs stood the D. of Aniou whose countenance did somwhat represse the insolencie of the Rutters but so soone as they were passed him his foot mē spoiled their cariages seized vpō their spare horses set the horsemē besides their saddles robbed them Neither did they the escaped this first spoyle go scot free for passing by S. Iulians which was halfe a league of they incurred greater iniuries then before The regiment of Sarrieu that stood there at guard suffered not any to escape but tooke from them all that they could finde euen to their hose and shooes yea sometimes to the very shirt Many were beaten murthered and slaine and some cast into the riuer Thus were the footemen intreated that vppon the kings faith royall came foorth of S. Iohn d'Angely The horsemen at their departure did Biron and Cosseyns bring foorth which notwithstanding they were stripped by their carriages armour and horses and being passed Saint Iulians three cornets appoynted for their conduct began to strip and iniurie any that scattered neuer so little yea euen at Siech whither they were that day to march diuers were robbed stripped and slaine And the next day vppon the way to Saint Cibardean this disorder continued to the contempt and infamie of the authoritie royall notwithstanding the kings safe conduct his Herault and Trumpet whom Biron had commanded to bring them to Angoulesme where both foote and horse thus hardly intreated arriued vppon Sunday the fourth of December about tenne of the clocke in the morning where they were honeftly receiued by the Lord of Mesines the Gonernour and diuers other Lords and Gentlemen that wondred at the former treacherie and aduised to complaine to the king and other principall men and to craue amends Aumale and the rest made much ado but in wordes onely so that thus the solemne promise was broken and the dignitie royall exposed to infamie neither could the Captains notwithstanding their complaints procure any satisfaction Indeede some fewe of the veriest rascals and treachers were bannished the campe and recompence promised for the loft baggage besides that the king seemed to be mightily discontent that his name shuld be so villainously prophaned but this second promise was as well obserued as the first Piles and some others accounting themselues in regard of this treacherie freed from their promise contained in one of the articles of the capitulation departed from Angoulesme and went to the Princes notwithstanding the disturbance by Vauguyon and eight Cornets of horse offered at the passage ouer Dordogne In this siege the assaylants loft aboue 10000. men of war and discharged 35000. cannon shot 25. or 30. commissaries of the artillerie were slaine by the besieged who for want of munition let 12. or 15. peeces mounted vpon wheeles stand vnoccupied many left the campe which found it selfe diminished of 18. or 20000. men yet litle esteemed in respect of the D. de Martigues and other cōmanders Whilest the Romish Catholicques armie lay spending thēselues before S. Iohn d'Angely la Chastre and others warred vpon the religious in Berry the borders with variable successe on both sides The protestants in two or three places trusting to their enemies promises were hardly intreated but they had their reuenge by weapons and valiant resistance in sundrie places where they bare out sundrie assaults forced their enemies to retire The kings armie by want of victuals and other discommodities presently after went from Saint Iohn de Angely leauing the Princes and the Admirall to thinke vpon their voyage And the king about the end of the yeare went to Anger 's assigning the Princes Deputies to bee there in the beginning of Ianuary to intreat of peace The King 1570. the Queene the Duke of Aniou and their Councell thinking that the Princes had lost courage and after the battell of Montcontour Why a parley of peace was made about the beginning of the yeare to be wholly destitute
Ienlis aduentures who had gathered foure thousand footemen and fiue hundreth horse Ienlis and his troupes defeated for the succor of Countie Lodowicke and la Noue whom the Duke of Alue had besieged in Monts In the meane time commeth the new dispensation toward the ende of Iuly wherewith the Cardinal seemeth satisfied and the eighteenth day of August is nominated for the marriage In the meane time commeth the news of Ienlis surprise and aduenture whereat the king seemeth to bee much agreeued who writeth to his Ambassadour in the lowe Countries to procure by all possible meanes the deliuerie of the prisoners taken in that surprise as also he suffereth the Admirall to send all the succour hee may to ioyne with the Rutters whom the Prince of Orenge had buried at the same time causing him to haue mony deliuered for the footemens paye who were thought to amount to foure Regiments besides some thirtie companies of men at armes The Ambassadour of Spaine seemed to be malecontent because the king went about to make war in Flaunders and for the same cause withdrew himselfe out of France the Queene-mother also played many parts in this tragedie faining not to haue knowne the kings proceedings and knowing them made as though she would haue left the Court in such manner that the Admiral Teligny his sonne in law and other Lords confirmed themselues more and more that the kings actions were correspondant to the Admirals aduice which was to make warre in the king of Spaines countries that had kindled it and pretended to make warre in France thereby in time to cease vppon it Rochel inuested prouideth for it selfe The last of Iuly the Rochelers wrote vnto the Admirall that the armie at sea approached neare them and that it spoyled the plaine Countri-men comming euery day from Xantongue and Gascon vsing terrible threatnings against their towne openly speaking of the spoyle thereof sending to aske his counsell therein specially touching the receiuing of eight hundreth men for Garrison which they sought to put into the Towne Hee made them an honourable aunswere dated the seuenth of August assuring them of the care hee had ouer them and added that hee sawe the king so well disposed to the entertainment of peace that all men had cause to commend him The Rochelers notwithstanding neglected not to looke vnto themselues and to fortifie their Towne In other Townes their ranne diuers mutterings and many were the threats of the Romish Catholicques against the Protestants which daunted some of them Others relied vppon the Admiralles presence in the Court and trusted to his answere deliuered as well by word of mouth as by writing vnto those that asked his aduice vppon all accurrences whose speeches were in effect as followeth That as concerning the Guisians whom they so vrged the King had taken order by setting them at vnitie and causing both parties to swear friendship that the marriage of the Ladie Margaret whom the King gaue saith hee not to the King of Nauarre onely but as it were to the whole Church of the Protestants to ioyne with them in an indissoluble vnion was the type of their peace and safetie Heerevpon hee often besought such as sent him any packets gaue him any aduice of the hatred of the King the Queene-mother the Duke of Anion or the house of Cuise against either himselfe or the Protestants no more to trouble him with any the passed calamities but rather to be content with their daily prayers to God to whom they were to giue thankes that hee had vouchsafed to bring all matters to so quiet an end In brief the Admiral euer like himselfe stood fast in all these motions not that hee knew not of the malice of infinite his aduersaries that inuironed him neither that beeing at Parris hee laye in the very goulf and deepest pit of death but because through constancie and long continuance he had framed himselfe to rely vpon Gods prouidence as also for the hauing secretly layed open vnto the King the very springs of the ciuill warres in France and most liuely painted foorth the practises of his secret enemies and treacherous seruants that aymed at the soueraigntie since it hath manifestly appeared hee supposed that he had left him in a faire path to preuent them For sure it is that the King albeit as then but yong had a very good wit and could reasonable wel perceiue the course of his affaires so that had not such bloodie and furious Councelles preuented and crossed his capacitie France had not incurred those calamities that since haue almost subuerted the whole estate thereof For in the end he found albeit ouer-late for his person and crown that they that termed themselues his seruants ment nothing lesse but were his most cruell enemies and such as had exiled and murthered his best subiects to the end afterward with more facilitie to ridde their hands of himselfe and so to seize vppon the Realme There happened yet an other matter as the waies of God are maruellous and vncomprehensible that more and more stopped the eares of the Admirall Negotiation of Polonia not to way so many aduertisements as daily were giuen him to depart out of Parris to take with him out of Parris such Lords Gentlemen and Captaines as the Queene-mother the Duke of Anion the Guisians and the Parrisians most vehemently hated For certaine weekes before it had been determined in the Councell to send Ambassadours into Polonia king Sigismond beeing dead to desire the Estates to chuse for their king the Duke of Anion whom the Admirall accounted an irreconcileable enemie to the Protestants The Admirall therefore perceiuing that the king was earnest to further that matter of Polonia for his brother that had great credite throughout the Realme of France iudged that the king had a good insight and desired to reduce all things to a sure and firme peace that the Duke of Anion confined in Poland his adherents would be constrained to become milder that the house of Guise destitute of such a staye and doubting the king that many times looked with a fierce countenance would bee carefull not to bee too busie that in time and not long the Queene-mother would bee constrained to leaue the conductions of the affaires of the Realme vnto her sonne wherevnto hee beganne to frame himselfe and perceiuing that the King and the Queene appoynted Iohn de Monluc Bishoppe of Valence a man of great iudgement and one that had effected many serious enterprises and at other times had trauelled into Polonia for the same purpose which voyage hee beganne the seuenteenth of August it put him in better hope Monluc to the contrarie perceiuing the tempest at hand desired nothing more then to get him out of France that hee might not bee a witnesse nor forced Councellour to the mischiefes which hee perceiued readie to fall vppon those of the religion A little before hee had wished the Countie of Rochefoucaut other Lords neuer to meddle in
against the Priests and Fryers of Parris ayded by their seruants onely with fagget-sticks in their hands or how could hee haue leisure in so short a time or would haue bin so mad with his adherents vnwise onely in this that they trusted the kings word and beleeued not the aduice of those that counselled them not to put themselues into the Lyons clawes that watched for them vnder that great hedge to consult vpon an action so important execrable and of the greatest consequence that possible may bee Besides this after he was wounded the Phisitians and Surgeans had inioyned him silence and all the Councels holden in his chamber tended resolutely to expect iustice to be done vppon those that had hurt him as the King and the Queen-mother had sworne and promised The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde were alwaies at those Councels and to conspire against the King was as much as if they had soght to stab thēselues to stain their house with the most detestable ignomie that could bee deuised And to be short it is as much as if they should transforme the Admirall and his friends into brute beasts as to attribute such consultations vnto them in such a time and place and against so many good Frenchmen and againe if he were suspected of such a crime was it not in the kings power seeing so many armed men about his lodging held him inclosed and at the first word could haue seized vpon him to cause him to bee poysoned presently vppon the suspition without daunger of tumult by those of the religion whose weaknesse was well knowne at the time of the massacre The number of those that were termed adherents to the Admirall beeing nothing in comparison of the murtherers and of women maides and yong children cruelly massacred that neither knew where the Admirall lay nor yet what hee said◠holding him prisoner they might without resistance or daunger haue made information and so haue proceeded against him according to the lawes of all Nations ... If there were witnesses they might haue maintained and affirmed their depositions before the Admirall and his adherents which by Pitrac is written to haue beene reported to the king further if it should bee so that the Admirall and his adherents after his hurt did vtter any angrie speeches hauing knowne the cause he might haue contented himselfe with his owne house and familie and not in a tumult and barbarous furie by sound of bell to mooue the people to assemble all the Towne hee ought to haue hindred the massacre of so many Ladies and yong Gentlewomen and of so many Gentlemen wise learned and reuerent olde men of so many little children that conspired not but against their mothers breasts or else to get out of the wombes It may bee asked of the Councellours of this inhumane iustice why so many women great with childe and halfe dead were thrown into the riuer wherin so many thousands of honorable innocent persons were massacred without inquisitiō cōdemnation forme or figure of processe which is more if the Adm. had neuer so litle attempted against the person or life of the K. and his two bretheren who is he that knoweth not that al the Prouinces towns to be short al sorts of people of all estates would speedily haue taken weapon in hand in a moment without difficultie had put the culpable and all his adherents to the swoord with all strange motiōs wold both approoue allow as most expedient and necessarie And touching the king of Nauarre euery man detested the imposture of the declaration Was he not in the Admirals hands for the space of foure yeares did hee not professe the like religion who is ignorant of the humble and sincere respect which the Admirall bare vnto this Prince and the great affection hee shewed vnto the Admirall could those of the religion get any thing by the death of the king of Nauarre was hee not loued as well of the Catholicques as those of the religion Could the Admiral hope for a Prince more fauourable then hee or that could better reuenge the outrage that had been done vnto him Other circumstances touhing the massacre Now let vs returne to other circumstances and the course of our Historie By an other declaration of the 30. day of August the king gaue to vnderstand to the Gouernours of his Prouinces that the Admirall and Gentlemen of the religion that were with him in Parris without expecting the iustice that he had promised to execute vpon the wonder of the Admirall had conspired against his Maiestie his mother his bretheren the king of Nauarre and other the Lords and Princes about them and against the estate yea that some of the chiefest and adherents to the conspiracie acknowledging their fault had confessed it These principall adherent confessors hee nameth not as indeed there were none vnlesse he meanes Bouchauanes of Picardie who vppon Saturday had been present at one of the consultations wherein the Vidame of Chartres the second time with vehement speeches in the pesence of the K. of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and many others had vrged the remooue of the Admiral out of Parris wishing his friends and familiars to follow after as hourely discouering many things that put him in more doubt Hee was in manner the onely man that was of that opinion for the rest they stood vppon it that so they should doo the king wrong in that they should call into question his faith and sincere meaning that it might suffice quietly and modestly to craue iustice at his hands that the matter was yet fresh and therefore it might bee feared least the king should bee offended if they proceeded so hotly Other report could not Bouchananes make in honour or with a safe conscience Concerning Briquemant and Cauagues whom they ment to vse wee will speake heereafter Onely I will heere adde one note taken out of the seuenth booke of the remembrances of Monluc one of the Marshals of France and a sworne enemie to the Protestants He speaking of the murthers saith Albeit I was then Maister onely of my owne house Monlucs testimonie yet the Queene did me that honour to write vnto me and to send me word that they had discouered a great cōspiracie against the king and his estate I wot what I beleeued but it is not good to anger a mans Maister The king neuer forget the chase that the Admirall gaue him from Meaux to Parris swifter then ordinarie Wee forget our selues when wee come to the pinch and neuer thinke that kings haue greater stomacks then wee and withall that they can sooner forget a good peece of seruice then any offence These bee Moulucs words who a little before had said that the Admiral was vnwise to thrust himselfe into Parris to the end to make the world to thinke that he ruled all I wonder how a man so wise polliticke in worldly matters could commit such a grosse ouersight But
hee payde well for it for it cost him his life and many more Why the defence of the massacre is here set down I haue drawne the declaration or defence afore saide out of diuers treatises at that time imprinted without ouermuch thrusting mine own iudgemēt into such discourses And also the innocencie of the massacred might wel maintaine it selfe and enioy an assured reward much better then the iudgement of humane sence can comprehend I thought it no preiudice to these recuiels to insert this extract of their defence Touching the particularities of the massacres in other Townes of the Realme they hauing beene set down and particularly noted in other books as yet extant I mean not herein to present this sea of innocent blood which beeing hidden in the ground and mixed with the waters hath cried vnto heauen and procured so many blowes from thence vppon the authors and adherents of so many murthers Diuers coūcels to surprise Roche Now there rested no more but one small moate within the eies of the king and his Councell which was Rochel to the Inhabitants whereof Strossy and Poulin surnamed Barron de la Garde wrote certaine friendly letters dated the last of August offering them men to keepe their Towne and asking them great store of victuals to furnish the kings Nauy by sea but the Rochelers hauing good cause to furnish themselues by a letter dated the second of September aunswered with all modestie that they had no neede of men to defend them desiring to liue peaceably in their auncient priuiledges and that they wanted victualles whereby it was impossible for them to helpe others Montpesac Seneschall of Poictou sent them a long letter wherein he mocked the Admiral and sought by long preaching to perswade them but by silence they abated his babling by letters dated three daies after they sought to pacifie Strossy perceiuing that the enterprise of Flaunders was found to bee but a smoke After the newes of the massacre they withdrew themselues into Rochel with their armes and furniture wherin after that they did good seruice Fiftie Gentlemen one thousand fiue hundreth souldiers fiue and fiftie Ministers as well of Poictou Xaintongne as of other Prouinces saued themselues therein and a publicke fast was solemnized among them vppon the ninth and eleuenth of the same moneth The Councellours of the massacre perceiuing that Strossy did nothing appoynted Biron Great-maister of the artillerie to bee their Gouernour by commaundement from the King vsing many faire speeches and promising much vnto the Rochelers to whom Biron that during the massacre had been in daunger wrote very fauourably The Rochelers spared neither paper nor Inke holding them close and in couert And against Sancerre An other Towne namnd Sancerre vppon Loire not farre from Parris serued also for retrait to diuers of the religion escaped from the sword of the massacres of Bourges Orleans and other places The Inhabitants behaued themselues with all good wil towards such poore fugitiues notwithstanding letters of the 3. of Septemb. were sent vnto them by the which it was inioyned them to receiue of their Captaine him that should bee sent them by la Chastre Gouernour of Berry and into the Castle such troupes as hee should thinke conuenient In the meane while the Romish Catholickes triumphed in Parris thinking to haue gotten al the world in the middle of their triumphs and feasts about the first of September certaine good persons by night went to the Gibbet of Montfalcon and tooke downe the Admirals bodie which they buried in so secret a place that what inquisition soeuer his enemies could make it could not bee found They neuerthelesse loth to loose such a Relicque which they daily visited very deuoutly whom the king himselfe went to looke vpon saying to a certaine Lord that wished him not to go neare that the sauoring carrion of a dead enemie was most sweet had rather hang vppe a bottell of haye in forme of a man then haue nothing at all A Minister named du Rosier a man of a readie wit but turbulent and insolute beeing cought as hee was flying from Parris began to halt and soone after reuolted from the religion which hee himselfe had maintained in his sermons and writings and seduced other prisoners for being brought to Parris he ioyned with sundrie Sorbonnists and beganne to oppugne the profession of faith of the king of Nauarre of the Prince of Conde and of diuers Ladies and Gentlewomen In the meane time in the prisons they murthered such as continued constant in their religion whose bodies they cast into the riuers by night I told you before that the king had sent a precept or large declaratiō to the Rochelers also that Biron their appoynted Gouernor The proceedings in the expeditions to catch the Rochelers had written to them very fauourable letters Audeuars the king of Nauarres Steward charged with such packets and very ample instructions ariued at Rochel the seuen and twentieth day of September where hee forgat no part of his charge as well to the Maior and other Magistrates as to sundrie particular persons for the most part of the religion and incouraged by a number of their bretheren commen to them for refuge A few daies after Audeuars comming hauing deliberately at large communicated of their affaires in ful assembly they made an ample answere to the commandement vnto them inioyned in the kings name concerning the admission of Garrisons saying that they could not aduow that commandement to proceed from the king to the testimonie of whose letters dated the 22. the 24. day of Aug. they appealed wherin he layeth the whole burthen of the sedition massacre vpō the house of Guise protesting that he had much ado to keep himselfe safe in the castle of the Louure with his guard Their defenses Further that they could not possibly beleeue that the K. shuld be so far deuoid of counsell as to cut off his own armes to pollute the sacred marriage of his sister with the effusion of so much noble innocent blood defame that French nation his royal name with so cruel an actiō either Minister an argumēt to al historio graphers to write so tragical a Historie as neither antiquitie of time hath seen that like or posteritie can hear of without horror That this cōspiracie was cōtinued in Rome hatred in Parris by the rage of the Guisians who pretēded to seize vpō the kingdome Withal they defended the Adm. innocencie craued to be permitted to liue in their priuiledges Other remonstrances they made to Audeuars cōcerning some poynts of his cōmission as that exercise of religiō c. and as he clawed thē with infinite flatterings so they returned him more Court holy-water then he was ware of in this necessitie wanted no polliticke wisedome Biron in the mean time gathered towards them and the Barron de la Garde beganne openly to threaten them which caused them to looke better to their
certain charme vsed against the life of the king Althogh la Mole sustained the cōtrarie vntil the last point of his death affirmed it to be made only to continue him in the loue of that Gentlewoman whom he ment to marrie The king vsed all the meanes hee could to surmount and ouercome his sicknesse and as his yeares gaue him assayed diuers times to shewe his courage but all in vaine After the departure of the king of Polonia they perceiued him to bee more changed in minde then in bodie If he had liued longer it is without all doubt that the Councellours of the massacre had receiued their reward from him his heart was so much mooued against them so that he could not chuse but vtter his mind therin to some about him in the Court whom hee knew to bee vtter enemies to such iniustice and thereof wrote letters out of the Realme So that to conclude hee was determined to haue made some stirring among them vntill that finding himselfe to bee seized vppon and that hee had not the meanes as then to execute any thing beeing inuironed by men that helde him as it were bound both hand and foote his seruants slaine disgraced or banished from him wherein in time he thought to take order that might procure an ouerture to his haughtie desires not once thinking vntill hee was so weake that hee had beene so neare his death His letters to the Gouernors of Prouinces In the end of March hee wrote vnto the Gouernours of the Prouinces saying that seeing the discontentment of his subiects and the common cause of the religion produced so many troubles within his Realme hee desired them to vse peaceable meanes with those of the religion declaring that hee would not that any wrong should be done vnto them nor other dealing vsed towards them in their affaires then the other Catholicque subiects of his Realme hee commaunded that those of the religion should bee safegarded by those of the Romish Church to assure defend them from the violence that was to be done against them where any such should bee enterprised hee commaunded all his Officers to vse the speediest and readiest iustice that might bee willing them to looke vnto it calling God to witnesse that his onely intent was to see all his subiects liue in peace Hee likewise desired the same Gouernours to prouide that their companies should not in any sort bee chargeable to their subiects but should paye according to the order therein taken by the same letter also shewing that hee had been sicke of a quarterne ague hee was as then somewhat recouered so that the reports spred abroad of his death were wholy vntrueths The fourth of May hee aduertised the said Gouernors of the imprisonment of the two Marshals that were accused of conspiracie against his person and the estate inioyning them to ouerrunne all those that were vppe in armes to put them to the sword but the poore Prince as then was neither respected of friends nor enemies Euery day he receiued packets of new commotions that bredde nothing but discommodities wherein a firme peace and faithfull maintenance of those of the religion in the exercise thereof and in that which they had desired for the conseruations of their persons goods dignities rights and priuiledges had beene the onely remedie which his mother and her Councellours abhorred Hee perceiued the beginnings of new troubles in the captiuitie of his brother and his brother in law and the two Marshals as also in the exile of the Prince of Conde and of diuers great Lords his subiects armed one against the other and to bee short the fire of diuision kindled more then euer it was Wherevpon ouercome with the euill that raigned in his bodie and with so many horrible tempests in his brains he was forced to keepe his bed and yeelde to his disease For the space of certaine daies hee stroue and struggeled against nature not yeelding therevnto by extreame force The nine and twentieth of May letters were written in his name to the Gouernours of Prouinces to whom hee sent word that during his sicknesse if he chanced to die vntil the comming of the king of Polonia his brother successor they should obey the Queene his mother Letters in fauour of his mother whatsoeuer shee would commaund shewing that his bretheren the Duke of Alencon and the king of Nauarre had promised him to do the like in her behalfe in the two last weekes of his sicknesse hee lost much of his blood that issued out of many places of his bodie and once rowlde himselfe therein falling downe by weaknesse many times naming diuers Lords whom he particular hated and that till then had kept themselues out of his hands The thirtieth of May which was the day of his death the Queene-mother perceiuing that the simple letters made the day before The day of his death what passed as then specially touching the regency touching the charge to her committed sufficed not to strengthen her authoritie during the absence of the king of Polonia whom shee feared could not so soone returne againe into France determined for his sure establishment to cause her selfe to bee declared Regent in the absence of the king to come and to cause letters pattents thereof to bee sealed by the Chancellour Birague who with the seales was wholly at her commaundement which was as much as to ouerthrow subuert the fundamentall lawes of the Realme to abolish the right of the first Prince of the blood to lessen the authoritie of the estates generall to rule the Parliaments and to raigne in straunge manner ouer France Neuerthelesse the better to binde the hands of the two first Princes of the blood and the two Marshals whom shee held prisoners to beate her enemies to extirminate the Countie de Montgommerie kept prisoner against faith and promise made to sowe new diuisions in the estate and so to maintaine her selfe in those confusions without foreseeing the great disorders whereof shee should bee cause by that meanes giuing libertie to those that in the ende would bee her ouerthrowe as heereafter you shall heare her ambition blinded her eyes shee entered into the kings chamber with Birague by whom shee caused to bee shewed vnto him that seeing his sickenesse hindered him from dealing in the affaires that required his presence it should be good to giue the regencie of the Realme vnto the Queen his mother and commaunded that letters pattents to the same end should be giuen vnto her The king that was at his last houre by their aduise caused the Secretaries and Captaines of his guards to bee called in to whom hee saide Doo all that which the Queene my mother shall commaund you and obey her as my selfe The Duke of Alencon and the King of Nauarre were likewise called that they might knowe that the Regencie was committed to the Queene-mother and were expresly named in the letters that were presently dispatched for the same purpose
by the marriages of daughters capable by succession to the kingdome of Nauarre And for such hee was esteemed and accounted vntil the death of the Duke of Alencon the kings brother VVhen presently the good olde Cardinall of Bourbon was titled in the head and made beleeue that in the age of sixtie yeares hee should liue and succeede a king who beside his yong yeares and strength of bodie liued not in any such disordered maner whereby hee should once haue occasion to thinke vpon his successor for it was shewed him that hee was the first Prince of the blood and that the right of inheritance and succession consisted in his person But when this deuise was found too weake and the absurditie too much discouered thereby seeking to impugne or deny the king of Nauarre to be the chief and eldest branch of his house in the right and title of his father who in a manner liued in him besides the reuocation by his vncle made vnto him of all rights names voyces and actions whatsoeuer both present and to come that might appertaine or belong vnto him as beeing issued from the house of Bourbon expresly acknowledging the said king of Nauarre his Nephew for the true sonne heire successor and representation of the chiefe branch of the said house they inuented other obiections and subtile pollicies that vnder those pretences they might bleare the eyes of the common and simple people affirming the Crowne of France to bee vacant and so belonged to the first Conqueror aâ—leaging for reason that as in the populer successions of common people such as are of the kindred and familie of any houses beeing in the tenth degree of consanguinitie cannot bee heires of their kinsmans lands so farre in discent from them and therby the inheritance falleth into the Lords hands and that so the house of Bourbon had no title or any right to the Crowne of France as beeing in the tenth degree of consanguinitie from it wherof they caused diuers discourses and whole volumes to bee written But that not beeing able to bee beaten into the heads of true Frenchmen nor once set footing or enter into the opinions of the commun people altogither incapable of such Sophisteries they beganne to enter into an other course of iniuries accusations and inuections wherein they contented not themselues onely to crie out and make war against the said king and to produce and cause to bee published a perpetuall incapacitie in his person and that without the Popes consent but they accused him of treason they condemned him they named him vnwoorthie and incapable to rule in France they assembled all the estates of France at Blois wherein a manner they vtterly reiected him euery man shewed to bee his enemie if not in his right and title yet touching the religion which hee then held and finally went about to frame his proces But to the contrarie those that pursued him were themselues executed before they heard their condemnation or iudgement In this maner the fire beganne to bee kindled in all the foure quarters of the realme and the blow was of such force that all neighbour Princes were mooued there at such as were offended arming themselues to bee reuenged and the people in a manner led by a furie helping them and with them turned their faces against the king whereof the Towne of Parris was the first and by example therof all the Towns in lesse then 6. weeks made that great strange coÌ„motion that continued for the space of fiue whole yeares ensuing Shee mooued them to this dissention by the smooth and speciall reasons by her alleaged against heresie periurie and tiranny coniuring them by dutie to their countrie and by the loue they ought to beare to the preseruation thereof to ioyne with her in so iust a cause and to passe one of these two waies hauing no other meanes either to bee vanquishers or die in the quarrell rather then to submit themselues to the king And among the rest the Cittie of Lyons neuer inferiour to any Cittie in the world touching fidelitie and obedience to their kings that had no other obiect then onely zeale of religion in the defence whereof it espied many euident and mortall signes suffered it selfe to bee borne away among this troupe not once considering or apprehending the multitude of miseries by her after that indured And in this manner the warres beganne with so straunge an alteration and motion of all estates yea euen of the very pillers of the land and the reuolt was such that in fine the royaltie of the king was reduced to a small corner of the countrie about Tours and Blois where without doubt the league had buried it if suddainly the king of Nauarre had not ayded him who therevpon tooke courage againe hauing on his side the Hercules of France scourge of rebels to their Prince but when this disordered and great mutinie beganne somewhat to decline and that the presence and authoritie of the Soueraigne Prince held the most assured within the bounds of their duties and that Parris perceiued it self in way and course of extreame desolation suddainly the king was slaine And then O the great and deepe iudgements of God hee that about three moneths before had passed ther riuer of Loire onely with foure hundreth horse a thousand shot and certaine pikes was presently made chiefe soueraigne and commaunder of a most faire and great armie to whom the Magistrates and Officers of the Crowne and all the Nobilitie yeelded their obedience thereby seeking to impeach the desolation and ouerthrow of the whole estate and to preferre the dutie of naturall fidelitie before the vaine hope of straungers and the last hazard of the rest and suretie of their liues and goods And so behold him king that not seuen moneths before had been depriued of the title of the first Prince of the blood and of the hope of the name Sacrying and Crowne of the Princes his auncestors that had so many times beene driuen from the Court that in foure yeares had seene tenne armies and tenne Generals to a king marching before the heads of the forces of the greatest Prince of the most warrelike nation in all the world against him that after the ouerthrow of a great forraine power had withdrawne himselfe into a corner of the Realme without land men or mony and a Prince altogither poore vnlesse it were in hope He that had been declared vnable for the Crowne that had beene made one of the Cardinall of Bourbons retinue that was no more acknowledged to be of the race or progenie of S. Lewis as beeing ten degrees in consanguinitie from it he that the countrie of Spaine esteemed the subiect of all our miseries who in the life of â—ur kings was the only argument of all the tragedies that had been acted in the countrie of France he that thought not to haue succeded a king being in the flower of his liuely and gallant youth that had bin an occasion to
Princes of his blood But God shewed that he loueth not disturbers of the estate nor such as bath their handes in their owne blood that take courage by the indiscreet opinions of certaine pretences The enterprise of Amboise ciscouered in Ann. 1560. the enterprisors pursued by the Duke de Nemours The gate of Hugon in Tours by the which they assembled or of the first accords of the declaration of protestants made in Latin which are Huc nos venimus and that vse remedies crueller then the disease it selfe For that he ouerthrew this first enterprise and the actors thereof beeing taken vppon the suddaine obtained paine and punishment for reward and so were hanged in their bootes and spurs at the castle of Amboise But the sparks that issued out of this flint after that set fire to the ciuill warres of France and because the greatest part of those alterers of estates were of the new religion that as then were called Huguenots of the place where they first assembled themselues in Tours the Cardinall of Lorraine beganne to crie out against Hereticques and to make them more odious he caused it to be reported throughout the Realme that their enterprise was against the king wherein they induced the Prince of Conde who to iustifie his innocencie and to shewe the integritie of his heart to the seruice of the king in his presence and others the Princes Lords and Officers of the Crowne spake openly and said That his Maiestie excepted and with reuerence to the Princes his bretheren the Queene his mother and the Queene then raigning those that had reported him to bee of the enterprise of Amboise lyed falsely and if they would seeme to iustifie it hee offered to fight with them and that if they were not comparable vnto him for degree hee would imbase himselfe for that time and make them either by sword or launce confesse themselues to bee vilaines and traitors And thervpon this Prince not induring to liue among so many suspitions and distrusts as beeing the But and marke of his enemies left the Court and went vnto his brother the king of Nauarre whither such as professed reformation withdrewe themselues This disease increasing more more and the corrupted humors therof breeding to a dangerous and mortall palsie the Queen-mother that knewe better the disease then the cause thereof The assembly of Fontainbleau Anno. 1560. the 21 of August where the King the Queene and diuers Princes sat there the Admirall presented a Petition and said that he would cause it to be signed by 50000. men and the Cardinall of Lorrain said the King should oppose 100000. against it They were not permitted to alight as the manner is at the kings Pallace She said that no man euer bandieth against the blood of France with out repētāce Iustification of the Prince of Conde Agreement made betweene the Prince of Conde and the house of Guise the 14. of August 1561. La Popelimere saith that the king of Na. promised the am bassador of the K. of Dēmark to cause the religiō to be preached throughout France within one yeare after perceiuing that by sharp and bitter remedies it was nothing healed beganne to vse gentlier and more easie and to the same end she caused the most learned and wisest men in al France to be assembled at Fontainbleau there to debate the causes of religion Where the Admiral presented the request of those whō he supported which was to haue libertie of churches and freedome of conscience wherevnto the Cardinall opposed himselfe And the Lords of Monluc Marillac were of opiniō that the most assured means to stop those new sprung sects was to submit themselues to a generall Councell and in fine the conclusion of this assembly was that a Parliament of the generall States should be holden at Meaux in the moneth of December after and a nationall Councell the tenth of Ianuary then next after ensuing The Parliament was holden at Orleans and the king sent for the king of Nauarre to come thither and to bring the Prince of Conde his brother with him that there hee might cleare himselfe of the hard report that ranne against him to the which end they set forward and arriued at Orleans presenting themselues vnto the king that intertained them not as their qualities and nearenesse of blood required For the Prince of Conde was committed prisoner whose deliuerance was sued by the Ladie Renee duches of Ferrare neuerthelesse his processe was framed wherevnto hee pleaded not guiltie yet in fine hee was condemned to haue his head striken off before the kings Pallace and at the entrie of the States vpon the which iudgement he continually expected the houre of death But by Gods prouidence the death of the king procured both his life and libertie for king Charles iudged him to be innocent At the same time the Court of Parliament in Parris made an Edict the Parliament of Estate continued and the difference of religion was appeased by staying for a generall Councell Meanetime Messieurs de Guise being in hope that their greatnesse would still increase and spread abroad were much abashed to see it shortened by the death of the king their Nephewe and thereby to be constrained and put in minde to thinke that they were no more as they had been So that they yeelded their place to the King of Nauarre but not the opinion nor the hope to recouer it once againe By that means their great affaires left off but they forsooke them not seeking by all meanes to be reconciled to the Prince of Conde alwaies keeping their owne like the Maister of a shippe that hoyseth and pulleth downe his sayles as time serueth and alwaies stopped the holes wherein they foresawe the round world enter ceasing not to speake most assuredly and openly against heresie which they so much the more detested as that they perceiued the Princes of the blood to lend their helping hand towards the aduancement and establishing thereof and that the king of Nauarre that made account thereof began to like it hauing more desire to the Realm of Nauarre that was promised to be restored vnto him and to that of Sardaigne offered him if he would separate himselfe from the Princes reformed and the protection of the protestants Churches then to the consideration of the quarrell of his house The greatnesse of those Princes could not continue equall by reason of the vnequallitie of their houses Yet they sought to go all in one ranke whereby the kings fauor could no sooner giue countenance to the one but it mooued the other His fauour is like a faire Ladie euery man seeketh and courteth her and if she smile more vpon one then vppon the other it breedeth but iealousie despight quarrell she cannot diuide her heart in two without a a mortall diuision Euery man hath his turne and both Catholicque and Huguenot vnder pretence and zeale of religion seeketh to get the good wil of the king his
exception of persons and the failers and delayers therein shall bee punished by authoritie of the General and as hee shall appoynt wherevnto his said associates shal submit themselues Practising with townes All Catholicques of Townes and Villages shall bee aduertised and secretly summoned by the particular Gouernours to enter into the said association and dutie to furnish men and munition for the execution thereof according to the power and facultie of euerie man That such as will not enter into the said association shal be reputed as enemie thereof be pursued by all means sorts of troubles molestations Contribution of men and mony and it shal be forbidden vnto the said associates to enter into debates quarrels one with the other without permission of the Generall at whose arbitrement the contradistors shall bee punished as wel touching reparation of honour as for all other causes If for fortification or greater assurance of the said associates there is any appoyntment made with the Prouinces of this Realm it shal be made in forme aforesaid vpō the same conditions whether the said associations be sought for by the said Townes or Prouinces or that it bee offered vnto them if it bee not otherwise ordained by the Generall I sweare by God the Father touching this Ghospel and vppon paine of cursing and eternall damnation that I haue entered into this holy and Catholicque association The forme of the leaguers oath according to the forme and manner of the extract that hath been presently read vnto mee faithfully and sincerely whether it bee therein to commaund or to serue and obey and promise both vppon mine honor and life to continue therein as long as one drop of blood last within my body without resisting or withdrawing my selfe from the same vnder pretence of any commaundement excuse cause or occasion whatsoeuer The instructions of the Aduocate Dauid About that time the Aduocate Dauid was taken with certaine aduertisements and notes about him concerning the meanes whereby to authorise this league and to breake the ordinary course of the succession of France by impossible meanes which ought neither to be known nor be beleeued and wherewith I meane not to dishonour this discourse Packets of the league of Peronne cast about the streetes Nature of the people Meane time Postes were sent into all places to spread the newes and first aduise of those pretences masked with faire and shining vizardes of holinesse thereby to bleare the eyes of the people and libels were cast about the streets diuers men of good account trauelling about the countrie to serue for bellows to this new forge made to kindle a great warre And the people that ranne from one extremitie to another which loue changes a troupe that followeth such as lead it a sea that neuer riseth without winde and a Monster with many heads suffered themselues to be borne away with the first waues of this tempest The Parliament at Blois 1576 Meane time the king minding to put cold water into the boyling pot and to cut off the meane to this new motion caused the Parliament to be holden which by the last peace he had promised thinking and certainly perswading himself that not any one in his Realme but loued rather to entertain a sworne and solemne peace then to seeke the continuance of warres the ouerthrowe of Townes and the desolation of the people or that the Rutter should once againe return to sucke the blood gnawe the bones and eate the marrowe of their childrē At the first assembly of the Parliament An Oration of Henry the third at the Parliament in Blois and after he had saluted welcommed all the Estates with a most heroyicall and Princely grace he made an Oration vnto them concerning the miseries and afflictions of his Realme and the hope he had that so great an assembly beeing the very quintessence of the finest wits in al France wold prouide some remedie therin shewing that the minoritie of himselfe his brother at the beginning of those ciuill wars was reason sufficient why they should not be esteemed or once thought to bee the causes therof commending the wisdome of his mother touching the gouernment of the Realme protesting that for his own part he had no other care desire nor intent then only to procure the rest welfare of his subiects whose miseries he wold be alwaies readie to relieu with the price of his dearest blood The Crowne of France layde to pawne for 100. millions of gold charging al the assembly to ayde assist him therein to deuise the means to release his Crowne at that time pawned for aboue the sum of 100. millions of golde to vnite themselues togither thereby to puck vp the seeds of partialities to reforme abuses and to restore iustice to herintegritie and to reduce it into the pristinate holinesse splendure That don Pierre d'Epinac Archbishop of Lyons rose vp and before them al declared his reasons touching the Clargie The Lord of Senscey with a militarie franke true French tongue spake for the Nobilitie and Versoris for the common The two first by a multitude of reasons and wonderfull speeches concluded that it was most fit and conuenient that there should bee but one religion in the Realme The third shewed that the people wholly desired the revnion thereof so it might bee done by peaceable and quiet meanes without warres But the Cleargie and Nobilitie after many difficulties caused the Parliament to breake vp so that vnder the ashes of the last warres which as yet were hotte there might be found the sparkes of a great fire For after many messages although in vaine sent by the king to the Protestant Princes Protestation of the Prince of Conde in Ann. 1577. vnder which was placed Deo victricibus armis the warre beganne againe For the Prince of Conde rose vppe in armes and swore not to leaue them vntill he had brought the realme into her pristinate splendure and dignitie restored libertie to the Estates eased the poore people of insupportable tributes inuēted by the Italians deliuered the Frenchmen from the seruitude tyrannicall infamie whervnto they were subiected not onely by their owne carelessenesse and disvnion but by artificiall practises of such as would rayse the foundations of their greatnesse with the blood of the true Princes of France and of the Nobilitie to the great disaduantage and ouerthrow of the auncient lawes and customes of the realme Wherevppon the king hauing enterprised those warres the rather because his Estates shewed him the reasons VVarre beganne about Easter 1577 necessities and commodities although of his owne nature he rather desired not to haue broken the peace but onely to abridge it of certaine particular articles by the Huguenots esteemed most aduantage for them caused two great armies to be leuied wherof Monsieur was Generall of the one that marched towards la Charite and Issoire and the Duke Demain commaunding
that which went for Poitou where hee assieged Bar Taking of la Charite and Issoire Anno. 1577. and tooke diuers Townes His Maiesties armie incamped at Brouage and costrained it to yeelde And Lansac Gouernour thereof would haue gone into the Isle of Re but hee could not And to conclude the warres were so long and tedious that the Generalles wel perceiued themselues to bee too olde to liue to see the end thereof And the king that neuer had tasted the sweetenesse of peace beganne to dsire it hauing first prooued so many troubles and vexations of warre therevppon hee determined to establish a good and holy peace Reason to induce peace and against warre in An. 1577. Great numbers are not the cause of victories God is the God of battelles A discourse polliticke and military The chance of warre vncertaine which should bee well obserued to the which end hee heard debated examined and considered diuers and all the reasons that could bee alleadged both for the establishing and dissoluing thereof Those that desired no peace deuised many arguments which they framed for the purpose as first they sayde That the king ought not to make peace hauing meanes to make warre with more men and aduantage then his enemies But they were aunswered that the multitude of men is not the cause of victorie and that a smal handful of desperate souldiers had ouerthrowne a great armie The kings cause is more iust The Princes shrowd themselues vnder a iust enterprise when God is offended and that the war is not made for the defence of his quarrell but for particular reuenge The Huguenots haue neither mony nor credite for the souldier himselfe among them is constrained to contribute mony to pay forraine ayde instead of receiuing his own wages With a little they do much necessitie is their vertue and the ground of their cause is so deare vnto them that they will rather fight without mony or meat then liue without their libertie or preaching of the Gospell There needs but one battell to ouerthrow and destroye them Victorie resteth in the hands of God it is a both doubtfull and vncertaine battels in these daies are prolonged and neuer giuen without aduantage of the one side or the other And again it is impossible with an armie of 10000. men to roote out a 100000. Huguenots The K. wil neuer hazard battel but he is assured to haue the victorie to triumph ouer his enemies This is as much to say as he reckoneth without his Host for it coÌ„sisteth in God there needeth but a small matter to put all your forces in disorder and make them a praye to their enemies For if in times past 500. Actolians Iustin lib. 24. Xâ—nop hist. lib. 7. Bap. Egnat The battell of Poictiers Lois the last Earle of Flaunders Froisart li. 2. cap. 95.96.97.98 better shepheards then souldiers put 900. Lacedemonians to flight If Epaminondas with 4000. men ouerthrew the Spartans armie beeing sixe times as many If among the Christians Baudonin brother to Godfrey of Bullon with 300. horse and 900. foot all Frenchmen caused the Caliphe to yeeld and leaue the field being inuironed with 9000. horse and 20000. foot If a litle troupe of English souldiers halfe in dispaire before Poictiers triumphed ouer a great armie of the most puissant warlike Nation in the world Is it not a most foolish temerite to put confidence in the doubtfull chance of a battell It is neuer good to assayle those that hope for nothing but dispaire The last Earle of Flaunders hauing brought the Towne of Gaunt to an extremitie of victuals would haue them to present themselues before him bare-headed footed with halters about their necks and so to aske pardon for their liues without any assurance thereof But 5000. of those miserable people that had nothing left but their armes and in dispaire He was constrained to hide himselfe in the strawe of a poore womans bedde where he saued himselfe and the next day went out disguised The peace of the low countries issued out vpon him like hungrie wolues fought so desperately that in fine they ouerthrew his whole armie coÌ„posed of more then fortie thousand men There is no peace to be granted to heretickes It is done continually for it is not yet a yeare since the king of Spaine granted peace to the Islands of Holand Zeland not only giuing them the libertie of their religion but withdrawing the exercise of his owne Peace giueth that to the Huguenots which warre taketh from them And what the libertie of conscience Many polliticke and wise men haue acknowledged and confessed that force constraineth not mens consciences that sword and fire haue not power to extirpe the opinions of religion that are once entered into the mindes of men that such victorie ouer mens consciences belongeth onely to God the father of light and trueth and that force may well make Hippocrites and Atheists but not religious or christian people If the king suffreth this libertie of conscience 1576. Libertie of conscience Catholicque religion will bee cleane consumed vnder these nouelties and all his Realme wil be poysoned with sects Schismes errors The free exercise of this new religion will be lesse aduantage to the perticipants thereof then it would be if it were but secretly vsed Religion increaseth more being persecuted and forbidden then wheÌ„ it is permitted Read a booke touching this point imprinted at Antwarpe An. 1579. Dialogus do Pace For the people are light impatient with long rest and quietnesse and to the contrary things least permitted and vneasie are most pleasant and agreeable And therefore desire nothing but change and dislike nouelties with more disdaine then euer they had affectioÌ„ or vehmeÌ„t desire to see theÌ„ aduaÌ„ced They alwaies fal headlong into that which is forbidden theÌ„ The more they presented tormeÌ„ted troubled the hereticques at Prague and in Ausbourg and the more they were forbidden to assemble and meet togither so much the more they in creased and had assemblles and with fiers whippings hanging and prisons became innumerable And when they haue the free libertie of that they desire when rigor is layde aside the thing becommeth so common and discouered that many refuse it entering againe into the great and broad way which they had left And therfore diuers men haue thought that there is no better means to shake Apollitike maxime Vnitie of the sectaries in matters of pollicie and in the end to ouerthrow a new religion then to permit the free exercise thereof For as a man of great iudgement in our time saith As much as man loueth his libertie and yet abuseth it so much the more hee hateth seruitude and constraint wherin notwithstanding he behaueth himselfe better then in the enioying of his freedome There ought to be but one religion in one Realme It is well said but when a king findeth more it is very hard for him to roote them out Would you
haue one eye thrust out the other the greatest Princes in the world are much troubled thereby and yet constrained to indure it The Princes of Almaine haue this diuersitie in one Towne yea in one Host and in one familie without either trouble or diuision The interim of the Emperour Charles the fist 1530. Confirmed 1555. The Emperour Charles the fift was constrainsd to passe that path and his brother Ferdinand a man most affected to the Catholicque religion consented to the same libertie in his kingdomes of Bohemia Hungaria and Austria Pietie is the foundation of all estates which cannot be in all places where God is diuersly serued It is so and you finde many that complaine thereof but fewe that seeke the remedie we knowe but two that is rigor and peaceablenesse either by a generall Councell or by armes For the first it needeth not because the trueth once knowne and determined ought not to be brought in question or disputed of againe The latter is altogither straunge and it was neuer heard that men were put to death to force them to beleeue To kill burne and massacre are words neuer vsed but in seditious enterprises those of the new opinion that liue among the Catholicques without preaching or open exercises are content to seeke no further freedome then the libertie of their conscience without being troubled A King cannot refuse his subiects the libertie of not speaking for that mens tongues and consciences are not vnder the Soueraigntie of his Scepter Tacere liceat Nulla libertas minor a rege Petitur Senec. O ed. Lictance li. 5. cap. 14. God is the God of mens soules Kings may constraine mens bodies and force them to say that outwardly which inwardly they deny For as he that is called the Cicero of Christians saith Who can constraine me not to beleeue that which I will beleeue or to thinke that credible which seemeth incredible there is nothing so voluntarie as religion but if the minde be separated from it it is no more religion but hypocrisie and dissimulation force will do that Purpure cultores efficies non Dei. which should be done onely by loue for by it men respect more the penalties of the lawe then the lawe it selfe they will reuerence the Iudges scarlet gowne not for the loue of the Iudge but for feare of the executioner that attendeth on him â—ides suadenda non imperanda Bernard and when they are gone their courages are found to be strongerthen their torments their constancie greater then their cruelties peaceablenesse is more conuenient and hath more force Faith commandeth not but is taught the strongest or roughest bits are not fit for good horses Our coÌ„sciences are the like for force breaketh sooner theÌ„ bendeth theÌ„ If the Lute bee not well tuned or if the Meane do not agree with the Base we must not therefore breake it About the end of Iune 1574. the king called him his father but winde it softly vp and you shall make them accord The Emperour Maxemilion that said that no sinne could be greater then to violate mens consciences answered the king of France returning out of Polonia proposing the ruine of the Huguenots the restablishing of the only religioÌ„ of his forefathers in his realm that those wich seek to rule ouer meÌ„s consciences supposing to win heauen do oftentimes loose their possessions on earth To obey God and serue the king Two religions cannot command in one Realme It is true but that is no consequent why there should not be two for the subiect is not bound to follow the religion of his Prince as long as he permitteth him the libertie of his own he must obey and serue hee giueth to God that which is Gods and to Caezar In the time of Clouis a Pagan there was Christians in FraÌ„ce that which is Caezars and confoundeth not the difference between those two seruices and duties He that hath one religion cannot haue two and hateth and detesteth that which is the contrarie Clouis our first christian King being a Pagan tollerated christians in his Realme and so did our King being in Polonia permit Latin and Greeke Churches with the confession of Ausbourg Lutherans and Caluenists to liue togither in Muscouia and other countries belonging vnto the Emperor the prince of Greece a great part of his subiects are different froÌ„ him touching religion And although the Turke receiueth not the Crowne yet he constraineth them not to leaue their christianitie The Frenchmen could not indure Iewes in France They bannished them not because of their religion but for their Barbarous cruelties wherewith they crucified young children in dispight of the sonne of God and for their extreame vsuries wherewith they consumed the common people The king suffering Heretickes doth wrong to the Catholicques The king is Common-father to them as well as to the others Iewes banished out of France and for what cause as there is no reason to prooue the ingratitude of the sonne towards the father so all lawes detest the inhumanitie and impietie of the father against the son Those whom the king so oftentimes proclaimeth rebelles and his enemies are his children his subiects and his seruants God neuer prospereth the enterprises of the subiect against his Prince very sildome haue kings had great triumphs by wars ouer their subiects It belongeth to a Vittellius and not to a king of France to walke along the fieldes his garments all died with the blood of his subiects Vitellius said that the body of the enemie slaine sauoureth well but that of the citizen beeing dead is better Tacit. lib. 17. Suet in the life of Vitellius Cap. 10. The people neuer die The 5. Edict of peace An. 1577. made at Poictiers in the moneth of Septemb. Conference at Nerac the last of Februarie 1579. The 6. Edict of peace in An. 1581. and to delight in the sauour of their dead bodies lying slaine vppon the ground VVhen the Huguenots shall be ouerthrowne and consumed the king shall liue in peace Suppose he putteth them to death and that at one time hee cutteth off a hundreth thousand heads The General seed is immortall by the succession of euery particular familie kindred and seuerall man which still increaseth one after the other although euery particular man of himselfe is mortall the bodie of the people in general neuer dieth The K. may wel destroy al the particulars of this new opinion but they will leaue as many children whose innocencie God and nature will not permit to touch that will succeed not onely in their goods but in the humors quarrels and passions of their fathers In fine those that perswaded peace by their reason alleadged got the vpper hand of those that desired warre and there vpon it was concluded with great concontentment on both both parts that the Prince of Conde the same night he receiued it caused it to be published by torch-light although with lesse aduantage on
in disobedience to maintaine religion the easing of the people Nor better nor fairer pretence to open the eies hearts and purses of such men to enterprise warre could not be found At the same time the king had sent vnto the Princes for the restitution of the Towns which they held for the obseruation of the last edict of peace which they were to yeelde vp at the end of 6. yeares But because the king of Nauarre sent word vnto his Maiestie Prolongation of the time of the townes of assurance 1582. that the peace hauing so often been broken by surprises and open warres the termed of 6. yeares was too short a time for the execution of the Edict and abollishing of wars he agreed to the prolongation thereof Wherevpon all the Princes of the league tooke occasion to say that the king fauoured Hereticques and that he would indure heresie and considered not that those Townes were inhabited by Huguenots strong of scituation hard to be won by force When the king of Nauarre perceiued those motions and that some matter was breeding he foresawe the tempest wold light vpon him what pretence soeuer was made therevpon he besought the king to call to minde the intelligences hee had giuen him in Anno. 1576. sent expresly by a Gentleman concerning the treatie and handling of the league in Spaine and Italie that he shuld looke to the profite of the myne seeing it was discouered And perceiuing the enterprise euery day more and more to proceed he began to take care of himselfe sent the Lord of Pardillan to the Queen of England the king of Denmarke and the Princes and Electors of Almaine to renue amitie with them desiring their aydes touching the preuenting of new troubles that began to rise in France against the edict of peace to appoynt a good sum of mony to bee sent vnto some Towne in Allemaine to bee imployed for the leuying of certaine forces against the enemie In the mean time for the aduantage of the league but to the great trouble and mischiefe of all the Realme of France The death of the Duke of Alencon in Iune 1584. Monsieur the kings brother eyther by his riotousnesse in the lowe countries for greefe of the hard successe of his affaires by hazard or by Salcedas means that was executed died at Chasteau Thierry His death awakened the most drousie heads it brake all the bandes that stayed the proceedings of the league and caused it presently to roare at Chaalons Rheims Troye Dyon and Mezieres It had alreadie found credite ynough in all the other Towns specially at Parris wherein they were diswaded from the yoake of the Huguenots and the hope of the king of Nauarre to rule ouer them The first point of the loue to the king was alreadie foundred in her hart she spake not of him but with al kinde of disdaine euery day presented him with the opinions and censures of Pasquils indiscreet ieasts and libels without names wherein corrupt minds alreadie stuffed with the disorders of the Court swallowed vp the poyson of their mutinies vnder what pretence I knowe not speaking of the king as of a Sardanapalus or one that did nothing The kings deuise Manet vltime Coelo Qui dedit ante Duas vnam abstulit alcera nutat Tertia tonsoris nunc facienda manu of a Prince drowned in his pleasures and delights whom alreadie they placed like a Chilperic in a Monastrie and in stead of the third Crown which by his deuise was reserued for him in heauen they promised him one made with a raisor in a Cloyster But hee that would knowe the first conception birth and infancie of the league within Parris hee must beleeue that which Manant saith to Maheustre that speaketh like a wise man and by the propositions and answeres representeth all those that deale therein and for the first hee nameth him that was the secret Minister of the leaguers intent to make it known to three Preachers that tooke seuen or eight Coaintors with them thereby to make a small Councell which was oftentimes holtors within the Colledge of Forteret where they beganne to chuse sixe others of the most faithfull The Colledge of Forteret was the cradle of the league The sixe first confederates of the league to watch at all the sixe quarters to report what was done in those places to sowe this new graine within their heads to sound the affections of the most feruent Catholicques and to dispose them to a resolution against the king the world and death Those sixe Arch-leaguers in the beginning made a faire and great Haruest and as with the number courage increased The principall leaguers were assured that those new confederates would ingender others presently therevppon the two pillers that sustaine and vphold the Prince which are the most faithfull Archers of his Court of guard that is good will and authoritie were thrown downe hatred and despight entering into their places Of those two plagues as of a monsterous blood was conceiued and brought foorth most disloyall rebellion and the despising of the lawe and the authoritie of the Prince mixed with the euill minde which the people bare to their king his Councell and his fauourers hatched this great Erynnis and furious mischiefe in France that hath entered into all the vaines of our bodie But alasse poore people what will you do what example what commandement what iust reason mooueth or assureth you to arme your selues against your king What lawe approoueth the rebellion of the subiect against him whom God hath appoynted your king If there be any imperfection or disorder are you to correct it or can the foote ordaine a lawe for the head It is no more lawfull for you to resist against the faults or imperfections of your Gouernours then to despight God and aske him the cause of the frosts and hailes that beat spoyled your vines Stay you little snayles within your shels come not foorth you torteaux out of the cases vnder them you are assured for you shall no sooner put forth your heads nor stretche out a foote but presently be assayled lie opē to your enemies readie to receiue the first blowe that shal be giuen Assoone as the league perceiued that diuers townes had made great fires for ioy of her birth it was presented to the Pope that he might giue it his blessing auouch it for his and declare it to bee for the Catholicke Apostolike and Romish Church But Gregory the 13. desiring to shewe himselfe to bee the common father of all Christians and Pastor not dispearser of his flocke Pope Gregory would nener consent to this raising of men The answere of the Pope vnto the league considering that the raising of armes against a most Christian and Catholicque king was wholly contrarie to the doctrine of the Gospell the examples of Christ and his Apostles and the lawes of pollicie and state certified the leaguers Deputies that he
could not approoue their inuentions and to conclude sent them backe againe without an answere And not long before he died sayd to the Cardinall of Est that the league shuld neither haue bull letter nor commission from him for he knewe not what they ment and that hee would not serue for a firebrand to kindle a warre which he could by no meanes quench The impatience of the league that would by no means stay the resolution of the Court of Rome publikely manifested her intent making it selfe so much more plausible as the pretences thereof made it seeme admirable and faire in that the name of one of the first Princes of the blood stood written in the forehead thereof A Prince in all other respects olde and decayed wholly without hope euer to marry to haue issue or to suruiue a king both young and lustie The people on the other side were all disposed to rebellion so that there wanted nothing but the watch-word Mean time The Cardinall of Burbon The Astronomers assured the duke of Guise of the short life of the king euery man looked into the royaltie they reckoned the kings age they would make him a king like to the King of our Stageplaies who while he is apparelled is called most noble king It was openly sayd spoken in euery mans mouth that the King dying without issue he had no other successor then the Cardinall of Bourbon and yet in the meane time the people were couertly put into the heads of the vaire vsurpation of the Capets vpon the heires of Charlemaine whereof there was diuers bookes printed and then the Pasquils ran about the Court and I haue noted some of the best which will not be amisse to be set downe herein The King I desire peace and for sweare warre The Duke of Guise Peace beeing made my hope is cleane gone The Duke de Maine By warres we obtaine both credite and riches The Cardinall of Guise Time offereth it selfe couertly vnto vs. The King of Nauarre He that reckoneth without me thinking I will indure it let him assure himselfe to reckon twise The Cardinall of Bourbon Euery man may reckon that which he thinketh to be his owne The Queen-mother This disputatioÌ„ is of no force as long as my son liueth The Duke of Lorraine Let vs neuerthelesse follow the league her pretences The Duke of Sauoy Then the king will loose both France and all his subiects The King of Spaine If France be lost I will soone finde it France Soft and faire there needeth not so many dogges for one bone such as by ambition seeme to trouble me did neuer prooue my force AN ARGVMENT BOTH WITH and against the league The King he hath no children to succeed His successor a Catholicque must bee The Realme is taxt with imposts euerie day And people mooued do seeke for vengeance still Two three or foure minions possesse the wealth The Parliament was holden all in vaine The holy league will now redresse these wrongs Thereby for to reduce our hope againe The King hee hath no childe but hee may haue Rebellion ought not to redresse our right The King can ease our case without constraint His mignons two or three are not so great And Parliament will end all difference VVhich may cut off the way vnto the league I must I will it pleaseth mee to thinke So many reasons cannot bee but good But such confused mindes haue no restraint For thou preferst degree and honour high It s true they Princes are most fortunate Comparisons with them may not bee made But they set fire in their dwelling house VVhich is an act both pittifull and straunge They are disdainde but knowest thou wherefore I dare not speake I leaue that to the King If hee say nought God knoweth what hee thinks I will not vtter word for feare of blame Onely it greaueth me so many wise And learned men in France do hold their peace The victorie is for them each man doth say Such as haue interest will them resist All is now free with horror and with death And our afflictions mortall are Behold the foolish toyes of ydle braine To thinke our wrongs proceed from wicked men And he that saith our king is fast a sleepe If he a subiect be then let him showt For mee I dare not speake in thes straunge time Least that our Courtiers ketch me by the backe I am too weake my countrie for to helpe But to destroy the subiects of our King Orit desire sheweth a want of faith For hee that honoureth not his lawfull Prince May well bee said hee feareth not the Lord. I am not borne a King my fate most hard Permitteth not such glory to my race But if I were a King such dignitie VVould cause me make my name for to bee fearde I would march foorth in armes most terrible VVith Maiestie most like for to commannd And dumpting pride of subiects â—utime Immort allize my name for euer more God should mee guide faith should be my shield The people my support the lawe my strength To die the earth with blood of traitor vile Opposing strength and force them to resist But I am not a King my heart doth faile I loue to rest and hate most bloody warre Perceiuing in our time the inconstant state VVhich giueth cause still to expect a change VVe may compare France to a Table square VVhereas foure sit primero for to playe The King on whom the losse must wholly fall Saith passe if I can and yet he hath gard game Bourbon he saith this game is tedious It werieth mee and throweth off his hat Not thinking what his lâ—â—ter card might bee Nauarre holds play and likest for to winne But Guise in hope to haue some little flush Veâ—â—eth at all Nauarre he doubleth it The Spaniards standing to behold their play And bearing part with Guisert couertly Supplyes his want with mony that he may In th' end haue all the gaine vnto himselfe To flatter lye dissemble and betraye By subtill meanes the trueth for to disguise To playe the foxe pretending holinesse To seeme denout and yet an Hipocrite To please great â—eâ— and follow at their heele Of earthly â—â—ulâ— to faine a deitie To respect state and now religion To forge a God of mans inâ—â—â—tion To aske for peace where peace cannot be had Readie to runne at euery little call Still to bee armed and saue the hereticque In stead of Catholicque Machiauel Not to regard the world that is to come Are signes of such as liue by pollicie To speake of God and yet a diuellish minde To make great shewe of rede and yet no faith To playe the polliticque despising lawe To promise rest and seeke to tyrannise To seeme an innocent and yet vniusts To shewe pittie yet filling all with blood To seeme subiect yet seeke the King to spoyle Do you call this a seruant Catholicque If to bee holy we must seeke to range In euery place to massacre and spoyle
had any other respect then only to God and seruice to the king And that assoone as his Maiestie by his Edicts had consented to the libertie of mens consciences he presently left armes and countermanded his troupes togither with the forrain aydes of his friends and confederates That for that cause hee is not enemie to the Catholicques as the report goeth That hee maintaineth those of Bearn in the small libertie they had when the Queen his mother died and so in all places of the kingdome of Nauarre then resting vnto him where hee found the exercise of Catholicque religion he neuer permitted any change That the consultation in Magdebourg which the league so much spake of that they caused it to bee preached openly in the Churches was an imagination and woorthie such reports for that it would be found that neither there nor in any other place it was euer holden And that in the extract of forces by them therein set downe they induce the Ambassadors of the Elector Palatin of the Prince of Orange the one beeing dead aboue a yeare before and had left a sonne within yeares vnder the wardship of the Duke Casimir the other about foure moneths before that was slaine at Delft by Balthazard Girad That the declaration by them made of his incapacitie to the succession of the Crowne was the thing that touched him most yet vntill then hee had least minde of it contenting himselfe with the hope that God would long time preserue his Maiestie for the good of his Realme and Common-wealth and would in time giue him issue to the great greefe of his enemies not seeking to iudge the king or Queene to bee barren in the flower of their ages That those which in their declaration and protestation named him to bee desirous of the kings death a perturber of the State and sworne enemie to all Catholicques had falsely wickedly lyed and therevppon besought the king that the quarrell might bee descided betweene him and the Duke of Guise one to one two to two or tenne to tenne without troubling himselfe or suffer the people to indure any longer vexation The Queen-mother that held with the Duke of Guise more to crosse and trouble him to make an entrie into the disorder and confusion of all affaires then to aduance him Princes fauourers of the league gaue the king to vnderstand what power the league was of shewing him that therein hee had to do with the Pope the Emperor the king of Spaine the Duke of Sauoy certaine Princes of Germanie the Catholicque Cantons of Switzers all the house of Lorraine and all the chiefe Towns in France that had entered therin al resolued to expose their persons in the middle of all perils as the last anker to preserue religion frō shipwracke And shee gaue him so hotte an alarme with those first assaults The surprising of the Citadel of Lyons the 2. of May 1585. and knew so well how to vse the occurrence of the taking of the Citadell of Lyons wherof the Captain had bin driuen out vnto her purpose that the more the king thought vpon it the more hee perceiued himselfe to bee weakned and the leaguers aduanced Hee thought that the ramparts defences of his Estate were alreadie abated hee beleeued that alreadie the Duke of Guise held him by the collor it seemed vnto him that his Pallace of Louure was besieged with great paine they could hardly make him come foorth of the Capucins sell it was no more he that wan the battelles of Iarnac and Moncontour generositie wanted and his heart began to faile Herein diuers Polititians noted a great fault in the Estate which after produced great accidents Many imbarked them selues with the league being made beleeue it was for the kings person but perceiuing the contrary left it Caezar onely opposed but the authoritie of his face against his mutinous legions but it was with a liuely and bolde assurance not doubtfull nor trembling If the king had shewed himself to the league not couered with a Penitents garment or habit of an Hermit not by faire and plausible meanes but with constancie courage and resolution woorthie a Maiestie royall hee had well made them knowe him to bee king the true and onely Image of God that had thunder readie in his hand to consume and confound such as rose vp against him the warre would bee ended The armie of the Duke de Guise which at his first rising and in the flower thereof was but a thousand horse and foure thousand foote had been dispearsed in lesse then a month and the Cardinall de Bourbon had confessed to the Queene-mother that if the king had banded his authorithie against him all his attempts had been cleane ouerthrowne Feare is a plague to valiant mindes but when the heart of the chiefe commander is possest therewith his authoritie is abated it dimisheth falleth and vndermineth it selfe for feare in flameth the courage and causeth men so much more boldly to enterprise their wicked actions as that they are assured they shal not be punished Also the king letting slip this reuolt rather speaking faire then commaunding and yeelding rather then opposing thereby drew all the mischief of those toubles vppon his owne head He desired the Queen-mother to beare some of his blowes This is the opinion of the Author that made the tiberal and excellent discourse fol. 22. The last request of the Princes of the league The Edict published in Parliament the king being present the 18. of Iuly 1585. The K. fearfull disarmeth himselfe to cause the league to disarm them selues and to procure the Duke of Guise to leaue off his armes and to assure him of his fauor and that he would giue him what part of his Realme soeuer hee would aske to let him liue in peace This Prince of great hope wise and valerous and one of the greatest Captains that France in long time had bred perceiuing that so hardy an enterprise had alreadie taken so good effect and made so great a change pursued it and perceiuing the king to yeeld vnto him hoped more then he either thought or ought to do And there vppon presented the king with another request wherein very wisely hee motioned his owne interest togither with the common cause signed by himselfe and the Cardinall of Bourbon tending to this end To desire him to make and sweare an vnreuocable edict for the extirpation of heresies To take by force the Townes holden by those of the new religion To reuowne the protection of Geneue to authorise their warres to reconcile them vnto him to be of their league and of a king to become a participant Therevppon with all speede the peace was made and cast into a mould the king suffering himselfe by that feare to bee so much carried away And by the edict hee prohibited the exercise of the new religion reuoked all other edicts that fauoured it commaunded the Ministers out of the land and all
God The Pagan sweareth very sildome the Sarazin knoweth not what it meaneth the Turke abstaineth from it and the Huguenot detesteth it but our Catholicques are Maisters of the Art and make account to ride vppō diuinitie The second branch of our mischiefs is iniustice The first foundation of an estate and authoritie of a Realm yea that which giueth it forme and being is iustice Vertue which maketh kings and without it they would change their royalties Iniustice is the roote of miseries in France into tyrannies It is the feare of the wicked and the encouragement of the good because it is the principall office of aking when the Hebrieux desired Samuel to giue them a king among other points of their request they added these words to Iudgevs and to doo iustice as among other people All the world complayneth of the peruerting thereof estates are no more giuen by Geometrical proportion France maketh lawes of waxe to be tempered with mens hands and subiect to melt at the warme fauors of great persons There are lawes ynough to gouernall Europe yea and all the pluralitie of epicures but they haue their vertue onely in paper and some seeth them both published and violated Now there is no conscience made to sell that which is bought of the king and most commonly iustice is diuided to such as haue no mony but this iniustice is much more to bee deplored for the heauie and insupportable burthens it layeth vpon the poore people and maketh them not onely a medowe which is cut thrice a yeare but a bodie that is fleane or rather an anaotomie Theking which hath tenne millions of golde for his reuenue liueth by impositions and new dances wherewith hee deuoureth his people he bloweth their noses so often that hee maketh them bleed pulleth vp both hearb and roote cuttes the feathers so neare that they can growe no more putteth his subiects out of breath and constraineth them to hate and detest the Authors of these miseries Iniustice is yet more seene in the disorder and crueltie of souldiers that are without discipline rule feare of God respect of the good compassion to the miserable and that afflict torment the friend as much as the enemie persecute both masse and religion kill Priests assoone as Ministers robbe Churches burne Temples spoyle Merchants torment olde men violate virgins cause women with childe to bring foorth vntimely fruite ransome Pesants by cruelties which in times past were neuer known but of Scithians Lestrigons and Turkes but none vnwoorthily practised among vs to the great dishonour of the courtesie and fauour that hath so much beautified our nation But the desolation which entereth into al the members of France maketh it another Babylon a puddle of filthinesse and a sinke of all sorts of corruptions whereof the wounds are so old that they are in a manner become naturall desperate and incurable The Court of our kings which in times past were wont to bee the seed of the vertues of French Nobilitie did neuer abound in more disorders lusts excesse then vnder the raigne of Henry the third specially in the yeares 1586. and 1587. So that it may bee sayd of some Townes as it is reported by straungers that all things are printed therein only not to be vertuous The kings Court is like a Theator which the people stād to behold it is a fire which transformeth such as approach it into her nature the most modest come foorth insolent the most chaste Lucresse becommeth Faustina From the disorder of great persons proceedeth the misbehauiour of the meaner sort and there hath bin carters that haue beene so superfluous in their vanities that there wanted nothing in their houses but a chappel of musicke and to serue them by quarters to counterfeit little kings I must confesse the truth not make you beleeue that a mā with a crooke shoulder is of goodly proportion The K. gaue a great furtherance to these desolations his exāple was a directiō to all his subiects as the influctiō of the head runneth into al the mēbers Men do not only imitate but approoue the actiōs of great mē and according to their humours voluptuousnesse disorder superstition molestation and crueltie enter into credite The people suffer their mindes to bee cut and cautherised at Princes pleasures as the greater the authoritie is the more affectionate is their immutation euery man taketh that colour men perfume themselues with those drugues and the example of the Prince is so contagious to the subiects that they receiue it entereth sooner into their eyes then their eares Alexander cast his head a side and all the Court held their neckes awry Denis was purblind and his Courtiers stumbled at euery steppe and iusteled each other as if they had beene euill sighted Plutarke telleth that Courtiers put away their wiues following the kings example that loued not his wife Lewis the eleuenth would haue Charles his sonne to learne but one word of Latine and all the Court despised learning King Francis established learning and all the Nobilitie caused their children to bee instructed Henry she third loued ryots and pleasures and al the Court abounded in desolation He considered not that the vices which ranged in his Realme are the same that caused the whole world to bee drowned ouerthrew fiue Townes caused the tribe of Beniamin to bee slaine destroyed Sparta Carthage and Athens spoyled Troye and procured the Cicilian euening prayer He considered not that this voluptuousnes which maketh him swallow poyson in his milke and Ippocras maketh him fitter to bee a woman then a man that to maintaine it all France is rent in peeces The treasures that Caligula found after the death of Tibera being 1800. horse load nor the nineteene millions of Crownes that the Vitellius spent in one yeare in making of banquets will not suffice that from thence spring the new impositions wherereof the monies proceeding are died and tempered in the blood and teares of the poore people that aske vengeance of God and that in the end deal to ease their oppressions and ouerthrow the oppressors Prodigious sights seene in the raigne of Henry the third If the complaints of the people cannot pearse the eares of the king yet let him looke vnto the effects of Gods iudgement as strange signes monsters comers and earthquakes which are the messengers thereof let him consider that these leagues and partiallities are the windes that rise before a tempest and the shipwracke of this estate And that with a little push this edifice which hath been built so many hundreth yeares will in a moment be ouerthrowne But not to prolong our Historie with many tedious words let vs return to the armie of Protestants which were left in Lorraine And there we shal see great wants which soone produce many infalliable faults without remedie and reparations that are presently made to the ruine and confusion of such as commit them It was destitute of a Generall capable of so dangerous
a iourney The Duke de Bouillon was therein but a learner and those that assisted him were more fit to go of an Ambassage then to giue a charge vpon the enemie The Barron of Othna had lesse experience then courage all his sufficiencie consisted onely in the report and commendation giuen of him by the D. Casimir For about the beginning of the month of August Neither the Rutters nor Switzers would fight with so faire an occasion consusion necessitie two dangerous plagues to a great multitude entered among them There was diuision in their intents some of them would spoyle the country of Lorraine others would stay their vengeance and furie vntill they were in the heart of France The Duke de Bouillon by meanes of that armie would refresh his Towns that as then were vnfurnished the Generall of the Almaines would not doo any thing before hee had a Prince of the blood to direct him The Frenchmen said they must go straight forward to passe the riuer of Loire the Almaines wold march along by the riuer of Seine from thence into Picardie But the passage of the riuer of Loire was resolued vpon after they had let slip a goodly encounter at Pont Saint Vincent where all the troupes of the league made shewe to set vppon them but the necessitie of victualles procured by the Duke of Lorraine by throwing downe milles and ouens made them leaue that bone and passe further forward in this manner The Duke de Bouillon Liestenant Generall the Counte de la Marche his brother led the Vant-guard Cleruant the Switzers the Barron of Othna the Rutters Guitry Marshall of the campe and Mouy ledde the French footemen And as they passed le Barrois and leinuillois newes came of the arriuall of Monsieur de Chastillon at Gresille neare to la Mottes in Lorraine both the armies made thither that of the Duke of Guise to intrappe him and that of the Duke de Bouillon to defend him in which effort they trauelled so much that both the one and the other wearied and weakened themselues The Earle of Marche fell sicke and died leauing his charge to Nonsieur de Chastillon whom hee had ingaged That done long raines want of victualles and sicknesses beganne to torment the armie which notwithstanding all discommodities made right to Chaumont in Bassigny passed the riuer of Marne placed their artilllerie but to no purpose against the Abbey of Clernaux burnt the corne vppon the ground about the countrie crossed l'Aube aâ— Montigny and Seine aboue Chastillon where Monsieur de la Chastre laye passed hard by the Duke de Maine and the troupes of Bourgongne lodged at Leignes and Ansile Franc passed Cure aboue Vermenton and Yonne hard by Creuant and so made a halt towards the riuer of Loire The cause of the overthrow of the Switzers There beganne the complaints of the Switzers and the mutinies of the Rutters because the King of Nauarre came not to them and that the King was at the side of the riuer of Loire either to fight with them or to staye their passage A stratageme woorthie of a King and Councell no lesse commendable then admirable beeing the true and onely cause of the victorie For hee considered that the onely meanes to breake this armie was to impeach their ioyning with the king of Nauarre and so to let them consume of themselues as not hauing victualles to suffice their wants nor retrait for their aduantage That the necessitie of their bellie would cause the head to rebell That famine would cause disseases among them and lessen their troupes From this Councell proceeded two great effects but different in execution hee commaunded the Duke Ioyeuse The battel of Coutras to keepe the King of Nauarre in Poitou and rather to hazard battell then suffer him to passe the riuer of Loire as hee determined to do at the head thereof assuring him that the ruine of the forraine armie depended there vppon to the which end the Duke de Ioyeuse that had anarmie fortified both with men munition artillerie and meanes marched towards Coutras to passe la Drongne at Gue and vpon Tuesday the twentieth of October stayed with all his forces between la Roche Chalais and Coutras the king of Nauarre made towards him fully resolued to fight And his troupes not mercinarie but chosen souldiers not constrained but free that desired rather to sweate in a skirmish then heate themselues in a Tennis-court rather to pursue a flying enemie then staye to drinke sweet and pleasant maluesie at a bankette that feared nothing but the losse of their reputation stayed onely but till they had the word to giue the onset And after they had bin long encouraged to fight and greeued with outrages and threatnings they sell to blowes And about eight of the clocke in the morning the king of Nauarres artillery began to play and that of the Duke de Ioyeuse to aunswere them but not very luckely for that eyther the ignorance or the mallice of the Cannonier had placed it so low that the mouth of the cannon shot right vpon a litle hill of earth wherein the bullet stayed without pearcing further The battell was so soone descided that in tenne houres this great armie of the king that had the aduantage both for place and number beganne to retire was sooner broken then fought withall The king of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and the Earle of Sotssons behaued themselues most valiantly executing the offices both of Captaines and souldiers and gaue thankes to God in open field all died with blood and hilled and couered with dead bodies and among the rest with the bodies of Duke de Ioyeuse Monsieur de Saint Sauueur his brother and fiue and twentieth other Gentlemen of name All their Cornets were taken with the artillerie and baggage and foureteene Gentlemen of account taken and put to raunsome That done the king of Nauarre beeing eased of so many nettes that were set vp to catch him marched forward to ioyne with the forraine armie and to passe the riuer of Loire but the king lay incamped at a little Village called Lere between Cosne and Neusuy impeached him by the aduise of Monsieur de Neuers causing the guets betweene Pouilly and Dony to bee broken downe filling them with thousands of trees stones and chaines to entangle the feete of the Rutters horses that should passe And intrueth the letting of that passage next to the helpe of God was the second cause of the aduantage the king had of the victorie For the Duke of Guise that followed the armie durst not set vpon it nor hinder it from spoyling villages therewith to refresh it selfe But assoone as it perceiued it selfe to be in that inclosure and that they must of force recule to take the left hand and enter into a countrie wherein the Rutter had neuer hunted the Hart and considring the scituation it beganne to be abashed and fall into a mutenie and loose courage and hauing
are naturally in vs there would not be wood ynough to burne my subiects I will not doo it I had rather haue a sicke then a dead bodie I will not make religion a Butcherie or the alter of a sacrifice which is not bloodie a pillorie or place of execution no the king of France will no more cause his subiects to bee slaine to make them beleeue hee will neuer vndertake to constraine mens soules as long as their bodies are obedient vnto him It belongeth vnto God to accord these false notes that are heard in the harmonie of his Church They would likewise that I should consent vnto the Cleargie that they may purchase in fee farme such goods as heeretofore haue beene aliened from their Churches and constraine the possessors thereof to sell them againe that is as much to say that I should fight for the Church the Cleargie shall keepe their temporall goods while the people playe the Alkamists with their teeth They will giue the alarme and neuer come to battell All the rest of their articles touching the sale of Huguenots goods and of their disabling are alreadie ordained men are imployed therein all my parliaments are troubled therewith What do they demaund of me which I haue not agreed vnto not beeing able to refuse it and how many things haue I graun-vnto thē which I could refuse because I ought not so to do it There is no sinewe in his polliticke bodie but it is wrested nor any member which doth not languish They haue constrained mee to playe and hazard my estate by chaunce of warres I haue alreadie lost the halfe let them suffer me to withdrawe my selfe into the other halfe and liue in peace Such were the obiections of this Prince at the motions of the leaguers articles but because of nature hee was fearefull feeble and light hee neuer had firme resolution within his minde Princes most commonly do faile by not beleeuing counsell but hee deceiued himselfe by too much crediting The first poynt of this mischiefe was that trueth was kept from him and that men followed his humors Hee was perswaded the strongest part to bee that of the Duke of Guise that all the Townes and Prouinces had their mindes set on him that if hee entered not into it he would bee left alone at the mercie both of the League and the Huguenot Yet he firmly resolued to bee Maister and to range both the one and the other vnder his obedience but it was by a weake meanes imbracing the Duke of Guises part and made himselfe principall of the one side with all seueritie to make warre against the Herereticque speaking of nothing but of a voyage into Poitou to besiege Rochel and to take the Isle of Rhie And that which most fauoured this enterprise was that the Huguenots had lost the Prince of Conde vnder whose valour and generositie they conceiued great hopes and without doubt as being indowed with all the quallities conuenient for a valiant Captaine and otherwise an vnrecouerable enemie of their enemies His disease was violent procured by a nosegaye giuen him by some of his housholde seruants for that vppon Thursday beeing the third day of March halfe an houre after he had supt a great paine in the stomacke shortnesse of breath hardnesse of the bellie and continuall vometing with extreame paine and thirst tooke him And the Saterday after when his Phisitians and Surgeons had imployed all Art experience and fidelitie to heale him growing sicker a generall sufforation of all the powers of his bodie ceased vppon him whereof within an houre after hee died His bodie was opened wherein they found all the nether part of his bellie blacke and burnt the guttes full of reddish water the stomacke aboue the orifice The death of the Prince of Conde saterday the 5. of March pearced cleane through and round about and the vitall powers that of themselues were very helpeful and well composed by reason of the great quantitie of poyson were all vlcered The king of Nauarre at his returne out of Gascongne commanded expresly that all those that were suspected to bee necessarie to the poysoning of the Prince should bee punished for the which some were executed Meane time the King that had the enterprise of the League rather then that of the Huguenots more imprinted in his minde knowing that all their demaunds tended onely to this end to make a perpetuall warre prepared himselfe to preuent it and caused certaine forces to bee assembled vnder the conduct of the Duke d'Espernon against whome all the league discharged their chollor making him the onely argument of the confusion and disorder of all his affaires their iealousie more increasing by the succession of the place of the Admirall and of the gouernment of Normandie which hee had newly receiued after the death of the Duke de Ioyeuse This poynt deserueth to passe two steps out of my matter the Admirall in France is the name of one of the chiefe Magistrates in the Realme Generall and Prince of the seas belonging to the countrie as Eghinard called Ruthland that was Admiral in the time of Charles the great The like authoritie the Marshall of France beareth in an armie by land the same doth the Admirall in a Nauie of ships on the sea but these offices are distinguished for that the subiect is different and diuers There is paine and diligence to bee vsed to place an armie by land in order of battell The like must be vsed to conduct a Nauie of shippes vpon the sea At al times the most warlike countrie of France both by sea land hath had her Admiralles and the Frenchmen of Brittaine Narbonne and Prouence are much commended for their practises and greate dexterities in warres Voyages to the holy land vnder Lewis the 7. and Philip Augustus and Philip le Bel. vppon the sea neuer thelesse this office was neuer in so great glorie and estimation as it hath been since the third line of our kings beeing that which brought pollicie and gouernment into this Monarchie as the first had established and the second increased it by victorious conquests then it was that the names of Constable Great-maister Marshall Admirall and other such like dignities were ordained but that of the Admiral remained vnprofitable while our kings trauelled into the Leuant seas to fight against the Infidelles for in those expeditions they supplyed their wants with vessels which they found nearest to the countrie of Iudea and many times with their Admiralles which they had from Genes Pise Venice and Luques But the Frenchman that neuer continueth long vnder the yoake of any stranger would no more bee gouerned by straunge Admiralles if they bare not the name of Admirall of France although for the most part they were no Frenchmen As in the time of Francis the first Andrew and Philip Dorie Geneuois were made Admirals of the Leuant seas and after left him to serue the Emperour Charles the fift There hath bin
of the King of Nauarre the conspiracies made the last yeare about Easter and the many aduises and prognostications he had receiued by the singes hee had seene The Queene-mother was not of that mind The 13. of May. 1588. and promised to perswade the Duke of Guise and for the same cause went to find him out desiring him to quench so many fiers alreadie kindled to come speake with the King of whom hee should haue contentment at his pleasure and thereby let him see that in so vrgent an occasion hee had greater desire to serue then to ouerthrow his Crowne to repaire rather then throw downe the edifice of the estate which that commotion had most mischieuously shaken The Duke of Guise betweene hope and feare that neuer esteemed man to bee greater then himselfe as long as hee held his sword in hand making shewe of innocencie and laying the fault vppon the people said that he suffered himselfe to bee borne in that sort by them rather by force and necessitie then that he had any desire so to do That touching the Louure it was but athing falsely deuised against him that it should be a great folly for him to go thither things being in such hatefull estate and so to cast himselfe weake and in his dublet into the mercie of his enemies The Queen-mother aduertised the King by Secretarie Pinâ—rt The Queene marking the stubburnnesse and resolution of the Duke of Guise concerning her requests caused the King to bee aduertised who desiring not to stay any longer in that trance issued out of Parris by the new gate and that night lodged at Trappes It is said that being at Mon-martre he turned towards the Towne and cursing it for the infidelitie ingratitude and disloyaltie thereof in respect of all the benefits it had receiued at his hands hee sware hee would neuer enter into it againe but by a breach his seruants the companies of his guard and men of warre with the Switzers followed him and left their lodgings to those new Kings of Parris The Duke of Guise that had written to the Gouernour of Orleans The Duke of Guises letters to the Gouernor of OrleaÌ„s that he held the Louure so close shut vppe that hee would giue good account of that which was within it knew well the victorie was not performed and that his reputation would be stained if the newes of the Kings retrait were carried out of the Realme by other meanes then by him selfe hee considered that whatsoeuer is attempted against the Kings person toucheth and concerneth all his equalles that as the Prelates the Officers the Senators and Knights and all Kings are bretheren that one blood royall calleth the other that all soueraigne Rulers do blason rebelles and disturbers of estate although they helpe themselues by the same meanes He thought it good to send Monsieur de Brissac to the Ambassadour of England to shewe him the cause of the erecting the Barricadoes I make no difficultie to write whole leaues of a discourse when it is not out of purpose neyther any disgrace to the matter propounded therefore I haue set downe the same words that passed betweene the Ambassadour of England and the Counte de Brissac which were faithfully reported vnto me The Counte de Brissac accompanied with certaine Gentlemen went to visit the Ambassadour of England at his lodging in those commotions and populer insolencies to offer him a safeguard or protection and to desire him not to bee abashed nor to stirre as beeing assured of the protection of Mensieur de Guise The Ambassadour made him aunswere that if hee had beene in Parris as a particular person he would fall downe at the feete of Monsieur de Guise and giue him humble thankes for his great and courteous offers but beeing there hard by the King and for the Queene his Mistresse that had peace and amitie with the King he neither would nor could receiue any protection but from the king himselfe Monsieur de Brissac shewed him that the Duke of Guise was not come to Parris to enterprise any thing against the king or his seruice but that hee had onely put himselfe in defence that there was a great conspiracie made against him and the Cittie of Parris that the Town-house and other places were full of gibbets whereon the king had determined to hang diuers of the Town and others and that the Duke of Guise desired him to aduertise the Queen his Mistresse thereof to the end it might bee known The Ambassadour aunswered that he beleeued the Duke had willed him to say so that the highest and hardiest enterprises often times lye hidden and secret in the minds of those that vndertake them and that when they thinke good they make them knowne with such colour and shewe as they thinke best for their purpose that he could not chuse but tell him plainely that that which passed in Parris would bee found very straunge and euill thought of by all christian Princes hauing interest therein That no cloake or couer how faire soeuer it might bee could cause it to bee liked of it beeing the dutie of a subiect to continue in the iust obedience of his Prince That if there were so many gibbets prepared it would be the easilier beleeued if the Duke of Guise would cause them openly to bee shewed And againe if it were so it is a most odious and intollerable thing that a subiect by force should seek to impeach the iustice that his Soueraigne would execute against offendors That hee would promise him that most willingly and with all speed hee would aduertise the Queene his Mistresse of that had passed but to bee his Interpteter vnto her of Monsieur de Guises intents and those of his confederacie it was no part of his charge the Queen his Mistresse beeing wiser then himselfe both to beleeue and iudge what she thought good Heere endeth the second Booke THE THIRDE BOOKE OF THE LAST troubles of France containing that which passed after the Barricadoes in Parris and there trait of the king to Chartres vntill the Edict of pacification and assembly of the generall estates at Blois in the moneth of September Barricadoes the 12. of May. 1588. O Accursed and fatall day that haste defaced the beautie and pleasure of the twelfth day of May which euery yeare vsed to put vs in minde of the solemne and triumphant enterie of Charles the eight into the Realme of Naples what coale can bee blacke ynough to note thee in our Ephemerides and so leaue to our posteritie the rememberance of the shame and reproach of the rebellioÌ„ which thou breedest vp by driuing the king out of Parris and making knowne the hideous spectacles of the tyrannie of the League There is no memorie that forgetteth the remembrance of thy ingratitude no abolition that defaceth thy felony nor any defence to bee sought that might hide thy shame and there is not sufficient water in the riuer of Seine to wash away the
filthinesse of thy vilany nor wood ynough to burne the Registers and memories of this sedition But can we speake of the Barricadoes without remembring this incomprehensible motions of Gods prouidence which doth equally shine and appeare as wel in the establishing as pulling down of Empires dealetha swel with their fall as with their continuance And who will not say Read a notable discourse vppon this matter in the 2. Booke intituled the constancy and consolation of publicque calamities Henry the third a most religious Prince He led rather the life of a Monke then of a K. He hated the Huguenots that this great motion the spring of all the miseries ensuing was not a blowe of the hand of the inscrutable wisedome of God to punish the king and his Realm Hee that would debate this proposition by the circumstances of the kings person needeth not to seeke the causes thereof neither in the East nor in the West but onely to ground them vppon the eternall wheele of Gods iudgements What apparance was there for subiects to arme themselues and reuolt against a king what pretence could bee so close but in the end it would open and bee discouered The cause of religion which is one of the most violent passions of the people and the most assured meanes to alter an estate was so cleare and pure in him that many iudged his life to bee religious blamed his actions which was fitter for an Hermite then a Prince He kept more in a Monasterie then with his Councell he spake oftner with Iesuites Capucins and Fueillantins then to his Secretaries He detested nothing more then Huguenots and there was not any Huguenot in France that had receiued any commaundement at his hands he was more spoken and disliked of among them then any of the house of Lorraine they beheld him not but as the commet of their miseries and neuer remembred him but when they spake of S. Bartholomewes day that which they had indured at the hands of the duke of Guise was but roses in respect of that they had suffered at Iarnac And the Huguenots declared his life Moncontour Rochel and Parris in such manner that it were an extream absurditie to beleeue that he fauoured Hereticques and that hee would ouerthrow that religion whereof hee made so open profession He was assisted by the Princes of his house Therefore hee had no cause to feare any thing to bee done against him by the Catholicques and yet those are they that in the Capital Towne of his Realms Barricadoed themselues against him He had all the Princes of the blood for the defence of his Crowne for when the King of Nauarre for the libertie of his conscience had taken armes it was no longer but while they would constraine him and breake the decrees of peace that permitted him to bee free of conscience not to oppose himselfe against the Monarchie nor to an Anarchicall confusion of this estate The rest of the Princes that knew well that the reasons of the league were not so much to reforme the Realme as to ouerthrow it and therewith to bring them within the compasse of those ruines held themselues near vnto his Maiestie all the Nobilitie of France at the least nine of ten partes more particularly bound vnto his seruice for their honours dignities offices and benefiâ—s as also the iustices of the Realme not beeing of the minde to accomodate themselues to the humors of the Princes of the league and esteemed the essentiall forme thereof to be opposite and an ouerthrowing to the estate The GentlemeÌ„ of France foreseeing that the royaltie cannot be ouerthrown but that the Nobilitie must likewise beare the same burthen and that the subiect that refuse the obedience and faieltie of his Prince will not bee long before hee seeketh to free himselfe of the rents and reuenues hee oweth vnto the Lord of the soyle The greatest persons of the Cleargie consented not to those new mutinies acknowledging that their profession is more honoured and beautified vnder a King The chiefe of the Cleargie then by the confusions of a democration estate The king likewise had named and chosen them at his pleasure so that the obligation of his fauour retained them in his seruice Learned men published his prayses and in his raigne there were more bookes printed and dedicated to his Maiestie Learned meÌ„ then in the raigne of the great King Francis and his successors although most iustly hee was named the father and restorer of learning Some Preacher onely flattered sedition thereby to winne estimation among the commoÌ„ people desirous of a change In all the towns throughout euery Prouince there were officers who besides their naturall subiection were more bound to him by oath that he had taken of them giuing them charge of his treasures the power of his lawes and administration of his iustice with the order of pollicie they desired nothing more then the greatnesse of their King his rest and quietnesse beeing their onely preferment for that without libertie and peaceablenesse with his long life and prosperitie their offices were of little force as hauing exposed their fortunes to the hazard of the terme of his life I And yet he was not well assured in Parris n such manner that his Maiestie had not any thing more at his commaundement then men of that quallitie that only feared the perill of his holy and sacred person and the changing of this Monarchie Who would then beleeue that a king yea and a king of France in the middle of so many assurances in the brauest time of his raigne in the Capitall Cittie of his Kingdome among so many Princes Knights of the Order in the face of a Parliament the thunder against sedition and colonie of iustice and royaltie hauing in his power the Bastille and the Arsenal at his deuotion the Prouost of Merchants the Sheriffes and the Colonnelles and sixe thousand men of warre placed in the streetes and quarters of the Towne where hee desired should bee besieged in his Pallace of Louure by a people whom hee had so much cherished and inriched with the spoyles of his other subiects and by himselfe stirred vp vnder the false alarme of a Garrison sacking and spoyling constrained to saue himselfe by flight from the furie of his mutinous subiects Incluctabilis fatorum vis cuius fortunaÌ„ mutare constituit consilia corrumpit Velleius lib. 2. de Caesar es varo And can wee that haue seene and beheld it remember it without considering that the eternall power of him that ruleth all the world made the Spirits iudgements counselles and conductions of those that might diuert the mischiefes proper and fit to aduance them and suffered them to take effect to shewe his wrath striking the head to make members languish O fatall and once againe accursed day of Barricadoes the birth day of our miseries and funeralles of our ioys that vnloosed the windes to those stormes of blood
that haue drowned our companions that made libertie captiue trueth criminall rapin iust and tyrannie and inuasion lawfull See heere the first beginning of the troubles of France 47. slaine by Brisson the President that pulled the Crowne from the head of the King and the lawes from the heart of the Realme that put the weapon in the hand of a President to raise the people in his quarter that kindled the courage of the most coward to fall vppon the kings guard that lifted vppe the chin of most vile persons and caused the League to triumph in the strees of Parris as an Image accomplished with all wickednesse that put pen in hand of the sixteenth therewith to publish this wicked commotion and to qualifie that with a iust defence against the kings aduertising all the Townes of their conspiracie that God had preserued that holy and religious Cittie from a great massacre and fearefull spoyle that the Duke of Guise had turned the counsell of Polliticians specially the Duke d'Espernon that had wonne so much fauour in the kings heart that it caused him to determine the ruine and ouerthrow of the principal and most Catholicque Sedition called the image of all euill families in Parris to restraine their libertie and dispoyle them of their religion esteeming no better nor readier meanes to make his people to obey him then to weaken beate downe and spoyle them of that corpulent fatnesse which made them insolent mutinous and rebelles and that they should not beleeue the Historie of their tragedie from any but their owne lying mouthes Assoone as the Kings seruants knewe that his Maiestie was gone The Court dislodgeth from Parris The Duke of Guise is sory for the kings retrait the Huguenots neuer dislodged with more haste out of the subburbs of Saint Germaine de Prez at the dolourous day of S. Bartholomewe then they did to saue themselues some on foote some on horseback out of Parris flying in great haste many had no leisure to put on their bootes the furie of the people beeing such and so straight mooued against them that it was a great escape made to returne from the house of Guise to the Louure and no man might passe if hee held not for the Duke of Guise Illia cos intra muros peccatut extra Horatius His Lacqueys serued for Pilots and conductors of the Kings chiefe Councellours to bring them safe to their lodgings That this accident procured not most straunge corosiues to the kings heart it is not to be doubted His Maiestie hauing assembled his men at Saint Glaude hee went to Chartres where the league had alreadie sounded so many mens hearts that there they spake not of the king but in disdain that his Maiestie was greeued at the hart to see himselfe in a manner bannished in the middle of his estate and spoyled of his authoritie The Duke of Guise was much more greeued when hee knew the king was gone that suddane blowe so much abashed him that hee would willingly haue taken poste to followe after him imputing it a great imperfection of nature The Duke of Guise repenteth his hardinesse but faults are neuer knowne vntill they bee done and then wee may looke into the cause and attribute it eyther to our owne opinion that opposeth vs against the rules of reason or to our weaknesse which abateth both our courage and resolution Both of them although too late giuing vs wisdome and meanes to repent It is very hard in these commotions that are sooner seene then conceiued and where we must take counsell and armes both at one time to retaine consideration respect and necessary wisedome or that a mans minde can continue firme in one resolution This commotion of Parris was followed with great imperfections both within and without as well on the kings as on the Duke of Guises part hee fayled by letting the king escape for that holding him the tragedie of Chilperic had bin acted and the instructions of the Aduocate Dauid accomplished he failed likewise herein that hauing passed the bounds of dutie and fidelitie and vsed his Maister in that sort he beleeued that playing the part of a diligent seruant he should win fauor againe that his boldnesse wold be forgotten that a Lyon roused in that sort so cruelly wold become tame or meek at the first morsell of respect seruice and obedience that should bee offered vnto him that hee should haue his will of the king sooner by flattery and seruice then by pursuing and forcing him for that not knowing how to vse his aduantage nor in what sort to behaue himselfe in the highest step of the lather of his enterprises wherevnto hee had mounted with so long and secret pretences hee fell downe all the steppes at one time When he saw all France disliked the kings departure in that forcecible maner out of Parris hee beganne to protest his innocency and the dutie hee had shewed to restraine the furie of the people trauelling in the kings behalfe to saue his honour so straungely blemished Fault in the King The king for his part failed and his fault was so much the greater then that of the Duke of Guise as there was inequalitie between them The forme order means he found to rebate the credite of his enemie and the reputation hee had gotten among his subiects was as vnaduisedly pursued as begun He sought to purge the bodie before he had well disposed the humors some of his Councell said it was best for him to let the Duke of Guise rest as being alreadie mounted so high that he could not bee brought downe but that it would be good to breake downe the steps whereby he mounted and withdrawe those that serued him for footestooles Counsell to abate the greatnesse of the Duke of Guise The magnanimious resolution which the King should hold Wholesome Councell to reduce the people strayed into the right path of obedience loue and feare which they owe vnto their king and win so many hearts againe by the same meanes that the League had vsed to seduce them that is by peaceablenesse by a vniuersall reformation and by reliefe of miseries The king should haue said I will do as the League desireth I wil performe that which it promiseth you I will performe deedes and not wordes wherewith shee abuseth you she taketh the disorders of times for the subiect of her mutinies I will establish order in pollicie in my treasures and in my Court the shortest way had been so to preuent him by little and littled iminishing the vniuersall fauour of the Parrissians towards him but to do it vppon the suddaine at one blow and in one houre to repaire the destruction and ruines so long bred and inuented it was a great folly and seeing by so many signes and distrusts he feared the comming of the Duke of Guise to Parris and that hee had discouered his pretence Why did he not cause him to go out again
this Clemencie is superfluous that it changeth into a soft and peaceable nature that this softnesse is not mixed with vigor nor this peaceablenesse with austeritie I esteeme it a poynt of meere carelessenesse which althouh it bee not to bee blamed yet it is not found to bee good in a Prince For it prouoketh men to enterprise against a Prince that is so readie to pardon and the suffering of one fault that is miserable draweth on another saith the Consul Fronto to liue vnder a Prince that will remit no part of the tigor of his lawes But it is much more miserable to liue vnder a Prince where all things are lawfull and that by a kinde of faintnesse or carelessenesse without discretion pardoneth all whatsoeuer is done both against lawe and reason Clemencie is commendable to an enemie that is ouercome and submitteth himselfe but while hee shaketh and feareth in our presence this weaknesse this disquietnesse and this feare is a signe of doubting and he will reuenge himselfe But some will say this seueritie is odious in a king intollerable to the people and cause of rebellions and in trueth it is to bee vsed with moderation and then when wee see that mildnesse and mercifulnesse is not preiudiciall vnto vs. If it bee called furie or rage what need wee care so that furie maketh fooles and rebelles to become wise Wee must do as Sabaque king of Egypt and Antigonus king of Macedonia did the first caused the gowne and not the shoulders of the criminal to bee beaten and punished the hatte for the head the other hearing the souldiers speake hardly of him hard by his tent he contented himselfe with saying vnto them What can you go no further but vnder my nose to speake euill of me The kings letters at Chartres 17. of May 1588. The king sawe the prankes the leaguers had played with him he heard them rent both his name and his authoritie he sawe that the Louure was not safe ynough for him against their violences in steed of saying to these vngratefull wretches get you from hence or to strike such as serued them for gownes or couertures hee excused the authors of the mischiefe desireth their reconsiliation and dareth not say that he had bin constrained to go out of Parris remitteth the pacification of his troubles to the Queen his mother because hee knewe his owne weaknesse and distrusted the affection and fidelitie of his subiects Hee aduertised the Lieftenants and Gouernours of his Prouinces of the occasions that had mooued him to depart out of Parris and writeth vnto the Capitall Townes not to forme their hearts in the moulds of those of Parris and to beleeue that hee desired no other Garrison nor fortresse among them but publicque good will and confidence from them He caused his letters to bee made and framed not like a Prince or Captaine but like a man that fled and trembled that defended himselfe more with his holds then his armes that durst no more commaund but intreated his subiects and a Prince that had forgotten himselfe to bee a Prince that hee was Gods Lieftenant arbitrator of the life and death of his subiects iust distributer of the greatnesse of estates that of some can make vesselles of no valour nor substance and of others vessels to honour and serue in a rich and goodly Pallace that hee is not onely the sinewe that giueth moouing to the common-wealth but the heart and the head that maketh it liue and the vitall spirit that quickneth so many spirits I must confesse a trueth the King committed a great fault but because mine eyes haue too many lets to marke it and that it belongeth not to meane persons to mount vpon the Theators whereon great persons play their tragicall actions I will set downe the Kings letter to the iudgement of the Reader yet will I adde something of mine owne vppon the backside and in the margent leauing place neuerthelesse for such as will write after mee and beleeue that such men of iudgement as will vndertake this most sharpe and bitter Theame to write vpon shall yet finde something therein whereof they may make hony By the King TRustie and well beloued being in our Towne of Parris where we thought an intent was to cease al kinds of iealousies a a The first fault and one of the oldest partiallities are fatal to estates and a Prince neuer indureth them but they make him indure the disipation of his Prouinces and despising of his authoritie The King not desiring to stop them when they began but to peep out of the earth could not abate them being grown great and high branches The simple iealousie of two Noblemen is the sparke that finding the disposition of the matter maketh a great fire the factions of Princes drawe the people vnto them and impeachments as well in Picardie as else where which made vs reiourne our trauell into our countrie of Poiton there to pursue the warres begunne against the Huguenots according to our determination Our Cousin the Duke of Guise arriued vnlooked for vpon the ninth of this month whose comming in that sort did in such maner increase the said distrusts that we found our person in great perplexitie b b The Duke of Guises comming to Parris deceiued the King and with so small a company it made the Kings mind to bee diuersly His suddaine arriuall caused him to remember the effects of the aduises giuen him and the small number of his company withdrewe him from it and made him iudge wel of that Princes meaning and intent But he deceiued him for that ought to haue made his comming more suspitious for if it had been simple without deceit the participants would not haue stirred so soone Publica expectatio magni secreti impatients because not long before we had been aduertised from diuers places that hee would arriue in that sort and that certaine of the Inhabitants of the said towne such as were suspected to be the causes of the said distrusts stayed and daylie attended his comming and for the same cause hauing him to bee certified c c Oftentimes a man thinketh to withdrawe and stay a conspiracie that adâ—anceth it it is daungerous to dissemble it and more to discouer it we must neuer make shewe of any distrust that we haue in our enemie but then when we are vppon the poynt to bee reuenged There are some bodies so weake that if you giue theÌ„ any Phisicke they will bee sicke and if you tell them they are sicke they wil presently fall into a feuer Herein you must vse the prudence of dissimulation that serued for aduise to King Lewis the eleuenth for counsel to SigismoÌ„d for a lawe to Frederic the Emperour for a vertue to the vertues of Tiberius Also it is no daunger to dissemble so farre foorth as Plato saith that this subtiltie do redownd to the profit of the subiects that wee would not haue him to come thither before we
present receipt thereby freelier to exercise his prodigallities hee hath giuen the honorable offices of the Realme vnto the mignions and hath desired nothing more then to throw downe and loppe the foundation of the holy League Is there no other thing tell all shewe foorth your publication let reason rather then words bee wanting with you for that in populer commotions fained things set out with faire words are holden for trueth Now I will plainely let you see that your complaints are without reason and your Ciuil wars breedeth necessitie and redoubleth it More fooles then states men A small greefe reasons without sence and yet to please you say that your dreams were true that the king in his new leuying of monies his new Edicts and his new creations of officers doth oppresse his people Necessitie constraineth him but from whence proceedeth that necessitie from ciuill warres who maketh this warre the League The cause then of these disorders proceedeth from the graft of our miseries and from such as vppon the firme land expect the shipwracke of our French vessels I aduouch the great leuyings the excesse of impositions the Edicts the offices the spendings of treasures and the rapine of receiuers and am assured that there commeth not one crowne out of the pesants hands that is woorth a Teston when it is payde into the kings cofers it is so much shortned by passing through so many hands The people haue been strangely oppressed by new inuentions there was somewhat to say to the Edict of Courtiers the tenne Sellers of fish the 12. sellers of beastes within Parris the receiuers appoynted for spices the commissions sent to all Courts royall to collect great treasures in euery place of the Realme the making of so many Gentlemen the allienation of demands with many other corruptions to get mony the numbring whereof would be more odious then the charge hath bin excessiue but vpon whom may the fault bee layde whether vppon the king that graunted or those that first inuented them therby to finde means to fill their purses whose auarice resembleth the dog that swalloweth a morsell of meat cast into his mouth without chawing hoping presently to haue another for that all whatsoeuer proceedeth of a new imposition was deuoured the sooner to swallow another But if a great part thereof hath passed into the great and gaping throate of the insaciable auarice of the league it selfe if many to haue a part therein haue giuen their consents if the relieuing of the poore people hath not beene so much considered as religiously it ought to bee if the importunitie of those that say there is alwaies more fooles then estates haue had it wherefore do they charge the king that onely receiueth the griefe at his heart the ruine vppon his shoulders and haire vppon his raines that since these disorders neuer hath had good day sweet slumber nor ioyfull repast The displeasure hee receiued at the continuance of such new charges caused him to desire Monsieur de Birague his Chancellour to deliuer vp his seales which he bestowed ouer liberally vppon the approbation of his Edicts and caused a roule of the most pernicious to bee shewed him which he toare detested the authors and lamented the oppression that his people indured and as yet wee may see the edict that was made for the suppression of the wicked deuises of new Edicts The same incrochers put into his head the inuention of Petite Espargne of commaunding his treasures vnder an acquittance of his hand to deliuer as much mony as they would haue without knowledge to the Secretaries or Receiuers what he gaue to the end that being ignorant of the disorder and the instruments of that deuise no man should bee blasoned but the king and that their impudencies in asking such excessiue summes of mony shuld not bee discouered VVhatsoeuer it be content your selues you Parrissians that all the profit of their exactions and subsides hath entered into your coffers that your own is inriched that it was neuerricher then vnder the raigne Alienation of admonitioÌ„ Meanes to maintaine the greatnesse of the Prince Tributes Traffiques Forraine treatises Sale of offices Duke d'Alua King Lewis the 12. of him whom you haue driuen out that all the great ponds of royall fauours are fallen into your milles his liberalities are returned into your purses and the mignions haue beene but the conducts whereby those great prouisions were transported into your fountaines as touching the doubling of the charges much more then euer they were heeretofore in the raignes of Lewis the eleuenth Charles the eight and Lewis the 12. and the multitude of offices it is well knowne that the demaines which onely maintained the honour and royall estate of his Realme is nothing like as it was in their times The continuance of warres hath ingaged it into many hands the increase of our diuisions hath scattered alienated and dispearsed it in such sort that there must bee had at the least fifteene or sixteene millions of Frankes to redeeme that which is woorth aboue fiftie millions The kings of Europe haue sixe waies and meanes to maintaine the greatnesse of their estates The king of France hath nothing thereof he hath no more demaines the sacred Patrimony of his auncestors is gone hee maketh no more conquests nor spoyles vppon straungers all the bootie hee hath is of his owne and all the losse of his subiects falleth vppon him hee hath none that payeth him tribute as the Prince of Asia doth to the King of Persia the Indies to the King of Calicut and he of Calicut Malach Cambarre and Canor to the King of Portugal There is no trafficque negotiation vnder the name of his Maiestie by factors as Alphonsus K. of Naples the King of Portugal all the Common-wealth and most part of the Italian Princes as the Duke of Florence for silkes and the Duke of Saâ—oy for bookes ordinarily vse The two last which are the refuges and forraine passages and the aydes of his subiects haue of long time bin conuerted by his auncestors into charges impositions ordinary tallages These sixe means fayling and not beeing proportioned to the charges of the crowne the King hath been constrained to finde a seuenth extraordinary in deed of great consequence and most dangerous but couered with necessitie which is the creation of new offices and the practise to drawe mony a means fit and to the purpose to supply the kings wants to fill the pipes of the springs of treasures almost dried to ease the people oppressed with wars and with the sterilitie of times and seasons for that such as had to deale with receipts of the monies proceeding therof make account that in twentie yeares the king hath receiued 139. millions a certaine meanes whereby mony from all places is brought into the kings Coffers without constraint violence as it were by degrees a hundreth times more tollerable theÌ„ impositions other inuentions to charge the poore Pesants and wherein there
hee vsed to impeach the reducing of Ausonne do sufficiently discouer their pretences And when it pleaseth your Maiestie to haue further declaration hereof with the generall consent of all your subiects wee will bring diuers sufficient proofes which at this present would bee ouer long to set downe and which for diuers good causes wee will now omit This common opinion of the intelligence that the said Duke de Espernon and Mousieur de la Valette haue with the Hugunots and the high estate whervnto it hath pleased your Maiestie to aduance them maketh your good subiects to feare specially the Catholicques that if your fauor should once bee withdrawne from them as it is impossible that their insolent behauiors can long time be indured by so great and wise a King not finding any entertainment among the Catholicques they will take part with Hereticques and thereby deliuer all the Prouences and strong places that are in their possessions into their hands whith whom alreadie they haue so great intelligence in such manner that France that may shortly be deliuered of heresie should become more subiect to their tyrannicall dominion then euer it was The Dukes answere Vpon the taking of Dauphine The Duke de Espernon replyeth by his Councell and saith that hee tooke Valence and other places in Dauphine and put out those of the league that had no authoritie therein to place his Maiesties souldiers if that deserue not an excuse I referre it to the iudgement of all honest men I would to God he had also taken Chaalons Dyon Montreuil and all that acknowledgeth not your Maiestie within the heart of the Realme and yet hee hath not done it without cause and lawfull excuse which hath beene often debated before your Maiestie and your Councell The fauour which he bare to hereticques As touching the other poynts of their accusation touching the fauour which the League saith the Duke d'Espernon beareth vnto Hereticques your Maiestie knoweth and can disprooue their vntrueths if they bee so in this that as touching the ouerthrow of the Rutiters there was not any man that trauelled so much therein as the saide Duke d'Espernon who onely by your Maiesties good pleasure and authoritie hauing effected the disvnion of the Switzers The King of Nauarres complaint against the Duke de Espernon caused their confusion and by that meanes gaue the Duke of Guise occasion to set vppon them at Auneau for the which hee is so much commended to the disgracing of your Maiestie and the honour of that victorie that is due vnto you By this your Maiestie may iudge the truth of all their accusations that knoweth the particularities of the voiage to Guyenne what was done by the Duke d'Espernon and what followed all contrary to their declarations Whereby I dare say the King of N. was so much displeased at the said D. of Espernon that there is not any man in France with whom he is more offended The League addeth that the D. of Espernon his brother are the authors of the disorders in all the good gouernments and pollicie of France that they haue gotten into their Coffers all the treasures of the Realme that they haue aspired to the principall offices of the Crowne separated from it diuers of those that would serue it both well and wisely and besought the King seeing he knew them to be the cause and original of the mischiefe that it would please him to bannish them both of his Court and fauour and discharge them of all the gouernments and offices that they hold within this Realme without any desert The Duke d'Espernon saith that all whatsoeuer they say are but chimeres and inuentions maliciously deuised for the iustification whereof The Dukes offer to testifie the truth of his innocencis hee will gage his head to bee layde at the kings seere if it bee found that hee once so much as dreamed thereof And to the contrary hee reputeth all the causes of miseries vppon the heads of the house of Guise Who hath brought disorder saith hee in the treasures whereof you make so great a matter but your predecessors you that follow their steps Who constrained the king to exact vppon his people but onely the warres which the vnmeasurable ambition hath renued put them vpon the Kings charges let the chamber of accounts be examined there it shall be seen who without contradiction hath handled and gouerned the treasures of the late kings Henry and Francis the second let the most auncient Histories be pervsed to see what house in France hath risen from a most meane beginning to a high and great estate I will name no man euery man knoweth sufficiently what house it is that would thrust his head into the cloudes Gifts of the king without importunitie and with his foote spurne off the kings Crowne wee most humbly call his Maiestie to witnesse as our king the author of our beeing our Protector and our good Maister if wee euer were importunate with him for any benefit we haue receiued at his Graces hands and whether all whatsoeuer wee haue both riches and honour haue not proceeded from him of his free and voluntarie libertie Wee praise God that wee cannot bee accused to bee Pensionaries to the king of Spaine or to haue receiued mony from him to make war against our king and impeached him from taking into his protection the gouernment of the lowe Countries nor by force to haue taken the monies of his generall receipts robbed the waggon of Bourges and in time of open peace constrained the mony of Normandie to bee conducted by a hundreth men of armes euen to the Gates of Parris It shall not bee long of vs that this reformation should not bee performed in France wee will absent our selues from the Court and from the presence of the king Now my Maisters the reformers let vs see some goodly beginning of your policie Is your ambition deuises practises or inuentions The Duke d'Espernon is forbidden the Court. to attain to the highest dignitie therby any thing ceased Haue you left Paris restored it into the hands of her naturall king and Princes No but to the contrary you haue made Melun and Corbeil to reuolt in the very sight of his Maiestie and all the best townes in this Realme which by false perswasions you haue ledde out of the right way And to conclude wee will refuse no condition that may restore and establish this Realme to peace and tranquillitie and as wee do most willingly craue your Maiesties presence in a time wherein wee ought not to doo it thereby to giue no cause of dissiking to our enemies so will wee bee alwaies readie to yeelde vnto your Maiesties hands both liues and goods The Kings answere to the request of the league with all estates charges gouernments places and Castles that it hath pleased you to commit vnto vs vppon condition that our accusers will doo the like And if
any man finde this proposition and reciprocall submission between persons which they may terme vnequall to bee straunge let them remember and receiue this for satisfaction that all whatsoeuer the one and the other hath is by your Grace and which they cannot iustly hold longer then it pleaseth you The king that sat as vmpeir in this contention by their answeres and replies still receiued some blowes yet hee knewe that their declarations were not so smooth but that the accusations in his behalfe would easilie bee aunsered and beeing pressed by the League to yeeld to their request he giueth the Cardinall of Bourbon and all the rest of the Princes in whose name it was presented to vnderstand that both in peace and warre hee had sufficiently shewed the proofe of his good will to the preseruation of the onely Catholicque religion in his Realme and to the extirpation of contrary sects without sparing his own person euen at the last ouerthrow of the Protestant Rutters entered into this Realm The victorie of the Rutters which had not happened without the presence and good conduction of his said Maiestie that stayed them vppon the side of the riuer of Louure which they had gotten with little losse and weaking as euery man knoweth That iealousies distrust had hindered him from reaping the profite of the aduantage which hee had against the Hereticques hauing sought all meanes hee could to impeach the motions of those diuisions as namely to forget that which had happened at Parris as long as the Cittizens behaued themselues like good and faithfull subiects trusting in the bountie and clemencie of their Prince whereof they haue so many times had sufficient proofe that they neede not doubt thereof That hee lamented the disorders that haue crept into the affaires of this estate as also the contentions that brake the last peace that he desired nothing so much as speedily to see a present reformation and that to the same effect hee would assemble the third estates of France as the most assured remedie which his predecessors in such occasions haue alwaies vsed That hee was resolued presently to reuoke diuers edicts and impositions wherewith his people were charged That in the assembly of the estates his Maiestie would take order for the doubt the Catholieques haue to fall into the gouernment of hereticques and that touching the particular complaint made by the saide Princes against the Duke d'Espernon his brother he would make it known that both in that and all other things hee is a Prince both equall and iust hauing speciall regard not to doo iniurie or wrong to any man And withall that hee preferred the publike vtilitie of his Realme before all other things The Court of Parliament who by their wisedome that knewe that the absence of the sunne which giueth it light would from thence forward make it become obscure and without light by reason of the thicke cloudes of diuisions would not withdrawe their helpes from that trouble and disquietnesse of the estate nor turne their backe to the king neither bring vpon themselues the infamous markes or rebellion or permit that his Councellours should be termed ouerthrowers of their Princes The Court of Parliament sent the Deputies to the King but sent their Deputies to his Maiestie to shewe him of the greefe they had conceiued at that accident and at the mischiefe that had constrained him to go out of Parris to reclaime his bountie and clemencie to diuert his iust vengeance from the heades of his subiects excuse his officers if in so great a commotion imbisilitie and feare had made them bend their necks to desire him to come thither againe to restore quietnesse and contentment to his Maiestie order in his affaires credite to their purple robes authoritie to their estate by his presence to dispearse mutenies which by diuision had beene raised The Kings answere to the Court of Parliament The king answered therevnto that he neuer doubted but that they would continue in the sidelitie and affection which they had alwaies shewed to his auncestors that if it had beene in their powers to haue taken order touching the disorders in Parris hee was fully perswaded they would haue done it that he had conceiued a most extreame greefe thereat although hee said hee had not beene the first that had fallen into such misfortunes that notwithstanding all that he would alwaies be a good father to such as shewed themselues good children that in the quallitie of a father hee would vse the Parrisians as his sonnes that had fayled in their duties and not as seruants that conspired against their Maister hee commaunded them to continue in their charges according to their duties and from the mouth of the Queene-mother to receiue the commaundements and executions of his will and pleasure The King sends for the Deputies of the Court. Wherewith the Deputies of the Parliament withdrew themselues when after dinner they were readie to depart the king sent for them and said vnto them I haue once againe sent for you that before you go I might let you vnderstand besides that I sayd vnto you in the morning that I haue beene aduertised of the allegation vsed in my behalfe that I would place a Garrison in my town of Parris I am much abashed how that entered into their heads I knowe what Garrisons meane they are eyther placed to destroy a Towne or else because of some distrust that is had in the Inhabitants they ought not to thinke that I would ouerthrowe or destroy a Towne to the which I haue shewed so many signes of great good will and which I haue inriched by my long continuance therein as hauing stayed there more then tenne others of my predecessors euer did which hath procured yea euen to the meanest Artificers therein that great trafficque which at this day they haue and so much that it might haue benefited tenne or twelue other Townes which would haue been glad thereof and where my officers haue had cause to vse my helpe as likewise Merchants and others I haue not denied it vnto them so that they may iustly say I haue alwaies shewed my self a good king in their behalfes lesse cause should I likewise haue to enter into distrust of those whom I loued and of whom I might haue assured my selfe as I verily thought So that the amitie I bare vnto them ought to haue bereaued them of this fond opinion that I would place a Garrison among them and it is wel knowne that not one souldier set foote or entered into any house to looke eyther bread or prouision whatsoeuer but to the contrary I sent them mony and other necessaries and they had not stayed there aboue foure and twentie houres at the furthest which had been till the next day but they should haue lodge else where I determined to haue made an exact search for diuers straungers that as then were in my Towne of Parris and not desiring to offend
Edict made whereby the king shall ordaine an intire and generall revnion of the same with his Maiestie where hee shall bee and remaine the head for the defence conseruation of the Catholicque Apostolicque and Romaine religion by his said Maiesties authoritie To the which end by the said Edict it shall bee promised and sworne as well by his said Maiestie as by his said vnited subiects to imploy their treasures and persons yea and their proper liues wholly to extirpe the heresies of this Realme and of the countries vnder the obedience of his said Maiestie Not to receiue nor shew obedience after his Maiesties descease without children to any Prince whatsoeuer that is an hereticque or fauourer of heresies what right or pretence soeuer hee may haue To defend and conserue the person of his Maiestie his estate crown and authoritie and of the children which it shal please God to send him with and against all men none excepted To protect defend and conserue all those that shall enter into the said vnion and namely the Princes Lords and other Catholicques heeretofore associated from all violence and oppression which the hereticques with their fateurs and adherents would vse against them To leaue all other vnions practises and intelligences leagues and associations as well within as without the Realme contrary and preindiciall to this present vnion and to the person and authoritie of his Maiestie his estate and crowne and the children that it shall please God to send him His Maiestie shall promise and sweare the obseruations of the said Edict and cause it to bee sworne and obserued by the Princes Cardinals Prelates and others of the Cleargie Peeres of France Officers of the Crowne Knights of the holy Ghost Councellours of his Maiestie Gouernours Lieftenants Generall of Prouinces Presidents Councellours of Soueraigne Courts Bailiffes Stewards and other his Officers Maiors Sheriffes and bodies and communalties of Towns of whom oathes acts and verball processes shall be taken made and registred by the Clarkes of the said Courts Baliages and bodies of Townes that when need requireth they may bee seene And to execute the said Edict and proceede to the extirpation of the said heresies his Maiestie with all conuenient speed shall raise two great and strong armies to send against the said hereticques one into Poitou and Xainctonge that shall be ledde and commaunded by whom soeuer it shall please his said Maiestie the other into Dauphine which hee shall commit to the charge of Monsieur de Maine The Councell of Trent shall bee published with all speed without preiudice neuerthelesse to rights and authoritie of the king and the liberties of the French Churches which within three moneths shall bee more amply specified and layde open by certaine Prelates and Officers of his Court of Parliament and others whom his Maiestie shall appoynt therevnto It shall bee agreed for the suretie of these present articles that the keeping of the Townes graunted by the Edict of Nemours vnto the said League shall yet continue for the space of foure yeares longer and more then the two yeares that rest to bee expired of the time agreed vppon before and likewise of the Towne of Dourlans The said Lords Princes and others that shall haue the custodie of the said Townes shall promise vppon their faiths honours and losse of all their goods altogither and euery one in particular to deliuer into the hands of his said Maiestie or to whom hee shall appoynt within sixe yeares without delay or excuse staying ordifficultie whatsoeuer for what cause or pretence soeuer it may bee the said townes and places that are giuen in keeping for the suretie aforesaid Further his said Maiestie for the saide securitie of these present articles and the said time of sixe yeares that if the Captaines and Gouernours of the Townes of Orleans Bourges and Monstreuil die during the said time his Maiestie during the said time of sixe yeares shall commit the gouernment of the said townes to those that the said Princes shall appoynt But the said time beeing expired the said townes shall no more remaine ingaged for the said securitie but shall bee left off and maintained in the same sort and manner as they were before The Towne and Citadell of Valence shall bee deliuered into the hands of the Sieurs de Gessans therein to commaund for the seruice of his Maiestie as it did before The Sieur de Belloy shall also berestored to his charge and Captains place of Crottoy to enioy it as hee did at other times His Maiestie shall cause le Bernet to issue out of Bullen giue the charge to a Gentlemen of Picardie such as hee thinketh good which being done the said Princes will cause their forces to withdrawe themselues from about the Towne and wholly dispearse their souldiers that are there and as touching the Townes that are declared and shall declare themselues before this present conclusion to bee vnited with the said Princes they shall continue in the protection and sauegard of the king as other townes and left in that estate wherein they are without any innouation nor putting of Garrisons or surcharges in considerations of things forepassed The Captaines and Gouernours of the places that haue beene dispossessed of their places since the twelfth of May shall bee reftored to the same on all parts and the Townes shall bee discharged of men of warre that haue bin placed in Garrison therein since the said day Processe shall bee made and executed touching the sale of hereticques goods and of those that beare armes with them against his Maiestie by the best readiest and certaine meanes that may bee deuised to the ende that his Maiesties meaning and intent may in that poynt bee executed according to the edicts and declarations aforesaid and that hee may bee better ayded with the monies that shall proceede thereof to make war against the hereticques then it hath beene heeretofore The Regiment of footemen of Saint Paul and of Sacremore late deceased beeing in armes shall be payde like others that shall serue and when they are in Garrison within the Prouinces assignation shall be giuen to the Treasurer of the warres from the beginning of the yeare to paye them for foure months at the least which may not bee denied The Garrisons of Thoul Verdun and Marsal when they are imployed for the kings seruice shall bee vsed as well for musters as for leadings in the same sort and like to those of Metz. When the king shall imploy his companies of horsemen hee shall imploy those whom the said Princes haue required to bee vsed and payde as others are Those who at this present execute the charges of Prouost of Merchants and Sheriffes of the Towne of Parris shall presently remit their said charges into the hands of the king who hauing regard to the declaration made vnto him touching the necessitie the said Town hath of their continuance in the seruice of the same shall ordaine that they shall bee reestablished and
Ouerseer of them a Great-maister or Steward of the Hospitall and sixtie two seruants There were religious persons proportionall to that great number first eight Obseruants of Castille 20. Obseruants of Portugall nine and twentie Friers of Castille Their Cleargie men ten Friers of Portugal 9. Augustins of Castille 14. Augustins of Portugall sixe Friers of Portugall of the Order called del Pagna twelue Carmes of Castille nine Carmes of Portugall eight Fryers of the third order of S. Francis in Portugall two and twentie Iacobins fifteene Iesuites of Castille and eight Iesuites of Portugall so that besides the number of fighting men there was almost tenne thousand that had nothing to do with armes An armie how great soeuer it bee and well conducted if it hath not prouisions and amunitions accordingly it receiueth but blasone shame and dishonor but the king of Spaine tooke not that great enterprise in hand without prouiding as great furniture as should bee requisite whereby the Generall had no cause to feare any want to put the armie out of courage Munitions and prouisions For they had eleuen thousand Quintals of Biscat foureteen thousand one hundreth and seuentie Pipes of Wine sixe thousand fiue hundreth Quintals of Bacon three thousand foure hundreth thirtie three Quintalles of cheese eight thousand Quintals of dried fishes of all sorts Rice to furnish euery vessell with three Quintals for sixe moneths six thousand three hundreth and twentie vesselles of beanes and pease eleuen thousand three hundreth ninetie eight roues or measures of oyle twentie three thousand eight hundreth and seuentie roues of vinegre and eleuen thousand eight hundreth and fiftie Pipes of fresh water besides the victuals and the necessaries of houshold that were in great number and of all sorts as platters goblets pots funnels and vessels of wood candlestickes lanterns lampes falots candles of waxe and tallowe plates of lead and Oxe hides to stoppe holes made with great shotte bags of leather canuaffe and buckeram hoopes for pipes and barrels eight thousand sadles of leather fiue thousand paire of common shooes eleuen thousand paire of shooes with strings cords nayles horses waggons wheeles milles apple trees and all whatsoeuer belongeth eyther by water or by land twelue great peeces for batterie and twelue field peeces with bagges of calues skins for powder and bullets The armes reserued for store were seuen thousand caliuers and their furnitures one thousand muskets tenne thousand launces one thousand partisans and halbardes sixe thousand pikes more pickaxes payles Their armes and other instruments then would serue for seuen hundreth pioners With this number and in this manner being prepared the armie departed out of Lisbon vnder the conduct of the Duke de Medina Sidonia assisted with two and twentie Lords of Estate Councell and experience eightie pages and tenne young Gentlemen or knights and seruants in great number But it had scarse entered into the sea sayling towards the Grongnes in Gallicia but there rose a storme with so great force that it was constrained to put to land and there staye till winde and weather serued hauing lost in that storme three Gallies of Portugals and many of them so scattered and brused that they were not seruiceable for that voyage The storme beeing ceased and the winde bettering about the two and twentieth day of the moneth of Iuly the Generall caused them to set sayle so fortunately that in lesse then fiue daies after they discouered the point or end of Cornwall and at the same time they were seene from Plimmouth by the Admiral of England and Sir Francis Drake Viceadmiral that made them turne their faces and gaue them such a skirmish and that so neare that the shippes were in disorder and a great gallion lost wherein was found a part of the treasures that the armie brought with it all the instructions that the Duke of Medina had what hee should do hauing conquered England At the last it got as farre as Calais where it should haue ioyned with the Duke of Parma but the armie of England that sought to impeach it followed it and that so neare that it was forced to leaue her anker-hold and confusedly to flie away Their principal Galleasse among other vesselles was by the streame cast vpon the sands hard by the Hauen of Calais and there with her ordinances was left for the Gouernours of Calais the rest of the shippes were strongly beaten with cannon shot and by the English shippes scattered abroad in such sort that in those skirmishes the armie was lessened of twelue shippes and aboue fiue thousand men Which done it made towards the North seas passing betweene Norway The scattering of the Spanish armie Scotland so towards Ireland where those Northen seas being as the risen according to the time of the year were very tempestious vsed the rest of the army very hardly for it drowned and sunke seuenteene great vesselles vpon the coast of Ireland and spoyled brake and ouerthrew diuers others in such manner that of one hundreth and thirtie shippes there were scarce thirtie that returned into Spaine The coppie of a Letter sent to Deepe touching the encoumer of the English and Spanish armie and howe the Spaniards had wonne the victorie The report of the successe of this Fleet was giuen out cleane contrary to that which happened vnto it or then was trueth and the innocency of diuers men was so great that they assured and affirmed for certaine that the Spaniards had the victorie for the which they made fiers of ioy and printed whole discourses thereby to couer the shamefull flight of the Duke de Medina that could make no other excuse vnto the king his Maister of that ouerthrow but the infidelitie and ignorance of the Sailors and the little experience they had of those Northen Seas the want of ayde from the Prince of Parma and the great stormes and tempests vpon the seas This great ouerthrow abashed not the league that more vnpatiently then euer it did pursued the execution of the Edict of vnion it sawe that the king by words and oaths not common but solemne had sworne in the Cathedrall Church of Roane in presence of the Cleargie Princes and Lords of the Court that hee had sent vnto the Bishoppes touching those affaires that their Priestes in euery Diocesse should cause their parisioners to make profession of their faith that the Huguenots should abiure their errors in open Courts of Parliaments Courts royall and publike places to make them obserue it but not contenting themselues therewith they would haue the Edict christened with the speciall name of a fondamentall lawe and because it could not bee done but by the third estates of France they besought the king to hold Parliament as by the said articles of peace hee had promised De Commines lib. 5. cap. 4. The authoritie which the Senate had among the Romanes the same authoritie hath the Parliament deuised by the first familie of the kings of France
place the Princes standing still vntill hee commaunded them and his Councell to sit downe There was neuer any assembly made wherin was found more excellent French wittes concerning the resolutions of great affaires the propounding of excellent and rare conceipts and for the reformation of the estate Nor yet for the pronunciation of Orations with more grace eloquence then in this God that is the iust distributer of his fauours to whom it pleaseth him hath ordained that nature should helpe and adorne certaine nations more then others with eloquence of speech but it is a speciall fauour of God to speake well and to the purpose before great assemblies not of a Common-wealth of Venise nor a Councel of three hundreth in the cantons of Swisses but before the estates of a great king yea of the greatest Realme in all Christendome and in the presence of the geatest king of all Europe This eloquence is a gift of God such and so great that Moyses found no other excuse to refuse that notable Ambassage but the rudenesse of his speech as if the first peece of the furniture of him that vndertaketh such things were the grace of speaking well There hath beene diuers great personages that haue buryed and obscured the best and brauest quallities in them for the onely want thereof some haue beene seene in a publike place at a barre and in a Councell that comming in presence of a Prince and of a great assembly became ridiculous to the company with blushing and shamefastnesse and in the assembly some were ashamed to see their bashfulnesse Heraclites the great Sophister was abashed before Seuerus Talthybius and Eurybate before Agamemnon Theophrastes in the Araopage Herod the Athenian before Marcus Anthonius Some stumbled in the beginning of their discourse others omitting the principall matter in the middle of their orations and many making a woorse end then a beginning And whatsoeuer is the cause those that are in such extacies haue no man to supply their places and perceiuing themselues brought into that poynt either shamefully to stand still and say nothing or take a new matter in hand besides the text and so rather doo wrong to their reason and arguments Great personages faile in deliuering their orations then to their speech as Bartholomew Soncin before Pope Alexander the sixt and Francis Barbare Venetian before the Duke of Milan I commend such as take time to prepare themselues and wonder at those who without preparation can so readily acquit their charge Our countrie of France hath seene and heard both of the one and other It heard in this solemne assembly of all the estates of the Monarchie that the Romane eloquence is retired and had withdrawn it selfe into the head of her great king and that France likewise as wel as Rome hath Seuerus Cassiens that speake both well and wisely without premeditation and that cannot indure a troublesome studie that it hath Demosthenes and Pericles that neuer speake without good aduise that it hath a rare and almost vnknowne thing vnto all Monarches which is The signe of the weakening of an estate This is vnderstood of the eloquence of Sophisters that her kings speake without Interpreters but in this poynt I must let you knowe that it is a most assured signe of the weakning of the forces of our estate when euery man taketh more delight in eloquent words then in great effects and is better pleased in saying then dooing well For that eloquence is like a medicine which is onely prepared for sicke persons and eloquence is imployed but in such estates that are like to fall and decay and to mooue and perswade a people that are stayed The multitude of Phisitians in a Towne maketh mee iudge the intemperance of the Inhabitants the great troupes of Councellors and Atturnies that are in all places do sufficiently shew that the corruption of our manners entertaineth quarrelles and there was neuer seene so many Orators in Athens Rhodes and Rome but when they were troubled with ciuill dissentions The League brought with her diuers eloquent fellowes by their babling and deuises to make the people beleeue that white is blacke and trueth falsehood and to constraine them vnder the sweetnesse of their arguments to swallow downe rebellion faithlessenesse and disobedience And who knoweth not that the same day of her birth had been the obsequie of her funeral if in the places where truth ought to triumph vntruth had not beene introduced their sences filled with smokes and sed the ignorant people with deuises and laughters Plutarch Such as sought to winne the people proceeded not all in one kinde of manner in Athens there were some that would drawe them by the eies presenting them with false and deuised things others by the belly in seasts and banquettings diuers by the purse and shining beautie of that mettal The people are taken by the eares which bendeth the most stiffest but the best aduised haue begunne with the eares the beastlinesse and easie introducing of the people not beeing handled but by them all other holdes are vnassured other rules and obseruations can neuer make them tame By it Pompey Caezar Crassus Lucullus Lentulus and Metollus began their tyrannies and ayded themselues better with their tongues then by their lances the French tongue was neuer more adorned inriched nor fairer then at this time and I would to God it serued onely to confound rebellions detest Leagues conuince schismes eleuate the authoritie of the lawe establish and strengthen iustice euaporate the cloudes of errors that trouble our vnderstandings and that the fire of those hotte and liuely speeches that make vs to attempt so high actions and mortifieth colde and moyst humours that make our affections glance against our soueraigne good and that it would in flame the courage of good men against the iniustice of the wicked Corruption of eloquence in holy matters But to the contrary it is imployed to the great disliking of straungers to the infamie of Frenchmen and against a king of France to rent and disseuer his authoritie blame his holy intents to accuse his Councell and to pierce the eares of his subiects therein infusing the dangerous poyson of despising his Maiestie They vse a phrase adorned with rich and magnificall words without choise or consideration to condemne the law to degrade the Magistrate and to praise those that neuer did good but when they minded to doo euill they haue borrowed great words of Architecture Pilastres Corniches Architraues Amphiteatres and Theatres and all for the description of that mischieuous hole or caue of the League and of that miserable populer state built vppon foure gibbets or stakes Against a sort of writers during these troubles But the holy and true eloquence is that which alwaies continued with the iustice of the kings cause all that is induced therein is firmer and more solide the reasons liuelyer and stronger the words more christian French-like and the formes more
causeth mee to put you all in minde not to forget the iust punishments that such blasphemies deserueth which my desire is should bee reformed without fauour or exception either of person or quallitie The inquirie and punishment of simony shall not as it becommeth all good Christians bee forgotten neither yet the order which is requisite touching the sale and multiplicitie of iudicial offices as being pernicious and insupportable to my poore subiects wherein had it not been for the troubles begunne in Anno. 1585 I had of my selfe taken some order but now I expect from you the holy and good meanes therein to bee vsed as in the distribution and prouision of benefices iudiciall and other officices of honour charge estate and dignitie in this Realme there consisteth that which is dearer vnto me then life it selfe mine honour the preseruation and splendure of this estate and the good will of all my subiects towards me to the end that such things may be done with more deliberation I meane from hence forward to appoynt some certaine times which shall bee made knowne vnto you and therein so to distribute them with iust consideration of each mans desert as in dutie I am bound as reason requireth my reputation restraineth mee and as the good I wish to this estate forceth me vnto minding that from this time forward euery man shall hold that good and honour hee hath only from me and for their better meanes to obtaine them at my hands I will take order for their more easie accesse vnto my person according to the times and houres I will imploy to that end I likewise will all my subiects to determine and resolue with themselues to liue as vprightly affectionately and faithfully in such offices as shall bee committed to their charges as shall be requisite for the discharge of my conscience and their owne wherein from hencefoorth I am not determined to indure any defects restraining my selfe by oath neuer to graunt reseruation of any thing whatsoeuer reuoking such as heeretofore haue been graunted and from this time foorth declaring them of no force intending not to obserue them as things that may bee preiudiciall and meanes to mooue men eyther to desire or purchase the deaths of other men and vngodly both in my selfe and in such as seeke to obtaine them I will likewise giue no more suruiuings determining that concerning those alreadie graunted I am minded to referre my selfe therein to your opinions It is most necessary to restraine euocations graunts remissions and abolitions that iustice should bee more prompt and lesse chargeable to the people and that crimes may bee exactly punished You must not likewise forget the inriching of Arts and Sciences the beautifying and repairing of the Townes within my Realme the gouernments and ordering of trade and trafficque of Merchandises as well by land as by sea and the restraining of vsurie with superfluities and excesse of things that are risen to most high prises The restoring and renuing of ancient ordinances touching the authoritie and dignitie of the soueraigne Prince with the reuerence due vnto him and his Magistrates which you shall determine as reason requireth The iust feare that you might haue after my death to fall into the gouernment of an hereticque king if it chance that God should not grant me any heires males is not more considered of by you then by me And I protest before God that I haue not more care of mine owne saluaion then desire to bereaue you of that feare which is one of the principall causes that mooued mee to make my holy Edict of vnion and to abolish that damnable heresie which although I haue most holily and solemnely sworne before him that giueth man constancie inuiolable to holde and obserue all good and holy oathes I am determined the more to establish it that it should bee made one of the fondamentall lawes of our Realme and that vppon the next Tuesday in this place and before the notable assembly of all my estates I will that euery man shall sweare vnto it to the end that none may heereafter pretend any cause of ignorance And our holy desires may not vainly be frustrate for want of meanes I determine to take such order therein by the counsell which you shall giue mee that as the desert shall not consist in mee it may not likewise proceede from the small assistance by you giuen therevnto whereby the effects of our desires may bee in force By my holy Edict of vnion all leagues but such as are made by authoritie from mee ought not to bee suffered and although it did not sufficiently forbidde the same yet neither Cod nor dutie doth permit it as beeing wholly against it for that all leagues associations practises deuises intelligences leuyings of men and mony and receits of the same as well within as without this Realme are actions of a king and in all well gouerned Monarches esteemed high treason if they bee done without the Princes authoritie And although by word of mouth thereby witnessing my accustomed clemencie in that respect to omit all forepassed faultes yet as dutie bindeth mee and you all to conserue the royall estate hauing taken order for the establishing of certaine lawes to bee made by my estates I will by these presents declare and from hencefoorth pronounce as guiltie of high treason all such my subiects as desist not from them or that in any sort dealeth therein without my authoritie and consent graunted vnder the great Seale of France Wherein I am assured that you will not faile to shewe your faiths and fidelities counselling and requiring at my handes to renue and fortifie this faire and auncient law ingrafted within the hearts of all true French men that defend the same which I will shall bee set downe in expresse words I am bound thereby both vnto my selfe and to my Realme and you to mee and to the state of the land which you now represent wherevnto in presence of the Almightie God I summon you all In times past the goodly order and exact pollicie obserued among our souldiers bredde and procured an admiration and terror of my nation togither with a particular and honourable glory to all our French Nobilitie Now therefore weed esire that the same honour wherewith wee haue beene admired aboue all nations may still bee maintained wherein I will spare no paines whatsoeuer and the like I craue of you whereby the wrath of God beeing appeased and that our forces may bee vsed to the preseruation and not to the destruction of our estate thereby procuring so much contentment and comfort to my subiects as that hereafter they may as willingly desire our souldiers both horse and footemen for their gifts as they now feare and abhorre them and that with great reason Lastly I am much greeued that I cannot maintaine my estate and royall dignitie with the necessary charges of this Realme without mony for mine owne particular it is the thing that least greeueth mee but
vppon them in the extremitie of their afflictions and then yeelded most hartie thankes vnto his Maiestie who shewing his power ordained from aboue to rule and gouerne this Christian Monarchie with all courtesie and princely inclination hath not refused to bend his royall eares to their most humble petitions to heare their greefes and complaints and withall to shewe a most singular and speciall desire to restore his people to their auncient force to whom as then there rested but the onely libertie of speech and that very weake and feeble to reestablish holy religion in her pristinate estate by the extirpation of all errors and heresies to rule and remit all auncient orders altered by the iniurie and alteration of times vnto their first forme and manner of beeing and to comfort his poore people protesting that therein their most humble and most faithfull seruices should neuer bee wanting euen to the last gaspe which Oration beeing ended the assemblie with a maruellous contentment ended the first day of their meeting The second day of meeting vpon Tuesday the 18. of Octob. 1588. The second day of their meeting beganne vppon the Tuesday after in the same manner as it did vppon the first day and because the King had been mooued by the Archbishop of Ambrun the Counte de Brissac and the Aduocate Bernard Deputies for the three estates to renue his oathes of vnion and perceiuing their pursuite to proceede from the distrust they had in him seeing that hee hauing once sworne it within the Cittie of Roane it was as then needelesse to renue his oath againe hee went neuerthelesse to satisfie the importunitie of the League and so beganne that seconde meeting with the same action The Kings proposition made to the Senate at their meetings Silence beeing commaunded by a Herault his Maiestie saide that at their first meeting hee hadde shewed what great desire and care hee hadde that in his raigne hee might see and beholde his subiects revnited in the true Catholicque Apostolicque and Romane religion vnder the obedience which it hadde pleased GOD for their partes to giue vnto him and for that cause hauing made his Edict in the moneth of Iuly last ordaining it to bee confirmed and holden for a The Edict of vnion made a lawe fondamentall law of his Realm therby to binde both himself and them with all their posterities his meaning was as then to haue it redde openly before them all which done euery man should sweare to obserue it accordingly And with that hee commaunded Monsieur de Beaulieu his principal Secretarie to read it togither with the declaration made vpon the same so to giue it the force and authoritie of a law of his Realme and yet without derogating the liberties and priuiledges of his Nobilite The reading thereof with the declaration beeing ended the king desiring that the woorthinesse of the cause should bee preferred with as much Maiestie as it deserued thereby to mooue the whole assembly better to consider the importance of the contract which as then they were to make with God crauing his horrible and most fearefull vengeance might fall vppon all those that disloyally should falsifie their faiths therevnto giuen as assurances of the obseruation of his said Edict of vnion he commanded the Archbishop of Bourges to make an Oration vnto the states concerning the same The oration of the Archbishop of Bourges touching the Edict of the vnion This learned Prelate saide that seeing it pleased his Maiestie that the instruction of so solemne an oath should bee giuen vnto the people by the mouth of the Prelates hee exhorted all the assembly appoynted for that great and solemne actions to humble themselues vnder the mightie hand of God and to acknowledge his Maiestie togither with the effect and quallitie of the oath which they were as then to receiue considering that God is trueth it selfe and all oathes whatsoeuer which are not grounded vppon that trueth are false and vniust That the cause of the oath as then presented was for the Church the onely spouse of God The Church is visible Vniuersall Catholicque visible heere on earth because it comprehendeth all the faithfull that are the christian communaltie Inuisible in heauen where it is said triumphant vniuersall for that it maketh no distinction of persons nations quallities conditions or sects One without diuision or schisme One for that of Alexandria Ephese Ierusalem Affrica and Aegipt are but one Church and her doctrine is one Romane doctrine not in regard of the walles of the Cittie of Rome but by reason of a speciall nomination and demonstration that is saide of it that therein Saint Peter and after him Saint Clement and others their successors haue preached and announced the word of God witnessing the true christian doctrine and many other Martyrs with the price of their blood which they haue freely shed for the name and honour of God The vnion of the Church That the vnion of this Church is so strong that it cannot bee broken nor separated in it selfe beeing placed vppon the firme rocke which is Iesus Christ so that the gates of hell cannot preuaile against it it is called the Lords vinyard and the Gods sheepfolde vnder one head and shepheard of our soules That to preserue the vnitie of his Church it is conuenenient that all the children thereof should be vnited vnder Christ their Sauiour and vnder the king whose faith hath continued from posteritie to posteritie euen vnto his person and neuer separated it selfe from the vnitie of this holy and christian religion Let vs vnite our selues then said this Prelate let vs vnite our selues togither as true faithfull Catholicques let vs renue this great and solemne oath due vnto God let vs ioyne our vowes and hearts togither and so yeeld them and confirme them vnto God Obedience due to the king Let vs sweare vnto our Prince the obedience submission due vnto him by all lawes diuine and humane let vs imbrace christian charitie let vs abandon hatreds rancors both open and secret with all suspitions and distrusts which hitherto haue troubled and diuided vs and which haue hindered yea and broken so good intents and had it not beene for them France had long since enioyed a happie peace Let vs lift vp our hands to heauen to yeelde vnto that great God the oath wee owe vnto him that it may bee a memorie for euer vnto the world that our posterities may beholde our faiths and constancie in our oathes and not our periurie by the good and holy effects that shall insue And seeing it hath pleased your Maiestie most noble Prince to bee the first that heere in presence of vs all shall performe this oath for an example to all your subiects all wee with one accord will lift vp our hands to heauen and sweare by the liuing God to serue and honour him for euer to maintaine his Catholicque Apostolicque and Romane Church to defend your
himselfe and the meanes hee vsed to attaine vnto the same I will put this proposition that this Prince is bound and a neighbour vnto France and in that case neither ought nor may bee an enemie vnto it Hee is the sonne of that great and polliticque Prince Charles Philebert duke of Sauoy who so wisely found the means to recouer that which his father had lost The praise of Charles Philebert Duke of Sauoy The principall glory and truely as I thinke the most necessary for a Prince of his quallitie was that among so many troubles and betweene two great Monarchies striuing togither hee could behaue himselfe so well that neither the one nor the other once touched him maintaining his countrie in peace affectioned to the seruice of our kings as hee that had receiued that honor to marrie the sister of king Henry the second a friend to the King of Spaine in whose Court hee had passed ouer the most part of his greefes for his forepassed losses a good neighbour to the Switzers and other Princes of Italie to liue in peace hee permitted the free accesse of Huguenots into his Townes of Thurin and assured them a retrait into the vallies of Angrongne Lucerne Saint Martin Pragela and la Perouze without constraining them as hee might well haue done to vse the Catholicque religion and looking into the depth of diuers things hee made meanes vnto the king of Nauarre for a match to bee made betweene the Lady Margaret the Kings sister and his sonne and what hee practised for his owne benefite the same he counselled vnto others for when hee perceiued that Henry king of Polonia threatned to renue the warres assoone as hee should set foote within his realme hee disswaded him from that resolution setting before him the incertitude of warres which most commonly are sweete in the beginning but difficult to bee pursued and most bitter and hurtfull in the ende See the order of Montagu Hee desired rather to leaue some parte of his Landes vnto the Switzers then to seeke to winne them by armes Hee behaued himselfe so well in his counselles which our kings reiected and imprinted such an opinion of his wisedome greatnesse and felicitie within his subiects mindes that the Sauoyen not knowing nor beeing able to imagine any greatnesse more eleuated or happyer then that of their Duke that they said that if the king of France could haue guided his affaires in as good sorte hee hadde beene man sufficient and fitte to haue beene Great-Maister of the Duke of Sauoyes house Charles Emanuel Duke of Sanoy Charles Emanuel his sonne perceiuing that the wisedome and pollicie of his father had left his estate in good securitie with a reasonable great quantitie of treasures and yet not so much as would suffice to make any forraine warres determined to imploy that generositie naturally ingraffed in him in some goodly enterprise hee threatned Ceneua and made shewe of doing some great exployt against it but acknowledging the insufficiencie of his forces for his so high an enterprise they determined vppon a marriage and married the King of Spaines youngest daughter and with her the passions of his father in lawe The Duke of Sauoy cannot liue in peace if the king of Frāce be his enemie At the beginning it was thought hee would haue contented himselfe to haue beene friend with France allyed vnto Spaine that vppon the apprehension of the fall of our estate he would neuer pretend any thing against vs that hee would staye himselfe more vppon thinges certaine then vppon vncertaine and variable that knowing that vppon the one side hee hadde the Almaines on the other the Switzers on the third the Venecians and on the fourth the Princes of Italie hee would become friend to the Frenchmen their friends It was thought that if hee had ambition in his minde it would vanish vnder a more iust title that feeling himselfe weake hee would enterprise any thing against a mightie King nor would not breake the bond of amitie for his part due vnto him holding his estates from this Crowne which of late of meere courtesie hadde restored Sauignan and Pigneroles vnto him yet without apparant necessitie and without any reason whatsoeuer hee vndertooke the vsurpation of the territories of France bordering vppon Piedemont And yet it was not done without pretence declaration and excuse for first hee wrote vnto the Pope that the feare hee had least Monsieur de Desdiguieres should cease vppon certaine of his Townes and so in the middle of his countrie make a retraict and refuge for the Huguenots had constrained him to diuert that mischiefe generally from the Church and particularly from his owne estate which hee desired to continue in the puritie of the auncient religion vnder the obedience of the holy sea of Rome The duke of Sauoyes pretence why he inuaded the Marquisat of Saluce Hee excused himselfe vnto the King touching this breach of peace saying that the onely zeale of religion togither with the feare of the contagious neighbourhood of hereticques had constrained him ther vnto sending an Ambassador to giue him notice thereof and so to disguise that iniurie with the fairest and most counterfeit hee could deuise At the first he made shewe as if he would not hold those places but vnder the kings authoritie and by little and little he vsurped all soueragne power degrading the kings officers erected the Sauoyan crosse and threwe downe the flower deluces of France Ann. 1481. His officers couered this vsurpation with an other title and maintained that the Marquisat of Saluces is holden infest of the Duchie of Sauoy and that one of the Marquises thereof beeing a braue and valiant Gentleman disdaining in person to doo homage to Charles the sixt Duke of Sauoy being very young was for his misprision declared a traitor driuen out of his Countries and his Marquisat confiscated The Marquesse of Saluce infested into the countrie of Dauphine But the truth is that this countrie hath alwaies been infest to the principalitie of Dauphine contained in the gift that Prince Humbert made vnto the Crown of France namely that the Marquesse of Saluce had recourse vnto the king of France who receiued homage and fidelitie of him and euer since his successours did continue the dutie of vassalles vnto the Kings Charles the eight Lewis the twelfth and Francis the first From thence it proceedeth that hee which enquired and gathered into a great volume the causes and reasons of the raising of armes in the moneth of Ianuary reporteth this surprising of the Marquisate of Saluces to bee deriued from principalles of the League that dismembreth thier Crowne and Common-wealth perceiuing that neither of them could preserue it whole and intire and these are his words ABout that time the Duke of Sauoy supposing the king by reason of his departure from Parris to bee wholly ouerthrowne sent to speake with Monsieur de Guise minding to enter into League with him vppon
King that it would bee necessary for him to make peace within his Realme and to reuenge that iniurie to driue away the Goate that eateth the colewoorths while the Good-man is fighting with his wife to chase the wolfe that assayleth the sheepfolde while the Sheepheards are quarrelling togither For so the Romanes agreed togither when they perceiued the enemie before their Capitoll so the Spaniards left of their mutenie when they beheld the white crosse before Fontarabie so the Frenchmen appeased their debates to ioyne togither for the driuing of the Englishmen out of Normandie They tolde the King it would bee accounted a poynt of great cowardise in them if they should seeme to bee offended thereat if they should indure the pride and ambition of their so weake an enemie if they should suffer the Crowne of France to bee dismembred specially the places which are particularly allotted vnto the eldest sonne of the King The king is resolued to folow strange wars and to pacifie ciuil broyles To suffer that a meane Prince should in a brauado take away from a King of France that little plot that rested vnto him of the territories of Italie togither with foure hundreth peeces of Cannon-shotte the Frontiertowne of France lying beyond the Mountaines that place that was able to withstand the most proude forces of the Spaniards which onely rested vnto vs as an assured pawne therewith in short space to recouer againe the countries of Naples and Milan The King beeing in flamed with iust greefe was fully mooued at this tyranny and iudged this branch of mischiefe to spring out from the bodie of the coniurations of the League for the which cause he said hee would make peace with the Huguenot to serue himselfe by their means against such as sought to pull off his cloathes before he ment to go to bedde minding to quit himselfe from the rule of such as like maiors of the Pallace sougt nothing but his subiection vnto their passions The Duke of Guise excuseth himselfe The Duke of Guise perceiuing that all the assembly the whole Parliament all the kings seruants iudged this inuation to be done by his means and to bee the onely effect of the League and that it bred hatred and repentance in the hearts of those that esteemed his proceedings to bee most iust he besought the king not to bee mooued thereat assuring him that assoone as his Maiestie should haue quenched the fire which the Huguenots had begun to kindle within his realm he would be one of the first that should passe the Mountaines to make his forraine enemies yeeld their praye desiring his Maiestie to giue him that commission but first he said hee ought to assure his people of that hee had promised them by oath touching the holy vnion and the good resolution of the Parliament The king that could not well disiest this aduise receiuing it as from the heart of him that had giuen the spirit motion to the mischiefe by his continuall practises with straungers perceiuing that neither his Edict of vnion nor yet the obligation of the oath which he had taken concerning religion of all the Princes of the League to make them depart and leaue their secret associations as well within as without the Realme had not wrought that effect which hee expected hee determined from that time forward to bee reuenged of all forepassed offences perswading himselfe not to bee bound to obserue the Edict of vnion seeing the League had first begunne to breake it consenting to the pernicious intents of strangers Reade the wars of Geneua in the booke following not withdrawing themselues from the mutuall intelligences it had with him but in the meane time while hee dissembled his displeasure against the Duke of Cuise hee vsed another meanes against the Duke of Sauoy which I will shewe heereafter That the king of Nauarre was not much greeued at the iniurie which a meane Duke had done vnto a mightie king it is not to bee doubted yet he reioyced thereat being in hope of some good fortune that might thereby ensue and that it would be occasions to end the diuisions partiallities within the Realme of France At such time as this new trouble sprang vp among the assembly at Blois hee was in Rochel where hee called an other assembly of the Churches of his religion seeing the artificiall deuises of the League had shut the gate against him where hee ought to holde the principall place as the first Prince and chiefe Magistrate of France An assembly at Rochel This assembly began the fourteenth day of Nouember in the Town-house of Rochel the King of Nauarre beeing present assisted by Moniseur de Turenne Monsieur de Trimouille and other Gentlemen of his house and Councell as in a manner there is not any Prouince in France wherein this religion hath not purchased some acres of land and by that meanes there were Deputies from all places By whose aduise and resolution sprang the request presented vnto the States at Blois The Protestants demaundeth a Councell vnder the name and title of the Frenchmen exiled for the religion beseeching the king to restore them vnto the libertie of the first Edict which from the name of the moneth wherein it was published was called the edict of Ianuary to ordaine that a national Councell might be assembled where the Doctors on both parts with good securitie in presence of his Maiestie and all the assembly might peaceably debatetheir differences and holily decide and resolue vpon the same to graunt them the free libertie of possessing their goods for supplying their necessities to permit the registring of their supplication together with the consenting therevnto by his Maiesties pleasure to the end that nothing might bee done in that assembly to preiudice them This petition was badly framed at that time as beeing wholly contrary to the principall intent of that assembly which beeing for the most part composed of men chosen and purposely taken out from among the most passionate aduancers of the League desire rather to destroy then instruct such as had strayed aside and sooner to drowne then to wash the infected And therefore not beeing satisfied with the Edict of vnion the right destruction of the Protestants they ceased not vntill both from the king himselfe and all the assembly they had procured a declaratiō of the perpetual disabilitie of the king of Nauarre to the succession of the Crowne Yet their artificiall poysons do not so fully infect all the body of that assembly and their mindes were not in such manner tyed vnto the opinions of the League but that there were some persons both of dignitie reputation that would not permit that the means should bee taken from the king to revnite his subiects in one religion seeing that the intent of the Parliament ought onely to tend vnto a publike peace and therefore they counselled him to procure a lawfull Councell against this schisme of conscience
layde hand on his rapier being halfe drawne as then hauing his cloake cast about him like a scarfe which hee vsed ordinarily to do and his rapier vnder his cloake which by that meanes hee could not so hastily pull out but that som of those that were in presence perceiuing him to bee so bold at the kings chamber dore preuented him This is the aduise of the Collector the noyse and bustling among them was presently heard within the Councell-chamber which made the Archbishoppe of Lyons to come foorth and went to knock at the chamber doore where as then they had newly slaine the Duke of Guise and yet hee came time ynough thither to heare his last words The astonishment of the Cardinall of Guise The Cardinall of Guise was in a maruellous maze his sences troubled and his courage abated and as hee sought the doore to go out he with the Archbishop of Lyons was arested by Monsieur de Larchan and his guard that made conscience to lay hands vppon them because of their order They desired Monsieur de Larchan to bring them into some chamber that they might not be a wonder to such as passed by wherewith they were Iedde into a litle chamber ouer the kings lodging made not long before therein to lodge the Feuillans and Capucins where for a time they remained without either seate or fire The Cardinall of Guise could not cease by his words to poure out the heate of his passions and his greefes and in that chollor spake certain words which in a quiet and more sencible minde hee would not haue vttered so that hee renued the Kings furie who therewith commaunded la Bastier and Monsieur de Valence two of the fiue and fortie to kill him The one refused the commission saying that his hands should neuer bee defiled with the blood of a man of the Church The other determined to execute the Kings pleasure and beeing accompanied with fixe of his companions hee mounted vp the staires close to the chamber doore where hee was there they stood disputing which of them should beginne and as hee thought to enter hee felt a certaine motion that stopped the heate of his furie The imprisonment of the Cardinal of Bourbon and made him to godowne presently after the Duke of Guise was slaine the king appoynted a guard to attend vppon the Cardinall of Bourbon who as yet was in his bed and to stay Madame de Nemours the Duke de Nemours and the Duke d'Al-boeuf The Prince of Iuinuille The memories of the League write that the great Prior rose vp and went very early to call the Prince de Iuinuille to play a set at tennis whereon they had agreed the night before and finding him in his bed desired him to rise who being soone vp and speedily made readie whether it were because the great Prior was presently followed by certaine of the guard or otherwise it is not certainely knowne he entered in distrust and presently after would haue forced a doore that issued out of his chamber and so haue saued himselfe wherewith the guard tooke him And the great Prior perceiuing by that meanes that their set would not go forward hee tooke his leaue and departed but the trueth is that when the Duke of Guise was slaine the Prince Iuinuille his sonne was hearing Masse in the Chappell of the Castle and comming out from thence as he thought to go vp the staires to find the great Prior with whom he had made a match to play at tennis hee was stayed by the Archers and seeking to defend himselfe they held him and led him into the chamber of the great Prior. Meane time the Switzers were set to keepe the Duke of Guises lodging that no man might come foorth Monsieur de Hautefort Monsieur de Pericard chiefe Secretary and Monsieur de Barnardin chiefe Gentleman of the chamber to the Duke of Guise were taken It is said that Pericard beeing brought to this extremitie either to speake for life or else confesse for death disclosed all the secrets of the League and wholly instructed the king of his Maisters intent Monsieur de Richelieu Marshall of the house accompanied with his Archers and certaine souldiers of the companie of Mōsieur de Gast went into the Town-house where the third estate were assembled and there laide hands vpon the President de Neuilly the Prouost of Merchants in Parris Compan and Corteblance Sheriffes of the said Towne Monsieur le Roy Gouernour of the Towne of Amiens the Counte de Brissac Monsieur de Bois Dauphine and other Gentlemen affectioned to the Duke of Guise that were all arested the rest stayed neither for bootes nor spurres to get them thence this accident being so fearefull vnto them Monsieur de la Chastre iustifieth himselfe The Duke of Guise had two principall seruants that were as disposers of all his secret intents the one the Archbishop of Lyons the other Monsieur de la Chastre The first was safe ynough from any more troubling the king but touching the second hee had him in great distrust by reason of the perfect amitie that hee bare vnto the Duke of Guise but assoone as he had receiued the newes hee went presently to the Duke de Neuers in the armie vnder whom hee was Marshall and saide vnto him that although he had alwaies beene a seruant to the Duke of Guise yet hee still held and continued his faith constant vnto the King and because the great amitie hee bare vnto the Duke of Guise might cause him to be suspected by the King hee willingly yeelded himselfe into the Duke de Nemours hands to iustifie his actions and not long after he went in person to present himselfe vnto the king assuring him that from that time forward to become his faithfull seruant Monsieur d'Antragues in all haste mounted on horsebacke to assure the King of the Towne of Orleans but there he found Monsieur de Roissieu who Orleans holden for the League the same morning had been the with D. of Guise and perceiuing the Guard to bee stricktlier disposed then ordinarily they were and knowing the kings commaundement to shut the gates while the Councell sat hee entered into a maruellous apprehension of the cause presently departed out of Blois to take order for the Town of Orleans sending expresse messengers in all hast to aduertise the Duke de Maine his Maister beeing at Lyons The Queen-mother aduertised of the Duke of Guises death The first thing that the king did after hee came out of his chamber was to beare the newes vnto the Queene his mother to whom hee said that as then he was absolute king and that he had no more companions She at the first was strangely abashed and said vnto the king that it would haue fallen out hardly for him if he had not taken order for the assurance of the towns where the name and memorie of the duke of Guise had credit and authoritie Councelling
for the space of certain time ther had bin some about him that most manifestly practised in his presence elsewher by their adherents to renue raise deuision to cause his actions to be disliked wholly to suppresse his authoritie neuerthelesse with great patience and calamitie hee had tollerated the effects of the euill will in those respects appeared to bee in them assaying by all the fauours and courtesies hee could deuise to mollifie their hearts and to drawe them vnto those things that concerned reason with the good profit of his estate and the conseruation of religion That this notwithstanding they not beeing disswaded from their pernicious deuises by the aforesaide effects of his good and holy intents neither yet by any other considerations his Maiestie had discouered that they had proceeded so farre as by new inuentions to enterprise against both him and his estate That to withstand the same to his great greefe hee had bin constrained to preuent their sinister dealings but that for the singular loue and good wil naturall in him and which hee hath alwaies continued and will continue vnto his said Catholicque subiects with like care of the quietnesse safetie and conseruation of their liues as much as any father towards his children Hee had therein vsed so much clemencie and moderation that hee had restrained and layde the paine and punishment onely vppon the heads and authors of the euill sparing their adherents and seruants and fauourably receiued admitted them among the rest of his good subiects vpon promise by them made from thenceforth to become his true and faithfull subiects That although not only by his actions past as by this last proceeding hee hath giuen and declared by euident testimonies of his holy intent and clemencie that no man ought to doubt neuerthelesse to make it more manifest to all his subiects his Maiestie declareth and protesteth that this which hath happened hath beene effected by reason of the preuentions vsed against his Edict of Iuly and since that time And in the execution of that which is contained therein his will and meaning is to keep and cause it to bee kept and to obserue and maintaine it from poynt to poynt for a lawe as it hath been established and sworne in the Parliament according to the forme and tenor thereof Forgetting and wholly remitting all whatsoeuer is or hath bin done against dutie and fidelitie by those that haue participated in the said practises vppon condition that heereafter they shall depart and wholly forsake all leagues associations practises deuises and intelligences with all persons whatsoeuer both without and within the Realme The practises against the Edict of vnion wherevnto the King referreth the cause and motion of the death of the Cardinall and the Duke of Guise are specified in the treatie written concerning the troubles that ensued this execution Causes of putting the D. of Guise to death The first that assoone as the edict of vnion agreed vpon within the Cittie of Roane was published in the Parliament-house the principall heades of the League in stead of causing their partakers to leaue their armes had entertained them with further hopes and meanes contrary to the Edict sworne summoning them to bee in a readinesse to effect a great exployt The second that they had determined to seize vpon the Kings person and to coÌ„strain him to dismisse his Councel whom they thought to be most faithfull vnto him and least affected to the aduancement of their intents and to bereaue him of his authoritie yea and of the name of a king The third their practises leagues and deuises to breake the libertie of the Parliament and to hinder them from consulting with the king touching the good of his estate and the quietnesse of his people hauing a great number of the Deputies so much affected to their pretences that they neuer assembled before they had first consulted with the Councell of the Duke of Guise touching their aunsweres propositions and resolutions The fourth the fained perswasions deuised against the good intents of the king to disswade him from the easing of the long oppressioÌ„s of his people the Duke of Guise on the one side counselling him not to imbase his authoritie so much as to depriue himselfe of the meanes to maintaine the glory of his Maiestie royall by reducing the tallages to a lower rate then was conuenient and on the other side hee perswaded and pricked forward his participants to craue it by that meanes to make his Maiestie odious among them by refusing the easing of his peoples oppressions or else to force him therevnto The sift the confirmation of the treaties and confederacies made with forraine Princes as the king of Spaine the Duke of Sauoy and Lorraine and the fiue small Cantons the leagues and intelligences with diuers Lords and Gouernours of Townes and Prouinces within the Realme all contrary to the Edict of vnion which they had sworne and promised so religiously to obserue A great person in our time in the second part of the Historie of the League Vulgus audacia turbidum nisi vim metuat The second discourse of the state of France noteth the vnrecouerable fault of the king after that action that busied himselfe to iustifie his pretence and to flatter the people who by lenitie become obstinate by seueritie are constrained This great tree ouerthrown saith he such as shadowed themselues thereby were for a time discouered and without doubt the Duke of Guise himselfe was all the League hee onely had more parts and valour then all his participants togither And if the king had beene resolute to go forward with his actions and not to doo them by halues as his maner was and if within two houres after the act performed hee had mounted on horsebacke and so had added his presence his forces vnto the feares of the townes that helde with the League abashed at that great accident it is very likely hee had auoyded the mischiefe which after fell vpon him But God that derided the vaine enterprises of the one mocked the remedies by the other prouided This Prince who neuerthelesse wanted neither iudgement nor courage had no sooner perceiued his enemie dead put presently perswaded himselfe to haue no more in all the world and certainly being among his familiars he vsed this speech saying This day I am king and yet to the contrary from that day forward his royall estate begane to decline Incauta semper nimâ—â— presumptio sui negligents Egesippus This presumptioÌ„ caused him to be so carelesse in his affaires that he lost Orleans which he might haue saued by shewing himselfe vnto it that he suffred the D. de Maine to come fortifie himself with men munitioÌ„ he laughed at those the moued him with al diligeÌ„ce to send for his armie that laye in Poitou hee was offended against such as counselled him at the same time to vse the ayde of the king that now is
which hee that was Captaine thereof had caused to bee made therewith as hee said to salute the king of Nauarre when hee should approach the walles of Niort The siege of Ganache In the meane time Monsieur de Neuers besieged la Ganache a very strong Towne lying in the marches of Poitou and Brittaine with sixe battering peeces foure double and two demy coluerins after hee had summoned Monsieur du Plessis by a Herault to yeelde the Towne vnto him The batterie beganne vppon New-yeares day and within foure dayes after the breach was reasonable great to giue the assault which was done with great fury and aunswered with the like courage whereby the assaylants left at the least fiftie of their mē dead within the ditches the assieged loosing at the same time two good Captaines and certaine souldiers The next day Monsieur de Paluau sent a drumme to Monsieur de Plessis to aduise him to growe to some good composition saying that hee had obtained sufficient honour by defending so weake a place that his wilfulnesse hindered the king of Nauarres affaires and that the Duke de Neuers had fully resolued not to leaue the siege before hee brought the Towne vnder subiection wherevpon hee ingaged his honour Monsieur de Plessis resolued vppon a conference hoping by that means to certifie the king of Nauarre of his affaires the effect of the cōference was to yeelde the Towne and to issue armed their goods saued Meane time the king of Nauarre issued out of Niort minding to relieue the Towne but a sicknesse proceeding from a great chaffing of his body which hee did lighting of his horse to heate himselfe beeing extreame colde seized vppon him which stayed him in a little village called Saint Pere where he was troubled with so fearce and cruell fittes of a feuer that hauing been let blood and all remedies vsed that possible might bee found it was thought hee would haue died and the report of his death was brought vnto the Court. But God who in so troublesome and confused a time ment to vse the seruice of so great a Prince whom hee had saued from so many perilles to make him the woonder vnto kings and the king of woonders The king fell sicke the 9. of Ianuary stayed the arest of death which the Phisitions had pronounced against him restoring him vnto a liuely and good health and of a beholder made him enter vpon the Theator not as one that vpon a suddaine by accident feare foresights nor hopes should represent a king in a commodie but to fulfill the true and lawfull office of a king After hee was recouered perceiuing that Messieurs de Chastillon de la Roche Foucaut de la Trimouille and Plassac could do nothing touching the relieuing of Ganache and that the Duke de Neuers with his armie made towards Blois hee tooke the places bordering vpon Niort The iudgement of the Huguenot touching the death of the Duke of Guise The Huguenots in their writings published at that time acknowledged not that action of the 13. of December as a clap of thunder that maketh more noyse then it doth hurt nor as a disgrace of fortune wherevnto the greatest personages are most subiect but as a worke of God and as one of the most notable workes that he had wrought for them thereby beginning to worke their reuenge for the massacre of Saint Bartholomewes day and to relieue them out of the miserable estate wherein they liued The Catholicques that neuer separated themselues from the auncient fidelitie of France nor from the seruice of the king cōsidered not so much vppon that which had passed at Blois as vppon the cause thereof they admired the kings long patience that rather suffered those Princes to doo what pleased them for the space of certaine yeares then once to punish them for a first second and third fault and that in the end this long patience changed into a iust furie These Princes made leagues both within and without the Realme without his Maiesties consent or knowledge they seized vpon townes and strong places in the land euery man forsooke the king to follow them they would haue the king to yeeld them account of all that hee had spent and done since his aduancement to the Crowne they had dispearsed iniurious and slaunderous bookes throughout the Realme and by them made the name of the king to become odious besides the disputation by them made touching the right and title vnto the king of France as if the king and all his Predecessors had enioyned and holden the kingdome wrongfully from the house of Lorraine at this day liuing And to conclude they were at the poynt to kill the King if they had not been preuented As then one reioyced at the death of the Duke of Guise esteeming it for a worke of God all the League to the contrary made great sorrow Two daies after the execution the sixteenth displayed their olde colours and cried out murther fire and vengeance they presently made a collection of monies to maintaine warres the poorest artificer among them was content to impart at least sixe Crownes some hauing no mony that they might not bee found without affection to that commotion solde and pawnde their goods to bee contributaries vnto it golde ranne like a riuer along the streetes they found hidden treasures and it seemed that France had nourished theeues to make an almasse of treasures for those inraged people Parris became the infamous Theater of rebellion wherein the sixteenth like furies issuing out of hell shewed the fier and flame wherewith they inclosed and murthered the poore countrie of France Vnder those mad dogges and stinking impostumes of the Cōmon-wealth was practised the most filthie and straungest rising that euer troubled the estate of any Towne To please the sixteenth they must displease God their king their own cōscience He was but hardly thought on that had not halfe a dozen of great outrages wherewith to detest that execution and an elegie for the memorie of the Duke of Guise and all with the most sad sorrowfull countenance that might be deuised withall powring out some notorious and blasphemous oathes the better to counterfet a disliking Hee that could not recite the memorable actions of the Duke of Guise eleuate him to heauen with open mouth speake euill of the King detest his actions abhorre his life and account the execution done at Blois as most cruell barbarous and in humane was neither accounted an honest man good Catholicque well affected nor yet zealous There was no foolish Poet nor Ballet-singer within Parris that deuised not one couple of songs touching this action nor any Preacher that found not one place in his sermon wherein to vtter a multitude of iniuries against the king There was no Printer that set not his Presse on work with discourses made touching his death but aboue all there was great disorder libertie permitted in Preachers that who not onely cast foorth
a million of iniuries and vilanies against the king but in stead of preaching the Gospell they kindled a reuolt sedition within the hearts of the people that neuer came from hearing them but their heades were set on fire and their handes prepared to seize vppon those poore Pollititians that were set before their eyes All this is drawne out of the discourses that were published at that time in Parris or from the report made of such sermons One reproached the forgetting of the seruices done by Claude Duke of Guise vnto King Francis that was found almost slaine among the dead at the battell of Marignan against the Switzers of Francis de Lorraine to the Kings Henry Francis the second who after so many notable exployts was slaine during the siege of Orleans of Henry de Lorraine to Charles the ninth and Henry the third at Iarnac Sens Poitiers Moncontour Auneau and Vimory and slaine at Blois An other made his Auditorie weepe by shewing the manner of this execution The third blasphemed against heauen speaking against the prouidence of God and the maner he vsed in his iudgements touching the death of those two Princes The fourth said that the Duke of Guise for a terrestriall and mortall had obtained a celestiall and perpetuall Crowne in heauen and by his death had opened the passage vnto his successors by that meanes to possesse the thing which hee with so great reason and iustice had pursued The fift taking the simple people to witnesse for the remembrance of things past cried out in open Pulpit Who knoweth not and that most euidently as it were at his fingers endes that the Prince of France and the brauest knight that euer set foote in stirrope lyeth now vpon the ground Was it not hee that by his onely presence defended Parris the most puissant Cittie in the world from an vniuersall spoyle and destrustion Was it not this Prince that tooke the naked sworde out of the souldiers hands that helde it readie at the breasts of the poore Cittizens of this towne Was it not that valiant Leader and Generall of armies who so many times and so happily beate downe and cut in peeces the enemies of our God who for reward and recompence of all his good and valiant seruices is now stabbed to death They added that France was sicke and that it could not be healed of her sicknesse if it had not a drinke of French blood administred vnto it The sixt the better to kindle and increase the fires of commotions openly cried out to armes and made the word of God a trumpet of sedition saying Bee of good courage my maisters you must slumber no more the God of battels is on your side hee stretceth forth his armes vnto you you know not your owne forces Parris knoweth not what it is woorth it hath sufficient treasure to warre against foure Kings Take courage turne backe the weapon that is readie to strike you a good warre will procure a peace without this warre peace will be your ouerthrow and destruction For what hath Christ to do with Belial this warre will bee your libertie and freedome which if you neglect God that reuengeth the iniurie done vnto his seruaunts will make you pay the interests of your so cowardly slacknesse So that sufficient perswasions were vsed to stirre vppe and mooue the most colde and fearefull minde and to cause the veriest coward to arme himselfe Such was the end of the Duke of Guise a Prince without all doubt of valour and courage the League called him her Caezar and made goodly comparisons betweene them For my part take away the name of Christian and I cannot finde so good a comparison betweene Camille and The mistocles Read a booke imprinted at Zurich vnder this title Carolus Magnus rediuinus Numa Licurgus Scipio and Epaminondas Marcellus and Pelopidas Pompey and Agesilaus Silla and Lysander Charles the great Henry the fourth at this present raigning the wonder of kings and the king of woonders as there is betweene the liues of Iulius Caezar and Henry de Lorraine the one being cause of the ouerthrow and ruine of his Common-wealth the other of all the miseries in France A comparisō between Casar and the duke of Guise Abanco Martio sunt Martii reges quo nomine fuit mater à Venere Iulis cuius gentis familia est nostrae Caezar alleadged himselfe to be issued on his mother side from the Kings of Alba and that his father had his originall from the Gods the race of Iules beeing descended from Venus and therefore hee caused a Temple to bee erected Veneri Genetrici The Duke of Guise and all his familie affirmed themselues to bee issued from the king of Ierusalem and the Dukes of Lorraine by their father and from the king of France by Anne d'Est daughter to Renee of France daughter vnto King Lewis the twelfth Caezar was of a goodly and tall stature well limbed full faced and quicke attractiue eyes The Duke of Guise was one of the fairest Princes of the Court big high of proportion an amiable face so quicke of eye that therby he pearced into all places Plut in the notable saying of auncient Kings Princes and Captains to know and chuse out his seruants farthest distant from him and in the greatest prease Caezar increased in ambition as wel as in yeares in greatnesse of courage as well as in bodie And as willingly a generous nature in good time discouereth it selfe beeing but young fell into the hands of Pyrates that asked him 20. tallents for his ransome but hee smiled at them because they knew not how much their prize was woorth and gaue them fiftie and beeing kept and watched carefully by them he sent commandement vnto them to be quiet and not to make any noyse that he might take his rest The Duke of Guise as young and Eagle as hee was assayed by all means to take his flight farther then any of his time very haughtie dissembling and aduised hee could not submitte himselfe to those from whom hee ought to haue expected his aduācement he differed in nothing from a kings childe of France with whom he had bin nourished brought vp shewing most euidently that his nature was to command not to obey to go before and not to follow after in his first action hee so much disposed the thoughts of the Frenchmen that they beleeued such parts to bee in him as were most fit and proper to cause a great change and alteraion in the Realme where hee should liue His first exployts in Nauarre Caezar began very young to beare armes and yet not so soone as Alexander and reading his actions beganne to weep when he perceiued that at his age Alexander had alreadie conquered Darius that as then he had done nothing The Duke of Guise in the spring time of his yeares was in the wars of Hungary against the Turke defended Sens and Poctiers fought valiantly
at Moncontour and brought honourable markes of his courage from the battel fought against the Rutters Caezar vsed so great diligence in trauelling that hee departed from Rome Hic diligeÌ„ce and within three daies after he arriued at Rhosne The Duke of Guise made such speedie iourneyes that when some thought him to be fiftie leagues off hee was found to bee in a manner at their heeles The promptnesse of his exploits Caezar had no sooner begun an enterprise but he finished it with speede The duke of Guise was so vehement and hastie to execute his enterprises that many esteemed his celeritie to bee a kinde of rashnesse Veni vidi vici His dissimulation Caezar vsed dissimulation wisely and happily to serue him for aduantage The Duke of Guise was so expert therein that hee dealt in his exteriour affaires as hee thought good to hide the secrets of his heart and although hee desired nothing so much as the raising of armes by the league yet hee made his bretheren beleeue when they prouoked him to take occasions offered that it was not his desire wisely dissembling it to the end that if the effect had not fallen out as they desired hee might impute the fault vnto their Councelles or at the least obiect against their pursuites or else he did it to the end hee might holde them stricktly bound and ingaged vnto the enterprises which of themselues they counselled him to take in hand His foresight His cunning and slights Com. de Caezar Lib. 1. of ciuill wars Caezar was maruellous expert in the science of taking occasions when time serued and to vse them to his aduantage whatsoeuer it cost him oftentimes hee made shewe to agree to that which he sought to impeach as the meanes which the Switzers desired of him to passe through France wherein hee made a good shew and countenance vnto their Ambassadors that made suite vnto him for the same vntill hee had meanes and force to withstand them The Duke of Guise was an excellent cunning Prince to vse both time and occasion and his subtilties were notable stratagems against the most violent effects of his enemies The Reisters bare with them into Saxen and Pomerland the effects of his so subtil practises by their incounters at Auueau and Vimory Caezar with a small force and wholly contrary to militarie reason enterprised all things and durst set vppon the forces of Scipio and Iuba beeing ten times greater then his owne His armie were of more courage then number The Duke of Guise saide with Caezar that high enterprises ought speedily to bee done and not long consulted vppon and with a small handfull of men determined to oppose himself against the furious armie of the Almains he discommended and disliked the monstrous multitudes full of disorders and confusions that forme and frame a most daungerous confidence in the hearts of the greatest cowards that trusting to their great numbers despised the power of their enemie he had a small number of souldiers ruled and gouerned within certaine limittes that need no great quantitie of ammunitions nor retrait His courtesie towards his souldiers Dux plerumque in opere in agmine gregatio militi mixtus in corrupto ducis honore Tacitus His credit with his souldiers Caezar flattered and fauoured his souldiers terming them companions and calling them by his owne name The Duke of Guise knowing the humour of his souldiers and that there is nothing which so much inflameth the heart of the souldier to a desire of honour and glory then when he is noted and marked by his Generall hee fauoured his souldiers and honoured his Captaines promising them more then hee could do and neuer denied them any thing that lay in his power Caezar had such credite among his souldiers that they offered him in the beginning of the ciuill warres to follow him at their owne expences and many of his souldiers that were taken prisoners offered rather to die theÌ„ to bee constrained to change parties and sooner to indure most extream famine then to yeeld vppe the Townes they held for him witnesse the honorable siege of Salone wherein beeing vexed with famine and constrained to cut off the haires of their wiues heades thereof to make stringes for their bowes hauing placed their women and childreÌ„ vpoÌ„ the wals to make shew they made so furious an issue that therewith they put their enemies to flight The Duke of Guise ordinarily termed the father of men of war so much respected and beloued of his souldiers that neither for want of pay nor discommodities there was euer any mutinie seene among his troupes and fewe or none were euer found that during his life forsooke him to serue vnder any other Generall And yet the Captaines that were brought vp vnder him are still imployed The execution of his commaunds Facta non dicta mea vos milities sequi voloâ—nee disciplinam modo sed exemplum etiam à me petere Liuius His strange ambition Caezar neuer sent to any place where hee might go himselfe nor commaunded that to bee done by other which by himselfe might bee effected The Duke of Guise alwaies beeing first at any exployt neuer trusting to any thing but his owne watchfulnesse and diligence the enemie found him alwaies before them with a magnanimitie and resolution rather to die then to bee vanquished Caezar suffered himselfe to bee wholly led by the furious passion of ambition to make himselfe great by the ruine of the Common-wealth of Rome The same vice was the cause that the Duke of Guise lost the greatest part of his praise Caezar enterprised to ouerthrow the lawes and orders of the Common-wealth passed the Rubicon entered Italie with armes tooke the treasures of the Common-wealth vsurped the office of perpetuall Dictator wan towns by force The Duke of Guise enterprised to trouble the order of succession caused the drumbe to strike vp in the midle of peace tooke the kings towns placed Garrison therein and fortified himselfe He could not indure acompanion Caezar could not indure a companion in his gouernment The Duke of Guise for the same cause mooued the great trouble of Barricadoes and constrained the king to quit him the place His debts Caezar when hee passed Rubicon hazarded either to winne or loose all The Duke of Guise by a popular fury hazarded both his life his honour and his place Caezar was indebted a million of gold more theÌ„ he was worth The Duke of Guise to accomplish his enterprises died poore and almost as much indebted Caezar vsed the fauour of the people and the tribunes for the whing of his ambition His purposes grounded vpon the common people His popularitie The Duke of Guise found the principall support of the League to consist in the good wil of the people and in the multitude being desirous of nouelties Caezar marched alwaies bare-headed to make himselfe more common gentle and amiable The Duke of Guise to commaund great men
bound to giue iudgement according vnto the lawes as they haue sworne and promised at their admitting Neuerthelesse part of the Iudges at this day haue so great a pride in themselues that they affirme themselues not to bee bound to iudge according to the laws written by the Iurisconsules that they are not bound to the imperiall lawes but onely in those poynts which they find not decided by the ordinances royall which haue handled but fewe causes touching lawe but onely containe certaine generall constitutions they will iudge according to their owne equities and therein as euery mans wit and sence serueth him so many heades so many opinions so many soueraigne Courts so many sentences and iudgements Frō thēce proceedeth the cōtrarietie of sentēces diuersitie of iudgemēts in one cause and in one matter whereby the poore suters fall into an infinit of charges and continuall sutes This mischiefe happeneth many times by the ignorance of youth which runne to ruine by presumption and philautie for that such as are learned in the lawes and that haue a good conscience take paines to satisfie their offices and to limit their zeale of iustice according to conscience and the doctrine they haue attained vnto Otherwise there should bee no difference betweene the Iudge and the Artificer but onely in the gowne and the cappe togither with their pattents receiued from the king Remedie This sore cannot bee healed but by good and faithfull examiners in soueraigne Courts for they do lightly prooue and sound the depth of the learning of such as present themselues to bee admitted they throwe iustice and the subiects of this Realme into the waters and puddles of errors and ignorances from whence they cannot get out But if it were permitted vnto young men by their Parents to studie the time in that case appoynted without taking them from the Vniuersities as fruite from a tree before it is ripe to place them in the seate of Iustice this would bee a great meanes to make them capable but the ambition of fathers at this day is so great and they are in such feare to leaue their children without offices that they had rather therein see them vnwoorthie and deridid then wise and honoured which partly to remedie all reuersions must bee cut off and no more graunted The sale of Offices 5. Disorder The corruption that is vsed in iustice by the sale and infamous building of offices belonging to the same a great shame to this estate and in our time time wherein this Realme onely among all Monarchies and Potentates yea the most barbarous iustice and the Iustices office is solde by publike authoritie and giuen to him that offereth most although he be the most vnwoorthie The excuse is made vppon the publike necessitie of this Realme as if the sale of offices the mony whereof for the most part is disposed and goeth to the receiuers that inrich them that smal summe which is clearely left can be so great maintenance to the Realme from this first sale of offices which is done by publike authoritie ensueth a consequence which seemeth to bee naturall yet very euill that whosoeuer hath bought an office by great may sell iustice by retale to make vp his mony From thence proceedeth the corruption of Iudges that euen as at the entery into their offices they are forsworne affirming that they neither gaue nor payde any mony to attaine the same they become much more periured in their consciences betraying and selling iustice drawing vppon them the curse of Iudas the perpetuall trembling of Cain and the Leprosie of Ciesi with other such like executions and maledictions It is the corruption and damnation of the wicked Iudges which maketh honest men abstaine from the places and yet some of them how honest soeuer they shewe they haue some sparke of couetous desire to handle spices and sweete sugar yet much more bitter then the hony of Sarde And as this sale of offices hath increased a great number of Iudges Councellors Atturneyes Clarkes and Soliciters whereof there are so many that make their aduantage by sucking the treasure blood of the people that it is well knowne that lawe costeth the people of this Realme twise as much more as all the tallages and not onely the common people but also the Nobilitie and great personages whereby many good houses are ouerthrowne Remedie Is the reducing and surprising of this great number of Iudges to the ancient iust and first number and the interdiction of the sale of offices by publike and perpetuall lawe The Archbishop of Bourges hauing set downe the other disorders that spring and haue their issues out of the first he besought the king to take order therein by a good and perfect reformation which shall cause the people to increase iustice to flourish and assure the tranquilitie of this Realme to make it continue as long as the moone continueth in the Elements and so hee ended his Oration The Oration for the Nobilitie The same day Charles de Cosse Counte de Brissac Lord of Estland Great-Panetier and Falconer of France who after the death of the Duke of Guise had reobtained the kings fauour and continued in the honour which before hee had to bee President of the Nobilitie of France beganne his Oration and hauing excused his insufficiencie he assured himselfe that the king considering that the profession of a Gentleman consisteth more in deede then in word hee would with his Graces fauour couer the imperfection of his discourse and that as in the disputation betweene two Musitions Piton and Cephiseus Pirrus gaue iudgement that Pelibercon was the better Captaine so his Maiestie hearing the thundering eloquence of Monsieur de Bourges and Monsieur Bernard would iudge him but to be a souldier which done hee saide That the long raigne of the king had sufficiently shewen that it is not the hand of fortune that haue inuironed the forehead of his Maiestie with a double Diademe but God that hath established him for our King and that before chose him for Monarch of a people further distant not for the greatnesse of his royall linage nor for the vniuersall signes and tokens of the valour of Frenchmen but for the pietie faith clemencie and magnanimitie wherewith it hath pleased his gracious goodnesse to haue adorned his Maiestie in his most tender yeares That it is sufficiently knowne that in his raigne onely the heauens haue not permitted the birth of so many mischiefes but that during the times of great kings his predecessors heresie schisme disorder and diuision hath entered into the peoples hearts and that we must beleeue that God hath caused him to bee borne in the middle of the troubles of France reseruing vnto him that hath supported the paines and trauels the honor and glory vnto so iust a labour to the end that by the hands of so famous a Prince France hauing prostrated it selfe vnto the furies of hereticques may not onely be succoured but reuenged not
Vicars of Parishes by putting a dagger to their throates to baptize pardon mee if I vse this sacred word in an act so execrable calues sheepe lambes pigges goates chickens and capons and to giue them the names of pikes carpes barnobles soles turbots and herrings It was in diuers places and sundrie Innes that thus much was performed while Sorbonne and the Preachers thundred out against their souerâ—igne and lawful Prince to rauish women and virgins within the Temples to murther the poore prisoners hard at the Altar to run away with the Challice and to strip the Ecclesiasticall Officials was the essentiall forme of a good and zealous Leaguer if any alleadged that they were of the royall partie among a number of examples one shall suffise to discouer the Lyon as wee vsually say by his pawes One of the most insolent of the league named Commeronde had vnder him a Regiment of seuen or eight hundreth men and hauing ouerrun pilled and forraged the whole countries of Aniou and Countie Laual in the end of Aprill he lodged himselfe in the Borough of Arquenay appertaining to the Lord of Rambouillet and distant three myles from Laual There was in the same place a Temple which they call a Church as well furnished and set foorth as any in all the countrie hauing been of long time inriched and indowed with many donatories by the Lords of that place The Inhabitants had not laid apart nor shut vp any one thing of their or naments seeing they could not bee perswaded that vnder these goodly titles of zealous and vnited Catholickes so many erronious offences might bee hatched withall diuers of the religion had passed by that way before which did not so much as touch this Temple nor athing that was therein But Commeronde for his first warrelike exployt burned the Gates of the Church afterwards hee entered thereinto with his people which wholly pilled and spoyled it killed a poore man at the crucifix foot because he complained that in the self same place they had rauished his wife in his own presence they eased their bellies within the holy water stocke and in euery corner of the Church and of robes wherein were wrought certaine Aue Maries they made garments for change and setting foorth of their queanes For the top and height of this exployt they tooke the pixe of siluer wherein there was foure and twentie hostes one amongst the rest apparelled him-himselfe in Priestlike habite caused eighteene or twentie souldiers to fall downe vppon their knees and hauing his hands yet full of blood and sacriledge distributed these hostes throwing downe vppon the ground three or foure others that remained which were troden vnder foote At their departure they solde the Copes banner and relicques to the Moonkes of Eurons the Challices lampes boxes and crosse of siluer to them of Vague and not many daies after they did as much at Thorigni But expecting a particular Historie of the league wherein shall bee found renued all kindes of cruell and infamous Tragedies let vs returne to the armie of the league and to the Parisians The revnion of the two Kings made them see how it was time for the league to runne for this cause the Councell generall of the vnion addressed memorials letters and aduertisements both within and without the realm of whatsoeuer they thought expedient to assure and protect this building of confusion They sent men and large instructions vnto Rome to iustifie their actions to demaund a legate from the Pope to promise publication of the Councell of Trent to obtaine and fauour on all sides through the intercession of the Pope and his Cardinals One of their packets was surprised by the way so that their mynes by this meanes were blowen vp neuerthelesse their Deputies who were the Commaunders of Diou Councell our Coqueley the Abbot of Orbais and the Deane of Rheimes went forward about the end of May. Other dispatches were sent to the leaguer Townes for raising contribution for whole Cartlodes of siluer was behoofull for the disbursments of such young kings to fill the coffers of others most greedie for payments of some mens debts and for the purchase of other summes lands and Lordships Exployts by the king against the league In the meane while both within and round about the townes were infinit pillages incoursions thefts and depredations performed diuers of the royall partie were murthered heere and there In euerie place there was extreame libertie giuen and the furie seemed desperate that was vndertaken against the kings name There was no longer any question of a commotion in some small circuite of a countrie but a man might perceiue the fire of this reuolt to haue taken hold in the foure corners and even in the middest and heart of France so furiously as it is an horror to call it to mind The king had from the beginning of Aprill sent forces hither and thither and some towns not farre from Parris remained yet at his commandement Genlis which had done homage to the leagne was happily reduced to his obedience by the solicitation of some noble Burgesses and this because it was but a little daies iourny froÌ„ Parris towards Picardie was afterwards a thorn that mightily pricked the leaguers Duke MoÌ„tpensieur being in NormaÌ„die with forces for the K. assisted by the Lords of Halot Creuecoeur Baqueuille Larchan discomfited first the Garrison of Fallaize tooke three Captaines hewed in peeces the greater part of the men and dispearsed the rest There he besieged Falaize and receiuing newes that Countie Brissac accompanied with two or three hundreth Gentlemen leaguers some Priests and fiue or sixe thousand men were comming to succor hee left the siege to go and meete them Counte Brissac disconfited in Normandie by the Duke Montpensier They were lodged in three villages two of which hee entered by force killing all those that stood out valiantly the others neuer made offer of combat afterward Brissac himselfe fled away with al the Caualleriers The number of the leaguers then slaine were 3000. and more amongst whom were many Gentlemen the Conquerours had about one thousand or 1200. prisoners amongst whom there were some thirtie Gentlemen and of the principallest This was a bad presagement for the League In Beaussy by the Lord of Chastillon A month after or thereabouts that is to say the 18. of May the Lord of Chastillon hauing passed Bagency with 200. horse as many harguebuziers vnderstanding that some troupes of the Duke d'Aumale marched along to charge on the L. of Lorges who scoured the high-waies made forward towardes Bonneual with twentie Gentlemen conducted by Fonquerolles who encountred Arclenuille commander within Chastres for the league Hee would haue acknowledged them but they charged him and slew fiue of sixe of his men euen hard at his elbow so that galloping he retired and gaue the alarme to the troupes of Picardie ledde by the Lords of Sauenze and Brosses who had in their companie about 500. Gentlemen beeing
the Marshall of Birons charge The Leaguers beginning then a bloodie skirmage it was most valiantly held out by the kings troupes at what time in the first assault Monsieur Sagonne a principall man of the Leaugue was slaine with diuers of his horsmen the rest were put to flight But they comming with a fresh supply the kings wearied souldiers were forced to retire There the Switzers who was of the Regiment of Monsieur de Soleurre vnder the Collonell Galati did stay and withstand the furie of the Leaguers being ayded by certaine harguebuziers which were lodged in places of aduantage and by the Cannon which played vpon the Leaguers And while this second charge was preparing the Leaguers Lance-knights drew near vnto the trenches declaring that they would yeeld themselues to the king And after some speech on both sides though many French Gentlemen were of an other opinion they were at last receiued But while the kings Maiestie with Monsieur de Biron and their troupes of horsemen fought here and there these Lance-knights perceiuing clearely the great power of the Leaguers The falshood of the Leaguers Lance-knights togither with the Switzers iudged in themselues that the king was alreadie halfe vanquished and vpon this imagination they began to turne their weapons against him Then receiuing the words they lighted vppon the Marshall de Birons troupe and beating away the most part of the souldiers there they tooke the Ensignes of the Switzers and Lance-knights belonging to the king then deliuering this Trench to the Leaguers it was suddainly repaired by them but they held it not very long For the Duke de Montpensier beeing come thither with his Cornet of Horse and an other company of the vantgard of his men of warre being also assisted by Monsieur de Chastillon with a fresh supply of fiue hundreth harguebuziers The Leaguers were constrained to depart both from Maladere and the Trench where the king speedily brought two great peeces of Ordenance which he caused to be shot off among the thickest of the Switzers his enemies who with certaine of the horfmen made a retrait in the which they were mightily damnified by the great shot neuerthelesse they neuer turned their faces to looke backe whereby they might see from whence their hurt came This day the Leaguers lost a great number of souldiers and men of warre among whom were diuers of their chiefe Gentlemen and many were taken prisoners The King lost also sixe or seuen Gentlemen with the Earle of Roussie and a fewe footemen There were many hurt by the traiterous practise of the Leaguers Lance-knights On Sunday the foure and twentieth the Leaguers armie raised themselues about midnight and vpon the Tuesday following they came vpon the other side of the Towne of Arques and set semselues right against the place from whence they were parted assaying to batter it with cannon shot But the king found the leaguers so much worke by continuall skirmiges and hampered them in such sort that vppon the eleuenth day after their comming thither they were faine shamefully to withdraw themselues from the Towne of Arques vpō the news which they receiued that the Earle de Soisson the D. de Longueuille and the Marshal d'Aumont were comming within twentie leagues of Arques with their troupes to strengthen the king in his forces While these affairs were in hand the leaguers to make the Parisians beleeue great things and dreame of wonders sent the Ensignes thither which they had taken from the kings Switzers and Lance-knights as a token of the good successe which they had against his Maiestie Wherevppon there was a certaine pamphlet imprinted at Parris wherein it was published that betweene Arques and Deepe where the king of Nauarre was besieged the Duke de Maine had wonne from them foureteene Ensignes of the footemen and eight Cornets of their horsemen were by him slaine These grose fables were set out to feed the people with vaine fancies and to pinch the purses of those that were readie to beleeue it and that bare a good desire to haue it so The king thought at the first that this retrait was but a pollicie wrought by the Duke de Maine that bending himselfe to entercept his succours before they came vnto him hee might the easier subuert them and afterward returne with more strength and furie then before For this cause the king resolued with himselfe to ioyne the Earle of Soisson and the others togither After the which leauing the Marshall of Biron at Deepe his Maiestie with foure hundreth horse met and ioyned with his succours within fiue myles of the leaguers armie who with them incontinent passed ouer the riuer of Somme The Duke de Maine was faine for his credits sake to couer this his shamefull retrait with a quaint excuse He therefore published abroad that he was constrained speedily to go down into Picardte to possesse himselfe of those Citties which hee was bound by the agreement made at Arras to deliuer to the Spaniards Vpon this newes the king determined to stay the returne of the leaguers beeing perswaded that the Cities of Picardie would not be drawne to consent in any wise to submit themselues vnder the Spanish troupes Hauing then prouided for his affaires in Normandie and gathered togither those succours which the Queen of England had sent vnto him he departed out of those parts the one and twentieth of October with full purpose to awaken the Leaguers in Picardie and to constraine their chiefe commaunders to auoyde that countrie where by treason they had taken the Towne of Fere and after deliuered it to the Spaniards This done his Maiestie by casie iourneyes drew neare vnto Parris and incamped himselfe within a league thereof vpon the last day of the same moneth The same day hauing knowne what trenches the enemies had made round about the Subburbes on that side where hee was by the aduise of his warrelike Councell they concluded to assayle them on the morrow by breake of day by three seuerall companies and in three sundrie places The first companie consisted of foure thousand Englishmen two French Regiments and one regiment of Switzers who were led by the Marshall de Biron to assaile that side of the subburbes called Saint Victor and Marceau The second companie hauing two Regiments of Switzers foure of Frenchmen and foure of strangers were all vnder the conduct of the Marshall d'Aumont for that part of the Subburbes called Saint Iaques and Saint Michael The third companie consisted of tenne Regiments of Frenchmen one Regiment of Launce-knights and one Regiment of Switzers who were commanded by the two Lords Chastillon and la Noue Each one of these troupes were winged with a good number of hardie Gentlemen on foote well armed and appoynted to assist the rest of the footemen if any cause of resistance were and these set vppon that part of the subburbes called Saint Germaine Bussi and Nesle These had at their taile two cannons and two coluerins the king commaunded
neare vnto Mant the which soone after the Leaguers were departed thence yeelded themselues to the king as also the Towne of Vernon and other Cittie To bee brief in this battel of Yuri al the footmen of the leaguers were ouerthrown Of the horsemen there were about fifteen hundreth slaine and drowned and about foure hundreth taken prisoners Among the dead there was knowne to be slaine the Earle of Egmont who was Colonell of the troupes sent by the Duke of Parma one of the Dukes of Brunswic Chastegneray beside those whose names could not bee found VVee will make no mention heere of those prisoners which afterward abused the kings benignitie and gracious fauours who might iustly haue put them all to death Who after their releasment tooke part against him More then twentie Cornets of horsemen was at that time wonne by the King among the which was the white Cornet the chiefe standard belonging to the Spanish Generall and to the Flemmings the Cornets of the Rutters and more then threescore ensignes of footemen beside the foure and twentie Ensignes of the Switzers which were yeelded presently after the slaughter The king lost the Lords of Clermont d'Antragues Captaine of his Guards the Lord Schomberg de Bongaulnay de Crenay Fesquieres and 15. or 20. other Gentlemen a fewe souldiers and fewe hurt The Duke de Maine and other Captaines of the League beeing frustrate of their hope and seeing their armie thus spoyled betooke themselues to their ordinarie shifts which was to feede the Parisians with lies and fables publishing many bookes wherein it was shewen that at the first assault giuen at Dreux the Inhabitants had slaine more then fiue hundreth men of the kings armie greeuously hurt a great number more at what time also the Marshal of Biron was slaine how in an other incounter near vnto Poissy the league had gotten a great victorie In which battell they had a long fight and almost equall losse And that if the king were not alreadie dead hee was very neare vnto it The people beeing not satified with such false quoyne and hearing euery day more then other contrarie reports by certaine men that had escaped from the said bloodie fight on the leaguers side murmured greatly thereat as people that desired peace The seditious preachers stopt the report of the Leaguers losse by all the meanes they might And whilest the Duke de Maine and others after certaine meetings at Saint Dennis because that the pauement of Paris was too hot for them tooke his way toward the Duke of Parma to obtaine succour from him The Parliament of Roane that according to their olde custome did bend themselues against their king and gracious soueraigne did execute and put to death the seuenth of Aprill certaine prisoners which were seruants to the king And three daies after declared by an Edict all those to bee traitors which were of the king of Nauarres campe as they called him that would not linke themselues to king Charles the tenth vnderstanding by that name the Cardinall of Bourbon to ioyne themselues to the league and beare weapons in the Duke de Maines armie vsing many threatnings in written papers which they set vp at the corners of euerie lane and afterward put them in print And whilest the leaguers applyed these businesses the king hoping by gentlenesse to win the Parisians to obedience continued stil at Mant without any further hot following his victorie But the trumpets of sedition imputing this mildnesse to the kings want of courage perswaded with the people that he whom they called their sworn and irreconcileably enemie shuld be shortly brought to such a hard exegent that he would bee glad either to graunt them their owne request or else that they should see him vtterly ouerthrowne Breefly their great bragges and insolencies constrained the King to draw toward Paris in this month of Aprill In fewe daies after Corbeil vpon Seine was yeelded vnto him the towne of Lagni vpon Marne and Melun Then hee assailed Sens in Bourgongne where hee did nothing onely through their fault of whom he thought to haue had better seruice The Parisians had such confidence in the promises of the leaguers that they assured themselves the king was not able to hold out many weekes against their forces insomuch that they respected not the strengthening of their Cittie to repell the batterie of any foe or the strength of any siege In time of peace that great and goodly Cittie was daily maintained and serued with fresh prouision as well one weeke as an other by the infinite commodities that was brought thervnto both far and neare by the help of the riuers of Seine Marne and Oise Diuers particular persons wisely foreseeing a storme made prouision before hand for their families But the number of the Inhabitants in that little world was so mightie great that for one prudent housekeeper there was found an hundreth that neuer thought to prouide against the time to come or sought to shun a mischiefe before it fell vppon their pates whereof followed the strange and wofull desolations which I will briefly present heere vnto you The fiue and twentieth day of Aprill the king returning toward Paris tooke and seized vpon the bridge Charenton and diuers other places thereabout for the commoditie of this armie which consisted of twelue thousand foote or thereabout three thousand horses The Parisians were six times as many in respect of the number of those that carried armes who were vnder the commaund of the Duke of Nemours in the absence of the Lieftenant generall his brother beeing assisted by the Cheualier d'Aumale and certaine other Captaines of the league In the beginning of this siege the affaires were horribly tossed They had in the Cittie certaine Preachers The siege of Parris and among many more were these following Boucher Pilletier Guincestre Feuerdant Guarin Christin little Fueillant and others in diuers Churches which mooued the people to indure all the miseries that might bee imagined rather then to submit themselues to an hereticall Prince as they called him These Preachers beeing poysoned with Spanish golde and maintained by the chiefe Ladies of the league did so inuenome the people with subtill perswasions against their lawfull king and soueraigne Lord that they resolued to perish miserably in the siege propounding on the other side questions to the facultie of Sorbonne that is to say if it come so to passe that the Cardinall of Bourbon should die being prisoner whom they called king Charles the tenth whether then they might receiue Henry of Bourbon for their king or no though hee would reconcile himselfe to the Pope Also whether they that should seeke to make peace with the said Henry or that permitted the same might not giue cause to bee held and suspected or counted a fauourer of heresies if it were according to the law of God if they might faile therein without mortall sinne and paine of damnation Contrariwise if it were a thing meritorious to
field who hauing heard the Bishops Oration tending to a generall peace or perticular to Parris if the Duke de Maine would not seeke for a general made this answere after he had shewen how their Councel had infolded them in contraduction asking peace for him which would not acknowledge him saue onely for King of Nauarre that it was his will and desire to haue peace for the comfort of his people but not according to that which the Deputies held for expedient declaring that he loued the Cittie of Paris as his eldest daughter and that hee would doo more good for her then shee required at his hands prouided that she would seeke his fauor and not the Duke de Maines or the King of Spaines That the Deputies proceeded very ill and contrarie to the dutie of their Ecclesiasticall charges in suffering the Parisians to die so miserably while they sought vnto the Duke de Maine for a generall peace sith vppon that voyage though perhaps it would not bee long it might the while cost the liues of twentie thousand persons dying with meere hunger Then did hee dechipher with a maruellous good grace the ambitious practises of the king of Spaine and his people The most wicked and horrible disloyaltie of the chiefe of the league discouering the vanitities of their badde purpose hee drew his discourse into diuers articles to the Bishoppe of Parris the Archbishop of Lyons who in their excuses accused themselues more and more before a most noble companie of Princes Lords and Gentlemen of France who were attending round about the King Moreouer hee shewed that the report of the Spanish succoors for Parris made him nothing dismaid and caused them clearely to see wherevnto the Spanish forces tended and that it was not for nothing that the Prince of Parma tooke his way into France staying but till hee might bring his purposes about Parris and the kingdome beeing morsels too big for king Philips mouth the which hee told vnto them in a short and pithie speech discouering in diuers sorts the blindnesse of the Spaniards in their attempt for France He allowed them eight daies to thinke vppon the yeelding vp of Paris and the articles of peace for the whole kingdome adding that his dutie constrained him in the end to do iustice vppon those that were chiefe of the mutinies exhorting the Deputies to make a faithfull report of that which hee had aunswered The Bishop of Parris had before alleaged in his Oration the constancie of the people of Sancerre dispraising therein the victorie gotten by those of Gaunt to extoll the Parisians But the king auswered that such allegations were impertinent for those of Sancerre were resolued to indure the extremities of their siege because their enemies would haue depriued them without mercie both of their goods liberties religion and their liues But contrariwise said hee I will surrender to the Parisians the life which Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador doth at this present take from them by their sore famine As for the religion all these Princes and Catholicque Lords shall witnesse vnto you how I vse it nor wil I constraine them against their conscience were it neuer so litle either in the exercise of religion or otherwise Concerning goods and liberties I giue them to my subiects So that the comparison with those of Gaunt is not good The Parisians haue well shewen what hearts they haue hauing suffered me to possesse their subburbs I haue fiue thousand Gentlemen that neuer feared those of Gaunt The duke de Maines wicked proceedings beside I haue God for mee and the iustice of my cause After certaine other discourses witnessing the kings good conscience and the litle feare he had of the leaguers forces the Deputies tooke their way toward the Duke de Maine who sent them backe againe to his Maiestie with declaration that he desired nothing more then peace At the same time hee sent letters to those of Parris by one of his owne Secretaries euen at the said Deputies heeles aduertising his partakers not to bee discouraged for all the answere which he sent to the king and that hee would sooner die then make peace with him These letters beeing intercepted they were a great reproach to the Duke by reason of his vnconstancie but he made no other excuse but onely that they were surprised As for the king hee indured both before and after that which the Parisians vttered out of their rebellious mouthes that they had brought victuals for the Duke of Nemours and others which made them render him euill for good nor made hee any strong warre against his chiefe Cittie hauing an intent to preserue it if he could But hauing vnderstood that the Duke de Maine at his returne from Bruxelles accompanied with Balagni and Sainpol drewe toward Parris with certaine troupes The king departed from his armie with a small troupe of horsemen without any carriages seuenteene leagues outright to incounter with his foes and came but one houre too late to haue met with them The king goeth to meete his enemies who hearing of his comming were speedily constrained to cast themselues into the towne of Laon. Then the D. with his troupes made such haste that at last they came as farre as Meaux where hee reported that hee would fight with the king which occasioned him to repaire to his armie with a small troupe of horsemen onely whom hee pursued as farre as Meaux But hee found the Duke inclosed betwixt two riuers where hee stayed for the Prince of Parma at whose arriuall the battell was the second time published aduancing themselues to the Towne of Claye and the Castle of Fresnes about sixe leagues from Parris where they lodged about the ende of the moneth of August The king supposing hee should then haue battell with them after hee had recommended himselfe vnto God according to his custome in such affaires departed from Parris on the VVednesday the nine and twentieth of that moneth assigning the Rende-vous to all his armie for the next morrow in the plaine of Bondi which is at the end of the forrest of Liuâ—i the right way toward his enemies On the Friday following hee chased their forriers from the Towne of Chelles who beganne to marke out their lodgings and gaue a charge to a certaine troupe of eight hundreth horsemen whom he constrained to retire euen till they came within their armie On the morrowe beeing Saturday by eleuen of the clocke the first of September the Kings armie were all in battell array The Duke of Parma got vp vppon an hill to behold them and after he had throughly noted them hee said to the Duke de Maine that this was not the armie of tenne thousand which he tolde him might bee ouerthrown so easilie for hee sawe by estimation more then fiue and twentie thousand in the best manner prouided that euer hee beheld And indeed they consisted of eighteene thousand men on foote as well Frenchmen as straungers and of fiue or six
certaine Lords and wealthie Merchants of her kingdome lent the king mony for the comforting of his forces Dauphine gotten againe for the King Francis de Bonne Lord of Diguireres chased the leaguers out of the Countie of Dauphine and became Maister of Grenoble which is the seate of the Parliament of the Prouince constraining the Lord d'Arbigni who commanded there to depart before the Duke of Sauoy or any other of the League could come time ynough to succour them In Normandie the Duke de Montpensier wonne Honfleur and inforced the Leaguers to forsake the field The Vicounte of Turenne came into Almaine to leuie a band of Rutters and hauing gathered an armie Christian Prince of Anhalt was made chiefe commaunder thereof On the other side the new Pope beeing a partaker with Spaine The Pope an ayder of the Leaguers promised to the league eight thousand footemen and fiue hundreth horse vnder the conduct of his cousin Francis Sfondrate and during these enterprises the Cheualier d'Aumale set vpon the Towne of Saint Dennis neare Paris supposing hee should winne it Hee was followed with many approoued warriours The Lord of Vic which commaunded in that place shewed good proofe of his skill and courage for although the knight and his followers were entered without losse hee ranne vpon them and charged them so roughly that the knight and the most of his people lay dead vpon the ground The Cheualier d'Aumale slaine with all his companie This knight was one of the principall Captaines of the league but in his deedes so strange and desolute that hee could no longer support himselfe otherwise hee was very hardie and valiant This was cause of great greefe among the seditious who had fewe men left that had more mischiefe in their heads then hee Many hath reported that his bodie hauing beene wrapped in a searcloth and laide in a Chappell within the great Church rested their til they migh know what the kings pleasure was to bee done therewithall Rattes and Mice found about a dead man On the morrow after as they would haue drawne foorth the corps to imbalme it the searecloth was found full of rattes and mice in such number that they had much ado to driue them away till such time they were faine to lay vpon them with hand-strokes and teare them out from the woundes The king that on his part would not bee ydle addressed himselfe to certaine enterprises to giue an alarme to the Parisians that by this occasion bee might awake and cause them to remember themselues They tooke such an alarme that they came to the gate of S. Honore where they had knowledge giuen them that the kings troupes would come and giue them battell the 20. of Ianuarie The Spaniards shifts to corrupt Paris All this vanished away without any incounter or losse of the one side or on the other The Spanish Agents tooke this occasion to put the Parisians in feare for the aduancement of their affaires for they thrust certaine Regiments of Spaniards and Neopolitans into Parris and Meaux staying till they might conuey thither a farre greater number which the Duke of Parma was gathering togither with great diligence vnder pretence to come with them to the succour of Parris The packets and letters of the succours comming from Spaine and Italy serued for a very good remedie to the leaguers thereby to content the Parisians And to comfort and incourage them the more the new Pope assisted by many Cardinals did againe excommunicate the king and his adherents And sending a monitorie bill put it in the handes of his Nuncio called Marcellin Landriano to bee carried to the Cardinall of Plaisance his Legat at Parris The succours by him promised beganne to assemble The Popes forces against France As for the king of Spaine following the particular intelligences which he had with the Duke of Mercoeur his armie by sea came into the Castle of Brittaine and seized on the part of Blauet greatly fortified since that time Monsieur de la Noue was sent to make heade against the Spaniards And while they stayed for the succours of the lowe Countries the Earle of Brissac made a voyage toward the Duke of Parma who brought mony from them to pay the Pentioners thereby to entertaine them in hope of continuation The siege and yeelding vp of Chartres to the king The King retired to Senlis tooke his way to Brie stayed about foure myles stom Prouence accompanied with the Duke of Neuers each one thinking that hee would haue besieged that Towne which is not strongly situated hee made such a shew and in such sort that the League sent thither speedily fiue or sixe hundreth foote and two hundreth horse But because hee came no nearer therevnto they verily thought hee would haue set either vppon the Towne of Troys or on Seni staying onely for the Marshal of Birons comming who had receiued at Deepe certaine barrels of powder and bullets which was sent from England They continued firme in this opinion till such time the King marched towards Montereau Heerevppon rose an other report that the King went to Tours for the redressing of certaine disorders such as the leaguers blazed abroad euen to the very slaundering of the Princes of the blood But such thoughts did greatly hurt the league For the King holding himselfe close tenne or twelue daies with the Duke of Neuers sent word to the Marshall de Biron who was come toward Mant in his returne from Normandie after he had taken Caudebec Harfleur Feschamp and other Townes in briefe when hee brought all Prouence vnder the kings obeysance Horsmas le Haure Roane Pontoise and two or three other places that hee should crosse to Beausse as though hee ment to ioyne with him But that on a suddaine hee should turne toward Chartres to recouer it before any succour should enter into it for as much as the town had no other garrison but the own Inhabitants who were also diuided many bearing good affection to the King especially the Bishop which thing the Marshall performed so suddainly that Chartres was inuironed round about and besieged the tenth of Februarie A Captaine of Orleans named la Croix attempted to come to the succour of the Towne with his Regiment of threescore Curates and two hundreth harguebuziers But hee was incontinent inclosed and ouerthrowne in such sort that of all his followers there escaped but four and himselfe which made the fift who with the rest beeing very well mounted had all their mindes bent vppon flight while their fellowes throates were a cutting The Lord de la Chastre chiefe Captaine of the siege in Berry was constrained the same time to raise his siege from before Aubigni and soone after his troupes were ouerthrown by the Lord of Chastillon who came to the king at the siege of Chartres who by his valour and notable inuention of a bridge to go right vpon the breach was the principall cause vnder God that
or any of his but to withstand him incontinent vppon paine to bee presently hanged vp Also the same Court ordaineth that absolution shall bee obtained for the said Atturney generall Nemine dempto to informe against all those that shall fauour the said Henry of Bourbon and his adherents That the oath made by the holy Vnion the two and twentieth day of Ianuarie 1589. shall bee renued from mouth to month in the generall assembly which for that purpose shall bee held in the Abbey of Saint Ouen within the same Cittie Further it inioyneth all the Inhabitants to keepe and inuiolably to obserue the said Edict from poynt to poynt according to the tenure and true meaning of the same vpon paine of death without any hope of grace or fauor to be had therein Villars a notable Leaguer Moreuer the same Court doth expresly inioyne all the Inhabitants to bee obedient to the Lord of Villars Lieftenant generall to our soueraigne Lord Henry of Lorraine eldest son to the Duke de Maine in this gouernment in all things which shall bee by him commanded for the conseruation of this Cittie The Bishop d'Euereux hanged A little before the siege of Roane the King hauing in the month of September 1591. taken Louuiers chastised certaine seditious persons and sent the Bishoppe d'Euereux surnamed the holy prisoner vnto Tours who was one of the Arches and Pillers of the league to the end he should there haue the law and after be hanged the which was done without the Cardinal of Bourbons knowledge least hee should repriue him from the Gallowes hee prouided for all things necessarie to the siege causing diuers engines to be made at Caen at Pont de l'Arche at Ponteau de Mer and in other places The D. de Maines sonne hauing encouraged the Cittizens to perseuere in their actions for their reliefe Baquemare at that time their chiefe President procured that all the Inhabitants should sweare before the Maior named Londe that they should reueale all those whom they knewe either in word or deede to fauour the King of Nauarre that they might bee punished for example to others Villars was there entered to strengthen them with sixe hundreth horse and twelue hundreth muskets and gaue such order for his affaires that they yeelded him soone after the Roiteler of Roane without any respect to the Lieftenant generals sonne in so much that when they commaunded him any thing which hee thought not good to bee done his aunswere to the Duke de Maine was that being both of them companions spoylers of the estate hee would not obey him whom hee knewe not for his Lord and Maister And the better to apply himselfe he caused all those to be chased out of Roane that were by him suspected writing letters full of outrage to the King who summoned his subiects to an acknowledgement of their rebellion placing artillerie and vsing all acts of hostillitie against his soueraigne Lord and King Moreouer he caused a new search for victuals hee subborned Friers Priests and Preachers to poyson the multitude by their seditious perswasions broght his troupes into the fielde indomaging the armie as much as possibly hee might the which beside the obstinate dealings of the besieged had a shrewd fight with the extreame rigour of the sharpe winter with sickenesse and the want of food Notwithstanding all which at the last the besieged were constrained to come to composition But vnderstanding that the Dukes de Maine and of Parma were comming with succours and were withall become Maisters of Neufchastel giuen ouer by the Kings garrison they held it till the 20. of March the which armie of the Dukes came to Franqueuille which is about halfe a daies iourney from Roane The Leaguers armie The Duke of Guise la Chastre and Vitri ledde the vantgard the Dukes of Maine of Parma and Sfondrate Nephew to Pope Gregorie the fourteenth deceased cōducted the maine battel the rearward had for their leaders the D of Aumale the Earle of Chaligni Boisdaufin Balagni and Sainpol Bassompierre and Monsieurle Motte were Captains ouer the Switzers and the artillerie The Kings troupes being ouer weake to match with this great armie of leaguers left them to worke their woorst seeking opportunitie to meete with them at aduantage staying for the Kings comming who with all speed iournied toward Deepe on necessarie causes the which broke the great intended purposes of his enemies And the whilest the Marshall of Biron caused seuen peeces of artillerie to be conueyed to Bans which is a towne about one mile from Darnetal where hee set himselfe in battell array planting his cannons in their seuerall places therewith to entertaine the Duke of Parma who came to lie in the valley on the side thereof The King stayed all that night within a Mill hard by Bans who continued in fight well near thirtie houres making continuall skirmiges vppon the forwardest of his enemies The Duke of Parma which made as though he would giue battell after some excuses and delaies drewe this armie on the side of Barnetal But the more to drawe and intangle him straight after his comming the king hadde dismissed his Nobilitie in such sort that they were all neare ynough to bee heard with intent to bring an euill bargaine both vpon the Spaniards and Italians The rest of the moneth of March and the most part of Aprill was spent in continuing small skirmiges In the end on Tuesday the one and twentieth day of Aprill about tenne of the clocke in the morning the Dukes de Maine of Guise and of Parma put themselues into Roane where they stayed but certaine houres Villars would not haue any partners much lesse such Maisters The Leaguers armie had vpon the same day of the Dukes enterance taken Caudebec neare adioyning from whence the garrison dislodged in the night following and left the towne for the Duke of Parma which was yeelded vnto him but he kept it not long The king ouerrunneth his enemies and breakes their Campe chasing the rest out of Normandis For the king seeing his enemies had not victualled Roane passed to Pont de l'Arche le Mercredi on the Wednesday aduanced his armie toward Fontain le Bourg sent to all the neighbour owns as Louiers Mante Mulean Vernon and otherswhere the Garrisons were that they should march toward him the which was speedily performed Then grew his armie to more then three thousand horse of Frenchmen and sixe thousand foote in lesse then sixe daies Then turned he his forces toward the Towne d'Yuetot where the Dukes of Maine and of Guise were then lodged who had no leisure to go to dinner hauing news brought that their vantgard was suddainly set vpon and wholly ouerthrowne This constrained them by flight to saue themselues two myles off in the Duke of Parmas quarter leauing behinde them all their baggage and siluer vessels a good bootie for the Lord de la Guich The first of May they were raised to an other
hee hauing committed so many hainous acts against the Crowne and his soueraigne Lord that hee was vnwoorthie too bee esteemed the kings subiect but to receiue punishment according to his deserts blaming the kings too much gentlenesse therein to whom might bee applyed that which was of olde time spoken of by Charillans who being greatly praised for his courtesie equally shewed to all was thus answered by Archidamidas the Spartane that such a Prince deserued small praise that shewed himselfe fauourable to wicked persons But such matters pertaines to other discourses and not to bee intreated of in so briefe a collection as this is Vpon this receiued grace the Duke de Maine wrought the yeelding vp of Soisson Pierfont and other places to the King Now among all the chiefe leaguers there onely remained the Duke of Aumale who had not time ynough to make his peace with the King The Duke of Aumale executed in his picture Things fell out so contrarie on his side that lawe was prosecuted against him in the Parliament of Parris which found him guiltie of treason in the highest degree so that his image or likenesse being made it was drawne in peeces with foure horses and his goods and lands confiscate to the King It hath been said that his faire house at Annet was iudged to be raced to the ground and the woods all about the same cut downe in detestation of the said Dukes treasons But this article was not executed This Duke of Aumale went since that toward Albert. Cardinall of Austridge came into the low Countries to succeed in his brothers charge who was Arch-duke of Ernest of whō he was honourably receiued and royall entertained so that he might say with the renowmed Greeke I was lost if I had not been lost and since he hath made sore warres against the Frenchmen Certaine members of the league as some of the sixteene of Parris diuers principall Councellours and Agents of that side togither with some Preachers and seditious writers durst not shewe themselues knowing lawe to bee proceeded against them Th. Towne of Fere besieged While the Cardinal of Austrige made his voyage from Spaine into Italie to become Gouernour to the low Countries taking with him Philip of Nassau Prince of Orange who had a long time beene kept prisoner among the Spaniards the King besieged Fere the onely place possessed by his enemies in Picardie before the taking of Capelle Chastelot Cambray and Dourlans hee set there all the succours that could enter in where a great number of Spaniardes were slaine then gaue he leaue to the most part of his horsemen to refresh themselues because the Earle of Fuentes hauing set garrisons in the Towns for a new conquest was retired into Hainaut The king being willing more and more to plant quietnesse in his realme made an edict the same time whereby all persons that were fled might returne againe to their lands and houses where their passed faults should neuer bee sought after but wholly forgiuen those onely excepted that were confederates in the murther of the deceased king In middest of these matters Ossat and Perron the Kings Agents towards the Pope demanded and obtained a bull of absolution hauing aforehand made all the submissions obeysances and accustomed reuerences promising that the King had performed the penance and accomplished the conditions to him prescribed This bull was committed to Alexander d'Elbene to bee carried into France to bring thereby in the kings behalfe confirmation and approbation of all that which had been done by his Agents one of the which namely Ossat for recompence of his seruices wonne a Cardinals Hat Perron being but a Ministers sonne in the Lord of Bearns land became by his worthy seruices Bishoppe of Eureux a Courtly Poet and a new Diuine was sent with good hope to see that hee should continue as hee had begunne that is to say to oppose himselfe against those of the religion and to drawe by his example all other that hee might by their praaching and writing to maintaine the vocation and doctrine of their Ministers and the publicke articles of the inreprehencible perfection of the Romaine Church Hee was carefull to keepe promise vnderstanding that the Pope had an eye ouer him The estates of Picardie In the moneth of Nouember the King assembled within Amiens all the estates of Picardie of Boulongne Vermandois and Thierafche to take counsell for the affaires of Prouence Certaine Captaines were there beheaded hauing been by their couetousnesse cause of all the losses afore mentioned The siege of Fere continued those within it being more restrained yet neuerthelesse resolued to hold the same to the vttermost poynts of extremitie The garrisons of Peronne Amiens and other places that held for the King beganne againe in Ianuarie their former courses against the enemies countrie still killing and sleying certaine Spaniards and Wallons The king was at this time in great care touching the countrie of Prouence by reason that a man of great authoritie named Casaux commanded within Marseille who made means to the Spanish king that this goodly Towne might bee solde vnto him Charles Dore of Geneua was now approaching with certaine gallies for the Spaniardes The Duke of Guise drew also neare with certaine troupes but knowing well Casaux euill will toward him retired to the port of Thoulon where a farre off he thought on such affaires whereof proceeded the death of the said Casaux who was suddainly stabbed as he was going forth of his owne lodging to runne toward one of the gates which they were readie to open to the Frenchmen the sixteenth of Februarie The Duke of Guise his troupes beeing mingled among the rest in the Cittie was cause that all the Spaniardes with their adherents ranne their waies Marseille brought to the kings subiection Thus was Marseille deliuered out of their hands and brought to the kings subiection togither with all other villages thereabout that might any way annoy them The arriuall of the Cardinal of Austriche in Flanders caused the King to summon the Nobilitie of Picardie and Normandie to be present in the Towne of Guise there to be readie according as need required There he forbad by an expresse proclamation the transporting of gold or siluer coyned or otherwise out of his realme In the beginning of March the Cardinall gaue such order that the besieged within the Towne of Fere were succored with some munition And for his first exployt against The Cardinall of Austriche releeueth Fere winneth Carl◠and Ardres with maine force France in the beginning of Aprill did so dispose of his armie at that time most mightie so dexteriously secretly that in few daies he besieged assailed and with plain force won the town and Castle of Calais in spight of al the kings forces and the resistance of the besieged there died in the taking thereof a great number of the Nobilitie of France especially in the Castle whereinto they had sent a good supply
chambers assembled hath declared and doth declare all acts decrees ordinances and oathes giuen made or readie to bee made since the 29. of December 1588. to the preiudice of the authoritie giuen to our kings and lawes of the Realme to be set and extorted by force and violence and as such we reuoke repeale and disanull them ordaining that they shall remaine abolished and of no force and especially that which hath beene made against the honour of the deceased king Henry the third as well those in his life time as since his death to be nothing forbidding al persons to speake of his memorie otherwise then wel or honourably And further wee ordaine that the detestable murther committed vpon his royall person shall bee informed and proceeded against extraordinarily against all such as shall be found guiltie therein And the saide Court hath reuoked and doth reuoke the power heretofore graunted to the Duke de Maine vnder the title of the Lieftenant generall of the estate and Crowne of France Forbidding al persons of what estate or condition soeuer they be to acknowledge him by that title or to shewe him any obeysance fauour comfort or ayde on paine to bee punished as guiltie of treason in the highest degree And on the same paine inioyneth the said Duke de Maine and other Princes of the house of Lorraine to acknowledge king Henry the fourth of that name King of France and Nauarre for their king and soueraigne Lorde and to giue vnto him such seruice and obedience as to him is due And that all other Princes Lords Townes Communalties and particularities shall giue ouer the pretended part of the League whereof the Duke de Maine was made chiefe and to render vnto the King all obedience and fidelitie on paine to haue the said Princes Lords and Gentlemen to bee disgraded of their Nobilitie and to bee declared outlawes both them and their posteritie with the confiscation of bodie and goodes racing and destroying of their Townes castles and manners which shall bee disobedient to the commandement and pleasure of the king And this Court hath broken and repealed and by this present do breake and repeale all that which hath beene done inacted and ordained by the pretended Deputies of the assembly held in this Citie of Paris vnder the name of the generall estates of this kingdome as of no effect or force beeing made by priuate persons who were for the most part practisers with the factious sort of the Realm and partakers with the Spaniards hauing no lawful power or authoritie Forbidding also the said pretended Deputies from henceforth neuer to take the like vpon them againe and no more to make assemblies either in this Citie or any other on paine to bee punished as disturbers of the publicke peace and guiltie of treason toward his Maiestie And wee enioyne all these pretended Deputies which are at this present within the Citie of Paris to depart each one to his owne house there to liue as subiects vnder the kings lawes and to bee sworne to their fidelitie before the iudges and Magistrates of those parts It is also ordained and by these presents were doo ordaine that all processions and solemnities tollerared during these troubles all occasions of them shall cease and in steade of them the two and twentieth day of March shall bee for euer solemnized on the which day generall processions shall bee made after the accustomed manner assisted by the said Court of Parliament in their scarlet robes in remembrance of the most happy deliuerance of this Cittie on that day from all her miseries and the bringing thereof vnder the kings obedience with thanksgiuing vnto God for the same At the same time the king published a declaration wherein all the shifts and deceits of the Captaines of the league were discouered and his loue and great good will toward the Parisians to whom hee forgaue all matters past restored all their customes and priuiledges obtained new fauors and shewed a most fatherly affection towarde them which was most pleasing to the people which drew many other townes from the league to humble themselues to his highnesse Three weekes after the Rector of the Vniuersitie the Deane and the Doctors of Sorbonne the Deanes and Doctors of other faculties in briefe all the members officers and substitudes of the Vniuersities of their owne minde assembled went all to humble themselues to the king which was then in the Chappell of Bourbon where they all fell prostrate on the ground before him acknowledging him their onely true and naturall Prince shewing with a most heartie affection well witnessing their loue that they were readie to take what oath it pleased him to confirme them to his subiection hee receiued them and with great benignitie sent them away The moneths of April and May were spent in receiuing and answering supplications from the Townes and Commons in diuers Prouinces and in drawing Lordes Gentlemen Captains and other principall members of the league vnder the kings subiection who pardoned all in such sort that the League resembled Isopes Choffe Warre in Picardy against the league There remained some Townes in Picardie which were solde through the meanes of the most factious of that part The king besieged Laon and certaine other Townes which the Spaniards assayed to warrant and keepe But their succours hauing been ouerthrowne in diuers incounters where they lost more then fiue hundreth men at last Laon yeelded to the king and so likewise the others Soissons and Fere excepted which were possest by the Duke of Maine and the Spaniardes who also at the same time became Maisters of Chapelle a little Towne in the Duchie of Thierasche The Duke of Maine ranne to Bruxelles for fresh supplies He receiued a good summe of mony but not sufficient to withstand the kings prosperous proceeding who then receiued into grace and fauour the Duke of Guise and his brother giuing since to the said Duke the gouernment of Prouence The Duke de Maine who could do nothing in Picardie hauing left good garrisons within Soissons hee closely trauelled into the Duchie of Bourgondy that hee might assure those places to himselfe which hee knew yet to hold for the league Now let vs turne againe to Paris where they beganne a new warre The Iesuites hauing in former times stood against sundrie purposes of the Vniuersitie whom they had set out in their colours shewing that this sect is the most execreable of al others by the helpe of such which had to do with those people for the executing of their great and most vnfortunate enterprises And in the end since the day of the Barricadoes had imperiously commaunded within Parris vsed infinit practises to aduance the Spaniards in France kindled the fire of sedition in all the principall towns in the kingdome defaming in their sermons and confessions the memorie of the deceased king and the Maiestie of him now raigning whose fame was by them spotted in the vildest manner they could deuise and