shall chuse swear to keep and observe our said Edict shall make them guard each other charging them respectively and by publick Act to answer for the Transgressions that shall be made to the said Edict in the said City by the Inhabitants thereof respectively or else to secure and deliver up the said Transgressors into the hands of Justice XLIII And to the end that our Justices and Officers as well as all other our Subjects may be clearly and with all certainty inform'd of our Will and Intention and to remove all Doubts and Ambiguities and Cavillings that might be made in relation to the precedent Edicts We have and do declare all other Edicts Letters Declarations Modifications Restrictions and Interpretations Decrees and Registers as well secret as all other Deliberations heretofore made in our Courts of Parliament and others that might hereafter be made to the prejudice of our said present Edict concerning the case of Religion and the Troubles occasion'd in this our Kingdom to be void and of no effect To all which and the Derogatories therein contained we have by this our Edict derogated and do derogate and from this very time as for then do cancel revoke and annul them Declaring expresly That it is our Pleasure that this our said Edict should be sure firm and inviolable kept and observed by our said Justices Officers and Subjects without respecting or having the least regard to whatever might be contrary and derogating to this XLIV And for the greater assurance of the maintenance and observation we desire of this it is our Will Command and Pleasure That all Governors of our Provinces our Lieutenant-Generals Bailiffs Seneschals and other ordinary Judges of the Cities of this our Kingdom immediately upon receit of this our said Edict shall swear The same to keep and observe cause to be kept and observ'd and maintain'd every one in their Precinct as also the Mayors Sheriffs Capitouls and other Officers Annual or Temporal as well the present after the reception of the said Edict as their Successors in taking the Oath they are used to take when they are admitted into the said Places and Offices of which Oaths publick Acts shall be expedited to all such as shall require it We also require our Trusty and Well-beloved the Persons holding our Courts of Parliament immediately upon receit of this present Edict to cease all their Proceedings and on pain of Nullity of the Acts they should pass otherwise to take the like Oath and to cause our said Edict to be Published and Registred in our said Courts according to the Form and Tenor thereof purely and plainly without any Modifications Restrictions Declaration or secret Register and without expecting any Mandamus or Order from us And our Attornies-General to require and pursue the immediate Publication thereof without any delay the which we will have perform'd in the Two Camps and Armies within six Days after the said Publication made in our Court of Parliament of Paris in order to send back the Strangers forthwith Injoyning likewise our Lieutenants-General and Governors speedily to Publish and to cause this our said Edict to be published by the Bailiffs Seneschals Mayors Sheriffs Capitouls and other ordinary Judges of the Cities of their said Government where-ever it will be necessary As also the same to keep observe and maintain every one in his Precinct in order to put a speedy stop to all Acts of Hostility and to all Impositions made or to be made upon the account of the said Troubles after the Publication of our present Edict Which from the Moment of the said Publication we declare liable to Punishment and Reparation viz. against such as shall use Arms Force and Violence in the Transgression and Infraction of this our present Edict hindering the Effect Execution or Injoyment thereof with Death without hope of Pardon or Remission And as for the other Infractions that shall not be made by way of Arms Force or Violence they shall be punish'd by other Corporal Inflictions as Banishments Amende Honourable and other Pecuniary Punishments according to the Nature and Exigency of the Offences at the Will and Pleasure of the Judges to whom we have assign'd the Cognizance thereof Ingaging their Honours and Consciences to proceed therein with all the Justice and Equality the Cause shall require without respect or exception of Persons or Religion Therefore we command the said Persons holding our Courts of Parliament Chambers of our Accounts Courts of Aids Bailifs Seneschals Provosts and other our Justices and Officers whom it may concern or their Lieutenants this our present Edict and Ordinance to cause to be Read Publish'd and Register'd in their Courts and Jurisdictions and the same to maintain keep and observe in all Points and all whom it may concern the same fully and peaceably to use and to enjoy ceasing and causing all Troubles and Hinderances thereunto contrary to cease For such is our pleasure In witness whereof we have sign'd these presents with our own hand and to the same to the end that it may be firm and lasting for ever we have caus'd our Seal to be affix'd Given at St. Germain en Lays in the Month of August in the Year of our Lord 1570. and of our Reign the Tenth Sign'd Charles And beneath it by the King being in his Council Sign'd De Neufville And on the side Visa and Seal'd with the great Seal with green Wax upon Knots of red and green Silk Read Publish'd and Registred at the request and desire of the King's Attorney-General at Paris in Parliament on the 11th of August 1570. Sign'd Tu Tillet Edict of Pacification made by King Henry the 3d in order to put an end to the Troubles of his Kingdom and to make all his Subjects thenceforward live in Peace and Quietness Vnion and Concord under his Obedience Read and Publish'd in the Court of Parliament the 8th of October 1577. HEnry by the Grace of God King of France and Poland to all present and to come Greeting God who is the Searcher of the hearts of Men and sees the bottom of their thoughts shall always be Judge for us that our Intention has never been other than to Reign according to his Holy Commandments and to govern our Subjects in all uprightness and Justice approving our self a Common Father to all who has no other end but their welfare and quiet In order thereunto we have always us'd our utmost endeavours to do whatever we judg'd most proper according to the occasions and times even with a design to establish a certain Peace in this our Kingdom and to provide against the Disorders and Abuses that have crept in to the same through the License of such long Troubles and to restore it to its Pristine Dignity and Splendor To which end we did convene our Estates General in our City of Blois where several things were treated of and particularly upon matter of Religion it being propos'd by some that one of the best Remedies
contrary notwithstanding the which we have and do derogate from LIX We also order that immediately after the publication of this our Edict all Forces and Armies both by Sea and Land shall disband and retire Those of the said Religion and such as have been ingag'd in their Party shall be oblig'd to remove all Garisons out of the Cities Places Castles and Houses they are possess'd of belonging either to us to the Clergy or other private persons to quit restore and surrender them in full liberty as they were in full peace before the present and precedent Troubles ¶ Nevertheless whereas several private persons have receiv'd and suffer'd during the Troubles so many Injuries and Damages in their Estates and Persons that it will be difficult for them to lose the remembrance thereof so soon as it should be requisite for the execution of our Intentions we being desirous to avoid all inconveniencies that might arise from thence until the Heart-burnings and Animosities are allay'd have thought fit to give in keeping to those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion for the time and Term of six years the Cities following viz. In Languedoc those of Montpelier and Aiguesmortes In Dauphine Nyons and Serre City and Castle In Provence Seine La Grandtour and the Circuit thereof In Gulenne Perigueux La Reolle and the Mas of Verdun which Cities our said Brother and Cousin the King of Navar and Prince of Conde and twenty Gentlemen of the said Religion or others that have been engag'd in their Party who shall be by us nominated Besides such as shall be committed for the Guard of the said Cities and Castles shall swear and promise one and for the whole for themselves and for those of the said Religion and others of their Party well and faithfully for us to keep them and at the expiration of the aforesaid Term of Six Years to reckon from the day and date of the present Edict to redeliver them into the hands of such as shall be by us deputed in the same condition they now are in without the least Innovation or Alteration and without the least delay or difficulty upon any pretence whatever at the end of which Term the exercise of the said Religion shall be continu'd there as while in their Possession Nevertheless it is our Will and Pleasure That in them all Clergy-men shall freely return perform Divine Service in all Liberty and enjoy their Estates and likewise all the Catholick Inhabitants of the said Cities The which Clergy-men and other Inhabitants our said Brother and Cousin and other Lords together with the Governors of the said Cities and Garisons shall take into their Protection and Safeguard to the end that they may not be disturbed in the said Divine Service molested nor disquieted in their Persons and in the enjoyment of their Estates but on the contrary restor'd and re-established into the full Possession of the same Willing moreover that our Judges shall be also re-establish'd into the said Cities and the exercise of Justice restor'd as it us'd to be before LX. Forbidding strictly all our Subjects of what Quality or Condition soever to form any Enterprizes or private Conspiracies to surprize the said Cities given in keeping to those of the said Religion or to take or seize any other Cities Castles and Places of our said Kingdom and Territories thereunto belonging on pain of being punish'd and chastis'd as Infractors of the Peace and Disturbers of the Publick Quiet LXI No Governors or Garisons shall be put by us into the Cities at present in Possession of those of the said Religion which are to be quitted by them unless they have always had such and even in the Reign of the late King Henry our said Lord and Father Likewise desiring to ease our Subjects in all our Cities as much as in us lies it is our Will and Pleasure That the Governors Captains and Soldiers that have been put in Garison there shall be remov'd out of the same excepting out of such as are Frontiers of our said Kingdom which are fit to be kept there for the Defence and Safety thereof Neither shall any other Garisons be kept in the Cities Castles Houses and Estates belonging particularly to our Subjects than such as us'd to be kept there in time of Peace LXII And to the end that our Justices Officers and other our Subjects may be clearly and with all certainty inform'd of our Will and Intention and to remove all Ambiguities and Doubts that might arise on the account of the precedent Edicts by reason of the diversity of the same we have and do hereby declare all other Precedent Edicts secret Articles Letters Declarations Modifications Requisitions Restrictions Interpretations Decrees Registers as well such as are secret as other Deliberations by us made in our Courts of Parliament and elsewhere concerning the Case of Religion and the Troubles happen'd in our said Kingdom to be void and of no effect and value To which and to the derogatories therein contain'd we have by this our Edict derogated and do derogate and from this time as well as then cancel revoke and annual the same declaring expresly That this our Edict shall be firm and inviolable kept and observed by our said Justicers and Officers as well as by our other Subjects without minding or regarding whatever may be contrary or derogating to the same LXIII And for the better Assurance of the maintaining and observation we desire to have of the same it is our Will and Pleasure That all our Governours and Lieutenant-Generals of our Provinces Bailiffs Seneschals and other common Judges of the Cities of this our said Kingdom immediately upon receit of this our said Edict shall swear to cause it to be observed in their several Precincts as also the Mayors Sheriffs Capitouls Consuls and Jurats of Cities Annual or Perpetual Enjoining also our said Bailiffs Seneschals or their Lieutenants or other Judges to swear the chief Inhabitants of the said Cities of either Religion to the keeping and maintaining of the present Edict immediately after the Publication of the same putting all the Inhabitants of the said Cities under our Protection and Safeguard to guard each other charging them respectively and by Publick Acts to be responsible for the opposition that shall be made to our said Edict in the said Cities by the Inhabitants thereof or to represent and deliver the said Opposers into the hands of Justice LXIV We also charge our Trusty and Well-beloved the Members of our Courts of Parliament immediately upon receit of the present Edict to forbear all manner of Proceedings on pain of Nullity of the Acts they should otherwise pass and to take the Oath above-mention'd to cause our said Edict to be Publish'd and Recorded in our said Courts according to the Form and Tenor thereof purely and barely without using any other Modifications Restrictions Declarations or secret Registers and without staying for any other Order or Command from us and our Attorneys-General
of Conde that they are sued by several of those who during the Troubles have bought Temporal Estates belonging to the Church requesting that no Actions may be allow'd the Purchasers against them or any of those who by their Command have made the Contracts of the said Sales It is granted to them in his said Majesties Name that all necessary Letters Patent to discharge and indemnify them for the said Sales shall be particularly expedited for them on condition that the money shall be reimburs'd as it is specifi'd in the General Articles of the Edict XXIII His Majesty shall promise and swear to observe and maintain the Edict that shall be made upon the said General Articles and to let those of the said Religion and others that have been ingag'd in their Party injoy the benefit of the same He shall also oblige the Queen his Mother and the Duke of Anjou his Brother to promise and swear to keep and observe the said Edict XXIV The same shall be done by the King of Navar and the Prince of Conde XXV All which Promises and Oaths shall be made in writing sign'd by the Hands and seal'd with the Arms of those that shall make them the which shall be reciprocally put and deliver'd into the hands of his Majesty and of the said King of Navar or such as shall be by them deputed to receive them XXVI The said King of Navar shall be allow'd after the Conclusion of the Peace to send to the Queen of England and to Duke John Casimir to acquaint them therewith and Passes and Convoys shall be given by his Majesty to those that shall be sent thither by the King of Navar. XXVII All such of the said Religion as are still in possession of Benifices shall be oblig'd to resign them within the space of Six Months to Catholicks and those who have promises of Pensions upon the said Benefices dated before the 24th of August 1572. shall be henceforward paid for the same and the payment of the said Pensions continued and those who owe the said Pensions shall be oblig'd to pay the Arrears in case any are due provided they have actually injoy'd the Fruits of the said Benefices excepting the Arrears due in the time of the Troubles XXVIII And as for those who are not of the said Religion yet have follow'd them during the time of the Troubles they shall re-enter into the same Possession and Injoyment of their Benefices as they had before the 24th of August 1572. And those who by private Authority without order or gift from his Majesty have enjoy'd and receiv'd the Fruits of the said Benefices belonging to the abovemention'd shall be oblig'd to return it to them and to resettle them into the same XXIX Upon the Request of those of the said Religion and others who have been ingag'd in their Party to annihilate all the Bonds Notes and Promises made by them together with all Judgments given upon the same against them upon the account of the Imployments Places and Offices resign'd unto them before the last Troubles or since for which they have not been able to obtain Letters Patents by reason of the said Troubles the which said Imployments and Offices have in the mean while been granted to others they also requesting the reimbursement of the Money paid by them for the same either into his Majesty's Exchequer or to the Resigners It has been declar'd That upon their giving his Majesty an account of the particulars of the Cases in question his said Majesty will remedy the same and cause Justice to be done unto them XXX The Officers of Justice shall also decide the particular Debate and Request of the Parties about the Annihilation desir'd by those of the said Religion and others who have been ingag'd in their Party of the Leases made by them of their Estates and Inheritances since the said 24th of August in order to re-enter into the Premises returning the Fines by them receiv'd XXXI His Majesty's Officers in the City of Rochel the Mayor Sheriffs Consuls Common-Council and other Inhabitants of the said City shall be continu'd and maintain'd in their Ancient Rights and Priviledges and shall neither be prosecuted molested or troubled for their Orders Decrees Imprisonments both within and without the City the Execution of their Judgments afterwards as well upon the account of some pretended Enterprizes attempted against the said City in December 1573. as by a Ship call'd the Swallow and the Execution of the Judgments given against those that were on Board of her or for any other Acts whatever of all which they shall be absolutely discharg'd They shall have no other Governor but the Seneschal neither shall any Garison be put into the said City and Government Neither shall any be put into the Cities and Places belonging to the Government of Languedoc except such as had Garisons in the time of the late King Henry XXXII His Majesty shall confirm the Declaration granted by the late King to the Inhabitants of Pamiers professing the said Religion for the Annihilation of the Decrees given for some Excesses committed in the said City in the Month of June 1566. and the said Declaration shall be presented to that end to his said Majesty XXXIII The keeping of Eight hundred men to be paid by his said Majesty has been granted to the said King of Navar and others of the said Religion to put into the Cities that are allow'd them for their safety in which his said Majesty shall not be allow'd to put any Governor or other Garison And he shall also Charge the Governors and Lieutenant-Generals of his Provinces that whenever they shall pass through the same to visit them they shall avoid all occasion of dispute with those of the said Religion XXXIV The said King of Navarre shall present unto his said Majesty those he shall design to employ for the guarding of the said Cities the which shall be employ'd there accordingly by him And in case any of the said persons so employ'd should behave themselves insolently there and abuse their said Office not observing the said Edict of Pacification the said King of Navarre shall be obliged to turn them out and to present others to his said Majesty to be put in their place XXXV The City of St. John d' Angeli shall be left to the Prince of Condé for his Abode during the Time and Term of Six Years until he may effectually enjoy his Government of Picardy in which his Majesty will have him continued XXXVI The said Prince shall promise unto his said Majesty well and faithfully to keep the said City of St. John and at the end of the time abovesaid the same to redeliver together with the Castle into the hands of the person deputed by his Majesty to that end in the same condition it now is without any innovation or alteration and without the least delay or difficulty upon any account whatever Moreover it is his Majesty's Will and Pleasure
well secret as other Deliberations heretofore by us or by the Kings our Predecessors made in our Courts of Parliament or elsewhere relating to the case of the said Religion and the troubles happen'd in our said Kingdom to be null and of no effect to all which and the Derogatories therein contain'd we have by this our Edict derogated and do derogate from this time forward as well as for that time do cancel revoke and annul them Declaring expresly that we will have this our Edict to be firm and inviolable kept and observ'd as well by our said Justicers Officers as by other Subjects without any regard to any thing that might be contrary or derogating to it XCII And for the better assurance of the maintenance and observance we desire to have thereof we will and ordain and it is our pleasure that all the Governors and Lieutenants General of our Provinces Bayliffs Seneschals and other Judges in ordinary of the Cities of this our Kingdom immediately after the receipts of this our Edict shall swear to have it kept and observ'd every one in their several Precincts as also the Mayors Sheriffs Capitouls Consuls and Jurats of Cities annual and perpetual enjoining also our said Bayliffs Seneschals or their Lieutenants and other Judges to make the principal Inhabitants of the said Cities of both Religions swear to observe and maintain the same immediately after the publication thereof Putting all those of the Cities under our protection and under the guard of one another charging them respectively and by publick Acts to answer at the Civil Law for the transgressions that shall be made of this our said Edicts in the said Cities by the Inhabitants thereof or to represent and deliver the said Infractors into the hands of Justice We command our Trusty and Well Beloved the Persons holding our Courts of Parliament Chambers of Accounts and Courts of Aids immediately upon receipt of the present Edict to put a stop to all their proceedings on pain of nullity of all the Acts they should pass and to take the Oath abovemention'd and this our Edict to publish and register in our said Courts according to the form and tenor thereof exactly as it is without any Modification Restrictions secret Registers or Declarations and without expecting any farther order or command from us and our Attorneys General to require and prosecute the said immediate Publication thereof We also order our said persons holding our said Courts of Parliament Chambers of our Accounts and Courts of Aids Bayliffs Seneschals Provosts and others our Justicers and Officers to whom it may belong and to their Lieutenants to cause this our present Edict and Ordinance to be read publish'd and register'd in their Courts and Jurisdictions and the same to maintain keep and observe in every particular and to make all such whom it may concern enjoy and use the benefit thereof putting a stop to all Troubles and Hinderances thereunto contrary For such is our pleasure For witness whereof we have sign'd these Presents with our own hand and to the same in order to its being firm and lasting for ever we have caus'd our Seal to be affix'd Given at Nantes in the Month of April in the Year of our Lord 1598. and of our Reign the Ninth Sign'd Henry And underneath By the King being in his Council Forget And on the side Visa And seal'd with the Great Seal of Green Wax upon Knots of Red and Green Silk Read publish'd and register'd heard with the approbation of the King's Attorney General at Paris in Parliament on the 25th of February 1599. Sign'd Voysin Read publish'd and register'd in the Chamber of Accounts hear'd and approv'd by the King's-Attorney General on the last day of March 1599. Sign'd De la Fontaine Read publish'd and registred heard and approv'd by the King's Attorny General at Paris in the Court of Aids the 30th of April 1599. Sign'd Bernard Particular Articles extracted from the General ones that have been granted by the King to those of the Pretended Reform'd Religion the which His Majesty would not have comprehended into the said General Articles nor in the Edict that has been made and drawn upon the same given at Nantes in the Month of April last and yet nevertherless His Majesty has granted that they shall be fully accomplish'd and observ'd in the same manner as the Contents of the said Edict To which end they shall be Registred in his Courts of Parliament and elsewhere where it shall be necessary and all necessary Declarations and Letters Patent to that end shall be forthwith expedited I. THe 6th Article of the said Edict about Liberty of Conscience and leave for all his Majesties Subjects to live and inhabit in this Kingdom and Countries under his Obedience shall remain in force and shall be observ'd according to the Form and Tenor thereof Even for Ministers and Teachers and all others that are or shall turn of the said Religion whether actual Inhabitants or others behaving themselves in all other things conformably to what is specifi'd by the said Edict II. Those of the said Religion shall not be oblig'd to contribute towards the Reparations and Building of Churches Chappels Parsonages nor towards the buying of Sacerdotal Ornaments Lights Casting of Bells Holy Bread Rights of Fraternity and other like things unless oblig'd thereunto by Foundations Gifts or other Dispositions made by them or their Predecessors 3. Neither shall they be oblig'd to hang and adorn the Front of their Houses on Festival-days on which it is order'd but only to suffer them to be hung and adorn'd by the Authority of the Magistrates without contributing any thing towards it IV. Neither shall those of the said Religion be oblig'd to receive Exhortations being Sick or near Death either by Condemnation of Justice or otherwise from any but those of the said Religion and their Ministers shall be allow'd to Visit and Comfort them without any disturbance And as for such as shall be condemn'd by Justice it shall also be lawful for the said Ministers to visit and prepare them for Death without making Publick Prayers unless in such Places as are allow'd by the said Edict for the said Publick Exercise V. It shall be lawful for those of the said Religion to perform the Publick Exercise thereof at Pimpoul and for Diepe in the Suburb du Paulet and the said Places of Pimpoul and du Paulet shall be ordain'd for Places of Baliwicks The said Exercise shall be continued at Sancerre as it is at present The said free and publick Exercise shall also be re-establish'd in the City of Montagnac in Languedoc VI. In respect to the Article which relates to Bailiwicks it has been declar'd and granted as followeth First For the Establishing of the Exercise of the said Religion in the two Places granted in every Baliwick Seneschalship and Government those of the said Religion shall nominate Two Cities in the Suburbs of which the said Exercise shall be establish'd by the
Assembly were held 〈…〉 would relapse into greater and worse fewds than â—…re Du Plessis caus'd it to be adjourn'd untill the 20th 〈…〉 October and having imploy'd that time to negotiate 〈…〉 accomodation at Court he got it to be put of for a â—…th longer by the Mediation of the Deputies â—…eral Rochel had had its share of the Troubles and about 〈…〉 same time that the Duke of Rohan conven'd the five â—…vinces there broke out a Sedition there the conseâ—…nces of which were to be fear'd The Queen had endeavour'd to interpose her Authority in the Election 〈…〉 the Mayor of that City and to make her self Miâ—…s of it as she had endeavour'd to do at St. John The â—…nity of Mayor of Rochel was very considerable he 〈…〉 Governor of it by his place and had almost an abâ—…te Power there both as to the Military and Civil Government So that incase the Court could have gain'd 〈…〉 one point of having the Election of the Mayor at â—…r disposal they might easily have secur'd that place â—…hout besieging it But the City having the power to â—…e their Chief themselves carefully preserv'd that â—riviledge and would nowise suffer the Brigues of the â—…urt to incroach upon that important liberty Thereâ—…e the Queen succeeded yet less in it than at St. John 〈…〉 the last Mayor was Elected according to the usual â—… notwithstanding all her endeavours to the contrary 〈…〉 tho the said City preserv'd their Rights they remembred still that the Queen had endeavour'd to Invade â—…m which appear'd in the affair I am going to relate 〈…〉 Coudray Counsellor in the Parliament of Paris was 〈…〉 one of the Sheriffs of Rochel but he was suspected of â—…ing with the Court His behaviour in the Election of the Mayor had increas'd those jealousies and it was thought â—…t he had been the bearer of the Queens orders which tended to Violate the usual forms He came to Râ—… every year in the Vacations under pretence of his Dâ—… mestick Affairs but it was thought that the Coâ—… gave him secret orders He came some days 〈…〉 year sooner than he us'd to do and tho he neâ—… us'd to come before the Parliament was broken up he caâ—â— to Rochel before it that time He had brought diâ—… Commissions relating to Justice even in such places 〈…〉 were not under the jurisdiction of the Parliament Insomuch that in order to Authorise him in such places 〈…〉 which the jurisdiction of that Court did not extend 〈…〉 Queen had made him intendent of Justice and that 〈…〉 the Title of his Commission But lest the Gates of Râ—… should be shut against him the Court had not given 〈…〉 the quality of Intendent of the Polity by reason that 〈…〉 Rochelois who were sole Masters of their City would not hâ—… allow'd him to take that Title far from suffering him 〈…〉 exert the authority of it He made no use of that pretended Intendence of Justice he was invested with and declar'd that he would not take the advantage of it whâ—… perswaded them that the said Commission cover'd other 〈…〉 signs that it only serv'd to Authorise him as bearer of Royal Commission and that it was left to his discreâ—… to use it or not according as he should think â—it He 〈…〉 covered only a Credential Letter for Rochel which gave 〈…〉 assuranoes of her Majesties good Intention But it 〈…〉 thought that he was only sent to divide Rochel if he coâ—… from the rest of the Churches which design had a doâ—… prospect the one to oppress the Duke de Rohan who coâ—… not defend himself unless Rochel assisted him the other 〈…〉 deprive Rochel of the advantage of the General Unâ—… when ever it should be attack'd in particular Moreover it was thought that he brought Instructions to dissipated Assembly which it was very well known at Court tâ—… Duke de Rohan was meditating They knew that it 〈…〉 become General incase the Deputys of the Circles shoâ—… think fit for the common good to invite the Depâ—… â—… the other Provinces at it and they were sencible that 〈…〉 Duke would use his utmost endeavours to renew all 〈…〉 propositions of that of Saumur there Du Coudray was 〈…〉 accus'd of writing to the Queen in termes which seem'd 〈…〉 intimate that the Inhabitants of Rochel were not well â—in'd He seldom convers'd with any of the Inhabitants 〈…〉 such as the rest had no good opinion of and the first 〈…〉 visited him at his arrival was one Le Vacher a man â—…y much suspected and not belov'd by the people especially since that in a certain dispute with the Citizens 〈…〉 had the insolence to threaten them that he would 〈…〉 them to Paris with a Rope about their Necks which 〈…〉 them a great deal of reason to believe that he relyed 〈…〉 the favour of the Court since otherwise it would â—…e been a ridiculous threathing in the mouth of a priâ—… Inhabitant of Rochel These reasons whether true or likely to mistrust him exâ—… so furious a Sedition against him that the Magistrates â—…t not at first appear before the Mutiniers to oppose â—…r Violence They took up Arms made Barricado's â—…he avenues and Du Coudray was forc'd to lye conceal'd â—…fear This began on the 5th of September but the first 〈…〉 being stopt of it self the Sedition broke out again â—…he 12th with such terrible threatnings against those 〈…〉 were suspected that Du Coudray desir'd to go out of 〈…〉 Town for his safety whither he really thought himâ—…n danger or whether he had a mind to take an occasion 〈…〉 thence to aggravate the Relations and Complaints he 〈…〉 accus'd of sending to Court against Rochel In order to â—…ove him from thence the Mayor accompany'd with some â—…ldiers attended him to the City Gates Yet tho the â—…yor was very much respected by the Rochelois the Peoâ—… being in a rage forgot their respect on that occasion 〈…〉 upon him and his Men and pursued Du Coudray with â—…s and injurious Words The Mayor was slightly woundâ—… but Du Coudray receiv'd no hurt and when that obâ—… of the Peoples jealousies and rage was remov'd they easily sily return'd to their former Duty A large account 〈…〉 the said Sedition was sent to the Council lest Du Coudray should represent it yet in a more odious manner All 〈…〉 motives of the People were represented in it as well as 〈…〉 the progress of their violence but Du Coudray was repuâ—… the occasion of the evil and the whole ended with proâ—…ses of Fidelity and obedience This affair being ended Rochel consented to receive the Assembly tho they were unresolv'd about it at first 〈…〉 they only began their Session there on the 20th of November by reason that powerful endeavours were us'd 〈…〉 two Months time to find out the means to come to an 〈…〉 commodation Du Plessis oblig'd the Duke de Rohan to 〈…〉 his propositions He made them like a man that â—eaâ—… nothing and who thought himself capable to inspire 〈…〉
of Sancerre Lord oâ— the Place animated with the same Spirit as all the other Catholic Lords who had made sundry such undertaking in divers places being unwilling to leave his City in 〈…〉 Power of the Reform'd had found the way to re-establish himself in it and to get the upper hand there Couâ—… Marans his Eldest Son lived there in order to keep all thingâ— in the State his Father had settl'd them But the Inhabitâ—… turn'd him out alledging that since the said City had been surpris'd from them they had a right to retake it Moreoâ—… the only thing in debate in this Affair and in all others of the same Nature was barely the Guarding of the said places They neither disputed the Revenues nor Rights of Fieâ—â— with the Lords but they pretended that there ought to be no Garrison settled by them in the same and that those 〈…〉 of places were to be left to the Guard of the Inhabitants The Affair was carry'd before the Council which at any other time would undoubtedly have favour'd the Lord against the City because their design was to make the Reform'd loâ—… their places of Surety beginning first by those of Marriage and by such as they held against the Inclination of the Catholic Lords But the Court had other Prospects at that time They were unwilling to increase the Party of the Male-contents by vexing the Reform'd Therefore they deposited the City and Castle of Sancerre into the hands of the Inhabitants to be Guarded by them until farther Orders For which Letters Pattent were Granted to them The same reason induc'd them to publish a Declaration on the 30th of September which confirm'd the Edict of Blois and the Treaty of Loudun The pretence of it was that all the Lords who had left the Court after the Imprisonment of the Prince of Conde had only done it out of Fear that they design'd to revoke it and they added farther as if it had been certain that they â—â—d had no other reason for it that they had assur'd the â—…ng of their good Intentions and had express'd to him with Respect that they only desir'd to live in quiet All â—…is was Invention and it only tended on their part to â—…ke their time and measures And the Queen made use of with great Policy to perswade distant Provinces that the affairs were in a fair way of Accommodation and thereby to destroy the Correspondencies that might be form'd there against her Authority The Duke of Sully who was come back to Court again after the Peace and who was call'd to council was against that Declaration which he neither â—…ok'd upon to be sufficient to bring back the Male-contents or Honourable for the King because that the Lords who were gone would have time to shew the falsity of what it conâ—iâ—'d before it could make such Impressions in the Provinces as the Queen desir'd But the Court was in hopes of the contrary having so often experienc'd the Credulity of the people that they did not question but they would be decided by those specious Protestations The Duke d'Epernon was one of those the Marshal d'Anâ—… was Jealous of because his haughty Humour did not perâ—it him to humble himself before him Therefore seeing â—…s Enemy recall'd to Court and more in favour than ever â—…e Old Ministers turn'd out and the Queen's Creatures put in their Room the Bishop of Lucon Secretary of State and Mangot Keeper of the Great Seal he was afraid lest the hatred of the Favourite might prove prejudicial to him He resolv'd to put himself in a posture of defence in case any should dare to Attack him But his Pride not allowing him to joyn with the other Male-contents because he could not have the Chief Command among them he was forc'd to seek another pretence to take up Arms. Rochel afforded it to him He pretended that important City was one of the Dependencies of his Government The City on the contrary pretended an immediate dependence from the King not to be oblig'd to suffer any Souldiers but their own Inhabitants or to have any Governor but their Mayor whom they Elected yearly Their Pretence for it was that having formerly been under the Power of the English they had voluntarily submitted to France on that condition The Truth is that the most Ancient Historians confess That they obtain'd so many Privileges and such advantagious Conditions that they tended as much to put them at Liberty as to change their Master The only Objection against them was that having been taken since by the English and afterwards retaken by the French they were no longer to be consider'd in the State in which they were put by the first Treaty but 〈…〉 having receiv'd new Conditions when retaken by force by the Kings of France The Duke d'Epernon made use of that Pretence And the Council also us'd the same when they resolv'd to ruin the Power of that City which so many Privileges daily increas'd But they reply'd that the Inhabitants had not violated their Treaty when the said place was taken by the English that having only been forc'd to submit to a Superior Power without Fraud or Treason at a time when the King was not in a Condition to succor them they had not forfeited their first Conditions that the English after the taking of it had left them their Privileges Thaâ— the French not having retaken it by Storm and against the Will of the Inhabitants could not deprive them of them that the City had contributed towards its return under the French Dominion both by the Affection the Inhabitants had preserv'd for it and the little Assistance they had given the English Whereby it was evident that they had lost nothing by being restor'd to the Power of their Lawful Sovereign and that they were restor'd to it with their former Advantages They added that the Kings of France had confirm'd all their Privileges several times since their being retaken and moreover had augmented them by New Concessions Whereupon they laid a great stress upon what happen'd to Lewis the XI a Prince who having oppress'd the Liberty of his Kingdom in many things was not of a humour to do that for a City that had lost her Freedom which did not belong to it by an evident indisputable Right He made his Entry in Rochel on the 24th of May 1472. He Swore before Gaubert Cadiot who was Mayor of the Place to preserve all the Privileges of the City which are all set down in the Act. The King was upon his Knees before the Crucifix during the Ceremony and oblig'd himself to succor the City in case of need even with his Person and to Death inclusively We may say that the said Oath is the most perfect Abridgement of the Fundamental Obligation of a Sovereign towards the Preservation of his Subjects After this Oath was taken the Mayor Cadiot took the Oath of Allegiance to the King in the behalf of the whole City This did not hinder
his Precinct the Exercis of the Religion they call Reform'd as long as they reside there and in their absence their Wives or Children whom they shall answer for and they shall be oblig'd to name the said Houses to our Bailiffs and Seneschals before they shall enjoy the benefit thereof They shall also enjoy the same in their other Houses of High Jurisdiction or of the said Fief de Haubert as long as they shall be actually there and no otherwise the whole as well for themselves as their Families Subjects and others who shall be willing to go there VI. In Houses of Fief where the said Reform'd shall have no High Jurisdiction and Fief de Haubert they shall only be allow'd the said Exercise of Religion for their Families Yet in case any of their Friends should chance to come there to the number of Ten or some Christning happen in haste the Company not exceeding the said Number of Ten they shall not be prosecuted or troubled for the same VII And to gratifie our most dear and most beloved Aunt the Queen of Navar we have allow'd her besides what has been above granted to the said Lord's High Justicers over and above in every one of her Dutchys d' Albert County's d' Armagnac Foix Biggore in a House belonging to her in which she shall have High-Jurisdiction which House shall be by us chosen and nominated there to have the said Exercise perform'd for all such as shall desire to assist thereat even in her absence VIII Those of the said Religion shall also be allow'd the Exercise thereof in the following Places viz. For the Government of the Isle of France in the Subburbs of Clermont and Beauvoisâ—s and in those of Crâ—spi in Laonnois For the Government of Champagne and Brie besides Vezelai which they possess at this time in the Subburbs of Villenece For the Government of Burgundy in the Subburbs of Arnai-le-Due and in those of Mailli la ville For the Government of Picardy in the Subburbs of Mondidier and in those of Riblemont For the Government of Normandy in the Subburbs of Ponteau de Mer and in those of Carentan For the Government of Lyonnois in the Subburbs of Charlieu and in those of St. Geni de Laval For the Government of Bretagne in the Subburbs of Becherel and in those of Kerhez For the Government of Dauphine in the Subburbs of Crest and in those of Chorges For the Government of Provence in the Subburbs of Merindol and in those of Forcalquier For the Government of Languedoc besides Aubenas which they are in possession of in the Subburbs of Montaignac for the Government of Guienne at Bergerac besides S. Sever which they are also in possession of And for that of Orleans Le Maine and the Country of Chartrain besides Sencerre which they have in the Town of Mailli IX Moreover We have also granted them to continue the exercise of the said Religion in all the Cities in which it shall be publickly perform'd on the first Day of this present Month of August X. Forbidding them most expressly to make any Exercise of the said Religion either as to the Ministry Regulation Discipline or publick intiitution of Children or others in any Places besides those above granted and allow'd XI Neither shall any exercise of the said Pretended Reform'd Religion be perform'd in our Court or within two Leagues round about it XII Neither do we allow the Exercise of the said Religion within the City Provostship and Vicecomty of Paris nor within Ten Leagues of the said City which ten Leagues we have and do limit to the following Places viz. Senlis and the Suburbs Meaux and the Suburbs Melun and the Subburbs a League beyond Chartres under Mount-le-Heri Dourdan and the Suburbs Rembouillet Houdan and the Suburbs a long League beyond Melun Vigni Meru S. Leu de Serens in all which abovesaid places we do not allow any exercise of the said Religion Nevertheless those of the said Religion shall not be disturb'd in their Houses provided they behave themselves as abovesaid XIII We do enjoin our Bailiffs Seneschals or ordinary Judges each in their Precincts to appoint Places for them of their own either such as they have heretofore acquir'd or such as they shall purchase there to bury their Dead and that at the time of their decease one of the House or Family shall go to acquaint the Captain of the Watch therewith who shall send for the Grave-Digger of the Parish and order him to go with such a number of Serjeants of the Watch as he shall think fit to allow to accompany him and to prevent Scandal to remove the Corps in the Night and so carry it to the place appointed for that purpose only allowing Ten persons to accompany it And in such Towns as have no Captain of the Watch the Judges of the Place shall appoint some other Ministers of Justice XIV Those of the said Religion shall not be allow'd to marry in such degrees of Consanguinity or Affinity as are prohibited by the Laws receiv'd in this Kingdom XV. All Scholars the sick and Poor shall be receiv'd in the Vniversities Schools Hospitals c without difference or distinction upon the account of Religion XVI And to the end that no question may be made of the good Intention of our said Aunt the Queen of Navar of our most dear and most beloved Brother and Cousins the Princes of Navar and of Conde Father and Son we have said and declar'd do say and declare That we hold and repute them our good Relations faithful Subjects and Servants XVII As also all Lords Knights Gentlemen Officers and other Inhabitants of the Cities Corporations Villages and Hamlets and other Places of our said Kingdom and Territories under our Obedience who have follow'd and assisted them in any part whatever for our good loyal Subjects and Servants XVIII And likewise the Duke of Deux-Ponts and his Children the P. of Orange Count Ludovic and his Brothers Count Wolrat of Mansfeld and other Foreign Lords who have aided and assisted them for our good Neighbours Relations and Friends XIX And our said Aunt as well as our said Brother and Cousin Lords Gentlemen Officers Corporations of Cities Communities and others who have aided and assisted them their Heirs and Successors shall remain acquitted and discharged as we do acquit and discharge them by these presents for all Sums of Money by them or their Order taken and rais'd out of our Offices of Receit and Treasures whatever Sums they may amount to as well as out of Cities Communities or from particular persons Rents Revenues Plate Sale of Goods both Ecclesiastical and others Forests belonging to us or others Fines Booties Ransoms or other kind of Sums taken by them upon the account of the present as well as precedent Wars Neither shall they or those by them appointed for the raising of the said Sums or those that have given and furnish'd the same be any ways troubled or called to
during the said Troubles shall be remov'd XLIX All Places Cities and Provinces of our said Kingdom Territories Lands and Lordships under our Obedience shall use and enjoy the same Priviledges Immunities Liberties Franchises Fairs Markets Jurisdictions and Seats of Justice as they did before the present and precedent Troubles all Letters to the contrary and the removing of any of the said Tribunals notwithstanding provided those things have only been done upon the account of the Troubles the which Tribunals shall be restor'd and re establish'd into the Cities and Places where they were before L. In such Cities as have been dismantled during the pass'd and present Troubles it shall be lawful for the Inhabitants to rebuild and repair the Ruins and Dismantlings of the same with our leave at their own cost and charges LI. Such of the said pretended Reform'd Religion and others who have been ingag'd in their Party which had taken to Farm before the present Troubles any Registries or other Demean and Rights to us belonging which they have not been able to enjoy by reason of the said Troubles shall remain discharg'd as we do hereby discharge them of what they have not receiv'd of the said Farms since the 24th of August 1572. as also of what they have paid without fraud in places not belonging to the Receipt of our Revenues all Obligations pass'd by them upon the same notwithstanding LII And to the end that no body may doubt of the good Intention of our said Brother the King of Navar and of our said Cousin the Prince of Conde We have said and declar'd do say and declare that we hold and repute them our good Kinsmen faithful Subjects and Servants LIII As also all the Lords Knights Gentlemen Officers and other Inhabitants of Cities Corporations Villages and other places of our said Kingdom and Countries under our command who have follow'd succour'd and favour'd them in any part whatever for our good and loyal Subjects declaring all Decrees Informations and proceedings made and given against them upon the account of the said Troubles void and of no effect as things never done nor happen'd willing the same to be raz'd out of the Registers of the Chief Clerk's Offices both of our Courts of Parliament and other Jurisdictions where they have been recorded LIV. We also declare that we hold and repute our Cousin Duke John Cazimir for our good Neighbour Kinsman and Friend LV. We do also acquit and discharge our said Brother and Cousin the King of Navar and Prince of Conde as well as all the Lords Knights Gentlemen Officers Corporations of Cities and Communities and all others that have abetted and succour'd them their Heirs and Successors for all Sums taken and rais'd by them or their Orders out of our Offices of Receipt and Revenues to whatever sum or sums they may amount as well as out of Cities Corporations and from particular persons Rents Revenues Plate Sales of Estates Goods both Ecclesiastical and others Forests belonging to us or others Fines Booties Ransoms or other Sums taken by them upon the account of the present and precedent Troubles and that neither they nor any that have been employ'd by them for the raising of the said Sums or that have given and furnish'd them by their Ordinances shall any wise be liable to be call'd to an account for the same either at present or for the future And that both they and their Clerks shall remain acquitted for all the management and Administration of the said Sums only producing for a full Discharge within four Months after the publication of our present Edict given in our Court of Parliament at Paris acquittances duly expedited by our said Brother and Cousin the King of Navar and Prince of Conde or by such as shall have been by them committed for the audit and closing of their Accounts or from the Corporations of the Cities that have been employ'd and intrusted during the said Troubles They shall also remain acquitted and discharg'd for all Acts of Hostility Levies and marching of Soldiers Coining and Rating of Species made according to the order of the said Chiefs Casting and taking of Artillery and Stores both out of our Magazine and from particular persons making of Powder and Saltpeter taking fortifying dismantling and demolishing of Cities Castles Towns Enterprises upon the same Burning and demolishing of Churches and Houses establishing of Courts of Justice Judgments and Executions of the same either in Civil or Criminal Causes Civil Government and Regulations made among themselves Voyages Intelligences Negotiations Treaties and Contracts made with all Foreign Princes and Communities introducing of the said Strangers into the Cities and other parts of this our Kingdom and generally for all that has been done manag'd and negotiated during the present or past troubles since the Death of our late Lord and Father by those of the pretended Reform'd Religion and others that have been engag'd in their Party although it be not particularly express'd and specifi'd LVI And those of the said Religion and others that have adhered to them shall give over and desist from this time forward from all Practices Leagues and Intelligences they hold out of our said Kingdom as also all other our Subjects that might have held any And all Leagues Associations Fellowships contracted or to be contracted under any pretence whatever to the prejudice of our present Edict shall be cancell'd and annul'd as we do cancel and annul them forbidding our Subjects most expresly to make any Assessments or raise Money without our leave Fortifications listing of men Congregations and Assemblies other than such as are allow'd them by our said present Edict and without Arms Which we do prohibit and forbid them on pain of severe punishment as contemners and infracters of our Commands and Orders LVII All Prizes taken both by Sea and Land by vertue of the Licenses and Warrants given which have been judg'd by the Judges of the Admiralty and other Commissioners deputed to that end by those of the said Religion shall remain dormant under the benefit of our present Edict for which no prosecution shall be made neither shall the Captains their Securities and the said Judges Officers and others be call'd to an account for the same nor molested in any kind whatever All Letters of Mark and Seisures depending and not judg'd notwithstanding of which we will have them absolutely discharg'd and releas'd LVIII It is also our will and pleasure That the Children of such as have retir'd out of our said Kingdom since the Death of the late King Henry our most honour'd Lord and Father upon the account of Religion and the Troubles altho the said Children are born out of our said Kingdom shall be acknowledg'd as true Natives of France and actual Inhabitants thereof and such we have and do declare them to be without their being oblig'd to take any Letters of Naturalization or other provisions from us besides the present Edict All Ordinances thereunto
Provosts Marshals or their Lieutenants the said Provosts or their Lieutenants being Catholicks shall be oblig'd to call to the Proceedings of such a matter an Assistant of the said Religion who shall also assist at the Tryal of the competency of the Indictment and at the Judgment definitive of the matter which Competency shall only be try'd at the next Presidial Tribunal in open Assembly by the chief Officers of the said Court being actually there on pain of Nullity unless the Persons accus'd desire to have the said Competency try'd in the Chambers ordain'd by the present Edict In which case in respect to the Housholders of the Provinces of Guyenne Languedoc Provence and Dauphine the Substitutes of our Attornys-General in the said Chambers shall at the request of the said Housholders cause the said Charges and Informations against them to be brought before them to know and determine whether the Causes are liable to Provosts-Courts or not in order according to the nature of the Crimes to be return'd by the said Chambers to the Ordinary Judge or else to be try'd by the Provostal Judges according as they shall judge it reasonable and suitable to the Contents of this our present Edict And all the said Presidial-Judges Provosts-Marshals Vice-Bailiffs Vice-Seneschals and others who judge definitively shall be oblig'd respectively to obey and observe the Commands they shall receive from the said Chambers as they use to respect the Orders of the said Parliaments on forfeiture of their Places LXVIII The Publications of Sale and Seizures Outcries and Vendition of Inheritances by the * Spear in pursuance of a Decree shall be perform'd at the usual Places and Houses if possible according to our Ordinances or else in publick Market-places in case there be any Market-places in the Place where the said Inheritances are seated and where there are none it shall be done in the next Market-place within the Precinct of the Session where the Adjudication is to be made and the Paper of notice shall be fasten'd on a Post in the said Market and at the entrance of the Auditories or Sessions-house of the said Place and in so doing the said Publications shall be good and valid and they shall proceed to the passing of the Order for the Sale of the Goods without minding the Nulities that might be alledg'd in that respect LXIX All Titles Papers Instruments and Informations that have been taken shall be restor'd on both sides to the owners altho the said Papers or the Castles or Houses in which they were kept were taken and seiz'd either by Special Commissions from the late King our most honour'd Lord and Father-in-Law or from Us or by the Command of the Governors and Lieutenants-General of our Provinces or by the Authority of the Chiefs of the other side or under any other pretence whatever LXX The Children of such as have withdrawn themselves out of our Kingdom since the Death of the late King Henry II. our most honour'd Lord and Father-in-Law on the account of Religion and the Troubles tho the said Children be born out of this Kingdom shall be held for true French-men and Natives and as such we have and do declare them to be without their being oblig'd to take Letters of Naturalization or other Warrants from us but the present Edicts All Ordinances thereunto contrary notwithstanding to which we have and do derogate upon condition that the said Children born in Foreign Countrys shall be oblig'd within Ten Years after the said Publication of these presents to come and Reside in this Kingdom LXXI Those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion and others who have been ingag'd in their Party who shall have taken to Farm before the Troubles any Offices or other Demeans Customs Foreign Impositions or other Duties to us belonging the which they have not been able to injoy by reason of the Troubles shall remain discharg'd as we do hereby discharge them of what they have not receiv'd of the said Farms or what they have paid without fraud any where out of our Exchequer All Obligations enter'd into by them upon this account notwithstanding LXXII All Places Cities and Provinces of our Kingdom Countries Lands and Lordships under our Obedience shall have and injoy the same Priviledges Immunities Liberties Franchises Fairs Markets Jurisdictions and Seats of Justice as they did before the Troubles begun in the Month of March 1585. And others preceding all Letters Patents thereunto contrary and the Translation of some of the said Seats notwithstanding provided it was only done upon the account of the Troubles which Seats shall be re-establish'd in the Cities and Places where they were before LXXIII In case there be yet any Prisoners detain'd by Authority of Justice or otherwise even in the Gallies by reason of the Troubles or of the said Religion they shall be set at Liberty LXXIV Those of the said Religion shall not hereafter be surcharg'd or oppress'd with any ordinary or extraodinary Imposition more than the Catholicks and according to the proportion of their Estates and Substance and the Parties that think themselves overburthen'd may have recourse and shall be redressed by the Judges appointed for that Subject And all our Subjects whether Catholicks or of the said pretended Reform'd Religion shall be equally discharg'd of all Charges that have been impos'd on both sides during the Troubles on those that were of a contrary Party and not consenting as also of Debts created and not paid Expences made without their Approbation but yet there shall be no returns made of the Fruits that shall have been imploy'd for the payment of the said Charges LXXV Neither do we allow that those of the said Religion and others who have been ingag'd in their Party nor the Catholicks who dwell in the Cities Towns and Places held and detain'd by them and who have contributed to them should be prosecuted for the payment of Taxes Aids Grants Increase Assesments Wasts and Reparations and other Impositions and Subsidies due and impos'd during the Troubles happen'd before and since our coming to the Crown either by Edicts Orders from the late Kings our Predecessors or by Advice and Deliberation of the Governors and Estates of the Provinces Courts of Parliament and others whereof we have and do discharge them forbiding our Treasurers-General of France and of our Exchequers Receivers-General and Particular their Clerks Intermedlers and other Intendants and Commissaries of our Exchequer to prosecute molest or trouble them for the same directly or indirectly in any way whatever LXXVI All Commanders Lords Knights Gentlemen Officers Corporations of Cities Towns and Commonalties and all others who have aided and assisted them their Widows Heirs and Successors shall be acquitted and discharg'd of all Sums that have been taken and rais'd by them or their Orders as well belonging to the Crown to whatever Sums they may amount as out of Cities Towns and Commonalties and from particular Persons Rents Revenues Plate Sale of Moveables belonging to Ecclesiasticks
design to give them by preaching Patience to them partly as if Thieves in order to dispoâ—… Travellors to suffer themselves to be stript without resistance should alledge the lesson of the Gospel to them which exhorts those who are stript of their Coat to deliver their Cloak also However this Doctrine being cry'd up in all parts and innocently receiv'd by the Simple and others making use of it to cover their designs serv'd powerfully to foment Division among the Reform'd the oâ—… condemning the foresight of the others and these reciprocally complaining of their ignorance and weakness which ingag'd them to betray the Common Cause unawars Such Ministers as they could draw into those submissive peaceable sentiments were very kindly us'd but they met but few of them and the Court found more advantage to treâ—… with the Nobility with Governours of Places and other Officers by reason that the services they could do them in betraying their Party were of far more consequence Nevertheless I will add in this place since I am upon that Subject in order not to resume it that when the Reform'd were depriv'd of their Garrisons and Soldiers the Court still kept particularly in the Meridional â—…vinces some Ministers in Pay who preach'd up Passiveâ—…edience in Consistorys Assemblies and Synods and â—…n in familiar conversations and who always gave a 〈…〉 gloss to the Actions of the Court Those Ministers â—…sioners prov'd for the most part Rogues which was â—…er or later discover'd either by their revolt or by â—…andalous life But that which is most to be wondered â—…is that there were sometimes very honestmen who lov'd â—…r Religion and look'd upon it as true Gospel who â—…ertheless receiv'd pensions without scruple because they â—…k'd upon them rather as recompences of their affection 〈…〉 the Publick Peace than as ingagements to act against 〈…〉 Interest of the Churches To say the truth in those â—…es where the rash and boyling temper of the People â—…ht easily incline them to Rash and Seditious enterprises â—…as necessary that their Ministers should be Wise Pruâ—…t and Moderate in order to inspire the same sentiâ—…ts to their Flocks by their Discourse and example 〈…〉 it would have been much better to have done it upon 〈…〉 account of the Justice of the thing without receiving 〈…〉 least gratifications from the Court than to take those â—…icious recompences which might call their Innocence 〈…〉 Integrity in question Du Moulin had often been â—…pted by persons sent to him from the Court who â—…'d him great Pensions without exacting any thing from â—… but barely to incline people to Peace and Obedience 〈…〉 always answer'd that it was a Duty he would ever perâ—… but that he would have the honour to do it of 〈…〉 own accord out of Conscience and not as being â—…'d to it So that he never accepted any thing that 〈…〉 offer'd him It were to be wish'd that all those who â—…e expos'd to the same Temptations had withstood them 〈…〉 the same Courage While the Court caus'd Peace and Patience to be preach'd â—…ng the Reform'd they did not fail at the same time to â—…e them put those Lessons in Practice They almost â—…lickly violated the Faith of the Briefs and promises they had amus'd them with They remov'd some Governours of Places corrupted others and barter'd with 〈…〉 to get them out of their hands Besides those places 〈…〉 which the Assembly had desir'd the restitution by their 〈…〉 hiers Rambures had suffer'd Aiguemortes to be taken Bâ—…sur Mer had been sold for ready Money and as soâ—… as ever the Court got it into their hands they câ—… it to be Demolish'd They did treat with Candelaâ—… buy the Government of Rosay of him They us'd all 〈…〉 of means to sow Divisions in Rochel and to oâ—… the Election of a Mayor Devoted to the Court. 〈…〉 Catholicks of Saintes were order'd to Arm themselâ—… upon some pretence or other which occasion'd gâ—… Alarms among the Reform'd Finally the use the Câ—… made of the 45000 Livers of augmentation they 〈…〉 granted for the Sallary of the Ministers show'd pâ—…ly that they design'd to ruin the Reform'd Since 〈…〉 only granted them favours to divide them and 〈…〉 favours which were to be employed for their advantâ—… became by the cunning of their Enemies snares to suppâ—… them Among the other places which the Court had a 〈…〉 to get out of their hands they had an eye upon St. Jâ—… d'Angely and they endeavour'd to under mine the Duâ—… Rohan's Party there La Rochebeaucour his Lieutenant wheâ—… he expected to become Governour in Chief of that 〈…〉 portant City or whither he thought himself sâ—… enough there no longer to have any dependence on 〈…〉 Governour suffer'd himself to be mannag'd by the Coâ—… He had caus'd a Mayor to be Elected the preceding yâ—… who was at his Devotion and in order to strengthe his Authority he undertook to maintain him in that Pâ—… tho he was sensible that the Duke of Rohan would 〈…〉 offended at it The said Duke was come to Paris whereâ—… was very well receiv'd by the Queen and that Prinâ—… in order to slip the time of the Election of a new Mayor â—…press'd a great deal of kindness to him during the fouâ—… â—…t as he tarry'd there But the Duke being acquainted 〈…〉 the design that was on foot to continue the ancient 〈…〉 or and the great Brigues la Rochebeaucour made in order â—…eunto he concluded that the Marshal de Bouillon had â—…d him that trick to dispossess him of one of the most â—…siderable Cities of Surety Whereupon he left â—…is at a time when it was least expected and the â—…er to conceal the motive of his sudden departure 〈…〉 gave out that he had receiv'd Letters that his Brother 〈…〉 Soubize lay a Dying He went to his Brother inâ—…d but it was only to consult with him about the â—…ns to secure St. John d'Angely and to get such a Mayor â—…e could confide in That City was one of those that 〈…〉 a Rightat that time to create their own Mayor who â—…rwards receiv'd the Kings approbation and it beâ—…ed the Person who was to Command there to have 〈…〉 disputes with the said Magistrate who had a very â—…t authority As he was the Master of the Polity 〈…〉 the Inhabitants were at his Command and when 〈…〉 was belov'd by the people it was in his power to â—…ke them take Arms or to lay them down which â—…ht put a Governour at a great loss who had only a â—…ll Garrison at his Command which was not capaâ—… to hold out against the Inhabitations of a great â—…y Therefore the Duke having taken his measures with 〈…〉 Brother with the Nobility of the Neighbourhood 〈…〉 some Inhabitants of St. John he repair'd thither beâ—…e the Election was perform'd The Queen finding her â—…erprise broken by the Dukes presence resolv'd to take 〈…〉 advantage of his Journey to execute a design she 〈…〉 contriv'd with la Rochebeaucour She wrote to
the Ofâ—…rs and to the Town House that in order to prevent the 〈…〉 effects of the Election of a new Mayor she desir'd that 〈…〉 old one might be continu'd The Duke of Rohan who had â—…n'd his point refus'd to submit to those orders He oppos'd 〈…〉 Continuation of the Mayor in writing and declar'd bodly that the People had abus'd the Queens Authority 〈…〉 obtain the said Letter That affair was somewhat Niâ—… and as some thought the Duke had imbroil'd himself 〈…〉 little too rashly in it others also were of opinion thâ—… the Queen had expos'd herself too much and that 〈…〉 had been ill advis'd St. John was a free City a City 〈…〉 Surety jealous of her Privileges and in a Province in whiâ—… the Reform'd were the strongest Therefore this undertakiâ—… to alter the accustomed form of the Election of a Majoâ—… to use Authority in order thereunto under pretence of 〈…〉 discord which did not as yet appear gave cause to suspeâ—… that the Court had a design upon the Priviledges of 〈…〉 Inhabitants which were violated without necessity 〈…〉 upon the surety of the place which they endeavoured 〈…〉 commit into the hands of suspected persons or perhapâ—… upon both Nevertheless the thing was very much resented 〈…〉 Court and the Queen being inform'd of the Duke of Rohan's opposition caus'd his Lady his Daughters and 〈…〉 his Family to be Secur'd She put a Gentleman into the Bastille who was sent by the Duke to justifie his Action She caus'd the Duke to be proclaim'd a Rebeâ—… and order'd an Army to march against him She wâ—… to Authorise the said enterprise her self by her Presence and because it was necessary to prevail with the rest 〈…〉 the Reform'd to suffer the said Duke's Ruin and the loâ—… of St. John without opposition she was to make a soleâ—… Declaration that she had no design against any body bâ—… the Duke and his Adherents to confirm the Edicts suffer all such to live in Peace who did not ingage iâ— those Troubles The Queen was to take the Marshalâ— de Bouillon and Lesdiguieres to Command under her in that Expedition and as if the Court had beeâ— as ready to act as to order orders were strait dispatch'd to the Officers that were to Command in the said Army to keep themselves ready to marâ—â— Manifestos were publish'd on both sides The Dukes up â—…aided the Court with all their Wiles and endeavour'd 〈…〉 prove that the consequence of that affair was general â—…at which appear'd in the Queens name endeavour'd 〈…〉 create suspicions about the Duke of Rohan's intentions â—…d to justifie the Court to perswade that their only aim â—…as against that Rebel and that she design'd to maintain â—…e Edicts and finally it invited the Catholicks and Reâ—…m'd to serve the King in that occasion The End of the Second Book THE HISTORY OF THE Edict of Nantes VOL. II. BOOK III. A Summary of the Contents of the Third Book Appearence of Accommodation under which the troubles continue Endavours are us'd to engage Du Plessis in them who remains in quiet Assembly of the Circle at Rochel Project of Reconciliation among the great ones Sedition at Rochel It s Original and Violence Negociation for the accommodation High Pretentions of the Duke de Rohan The Queen agrees to them preserving some appearences for herself The Duke being exasperated with new Injuries will no longer be satisfied with them The Assembly meets at Rochel and gives the Deputies General new Articles Resolutions taken 〈◊〉 Court but ill executed New Declaration Remarks upon those frequent Edicts The Circle assembles again Rochel withdraws from the rest of the Deputies which puts an end to the Troubles Verbal promises to tollerate Provincial Councils Declaration of the Marriages resolv'd upon with Spain Which offends the French but particularly the Reform'd Ferrier forsakes the Ministry Is receiv'd Counsellor 〈◊〉 Nimes Is Excommunicated Sedition against him Diligence of the Consuls to save Ferrier Writings 〈◊〉 both sides Appologies of Ferrier and his end Reconciliation of the Duke de Rohan and Marshal de Bouillon Enterpise of the Sheriffs of Saumur Equity of the Chamber of the Edict of Paris Rights of the Bishop of Mompellier upon the Vniversity Discontents of the Princes The Duke de Rohan joyns with them Polity of the Marshal de Bouillon Retreat and Manifesto of the Princes Their Precipitation is blam'd The Peace is made The Prince of Conde is injur'd at Poitiers Towns of Surely open'd to the King National Synod Letters from the King of England Council of the Lower Guyenne Mutual subordination of the Assemblies Brief of leave for a General Assembly Letters from the Lords Pecuniary affairs The Ministers are exempted from paying the Taylles Places of Surety Berger a Reform'd Counsellor in the Parliament of Paris turns Catholick Reform'd of Gex Churches not settled as yet Condition of the Reform'd in the County of Avignon Liberalities of the Synod Colleges Bearn Metz. Oath of Vnion Letters to the King and Queen The Queen prepares to assemble the States Declaration of the King's Majority Overtures of the States The Clergy and Nobility unite themselves against the Third Estate Reform'd in the States Indepency of Kings whose Cause is betray'd by the Clergy and by the Court it self Passion of the Clergy Harrangue of Cardinal du Perron Why Hereticks are tollerated Distinctions of the Cardinal His Conclusion Reflections The Third Estate persists Character of Miron President of the Chamber of that â—â—der The Court silences the third Estate Illusive Decree of the Clergy and their shameful Prevarication Inequality of the Prince of Conde Perseverance of the Clergy in that Doctrine Sedition at Milhau Harangue of the Bishop of Lucon Sedition at Belestat Cahier of the Clergy Sequel of the Cahier Articles propos'd directly against the Reform'd Sequel of the said Articles Conclusion of the Cahier THERE was a great deal of reason to believe that things would have gone farther considering the proceedings of the Court The rather because the Duke of Rohan seem'd nowise daunted at the storm that was preâ—…ng against him The Election of the Mayor was â—…de according to his desire la Rochebeaucour was forc'd yield and found himself almost reduc'd to pay the â—…t of the service he design'd to do the Queen The â—…ke gave the Offices of the City and of the Garrison â—…ersons he could confide in and the Deputy Governor's â—…e to Hautefontaine who was at his Devotion Neverâ—…less the Sequel did nowise answer those high beginnings â—…y fell to Remonstrances and Negociations and Theâ—…s Senechal of Query a wise and moderate man was 〈◊〉 to the Duke in order to perswade him to keep withâ—…he bounds of Duty Du Plessis also undertook that afâ—… and the Duke having preferr'd the advice of that old â—…n equally Prudent and Honest to the desires of a young â—…bility which would incline him to a War yielded to 〈◊〉 Exhortations of Themines An accommodation was â—…de in which in
the Duke d'Epernon from taking up Arms under pretence to force the said City to pay him those Devoirs they refus'd him and to obtain satisfaction for some Injuries he pretended to have receiv'd from them He complain'd that the Rochelois had surpris'd the Castle of Rochefort which he pretended to be in his Government and that they had put a Garrison in the same He Publish'd a very severe Manifesto and full of Invectives against the Reform'd in General and at the same time march'd against Rochel with 6 or 7000 Men and committed some Spoils about it The City did not expect those Acts of Hostility whither they thought that the Duke would not dare to proceed to an open War against a City that was Powerful of it self and seconded by all the Reform'd Party or whither they expected a speedy Relief from the adjacent Provinces in case of being attack'd This was the Reason that they were unprovided that they made an ill defence and that the World beheld with Astonishment that formidable City which had been attack'd in vain by so many Kings reduc'd to suffer the Incursions of a Private Person without being able to free the Estates their Inhabitants possess'd in the Country from the Pillage of his Souldiers Their Recourse was to the King to whom they made their Complaints against the said Duke And whereas the Court was otherwise imploy'd at that time and that they were desirous to see the Duke lay down his Arms those Complaints were hearken'd unto and the Duke was order'd to leave the Rochelois in Quiet However he did not desist at first Boissise who was the first that was sent to him could not prevail with him to give over his Enterprise and was even constrain'd to throw himself into Rochel to acquaint the Inhabitants that the King disown'd the Dukes proceeding and to give them leave to take up Arms for their defence Which however could not hinder him from being suspected of double Dealing Vignols being sent sometime after him to renew the same Orders to the Duke found him better dispos'd The Duke properly speaking did not lay down his Arms But he withdrew his Forces from the Territories of the Rochelois and his Excuse for his so easily granting what was desir'd of him at that time was that he was sufficiently Reveng'd by the devastations he had committed He Writ very boldly to the King to excuse his Enterprise considering that he was a Man who had much to fear and who was not belov'd The Glory of that Expedition has been mightily cry'd up in the History of his Life and that Exploit mention'd in it as if it had been the first Cause of the Siege Cardinal de Rocheliâ—u laid before the said City because say they That the success he obtain'd in that small War made the Court sensible that since they could not defend themselves against the Forces of a private Person it would not be impossible for the King's Forces taking a favourable occasion to reduce them to reason But the Truth is that the said Action is too much Honor'd in it It neither answer'd the Noise the Duke had made nor the Threatnings of his Manifesto He ought not to have laid down his Arms without having first dismantled that Proud City and made it a lasting Monument of his Vengeance and of his Power Nevertheless all this dwindled to the Pillaging of Peasants and destroying of the Estates of some private Persons Which a Band of Thieves might have done as easily as a Regulated Army After which he retir'd home having only seen the Walls of the City at a distance Very well pleas'd to cover his Retreat with the King's Authority who had laid his Commands on him to lay down his Arms. Therefore the Reform'd had some Reason to turn the said Expedition into Ridicule and to relate in the form of extraordinary News That the Duke d'Epernon had made his Entry before Rochel But during this small Trouble Rochel having implor'd the Succor and Council of their Neighbours Assembled the Circle according to the Regulation made at Saumur that is some Deputies of the Provincial Council of five Neighbouring Provinces to deliberate about the means to repel the Duke d'Epernon Those Deputies observing great Marks of a good understanding between the Duke d'Epernon and Vignolles and little or no Effect of what had been promis'd being moreover dissatisfy'd about the Conduct of the Court which gave good Words but came to no performance suffer'd themselves to be perswaded by the Marshal de Bouillon to do something extraordinary in order the better to mollifie the Court and the Duke d'Epernon The Duchess of Bouillon who seconded her Husband pretty well passing in those parts under pretence of going to Turenne by his Order sollicited those who had a respect for him so powerfully that the Circle resolv'd to Convene a General Assembly at Rochel for the 15th of April and that they sent Deputies to the King to ask his Leave in order thereunto The Marshal had a great interest in that Affair As he was one of the Male-contents who had made a New League against the Marshal d'Andre he had been declar'd a Criminal of State and according to the Maxims of the Court he was none of the least Guilty since that besides his Religion and his being Esteem'd the Primum Mobile of that Cabal it was very well known that he endeavour'd to strengthen his Party abroad when he requir'd Money and Men. Therefore he was also desirous to make an Interest at home to the end that in case his other Measures should fail he might at least be able to make his Peace or to save his Person by the Credit of a General Assembly This Convocation did not please every Body Many thought it unnecessary because the Court promis'd to see Justice done to Rochel and that in Effect the Duke d'Epernon began by degrees to perform what he had promis'd and not executed They added that it would be dangerous that it would displease the King who seeing it form'd at a time when the Troubles began to be renew'd in his Kingdom would think that it was held against to his Service They said that it was conven'd contrary to the Settlements which did not allow a Province which had no Grievances to desire it They endeavour'd particularly to insinuate that Rochel upon whose particular Account it was desir'd would abandon the rest of the Reform'd as soon as they had receiv'd satisfaction from the Court These were the sentiments of those who preferr'd Tranquillity to all things and especially of the Reform'd who liv'd in the Neighbourhood of Paris who commonly were more inclin'd to Timorous Slow Councils than to bold precipitated Resolutions But the others reply'd that if the King had receiv'd ill Impressions concerning the designs of those who desir'd the Assembly it was necessary to remove them by the good Resolutions they should take in it that a General Assembly
He endeavour'd also to bring du Plessis into trouble who thought of nothing at that time but of dying and setling his Family But they understood him at Court and knew that all these great Secrets were nothing but Illusions and that was evident enough because they never molested any of those persons that Amelot sought to blacken with his pretended Informations But to bring himself off like a person of credit after it appear'd that all his discoveries were no other then Dreams then he gave out that those designs would have wrought terrible effects had he not prevented 'em by his foresight and broken the â—eaâ—urâ—s of the Contrivers by opposing 'em betimes And indeed his pretence for those Chimera's with which he was intoxicated were no more then civil Visits which some Gentlemen thought proper to pay the one to the other which Amâ—… took for Meetings cover'd under the name of Visits where Affairs of State were debated He also endeavour'd to get the favour and esteem of bâ—th Parties by the Court he sought to be valu'd as a man faithful and pen trating so eagle-ey'd that nothing escap'd him whatever happen'd in the Provinces belonging to his Allotment By theâ—… Reformed he strove to be priz'd for a man of honesty who preserv d 'em from a world of misfortunes by his moderation and his prudence preventing 'em from committing great Errors By these petty Artifices it cannot be imagin'd how much mischief he did the Reformed not only because he sometimes oblig'd em to renounce their Priviledges which they had duly obtain'd but because he seduc'd 'em with his vaunting Flourishes of Probity and Affection to accept of his unjust Acts as so manâ— Kinâ—nesses done ' em Thus it was that he made 'em lose their Right to the performance of their Exercises in the City of â—â—â—tenai and that he made 'em remove into one of the Suburbs And they were so simple as to consent to his entreaties because he told 'em that in so doing they would oblige him All the recompence they had was that Valade the Minister of the place who had bin forbid to preach there yet whose resettlement could not be obstructed because the Right of Public Exercise in that Town was not to be deni d was restor'd to his Functions by Amelot's consent So that to make 'em amends he only granted 'em a Priviledge that could not lawfully be taken from 'em a thing which it was impossible to refuse 'em without a great deal of Injustice In like manner at Bourgueil where they had a Right duly acquir'd and upon a good foundation Amelot made 〈…〉 consent to remove their Right to another place contrary to â—e advice of Chalas who would have maintain'd 'em in that â—…e they were accustom'd to meet But that which was â—…re particularly singular in their submission was this That 〈…〉 told the Reformed a fair Story and made 'em believe it â—…o that their consenting to their removal was but a compliâ—…e of good nature in honour to the Bishop of Chartres their â—…poral Lord to whom they acknowledg'd themselves to be â—…holding And thus did Amelot so strangely put upon 'em by â—…s treacherous Wheedles that he made 'em confess themselves â—…gâ—d to him who at the same time despoil'd 'em of their priviledges And with the same delusions he fool'd the easiness 〈…〉 the Inhabitants of Maillezaiz and Luson There was nothing more considerable in all this Commission â—…en the Paper presented by the Clergy of Saintes in the name 〈…〉 the whole Province and supported by the Mayor and Sheriffs of the City Had you read it you would have said That the â—eformed had bin the prevailing Religion and that the Catholic â—…d bin persecuted Nevertheless Complaints were intermix'd with those Demands which made it appear that the Catholics â—…d great Designs in their eye in order to the oppression of â—…hers which will appear by the Abstract of those Demands â—…d Complaints The Reformed were therein accus'd of afâ—…ting the Priests when they saw 'em pass by of obstructing â—…e Processions of the Catholics the Administration of the Saâ—…ament to the Sick the Burial of the Dead with the accustom'd Ceremonies Of not permitting the Catholics to visit â—…e Reformed when Sick which as it was presuppos'd were wilâ—…g to be converted or that the Communion should be adminiâ—…r'd to 'em or that they should be bury'd after their Converâ—…n and the Gentlemen were chiefly accus'd of expelling the â—â—iests out of their Lordships They complain'd of the Usurpation of Churches Houses Tenths and Rights appertaining to â—…e â—cclesiastics and of Church-yards where the Reformed buâ—â—ed heir dead by force They demanded that the Reformed â—…ould be prohibited to bury in Catholic Chappels under a Penalty of 3000 Livres They remonstrated that the Church-yards which the Reformed had adjoining to those of the Catholics not being enclos'd with Walls were the occasion of several Seditions that the Reformed had made themselves Masters of the Bells in some places and in others made use of the Bells belonging to the Catholics to give notice of their Sermon time that they would not suffer Carpets to be spread before their Houses that they took no notice of Holy-days that at Saintes they met in private Houses where they read Prayers and sung Psalms aloud that they sold Felsh upon days prohibited They demanded That to avoid the meeting of People that attended the Dead to their Graves the Reformed should be bound to give notice of their hours of Burial to the Mayor and Sheriffs 'T was said That they caus'd armed men to walk about a Nights who committed several Disorders They desir'd Prohibitions to the Reformed Ministers by which they might be enjoin'd not to call themselves Pastors of the Churches wherein they serv'd or to stile their Religion Reformed without adding the word Pretended Lastly Presupposing that the Liberty of the Reformed was so great that it could not be suppress'd by Authority of the Edicts they demanded that the Obstinate should be condemn'd to great Forfeitures actually to be incurr'd and to be adjudg'd from that time forward The strain of the whole Paper was full of Malice For they made particular and private Facts the ground of a general Complaint when perhaps the Fact had never bin committed above once during the War nevertheless they would have it an Affair wherein all places were concern'd and the misdemeanor of every day Others were aggravated as being of great importance when there was nothing at all in ' em However in the main it made the Reformed to be lookt upon as very criminal and threw an Odium upon all their Actions So that all men wonder'd and that not without reason too that Chalas went hand in hand as he did with Amelot in whatever Sentences he pass'd upon all the Articles and still gave his Verdict against the Reformed More especially the Articles about visiting the Sick by the Magistrates to know in what Religion they dy'd
up in the Namâ— of all the Churches of the Kingdom And to the end they might utterly â—reak the Union that was between 'em it was requir'd that they should present apart the Complaints as they were sent 'em â—y every single Church In like manner the Marquis of Fossez who succeeded Vâ—lence made an alteration at Mompelier to no other end and purpose but to vex the Reformed That City bore for her Arms a Bowle Gules in a Feild Argent But because they met with aâ— old Steeple where there was to be seen over a Bowle the Figurâ— of a Virgin carri'd by two Angels the Marquis pretended thaâ— that was the real Arms of the City and having summon'd aâ— Assembly of the Citizens he made a Decree that they shoulâ— place that Figure over their usual Arms for a Crest Afteâ— which they made the Reformed who since Valence's Alterationâ— had little or no share in the Government of the City believe that they had given their consent to it For their Intentioâ— was that this representation should be lookt upon as a mark â—â— the ancient devotion and veneration of the City of Mompeâ—â—eâ— for the Blessed Virgin since she had taken that Figure for thâ— most honourable part of her Arms and at the same time tâ— deduce a Consequence from thence to render the Reformeâ— odious as having retrench'd that mark of Honour from thâ— Mother of Jesus Christ to whom they were always accus'â— of not paying sufficient Respect Nevertheless the Foundation of the Marquis's Conjecture was very frivolous For haâ— it bin true they would have found other Authorities to haâ—â— prov'd the matter of Fact seeing that the ancient Seals thâ—â— public Buildings the Registers of the City the Bishops thâ—â— Canons the Priests the Curious would have preserv'd somâ— better Testimonies of the same thing For it was much more probable that that same Figure was only a Monument of thâ— Foundation of that City which is attributed to two Maidens who being Ladies of the place bequeath'd it to the Church and dy'd Virgins For that was the way at that time to purchaseâ— the reputation of Holiness and it may be thought that theâ— City had consecrated that Virgin and those Angels to preserve the remembrance of the Sanctity and Virginity of herâ— Foundresses However it were this Action of the Marquis did the Reformed so much prejudice that upon the 14th of April a Declaration came forth prohibiting 'em to make use of Foreign Ministers to admit into their Assemblies other then Natural Frenchmen to send Ministers into Foreign Countries without â—â—ave or to admit Foreign Ministers into Politic Assemblies â—he Declaration was grounded upon this That in the Natioâ—al Synod of Charenton and Castres where Galand was present â—hey had unanimously resolv'd the same things This Edict was â—ut in execution very exactly but that which created the great â—ouble was that it spoke of the Religion of the Reformed as â—â— a Religion which the Edicts had only tolerated till they could â—e brought back to the Catholic Communion For this was to â—â—in the Edict of Nantes and sap the very Foundations of its â—eing irrevocable to make it barely an Edict of Toleration This was what the Leagues always drove at but what the â—eformed always oppos'd who asserted that the Edict had bin â—â—ays granted 'em as a Fundamental Law of Union and Conâ—â—rd among the French which maintain'd 'em without distinâ—â—ion of Religion in all the Natural and Civil Rights that could â—elong to ' em And this carries an Idea far different from a â—are Toleration Nay to speak the truth to have tak'n the â—dict in any other sence would have bin to have made it a meer â—elusion But at last it was apparent that Rochel was prest upon more â—nd more and that notwithstanding all her Obedience she was â—ill dealt with as rebellious Which shew'd that she was guilâ—y of two Crimes that could not be expiated but by her ruin â—he one which was her Crime in reference to the Clergy was â—er Religion the other which was properly the chiefest was â—er Power almost independent The first oblig'd the Clergy to â—ontribute vast Sums provided they might be employ'd only â—oward the reducing that City The other transported the Court to lay the foundations of Arbitrary Power upon the deâ—truction of her Greatness To this purpose Forces were quarâ—er'd round about her upon various Pretences Cannon were brought to such and such places from whence they might be at â—and with little expence when time requir'd the City was surrounded with several Forts the Platform of her Fortifications her Port her Canal and parts adjoining was taken privately and drawn with the utmost exactness that might be The Garisons of the Neighbouring Islands and Fort Lewis were permitted to commit petty Disorders of which there was no notice taken and when the City complain'd her Complaints were lookt upon as Rebellion The Inhabitants were corrupted that they might have private Correspondence in her Bosom and the Mayor himself was wrought over to their Interests Nevertheless all this could not be kept so secret but that Râ—… was full of suspicion of the Designs of the Court But all this knowledge had the usual effect of suspicions which produce nothing but Irresolutions So that the City not being able to determin but by halves either one thing or other could never resolve either to submit or to defend her self All these Considerations verify the Reflections of some Authors of those times who comparing the past War with the present Peace under the name of which a thousand times more mischief had bin done the Reformed then they suffer'd by their Enemies Arms observe that the War having been full of Treachery breach of Faith Frauds ignominious and base Actions the Peace that follow'd was no better a meer Cheat unfaithful and no way secure In this Conjuncture England being assur'd of the Duke of Rohan declares war against France But the Cardinal having caus'd Mountague to be apprehended who after a Journey into Italy to consult with the Duke of Savor repass'd into France where he had several Conferences with the Duke of Rohan understood by the Papers that were found about him the whole Project of the War The English Gentleman also took a Tour into Lorraigne where 't was thought necessary to negotiate something though he pretended only to visit the Dutchess of Cheureuse who was banish'd thither by reason of the Cardinal's Jealousies conceiv'd against the Duke of Buckingham This Accident gave France time to prepare her self and she receiv'd the Declaration of War with as much disdain as if she had bin assur'd of success She had taken her Measures with the Vnited Provinces from whom she obtain'd considerable aid upon this Occasion and which did not little contribute toward the subduing of Rochel Not but that the Ministers of those Provinces preach'd against that Compliance of the States with France both vigorously and with
a Treaty But during her accustom'd long Delays Rochel sunk under heâ— Burthen and put all the World out of heart The French themselves labour'd with reluctancy in the taking of that City well foreseeing that from the date of her Ruin the Vassalage of the whole Kingdom would commence But by an odd fantasticness of Human Wisdom men often spread the Snares themselves for their own Feet and make the Chains for others to bind 'em â—o perpetual servitude The Ladies both Mother and Sister of the Duke of Rohan display'd a more then ordinary Courage and their Example was very useful to support the Constancy of others But they were recompenc'd with a close Confinement where the Cardinal held 'em during all the remainder of the Wars The Mayor Guiton was lookt upon as a Hero by all those that love Vertue where ever they meet it and the Catholic Authors mention him themselves with great applause and all the Brave Persons â—n the King's Army went to see him after the Surrender of the City Some write that he was promis'd to be continu'd in his â—ignity But when he went to kiss the Cardinal's Hand it was old him that he was no longer Mayor that he was to lay aside â—he Ensigns of his Authority and quit his Guards for that â—he Cardinal would not see him but as a private person Upon â—hich they add that he was so enrag'd that he could not forbear â—â—ying That had he expected such an Entertainment he would â—ave found a way to have held out some days longer Which â—ad he done the Cardinal must have rais'd his Siege because â—f the Rigor of the Season the Diseases that lessen'd the Army â—he Tempests that ruin'd his Dam and the Pressing Affairs â—hich call'd him another way Nor was it a wonder that â—uâ—ton complain'd that they did not keep their word with him â—r it is not to be imagin'd that because the Principal Articles â—or the surrender of Rochel were written and sign'd by the King â—hat there were not others agreed upon by word of mouth Alâ—ays in the reducing of Cities that surrender at discretion there â—â—e several things which are not absolutely left to the discretion â—f the Victor but are privately corroborated with verbal Assuâ—ances And it was believ'd to be much more advantageous to â—he King to take that Course because what he granted afterâ—ards to reduc'd Cities lookt so much the more like a Graciâ—us Favour when there appear'd no Promise in Writing Besides that the King would not oblige himself to his Subjects by Acts that seem to carry the Form of a Treaty So that there might be Articles granted by word of mouth without other Assurances and perhaps it was by one of those Articles that Guâ—ton pretended to be continu'd in his Dignity Nevertheless that particular is no-where to be met withal in any of the most Exact Memoirs of that City For by the most express and assur'd Relation that I can find the King by the first of the Written Articles promises to leave 'em the free exercise of their Religion in the City which put 'em in hopes that it should not have bin remov'd from the usual place but they were deceiv'd and that Promise was evaded by an Insulting Equivocation For after the Church was given to the Gatholics the Reformed had a Place appointed 'em without the City to build another and the King himself would needs take cognizance of the place and enlarg'd it somewhat beyond the limits mark'd out by the Commissioners To which breach of Faith and Word when the Reformed were about to have said something by way of complaint they were taken up short and to stop their mouths iâ— was told 'em that their City being surrender'd at discretion the King would beat down the Walls and the Fortifications which being done what before was without the Enclosure being no longer divided from the rest the whole would make beâ— one City This was not the thing which was meant by the secret Promise but the vanquish'd must accept of what Interpretation the Victor pleases to put upon their Promises The Inhabitants were kindly enough us'd but the City losâ— all her Priviledges The Roman Religion was re-establish'd in all its splendour which it prefers above all things and the King translated thither the Bishopric of Maillezais In the Month of November came forth a Declaration which contain'd twenty four Articles The first six were all about the re-establishment of the Catholic Religion and the Circumstances belonging to it The Seventh order'd the erecting of a Cross in the place where the Castle stood upon the Pedestal of which was to be engraven the History of the Reducing the City the memory of which was to be preserv'd by a General Procession every year upon the first of November The Eighth commanded the founding of a Monastery of Minims upon the Point â—â— Coreille which is one of the Extremities of the Canal to preserve the History of the Mound or Dam in two Tables of Copper to be fix'd upon the Church-door The next four contain'd an Amnesty for what was past and a confirmation of the Edicts for â—iberty of the exercise of the Reformed Religion the Church â—xcepted which the King reserv'd to be turn'd into a Cathedral There were nine more that follow'd which took from the City â—er Fortifications Franchises and Priviledges and quite alter'd â—he Form of the Government The Twenty second forbid all â—oreigners though naturaliz'd to reside in the City without â—xpress leave by Letters under the Great Seal The Twenty â—hird extended the same Prohibition to the Reformed who had â—ot bin setled Inhabitants before the landing of the English Which two Articles were the source of an infinite number of â—exations in the succeeding years The last oblig'd the Inhabiâ—nts to take out Licences to keep Arms Powder and Ammuâ—ition and to trade abroad So that there was nothing left but â—he Place and the remembrance of that poor City's former â—ower and Grandeur The End of the Ninth Book THE HISTORY OF THE Edict of Nantes THE SECOND PART THE TENTH BOOK The Heads of the Tenth Book REjoycings among the Catholics The War continues in Languedoc Cruelties Insulting and Executions Personal Enmity between the Prince of Condé and the Duke of Rohan A new Sedition at Lion against the Reformed The pretended Conversion of a sick Man that fell mad Decrees and Declarations against the Duke of Rohan and his Adherents The King and the Cardinal take a Journey into Italy The Siege of Privas the Inhabitants of which are betray'd Cruelties exercis'd upon that City Pretences of the Catholics Conversions of Soldiers taken Prisoners Declaration upon the taking of Privas The Consternation of the rest of the Reformed A Treaâ—â— of the Duke of Rohan with Spain Alets reduc'd An Assembly permitted at Anduse and remov'd to Nimes 〈…〉 concluded An Edict of Grace The Contents of the Eâ—â—â—â— The King's Letter to the Queen upon the Peace The Duke â—â— Rohan retires
but also by those of 1610. and 1612. and more especially by your last Declaration Besides which Right the approach of your Castle of Plessis usually granted to the People of Tours would be a Security to ' em The Commissioners sent into Bress shall take care of this Article so far as shall be agreeable to Reason XII The same Supplication is made to your Majesty for the Repair of the Church of Burgh upon the Ruins and Place where those of the Religion possess'd it by the Sentence and Decrees of the Commissioners in the enjoyment of which they are now disturb'd To the XIII XIV XV. Articles the Commissioners are enjoin'd to take care of the Petitioners demands according to the Tenour of the Edicts and the said Declaration XIII It is remonstrated to your Majesty that the Inhabitants professing the Religion in the City of Villemur are molested in the Liberty of their Consciences depriv'd of all Exercises of Piety refus'd Publick Employments and very much overburthen'd by the Garrison Those of Fontenai Le Comte expell'd interdicted Preaching and Prayers their Pastor not being permitted to re-enter nor can they have their Church restor'd 'em thô almost ruin'd not so much as for the Burial of their dead suff'ring on the other side all Excesses of Charges and Free Quarters upon the complaints sent to your Council Therefore Sir may it please Ye to deliver 'em from their Oppressions and by permitting 'em to enjoy the Fruits of the Peace to order the Re-establishment of their Religion their Churches and Ministers the Security of their Burials and whatever Relief your Justice can afford their Grievances  XIV That you would likewise be pleas'd to order the Restoration of their Exercise at Lusson where it is deni'd to those of the said Religion contrary to the Publication of your Declaration thô they carri'd themselves obediently and that the said Exercise has been continu'd there for these fifty Years together even during all the time of the late Wars and Government of des Roches Baritault XV. Those of the Religion are likewise hinder'd their said Exercise at Talmont the Canon having been levell'd against 'em while assembl'd to hear the Word of God As also at Surgeres the Lady of the Place forbidding any Preaching there tho' it had been allow'd 'em during all the late Troubles Also at Baignols at St. Giles's in Languedoc at Figeac in Quercy Puymirols and at Vic in Armagnac from whence Mr. Testas the Minister is fled not daring to return nor being able to abide in safety in the Place Whereby your Declaration being violated may it please your Majesty to command the Restoration of the said Places and the said Testas As also for the Church of Quilleboeuf and the Pastour of it pursuant to the Re-establishment of it a long time since The XVI Article shall be communicated to the Maior and Sheriffs of Poitiers to be by them heard and taken care of XVI And for as much as the Catholicks of your City of Poitiers have impos'd upon those of the Religion the Summ of 1200. Livres for the Guard that had been maintain'd during these Troubles into which they would not admit any of those of the Reformed Religion may it please your Majesty that they may be discharg'd from it as from an unreasonable Imposition The King will carefully accomplish and observe what has been granted â—â— those of the Pretended Reformed Religion of Bearn by the said Bnief â—â— October the last XVII They likewise supplicate your Majesty that the Edict of Compensation touching the Churches of your Royalty of Bearn may be punctually effected as you were pleas'd to grant by your Brevet given at Mompelier And that the Exercise of the Religion and the Minister may be restor'd in your City of Navarreins That in Consideration of the Resignation of other Churches they of the Religion may be maintain'd in the Possession of the Churches Bells and Church-yards which were granted 'em by the Commissioners or by the Parlament upon their Report And that the Colledges and Academies may be restor'd and payment made of the Salaries that belong to ' em His Majesty intends that the Chamber of the Edict of Languedoc which remains only to be resettl'd shall speedily be restor'd to Castres according to the said Declaration XVIII And because Justice is that which most imports your Authority and the Preservation of the Peace may it please your Majesty to Order a speedy Restoration of the Party Chambers in Places and Cities where they were wont to be And in the mean time may the Courts of Parlament be forbid to take Cognizance and Judge of the Causes of those of the said Religion and that the Appeals by them brought before the Judges Prothonotaries or the Commissioners executing Decrees and Sentences may have the same Effect as if they were remov'd by Letters Royal according to the XLIII Article of the Edict and VI. of the Conference of Nerac Granted XIX By the sixth Article of the Edict and II. of Particulars and other Answers made to our Papers they of the Religion find themselves justly discharg'd from Contributing toward the Repairing and Building of Churches and their Dependencies as things contrary to their Conscience Nevertheless the Catholick Inhabitants of Arnai le Duc solicit in your Council a Permission to impose in general upon the Corporation and as well upon themselves as upon those of the Religion the Summ of six thousand Livres to build a Church for the Capuchins which would neither be reasonable nor conformable to the Edicts Therefore may it please your Majesty to declare Acquit and Exempted all your Subjects of the Religion from Payments and Contributions of the like Nature and that the abovenamed II. Article of Particulars may be put in Execution The said Deputed Commissioners in the said Places are enjoin'd to take care of the Contents of this Article XX. 'T is notorious that during these last Troubles they of the Religion have suffer'd many Violences through the Insolence of the People their Adversaries As in the City of Romorantin where they twice burnt the Meeting-House wherein they perform'd their Exercise in the Suburbs of the said City But what is more strange that since the Peace which it has pleas'd your Majesty to grant your said Subjects the Church which was long since built in your City of Gergeau has been quite thrown to the Ground and the Ruins of it remov'd by which means they of the Religion have been depriv'd of their Exercise Wherefore they most humbly beseech your Majesty that amends may be made for this Notorious Breach of your Edicts and Declarations and to order that the said Church may be rebuilt and the Exercise resettl'd at Gergeau as also that of Romorantin His Majesty will write to the Duke of Espernon Governour and Lieutenant General of Guyenne to see that the Inhabitants of the said Cities of Bergerac and St. Foy be eas'd and favourably us'd upon all occasions