d' Estrades Ingaged to muster up all the Seamen that were able to bear Arms and put them on the Ships But as they were Executing the Duke of Vandosm's Orders to conduct them on on a sudden the Spanish Fleet was discover'd under Sail standing towards Blay and advanc'd as far as Paulliac not as formerly five or six in Company to fetch fresh water but the whole Body of their Navy in appearance to fall upon the French at a time when the Duke of Vandosme had withdrawn his Troops into Xaintoigne to ease the Countrey about Bourdeaux But being called back again in great haste and advancing some Regiments to put aboard the Ships the Spaniard retired to the Foss of Verdun The Duke of Vandosme had taken a view of the Spanish Fleet the 26. of September and sent Sir George Carteret to inform himself more particularly of their condition who found they were 28 vast and stout Galeons but by some which had been taken prisoners in the Island of Patiras he understood they were much infested with the Scurvey which is a disease that eats up the Gumms Nevertheless they landed some men at St. Surin de Cadurna in Medoc and burnt some few houses before the Kings troops were in a condition to repulse them or accost them with their Cannon As Vandosme was preparing to engage them and had sent several Galeots to Saint Surin de Mortagne and to Mortagne it self to take in some corn the Count Marsin arriving at the Spanish Fleet had a design on that place and accordingly landed about 3000 men surprized the ten Galeots sent thither to furnish themselves with corn for the necessities of the Army and Fleet forc'd the Castle and pillag'd some houses but apprehending lest the Marquess of Breval Mareschal de Camp should fall upon him with the Regiment of Normandy which was quartered hard by he aabandon'd the Post he had taken and if Breval had had but the least number of Horse to have cut off the passage from the Spaniards who had no Horse at all and were laden with booty he had undoubtedly defeated them Marsin made some barricadoes in a Meadow which extends it self to the River having on one side the Canale de Mortagne to shelter that flanck and on the other his own men which he drew into Battalia He sustein'd the skirmish vigorously embark't all the plunder of that miserable Country losing nevertheless some few men in his retreat which the Regiment of Normandy fell upon as they found their Number lessen upon the Shoar In the mean time the Count de Estrades had got together about Rochel and Browages and other places belonging to his Government some 1200. Mariners which he put aboard French vessels and sent them away without delay to joyn with the Duke of Vandosme The Duke being gone on board the Admiral and all his men embarkt the set Sail resolving to give them Battel but the Spaniards surprized with this unexpected resolution set fire on certain small Vessels and with the favour of the wind retired The Duke followed them out of the mouth of the River where he saw them divide their Fleet into two Squadrons one of them making towards Biscay and the other towards Dunkirk The Duke went on shore at Royan and whilst he stayed there to receive more certain news of the enemies Fleet the San-Salvatore Vice-Admiral of Spain which came from Saint Sebastian together with another small Ship both of them laden with Victuals and other Provisions for the Fleet entred into the River not knowing they was departed and were so far engaged amongst the French Ships before they were aware that after some small opposition against the Ship called the Berger they were forc'd to strike Sail and surrender In the Vice-Admiral there were 40 Peeces of Cannon in the other Vessel 700 Marriners and a Months Provision for the whole Armada After this Prize the French Navy retired into the River Sudra and the Duke of Vandosme went away to Court The Count d' Estrades for his great merits was declar'd Major of Bourdeaux an Office of great honour and importance and the Principal in all that Town signifying as much as the Head or chief Governour of the City which Office is so considerable that it was formerly enjoy'd by the Sieurs de Mattignon d' Ornano and de Roquelaure Mareschals of France In this manner the disturbances at Bourdeaux were composed But whilst these inhabitants were enjoying the fruits of the peace which had bin granted them by his Majesties clemency the Plague breaking out in that City interrupted their liberty and their Trade the Countrey round about was so sorely visited that it remain'd almost depopulate The Deputies of Bourdeaux being arrived at Court which was at that time it Chalons in Champagne were received by their Majesties with such demonstrations of clemency and affection that the guilt of their past errors was quite forgot and gave them confidence to expect even the favour of the Kings bounty The Parliament of Guienne who had removed themselves to Reole receiving the Provisions of the Government of Limousin granted by his Majesty to the Mareschal Turenne who with his Valour and Counsels maintain'd the Frontiers against the strongest efforts of the enemie encamping always so as to be ready upon the least motion of the Prince of Condy who though he was retired to give his Army refreshment yet not without thoughts of returning into the Field again and take up at least his Winter-quarters in France The Cardinal finding by the reduction of Guienne the Kings Army 's free from a most powerful diversion in those parts and being able thereby to apply himself with the whole Army to check the bold designes of the Prince of Condy and ruine his reputation in France He call'd the Generals of the Armies together in his Abbey at Laon to a Councel of War and propos'd to them that before they went to their Winter-Quarters to attempt some new Enterprize and if possible to take from the Prince of Condy the Town of Saint Menehaud which having a strong Garrison in it infested all the Neighbouring Country and forc'd not only the Villages and open places but the walled and strong Townes to pay them very large contribution The Judgment of the Major part of the Officers was not to ingage in any new Enterprize that year for that the Spaniards though much weakned by the siege of Rocroy might recruit themselves and returning with considerable forces either raise their siege to the great diâ—reputation of the French Arms or by some other diversion recompence the loss they should sustein and perhaps to double the value The Cardinal oppos'd this opinion and made it appear that with the Army of the two Mareschals Turenne and la Fertè Seneterre they might oppose the Spaniards and the Prince of Conde and in the mean time with the Kings Guards and some other few Troops block up St. Menehaud till the forces from Guienne and certain
to his Brother the Bishop of Lombes At the same time another Frier called Lande by the means of a Gentlewoman named Laure attempted to gain Colonel Marché who hearkned to the sollicitations of the Friars brother and communicated his design to the said Widow which was to make use of an hundred light horse which he commanded in the City to deliver up a Gate to the Duke of Candale desiring this Window to write him the design and to instruct him the most proper means to execute it This Plot was also communicated to the Jurate Robert But in the end Colonel Marché himself discovered it to Marsin and after a few days Lande revealed it to the Prince of Conty whereupon the Gentlewoman was imprisoned and examined a long while in the Presence of Lande and maintained to his face that he was the Author of all this accusing him of infidelity and treacherousness whereupon he was laid hold on and banished from the Olmiera and the Widow sent back to her Countrey-house In the mean-while the City of Monsegur wherein the Regiment of the Marquess of Monpouillon lay in Garrison was surrendred to the Royallists and the Officers pretending that two thousand Pistols were due to them put themselves into His Majesties service imprisoned the Commissary and took from him a good summe of money which he had levied on the people thereabouts but they sent him free afterwards with some Officers belonging to Marsin who at the same time with the Princes Troops besieged St. Ferme a small Town near by This was a Prelude to the fall of the Princes party being forsaken by their best Troops in a time when they had most need of them not contented to take pains continually for so small profit the hopes of those rewards daily declining which the Princes promised them to soften the labours and sufferances of those of their party Divers other Accidents hapned which rendred this party still more infirm which having no other foundation then the imagination of becoming more happy by the change of fortune in stead of meeting with their desired relief they encountred the most unexpected misfortunes A certain Engineer called Larsigne was imprisoned and 3500 Pistols taken from him set him in the Pillory and banished under pretence that he wrote to Paris the News of what hapned in Bourdeaux They arrested a vessel also and confiscated twenty five thousand Crowns which belonged to Dutch Merchants for corn sold in that City and were carrying to Rochelle declaring it to be counterband goods with these and the like proceedings the foreign Merchants and the better sort of Citizens themselves were sensibly touched and exasperated seeing that without shame or conscience they exempted none from barbarous and unjust punishments The Duke of Vandosme appeared with his Fleet in the Garonne at the beginning of February and presently began to build a Fort in the Isle of Cazaux situated in the middle of the River and therefore of great consequence and which gave no small trouble to the inhabitants of Bourdeaux amongst whom there being many that were affected to the Kings party it behoved the rest to be vigilant against surprises and stratagemms which were easie to be put in practice in such Conjunctures The Curate of St. Peters having exhorted his Parishioners in a publick Sermon to shake off the yoke of their servitude and to withdraw themselves from under the Authothority unlawfully usurped by that wicked counsel of the Olmiere he was taken and put in prison but the people of that parish who were very affectionate to him beginning to rise they were forced to let him go and escape away for fear some greater mischief might follow for those who are admitted to preach the Word of God have great power over the people when they denounce to them peace and quietness for the same cause were banished also the Curates of St. Simon and St. Remi with the Prior and Guardian of the Capucines and the Dominicans divers Counsellors of the Parliament and some Citizens who were contented rather to undergo any persecution then to follow a Faction directly contrary to the service of the King so that the Parliament being at that time by the Advice of Mazarine removed to Agen that at Bourdeaux was so weakned that there remained no more then nine Counsellors and some of them so confused and fearful that they knew not what to resolve on The Parliament at Agen beginning to assemble on the third of March the Sieur de la Lane Second President presided at the opening of the Parliament in the Presence of the Duke of Candale and the Bishop of Agen the Sieur de Pontac President of the Treasurers of France came thither with divers other well-affected persons But in Bourdeaux the suspitions of some new Conspiracy being revived all possible diligence was used to interrupt it and to maintain the Princes Concerns in their vigour Proclamation was made that all strangers who were found in the City without employ should presently depart All Inne-keepers Taverners and those who let lodgings were prohibited to receive any one without express order and billet from the Magistrate appointed for that purpose Meetings were forbidden and going about in the night after such an houre and every where they kept vigilant Guards to watch all surprizes especially because the Neighboring Towns and Provinces were every day more and more incumbred with Souldiers and people of the Kings party And because that by the taking of Sarlaet Sallagnac Terrason and other walled Towns of Perigord by the Princes Troops the Souldiery over-ran all the Countrey to the great damage of that Province The Marquess of Pompodor Lieutenant of the Province of Limosin gathering together some of the Kings Troops and divers Gentlemen encountred the enemies near to the Village St. Robert in the County of Agen defeated and destroyed them and so delivered the Countrey from the continual molestation of these Souldiers who were the more licentious by reason they wanted their pay and were dissatisfied with the Princes themselves whom they served The Town of Montignac maintaining it self in its due obedience to the King did incommodate all they could the Princes forces who lost the Castle of Surin and other places which either rendred voluntarily or were gained by the force of Armes whereby those of their party being reduced to streight termes the greater part of them were perswaded by others example to return to their due obedience To these favourable events in Guienne seconded by other prosperous successes of the Kings party was added the engagement upon the 28. of February in the Narrow Seas between the English and Hollanders each party glorying to have had the advantage but seeing there was no great difference in the loss of Vessels the Victory remained undecided so that the English being busied in this new Warre they were not in a posture to embrace those resolutions which if they had been free they might have taken to encourage the seditious in Bourdeaux and
Three weeks together the Armies lay facing one another in this posture without any Action at length the Prince of Condy and Spanish Generals despairing of their design'd Inroad into France or of giving them battel or surprizing any Town upon the Somme by reason of the great vigilancy and precaution of the French Generals they grew very confus'd and variable in their Counsels Condy had insinuated into the Spanish Ministers and Captains that upon his entrance into France he should meet with so much welcom and assistance that they should make their way more by the good-will of the people then by the sword But not managing his Interest dexterously and wanting the means the Cardinal had to inveigle and cajole by recompences those who were of a contrary judgment he found himself deluded and those persons who had promis'd him their fidelity in lieu of proving constant to his party let themselves be corrupted by the said Cardinal and served more to endamage and prejudice him then to assist and profit him The generous mind of the Prince being netled in point of reputation which being lessned already by his daily misfortunes would be absolutely lost if with so much preparation and so great forces he should consume unprofitably a whole Campagne which at first did seem to promise so much advantage and glory to Spain and threaten so much ruine and destruction to the Kingdom of France in a full Counsel of War he propos'd the Enterprize of Rocroy making good his opinion both with martial and politick Arguments He acquainted them that he was inform'd the Garrison was very weak by reason the Chevalier Montague Governor of the place upon confidence that he could not be attaqued had sent away the Regiment of the Crown to Rhetel That therefore in 12 dayes time it might be taken That there would be no great difficulty to invest it in respect there were no great Rivers to pass and the Siedge would be very easie since the Town lying betwixt thick woods whosoever were first to gain the Passes might be able to maintain them defend their lines with a very few men That Rocroy would be of very great importance being a Key of the Frontiers of Picardy and though indeed the loss of it would be no great detriment to France yet it was very considerable to the Spaniards for by this place the French made all the adjacent Countrey pay Contribution and a great part of the Province of Luxenbourg These Considerations of the Prince of Condy were excellently good and his opinion credited and receiv'd as an Oracle by all the Commanders But the Spaniards who seldom put their foot into the water till they have first sounded the bottom and who hold Prudence as an inseparable Companion of all their Actions though in appearance they inclined to the Propositions of the Prince by way of Complaisance yet in reality they did not assent in their hearts for it being formerly by agreement betwixt them and the said Prince declar'd that all such Towns as should be taken within the distance of three Leagues from the Frontiers of Flanders should belong absolutely to the Prince they considered that they should expose and consume their Army in the acquisition of a place that would adde nothing to the advantage of their Crown and would be rather instrumental towards the reconciliation of the said Prince with the Court of France then any furtherance towards the General peace of Spain To this they added that if the Siege should happen to prove longer then was propos'd they ran a great hazard of consuming their Men their Money and their patence So that at length their Souldiers failing they should no longer be Masters of the Field in which consisted the hopes of those who relying upon their assistance were contriving new Cabals in France The Count de Fuensaldagne's judgment was to lay siege to Arras seeing they had an Army big enough to undertake it and maintain a line of Circumvallation about it Others were of opinion that encamping still with their Army in the Enemies Countrey they should not only put them to a great burden of the War but might with money and promises encourage and propagate their Intelligence whereby to obtain an advantageous victory which could never be compleat unless they advanc'd into the very bowels of France and divided that powerful and opulent City of Paris from their Union with the King But as this had been endeavored even from the beginning without any effect so was there less hopes now especially since by the pacification of Guienne the interest of the Princes was in a declining condition and the credit of the Cardinal much increased At last the Enterprise of Rocroy was resolv'd on To which effect the Count de Ligneville advanced with 3000 Horse with all speed to block up the Town the 5th of September by break of day and was followed by the whole Army which was so unexpected and not foreseen by the Governour that 100 of his best Souldiers were shut out of the Garrison being gone a scouting according to custom The French Generals did their utmost to put in supplies but the ways being narrow and difficult they could by no means effect it The Spaniards having possest themselves of all the Passes the Prince of Condy took up his quarters at a place call'd l' Vnghero The Count de Fuensadagne in the Champion Country extending his quarters from the Main body to the watch above The space from thence to the Prince of Condy's Post was possess'd by the Lorainers Their Army being Lodg'd in this posture they began immediatly their line of Circumvallation which in 4 days was compleated and on the 11th of September they open'd their Trenches directing their approaches to the Bulwarks of Chene and del Perdu and to the Half-moon or Ravelin betwixt them The Commanders in chief of the Spaniards in this Leagure were the Count de Fuensaldagne General the Count de Garzias Lieutenant-General and the Prince of Ligny in the third place Prince Uldric of Wittembourg was Captain-General of the German Horse The Lorraine Troops were Commanded by the Count de Ligneville The Prince of Condy's by the Marquess de Bouteville the Count de Briole the Count de Duraz and the Prince de Tarante who a while after left the Camp disgusted with the Spaniards because they would not admit him to the Command conferr'd upon him by the Prince Rocroy was well-provided with Victuals Ammunition Cannon Forts and a good wall Their chief want was of men there being in the whole Garrison not above 450 Foot 50 Horse 30 Inhabitants in Armes and about 90 Peasants that had fled thither The foss was full of water and the Plain without the Works spungie and morish but 4 or 5 Foot deep chalkie and firm The French Generals at the first motion of the Enemies Army perceived immediately they could nave no other design but upon Rocroy and because they judged it impossible either to
in so enormous a case it could have bin done without violence to justice which in such accidents ought not to be overpowered by pity and compassion There follow'd several other Executions in Paris upon persons imprison'd for hainous Offences but without doubt the King's Clemency was greater then his Justice they that received grace and pardon being superiour in Number to those that were punish'd We cannot omit in this place the action of a dilinquent who being to loose his Head declar'd his ambition should triumph over his fate and therefore before he was to appear upon the Scaffold as he had been to go to a Feast he put himself in a gay dresse caus'd his face to be Shaved his haire curld and powdered and his Mustaccio's turn'd up boasting with an undaunted boldness That Persons of Honour even in the most ignominious death ought to die like themselves And though clemency and too much indulgence gives but fresh boldness and encouragement to fall into the same crimes again and is therefore look'd upon in many peoples opinions as a very ill Maxime yet that was no impediment to the present Councils for to all generous minds the opportunity of meriting the benedictions of such as received grace being much rather to be chosen then the imprecations of those which were punish'd the Kings Ministers took this course whereby their Charity working upon Heaven has since produc'd those Miracles that have rendred his Government the happiest who bearing the hereditary Title of most Christian has to his everlasting honour added to it the Epithite of most merciful And certainly they may justly be called Miracles which were seen in France in this Year 1653. for whilst it was expected and too probably that that Kingdome could not avoid destruction by so many storms and tempests both at home and from abroad The Heavens cleered up on a sudden and that Clime became quiet sedate which was before so dismally dreadful for by the reduction of Guienne and Bourdeaux being rid of that fastidious diversion they were able to use those Armes in other places which have since secured the Frontiers from daily Alarms and penetrating into Catalonia and Lombardy interrupted those designes which by the favour of their antecedent Victories would have brought extraordinary advantage to thinterest of Spain Whilst the military Affairs in Catalonia Guienne and Champagne were managed in this manner in Piemont also they began to have a better face and those doubts to clear up which by reason of their want of assistance the people of that Province might have reasonably pretended if to evade the calamities of a War they had come to an Agreement with the Spaniards For the Count de Quincè having past into Piemont and by order from Mazarine being enforc'd with fresh Troops from France he advanc'd with 5 or 6000 men into the Enemies Countrey and encamping at Annone upon the Banks of the Tanaro in a months time that he was there he infested the Countrey about Alexandria with continual incursions after which he return'd into the Territory of Montferrat and passing the Po at Verrica he went to encamp above Crescentino to observe the motion of the Marquess of Caracene who having taken the field with 8000 men was come to Foâ—tane and Palazzuolo three miles distant Here the Armies remain'd several days observing one anothers motion in which time the French made several excursions and one in particular with 1500 men as far as Vercelli afterwards before they drew off Quince drew out his Horse into the Fields of Bertola within Cannon-shot of the enemies Camp and challenged the Spaniards to a battel but they holding it as a Maxime to tire out the French fury with the Spanish Phlegme laugh'd at his defiance This Gallantry of the French vanishing in this manner without effect Quincè repass'd the Po in the Month of July and entred a fresh into Montferrat passing the Tanaro upon a Bridge of Boats near Asti and from thence having stay'd two days at Rochetta he encamped at Monbersel At the News of this March the Marquess of Caracene cross'd the Po likewise with his Troops near Pontestura and traversing Montferrat came to Felezzano to pass the Tanaro at Rochetta but discovering the enemy ready to oppose him he went to pass it lower towards Alexandria advancing as far as Nizza de la Paglia Quince stayed observing his motion about 15 days at Castel nuovo Bruzato where hapned daily skirmishes betwixt their Horse But Caracene resolving finally to fall into Piemont and by this diversion oblige the French to quit Monferrat he pass'd the Po at Pontestura and began to scour the Countrey round about which yet was not sufficient to make Quince remove who judging it a thing very prejudicial to transfer the War into the Countrey of his Friends and Allies he took another resolution He sent his baggage to Asti and forded the Tanaro at Rochetta and so passing to Bormida by the way of Novi he came to Serravalla a great Village above Alexandria upon the Confines of the Territories of Genoa betwixt the Rivers Scrivia and Orba and having sack'd it he March'd towards Tortona and Castel nuovo di Scrivia making great Booties in those places where he was not expected Upon this Caracene was constrained to change his designes upon Piedmont and pass with all diligence to Alexandria draining his Garrisons and drawing all the forces together he was able to cut off the retreat of the French to Nizza But Quince having notice both of his motion and design he march'd by Cassino di Stradda by Aicqui and by the vale of Bistagno and Nizza where the Spanish Army was arrived before him The same Night the French retreated to Santo Stephano and hasted away to gain the Pass of la Madonna de Tennello preventing the enemie who arriv'd there at the very instant that the French had made themselves Masters of it with their Vauntguard Here they fell a skirmishing but with reservation on the Spanish side who would not engage themselves in a Battel with the French who though they were inferiour in number yet were too strong for them in respect of the goodness of their Horse Quince past directly towards Alba without any stop and from thence to Govenne betwixt Alba and Asti extending his Troops along the Banks of the River Tanaro where the French made a stay till the Arrival of the Mareschal de Grancè who having pass'd the Mountains with a Recruit of 1200 men on the 18. of September arrived at the Camp where informing himself of the state of the Spanish Army which was likewise encamp'd upon the same Confines endeavouring to penetrate further into Piedmont he had News that Caracene was removed from Montenego and march'd with all diligence to gain the Pass of the Tanaro at a place called Rochetta with design to go to Felezzano Hereupon they held a short Council of War and it was resolv'd not only to hinder his Advance but engage him
in the Enemies Countrey and the Spanâ—ards as much as they could to prevent them upon which several skirmishes hapned with reciprocal successe Afterwards the French Army dislodg'd from Mountemagno and came to Tuline attended still by the Spaniards which at the same time discamp'd from Felezzano and was got in the Enemies front Here Caracena and Grancè had a Conference each of them accompanied with the principal Persons in their Armies discoursing together for two houres with great Complement and Civility the French remaining well satisfied with the humanity and valour of Caracena holding him in the esteem of a most prudent and most generous Captain This Conference being over the French Army kept the Field for some time now in this place and now in that but still according to the Instructions they had receiv'd from Mazarine in the Enemies Countrey where by the vigilance of the Spanish Commanders not being able to gain any Post to subsist in and at length the Weather growing sharp they were forced to retire into Piemont where they winter'd their Foot and sent their Horse over the Mountains into Dauphinè Bress and Dombes and in this manner ended the Campagne in Italy in the Year 1653. Whilst things went thus in Flanders and Italy Letters were brought to Court with the Capitulations of Bourdeaux which being read in the Royal Council and the relation of de Las heard who was sent from the Generals and the Sieur d' Estrades the Amnesty was immediately dispatch'd away conteining an entire abolition of all crimes without exception of any but Francar the Counsellor Blaru and Desert Merchants deputed from the Olmiera into England as also Durateste and Villars Heads of that Faction with Clerat their Agent in Spain It was decreed moreover in the said Amnesty That the Citizens should renew their Oath of Allegiance That they should repair the Castles of Trompet and du Ha as necessary to restrain the unruly turbulencies of the people and support the honest and more honourable fort it being observeable able in all Cities that the Populacie is always an enemy to those who have any thing to lose This Declaration of the Kings being propos'd to La vie the Advocate-General who was at that time at Bourdeaux to draw up a Process against the two Spies which Marsin and Lenet had sent back into the City he promis'd the Duke of Vendosme it should be speedily verified who expected from every one of the Parliament such testimonies of their submission as might be able to cancel and obliterate the memory of their late disobedience But the said La Vie making use of this opportunity to render himself necessary created so many difficulties and ambiguities perplexing it with such intricate Interpretations that gave encouragement to the Counsellors of the Parliament to restrain the Kings pleasure with their Comments Glosses and Modifications that they seem'd not only to be the Intepreters but the Moderators and Disposers of his Majesties Favours as if they had come by their means They stirr'd up the people particularly not to suffer the yoke as they call'd it of the Castles ordering to renew their instances at Court for the demolishing of all the Fortresses in the City and that if it should be the Kings peremptory resolution to force that servitude upon them they should not however consign the said places to the Governour-General of the Province This reflexion was not at all pleasing to the Cardinal and the other Ministers much less the Contion that the Publication of the Amnesty should be deferr'd till the Parliament should be established and resident in Bourdeaux as if that had been deemed necessary for the security of the people and to make valid his Majesties Will and Pleasure which made the Court the more suspicious of them by how much they press'd to have their desires in this Point granted These kinde of Proceedings and Extravagancies of the Parliament were extreamly resented by the Dukes of Vandosme and Candale as looking like manifest demonstrations of their express disobedience wherfore they order'd the Counsellors which were come from Reole to Bourdeaux to return again to their residence The said La vie who was suppos'd to be the Author of this boldness for his own ends was expresly forbidden to abide in Bourdeaux After which having with a wile procured the Original of the Declaration out of the hands of the Clerk of the Parliament it was published by Order of the Generals by the Magistrates of the City The Court was as much surprized at these disorders as disgusted with the Parliament of Guienne the most Loyal of whose Members seem'd by this to be as much Rebels as the rest wherupon by a severe decree of the 26. of September they were prohibited to their great mortification to meddle in any matters pertaining to the State The King Generals observing the inconvenience of their Troops lying so near the Town resolv'd to remove them and by the surrender of Peregueux the war in that Province being at an end the Count de Bougy Lieutenant-General was by Order from the Court sent away with 6000 Horse and Foot towards the Frontiers of Flanders Three Thousand other Horse and 2000 Foot were Commanded into Catalonia there remaining only part of the Duke of Vandosme's Army in the Country called Betwixt the two Seas to be ready to be Ship'd upon the first Order in case the Spaniards should continue to block up the Mouth of the Garonne who landed some men within 12 Leagues of Blaye and set on fire certain stacks of Hay belonging to the Duke of St. Simon and on the other side they fell into the Country of Medoc and burnt all the Neighboring Villages The Duke of Vendosme in the mean time having view'd all his Ships under the Fort Caesar and with those which had been equipped by the Bourdelots during the Siedge he proposed to engage the Spanish Fleet as was earnestly desired by the Duke of Candale and the Count d' Estrades who to that end had brought along with him 700 Seamen from the Isles under his Government of Rochel But the Sea Commanders represented that their force was unequal in respect of their great Ships for though they out-numbred them in the whole yet the French Ships were much less in bulk so that the Spaniards had great advantage by their Galeons full of fresh men with which they would be too hard for the French Fleet which was neither well mann'd nor provided with other things necessary And if the Spaniards should put out to Sea or keep themselves at the Mouth of the River where they then were it was not possible for the Galleys though never so well arm'd nor the small Ships in the French Fleet to do them any mischief But if they should advance higher in the River where the Channel is narrower and full of Sand then they might be able to Attaque them with more advantage To rectify the differences and difficulties the Sea-Commanders objected the Count
new Levies from Germany which had at that time Orders to march arriving they might be able to forme a Leagure and by taking that Town free the whole Countrey of Champagne from their Incursions These Reasons prevailing the Court removed from Laon to Chalons The Marquess de Castelneau with 1500 men Monsieur de Saint Maur with 500 Horse and some Foot provided by the Cardinal on the 21. of October block'd up the Town disposing themselves into four Quarters without any line of Circumvallation because their Camp being secured by the Armies of the aforesaid Mareschals they concluded they should be able to reduce it without any formal siege And though it seem'd ridiculous at first that 3500 men should undertake the reducing of a City and and strong Castle Garrison'd with above 1500 Souldiers under good Commanders which were the Marquess de Forz Governour of the Town and Monsieur de Montal Commander of the Castle and indeed the chief Director as being a particular Confident of the Prince of Conde's yet the siege was undertaken with such briskness and dexterity that the unexpected success did much confirm the great Judgment and Parts of the Cardinal in all mens opinion And certain it is his good fortune in that Enterprize added very much to his honour forasmuch as against the sense of the whole Council of War he alone defended the possibility of it The Marquesses of Castelneau and Uxelles the Count de Novailles and Mounsieur de St. Maur commanded in the Camp before St. Menehaud in quality of Lieutenant Generals The Provisions for the Camp were supply'd from Chalons and because the Countrey being ruin'd by the War could not furnish them with Horses and Carts for the conveying of such things as were necessary for the siege they remedied that defect with those belonging to the baggage of the Court which was never thought on by the enemie who look'd upon that Enterprize as vain being undertaken without conveniencies for carrying on the siege and the rather because Clermont flanck'd them on the left side whose Garrison scour'd the Countrey continually and much molested the Neighbouring villages One day they hapned upon the Court-Waggons carrying Ammunition and Provisions to the Camp and took away their Horses Whilst the Cardinal was employed in promoting this siege the Mareschal de Turenne march'd from Aubigny with five or six thousand men to observe the Enemies motion who made a shew as if they intended towards Rocroy The Mareschal de la Ferte Seneterre put himself with his men betwixt Clermont and the Mose to give encouragement to the Leagure The Count de Beaujeu with 1500 Commanded men march'd further into Picardy to have an eye to the Frontier Towns The Duke de Elbeuf and the Count de Illebonne his son with their Troops kept somtimes at Rosan sometimes at Mon Carnet and somtimes in other stations as Necessity required On the 26. of October the King accompanied by the Cardinal and a great number of the Principal Cavaliers of the Court went to the Camp to see what Posture it was in and to encourage them with his Presence He lodg'd that night in the Abbey of Cicussy belonging to Cardinal Bicchi the next morning he visited the Quarters of Nouailles from thence he went to the top of a Hill under which was the quarter of Castelnau form hence certain Cavaliers to shew their courage pickeer'd within Musquet-shot of the walls the King was very well pleased with their Gallantry which is not unusual among the French Gentlemen the Nobleness of whose blood is for the most part accompanied with undauntedness of mind The King had a Council of War called in his Presence and resolv'd to send Monsieur Villequier to the Town with a summons address'd more particularly to the Marquess de Forz This Marquess by the means of his Father-in-law Monsieur de Vaubecourt Governour of Chalons had treated with the Court and in a manner made his Peace but in the very instant whilst he was in expectation of the Prince of Condy's consent the Town being invested he thought it not consistent with his honour to abandon it and therefore to perform the Punctilio of a generous Cavalier he resolved to defend it and that Montal might have no occasion to suspect him he declar'd he would serve in the siege only in the quality of a private Reformade and leave the care and Government of the whole to him as the accordingly did The 28. of October the King returned to Chalons The 1. of November the Trenches were opened in two places and the French began to batter the Town but with little progress by reason of the brave defence made by the Garrison who by their Salleys and their Counter-batteries gave them more difficulty then was imagin'd Upon the News of this Siege the Prince of Condy who as hath bin said was sick of a Quartan Ague commanded the Counts of Briole and Duraz to draw out what Troops they could out of the nearest quarters and endeavour to relieve the place whilst himself with the Spanish Generals should joyn their Forces not so much to raise the Siege as to quarter in the French Territories The said Counts with the Assistance of the Lorrainers got together 3000 Foot and 2000 Horse and passing the Mose advanced to effect their design which doubtless had succeeded had it not been prevented by the diligence of the Cardinal Who having intelligence of their Motion the 4th of November 1653. at Midnight from Grand-Prè Governour of Mouson he leap'd out of his bed and gave Order immediately He first dispatch'd Mounsieur d' One the Lieutenant of his Guards to Vitry to cause the Count de Bougy with the Troops of Guienne to march with all speed to the Camp He commanded the Gens d' Arms the light Horse of the Kings Guards and his own and all the Gentlemen of his Train to march forthwith He dispatch'd Courriers to all the adjacent parts requiring all souldiers to repair immediately to the Army which he design'd should be commanded by the Mareschal du Plessis Praslin in whose valour and fidelity he had great very great confidence by break of day all the Souldiers and Gentlemen attending the Court appear'd mounted and armed with an alacrity suitable to the greatness of their courage The Mareschal the same day after dinner departed from Chalons and being accompanied by the above-mentioned Guards and a good number of Voluntiers he took his way directly towards the Camp with design to arrive there in the night as privately as he could possibly intending if the enemie appear'd as he expected they would the next morning to fight them but they were too well advised to come on perhaps out of fear of being enclosed by the Mareschal de la Fertè who by Orders from the Cardinal was marching to put himself between Clermont and St. Menehaud a proper place to have fallen upon their Rear in case they should adventure to raise the siege Or else as the
the same time Charleroy having received his Arrears the Garrison was changed and Monsieur de Besemaux Captain of the Cardinals Guards was made Governour with whom were left several other Officers entirely depending on the King This Affair having succeeded as the Cardinal contrary to the opinion of many of the Council had presaged contributed much to his reputation and rendred his merits more considerable to the Crown The Cardinal after all this assured the Duke d' Elbeuf that being thorowly informed of the sincerity of Count Harcourt he had the same kindness for him as formerly that seeing he had submitted himself so ingenuously he would take an opportunity that he should have absolute satisfaction The Court remain'd very well pleas'd with the Respect and Generosity of the Count in that Action but those who were emulous of his glory and with several suggestions had wounded his reputation were much astonish'd and confus'd The Duke d' Anville who not many dayes before had been banish'd the Court was recall'd and receiv'd into favour again both by the King and the Cardinal The displeasure was grounded upon this that having promised to resign his Government of Limousin which was design'd for the Mareschal de Turenne in recompence of his services perform'd for the Crown by the instigation of the Arch-bishop of Burges d' Anville seemed unwilling to give his Consent whereupon to Court having engaged their word to Turenne thought themselves obliged to make it good as well to satisfie him who otherwise might have thought himself eluded as to signifie his Majesties resentment to the Duke but he acknowledging his fault and having perform'd what he promis'd was restor'd again to Court Whilst the Mareschal de Hoquincourt was preparing for his journey into Catalonia the States of Languedoc that Winter were held at Pezenas a Town and Castle seated upon the Confluence of the two Rivers the Peyne and the Eraut the Marquess de Plessis Belliere residing there and finding the humour of those people by the infelicity of the times more dispos'd to Factions and Cabals then to pay their Contributions to the King he used all possible means to reduce them to their obedience and at last perceiving the said States resolved to contribute nothing unless the Troops were drawn out of that Province and knowing that the Provisions of Oats for the Horse and other Necessaries for the Camp were to be made out of the Benevolences of that Country which would amount to a very little if nothing was given by the States and by consequence the Army would be uncapable of doing any thing considerable He offered to take the Field if any reasonable Contribution would be made towards the subsistence of the Army to which the States were well enough inclined He considered moreover that the time of the year was far spent That supplies of men were coming to the Spaniards out of Italy That the Enemy were drawing together and made Provision of Cannon Powder Ladders and other Necessaries of Warre at Castillon in order to the besieging of Roses wherefore concluding it would be too late to relieve it if their Line of Circumvallation should be finished before his Arrival it was necessary to provide against it in time He departed from Pezenas the 25. of May and advanc'd to Rigean and Rivesalta where he made some stay to get his Troops together and to see what the final resolution of the States would be Above all he consider'd the importance of conserving Rossilion about which the Cardinal had writ to him and recommended that Province particularly to his care He rendezvouz'd his Army at Baulori from whence he marched the 16. of July to pass the Mountain of Pertus his whole Number consisted of 2500 Horse and 4000 Foot all expert and veterane souldiers The Spaniards Army was a Regiment of Foot more in number then the French and was commanded by the Baron Saback the Constable of Castile and the Marquess Serra so that it was probably judged they would have opposed the French at that Pass but they only put a Guard into the Tower of Longuiera purposing that whilst these had stopp'd them to come in opportunely and defend the entrance but contrary to all expectation the Tower yielded at the sight of two small field-peeces which the French had brought with them from Rossillion here they stay'd a day attending the coming up of their Baggage and Rear-Guard thence they advanc'd into the Plain beyond Oustelnau Plessis Belliere divided his Army into two Battalia's upon intelligence that the enemy would expect him about Castillon who the more to engage their men to keep the Field had set fire on their Forts before Roses and drawn out the Garrison from Teguiers The French March'd in good Order directly towards the Spaniards leaving Teguiers on their right hand Their Vanguard discover'd the Spaniards drawn up in Battalia behind Castillon under the shelter of the Town a great Moor and several Canals and Ditches but as soon as they saw Night approaching and that the French Rearguard was at hand Their Horse which had faced the enemy till their Foot and baggage March'd off began to face about and retire under the benefit of the Night leaving only 1200 Men in Castillon to hinder the advance of the French The Marquess de Plessis Belliere call'd a Council of War to consider whether they should follow the Enemy or not and iâ— was concluded in the Negative because in a Country full of difficult and strait passes as that was it was impossible to force the Enemy to fight unless he had a mind to it himself Besides their provision of Victuals was not yet come up to the Army and they should be necessitated in a short time to return for want of it to the great prejudice of their reputation amongst those people accustomed to judg of things according to their outward appearance and it concern'd the French to preserve their friendship It was resolv'd on therefore to take Castillon before they procdeded any further and to advance fair and softly and not engage in long Marches that they should not afterwards be able to prosecute To this purpose two Pieces of Cannon were sent for from Roses and having taken a view of the Town they began presently to open the Trenches which were in a short time advanc'd to the very brim of the Ditch notwithstanding the perpetual firing from the walls Castillion has a Rampart about it lin'd with stone made curtain-wise with a small dry ditch the Garrison were Irish and Neapolitans commanded by Colonel Milon who being made Head of the people of Naples to their late Revolutions deserted their Party and entred himself into the Spanish service in which he behav'd himself with much reputation The Besieged made no Salleys as having no works to shelter them without but they threw such quantities of stones that the Assailants were obliged to raise a Gallery in the Ditch to get to the wall with more security which being