for a long time he helde the King in hope to follow the warres for him and all that time his troupes ouerranne the plaine country and there forraged themselues after most strange maner but in the ende he found the meanes to withdraw himselfe from the Kings armie and hauing impeached those of Metz from victualls he departed with all his troupes Difficultie of the siege of Mets. Winter approaching many were of opinion that the Emperour would not hazard so puissant an armie as he then had vnprofitably to fight and striue against the colde and the Ice and by that meanes constraine it of it selfe to be dispearsed and miserably ouerthrowne But the hope he had to recouer the Towne of Metz wherein were many Princes Lords and Gentlemen caused him to reiect all other apprehensions whatsoeuer in such sort that his Forces began to marche and set forward towards the countrey of Lorraine meane time the Duke de Neuers fortified Stenay and constrained the Burgonian Garrison of Vireton to yeeld themselues to him A company of the old bandes being in Roc de Mars were drawne from thence Those that commaunded in Verdun Iuoy Danuille and Monmedy strengthened themselues and made prouision for their owne defence not long after the Emperour came to Sarbruch The Emperors approach a Towne lying within seuen myles of the Citie of Metz from whence hee sent the Duke of Alue his Lieftenant General and the Marquesse of Marignan with 4000. foote 4000. horse and sixe field peeces vnto the Towne to view it and to chuse the most commodious places wherein to lodge his men about it The Duke of Guise being Lieftenant Generall for the King within the Towne caused certaine troupes to issue forth that skirmished with the Emperours Forces A skirmish wherein the Duke of Alue lost aboue 150. men on the French part there was fiue souldiers slaine and one Gentleman of Picardie named Marigni and two Captaines hurt that died not long after The King being at Rheims was aduertised by the Duke d'Aumalle touching The Marquesse of Brandebourg ouerthroweth the Duke d'Aumalle and taketh him prisoner the practises of the Marques of Brandebourg with the Emperour required to send some forces of 200. men of armes with whose helpe and the rest of his troupes he said he doubted not but easilie to ouerthrow the Marques to the which end Monsisur de Bourdillon was sent thither but the Duke for that time sent him backe again esteeming that the Marques as then hauing past the Meuse ment to ioyne with the Emperours armie but about the end of October the Duke beeing aduertised that the Marques beganne to dislodge placed himselfe in order of battell with al his horsemen vpon a plaine called la Croix du Monstier to see what way the Marques held who hauing intelligence that the countrie people and certaine Frenchmen skirmished and spoyled some of his footemen would himselfe in person go to see what they were and went so neare that his Interpreter was slaine with a caliuer standing close by him who therewith reâ—urning in great chollor appoynted his horsemeÌ„ to aduance themselues to set vpon the enemie and so in great furie charged the Dukes companies who as then thought to retire At the first onset the Marques set vpon a great troup of Pages and others that were placed there to make a shewe who were presently dispearsed The second charge was made vpon a squadron of Light-horse and Argolets who in a manner made no resistance and so all the strength fell vppon the Lanciers who presently by the Rutters Pistols were forced to retire beeing ill prouided of Lances to make resistance The Duke perceiuing his horsemen to bee disranked and flying to saue themselues and the Marques at hand-blowes with diuers of his Leaders rancked himselfe in order againe with some fewe of his men and entered into the skirmish where his principall Gentlemen hauing beene slaine before his eyes the rest hurt beaten downe and taken prisoners and all his men put to flight and chased himselfe beeing hurt in two places and his horse slaine vnder him in the end was taken prisoner and all his company in a maner ouerthrowne The Vicount of Rohan slaine by them that tooke him and many Cornets Captaines and Gentlemen to the number of two hundreth and more slaine in the field the number of the prisoners beeing many more this Josse of so many Gentlemen was a mends for the happie successe which the king had about a month after against the Emperour The Marques beeing victorious sent the Duke d'Aumalle his prisoner into Almaine for whom afterward hee got 50000. Crownes for a ransome which the king payed at the instant request of the Duches de Valentinois mother in lawe vnto the prisoner which done he went vnto the Emperour as then beeing before Metz with all his campe at the same time The Counte de Reux Lieftenant generall for the Emperour in the lowe Countries entred into Picardie with a great armie Taking of the towne Castle of Hesdin from the King and the spoyling of Picardie by the Emperours armie where hee burnt Noyon Nesse Chauni Roye and the pleasant Castle of Foulenbray with more then 800. Villages which done he besieged Hesdin the Towne beeing taken they inclosed the Castle hauing beaten downe a great Tower that stood on the Parke side and caused a great peece of a wall to bee vndermined filling the ditches with the rubbish therof which serued the assaulters for a bridge to passe ouer to make the assault wherewith the defendants were striken in such feare that without further resistance they yeelded the Castle vpon condition to depart their liues goods saued A gentleman named Monsieur de Rasse who as then commanded in the Castle in fauour of the Constable made that composition but if his maister had not intreated for him it had cost him his life because hee neuer defended himselfe and not long before had sent word vnto the King that hee doubted not the Castle But for the same cause hee was sent home vnto his owne house and neuer after imployed in the warres Resolution of the assieged within the Towne of Metz. The king hauing receiued that second losse wrote vnto the Duke de Guise to knowe in what disposition he found himselfe to bee within the Towne of Metz. The Duke sent him aunswere whereof the effects prooued correspondent with his words and with all certified him of the order holden by the Emperour in his campe When the king perceiued himselfe to bee secured on that side hee left the Duke de Neuers for Generall of his armie in Lorraine made Monsieur de Chastillon Admirall of France and his Lieftenant in Picardie in place of Monsieur d'Annebaut not long before dead within la Fere. The Admiral de Chastillon presently went to Hesdin the companies of the Duke de Neuers beganne to trouble the Emperors armie by surprising their victuals great pittie it was
Towne to be rased to the ground And because the report went that Hesdin should be besieged the Duke de Bouillon Marshall of France vndertooke to defend the Castle the Duke Horatio Fernese the Counte de Villards with diuers other Lords and Gentlemen being assistants with about 2000. souldiers where they were presently inclosed by the Emperours army whereof Emanuel Philebert Duke of Sauoy and Prince of Piedemont his Nephewe was Generall which place hee battered more freely then at any other time it had bene and mined in so many places that it seemed readie to fall by which meanes the Frenchmen were constrained to parle and while they were vpon the point to make a composition nothing rested but the signe on the one side a Priest by misfortune hauing put fire vnto the artificiall works made within the Castle therwith to defend the assalt on the other side the Burgonions that desired nothing but the spoile hauing caused their mines to worke part of the souldiers were burnt with those artificiall fires and part blowne vp with the mynes the rest remained at the mercy of the Emperours souldiers that entred into the Castle The Duke de Bouillon Hesdin taken from the Frenchmen and rased charged the Prince of Piedemont with his promise but he answered him and said that there needed no Hostages to be giuen seeing he found himselfe to be maister of the place and by that means the Duke with diuers others were taken prisoners by whom the Prince gained a most great raunsome The Castle was taken vpon the 18. day of Iuly Duke Horatio the Vicount de Martigues the Seneschal de Castres and diuers Captaines and Gentlemen were slaine therein which is the fortune of warre but the Emperour caused it to be rased to the ground The ouerthrow of some of the Emperours forces and the taking of the Duke of Arscot After that the French Armie being assembled by Amiens and Piquigny about the 15. of August there happened an encounter wherein the Prince of Conde had the leading of the light Horse and with the same he brake into the Emperours troupes beating and driuing them before him aboue a myle slaying of them to the number of seuen or eight hundreth men and tooke prisoners about fiue hundred and among the rest the Duke of Arscot bearing away their Ensignes which done the Emperours Army retiring towards Arras the kings Armie about the ende of August laie about Corbie Wherein there was almost 7000. horse 25. thousand foote and aboue an hundreth peeces of Artillery both great and small The Emperour determined to cause this great Armie either to consume of it selfe or else at the siege of some Towne or Castle But to the contrary the king desired nothing but battell and to effect his will he approached neare to Cambray and making towardes Valenciennes caused a certaine charge to be giuen where the Frenche horse men had the better and perceiuing that the Emperors Forces wold not hazard themselues the king withdrew his Campe sending the Marshall de S. Andre to ouerrunne the plaine countrie belonging to the Counte of S. Paul and about the ende of October hee discharged a part of his armie the rest were placed in Garrisons to passe the winter time In the Spring there the king made three armies the first vnder the coÌ„duct of the Prince de la Roche Suryon in Vermandois composed of tenne thousand foote three hundreth launces Three armies in France and fiue or sixe hundreth Argoletiers in the second marching towards Crecy conducted by the Constable there was 25. Ensignes of Frenchmen as many Suissers two Regiments of Lansquenets and two thousand horse part light-horses and part Argoletiers with the rereward of France and some English and Scottish horsemen The third conducted by the Duke de Neuers Exployts of thâ—se three armies was composed of twentie companies of Englishmen and Scots two Regiments of Lansquenets three hundreth launces eight hundreth light-horse and Argoletiers and two hundreth Almaine Pistoletiers the first entered into Artois where it made great spoyle and burnt many places that of the Duke de Neuers ouerranne Ardennes tooke the Castle of Orcimont by composition destroyed and burnt great numbers of villages and constrained the Garrison of the Castle of Beaurin to yeeld by composition and then entered into the countrie of Liege hauing assured and opened the nauigation of the Meuse by the taking of certaine little Castles and strong Forts that lye along by the riuer side the Constables armie tooke Mariembourg and fortified Rocroy Issuing out of Ardennes those of Dinam were sounded to know if they would remaine as newter but they made a most bolde and voluntary answere accompanied with some Harquebush shot Wherevpon the Herault and Trompet of the Duke de Neuers somoned them and the Duke by force tooke the Castle of Agimont in the beginning of Iulie finding the Castles of Castelthierri and Valuin wholly abandoned and forsaken which done hee wanne Bouines by assault wherein most of the Inhabitants were slaine or executed to death because they seemed to resist the kings armie Dinam after some small resistance yeelded it selfe the Inhabitants hauing their liues saued and the Towne not burnt as that of Bouines but wholly sacked Therein happened a cruell skirmish betweene the Frenchmen and the Almaines that would haue violated and forced certaine women maides taken within the church which quarrell was ended by the king the Castle not long after was taken by composition An ouerthrowe of the Emperours forces While these things were in this sort executed in the countrie of Liege the Prince de la Roche Suryon being in Artois ouerthrew two Cornets of the Emperours horsemen whereof 200. of them were slaine and the Cornets sent vnto the king who vnderstaÌ„ding that the Prince of Piedemont assembled an armie determining to fight if the Spaniards would aduance themselues purpased to passe the Sambre which he effected and being followed by the Duke de Neuers he entered into the countrie of Hainaut about the 20. of Iuly where he made a horrible spoyle some of his troupes running to the subburbes of Neuelle the frontier Towne of Brabant wherein with all the villages round about it they set on fire winning great spoyle then the armie drew towards Baius one of the principall Townes in Hainaut leauing nothing about it but fire The kings reuenge for the spoiles done in Picardie smokes ashes and miserie throughout all the plain countrie a most lameÌ„table tragedie between two so great Princes The FrenchmeÌ„ being incaÌ„ped about Baius made greater fiers then euer they had done burning all the castles GentlemeÌ„s places throghout the countrie The goodly house of MariemoÌ„t beloÌ„ging to the Q. of Hungarie was not forgotteÌ„ neither yet the castle of Tragny Baius beeing assayled vppon the 22. day of the same moneth yeelded it selfe to the kings mercie that caused it to be burnt in reuenge of the spoyle of Foulembray as also of the Townes and
intended to compound and make agreement with the Emperour The kings answere to the Princes The King perceiuing that by meanes of his great armie the Protestant Princes had brought the Emperour to some reason and on the other side vnderstanding that the Queene of Hungary with her forces was entered into the field left the Almaines and at his departure made aunswere vnto the Princes that he contented himselfe to be esteemed the cause whereby the Princes that were prisoners should shortly bee deliuered and the countrie of Almaine enioy a happy peace and that if thereafter it should haue cause to vse his helpe hee would not spare what meanes soeuer hee had to doo them good Meane time the armie fedde vppon the poore pesants and the country belonging to those of Strasbourg that stood vpon their guard was nothing spared The Leaders notwithstanding repressing the insolencie of the Souldiers as much as possibly they might but in so great a multitude it is impossible that some disorder should not bee committed The meeting at Passau where the French Ambassadour was present Duke Maurice hauing driuen the Emperor out of Almaine and thereby procured an assembly and meeting to bee holden at Passau there to take order touching the reducing of the Countrie of Almaine into her anâ—â—er 〈◊〉 Ambassadours for the Emperour the Electors and diuers â—â—aces of Germanie met togither Where the Bishop of Bayonne Ambassadour for the King fayled not to come vpon the 3. of Iune in a learned Oration he shewed the ancient long coniunction of the countries of Almaine France the affectioÌ„ that the His Oration king bare vnto the Empire as then hardly and euill gouerned by the Spaniards and their adherents finding it good for the Protestant-Princes to agree and make an accord with the Emperour so the prisoners might be deliuered the ancient alliance of France with the Empire and the last capitilation made with the Princes ratified and confirmed that the Emperour should do him reason and that his whole desire was to consent and agree with them all and particularly with Duke Mauris the answere thervnto was composed with many thankes and declarations couched in such sort that neither the Emperour nor the king Their answere could in any sort bee discontent therewith Touching the renuing of auncient alliances they said that a matter of so great waight importance required great and more ample assembly meane time they desired that the amitie alwaies holden continued between the two nations might stil remaine in force and that the controuersies betweene the Emperour and the king might bee appeased promising therein to imploy all meanes possible meane time they desired the king to shew what wrong he could pretend had beene in any sort offered vnto him by the Emperour to whom they would not faile to write that thereby some end and finall agreement might be made VVarres in the Duchy of Luxenbourg with diuers exployts spotles and pilling of places During this assembly the Queene of Hungary hauing commaunded the Marshall of Cleueland to enter into the Duchy of Luxenberg with an armie of 3000. foote and 600. horse caused them to ioyne with the companies of the lowe countries in such sort that their armie being compassed of 12000. foote and 3000. horse beganne to worke many exployts and hauing taken Stenay vppon Meuse a small Towne belonging to the Duchie of Lorraine they enterprised against other places but not to any effect onely that they burnt certaine villages and small hamblets but the kings armie approaching they beganne to retire which made the Councell to determine vpon the conquest of the Duchie of Luxenbourg wherewith they first set vppon a strong Castle called Roc de Mars which was presently taken and spoyled The like was done to Mont S. Iohn Solieure and other places The Emperours and the kings forces skirmishing before Thionuille the armie passing by it made towards d'Auuille which beeing battered and yeelded vnto the king the Captaines were kept prisoners and the Souldiers suffered to depart without armes onely a white sticke in their hands Iuoy was likewise battered and after yeelded vpon the like condition The Gouernour beeing sent prisoner vnto Parris all the spoyle was giuen vnto the Constable who distributed the greatest part thereof among his troupes and particularly to that of his eldest sonne whereat the Souldiours of the olde companies began to mutinie next Iuoy they tooke Monmedy and while they were imployed therein the Marshall Sedan heire vnto the house la Marshe obtained certaine companies of the King wherewith hee recouered the Towne and Castle of Bouillon with all the places depending belonging to the Duchie VVinning of the Duchy of Bouillon which done the Castles of Lumes Treton Glaion and others were taken and ouerthrowne and to please the olde Souldiers they had the spoyle of Cimay a Towne and Castle belonging vnto the Duke d'Arscot giuen vnto them Where the assieged hauing withdrawne themselues into the Castle and desiring to make some composition were myned vnder the gate and other places of the Castle by the great fury of the assailantes wholly famished and thirsting after spoyle wherevnto they ranne with so great haste that some of their Matches fell into a certaine quantitie of powder The Castle and Towne of Cimay burnt whereby about sixe score of the most forwardest of them were burnt and blowne vp into the aire and to conclude the fury of warre burnt both the Towne and Castle but because the Army began to diminish and to weaken some being laden with spoyle and the greatest part sicke and not well at ease about the ende of Iuly such as were left were placed in Garrisons there to attend the Emperors resolution who hauing to do both with the Protestant Princes and the King determined to agree and compound with the Princes by their meanes to aide himselfe against the King and vpon the last of Iuly he made and concluded a peace with Almaine Peace in Almaine to beginne his warres with France The King was much moued at that agreement yet he discharged the Hostages of Duke Maurice who likewise released his beeing the Earles of Nantueil and Iametz The Emperours enterprises for the recouery of Metz Thoul and Verdun After this appointment with the Almaines the Emperor vsed such means that the Princes and Townes of Almaine by litle and litle agreed to furnish him with men money and Artillery therewith to driue the King out of Metz Thoul and Verdum imperiall Townes to the which ende he gathered an Armie of 50000. foote and 20000. horse with a great number of Artillery and while he was preparing this armie Albert Marquesse of Brandenburge who in the Kings name had made most cruell warre vpon many Townes and Bishopprickes in Almaine being secretly reconciled vnto the Emperour hauing to the number of 2000. horse and 8000. foote with certaine artillery approched the Frontiers of Luxembourge and of Lorraine where
beeing sacked and put to the spoyle Nowhauen New-Hauen a Towne of great importance hauing beene brauely deliuered vnto the Prince by Vidame de Chartres Monsieur de Beauuoir and la Nocle his brother in lawe Vidame going into England meaning not to leaue the place vnprouided let the keeping thereof to one named Roquebrune to whom hee gaue commission to raise three hundreth men for the guard therof He presently went vnto the Cardinall of Lorraine and after to the King of Nauarre promising to deliuer New-Hauen vnto them and proceeded therewith vntill such time as he should haue executed his charge But the enterprise being discouered to Monsieur de Beaunoir he tooke speedie order for the reliefe thereof causing Roquebrune to loose his head Meane time Vidame dealt with the Queene of England to aide those of the religion vpon condition that for the securitie and safegard of her men she should haue the Towne of New-Hauen deliuered vnto her without any preiudice vnto the King or to the Realme whervpon 6000. English men were sent into Normandie whereof part were in Roane where they fought valiantly till the last man and if they had bene seconded the issue thereof would haue fallen out otherwise Some were put into Deepe the greatest part staying in New-Hauen vnder the conduct of the Earle of VVarwicke Roan being taken the Ringraue came before New-Hauen where the English men and Scots gaue him many a skirmish Many meanes were sought to corrupt Monsier de Beauuoir with promises of fiftie thousand crownes a coller of the order and a company of Lanciers But by no meanes he would consent to yeeld the Towne nor yet in any sort blemish his honour Touching Britaigne the Duke de Estampes Britaine a Gentleman of good and moderate nature behaued himselfe very indifferently with those of the religion as long as the Queene-mother seemed to hang in suspence But warres once kindled and his Nephew Sebastian de Luxembourg a cruell man if euer there were any in France being ioyned with him for assistant mutenous companiōs began to stirre in such sort that those of the Army of Triumuirat seemed to sette one vpon the other But yet those of the religion made good meanes to helpe themselues Nowe lette vs see what happened vnto the country of Guyene Guyenne during these first troubles The first of Aprill 1562. Monluc caused the towne of Fumel to bee vnwalled Threw downe certaine houses and sette them at a fine of three hundreth thousand frankes to bee payde vnto the widowe and Orphanes of Monsieur de Fumel not long before murthered by those of the Towne Those of the religion foreseeing the mischiefes that Monluc wold worke if he were not preuented desired Monsieur de Duras to stay in the Prouince where hee fonud great forces but hee excused himselfe by the commandement giuē him from the Prince to lead certaine forces to Orleans which was the means of most great miseries and cruell massacres that happened in that countrie Those of the religiō in Bourdeaux hauing let slip the means to get the Towne peaceably into their hāds while Burie Mōluc were absent that went about to erect their snares and to assure themselues they could no more attaine vnto it for that minding to assaye it once againe they found so many faint hearted people emong them that they were constrained to saue thēselues in Duras whereof the Parliament being informed caused their houses to be spoiled thrown downe threatning all such as they could lay hands vpon and among the rest two Ministers named Neufchastle and Grene. Monluc had his greatest quarrell against those of Agen Agen. who among diuers other enterprises of that Towne had surely been taken and spoyled by them had it not beene for the improuidence of Monsieur de Memy Generall for the warres for those of the religion in Guyenne and all the countrie adioyning wherein hee behaued himselfe with no great honour as beeing a man rather addicted to his studie then vnto armes which in the end made him loose his head vppon a Scaffold Burie and Monluc knowing with whom they had to deale sought diuers meanes to intrappe those of Argen and to the same end caused Captaine Charry to lye about the Towne but an Ambascado being set for him hee was put to flight leauing 45. of his men dead vpon the ground and fifteene prisoners Memy brought great forces into Agen but knowing not how to imploye them hee was forsaken by Arpaion and Marchastel who as then if hee would haue credited them could haue ouerthrowne Monluc who knowing his aduersaries weake conduction neuer ceased to giue him diuers alarmes About the end of three weekes Memies troupes hauing done no good in Agen departed and left their companies To the contrary Monluc ceased not to make diuers courses into the countrie constraining them to supply his want of victuals and munition his souldiers running to the gates of Agen and meeting with any of the religion they put a halter about his necke and if hee continued constant they put him to cruell death or else ransomed and then killed him And such as were but weake of faith after they had made them trot with them they constrained them to make the signe of the crosse to say an Aue Maria and to consesse and acknowledge the Masse to bee good yet they were not content there with but forced them to sweare and blaspheme God at the least fiue or sixe times togither which done they were accounted and holden for good and sufficient Catholikes in Monluc and Peyrot his sonnes opinions The seuenth of August those of Agen repulsed Captaine Bourg that kept a passage from them full of good prouision but hauing gotten the place their souldiers busied themselues about harkening after the sweet wines so that the next day againe du Rourg surprised and slewe sixtie of them dispearsing the rest whereof diuers passing the riuer dranke more water then the day before they had swallowed wine But the next day insuing they had their reuenge at Lerac where by certaine intelligence they slew eightie of Monlucs souldiers which notwithstanding within 4. daies after those of Agen perceiuing their towne to be weake issued out of the Towne all armed to the number of sixe hundreth men deliuering the keyes vnto the Consulles desiring them not to forget the great courtesie shewed vnto them by those of the religion when they were Maisters of the Towne Women of good account bare their children in their armes in a cradle vppon their heads or else carried them on their shoulders And in that sort hauing trauelled all night they found themselues to bee about seuen great leagues from Agen where they stayed for Duras that prouided for their securitie The next day those of Agen sought to kill and massacre such as they could intrappe Burie and Monluc presently came thither and after all the mooueables had been ceased vpon and borne away they ceased vpon the immcoueables
difficult a passage the Romish Catholiques could neuer finde fit opportunitie considering that many occasions befell them and the rather by reason of the impeachments of their maine carriages For besides these great forces of the Dukes of Aumale and Nemours the townes countrie and riuers were at their commaund they also knewe the purposes of their aduerse armie which consisted in making haste and either by force or surprise winning passage ouer Loyre whither it came maugre all their pollicies and deuises It was said that through some contention between them they lost sundrie good exployts which they ought haue performed had they beene at vnion besides they doubted the vigilancie of Moruilliers the industrie of Feuguieres and the readinesse and valiancie of Nouy Esternay and other Captaines who held them in continuall alarme and had not the news of the battell at Bassac comforted them Aumale and Nemours had been either defeated or forced to licence their troupes and so to retire into the townes If fell out well for the Germaines that they made such haste for this great blocke this riuer of Loire would haue been a second and most greeuous difficultie to stay these riuers as well for that it was not so shallow as to yeeld any foord as also for that all the townes standing therevppon were enemies yet was the passage so necessary that it made thē to vse great speed courage and inuention for contrary to all expectation of their enemies on each side the riuer they assaulted a towne called la Charitee where they had a good bridge Among al the ouersights of the Rom. Catholicques who were reenforced with a supply of Italians from the Pope of twelue hundreth horse and four thousand foote this was not the least that they left la Charitee destitute of men wherevppon the Protestants lay so hard to that place and terrified it with so many mines and threats that before it could haue any reliefe they had wonne it to their incredible ioy which neuerthelesse was abated by the decease of Feuquieres and other Captaines poysoned by the way according vnto Biragues precepts Had it not been for this prize the Germaine armie had bin hard bestead and their leaders forced to haue returned backe to the head of Loire which was sixtie leagues off yea which was woorse taking that course they should haue intangled themselues in a hilly wood countrie where their horse would haue been but a hinderance The Admirall accounted this passage impossible and still harkened after their ouerthrow The Admirals opinion touching the passage of the Rutters many times telling his familiars that he could not helpe this succor in regard that the Duke of Auious armie still lay before him and the Rutters and French had two armies more watching vpon them besides a most difficult passage ouer the riuer withall that albeit they had passed ouer yet their enemies ioyning their forces must needs defeate them before they could come neare them by twentie leagues to helpe them But hearing of the successe of the siege of la Charitee he grew againe into some hope saying This is a good prognostication let vs perfect it with diligence and resolution The Princes with their troupes marched immediately towards Limosin that so they might come nearer to the Duke of Anious power to keepe it in awe albeit in continuall feare still looking to heare that al the enemies armies beeing so strong should haue swallowed vp their Rutters which fell out contrary for they tooke so good opportunitie and vsed such speed that they out went them vnder the cōduct of the French troupes where among the rest Nouy bare himselfe more valiantly in sundrie roades of the enemies whom diuers times he sent backe gathered to the place where the Admirall had appoynted to meet them with one thousand shot and two thousand and fiue hundreth horse Thus towards the end of Iune the two armies ioyned in great ioy albeit somewhat abated by the death of the Duke of Deuxponts who died of a feuer a little before into whose place the Countie Mansfield succeeded This iourney and fauourable passage may put all Captaines in minde that notwithstanding whatsoeuer great difficulties they may bee inuironed yet are they not to distinct for they shall not need past one sole fauourable accident to free them and such do commonly fauor those that shunning sloth doo take a good heart Discourse of the encounter at the Rochebelle where Strossy was ouerthrown with two regimēss of foote The two armies as then very strong that of the Duke of Aniou beeing aboue thirtie thousand men and that of the Princes fiue and twentie thousand were constrained to depart one from the other to finde commoditie of victuals because the countrie of Limosin is vnfertile but they reapproched towards S. Yrier la Perche The Admirall perceiuing that the sterilitie of the countrie made his troupes to lye scattered and because of the hilles and woods the places of battel were oftē with disaduantage determined rather to preuent then bee preuented Not long before the Princes had sent an humble request vnto the king to haue peace but the Duke d'Anion would neuer graunt Passeport to their Deputies whereof the Admirall made great complaints to the Marshall de Montmorencie And perceiuing that his enemies sought nothing but warre hee counselled the Princes to surprise the Dukes armie not far from thence in a place named Rochebelle To the which end they departed before the breake of day resolute to giue battell and arriued in so good time that they were within a quarter of a league from the head of their enemies before they gaue the alarme The strong lodging serued those that were there in guard and stood them in great stead and Colonel Strossy at the noyse hasted in with 500. harquebusiers for the strengthening of 300. of his mē that kept the principall passage where hee found the skirmish begun His valor serued wel for his partakers for that for the space of one houre he held 4000. of the Princes shot good play whereby the D. armie had opportunitie to assemble and set themselues in array The Admiral wondring that they could not force that passage sent Brucil a wise and skilful Captaine who immediately espied the fault Herevpon hauing ordered certaine troups and disbanded 4. cornets of horse to scar them he began a sharp onset wherin vpon the breaking of certain Pallissades that couered Strossy his regiment his men were so disordered that the suruiuers fled leauing dead behind them 22. of their leaders and fiue or 600. foot besides their Colonel prisoner without whose resistance the Princes auantgard had gotten to the D. ordinance with all impeachment But withall it beganne to ioyne and so continued that the victors were forced to retire The next day they were imployed vpon alarmes and skirmishes in one of the which 200. Italians with some sallies of the company of the D. of Nemours being somewhat too far aduanced were charged by the Lord
Carroy battered and beaten downe all the towers and walles of the towne and continued and made plaine the breach which was aboue three hundreth paces wyde their white Ensigne Colonel followed by the rest shewed it selfe in order of battell all their men comming vnder couert A generall assault in sun drie places through their trenches euen to the edge of the Towne ditch where they gaue the assault as followeth Sarrieu his Regiment strooke in at the ende of the breach towardes the Goose-gate in a place called Londis Grange where the fight was greatest and to second him came in the Lord of Chastre Generall of the armie with his men at armes who with other Maisters alighted and that day fought on foote This first assault was famous for the assaylants came in good order and verie resolutely to the breach wherevpon they cambered seuen or eight of the best armed and couered came to handie blowes namely Captaine Ri◠Sarrieu his Ensigne who carried his Ensigne brought it backe againe After their repulse the Lord of Bonniuet the Gentlemen of the countrie and Captaine Cartier gaue the second charge whereto they came with such resolution that some of them twise entered the breach among others Fontain Carters Ensigne one that was reuolted frō the religion who was there hurt so returned lame halting In this second onset four Ensignes accōpanied with four or fiue hundreth souldiers valiantly entered the ditch but in liew of marching straight to the breach they ioyned close with the corner of the wall which they did still beare with the ordinance where they stayed with their Ensignes and could not bee indammaged by the Townsmen who were not able to stand vpon the wall that parted them by reason of the volies of cannon shot Easily might they haue beene beaten away with muskets and harguebuze-shot out of some flanquers that yet remained toward the Goose-gate but at that time there was neither muskettier nor harguebuzier there about Yet sel there out one aduenture to the preseruation of the besieged and that was this As the cannoniers did without intermission continue the batterie from a place called the Smithes Carroy thinking to lay the wall flat and so to discouer the patforme wherevppon the besieged did fight they followed their purpose so obstinatly that with the dischrarge of two or three vallies of cannons they beate down so many stones vpon the foure Ensignes and their souldiers that they were forced to retire as also it fell out well with the besieged that the cannoniers in this batterie wanted powder for had they beaten downe sixe or seuen foote more of the wall the platforme from whence the besieged fought in flancke and was their chiefe defence had been layd open and made a bridge for the assailants without let to haue entered the Towne for this platforme beeing made on the suddaine was not behinde cut off from the side of the Towne and in other places they could not haue resisted The sixe Ensignes of Goas Regiment assaulted the Rauelin of the olde gate and Boudins platforme supportee by the Lord of Montigny Liestenant to the Countie of Brienne and some other Gentlemen there was Cabassoles a Captaine of one of the companies of the olde bandes a valiant man and greatly bewailed among the besiegers The new companies except Tessiers set vppon the great breach and gaue the assault from the platforme of the olde gate euen to the other ende of the breach toward Saint Andrewes gate Captaine Tessier presented the escalade to Caezars gate which was at the other end of the Towne that so the assault might bee generall and the besieged busied in euerie corner Of the Sancerreans Captaine Flur his Lieftenant Chaillou and Montauban his Cornet defended the breach of Londis but before they could come to it or set their soldiers in array two of their men were carried away with a cannon shot The rest of the Captains had euery man his quarter appoynted where they all bare themselues most valiantly and the walles were euery where furnished besides a number left in the principall places to serue for accurrences During the assault the fifteene hundreth labourours in the vines before mentioned with their slings furnished with stones by the women and maides wrought wonders and wounded many of the enemies Euen in the chiefed of the fight a woman caught hold of a souldiers pike and stroue to wrest it out of his fist A young man of the Towne named Ialot being in fight taken by a target-man and ledde away as hee descended into the ditch called to his companions rather to shoote at him then to suffer him to be carried away wherevppon one of them lying on his face aymed so right that hee killed the target-man and then Ialot with his dagger slew an other that had hold on him and so escaping returned through the breach to his fellowes The defendants had no other fence but their small shot swoords and slings neither could they make vse of their other Engines in regard that this general assault was giuen sooner then they expected by reason of the batterie that had continued all the morning The Sancerreans in this assault had seuenteene souldiers either slaine or wounded to death beside a wench that was carried away with a cannon The assailants left in the ditch some threescore of the valiantest besides some two hundreth that hauing their deadly woundes died in their tents and lodgings and as many more wounded who albeit they did in time recouer yet carried the markes to their graues The assailāts determinatiō to famish the Towne Thence foorth the assaylants vnderstanding the state of the Towne resolued to shut vp and starue the Sancerreans through the multitude of forts that they erected hard by their wals which being made fenceable notwithstanding whatsoeuer the defendants skirmishes they planted two coluerins in the greatest and so returned the rest of their peeces to the towns where they tooke them alwaies leauing sufficient strength round about to stop the besieged from comming forth or receiuing any reliefe out of the countrie In the beginning of Aprill one of the towne souldiers slipping downe the Towne-wall came to the greater fort and assured them that the defendants began to famish Within two daies after the besieged in a sallie slewe some of their enemies who the surer to girt in the Towne erected fiue new small forts and nightly stood very carefully vpon their guard so that the defendants perceiued that they ment to take them rather by the throats then by the fifts Heerevpon they sent abroad for succour but some of their messengers wer takē prisoners others put to death one Cap. Fleur others came no more again or could not reenter neither could they whersoeuer they became get any such succor as they pretended neither in deed was there any meanes by mans helpe to relieue them Beeing thus euery way shut vppe by their irreconcileable enemies from the beginning of Aprill the
the common consent of all After these protestatioÌ„s with the consent of the new king of Poland whom his brother and the Ambassadours hastened into that farre countrie they assembled at Millaud in Rouergue after at Montauban where they diuided Languedoc into two gouernments the one at Montauban the other at Nismes to serue for the bordering countries of Seuenes and Viuarais For the gouernment of the quarters of Montauban they chose Vicount Paulin and Saint Romain at Nismes who had the charge of all mattters of warre yet were accountable to the estates of the countrie that furnished theÌ„ with counsell quoyne These estates in euery gouernment were coÌ„posed of the chiefest of the prouinces yet so as in matters of importaÌ„ce ther were particulare states in euery Dioces that ment to confer by one or more of the Deputies with the estates of the gouernment by whose aduise the gouernor was to take his directioÌ„s at their haÌ„ds to receiue his pay For the countenance of this order they decreed the the souldiers contenting theÌ„selues with their pay shuld not forrage nor waste the plain countries to that end they taxed the aduersaries Townes and villages forcing theÌ„ to contribute toward the maintenance of the garrisons Such as voluntarily payed were eased as in time of peace in many places the Pesants followed their labours without daunger which caused many townes and boroughs otherwise enemies to the protestants to paye the contributions for feare of woorse Besides this order to furnish the maine charge and at all times to haue a stocke readie for all accurrences The want of discretion in the kings Councell they seized vpon the Church reuenues establishing their commissaries to that effect and all this had they leisure ynogh to do whilest the kings their Courtiers were busie in their bankets dances other vaine pastimes for the K. of Polonds farewel Thus in Languedoc in a short time they furnished many places from whence they might bring to the field vnder the conduct of their Gouernors very neare 20000. persons still weakning their aduersaries with the collection of the reuenues of the benefices contributions that they gathered in euery quarter Likewise following their example sundrie of the Romish Church otherwise discontented grew to be more affable to the protestants and to take their parts so to procure some quiet in the state of France The protestants in the gouernment of Nismes twise assembled togither resolued to craue at the kings hands a more sure peace and vpon better conditions then the edict of Rochel which they found very faultie and not to be admitted in many the articles They sent therefore their Deputies to giue him thanks for the good affection that he protested to the restoring of peace adding that the same is the most necessarie remedie for the reforming of the estate alreadie decayed lost without speedie prouisioÌ„ The magnanimitie of those of Languedoc That in hartie good wil they are most affectionate to yeeld him al obedience but that the massacres do euidently declare the daunger where the Prince is gouerned by the pernitious aduice of his wicâ—ed Councellours They besought the king not to mislike that they hauing an interest in this action had assembled themselues to the end with deliberation to consider of the surest meanes to establish a sound and good peace That through the pollicies of wicked Councellours the king was induced both by word and publicke letters paâ—rents to declare himselfe to be the author of the massacre at Parris which some fewe daies before hee had disaduowed wherin his reputation was greatly impaired with forraine nations That they could not thinke his will to concurre with such bloodie effects as lately appeared yet they feared least his wicked Councellours were still like affected and therefore they could do no lesse but take order for the safetie of Languedoc and themselues and by the example of their fellowes so hardly intreated looke to themselues They did therefore for the establishment of peace desire that the protestants might in their townes haue their Garrisons maintained at the Kings charge Their petitions that besides those Towns the king in euerie Prouince of his Realm should deliuer two such as by soure Deputies should be chosen which also should bee kept by the Protestants at the kings cost That the free and publicke exercise of religion should be permitted in all parts of the Realme and to all that would require it That for the admistration of iustice to the Protestants there might be in euery Prouince erected a new Court of Parliament composed of protestant iudges That the protestants for the maintenance of their Ministers might be discharged of such tenths as the Priests did demand That the authors Councellours and executioners of the massacres might bee punished as theeues and disturbers of the common quiet Those of the gouernment of Montauban sent likewise their Deputies to demaund besides the premisses that the Admirall and all the Protestants murthered the foure and twentieth of August 1572. as also they that yet liued might be deemed to haue been and to bee most faithfull subjects to the king and his estate and innocent and cleare of all spotte of rebellion That all arrests edicts and deedes to the contrarie since published might be reuoked and declared to bee of no force as slaunderously graunted defased and rased out of the records the goods honours and offices restored to the heires of the murthered all defamatorie monuments taken away and all processions instituted in honor of such cruelties abolished They farther also demaunded free exercise of their religion and Ecclesiastical discipline in all poynts Buriall without limitation of time or Church-yard exemption from all contribution to the ceremonies of the Romish Church admission of their children vnto Colledges vnder protestant Regents and legitimatioÌ„ of Priests marriages to such as should frame themselues to their religion Many other articles they propounded concerning gouernment and sent their committies toward the end of August with whom neare vnto Lyons ioined the Deputies of Prouence Dauphine and Nismes who all by the mouth of one propounded great declarations vnto the king who returned them to conferre with certaine his commissioners promising after he had broght his brother the king of Poland out of the Realme to take aduise for all that should bee requisite for the satisfying of his subiects Vppon the Deputies report in the beginning of Nouember the protestants renued their association throghout the Prouinces aforesaid where they held many places as also a very exact course for their conseruation The Ambasladours of Polonia beeing entered into France about the end of Iuly to fetch their king they bare him companie from Rochel to Parris What passed since the comming of the Ambassaders of Polonia vntil their departure where vpon the foureteenth of September he made a roy all enterie nothing wanted to make him happie but the prosperitie of the Rochelers that had slaine part of his
by the marriages of daughters capable by succession to the kingdome of Nauarre And for such hee was esteemed and accounted vntil the death of the Duke of Alencon the kings brother VVhen presently the good olde Cardinall of Bourbon was titled in the head and made beleeue that in the age of sixtie yeares hee should liue and succeede a king who beside his yong yeares and strength of bodie liued not in any such disordered maner whereby hee should once haue occasion to thinke vpon his successor for it was shewed him that hee was the first Prince of the blood and that the right of inheritance and succession consisted in his person But when this deuise was found too weake and the absurditie too much discouered thereby seeking to impugne or deny the king of Nauarre to be the chief and eldest branch of his house in the right and title of his father who in a manner liued in him besides the reuocation by his vncle made vnto him of all rights names voyces and actions whatsoeuer both present and to come that might appertaine or belong vnto him as beeing issued from the house of Bourbon expresly acknowledging the said king of Nauarre his Nephew for the true sonne heire successor and representation of the chiefe branch of the said house they inuented other obiections and subtile pollicies that vnder those pretences they might bleare the eyes of the common and simple people affirming the Crowne of France to bee vacant and so belonged to the first Conqueror aâ—leaging for reason that as in the populer successions of common people such as are of the kindred and familie of any houses beeing in the tenth degree of consanguinitie cannot bee heires of their kinsmans lands so farre in discent from them and therby the inheritance falleth into the Lords hands and that so the house of Bourbon had no title or any right to the Crowne of France as beeing in the tenth degree of consanguinitie from it wherof they caused diuers discourses and whole volumes to bee written But that not beeing able to bee beaten into the heads of true Frenchmen nor once set footing or enter into the opinions of the commun people altogither incapable of such Sophisteries they beganne to enter into an other course of iniuries accusations and inuections wherein they contented not themselues onely to crie out and make war against the said king and to produce and cause to bee published a perpetuall incapacitie in his person and that without the Popes consent but they accused him of treason they condemned him they named him vnwoorthie and incapable to rule in France they assembled all the estates of France at Blois wherein a manner they vtterly reiected him euery man shewed to bee his enemie if not in his right and title yet touching the religion which hee then held and finally went about to frame his proces But to the contrarie those that pursued him were themselues executed before they heard their condemnation or iudgement In this maner the fire beganne to bee kindled in all the foure quarters of the realme and the blow was of such force that all neighbour Princes were mooued there at such as were offended arming themselues to bee reuenged and the people in a manner led by a furie helping them and with them turned their faces against the king whereof the Towne of Parris was the first and by example therof all the Towns in lesse then 6. weeks made that great strange coÌ„motion that continued for the space of fiue whole yeares ensuing Shee mooued them to this dissention by the smooth and speciall reasons by her alleaged against heresie periurie and tiranny coniuring them by dutie to their countrie and by the loue they ought to beare to the preseruation thereof to ioyne with her in so iust a cause and to passe one of these two waies hauing no other meanes either to bee vanquishers or die in the quarrell rather then to submit themselues to the king And among the rest the Cittie of Lyons neuer inferiour to any Cittie in the world touching fidelitie and obedience to their kings that had no other obiect then onely zeale of religion in the defence whereof it espied many euident and mortall signes suffered it selfe to bee borne away among this troupe not once considering or apprehending the multitude of miseries by her after that indured And in this manner the warres beganne with so straunge an alteration and motion of all estates yea euen of the very pillers of the land and the reuolt was such that in fine the royaltie of the king was reduced to a small corner of the countrie about Tours and Blois where without doubt the league had buried it if suddainly the king of Nauarre had not ayded him who therevpon tooke courage againe hauing on his side the Hercules of France scourge of rebels to their Prince but when this disordered and great mutinie beganne somewhat to decline and that the presence and authoritie of the Soueraigne Prince held the most assured within the bounds of their duties and that Parris perceiued it self in way and course of extreame desolation suddainly the king was slaine And then O the great and deepe iudgements of God hee that about three moneths before had passed ther riuer of Loire onely with foure hundreth horse a thousand shot and certaine pikes was presently made chiefe soueraigne and commaunder of a most faire and great armie to whom the Magistrates and Officers of the Crowne and all the Nobilitie yeelded their obedience thereby seeking to impeach the desolation and ouerthrow of the whole estate and to preferre the dutie of naturall fidelitie before the vaine hope of straungers and the last hazard of the rest and suretie of their liues and goods And so behold him king that not seuen moneths before had been depriued of the title of the first Prince of the blood and of the hope of the name Sacrying and Crowne of the Princes his auncestors that had so many times beene driuen from the Court that in foure yeares had seene tenne armies and tenne Generals to a king marching before the heads of the forces of the greatest Prince of the most warrelike nation in all the world against him that after the ouerthrow of a great forraine power had withdrawne himselfe into a corner of the Realme without land men or mony and a Prince altogither poore vnlesse it were in hope He that had been declared vnable for the Crowne that had beene made one of the Cardinall of Bourbons retinue that was no more acknowledged to be of the race or progenie of S. Lewis as beeing ten degrees in consanguinitie from it he that the countrie of Spaine esteemed the subiect of all our miseries who in the life of â—ur kings was the only argument of all the tragedies that had been acted in the countrie of France he that thought not to haue succeded a king being in the flower of his liuely and gallant youth that had bin an occasion to
in the right line Charles the fift which makes the second branch from the end of the first line had two sonnes Charles Duke of Orleans and Iohn Earle of Angoulesme Charles the eight dying then without children Charles Duke of Orleans successiuely came into the right line so that Lewis his sonne was found the first heir who also raigned after Charles the eight who was surnamed father of the people Lewis their dying without issue male the right of inheritance came into the branch of Iohn Earle of Angoulesme so that the lawe set the Crowne on the head of Francis the first the Earles onely sonne And from Francis it came to his sonne Henry the second from whom succeeded orderly Francis the second Charles the ninth and Henry the third his childreÌ„ one after the other froÌ„ brother to brother In this right line ended the last King of the race of Valois who died without children The law then tooke hold on the second sonne of Saint Lewis named Robert who was Earle of Clermont and married with Beatrix daughter to d'Archambaut of Bourbon by her hee had one sonne named Lewis from whom the lands were made errigible in Counte the yeare one thousand three hundreth twentie seuen After this Lewis succeeded Peter and Iames his sonnes Peter had one sonne named Charles Duke of Bourbon and Constable of France who was slaine at the taking of Rome in the yeare one thousand fiue hundreth twentie seuen And in him dying without issue male ended the line masculine of this branch Iames his vncle the sonne of Lewis had then a sonne named Iohn who espoused Catherine Countesse of Vendosme of Castres and Ladie of Conde This Iohn sonne of Iames had three sonnes Iames Lewis and Iohn The first last to wit Iames and Iohn left no posteritie Lewis sonne of Iohn had two sonnes Francis and Lewis the younger hath issue the Duke de Montpensier who liueth at this present The Prince de la Rochesur-yon the eldest of this branch died without children The eldest named Francis the sonne of Lewis which espoused Marie of Luxembourg had three sonnes Charles Francis and Lewis Charles the eldest had by the Ladie Frances of Alencon fiue sonnes Anthony Francis Charles Lewis and Iohn Anthony of Bourbon eldest sonne of Charles married Iane d'Albert Queene of Nauarre the yeare one thousand fiue hundreth fortie nine The twelfth of December 1553. was borne of this marriage in the ninth degree of the heires male after Saint Lewis Henry of Bourâ—â—n the onely sonne of Anthony Now by the decease of Henry the third the last king of the race of Valois descending by the masculine line from Philip the eldest son of king Lewis the Saint the right of the Crowne came vnto Robert his youngest sonne and from him consequently to Henry of Bourbon the fourth of that name king of France and Nauarre who at this day raigneth and of whom we are specially to speake in this Breuiarie That which the king did in his beginning This king hauing accompanied the corps of the deceased king to his tombe and put it in safe keeping to the Maister of Meulan Gisors and Clermont diuided his forces into three armies the first for himselfe with the which he marched vnto Touraine the other twaine hee committed to the Duke de Longueuille and to the Marshall d'Aumont for Picardie and Champagne Before hee had taken the way to Touraine with his troupes which were composed of twelue hundreth horse three thousand footemen and two Regiments of Switzers hee purposed to take his iourney into Normandie where the Pont de l'Arche was yeelded vnto him Then he came to Deepe won Caen vnto his side and constrained Neufchastel to bee rendered vnto his hands hauing disappoynted by his Lieftenants the succours which they had sent vnto them And hauing made a shew to besiege Roane it caused the Duke de Maine beeing called to the succor by Aumalle and Brissac to set himselfe in the field with more then three thousand horse and fiue thousande footemen who promised to the Parisians at that time to make an ende of all warre and to bring the king their enemie vnto them bound both hand and foote The king vnderstaÌ„ding that this mightie armie of his enemies increased euery day more and more by the assistance of the low countries of Picardie and Lorruine asked of the Duke de Longueuille and of the Marshall d'Aumont if they should go and meete them A notable exployt at Arques against the League And then marching toward his enemies they incamped at a certaine Village called Arques about two leagues from the Towne of Deepe And within three daies he made such entrenchments for his troups that the bancke in the lowest place was seuen or eight foote high on the one side aboue the towne where the artillerie were placed vnder the keeping of foure companies of Switzers The approach of the campe was espied by the Castle wherevppon was placed certaine peeces that shot off with great aduantage Meane space the Duke de Maine was greatly busied to thinke how hee might take againe the Townes of Gourney Neufchastel and Euison at what time both hee and his whole armie was perswaded that they might take Arques at the first But the Duke found it at his comming farre more troublesome then he imagined by reason of the newe Trenches which the king hadde made on euery side thereof for his commoditie by the which meanes hee might the better and the more easier ouer-runne his enemies at all times A sore skirmige The two armies continued there from the end of August to the midst of September And vpon the sixteenth of that moneth two fierce and cruell skirmiges was made in the which the Leaguers lost a great number of their approoued souldiers and nine or tenne of their Captaines This did truely presage and shew vnto them what successe they were like to haue in their attempts to come whereof followed nothing else but shame and sorrow to the leaguers VVhose foolish hope was also made frustrate which they hadde to chase the king himselfe into England or to kill him with all his followers or else to bring them in triumph prisoners to the Cittie of Parris The furie of these skirmiges was at last conuerted to the playing of the cannons both on the one side and the other which indured three or foure dayes togither On the Thursday the three and twentieth of September the Leaguers Armie or a part thereof containing a thousand horse and about six or eight thousand foote came to a place named la Maladerie which was strengthened with eight hundred smal shot foure coÌ„panies of Rutters Lanceknights sustained moreouer with three companies of light horsmen three companies of great ordenance and with the forces of the Princes of Conde and Counte Furthermore at the top of the Trench stood the companies belonging to the Lords of Chastillon and Maligni with a good number of the Nobilitie who were vnder
were bound hand and foote in the countrie of Dauphine and that many which should not haue forgotten his braue exployts but stretch out their hands for the relieuing of that distressed countrie and to make head against the Spaniardes euen at their very gates forsooke him in his neede thinking by their enuious deuises to eclips the glorie of this great Captain and commander crossing all his purposes that he could not recouer himself long time after hauing been depriued of all necessarie means to begin in which he did accōplish about four yeares after with no lesse courage and magnanimitie then before Thus haue wee briefly runne ouer that which the whole Historie doth more at large mention our intent beeing onely in this breuiarie to touch and passe ouer things as it were in a word The king considering that his enemies which required a prolonging of this truce sought no other thing then meanes to continue the Realme in miserie resolued no longer to beare the same wherefore hee caused in the beginning of this yeare a declaration to be published and imprinted containing an Oration of the mischiefes and vnfaithfull practises of the Leaguers which vnder a continuing of truce soght to establish their tyrannie He prescribed a moneths libertie as wel to the chiefe of the leaguers as to the Clargie cities towns Communalties yea to al men generally within the same to acknowledge him their king submit thēselues to his gouernmēt as it was requisite and in so doing he would place them again each one in his charge benefices lands and priuiledges The time once past he would reuoke his grace and fauour accounting them to be rebelles and guiltie of high treason for contempt of this kingly offer The report of this declaration and the preparations which the king made to chastise their stubborn opinions amazed the very principall of the league the most part of the rebellious townes and commons The Duke de Maine did now beat his braines to auoyde this danger but hauing no forces neither of his owne nor from others sufficient to remedie the same these matters fell out otherwise then he thought The Lord of Villeroy sent his opinion plainely to the Duke in letters which were intercepted and since that imprinted describing in most fit termes his owne insufficiencie and miserie Certaine Townes partaking with the Duke sent to the king crauing truce for two moneths more but he refused to graunt it The Leaguers townes forsake their rebellion This vnion then intangled by so many oathes deceits conspiracies and fellonies were seene to faile and part asunder the most obstinate beginning now to conceiue foresee their finall ruine if they perseuered in their former rebellion The preuentials taking example by the rigorous gouernment of the Duke d'Espernon against whom they had obstinately resisted beganne to abace their Pecockes plumes Those of Meaux in Brie a small iourney from Parris yeelded themselues to the king the eleuenth day of Ianuarie by the meanes of the Lord of Vitri their Gouernour who hauing drawne great summes of mony out of the treasures of Spaine wherewith hee builded a gorgious house forsooke the league and deliuered the Towne to the king with al the artillerie which the Duke of Parma brought thither from the low Countries Moreouer the Inhabitants of Meaux exhorted the Parisians by a pithie letter to follow their example They obtained of the king as also Vitri did euen whatsoeuer they would request The Parisians beganne to looke one vppon another and the kings Atturney generall in the Parliament made a long Oration in the open audience whereof the whole sum was that they should no longer stay from acknowledging their king except they would prepare themselues to indure greater miseries then before which wold produce a generall subuertion The Lord of Bellin Gouernour of the Cittie for the leaguers was of the same minde To preuent this eminent destruction of the league the Duke de Maine through enuie wrought such meanes that Bellin was put out of office and driuen out of Paris what time himselfe drew into the Cittie an armie of Spaniardes Italians and Wallons vnder the commaund of the Duke of Feria thinking to keep for the king of Spaine his good Cittie of Paris But the parliament more carefull for that which was to come ordained that the Duke de Maine should be required by one of the Presidents and sixe Councellours to prouide for the quiet of the Cittie within a month in such sort that a happie peace might make an end of all these disorders and that the king might bee by them acknowledged An act made by the Parliament of Paris against the Spanyards And during the time that they sought vaine excuses and strengthened the garrisons the Parliament made an act the fourteenth day of this month containing these words The Court with ful consent hath vowed and protested to oppose themselues against the euill and wicked purposes of the Spaniards and against such as would seeke to bring ayde or protect them within the Realme of France ordaining that all garrisons straungers shall depart the Cittie of Parsis and declaring their intent to hinder with all their might that the Lord of Billin should abandon or forsake the said cittie nor any Bourgeous of the same but either hee to stay with them or hee and they to depart altogither And wee inioyne the prouost of the Merchants to warne all the Citizēs togither to take counsel on things necessarie to ioyne with the same court for the better executiō of the said act And that the said Court shall forbear all other matters till such time as the said act is put in execution receiued Those of that bodie which had been before the greatest sustainers of the league were now the first that humbled themselues herevnto The Ambassadour of the Spanish part wrought at Rome an other occasion to hinder the accord twixt the Pope and the king of France who alleadged that the Kings penitence at S. Dennis was not sufficient to obtain absolution of the papall seat sent the Duke of Neuers with great presents to bee giuen to him and his son He parted from Rome the 15. of Ianuarie who met vpon the way the Cardinall of Ioyeuse and the Barron of Senescay who were speedily trauelling toward the Pope in the Duke de Maines name The shifts of the leaguers of Rome Their courtlike salutations was then forgotten both on the one side and other The Cardinall had audience the 24. of this month who demaunded succors for the league and 200000. Crownes otherwise all would bee vtterly lost But the Pope answered that vntill then the K. of Spaine had furnished the league both with men mony and promised so to continue As for the mony which they demanded he excused himselfe by means of warres with the Turkes Six daies after the Cardinal hauing by an other Oration shewen the meanes how to sustaine the league the Pope made answere he could
testified by the Historie of these times the Iesuites were banished out of Paris and other townes of the Realme but not out of all They sought to excuse themselues by diuers writings wherein they accused themselues in greater measure well expressing the enuie and poysoned minds which they carried to the realme of France which shall bee well preserued from all their attempts if any iustice do raigne there Open warre proclaimed against the King of Spaine The seuenteenth of Ianuary the King published his declaratiō of the making of open wars against the Spaniards by reason of his attempts made against his countrie of France the Cambernisces and against his royall person Two months after the King of Spaine answered the king of France whom in his letlers he called the Prince of Bearn against whom also he demanded open war A little before the Arch-duke of Ernest wrote to the Estates of Artois and of Hainaut to incourage them to armes the like he did to the Cōmons that they might wrathfully bend their force against the Frenchmen The D. of Lorraine hauing taken truce with the K. permitted his troupes to do him seruice vnder the conduct of the Barron of Ausonuill the L. of Tremblecourt of S. George who had leuied about 8000. foot and 1200. horse The leaguers of Soissons ouerthrown Mean space the garrison of Soissons conducted by the Barron of Conan Lieftenant of Ponsenac Gouernor of the Cittie and by Belfont chiefe principal Captain to the D. de Maine being aduanced as far as Crispe in Valoyes they were repulsed pursued charged and ouerthrown in the plaine of Villiers Cote-rets by the Lords of Cadancourt Beine Moussie and Edonuiel who slew in the field 50. of the principall of the leaguers troupes the most valiantest that were in France And hurt threescore so greeuously that in short time after the most of them died they tooke away aboue fourescore good horses much of their munition and other booties with a great number of prisoners Among those that were slaine were found two principall Captaines their Ancient and the Marshall of the field there were taken the Cornet of Belfont and thirteene Captaines so that there escaped but twentie persons of all the troup that went into the Towne of Soissons this was a new blood shed among the leaguers At the same time the Marshall of Bouillon tooke near vnto Vuirtun in the Duchie of Luxembourg The Spanish armie ouerthrowne by the Marshall of Bouillon in the Duchy of Luxembourg eleuen Cornets of horsemen of the Earle of Mansfields armie whom he charged vpon their dislodgement with such resolution that they were all ouercome in little space two hundreth and fiftie were there slaine the rest forsaking their armour horses other furniture saued themselues within a forrest neare vnto Vuirton Warres in Franche-Countie On the other side Tremblecourt and Saint George inuaded Franch-Countie in Bourgongne tooke Vezou Ionuille and other places spoyled diuers parts in these beginnings of troubles the countrie was greatly spoyled and many Bourgongnians slaine The Constable of Chastille Gouernor of Mylan ranne ouer them with diuers Spanish companies and Neapolitans recouered againe the places lost constraining the Lorraines to scatter themselues in requitall whereof the Inhabitants of Beaune hauing about the beginning of February valerously sacked the leaguers garrisons which had made themselues readie to cut al their throats opened their gates to the Marshall of Biron which being done hee laid siege before the Castle which in six weekes indured three thousand cannon shot and finally it was yeelded by composition The taking of Beaune dismayed the Duke of Maine who euer since did nothing as it were but fight with one hand sawe himselfe at the end of his last hopes dismayed of the one and detested by the other Autun Nuis and lastly Dyon followed the example of Beaune and yeelded themselues to the king which comming to passe in Bourgongne at the beginning of Iune they charged neare S. Sein certaine troupes of horsemen belonging to the Constable of Chastille whom he inforest to flie Diuers memorable exployts done here there A litle before this Vienne in Dauphine sold to the Duke of Nemours by Maugrion shooke of the yoke of this great leaguer and was brought vnder the kings authoritie who whilest he stayed for the leuying of mony from diuers places of Franch-Countie and iourneyes of small importance he lost in Picardie Chastelet Dourlans and Cambray Townes of great strength which were taken in the monethes of Iune Iuly and August to the great griefe of these good Lords by the fault of some that might haue remedied it if they had wold but they were not willing to see their countrey in peace The losse of men and munition was great in these ouerthrowes The Spanish souldiers bore away great booties The Earle of Fuentes and his Captaines won as great honour as Balagne and others did dishonour The Marshall of Bouillon the Marshall of Villars sought to succour Dourlans but beeing charged with a farre greater number of enemies Villars was slaine with certaine of his Captaines and many of his souldiers diuers carried prisoners into Arras from whence they were ransomed Beside these losses a little before the Lord of Humieres of Picardie and a faithfull seruaunt to the king was slaine in recouering the Towne of Han with twentie Gentlemen and an hundreth souldiers In reuenge whereof the Spanish garrison which was within the Towne to the number of seuen or eight hundreth men were cruelly slaine each mothers son The Marshall of Bouillon behaued himselfe most valiantly in this exployt A fewe weeks before to wit about the end of May this said Lord parted from Stenai to succour those of Ferte vpon Cher in the Duchie of Luxembourg which was besieged by Verdugo and Burlot Captains to the King of Spaine of whom hee slew fiue hundreth of the very best of their troupes constraining them to raise their siege and to retire to Vuirton Such were the chances of warre during this season in Picardie in the Duchie and Countie of Bourgondy and the countrie of Luxembourg all which were greeuoussy afflicted in diuers sorts Brittain was also vpon the point to become wholy for the Spaniard But ambition striuing with couetousnesse in Duke Mercoeur the affaires there went alwaies doubtfully In the end the king of Spaine was made frustrate of all his hopes in those parts The Duke of Maine obtaines pardon of the king The Duke of Maine seeing the Spaniards take other course then was accustomed his forces slaine his credit crackt and his destruction at the doore though late at last he sought by Mediators the kings fauor which he obtained in the month of October But he could not so easily haue it till he had renounced the vaine title of Lieftenant generall of the estate and Crowne of France and except such liberallities as it pleased his Maiestie to bestowe vppon him Each one said that
Fere yeelded to the king by composition The Cardinall following this new won victorie besieged the strong Towne of Ardres in the beginning of May who for all that euer they could doo within the Towne hee became Maister thereof the 23. of the same moneth seuen daies before Fere wes yeelded to the K. vpō composition The Sene shal of Montenemart leaguer and Aluaris Osoro a Spaniard indured with their souldiers all the extremitie that could be thought or imagined euen till they saw the water two or three foote high within the Towne before they would yeeld or giue ouer after they had sustained a thousand greefes the space of fiue months The composition was honorable and for the profit of the besieged who went foorth with their colours spredde their drummes sounding their weapons and baggage drawing forth with them a double cannon markt with the armes of France They went forth the 22. of this month and retired to Cambrises The rest of this Summer was spent in small exployts in the countrie About the end of the month of August the Marshall of Biron followed with certaine troupes on foote and on horsebacke passed the riuer of Sone and the first day of September hee entered within Artois repaired the Castle of Ambercourt constrained diuers villages to redeeme themselues with a great summe of money And beeing accompanied with fiue Cornets charged the Marquesse of Vuarambon Gouernour of Artois who by reason of his forces to wit fiue to sixe hundreth horse in battell thought to haue got the glorie slew those which durst stay put the rest to flight tooke the Marquesse prisoner of whom he had fortie thousand Crownes for his ransome gaue a great alarme to all the countrie after ward chased the Earle of S. Paul seized and spoyled the Towne and diuers other places The Pesants which would haue spoyled the Towers and Steeples of the Churches were rudely handled in respect of those that stayed in their houses who felt onely the smart of this tempesteous warre by contributions for the prouision of victuals All this was done in eight daies The Cardinal intending to take the Marquesse sent the D. of Arschot in his place who while he entered into Arras had the Frenchmen on the other side who by a harguebuze shot from the Town set fire on a litle village And for that it was full of good booties the Marshall would not they should loose their praie and therefore conducted them to the frontiers of Picardie Thus beeing discharged the 21. of the same moneth they entered the borders of Banpaulme spoyling Hebutere Benuiller Courcelles and other places robbing the Pesants of their goods that durst not striue against them The Duke of Arschot incampped neare to Arras within a cannon shot and beeing carefully intrenched hee deliberated to hazard nothing knowing that he was to deale with a hardy Knight and one of the most resolute warriors in Europe The Frenchmen set fire on all places round about and getting more booties then before returned with easie iourneyes toward Bethune and Theroenne from whence they brought many prisoners and cattell then they retired and camped in the plaine of Azincourt without any resistance at all in this second voyage which continued ten daies The Duke of Arschot supplied with eight hundreth footemen ioyning with the Colonell of Burlots Regiment departed from Arras the fift day of October and incamped at S. Paul where the Marshall of Biron leauing them entered seuen daies after with his horsemen into Artois who with his footemen stayed at Moucy S. Esoy The thirteenth day he remooued to Cōfirmation of aliance betweene the King the Queene of England and the lowe countries Donay then hauing spoyled the countrey hee retired into Picardie within foure or fiue dayes after The Duke of Arschot hauing taken againe the Castle of Ambercourt discharged his Army setting his companies into Garrisons Certaine weekes before the Marshall of Bouillon had bene sent for into Holland to confirme as he did at Haye the aliance sworne betweene the King the Queene of England and the vnited Prouinces The like was done in England about the end of September The Spaniards in Brittaine defied Duke Mercoeur seeing him to continue truce with the Prouences of Poictou Aniou and Maine began to fortifie themselues at Blauit more then before and in other smal Townes which they helde Whilest the Kings Troupes were in Picardie he made his entry into Roane the 20. day of October where he was receiued with such pompe that the expence thereof was esteemed to amount aboue the value of foure hundred thousand Crownes at the Townsmens charges Throughout all France nothing was spoken of so much as how meanes might bee found to defend themselues against the Spaniards and to be reuenged of the manifold iniuries which the Realme had indured vnder the League But the Duke of Austrich on his side was not al this while idle but suffering the rigor of winter to passe which was wonderfull wette hauing had many great floods of waters wherof followed much hurt especially at the bridge at Paris which one night fell downe at the latter ende of the yeare at which time it was the death of three huundred persons drowned in the water and by the fall of the buildings made himselfe ready for the spring The King being stil desirous of the peace of his Kingdome about the end of Sūme◠gaue order to haue all the Nobilitie of the Realme assembled togither in a generall Councell which he determined to hold at Roane at the beginning of Nouember at that time there to be present to prouide for the publike benefite of the countrey of France In opening this matter he first made them an Oration the which to cut off briefly we will incert within this Page following If I would said he claime the tytle of an Orater I should haue learned some eloquent and long Oration and haue studied how to pronounce it with all pleasing grauitie But my Lords my desire aymeth at two more glorious titles which is that I might bee called the Restorer and Deliuerer of this decayed estate for which cause I haue assembled all you this day You know what belongs to your owne care so do I of mine for since it pleased God to call me to the Crowne I found France not onely neare hand ruined but almost vtterly lost from the Frenchmen I vowe by Gods grace by the prayers by the good counsaile of my faithfull Subiects that make profession of Armes by the sword of my true Nobilitie from which I do not distinguish my Princes because the faith of a Gentleman is our fayrest tytles by my paines and labour I haue kept it from losse Let vs saue our selues therefore from ruine Participate my deare subiects with me in this second glory as you haue done in the first I haue not called you as my predecessors were wont to do to confirme my owne will I haue caused you to be assembled to receiue your counsailes to
Oppede whereof he was Lord vnder pretence of religion was become a mortall enemy vnto those of Cabrieres and Merindol where those husbandmen dwelt who in haruest time in despight of Menier reaped the corne which as then they found vpon their ground which hee held from them by force so that as then the execution was pursued And thervpon the Parliament at the instant request of M nier sent an huissier to the Cardinall de Tournon at whose request king Francis the first sent letters pattents to the parliament for the execution of that first sentence and by that meanes in the moneth of Aprill 1545. Menier naming himselfe Lieftenant to Monsieur de Grignan Gouernour of Prouence hauing assembled an armie of theeues and beeing accompanied by Monsieur de la Garde set fier in diuers villages about Merindol sent great numbers of poore Countrie-men into the Gallies and caused a young man to bee openly harquebushed and finding no man within Merindol pilled sacked burnt and rased all the houses and hauing besieged battered and by composition taken the litle Towne of Cabrieres in stead of holding his promise made vnto them he chose out 25. or 30. men such as pleased him that were cut and massaced to peeces in a Medowe that lay vnder the Towne about 40. women wherof most of them were great with childe were burnt within a barne and many beeing found hidden in their Cellors were tyed two and two togither and so ledde into the Hall of the Castle of Cabrieres where they were most cruelly murthered Within the Church many olde women young maides and children that had saued themselues were all put to the sword The number of the slaine and massacred amounting vnto 800. persons and more The Barron de la Garde ledde aboue 800. persons away and put them into the Gallies where the most part of them died in great miserie Many women and maides were deflowred and great numbers ledde prisoners to Marseille Aix and Auignon Diuers villages beeing wholly burnt and consumed by fire whereby the desolation and misery of that countrie was exceeding great But king Francis being sicke for the space of certaine years after that cruell massacre and vrged in conscience with a remorse of that mischiefe whereof hee had partly beene the cause and sorrie before his death hee could not execute open punishment vppon those that abusing his name and authoritie had committed so horrible a mischiefe among his subiects of Prouence expresly charged his sonne Henry not to deferre that punishment saying that if he put it in obliuion God wold bee reuenged thereof against him and that their memorie would remaine in horrour and execration vnto all straungers if the persons that had committed so notable a crime should bee suffered to escape vnpunished This clause expresly set downe within the Kings testament aduanced the discredit on the Cardinall of Tournon and put Grignan and la Garde in great paine but to conclude they had more feare then hurt for the king by his letters patents of the 17. of March 5549. caused the matter to bee heard by the Court of Parliament in Parris where Menier and three others his companions appeared in person the rest of the Councellors by their Atturneyes And there after long proces in stead of punishment one man onely called Guerin a Councellor lesse culpable then the rest was hanged in Parris Menier principal of that massacre escaped and falling out of his wits died beeing ceased with a secret fire within his bodie in the open sight knowledge of all the countrie of Prouence The rest of the matter vanished as it were in a smoke before the sight of men but God made both the king his Councell all his Realme to know and well perceiue that the blood of so many innocent persons and others that were put to death both before and after that time for the confessiō of the Gospell is most precious in his sight as the things that happened and fell out in the yeares ensuing haue well declared which we must in order set downe as time and place shall serue The death of Margaret Queene of Nauarre The same year in the month of December did Margaret de Orleans Queen of Nauarre sister to king Francis the first a most noble and famous Princesse and of as notable a spirit as any that liued in her time In the beginning of this year the king suppressed and abolished the imposition of salt in the countrie of Guyenne with all the officers that had the execution thereof for the summe of 450000. frankes with the countries of of Poicton Saintonge Angoulmois Perigort high and lowe Limosin and high lowe Marthe should pay vnto him with 25000. frankes to the officers for their charges Touching those of Bourdeaux in the month of October before they had procured and obtained a general pardon vpō condition that they and their successors shuld alwaies keep two ships furnished for the wars readie to put to sea to serue vnder whomsoeuer it should please the king to commaund and to receiue into the Castles of Trompette and du Ha such garrison as the king should send into them and to victuall them with all sorts of victualls which they should yearely furnish and renue taking away the olde And therevpon in the moneth of Ianuarie after the king reestablished the parlement and their Towne was reduced into the former estate they that had beene beaten making the amends Three Presidents in Parris displaced and after reestablished onely Liset At that time three Presidents of Parris not well thought of by the house of Guise as then beeing in great credit were displaced out of their offices but not long after S. Andre Minard hauing promised to become good seruitors were restored againe Liset was made Abbot of S. Victor that an other of lesse iudgement then himselfe might haue his place And so hee tooke vppon him to deale in matters of diuinitie wherein hee sped so hardly and of a good practition hee became so ignoranta sophister that falling in a great laughter hee was suddainly taken with a disease and so died Hee shewed himselfe a sworne and perpetual enemie to those of the religion thinking to aduance himselfe by cruell inuentions but hee was cut off by the way thereby seruing for an example to many better men then himselfe not to bandie against him vho is able to surprise and intrappe the subtillest in their fond inuentions and against whom the wisedome and force of man is nothing but meere beastlinesse and vanitie Remedies for false clipt mony This yeare because that most of the mony in France was found to be clipped by the kings edict al such mony was commaunded to bee cut in peeces and molten and many of that occupation among the which were diuers quoyners executed Bullen restored to the King In the monthes of Februarie and March a peace was agreed vppon betweene the kings of England France wherevpon
the particular profit and commoditie of some speciall men not that thereby hee pretended to leaue or forsake papisticall religion but protesting onely to doo it that hee might not bee surprised by such as vnder pretence of religion and reformation of abuses sought to imbase his kingly estate and dignitie which hee hoped to impeach by all iust and reasonable meanes that possible he might An edict against small dates and other abuses in the Court of Rome After this protestation hee published an edict made the yeare before touching the obtaining of Benefices against the deceites of pettie dates and other abuses vsed the Court of Rome and also touching the auncient arrests and edicts made against Annates and abuses of reseruations and exactions inuented by the Popes forbidding his subiects not to go to Rome for Annates nor any other occasions touching or concerning Benefices appoynting them to bee disposed and ordered by the ordinaries certifying into all places what wrong Pope Iulius did both to him and to Octauian Fernese Duke of Parma whom hee depriued of the place wherein hee had beene solemnly inuested The Cardinals and others of the Popes creatures in France fearing least this edict whervpon Charles de Moulin a Councel of great vnderstanding wrote a most learned Cōmentary in the which he discouered many terrible practises in Rome wold giue a hard push vnto the Papasie with earnest sute procured the King to publish and ordaine farre straighter and seuerer edicts then euer he did against the religion to the end that Iules the Cardinals on the other side of the mountaines might assure themselues of him to bee their friend as long as they seemed to agree with him Those ordinances were followed by diuers cruell and terrible executions in many places of the Realme against great numbers of the religion that were burned for most boldly confessing the truth of the Gospell reiecting mans traditions induced and brought into the Church and seruice of God Those that were assembled at Trent wrote vnto the king to induce him to accept and allow the decrees of their councell and to send the Bishops of his Realme vnto them as also to intreate him to be a meanes vnto the Switzers to send thither likewise but warre beeing open in all places and the Emperour hauing sent for the Spaniards that were in Almaine to make warre in Italie against Parma the pursuit of the Councell of Trent hung still vpon the field Preparation for warre in Lorraine Warres in this sort beeing kindled the King determined to assure himselfe of Lorraine beeing in some suspition of the Dutches that as then was Dowagar and hauing sent certaine companies into the frontiers the Emperour also strengthened all his fortes and places the one beholding the other with seuerall intents whereof in time the effects appeared The Princes of Almaine take counsel to deliuer themselues from seruitude Because the Emperor proceeced with the Almaine Prince in such sort as seemed inconuenient they not being acquainted with any such kinde of seruitude much lesse to bee in subiection of the Spaniards perceiuing that the King made preparation to set vpon the Emperour esteemed it a most fit good occasion for them to serue their turnes which King Henry of France thereby to abash the Emperour Charles and so to procure the meanes of better and more friendly vsage towardes them on his behalfe or else wholly to leaue them And therevppon entred into secret conference with the King to beseech him that it would please his Maiestie to imploy his meanes to procure the auncient libertie of the Germaines He thinking to haue found an entrie and means to attaine vnto most high and hautie enterprises thereby to abase the greatnesse and pride of his most glorious enemie and by that meanes to erect the honour of France willingly gaue eare vnto the Almaines and to the same end about the beginning of the yeare he sent the Bishop of Bayonne Tho Kings letters to the Protestant Prince vnto the Princes Electors with letters importing many protestations and offers of amitie as also shewing and declaring the many and great wrongs by the Emperour done vnto the Princes and towne of Almaine protesting that hee was fully resolued for their cause to imploy both his forces and his person to defend their rights and priuiledges not exspecting any recompence but onely honour to haue thereby deserued the good will and liking of so puissant a countrie as that of Germaine And therewith assuring them by the faith of a Prince that his only intent and meaning was to deliuer all the estates of Germaine from the oppressions of the Emperour and his Spaniards which hee likewise meant to do particularly in the behalf of his louing Cousin Iohn Duke of Saxon Philip Lant-graue of Hessen as then detained kept in miserable seruitude by the Emperor contrary to his oath promise And in the end of the letter he added these words We wil promise you likewise by the liuing God and before all the Kings Princes and Potentates of Christendome that our intent is not in any sort whatsoeuer to permit that either you in generall or any of you in particular of what estate or condition soeuer he bee shall suffer or endure any wrong or iniurie and much lesse will wee that beare the name of most Christian king permit that any damage or hurt shall be offered or committed either to the persons or goods of your most reuerend Prelates Abbots and other Ecclesiasticall persons as our aduersries haue most wrongfully giuen foorth but rather meane to take and receiue you into our protection and sauegarde so you will acknowledge it both vnto vs and to our allies and therein certifie vs of your whole and full intents hoping for the good and revnion of the Churche whiche is to bee expected by the recouerie of publique and auncient libertie wherein GOD willing wee will imploye all our force and meanes whatsoeuer Which most reuerend Prelates most noble Princes and other estates of the holie Empire we thought good to certifie vnto you to the ende you should not be ignoraunt of the cause of this our warres whereby we meane to pursue the Emperor both with fire and sword and although to our great disliking to cut him off as a putrified member from the bodie of the Common-wealth or at the least constraine him from henceforth from further molesting or troubling of your estate Effects contrary to words While the king in this sort termed himselfe the Protector of Almaine and defendor of the Countrey and nation of the holy Empire giuing a great hope of the revnion of the Church his Officers in many places of the realme burnt such as they called Lutherians and that agreed and consented to the doctrine holden and beleeued by most of the Princes Townes of Almaine open enemies to the traditions and ceremonies of the Pope On the other side he made great preparations for a voyage
into Almaine whereby hee shewed as if hee woulde haue driuen the Emperour and all his adherents out of those Countries And minding to goe thither in person in the moneth of March he being in the Court of Parliament in Parris named and ordained Catherin de Medicis his wife Regent of the Realme The first Regency of Catherin de Medicis making many Edicts concerning pollitique Gouernment the ordering of Souldiers and the obseruation of military discipline thereby reforming both the abuse of the Leaders and the insolency of the souldiers so that as then you might haue seene both good and commendable orders among all the souldiers as well on this side as beyond the Mountaines France likewise abounded with Princes Lords Gentlemen and souldiers well ordred and gouerned in respect of that which after was seene in the time of Henry his sonne The Constable Genenall of the army A good order and pollicie among souldiers but not long obserued assisted by the Princes of the bloud and other Noblemen of France marched towards Victry where the Army was to assemble and besides the newe and olde companies of French souldiers there came twentie of the olde companies of Piedemont such as might compare both with the Phalangees of the Macedonians and the auncient Romanes those of Gascoigne seconded them the companies of Monsieur de Duras for the most part beeing composed of Gentlemen and olde Souldiers euerie man able to commaunde Of all this Infantery next to the Admirall Monsieur Chastillon was Coronell besides 10000. Lansquenets in twentie Companies and diuided into two Regiments conducted by Recrod and Rhingraue their Coronels with a great number of horsemen sent vnto the king by the Protestant Princes vnder the conduct of Coronell Chartel The French horsemen whereof Claude de Lorraine Duke of d'Aumalle yongest sonne of the house of Guise was Leader were 1500. men of armes euery man hauing two Archers with him all made 4500. horses 2000. light-horse and as many caliuers on horse-backe Of voluntarie souldiers both Gentlemen and others there were so great numbers that all the countrie was couered with horses but now wee must see what all these troupes effected The Duke and the countrie of Lorraine put into the kings hands The Constable beeing neere to Thoul Chrestienne Duches Dowager of Lorraine came vnto the king byding at Ginuille there to excuse her selfe of the suspitions imposed vpon her because the Emperour was her near kinsman and considering the tempest that as then threatned Lorraine shee committed her selfe and Charles her sonne into the protection of the king who sent the young Prince vnto the Dauphin his sonne where hee was brought vppe and after married a daughter of France Meane time Thoul yeelded vnto the Constable which done he parlied with the Towne of Metz an imperiall and faire Cittie they offered to serue the armie with victuals for their mony and to permitte the king with all his Princes free passage through the Towne as at other times they had done vnto the Emperour but the Constable hauing partly perswaded them by promises and then vsing some threatnings Metz an imperiall Towne surprised and brought vnder the French king in great chollor said vnto thē that the king wold haue a passage and repassage through their Towne without any conditions and that it were best for them not to hazard the contrary if they minded to obtaine the kings good will and fauour without the hurt and discommoditie of his armie Those of Metz would gladly haue resisted both by word and deed but not hauing in time prouided for themselues they were constrained to bid their libertie farewell and to open their gates to two companies of foote which drewe so long a tayle after them that in fine all meanes of resistance was wholly taken from them for that all the valiantest sousdiers in France were there in person and vppon the 10. of Aprill the Constable accompanied with diuers Princes and great Lords stayed the comming of the king who within eight daies after made his entrie into the Towne with all his armie where he stayed three daies to take order for their affaires receiued oath fidelitie of the Cittizens he likewise swearing both to them and those of Thoul to defend them against all men and to preserue their rights and priuiledges and franchises in al things whatsoeuer also to prouide for the strength and fortification of 〈◊〉 place which as then hee fully pretended to make one of the principall bullwarkes and Frontier-townes of France wherein hee left as Gouernour Monsieur de Gonnort brother to the Marshal de Brissac giuing him in charge to looke vnto the citadell and other fortifications of the Towne The French armie goeth towards Strasbourg Metz yeelded to the king the armie beeing composed of 30000. men marched into Almaine and in the beginning of May stayed two daies vppon the plaine of Sauerne the horsemen going within a myle of the towne of Strasbourg the Cittizens whereof being taught by the misfortune of Metz wroght with more pollicie for themselues sending certaine victuals vnto the armie wherewith the Constable seemed not well content thinking to put them in some feare and assoone as Pierre Sturne Goteshem and Sleidam their Deputies were departed hee sent two Gentlemen to the Councell of the Towne to knowe their aunswere where in a long time and eloquent discourse they shewed The Constables proceedings with those of Strasbourg the kings good will and meaning vnto the countrie of Almaine the causes why hee had raised an armie and beene at so great charges requiring that the souldiers might enter into the Towne to buy such necessaries as they wanted but the Councell of the Towne vsing delayes the next day the Constable vsed many speeches vnto the Deputies threatning them very hardly But whatsoeuer hee said it little auayled for those of Strasbourg put a strong Garrison into their Towne preparing themselues vnto resistance if any pretence were offered meane time not refusing to furnish the campe with victuals and all other necessaries whatsoeuer but the armie dooing nothing marched towards Hagenaw and VVisbourg where the Deputies of three of the Electors next adioyning as also of other Princes The request of the Almaine Princes to the king came to beseech the King to pitie the poore pesants to impeach the spoyle of the countrie and not to passe any further but rather to hearken vnto a peace without pressing them to a perpetuall alliance considering their bounden duties vnto the Emperour withal making a specially request for the sauegard of the territories of Strasbourg Letters of Duke Maurice At the same time beeing the eleuenth of May Duke Maurice Elector of Saxon sent letters vnto the King conteining the effect of the treatie made at Lints wherein a peace had beene propounded which the Emperour seemed to hearken vnto concerning Almaine desiring the King if his meaning were to bee comprehended heerein to declare and shewe vppon what conditions hee
villages of Picardie that had beene burnt during his beeing in Almaine They set fire likewise in an other goodly Castle belonging vnto the Queene of Hungarie then in Reux after that in Bauets The armie being past beyond Monts Hainaut Landreei Auanes le Quesnoy Vallenciennes and Cambray the Prince of Piedemont vsed all the meanes hee could to bee reuenged for those extreame losses but could not effect it the Frenchmen beeing strong and well conducted in the end about the tenth of August both the armies met neere vnto Renty where there chanced an indifferent hard incounter on both their partes Encounters of both the armies by Renty The Emperour lost about 800. or 900. men and the King two hundreth after the which skirmish winter opproaching the king dismissed his armie and that of the Emperour making towards Hesdin burnt and spoyled all the plaine countie and therein had done much hurt if the Duke de Vandosme that laye not farre from thence had not resisted him Continuance of warre In spring time the warre beganne againe betweene the two Princes and the report of the courses made by the Emperours armie gaue occasion to the Frenchmen to enterprise vppon the Castle of Cambresis which was presently taken by assault and good warre holden with the Spaniards Maruembourg was victualled by Bourdillon Lieftenant to the Duke de Neuers The king and the Queene of England intreated the Emperour and the King of France to make a peace wherein Cardinall Pole an Englishman Vaine treatie of peace trauelled much as then all flaming with fire against those of the religion who at that time were most sharply handled within the Realme of England This treatie of peace beganne with great bruit but in fine it vanished like smoke and warre beganne againe stronger then euer it was The Duke de Neuers and the Admirall de Chastillon beeing made Gouernours of Picardie because the Duke de Vandosme as then king of Nauarre and Soueraigne of Bearc by meanes of his wife was gone to take possession of his new estates tooke good order both for the victualling and keeping of the places and frontiers of the countrie notwithstanding not long after as some of the Garrisons of Picardie marching with 1500. horses of the French rereward called the companies of Nobilitie and foure hundreth footemen had in such sort ouerrunne the countrie that in fine they returned al laden with spoyles The rereward of France ouer throwne being ledde by la Iaille their Generall Haulsmont Gouernour of Bapaulme finding them inclosed betweene a Wood a Village and a Riuer whereof hee caused the passages to bee broken downe and surely kept without espials order feare of the enemie or hurt charged them so couragiously with a small company of men that in short space he made them loose both courage bootie and liues at his discretion where la Iaille was hurt aboue fiue hundreth taken prisoners some escaped and the rest slaine Those of Hannuyers and Arcesiers men much giuen to derision made it a cōmoniest saying that they had taken Nobles of France without waight but to say the truth there was as then but fewe Nobles in those troupes onely certaine Wagoners and Pages that were imployed in the muster and to make a shew sent by Widdowes and Orphanes of Gentlemen deceased or by the Lords of certaine fief rated at certaine values To assure Picardie the king went into Villiers Costerez sending the Duke of Guise further vppon the frontiers and the Admirall into the middle of the Prouince The estate of Predemōt touching the warres betweene the Emperor the king of France Now I must shew you what was done in the warres of Piedemont and other places beyond the Mountaines The Marshall de Brissac who the winter before had taken Iuree and Bielle in the spring time fortified S. Iaco tooke Crepa-cuore by means of Monsieur Saluaison by a surprise most brauely executed got Casal de Montferrat a towne Castle a place of great importāce spoyled Poman S. Saluadour and other small places not to bee holden and hardly to bee strengthened and fortied in any conuenient time The Duke of Alue hauing succeded Gonzague in the Gouernment of Lombardie about the end of Iulie entered into the field with 20000. foote 4000. horse and 40. cannons and besieged S. Iaco wherein were Captaines Birague and Vimercat who constrained the Duke to retire from Pont de Sture where he fortified himselfe hoping by famine to constraine such places to yeeld as hee durst not besiege The king sent foure thousand foote and foure thousand horse to strengthen Marshall de Brissacs forces Taking and spoyling of Vulpian who perceiuing himselfe so strong besieged Vulpian and by Kochepose ouerthrew the Dukes forces sent to ayde them by force tooke the basse Towne and soone after the Castle by composition was yeelded Vulpian had the walles rased and beaten downe and not long after Mont-Coluo a Towne and Castle yeelded vnto the Frenchmen These things were done in the moneths of September and October not long afer the Dukes troupes by meanes of an Ambascado placed hard by Iucise slewe and tooke certaine French souldiers whereby they wrought some small reuenge for their great losses at Vulpian and Mont-Caluo A particular discourse of the warre of Siene from the beginning to the end Before I leaue the affaires beyond the Mountaines it is necessarie I should say something touching the warres of Siene that fell out and kindled in this yeare beginning at the originall thereof During the siege of Metz the Emperour beeing ceased of Siene an auncient and famous Towne in the territories of Tuscane placed Don Diego de Mendosse Gouernour therein with a Garrison of Spaniards Don Diego vsing rigor more therein then was conuenient the Sienois not content therewith beganne to conspire against him hee vnder colour of fauouring the people caused the Gentlemen to leaue their armes which done he beganne to molest both the one and the other who consulting togither sent vnto the king to desire him to receiue them into his protection which hee consented vnto The Fugitiues of of Sienie in the kings name beganne to raise men throughout Italie vnder the conduct of the counte Petillane Hieronyme de Pise Maire de Sainctefior The Duke of Florence sent eight hundreth men to ayde Mendosse But the Sienois mooued at the newe extortions raised vppon them let foure thousand men cōducted by the Counte de Petillone enter into the towne that draue out the Spaniards but not without great losse on both parts part of the Spaniards hauing saued themselues without cannon within the Iacopius and in the Citadell were entred vppon by force and put to the sword Their Generall and others of the Florentine Captaines issued by composition and ceased vpon Orbitelle a place not farre from thence which they fortified The Emperour beeing returned into Almaine after the siege raised before Metz commaunded Don Garsie de Tolede Viceroye of Naples to
assure his capitall towne and at the same time raised a subsidie of 300000. Frankes to satisfie his most vrgent affaires while king Phillip receiuing the Ensignes taken from the Frenchmen and beholding the prisoners who in a maner were led before him as in a triumph contented himselfe with that victorie without enterprising at that time to enter further into France whereof neuerthelesse many Townes were in great feare King Henry by his Lieftenants prouided for his Frontier-townes and gathered his campe at Laon causing 14000. Switzers to be sent for Touching those that were besieged within Saint Quintins at the comming of d'Andelot The Towne of S. Quintins taken by assault they were relieued with foure hundreth souldiers and about 50. men of commandement with some Gentlemen of name and certaine Canoniers but king Phillip being arriued in his campe the batterie began most furious the assieged by no means could be ayded but onely with three hundreth men whereof a third part were slaine in entring The Towers and fortifications from S. Iohns Gate to the Tower standing vpon the water hauing been battered with the Cannon shotte the Spaniards became maisters of the Duches and vpon the 20. of August the Erenchmen diuided and placed in eleuen seuerall breaches sustained a generall assault and could not bee forced yet the Towne was taken by entring at a tower which no man guarded the French souldiers therein were most slaine the Admirall his brother that not long after saued himselfe Iarnac S. Remi de Humes and other Captaines and Gentlemen of name taken prisoners and the son of Monsseur de la Fayette the Captaines Saleuert Ogier Vicques la Barre l'Estang and Gourdes slaine During these stormes The King threatned to be slaine the king being in Parris as he went to masse a yong man named Caboche borne in Meaux who ordinarilie and of long time had followed the Court and because of his faire writing serued the kings Secretaries whether being out of his wits or stirred by some other motion presentented himselfe before him with a naked sword in hand and crying out said Stay King God hath commanded me to kill thee but presently the Switzers of the guard fell vpon him wherewith he was committed and by the Court of Parliament condemned to be hanged for that attempt After the taking of S. Quintins the Counte de Aremberg with 1200. horse and 3. Regiments of Lansquenets besieged Castellet The taking of Castellet where he made a furious batterie The Barron de Solignac that commanded therein peceiuing himselfe destitute of the ayde that had beene promised him and that the place was not strong ynough to defend an assault not hauing aboue three hundreth men therein and they not greatly bent to make resistance yeelded the place for which cause he was sent prisoner vnto Parris and if by chance he had not saued himselfe by an escape out of prison he had surely lost his life because as it was said he had made promise neuer to yeeld the place before hee had sustained an assault While the King of France assembled a great armie as well without as within his Realme and by his Lieftenants prouided for his townes in Picardie and that the Parrisians made generall Musters of their companies where were found between thirtie fiue and fortie thousand men The assembly in Same Iaques street discouered Those of the religion multiplied and began to increase in diuers parts of the Realme specially within the Cittie of Parris where hauing bin discouered in an assembly made by night in S. Iaques streete many were cast in prison some burnt and the rest escaped by diuers meanes in other places also many were taken and executed the people verilie imputing the causes of the troubles in France wholly to them But the king of Spaine imploying his armie Han taken by the Spaniards vppon the 12. of September tooke Han the Castle being yeelded and the Towne burnt by the Frenchmen themselues Besides that hee tooke all such places as might in any sort impeach or trouble that Castle and S. Quentin which hee ouerthrew and spoyled further his troupes surprised certaine companies of Scots within Noyon and tooke Chauni wherein he placed a great Garrison there to make prouision of wines wherewith to furnish the places which he had taken Ayde comming out of Almaine and Switzer-land into France the king for a time caused the troupes that came out of Italie Polleuille driuen out of Bresse vnder the conduct of the Duke de Guise and Aumalle to stay in Bresse and Lyonnois thereby to impeach the pretences of the Barron de Polleuille who with twelue thousand foote and one thousand two hundreth horse for the Prince of Piedemont came to besiege Bourg in Bresse from whence he was constrained in all haste to retire otherwise both he and all his troupes had wholly been spoyled who in dislodging dispearsed and separated themselues in such sort that in fewe daies after it could hardly be perceiued what had become of that great number of men The kings enterprise against Callais The Duke of Guise beeing arriued at the Court lying in S. Germaine in Laye because of the Constables imprisonment was appoynted Lieftenant Generall for the king in all his countries Wherevpon the secret practises long pretended were then pursued and fully executed in this sort Edward the third of that name King of England had taken Callais in the yeare of our Lord 1347. a Port of the sea and a place of great consequence for the Frenchmen since which time the said Towne had still continued in the Englishmens hands and by them much fortified The Constable long time before the battell of S. Lawrence by means of Monsieur de Senarpont Gouernour of Bullen had vsed such meanes and practises touching that Towne which is a parte of the ancient Domaine of the Crowne of France that without his ouerthrow and imprisonment it was most apparant he would haue executed his pretence In his absence it was concluded while king Phillips forces by reason of the winter season were dispearsed to execute that enterprise so much for the aduantage of the Realme of France And therevpon the king of France raised two armies one conducted by the Duke de Neuers making shewe to enter into the Duchie of Luxembourg the other ledde by the Duke of Guise vnder pretence therewith to hinder the victualling of S. Quentins The Duke de Neuers marching towards Luxenbourg the Spaniards and Wallons ranne thither to defend it but suddainely hee sent his forces to ioyne with the Duke of Guise that made shewe of victualling Amiens Ardres and Bullen and in great haste vppon the suddaine turned all his forces against the Towne of Callais wherein as then there was no Garrison The Princes of Conde and la Roche Suryon the Duke d'Aumalle and the Marques d'Elboeuf bretheren Strossi Marshall of France Montmorency the Constables eldest son Monsieurs de Termes d'Andelot de Sansac d'Estree great
Maister of the Artillerie de Tauanes Senarpont Grandmōt Randan Allegre Creuecueur Piennes Gourdan and other Lords Knights and Captaines beeing in the armie The first of Ianuary the armie appeared before it and the same day tooke Nieulay bridge The taking of Callais and after that Risban which done they entered the Castle and then the Towne all yeelded by composition within the space of eight daies the Englishmen and Spaniards not hauing meanes in time to ayde the Towne The Englishmen greeued at the losse of such a place therevpon conceiued a mortall hatred against king Phillip Presently after the yeelding of Callais they besieged the Towne of Guines in the counte d'Oye which was taken but the Englishmen that were in the Castle draue the Frenchmen out and burnt the Towne who were presently besieged vpon the 13. day of Ianuary and hauing indured the batterie and sustained an assault the second beeing prepared they asked and receiued a composition Guines was wholly spoyled and defaced as beeing noysome to Calais as also not beeing needefull to bee kept so neare vnto it so that in fine the whole Counte of Oye was reduced vnder the kings obedience for the which great ioy was made through all the countrie of France in exchange of many a teare not long before shedde for their losse vpon S. Laurence day Parliament in Parris The same moneth the king held a Parliament in Parris wherein they granted him a subsidie of three Millions of gold for the maintenance of his warres that done hee went to visit Callais the Gouernment whereof was giuen vnto Monsieur de Termes The Duke de Neuers accompanied by the Gouernours of Iuoy Mesieres Bouillō Maubert Fontaine tooke the castle of Herbemont hard by Iuoy Exployts done by the Duke de Neuers also the Fortes of Iamoigne Chigny Rossignon and Villeneufue but by reason of the colde which as that yeare had not begunne till about the month of Februarie hee was forced to leaue the field and to enter into Garrison while the king in diuers places of the Realme made many secret leuies of souldiers commaunding his Captaines not to march with any of their troupes before they should receiue expresse commaundement from him In the moneth of Aprill A marriage between the Dauphin Marie Queene of Scots the marriage betweene Francis eldest sonne to the King Prince Dauphin de Viennois and Marie Stuard daughter to Iames the fift king of Scots of Marie de Lorraine before widdowe to the Duke de Longueuille sister to the Duke de Guise was concluded and after vppon the 28. of the same month accomplished with great solemnitie During this marriage there was a certaine motion of peace to bee made betweene the two kings at Peronne by the Duches Dowager of Lorraine and the Cardinall brother to the Duke of Guise but all in vaine for on the one side king Phillip tooke Nesle the Englishmē spoyled the coast of Normandie on the other side Taking of Theonuille the king of France determined to besiege Theonuille to the which end he sent Monsieur de Bourdillon to see what might be done he being accōpanied by Vieille Ville Gouernour of Metz with the olde troupes of the Garrisons of Metz Thoul Verdun Danuilliers in the beginning of May incamped himselfe before Theonuille fifteene daies after the Duke de Neuers came thither and then Monsieur de Guise Generall of the armie followed by the most valiant Captaines and Gentlemen of France The batterie beganne the fift of Iune with 30. great Peeces the Counte de Horme assayed to enter into it followed by certaine troupes but the passages were in such sort closed vppe that with losse hee was forced to retire The Duke of Guise going to viewe a breach seconded by certaine valiant Leaders caused a false assault to bee giuen whereby at that time the Towne hardly escaped from taking but the assaylants beeing in very small number were forced to retire with losse of diuers good and valiant souldiers presently after by the onely meanes and aduise of Monsieur de Monluc they tooke around Tower that much ayded the besieged and as they were about to myne a platforme adioyning therevnto the Marshall Strossi was striken with a Harquebu-shot whereof hee died his place beeing giuen to Monsieur de Termes The 21. of Iune the mynes beeing prepared to worke Taking and spoyling of other places the assieged demaunded a composition which was honourably graunted vnto them and two or three daies after they issued foorth to the number of one thousand fiue hundreth souldiers but most part sicke which were well and courteously vsed not one eyther troubled or spoyled at their issuing The Towne of Luxenbourg wherein were the Countes of Mansfeld and Horne was viewed but not long before Arlon was assayled forced spoyled and burnt and Chigni Villemont and Rossignill taken againe from the Wallons wherein they set fier onely in Chigni which they fortified Vieille-ville was left within Theonuille with tenne Ensignes of footemen and some companies of Launciers Enterprises in Flanders by the Marshall de Termes who in fine was ouerthrowne by the Count de Aiguemōt Because the Englishmen made diuers warres as well by Sea as by land into the countrie of France the king caused two small armies to be made and conducted by the Duke d'Aumalle at la Fere the other vnder the Marshal de Termes at Callais Termes knowing that the townes lying on the Sea-coast subiect to the Spaniards were but meanely manned because they feared not the Frenchmen on that side hee made an enterprise vppon Dunkerke a Towne lying vpon the Sea betweene Newport and Graueling in the which enterprise hee besieged Berges that was presently taken and sacked which done he went before Dunkerke which held out but foure daies and in the end was taken and pilled where they found so rich a bootie that the very boyes of the armie were thereby made rich but as Messieurs de Villebon and de Senarpont staying for Marshal de Termes that as then was sicke laye incamped hard by Graueling the Earle of Aiguemont Lieftenant Generall for the king of Spaine in the lowe Countries with all speede assembled the Garrisons and other forces to the number of sixteene thousand footemen a thousand or twelue hundreth Rutters and two thousand lanciers determining to impeach the passage of the French armie from entring any further into Flaunders and to make them leaue the siege of Graueling and the Marshall was scarse healed and entered into the armie but the Counte de Aiguemont was vppon him not once making shew to fight The Marshall perceiuing him too strong would not likewise hazard himselfe but rather began to retire towards Callais which the Earle doubting determined to stop his passage and so constraine him to fight or to make him yeeld by famine before the towne of Graueling which the Marshal perceiuing assayed to passe the riuer that runneth from S. Omers called
of the administration of the affaires of the land Wherevppon Lois de Bourbon Prince of Conde was most instantly desired to hearken therevnto and by that meanes to hinder and impeach the to tall ruine both of the king and Queene The Prince of Conde much affected to the good of the king and of his Realme And as some haue lightly thought and written that all this whole proceeding after named the tumult of Amboise had been an enterprise of men wholly rash seditious enemies to God and the Estate prouoked by dispaire and induced by fury so is it found esteemed by others euil affected vnto the house memorie of this Prince that durst presume to charge him to haue bin mooued and pushed forward with some particular affection that entered into his minde and that it was but a meere quarrell against the house of Guise which by that meanes hee sought to end and after that to mooued some greater change but not to turne this smal Cronicle into a large Apologie it shall suffice simply to rehearse those things which for the most part are fresh and in the memorie of many a Frenchman as then liuing and such as were borne since and hauing beene faithfully informed thereof for as for men that are partiall who to gratifie such as held the sword ouer their heades while they caused the bookes wherein most impertinently they handle this matter to bee imprinted without saying woorse by them both the world present and to come will wholly reiect their witnesse as full of euident and meere passion and cleane repugnant to the truth and will auouch that the Prince therein shewed himselfe to be a true Frenchman and most affectionate friend vnto the good and seruice both of the king and Realme The Prince then with his most secret Councell hauing long and deliberately thought and consulted vppon this poynt wherein hee was desired to be assistant as in truth the sequell therof required first gaue expresse charge and commission to certaine wise expert and well approoued friends secretly carefully and exactly to inquire what were the principall thinges that might bee imposed against those of Guise which beeing knowne with a good and safe conscience hee might looke into that which should redownd vnto the good both of the king and of his Realme The informations made it was found and well known by men both of person and quallitie and such as were indifferent that they might well and lawfully bee charged with diuers poynts of treason as also with an infinit number of pillings and interceptions as well of the treasures of the Common-wealth as of particular persons And among other notable crimes he was assured and offered to haue it iustified by such as in a maner had beene their houshold seruants that they ment to cease vppon the Realme Abreefe collection of the informations made against those of Guise and put all the Princes of the blood to death assoone as they once had fully exterped those of the religion determining in short space to rid themselues of all their enemies hauing alreadie vnderstood by the Phisitians that the king could not liue long neither yet haue issue which in mans iudgement might easilie be effected considering that those of Guise had both iustice mony strong Townes men of warre and the people at their commandement Monsieur Renaudie vndertaketh the charge to cease vpon the bodies of the Guisians The question was these informations beeing made how the persons of those parties so charged might bee taken and ceased vpon This was the difficultie which Godfrey de la Remaudie surnamed la Forest Barron de Perigot and a Gentleman of an ancient house vndertooke to resolue accepting the mannaging thereof vnder the authoritie of the Prince who in person promised to bee at the day and in in the place where and when those of Guise should so bee taken vppon condition that nothing should bee sayd enterprised nor done in any sort whatsoeuer eyther against God the king his bretheren the Princes nor the Estate that in doing otherwise hee would himselfe bee he that first should seeke for to oppose against al those that vndertooke the contrary which conclusion was made about the end of the yeare 1559. 1560. The Lady Elizabeth of France married vnto the King of Spaine departed from the Court of Blois about the beginning of December beeing conducted by the king her brother and the Queene her mother as farre as Chastellerault and Poictiers and keeping on her way with the Cardinall of Bourbon the Prince de la Roche Suryon and other great Lords into Gascon at Bourdeax the King of Nauarre met her and so ledde her with great honour through his countries keeping her companie vntill hee entered vppon the borders of Spaine The Ladie Elizabeth leâ—de into Spaine where she was receiued by the Noblemen and Lords appointed by king Philip who with great pompe and magnificence they led vnto their Maister about the beginning of this yeare An order for prouision of Offices The first of Ianuarie a Proclamation was made in the kings name for the prouision of Iudiciall offices the nomination of the offices beeing committed vnto the Iudges and the Kings officers who nominating three persons for each office they should giue their names vnto the king that out of them hee might chuse him whom hee iudged to bee fit and capable for the place But this was but an ordinance in paper and wholly without effect as many others had been the same moneth and the next the proces against the Councellors Coucellors holden prisoners released la Porte de Foix du Faut and Fumee that had beene comitted prisoners with Anna du Bourg were ended and all they for a small fine were set at libertie They vsed all the meanes they could to condemne the Councellour Fumee but hee behaued himselfe so well and wifely against all the Iudges and other his aduersaries that in the end hee wound himselfe out of their hands Assembly at Nautes But to returne to that which is more important The first of February la Renaudie with a great number of the Nobilitie and others of all the Prouinces of the Realme met at Nautes where vnder colour of soliciting certaine proces in the Parliament of Britaigne which as then was holden therein they assembled where after certaine inuocations vpon the name of God al before recited was there by Renaudie exposed and declared And after diuers of theÌ„ had giuen their iudgements and esteemed the enterprise to be both iust necessary one among therest required that before they gaue their promise each of them should sweare and solemnely vowe to God not to enterprise or do any thing against the authoritie of the king or the Estate of France protesting for his part that if he might perceiue it that euen when the execution should bee brought to effect hee would aduertise the king and sooner suffer himselfe to bee slaine before his face then to
was presently found out notwithstanding they lost not courage but to maintaine their credit with the Catholiques they caused certaine rigorous edicts to bee made in Scotland against the religion whereof ensued a tumult appeased by the Q. Dowager and the Noblemen of the countrie Therevpon king Henry being dead and the gouernment of France in their hands they sent the Bishop of Amiens and la Brosse their faithfull seruants into Scotland who at their arriuall would constrame euery man to go to Masse telling the Q. Dowager and Monsieur d'Oisel that their sufferance had spoyled all saying that from thencefoorth they wold vse force not sparing any man And therevpon sound diuers means to alter the Esate of Scotland and although the Queene Dowager propounded diuers peaceable and sure means they two would deale as they thought good but in the end the Lords Gentlemen of the countrie threatned troubled by such newcome fellowes rose vp in armes desired ayde of the Englishmen their neighbors in such sort that in short time they draue out the Priests reduced la Brosse into a small corner compelled the Bishop to saue himself in France The Queen of England before she entered into armes had desired those of Guise not to proceed in so hard and violent maner wherevnto they not being desirous to hearken vpon the 24. of March she made a long discourse wherein she shewed that she litle esteemed of all whatsoeuer those of Guise their adherents shuld enterprise or vndertake against her person or Estate and withall made it euidently knowne that her only desire was euer should be to liue in peace amitie with all Christendome They sought both by Ambassadors and messengers to ease the mischiefe by them deuised but by no meanes could effect i◠so that in fine things of themselues grewe to such an end that in the meane time it may be said that the violence vsed by those of Guise gaue such a blowe vnto the Papacie with in the realme of Scotland that euer after it did nothing but languish and consume and in the end was wholly extirped and so remaineth Touching France during those executions of Amboise as also before that those of the religion still increased both in zeale and number Aduancement of the religion in France in all the places of the Realme and yet not without great hinderance by diuers persecutions and by the meanes of some men that could no more content themselues to vse it secretly whereof ensued their open assemblies and that within some Churches Those of Valence Montelimart and Romans in Dauphin beeing the first The Duke de Guise beeing Gouernour extreamely offended that those of whom he thought to be most feared began to take that course which most displeased him to stoppe their intents and purposes first hee sent Iohn de Monluc Bishop of Valence who before by meanes of his Sermons had done more hurt then good vnto the Pope and because Monluc did not proceed with any effect and that Monsieur de Cleremont Lieftenant for the Duke of Guise was esteemed to be too fauorable Mangiron a cruel man an extream enemie to those of the religion had the charge giuen to him wholly to roote thē out at the beginning he proceeded therin with great subtiltie with diuers of his Agents playing many seuerall parts and in the end hauing found the meanes to driue certaine Gentlemen out of Valence that maintained those of the religion he beganne to play his part sacking their houses as if the towne had beene taken by assault Proceedings of Maugiron against those of the religion in the Parliament of Grenoble in Dauphine to strengthen him they sent him sixteene Ensignes of the olde troupes of Piedemont and some Companies of launciers On the other side Truchon chiefe President of Grenoble ayded by diuers Councellours went to Valence and passing through Romans caused 60. of the principallest to bee cast in prison while Maugiron pilled those of Montelimart to whome hee had both sworne and promised not to do any wrong neither in publike nor in priuate that had good means to impeach and hinder him from his pretence if by faire words hee had not wonne them To returne vnto the Presidents and Councellors of Grenoble they caused two Ministers in Valence to bee beheaded and hanged three of the principall Cittizens of the Towne The rest of the prisoners went out by the Goldē gate with abiurations whippings bannishments and great fines wherewith the Iudges and kings Atturneyes made themselues rich At Romans they hanged two men and whipped one whom they after sent vnto the Galleyes The estate of the religion in Prouence In Prouence two Gentlemen beeing bretheren Sieurs de Mouuans named Anthony and Paulon de Richiend hauing made open profession of religion in the time of King Henry Anthony was traiterously massacred by those of Draguignan in Anno. 1559 whereof Paulon could neuer haue iustice Not long after Captaine Chasteauneuf beeing sent from Nantes to Prouence by Renaudie and his companions to assemble those whom they thought meete to assisist them in the enterprise of Amboise the Deputies of 60. Churches in that Prouince being assembled at Merindol Paulon was chosen Leader of the troupes of Prouence which hauing accepted hee made a diligent inquiry through all the countrie and found two thousand men that had good means to horse arme and entertain themselues besides a great number of Gentlemen and other voluntarie Souldiers And as when the time of marching approached his Councell were of aduise that the troupes should seeke to enter into Aix there to erect the religion and so to giue occasion to those of Guise and others to mollifie their persecutions when once they should perceiue men rising in all places of the Realme to withstand their rigors This enterprise discouered Mouuans determined to make a way through the plaine countrie where hee made warre against the Images which were beaten downe in euery Church causing all the relicques of gold and siluer to bee molten and to sell the vessels and other to yes belonging vnto the Masse the mony whereof euen to a halfe-penny was left in the hands of the Consuls and others of euery place A most admirable militarie Discipline but yet truly and seuerely executed at that time wherevppon Mouuans pursued by the Counte de Tande with a great power retyred in good order into the high countrie where hee expected newes from Renaudie meane time the Counte beeing a wise Gentleman as any of his time dealt so wisely therin that by agreement made between them it was ordained that Mouuans might surely and freely retire without any hurt or displeasure neither great nor small hauing beene hurt either in word or deed in all Prouence the Mages likewise not once complaining of any thing done vnto them for whatsoeuer had past with promise to cause iustice to bee done touching the mother of his deceased brother Captaine Paulon surnamed the Barron de la
Garde venturing against the faith and promise made to set vppon Paulon beeing within a straight thing Periury of Captaine Paulon to put both him and his troupes vnto the sword not beeing aboue 50. Souldiers was himselfe inclosed by Paulon that offered him battell but the Barron forgetting his fence although he had tenne times more men then his enemie and a good intent do do great seruice to those of Guise that had dispoyled him of estate of Generall of the Galleyes to giue it vnto the great Prior of France their brother bledde at the nose and by means of a new Capitulation renounced the Councell of Constance and retired with great shame after that for a long time holding himselfe secretly his name seruing for a mockery and ieast to all the world Mouuans flattered by his enemies to be intrapped answereth them in plain French Paulon perceiuing himselfe to bee but hardly bestead in his owne countrie because of the successe of the enterprise of Amboise and of the particular threatnings against him made by the Duke of Guise because of the troubles he had raised in Prouence for a time withdrewee himselfe vnto Geneua whither the Duke sent men expressely to practise with him by infinit promises both by word of mouth and writing in commendations of his vertues and admiring of his valour aboue al the Captains in Prouence to mooue him to return into his countrie But Paulons aunswere to the Duke of Guise was that as long as hee knewe him to bee an enemie both to the religion and the State and that he vsurped the places of the Princes of the blood hee might well assure himselfe to haue Mouuans his mortall enemie and although a poore Gentleman yet one that hath so good credit with the true seruants subiects to the king that they at least fistie thousand where of hee was the least would imploye both liues and goods to cause him to make amends for al the wrongs by him committed against the good subiects and seruants to the king and that hee might be fully assured that as long as one of them both liued hee should neuer bee quiet nor liue in any assurance of his life nor any of his race seeing hee had so much incensed and prouoked the Nobilitie and people of France Not long before his departure out of France hee said Mouuans receiued letters from the king himselfe and from the Queene-mother wherein they gratified him very much as one of the most faithfull and affectioned seruants to his Maiestie promising him great fauour and withall ratifying the accord made by the Counte Gouernour of Prouence But at the same instant Mouuans was aduertised that the Queene-mother had expressely sent vnto the Parliament in Aix that they should finde the means to cause him to cause Mouuans Chasteauneuf and other Captaines that were of the enterprise of Amboise to bee slaine Aduancement of the religion in diuers Prouinces At the same time those of the religion multiplyed in Normandie and Preaching was publikely vsed in diuers places Those of Rouan were troubled by an Anabaptist that was taken and burnt The Church of Tours was much troubled by the seditious dealings of the runnagate Monke named Richelieu Captaine of the Kings new guard but by silence and patience is kept togither the Towne hauing failed twise or thrise to be lacked and spoyled in all the other Prouinces of the Realme those of the religion perceiuing themselues to be wholly destitute of humain ayde tooke a notable resolution not to addresse themselues any more to seeke the helpe of man but what daunger so euer might happen determined to assemble to pray to God to heare his word and to continue in true obedience thereof liuing in great loue and concord one with the other and with much edification to the Catholicques who in great troupes lest the Masse to make profession both of contrary life and doctrine The Queene-mother perceiuing that those of the religion addressed themselues no more to her willed one of her Maisters of Requests called Chastelleus to vse the meane that la Roche one of the Ministers of Parris should come vnto her or some other in his place to conferre with him about somes meanes whereby to procure the quietnesse of those the religion La Roche not being found and they of Tours beeing desired in his place to send Duplessi their Minister they excused themselues beseeching the Queen to content her selfe with letters that should bee written vnto her which shee seemed not to dislike Wherevppon a large discourse was written vnder a deuised name of Theophile for those of the religion wherein after certaine protestations of their sinceritie the depths and grounds of their great griefes against the house of Guise was fully showne then diuers remedies wisely propounded whereby to preuent a ciuell warre which were that prouision should bee made for the good gouernment of the Realme and a Councel to be giuen vnto the king according to the auncient customes of the Realme that to staye and remedie the differences of religion a holy and free councel should be holden and that in the meane time those of the religion should be permitted to liue in peace of conscience and according to the profession of their faith Declarationâ— of the religion against the house of Guise This declaration beeing by Camus deliuered to the Queen-mother fell into the hands of those of Guise which construed it in many sorts to know who that Theophilâ— might bee The messenger was oftentimes in danger of his life and in the end he beeing troubled and tormented in diuers kindes and knowing that such as had giuen it vnto him would not bee knowne but kept themselues secret hee shewed their names in presence of the Queene-mother and those of the house of Guise who likewise charged him to bee of the conspiracie of Ambotse but in stead of beeing secret he tolde them much more truth then they desired to heare and yet hee got out of their hands by vertue of the generall abolution made in the beginning of the raigne of Charles the ninth The Guises proceedings too The Guises perceiuing themselues to bee so much noted and daylie hated in euery place of the Realme specially by those of the religion determined wholly to roote them out and to the same end wrote vnto the King of Spaine and other Catholicque Princes laying the fault vppon those of the religion touching all the troubles that happened in France as also the conspiracie of Amboise To the Princes protestants they wrote that the many and great executions made in France was onely vppon certaine Sacrementaries open enemies vnto the confession of Ausbourg Besides that their intent was to establish the Inquisition in France wherein they thought the Chancellor de l'Hospitall would bee assistant which he did not but like a wise Polititian as he was hee withstood their blowes in such manner that when in the moneth of May the edict of Spaine should haue
such sort that Honorat returned quietly to Pamiers leauing the Lombats in their ordinarie place called les Cabanes where not long after because they had forsaken the traine companie of Bandoliers yeelding themselues vnto the religion by the means and instruction of two maides rauished by them at the sacking of Montsegur and after married vnto them they were cruelly pursued by those of the Romish Church and in the end saued themselues in Castres The Priestes of Pamiers for their parts vsed all the meanes they could to ouerthrowe and spoyle those of the religion diuers enterprises beeing made whereof the principall being discouered by interception of letters the mischiefe sell vppon the inuentors for the souldiers entring into the Cellers of foure Fryers that shoulde haue lette in Pailles and others dispatched as it is very likely whatsoeuer they founde therein for after that time they were neuer seene nor heard of any more This report put the Priests and Chanons in such feare that they fledde to the Towne of Foix their houses as also the Bishops Pallace beeing sacked and spoyled whatsoeuer the Ministers and the Gouernour could saye or doo Wherevppon the newes of peace ensued and in the beginning of Maye there fell so cruell a hayle that came three times euery eight dayes and beare the Countrey in such sort specially about Foix that there could neyther fruite nor green hearb be seen in all the Countrey no more then in the middle of winter The Chanons of Pamiers to whome the common people imputed the cause of that hayle were constrained to shun the Commons to goe out of Foix and to remaine at Maugansy where we will leaue them to come to Lyonois About the thirtieth of April Monsieur de Tauanes came out of Burgongne Lyonnis and stayed within three miles of Lyons making account to assayle the towne but it fell out otherwise although as then hee hadde aboue fiue thousand men besides three thousand Italians conducted by the Counte de Anguesole and paide by the Pope Those Italians beeing the greatest Brigands then liuing brought with them diuers Goates and vsed the carnall companie of brute Beasts which was the cause that in euery place where they came men detested their abhomination All the Goates being killed and cast vnto the dogges Lyons besieged by the Country Pesants for the space of a moneth while Monsieur de Tauanes had that great company togither he had many braue skirmishes about Lyons whereby the inhabitants durst not sette their vines but in Gardens bordering vppon the Towne But because Tauanes pleased not the Triumuirat they sent the Duke de Nemours for Generall of the Armie with a great number of horses and the Rutters of the Counte Rockendolfe Tauanes not knowing how to discharge himselfe of the displeasure he had procured by his affaires about Lyons was exceeding glad of the arriuall of the Duke de Nemours and therevppon vnder a fained discontentment presently withdrewe himselfe into his gouernment of Burgongne Nemours with all his forces went into Vienne which hee hadde by intelligence and while hee soiournied there victualles beganne to bee scarce with them of Lyons Wherevppon Soubize called Des Adrets and the Prouinceaux that thereby hee might bee strong inough to keepe the fielde But because the hope hee expected else-where failed him hee sent Des Adrets to fetch more ayde out of Dauphine Which hauing done and bringing his troupe beeing of foure or fiue thousand foote and foure hundreth horse was sette vppon by the Army of Nemours hard by Beaurepaire and put to flight but yet with small losse which was done vppon thee nineteenth daye of October whereby his troupes reassembling thither mette altogither and not yet beeing pursued by the Duke de Nemours hee at that time slipt an occasion of some greate importance Des Adrets incamped himselfe within two myles of Vienne and for the space of three weekes that hee lay there hee entertained the Duke de Nemours with skirmishes meane time Soubize got victualles from diuers places About that time it chaunced that a souldier bringing a packet from Orleans vnto Soubize deliuered it into the handes of the Marshall de Brissac who therein hauing found a letter from the Admirall where among other thinges hee said that touching Adrets as much as hee might he must indure the light toyes of his braine and entertaine him least of an insolent person they should make him to become madde and without sence wherevppon in all haste hee sent Saint Sernin a Gentleman of Dauphine vnto the Duke de Nemours and des Adrets to practise somewhat between them By what meanes Adrets left the partie of the religion which at the first was secretly handled but Soubize going to the campe the next day after that S. Seruin had spoken to Adrets presently perceiued some alteration which in time he prouided for and from that time setting some to watch Adrets they presently discouered his intent who by messengers hauing cōmunicated with the duke de Nemours and then speaking with him personally brake vp his armie Nemours who alreadie made account to possesse Lyons Dauphinois went nearer vnto the town and by skirmishes sought to impeach the Towne of victuals vpon the mountaine of Tarare hee ouerthrewe 80. horse that came from Orleans to Lyons and on the other side stretched foorth his armes to gripe Romans and Valence But because it was requisite to beare all his bodie thither thinking to come time ynough to intrappe Lyons seeking to gripe ouermuch in one hand he lost that hold hee had For marching straight to Vienne with all his armie Soubize that slept not presently made so many men to issue out to fetch corne from Dombes that hee recouered great store Those that Nemours had left for guard forsooke keyes places and barnes except fortie that kept the Castle of Treuoux who thinking to saue the honour of their companions by keeping a tower nor being able to defend themselues neither yet yeeld it vppe their obstinacie was punished by a traine of powder that made them all leape higher then ordinarily they vsed to do and to burie their carkasses within the olde ruines of that broken Tower On the other side Soubize caused Adrets to bee taken and by that meanes the affaires and pretences of Nemoures touching Dauphine conuerted into smoke But thinking to bee more fortunate by Atturneys then in person he sent to the Bishoppe du Puy Escaladoes presented but in vaine to take Lyons and to Saint Chaumont saying that seeing Lyons wanted souldiers their men of warre beeing turned to bee marchants of corne they should assay to enter by scalado into the towne But Soubize that spared not mony to entertaine spies in euery place beeing well aduertised thereof tooke such order therein that Saint Chaumont in steed of approaching was forced to retire Nemours determined to supply their default and at two seuerall times with all his forces vppon hope that his participants within Lyons would assist
brother This deuise ouerthrowne des Adrets made a voyage into Languedoc and returning into Dauphine Nemours to coole his courage shewed him the Princes commissions giuen to Monsieur de S. Auban ouerthrowne with his troupes at Tarare to commaund in Dauphine and his commission to Adrets to goe to Orleans which seene des Arets vsed many practises to establish the Duke de Nemours and about the end of December sought the meanes to make him Maister of Valence and Romans The tenth of Ianuarie by aduise of the Nobilitie hee was taken prisoner and kept in Nismes vntill the peace when hee was set at libertie without absolution or condemnation and beeing at his owne house hee left the religion and after that openly bare armes against all such as maintained the same but in that alteration finding no good successe but rather shame and dishonour hee was constrained to with drawe himself vnto his house despised both of friends and enemies The second siâ—ge of Grenoble In base Dauphine Monsieur de Crossol recouered Serignan and Aurange On the other side vpon the seuenth of Ianuarie la Coche surprised the Tower of Lemps and discouered a great practise of Maugiron to enter into Grenoble for the which hee caused certaine traitors to bee executed Whereat Maugiron beeing offended ouerranne the countrie of triefues contrarie to his faith and promise At the same time those of Grenoble receiued certaine losses yet they victualled their Towne with corne and other munitions expecting a newe siege which happened vnto them about the end of February the enemies campe beeing eight thousand foote and horse with two great battering peeces whereof the bullet beeing of Brasse wayed about fiftie pound and three faire field peeces La Coche had nine Captains some Gentlemen with sixe hundreth good souldiers besides the Cittizens The batterie beganne the first of March and continued three daies and three nights after that they offered a scalado where they lost many of their souldiers They within the Towne but fiue onely with Monsieur de S. Muris a Gentleman much lamented Not long after the siege was raised and the Towne freed At the same time a smal troupe belonging to Captaine Furmeier surprised Romette a small place walled A notable exploit of Captaine Furmeier lying two myles from Gap punishing certaine boot-hallers that lay in it As Furmeier sent his footemen to enter into Romette at the sound of the belles which the boote-hallers for certaine houres before had rung in a steeple wherein they saued themselues and from whence they were thrown headlong downe the Garrison of Gap both horse and foote issued to ayde them But Furmeier accompanied with foureteene others on horsebacke was so bolde to stand against all that troupe marching in order of battel which was presently separated and put to flight The first that beganne to runne was Captaine Andre a Piedemontois in such sort that Furmeier and his companions had worke ynough to strike and laye vppon them killing them euen to the gates of Gap which continued with a short bridle vntill the peace proclaimed which made those of the religion to reenter And thus the affaires of Dauphine passed in those times Prouence Sommeriue maketh war against his father and all his adherents The Counte de Tande perceiuing the horrible discipation of all Prouence and that Sommeriue his sonne gaue such libertie vnto the bloodie and desolate companies of souldiers thereby to commit the most cruell murthers and villanies that euer was heard of whereby infinit numbers of houses and families were destroyed and wholly ouerthrowne came to Manosque where hee assembled all the men hee could vnder the conduction of Cipierre his sonne Colonel of the horse and of Cardet his sonne in lawe leader of the foote who dealt in such manner that all the Townes beyond the riuer of Durance continued vnder his gouernment onely Petuis which they besieged but all in vaine Meane time Sommeriue hauing gathered his forces and hauing been at Aurange by intreatie of Fabrice and de Suze hee came to Manosque which by Captaine Coloux was yeelded vnto him and hauing made a muster of fiftie Ensignes of foote and certaine Cornets of horse the sixteenth of Iulie 1562. hee besieged Cisteron wherein were the greatest part of all the families of the religion that had fledde out of other places of Prouence with eleuen companies of foote vnder Monsieur de Beanieu Nephew to the Counte de Tande Furmeier came thither likewise with three hundreth men Cisteron besieged Sommeriue caused the passages to be kept by one of his Captains named Bouquenegre a valiant souldier but verie cruell and dissolute if euer there were any in Prouence but hee was surprised in a village by twelue souldiers and one of his seruants whose wise he entertained and not long after found guiltie of diuers murthers and violences committed was hanged in the publike place of Iustice by his said seruants hands Bonquenegre hanged dying as hee liued The eleuenth of Iuly Sommeriue caused three assaults one after the other to bee giuen vnto the Towne which continued from three of the clocke after noone vntil euening but he had a most braue repulse The next day the town made certaine skirmishes and about eight daies after offered battell to Sommeriue which he refused And at that time they vsed such rigor vnto each other that no man was put to ransome About the end of the month Sommeriue fearing des Adrets that had gotten the battell of Vaureas went to incampe himselfe within three myles of Cisteron On the other side Cardet with all his forces approached vsing all the meanes hee could to reassemble the troupes but it was impossible wherevppon the Counte de Tande wanting victualles caused the campe to rise whereof part were placed in Cisteron vnder the gouernment of Senas the rest sent to des Adrets that promised in short time to come and visit him with great forces but hee did not The second siege of Cisteron The 27 of August Sommeriue with one hundreth and two Ensignes of foot and great store of horse besieged Cisteron round about and vnderstanding that Mombrun came to ayde the Towne sent Suze to meete him who vppon the second of September surprised and ouerthrewe Mombrun and 500. men the Towne inclosed on all sides but onely in one place which lyeth vppon high and desart Mountaines the way whereof is so straight that two hoâ— semen can hardly ride in ranke Vpon the foureteenth of September Sommeriue made a cruell batterie so that about tenne of the clocke in the morning the breach was of one hundreth and foureteen paces without flancard or raueling to defend it Besides that two demy Coluerins that shotte from the Friers strake the souldiers in the Towne when they came to the breach which notwithstanding although the besieged seeking to rampier the breach were striken and hurt and some borne into the ayre with cannon shot both men and women
for attributing to themselues the name of Iesuits deserue a shameful death And thē answering to the Iesuits vow touching the Pope Our faith saith he is otherwise We in France acknowledge the Pope for supreme head of our church with all due honor deuotion but in such sort that he is subiect to the decrees of general coūcels that he can enterprise no authoritie ouer our realm nor against the M. of our kings neither yet against the authoritie of the decrees of our Court of Parliament or to the preiudice of our diuosians in their confines and limits And thervpō he saith Iesuites chiefe creatures and right slaues to the Pope that Iohn Gerson teacheth vs in one of his books that we may well bee without a Pope in the church that it is in the power of a generall Councel to displace a Pope out of his seat therin to place an other for the ordering of the affairs of the church as in effect it was practised in the councels of Constance Basle Thus hauing learnedly pleaded for the rights priuiledges of the French church he discouereth their subtilties thefts dissimulatiōs impostures rauenings shewing by diuers examples that they are mutenous sowers of troubles Atheists and mockers of God And ending his plea said to all the Court You my Maisters that tollerate the Iesuits Vertues of the Iesuites True predition shall one day be the first Iudges of your owne condemnations when by the meanes of your permissions you shall perceiue the mischiefes that will ensue not onely in France but throughout Christendome Aduocate Mesnil who in this care pleaded for the kings Atturney propounded many matters against these sectaries who hee sufficiently prooued to bee a plague to the Realme but because of the kings voyage into Bayonne and that the Queenes councels and those of the house of Guise that ruled all tender onely but to the ruine and ouerthrow of the Prince of Conde the Admirall those of the religion the Iesuites proces was for that time ordered by the Councel that is layd vp by the walles Afterward the second and third troubles togither with the massacre ensuing the Isuites set vp their crests in earnest and compassed the straunge practises whereof ensued the horrible tragedies that were played about the end of the raigne of Henry the third as more at large shall appeare wherewith this yeare ended Now let vs consider what happened in the yeare 1567 when the troubles and miseries of France began againe The king of Spaines intent against the low countries The king of Spaine not being able to indure the increase of those of the religion in the lowe Countries much offended with them for the breaking and throwing down of Images in Flaunders Brabant and other Prouinces determined to proceed against them with fire and sword not once regarding the priuiledges of the countrie nor yet the cruel extortions and iniustices of his officers against those of the religion whose Ministers principal rulers opposed thēselues by all the means the could against the breaking of Images thrown down by a small number of men such as were of no great account in so short a time that it seemed they had fallen of themselues For the execution of this bloodie councel which had bin decreed in the League made at Bayonne Fernando Aluares de Tolede Duke of Alua that had been his Agent in Bayonne was established Liefetenant General with most ample and expresse cōmission who in the beginning of the spring in An. 1567. accompanied with his two sonnes and great troupes of men imbarking themselues at Barcelonne in the month of May arriued at Genes with an armie of 9000. The Duke de Alue commeth to torment the low countries Spaniards 1000. light-horse marched towards Millan What followed therof is at large set down in the Histories of the low Countries The Q. and the Councel of France vnder this pretence of the D. of Alues passage made a certaine report to be giuen abroad that it was to be feared that the Spaniard would attempt somewhat against France vnder pretence of going into Flanders thervpon began to leuy 6000. Switzers to keep the frontiers but not long after they were broght further into the realme for the Duches of Parma was alreadie gone out of the lowe Countries into Italie assoone as she receiued intelligence of the D. of Alues imbarking The Prince of Conde the Admiral with other Lords of the religiō Sundrie councels holden by the Prince of Conde before he entred into armes calling to mind what had past since the edict of pacification perceiuing the Switzers to enter into the realme and that the D. of Alue was alreadie arriued in the lowe Countries assembled togither in small number there they produced certaine letters intercepted from Rome and Spaine wherein the practises how to roote out the professors of the reformed religion at one instant were at large set downe In a short space they had three consultations of Vallery and Chastillon where met some ten or twelue of the chiefest Gentlemen of the religion to debate vppon the present accurrences and to seeke all lawfull and honest meanes of safterie in so many terrors without proceeding to the last refuge In the first two the opinions rested very diuers neuerthelesse rather by the Admirals counsell then otherwise euery man was intreated a while to haue patience and the rather for that in matters of such consequence as wherevppon depended so many miseries and calamities it was more necessary to be drawne in by necessitie then to make too much haste or vppon a greedie desire to runne on headlong besides that shortly matters would bee made more apparant but in the last consultation they grewe into a greater heate For besides all passed calamities or imminent daungers also that they of the religion were openly threatned throughout most townes and Prouinces that they should not long beare themselues so high and that their time drew night to an end they receiued more aduise out of sundrie places and both the Prince and Admirall did plainely affirme that they had expresse aduertisement from a certaine Courtier very well affected to those of the religiō that there had been holden a most secret Councel wherein it was concluded that they should bee seized vpon that the one should bee executed and the other detained prisoner that at the same instant two thousand Switzers shuld enter into Parris two thousand into Orleans and the remainder into Pointiers that the Edict of pacification should bee vtterly repealed and an other made quite contrary to the same Heerevppon they grewe to earnest disputation for whereas some vrged a speedie relolution of necessary defence the rather because the forraine forces marched alreadie openly for the vtter ruine of those of the religion throughout the realme others that were not altogither so hotte shewed that albeit they perceiued the fire alreadie kindled yet they could not see
The Princes had sixe thousand horse Frenchmen and Almaines sixe thousand Harquebusiers foure thousand Lansquenets sixe cannons two coluerins and three other peeces hauing left therest at Lusignan Before the battell two Gentlemen bearing armes in the Dukes campe beeing strayed came to some of those of thereligion Notable aduertisement neglected hauing certaine ditches betweene them and hauing protested vnto them that they bare no malice vnto the Princes willed them to aduertise the Admirall to keepe his armie from fighting because the Dukes armie was very strong by reason of new strength but that hee should driue off the time for the space of a moneth because all the Nobilitie had protested not to stay any longer but that if they were imployed within that time they would doo their best to aduance his seruice That it was daungerous to striue against the French furie which in short time would be abated and by that meanes the Duke with his Councell should bee constrained to seeke for peace and to graunt it with aduantage to those of the religion which aduertisment giuen those two Gentlemen retired Those of the religion went presently to the Admirall to certifie him therof which counsell liked him well They shewed it likewise to others of the principall commaunders whereof some reiected it not and desired it might bee followed but the greatest part esteemed it to be but an artificial deuise to put them in feare adding that although this aduise seemed to bee good yet it was not to be accounted of because it proceeded from suspect persons and such as vsually exercise deceits commonly such as are neare to any mischiefe despise the good counsell wherewith men seeke to relieue them The Princes Councell assembling to resolue vpon their proceedings some sayd it was best for them to get to Ernaux and to set the riuer which runneth by it Euill counsell followed between both the armies and to depart about nine of the clocke in the euening and to march all night that they might get thither in safetie because the Duke was at hand Others replyed that those nightly retraits put feare into such as make them imbasing their reputations giuing courage to the enemies and that it were best to depart about the breake of day This second aduise beeing the woorst was followed The Admirall as then was in great distrust fearing that the Rutters would mutin for want of pay and that three or foure of his Regiments of far countries would leaue him because they had alreadie asked him licence to depart He knew likewise that diuers Gentlemen were retired vnto their houses wherefore to hold the armie in vnitie hee besought the Princes that were at Partenay to come thither which they did bringing with them one hundreth and fiftie good horse The next day in the morning the horsemen were readie mounted to ryde to Ernaux all in white cassockes the better to know them if they should bee forced to fight But then the Lansquenets refused to march except they might haue mony And within a quarter of an houre after Blind auarice cause of a great mischiefe fiue cornets of Rutters said as much by which meanes aboue an houre and a hafe past ouer before they could bee appeased whereby the troupes could not haue the meanes to get a place wherein they could hardly haue been fought withall And hauing marched a quarter of a league they discouered the Dukes armie aduancing it selfe in such manner that all the leisure they had was to range themselues in order and to place themselues in a valley in couert from the cannon shot After this ensued an other mischiefe in the Princes armie which was that the Admirall perceiuing the Dukes vantgard to set forward wherein was nineteene cornets of Rutters in two squadrons and to come right vpon him hee sent to the Countie Lodowicke that commaunded the battell that he should send him three cornets of horse which the Countie did but hee himselfe led them and at that instant beganne the battell hee remaining in fight whereby the bodie of the battell remained without a head not knowing how to gouerne it selfe it is thought that if the Countie a wise and valiant Gentleman had beene there the body of the battell had mades good resistance The body of the battell without a head seeing that being so discouered it had almost put the dukes battell to fight The fight hauing continued almost three quarters of an houre the Princes as yet very young beeing not long before retired and with them diuers others vnder colour of safer conduction of their persons the Admirall likewise beeing hurt in the face at the first conflict in the ende the Princes horsemen were constrained to leaue the field part of the foote beeing slaine the rest flying to saue themselues The artillerie and Ensignes of the footemen were taken Countie Lodowicke was pursued a whole league Notable retrait but made a gallant retraict with three thousand horse in one maine The rest of the troupes hauing gotten away before the leaguerors made shew many times to set vpon the Countie but hee alwaies turned so brauely vpon them that they durst not ioyne In this manner hee marched towards Eruaux and from thence to Partenay where they arriued about tenne of the clocke at night fiue houres after the ouerthrow where the rest likewise came The Princes in this battell of Moncontour lost four thousand Launsquenets ' fifteen hundreth French souldiers and great numbers of pages and other boyes of the horsemen about three hundreth and many horses dead or hurt of men of name there were slaine Puigreffier Autricourt Biron brother to him that ledde the Dukes vantgard and Saint Bonet Cornet of the Admirals launciers La Noue and Acier taken prisoners the Rutters carriage was sacked only the horses which the boyes saued but the French carriage being further aduanced towards Partenay and Nyort was saued of the Dukes troupes there was not many footemen slaine but of horse about fiue or sixe hundreth and twise as many more wounded most part of them dying not long after and of men of name the elder Rhingraue the Marquesse of Bade and Cleremont of Dauphine The number of slaine on both parts The Duke caused the dead to bee buried and commanded the villages and townes neare there abouts to burie such as lay nearest vnto them Such was this daies chance whereof diuers discourses haue bin published whose vanities I haue not vndertaken to tet downe contenting my selfe to haue approached nearest vnto the trueth which of it selfe will sufficiently be desended The Marshall de Rez was presently willed by the Duke to ride to Tours to certifie the king and the Queene of his victorie wherewith all Europe was presently filled and as the report is made greater by passing through many mens mouthes nothing was then spoken of in Italie and else where but of the vtter ouerthrow of all the Princes armie Consultation in the Dukes councel what was to
May. Second parley of peace I said before that the first aunswere made by the king to Messieur de Teligny de Beauuais and la Nocle Deputies for the Princes to parley of a peace at Anger 's was such that after it the warre was rather increased then diminished For those of the religion perceiuing that they sought onely to ouerthrow and destroy them determined to proceed and to make of necessitie a vertue And as time breedeth changes those that happened were to their aduantages in such sort that their courages were increased and their hopes fortified The king the Queen and their Councell perceiuing that since the losse receiued before Saint Iohn d'Angely they found themselues new to beginne determined to beginne a parley of peace wherein for their part Biron was imployed with charge as like wise Teligny Deputie for the Princes to say vnto the Admirall that the king and the Queen his mother desired more then euer they did to receiue him into their fauours with many such like words whereof the effects may well bee seen in the discourse of the yeare 1572. The king was greeued that the continuance of warre bereaued him of his pleasures ouerthrew the loue and obedience due vnto him fouraged his countrie diminished his treasures and consumed his forces His wicked Councellours ceased not to kindle in his heart the fier of rancor and desire of reuenge against the Admirall his associates and all those of the religion because of the iourney of Meaux in the beginning of the second troubles and of so many resistances as they had made The Queen his mother was much offended because that from the beginning of the first troubles it was discouered that her intents were to rule and to cause the one part to spoyle the other Her chiefe obiect beeing wholly against those of the religion specially against the Admirall and other commaunders There was too much paine and daunger to bring them to her bow by dint of sword murtherers and impoysoners durst hardly approach the Princes applyed themselues to the time and from their youths beganne to know the friends and enemies of rest and quietnesse of France On the other side the Queen of Nauarre and the Admirall as also diuers great Lords of their part affected to the good of the Common-wealth and foreseeing that the ingrafted enemies thereof desired nothing but the weakning of the same by the meanes of ciuill warres there to erect their practises and to open the way to their ambitious deuises desired by an assured peace to see some end of the miseries of France hoping that mens mindes being somewhat cooled good counsell would bee taken for the benefit of the Common-wealth to the vtter confusion of the secret and open enemies thereof the diuine prouidence of the almightie God and ruler of the world directeth our affaires partly according to our desires but for the most part it guideth all things in such manner that calling to mind that which past after vntill the death of the Duke of Aniou which was Henry the third wee cannot marke nor say otherwise but that the iudgements of God are vnsearchable and that his waies are impossible to bee found out To returne vnto the Princes they were constrained after the battell of Of the great voyage made by the Princes after thâ—ir tourney of Moncontour vntill the peace Moncontour to keepe themselues farre from the Dukes armie to assure their troupes to stay their enemies about townes and so to consume them while they strengthened themselues and became busier then before thereby to constraine those that tooke so much pleasure in war to seeke for peace This counsel was good because of the improuidence of the Romish Catholicks who without resistance suffering this smal snowball to retire in time it became as great as a house for that the authoritie of the Princes drew and moued many people The Admiral by his prouidence surmounted the occurrent difficulties and the Rutters to the number of three thousand horse for the field gaue reputation to the armie They indured much vntill they entered into Gascon where they strengthened themselues with Harquebusiers beeing most necessarie for them specially to defend the horsemen nightly surprises much vsed in that countrie because of the nearenesse of Townes and Castles They were mingled among the Cornets of Rutters and other French troupes in such sort that both plaine countries and couert they were alwaies ready to defend theÌ„ Staying of the Princes Armie The longest way that this demy armie made was towards Agenois and Quercy where it stayed almost all the winter and by the good entertainment it receiued there both great and little spedde wel In this voyage the Princes abandoned the enemies countrie for a pray vnto their souldiers and whosoeuer would hazard wanted no meanes those Prouinces were so abundant Monluc went about to hinder their passage ouer Garonne but the diligence of la Loue that ledde the Princes light-horse hauing taken those places that serued for resistance forced him in all haste to retire to Agen so that in the moneth of December 1599. all the armie passed ouer Garonne at Saint Maries port without impeachmeÌ„t at the second time for at the first Monluc had broken their bridge The twentieth of the same moneth Captaine Piles ioyned with the Princes armie and hauing obtained three Cornets made them flye that followed him so neare La Loue and his Argolitiers made diuers courses and picorees into Agenois and the countries thereabout The first forces that ioyned with the Princes were those of the Countie Montgommery comming from Bearn and it is not to bee doubted if he were welcommed at his returne The two and twentieth of December Bole a strong Towne was taken that done Exployts of this armie in their voyage that armie went to lye at the Bastille Saint Surin two leagues from Thoulouse The next day and others ensuing beganne a manner of war most violent by reason of the burnings that were permitted to be made about that great Towne onely vpon the houses of Presidents and Councellours of the parliament it beeing alleaged that they had been most earnest and as it were inraged to burne and massacre those of the religion beheaded Captaine Rapin that brought them the Edict of peace from the king and committed diuers insolencies oppressions for the which as then it was requisite to punish them for that omitting that occasion it would possible not be found againe The Marshall d'Anuille Gouernour of Languedoc la Valette and diuers others of account were within Thoulouse accompanied with fiue hundreth Gentlemen and 9000. harquebusiers as well straungers as of the countrie wherewith they made many sallies with diuers effects yet neuer went farre from their walles for fear of some surprise after Thoulouse had receiued those small checkes the armie went towards Carmaine Thoulouse checked a small towne which was forced and such as resisted put to the sword The like was done to those
Court of France with all their principall seruants and there to giue them that entertainment which after fell out In March the Romish Catholicques at Roane murthered diuers protestants as they returned from a Sermon and beate others shrewdly meaning to haue proceeded further had not Marshal Montmorencie whom the king sent made the more haste to suppresse the violence of the seditious who after many pursuites hanged vp three or foure the rest escaped albeit 400. were guiltie of innocent blood Sixe weekes before the protestants had been most cruelly murthered at Aurange by their enemies whom Berchon soone after made Gouernour by Countie Lodowic found means to intrap and punish accordingly Not long after by the kings consent those of the religion were taxed to paye the 5. part of their reuenue towards the payment of the Rutters which produced much discontentmēt About the same time the king and the Queene made their enterie vpon seuerall daies into the capitall towne of the Realme with great pompe The protestants also held a Sinode nationall at Rochel wherein they confirmed the articles of the confession of their faith and discipline of their Churches in the presence of the Queene of Nauarre the Princes and many other of the Principall among them The king hauing made his entrie the eleuenth of March the Queene beeing crowned the 25. of the same moneth at Saint Deunis and the 29. receiued with great magnificence into Parris hee went to sit in his place of iustice in the Parliament where hee made a long Oration to his officers of the Court for the obseruation of his Edicts In witnesse whereof in the moneth ensuing the people of Parris beganne to mutine against those of the religion sacked certaine houses and began to proceed further prouoked by their Preachers because of a certaine Crosse placed in S. Dennis street in a place where in times past stood the house of Phillip de Gastines rased to the ground because that certaine sermons and the Lords Supper had beene made and celebrated therein Gastines for that cause hauing been executed to death during the troubles that had beene carried into S. Innocents Church-yeard This mutinie appeased the king that shewed great fauor to Teligny his companions sent them to the Q. of Nauarre the Princes in Rochel to assure them that all his desire was to maintaine the peace that for his owne part he bare them great affection procuring that the Q. his mother the Duke of Aniou his brother should from day to day leaue off their rigors And at their departure gaue them diuers presents giuing them likewise to vnderstand that his minde was to proceede with war against the Spaniard in the low Countries and to marrie his sister to the Prince of Nauarre Biron was sent after to certifie the like and men began to speake of that marriage in diuers sorts their opinions being diuided some esteeming it to bee a snare to intrap those of the religion others deeming the contrarie The king caused certaine consultations to be made in Rome because of the alliance between both the parties Pope Pius the fist seemed to bee much troubled about the same for that effect sending Cardinal Salutati into France who hauing had certaine conference by word of mouth with the king returned satisfied The effect of that the king said vnto him was that the king would alwaies shewe himselfe to deserue the name of the eldest sonne of the Romish Church and that all his intents tended to no other end but only to the suretie honour and aduancement of the Catholicque religion whereof the Pope should receiue great testimonies before long time should passe But notwithstanding that diuers maruelled much at this suddaine alteration of the king the Queene of Nauarre much sought vnto by diuers great persons of both partes went to the king followed by the Countie Lodowicke great numbers of Nobilitie The king and the Queene his mother were at Blois where they receiued and welcommed her with great ioy and good countenance and after many disputations touching diuers particular poynts specially the cerimonies the agreement vpon the marriage of her sonne with the kings sister was concluded and the place of the espousals assigned at Parris Not long after the Prince her son accompanied with fiue hundreth Gentlemen came to Blois where the marriage of Nenry de Bourbon Prince of Conde with the yongest daughter of the house of Neuers was agreed vpon During these parleyes of mariages with the Princes the Admirall that had buried Ladie Charlotte de Laual his wife a woman of excellent pietie that died at Orleans in the second troubles beeing in Rochel married the Counties of Ancremont in Sauoy and gaue Louyse his daughter in marriage to Monsieur de Teligny At the Court one named Lignerolles a simple Gentleman made knight of the Order Captaine of a company of launciers Gouernor of Bourbonnois and one of the Duke of Anious mignions was slaine openly in the Court for discouering certain of his Maisters secrets Lignerolles slaine by the D. cōmitted vnto him touching the enterprise that was ment against those of the religion On the other side Death of the Cardinall of Chastillon the Cardinal of Chast being readie to depart out of England to go to his brother the Admiral was poysoned by one of his Chamberlains and died to the great great griefe of all his friends and seruants The prisoner that did the fact beeing after taken at Rochel was executed Articles of marriage betweene the Prince of N. and the kings sister This is the yeare wherein is set downe the arriuing of the Queen of Nauarre the Princes and the Admirall in the Court the articles of the marriage of the prince of Nauarre and the kings sister were made at Blois the eleuenth of Aprill The Countie Lodowicke at the same time trauelled with the king touching warres to bee made in Flaunders to the which ende preparations were made at sea by Strossy and the Barron de la Garde but at the end of three moneths Flaunders was found to be Rochel Long before the king had caused the Admirall to bee solicited to come vnto the Court and to drawe him thither hee caused those of Guise to retire who thereat counterfetted to bee discontent The Marshall de Montmorency by letters assured his Cousin the Admirall that the king was fully determined to make them friends and to reconcile him with the Duke of Guise the better to be serued by him and his Councell touching the affaires of his Realme and beganne to fauour those of the religion and to put the Admirall out of all distrust the king sent him letters that he might bring fiftie Gentlemen armed with him vnto the Court whither in fine the Marshall de Cosse conducted him with diuers Gentlemen At his comming hee was honourably receiued and welcommed by the king that called him his father Welcomes to the Admirall and others of the religion in the Cout
receiue her Cittizens for his true faithfull and naturall subiects and not to put any difference between them and others vnlesse it were in this poynt to haue in remembrance that they were the first who without constraint acknowledged him for their king and by their example haue gotten vnto him the best part of his flowrishing Scepter Behold the iust reasons and causes of this so suddaine change if the obedience which the subiect draweth from the yoake of strangers to yeeld it vnto his owne superior may be called a change And the more commendable it wil be in so much as that the seruice of the king is not contrarie to the commandement of God that religion remaineth firme within her franchises shining in her glorie inuiolable vnexpugnable in her forces As long as the wars were wholly for religion they contributed whatsoeuer they had but when they once perceiued that the holy conuersion of the king made this war no more war against religion but onely against the estate they could not longer delay nor withdraw out of their mindes the feare and reuerence they owe to the true image of God which is the king beleeuing certainly that those beare armes and fight against God that rebel against a most Catholicke and Christian Prince In this so great disorder great wisedome good order hath bin seene for that the most aduised and best experienced concerning matters of estate iudged this quotidian feuer could by no meanes bee healed but by some strong and violent remedie But by the prouidence of God the disease that in mans iudgement seemed incurable hath been healed without shedding one drop of blood by the constant and firm resolution of those that rather desire to die then not to see themselues franchised from this gouernment which is contrarie to the royall estate and losed from the middle of so many protections which how holy or iust soeuer they be are altogither dangerous and the best title they can bear is of no value To be short this towne which hath alwaies made shew of pure religion towards God and fidelitie to her Prince hath well shewed that the flower de luce which for the space of so many hundreth yeares had been grauen in her heart could not be pulled away but by cleauing and renting in peeces the hearts of all her Cittizens that she could not brooke nor once indure such Frenchmen as are transubstantiated into Spanish minds that gape onely to see this Scepter broken this crowne in peeces that they might gather the remnants and plucke off the flowers Thus much I thought good to speake before I enter into the Historie THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF the last troubles of France vnder the raignes of Henry the third and Henry the fourth now liuing M.D.LXXIIII I Am not abashed if such as at randon discourse speake of our great miseries do so oftentimes run into fond opinions A Historie ought to be without passion because that to get out of so great a laborinth they followe not the right way of the trueth but rather taking the crosse-path of their own passions they leaue the high-way and approache the ditches Their writings are of blacke and thicke cloudes which neuer appeare without some thunder of euill reports iniuries and slaunders Tables representing nothing but infamous pictures of Monsters and Arches of imperfections And when they enter into the deepe consideration of the Authors of our euilles they throwe the fault and mischiefes of these deuisions sometimes vppon one and some times vppon an other their opinions beeing furred onely with the drugges of hated or of zeale which transporteth their mindes Such people that like serpents nourish themselues by poyson The causes of the troubles of France imputed to diuers things and that are better pleased with the darke Eclipses then with the bright shining beams of the Sun and do more reioyce to shewe some execrable action then to speake of any memorable and woorthiething haue in this season raised most straunge mutinies mooued the people armed the greatest cowards with their seditious writings troden the Maiestie and reuerence of Princes vnder foote bannished modestie in her place established insolencie despigh and confusion Therefore to make knowne Against such as say that the King of France and Nauarre are the causes of the troubles through all the parts of the world the beautie excellency and woonders of the royall actions of their liues to drawe so many Princes and great and valiant Captaines out of the circle wherein by these diuisions they are compassed to shewe the Maiestie of our King to bee farre distant from the many vnworthy slaunders of those that affirme and accuse him to bee the onely motion of our countries troubles to declare in this discourse the royall vertues that shine through the thicknesse and obscurities of impietie and rebellion and to disswade mens mindes from so many false perswations I haue drawne out of the most staied and certaine opinions the truth concerning the beginning and proceedings of the last troubles that haue vexed this Realme by the renewing of seuen most cruel bloodie warres a Frāce hath indured seuē warres and hath seene 6. Edicts of pacification God grant that the 7. peace may be the last and the end of ciuil miseries The peace for forraigne warres was made in Ann. 1559. There is no opinion that is deeper with in the hearts of men then the opinion of religion by the hazard of so many battailes the ruin of so many people the taking and spoyling of so many townes and the death of so many Princes that the only remembrance taketh away my sences stoppeth my speeche and maketh my pen to stay◠therefore to begin this matter and to voyde the spindle we must first finde the ende of the third and by the ende of forraigne warres weaue this cloath of ciuill Commotions All war is cruell and endeth with more difficultie then it is taken in hand but those diuisions that happen in any estate touching the point that ought to knit and vnite the spirits of men are more bloodie their beginnings more terrible and their endes more dangerous and the more the pretences are large and faire the more men enter into the sustaining and defending of them for there is nothing that doth mooue them more then the defence of their religion nor any thing that doth more animate nor sooner put them in obliuion of the consideration of respect dutie and obedience then the quarrell concerning the saluation of their soules and the manner of the seruice they ought to minister vnto God euery man esteeming that religion he followeth to bee the true and purest manner of woorshipping condemning and reiecting all that which is not conformable vnto it n = b The Oracle of Apollo gaue answer to the Troiāt that their towne should neuer be takē as lōg as they kept that image of Pallars This is the Paladium of Troy our rest and welfare
consisteth therein and her assurance is our securitie hee that straineth this corde breaketh the hermonie of the Common-wealth and induceth the dissimilitude of religions which presently openeth the gate to murthers enmities and seditions and from thence to persecutions both publike and priuate for that neither the old can be reformed nor the new established without contradiction violence From thence it proceedeth that when in one Nation there are some that remaine constant and firme in the faith and tradition of their forefathers and that others do reprooue it and inuent certaine doctrine which they preach and affirme to be the pure true and onely rule for men to learne it cannot be remedied and of force it must be so that this diuersitie of religion bringeth with it a diuision of minds and of enmities which are not appeased but by the ruine of the one or the other part the triumph of Israel is the losse and hinderance of the Aegyptians The first motion of religiō in Bohemia by Iohn Hus and Hierome of Prague France that had seene the strange furies which this apple of discord by the Hussites had sowne in Bohemia at Munster by the Anabaptists and in Allenmaigne and Suisse and that ought to beware by other mens harmes and looke that the fire of their partialities take no hold in her towe hath most miserably abandoned it selfe vnto this schisme and more overrun sacked and troden vnderfoote by the great faction of Catholiques and Huguenots in thirtie yerres then it indured The death of King Francis at Rombouillet in the space of 6. yeares vnder the long variable and cruell wars of the two houses of Orleans Burgonge factions more fatal miserable in France thē that in Italie of the Guelphes and Gibelins or in England of the long wars between the houses of Lancastre and Yorke It had the beginning from the death of King Francis the first which graine of diuision wherewithall the Prouinces of this Realme is sowen was bought in Geneue of such as brought it from Saxony where they had great store out of Luthers Warehouses Luther began to preach And the most curious who at the first thought to enter into those vesselles of new sects The assembly of Lutheriās dicouered in Parris in S. Iames street before the colledge du Plessis but onely to shake them were carried away by impetuositie of wind and the goodly apparance of her opinions which were said to tend onely to the reformation of the abuses of pride and luxurie in the Cleargie thereby to reduce it into the estate of the Leuites without lands or possessions France that at all times hath beene the nource of fine wittes both subtill and curious was the most fit and apt Prouince wherein to make this Noueltie spring and therein became so fruitefull that in lesse then two or three yeares there was found more Lutherians within the Capitall Cittie of Parris then Prelates or Doctors to oppose themselues against them The Duke of Saxon the Counte Palatin the Marques of Brandebourg the Duke of Witenbourg The marriage of the Dauphine with the Queene of Scots But the king that sought to quench this fire by the rigor of lawes at the first entrance of those Nouelties spared neither authoritie of Edicts seueritie of punishments nor executioners to extirpe them Whereat certaine forraine Princes beeing mooued besought him to moderate his publike persecutions and the great Potentates of the Realme rose vp and put themselues in armes and among the rest Monsieur d'Andelot a man whom the king loued both for the honour of his house and valour of his person and many Councellours of the Court of Parliament found to bee inveloped with this cloude wee cast in prison The Cardinall of Lorraine and the Duke of Guise his brother that practised the marriage of the Queene of Scots their Cousin with the kings eldest sonne and were the greatest next the king who for counsell put his whole confidence in the Cardinal and his forces into the Duke of Guises hands making him Lieftenant generall of his Realme that had all authoritie ouer the people that esteemed them no lesse faithfull to the Crowne then zealous and religious towards the Church that honoured them as the most affectioned to the Common-wealth that were his Druses Marcels Dions and Phocions mooued the king to the extirpation of those Heresies and without doubt hee had surely done it if the splinter of Mongommeries launce had not beene which although it brake not yet it stayed the furie of those publike executions The death of King Henry the second This great king that promised his people a long and continuall peace beeing dead his Scepter remained to Francis but the royall authoritie with them that as then had the possession and that vaunted themselues to deserue it in respect of their seruices done to the king their countrie and religion in such manner The sacring of Francis the second The Constable withdraweth frō the Court. that before Anthony de Burbon king of Nauarre first prince of the blood arriued at the Court his place was taken vp and the royaltie diuided and put into the handes of a king of fifteene yeares of age an Italian woman a Cardinall and a Prince of Lorraine The kings auncient seruants beeing separated from the Court namely the Constable Like as the sunne is in heauen the same should the king be on earth and what effect the sunne worketh with the Planets the same should the K. vnto the Princes of his blood the sun neuer withdraweth his brightnes That was ordamed at Tours Ann. 1484. and at the same time obserued by Charles 8. son to Lewis the 11. that raigned 14. yeares Malecontent in An. 1560. from them no more should the king deny this fauour to the Princes of his-blood that are about him Which not being don it cānot be but there must be disorder Eclipses obscure confusions The Princes of the blood perceiuing themselues debarred from their guard that the king was in the custodie of strāgers contrarie to the ancient priuiledges of France wich ordaineth that the minoritie of the K. shall be assisted by a councell chosen by al the Estates of the Realme wherein the Princes of the blood ought to beare the principall place and straungers excluded vnited themselues togither in the middle of a thousand deaths to preserue their degrees and dignities This discontentment opened the caracters of diuisions that after caused a deluge of miseries in the realme of France And the Malecontents eyther because they were excluded from publike charges or beeing tormented in the libertie of their consciences agreed togither to vnhorse the house of Guise that aspired so neare the king minding neuer to leaue armes before his Maiestie should be deliuered out of their hands and the estate reduced vnder a lawfull gouernment promising neuerthelesse not to attempt any thing against the person of the king his authoritie nor the
his side then the first For it restored the exercise of the Catholicque religion in the places where it had been prohibited continuing and commending it to bee vsed in all places it suffered mens consciences to bee free yet without publicke exercise but onely in the Townes and places where as then it was openly preached and to Gentlemen of quallitie degree in their own houses yet there was some difficultie in the execution and obseruation of this peace which the conference at Nerac betweene the Queene-mother and the King of Nauarre soone auoyded but the wound not well healed did still bleed by meanes of the furious disorders of those that were his chiefe doers but in the yeare one thousand fiue hundreth eightie and one it was wholly ioyned and drawne vnto a scarre Peace being made what became of those that desired nothing but warre Monsieurs voyage into Flaunders The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde withdrew themselues And the Queene-mother caused her title which she pretended to the Crowne of Portugall as onely heire of the house of Boulongne to be discided And Monsieur the kings brother after the example of the Arch-duke Matthias went into Flaunders there to make worke for the king of Spaine where he made a goodly entrie but an euill retrait Mean time what did the king he to ouerthrow impietie by godlinesse and heresie by trueth and to shew by all his actions that he desired nothing more then the ending of all diuisions in his Realme and knowing that the Prince is as it were a spring from whence there issueth either vice or vertue that the people follow his steps that they do more by example then by commaundement hee shewed himselfe the mirrour of deuotion and christian reformation Institution of the order of the holy ghost 1579. hee ordained many holy Congregations true Schooles and Gardens of pietie he built Monasteries he frequented religious persons he ware the order and by the example of Lois the eleuenth to vnite great persons in concord and inuiolable amitie both for the benefite of the estate and Countrie he instituted the order of the holy Ghost as an authentike declaration that he neither could loue nor do good to hereticques binding al the knights of the Order by a solemne oath vnto such conditions as only pleased Catholicque mindes hee esteemed that by spirituall remedies hee might heale the disease of the spirit and frenzie of new opinions that force or mans pollicie could not constraine mens consciences that we must not kill to make men beleeue that the conuersion of such as are strayed out of the way is the onely worke of the hand of God and that the wisest Princes had bin constrained to giue ouer violence and terrour of warres and haue recourse to catechisings for the reducing of the consciences of their subiects hee bestowed Bishoppricks and spirituall promotions vpon such as hee knewe to bee no lesse learned then religious hee caused all sorts of bookes of pietie and deuotion to be printed forbidding and defending the impression of heretickes writings And to conclude he liued more like a Capuc in theÌ„ a King he desired no more war his Diana was the singing of the Foueilantins his Campe-royal a Cloyster his armour Maners fashions of Henry the third An Anagramme made of the king Henticus terâ—ius inte vere Christus a Penitentiaries sack he liued continually with a Crucifix in his hand and if he liued it was no more he but Iesus Christ that liued in him Such witnesse of his actions was giuen by the Capucins of Parris such was the commendation he had by Father Bernard Fueillantin and Father Edmund Anger that had well searched tried sounded and tasted the conscience of this Prince both publikely and priuately assured and perswade euery man that France in long time before had not any Prince more religious nor more humble as hauing no other care then onely to keepe and maintaine his subiects first in their obedience to God and next vnto himselfe Neuerthelesse he that in a litle booke intituled Francophile sheweth the greatnes of his spirit as the common Prouerb is maketh the Lyon known by his feet writeth cleane contrarie of the actions of this king while he led that sollitarie life Whose proper words I will rehearse and ioyne them to this treatise either in trueth they are of greater eloquence copiousnes of matter then mine own which areas followeth He was soon wearie of wars as of nature he was sost delicate his spirit weak Francophile imprinted at Chartres Anno. 1591. Fâ—l 31. and 32. lowe impatient to indure trauel or paine all his complexions vnequal differing too base for a souldier he sought a peaceable quiet life And so hee soone turned to delight in weddings dauncings and all ordinary pastimes which procured long peace But the Queene and those of the house of Guise perceiuing him to take that course thoght to vse him as a sipher and while hee busied himselfe with deuising of measures and concordes of dauncings to hold the rule of the Common-wealth and to dispose the gouernment thereof but they found themselues soone frustrate of their intent for as a fore eye desireth shad dowe and cannot indure the light so the spirit of this Prince alreadie molten and in a manner mollified in this profound rest and quietnesse could not indure the presence of great persons whether it were because in his delights hee feared their checkes or that hee more desired the priuitie of meaner men in such maner that finding themselues farre out of their accounts they had recourse to wicked practises and inuentions wherewith in time they filled all the countrie of France Meane time certaine yeares past ouer wherein to furnish the superfluities of the Court the Commons of France were so straungely oppressed that they knewe not what course to holde wherein those of Guise were not ydle And as the hunter watcheth in narrowe places for the Quailes which the rigor of winter season driueth into more temperate and pleasant countries so among so many publike disorders they were alwaies watching in the Court to take vp and entertaine male contents where no houre in the day passed ouer their heads but they cought a new Pigeon And this hunting was not only holden in that place but in all the Townes of France where the people were so hardly pressed and beaten down with the waight of those burthens that all the hopes and comforts of better intertainment by the Guises offered they presently imbrased without iudgement or discretion And among all these discontents of the subiects oppressed with great taxes of the Clargies impatieÌ„ce at the increasing of their enemies and of the Princes of Lorraine The faith obedience of the people began to decline 1582. restrained from the kings fauour it was an easie matter to renue the league of Peronne and to animate their hearts that were disposed to reuolt
in disobedience to maintaine religion the easing of the people Nor better nor fairer pretence to open the eies hearts and purses of such men to enterprise warre could not be found At the same time the king had sent vnto the Princes for the restitution of the Towns which they held for the obseruation of the last edict of peace which they were to yeelde vp at the end of 6. yeares But because the king of Nauarre sent word vnto his Maiestie Prolongation of the time of the townes of assurance 1582. that the peace hauing so often been broken by surprises and open warres the termed of 6. yeares was too short a time for the execution of the Edict and abollishing of wars he agreed to the prolongation thereof Wherevpon all the Princes of the league tooke occasion to say that the king fauoured Hereticques and that he would indure heresie and considered not that those Townes were inhabited by Huguenots strong of scituation hard to be won by force When the king of Nauarre perceiued those motions and that some matter was breeding he foresawe the tempest wold light vpon him what pretence soeuer was made therevpon he besought the king to call to minde the intelligences hee had giuen him in Anno. 1576. sent expresly by a Gentleman concerning the treatie and handling of the league in Spaine and Italie that he shuld looke to the profite of the myne seeing it was discouered And perceiuing the enterprise euery day more and more to proceed he began to take care of himselfe sent the Lord of Pardillan to the Queen of England the king of Denmarke and the Princes and Electors of Almaine to renue amitie with them desiring their aydes touching the preuenting of new troubles that began to rise in France against the edict of peace to appoynt a good sum of mony to bee sent vnto some Towne in Allemaine to bee imployed for the leuying of certaine forces against the enemie In the mean time for the aduantage of the league but to the great trouble and mischiefe of all the Realme of France The death of the Duke of Alencon in Iune 1584. Monsieur the kings brother eyther by his riotousnesse in the lowe countries for greefe of the hard successe of his affaires by hazard or by Salcedas means that was executed died at Chasteau Thierry His death awakened the most drousie heads it brake all the bandes that stayed the proceedings of the league and caused it presently to roare at Chaalons Rheims Troye Dyon and Mezieres It had alreadie found credite ynough in all the other Towns specially at Parris wherein they were diswaded from the yoake of the Huguenots and the hope of the king of Nauarre to rule ouer them The first point of the loue to the king was alreadie foundred in her hart she spake not of him but with al kinde of disdaine euery day presented him with the opinions and censures of Pasquils indiscreet ieasts and libels without names wherein corrupt minds alreadie stuffed with the disorders of the Court swallowed vp the poyson of their mutinies vnder what pretence I knowe not speaking of the king as of a Sardanapalus or one that did nothing The kings deuise Manet vltime Coelo Qui dedit ante Duas vnam abstulit alcera nutat Tertia tonsoris nunc facienda manu of a Prince drowned in his pleasures and delights whom alreadie they placed like a Chilperic in a Monastrie and in stead of the third Crown which by his deuise was reserued for him in heauen they promised him one made with a raisor in a Cloyster But hee that would knowe the first conception birth and infancie of the league within Parris hee must beleeue that which Manant saith to Maheustre that speaketh like a wise man and by the propositions and answeres representeth all those that deale therein and for the first hee nameth him that was the secret Minister of the leaguers intent to make it known to three Preachers that tooke seuen or eight Coaintors with them thereby to make a small Councell which was oftentimes holtors within the Colledge of Forteret where they beganne to chuse sixe others of the most faithfull The Colledge of Forteret was the cradle of the league The sixe first confederates of the league to watch at all the sixe quarters to report what was done in those places to sowe this new graine within their heads to sound the affections of the most feruent Catholicques and to dispose them to a resolution against the king the world and death Those sixe Arch-leaguers in the beginning made a faire and great Haruest and as with the number courage increased The principall leaguers were assured that those new confederates would ingender others presently therevppon the two pillers that sustaine and vphold the Prince which are the most faithfull Archers of his Court of guard that is good will and authoritie were thrown downe hatred and despight entering into their places Of those two plagues as of a monsterous blood was conceiued and brought foorth most disloyall rebellion and the despising of the lawe and the authoritie of the Prince mixed with the euill minde which the people bare to their king his Councell and his fauourers hatched this great Erynnis and furious mischiefe in France that hath entered into all the vaines of our bodie But alasse poore people what will you do what example what commandement what iust reason mooueth or assureth you to arme your selues against your king What lawe approoueth the rebellion of the subiect against him whom God hath appoynted your king If there be any imperfection or disorder are you to correct it or can the foote ordaine a lawe for the head It is no more lawfull for you to resist against the faults or imperfections of your Gouernours then to despight God and aske him the cause of the frosts and hailes that beat spoyled your vines Stay you little snayles within your shels come not foorth you torteaux out of the cases vnder them you are assured for you shall no sooner put forth your heads nor stretche out a foote but presently be assayled lie opē to your enemies readie to receiue the first blowe that shal be giuen Assoone as the league perceiued that diuers townes had made great fires for ioy of her birth it was presented to the Pope that he might giue it his blessing auouch it for his and declare it to bee for the Catholicke Apostolike and Romish Church But Gregory the 13. desiring to shewe himselfe to bee the common father of all Christians and Pastor not dispearser of his flocke Pope Gregory would nener consent to this raising of men The answere of the Pope vnto the league considering that the raising of armes against a most Christian and Catholicque king was wholly contrarie to the doctrine of the Gospell the examples of Christ and his Apostles and the lawes of pollicie and state certified the leaguers Deputies that he
a iourney The Duke de Bouillon was therein but a learner and those that assisted him were more fit to go of an Ambassage then to giue a charge vpon the enemie The Barron of Othna had lesse experience then courage all his sufficiencie consisted onely in the report and commendation giuen of him by the D. Casimir For about the beginning of the month of August Neither the Rutters nor Switzers would fight with so faire an occasion consusion necessitie two dangerous plagues to a great multitude entered among them There was diuision in their intents some of them would spoyle the country of Lorraine others would stay their vengeance and furie vntill they were in the heart of France The Duke de Bouillon by meanes of that armie would refresh his Towns that as then were vnfurnished the Generall of the Almaines would not doo any thing before hee had a Prince of the blood to direct him The Frenchmen said they must go straight forward to passe the riuer of Loire the Almaines wold march along by the riuer of Seine from thence into Picardie But the passage of the riuer of Loire was resolued vpon after they had let slip a goodly encounter at Pont Saint Vincent where all the troupes of the league made shewe to set vppon them but the necessitie of victualles procured by the Duke of Lorraine by throwing downe milles and ouens made them leaue that bone and passe further forward in this manner The Duke de Bouillon Liestenant Generall the Counte de la Marche his brother led the Vant-guard Cleruant the Switzers the Barron of Othna the Rutters Guitry Marshall of the campe and Mouy ledde the French footemen And as they passed le Barrois and leinuillois newes came of the arriuall of Monsieur de Chastillon at Gresille neare to la Mottes in Lorraine both the armies made thither that of the Duke of Guise to intrappe him and that of the Duke de Bouillon to defend him in which effort they trauelled so much that both the one and the other wearied and weakened themselues The Earle of Marche fell sicke and died leauing his charge to Nonsieur de Chastillon whom hee had ingaged That done long raines want of victualles and sicknesses beganne to torment the armie which notwithstanding all discommodities made right to Chaumont in Bassigny passed the riuer of Marne placed their artilllerie but to no purpose against the Abbey of Clernaux burnt the corne vppon the ground about the countrie crossed l'Aube aâ— Montigny and Seine aboue Chastillon where Monsieur de la Chastre laye passed hard by the Duke de Maine and the troupes of Bourgongne lodged at Leignes and Ansile Franc passed Cure aboue Vermenton and Yonne hard by Creuant and so made a halt towards the riuer of Loire The cause of the overthrow of the Switzers There beganne the complaints of the Switzers and the mutinies of the Rutters because the King of Nauarre came not to them and that the King was at the side of the riuer of Loire either to fight with them or to staye their passage A stratageme woorthie of a King and Councell no lesse commendable then admirable beeing the true and onely cause of the victorie For hee considered that the onely meanes to breake this armie was to impeach their ioyning with the king of Nauarre and so to let them consume of themselues as not hauing victualles to suffice their wants nor retrait for their aduantage That the necessitie of their bellie would cause the head to rebell That famine would cause disseases among them and lessen their troupes From this Councell proceeded two great effects but different in execution hee commaunded the Duke Ioyeuse The battel of Coutras to keepe the King of Nauarre in Poitou and rather to hazard battell then suffer him to passe the riuer of Loire as hee determined to do at the head thereof assuring him that the ruine of the forraine armie depended there vppon to the which end the Duke de Ioyeuse that had anarmie fortified both with men munition artillerie and meanes marched towards Coutras to passe la Drongne at Gue and vpon Tuesday the twentieth of October stayed with all his forces between la Roche Chalais and Coutras the king of Nauarre made towards him fully resolued to fight And his troupes not mercinarie but chosen souldiers not constrained but free that desired rather to sweate in a skirmish then heate themselues in a Tennis-court rather to pursue a flying enemie then staye to drinke sweet and pleasant maluesie at a bankette that feared nothing but the losse of their reputation stayed onely but till they had the word to giue the onset And after they had bin long encouraged to fight and greeued with outrages and threatnings they sell to blowes And about eight of the clocke in the morning the king of Nauarres artillery began to play and that of the Duke de Ioyeuse to aunswere them but not very luckely for that eyther the ignorance or the mallice of the Cannonier had placed it so low that the mouth of the cannon shot right vpon a litle hill of earth wherein the bullet stayed without pearcing further The battell was so soone descided that in tenne houres this great armie of the king that had the aduantage both for place and number beganne to retire was sooner broken then fought withall The king of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and the Earle of Sotssons behaued themselues most valiantly executing the offices both of Captaines and souldiers and gaue thankes to God in open field all died with blood and hilled and couered with dead bodies and among the rest with the bodies of Duke de Ioyeuse Monsieur de Saint Sauueur his brother and fiue and twentieth other Gentlemen of name All their Cornets were taken with the artillerie and baggage and foureteene Gentlemen of account taken and put to raunsome That done the king of Nauarre beeing eased of so many nettes that were set vp to catch him marched forward to ioyne with the forraine armie and to passe the riuer of Loire but the king lay incamped at a little Village called Lere between Cosne and Neusuy impeached him by the aduise of Monsieur de Neuers causing the guets betweene Pouilly and Dony to bee broken downe filling them with thousands of trees stones and chaines to entangle the feete of the Rutters horses that should passe And intrueth the letting of that passage next to the helpe of God was the second cause of the aduantage the king had of the victorie For the Duke of Guise that followed the armie durst not set vpon it nor hinder it from spoyling villages therewith to refresh it selfe But assoone as it perceiued it selfe to be in that inclosure and that they must of force recule to take the left hand and enter into a countrie wherein the Rutter had neuer hunted the Hart and considring the scituation it beganne to be abashed and fall into a mutenie and loose courage and hauing
likely to haue ouerunne the Duke of Guises forces and as it was at the poynt to retire backe againe the Prince of Conde the Duke de Bouillon and the Lords of Chastillon and Cleruant promised to pay them all their wages so they would passe forward The hope of their paye made them to march in a time not much conuenient towards the forrest of Orleans The King perceiued that the longer their armie kept the field the greater would bee the ruine of his countrie and that being ioyned to the King of Nauarre it would doo much hurt caused the Sieurs of the Isle of Cormont to certifie the Coronels that if they would yeeld vppe their colours and sweare to beare no armes in France without the expresse commaundement of his Maiestie hee would giue them assurance to retire in safetie they perceiuing themselues farre from the king of Nauarre hardly handled by the Frenchmē beaten by the league pursued by the king Capitul ati◠the 20. of December 1587 and forsaken of the Switzers assembled themselues togither at Marsigni and accepted his Maisties offers sent by Monsieur d'Espernon that feasted them and made them drinke new muscat their bellies full Monsieur de Chastillon laying holde vppon the occasion of a safe retrait and for his purpose protested not to yeelde vppe his colours but to the King of Nauarre so tooke his way towards Roane to retire with a hundreth good horse and certaine Harquebusiers The Gouernour of Lyons entered into the field to impeach his passage but the little children of Coindrieu easilie iudged of his fortune the effect of that expedition which they called not the iourney of spurres but the battell shewing the backe and bring newes thereof before it was fully done For there they fought like the Scithians they that had their heeles best armed were most valiant The Scitheans fight flying The consideration of this encounter and the inequallitie of the forces and leaders maketh me beleeue that which many haue perswaded themselues to bee true which is that wisedome in warre is of little force For fooles commonly beate vvise men Beholde an olde Captaine armed with so many examples Olde Captaines commit young faults Paradoxe and glorious exploytes of war that had sharpened his iudgement by so many practises findeth himself contrained to yeeld the place to a small handfull of men halfe wearied It is said that good wines are best in the latter part of the yeare when time hath purged them of their fire and made them mylder but regard must bee had that they become not sowre Age causeth strange Metamorphoses in vs it breedeth euill fauored wrinckles in our hearts and alwaies there is somewhat that tasteth sharpe and mustie and beginneth to be faint or ranke Old men should sit in Councell and young march in the fielde olde men feare blowes The boyling and couragious heate of youth mother of braue exploytes is extinguished in them there it is too hotte for them They neuer sleepe without curtins and fire I make more account of a young Captaine whose vertue and valour groweth vp with his age and such as without dissimulation France hath found in Monsieur de Chastillon who in lesse then 4 moneths compassed a great part of France trauersed a hundreth daungers passed many places where hee found any thing either before behinde or on his sides but that opposed it selfe against him And like a braue Gentleman hauing separated himselfe from the mutinie of the Rutters and the leaguers forces although the Counte de Tournon and the Lord of Mandelot bereaued him of all means to passe away but onely by armes yet he passed through them like thunder that teareth and scattereth all whatsoeuer lyeth before it and made them know that the valour of a couragious heart is not subiect to long and tedious resolutions which are not executed but in words This place hath somewhat separarated me from the banket made by Monsieur d'Espernon to the Rutters and of the treatie that followed which gaue them libertie and assurance to retire They went vnto Geneua where diuers of the heads whether it were for griefe with languishing or by blows of musket yeelded vp the ghost There the Duke de Bouillon being in the fiue twentie yeare of his age died vppon the eleuenth of Ianuary hauing made his heire the Ladie Charlotte de la Marke his sister charging her to alter nothing in the state nor the religion of the soueranties of Sedan Iamets nor to marry without the aduises of the king of N. the Prince of Conde and Monsieur de Monpensier whom he appoynted his heire with his sonne the heire dying without children with the same charge not to alter any thing in his lands in the which case he substituted the king of Nauarre and after him the Prince of Conde Assoone as the Duke of Lorraine vnderstood of this Princes death hee sent his armies into his countries in defence wherof la Noue his executor entered into armes with protestation that the promise he had made for his deliuery vnto the king of Spaine not to beare armes against him bound him not to refuse his ayde in defence of a young childe against the vsurpation of the Lorraines The Marquesse du Pont eldest son to the Duke of Lorraine and the Duke of Guise against their faith giuen they followed not the armie but the miserable troupe of Rutters to the Mountaine of Saint Claude where they gaue thankes for the good successe of their company and from thence to please their hungrie troupes they trauersed the Counte of Bourgongne entering into the Countes of Mombeliard Hericourt where his men vsed diuers great cruelties and spared not the lands of the Bishoppe of Basle the example and ornament of the good Prelates of Germanie After the bloodie ceasing of so lamentable vengeance vppon a poore innocent people which as yet do feele the losses and destructions of two hundreth Villages the violence vsed to a number of women and maides the massacre of so many olde men the furious and beastly inhumanities of the league they bare the signes of their spoyles into Lorraine where they erected the great confusion that dispearsed it selfe through all the vaines of the estate neuerthelesse it was the glorie of the league the last poynt that ambition hath learned Time and humours are meruellously disposed therevnto All France shewed it selfe much bound vnto it that had deliuered them from the furies of straungers and assured all Catholicque minds The victorie of Auneau Maruaile that a king should be tealous of his vassall is an ordinary song among the people the reioycing of the Cleargie the brauerie of the Gentlemen Of the league the iealousie of the king that knew wel that this Lawrell was not giuen to the league but to disgrace his Maiestie although it was commō in the mouth of honest men that his Maiestie had cōstrained his enemies to yeelde There was no Preacher but
this Clemencie is superfluous that it changeth into a soft and peaceable nature that this softnesse is not mixed with vigor nor this peaceablenesse with austeritie I esteeme it a poynt of meere carelessenesse which althouh it bee not to bee blamed yet it is not found to bee good in a Prince For it prouoketh men to enterprise against a Prince that is so readie to pardon and the suffering of one fault that is miserable draweth on another saith the Consul Fronto to liue vnder a Prince that will remit no part of the tigor of his lawes But it is much more miserable to liue vnder a Prince where all things are lawfull and that by a kinde of faintnesse or carelessenesse without discretion pardoneth all whatsoeuer is done both against lawe and reason Clemencie is commendable to an enemie that is ouercome and submitteth himselfe but while hee shaketh and feareth in our presence this weaknesse this disquietnesse and this feare is a signe of doubting and he will reuenge himselfe But some will say this seueritie is odious in a king intollerable to the people and cause of rebellions and in trueth it is to bee vsed with moderation and then when wee see that mildnesse and mercifulnesse is not preiudiciall vnto vs. If it bee called furie or rage what need wee care so that furie maketh fooles and rebelles to become wise Wee must do as Sabaque king of Egypt and Antigonus king of Macedonia did the first caused the gowne and not the shoulders of the criminal to bee beaten and punished the hatte for the head the other hearing the souldiers speake hardly of him hard by his tent he contented himselfe with saying vnto them What can you go no further but vnder my nose to speake euill of me The kings letters at Chartres 17. of May 1588. The king sawe the prankes the leaguers had played with him he heard them rent both his name and his authoritie he sawe that the Louure was not safe ynough for him against their violences in steed of saying to these vngratefull wretches get you from hence or to strike such as serued them for gownes or couertures hee excused the authors of the mischiefe desireth their reconsiliation and dareth not say that he had bin constrained to go out of Parris remitteth the pacification of his troubles to the Queen his mother because hee knewe his owne weaknesse and distrusted the affection and fidelitie of his subiects Hee aduertised the Lieftenants and Gouernours of his Prouinces of the occasions that had mooued him to depart out of Parris and writeth vnto the Capitall Townes not to forme their hearts in the moulds of those of Parris and to beleeue that hee desired no other Garrison nor fortresse among them but publicque good will and confidence from them He caused his letters to bee made and framed not like a Prince or Captaine but like a man that fled and trembled that defended himselfe more with his holds then his armes that durst no more commaund but intreated his subiects and a Prince that had forgotten himselfe to bee a Prince that hee was Gods Lieftenant arbitrator of the life and death of his subiects iust distributer of the greatnesse of estates that of some can make vesselles of no valour nor substance and of others vessels to honour and serue in a rich and goodly Pallace that hee is not onely the sinewe that giueth moouing to the common-wealth but the heart and the head that maketh it liue and the vitall spirit that quickneth so many spirits I must confesse a trueth the King committed a great fault but because mine eyes haue too many lets to marke it and that it belongeth not to meane persons to mount vpon the Theators whereon great persons play their tragicall actions I will set downe the Kings letter to the iudgement of the Reader yet will I adde something of mine owne vppon the backside and in the margent leauing place neuerthelesse for such as will write after mee and beleeue that such men of iudgement as will vndertake this most sharpe and bitter Theame to write vpon shall yet finde something therein whereof they may make hony By the King TRustie and well beloued being in our Towne of Parris where we thought an intent was to cease al kinds of iealousies a a The first fault and one of the oldest partiallities are fatal to estates and a Prince neuer indureth them but they make him indure the disipation of his Prouinces and despising of his authoritie The King not desiring to stop them when they began but to peep out of the earth could not abate them being grown great and high branches The simple iealousie of two Noblemen is the sparke that finding the disposition of the matter maketh a great fire the factions of Princes drawe the people vnto them and impeachments as well in Picardie as else where which made vs reiourne our trauell into our countrie of Poiton there to pursue the warres begunne against the Huguenots according to our determination Our Cousin the Duke of Guise arriued vnlooked for vpon the ninth of this month whose comming in that sort did in such maner increase the said distrusts that we found our person in great perplexitie b b The Duke of Guises comming to Parris deceiued the King and with so small a company it made the Kings mind to bee diuersly His suddaine arriuall caused him to remember the effects of the aduises giuen him and the small number of his company withdrewe him from it and made him iudge wel of that Princes meaning and intent But he deceiued him for that ought to haue made his comming more suspitious for if it had been simple without deceit the participants would not haue stirred so soone Publica expectatio magni secreti impatients because not long before we had been aduertised from diuers places that hee would arriue in that sort and that certaine of the Inhabitants of the said towne such as were suspected to be the causes of the said distrusts stayed and daylie attended his comming and for the same cause hauing him to bee certified c c Oftentimes a man thinketh to withdrawe and stay a conspiracie that adâ—anceth it it is daungerous to dissemble it and more to discouer it we must neuer make shewe of any distrust that we haue in our enemie but then when we are vppon the poynt to bee reuenged There are some bodies so weake that if you giue theÌ„ any Phisicke they will bee sicke and if you tell them they are sicke they wil presently fall into a feuer Herein you must vse the prudence of dissimulation that serued for aduise to King Lewis the eleuenth for counsel to SigismoÌ„d for a lawe to Frederic the Emperour for a vertue to the vertues of Tiberius Also it is no daunger to dissemble so farre foorth as Plato saith that this subtiltie do redownd to the profit of the subiects that wee would not haue him to come thither before we
vnto their libertie hee would destroy and ouerthrow all the Catholicque Churches in Italie The feare of this mischiefe caused him to tollerate an euill otherwise vntollerable pernicious necessitie to haue peace is the most straight band of humane commodities thereby to shunne warres that maketh fathers without childen children Orphans women widdowes Churches without exercise of religion or godlinesse and the world without God without lawe or without faith to bannish warres that change a most christian Realm into a Commōwealth of Atheists Frēchmen that are peaceable and tractable into Scithians and Canibals liuing only by blood this bloodie ciuill warre that maketh the earth a hell and men the diuelles it is most iust and reasonable to appease the differences of religion by peace seeing warre cannot effect it That ancient world of the church which in respect of ours beeing of Iron and brasse might iustly be called golden permitteth this libertie Peace accorded such false concords and made good musicke diuers Princes and Estates which at this day flourish in great honour suffer euery man to liue according to his conscience and manner of religion without any alteration of their estates by such discipline Detestation of massacres They consider that the schisme is begunne that the greatest part of Europe is diuided that diuers good Towns in France make profession of this religion there is no more remedie that wee must leaue this conuersion to the prouidence of God They content themselues that their subiects obey them and that they vse their religion according to their mindes they doo not therefore make a barbarous galemawfre of the members of their subiects they massacre them not they kill them not and beleeue that whatsoeuer wee haue done heretofore is not lesse horrible to the minde then cruell to the will the League replyeth and said Trouble not your selfe so much with tying these examples togither they serue for nothing there is no proportion of one Realme with the other in this poynt that which is good for the Frenchmen is not good for others We must not so much stand vpon the consideration of things that are alreadie done as of those wee should doo France neuer had two religions shee could neuer indure them Arians could not dwell therein the Alligers were not tollerated with them and the Lutherians and Caluinists would not long continue among them if the League bee in force Let your Grace remember what a Chrisostome of France said vnto you at the last Parliament holden in Blois and now giue the like authoritie to his arguments that they then had when they made you take armes to purge the heart of Europe of the poyson of heresie France said hee hath beene such that after it had publicquely receiued the Christian faith vnder Clouis it hath alwaies maintained it in one course immutable iuuiolable France neuer indured the peruerse opinions of faith within her brest France while all Christendome was moued by the pernicious diuisions of so diuers opinions and with so many and different sorts of heresies that vntill this time haue raigned hath alwaies continued constant and vpright not once bending it selfe to any false doctrine France hath been the succor and defence of christian faith and the terror of the enemies thereof And to conclude France hath beene like a rocke or vnexprignable sort of christianitie And how much should it now bee fallen from his auncient honour how much reputation should it loose how much should it want of her first fidelitie towards God if changing her firmitie constancie touching faith it should liue long in such diuision and indure before her eyes in times past so iealous of the vnion of christian beleese and libertie but rather an intollerable libertie to liue vnder diuers religions Your Maiestie looking into the memorie of things past may sufficiently perceiue that as long as France hath been vnited vnder one christian religion shee hath made her glorie and renowne spred through all countries shee hath caused her valor in armes to be prooued felt in all places of the world shee hath alwaies beene victorious ouer all the enemies of Catholicque religion and hath done so many honourable actions achieued so great and happy conquests against Insidels that it wanne such glorie among the Asians Africans Indians Persians Tartarians Moores Sarrazins and others that all the christians in Europe are by them called Frenchmen for that because those strange nations haue onely felt the armes of Frenchmen they haue also comprehended all the Latine churches vnder the name of France Frenchmen But since France hath been diuided rent with two religions let vs see how much it hath loft of her auncient renowne shee that commaunded a great part of Europe that conquered countries farre distant from her that at her onely name made diuers warrelike nations to tremble is found since this vnhappy and vnfortunate diuision to bee reduced into such extremitie that in the middle of her brest she hath receiued forraine powers shee hath in a manner receiued the lawe of her neighbours and of her enemies and that cruell turning her sword against her owne intrailes and although shee was inuincible in respect of all other nations she is now her self so imbased vanquished and ouerthrowne which is the fruit that this venemous plant of new opinion hath induced which seemeth to be at the poynt readie to giue more daungerous thrusts if according to the expectation which your obedient people haue conceiued of your wisdome pietie it pleaseth not your Maiestie speedily to take order therein Remember that your Grace beareth the Scepter of the great king Clouis that first ruled this Monarchie vnder the publike profession of this religion which at this present is put in question within this Realme Remember that you are successor to that great Childeberg that being able to indure such persons about him that had any wrong opinion of christian religion made wars vppon the Visigots that were infected with the heresie of the Arrians and in the end constrained them to ioyne and vnite themselues to the holy and Catholicque Church Remember that you beare vpon your head the crowne of that Charles who for the greatnesse and valor of his actions deserued the name of great and by the vertue of his armes aduanced christian religion and defended the authoritie of the Apostolicque sea against such as persecuted the same Remember that you hold the place of that most woorthieking Philip Auguste who with so much zeale affection imployed his armes against Albigeois hereticques that had sequestred themselues from the Catholicque vnion Remember that you sit in the seate of that renowmed Prince Saint Lewis that spared not his treasures his forces nor his own person for his desence and aduancement of the faith of Christ and by his christian actions deserued the crowne and surname of Saint and without prolonging time to rehearse them all Remember that you are Nephew to that great king Francis
place the Princes standing still vntill hee commaunded them and his Councell to sit downe There was neuer any assembly made wherin was found more excellent French wittes concerning the resolutions of great affaires the propounding of excellent and rare conceipts and for the reformation of the estate Nor yet for the pronunciation of Orations with more grace eloquence then in this God that is the iust distributer of his fauours to whom it pleaseth him hath ordained that nature should helpe and adorne certaine nations more then others with eloquence of speech but it is a speciall fauour of God to speake well and to the purpose before great assemblies not of a Common-wealth of Venise nor a Councel of three hundreth in the cantons of Swisses but before the estates of a great king yea of the greatest Realme in all Christendome and in the presence of the geatest king of all Europe This eloquence is a gift of God such and so great that Moyses found no other excuse to refuse that notable Ambassage but the rudenesse of his speech as if the first peece of the furniture of him that vndertaketh such things were the grace of speaking well There hath beene diuers great personages that haue buryed and obscured the best and brauest quallities in them for the onely want thereof some haue beene seene in a publike place at a barre and in a Councell that comming in presence of a Prince and of a great assembly became ridiculous to the company with blushing and shamefastnesse and in the assembly some were ashamed to see their bashfulnesse Heraclites the great Sophister was abashed before Seuerus Talthybius and Eurybate before Agamemnon Theophrastes in the Araopage Herod the Athenian before Marcus Anthonius Some stumbled in the beginning of their discourse others omitting the principall matter in the middle of their orations and many making a woorse end then a beginning And whatsoeuer is the cause those that are in such extacies haue no man to supply their places and perceiuing themselues brought into that poynt either shamefully to stand still and say nothing or take a new matter in hand besides the text and so rather doo wrong to their reason and arguments Great personages faile in deliuering their orations then to their speech as Bartholomew Soncin before Pope Alexander the sixt and Francis Barbare Venetian before the Duke of Milan I commend such as take time to prepare themselues and wonder at those who without preparation can so readily acquit their charge Our countrie of France hath seene and heard both of the one and other It heard in this solemne assembly of all the estates of the Monarchie that the Romane eloquence is retired and had withdrawn it selfe into the head of her great king and that France likewise as wel as Rome hath Seuerus Cassiens that speake both well and wisely without premeditation and that cannot indure a troublesome studie that it hath Demosthenes and Pericles that neuer speake without good aduise that it hath a rare and almost vnknowne thing vnto all Monarches which is The signe of the weakening of an estate This is vnderstood of the eloquence of Sophisters that her kings speake without Interpreters but in this poynt I must let you knowe that it is a most assured signe of the weakning of the forces of our estate when euery man taketh more delight in eloquent words then in great effects and is better pleased in saying then dooing well For that eloquence is like a medicine which is onely prepared for sicke persons and eloquence is imployed but in such estates that are like to fall and decay and to mooue and perswade a people that are stayed The multitude of Phisitians in a Towne maketh mee iudge the intemperance of the Inhabitants the great troupes of Councellors and Atturnies that are in all places do sufficiently shew that the corruption of our manners entertaineth quarrelles and there was neuer seene so many Orators in Athens Rhodes and Rome but when they were troubled with ciuill dissentions The League brought with her diuers eloquent fellowes by their babling and deuises to make the people beleeue that white is blacke and trueth falsehood and to constraine them vnder the sweetnesse of their arguments to swallow downe rebellion faithlessenesse and disobedience And who knoweth not that the same day of her birth had been the obsequie of her funeral if in the places where truth ought to triumph vntruth had not beene introduced their sences filled with smokes and sed the ignorant people with deuises and laughters Plutarch Such as sought to winne the people proceeded not all in one kinde of manner in Athens there were some that would drawe them by the eies presenting them with false and deuised things others by the belly in seasts and banquettings diuers by the purse and shining beautie of that mettal The people are taken by the eares which bendeth the most stiffest but the best aduised haue begunne with the eares the beastlinesse and easie introducing of the people not beeing handled but by them all other holdes are vnassured other rules and obseruations can neuer make them tame By it Pompey Caezar Crassus Lucullus Lentulus and Metollus began their tyrannies and ayded themselues better with their tongues then by their lances the French tongue was neuer more adorned inriched nor fairer then at this time and I would to God it serued onely to confound rebellions detest Leagues conuince schismes eleuate the authoritie of the lawe establish and strengthen iustice euaporate the cloudes of errors that trouble our vnderstandings and that the fire of those hotte and liuely speeches that make vs to attempt so high actions and mortifieth colde and moyst humours that make our affections glance against our soueraigne good and that it would in flame the courage of good men against the iniustice of the wicked Corruption of eloquence in holy matters But to the contrary it is imployed to the great disliking of straungers to the infamie of Frenchmen and against a king of France to rent and disseuer his authoritie blame his holy intents to accuse his Councell and to pierce the eares of his subiects therein infusing the dangerous poyson of despising his Maiestie They vse a phrase adorned with rich and magnificall words without choise or consideration to condemne the law to degrade the Magistrate and to praise those that neuer did good but when they minded to doo euill they haue borrowed great words of Architecture Pilastres Corniches Architraues Amphiteatres and Theatres and all for the description of that mischieuous hole or caue of the League and of that miserable populer state built vppon foure gibbets or stakes Against a sort of writers during these troubles But the holy and true eloquence is that which alwaies continued with the iustice of the kings cause all that is induced therein is firmer and more solide the reasons liuelyer and stronger the words more christian French-like and the formes more
in Citties and Townes in which cases they are vnited by well gouerned lawes and ordinances euery one according to his charge and necessary function but that the mischiefe was that in these daies lawes are nothing else but written papers hee set downe the vnexcusable faults committed in obseruation of lawes pollices and ordinances made for the punishment of swearers blasphemers players idle persons vsurers vnlawfull exacters cousoners wicked liuers men vsing prohibited and vnlawfull places with all such kinde of vices Idle Schollers the libertie of liuing idlely and desolutely without pollicie or gouernment but only by bad and disordered meanes causes and originalles of troubles and seditions which ouerthrow and subuert all kingdomes and good Common-wealths adding therevnto a most earnest exhortation to seeke remedies to all those michiefes The kings debts Lastly hee shewed the great debts the king hadde fallen into his great diligences and hazards by making warres against the hereticques his pietie religion and deuotion to the Romish Church with the rare behauiour actions and counsell of the Queene his mother Ending his Oration with the vnitie and concord that ought to bee as a most necessary thing in that assembly thereby to holde the Catholicque Apostolicque and Romane Church with general and particular estate of all that are comprehended therin in true obedience to the king in all vnion and concord which doing this Monarchie would bee found to be inuironed with all happinesse vnder the authoritie of the most christian king and to the contrary dooing otherwise they should feele a continuall greefe and remorse of conscience within their mindes for disobeying God their King and countrie The Archbishop of Bourges Oration The Archbishop of Bourges Patriarch and Primate of Aquitaine thanked the king in that it pleased him to shewe his great good will towards his subiects saying that thereby the poore and miserable countrie of France which for the space of eight and twentie yeares hadde beene so much tormented beganne to receiue some strength and to take courage hearing the sweete and pleasing voyce of her king witnessing his more then fatherly affection towards his subiects which would cause him to bee honoured and belooued within his Realme as much as in auncient time the world worshipped Herculus Theseus and other valiant men that eased and relieued them from the burthen of oppressions and violences vsed in those daies by Tyrants and monstrous Gyants Saying that as God when his people were afflicted raised Moyses Iosue Dauid Manasses Iosaphat Ezechias and other good kings so by his prouidence hee hadde sent into this desolate kingdome a King who from his young yeares hadde beene guided by the Spirite of the Kings beloued of God wisedome of God to gouerne his people and as the young Eagle a celestiall bird comming out of her nest his Maiestie pricked and prouoked by the vengeance and generositie of his Predecessors hath throwne the thunder of the eternall GOD vppon the faces and heades of the enemies of his diuine Maiestie not once sparing his owne life for the honour of God and tranquillitie of his Realme who in his voyage to Polonia His voyage to Polonia passing and repassing through so many and diuers Nations hath hadde and gotten so much experience in all actions that by the onely wisedome and eye of his vertues hee hath dispearsed a great and puissant armie of straungers Rutters and Switzers A happie houre of his raigne Concluding therewith by so certaine a hope that vnder so good and so mightie a king they should see heresie suppressed and repulsed peace assured the seruice of God established all the Churches restored and reedified Townes franchised and freed from caliuers and drummes the Temple of warres closed and shutte vppe and that of peace opened vnto all men iustice and peace imbrasing each other lawes flourishing charitie abounding among men and by one consent and vnion of religion vnder the obedience of God and the King who representing the person of GOD beareth the sword of Gods iustice heere on earth the kingdome of Christ would thereby beginne to flourish as an example of all goodnesse in the world to come wherevnto wee all aspire Great ioy made by the estates And therewith in the name of them all adding this exclamation Viue Rex in sempiternum Liue King liue and liue eternally and for the gracious vertues and notable inspirations wherewith God hath touched your Princely heart all your Realme of France singeth Benedictus Deus qui misit talem voluntatem in cor regis Blessed and praised bee God that hath inspired so good and notable a desire into the heart of our King which wee beseech his diuine Maiestie to assist fortifie and conduct to a most happie and prosperous end for his honour and glorie The Earle of Brssac his OratioÌ„ made in â—ame of the whole Nobilitie After the Archbishop of Bourges sat downe the Earle of Brissac stood vppe and for a congratulation of those of his order hee shewed the King that the Nobilitie in generall hadde giuen him in charge to thanke his Grace for the good and honour they receiued beeing by his commaundements called and conuoked togither by an assembly of the generall estates and in his royall presence there to heare and vnderstand his holy and good resolutions assuring themselues that the effects would bee as prompt and certaine as it was a naturall and iust thing in him to be a true king acknowledging that by that meanes onely it would make them such as they ought to be The affectioÌ„ of the French Nobilitie in the seruice of the king and state touching the reestablishing of the honour of God the Catholicque Apostolicque and Romane religion and of other things profitable to his estate and necessarie for his poore people Promising for their partes to vse the fidelitie zeale affection and generositie that hath allwaies beene naturall in the Gentlemen of France towardes their Kings and soueraigne Princes Offering vnto his Maiestie the most humble seruice of their armes persons and liues to cause him to bee obeyed honoured feared respected and acknowledged of all men as both diuine and humane lawes haue constituted and appoynted And withall to restore his Realme purged of heresies the spring and cause of all diuisions to her first and ancient dignitie wherevnto they would expose themselues freely generously and liberally vnder his authoritie euen to the last drop of their blood The Crati of the third estate The Prouost of Merchants within Parris President for the thirde estate fell on his knees and for those of his degree spake and sayde That seeing it had pleased his Maiestie so to open his minde and to declare his holy intents vnto his people thereby assuring them of his great charitie truely named most fatherly in their behalfes his most humble most obedient and most faithfull subiects of the third estate first praised God that it had pleased him to cast the eyes of his mercie
himselfe and the meanes hee vsed to attaine vnto the same I will put this proposition that this Prince is bound and a neighbour vnto France and in that case neither ought nor may bee an enemie vnto it Hee is the sonne of that great and polliticque Prince Charles Philebert duke of Sauoy who so wisely found the means to recouer that which his father had lost The praise of Charles Philebert Duke of Sauoy The principall glory and truely as I thinke the most necessary for a Prince of his quallitie was that among so many troubles and betweene two great Monarchies striuing togither hee could behaue himselfe so well that neither the one nor the other once touched him maintaining his countrie in peace affectioned to the seruice of our kings as hee that had receiued that honor to marrie the sister of king Henry the second a friend to the King of Spaine in whose Court hee had passed ouer the most part of his greefes for his forepassed losses a good neighbour to the Switzers and other Princes of Italie to liue in peace hee permitted the free accesse of Huguenots into his Townes of Thurin and assured them a retrait into the vallies of Angrongne Lucerne Saint Martin Pragela and la Perouze without constraining them as hee might well haue done to vse the Catholicque religion and looking into the depth of diuers things hee made meanes vnto the king of Nauarre for a match to bee made betweene the Lady Margaret the Kings sister and his sonne and what hee practised for his owne benefite the same he counselled vnto others for when hee perceiued that Henry king of Polonia threatned to renue the warres assoone as hee should set foote within his realme hee disswaded him from that resolution setting before him the incertitude of warres which most commonly are sweete in the beginning but difficult to bee pursued and most bitter and hurtfull in the ende See the order of Montagu Hee desired rather to leaue some parte of his Landes vnto the Switzers then to seeke to winne them by armes Hee behaued himselfe so well in his counselles which our kings reiected and imprinted such an opinion of his wisedome greatnesse and felicitie within his subiects mindes that the Sauoyen not knowing nor beeing able to imagine any greatnesse more eleuated or happyer then that of their Duke that they said that if the king of France could haue guided his affaires in as good sorte hee hadde beene man sufficient and fitte to haue beene Great-Maister of the Duke of Sauoyes house Charles Emanuel Duke of Sanoy Charles Emanuel his sonne perceiuing that the wisedome and pollicie of his father had left his estate in good securitie with a reasonable great quantitie of treasures and yet not so much as would suffice to make any forraine warres determined to imploy that generositie naturally ingraffed in him in some goodly enterprise hee threatned Ceneua and made shewe of doing some great exployt against it but acknowledging the insufficiencie of his forces for his so high an enterprise they determined vppon a marriage and married the King of Spaines youngest daughter and with her the passions of his father in lawe The Duke of Sauoy cannot liue in peace if the king of Frāce be his enemie At the beginning it was thought hee would haue contented himselfe to haue beene friend with France allyed vnto Spaine that vppon the apprehension of the fall of our estate he would neuer pretend any thing against vs that hee would staye himselfe more vppon thinges certaine then vppon vncertaine and variable that knowing that vppon the one side hee hadde the Almaines on the other the Switzers on the third the Venecians and on the fourth the Princes of Italie hee would become friend to the Frenchmen their friends It was thought that if hee had ambition in his minde it would vanish vnder a more iust title that feeling himselfe weake hee would enterprise any thing against a mightie King nor would not breake the bond of amitie for his part due vnto him holding his estates from this Crowne which of late of meere courtesie hadde restored Sauignan and Pigneroles vnto him yet without apparant necessitie and without any reason whatsoeuer hee vndertooke the vsurpation of the territories of France bordering vppon Piedemont And yet it was not done without pretence declaration and excuse for first hee wrote vnto the Pope that the feare hee had least Monsieur de Desdiguieres should cease vppon certaine of his Townes and so in the middle of his countrie make a retraict and refuge for the Huguenots had constrained him to diuert that mischiefe generally from the Church and particularly from his owne estate which hee desired to continue in the puritie of the auncient religion vnder the obedience of the holy sea of Rome The duke of Sauoyes pretence why he inuaded the Marquisat of Saluce Hee excused himselfe vnto the King touching this breach of peace saying that the onely zeale of religion togither with the feare of the contagious neighbourhood of hereticques had constrained him ther vnto sending an Ambassador to giue him notice thereof and so to disguise that iniurie with the fairest and most counterfeit hee could deuise At the first he made shewe as if he would not hold those places but vnder the kings authoritie and by little and little he vsurped all soueragne power degrading the kings officers erected the Sauoyan crosse and threwe downe the flower deluces of France Ann. 1481. His officers couered this vsurpation with an other title and maintained that the Marquisat of Saluces is holden infest of the Duchie of Sauoy and that one of the Marquises thereof beeing a braue and valiant Gentleman disdaining in person to doo homage to Charles the sixt Duke of Sauoy being very young was for his misprision declared a traitor driuen out of his Countries and his Marquisat confiscated The Marquesse of Saluce infested into the countrie of Dauphine But the truth is that this countrie hath alwaies been infest to the principalitie of Dauphine contained in the gift that Prince Humbert made vnto the Crown of France namely that the Marquesse of Saluce had recourse vnto the king of France who receiued homage and fidelitie of him and euer since his successours did continue the dutie of vassalles vnto the Kings Charles the eight Lewis the twelfth and Francis the first From thence it proceedeth that hee which enquired and gathered into a great volume the causes and reasons of the raising of armes in the moneth of Ianuary reporteth this surprising of the Marquisate of Saluces to bee deriued from principalles of the League that dismembreth thier Crowne and Common-wealth perceiuing that neither of them could preserue it whole and intire and these are his words ABout that time the Duke of Sauoy supposing the king by reason of his departure from Parris to bee wholly ouerthrowne sent to speake with Monsieur de Guise minding to enter into League with him vppon
of the cōmon people so there is no foundation more ruinous vnstable That the principall families in Townes his Maiesties officers the gouernours and men of commandement will not stirre but onely to cause the people to arise which will be altogither abashed seeing him thrown down that was the principall of their rebellion that the Courts of Parliaments in Parris and Roane the Towne of Orleans beeing the Citadell of France and Lyons the Bulwarke of his Realme would neuer change partie nor yet estraunge themselues from the fidelitie of good and true subiects That the Duke of Guise is like a great tree that standing vpright and hauing a large roote causeth the branches to spring out and the leaues to flourish A comparison made vpon the death of the Duke of Guise but when it is lopped downe to the bare bodie as long as any sappe is within it it will bring foorth some small twigges and a fewe pasle leaues but if the heate of the sunne doth once pearce it that litle sap that resteth consumeth the tree dieth her leaues hang readie to fall off because the ridicall humour is wanting and such as hidde themselues vnder the shadowe of her branches are all discouerd And because they perceiued the K. ballancing his resolutiō towards the rigor of his vengeāce such as feared least he shuld alter his mind that the opinion they had holdē in this Councel would be discouered assured him that the D. of Guise wold first begin to vnwind his M. spindle that he wold surprise him that it was alreadie published within Parris that this year 1588. is the climaticall and last yeare of his raigne that alreadie it was determined how long he shuld be holdē in a Cloister The pollitike and unlitary discourse of Monsieur de la Noue that the cizors had bin shewed wherwith he shuld be shauē put into a Monastarie like Childeric that is was said that a raisor should make the last crowne of the three which the king expected The king beleeued that the life of the Duke of Guise would be his death and therfore he was fully resolued to rid him of his life Aduise giuē the king to keepe the D. of Guise in prison A Knight of both orders thought it more expedient to keepe him in prison to the end that hee might bee iudged and condemned like a traitor but the rest of the Councell saide who will accuse who will labour against him who will execute the iudgement among so many participants and friends that will mooue both heauen and earth to saue his life In matters of treason the punishment must first proceed before iudgement as lightning cōmeth before thunder and as this crime is altogither extraordinary in the head the like is the forme of the punishment Wee must leaue the formes and manners of iustice Andronadorus and Themistius slaine to preuent and punish the culpable and then at leisure to frame their processe The Senate of Siracuse caused Andronadorus and Themistius that sought to renue the tyrannie of Nero to bee presently slaine by the hands of the Magistrate himselfe The Romanes beeing a Common-wealth so humane so polliticque and so great an enemie to contrary actions held it for a maxime that where the estate is in daunger men may beginne to remedie by execution And therefore Cato in his Oration against Catilina saith that we must rather quit our countrie of a traitor then consult what death hee shall die hauing taken him To put the Duke of Guise in prison would bee as much as if wee should take a Bore in a net that beeing ouer strong would breake the cordes and which is to bee feared would spoyle both the hunter and his hounds all at one time When the serpent is slaine the poyson hath no more force Incide semel quicquid iucidendum est Lips A dead man maketh no more warre it is dangerous both to delay and to disclose this counsell and therefore punishment is more necessarie then the force of iustice The Duke of Guise was aduertised from all places that it would be dangerous for him to stay longer at the Parliament but the more hee entered into distrust the more the fauours and vnaccustomed kindnesse on the kings behalfe vsed towards him stayed his intent one of his principall Councellours tolde him that withdrawing himselfe from the Parliament he should beare the blasone to haue abandoned the countrie of France in so important an occasion that hee would easily loose his countrie seeing hee forsooke it that his enemies would make their profit of his withdrawing from thence and that they would ouerthrow al that which with so much paine and pursuite had been procured for the assurance of religion Want of prouidence in men It is straunge that men beeing at the poynt of their misfortunes do oftentimes loose al prouidence wisedome iudgement to auoyde the mischiefe that is readie to fall vppon them There are certaine birds which foresee tempests and knowe on what side the winde and stormes will happen Rats forsake a house that for want of reparation is readie to fall but men not only close their eyes against the mischiefe but run headlong into the middle thereof The Duke of Guise was aduertised from all parts both within and without the Realme that the Parliament would ende with a bloodie tragedie The day before his death as hee sat downe at the table to dinner hee found a litle scroule of paper vnder his napkin wherein was written that he should looke vnto himself and that there would be some mischief wrought against him in the same paper with his own hand hee wrote two words saying they dare not and so threw it vnder the table There was no other speech among the states but that the execution should bee done vppon Saint Thomas day the aduises came both from Rome and Spaine the Astrologians filled their Almanakes with threatnings and the euening before his mischiefe the Duke of Guise was assured by the Duke d'Elboeof that the next day hee should bee slaine But all this notwithstanding he was so carelesse of his safetie that in a manner hee was wholly blinded and forgot himselfe Hee kept the keyes of the Castle as beeing Great-maister but the euening before his death they fell into his enemies hands who thereby had the meanes to bring in those that ought both to aduance and execute the kings pleasure vppon him The king in the meane time that feared to bee preuented not minding any longer to delay his purpose thought to execute it at a supper which the Archbishop of Lyons should make both him and the Cardinall his brother vppon the Sunday before Saint Thomas day but hee referred the execution vntill the Tuesday following the Duke of Guise hauing but small company with him in his chamber yet hee let that day passe and went to walke in his Garden followed by the Duke of Guise who approaching his death had certaine speeches with
saued but increased not flourishing but eleuated aboue all nations and that from this triumph so much desired his Maiestie shall reape the honour his estate the principall good and all the people of Europe bee participants to this happie chance it beeing an assurance vnto his Crowne the most assured stay of all Christendome The memorable victory of the â—ing against the Rutters That the victories which France desireth to see his Maiestie obtaine shal be but a continuation of the ouerthrow by him giuen to that great and searefull armie of Rutters Switzers Lansquenets and French Huguenots which by the good conduction vigilacie of his Maiestie receiued more shame and losse then it hoped to reape in riches honour and the Switzers found more fauour and mercie then before they had shewed boldnesse and desire to doo him iniurie those that were saued returning like trumpets of his renowne publishing the honours praises and victories of his Maiestie That now the prayers teares and trauels of auncient Frenchmen seemed to aske vengeance against those that after so many religious times haue violated the Sepulchers of their fathers and ours who by fire furie and rage would pull from among vs this onely religion which those holy fathers had planted throughout the world That of all reprobates there can bee no sect found that is so dangerous nor abhominable as that of the Hugunots and as their impietie is extreame so ought their punishment to bee the like That it is knowne whether the furie of the enemie be greater then the disorders are deplorable which are found to bee in the Church by negligence ignorance confidence and abuse And proceeding to shewe the affection and zeale which the Nobilitie continueth in the assistance of the King to remit religion and the state in their first splendure and with the price of their liues following the example of their elders and the hereditary generositie of such as haue driuen out and vanquished the Gothes Vandales Arrians Albigeois Lombardes Sarazins and Pagans that haue pursued the defence of the faith and victories of the kings of France from the furthest parts of the Ocean Seas farre beyond the Westerne and that haue not left any place for the reputation of their honours within the compasse of the circle of the sunne hee besought his Maiestie to fauour the antiquitie of the priuiledge right belonging to the Nobilitie in them to acknowledge the seruices done vnto his predecessors The prowesse of auncient Frenchmen to reforme the rules and militarie ordinances of the Kings his auncestors not to permit that any by mony or fauour may attribute vnto himselfe the name of a Gentleman to maintaine the priuiledges of the order of the knights of Saint Iohns of Ierusalem to cut off the superfluities in iustice to moderate his subsidies order his treasures reestablish the Magistrate ordaine an order and pollicie among souldiers cause the Church to bee reformed and to punish the enemies of our holy religion And so wishing a thousand prosperities to the king and peace vnto his subiects hee ended his Oration The complâ—â—â—ts of the third estate The agreement of subiects to the kings obedience Heresie and schisme Monsieur Bernard Councellour of the Parliament in Dyon presented the complaints of the third estate beginning his Oration with a solemn thanksgiuing for the promise made by his Maiestie fully to execute the holy Edict of vnion written marked pointed vnto by the finger of god by the which heresies shall bee driuen away as cloudes that are dispearsed by the sunne exhorting all the townes and subiects of this Realme besides this vnion in one onely religion to enter into an other vnion good intelligence for the seruice of the King continuance of his dignitie and in defence of the good of the estate euery man remembring that the Prince is giuen of God to commaund and the subiects to obey Hee discouereth all the infirmities of this polliticque bodie which beside the vlcer of heresie and partiallities haue most straungely corrupted this Realme Blasphemies are naturall and ordinarie speeches among diuers Frenchmen adulterie is a sport coniuration is a subtiltie of spirit curiositie honestie and simonie a common trade of marchandise Simony Simony is not onely a spirituall Leprosie of the Church but a poyson which innisibly is tasted by the Nobilitie and a contagion which intecteth the third estate The Gouernments of townes places and Castles are committed to meane Gentlemen the suretie of the Inhabitants of a place of importance is exposed to the hazard of the meanes and riches of a Captaine euill affected The most ignorant beeing rich obtained the chiefest places within this Realm meÌ„ are rather known by the goldennesse of their estates then by their vertues knowledge and wisedome and haue nothing but an officers gowne to hide and couer their ignorance So the beautie of Iustice is darkened the elections of benefices and offices violated good customes peruerted vertue banished exiled vice in authoritie and rapin marcheth throughout the Realme with Ensignes displayed The disorder in warres The insolencie of horsemen the violence of souldiers who like mad men and patrticides haue pilled torne murthered violated and sacked this countrie of France our Common-wealth haue spoyled the villages with so barbarous hostilitie that most part of the lands are vntilled firtile places become desarts houses voyde and the flat countrie vnpeopled and all things reduced into a most fearefull disorder The Partisans Warre is not onely made among the people by souldiers inrolled and prest by the kings coÌ„missioÌ„ but also by another sort of enemies that haue no lesse troubled his subiects then an armie of Rutters which are the partakers such as by importunitie gifts and inuentions of new tallages haue drawne the treasures of this Realme into their coffers and made the people readie to begge those are the deuisers of sibsidies and new Edicts the executors of extraordinary commissions buyers and fellers of offices vermine of men hatched by harpies bred vp in one night who by their deuises haue fretted this Realme euen to the very ashes of houses They march proudly incredite with the Seargent at their heeles at their word to execute the kings subiects with summons in their hands to constraine the consciences of the good and to violate the authoritie and religion of soueraigne Courts by crosssing of payes and interdictions of entries Many Edicts haue been verified and registred with these words by commaundements diuers times reiterated in good and iust Edicts the commandements of the soueraigne Prince is not necessarie Treasures euil imployed That if such and so great nouelties and oppressions neuer seen nor heard of in France had been deuised for the profit and commoditie of his Maiestie the complaints against them were neither iust nor reasonable but the souldiers haue bene without maisters and not payd the wages of officers lessened and the treasures spent and consumed And yet they go about to
indeuours and by practises at Rome to ouerthrow indomage and make the D. of Neuers voyage for the king vnprofitable whom hee had sent to acknowledge his dutie to the Pope As for the Preachers belonging to the League publicke and priuately before and after the truce their discourses at Paris and other places were that the Masse which they sung before the king was but a deceit that it was impossible the King should bee conuerted that the Pope could not recatholize him that it was lawfull for the people to rise against him and his officers that it appertained to the Sorbonnists to iudge whether the Pope oght to receiue him as king And if peraduenture hee should do it neuerthelesse hee might bee held for an hereticque and one excommunicate that it was lawfull for any particular man to kill him that should say hee was revnited to the Catholicque Romaine Church These and such other propositions were made and spredde both within Paris and other places In regard of the declarations made by these estates of the League to keepe the fauour of their partakers to giue a secret touch to the kings Councellors as if they were not right Catholickes and to bring the Realme into far greater trouble then before they in their assembly the eighteenth day of August made a declaration containing these words among many others With one consent and aduise wee haue decreed established and or dained and by this present doo decree establish and ordaine that the holy and sacred generall Councell of Trent shall bee receiued published and obserued purely and simply in all places and iurisdictions of this Realme as at this present in the generall bodie of the estates wee do receiue and publish it Their oath Moreouer the same estates deuised the forme of an oath in these termes Wee promise and sweare to continue vnited togither for the defence and preseruation of the Catholicque Apostolicque and Romaine religion and to bring if it be possible this kingdome so long time afflicted to his auncient dignitie and renowme and neuer to consent for any perill or cause whatsoeuer shall come that any thing shall bee done for the aduancement of heresie or to the preiudice of our religion for defence whereof wee promise to hee obedient to the sacred decrees ordinances of our holy father and the sacred sea of Rome without euer falling away from the same Their diuision vpon the principall point But they were not vnited togither in respect of the principall poynt which was to acknowledge one king The Parisians and other townes that held for the League desired that the king of Spaines daughter might bee married to the Duke of Guise and so beeing ioyned by matrimonie they might be crowned King and Queene of France The Duke de Maine who was solicited to aduance the house of the Popes Legate made shewe to agree to so great an honour done to his Nephew but hauing accorded vpon the generall for his particular profit hee demaunded things impossible or at least so difficult that it might bee well perceiued that not esteeming the Popes or King Philips will nor the consent of the estates and chiefe of the League hee said as the Cardinall did in the Conclaue I chose myselfe Impossible it was that euer hee should come to aduance his Nephewe to the Crowne Peter Barriere attēpted to kill the king and is executed for the same These contentions produced the truce aboue mentioned which the Duke of Maine and his Councellours forged to breake a blowe with the partakers of Spaine and to draw new treasures into their purses This wrought the confusion of France on the one side on the other the Prelates and Sorbonnists which with the watch-word receiued from Rome had drawn the king to the Masse imagined in this sort to fish for a golden world But the leaguers thought to bring in new troubles and pernicious practises for in middest of these businesses the sixe and twentieth day of August Peter Barriere Alias Bar borne at Orleans was committed prisoner at Meleun where hee finally confessed that hee was seduced by a Capucin Fryer at Lyons by the Curat and Vicar of a certaine Parish in Paris and also by a Iesuite closely to follow the king and to murther him with a two edged knife the which was found about him He had beene intised to this parriside and was resolued to doo it chiefly about two months before and further confessed that two Priests by him nominated were also come from Lyons for the verie same intent and that he set himselfe the forwardest for the execution thereof to the ende hee might get the greatest honour thereby Hee was drawne through the streetes of Meleun where then the king was they cut off his right hand holding the murthering knife therein and after burned the same After this was done they broke his armes legges and thigh bones and in that sort laide him vppon a wheele where hee languished certaine houres till hee died then was his bodie consumed to ashes and throwne into the riuer his compleces or confederates so disguised themselues that they could not bee found or taken The Duke of Nemours Tragedie At this time was the Duke of Nemours within Lyon from whence hee would not stirre to go to the estates of the league although the Pope had giuen him commaundement the other chiefe Captaines thought it meete and his friend and seruants desired him to go hee vouchsafed not so much as to send vnto them knowing that the leaguers cast their eies altogither vpō the Duke of Guise and that the Duke de Maine his brother by the mothers side crost all his purposes and would worke all meanes for his death A certaine bolde Eryer of Lyon perceiuing well that this yong Prince pretented to bring some new matter to passe within the league whereby at least hee might haue some great hand in the gouernment by the aduice of two or three Councellours who were of his complecies hee compassed Lyon with many fortresses which held on his side at Toissai Vienne Montbrison Chastillon de Dombes Belleuille Tisi Charlieu and other places Quirieu forsaking him hee bought it with a great sum of mony at the hands of the Lord of Saint Iulian which was Gouernour thereof This done Lyon was inclosed as well by water as by land The Lyonnois did not withstand neither his prodigallities nor his Councellours nor his men of warre which forraged the plaine countrie receiuing the guerdon of their reuolt from the kings obedience In the end acknowledging themselues they rose vp against the Duke of Nemours assisted by the counsell and presence of their Archbishop sent by the Duke de Maine and the eighteenth of September they tooke holde of Nemours who was seene three times at deaths doore committing him to close prison where hee continued certaine moneths and at last escaping by cunning meanes spoyled of his succours chased from his Fortresses hee went and died farre from France in
hee hauing committed so many hainous acts against the Crowne and his soueraigne Lord that hee was vnwoorthie too bee esteemed the kings subiect but to receiue punishment according to his deserts blaming the kings too much gentlenesse therein to whom might bee applyed that which was of olde time spoken of by Charillans who being greatly praised for his courtesie equally shewed to all was thus answered by Archidamidas the Spartane that such a Prince deserued small praise that shewed himselfe fauourable to wicked persons But such matters pertaines to other discourses and not to bee intreated of in so briefe a collection as this is Vpon this receiued grace the Duke de Maine wrought the yeelding vp of Soisson Pierfont and other places to the King Now among all the chiefe leaguers there onely remained the Duke of Aumale who had not time ynough to make his peace with the King The Duke of Aumale executed in his picture Things fell out so contrarie on his side that lawe was prosecuted against him in the Parliament of Parris which found him guiltie of treason in the highest degree so that his image or likenesse being made it was drawne in peeces with foure horses and his goods and lands confiscate to the King It hath been said that his faire house at Annet was iudged to be raced to the ground and the woods all about the same cut downe in detestation of the said Dukes treasons But this article was not executed This Duke of Aumale went since that toward Albert. Cardinall of Austridge came into the low Countries to succeed in his brothers charge who was Arch-duke of Ernest of whō he was honourably receiued and royall entertained so that he might say with the renowmed Greeke I was lost if I had not been lost and since he hath made sore warres against the Frenchmen Certaine members of the league as some of the sixteene of Parris diuers principall Councellours and Agents of that side togither with some Preachers and seditious writers durst not shewe themselues knowing lawe to bee proceeded against them Th. Towne of Fere besieged While the Cardinal of Austrige made his voyage from Spaine into Italie to become Gouernour to the low Countries taking with him Philip of Nassau Prince of Orange who had a long time beene kept prisoner among the Spaniards the King besieged Fere the onely place possessed by his enemies in Picardie before the taking of Capelle Chastelot Cambray and Dourlans hee set there all the succours that could enter in where a great number of Spaniardes were slaine then gaue he leaue to the most part of his horsemen to refresh themselues because the Earle of Fuentes hauing set garrisons in the Towns for a new conquest was retired into Hainaut The king being willing more and more to plant quietnesse in his realme made an edict the same time whereby all persons that were fled might returne againe to their lands and houses where their passed faults should neuer bee sought after but wholly forgiuen those onely excepted that were confederates in the murther of the deceased king In middest of these matters Ossat and Perron the Kings Agents towards the Pope demanded and obtained a bull of absolution hauing aforehand made all the submissions obeysances and accustomed reuerences promising that the King had performed the penance and accomplished the conditions to him prescribed This bull was committed to Alexander d'Elbene to bee carried into France to bring thereby in the kings behalfe confirmation and approbation of all that which had been done by his Agents one of the which namely Ossat for recompence of his seruices wonne a Cardinals Hat Perron being but a Ministers sonne in the Lord of Bearns land became by his worthy seruices Bishoppe of Eureux a Courtly Poet and a new Diuine was sent with good hope to see that hee should continue as hee had begunne that is to say to oppose himselfe against those of the religion and to drawe by his example all other that hee might by their praaching and writing to maintaine the vocation and doctrine of their Ministers and the publicke articles of the inreprehencible perfection of the Romaine Church Hee was carefull to keepe promise vnderstanding that the Pope had an eye ouer him The estates of Picardie In the moneth of Nouember the King assembled within Amiens all the estates of Picardie of Boulongne Vermandois and Thierafche to take counsell for the affaires of Prouence Certaine Captaines were there beheaded hauing been by their couetousnesse cause of all the losses afore mentioned The siege of Fere continued those within it being more restrained yet neuerthelesse resolued to hold the same to the vttermost poynts of extremitie The garrisons of Peronne Amiens and other places that held for the King beganne againe in Ianuarie their former courses against the enemies countrie still killing and sleying certaine Spaniards and Wallons The king was at this time in great care touching the countrie of Prouence by reason that a man of great authoritie named Casaux commanded within Marseille who made means to the Spanish king that this goodly Towne might bee solde vnto him Charles Dore of Geneua was now approaching with certaine gallies for the Spaniardes The Duke of Guise drew also neare with certaine troupes but knowing well Casaux euill will toward him retired to the port of Thoulon where a farre off he thought on such affaires whereof proceeded the death of the said Casaux who was suddainly stabbed as he was going forth of his owne lodging to runne toward one of the gates which they were readie to open to the Frenchmen the sixteenth of Februarie The Duke of Guise his troupes beeing mingled among the rest in the Cittie was cause that all the Spaniardes with their adherents ranne their waies Marseille brought to the kings subiection Thus was Marseille deliuered out of their hands and brought to the kings subiection togither with all other villages thereabout that might any way annoy them The arriuall of the Cardinal of Austriche in Flanders caused the King to summon the Nobilitie of Picardie and Normandie to be present in the Towne of Guise there to be readie according as need required There he forbad by an expresse proclamation the transporting of gold or siluer coyned or otherwise out of his realme In the beginning of March the Cardinall gaue such order that the besieged within the Towne of Fere were succored with some munition And for his first exployt against The Cardinall of Austriche releeueth Fere winneth Carl◠and Ardres with maine force France in the beginning of Aprill did so dispose of his armie at that time most mightie so dexteriously secretly that in few daies he besieged assailed and with plain force won the town and Castle of Calais in spight of al the kings forces and the resistance of the besieged there died in the taking thereof a great number of the Nobilitie of France especially in the Castle whereinto they had sent a good supply
beleeue them to follow them briefely to put my self wholely into your hands Enuy can win litle from kings from gray beardes from conquerors But the loue and good will which I beare to my subiects and the extream desire that I haue to obtaine these two goodly titles makes all things seeme to me easie and honourable My Lord Chancellor shall make hereafter my minde further knowne I cannot close vp this collection with a more worthy speeche then this my intent being thereto ioyned hauing come to the ende of this yeare 1596. which was the marke I onely shot at That which hath come to passe since that time in the yeares following shal be shewed in other bookes if God permit FINIS A TRVE DISCOVRSE CONCERNING THE deliuerie of Brittaine in the yeare 1598. VVHat Shall this Duke of Mercoeur for euer retaine the mouth of the Riuer of Loire with one part of Britain against a king of France a victorious king acknowledged to be the greatest Captaine in the world Shall wee continually beholde this chanel this sincke this puddle and heape of all the theeues and murtherers firmly vnited with this insolent cruel and infected nation of Chastille occupie one of the Prouinces of the estate one of the flowers of this mightie and proude Crowne and make their neighbours togither with all the highest part of this long riuer that diuideth the Gaules tributaries All the rest of France hath been almost these two yeares quiet vnited and conioyned for her owne preseruation against al forraine vsurpation yea it is longer since our holy father powred foorth his blessings vpon this most Christian kingdome This Summer hath God sent vs the most notable victorie and gallant triumph that hath beene seene this fiue hundreth yeares where the King forced one of the strongest peeces in the world in the full view of the Spanish armie All Christendome is brought in admiration with such a conquest and the glorie of the French armies is now more glorious then euer it was which notwithstanding this Spartacus relying vppon the imaginarie succours of Spaine dare tarie vs. Let vs therefore with all speede make head against him let vs abate this presumption this rashnesse this insolencie Let vs go and set at libertie the poore Inhabitants of Nantes who stretch foorth their hands to their king and long onely for his comming from whom this Viceroy of Brittaine shall hardly defend himselfe within whilest we do couragiously assault him without Let vs giue him to vnderstand that nothing is able to withstand the thunder of the French Arsenall and that the brauest Rauelines do stoupe to our cannons Let vs roote out the Spaniard out of Brittaine which our ancesters neuer vnited to the Crowne for vs to dismember it againe Let vs consider that in all Martiall discourses Amiens was not to bee wonne yet the incomparable vertue of our king his great courage the incredible trauels of the French haue forced nature exceeded all hope and surmounted all possibilitie and contrariwise that in all millitarie reason Nantes might be beaten flat in six weekes The countrie forces the strength of the neighbour Prouinces togither with all Guyenne which beginne alreadie too march the army royall that is on the way the cannons and munition that commeth euery way the benefit of the sea and riuers able to furnish all necessaries the Nauall armies which replenishing all Loire shall cut off all hope of succour the valour of our souldiers the experience of our Captaines and the aduantage of our last years happy conquest may put vs in full assurance that this Cateline shall bee made an example of his Maiesties who hath hitherto shewed such testimonie of his clemencie And in deede in this man we may beholde such straunge ingratitude that God cannot suffer it to passe vnpunished For the late king whom God pardon hauing so highly honoured his familie as thereat to choose his wife and heaped vp goods honours great titles and extreame expenses vpon his bretheren in lawe and sisters in lawe especially vpon this modell of ingratitude to whom hee procured one of the richest marriages in the Realme for whose sake hee wrested the gouernment of Brittaine from a Prince of the blood to giue him yet hath hee become such a notable traitor to his Benefactor that in lieu of spending his life at his feete he hath procured a mightie and most important Prouince to reuolt from him and stopped vp the mouth of the riuer of Loire wherevppon the late king was forced to transport the seate of his enemies Hee was the author of the rebellion of Poictiers and immediately hath called the Castillians to share in his conquests whom hee hath setled in Blauet as a Spanish Colonie to hold vs in continuall checke vntill we may haue rooted them out togither with all those that brought them in and cherished them and haue put themselues in our protection safegard which notwithstanding they shall finde to be but weake against the strength of France euen of the warlike France which now we will make more terrible then euer it was Our owne emulation to do wel who in sixtie three in so fewe daies recouered New-hauen shal no doubt very shortly driue thē out of Nantes Blauet Euery man wil be willing to declare his zeale to his countrie his valour in the presence of his Prince and his indignation against the traitors of France who destitute of all pretence excommunicate by the Pope by the Archbishop of Tours and the facultie of Sorbonne as rebels to their king condemned by God and man are yet so shamelesse as to denounce vs heretickes for driuing the redde scarfes out of Brittaine Alas poore wretches your pollicies are too wel knowne which whilest they were yet in force could not hinder vs but that we made the Flower de Luce in euery place victorious and now that these sleights are growen into contempt euen with litle children can you repose any hope in them against vs who both by Gods word and the exhortation of our holy father are commanded to obey our soueraigne to serue our countrie and to roote out all strangers as also your selues ye wretches who haue called them in and do perswade your selues to be able to maintaine them vnder a vaine hope that if his Maiestie goeth into Brittaine the Spaniards shall in the meane time swallow vp all our frontiers of Picardie and so force vs to retire But so farre as I can perceiue you haue but small knowledge of the miserable estate whereinto your Protectors affaires in the lowe Countries are brought This Summer hee hath lost 8. good peeces an vndoubted argument of his weaknesse Artois is in a wonderfull amaze at this great exployt at Amiens His garrisons are in such necessitie that either they must vtterly ransome his subiects or liue vpon rootes The Cardinall hath not to defray the expences of his owne house King Philips banckroutship hath made him loose his settings ouer from Genes to
Antwerp who was seeing his countries that cost him so deare lost without remission offereth them as a dowry with his daughter that so in all Histories the losse of them may bee recorded in the name of an other then himselfe VVell this Summer we will make a iourney to visit them In the meane time leauing our frontiers able not onely to defend but also to offend let vs go straight into Brittaine to punish the rebellion ingratitude and malice of him who seeing Amiens surprised by the Spaniards and all France in alarme in lieu of concluding the truce which before hee demaunded tooke the field in purpose to detaine in the Prouinces a great number of souldiers who before were taking horse to come to his Maiestie O Spanish soule couldest thou more euidently declare thy treason and disloyaltie against the countrie that hath warmed thee inriched and increased thee in honour and dignitie but by seeking all meanes to diuert and impeach this great and so necessarie a conquest Haddest thou had any remainder of good will toward France thou wouldest as then haue made demonstration therof neither diddest thou want most gallant examples Now would euery man haue imbraced thee and vnto thee attributed a share in the glorie of this triumph but in liew thereof thou haste laboured to keepe downe such as sought to shunne this shipwracke thou diddest insult vpon the afflictions of France and yet blind as thou art after this great prosperitie which thou couldest not hinder thou darest obstinately stand in thy vsurpation expecting some cursed aduenture to publish thy inuestiture of Brittaine For what else couldest thou hope for any time these two yeares VVhat canst thou thinke that so great a Prince finishing the course of his yeares and shunning the Iesuites knife would still leaue Nantes and part of Brittaine in the hands of such a man as thou art Thou art not so deuoyde of sence and therfore of necessite thou must yet hope vpon one Barriere or one Chastel No other reason hath vpholden thy obstinacie these two yeares but the winning of time But in these imaginations thou shalt find thy ouerthrow doubt it not for God who hath vsed this son of S. Lewis to reestablish the scattered estate will in his power preserue him and daily increasing his victory both speedily seuerely chastice thy pernitious effects cursed hope Thy K. Philip plunged in the pleasures of his Escurial shal not defend thee froÌ„ the furious batteries which within this moÌ„th his Ma. wil lay to thee on euery side Beleeue me thou wilt curse this great monarcke of Chastille of whom thou doost yet make such account vpon whom thou buildest the felicitie of thy whole life being so doultish as to thinke that he that was not able to keep his conquest of Amiens a towne in a maner inespugnable can hinder the taking of Nantes Thou doost not consider thâ—â— thy treasures will serue our souldiers for lathers or rather wings to scale the wals of that faire town wherin we shal find the keyes of all the rest which wil follow their capitall who without whose wealth togither with the great imposts there leuyed would neuerthelesse fall without any assault In taking of Nantes we do vndoubtedly take all the rest of Brittaine and withall cure our Gangreua which neglected might in time subuert the whole realm To what purpose should we quench the most part of the fire that burneth the house if wee still leaue ynough to kindle and take hold of the rest By little litle tyrants are established by killing or murthering the most couragious setting foot vpoÌ„ the throat of the rest Nine years ago did Nantes reiect the flower de luce Now let vs accord prescription quite clense this so great important a Prouence which king Charles the 8. preferred before al the low countries the Countie of Bourgondy to the end the Ocean might bound our Empire and the heauens our valor I do therfore abiure you ye braue Frenchmen euen by the glorie of your ancestors who haue crossed the seas pierced the mountains to seek after wars in the middest of Asia Affrica I abiure you by your own vertue by your honorable wouÌ„ds by your garlaÌ„ds of baies yet greene with the coÌ„quest of Amiens Yea I abiure you by the incomparable valor of your Prince who hath ouercome al that resolued to atteÌ„d him to com to this last enterprise which shal finish our intestine wars with such feruent zeal passioÌ„ courage that we may exalt the name of France aboue all that is most haughtie or of greatest eminencie in this world Hitherto our slacknesse hath had som reasons euery yeare hath had her necessarie imployments but this yeare a fatall yeare to Brittaine hauing alreadie set hand to the enterprise what a shame wil it be not to finish it or to suffer our selues to be ouercome with the only apprehension of the labor VVhat glory credit shal we so purchase to this Viceroy of Brittain and what Spanish Rodomontades wil he make therof Into what dispaire shal we bring this Prouince all her borderers who for these two years seeing others in peace haue tasted the discommodities of wars VVhat will our confederates say VVhat may Italie Germanie think wheÌ„ they see the palme trees of our victories wither so soone VVhat a dangerous example shall we set to those that seeke to trouble the realme if he that was neuer acounted a soldier a man nursed vp in the shadow in all riot a man neuer assaulted by any Monarke that neuer stood out a siege that lost Rhenes within 8. daies after he had taken it stop I wot not by what mishap the course enterprise of so great a king togither with the resolution of all France Sir you haue ouer long borne with the insolencie rashnesse and outrages of this presumptious Salmonee who within your realme playeth the soueraigne holding a Parliament and the estates and threatneth you with the Castillian armies as if you had not at all times chased them before you causing them for the shunning of the fight to crosse the deepe riuers and taking Amiens euen before their faces Now Sir ye want but this one trauell for the perfecting of your conquest of the whole inheritance of S. Lewis All other enterprises you shall find a thousand times more easie when you haue the strength of al these great Prouinces peaceable at your backe And coÌ„trariwise so long Sir as any one place in France may claime it selfe your enemie and foster rebellion your estate cannot be assured VVhom by disobeying you men shall bee driuen to depart the realme and to begge some miserable pention among the treasurers of Castille fewe will delight in such extreame resolutions but if they haue a shelter at hand euen in the bowels of France where siluer all other commodities do abound it wil yeeld great incouragemeÌ„t to such as beleeue that in case their enterprise shuld faile yet they should escape by getting into Brittaine and at the last be comprised in an edict Sir you are entered the ninth yeare of your raigne the whole course of your life haue beene no other but triumphs garlands and trophees brought froÌ„ your enemies It is now time for you to finish your great worke about the reestablishment of the soueraigne power and the restoration of the French Monarchie Time requireth that we should now beholde your iustice flourishing throughout the realme and the greatest fortresses open their gates to the smallest of your commaundements This done Sir all things shall bee possible for you Cast your eye on euery side consider the Chastillons Prouinces euery thing is readie for your conquest they do groue vnder the intollerable burthen of his tyrannie which worketh them into all maner of desperatioâ—â— but your onely name with their assurance that one day by the felicitie of your victorious sword you shal deliuer them incourageth them to liue Yet knowing Sir that the good of your subiects must be preferred before theirs their eye is still vpon Brittaine as hoping that that businesse once finished your Maiestie shall fauourably looke vpon them also that after those great heroes of antiquitie you will deliuer the afflicted from the yoke of this cruell Philip the common enemie of all Christ endoâ—â—â— vnto whom your valiant mind if euer there were any contrarie to the opinion of many wisheth a long life of eightie yeares to the end that contrarie to his conceipts he may see you Sir after the pacifying of your owne kingdome and the conquest of Artois and Flanders the domaines of your Crowne bring the firebrands of warre into the middest of Spaine and with the profit of three great battels deliuer Portugall Aragon and your Nauarre from the insolencie and barbarous cruelty of this Castillian nation from whom al wise men may well perceiue that you haue wrested the Monarchie of Europe which the conquest of France that you onely haue hindered did vndoubtedly yeeld them FINIS