but yeeld vnto him as his vassall but as coÌ„stable of France and deerely beloued of his Maister the greatest monarch in Europe and Soueâ—aigne to the Duke of Brittaine herein the Duke must needes respect him his place giuing him auâ—hority in many notable actions ouer the greatest personages within the Realme This was the ground of their hate which not onely embarked King Charles lord vnto them both but carâ—ied him so farre into the maine as he could not auoide a notable shipwracke by their meanes By the former accord Iohn of Montfort was to yeeld vnto Clisson all his patrimonye whereon he had seized vnder colour of a confiscation reuoked by Charles â—he which he had not yet performed And alâ—hough he had promised the King and giuen him a newe assurance Complaines against the Duke of Briâ—taine yet did hee not â—â—ust â—he King but continued hâ—s intelligences with the English fortified his places and coyned boâ—h gold and siluer against the Lawes of State He refused likewise to acknowledge Clâ—ment â—he 7 for lawfull Pope whom France approoued noâ— to suffer the Eaâ—le of Ponthiâ—ure aforesaid to beate the name and armes of Brittaine These were the chiefe causes of their complaâ—nts and differences The King and his most secret councell Mercier Montagu and la Riuiâ—re held for the Constable The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne and the Chancellour Orgemont for the Duke of Brittaine a cunning dissembling Prince and high minded He spake proudly by reason of his intelligence with England which could not fâ—ile him and mildly when as he found meanes to do his businesse vnder-hand not to breake with the King 1391. He comes to Tours vnto Charles where afâ—er many discourses their quarrells are ended by marâ—iages He is reconciled to the king Constable the Kings daughter beeing yet yong is promised to the Dukes sonne and the sonne of Iohn Earle of Ponthieure borne of the Constables daughter to the Dukes daughter who promiseth likewise to restore Clisson his lands in shew friends but in their hearts irreconciliable enimies Hereuppon Clisson goes into Brittaine to receiue his lands The Duke held a Parliament at Vannes whether he called his nobility The Constable comes fearing no enemie the Duke had built a Castle called the Hermine where he feasts the Sâ—ates The Constable is called and welcommed with the first this countenance did not shew what was prepared for the end of the banket against the Constable After dinner â—he Duke taking him by the hand vnder colour to shew him his building and to haue his aduise as of a great Captaine and well seene in Architecture he leads him from place to place through halls chambers and closets vntill hee had brought him to a great Towre hauing an iron doâ—e wherein were armed men The Duke enters first the Constable followes him as viewing the proportion of this worke and the thicknesse of the walles by the windowes But behold the Duke slips out of the Towre where he leaues the Constable and shuttes the doore after him This signe giuen â—he armed men seaze vppon the Constables sword and keepe him prisoner putting irons on his legges The Duke of Briâ—â—aâ—â— â—eâ—zeth treacherously on the Constable The Constable was not so much amazed at this strange vsage as the Duke reioyced at this sweet content of reuenge thinking to attaine the full of his desires to be reuenged of a capitall and cruell enemy and in the heat of his fury he commands a faithfull seruant of his called Iohn Baualan to dispatch the Constable presently Baualan accepts this charge but he doth not execute it He goes to the Towre and assures himselfe of the Constables person retaining the souldiours whom the Duke commanded to â—bey him and so he passeth the night with the constable But the night gaue him Councell The Duke transported with ioy in the heat of his choler goes to his rest but care awaked him and reason of more force then his passion lets him know the fault he had committed and repentance followed this first act A wise seruant in not obeying his masters passion The Duke lying restlesse a great paâ—t of the night riseth â—arely in the morning calleth Baualan and demands what is become of the Constable The Duke of Briâ—tain repents him of what he had done his passion bewrayes his minde before he spake witnessing the shame he had of his choler and his griefe for this furious charge Baualan comforts him and assures him that the Constable is well The Duke wonderfully glad of this newes which freed him from so cruell a torment commands he should be well intreated and with respect attending newes from the King from whom there comes post vpon post with complaints and commandements to the Duke The Duke without any great delay excuseth himselfe of his imprisonment and sends the Consâ—able to the King It had beene more auaileable for him to haue suppâ—essed his choler in committing this errour But he did verifie That he which offends doth neuer forgiue The Constable goes to the King to Blois he thanks him for his care of his deliuery the Duke doth likewise send vnto him to craue a safe conduct to come himselfe to make his iust excuses and to shewe what reason had moued him to put the Constable in prison The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne holding openly for the Britton obtaine leaue for him to come vppon the Kings word He comes well accompanied and not onely iustifies the taking of Clisson being his subiect and in his owne Country but also hee would haue the King beholding vnto him for the respect he bare vnto his officer whoÌ„ oâ—herwise he might iustly haue put to death It is an easie matter for great men to manage their aâ—fairâ—s at their seruants cost The Constable digested quietly this new affront being glad to haue recouered his liberty but the Duke of Brittaines malice shal be the cause of great miserie both to the King and realme seeking new deuises to satisfie his choler a furious beast which can neuer bee tamed by flattery It burst forth vppon a light and ridiculous subiect which bred a horrible Chaos of sundry confusions Peter Craon a Nobleman of the Countrie of Aniou 1393. had great credit with the King and with Leâ—is Duke of Aniou his Brother who loued him so deerely as he trusted him with his greaâ—est secreats euen with his amorous passions wherevnto his loose disposition his age â—asâ— and Court made him too proane to the great discontent of Valentine his wife who exceeding iealous of her husband and an Italian seeking by all meanes to learne how he was affected feeling him so colde to her she finds no better expedient then to gaine Craon whome shee handled so cunningly as she drewe the worme from his nose Hauing speciall aduertisment of her husbands loues she threatens the Ladie that was beloued and complaynes to her husband naming the reporter The Duke of Orleâ—ns finding himselfe wâ—onged by this
come to Court I met a foote-man by the way who brought me a letter from one of my deerest friends who coniured me not to aduaÌ„â—e being arriued my sister of Roussy sent me an other aduising me to be gone without taking of my leaue I shewed it to a Gentleman that was with me who sayd vnto mee That he would willingly bee stabbed in the bosome so as I were at Dijon I answered That if I were there and were assured to receiue a hundred stabbes at the Court yet would I come vpon the Kings word The King did giue him his word without demanding 〈◊〉 A guilty minde and prest with the horror of his conscience had fallen in peeces with feare and trembling and would haue imbraced an other party The secret kowledge I had of my loyaltie and the innocency of my desseignes could not giue mee any imagination oâ— distrust I alwaies sayd within my selfe I haue serued the King too well to haue a thought that he should not account me his seruant The King hath had too many proofes of my Faith to suspect my loyaâ—ty I could not comprehend that the Kings Iustice could touch a man resting in the tranquility oâ— his conscience and in the expectation of his commandements Moreouer I was assured that the King had pardoned me and that I had not offended him since his pardon I cannot deny that I â—ould him not all that had past in this action but in saying â—nto him that the refusall of the Cittadell of Bourg made me capable to say and do any thing I did thinke it was not needefull to specefie that which I was ashamed to haue attempted and that the consideration of the good which I had done vnto the King in his seruice should alwaies weigh downe the euil that I would haue done and the which I hâ—ue repented That if hee hath not giuen me life but to put me to death hee must consider that it is more commendable for a Prince to giue it then to take it away from him to whome he hath giuen it and that his Clemency shines neuer more cleerely then vpon offences that concerne himselfe If it please not the King to regard my seruices and the assurances which hee hath giuen me of his mercy I confesse my selfe worthy of death and hope for no helth in his Iustice but in yours hoping you will remember better then he doth the dangers I haue vndergonne all my life for his seruice I implore his mercy although I should not say anything yet the wounds which I beare would speake for me I hope for it the more confidently for that it hath neuer beene refused to them that haue done worse then my selfe I would haue done euill but my wil did neuer passe the tearmes of my first conception being ouercast with the Cloudes of choller and despight It were hard if I should be the first president to bee punnish't for thinking Not that I feare death the which I hold to be ordayned not as a punnishment but for the end of Nature and that it imports nothing to leaue this life in the middest of my course if it were with as much honour as I haue had in the beginning My fault is great but it was onely in conceite and not executed in desire and not in effect Great offences must haue great fauours I am alone in France which feeles the rigour of Iustice and cannot hope for the merit of mercy Whatsoeuer chanceth I relie more vpon you my Masters then in the King who hauing heertofore regarded me with the eyes of his Loue lookes no more of mee nowe but with choller and holds it a vertue to be cruell vnto me and a vice to vse any act of Clemencie towards mee It had beene better for me that hee had not pardoned me at the first then to giue me life and then to make me loose it with shame and dishonor They gaue him leaue to speake what he pleased the Chancellor holding it reasonable that seeing hee had no Councell to aduise him what hee should say they should in regard thereof giue him time to speake all and hearing to consider his reasons and the variety of his first answeres with the last in the which there were great contradictions Those which are accused of any cryme take it for a fauor to be heard patiently vnto the ende although for the most part they do but increase the reasons of their punnishments Hee spake so boldly and so eloquently as if a man should iudge of the fauour of a discours by the attention there was not any one of long time heard with greater patience in that place Some shed teares in the place and wept in their houses for pitty not of his innocency for that appeered not but of his fortune so miserably deiected Heaâ—e is more naturall to a man then cold and mildensse more then rigour but he could expect nothing but Iustice from this great Assembly It was impossible that Passion Fauor or Respect should alter the integritie of their Iudgements The opinions of some weake spirits may be moued who regard more the apparence theÌ„ the essence of things which beleeue not the harme vnles they feele it or that the fire is whott vnlesse it burne them The prisoners discourse was so long as they had no time to giue their opinions He was sent backe to the Bastille returning more cheerefully then he came for as in going forth of the Bastille to the Pallace he imagined that he went to his death so seeing himselfe brought backe he conceiued that he returned to life And for that he had answered the Chancellor to all his demands and had moued some of his Iudges to lament his misfortune many to detest his accuser and all to wish that the fowlenes of his offence and the good of the State would allow of his pardon He thought that he had so ballanced their opinions as Mercy should preuaile aboue Rigour He therefore neuer ceased all Saterday Sunday and Monday to relate vnto the Captaines and to the Gard that kept him all that had beene demaunded of him what he had answered and how brauely and discreetly he had satisfied all adding withall that he did imagine he saw the Chauncellors countenance going out of the great Chamber He did counterfet him in his stayednesse and the grauitie of his words fit for a mâ—n of his age and qualitie imagining that he spake in this manner Behold a wicked Man he is dangerous in the State we must dispatch him he deserues death Which words neuer came out of his mouth hauing carried himselfe very respectiuely in this Arraignement hauing neuer pronounced that word of Death but in concluding the Iudgement And therein he alwaies vsed some words to qualifie his griefe in the image of his Affliction more then of his Innocencie vnable to forget the remembrance of the good that was past or the feeling of the present euill These were the last fits of the prisoners
wherevnto he added a complaint of their bounds in the diuision whereof he would resolutely haue the aduantage But to giue a better colour to this quarrell of State hee ioynes religion For saith he to his people to what end should these Arrians haue so good a paâ—t among the Christians Yet before he would come to open force Warre against the 〈◊〉 he talkes of a friendâ—y conference The two Kings appoint a day and a place for an enterview to parlee of their affaires But this meeting increased their hatred for being both vpon the place some confident seruants to Clouis gaue him notice that Alaric had laide an Ambuscadoe to surprize him in their parle Clouis was much moued with this and resolues to make warre against Alaric hee raiseth an armie and beeing ready to marche towards Guyenne behold a new occasion which makes him turne his forces towards Bourgongne We haue shewed how that Gondebault King of Bourgongne Warres in Bourgongne and why slue his brother Chilperic father to Clotilde vpon the first diuision of their portions after their fathers death Hee had two bretheren remaining Gondemar and Gondegesil of whom he desired infinitely to bee freed hauing too many bretheren and too little land according to his vnsatiable desire Their debate was for Prouence and Daulphiné which they demanded for their portions Gondebault enioyed the chiefe Citties except Vienne which the brethren held Clouis his Armie ouercomes that of Gondebault marching victoriously through the Countrie of Venaison where the battell was fought Gondebault saues himselfe with great difficultie in Auignon and is presently besieged by Clouis who yee grants him an honourable composition and labours to reconcile him with his bretheren which done he returnes into France and Gondemar and Gondegesil retire into Vienne dreaming of nothing lesse then to haue their elder brother for an enemy But Vienne must be the pitte-fall of their misery to swallow them both vp one after an other for behold Gondebault is with a strong armie at the gates of Vienne and his bretheren are reduced to that extremitie as hauing no meanes to defend themsâ—luâ—â— nor to get reliefe from their friends the Citty is easily taken and euery mâ—n seekeâ— to saue himselfe as he can Gondemar flyes into a Tower where he is besieged assaâ—â—ed and burnt with all his troupe Gondegesil is taken aliue after this tragick feare but being alone he slippes a way and flyes to Clouis whome hee found in Armes ready to march vpon this new accident Clouis takes new aduise The ancient hatred he bare to Gondebault who had crossed him in his mariage the iniustice and more then barbarous crueltie the complaint of this poore Prince his ally who cast himselfe into his armes had much power to perswade him to the voyage of Bourgongne But that which made him resolue was for that Gondebault prepared to succour Alaric against whom Clouis did now march with his forces Thus the iust iudgement of God prouided a scourge for this murtherer who addes rashnesse and insolencie to his first disorders Clouis enters with an armiâ— into Bourgongne Feare doth not onely surprise the countrie but also the peoples iust hatred of this tyrant being infamous with so many parricides so as in few dayes the principall Citties yeeld vnto Clouis and the rest are ready to submit themselues into his hands as to their deliuerer Gondebault pursued by God and men faintes being insolent in prosperitie and daunted in aduersitie 507. All things conspired to his ruine But as God doth not alwaies take sinners at the rebound Clouis conquestes in Bourgongne hee stayed the blow by meanes of Clotilde who grieuing to see her house decay to the ouerthrowe of the state of Bourgongne makes intercession to her husband for her vncle and his Countrie and preuailes so with him through her intercession as shee perswades him to passe no further but to leaue the rest to her vncle Gondebault with a reasonable peace whereof she drew the articles Thus Clouis dismisseth his armie hauing onely prouided for the gard of Vienne Mascon Chaalon and other Townes taken from Gondebault and hee giues the charge of them to Gondegesil This is all that Gondebault could hope for in so great a danger but he would needes perish A treacherous attempt of Gondebault when as he sees himselfe without any enemie By Clouis departure he marceth so secretly with his forces as in one night he surpriseth Vienne by the Conduit heads guided by him that had them in charge being cast out ofâ— the Citie with the scumme of vnprofitable people Vienne must bee the Sepulchre of Gondegesil as it was of Gondemar for in this vnexpected surprise as 〈◊〉 and the Bishop sought meanes to saue themselues in the temple of Saint Mory amazement giues an easie entrie vnto Gondebault who being maâ—ster thereof doth massâ—cre both Gondegesil his brother and the Bishop without any reâ—pect Clouis moued with this treacâ—erous attâ—mpt returnes with his armie and beseegeth Gondebault who vnable to resâ—st escapâ—â— by night and saues himselfe in Italie with Thierry King of the Ostrogoths his friend and confederate They being tormented in conscience A iust punishment oâ— the murtherer Gondebault without all 〈◊〉 of releefe hee falls into horrible dispaire and dyes hatefull euen to those that had receiued him leauing a notable example to all men that man is the cause of his â—wâ—e miserie that hee deceiueth himselfe when as ouerruled by his owne passion hee thinkes to mocke God freely who sleepes not when as men are most secure in their wickednesse But after a long patience God payes both the principall and the interest and hee that seekes an other mans goods doth often loose his owâ—e the halfe being better then the whole for to liue quietly with content This was the end of Gondebault and the beginning of the title which the Kings oâ— France pretended to Bourgongne The fast winning 〈…〉 â—nd Prouâ—nce The States of Prouence Daulphiné and Saâ—oye were dependances on this Crowne Clouis reteyning Daulphiné and the Countries adioyning vnto Bourgogne he left Sauoy and Prouence to Sigismond and Gondemar the children of Gondebault ioyning equitie and mildnes to his iust victorie Hauing thus setled the affaires of Bourgongne he marcheth presently with his victoâ—ious armie into Languedoc against Alaric King of the Visigoths who held not onely that goodly Prouince but 〈◊〉 the Countrie from the Pirence mountaines euen to the bankes of Rosne and Loire as wee haue sayd Clouis hauing assembled his armie at Tours marcheth into Poictou where Alaric attends him with his forces meaning to fight with him at his entrie The battaile is giuen and much blood shed on either side but the absolute victorie remaines to Clouis as the bodies the held and the head of Alaric whome hee slew with his owne hand an accident very remarkable 〈◊〉 slaine by the hand o◠〈◊〉 that one Prince should kill another with his sword in hand in the
at this Assembly Philip lets him vnderstand That touching the Clergy of the Realme it was necessary that out of their aboundance they should helpe to beare the charge for their common preseruation the which hee would discharge when as the necessity ceassed And hauing thus sent backe the Popes Noncio he pursues Iohn so as in fewe dayes he becomes master of all Normandy the which had beene deuided from the Crowne since the yeare 88â— as we haue said Normandy beeing thus reduced to obedience with an admirable celerity Philip takes Normandy Poitou from Iohn Poitou doth likewise yeeld vnto him Iohn vppon this Alarum comes to Rochelle and from thence passeth into Aniou but in vaine He takes and vnpeoples Anger 's and seekes to seize vpon Brittaine being well garded through the care of their Duke Guy so as hee knowes not which way to turne him when as sodainly behold new occasions in Flanders the which he feedes all he can to kindle newe troubles whereby he hopes to finde some rest but his death shall seale all these toyles as due punishments for his blind couetousnesse and horrible paricide He seekes all meanes possible to trouble Philip with the ruine of France Flanders ministers matter by this meanes We haue formerly spoken of Baldwin Earle of Flanders after he had done his homage to Philip he resolues to passe into Asia to succor the afflicted Christians Hee had two Daughters Ioane and Marguerit the which hee left in the gard of Philip Earle of Namour their Vncle with the Kings good lyking who required the eldest to giue her in marriage to Ferrand of Portugall to the dislike of the Flemings and in the end he tooke her himselfe when as he hoped for profit Iohn imploying all his meanes he first vseth this instrument to oppose him against Philip in his ayde Great enemies against Philip. Otho the Emperor his Nephewe ioynes with him in such sort as France was in great danger of ruine by so great forces in so resolute an Enterprise Philip takes counsell for his passage into England finding so good successe in his affayres Ferrand hauing openly in Counsell disswaded this attempt shewing it to bee both vniust and impossible he made many of the cheefe to wauer ouer whom Philip commanded with great respect and among the rest Reginold Earle of Bullen of whom he had great neede for his descent into England Holding him in suspect he sought to make triall of his faith offering him a French Garrison the which he refused whereupon Philip comes to Bullen where the people giue him entry and Count Regnauld descouering himselfe retires into Flanders to Ferrand The league was great against Philip being incountred by two so great enemies neighbours and vnited A dangerous league against Philip. but Otho the Emperor swaid most hauing promised to assist Iohn his Vncle with all his meanes in this warre But the issue of this great League was not answerable to their desseigne Philip foresees this storme and resolues to preuent it Hee goes to field seizeth vpon Cassal Ypre and Lisle and takes assurance of the Citties of Gand and Bruges imploying his sonne Lewis in these exploits hauing meanes thereby to be in sundry places by so faithfull a Lieutenant On the other side Count Ferrand falls vpon Tournaisis and hauing taken Tournay he crosseth Philips disseignes Iohn hauing sent an Army to Sea-defeats the Kings Fleete at Dan and hauing passed into France he recouers Poitou In the meane time the Emperor Otho comes downe with a great and mighty army in the which they number a hundred and fifty thousand foote and a notable troupe of horse not specified There were great Captaines on eyther side Against the King were Ferrand and Regâ—old resolute men who had fury and hope to incourage them Otho the Emperour brought his honour with the Imperiall Eagle in the view of all Europe Iohn hauing intelligence of some stirres in England returnes with speede leauing his army to his Confederats 1215. and prouiding to send vnto them vpon all occasions On Philips side his greatest aduantage was in his owne person which did shine like the Sunne Lewis likewise was there Odo Duke of Bourgongne and the Earle of S. Paâ—l held the first rankes The common souldiars were nothing inferiour to their enemies in courage Yet the surmoâ—nted them in nomber and expectation of victory for who would doubt but the greatest number should vanquish But the soueraigne Iudge of victories had otherwiâ—e decreed whom Philip had called on in this extreame danger He sought to incounter his enemies a part but God had prepared him a greater triumphe in a greater Combate The Armies were betwixt Lisle and Tournay where there was a Riuer to be passed by a bridge Philip takes it and whilest the Army passed in their rankes he sleepes being awaked they giue him intelligence that the Emperor had pasâ—ed the Riuer at a Foard meaning to charge him behinde Philip when he had prayed vnto God a circumstance very profitablie obserued in the history meaning to preuent him he causeth those troupes to turne head which had passed the Riuer and that with such celerity as they came vpon their enemies backes The Combate was furious on eyther side vnder the most famous Ensignes of the world On the one side was the Eagle holding a Dragon in his Talents on the otherside the Auriflaine or standard of France The Germaines Dutch and English shot at the King the French at the Emperor the King was in extreame danger ouerthrowne vnder his horse Philip in danger oâ— his life in the battell the which was slaine and rescued by Hugh of Marueil The fame of which fact is more honourable to his posterity then the Lordship of Ville-bois which was giuen him by the King in recompence of so worthy a seruice The Emperor Otho hauing fought valiantly was in great danger and had fallen into the Kings hands as the Earles Ferrand and Reginald did hauing performed as much as Great and Valiant Captaines might do Philipâ— victory at Bâ—â—â—uenâ— against the Emperor But God would punish both in the Emperour and in them the rashnesse of an vnnecessary war The slaughter was great on either side bloud vniustâ—y spilt through ambition and couetousnes were reprochfull causes of a voluntary losse The signes of an absolute victory remayne to our Augustus The Field Ensignes yea and the Imperiall Eagle the which was torne insteed of tearing the chiefe commanders the Campe and the dead bodies Philip added Clemency to this victory of his valour dismissing all the baser prisoners and honouring the Nobility with good vsage Ferrand and Râ—gnalâ— prisoners led in triumpâ— and their liberty He retained Ferrand and Regnald prisoners whom he accused of ingratitude and rashnes to haue rebelled without cause against their Lord and benefactor he led them in tâ—iumphe to Paris where he made a stately entry drawing them chayned in Litters and condemned them to perpetual prison Regnald to
euent answered the proiect and by an admirable meanes the which ruined Peter through his owne folly This tyrant growne proud by the wishfull successe of the English forces makes no regard to satisfie the Prince of Wales for the charges of this warre although the successe were for his good but busying himselfe to take reuenge of such as had risen against 〈◊〉 he contemned such as had succoured him yea treading all pietie vnder foote he allyed himselfe with the King of Belle-marine a Sarasin and marrying his daughter he abiured the Christian Religion holding the neighbourhood of so mighty a King Peter forsakerâ— by the English is taken prisoner to be more certaine and profitable then all the forces of England But it fell out contrary to his conceipt for Henry assisted by the constable Guesâ—lin and the French forces hauing won fiue battels against Peter in the ende he was quite defeated and taken prisoner Hauing him in his power Peter King of Castile beheaded at the Castilians suâ—e wonderfully incensed against this Tyrant he caused his head to be cut off reaping the fruites of his impiety the which made him to forsake the true religion of his vanity trusting to a rotten planke with the losse of his conscience and of his exceeding cruelty hauing murthered his wife tiranised ouer his subiects and spoyled his brother of his estate against all right An excellent lesson for all men especially for great Princes not to dally with God who punisheth haynous crimes with haynous punishments euen in this life attending the euerlasting paine in the life to come Charles King of Nauarre was much perplexed seeing himselfe betwixt two armies for desiring to be a neuter and to please both he knew not how to gouerne himselfe He seeks to intertaine both Charles and Edward although he were more ingaged to the English and could not well trust his brother in law hauing greatly offended him The King of Nauarres dissembling So hee lets the English army to passe through his dominions when it marched into Castile to succour Peter and suffered himselfe to be taken prisoner by Oliuer of Mauny a Gentleman of Britaine who led him into Castile to make the English thinke he had bin forced and the French that hee did willingly imploy himselfe for them beeing in their troupes A miserable hypocrisie which of a maister makes himselfe a slaue who might haue bin one of the chiefe of the army without this wretched dissembling The good and wise King taught by the example of his father Iohn that an Eele is lost by ouergriping it desiâ—ed onely to pacifie his brother in lawe although he were well acquainted with his bad disposition and the practises he continued with England So he gaue him a safe conduct to come vnto him and restored vnto him Mantes and Meulan and the free possession of his lands in Normandy but this prince fraught with malice could not be reclaimed neither by the Kings prosperity noâ— by his clemency for not trusting him hee retires to his realme of Nauarre where he continues his old practises with the English Th◠〈…〉 King Charles hee helps the Britton with men out of Normandie and attempted against the Kings person seeking to poyson him by Iaquet Rue and Peter of Tertre his domesticall seruants who were executed and the Nauarrois places seized on as guilty of high treason Thus Charles was forced to fight against his owne bloud and to haue the malice of his kinsmen and allies No small combate for a great Prince We haue discoursed at large of the valour and happy successe both of Edward the 3. King of England and of Edward his sonne Prince of Wales But as humane things are not durable so there chanced a great accident vpon his returne from the war of Castile which brought them both to the graue The Prince of Wales finding himselfe threatned with a dâ—opsey passed from Bourdeaux into England to take the ayre of his natiue country but hee died soone after his ariuall the 46. yeare of his age A Prince of great hope not onely lamented of his friends but coÌ„meÌ„ded of his enimies Edward the father The death of both Edwards seeing his right arme as it were cut off died for griefe leauing Richard the son of his son Edward in his place who was receiued without any questioÌ„ made by his vncles as the first by right of succession Richard not to degenerate from the example of his grandfather and father The English second passage through France being crowned King vndertakes a warre in France whether he sends a goodly army vnder the coÌ„maund of the Duke of Clarence his vncle who hauing landed at Calais passeth the Riuer of Somme at Clery neere vnto Peronne bending towards Soisson he crosseth the Riuer of Oise Ain Then marching towards Chaalons he passeth Marne and shewing himselfe before Troyes in Champagne he spoyles the country and so goeth ouer Seine betwixt Ville-neufue and Sousey and bending towards Beausse and Gastinois he crosseth into Brittaine there 〈◊〉 the war in fauour of Iohn of Montport spoyling the country with a strange desolatioÌ„ On the other side there lands an other army at Bourdeaux the which hauing entred the country fortified such places as held for the English to nourish the seeds of this new warre 1380 In the country of Geuaudan a dioces in that large Prouince of Languedoc there was a Castle neere to Mande named Randon whereas the English maintayned a strong garnison a retreat for theeues which did infinite harme in the country The country hauing sued vnto the King to free them of this incombrance he graunted them Guesâ—lin the Constable a man of great reputation but the army should be defrayed at their charges He comes into Languedoc 〈◊〉 Randon and brings them to the last extremity but as the beseeged not able to hold out were entered into composition behold the Constable sick to the death yeeldâ— vp the ghost At the same instant the place was yelded vnto the King so aâ— in signe that the honour of this prize was due to Guesâ—lin the Captaines carried the keyes of the castle vpon his herse The death of the Constable 〈◊〉 Thus died 〈◊〉 leauing an honourable testimony of his valour and loyalty and to Charles an 〈◊〉 sorrow for his death who honoured him with a notable obsequie causing his body to be interred with the Kings at S. Denis at the foot of his own tombe was that of Guesâ—lin with a burning Lampe maintained by foundation called The Lampe of Guâ—selin vnto this day King Charles had g uen all Bourgogne to his brother Philip for his portion according to the will of his father Iohn as we haue said and had married him with Margueret the rich heyre of Flanders Being in possession of Bourgogne there happened another occasion in Flanders which won him great credit with those people whom he should comand after the death of Lewis his father in law
declared capable to gouerne the estate alone be freed from Tutors But oh the weakenes of mans wisedom he did not foresee that his son should be ill gouerned by his Tutors in his minority that the age of 14. should not free him from Tutors and that euen his sonne coming to mans estate should giue more scope to the ambition of his owne vncles more worthily to be called murtherers then tutors then his weakest youth had done He had a Fistula in one arme by the which those ill humors were drawne away which grewe by poison and gaue him great ease when it did run It chanced this Fistula stopt and then his maladie encreased much Charles resoluing by this sharpe alarum to go the common way of all flesh calls for his three Bretheren Lewis Iohn and Philip and hauing recommended his children and subiects vnto them he giues them particular aduise for the gouernment of the Realme leaâ—ing the custody of his sonne and the Regency of the Realme vnto them He died the 16. of September .1380 in the Castle of Beauty seated vpon the Riuer of Marne He commaunded that Oliuer of Clisson should be Constable hauing commended his fidelity and sufficiency and that they should carefully preserue the amity of Germany Thus died Charles the wise wonderfully beloued and lamented of his subiects leauing his Realme in good estate Charles dies after so horrible a desolation And although the confusions passed had wonderfully impouerished the subiects and wasted the Kings Treasor neyther was his raigne free from warre yet did he leaue the Prouinces of his Realme very wealthy and an infinite tresor in his cofers although he had built the Louure S. Germaine in Laye Montargis Creill the Celestures and some other Churches Of such power is good husbandry in this realme as in riches it yeelds not to the treasors of Peru not in â—eâ—tility to any country vnder heauen to subsist amidst so many storms and to be presently restored by good husbandry An example for Princes to imitate and not to despaire in like confusions but to hope for all that may be wished for in the restoring of an estate by paâ—ience and dexteâ—ity vertues proper to our wise Charles A Prince so much the more praise worthy hauing preserued this Estate when it seemed lost His dispositioÌ„ religious wise modest patient stirring and stayed when need required able to entertaine euery man according to his humor hauing by these vertues wonne a great reputation both within and without the Realme and honourable to his posterity as he to haue saued France from shipwracke He loued leaâ—ning and learned men Nicholas Oresme was his schoolemaister whom hee honoured with great preferments He caused the bible to be translated into French imitating S. Lewis I have seene the originall in the Kings lodging at the Louure signed by King Charles and his Brother the Duke of Berry A goodly obseruation of the auntient simplicity of those royall characters I haue likewise seene a Manuscript of the translation made by the commaundement of S. Lewis He delighted in the reading of the holy Scâ—iptuâ—e Phâ—losophy hauing likewise caused the Eâ—hicâ—s and Politicks of Aristotle with many bookes of Tully to be translated into French The fauâ—ut he shewed to learned men stirred vp many good witts who began to draw the Muses from their graues both in France and Italy The History doth paâ—ticulaâ—ly note that he did often vâ—sit his Coâ—rt of Parliament and his chamber of accompts gaue audience vnto sutors read their petâ—tions and heard theâ—r complaints and reasons imploying some dayes of the weeke euen in his greatest affaires to do those fatherly and royall workes of Iustice. He tooke greaâ— delight to aduance his houshold seruants giuing them meanes secretly and without the pâ—iuity of any to instâ—uct their sonnes and to marâ—ie their daughters A testimonâ—e of a good conscience and of a wise man This bond of loyaltie could haue no better foundation then in transpoâ—ting it from the Father to the sonne nor almes be better imploied then from the maister to the seruant Royall vertues and worthy of eternall memory But alas what shal be the successe of this bounty and wisedome The raigne oâ— his sonne Charles shâ—lbe most miserable 〈◊〉 hath done the part of a good Brother of a good master a good Father and a good 〈◊〉 but God the Soueraigne of Kings had limited the euents of his cares To â—each vs 〈◊〉 a notable example That vnlesse the Lord build the house the worke men lâ—bour but â—n vaine if the Lord keepe not the citty the watchman watcâ—eth but in vaine for an eternal maxime of â—â—uernement and state ConsideratioÌ„s worthy to be obserued by Princes Whosoeuer glories let him glory in the Lord. But vertues are noâ— herâ—dâ—â—ie Iohn not very wise begat Charles a wise and happy Prince and he begets a frantâ—ke man vnhappy both in youth and age We may on the other side oppose other considerations very disputable Profit aduised him to marry the heire of Flanders not onely to pacifie that country but also to inlarge his owne dominions adding therevnto that great and rich estate of Flanders from whence so many mischiefes haue sprong to France but his delight made him preferre the fayre before the rich Moreouer the rules of State did not permit him so to aduance his brother making him in a manner equal to himselfe in power the which must needes be the cause of many inconueniences as it after happened The cause of his brother Philip Duke of Bourgongne is ordered by the same rule for who can with reason mislike that Charles giues a portion to his brother by his fathers will and that in the rich marryage of a Prince his vassall and of a neere estate whereby his realme was dayly annoyed he preferres his brother before his capitall enemy But God had reserued the honour to himselfe Bourgongne since Robert the Grandchild of Hugh Capet had beene successiuely in the power of Princes who had alwayes done faithfull seruice to the crowne and now it shal be a scouâ—ge vnto it yet in the ende it shal be vnited vnto the crowne againe and taken from such as had abused it Experience doth teach that in matters of State the ende is not alwayes answerable to the beginning nor the successe to the desseine to the ende that Princes may depend of him who is greater then themselues who hath made them and can marre them without whom they cannot do any thing Behold the life death race raigne and manners of Charles the 5. called the wise But before we enter into the troublesome raigne of Charles the 6. The Estate of the empire Let vs obserue the estate of the Empire and of the Church We haue saide that Charles the sonne of Iohn King of Bohemia had beene chosen Emperour and called Charles the 4. Hee held the Empire 32. yeares beginning in the yeare 1350. So the raignes of Iohn and Charles
he would not accept of this gouernment without the good liking of the Duke of Berry so as all the punishment fell vpon Betizac his chiefe Treasurer who 〈◊〉 burnt at Beziers Betizac the Dukes treasurer burnt purging in the fire the extorsions he had committed vnder his maisterâ— authoritie At that time Charles King of Nauarre died so often blemished in the truth of this historie we haue noted how he had retired himselfe from Court into his realme of Nauarre As this retreat was vnto him a reprochfull banishment so this shamefull solitarinesse was a ciuill death But the Catastrophe of his tragicall life was a famous proofe that God doth often reuenge notable sinnes by notable punishments euen in this life He was much broken by the excesse of venery and all sorts of dissolutions the which he had exceedinglie vsed with his wonderfull tyrannie and crueltie As they did anoint him with medicines fit to warme and comfort his benummed members some say they had chafed him with Aqua-vitae The tragicall 〈◊〉 of the Nauarroâ— and wrapt him in a sheete but behold fire takes hold of this sheete with such violence as being vnable to quench it he was consumed by degrees liuing some daies as suruiuing his paine and that which encreased the horror of Gods iudgement his death made both great and small to reioyce and was receiued in France with as great content as the winning of a great and famous battaile Great robbing during the truce There was a generall truce betwixt the French and English so as the garrisons lying stâ—ll the Souldiars bred vp and nourished in armes fighting no more by order vnder their eâ—sâ—gnes sought now their prey by disorder vpon the labourer and marchant The countries of Rouergue Perigort Limosin Auuergne and La Marche had English garrisons who spoiled these countries and did runne vp into the neerest parts of Languedoc Velai Geuaudan Viuarez and Suenes where the villages are for the most part walled in to preuent these sodaine incursions There were many theeues amongst them Teste noire or Black-pate in the Castell of Ventador Amerigor Marcel at Roâ—h-Vandais who breaking the truce sought to be supported by the King of England but in the end they all fell into the hang-mans hands or perished miserably by some strange death an Image of our late confusions Libertie had bred vp these warriours with so great aboundance as the English passed the sea to make Turneys and to fight at Barriers as they vse at great Triumphes There was a Tilt set vp betwixt Calais and Saint Iaquelvuert where the Nobilitie made triall of their valour as in a Schoole of Fence To take away this troublesome aboundance they tooke occasions to make long voyages into Castille and Italie but in the end there was a very famous one offred against the miscreaâ—ts of Barbarie at the Geneuois request who suffred many discommodites in their traffick by these barbarous Affricans Charles granted them succours willingly and gaue the charge of this warre to Peter duke of Burbon assisted with the Earles of Auuergne and Foix the Lords of Coucy Guy of Tremouille A voyage into Affâ—â—â—ke by â—he Frenâ—h English together Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France Philip of Arthois Earle of Eu Philip of Bar Harcourt Antoing Linge Pyquiny and many other great men from all parts of the Realme which ranne to so famous an action vnder so worthy a commander and at so great leysure more painfull then the toyle of warre to men that desired nothing but imployment Richard King of England to imitate Charles granted succours to the Geneuois vnder the command of the Earle of Salisburie accompanied with many Noble men and Engâ—â—sh Gentlemen moued with desire like vnto the French in the enterprise of this pleasing paine The Deputies of the Kings of France and England assembled to treate of a generall peace but not able to effect it they continue a truce for foure yeares with goodly pâ—ouisions against robberies for the safetie and quiet of their Estates Charles gaue free passage to the English by the Countries of Langâ—edâ—â— and Daulphiné to passe the Alpes safelie All come to Genes to the great ioy of the Geneuois Being shipt they land within fewe dayes in Barbarie Presently they beseege the Citty of Affricke So our histore termes it as bearing the name of all the vast and barbarous counâ—ry They call the Afâ—ricanic commanders Agadinquor of Oliferne and Brahadist of Thunes But our Argonautes found them which stayed their fuâ—y The Barbarians defended themselues with an obstinate resolution But their foâ—ce did them lesse harme then the ayre and diet beeing very contrary to theiâ— complexions so as our armie decreased dayly especially of men of accompt This siege conâ—inued six weekes with much losse no hope to preuaile The 〈◊〉 noated alwaâ—es to be â—aithlâ—sse The Geneuois hauing conceiued a hope of a sodaine victorie began to grow cold and slacke in furnishing of the armie The Duke of Bourbon foreseeing the difficulties which might grow in continuing obstinaâ—e at this siege fearing the winter and not trusting the Geneuois who are famous for that they haue no faith remembring the example of the King S. Lewis resolued to returne wiâ—hout any greater losse He trusseth vp his baggage bringes backe his troupes into France coÌ„tinuing the example to al such as are capable of reasoÌ„ how difficult it is for Christâ—ans to performe these strange attempts after the experience of many ages The â—rench and the English hauing liued louingly together in this voyage returned to their houses without doing of any memorable act but to haue endeauored to doe sometâ—ing worthy of memory to auoide idlenesse during so peacefull a time â—ritâ—aine did then conceiue and afterwards bring forth more preiudiciall effects then Bâ—rbary iâ— selâ—â— and the way was made by light occasions to horrible and monstrous efâ—ects to the great preiudicâ— both of the King and Realme for a notable tesâ—imonie to posterity what Councellors Enuye and ambition be in a state we like wretches seeke for peace and when God gâ—ues it we flie from it we maligne an other mans good and depâ—â—ue our selues of our owne But alas it were a small matter for a great personage to hurâ— himselfe by his owne passions if this poison did not spred abroad to the preiudice of â—he common weale We haue said that Iohn of Montfort remained peaceably Duke of Brittaine by the death of Charles of Blois and the agreement he made with his widow Hatred betwixt the duke of Briâ—â—â—ine the Constable Clisson whose eldest sonne Iohn of Brittâ—ine Earle of Ponthieure was redeemed from prison out of England by the constable Clisson who gaue him his daughter in marriage payed his â—ansome The constable was a Briâ—ton and so a subiect to Iohn of Montfort Duke of Brittaine his ancient and capitall â—nimy and yet by this newe succession was become his Lord. Doubtlesse in this quality Clisson could not
but we sought our owne decay The Constable Albret comanded â—he foreward that day and with him were the Dukes of Orleans Bourbon the Earles of Eu and of Richemont the Lord of Bouciquault Marshal of France the Lord of Dampierre Admiral The Battaile was led by the Duke of Bar and the Earles of Alenson Vaudemont Neuers Blamon Salines Grandpre and Roussy The Reerward by the Earles of Marle Dampmartin and Fouquembergue The King of England forced â—o fight Henry being denied pasâ—age by the Constable resolues to fight puâ—ting his trust in God and in his owne valour determining to vanquish or to die He made choise of a place of hard accesse and the better to fortifie his archers euery one had a sharpe stake planted before him The French ordered as before attended their enemies either looking who should begin the game Impatiencye forceth the weaker like desperate men the English Archers being in fight with such a furie as the French foreward cannot endure the violent fal of this furious storme the CoÌ„stable Albret was slaine fighting in the foremost ranke The Duke Anthony of Brabant brother to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne seeing this disorder leaues his troupe to redresse it but he was also slaine by the English bowe men And gets the victorie with his bâ—other Philip Earle of Neuers The battaile was likewise foâ—ced after a great fight The reerward fled and saued them selues in the neerest places of retreate So as the losse was not so great as the shame and ouerthrow They number ten thousand men slaine but their rashenes was inexcusable The head smarâ—ed for it and the Bourguignons brethreÌ„ had there an honorable tombe Charles Duke of Orleans Lewis of Bourbon the Eaâ—ls of Eu Richemont Vendosâ—e the strongest pillers of the Orlean faction with many Noblemen and Gentlemen were taken and led into England This deâ—eat chancâ—d the 20. of Ocâ—ober in the yeare The Battaile of Agincourt 1415. called the euill Battaile of Agincourt And as one mischief comes neuer alone the bodies at this defeat were scarce buried before Lewis the Daulphin dies This Lewis eldest Sonne to our Charles Sonne in Law Lewis the Daulpâ—in dies and a terror to the Bourguignon was little lamented of the people and lesse oâ— his father in Law who hated him to the death A Prince of little valour and much toâ—le more busied with himselfe then with the affaires he managed the which he made troublesome by his insufficiencie presumptioÌ„ to know much His disposition vnwilling to learne fâ—om others what he vnderstood not for the good of the State and his owne duty Iohn Duke of Touraine his brother succeded him in the first degree of the Prince of the bloud The Duke of Berry dies and the Earle of Armagnaâ— was made Constable in the place of Charles of Albret who shall minister good occasion to speake both of his life and death Iohn Duke of Berry brother to our Charles the 5. augmented these losses A wise Prince and louing Learning coÌ„mendable in al things but for his couetousnes the which made his vertues of lesse fame A blemish very il beeseming a generous and heroicke spirit These great losses should haue made the Bourguignon humble but he became more insolent making new practises to raise him selfe hauing no competitor Imbracing this ocasion he gatheâ—s togither what troupes he can with an intent to go to Paris The Queene and Constable of Armagnac vnwilling he shoud come armed comand him in the Kings name not to aproch The Parisiens were not then so well conceited of the Bourguignon being restrained by the court vnâ—uersitie but especially by the Kings authoâ—ity being present who spake whatsoeuer his wife the Constable would haue him being then alone in authority in the Kings Councell The Bourguignons troupes kept the field 1416. committing all kinde of insolencies and spoyles against whom the King made Edicts as against common theeues The Bourguignon renewes the warre giuing the people liberty to kill them But this did nothing mollify the heart of this reuengefull Prince borne for his Countries misery hauing no other intent but to afflict it wâ—th new calamityes To this ende as in the Kings sicknesse the Daulphin had the name and authority of the State he sought to winne the fauour of Iohn succeeding in the right of his brother deceased This occasion was offered but the issue was contrary to his desseine The misery of our France was such as the common duty of humanity moued forraine nations to pitty foreseeing our ruine if the warre betwixt France and England continued In this common desire The Emperor Sigismond comes into Francâ— the Emperour Sigismond by the consent of the Germans came into France His traine and the good worke he vndertooke deseâ—ued an imperiall Maiestie but the ende will shew hâ—s intent to be other then he protested Being arâ—iued in France to the great content of all the French he findes our Charles at his deuoâ—ion who receiued him with all the pompe he could giue to so great a Monarch making shewe of the great desire hee had to make a peace betwixt the French and the English for the generall good of both estates But this accord was but halfe made The Emperour hauing remained some time with Charles goes into England where he findes Henry of an other humour puft vp with the happy successe of his affaires the weakenesse of ours and in trueth the measure of our miseries was not yet full So Sigismond hauing perswaded Henry in vaine returnes into France Charles to honour him sends his sonne Iohn Duke of Touraine and Daulphin of Viennois into Picardie to meete him hauing married the daughter of the Earle of Hainault as great a friend to the Bourguignon as ill affected to the French The Emperour seeing his labour lost in seeking this reconciliation takes his shortest course into Germany leauing a reasonable subiect to the cleare-sighted The Daulphin Iohn fauours the Bourguignon to iudge that he had an other intent then to settle a peace in France by countenancing of the Bourguignon the instrument of her miseries for after this yong pâ—â—nce had spoken with the Emperour he is wholy changed in fauour of the Duke of Bourgongne and resolues to â—andy with him against the Duke of Orleans This foundation beeing laid by the Emperours pollicy it was fortified by the Earle of Hainault father-in-law to Iohn the Daulphin Nowe he imbraceth the greatest and most dangerous enemie of all true Frenchmen with a wonderfull affection But the subtill is taken in his own snate the end doth often bewray the intent As all things tended to a manifest change by meanes of this yong Prince inchaunted by his charmes hauing a spirit like vnto waxe apt to receiue any impressions from so subtill an artisan as the Bourguignon behold death cuts off all these hopes The Daulphin Iohn dies cast in the mould of
challengeth the right of first fruites which giues the first yeares reuenues of all benefices to the pope and so continues vnto this day But as he gathers together this money with a wonderfull greedinesse behold he fals from his moyle and bruseth himselfe Vrban dies miserablie The worke of heauen answerable to his insolent ambition who soaring too high makes him fall lowe dying when his hatred was greatest to ruine his enemies He languished 27. dayes in his death bed dying by degrees suffring the paines which he caused his poore Cardinalls to indure not able with his death to wipe out the immortall hate of his detestable life disgraced by al writers Thus Vrban the sixt the first guidon of Schisme died in the eleuenth yeare of his Popedome In whose place Peter Thomaâ—el named Boniface the 9. is chosen Pope successor to Vrbans couetousnesse Pope Boniface exceeding couetous as his life and death doth witnesse Niem obserues a memorable act Boniface lying at the point of death some one to comfort him saide that he should do well A brutish custome as if to speake of death to a sicke body were to pronounce the sentence of a Iudge to deliuer him into the executioners hands I should do well said he if I had money and yet he had full howses hauing then but ten howres to liue So he dyed the tenth yeare of his Popedom not lamented of any but that he liued too long and by his impudent couetousnes opened the gate to all impunity of sinne Innocent the 7. succeeded in the place of Boniface no more innocent then the former verifiyng the beauty of their names by the bounty of their liues A sworne enemy to the vnion of the Church causing two Romaine Cittizens to be put to death as seditious for that they mooued him therein as Platina doth obserue Pope Innocent an enâ—mie to the vnion of the Church Pope Gregory the 12. a cunning dissembler He continued but two yeares into his place Angelo Corrier a Venecian called Gregory the 12. was aduanced a subtill and dissembling man coldly ambitious and faintly holy hauing no piety but in shewe so as for his crooked manners he was called Erroriâ—s for Gregorius that is to say a Deceiuer drawing men into error with his goodly shewe All this was done at Rome by the Italians in the meane time what doe our Popes â—ea at Auignon Clement the 7. making profession of the same authority which the Pope did at Rome was no better then the other although the history notes not so many priuate acts of his excesse In generall he was cruell in the beginning couetous during all the time of his Popedome He was exceeding ambitious and wilfull vnder colour of modestie and humilility The estate of Auignon vnder their Popes Benet 13. an ambitious dissembler He suruiued him but two years After the death of Clement the 7. they create a new Pope to oppose against him at Rome which was Peter de la Lune a Spaniard bornâ— but hauing liued long at Montpellier to study the law A man of sound iudgment learned actiue patienâ— in shew but in effect very ambitious a dissembler giuen to his owne will and tyed to his profit free from cruelty wherof he is not taxed giuing free scope to couetousnesse So great was the impudency of Marchandize in the Church sayes Niem and Platina set to the view of all Christendome that the authority of the keyes and Apostolike learning was contemptible to the whole world Truely all diseases growe by degrees through surfeits taken vnaduisedly Disorders in the Church and bad humors which creepe insensibly into the body euen so in these miseries of the Church All was set to sale all sorts of benefices especially Cardinalls hats were for them that would giue most The reuenues impropriations and all things else were sold to him that offered most Sometimes one benefice was sold to many and all their money fell into good handes that had learned to receiue and not to restore againe The composition for all sorts of crimes whole Townes were sold by the authority of the Soueraigne pastor I write but a part of that which the Popes Secretaryes haue set downe at large and tremble to report the iudgment they make of these abhominable confusions To conclude all christendome tyred with these disorders commited by such as had the authority to order complained much to their Kings and princes who wishing a redresse exhorted the Popes of both seas Gregory the 12. and Benedict the 13. to leaue their priuate quarrells for the generall good of the Church Benedict makes great shewes to desire it That if he must needes yeeld he is ready to leaue the dignity wherwith the Church had honoured him yea his owne life these are his very wordes for the peace of Gods Church Gregory speakes more coldly yet hee promised the like but when it came to performance they were but shiftes delayes and other deuises to winne time and to retaine still their authority which neither of them would leaue In the ende at the great instance of Kings and Princes A counsell at Pisa to reforme the schisme of the Church the Colledges of Rome and Auignon agree to meet at Pisa to finde some meanes to determine of this reprochfull confusion Benedict yeelds but Gregory opposeth Notwithstanding his refusall all meet at Pisa. Thus all assembled whether the Emperour the Kings of France England Spaine Scotland Portugall Hongary Denmarke Sweden Pologne and Norway send their Ambassadors and the Churches of the east their deputies hauing debated the controuersie depending betwixt Gregorie and Benedict they depose them both Two Popes deposed Alexander the 5. chosen as nourishing a schisme in the Church and refusing to obey the Counsell whereas neither they noâ— their deputies had appeared In their place they choose Alexander the 5. a Candâ—ot held to be learned and veâ—tuous but he died within the first yeare of his Popedome So as the Colledge of Cardinalls retyring to Bologne created Iohn the 23. in his place But neither Gregory nor Benedict omitted any thing of their traine scorning the decree of the Councell So as for one Pope they had three Three Popes at one time the one at Rimini the other at Bologne and the third at Auignon and the last being worse then the first shall giue a reasonable good cause of further inquiry to Christian Princes in an other â—eason the which we will attend by order of the history and will returne into France to our Charles the 7. in the ioye of his Coronation which was to him and to all his subiects a happy fore-telling of the restoring of his Râ—alme but this excellent worke was not so soone ended We must now see by what degrees Charles recouered the possession of the Townes subdued by the English and how he expelled them out of this Realme The second parcell is set downe by vs in the front of this
daughter to wife the which he did As he prepared for this voyage and a stately traine for his daughter A strange death in the midest of â—oy which might equall or surmount the Ambassage sent from Ladislaus newes comes of the death of Ladislaus a young man of twenty yeares of age and of a generous hope who was poisoned at Prague Whose death was the cause of many miseries as we shall hereafter shew Their ioy in France was changed to mourning and the wedding to a funerall to the great griefe of Charles But to put him in minde of necessary causes amidest these voluntarie afflictions It chanced that the mother of Ioane the Virgin to purge the blot of infamie in the death of her daughtâ—r being condemned as a Sorceresse by the Bishop of â—eauuais to please the English obtaines a reuocation of this sentence from the Pope and Charles confirmes it causing it to be solemnlie published to the content of all Frenchmen to whom the remembrance of this generous spirit shall be for euer pleasing In the meane time this iealousie which was grauen in the heart of Charles is fed by the dayly whisperings of his household flattereâ—s And now behold a strange accident A Captaine in whom he had great confidence assures him that they ment to poison him he beleeues it and plants this apprehension so firmely in his heart as he resolues neither to eate nor drinke The tragicall death of Chaâ—les not knowing whom to trust He continued obstinately for seauen dayes in this strange resolution the which in the end brought him to his graue for being obstinate in this humour not to eate notwithstanding all the perswasions of his Physitians and seruants the passages were so shrunke as when he would haue eaten it was then too late and feeling his forces to decay he prouided for his last will and dyed the 22. of Iuly at Meun vpon Yeure in Bâ—rry in the yeare 1461. hauing liued 59. yeares and raigned 39. leauing two sonnes Lewis and Charles the first shall raigne after his father and the second shall be the causer of new troubles in France but not such as haue raigned vnder our Charles the 7. A Prince who hath as much aduanced the French Monarchie as any King that euer commanded for finding the realme ruined he hath restored it his Predecessors had planted the English in the bowels of the Estate he expelled them bringing in a gentle peace after an intestine warre of a hundred yeares A fâ—iend to Iustice good order and the people His dispositioÌ„ resolute in great affaiâ—es capable of councell wise couragious happy in the execution of good councels and happy in seruants that haue faâ—thfully serued him to the end of the worke of restauration wherevnto God had appointed him But these great and heroike vertues were blemished by some vices which were more visible in his prosperitie His 〈◊〉 then in his aduersitie for affliction restrained him but his happy successe puft him vp and gaue scope to his humours making him suspitious and amourous to the pâ—eiudice of his affaires and dishonour of his person On the one side vngouerned lâ—ue to strange women making him to forget the lawfull loue of his wife and to loose both time and iudgment whereby he blemished his reputation both with subiects and strangeâ—s On the other side presumption of his good successe made him vnpleasing to his best seruants yea euen to his owne bloud and this froward humour causing him to discontent such as hee should haue trusted setled so wilfuâ—l and peeuish a iealousie in his heart as hauing troubled all his house in the ende it brought him to his graue after a most fearefull and tragicke manner leauing in his vertues an example to bee followed and in his vices to bee auoided with a visible proofe in his happy successe That God vseth the weake instruments to the end that he might be knowne the Author of the good worke they haue in hand that his grace seeming strong in their weakenesse the homage and honour of all good might be giuen to him for whosoeuer glories let him glory in the Lord. Charles had no sooner closed his eyes but Poasts flie to Geneppe in Brabant vnto Lewis to aduertise him of his death The originall notes it for exceeding speed that through the diligence of Charles of Aniou father in law to Charles Lewis was aduertitised of the death of his father the very same day he dyed This Poast was speedy yet slowe in regarde of the desire Lewis had to returne into France and to take possession of this goodly Crowne which attended him LEWIS the eleuenth the 55. King of France LVDOVICVS .11 KING OF FRANCE .55 · WAs it not then likely that this so happy a Catastrophe of the latter raigne of Charles should haue purchased Lewis as happy and peacefull a Crowne as his fathers had beene painfull and full of crosses But the heires of worldly possessions which we call the goods of Fortune and of the body doe not alwayes inherit the same humors and complexions of their Predecessors Charles was of a curteous disposition affable a friend to Iustice and capable of councel he leaues Lewis his eldest sonne a Pâ—ince in truth humble in words and shew wise in aduersitie painfull The disposition of Lewis the 11. a free entertainer of men of merit curious to know all men of a good capacity perfect in iudgement and very continent But these vertues were blemished with many vices ill tongued reuengefull cruell full of fraud dissemblâ—ng distrustfull variable a friend to base people and an enemie to great persons yet willing to repaire the wrongs he had done to many But let vs impute this alteration to the multitude of his forraine homebred foes who â—ad greatly altered the good seeds which nature had planted in him That which plunged him in a labyrinth of troubles afflictions during all the course of his life was that at his first comming to the Crowne he discountenanced most of the Princes Noblemen whom Charles had fauoured preferring meane men to their places changed in a manner all the ancient officers of the crowne casierd discharged the old coÌ„panies of men at armes whereby such as hated him did taxe him as an enimy to al valour vertue Lewis the Daulphin at the age of eleuen yeares was rashly ingaged by some Noblemen others of the realme in the war called the Praguery against Charles his father His wiueâ— who speedily suppressed it by his resolution as we haue seene Beeing come to the age of man he married with Marguerit daughter to the King of Scots and as hee fell rashly in loue so he reaped nothing but repentance After her death not able to beare the vnpleasing waywardnes of his father he retires into Daulphiné and takes to his second wife Charlotte daughter to the Duke of Sauoy by whoÌ„ he had Ioachim who dyed young His children Anne marryed
great persecuter of the enemies of the Clergie curteous and officious to his friends busie for the enriching of the Church a great builder And finally as hee was readie to depart from Ancona to march in person against the Turke who was then entred Italie a Cotidian ague seized on him whereof hee dyed in the yeare 1464. Of him we reade thus much as Platina and Sabellicus doe report Preests are forbidden to marrie for a great reason but yet there is a greater for the which they should bee suffered In the second booke of the Councel and moreouer Paraduenture it should not be the worse if many Preests were married for many being Priests and married should bee saued the which in their barren Caelibat are damned Hee likewise would haue abolished some Nunneries of Saint Brigit and Saint Clare caâ—sed the Nunnes to come forth to the end saith Caelius secundus that vnder the habit of religion they should not hide their adulteries Paul the second borne at Venice before named Peter Barbo Cardinal of Saint Marc succeeded His first calling was marchandiseâ—punc but seeing an vnckle of his chosen Pope he applied himselfe somewhat to learning and was first created Arch-deacon of Boullen then Bishop of Ceruio after Cardinall and finally Pope The pride and pompe of Paulus the 2. A man of a good personage but arrogant proud so as Platina obserues that he first spake these wordes That the Pope carries within the circuite of his bosome all diuine and humane laws Exceeding all his Predecessors in attyre but aboue all in his mitre the which hee enriched with pearle and stones of an inestimable price shewing himselfe proudly vpon soâ—lemne dayes â—hus sumptuously attyred followed by his Cardinalls with scarlet hatâ—es the which hee did forbid all others to weare vpon greeuous â—â—nishments and mounted vppon mulets with footeclothes of the same colour grosse and dull witted louing neither learning â—or learned meÌ„ so as he declared them Heretiks that either in sport and earnest did pronâ—uÌ„ce this word Academy or Vniueâ—sity Couetous dissolute The Popes disposition voluptuous turbuleÌ„t giuen to coÌ„iuring the whole time of his raign he troubled Italie with combustions and homebred warres Finally they report little good of him but that he had beene pittifull to the poore and needy to haue preserued Rome from famine and reformed many Monasteries reducing them to a better discipline They say that hauing one day read certaine poesies made against him and his daughter he began to greeue and to blame the rigour of the law made by his predecessors who did forbid Priests to marrie so as seeing himselfe a scorne to the people hee resolued to giue Priests liberty to marry but an Apoplexie tooke him sodeinly out of this world the 25. of Iuly 1471. leauing a rich treasure In trueth They gather goods saith the Oracle and know not who shall enioy them Some impute this sodaine death to the Author of the Magicke arte the which he practised Sixtus the 4. borne at Sauonne and named Francis of Ruere Generall of the Grey Friars and Cardinall of S. Sixte Legat of Auignon was installed by the election of the Colledge in the Pontificall chaire Liberall and charitable to his owne beyond the bounds of true zeale for in their fauour he gaue Indulgences and pardons prodigally and granted many other things against all right and reason so saieth the Historie Amongst the rest he aduanced Peter of Ruere to a Cardinalship a monstrous man in his expences who in two moneths deuoured in vanities dissolution and loosenesse aboue two hundred thousand Crownes besides the debts wherewith he charged his heires He repaired many decayed Churches and Monasteries built new and gaue them great reuenews He restored the Abreuiataires which was a Colledge of learned men and studious in diuine and humane lawes Poets Orators Historiens c. first instituted by Pius the 2. then abolished by Paul the 2. his successor Then did he institute anew the Bullistes people fitter to get money then for any other thing and nine Notaries of the Apostolick treasure appointing them certaine reuenues which offices were sold in the beginning for fiue hundred crownes and since for two or three thousand crownes so well could they sell their marchandise Sixtus made many vniust warres against Ferdinand King of Naples for that against the Popes lâ—king he had succoured his sonne in law Hercules of Este Dâ—ke of Ferrare besieged by the Venetians Against the Venetians whom he did excoÌ„municate Against the Florentins excommunicated likewise with an interdiction of fire and water But by the intercession threats of the King the succours the Venetians gaue to the Florentinâ— against the Pope who had incensed Ferdinand King of Sicile Alphonsus Duke of Calabria and Frederick Duke of Vrbin Captaine generall for the Church to make warre against them he absolued them Then being sick of a Feuer hauing newes that a peace was made betwixt the Venetians and other Potentates of Italy hee dyed sodenly There flourished vnder him Iohn of Mont le Roy a great Mathematician Ralph Agricola Pomponius Lâ—tus Ambrose Calepin learned men in humanitie Let it suffice to haue noted such Popes as haue raigned vnder our Lewis and now let vs see that which concernes the Empire â—hat great Iohn Huniades a firme and â—ound rampier for the Christians against the Turkes The estate of the Empire had left two sonnes Ladislaus Matthias They had for an hereditarie enemy Vlrike Earle of Cilie neere kinsman and a fauorite to Ladislaus King of Hongarie and Bohemia sonne to Albert of Austria borne after his fathers death Ladislaus the eldest complaining one day to Vlriâ—e of the slanders wherewith he wrongfully charged him to King Ladislaus they passed from words to blowes so as he slue Vlrick for the which the King of Hungarie caused him to bee publickely beheaded and lead Mâ—tâ—hias the yonger prisoner to Prague in Bohemia to put him to death farre from the â—iew of the Nobility of Hongarie to whom the memory of Huniades was wonderfull deeâ—e and precious But as Ladislaus prepared for his mariage at Prague to be sonne in lawe tâ— Charles the 7. behold a blacke and deadly poison sodenly choaâ—es vp the ioy which that new alliance had concâ—iued After whose death there did arise great quarrels for the succession Some Noblemen of Hungarie wished the Emperour Fredericâ— the third for their Kiâ—g the greatest part preferred Matthias both for that he was of 〈◊〉 nation as for the happy memory of his father Iohn The election being made Matthias is set at libertie by George Boiebrac the new King of Bohemia hee demands the Crowne Frederick armes himselfe with a constitution which he had receiued from Elizabeth mother to Ladislaus deceased when he sent him her â—onne to bring vp Vpon refusall they go to armes but the Germaine Princes pacified this quarrell concluding Warre for the Crowne of Hongary That Matthias should pay
a Germaine but aboue all Gonsalue grieued for Dom Hugues of Cardone and Roderike Maurice slaine with a Cannon shot There small good haps were crossed by the taking of the fort of Euandre Aquâ—â—e and al other places of Abruzze the which drewe all Calabria to the Spanish obedience The King in the meane time sent seuen thousand foote The Kings new army for Naples and eight hundred men at armes commanded with the Title of Generall by the Lord of Tremouille who then by common consent was held one of the chief for martiall affaires but surprised by sicknes at Parma he gaue the charge therof to Francis of Gonzague Marquis of Mantoâ—a and eight thousand Suisses to the which the Florentines did adde 2. hundred Lance â—â—e Duke of Ferrare the Bolognois and Gonzague a hundred men at armes and the Siennois a hundred more the which being ioyned with those troupes that were in Caâ—ete made about the number of a thousand eight hundred lances French and Italian and aboue eighteene thousand foote besides the army at sea wherein were great forces For the passage of this army by land the King desired to bee satisfied of the Popes intention and of the Valentinois for the Pope who made an ordinary trafficke of other mens losse and calamity signified that as a common father aâ—d hee to both parties he would remaine a newter suffering either of them to leaâ—y troupes indifferently in the territories of the Church he granted free passage to the said armie And the Valentinois offered the king to ioine vnto his army 500. men at armes and two thousand foote but some letters intercepted from the Valentinois to Gonsalue discouered the very botome of his thoughts capitulating that Gonsalue hauing taken Caiete and consequently all the realme of Naples the Valentinois should seize vpon Pisa and then ioyning their forces they should inuade Tuscane But as the Pope and his Borgia would serue two maisters The estate of the Church and the King pressing them vehemently to declare their mindes plainly behold a strange Catastrophe of the Popes Tragedy The Pope and Borgia had before time poysoned the Cardinalls of Saint Angelo of Capoua of Modena Vrsin and many other rich personages whome commonly by their death they disrobed of their goods They had likewise sworne the death of Adrian Cardinall of Cornete They were to suppe coolely in an arbour in a garden belonging vnto Adrian for the effecting of their desseing the Valentinois had sent before some flagons of poysoned wine whereof hee gaue the charge to a grome that was ignorant of the busiâ—es with expresse commandement that no man should touch them It chanced that the Pope comming before the cloath was layed distempered with heate and thirst called for wine The taster thinking this flagon had beene especially recommended for the Popes owne mouth and his sonnes filled of this wine to the Pope And as he was drinking the Duke of Valentinois comes to whome beeing desirous to drinke they gaue of the same flagon Thus Pope Alexander the 6. died the next day the 18. of August whose immoderate ambition The death of Pope Alexander His disposition vnrestrained arrogancie detestable treachery horrible crueltie vnmeasurable couetousnesse selling both holy and profane things had infected all the world verifying in his person That the wicked man labours to bring forth outrage but he shall bring forth that which shall deceiue him hee hath made a pit and is fallen into it And The eternall God searcheth out murthers and remembers them The Valentinois through the vigor of his youth and speedie counter poysons beeing put into the belly of a moyle newly killed prolonged his dayes to feale many deathes in his soule not dying so soone He had often foreseene al accidents that might happeÌ„ vnto him by the death of his father prouided remedies for theÌ„ all but he reckoned without his host not supposing to see his father dead himself at the same instant in extreame danger of death And whereas hee did alwayes presume after his fathers decease partly by the feare of his forces partly with the fauour of the Spanish Cardinalls which were eleuen to cause a Pope to be chosen at his pleasure hee is nowe forced to apply his Counsells to the present necessity And imagyning that he should hardly at one instant withstand the hatred of the Colonnois and Vrsins if they were ioyntly handed against him he resolued to trust them rather whom he had onely wronged in their estates So restoring to them their lands and possessions hee presently reconciles himselfe with the Colonnois and others of their faction who by the comming of Prosper Colonne to Rome had already fiâ—led all the Câ—tty with iealousies and tumults some fearing least this reconcilâ—ation should drawe the Valentinois to the Spanish party others apprehending the comming of the French army Moreouer the Vrsins assembled all their partisans and thirsting after the Valentinois bloud sought to reuenge the outrages which all their famimely had sustayned So as in hatred of the deceased Pope and his sonne they burne all the shoppes and houses of some Spanish marchants and courtiars at Mont-Iordan All the other Parons in the dominions of the Church by their meanes returne to their lands and goods The Vitelli returne to Citta of Castello Iohn Paul Baillon chased from before Perouâ—e at the first seege returnes and by a furious assault takes it The Towne of Plâ—mbin receiues her first Lord. The Duke of Vrbin the Lords of Pesere Camerin and Siâ—igalle are reestablished in their possessions The Venetians assemble many men at Rauenne and giue cause of suspect to inuade Romagnia which onely remayned vnder the Valentinois command desyring rather to serue one onely a mighty Lord then to haue a particular Lord in euery Towne Notwithstanding all these disgraces yet both the French and the Spaniard made great instance to entertayne him or to winne him to their party the French for that he might beeing armed crosse their passage into Italie if hee discouered himselfe in fauour of the Spaniard and molest them in the estate of Naples the Spaniard for that they desired to make vse of his forces and to get by his meanes the suffrages of the Spanish Cardinalls for the election of a future Pope But the French armie approched Rome and the King might hurt or helpe him more then the Spaniard both within Rome and in his other Estates He therefore passed this accord the first of September the Cardinall of Saint Seuerin and the Lord of Trans Ambassador vndertaking for the King To aide the King with his forces in the warre of Naples and in any other enterprise against all men except the Church And the sayd Agents bound his maiesty as well to protect the person of the Valentinois as all the estates which he possessed and to aide him to recouer those which he had lost The Cardinall of Amboise vp on the first newes of Alexanders death postes thether
transported with ioy as he falls into a quotidian with a Catarre amidst all his iollitie the which carried him within three dayes after to the graue being the first of December This death did greatly impaire the Emperours affaires in Italy and bred new gouernments new Councels and a new estate of affaires in the Duchie of Milan The Cardinals of Medicis and Sion Alterations after this death went to assist at the election of a new Pope The imperialls reteined fifteene hundred Suisses and dismissed the rest The Lansequenets likewise departed The Florentine companies returned into Tuscanie Guy of Rangon lead part of those of the Church to Modena the other remained with the Marquis of Mantoua in the Duchie of Milan And the Duke of Ferrara making his profit of this occasion recouered with the liking of the inhabitants Bondene Final the mountaine of Modene and Garfagnane he tooke Lugo Bagnacaual and other Townes of Romagnia Likewise Francis Maria being expelled his Duchie of Vrbin by Leo 1522. and called home by the people recouered it in few dayes Our Commanders slept not but the chance was turned The Admirall of Bonnaue with three hundred Launces Frederic of â—ossoâ—e and Marc Anthonie Colonnet leading fiue thousand French and Italians Paâ—ma beseeged in vaine went to beseege Parma the which after many distresses incident to the Townes beseeged was pâ—eserued by the wise resolution and singular direction of Francis Guiciardin gouernour thereof In the meane time the Cardinalls at Rome did striue for Saint Peters chaire The Cardinall of Medicis for the reputation of his greatnesse for his reuenues and glory gotten in the Conquest of Milan had alreadie gotten the voices of fiâ—teene Cardinals But the rest could not endure two Popes togither of one familie which might haue beene a President to vsurpe a right of succession in the Popedome The most ancient Cardinals opposed themselues against his nomination euery man pretending that dignitie for himselfe which an other sought so greedily During their controuersies Cardinall Adrian Bishop of Derthuse borne at Trect and somet me scholemaster to the Emperour Charles was put in the election not with any intent to install him in the place of the deceassed but onely to spend that morning and by delayes coole the heat of the most violent sutors But the Cardinall of Saint Sixte hauing by a long 〈◊〉 amplified his vertues and knowledge some yeelded vnto him it may bee the Eâ—perour would haue beene displeased if they had reiected his election others followed them so as all the Cardinals agreeing A new Pope called Adrian the sixth by a common consent hee was created Pope when as he least dreamed of it being absent a stranger vnknowne hauing neuer seene Italie and without thought or hope euer to see it Being loth to change his name he was called Adrian the sixth But what shall this poore Fleming get to runne so far to sit in a chaire so much enuied He came from Spaine where the Emperour had made him gouernour in his absence to seeke his death at Rome He shall bee little esteemed during his Popedome and they will bee glad to send him speedily after his Predecessor The winter passed and our souldiars scattered their harnesse to arme againe The warre â—â—uiued the one sort to preserue their Conquests and the other to recouer their losses To this end the King sent Renè bastard of Sauoie Earle of Villars Lord Steward of France the Maâ—shall of Saint Chabannes Galeas of Saint Seuerin maister of his horse and the Lord of Montmorency newly created Marshall of France to make a leuie of sixteene thousand Suisses for to succour Lautrec And to crosse him the Emperour by meanes of the King of Englands money estranged from the loue of France sent Ierâ—sme Adorne to make a leuie of sixe thousand Lansquenets to put into Milan with Francâ—s Sforce Adorne coming to Trent vnderstood that the Milanois had alreadie entertained foure thousand foote with the which hee retired to Milan whilest the other sixe thousand did arme In the meane time there wanted no practises at Milan by Ierosme Moron and his partisans to kindle the peoples hatred against the French It is not alone in our late troubles that wee haue tried with what efficacie seditious sermons touch the peoples hearts Andrew Barbato an Augustine by profession preaching with a great concurse of people did wonderfully incourage them to defend their religion goods families liues and Countrie A vehement Preacher and gratious to the people leads them as hee pleaseth and it is the ordinarie mask of the wise men of this world to settle their affaires It is no lesse honour to preserue then to get Tenne thousand Suisses were alreadie come and Prosper Colonne to keepe the French from entring into Milan by the Castle and to furnish it with victuall and munition hee caused to bee made after the manner of the ancient Romaines without the sayd Castle betwixt the gates that go to Verceil and Come two trenches distant twentie paces one from another about a mile long and at the end of either of the sayd trenches a Caualier or Mount verie high and well furnished to indammage the ennemie with Cannon if hee approched on that side so as the succours could not enter nor the beseeged go forth Lautrec hauing by chance surprised and defeated the troupe of Lewis of Conzague repayred his Companies and the Venetians assembled theirs about Cremona who being ioyned with the Suisses passed the riuer of Adde the fiâ—st of March and Iohn de Medicis with them who perswaded by the Kings great and certaine entertainment was newly drawen to his seruice They march like men resolued to assaâ—â—e the rampaâ— but the trenches stay them the third day Marc Anthony Colonne and Camille bastard sonne to Iohn Iaques of Triuulce Milan beseeged walking togither in a house and deuising to make a mount to shoot from with their artillerie betwixt the enemies two trenches a voâ—ce of Cannon shot from the Towne did beate downe the sayd house and buried them in the ruines thereof Thus Lautrec despayring to take Milan by assault conuertâ—th all his thoughts to vanquish it in time by famine he wasts the Countrie stops the victual breaks the miâ—s and cuts off theiâ— water But not to fall into their hands whome they feare they dread not death The peoples hatred against the French and the desire of their new Duke whome they expected makes them to endure all distresses patiently Francis Sforce comes to Trent with six thousand Lansquenets who by the taking of the Castle of Croare hauing opened the passage of Po arriued without any let at Pauia The way was dâ—fficult from Pauia to Milan for at the first brute of their approch Lautrec went to lodge at Cassin and the Venetians at Binasque vpon the way to Pauia There fâ—ll out an accident which helpt Sforce The Marshall of Foix came out of France with money and some troupes of footmen Lautrec sent
to the Towne being opened â—alaâ—s taken and the beseeged sodainely surprised without hope of speedy succouâ—s first the castle and then the towne returned to the obedience of this crowne as gâ—adly as we haue seene her antient Burgesses bid their poore desolate country mournfully farewell in the yeare 1347. The county of Oye 1558. and all the forts the English held there returned likewise to the subiection of their first and lawfull Lord. Guines and other places dismantled spare the cost which should be consumed in the defence thereof On the other side the Duke of Neuers did take for the King the Castle of Herbemont the forts of Iamoigne Chigny Rossignol and Villeneufue The Daulphin married to Mary 〈◊〉 of Scotlâ—nd Thus their sorrow was turned into ioye their hearts panting yet with that bloudy battell of S. Laurence The Court was partaker of this ioy celebrating the 28. of Aprill in the midest of these prosperities the marriage of Francis Daulphin of Viennois with Mary Steward Queene of Scotland daughter to Iames the 5. and Mary of Lorraine daughter of Claude Duke of Guise During these happy victories and coniunctions of alliances the Duchesse Dowager of Lorraine laboured to increase these solemne and publike ioyes by the conclusion of a peace betwixt the two kings The Cardinall brother to the Duke of Guise met with her at Peronne to that intent but this parâ—e without effect hastened the execution of an enterprise vpoÌ„ Theonuâ—lle the which being battered froÌ„ the 5 to the 21. of Iune with fiue and thirty Canons and the mynes ready to plaie receiued an honourable composition The proiect of this prize is giuen to the Duke of Neuers the glory of the execution to the Duke of Guise and the Duke of Nemours the Marshall of Strossy who was slaine there with a shot vnder his left pappe the Duke of Guise leaning on his shoulder as they caused a platforme to bee vndermined the Lords of Montluc Theonâ—â—â—le taken by the French Vâ—elleuillâ— and Bourdillon had the honour to haue giuen good testimonies of their valours in this prize Chigny taken afterwards from the Wallons was fortified Arlon Villemont and Rossignol burnt and made vnprofitable for the warre The English in the meane time spoyled the coasts of Normandy and Picardy and the King to stop their courses prepares two small armies one at la Fere vnder the Duke of Aumale the other at Calais vnder the Marshall of Termes who succeeded Stroâ—â—y The Marshall attempts Berghes they feared not the French there the towns which the Spaniards held vpon that coast were ill furnished he takes it sacks it and by that meanes opens the way to Dunkerk Dunkerkâ— being taken and spoyled in foure dayes inriched both the souldiers and boyes of the armie But the Flemings force them to make restitution the Marshall camped before Grauelines and the Cont Aiguemont Lieutenant for the King of Spaine in the Lowe Countries hauing speedily assembled out off the neighbour garrisons and of other forces about sixtâ—ene thousand foote a thousand or twelue hundred Reâ—stres and two thousand horse cuts off his way vpon the Riuer of A which comes from S. Omer and forceth him to fight At the first charge the French army ouerthrowes some squadrons of horse but at the second shocke The Marshall of â—ermes defeated the Marshall is hurt and taken with Villehon Senarpont Moruilliers and Chaune a great number of Captaines and souldiars are slaine vpon the place and all the troupes so discomfited as of all the companies of men at armes of three corners of light horse Scottishmen fourteene enseigns of French foot and eighteene of Lansquenets fewe escaped death or imprisonmentâ— a wound which reuiued the â—â—ar of S. Laurence and did frustrate the Duke of Guise his enterprise vpon Luxembourg but it was partly recompenced by the Lord of Kersimon vpon six or seuen thousand English Flemings which landed at the hauen of CoÌ„quest spoyling and burning the weakest parts of the coast of Brittain This was in the end of Iuly The Duke of Guise fayling of Luxembourg came to lodge at Pierrepont in Tirasâ—â—e and there â—ortified with seauen Cornâ—ts of Reistres brought by William younger sonne to Iohn Frederick Elector of Saxony and a newe regiment of Lansquenets led by Iacob of Ausbourg made the French army as strong as the yeare before Aboue all others were most apparant the companies of the Duke of Guise Lieutenant geneâ—all of the Dukes of Montpensier Neuers Aumale Bouillon Nemours Saxony Lunembourg of the Prince of Roche-sur-yon of the Prince of Salerne of the Cont Charny the Marshall S. Andre the Marquis of Elheuf and of the Lords of Rochefoucault Randan Curton Montmoâ—ency the Constables elâ—est sonne Esâ—henets Roche du-Mâ—â—â—e Ienlis La Veuguion Mourdillon Tauanes of Beâ—uuais The light horse of the Earles of Eu and Roissy of the Lords of Valete Bueil Laigny Rottigotty Lombay and others wherof the Duke of Nemours was generall and so great a number of â—ermaines Suisses and Frenchmen as this flourishing armie of men lodging neere to Amiens along the riuer of Somme preuailed much for the treatie of peace which followed soone after Philip had his armie likewise vpon the riuer of Anthie both intrenched and fortified with artillerie as if they meant to continue there and in time to tire one another Some moneths passe without any other exploite then inroades and light skirmishes In the end the eternall God of armes who from his heauenly throne beheld tâ—e seate of these two mightie armies changed the bitternesse of former warre into a pleasiâ—g peace confirmed by alâ—iances the yeare following The Abbie of Cercamp vpon the limits of Arthois and Picardie gaue tâ—e first entâ—ie And as the Constable being freed from prison the Marshall of S. Andrew the Cardinall of Lorraine Moâ—uilliers Bishop of Orleans and Aâ—bestiâ—e Secretarie of State assâ—mbled for the King treated with the Duke of Alua the Prince of Orange Regomes de Silues Cupbearer to King Philip Granduelle Bâ—shop of Arras and Vigle of Zuichem President of the Councell of State of the Lowe Countries behold the death of Charles the 5. Emperour chancing in September and that of Mary Queene of England aâ—out the middest of Nouember changed both the place and the time of this conclusion Castle Cambresis had the honour to finish it at the second conference the which was confirmed by the marriages of Philip with Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Henry of Phillibert Emanuel Duke of Sauoy with Marguerite the Kings onely sister and of Charles Duke of Loâ—raine with Claude a yoâ—ger daughter of France The King yeelded to the Castillan all that hee had taken from him as well on this side as beyond the mountaines To the Sauoyard he restored Bresse Sauoy Piedmont to the Genouoiâ— the Isle of Corse and about foure hundred places more conquered during these â—atall and pernitious Warres which had made so many Prouinces desolate ruined so many Castâ—es Villages
Queene the 17. of October The Princes gouerned by their innocencie arriue the eeue of All Saints and passe from the Portereau to the Kings lodging vpon the Estappe The Princes arâ—â—ue betwixt two rankes of armed men The Cardinall of Bourbon and the Prince of Roche-sur-yon receiue them Not a Courtier nor a Bourgeios meetes them and for their first affront when as they sought to enter on horse-back according to the vsuall custome they were answered with a Brauado The great gates do not open The King attended them at the first hauing done their duties to his Maiestie and no man aduanced to bid them welcome I am said he to the Prince of Condé aduertised from diuers places that you haue made many enterprises against me and the estate of my realme and therefore I haue sent for you to know the truth â—rom your owne mouth Lewis iustifies himselfe so plainly and doth charge his enemies so directly as the King himselfe could not impute these accusations bâ—t to the wilfulnesse of his Vncles agâ—inst his owne bloud But he was possessed by them and suffered himselfe to be easiâ—â—e abused So hee commands Chauigny The Prince of Conde impriâ—oned Captaine of his gards sent by them of Guise to seize vpon the Prince Chauigny shuts him vp in a house hard by beâ—ore the which they make a fort of Brick fâ—â—nked with Canoniers and furnished with field peeces to defend the approches The Lady of Roye his mother in law was likewise carried from Anici a house of hers in Picardie prisoner to S. Germaine in Laye by Renouarâ— and Carrouges Ierosâ—â—e Groslot Bayliffe of Orleans vnder colour that his father had beene Chancellor to the deceased King of Nauarre and hee an affectionate seruant to the Princes accused also to be the Protector of the Lutherans in Orleans was likewise imprisoned two dayes after the Princes arriuall La Haye Councellor in the Court of Parliament at Paris who did solicite the Princes affaires was also in trouble Amaury Bouchart maister of Requests vnto the King and Chancellor to the Nauarrois was sent prisoner to Melun which others brought from Lions to haue proofes against the Prince whose triall they did hasten with all speed But they meant no harme to Bouchart he had already retired himselfe and blabbed by his Letters to the Cardinall of Lorraine to the preiudice of his maister Neither the informations taken at Lions by the Marshall S. André noâ— the prisoners at Melun were sufficient to make the Prince a spectacle vpon a scaffold They send for the president of Thou Commissioners to aâ—aigne the Prince Bartholmewe Faye and Iames Viole Councellors of the Parliament at Paris to examine the Prince vpon the point of high Treason and if this peece of batterie were not of force then to touch him vpon the point of religion and to condemne him for heresie The Prince propounds diuers causes of recusation and appeales from them to the King The priuie Councell reiects his appeale and decrees That vpon paine of high treason the Prince should answer before these Commissioners He answers purgeth himselfe cleerly of all crime and aduowes his religion freelie The Prince condemned By this confession iudgement was giuen against him he condemned to dye a day appointed the x. of December to countenance the beginning of the Parliament They onely note the Earle of Saâ—cerre the Chancellor and the Councellor Morâ—ier which did not pollute their soules with the approbation of this vniust sentence This sentence should in the end cause the ruine of all that were accused or suspected as well for matter of State as religion And for the execution of this desseine the forces of the realme diuided into foure marched already into diuers Prouinces vnder the command of the Duke of Aumale and the Marshals of S. André of Brissac and of Termes And with the same furie the King of Nauarre should bee confined into the Castle oâ— Loches the Constable and his children to the great Tower at Bourges the Admirall and some principalls into one at Orleans the which was afterwards called the Admirale neere to that of S. Aignan But behold there are two more violent and more brutish councellors Brissac and S. André they hold opinion that to auoide trouble in giuing the King of Nauarre any gardes they should put him to death they imploy both poison and sword but neither succeeds God had otherwise decreed reseruing these princes for a more honourable death But howsoeuer let vs confesse that the Lord hath strange meanes to punish the ambition of great men we shall scarce see any one of those which acte these furious parts vpon the theator of this Historie end his dayes by an ordinarie and naturall death The x. day of December approched and the Deputies for the Estates ariue by degrees They presently forbid them in the Kings name vpon paine of death not to moue any thing concerning religion his Maiestie hauing referred this controuersie to the Councell which the Pope being then Pius the 4. successor to Theatin lately deceased appointed to begin at Trent at Easter following Those of Languedeâ— amongst the rest came furnished with ample instructions both for the State and religion but they found meanes to stop their mouthes seizing both on their persons and instructions The ix day of the moneth they giue commandement to the King of Nauarre to be ready to go to horse-back their meaning was to carry him to Loches whilest they should present the prince his Brother vpon a mournefull Scaffold to the people of Orleans But O God we haue heard with our eares and our Fathers haue declared the worke which thou hast done in their time A miraculous deliuerie and in the old time before them Behold the King is taken during Euen-song with a great fainting continued with a paine in his head at the left eare accompanied with a Feuer The Guisâ—ens notwithstanding send forth many Commissions to leuie men and command the Marshaâ—l of Tâ—rmes to ioyne with the Spaniard who tooke the way of Bayonne to spoile the Country of Berne and then to assaile all those whome he should finde to haue fauored the King of Nauarre and the enterprise of Amboise It may be they would haue sold their liues deerely Seauen or eight hundred gentlemen go speedily to horse followed with fiue or six thousand foote resolute when the Marshall should passe Limoges to â—emme him in betwixt two riuers He hath some intelligence thereof and râ—tires to Poitiers This desseine being made frustrate the Kings sicknesse encreasing those of Guise meane to proceed with violence and to murther the King of Nauarre God raysed vp the Cardinall of Tournon who thinking to do a greater act preuents it Hee aduiseth to attend the Constables comming with his Children and Nephewes to the end sayd he that killing one we saue not the rest who afterwards may do more harme then the Princes The dispaire of the Kings helth made them of
the ende she goes to Blois where as the Court remayned Herevpon falls out an accident which made the aduancement of the sayd marriaged more easie The death of Pope Pius the 5. Gregorie the 13. succeeded him where vpon the King sent the Cardinall of Lorraine to Rome to assist at the new election and to Procure of his successor a necessary dispence for the accomplishing of the solemnity Letters intercepted Some letters of the Cardinall of Pelvé sometimes a scullen in the College of Montaigu and then seruant to the Cardinall of Lorraine during his studie and afterwards growne to be a Cardinall written vnto his maister beeing intercepted by the way conteyning among other things That the Court of Rome did wonder greatly at the familiarity the King vsed to the Admirall during his aboade neare his Maiestie that it was fit to vse such pollicie attending the execution of the priuie Councell the which discouered sufficiently that which was generally spoken of throughout all France This had beene concluded at Saint Cloud neere vnto Paris amongest fewe persons but it was common in many mens mouthes and Lignerolles gouernour of Bourbonois one of the Duke of Anious mignons for that hee had blabd out something which hee had learned in secret of his master hee did expiate the rashenesse of his â—iceâ—tious tongue with the price of his bloud 1572. â—ut wee shall see in our daâ—es a more stâ—ange effect of Gods iustice for that the last of our Kings of the race of Valois shall end his life miserably in the same chamber where the fatall Councell had beene heâ—d in his presence Neither could the aduice of Pelue nor any other The Admiral comes to Paâ—ts stay the Admiral from coming to Parts as soone as the Kâ—ng being solliâ—iâ—ed by his Maiestie by many and 〈◊〉 letteâ—s to conclude fully of the marriage besides they treated the marriage of the Prince of Condé with the Marquise of Lisle the yongest dâ—ughter of the houâ—e of Nâ—uersâ— and of the voyage of Flanders The Queene of Nâ—uarre to whome thiâ— long delay was very troublesome prepared all things necesâ—ary for so famous an act but â—hee falls sicke of a quotidian feuer the â—ourth of Iâ—ne The death of the Quâ—ene of Nauâ—â—â—e eâ—gâ—teene dayes after her arriâ—all and dies the fift day after her siâ—knesse growing said the Phâ—sitions of an extreordinary hardnes of the lungs with a great impostâ—me augmented by the great heat of the season and her continuall trauell in the time of her health Her vertues A Princessâ— of a notable courage inuincible in adueâ—sitie of a readâ—e wit iudicious absoâ—ute in her actions capable of Councell comprehending things with a great 〈◊〉 citie of spirite and deliuering her mind with an admirable grace either by word or by writing of a Iouiall complection and very pleasant in conuersation Bâ—t hâ—ppie chiâ—fly in this that shee hath left to vs a lawfull heire for to inherite this Crowne to redeeme it out off the hands of the stranger and to preserue it wâ—th happinesâ—e and pâ—osperitie Many are amazed at this sodaine death as an assured foretelling of some future mâ—â—â—hiefe The King the Qâ—eene mother and all the Kings house shew a wonderfull sorrow and to take away all suspition of poyson Charles commaunds the bodie to be opened and to search the causes oâ— her death The Phisitians report there is no shew of poyson but her braine was not opened Some hold opinion that an Italian the Kings peâ—fumer presented her with a paire of gloues Suspected to bee poysoned which preuented her from beholding of that pittifull and blodie Tragedie which shall bee shortly acted The continuall messages sent from Charles had likewise drawen the Princes to Court and this death did seeme to aduance the marriage for shee gaue vnto her sonne the kingdome of Nauarre and now hee began to enioy the title of King and all his mothers succession The Popes dispensation was necessarie without the which the Cardinall of Bourbon vnckle to Henry who was appointed to marrie them refused to proceed therein In the end it comes and the day of the consummation is appointed to bee kept the eightenth day of August Such were the actions of the Court whilest that Count Lodowike la Noue Sâ—ucourt and Ienlis Beginning of the warres in Flanders to whome the King had giuen cheefe Commissions for the Belgiâ—e warre had by the taking of Monts in Hainault drawne all the Duke of Albaes forces against them Flussingue had slaine their Gouernour with the most part of the Spanish garrison and repulsed those the Duke had sent to recouer the â—owne Many other Townes of the low Countries followed the like example Holland and Zelâ—nd hunted afâ—â—r their libertie Beginnings which seemed to draw after them a long continuance of great consequence and the authoritie the King gaue to the aboue named to prouide for the succour of Monts and for the continuing of other like exploits induced the Admirall to beleeue firmely that the King imbraced this businesse without dissembling According to this authority Iâ—nlis led fiue hundred horse and foure thousand foote Ienlis defeat whereof the Duke of Alba being aduertised he surprised him sodainely defeated his troupes tooke him prisoner with many others and slue many of his men The King seemed displeased with these newes Meaâ—es to retâ—ine the Admirall hee sends to Monducet his Ambassador in the lowe Countries to procure the libertie of theâ—e prisoners and suffers the Admirall to send such succours as hee could to ioyne with the armie of Reistres which the Prince of Orange had leuied he caused money to be made â—eadie for the entertainment of the foote which they esteemed foure regiments and tâ—irtie companies of men at armes The Ambassadour of Spaine was gone out of France The Queene Mother likewise playing her part seemed to bee ignorant of the Kâ—â—gs desseignes and being informed thereof she seemed ready to retire from Court These reasons did still confirme the Admirall Teligny and the rest in that beliefe That the King concurred with the Admirall in one will to send the warres farre off into the King of Spaines countries the which he had before kindled in the foure corners and in the midest of this realme pretending to entertaine it there and to maintaine himselfe with the shipwrack of this Crowne and to seize thereon in time as the attempt of his desseignes in our dayes haue testâ—fied The Marshall of Montmorency returned from his Ambassage bringing a mâ—tuall league offensiue and defensiue with and against all men not naming any one but the marriage whereof he had charge remained fruitlesse which made many beleeue that it was but a meere fiction fit for the season where they prepared a scaffâ—â—d on the which they should soone present a horrible spectacle The Maâ—shall eyther not to be a spectator nor councellor or doubting to bee ingaged in these publike and priuate furies retires himselfe to his house
Escurial which hee had built the wâ—ich is one of the richest and most sumptuous buiâ—dings in Christendome he would needs bee carried thither although the Phâ—sitâ—ans did disswade hâ—m being so full of painâ— yet hee was remooued thither in sixe dayes being aboâ—t seuen Leagues from Madâ—il Being there his gout increased his paine with a feuer so as being out of hope to recouer hee began to prepare himselfe â—or death and receiued the holy Sacrament Then he desired to haue D. Garcias of Loiola sollemnly consecrated Archbishop of Toledo by the Popes Legat Others write him 〈◊〉 by the resignation which Albert the Archduke of Austria had made vnto him Afterwards he had an Aposteme in his leg and foure more vppon his brest whereat his ordinary Physitions were muâ—h amâ—zed calling Olias a Phisition from Madril All theâ—e togâ—â—her with the aduice of Vergaias an other practitioner applyed plasters to ripen theâ—e Aâ—ostâ—mes beâ—ng ripe and broken they cast forth much filth and a great number oâ— Liâ—e so as they could â—ardly dresse him being also so weake as foure men weâ—e faine to râ—mooue â—im in a sheet to make his bed and to keepe him cleane These lice as the Physitians sayd did ingender of this putrified stâ—nking matter In the beginning of September as his feuer began to increase hee called for the Prince his Sonne and the Princesse his daughter the Archbishop of Toledo and others assisting and shewing his bodie to his sonne he sayd Behold Prince what the greatnes of this world is see this miserable bodie whereas all humaine helpe is vaine He cauâ—ed his câ—â—fin being of brasse to bee brought and a deaths head to bee set â—ppon a cubpord with a Crowne of gold by it Then hee Commaunded Don Lewis de Velâ—sco one of his Chamberlaines to fetch a little Casket in the which hee had put a precious Iewell the which he gaue vnto his daughter in the presence of the Prince saying This Iewell was your mothers keepe it in remembrance of her Hee also drew forth a written paper which he gaue vnto the Prince saying That it was an instruction how hee should gouerne his Kingdome and Countrie Then hee tooke forth a whip at the end whereof appeaâ—ed some markes of bloud saying lifting it vp That it was bloud of his bloud although it were not his owne bloud but the Emperour his fatheâ—s who was accustomed to chastiâ—e his bodie with this whippe and therefore hee had kept it and shewed it vnto them This done hee disposed particularly of the order and pompe of his fuâ—erals Then in the presence of the Popes Nuncio he recommended the holy Sea the Pope and the Catholike Apostolike and Romish religion vnto his câ—ildren desiring the Nuncio to giue him absoluâ—ion of hiâ— sinnes and to blesse his children recomâ—ending the Infanta his daughter vnto the Prince his sonne and to mainteâ—ne her Countries in peace appointing good Gouernours rewarding the good and punishing the bad Then he commanded they should set the Marquis of Monteiar at libertie vpon condition hee should come no mâ—re to Court and that tâ—e wife of Antonio Perez sometimes his Secretarie should bee freed from prison vpon condition that she should retire herselfe into some Monasterie Then he comcomanded them to leaue his Sonne alone with him to whome hee said these words My Son I desired â—ou should be present at this last act The Kingâ— last speech to his sonne to the end you should not liue in ignorance as I haue done how they giue this Sacrament of the last vnction and that you may see the end of Kings and of â—heir Crownes and Scepters Death is readie to take my Crowne from my head to set it vpon yours Herein I recommend two things vnto you the one is that you conâ—inue obedient to the Church the other is that you administer Iustice to your subiects The time will come when this Crowne shall fall from your head as it doth now from mine you are yong I haue beene so My dayes were numbred and are ended· God keepes an account of yours and they shall likewise end They say that he did with passion inioyne him to make ware against Heretikes and to retaine peace with France The Prince thinking there was no more hope of life in him and desiring to aduance the Marquis of Denia his fauorite demanded the golden key of the Cabinet from D. Christopher de Mora the which he refused desiring his Highnes to pardon him for that he might not deliuer it without the Kings expresse commaundement wherewith the Prince went away discontented D. Christopher complained hereof to the King who neither liked of the Princes demaund being made â—oo hastilie nor allowed of his refusall commaunding him to carrie the key vnto the Prince and to craue pardon The Prince returning to visit his father D. Christopher de Mora kneeling downe kissed the key and deliuered it vnto him the which the Prince tooke and gaue to the Marquis of Denia And as the Prince and the Infanta his sister stood before the Kings bed he sayd vnto them I recommend vnto you Don Christopher de Mora the best seruant I euer had with all my other seruants And â—o giuing them his last farwell and imbracing them his speech failed him continuing in that estate two dayes vntill his death The King of Spaines birth and statute He was borne in the yeare 1526. on Saint Markes day in Aprill and died the yeare 1598. the 13. of September He was but little of statute but otherwise of a pleasing aspect yet he had no beautifull countenance by reason of his great nether lippe the which is hereditarie to the house of Austria else hee was faire of complection rather resembling a Fleming then a Spaniard of such a constitution of bodie as hee was neuer sicke in all his life but of the disease whereof he died and was sometimes troubled with faintings He did neuer eate any fish He was of a constâ—nt resolution and of a high spirit His courage and Spirit apprehending presently the ends of things and foreseing them with an admiâ—able wisedome and iudgâ—ment Hee was neuer amazed for any accident At his first comming into Flanders by the grant of the Emperour Charles the 5. his father hee woon two great battailes against the French that of Saint Laurence at Saint Quintin and afterwards that of Grauelines and both by his Lieutenants being himselfe of no warlike disposition He was very deuout in his religion and had opposed himâ—elfe against all called heritikes of his time taking this occasion as many haue writâ—en to aduance his affaires in Christendome Hee was infortunate in his fiâ—st marriage with Mary Princesse of Portugal D Caâ—lo conspirâ—s agâ—inst his fâ—â—her Diuerâ— report that he was vniustly puâ— to death by the malice of the inquisitâ—on Comiâ—ted to pâ—ison by whome he had one sonne called Charles whose life was short miserable hauing a violent end vpon certaine imputations which were layd
this bee withdrawne from me I would to God I had followed the aduice of my deceased father of famous memorie or at the least that you would beleeue and follow mine I should then beare my crosses more lightly should die with more content leauing you in this vallie of miseries Behold then what I leaue you for an euerlasting testament aboue so many Kingdomes and Seigneuries to represent vnto you as in a glasse after what manner you shall gouerne your selfe after my death Bee alwayes very watchfull of the change of Kingdomes to make your profit thereby according to occurrents Haue an eye ouer those that are most â—amiliar with you in Councel You haue two meanes to maintaine your Realmes of Spaine the one is the present gouernment the other the nauigation of the Indies As for the gouernment you must either relie vppon the Nobilitie or vppon the Clergie If you leane vnto Churchmen keepe the other in awe as I haue done but if you fortifie your selfe with the Nobilitie shorten the reuenues of the Clergie as much as you may If you seeke to entertaine their friendships equally they will wast you disquiet your realmes wherof you shall neuer see a finall end If you will make vse of the Nobilitie my aduice is that you keepe good correspondencie with the Low Countries for that they be friends to the French Consideration of forraâ—ne Princes English and some Princes of Germanie Italie Poland Sueden Denmarke and Scotland can little helpe you therein The King of Scotland is poore Denmarke drawes his reuenues from forraine nations Sueden is alwaies in faction and besides ill situated The Polonians are alwaies masters of their Kings Although Italie bee rich yet is it farre off and the Princes are of diuers humors Contrariwise the Low Countries are rich in men and shipping constant in trauell diligent in seeking out hardie to begin and attempt and willing to suffer It is true I haue giuen them to your Sister but what is that There are a thousand â—uasions whereof you may make vse in time The cheefe are that you alwaies mainteine your selfe Tutor vnto her children and that they alter nothing in matters of Religion for these two points taken away you are wholy wiped of those Countries Hold good correspondencie with the Popes giue them bountifully bee courteous vnto them entertaine their most familiar Câ—rdinalls and labour to haue credit in their Conclaue Keepe the friendship of the Bishops of Germanie Aduice touchâ—ng the Pope but let not their pencions be any more distributed by the Emperour Make them to know you they wil serue you the more willingly will receiue your presents with more content Draw not any neere vnto you that are of base condition respecting the Nobilitie and the Commons equally for to speake the truth their pride is great they are mightie in riches and whatsoeuer they desire must bee done they will bee a burthen vnto you and in the end they will become your masters Serue your selfe then of the Nobles of the cheefest families and aduance them to Preferments of great Reuenues The common sort are not so needfull for that they may procure you a thousand discontents which will consume you Beleeue not any of them if they bee not of qualitie free your selfe from English spies and discharge you of French pensions Serue your selfe boldly with some of the Noblemen of the Low Countries whome you shall haue alwaies bound vnto you by fealty As for the nauigation of the East and West Indies therein consistes the power of Spaine and the bridle of the Italians from the which you cannot exclude France nor England for that their Power is great their Marriners and Saylers many the Sea large their Marchants too rich their Subiects too greedie of money and their Seruants too faithfull I haue excluded the lowe Countries but I feare that in time mens humors may change and therefore you must do two things change your officers at the West-Indies often those which you call home make them oâ— your counsell for the Indies Councell touching the Indies so in my opinion you shall neuer bee deceiued but both the one and the other wil make knowne vnto you the profit and seeke for more honour Do you not see how the English seeke to depriue you of that commodity as hee is mighty at Sea in men and shippes as for the French I do not feare them So fortifie yourselfe with them of the Lowe Countrie although they be partly Heretikes and would continue so vpon condition that they may freely sell their Marchandise in Spaine and Italie paying the King his customes and other rights and obtayning pasport to sayle to the East and West-Indies putting in Caution heere and taking an oth that at their returne they should come and discharge in Spaine vpon paine of punishment if they did otherwise I thinke they will not refuse nor deny to obserue it And by this meanes the riches of the Indies and Spaine shal be common and shall haue free commerce with the Low Countries whereby both France and England shal bee disapointed My Sonne I could set before your eyes greater desseines for the conquering of Kingdomes but you shall finde in my Cabynet the aduertisementes and discourses which haue beene giuen mee Commaund Christopher de Mora to deliuer you the Key presently least those secrets fall into some others mans hands I haue caused some breefes of these memorialls to bee burnt the seauenth of September I doubt all are not supprest bee carefull to enquire for them I haue this day added If you can reconcile Antonio de Perez drawe him if you may into Italie or at the least that hee promise to serue you in some other of your Kingdomes but suffer him not to returne into Spaine nor to go into the Lowe Countries Touching your marriage the instructions are in the custodie of Secretary Lâ—o. Reade this often it is all of my owne hand writing Bee watchfull alwaies ouer your most secret Councellors accustome your selfe to ciphers discontent not your Secretaries let them alwaies bee imployed bee it about matters of importance or otherwise trie them rather by your enemies then by your friendes If you discouer your secrets to any familiar friend keepe alwaies the most important within your owne bosome A peace being proclaimed in France the King applies his thoughts to reforme all disorders and to administer Iustice to all his Subiects And for the better assurance of the publicke tranquiâ—lity hee did as his Predecessors had done in the like occasions prohibiting by the aduice of his Princes Officers of his Crowne and Lords of his Councell the carriage and vse of Harguebuses Petronells Pistolls Pistolets After the Peace in the yeare 1559. and in the yeare 1569. The carrying of armes forbidden the 4. of August 15â—â— published in the Couâ—t of Parliamenâ— 13. and other Weapons vpon confiscation of Armes and Horse and two hundred Crownes fine for the first offence and