him to leaue him a base Childe of his the which he would bring vp with his owne He growes into choller whâ—â—â—e sees the hâ—ngman Going out of the Chappell the Executioner presented himselfe vnto him He asked Voisin what he was It is sayd he the Executioner of the sentence Retire thy selfe sayd the Duke of Biron touch me not vntill it be time And doubting least he should be bound he added I will go freely vnto death I haue no hands to defend my selfe against it but it shall neuer be sayd that I die bound like a Theefe or a Slaue and tuâ—ning towards the hangman hee sware that if he came neere him he would pull out his throate Hee could not endure the sight of the Executioner He had reason for they torment the body as Diuills be Executioners of the Soule And although they be Men and the Instruments of Iustice yet they are held execrable and had no dwelling house allowed them in Rome by the Censors Lawe The two Preâ—chers led him downe He goes to the Scafâ—old intreating him to resist his impatience which did but distemper his minde and made him loath to leaue the place which hee could not hold against his will CoÌ„ming into the Court he went fiue or six paces without speaking a word but ha ha ha He cast his eyes vpon the Lieutenant Ciuill in whose house la Fin was lodged to whome he sayd I am your friend beware you bâ—e not abused with Sorcerers and Magitians if you free not your selfe of them you will repent it They had made a Scaffold in a corner of the Court of the Bastille before the portall going into the Garden six foote heigh and somewhat longer there were fiue steps to go vnto it There were no Ornements no Tapistery no Distinction The most stately death is not the least troublesome the greater the preparation is the more remarkable is the infamy It is no great honor to kneele vpon a veluet Cushion vpon a Scaffold spred with Tapistry to haue by him an Executioner clad in black veluet and Crimson Silke with the sword of gold of Heliâ—gabalus The death which is least ceremonious is the best The beholders were some at the windoes some in the Court There were the Prouost of Marchants foure Sheriffes three or foure Masters of Requests some Presidents of the Chambers of Accounts and some Councellors the Lieutenants Ciuill Cryminal the kings Atturney general The Duke of Biron coÌ„ming to the Scaffold kneeled vpon the first step praying in fewe words and his eies lift vp to Heauen Hee was exhorted to kisse the Crosse in remembrance of his redemption Hee was attyred iâ— russet taffata with a blacke haâ—t He cast a furious looke vpon the Executioner Voâ—sin perswaded him that it was an other but he knew him well saying that they sâ—ught to deceiue him but he commanded him to stand by and when it were time he would call for him He threw downe his hat and cast his hand-kercher to a boy and presently called â—or it againe to vse it seeimg in this act that he had not the corage to looke vpoÌ„ deâ—th with open eyes He put of his dublet cast it to the same boy but the Executioners mâ—n got it and kept it The Executioner offered him a cloth to put before his eyes the which he reiected saying That if hee toucht him but to giue him the stroake of death hee would strangle him Hee sayd vnto the souldiars which garded the Port shewing them his naked brest that he should be much bound vnto him that would shoote him with a Musket what a pittie is it sayd he to die so miserably and of so infamous a stroake They might see by his hollowe eyes that his thoughts were distempered At these wordes the teares fell from the souldiars eyes All those of his profession sware by his Spirit by his good Angell as the Ancients did by that of their Prince The poorest souldiar was cherished by him at the least he had some good words to assure him of his good liking The Hargubuziers did wound him at the Heart through the extreame compassion they had of him So were the souldiars of Eumenes moued when they see him bound and manacled intreating them to kill him He asked if there were no pardon and directing his words to the standers by he sayd that he had made his Soule readie to present it before the face of God but he tooke pittie of the Kings soule who put him to death vniustly that he died an innocent and that this death was the recompence of his feruice Voisin sayd vnto him That it was the manner to reade the sentence He was angry that they would make him to feele death and to die so often before his death for he fealt himselfe to die cruelly in the repetition of the crimes of his condemnation being sufficient that they had brought him thether where he was ready to obey and that they which did see him were not ignorant of the cause When as the Register answered him that it could not be otherwise hee gaue him leaue but vnderstanding the words That he had attempted against the Kings person and State hee sayd that it was false That God was his Iudge that he would be depriued eternally of his grace if it were true that for two and twenty moneâ—hes past he had neuer any thought of it and that the King had pardoned him Hee talked all the while that Voisin red his Iudgement so as neither the one nor the other could bee vnderstood the Auditors not knowing to whom to giue eare The party condemned protesting still and coniuring the Assistants to remember that these two and twenty monethes he had not attempted any thing against the Kings seruice No man doth at any time condemne himselfe You shall see few of these great Spirits that die by their owne confessions although they be found guiltie Some confesse the Fact but they hold it no Cryme as that yong gentleman who was one of them that murthered the Duke of Milan being readie to receiue the stroake he cried out that the Death which he suffered was troublesome but his Reputation should bee euerlastingly glorious His Iudgement being read the Preachers perswaded him to call to God for helpe and not to thinke any more on Earth but to yeeld his Soule to the immortal disposition of the Creator and to leaue his bodie to that which Iustice had decreed He asked what he should doe and takes his hand-kercher with the which he blinds his eyes asking the Executioner where he should set himselfe He answered him there my Lord there And where is that Thou seest that I see nothing and yet thou shewest mee as if I did see plainely and therewith being in choller he pulled away his hand-kercher to see He blinded his eyes againe and for that it is a kind of grace to be soone dispatcht and a great crueltie to languish in the expectation of
not to deale at all in the warres which Lewis pretended against them A foule and dishonest trafficke made to the preiudice of so great personages The Duke signes and sweares this fraudulent and counterfeit peace A blowe able to amaze the Dukes of Guienne and Brittaine at the first hearing to see themselues thus abandoned of their chiefe support But he repayres it with an after blow by letters of credit writteÌ„ with his own hand giues theÌ„ aduice to continue their course that his intent was only to recouer his townes vpoÌ„ Somme Notable deâ—â—â— and 〈◊〉 which done he will beseech the King by especiall Ambassadors to desist froÌ„ making war against theÌ„ vpon his refusal he will succour theÌ„ with body goods that as the King at his pleasure had brokeÌ„ the treaties of CoÌ„â—tans Peronne so might he infringe his promise oath As for the Earles of Neuers and S. Paul Constable although he had a iust occasion to hate them 1472. yet would he remit their iniuries and suffer them to inioy their owne and beseech the King to doe the like by the Dukes of Guienne and Brittanie suffering euery one to liue in peace and safetie vnder the Articles respectiuely accorded if not he would succour his allies Craon and Oriole had likewise sworne for the King leading Simon of Quinchi a gentleman bred vp in the Dukes house to receiue the othe of his Maiestie But from a new subiect springs a new proiect Behold newes are brought that the Duke of Guienne is sick and without hope of recouerie Vpon this aduice the King delaies the oath findes â—uasions attending the course of his disease and in the meane time doth speedily seize vpon many places of Xaintonge he doth presse Rochell the which vpon these accidents of reconciliation and sicknesse inclines to a composition he withdrawes many of his brothers chiefe seruants and resolues to signe this peace as the sundrie euents of his affaires should lead him and in the meane space he protracts time with the Bourguignon during the which Charles Duke of Guienne dyes at Bourdeaux the 12. of May The Duke of Guienne dyes by the which Lewis recouers the Duchie without blowes and moreouer retaines Amiens and Saint Quintins O subtill wits both deceiuers but not of like industrie so our Lewis shall more easilie auoide the snare But oh death in generall which by the dissolution of the body and soule doest dissolue great desseings The Brittons were ready to enter building vpon great intelligences and practises within the Realme the which without doubt had much troubled the State But oh vnseasonable death in particular how fitly shalt thou serue to shadow the filthy and hatefull yet well coloured reproches of enemies and the murmurings of the most respectiue A death too much neglected but by some affectionate seruants to the deceased Duke who discouer that Iourdain Faure borne 〈…〉 Daulphiné great Almoner to the Duke and Abbot of S. Iohn d' Angely By poison assisted 〈◊〉 Henry de la Roche one of the said Dukes Kitchin had hastened his death by so violâ—nt a â—â—â—son that with a strange and lamentable contraction of his sinews his hayre 〈◊〉 and teeth fell out before his death The Lord of Lescut retired himselfe into Brittanie leading prisoners with him these cursed murtherers Note the murtherers of Princes where the Abbot was found one morning starke dead in his Chamber with a Thunder-clap Hauing his face swollen his body and visage black as a coale and his tongue hanging halfe a foote out of his mouth God doing that iustice in the twinckling of an eye which men delayed Let vs confesse the trueth and without passion the veritie of the Historie doth presse vs vnto it that Charles had beene an ill brother and ought more honour and obedience to him to whom that great Author of Nature had giuen the right of eldership aboue him yet should he haue beene regarded as a sonne of France Note and from his infancie receiue a portion fit for the entertainment of his estate and house Kings haue alwaies power to comptroule the insolencies of their neerest allied when they forget their duties But howsoeuer let vs obserue the order of diuine iustice who easily raiseth vp home-bred scourges but in the end he doth cast the rod into the fire Lewis must be measured with the same proportion he had measured his father and Charles must suffer for the rashnesse of his rebellions This death being little lamented makes such to speake as had but too diligently obserued Lewis his speech hearing one day of the death of the King of Castils brother He is but too happy saith he to haue lost his brother but hatred and ill will grounds their passions euen vpon a Needles point At the same instant Nicholas Marquis of Pont heire of the house of Aniou one of the aboue named riualles made sure to Anne the eldest daughter of Lewis abused with the great yet vaine promises of the Duke of Bourgongne renounced this so worthy an alliance of hâ—s Soueraigne Lord for a frustratorie hope which the vassalle gaue him to marry his daughter but he was ignorant that death the yeare following would punish this rashnesse and preuent him from the inioying either of Anne or Marie The Marquis of Pont dyes and the Earle of Eu. A season likewise famous by the death of Charles Earle of Eu a wise and vertuous Prince whose faithfull seruice to France deserues this testimonie that being sonne to Philip of Bourgongne Earle of Neuers and Rethel and grand-child to Philip the hardie a sonne of France and Duke of Burgongne and by consequence neere kinsman to Charles yet in all these combustions he had faithfully serued the King and preferred the Flower-de-Luce before the Red Crosse. Let vs likewise obserue the death of William Chartier Bishop of Paris The Bishop of Paris dyes who after his conference with the League before Paris in the Kings absence was alwaies in such disgrace with him as after his death Lewis caused his Epitaph to be changed making mention of the bad seruices he had done him during the warre of the common-weale suborning the inhabitants in fauour of the Burguignon The death of the Duke of Guienne had wonderfully afflicted Charles of Bourgongne to increase it he had intelligence that the Brittons would not arme considering that he was dead for whom they should rise In the meane time the chance was cast he had beene at great charge The Bourguignons practises against Lewis and to turne head without restitution were a shame but that which made him mad Amiens and S. Quentin were lost he must hazard all And first he writes to many townes he chargeth the King to haue consented to his brothers death and labours to draw them into armes declaring himselfe their protector but no man stirres so the small effect of his letters sets him on fire and in this choller he marcheth to Neâ—le
of the Realme being very carefull to entertaine their loues Richard Duke of Normandie was one of his most confident friends whom hee had gratified mainteining him in the possession of his estate Hee receiued requitall of this good turne with interest in the person of Hugh his sonne to seate him in the royall throne as our History shall declare But all these aduantages were not onely crowned with a goodly and great offspring but also with a sonne endowed with singular graces both of body and minde Hee had sixe Sonnes and two Daughters The offspring of Hugues the great but his eldest was the chieâ—e heire of his name vertue authority credit and happinesse with such successe as he made perfect the worke his father had begun Hee was named Hugues and by surname Capet eyther for that he had a great head He was called Capitosus or that being young hee was accustomed to catch at his companions cappes as a presage of that hee should do to Kings Othâ— and Henry two other sonnes of Hugues were Dukes of Bourgongne one after another his other sonnes were aduanced to Ecclesiasticall dignities the one Archbishop of Tholouse the other of Rouan and the third dyed young One of his Daughters was married to the Duke of Normandie the other to Frederike Earle of Metz. Hee had taken his first wife from England the Daughter of King Edward and sister to Queene Ogina the wife of Charles the Simple mother to Lewis the fourth and although he had no children by her yet did he carefully preserue the friendship of this allyance and before his death he chose a wife out of this great house for Hugh Capet his eldest sonne the which was Adelais the daughter of King Edward Thus he fortified his greatnesse by all meanes the which raised his posterity to the royall throne purchasing credit both within and without the Realme by all meanes fitte to establish a great family These were the ordinary proceedings which humaine pollicie being the gift of God and a branch of his wisdome in those that he will blesse leauing the wretched plonged in their wretchednesse by their owne indiscretion doth vsually prescribe to wise and carefull men But Hugues the great had another benefit which surmounted all these his great meanes or the force of his friendships and alliances hauing a sonne capable of iudgement for great attempts fit for the time brought vp and instructed by himselfe To conclude all things were so disposed in France as they must necessarily receiue him for King Necessity the generall consent both of great and small and a meanes to preserue the Crowne from ruine the which hee alone could effect But if the French were forward in seeking to him Hugues was so much the more incouraged to imbrace so great and famous a dignity And in the execution of this generous desseigne hee carried himselfe with so great wisdome moderation and dexteritye as wee may well say that God called him as it were from heauen There remayned nothing but an orderly proceding to that which reason presented vnto them Hugues beganne with the greatest who had a speciall interest to preserue what they held Hugh Capets proceeding to attaine the Crowne He treated mildly with them for the coÌ„mon necessitie The condition was To leaue them all that by inheritance which they held of the Crowne by title of office and they to do homage and acknowledge him for their lawfull King Thus was the accord made betwixt the Nobilitie of France Hugh Capet profitable for the great meÌ„ necessarie for the people honorable for Hugues beneficial for the realme for by this meane the realme was maintained in one bodie vnder the authoritie of one absolute Commaunder Hugues was well furnished hauing a sonne capable of the realme which was hereditarie The better sort had what they could desire for them or theirs A Parlement called at Noyon â—or the election of Hugh Capet and the people remayned in quiet after so many miseries Things being thus disposed on all sides the Parliament assembles at Noyon whither they runne from all parts and both necessitie and desire to winne his fauour to whome reason should assigne the Realme brought all the citties and made such hast thither as sought to settle their priuat estates by this publike authoritie Hugh failes not likewise to call all his friendes to reape the frute so long sought for with so great paine and trauaile both by himselfe and his father and now to imploy them as in a day of battaile The assembly was great by the concurse of all the Prouinces and Citties of the Realme which repaired thither It was the more famous for that in shew the French offâ—red the Realme to Capet as if hee had not affected it As things passe in this sort Charles Duke of Lorraine well aduertised of the Frenchmens intent the desseignes of Hugh labours to preuent him and being resolued to imploy all his forces hee begins first by admonitions but so ill seasoned as it made the way more easie for Capet for hee sends his Ambassadors to the assembly of the States not to intreat them to receiue him into their fauours Charles sends his Ambassadors to the Estates and and so to the Crowne according to his hereditarie right but to summon them That if they did not speedily obey hee would reduce them to obedience by force The French alreadie incensed against Charles and hauing placed their hopes in Hugh being present and soliciting for himselfe assisted with his best friends fell into so great a rage against Charles by his rough and importune speeches as hardly could the law of nations restraine them from doing some outrage vnto his Ambassadors for their indiscretion Then the Estates inact by a sollemne decree That for as much as Charles had shewed himselfe a friend to the enemies of France I reiâ—cted from the Crowne and a sworne enemie to the French so likewise did the French renounce his friendship declaring him incapable of the benefit of the Law both for that hee gaue the first cause as also not being bound to acknowledge him for King that is an enemie to the State their oth binding them to a King which is a father iust wise mild and temperate And therefore Betweene God and their consciences without any alteration of the fundamentall law they renounce him and declare that their intention is to choose a King which should prouide for the quiet of France They deliuer this declaration to Charles his Ambassadors commanding them to auoid the Realme presently Thus Charles his reiection was the raysing of Hugh Capet for presently the generall estates assembled in one bodie and representing all the Prouinces of the Realme declare by an autentike and sollemne decree That being necessarie to choose a King for the preseruation of the Crowne of France destitute as well by the death of Lewis the fift as by the apparent treacherie of Charles Duke of Lorraine That in
these butchers attending their misery Lewis King of France punisheth the rebells shut themselues into the great Tower of S. Donas Lewis doth first bury the body of this good Earle honourably the which had lien without sepulchre and then doth punish the murtherers and their complices rigourously But this is not all He must prouide for the Earledome remayning without a Lord by the death of Count Charles deceassed without children Pretendants for the Earledome of Flanders There wanted no pretendants William of Ypre sonne to Philip of Flanders the second sonne of Robert the Frison King Henry of England who desired greatly to ioyne this goodly Country with his Normandy Stephen of Blois Earle of Montreuill and Bologne Baldwin Earle of Hainault and William the sonne of Robert called Court-house brother to the King of England but his sworne enemy hauing vsed his father ill and kept him prisoner Lewis was soueraigne Iudge of this controuersy Flanders depending on the crowne of France He assigned all the pretendants of the Citty of Arras signifiyng that his intent was to do him iustice but in effect he inclined to fauour adiudging the Earledome of Flanders to the last that is to William of Normandy to binde him with more strict bounds against his â—â—nsman On the other side the Flemings assemble at Ypre and chose William of Loâ— Lord of Ypre The King aduanceth with his forces to Ypre to preuent this popular election where he enters the stonger and forceth William to renownce it VVilliam of Normandy made Earle of Flanders From thence he goes to all other good Citties where by his authority he causeth William of Normandy to be receiued for lawfull Earle and puts him in solemne possession by a publike act But his fauour had ill bestowed this goodly inheritance of an vnworthy man whose fury depriued him presently Lewis hauing installed him He oppresseth his newe subiects returnes into France William insteed of winning his newe subiects by equity and mildnesse begins to oppresse them after a rigorous and imperious manner by infringing of their preuileges ostentations of his authority taxes subsidies newe impositions and by all other meanes which Princes that seeke to loose their Estates hold to torment their subiects He had so far exceeded as the Citties without any wauering resolue to prouide a better Earle and to this intent they seeke a head The memorie of their good Earle makes them to cast their eyes vpon him that hath most right to this inheritance as the neerest kinsman which is Thierri son to the Duke of Alsatia and of Gertrude daughter to Robert the Frison The Flemings intreat him to come into their country The Flemings chooâ—e them a new Earle promising him all assistance to conquer the State He comes and is receiued with an extraordinary ioy by all the people All the Citties assemble to acknowledge him by order and dismisse William of Normandy who seeing a flat repulse by this people thus freed repayres to Lewis for succour in this extremity Lewis fayles him not his army marcheth with great speed hee himselfe comes in person and is receiued into Arras from thence he adiornes Thierry to come and answer before him as his soueraigne by what warrant hee carries himselfe for Earle this sommons is made vnto him at Ypre whether he had retired himselfe Hauing condemned him by default Thierrithe new Earle of Flanders defeated he approcheth his army to Ypre to vexe the inhibâ—bitants Thierri sallies forth with a notable troupe of men they ioyne the fight is fierce but the check falles vpon Thierries forces who with much a doe saues himselfe in Alost William pursues him and approcheth the towne sommoning the Inhabitants to obey and to deliuer vp Thierri as an Vsurper VVilliam of Normandy stâ—â—â—e in Flanders But he was not aduised that one with a Crossebow shot an arrow at him and pierced him through the arme Behold hee is wounded and within two dayes he dies Thierri and the Flemings send presently to Lewis to beseech him to receiue them into fauour whereby he may be assured of theyr faithfull seruice Lewis consents and confirmes him and hauing caused him to take the oath of fidelity and receiued his homage after the manner of his Ancestors 1121. he returnes into France But Flanders continued not long in quiet as we shall see hereafter To these stirres of Flanders were added some garboyles in Bourbonois and Auuergne Archibauld Earle of Bourbon was deceassed leauing one sonne of the same name Troubles in Bourbonois but a young man and a brother called Haman who abusing the time in the weake minoritie of his Nephew would make himselfe Maister of Bourbonois pretending the Earledome to appertaine vnto him by the death of his elder brother to whom hee must succeed in order as the yongest of the house The mother and friends of Archibauld opposed against Hamon the right of representation inuiolable in France in great houses which is that the sonne of the eldest brother represeâ—ts the Father and without doubt succeeds in all his rights to enioy them as if he himselfe liued for that the Father reuiues in the Sonne Hamon building his chiefe interest vpon force would not admit any reason that made for his Nephew so as the matter was brought before the King who by the aduise of his Councell declares Archibauld the lawfull heire and puts Haman from his pretensions commanding him to leaue the possession of Bourbonois free to his Nephew 1123. This Archibauld did afterwards marrie his daughter Beatrix to Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauuoisis sonne to the King S. Lewis The stâ—â—ke of the house of Bourbon and of this marriage by the royall stemme is discended the most famous race of Bourbon the which at this day doth happily enioy the Crowne and realme of France But Haman who held some places in Burbonois would not leaue the possession refusing to obey the Kings commandement relying vpon the fauour of Eustache Earle of Auuergne who sought to free himselfe There was a priuate subiect of complaint against him hauing displaced the Bishop of Clermont against the Kings will These occasions drew the King into Bourbonois where hauing besieged Haman he ended this controuersie in fauour of Archibauld The affaires of Auuergne were more difficult by reason of William Duke of Guienne who imbraced the cause for the Earle of Auuergne pretending that he was his vassall This quarrell seemed to take a long course but it was pacified by this meanes Lewis had six sonnes Philip Lewis Henry another Philip Peter Robert and one Daughter Constance He had crowned his eldest sonne Philip who dyed by a strange accident going to take the aire on horseback Philip eldest sonne to Lewis died by a strange accident a Hog passed vnder the bellie of his horse the which being feared did shake this young King so violently as he threw him downe and so brused him as within few dayes after hee
Realme Naples continued longer in the French mens power but in the end all was lost as we shall see hereafter so as the Arragonois retained to himselfe the possession of these goodly Estates and left vs in our voluntarie losses the gages of our accustomed rashnesse and an apparent testimonie that the Popes gifts to our Kings haue not greatly enriched the poore realme as appeares by infinite examples After that of Naples Hungarie was in no better estate being giuen by the Pope to Charles Martell Sonne to Charles the Lame thâ—se two quarrels hauing drawne all Europe into a strange confusion So there was euery where vanitie for truth brute without fruite and shewes without effect The originals are my warrant for this trueth the which I ought to the honor of the Historie without dissembling LEWIS the tenth called Hutin the 47. King of France LEWIS .10 KING OF FRANCE XXXVII 1315. THIS raigne is short and of small fame as the actions of this King are not greatly commendable He began to raigne in the yeare 1315. and dyed the yeare after the 16. of Iune and so hee scarce raigned a yeare and a halfe The mâ—nâ—rs o◠〈…〉 which time was full of tâ—ouble and confusion according to his turbulent and stirring disposition whereof he bare the name for a blemish to his posteritie fo◠〈◊〉 in old French signifies Mutine A Chollerick Prince Iâ—grate 〈…〉 Outragious defacing his royall Authoritie by the insolent abuse oâ— his power couâ—ring his mortall passions with the vale of his authoritie Hee first maâ—â—â—ed wiâ—h Marguerite the Daughter of Robert Duke of Bourgongne being detected o◠〈…〉 she was confined to Chasteau gaillard vpon Seine where she dyed in hâ—r ignominâ—e Afâ—er her death he married with Clemence the Daughter of Charles brother to Robert King of Sicilia Hâ—s Wiues pretended King of Hungarie Hee made a great preparation against Robert Earle of Flanders but could not passe with his Armie for Waters He discharged his choller vpon Enguerand of Marigny Earle of Longueuille Superintendant of the treasure whome Philip had imployed long and confidently Charles Earle oâ— Valois brother to Philip the Faire accused Enguerand of extortion and robbing the Tâ—easurie making him odious to the people for that he had long manageâ— the treasuâ—e of the Realme to his maisters good liking 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 put to 〈◊〉 but Lewis and Charles had hatched thâ—s hatred against him to the losse of his life Hee had caused the Pallace to bee built and he disposed of the publike treasure during the long warres of Flanders the which had wasted much to the peoples oppression and hinderance And therefore it was a pleasing spectacle to see Enguerand of Marigny hanged by a solemne sentence vpon the gallowes which he had caused to be made at Montfalcon beating downe his image in the Pallace where the place is yet to be seene with this inscription by it Let euery one rest content with that he hath For he that hath not sufficient hath not any thing This iudgement was very famous yet afterwards it was reuoked but the bodie was not taken out of the graue although he were fâ—eed from the ignominy of so shamefull a death The Earle of Valois was soone after taken with a languishing disease which consumed him by degrees and King Lewis Hutin died so sodenly as he scarce lay sick one day These were the workes of heauen which made the foolish people change their opinion of whom it was rightly spoken What the people sayes a foole speakes for euery one tooke these extraordinarie deaths as witnesses of Gods iustice who punisheth great Princes which abuse the ordinarie power which hee hath giuen them to serue their owne passions And it is to be obserued that this iustice of God continued in the posteritie of Lewis Hutin for he left his wife Clemence with Child who was deliuered of a Sonne an imaginarie King hauing liued but eight dayes and though he were royally interred with Kings yet is he not numbred among them Moreouer hee left one Daughter by his first Wife called Iane for whom Eudes of Bourgongâ—e her Vncle by the Mother caused great Tragedies against the fundamentall Law of State Iane the Daughter of Lewiâ— Hutin pretends the realme to haue her admitted Queene of France wrongfully and vniustly for that women are excluded by the law whereon the French Monarchie was grounded as we haue sayd So this miserable raigne was begun and ended by confusion and iniustice A notable example to obserue the vanitie of the Court in good seruants vniustly afflicted of the people in their false and passionate iudgements rendring euill for good and suffring themselues to bee transported with the ebbing and flowing of their passions speaking good and euill of the same action and the same man without rule without measure and without trueth And of the vanitie of great men which thinke it to bee the chiefe fruite of their greatnesse to abuse their power insolently to the ruine of their inferiours not remembring being blinded with their passions that they haue a superiour ouer them to make them yeeld an account of their vniust proceedings forcing them to make restitution with interest The Parliament made ordiâ—â—râ—â— All that Lewis Hutin did worthy of commendation was that he made the Parliament of Paris ordinary which had but two sittings in the yeare although this commoditie of pleading hath bred many sutes to the hindrance of the publike and priuate good He was called King of France and of Nauarre and left the two realmes to his successor who disposed thereof as we shall see PHILIP the 5. called the Long 48. King of France PHILIPPE .5 KING OF FRANCE XVIII THE controuersie touching the Crowne was easily decided by the euidence of reason and also for that Iane the Daughter of Lewis Hutin 1316. remained by the Will of Philip her Vncle Controuersâ—e for the Crowne of France Queene of Nauarre and Countesse Palatine of Briâ— and Champâ—gne and yâ—t for the discontentment of some Princes of the bloud Philip crowned Philip went to Rheims with a strong Armie to bee annointed there where he was installed the doores of the Church being shutte and well garded He began to raigne in the yeare 1316. and raigned sixe yeares Hee had foure Daughters by Iane the Daughter of Othelin Earle of Bourgongne and no Sonnes By meanes of his Daughters hee made his peace with his discontented Princes His children For hee gaue the eldest to Odon Duke of Bourgongne who had supported the Daughter of Lewis against him and gaue in dowrie the Countie of Bourgongne belonging vnto her by her Mother and to Lewis Earle of Eureux his other opposite hee gaue Iane with the Kingdome of Nauarre and the Counties of Brye and Champagne whereof he afterwards carried the title His dispositioÌ„ A Prince of a very tractable disposition and by consequence easie to bee corrupted rather inclining to ill then good There is
Arras Boulongne Hedin and so many other Townes and to be lodged many dayes before S. Omer In truth our Lewis had a quick conceit and very watchfull He knew well that the English in generall were wonderfully inclined to warre against this realme as well vnder colour of their ancient pretensions as for the hope of gaine inticed by many high deeds of armes wherein they haue often had the aduantage and of that long possession both in Normandie and Guienne where they had commanded three hundred and fiftie yeares vntill that Charles the 7. dispossessed them That this baite might well perswade them to crosse his desseignes These two mighty Princes neighbours cannot see without iealousie the one to growe great by new conquests and the other to be at quiet He therefore entertaines Edward with sundrie Ambassages The politike liberalitie of Lewis presents and goodly speeches causeth the pension of fiftie thousand Crownes to be duely payed at London and some sixteene thousand distributed among such as were in credit about him so as the profit they drew from the iudicious bountie of Lewis tyed their tongues and blinded their eyes Money was muck to him in regard of a man of seruice and he was pleased to vaunt that the great Chamberlaine whereof there is but one in England the Chancellor Admirall Maister of the horse and other great Officers of England were his Pensiooners So he gaue vnto Howard foure and twenty thousand Crownes in money and plate besides his pension in lesse then two yeares and to Hastings great Chamberlaine a thousand markes of siluer in plate at one time as appeares by their quittances in the chamber of accoumpts at Paris Lewis had great need to vse this policie and bountie for this yong Princesse did infinitly presse Edward who for her cause did often send to the King to demand a peace or at the least a truce and in the Court of England there wanted not some to incense Edward that seeing the terme was expired by the which Lewis should send for the Infanta of England whom they called Madame the Daulphine hee would deceiue him Yet no respect neither priuate nor publick could moue Edward he was pursie louing his delight vnable to suffer paine glorious of nine famous victories The disposition of Edward King of England and fraught with home-bred enemies and aboue all the loue of fiftie thousand Crownes so well paide in his Tower of London kept him at home Moreouer the Ambassadors that came from him returned laden with rich presents and alwayes with irresolute answers to winne time promising speedily to resolue the points of their demands to their maisters satisfactions But let vs obserue another ingenious policie Lewis neuer sent one Ambassador twise vnto Edward to the end that if the former had happily treated of any thing that tooke not effect the latter knew not what to answer and so ignorance serued him for an excuse with delay of time Moreouer he instructed his Ambassadors so well as the assurance of the marriage they gaue to the King and Queene of England the accomplishment whereof they both greatly desired made them take hope for paiment Lewis feeds Edward with dilatorie hopes Yet the King had neuer any such meaning there was too great an inequalitie of age and thus getting a moneth or two by mutuall Ambassages he kept his enemy from doing him any harme who without the baite of this marriage would neuer haue suffred the house of Bourgongne to be so oppressed An other reason disswaded Edward from imbracing of Maries quarrell The reason why Edward neglects Maâ—â— of Bourgongne She had refused to marry with the Lord Riuers brother to the Queene of England The which match was not equall hee being but a poore Baron and she the greatest heire of her time And the better to keepe Edward quiet the King inuited him to ioyne with him and consented that he should haue for his part the Prouinces of Flanders and Brabant offring him to conquer for him at his owne charge foure of the greatest Townes in Brabant to entertaine him ten thousand English men for foure moneths and to furnish him with Artillerie and carriages so as Edward would come in person and seize vpon Flanders whilest that hee imployed his forces else-where But Edward found that Flanders and Brabant were hard to conquer and painefull to keepe and also the English by reason of the commoditie of their trafficke had no will to this warre Yet said hee since it pleaseth you to make mee partaker of your victories giue mee of those places you haue conquered in Picardie Boulongne and some others then will I declare my selfe for you and assist you with men at your charge A wise and discreet demand but those places were no lesse conuenient for Lewis who was loth to beat the bush for an other to get the birds It appeares that Edward did wonderfully affect the alliance of France Edward greatly affects the alliance with France and feared to â—iue the King any occasion to infâ—inge it so as some say hee caused his brother the Duke of Clarence to be put in prison vpon colour that hee would passe the seas to succour the Dowager of Bourgongne for the which crime he was condemned to haue his head cut off and his body to be quarteâ—ed a punishment inflicted vpon traitors in England But at the entreaty of their mother Looke the Chronicles of England Edward did moderate this sentence and gaue him the choise of what death he would wherevpon he was drowned in a Pipe of Malmesey But this Duke was sonne in lawe to the Earle of Warwicke whome Edward had slaine in battaile as wee haue sayde and it seemes the greatest crime they could obiect against him was the priuate hatred which vsurpers commonly beare to those whome they doubt might but erosse their tyranicall vsurpations And as wee haue recreated our selues beyond the Seas let vs now passe the Alpes and see what is done there suffering our warriours to enioy a truce vntill the next yeare There were at that time two mighty families at Florence the one of Medâ—â—â—s the other of â—acis These were supported by Pope Sixtus the fourth Troubleâ— as Florence and by Ferâ—inand King of Naples to ouerthrowe the absolute gouernement of the Citties they attempt to murther Laurence de Medicis and all his followers and gaue for watch-word to the murtherers when as the Priest celebrating the high Masse should say Sanctus in the Church of S. Raparee where they should assist at a certaine day A treacherous attempt against the house of Medicis Laurence escaped but being maymed of many of his members he saued himselfe in the vestry Iulian his brother was slaine and some of their followers Then runne they to the Pallace to murther all those which had the gouernement of the Citty but being mounted they see that some of their men had abandoned them so as they were not aboue foure or
all gouernment Thus Lodowicke commands Milan absolutely and Robert serues the Venetians yet Galeas and the Earle of Caiazze children to Robert shall returne and doe Lodowicke good seruice in the State of Milan Then began Lodowicke to increase in authority grauing the Dukes picture on the one side of their coyne and his owne on the other not without the muttering of many namely of Isabell the wife of Alphonso Duke of Calabria sonne to Ferdinand King of Arragon as proud and haughtie a woman as her husband was weake of iudgement and without courage This repyning made Lodowik to hasten his resolution And thus he proceeded when the Duke went forth of the Castell his brother remained within and Lodowicke conducting him home the captaine did vsually come forth vpon the bridge to receiue him Lodowicke vsurpes Milan and suprizeth the Castell One day among the rest Lodowike staies him purposely a little without the bridge to drawe forth the Captaine whome Galeas and the Earle Caiazze seize vpon and on such as followed him They within drawe the bridge Lodowicke lights a candle sweares to cut off their heads that were in his power if they yeeld not the place before the light be burnt The which they do He enters and placeth men at his pleasure he putts the Captaine in prison arraines him vpon colour that he meant to deliuer vp the Castell to the Emperour He staies some Germaines and makes them beleeue that they treated in fauour of the house of Austria which of old time pretended some right to the Duchie yet afterwards both he they were set at liberty Lodowike is now maister of the fort He must seeke means to maintaine this vsurpation yet least he should growe too odious he makes all dispatches in that name of Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan his Nephew a Duke in name only but he in effect In the meane time Isabell sollicits her father and Grandfather to reuenge the iniustice and tyrannie of Lodowike Lodowike vnderstood well that this acte would offend many Princes that his insolent and not accustomed exaction of money made his name odious to all the people of the Duchy and that Ferdinand King of Arragon with his sonne Alphonso would not faile to imbrace the quarrell and right of Iohn Galeas and of their Isabell. To crosse them he cunningly to the preiudice of the ancient confederacie of the Estats of Italy makes a league betwixt the Pope the Venetians and Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan his Nephew arming himselfe alwaies with that name for their common defence and namely of Lodowikes gouerment vpon condition that the Venetians and the said Duke should either of them send presently two hundred men at armes to Rome and greater forces if need were for the recouery of such places as were deteined from the Church by Virgilius Vrsinus in fauour of Peter of Medicis his kinsmaÌ„ associat with Ferdinand Alphonso And more to crosse their estates Lodowick who could not subsist in the midst of their vinted forces sends an honorable Ambassage to the King wherof the Earle of Caiazzo was the chiefe assisted by Charles of Balbiano Earle of Belzoioso Galeas of S. Seuerin who had married a bastard of Lodowicks who greatly vrge the title he had to this goodly and pleasant countrie of Naples They easely drew the king to tast a vaine glorie of Italie perswading him by great offers of seruice succors of men money and munition But before we passe the Alpes let vs examine the estate of Italie the right which our Charles pretended Since the declining of the Romaine Empire Italie neuer enioyed a more happy prosperity then about the yeare 1490. A long peace had made the most barren places fruitfull it abouÌ„ded in people riches great men of state and good witts in learning industrie and military fame such as that age could produce beautified with the state of many Princes not subiect to any other coÌ„mand but of themselues Laurence of Medicis a Cittizen of Florence The Estate of Italie 1490. was a great meanes to hold things in this prosperous estate a man of a quiet spirit experienced in affaires iudicious of great authority aboue all his fellow Cittizens for that he gouerned Pope Innocent the 8. his kinsman absolutely renoumed throughout all Italie He knew that the greatnesse of other Potentates would mightely shake the Common weale of Florence and therefore he sought by all meanes to hold them equall by a generall obseruation of peace Ferdinand of Arragon King of Naples a wise Prince and of great reputation did much affect this publicke quiet but he had worke at home Alphonso Duke of Calabria his eldest son being much discontented seeing that Iohn Galeas Sforce Dâ—ke of Milan his sonne in Lawe should carry but the naked and simple title of Dâ—ke vnder the oppression of Lodowike his Vncle. But Ferdinand hauing yet a fresh impression of the late reuolt of his subiects of Naples not ignorant that at the first motion they would open their armes to the house of France considering the affection which most of his subiects bare vnto it of old he feared least the diuisions in Italy should drawe the French to inuade the Realme of Naples preferring a present benefit before the indignation of his sonne desiring rather to vnite himselfe with the other Estats especiallie that of Milan and Florence to countermine the Venetiens greatnesse being then fearefull to all Italie puft vp with the late ouerthrowe of the Duke of Ferrara father in lawe to Lodowike after a long and dangerous hazard of their estate Lodowike was in the same predicament with the rest and moreouer peace was farre more necessarie then warre for the preseruation of an authority lately vsurped Herevnto that commendable inclynation to peace which he found in Laurence of Medicis did mooue him And considering that in regard of the inueterate hatred betwixt the house of Arragon and the Venetians they should hardly make any firme League betwixt them he therefore concluded that Ferdinand and his sonne should not bee at neede assisted by any other to crosse him in his desseins and hauing them alone opposite he should easily withstand them So Ferdinand Lodowike and Laurence continued the alliance cherefully which they had renued in the yeare 1480. for 25. yeares all the meaner Potentats in a manner leauing vnto them to whom the Venetians greatnesse was wonderfully suspected managing their affaires apart not imparting their couÌ„sells to the body of the coÌ„mon league watching onely oportunity to growe great by the publike discords Tâ—oubles by the death of Lâ—â—â—ence of Mâ—dicis Being all thus vnited they were too strong for the Venetians yet were they full of enuie and mutuall iealousie one prying still into an others estate and continually crauing desseines so as they could not long liue in true and faithfull friendship The death of Laurence of Medicis was a great cause of the breach of this generall peace An vnseasonable death for him
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
Hugues hauing receiued the Popes oath and the Cardinals Cibo and Rodolphe his cousins for hostages of his saftie capitulating with him in tearmes of a Conqueror he forced the Pope to promise To retire the army of the League out off the Estate of Milan and not to giue any succours to the Confederats for foure moneths Tiâ—es for punishments are noted in the Counsell of Gods diuine prouidence who ment to giue two notable stroakes with one stone as we shall shortly see This truce â—as wonderfully commodious for the Emperours affaires Milan had beene vanquisâ—ed at length Genes oppressed by the Confederates armie at Sea cryed out for â—read and the small store of victualls which came by land did but keepe them in breath for some few dayes But behold two great effects diuerted by the comming of â—eâ—rge Fronsperg who knowing the extremity of Gaspar his sonne Collonell of the Lansquâ—nets which were within Milan hauing stirred the Germains with hope to inrich themselues with the spoile of Italy he led a good number of horse Milan releeued by Lansquenets and foureteene thousand Lansquenets who receiuing euery man a crowne followed him to the succour of Milan The Marquis of Salusses and the Duke of Vrbin aduertised of these succours abandon the seege of Milan with an intent to cut off their victualls and to charge them at the passage of some riuer But the Dukes accustomed delayes had giueÌ„ Fronsperg leisure to assure himselfe of the field so as the league could no way annoy him but by light skirmishes Iohn de Medicis diâ—â— in one of the which Iohn de Medicis hauing his thigh broken with a faucon shot he retyred to Mantoue and there died within fewe daies This death was an absolute victory to the aduerse party for he was yong wise and a valiant Captaine Laude and Cremone did cut off the victuals from Milan the Duke of Bourbon being freed froÌ„ the seege hauing no more meanes to mainteine his army after he had by strapadoes other tortures wrested some money fâ—oÌ„ the Cittizens to pay his Spaniards he left Anthonie de Leue in the Cittie entred the territories of the Church with an intent to possesse Plaâ—sance To preuent him the Marquis of Salusses â—leauiâ—g the Duke of Vrbin in field put him selfe into it so as the Duke of Bourbon seeing the Towne well manned and the Venetian armie to follow him left Plaisance and by the Duke of Ferrares aduice whom the Emperour had wonne vnto him being ioyned with Fronspreg he marched directly towards Rome The Pope to be reuenged of the outrage receiued by the Colonnes called the Eaâ—le of Vaudemâ—nt brother to the Duke of Lorraine issued from the house of Aniou a hoâ—â—e greatly desired by the ancient partisans thereof to the realme of Naples The Earle accompanied with Rance de Cere about ten thousand foote and some â—orse entring iâ—to the Realme The warre of Naples had taken Aquile Salerne and many other places chased Don Hugues de Moncade and raised the seege of Freselon which the Imperials had beseeged when as the Viceroy of Naples required of the Pope in the Emperours name a surceasse from armes The Pope had no money to maintaine so long and so heauie a burthen of the warre there were greater difficulties in the enterpâ—ise of Naples then he expected the King did not seeme willing to make warre out of Italie as he had promised in the articles of their Capitulation neither did he furnish besides his part of fortie thousand Crownes a moneth for the common warre the twentie thousand which hee ought euery moneth for the expedition of Naples the French galâ—ies were so ill furnished both with men and munition as they remayned fruitles at Sauonne not attempting any thing the succors of the King of England were farre off and vncertaine the tedious and variable proceeding of the Duke of Vrbin did vexe him the approch and threats of the Imperiall armie at the gates of Rome did amaze him All these considerations made him conclude a truce with the Viceroy for eight moneths whereby either partie called backe his men spedily deliuered vp the places taken and caused the armie at sea to retire This was an other meanes to â—ull the Pope a sleepe a little before his ruine For threescore thousand Ducats which Pope Clement had giuen in regard of this truce were not sufficient to satisfie two pays due to the Duke of Bourbons Lansquenets the Germains and Spaniards gaped greedely after the sacke of Rome which had beene long promised them The truce did nothing stay them from shewing all acts of hospitalitie they spoyled the Countries of Bologna and Romagnia and then camped before Rome the next day the Duke of Bourbon causing a furious assault to be giuen marching in the head of his troupes with a ladder in his hand he was slaine wâ—th a harguebus The Duke of Bourbon slaine Philibert of Chalon Prince of Orenges who marched besids him to conceale it from the souldiars caused â—is bodie to be couered with a cloke and foâ—lowing the charge hotly he forced the subuâ—bs and the Cittie The victors entring put about foure thousand men to the sword It is to be supposed the slaughter had been greater if the death of their generall had been knowne they spoyle friend and so indifferently Prelats Temples Monasteries and â—elikes They ransome both secular and religious men They sacke the Cardinals Pallaces except such as had redeemed their goods Rome sackâ— and such as were fled into their houses with exceeding summes of money And which is worse many being spoyled by the Spaniards were fleeced againe by the Lansquenets being seasoned for the most part with Luthers doctrine and by consequence passionate enemies to the sea of Rome To conclude Rome is subiect to all the insolencies of a conquered Towne which they meane to ruine The Pope beseeged in his Castle of S. Angelo sent for the Viceroy of Naples hoping that hee would make him some better composition But comming to Rome hee sound the Imperials nothing pleased with his gouernment A hard capitulation for the Pope who had chosen the Prince of Auranges for their generall with whome the Pope voyde of all hope of succors agreed the 6. of Iune To pay vnto the army foure hundred thousand ducats a forth part presently the rest at sundrie termes 1527. to remaine prisoner with thirteene Cardinalls that did accempanie him vntill the first hundred and fiftie thousand were payed and then to go to Naples or to Caâ—ete to attend how the Emperour would dispose of them To giue in hosâ—age for assurance of the money the Archebishops of Siponte and Pisa the Bishoppes of Pistoâ—e and Verona Iames Salâ—â—ati Simon Ricasoli and Laurence brother to the Cardinal Rodolphe To deliuer into the Emperours hands to hold so long as he pleased the Castell of Saint Ange the forts of Ostia Ciuitauecchia and Ciuita Castâ—llana with the Citties of Plaisance Parma
is to say vntill a Councell were held to determine all controuersies of religion euery one should peaceably enioy the beleefe and ceremonies whereof he then made profession and in doing this the restoring of the Duke of Sauoy to all his estates was granted at the Germains charge Soone after William of Roquendolfe Lieutenant generall for Ferdinand King of Hongarie Ferdinands armie defeated by the Turke was defeated before Bude with the losse of twenty thousand Germains It was a great shame for the Emperour being neere to so mournfull and fatall a check if hee should not imploy his forces in his brothers fauour He vndertakes againe the voyage of Algier in Afrique with an intent that if passing through Italie he should finde the Kings affaires disordred and his sorces dispersed to attempt some thing against him making accoumpt that the King would not faile to be reuenged of the violence and wrong done vnto him in the persons of his Ambassadors But the good prouision which the King had made in Prouence and in Piedmont by Langey his Lieutenant generall caused him to passe on without attempting any thing Being at Luques hee had conference with the Pope and the King sent his Ambassador vnto them to demand satisfaction for the crime but he was put off with shifts The enterprise of Algier was vnfortunate The Emperor goes to Algier without successe the violence of the windes the continuall raine the stormes and haile with all the iniuries of the ayre had coniured against him breaking some of his shippes hee was beaten backe with great danger of his person and losse of his men Hetherto the Marquis had as couertly as he could disguised the matter but finding now that all men had discouered his deuises that notwithstanding the death of the Ambassadours he could not decipher the Kings desseine that the King demanded as well from the Emperour as from the Estates of the Empire satisfaction for this soule fact Now to make his cause seeme good hee writes to the Estates which were assembled againe at Ratisbone for their common defence against the Turke whereby he maintaines that he committed no act that might touch him for breach of the truce and in shew to iustifie him selfe of the crime wherewith he was charged There are saith he neither denying nor aduowing the fact two wayes of iustification the one ciuill the other Knightly I offer to maintaine ciuilly that there is no breach of truce growne by me The Marquis of Gâ—aâ—t iustifies himselfe and to deliuer into our holy fathers hands the protector of the truce both my selfe and all those the King shall thinke culpable of this act to the end the truth might be knowne and if any Knight my equall will charge me with any such fact and proue his saying by armes I will maintaine that he hath spoken falsely and as often as he shall charge me with the like so often shall he speake falsely We do often shadow a lye with such good words as it giues it a colour of trueth But did he thinke by this brauado to proue his innocencie the retreat of those murtherers to him bringing them all prisoners that were left aliue within the boates to the end there should be no meanes to discouer this infamous murther the detention hee made of the Water-men whom hee afterwards transported into other prisons vnder his command the penall Edicts hee did publish in places where the fact might be knowne against them that should be found discoursing of this action the ill vsage of them that had spoken of it the fauours honours and aduancements giuen to them that had beene the actors the depositions of prisoners freed by Langey were not all these sâ—fficient witnesses to crie vengeance against the Marquis Langey answering to the pretended iustifications of the Marquis was the Knight to make triall thereof by the one or the other way But the Marquis had no such meaning Wee haue heard how the King demanded of the Emperour being in conference with the Pope at Luques satisfaction of the murther audaciously and against all diuine naturall and humaine lawes committed vpon the persons of two of his especiall seruants men of estate and of reputation by their birthes hauing by their merites deserued the one an honourable degree amongst his chiefe Gentlemen the other an especiall place amongst the greatest Noblemen They would haue satisfied him with friuolous reasons and excuses perswading him to leaue the abolition of their bloud to the forgetfulnesse of time which might haue beene an imputation to his Maiestie eyther of want of witte and iudgement or of valour or courage Profit vrged the King honour prickt him forward and necessitie constrained him to vse those meanes which the law of Nations did allow to him which doth acknowledge no other superiour and three chiefe reasons did vrge him therevnto The first reason that moued the King to warre Vnder this colour of peace the Emperour had a thousand practises vpon the frontiers of his realme and the King had no sooner cut off one of this Hydras heads but presently there riseth vp an other or many mo Moreouer this truce allowed the trafficke and conference of eythers subiects The second by meanes whereof so many treasons were practised Neyther could hee drawe his subiects from the commerce of the Lowe Countries belonging to the Emperour without expresse prohibitions the which by consequence would argue hostilitie The third But that which did most mooue a noble and generous spirit hee had good and certaine intelligence that the Emperour seeing warre proclaimed in case hee did not within a certaine time make satisfaction for the aboue named murthers made his accoumpt that vnder colour of zeale to the Common-weale of Christendome filling the eares of the whole world with a goodly and great enterprise against the enemies of the faith hee would raise great forces and prouide great preparation at the cost and charge of his most credulous subiects lying most open and neerest vnto the Turkes inuasion and coniure the most Christian King to assist him eyther with men or money If then the fumes of an Affricane or Turkish voyage had beene proclaimed through the world before that warre were denounced betwixt these two Princes those which were not acquainted with the deuises of the one would haue imputed the stay of so holy an enterprise to the other Let vs adde that howsoeuer he mâ—st â—ntertaine men both in Italie and vpon the frontiers of Languedoc and Prouence for that both a truce and warre were of equall charge vnto him There were two meanes to beginne the warre The one profitable and lesse honest Many thrust him on some with discontent others with reuenge some with couetousnes some with desire of innouation or some other priuate passions offering to seize vpon diuers places for his Maiestie the conquest whereof might be a worthie reward for a long and doubtfull warre The other was more honest but of lesse profit iust
and Townes drunke so much Christian bloud and slaine so many millions of men of all qualities reteining nothing but the territories of Boullen and Calais Thus the winde doth sodenly drinke vp all the toile all the trauels all the swear of many ages And the Lord saith vnto man Thou foole this night will take thy soule from thee and who shall haue the things which thou hast prepared And All men are vaine doubtlesse man labours for a shadow he troubleâ—h himselfe for nothing But must the quenching of forraine confusions kindle new fires in the middestand foure corners of the realme without doubt there needed no violent but spirituall remedies to redresse those diuisions which grew daily for a religious cause Henry was of a milde and temperate spirit but hee gaue eare too lightly to such as could not effect their desseines but by troubles The prisons were full of such as they called Lutherans Persecutions for religion and euen then many noble faâ—ilies were toucht with that cause Moreouer many officers of the Parliament wâ—shed a milder proceeding against those prisoners This diuersitie caused an assemblâ—e which they called Mercuriale to heare the opinion of Presidents Councellors vpon this controuersie the which the King was required to countenance with his presence Councellors of the Parliament impâ—â—â—oned Anne du Bourg vsed a great libertie of speech some others did second his opinion This freedome transported the King into the choller hee commands the Constâ—ble to put them in prison and vowes to see them burnt within few dayes if they persist But oh Prince The yeares of thy accoumpt are come and thou entrâ—st into a pathe from the which thou shalt no more returne The Constable deliuers them to the Court Montgomery Captaine of his Maiesties gardes who leads â—ourg to the Bastille and the rest to diuerse â—ther priâ—ons Let vs not iudge hereby but admire howsoeuer the iudgements of God in that we shall see these three personageâ— euery one in his ranke dye an extraordinarie and tragicall death The marriages of the Kings Daughters and Sister were sollemnized with all the pleasures and sports that might be deuised The Court exceeded in sâ—mptuous feasts playes maskes dances and bonfires ordinarie acclamations in such ceremonies testâ—fied the peoples publicke ioy by reason of the peace but this pleasant Comedie was conuerted by a sad catastrophe into a pittifull and mournfull Tragedie The King would the tenth of Iune 〈…〉 the â—â—â—â—â—engers at the Tilt in Saint Anthonies streete being seconded by the Duke of Guise and Ferrare and to runne his last course in fauour of the Queene his wife he sent a Lance to the Earle of Montgomery The Earle excuseth himselfe to runne against his Maiestie the day before hee could not hit any one and it may bee now he feared a second shame But hauing a second charge from the King to enter the Lists he runnes and breakes his Launce vpon the Kings cuirasse and with a splinter thereof his Beauer being somewhat open strikes him so deepe â—nto the eye 〈◊〉 the tenâ—h of Iuly his soule left his body The death of King Henry in his house of Tournelles tâ—e 42. yeare of his age He had by Katherine of Medicis his wife fiue Sonnes and fiue Daughters His children Francis his successor of the age oâ— sixteene or seuenteene yeares Lewis Duke of Orleans who liued few moneths Charles Maximiâ—lian Edward Alexander afterwards named Henrâ—e the 3. and Hercules afterwards named Francis Elisabeth married to Philip King of Spaine Claude to Charles Duke of Lorraine Marguerite to Henry of Bourbon then King of Nauarre Iane and Victoire tâ—ins who dyed soone after their birth Hee was a religious Prince goodly of a milde disposition peaceable affable His disposition not greatly subiect to passions generous loâ—ing his seruants and men of merit but voluptuous and not able to discover in due tiâ—e the ambition and couetousnesse of such as possessing him made â—ale of lawes iustice offices and spiâ—ituall liuings emptied the subiects purses and nourished the warres which we haue before obserued namely since the breach of the truce finding such sweetenesse profit and honour in the managing of the Treasure and commanding of the Kings Armies in the voyage of Italie and especially in this last Lieutenancie generall in Picardie as hereafter wee shall see a young Prince raigne like a shadow and they being seized of the gouernment both of his person and of his realme shall dispossesse the chiefe officers of the Crowne keepe backe the Princes of the bloud the true and lawfull gouernours of the State the King being in his minoritie and to plot the meanes to raise their race to the royall throne 1559 FRANCIS the second the 60. King of France FRANCES THE .2 KING OF FRANCE 60. THis raigne is short but very memorable We behold a Theater whereon is acted a horrible tragedie a King yong of yeares and of iudgement gouerned by his mother and his wiues vnckles a a new forme of Court The Princes of the bloud haue no more credit and seeme to neglect both the publike and priuat interest The Courtiers stand at a gaze and for the most part stowpe to the stronger The Clergie shield themselues vnder those that kindle these fires in France The Nobilitie wearied with former toyles do yet wipe off the dâ—st and sweat from their armes The people diuided for matter of religion and oppressed with burthen of former warres desires to breath The Constâ—ble holds his place yet is he not so surely seated but they will displace him There are two factions in Court the Constable holdeth the one those of Guise the other The first was firme and sincere the last cunning Two factions in Couâ—t and plyable The Queene mother ioynes with the last The King of Nauarre might crosse them and therefore to be the better informed of his desseins she entertaines seruants and pensioners about him The Princes of the bloud the Constable the Marshals the Admirall and many other Noblemen prepared for the funerals of the deceased King when as the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine leading the King Alterations in Court his brethren and the Qâ—eenes to the Louâ—re begin a strange alteration a true patterne of the inconstancie of this world The Duchesse of Valentinois had quietly gouerned the deceased King and by her practices had caused Francis Oliuer a man of a singular reputation and Chancellor of France to bee dismissed At the first entrie shee is spoyled of her precious Iewels which testified the Kings loue vnto her to adorne the Queene that raignedâ— and by her disgrace leaues the place to Catherine to rule hereafter without Companion They take the seale from Cardinall Bertrand a â—eruant to the said Duchesse and to haue a Chancellor at their deuotion they restore Oliuer They giue the Cardinall of Lorraine the gouernment of the Treasure and of the affaires of State and to the Duke of
they kill the more they increase Amongest others Anne of Bourg persisting in the confession of his faith vpon the points of religion in controuersie was on the twentieth of December hanged at the Greue and his bodie then burnt to ashes The Counsellors â—a Forte Foix Faur and Fumee imprisoned for the same causes escaped with some sharpe admonitions Manie could not beare this oppression The Princes were kept backe the greatest of the Realme out of credit threatned and secretly pursued to the death the conuocation of the Estates refused the Paliaments corrupted the Iudges for the most part at the Guisians deuotion the publike Treasure offices and benefices were giuen to whom they pleased Some learned Lawyers and diuines answered That the Princes beeing in that case borne Lawefull Magistrates and called by the Estates of the Realme or the â—ounder part thereof they might with their fauour or of some one of them lawefully oppose themselues against the vsurped gouernment and authoritie of the house of Guise and take armes at neede to withstand their force and violence But with this consideration of the publike they had so manie priuate passions as the enterprise must needes be fatall to the vndertakers The enterprise required a stout and couragious leader for the chiefe plot was to seize at what price soeuer on the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall his brother and then to require a parliamentâ— to make them yeeld an account of their gouernment and to prouide for the King and Realme Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Conde is instantly required to accept therof The Prince examines the consequence of the fact and hauing imparted it to some persons â—ouing the good of the realme he giues comission to informe secretly of the crimes wherewith the house of Guise was charged to 〈…〉 the same as conscience the coÌ„mon good should require They find by informations and certaine personages well qualified being priuie to their secret desseins and â—â—â—nesse that their intention was the King beâ—ng vnable by the iudgement of the Phisitians to liue long nor to haue any issue first to roote out all Lutherans in France then to murther all the Princes of the bloud and to seize vpon the realme Moreouer they were charged with many thefts robings and extortions and by consequence were in many things found guiltie of high Treason The difficultie was how to seize vpon these two persons Godâ—râ—e of Barri Lord of Renaudie a Baron of Perigort accepts the managing of this action Tumult of Anâ—oâ—se and the Prince promiseth to assist him with his authoritie So as nothing bee said or done against God the King his brethren the Princesse nor the Estate protesting to oppose himselfe first against any one that should attempt the contraiâ—e Aâ—l that were in the action bind themselues to the like oth yea to aduertise the King if any thing were pretended against his Maiestie they appoint the tenth of March hoping to fiâ—d the Court still at Blois Fiue hundred French gentlemen with other troupes vnder the commaund of the Baron of Castelnau should accompanie Renaudie followed by a thousand others besides their troups on foote But it is almost impossible to keepe secret an enterprise imparted to so many diuerse humors but some one will discouer it Renaudie lodged at Paris in the suburbs of Saint Germaine in an Aduocats house a Protestant by profession who hauing discouered somewhat of this enterprise vnder colour to imploy himselfe for the aduantage thereof he learned all that passed But hoping of some notable recompence he sodenly went discouered it to Alemand master of requests a fauorite to the Cardinall and to Milet Secretarie to the Duke of Guise And Lignieres one of the Captaines of the enterprise did afterwards bewray the names of the commanders the rendezuous for their troupes with other circumstances to the Queene mother to saue said hee the honour and life of the Prince of Condé whom they accused of high treason To assure their persons they transport the King to Amâ—oâ—se they send letters from the King and his mother to call the Admirall and his brethren to Court they dispatch many letters Patents to Baylifâ— and Seneshalls against all such as should be found carrying of armes vppon the way to Amboise The Admirall being arriued makes great admonitions to the Queene mother in presence of the Chancellor vpon the extreme violences and poursuits against the Protestants and the Chancellor hauing freely propounded the Admirals aduice in councell there followed an edict for the abolishing of that was past for matter of religion But this pardon excluded all ministers and such as should be found to haue conspired against the King his mother his wife or the Princesse his cheefe officers or the estate and all other culpable of like crimes Notwithstanding this Edict Renaudie proceeds and the Prince goes to Court to present the informations to the King against the houâ—e of Guise when as they should be seized on The execution was put off to the sixteenth by reason of the change of the place In the meane time the Guisiens had assembled men from aâ—l parts so as the troupes arriuing one after one to the appointed places were presenâ—ly seized on The Bâ—ron of Castelnau and the cheeâ—e of the factâ—on are at the Castle of Noisay the Guisiens aduertiâ—ed thereof perswade the King that there are rebeâ—s assembled to murther him The King sends the Duke of Nemours wiâ—h a troupe 1560. who at the first surpriseth Captaine Maâ—erâ—s and Râ—unay walking without the Castle and sends them prisoners to Amboise he doth then belegar the Castle summons the Baron to lay aside armes and to go speake with the King binding himselfe by the faith of a Prince that he should haue no haâ—me The Baron trusted to his word But being arriued they speake with no man but with comissioners appointed for their trials Renaudie caused his troupes to aduance couertely through the woods but they had walled vp the gate by the which they should enter and the horsemen sent by the Guâ—siens compassing them in many were led away and presently hanged and afterwards drawne to the riuer And as hee laboured to rallie his dispersed troupe the Lord of Pardillon incounters him in the forest of Chasteau-regnard Cruell executions at Amboise and passing by dischargeth his pistoll the which not taking fire Renaudie had his sword first drawne and as he was about to kill him one of the Pardillans seruants ouerthrew him with a harguebâ—s being slaine his bodie was straightway carried and hanged on the bridge at Amboise with this inscription Renaudie called la Forest cheefe of the rebelles Those of Guise being assured of their enemies and their troupe dispersed they giue commaundement to the Prince of Condé in the Kings name not to depart without leaue They begin to cut off heads to hang and to drowne their prisoners tyed to long poles six eight tenne twelue and fifteene in a companie and although there were
herin more question of estate then religon yet they giue out that the Lutherans would maintaine themselues by the sword and as such men they caused many to be executed who by their examinations and impertinent answeres touching matters of conscience did witnes that they were not yet seasoned with any other doctrine then that of their fathers This alarum had put the yong King in feare but more the impression of his Vncles perswading him that they sought his person And what haue I done said hee often what haue I done that my subiects should attempt thus against mee I wil heare their complaints and doe them right And some times to those of Guise I know not what it is but I vnderstand it is you onely that they seeke I would gladly you would absent your selues for a time to see if they would attempt against you or mee Amongst all the prisoners foure are especially noted Castelnau Villemongis Champagnâ—e and le Picard for that with an admirable constancie and resolution they had blamed the Chancellor who against his conscience had signed the sentence of their deathes the which so terrified him The Chancellor dies desperatly as hee sodenly fell sicke of greefe and melancholie and soone after left this world murmuring sighing and sorrowing for the Councellor du Bourg and crying out some houres before his death O Cardinall thou hast damned vs all Michel Hospitall then Chancellor to the Duchesse of Sauoie was called from Nice and substituted in his place See here a furious storme dispersed which partly concerned the State partly religion but hereafter religon shall bee the onely marke The Protestants in the midest of these rigorous persecutions increased in multitude and in many places they could not conteine nor content themselues with secret assemblies An vndiscreet zeale transported them of Valence An indiscrâ—et zeale Montlimart and Romans to exercise their religion in ordinary Churches at noone day The Lord of Clairmont Lieutenant for the Duke of Guise in Daulphiné was of too mild an humor and Maugirâ—n more violent The Duke giues him commission to suppresse them and to vse his authoritie in the Parliament of Grenoble Maugiron enters Valence with sixteene companies of the old bands of Piedmont and some other troupes of men at armes hee makes the streets flow with bloud Cause of the troubles sacks the houses and intreats the inhabitants as in a Towne which is taken by assault Montlimart also followed the like fortune Moreouer the President Truchon and some Councellors of Grenoble imprison 60. of the chief of Romans they hang two whip one and then send him to the gallies at Valence they behead two ministers hang three chiefe men in the Towne the rest escaped some by abiuring some by whipping some by banishment and some by a fine At the same time Paulon of Richiend Lord of Mouuans one of the chiefe of the enterprise of Amboise hauing failed to surprise Aix roaded Prouence with two thousand men armed at their owne charge and a great number of gentlemen and other voluntaries But their armes were no other wise imployed but to conuert the Images reliks and ornaments of the Church into gold and siluer the which with some respect to warlike discipline and more commendably then in the following age they left in the magistrats hands of the place This was to summon the neighbour Prouinces to like reuolts but the Earle of Tande hauing stayed the furie of this flying army The Protestants petiâ—ion to the King they sheth their swords and vnsheath their pennes onely by supplications to the Kings Maiesty and to his mother protesting of their sinceritie they discouered the ground of their griefes against the Guisiens and propounded remedies to auoyde Ciuill warres Their admonitions conteyned three chiefe heads That it might be prouided for the gouernment of the realme offering the King a Councell according to the ancient constitutions of France That to pacifie controuersies touching religion a free and holy Councel should bee held That those of the religion in the meane time might quietly and with liberty of their consciences liue in their houses following that which is contayned in the confâ—ssion of their Churches The two brethren seeing themselues directly charged by the Protestants thunder out against them they write to the King of Spaine and to the Catholike Princes That the Lutherans and Caluinists are the onely authors of the troubles of France and of the tumult of Amboise And to the Protestants That such as were executed in diuers parts of the realme are onely certaine sacramentaries enemies to the confession of Ausbourg A bare shift and weake remedie to quench the fire which began to consume a part of the world Herevpon Philip aduiseth them to bring the inquisition of Spaine into France The priuie Councell yeelds to it and the Parliaments allowe thereof but the Chancellor Hospitall was too wise a politician he would not see France disguised after the Spanish manner Katherine was much troubled not knowing howe to saile in so many stormes The conuocation of the Estats might eclipse her authority the restoring of the Princes of France incompatible with a Florentin humour the restitution of the Constable whome shee hated to the death accusing him to haue sayd to King Henry That no one of his Children did resemble him but his bastard whome his Sonne Montmorency had married These things did wonderfully afflict her soule Yet would shee gouerne and rule foreseeing that shee could not better maintaine her greatnesse then by the discord of the two houses of Bourbon and Lorraine She relies vpon the last and arming them with her authoritie shee puts the King her Sonne and herselfe into the protection of the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine This makes them swell both in hart and speeche but there must bee a meanes found to pacifie this quarrell which concerned the estate that vnder the cloake of religion a goodly and ordinary pretext for great personages the people might forget the vnlawfull vsurpation wherewith they were charged They protest thereforeto imploy all their meanes and their friends to suppresse those that sought any alteration in religion hoping that when they had cut this sinewe from the Princes of the bloud they should bee more easily reuenged both of them and of the Constables faction But during these garboiles the principall peece of their chase slippes out of their toyles the Prince of Conde escapes The Prince of Conde escapes and retires to the King of Nauarre his brother whilest the Duke of Guise in open Counsell opposeth in shewe though in effect he omitted no meanes to seize on him against his brothers aduice concluding directly to haue the Prince apprehended They forget not to proclaime this retreat and as if hee had doubted his cause they publish throughout the Realme that hee had shewed himselfe guiltie Presently newe forces are leuied and Commiâ—sions giuen to make warre in Gascony The Protestants fearing a nere
both with French and forren forces Hauing thus lost the oportunitie of a battaile the Prince maintaines his armie about two monethes with a commendable discipline without blaspheming whoring robbing or theft In the end they loose all patience Baugency taken by assault opens the dores to disorders for this first heate soone past with the French growes cold money for their pay growes short the nobility could not frame themselues to this strict discipline of war which the Admiral did practise being a great enemie to robbings In many Prouinces matters weÌ„t indifferently betwixt the Catholikes and the Protestants and to giue two strokes with one stone to stay the disputation of this armie and to releeue them that might in the end fall the Prince sent the Earle of Rochefoucault with some troupes into Poitou Xaintonge and Angoulmois Soubize to Lions Yuoy brother to Genlis to Bourges Montgomery into Normandy d' Andelot to hasten the succours of Germany and Briquemaut into England These troupes from the moneth of Aprill vntill the midest of August did possesse Orleans Baugency Vendosme Blois Tours Poitiers Mans Anger 's Bourges Angoulesme Rouan Chalon vpon Soan Mascon Lion the most part of Daulphiné with many others not without effusion of bloud spoyling of Churches and such insolencies as the warre doth cause in a Countrie of Conquest Orleans and Bourges held by the Prince did much helpe their affaires but Bourges might be easily surprised before it were fortified Bourges recouered The King then whom the coÌ„manders had drawne into the armie marcheth thither and the composition which Yuoy made with his Maiestie put him for a time in disgrace with the Prince This arme cut off as the Gnissens said from the Huguenots inuited the Kings armie to the seege of Orleans where the Prince and the Admiral were But the resolution of these two Commanders and the feare to receiue shame losse made them passe on to Roüen where Montgomery commanded with seuen or eight hundred souldiars of the old bands and two companies of English Death of the King of Naâ—aâ—â—e The end of September was the beginning of this seege a famous seege by the hurting of the King of Nauarre in the shoulder as hee suruayed the weakest part of the Cittie whereof he died the 17. of Nouember three weeks after it was taken by assault and spoyled Montgomery saued himselfe in a gallie but many of the chief passed through the executioners hands On the other side Lewis of Bourbon Duke of Montpensier Rouen taken reduced to the Kings obedience the Townes of Anger 's Mans Tours the Marshal S. André tooke Poitiers from the Lord of S. Gemme and Henry of Montmorency Lord of Damuille incountred the Protestants forces in Languedoc whilst the Earles of Tende and Suze The Protestants beaten in diuerse places by the defeat of Mombrun tooke Cisteron for the King Montluc with Burie gouernours of Guienne put to rout the troupes of GascoÌ„s which Duras led to the Earle of Rochefoucault beseeging S. Iean d' Angeli The ouerthrow of Duras brought the Earle with 300. gentlemen the remainder of the defeated armie on this side Loâ—re to ioyne the Prince with the Reistres whom d' Andelot brought This supplie made the Prince resolue to go to Paris by aÌ„noying it to encrease the feare wherwith they were possessed He marcheth forceth Pluuiers takes Estampes beseegeth Corbeil but finding it better furnished with men then he expected he approcheth to Paris makes a great skirmish beates backe the troupes that were come out off their trenches So hee camped at Gentilly Arcueil Mont-rouge and other neighbour villages The Queene mother busies him seuen or eight dayes with diuers parles during the which foure and twentie enseigns of Gascons and Spaniards arriuing were lodged within the suburbs of Saint Iames. The Prince then seeing his enemies forces to encrease resolues to fight with them before they were fully assembled so as all hope of peace conuerted into smoake hee riseth the tenth of December takes the way to Chartres and resolues to goe into Normandie to receiue the men and money which came out of England and by that meanes to diuert the seege of Orleans The Constable and Duke of Guise march after him Dreams are lies as we comonly say A notable dreame yet haue we often tried those which present theÌ„selues in the morning the spirit hauing taken sufficient rest to bring certaine aduertisements of that which is to come The night before the eue of the battaile the Prince dreames that he had giuen three battailes one after another obteyned the victorie ouerthrowne his three principall enemies and finally himselfe wounded to the death hauing layed one vpon another and he aboue them all yeelding in that sort his soule to God And to say the trueth haue wee not seene this vision verified by the death of the Marshall of Saint André which is at hand by that of the Duke of Guise before Orleans the yeare following and by that of the Constable at the battaile of S. Denis and of the Prince himselfe in that of Bassac In the Kings armie they numbred two thousand horse The battaile of Drâ—ux and nineteene thousand foot In that of the Prince foure thousand horse and twelue thousand foot They ioyne the nineteenth of December and without any skirmishes charge with all their forces The Princes Suisses loose seuenteene Captaines with three parts of their â—oâ—pes which were aboue three thousand and endure three charges before they could bee broken On the other side the taking of the Constable the death of the Marshall Saint André the defeat of their troupes caused a generall confusion in the Kings armie if the Duke of Guise charging the white cassaks the Reisters with furie whose pistols had made a great slaughter of his men had not forced through the Princes horse who straying too much from the battaile fel prisoner into the hands of the Lord of Damuille the which made the victorie doubtfull seeming before to incline to his side The conflict continued from tenne of the clocke in the morning vntill night with many charges there were seuen thousand men slaine vppon the place on both sides many hurt and in a manner all died and a great number of prisoners The King lost besides his Suisses the most part of his horse and a great number of foot There were slaine of men of marke the Duke of Neuers killed by one of his houshould seruants either by hazard or of purpose the Lords of Montbrun the Constables son d' Annebault Giury la Brosse and his sonne there were hurt the Duke of Aumale brother to the Duke of Guise Rochefort and Beauuais Aussun a Nobleman of Gasconie whome feare made flie to Paris and there he died of greefe The Prince lost about two thousand two hundred foote and a hundred and fiftie horse French and Reisters This battaile is famous by the taking of two Generals the one in
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
and Councellors of the massacre as he made knowen by his speeches to some of his Court being enemies to iniustice and by letters written out of the Realme for whom he prepared a strange potion if the prouidence of God had not reserued them as scourges and ministers of that punishment hee meant to inflict vppon this Realme to the end that seeing him afterwards to cast theâ—e rods into the fire we should confesse That it is not now alone that hee sheweth him selfe the gardien and Protector of this Monarchie At that time Charles lay taken both hand and foot his cheefe seruants were dead disgraced and absent The motiues of new troubles did much disquiet him Hee did foresee infallible seeds of combustion in the coloured captiuitie of his brother and brother in Law in the imprisonment of the two Marshals in the exile of the Prince of Condé in whose fauour the Germains began to arme Hee sees his subiects cruelly armed one against another and the fire of diuision readie to wast the Realme His infirmitie had some intermission during winter but in the end after he had languished the moneths of February March and Aprill tormented with many pangs hee kept his bed Charles dies and the thirtith day of May hee slept his last sleepe in the Castle of Bois de Vincennes after great effusion of bloud which issued out by all the passages of his bodie the last two weekes of his sicknesse during the which he endured all the violent assaults and combats which the vigour of youth might suffer in the extreamest pangs of death His successour could not come so soone from Poland Catherine therefore to assure his authoritie during his absence had obteined on the nine and twentith day letters of Regencie from the King directed to the Gouernours of Prouinces and the better to fortifie this nomination to restraine the Princes of the bloud and to maintaine her selfe in the midest of confusion she causeth letters Patents to bee sealed by the Councellor of Birague her seruant and by this meanes doth abolish the fundamentalllawes the order of the Realme the priuileges of Princes the authoritie of the generall Estates and the prerogatiue of the Parliaments Charles was borne the seuen and twentith of Iune 1550. and began to raigne the fifth of December 1560. A Prince of a very actiue disposition His disposition inconstant in his thoughts violent in his enterprises impatient readie of conceite the which he did expresse in good termes a diligent obseruer of other mens natures cholerike secret a dissembler cruell and a blasphemer But let vs impute these vices and others not to his naturall inclination but to his gouernours and scholemasters amongst the which the historie doth especially note Martigues and Losses who with the consent of the mother corrupted this yong Prince and made him take the habit of Vices and infections wherein they daily plonged him They might haue pruned this yong plant better to haue brought forth better fruites At the beginning he was open courteoâ—◠〈◊〉 sober and little giuen to women His speech was pleasing hee loued 〈◊〉 and poetrie we reade yet good verses compiled by him in French But the 〈◊〉 of hunting transported him wonderfully and the bloud of wild beasts which 〈…〉 with singular delight made him with long continuance as it were greedy of 〈◊〉 bloud But let vs tremble in this death vnder the Iustice of Gods Iudgements 〈◊〉 suffered after so horrible a butchery committed and commanded 〈…〉 raigne him to bee surprised with a great debilitie in his latter dayes to 〈…〉 his owne bloud vomiting it out pittifully by all the conduicts of his body as a 〈◊〉 iudgement for him that barbarously shed it throughout all the Prouinces of the realme Doubtlesse God loues not the Prince that thirsts after his subiects bloud for the subiects bloud is the very bloud of their Prince HENRIE the third 62. King of France HENRY THE .3 KING OF FRANCE AND POLE. IT is a great comfort vnto mee sayd Charles some few houres bâ—fore his death that I leaue no heyres males lawfully begotten 1574. for lâ—auing him young he must indure many crosses and France hath need of a man But alas we shall now see one aduanced to the crowne whereâ—â—to the fundamentall lawe of State and honour doth call him installed with a confused beginning and afterwards by an Edict of pacification to reduce and reâ—eiâ—e his subiects happily in their obedience vnder a raigne as lasciuious and voâ—uptâ—â—us as the other had beene cruell and bloudie vntill that the house of Guise seeing the King baren and his successor confined in shewe beyond the riuer of Loire shall discouer their ambition and cause but in the end with the losse of the liues of two of the chiefe motiues of confusion the people to breake out into a blind vaine and â—reacherous rebellion beeing too readie to second the ambitious desseins of great men and to runne at randon vnder the libertie of a turbulent raigne and for the last scene of this tragedie they stâ—rre vp a monsterous monke traiterously to murther him and by his death to extinguish the name of Valois and vnwittingly to let the Crowne of France vpon the head of this Henry the first of the branch of Bourâ—ons whome wee shall see happily called from beyond the riuer of Loire miraculously to take the helme of this estate and valiantly to encounter the dangerous attempts of his enemies who had alreadie proclaymed a triumph before the victorie gotten â—isely to quench the fires of diuision kindled in his Realme and nowe to raigne mâ—st happilie and by the admirable fauour and blessing of heauen to gouerne his people in concord peace and loue This is the man whome France had neede of to pacifie the diuisions both of great and small to restore their generall and priuate ruines and vnder so gentle and milde a commande to preserue them frâ—m the proude Emperie of Strangers Doubtlesse France cannot bee gouerned but by a Frenchman as wee shall see hauing learned the beginning progresse and pittifull ende of this Prince vpon whome depended the estate of this great and mightie monarchie Postes flie with speede to carrie newes to the King of Poland of the death of his elder brother whilest the Queene mother attending his comming made a truce with them of Poitou to the end she might with lesse opposition furnish the warres of Normandie and to stay them of Languedoc and other neighbour Prouinces she perswaded the Duke of Alençon and the King of Nauarre to giue them aduertisment of the death of Charles and sollicited the gouernours to write vnto the newe King touching their zeale to his seruice and desire vnder her regencie to obserue the like fidelity to him as they had done to his Predecessors Matignon labored in the meane time to take Saint Lo and Carentan from certaine gentlemen Protestants whome the breach of faith to the Earle of Montgomery had made resolute in the
the Prince on this side the riuer of Loire amongst many â—â—myes of enemies hauing no bridge at his deuotion without boates to repasse or any hope of succour Then that cheerfull hope which had brought that little armie turnes into conâ—â—sion and disorder for the Duke of Mayenne had passed the Loire at Orleans with â—â—â—teene hundred horse Reistres and French to cutt off the Princes way if hee reâ—assed the water The Duke of Espernon and the Marshall Biron kept Beausse towards â—â—â—â—eualle to meete with him La Chastre had drawne vp the mylls and boats and kept the passages of Loire The Duke of Ioyeuse marched at his backe Entragues Gouernour of Orleans came to crosse him and all the Commons did rise On the other side the Princes troupes were tyred He failes of two or three passages vpon 〈◊〉 riuer whereof hee made account betwixt Blois and Amboise The amazement increaseth and his number decreaseth such as had friends in Beausse Dunois Perche Veâ—â—osmois or Maine steale aâ—ay The Lord of Rohan aduising hiâ— not to thrust himselfe into an apparent ruine had turned head towards Brittaine Al the foresaid enemies forces would within few dayes charge him Being neere to Vendâ—sme hee leaues the cheefe charge of the retreat to Clermont and Saint Gelas ordereth the companies prouides for his househould seruants The Prince of Conde in rout and at eleuen of the clocke at night he parts accompanied with the Lords of Tremouille Auentigni and few others Finally after infinâ—â—e toyle and dangers past he recouered the Isle of Greneze lying in the English seas and so London being receiued by the Queene with all the honour and fauour hee could desire and then by her commandement accompanied with a good number of the Nobiâ—itie and men of warre in shipps well appointed he repassed the seas obtaining a sufficient conquest to haue saued himselfe and a rich spoyâ—e to haue returned with his head to â—ochell rather then to the Greue or the Hales at Paris Saint Gelais Bois-Dâ—lie Aubigni la Tifardiere and some others are commended to haue wiâ—ely preserued these broken troupes nâ—ere to the forest of Marchenoir diuided into small companies of twelue and fifteene whereof notwithstanding the Townes of Orleans Blois Amboise Tours and others thereabouts were straightly garded maâ—y repassed the Loire Saint Gelais and others taking the high way to Paris crossed many companies dispersed in Beausse and hauing wandred long in the forest oâ— Orleans in the end they passed the riuer neere to â—yen and at last recouered Rochelle where the Prince the cheefe of the armie and the most part of the troupes were already in safetie The lightnings of Sixtus 1586. and the second Edâ—ct of October had wonderfully mooued the King of Nauarre An other complaint of the King of Nauarâ—e Now he complaines to the Câ—ergie to the Nobilitie to the tâ—ird estate and to the Parliament of Paris of the breach of the last Edict of peace and that they had caused the question of succession to a King yet liuing to bee decided at Rome that they would make a Prince of the bloud of France subiect to the Pope that they suffer the Consistory to giue that which belongs not vnto it and that the Pope disposeth of realmes and principalitieâ— at his pleasure Then hee sheweth the miseries which these vnciuill warres will breed he exhorts them not to serue as instruments to the Leaguers to ruine the King and his Realme And finally seeing they are so ill adâ—uiâ—â—d he protests as before That both he and his will vse all lawfull meanes to resist the violence of their enemies and casts all the miseries that shall ensue vppon the authors thereof Strangers deale earnestly in the cause The Princes of Germanie make intercession to the King Intercesâ—â—on of â—orraine 〈◊〉 at the King of Nauars instance that hee would be perswaded at the humble petitions of his neigâ—bours and that opening his eyes at the teares and his eares at the complaints of his subiects he would maintaine his owne good quiet honour and â—aith his Crowne and reputation and preserue a body wounded vnto death But those of Guise kept him in awe He speakes not but by the mouth of the League I make and change said he vnto the Ambassadors my ordinances as necessitie doth require for the good quiet of my subiects and leaue the care to all Soueraine Princes to gouerne their people as they shall thinke fiâ— I haue the feare of God liuely grauen in my heart neither will I do any thing against the honour of my conscience and the fatherly â—are I haue of my people This â—â—eaâ—ed the League they are now on horsebacke The Duke of Mayenne marcheth with about two thousand horse The Duâ—e of 〈◊〉 armâ—e French and Reistres twelue regiments of foote and sixe thousand Suisses He must bring the Princes of the bloud prisoners to Paris in triumph their Captaines chained and couer the fields of Xaintonge Poictou and Guyenne with their slaughtered souldiars returne victorious and bring to the King the conquest of all the places that made resistance But what exploits what triumphes The wrath of God ruines his men in those Countries He beseegeth batters and takes some silly places which are scarce noted in the French map as Montignae Beaulieu Gaignac Castels and saint Bazille vppon Garonne Montsegur Castillon Fuynormaâ—d in Perigueux 1586 and the most part by composition but badly obserued leauing behind him Figeac Cadaillac Caior the houses of the Vicount of Gourdon Montfort Bergerac and Saint Foy places of importance all held by the Protestants The difficultie of passages the ouerflowing of riuers the vehement cold the continuall raine want of money munition victuals and supplies of men withdraw him from this warre to go winter at Bourdeaux there in the middest of his loues to make some enterprises vpon the Castels to the preiudice of the Marshall of Matignan So the most of his Soldiars deteined long without either honour or profit disband of themselues and the Duke brings from this voyage a more famous spoile the heire of Caumont being but twelue yeares old to giue her to one of his sonnes Hee had before time done better in Daulphiné where keeping his faith inuiolable hee had happily preserued his reputation and credit Indeed hee then liued onely vnder the Kings lawes and obedience and now hee spends much time labour and money to effect little in Guyenne In the meane time the Prince of Condé renued the warre assisted notably by the Earle of Laual and Saint Gelais who commanded about foure hundred and fiftye men and by the new conquests of Dompierre a Castell neere vnto Saint Iean belonging to the Marshall of Rez where the booty repayred the losses late suffred by the souldiars of Royen a strong place neere vnto Brouage of Soubize Mornac in Alleuâ—rt Mondeuis and others defaced the greefe of the former crosses In the midest of these prosperities hee tooke to his
the French with too great confidence and contempt of the enemie the Duke of Ioyeuze sets vppon them with all speed in the night kills foure hundred hurts a great number of them and but for the wisedome and aduise of Themines had slaine all the rest and gotten two Cannons of Montauban This done the Duke of Espernon retyres into Prouence 1592. His brother La Valette died in February are the Estate of Prouence required the Dukes presence being Gouernour The mines surprised and deâ—eated Ioyeuze layes hold of this occasion and the tenth of September returnes and campes before Villemur Reiners commits the place to the Baron of Mauzac to Chambert and la Chaize 〈◊〉 and valiant Commaunders in warre and goes himselfe to gather togither some â—â—â—cors at Montauban The seigneur of Desme is happily there with some forces without any stay puts himselfe into Villemur Ioyeuze made his battery of eight Cannâ—â—â— and two Culuerins when as Themines accompanied with sixe score maisters and tâ—o hundred harguebusiers marcheth couragiously to succour them causeth his horsemen to light and sends their horses safely backe to Montauban and so with great deâ—teritie thrusts himselfe into Villemur And in good time for the next day the twentith of September Ioyeuze gaue a sharpe assault but it was valiantly defended with great losse to the enemie At the same instant Themines giues an alarum with foure Trumpets which he had brought with him chargeth Ioyeuze fiercely and defeats a regiment newly come from Tholouse with a supplie of powder bullets pikes and iron forkes Hereupon the Marshall of Montmorencie Gouernour of Languedoe supplies the beseeged with some troupes led by Lecques and Chambault who aduertised of new forces come to Ioyeuze attend some dayes for Missillac Gouernour of Auuergne to ioyne with him Ioyeuze meanes to preuent them before they ioyne with the Auergnac to set vpon them Hee chargeth them at Bellegard and finds the beginning succesfull and pleasing but the end foule and mourneful for he left the field and returned with great losse Notwithstanding hee meanes to amaze the beseeged and by the Councell of Onoux and Momberault politike Captaines he makes many fires in his Campe as signe of victorie and ioy but Themines Leâ—ques and Chambault did but laugh at this policie Missillac arriues at Montauban with a hundred masters and a good number of harguebusiers Ioyeuze hauing his troupes then dispersed some before Villemur others in field against the Kings seruants all the Commaunders resolue to fight with him Missillac leads the foreward Chambault the battaile Lecques the reereward and the 19. of October they resolutely set vppon the Dukes first trench by the regiment of Clouzel and Montoison garded by two hundred souldiars and presently succourd by foure hundred others they force them and chase them to their second trench after an houre and a halfs fight vnder their Commaunder The rest of the Kings armie comes violently vpon them Themines issueth out of Villemur and chargeth them behind He leaues the place and retires farther off to Condommes where his campe and artillerie remayned His men seeing themselues poursued take this retreat for a slight they grow amazed all disband all flie in disorder feare makes them to loose their iudgement and the most part casting themselues into the riuer of Tar the bridge of boats which Ioyeâ—ze had made being vncapable of so great a presse desired rather to trie the fortune of the water then of the victors sword They cut the bridge which was in a manner the death of all them that had trusted in this violent Element Ioyeuze disapointed of the vse of the bridge leaps amongs the rest into Tar being full of them that fled and the Tar swalowing vp his bodie as the rest leaues his soule to seeke the place of his destiny The victors passe the foard and charge them that did swim in the water poursue them that flie The Duke of Ioyeuze drowned cut all in peeces they incounter and of so great a number bring but fortie three prisoners The death of about three thousand men ruined the League in Languedoc and Quercy Three Cannons two Culuerins two and twentie enseignes and all the baggage were the spoyles of this so memorable a day And to make it the more memorable the victors lost but tenne men whereof foure being not well knowne did by mistaking run lâ—â—e fortune with the vanquished Thus Villemur hauing endured aboue two thousand Cannon shot was fully deliuered with the losse of seuenteene souldiars onely The Dukes bodie was drawne out of the water and buried in Villemur and the Kings army consisting of fiue hundred masters and two thousand and fiue hundred shot besides those which remained in the place beseeged retyred hauing purchased great honour to their garrisons Thus the Leagues affaires began to languish the impatienciâ— and lightnesse of people who promise vnto themselues much and suffer little did queÌ„ch this great heat which was lately seene in good Townes the whole partie runs headlong to their ruine They did no more take for payment the assurance which was giuen them to prouide shortly for this common disorder and by an assemly of the Estates proceed to the Election of a King The League dâ—clines who should raise the pillers of their Estate and restore the good order and harmonie that should bee betwixt them The zeale of the new Pope Clement the eight moued them very little The forces and pistolets of Spaine grow hatefull vnto them The actions of the Duke of Mayenne are detested they abhorre the tyrannies which other pettie Kings would practise in their Prouinces and did well foresee that the ambition of great men would soone thrust the people into the gulfe of vtter ruine finally â—ueâ—y one begins to lifâ— vp his head and to desire peace They speake of it in the open Parliament of the League The cheefe of the Cittie ioyne with them that are most desirous of quiet and in the end procure an assemblie of the Cittie of Paris in the midest of Nouember They speake very plainly to end these troubles and to send to treat with the King to that end and purpose besides by the death of the Cardinall of Bourbon lately deceased the preferring and aduancing of the vncle before the nephew which they pretended was no more of force The Duke of Mayenne seing himselfe readie to be disapointed goes to the Towne-house intreats the assemblie to referre the decision of that point to the Estates and to forbeare to deale therein Otherwise said he I shall haue reason to thinke that the authors thereof are ill affected to our partie and will deale with them as with the enemies of our religion Notwithstanding all his threats it was decreed that attending a conuocation of the Estates they should send â—â—to the King to obteine a free trafficke betwixt them and the Townes of this Realme The Duke not able to impugne this conclusion seemes to
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
seeke to preserue his owne then to vsurpe an other mans Estate for an other The King sent for him to the Estates at Roan but the necessity of his affaires would not suffer him to go He sayd that he was not fit for this age and that he was like vnto the Adamant which serues not for all seas In the end of his last yeare he complained vnto his friends of the shortnesse of his life saying that hee was not to liue aboue ten or twelue yeares when as hee liued not twelue dayes His Physitions disagreed vpon the cause of his greefe hee had beene long troubled with the Emoroyds the which had so emptied his Bodie as there was no bloud found in him when he was opened His lights were much altered And for that his Physition sayd vnto him that his greefe was the Goute hee replied Is it possible that any one should die of the Goute without a feuer I see well what it is seeing men vnderstand nothâ—ng wee must haue recourse vnto God The third day of his sicknesse his Body was called to the Earth and his soule to Heauen He withstood the terrors of death with as great a courage as when it was presented vnto him at the Estates of Blois Foure or fiue houres before his decease a Capuchin came to visite him and to comfort him exhorting him to free this last passage couragiously and to let him know that the issue of this life is equall Death disrobing man of his titles and dignities as Stage-plaiers do their attire Aequat omnes 〈…〉 paris nasâ—mur pâ—res mâ—rimâ—r Sence Epis. 92 hee called him simply by his name when as he vnderstood this new manner of complement that they called him Peter de Pinac without any other ceremonie hee lifted vp his head and eyes to say vnto him that spake vnto him what art thou They found that this speech did somewhat amaze him and that hee did take it as a watch-worde of his departure which was about midnight The Duke of Biron did see him in his sicknesse and assisted at his funerall No man lyuing did better iudge of the nature of men by the consideration of their visages hee did diuine the Marshall Birons fortune by his countenance and the proportion of his visage for hauing considered it some-what curiously hee sayd vnto his Sister after his departure Hee hath the worst Phisiognâ—mie that euer I obserued in my life as of a man that would perish miserably The Arch-bishoppe of Lion had profited so little by the troubles as had hee liued longer necessity had forced him to feele great discomodities his Sisters Estate was ingaged the fruites of his benefices were seized on and yet his table was as sumptuous A Double 〈◊〉 the fiâ—t part of a 〈◊〉 as in the best daies of his prosperitie The League had cost him fifty thousand Crownes the Doublons of Spaine had left him nothing but Doubles Those which haue red the publike actions of this Prelate may iudge of his Doctrine but no man can represent the grace and force of his action but those which haue seene them He had in him a concurrence of all things necessary for an eloquent discours A graue pleasing countenance a goodly personage a facility of words The Duke Ioyeuze returnes to the Capuchins and an action that did charme his Auditors The Duke Ioyeuze Marshall of France beeing at Paris in March hauing heard Father Laurence sermons in Saint Germain L'Auxerrois beeing mooued in conscience after that he had taken his leaue of the Ladies and some of his friends he returned againe to the Capuchins where being receiued by the Fathers hee diâ— a hard penance and submitted him selfe to all the duties of a religious man All men were amazed to see him returne the second time to his Couent beeing plonged in shewe vppe to eares in the delights of the world but his Conscience tied him to returne by the bond of his vowe perswading him that it were better not to vowe then not to keepe a vowe made freely and without constraint or impression in his maiority The first motiue of being a Capuchin came into his heart by inspiration when as the deceased King Henry the 3. went on foote in procession to Chartres to haue issue Motiue whiche became a Capuchin if it pleased God He was then called Earle of Bouchages hee made choise of this order among all others the better to do his penance And the rather for that he vnderstood that he was dedicated by his deceased Father to be of the Church When hee was first a Nouice hee applied his studie with so great a courage as he was blamed for his great diligence wearing the haire continually Hee had his shoulders all torne with woundes In this Estate hee continued vntill the hottest of the late miserable Warres· when as after the death of his Father his yonger Brother who was a Knight of Malta and Grand Prior of Languedoc was called Duke of Ioyeuze for the Duke oâ— Ioyeuze or other in Lawe to King Henry the 3. deceased his eldest brother who was slaine at the battaile of Coutras with S. Sauueur his yongest brother died without Childâ—en â—he sayd Duke of Ioyeuze beeing acknowledged by them of Tholouze Narbone and others of the League for their head he made an enterprise vpoÌ„ the Towne of Villemur in Lauragâ—â—s where hauing planted the seege for that it was held by the Royalists euen as hee thought to haue forced the Towne the Lords of Themines Chambaut and Missillac came to releeue it The second oâ— Ioyeuze drowned at Villâ—mur who charged him with such aduantage as they put all his Army to route so as the sayd Duke retyring to the passage of a riuer he was drowned with many others By this meanes the house of Ioyeuze was reduced to the Cardinall of Ioyeuze his brother and to the Earle of Bouehage a Capuchin whom then they called Father Angelo The Tholousains and Nobility of their party beeing much amazed had recourse vnto the Cardinall whome they intreated often to take the charge of leading them the which hee would neuer accept And in the end at their instant sute that in raysing his house hee would â—uccor them by the meanes of the Earle of Bouchages his brother who was tâ—en more then capable of such a charge but he was a Capuchin This difficulty was propounded to the Councell of the diuines who concluded that by reason of the vrgent necessity they should withdrawe him from thence the which was propounded vnto himâ—elfe and he refused it But after they had layed before him the example of his owne Father who being Grand Prior of Langueâ—oc was yet dispenced withall to marâ—y to raise his house the which remained onely in him and whereof God had approued his blessing by the effect so many braue Noblemen beeing borne of that marriage He leâ—ues the 〈◊〉 habit by the â—opâ—s dispensation and leaue of his Generall He
search and dâ—sguising of presumptions and circumstances Slander is the cause of false iudgment Who doubts but the complaints malicious teares of this Woman were false directions sufficieÌ„t inductions to circumuent the wisedome of the best Iudges who in the middest of the â—ight that is to say in the darknesse of hidden Crimes haue followed the ordinary formes of Iustice. It was with reason that a Grecke Author discoursing of the criminall processe of Orestes who to reuenge the death of his Father slue Clitemnestra his Mother sayd that when he was brought before the Parliament of Arriopage Minerua Goddesse of Wisedome was Precident in Iudgment The Ancients by such fictions would teach vs that in the iudgement of Criminall causes if a Celestiall power doth not assist there doth many times inconueniences happen but the fault must then be imputed to the accuser who giues the first cause by an information framed expresly to afflict and condemne an â—nnocent Appian in his History reports of Iulius Caesar that seeyng a mutiny in his Campe he coÌ„manded the authors theâ—eof to be apprehended A souldiar was brought before him as one of these mutines yet it was presently auerred that he was none Caesar caused him that brought him to be seuerly punished iudging that although hee did it not maliciously yet he deserued punishment for that he had drawne an innocent Souldiar in danger of his life We reade that Martian hauing found a dead body in the night Martian condemned vpon suspition through piety which was theÌ„ greatly recommended among Christians seeking to bury him was taken led before the Iustice condemned vpoÌ„ suspition but at the same instant when as they carrâ—ed him to exâ—cution it chanced happily that the Murtherer was taken and executed hauing confessed the fact to the great happines of Martian who was deliuered and within few yeares after chosen Emperour As also the Ecclesiasticall History doth teach vs that S. Athanasius was accused to haue slaine Arsâ—nius and was ready to bee condemned if by good happe Arsenius had not beene found beeing hidden by the enemyes of Athanasius A late Writer curious in the search of the singularities of the History of Venice reports an Aduentuâ—e somewhat like vnto this Fuscarus sonne to the Duke of Venice had a capitall quarrell with an other Venetian Gentleman called Hermolaus Donat. This Gentleman was found dead and the author of this murther not knowne Fuscarus vpon suspition of their quarrell was called in question condemned and sent into exile where he died for griefe to see himselfe banished from his Country Within three moneths after his death a theefe was executed who amongst other crimes confessed that it was he and not Fuscarus which had slaine that Venetian Gentleman In such and the like inconueniences were it reason to giue absolute impunity to him that was the Calumniator be it that malice or indiscretion hath drawne him to this slander Scipio said that a Generall of an army must be well aduised what he doth for in matters of Warre there is no meanes to erre twise the first fault being sufficient to ruine an Army Euen so in Iustice it must be very exact when there is any question of a capitall accusation for seeing that the life depends thereon there is no meanes to erre twise the first being irreparable It is an approued distinction of all those that haue treated of the punishment of false accusations whether an Informer be induced to accuse slaundrously and wickedly or by indiscretion and without mallice The one differs from the other so haue they diuers effects the one hath some excuse the other is punished seuerely The punishment of false accusations the one Ciuilly the other Criminally for where there is mallice and slander the Law of God doth punish the Calumniator with the like paine Lege Taltonis and at Rome the Calumniator in crimes that were not capital was beaten with a hot iron and branded in the forehead for a signe and perpetuall marke of his slander And the Emperour Maâ—rinus did punish those accusers which did faile in their proofes with death Plynye speaking of such men called them abhominable sacrifices which should be offred vp to the publike quiet And the good Emperour Traian did so detest Calumniators as hee caused them to be put into a ship without sayle or tackling abandoning them to the mercy of that mercilesse element which would haue no pittie of them no more then they had had of many poore innocents But as for the Slander which proceeds from indiscretion without malice the seueritie in truth should not be so great yet is it fit there should be some punishment No seuere or capitall punishment but at the least pecuniarie and ciuil of domages and fiâ—e If she were not excusable as a Mother forced to accuse by extreme greefe without malice what racke what punishment what torments were sâ—fficient to punish her which hath drawne an innocent man in question and in danger to bee broken vppon the wheele The Poets faine that the Goddesse Câ—râ—s by the supposition of Tantalus did eate Pelops shoulder This Goddesse finding her own error although vnaduisedly condeÌ„ned her selfe to make Pelops a new shoulder of Iuorie You are the cauâ—e of the cruell torments which the playntife hath suffered vpon the râ—cke but you say it was by indiscretion and without malice At the least by an award of domages and fine make some Pecuniarie recompence to releeue the miserie of this poore man and to helpe him to finish the remainder of his dayes languishing after so many torments And if this woman represents vnto you the pittie and greefe of a Mother imagine I pray you the miserable sigthes of this innocent in the midest of the cruelty of the most violent tortures hauing no other feeling but his paine and greefe In one houre a thousand deaths without dying a bodie tormented stretched halfe torne in peeces his sinewes dryed and strayned his members broken and his whole bodie in a pittifull estate being bound and miserably racâ—t And to speake truth it had bin a great happines for this poore man to haue died for what remaynes is no more a perfect body but peeces displaced and disioyned members broken lame and feeble hauing his bodie reduced to that miserable estate as hereafter he shall hardly by his labour get a liuing for himselfe his Wife and fiue Children It is the clamor and sigthes of these poore yong Infants whose crie pierceth vp to heauen and their complaints come vnto you to moue you vnto pittie He in the meane time seeing himselfe miserable in his body and his family reduced to beggerie liues and dyes altogether It is a paine which still encreaseth a Greefe which euer doubles and a Death which hath neuer end That great Painter Apelles meaning to paint Slander The picture of slander set him forth in a mourning weed hauing two Wiues one of either side Ignorance and Suspition 1599.
them to Alba regalis promising the Turkes to deliuer them Shuartzbourg or if he would not trust them they would shew them the meanes to take him in Zolnock whether hee should come to bring their money Scuartzbourg had intelligence thereof yet some of the Traitors inuited him by their letters to come promising to open him the gates being come the kept him and sought to surprise him so as hee was forced to send Captaine Scharpffenstein with the Cannon to force them the 22. of Iune The Traitors receiued carts loden with prouision from the Turkes and deliuered them Christian prisoners which they carried a way to Vesprin and Alba regalis with great treacherie crueltie euery one deliuering vp his Host. In the meane time Michael Marot aduertised Schuartzbourg to come himselfe to beseege Pappa for that the Traitors were at diuision among themselues killing one another Schuartzbourg goes takes one of these trecherous Captaines at a sallie causing him to bee flead aliue and his head to be set on the end of a Pike to stirke terror into the rest They also take a Bastion from them by force by the which they might let in Turkish â—uccors who did all they could to succour them the which they could not effect by reason of the great floâ—ds and the resistance of the Christians The Traitors being famâ—shed and in great want of all things grew desperate desiring rather to die then to yeeld and be executed Among others they make one sallie in the night the last of Iuly and charge Marsbourgs quarter where finding the souldiars dronke they defeated many and put the whole Campe in armes Schuartzbourg a braue and valiant Captaine going to giue order for this tumult was slaine with a shot to the great greef of all the Câ—ristianâ— Schuartzbourg slâ—iâ—e before Pappa Notwithstanding his death the seege was continued the Traitors defended themselues desperately making a sallie the next day carrying many prisoners 〈◊〉 tâ—e Towne with some Captaines and slue three hundred And being perswaded to yeeld they answered that when all their victualls were spent they would eate their prisoners yea and Michael Marot the Gouernor The Emperour giue the charge of this army to Melchior Reder who had brauely defended Vaâ—adin The Traitors seeing they could hould no longer fore-cast how they might 〈◊〉 and the 9. of August they dryed vp a poole which did enuiron Pappa of one side and for that the bottome did sinke they did cast Hardles Strawe and other baggage into it Reder aduertised hereof sends Nadaste the Count Thurin and Colonitz to sâ—rprâ—ze them The Traitors flying had alreadie gotten vnto a wood at the end of the Poole where they ouertooke them and refusing to yeeld some of them were cut in peeces And among others la Motte their Captaine with a hundred more were slaine Their Mediator with the Turkes was taken with many of the chiefe of the Treason In the meane time Marot the Gouernor whom the Traitors had put in prison being freed from his bonds gets forth with others and comes to the Campe. Reder by this meanes enters into Pappa and deliuers the other prisoners At this entry many of the Traytors were slaine some were reserued for execution and were sent to other Garrisons to serue for an example Some were Impaled others broken vpon the Wheele and scorched with a small fire and basted with Lard Diuers punishmâ—nts of Trayâ—ors some had their Bowells pulled out off their Bellies and burnt before their faces and their thighes shoulders and other parts of their Bodies scorched some had their Hearts pulled out aliue others had their throats filled with Sulpher and Pouder and so set on fire some were buried aliue vp to thechinne and ther heads broken with Bullets euery one by order of Martiall Lawe to make them apprehend by the seuerity of their deaths the foulenes of their treason Which diuersity of seuere punishments seeming to tend to cruelty was very necessary to make all Christians abhorre treason The Lords of Sillery and Alincourt by the Popes aduice and the Kings commandement went from Rome to Florence A Treatie of the Kings marriage to treat a marriage betwixt the King and the Noble Princesse Mary of Medieis the which had beene propounded before This demaund was so pleasing vnto the great Duke as he made no difficlulty Her Portion was six hundred thousand Crowns comprehending that which the Great Duke had lent the King of the which he paid himselfe with Iewells and other precious moueables The Contract was past in the Pallace of Pitty the 25. day of Aprill in the presence of Charles Anthony Putei Archbishop of Pisa and Virginiâ— Duke of Bracciano All Florence shewed great ioy thereat and the Princesse was presently declared Queene of France She dyned publikely vnder a cloth of Estate the great Duke sitting farre beneath her The Duke of Bracciano gaue her Water and Sillery the Kings Ambassador the Towell The rest of the day was spent in all kind of sports Soone after Monsieur Alincourt went to carry these good newes vnto the King with the Queenes picture which the great Duchesse sent him The King sent Frontenaâ— The Queenes Picture sent to the King to serue the Qâ—eene as her cheefe Steward who presented vnto her his Maiesties first Letter and withall he sent his Portrait to the great Duke The King resolued to effect the promises of Marriage as soone as the Duke of Sauoy had performed his touching the Restitution or the Exchange of the Marquisate of Salusses and to go to Auignon to receiue the Queene but the Duke was much perplexed what hee should doe After the Duke of Sauoyes departure the King went to passe the Lent at Fontainbleau where there was A Conference at Fontainbleau a great Conference betwixt the Bishop of Eureux and Philip de Mornay Lord of Plessis Marly Gouernour of Saumur Intendent of the house and Crowne of Nauarre in the presence of the King Princes and Officers of his Crowne Councellors of State Prelats and other Noblemen of marke It was touching a booke which Monsier du Plessis had published of the Institution of the Lords Supper and against the Masse wherein the Bishop did taxe him to haue falsified many Authorities Whervpon du Plessis presented a Petition vnto the King that his Maiesty would be pleased to appoint Commisioners to examine euery passage of Scripture cited in his booke The King yeelded to this Conference that the trueth might be made cleare against the darknesse of sâ—ander referring the care thereof to his Chancellor The Commissionars appointed for the Catholiks were Augustin Thuanus President of the Court Parliament at Paris Pithou Aduocate in the Court and Fieure Schoolemaister to the Prince of Condé in whose absence came Martin the Kings Phisition And for the other the President of Calignon Chancellor of Nauarre in whose place entred de Fresnes Gauaye President of the Chamber of Languedoe and Casaubon his Maiesties Reader
his last hope vppon Bouuens to whome hee sends the countersigne without the which he was bound not to yeeld it This token was but counterfet D' Hostel played an other part he made this his colour to haue meanes to enter into the Cittadell A Countersigne carried to Bouuens and to giue this countersigne to Bouuens for his warrant and thereby to assure him that if he had meanes to hold good a moneth hee should disclame the signing of the ratification and make a shew of disobedience and hee should bee releeued D' Hostel went into the Cittadell and found that miserie would not suffer them to vant of resistance as they had done that things were no more in the Estate that Bouuens had represented them and that their neccessities were so extreame as there was no meanes to suffer them any longer beeing prest without by the Kings Army and within by cold and hunger which made the Duke more tractable to yeeld that which hee could not hold sending the ratification in the beginning of March and at the same time the Cittadell was deliuered into the Kings power Diuers opinions of the Peace The generall censures of this Peace were diuers The King was pleased that the pofit was apparent and assured for his Estates hauing for one Marquisate more Earles and Marquises then there are Gentlemen in the Marquisate of Saluces inlarging his frontiers aboue thirty Leagues and so restrayned the Dukes Estate on this side the Mountaines as hee hath left two third partes lost eight hundred Gentlemen and a fort which hee himselfe writing vnto Bovuens esteemed more then all the Marquisate with Prouinces as fertill as any bee in France It is true that the Honour to keepe that which was the cause of the Warre remayned to the Duke and by this meanes of a Peace hee hath no more neede of Spaniards nor of the Count of Fuentes Comodiâ—ies which the Duke got by the Peace who did him alwaise some Spanish affront and is free from all feare of the French who keâ—t Piedmont in awe while they had a retreate there The Duke who neuer went out of the gates of Thurin without six Companies of Horse and entertayned Garrisons which cost him more then the reuenues of the Countries exchanged may nowe sleepe and goe and come in safety This Moneth of March Louyse of Lorraine Dowager of France Widow to Henry the 3. The death of Queene Loâ—yse King of France and of Poland died her death was better known by the losse of such a light then by the mourning of her Heires or the Honour of her Funeralls for the Duke of Merâ—ure her Brother to whom she left her goods and the execution of her will was then in Hungary The Duchesse of Mercure attended on her vntill she died and layed her Body in the Couent of Saint Claire vntill shee might bee enterred with greater pompe She desired to bee layed in one Tombe with the King whose Body attendes vntill that the piety of the lyuing may remember the condition of the dead the which giues cause of amazement that the Earth which neuer fayles for the life of Princes should now want for their interment She was Daughter to Nicholas Earle of Vandemont Death of the Princesse of Coâ—â—e A most vertuous Princesse shewing in al her actions a singular piety and modestie The same yeare also Madam Francis of Orleans Princesse of Conde Mother to the Count of Soissons died in her house of Grenelles at Paris the Funerall Pompe was celebrated in the Abbey of Saint Germain de pres The Princesse of Conty dies About the end of this yeare the Princesse of Conty died of a great and languishing sickenesse as shee went to her house at Fonnestable in Perche to change the aire by the aduice of her Phisitions but shee changed her life The Duchesse â—â— Esquilâ—on leauing one onely Daughter the which the Count of Soissons married Afterwards the Duchesse of Eguillon died being Daughter to the Duke of Neuers deceased who left great cause of mourning to the Duke of Esquillon eldest Son to the Duke of Maine and the rather for that she died in child-bed the Child also with her The King in 40. daies had conquered all Sauoy with in 40. after hee married treated of a Peace made the Qâ—eene in case to be a Mother went in post from Lions and came to Paris which bare his long absence impatiently His returne gaue the world to vnderstand how quiet constant the affaires of France were that a King which went a 100. Leagues with 12. only in his traine was well assured of his subiects and feared not his neighbours The Qâ—een followed by smal iorneyes came to Fontainbleau where she stayd not long but came to Paris abouâ— S. Germains Faier her first lodging was at Gondies house her fiâ—st Gentleman of Honour beeing in the suburbes of S. Germaine The next was at Zameâ—s superintendant of her house then she came to the Lovure The Parisiens prepared themselues besought the King to giue them leaue to make her a stately entry but his Maiesty would haue the charges of this entry reserued for a more durable worke The Queene comes to Paris All the Princesses of the bloud with the chiefe Ladies of the Court and Citty presented themselues to kisse her hands and to do their duties vnto her Maiesty She made much of all that the King fauored and resolued to loue what hee Loued framing her will in such sort vnto his as she held his will for an vnwritten Lawe This yeare the Pope granted a Iubile and pardons to all the French that should goe vâ—sit the Church of Saint Croix in Orleans doing the workes of Christian charity An infinit number of people went thither from al parts of France the King and Queene went thether with the fiâ—st and gaue meanes to helpe to build this Church which had beene ruined during the furie of the fiâ—st ciuill warres The King layed the first stone of this building An act worthie of a Christian King the true successor of the pietie of S. Lewis his Predecessor But whilst he gaines pardons his enemies watch to surprise the best places of his Realme He was disarmed vnder the assurance of the Peace The armie of strangers was still whole togither and became fearefull to all Italie All the Princes were troubled therat and althovgh they bee not well vnited togither yet when there is any question of common danger they haue good correspondency At Rome they sayd it was for Geneua and that the Marquis of Aix was gone to intreate the Pope to fauour him with his blessing and to fortifie him with his meanes An enterprisâ— vpon Maâ—seilles Many other discourses were made touching this army but time discouered that it was entertayned for Marsâ—illes There is nothing â—o holy but money will violate nor so strong but it will force The Count of Fuentes vpon promise of great
but such as were ordinarily with him That the Gouernours of places who were then the Dukes subiects and now the Kings could witnes if there were any fauour vsed And if in making warre hee had any other obiect but the execution of his Maiesties commandements That if he had had any bad intent he had not yeelded vp Bourg so easily as he did To the fourth vppon the aduise giuen to the Gouernour of Saint Katherins Fort to kill the King He beseecheth his Maiestie to remember that hee alone did disswade and diuert him from going to vew the Fort giuing him to vnderstand that there were very good Gunners in the place and that he could not goe without great danger That vpon this aduise his Maiestie altered his purpose saying that if hee desired to see the place hee would bring him a plot of it the next day offering his Maiestie to take it with fiue hundred hargubuziers and that â—e himselfe would goe vnto the assault To the fift that he had treated with the Duke of Sauoy and the Count of Fuentes by the mediation of La Fin. He answered that being denied the keeping of the Cittadell of Bourg hee grew into that dispayre as he had desired to bee all couered with bloud being capable to say or to doe any thing At these words the Chancellor asked him with what bloud hee desired to bee couered with mine owne answered the Prisoner wishing to liue no longer after this refusall and I would haue ingaged my selfe in such sort among the enemies as I would haue dyed there or would haue returned all couered with bloud That for two moneths space he had written and spoken more then he ought but he had not omitted to doe well Hee added moreouer that La Fin had â—oe bewitched him with inchanted waters and by speaking Images as hee was forced to submit himselfe to his wil That he spake not vnto him but in secret vnknowne words calling him his Master his King his Prince his Lord. And scratching his left eare He spake execrable things against La Fin to moue the Court not to regard his accusation testimony Hee that had not seene the fact verefied by his owne letters would haue sayd it was Vlisses accusation forgâ—ng false letters from Priam to Palamedes He still fled to his pardon saying that hauing done nothing since the Kings clemency should remit his fault and that if he must implore it once more he had his Knees as supple as euer to doe it The Chancellor sayd vnto him that he had written a letter vnto la Fin since the Daulphins birtâ— by the which hee did aduertise him that seeing it had pleased God to send the King a Sonne he would no more dreame of those vanities desiring him to returne and if he had not imployed him he would not haue written This letter was produced to shewe the continuance of his bad desseignes whereof he made vse to iustefie himselfe and to shewe his repentance saying alwaies that hee had done well â—rooâ—e by writing of the conâ—â—nuâ—nce of his practises although hee had some thought of doing ill The Chancellor sayd vnto him that seeing he felt his coâ—science so cleere and knowing that hee had done nothing why did he not laie himselfe more open vnto the King who sought him with great affection at Fontainbleau to tell him the truth of that which hath beene since discouered by the processe Hee wauered at this demand saying that he did not thinke the King had knowne any thing of that which had passed betwixt him and la Fin for that hee had assured him by othes and fearefull curses that hee had sayd nothing that might hurt him That hauing conferred with a relligious man of the order of the Minimes to knowe if hauing past his word with an othe to la Fin neuer to discouer what had past betwixt them he might with a safe conscience say any thing He had answered him that seeing there was no more any intent to execute the things that were sworne betwixt them he ought not to reueale them That this resolution continued so constant in his minde that although the Arch-bishop of Bourges had visited him in prison and had giuen him many reasons to free him from these scruples yet hee held it an act vnworthy of a man to falsefie his oth and that it was onely fit for a Soule hardened with Atheisme the spring of all impiety to sweare with an intent to circumuent Here his speech fayled him with the violence of his greefe but recouering his spirits he spake these words My misfortune hath this consolation that my Iudges are not ignorant of the seruices which I haue done to the King and Realme and with what loyaltie I haue carried my selfe in the greatest and most important affaires to restore the King vnto the Realme and the Realme vnto the King to preserue the Lawes of State and to settle you in this place from the which the Saturnales of the League had expelled you This Bodie wherof you hold the life and death in the disposition of your Iustice hath no veine which hath not beene opened and which I would not willingly open for you This hand which did write the letters which are nowe produced against mee is the same which hath done the contrary to that which it hath written It is true I haue written I haue sayd and I haue spoken more then I ought but no man can shewe that I haue done ill And there is no Lawe that punisheth the lightnesse of a simple word or the motions of the thought with Death my words haue beene alwayes Feminine but the effects of my courage Masculine Choller and Despight haue made mee capable to say all and to do all but Reason would not suffer mee to doe any thing but what deserued Praise and Imitation I haue had bad desseignes but they neuer past my thougâ—t At the same instant they sprong vp they were smothered If I had beene desirous to nourish and make shewe of them I haue had great meanes and occasions I could haue done bad seruice to the King in England and in Suiserland There are aboue a hundred Gentlemen that can witnesse of my behauiour in the first Ambassage and for the second He shewâ—â— by what means he might hauâ— done ill I desire no other testimony but that of the Seigneurs Sillery and de Vic who know in what maner with what fidelity I imployed my selfe to reconcile and vnite so many wills disioyned with-drawne from the Kings alliance If you will consider howe I came and in what Estate I lefte the places of Bourgongne it wil- be impossible to haue any badde conceite of my desseignes They found not a man of Warre in my Gouernment I haue left the places without garrisons I haue giuen the Captaines no other commandement but to serue the King well and to doe that onely where vnto they are bound Euery man aduised mee not to
a list He that appreheÌ„ds death hath no desire to eate yet hee set him downe rose againe presently and according to his vsuall maner went vnto a window which looked into the Court of the Basâ—ille where hearing the cries and lamentations of a woman hee thought they were for him had this sad content to see they wept for him before his death Soone after the Chancellor goes towards him who crossing through the Court the Duke of Biron espied him cryed out that he was dead You come sayd he to pronounce my sentence I am condemned vniustly tell my kins-folkes that I die an innocent The Chancellor went on without any motion coÌ„manding that they should bring him into the Chappel The prisoner seeing him come a farre of cried out The Duke of Biâ—ons words to the Chancellor Oh my Lord Chancellor is there no pardon is there no mercy The Chancellor saluted him and puâ—ts on his hat The Duke of Biron continued bare and hauing abandoned all the powers of his Soule to greefe and passion hee tooke the aduantage to speake first and to speake all that a tounge ouer greeued might vtter reproching the Chancellor that hee had not had so great a desire to saue him as to condemne him After condemnation all discours is vaine Hee added thervnto certaine words the recording whereof is prohibited and the report punnishable But Princes regard not the rayling of subiects against their Maiesty the which returnes alwaies froÌ„ whence it came The Duke of Biron knowing not whom he should challenge most for his misfortune turned towards the Chancellor and shaking him by the arme sayd You haue iudged me God will absolue me Men condemned may speak any thing hee will lay open their Iniquities which haue shut their eyes because they would not see mine innocency you my Lord shall answere for this iniustice before him whether I do sommon you within a yeare and a day I go before by the iudgement of men but those that are the cause of my death shall come after by the iudgement of God All which was deliuered with such violence as hee cryed out and stormed both against the King and his Parliament They beare with all which proceeds from choller in a condemned man of his humor and quality But this excesse to adiorne a Chancellor to Heauen being 70. yeares old was held vnworthy the great courage of a Captaine blaspheming and brauing death and yet ignorant how they pleade in an other world He was not the first in the like extremities that haue adiourned their Iudges before the Throne of God Iohn Hus sayd in dying That those which had condemned him should answer a hundred yeares after before God and him and the Bohemians who preserued the Asshes of his bones and maintained his Doctrine coyned money with this adiournement But the Duke of Birons assignation was vaine for the Chancellor appeered not but hath bin more healthful since then before He found no means to enter into discours amidest the confusioÌ„ of so many words which were like vnto a violent streame Yet he interrupted him to tell him that he had need of Gods helpe that he should recommend himselfe vnto him He presently answered that hee had thought vpon God and implored his aide to giue him patience against their iniustice but neither he nor his Iudges had thought of it in condeÌ„ning him Passion transports the rounge Passion sayd the Chancellor makes you to speake many things without any colour and against your owne Iudgement There is not any man hath better knowne your merits then my selfe and I would to God your offences had bin as much vnknowne as they haue bin dissembled The knowledge thereofwas so great and so perfect as your Iudges haue bin more troubled howe to moderate your paine then to haue you punnished they haue more labored to iustefie you then to condemne you Whilest the Chancellor was speaking the Duke of Biron turned towards Roissy Master of Requests asked him if he had also bin one of his Iudges Roissy answered My Lord I pray God to comfort you My father loued you so intirely replied the Duke of â—iroÌ„ that although you were one of them that had coÌ„demned me I would forgiue you And so returning to his discourse he addresâ— himselfe vnto the Chancellor who was saying some-thing vnto Voisin I see well sayd he what it is I am not the most wicked but I am the most vnfortunate Those which haue done worse then I would haue done are â—auored The Kings clemency is dead for me Hee doth not immitate the examples of Caesar nor Augustus or of those great Princes who not only pardoned them that would haue done ill but euen them that did ill who were euer sparing of their bloud yea of that which was least esteemed wherin can the King shew himself greater theÌ„ in pardoning Clemency is a Kingly vertue Euery one may giue death Clemency a royall vertue but it belongs onely to Soueraigns to giue life And cruell that he is doth he not knowe well that he hath pardoned me I had a bad desseigne he granted me grace I demand it againe you may easily aduertise him a â—â—st wil soone returne The Queene of England told me that if the Earle of Essâ—x would haue humbled himselfe and sued for grace shee would haue pardoned him Hee grewe obstinate and would neuer implore her mercy taking from her all meanes to shew the effects She like a generous Princesse desiryng to pardon him euen as she would that God should pardon her He was guilty I am innocent he sued for no pardon for his offence I craue it in mine Inoceney Is it possible the King should thinke no more of the seruices I haue done him doth hee not remember the conspiracy at Mantes and the danger hee had runne if I had had intelligence with the Conspirators who found nothing that did hinder the effects of their desseigne then my loyaltie nor a more ready meanes to attayne vnto it then in causing me to be slaine The Duâ—â— oâ— Birons repâ—ochâ—s There is no veine in my bodie which hath not bled for his seruice He shewes that he neuer loued me any longer then he thought himselfe to haue neede of me Hâ—th he forgotten the â—eege of Amiens where they haue seene me so often couered with fire and bullets and to be in so many dangers eyther to giue oâ— to receiue death Hee now quentcheth the torch in my bloud after that he hath vsed it My Father exposed himselfe to a thousand dangers and purchased death to â—et the Crowne vpon his head I haue receiued fiue and thirty wounds vpon my body to preserue it for him and for my reward hee takes my Head from my Shoulders Let him beware least the Iâ—stice of God fall vpon him He shall finde what profit my death will bring him it will nothing assure his affaires but impaire the reputation of his Iustice. Hee
doth loose this daie a good Seruant and the King of Spaine a great Enemy I am not put to death for that I treated with him my courrage raysed mee vp and my courrage ruines me It is not lawfull for a man condemned to dispute of that which hath been iudged against him And therefore the Chancellor sayd A condemned mâ—n mâ—y not dispute that hee should not torment himselfe any more against his Iudgement that they had done him that Iustice which a Father is bound to pronounce against his owne Sonne if he had offended in the like sort At that word choller makes him to breake forth saying What Iustice I was neuer heard but once I couâ—d not deliuer the fiftith part of my Iustâ—fication What Iudgement vpon the testymony of the most wretched and most execrable man in the world who neuer came neere me but with inchantments nor went from me but he had inchanted me There is no charme noâ— viâ—lâ—nce that can forâ—â— an honest man to doe iâ— He bit me by the eare made me to drinke inchanted waters calling me his King his Prince his Lord. Hee cannot deny but hee made mee to see an Image of waxe which spake these two words in Latin Thou shalt die wicked King If he hath this power ouer a sencelesse Image what might he not do vpon me whoâ—e will he did tirannize vpon by his witch-craâ—t forcing me to do what he pleased But la Fin sayes that he knowes not what this Image meanes If it be true these words discouer the Diuills pollecy who speakes the truth in his misery that trustes vnto his lies and intangles him still with inscrutable ambiguities So hee deceiued Craesus when hee tould him that the Riuer Halys should loose a great power meaning his not that of Cyrus The Diuilâ— answeres are deceitfull against whome hee went to fight So the Diuill ment not any other King then hee whome la Fin saluted by the name of King calling the Duke of Biron his Prince and his King At euery word nowe he vttered some execration against la Fin taxing the Court of Iniustice to haue condemned him vpon his accusation The Chancellor sayd vnto him that the Court had considered aduisedly of his answers and his letters It is true sayd the Duke of Biron I haue written some but there are some that by an odious wickednesse premeditated haue beene counteâ—fet Those that were of my hand writing were not my intention I disauowed them when I sent them Suppâ—sition oâ— letâ—â—â—â— There are some that can counterfit letters so arteficially as they that are charged therewith are confounded and beleeue they had written that which they neuer thought The Marques of Vernueil confessed to haue written that which was not her hand nor euer in her thought and when she had red the letter she cryed out that her hand had betraied her Heart hauing neuer any thought of that which was contayned therein The Chancellor would haue interrupted his discourse but he prest him in such sort as there was no meanes to make any way He spake of the Kings pardon which hee had granted him as if he had relyed vpon his word not seeking any other assurances He tould what letters the King had sent him to perswade him to come and the pollicy of the President Ianin to drawe him therevnto to deceiue him as hee sayd calling him a Deceiuer the aduice of his friends consuring him not to come with many other vnnecessary discourses The Chancellor to interrupt him sayd that the King demanded his Order The dukeâ— of Biron deliuers vp the Kingâ— order the Duke of Biron drawing it out of his pocket deliuered it vnto him protesting and swearing vpon the saluation and perâ—ll of his Soule that he had neuer broken the oth which he had made in taking it It was true that he had affected Warre more then 〈◊〉 make himselfe necessary and to maintaine the reputation â—hich he had gotten by the practise of armes It seemes hee had not well obserued the articles of this Order by the which no knight of the Holy ghost might take any Pencion Entertainment 〈◊〉 Money from a forraine Prince nor tie themselues to the seruice of any other perâ—â—â— during the Kings life but should faithfully reueale all which they knewe did 〈◊〉 his Maiesties seruice The Chancellor would haue had him to reade his sentence 〈◊〉 beseeched him not to intreate him with that rigor that hee knewe what it did 〈◊〉 but the King should content himselfe with his Life and suffer his Goods to go vnto his kiâ—s-folkes ending his paine with his death The Chancellor sayd that he doubted not but the King 〈◊〉 a Prince full of bounty would let his kins-foâ—kes knowe that hee had loued him Although the losse of life is nothing conforted by the preseruation of goods yet this gaue him some consolation so as the fume of his choller was sodeâ—â—y dispersed The Chancellor sayd That hee had brought two Diuines to comfort him and to prepare him for death The prisoner sayd vnto them That he was already prepared and had his Soule in that tranquillity as the night before he had spoken with God and that his gard had heard him laugh in his sleepe The Chancellor who had much forced his patience sayd vnto him wee will bidde you farre-well What fare-well sayd the condemned I will come and â—ee you againe after diner He is suffred to make his will answered the Chancellor As he went forth he intreated him to grant him the last consolation that remaines for men that are dying when they may haue their wills to passe after their deathes and to suffer him to make his Testament It was granted and he disposed thereof with a spirit free from all perturbation Hee remembred hâ—s seruants and friends not forgetting the Baron of Lux whome hee lamented aboue all He drewe three rings from his fingers and deliuered them to Baranton to giue vnto his Sister of Saint Blancart desiring her to weare them in remembrance of him Hee had about three hundred Crownes when hee was taken prisoner a part he playd the rest he gaue away to the poore Eeight or ten of his gard came to take their leaues of him with teares in their eyes He gaue them Apparell Shirtes Cloakes and all that he had in his Cofers So when the table is taken away they giue the meate that remaines to them that haue waighted Garnier the Kings preacher and now Bishop of Mompellier with Magnon Curat of Saint Nicholas of the field presented themselues to comfort him to take from him the violent fittes which the opinion of his innocency did giue him and to with-drawe him from the affections of the world Voisin tould him that it was the course of Iustice reade the sentence that he must kneele downe before the Altar The Duke of Biron kneeles to heare the sentence of death Reade it saies hee I wil be as supple as a gloue
It was red in these termes The Procesâ—e beeing extraordinarily made and examined by the Court and Chambers assembled by the Presidents and Councellors that were deputed by letters pattents of the 18. and 19. of Iune at the request of the Kings Attorney generall against Charles Gontault of Biron knight of both orders Duke of Biron Peere Marshal of France Gouernor of Bourgongne prisoner in the Bastille accused of treason interrogations confessioÌ„s denialls confronting of witnesses letters aduises instructioÌ„s giuen to the enemy confessed by him and all which the Attorney general hath produced A sentence was giuen the 22. of this moneth by the which it was decreed in the absence of the Peeres of France being called they shold proceed to IudgemeÌ„t the conclâ—sions of the Kings Attorney generall beeing giuen and the prisoner beeing heard by the Court vpon the Crimes wherewith he was charged al considered it was sayd That the sayd Court had declared and did declare the sayd Duke of Biron guilty of heigh treason for his conspirecies against the Kings person The crimes for the which the Duke of Biâ—on was condemned enterprises against his Estate Treacheries and Treaties with his enemies beeing Marshall of the Kings army For reparation of which crimes they depriued him of all his Estates Honors and dignities condemned him to loose his head vpon a Scaffold at the Greue declaring all his goods mouable immouable wheresoeuer to be confiscate vnto the King the Seigneury of Biron to loose the name title of Duchy and Peere for euer with all other goods held immediatly of the King to bee vnited vnto the Crowne of France decreed in the Court of Parliament the last day of Iuly 1602. and signed by Belliuere Chancellor of France and Fleury Councellor in the Court and Reporter of the processe He fals into choâ—lâ—r â—tter the reading of his sentence Hee grewe into choller thrice in the reading of the sentence when they sayd that he had attempted against the Kings person hee protested with great Imprecations that it was false That he had neuer made any CoÌ„spiracy that he had his head troubled with some enterprises of State for that he would not liue idlely in Peace but giue some imployment to men of war But it was aboue two and twenty monethes since hee had any thought of it desiring that Voisin might raze that out of the sentence When hee heard that hee should bee executed at the Greue he sayd he would not goe thether but would rather bee drawne with â—oure horses and that it was not in all their powers to leade him Vâ—isâ—n sayd that they had prouided for it and that the King had done him the grace to change the place of his execution hauing appointed it at the Bastille What grace answered the Prisoner The third point of his sentence was that hee was troubled for the reunion of the Duchie of Biron to the Crowne the which hee sayd could not bee forfeited to the preiudice of the substitution of his Brethren and that the King should be satisfied with his life The Diuines after the pronouncing of the sentence spake more boldly vnto him of death and to free himselfe of all worldly cares as he had done of his goods After sentencâ— pâ—onounced they vse to â—ind their hands and that he should haue no other thoughts but of his Soules helth Hee then grewe into choller swearing that they should suffer him in Peace and that it concerned him only to thinke of his Soule with the which they had nothing to do It is the order in Cryminall executions to deliuer the party condemned into the hands of the Executioner as soone as his Iudgement is read They would haue done so with him but Voisin went to speake vnto the Chancellor to know if they should not distinguish him from other prisoners The Chancellor was in doubt whether they should binde him or not Hee asked Sillery what he thought who vnderstanding by Voisin that the party condemned was well pacefied sayd it was to bee feared that in seeking to binde his hands they would cause him to breake the bonds of patience and enter into newe fâ—ries for that they which are in that distresse are distempered for small matters Yet the Chancellor would haue the aduice of the first President who was in an other Chamber for that he had dined before he came vnto the Bastille Hee sayd that it was dangerous to suffer his hands free and therefore they must binde him Euery one was of Silleries opinion who considered not so much what should be done as what might bee done for the Party condemned would neuer haue suffred himselfe to haue beene led bound to the place of executioÌ„ but in Fury Dispaire The Executioner who sayd since that a young hangman and not experienced would haue died for feare had beene in danger to endure that which hee would make him to suffer In this liberty his spirit was alwayes free in his thoughts for the last disposition of affaires The Diuines intreated him to consider that he was no more what he had beene that within an houre or two he should Be no more that he must leaue this life to liue for euer that his Soule must go before the fearefull Throne of the liuyng God to be rewarded with a more happy and perfect life then that which hee had past in this world or condemned to infinite paines in coÌ„parison wherof that which he should suffer was but a light pricking in respect of the burning flames of the diuine Iustice. He then entred into the examinatioÌ„ of his Conscience in the which he remained aboue an houre He confesseth himselfe This action required an Humble Penitent and a Contrite heart and yet hee seemed much more carefull of worldly things and of the affaires of his house then of his Soules health and as it were a yong apprentise in the first prayers of his Relligion praying vnto God not as a deuout Christian but as a Soldiar not as a relligious Man but as a Captaine not as Moyses or Elias but like to Iosua who on horse-backe and with his sword his hand prayed and commanded the Sonne to stand still His confession beeing made he walked vp and downe the Chappell still casting out some exclamation for his Innocency and some execration against la Fin asking iâ— it should not bee lawfull for his brethren to cause him to be burnt Hereupon Voisin comes who tells him that the Chancellor and the firâ—â— President were very glad of the constant and generous resolution hee had to die and that they would come presently to see him He resolueâ— to die He answered that he had beene long resolued and that it was not the paine of death but the manner that did amaze him Whilest he attended them there were many notes brought him touching his affaires whereunto he answered without trouble or passion Hee recommended the payment of some debtes which he
did owe to gentlemen that had nothing to shew for it and among others to the Ambassador in England when the Chancellor had dined hee came to see him with the fiâ—st President found that as a troubled water growes cleere being setled so the time which he had giuen him to thinke of his affaires had takeÌ„ from him the violent agitations of his fantasie freed his heart from the feare of death He coÌ„mandded al that were in the place to retyre and they sat downe togither about halfe an houre but their dâ—scourse is vnknowne In the ende the Chancellor sayd vnto him I should doe wrong vnto your courage if I should exhort you vnto death shee hath presented herselfe vnto you in so many places as it is not in her power to trouble the Constancie and Patience wherunto I beleeue you are disposed You find it hard to die in the flower and vigour of your age but if you consider that our dayes are lymited and that they depend of the fore-sight of the Gouernor of the whole world you will receiue this death as by the will of God who meanes to retyre you out of this world for your owne good before that some great and long miserie shall send you As we may not desire a death which is farre off so may we not reiect that which offers it selfe No no answered the Partie condemned labour not my Lords to fortifie me against the feare of death theâ—e twentie yeares it hath not feared me and knowing not where she would take mee I haue expected her euerie where You haue giuen me fortie dayes to thinke vpon it yet I could not beleeue that beeing not in the power of my enemies to take away my life I should be so miserable as to be seazed on by death with the consent of my friends The King said the Chancellor hath cuâ—t of al that might be shamefull and ignominous He then asked him if hee would speake with any one Hee sayd that he desired to see La Forse and Saint Blancart They tould him that they were not in the Cittie He deâ—ires to see his â—riends but there was a gentleman of the Lord of Badefous and after that he had demanded for Preuost Comptrouler of his house and that they had answered him that he was gone three dayes before to a house of his in the Countrie he then sayd that hee ought not to haue beene there that he had all his blankes adding thereunto these wordes of Compassion The Chancellor takes his â—â—aue of him All the world hath abandoned mee In these crymes friendship is dangerous friends fayle and the disease is taken by acquaintance as well as by infection He is wise that knowes no man nor no man knowes him At these words the Chancellor and the first President tooke their leaues of him with teares in their eyes He intreated them to receiue a good opinion of his life by the assurance which he gaue at the point of death that he had neuer attempted any thing against the King that if he would haue vndertaken it the King had not beene liuing three yeares since The Chancellor went out of the Bastille with the first President and Sillery stayed in the Arcenall vntil the execution was done The Duke of Biron intreated the Knight of the Watch to go after him to request him that he would suffer his Body to be interred with his Predecessors at Biron for although Nature hath prouided that no maÌ„ shal die without a Graue yet meÌ„ thinke curiously thereof before they die and imagine that as glory preserues the reputation of the life so the Graue maintaines the remembrance of the Body He that had seene him would haue thought hee had not bin readie to die so little care hee had of death or els he promised to himselfe some vnexpected effects of the Kings mercy or to escape by some miracle There is no such deceit as imagination frames in these extremities when shee flatters her-selfe with vaine hope imagining that God doth greater wonders and that they haue seene a pardon come betwixt the Executioners sword and the Pâ—â—soners necke Voisin asked him if he pleased to say any thing else that might serue to discharge his conscience The Preachers exhorted him not to conceale any thing to consider that they could not giue him Absolution but for what he should confes He answered that although the King did put him to death vniustly yet he had so much loued his seruice and had serued him with so great loue â—bedience neuer diuiding tâ—e one from the other as he felt in his thoughts of death those of his loue to be so liuely and ardent as he would not conceale any thing that he knew to be against his person or Sâ—ate for aâ—l the world no not for the assurance of his life hee would not speake any thiâ—g tâ—at was not true He drewe Voisin and his Confessors a part and whispered some-thing vnâ—o them the which was presently written He praies before he goes forthe of the Cappell Hauing continued with his Confessors halfe an houre being neere fiue oâ— the Clocke one came and told him that it was time to part Goweâ— sayd he seeing I must He then kneeled downe before the Altar makes his praier and recommends him-selfe vnto God before hee goes out of the Chappell He asked if there were any one that belonged vnto the Marques of Rhosny Arnaut was there whome he willed to present his commendations vnto his Master in remembrance not so much of him that went to die as of his Kins-folkes which remained aliue and to assure him that he held him for a good seruant to the King and profitable and necessary for his seruice and that â—e was sorry he had not followed his Councell Hee knew one that followed the Duke of Mayenne and intreated him to say vnto him that if in his life he had giuen him some cause not to loue him yet he desired him to beleeue that hee died his seruant and the Duke of Esguillons and the Earle of Sommeriues his Children He sends câ—mmendatioâ—s to the â—ount of Auueâ—â—ne Hee charged Baranton to deliuer his last words of loue and affection vnto his Bretheren coÌ„manding them to keepe the faith which bound them vnto the Kings seruice not to apprehend his misâ—ortune nor to come at Coâ—â—t vntill that time had worne out the Sâ—arres of his ignoâ—inious death Hee intreated one of them that had garded him to go tel the Earle of Auuergne that he went to die without griefe but for the losse of his frieâ—dship that if God had giuen him a longer life hee would haue done him more seruice beâ—eeching him to beleeue that he had sayd nothing at his Arraignment that might hurt him if it were not that hee had more want then bad meaning The Count of Auvergne receiued this far well as from a true friend with a feeling worthy of his friendship he intreateâ—
a paine Stantem Imperatâ—rem excedere terris dâ—cet he commanded the Executioner to make an end He desired to die standing according to the aduise of Vespasian The Executioner answered him that hee must kneele that hee might doe nothing out of Order No no said the Duke of Biron if thou canst not doe it at One giue Thirtie I will not stirre They prest him to kneele and hee obeyed willing the Execâ—tioner to dispatch then he start vp sodainly againe casting his eyes vpon the Executioner and looking vpon the standers by hee asked if there no mercy It was imagined that either hee would haue layd hand vppon the Executioners sword or that hee presumed that when he should be readie to receiue the fatall stroake they would bring him his pardon and that the King would doe him no other harme then feare him as Papirius Cursor did one of his souldiars â—or breaking of his ranke The Executioner intreated him to suffer him to cut his heâ—re At that word he grew into choller againe â—e vnbanded himselfe and sware that if he toucht him hee would strangle him You may see in two persons two extreame passions Feare retyred the â—xecutioner within himselfe Choller transported the Dâ—ke of Biron beyond himselfe The one trembled for feare the other for rage Voisin sayd vnto him that he had too much care of his bodie He sweares and growes into choller which was no more his owne He turned to him in choller with an oath saying I will not haue him touch mee so long as I shall bee liuing If they put mee into choler I willl strangle halfe the company that is here and will force the rest to kill mee I will leape downe if you thru si me into dispaire His colour did rise and shewed a distemperature in his face Those that were vppon the scaffold went downe The Executioner remayned amazed fearing death more then he that was to die But this choller preuailed nothing it was like vnto Ctesiphon to kicke against the Moâ—â—es heeles Resâ—â—e horses get nothing but spurring they are neither freed from their burden nor from their iourney hee must resolue to goe this way the which he must passe at length Voisin intreated the Preachers to goe vp againe and to pacifie him fearing least he should fal into dispaire for his Soule being much troubled with the violeâ—ce of so tragicall an end entring into these furious motiues was subiect to great distempratures They goe vp againe and speake some good wordes vnto him in his eare the which doth temper his furious rage and calme the choller which the Executioners presence did thrust him into Hee had alwayes liued in Warre he could not die in Peace All men found these furious passions strange in the last act of his life the which required a great constancie of mind and a perfect Iudgement to know God and to call to him for mercy and to pray him to intreat his Soule more fauourably then Iustice had done his Bodie Hetherto they beleeued that although hee were entring into death yet hee thought not to die and that hee would seaze vppon the Executioners sword Sodenly hee resolues to free this passage and hauing receiued his absolution hee sayd My God my God my God take pittie on mee Then turning to the Executioner hee takes the binder that was in his hand trusses vp his haire behind and binds it vppon his fore-head and with his handâ—kercher hee bâ—inds his eyes and so kneeles downe The Preachers comfort him in his last râ—solâ—tion assuring him that his Soule was readie to see God and to bee partakâ—r of his glory in Heauen I sayd he Heauen is open for my Soule And this done he bends downe his head presenting it as willingly vnto the sword as Agis did his vnto the halter saying vnto the Executioner Strike Strike oh Srike This was to die in commanding and to command in dying The Executioner hauing seene him to rise and to vnblinde himselfe thrise that in turning towards him being not bound hauing the sword in his hand hee might wrest it from him thought that there was no way to execute him but by surprise and therefore hee sayd vnto him that hee must say his last prayer to recommend his Soule vnto God intreating the Preachers that were gone downe to cause him to say it At which wordes the Executioner made a signe to his man to reach him his sword with the which hee cut of his head euen as he was speaking The blow was so sodaine as few men perceiued it He cuts of 〈◊〉 head the Head leaped from the scaffold to the ground The Preachers prayed for the happie departure of the Soule from so vnhappie a Bodie the which was presently stripped into his shirt and couered with a sheete His heart panted as if in rising against the Head it had sayd as Apolodorus thought that his did when hee drempt that one did hewe it in peeces It is for thee that I suffer This Head full of the fumes of Ambâ—tion was the cause of the Hearts death The Executioner stroke him so heigh aboâ—e tâ—e Nape of the Necke as he glaunced vppon his Iawe-bones and left a great 〈…〉 hayre on his Necke Being dead hee shewed Choller in his Countenance as tâ—ey write of the Souldiars which died at the Battell of Cannas Euery one departed commending the Kings Iustice and lamenâ—â—ng the misery of so Valiant a Man beleeuâ—â—â— that of long time they should not see his equall His Kinsfolkes would thinke themselues happy if the Glory of his Life might wipe away the Infamy of this Death if the shining of his first actions were not obsured with the Darknesse of the â—â—st that for a recompence of al his Seruices which haue made him so famous they migâ—t obtaine the fauour that they would neuer speake of him But there is no Lawe of Forgetfulnesse to deface the memory of that which hath beene and of that which is About nine of the Clocke at night he was carried to S. Pauls Church and buried in the middest of the Body before the Pulpit the Celestins hauing refused to giâ—e him buriall Great Gonsalue dying had a hundred Ensignes hang ouer his graue hauing had no permission nor commandment for it He was not distinguished from others by his Funerall Pompe nor by the number of Ensignes I 〈◊〉 that Great Captaine at Granado but by the Holy watter which the Parisians did cast hourely vpon his Graue Such was the ende of the Duke of Biron There is no Caâ—me but hath a Storme one would haue said to haue seene him at the height of his prosperities That he had fixed a Nayle on Fortunes wheele that it might not turne and yet he is sodainly cast downe There past but one night betwixt his Glory and his Ruine This Flower being so sodainely blowne the first Northern winde did wither it and carry it away His Honours and Greatnesse were the meanes to ruine him like vnto Absolons
Asse like vnto the Patriarke of Constantinople not on foote as S. Hillarye entred into Rome but on Horsebacke followed by two hundred Horse The Prelats of Germany are dispensed of the condition which Chrisostome desired in a good Bishop not to ride on Horse-backe not allowing Bishops to ride vpon Asles or Moyles nor to be followed by many seruants The Election was made in the Cathedrall Church of Mentz whereas all the people were assembled not to giue any voyce A new Elâ—ctioÌ„ but to see the liberty of Suffrages and the Order and Ceremony of this action The Chanoins began it calling vpon the Holy Ghost to giude their resolutions 〈…〉 of the house of Câ—ombuâ—g chosen Archbishop of Mentz the 7 of Feb. 1604. The went into the Chapter and came not forth vntill two of the clocke in the Afternoone where by plurality of voyces the Election was concluded in fauour of one of the House of Crombourg The Bishop of Wirtzbourg led him before the great Altar where he was set wiping away the teares of Ioy whilest that the Clergy gaue thankes for this Election This done the Chapter gaue him a little note in his hand with the which he went towards the Castle beeing followed by the Popes Nuntio the Emperors Ambassador the Bishop of Wirtzbourg and many Noblemen that were there assembled to honour the election of the first Prelate of Germany Being come vnto the Castle gate he founde it shut and the Gouernour asked him what he would As soone as he had seene the note from the Chapter he did his duty to him and presently all the Gates were opened and the Artillery discharged This forme of Election which is done with Order Liberty and knowledge of Merits is more profitable vnto the Church then all that which is done by the authoritie of Princes who many times commit great charges to men vnknowne and of small merit or by the tumultuary opinions of people The death of the Duchesse of Baâ— who haue nothing to do in it Seeing that our way to returne into France is to passe by the territoryes of the Duke of Lorraine we shall find all there in teares and mourning for the death of the Lady Katherine of Bourbon Duchesse of Bar and the Kings onely Sister shee had beene tormented with a continuall Feauer and there were some signes of beeing with child All the Phisitions sayd shee was not with child one onely maintayned the contrary and she beleeued his opinion for that he was of the Religion neither would she take any thing but from his hands for that we beleeue that easily which we desire She grewe in choller against them which imputed her dissease to any other cause saying That they neither desired her contentment nor her Husbands She thought she could not endure too much to become a Mother This beleefe that shee had a childe in her body made her to bring forth death reiecting all kindes of remedies to preserue her frute If the Phisition which had ministred to her as a Woman with childe had not fled to Metz and from thence to Sedan all his Phisicke could not haue kept him from death The profession of Phisitions hath this Priuilege The priuilege of Phisitions that the Sunne sees their practise and the Earth hides their faults The Duke of Lorraine did her no lesse honour after her death then he had witnessed it in her life Hee sent vnto the King an Inuentory of her Iewells Hee caused the body to be conducted vnto the frontier of France in a Carosso well appointed couered with blacke Veluet and drawne with foure Horses The funerall Pompe of the Duchesse of Bar. The foure Bailifes of Lorraine carried the foure corners of the Cloth which couered the Coffin threescore Gentlemen marched before with the Gards The Earle of Chaligny and some Noblemen of the Country went after it There were twelue Suisses which marched on either side It was receiued vpon the frontier by those whom the King had appoinâ—ed The Inhabitants of Troyes would haue receiued it with a Canopy but Tinteuille thought it not fit neither would the King haue taken it well She was much lameÌ„ted by the Duke of Bar who could not haue beene Husband to a better Wife nor she Wife to a better Husband The fift yeare of their Marriage was with as great respect and loue as the first The affections of this Prince and this Princesse A marriage of great content were in such harmony that besids the diuersity of Relâ—igion you would haue sayd they were but one Soule not in two bodies but in one called by two names for they spake with one mouth and thought with one heart And iâ— there be any content in dying amidst the contents of this world this Princesse protested that she had neuer content in this world more perfect then in Lorraine The Duke of Lorraine and the Duke of Bar desired as well to see her satisfied for doubts of relligion They coniured her in the extremity of her sicknes to thinke of her Soules helth After fiue yeares instances made by the King the Pope granted a dispensation of the marriage but she sayd vnto them that she would die as she had liued She was no more forced in the exercise of her Relligion at Nancy then at Nerac True it is that she went to receiue the Communion without the Towne and had preaching and Praiers in her house but for her selfe onely and her followers without the which shee had bin much honored of the Lorrains and at that time more then before the Pope hauing granted a dispenâ—atioÌ„ of the marriage When the newes of her death was brought vnto the King the chiefe of his Councell came presently to apply some remedy to this wound He found that they came to that end The Kings sorrow for the death of his â—ister therfore he coÌ„manded them to leaue him alone that he would resolue with God He caused the Dores and Windowes of his Cabinet to bee shut casting him else vpon his bed to weepe more freely and to ease his greefe in the liberty of his sigthes All the Court did morne and the Ambassadors presented themselues in that habit vnto the King to condole this death in the behalfe of their Maisters The Popes Noncio was some-what troubled in this complement would not mourne at an accident for the which those of his profession could not weepe The King said that he would not tie him to it against his liking but he would be glad not to see him vntil his time of mourning were past Some other would not haue spoken so mildely we knowe that Princes haue showne strange effects of their choller against Ambassadors The Duke of Muscouy caused an Ambassadorâ— Hat to be nâ—yled to his head that haue failed in the honor and respect of these complements The Noncio being better aduised resolued to apply himselfe to the time and to do as the rest thinking