Father and Mother who were by Gondebault murthered whereupon making Warres upon the Burgundians their King Sigismund was taken in a Battaile and together with his Queene and Progeny was throwne into a Well at Orleans After that they retreated against Gondemar brother to Sigismund where Clodomire was slaine in the pursuite By the meanes whereof and the Warres following upon the whole Countrey of France Gondemar tooke possession of Burgundy Whilst Theodorick afterwards was against Hermonfroy for the estating himselfe in the Kingdome of Thuringia by the ayde and assistance of his brother Clotharius Childebert seized upon the County of Auvergne but having intelligence of the returne of his Brother Theodorick whom he supposed to have beene dead he went into Spaine against Almerick King of the Visigoths on a quarrell for the ill usage of his Sister Clotilda which Alarick hee slew neare to Toledo and tooke that City and upon his returne he reduced Gascogny to his obedience chasing the Visigoths backe againe into Spaine by this meanes making the Frenchmen sole possessors of both the Gaules excepting one part of Provence which for a time remained in the hands and power of the Ostrogoths of Italy Childebert upon his returne from Spaine went with Clotharius to beate Gondemar out of his Kingdome which was divided betweene them as also that of Orleans was after the slaughter of the children of their brother Clodamire except Claudius that made an escape About that time Theodobald King of the Ostrogoths of Italy yeelded up all the possessions they had in Provence into the power of the French to the end that they should joyne forces with him against Belisarius Captaine Generall of the Army of the Emperour Justinian in Italy in the interim that Childebert and Theodobert through ambition were in an ill course against Clotharius but these being reconciled by the Nobility of the Countrey Childebert and Clotharius went into Spaine and surprised Saragoca Afterwards upon a plot of Cranne a Nephew of his hee made Warre upon Clotharius who being too eager and earnest to scoure the Field and cleare him of his Enemies hee dyed in the 45. yeare of his Reigne Anno Domini 558 and according to Sigebert Aymoynus 49. Hee lyeth inhumed at St. Germans des prez This King was much troubled by his Brethren with whom he had a divided power and ruled as the chiefe King But Soveraignty admits no Partners for Royall power like an entire streame fed by the Spring whence it descended will not mingle with other Titles but doth maintaine an absolute and undenyed Prerogative His troublesome Reigne concluded with his fatall death for he was slaine by a wilde Bull which he hunted the manner of his death being an Embleme of his life for in his life hee persu'd wilde imaginations and vaine desires untill this sad mischance layd him to rest in a Grave to shew the vanity of humane designes which are so soone strooke dead such is the glory of this World There is no vertue in this life except it be to love the thing that is to be beloved and to love that is Prudence and not to be moved or troubled for any matter of molestation that is Fortitude nor for any matter of Flattery and delight that is Temperance nor for pride that is Justice Clotharius 1. the seventh King of France Anno 559. CLotharius the third legitimate Sonne of King Clovis having reigned 45. yeares at Soissons which is now called the Belgick Gaule upon the decease of his Brother Childebert who dyed without issue Males was proclaimed the 7. King of France which his Sonne Cranne perceiving as being now destitute of the support of his Uncle Childebert by whose assistance he managed strong Warres against this his owne Father came and cryed him mercy But hee made so mall use of his fathers Grace and goodnesse that hee committed againe a new Fellony and Rebellion against him And when his latter proceedings began to bee worse and worse in successe than before hee fled to Conobre or as others say Canabo Prince and Count of the Bretons who entertained him and undertooke to secure him from his Father Whereupon his Father Clotharius with his Army invaded that Countrey where they joyned Battaile wherein the Bretons lost the Field their Prince being slaine in the place and Cranne taken Prisoner whom his Father caused to be shut up in a house and together with his Wife and children to bee all burnt to death But Clotharius being the last of the Sonnes of King Clovis dyed that same day twelve-month that he justly had caused his sonne Cranne and his to be burnt in the 51 yeares of his being a King Anno Dom. 563. leaving behind him foure sonnes who againe divided the French Monarchy into the former Tetrarchyes insomuch that that of Paris befell to the eldest named Cherebert or Charibert Soissons to Chilperic Orleans with the Kingdome of Burgundy to Gontran and Austrasy to Sigebert with the Provinces on this side the Rhyne but before the partage or division aforesaid they fell all upon Chilperic in open Armes for the surrender of their Father Treasures which hee had already taken possession of and by them the City of Paris Whereupon it seemes that hee tooke it to heart and ever after maliced his brothers especially Sigisbert who had beene the motive as Paulus Diaconus saith that the Hunns made warre against him This King at the time of his death said Vnach Anach How great is the King of Heaven that hath made subject unto death the greatest Kings and Princes of the world which speech discovered that his too much affection to the world made the approach of death comming to take off his upper garment of mortality more terrible whereas Mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas regumque turres sceptra ligonibus aequat Death impartially knocks at Poore Cottages and the Court gate And equally he bringeth downe Vnto the grave the King and Clowne To satisfie Pope Eugenius and for feare of Excommunication for killing Gawler of Quetot his servant hearing divine Service in his Chappell hee exempted the Lords of Quetot from homage and service due to the King thereby to expiate his bloody offence But although his life was very bad and vicious and blotted with many impieties yet in sicknes his soule recover'd some health by a free acknowledging his sinne saying That his onely hope and confidence was in Gods mercy Cherebert 8. King of France Anno 564. AFter the decease of Clotharius Cherebert his sonne was King of Paris Anno Dom. 564. Hee betooke himselfe to all the kindes and sorts of dishonest pleasures that his fancy suggested him Gregory of Tours takes no notice of his reigne because he governed not long neverthelesse this mention he makes of him that he was excommunicated by S. German Bishop of Paris for that hee had repudiated his lawfull wife Iugoberge that he might take another his brothers Chilperic and Gontran being no waies different in
conditions But Sigisbert was an honourable and a vertuous Prince Cherebert dyed according to the report of Sigebert and the Chronicles of France in the ninth yeare of his reigne without issue or any notable memory worthy a King which was a cause of great controversie betweene his brothers concerning the succession which in the end proved a warre which according to Paulus Aemilius was of a long continuance neverthelesse although Gregory of Tours and Aimoynus have very confusedly spoken of that warre without designing or remarking the time that it begunne nor what time Cherebert dyed yet Gregory allowes that there was a sharing of the Kingdome According to whose Relations Tours Poitiers and Aniou fell to Sigisbert but what partsbefell to the others is not mentioned expressely but onely this that Chilperic obtained a part of Normandy with Rouen Gontran Berry Perigueux and Gascony But each of them kept his part in the City of Paris and promised each to other that after their departure thence no one of them after that would enter into it againe without the consent of the other two This Cherebert dyed at Blaye neare Burdeaux An. Dom. 573. and was buried at St. Romanus of Blaye Gontran Sigisbert and Chilperic were during their lives in contention untill such time as their brother Sigisbert was slaine by two Souldiers who were put upon that action by Fredegunde the wife of Chilperic who was besieged in Tournuy by Sigisbert who not long before was acknowledged as King at Paris This King was enchanted with the cuppe of pleasure whereof hee dranke deep thereby committed many violent acts for nulla capitalior pestis quà m corporis voluptas hominibus à natura data est unlawfull sinfull pleasure is the cause of all plagues And therefore Diogenes told Alexander that hee had alwaies pleasure enough while Alexander had never enough pleasure and therefore he did not desire the insatiate pleasures of a King and a King could not enjoy his pleasures But this pleasure doth bewitch all the World especially the sensible and rationall man onely the spirituall mind can flye a higher pitch account all the delights of this world but like the golden trappings of the Asse that is made brave to carry greater burthens Chilperic the ninth King of France Anno 577. CHilperick having reigned Nine yeares at Soissons and seeing himselfe raised from a meane to a higher degree of his fortune by the death of his Brother Sigisbert departed from Tournay to Paris where having beene received as lawfull King Anno Domini 577. dispatched his sonne Merovaeus with an Army for the reducing of the Countries and Cities scituated upon the River Loire but he instead of that service went directly to Rouen where by the advice of the Arch-bishop Praetextatus he married Brunehault the Widow of the foresaid Sigisbert Whereupon his father was enraged and after having dispersed the forces of the said slaine Sigisbert which came and assaulted him neare Soissons he shut up Merovaeus in a Monastery at Mans and afterwards sent his other sonne into Guienne for the recovery of whatsoever had beene in Sigisberts possession from whence he was repelled by Patrice Mumole King Gontrans Lieutenant In the meane time Merovaeus who was somewhat nettled and had betaken himselfe to Brunehault is constrained to flye into Austrasie from whence being also expelled was put to death and Praetextatus confined to perpetuall Exile After this Chilperick enforced Waroch Count of lower Bretagne to acknowledge vassallage unto him An. Dom. 584. On the other side Childebert who laboured to recover Marsiles which his brother Gontran detained from him made peace with his Uncle Chilperic who on his behalfe with all his forces fell upon Guienne tooke Lymosin Perigueux and Agenois and as he was very desirous to follow his fortune upon Bourges he was stayed by the Army of Gontran with whom he made peace Not long after Chilperic perceiving too amorous passages of his Wife Fredegund with Landry Mayre of his Palace to take away the occasion of his resentment they caused him that night to bee murthered as hee returned from Hunting in the Moneth of September in the 23. yeare of his Reigne leaving one sonne named Clotharius foure Moneths old Whilst the Daughter of Chilperic was in her journey to be marryed to the second sonne of the Visigoths she was stripped ransacked and robbed of her treasure and jewells and sent backe againe An. Dom. 586. Helyeth interred at St. German de prez The occasion of his murther was the discovering of Fredegunds affection to Landry for thinking to give his Wife a morning-salutation hee came booted into her Chamber before hee went to Hunting and finding her kembing her haire which lay spread over her face drew neare without speaking and with his riding-wand in jest touch'd the hinder part of herhead she taking the King for Landry who had free accesse for secret visits said In my judgment Landry a good Knight should alwayes strike before and not behind whereupon perceiving that it was the King who by those words had discovered her minde while the King was gone a Hunting plotting the death of Fredegund and Landry they contrived his death and by murtherers by them hired the King accompanied onely with his Page was killed as he return'd from the Chace Clotharius 2. the tenth King of France Anno 586. THis Clotharius the second of that Name at the age of foure Moneths An. Dom. 586 succeeded his Father under the tuition of his Uncle Gontran who confirmed Landry Mayre of the Palace and constituted him his Lieutenant Generall of the Kingdome and retained Paris to himselfe with all the dependances of the Kingdome of Cherebert the late King Gontran dyed in the 33. yeare of his Reigne Anno Dom. 595 having before instituted for his Heire by will Childebert King of Austrasia his Nephew who lost the Battaile at Soifsons against Fredegund for the Guardianship of his Cousin Clotharius As also foure yeares after or thereabout Childebert being deceased Brunechilde who had the tuition of Theodobert and Theodoric her yong sonnes lost the battaile against her neare Muret. Fredegund in the end dying the two Kings of Austrasia and Orleans being vexed at the Ambushments of Clotharius gave him battaile neare unto Sens and Estampes and left him no more than twelve Counties of his whole Kingdome Theodoric as victorious and tryumphant enters Paris After that Theodoric having his hands full of his other brother and before that he would undertake any Warre against him accorded with this his brother Clotharius that hee would give him the Dukedome of Denthelin and other parts which hee had taken from him on condition that he would be a Neuter betweene them But hee having intelligence of the death of Theodobert who was slaine neare Cologne in the 17. yeare of his Reigne enters immediately upon those promised Countries Theodoric being very desirous that he should let goe his hold was impoisoned by Brunehault Clotharius remaining now sole peaceable
possessor of the whole Monarchy of France put all the children of Theodoric to death except Merovaeus who was his youngest sonne Afterwards he punished Brunehault according to her deserts and demerits and he instituted his sonne Dagobert King of Austrasia against whom this man was much incensed for the death of his brother Rodoald but hee was reconciled into favour by the Marriage of Cometrude Sister of his last Wife Clotharius having largely revenged himselfe upon the Saxons who had revolted and wounded Dagobert daring that that were without the reach of his Sword deceased the 45. yeare of his age and of his reigne 37. An. D. 632. leaving Dagobert by his first Wife and Aribert by the second Brunehault before mention'd having caused many murders and mischiefes was by her owne souldiers yeelded up to Clotayre and by the chiefest persons of his Dominions condemned to bee tyed to the tayle of a wilde Mare and drawne through a stony rough Countrey being thereby torne in peeces and dying many deaths in one death yet St. Gregory in certaine Letters commends her piety and wisedome for many Temples were by her builded and endowed while in the Temple of her soule shee sets up Altars to murder and whoredome Dagobert the 11. King of France Anno 632. DAgobert being possessed of the Crowne Anno Dom. 632. notwithstanding the oppositions of Brunulph Vncle and governour of Aribert he assigned him the Countries of Aquitan and Guienne for his maintenance whereunto he gave the stile and title of a Kingdome and bounded it with the River Loire and the Pyrenian Mountaines After that he laboured to polish his Kingdome administring justice to every man In the ninth yeare of his reigne which was the third yeare after the decease of his Father he captivated himselfe to vices and voluptuousnesse in such sort that hee grew infamous although hee seemed much devoted to the Abby of St. Denis which he caused to be built and enriched it with the pillaging of other Churches In the interim King Aribert deceased the seventh yeare of his reigne leaving a sonne called Chilperic who survived him but few dayes of whose death Dagobert was strongly suspected Hee immediately united the Kingdome of Aquitan to the Monarchy of France and dismembred the Dukedome of Almania into divers parts as Munster affirmes Hee released the Saxons of a yearely Tribute of five hundred Cowes which they payed to those of Austrasia upon condition that they should keepe the Sclavonians out of the Dominions of France After this hee crowned his sonne Sigisbert King of Austrasia But because that in the 12 yeare of his reigne Clovis or Lewis was borne by his wife Nentilde he confirmed the kingdom of Austracy upon Sigisbert and designed the occidentall part of his Kingdome called Neustria together with that of Burgundy to his sonne Clovis At that time Radulphe Duke and governour of Thuringia for King Dagobert would needes oppose himselfe against Ansigise Maire of the Palace of Austracy and make himselfe King but in vaine Afterwards Dagobert combated victoriously the rebellious Gascognes and intending as much to the Bretons Iudicael did him homage for his Kingdome Lastly he deceased with a Flux the 19. or as others affirme the 29 of Ianuary Anno Dom. 647. sixteene yeares after the decease of his Father Hee lyes inhumedat St. Denis with this King dyed the splendour of the Kings of France and the power of the Maires of the Palace beganne to take a dangerous and pernicious roote The Character of this King may bee thus drawne He was better furnished with vertue than his education promised he strained the Kingdome by Iustice and brought it to moderation and obedience the state thereof beingtoo much slackned by his fathers lenity and as he had tun'd the government to yeeld a vertuous harmony he grew into the opinion of his Subjects by his affection to Piety which he made to shine most cleare and evident by building and enriching many Temples especially St. Denis honour'd since by being the constant Sepulchre where the Kings of France lye buried He banished also the Iewes out of his Territories But these resplendant vertues were darkened and disgraced by the foule sinne of Adultery whereby he grew infamous to his Subjects and Strangers and was so confirmed in this vice that Anand Bishop of Paris perswading his Conversion was therefore banished But his reason was awaked by Pepius constant reprehension to whom banishment being threatned yet he persisted and by a brave importunity neglecting his owne danger obtained of the King to bee mercifull unto himselfe and forsake his sinne such was the minde of this vertuous Prince to hearken to the words of a wise man which were spoken in season that ever after he was wary both of his words actions leavingan example of loyalty in a servant and of Reasons victory in a Prince Clovis aliâs Lewis 2. the 12. King of France Anno 645. THis Clovis or Lewis although he were the younger brother of Sigisbert whom some hold to have beene borne of a Concubine tooke the possession upon him of the Kingdomes both of France and Burgundy under the government of his Mother Nentilde and of Prince Aega Mayre of the Palace who shortly after dyed in whose place was substituted Ercembault kinsman to the late Dagobert by the mothers side In the meane time Pepin Mayre of the Palace of Austrasie dyed into whose office and place his sonne Grimoald would enter But perceiving himselfe to be opposed by a certaine Otho who formerly had had the government of Sigebert in his minority made a quarrell betweene him and Leuther Duke of Almaine who slew him After taking upon him the dignity of Mayre of the Palace hee matched his Sister Begga to the Duke Ansigise sonne of St. Arnulph by whom hee had Pepin Heristel Nentilde deceased Anno Dom. 651. as also her Favorite Flaveate did who was by Nation a Frenchman Constable of Burgundy and Wilebald Governour of Burgundy Trans-jurane by the reason whereof Ercembault governed solely the Kingdome until the King came to age Afterwards in the yeare 657 Sigebert perswading himselfe that he should have no issue adopted Childebert sonne of Grimoald Mayre of his Palace as his sonne but after having a son borne to him whom he named Dagobert at his decease hee left him to succeede under the charge of Grimoald who caused the Infant Dagobert to be transported into Scotland by Dudo Bishop of Poictiers there to be made a Monke and caused his owne sonne Childebert to be crowned King of Austrasie which caused the King Clovis accompanied with his Mayre Ercembault to give him battaile in which they were both taken and carryed to Paris where they dyed By reason whereof Clovis instituted his second sonne Childeric King of Austrasie and appointed Walfroy for Mayre of his Palace After that there being a great famine Clovis tooke all the Plate and Treasure out of the Church of St. Denis and gave it to the poore and in recompence
all Authours 17. or 18. yeares except Ado who alloweth him but 13. Neverthelesse it seemeth that it was in his time that Pepin made warre upon Ratbod Duke of Frizeland who was as yet a Pagan and an Idolater so that he being overthrowne Pepin would not grant him any conditions of peace unlesse he would permit a Monke called Wilebros aliâs Clement a learned and vertuous man might freely give instructions to the Frizons in the Christian Religion which for the most part was generally approved and liked by the people but the Nobles and chiefe men remained and continued in their ancient errour together with their Prince Moreover that Pepin was a man accomplished and of singular parts yet contrary to the Lawes of Marriage he was so much taken with the fond love of a Gentlewoman called Alpaide that hee utterly loathed his wife Plectrude By reason whereof Lambert Bishop of Utrecht or as some report Liege a man of a holy life boldly undertooke to lay open his sinne unto him although he had restored him to his See Episcopall whereof Ebroin had deprived him Whereupon Alpaide was so much enraged that shee instigated her brother Dodon to kill him but he and his associates received a reward due for such a demerite and murther Pepin on the other part hearing that Norbert his Lieutenant of Maireship of France was deceased substituted his second sonne Grimoald in the place and caused him to marry Theudesinde Daughter of Ratbod Duke of Frizeland About five yeares after Drogon the sonne of Pepin Duke of Champagne dyed as Ado noteth Anno Dom. 708 but according to Sigebert 699 whose estates were by Pepin given to his sonne Thibault after that seeing the Swedes to rebell against Childebert under the conduct of Villarius he sent Anepos Bishop against them with a powerfull Army which overthrew them saith Ado. Childebert deceased An. Dom. 710 having reigned 17. yeares leaving issue Dagobert Clowis and Daniel That which is chiefly observable in this King was his dotage on Alpaide a faire beautifull Gentlewoman whom he loved beyond all respect of himselfe letting his Fame bleed to death wounded with a bad report for his incontinent life For that King that is addicted to the love of a woman hath all his senses so charmed that he understands nothing but his pleasure and is quite given over to follow his owne wicked desires For Est infoelicius quà m meretrice nihil A Whore may well compared be Unto a Garden of misery He that doth both touch and taste Her fruite doth unto death make haste And hee that endeavours to make a King see his owne vice does alwaies perish in the attempt resembles Virgils poore Gnat which the shepheard killed with clapping his hand against his face while he strove to wake him So Bishop Lambert that would have wak'd the King was by Alpaides plot and the Kings consent murdered Dagobert 2. the 18. King of France Anno 710. DAgobert the eldest sonne of Childebert began his Reigne Anno Dom. 710 according to Trithemius Ado and Aventine not as Sigebert would have it 716. There is not any memorable thing by Pepin done in his time found or read recommendable to posterity but onely the death of Grimoald Maire of the Palace of France which was Anno Dom. 714. in April who was miserably slaine by a Souldier a Frizelander in the Church of St. Lambert belonging to the See of Liege whither he went to visite his father Pepin then lying sicke in his bed whereof he dyed the same yeare about the midst of December having executed both the Maireships with great honour for the space of 27. yeares and a halfe after he had surrogated Thibault to his sonne Grimoald to be Maire He resigned the Mayery of Austrasie to a naturall sonne of his called Charles whom he had by his Concubine Alpaide already perceiving in him the signes of a great Generosity which enabled him for such a charge although hee were but yet very young Which gave an occasion to Plectrude the lawfull wife of Pepin cunningly to surprize him and to imprison him in the City of Cologne as well for the Novercall jealousie shee had of him as for having meanes also to ruine the estate of Austrasie as also of France being in the hands of her younger sonne Thibault assuring herselfe that the managing of businesses would passe well enough under his name But the Frenchmen not willing to be governed by a Woman being grieved also that the office of the Maire should be hereditary which formerly had beene by Election made an insurrection against Thibault whom they forced to flye into the Forrest Cocie After that they chose Ranfroy for Mayre The same yeare 714. Dagobert dyed having reigned 5. yeares This King was disswaded from the love of Alpaide by Lambert Bishop of Vtrect whom this cruell Dame in revenge caused to be slaine by her brother Dodon strucke after the acting this Murder with a disease of wormes the stench whereof he being not able to endure threw himselfe headlong into the River of Menze See here a punishment to affright the sinfull soule a King that had before lived in a most voluptuous manner that made a Whore the Center of all his thoughts thinking all happinesse to be contained within that circumference having lost his reason and being wholly governed by a petty-coat what a sad and fatall end did he meete withall For pleasure comes with a faire alluring face tempting to taste of her Circes Cup but when shee turnes her backe she hath a ragged ugly shape which offends the sight and brings the mind to sad repentance This King had highly sinned and now wormes began to be bold with him and eate his living flesh so that corruption did not follow after death but contrary to nature hee rotted and corrupted while he lived untill the worme of conscience tormented his soule a miserable death attending a bad life Clotharius the 4 19 King of France Anno 719. CLotharius the fourth sonne of Theodoric who was the fifteenth King of France was brother to the Kings Clovis the third and Childebert the second and Uncle to Dagobert the second and by the plots of Charles Martel upon the decease of Dagobert was made King For hee perceiving that the greatest part of the French had constituted King a certaine Daniel a man of the Royall blood whom they had drawne out of the Monastery and nominated him Chilperic the second he by force of Armes having valiantly fought it out in the field and victoriously overthrowne them as hereafter shall be mentioned made himselfe Master of all France and from thenceforth Charles Martel against his will was made King But he knowing that the French that could not containe themselves without a King and would not admit any to the Title but those of the Royall blood knowing also himselfe not so descended he caused this Clotharius to be Crowned King as the next of blood not that hee thought him worth such
raised noble Trophies to Fame was Religion to which he give due honour and from thence deriving Morall perfections he grew an admired Prince naturally favouring the Muses learned in the Greeke and Latin languages Philosophy the Mathematicks and other Sciences hee cal'd his pastimes and companions of his sword Something he wrot in Poetry for recreation but he especially delighted in History the Register of noble Actions The Acts of Charlemaine in the Life of his Brother Caroloman were many and most renowned and also when he was King alone but when he was enstalled Emperour he crowned all those actions by his care of the Church and his godly preparing for Death for hee was much enclined to to the reading of such Bookes as were for the bettering of his understanding and which tended to the leading of a vertuous and godly life as may appeare by his spending three yeares in reading the Bible and St. Augustines Bookes before he dyed And the Character of his Life was That his vertue was the paterne of Princes and his good fortune the subject of their wishes Lewis the Debonaire Emperor of Rome and 25. King of France Anno 814. LEwis who was left the sole son of Charlemagne was consecrated at Rheimes by Pope Stephen Anno Domini 814. In the beginning of his Empire he reduced the Sclavonians Sorabes and Gascoignes under his obedience who had revolted upon the death of Charlemaine He held a Parliament at Aix where he caused his eldest sonne Prince Lotharius to bee crowned Emperour with him and caused his other sonnes to bee Crowned Kings giving unto Pepin the Kingdome of Aquitaine and to Lewis the Dutchy of Bavaria By reason whereof his Nephew Bernard rebelled against him who by a sentence of the Emperours Counsaile had his eyes pulled out whereupon he dyed with griefe From thence Lewis went against the Bretons who had made an insurrection and chaced Lindeute Governour of Austria out of Pannonia And having Anno Domini 824 renewed his alliance with Michael the Emperour of Constantinople and his wife Hermingarde being dead he marryed with Judith daughter of the Count Artolf which Iudith because she advanced hers to the disadvantage of the Emperours Children was a cause that they raised an army against their Father who having confined her into a Monastery of Italy she was put into a Coffer at St. Medards of Soissons from whence she was conveyed out by the French Princes Lotharius seeing this fled into Italy The troubles of France being appeased the Danes and Normans ransacked the Countrey of Zeland and Frizland and also the Bretons rebelled Also the Saracens much perplexed the Emperor in the chasing them out of Italy and Provence who finding himselfe neare his end bequeathed unto his son Charles the Occidentall part of France and by the death of Pepin A. D. 838. Aquitaine was added to Lotharius he left the Empire with the rest of the Kingdome of France to Lewis the kingdom of Bavaria Lewis being discontented at this partage would needes take Almaine into his power but having beene hindered two severall times by the Emperours Army in the end the Emperour dyed in an Isle of the Rhine the sixtieth yeare of his age and the 27. of his Empire and reigne Anno Domini 840. This Lewis was of a milde and gentle disposition fitter to be a Church-man than a King wherby he grew contemptible to his Subjects yet milde natures much provoked are violent in revenge for having taken Bernard he imprisoned him then put out his eyes and all the Bishops noblemen his adherents Hee indiscreetly gave his sonnes their portions and thereby procured his own affliction arming them with strength to rebell against their Father and for affection to Church-men he was by them censured for his cruelty to the Bishops to be confined to a Monastery while the Clergy adhered to the rebellious Children against the father whose late attempt was to chastise the insolency of of his sonne Lewis but age and griefe concluded his happinesse and the good old King having felt enough vexation in the unnaturall rebellion of his Children forsooke the world and so found rest and happines Charles the Bald Emperor and the 26. King of France Anno 840. THis Charles the Bald having attained to the Kingdome Anno Dom. 840 made great Warres against Lotharius untill hee gave him battaile at Fontenay During these debates the Bretons revolted and the Normans came even unto Paris to sacke the Abby of St. German insomuch that Charles was enforced by money to hire them to a retreate After this Charles went against Neomenius King of Bretagne whom he routed and defeated twice afterwards Anno Dom. 851. after Aquitaine fell into the hands of Charles who encloystered his Nephews Pepin and Charles Hee againe overthrew the Bretons the Normans on the other side tooke the City of Nantes confounding all with blood and fire not sparing the Bishop who was then at Masse Fifteene yeares after the battaile at Fontnay Charles the Bald made himselfe to be annointed King in the City of Limoges Lotharius became a Monke leaving the government to his son Lewis but that part of Gaule beyond the mountaines was divided betweene Charles and Lotharius his other sonnes Baldwin having espoused the daughter of Charles the Bald without his consent in the end was acknowledged as Sonne in law to whom Charles gave the County of Flanders and lost Aquitaine whereupon Lewis caused himselfe to be Crowned King of Germany in the City of Sens while Charles was entertained in Warres against the Normans which he recovered Anno Domini 859 forcing his brother to retreate into Germany Anno Dom. 863. they entered into a League In the meane time there grew great troubles amongst the Nobility of France by the meanes whereof the Bretons came as farre as Poitiers whence they were chaced by Charles and An. Dom. 863. they were constrained to take their Kingdome and Dutchy by faith of homage to him And Anno Dom. 869. hee was elected King of Loraine by the death of his Nephew Lotharius He was also crowned Emperor Anno Dom. 875. by the death of his Nephew Lewis which hee enjoyed not above two yeares in the end whereof being desirous to returne out of Italy into France he was poisoned by his Physitian the sixth of October Anno Dom. 877. The Reigne of this Prince was confused and unhappy and of small fame being a King of no merit for from the confusion in his reigne the fall of this Race did spring But as Timanthes when he drew Iphigenia ready to be sacrific'd painted Calchas with a sad countenance Ulysses sadder and having spent all his Art in expressing Menelaus griefe and not knowing how to make the Fathers countenance more sorrowfull cover'd his head with a vaile leaving his passion to be conceived by imagination so this Kings Picture deserves to bee hidden and obscured with the vaile of silence for it is better not to write at all than to
the French tooke the townes of Niot S. John D' Angely and Rochelle leaving nothing of the Countrey of Guienne on this side the River Garonne unreduced to the obedience of the King Insomuch that all the Lords as well of Poicton as Lymosin and Perigort came to sweare him fealty and obedience Amaury also sonne to the Count of Montfort came to resigne into the hands of the King of France the right which his Father had left him in the Countries of Alby Languedoc Agenois Quercy and the County of Tholouze whom in recompence he made his Constable knowing him to be a man capable of such a charge The yeare following Richard Brother to the King of England besieged Rochelle but hearing of the comming of the French Army he passed over Dardonne with his forces and so into England to his brother The yeare following the King with the greatest part of his Nobility upon the encouragement of the Popes Legate addressed himselfe to goe against the Albigenses and Tholosans to encounter whom he led his Army and encamped on Witsun Eve before Avignon which he tooke passing further hee received the keyes of all the Townes Places and Castles of Languedoc as farre as within foure leagues of Tholouze where through the incommodity of the winter and maladies which much weakned his Army he retreated and wintered in France with an intent of returning thither the Spring following to accomplish his enterprize But his death prevented him at Montpensier in Avergne the twelfth day of November 1226. leaving Lewis Charles Alphonse and Robert his sonnes all very young and in their minority of yeares This King reigned but three yeares in whom Vice had struck no reproach nor Vertue had made him famous whereby it seemes that his minde was of a middle temper not so poore as to become impious or wicked nor so well bent and enclined to noble actions that hee would strive to get Fame by his owne vertue therefore he was onely famous in this That hee was Sonne to an excellent Father and Father to an excellent sonne In his reigne the Counsell of Lateran was assembled whither resorted all the chiefe Bishops of Christendome and Embassadours sent from Kings and Princes After Lewis had subdued the Albigeois and left Governour to suppresse any rebellion which should happen for the affection of conquerd people is treacherous who doe watch only an opportunity to revolt hee came to Mount Pensier in the yeare 1225. October the seventh and there resigned his life and Scepter leaving a faire progeny having foure sonnes who were flourishing Branches of the Royall stemme the eldest whereof was heire unto his Fathers Crowne but inherited more vertue than his Father gave him by naturall discent The Flemings were now much disquieted by an Imposture pretending that he was their Prince some were drawne to beleeve his claime untill by putting him to death the people were better satisfied and cleerely discerned that his right was meere fixion maintained by boldnesse as that Scene was wherein Parkin Werbecke in England plaid the same part S. Lewis 9. the 44. King of France Anno 1226. THis Lewis the 9. at the age of 12. yeares succeeded his Father An. Dom. 1226. Hee was consecrated at Rheims by the Arch-bishop of Sens in the absence of him of Rheims Blanch taking of possession of her sonne Lewis confirmed herselfe Regent of the Kingdome with the consent of the States whereupon the Princes in a rage proclaimed Philip Count of Bologne Unkle to the King by the Fathers side Regent of France which was a cause of great dissentions Shee brought through the sweetnesse of her words Robert Count of Dreux into the Kings obedience But the Duke of Bretagne and the Count of Champagne with the King of England were enforced to acknowledge the King on condition that the Breton should doe homage to the King for his Dutchy whereupon he was surnamed Mauclarke Hee having out-growne his minority Anno Dom. 1234. espoused Magaret the eldest Daughter of Raymund Berenger Count of Provence and after erected the Countrey of Artois into a County or Earledome which he gave to his brother Robert who was the first Earle thereof Hee made a voyage into the Holy Land where he tooke Damietta after hee had overthrowne the Mamelucks and from thence marching to beleaguer Massaure the plague grew amongst his Army which caused the Soldan of Aegypt to charge him so strongly that he was taken and most of his Army slaine neverthelesse hee was freed upon the re-delivery of Damietta About that time Blanch Mother to the King deceased which caused the King immediately to returne into France after he had composed all matters in Palestine Being returned hee studied to polish and embellish his Kingdome with good and holy Lawes Hee made an accord with the King of England who by that renounced all the right which hee pretended to the Kingdome of France and the Dutchy of Normandy About that time Charles brother to the King conquered both the Sicilyes whereof hee was crowned King An. Dom. 1266. The King Lewis made a second voyage for the recovery of the Holy Land together with the King of England Hee went first into Africke where he tooke Carthage and at the siege of Tunes hee departed this life Anno Domini 1270. Hee was canonized after his death for the holinesse of his life Hee founded the holy Chappell at the Palace at Paris wherein he placed many holy Reliques This King being asked by his Lords what Title of honour he would assume as the Roman Emperours and Kings of France in remembrance of their Acts and Victories had formerly done hee answered My greatest victory was obtained against the Devill when I was baptized in the Church of Poissi and therefore it shall be my greatest honour to be called Lewis of Poissi His familiar Letters wherein hee did not entitle himselfe King of France but Lewis of Poissi being blamed by a private friend hee said I am like a Twelfe-tide King chosen with a Beane and keeping his Feast in the Evening intimating thereby his Election to another Crowne in the Kingdome of Heaven which second Coronation should be in the Evening and end of his life Having caused a swearer and blasphemer to be branded on the lips with a hot Iron whereat the people murmur'd he said he would undergoe the same punishment conditionally that oaths and blasphemies might be no more used in his kingdom He sitting in Counsell or beginning any action would accordign to his Mothers instruction in his infancy blesse himselfe with the signe of the Crosse. And lastly he gave unto his son Philip these instructions at his death My Sonne love God with all thy heart with all thy strength and with all thy soule offend not God in any case suffer any torment rather than sinne Beare all adversity patiently acknowledging that God hath sent it unto thee deservedly Make thy Confession often to some Minister of the Church heare diligently the divine service sung in the
Kings mounted on the top of Honour and beholding their subjects with contempt thrust forward by flattery or ambition doe easily become Tyrants And as this Kings life did not shew handsome so his death plotted and effected by Bodille did instruct Kings not to dishonour or contemne their Nobility being their right Arme. And also it shewed that a disgracefull punishment inflicted on a Gentleman doth touch the quicke of the soule with a deepe apprehension for being of a freer tender nature they scorne as much to receive an injury as doe any and therefore they account it Justice to revenge though they dye in the confirmation of the act This appeares by Bodille who concealed her anger untill like Lightning it struck the King before it was seene for he must be silent full of darke thoughts and carry his light inward that will vindicate an injury and write Mihi vindictae litavi this is a sacrifice to Revenge Theodoric 2. 15. King of France Anno 680. THeodoric alias Thierry the second of that name having beene called out of the Monastery by Ebroin who in the time that things were in a combustion and confusion through the death of Childeric went and assaulted Leudesie from whom hee recovered the Royall Finances Afterwards pursuing him he contrary to his promise caused him to be put to death and causing himselfe to bee re-estated in that dignity of which formerly hee had beene deprived persecuted all those that had any way opposed him filling all France with murtherous cruelties insomuch that he put to death Leger Bishop of Authun and his brother Guerin Whilst the Austrasians substituted Pepin Heristed Maire of the Palace of Austrasie in the place of Vlsoald and appoynted for his Coadjutor Martin his Cousen German sonne of Clodulphe second Sonne of S. Arnulph Where of Ebroin being advertised went to give them battaile at a place called Locofic where Pepin was enforced to betake himselfe into Austrasie for safety and Martin to Laon From whence Ebroin upon his word given him in way of promise fetcht him out and caused him to be put to death Immediately hereupon Hermonfroy slew Ebroin and for refuge betooke himselfe to Pepin By the reason whereof Theodoric took to bee Maire of the Palace one named Waraton a man well advised who having beene supplanted and undermined by his sonne Gislemare who dyed shortly after entered into the State although hee kept it not long but dying left it in the hands and power of Bertaire who in such a high nature disgusted the Lords and Nobility of France that they withdrew their affection from him and there went namely Andr amne and Reole to consult with Pepin for a Warre upon Theodoric the King and Bertaire who was neare Taxieres in Vermandois defeated and the said Bertaire slaine by some that pursued him Whereupon Theodoric made a peace with Pepin and gave him the office of Maire of his Palace as he already had that of Austrasie Pepin being desirous to compose the matters of Austracy in order instituted Norbert as his Lievtenant in France in his absence Afterwards he made his eldest sonne Drogon Duke of Campagne Pepin began to governe in France Anno Domini 687. Theodoric deceased 688. having reigned nineteene yeares beeing a wonderfull patient King and one that would not be moved with any small disaster that should have happened unto him either through the Divine Power or Humane Resistance Hee left behinde him three Sonnes Clovis Clotharius and Childebert This King being onely a picture of Soveraignty without any active motion Ne vixisse inutilis olim videatur left issue to shew that he had lived He sate like a patient man and beheld the Tragedies playd by the Mayres as they had beene a game of Tables untill Pepin wonne the set and Soveraignty of France This King was of a slow disposition not contemning but neglecting the World for if he had onely slighted earthly glory he would have violated Curius who when the Samnites brought him great store of Treasure as he was sitting by the fire side hee said Non aurum haberi praeclarum sibi videri dixit sedeis qui haberent aurum imperare He accounted it no glory to have store of Gold but to governe those that had store of gold This was a magnanimity of minde but a dejected minde in a Prince suffering a Subject to over-toppe him did not expresse the Courage of a Caesar or an Alexander that desir'd to bee Monarchs of the whole world Clovis 3. the 16. King of France Anno 689. AFter the decease of Theodorick Clovis his eldest sonne began his Reigne in his minority Anno Domini 689 having Pepin for Mayre of his Palace who was surnamed Heristel sonne of Ansigise under whom France that heretofore seemed to bee divided and as it were dismembred seemed now to be as an entire body as formerly it had beene and began to recover its pristine lustre and honour which it had in a manner lost by the precedent divisions and intestine dissentions which also had given an occasion to the Aquitans and Gascognes to range apart under the government of one proper and peculiar Prince whom they styled Duke an occasion that Roderic of Toledo tooke to make mention of one called Loup who was about that time Clovis reigned according to the Contivator of Gregory of Tours Ado and Sigebert onely foure yeares although Aimoynus through the default of Writers acknowledgeth but two yeares And it seemes that in his time the Saxons and Swedes who upon the occasion of the precedent Warres by the succession of times had withdrawne themselves out of the obedience to the French were by Pepin summoned to their duty And because they made him know that they would not performe any such thing but upon compulsion hee passed over the Rhine with an Army against them wherewith hee gave them such downe-right knocks that he beate them into a subjection according to his desire By the meanes whereof France for some space of time continued in peace recovering by little and little its authority and renowne amongst other Nations and strangers Wherefore Clovis had no leasure to enjoy a long content because hee dyed although young as it is said leaving the succession to his brother Childebert An. Dom. 692. The place of his death or interrment is not mentioned in any Authors This King reigned but foure yeares and therefore his Character may bee drawne by the Embleme of the Sunne rising with a faire and cleare aspect but presently over-cast with thick clouds having this Motto Orior morior As the Sunne which fairely rose Is hid with clouds that doe enclose The cleare beames while that it doth shew A sorrow weeping teares of dew So this King rose to a Crowne And setting soone in death went down Leaving the Spheare of Majesty His Motto this I rose to dye Childebert 2. the 17. King of France Anno 692. After the death of Clovis his brother Childebert succeeded him and reigned according to
Countrey a labouring man inviting his Master to dine at his house caused him to be slaine and now hee desires your counsell my Lords what punishment this fellow hath deserved Whereupon Thibaut Earle of Bloys said that hee was worthy to be tortur'd and then hang'd on a Gibbet which sentence all the Lords there present and also Hebert Earle of Vermandois did confirme and allow Whereupon the Kings Officers there provided in a readinesse apprehended the said Hebert Earle of Vermandois unto whom the King said Hebert this wicked Labourer is thy selfe who didst put to death thy Lord and Master King Charles my Father for which thou hast condemned thy selfe to dye by thy owne judgment Whereupon Hebert was hanged on a Gibbet on the top of a Mountaine neare Lodun which since his Execution is called still Mount Hebert This Lewis as was said being nine yeares in England was therefore surnamed D'entremer or from beyond the Seas Hee was disloyall and unfortunate for though he endured much affliction and many unkind fortunes yet hee was not mended in his life by his sufferings nor had learned to embrace Vertue whose Beauty appeares most faire and comely when her eyes are fill'd with teares making sorrow looke with a sweet and lovely countenance It is that which in a Prince is most glorious causing him to fixe his minde onely upon that which may prove beneficiall to the Church and State But this was not the object wherein this Monarch was delighted so that he was deprived of that excellency which by Vertue is attained Besides he did degenerate from the blood of Charlemaine for birth nor adversity did enlarge his narrow thoughts to take pleasure in noble actions Hee came came unto the government after a long absence which made his returne more gratefull to the Subjects while his Enemies thought to creepe into his affection by the tender of fained service especially William Duke of Normandy thus Prosperity commands counterfeited offers of fidelity Lotharius the 34. King of France Anno 954. THis Lotharius succeeded to the Crowne the 12. of November Anno Domini 954. Hee gave Burgundy and Aquitaine to Duke Hughes and would have made him Governour of Aquitaine But Count William defending his right shut the Gates of Poitiers against him Hughes deceased the 16. of June Anno Domini 956 leaving Hughes Capet Otho Odo and Henry with whom the King fell into some differences concerning some Castles which he had seized from them All which were appeased by Bruno Arch-bishop of Cologne Unkle to the King who was sent by the Emperour Otho After this the King made an Assembly of the Princes and Prelates of France at Soissons for the surprising of Richard Duke of Normandy who plotted against the King but he could not be found In the meane time Arnulph the old Count of Flanders being dead who before had made a donation of his Lands to King Lotharius caused his body this yeare 965. to be transported into Flanders thereby to receive the submissions of their fidelity Lotharius Anno Domini 966. espoused Hemina or Emma Daughter to Lotharius the 2. King of Italy and Adeleide Daughter to the Emperour Otho as also Matilde Sister of this our Lotharius was married unto Bernard King of Burgundy Afterwards the King intending to make Warres upon Richard Duke of Normandy at the instigation of Thibault Count of Chartres was enforced to come to an agreement with him A while after Lotharius wrought with Ranier and Lamhert sonnes of the late Count of Monts in Haynaut to make him a way for the re-entry upon the Kingdome of Loraine which the Almaines detained from him which was a cause that Otho to cut off his designes gave the Lower Loraine to Charles the brother of Lotharius to bring him thereby into his disaffection The King passed with his forces as farre as Aix where he thought to have surprised the Emperour who to requite him went before Paris from whence hee was notably repulsed whereupon they came to an accord and Loraine continued to Charles who then added to his Coate of Armes an Arme proceeding out of the clouds After the death of Otho King Lotharius falls againe upon Loraine which hee did not long enjoy because hee dyed immediately after Anno Domini 985. This Kings life was a meere blanke wherein no brave actions were inscribed for the example of posterity being a fruitlesse branch and the first that grew out of his stock excepting his sonne who derived from him no sap of vertue but was also barren in goodnesse Hee did so contemne his brother Charles whom his Father had left no portion but his favour thereby to increase his respect to his eldest brother so that the Emperour whose assistance hee desired undertooke the quarrell From whence this Note may be collected that there is no depending on the favour of Kindred who looke for much reverence and will doe no justice in rewarding desert which they rather contemne untill Vertue despis'd breeds open hatred But Charles ayded by the Emperour was undiscreete in his carriage for the ayde received from the Emperour made him to cleave too fast to the Germans and disclaime the French as if kindnesse had altered his nature and this change drew on the justly conceived hatred of the French and thereby overthrew his estate by carrying too open a shew of disaffection for the wrong done by his brother and righted by the Emperour Lastly as we said Lewis dyed but the remembrance of his Reigne survived to his disgrace and ignominy in succeeding ages leaving his sonne Charles to bee the last King of this second Race Lewis 5. the 35. King of France Anno 986. AFter the decease of Lotharius Lewis the fift his onely sonne succeeded to the Crowne Anno Domini 986 and was consecrated at Rheimes The Continuator of Aimoynus writeth that he reigned nine yeares as also another Chronicler call'd Hugh is of the same opinion Neverthelesse it may be proved by certaine testimonies that Lotharius dyed An. Dom. 985 to whom Lewis succeeded and that Hugues Capet began not to reigne before the yeare 987 or 988 so that it appeares that this could not reigne above two yeares and was enterred at S. Cornelius of Compeigne Moreover Glaber testifieth that Lewis married one Blanche which was brought him out of Aquitaine who finding him not a man left him and retired into her Country which makes a likelyhood of that which is written touching his death moreover that if she were Daughter to the Duke of Aquitaine that she by consequence must be Niece to Hugues Capet This Lewis dyed as many are of opinion in the same manner as his father did by the meanes of his Wife Blanch not leaving issue to succeed him Odoramus gave him the surname of Doe nothing because hee had no leasure to performe any thing memorable by the reason of the brevity of his Reigne Moreover whilest Charles Duke of Loraine was the next by right to succeede him as being
provide a thousand woodden Torches without waxe and a thousand Lances tipt with steele to fire those Torches meaning by the Torches Houses Townes and Villages by the Lances Souldiers to set them on fire The dissention betwixt England began in this Kings reigne and upon this occasion VVilliam the Conquerors sonnes Robert and Henry came to the King at Conflans upon Oise and playing there at Chesse with Lewis King Philips sonne the young Princes fell out and words drew on blows for Lewis called Henry the sonne of a Bastard and Henry strooke at him with the Chesse-boord and had slaine him if Robert had not stayd his fury Afterward Robert and Henry fled into Normandy where they complained of wrong and incensed many to take their part Afterward naturall affection made the Fathers embrace their Childrens quarrell invading one anothers Territories and maintaining hot warres But to conclude the memorable Warre undertaken to recover the Holy-land from the Saracens was now begun under the conduct of Godfrey of Bologne who being chosen King of Jerusalem refused the Diadem saying It is not fit for any Christian Prince to weare a Crowne of Gold since Jesus Christ the King of Kings did weare one made of Thornes Lewis the 6. the 40. King of France Anno 1109. THis Lewis the Grosse succeeded to the Crowne after Henry his Father and was solemnly Crowned at Orleans by Gislebert Arch-Bishop of Sens Anno Domini 1109. He first beganne to quell the pride and power of the great Lords of France who countenanced by the King of England arose up against him but in the end he accomplished his designes In those times the Englishmen moved their first warres upon the French in the behalfe of Count Thibault of Campagne and Bloys But the King in revenge commanded William the sonne of Robert Duke of Normandy and sent him accompanyed with Baldwin Count of Flanders and Foulques Count of Aniou with an army to surprise them whereupon there was a peace made betweene them and the English to quit Gisors to William the sonne of Henry Baldwin Count of Flanders being wounded in the Conquest of Normandy went to end his life in Flanders who for want of issue instituted Charles son of Canutus King of Denmark to bee his heire In the meane time the King being advertised that the Emperour came in aide of the English prevented his designe and forced him to retreate He forced also the Count of Auvergne and the Vicount of Polignac to give satisfaction to the Bishop of Clermon and at his returne he notified to William Duke of Aquitaine that onely Avergne but also Aquitaine were in tenure of the Crowne of France The County of Flanders was in question betweene Arnulph the Dane Baldwin Count of Haynaut and William of Ipres by the death of Charles who was slaine in S. Donatus in Bruges and by the King it was adjudged to Robert Duke of Normandy by right of consanguinity whereupon warres ensued After that the King caused his sonne Philip to be Crowned at Rheimes the fourteenth day of April 1129. the King of England being in presence but two yeares after hee dyed by meanes of a Hogge that came under his Horse feete and frighted the Horse that hee threw him on the ground Lewis his brother was Crowned in his place by Pope Jnnocent the five and twentieth of October 1131. Lewis the Grosse deceased at Paris Anno Dom. 1137. leaving sixe Children Baldwin Earle of Mons in Henault complaining unto Lewis the Grosse that he had wrongfully given the Earledom of Flanders which was his right unto Duke William of Normandy and desiring to have leave granted to maintaine his Title by Combate The King said You must combat then against me for the Seignory which you claime is my right and inheritance This King also in a Battaile being severed from his Souldiers was likely to be taken Prisoner by an English Knight who laying hold on the raines of his Horse cryed aloud The King is taken whereupon the King valiantly kild the Knight and as he fell downe said One man alone cannot in Chesse play give the King the Mate At a certaine siege being forsaken of his Souldiers in regard of the unseasonablenesse of the weather and constrained to retire hee said with a brave kind of anger That an honest and honourable death was better than a shamefull and dishonourable life The last action of his reigne was the marrying of his sonne unto the daughter and heire of William Duke of Normandy by this allyance to settle a more firme peace and make his sonne strong in friends while his younger sons were compelled to depend on the meere favour of their elder brother on whom the estate being setled they might therby hee instructed to shew unto him a willing obedience for equality breeds discord and grumbling but an acknowledged dependance on another procures respect for necessity makes brave minds glad to be oblieged Lewis the 7. the 41. King of France Surnamed Augustus Anno 1137. THis Lewis undertooke the government the same Moneth wherein his Father dyed and marryed Elianor the onely daughter of William Duke of Guienne and Poictou Afterwards hee made warre upon the Count of Vermendois because following the censures of the Pope hee repudiated Peronelle sister to Queene Elianor that he might re-entertaine his former wife whom before he had divorced And taking the Towne of Vitry in Parthois hee put to the sword and fire more than 3500 persons for the expiation of which fact St. Bernard advised him to make a voyage with his Army into the Holy Land for the succour of Palestine Whither hee arriving with his army he had but an ill trick put upon him by the Emperour of Greece Moreover perceiving his Army much affoibled by the assaults of the Turkes he saved himselfe in the towne of Attalia and came to Antioch where the King conceived a great distaste against his Wife who had accompanyed him all that voiage Afterwards he joyned forces with Conradus the Emperor for the beleaguering of Damietta But that siege tooke no effect through the envy of the old Christians there conceived against the new-commers which was a cause that the Emperour and the King retreated each to his owne home where the King was in danger to have bin surprised by the Emperour of Greece but he was rescued by George Lievtenant of the King of Sicily The King upon his returne divorced his Wife who married with Henry Count of Aniou and Normandy who should succeede to the Crowne of England bearing with him the Counties Poictou and Aquitaine Afterwards the King took to wife Constance the daughter of Alphonsus King of Castile who being deceased he tooke Adele or Ale alias Alice daughter of the Count of Champagne by whom An. Dom. 1165. he had a sonne named Philip and surnamed Deodoctus to whom the King growne aged resigned his Crowne notwithstanding hee was but 14. yeares of age and was Crowned at Rheimes An. Dom. 1179. King Lewis
deceased the 19. or the 29. of September although some report upon the 29. of the same Moneth or August An. Dom. 1180. Hee lyes interred in the Abby of St. Barbeau which hee had formerly built In his reigne the Holy Land which the Christians had taken seemed to bee utterly conquered remaining under the Christians obedience untill the unhappy death of Godfrey of Bouillon for when the Commander was gone whose unspicious good fortune put life into this action the Warre did not prosper yet before his death he encountred an Army of sixe thousand men which the Turkes had brought into Palestine and came off with very good successe and had so proceeded if his Death had not prevented the good fortune of Christendome For the name of so great a Warrier conducting an Army prepares the way for conquest as opinion of victory and learning is a great Engine in policy to bring about matters This King lost some reputation by his unchast Wife Elenor who following him to the Holy Land blotted her Fame with a sensuall imputation loving Saladin a Iester better than the King her Husband thereby shewing that lust is base and doth not regard either birth or honour Yet Lewis shewing the vertuousnesse of his minde and Noblenesse of disposition brought her backe in his owne Ship because he would not bee derided by any forraigne Prince but beeing safely landed he was much opprest with griefe in stead of casting her in the River which she had deserv'd he covered her shame and his owne by a divorce granted by a general counsell punishing her by shewing too much mercy while hee sought onely to be freed from the disgrace Philip 2. surnamed Augustus the 42. King of France Anno 1180. AFter the decease of Lewis 7 Philip 2. succeeded to the Kingdome Anno Domini 1180 out of which he chased the Jewes then there and by his prowesse and conquests acquired the name of Augustus and Conquerour He married Isabelle or Alice Daughter of Baldwin 4 Count of Flanders in favour of which Marriage hee resigned the County of Artois but afterwards taking upon him the cause of Lionor the Inheritrix of Elizabeth or Mabel Countesse of Flanders in the Counties of Vermandois and Valois against the Count Flamend who layd claime to the said Counties as being of the ancient stocke of Flanders hee tooke onely that of Vermandois leaving that of Valois to the said Flamend whereupon he being in an indignation went and performed homage to the King of Germany the eldest sonne of the Emperour for the County of Flanders Richard also Duke of Aquitaine second sonne of the King of England began to dis-acknowledge the King whereupon the King made warre against him and tooke some Townes from him but they were immediately accorded by the Popes Legate by whose perswasion they entred a League upon an expedition for the Holy-land But this agreement was incontinently broken upon new differences which happened betweene the Kings of England and France during which the King tooke into his possession the Counties of Mans and Tours whereupon King Henry of England tooke a conceite and dyed in the Castle of Chinon whereupon Richard his sonne undertaking the Kingdome marryed Adele Sister to King Philip and they both went to the Holy Land where arriving they tooke the Towne of Acre the twelfth of July 1191. After upon some jealousies conceived betweene them Philip returned into France leaving the charge of his Army to the Duke of Burgundy And because Philip Count of Flanders was deceased the King retained to himselfe the County of Artois which hee gave to Prince Lewis Whereupon England made warres against him which were ended by the death of Richard to whom John being substituted and losing the battaile at Bonnivel the King caused his sonne Lewis to be proclaimed King of England which hee afterwards left to Henry the sonne of John After that King Philip sent his sonne Lewis against the Albigeois and as the said Philip held a Parliament at Nantes he deceased of a Feaver in the 43. yeare of his Reigne in tbe Moneth of July Anno Domini 1223. This King being to joyne battaile with the Emperour Otho having caused a gilt Bowle to be filled with Wine and sopps of bread hee said Princes and Lords of France heere with me assembled let every one that is resolv'd to live and dye with me this day shew his resolution by taking a sop out of the Bowle of Wine and eating it as I have done which words being spoken the Cup was presently emptied and afterward the battell being joyned the King got the victory Being informed by his Courtiers that some Royall Jurisdictions belonging to the Crowne were usurped by the Clergy his answer was I had rather connive at some petty injuries than commence Suits against the Semitears of God and his Church This King having put away his Queene Gelberge the King of Denmarke complained to the Pope of this wrong done to his Sister and a day of hearing was appointed before the Popes Legate in the Bishops Hall at Paris Philips Case was well defended by his Advocates but when none appeared to plead for the Queene a young man unknowne steps forth of the presse and demands audience and having deliver'd the truth and pleaded against the King for the Queene and when his Speech was ended hee returned into the presse againe and was never seene more neither was it ever knowne from whence he came The amazed Judges remitted the Cause to the Councell and King Philip did ride presently to Bois de Vinennes where Gelberge was confined and having embrac'd her receiv'd her into favour and lived with her afterward in nuptiall love And heereby it may bee discerned that no man can bring Nature to any perfection for this worthy Prince was much troubled in minde and divided in his thoughts by loving this Gelberge whom he could not forsake for she had got such strong possession in his affection that he could not turne her remembrance out of his heart pass'd away to her by deed of gift Thus hee that could overcome his Enemies could not conquer his passions He reigned 44. yeares and by his vertue governed the State with such wisedome that all his troubles had a happy faire end from whence this conclusion may be drawne That a vertuous King is in the end happy howsoever hee bee compassed in with difficulties Lewis the 8. and 43. King of France Anno 1223. LEwis the eldest sonne of Philip succeeded to the Crowne Anno Domini 1223. Hee together with his wife Blanch sister to the King of Castile was Crowned at Rheimes the 6. of August to whom afterwards the Surname of Montpensier was given because he dyed there In the beginning of his reigne he renewed the ancient consideration and allyance which was betweene France and Almany and upon his returne he led his Army into Guienne where in a set battaile he overthrew the English whereof Savary of Maleon had the command by meanes whereof
Church of God Keepe the good customes of thy Kingdome carefully abolishing those which are evill Impose no Taxes on thy Subjects but upon great occasion Favour those that feare GOD love Justice and hate Covetousnesse Let not thy Judges be impartiall against thy Subjects Keepe the Cities and Townes gotten by thy Predecessors preferre good and sufficient men to Benefices and Offices Be an Example to thy Subjects moderate the expences of thy Court and so God blesse thee These were the good instructions which this godly Monarch gave unto his Sonne for the leading of an upright life and to abandon all worldly delights and pleasures so as hee might both please God and be a patterne to his inferiours Philip 3. the 45. King of France Anno 1271. AFter the decease of S. Lewis Philip the third surnamed the Hardy his eldest sonne having beene proclaimed King in the Campe before Tunis in Africk tooke his journey in his returne through Italy directly to Viterbe to make an agreement betweene the Cardinals who in two years space were in a dissention upon the Election of a Pope Hee was Crowned at Rheimes by the Bishop of Soissons the thirtieth of August Anno Dom. 1271. He after incorporated the County of Tholouse to the Crowne upon the decease of the Count Alphonse his uncle He went to aide Gerard of Cassebonne his Subjects against the Counts of Armigna and Foix by reason whereof the Count of Foix submitted himselfe to his mercy He restored the Countrey of Navarre to the obedience of Ioane daughter of the late Henry King of Navarre deceased The King marryed Mary the daughter of Henry Duke of Brabant who was suspected to have poysoned Lewis the eldest sonne of the King by his first wife Isabelle of Aragon She was found innocent by the report of two Bishops who were sent to a Nunne or rather a Sorceresse to know the truth The yeare after Peter De la Bresche great Chamberlaine of France and superintendant of the Finances and affaires of the King was hanged being accused and convicted for having discovered the secrets of France to the King of Spaine together with the death of the Kings sonne Anno Domini 1282. the Sicilian Evensong were executed upon the Frenchmen upon an Easter day or as others report on the thirtieth of March or thirteenth of April whereupon Charles Uncle to the King offered battaile to Peter of Aragon the author thereof but he refused it Afterwards the King having caused Ioane the onely daughter of the late Henry King of Navarre to be marryed to his eldest sonne Phillip he marched with his Army for the Conquest of Aragon which by the Pope had been given to Charles de valois the second sonne of Philip who conquered the County of Russillon after that the City of Gennes And after that having in an Embuscado slaine the King of Aragon he forced the Towne of Gironne to be yeelded up He went to conclude his Fate at the Towne of Perpignan of a Malady which surprised him in his Campe Anno Domini 1285. the 6. of October This King as it appeares in the whole course of his life would engage himselfe in all businesses and was therefore called the Hardy but his desperate Father would not undertake his Neighbours quarrells nor seek to make betwene them any agreement unlesse it might be done by safe and quiet means The reigne of this King was much disturbed by the warres maintained by Peter and Roger for the Isle of Sicily and after much effusion of blood Charles dyed and also Peter though politicke could not deceive death but having received a great overthrow concluded his Act of life with griefe and sorrow At last this King was by Roger Admirall of Arragon friend unto Peter set upon him lying sicke a bed at Pepignan yet in extreamity he exprest a noble courage and with his sicke weake voyce so encouraged his Souldiers that Roger was droven out of Pepignan the City held by Philip so distempered with this alarum that he grew sicke and dyed the fifteenth of October two moneths after Peter Pope Martin the fourth dying the same yeare 1286. to shew great Princes that their chiefe designes are crost by death It was now decreed in a Counsell at Lions that the Cardinals meeting after the Popes death should not come out of that Conolme untill they had chosen the Pope which begun upon occasion of the tedious Election of the former Pope and the Decree is still observed Thomas Aquinas now dyed being a subtile disputer But Bonaventure John Duns called Scot and Gabriel Biel succeeded and were famous schollers And to conclude hee was a Prince borne for a testimony to that obscure age and for corrupted times to bee a patterne to all Kings and Princes of religion equity clemency wisedome valour magnanimity patience and constancy to love piety justice order and peace to joyne the love of sanctity and modesty of manners with Armes and State Having shewed that it is very fitting for a King to be a good Christian a good warriour a good husband a good father a good governour a good Iustier and to know how to make war and peace That it is very necessary to joyne unto the Majesty Royall piety clemency and authority to gaine the low respect and obedience And lastly that the best guard and most assured revenew of a Prince is the love of his Subjects Thus he was worthy of that venerable name wherewith posterity hath justly honourd him being the Honour of vertue Philip 4. the 46. King of France Anno 1286. PHilip 4. surnaming himselfe The Faire King of Navarre succeeded his Father An. Dom. 1286. After that he had withdrawne his Army from Parpignan hee was crowned at Rheims the sixt of January He caused the Palace to be built at Paris at that time Edward King of England pretending to lead his Army to the aide of the Towne of Acre which the Saracens had now beleaguered made some incursions upon the Sea-townes of Normandy thinking to have surprised Rochell whereupon ensued the second Warre which the French had against the English Heere the French Writers shew themselves most shamefully partiall and false yet I am bound to follow my Authors they being of that Nation who notwithstanding their alliance with the Emperour Adolphus were valiantly repulsed as well by Charles of Valois where the Lord of St. John was taken as by Robert of Artois who gained the victory upon the fresh Army which Edmund brother to the King of England had led to Bayonne yea and the Count of Flanders who declared himselfe on the English party lost the battaile at Furnes against the Count of Artois who went to joyne forces with the French who besieged Lisle and the Lords of Mont Morency and Harcourt tooke the Towne of Dover The English perceiving that demanded a Truce which was converted to a peace by the Marriage of Madam Marguerite of France Daughter of King Philip with the King of England Afterwards the
where King Charles caused him justly to be hang'd as a memorable example that Respect is an enemy to Justice which must be executed without sparing the guilty To conclude this Prince was worthy of the French Monarchy and deserved to be reckon'd amongst the chiefest men of State And as the Kingdome was happy in having so worthy and sufficient a King so his short Reigne deprived the Realme of that good which it should receive by his government But the best and most perfect men are in the blind world either despised for excesse of good or some tooke away by death to envy greater happinesse equall to their desert Philip of Valois the 6. and 50. King of France Anno 1327. THis Philip Count of Valois the Sonne of the late Count Charles and Cousen german to the three precedent Kings succeeded to the Crowne by title of his favour excluding Lewis of Evreux his Vncle who at that time as it is thought was already dead and was confirmed by the States notwithstanding that Edward King of England pretended the Crowne by his Mothers right who was the onely daughter of Philip the Faire He recovered a faire battaile against the Flemings who had revolted against their Duke and enforced the King of England to doe homage for the Dutchy of Guienne and other lands which he held of the Crowne who in revenge thereof entertained Robert of Artois Count of Beaumont who was banished out of France through a false accusation by whose perswasion the King of England beeing allyed to all the Princes of the Empire whereof hee had already obtained the Vicariate beganne to warre against Philip in Nantonge Anno Domini 1336. Afterwards he caused the Flemings to revolt against their Duke by the means of one James Artivel an Artisan The French that were in the Towne of L'Isle and first discomfited the English and Flemings but afterwards they were shamefully overthrowne at the Sluce Port when they laboured to hinder the English from joyning with the Flemings And after this victory he encamped before Tournay where he continued during fifty dayes during which time the Mother of the Count of Hainault wrought a Truce between the Kings of England and France which continued not long because the warres were renued shortly after betweene them because the King of France caused Oliver de Clisson to bee executed for Treason In which warre the French lost the memorable battaile of Crecy neare Abeville wherein the greatest part of the Nobility and flower of all France was slaine and the Towne of Calais taken After this the King having marryed in a second wedlocke the Lady Blanche daughter of the late Philip King of Navarre and received the Danphinate of Humbert together with the City and Countrey of Montpelier for a purchase of the King of Maillorque he retired to Nogent there to conclude his daies the 23. or 28. of August 1350. leaving Iohn Duke of Normandy and Philip Duke of Orleans He was an ingenious wity Prince as appeareth by his justification of the Salique Law by these words of Scripture Consider the Lillies of the field how they doe grow and doe neither labour nor spiune intimating whose Armes are Lillies or Flower de Lyces should not fall to the Distaffe Also he taxed the unfaithfulnesse of King Edward of England in these two Verses by himselfe composed Anglicus Angelus est cui nunquam credere fas est Dum tibi dicit Ave tanquam ab hoste cave The Englishman an Angell is which trusted will deceive thee Beware of him as of a Foe when he doth say God save thee After his marriage with Blanch daughter of Philip of Evreux he lived not long after he had tyed this knot this new wife being an unnecessary trouble in his old age so that sickning at Nogent advising his two sonnes to live in peace and bee carefull of the Realme which he resigned to the eldest he concluded his reigne and dyed He was a King in whom vertues and vices were equally mingled for he was valiant in danger and couragious in affliction just and loving to his subjects But his rash valour whereon hee presumed often engaged him and his subjects in many miseries Edward the third King of England Anno 1351. THis King comes here to be inserted amongst the Kings of France being the first that left the Title Hereditary to the Kings of England and first quartered the Armes of France with the English Armes giving thereby occasion and provocation of his succeeding Warres he obtained a gentle victory at Sluce upon Midsommer day in a sea fight Afterward he challenged Philip of Valois then King to a single combate by him not accepted afterwards makes a Truce with France their battailes being ready to joyne in Britagne in France then he declares the Truce with France broken He arrives afterward in France with bloody Colours with his hopefull son the Prince of Wales then about sixteen yeares old Afterward he got the Lawrell wreath of Conquest in the battaile of Cressey and his sonne was as victorious as his Father both sharing equally in honour purchased by valour But his sonne afterward whose veines were full of his Fathers Spirit and fortitude shewing that Nasci a Principibus est magnum obtained another triumphant victory against the French at Poictiers and by it confirmed his Fathers atchievements Then againe Henry invaded France besieges Paris concludes a peace King Iohn of France being taken prisoner and afterward ransomed hostages were also given and so the Clouds of warre were a while drawne away but suddainly againe France felt a new storme from England for the Earle of Blois slaine in Battaile by the English loseth the Dukedome of Britagne Then againe King Edward sends Iohn Duke of Lancaster to invade Prance and Sir Robert Knoles to the parts about Britagne and thus as he was famous for his many other Royall vertues expressed done at home and in the circumference of his owne Dominions so likewise he appeared in France like a flaming Comet which boded the effusion of much French blood But age sicknesse comming on hee was forc't to leave the world as the same did him before his breath left him but Nature could not hold out any longer and he was forced to resigne his life into the hands of his Creator at Shene now Richmond the one and twentieth day of Iune Anno Domini 1377. in the 64. yeare of his Age having reigned fifty yeares foure moneths and odde dayes in which time France felt the desolation which warre had made he carrying away the never dying Fame of a valiant Conquerour he lyeth buried at Westminster for as much of him as was Mortall but Multum sui vitabit Libitinam his sonle and Fame are immortall in Heaven and on earth and was especially famous for Conquering France and writing himselfe Roy de Angle terre France King of England and France John 1. or the second of that name the 51. King of France Anno 1350. JOHN the
first or second of that Name succeeded to the Crown and was consecrated at Rheims the 26. of Septem An Dom. 1350. In the beginning of his reigne hee caused the Lord Ralph of Nesle Cōstable of France to be beheaded for Treason and in his place hee jnstituted Charles of Spaine Count of Angolesme The Truce being broken betweene him and England he betooke him to S. John d' Angely and in his returne he instituted the Order of the Starre in the Noble and Royall House or S. Owen Afterwards Charles King of Navarre caused the Constable to be massacred upon a jealousie which hee had conceived against him on the sixt of Ianuary 1353 and the Lord Iames de Bourbon was substituted in his place In the meane time the King of Navarre whom the King of Prance had pardoned instead of acknowledging his fault complotted against the State of the said King which being discovered he entred into an Amity with the King of England By meanes whereof King Iohn having surprised him sent him prisoner to Paris Hereupon Philip of Navarre his brother in an indignation caused the English to come into Normandy against whom the King intending an opposition was enforced to turne it upon the Prince of Wales in Poicton where having lost the field through his temerity hee was taken Prisoner In the meane time the Parisians at the perswasion of Stephen Martel mutinyed against the Dauphin who tooke upon him the Regency of the Realme and appeased the tumult having first restored the places of Normandy to the King of Navarre who had escaped out of prison Afterwards upon a treaty made at Bretigny the eight of May 1360 a peace was concluded with the English and ratified at Calais the 24. of October In the meane time Philip Duke of Burgundy deceased at Roucere neere Dijon without issue by reason whereof Iohn the King declared himselfe to be his Heire After that he making a preparation for a beyond-sea voyage first came to London intending to make a strong peace with England and dyed there the eighth or ninth of April 1364 leaving Charles the Dauphin Lewis Duke of Aniou John Duke of Berry and Philip Hardy Duke of Burgundy This King shewed magnanimity in his most adverse fortune for Apparet virtus arguiturque malis Vertue will apparent be In the depth of adversity which was verified in this King John who sitting in the English Campe at a Supper prepared for him by the Prince of Wales who had taken him prisoner in the Battell of Poitiers said I purposed to have bestowed a Supper on you this night but the fortune of the War hath made me your Guest The Englishmen for a summe of money having got by composition the Castle and Towne of Gwines King Iohn complaining to the King of England that the Truce was broken contrary to their compact and agreement King Edward answered That Trafficke or Merchandise the surrender of the Castle being by money procured did not breake the former Truce This King when King Edward required homage for the Realme of France as held of England answered that hee could not justly alienate a right inalienable received from his Ancestors and therefore he resolved to leave it entire to his children for affliction might engage his person but not the Crowne of France while hee was King who would sacrifice his life for the preservation of France Hee dyed in England Anno 1364 being a good Prince but infortunate wise in ordinary matters but not in great affaires just but too confident in trusting others temperate in his private life but violent in the publicke government For great vertues meeting with Wisdome doe on the Theater of this life give unto Kings a Crowne of applause and commendation Charles 5. surnamed the Wise the 52. King of France An. 1364. AFter the decease of Iohn the first this Charles 5. surnamed the Wise was crowned the 19. of March Anno Dom. 1364. At the comming to the Crowne hee gained against those of Navarre a very memorable victory under the Conduct of the Lord Bertrand du Guesclin in favour whereof he gave him the Dukedome of Longueville From thence the said Guesclin went to aide Charles of Blois against whom Iohn of Monfort relying upon the English had begun warres for the Dutchy of Bretagne where he was taken fighting valiantly before the Castle of Aulroy against Iohn Lord Chandos High Marshall of England but a peace being made betweene the Duke of Monfort and the Countesse of Blois the King likewise made a peace with those of Navarre and after sent Guesclin to ayde Peter King of Arragon against Peter King of Castile in favour of Henry Sancho and Telco his naturall brothers and also in revenge of the death of his Wife Blanche the daughter of the Duke of Bourbon whom hee had caused to be slaine Peter of Castile being deposed of his kingdome and Henry substituted hee retired to the Prince of Wales who restored him to his former estate After returning into Guienne he imposed upon his Subjects unaccustomed taxations and imposts which caused the Lords of Armaignac and of Albert to appeale to the King of France as to their Soveraigne Lord which was a cause that moved Charles to give an eare to Henry who offered to hold his kingdome of Castile from him so that hee would ayde him in the re-conquest thereof Whereupon the King sent him Guesclin who gained fixe battells against his Enemy and in the fixt Peter of Castile was taken by the Lord de Villaines a French Knight of whom Henry ransomed him and put him to death enjoying by that meanes the kingdome of Castile In the meane time because the King embraced the appeale of the Lords of Gascogne the Prince of Wales denounced warre against him which the King managed so well by the assistance of his brothers that repairing the losses of his Father and Grandfather received by the English hee reconquered Guienne Poictou and Bretagne and deceased in September Anno Dom. 1380 leaving Charles and Lewis under the tuition of their Unkles This King had many vertues shining in all estates both in happinesse and adversity and when the Realme was in the heate of troubles he saved it from ruine so that his fame was spred abroad leaving an honourable remembrance to his posterity Hee favoured Learning and the learned preferring the Schoolemaster Nicholas Oresme He caused the Bible to be translated imitating therein St. Lewis and tooke great delight to read the Scripture and Philosophy and he made Aristotles Ethicks and Politicks and many places of Tully to be translated into French and his favour shewed to learned men cherished their fancies and made them seeke unto the forsaken Muses for witty inventions Hee would heare Suits in open Court and redresse the wrongs of the oppressed and tooke pleasure to advance his houshold servants and gave them meanes for bringing up their sons and marrying their daughters And as he was a favourer of Learning so Bartholl Baldus Petrarch
Elizabeth of France the King having published a solemne running at the Tilt as is before mentioned the King would needes be one of the Challengers and the second day of the Tourny being perswaded by the Queene and the Duke of Savoy to retire out of the Lists he desired to runne once more against the Earle of Montgomery who first refused but afterward runne and upon the Kings Helmet broke his Lance and with a splinter thereof his Beaver being somewhat open strikes him so deepe in the eye so that he dyed in his house at Tournells in the 44. yeare of his age The day before his death he would have the Duke of Savoy and the Lady Margaret his sister marryed in his Chamber His heart was interred in the Celestines Church in the Duke of Orleans his Chappell His Character was good but hee was formerly voluptuous and permitted himselfe to be abused by his Officers selling Lawes and his authority For such Kings are but pictures of Princes without life all power remaining in the subject to the oppression and wrong of the Land Francis the 2. and 60. King of France Anno 1559. THis Francis King of Scotland by Mary Stuart his wife at the age of fifteene yeares and five Moneths succeeded his father Henry and was Crowned at Rheimes September 1559. by the Cardinall of Loraine Arch-Bishop of that See after his Coronation he went to conduct his Brother in law the Duke of Loraine and the Dutchesse Claudia his sister as farre as Barle Duke from whence hee returned into France and sojourned for a while in the City of Blois where he reformed some abuses of those that followed his Court. In the meane time this President Minard was slaine in his owne House returning from Court This murther was a cause that it was forbidden to carry trucheons and weapons The Counsellor of Bourg was burnt for his Religion The King having made preparations sent the Lord of Martigues into Scotland for the suppression of some Scots who upon pretext of Religion were in Armes during which time Mary of Loraine Dowager of Scotland deceased At the same time also certaine Gentlemen of France being assembled in Armes neare the City of Amboise where the King was attended by the Cardinall of Loraine and his brother the Duke of Guise were discovered in a certaine enterprise which they pretended to be for the publicke good and for the dispossessing of some strangers usurpers of the Kings authority and Kingdome contrary to the ancient authority of the three Estates of France and also for making some remonstrances to the King concerning Religion for which many were executed to death amongst whom the Baron of Castelnau was one At that time the Chancellour Oliver deceased in whose place and dignity was instituted Monsieur de'l Hospital Shortly after the King went to Orleans there to settle himselfe where he fell sicke of an Apostume in his left eare whereof he dyed the foureteenth of September Anno Domini 1560. having reigned about eighteen months and twenty dayes and lyes interred at S. Denis The Protestants were very much persecuted in this Kings reigne and there were foure prisoners of especiall note Castelnau Villemongis Campagnac and le Picard who cryed out against the Chancellor that had signed the sentence of their deaths who thereupon fell suddenly sicke and when the Cardinall of Loraine came to visit him cryed out O Cardinall thou hast damned us all While the King lay dangerously sicke the Queene mother intending to support the Guisans called the King of Navarre into her closet to whom as he was going a Lady of the Court said My Lord deny the Queen mother nothing that she shall demand else you are dead whereupon he signed what shee desired and thereby obtained her favour Afterward the King dyed of Catarch and a Feaver the 14. of December whose seeds of vertue lay hid in his nature and were not discerned onely some shewes of courtesie modesty and continency were in his younger yeares apparent and rherefore his death was not much lamented but of such as in his nonage possessed usurped estates After his decease the Prince of Conde turned the streame of affaires To give a briefe Character of this King and his reigne he was a picture of Majesty drawne in raw colours being young in yeares and judgement governed by his Mother and his wives Uncles The Princes of Blood were in his reigne not regarded power and might prevailed in Court and the Clergy sought protection from the disturbers of France The Nobility were ingaged in warres and the people divided in matters of Religion and in the Court factions were maintained this was the face and complexion of those times miseries incident to the minority of Princes Charles the 9. and 61. King of France Anno 1560. THis Charles the ninth at the Age of thirteene succeeded his Brother Francis Hee pursu'd the enterprises of his Predecessor for his State affaires which were begunne the eighth of December ' Anno Domini 1560. at Orleans and and afterward finished at Pontoise Angust and September following Anno Domini 1561. At that time hee assembled the Prelates of France at Possi to a Nationall Counsell The January following it was permitted to the Hugnenots to make their exercises and Sermons out of the Cities Whereupon ensued great troubles warres and slaughters of great Lords and personages as of the King of Navarre who was slaine before Rouen and in the battaile of Dreux which was given the 19. of March Anno Domini 1562. the Martiall of St. Andrew and the Duke of Guise were slaine before Orleans A while after the Towne of Haure de Grace was recovered which had beene before yeelded to the English The King at the Parliament at Rouen being declared Mayor after an Edict of Pacification made went to visit his Kingdome Anno domini 1564. and went to meet his sister the Queene of Spaine at Bayonne where great magnificences were parformfd After having visited the Gascogne Guienne and Poitou he came to Moulins where he made many excellent Ordinances The second civill warre sprung up wherein after that the King had made an escape out of Meaux the battaile of St. Denis was fought wherein the Constable was wounded which was a cause of another Pacification by reason of the siege of Chartres which was broken by the third intestine warre which continutwo yeares space during which the ed battaile of Iarnac was fought wherein the Prince of Conde was slaine and another battaile at Montcontour After which another Edict of Pacification was made Anno Domini 1570. Afterwards the King marryed the Lady Elizabeth of Austria daughter to the Emperour Maximilian Also the marriage of the King of Navarre was celebrated Anno Domini 1573. and the 24. of August the same yeare the Admirall was slaine in Paris with a great number of the Hugoueotes and Rochelle was besieged Then a fourth pacification by the election in Poland of the Duke of Aniou brother to the King was
made he being gone in his Kingdome of Poland was certified of his brother the Kings death on the 30. of May at the Bois de Vincennes 1574. having one daughter who dyed an Infant He lyes at St. Denis Hee was a Prince that had excellent naturall gifts but blended and mingled with vices wherewith his Governours and Schoolemasters had corrupted his young minde which at the first was more vertuously inclined delighting in Musick and Poetry But as he was a great Hunter that lov'd to shed the blood of wilde beasts so hee suffered also during his reigne the Protestants blood to be shed and in revenge thereof in his sicknesse before his death great store of blood issued out by vomiting and by other passages of his body in the two last weekes of his sicknesse wherein he endured as much paine and torment as the strength of youth could suffer in the last pangs of death And this judgement shewed that God loves not the Prince that thirsts after his subjects blood which is the very blood of the Prince Some few houres before his death he said It was a great comfort unto him that he left no heire Male lawfully begotten for leaving him young he must endure many crosses and France had neede of a man Henry 3. the 62. King of France Anno 1575. THis Henry the third was at the instant of his brothers death in his Kingdome of Poland whereof he having notice hee in privacy went out of Poland and arrived at Lyons the sixt of September Anno 1574 and was consecrated at Rheims February the 13. Anno Dom. 1575 and the 15. of the same Moneth he marryed Madam Loyse of Loraine Daughter of the Count of Vaudemont After in the yeare 1576 he convocated his Statesmen to Blois where singular good Statutes were enacted Anno Domini 1577. there was an Edict of Pacification published for the quiet of his Kingdome He began the foundation of the Augustines Bridge Anno Dom. 1578. The Order of the Knights of the Holy Ghost was by him instituted Anno Dom. 1579. After his Edict of Pacification untill the decease of his onely brother Monsieur the Duke of Aniou his Kingdome was in peace but soone after Anno Domini 1585 there grew up a faction pernicious to him and his Estate which was called the Ligue or the holy Union the Author whereof was the King of Spaine purposely to hinder Henry King of Navarre from his accesse to the Crowne of France to whom after the decease of this King it of right did belong This Faction was violated under a colour of Religion which was of such a force that the Principality thereof made sure of the primest Cities in the whole Kingdome their owne and amongst the rest Paris it selfe the Inhabitants whereof having barricadoed themselves against their King on the twelfth of May Anno Domini 1588 he was constrained to retire himselfe to Chartres and thence to Rouen In the end the second time he assembled his men of State at Blois at the end whereof hee caused the Duke and Cardinall of Guise to bee executed Upon which execution Paris revolted together with the prime Cities of the Realme and the Rebells made the Duke of Mayenne to bee their Chiefe which was a cause that the King removed his Parlement to Tours in March in the yeare 1589 and being reconciled to the King of Navarre he went to beleaguer Paris and being at St. Claud on the first day of August hee was most trayterously stabbed with a knife in the bottome of his belly by a Jacobin of which wound hee dyed the day following in that siege in the midst of his Army having reigned 15. yeares and two Moneths His Corps was conducted to Compaigne where it remaineth to this day entombed This King plotting before his receiving the Crowne how to ruine the Hugenots the Emperour told him that there was no greater sinne than to force mens consciences for such as thinke to command them supposing to winne Heaven doe often lose that which they possesse on Earth He was at last murdered as was said by a Jacobin Fryar who as the King bended downe to heare in private that which he expected drew a knife out of his sleeve made a purpose and thrust his Majesty into the bottome of the belly and there leaves the knife in the wound The murderer was by those which ranne to helpe the King presently killed But the King lived awhile and at his death hee advised them to unite themselves in revenging his murder but yet he forgave his enemies and charged them to seeke the preservation of the Realme by purging out Faction And lastly hee wished them to referre the difference of Religion to the Convocation of the Estates of the Realme saying that Piety is a duty of man to God over which worldly force hath no power The Picture of his minde was faire and lovely being drawne with the lines of wit eloquence gravity devotion affection to learning bountifull to desert reforming abuses peaceable and willing to heare counsell but this comely beauty was disgraced by a pale weaknesse in adversity a smiling wantonnesse and too liberall a prodigality which somewhat blemished this Prince who had otherwise beene an exact peece of perfection worthy to be placed among the chiefest Monarchs Henry the 4 the 63. King of France Anno 1589. THis Henry the fourth surnamed the Great King of Navarre as first of the Bourbon line being descended from Robert the last sonne of St. Lewis succeeded to the Crowne of France by consent and assistance of the Nobility and Army of the late Henry by whose deplored death it was dispersed retired himselfe to Dieppe where he was besieged by the Duke of Mayenne with a potent Army which by this King was routed with a small number of Arques the 21. of September Anno Domini 1589. And from thence pursued his victory even to Paris taking the Suburbs thereof upon All-Hallows Eve Afterwards hee recovered Vendosm le Mans and Falaise The fourteenth of March 1590 hee obtained the famous victory of Yury after which hee blocked up Paris and St. Denis and reduced them to such an extremity of famine that in July following St. Denis yeelded it selfe to his power and Paris also was upon the point of surrender April 1591. the City of Chartres after a long siege was yeelded up also to him Ianuary 1593. began the Estates of the Ligue at Paris and the Truce of Suresne followed which being in dispute the King tooke the City of Dreux and shortly after he was instructed in the Roman Faith whereof hee made a publique and solemne profession at St. Denis the 25. of July August following the generall Truce began and continued untill the first day of the yeare 1594 which being expired the King caused himselfe to be crowned at Chartres by the Bishop of that See the 27. of February Hereupon ensued the submission of Meaux Lyons Orleance Bourges Rouen and Paris where the King was most
he seemed borne fitter to lead an Army than governe a Kingdome in Justice and peace by reason of his insolence and lubricity for which the great and powerfull men of his Kingdome enforced him having already reigned three yeeres to flye into the Kingdome of Thuringia there to expect the issue of his fortune But before his departure his friend Vidomare or as others report Guiemans gave him his word and promise breaking a peece of Gold betweene them the King keeping the one halfe and he the other advising the King that hee should boldly returne when he should receive the other halfe from him Hereupon the French chose in his place Gilles or Gillon Governour of Soissons under the Romans who reigned as King 8. yeares in the end whereof Chilperic was re-appealed by Vidomare who had so dexterously carried himselfe that Gilles himselfe wrought his owne ruine hatred which the French conceived against him Chilperic hereupon endeavouring the recovery of his Kingdome gained a great battaile against his Enemy Agrippina which the French surnamed Coloyne But in his returne hee sought an ill requitall to so good a friend and Host the King Basin of Thuringia because hee tooke away with him Basins Wife and Queene carrying her with him into France and of her begat Clovis Trithemius the Abbot saith that the Dutchies and Counties were erected and instituted by Chilperic in France who distributed them to those of his blood But it is more apparent that the French comming into Gaule retained onely the generall policy which the Romans had there planted with the nominations of the Dutchies and Counties which denominate no more than Provinces generall or subalterne The Bretons of Gaule Armorick under him tooke their beginning Anno Domini 460. as also the Roman Empire ceased in the West Anno Dom. 477. Chilperic breathed his last in the 24. veare of his Reigne about the yeare 484. The first part of Chilphericks Life and Reigne was much disgraced by his vicious government and his owne actions oppressing his Subjects and for his lusts satisfaction abusing their Wives and Daughters but afterward being awak'd by affliction and touch'd with the sense of his former wrongs he changed his course of Life and tooke pleasure onely in goodnesse by his conversion gaining the affection of the French Thus Affliction doth instruct not destroy a minde capable of Reason for as Winter stormes kill not the Tree but keepe downe the wanton sappe which ascending in the Spring makes it more fruitfull so by adversity and misfortune the minde is somewhat opprest but by vertue it is reviv'd and brings forth fruite of new conversion and being dead unto former vices lives onely to goodnesse as this King who in the last part of his life conquer'd his desires and tryumph'd in that noble Victory Clovis 5. King of France and the first Christian King of that Nation Anno 485. THis Lovis or Lewis came to the Crowne Anno Dom. 485. at the age of 15. He surmounted through his magnanimity the glory of his predecessors and wee must ascribe the true entry of the French into Gaule to him according to the affirmation of Gregory of Tours Aymoynus Ado and the Modernes For by the overthrow by him given to Siagrius Count of Soissons sonne of Gilles the Roman he reduced the County to the subjection and Lawes of the French and so abolished that small power and command which the Romans at that time had formerly in those parts of Gaule 537. yeares after it had beene subjected to the Roman Empire by Iulius Caesar. After that he espoused Clotilda daughter of Chilperic one of the Kings of Burgundy and being in the tenth yeare of his reigne he compelled the Thuringians to receive and acknowledge his Lawes Hee obtained the day at Tolbiac against the Almaines reducing their Kingdome into a Province and Dukedome at his returne he became a Christian in the 15. yeare of his reigne and altered his Coate of Armes Neare unto Dijon hee overthrew Gondenbault his wives uncle and in the 25 yeare of his reigne hee slew with his owne hands in a battaile Alaric King of the Visigoths who was an Arian and drove them out of Gaule and by that meanes hee submitted to his Kingdome the Countrey of Angolesme Bourdelois Perigort Quercy Rovergue Albi Auvergne and Tholouze nothing remaining unconquered of Gaule but Provence and a part of Languedoc Afterwards being honoured with a Patriciall dignity by the Emperour Anastasius he removed himselfe to Paris where he established the Regall seat of his Kingdome Others affirme that in defiance and despite of all his greatest friends and kinsemen who at that time commanded a great part of France siezing their Estates and Lordships prevented a disturbation of his estate like to ensue He reigned 30. yeares and lyes inhumed and St. Peter and St. Paul now called St. Genovesue yeelding his last breath Anno Domin 513. leaving foure Children Childebert King of Paris Clodomire of Orleance Clotharius of Soyssons Theodoricke a bastard sonne of his K. of Metts and two daughters besides that sonne which was slaine in the wars The Kingdome that was in its infancy of growth was twice mangled and dismembred In the time of this warre there came a messenger that brought the King tydings how that one of his sonnes was dead upon the receipt of which newes he presently tooke the Crowne from off his head and fell into a heavy and melancholly passion insomuch that for the time he was quite bereaved of his naturall sence which the messenger seeing added this to his former tale that his sonne dyed victoriously hearing of which words he revived and tooke up the Crowne and set it againe upon his Head and so rested satisfied When Richar Duke of Cambray a man of bad conditions and lewd life was by the King taken prisoner and put to death being betraied by the treachery of his Barons they imagining as Seneca saith that Prosperum ac faelix scoelus virtus vocatur That fortunate Treachery should be esteemed vertuous piety and being not content with certaine richly guilt Corcelets of Copper which the King had formerly sent them to procure the effecting of the aforesaid Treason they complained unto him that they were but badly recompenced He answered The gift of your lives is a sufficient reward for Traytors who deserve torments rather than preferments for betraying their Lord Master Your lives which I suffer you to enjoy is no small benefit and favour For Kings though they seeme to allow Treason cannot love the Traytor The Traitors thus upbraided with their wicked nesse and condemned by their conscience slunke away from his presence Childebert the sixt King of France Anno 514. CHildebert the eldest sonne of Clovis succeeded in the Kingdome of Paris which was the Regall Seate of the Monarchy of France Anno Domini 514. Upon his undertaking the government he was by his Brothers instigated and his Mother Clotilda to the revenge of the death of his
thereof hee exempted that Abby from the subjection of the Bishop of Paris He departed this life to a better An. Dom. 665 in the 21. yeare of his age or as others 23 and lyeth at St. Denis expecting a glorious Resurrection This King and many other his successors retained nothing of Soveraignty but the name and habilements of Kings having resign'd their Regall power to their Mayres For after they had committed all their Authority to these Vice-kings they themselves did never appeare in publick but on the first day of May and then in their Chariots stuck with flowers and drawne with 4. Oxen. No suiters were admited to the Kings presence who in his Chamber surfetted on all kind of pleasure while the Subjects complained onely to the Mayre and by him had their wrongs redressed for the whole government which belonged unto the Kings was now ordered by Mayres yet this King was happy in his Consort and Queene Bandour of whose Piety and devotion to Religion the Abby of Shelces called St. Bandour and other religious buildings were lasting Monuments Clotharius 3. the 13. King of France Anno 666. THis Clotharius the third the eldest sonne of Clovis succeeded in the Regall power Anno Dom. 666 his brother Childeric or Childebert and Theodoric being very young Clotharius permitted the sway of government to his Mother Bathilde and his Mayre of Palace Ercembault or Ereich whom some are of opinion to have beene entituled Duke of France and after the death of this hee entertained one Ebroin in his place or as the Almaine Chronicles say Eberwin a German borne a man cruell malicious and wicked who was preferred unto him by the French He was the first that abusing the imbecillity and Infancy of his Master raised the power and authority of his owne dignity to such a heighth it never had before slighting and misprizing the Majesty and greatnesse of Kings insomuch that afterwards nothing of what importance soever must passe without the approbation of those Mayres all the Principality as it were being solely in their breasts and power swaying yea and limiting the expences of their Kings as they list themselves making Warres Peace Alliances Ordinances and Customes of the Kingdome at their pleasure Some Chronicles say that the Kings living at their ease and pleasures shewed themselves but once a yeare in publicke upon the first day of May in a generall assembly which was held every yeare for the publick affaires of the Kingdome in a place called The Field of Mars where they rode in a Chariot drawne by foure Oxen accompanied with the chiefe of the Baronry as well hearing the complaints of their Subjects as giving audience to Embassadors of forraigne Princes all which they received at the second hand from their Mayres This Clotharius was surprized by a Feaver where of he dyed having reigned foure yeares without leaving any issue Anno Dom. 670. Theodoric undertakes the government of the Kingdome but through the turmoyles betweene him and Ebroin Mayre of the Palace the subjects enforced him to a Monasticke life at St. Denis and Ebroin at Leuxeul in the Franche Contè Clotharius lyes at St. Denis in France The composition of his minde was cruell which the subjects felt in heavy taxations by him imposed saying that plenty and peace made them forgetfull of their duty And of him and his successors it may be said that they left nothing memorable but that they left no memory Hee may be reckoned among those Kings that were living Pictures of Soveraignty shewed every yeare to the people and so put up againe into his Chamber but if Vertue be active and consists in doing good how could Kings thinke that they might rule by their Deputies You never knew that Flock of sheepe did thrive when the Shepheard committed them to the care of an Hireling or a Boy and a Dogge for then the poore sheepe are torne by Bryars so are the poore subjects by oppressions when Rex dormit securus when the King sleepes and suffers his Mayres to governe him and his Realme Therefore it is said that no man is good in regard of the nobility of his Birth but for the excellency of his Vertue For true Nobility dependeth of Vertue and all other things are of Fortune But this was the defect of these times that made soveraigne power have aweake aspect and not to looke so fine and cleare as it would have done for this King and many others were then but like Pictures in Arras yet for all his cruelty they bestowed upon him those funerall Rites which appertained to Soveraignty and inhumed him amongst the former Kings Childeric 2. the 14. King of France Anno 670. THis Childeric King of Austrasy and brother to Clotharius being called to the Crowne by the Frenchmen tooke Ulfoalde for his Mayre but they found themselves as much troubled with him as they had beene with Theodoric and Ebroin whom they had made Monkes and confined into Monasteries This Childeric who was a man of no great wit and dissolute confined saith Sigebert Leger Bishop of Authun a man of a holy life to the Monastery of Luxeul Neverthelesse the Supplement of Idatius affirmes that he was so gracious with him that he was in a manner as Mayre of the Palace He caused a Gentleman to be ignominiously whipped who was of Franconia called Bodille by which fact he excited such a scandall against himselfe and a generall hatred of most part of the Nobility of his Realme that they all rebelled against him after the example of Ingolbert aliâs Wigobert and Amalbert giving such an occasion to Bodille that he sought all occasions of revenge for the notorious disgrace hee had received from him who on a day espying him comming from Hunting caused him to be murthered by the assistance of his Compliees who also shewed no more mercy to his Queene and Wife Blivilde although shee were great with child which was a cause that Ulfoalde fled into Austrasie and that the Lords of France by the advice of Leger Bishop of Authun tooke Leudesil the sonne of the late Ercembault for Mayre of the Palace who as it seemes to Aymoynus and Ado taking Theodoric out of the Monastery estated him in the Regall Throne Childeric and his Wife were funebrially interred in the Church of St. German des prez lez Paris Anno Domini 676 and seven yeares after that by the generall consent of the Frenchmen hee was called out of Austrasie to governe the Kingdome of France Hee left no issue Sigebert and Paulus Aemilius seeme to confound the History being of opinion that Childeric reigned after Clotharius 12. yeares and Theodoric 17. yeares after him but others hold that the reigne of Theodoric continued 19 in the which they number the yeares of his being a Monke Childerick being substituted in his place This King was another of the same stampe with the former by nature enclined to tyranny and cruelty disgracing his well-begun reigne with a bad conclusion for
a dignity as that of a Kingdome but for a gaining of authority by this faire pretext and for the transferring of the Crowne of France by little and little to his Children which afterwards came to passe For under the name of Clotharius Charles Martel did what he pleased which so fortunately succeeded daily that by this meanes he made a scaling-Ladder for his sonne Pepin to the Crowne So that Clotharius the fourth was made but an imaginary or titulary King who did not any thing worthy of memory because hee reigned not above two yeares or little longer and in the time of his reigne all France was in great Factions and Divisions by the reason of so many pretendants to the Office of Maire of the Palace also that Charles Martel had after him the entire government of the whole Kingdome and command of all insomuch that he was called Prince of the French-men great Master and Governonr of France And Clotharius had but the bare title of King which is a cause that Paulus Aemilius and other Historians have not inserted him into the Catalogue of the Kings of France The aforesaid Clotharius deceased about the yeare 719 and lyeth inhumed at Nancy This King having not the power of a King was like a Picture of Majesty for some years exposed to the publick view but afterwards death drew a Curtaine between him and the world and then he was soone forgotten whereas vertue doth give a second life to Princes while their name is preserved fresh in memory For Sola virtus expers Sepulchri Vertue alone can never dye But liveth still in memory And therfore that excellent monument better than any Marble stone cut into forme by Carvers Art is the statue of the mind not that of the body for Statuae huiusmodi relinquendae quae virtutis sint monumenta magis quà m staturae corporis That King doth need no Tombe cut out by Art Whose Fame doth live in every Subjects heart Daniel alias Chilperic 20. King of France Anno 719. DAniel whom some affirme to have beene the Sonne of Childebert and brother to Dagobert and others that he was onely of the blood Royall was taken out of the Monastery to bee made King and his former name was changed into Chilperic Anno Domini 715. In the beginning of his Reigne he entered into a confederacy with Ratbode Duke of Frizeland In the meane time Charles Martel escaped the imprisonment of his Step-mother Plectrude and as hee made all possible meanes and waies for the recovery of his right before that hee could effect any thing he was by Ratbode defeated neare the Meuse before that Rainfroy and Chilperic could come to charge him Neverthelesse Anno Domini 716. after as the Frenchmen went with a Convoy of an infinite treasure of monyes from the parts neare Cologne which Plectrude had given them Charles Martel set upon them with such a fury that he enforced them to forsake it neare unto Albis By the meanes whereof taking heart for this his first fortunate enterprize he overthrew Rainfroy and Chilperic Anno Domini 717. the 21 of March neare unto Vinciate who came with an intent of an ample revenge Charles by this victory assuring himselfe of the French desirous to reduce the rest of the Kingdome of Austracy entered by force into Cologne and forced Plectrude to surrender unto him all his Fathers Treasures And for the greater validity of his cause puts one forward whom some esteeme to have beene the Uncle of the last King Dagobert called Clotharius or Lotharius forcing him to take upon him the title and name of King with him afterwards hee went to encounter Chilperic and Rainfroy who by the meanes of Eude Duke of Aquitan or Gaseogne were destitute of their Forces being by him defeated and overthrowne in Champagne insomuch that for safety Chilperic retired to the said Duke with all his Treasures Anno Domini 719. Clotharius the titulary King departed this life whereupon Charles Martel sent to demand King Chilperic of Eude that he might bee sent unto him by whom he was afterwards acknowledged as a King and entertained Eude into his amity and love Chilperic also a yeare after deceased Anno Dom. 720. having reigned five yeares and a halfe in a troublesome and turbulent Stare which was scarce settled in all the time of his Reigne Charles Martel with Clotharius or Lotharius who had tooke the name and title of King raising many perturbations in his Kingdome But Death at length drew his dayes to a period after his great and manifold troubles and lyeth interred at Noyon Theodoric 21. King of France Anno. 720. THeodoric was by Charles Martel substituted to Chilperic Anno Domini 720. and reigned onely titulary as others had done before him for the space of eighteene yeares Charles Martel left Aniou to Rainfroy upon condition that hee should resigne the office of Mayre and after that went to terrifie and chastise the Saxons who had rebelled at which time Ratbod Duke of Frizeland dyed A. D. 727. He brought the Almaines into such a servitude to the French that before that time they never performed Afterwards having enforced Plectrude to come to an agreement he marched into Aquitan against Eude where in the way hee by a generall Parliament made himselfe to bee stiled Prince of the French Whereupon Eude more enraged than vanquished incited the Saracens of Spaine by the meanes of Muguoce Lord of Lerdane his sonne in Law their servant whom Charles encountred before Tours and gave them an overthrow by the assistance of the said Eude who was enforced to take his part by reason of the insolencyes committed by the Saracens who had now come downe into his Countrey In this expedition hee gained the sirname of Martel for the Mortality he made of his enemies After the ending of this warre he went against the Burgundians to punish them for their rebellion and also those of Provence After that knowing the death of Eude he reduced Gnienne and Aquitaine into his obedience dis-inheriting Gaifer and Walde the sonnes of Eude who retiring themselves into Gothland and Septimany alias Languedoc recovered by the assistance of the Visigoths a part of Guienne in the meane time that Martel was in warres against Pepin the sonne of Ratbod whom he overthrew and forced the Frizons to become Christians After having sent backe his Vncle Childebrand against the Visigoths and Saracens who had possessed Avignon himselfe went to quell Burgundy now upon a revolt and by the aide of Luitprand King of the Lombards he went to drive Athin out of Narbon and out of all Languedoc and Provence all which he submitted to the Crowne of France and hee tooke away the Earledome of Marsiles from Count Morice who had delivered Avignon to the Saracens Theodoric dyed about they yeare 740. It was a usuall custome for great Warriers and Souldiers in those times to get some titular addition to their name as Alexander was called Ille magnus so Martel was so
to Caroloman Austrasia to Giles being more hardy France and Giles given to devotion hee made Bishop of Roan and Griffon being of a turbulent dispotion had no portion but was enforced to depend on his brothers whereby the ambition of many brothers reigning together was prevented Fame doth report that this Monarchy nor any forraigne State did ever yeeld a worthier man or any one so well accomplisht with so rare and goodly qualities being greatly admired and generally beloved for his pious and renowned actions For Religion Wisdome Justice Valour modesty in prosperity resolution in adversity temperance in Authority diligence and good fortune made him a most compleate Prince not wanting any endowments fit for so high a calling and the example of vertuous perfection for Vertue is the highest perfection of Nature beyond which humane frailty cannot reach Pepin the short the 23. King of France Anno 752. PEpin the short sonne of Charles Martell was crowned King of France in the beginning of the yeare 752 by Boniface Bishop of Magence The Saxons rebelled the yeare following but Pepin made them very feelingly sensible of their default An. Dom. 754. Pepin having beene againe annointed and crowned in the Church of St. Denis by Pope Stephen successour to Zachary who came to demand ayde of him against Astulph King of the Lombards passed over the Alpes and two severall times put the King Astulph into such streights and extremities that he was constrained to surrender to the Pope duties belonging to St. Peter the Segniory of Ravenna and all that hee could claime in Romania whereupon the Emperour of Constantinople to whom those Territories did belong being much discontented An. Dom. 759 overthrew the rebellious Saxons and compelled them to pay tribute at every generall Parliament of France 300. Horse fit for service of Warre From thence hee went against Waifer Duke and Governour of Aquitaine and enforced him to come to a composition which neverthelesse had no effectuall issue untill hee had defeated him in divers battailes and taken the greatest part of his principall Cities Which Waifer perceiving and the taking of his Mother Sisters and Nieces was enforced to commit the rest of his fortunes to the hazard of a Battaile neare Perigord where with the day he lost his life also and his Principality likewise Moreover Aquitaine received a governour who in those times was styled Duke from the appointment of the King and was reunited to the Crowne of France Pepin retreating with his Army was arrested with a fit of sicknesse at the suite of Death whereby he paid Nature what he was indebted the 24. of September in the 54. yeare of his age Anno Domini 768 leaving by his Queene Berthe Charles and Charlemaine to whom by a partage they made betweene them the Occidentall part of France together with Burgundy and Aquitaine befell to Charles who established his Seate at Noyon and to Charlemaine the Orientall whereunder the Provinces on this side the Rhine were comprised and held his Court at Soyssons This King was the first of the second Race under whose vertuous government the happinesse of France was much improved and in his sonnes Reigne but Vertue being no inheritance descending to posterity the glory of the Kingdome by the vices of succeeding Kings declined shewing that Grace and Goodnesse are the absolute free gifts of God That which assured him of his Subjects love and made him become gracious in their estimation was his honourable Actions followed by the love and obedience of his Subjects for the attractive love of Vertue firmely obliges subjects to their Prince and doth by a secret violence draw their affections His last act concluded in a Royall death being happy in his honours and hopefull Children one of his sonnes being afterward acknowledg'd the worthiest and most excellent Prince that ever reigned And himselfe by his vertue and valour gaining his subjects love instructed Princes that the subjects love is the strongest guard and that Vertue is the best preserver of Majesty giving a good and prosperous successe unto all their actions by whom she is embraced and dayly followed never leaving them hopelesse in any danger which may seeme to threaten them but rather encourage and comfort their troubled spirits with assurance of overcomming and withstanding whatsoever may prove obnoxious or hurtfull unto them and lastly it doth not onely enrich a man with all temporall blessings here in this life but hereafter advance him to immortall honour Charlemayne Emperour of Rome and the 24. King of France Anno 768. NO sooner had Charles made a partage with his Brother Charlemayne but he was enforced to restraine Lupus Duke of Gascoigne and Hunaut of Aquitaine with including them in a Fort called Fressac built neare to Libourne After that marrying with the daughter or sister of Didier King of the Lombards he entertained Trasilon Duke of Bavaria into his amity The yeare following Charlemaine deceased leaving two sonnes whom Charles permitted not to govern in their fathers estate but annexed it to his owne After that hee made warre upon the Saxons and in the yeare 773. at the request of Pope Adrian hee tooke Didier in Pavia whom hee confined in banishment to Liege recovering all the possessions he had in Italy And the same yeare he returned against the Saxons where hee founded a Fort by the name of Francfort Againe being gone into Italy against Adelgise sonne of Didier who was revolted hee returned immediately against the Saxons whom he forced to imbrace Christianity Anno Domini 776. The same yeare hee tooke from the Sarazens in Spaine Pampelonne Saragosa and made many Kings tributaries in his returne from thence the Gascognes slew most of the best men of France Hee subdued the Bretons of the lower Brittagne who had revolted and Anno Domini 787. He tooke the fidelity of Adagise Duke of Benevent and of Trasilon Duke of Bavaria whereupon he confiscated to his owne use the whole Countrey of Bavaria and enforced Theodon and his sonne to a Monasticke life Hee overthrew likewise the Sclavonians and the Vandals who held the Countrey of Brandebourg Malgebourg and Pomerania and also the Huns and Avarois who at that time possessed Pannonia Hee was saluted Emperor Anno Domini 801. upon Chistmas day And having received presents from the King of Persia hee was sought in marriage by the Empresse of Irene After that having combated the Venetians by his sonne Pepin and defeated the Normans and having founded the Vniversities of Paris Bologne and Pavia an intending to unite the Channell of the Rhine with that of Danubius he was intercepted by Death Anno Domini 814 beeing threescore and twelve yeares of Age having reigned over the French sixe and forty yeares and of Italy three and forty and of his Empire foureteene and lyes inhumed in Aix la Chapelle This Charles got some addition to his name as Alexander the Great being indeed great in the gifts of body and minde Arts and Armes The ground-worke whereon he
write though justly disgracefully of deceased Princes Lewis 3. Emperour and 27. King of France Anno 877. AFter the decease of Charles the Bald Lewis surnamed the Stut was heire and successor of his Father declared himselfe not onely King of France Anno Dom. 877 causing himselfe to be crowned in a full assembly of Princes and Prelates at Rheimes but also Emperour of Rome Aymoynus testifieth that hee was in some difference before his Coronation with the Primates of his Kingdome because he had distributed the estates and dignities of France without their advice Insomuch that he was enforced to give them content In the meane time Pope John the 8. conceiving a better hope of the French than of the Almaines laboured what he could to reduce Italy into the good liking of Lewis the Stut by the reason whereof he became an enemy of those that tooke part with Caroloman Nephew to the said Lewis and eldest sonne of Lewis King of Eavaria who tooke the Pope prisoner whence hee made an escape by the meanes of his adherents and retired himselfe into France with the Treasures of the Church after that he had excommunicated his adversaries who neverthelesse desisted not to detaine the City of Rome for the party of Caroloman In the meane time the Pope was conducted from Arles by Duke Boson to Lions from whence he went to visite the King at Troyes and there the King caused himselfe by him to be crowned with the Imperiall Diadem After that the Pope was reconducted by Boson into Italy whiles the Emperour Lewis went to visite Lewis King of Germany in Loraine where they concluded a treaty of peace for the which the controversie touching the Empire was deferred till another time and it was agreed that the possession should rest as it did of that which each of them had in Italy untill such time that it was otherwise agreed upon Afterwards as the Emperour was in his journey with his forces to goe visite Bernard Marques of Gothland or of Languedock which had given an occasion to the Emperour to distrust his fidelity hee was surprised at Troyes with a malady which moved him upon hope of recovery to returne to Compaigne where he deceased the tenth of April An. Dom. 879 leaving his Wife great with child who shortly after was delivered of a son who was called Charles afterwards surnamed the Simple whose life is set downe as the occasion falls convenient wherein you shall read Notes worthy your observation In whose minority three things are observable the efficacy of the Law of State preserving the unborne lawfull Heires right The minority of a King subject to many miseries And the liberty of great men in the weaknesse of a young Prince For Lewis and Caroloman being first chosen Regents after procured themselves under colour of the pupiles interest to be crowned Kings Lew is and Caroloman or Carlon the 28. King of France An. 879. THis Lewis and Carlon or Caroloman sonnes of Lewis the Stut and of Ausgarde whom hee had taken to wife without the knowledge of his father and after by his command divorced her according to the Almaine Chronicles were crowned Kings of France An. Dom. 879. according to the appointment of Lewis the Stut at his death to the Peeres of his Realme Upon which occasion some Abbots and great Lords partializing against them appealed Lewis King of Almany to take charge of the affaires of France into his hands To which purpose being arrived at Verdun he was pacified with the part of the Kingdome of Loraine which was given him upon which he and his late Father had quarrelled with the Kings of France This fire being thus quenched another controversie grew concerning the County of Authun betweene the Counts Theodoric to whom it was given by the late deceased Emperour and Boson who layd a claime thereunto to whom it was adjudged by Hugh the Abbot upon condition that he should leave the Abbies with their revenues which were in those parts to Theodoric The State of France being thus troubled Boson grew more turbulent causing himselfe to be crowned King of Burgundy as also did the Normans whom the Kings overthrew upon Saint Andrews day Anno Dom. 879 slaying 5000. of them in the field After in the yeare 880 they made a partage of the Kingdome of France by which all the Neustrick France befell to Lewis and Aquitan with Burgundy with the Marches to Caroloman This being done they went to surprise the Normans whom they cut in peeces in the Carbonary Forrest to the number of 9000 the yeare after he deceased The Normans not desisting from wasting and sacking the Countrey of France came up as farre as Paris Carloman was enforced to buy a peace of them for 12. yeares which he enjoyed not long for in the yeare 884. he was slaine by a wild Boare a hunting having reigned five or sixe yeares or running after a Gentlewoman his horse carried him away and crush'd him under a gate or at the Chace hee fell downe and broke his necke for report differing in the manner of his death agrees that it was violent and accidentall Lewis the Lubber and Charles the Grosse the 29. K. of France An. 885. THis Lewis surnamed the Lubber or Doe-little sonne of Carloman succeeded in the Kingdome An. Dom. 885 at the pursuite of Hugh the Abbot who was so named because as it is thought he was the first of the Lay-Princes that usurped the revenues of the Abbies so that all that part on this side Seine and that which was called Neustry remained in the obedience of Lewis the Doe little and the parts beyond the Seine with Burgundy were under Charles the grosse Emperour who came to take the protection of France against the Normans according as Fulco Arch-Bishop of Rheimes testifieth Therefore it is that they are placed in the Ranke and Catalogue of the Kings In those times the Normans ranged about Neustry sacking and spoyling the greatest part of Cities in those parts namely Rouen Eureux and Bayeux but they were so soundly curryed by the valour of Hugh the Abbot that in a long time after they durst not set a foote there which was a cause that the same yeare 887. they returned to thunder upon the other parts of France not sparing the Emperours Countrey where they surprised the Castle of Lovanne From thence they came before Paris under the conduct of their King Sigesroy hoping there also to make a prey as they had done elsewhere but it was so bravely defended by Count Eudes the Abbot Goslin that they were quite frustrate of their expectation and pretence This Lewis dyed immediately after having borne the name of a King to his dying day for the space of two yeares according to the Chronicle of St. Benigne Moreover Charles became so stupefied in his senses and understanding that when the Princes of the Empire knew that there was no hope of his recovery and that the affaires of the Empire might fall into
some disasters they gave him into the charge of his Nephew Arnulph naturall sonne of the late Caroloman in whose custody he dyed soone after on the 12. of January Anno Dom. 888. This King was approved in the beginning of his Reigne and reverenced by his Subjects but afterwards having made a dishonourable peace with the Normans yeelding them Neustria now called Normandy hee lost his Subjects affection and then through griefe and jealousie conceived against his Queene Richarda fell sicke and through the distemper of his body and minde being unfit to governe was deposed rejected both from the Realme and Empire banished from the Court and having neither house nor meanes was starved and dyed for want of reliefe in a poore Village of Suevia Thus one of the great Monarchs of the world dyed without house without bread without honour without mourning without memory but that his end was prodigiously memorable The reasons were his imperious pride in prosperity and his despairing dejectednesse in adversity foolish extreames becomming not a magnanimous mind therefore his affliction was hated of his subjects not considering the true cause of his affliction But the chiefe cause was his distrust in God in his extremities for he should have acknowledgd that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as David said O Lord although I am throwne downe I have held my peace thou hast it done Eudes or Odo the 20. King of France Anno 891. EVdes or Odo sonne of Robert Count of Paris and of France Tutor to the young Charles tooke the government of the affaires under the Title of King and by the consent of Arnulph and the Lords of France Hee was consecrated and annointed King and crowned by Walter Arch-bishop of Sens who was a cause that Baldwin Count of Flanders and Fulco Arch-bishop of Rheimes sent Guy Duke of Spoleto into Italy to take the affaires of France into his hands Odo being established gave the County of Paris and of France to Count Robert his brother and instituted Richard Count of Authun governour of the lower Burgundy for the defence thereof against the Normans who having beene Anno Domini 888. repulsed from before Paris by Count Robert came before Sens from whence they were beaten by the said Richard Duke of Burgundy who was the first that left that dignity hereditary and patrimoniall to his successors Walter Nephew to Eudes making an insurrection against him betooke himselfe into Lygus whence fetcht out he was put to death At the same time Ebulo Abbot of St. Germans and Count Ranulph together with his brother Gotsbert arose against Eudes in Aquitaine whom he made to goe against them In the meane time the greatest part of the Lords of Neustria were in pursuite of Fulco Arch-bishop of Rheimes and of the Counts Heribert and Pepin the young Charles the Simple whom they caused to be crowned King in the City of Rheimes Whereupon Eudes and he grew to great Warres so that Charles the Simple would have entered into a confederacy of a Fleete of Normans under the conduct of Hastings for the recovery of his Kingdome but he was prevented by Fulco the Archbishop of Rheimes because they were as yet Pagans Fulco made peace betweene Eudes and Charles the Simple Anno Domini 897 and by this reconciliation a part of the Kingdome was given to Charles and the other permitted to Eudes who enjoyed it not long after because he deceased without issue the 13. of January Anno 898 and at his death hee declared that of right the Crowne after him ought to returne to Charles the Simple to whom it of equity and right appertained From the Race of this Eudes sprung Hugh Capet for Widechind of Saxony favour'd by Charle magne sent his son Robert or Rupert into France who had two sonnes Eudes and Robert Father to Hugh the great Father to Hugh Capet afterward King of France Fame drew this Character of Eudes that hee was a good wise man yet he could not please the French by his Regency for the excesse of his vertue curbing the desire of such as sought to raise their fortunes by usurping power over the State and the Kings weaknesse supported by Eudes drew envy on his actions seeking the good of the Common-wealth which hee neglected but with approved resolution not abated l y private malice went forward with the government of the Realme and at last resignes all his Authority to the King who like Phaethon unfit to rule the Chariot of the Sunne by his bad government met those misfortunes which Eudes kept off while hee lived for Wisdome and Discretion is Scutum invincibile an invincible Buckler folly envy policy treachery slander adversity necessity power and injustice and all the Devills invisible Artillery cannot pierce nor wound him that is therewith arm'd Charles the Simple the 31. King of France Anno 898. CHarles surnamed the Simple was estated in his Fathers Throne Anno Dom. 898 and by the reason of his imbecillity every one encroched upon him by making whatsoever passessions they held as hereditary to their posterity what belonged of right to the Crowne in so much that great dignities Dutchies Earledomes and government of Provinces which formerly were held but for terme of life in a titulary way were now made hereditary Anno Domini 912. he made a peace with Rollon upon condition that the Countrey of Neustry bounded by the River Epte on the one side and by the Ocean on the other should remaine to Rollon in Title of a Dutchy to hold it in homage of the Crowne of France conditionally also that he and his whole Countrey should bee baptized in the Christian Faith By reason whereof he was baptized Robert after the name of his Kinsman Court Robert from thence Normandy had its denomination In those times also there were great troubles in France which were raised by Robert brother to the former Odo who had caused himselfe to bee crowned King by Herivee Arch-bishop of Rheimes whilst Charles was in Loraine for the recovery whereof Charles led an Army of Lorainers against Robert whom he tooke at unawares neare to Soyssons Notwithstanding this Robert resisted him valiantly but with the losse of his life The battaile neverthelesse was lost by Charles who fled into Loraine Whereupon the Allies of Robert called in Duke Rodulph of Burgundy whom they caused to be crowned King at Soyssons for want of Hugh le Blanc sonne of the late Robert who by reason of his youth durst not pretend the Crowne After this Charles staid not long to be entrapped in the snares of Hebert the Count who sent by his Cousin Bernard Count of Senlis to take him so that he was detained prisoner in the City of St. Quintin and afterwards was sent to the Castle of Thyerry upon the Marne and from thence to Peronne where he ended his life five yeares after his imprisonment leaving Lewis in the power of his Mother Theargine who for his safety conveyed him into England This King having resign'd
his affaires and pleased his Subjects with his happy reigne having got enough Fame and Honour he dyed leaving him in the remembrance of Posterity this opinion deepely setled That the Kingdome was happy in his government and blest in his wisedome resolution peaceablenesse and continency most eminent vertues like Starres shining in the Spheare of Majesty but with a dimme brightnesse in respect of his piety whence the other derived their borrowed light In the praise of the holy Martyres he composed a Hymne beginning thus O constantia Martyrum mirabilis and washighly pleased that his wife with whose name the former words had some agreement had an humorous affection to approve his writings then generally applauded Immensum in Regis gloria calcan habet In hope of praise the Muses tune their strings And hope of Glory maketh vertuous Kings Henry 1. the 38. King of France Anno 1031. THis Henry succeeded his father Robert Anno Domini 1031. notwithstanding that his Mother Constance would have advanced her yonger sonne Robert to the Crowne by the favour of Baldwin Count of Flanders and Ende Count of Champagne But being come upon them by the ayde of the Duke of Normandy he constrained his brother to content himselfe with the Dutchy of Burgundy A while after Robert Duke of Normandy visiting the City of Jerusalem dyed at Nice in Bithynia by reason whereof Maugier Arch-bishop of Rouen and William Lord of Arques his brothers maintaining themselves to be true Heires raised great Warres against William the bastard-sonne of the said Duke by him instituted to bee his Heire which was a cause that the King sent the said William of Arques accompanied with a great number of the Nobility of Normandy and France to the Warres of Italy from whence they were recalled by George Maniaces Lievtenant for the Emperour of Greece to Poville and Calabria to employ them for the recovery of Sicily which the Saracens had now possessed upon promise of giving them a part About the yeare 1042 Thibault Count of Chartres and Stephen Count of Troyes fell into a quarrell with the King Henry whereupon hee first fell upon Stephen whom hee in a Battaile overthrew Afterwards hee deprived Galleran Count of Meulan who tooke their part of all his lands and annexed them to the Crowne and encouraged Godfrey surnamed Martel to make Warre upon Thibault whom hee tooke prisoner and enforced him to surrender up the Towne of Tours for his ransom After this the King went to visite the Emperour Henry at Mets where they confirmed the Alliance made betweene them which hee broke by supporting Thibault against the King who following the example of his Father resigned his Crowne to his eldest sonne Philip Anno Dom. 1059 being aged 7. yeares and caused him to bee crowned at Rheimes the 29. of May the same yeare the yeare following King Henry deceased leaving the young King and another sonne named Hugues under the tuition of Baldwin Count of Flanders He lyes at St. Denis This Kings reigne was somewhat troubled at the beginning to maintaine his Title to the Crowne given him by his Father but belonging of right to his eldest brother which bred swelling thoughts betweene the brethren the Mother maintaining the elders right An Army was prepared to end the difference whether the Fathers gift or right of inheritance were a better Title but the cause was tryed by the Sword for Robert whose right was then in question content with tame patience to loose it and so prevent the effusion of blood by his milde disposition doing himselfe injustice Whereupon agreement being made betweene Henry and Robert the Armies returned and peace was betweene the brothers concluded Afterward when hee following therein his Fathers example had seene his son firmely seated in the Throne Death discovered the love of his Subjects exprest in their mourning for his decease and was most honourably interred with the rest of his Predecessors having all the funerall Rites and Ceremonies which belonged to so high a Monarch to set forth the excellency of his Person His Reigne begun with some blustering troubles being opposed on every side which soone ended and his subjects felt the beames of favour shining most gently on them when this Sunne of Majesty was ready to descend and set which gave them great cause of lamentation and sorrow for his departure out of this world Philip 1. the 39. King of France Anno 1060. PHilip succeeded his Father Henry Anno Domini 1060 of whom Baldwin Count of Flanders tooke charge in regard of his tender infancy untill he came to riper yeares He perceiving that the Gascognes would mutinie led his forces against them under pretence of going against the Saracens and by this meanes hee dissipated the beginning of the seditions which were pullulating A while after Edward King of England dyed without issue having by will instituted William Duke of Normandy heire and successor to his Crowne which in vaine was opposed by Harald sonne of Godwin because he was slaine in a battaile which William gave him Baldwin Regent of France deceased about the yeare 1067 leaving the County of Flanders to Baldwin of Monts his eldest sonne at which times King Philip might be at the age of 15. or 16. yeares He marryed Berthe Daughter of the said Baldwin by whom having two children he divorced her and betooke himselfe to the Wife of Foulques Count of Aniou whom in the end he dismissed and returned to Berthe Anno Domini 1095. Pope Urban convocated a Councell in November at Clermont en Auvergne wherein the Pope upon the complaint of the Patriarch of Jerusalem and Peter the Hermite excited the greatest part of the Princes of France of whom were principall Hugh the Great brother to King Philip Robert Duke of Normandy brother to the King of England Godfrey of Bovillon who in the yeare 1089 had the Dutchy of Loraine given him with his two brothers Baldwin and Eustachius together with the Counts of Flanders and Tholouze of Bourges and Bloys to goe to Jerusalem which was taken in the yeare of our Lord 1099 the 15. of July and was given to Godfrey of Loraine to defend and keepe it as Governour under the Title of a King After that hee tooke in Palestine after having slaine above five thousand Aegyptians in a battaile and seized upon the Port of Jasse making hereby an end of the Warre Philip at the age of 57 deceased at Melun the 25. of July Anno Dom. 1109 and lyeth interred at St. Benets upon the Loire William the bastard Duke of Normandy having beene long sick of a great swelling in his belly this King Philip intending to make Warre against him sent him word that hee had laine long in Child-bed and that if he might know of his uprising hee would provide lights against his Churching To which scoffe the Duke return'd this answer That hee would come in person into France and have a solemne Masse sung at his Churching and that for Lights he would