Thietberge again and renew'd his illegall engagements with Vildrade and carry'd his violence so high that he made an attempt upon the Life of the disgusted Princess Thietberge finding her self no longer safe in her Husbands Dominions retir'd to Charles the Bald Anno 865. who took her into his protection and offer'd the King his Nephew a Champion to maintain the rights of the wrong'd Princess according to the custom of those times But the Pope would not suffer that no affair which had been already adjudg'd should be referr'd to the hazard of a combat and gave Charles to understand that he could proceed no farther without entrenching upon his Authority So that the King being unwilling to displease his Holiness contented himself with only exhorting Lothaire to take his Wife agen but could not obtain any thing from him The Princess therefore perceiving there was nothing more to be expected on that side Anno 866. return'd to her Brother Hubert who having no other way to maintain his Sisters interests but by Force and Arms rais'd an Army and fell into Lothaire's Dominions with Fire and Sword In revenge of which Lothaire muster'd a more numerous power together led 'em himself and crossing the Mountain Iura repayd Hubert in his own coyn but fortune did not favour him For he lost three Armies without being able to take so much as one Town Lothaire discourag'd by so many losses senâ— Conrard the Father of Bacul against the rebellious Prince who was more fortunate then the King his master For he perceiving the Passes ill guarded and surprizing Hubert utterly defeated his Men and slew him himself with his own hand Thietberge understanding the Death of her Brother retir'd to Rome where she took upon her the habit of a Nun and shut her self up in a Cloister leaving the King her Husband to enjoy his Amours in peace and quiet But Death soon after put an end to his Life and his disorders Richild Mistress to Charles the Bald Emperor and King of France Anno 869. CHARLES the Bald had Marry'd Ermentrude Grand-Daughter to Adelart who had been Treasurer of the Royal Exchequer in the Reign of Lewis the Debonaire his Father and who had greatly enrich'd himself at his Masters cost This Prince liv'd very lovingly with his Queen and shew'd himself as complaisant towards her as if there had been no inequality in their conditions But after Thietberge had quitted the World Richild her Neice betook her self to Queen Ermentrude who endeavour'd to comfort her in her misfortune And she recommended her so often to the King her Husband and spoke so highly of her that he was desirous to know whither the praises which his Queen bestow'd on her were true or no. He several times discours'd her and as oft he found in her Wit a Tour so free and yet so delicate that he could not chuse but Love her 'T was a long time however before he durst adventure to discover his passion because he perceiv'd her enrich'd with sentiments so vertuous that he was afraid of incurring her displeasure Nevertheless he could not long contain himself within the bounds of this reservedness His dignity and the reputation he had acquir'd by a Thousand glorious exploits put him in hopes that he should be heard with some kind of indulgence He spoke but met with resistance from Richild's Wit For she made use of all her address to cure him of his Love and told him with an extraordinary constancy that having been a witness of the disorders which Lothairs passion for Valdrade had occasion'd in his Family she would not give the same occasion of grief and vexation to Queen Ermentrude her benefactress and draw down the curse of Heaven upon a Prince whom she esteem'd Richild persever'd a long time in this resolution but at last for what Woman is able to resist a lovely Prince and very amorous she suffer'd her self to be overcome by one had been Victor over many Nevertheless she so well observ'd her measures and carry'd her self with that decorum in this intreague that the Queen had never any knowledge of it Which in Charles created so high an esteem of her virtue that after the Death of Ermentrude he marry'd her Ansegard Mistress to Lewis the Stammerer Emperor and King of France Anno 876. DURING the long Wars that Charles the Bald wag'd with Lewis the German and his Children Lewis the Stammerer liv'd with Richild his Mother in Law who was Regent of the Kingdom in the absence of the Emperor her Husband And in regard it was his interest to live in friendship with her as being Mistress of all the Kings favours he had a kindness for all persons for whom that Princess had a value He had observ'd that Ansegard of all her Maids of Honour had the greatest share in her affection which was the reason that he study'd to please her with an extraordinary assiduity But long converse and society had begot a more tender passion between 'em insomuch that Lewis the Stammerer had two Children by her Lewis and Carloman and she was brought to bed of both without any bodys perceiving that she was big with Child After the Emperor return'd from his Journey into Italy whither he went to receive the Crown Imperial from the Popes hands he bethought himself of marrying his Son and told him he had design'd him for a Wife Ricarda the Daughter of Alfred King of England You may easily conjecture the grief of those two lovers when they heard the news Lewis therefore had recourse to Richild and besought her to make use of all her credit to perswade his Father to consent that he might marry Ansegard But reason of State prevail'd above the Emperors complacency for his Wife and Lewis was constrain'd to conform to his Fathers will After the Death of Charles the Bald Richild who was in great credit and had a powerfull party at Court endeavour'd to set the Crown upon the Head of his Brother Boson upon whom she had already perswaded the Emperor her Husband to settle the Counties of Provence Milan and Paris under the title of the Kingdom of Arles But the French would not permit that prejudice to be done to the right and lawful Heir and therefore acknowledg'd Lewis for their King So that Richild finding her self frustrated in her expectations employ'd all her credit with Ansegard to make her peace with the King whose passion for that Lady was not at all abated for he had still a high respect for her tho' he liv'd very contentedly with Ricarda Richild also promis'd Ansegard to employ all her Friends in order to secure the succession of the Kingdom to her Children and to assure her that she would never part from her interests she propos'd to her a match between her Son Câ—â—leman and Ingoberge the Daughter of Boson Ansegard relishing the proposal the two Princesses resolv'd to make it to the Emperor at a banquet that Boson was to give him
upon Hugo gave him several mortal Stabs before the King's Face thô he made himself known to 'em on purpose to stop their fury out of that respect which was due to his Person and when they had done they threw themselves into a Forrest adjoyning and soon became invisible Several Months find away before the King could discover the Authors of so dating an enterprize but at 〈◊〉 he understood that the Murder was committed by the Queens Order and so far he was from shewing himself either griev'd or displeas'd at it that he lov'd her the more ever after and wholly fortook Almafrede who out of despair retired to a Convent and veil'd her self As for Foulqueâ— he underwent a severe Penance for having contributed to the Homicide being at Jerusalem whither he accompany'd Godfrey of Benillon and others of the Croisado For he caus'd himself to be drawn naked upon a Hurdle with a Rope about his Neck and to be whipp'd till the Blood came crying out with a loud voice Have mercy Lord upon the treacherous and perjur'd Foulques Bertrade Mistress to Philip. Anno 1086. Foulques Rechin going to pay a visit to Amaney Lord of Montfort and condole with him upon the death of his Mother fell in love with his Sister Bertrade He left nothing omitted to procure her Affection during the stay that he made at Montfort and not being able to obtain any Favour from her he resolv'd to marry her thô he were already marry'd to Ermengard the Daughter of Archambaut Lord of Bourbon and that he had a Son by her who was afterwards call'd Jeoffrey Martell To which effect he caus'd his Marriage with Ermengard to be declar'd null under pretence of being near akin and took Bertrade to Wife by whom he had a Son that bore his Fathers Name and who going to the Holy Land was King of Jerusalem In the mean time Foulques Rechin having had a Quarrel with his Brother Jeoffrey about sharing the Succession of their Father Foulques Nera the contest came to a Battle near Brochelac where Jeoffrey was overthrown and taken prisoner but took his being detain'd in Prison so hainously that for meer vexation he run mad Pope Gregory VII being inform'd how hardly Foulques had us'd his Brother and of the unlawfull Marriage which he had contracted with Bartrade excommunicated him Jeffery Martell who by this time was arriv'd to years of maturity taking advantage of the excommunication thunder'd out against his Father took Arms to revenge this Mothers Quarrel and set his Uncle at liberty Bertrade seeing her self so dangerously threatn'd by the ambitious Youth who was already become the head of a potent party sought which way to rid him out of the World and caus'd him to be poyson'd Pope Gregory being dead Foulques sent Embassadors to Vrban VI. who succeeded him to obtain his absolution offering to set his Brother at Liberty and to quit Bertrade Upon which the Pope empower'd Hugo Archbishop of Lion to take off the censure provided the Count perform'd what he had promis'd In the mean time Phillip coming to Tours to give Foulques a visit year 1093 and settle affairs between 'em in reference to the County of Gatinois which the Count had mortgag'd to him during the Wat with his Brother saw Bertrade who appear'd to him most charmingly beautiful notwithstanding those Clouds of sorrow that hung upon her countenance because her Husband was just going to put her away The King therefore having engag'd her to entrust him with the cause of her grief offer'd her his service and promis'd to marry her having under pretence of consanguinity vacated his Marriage with Bertha the Daughter of the Count of Frise whom he had banish'd to Montrevil upon the Sea Bertrade suffer'd her self to be surpriz'd with these alluring hopes and consented to be conveigh'd away by force The King thus satisfy'd after he and Bertrade had consulted upon the ways and means which way to effect their designe departed for Orleans and left behind him at Tours a Gentleman whose name was William Rechin to put the project in execution Bertrade and the Knight having conserted together how to manage the business she her self went to hear Mass at St. Martin's upon Easter-eve and after she had sent away the persons that attended her upon several errands slipt into a by Street where Rechin waited for her with two Horses She made choice of that which went most easily and being got a little way out of the City they met with laid Horses fresh and fresh every six Leagues and made such hast that before Night they reach'd Orleans where the King who had notice of every thing receiv'd 'em with those transports of joy that are hardly to be express'd He carry'd Bertrade to his Palace and by a thousand caresses endeavour'd to alleviate the Fatigues of her journey As for Foulques he did not much trouble himself for the loss of his Wife whom he lookt upon as an obstacle of his reconciliation with the holy See and finding himself well stricken in years he wholly gave off his debauchery Some time after Philip publickly espous'd Bertrade and caus'd her to be Crown'd with extraordinary magnificence He had two Sons by her Philip to whom he gave the Barony of Mang upon the Lâ—ire and whom he Marry'd to the Daughter of Gontier Lord of Montbery Henry who was design'd for the Church and a Daughter named Cecilia who was first marry'd to Tancrede Son of the Sister of Bremond Prince of Antiochia and after his death to Ponce the Son of Beritand Count of Tiral in Stiria descended from the Counts of Thoulouse However several Bishops who where present at the nuptials to which they were invited according to the custom of the Kingdom remonstrated to the King that the Church could not approve a Marriage directly contrary to all the Canons as well by reason of the proximity of Blood between him and Bertrade as for that Bertha was still living as well as Count Foulques But none of 'em took upon 'em to speak with more freedom then Yves Bishop of Chartres which exasperated the King to that degree that he caus'd him to be apprehended However in a short time after he releas'd him again at the sollicitation of the Clergy Pope Vrban VI. being inform'd of these disorders sent away on purpose a Legat into France who assembl'd a Council at Auâ—uâ— where it was decreed that Philip should be excomunicated But the Pope suspended the effect of the Decree till the next Year and then he thunder'd out his Anathema's against the King in the Council of Clermont The King terrifi'd with these censures parted from Bertrade for some time but he recall'd her shortly after by the consent of her Husband Foulques himself over whom she had so powerfull an ascendant that he sigh'd at her feet like the most passionate of Lovers The Popes Legats perceiving that the King had renewâ—d his crminal familiarity assembled another Councill
her Eyes unless she ruin'd the Queen she never boggled at the taking a resolution to prevent her and she understood so well how to make the best of the shallow feeblenesses of which the King had given her such frequent marks that she perswaded him to make away Galsuind Thereupon Chilperic after he had fully resolv'd upon it made a shew of more then usual complyance with the Queen's humour and never visited Fredegond but withal the precautions imaginable that he might take from Galsuind all occasion of mistrust and when he found her quite cur'd of all her jealous suspitions one night that he was in Bed with her he strangled her with her own Hair Sigebert being inform'd of the Death of his Sister in Law thought it his duty to revenge it and layd the design without ever considering that the Murderer was his Brother He engag'd also Gontran to joyn with him On the other side Chilperic rais'd an Army to defend himself but before he took the Field he Marry'd Fredegund However he did not prove successful in that War for that his Army being defeated and his eldest Son Theodebert having lost his Life in the Battel he himself made a hard shift to escape to Tournay where Sigebert immediately besieg'd him But Fredegund who made a slight matter of commiting the greatest crimes suborn'd a crew of Ruffians who assasinated Sigebert in his Tent and by that means deliver'd the King her Husband For which piece of service Chilperic thought himself so highly beholding to her that he could not imagin any better way to gratify her then by settling the Crown upon Fredegond's Children to the prejudice of those whom he had by Audouaire But Meroveus to whom the Kingdom belong'd as being his eldest Son understanding what was a brewing so contrary to hiâ— interest took Arms against his Father and retir'd to Rouâ—u whither Brunebaut Sigebert's Widow had been banisht by her Brothers in Law There he beheld that Princess and thought her so amiable tho' he were then above fourty Years of Age that he resolv'd to Marry her To that purpose he made the Proposal to her and with little trouble obtain'd her consent because she look't upon that Marriage as the means to obtain her liberty So soon as Chilperic receiv'd the news of this Marriage he march'd directly to Roueu with all the Forces that he could muster together nor did the City make any great resistance so that by the taking of it Chilperic became master of the new Marri'd couple Presently he declar'd the Marriage void as being solemniz'd without his consent and after he had shut up Brunebaut in the old Palace of Roueâ— he march'd to Soissons taking his Son along with him where he was no sooner arriv'd but he was besieg'd by the Champenois who took part with Childebert the Son of Sigebert Fredegond that she might deliver her self from the captivity of a Siege got out of the Town with Clovis the Youngest of Audouair's Children nor did she return till after the War was ended by the defeat of the Champenois At hee return the invasion of those People was the subiect of all the Town discourse and Fredegond cunningly infus'd it into Chilperic's read that they had never enter'd into his Dominions but at the sollicitation of Merovâ—â—â— who by their assistance thought to have seiz'd upon the Throne And tho' there were a Thousand reasons to have justify'd the conduct of that Prince Chilperic believ'd him guilty because Fredegond accus'd him and therefore after he had caus'd his Head to be shav'd shut him up in a Cloister But the cruel Queen was not satisfy'd with that punishment which was not deem'd severe enough for an imaginary crime and rightly judging that she could not secure the Crown to her Children so long as Audouair's Offspring remain'd alive she thought it behov'd her to send them out of the World Therefore to bring this to pass 't was requisite to engage Meroveus in some new exploit by which he might incurr his Fathers farther indignation For which purpose she sent Gontran Bosor who was wholly devoted to her interests to discourse him in the Monastery Presently the Young Prince know him because he had seen him at the head of Sigebert's Armies but he was ignorant of the secret engagements between him and his Mother in Law so that he easily fell into the snare which the traytor had laid for him who propos'd to him his leaving the Convent to head a party that he had ready to embody under his Banners and to that purpose gave him an opportunity to make his escape But no sooner was he arriv'd at the place appointed but he was assassinated by the very person into whose arms he had thrown himself for protection Which Chilperic look't upon as a great piece of service as being misinform'd and not understanding the depth of the affair There remain'd now no more then Clovis Anno 577. of all the Children of Audonaire and Fredegond was not without hopes of being rid of him too But Heaven that would not permit her to enjoy the fruit of so many crimes in less then six Months swept away all the three Children she had by Chilperic with the Pestilence So that the King not having any more Children then Clovis plac'd all his affections upon him and consequently render'd him more odious to Fredegond Nor did the Young Prince less mortally hate his Mother in Law and tho' it highly conccern'd him to conceal his sentiments which otherwise might prove his bane yet could he not forbear to entrust his secret thoughts with one of her Maids of Honour with whom he had an intreague So that as Lovers can keep nothing hid from their Mistresses he told her one day that if he ever came to the Crown he would not leave the Death of his Brothers unreveng'd and that he would extend the punishment of Fredegond to the utmost rigor of the Law This severe language being reported to Fredegond as she had great reason to fear the dire effects of it so she made it her business to prevent her Son in Law And to that purpose she accus'd Clovis to his Father for having destroy'd the three Children born of their Body 's in lawfull Wedlock by vertue of certain charms compos'd by one of her Maids of Honour and her Daughter the very same person in whom the Prince had put so dangerous a confidence Thereupon the King falling into the snare tho' so palpable and obvious to the sight caus'd the two unfortunate Lady 's to be arrested who being put to the Rack that they might free them-from from torment whatever was ask'd 'em they confest not only all but more then was sufficient for the conviction of Clovis So that the King after he had seen the verbal report of the depositions commanded Didier and Boson the Captains of his Guards and Fredegond's creatures to seize the person of his Son which was presently done with more then ordinary inhumanity
to take at that time which was to repudiate their Wives contrary to the Prohibitions of the Church and the Holy Canons He put away Plectrude and continu'd his Intreague so publickly with Alpayde that Lambert Bishop of Liege after frequent and severe Admonitions both in private and publick threaten'd to Excommunicate him Alpayde was alarum'd at this and made her Complaints to her Brother Dodon who being a Man Violent and Revengful murther'd the Holy Bishop For which it was not long e're he receiv'd condigne punishment from Heaven for he fell into the Lowzie Sickness which drove him to such a terrible despair that he threw himself into the Meuse Some time after Pepin dy'd and Plectrude made her self Mistriss both of the Government and of the Person of Charles whom she shut up in the Castle of Cologne which was the usual place of her Residence Charles however found a way to make his escape out of Prison and having found a considerable Party in the Kingdom got himself chosen Mayor of the Palace and constrain'd Plectrude to renounce all her Pretensions The Amours of Charlemaigne THO' Charlemaigne had several Mistresses Anno 771. while his four Wives liv'd we know the Names of none but of Reginia and Adelond nor do we know who was the Mother of Pepin the eldest of his Natural Sons This Emperor passing through Mayence as he was going to make War against the Saxons Count Ganelon considerable for his Rank and Quality in that part of Germany besought him to receive Reginia his near Kinswoman into the number of Luigard the Empresse's Maids of Honour who had accompanied him in that Journey Charles consented to it willingly and found the Virgin so amiable that he many times took delight to divertize himself in her company after he had tyr'd himself with the toil of business And at first the Emperor thought of making no more then a Pastime of his Discourses with the young Lady but in a short time he soon perceiv'd that he had another sort of Kindness for Reginia and begg'd her to correspond with his Passion How was it possible to resist the importunities of a Prince who was already the Admiration of all Europe Reginia suffer'd her self to be overcome and grew big with Child Charles afraid lest the Empress should discover the Intreague left her at Aix la Chapelle where she dy'd soon after In the mean time Reginia was brought to Bed of Frogon he was afterwards Bishop of Mets and the next year of another Prince whose Name was Hugh Nor was Reginia ungrateful to her Kinsman Gamelon to whom she was beholding for her Fortune for she procur'd him Preferments and Employments which oblig'd him to follow the Court. And in regard he was frequently in his Kinswoman's Chamber during these marches and journeys he beheld among the rest of her Companions a Lady whose Name was Adelond with whom he fell so deeply in love that he resolv'd to Marry her To which purpose he besought the Emperor's permission so soon as he return'd to Aix la Chapelle who at first readily gave his consent But having better relish'd Adelond's Wit he could not resolve to behold her in the possession of another and having therefore found some pretence to recall his Word he engag'd himself altogether with Adelond and forsook Reginia Nor was this Second Mistriss less fruitful then the First for she made him the Father of Prince Thierry However the Emperor did not give himself up so absolutely to his amorous Pleasures as to forget the Affairs of his Dominions Understanding therefore that Alphonsus King of Leon had made a League against him with Fortune Garsil King of Navarr and with Marsillus the Moorish King of Cordona he cross'd the Pyrenans in order to fight ' em Ganelon thought this an opportunity to be reveng'd of the Emperor for bereaving him of his Mistress and for having dishonour'd his Kinswoman Thereupon he went over secretly and by giving 'em seasonable notice of the march of the Imperial Army was the occasion of the loss of the Battle of Roncèvaux wherein the choice of the French Nobility were slain However the Treason of the Count was discover'd and he receiv'd a punishment proportionable to the enormity of his Crime the marks of which are to be seen by what befell the Tours of Monthlery and de la Queve in Brie that both belong'd to him for they were half demolish'd and so have ever finde remain'd Reginia who had no share in the Conspiracy was no less exempted from any Consequences of his punishment as being all along in high esteem with Charlemaigne who put her Children into his Will year 814 Charles's Galantries had been so publick that they gave an occasion to the Princesses his Daughters for whom he had not been very careful to provide Husbands to seek out for Lovers themselves and tho' the Emperor had notice of their irregular Conduct he did but laugh at it and let 'em live according to their own Fancies But after his death Lewis his eldest Son who was of a different character from his Father and desirous to remedy these disorders gave Commission to the Princes Walon Warner Lambert and Tagobar diligently to enquire into 'em and to punish those that should be found guilty To this purpose he sent 'em before to Aix la Chapelle and follow'd 'em himself with a puissant Army to support the execution of his Orders and oppose the Pretensions of his Sisters who had made a powerful Party against him and with their Arms in their hands demanded their share in the Succession and Inheritance left by their Father The Prisons of Aix la Chapelle were soon fill'd with those who had abus'd the easie Nature of the Princesses or who had favour'd and encourag'd their unchast Amours and they were punish'd according as their Crimes deserv'd Harwin who had been summon'd to answer to the Informations exhibited against him made his appearance but arm'd and well attended and when Warner and Lambert order'd him to be examin'd upon the Interrogatories he drew his Sword and slew the first and dangerously wounded the other in the Thigh However he could not escape death for he was massaker'd with all his followers by the Prince's Officers and Guards When Lewis also arriv'd at Aix la Chapelle he sent for his Sisters and after he had caus'd his Father's Will to be read in their Hearing he unbraided 'em with their loose Conduct and then sent 'em away to the Lands of which Charlemagne had given 'em the Rents and Profits and which he assign'd 'em for their Dowries for term of life only Valdrade Mistress to Lothaire King of Lorraine year 862 AFter the death of Lewis the Debonaire his Dominions were divided among his Children Lothaire was Emperor and King of Italy Lewis obtain'd Germany Charles had Burgundy with Neustria and Pepin enjoy'd Aquitain Lothaire turning Monk left three Male Children Lewis Lothaire and Charles Lewis shar'd Italy together with the Empire
sollicited to do homage for the Dukedom of Burgundy He felt strange combats in his breaâ—t and struggl'd with more then one single passion upon this accompt and before he would positively determin he would needs take advice of Madam de Gyac with whom he had a long time had an Intreague That Lady who was still young and handsome did not suit with the Kings age who was already going down the hill of his years and would willingly have been reconcil'd to the Court in hopes of smiting the Dauphin in the Eye for whom she felt some kind of amorous inclination and with that design she advis'd the Duke to do what was demanded from him The place appointed for the Ceremony was Monterault where a large room of hoards was erected upon the Bridge with three bars that were let down as the Duke pass'd forward But when he was upon his knees in order to do his homage a pretence was taken from hence that he laid his hand upon the hilt of his Sword upon which Tonnequi du Chastel who stood next the Dauphin fell'd the Duke with a blow upon his Chin with his battle ax and the rest of the Courtiers compleated the Murder However his death was reveng'd by his Children who introduc'd the English into France nor had the Dauphin who in a short time after came to the Crown by the name of Charles VII sav'd the Kingdome but by a particular assistance that Heaven miraculously sent him The Intreagues of the Court of France under the Reign of Charles VII year 1424 JAQVELINE of Haynault Countess of Holland had espous'd for her first Husband John Dauphin of France the Son of Charles VI. and after his death was marry'd to John of Burgundy the Son of Anthony Duke of Brabant his cousin He was a Prince both old and gouty who avoided the World and sought retirement only Jaqueline was quite of another humour and could not find in her heart to shut her self up in the Country with her Husband However she was bound to obedience and was constrain'd to consine her self with him in a Castle whither he had withdrawn himself from the hurry of business Nor had she any other consolation then to bemoan in private with her Women the fantastick humour of her Husband Her Maid of honour had formerly made a voyage into England attending at that time upon Katherine of France who had marry'd Henry V. and she was return'd with all the Officers of the Houshold of that Princess whom the King her Husband had sent back some Months after Now tho' that Lady had made but a short stay in London nevertheless she had seen all the magnificence of that Court of which she made so pleasing a description to her Mistress that she infus'd into her a desire to cross the Sea's and taste her share of the pleasures which that Court afforded The Lady also spoke to her so advantagiously of Humphrey Duke of Glocester the King's Brother that she caus'd her to conceive an esteem for that Prince which did not a little disquiet her repose She desir'd also to see his Picture and open'd her mind to her Maid of Honour who found a way to satisfy her curiosity And the Portraicture and the Persuasions of her Woman increas'd her Chimerical Passion to that degree that she resolv'd to cross over into England She imparted her design to none but such Officers whom she could not avoid entrusting with her Secret and having made choice of a day for her departure she got a Horse-back with a small Train carrying all her Jewels along with her She got to Dunkirke whence she embark'd for Dover and so for London She was well receiv'd by the King of England and better by the Duke of Gloucester who had been inform'd how much he was concern'd in the voyage which she had undertaken And he knew so well how to make the best of her preventing him that he oblig'd her to yield her fell up to him upon the faith of a Marriage which she could not contract in regard she had a Husband living But the King of England's complacency in indulging her idle Passion had like to have broken the good correspondence between him and the Duke of Burgundy Cousin to the Duke of Brabant his kinsman but reason af State prevail'd above that frivilous Disgust Sometime after John of Bavaria Duke of Luxembourg Governor of the Counties of Holland and Zealand ordain'd his Heir Philip Duke of Burgundy his Sisters Son without making any mention in his Will of Jaqueline his Neece by the Father's side which oblig'd her to return into Haynault where the Duke of Gloucester would needs accompany her She was receiv'd by her Subjects with extraordinary Magnificence notwithstanding the opposition of the Counts of Conversano and Anguien who sided with the Duke of Brabant The Duke of Gloucester also endeavour'd to make himself Master of such places as he pretended were fall'n to Jaqueline by the death of the Duke of Luxembourg But he was constrain'd to quit his enterprize and her whole Rights he maintain'd because Pope Martin V. threaten'd him with Ecclesiastical Censures if he did not restore the Duke of Brabant his disloyal Wife The Duke obey'd without any reluctance and was glad of that pretence to abandon Jaqueline that she might not perceive he was become unfaithful and paid his Vows to another Shrine For Jaqueline had taken along with her into Haynault an English Lady who was call'd Madam Shelton and the Duke was soon aware of the advantage which that Lady had over her Mistress as well for the Graces of her Body as for the fineness of her Wit and delicacy of her Sentiments Nor could he withstand so many charms and finding they concurr'd with his Sedulities he was glad to find himself at liberty that he might follow his own inclinations He therefore left the Dutchess at Mons and return'd into England where he marry'd Madam Shelton But the Duke of Gloucester's infidelity was not the only thing which troubl'd the Dutchess she fear'd the effects of her Husband 's just resentment and she imagin'd every moment that she saw him invading her Territories with an armed Force But the death of the Duke deliver'd her from these Fears news being brought her in the midst of her disturbanbances that a Feaver which seaz'd him at Brussels had put an end both to his Life and his Jealousies Réne de Anjou Duke of Barr having had a contest with the Count of Vandemoâ— who should succeed to Charles Duke of Lorrain they disputed their Right by dint of Arms. The Count had recourse to the Duke of Burgundy a sworn Enemy to the House of Anjou who assisted him with Men and Money and after he had obtain'd that reinforcement he march'd to find out his Enemy meeting him in the Plain of Bullenville near Neuchatel in Lorrain he gave him Battle defeated his Army and took him prisoner Nor could the Duke obtain his liberty till the death
folded up in such a manner that the Cross appear'd outermost Presently he clap'd himself down upon it for fear a Testimony so clear beyond all contradicton should betray his Secret nor would he be perswaded to rise tho' the Duke Importunately press'd him to walk on till one of his Valets to whom he had made a sign had carry d it out of the Room when his Rivals back was turn'd In the mean time he made a shew of being very much troubled and storm'd with a good Grace against the inconstancy of Mademoiselle d' Entragues and when the Cloak was out of danger he rose up and walk'd on with the Duke as long as he stay d. So soon as the Duke was gone Bassompierre gave notice to Madam d' Entragues of the Dukes mistake and that same Young Wanton the more to confirm him in it treated Bellegarde before his Face as if they had been the most Intimate Persons in the World The next Morning the Duke of Guise wag d War with the Grand Squire who unwilling to dissabuse him return'd him Ambiguous Answers Bellegarde gave an account of all that Discourse to Madam d' Entragues who approv'd his Conduct and desir'd him to continue it by which means all the Kings and the Dukes Suspicious fell upon the Grand-Squire Thereupon they inform'd Madam d' Entragues of her Daughter's Familiarity with him which was the reason that she watch d her more narrowly One Morning as she drew the Curtain to Spit she observ d that Mademoiselle's Bed who lay in the Room was thrown open and that the Bird was Flown she presently suspected the Truth and rising went softly into the Wardrobe where seeing the Door belonging to the Private Staires open she call'd out at what time her Daughter hearing her Voice rose with all speed from Bassompierre and went to her Madam d' Entragues after she had given her Daughter two or three Wherets o' th' Ear in the Transports of her Passion caus'd the Door of the Privy Staires to be broke open because Bassompierre had bolted it within side that he might have leisure to dress himself When 't was open up she ran in great hast three Stories high but she was strangely surpriz d to find no body there but much more to see the Randevouze-Chamber furnish'd with Zamet's best Furniture and trick'd up with Silver Sconces and Candlesticks Thus ended this Intercourse But Love which is Ingenious provided other ways for those two Lovers to meet one another at Mademoiselle Dazi's whom they made their Confident Nevertheless this hurly-burly totally extidguish'd all the King s Suspitions of the Duke of Guise's having an Intreague with the Marchioness of Vernueil There was some Discourse of Marrying Mademoiselle d' Entragues to the Count d' Achè in Anvergne But that Match was broken off upon examination of the Articles after which the Marchioness of Vernueil and her Sister went to pass away the fair Season at the Marchioness of Conflans's near Charenton about whose House the Duke of Guise and Bassompierre walk'd their Rounds every Night But at last Bassompierre broke off altogether with Mademoiselle d' Entragues aspiring to a more Advantageous Alliance and beg'd leave of the King to marry Mademoiselle de Montmorency and to treat with the Duke of Bouillon for his Employment of first Gentleman of his Chamber Nor did the King believe it only enough to grant him what he ask'd but consented also in favour of the Match that the Constable who was out of Favour should return to Court The next morning at the King 's rising he was admitted to kiss his Hands had a Gracious Reception and in the afternoon the King went to visit the Dutchess of Angolesme where Mademoiselle de Montmorancy Lodg'd and where he saw Madam d' Essars with whom he presently embarqu'd and had two Daughters by her who betook themselves to Religious lives the Eldest being made Abbess of Fonteleraut But after the death of her Husband she privately marri'd Lewis Cardinal of Guise the Brother of Charles Duke of Guise The Cardinal had obtain'd a dispensation from the Pope for holding two Benefices notwithstanding his marriage but after his death the Duke seiz'd upon the Contract and the Dispensation which was the reason that Mademoiselle de Essars was never accounted any other then his Concubine However she had three Children by that Conjunction the Eldest who dy'd Bishop of Condom the Marquiss of Romorantin and a Daughter marri'd to the Marquiss of Rhodes But notwithstanding the affronts that were put upon her under the next Raign she marri'd the Marquiss du Hallier afterwards Marshal de l' Hopital Her Marriage with the Cardinal de Guise and the Dispensation after they had happen'd into the custody of several at length fell into the Hands of Mademoiselle de Guise who dyd in 1608. The Marchioness of Romorantin understanding that she was drawing toward her end caus'd her Confessor to lay it home to her Conscience and make her sensible that it would be a piece of injustice to detain those Writings that might be serviceable to reestablish the low Estate of her Children and preserve their claim of Succession to the House of Guise Upon which the dying Princess was over-rul'd and sent the requested Papers in a Box by an unknown hand to Madam de Romorantin Who immediately went to Court and throwing herself at the King's Feet besought his Protection To whom that Great Prince whose profound wisdom appear d in his meanest Actions made answer that she must address her self to his Parliament whose business it was to take Cognizance of those Differences But to return to Madam de Montmorancy The Duke of Bouillon who was Brother-in-Law to the Constable took it ill that a Match should be treated of and he not be acquainted with it and therefore he resolv'd to cross it One day that the King had been visiting Madam de Montmorancy at the Queens lodgings and was very passionately crying up her Beauty the Duke drew him aside and told him that he wonder'd he had given his consent to the marriage of that Lady with Bassompierre since there were no other matches that were fit for his Nephew the Prince of Conde but either she or the Dutchess of Main and seeing Policy would not admit him to suffer the Head of the League too powerfull already to advance his Credit by an Alliance he was oblig'd to give Madam de Montmorency to the Prince The King heard his advice without making any answer but the next day going to see the Practice of a Ball that was to be danc'd at the Louvre Bellegard cry'd up the Charmes of that Lady to such a degree that the King resolv'd to undertake the Conquest of her himself And in regard that for the better bringing about his Design 't was convenient she should marry a Man for whom she had no kindness he was desirous of being satisfi'd what opinion she had of Bassompierre To this purpose an Opportunity offer'd it self within a
in good part the occasion of most of the misfortunes of his Life This Prince being the youngest Brother of his Family was design'd for the Church and was promoted to the Archbishoprick of Rheims but after his Brothers death he quitted his Benefices and courted Anna de Gonzaga Sister to the Princess Marie of whom we have already made mention Cardinal Richlieu finding this Alliance to be contrary to the good of the State made use of the King's authority to prevent it and order'd the Princess to be shut up in a Convent The Duke of Guise enrag d to see his Passion cross'd departed the Kingdom and withdrew to Cologne whither his Mistress having made her escape follow'd him in Mans Apparel but he oblig'd her to return and went to Brussells where he met with the rest of the Exiles Now in regard there was no good Company there to his mind he spent the greatest part of the Afternoons with the Dutchess of Chevreuse his Kinswoman who fearing least his assiduities should create a jealousie in the Archduke endeavour d to engage him other where and brought him acquainted with the Countess of Bossu She was a young Widow of a sweet and blithe humour and the Dutchess's great friend It was so order'd that she should be of the Dukes side in a match at Cards and she put her self to forward that he coulde not choose but return her an answer 'T is true that for fear she should make a wrong judgment of his Conduct she presently spoke to him about marriage and the Duke declar'd to her that he desir'd nothing so much as to share destinies with her but in such terms as sufficiently shew'd that he only sought to divertise himself during his Exile But tho the Countess had sounded his drift yet she made as if she hade never perceiv'd it hoping the more easily to engage him by her faigned Ingenuity One day she carry'd him to a very stately House of her's about a League from Brussells and treated him with all the divertisements that were proper for the Season which was the most pleasant in all the whole year for which the Duke could not choose but testifie his acknowledgment to her and talk to her of love as he was us d to do The Countess told him that if he were so amorous as he would seem to make her believe he should shew himself more eanestly desirous of their Marriage The Duke swore to her that there was nothing that he more Passinonately wish'd for then to spend the rest of his life with so amaible a person as she was and that it was her fault if she did not put it to the Tryal The Countess taking him at his word reply'd that she should soon see whither his Protestations were sincere since she had both a Notary and a Priest in the House to marry ' em The Duke was surpriz'd at this discourse but made as if he had not been so and thought he might take his liberty without running any hazard while he made the Dutchess the Cully of her own cunning seeing that a Marriage of that nature wanting the formalities prescrib'd by the Canon and without the Kings consent was voyd in Law The Dutchess therefore seeing the Duke ready to do what she desir'd sent for Manfele Almoner to the Army who gave 'em the Nuptial Benediction and dispens'd with asking the Baines as if he had the same authority with the Bishop of Malines Thus the Duke stay'd all that night with his new Spouse to whom he shew'd so much kindness and affection that she was extreamly satisfi'd with the happy success of her designs The next day he return'd back after he had desir'd the â—hew Dutchess that she would keep their Marriage private till he got the consent of the Court and his own Relations But notwithstanding all the care they took to conceal this Adventure from publick knowledge it reach'd the Ears of the Duke d' Elboeuf and the Dutchess of Chevreuse who both upbraided him with it as a piece of the foulest Treachery imaginable The respect he ahd for Laides curb'd him from flying out against the Dutchess but the Duke d' Elbouf and he had such high words together that they had drawn their Swords if the Archduke had no pacifi'd ' em The Duke of Guise finding he could not revenge himself by his Sword sought out for otherways to plague the two persons that had affronted him and thought he could not find a better than to bring the Countess home to his House and treat her there publickly as his Wife This was the course he took and from that time he liv'd with her very lovingly so long as she remain'd at Brussels But we must now return to France with the Duke of Orleance who having obtain'd of the King to approve his Marriage went to waite vpon him at St. Germains together with Madam 1640 While the King was busily employ'd in reducing the Huguenots of his Kingdom and defending his Allies against the enterprizes fo the House of Austria he was govern'd altogether by his Favorites never minding the Conversation of Ladies The Marquiss de Paradas succeeded the Constable de Luynes and the Duke of S. Sâ—nogi succeeded him After that Duke was thrown out of favour Cadinal Richlieu Iâ— obtain'd the sole ascendant over his Majesty without any Companion either in his favour or in the Ministry But after the Peace had given the King a little liberty to converse among the Ladies 't was soon perceiv'd that he cast a more particular eye upon Mademorselle de Fayeâ—ro tho that same application was wholly Platonick for he bounded his desires within the limits of Conversation never caring to have any particular pastime with her and never spoke to her but publickly in the Queen's Chamber This Love however as innocent as it was created a jealousie in the Gardinal and it seem'd to him so much the more dangerous and prejudicial to his favour because Madam de la Fayette was in a strict union with the Queen and for that the Marchioness of Senesay a Lady of Honour and the Queen's Creature was the Confident entrust d with the Secret The Cardinal therefore us'd all his endeavours to break that Union and at length obtain d an order from the King to banish those two Ladies which was carry'd to 'em by Cavigny Secretary of State and within a little while after the Marquiss of St. Ange Master of the Queens Household underwent the same desgrace Which very much incens'd the Queen against the Cardinal but in regard he was assur'd of the King has Master freindship he took little notice of it Mademoiselle d' Hautefort soon suceeded in the room of Madam de lu Fayette and the Cardinal suffer'd that growing Passion without any jealousie because that Lady had neither judgment nor with to carry on Intreagues equal to the Kings first Mistress But when he discover'd that she was solely guided by the Counsels of Mademoiselle de Chennerault