sweete Liquor of his insatiable reuenge A notable obseruation for treacherous and reuenging spirits who are then vanquished when they thinke to bee Conquerors Thierri a King in shewe is a spectator of these Tragedies as of a game at tables of his diuers Maiors which play at leuell coyle vntill that Pepin gets it and enioyes it onely with the Soueraigne gouernment of the French Monarchie Pepin during the confusions of these raigns had beene in Austrasia and purchased great credit with all men so as he was held worthy of this great charge the which he gouerned with so great wisdome and valour as hauing settled France in a peacefull Estate he had purchased more credit authority among the French then the King himselfe In the ende Thierri dies in the yeare 693. hauing raigned 19. yeares leauing Clouis and Childebert his Children for a witnesse that he had liued but in effect Pepin and his for the true heires of the Realme CLOVIS the third the 16. King of France CLOVIS .3 KING OF FRANC XVI BEing the eldest sonne of Thierri he raigned foure yeares and dyes without name and without children 693 to whom succeeds his brother CHILDEBERT the second the 17. King of France CHILDEBERT .2 KING OF FRANCE XVII WHO raigned 17. yeares 700. and dies in the yeare 718. hauing left two Sonnes Dagobert and Clotaire of like humour to himselfe DAGOBERT the second the 18. King of France DAGOBERT .2 KING OF FRANCE XVIII 719. HE raigned foure yeares and left two Children Chilperiâ— and Thierri with no better memorie then the rest So there passed fortie and foure yeares during which time Pepin had good meanes to fortifie his authority the which was in effect absolute by the negligence or rather idlenesse of these Kings who made a necessary way to newe desseins by their voluntary suffrance to incroach vpon their authority Pepin well acquainted with the humour of the French naturally bent to loue their Princes did not openly despise his masters but excused their weake dispositions not capable of much paine representing the heauie burthen of a great Estate and that the honour to gouerne iâ— is a trouble which costes deere He setled an impression in the Frenchmens mindes That those onely were worthie to bee Kings that knewe howe to gouerne So without any infinuating speech the ordinarie seruices hee did to the realme mayntayning â—t in peace his great prâ—fession to loue religion Iustice and the peâ—ple whose â—ase hee was wonderfull carefull of did recommend him to all men and the good turnes he did to all persons by reason of his charge did daylie purchase him many friends and seruantâ— Doubtlesse as it is as great policie to bee a good man so is there no small dexterity in the tâ—king of Citties and Countries by the hearts of men Thus Pepin layed the foundation and his successors finished the perfect building of a newe gouernment A lesson for our Kings to haue a care howe they referre the charge of affaires to their seruants Read and iudge O yee Kings and to whome they trust and howe This example doth verifie that they were better to be more careful and take more paines then to disroabe themselues of this great authority the which makes them not only eminent aboue all men but carries as it were a tipe of the Maiestie of God in the gouernment of the world 718 whereof they must yeeld him an account and not loose that by base cowardlinesse which they should mainteine by vertue But let vs returne to Pepin â—ee made great shewe to loue religion and vpon this cause he makes warre against Râ—bod Duke of Fâ—ise a pagan whome hee conquered and forced to receiue the Christian religâ—on â—ith all â—is subiects He restored Lambert Bishop of Traict to his dignity beeâ—ng expelled by â—broin and confined into a Monastery finally he infinitly fauored all that tended to the seruice of God and one of his chiefest cares was to aduance them that had châ—â—ge ouer the Church whose loues he had so purchased by this good vsage as they soone requited him causing the people to loue him with whome such as rule their consciences haue great authority This was a point of state as much as of deuotion He also made proofe of his valour in diuers sorts reducing the people of Germany on either side the â—hin to the obedience of the French who began to mutine and so restored the beautie of the realme of Austrasia He was carefull to maintaine Iustice and imbraced the people no waies oppressing them with any new impositions In the meane time he was not carelesse of himselfe and his Children He commaunded absolutely beeing armed with the authority of his Soueraigne neither was there any appeale from him vnto the King Hee had two sonnes by Plectrude Drogon and Grimoald he gaue Champagne to Drogon and after his death hee caused his sonne to succeede him with the title oâ— a Duke In the beginning he gaue the offices of great Master and generall of the Treasure to Nordebert his deere friend but after his death he inuested his owne sonne Grimoald in those places Pepin incontinent But as the vanitie of man transports it selfe beyond the lymits of respect it chanced in the end that Pepin forgat himselfe in his prosperity for not satisfied with Plectrude his lawfull wife hee fell in loue with a gentlewoman named Alpaide by whome he had one Bastard which shal be verie famous in the course of this historie vnder the name of Charles Martel and as the mischiefe encreased hee puts away Plectrude and marries Alpaide Lambert Bishop of Traict admonished him of this fault but he suffred Alpaide to cause him to be slaine by her brother Dodon who soone after â—elt the punishment of this bloud for being strooke with a disease of wormes not able to endure his owne stench he cast himselfe headlong into the riuer of Meuze Grimoald the sonne of Pepin following his fathers example abandoned himself to strange women disdayning his wife But this adultery was decre to them both for Grimoald too familiar with one named Rangare sonne in lawe to Rabod Duke of Frisâ— was slaine with him by a iust iudgement of God hauing taught him so filthy a trade to abâ—ndon himselfe to strumpets and to reiect his wife Pepin was so perplexed for the death of his sonne as hee died for greefe and choller against Rabod the author of this murther Thus both he and his sonne reaped the fruits of their adultery Vpon his deathbed he ordayned Charles his Bastard to succeed him in the gouernment of the realme but Plectrude imbracing this occasion Charles Martel bastard to Pâ—pin vpon the death of her husband and well supported by her kinsfolkes causeth Charles to be taken and put in pryson at Cologne and aduanceth Thibauld the sonne of Drogon her owne sonne and Pepins to the gouernment although in effect she vnder his name gouerned all the affaires of state This
Emperour Hunault and Ieffroy being authors of this warre remayned yet vnpunished Martel was diuerted by the warre he made against the Frisons whome he vanquished and forced to become Christians and to that ende he sends them Doctors A pardonable zeale in a warrior for in truth mens soules cannot be wonne by the sword nor religion forced but must bee planted in the heart by reason The punishement ofthese turbulent men was reserued vnto Pepin who knewe well howe to effect it as we shall see At this time King Thierri died hauing raigned fiue and twenty yeares in conceit and left Childeric his sonne not heire of the realme but of his idlenes to make the last release of the Crowne and consigne it into a better hande CHILDERIC the fift the 21 King of France and the last of the first race CHILPERIC .5 KING OF FRANCE XXI HE was King in shewe nine yeares 741. fiue vnder the authority of Charles Martel and foure vnder Pepin who dispossessed him made him a Monke and seated himselfe in his place as wee shall see in order But let vs obserue what remaines of Martel The care and toyle of great affaires with his old age hauing soare broken him hee resolues to dispose of things in time and to leaue a peace to his Children He had foure sonnes Caroloman Pepin Giles and Griffon all of diuers humours The disposition children and death of Martel Caroloman and Giles more modest and of a milder spirit Pepin and Griffon more rough and ambitious Whilest he liued hee greatly honored the Kings person neyther did he in open shewe meddle with that maine point of royaltie but in effect diuiding his authority to his Children with the title of gouernments He purchased them an inteâ—est by his vertue in time the possession of the realme To his eldest son Caroloman he left Ausstrasia to Pepin whom he knew to be of a more quicke and hardie spirit France as the bodie of the Estate And seeing Giles vnfit for armes and giuen to deuotion hee made him Arch-bishop of Rouan To bridle the turbulent spirit of Griffon and to take from him all occasion of debate he would not giue him any certaine portion but the good will of his elder brethren being taught by the experience of former raignes that many commanding brethren are dangerous to an estate shewing himselfe more wise and happy therein then Clouis Thus Charles Martel hauing liued fifty fiue yeares died in the yeare of grace 741. hauing commaunded absolutely in France twenty and fiue yeares as Maior or Prince of the French vnder the raignes of Chilperic Thierri and Childeric One of the worthiest men that euer liued either in this Monarchie or in any forraine Estate He was religious wise iust valiant modest in prosperity resolute in aduersity temperate in authority not passionate nor reuengefull dilligent and happie By these excellent vertues hee did quietly purchase this goodly degree whereby his posterity hath mounted to the royall throne although he had but the payne to get it and the honour to preserue the realme from ship-wrake in the weakenesse of these Kings and the stormes of many confusions His Children according to the diuersity of their humours had diuers euents Caroloman wanted no valour but hauing accompanied his Brother Pepin in diuers exploits in the ende he resignes him all his authority becomes a Monke and dies so at Vienne Giles full of ambitious heat not pleased with the wise resolution of his father did all he could to crosse his brother Pepin although hee had giuen him a sufficient portion in Normandie Transported with this spleene hee stirres vp the Saxons Bauariens and those of Guienne against him at diuers times In the end beeing sâ—ppressed in all places he vndertakes a voiage into Italie to attempt some thing against his brother but he was slaine by the way by a gentleman of Bourgongne as a man of no valour nor quality This fire was thus quenched and Giles died vnworthily leauing this lesson to postâ—rity That ambition hastens ruine and contrariwise That the one halfe is better then the whole Forerunnings or preparatiues to the raigne of Pepin PEPIN seeing himselfe alone in great authority vnderpropt by the merits of his Grand-father and father resolued so to behaue him selfe as his owne deserts should not onely confirme this reputation left him by inheritance but also perswade the French that hee was worthy of a greater command and by their free consents hold him capable of the Crowne He knew the humor of the French who loue and honour their King with an especiall deuotion and cannot bee induced to doe otherwise but by great and vrgent reasons Hee manageth this desseigne with such dexteritie 742. as hee effects it and the meanes which the prouidence of God did minister vnto him did as it were guide him by the hand for to him wee must attribute the principall cause of this notable change The Sarazins infinitly greeued with these two defeats prepare an other armie Ieffroye was also on this partie and it seemed this third League did threaten France with a greater confusion Pâ—pin remembring that his father had beene surprised sends forth his spies and being speedily aduertised he assembles all the forces he could with an incredible celeritie and finding himselfe first in armes he enters into Guyenne and seizeth on the passages of the Pyrenee mountaines Ieffroy being thus surprised sets a good face on it promising obedience to Pepin and is a mediator for the Sarrazins vndertaking that they should renounce their interest and neuer enter more into France Pepin obteining his desire being glad to haue preuented this storme and forced so redoubted enemies to receiue a law from him applied himselfe to the peoples humor who loue peace better then a bloudie victorie He dismisseth his armie busying himselfe in repayring of the Churches which the Sarazins had ruined in diuers places to ease the Citties that were spoiled and in giuing them meanes to recouer themselues to establish Iustice to vnburthen the subiects of publike charges and finally to let the French vnderstand that he was as fit for peace as warre The Church of Rome was then in great reputation throughout all Christendome and the Popes did onely busie themselues with the seruice of God Estate of the Church to maintaine Princes in concord and subiects in their liberties the which purchased them great credit for the singular respect Christian people baâ—e to religion Zacharie held then the Pontificall seat and had the Lombards for a cause of continuall feare being his neere and irreconciliable enemies against whome he could not haue more assured and speedie helpe then in France and by Pepins meanes who held the soueraigne authoritie Martel had alreadie auoided a most dangerous warre through the amitie he had with Luitprand King of the Lombards after whose death Rachise Duke of Friol chosen in his place threatens the Pope openly for all the Lombards faire shewes and his large
French lying vpon his countrie in garrison and spoiling it and so to deceiue both the Pope and Pepin but behold a strange accident befalls him Of an ill life an vnhappy end Being a hunting chasing more after his fantasies then the beast his horse casts him downe a rocke and breakes his neck Thus the subtill Lombard thinking to deceiue was deceiued he ended his subtiltie with his life and the warre begun by him without reason by a iust death The Pope recouers his places and Pepin returnes into France taking nothing in Italy but leauing the realme of Lombardie in the same estate he found it without any alteration This Kingdome ended not with Astolpho for Didier Duke of Hetruria his neere kinsman seizeth presently thereon by meanes of his intelligences but Rachise brother to Astolpho who was lately become a Monke leaues his frock to enioy his fathers kingdome yet for that he was the weaker in this iust title the Pope pacified this controuersie in fauour of Didier who remained King of Lombardie vpon condition that the Citties of Ferrara and Faenze should be yeelded to the Church But let vs returne to Pepin his absence with two yeares continuall warres had broken the vsuall custome to call a Parliament and bred many disorders within the realme Pepin confirmes his authoritie by a Parliament so as being returned into France he presently called a sollemne Parliament wherein he established lawes according to the inconueniences that were to be redrest as good lawes doe commonly proceed from bad manners In this assembly he gaue audience to the Ambassadors of the Emperour Constantin who demanded a confirmation of the amitie and alliance which the Emperour had with the house of France and receiues the new homage of Tassillon Duke of Bauiere So referring all matters of importance to the iudgement of the Estates honouring them that had honoured him he doubled his subiects deuotion and established good lawes within his realme But knowing the humour of the French impatient of rest he found how difficult it was to reteine them long in peace without some forraine imploiment and necessity presents him two occasions one in Guienne He makes a forreine wit to auoide a ciuill and the other in Saxonie Countries subiect to the Crowne of France but both impatient of the French command The Saxons began first with whom Tasillon Duke of Bauiere who as we said did homage to the King ioines contrary to his oth This warre seemed of some difficultie drawing to it all the other Germaines subiect to this Crowne but Pepin preuented it with such speed as hauing suppressed the Saxons he forced them to a new obedience charging them to bring him yearly three hundred good horses for an homage that they should vndergo the censure of the Estates be enemies to the enemies of the King and realme Hauing thus pacified Saxonie he makes a generall assembly at Wormes to settle the affaires of Austrasia from thence he marcheth with his victorious armie against Ieffroy Duke of Guienne according to the resolution of thâ— Estates being leuied for that occasion We haue said that Eudon father to Ieffroy had greatly disquieted France and left his children heires of his discontent but Martel withdrawne by new difficulties could not finish that which he had begun Ieffroy remaines sole Duke of Guienne by the death of his brother he growes daily more insolent bandies all his subiects of Guienne openly against France and afflicts the Clergie infinitly in their liues and liuings Pepin begins with admonitions and threats but Ieffroy grows more obstinate in contemning his Kings command so as they must come to open force and Ieffroy must pay the interests of his long delayes Pepin enters Guienne with an armie and Ieffroy seeing his resolution sends his deputies to auoide this storme Warre in Guienne beseeching him with all humilitie to pardon what was past promising obedience Pepin hauing comanded him to make restitution to the Clergie returnes into France and dismisseth his armie supposing Guienne to be quiet Ieffroy seeking his owne ruine by his furious rashnes goes to field with such forces as he could leuie among his subiects hauing pasâ—ed Loire he enters Bourgogne in hostile manner hoping to surprise Chaâ—lons The King held a Parliament at Orleaâ—s 764 when this intelligence came vnto him he sends them presently to Neuers assembleth his forces and marcheth against Ieffroy who sodenly repasseth the riuer and with great marches recouers Bourdeaux as the Citie of his greatest safetie being as much confuâ—ed in his defence as he was rash in his attempt Pepin pursues him and in his passage all the Townes of Guienne yeeld without any difficulty as to him whom they acknowledge for their lawfull King Ieffroy forsaken of all men pursued criminally by his Prince is slaine by one of his houshold seruants and is interred like a beast in a marish â—ere to Bourdeaux In detestation of his memory Ieffrâ—y pittifully slaine 〈◊〉 like a beast A foolish life a filthy end the place is called the Tombe of Caiphas vnto this day Thus was the vniust and rash rebellion of Ieffroy punished by his death the warre died in Guienne and the wise valour of Pepin was so much the more commended for that his iust pursute was accompanied with patience and mildnesse But Pepin was mortall the toile of so great warres the care of publike affaires had much broken him so as his old age might be more profitably imployed in the maintenance of Iustice and peace then in warre the burthen whereof he might without danger lay vpon his eldest sonne Charles Pepin resignes the Crowne to Charles a wise a valiant young Prince of whose modestie and obedience he was well assured Thus resoluing to passe the rest of his dayes in quiet but not idlely he retires to Paris but soone after he was surprised with a sicknesse whereof hee dyed and so went to heauen there to find rest which he could enioy on earth it was in the yeare 768. of his raigne the eighteenth By his wife Berthe with the great foote he left two sonnes Charles and Caroloman recommending them to the Estates to giue them portions at their pleasures So great was the assurance of this good Prince in the loue of his subiects whom as he had made the most assured gard of his person state so at his death he left his children to their faithfull discretion Pepins childreÌ„ He had seuen daughters Berthe the wife of Milon Earle of Mans mother to that great Roland Hiltrude wife to René Earle of Genes mother to that renowmed Oliuer Roâ—arde Adeline Idubergue Ode and Alix He had the happines to enioy his owne father vntill hee came to the age of man the like good hap continued in his children and for the perfecting of his happinesse hee had a sonne one of the greatest and most excellent Princes that euer ware crowne Thus Pepin the first of that race
Peâ—ine childreÌ„ diuide the realme Charles and Carolomon his sonnes diuide the realme betwixt them by equall portions Châ—rles was crowned at Wormes Carolâ—man at Soissons writers agree not in the declaration of their portions for that by the death of Caraloman the whole realme came to Charles three yeares after the death of their Father Brothers of diuers humors who in the end had ruined each other by this equalitie of power which proues often an vniust and a dangerous ballance in an estate But Gods will was to preserue so great a Monarchie in Europe to be a harbour for his Church by chosing a great Prince to vnite in him alone the power which is dismembred by the command of many Maisters Charles was endued with singular gifts both of body and minde wherevnto by the wiâ—e care of his father Pepin was added as a seale the instructions of a vertuous conuersation Charles the patterne of a great King His manners learning and armes For the ground of all vertues he was carefully instructed in religion the which hee loued and honoured with great reuerence all his life time and likewise the Churches and Pastors Charitie temperance equitie care of Iustice and of order to releeue the people to keepe his faith both to friend and foe and to vse a victory modestly were the noâ—able effects of this excellent knowledge as remarkeable in him His studies as in any Prince that euer liued Hee loued learning by 〈◊〉 and learned men Paul of Pisa instructed him in the Greeke and Latin tongues anâ— â—â—mon in Philosophie and the Mathematikes Hee called these humaine sciences his pastimes and the companions of his Sword and sometimes did recreate himselfe therein Hee tooke a delight in poetry as some of his writings do witnes but especially in Histories wherein he was exceeding well red The vniuersities of Paris and Pisa built or enriched by him witnesse the loue and honour hee bare to learning In armes hee had his father Pepin for hâ—s chiefe schoolemaster and experience doth testifie how much he profited Before his father left him he had great commands and discharged them with such reputation His armes as the continuance of his armes when he was King shewe plainely that there was neuer soldiar that carried sword with more valour nor great Captaine that commaunded with more obedience nor performed any thing with greater fortune nor vsed his victories with more mildnesse iudgement neyther did euer King or Prince raigne with more authority nor was more reuerently obeyed then our Charlemagne well deseruing the name of great for his vertues He was of a liuely disposition quicke actiue and vehement but modestie and wisdome did season this viuacity and vehemency with so good a grace as iâ— the one could not bee without the other and this moderation of diuers humors made him as admirable in his wit as venerable in his countenance and person There appeared in him a graue sweete Maiesty in a goodly personage great strong and patient of labour A quicke spirit cleere sownd both in apprehension memory and iudgement resolution neuer failed him in difficulties no replie in discours terrible to some amiable to others according to the cause persons and occurrents Vertues which purchased him so great credit as he was beloued respected and feared of all men with such obedience as the effects of his raigne do shewe for hauing receiued a great Kingdome from his father he enlarged it with a wonderfull successe God hauing raised vp these three great Princes one after an other Charles Martel Pepin this great Charles to preserue the Christian name in a great Monarchy The successâ— of his raignâ— amidest the deluge of barbarous nations and the ruine of the Empire I haue coated these his singular vertues in the beginning to giue a tast to the obseruation of his great and admirable actions where there wants nothing but order to relate them fitly in so great a diuersity the which hath ministred occasion to the obscure writers of those times to be too breefe or too tedious ofte-times to report matters very vnlikely for the greatnesse of thingâ— which they haue handled in a fabulous manner and in deed the euents are almost incredible and more miraculous then ordinary Doubtlesse I could gather out of the most confident authors and that according to the order of times as euery thing hath changed and answerable to the greatnes of the subiect that which cannot well be represented without some direction All the deedes of Charlemagne must bee referred to that which he hath done either whilest hee was King alone of France or when he was Emperour and had vnited the Empire to his royaltie And in those times there is first to be obserued what he did in the life of Caroloman in Guienne and after his death in Italy Spaine and Saxonie where he had great matters to decide This is the desseine of our relation The deedes of Charlemagne in the life of his brother Caroloman CAroloman was infinitly iealous of his brothers greatnes whome with greeâ—e he did see be loued honored and obeyed of all the French for his singular vertues both of body and minde This iealousie too ordinary a Counsellor to Princes made him to seeke all meanes to counteâ—mine and ouerthrowe the affaires of Charlemagne who had his eyes fixed vpon Italie as the goodly and most beautifull theatre oâ—â—is vaâ—our the tâ—ue subiect to maintaine his authority and power among Christians and Carolomâ—â— did all hee coulâ— to crosse 〈◊〉 desseins And this was the estate of Rome and Italie 771 Presently after the decease of Pepin the Church of Rome fell into great confusions by the practises of Didier King of Lombardie a sworne and capital enemy hauing corrupted some of the Clergie hee caused Constantin brother to Toton Duke of Nepezo his vassall and trustie to bee chosen Pope with such violence as hee made Philippicus being already Canonically chosen to be degraded Troubles at Rome This better party seeing themselues contemned by the Lombard assemble togither and by one common consent choose Stephen the third a Sicilien for Pope who resolues to call in the King of France and to oppose him against his enemies desseins Charles sollicited by the Pope sends twelue Prelates speedily to Rome to fortifie their party against the other meaning at greater neede to apply a greater remedy The matter succeeded according to their desire that had intreated him for the Counsell beeing assembled at Latran they confirme Stephen lawfully chosen and depose Constantin raised by disorder and violence The Lombardâ— dissimulation But Didier would not be controuled with this repulse and seeing that force had not succeeded he resolues to trie policy and to vnder-mine Stephen witâ— a good shew He sends to congratulate his election purgeth himselfe of the Antipope Constantin degraded accuseth both him and his brother of ambition protesting to liue with him in amity and for proofe of this his
forth in the yeare 834. But this deliuery was the beginning of a newe confusion For Lothaire hauing beene forced to yeeld vnto his father goes to field takes him prisoner againe and leads him to the Couent at Soissons where he stayed not long for the French did bandy openly against Lothaire and his bretheren did abandon him He is forced to giue theâ— portions so as hee was forced to yeeld vnto his father and to craue pardon This miserable King thus ledde for a long time giues portions to his Children To Lothaire hee leaues the realme of Austrasâ—â— from the riuer of Meuse vnto Hongarie with the title of Emperour to Lewis Bauaria and to Charles France Pepin enioyed Guienne without contradiction Lewis not content with Bauaria quarrells againe with his father and to force him to giue him a better portion hee leuies an army and passeth the Rhin The pittifull father although tyred with so many indignities yet transported with choller against his sonne goes to field with an army but age and greefe depriued him of meanes to chastise him for hee fell deadly sicke which made him leaue this world to finde rest in heauen He dies This was in the yeare of grace 840. of his age 64. and of his Empire the 27. He left three sonnes Lothaire and Lewis of the first bedde and Charles of the second these two first Children did much afflict the father and themselues and all were plonged in bloudie dissentions the which order doth nowe command vs to represent particularly The Estate of Lewis his Children presently after his death LOthaire as the eldest and Emperour by his fathers testament would prescribe Lawes to his brethren and force them to a newe diuision As he had â—â—ceeded against his father in taking him twise prisoner and stripping him before hee went to bed Diuision among the bretheren and the cause so he sought to disanull his will as made against the right of the elder and the Imperiall dignity the realme of France belonging to the eldest and the goodliest territories of the Empire to the Emperour Thus hee quarreled with Charles King of France and with Lewis who had his part in the inheritances of the Empire in Bauiere the dependances of the realme of Bourgondy that is to say Prouence and Daulphiné and in Italy This was the Leuaine of these tragicall dissentions among the bretheren as Nitard a writer of approued credit learned and a Prince for he was sonne to Angelibert the â—â—nne of Berthe daughter to Charlemagne and was imployed to compound these quarâ—ells doth very particularly describe 820. Behold the direction to a longer discourse whereof I owe but an abridgment noted with the principall circumstances Lothaire then armed with autâ—oritie force malice policie and boldnes thinkes to giue his bretheren their portions and there were great presumptions he should preuaile ioyning his force with the intelligences he had in the dominions of Charles and Lewis This common interest to defend themselues against a common enemie made them to ioyne togither resolute for their generall preseruation Lothaire seekes by secret treaties to diuide them but not able to make any breach in their vnion hee prepares force and â—olicie Lewis was in Bauiere of whome he kept good gard that he should noâ— passe the Rhin to ioyne with his brother hee likewise leuies an armie to surprise Charles in France This preparation of warre did awake the vnited brethren who assemble their forces and ioyne notwithstanding all Lothaires oppositions Lothaires armie was at Auxerre meaning to passe into the hart of France The vnited brethren hauing assembled their forces neere vnto Paris Saint Denis and Saint Germain approche to haue a better meanes either to treat with him or to incounter him Fâ—sâ— with great humilitie they offer to performe what should be held reasonable beseeching him to remember the condition of brethren the holy peace of the Church and the quiet of Goâ—s people suffering them to inioy what their father had bequeathed or elâ—e they would diuide France equally and hee should choose what part he pleased Lothane refusing nothing flatly â—ed them with delayes expecting forces out of Guienne led by Pepin and in the meane time he diuided the Citties by his practises meaning to asâ—aâ—â—e â—is brethren both within and without and to surprise them by authoritie and force as hee had done heretofore his poore father presuming of the like meanes But the subtill was taken in his owne snare for as Lothaire finding himselfe the stronger refused these conditions of peace Lothaire thinâ—ing 〈…〉 his breâ—â—ren is uâ—risâ—â— and defeated saying openly That his brethren would neuer bee wise vntill hee had corrected them behold the armies lying neere to Fontenay after these vaine parlees of peace Lewis and Charles charge Lothaires armie alreadie a Conqueror in conceit with such aduantage as hee was not onely put to rout but also ouerthrowne with a notable slaughter noted vnto this day by the place where the battaile was fought the which for this occasion is called Chaplis and the straight is called by the victors name the valley of Charles to continue the memorie of so bloodie a victorie where euen the Conquerours had cause to weepe hauing shed their owne bloud although forced to fight It is not now that France 〈…〉 to bee indiscreet banding against it selfe and digging in her owne bowels by â—â—â—se domesâ—â—c all and vnâ—â—â—ll dissentions Lothaire after 〈◊〉 defeat changed his huâ—â—r with his estate for hardly could hee retyre with his shame to saue his dominions â—â—e inioyed the â—â—â—arie maske of the Empire with Ausâ—rasâ—a yet very much cuâ—alled and dâ—â—ided to his three sonnes Lewis Charles and Lothaire Of these great inheâ—itances there remaines nothing cleere but Lorraine of the name of Lothaire And so the great discourses of him whome the whole earth coâ—ld nâ—t â—atiâ—fie without taking from father and brethren were buried in a cloister for Lothaire hauing remorse of conscience for attempting against his father and brethren and all to beare rule lost the honour hee had sought with such eagernesse and to â—â—der the paines hee had inflicted vppon his father hee professeth himselfe a Monke in the Abbie of Pluuiers Lothaire 〈◊〉 a Monâ—e and dies a Monke in the yeare 855. taking on him the frocke and being shauen as the ciuil death of a King or Prince of the bloud royall according to the French opinion which continues vnto this day for a note of the greatest paine they could suffer that were borne in this authoritie to bee shauen and made Monkes and to change the crowne of France into a Monkes crowne dead to the world This was the Catastrophe and end of this turbulent Prince by the iust iudgement of God published then in the greatest assemblies and made knowne vnto 〈◊〉 open and publike writings for a notable testimonie and witnesse to all men That whosoeuer disobeyes father and mother deceiues his brethren 824 troubles the peace
redresse the confusions which grew dayly Behold Odo reuiues the warre more furiously then before and enters Lorraine with a strong army but his enterprise fell vpon his owne head For Gothelon Duke of Lorraine confirmed by the Emperour defeates him burying his ambition and his life in one sepulchre and thus much for Bourgongne Normandy gaue no lesse cause of imployment to Henry Robert Duke of Normandy had mainteyned the hereditary loue of his father with the King greatly relying vpon his friendship Hauing resolued a long and dangerous voyage to the holy Land Robert Duke of Normandy prefers his bastard before his lawfull children he intreated him to affect the protection of William his bastard sonne whome hee had made his heyre excluding his lawfull children This testament seemed vnreasonable to all men but Robert had setled his Estate before his departure appoynting him good Gouernours and putting the strongest places and treasure into their hands as William remayned Conquerour after his death which happened in this long voyage beyond the seas But this was not without great difficulties in the which Henry kept the stakes ballancing both parties with his authority William remaining the stronger Normandy had some rest beeing freed from men of warre by this occurrent A gallant troupe of Warriors weary to liue at home and desirous to see the world led by Robert and Guischard valient Gentlemen Happy successe of the Normans in Italy seeking their fortunes came into Italy where they are imployed in priuate quarrells and there get so great reputation as by their example they drawe many to the same voyage and an other notable swarme of braue souldiers are led thether by Tancred a man very famous for this attempt the partialities of Italy giue them occasions and meanes to seize vpon Pouille Calabria and Sicile as the history describes at large This briefly may suffice to note the Estate of this raigne Thus Henry passeth his raigne amidst these troubles beeing too light to shake the body of an Estate following the example of his Grandfather and Father he causeth Philip his sonne to bee crowned King being but seuen yeares old and gaue him Baldwin Earle of Flanders for Tutor and regent of the Realme He liued little after his Coronation the which be hastened by reason of his indisposition and so he died 55. yeares old in the yeare 1061. Robert dies Beloued and lamented of all his subiects whom he intreated with much mildnes some yeares before his death the beginning of his raigne being disquieted with the feare of ciuill dissention and the end crowned with a plentifull rest PHILIP the first the 39. King of France PHILLIPPE KING OF FRANCE XXXIX 1061. ACcording to King Henries decree Baldwin Earle of Flanders tooke vpon him the gouernment of yong King Philips person Baldwin Regenâ— in Philips minoritie already confirmed by his coronation of the affaires of the realme with quietnes hauing the reputation of a good wise man although he were not pleasing to them all For certaine Noblemen of Gasconie did crosse him charging him with ambition as if he would make himselfe a King like to other Regents whereof the memorie was yet fresh in all Frenchmens mindes But his integritie and wisdome preseruing his credit with the greatest part of the French gaue him meanes to subdue the rebellious Gascons who made this their pretence to fish in a troubled streame during the minoritie of the young King Baldwin doth not winke at this repulse neither doth he suffer it to passe vnpunished He armes wisely with a shew to go against the Sarrazins which sometimes did ouerrunne the frontiers of France bordering vpon Spaine This zeale hauing moued many to accompanie him Baldwin punisheâ—h the rebels of Gasconie he punished the rebels in Gasconie and preuented many which began to mutine in sundry places of the realme as shall appeare in the future raignes It is the ordinarie ebbing and flowing of worldly things in the impatience of the French neuer to liue long in one estate Wee haue now passed aboue seuentie yeares in peace in these three raignes this Prince shall adde fortie nine more of great tranquilitie to this realme But setting before our eyes the horrible confusions in other parts it doth shew vs plainly the occasions whereby the disease grew in the State which in the ende bred so long and dangerous a feauer by ciuill warre For why doth a history represent vnto vs the effect known vnto al men if it touch not the causes and motiues of these great euents the which succeed not presently but by degrees as a Clocke which carried by contrary motiues strikes the houre at the time appointed amongest all the minutes This iudgement is necessary for the right vse of what wee reade The Kings minority passed quietly by the wise gouernment of Baldwin who hauing accompanied his pupill to the age of 15. yeares leaues him his temporall realme in peace and seekes an eternall Crowne in heauen being greatly lamented of the good leauing a memorable example of a good tutor to a King Baldwin dies much lamented and a wise Regent of a realme Philip takes in hand the helme of the Estate beholding from a safe harbour the stormes of other nations which exceed in pernitious furies not foreseeing the seeds cast by himselfe in the bosome of his owne realme that his example giues liberties to his subiects to the like disorder A wise Prince but disloyall taking couetousnes and ambition for his Councellors The disposition of Philip. seekingonely his owne profit and contemning that plaine simplicity which had purchased so much happines to his father grand-fathers to himselfe a respectiue credit withall the French and immortall praise to his posterity A looking glasse for Kings Princes without any deceit wherein they may viewe the true causes of the happines of their Estates Flanders England and Italy beganne first before that France entred who shall act a long and tedious part vpon this stage Baldwin of whom we haue made mention left two sonnes Baldwin and Robert with their mother Richilde Their Vncle Robert the Frison preteÌ„ded the inheritance to belong vnto him or at the least the gardianship of his Nephewes Richilde and the states opposed to both his demands so as they grew to words and then to warre King Philip as their soueraigne ought to bee Iudge to compound their quarrels but he labors to kindle them seeking his own profit in these garboiles Robert the Frison preuents him with promises to do what hee pleased Hee winnes him and gets a promise to be succoured against the right of his Nephews But Richilde mother to these pupills knowing the Kings humour goes vnto him to crosse Roberts desseins who brought nothing but words This woman brought money with her good behauiour and wonne him against Robert who discontent with the King assembles his other means goes to field with his army and gets part of the Country Richilde
by the decree of Clement But this was not all those which were opposite to the Emperour chose in the place of Gregory Vrbain the 2. and their party growing strong the confusions increased opposing oâ—e Emperour against another Herman of Luxembourg to Henry and after him Egbert Marquis of Saxony the which were taken by Henry and slaine one after another Vrbain hath other practises against Henry hee animates his owne sonne by his first wife against him forcing all the lawes of nature The Pope incenseth the sonne against the father who takes from him both his Empire his life And as Henry had suppressed the practises of this his eldest sonne Pope Paschall who succeeded Vrbain the 2. succeeds him euen in the like monstrous practises incensing his other sonne Henry whom the father intended to make Emperour relying on him as on his child beloued aboue all the rest So this sonne bewitched by ill councell found meanes to seaze on his Father depriuing him first of the Empire and then of his life The Pope added to this death a new disgrace causing by his thundring Bulls The Popes malice against the Emperour being dead the body of Henry to be digged out of his graue These were the fruites of their serious controuersies for preheminence not onely vnknowne to the ancient Church nor practised by the Apostles but expreslie forbidden by the holy mouth of the sonne of God The Popes one after another troubled with these crosses had recourse vnto our Philip so had Henry the 4. being a prisoner to his sonne but the respect of his coÌ„mon friends made him to keepe the stakes and to be a spectator of these lamentable confusions And yet many orders were erected by the Popes amiddest these disorders that of the regular Chanoines for a difference of the secular the Charteaux Templiers Benedictins and Carmes Thus Philip a witnesse of others miseries raignes peaceably during this age full of confusion both in Church and State The Emperour had reduced the realme of Bourgongne to the Imperiall iurisdiction distinguished as wee haue sayd but during these disorders The begining of the estaâ—es of Daulphiné Sauoy Prouence and Francâ—e Conté the whole body was dismembred and reduced to an other forme as when one is wearie of an old garment The industrie of such as held the Citties and Countrie in their possession made foure peeces of this garment The one was for Otho of Flanders which is the Countrie about Besançon with the title of an Earledome whereof it carryes yet the name The other for Berald of Saxony who enioyed Sauoy The third for Guigue the fatte Earle of Grisiuaudan who from little grewe so great in the confusions of times hauing taken the chiefe Citties of the Country and in the end Grenoble the capitall Citty as he became absolute Lord of all that Prouince the which hee called Daulphiné in fauour of his Sonne who hauing married the Daughter of the Earle of Albon and Vâ—ennois named Daulphin would carry the same name holding himselfe honoured by so worthy an allyance The fourth peece is Prouence one of the goodlyest and richest both for the fertilitie of the Countrie and commoditie of Ports most conuenient in all the Mediterranian Sea this was fallen into the hands of Berengers successors by the meanes before specified So the Empire lost the command of these foure Prouinces which fell to foure diuers Lords leauing yet in Daulphiné some traces of the ancient name without any effect for they yet call it the Empire in their common language as wee haue sayd elsewhere But as during the raigne of our Philip these confusions were notable Voyage to the Holy Land so that great and renowned voyage to the Holy Land made by our Argonaâ—tes Christians â—s worthy to be carefully obserued The proiect was to deliuer the Christians of Asia â—ormented by the furious tyranie of the Mahâ—metaines and to repeople the land the which God had honoured with the first fruits of his Church This zeale of Christians was commendable I would to God they had at this day changed their disordered passions glutted with their owne bloud into so holy a resolution vniting their mindes and forces against the common enemie of all Christendome The occasion was giuen by a French Gentleman called Peter the Hermite The motiâ—â— of this enterprisâ— who hauing long trauelled in the East and seene the miseries of the Christians among the Barbarians the maners of the Leuantins and the commodities and discommodities of the Prouinces of Asia neerest to the Holy Land he laide a pâ—ot with Simeon Patriarck of Ierusalem to solicite all Christian Kings and Princes to imploy their forces for the conquest of the Holy land The euent was answerable to the proiect for being come to Rome to Pope Vrbain the 2. he did so well lay open the estate and importance of this action as being satisfied by him he resolues to inuite all the Kings Princes Potentates States Comoâ—altieâ— Lords and Gentlemen of Christendome therevnto To this end hee calls a Councell at Clermont in Auuergâ—e where he assisted himselfe and induced the whole assemblie by his perswasions with so great efficacie as they resolued neither to spare their persons nor estates in the execution of so important a worke Godefroy of Bouilâ—on sonne to Eustace Earle of Boulogne vpon the Sea being Duke of Lorraine by his Vncle Godefroy the Crooke-back the sonne of Gothelon a great and a generous Prince ofâ—â—ed himselfe the first to this expedition and was chosen chiefe of this famous action The Emperour and all Christian Princes promised to contribute their meanes some their persons A troupe of all the selected Nobilitie of Europe did willingly consecrate themselues The names of such as went to the Holy land The most apparent were Eustace and Baldwin brothers to Godefroy Hugh the great Earle of Vermandois brother to Philip King of France Robert the Frison Earle of Flanders Robert the second sonne to William the Bastard Duke of Normandie and King of England Stephen Earle of Blois and Chartres Aimar Bishop of â—uy William Bishop of Oranges Raimond Earle of Tholose and Saint Gilles Baldwin Earle of Hainault Baldwin Earle of Retbel Bohemond Duke of Apouâ—lie Garnier Earle of Grez Harpin Earle of Bourges Ysoard Earle of Die Rambaud Earle of Oranges William Earle of Forest Stephen Earle of Aumal Hugh Earle of S. Pol Rotron Earle of Perche and many others worthy to be registred in this Historie I haue onely noted such as I could finde out All Europe was moued with this voyage France Germanie Italy England Scotland Hongarie Denmarke and Sueden Spaine onely failed being at that time much troubled to keepe their owne home from the Sarrazins who were lodged euen in their bowels France did contribute more then all the rest of Christendom The zeale which moued these generous and valiant men made them to hazard all Dukes Marquises Earles Barons Knights and Gentlemen sold and ingaged their Seigneuries
of K. Alphonso attending meanâ— to repaire his affaires in better season In the meane time Simon doth promise himselfe the property of all Raymonds estates the which he had gotten with his Sword but for that it was apparent that the King of France would hardly grant so goodly a Prouince taken from his kinsman to one of his subiects Simon therefore flies vnto the Pope by whose authority this war was chiefely ingaged from whom he attended his chiefe recompence hauing laboured for him Innocent the 3. finding that Philip who would not desist in his pursute against Iohn King of England notwithstanding his interdictioÌ„â— would not be moued now by his simple authority to leaue so important a peece he assembles a great Councell meaning to force the King to yeeld vnto his will â—he Patriarkes of Ierusalem and Constantinople were there in person The Councell of Latran and those of Antioche and Alexandria sent their deputies there were 70. Archbishops 400. Bishops and 1000. Abbots Priors The Emperors of the East West the Kings of France England Spaine Ierusalem Cipres and other Kings Princes and great estates had their Ambassadors By a decree of this notable assembly Count Raymond was excommunicated with all his associats The Earldome of Tholouse giuen to Simon of Montfort by the Pope his lands adiuged to Simon of Montfort for his seruice done and to do to the Catholike Church Philip could not gain-say this decree confirmed in a maner by the consent of the whole world He therfore receiued SimoÌ„ to homage for the Prouince of Languedoc whereof he tooke peaceable possession but he did not long enioy it â—or seeing himselfe inuested he began to oppresse his new subiects An Eâ—le is lost with ouer griping The people of Languedoc finding themselues oppressed with this insupportable burthen of Simon they resolue to call home their Count Raymond who was retired into Spaine to seeke some meanes to recouer the possession of his estate His case was not desperate for hee enioyed the Earldomes of Viuareâ—z Venaissan and the Citty of Auignon places kept by his subiects during these occurrents whether Simons forces were not yet come Raymond being called by his subiects returnes into Languedoc accompanied with a notable troupe of Arragonois being discontented for the death of their King Alphonso The whole Countrey baâ—died against Simon hating him as an vsurper Simon hated by his subiects of Languâ—doc for hâ—s oppression â—yâ—â—nie and detesting him as a tyrant for doubtlesse vniust violent things cannot continue Whilest that Simon seekes to bridle the Citties of his new conquests leaping from place to place with an infinite toile behold Raymond is receiued into Tholousâ— by intelligence with great ioy of the inhabitants Simon abandons all the rest and flies thether but he finds a stop for comming to the gates of the Citty as he approched neere the walles to parley he was hurt in the head with a stone wherof he died The example of Tholouse made the greatest part of the subdued Citties to reuolt Simon of Montfort left two sonnes Simon of Montfort slaâ—n before Tholouse Guy and Amaulry vpon the reuolt of Tholouse the one seizeth vpon Carcassone the other of Narbonne but Guy was slaine in Carcassone by the Inhabitants who were the stronger Amaulry hauing fortified Narbonne repaires to Philip Augustus beseeching him to succor him in his necessity Philip had the Wolfe by the eare for as on the one side he desired this goodly Prouince for himselfe rather then for the children of Simon of Montfort so was he also restâ—ained by the authority of the Pope and Councell He theâ—fore sends his sonne Lewis into Languedoc to reduce the Country to his obedience But he had scarce taken any one Castell when as his fathers death calls him home Count Raymond receiued againe in Languedock So as Count Raymond his subiects of Languedoc had time to reuiue their spirits recouer many places gotteÌ„ by Simon The king of England would neither assist nor send to the coronatioÌ„ of Lewis although he were held as Duke of Guienne 1223. This occasion moued Lewis to warre against him Warre in Guienne against the English whereby he got Niort and Rochel and Sauary of Mauleon Gouernour for the English retired to his seruice This losse made the warre more violent Richard Earle of Cornwaile brother to Henry King of England passed into France with a goodly armie and hauing taken S. Macaire Langon and Reolle Townes seated vpon the Riuer of Garonne and defeated some French troupes he made way for a truce which was fauourable for both parties But especially for Lewis being desirous to settle matters in Languedoc the which troubled him for the daily proceedings of the Albigeois yet was hee loth to labour for another For this reason he treats with Amaulry Earle of Montfort touching the right he had to that Countrie with whom hee preuailed the more easily for that hauing lost the greatest part of the Prouince he was not able to hold the rest with the Kings dislike to whom hee resigned it by order of a decree made by the Pope in the Councell of Latran and in recompence hee made him Constable of France with the consent of Pope Honorius Lewis compounds for Languâ—doc with the â—oâ—n of Simon Montfort Hauing compounded with the Children of Simon Montfort hee resolued to winne Count Raymond to his deuotion and to perswade him to lay aside armes whereof hee did see the euents to be very doubtfull His intent was to vnite this rich Prouince of Languedoc to the Crowne But reason which saith that no man thinkes his owne too much the respect which great men do vsually beare one to another and the alliance which the house of France had with the Countie of Tholouse were great restraints for the couetousnesse of Lewis But how soeuer he determined to make himselfe the stronger to prescribe them a law To this end he leuied a great Armie fortified with his Edicts by the which hee thunders against these poore Albigeois as Heretikes and Rebels These Edicts were of force whereas his authoritie was respected Count Raymond considering with himselfe the cruell beginning of this warre and the continuance of the like miserie in these second armes fearing to imbarke himselfe the third time with a people against his King is easily perswaded by Lewis to reconcile himselfe to Pope Honorius Thus Raimond leauing to oppose himselfe Count Raymond submits himselfe vnâ—o the Pope yeelds to Lewis and perswades the â—arle of Cominges the chiefe agent of his desseignes to the like obedience Thus both of them abandon the people go to Rome they make their peace with the Pope and leaue the Albigeois to the mercie of Lewis who seeing them without a head imbraceth this occasion to their ruine High and base Languedoc was wholy in his power by Raymonds departure Auignon remained with many other places in the Countie of
enterprises were happy but in his age very vnfortunate Robert Earle of Artois by the decease of the Father and imprisonment of the Sonne remaines Tutor to the Children of his Father in Lawe Charles the Lame and Regent of the Realme of Naples Charles King of Naples â—yes but Peter of Arragon keepes Sicilia at that time lost for the French After the death of Charles of Aniou behold Peter of Arragon is assailed with a new partie Pope Martin the fourth doubled his excommunications against him as a capitall enemie of the Church and inuested Charles the youngest Sonne of Philip King of France in his Realme hee absolues the Arragonois from their othe of obedience and Proclaimes a holy Warre as against a sworne enemie of the Church For the execution of these threats Philip imployes all his meanes to raise a goodly Armie vowing to be no more circumuented by Peter of Arragon Iames King of Maiorica and Minorica ioynes with him an enemie to Peter Philip makes warre agâ—inst Peter of Aragon who had spoiled him of his Estate so as there were foure Kings in this Armie Philip King of France and his eldest Sonne Philip King of Nauarre Charles his Sonne inuested in the Realme of Arragon by the Pope and Iames King of Maiorica The Armie was faire and the Frenchmens courage great being very resolute to reuenge the massacre of the Sicilian Euen-song the ridiculous scorne of the combate and the imprisonment of Charles The Red scarfe the marke of the holy Warre Warre in Arragon against one excommunicated and their couragious resolution to bee reuenged of a cruell enemy who had shed bloud by treason appeares in these troupes brauely armed All this promised a great victorie to Philip who commanded his armie in person But the issue will shew that being a Conquerour he lost the fruites of his victorie and in the death of three great personages shall bee seene the vanitie of this world Philip enters the Countie of Rossillâ—n with a goodly Armie all obeyes him except the Cittie of Gennes neere to Perpignan the which hee besieged and it was well defended but in the end it was taken by the French Peter was come out of Sicilia to defend his Fathers inheritance hee fortifies all hee can against Philip and the difficultie of the passages seemed to fauour him but the resolution of the French surmounted the steepenesse of the Rockes The passages are forced Peters Armie is defeated and hee saues himselfe with difficultie by these inaccessible places The Armie enters the Countie of Emporias Peter of Arragon defeated Pierre 〈…〉 in one day Girone is besieged and as Peter comes to succour it the French incounter him and ouercomes him who hardly saues himselfe in Ville-franche extreamly amazed with this happy beginning of Philip. What followed hee that was accustomed to deceiue all the world by his inuentions and pollicies He dyes could not by any meanes deceiue Death transported with griefe sorrow impatiencie and dispaire hee dyes the fifteene of August in the same yeare with his enemie Charles The brute of Peters death makes Girone to yeeld presently 1286. being a very strong Citty and promiseth Philip an assured possession not onely of the realme of Arragon but also of Sicilia where in shew they could not resist when as behold other occurrents which mans reason could not preuent Philip assuring himselfe thus of the peaceable possession of the realme of Arragon minding to free himselfe of a needlesse charge he dismisseth the Galleys of Genoa and Pisa the which hee had hired and for that the plague was crept into his Campe he had dispersed his forces about the Citties of Giâ—onne and Perpignan whether he retired himselfe very sick with an intent to pacifie the whole Countrie hauing recouered his health and taken some breath Roger Admirall of Arragon of whom we haue spoken ignorant of Peters death was parted from Sicilia with an intent to bring him succours against the French Fleete Being arriued at Genoa a newter Cittie and of free accesse for both parties he is informed both of the death of his Maister and of the estate of Perpignan and being there of this new accidentâ— he takes a new aduise In steed of returning into Sicilia hee hiers the Galleys of Genoa and â—isa dismissed by Philip and resolues to enter the Port of Perpignan where he had intelligence that Philip remained without any great garde and the Port to bee without defence He arâ—iues so happily as without any opposition he giues a signall to the people of his arriuall Philip set vpon vnawares and 〈◊〉 danger who sodenly rise and kill the French in the houses streetes Philip lay sick in his bed and the French Souldiars had no thought of Roger. The King made a vertue of necessitie he incourageth his men with a sicke and feeble voice and they behaued themselues so valiantly as they expell Roger out of Perpignan and Philip held the Citty who was so distempred with this alarum as his sicknesse encreased dayly The death of Philip. and he died the 15. day of October hauing suruiued Peter but two moneths in the same yeare 1286. and in the same moneth dyed Pope Martin the 4. to shew vnto great Princes the incertaintie of their great desseignes Thus liued thus raigned and thus dyed Phillp the 3. surnamed the Hardie hauing raigned 15. yeares and liued fortie a great vndertaker leauing no memorable acte to his posteritie but a good example not to deale in other mens affaires Of his first wife Isabel he had Philip and Charles remaining His children Charles was Earle of Vallois of Alanson and of Perche Father to Philip of Vallois who in his course shall succeed to the crowne Philip his eldest Sonne was King of France of the same marriage he had one Daughter Marie who was Duchesse of Austria By his second wife Marie he had Lewis Earle of Eureux and Marguerite Queene of England The estate of the Empire after a long confusion of diuers Emperours and the interregne had some rest the Popes being busied in the warres of Sicilia Raoul of Auspourg a good and a wise Prince was chosen Emperour after these disorders imploying himselfe carefully to cure the wounds of Germanie and held the Empire from the yeare 1273. vnto 93. The estate of the Church appeares by that which hath beene spoken in this raigne This onely is particular That a Councell was held at Lions by Gregorie the 10. where it was Decreed That to auoide the tediousnesse of the Popes election the Cardinals should assemble at the Popes death and keepe the Conclaue neither going forth not conferring with any one vntill the Pope were chosen The which is practised at this day In those dayes dyed Thomas Aquinas a very subtill disputer Bonauenture Ihon Duns called Scott and Gabriel Biel famous men in those dayes suruiued him PHILIP the fourth called the Faire the 46 King of France PHILIPPE .4 KING OF
Seine Espernay Ceant in Othe Sens Auxerre Neuers Corbigny Aurillac Moulins Issoudun Mans Vendosme Anger 's CraoÌ„ Blois Tours Bourgueil places thereabout Poitiers Rouen Valongnes Vire S. Lo Dourdeaux Agen and generally in all parts of the realme are read at large in the Originals and would augment this volume beyond the iust proportion Time and leisure may hereafter giue all this discourse specified more particularly Let vs onely obserue the most memorable exploits chanced during these first troubles from the moneth of Aprill in the yeare 1562. vnto the publication of the peace The Protestants of Meaux exceeding the Catholikes in number had vntill the end of Iune continued the exercise of their religion without any disturbance Particular troubles at Meaux then transported with an indiscreet zeale and ill aduised presumption grounded vpon their numbers they flie to the Churches beat downe images and make the Priests retire This insolencie made the Court of Parliament at Paris to censure them and to abandon them to any that could spoile or kill them without any forme of processe Therevpon Lâ—noux brother to Montluc comes to Meaux and with the consent of the Protestants restores the exercise of the Catholike religion and then giues commandement to the inhabitants to bring their armes into the Towne house Some obey others to the number of foure hundred march to ioyne with the prince Portian they charge them and kill them all but fortie which recouer Orleans with much adoe leauing their wiues to the mercie of the stronger whereof many were forced to go to the Masse with blowes many marriages solemnized anew many children but without order baptized againe The 13. of February 1563. some fugitiues tried to recouer the place but this caused a totall ruine of their companions who remained within the towne they were massacred drowned and hanged their wiues and children rauished their goods spoiled and their houses made inhabitable At Chaalons des Bordes the Lieutenant to the Duke of Neuers gouernor of Champagne slue many men and women imprisoned handicrafts men spoiled their houses At Chaalons caused marriages to be resolemnized and children to be rebaptized At Bar. Those of Bar vpon Seine became the stronger but rashly in a place easie to be forced Some Cannons planted onely against the Castell scattered all within it like vnto partriges So the beseegers entring finding fewe men to execute their reuenge on they fall vpon the women maydens and Children open some of their stomakes pull out their hearts and with a furie vnworthy doubtlesse of one created after the same image and likenesse teare them with their teeth Ralet a yong Aduocate sonne to the Kings Proctor was a prodigious thing hanged by his fathers procurement In the moneth of Ianuary following some fiftie horse of the garrison of Antrain surprised the towne at the breake of day and at the first tied this Ralet to the top of his house then with their pistolls caused him to expiate the death of his sonne The other murtherers were murthered and their spoile spoiled by other spoilers So the Lord requires the bloud of man by the hand of man himselfe 1562. Saint Estienne being returned from Orleans with two of his bretheren and 〈◊〉 â—thers to refresh himselfe Saint Estienne in a house of his neere vnto Reims was besett beâ—eegeâ—â— battered with the Cannon by a troupe of fifteene or sixteene hundred men who 〈◊〉 forth vpon their word to speak with the Duke of Neuers who they sayd 〈…〉 him was murthered by his owne Cousin germaine the Baron of Cerny and 〈…〉 bretheren with sixteene others stabde At Sens. A hundred persons of all qualities were miserably slaine at Sens their bodiâ—s 〈◊〉 naked into Seine their houses spoiled and as if it had beene no sufficient reuenge their vignes were pulled vp At Neuers The eleuenth of May 1562. the Catholikes of Neuers 〈◊〉 in many gentlemen of the Countrie seized vpon the gates and three daies after fell vpon the Protestants Fayete arriues ransackes their houses rebaptizeth the Câ—â—â—dren expells whome hee pleased and so laden with bootie worth fiftie â—hou â—â—d Crownes At Corbigny he retires to his house in Auuergne Noisat Marshall of the companie of Fayete intreated them of Corbigny in the like sort Captaine Blany surprised the 〈◊〉 fewe dayes after and restoâ—ed the Protestants to the publike exercise of theiâ— religion At Antrain Captaine Blosse surprising the Towne of Antrain stayed the Catholikes from committing the like excesse as they had done at Auxerre Steuen Blondelet a preest and an other called the Dangerous were hanged and shot Issertieux called in by the Protestants of la Charité to take the charge of the Towne was set vpon by Cheuenon At la Charite Achon and other troupes and finally beeing beseeged by Fayete hee yeelded vp the Towne vpon an honest composition for his partie This was the x. of Iune but the Grand Prior entring he pulled the Capitulation being signed out of Issertieux hand and afterwards la Fayete abandons these poore protestants to spoile and ransome like to them of Neuers The 3. of March following the Captains du Bois Blosset and Blany reenter by Scaladoe Leauing it afterwards in gard to du Boise who defended it with threescore and seauen soldiars and some Inhabitants against an armie of foure thousand foote and horse slue aboue foure score of them and forced them to raâ—â—e the seege Chastillon vpon Loire Those of Chastillon vpon Loire standing amidest many difficulties and in the ende spoiled of all their commodities fortified their little Towne and the 5. of Ianuary endure an assault against the Lord of Prie kill seauen or eight of his men and hurt many others the men defending themselues with stoanes and the women powring boyling water vpon the assaylants In the end Monterud gouernour of Berry beseeged it battered it and tooke it by force killed men and women young and olde spoiled the Towne euen to the hingells of doores glasse and barres of windowes At Gyen Gyen maintaynes it selfe long the Protestants weâ—e the stronger but the insolencie of Captaines and soldiars whome the Prince of Condé sent thether from Orleans to refresh themselues one after an other forced manie of the Inhabitants to retire to Orleans So the Towne remayning at the deuotion of the kings army who camped before it it was subiect to the violence of the stronger where the Italians among other â—nâ—olencies cut a yong childe being aliue in two peeces and with a horrible furie eate his liuer At Montargis Montargis was the Sanctuary of many Protestant families vnder the countenance of Renèe of France daughter to King Lewis the XII and Duchesse dowager of Ferrara The Duke of Guise sonne in lawe sends Malicorne thether with foure companies of men at armes but the prey hee sought was safe within the Castell his furie fell vpon an olde man met by chance who was slaine and cast into the
hope the which finding no solide bodie runne after the shaddowes of his imagination and flattered him so pleasingly as he thought not to die saying that they could not supplie his place if hee were dead Noting among all them that thought themselues most capable great Wants and Imperfections Yet in all these extremities he had nothing that lulled him so much asleepe as his owne prayses Sometimes hee would say Is it possible that the King should bee so vaine as to make him to apprehend death and to thinke to terrifie him therewith But hee conceiued of things according to his imagination the which was not answerable to the truth On Munday the Chauncellor returned to the Pallace to determine on his sentence The Iudgement of the processe They continued vntill two of clocke in the afternoone in giuing of their opinions They were drawne from one principle of truth as manie Lines are from one Center did concurre all in one resolution conformable to the conclusions of the Kings Atturnie generall That it was iust necessarie and profitable to quench these burning flames of Ambition in the bloud of the Duke of Biron if they would not see all the realme in combustion A whole day and a good part of the night would haue beene spent if euery one had giuen a reason of his opinion Those of the great Chamber onely and the Presidents of the Inquests spake what they would The Iudges opinions This subiect is like vnto a great thicke forest they know not what Tree to choose It is so full and so rich as aboundaÌ„ce of reasons troubles the choise And these were the cheefe There was a concurrence of a great Cryme a great Merit All France was a witnes of the one and of the other the truth was apparent Principall reasons of their opinions The proofes which are required to discouer a â—ecret cryme are here made perfect Proofe by mouth the prisoners answere Proofe by writings letters and instructions Proofe by the Deposition of witnesses against whom he hath obiected no exception which might impugne that which they sayd maintained But these 3. sorts of proofes we see that monstrous attempt against the Kings person verified that furious CoÌ„spiracie to trouble his Estate to make it a prey to his enemies both the one and the other doth make the prisoner guiltie of high Treason in the first and second degree Hee confesseth that hee would haue done ill that his intent was written and imparted to others and yet he neuer did ill That it neuer past his thought That thoughts are not to bee punished as he sayd That the desire to sleaâ—e makes not a theefe In treason the intent is unishable It is true but the guilt of treason is so detestable as the intent how farre so euer from the execution is punished and reputed for the effect Repentance which followes after and changeth the desseine may well serue for the offence but it helpes nothing for the punishment A Gentleman hauing attempted to kâ—ll King Francis the first repented and reuealed it in his confession yet being accused by his Confessor he lost his head As the respect of the image of God grauen in the Maiesty of Kings frees them from all Lawes made by men so the dignitiâ— of their persons doth warrant them from al enterprises conspiracies of humaine mâ—lice the which dares not once thinke to put them in practise against their Images much lesâ—e against their Persons The proofe of an intent although it were not resolued nor determined goes not vnpunished which passeth often times vnto things without life To Howses Images Ashes yea and to the memorie it selfe This cryme troubleth the dead thirtie or fortie yeares after their funerals for that it is not extinct in dying and the which is contrary to common sence and naturall humanitie they punish the Child the Wife and the Familie for the Fathers offence being a contagious Leprosie and hereditarie to all his race The Father cannot excuse his Sonne And the Senator Fulutus was commended to haue put his Sonne to death for that he had beene one of Catelins conâ—â—iracie Let him then plead no more that he hath done no euil it sufficeth that hey ould haue done it Lawes are not made for bad actions onely but for Councells also and resolutions His intent began the cryme occasion had ended it if hee had not beene preuented If he had done no other euill but to giue eare to the promises and perswasions of the enemies he were guiltie For in matters of State the subiect cannot dispose of any point of his will without the permission of his Prince We must not stay tiâ—â—enimous beasts haue bitten and then kill them nor Traitors intents executed â—eâ—ore wee discouer the Treason It is then to late to iudge of the cryme but to complaine of indiscretion then they seeke no more releefe from Law but they flie to Armes It is not then time to accuse and to punish but to weepe and to flie The Cittie of Rome laboured in vaine to resist Caesar after that he had subuerted the Lawes vsurped the Dictatorship and terrified all Italie with the brute of his forces If they shouâ—d haue stayd vntill the prisoner had executed his desseins there had beene no talking of Iustice nor of State You must not tarrie tâ—ll the house shake and be readie to fall you must vnderproppe it and repaire it in time It is a miserie sayd the Emperour Domitian when they will not beleeue a Conspiracie against Princes vntill they bee slaine by the Conspirators Now that God by a singular worke of his prouidence hath discouered this Conspiracie it toucheth the health of the State the honor of the Court to punish these Conspirators Reason requires that the example may make knowne how execrable this offence is for the which it is lawfull to torment the dead and terrifie them that be liuing to make the Children partakers of their Fathers punishment and to assure them rather of miserie then of life that the world might haue more horror of his wickednes then feare of his punishment The Kings Clemencie hath had his turne now Iustice must take hers making her authoritie to be feared and admired 〈◊〉 vnto the Sea which is more admired wheÌ„ the waues are swolne riâ—en vp to the clouds then when it is calme and still But they consider the qualitie merit of the prisoner First Iustice hath her eyes blinded and shut from al distinctions but that it houlds the offence greater in a great person then in a meane and by this proposition the punishment must be greater The faults of meane men are hidden in the multitude their fortune and reputâ—tion is one thing Those which raysed to great places doe good or harme by the example of their good or bad actions are they which are knowne and discouered to all men In matters of rebellion and crymes of State they regard not
beginning of the yeare did so freeze the Riuer of Danowe as the one passed ouer on drie foote to the other and skirmishing some-times vpon the Ice A Captaine of the garrison of Pesâ—a hauing intelligence that some of the chiefe of Buda were gone forth with many women to the Bathes which are neere vnto Buda he past the Riuer with threescore shot and surprised them in such sort as hee died the water of the Bath with their bloud not sparing any but a little Chiâ—de sonne to one of the chiefe of Buda The women were so amâ—zed as they flâ—d nâ—ked vnto the Towne the feare of death was more powrefull in them then shame The Turkes had the aduantage this yeare both by Lande and Sea they recoâ—ered what they had lost in Hungary and disapointed the enterprises of the Sea Army of Spaine the which were more grounded vpon the words and assurances of the King of Fez to deliuer Algier vnto them then vpon consideration of their forces Cigale went out of Constantinople with fifty sayle to obserue and followe them in their course Cigale goes forth of Constantinople In the end D. Iohn of Cardona was no happier then the Prince Doria It had bin a miracle if the Affricains had intreated the Spaniards better then the Portugalls One may say of theÌ„ as was sayd of the Romaines What may a man hope for of Rome which hath ruined Alba from whence it is issued What may one expect of the Kings of Fez if for the desire of raigne the Sonne hath not spared the Father Whilest that Muleasses was with the Emperour Charles the fift to treate of his Protection Amides his Sonne made himselfe master of the Realme The olde father returning with forces to enter into Thunis was taken in a passage where his Sonne had layed an Ambuscadoe and with him two of his Children which done this barbarous wretch pulled out the eyes of them all three Many thought that this Armie had had no desseigne the Treasons of France beeing discouered they had neede of it in Flanders many wondred to see the Spaniards seeke after new Conquests when as the affaires of the Lowe Countries were in so badde Estate Ostende was not yet readie to yeelde Graue beseeged Count Maurice had beseeged Graue to drawe the Arch-duke from Ostende if he might There were in Graue fiueteene hundred souldiars besides the Inhabitants The Archduke commanded the Admirall of Arragon to succour the beseeged with all speed who gathered togither what troupes he could and made many attempts vpon Count Maurices trenches the beseeged fallying forth of the Towne at the same times but finding that all his enterprises were in vaine hee made his retreat in the night sending his baggage away before and after that hee had stayed some dayes at Venlâ— the Inhabitants refusing to receiue the garrison which he would haue giuen them hee marched towards Vâ—recht hauing lost all hope to rayse the seege of Graue The Admirals retreat considering that a great part of his troupes were slipt away especially the Italians which yeelded themselues vnto Count Maurice some continued and serued him others tooke Pasports from him and returned into their Countrie The seege of Graue continued still with all violence the Walls and Rampers were so battered as they scarse durst shew themselues and the beseeged being beaten from their fortifications seeing all things readie to giue a generall Assault they made a composition to yeeld the nineteenth of September vpon certaine conditions The Count Maurice vsed the souldiars with all humilitie suffering them to carrie away their Armes Enseignes and all other Moouables The best troupes of the Admirals Army were mutined pretending that there was thre millions of Liuers due vnto them demanding their pay in a very vnseasonable time A mutiny in the Admâ—ralls Army seazing vppon the Castell of Hoochstraten at such time as the Archduke thought to succour Graue He held this as a reuolt infidelitie and intelligence with the Enemie for which cause hee proclaymed them guiltie of high Treason permitting all men to Kill them without feare of punishment promising tenne Crownes in recompence for euery souldiars head a hundred for an Officers two hundred for a Captains fiue hundred for that of the Electo The Mutinados published a declaration with iniurious tearmes and reproaches saying that the Archdukes would pay them with Prescriptions and Banishments a kind of pay and entertainment that doth neyther feede the Belly A Proâ—estation of the mutâ—â—â—â—â— nor couer the Backe that in demanding that which was due vnto them they had done but as others had done in the like occasions forced by necessity being no Cameleons to liue of the aire That to condemne theÌ„ to die which had no feare of death which had meanes not only to defend themselues but also to offend was absurd That their heads beeing set to sayle at ten Crownes a peece they did hope to defend them so well as their Highnesses should see but fewe of them Thus the Mutiners complayned but in the ende they found that all complaints were vaine against their Superiors The Arch-duke was ingaged in a second Warre against his owne troupes the which was no lesse trouble-some vnâ—o him then the enemy his discontent was much augmented by the defeate of the Gaileies of Spaine that came into Flanders This yeare their were eight Galleies rigged at Siuille vnder the Commande of Frederic Spinola there were 400. men in euery Galley besides the slaues The Galleies oâ— Spaine commâ—nded by Spinola and 800. men which they tooke in at Lisbonne These Galleies went toward the Coast of England being sent by the King of Spaine to ioyne with others which the Arch-duke had to hinder the trafficke of England Holland and Zeland and to keepe Osâ—end from alâ—â—eleefe Two of them the Trinity and the Occasion were sonke by Sir Richard â—uson vpon the Coast of Portugalle about the Cape of Sicambre these Galleies were discouered the 3. of October by two Shippes of Warre of the Sates who had them in chase The same day Sir Robert Mansel discouered them beeing a thwarte Calis gâ—uing aduice vnto the States shippes which lay vpon the Coast of Flanders by discharging of his Cannon The States shippes finding them aboue the pointe of Douer pursued them and fought with them they flying as fast as they could to recouer some of their Portes in Flanders but they were so ill intreated as foure of their Galleies were sonke the other 4. which remayned were so hotly pursued as two of them were cast away vpon the Coast neere vnto Nieuport and an other neere Dunkerke and the eight wherein Spinola was ranne a shoare at Calais and was saued with great difficulty where the Galley slaues being set at Liberty euery one went where he pleased and Spinola with his Gentlemen and the rest that he could saue went to the Arch-duke to Bruxellâ—s The Admirall of Arragon hauing fayled in the releefe of
their owne After this he attempted no more against them and the greatest part of Bourgongne returned to the children of Gondebault But in the end both Prouence and Bourgongne shall bee incorporated to the Crowne by diuerse accidents the which we will note in diuerse places Clouis cruell practisâ—s to become great Clouis suruiued fiue yeares after all these losses remaining commonly at Paris hauing no heroicke mind to attempt any great conquests yet of a cruell disposition which made him die with desire of other mens goods Hee imployed all his wits to put his kinsmen to death hauing some â—eignieuries included within the compasse of his great monarchie with an imagination â—o leaue his children a great estate vnited In this desseine he puts to death Chararic to haue Amyens Ragnachatre to become maister of Cambray and Sigâ—bert to haue no companion at Mets although he were acknowleged in all these places for soueraigne This rauishing of other mens goods was vnexcusable but his tragicall proceedings to haue it was more detestable I tremble to represent the horror of these execrable crimes you may reade them in the originall of Gregorie of Tourâ— The truth of the historie requires they should bee registred but reason would haue the memory of so dangerous examples buried in obliuion I desire to be dispensed withall if I discourse not of these monstrous enormities A modest tragedie goares not the scaffold with the bloud of Iphigenia being content to report by a messenger that she was slaine by her fathers coÌ„mand drawing a curteine to hide the blood But if any one will vrge me with the debt which a historie doth owe I will say that Clouis caused Chararic to be slaine hauing seized on him and his sonne and condemned them to monastery As they were cutting of their haire the sonne seeing his father weepe bitterly said These greene branches will grow againe meaning the haire they cut off for the stocke is not dead but God will suffer him to perish that causeth them to bee cut off Horrible murthers coÌ„mitted by Câ—ouis Clouis aduertised of this free speech They complaine for the losse of their haire sayes hee let their heads bee cut off And so they were both put to death To get Ragnachaire who had faithfully serued him both against Sâ—agrius and in all his other enterprises hee corrupted some of his domesticall seruants with promise of great rewards in token wherof he sent them bracelets of latten guilt These traitors bring him Ranachaire and his brother with their hands and feete bound Hee beholding them Outcasts saith hee of our race vnworthie of the blood of Merouee are you not ashamed to suffer your selues to be thus bound you are vnworthy to liue repay the dishonour you haue done to our blood with your bloods and so gaue to eyther of them great blowes with a Battell Axe which he held in his hand 514. and slue them both in the presence of his Captaines and Councell But when 〈…〉 Traytors demanded their reward and complained of his Bracelets Auant saâ—th 〈◊〉 Traytors is it not enough that I suffer you to liue I loue the treason but I hate Trâ—ytors But the last exceeds the rest Hee perswades the sonne of Sigibert to kill his â—â—ther This infamous parricide murthers him and returnes to Clouis to put him in possession of his treasures whom he had thus massacred who being in the chamber and â—ending downe into a Chest to draw forth bagges full of gold hee caused his braiâ—es to be beaten out and being the stronger seized on Mets making a good shew to the people as ignorant of this murther Thus Clouis liued thus he reigned and thus he dyed in the yeare of our Lord 514. of the age of 45. the thirtith yeare of his reigne in the flower of his enterprises The death of 〈◊〉 in the Citty of Paris A Prince whom we must put in ballance to counterpeise his vertues with his vices valiant politick colde wise temperate diligent in execution His vertues his 〈◊〉 of admirable authoritie and indued with excellent politicke vertues fit for an estate Contrarywise hee was extreamly couetous ambitious wilfull cruâ—â—l bloudy infinitely giuen to the world immortalizing his good hap in this mortall life by his many enterprises the which hee feared not to execute with the losse of other mens goods and liues We must not wonder if we read of confusions in the following reignes wherein we shall first see bloud for bloud and the robber robbed spoiled dispoâ—sessed according to the trueth of Oracles Woe to thee that robbest for thou shalt bee robbed that killest for thou shalt be killed the same measure thou measurest shall be measured to thee againe Vnder his reigne the Romane Empire vanished quite into the West Spaine Gaule Italy and Germany were seized on by strange nations retaining no markes of the Romaine name The East had yet some shewes of the Empire whereof Constantinople was the seate Leo Zeno Anastasius Emperours liued in those dayes with many enemies The estatâ— of the Church shame and losse The Pope of Rome thrust himselfe forward amiddest these confusions and ruines recouering that which the Emperours had lost Leo Hilarie Simplicius Foelix Gelasius liued in those times learned men The Councell was held againe at Chalcedone against Eutiches and Dioscorus The 6. raigne vnder the foure sonnes of CLOVIS Childebert Clodamir Clotaire Thierry Who raigned togither forty and two yeares as Kings of France yet with a particular title â—nder this generall but in the end Clotaire remayned King alone And therefore their raignes are distinguished To this Coniunction of foure brethren some giue the sixt degree in the number of Kings and Childebert as the eldest beares the title CHILDEBERT the 6. King of France CHILDEBET KING OF FRANCE VI CLOVIS his desseine was to rule alone in a great vnited Kingdome but he sees his resolutions frustrate for this vaste bodie compounded of many peeces is scarce vnited but it is disioyned againe yea in his life time and the rest is diuided into foure parts to his children according to the lawes of nature but to the visible preâ—udice of the Estate incompatible of so many maisters as the following â—â—â—course will shewe A lesson both for great and small and a notable president of the vaâ—ity of humane enterprises where the end is not alwaies answerable to the beginning They take great paines to settle a firme estate which shal be soone dismembred either by lawe or force and that shal be dispersed sodeinly which was gathered togither too hastily Let euery one consider what hee leaues to his Children 515 for the which there is no warrantable caution but a good title These foure sonnes diuide the realme into foure Kingdomes Childebert was King of Paris and vnder this realme was comprehended the Prouinces of Poictou Maine Touraine Champaigne Aniou Guyenne and Auuergne Clotaire King of Soissons and the dependances of this realme were Vermandois Picardie
shewed how farre the election of our Kings extend euen in this first race But to conceiue well the diuerse occurrents of this reigne wee must remember that Clotaire the 1. had 4. sons Cherebert king of Paris who is reckoned the 8. King of France and died without children Sigebert King of Metz slaine by Fredegonde and Gontran King of Orleans who suruiued all his brethren a good and a wise Prince and died without children Sigebert King of Metz left for heire Childebert his sonne with his wife Brâ—nehault a subtile and a wicked woman This ground being laid I will returne to the course of my historie Gontran Kâ—ng of Orleans vnckle by the father to this yong King was his nearest and most assured kinsman so as by a generall consent of all the French he was called to be Regent of the King and realme And now they talked of an assemblie Notable subtletie of a woman Fredegonde flying the light and libertie of publique assemblies â—earing not onely to be reiected from the gouernment but to be accused for the murther of her husband preuents the States from the calling of Gontran the first Prince of the bloud and the kings vnckle as they should haue done if leisure had suffered them to assemble and to speake in an vnited bodie with publike authoritie Thus shee gaines time beseeching the cheefe of the Councell to prouide for the Conuocation of the Estates and in the meane time to giue order that Gontran may come to Paris both to informe of the execrable murther and also to take vppon him the charge of her sonne and the gouernment of the common weale This discourse was far from her thoughts but shee supposed to make an euasion by this goodly shew And in the meane time shee practised to kill Gontran Shee did write vnto him in all humilitie holding him as a father to the King her sonne and the support of her widowhood Gontran foreseeing the pollicie of Fredegonde prouided so wisely that being arriued at Paris he was receiued by a generall consent Regent of the Realme He made no shew of discontent to Fredegonde who notwithstanding hauing a guiltie conscience packs vp her baggage being readie to flie vppon the least shew that Gontran would call her into question But it was not his meaning his onely proiect was to bring vp his yong nephew and to preserue him in his realme wherein hee was borne supposing this mild manner of proceeding to bee the best both for the King and the Realme Thus without any alteration he wisely dissembles all the actions of Fredegonde hee respects her as the Kings mother and imployes her in the education of her son And knowing how much the presence of the Prince workes in the subiects to haue him acknowleged for King He makes a progresse throughout the Realme leading with him this yong infant with the mother receiuing in all places the oth of fidelitie and obedience Being returned to Paris he giues him in gard to the mother and applyed himselfe wholy to the gouernment of the Realme As the affaires were managed with this good order two great difficulties crosse Gontran almost at one instant for Childebert King of of Metz iealous of his vnckles Authoritie requires to be associated in the Regencie the which he pretended to appertaine vnto him with the same right it did to Gontran and Fredegonde for the punishing of whome hee complayned much both of the foulenesse of the fact which should not remaine vnpunished and of Gontrans sufferance which was too palpable For the which Gontran prouided stopping Childeberts entrance into Paris and causing Fredegonde to retire herselfe quietly to Rouan by reason of the peoples hatred reuiued by Childeberts complaint And for that hee would not seeme to haue altogither neglected the punishing of Chilperics murther he caused information to be made against a Chamberlaine of the Kings called Cherulphe who being found guiltie he caused him to be slaine in the Temple whether hee was fled And so proceeded no farther in this search least Fredegonde should be found too farre ingaged Besides this crosse there happened a second for one named Gondeuault hauing termed himselfe a long time to bee the sonne of the great Clotaire An imaginarie King and kept in a Cloyster in the end he escaped and was openly maintained by Childebert who sought but a colour of trouble and innouation He is followed by a parte of the Nobilitie and Clergie and seizeth on many good Townes in Guienne And hauing written his letters to all the Prouinces hee carries himselfe for lawfull heire of the Realme with better right said hee then this yong child the sonne of a strumpet And by consequence a doubtfull heire to the Crowne That which was most to be feared in this newe accident 592 was the spirit and force of Childebert but Gontran preuented it with iudgement For seeing himselfe olde and without Children and knowing his Nephewes humour hee doth institute him his heir and by that meanes makes him to abandon Gondeuault So this supposed King left by Childebert was soone abandoned by all the rest and by them was deliuered into the hands of Gontran who presently put him to death And hauing assembled the Clergy of the realme hee caused the Bishoppes to bee condemned who had so rashely followed the frensie of this bold Impostor Gontran hauing with such dexterity preuented these daungerous difficulties and performed those good turnes to the King his Nephewe in his infancie he retires himselfe to Chaalons where soone after he died without Children leauing his estate to Childebert and the realme of his poore pupill who had scarse attayned the age of ten yeares to the mercy of the waues tempesâ—ts of all sorts of miseries incident vnto states Gontran was no sooner dead but the ambitious desire of Childebert A king in his cradle a Conquerour growne great by the new estates of Orleans and Bourgongne inflamed him against young Clotaire conceiuing an assured victory in his ouerweeâ—ing brayne imagining soone to suppresse a yong Childe and a woman ill beloued But the God of victories had otherwise disposed for Childebert hauing brought a mighty army to field and entred into the heart of France behold Fredegonde armed with more then a manly courage and wisdome encounters him with an other army beeing fortified more by her exhortations and the presence of the yong King whome shee shewed openly to the French then by the number of men of warre The battell was giuen and the imagined Conquerour was vanquished by a Childe and a woman beeing surprised with so happie a celeâ—itie by Fredegonde as he could hardly beleeue she had beene parted from Paris when as he sees his whole army defeated He lost in this conflict 20000. men his honour and his life for hauing recouered his Country with much ado hee died of melancholy leauing a memorable example to Princes neuer to attempt a warre to take from another without iust occasion He left two
This decree did greatly countenance the authoritie of Charles Martel being confirmed by such an assemblie and by so affectionate a consent but his vertues made him to be held as most worthie of so honorable a charge occasion made proofe of his vertuâ— and the successe was a foretelling that the Realme was appointed to his posteritie Soone after there fell out this notable occasion We haue made mention of Eudon the pretended Duke of Guienne Martel hauing vanquished him suffered him to enioy his liuing vnder the obedience oâ— the Crowne This accord pleased not Eudon who not able to bee reuenged of Martel practised such meanes as ambition and couetousnes did prescribe him The Sarazins a Turkish nation had passed out of Asia into Affrike and Spaine and had possessed those goodly and great Prouinces vnder the command of their King Abderame Eudon sollicits them to come into France and promiseth a free passage The Sarazins willingly imbrace the offer of so easie an entrie The Sarazins inuâ—de France with 400000 men and resolued to people France with a great Colonie of their nation They enter Guienne with an armie of foure hundred thousand fighting men A fearefull number at this day but plainely set downe by the common consent of all writers Charles Martel seing this great storme readie to fall vppon France resolues first to take away the cause of their comming and as Eudons discontent had drawne them in he labours to be reconciled vnto him He concludes a peace with Eudon taught by the horrible spoile of Guienne what it is to set such to worke In the end hee disposeth all things to stop the violence of so rauishing an enemie assembling all the forces he could to make a bodie able to incounter them but he armed himselfe cheefly with resolution and courage fit instruments in necessitie vnder the prouidence of the God of armes and victories The Sarazin was alreadie aduanced as far as Touraine within vew of Tours neere to the riuer of Loire where Martell resolued to attend him as well to ingage him in a Countrie far from retreat and to make Eudon and his men more resolute in whose Countrie it was to be tried as aâ—so to haue France readie in case of necessitie The Sarâ—zin musts â—â— the multitude of his men Abderame trusting in the multitude of his souldiars both of horse and foot resolues to compasse in the French and to this end had dispersed his battaillons euery one apart making shew of a great armie appointing his horse mingled with Camels and furnished with sundry newe kinds of armes to ioyne the battayllons one to another The order and countenance of this armie was fearefull to men neuer wonted to behold such an huge inundation of Sâ—angers Martel who fought more with courage and valour in a good cause Martel incoâ—rageth his 〈◊〉 then with numbers hauing assembled the bodie of his armie hee confirmes their resolutions before the combat wishing them to haue no hope but in God and in themselues shewing that they had their enemies before and the riuer of Loire behind that he had commanded them of Tours not to open the gates but to the Conqueror and had appointed troupes of horse vpon the wings of his armie to kill such as fled as enemies To conclude they had no other France but where they were in the which they must either conquer or die Eudon with his Guiennois made their armie apart not farre from Martel and with his consent The battailes being aranged and euery Commaunder hauing perswaded his men to do their best endeuours the Sarazin giues the charge supposing to compasse in the French easily as with a net but on al sides he finds meÌ„ couragious in their defence The incounter was great the combat furious In the heat of the conflict Eudon disbands violently chargeth the Sarazins campe being ful of women children baggage with a small gard forceth the defences enters it cuts in peeces kils all he encounters without difference of age or sexe 732. The Barbarien not accustomed to tâ—e readâ—nes of the French who encountred his sundrie Battaillons in grosse as they presented themselues turning after the manner of their discipline seing many of his men slâ—ine and for a second mischeefe hearing the cries and shrikings of women and children massacred in the campe began to bee amazed and to wauer Martel diâ—couering their countenance and that their battayllons grew thin cries out mainely to his â—ouldiars Courage my friends God hath set vp his banner hee fights for vs let vs charge these miscreants The souldiars incouraged at this voice and at the visible successe of their armes crie victory victory The Sarazin not knowing which way to turne him being charged on all sides breakes his battaillons abandons his rankes and casts away his armes All are dispersed the multitude oppresseth them Hereupon Martel and Eudon ioyne togither after the spoyle of the campe vppon this disorder they charge valiantly through these dismembred troupes as into a thicke haruest without any resistance all ouerflowes with bloud they are wearie with killing The remainder which fled is small the prisoners lesse all die by the sword or are beaten downe with battleaxes the victorious French inraged with the sight of these vanquished Barbarians seeking to dispossesse them their wiues and children of their habitations made them the subiects of their choller King Abderame is found dead in a heape of carcases A memorabâ—e dâ—â—eat of Abderame his death not wounded but smothered by the multitude that fled Histories assure there were slaine vpon the place three hundred seuentie fiue thousand men and of the French fifteene hundred amongst the which were many of the Nobilitie and men of account Thus God did ouerthrowe the greater number by the lesse and by his force the multitude was an incumber to the enemie But aboue all this deliuerance was remarkable for that God not onely freed France from the slauery of Infidels but also the rest of Europe the which this deluge had almost ouerflowne as it had done Asia and Affrike alreadie So thankes were giuen vnto God in all Christian Kingdoms and the name of Martel generally renowned as a cheefe instrument of the singular deliuerance of all Christendome After this defeat hee diuided the spoyles among the souldiars and the better to reward the Nobilitie he remitted them the tenthes and tithes for certaine yeares with the consent of the Clergie to whome he promised satâ—sfaction This memorable defeat was a seale of the new dignitie granted vnto Martel by the fauour of the French confirmed by his owne valour or rather by the bountie of God the essentiall cause of his happinesse This battaile was called the Battâ—il of Tours it happened in the yeare 730. but the end of this warre was the beginning of an other and almost from the same spring The battaile of Tours and by the same current We haue shewed Eudons deeds at the battaile
the authority her sonne had left her and the free accesse she had vnto his person made a way to the execution of her desseine for hauing corrupted such as had the chiefe forces at their command and wonne them with her sonnes treasure shee seized on him puts out his eyes sends him into Exile where soone after hee died for greefe and tooke possession of the Empire These vnnaturall and tragicke furies were practised in the East The tragicall death of Constantin whilest that Charlemagne by his great valour built an Empire in the West Irene in her sonnes life would haue married him with the eldest daughter of Charlemagne but this accident crossed that desseine After the death of Constantin she sent to Charlemagne to excuse herselfe of the murther disauowing it and laying the blame vpon such as had done it without her command And to winne the good liking of Charles shee caused him to be dealt withall touching marriage for at that time Festrude was dead with promise to consent that he should bee declared Emperour of the West and to resigne vnto him the power of the East But Charlemagne would not accept thereof the Nobility and people of the Greeke Empire did so hate her as hauing suffred her the space of three yeares in the end they resolued to dispossesse her In this publicke detestation of this woman the murtheresse of her owne Childe Nicephorus a great Nobleman of Grece assisted by the greatest in Court and with the consent of the people seizeth on the Empire in taking of Irene Irene banished diuision of the Empire whome he onely banished to giue her means to liue better then she had done He afterwards treates and compounds with Charlemagne that the Empire of the East contynuing vnder his command that of the West should remaine to Charlemagne By this transaction of Nicephorus and the consent of the Greekes the possession of the Empire was ratified and confirmed to Charlemagne and then beganne the diuision of the two Empires East and West That of the West beganne with Charlemagne and continued in his race whilest his vertues did protect it afterwards it was transported to the Princes of Germanie 8â—6 who likewise acknowledged the Germaine stemme of Charlemagne borne at Wormes crowned at Spire and interred at Aix all Citties of Germanie and the truth sheweth that as the Originall so the first commaund of the French was wholie in Germanie Hetherto we haue represented breefly as wee could considering the greatnes and richnes of the matter what Charles did whilest he was King of France onely now wee must relate with the like stile what hath hapened worthie of memorie vnder his Empire His deeds while he was Emperour CHARLES liued fifteene yeares after hee had vnited the Romaine Empiâ—e to the French Monarchy Grimoald Duke of Beneuent sought to disturbe Italie for the Lombard Warre in Italie but Charles preuented it in time by the meanes of Pepin his sonne a worthie and valiant Prince Grimoald was thus vanquished yet intreated with all mildnes so as being restored to his Estate he became afterwards an affectionate and obedâ—ent seruant to Charlemagne who was a wise Conqueror both in his happie valour and the wise vsing of his victorie About the same time the warre in Saxonie was renued In Saxony being alwaies prone to rebellion with the warre against the Huns Bohemians Sclauoniens and the second against the Sarrazins The which I haue breefly reported in their proper places here I note them onely to shew the course of things according to the order of times the goodly light of truth At Veniâ—e 〈…〉 the repuâ—â—e He had likewise a great and dangerous warre against the Venetians wherein he imployed his sonne Pepin Obeliers and Becur great personages were the cheefe Commaunders for the Venetians The Emperour and his Frenchmen receiued a great check by the Venetians who had this onely fruite of their victorie that among all the people of Italie subdued by Charlemagne they alone were not vanquished but had happily made head against great Charlemagne They did greatly increase their name and reputation but nothing inlarged their territories by this conquest glad to haue defenâ—ed themselues against so noble and valiant an enemie By reason of this Venetian war Charles stayed some time in Italie to assure his estate He would haue the Countrie conquered from the Lombards to be called Lombardie with a new name to moderate their seruile condition by the continuance of their name in the ruine of their Estate Seing himselfe old and broken his children great wise and obedient he resolued to giue them portions 〈…〉 to his childâ—â—n and to assigne to euery one his Estate To Pepin he gaue Italy to Charles Germanie and the neighbour Countries keping Lewis his eldest sonne neere about him whom he appointed for the Empire and Realme of France Hee sought to reduce all his Estates vnder one Law An order for 〈…〉 making choise of the Romaine both for the dignitie of the Empire and being more ciuill but the French loth to alter anything of their customarie lawes hee suffred them as they desired and those which had longer serued the Romaines and loued best the Romaine Lawes he gaue them libertie So as Gaule Narbonnoise which comprehends Daulphiné Languedoc Prouence do vse the written Law as the ancient Prouince of the Romaines and the rest of France obserue their customary Lawes Denmarke a dependance of the realme of Germanie and part of Charles his portion The Daâ—eâ—â—â—uolt as we haue said was reuolted from the obedience of the French Charles by his fathers commaund prepares to subdue them but God had otherwise decreed for herevpon he dies to the great greefe of his father and all the French who loued the louely qualities of this Prince the true heire of his fathers name and vertues Charlemagne mourned for his yongest sonne Câ—â—â—les looseâ—h twâ— oâ— his 〈…〉 when as sodainly newes came of the vntimely death of 〈◊〉 his second sonne King of Italie a Prince of admirable hope a true patterne of hâ—s â—athers greatnesse Thus man purposeth and God disposeth thus the sonnes die before the father thus the greatest cannot free themselues from the common calamity of mankinde Thus great Kings and great Kingdomes haue their periods 809. Charlemagne lost his children and the realme her best support for these two Princes carried with them the fathers valour leauing Lewis their brother with large territories and few vertues to gouerne so great an estate After the death of theâ—e two great Princes many enemies did rise against Charles seeming as it were depriued of his two armes the Sarazins in Spaine the Selauons and the Normans in the Northerne regions Rebellion against Chaâ—les but he vanquâ—shed them all and brought them to obedience old and broken as hee was Wee haue shewed how that Nâ—cephorus had beene made Emperour by the death of Irene It chanced that as hee fought against the Bulgartens
was greatly troubled with diuers factions among the which the Kings part was reckoned the greater but experience shewed it was the weakest for Eudes kept them in awe The King who had the greatest interest thought least thereon being ill aduised by them who sought to abuse his simple and tractable disposition and to aduance themselues by his ruine Hee solicits Eudes in such sort as in the end he strips himselfe of all authoritie and resignes it into the Kings hands who knowes neither how to manage it nor how to auoyd his owne misfortune the which Eudes preuented whilest he liued It was not long before his death that he resigned al his authoritie of Regent vnto Charles as to the lawfull heire the which hee could not long keepe when hee was in possession thereof according to his soueraigne desire CHARLES the 3. called the simple 31. King CHARLES .3 KING OF FRANCE XXXI HEE was Crowned in the yeare 902. Eudes gouerning with him eight yeares from his coronation 902. Charles remayning alone after the death of his Regent in the yeare 902. raigned 27. yeares His raigne was miserable both in the beginning midest and ending He ratified the accord made with the Normans by Charles the Grosse and sealed it with the marriage of his sister Gilette with Rhou or Raoul hee is also called Rhoulon their chiefe Commander who hauing left the Pagan superstition and imbraced Christian religion purchased a great reputation in that Country whereof he was first called Duke But the Normans sute ceasing a more violent fire is kindled by confusion All breaks forth A league made against the King discouers it selfe and takes armes without shame or respect A memorable league of Robert against King Charles the 3. but being the breeding of the change of this second race We must obserue it very distinctly and seeke out the motiues thereof The League of Robert brother to Eudes 906 against king Charles the simple the first steppe to the change of this second Race The which laie smothered 53. yeares before it was fully discouered vnder Hugh Capet from the yeare 923. to 976. ROBERT Duke of Aniou that is to say gouernour by the death of his brother Eudes becomes the head of this League accompanied with many great men of France The motiue of this league The euent shewes that their intent was to reiect Charles the simple as vnworthy to raigne and to choose a newe King I doubt not but Robert affected the Crowne for himselfe but that is very likely that hee couered this his desseine with some goodly pretext The writers of that obscure age haue concealed the motiues but as by the effects we knowe the cause so by the euent of this League when it was strongest we may iudge of the intent They aduanced a Prince of the bloud for king causing Charles to quit the Crowne Charles 〈◊〉 from the Crowne disgracing him with the name of simple or foolish and delaring him incapable of so great a charge Who seeth not then the reason that during the minority of Charles the simple the diuersity of masters had bred infinit confusions in the state and that since his coronation things were nothing repaired although Eudes had resigned him the Regency They pretend it was necessary to furnish the realme with a more worthy Prince to giue an end to these miseries But that which cheefely mooued the vndertakers was their priuate interest the which they cloaked with the common-weale The humors of this insufficient King offended many too milde to some too seuere to others and ingratefull to such as had best serued him The commentary which hath beene added to the text of the Originall is not likely that Robert as brother to Eudes pretended the Crowne as heire vnto his brother beeing lawfully chosen by the States But wherevnto tends all this Eudes had leâ—t no suspition to pretend any interest vnto the Crowne hauing beene Regent after others and enioying it but by suffrance resigning it willingly or by constraint vnto the lawefull heire Truely the French mens carefull keeping of their Queenes wombe their acknowledging the childe borne after the fathers death for King their choosing of Regents their placing and displacing of one and the same Regent do plainely shewe both the efficacy of the Lawe and the resolute possession of the French the which they yeelded not easily to a man with so weake a title What then I should rather thinke that the peoples complaint tired with so long calamities Robert the head of the league and in â—â—mes was their colour to furnish the realme with a more wise and profitable guide and that they sought a Prince as in the ende they tooke Raoul King of Bourgongne the first Prince of the bloud of which League Robert was the ringleader as the first in dignity and most valiant in courage or the most rash in so dangerous an enterprise The memory of his brothers wise and peaceable gouernment and his owne valour opposite to the foolish and base disposition of Charles blemished with this name of simple for his folly and contemptible humors gaue a great Lustre to this enprise with those great intelligences he had within the realme and namely with the Normans his confident friends With this assurance hee armes boldly against Charles promising himselfe an vndoubted doubted victorie by the valour of his men and the basenes of his enemie Charles the simple awakes at this strange reuolt and distrusting his owne subiects who 〈◊〉 sees risen in armes to dispossesse him of his estate he flies to Henry the 3. Emperour and prepares al hee can to calme so great a storme As their armies approach Robert to haue some title to make a warre causeth himselfe to bee crowned King at Rheims Râ—bâ—rt câ—useth himselfe to be crowned King by Herué the Archbishop who died three dayes after this vnlawful Coronation The opinions are diuers but for my part I doe not hold that Robert caused himselfe to bee crowned with a better title then his brother Eudes who was neither crowned nor raigned as King but as Regent But all the French complayned that they needed a better King then Charles the simple who would loose the Crowne if it were not foreseene The erroâ—s of King Charles He had alreadie ratified the follie of Charles the grosse in continuing the vsurpation of Neustria to the Normans who with the Kings consent were seized thereon with the title of lawfull possession and moreouer they were much incensed that hee had put himselfe into the protection of the Emperour Henry to giue him a cause to inuest himselfe King of France as of late dayes the Germains had infranchised themselues from the French Monarchie by the diuision of brethren which had raigned and the minoritie of Charles who then commaunded This iealousie inflamed the hearts both of the one and the other and serued Robert for a shew meaning to fish in a troubled water Now they are in armes
of the Realme being very carefull to entertaine their loues Richard Duke of Normandie was one of his most confident friends whom hee had gratified mainteining him in the possession of his estate Hee receiued requitall of this good turne with interest in the person of Hugh his sonne to seate him in the royall throne as our History shall declare But all these aduantages were not onely crowned with a goodly and great offspring but also with a sonne endowed with singular graces both of body and minde Hee had sixe Sonnes and two Daughters The offspring of Hugues the great but his eldest was the chieâ—e heire of his name vertue authority credit and happinesse with such successe as he made perfect the worke his father had begun Hee was named Hugues and by surname Capet eyther for that he had a great head He was called Capitosus or that being young hee was accustomed to catch at his companions cappes as a presage of that hee should do to Kings Othâ— and Henry two other sonnes of Hugues were Dukes of Bourgongne one after another his other sonnes were aduanced to Ecclesiasticall dignities the one Archbishop of Tholouse the other of Rouan and the third dyed young One of his Daughters was married to the Duke of Normandie the other to Frederike Earle of Metz. Hee had taken his first wife from England the Daughter of King Edward and sister to Queene Ogina the wife of Charles the Simple mother to Lewis the fourth and although he had no children by her yet did he carefully preserue the friendship of this allyance and before his death he chose a wife out of this great house for Hugh Capet his eldest sonne the which was Adelais the daughter of King Edward Thus he fortified his greatnesse by all meanes the which raised his posterity to the royall throne purchasing credit both within and without the Realme by all meanes fitte to establish a great family These were the ordinary proceedings which humaine pollicie being the gift of God and a branch of his wisdome in those that he will blesse leauing the wretched plonged in their wretchednesse by their owne indiscretion doth vsually prescribe to wise and carefull men But Hugues the great had another benefit which surmounted all these his great meanes or the force of his friendships and alliances hauing a sonne capable of iudgement for great attempts fit for the time brought vp and instructed by himselfe To conclude all things were so disposed in France as they must necessarily receiue him for King Necessity the generall consent both of great and small and a meanes to preserue the Crowne from ruine the which hee alone could effect But if the French were forward in seeking to him Hugues was so much the more incouraged to imbrace so great and famous a dignity And in the execution of this generous desseigne hee carried himselfe with so great wisdome moderation and dexteritye as wee may well say that God called him as it were from heauen There remayned nothing but an orderly proceding to that which reason presented vnto them Hugues beganne with the greatest who had a speciall interest to preserue what they held Hugh Capets proceeding to attaine the Crowne He treated mildly with them for the coÌ„mon necessitie The condition was To leaue them all that by inheritance which they held of the Crowne by title of office and they to do homage and acknowledge him for their lawfull King Thus was the accord made betwixt the Nobilitie of France Hugh Capet profitable for the great meÌ„ necessarie for the people honorable for Hugues beneficial for the realme for by this meane the realme was maintained in one bodie vnder the authoritie of one absolute Commaunder Hugues was well furnished hauing a sonne capable of the realme which was hereditarie The better sort had what they could desire for them or theirs A Parlement called at Noyon â—or the election of Hugh Capet and the people remayned in quiet after so many miseries Things being thus disposed on all sides the Parliament assembles at Noyon whither they runne from all parts and both necessitie and desire to winne his fauour to whome reason should assigne the Realme brought all the citties and made such hast thither as sought to settle their priuat estates by this publike authoritie Hugh failes not likewise to call all his friendes to reape the frute so long sought for with so great paine and trauaile both by himselfe and his father and now to imploy them as in a day of battaile The assembly was great by the concurse of all the Prouinces and Citties of the Realme which repaired thither It was the more famous for that in shew the French offâ—red the Realme to Capet as if hee had not affected it As things passe in this sort Charles Duke of Lorraine well aduertised of the Frenchmens intent the desseignes of Hugh labours to preuent him and being resolued to imploy all his forces hee begins first by admonitions but so ill seasoned as it made the way more easie for Capet for hee sends his Ambassadors to the assembly of the States not to intreat them to receiue him into their fauours Charles sends his Ambassadors to the Estates and and so to the Crowne according to his hereditarie right but to summon them That if they did not speedily obey hee would reduce them to obedience by force The French alreadie incensed against Charles and hauing placed their hopes in Hugh being present and soliciting for himselfe assisted with his best friends fell into so great a rage against Charles by his rough and importune speeches as hardly could the law of nations restraine them from doing some outrage vnto his Ambassadors for their indiscretion Then the Estates inact by a sollemne decree That for as much as Charles had shewed himselfe a friend to the enemies of France I reiâ—cted from the Crowne and a sworne enemie to the French so likewise did the French renounce his friendship declaring him incapable of the benefit of the Law both for that hee gaue the first cause as also not being bound to acknowledge him for King that is an enemie to the State their oth binding them to a King which is a father iust wise mild and temperate And therefore Betweene God and their consciences without any alteration of the fundamentall law they renounce him and declare that their intention is to choose a King which should prouide for the quiet of France They deliuer this declaration to Charles his Ambassadors commanding them to auoid the Realme presently Thus Charles his reiection was the raysing of Hugh Capet for presently the generall estates assembled in one bodie and representing all the Prouinces of the Realme declare by an autentike and sollemne decree That being necessarie to choose a King for the preseruation of the Crowne of France destitute as well by the death of Lewis the fift as by the apparent treacherie of Charles Duke of Lorraine That in
nineteene moneths a prisoner This young Prince inuironed with all these difficulties had yet one which exceeded the rest The King of Nâ—â—aâ—â—e set at liberty comes to Paâ—â—â— The Bishop of Laon the chiefe of his councel betraied him bâ—ing a priuate and passionate partaker of the Nauarrois Charles King of Nauarre is deliuered meaning to come to Paris and therefore he demands a safeâ—conduct from the Daulphin who grants it will he or no that is he puts a sword into the hands of his most malicious and â—urious enemie and lodgeth him in his owne house These were bitter pilles but he must digest them euen the Daulphin and all good men that did assist him But many of them lothe to allow of these confusions by their free conâ—ents retire themselues to their houses The Nauarrois hauing his pasport from the Daulphin not onely as a gage of the publike faithfulnesse but as a sentence against king Iohn being prisoner goes to Paris with a stateâ—â—â— traine where they all prepare for his entertainment The Bishop of Laon and the Prouost of Marchants with a great troupe of his Partisans meet him who went to lodge in the Abby of S. Germaine He lets the people vnderstand that he desires to speake publikly vnto them A scaffold is built the people throng in great troupes bringing both hearts and eares The Nauarrois a subtill and an eloquent man represents vnto them the wrong of his imprisonment and his interest to the Crowne he desires iustice might be done him according to his deâ—â—â—t and qualitie but aboue all he spares not to touch that string which should aduance him to the royaltie The people applaud him and giue charge to the Pâ—ouost of Marchants to make the Daulphin acquainted therewith The Bishop of Laon a traâ—tor to his maiestie the which he perfoâ—mes with a brauado The Bishop of Laon a treacheâ—ous seruant to his Maisteâ— answeâ—s for him being silent in this necessitie That the Daulphin should shew grace and fauour to the King of Nauarre as one good brother ought to another He makes the Daulphin so humble as he preuents the Nauarrois who kept his lodging but to preach to this seditious multitude and doth vâ—sit him first whom he doth scaâ—se meete at the doore with a colde welcome He requires audience of his demands They are read in councell which consisted for the most part of men corrupted Wheâ—e it was decreed That all which the King of Nauarre and his complices had done against the King and his realme should be forgotten as neuer done The 〈◊〉 yeelds to the 〈◊〉 his goods seized and in the Kings hands should be restored both to him and his with their honours which had beene beheaded by the commandement of King â—hon their bones should be gathered together and honourablie interred all acts of condemnation dâ—sâ—nulled and an actâ— of their iustiâ—â—cation autentically drawne to free them and theirs hereafter from all 〈◊〉 The demand of the King of Nauarres pretended title was remitted to another time But the Nauarrois brings in the king of England of whom the Daulphin demaÌ„ded a truâ—e the which he grants vpon condition New causes of warre That he might succour the King of Nauar Iohn of Montfort duke of Brittaine in their pretensions Thus the seeds of warre were sowen during the confused calamitie of this poore realme by the meanes of Charles of Nauarre At the same instant Edward makes rigorous demands of his prisoner Iohn on whom for all his good couÌ„tenance he meant to make a benefit by his captiuity He required homage of him for the realme of France as holding it of the realme of England and vpon this condition he would set him at libertie K. Iohn being of a couragious spirit though a prisoneâ— in his person answers him freely That he must not speake to him of that which he neither ought nor would do to alienate a right inalienable That he was resolued at what price soeuer The generous answer of King Iohn to Edwards demands to leaue it to his children as hee had receiued it from his Ancestors That affliction might well ingage his person but not the inuiolable right of the Crowne where he had the honour to be borne ouer the 〈…〉 prison nor death had any power especially in him who should alwaies hold his life well imployed sacrifiâ—ing it for the immortall preseruation of France This generous magnanimitie of King Iohn gaue as great occasion to pittie his calamity as the strange conditions of the English being victor ministred matter of griefe and 〈◊〉 to all true hearted Frenchmen but all this could neitheâ— temper the malice of the Nauarrois not the furious impudencie of this inchanted people Hâ—â—evpâ—n the Daulphin intreats the Parisiens to take pittie of his poore father who not able to auâ—id the ineuitable crosses of fortune common to all degrees The Parâ—sienâ— in 〈◊〉 to their King could well shewe 〈◊〉 in greatest afflictions But these brutish mindes will not be mooued by any 〈…〉 reasons so as after this poore Prince had vsed all the submissions necessity could 〈◊〉 to win the people in the end after the losse of his paines he sought to the other Citâ—â—◠〈◊〉 France Hauing left Lewis Duke of Aniou his brother at Paris to supply his place 〈◊〉 maintaine some shewe of authority The Daulphin â—olieâ—s the other Citties for the Kings liberty the effect wherof crept hourely into the Nauarrois power he went from Cittie to Cittie crauing aide of the French for the deliuerie of his father and the restoring of his Estate The hâ—story doth much honor the Prouince of Languedoc to haue made greate showes of 〈◊〉 to their King being prisoner for it obserues That the three Estatâ— of the Country assembled in one body at Tholouse vnder the authority of the Earle of Armagnac their gouernor did freely grant a great aide to the King for the performance whereof The loue and duty of them of Languedoâ— to their Kingâ— and of Champagne they would not only imploy their reuenewes but their most precious mouables yea their wiues iewells And to testifie their generall heauines they abandoned all sumptuous apparell and bankets especially all dances maskes plaies and other pleasures during the captiuity of their King Champagne followed this commendable example But examples did no more mooue the Parisâ—â—ns hearts then reason had done who answere the Daulphin â—oughly when hee intreats them most humbly that hee should call an other Parliament where they would aduise what was to be done Their intent was to take all authority from the Daulphin and to vâ—uâ—pe it themselues to dispose of the tresor of honors and dignities of peace and war and of the life and death of the Kings subiects at their pleasures Horrible â—â—solenciâ—s of the Parisiens against their Prince To this end they made this young Prince coÌ„temptible odious assembling together both without his priuity against his will in
who was yet liuing The Inhabitants of Gand a mutinous people by nature who neuer want matter to mutine Troubles in Flanders pacified by Pâ—ilip had then a great discontent both against their Earle in generall by reason of some new impositions and against them of Bruges in particular iealous to see them in so great fauour with their Prince by reason of a Chanell which they had drawne from the riuer of Lis for the commodity of their country which Riuer crossing the riuer of Gand the Gantois supposed it was all theirs in proper so as none might vse it without their liking This iealousie grew so great that this great citty as big with their wayward and contenâ—ious humors as it was populous and rich being thus moued resolues to make shewe thereof and in this fury they make a League and choose a head bearing a marke or token of their faction and from words they go to blowes One called Leon a bold practiser of popular seditions was found fit to be the Ringleader of this tumult their marke was a white cap for all the troupe These Gaâ—tois gather together they hinder the worke of this chanell and the gathering of the custome beeing the cause of this quarrell they kill Collecters and receiuers and in the ende the gouernour of the cittie called Roger who being there for the Earle laboured to teach them their duties Their fury exceeded so farre as they spoyle the Earles Pallace fire it and in their rage pull it downe to the ground They run in great troupes to other townes to draw them to their league They beseege 〈◊〉 held by the Earles men crying in al places Liberty as hauing a meaning to change their Lord and then to seize vpon Flanders This cruell disorder amazed the Earle when as behold Philip Duke of Bourgogne his sonne in law flies vnto him to quench this fire and as men admire rather the Sunne rysing then sitting and that the name of the house of France and the greatnesse of his goodly portion gaue him great authority so it chanced that he pacified this rebellion to the content both of the Earle and cittyes taking a happy possession of this great inheritance by a famous and profitable occasion But Flanders alone was not subiect to these madde mutinies for those of Montpellier newly reduced to the obedience of our King Sedition at Montpelâ—ier grew into so great a fury as they slew Iames Pontel a Knight of the order and Chancellor to Iohn Duke of Berry Gouernour of the Country Guy of Scery Senâ—shal of Rouergue Arnauld of Montelaur Gouernour of the said citty and other officers of the Kings and Dukes to the number of fower score and cast their bodies into a well As the outrage was odious so the punishment was memorable The Duke of Berry comes with forces assisted by the whole Prouince detesting so â—oule an insolency so as the Inhabitants calling to minde their audacious phrensie resolue to submit themselues to punishment and not to stand desperately against force The Consuls of the Cittie hauing halters about their necks and torne cloaths The Duke of Berry comes to Montpellier to punish the seditions the keys of the citty in one hand and a red cap the marke of their office in the other met with the Duke their gouernour being followed by the Clergy carrying a crosse all crying for mercy and weeping with a lamentable noyse In this mournefull sort the Duke enters the citty gates being without any gard he finds the streets full of poore and desolate people vpon their knees men and women olde and yong crying for mercy and redoubling their pittiful cries as witnesses of their repentance Then the Duke commands they should presently bring all their armes into one place nere vnto his lodging placing a gard at the gates and vppon the walles The next day he caused a scaffold to be made in the market place where hauing sharply rebuked the people for their rebellion he pronounced a sentence in the Kings name whereby he declares That all their priuileges were taken from them their Consulship Towne house The sentence pronounced against them of Montpellier common Arches vniuersity their Bells Saltpannes and all Iurisdictions of the cittye eyther of soueraigne courts or of the commonalty six hundred Inhabitants to be chosen at aduenture condemned to die that is two hundred to loose their heads two hundred to be hanged two hundred burnt their children declared infamous and slaues for euer their goods confiscate The commonalty should pay six score thousand franks of gold and the charges of the Dukes voyage and his armies The Consuls with certaine Councellers that were named should drawe the bodies of such as had beene massacred out of the well and bury them A Chappell should be built for their obsequies With the same Bell which did sound the alarum The gates and citty walles should be beaten downe and their armes burnt publikely This was their doome but it was moderated at the intercession of Pope Clement The sentence moderated then resident in Auignon by the meanes of Cardinall de la Lune The same was qualified the priuileges restored the gates and walles preserued but the Aurhors of this sedition were put to death that the rest of the Inhabitants might liue in safety A notable president for subiects to suppresse their fury euen when they thinke to haue a iust cause of complaint feeling themselues surcharged or otherwise grieued considering the errours are sooner committed then repaired And for commanders that it is a dangerous resolution to let loose the raines to a mad multitude which augments the mischiefe supposing to cure it Queene Ioane wife to our wise Charles daughter to Peter of Bourbon dies about this time Queene Ioane dies to the great griefe of her husband to whom she left two sonnes Charles Lewis both very yong for Charles was borne the 3. of December 1371. and was carried to the Font by Charles of Montmorency and baptised by Dourmans Bishop of Beauuois and Chancellour of France Lewis was Duke of Orleans She leâ—t him also one daughter Isabell marryed afterwards to Richard King of England Necessary obseruations for the course of our history Her children This good Prince after his wiues death was nothing healthfull so as broken with poyson the which had much weakened him with the tedious toiles of his youth more then with age he decayed dayly and he himselfe perceiued it so as feeling the ende of his life to approach remembring what troubles he had past during the mournefull imprisonment of his Father by the contempt vsed of his yong age least the like should happen to his sonne Charles vnder colour of his minority gouerned by tutors he decreed in a general assemblie of the States by a lawe and an irreuocable Edict That after the decease of the king of France his eldest sonne should succeed him presently and at the age of 14. yeares should be
wisely weighing the vanity of popular tumults resolues to husband this occasion and to make his peace with the King and the housâ— of Orleans hauing so great an aduantage ouer them to ratifie the abolition which he had obtained against at all euents He then sends his Ambassadors to King Charles to Tours William Duke of Bauiere the Lords of Saint George Croy Viefuille Dolehaing to treat a peace with him and the children of Orleans making great shewes of humiliâ—y and loue This new course mooued the King and Princes the which they expected not from the Duke of Bourgongne Valantine Duchesse of Oâ—leans dies for griefe being so late a Conqueror so as they easely yeeld to an agreement vpon conditions but stil to the preiudice of the poore widowe and afflicted orphans In this confusion Valentine Duchesse of Orleans seeing her paines lost in the pursuite of so iust a cause dies for thought within fewe dayes after leauing great trouble and fewe friends to her Children and great ioy to the Bourguignon seeing his cause wonne by the death of this couragious woman who onely might oppose her selfe The King comes to Chartres to solemnize this peace hee sends for Charles Duke of Orlâ—ans and his bretheren and for Iohn Duke of Bourgongne and al appeere at a prefixed day A counterfeit peace betwixt Ioâ—n and the Duke of Oâ—leans children A scaffold is made where the King sitts in his seate of Iustice enuironed with the Princes of his bloud in great state Iohn Duke of Bourgongne approching neere the King kneeles downe with Dolâ—haing his aduocate who speaketh thus Licge Lord behold the Duke of Bourgongne your seruant and Cousin is come vnto you for that he vnderstands you are much offended with him for the deed done and committed on the person of my Lord the Duke of Orleans your brother for the good of the realme and of your person as he is redie to let you vnderstand when soeuer it shall please you therefore my Lord he doth humbly beseech you that it would please you to forget the wrath and indignation you haue conceyued against him and receiue him into fauour After these wordes the King commanded the Duke to retyre himselfe which done the Queene the Daulphin the Kings of Sicile and Nauarre the Duke of Berry fall on their knees before the King the Queene sayed Dread Lord we beseech you to grant the request of your Cousin the Duke of Bourgongne The King answered Wee will and do grant it for your sakes The Duke of Bourgongne being callâ—d againe kneeles before the King who saies vnto him Faire Cousin we grant your request and pardon you all The Duke hauing thanked the King riseth Behind the Kings chaire stood Charles of Orlâ—â—ns with his Brethren weeping bitterly The Duke of Bourgongne goes vnto them accompanied with his Aduocate and hauing saluted them with a very humble counteâ—ance the Aduocate spake thus vnto them My Lords the Duke of Bourgongne â—ere presâ—nt intreats you to put out of your remâ—Ì„brance that hatred which you may haue against him for the outrage committed on the person of my Lord of Orleans your father The Dukes of Orâ—â—â—ns aâ—d 〈◊〉 reconciâ—ed and that here after you will remaine good Kinsmen and louing friends The Duke added And hereof I pray you But they answered nothing Then the King said vnto them My fayre Cousins I will hâ—ue it so And they answered Liâ—ge Lord seing it pleaseth you to command vs we yeeld thereto for we will not disobey your commandements in any thing The Duke accepted it thanking the king and his Cousins of Orleans Then the Cardinall of Bâ—rr brought â—he holy testament whereon boâ—h parties did sweare a peace neuer to remember what was past and â—o hold a pâ—rpâ—tuall League of friendship And the King saied We will that heareafter you liue likegood Kinsmen and friends together and we straightly charge you not to wrong one another nor any other person that hath fauored you neither shew any malice or hatred vnto them as you tender our displeasure excâ—pt such as committed the said murther whom we banish our â—ealme for euer Theâ—e are the very words faithfully out of the Originall of that age This happened the 9. of March .1409 Then followed nothing but marriages the Duke of Bourgongne married his two brethren Philippe Earle of Neuers with the heire of Coussy and Anthonie Duke of Brabant with the heire of Luxembourg He is greatly in credit both with the King and Queene his â—â—ayne semed greater then his masters The bounty of his Kitchin drawes men from all parts but he had not made his peace with God neither in his heart with thâ—â—e poore orphelins destitute both of friends and means at whose coste this peace was made the which was but counterfait and continued not long Iohn Duke of Bourgongne gouerning all in the Kings name and the Daulphines The faction of Orleans opposeth The ciuill watres reuiue ended with a peace and the newe authority of this Daulphin who dispossesâ—eth the Bourguignon and restores them of Orleans From the yeare 1409. to the yeare 1413. AFter this accord the Court takes a newe forme Queene Isabell thinkes no more of her poore Nephewes of Orleans shee is wholy the Duke of Bourgongnes The Duke of Berry followes the same traine For proofe of a cordial friendship Iohn gouerâ—â—â— the court The Daulphin marrieth the the duke of Bouringongneâ— daughter the Queene doth openly fauour the marriage so long promised of Lewis the Daulphin her eldest sonne with Katherine daughter to the Duke of Bourgongne which marriage was solemnised Nowe Iohn of Bourgongne is father-in-law to the Daulphin it is he which gouerns both his heart and house Moreouer Charles King of Nauarre Lewis duke of Bauierre the dukes of Lorraine Brittaine Bar Alenson Cleues Vaudemont and after their example the greatest Noblemen in Court are all on his side There is nothing but feasting in his house all ioy whilest the Orphans of Orleans weepe Paris honours him as their protector and trusts none but him and Iohn doth affect â—othing more carefully with the King and Daulphin then the loue of the people Hee doth all he can to please them The chiefe subiect of his discourse is to reforme the State to seeme thereby more affectionate to the common weale In a solemne feast where al the court was present he gaue to his friends in stead of a banket plomets of gold and siluer shewing by this figure that his desire was to rule the State â—ell and to shewe the effect of his words he procured this notable occasion All men cried out of the Treasorers as horseleeches of the common treasure the chiefe causes of bad husbandry whereby the King and people were so much impouerished We haue made mention before of one of the Kings chiefe mignons called Montagâ— who had too soone fled the storme beeing returned he growes in greater credit with the King then before who
hee met Lewis Bourdâ—a Knight going to Bois-de-Vincennâ—s who coÌ„ming neâ—re to thâ— King bowed himselfe on horse-backe and so passed on lightly without any other reuerence The King sends presently his Prouost of Paris after him commanding him to apprehend him and to keepe him safely The Prouost executing his charge tooke the sâ—ied Knight and brought him to Chastâ—leâ— where by the Kings command he was cruelly tortured and dâ—owned in the riuer of Seine and some fewe dayes after by the commandement of the King the Daulphin and such as then gouerned at Paris â—he Queene accompanied with her Sister in Lawe the Duchesse of Bauiere was sent to Blois and so to Tours to remaine there in meane estaâ—e William Torel The Queenâ— sent with a gard â—o 〈◊〉 Iohn Picard and Laurence Dupuis were appointed for her gard without whose consent shee durst not attempt any thing no not to write a letter These bee the wordes of the Originall Thâ—s her imprisonment was aggrauated by a newe rigour All the treasure which she had in Churches or priuate houses within Paris was seized on by the Constable of Armâ—gnac a free executioner of these proceediâ—gs This shewes a notable dislike betwixt the husband and the wife and the mother and sonne but the cause is not specified If it be lawfull to serch into this secret shall we say that Queene Isabel mother to our Daulphin louing the one better then the other as the variety of the mothers affection to her children is too common had strained all her credit to countenâ—nce Iohn after the death of Lewis being thus ingaged with the Bourguignon whome she dâ—d hate deadly by reason of the imprisonment of her brother Lewis of Bauiere but as she had fiâ—st loued and after hated him might she not in like sort receiue him againe into fauour as the diuersitie of her passions did moue her by newe occasions to loue or hate the same man The Emperour Sigâ—smonds proceeding made it very suspitious beeing the greatest instrument of the allyance betwixt Iohn and the Bourguignon And to what ende did the â—ourguignon go to him into Sauoie after all this It is likewise to be considered that the sodaine death of Iohn encreased this womans furie against her sonne Charles holding it for certaine that by the Constables councell hee had caused him to bee poysoned Ambition and choller are furious beasts not to be restrayned by respect especially in a woman in whome hatred and reuenge make deepe impressions Iealousie might likewise be a violent councellor vnto Charles As if Charles animated by the Constable of Armâ—gnac fearing least his mother had some great practise with the Bourguignon and his associats had incensed the King against her hauing mooued him with some other pretext But in effect it was wholy to restraine this womans power depriuing her both of libertie and treasure But the euent will shewe that she was not alwaies busied at her distaffe or in her deuotion The search of the motiues is necessarie in a History especially in famous actions but the doubtfull coniectures are free to euery mans iudgement This is all the certaintie of this actâ—on The â—ourguignon beeing called by Isabel leaues the siege of Corbeil lodgeth his footemen in the Townes of Beausse â—hat were most fauorable vnto him and with his horse which were aboue ten thousand hee goes into Touraine The Bourguignon ioynes with the Queenâ— when as behold the Queene beeing one morning at her deuotion in the Abbie of Marmoustier according to her custome hee arriues with his horsemen at an hower appointed He meetes the Queene receiues her and enters the Cittie with her without any difficultie hauing first cunningly seized vpon the gats Being entred he proclaimes an exemption of charges in the Queenes name and being accompanied by the people hee pâ—esents himselfe before the Castel which opens vnto the Queene being exceeding glad to see her selfe at liberty and to command freely 1418. She referres her seâ—fe wholly vnto the Bourguignons will who likewise seekes to vse her name to make his desseines more plausible Hâ—uing therefore assured Tours they march to Chartres a more conuenient Towne for their affaires lying so neere vnto Paris Being there hauing assembled all the clergie Nobility three estâ—tes and such Citties as they could of theâ—r faction she causeth Philip of Morueliers to make knowne vnto them That by reâ—son of the ill gouernement of the Realme through the great weakenesse of the king her huâ—band and according to the degree whereunto God had raised her The Queene declares her selfe Regent of Fâ—ance being Queene of France shee desired infinitely to reforme it And the rather for that Charles her sonne corrupted by thâ— ill coâ—ncell of the enemies of the state shewed her not the dutie of a child to her great griâ—fe Soâ—s to prouide good and wholesome remedies for the preseruation of the state and for the seâ—â—â—e of the king her husband by the good aduice of her cousin the Duke of Bourgoâ—gne a Prince of the bloud she declares her selfe Regent of France The which was pleasing vnto them 〈◊〉 with this title Isabell â—y the grace of God Queene of France hauing by reason of the king my Lords infirmity the gouernement and administration of the Realme by an irreuâ—câ—bâ—e graunt made vnto vs by our said Lord and his councell And for confirmation of this neâ— authority she caused a seale to bee made whereon was grauen her image standing right vp with her armes hanging downe to the earth as one wâ—thout comfort and requiring helpe on the one side were the armes of France and on the other that of France and Bauiere quartered with these words This is the seale of Causes Soueraignties and Appellations for the King There were two Soueraigne Courts of Iustice erected one at Amiens and the otâ—er at Troye in Châ—mpaigne New Courts erected new officers made with expresse charge not to go to Paris The office of Constable was giuen to the Duke of Lorraine by the depriuatâ—on of the Earle of Armagnâ—â— and the Chancellourship of France to Eustache of Basâ—re by the giuing ouer of Henry of Marle As these things begâ—n to kindle a new fire of miseries there were certaine Bishops which laboured to reconcile the Queene and Daulphin The Bourguignon accepts of the motion but the Constable of Armagnâ—c breakes off the treaty An article which shall make him more odious with the people The Bourguignon hauing retyred hiâ— armye and put his men into garrison goes into Sauoy where at that time the Emperour Sigâ—smond was who erected the Earledome of Sauoy into a Duchye and there did confeâ—â—e with him at Mommellain This was not without some great desseine In his absence Philip of Bourgongne his sonne held a Parliament to resolue vppon the meâ—nes to make warre with more aduantage Thus the Bourguignon wrought â—or his part The Daulphin seeing the fields freed and without any enemie thinkes good that the
pleasing to the Duke as the peace of Conflâ—ns So the King returnes into Touraine Charles out of France iâ—to GuieÌ„ne the Duke of Burgongne into Hainault where he assembles his Estats and shewes the losse he had receiued for that his men at armes were not so soone ready as the Kings and giues order to be no more surprised vnawares Thus the Estate is pacâ—fied but the Duke of Guienne was no sooner returned home The Duke of â—uiene seeke to marry with the heire of Bourgongne but there springs vp new seeds of diuision He receiues the Earle of Armaignac into fauour and restores him to full possession of the Lands which the King had conficate Lewis moued with this reconciliatsion sends forces and takes the lands into his owne hand disappoints the Earle whome he knew to be a stirring and a factious man and euen then he resolued to diâ—possesse his brother of the Duchie of Guienne as he had doone of that of Normandie The Duke foreseing this storme sends often to the Bourguignon and vnder colour to seeke his daughter labours to bind him more fiâ—nely vnto him by that alliance The Bourguignon hauing his heart puste vp with as great conceiâ—s as his person was susceptible of trauell but exceding the capaciâ—ie of his sence he fed him with hope yet had he no such meaning but preserued her as a most pretious iewel to be courted by many and to serue him at need according to diuers occurrents both of their persons and meanes Neither would he haue so great a Sonne in Lawe as the only Brother of a King of France whome he might not rule at his pleasure neither could he digest the words proceedings of the Duke of Brittaine the Constable The Constable would haue the Duke of Guienne beholding vnto him for this marriage the Britton repined he should haue the honor The King comes to crosse it and with â—eason for this alliance had wonderfully fortified his brother who being ioyned with the Duke of Brittaine had gâ—eatly crossed the Kings estate and his childrens Moreouer the King of England did much disswade the effecting thereof said he to the Duke of Bourgongne if the King of France comes to die without children his brother succeeds to the Crowne and this marriage vniting vnto it so many prouinces and Seigneuries the estate of England were neere her ruine But to what ende serue these affectionate and contrarie poursuits Alasse some one thinks himselfe sound that carries death in his bosome But he that raigneth in heauen Psal. â— laughes them to scorne within fewe monethes our Charles of Guienne leauing the world shall leaue his loues So it is that their vehement solliciting extorted some verball promise confirmed by a letter but he had great Corriualls who all pretended to haâ—e the best part in the pie Nicholas Marquis of Pont Corriuals for the heâ—â— of Bonâ—gongne sonne to Iohn Duke of Calabria and Lorraine Philop Duke of Sauoie Maximilian Duke of Austria Son to the Emperour Frederke All these marched in equall ranke but in the end Maximilian shal be conquerour yet not during the life of Charles of Bourgongne This marriage gaue a goodly colour to these mediators but vnder the shadowe thereof they treated of other matters They must auoide this storme ready to oppresse the Duke of Guienne Behold therefore the publike Ambassadors and priuate messengers of these three Dukes are sent respectiuely one to another The Lord of Vrfé and Poncet de la Riuiere Agents for Charles of Guienne The Abbot of Begard since Archbishop of Lion is an instrument for the Britton to the Bourguignon they taxe the King to haue practised and suborned what by friendshâ—p and what by force the Duke of Guyennes seruants to haue already defaced a place belonging to the Lord of Estissac with many other things testifying that the King would soone dispossesse his brother of Guienne if he were not speedily preuented A new league betixt the Duke of Bourgâ—ngne Guiâ—enne and â—â—ittâ—ine against Lewis that to this effect he was armed and ready to enter into Xaintonge The Duke of Bourgongne sends often to the king touching these affaires The King excuseth himselfe and accuseth his brother as hauing treated with the Earles of Armaignac and Foix to his preiudice seeking to inlarge his limits without his priuitie to enter into factions with his enimies yet he promiseth to suffer him to inioy his portion peaceably This promise carryes no credit and works lesse effect the Dukes of Guienne Brittaine insist they presse the Bourguignion yet that it may be done without the assistance of the English the ancient and generall enemie of this Realme seeing that all their coÌ„mon desâ—â—ins tended but to the good and ease of the publicke that his assistance with the great intelligence he had with many gouernours Captaines of places did fortifie them sufficiently pleasant people to seeke with a blody wound once againe to abuse the coÌ„mon people with this baite of publike good to couer their priuate passions with so pleasing a shewe Charles of Bourgougne casts the stone and hides his arme and the better to disguise his proceeding he solicites the English secretly to inuade France on the one side whilst that he seemed blind not to see it .. But it was in vaine the English had more willingly assisted the King if this marriage had allyed the two houses of France Bourgongne In the end behold a number of Princes in great perplexitie the which is more lamentable for that they shall tâ—ouble their heads with so many preiudiciall extrauagant conceptions this confusiâ—n shall in fewe yeares oppresse them in a manner all Lewis particularly fauoured of heauen shall suruiue them and carry away their spoiles They preuaile thus much the Duke of Bourgongne possessed with an earnest desire to recouer Amiens S. Quintin and other townes vpon Somme he armes twelue hundred lances three archers to a Lance well armed weâ—l mounted The Bourguignâ—â— comes armed into Fâ—ance and good leaders What doth our Lewis In trueth he had too good a iudgement to want foresight he that thought to surprise shal be surprised To diuert the Bourgâ—ignons leauy he had often sent the Lord of Craon and the Chancellour of Oriole who being very trusty seruants in the end coÌ„clude an absolute peace The King yeelds to the Dâ—ke the foresaid townes Lewis makes a â—eace with the 〈◊〉 he abandons vnto him the Earles of Neuers S. Paul Constable the one hauing serued the King loyalty at Peronne had purchased the dukes indignation the other hauing nourished hatred and distrust betwixt these two princes for his owne profit had so vnreconciledâ—ie estranged them from him as they bandye ioyntly to his destruction giues him al their lands to incorporate them to his own if he coâ—â—d The Duke in exchange forsakes the Dukes of Guienne and Brittaine and their â—â—igneâ—ries to dispose at his pleasure promising
of Naples â— and did he not apprehend him who had publikely protested That he would neuer suffer the oppression of his cousin for Charles and Iohn Galeas were sisters chiâ—dren Doubtlesse now the time was come when as that should bee verified which Laurence of Medicis spake a little before his death vnderstanding of the vnion of Bâ—ittanie to the Crowne That if the King of France knew his owne forces Italie sâ—ould suffer much and the pubâ—ike predictions of Friar Ierosme Sauonarola whereof wee will speake heâ—eafter The King now takes his way to Lions to assemble his forces and diuides them into twâ— armies at land and at sea 1494. In that at land were about sixteene hundred men at â—rmes two archers to a Lance sixe thousand Archers on soote The voyage to Napâ—â—s six thousand cross-bowmen sixe thousand pikes eight thousand hargrebusiers carrying two hundred swords twelue hundred pieces of artillerie of iron and brasse sixe thousand two hundred pioners two hundred expert Canoniers six hundâ—ed maister Carpenters three hundred masons eleuen hundred men to cast bullets to make coale cordes cables The Kings army foure thoâ—sand carters and eight thousand horse of the artillerie The armie at sea consisted of eighteene gallies six galeons and nine great shippes The chiefe commanders that did accompany the King were Lewis Duke of Oâ—leans Lieutenant generall for his Maiestie by sea the Earle of Angoulesme the Earle of Montpensier the Pâ—ince of Orange the Duke of Nemours Iohn of Foâ—x Vicount of Narbonne the Earles of Neuers Ligni Boulongne Bresse the Lord of Albret Lewis of Tremouille Vicount of Thoâ—aâ—s the Marshals of Gié Rieux and Baudricoâ—rt the Lords of Crusol Tournon Piâ—nâ—s Silli Guise Chandenier Mauleon Prie Montaison d' Alegre Bonneual Genouillac Frainâ—â—eles Chaumont Chastillon Palice Vergi d' Hospital Beaumont Myolans Mattheu bastard of Bourbon the bastard of Bourgongne with a great number of Noblemen voluntarie gentlemen The Lord of Cordes so famous in our historie for his singular valour wisdome and loyaltie died at Bresse three leagues fâ—om Lions The Lord of Vrfé master of the Kings horse prepared all things necessarie for the fleete at Genes Some infection transported the King from Lions to Vienne from whence the Duke of Orleans parted for Genes and there the voyage was fully concluded for vntill that time the disswasion of the best aduised and the defect of the cheefe sinewes of warre had held them in suspence for that a hundred thousand Frankes borrowed vpon great iâ—terest in the banke of Soly at Genes could not long maintaine the ordinary charge of his house Yet fifty thousand Ducats lent him by Lodowike Sforze and the liuely impression of the Cardinall S. Pierre the fatall instrument of the miseries of Italie did somewhat reuiue the fainting courage of Charles What shame saith he what infamie to giue ouer so honorable a resolution an enterpâ—ise published throughout all the world the Popes amazement the terror of Peter of Medicis the ruine of the Arragonois who can stay the violent descent of this armie euen vnto the marches of Naples Doth he doubt the want of money At the fearefull thunder of his artillerie yea at the least brutâ— of his armes the Italians will bring vnto him and the rebels spoiles shall feed his armie what shadow then what dreame what vaine feare doth cause this inconstant change where is that magnanimitie where is that courage which did but euen now brag to ouer runne 〈…〉 forces of Italy vnited together In the end the King maâ—cheth the 23. 〈◊〉 Augâ—st â—eauing Petâ—r Dâ—ke of Bourbon his brother in law foâ— Regent who conducted the Queene fâ—om Greâ—oble â—â—to France Dâ—â—bâ—lesse we must obâ—erue a singular and fauourable prouidence of God 〈◊〉 vnâ—eâ—takes this 〈…〉 money in the câ—â—dâ—ct of this voiage vndertakeâ— vpon borroâ—ed money but where God workes all â—â—inâ—â— are eâ—sie For a thâ—â—d prâ—ofe of his need being at Turin the King borrowed the 〈◊〉 of the Dâ—chesse of Sauoy daughter to William Maâ—quisse of Montferrat wiâ—â—w to Charles Duke of Sauoy pawned them for 1200. Ducats for a fourth being at Cassal he pawned the iewels of the Marquisse widow to the Marquis of Montferrant for the like summe women woâ—thy doubtlesse of our historie hauing loued our France with a singular affection At Asâ— the King was toucht with the small pocks a Feuer which did hazard his liâ—e but within sixe or seuen dayes hee was recouered Thether came Lodâ—wike Sforze and Beaâ—rix his wife daughter to the Duke of Ferrare to â—aâ—â—te and withall came very â—auâ—urable newes Ferdinand was lately deceased Alphonso his Sonne had two Armies iâ— field one in 〈◊〉 towards Ferrare the which Ferdinand his Sonne Duke of Calabria â—â—â—manded accompanied by Virgil Vrsin the Earle of Petilliano and Iohn Iaâ—ues of Triuulce who afterwards serued the King This Armie had to incounter them the Earle of Caiazzo and the Lord of Aubigni a Scottishman who stopt their passage The other at Sea led by Don Frederick brother to Alphonso accompanied by Obietto of Fiesque a Geneuois and others by meanes whereof they were in hope to drawe the citty of Genes into their faction But the Bayliffe of Dijon entring with two thousand Suisses assâ—red it for the King Obietto with three thousand men had taken Rapale twenty miles from Genes The two S. Seuerins brethren and Iohn Adorne brother to Augustin Gouernor of Genes ioyned with the Duke of Orleans and a thousand Suisses charged them The first ouerthrow of the Arragonois ouerthrew them and slue a hundred or six score It was much in that age for then their warâ—es were not bloudy tooke some prisoners and all that escaped were stript by the Duke of Milans people so as Fredericke could neuer gather them againe together A disgrace which did much distast the Florentines being alwaies more inclined to the house of France then to that of Arragon incouraged the king to proceed â—nimated therunto by the perswasions of Lodowick My Lord â—aith he doubt not of this enterprise Lodâ—wiks perswasions to Charles there are three great parties in Italy you hold the one that is Milan the other stirs not those be the Venetians you haue no businesse but at Naples hauing conquered that realme if you wil giue me credit I will assist you to become greater then euer was Charlemagne and we will expell the Turke out of Constantinople He spake well if Christian Prince had bin well vnited Finally Charles makes his entry into Pauia in quality of a king vnder a Canopy the streets hanâ—ed the People crying God saue the King Then grew there some iealousie they wold haue the King rest satisfied with the towne for his lodging but in the end the castle was opened vnto him where he did visit Iohn Galeas his cousin being sicke at the point of death not without great compassion of such as thought the course of his life would be soone
not these great numbers dismissed friendly without force ' Some few sought contention they had the Kings eares open and their words were Oracles as Brissonnet Cardinall of S. Malo and the Archbishop of Rouan yet would they not leaue their roabes to put on armes but keepe themselues safe from blowes The King say they must not begin let his enemie speake first he is here in person The Pope the Emperour the King of Spaine the Venetians and the Duke of Milan are by their Deputies But whilest they stand vpon this point of honor their teeth grow and their stomacks shrinke at Nouarre And thus the matter was handled reseruing the honour of both parties About that time the Marquisse of Montferrat dyed daughter to the King of Seruia in Grece leauing two sonnes whereof the eldest was but 9. yeares old The Marquis of Saluce Constantin Vncle to the said Marquis one of the ancient Noblemen of Macedonie the which Mahumet Ottoman had many yeares before inuaded contended for the gouernment of the two pupils To accord this controuersie for the safety of the children and the content of the Countrie the King had sent the Lord of Argenton to Casal Ceruas and the Marquis of Mantoua a Steward of his to condole this death These two fall into discourse to pacifie both armies without blowes so as by the Stewards perswasion Argenton writes to the Venetian commissaries vnder colour to continue the parle they had vpoÌ„ Taro. Giuing eare therevnto they impart it to the Duke of Milans Captaines In the end by common consent they meet betwixt Bolgare and Camarian There were for the King the Cardinall of S. Malo the Prince of Orange the Marshall of Gié and the Lords of Piennes and Argenton For the confederates the Marquis of Mantoua Bernard Contarin the Comissarie of the Venetians Stradiots and Francisque Bernardin Visconte Their chiefe controuersie was vpon the deliuery of Nouarre Milan holds in fee of thâ— Empire therfore the King did vrge that Nouarre as a member of the said Duchie should be deliuered to Maximilian by the hands of the Germaine Captaines that were in the Italians Campe and the confederats would haue him leaue it absolutely In the meane time the famine growes so great as it kils aboue 2000. of the Duke of Orleans men and their great necessity required nothing but expedition But more difficulties growing then could sodenly be decided they conclude a â—â—uce for eight dayes with permission for the Duke of Orleans to come forth with a small traine For the suretie wherof the Marquis of Mantoua did willingly offer himselfe as an hostage to the Earle of Foix after an oth taken that they should proceed sincerely in the treaty of peace that it was not onely to free the Duke of Orleans The Duke being come to the King to Verceil for the prolongation of the truce vntil a conclusion of peace all the men of war came forth and were conducted into a place of safety by the Marquis of Mantoua and Galeas of S. Seuerin So the Towne remained in the Inhabitants keeping with anoth not to deliuer it to any but with the consent of both parties And thirtie men were left in the Castle vnder the Duke of Orleans authoritie to whom they should dayly send victuals out of the Italians Campe for their money Within few daies after arriued the Bayliffe of Dijon with his Suisses who vnder colour of ten thousand which he thought to bring the number was doubled running at the name of the Kings pursse So great a number of men of one nation Twenty thousand Suisses at Verceil for thâ— King was suspitious The one moitie ioyned with the Kings armie neere to Verceil the other camped apart fiue leagues off This new supply reuiued the courage of the Duke of Orleans and of those whose fingars itched But to what end were a Battaile seeing that Nouarre had not moued the King but onely to free the Duke and his seruants that were now deliuered from captiuitie And what meanes were there to fight with two thousand eight hundred men at armes barded fiue thousand light horse eleuen thousand Germains and an infinit number of other foote in a Campe intrenched with palissadoes and deepe ditches full of water a counsell fit for scarlet roabes thrust on rather by their owne couetousnesse then with any respect of the Kings honour or the Dukes This Cardinall of S. Malo did more affect his Maiesties seruice or the priuate aduancement of his house seeing that his vnmeasurable greedinesse extorted this confession from his owne mouth That the Duke of Orleans had promised him ten thousand Ducats of rent for his sonne if he had this Duchie of Milan Doubtlesse great Princes vse good and bad instruments to satisfie their desires but in the end they abhorre the vnlawfull practices of their workemen On the other side this great number of men newly arriued who desired nothing but imployment made the Italians mindes more inclinable to peace So the Marshall of Gié the President of Gannai the Vidame of Chartres Argenton Piennes and Moruilliers hauing conferred againe with the confederates where the Duke of Milan did assist in person they concluded an accord more through the necessitie of the season and want of money desirous to returne home with the shew of an honourable peace then with any confidence it would continue It was agreed The treatie of Verceil That the King should be serued by the Duke of Milan for Genes as of his vassal against all the world and in so dooing the Duke should furnish at his owne charge two Ships to succour the Castle of Naples the which held yet and the yeare following should serue the King with three and go with him in person to the enterprise of Naples if by chance he returned and should suffer the Kings men to passe If the Venetians did not accept of the peace within two moneths but would maintaine the house of Arragon hee should ayde the King against them and the King should giue him all that should be taken from them That of sixe score and foure thousand Ducats lent to the King in that voyage hee should forgiue fourescore thousand And fâ—r the expenses made at Nouarre he should pay the Duke of Orleans fiftie thousand Ducats by the moneth of March following That for the suretie of Genes the Duke should giue two hostages and deliuer the Chastelet into the Duke of Ferrares keeping as a Neuter for two whole yeares the gard thereof to bee paide at their common charge and in case the Duâ—e of Milan should forfait Genes to the King the Duke of Ferrare should then deliuer the Chastelet to the King and the Duke of Milan should giue two other hostages of Milan That the Duke should not empeach the Florentins to recouer what belonged vnto them That Triuulce should be restored to his lands and goods And that the prisoners the confederates had taken should be deliuered This peace was sworne
King more â—euer subiects gaue with greater ioy to their Soueraigne then the French did to hâ—m â—haâ— glorious surname of Father of his people FRANCIS the first of that name 58. King of France FRANCES THE I. KING OF FRANCE .58 1515. HAppie is that Realme saith the wise man which fals not into a childs hands This was the first comfort which reuiued the hearts of the French oppressed with mourning and heauinesse for the death of their good King Lewis the twelfth The second was that they cast their eyes vppon a worthie successor a Prince well borne iudicious and of a generous spirit liberall courteous in the prime of his age and fit for gouernment affable to the people fauorable to the Clergie pleasing to the Nobilitie who doe naturally loue their Princes good countenance and that which all subiects admire in their Soueraine of an excellent beautie Thus capable was he of the royall dignitie Francis being then two and twentie yeares old before Duke of Valois and Earle of Angoulesme tooke vppon him the gouernment of this Monarchie as sonne to Charles Earle of Angoulesme sonne to Iohn Earle of Angoulesme who was the yongest sonne of Lewis Duke of Orleans murthered by the Bourguignon at Paris in the time of Charles the sixth who was also the yongest sonne of King Charles the fiâ—t Hee was anointed at Rheims the fiue and twentith of Ianuary being attended on by the Dukes of Bourbon and Alanson the Earles of Montpensier Vendosme and Saint Paul the Prince of Roche-sur-Yon al of the house of Bourbon Then hauing made his entry into Paris a sollemne Tournie kept in Saint Anthonies street he confirmed all the ancient officers of the Crowne and to suppâ—ie those which were vacant hee creaâ—ed Charles Duke of Bourbon Constable of France being void by the death of Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon Anthonie Prat Chancellor for then Steuen Poncher Bishoppe of Paris was keeper of the seale Charles of Bourbon Earle of Vendosme Gouernour of the I le of France making the said Countie a Duchie and a Peere of France the Lord of Lautree Gouernour of Guienne Palisse Marshall of France Boisi his gouernour in his youth Lord Steward and Superintendant of his house with whome he ioyned Fleuremonde Robertet His dessâ—â—ins Secretarie of State With this title of King of France he tooke vppon him that of the Duke of Milan not onely as descending of the house of Orleans the true heire of that Duchie but also as comprehended in the inuestiture made by the Emperour according to the treatie of Cambraye And for that hee succeeded equally both to the Crowne and the desire his Predecessor had to recouer that goodly estate of Milan he therfore to worke it with more facilitie renued the peace made betwixt the deceased King and the King of England sending home Mary the widoâ—e of Lewis with a dowrie of threescoore thousand Crownes a yeare· who afterwards married with the Duke of Suffolke Hee also confirmed the alliance this Crowne had with the Senat of Venice The Archduke Charles sent a very honorable Ambassage to the King whereof the Earle of Nassau was the cheefe to doe him homage for the Counties of Flanders Arthois and other Lands which held of this Crowne and the which gaue great hope of a future peace betwixt these two Princes both being yong but marked for great matters to treat a marriage betwixt the said Charles and Renèe the Queenes sister who was after wife to the Duke of â—errare And for that the sayd Earle was greatly fauoured by the Prince Charles the King desirous to gratifie him caused him to marrie with the daughter of the Prince of Orange bred vp in his Court. Charles was yet vnder age but so carefully instructed by that wise Lord of Chieures of the house of Croye whome the deceased King Lewis had made choise of to gouerne him in his youth for that Philippe the father of Charles had by his testament intreated Lewis to accept the charge of his sonne that euen in his yonger yeares hee made him capable to vnderstand the affaires presenting vnto him all pacquets that came causing him to make report thereof vnto his Councell and to determine all things in his presence He did foresee that after the death of Ferdinand his grandfather by the mother the French might crosse him in his passage from Fâ—anders into Spaine holding it dangerous to stand in the midest betwixt the Kings of France and England vnited togither and not to fortâ—fie himselfe with this common alliance Moreouer his subiects of the low Countries would haue no warres with the Realme of France The King likewise desired to take from him all motiues to gouerne himselfe hereafter by the councell of his two grandfathers They therefore agreedâ— That the marriage proceeding betwixt the Archduke and Rene the King should giue him six hundred thousand Crownes and the Duchie of Berry for euer to her and to heires vppon condition she should renounce all rights of inheritance both from father and mother namely to the Duchies of Milan and Brittanie That after the death of the Catholike King the King should ayd the Archduke with men and shippes to goe and receiue his Realmes of Spaine The Arragonois demaunded a continuance of the truce but the King meaning to put out that clause Not to molest the Duchie of Milan during the truce their parle was fruitlesse The Emperour who ioyned his desseins to the councels of Ferdinand opposed against the amitie of the French The Suisses were as forward as before As for the Pope Francis desired to be freed from all bond to him that he mightt resolue for the best according to the course of his affaires To build vpon these foundations he now imployes his Captaines men at armes and the prouisions which his Predecessor had first prepared and makes his armie march with speed to Lions whether his Maiestie comes in Iuly An armie â—o all in the Duchie of 〈◊〉 hauing left the Regencie of the Realme to Louise of Sauyoe his mother The Duke of Bourbon Constable led the foreward accompanied with his brother Francis newly created Duke of Castelleraud the Marshals of Palisse and Triuulce Charles of Tremouille Prince of Talmont sonne to Lewis Vicont of Touars the Earle of Sancerre the Baron of Beard the Lords of Bonniuet Imbercourt and Teligni Seneshall of Rouergue Peter of Naurrre whome the King had drawen to his seruice giuing him his libertie without ransome commaunded six thousand Gascons and the Lords of Lorges grandfather to the late Mongomeries Pirault of Margiron Richbourg Iorteil little Lainet Onatilleu Hercules of Daulphine and Captaine Commarque euery one commaunding fiue hundred foote making foure thousand and eight or nine thousand Lansquenets led by Charles Duke of Guelders The King led the battaile followed by the Duke of Vendosme Lorraine and Albania the Earle of Saint Paul Claude of Lorraine Earle of Guise brother to the Duke of Lorraine the
transported with ioy as he falls into a quotidian with a Catarre amidst all his iollitie the which carried him within three dayes after to the graue being the first of December This death did greatly impaire the Emperours affaires in Italy and bred new gouernments new Councels and a new estate of affaires in the Duchie of Milan The Cardinals of Medicis and Sion Alterations after this death went to assist at the election of a new Pope The imperialls reteined fifteene hundred Suisses and dismissed the rest The Lansequenets likewise departed The Florentine companies returned into Tuscanie Guy of Rangon lead part of those of the Church to Modena the other remained with the Marquis of Mantoua in the Duchie of Milan And the Duke of Ferrara making his profit of this occasion recouered with the liking of the inhabitants Bondene Final the mountaine of Modene and Garfagnane he tooke Lugo Bagnacaual and other Townes of Romagnia Likewise Francis Maria being expelled his Duchie of Vrbin by Leo 1522. and called home by the people recouered it in few dayes Our Commanders slept not but the chance was turned The Admirall of Bonnaue with three hundred Launces Frederic of â—ossoâ—e and Marc Anthonie Colonnet leading fiue thousand French and Italians Paâ—ma beseeged in vaine went to beseege Parma the which after many distresses incident to the Townes beseeged was pâ—eserued by the wise resolution and singular direction of Francis Guiciardin gouernour thereof In the meane time the Cardinalls at Rome did striue for Saint Peters chaire The Cardinall of Medicis for the reputation of his greatnesse for his reuenues and glory gotten in the Conquest of Milan had alreadie gotten the voices of fiâ—teene Cardinals But the rest could not endure two Popes togither of one familie which might haue beene a President to vsurpe a right of succession in the Popedome The most ancient Cardinals opposed themselues against his nomination euery man pretending that dignitie for himselfe which an other sought so greedily During their controuersies Cardinall Adrian Bishop of Derthuse borne at Trect and somet me scholemaster to the Emperour Charles was put in the election not with any intent to install him in the place of the deceassed but onely to spend that morning and by delayes coole the heat of the most violent sutors But the Cardinall of Saint Sixte hauing by a long 〈◊〉 amplified his vertues and knowledge some yeelded vnto him it may bee the Eâ—perour would haue beene displeased if they had reiected his election others followed them so as all the Cardinals agreeing A new Pope called Adrian the sixth by a common consent hee was created Pope when as he least dreamed of it being absent a stranger vnknowne hauing neuer seene Italie and without thought or hope euer to see it Being loth to change his name he was called Adrian the sixth But what shall this poore Fleming get to runne so far to sit in a chaire so much enuied He came from Spaine where the Emperour had made him gouernour in his absence to seeke his death at Rome He shall bee little esteemed during his Popedome and they will bee glad to send him speedily after his Predecessor The winter passed and our souldiars scattered their harnesse to arme againe The warre â—â—uiued the one sort to preserue their Conquests and the other to recouer their losses To this end the King sent Renè bastard of Sauoie Earle of Villars Lord Steward of France the Maâ—shall of Saint Chabannes Galeas of Saint Seuerin maister of his horse and the Lord of Montmorency newly created Marshall of France to make a leuie of sixteene thousand Suisses for to succour Lautrec And to crosse him the Emperour by meanes of the King of Englands money estranged from the loue of France sent Ierâ—sme Adorne to make a leuie of sixe thousand Lansquenets to put into Milan with Francâ—s Sforce Adorne coming to Trent vnderstood that the Milanois had alreadie entertained foure thousand foote with the which hee retired to Milan whilest the other sixe thousand did arme In the meane time there wanted no practises at Milan by Ierosme Moron and his partisans to kindle the peoples hatred against the French It is not alone in our late troubles that wee haue tried with what efficacie seditious sermons touch the peoples hearts Andrew Barbato an Augustine by profession preaching with a great concurse of people did wonderfully incourage them to defend their religion goods families liues and Countrie A vehement Preacher and gratious to the people leads them as hee pleaseth and it is the ordinarie mask of the wise men of this world to settle their affaires It is no lesse honour to preserue then to get Tenne thousand Suisses were alreadie come and Prosper Colonne to keepe the French from entring into Milan by the Castle and to furnish it with victuall and munition hee caused to bee made after the manner of the ancient Romaines without the sayd Castle betwixt the gates that go to Verceil and Come two trenches distant twentie paces one from another about a mile long and at the end of either of the sayd trenches a Caualier or Mount verie high and well furnished to indammage the ennemie with Cannon if hee approched on that side so as the succours could not enter nor the beseeged go forth Lautrec hauing by chance surprised and defeated the troupe of Lewis of Conzague repayred his Companies and the Venetians assembled theirs about Cremona who being ioyned with the Suisses passed the riuer of Adde the fiâ—st of March and Iohn de Medicis with them who perswaded by the Kings great and certaine entertainment was newly drawen to his seruice They march like men resolued to assaâ—â—e the rampaâ— but the trenches stay them the third day Marc Anthony Colonne and Camille bastard sonne to Iohn Iaques of Triuulce Milan beseeged walking togither in a house and deuising to make a mount to shoot from with their artillerie betwixt the enemies two trenches a voâ—ce of Cannon shot from the Towne did beate downe the sayd house and buried them in the ruines thereof Thus Lautrec despayring to take Milan by assault conuertâ—th all his thoughts to vanquish it in time by famine he wasts the Countrie stops the victual breaks the miâ—s and cuts off theiâ— water But not to fall into their hands whome they feare they dread not death The peoples hatred against the French and the desire of their new Duke whome they expected makes them to endure all distresses patiently Francis Sforce comes to Trent with six thousand Lansquenets who by the taking of the Castle of Croare hauing opened the passage of Po arriued without any let at Pauia The way was dâ—fficult from Pauia to Milan for at the first brute of their approch Lautrec went to lodge at Cassin and the Venetians at Binasque vpon the way to Pauia There fâ—ll out an accident which helpt Sforce The Marshall of Foix came out of France with money and some troupes of footmen Lautrec sent
Pistoll and when as these three wounds were not able to ouerthrow him Besmes wounds him on the legge euery one of the rest giues his blow and thus they cast that body miserably to â—he ground whom liuing and in health they durst not looke in the face The Duke of Guise hearing the noyse of their armes in the base Court enquires if it bee done and commands them to cast him out at the window who yet breathing layes hold on the pillar but these butcherly murtherers hurle him downe headlong where the Duke wiping his face with a handkerchefe I know him sayeth hee it is the very same and so spurnes him with his foote then going into the streete Courage companions we haue begun happily let vs proceed to the rest the King commands it An Italian of the houshold of the Duke of Neuers cutts off his head and carryes it to the King and Qâ—eene Mother which causing it to bee imbaulmed sent it to the Pope and the Cardinall of Lorraine for an assurance of the death of his most capitall enemie The Palace clocke strikes and the people flie to the Admiralls lodging like madde men one cutts off his hands another his priuie members The Protestants masâ—acred and for the space of three dayes they dragge this poore carcasse with all indignity through the streetes and then they carry and hang it by the feete at Montfaucon His lodging is spoyled his household seruants murthered Those which attended on the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé are driuen out of their chambers they were in the Louure where the King had lodged them to the end sayd he that those of Guise hauing the people at their deuotion they should not in like maner feele the effects of their violence and murthered in the base court the Noblemen and Gentlemen lodged in the Admiralls quarter vndergo the like fortune The like furie oppresseth the other Protestants throughout the Citty and Suburbes of all ages conditions and sexes men women and children riche and poore There is nothing to be heard in Paris but a horrible noyse of armes horses and Harguebuses a lamentable crye of people going vnto death a pittifull complaint of such as cryed for mercy and the pittilesse showts of murtherers The streetes are strewed with carcases the pauements market places and riuer dyed with bloud One day alone by the murtherers saying hath ended the quarrell which neyther Pen Paper decrees of Iustice nor open warre could see determined in twelue yeares About ten thousand â—oules makes this Sunday famous for euer polluted with the spoyling of goods and the effusion of their bloud that were asleepe disarmed and at such a season as they thought themselues most safe And doubtlesse the horrible catastrophes happened since to our Charles to his brother and successors and to the bretheren of the house of Guise in the last acts of their liues and generally to all this realme euen vnto our dayes forceth vs to confesse That mans bloud violently spilt when as the manner of it may not lawfully be qualified with the name of Iustice cannot please his sight who hath created them to his owne image and liknesse and sels them deerely to the authors of this effusion The fame of this massacre had already passed from the Citty to the Suburbes when as the Earle of Montgomery Iohn of Fâ—rrieres Vidame of Chartres Beauâ—aâ—◠〈◊〉 Nocle Fontenay and many Gentlemen lodged in the suburbes of Saint Germâ—ine perceiuing a number of men to crosse the riuer to make them equall with their companions they abandon their baggage go sodenly to hoâ—se and saue themselues â—ith speed being pursued halfe a dayes iourney by the Duke of Guise But he that shouâ—d haue brought the Keyes of S. Germains gate hauing mistaken them gaue them sâ—me leisure to get the aduantage The King sends for the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Condé and giues theâ— to vnderstand The King aduowes the murther That hauing been crost many yeares with a continuance of warre he had in the end found an assured meanes to cut off all motiues of confusions to come that by his commandement they had slaine the Admirall the pernicious author of passed troubles that now they did the like to others in the Citty that were infected witâ— the poyson of heresie and the ministers of his wickednesse That he remembred well the discommodities hee had receiued by their two meanes making themselues the heads of a troupe of desperate men That now the cause and opoâ—tunity giues him meanes to be reuengâ—d of such outrages but notwithstanding hee doth pardon their offence by reason of consanguinitie and their young age beleeuing that all had beene committed not by their fault and councell but by the Admirall and other wickeâ— sâ—biects who now haue suffered and doe suffer a iust punishment due to thâ—iâ— deserts so as hereafter they repaire their faults pasts by fidelity and obedience and renouncing the doctrine of their prophane superstition they cleaue to the Catholike relâ—gion and returne into the communion of the Church That hereafter he will haue but one religion within his realme euen that which hee hath receiued from his Ancestors That they should aduise whether they would obey him in this point if not let them resolue to yeeld their heads to the like punishments of their companions The King of Nauarre beseecheth his Maiestie to remember his promise aâ—d the alliance lately contracted and not to force him in the religion which hee hath leaâ—ned from his infancie The Prince of Condé answers That the King hath giuen his faith to all them of the religion and that he cannot perswade himselfe hee will breâ—â—e â—o sollemne an othe As for the obedience saith he you require of me I haue fâ—itâ—fuâ—â—y performed it vnto this day neyther will I hereafter straye in any thing from my duty But as for my religion A noble resoluâ—ion of a yong Prince my Liege I am resolued to continue constant and with the hazard of my life mainteine it to bee true you haue granted me the exercise tâ—ereof and God hath giuen me the knowledge to whom I must yeeld an account leâ—uâ—â—g my body and goods to the disposition of your will This resolute answer puts Charâ—es into choller who full of threats giues the Prince but three dayes libeâ—ty to aduiâ—e whether he would soone loose his head vpon a scaffold In the end both abâ—ure the doctrine they had followed and by the intercession of the Cardinall of Bourbon their Vncle they obteyned pardon of the Pope and were receiued into the bosome of the Church After the massacre those of Guise according to the conclusion of the Councell should retyre themselues into some one of theyr houses out of Paris and Charles should expreslye charge and command the Gouernours of Prouinces and Townes to obserue the Edict of peace and to punish the breache thereof seuerely to the end the people of France and their neighbours should impute all
more constant then the loue of the Father to his child especially of Fathers that haue the instinct of Nature But mothers haue their affectioÌ„s more violent If any thing happen vnto their â—hiâ—dren it breedâ—s a great aâ—teâ—atâ—oâ— in them Witnesse the iudgement of Salomon seeking betwixt two Women to know the right Mother So yâ—u may see the passion of Dauid when he caâ—led his Sonne My Sonne Absoâ—oâ— my sonne he was much troubled But Mothers are muâ—h more feeling the same paine they suffered at their birth And that which afflicts the Defenâ—resse much more is that they CoÌ„plaâ—â—ants obiect against her that she loued not her Child That without doubt is insupportable to a Mother The latter times are miserable foretold by the Prophets Thaâ— Inhumanity Inciuility Astorgie that â—â—to say want of loâ—e in the Parents vnto their Châ—ldren and of Children vnto their Parentâ— should enter into the hearts of men What say I of Men who are no Men sâ—eing they proue Inhumane Cruell Bâ—uâ—ish and Vnnatuâ—all But can it be that two such contrary passions should iumpe in our Defendresse Could she hate her Son and not seeing him any more complaine that he was dead Could she accuse his Host Hostesse if she loued him not Iosephus in his first booke of the Iewish War reporting the accusation of Herode against his Children sayth that Saturninus would not condemne the accused sayâ—ng That it was not lawfull for him who had children to giue sentence of death against an other mans children A speech worthy of a graue Romaine but had beene better spoken by one borne in Iuâ—â—a â—or in former times the Iudges giuen by God vnto the People were chosen ouâ— of the fathers of Families who had or had had Children and who by this meanes knew best thâ—â—ust affections of Fathers loue The History addes that an old Man at armes of Herods called â—yron was so transported seeing a cruell Father as hee became almost madde going â—â—om place to place exclayming that Iustice was troden vnder foote Trueth was pâ—rishâ—d Nature confounded and all was full of iniquity with such like speeches as passion made him to vtter So strange this good old Man held this Mallice not beleeuing that such neere Kinsmen should conspire against their owne bloud And therefore it is not to be presumed that our Defenâ—resse beeing a Mother was otherwise then well affected to her Sonne and what greater proofe of her loue can bee giuen tâ—en her accusation against the Complaynants And who can represent the tender affection of Fathers and Mothers which seale the resemblance of bodies and mindes in the little admirable seale of the Infant the Mothers beeing much more affectionate to that which proceedes from them then the Fathers What then may bee sayd of the obiection made vnto the Defendresse Doubtlesse false allegations must concurre with naturall as Paulus the Lawyer sayth of Confessions and it is not lawfull for Iudges L. confessionibus D. de Iâ—â—errog act especially for such as are Fathers to beleeue that a Motheâ— would hate her Sonne to the deaâ—h especially this poore Woman who makâ—ng her complaint of the Murther did note one notable circumstance saying that her Sonne had complayned vnto her that the Demanders were froward Hosts The which shewes a wit in her complaint and the Loue which she bare to 〈…〉 Sonne remembring the first yeares of his infancy being young and the 〈◊〉 of his Mother A Sonne whom she being his Mother seeing no mâ—re 〈◊〉 out with the Mother of Lâ—muel What my Sonne what the Sonne of my 〈…〉 the Sonne of my vowes Prou. 31. This poore Motheâ— was perplexed she sought her Sonne and 〈…〉 Sonne which was but simple and might easâ—ly be wronged for he went 〈…〉 Money he 〈◊〉 it in his Chamber which was a bayte for Theeues 〈…〉 steâ—le say 〈◊〉 hand on it the suffered men to enter into his Chamberâ— me◠〈…〉 knew not What might the Mother thinke of this Had she not reasoâ—â—o 〈…〉 slayne him 〈◊〉 as iâ— was said in the booke of Wisdome That the Iustice 〈…〉 〈◊〉 deliuer them It is also written That the disloyall shal be taken for their 〈◊〉 and the wicked shall be the ransome of the iust and the disloyall for the righteous 〈…〉 then this poore Woman thinke with reason that you are not to haue any 〈…〉 the Demaunders Prou. 2â— v 21 vnder colour of their base condition seeing that for a 〈…〉 they would haue committed the deede hauing taken their Ghosts money 〈…〉 fied them These bee the reasons by the which the poore Mother may 〈…〉 her selfe that shee hath not attempted any accusation for the which 〈…〉 be charged with slander Let vs nowe come vnto the Iudges They need no excuse nor any defence 〈…〉 Decree then the authority of soueraigne Iudgements yet we may say for the 〈◊〉 which they had of the proofes if not full and cleare as the Noone day yet thâ—y 〈◊〉 such as the presumptions were vehement If the accused suffred it came 〈…〉 for they obserued not the precept which teacheth man Aboue all to 〈…〉 heart pure from whence life proceeds Prou. 4. ve 23 They haue applied their hearts to desire 〈◊〉 mans goods resembling those that erre Either through want of instruction 〈…〉 great indiscretion or hauing their hearts peerced with the Dart of couetousnesse Ibid 5. ver 23 And therfore it is no wonder if they haue not appeared in iudgement with a constant countenance Ibid. 10. v. 6. For blessings are vpon the head of the iust but extorsions sloppe the mouth of the guilty Do you not see that God was not with the accused they were confounded in that owne speeches Life and death are in the power of the tongue hee that loues it shall eate the fâ—uites thereof 〈…〉 21. They haue said too much charging the Mother which accused them oâ— hatred to her Sonne And who will not beleeue but the Iudges seeing the Proâ—esie made them pâ—ayers vnto God to open their vnderstandings The doubt which they had of the â—ircumstances of the charge hath beene fortified by examples the whiâ—â— are the 〈◊〉 â—ncounteâ—s that come vnto the minde In this Citty a Woman 〈◊〉 neere to 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 with a Hammer which two theeues had taken in a Smiths shop 〈◊〉 the Smith being condemned he was put to the Racke Afterwards the theeues weâ—e apprehended for other crimes and freede the Smith who was a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 executed Iudges in coniecturall causes erre sometimes against their wâ—â—les beâ—ng bound to follow thâ— probable for that which may happen or hath happened Sometimeâ— there are bad Hosts Treacherous and murtherers It is dangerous said Phâ—dâ—us to bâ—leeue but it is more dangerous not to beleeue There is no reason then to heare the complaints of the Accused against the Iudges Witâ—esse that which that wise King hath written whose words are like vnto deepe springs which cannot be dried and fâ—om whence we drawe proâ—â—it for
and Champagne with the Commanders and Knights at the Temple and the King went to dine with Zamet This order hath alwaies affected two kinds of Knights some for seruice and others for honor The Order of Malta hath of the cheeâ—e houses of Chrâ—sâ—endom and both for the greatnes defence and support of the Order There haue beene children of the greatest and mightiest houses of Christendome who although they doe no seruice in effect being diâ—pensed withall yet they profit their profession much by the entertaynment and communication of friendships and respects of their houses to the common good of the Order Others that are issued from the noblest families of all the Nations of the world are bound vnto actuall seruice in the Iland they haue all the Mediteranian Sea for the Carire of their exercise and all the world for witnesses of their glorie After that they haue done the seruice which they owe vnto the Order they cannot grow old in pouertie and in this assurance they goe more willingly to all occasions that demand a proofe of their valour being reasonable to hazard themselues in great enterprises to merit great recompences The Knights neuer growe old poore â—he season is fayre vnder the newe raigne of the Emperor of the Turkes who although hee were a childe and entring into the foureteenth yeare of his age yet he gaue generous proofes of his disposition to War The Turkes â—hâ—nâ—â— their Emperor will proue an other Soliman and the Turkes thinke to see â—pring vp in him the Hatred and Fury of Sultan Soliman against the Christians and that hee should begin his raigne by the Conquest of Maltha as the other did by Rhodes Although â—he desire of these Barbarians to subdue the Christians be insatiable yet if they could gette Maltha they would hold themâ—elues content There is none but this Morcelâ— that can satisfie them the Wolfe would be no more a Wolfe if hee were full La Valette great Maâ—â—er forced Seliâ— to 〈◊〉 the seege in the yeare 1565. but Selim thinking to swallow it once had like to haue choked and so may all they doe that do attempt it Amet then the newe Emperor of the Turkes presently after the death of Mahomet his Father who ended his life with the ende of the last yeare went to the Mosquee neere vnto Constantinople to put on the Sword of his Fore-fathers By their example hee should haue put his brother to death Amet Emperor of the Turkes but he reserued him vntill he was of age to haue children so as the byrth of the first child of this Prince shall bee the ineuitable death of the brother He let them presently see that his youth should not be incapable of affayres as they thought He seizeth vpon his Grandmothers Treasure Hee caused his Grand-mother to bee sequestred who would rule as she had done in the life of Mahamet her Sonne beeing Ambitious Proud and Imperious in her passions hauing great authority and great Treasure to maintaine it and to get more being supported in her desseignes by the worst and most factious of the Eâ—pire He said that he would go to the Wars of Hungary in person he made many goodly Orders to reforme the Discipline and to ease the people He fell sicke of the small poâ—kes and kept his Chamber for some dayes After his recouery he shewed himselfe often vnto his people The present hee gaue vnto his Souldiars as the newe Emperors doe was of two Millions and a halfe The Saphis which are the Horsemen had ten Crownes a man and fiue Aspres a day more to increase their pay the Ianissaries had thirty Crownes and one Aspre more of pay The cheefe Officers of the Court did also taste of this liberality His Father had caused his first Visier to bee strangled Aly Bascha Gouernor of great Caire entred into this charge the Fall and Ruine of the one was the rising and settiâ—g vp of the other There is no place so great among the Turkes as the dignity of the first Visier Hee alone holds the Reynes and Helme of the Empire He is the first of the Baschas whose name is a Diminitiue of Padachaas that is to say Great Emperor Cygale represented vnto this young Prince the quality of his deserts to merite this charge but hee was answered That it was reserued for Aly Bascha and that hee should content himselfe with the Admiralty of the Seas That which did much helpe to raise Aly Baschas fortune was the treasure which he brought out of Egypt and the great reputation of Iustice and Wisedome that he had gotten in that Prouince the gouernement wherof is no lesse affected among the Turkes then it was in former times among the Romaines In his way he had caused a Rebel of some countenance and authority to bee strangled who had presented himselfe vnto him to haue a pardon He entred into this charge setled the affayres with great order in the conduct whereof hee left great proofes of his Wisedome and Iustice. But he presently left the place vnto another The death of Mahomet was not published in the Army of Hungary by any other then by the Generall Great accidents may not be sodainly deliuered vnto the people nor without good consideration for the Inconueniences which the sodaine amazement doth cause This death did not breake of nor any thing alter the Treaty of a Truce or of a Peace in Hungary The negotiation was coÌ„tinued in an Iland aboue Buda and Pesâ—e but with small effect The Emperor distrusting the King of France who onely had the meanes to ende it happily and profitably But it were to Treat of impossibilities to make the Princes of the house of Austria trust vnto the Councels of the French and it is an act of great indiscretion in Christians to trust vnto these Barbarians who haue neither Faith nor Truth The first enemy that shewed himselfe against Ameth was the King of Persia The King of Peâ—sia in armes who came neere vnto Babilon giuing the Souldiars to vnderstand that were within it that it was onely to deliuer theÌ„ from the yoake and oppression of the Turkes to change their condition into a better and their seruitude into Liberty This made the people of Asia to conceiue some hope of better vsage vnder the raigne of this young Prince But euery one desired to change his Maister vppon a conceit that this change should be profitable notwithstanding that any alteration in an Estate is mortall He tooke Tauris the cheefe Citty of Persia and Anziron a strong place in the Mountaynes of the Georgians and others which remayned to the Turkes by the Treaty of Peace This yeare died the Archbishop of Mentz Whervpon the Chapter tooke vpon theÌ„ the Administration of the Archbishopricke The Archbishop of Mentz dies according to the antient rights and gaue a day to assemble for the election Many Noblemen were there present the Bishop of Wirtzbourg came not vpon an
Asse like vnto the Patriarke of Constantinople not on foote as S. Hillarye entred into Rome but on Horsebacke followed by two hundred Horse The Prelats of Germany are dispensed of the condition which Chrisostome desired in a good Bishop not to ride on Horse-backe not allowing Bishops to ride vpon Asles or Moyles nor to be followed by many seruants The Election was made in the Cathedrall Church of Mentz whereas all the people were assembled not to giue any voyce A new Elâ—ctioÌ„ but to see the liberty of Suffrages and the Order and Ceremony of this action The Chanoins began it calling vpon the Holy Ghost to giude their resolutions 〈…〉 of the house of Câ—ombuâ—g chosen Archbishop of Mentz the 7 of Feb. 1604. The went into the Chapter and came not forth vntill two of the clocke in the Afternoone where by plurality of voyces the Election was concluded in fauour of one of the House of Crombourg The Bishop of Wirtzbourg led him before the great Altar where he was set wiping away the teares of Ioy whilest that the Clergy gaue thankes for this Election This done the Chapter gaue him a little note in his hand with the which he went towards the Castle beeing followed by the Popes Nuntio the Emperors Ambassador the Bishop of Wirtzbourg and many Noblemen that were there assembled to honour the election of the first Prelate of Germany Being come vnto the Castle gate he founde it shut and the Gouernour asked him what he would As soone as he had seene the note from the Chapter he did his duty to him and presently all the Gates were opened and the Artillery discharged This forme of Election which is done with Order Liberty and knowledge of Merits is more profitable vnto the Church then all that which is done by the authoritie of Princes who many times commit great charges to men vnknowne and of small merit or by the tumultuary opinions of people The death of the Duchesse of Baâ— who haue nothing to do in it Seeing that our way to returne into France is to passe by the territoryes of the Duke of Lorraine we shall find all there in teares and mourning for the death of the Lady Katherine of Bourbon Duchesse of Bar and the Kings onely Sister shee had beene tormented with a continuall Feauer and there were some signes of beeing with child All the Phisitions sayd shee was not with child one onely maintayned the contrary and she beleeued his opinion for that he was of the Religion neither would she take any thing but from his hands for that we beleeue that easily which we desire She grewe in choller against them which imputed her dissease to any other cause saying That they neither desired her contentment nor her Husbands She thought she could not endure too much to become a Mother This beleefe that shee had a childe in her body made her to bring forth death reiecting all kindes of remedies to preserue her frute If the Phisition which had ministred to her as a Woman with childe had not fled to Metz and from thence to Sedan all his Phisicke could not haue kept him from death The profession of Phisitions hath this Priuilege The priuilege of Phisitions that the Sunne sees their practise and the Earth hides their faults The Duke of Lorraine did her no lesse honour after her death then he had witnessed it in her life Hee sent vnto the King an Inuentory of her Iewells Hee caused the body to be conducted vnto the frontier of France in a Carosso well appointed couered with blacke Veluet and drawne with foure Horses The funerall Pompe of the Duchesse of Bar. The foure Bailifes of Lorraine carried the foure corners of the Cloth which couered the Coffin threescore Gentlemen marched before with the Gards The Earle of Chaligny and some Noblemen of the Country went after it There were twelue Suisses which marched on either side It was receiued vpon the frontier by those whom the King had appoinâ—ed The Inhabitants of Troyes would haue receiued it with a Canopy but Tinteuille thought it not fit neither would the King haue taken it well She was much lameÌ„ted by the Duke of Bar who could not haue beene Husband to a better Wife nor she Wife to a better Husband The fift yeare of their Marriage was with as great respect and loue as the first The affections of this Prince and this Princesse A marriage of great content were in such harmony that besids the diuersity of Relâ—igion you would haue sayd they were but one Soule not in two bodies but in one called by two names for they spake with one mouth and thought with one heart And iâ— there be any content in dying amidst the contents of this world this Princesse protested that she had neuer content in this world more perfect then in Lorraine The Duke of Lorraine and the Duke of Bar desired as well to see her satisfied for doubts of relligion They coniured her in the extremity of her sicknes to thinke of her Soules helth After fiue yeares instances made by the King the Pope granted a dispensation of the marriage but she sayd vnto them that she would die as she had liued She was no more forced in the exercise of her Relligion at Nancy then at Nerac True it is that she went to receiue the Communion without the Towne and had preaching and Praiers in her house but for her selfe onely and her followers without the which shee had bin much honored of the Lorrains and at that time more then before the Pope hauing granted a dispenâ—atioÌ„ of the marriage When the newes of her death was brought vnto the King the chiefe of his Councell came presently to apply some remedy to this wound He found that they came to that end The Kings sorrow for the death of his â—ister therfore he coÌ„manded them to leaue him alone that he would resolue with God He caused the Dores and Windowes of his Cabinet to bee shut casting him else vpon his bed to weepe more freely and to ease his greefe in the liberty of his sigthes All the Court did morne and the Ambassadors presented themselues in that habit vnto the King to condole this death in the behalfe of their Maisters The Popes Noncio was some-what troubled in this complement would not mourne at an accident for the which those of his profession could not weepe The King said that he would not tie him to it against his liking but he would be glad not to see him vntil his time of mourning were past Some other would not haue spoken so mildely we knowe that Princes haue showne strange effects of their choller against Ambassadors The Duke of Muscouy caused an Ambassadorâ— Hat to be nâ—yled to his head that haue failed in the honor and respect of these complements The Noncio being better aduised resolued to apply himselfe to the time and to do as the rest thinking
diuers Prouinces and many men â—ol 2â— His cruell pracâ—ises to become great ibid. Horrible murther committed by Clouis ibid. The death of Clouis fol. â—1 His vertues and his vice ibid. The Estate of the Churâ—h ibid. The 6. raigne vnder the â—oure sonnes of Clouis Childebert Clodamir Clotaire Thierry Who raigned together 42. yeares as Kings of France but with particular titles vnder this generall but the eldest beares the name Childebert the 6. King of France HOrrible confusion among brethren fol. 23 Clodamir takes and is taken Crueltie of brethren ibid. Warre betwixt brethren fol. 24 A happie reconâ—ilement ibid. A good and happie warre ibid. Warre rashly vndertaken prooues vnfortunate fol. 25. Austrasia now called Lorraine ibid. A horrible punishment of a rebellious Sonne ibid. Clotaire 1. the 7. King of France PRinces ought not to thrust their subiects into despaire fol. 26 Cherebert 8. King of France DIuision of portions breâ—ds a diuision of harts fol. 28. Horrible confusions betwixt brethren and by their wiues One makes warre against another ibid. Sigâ—bert â—laine fol. 29 Chilperic 1. the 9. King of France THe father kils his sonne through the practises of a woman fol. 30 The husband puts away one wife and kils another ibid. He oppresseth his subiects and the punishment of his crimes ibid. Impietie the spring of all euill fol. 31 Clotaire 2. the 10. King of France THe efficacie of the law of State fol. 31 Notable subtiltie of a woman fol. 32 An imaginarie King ibid. A King in his cradle a Conqueror fol. 33 Tragicall practises of two women ibid. â—redâ—gonde dies with her victorie ibid. Brunâ—hault incenseth one brother against another â—ol 34. The husband against the wife ibid. The brother kils the brother ibid. Brunâ—hault murthers her sonne fol. 35 She is put to a horrible death ibid. Mildnesse fit to repaire a decayed estate fol. 36 The greatnesse of the seruant is a blemish to the master ibid. Too great facilitie hurtfull to an estate ibid. Dagobert 1. the 11. King of France HE forceth his subiects to obedience fol. 37 The Iewes banished France ibid. He was blamed for his adulterie ibid. Hee did great exploits of armes vnder the conduct of Pepin fol. 38 He preferred his younger sonne before the elder ibid. Clouis 2. the 12. King of France THe manners of the idle King fol. 38 The Maior of the Pallace gouernes the whole State â—ol 39 The brethrens portions and their good agreement ibid. The â—eligious life of Queene Baudour ibid. Clouis carefull to releeue the poore ibid. Clotaire 3. the 13. King of France CLotaire a cruell and a wicked King oppressed his subiects fol. 40 Childeric or Chilperic 2. the 14. King of France HE takes his brother and makes him a Monk fol. 41. He growes prowd and cruell The French hate him ibid. He is murthered by his subiects his Queene being with child fol. 42 Thierry 1. the 15. King of France OF a Monke he is made a King fol 42 He is taken prisoner by his subiect iâ—â—d A trecherous murther fâ—l 43 Ebroin Maior of the Pallace growes cruell and â—euengefull hee is murthered by a French Gâ—â—tleman ibâ—d Pepin Maior of the Pallace gouernes with gâ—eaâ— credit ibid. Clouis 3. the 16. King of France HE raigned foure yeares and died without memorie fol. 44 Childebert 2. the 17. King of France HE raigned 17. yeares and did nothing worthy to be spoken of fol. 45 Dagobert 2. the 18. King of France PEpin commanded in a manner absolutely 44. yeares â—ol 46 Princes must looke to whom they commit the charge of affaires ibid. Pepins behauiour during his Maioraltie fol. 47 He was incontinent Charles Martell his bastard ibid. Charles Martell chosen Mayor of the Pallace fol. 48. A second victorie to vse it well ibid. Chilperic 3. the 19. King of France A Prince of no valour simple and voluptuous fol. 49. Thierry 2. the 20. King of France CHarles Martâ—ll chosen Prince of the French â—ol 50. Multiplicitie of Masters a ruine to an Estate ibid. The Sarazens inuade France with 400000. men fol. 50. Martel encounters them and encourageth his men ibid. A memorable defeat of Abdâ—rame the Sarazen and his death fol. 52 The fidelitie of the Viennois to the Fâ—ench fol. 53. The courage of a Bishop ibid. New attempts of the League ibid. A new armie of Sarazens in France ibid. Languedoc seuerely punished by Martell fol. 54 Martel forceth the â—risons to be christened ibid. Childeric 5. the 21 King of France the last of that race THe disposition children and death of Martel fâ—â— 55 Pepin armes against the Sarazens and prescribes them a Law â—â—l 56 He repaires the ruines of the Sarazens ibid. The estate of the Church ibid. Pepin meanes to make himselfe King ibid. The Pope dispenced the French from their oath of obedience to Childeric fol. 57 Pepin the short the 23. King of France and the fiâ—st of the second race PEpin chosen King by the Parliament and Childeric reiected â—ol 60 Soueraigne causes of this change fol. 61 The estate of this second race ibid. Instruction for great men ibid. Pepin striues to win the French by good deeds ib. The Saxons rebell and are subdued ibid. Pepin prouides for the affaires of Italy â—oâ— 62 His wiâ—dome in vndertaking a warre ibid. Astolpho breaks his faith and besiegeth Rome ibid. Pepin confirmes his authoritie by a Parliament fol. 63 He makes a forraine warre to auoide a ciuill ibid. Ieffâ—râ—y of Guienne slaine by his seruant fol. 64 Pepin resignes the crowne to Charles ibid. His children his death and his Manners ibid. The estate of the Empire ibid. Italie made desolate by the Gothes and by the Lombards fâ—l 65 They are expelled by the French ibid. The beginning of Mahomets sect in the East ibid. The estate of the Church at Rome â—ol 66 Contention for Primacie A worthy speech of S. Gregory Dispute for Images At the first but a politicke inuention ibid. Estate of the ancient church Insolencie of Popes at this day â—ol 67 Charles the Great or Charlemaigne the 24. King of France PEpins children diuide the Realme fol. 68 Charles the patterne of a great King ibid. His manners his studies and his armes ibid. The successe of his raigne fol. 69 Carolomans iealousie against his brother ibid. Troubles at Rome 〈◊〉 deeds in 〈◊〉 of his 〈…〉 fol. 70 The Lâ—mbards dissimulation and his presumption in hanging of the Popes Secretaries ibid. Rebellion in Guienne by Hurault ibid. Instruction for Princes fol. 71 Caroloman dies ibid. Charlemagnes wiues and his children ibid. Carolomans widowe ioynes with the Lombards against him 〈◊〉 deeds 〈…〉 â—ntill he 〈◊〉 Empeâ—â—â— ibid. Didier king of the Lombards makes warre against the Pope fol. 72 Charles opposeth himselfe against the Lombard ibid. Charles makes warre with the aduice of his estates and deâ—eates the Lombard twise ibid. He takes Verona and is entertained at Rome fol. 73 Pauia taken and Didier in it ibid. A memorable warre in Germanie and
the cause of this warre fol. 74 Charles subdues the Saxons and perswades Witichind to be a christian ibid. The ofspring of Witichind f. 75 The Institution of the twelue Peeres of France fol. 76 Treachery of Idnabala the Sarazin ibid. Pampalune taken and the Sarazins victorie ibid. The Sarazins enter into Gascoine ibid. Conditions propounded by Aigoland and accepted by Charles fol. 77 Sarazins defeated in Spaine ibid. The treason of Ganelon fol. 78 Rouland defeated at Ronceuaux he dies for thirst ibid Charles reuengeth this treacherie ibid. The end of the Spanish warre fol. 79 Bauiere incorporated to the crowne for rebellion ibid. The limits of the French Monarchy in Germany ibid. The occasion why Charlemagne was proclaimed Emperour fol. 80 Contention in the East â—or Images ibid The tragicall death of Constantine fol. 81 Irene his mother banished ibid. Diuision of the Empire ibid. Warre in Italie and in Saxony fol. 82 Charles hâ—s dâ—edes while he was Emperour Charles repulst at Venice He diuides his possessions to his children and settles an order for their lawes The Danes reuolt ibid. Charles looseth two of his best sonnes ibid. Rebellion against Charles fol. 83 The Empire confirmed to him his care to rule the Church ibid. A good Instruction for princes to loue pietie ibid. New warre in Spaine crost by secret practises ib. A happy conclusion of Chaâ—lemagnes life ibid. Charles makes his Will and dies fol. 84 The true praises of Charlemagne and his vices ibid. Lewis the gentle the 25. king and Emperour of the West THe declining of this race fol. 85 Lewis his wiues and children fol. 86 His base facilitie ibid. A furious crueltie his indiscretion ibid. Tragicall rebellion of children ibid. Abuse in the Clergie fol. 87 Lewis imprisoned by his children hee is forced to giue them portions and he dies ibid. Diuision among the brethren and the cause fol. 87 The estate of Lewis his children aâ—teâ— his death Loâ—haire thinking to surprize his brethren is surprized and defeated fol. 88 He dies a Monke ibid. An accord betwixt Charles and Lewis fol. 89 Hermingrade daughter to Lewis married to Bosan king of Arles fol. 90 Charles the bald the 26. King and Emperour A Confused and an vnhappy raigne fol. 91 Charles seekes to deceiue his Neece ibid. He is diuerted from the warre of Italie where he dies fol. 92 Lewis 2. called the stuttering the 27. King and Emperour THe princes of Italie oppose against him f. 92 The Pope vsurpes the imperial rights in Italy ibi Lewis dies and leaues his wife with child fol. 93 Regents crowned as Kings ibid. Charles borne after his fathers death ibid. The minoritie of Charles called the Simple the which continued 22. yeres vnder 4. Regents whom they call Kings The 28. raigne vnder Lewis and Caroloman Basâ—aâ—ds LEwis is defeated by the Normans and dies for griefe fol. 94 Caroloman dyâ—s of a violent dath fol. 95 Charles called the Grosse 29. King and Emperour GReat hopes of his good gouernment fol. 96 Neustria called Normandie ibid. Charles defeated by the Normans yeelds to a preiudiciall peace ibid. Hee is extreamâ—ly hated and deiected both from Empire and Realme ibid. He dies poorely in a village fol. 97 Eudes or Odon named Regent by Lewis the 2. the 30. King of France THe race of Eudes from whence Hugh Capet sprong fol. 98 Eudes maligned in his Regencie fol. 99 France full of factions ibid. Eudes resignes the Regencie to the King a little before he died ibid. Charles 3. called the Simple the 31. King of France A Memorable League made by Robert brother to Eudes against King Charles fol. 100 Charles put from the Crowne fol. 101 Robert the head of the League and in armes ibid. Robert causeth himselfe to be crowned King fol. 102. The errors of King Charles ibid. Robert defeated and slaine by Charles ibid. Charles taken prisoner by Hebert he dies for griefe ibid. Queene Ogina flies into England with her sonne Lewis ibid. Raoul the 32. King but in effect an vsurper RAâ—ul an Vsurper raignes vnfortunately fol. 103. Necessâ—rie obseruations for great Estates fol. 104 Confusions in France Italy and Germany ibid. Confusion in the East and in the Church ibid. Pope Ioan deliuered of a child in the open streete fol. 105. Lewis 4. the 33 King LEwis a disloyall prince fol. 106 Hee marrieth one of the Emperours sisters Hugues father to Hugh Capâ—t marrieth another ibid. The duke of Normandie tâ—aiterousâ—y slaâ—â—e 〈◊〉 107. Lewis deales trecherously in oppressing the Normanes 〈◊〉 The King of Denmarke comes to succour tâ—e Duke of Normandie fol. 1â—9 Lewis taken prisoner at a parle and set free vpon conditions ibid. Richard Duke of Normandy marries the daughter of â—ugueâ— the great ibid. Lâ—wis seekes to ruine Hugues his brother in Law â—ol 1â—â— Trecherie punished with trecherie Count Hebert hanged ibid. Lewis dies hated of his sâ—biects ibid. Lothaire 34. King of France LOthaire a trecherous king fâ—l 111 He attempt warre against Richard of Normandie but in vaine ibid. Lothaire makes warre against the Emperour 〈◊〉 112. Lorraine giuen to Charles of France by the Emperour ibid. Lothaire dies detested of all men ibâ—d Lewis 5 the 35. King and the last of the sâ—cond â—ace THe last King of the race of Charlemaigne fâ—l 113. God the disposer of Kingdomes and States ibid. Hugh Capet the 36. King and the first of the third Race CHarles Duke of Lorraine heire presumptiue reiected from the Crowne and Hugh Capet chosen King of France fol. 117 The reason why Chaâ—les was reiected fol. 118 Hugh Capet held most worthy of the Crowne ibid. His fathers wise proceeding fol. 119 His off-spring ibid. Why he was called Capâ—t ibid. Hugh Capets proceeding to attaine to the Crowne fol. 120. A parliament at Noâ—on â—or his election ibid. Hugh Capet crowned at Rheims fol. 121 Charles of Lorraine begins warre and surpriseth townes ibid. Hugh Capâ—t defeated and in danger ibid. Charles promiseth vnto himselfe a happie raigne ibid. He is taken in Laon carried to Orleans where he dies in prison ibid. Hugh Capet no vsurper fol. 122 The subiects doe homage vnto him ibid. Hee doth renew the orders of the twelue Peeres of France He suppresseth the Mayor of the Pallace ibid. Hugh crownes his sonne Robâ—rt King fol. 123 Roberts veâ—tues ibid. The Constable succeeds the Maior the Constables authoritie ibid. Hugh decrees that the eldest should raigne alone among his brethren ibid. He suppresseth the Mayor of the Palace ibid. The French cannot subsist but vnder a Royaltie ibid. Paris the chiefe place of Hughes residence ibid. His proceeding against Arnulph bastard of Lothaire who is deposed from his bishopricke ibid. The manners of Pope Iohn the 12. fol. 125 The estate of the Church and Empire ibid. Hugh Capet dies ibid. The Monarchy of France of greater continuance then euer any fol. 126 An order for the vse of this raigne ibid. The names of 13. Kings of the first royall branch of Capets placing Hugh Capet for
His death mounted the royall throne of France thus he raigned thus he liued and thus he died leauing to his posterity a happy taste of his name A religious Prince His manners wise moderate valiant louing his subiects beloued of them happy in father in children in his gouernment an excellent patterne for excellent Princes who by his example hold it for a resolute maxime That the strongest cittadell of a Prince is the loue of his subiects and the surest bond of their authority a respect gotten and preserued by vertue Estate of the Empire and of the Church BVt before we enter the raigne of Charlemagne we must briefely represent the estate of the Romane Empire the which was happily vnited to the French Monarchy and of the Church of Rome by reason whereof there happened great and notable exploits vnder his raigne The Empire in the West The Empire of Rome had nothing remaining in the West as we haue shewed Gaule was possessed by the French with the best part of Germanâ—e since the beginning of their Monarchie vnto the time we now describe it hath beene greatly inlarged In Gaule not onely in compasse of territories obedience of people but also in reputation of ciuility mildnesse iustice wisdome and valour aswell by the happy successe of their victorious armies as by the modest vsage of their victories towards such as they subdued In Spaine Spaine was apportioned to diuers nations Vandales Goths Sarazins pelmel some here some there Italy was in miserable estate Rome sometimes the head of the world was then the sinke of all confusion In Italy the Rendezuous of all furious nations as if they had vndertaken the ruine thereof by taske hauing sackt it three time for vnder the Empire of Honorius in the yeare of grace 414 the Goths by their King Alariâ— tooke it after two yeares siege and sackt it without demanteling thereof Fortie fiue yeares after vnder the Empire of Martian in the yeare 459. the Vandales vnder the conduct of Genserike their King take it againe sacke it spoyle it and disgrace it leading the widow of the Emperour Valentinian the third basely in triumph 768. In the time of Iâ—stâ—nian the Emperour the Goths vnder the command of Toâ—ila hauing vndermined it with a long siege tooke it sackt it and demanteled it Thus Rome was no more Rome but a horrible confusion after so many ruines retaining nothing of her ancient beauty but onely the traces of her old buildings and the punishment of â—ertyrannie hauing endured that which she had caused other Citties to suffer Behold Italy wasted infinitely tormented by sundrie enemies Italâ— desolate by the Goths who had vniustly afflicted all the nations of the earth The Goths had fiâ—st seized thereon and enioyed it long but as vnder the Empire of Iustinian in the yeare of Christ 552 they were expelled by the valour of Narses an excellent Captaine who deâ—eated their armie slew their King Totila and repeopled Rome so soone after the Lombards comming out of Germanie lodged in their place as if they had played at leuell coyleâ— being drawne thether by Narses himselfe discontented with the ill vsage hee receiued from Iâ—sâ—nian his maister The Lombards held Italy about 200. yeares By the Lombardâ— vntill that Chaâ—lâ—magne expelled them At the same time the six Gouernours for the Empire of Rome held Rauenna and some other Citties depending thus was the greatnesse of the Romaine Empiâ—e restrained but with such couetousnesse and insoleâ—â—â—â— as it tyred them no lesse then forraine foes That gouernment of sixe ended by the Lombards and the Lombards by the French as the sequel will shew who purchased credit euery where The which 〈…〉 by the Fâ—â—nch by comparing of the barbarous and confuâ—ed inuasions of these warlike nations they adding to the valour and good successe of their armes iustice pietie teâ—perance and clemencie this reâ—utation of vertue winning them as many hearts as theâ—r swords did Câ—tties During these confused and obscure times there passed about 400. yeares from the first sack of Rome vntill that Charlemagne expelling the Lombardes became absolute maister of Italie was made Emperour at Rome All this passed vnder the Empires of Theodâ—sius sonne to Arcadius of Valentinian the 3. Martian Leo the second Zenon Anastasiâ—s Iustin the fiâ—st Iustinian the first Iustin the second Tiberius Mauritius Phocas Heraclius Constantin the second Iustinian the second Philippicus Artemius Leo the third Constantin the third Leo the fourth Ireneus Nicephorus vnder whom by a publicke and sollemne contract the distinction of the Easterne and Westerne Eâ—pires was made The command of the West is left as it were in garde with Charlemâ—gne and the French nation But the East was in a bad plight although the name and â—eate of the Empire were yet at Constantinople for besides the dissipation of the State to increase their miserie a new sect sprung vp forged by Mahomet an Arabian borne Eâ—tate of the East vnder a colour of libertie by the mixture of sundrie doctrines and after a mouâ—d of carnall felicitie With this charme hee corrupted infinite numbers of people and erected a new Kingdome in the East from whence hee vtterly expelled the Romaine name with all the dignitie of the Empire This was in the time of the Emperour Heraclius in the yeare of grace 623. an infamous date The beginniâ—g of Mahomets sect to note the beginning of Mahomets blaspemies Hee began in Arabia hauing wonne credit with the Sarrazins who were Arabian Souldiars desperate aduenturers and discontented with the Romaines and by the first beginning of his new doctrine hee gotte so great reputation as hee assembled an infinite number of men armed with an incredible celeritie vnder the enseigne of liberty So as he marched as a conquerour in all places hauing not onely subdued by the force of these tumultuous troupes Arabia where hee was borne but also Persia Palestina Iudea Egipt and Affrike and then ranging ouer Asia the lesse he came to the gates of Constantinople in lesse then thirtie yeares Buâ— the prouidence of God caring for the preseruation of his Church opposed the Frâ—â—ch Monarchie against the violent rage of Mahomet which else had ouerflowed all Europe into the which hee had already made a breach by Spaine had gotten a great countrie and was ready to inuade France if Charles Martel had not stopt his course at Tours as wee haue sayd During these confusions in the Empire the Bishop of Rome grewe great by these ruines The Goths and Vandales were more enemies to the estate then to religion for although for the most part they were Arriens yet did they aduow themselues Christians The Estate of the Church of Rome and held the common signe of Christianitie so as in the taking and sacking of the Cittie of Rome the Bishop was somewhat respected in his fauour the people built vpon the foundation of the ruined houses and many of the