Brittain All â—re sent for euery man doth march the Râ—ndezâ—uous is at Mans. Peter of Craon retyers from Sablé whilest this storme â—iseth but the King marcheth on assuring himselfe that he was in Brittaine although some say that he was in Arragon and that the Queene of Arragon had giuen him intelligence that she held a French Knight prisoner at Peâ—pignan who would not discouer his name This distempered choller had much impayred the Kings health who carried in his face the disease of his minde His Physitians disswaded him from this voyage as most preiudiciall for his health and the Duke of Brittain by a new excuse The King marched against the Duke of Brittain beseeched him to beleeue that he had no dealings with Peter of Craon The King could not bee diuerted by all these difficulties from passing on in this iourney so willfully vndertaken by him although his Vncle 's found newe deuises to stay him both at Chartres and at Mans imploying his physitians to shewe vnto him how dangerous it was to march in Sommer beeing extreamely hot 1393. considering the debility of his health much impayred sence his burning choller the which had altâ—red all his bloud whereof he had proofe by daylie feauers His phisâ—â—ions diswade him But this passion of cholleâ— had so possessed his poore afflicted spirits that such as were about him besides himself perceiued his griefe to be the more weake in that he was insensible of what he suffred his seruants espied that which they could not but see in him by the extreame apprehension they had of the harme which was at hand Moreouer the Duke of Brittain to calme this great storme which was readie to fall vpon him although in truth hee had hidden Peter of Craon at Susmet and was â—oâ—y that he had not slaine the Constable Clisson sends a certaine Bishop of his Country to the King called the Bearded a very famous man for the integrity of his life The Duke of Bâ—ittain labors to satisfie â—he King to beseech him to beleeue that he was nothing guilty of this attempt neyther did he knowe what was become of Peter of Craon whome he would send vnto him with his hands and feete bound if he were in his power That he should not make warre against his owne Country and against a poore people which must suffer for an other mans folly In the ende this man pronounceth the threats of Gods iudgement against Charles if hee should proceede vnto warre so lightly vndertaken against his vassalls and subiects and against the articles of marriage concluded betwixt his daughter and the Dukes sonne as a seale of their loues This Bishop was heard in Councell and the Duke of Berry speaking more boldly then the rest for the authority which his degree and white haires gaue him layed open all that mâ—ght hinder this voyage But Charles stopt his eares to all good Councell hauing his braine disposed to the distemperature which shall presently seize vpon him running headlong into the mischieâ—e which should afflict him and all France He parts from Mans in Iuly in an exceeding hot day as the history sayes as if all things had conspited to affâ—â—ct this poore Prince The King parts frâ—m Mans. at nyne of the clocke in the morning to receiue the coolenesse of the greatest heate at Noonetyde weake in head and minde distempred with choller griefe despight and languishing his bodie weaâ—ied with watching and distast not able to eate nor sleepe hauing his head muffled with a great cap of Scarlet and his body couered with a thicke Ierkin of Veluet too waighty for a sharpe winter marching on a sandie plaine so scalt with the sunne beames as the strongest did melt in sweate and were out of breath Being entred the forest of Mans behold a man bare headed and bare legged attired in a coate of white rugge stepps sodenly forth betwixt two trees A strange aâ—cident bâ—falls the King taking hold of the reynes of his horse he stayes him and sayes vnto him King ride no farther but returne backe for thou art betrayed Charles whose spirits were otherwise dulled was amazed at this voyce and his bloud greatly disteâ—pered His seruants runne to this man and with blowes make him leaue the reines of his horse and so without any farther search the man vanished After this accident there presently followes an other Charles and his Noble men did ride in troupes deuided by reason of the dust and he himselfe was all alone pensiue with the pages of his chamber who were so neere vnto him as they troad on his horse heeles He that was neerest carried his helmet vpon his head and the next his Lance being garnished with crimsen silke As the heate of the Noone day makes men drousie on horse backe it chanced the Page which carried his Lance beeing very sleepy let it fall vpon him which carried the helmet making a great noyse like the rushing of armes The King starts with amazement at this noyse and seeing the crimson bandeâ—olle of the Lance hauing his spirits weakned with the former distemperatures transported with the imagination of this voyce sleepy with labour and heate he imagined himsâ—lfe to be compassed in wâ—th many armed men which poursued him to the death The second season from the time of the Kings sicknesse From the yeare 1393. to the yeare 1422. This time of his infirmity is distinguished into many acts whereof this is the first Scene of a long and mournful Tragedie THVS Charles transported with this phrensie layes hold on his sword drawes it runnes violently after his pages and cryes amayâ—e Charles falles into a phrenâ—ie At these Traitors The pages conceyuing at the first that he had beene displeased for the disorder of the Lance flie from him The King followes after doubling his crie At this noyse the Duke of Orleance runnes towards him to vnderstand the cause The King layes at him not knowing him the Duke flies and the King followes The Duke of Bourgoâ—gne â—ides to him Al gather togither with great outcry Squiers knights compasse in the king till that being wearied and his horse out of breath his most trustie Chamberlaine takes hold of him gently behind and stayes him cheering him with flattering words and speaking vnto him with that familiarity that befitts a faithfull seruant to a good master Then all drawe neere vnto him they take his sword from him they lay him on the ground and disroabe him of his thicke velluet ierkin and his scarlet cap to giue him breath His Brother and Vncles salute him but he knowes them not neyther makes he any shewe to moue The first fitt of the Kings phrensie being pensiue his eyes troubled turning vp and downe mute sighing panting mouing both body and head with great amazement All signes of phrensie appered in this poore Prince The Physitians are sent for in hast they come but hee knowes them not The pittifull estate of the Couâ—â— Brother
best meanes to honour her This great liberty gaue her meanes to make an escape from this goodly cage so as hauing practised some for her guide shee disguiseth her selfe in the habit of a man and retyres fâ—om Gand to Breda where shee doth assure the riuer of Garide and doth solicit the Townes of Holland by her Agents The Bourguignon foreseeing by these beginnings a long countinance of trouble flies thether with his army He enters the Countrie She escapeth from Gand. at the fiâ—st they all resist him for the respect the subiects bare to their Lady But as the inconueniences of warre increased dayly and that Philip did shewe by publike writings and priuate practises that whatsoeuer hee did was to maintaine the right of the lawfull husband many Townes yeelded vnto him At this time Iohn Duke of Brabant the lawfull husband of Iaqueline dies in the Castell of Leneuure Philip of Bourgongne made heire of Braâ—â—nt 〈◊〉 Holland and â—â—land hauing instituted Philip of Bourgongne his heire The Citties seeing the Bourguignon supported both by force and right followe him by a common consent as twise a Conquerour and perswade their Lady not to oppose her selfe obstinately against so reasonable a necessity So without any other force but the happy successe of the stronger an accord was made betwixt Philip Duke of Bourgongne and Iaqueline Contesse c. Hainault and Holland vpon these conditions That Iaqueline doth acknowledge her Cousin Philip Duke of Bourgongne for the lawefull heire of her Countryes and from thence forth doth make him gouernour of Hainault Holland and Zeland All these Estaâ—s should take their oath and do homâ—ge of fealtie vnto Philip. All fortressâ—s should bee dâ—liuered into his hands and she promiseâ—h neuer to marrie without his consent This Philip was honorably receiued throughout all these Estats to the content of some and discontent of others according to their diuers humours but force controwled all Iaqueline made a good shewe yet greatly discontented to see him her maister Such was the Tragicall Comedie of this long sute for the quiet of these Estats and the greatnesse of the Duke of Bourgongne who made his profit of all sides He is made heirâ— of Nâ—maâ— for soone after William Earle of Namur left him the Earldome of Namur whereof he takes possession to the great disconâ—ent of the Liâ—geois as wee shall see heereafter This greatnesse of the Duke of Bourgâ—â—gne bred iealousie in the Duke of Bedford hee being assisted by the Duke of Brittain his open enemy and the Earle of Richmond Constable of France whome he sees hourely to growe great in his authority Thus â—earing more mischeefe to fall vnto him by that meanes hee resolues to 〈◊〉 himselfe with newe helpes and to this ende hee goes into England leaâ—â—ng the affaires of France in charge of the Earles of Warwike Suffollke and Salisburie His stay was not long necessitie pressed him Hee obtaines both men and money fit remedies to preuent a storme The Duke of Bâ—â—ford bâ—ingâ— newâ— forces out of England Hee returnes into France with ten thousand men and a notable summe of money for their pay For the good imployement of these newe forces hee resolues to beeseege Montargis a dangerous thorne both for the neerenesse to Paris and the conuerse of the Bourguignon who continued his desseâ—ngs notwithstanding the stil iealousie of these Princes The charge of this seege was giuen to the Earles of Warwicke and Suffolke with three thousand men the rest were dispersed in Normandie and in Townes bordeâ—ing vpon Picardie for feare of the Bourguignon in whome he had no confidence Montargis is beeseeged and although the waters hindered their approach to the walles yet within â—ewe dayes it was fiercly battered by the English and valiantly defended by the French The seege of Montargis happie for the French They câ—ie out for succour but the affaires in Court were so wonderfully confused by the inâ—estine icalousies of the great men that one gazed vpon an other yet no man stirred although Charles continually cried to armes In the ende they beegin to march and although the Constable had busied himselfe in this leuie yet feating the example of Saint Iames hee would not hazard himselfe in the leading thereof The Constable loth to go to the releese of Montargis alleaging many colours to saue himselfe from blowes For want of him the charge was giuen to the Earle of Dunois a bastard of Orleans to William of Albret Lord of Oruall to the Lords of Gaucourt Guitry Grauille Villar la Hire Gyles of Saint Simon Gaulter of Frossard Iohn Stuard a Scot and other valiant Captaines who led fifeteene or sixteene hundered fighting men Their purpose was onely to vitteil the beseeged whilest the King raised greater forces in the Countries of his obedience The Constable remayned at Iargeau attending the issue which succeeded more happily then the desâ—eine of so flight a succour The Earle of Dunois doth aduertise the beseeged of his approach The riuer forced the English to make three lodgings those within the Towne had cunningly surprised the bridges vpon the riuer of Loing and after the succours had secreatly recouered the Rendez-uous those within the Towne stopped the course of the water so artificially Montargis releâ—ued and the English defeated as the riuer ouerflowes the bridges At the same instant all the troupes charge the English la Hire leading the first troupe chargeth the quarter where the Lord de la Poole brother to the Earle of Suffolke commanded crying Montioye S. Denices he fills all with confusion killing burning and spoyling de la Poole with much adoe saues himselfe with seauen more in his brothers lodging in the Abby without the Towne vpon the way to Nemours The Earle of Dunnois whose rendez-uous was towards the Castle hauing ioyned with the Townesmen who were issued forth with great resolution chargeth the body of their Campe the which he wholy ouercame The slaughter was great for so small troupes for they numbred sixteene hundered slaine vpon the place In this charge the Earle of Suffolke fauored by the waters gathers togither al he can in his quarter and recouers the hilles to make his retreat to Chasleau-Landon and Nemours places vnder the English commaunde and of neerest retreat The honour of this happie successe was attributed to the Earle of Dunois whereat the King recâ—yued an incredible content as a refreshing to this buâ—ning â—euer and the Constable Richemond a greeuious discontent being absent and so this yeare ended But the newe yeare will shewe what fruits Brittain yeelded to France during her great necessities This châ—â—ke at Montargis did somewhat coole the Duke of Bedfords heat The Constable seekes all meanes to crosse the King but the Constables ambition nothing at all who hauing vndertaken to play the King with the King sought to crosse all the humors of this Prince hee hated what hee loued disallowed what hee allowed and dispraysed what hee commended After the violent death of Gyac of whome wee haue spoken hee had fauored Tremouille to plant him in the Kings good
sayd Philibert But the Kings deputies not able to drawe any reason from Charles Vncle to his Maiestie he must seeke that by force which he could not get by a friendly and amiable composition The Kings first stratagem was to bring a part of Rence de Ceres company into Geneua to succour them against Charles who besieged it The second was to stirre vp the Bernois allyes and neighbours to Geneua who taking the Towne into their protection went to field with tenne or twelue thousand men made the Duke retire 1535. spoiled him of a good part of the lands that were vnder his obedience chased away the Bishop of Lauzanna and ioyning it to their Iurisdiction they remaine still in possession thereof The Emperour returned then from his victorie of Tunis against Barberousse and seeming dâ—sirous to make a more stricter League with the King hee offred him a pension of a hundred thousand Crownes a yeare out of the Duchie of Milan for any one of his Children whome hee should name hee treated the marriages of the Daulphin with the Infant of Portugall Daughter to Queene Eleonor and of the Duke of Angoulesme with such a one as the King should well like of it seemed that he ment the Infant of Spaine to the ende that by these newe bonds of coniunction tying their friendshippes more firmely they might ioyntly participate sayd hee in the honour and profit of the mightie conquests which they should make vpon Grece All this was but cunning The Emperour was tired and his forces were â—asâ—ed by the toyles of warre and the great heat they had endured And the King being readie with a fresh and mighty armie The Emperours dissimulation threatned the Duchies of Sauoy and Milan he must therefore busie him with some baâ—te and at the least stay the exploits of his forces The death of Francis Sfoâ—ce presents a newe occasion By this death the Emperour pretends to bee freed of that bloud The death of Francis Sforce and that he might dispose of this Duchie at his pleasure The captaines promise to hold their places of the Emperour The Emperour giues hope not onely to dispose of the sayd Duchie to the Kings liking but also to conclude of a generall warre against the Turke in the which he offâ—ed to impart with the King the good or euill that should growe thereby and of the faith aâ—d reunion of the Church namely for the reducing of Germanie and England to the generall beleefe of Christians and of a generall peace in Christendome In the meane time he prepared for waâ—re hee caused Cont Nassau to make a great Leuie in Germanie and called backe Ferdinand Gonsague into Italie with his Spaniards which remained in Sicile Thus all the negotiations and practises of these two great Princes gaue sufficient signes of open war there wanted nothing but a lawfull occasion for either of them to blame his companion and to lay vpon him the causes of the first inuasion The Emperour required moreouer that for the quiet of Italie the King should desist from the action of Genes That excluding the Duke of Orleans from the estate and Duchie of Milan the which the King demanded for his second sonne according to the treatie made with the Pope at Marseilles the Duke of Angoulesme for that hee was farthest from the Crowne should be inuested That the King should send him the sayd Duke of Orleans to assist him at the conquest of Alger which he pretended The King desired greatly to maintayne true friendship with him and to vnite it by as strong alliances as the Emperour offred that the greatnesse of the one might not breed any iealousie in the other As for the action of Genes hee was content to surcease that controuersie vntill it might bee decided by good and lawefull meanes to renownce for euer his pretensions to Naples and to cause the sayd Duke of Orleans to yeeld vp his quarrell to Florence and Vrbin with such security as the Emperour should require so as his second sonne might be inuested in Milan He promised the Pope which was Alexander Farnese vnder the name of Paul the 3. successor of Clement 7. summoning all Princes to that ende to imploye his forces to make Germanie and England obey the sentence decree of the Church and to imploy himselfe in fauour of the sayd Emperour to the states and Princes of the Empire that they should ioyntly receiue his brother Ferdinand for the true and lawfull King of the Romains Hee offred to succour the Emperour in his holy warre with a certaine number of galleys and men entertayned promising to accompanie him the yeare following in the voâ—age of Constantinople with all his forces But to exclude the Duke of Orleans from the enheritance of his Ancestors which his eldest brother did willingly yeeld vnto him in fauour of his marrâ—age to install his youngest sonne was it not to sowe dissention and cause of warre 1536. betwixt them whom he desired to breed vp in peace and brotherly loue And to what end did the Emperour demand the Duke of Orleans but rather to hold him in manner of an hostage then to make any shew of loue or trust On the other side to giue hope that hee would compound with the King touching Milâ—n and to vrge this clause vehemently That all should bee managed without the Popes priuitie who no doubt would seeke all meanes to crosse it sayd the Emperour if he should vnderstand they had treated without imparting it vnto him and notwithstanding to giue intelligence to the Court of Rome by Andrew Dorie and to assure him that although hee gaue eare to the Kings ministers yet would he not conclude any thing without the aduise and consent of his Holinesse was not this a corrupt proceeding seeking to breed a iealousie and distrust betwixt the Pope and his Maiestie The King wearied with these long dissimulations and delayes without effect sent the Lord of Beauuâ—is vnto Venice to make a new League with the Senate and the King of England â—ent the Bishop of Winchester to the same effect The Emperour had some intelligence thereof and to crosse the Kings desseins he sent Du Prat a Gentleman of his house to make a new leuie of Lâ—nsquenets and Andâ—ew Dorie to Genes to prepare his armie by sea but vnder colour of his enterprise of Alger Who would not then iudge but in steed of a confirmation of peace and loue all things tended to open warre Nothing could detaine these inuincible warriours but that the Empeour after so great a dissipation of his forces could not so sodenly repaire his armie and the King making a scruple to be the first assailant would not incurre the blame to haâ—e broken the treatie of Cambray But without breach thereof many motiues of discontent had long incensed him against the Duke of Sauoy Causes of the Kings dislike with the duke of Sauoy The Iewels which the Duke had engaged to borrow money for the
battered Ganache the fourth of Februaâ—â—â—â—uing spent eight hundred Cannon shot hee made two breaches and gaue a◠〈◊〉 with the losse of aboue three hundred men and growing resolute in this 〈◊〉 where his honor was ingaged hee letts Plessisgecte Captaine of the place vndeâ—â—tand that hee had wonne reputation inough in the defence of so weake a place that his obstinacie did preiudice the King of Nauarres affaires That the King by the execution done at Blois had sufâ—iciently declared warre against the League and that he mâ—â—t to imploy the saied Kings forces against them Plessis aduertiâ—eth the King his mastâ—â— he marcheth to succor him but his violent traâ—ell on foote to get him a heate in an extreame colde season Ganacâ—e yeelded to the Duke of Neuâ—rs made him stay so dangerously sicke of a feuer at Saint Pere as the newes of his death was carried to Court So Plessis yeelded vp the Towne his armes and baggage saued But this royall armie came to nothing The Duke went to refresh himselfe at his house wauering some moneths doubtfull of his party and the King of Nauarre whom God would vse in so confused a time to bring him vpon the Theater not as a disinâ—erited Child according to the intent of the Estates but to teach men that their sâ—â—â—uing is in vaine against the decrees of his diuine prouidence hauing recouered his peâ—â—eâ—t health assured himselfe of the places neere vnto Niort Saint Maixant Mallâ—zaye Chastelleraut Loudun Lisle Bouchard Mirebeau Viuonne and others pretending to do the King some great and notable seruice The King by this blowe had amazed but not suppressed the League He had begun well for the waranty of his Estate but he must not do things by halues In steed of going to horse making his armes to glister shewing himselfe betwixt Orleans and Paris calling backe his army out off Poictou to oppose it against the attempts of the Duke of Mayenne Error in state and being armed and the Townes amazed at this great effect to diuert the mischiefe which oppressed him within fewe monthes hee returnes to his first remedies being soft and fearefull against a mad multitude hee is content to send words to retayne his subiects alreadie entred into sedition hee releaseth some prisoners whome he held least dangerous continues the Estats renues the Edict of vnion and by a generall forgetting of what was past thinkes they will lay downe their armes against him to imploy them against the King of Nauarre But a multitude growes mad with mildenesse and is reteyned by seuerity The King finds that in lesse then sixe weekes â—ours and Baugency are the fronters of those prouinces that were vnder his obedience And whereas he thought to begin hee nowe ceaseth to raigne So God who had laughed at the vaine attempts of the one will likewise heâ—pe vpon the other remedies no lesse violent then those he had practised Nowe manie awaked from their amazement and began to stirre the people studâ—â—ed of new mutinies and new armes Orleans shut vp their gates the Towne made barâ—icadoes against the Cittadell Paris shewed the furie of their mutinie against the Louurâ— they beate downe the Kings armes impryson his seruants and aswell by their ransomes and spoile as by a voluntary contribution they leuie a great summe of money for the warre Marteau Cotteblanche Compan Roland and others deliuered vpon promises to reclaime the Parisiens had contrariwise seduced the people The sixteene let vs know them by their names euen as they are set downe in an oration made by the Bourgeses of Paris to the Cardinall Caietan la Bruyere Crucé â—ussyle Clere the Commissary Louchard Morlier Senault the Comissary de Bart Drouart an Aduocate Aluequin Emonnâ—t â—ablier Messier Passart Oudineau Tellier Morin a proctor of the Chastelet euery one of which had many Agents followers like sixteene fuâ—ies coÌ„ming out offhel sharpened their weapons kindled the coales of murther dissolutenes first at Paris then in a maner in al the good townes of the realme being seasoned with the leuaine of these furious tribuns The Preachers fire brands of these furies came not into the pulpit Paâ—isiens insolencies but to poure forth reproches and iniuries against the King and by an Iliade of Curses to kindle the peoples mindes to rebeâ—lion The people came neuer from their sermons but hauing fire in their heads readines in their feet to runne and disposition in theâ—r hands to fall tumultuously vppon such as were not branded with the marke of the League Hee was neither a good nor a zealous Catholike that had not a beadroule of outrages to detest and abhore that execution of Blois The porters at the Palace babled nothing but a cursing of the Kings life an elegie to lament the calamitie of these two bretheren an oration in memorie of the commendable exploits of the Duke of Guise in Hongary against the Turke at Iarnac against the Protestants at Poitiers at Montcontour against the Reistres of Thoré at Vimorry and at Auneau They cried aloud at Paris That France was now sicke and could not bee cured but by giuing her a drinke of French bloud And because they haue not the bodie at their deuotion those things he possesseth must suffer for it his furniture at the Louure his pictures are broken his armes beaten downe his images dragged vp and downe his great sâ—ale defaced they call him impious vniust vilaine prophane tyrant damned The Colledge of Sorbonne concludes by a publike act of the 7. of Ianuary That the people of France are freed from the othe of obedience and fealtie which they ought to Henry of Valois and that lawfully and with a good conscience they may arme against him receiue his reuenues and imploy it to make warre against him On the other side Charles of Lorraine Duke of Mayenne dreaming on his brothers death prouided for the assurance of his owne life The Duke of Maâ—ennes courâ—â—â—â— and consulted with the Arche-bishops Officiall the Lord of Botheon Seneshall of Lionnois and some others of the chiefe whether there were any safety for him within their Towne We are sayd they bound vnto the King before all others Make no tryall we pray you of your seruants in that which shall bee contrary to the Kings will Arme not your selfe against him without doubt hee will seeke your seruice when you shall submit the passion of reuenge vnto reason and will aduance your house to the good of all France the which trembles with apprehension of the calamities which this warre shall cause If the people call you to set them at lâ—berty you shall abandon them to the spoile and to defend the Monarchie against the King you shall make your selfe the head of a confused and monstrous Anarchie God did neuer forget the protection of Kings against their mutinous subiects They bee the image of God the children of heauen and whosoeuer armes against them armes against heauen Moreouer the winde of the peoples
but la Noue whome the King had especially commaunded to assist the Duke of Longuâ—uille with Councell in matters of warre did so wisely make choise of the houre and oportunitie to charge as the Duke of Aumale Balagni Gouernour of Cambray Of the Duke of Aumale and Balagni at Senliâ— and the rest puting in practise the vse of their long spurre rowels lately inuented as a mournfull prediction to the League saued their persons by the swiftnes of their horses and left the field died with the bloud of fifteene hundred slaine vppon the place in the â—light and poursuit verifying the saying He that flies betimes may fight againe Chamois Menneuille and diuers others could not runne fast inough The artillerie baggage and many prisoners remained at the victors discretion who by the Kings commaundement went to receiue the army of strangers which were come to the fronters The Kings meaning was to subdue Paris The greatest of the Hidraes heads being cut off did weaken the whole bodie and gaue hope to his Maiestie by that meanes to find what hee had lost the loue and obedience of his subiects To this end hee sends the Duke of Espernon to take from the Parisâ—ens the commodities aboue the riuer and assembles his forces to compasse them in beneath Thus the warre growes hot The Nobilitie goes to horse on all sides to reuenge the wrong done vnto the King but the more his troups increased the more bitter his subiects grew against him No prosperitie is so gâ—eat but it hath some crosses As the King attends the forces which the Prince of Dômbes now Duke of Montpensier brings him from Tours Losses for the King newes comes that the Earle of Soissons whome he had sent to commaund in Brittanie had beene defeated at Chasteaugiron three Leagues from Rennes and led prisoner with the Earle of Auaugour and many other Lords to Nantes That the Duke of Mayenne had taken Alenson That the Lord of Albigni a yonger brother to the house of Gordes and a partisan of the League had chased the Colonnel Alphonso out of Grenoble and seized on the Towne The taking of these Earles caused the King to send the Prince Dombes thither who more happily reduced many places to his Maiesties obedience The happie successe of the Kings affaires made men to iudge Towneâ— taken that the League would soone bee ruined the Kings armie increasing hourely Three hundred horse of la Chastre who presently after the Tragedie of Blois had made shew to iustifie himselfe vnto the King for the strict familiaritie hee had with the Duke of Guise were defeated by the Duke of Montâ—ason and the Marquis of Nesâ—e his Lieutenant and fiftie of his companie slaine the taking of Iargeau Pluuiers Ianuille and Estampes terrified the Parisiens They call backe the Duke of Mayenne and he finding the Duke of Longueuille farre off goes into Brie assures some places and takes Montreau-faut-yonne by composition from the Duke of Espernon but the Kings approch carried him sodenly to Paris where suffering his troupes to liue at discretion in the suburbs hee caused an ill impression to grow in some which could not well digest this confusion in the State An armie of about twentie thousand men gathered to gither by the Duke of Longueuille ioyning with the Suisses Lansquenets of Sansy Pontoise returned to the Kings obedience soone after the Kings arriuall all the Kings forces ioyned in one bodie being about fortie thousand men lodged about Paris and the taking of Saint Cloud made the Parisâ—â—ns readie to yeeld when as a deuilish monke an excrement of hell a Iacobin by profession Iames Clement of the age of two or three and twentie yeares Paris beseeged vowes said hee to kill the Tirant and to deliuer the holy Cittie beseeged by Sennacherib Thus resolued hee imparts his damnable proiect to Doctor Bourgoing Prior of his Couent to father Commolet and other Iesuits and to the heads of the League to the chiefe of the sixteene and to the fortie of Paris All encorrage him to this 〈◊〉 desseine they promise him Abbaies and Bishoprikes and if he chance to be made a Martir no lesse then a place in heauen aboue the Apostles They caused the Pâ—eachers to perswade the people to patience seauen or eight dayes for before the â—nde of the weeke they should see a notable accident which should set all the people at liberty The Preachers of Orleans Rouan and Amiens clatter out the like at the same time and in the same termes The first of August the Monke goes out of Paris and marcheth toward Saint Cloud vpon his departure they take aboue two hundred of the chiefe Cittizens and others prysoners whome they knewe to haue goods friends and credit with the Kings partie as a precaution to redeeme that cursed murtherer in case he were taken before or after the deed Being arriued at Gondyes house where the King lodged he goes to la Guesle the Kings Proctor generall in his Court of Parliament at Paris and saies that he had brought some matter of importance which might not be imparted to other but to his Maiesty and had letters of credit from the first President The King who for the reuerence he bare vnto Church men gaue free accesse vnto such as vnder the habit of religion made shew to bee deuoted vnto the seruice of God commands hee should bee brought into his Chamber willing the Lord of Bellegarde and the saied Proctor generall to retire who were then alone nere the King hoping both by the quality of the person whome he did counterfeit whose long imprisonment in the Bastille had giuen sufficient testimony of his faith and integrity to his Maiestie and the simple demonstration of the Wolfe disguised into a Lambe to learne some secret matter of importance and receiues this counterfet letter from him The King did no sooner begin to reade it but this wretch seeing himselfe alone growes resolute and drawing a Knife out of his sleeue made of purpose thrusts his Maiestie into the botome of the bellie and there leaues the knife in the wound The King drawes it forth and with some striuing of the Monke strikes him aboue the eye Many ranne in at this noyse and in the heate of choller killing this monster of men preuented the true discouery of this enterprise and the authors thereof worthie to be noted with a perpetuall blot of disloyaltie and treason The Physitians held the wound curable and the same day the King did write of this attempt The death of Henry the â— being murthered and of his hope of recouery to the gouernors oâ— Prouinces to forraine Princes and to his friends and confederates But fealing that the King of Kings had otherwise determined of his life hee did first comfort himselfe in foreseeing that the last houre of his crosses should be the first of his felicities then lamenting his good and faithfull seruants who suruiuing should finde no respect with those whose mindes
making a defensiue warre attending the successe of Tartas Talbot fearing least Galardon should be surprised by the French doth raze it and this was all Let vs now returne to Tholouse to conduct Charles from thence to Tartas Taâ—taâ— releeued by King Chaâ—les for there lies the waight of his affaires Assignation is giuen it must be held To conclude the King comes at the appointed time with a goodly and mighty army the condition is performed he demands his hostages and the effect of accord So young Albret is deliuered Tartas continues vnder his obedience the day honorably kept and all the Prouince in quiet Tartas thus victoriously assured Charles resolues both to husband the occasion with his forces and to proceed farther Saint Seuer was held by Thomas Rameston with a hundred men at armes and fouerteene hundred Cros bowes and fortified what might be in those dayes Charles takes it by force slewe the greatest part oâ— the English and takes the Commander prisoner Acqs hauing endured a seege of sixe weekes is yeelded by composition The Earle of Foix was with the King and imployed both his person men and meanes to do him seruice but the impatiency of the French thrust them vpon his Country where they committed many insolencies The Bearnois discontented with the French assembles his forces and chargeth them as enemies but they had their reuenge for they fell vpon this ill armed multitude and slue seuen hundred to the great griefe of Charles fearing that this escape might alter his affaires but the Earles discretion couered this excesse and Charles continued his course Agâ—n held for him from thence he summons Toneins Marmande Port Saint Marie which yâ—eâ—d him obedience Reole being obstinate was beseeged and assayled with dâ—fficultiâ— but in the ende it was taken The shaâ—pe winter hindâ—ing the course of Garonne for the vitteling of the army made the seege both long and difficult and gaue the English meanes to recouer Saint â—â—uer and Acqs not very well garded but the Earle of Foix winnes Saint Seuer againe The deaâ—h of Potâ—oâ— and la Hire and the Earle of Lomaigne Acqs. A great number of the Nobility of the Country forced to make a good shew during the English force submit themselues to the King as the Lords of Puiols Rauson Roquetaillade and Pelegrue Thus Charles hauing made the Lord of Coitiuy Seneshall of Guienne gouernor of that conquered Countrie he makes his returne into France Being at Montauban he lost those two great Captaines so famous in his raigne Pothon and la Hire more rich in vertue honor then in substance yet Pothon was maister of the Kings horse and his sonne was Marshall La Hire left for his chiefe welth the immortall memorie of his loyaltie and valour the which hee happily imployed in the greatest necessitie of this Crowne Names in truth most worthy to be consecrated to the perpetuall memorie of posterity for a president to such as manage armes and make so great profession of honour with what title were these most hâ—nored for their vertues or for their Castells A happie exchange to change perishing gold which oftentimes makes him hatefull that loues it with the pleasing smell of immortall praise An vnreprouable ambition amidest the reproches of this golden age which loueth gold more then honour So Montauban was a tombe for their bodies and the whole world the Epitaphe of their praises At that instant and in the same place Charles ended the controuersie for the Earldome of Cominge Ioane daughter to the Earle of Cominge and Boulogne married at the first to Iohn Duke of Berry soone to King Iohn was after his decease married to Mathew Earle of Castel-bon of the house of Foix. She had one daughter by this Mathew but for that there was no good agreement betwixt them she makes a will to bridle her husband that by vertue of the authority of a father he should not enioy her lyuing instituting King Charles the 7. her heire in case her daughter died without lawfull heires In disdaine of this testament Mathew much yonger then she and who had not taken her but for her Crownes kept her prisoner an aged woman of foure score yeares The Daughter of Ioane of Cominge beeing dead the Earldome belonged vnto the King as lawfull heire by the donation of Ioane the lawful heire So Charles was bound by a double bonde to defend the gray haires of this old woman against the insolencie of her cruell husband who finding himselfe supported by the fauour of the Earle of Foix and Armagnac his Cousin hauing alreadie seized vpon some Townes of Cominge and playing the pettie King during the confusion of times and the neighbourhood of the English thought all things to be lawfull The King adiournes them both to appeere at Tholouse The Parliament of Tholouse erected wheras then he established a Parliament for all the Countries of Languedoc Foix Cominge Gaure Quercy Armaignac Estrac Lomaigne Mcgnaoc Bigorre and Rouergue Mathew deliuerd Ioane his wife into the Kings hands and it was decreed by the Court of Parliament the which they noate to be the first of this sollemne assemblie that Ioane should liue in free libertie out of Mathews power and should enioye the moity of the reuenues of Cominge and the rest should go into the Kings cofers The Earle of Foix and Armaignac yeelded vp the Townes of Cominges which he had vsurped and was adiourned vnto Paris to yeeld an account of many rebellions whereof he was accused especially for that he set in his titles â—ernard by the grace of God Earle c. A marke fit for soueraintie the which appertaines not to Seigneuries subiect to this Crowne Thus Charles remembers Lawes in the heat of warre but it requires an other Comissioner to execute this decree by force of armes after the death of Ioane who being conducted to Poictiers liued not long in this libertie Charles bâ—ing returned to Poitiers about the moneth of Maâ—ch resolues to imploy his sonne Lewis both to fashion him to affaires and to drawe him from suâ—h as would seduce him He giues him the gouernment of those Countries which lies betwixt the riueâ—s of Suze and Seine For the well imploying of this newe authority there were two goodly occasions presented one vpon an other Deepe was reduced to the Kings obedience this was a great annoyance to Rouen for the freeâ—ng whereof the Duke of Yorke doth beseege it raising forts to keepe them from all releefe This seege had continued nine monethes very tedious to the beseeged The Dâ—ulpâ—ins happie exploicts when as behold the Daulphin accompanied with the Earles of Dunois and Saint Pol and the Lord of Gaucourt assailes these forts and forceth them killes three hundred English and many Normaines either by the sword or water and so frees Deepe This occasion was followed by an other which chanced in a manner at the same instant Ioane Countesse of Cominge dies at Poitiers soone after she had tasted the aire of
of a parle fearing them that feared him But if he could haue made profit of his victory and turned head against them who were yet amazed as their own commanders did confesse all had sought for their safety by flight And if he had displayed his colours in fauour of little Francis sonne to Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan the name of the vsurper was so odious to all the Duchy and the name of their lawfull Lord so pleasing as the people had easily confined Lodowike into the Castle of Milan and consequently the Venetiaâ—s had lost most of the places they possessed in Italy so ready is that natioÌ„ to follow the victors happines This was the counsell of Triuulce but the King would not attempt any thing vpon the right which the Duke of Orleans pretended to the Duchie being now in possession of Nouarre Moreouer God which had giuen him the honour of a victory would take from him all cause of presumption depriuing him of the principall fruites that depended thereon This so happy a victory opened a passage for the King yet was he to incounter a world of difficulties steepe and craggy mountaines rough vallies dangerous forests riueâ—s hard to passe want to victualls and behinde him the Earle of Catazzo had passed the riuer of Taro with two hundred Lances to cut off them that lingred behind The riuer of Treby gaue the first obstacle with some terrour for about ten of the clocke at night the riuer swelled so high as it was impossible to passe it before fiue of the clocke in the morning the souldiers wading aboue the stomacke The King did wisely to dislodge without bruite being besides the enemies army so neere to Lodowike Sforces strong garrisons hauing a great number of horse and twelue hundred Lansquenets lodged in Tortone and Alexandria and fiue hundred others with the foresaid Earle who were entred into Plaisance fearing some alteration Truely Charles did dayly feele the trueth of Sauonaroles predictions That he should endure much but the honour should be his The riuer of Scriuia was kept by Gaspar of S. Seuerin surnamed the Fracasse brother to the Earle of Caiazzo and Captaine of Tortone but aduertised that the Kings meaning was only to passe he retired to his charge furnished the army with victualls came vnto the King and excused himselfe for that he could not lodge him within the Towne the which he kept for Lodowike After a shower comes a sun-shine saith the Prouerbe The King is now in a friends country at Nice belonging to the Marquis of Montferrat and from Nice to Ast. Then the great army of the league which had followed him into the country of Tortone hauing no more meanes to annoy him went to ioyne with Lodowikes troupes before Nouayye the which was in great want for the Duke of Orleans had gouerned the victualls hee found therein very ill and had neglected to furnish it as hee might haue done considering the fertility of the country He had of late retained the supply of seuen thousand fiue hundred good fighting men sent to the King by the Duke of Bourbon and contrary to his maiesties Commandement he hath taken places from Lodowike and nowe in sâ—eed of succoring he demands succours for want whereof he shal be forced to yeeld what he hath gotten But Charles had other worke Naples is in danger Ferdinand sought all meanes to recouer it and hauing presented himselfe with Gonsalue Fernand of the house of Aghilar of the territorie of Cordouë with six thousand men neere vnto Seminare after the taking of Rhegium he had sought to draw the whole realme into rebellion if the Lord of Aubigni gouernour of Calabria had not by his vigilancie and valour slackt the heate of the peoples rage And the quarrell had beene ended by the death or imprisonment of Ferdinand himselfe if Iohn of Capoua brother to the Duke of Termini whom Ferdinand had brought vp a page had not performed the part of a most faithfull and loyall seruant Ferdinand defâ—ated by Aubigni who leauing his horse lost his life to saue his maister Ferdinand hauing his horse slaine vnder him Gonsalue fled through the mountaines to RhegiuÌ„ Ferdinand to Palma lying vpon the sea neere to Seminare froÌ„ thence to Messina Ferdinand grieued with this disgrace wil once againe trie the hazard of armes He is well informed that all the citty of Naples desires him greatly many of the chiefe both of the Nobility and people call him secretly And therefore before the brute of this ouerthrow in Calabria should alter this good humour hee parts from Messina with three score vessels with top-masts and twenty lesse furnished more for shew and brauery then for any good seruice hauing no forces proportionable to so high an enterprise The peoples fauour and desire supplied his want of men The Townes of Salerne Melfe and la Caue display their Ensignes he houers about Naples attending some mutinie in the Cittie But all was in vaine the Vice-roy had in time manned the approches and suppressed the rebellion which began to breed But according to the aduice of some hee should haue armed such ships as were in the harbour with Souldiers and men of execution and haue charged the enemie who being strong in snipping and weake in men was retyred to Ischia The conspirators faint not but seeing their practise discouered make a vertue of necessitie They call back Ferdinand and intreate him to land to giue both force and courage to those that would â—ise in his fauour He approcheth and lands at Magdeleine a mile from Naples Here the Vice-roy shewed no lesse courage when he should most feare then he had shewed himselfe fearefull when as resolution was most necessary He leades in a manner all the garrison out of the Citty to disturbe his landing The Neapolitans imbracing this occasion flie to armes troupe together at the sound of the bell seize vpon the gates and proclaime Ferdinands name in all places Our French are now in danger on all sides shall they attend the forreine enemie or shall they go to incounter them within the Cittie They haue no meanes to enter by the same way they came forth all are armed all is barred vp There is no other accesse but by the port ioyning vâ—to the new Castle 〈◊〉 enters 〈◊〉 but the way is long and hilly and they must go about a good part of the Towne walles But during this march Ferdinand enters and riding through the Citty the people receiue him with great cries of ioy the French hauing recouered the Castle seeke to winne the heart of the Citty but being repulsed with Crosse-bowes and small Artillery and finding the entrie of euery streete well manned the night likewise approching abandoning almost two thousand horse good and bad vpon the place hauing no meanes to keepe them within the fort vnfurnished of prouisions all put themselues into the Castell dispairing euermore of themselues to recouer the Towne Most part reuolt
his presence to enioye the Mothers affections to haâ—e authority within the realme Finally the second of December after two monethes seege the King signed their capitulation Saint Iean yeeded That they should depart with their goods armes horses and Enseignes â—isplayed and of foure monethes should carrie no armes for the pretended reformed reâ—â—gion But as this seege is famous for that it was valiantly followed and defended so is it lâ—kewise famous by the breach of faith giuen by his Maiestie At their going forth they spoile them of their armes apparell and money the Duke of Aumale and the Marshâ—â—l of Vielleuille are notable to make good the Kings promise nay the Duke of Aâ—ioâ—s presence can not restrayne their insolencies They robbe their baggage they take away their horses they spoile their men And to encrease their villanies the regiment of Sarricu being lodged at Saint Iulian hate a League off comes ouerthwart beats kills murthers and casts them into the riuer and happie is he that can escape in his shirt to recouer Angoulesme where Piles and some others holding them selues by reason of this treacherous and vnwoâ—thie vsage contrarie to the Lawe of armes freed from the conditions wherevnto they were bound by the capitulation The composition â—roâ—en went to the Princes to vnderstand their pleasures The historie obserues aboue ten thousand men of warre lost before Saint Iean fiue thoâ—sand Cannon shot spent fiue and twentie or thirtie Commissaries of the artilâ—erie slaine in their charge many shronke away and in the end the Campe was diminished eighteene or twenty thousand men The army tired with labour and prest with want of victualls and other discâ—mmâ—dities dislodging from Saint Iean d' Angely gaue the Princes leysure to determâ—â—e of their voyage and the King retyring to Anger 's assigned the Princes deputies tâ—â—tâ—er to begin the yeare following by the countinuance of a treatie of peace begunne in the moneth of Nouember A treatâ—e of Peace Beauuais la Nocle and Teligny come thether in February and returne with no other answere to the Protestants 1570. but a libertie to liue within the Realme fâ—ee fâ—â—m seaâ—ch in their houses and for their safetie two Townes which Biron shâ—uld naâ—e vnto them in the which they might do what pleased them without their impugning the Kings authoritie nor the quiet of the Realme his Maiestie oâ—fring to restore them to their charges except such as had beene dismissed by the 〈◊〉 of Iustice and the money growing by the sale thereof receiued by the Kâ—ngs commandement but forbibidding all exercise of religion but the Catholike Apâ—stolike and Romish banishing all ministers out of the Realme and 〈◊〉 them to disarme to send backe presently their forraine forces and to yeelde 〈…〉 Townes possessed by the violence and force of armes In the meane time postâ—s flie into England and Germanie and to diuert or staie the succours and strengths wâ—ich the Protestants might expect from thence the brute flies that a peace is made in France The Princes and Admirall thinking they were but deuises to hinder their affaires Enterprise vpon â—â—urges fatall to the vndertakers euery one prepares againe to put on harnes their forces were dispersed into diuers Prouinces those about Bourges had an enterprise vpon the Towne by the practise of a souldiar who by treacherie makes them to loose thirtie men at the entrie and as many prisoners So hee that thinkes to take is often taken himselfe The reduction of Poictâ—u had likewise brought Marans and the Castell of Beauuâ—iâ— â—poâ— the sea to the Kings obedience 1570. Angoulesme and Rochell only remained to the Protestantâ— They had lost Lusignan but Blaye Taillebourg the Isles of Xaintonge Marennes and â—rouage were yet at their deuotion To trie Rochelle the King threatens them by his letters and by promises he seeks to winne the Gouernours of Flâ—ye and Taâ—llebourg Pardailâ—an and Romegou They answere saith the Historie the King wisely and Lansac couragiously War in Poictou You cannot be more greeued said Pardillan to attempt to force mee in this placâ— then I shall be for the â—hame losse and confusion which I shall cause you to receiue or anâ— other that shall attempt it Româ—gou speakes in the same sence The effect was more to be feared then words yet Lansac attemped nothing against them The Islands had mâ—ch annoyed the seege of S. Iean d' Angâ—ly and the Lansquenets escaped from Montcontour were dispersed there The Earle of Lude Puigaillard and la Riuiere Puitaillé gouernours the one of Angeâ—s the other of Marans with eight Cornets of horse and tweâ—tie enseigns of foote force the said Islands and make such a slaughter as there remained not aboue three hundred fighting men La Noue the Princes Lieutenant in Guienne studied to recouer Brouage a place of greaâ— importance for the Rochelois when as the Baron of la Garde attempting vppon Tonne-Charente made both their enterprises to proue vaine Rochelle is now blockt in on al sides Ludeand Puigaillard had an armie in Poictou la Riuiere-Puitaillé the elder held Marans and other places there abouts the yonger commaunded in Brouâ—ge Landâ—reau Viceadmirall held Olone The Brittons and Bourdelois cut off the Rochelois victuals by sea La Garde then Generall of their galleyes did runne often times euen into their hauen but to presse them on all sides hee would gladly haue beene maister of Tonne-Charente La Noue had vndertaken the defence thereof who vnderstanding the Barons practise so planted his shot as at his enemies first landing he slue their commaunders and many others gaue libertie to the slaues and became master of the galley and if heate had not too soone transported them the rest commiâ—g to enter into Charente and resolute to land they could not haue escaped death or prison This galley did afterwards serue Româ—gou to beate the Catholikes in many places And if La Garde preuailed nothing by force his pollicies were of as small effect So as he lost his time men and money and did nothing of moment Contrariwise the defeat of some troupes at Nouaille by the hargubuziers of la Noue vnder the leading of Scipio an Italian Ingener In Guyenne Xaintonge Angâ—ulmoiâ— and the recouerie of Marans by la Noue vppon Chaperon Gouernour of the place after the death of the elder Puitaillé lately diceased was the cause of the winning of tenne or twelue other places thereabouts and gaue the Rochelois meanes to enlarge themselues The spoile of Olone did enrich them furnished them with fortie good vessels with some armes and Canon and a good number of prisoners and diminished their enemies strength of about foure hundred fighting men This reuiuing caused Puigaillard and Fernacques to make enterprises vppon Langon and Gué of Nelugre and by the recouery of Luson to molest Marans and Rochell againe if that la Noue had not speedily taken this Fort from them that came to seize on it and slue Sforce a valiant Gentleman the head of a
to aduance Death and to haue no other consolation but in the oneâ—y desire of an impossible thing He spent the first dayes of his Imprisonment without eating or sleeping These violent motions of Chollor and the heat of his bloud put him into a Feauer and Griefe carried fuming passions vnto his Braine which increased his sicknesse in the which as in all other diseasses the feare of Death the payne of his Body and the alteration of his Life did much augment the greefe of his Prison Hee was â—â—mewhat afâ—rayd least vnder colour of remedy they should giue him Poyson to cure all his griefes and therefore hee would haue them take a taste of euery thing although there were no other assurance of his life but what his owne Coâ—science could giue vnto him His Captiuity depriued him not of the liberty of speaking The fire of his Courage was not smothered vnder the Ashes of this affliction What saide hee and what saide he not Cholâ—er thrust forth a steeme of Words in the which theâ—e was not a droppe of Reason Sometimes hee saide That if they dâ—sired to put him to death His wâ—rds in Prison they should dispatch him that they should not bragge they had made hâ—m to feare death that they should speedily drinke themselues drunke with the bloud which remained of thirty and â—iue Woundes which hee had receiued for the seruice of France They feared that Solitarinesse Fasting Melancholy and change oâ— the place would trouble his Braine and thrust him inâ—o some furious passion To pacifie the discontent of his first imprisonment they perswaded him to submit himselfe to the mercy of God and gaue him hope of the Kings pardon The Archbishop of Bourges went to see him he disswaded him from many bad Maximes of Conscience and satisfied him of many poynts which hee held against the purity and integrity of a iust Confession He desired to speake with Villerâ—y and Sillery who went to see him by the Kings commandment In the beginning of his imprisonment he taâ—ked of notâ—ing but of Iustice but knowing his fault he had no hope but in the Kings Mercy Some one published an admonition at Paris beseeching the King to change the punishment of death into perpetual Imprisonment his Imprisonment into Banishment and his Banishment into an honourable seruitude to make War against the Turke That if by his offences he did not merit to serue the State which hee sought to ruine yet he might serue the Generall Estate of Christendome This Councell was dangerous for who could assure the King that â—e would make War in Hungary and what caution could be sufficient for France Heâ— had beene more dangerous without it then with in A bâ—rning firebrand casts more flame and smoake without a Câ—imney then with in it Hee added moreouer that he should forbid him the carrying of Armes and tie him from the War but if he should haue made his house his Prison who should haue kâ—pt him iâ— he â—ad desseignes oâ— reuenge in Prison what would he haue done at Liberty Many which respect no more the Lawes of Honour then of Iustice would haue repayred vnto him to bring in inâ—uâ—table mischiefs â—here was an intent to saue him The Iron worke was forged in Bresse The refusall of fiue hundred Câ—ownes for the Petardier hindred the execution As soone as he was a Priâ—oner euery one saâ—de he was a dead Man and seeing himselfe so carefully garded hee sayde â—hat they did not put Birds of his sort into a Cage to suffer them to escape Hee made that Iudgement of himselfe which the Admirall did of the Earles of Egmont and Horne when he heard they were Prisones when they once come to accuse and imprison a Mâ—n of courage and faction it is more dangerous to absolue him then to condemne him Letters to the Court of Parliament to mâ—ke his Proceâ—â—e The Kâ—ng sent his Letters to the Parliament to proceed in the Criminall and extraordinary Processe of the Duke of Biron according to the formes which are to bee obserued in Crimes of so great importance against persons of his quality all other afâ—ayres set aside The Commissioners appointed for the King were Achilles de Harlay first President in the Court of Parliament at Paris Nicholas Potier second Presiâ—ent and Councellor of State to his Maiesty CoÌ„missioners â—ppoinâ—ed Stephen Fleury and Phillibert of Thuâ—in Councellors of the Parliament good Iudges but not to bee moued in Crimes of State Informatioâ—s were taken at the Basâ—ille The Prisoner made some Ceremonies to answer but beeing entred into discourse hee gaue the CoÌ„missioners matter ynough to worke on confessing in a mâ—nner all From his answers alone they might haue framed his Condemnation saying ynough to make him loose as many Liues as hee had Yeares Hee had so ill gouerned his Iudgement in his Prosperity as it did him no seruice during his Imprisonment yeelding sometimes vnto Griefe sometimes vnto Chollor and alwayes to Indiscretion speaking as much to Râ—ine himselfe as to Diâ—charge him Hee was Confronted with the Witnesses Face to Face but when aâ— hee did see la Fin hee fell into an extreame shaking The first President asked the Prisoner If hee would except any thing against La Fin He answered That he held him for a Gentleman of Honour his Friend and his Kinsman But when hee had heard his Deposition hee cried out against him as the most execrable Man in the World appealing to all the Powers of Heauen and Earth to iustifie his Innocency La Fin grieued that he should hold him for a Slanderer a name common to all wicked Men sayd vnto him That he was sorry they were in a place where the one was allowed to speake all and the other was forced to heare all Hee maintained all he had saide against him and spake more playnely of his Conspiracy He is amazed to â—â—ee â—â—nazé whom he held to be dead then in his Deposition The Prisoner said That if Renaze were there he would auerre the contrary He was brought before him wherat he was much amazed to see him whom he held to be dead and who was out of his remembrance as in an other World Hee then beleeued that the Duke of Sauoy had set him at Liberty to ruine him he felt hâ—s Conscience toucht when as all things conspired to his Condemnation An admirable iudgement of Gods secret Iustâ—ce in this escape of Renaze Mens intentions produce contrary effects Hee was detayned prisoner at Quiers in Piedmont to the end he should not discouer this practise he escapes from his Gard and comes to fortefie his Maisters Deposition who else had beene but one witnesse He had many Friends but not to iustifie his Innocency as Plato sayth That many â—riends is a signe of Wisedome and want of them shewes the contrary There were none that durst preâ—ume to sue for his Liberty or Pardon The Kâ—ng had made this attempt so Detestable and Odious to all the Princes and
death vnlesse after some-time they haue no Children then the Man may be vnmarried and take an other Wife After they be once married they are chast and the Husbands are for the most part iealous giuing presents to the Father or kinsfolkes of the Woman whome they haue married As for their Interments or Funeralls when a man or a Woman dieth they make a pit into the which they put al the goods he hath as Kettles Furres Hatchets Bowes Arrows Aparel and other things and then they put the bodie into the pit and couer it with Earth on the which they lay great peeces of wood and one peece they set right vp the which they painte redde on the â—oppe They beleeue the immortality of the Soule and say that they go to reioyce in other Countries with their kins-folkes and friends when they are dead The Seigneur of Pont hauing spent some-time to discouer the great Riuer of Canada and some other particularities of the Countrye returned the 24. of August and arrlued at Newe-hauen the 20. of September Du Pont returnes into France In the beginning of this yeare Moyses Sikel being reuolted from the Emperor entred into Transiluania with great troupes of Turkes Tartarians and Polonians Many Gentlemen of the Country more through base cowardise then thâ—ough treachery ioyned with him and through their Intelligence Alba Iulia was surprised 1603. but God who neuer shewes the greatnesse of his power in small things and who sends helpe when there is least hope would not suffer his enemies to be long proud with the prosperity of their affaires In September George Basta and Raduil Vaâ—oide of Valachia came to fight with him The Battaile was furious and bloudy Basta sayd vnto his soldiars before the charge that it was not needefull to perswade great resolutions but he did incourage them more by his example pressing into those places where there was most perill necessity and glory The Christians had the victory They had the field The Turkes deâ—eated the triumph the spoyle They sent a hundred two twenty Enseignes to the Emperor being at Prague the which were carried by three and three in a ranke There were two with the white Eagle of Polonia the which were not set vp for the respect of the Polonians The booty was great in Prisoners Horses Aimes and Cannon They had found no place of retreate if the victor had not stayed the course of his victory contenting hiâ—selfe to preserue that in safety which hee could not aduance but with danger They retired themselues to â—emâ—swarr a Towne which had been held these fifty yeares by the Turkes whereof the Emperor of Turkie neuer speakes but he giues it the title of Inuincible Basâ—a was resolued to beseege it or to raise vp his sepulcher vndeâ— the ruines thereof But hee could not keepe Buda from being victueled where about the end of September they lost aboue 2000. men which was the flower of all their horsemen The great Turke seeing the great exploits which the French had done in the Warres of Hungary and Transiluania had ofteâ— intreated the King not to sufâ—er any French to go to the Warres of Hungary and tâ— tie him to make a strict Prohibition he granted all and mâ—re tâ—en his Maieâ—ty could dâ—sire for the reparation of puplicke and priuate Iniuries against the liberty of the Commerce and the safety of the nauigation in the Leâ—ant Seas the which were greatly molested by Pirates Hee sent a Chaours which is a Generall or a Conductor of a Carauane vnto the King in September with very kinde letters and of a stile not vsuall for the Princes of the house of Ottomans who speake as Tuâ—kes and Glorie to speake proudly and Imperiously to the Poteâ—tates of Christendome giuing him this title To the most Glorious magnanimous and great Lord of the beleefe of Iesus Elected among the Pâ—inces of the Nation of Messias the Compounder of controuersies which happen among Christians Lord of greatnâ—sse Maiesty and riches and the cleere guide of the greatest The Tuâ—kes title to the Frence King Henry the fourth Emperor of France that hee may ende his daies with Peace and Happinesse The letter I omit for breuiâ—es sake beeing not greatly pertinent to this subiect And for that the great Turke was informed that the Pirates of Algier and of Thunis made markets of the French which they tooke anâ— sold them vnto the Moores who were alwaies cruell and mercilesse vnto the Christians beeing forced to endure all without complayning and to murmure against the rigour which Fortune allowes the Mâ—ster ouer his sâ—aue hee writ to Amest King of Fez and intreates him to preuent this â—ale as against the Iustice that was left them by their Prophet and to set all the Frenchmen that were in his dominions at libertie The King labored to conuert the Warre of Hungarie into a long truce or an Honourable Peace for the Christians Hee disposed Mahomet therevnto by the dexteritie of his Ambassador and if the house of Austria had trusted that of France they had reaped the fruites of this Negotiation Mahomet to shewe that he had a desire to lay a side Armes presented the Emperour with Armes and Hâ—rses and to Mathias the Arch-duke hee sent a Rich roabe for a present This Mahomet had so abandoned himselfe to all voluptuosnesse and pleasures as hee had no other feeling but for the tast and delights of the flesh Hee had a bodie as bigge as a hogshed of Wine in the which his spirit could neuer bee drie A quarrell betwixt the Count Soissons and the Marquis of â—hosâ—y to make vse of Wisedome and Reaâ—on To this Mahomet the third his Sonne Amet the first beeing a young Infante succeeded There was no talke in Court but of the quarreâ—l beâ—â—â—xt the Count Soissons and the Marquis of Rhosny the which was very hard to reconcile It grewe vpon words reported and disauowed The Count Soissons was much offended many framed diuers Metheors in their heads vpon the consequence of this question some there were that were made damnable vowes the which were as Odious and as punishable as those sellers of Funerall stuffes that were punished by the Senate of Athens vpon the Accusation of Demades The King â—oreseeing that his seruice did suffer in this diuision gaue him to vnderstand by the Chancellor and Sillery and afterwardes by the Count of Saint Paul and the Duke of Montâ—â—son that he desired this trouble were ended and hee satisfied hee answered them all after one sort That hee should hold himselfe vnworthy of the honour to bee as hee was a neere Kinsman to so great and courragious a King if hee had no feeling of so bloudy an Iniury The King considering that this quarrell did nothing aduance his seruice he made himselfe the instrument of this reconciliation Hee sent for the Count Soissons and the Marquis of Rhosny to the Lovure They came both well accompanied They are reconciled by the