of making his addresses to the same Diana and as the Guises had allured her with the greatness of their alliance to win and draw her to his party by satisfying her covetousness a passion by which he perceived she was no less swayed than by her ambition Wherefore beginning to use her with great respect to gain her the sooner at the same time he gave her many rich presents and was so far transported with the desire of effecting his purpose that all greatness of spirit laid aside he resolved to take for his daughter-in-law a Neece of hers whom he married to his second Son Henry Lord of Danville which was so much the more unadvisedly done by how much Diana already streightly united with the Guises really endeavoured to maintain their power and favour'd the Constables designs in appearance and shew only From henceforward it was in vain any longer to oppose the greatness of the Guises For besides â—he merits of their actions in the same time that this contention was at the highest for superiority Francis the Daulphine of France and the Kings eldest son took to wife Mary only heir to the Kingdom of Scotland who was daughter to Iames Stuart then lately deceased and Mary of Lorain sister to the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal so great an alliance that they seemed now to have the same interest with the Crown in so much that nothing remaining to the Constable and his but the Kings usual countenance and some natural propensity of kindness to him nor to the other Lords and Barons of France but only the charges and offices of less consequence the three brothers of Guise got into their hands all the principal dignities and chief Governments of the Kingdom together with the Superintendency of all the affairs both Martial and Civil Whilst these things which busied the minds of all men were agitated at the Court the House of Bourbon next of blood and nearest allied to the Crown contrary to the custom of the Nation being in a manner deprived of all honours and dignities seldom appeared unless called upon by the necessity of war or in the exercise of their charge in those few small Governments which yet remained in their Family And though the Prince of Anguin one of the same House so advanced himself by his valour and generosity of spirit that the King was content to bestow upon him the Government of his Army in Piedmont where he won the victory at Cerisola and in divers other occasions gained still greater credit and reputation Notwithstanding he not living long his good fortune but little advantaged the oppressed and still-persecuted House of Bourbon for he once dead it remained absolutely deprived of all manner of greatness or favour at Court The chief of this House were Antony Duke of Vendosme and Lewis Prince of Conde his brother both sons to that Charles of Vendosme who after the Rebellion of Bourbon and the imprisonment of Francis the First by his modesty and retiredness in great part appeased the hate which so violently raged against the whole Family Those of Bourbon seeing themselves thus overtopped in power and authority by the House of Guise being but strangers newly come out of the House of Lorain which lies between France and Germany were not a little troubled to see themselves not only deprived of all priviledges belonging to their blood except that which could not be taken from them the right of succession but whereas by the natural course they used always to hold the first place about the King to be now contrary to all reason and justice the last And their condition was yet more deplorable by reason of the Kings resoluteness and violent nature not at all to be moved by the complaints of those who seemed in any way to oppose his natural inclinations In so much as the Court losing in a manner its natural unconstancy kept still the same face and form of things the Guises ruling all so absolutely that none durst oppose their power The Constables greatness afflicted them not so much but on the contrary they exceedingly grieved to see him so much fallen from his former height and left in such a state that he was scarce able to uphold himself For being joined with him not only by alliance but in friendship and interests they had yet hope by means of his favour to rise again at least to some tolerable condition if not to the power and authority their Predecessors had formerly enjoyed So that now deprived in a manner of all hope which is usually a comfort to those in affliction they became so much the more sensible of the hardness of their present fortune But amongst these Antony of Vendosme a Prince of great goodness and of a facile quiet nature bare his misfortunes with an excellent temper his thoughts being for the most part busied about greater matters for having married Iane of Albert only daughter to Henry King of Navarre and after his father-in-laws death assumed the Title and Arms of King he took upon him not only the care of the Principality of Bearn at the foot of the Pirenean Mountains where he was absolute Soveraign but also used all manner of endeavour by way of accord to recover his Kingdom which the Spaniard had long possessed by force ever since the Wars between Ferdinand the Catholick King and Lewis the Twelfth But the King of France by whose means it was lost had often though to no purpose being so nearly joined to Spain attempted the regaining of it by force Wherefore now these two great Kings being about a Treaty for a general peace he hoped likewise so to be comprised in the Articles of Agreement that his own state should be restored to him or at least changed for some other lands of like value He grew more passionate in that desire because the Queen his Wife had brought him a Son who in remembrance of his Grandfather on the mothers side was called Henry the same who after the revolution of many miseries and irksom Wars by success of victory obtaining the Crown is now by general consent sirnamed The Great He was born upon the thirteenth of December in the year of our Salvation 1554. in the Town of Paw in the Viscounty of Bearne which is most deliciously situated at the foot of the Perinees This birth as it greatly rejoyced the Parents so it spurred them on with all eagerness to pursue their designs for the recovery of Navarre and withal the King Antony of Bourbon thinking he should easilier interest the King to include his restauration in the Treaty than obtain as Prince of the Blood any dignity or Government in France with so much the greater patience and meekness suffered the injuries cast upon his Family And although the King either still of the same mind to lessen the Princes of the Blood or else meerly in anger to Antony because he refused to change his Signiory of Bearne and the rest of
and do Penance for the Cardinals death 402. resolves to send assistance to the League against the King 431. his Commissions to Cardinal Gaetano Legat in France 432. his Breve published at Paris and the Contents thereof 434 grows jealous Gaetano inclines to favour the Spanish designs 453. his death 4â—8 Pope Urban VII lives but Twelve dayes and is succeeded by Gregory XIV a Milanese ib. who resolves to send men and money to assist the League 493. chooses Mastilio Landriano Legat to France assigns Fifteen thousand Crowns per mensem for the League ibid. sends Twelve hundred Horse and Six thousand Foot into France under command of Monte-Martiano 503. dyes 530 Preheminences of the Royal Family are Inheritance and Administration 4 Princes of the Blood ib. Prince of Condé set at liberty 28. practises to possess Lyons but without success 32. committed to Prison excepts against his Tryal and appeals to the King but not accepted 37. Sentence pronounced against him 38. set at liberty and declared void 44. his Manifesto 61. Coins the Plate belonging to the Churches 63. his demands in favour of himself and the Hugonots 65. returns to his Army 67. going to besiege Paris amuses himself before Corbiel whereby he fails of his design 78. taken Prisoner by the Duke of Guise 83. sups and lies in the same Bed with the Duke his bitter Enemy 84. offers the King a great number of Hugonots to make War with Spain 109. incenseth the King with a Letter of Protestation 128. sells the Goods of the Church for the Hugonots 137. is shot in the head at the Battel of Brisac and dyes 140. his Body is carried in Triumph upon a â—ack-horse by the Catholicks and after restored to the Pâ—ince of Navarre his Nephew 141. his Son a Child and the Prince of Nâ—varre made Heads of the Hugonots 142. is kept in the Kings Chamber duâ—â—â—g the Massacre and after kept Prisoner 183. he and his Brother turn Catholicks 186. made Head of the Hugonots 206. brings a great Army out of Germany and declares the Duke of Alanzon Head of the Hugonots 215. offended at his power seek to make Peace with him 219. is declared Lieutenant General of the Hugonots 226. will not acknowledge the Assembly at Blois to be the States General nor treat with their Commissioners 230. excommunicated by Sixtus Quintus and declared incapable of Succession to the Crown 284. poisoned at St. Jehan de Angely by his own Servants 235 Princess of Condé dexterously refer'd by the King to the Parliament of Paris about imputation of her being guilty of her Husbands death and is clear'd by them she promising first to turn Catholick and instruct her Son in the same Religion 672 Prince of Navarre marries the Kings Sister by dispensation from the Pope 177. assumes the Title of King 179 Prince of Orange formerly declared Rebel is restored to his Estate 220 Q. QUeen Blanch Mother to St. Lewis taking upon her the Government in her Sons minority the Barons take Arms to maintain the Right in whom it belong'd 1â— Queen Catherine joins with the Prince of Conâ—â— and the Admiral in opposition to the Triumvirate 53. feigns an inclination to the Hugonot Religion ibid. forced to declare for the Catholicks and at the same time maintains hopes in the Hugonots 60 Queen Elizabeth of England offers Conditions to the Hugonots 6. imprisons Mary Queen of Scots 296. grants assistance to Henry IV. by Viscount de Turenne 487 Queen Margaret Wife to the King of Navarre her licentious Life causes the King and Queen-mother to resolve to break the match and give him Christien Daughter of the Duke of Lorrain to Wife who afterwards married Ferdinand de Medicis Grand Duke of Tuscany 397 Mary Queen of Scots Cousin to the Guises imprisoned by Elizabeth Queen of England 296 Queen-mother and Prince of Condé parley 64. persuades the Duke of Guise Constable and Mareschal de St. André to leave the Court hath it promised under their hands they will whereupon the Catholick Lords leave the Camp 65 66 is threatned in a Letter to be killed 107. with the King she visits the Admiral and under pretence of defending him set strict Guards upon his House 181. sends three Armies into several parts of the Kingdom to suppress Insurrections 198. favours Lugi d'Avila the Authors Brother 274. she is resolved to break the match between the King of Nâ—varre and Queen Margaret by reason of her licentious Life and give him Christien Daughter to the Duke of Lorrain to Wife 397. treats an Accommodation with the Hugonots ibid. an Interview between her and the King of Navarre but nothing concluded 305. A Saying of hers 335. becomes pale and afrighted at the Duke of Guises waiting upon her dissuades the King from his thoughts against him 338. is strongly guarded for fear of him 339. goes to him in her Sâ—dan being denied passage in her Coach confers with him but brings back nothing but complaints and exorbitant demands 344. goes with him to the King at Chartres 354. dyes on Twe fth-Eve in the 50th year of her age 30 whereof she spent in the Regency and management of greatest affairs and troubles of the Kingdom of France Page 374 Queen of Navarre causes Churches to be ruined and expels the Priests 94. goes with all the Hugonots to the Prince of Condé and the Admiral at Rochel 129. her Letters and their Manifesto 130. Coins money with her own Figure on one side and her Sons on the other 143. is poisoned with a pair of Gloves 178 An ancient Question Whether the Assembly of the States or the King be Superior 228 R. REformed Religion began to spread in France in the time of Francis I. 20 Reiters are German Horse 260.327 those of the League fight till they are all destroyed 448 Religion a veil of private Interests 46 Remedies used by Henry IV. to conserve the affections and obedience of his Party 486 Renard Procurer of Chasteler with others put to death for crying Bread or Peace 464 Renaudie a man of a desperate fortune Head of the Hugonot Conspiracy 21 Republick of Venice acknowledges Henry IV. King of France and Mosenigo their Ambassador to Henry III. passes a Compliment with him in publick 427 Rhenus a Vial of Oyl kept there wherewith the first Christian King Louis was Consecrated 47. a meeting there dissolved without any determination 503 River Vare divides Italy from France 565 Rochel revolts to the Hugonots which serves them ever after for a Sanctuary 122. its strong situation 190. yielded to the King 192. they break the Truce 205. permit Catholicks to say Mass at the intercession of the King of Navarre 226 Rouen taken by the Catholicks and sack't 75. disliking their Gâ—vernor de Tavennes they make an Insurrection 504. A Relation of its Siege 523 524 c. Royal Races 5 S. SAla the River where the Salique Law was established 3 Salii Priests ibid. Savii de Terra Firma are Magistrates of Venice so called
after eight months siege 1573. The Duke of Anjou with mighty preparations goes to the siege of Rochel The strong situation of Rochel The Duke of Anjou not to prejudice his election to be King of Poland moves slowly in the enterprise of Rochel Rochel yielded to the King The Conditions The Peace is published and the Army dismissed A third party called Politicks and Male-contents composed of Catholicks and Hugonots Prancâ—s Duke of Alancon the Kings youngest Brother makes himself Head of the Male-contents with hope to usurp the Crown The Hugonots begin again to take Arms. The Duke of Alancon and the King of Navarre imprisoned 1574. A new Insurrection of Hugonots stirred up by Monsieur de la Noue The Queen sends three Armies into three parts of the Kingdom to suppress the Insurrections The Mareshal d' Anville Son of Anna de Momorancy is by the Kings decree deprived of his dignities Villers Brother-in-law to the Author St. Lo is besieged by the Catholicks Montgomery being in it Montgomery flees from St. Lo. The Count Montgomery is taken in Danfront sent to the Court and executed Charles the IX dieth the 30 of May 1574. In the absence of the new King Henry 3. a Truce is made for two months The Parliament of Tholouse ordains that the Truce shall not be accepted noâ— executed The Rochellers break the Truce 1573. Henry the III. ill affected to the King of Navarre and Prince of Câ—ndâ— Heads of the Hugonots as also to the Duke of Gâ—ise Heaâ— of the Catholicks The Prince of Conde is made Head of the Hugonots Henrâ— the III. returning out of Poland stays at Thurin and restores certain places to the Duke of Savoy kept by the Kings of France for sâ—curity * Qu' il estoit temps de metâ—re les Roys horâ— Page Henry the III. ill-affected to the King of Navarre and Prince of Conde Heads of the Hugonots as also to the Duke of Guise Head of the Catholicks The King demands the Sister of the King of Sweden to Wife The death of the Cardinal of Lorain 1575. The King is consecrated at Reims by Lewis Cardinal of Lorain Brother to the Duke of Guise and next day marrieth Louyse de Vaudemont Neece to the Duke of Lorain Mombrun who had taken the Kings carriages is taken himself and executed Francis Bonne made Head of the Hugoâ—ots and after High-Constable of the Kingdom Henry the III. frames a new Model of Government The manner observed at Court in the granting of Petitions The Duke of Alancon excluded from the Crown of Poland and Stephano Battori a Hungarian elected to succeed Henry the Third The Duke of Alancon his flight and Declaration The Mareshals of Momorancy and Cosse set at liberty The Prince of Conde comes with a great Army out of Germany The Prince of Conde declares the Duke of Alancon General of the Hugonots The Duke of Guise is shot in the face A Cessation of Arms for six months 1576. The King of Navarre displeased for many causes flees from the Court and proceeds against the Catholicks The King of Navarre publisheth that he was forced to turn Catholick Charles Duke of Mayenne commands his mutinous Solâ—diers to be cut in pieces The Duke of Alancon mustered 35000 fighting men The King of Navarre and Prince of Conde offended at the Duke of Alancons power think to free themselves of him by a Peace Peace is made with the Hugonots the fifth time The Prince of Orange formerly declared Rebel is restored to his Estate The Assembly of the State is appointed at Blois the 15 of November By the Duke of Guise his cunning politick discourses are brought into those assemblies which were instituted for devotion The form of the League or Covenant Causes that moved the Guises to frame the Catholick League The King of Spain becomes Protector of the Catholick League The King of Navarre declared General of the Hugonots and the Prince of Conde his Lieutenant-General At the intercession of the King of Navarre the Rochellers permit the Catholicks to say Mass in their City The Assembly of the States at Bloys King Henry the Third his speech at the beginning of the Assembly of the States at Bloys It 's an ancient question whether the Assembly of the States or the King be Superiour Iean Bodin contradicts the Prelates in tâ—e general Asseâ—bly 1577. The Prince of Conde will not acknowledge the Assembly of Bloys to be the States General nor treat with their Commissioners Henry the III. declares himself Head of the Catholick League After many disputes the general Assembly is dismissed without concluding any thing The King sends two Armies against the Hugonots The Duke of Alancon made the Kings Lieutenant-General Through weakness of both parties the Peace is concluded and published by torch light * High jurisdiction authority to judge and determine all criminal or capital matters except High-treason within his own precincts and all civil actions or controversies except in Royal cases and such as concern Gentlemen and the high ways * Courts of justice wherein half were Catholicks half Hugonots The High-Chancellour Biraâ—o being made Cardinal Philip Hurault is chosen in his place 1578. 1579. 1579. Henry the III. his manner of life * Including the Gentry who are alwayes meant by the French Nobless as well as the Lords The Guises foment the Peoples hatred against the King Henry the 3d institutes the order of Knighthood of the Holy Ghost Bellegarde by intelligence with the Duke of Savoy usurps the Marquesate of Saluzzo The Low-Countries being withdrawn from the King of Spain's Dominion first seek protection from the King of France and then put themselves under the Duke of Alancon * The Italians under the name of Flanders usually comprehend all the Low-Countries The Hugonots stir up new commotions 1580. Cahors is taken 〈◊〉 sackeâ—â—y 〈◊〉 â—â—gonots At the news of these stirs the King sends forth three Armies La Fâ—re recovered by Monsieur de Matignon * Geographers call these Islands the Acores and only one of them the Tercera as being third in the passage from Spain towards Virginia Florida and those parts 1581. 1582. 1583. The Duke of Alancon rejected by those who had called him into Flaâ—ders is driven thence by the Prince of Parma returns into Fraâ—ce and a while after dies there 1584. The Guises foreseeing their own ruine contrive new designs * Lord High Steward of the Kings Houshold heretofore called Le Comâ—â— du Pâ—lais le Senesebal de France Henry the III. takes upon him the protection of Geneva The Duke of Guise by means of the Preachers and Friars in Pulpits and other places of Devotion labours to insinuate the Catholick League into the people The Catholick League composed of men disaffected to the present Government and Zealous in Religion The Sieur de Vins at Rochel receives a Musquet shot to save Hen. 3. * De Robe Longue Charles Cardinal of Bourbon Uncle to the King of Navarre is desired for head of tke
Catholicks The Cardinal of Bourbon his pretensions to the Succession of the Crown 1585. Conditions agreed upon between the Deputies of the King of Spâ—in and the Heads of the Catholick League A meeting between the King of Navarre and the Duke d' Espernon sent from Henry the Third The Low-Countries send Ambassadors to the King of France intreating him to take the Protection and Dominion of their States Bâ—rnardino de Mendozza the Spanish Ambassador having received a sharp answer from Henry 3. begins openly to set forward the League * German Horse The King Edict forbidding the raising or gathering of Souldiers together A Declaration published by the Heads of the Catholick League * Contrary to their Majesties hopes Note that this addition and all the other alterations and additions in the following Declarations standing in the margin are according to the French Book intiâ—uled Memories de la Ligue * Projects Verdun the first City taken by the Army of the League The Insurrection at Marseilles The Kings answer to the Declaration published by the Catholick League [* Which would not have come to pass if in the Assembly of the States General held at Blois when the Deputies induced thereunto by his Majesties servent affection to the Catholick Religion had requested him utterly to prohibit the exercise of the pretended reformed Religion in this Kingdome whereupon followed the determination which was there taken and sworn which his Majesty hath since laboured to execute they had at the same time provided a certain stock of Money to prosecute that War unto the end as it was necessary to do and as it was motioned by His Majesty * And they would now have had no pretence of complaint who nevertheless publish c. Mem. de la Lâ—gue [* Whatsoever is published to the contrary Mem. de la Ligue * Evocation is a transferring of causes from one Court to another * And preservers Mem. de la Ligue [* Who onely will triumph and make advantage of the publick miseries and calamities Mâ—m de la Lâ—gue * Desolation Mem. de la Ligue * As well by reason of the good and gracious usage which they have ever received from him as because His said Majesty is c. Mem. dâ— la Ligue * Luigi Davila the Authors elder Brother was favoured by the Queen-Mother and esteemed by the King who made use of him in the managing of affairs and of the War in those times Whilst the Cardinal of Bourbon Head of the League stands wavering to reconcile himself to the King the Duke of Guise makes a specious Proposition of Agreement * These which the Author calls Harquebuziers on horseback differed from our Dragoons in that they did serve both on foot and on horseback and it is conceived by men experienced in War that they were the same with those which they call Argolâ—ttiers The King of Navarre's Declaration There ariseth such a discord between the Duke d' Espernon and Secretary Villeroy as in process of time produced many evil effects The Kings Edict against the Hugonots The Hugonots Answer to the Kings Edict The King calling the Heads of the City of Paris together demands moneys for the War which the Catholicks laboured for against the Hugonots * This particular is not in the French Original of the Kings Speech which is in a Book called Memoires de la Ligue A saying of Hen. the third * The Hugonot Sermons Monsieur Angoulesme Grand Prior France being dead the King confers the Government of Provence upon the Duke of Espernon Gregory XIII dies in 1585. Sixtus Quintâ—â—â— succeedâ—â—â— Sixtus Quintus on the ninth of September 1585. Excommunicates the King oâ— Navarre and the Prince of Conde declaring them incapable of succession The King of Navaâ—râ— makes the Bull of Sixtus â—uintus to be answered and the Answer set up in Rome De Robbe Lâ—â—gue The War is begun again between the Catholicks and Hugonots The Castle of Angiers taken suddenly by the Hugonots The Castle of Angiers is recovered by the Catholicks before it is relieved The enterprise of Angiers being vanished the Hugonot Army encompassed by the Catholicks and reduced to great streights disbands it self and part of them with the Commanders save themselves by flight 1586. Maran besieged by the Catholicks Great Forces are prepared in Germany in favour of the Hugonots Mary Qu. of Scots Cousen to the Guises imprisoned by Elizabeth Qu. of England Hen. the Third despairing of issue resolves to further the King of Navars right to the Crown and to unite himself with him for the destruction of the Guises By reason of the licentious life of Margaret wife to the K. of Navarre the King and Q. Mother resolve to break the Match and to give Christiâ—nnâ— the daughter of the Duke of Lorain who after married Ferdinando de Medici Great Duke of Tuscany An accommodation treated with the Hugonots by the Queen-Mother and much disliked by those of the League The Ambassadorâ— of the Protestant Princes of Gâ—â—mâ—ny â—eing come to â—â—is to treat in favour of the Hugonots having spoken highly to the King are sharply answered and depart unsatisfied from the Court. The Parisians by the suggestions of thâ—â— Heads of the League being set against the King frame a Councel of 16 principal persons by whom they were governed receiving their Orders and resolutions * Or Companies * Le berceau de la Ligne Nicholas Poulain discovers all the Plots of the League unto the King They of the League plot to surprise Boulogne by the Spanish Fleet which is revealed by Pâ—ulain * The Author in many places calls that the Ocean Sea which we call the Brittish Sea * Attendants or guard so called because in old time they went with Bowes and Arrowes 1585. They of the League consult about taking the King as he returned from hunting The Dâ—sign of taking the Bastile Arcenal Paris and tâ—e Louvre and to cut in pieces the Minions and the Kings adherents and to take the King himself prisoner revealed and not effected 1586. * Captain of the ordinary VVatch of Paris * A Court of Justice in Paris as Guildball in London where also many are imprisoned * The Magazine of Arms. * Atturney-General * The Garden of the Louvre * Master of the Horse Aussone a strâ—ng place in the Dutchy of Bourgongne besieged and taken by the Duke of Guise The interview between the Queen-mother and the King of Navarre at S. Bris wherein nothing was concluded 1587. The Solemn Oath of Henry the Third A saying of Henry the III. * Maistres de Camp The King sends an Army against the King of Navarre andgives secret order to Lavardin to oppose but not suppress him The Count de Bouchage Brother to the Duke of Ioyeuse turns Capuchin after the death of his wife whom he dearly loved The Duke of Espernon marries the Countess of Candalâ— a rich Heir the King honours the wedding with great presents The Protestant Princes of Germany
THE HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WARS OF FRANCE Written in ITALIAN By H. C. D'AVILA Translated out of the ORIGINAL The Second Impression whereunto is Added a TABLE In the SAVOY Printed by T. N. for Henry Herringman at the Blew Anchor in the Lower Walk of the New Exchange M.DC.LXXVIII TO THE READER THIS AUTHOR is so Generally Esteemed in all Countries that those who understand not the Italian are glad to Converse with him by an Interpreter and even in France after so many Histories as be there of the same Times several Impressions of this in their Language have been bought off whereby we may judge they think Him to be Impartial and as worthy of Credit as the best of their own Nor hath He wanted a due value here for our late King of ever Glorious Memory by whose Command at Oxford this Translation was Continued and Finished though not begun read it there with such eagerness that no Diligence could Write it out faire so fast as he daily called for it wishing he had had it some years sooner out of a Beliefe that being forewarned thereby He might have prevented many of those Mischiefs we then groaned under and which the Grand Contrivers of them had drawn from this Original as Spiders do Poison from the most wholsome Plants The Truth is their Swords had already Transcribed it in English Blood before this Pen had done it in English Inke and it were not hard to name the very Persons by whom many of the same Parts were Acted over again in the Civil Wars of England the Faction of our Presbyterians in that Long-Parliament outvying those of the Hugonots and of the Holy League put together Yet when they had followed the steps of them both as exactly as they could they were out-vied themselves by the Independents who far transcended them all in an unexampled Conclusion by the Horrid Murther of our Royal Martyr and by enslaving the Kingdom under several Tyranies till His Son 's Miraculous Restauration to His Iust Rights Restored His Subjects also to their Much-wish'd-for Liberties But I am not to Write a Preface and therefore all I shall add is That finding this BOOK still much sought for since the former Impression hath been Sold off I obtain'd the Right of the Copy from Sir Charles Cottrell whose WORK it was all but some Pieces here and there in the First Four Books with his Leave to Reprint it as I have now done so carefully that I think it hath not many gross Faults and for those less considerable I doubt not but the observation of the Ingenious Reader will easily find his care Correct and I hope his Candor pardon them LICENSED Nov. 24. 1678. ROGER L'ESTRANGE THE HISTORY OF THE Civil Wars of France By HENRICO CATERINO DAVILA. The FIRST BOOK The ARGUMENT IN this First Book is set down the Original of the French Nation The Election of their first King Pharamond The Institution of the Salique Law The Rights and Prerogatives of the Princes of the Blood The Succession of their Kings to Lewis the IX surnamed The Saint The Division of the Royal Family into two distinct branches one called Valois the other Bourbon The Iealousies between them and in time the suppression of the House of Bourbon The original and raising to greatness of place in the rooms of the Princes of the Blood the Families of Guise and Momorancy The Emulations and Occurrences between them in which the Guises prevail King Henry the Second is killed by accident in a Tournament Francis his Son a Youth of weak Constitution succeeds to the Crown He gives the Government to his Mother Queen Caterine and the Guises The Princes of Bourbon are offended thereat The King of Navarre chief of the Family upon that occasion goes to Court prevails little goes from thence and retires into Bearn The Prince of Conde his Brother resolves to remove from the Government of the Queen-Mother and the Guises He is counselled to make use of the Hugonots Their Beginnings and Doctrine La Renaudie makes himself chief of a Conspiracy and the Hugonots resolve to follow him The Conspiracy is discovered The King chuseth the Duke of Guise for his Lieutenant-General who without much difficulty doth break take and chastise the Conspirators THe Civil Wars in which for the space of forty years together the Kingdom of France was miserably involved though on the one side they contain great Actions and famous Enterprizes that may serve for excellent Lessons to those that maturely consider them yet on the other side they are so confused and intangled in their own revolutions that the reasons of many businesses do not appear the counsels of many determinations are not rightly comprehended and an infinite number of things not at all understood through the partiality of private Interests which under divers pretences hath obscured the truth of them True it is that many excellent Wits have endeavoured to make of these a perfect Story by bringing to light such things as they have gathered together with great diligence and commendable industry Notwithstanding the difficulties are so many and the impediments prove to be of such consequence that in a multitude of accidents all great and considerable but hidden and buried in the vast ruines of civil dissentions his pains will not be less profitable to posterity who labours to digest them into an orderly method than the endeavours of others formerly have been Wherefore being in my infancy by Fate that destined me to a restless life transported into the inmost Provinces of that Kingdom where during a long space of time which I lived there I had the opportunity to observe and be an eye-witness of the most secret and notable circumstances of so remarkable passages I could not chuse a more worthy matter nor a more useful Study wherein to imploy my present Age now come to maturity than to write from the very beginning all the progress and order of those troubles And although the first taking up of Arms which hapned in the year 1560. was indeed before my time so that I could not be present at the beginning of those Civil Wars nevertheless I have diligently informed my self by those very persons who then governed the affairs of State so that with the perfect and particular knowledge of all the following events it hath not been hard for me to penetrate to the first root of the most ancient and remote causes of them This Story will contain the whole course of the Civil Wars which brake forth upon a sudden after the death of King Henry the Second and varying in their progress by strange and unthought-of accidents ended finally after the death of three Kings in the Reign of King Henry the Fourth But to form the Body of this Narration perfectly it will be convenient for me to look back some few periods into the Original of the French Monarchy for the seeds of those matters which are now to be related taking their beginnings from times
besieged on every side In the mean time the Squadrons of Cavalry under Malicorn and Meleray being come up those that sallied out were within a little while beaten in again though with loss on both sides there being slain above sixty of the Catholicks and about eighty of the Hugonots The Catholick Army being divided lodged it self into two several quarters shutting up the ways both by Sea and Land for it was their chief design to keep the Count from any means of saving himself and as soon as it was quartered they presently began their trenches and to plant their Cannon believing the Town was able to hold out but a very few days But the Count knowing his weakness and making it his chief aim to save himself having the night following often given them their alarms in several places to try and amuse the Catholick Camp at last he with a few of his Souldiers forced a Corps de Guard of the Sieur de Luce his Regiment which kept a passage toward the Land and knowing the Country very well by the help of the night saved himself undiscovered in certain low moorish grounds which use to be overflow'd by the Tide and then passing an arm of the Sea in certain small Fisher-boats which he found by chance went to Danfront having left his Son and Son-in-law at St. Lo but with an assured hope of relieving them within a few days His flight was not known unto the Catholicks for the darkness of the night the small number of his company and his means of getting away had concealed his escape till grown strong in Horse by the help of many Gentlemen of his party he began to run about the Country cutting off passages and making shew that he would relieve the besieged whereby being at last assured that he was slipt out of the net and insulted furiously over the neighbouring Country they called a Council of War wherein the opinions being various the Sieurs de Fervaques Ruberpre and many others counselled the prosecution of the siege of St. Lo a business which they esteemed but of a few days to take away that secure retreat from the Enemy and cut off all hopes of saving themselves by Sea but Villers and St. Colombe were of opinion that leaving St. Lo still besieged to divide the Forces of the Enemy they should with the same celerity they came thither follow the Count de Mongomery thinking that to suppress him would quite extinguish the War This resolution being approved by Matignon having left Fervaques and Maliâ—orne to block up St. Lo he himself with Villers and St. Colombe taking with them two Regiments of Foot six hundred Horse and only four small pieces of Cannon marched so speedily to Danfront that they prevented the Enemies intelligence who though the Walls of the City were very weak yet trusting to the River Mante that runneth about one side of it and to the Fort which seated upon the top of a Hill guards it on the other side were resolved constantly to defend the place The night following the Cannon were planted and in the morning there being hardly forty yards of the wall beaten down Villers despising the hindrance of the River passed over at the head of the Infantry up to the brest in water and assaulted it so boldly that the Souldiers being terrified fled without resistance into the Castle and the Town remaining in the power of the Catholicks was by the fury of the Souldiers almost utterly ruined and destroyed Much greater was the difficulty of assaulting the Castle seated upon an intire Rock where the Sap could do little good and so high above the plain that they were forced with infinite difficulty to raise Cavaliers for the planting of their Ordnance which while the Catholicks put in execution with the same speed and courage the Hugonots still molested them with sharp bloody sallies which at last ceased for one Cavalier being finished they began furiously to batter the Curtin After the battering followed a fierce assault in which though the Catholicks lost St. Colombe with a great many Voluntiers and about two hundred of their most valiant men the Hugonots received so much loss by the death of a great many Gentlemen and the greatest part of their Souldiers that they were able to hold out no longer for which cause lest the assault which was preparing with more Forces than at first should be renewed the next day they yielded themselves the same night to the discretion of the Conquerours and Monsieur de Matignon entring the Castle caused the Souldiers to be pillaged and let them all go keeping only some few Gentlemen prisoners and the Count de Montgomery who with a very strong guard was brought to Court where by the sentence of the Parliament of Paris he was publickly executed as a Rebel in the place appointed for Malefactors The King and Queen not only rejoycing that they had freed themselves of so fierce an Enemy who held perpetual correspondence with foreign Princes but also that they had revenged the death of Henry the Second slain by him though accidentally as we have said in a Tournament from the occasion of whose death proceeded afterwards all those following calamities Danfront being taken Monsieur de Matignon returned to St. Lo which he began to besiege mâ—re streightly and the seventh day Villers storming it with the chief of all the Infantry remained Master of the wall though with the loss of much blood and of a Tower which placed in the flank defended the Avenue that led toward the gate The assault being renewed in the morning by break of day the victorious Army entred the Town where the Son-in-law of Montgomery being slain and Monsieur de Colombiere a Souldier of great valour and noble birth Monsieur Lorges Son to the Count was taken who being condemned to the same punishment which his Father â—ad suffered corrupted his guards and saved himself by flight Carentanâ— and Valognes yielded without staying to be besieged that 〈◊〉 being thus extinguished which with so much danger had been kindled in the most suspected parts of the Kingdom But at that time the Kings life was drawn almost unto the last period for having begun some months before to spit blood being afterwards oppressed with a slow but a continued internal Feaver he had in the end utterly lost all strength whereby knowing himself to be already near his death he caused all the Lords and Officers of the Crown which were then at Court to be called unto him and having told them the danger of his sickness and nearness of his death he declared his Brother Henry King of Poland to be his Successor in the Kingdom and until his coming the Queen his Mother to be Regent strictly commanding the Duke of Alancon the King of Navarre and all others under pain of Rebellion to obey and serve her faithfully until the arrival of the lawful King After that the Secretaries of State and Renato de Birago who
set down the causes why the Duke of Guise and his adherents endeavour to renew the Catholick League which before was almost laid aside The Reasons they alledge for themselves The quality of those persons that consented to and concurred with the League The design of drawing in the Cardinal of Bourbon and his resolution to embrace it Philip King of Spain takes the protection of it The Conditions agreed to with his Agents at Jain-ville The Popes doubtfulness in ratifying and approving the League and his determination to delay the time The King of France consults what is to be done for the opposing of that Vnion and the opinions differ He sends the Duke of Espernon to confer with the King of Navarre to perswade him to embrace the Catholick Faith and return to Court The King of Navarre at that Proposition resolves to stand firm to his Party The League takes occasion by that Treaty and makes grievous complaints They of the Low-Countries alienated from the King of Spain offer to put themselves under the Crown of France The King is uncertain what to do in it but at last remits them to another time King Philip entring into suspition of that business sollicites the Duke of Guise and the League to take up Arms To that end Forces are raised both within and without the Kingdom The King tries to oppose them but finds himself too weak The Cardinal of Bourbon leaves the Court retires to Peronne and with the other Confederates publishes a Declaration They draw an Army together in Champagne seize upon Thoul and Verdun The City of Marseilles riseth in favour of the League but the Conspirators are suppressed by the rest of the Citizens the same happens at Bourdeaux Lyons Bourges and many other places in the Kingdom side with the League The King answers the Declaration of the League he endeavours to disunite it by drawing many particular men from that Party as also the City of Lyons but seeing his design succeedeth not to his mind he resolves to treat an Agreement with the Confederates The Queen-Mother goes into Champagne to confer about it with the Duke of Guise and Cardinal of Bourbon After many Negotiations the Peace is concluded The King of Navarre publisheth a Declaration against the League and challengeth the Duke of Guise to a Duel He passeth it over and makes the Declaration be answered by others The Duke of Bouillon and Monsieur de Chastillon go into Germany to stir up the Protestant Princes in favour of the Hugonots The King consults of the manner of effecting what he had promised in the Agreement with the League The opinions differ and there ariseth great discord about it among his Councellors He resolves to make War against the Hugonots and coming to the Parliament forbids all other except the Roman Catholick Religion He sends for the Heads of the Clergy and the Magistrates of the City of Paris and with words full of resentment demands money of them for the War He prepares divers Armies against the Hugonots Pope Gregory the Thirteenth dies Sixtus Quintus succeeds him who at the instigation of the League declares the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde to be Excommunicate and incapable to succeed in the Crown This Excommunication is diversly spoken of in France Many write against it and many in favour of it FRom the ashes of the Duke of Alancon the half-extinguisht sparks of the League began again to be kindled and burn afresh for the King by his policy in the Assembly at Blois and after by the delight and benefit every one received in Peace and by keeping down the Heads of the Hugonots and holding them at a distance having taken away the opportunities and specious pretences of the Lords of Guise it was of it self grown old and in very great part decayed and dissolved And though those Lords being stung to the quick by the excessive greatness of the Kings Minions and continually stirred up by the jealousie of his proceedings had failed of no occasion that might conveniently blemish his actions and bring themselves into reputation yet matters had till then been rather in unsetled debates than certainly concluded and had consisted more in words than in actions But now by reason of the Duke of Alancons death and that the King after having been ten years married had no probable hope of issue affairs began to be very much altered For as the King of Navarre's being first Prince of the Blood and so nearest the Succession of the Crown did spur forward the readiness of the Guises his old corrivals and natural enemies so likewise it afforded them a fair occasion to renew the League that they might take a course betimes to hinder the Kingdom from falling into the hands of the Hugonot Prince to the universal ruine of the Catholicks and the total overthrow of Religion Wherefore the disgusts they received at Court and the suspicion which for many years they had conceived concurring to sollicite them and this emergent occasion offering a fit opportunity they began again not only to repair the old structure but also to contrive and build up new designs The disasters which the Lords of Guise received at Court were many For besides seeing themselves excluded from the Kings favour and from the administration of State-affairs wherein they were wont to hold the first place and whereof they now did not at all participate as likewise being so little able to do any thing for their dependents and adherents because the King reserved unto himself alone the disposing of all Gifts and Honours they were also highly offended at the greatness of these new men who not favoured by the lustre of ancient Families nor raised by the merits of their own actions but only by the liberality of their Prince were advanced so high that with a sudden splendour they eclipsed all those Honours which they with infinite pains and dangers had attained to in the course of so many years And though the Duke of Ioyeuse by his Marriage with the Queens Sister was allied unto the House of Lorain and seemed in many things to be interessed with them yet they disdained to lie under the shadow of anothers protection where they were wont to see an infinite number of persons shelter themselves under the favourable wing of their Power and Authority To this was added that the Duke of Espernon either through his own natural instinct or the hopes of raising himself upon the ruines of the Great Ones or through the friendship which he had held from his youth with the King of Navarre who was most averse from any familiarly with them seemed to despise and undervalue the merits and power of so great a family and failed not upon all occasions to sting and persecute them on the other side obstinately favouring and in all opportunities maintaining and assisting the Princes of Bourbon Whereupon it was commonly believed that he to abase the credit and lessen the reputation of the
present condition And because he had no means to keep the whole Army together which though he had been able to do would within a few dayes have been inferior to the Forces of the League they determined that the King with the Duke of Montpensier and the Mareschal de Biron should retire into the Province of Normandy that the Mareschal d' Aumont should go into Champagne and the Duke of Longueville with Monsieur de la Noue into Picardy to keep those Provinces faithful and to re-unite themselves when time and occasion should require But the King knowing the vast structure of the League and how difficult the burden of Civil War is to be born desired to try the hope of an agreement with the Duke of Mayenne not being willing in any manner to be faulty to himself or to neglect any possible means of setling himself in the Crown wherefore many men being come into the Camp for several interests he made use of the occasion and hearing that one Bigot a near Servant to Monsieur de Villeroy was there he caused him to be brought unto him by the Sieur de Chastillon and bad him to let his Master know that he desired infinitely to speak with him and that if he would chuse the place of interview he should have a Safe-conduct sent him and all necessary security The Sieur de Villeroy had taken part with the League not only out of anger because he was so suddenly dismissed from the Court but because the Government of Lyons after the death of Monsieur de Mandelot was contrary to the promises the King had made him given first to the Duke of Nemours and then to Monsieur de la Guiche putting by Alincourt his Son who upon that hope had married the Daughter of Mandelot To which causes of discontent he added for a more potent excuse that all his Land lying within the Territories of Paris and his Court-Pension being taken from him he knew not how to maintain himself if he joined not with that party wherein he might enjoy the Revenue of his Estate But however it were Bigot having delivered the Kings Message he not being willing to do any thing without the Duke of Mayenne's leave told him what Message he had received from the King But the Duke would not let Villeroy go to the meeting alledging that it could not be done so secretly but it would be generally known and by consequence those of his party would suspect something and fall into a jealousie That affairs were in a very hopeful condition and that it was not good to disturb them inconsiderately being they might easily be crossed and therefore only gave way that he might receive a Gentleman in his house at Paris and treat with him if the King were pleased to send one for that purpose With this Answer Bigot returned to the Camp and the King not scorning any kind of means to advance his fortune and to let the Catholicks know that he desired Peace sent presently the Sieur de la Marsilliere his Cabinet-Secretary He not having been able to obtain leave to speak personally with the Duke of Mayenne told the Sieur de Villeroy that the King had sent him expresly to assure the Duke of his good inclination to consent to peace and to represent unto him how necessary it was for the general good That he did very much esteem the Dukes person and desired to make him his Friend and to have him near him in an honourable degree of favour suitable to his condition That the Duke ought now to lay aside his vain hopes of seeing him totally abandoned and forsaken for all the Princes Officers of the Crown Lords Gentlemen and others that were both in and out of the Army had sworn Allegiance to him and promised him their assistance he having satisfied them in what concerned Religion by a reciprocal promise made in writing the copy whereof he left with the Sieur de Villeroy to shew unto the Duke That not only the Hugonots but even the Catholicks of the Army themselves were much displeased with the Duke for the Kings death and had solemnly sworn to prosecute their revenge till they were fully satisfied That he had promised the same and was interessed in it so that if so universal a good and benefit as the peace of the Kingdom did not make him yield and also mollifie the hearts of those that were offended he should not be able to do it afterwards under colour of any other excuse and that therefore the Duke should think upon it and embrace this occasion of regaining the affection of so many Catholicks and so much Nobility who the respect of Peace being taken away would for ever be his bitter irreconcileable Enemies Finally That he should propound some Conditions for the King was extreamly disposed to satisfie him in whatsoever was possible Which things being told the Duke by Monsieur de Villeroy he had commission to answer That the Duke had no private enmity with the King and for his own part honoured and held him in the highest veneration but that Religion and Conscience would not suffer him to enter into that Treaty with him That if his late Brothers had in the Kings life-time taken Arms to hinder the Crown from falling to a Prince of a different Religion as by the Duke of Alancon's death they doubted that it might now that the necessity was more urgent and the danger already present he could not lay down those Arms that were taken up without doing injury to the memory of his Brothers to his own Conscience and to the solemn Oath he had taken That he had engaged his Faith and given his Life to the Publick Cause when he had accepted the Office of Lieutenant-General of the State and that having declared and acknowledged the Cardinal of Bourbon King to whom the Kingdom had been judged to belong he could not break his Faith to him nor resolve of any thing till the said Cardinal were at liberty and all those of his party assembled together That if the Kings death had made him so many Enemies he hoped God would defend his innocence but his contentment was so great to see the death of his Brothers revenged that he was very willing to undergo all the hatred he had gotten by it That he ought not nor could not give counsel to that King against whom he had taken up Arms But he might easily know that the liberty of the Cardinal of Bourbon and his conversion were necessary to precede the Treaty With these general terms la Masilliere returned to the King at the time when because he was able to stay no longer he raised his Camp from St. Cloud and the Towns adjacent The resolutions after the Kings death had been no less doubtful and perplexed in Paris than they had been in the Kings Camp For the Duke of Mayenne's Friends and Kinred especially Madam de Montpensier exhorted and counselled him to make
his life This Counsel prevailed with the Duke of Mayenne as well for these considerations as for two other reasons one that Don Bernardino de Mendozza the Spanish Ambassador did in a manner openly contradict his election wherefore by reason of the Authority and Forces of the Catholick King he thought it would be impossible to effect that which he should attempt against his will the other that if it should be discovered that he suffered himself to be swayed by his own interests and not by the respects of Religion and the general good he feared he should be forsaken by the Pope and all the Confederates and particularly by the Parisians For which reasons he chose rather to expect the maturity of time and in the interim to cause the Cardinal of Bourbon to be declared King towards whom he saw the common inclination bent and leaving the Name and Arms of King to him that was old weak and which imported most a prisoner to keep the force and authority of Government in his own hand being certain that by how much the more favourably he should he nominated and elected by the League by so much the more closely and warily would he be kept and guarded by the King of Navarre and by consequence so much the longer would the supreme authority remain in him in which time either by his death or some other occasion and perhaps by the help of Victory more easie and expedite opportunities might offer themselves hope in the mean time serving to spur on the other pretenders whose assistance would either be quite taken away or very much cooled if they should see that place possessed at the very first which they were plotting to procure for themselves Thus the Duke preventing the peoples desire and the Council of the Vnion was the first that declared the Cardinal of Bourbon King of France with the Name of Charles the Tenth and so caused him to be declared in the Parliament in the Council of the Vnion and to be proclaimed in the streets of Paris retaining to himself the name and authority of Lieutenant-General through the whole Kingdom This Declaration was pleasing and plausible to the people who were thereby well setled and confirmed to continue the War as they said for the liberty of their King and to root out the seed of Heresie it was well approved of by the Spaniards who desired to gain time to dispose of their affairs but above all it was a great satisfaction to the Pope who in the same point saw both the lawful Succession safe and the preservation of Religion The Cardinal of Bourbon being declared the lawful King by the Council of the Vnion the Duke of Mayenne by a lofty Edict full of high words exhorted every one to acknowledge that King which God had given unto the Kingdom to yield him due obedience and to endeavour with all their might to free him from that imprisonment in which he was detained by his Enemies he commanded that every one should tye himself by Oath before the Officers of his Province to live and die in the Catholick Religion and to defend protect and confirm it and pardoned all those who within the term of fifteen dayes should separate themselves from commerce with the Hugonots and retire into those places where the Catholick Vnion commanded Which Edict as soon as it was registred and published in the Parliament he dispatched the Commendatory de Diu to Rome again who had brought the Monitory against the late King to inform the Pope of the state of Affairs giving him notice that King Charles the Tenth was declared and intreating him to assist the cause of Religion not only by his approbation but also by supplies of men and money Into Spain he only dispatched a great many several expresses with particular news of the whole business deferring to send any persons of quality till he had conferred with Don Iuan de Morrea who having been sent by King Philip before the King's death he had notice was at that time in Lorain For the Catholick King though he had not been willing openly to declare himself Enemy to King Henry the Third to whom he in appearance bore respect for many reasons yet as from the beginning he had laid the foundation of the League and helped and strengthned the Duke of Guise with great sums of money so after his death he had caused Mendozza his Ambassadour to stay in Paris and there under colour of favouring Religion cunningly to be present at all businesses who by his arts and money had so won the hearts of the Parisians that he had as much power amongst them as the Princes of the House of Lorain and though the Catholick King did never send any supplies of armed men openly to the League while the King lived yet he permitted that Count Iago de Collalto who had raised a Tertia of German Infantry for his service and which was paid by him should under shew of friendship to the Duke of Mayenne go to serve him and had by his authority and partly with moneys assisted the leavies of Swisses and Germans which the Duke of Brunswick Count Charles of Mansfelt and the Sieur de Bossompierre had made in favor of the League But now the Kings death had taken away that scruple and that so honourable a pretence of assisting the Catholicks against an Heretick excommunicated King presented it self the Duke of Mayenne hoped he would turn all his Forces to assist the League and therefore he staid to hear his mind more particularly from the mouth of Don Iuan de Morrea and then he meant to send some person of Authority to establish the agreement of common affairs But the King having heard of the Declaration which had been made at Paris and received in other places of the League concerning the Cardinal his Uncle the first thing that came into his mind was just as the Duke of Mayenne had imagined to dispatch his Confident du Plessis-Mornay to Chinon where the Cardinal was and give order That he should be removed to Fontenay and there kept more carefully with stricter Guards thinking that place more secure because it was near Rochelle and invironed on all sides with the Hugonot Forces The second thing was to sollicite the Catholicks who had acknowledged him to send the Embassie already resolved on to Rome to begin to enter into a Treaty with the Pope and to see if it was possible to satisfie him Wherefore the Catholick Lords desiring that their Embassie might have authority both by the Birth and Wisdom of the person employed chose the Duke of Luxembourg a man of most noble Blood of singular parts and great experience in businesses of the Court The Embassie to the Pope being dispatched the King desirous to shew that he remembred what he had promised to the Catholicks caused the Assembly of the States to be appointed in October following at the City of Tours which the Parliament and Court of
the foundation and safety of the Crown That open injury is done to the constitution of this Law when the lawful Dominion of him is called in doubt or controversie who by the prescribed order of it is called by God unto the Crown That the force and authority of this Law is so great and venerable that no other Law hath power to prejudice it and the Kings themselves which are loose from other Laws are subject and not superiouâ— to this alone and that therefore it was a vain thing to alledge against it the Decree of the States at Blois in the year 76 for not the King nor the States but that Law it self ought to decide the Succession of the Kingdom and yet What man of sound understanding could ever hold the Assembly at Blois to be a lawful Congregation of the States in which the liberty of votes being taken away and the voice of good men suppressed there was nothing else minded by the Conspirators of that Confederacy the fruits whereof are now found but to oppugne the King's Authority who then reigned and to reduce him to the slavery of his enemies disposing of the affairs of the Kingdom according to the will and fancy of factious persons That perchance that violence used against him from which he had so much laboured to defend and free himself was not clear enough who was he that could believe the late King would voluntarily break and violate that Law by vertue of which his Grandfather Francis the First was come unto the Crown But What needed there other proofs The same men who had forcibly and treacherously caused that Decree to be made had themselves waved forsaken and declared it ineffectual and of no validity for if the Duke of Mayenne had esteemed that constitution valid after the seditious deposing of King Henry the Third caused by him he would not have entituled himself Lieutenant-General of the State and Crown of France before the Kingdom were vacant but Lieutenant to the Cardinal of Bourbon to whom by that seditious Decree the Kingdom appertained But what not onely then but also after the King's death who was by them caused to be murthered he for three moneths together usurped the same title declaring how little valid he esteemed the determination of those States that therefore it was manifest and known that it was not out of reverence to the determination of his own States which they now publish that he made use afterwards of the fained person of the Cardinal of Bourbon when it was convenient for him but thereby to usurp the Royal-Power and Ministry and to gain time and means to establish himself in his intended usurpation But that no less vain was the reason he alledged viz. That he was not a Catholick but of a different Religion for he was neither Infidel nor Pagan but confessed the same God and the same Redeemer the Catholicks confess and adore nor ought some difference in opinion to make such a desperate irreconcilable division That he would not be obstinate nor refuse to be taught and instructed and that he was ready if his error were shown him to forsake it and reduce himself to those rites which the Catholicks of his Kingdom desired and that he wished he could with safety of Conscience take away all scruples from all his Subjects but he prayed the Catholicks not to wonder if he did not so easily leave that Religion which he sucked with his milk nor ought it to appear strange that he should not forsake the ancient institution of his life unless first he were made to see the error which they were of opinion he â—as in which when it should come to pass no body should need to desire his readiness and willingness to condemn his fault and enter into that way which should be known to be the best That it was fit iâ— a business that concerned his Soul and eternal life he should proceed with great circumspection and so much the more because his example was like to draw many with it whom he would not help to damn but willingly to save them if he could That therefore he had often demanded Councils not to oppose himself against those already celebrated as his Enemies reported but to the end that he together with them of the same Religion might be instructed and taught thereby that it was no absurd thing to celebrate a Council and moderate many matters which times and occasions produce and to say they had already been decided by other Councils was nothing for so all later Councils would have been vain and absurd in confirming and ordering things again which had been setled and determined by former ones That â—f a more speedy and more proper way were found for his instruction he would not refuse it and that he had given cleaâ— testimony of it to the World when he gave leave to the Catholicks under his obedience to send Ambassadors to the Pope to take some course in it and when he so often caused his very adversaries to be told that iâ— the midst of Arms it was no time to talk of Conversions but that making Peace they should resolve upon a Conference wherein he might be instructed but that they abusing his goodness had made shew to lend an ear unto it onely when for their own designs they desired to work a jealousie in the Spaniards That it was certain they abhorred to have him instructed since now in their Writings they reckoned it as a thing to be despaired of having never yet so much as attempted it and because that presently assoon as the Marquiss de Pisani's Embassie tending to that effect was agreed upon they had by all possible means crossed his negotiation and brought it so to pass that the Pope would not admit him to his Audience That if they published and vaunted That they would refer the business wholly to the Pope He on the other side did not despair but the Pope at last knowing their subtilty and cunning would take that resolution which should be most conformable to decency and reason That therefore seditious persons ought no longer to tempt the good Catholicks that stood armed for the defence and safety of their Country but that they rather should acknowledge their error and as members gone astray return to joyn themselves with the rest of the Body for except the Princes of Lorain who were strangers all the Princes of the blood Prelates Lords Officers of the Crown and in a manner all the strength of the Gentry were of his party and made the true Body of France united for the defence of their Liberty and the safety of the Kingdom That they should consider how unworthy how monstrous a thing it was to open the Gates to the Spaniard to come and invade the bowels of the Kingdom their Ancestorâ— and even they themselves having spilt and poured out so much blood to drive them from their confines That they should see how impious that insatiableness was which for
General to Prince Casimire leads the Army 313. His excuse to the Emperor commanding him to disband ib. his Acts 324. disbands his Army 328 Battel between the Armies 37. at Brisac 140. at St. Denis 117 Bellegarde usurps the Marquisate of Saluzza 238 Birth of Henry IV. in the Territory of Pau 10. in the Viscounty of Bearn a free State Decemb. 13. 1554. ib. Bishop of Monsâ— sent on purpose by the King to demand absolution for the Cardinal of Guise's death 385 Bishop of Paris gives way that the Church-Plate should be turned into money for relief of the Poor 460 Bishops to judge â—f Heresie 50 Blois taken and pillaged by the Kings Army 70 Jean Bodin contradicts the Prelates in the General Assembly 229 Body of Henry III. laid in the great Church of Campeign 416 Francis de Bonne made Head of the Hugonots and after Constable of the Kingdom 212 Bourges rendred upâ—â— Condition 71 Brigues in French signifies Factions 64 C. CAhors taken and sacked by the Hugonots 241 Calais recovered from the English and besieged by the Spanish Army 702. A description of its situation 703. agrees to surrender if not relieved within six days but de Martelet getting in with 300 Foot they refuse the Castle stormed Governor killed and all put to the Sword 705 John Calvin a Picard preacheth and publisheth in Print 128 Principles differing from the Roman-Catholick Religion which had their foundaetion in Geneva at first hearkned to out of curiosity but at last produce great mischief 19. Henry II. severe against the Calvinists of whose death they boast much 20 Cambray its Siege 685 c. yields to the Spaniard 690 Cardinal Alessandrino Legat from Pope Pius Quintus refuses a rich Iewel presented to him by the Kings own hand 177 Cardinal Alessandro de Medici who was after Pope Leo XI appointed Legat into France 675. received with great demonstrations of Honour by Monsieur des Digâ—ieres a Hugonot His solemn entry into Paris 710. setling Religion he begins to promote a Treaty between France and Spain 711 Cardinal of Bourbon Vncle to the King of Navarre desired for the Head of the Catholicks 252. His pretensions to the succession of the Crown 253. put into the Castle of Amboise 374 declared King of France by the League and called Charles X. 417 Cardinal of Chastillon changing his Religion calls himself Count of Beauvais 64. the Lye passes between the Constable and him 115. flies disguised like a Mariner into England and remains with the Queen as Agent for the Hugonots Page 130 Cardinal of Guise made Prisoner 370. is slain and his body and the Duke of Guise's two Brothers burn'd in Quick-lime and their bones buried in an unknown place 373 Cardinal Gondi and the Legat meet the Marquis of Pisani upon a Treaty but nothing concluded 465. he and the Archbishop of Lyons chose by the Council of Paris to treat with the King 466. he and the Marquis of Pisani chosen to go to Rome by Henry IV. 557. sends his Secretary to excuse himself to the Pope 561. notice that he should not enter into the Ecclesiastical State by the Pope 163. is permitted by the Pope to come to Rome but not to speak a word of the affairs of France 644. return'd to Paris commands they should use the Prayers were wont to be made for the King and to acknowledge Henry IV. lawful King 653 Cardinal Henrico Gaetano a man partial to Spain declared Legat to the League in France 431. the Popes Commissions to him 432. his request to Colonel Alphonso Corso and his answer 433. overcoming many difficulties arrives at Paris 434. Grants the Duke of Mayenne 300000 Crowns brought for enlargement of the Cardinal of Bourbon 439 meets with the Mareshal de Byron they treat of divers things without any conclusion 453 Cardinal of Sancti Quattro succeeds Gregory XIV by name of Innocent IX 530 Cardinal Hippoliâ—o d'Esâ—é Legat in France 51 Cardinal Hippolito Aldebrandino aged 56 succeeds Pope Innocent IX by the name of Clement VIII 555 Cardinal of Lenon-Court gives the King notice of the Cardinal of Vendosme's designs 499 Cardinal Sega Legat in France hath prudent instructions from the Pope by Monseignor Agucchi touching the affairs thereof 564. executes not his Orders ib. his Declaration and Exhortation 577. his Proposition 584. opposes an offer of the Catholick Lords but to no purpose 500 persuaded by the Archbishop of Lyons he secretly consents to it 597. sets forth a Writing to keep the League on 〈◊〉 630 Goes out of the Kingdom 637 Cardinal of Tournon called a second time to Court 13 Cardinal of Vendosme raises a third party of Catâ—olicks to make himself Head and so come to the Crown 498. sâ—ndâ— Scipio Balbani to treat with the Pope and communicate his design 499. Cardinal Lenon-Court gives the King notice of his designs ib Catharine de Medicis Wife to Henry II. dyed in the 70th year of her age thirty whereof she spent in the regency and management of greatest affairs and troubles of France 374 Catholicks besiege la Charité which being stoutly defended they give it over 156 raise the Siege before Chastel-rault 157. take all the Hugonots Baggage and Cannon and 200 Colours 163. King of Navarre proceeds against them 217. desire the Cardinal of Bourbon for their Head 259 War again between them and the Hugonots 288. recover the Castle of Angâ—ers taken suddenly by the Hugonots 290 besiege Maran 295. Lâ—se a Battel are all killed and taken Prisoners except a very few that save themselves by flight 322. assemble themselves to consult about a future King 408. resolve to declare the King of Navarre King of France upon assurance of changing his Religion 409. swear Fidelity to the King by a Writing sign'd and establish'd 410. complain of Henry IV. continuing in Calvinism 405. they of Henry IV. party displeased that the Peace should be treated by du Plessis a Hugonot renew a third party 555 Causes that moved the Guises to frame the League 224. vid. 325 Cause of distaste between Duke d'Espernon and Secretary Villeroy 348. of Hatred between the Prince and King of Navarre 407 that moved the Duke of Mayenne to hope to be chosen King 565 Ceremonies used at the Conversion of Henry IV. 613 Chancellor Birago made Cardinal and Philip Huralt chose in his place 235 Chancellor Chiverney put out of his place 357 recall'd to his Office by Henry IV. 466. his opinion 467 Chancellor Olivier call'd a second time to Court 13. dyes Chancellor de l'Hospital succeeds him 29. put out of his Office upon the Kings jealousie 130. and conferred upon Monsieur de Morvilliers ib. Charles IX marries Izabella Daughter of Maximilian the Emperor 171 Charlotte de la Marc Heir to the Dutchy of Bouillon married to Henry de la Tour Viscount de Turenne 511 Chartres voluntarily sets open its Gates 402. its Description and Siege 494 496 Chastel-rault besieged 156. Siege raised 157 Jaques Clement his birth age and
condition 404. having advised with the Prior and others of his Order resolves to kill the King 405. his answer to a question made to him brought in to the King gives him a Letter then drawing a Knife thrusts it into his Belly ib. cast out of the window and torn in pieces ib. Colonel Alphonso Corso's answer to Cardinal Gaetano's request 433 Colonel St. Paul kill'd by the Duke of Guise 651 Colledge of Sorbon declares Henry III. to have forfeited his Right to the Crown and his Subjects free from their Oath of Allegiance 378. its Decree 439. Declares Henry IV. Absolution valid and the Doctors thereof do him Homage at the Louvre 645 Conditions of Peace concluded at Orleans 88 Conditions agreed upon between the Deputies of the King of Spain and the Heads of the Catholick League Page 254 Conditions between Henry III. of France and the League 353 Conditions to be observed by Henry IV. upon his Absolution 675 Conspiracy against the person of Henry III. 334 Constable Momorancy falls in disgrace with King Francis 7. recalled to management of affairs ib. Constables Vnion with the King of Navarre and Duke of Guise 52. taken Prisoner and his Son killed 82. parlies with the Hugonots and the Lye passes between him and the Cardinal de Chastillon 115 Consultation between the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal his brother 369 Corbiel besieged and taken by the Duke of Parma 477 c. Corby assaulted by the King and taken 485 Council of Trent breaks up Novemb. 1563. in the Papacy of Pius Quintus 92 Cabinet Council iâ—s beginning 127. a Proposition of receiving it made in the Assembly of the States General rejected 361. The Council â—f sixteen framed at Paris by suggestion of the Heads of the League 300. informs the Duke of Guise of 20000 men ready for any design 333. suspect a Plot of theirs discovered by the Kings preparations dismay'd thereupon send for the Duke of Guise 336. of the Union consisting of 40 of the chiefest persons of thâ— League 385 Secret Council resolves to punish the Favourers of the Hugonots 27 Counsellors of Parliament who adhered to Henry III imprisoned in the Bastille 379 Count de Bouchage Brother to the Duke of Joyeuse after the death of his wife whom he dearly loved turns Capuchin 312 Count de Brienne defeated by the Duke of Mayenne and taken Prisoner 397 Count de Brisac's Forces that came to divert the siege of Falaise defeated by Monpensier 396. is made Governor of Paris in place of Count Belin 632. deals presently with the chief of the City to submit to King Henry IV. 633. Conditions in favour of him 634 by his artifice Proclamation is made that upon pain of Death and confiscation of Goods none should assemble but in the Town-house 635. his Decree to receive the King into Paris 636 Count Egmont and his Lanciers all cut in pieces 446 Count de St. Fiore sends 26 Ensigns to Rome taken by his Soldiers 163 Count de Fuentes made Governor of the Low Countries 678. besieges Chastelet in Picardy 679. causes Goneron to be beheaded in sight of the French and besiege Dourlans 681. his manner of besieging Cambray 687 Count Mansfelt succeeds the Duke of Deux-pont 146. enters France and besieges la Chapelle 644. the Governor surrenders it 645 Count de Schomberg treats with the Duke of Mayenne but with weak hope of success 600 Count de Soissons of the House of Bourbon 363. assaulted at Chasteau-Guiron by the Duke of Mercaeur and taken Prisoner 401. removed from the Government of Poictou 501 Crown pretended to by the Cardinal of Bourbon 253. aspir'd to by the Cardinal of Vendosme 498. divolved upon the House of Bourbon 400 D. DAughter of Charles the Great and Godfrey of Bullen were Ancestors of the House of Lorrain and Guise 6 Declaration of the Duke d' Alanson 214. of the Heads of the Catholick League 261. of the King of Navarre 276. of the Duke of Mayenne for the States 511. of the Popes Legat. 577 Decree at Moulins 98 Decree of the Holy Union made to combine themselves for defence of Religion 378. for receiving the Council of Trent â—14 of the Colledge of Sorbon 439. of Henry IV. in favour of Ecclâ—siaestical Dignities and Catholick Religion 558 Deputies of Henry IV. present a Writing to the League is accepted 604 Description of the misâ—rable condition France fell into by the death of the Duke of Guise 381. of the Confederate Army 531 Design of taking Bastille Arcenal Paris and the Louvre and to cut in pieces the Kings Minions and Adherents and to take him Prisoner revealed and not effected 302 Device of the Royallists 422. of the Colledge of Sorbon 439 Discord arises between the Duke d'Espernon and Secretary Villeroy producing evil effects 280 Dreux Battel 82. besieged by Henry IV. 400 607 c. Francis Duke of Alanson the Kings youngest Brother makes himself Head of the Malecontents with hope to usurp the Crown 195. imprisoned 196. excluded from the Crown of Poland 213 his flight and declaration 214. declared Head of the Hugonots by the Prince of Condé 215. musters 35000 fighting men 219. made the Kings Lieutenant General 233. rejected by those called him into Flanders driven thence by the Duke of Parma returns into France and awhile after dyes 245 Henry Duke of Anjou made Lieutenant General of the Army 118. batters Loudun on one side and the Prince of Condé coming to relieve it on the other both resolving to fight are hindred by coldness of weather 136. dismisses the Nobility of his Army sends the rest into Garison and goes to Loches 149. recovers many places from the Hugonots 165. goes with mighty preparations to the siâ—ge of Rochel 190. not to prejudice his Election to be King of Poland moves slowly in that enterprisâ— Page 192 Duke d'Aumale made Governor of Paris by the City arms them and orders them Commanders 318. is in readiness with 500 Horse to assist the Conspiracy of the Parisians 333. bâ—sieges Senlis Longueville with small Forces raises it loses his Artillery Baggage and 30 Colours 400. going to relieve Noyen after a sharp Fight retires 506. for 40000 Crowns Pension revolts to the Spaniard with the places under his Government 642. incensed at being declared Rebel keeps with the Spaniards 695 Duke of Bouillon flies to Geneva and dyes there 328 Duke of Deuxponts enters France spoiling the Countrey dyes with excess of drinking before he joins the Princes 145 Duke d'Elbeus first of the House of Lorrain that makâ—s peace with Henry IV. 641 Duke d'Espernon sent from Henry III. to meet the King of Navarre 25â— Government of Provence conferred on him by the King 283. marries the Countess of Candale a rich Heir 312. Treats with the Suisses Army and they have leave to return home 327. is declared Admiral of the Kingdom and Governor of Normandy 348. cause of distaste between him and Villeroy ib. quits his Government of Normandy by the Kings order and retires
507. afflicted for the Duke of Guise's escape strives to shew signs of joy but treats underhand with the Cardinal of Bourbon and other Lords to set up a third Party 511. he and the Duke of Lorrain agree not to elect any King of France that is not only a Stranger but not of their Family or a Prince of the blood and a Catholick 513. receives the Duke of Guise at Retel with outward shews of love but corresponds not in their conference ibid. going to oppose an Insurrection in Paris takes the Baâ—â—â—â—le and causes four of the Council of sixteen to be strangled 518. murmurs against the Duke of Parma ascribing the glory of all actions to himself 551. besieges Ponteau de Mer 558 takes it 559. gives Villeroy liberty to favor the Kings conversion at Rome and at the same time opposes it with all his power 563. interpreting the Popes proceeding in favour of him hâ—pes to be chosen King â—64 Causes moving him thereto his Declaration for the States 571. Troubled at the pretensions the Lords of his House had to the Crown as well as he c. 583. sitting under the Cloth of State as King in the Hall of the Louvre â—xhorts the States to choose a Cathol King 584. Threatned by the Spanish Ambassadors departs in anger 593. besieges Noyon is surrendred to him sends his Sons Regiment to Paris 595. being sure none of his Sons should be named Husband to the Infanta prosecutes a Treaty with the Royalists 604. Troubled at offering to give her to the Duke of Guise desires to disturb it c. 608. dâ—siring to hinder the Duke of Guise's greatness asks exorbitant Conditions of the Spaniards 609. seeing himself excluded from the Crown treats to bring in the Cardinal of Bourbon 610. gets the Parliament of Paris to decree the Crown should not be transferred on strangers c. 611. sends Montpezat into Spain to have the Infanta given to his eldest Son 617. he and the Duke of Guise agree to favour each other to be chosen King 623. v. 630 643. his office of Lieutenant General taken away by the Parliament of Paris goes to Bruxels to â—reat with the Archduke 645. makes an Agreement with the King 670. declared innocent of the death of Henry III. 694 Duke de Mercoeur takes the Count de Soisons Prisoner at Chasteau-Eyron 401. his pretensions to the Dutchy of Bretagne 482. being brother-in-law to Henry III. agrees with Henry IV. giving his onely Daughâ—er to Caesar of Bourbon his Bastard-son and what he had in Bretagne under his obedience 733 Duke of Monpensier begins the War against those of the League and besieges Falaise 394. defeats the Count de Brisac who came to divest it 396. dyes at Liseaux 551 Duke of Nemour's vigilancy at the siege of Pâ—ris 475. refuses the Government of it for some discontent from his brother the Duke of Mayenne 488. Insurrection against him at Lyons imprisoned and escapes out of the Castle 660. seeing himself deprived of all retreat falls sick and dyes 692 Duke of Nevers disgusted at the marriage of Viscount de Tâ—renne and Charlotte de la Maâ—k 511. relieves the Kings Army 533. ordered by the Pope not to come to Rome as Ambassador from Henry IV. but as an Italian Prince 621 622. entred privately goes the same evening to kiss his feet 625. beseeches the Pope upon his knees he would absolve the King at least in Foro Conscientiae is denied goes discontented to Venice 626. his death Page 695 Duke of Parma's saying of the Duke of Guise 344. refuses to treat with him without the Duke of Mayenne 519. resolves to succor the League only for Religion 529. marches with his the Popes and French Forces in allTwenty four thousand Foot and Six thousand Horse to relieve Rouen 530. his Answer to the French Lords 534. besieges Neuâ—-chaâ—el and grants Byron de Guiry honourable Conditions 535 sends Eight hundred Horse into Rouen goes to besiege St. Esprit de Hue 539. leaves it and goes to relieve Rouen 540 viewing the Siege of Laudebec shot with a Musquet in the arm 544 shewing he had twice delivered the League sayes the French were the cause the King of Nâ—varre was not quite suppressed 551. goes to the Spâ—w to be cured of a Dropsie 559. his death hurtful to the interests of Spain 556 Duke of Savoy hath certain places restored him by Henry III. at Thurin coming from Poland kept by the Kings of France for security 207 Grand Duke of Thuscany Ferdinando de Medicis is desired by Henry IV. to use his endeavors with the Pope and Colledge of Cardinals about his reconciliation with the Church 556. with his consent Girolâ—mo Condi treats with the Duke of Lorrain in the Kings behalf offâ—rs him the Princess Catharine in marriage for the Duke his Son 610 Dutchâ—ss of Guise demands justice of the Parliamâ—nt they grant it her and choose those should form the Process 380 E. Earl of Essex challenges Sieur de Villars to a Duel who puts it off till another time 524 Walter d'Evereux Brother to the Earl of Essex slain in the first Skirmish at the Siege of Rouen 523 Ecclesiastical Affairs in an unhappy condition 563 Edict that no body should be molested for Religion 48. of July 49. of January 51. to forbid the Hugonots Assemblies in Paris or near the Court 63. Another against them 131. forbidding raising of Soldiers 260. against the Hugonots 281. to succor them 488 Emperor Rodalphus II. commands the Baron d'Onaw by a publick Edict to disband the Army he had raised without his leave upon pain of Imperial banishment 313 Bitter Enemies Conde and Guise sup together and lie in the same Bed 84 Errors imputed to Henry IV. and his Army 475. Excuses in his favour 476 Espernay taken by the League 559. yields to Henry IV. with condition to leave their Colours much desired by him because there were some Spanish Ensigns among them 561 Estamps taken by the King the Magistrates hanged and Pillage given to the Soldiers 402. caused to be dismantled by him 425 Estates of the Kingdom are three 33 F. FActions by the name of Hugonot and Catholick 46. of Royalists and Guizards 365. are fought for by Learned men with their Pens as Soldiers with their Swords 434 Father Robert a Franciscan condemn'd to death at Vendosme for having commended the killing of Henry III. 426 La Fere a place strong by art and nature besieged by Henry IV. 696. yields having large Conditions granted 709 Flanders under that name the Italians usually comprehend all the Low-Countries 299 Forces of Henry IV. sent to relieve Villamur the Foot almost all cut in pieces 570 France the Princes that aspir'd to its Kingdom 435 Francis go to King  Franconians a people of Germany not being able to subsist in their own Countrey issue out in armed multitudes anno 419. and possess themselves of the Gallias being then possest of the Romans 3 4 Fougade what ' t is 650 G.
in the Parliament a thing not usually done except in great necessity but by the King himself or by his Authority gravely advertised the Counsellors promising his care to pacifie the uproars of the people and to free them from so imminent a danger Which kind of proceeding exceedingly offended the King and the Queen it appearing to them that those people presumed too evidently to counterpoise the Royal Authority But the end at which they aimed made them artificially dissemble their displeasure With these seeds of discord ended the year 1565. At the beginning of the year following the King and Queen being really intent though inwardly exasperated to put an end to the troubles of the Kingdom rather by the arts of Peace than the violence of War went to Moulins where those that were summoned met from all parts at the Assembly in which the complaints of the people being proposed and considered and the abuses introduced according to the advice of the High Chancellor there was a long punctual decree formed in which was prescribed a form of Government and a manner of proceeding for the Magistrates taking away those corruptions and disorders that use to give the subject just cause of complaint At the same time the King insisting upon the pacification of his subjects for the general peace of the Kingdom a reconciliation was endeavoured between the Houses of Guise and Chastillon at which appeared on the one side the Mareshal of Momorancy with the Chastilâ—ons on the other the Cardinals of Lorain and Guise but with such backwardnâ—ss in both parties that there was little hope of sincere intentions where there appeared so much disorder and such an adherence to private interests For on the one part the Duke of Aumale Brother to the Cardinals had absolutely refused to be present thereat and Henry Duke of Guise yet in age of minority came thither only not to displease his Tutors but carried himself in such a grave reserved manner that it clearly appeared though his Governours brought him against his will when he was once come of age he would not forget the death of his Father nor observe this peace to which he could not being then so young remain any way obliged But on the other part also the Mareshal of Momorancy not induring so far to humble himself denied to speak câ—rtain words appointed by the Queen and the Council for the satisfaction of the Cardinal of Lorain nor would ever have been brought to it if he had not been forced by his Father who if he refused threatned to disinherit him and the Chastillons opposing by their Actions this seâ—ming Agreement ceased not to calumniate and make â—inister interpretations of the proceedings of the Guises At the last they were brought â—ogether in the presence of the King where they imbraced and discoursed but with a general belief even of the King himself that the reconciliation could not long endure which within a few days proved so indeed For the Duke of Aumale arriving at the Court denied expresly to meet with or use any act of salutation or civility to the Admiral or the rest of his Family On the contrary in the Queens presence he said that the Admiral laying to his charge that he had hired one to kill him he should think it a great happiness to be shut up with him in a chamber that he might hand to hand let him know â—e had no need of help but that he was able to determine his own quarrels himself And because the Queen being moved therewith answered That they might meet in the field the Duke repâ—yed again That he came thither with fifty Gentlemen but would return oâ—ly with twenty and if he met the Admiral he might perhaps make him â—ear moâ—e and in this fury he would have left the Court if the King had not laid an expâ—ess commaâ—d upoâ— him to stay After which new exasperations Andelot seâ—king all â—ccasâ—oâ—s of new sâ—â—â—dals publickly charged the Duke of Aumale in the Council that he had set one Captain Attin to murther him to which the Duke replyed with great shew of resentment It was necessary to lay hold of Attin who not being found culpable in any thing was at last released Both parties ceased not mutually to persecute each other both in words and deeds each of them accusing their adversaries that they went about to raise men and had an intent to disturb the quiet of the Kingdom Which though diligently inquired into proving but vain surmises at length it was thought the best way to continue the peace that the Lords of both parties should absent themselves from the Court where daily new occasions arising of conâ—estation between them the things already quieted were disturbed and subverted To this end and to give example to the rest the Constable with the Mareshal d'Anâ—ille his Son taking publick leave of the King and the Queen went to their Castles in the Isle of France So the great Lords following the same resolution within a few days after they all departed and particularly the Prince and the Admiral went severally to their own houses and the Duke of Aumale being left Heir to Madam Valentine his Mother-in-law who died about that time retired himself to Anet a place of pleasure which she had built There remained at the Court only the Cardinal of Lorain whom the King imployed in all businesses of importance and the Mareshal Momorâ—â—cy whose Government of Paris the Queen meant by some slight or other to take away that so powerful a people might not be under the command of a person that was inclined to innovations and that the chief support of the Kings Authority for the present might be put into such hands as depended absolutely upon himself At this same time happened the distastes and departure of the Queen of Navarre from Court For sentence being given by the King against Frances de Rohan by which the contract of marriage between Her and the Duke of Nemours though subscribed by their own hands was made void and he having concluded to marry Anne d' Este Widow to the late Duke of Guise Queen Iane after infinite but vain attempts in favour of her Neece at the last just as they were Marrying in the Kings presence caused one whom she had hired with promise of Reward to interpose and make a Protestation in the name of Frances but he being taken and imprisoned without interruption of the Marriage and finding her designs took no effect equally offended withal thinking her self injured and despised she resolved to leave the Court and retire into Bearn designing in her mind to raise new and more dangerous troubles She took for occasion and pretence of her departure That she could not be suffered a free exercise of her Religion For the King being advertised by the Popes Nuncio and divers others of the great resort of persons of all sorts to her lodging to hear Hugonot Sermons and knowing the Parisians were greatly
joined in that place to the Fortress Both Squadrons did absolutely effect their design for one passing thorow the ruined Tower forced the Defendents to shut themselves up in the Dongeon and the other at the same time got into the chief street of the Town which without more resistance was furiously taken and sacked The Count shut up in the Dongeon with a few Defendents and those already terrified by the valour the Infantry had shewed and the crosness of the late businesses gave themselves up the next morning to the Kings discretion who kept him and fifteen more of the chief of them prisoners and with a Kingly liberality gave his houshold-stuff among which was store of furniture of very great value unto the Baron de Byron Argentan and Bayeux yielded without a blow and the King prosecuting his march came to Lisieux which at sight of his Artillery yielded upon the thirtieth of December Ponteau de Mer Pont l' Evesque and all those other Towns followed this example so that the League had no place left in lower Normandy except Honfleur seated at the mouth of the Seine right over against Havre de Grace which though the Duke of Montpensier was much against it was passed by without being molested by reason of the Kings haste to go into the higher Province The End of the Tenth BOOK THE HISTORY OF THE Civil Wars of France By HENRICO CATERINO DAVILA. The ELEVENTH BOOK The ARGUMENT THe Eleventh Book contains the Popes inclination touching the affairs of France His resolution to send Cardinal Gaetano his Legat thither The variety of opinions concerning his Commissions His arrival in the Kingdom His perplexity and journey to Paris The different ends of the League are discoursed of The Marquiss de Belin introduces a Treaty of Agreement The Duke of Mayenne deliberates upon that point and resolves to prosecute the War He besiegeth Pontoyse which yields it self unto him He encamps before Meulan and batters it with great obstinacy The King comes to relieve that place The Duke raises the siege and marches to meet the supplies in Picardy The King assaults Dreux but to no purpose The Duke of Mayenne returns increased in strength The King raises his Camp and chuseth a place of Battel in the â—ield of Yvry The Duke follows and comes up to the same place The Armies fight and the King remains victorious The Preachers deliver the news of this defeat to the Parisians who prepare themselves constantly to endure a siege Divers overtures of Peace are made but nothing at all can be concluded The Duke of Mayenne to procure relief goes to the Frontiers of Flanders The King takes all the Neighbouring Towns about Paris Siege is laid unto that City to overcome it with hunger The calamities of the siege and the constancy of the Citizens are related The Catholick King commands the Duke of Parma to march with his whole Army into France to raise the siege of Paris He enters into the Kingdom with great Forces and with exceeding great preparations joins with the Duke of Mayenne and advances towards Paris The King consults what is best to be done resolves to raise the siege and go to meet the Enemy The Armies face one another many days The Duke of Parma takes Lagny and opens the passage of Victuals to Paris The King retires and in his retreat gives a scalado to the City which proves ineffectual The Duke of Parma takes Corbeil and so absolutely frees the City of Paris from want of provisions He resolves to return into Flanders marches in excellent order The King follows him There happen many encounters The Duke departing leaves aid of Men and promises supplies of Money to the League The King returning marches towards Picardy NOw followeth the year 1590. full of all those Calamities which use to be the consequences of Civil Wars but famous also for the greatness of those accidents that hapned in it the natural revolution of things having so brought to pass that in it the greatest force and storm of Arms broke forth with violence In the year before Henry the Third's Ambassadors and Publick Ministers were already departed from Rome by reason of the Monitory published against him when the news of his death was brought thither which being come in a time when the Pope was not only very much exasperated by the conjunction made with the Hugonot party but also infinitely sollicitous and anxious because of the prosperous success of his Arms was received by him with great demonstrations of joy thinking that the miraculous power of the hand of God had unexpectedly diverted that ruine which humane remedies seemed no way able to prevent His contentment was increased by the Agents of the League who to the confirmation of the Kings death added the resolution of the Duke of Mayenne and the Council of the Union to acknowledge the Cardinal of Bourbon the legitimate King of France with an open Declaration and strict Oath to use all their might to free him from his imprisonment and that this resolution was adhered to and unanimously followed by almost all the principal Cities with the greater part of the Nobility and the applause of the Clergy of the whole Kingdom all which things being conformable to the Popes wishes who exceedingly desired the exclusion of the King of Navarre esteemed by him an irreconcileable Enemy to the Church but yet was not willing that the Kingdom should be divided into many parts as some had a mind to have it and that it should come into the hands of a Foreign Prince were the cause that he wrote not only very kind Letters of great commendation to the Duke of Mayenne and the Catholicks of the League but that he also determined to supply them with Men and Money for the setting at liberty and perfect establishment of the Cardinal of Bourbon Wherefore without any delay in a work which he accounted excellently good and of wonderful great glory and advancement to the Apostolick See he resolved to send a Legat into France who by his presence might assist affairs of so great importance and might endeavour to reduce all the Catholicks by such means as he should think most reasonable to unite themselves in one body under the obedience of the Cardinal of Bourbon already elected and declared King of France whose freedom by all possible force was to be endeavoured For this business of so great concernment he chose Cardinal Henrico Gaetano a man not only by the nobleness of his birth of great reputation but also for his worth and experience esteemed of sufficient abilities for so great an enterprise yet according to what the Kings Friends said then and his own actions discovered afterwards too much inclined to favour the attempts and interests of Spain He appointed moreover a select number of Prelates to accompany the Cardinal-Legat all men conspicuous either for the fame of excellent Learning or approved experience in matters of Government among
other discontented Lords The King of Navarre goeth to the Court solliciting the King in the name of the Princes of the blood that they might participate in the Government Queen Blanch Mother to St. Lewis having taken upon her the Government of the Kingdom in the minority of her Son the Barons took arâ—s to maintain the right in those to whom it belonged So did Lewis Duke of Orleans in the time of Charles the eighth The Admiral maketh a proposition to the Male-contents to protect the followers of those opinions in Religion introduced by Calvin and it is embraced Iohn Calvin a Picard preacheth and publisheth in print 128 Principles differing from the Roman Catholick Religion which at first are hearkned to only in curiosity but at last make great impressions in the minds of men and produce great mischief Calvins opinions had their first foundation in Geneva The Reformed Religion began to spread in France in the time of Francis the First Henry the Second was very severe against the Calvinists 1560. The Calvinists use to boast much of the death of Henry the Second The name of Hugonot derived from certain places under ground near Hugo's gate in the City of Toâ—rs whâ—re thosâ— opinions â—irst took growth The manner of the Hugonots proceedings Renaudie a man of a desperate fortune is made Head of the Hugonots Conspiracy 1560. The fifteenth of Maâ—ch was a day more than once appointed for the execution of great designs in France and this day Anno 1560. the Hugonots determined to meet at Blois where the King then was The Conspirators arrive near Ambois where the Court was and are all defeated 1560. After the suppression of the Conspirators in a secret Council held in the Kings Chamber it is resolved to punish the favourers of the Hugonots To get the favourers of the Hugonots into their power it is resolved to call an Assembly of the States at which amongst others the Princes of the blood are to assist The Prince of Conde who was as a prisoner is set at liberty By the death of Olivier Michel de l' Hospital is made High Chancellor Anne of Mâ—morancy with all his adherents goes to the Assembly at Fountain-bleau The King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde go not thither The Assembly at Fountain-bleau The Admiral pâ—esents a Petition from the Hugonots in which they demand erection of Temples and Liberty of Conscience A National Council proposed A general Assembly of the States is resolved upon and the present Assembly dismissed Saga a servanâ— to the King of Navarre is taken prisoner at Estampes with divers Letters about him and being tortured confesseth certain practices against the Crown The Prince of Câ—nde practiseth to possess himself of Lions but without success The three Estates of the Kingdom The Prince of Conde committed to prison The King of Navarre kept 〈◊〉 a prisoner The Assembly of the States begins The Prince of Conde excepts against his trial and appeals to the King but the appeal is not accepted Sentence pronounced against the Prince of Conde The King under the Barbers hands taken with an Apoplexy Charles the IX All the Nobility and the Militia is divided between two Factions Pope Iulio the second excommunicates the Kingdom of France and the Adherents thereof in which the King of Navarre being included he applieth himself to follow the opinions of Beza and Peter Martyr The Constable Anne of Momorancy restored to his Command The Prince of Câ—nde set at liberty and the Sentence pronounced against him declared void 1561 The 〈◊〉 of the States d smissed A kind of toleration permitted to the Hugonots The Kâ—ys of the Kings Palace taken frâ—m the Duke of Guise and delivered to the King of Navaâ—re The private interests and enmities are covered with the vail of Religion and the two Factions take the name of Hugonot and Câ—â—holâ—ck At Rhâ—â—ms a vial is kept with the oyl whereof the first Christian King â—louis was consecrated The Dâ—ke of Guise as first Peer of France is declared to precede all the rest The Peers are twelve six Ecclesiastical and six Secular An â—dict th t no â—oâ—y shoulâ— be mâ—lâ—sted for matters of Religâ—â—n with the reâ—â—itution â—f confiscated goodâ— The Hugonots grow insolent towards the Catholicks The Cardinal of Lorain in the Kings Council inveighs against the Hugonots The Edict of Iuly The Parliament of Paris expels the Hugonots out of the Kingdom The juâ—gment of heresie committed to the Bishops The conferenâ—e of Poissy The divers opinions of the Hereticks There are Eight Parliaments in France 1562. The Edict of Ianuary The Cardinal Hippolito d' Est Legat in France Propositions to exchange Navaâ—re for Sardinia The union of the King of Navarre with the Duke of Guise and the Constable which the Hugonots called the Triumvirat Queen Câ—theâ—ine in opposition to the Triumvirat joins with the Prince of Conde and the Admiral The Queen feigning an inclination to the Hugonots Religion In a conflict between the Duke of Guise his servants and the Hugonots the Duke is hurt wiâ—â— a stone A saying of the Duke of â—uisâ— which made him thought the author of the ensuing War Persons of desparate â—ortunes the incendiaries of Civil Wars The Queen is forced to declare her self fâ—r the Catholicks and at the same time maintains hoâ—es in the Hugonots Charles the IX wept at his restraint Orleans made the seat of the Hugonot Faction The Prince of Conde's Manifest The Parliament of Paris Answer to the Princes Manifest The Answer of the King and Queen The Prince of Câ—nde coynâ— the Plate belonging to Churches An Edict published at the instance of the Parisians to forbid the Hugonot Assemblies in their City or neâ—â— the Court. The Kings Army movâ—s towards Oâ—leans * Brigues a French word signifying factions or contentions The Cardinal of â—hatâ—llin changing his Religion calleâ—h himself Count of Fâ—â—â—vais The Parley between the Queen-Mother and the Prince of Câ—nde The Prince of Conde's demands in favour of himself and the Hugonots The Kings Edict slighted by the Hugonots The Queen perswadeth the Duke of Guise and the Constable and the Mareshal de S. Andâ—â— to leave the Court which they promise The Queen having it under the Princes hand that he woulâ— retire himself the Catholick Lords leave the Camp The Prince of Conde returneth to his Army ROYALISTS and HUGONOTS The Hugonots through the faults of their guides march all night without advancing The Armies face one another and retreat wiâ—hout fighting The Protestants of Germany are Lutherans Conditions offered by Queen Elizabeâ—h of England to the Hugonots That Montgomery who killed Hâ—nâ—â— the Second Blois taken and pillaged by the Kings Army and Tours the first Assault Poictiers taken and saâ—kt Bourges reâ—dred upon condition The Heads of the Hugonot Faction are declared Rebels * Toquesaint an allarum Bell used as the ringing of the bells backwards with us The English received by the Hugonots to Havre de Grace Diepe and Râ—â—en * The