where it was openly proclaimed throughout the Prouinces The Guisarts not content with the troubles in France mooue warres in Scotland but to their owne confusion The religion multiplieth in France euen in the middle of their persecutions and next after God submit themselues vnder the protection of the Princes of the blood determining to oppose themselues against the house of Guise who by diuers subtilties receiue and award their blowes discouer the enterprise wrought against them cause the principall Nobilitie of the Realm to be assembled at Fontainbleau where the Admirall galleth them on all sides This assembly produced an aduise and consent of a Parliament to be holden in the end of that yeare The Princes are summoned to come vnto the Court and all subtile practises vsed to get them thither being arriued at Orleans where the Court was holden They were stayed as prisoners specially the Prince of Conde the house of Guise practising the totall ruine of the Princes and all others of the religion leaue no meanes vndeuised which by the sequell is well perceiued While these actions were in hand the king fell sicke in the end the Queen his mother got the Regencie with the ayde of the house of Guise and the king of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and those of the religion are relieued by the kings death CHARLES THE NINTH I Account the raigne of Charles the ninth to be the time of wonders in France his beginning was the assembly of a Parliament where nothing was done but onely in words Those of the religion openly increasing the house of Guise began to practise against the estate many edicts were made to pacifie the troubles The Queen-mother vseth practises that ouerthrew the lawes of the realme to satisfie those of the religion an assembly was holden at Poissy which ended in words and no resolutions and lastly with mutinies in Parris The Edict of Ianuarie was made whereby the Duke of Guise vndertooke to commit the massacre at Vassy inducing the king of Nauarre to consent with him hee seizeth both of Parris and the king which bred the first ciuill warres which on the one side containe infinit exployts of warres as battels incounters assiegings defenses and taking of places on the other side spoyles and horrible murthers of those of the religion in all the Prouinces of the Realme The troubles being ended by the death of the Duke of Guise slaine at the siege of Orleans the first Edict of pacification abolishing that of Ianuarie was established After the peace the Englishmen were driuen out of New-hauen the king is declared to bee of age to gouerne without a Protector and causeth diuers Edicts to be made He is solicited by the Spaniard to breake his Edict of pacification which is weakned in diuers poynts the beginning of the voyage of Bayonne diuers Citadels builded many Townes vnwalled those of the religion sacked and spoyled in many places leagues made against them Edicts reuoking those that had been granted vnto them The shamefull entrie of the Cardinall of Lorraine in Paris Councels holden at Bayonne the kings progresse throughout France A dissembling reconciliation made between the houses of Guise Chastillon the miserable state of France a notable processe at Paris between the Vniuersitie and the Iesuites Vnder pretence of a passage to bee granted to the Spaniards to passe into the low Countries preparation was made to ouerrun those of the religion which constrained the Prince of Conde and his associates to seeke to defend themselues whereof ensued the second eiuill warres set downe with the most notable accidents therein happened Negotiation of peace which the Prince is constrained to accept This peace presently after conceiued a third ciuill warres The Prince and the Admirall hauing hardly saued themselues in Guyenne followed by diuers others The Princes first exployts edicts against those of the religion many warlike exployts betweene the contrarie armies Warres began to be in greater force in the yeare 1569. then euer they were before The Prince was slaine after the battell of Bassac the Prince of Nauarre declared generall of the armie and the Prince of Conde assistant A puissant armie of Almaines vnder the conduction of the Duke de Deux Ponts commeth to ayde them the incounter of la Roche la Belle the warres of Bearne the siege of Poictiers and Chastelleraud the battell of Moncontour What both the armies did after that The siege of S. Iohn d'Angely ouerthrowne the armie victorious Diuers exployts of wars in Poictou Guyenne Xaintongne and Angoulmois a great voyage through the Prouinces after the battell of Moncontour continuance of warres which is ended by the third edict of pacification and about the end of the yeare the king married the Emperours daughter a voyage made vnto the Queene of Nauarre for the marriage of her son with the king of France his sister Councels among those of the religion the death of the Cardinall of Chastillon The marriage aforesaid agreed vpon warres were pretended against the Spaniard the secret of the Court discouered the Queene of Nauarre went to Parris where she died the Princes and the Admirall came thither Contracts and espousals of the king of Nauarre most horrible bloodie and cruell councels and massacres of the Admirall and thirtie thousand of the religion in Parris and in many other Townes all the circumstances precedent and following set downe at large Many deuises to destroy those that were resting of the religion who in Rochel Sancerre Languedoc and other places resolued to stand in a iust defence of their cause the assieging and yeelding of Sancerre A notable discourse of the siege of Rochel from the beginning vntill the peace granted The state of those of the religion in Quercy Languedoc and other Prouinces where they ouerthrew their enemies and presently after reduced the king to such a stay that he was forced to begin againe who fell sicke as his brother went into Poland A deuise not ouer good for those of the religion The fourth troubles beganne at the massacres and ceased for a time at the peace of Rochel and began the fift by the enterprises against Rochel and Languedoc The wonderfull practises of the Queene-mother to maintaine her actions and to serue her turne by her third son against those of the religion The estate of diuers prouinces specially of Normandie where Monsieur was taken prisoner Warres in Poictou against those of the religion The Prince of Conde goeth into Almaine The sicknesse and death of the king HENRY THE THIRD THe Regents dealings during the warres in Normandie The estate of Languedoc Viuarais and Dauphine Montgommery beheaded in Parris The Prince of Conde chosen generall by those of Languedoc Warre in Poictou The arriuall of the new king escaped out of Poland The beginning of his actions The siege of Lusignen Warres in Dauphine Practises against those of Languedoc The death of Charles Cardinall of Lorraine The memorable siege of Liuron Conquests in Languedoc and elsewhere Negotiation of
peace which procured warres Notable exployts of Mombrun with the end thereof The state of Xaintongue New practises inuented against those of the religion The Duke of Alencon the kings brother leaueth the Court and promiseth wonders Accord betweene the Prince of Conde and the Duke Casimir ouerthrowne by the Queen-mother The miserie of Frenchmen The Germaines armie entereth into France The king of Nauarres departure from the Court. After the D. of Alencon is made general of the armie A peace is propounded which in the end is fully agreed therevpon the fift Edict of pacification was made which like the rest hatched the sixt ciuill warre Foundations of the league begun by the house of Guise Preparations and beginnings of new warre A summarie of the king his Oration to the estates The intention of the same estates discouered What the king of Nauarre and Prince of Conde answered to the Deputies of the same estates Entrance to the sixt ciuil war and the most memorable things of the same being ended at last by an ample edict of pacification The proceedings both of one and other after the peace especially after the king his mother and those of the house of Guise which beganne to stirre and constrained the King of Nauarre to looke to himselfe but chiefly after the death of the Duke d'Alencon which serued for an infantation or production of the league in Paris and elsewhere the progressions wherof are declared Pretext of the leaguers mutinie whom the king attempteth to disvnite The King of Nauarre manifesteth himselfe against them The Queene-mother maketh her selfe a necessarie Agent heerein and causeth the King to yeelde vnto the leaguers more then they hoped for so that hee abolished the last edict of pacification prepareth for warre and demaundeth money The Pope excommunicateth the King of Nauarre and Prince of Conde the which the Parliament of Parris disliketh yet neuerthelesse the king formally proclaimeth himselfe against those of the religion who prepare to make resistance The Duke de Maine his exploits for the league then those of Duke de Mercoeur The memorable expedition of the Prince of Conde towards Anger 's What those of the religion did for their defence in Poictou Xaintongue and other places and the King of Nauarre against foure armies of the league The first and last exployts of the Duke de Ioyeuse for the league against the King of Nauarre Battell of Coutras Discourse of the iourney and ouerthrow of the Rutters armie abou◠the end of the yeare 1587. A summarie recitall of the attempts of the league against the Duke de Bouillon in those seasons Fresh attempts of the league against the estates and those of the religion The warre taketh beginning at Sedan The death of the Prince of Conde The Duke of Guise commeth to Parris vpon which ensueth the battell of Barricadoes The Kings retrait and the beginning of extreame euils in France Proceedings of the King and Leaguers Assignation of the estates at Blois An edict of vnion in the month of Iuly War ordained against such of the religion as intended those estates Attempts of the Duke of Sauoy against France Assembly of the Estates and that which proceedeth the ouerture of the same The Kings Oration who would confirme his Edict of Vnion The Duke of Guise his progressions discouered wherevpon ensueth the putting to death of him and his brother Warlike exployts by the K. of Nauarre for his owne defence and of the armie of the league in buse Poictou Niort taken from the league Restitution of Ganache Dissipation of the leaguers armie A straunge confusion in the estate of France Death of the Queen-mother Behauiour of the king the league and king of Nauarre during these beginnings Truce betweene the two kings Diuers exployts and enterprises of the leaguers who are discomfited in Normandie Beausse in the Isle of France The king with a puissant armie hauing brought in diuers places of importance drew neare Parris where a Iacobin Moonke subborned of long time for the same purpose traiterously gaue him a wound with a knife whereof after some certaine houres hee died and in him failed the race of the French kings of the line of Valois HENRY THE FOVRTH DIsposition of the French after the Kings death Councels of the league Order giuen for the affaires of his armie by the new King being Henry the fourth lawfull successor to the Crowne His genealogie His proceedings and notable exployts in Normandie neare to Arques From thence hee commeth towards Paris taketh the subburbes assayeth to drawe the leaguers to fight taketh Estampes Vendosme Mans reduceth many Prouinces to his obedience and martyreth Normandie wherevpon the Parliament riseth against him 90. Stratagems of the League for maintenance of themselues Exployts by the king in Normandie Battel of Parris Attempts of the Parliament of Roan the Parisiās against the K. The siege of Paris A strange diuisiō of the Order of Sorbōne frō their soueraigne Lord within the Realm Famine oppresseth the Parisians who desire peace and cannot obtaine it through the false deuises of the heads of the league who goeth about to deciue the king and people As for the king hee goeth forward against his enemies who are sauoured by the Duke of Parma the king of Spaine his Lieftenant who being resolued not to couple with the Frenchmen intrench in a strong place and make themselues Maisters of Lani vpon Marne Their intrenchment and auoyding of fight is an occasion that the king dismisseth his armie wherevpon ensueth the entrie of the Duke of Parma into Paris The taking and reprisall of Corbeil with the shamefull retrait of the Spaniards and Wallons 91. Parris is besieged as before Dauphine reconquered to the king The Pope fortifieth the league Cheualier d'Aumale is slaine Stratagems of the Spaniards for defacing of Parris Romish attempts against the king who taketh Chartres by composition and by his Lieftenants discomfiteth the league in Prouince and Poictou Afterwards hee publisheth Edicts for the retention of two religions in his Realme The Parlaments of Tours and Chaalons condemne the buls the Popes Nuntio and Legate In the meane while the Duke of Guise escapeth out of prison On the other side the king besiegeth and taketh Noyon Ouerthroweth the armie of Sauoy at Pontcharra entereth into Normandie whither he draweth the Duke of Parma when in the meane while the mutinous Parisians hang vp Brisson Archer and Tardif For reuenge of whose death foure of the principall seditious were dispatched out of the way 92. Arrest and decree of the Parliament of Roane against the king Discourse of the siege of Roane Disposition of the leaguers armie it is ioyned and fought withall being put to flight both by sea and land The ignominious retrait of the Duke of Parma Attempts by the league in diuers parts Bayon in vaine assailed by the Spaniards Amblize and the Lorraine leaguers discomfited by the Duke of Bouillon Ioyeuse ouerthrowne with his armie before Villemur Complaint by members
l'A And hee had no sooner begun but the Flemmings onely staying therevpon got before him which constrained the French Vangard to range themselues in order thereby to sustaine the rest of the armie where it made a braue resistance driuing certaine squadrons of horses out of ranke but the Counte hauing made a furious charge procured the ouerthrow and spoyle of the Marshall who beeing sore hurt was taken with Messieurs de Villebon Senarpont Moruilliers and Chaune and many Captains and souldiers slaine in the field The Marshals armie being composed of certaine companies of launciers three cornets of light-horses Scottish-men 14. Ensignes of French footemen and 18. Companies of Lansquenets all beeing eyther slaine or taken The number that escaped were not many that great wound renewed the former of S. Lawrence day and brake the enterprise vppon the Duche of Luxenbourg where the Duke of Guise pretended to be doing who in the moneth of Iuly tooke his course to Thierashe and so lodged at Pierrepont which he strengthened with 7. Cornets of Rutters a new Regiment of Lansquenets An army by sea of English men Flemings ouerthrowne in Brittaigne At the same time the armie at sea composed of Englishmen and Flemmings to the number of 6000. men or thereabouts hauing sayled along the coast of Britaigne in the end tooke land at Conquet which they spoyled and entering further into the countrie were ouerthrowne by Monsieur de Kersimon whereof some he slewe other he tooke prisoners and caused the rest to saue themselues by fight within their shippes where they presently hoysed sayles and put to sea Both the kings armies hard by Amiens Both the kings hauing prepared their armies no lesse puissant then at other times incamped themselues and stayed not farre from Amiens along by the Riuer of Somme where they had great numbers of strangers so that their owne subiects in comparison of them were very fewe There they made certaine courses and skirmishes but no battell of any consequence and as it seemed those two great Princes were as then come thither to make an agreement the treatie whereof was mooued and to proceed therein they chose the Abbey of Cercamp vpon the frontiers of Artois and Picardie wherefore the King of France appeased the Constable the Marshall S. Andre the Cardinall of Lorraine Moruilliers Bishop of Orleans one of the kings priuie Councell and Secretarie Aubespine The king of Spaine sent thither the Duke d'Alue the Prince of Aurange Deputies for peace Rigome de Silues Granuelle Bishop of Arras and Vigle de Zuichem President of the Councell of Estate in the lowe Countries They assembled in the moneth of October hauing sor vmpier of the differences that might fall out betweene them the Duches Dowager and the Duke of Lorraine her sonne Meane time the Constable hauing agreed for his ransome came to do his dutie vnto the King who gaue him all the entertainment that possible he might and made him lye with him as some certainly report During this meeting both the armies were dismissed the strangers sent into their countries While this treatie of peace continued Charles the Emperour and his sister Ellenor Death of the Emperour Charles the fift and Ellenor his sister of Mary Queene of England and of Cardinall Poole wife vnto King Francis died in Spaine the peace was grounded vppon the marriage of Charles Prince of Spaine with Elizabeth eldest daughter of K. Henry of Philebert Emanuel Prince of Piedemont with Margaret daughter to king Francis deceased That which prolonged the treatie was that the Q. of England demanded the restitution of Callais but about the end of Nouember she died After whom likewise died Cardinall Poole her great Councellor her death that changed the state of England wherein after that neither the Spaniards nor the Pope had more to do caused the assembly to be referred vnto the peace ensuing King Phillip hauing with great pompe celebrated the funerals of his father within the Towne of Brussels The Duke of Lorraine married with the yonger daughter of the French King stayed in Flaunders to heare what should be done by his Deputies before he passed into Spaine The K. of France to ioyne the Duke of Lorraine in alliance with him gaue him Claude his second daughter in mariage reseruing the elder for the cōclusion of peace The espousals were holden in Parris vpon the 5. of Februarie and about the 15. of the same month the Deputies changing place being furnished with large and ample instructions met at the castle of Cambresse king Phillip lying at Monts in Hanaut where the Cardinall of Lorraine went to visit him and after that the Duches Dowager Peace agreed vppon betweene two kings At this second meeting both of them seemed very vnwilling specially the Spaniards moued therevnto by newes out of Piedemont where the Frenchmen had lately receiued an ouerthrow But in the end after many arguments and conclusions they drewe vnto an agreement In the Tretie at Cercamp a marriage had beene spoken of betweene Charles Prince of Spaine and Elizabeth of France Now the Deputies perceiuing king Phillip to bee a Widdower and esteeming the alliance to bee stronger if hee espoused the Princesse which before should haue been giuen vnto his sonne they propounded that Article which to the good contentment of both the Kings was concluded and agreed vpon togither with the marriage of the Prince of Piedemont to the Ladie Margaret The King of France yeelded to the King of Spaine all that hee had taken from him both on this side and beyond the Mountaines also to the Prince of Piedemont la Bresse Sauoy and Piedemont except foure Townes to the Geneuois the Isle of Corse and Siene to the Duke of Florence retaining nothing but Callais without gaining a foote of any other land in all that long and daungerous war which had desolated so many Prouinces sacked burnt ouerthrowne so many Townes Bourges Villages and Castles been the death of so great a number of Princes Lords Gentlemen Captaines Souldiers Cittizens and Paisants caused so many rauishings and violatings of women and maids and in a word which had in a manner tormented all Europe so that in effect the king yeelded aboue two hundreth others write almost as many more places for the conquest whereof a sea of blood of his naturall subiects had been spent and shedde the treasures of the Realme consumed his lands ingaged and he indebted on all sides and which is woorse the fire beeing quenched vppon the borders not long after began within the middle of all his Realme and in euery place thereof as well is seene during the raignes of his three successors But these things are the vnsearchable and deepe iudgements of God which are not lawfull for vs to enter into but onely to worship and adore him that worketh all things with great wisedome with mercie towards his children and with most iust and fearefull vengeance against his enemies
affaires the Dowries of the kings daughters and that of the late Queene Ellenor which as then the Princesse of Portingall enioyed the rest to be revnited vnto the Kings domaines ordinary receipts This reuocation was a Bowe to certaine Princes great Lords and notable personages who by such pollicie were defeated of their seruices and all rewards made vnto them by the late deceased King On the other side such as were in fauour with the house of Guise obtained other letters of exemption and by that meanes some were put out and others kept possession or else obtained some other new place The king of Nauarre solicited to come to the Court rideth thither The Constable perceiuing the King would die had sent vnto the King of Nauarre to counsell him with all speede to repaire vnto the Court and to ceise vppon the gouernment of the young King before any other This Prince not greatly desirous to deale with such affaires and as then somewhat distrusting the Constable stirred not giuing those of Guise the meanes leisure to thrust themselues into his place but certaine Princes Lords moouing him againe hee beganne to hearken vnto it communicating the same to foure of his principall Councellours being Iarnac the Bishop of Mande President of his Councell Descars his Chamberlin and Bouchart his Chancellour who were of aduise that without longer delay he should ride vnto the Court whereof those of Guise beeing aduertised promised hilles and mountaines to Mande and Descars if they could finde the meanes to staye him they mooued therewith staying till their maister was on horsebacke and onward of his iourney began to diswade him shewing him of certaine imminent daungers that were not to bee shunned by seeking to stand too much vppon his degree and that hee ought to proceede therein by indifferent meanes without seeking to hazard himselfe and to winne the good report and fauour of all men vpon this counsell beeing come to Poictiers where diuers Princes Noblemen went to meet him hee shewed many resolutions and gaue good hope and comfort vnto the Ministers of the Churches specially those in Parris Orleans and Tours desiring him that they might as yet bee ayded and assisted touching that which concerned the open profession of religion What entertainment hee had The first disliking shewed vnto him when hee approached neare the Court beeing at S. Germain in Laye was that his furriers found no place for him within the Castle and that the Duke of Guise said vnto his Marshall that it should cost him his life and tenne thousand more with him before any man should take the place and lodging which the king had giuen him to be neare vnto his person The second that not any of the Court went to meet and receiue him as the manner is specially to the Princes of the blood The third that being gone to do his dutie to the Queene-mother and after to the king those of Guise in stead of going to imbrace and bid him welcome stayed til he went vnto them and was constrained to accept the lodging of the Marshall of S. Andre who after the courtly manner had offered it vnto him not thinking to be so soone taken at his word The fourth that the next day in stead of being warned to sit in counsell no man was sent vnto him eyther to salute him or once to see what he did The fift that at the end of three or foure daies the king called him aside shewing him that his Vncle 's the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine had the whole charge of all affaires committed vnto them and that whosoeuer would seeke to please him must obey them in all things whatsoeuer But touching his pensions and estates hee confirmed them vnto him assuring him that whensoeuer he would come vnto the Court hee should be heartily welcome Diuers of the king of Nauarres traine perceiuing that he had quietly swallowed all those pilles withdrewe themselues or else claue to the surest side as Iarnac that ioyned with those of Guise Within fewe daies after this Prince went vnto Saint Dennis there to accomplish certaine ceremonies accustomed after the death of king Henry which done he went to Parris accompanied with his brother the Prince of Conde and some others but not many and beeing there hee sounded the aduise and minds of some whom he esteemed to be well affected vnto the Realme but he could not perceiue any thing by them Sacrying of the King as Reims Those of Guise following on their course vpon the 18. of September caused the king to be sacred at Reims and presently after the Queene-mother sent the Admirall and the Cardinall of Chastillon to the Constable to intreat him to resigne his place of Great-maister vnto the Duke of Guise to whom the yeare before king Henry had flatly denied it in exchange whereof she promised him one of the offices of Marshals of France for his eldest son The Constable resigneth his estate of great maister and the Admirall his gouernment which was giuen to Brissae The Constable resigned that office wholly into the kings hāds got the other with al speed to be giuen vnto his son the Duke of Guise was presently inuested therwith The Admirall being Gouernour of Picardie perceiuing that they sought to put him out and that for the same cause they had assayed to set diuision betweene him and the Prince of Conde and that they beganne to cut off some part of the mony that should bee imployed about the charges of the necessary fortifications of the Frontier-townes thereby to bring him in disgrace and so to thrust him out with shame preuented them and shewed the king that the same gouernment for many reasons belonged to the Prince of Gonde whose ancestors had long time held it He had no sooner spoken the word but they presently tooke him thereat as touching the resignation but not concerning the prouision for that in stead of giuing it to the Prince those of Guise got thē a new participant bestowing it vpon the Marshall de Brissac While in this sort Writings against the rule of strangers they vsed both the Princes and great Lords the meaner sort could not be content for that by diuers printed pamphlets whereof some were directed to the Queen-mother some in taunting verse and some in prose both by the behauiors past and present they fully discouered the intent of those of Guise A Target against those deuises whom they printed forth in all their colours they by those dealings perceiuing some secret matter working that their authoritie was but weakly built begā to think better vppō it which was the cause that at one time they made 18. knights of the order whereof sprang the common saying that the order of France is a collor for euery beast And because in those writings it was noted that to preuent such disorders it would bee necessarie to assemble and call a Parliament of all
a million of iniuries and vilanies against the king but in stead of preaching the Gospell they kindled a reuolt sedition within the hearts of the people that neuer came from hearing them but their heades were set on fire and their handes prepared to seize vppon those poore Pollititians that were set before their eyes All this is drawne out of the discourses that were published at that time in Parris or from the report made of such sermons One reproached the forgetting of the seruices done by Claude Duke of Guise vnto King Francis that was found almost slaine among the dead at the battell of Marignan against the Switzers of Francis de Lorraine to the Kings Henry Francis the second who after so many notable exployts was slaine during the siege of Orleans of Henry de Lorraine to Charles the ninth and Henry the third at Iarnac Sens Poitiers Moncontour Auneau and Vimory and slaine at Blois An other made his Auditorie weepe by shewing the manner of this execution The third blasphemed against heauen speaking against the prouidence of God and the maner he vsed in his iudgements touching the death of those two Princes The fourth said that the Duke of Guise for a terrestriall and mortall had obtained a celestiall and perpetuall Crowne in heauen and by his death had opened the passage vnto his successors by that meanes to possesse the thing which hee with so great reason and iustice had pursued The fift taking the simple people to witnesse for the remembrance of things past cried out in open Pulpit Who knoweth not and that most euidently as it were at his fingers endes that the Prince of France and the brauest knight that euer set foote in stirrope lyeth now vpon the ground Was it not hee that by his onely presence defended Parris the most puissant Cittie in the world from an vniuersall spoyle and destrustion Was it not this Prince that tooke the naked sworde out of the souldiers hands that helde it readie at the breasts of the poore Cittizens of this towne Was it not that valiant Leader and Generall of armies who so many times and so happily beate downe and cut in peeces the enemies of our God who for reward and recompence of all his good and valiant seruices is now stabbed to death They added that France was sicke and that it could not be healed of her sicknesse if it had not a drinke of French blood administred vnto it The sixt the better to kindle and increase the fires of commotions openly cried out to armes and made the word of God a trumpet of sedition saying Bee of good courage my maisters you must slumber no more the God of battels is on your side hee stretceth forth his armes vnto you you know not your owne forces Parris knoweth not what it is woorth it hath sufficient treasure to warre against foure Kings Take courage turne backe the weapon that is readie to strike you a good warre will procure a peace without this warre peace will be your ouerthrow and destruction For what hath Christ to do with Belial this warre will bee your libertie and freedome which if you neglect God that reuengeth the iniurie done vnto his seruaunts will make you pay the interests of your so cowardly slacknesse So that sufficient perswasions were vsed to stirre vppe and mooue the most colde and fearefull minde and to cause the veriest coward to arme himselfe Such was the end of the Duke of Guise a Prince without all doubt of valour and courage the League called him her Caezar and made goodly comparisons betweene them For my part take away the name of Christian and I cannot finde so good a comparison betweene Camille and The mistocles Read a booke imprinted at Zurich vnder this title Carolus Magnus rediuinus Numa Licurgus Scipio and Epaminondas Marcellus and Pelopidas Pompey and Agesilaus Silla and Lysander Charles the great Henry the fourth at this present raigning the wonder of kings and the king of woonders as there is betweene the liues of Iulius Caezar and Henry de Lorraine the one being cause of the ouerthrow and ruine of his Common-wealth the other of all the miseries in France A comparisō between Casar and the duke of Guise Abanco Martio sunt Martii reges quo nomine fuit mater à Venere Iulis cuius gentis familia est nostrae Caezar alleadged himselfe to be issued on his mother side from the Kings of Alba and that his father had his originall from the Gods the race of Iules beeing descended from Venus and therefore hee caused a Temple to bee erected Veneri Genetrici The Duke of Guise and all his familie affirmed themselues to bee issued from the king of Ierusalem and the Dukes of Lorraine by their father and from the king of France by Anne d'Est daughter to Renee of France daughter vnto King Lewis the twelfth Caezar was of a goodly and tall stature well limbed full faced and quicke attractiue eyes The Duke of Guise was one of the fairest Princes of the Court big high of proportion an amiable face so quicke of eye that therby he pearced into all places Plut in the notable saying of auncient Kings Princes and Captains to know and chuse out his seruants farthest distant from him and in the greatest prease Caezar increased in ambition as wel as in yeares in greatnesse of courage as well as in bodie And as willingly a generous nature in good time discouereth it selfe beeing but young fell into the hands of Pyrates that asked him 20. tallents for his ransome but hee smiled at them because they knew not how much their prize was woorth and gaue them fiftie and beeing kept and watched carefully by them he sent commandement vnto them to be quiet and not to make any noyse that he might take his rest The Duke of Guise as young and Eagle as hee was assayed by all means to take his flight farther then any of his time very haughtie dissembling and aduised hee could not submitte himselfe to those from whom hee ought to haue expected his aduācement he differed in nothing from a kings childe of France with whom he had bin nourished brought vp shewing most euidently that his nature was to command not to obey to go before and not to follow after in his first action hee so much disposed the thoughts of the Frenchmen that they beleeued such parts to bee in him as were most fit and proper to cause a great change and alteraion in the Realme where hee should liue His first exployts in Nauarre Caezar began very young to beare armes and yet not so soone as Alexander and reading his actions beganne to weep when he perceiued that at his age Alexander had alreadie conquered Darius that as then he had done nothing The Duke of Guise in the spring time of his yeares was in the wars of Hungary against the Turke defended Sens and Poctiers fought valiantly
of prouiding for the good of France and other countries His securitie imboldened his enemies both neare and farre of within and without the Realme to innouate much and in that he would not lay to his hand when he ought to haue done he at last found the gate shut against him perceiued himselfe driuen out of his own house and those whom many waies he had too much supported established in his place who gaue him right downe blowes vpon his head whereof he should haue bin warie in time Men talke diuersly touching his departure some iudging that he left the world too soone in respect of France her good others deeming the contrarie Howsoeuer it was his decease was to the whole Realme a beginning of particular calamities aboue all the rest as the Historie of king Henry the fourth of the race of Bourbon will giue testimonie Heere endeth the troubles that happened in the raigne of Henry the third This is to giue the Reader to vnderstand that there is certaine Titles gone Henry the fourth that should haue bin Henry the third A BRIEFE RECITALL OF THE MOST MEMORABLE THINGS which came to passe in Fraunce vnder the Raigne of Henry the fourth since his first comming to the Crowne vntill the middle of the yeare 1598. The Frenchmens disposition after the death of Henry the 3. ALthough there were great sorrow greefe and lamentation made in the royall armie for the death of king Henry the third as much signe of ioy and gladnesse was there seene on the other side among the leaguers throughout al the Citie of Paris for the same in singing of songs and making mocking times therevpon The Duke de Maine with his Court and many others which since the execution of Blois wore black scarfes in signe of sorrow did heerevpon cast them aside and wore in stead of them scarfes of hopeful greene Then was there great feasting masking and other sportfull games made among them wherein and whereby the murthered king was cursed and banned in most horrible sort At that time the image and portrature of the traiterous Moonke which kild the king was by the commaundement of the chiefe of the league artificially framed in Brasse and other paintings wherewith they garnished both their houses Churches Then was he cannonized and among the supersticious prayed vnto as a new made Martyr whom they called by the name of Saint Iaques Clement All such as were knowne to bee of any kin vnto him were greatly inriched with almes gifts and publicke contributions Councels of the league The Duke de Maine which as yet durst not name himselfe king caused that title by proclamation to bee giuen throughout all Paris to the Cardinall of Bourbon beeing then prisoner stamping mony and gold as the coyne of king Charles the tenth The Duke disguising his vsurpation by his new and rediculous title of Lieftenant generall to the Estate and Crowne of France and perceiuing that the declarations made by the lawfull king did shake in the beginning of his proceedings a great part of the league published and sent abroad an Edict dated the first day of August in his owne name and the generall Councell of the holy vnion of Catholicques established at Parris who stayed there for the assembling of the estates of the kingdome to revnite as he said all Christian Frenchmen in the defence and conseruation of the Apostolicque Romane and Catholicque Church for the holding vp of the royall estate expecting the libertie and presence of king Charles the tenth Orders giuen to the king for the affairs of the armie King Henry the fourth which soone after the death of his predecessor had signified to the Princes and Lords in the armie his full intent vnderstāding that many of the Nobles made diuers bad attempts caused the principall of them to bee assembled before whom hee called vnto mind the recommendations of the oathes which the deceased king had caused him to make before them all for the tranquillitie of the Realme after his hurt perceiuing himselfe to drawe toward his end The first and chiefest poynt whereof was to maintaine the Frenchmen in the libertie exercise of the two religions that is to say the Romaine and the reformed Churches vntill such time as by a good and generall Councell it were otherwise determined These promises by oath he renued vnto them againe which appeased the controuersies And because hee might not securely stay at Paris by reason of this suddaine change and the sicknesses which afflicted the royall armie the king by aduise went into Normandie as well to receiue the succours which came from England as also for the fortifying of certaine places and passages which was fit for his purpose The league remooued on the other side and then the Earle of Randan one of the chiefest of them had surprised in Auuergne the Cittie d'Issoire about the tenth of August The Parliament of Bourdeaux published a decree the 19. of the same moneth whereby all those of their side were inioyned to keepe inuiolably the Edicts made by the holy vnion concerning the Apostolicque Catholicque and Romaine Church and all the declarations by them made Three daies after that at Thoulouse tearing the picture of the deceased K. bodie in peeces they ordained by an act made by the generall consent of the leaguers that euery yeare vpon the first day of August they should in making processions and publicke prayers acknowledge vnto God the great benefits which as vppon that day they receiued by the fearefull death of Henry the third whereby the happie deliuerance of Parris ensued with many other distressed Cities in the Realme forbidding al persons to acknowledge Henry of Bourbon king of Nauarre to be king of France whom that Court thoght a most vnfit man to succeed in the same kingdome because said the edict of the notorious and manifest crimes expressed against him in that bull of excommunication which was giuen out by Pope Sixtus the fift His genealogie The enuie of which partiall Parliament hath constrained mee once againe to set vnto your sight in briefe sort the true genealogie of King Henry the fourth Lewis the ninth surnamed the Saint beeing the 44. king of France came to the Crowne in the yeare 1227. and raigned till the yeare 1270. he had foure sonnes two of the which namely Peter and Robert died without issue and before their father The other twaine that suruiued was Philip and Robert the second of that name Philip surnamed the Hardie third of that name successiuely left these following from the father to the sonne from brother to brother and the nearest of blood to the nearest of blood Philip the fourth called the Faire Lewis the tenth surnamed Hutin Philip the fift surnamed the Longe Charles the fourth termed the faire Philip de Valois Iohn Charles the fift surnamed the wise Charles the sixth called the welbeloued Charles the seuenth Lewis the eleuenth Charles the eight all descending from Saint Lewis
Tombe for the Kinges of France Of person hee was a goodly Prince courteous milde The description of king Henry the second louing his seruaunts and men of valour Much addicted to his pleasures and to beleeue such as knewe how to please his humour who many times caused him to vse muche rigour which hee could not so soone discouer the ambition and auarice of certaine men that prouoked him forwarde were the principall causes of the continuance of warres which heretofore we haue noted specially after the breache of truce set lawes Iustice Offices and benefices to sale diued into and emptied the purses of French men by infinit exactions whereof ensued most great mischiefs The estate of France vnder this Prince Two great sinnes raigned in France during the time of this Prince that is Atheisme and Magicque Whereunto may be added the corruption of learning For that the knowledge thereof induced by King Francis the first chaunged into diuers wicked and curious mindes cause of all mischiefe specially in the forme and phrase of French Poets who in the raigne of Henry by their impure rimes filled with all maner of blasphemies conuerted an infinit number of soules These sinnes and others in great abundance still increased drawing vpon both litle and great within the Realme of France the straunge punishments which in the raignes of the successors to this Henry full well appeared Fiue sonnes and fiue daughters By Catherin de Medicis his wife married in Anno. 1533 he had fiue sonnes and fiue daughters The eldest Francis the second borne the 20. of Ianuary 1543. The second Lois the Duke of Orleans that died at the ende of certaine months The third Charles Maxemilian borne the 20. of Iune 1550. King after the death of his brother The 4. Edward Alexandre after King and called Henry the third born the 19. of September 1551. The fift Hercules after called Francis Duke of Alencon Aniou and Berri and Counte du Maine borne the 18. of March 1554. The eldest daughter was Elizabeth promised to Edward the sixt King of England but marryed to Phillip king of Spaine borne the 11. of Aprill 1545. The second Claude maried to Charles Duke of Lorraine bonre the 12. of Nouember 1547. The third Margaret married to Henry de Bourbon King of Nauarre borne the 14. of May 1552. The fourth and fift named Iane and Victoire borne at one burthen vpon the 24. of Iune 1556 and died presently after In this Historie you may behold the successe and estate of the successors to this Henry beeing his sonnes with the first whereof I meane to begin Heere endeth the troubles that happened in the raigne of Henry the second Francis the second M.D.LIX. The intent of King Henrie KING Henry by the counsell giuen him touching the rupture of the truce and by that which after ensued hauing somewhat discouered who and which they were that gaue him euill aduise concerning his estate was minded and fully resolued after the solemnization of the marriages to looke more particularly into such men therby to retaine some and send the rest vnto the places frō whence they came But the wrath of God lay vppon the Realme hauing striken the head pursued the members as heereafter it appeareth Francis the second yong in aduise The state of France vnder Francis the second The Nobilitie The Courtiers much more in yeares was wholly left to the gouernment of his mother and the vncles of his wife that ruled the land as you shal heare Part of the Nobilitie wearied with the troubles of so long warres desired nought but peace leauing all care of publike charges and casting their eyes vppon the surest side thereon to lay hold The Courtiers went which way the winde would blowe as touching the officers of Iustice most of them were friends or subiects vnto diuers Lords some good and vpright men yet resting in the Court of Parliament durst not almost proceed in any thing as beeing abashed at the suddaine blowe giuen vnto the chiefe and principall Court of Parliament the last Mercurialist The Ecclesiasticall persons The Ecclesiasticall persons held and accounted them for principall Pillers of the Church that were the greatest burners As touching the third estate the great charges and troubles of warres forepast had wholly bereaued them of al liuely feeling and moouing Two parties In the Court were two parts the one those that held with the Constable the other the Guisians The Princes of the blood had almost no care of the Common-wealth nor yet of their owne affaires The Queene-mother an Italian Florentine of the familie of Medicis and one that in 22. yeares wherin she had continued in France had some good time to knowe the humours both of the one and the other and behaued her selfe in such sort that shee onely ruled Those of Guise Which to attaine and desiring wholly to driue away the Constable whom shee did most suspect shee held on the other side and placed seruants about the King of Nauarre by them to know and vnderstand his minde Assoone as king Henry was deceased the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine led the King and his brethren with the Queenes vnto the Louure leauing the Prince of the Blood the Constable the Marshall the Admirall with diuers other knights of the Order and Lords that held with the Constable to attend vppon the dead body The beginning of the raigne of this young Prince promised much when suddainly they beheld Francis Oliuier a man of great reputation Francis Oliuier restored to be Chancellor restored againe vnto his place of Chauncellor that had been put out of the place by meanes of the Duches of Valentinois that wholly ruled the deceased king they were in further hope whē they perceiued this Duches to be wholly out of credit for that assoone as he was dead they caused her to yeeld vp the keyes of the kings closet with all his precious Iewels that then were giuen vnto the Queene Regent But this was onely a particular quarrell betweene women for in truth the Duches during king Henries life had been in all mens sight as Queen of France The Queen-mother that hated her extreamly was very glad to see her wholly dispoyled and driuen out of the Court contenting her selfe therewith not to leese the fauour of those of Guise who although they onely had their aduancement by the Duches meanes perceiuing her to bee as a rotten plancke left her to pleasure themselues another way They sent Bertrand from whom the seales were taken vnto Rome and tooke from d'Auancon the ruling of the Treasures Bertrand keeper of the Seales discharged of his office neuerthelesse hee continued still in the Court as beeing too well acquainted with their affaires and as yet it was not necessary to compell him to accept of any new partie The Marshall of S. Andre aduanced by the fauours of King Henry to whom he was a secret seruant and wholly
mee I will heare their complaints and doo them iustice Sometimes hee said to those of Guise I knowe not what the matter is but I vnderstand they haue nothing to say but vnto you I would that for a time you should absent your selues from hence to the end that men might see if it bee against mee or you that they complaine They very cunningly and presently bandied such blowes and to diuert the people from giuing credite vnto the demonstrations made touching the cause and iustification of their enterprise they sent letters in the kings name vnto all the Parliaments and Iudges of seuerall prouinces wherein those of the religion were accused to haue conspired against the King A combat of pennes against swords the Princes of the blood and the Estate of the Realme wherevnto was made a most large and ample aunswere wherein all the dealings of those of Guise were fully discouered with plaine and most euident proofes against them to bee guiltie of high treason and not those that had assembled to reduce the King and all his realme into true and perfect libertie There was likewise published an other pamphlet shewing by the example of Phillip de Commines in the last chap. of his first booke that such are open enemies vnto the Estate that say it is treason to speake o◠the assembly of a generall Parliament And that it is the meanes to lessen and diminish the kings authoritie There was likewise aduertisements vnto the people and complaints vnto the Parliament and so some ayded themselues with pen against the swords of their enemies Reuocation of the abolition giuen by the king The 22. of march other letters were sent foorth whereby the king declared that his meaning was not that the abolitiō of the 17. of March shuld extend further but vnto those that simply of ignorance had assembled and trauelled for the keeping of their promise and that therein were not comprehended such as had guided the conspiracie made against his person the Queens Princes and Noble personages that were about him in the which number are contained those that came in armes into the subburbes of the Towne and such as had beene taken about and within the Castle of Noisay which serued for a dispensation of the faith giuen by the Duke de Neuers vnto the Barron of Chastelnau and others Presently after these letters they returned to executions wherin neither day nor night passed but that a great number of prisoners were put to death and all men of quallitie some hanged some drowned the rest beheaded without any publike sentence giuen without declaring the causes of their deaths or without telling their names They constrained the king and his young bretheren to bee assistant at those spectacles Besides that the Duke of Guise many times for a pastime after his dinner caused some of those whom hee most hated of the prisoners to bee brought foorth and hanged out at his chamber windowes The Barron de Chastelnau made a maruellous proces against those of Guise and the Duke de Nemours they beeing present thereby made the Chauncellor stand still and all amazed that dealt in those affaires against his conscience and appealed from the sentence giuē against him before God the like did most of all the rest to the great astonishing of all the assistants perceiuing a most inuincible constancie in all those men but neither the stout courages of the prisoners nor yet the cries of both great and small that as then were present at those executions could not in any sort once mollifie the harts of those of Guise nor yet diuert the rigor of their cruelties A Gentleman named Villemongis beeing vppon the scaffold readie to bee beheaded hauing wet his hands in the blood of his companions lifting them vppe to heauen cryed out saying Lord behold the blood of thy children thou shalt reuenge our cause The death of the Chancellour Oliuier Among the prisoners that after the Barron spake most boldly vnto the Chancellor there were two the one named Picard the other Campagnac that shewed him his petegree from one poynt to the other but the last of them touched him so neare vnto the heart that with griefe thereof the poore Chancellour fell sicke wherein hee continually sighed and murmured to himselfe tormenting his bodie in most straunge manner for that all crooked aged as he was yet he stirred his bodie with such force that he made the bed to shake with greater force then a young man of Iustie yeares could doo The Cardinall going to visit him his paines beganne to increase and perceiuing him a farre of hee cried out and said Ha ha Cardinall thou haste made vs all to be damned But when the Cardinal went neare him saying vnto him that the wicked Spirit sought to seduce him and that hee should remaine constant in the faith That is well done now said hee and so turning his backe presently lost his speech in his great torments many times lamenting the death of the Councellour du Bourg Behold how the chiefe and principall condemners of the prisoners in Amboise was taken and first executed vppon the scaffold of the terrible and manifest iudgements of God The rest in time likewise were brought thither each of them in his turne Monsieur Michell de l'Hospitall an excellent man as then Chancellor of the Duchie of Sauoy was repealed from Nice where he remained to succeed in Oliuiers place and till he came Moruilliers Bishop of Orleans kept the Seales and vsed all the meanes hee could to please the house of Guise The Prince behaueth himselfe boldly in his innocencie against all men The Prince of Conde was in Amboise during those horrible tempests where hee behaued himselfe like a man wholly without feare as knowing himselfe to bee vnculpable Those of Guise animated the king against him setting and appoynting men to watch and looke into his behauiour whereof the Cardinall kept a Register specially of one word spoken by the Prince in chollor perceiuing certaine of the prisoners to bee executed at the Castle windowes saying that the king was counselled otherwise then hee ought to bee to cause such Lords and honest Gentlemen to bee put to death not considering the great seruices by them done vnto the late deceased king and all the Realme of whom beeing so depriued it was to bee feared that during those great troubles straungers would enterprise against the Realme and that if they should bee ayded by any of the Princes they would easilie ouercome it Presently after they caused du Vaux his Sewer to bee committed prisoner and caused the king to send for him into his chamber to shewe him that by the information giuen hee had vnderstood him to beee the chiefe of the conspiracie wherevpon the king added many sharpe threatnings The Prince for answere besought his Maiestie to assemble all the Princes and knights of the Order that as then were within Amboise togither with his priuie Councell to
meete the Spaniards as then comming vnto Rayonne and with them to enter into Bearn The Viscounte d'Orthe Gouernour of Bayonne had commaundement from the King to put the Towne if neede were into the king of Spaines hands thereby to serue him for a passage for his armie to enter into the countie of Nauarre where hee was to wast and destroy all the land and then to proceede with the ouerthrow and vtter extirpation of all the Gentlemen and Lords who in those countries had fauoured the King of Nauarre or the enterprise of Amboise But a great part of those Lords and Gentlemen not minding to sell their skinnes so good cheape raised armes to the number of seuen or eight hundreth horse well mounted with fiue or sixe thousand footmen who were all appoynted so soone as Marshall de Termes should haue past Limoges to inclose him betweene two riuers whereof hee beeing aduertised and remembring Graueling hee retired in all haste vnto Poictiers giuing aduise vnto the Court what had happened vnto him whereat those of Guise beeing abashed and perceiuing the king to waxe weaker and euery day sicker then other determined with desperate minds to kill the king of Nauarre who not long before being aduertised thereof made his complaint vnto the Queen-mother which notwithstanding his enemies would not leaue off but by all means sought to effect it if it had not been for the Cardinall of Tournon that gaue them counsell to stay their enterprise vntill the Constable with his sonnes and Nephewes were come vnto the Court least that by killing the one they should chance to mooue a greater daunger and to stirre those vp that might procure farre greater trouble then the Princes could effect Meane time the king of Nauarre tooke great care to looke vnto himself yet all that he could do would not haue preuailed if his enemies had set vppon him The kings disease increasing more and more thâ—â—uke of Guise beganne to vtter his chollor against the Phisitians the Cardinall sent on Pilgrimages But no man can striue against God and vsed Friers Priests at Parris other places to make processions the king made a solemne promise vnto all the Saints in Picardie specially to our Ladie of Glery as they terme her that if it pleased them to helpe him he would wholly purge his Realme of all those Hereticques But as then began his more ruine and his Feuer still to increase wherat those of Guise being abashed what countenance soeuer they shewed assayed to perswade the Queene-mother that the kings bodie should be kept from buriall after his death vntill such time as they had taken order for their affaires and caused their vniust actions to be allowed by open Parliament to the end that no man might call them to account heereafter But that was vnpossible for that too many people daylie attending when the time would bee at the same time the Vidame de Chartres prisoner in the Bastille hauing beene carried from thence to remaine within his house in Saint Anthonies streete presently vppon his arriuall thither hee fell sicke and died The Bailiffe of Orleans was committed vnto the custodie of his mother in lawe And those of the religion as then were drowned in most ardent prayers teares and fastes thereby to obtaine some ayde and succour at the handes of God against so many imminent daungers that as then hung ouer their heads The Queen-mother establisheth her authoritie to sustaine those of Guise The Queene-mother perceuing her eldest sonne at such extremitie taking counsell with her selfe as also of those of Guise sent for the king of Nauarre willing him to come vnto her Chamber where beeing come and thinking to enter a Gentleman spake vnto him in his eare that at any hand hee should bee carefull not to refuse the Queen whatsoeuer she should demaund otherwise it would cost him his life Beeing entered hee found the Queene to bee accompanied with the Duke of Guise the Cardinall of Lorraine and a Secretarie who with a countenance framed vnto her passion made great complaints and declarations vnto the King of of Nauarre as touching things past discouering her minde likewise concerning things present and to come concluding that her meaning was and so she would haue it that the said king of Nauarre shuld release vnto her all the right and title that he might in any sort pretend or claime vnto the Regencie and gouernment of the king and of the Realme and neuer seeke to enioy require or once desire it and that if the States would giue it him hee should remitte it wholly vnto her and because it should be firmely holden by them shee said hee should confirme it vnto her by writing vnder his hand then her meaning was hee should reconcile himselfe vnto her Cousins of Guise and so deface the opinion by him conceiued against them saying that they ought to leaue all quarrelles and from thencefoorth liue in peace seeing the greatest and woorthiest Lords and Princes of the Land beganne to shew them the way After some excuses and effectuall aunsweres made by the King of Nauarre in the end he yeelded the Regencie vnto the Queene The Regencie of the Realme yeelded to the Queen-mother that he should be Lieftenant for the K. in France to take order for al the Marshal affaires and to receiue the packets which hauing opened and read hee should send theÌ„ vnto her againe and that nothing should be done without the aduise of him and the other Princes of the blood who from thencefoorth should otherwise be respected that done shee caused him to imbrase her Cousins of Guise and mutually on both parts to forget all quarrelles past From which time forwards they all beganne to salute and imbrace each other as if they neuer had beene at mortall strife Reconciliation of those of Guise with the king of Nauarre All this was done before the arriuall of the Constable and his Nephewes Further they caused the sicke king to say vnto the King of Nauarre that of his owne minde and wholly against the willes or consents of those of Guise hee had caused the Prince of Conde to bee committed prisoner asking his counsell and desiring him to beleeue him and for the loue of him and of the Queene his mother to deface and wholly remit all the euill will and opinions that in any sort he might conceiue of them which after serued them to some good end Those of Guise not well assured The feare of those of Guise notwithstanding all that had beene past obtained of the Queen-mother that the guardes of the Gates of Orleans might bee made stronger impeaching the entrie of many persons and commaundements made in paine of death that not any man whatsoeuer should speake vnto the Prince of Conde without expresse licence and commaundement from the Queen-mother or else that hee brought her signer The death of King Francis the second The 14. of December about noone they esteemed the king
eleuen months and certaine daies Their discommodities because of their passage ouer the Loir The next day they were followed by the children of the Admirall and Monsieur d'Andelot who hatting trauersed the riuer of Loire in Berry met with the horsemen that conducted them At which time happened a straunge thing for the Prince making his account suddainly to passe ouer in an vnaccustomed place with two or three small boates hired for the purpose being come to the riuer not farre from Sancerre his men found a shallowe foord which he past ouer followed by fiftie horse the Princesse her women children and seruants passed ouer in the boates but they were scarce gotten out when suddainly the day beeing cleare and faire the riuer rose in such sort that they of Sancerie other Inhabitants of those countries were constrained to acknowledge a particular fauour of God shewed to that small troupe which had beene preuented if the Prince had deferred his passage but two houres longer Beeing ouer he dispatched messengers Monsieur d'Andelot into Brittaine desiring him to raise all the men hee could and to march towards Poitou The Queene those of Guise and their Councellours vnderstanding that the Prince and the Admiral were escaped greeued that they had no sooner sent Tauannes their Deputie in that action beganne to send commissions into all parts appoynting their troupes to meete in Poitou and Cuyenne while the Duke d'Aniou Generall of the armie tooke his leaue of the Ladies in the Court and that preparation was made for his departure It fell out well for the Prince and the Admirall that they were not speedily pursued and that they had such aduersaries who for the first weeke of their retrait contented themselues to laugh and iest saying that the Prince had no neede to make such haste to bee gone for that their meaning was not to hurt him But his aunswere to such as tolde him of it beeing vppon the way was that hee had rather leaue them the emptienests then they should take the birds and if that hee had well thought vppon the promise made by them to be reuenged for their flight from Meaux and to make those of the religion runne their towne he had departed in a better time that he might haue trauelled with ease The collor of the Queen her children their adherents Catholicques at the beginning of these wars discharged it selfe vpon diuers particular persons of the religion Hard vsage of those of the religion who in Orleans and other places were pilled sacked and cruelly put to death The Prince arriued in Rochel vpon the 19. of September hauing in his way certified those that commaunded in the Townes and Prouinces where hee past that hee ment not to vndertake any warre but onely to stay for an answere to the petitions by him sent vnto the king the Gentlemen of high base Poitou not long after assembled themselues to ioyne with him at the same time the Cardinall de Chastillon was constrained to leaue Beauuaisin yet so swiftly followed to the sea side that being constrained to leaue his company he entred into a ship that bare him safely into England The Queene of Nanarre Retrait of the Cardinal de Chastâ—lion and of the Queene of Nauarre and her children taking with her the Prince her sonne and the Princesse her daughter went likewise to Rochel so to auoyde the pretences and intents of her enemies against her and hers Descars and Monluc that commanded at Perigord Limosin and Guyenne vsed all the means they could to hinder her but the troupes that conducted her hauing three Regements of foote and eight Corners of light-horse assured her way wherevppon shee certified the king the Queene the Duke of Aniou and the Cardinall of Bourbon of the causes of her voyage The deportements of the Prince at Rochel Immediately vpon the Princes arriuall at Rochel where his brother the Counte of Roche foucaud was come a little before he assembled the Citizens and vnto them represented the miserable estate of the realm requiring their succours in defence of religion the Common-wealth and the Crowne of France Withall promising particularly to assist them against al such as sought the oppression of their liues and liberties The Maior in the behalfe of all the Cittizens whose affaires hee commended vnto him offered him their liues and goods as also the eight and twentieth of September following hee did to the Prince of Nauarre as well inregard of his Lieftenancie in Guyen as also in hope that hee should inherite his Parents not onely in lands and liuings but also in the loue and fauour that they alwaies had borne to the Rochelers whereof hee assured them The Lord d'Andelot the foure and twentieth of September The aduentures of the Lord d'Andelot in comming to ioyne with the Prince entered the confines of Brittaine and Maue with foure Cornets one company of Argoletiers and foure Ensignes of footemen where hee found many other leaders so that his whole companie amounted vnto a thousand good horse and two thousand harquebusiers With these troupes Andelot coasted towards Loyre to finde some commodious passage whereby to ioyne with the Prince The same day that he gat to the riuers side and within two houres after that his men had taken vp their lodgings in the scattered villages the Duke Martiques Gouernour of Brittaine going towards Saumur to the Duke of Montpensier had intelligence that sundrie troupes of enemies not naming who had taken vp their lodging in his way Hee had but three hundreth launces and fiue hundreth braue Harquebusiers with whom he passed couragiously through all d'Andelots troupes who in regard they lay scattered were not able either to defeat him or to force him to retire so that hauing marched eight leagues and had sundrie skirmishes by the shutting of the night hee gat to Saumur hee and his men with the losse of some twentie men among others of his Lieftenants but by the way slewe fouretimes as many and carried away an Ensigne This was the fruite of his close orderly march togither with his resolution worthie a graue wary leader neither could this surprise or abridge d'Andelot of his hope to passe ouer the riuer of Loire for hauing reassembled his forces into two troupes hee caused the riuer to bee gauged all ouer so that at the last hee found a foord where neuer any man in our memorie had passed there did hee and his with great joy for this vnexspected good hap passe the riuer the next day Before this foord was found as the Lord de la Noue demaunded in case the passage were stopped what they were best to resolue vpon What shuld we do said he but follow an extreame resolution either to die as souldiers or to saue our selues as souldiers A braue resolution in necessitie adding moreouer I thinke it best for vs to ioyne togither and so to retire some seuen or eight leagues into the open countrie thence to scatter
Court of France with all their principall seruants and there to giue them that entertainment which after fell out In March the Romish Catholicques at Roane murthered diuers protestants as they returned from a Sermon and beate others shrewdly meaning to haue proceeded further had not Marshal Montmorencie whom the king sent made the more haste to suppresse the violence of the seditious who after many pursuites hanged vp three or foure the rest escaped albeit 400. were guiltie of innocent blood Sixe weekes before the protestants had been most cruelly murthered at Aurange by their enemies whom Berchon soone after made Gouernour by Countie Lodowic found means to intrap and punish accordingly Not long after by the kings consent those of the religion were taxed to paye the 5. part of their reuenue towards the payment of the Rutters which produced much discontentmēt About the same time the king and the Queene made their enterie vpon seuerall daies into the capitall towne of the Realme with great pompe The protestants also held a Sinode nationall at Rochel wherein they confirmed the articles of the confession of their faith and discipline of their Churches in the presence of the Queene of Nauarre the Princes and many other of the Principall among them The king hauing made his entrie the eleuenth of March the Queene beeing crowned the 25. of the same moneth at Saint Deunis and the 29. receiued with great magnificence into Parris hee went to sit in his place of iustice in the Parliament where hee made a long Oration to his officers of the Court for the obseruation of his Edicts In witnesse whereof in the moneth ensuing the people of Parris beganne to mutine against those of the religion sacked certaine houses and began to proceed further prouoked by their Preachers because of a certaine Crosse placed in S. Dennis street in a place where in times past stood the house of Phillip de Gastines rased to the ground because that certaine sermons and the Lords Supper had beene made and celebrated therein Gastines for that cause hauing been executed to death during the troubles that had beene carried into S. Innocents Church-yeard This mutinie appeased the king that shewed great fauor to Teligny his companions sent them to the Q. of Nauarre the Princes in Rochel to assure them that all his desire was to maintaine the peace that for his owne part he bare them great affection procuring that the Q. his mother the Duke of Aniou his brother should from day to day leaue off their rigors And at their departure gaue them diuers presents giuing them likewise to vnderstand that his minde was to proceede with war against the Spaniard in the low Countries and to marrie his sister to the Prince of Nauarre Biron was sent after to certifie the like and men began to speake of that marriage in diuers sorts their opinions being diuided some esteeming it to bee a snare to intrap those of the religion others deeming the contrarie The king caused certaine consultations to be made in Rome because of the alliance between both the parties Pope Pius the fist seemed to bee much troubled about the same for that effect sending Cardinal Salutati into France who hauing had certaine conference by word of mouth with the king returned satisfied The effect of that the king said vnto him was that the king would alwaies shewe himselfe to deserue the name of the eldest sonne of the Romish Church and that all his intents tended to no other end but only to the suretie honour and aduancement of the Catholicque religion whereof the Pope should receiue great testimonies before long time should passe But notwithstanding that diuers maruelled much at this suddaine alteration of the king the Queene of Nauarre much sought vnto by diuers great persons of both partes went to the king followed by the Countie Lodowicke great numbers of Nobilitie The king and the Queene his mother were at Blois where they receiued and welcommed her with great ioy and good countenance and after many disputations touching diuers particular poynts specially the cerimonies the agreement vpon the marriage of her sonne with the kings sister was concluded and the place of the espousals assigned at Parris Not long after the Prince her son accompanied with fiue hundreth Gentlemen came to Blois where the marriage of Nenry de Bourbon Prince of Conde with the yongest daughter of the house of Neuers was agreed vpon During these parleyes of mariages with the Princes the Admirall that had buried Ladie Charlotte de Laual his wife a woman of excellent pietie that died at Orleans in the second troubles beeing in Rochel married the Counties of Ancremont in Sauoy and gaue Louyse his daughter in marriage to Monsieur de Teligny At the Court one named Lignerolles a simple Gentleman made knight of the Order Captaine of a company of launciers Gouernor of Bourbonnois and one of the Duke of Anious mignions was slaine openly in the Court for discouering certain of his Maisters secrets Lignerolles slaine by the D. cōmitted vnto him touching the enterprise that was ment against those of the religion On the other side Death of the Cardinall of Chastillon the Cardinal of Chast being readie to depart out of England to go to his brother the Admiral was poysoned by one of his Chamberlains and died to the great great griefe of all his friends and seruants The prisoner that did the fact beeing after taken at Rochel was executed Articles of marriage betweene the Prince of N. and the kings sister This is the yeare wherein is set downe the arriuing of the Queen of Nauarre the Princes and the Admirall in the Court the articles of the marriage of the prince of Nauarre and the kings sister were made at Blois the eleuenth of Aprill The Countie Lodowicke at the same time trauelled with the king touching warres to bee made in Flaunders to the which ende preparations were made at sea by Strossy and the Barron de la Garde but at the end of three moneths Flaunders was found to be Rochel Long before the king had caused the Admirall to bee solicited to come vnto the Court and to drawe him thither hee caused those of Guise to retire who thereat counterfetted to bee discontent The Marshall de Montmorency by letters assured his Cousin the Admirall that the king was fully determined to make them friends and to reconcile him with the Duke of Guise the better to be serued by him and his Councell touching the affaires of his Realme and beganne to fauour those of the religion and to put the Admirall out of all distrust the king sent him letters that he might bring fiftie Gentlemen armed with him vnto the Court whither in fine the Marshall de Cosse conducted him with diuers Gentlemen At his comming hee was honourably receiued and welcommed by the king that called him his father Welcomes to the Admirall and others of the religion in the Cout
was done onely to preuent the execution of a cursed conspiracie practised by the Admirall and his confederates against him his mother and bretheren and therefore commaunded that his Edict of pacification should bee most firmly obserued But if it should fall out that any Huguenors incensed with the newes of Parris should gather in armes in any place whatsoeuer hee commaunded his said Gouernours to assist the scattering and dispearsing of them Also to the end the studious of nouelties should not commit any sinister practise his meaning was to haue the gates of all his Towns wel diligently kept referring therest of his minde to the credite of the bearers According to the purport heereof at Meaux in Brie Trois in Champagne Orleans Bourges la Charite Lyons Thoulouse and Bourdeaux those of the religion were handled as they were in Parris not speaking of those that were sacked in other Townes and Villages of the Realme as also in the fields when they thought to saue themselues by going out of the Realme so that in fewe weeks aboue thirtie thousand persons were massacred in France because of the religion The king aduoweth the massacre to be done by his commandement but specifieth no cause why the next day writeth contrarie letters Vpon Tuesday the six and twentieth day of August the king accompanied with his bretheren and the chiefest of his Court went to his Court of Parliament where sitting vpon his bed of iustice all the chambers assembled hee declared in expresse termes that whatsoeuer had happened in Parris had been done not onely by his consent but also by his commandement and of his owne motion and therefore that his meaning was that all should bee attributed to himselfe All which his speech was approoued and allowed by Christopher de Thou chiefe President in the name of the whole companie The next day letters were sent to the Sheriffes and other the kings officers in the Townes giuing them to vnderstand that to his great greefe his Cousin the Admirall and others his partakers besides sundrie particular parties in sundrie parts of Parris had beene slaine whereof hee thought good to giue them notice to the end they might represse all commotion and murther which might breed his incredible greefe and sorrow enioyning them in his name to make proclamation commanding euery man to remaine at home not to take armes nor any to offend other vnder paine of death also to take order that his Edict of peace were well and diligently obserued Thursday the twentieth in Parris was celebrated an extraordinary Iubile with generall procession wherein the king was assistant and whereto hee had but in vaine solicited the king of Nauarre with sweet words and flattering speeches and the Prince of Conde with threats The kings new declaration The same day hee made an other declaration importing that by his own expresse commandement the Admirall with his adherents and confederates had beene slaine not vpon any cause of religion or breach of his Edicts of pacification which hee alwaies had and still ment to haue obserued kept and continued but thereby to preuent the execution of a damnable conspiracie contriued by the Admirall the chiefe deuiser thereof and his adherents and confederates against the said king his estate the Queene his mother his bretheren the king of Nauarre and other Lords and Princes his attendants Withall that hee tooke into his protection all other the protestants but forbad them all assemblies or preachings vpon whatsoeuer occasions To this declaration were there soone after added sundrie restrictions qualifications and amplifications Such of the protestants as in sundrie places relyed vpon them had but bad successe The wiser sort ffed out of the realm which notwithstanding their goods were seized their mooueables partly solde to the most giuer and partly stolen and their immooueables put to the crie There was a long Commentarie made and added to the same declaration by one Gui de Fuur Lord of Pibrac as it was auouched before that of religion who durst affirme that witnesses had been examined before the kings Councell Commentaries vpon this matter that affirmed a conspiracie made by the Admirall not naming who neither yet specifying any circumstance of apparance of trueth for the which cause certaine sharpe aunsweres were made therevnto wherein all the cauillations of the said Commentarie were amply and particularly resuted Within Parris it selfe all men that had any wit or vnderstanding in their common and ordinarie talke touching this horrible cruell iniustice said that there was neither shaddowe nor any apparance of trueth in this accusation and to thinke to make men of any iudgement to beleeue that the Admirall had wrought any thing against the king and his adherents being within Parris Defence made in the Admirals behalfe were vaine it beeing a thing which all men knowes that in the Court there is an ordinarie guard of Gascons Switzers and Scots both for day and night besides the other companies specially then when the most part of the Princes Lords and Gentlemen of France were there to honour the marriage that in lesse then three houres within Parris they may assemble and gather at the least sixtie thousand men well armed who at the first word had deuoured the Admirall and all his friends and if they had been sixe times as many more that the Lords and Gentlemen that had accompanied the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde bringing thither their wiues seruaunts and kinsmen brought but their swords and thought but to run at the ring and to shew their braue apparrell That the declaration did neither specifie the time place adherents nor meanes of this coniuration Before the Admirall was hurt as he receiued all fauour of the king so he held and accounted him for one of his most faithfull seruants whereof the Admirall made proofes with all sinceritie Being come to Parris vppon the word and iterated commandements of the king where no man liuing euer vnderstood other thing from his mouth what aduise soeuer was giuen him to issue out of Parris because he was hated euill willed and inuironed with enemies but onely that hee trusted in the faith and promise of his Prince that heedemaunded nothing but peace wherevnto he perceiued the king to bee inclined and to lay the war vpon the shoulders of the hereditarie enemie of France which is the Spaniard if this conspiracie had been made after hee was hurt how durst a mā being cruelly wounded with two dangerous wounds about Fryday at tenne of the clocke and flaine vppon Sunday at two of the clocke in the morning of great yeares troubled in both his armes whereof one the Surgeans were in counsell to cut off accompanied with three hundreth Gentlemen vnarmed all naturall Frenchmen most affected seruants to the King hauing neither goods parentage alliance pleasure nor contentment with their families but in France bee so bolde or could set vppon sixtie thousand men prepared to fight Nay were it onely
against the Priests and Fryers of Parris ayded by their seruants onely with fagget-sticks in their hands or how could hee haue leisure in so short a time or would haue bin so mad with his adherents vnwise onely in this that they trusted the kings word and beleeued not the aduice of those that counselled them not to put themselues into the Lyons clawes that watched for them vnder that great hedge to consult vpon an action so important execrable and of the greatest consequence that possible may bee Besides this after he was wounded the Phisitians and Surgeans had inioyned him silence and all the Councels holden in his chamber tended resolutely to expect iustice to be done vppon those that had hurt him as the King and the Queen-mother had sworne and promised The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde were alwaies at those Councels and to conspire against the King was as much as if they had soght to stab thēselues to stain their house with the most detestable ignomie that could bee deuised And to be short it is as much as if they should transforme the Admirall and his friends into brute beasts as to attribute such consultations vnto them in such a time and place and against so many good Frenchmen and againe if he were suspected of such a crime was it not in the kings power seeing so many armed men about his lodging held him inclosed and at the first word could haue seized vpon him to cause him to bee poysoned presently vppon the suspition without daunger of tumult by those of the religion whose weaknesse was well knowne at the time of the massacre The number of those that were termed adherents to the Admirall beeing nothing in comparison of the murtherers and of women maides and yong children cruelly massacred that neither knew where the Admirall lay nor yet what hee said◠holding him prisoner they might without resistance or daunger haue made information and so haue proceeded against him according to the lawes of all Nations ... If there were witnesses they might haue maintained and affirmed their depositions before the Admirall and his adherents which by Pitrac is written to haue beene reported to the king further if it should bee so that the Admirall and his adherents after his hurt did vtter any angrie speeches hauing knowne the cause he might haue contented himselfe with his owne house and familie and not in a tumult and barbarous furie by sound of bell to mooue the people to assemble all the Towne hee ought to haue hindred the massacre of so many Ladies and yong Gentlewomen and of so many Gentlemen wise learned and reuerent olde men of so many little children that conspired not but against their mothers breasts or else to get out of the wombes It may bee asked of the Councellours of this inhumane iustice why so many women great with childe and halfe dead were thrown into the riuer wherin so many thousands of honorable innocent persons were massacred without inquisitiō cōdemnation forme or figure of processe which is more if the Adm. had neuer so litle attempted against the person or life of the K. and his two bretheren who is he that knoweth not that al the Prouinces towns to be short al sorts of people of all estates would speedily haue taken weapon in hand in a moment without difficultie had put the culpable and all his adherents to the swoord with all strange motiōs wold both approoue allow as most expedient and necessarie And touching the king of Nauarre euery man detested the imposture of the declaration Was he not in the Admirals hands for the space of foure yeares did hee not professe the like religion who is ignorant of the humble and sincere respect which the Admirall bare vnto this Prince and the great affection hee shewed vnto the Admirall could those of the religion get any thing by the death of the king of Nauarre was hee not loued as well of the Catholicques as those of the religion Could the Admiral hope for a Prince more fauourable then hee or that could better reuenge the outrage that had been done vnto him Other circumstances touhing the massacre Now let vs returne to other circumstances and the course of our Historie By an other declaration of the 30. day of August the king gaue to vnderstand to the Gouernours of his Prouinces that the Admirall and Gentlemen of the religion that were with him in Parris without expecting the iustice that he had promised to execute vpon the wonder of the Admirall had conspired against his Maiestie his mother his bretheren the king of Nauarre and other the Lords and Princes about them and against the estate yea that some of the chiefest and adherents to the conspiracie acknowledging their fault had confessed it These principall adherent confessors hee nameth not as indeed there were none vnlesse he meanes Bouchauanes of Picardie who vppon Saturday had been present at one of the consultations wherein the Vidame of Chartres the second time with vehement speeches in the pesence of the K. of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and many others had vrged the remooue of the Admiral out of Parris wishing his friends and familiars to follow after as hourely discouering many things that put him in more doubt Hee was in manner the onely man that was of that opinion for the rest they stood vppon it that so they should doo the king wrong in that they should call into question his faith and sincere meaning that it might suffice quietly and modestly to craue iustice at his hands that the matter was yet fresh and therefore it might bee feared least the king should bee offended if they proceeded so hotly Other report could not Bouchananes make in honour or with a safe conscience Concerning Briquemant and Cauagues whom they ment to vse wee will speake heereafter Onely I will heere adde one note taken out of the seuenth booke of the remembrances of Monluc one of the Marshals of France and a sworne enemie to the Protestants He speaking of the murthers saith Albeit I was then Maister onely of my owne house Monlucs testimonie yet the Queene did me that honour to write vnto me and to send me word that they had discouered a great cōspiracie against the king and his estate I wot what I beleeued but it is not good to anger a mans Maister The king neuer forget the chase that the Admirall gaue him from Meaux to Parris swifter then ordinarie Wee forget our selues when wee come to the pinch and neuer thinke that kings haue greater stomacks then wee and withall that they can sooner forget a good peece of seruice then any offence These bee Moulucs words who a little before had said that the Admiral was vnwise to thrust himselfe into Parris to the end to make the world to thinke that he ruled all I wonder how a man so wise polliticke in worldly matters could commit such a grosse ouersight But
are naturally in vs there would not be wood ynough to burne my subiects I will not doo it I had rather haue a sicke then a dead bodie I will not make religion a Butcherie or the alter of a sacrifice which is not bloodie a pillorie or place of execution no the king of France will no more cause his subiects to bee slaine to make them beleeue hee will neuer vndertake to constraine mens soules as long as their bodies are obedient vnto him It belongeth vnto God to accord these false notes that are heard in the harmonie of his Church They would likewise that I should consent vnto the Cleargie that they may purchase in fee farme such goods as heeretofore haue beene aliened from their Churches and constraine the possessors thereof to sell them againe that is as much to say that I should fight for the Church the Cleargie shall keepe their temporall goods while the people playe the Alkamists with their teeth They will giue the alarme and neuer come to battell All the rest of their articles touching the sale of Huguenots goods and of their disabling are alreadie ordained men are imployed therein all my parliaments are troubled therewith What do they demaund of me which I haue not agreed vnto not beeing able to refuse it and how many things haue I graun-vnto thē which I could refuse because I ought not so to do it There is no sinewe in his polliticke bodie but it is wrested nor any member which doth not languish They haue constrained mee to playe and hazard my estate by chaunce of warres I haue alreadie lost the halfe let them suffer me to withdrawe my selfe into the other halfe and liue in peace Such were the obiections of this Prince at the motions of the leaguers articles but because of nature hee was fearefull feeble and light hee neuer had firme resolution within his minde Princes most commonly do faile by not beleeuing counsell but hee deceiued himselfe by too much crediting The first poynt of this mischiefe was that trueth was kept from him and that men followed his humors Hee was perswaded the strongest part to bee that of the Duke of Guise that all the Townes and Prouinces had their mindes set on him that if hee entered not into it he would bee left alone at the mercie both of the League and the Huguenot Yet he firmly resolued to bee Maister and to range both the one and the other vnder his obedience but it was by a weake meanes imbracing the Duke of Guises part and made himselfe principall of the one side with all seueritie to make warre against the Herereticque speaking of nothing but of a voyage into Poitou to besiege Rochel and to take the Isle of Rhie And that which most fauoured this enterprise was that the Huguenots had lost the Prince of Conde vnder whose valour and generositie they conceiued great hopes and without doubt as being indowed with all the quallities conuenient for a valiant Captaine and otherwise an vnrecouerable enemie of their enemies His disease was violent procured by a nosegaye giuen him by some of his housholde seruants for that vppon Thursday beeing the third day of March halfe an houre after he had supt a great paine in the stomacke shortnesse of breath hardnesse of the bellie and continuall vometing with extreame paine and thirst tooke him And the Saterday after when his Phisitians and Surgeons had imployed all Art experience and fidelitie to heale him growing sicker a generall sufforation of all the powers of his bodie ceased vppon him whereof within an houre after hee died His bodie was opened wherein they found all the nether part of his bellie blacke and burnt the guttes full of reddish water the stomacke aboue the orifice The death of the Prince of Conde saterday the 5. of March pearced cleane through and round about and the vitall powers that of themselues were very helpeful and well composed by reason of the great quantitie of poyson were all vlcered The king of Nauarre at his returne out of Gascongne commanded expresly that all those that were suspected to bee necessarie to the poysoning of the Prince should bee punished for the which some were executed Meane time the King that had the enterprise of the League rather then that of the Huguenots more imprinted in his minde knowing that all their demaunds tended onely to this end to make a perpetuall warre prepared himselfe to preuent it and caused certaine forces to bee assembled vnder the conduct of the Duke d'Espernon against whome all the league discharged their chollor making him the onely argument of the confusion and disorder of all his affaires their iealousie more increasing by the succession of the place of the Admirall and of the gouernment of Normandie which hee had newly receiued after the death of the Duke de Ioyeuse This poynt deserueth to passe two steps out of my matter the Admirall in France is the name of one of the chiefe Magistrates in the Realme Generall and Prince of the seas belonging to the countrie as Eghinard called Ruthland that was Admiral in the time of Charles the great The like authoritie the Marshall of France beareth in an armie by land the same doth the Admirall in a Nauie of ships on the sea but these offices are distinguished for that the subiect is different and diuers There is paine and diligence to bee vsed to place an armie by land in order of battell The like must be vsed to conduct a Nauie of shippes vpon the sea At al times the most warlike countrie of France both by sea land hath had her Admiralles and the Frenchmen of Brittaine Narbonne and Prouence are much commended for their practises and greate dexterities in warres Voyages to the holy land vnder Lewis the 7. and Philip Augustus and Philip le Bel. vppon the sea neuer thelesse this office was neuer in so great glorie and estimation as it hath been since the third line of our kings beeing that which brought pollicie and gouernment into this Monarchie as the first had established and the second increased it by victorious conquests then it was that the names of Constable Great-maister Marshall Admirall and other such like dignities were ordained but that of the Admiral remained vnprofitable while our kings trauelled into the Leuant seas to fight against the Infidelles for in those expeditions they supplyed their wants with vessels which they found nearest to the countrie of Iudea and many times with their Admiralles which they had from Genes Pise Venice and Luques But the Frenchman that neuer continueth long vnder the yoake of any stranger would no more bee gouerned by straunge Admiralles if they bare not the name of Admirall of France although for the most part they were no Frenchmen As in the time of Francis the first Andrew and Philip Dorie Geneuois were made Admirals of the Leuant seas and after left him to serue the Emperour Charles the fift There hath bin
diuers braue and expert Admiralles issued out of France as Enguerrand de Coucy and Hugues Quieret Lewis of Spaine vnder Philip le Bel Aâ—ory Vicount de Narbonne and Iohn de Vienne vnder King Iohn Charles the sixt in whose time the Admiral of France furnished the great armie of twelue hundreth sayle of shippes against the Englishmen Cliret of Brabant Lewis de Coulant vnder Charles the seuenth and Lewis Bastard of Bourbon Iohn of Vienne Admirall and since Constable 1586. Anne de Ioyeuse Admirall 1582. The Duke d'Espernon made Admirall of FraÌ„ce by Parliament the 11. of Ianuarie 1588. The Duke d'Espernon Gouernor of Normandie entred Roanâ— the fourth of May. Earle of Rossillon vnder Lewis the eleuenth and vnder king Frances the Lord of Brion d'Anebaut and la Trimouille for whom the Admiralles of Brittaine and Guyenne were ioyned and made one Gaspart de Coligny was Admirall vnder the same king and confirmed by Henry the second and his children Honorat de Sauoye Marquesse de Villars succeeded him and caused it to bee giuen to Charles de Lorraine Duke of Mayenne that resigned it to Anne de Ioyeuse and after his death the king gaue it to the Duke d'Espernon And to establish him therein presented him in the Court of Parliament and putting off his sword bare-headed and kneeling on his knee hee tooke his oath before the chiefe President where the eloquence of Monsicur d'Espesses the kings Atturney much commended and set foorth the prayses of the Duke Hee succeeded likewise in the gouernment of Normandie and made his entrie into Roane nine daies before the Barricadoes at Parrs Not long before that hee had sent the Regiment of Picardie to lye about Bullen and caused certaine small English boates to descend before the Towne so to impeach the enterprise of the Duke d'Aumale and to preuent that which the said Duke intended against the Towne When the Duke of Guise vnderstood of those troubles in Picardie hee thought the time as then to bee fitte for him to constraine the king eyther to bow or breake to confirme the articles drawne deuised at Nancy and Dyon and to helpe the weakenesse of the Parrissians that without him would haue lost courage And for the same cause hee arriued at Soissons where his Maiestie by Monsieur de Bellieure gaue him to vnderstand that he should do him apleasure if he wold abstaine froÌ„ coÌ„ming to Parris in so troublesome a time wherin so many factioÌ„s raigned that if he came thither against his wil he wold lay the cause The arriuall of the Duke of Guise at Soissons The king prayeth him not to come to Parris vntill the distrusts were laid of the troubles that might arise by his presence vpon him Monsieur de Bellieure who by reason of greatnesse and soundnesse of his iudgement concerning matters of estate and the execution of wise and notable charges to him committed held one of the chiefe places of Councellor about the king vsed many and great reasons to restraine the impetuositie of that prince and to conclude departed from him assuring himselfe that hee had fully disswaded him But his heart attainted with a burning Feuer could finde neither appetite nor pleasure but in that which liked his stomacke beleeued that nothing could hinder him that the heaueÌ„s oght to giue him place that striking with his foote vpon the ground he would make a 100. legions of men to rise that without fear of Iupiters thunderbolts he could rule the chariot of the sun The Parissians had sent for him Left no meanes between the two extremities of his firme resolution but whatsoeuer fell out hee would see the Louure or die in the way And therevppon mounted on horsebacke with eight Gentlemen about nine of the clocke at night leauing his brother the Cardinall of Guise and the Prince de Iuinuille his sonne at Soissons desiring the Archbishop of Lyons to follow him in the morning And so within three houres after the arriuall of Monsieur de Bellieure and about Monday at noone beeing the 9. of May he entered into Parris Sunday the 8. of May 1588. and lighted at the Queen-mothers lodging the Filles Repenties where in great feare half trembling she receiued him led him to the Louure If the streets of Parris had bin as broad as the way of AppieÌ„ they wold hardly haue contained halfe the quantitie of the people that followed this Prince euery man thought himself happy that might put off his hat and kneel on his knee for to salute him The Duke of Guise arriued the Kings not knowing onit all being full of ioyfull cries clapping of hands pleasures and wishes to welcome him He for his part holding his hat in hand answering by his countenaÌ„ce to those populer reioycings marked the most prompt affections to his desire they striuing among themselues who should begin to crie Viue Guise Viue le Pillier del'Eglise Which being heard into the street called S. Honnore where a Gentlewoman sat in a shop she pulled down her maske and spake aloude vnto him vtterring these words Good Prince now you are here we are al safe That done he entered into the kings chamber where he did his dutie to the king but with lesse assurance then ordinary knowing the King would not like well of his comming and in trueth he shewed him no great countenance answering him vnto the reasons hee made touching his iourney to Parris that by M. de Bellieure he had desired him not to come But dinner time approaching they left off the D. of Guise departed to his lodging After dinner he went to visit the Q. in her garden where the king finding him as well as he could dissembled the exterier apparance of yâ— suspition he had conceiued in his heart the D. of Guise iustified his actions with a braue and bolde courage He went to visit the Queen-mother by so much the more as he perceiued thesecret fear of the Kings trembling mind his seruant followers one after the other still entered into Parris for the Archbishop of Lyons being the principal Agent of his Councell arriued vppon Tuesday about dinner time and came not out of the house of Guise vntill the next day that he went to see the Queen-mother being at Masse from thence went with her to her garden where the K. found them he stepped forward to kisse the Kings hand who receiued him with pleasant and chearefull countenance hauing alwayes discouered a certaine inclination that hee had to loue him as knowing him to bee one of the woorthiest Prelates of his order of a prompt and readie witte and wonderfull eloquent and withall remembring that at all times when the stormes of words and reasons were vsed in any matter of estate hee surprised all his Councell Wherevppon hee willingly desired hee had been as much affected to his seruice as to the league wherein hee had entered as al-also in an assured
thou wast so hardy to enter into Parris with no more theÌ„ 8. Gentlemen a signe of thy simple innoceÌ„cie A great matter surely but go thou into Rochel with al thy new Courtiers thy followers thy guard the king of N. wil enter therin but with 4. men only if at thy going out thou runnest not away-he will make thee be shrew thy selfe It is easie to bee said in base Brittaine but those that know that all the kings Councell are on thy side that his mother fauoureth thee that all the mutiners and crocheters of Parris and all the common inhabitants thereof are at thy deuotion We say that thy simplicitie was verie subtill and thy innocencie much to bee suspected How wilt thou haue vs beleeue that thou did-dest put so much trust confidence in the king seeing that after the league and the capitulation of Saint Maur thou wouldest neuer come thither vnlesse thon wert as strong as hee yet during his beeing in his armie against the Rutters thou neuer settest foote within it onely once by surprising it and that for the space of a quarter of an houre No beleeue me it is thy exercise to play these feates and not to excuse them thou art better acquainted with the one then the other Hee saith that the distrust which ceased vppon the people of Parris when the kings forces entered into the publicque places of the Towne constrained his good and faithfull subiects to arme themselues and without conference togither assured of his presence and of certaine order by him suddainly taken among them they Barricadoed themselues on all sides Barricadoes the inuention of the Duke of Guise Then the Barricadoes are the inuention of the Duke of Guise and without his presence the people had not stirred taken armes not banded against the thunder that descended from heauen This is confirmed by the declaration made by the Parrisians the words whereof are these Aduice was giuen that the Regiment of Picardie was sent for in great haste as also the Sieurs de Merâ— and de Thore bringing more then three hundreth horse which could not be prepared vnlesse that matter had beene purposed long before The occasions of the Barricadoes The newes of those troupes made the Parrissians to suspect and the insolencies of those alreadie established made vs as then to inquire of the preparation made by the Duke de Guise and vnderstanding that neither hee nor his were armed euery man thought to ayde himselfe so that as it were by one generall consent euery one in lesse then an houre vnited placed them in the streets for their defence which is a thing natural to al liuing creatures so the Parrissians mooued not but for feare of a Garrison this foundation is not well laid for that all sedition and rebellion is euill and pernicious in kingdomes although the cause bee good and commendable As the Prince should cut off the meanes to the first motions of those troubles and quench the fiers that beeing hatched in a particular house would enter into the Churches Pallaces and publike houses so the people ought to suffer and indure al extremities rather then to rise against their soueraigne although hee were a Tyrant cruell inhumaine for like as all that pleaseth a Prince is not permitted to be done by him so al the is permitted vnto the people is not profitable and oftentimes it happeneth that the remedie is more cruel then the disease it selfe and that seeking to shunne one calamitie we intangle our selues in an infinite of miseries Experience setteth before our eyes the enterprises and successe of coniurations Defence is not permitted to subiects against their King the beginnings haue beene impiteous and the ends miserable The tyrannie of one man is euill that of many is woorse but the worst of all is an vnbridled power and an absolute libertie that hath cast off the yoake of lawes When a people arme themselues against a Tyrant it must take heed that of one it maketh not fifteene or that in seeking to shun tyrannie The words of K. Francis it indureth not confusion and disorder which from the royaltie proceedeth to the populer estate You my Maisters of Parris alleadge that the armes you beare are not to offend any man but onely to defend themselues that is good against a straunge Prince but against the king and your Soueraigne it is most execrable God detesteth and forbiddeth it and whatsoeuer he doth bee it right or wrong it is no more lawfull for you to stirre against him then for a childe to mooue against his Parents Causes of sedition The life of man is the vnion of the bodie and the soule the life of a Realme is commaundement and obedience if the one bee separated from the other that the soule tyrannizeth the bodie and that the bodie will not receiue the lawe of the soule that is of reason it is a death When the Prince commaundeth vniustly and when the subiects will not obey the Realme falleth to ruine her temperature altereth resolueth into the first matter loosing her forme It was to that end that wise King Francis the first said that euery estate of Common-wealth or Monarchie consisteth but in two poynts in the iust commaundement of a Prince and the loyall obedience of the subiects Let vs now see why so many euilles and disobediences haue issued from this pandore all commotions such as that of Paris do commonly growe vpon one of these poynts When the people are charged with supportable exactions by the auarice of the Princes that raiseth them vpon the people by inhumaine and infamous waies and impositions as Caligâ—le raised impositions vppon common Stewes Heliogabalus vpon mens vrin and Alexander Seuerus vpon Hot-houses there is alwaies mutenie And therefore the Parrissians vnder Charles the sixt tooke occasion to mutin because the Gabelliers asked a halfe-penny of a poore woman that solde Cresson When the King giueth estates and dignities to vicious rather then vertuous and vnwoorthie rather then woorthie men For as in a consort of musick the different voyces are ruled by one tune from the which they cannot once so litle varrie but they make a discord in the ears of the Musitians Likewise the Common-wealth composed of men of high meane and base quallities that are vnited by Harmonicall proportion according to the which proportion in the distinction of persons and their merits publicque charges ought to bee supplyed And when honours which is the most daintie morsell of vertue is conferred to colde and rawe stomackes it becommeth contemptible The estate of Barron was renowmed in France but it was afterward imbased when Charles the sixt at the siege of Bourdeaux created 500. at on time The order of S. Michael instituted by King Lewis the 11. The order of Saint Michael continued in his glory vntill such time as our Kings gaue it indifferently to all degrees without exception of persons or quallities that they bestowed it
good then possession of euill The difference in religion should mildly be agreed vpon Hee is not euill instructed in the principals of faith but hee is not sufficiently informed touching the Ceremonies he beleeueth constantly in the onely word of God contained in the booke called cannonicall the Catholicque taketh the interpretations of the word of God made by the Church for an infallible rule of his saluation and not like the Huguenot by the particular sence but by the vniuersall consent of the Church assembled togither vnder a legitimate head which is the Pope accord these two tunes make them beleeue in the traditions that since the time of the Apostles haue beene brought into the Church our Ceremonies in the administration of our Sacrament and in the election of Ministers and they are pleased and wee shall haue no more neede of warres If they say they will haue no other Iudges to determine their differences but the holy Scriptures which of it selfe is easie ynough without interpretations or Commentaries and that if it bee darke in one place it is opened in another tell them that it is not so easie plaine nor open but that diuers men do stumble in the vnderstanding thereof that it is not so cleare as that without interpretation it can discide all the controuersies of our faith that as God in the old lawes would haue a Moyses to iudge the law so he wold haue Ministers his successors that they shal determine difficulties of the doctrine of the Gospell Make them to agree with vs therein your difference will soone be ended and you shall bannish wars schismes in France To those reasons the league opposed theirs and said Your arguments are of no consequent you say that the Huguenot is not to bee pursued by armes because hee is not declared hereticque by cannonicall proceedings that hee is no hereticque because hee is not stubborne that hee is not stubborne because hee desireth instruction turne ouer the lease and you shall finde that the Huguenot ought to bee pursued by armes in that he hath beene condemned for an heretique by all the Councells specially of that of Trent that all nouelties are odious to the Church that he is an heretique for that knowing as it wer with his finger touching his error he staÌ„deth stubbornly in defence Obstinacy sence reprooued is the punishmeÌ„t of his infidelitie it is then to no end that he should aske instruction when there is no hope of amendment it is a tree without fruite and good for nothing but to bee cast into the fire To this poynt those that loued peace The warres for religion consâ—steth of a great number of Catholiques how deare soeuer it were cried out and said Will you then haue a new recourse to fiers punishments and remedies which wee haue alreadie tried to bee more proper to kindle and spread abroad then to quench and stop the euill Do you not as yet perceiue that God detesteth the terrible persecutions vsed against them in all the Courts of Parris that the Princes Gouernours of Townes Magistrates and officers of iustice haue with their owne bloods payed vserie for the vnmeasurable shedding of Christians blood that since the Magistrate left punishing and that the Prince hath pursued them by armes there hath died at the least a thousand Catholicques to kill a hundreth Huguenots The king is become a Captaine at his owne costs in the battels of Iarnac and Moncontour hee hath continued for the space of tenne or twelue yeares togither to make warres against them and in the ende after hee had vsed all meanes and attempted all extremities hee perceiued it was in vaine for him to kil to make men beleeue that the Gospel is not planted with other tooles then the word and peaceablenesse that it increaseth by suffering and not by persecution Iesus Christ planted his Church by miracles Mahomet by force and violence Religion is not the cause but the pretext of the warre The Talmud with her toyes and the Alcaron with her impostures detest the Christians furie that kill each other the first saith that Iesus Christ increased the Church by vertue of miracles and Machomet by force of armes Wee know well and if wee confesse it not wee are traitors to our countrie and of all others the most incencible that religion is not to be preached by drumb and fyfe and that of a hundreth that beare armes there is not tenne but haue an other intent then onely religion We know that this warre is a meere war against the estate that nothing was said touching the king of Nauarres conscience vntill it was euidently seene that by the death of Monsieur the kings brother hee was the next in succession to the Crowne and that it is most certaine that the League buildeth the assurance of things present by those that are to come that vpon the imaginatiue feare and of the succession of a Prince of an other religion the king beeing in the flower and strength of his age they dispute of the right possession and establish their vsurpation The Monarchie passeth to an other branch of the blood royall The Cardinall of Bourbon because the king hath no children because we should haue some they present vs an olde Prince an olde tree without fruit a hollow oake which serueth but for a support to the iuyce of the League and to the hopes of the Duke of Guise that climeth vnto the royaltie by his meanes Duke of Guise who vnder colour to powre water vppon those flames to place order in disorder and reformation inabuse suffereth men to burne in flame and ouerthrow all things Wherefore from hencefoorth the king must looke vnto that which as yet resteth whole and intire within his Realme that hee should make peace with the Huguenots that he should help himself with their forces which are Frenchmen against those Hispaniolized mindes that will eyther vsurpe the Soueraigntie of this estate or else conuert it into cantons like the Switzers To giue peace to the Huguenots to ayde himselfe with their forces to ouerthrow the Catholiques to stirre vp the Pope the king of Spaine and all Italy and in a word to constraine France to reuolt The king ought not to doo it and it is too much perill for himselfe Obiections against the League too much miserie for his people too much iniurie to the Church whereof hee is the eldest sonne hee should call wolues to helpe which in the end would deuoure the sheepe hee should serue himselfe with foxes that in fine would kil thee geese the king should bee Lent and the king of Nauarre the enterance into Lent or as we say Caresme prenant and then Huguenots would be ledde in triumphs through the Realme If the king should do it it would bee openly said that hee supporteth and aduanceth hereticques that seeking to do for himselfe hee doth for them hee will put Catholicques in dispaire and his crowne in hazard
sent his letters pattents sealed with the great seale vnto the Inhabitants of Romorantin forbidding them not to administer victualles nor amunition to the company of Monsieur de Souuray and they had expresse commaundement to send vnto him That in presence of the Queene-mother hee had refused his Maiestie to subscribe to the ordinance which hee ment to publish concerning certaine treasons as then practised and pretended That his only intent was in his person as a supposed branch of the house of Charlemaine to reestablish the greatnesse and vsurped authoritie of the ancient Maiors of the Pallace to the ende the king should onely beare the name and that hee might deale with him as Charles Martel did with Chilperic Some that were present at this Councel the more to stirre vp the kings minde by the auncient perill of an vnrecouerable fall from his authoritie to shewe him that his Maiestie was to remember the dreame he had before the League beganne which was that the Lyons and wilde beasts by him nourished in his Castle of the Louure deuoured him The kings dreame or vision and that beeing mooued with this vision hee had caused them to bee killed and among the rest one Lyon being the most furious beast of them all Lastly they put the King in minde of Salcedoes processe which had discouered all the pretence of the Councell holden at Nancy the first article whereof was to cease vpon the Kings person of the Councell of fiue persons holden at Parris in the time of Lent in An. one thousand fiue hundreth eightie seuē wherin the Duke de Maine couertly inuayed against his Maiestie Of the memorials taken about the Aduocate Dauid of the letters sent by the Queene of Denmarke to her sonne the Duke of Lorraine which were found about the Abbot of Billy comming from Rome and withall the attempt of the Barricadoes was not forgotten therewith to end their Councell Considerations that stayed the kings minde But three things caused the kings minde to wauer and to staye long before hee resolued vpon it one the respect of the Pope the second his oath made touching the protection of the states and the third the troubles that this execution would breed by their meanes that fauoureth the Duke of Guise Touching the first it was shewed him that his holinesse beeing aduertised of the Duke of Guise at the erecting of the Barricadoes had ceased vpon the Bastille and Bois de Vincennes hee said vnto the Bishop of Parris that the enterprise was ouer bolde that it touched the estate and that the offence would prooue vnrecouerable That his holinesse had often written vnto his Maiestie that hee should assure himselfe of the estates what meanes soeuer hee made and that in these so apparant daungers there is no remedie whatsoeuer but it may bee vsed that hee needed not to inquire if it were lawfull to be done and that it was for the same cause that his Maiestie had obtained a Confessor by him to bee resolued of all things touching or concerning the holy Sea of Rome That the heads and authors of factions are so odious vnto Princes iealous of the quietnesse of the estate that therein they pardon not their owne blood as king Philip that pardoned not Charles his owne sonne that sought to surprise the low Countries And the Duke of Guise when speeches were vsed touching the disobediences of the Duke of Aniou deceased had alwaies this example of extreame iustice readie to produce It is knowne why the Cardinall of Caraffe was strangeled Pope Sixtus at this day liuing in the first yeare of his pontificates put to death the Counte de Pepoly one of the most famous families in all Italie because hee kept certaine banished persons his kinsmen secretly in his house In this Realme of France Iohn Earle of Harcourt of the blood royal of Scotland Lewis de Luxembourg Constable of France Iaques Counte de la Marche issued from the house of Castille diuers others of as great quallitie and estate as the Duke of Guise haue indured shamefull ends because they practised and made secret leagues with forraine Princes and kings The Pope thoght that the Duke of Guise had borne armes for the religiō but after the Barricadoes once erected hee beleeued it not and although religion were the cause of the warres yet should it not bee lawfull without the kings authoritie The example is both good and memorable in the Historie of the king of Spaine called Leoncilde both an hereticque and an Arrian This Barbarian pursued the Christians and pardoned not his owneson that had bin instructed and conuerted vnto Christian religion by Leander Bishop of Tolede hee banished him out of kingdome This young Prince being mooued at the miseries and persecutions of the Christians in his countrie Qui contra genitorem quamuis hereticum talia cogitarer didtwise raise armes against his father at the first he was ouerthrowne and sent into exile at the second time he was put to death and slaine vpon Easterday S. Gregory Archbishop of Tours in this example noteth the effects of the iudgements of God condemneth the boldnesse of this Prince that The king is not bound by oath nor obligation vnto his subiects rebelled against his father and his king although both an hereticque an Arrian Touching the oath which is the second consideration that stayed his Maiestie and which is neuer broken nor neglected but repentance followeth it was tolde the King that euen as betweene the bond-man and the Lord there is no obligation to bee made that there can bee no strickt promise betweene the subiect and the Prince that the promises made are not to bee obserued that if faith bee not to bee holden with him that cannot iustly bee called an enemie and that hath no authoritie to make warres who by the lawe is termed a theefe or a rouer the Prince is not bound to keepe his promise with a meane subiect who by his rebellion hath first violated his owne faith vnto his Prince Necessitie hath no lawe wee must vse time as occasion serueth that is when necessitie compelleth and when men break their faith and promise In great assemblies great examples of punishing rebelles are done and executed as at the marriage of the Emperour Zeno with the daughter of Ardaburis where the Bridegome was slaine Balisene and the Emperours father in lawe committed prisoners The kings of England and Polonia haue often summoned Parliaments therein to take and surprise the Lords that had rebelled against them Our kings haue arested them beeing at their bankets These great motions haue alwaies some extraordiry event but necessitie and publike vtilitie doth authorise them A league grounded vpon the good will of the people The third obiectiō of this vnresolued resolutiō was the great credit which the Duke of Guise had gotten among the people wherevpon it was shewed the king that as the said Princes part had no other credit but among the multitude
which hee that was Captaine thereof had caused to bee made therewith as hee said to salute the king of Nauarre when hee should approach the walles of Niort The siege of Ganache In the meane time Monsieur de Neuers besieged la Ganache a very strong Towne lying in the marches of Poitou and Brittaine with sixe battering peeces foure double and two demy coluerins after hee had summoned Monsieur du Plessis by a Herault to yeelde the Towne vnto him The batterie beganne vppon New-yeares day and within foure dayes after the breach was reasonable great to giue the assault which was done with great fury and aunswered with the like courage whereby the assaylants left at the least fiftie of their mē dead within the ditches the assieged loosing at the same time two good Captaines and certaine souldiers The next day Monsieur de Paluau sent a drumme to Monsieur de Plessis to aduise him to growe to some good composition saying that hee had obtained sufficient honour by defending so weake a place that his wilfulnesse hindered the king of Nauarres affaires and that the Duke de Neuers had fully resolued not to leaue the siege before hee brought the Towne vnder subiection wherevpon hee ingaged his honour Monsieur de Plessis resolued vppon a conference hoping by that means to certifie the king of Nauarre of his affaires the effect of the cōference was to yeelde the Towne and to issue armed their goods saued Meane time the king of Nauarre issued out of Niort minding to relieue the Towne but a sicknesse proceeding from a great chaffing of his body which hee did lighting of his horse to heate himselfe beeing extreame colde seized vppon him which stayed him in a little village called Saint Pere where he was troubled with so fearce and cruell fittes of a feuer that hauing been let blood and all remedies vsed that possible might bee found it was thought hee would haue died and the report of his death was brought vnto the Court. But God who in so troublesome and confused a time ment to vse the seruice of so great a Prince whom hee had saued from so many perilles to make him the woonder vnto kings and the king of woonders The king fell sicke the 9. of Ianuary stayed the arest of death which the Phisitions had pronounced against him restoring him vnto a liuely and good health and of a beholder made him enter vpon the Theator not as one that vpon a suddaine by accident feare foresights nor hopes should represent a king in a commodie but to fulfill the true and lawfull office of a king After hee was recouered perceiuing that Messieurs de Chastillon de la Roche Foucaut de la Trimouille and Plassac could do nothing touching the relieuing of Ganache and that the Duke de Neuers with his armie made towards Blois hee tooke the places bordering vpon Niort The iudgement of the Huguenot touching the death of the Duke of Guise The Huguenots in their writings published at that time acknowledged not that action of the 13. of December as a clap of thunder that maketh more noyse then it doth hurt nor as a disgrace of fortune wherevnto the greatest personages are most subiect but as a worke of God and as one of the most notable workes that he had wrought for them thereby beginning to worke their reuenge for the massacre of Saint Bartholomewes day and to relieue them out of the miserable estate wherein they liued The Catholicques that neuer separated themselues from the auncient fidelitie of France nor from the seruice of the king cōsidered not so much vppon that which had passed at Blois as vppon the cause thereof they admired the kings long patience that rather suffered those Princes to doo what pleased them for the space of certaine yeares then once to punish them for a first second and third fault and that in the end this long patience changed into a iust furie These Princes made leagues both within and without the Realme without his Maiesties consent or knowledge they seized vpon townes and strong places in the land euery man forsooke the king to follow them they would haue the king to yeeld them account of all that hee had spent and done since his aduancement to the Crowne they had dispearsed iniurious and slaunderous bookes throughout the Realme and by them made the name of the king to become odious besides the disputation by them made touching the right and title vnto the king of France as if the king and all his Predecessors had enioyned and holden the kingdome wrongfully from the house of Lorraine at this day liuing And to conclude they were at the poynt to kill the King if they had not been preuented As then one reioyced at the death of the Duke of Guise esteeming it for a worke of God all the League to the contrary made great sorrow Two daies after the execution the sixteenth displayed their olde colours and cried out murther fire and vengeance they presently made a collection of monies to maintaine warres the poorest artificer among them was content to impart at least sixe Crownes some hauing no mony that they might not bee found without affection to that commotion solde and pawnde their goods to bee contributaries vnto it golde ranne like a riuer along the streetes they found hidden treasures and it seemed that France had nourished theeues to make an almasse of treasures for those inraged people Parris became the infamous Theater of rebellion wherein the sixteenth like furies issuing out of hell shewed the fier and flame wherewith they inclosed and murthered the poore countrie of France Vnder those mad dogges and stinking impostumes of the Cōmon-wealth was practised the most filthie and straungest rising that euer troubled the estate of any Towne To please the sixteenth they must displease God their king their own cōscience He was but hardly thought on that had not halfe a dozen of great outrages wherewith to detest that execution and an elegie for the memorie of the Duke of Guise and all with the most sad sorrowfull countenance that might be deuised withall powring out some notorious and blasphemous oathes the better to counterfet a disliking Hee that could not recite the memorable actions of the Duke of Guise eleuate him to heauen with open mouth speake euill of the King detest his actions abhorre his life and account the execution done at Blois as most cruell barbarous and in humane was neither accounted an honest man good Catholicque well affected nor yet zealous There was no foolish Poet nor Ballet-singer within Parris that deuised not one couple of songs touching this action nor any Preacher that found not one place in his sermon wherein to vtter a multitude of iniuries against the king There was no Printer that set not his Presse on work with discourses made touching his death but aboue all there was great disorder libertie permitted in Preachers that who not onely cast foorth
the Switzers armie ranged in battell and would needs passe through all the squadrons with so great demonstration of contentment ioy and entertainment to the heads as that all of them likewise made manifest vnto him the great affection they had to do him seruice Hauing all his forces togither which made a bodie of 45000. men he marched presently towards Parris and with shot of cannon made himselfe Maister of S. Clouis bridge Attempts by the heads of the League against the kings life The Duke de Maine other heads of the league with their most confident friends to the number of 46. within Parris beganne to renue their concels and seeing the king so neare them either to vrge them to battell or else straightly to inclose them and constrained the people to acknowledge him iudged by that in this progression of the kings affaires their own went to ruine and that there was no other means left to stād out being proclaimed guiltie of high treason against their chiefest head then by executing some notable villanie in procuring the death of the King their Maister Benefactor their Prince and soueraigne Lord. Some certaine weekes before a young Iacobine Monke called Fryer Iaques Clement borne as men report in a village called Sorbonne neare Seins a man drowned in all wickednesse hauing passed through the handes of certaine confessors and conferred with some Iesuites others was for a kind of dexteritie obserued in him found meete to strike so great a stroke The murther entended of long time He was vrged and put forward therein and in the end the Duke de Mayene the sister of Montpensieur and others had conference with him in diuers places they requested him to perseuer in this good determinatiō which they knew to rise in him by extraordinarie inspiratiōs to performe so renowmed a feruice to the holy vnion the Catholicque Church and his countrie They promised him Abbotships Bishoppricks whatsoeuer he would desire He remained for certain daies one whiles with the Duches Montp Who amōgst the Parisiās was termed the holy widow other whiles with his Prior sometimes with the Iesuites This Monke drunk in his own furie with so many aluremēts entertainmēts promises protestations of felicitie tēporal eternal resolued with himselfe and promised to kill the king The people who thought nothing nor knew not of their cruel practises talked of yeelding themselues had greatly rebated their spleene and collor Surce Duke de Maine and those of this complot caused the most zealous Sorbonnists Iesuites to preach that they should yet haue patience for seuen or eight daies they should perceiue some wonderfull matter come to passe that should make well with the vnion The Preachers of Roan Orleans and Amiens preached the like at the same time and in semblable termes The Moonke hauing taken order for his complot departed from Paris went towards S. Clou. So soone as hee was departed the Duke de Maine caused more then two hundreth of the principallest Cittizens and other rich men whom he knew to haue friends and credite with the kings partie to be taken prisoners for a gage to the end to saue his Moonke if after hee had attempted or executed the fact he were stayed or arrested The Monke being presented to speak to the king the first day of August saying that he had letters from the President of Harlay and credence on his part the king caused him to be called into his chamber where there was no other but the L. of Bellegarde chiefe Gentleman of the same and the Procuror general whom he procured to retire apart more priuately to giue eare vnto him which addressed himself as it seemed with a countenance very simple demure It is affirmed that in the selfe same chamber the Councels of the massacres in the month of August the year 1572. were surprised wherin the king that then was D. of Aniou was one of the chiefest The Moonk perceiuing himself alone opportunitie put into his hād cōfirming his countenāce more more drew out of one of sleeues a paper which he presented to the K. out of the other a knife with which violētly he sheathed a thrust within the kings smal ribs he being attentiue to read who perceiuing himself woūded plucked the knife out of the wound wherwith he strooke the Monke aboue the eie thervpō some Gentlemē came rūning in who moued with the indignitie of so execrable a fact could not contain but killed the murtherer with their swords who went to the place appointed for him was cannonized adored by the league but on the contrarie detested of those the cleaued to the dignitie royal partie of the religion In the annagratisme of his name Frier Iaques Clemēt were found these words in so many letters C'est l'enfer qui m'acreè which importeth It is hel the created or brought me forth For so it seemed that after this fact the furies themselues were come out of hel to ouerwhelme topsie turuie al France The King being caried to his bed the Phisitians and Surgions applied vnto him his first dressing and iudged that the wound was not mortal by means wherof the same day he procured writing and aduise to bee giuen of this attempt as also of the hope of his healing and recouerie as well to the Gouernours of Prouinces as to Princes straungers his friends and allies But the soueraigne King hauing otherwise disposed of the life of this Prince took him out of the world about 3. of the clock in the morning the day following A litle before his departure hee spoke with a moderate and confirmed mind named the King of Nauarre his good brother lawful successor to the Crowne exhorted his good subiects to obey him to remaine vnited and to referre the difference of religion to the conuocation of the Estates Obseruations vpon the life of king Hienry the third generall of the Realme who would thinke vpon conuenient remedies for the same to haue a care of religion and pietie and to pray to God for him vpon these words he gaue vp his ghost Touching the insolencies of the league within Parris and elsewhere after the kings death an other Historie shal declare the same for our intention is not to proceed any further in these collections In this Prince failed the Kings of the race of Valois which had raigned in France from the yeare 1515. to the yeare 1589. vnder their dominions almost all the wonders of former ages had been renued This last king was little bewailed of his subiects by reason of many faults he committed in his gouernment and administration The occasion of them without touching in any sort either his conscience or affaires of instice and pollicie was that in his polliticke gouernment hee could neuer well discerne except too late his friends from his enemies and the desire he had to lead his life in pleasure made him let slippe infinite exellent opportunities
chambers assembled hath declared and doth declare all acts decrees ordinances and oathes giuen made or readie to bee made since the 29. of December 1588. to the preiudice of the authoritie giuen to our kings and lawes of the Realme to be set and extorted by force and violence and as such we reuoke repeale and disanull them ordaining that they shall remaine abolished and of no force and especially that which hath beene made against the honour of the deceased king Henry the third as well those in his life time as since his death to be nothing forbidding al persons to speake of his memorie otherwise then wel or honourably And further wee ordaine that the detestable murther committed vpon his royall person shall bee informed and proceeded against extraordinarily against all such as shall be found guiltie therein And the saide Court hath reuoked and doth reuoke the power heretofore graunted to the Duke de Maine vnder the title of the Lieftenant generall of the estate and Crowne of France Forbidding al persons of what estate or condition soeuer they be to acknowledge him by that title or to shewe him any obeysance fauour comfort or ayde on paine to bee punished as guiltie of treason in the highest degree And on the same paine inioyneth the said Duke de Maine and other Princes of the house of Lorraine to acknowledge king Henry the fourth of that name King of France and Nauarre for their king and soueraigne Lorde and to giue vnto him such seruice and obedience as to him is due And that all other Princes Lords Townes Communalties and particularities shall giue ouer the pretended part of the League whereof the Duke de Maine was made chiefe and to render vnto the King all obedience and fidelitie on paine to haue the said Princes Lords and Gentlemen to bee disgraded of their Nobilitie and to bee declared outlawes both them and their posteritie with the confiscation of bodie and goodes racing and destroying of their Townes castles and manners which shall bee disobedient to the commandement and pleasure of the king And this Court hath broken and repealed and by this present do breake and repeale all that which hath beene done inacted and ordained by the pretended Deputies of the assembly held in this Citie of Paris vnder the name of the generall estates of this kingdome as of no effect or force beeing made by priuate persons who were for the most part practisers with the factious sort of the Realm and partakers with the Spaniards hauing no lawful power or authoritie Forbidding also the said pretended Deputies from henceforth neuer to take the like vpon them againe and no more to make assemblies either in this Citie or any other on paine to bee punished as disturbers of the publicke peace and guiltie of treason toward his Maiestie And wee enioyne all these pretended Deputies which are at this present within the Citie of Paris to depart each one to his owne house there to liue as subiects vnder the kings lawes and to bee sworne to their fidelitie before the iudges and Magistrates of those parts It is also ordained and by these presents were doo ordaine that all processions and solemnities tollerared during these troubles all occasions of them shall cease and in steade of them the two and twentieth day of March shall bee for euer solemnized on the which day generall processions shall bee made after the accustomed manner assisted by the said Court of Parliament in their scarlet robes in remembrance of the most happy deliuerance of this Cittie on that day from all her miseries and the bringing thereof vnder the kings obedience with thanksgiuing vnto God for the same At the same time the king published a declaration wherein all the shifts and deceits of the Captaines of the league were discouered and his loue and great good will toward the Parisians to whom hee forgaue all matters past restored all their customes and priuiledges obtained new fauors and shewed a most fatherly affection towarde them which was most pleasing to the people which drew many other townes from the league to humble themselues to his highnesse Three weekes after the Rector of the Vniuersitie the Deane and the Doctors of Sorbonne the Deanes and Doctors of other faculties in briefe all the members officers and substitudes of the Vniuersities of their owne minde assembled went all to humble themselues to the king which was then in the Chappell of Bourbon where they all fell prostrate on the ground before him acknowledging him their onely true and naturall Prince shewing with a most heartie affection well witnessing their loue that they were readie to take what oath it pleased him to confirme them to his subiection hee receiued them and with great benignitie sent them away The moneths of April and May were spent in receiuing and answering supplications from the Townes and Commons in diuers Prouinces and in drawing Lordes Gentlemen Captains and other principall members of the league vnder the kings subiection who pardoned all in such sort that the League resembled Isopes Choffe Warre in Picardy against the league There remained some Townes in Picardie which were solde through the meanes of the most factious of that part The king besieged Laon and certaine other Townes which the Spaniards assayed to warrant and keepe But their succours hauing been ouerthrowne in diuers incounters where they lost more then fiue hundreth men at last Laon yeelded to the king and so likewise the others Soissons and Fere excepted which were possest by the Duke of Maine and the Spaniardes who also at the same time became Maisters of Chapelle a little Towne in the Duchie of Thierasche The Duke of Maine ranne to Bruxelles for fresh supplies He receiued a good summe of mony but not sufficient to withstand the kings prosperous proceeding who then receiued into grace and fauour the Duke of Guise and his brother giuing since to the said Duke the gouernment of Prouence The Duke de Maine who could do nothing in Picardie hauing left good garrisons within Soissons hee closely trauelled into the Duchie of Bourgondy that hee might assure those places to himselfe which hee knew yet to hold for the league Now let vs turne againe to Paris where they beganne a new warre The Iesuites hauing in former times stood against sundrie purposes of the Vniuersitie whom they had set out in their colours shewing that this sect is the most execreable of al others by the helpe of such which had to do with those people for the executing of their great and most vnfortunate enterprises And in the end since the day of the Barricadoes had imperiously commaunded within Parris vsed infinit practises to aduance the Spaniards in France kindled the fire of sedition in all the principall towns in the kingdome defaming in their sermons and confessions the memorie of the deceased king and the Maiestie of him now raigning whose fame was by them spotted in the vildest manner they could deuise and
AN HISTORICAL COLLECTION OF THE MOST MEMORABLE ACCIDENTS and Tragicall Massacres of France vnder the Raignes of HENRY 2. FRANCIS 2. CHARLES 9. HENRY 3. HENRY 4. now liuing Conteining all the troubles therein happened during the said Kings times vntill this present yeare 1598. Wherein we may behold the wonderfull and strange alterations of our age Translated out of French into English Imprinted at London by Thomas Creede 1598. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE GEORGE EARLE OF CVMBERLAND BARON OF CLIFFORD LORD OF VVESTMERland Skipton Vipont Bromflet and Vessy Knight of the most honourable Order of the Garter all health and happinesse AMong many that haue taken in hand Right Honourable and my very good Lord to write the Stories of auncient times the warres and woorthie deedes of famous Princes it was my lot thogh vnwoorthie to be called to the translating of these last troubles of France which by the Author was in the French tongue very learnedly and eloquently set downe And sith the matter therein contained meriteth to bee well regarded and duly considered of all noble and honourable personages and the knowledge thereof profitable to be imparted vnto all Christian kingdomes it was thought verie meete and requisite to haue the same turned into our English tongue for the profit and benefit of all such Englishmen as are not skilfull in the other language what sweetnesse of phrase it hath lost being thus stript out of it owne attire I beseech your good Lordship to pardon considering that the French in phrase carrieth a peculiar grace in it self which cannot alwaies in an other speech be exprest Not what I would but what I could I haue done in the translation wishing in my heart for your Lordships sake that my skil could haue stretcht to my good will Neuerthelesse for the saluing of all imperfections therein and the intier affection which I beare to your honourable vertues In all humilitie I commend my Booke to your Lordships patronage that your worthinesse may supply what is wanting in me and shield my booke from the enuie of Satyricall carpers who beholding your Lordship to be a Protector of my simple labour will rather blush at their owne peeuishnesse then proceed any further in their mallice Thus building on hope of your honourable fauour I humbly rest Your Lordships in all dutie TO THE COVRTEOVS AND FRIENDLY READER SVch is the plentie of fine wittes in this our age right gentle and courteous Reader that nothing can passe currant without controll except it be rare in conceit or excellent for Art for my owne part I cannot boast of either yet haue I beene like blinde Bayard bold to deale in the translating of this booke which I confesse might haue well beseemed a man of greater skill notwithstanding beeing called therevnto I haue done my best to satisfie the world submitting my selfe to the correction of the learned Many faults haue escaped heerein some by my owne ouersight some through the Printers negligence which I would desire the skilfull courteously to correct with their penne or friendly to pardon through their courtesie For such as are vsed to the Presse are priuie to this that few bookes goes cleare without an Erata yet thus much I dare presume that to my knowledge no fault heerein committed hath either spoyled the sence or mangled the Storie Therefore in so great a labour as this is thinke not a small fault a great preiudice So shall you bind mee by your courtesie to bee readie heereafter both to correct this and to procure some other thing that may be more to your content Yours in all courtesie THE CONTENTS OF THE MOST PRINCIPAL POYNTS CONTAINED IN THIS HISTORIE HENRY THE SECOND THe raigne of Henry the second containeth the alteration of the Court by the death of Francis the first Warres in Scotland Practises wrought at Rome against the Emperour Reuolt in Guyenne because of exactions made vpon Salt Persecutions against those of the religion War at Bullen The notable actions of Merindol and Cabrieres The reestablishment of Guyenne Occasions of warres renued between the Frenchmen and the Spaniards The beginning of warres beyond the mountaines Preparation for warres in Picardie The kings proceedings against the Pope the Emperour and the Councell of Trent The Edict against the abuses of the Court of Rome Continuance of persecutions against those of the religion Pretences against Lorraine Councels and agreements between the King and the Protestant Princes to crosse the Emperours proceedings in Almaine and elsewhere The taking of Metz an Imperiall Towne brought vnder the King of France his subiection Warres in Luxemburg The Conquest of the Duchie of Bouillon The Emperour agreeth with the Almaines to besiege Metz and ouerrun Picardie The issue of the siege of Metz. The taking and rasing of Terouenne Hesden sacked The ouerthrow and taking of the Duke of Arscot Three royall armies which reuenge the fires made by the Emperours Armie in Picardie The Towne of Bains among others is burnt The encounter at Renty The ouerthrow of the Armie of Frenchmen in Picardie Wars in Piedmont and Sauoy The French Armie conducted by Strossy ouerthrowne and Siene yeelded Warres in Picardie and the Isle of Corsie The Emperour yeeldeth vp his Empire vnto his brother other dominions vnto his son The two kings make truce for fiue yeares which are presently broken and warres renued about Rome The Duke of Guise marcheth with an armie for the king to ayde the Pope who maketh peace with the Spaniard Meane time the Constable looseth the battell of Saint Lawrence Saint Quintin taken by assault and many other places wonne from the Frenchmen in Picardie The king assayeth to recompence his losses and following his intent long practised he recouered Calais and the Countie of Oye after that Theouuille and others On the other side the Earle of Egmont ouerthrew the Marshall de Termes hard by Grauelines A speech of peace in the meane time Charles the fift his sister Elenor and Mary Queene of England died In the end the two Kings agreed togither and the King of France began to persecute those of the religion more then euer he did but while he plaide his part death seized vpon him and laid him on the ground by a blow with a Launce Whereby ensued a maruellous alteration in France FRANCIS THE SECOND THe Court in a moment is wholly altered and chaunged by the practises of the house of Guise that withstood all men executing Anne de Bourg an excellent person vnder the authoritie of a Prince of the blood Information is made against them and the Barron de la Renaudie in the name of a great part of the Nobilitie and third estate vndertaketh the commission to take the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine prisoners What order was holden therein by Monsieur de Renaudie which in the end was discouered whereof ensued diuers bloodie Tragedies at Amboise The Prince of Conde valiantly maintaineth his innocency and sheweth the cowardly tyrannie of his enemies
been published hee knowing that the priuie Councell and the Parliament haue giuen consent hee moderated it by another edict wherin he exposed his reasons with such vehemencie great eloquence that those of Guise themselues that onely were the purchasers thereof The Duke of Romorantin breaketh the pretence of establishing the Inquisition of Spaine agreed to his aduise and certified it vnto King Philip that liked well thereof although his whole desire was to see the Realme of France disguised in a Spanish sute Wherevpon the edict of Romorantin was published and set foorth whereby the King committed the knowledge and inquirie of Heresies vnto the Prelates of his Reaime forbad all publike assemblies vnlawfull forces declared all the Ministers of the religion makers composers and printers of infamous libelles tending vnto the moouing and stirring vppe of the people guiltie of high treason this edict appeased not the murmurations and troubles but to the contrary rather doubled and increased them on all sides A Combat of Princes Against all the bookes published and set foorth against the vnlawful gouernment of those of Guise Iohn du Tillet Clarke to the Court of Parliament in Parris composed a booke intituled The Kings Maiorit wherein hee defended that in France the Kings beeing of the age of fifteene yeares might then command after that hee inueyed against those of the religion saying that with a false wrong title they termed their new opinions to be the Gospel of Christ naming their Ministers seditious mutinous and concluded that God would fauor and prosper the armes that should bee taken in hand and vsed against them Many strong and earnest aunsweres were made vnto it wherevnto neither he nor yet his brother the Bishoppe of S. Brieu durst once reply although by the Cardinall they were most instantly required therevnto for whose contentment at the request and solitation of a certaine Councellour named du Lyon a Printer of Parris named Martin l'Hommet was hanged for printing a booke The Tyger put two men to death intituled The Tiger made against those of Guise the like intertainment was made vnto a rich Marchant of Roane who beeing present at the execution and perceiuing the people most strangely mooued against l'Hommet desired some of them to vse themselues with greater modestie His proces was made without any further delay onely to please the Cardinall as du Lyon not long after in a great audiance openly confessed The Queen-mothers dealing and resolution of those of Guise in those difficulties The Queen-mother much troubled among so many waues hearing a speech of calling a Parliament and of establishing the Princes and the Constable whom shee deadly hated vnto their places and authorities which if it happened she should no longer haue the mannaging of the affaires resolued to hold and maintaine all things in the same estate wherein as then they were and vnder her authoritie to couer the imperfections of those of Guise who still continued in their grosse and high speeches protesting that they wold imploy the meanes both of themselues and of their friends that possible they could make to beate downe and represse the insolencie of those that sought to purchase the alteration of religion which from that time forward was their pretence thereby to abolish the other quarrell that onely concerned the State which was affirmed to haue beene wholly vsurped and now to bee most lawfully ruled and gouerned by them They thought likewise that hauing exterped those of the religion as their meaning was to beginne with it it would be a meanes to cut the sinewes of the Princes of the blood of whom thereby they should easilie bring to reason as also the Constable Counsell of some of the Nobilitie Touching those of the religion the first and principall in the rolle were certaine Gentlemen that made free and open profession thereof and although they had not in any sort beene priuie or once consenting vnto the enterprise of Amboise yet were they accused and summoned to come and iustifie themselues before the king But they perceiuing that nothing but their destruction was pretended concluded some to go vnto the Prince of Conde to incourage him the rest vnto all the Churches of the religion to giue them notice and intelligence of their destructions then readie to fall vppon them if each of them sought not to desend themselues The Prince of Conde escaped while his enemies consulted his death The proposition mooued in the priuie Councell touching the ceasing vppon the person of the Prince of Conde and to make his proces to the end that hauing begunne with him they might proceed against the rest made them to looke vnto themselues It chanced that vppon this proposition touching the taking of the Prince the Cardinall was resolutely of that aduise but the contrary the Duke of Guise had made a long discourse to shewe that they should not proceed therein and that it should bee wholly against his consent and desire Some at the first were much abashed that those two heads in one hood were of so different mindes but when they well perceiued that nothing was by them neglected where to find the meanes to laye holde vppon the Prince euery man then did knowe that this contrarietie was onely done of purpose thereby to drawe the Councell to giue their whole consents to the end that by those meanes they might fortifie and couer themselues against all chaunces whatsoeuer In the meane time the Prince looking on his owne securitie with good aduise deliuered himselfe out of their snares and got vnto Bearn where as then the king of Nauarre his brother was Resident they as the common saying is vsed to make bread of stones and to turne all things for their aduantage beganne to assure the king and his mother that without all doubt the Prince was culpable and that his flying made him to appeare as guiltie wherevpon commissions were presently made and sent for to leuie men to warre against Gascon whither the Mashall de S. Andre vnder pretence of going to see his bretheren was sent to discouer which serued to no other end but onely to cause the two Princes to stand more warity vppon their guard La Planche discouereth those of Guise There rested yet another threed to vntwine which was to know if that the Constable were not of the Princes Councell whom as they thoght they held alreadie within their fingers to this end they appoynted the Queene-mother to worke the matter who secretly sent for Lois Regnier Sieur de la Planche one of the Councell ours of the Marshal de Montmorency who beeing entered into her chamber the Cardinall standing behinde the tapistrie and desired very earnestly to say his minde touching causes and remedies of those troubles made a large and ample discourse the effect whereof was that those of Guise beeing straungers ought not to haue the gouernment of the Estate vnlesse some naturall Frenchmen were ioyned in commission
expressely to forbid the Princes comming vnto the court vppon paine of death not to enter into any of the kings walled Townes as then they were alreadie inclosed among the forces of their enemies vnder the conduct of Marshall de Termes The Cardinall d'Armaignac Descars and others vntrustie seruants made the king of Nauarre beleeue that this verball commaundement of Montpesat was onely but a meere brauado of those of Guise which both the king and his mother would disauouch The Princes refusing all aduertisements went vnto Orleans The Princes hauing past Chastelleraut were more certainly aduertised of their michiefe to come and counselled to keepe the high waies because of diuers Ambassadours that were appoynted and set to kill them if they once went out of the way vnder pretence that they sought to saue themselues and at the same time means was offered vnto them to bring them vnto Anger 's and so into Normandie where they shuld want nothing but they continued in their first resolution trauelling by easie iourneyes and it seemed that one of the bretheren was as a Prouost Marshall that ledde the other to prison Therevpon those of Guise led the king to Orleans thither calling al the Nobilitie men of armes which made both young and olde to thinke that some pretence was ment against the Sates but by a rumour spred abroad it was said that all those forces beeing assembled and brought togither was to assiege and chastice Orleans whereof the principal Citizens were registred in the Criminal bookes to passe the daunger and by their confiscations to grease the hands of diuers hungrie Courtiers vnder pretence that they had beene of the enterprise of Amboise Rigorous dealing towards those of Orleans For this cause Mansieur de Sipierre a slaue to those of Guise appoynted for Lieftenant to the Prince de la Roche Suryon Gouernour of Orleans being arriued in the Towne about the beginning of October disarmed the Inhabitants filled such houses as were suspected with Souldiers and committed the custodie of the Gates vnto the Sheriffes The Prince their Gouernour beeing entered therein about the twelfth of the same month and receiued with honour by the principall Cittizens aduertised them that the king would make his entrie therein vppon the seuenteenth day ensuing which terme beeing prolonged for the space of one day vppon the eighteenth hee made his enterie The troupes of the Towne being in number about foure thousand men to whom they had restored their armes onely their Bastianadoes the principall Cittizens following in good order and all the streets hanged with Tapistrie and other hangings The king beheld all those troupes passing along through the Subburbes which beeing reentered into the Towne hee mounted on horsebacke riding vnder a Canapie of cloth of Gold and so went straight vnto the Church and being on the way his horse stumbled in such maner that he had surely fallen if he had not presently bin relieued After dinner al the troupes went to meet the Queene who likewise made an honourable and braue entrie but those of Guise were at neither of both fearing as some say to meete with some desperate fellow that might hurt them because a Magician in Rome had shewed the Cardinall that both hee and his brother should die a violent death The arriuall of the Princes in Orleans and bow they were receiued The Euen before all Saints day beeing the last of October the Princes trusting to their innocencies and reposing themselues vpon the grace of God to whom they recommended themselues as also caused al those of the religion by praiers to doo the like arriued at Orleans and past from the beginning of the gate vntil they came to the kings lodging in the Estappe through diuers souldiers all footemen ranged along in rankes so close togither all armed that all that long way not any man could passe betweene them Not one Courtier nor Townes-man stepped foorth to meete them onely the Cardinall de Bourbon and the Prince de la Roche Suryon who by expresse licence had obtained that fauour receiued them The king of Nauarre according to the custome desiring to enter on horsebacke within the Court Gate was put backe with a rude aunswere that the great Gates might not bee opened they being then constrained to light went into the king that stayed for them in the great Hall accompanied with his vncles of Guise and other Courtiers whereof not one of them once stepped forward to meete them Their entertainment was but meane and after due and solemne reuerence night grewe on which caused the king to go into his mothers Chamber followed onely by the Princes those of Guise not once seeking to enter The Queen mother hauing receiued them with the water standing in her eyes the king speaking vnto the Prince of Conde said hee had beene aduertised from diuers places The Kings speech to the Prince of Conde The Princes answere that hee sought to make diuers enterprises against him and the State of his Realme for the which cause he had sent for him to heare what hee could say by word of mouth The Prince that neither wanted courage nor audacitie aunswered boldly in his owne defence and in such sort discouered those of Guise his enemies His imprisonment that the king could not otherwise iudge but that great wrong and iniurie was offered vnto his blood neuerthelesse according to the conclusion made before his arriuall the king commaunded Chauigny Captaine of the guard expressely sent thither by those of Guise to take the Prince which hee did and ledde him prisoner vnto a house not farre from thence before the which there was erected a Fort of Bricke fluncard and filled with field-peeces and diuers cannoniers to keepe them which peeces beate along three streetes whereby it was able to defend all men from comming neare vnto the prison The windowes of his chamber were closed vppe and he was kept so straightly that no man spake vnto him but onely his Chamberlaine The king of Nauarre desired that his brother might bee committed vnto his charge The entertainment of the King of Nauarre and others and hee would gage his life for his foorth comming but it was refused him and touching himselfe his guard was taken from him and still hauing watch about him both by night and day At the same time certaine were sent to cease vpon Madame du Roye mother in lawe to the Prince being in her house of Anicy in Picardie from whence with great rigor she was brought vnto Saint Germains by Monsieur de Renouart and de Caronges executers of that commission They likewise sorgot not the Councellour la Haye at Parris as one that dealt for the Prince such as were his faithfull friends within Orleans withdrew themselues out of the daunger Bonchart Chauncellour to the king of Nauarre at the same time was taken in his owne house by Iarnac who in shewe made great apparance of disliking Bouchart threatning him in presence
and little they assembled themselues about the Prince who beeing at Orleans first beganne to write into all places which caused diuers Townes to bee ceased vppon for those of the religion the onely cause to breake diuers intents of their most cruell aduersaries Likewise on both sides they beganne to rayse Souldiers out of the Realme meane time Declarations and protestations of the Prince meane time the Prince published diuers declarations and protestations for the iustification of his defensiue armes referring his enemies from that time named the Triumuirat to the edict of Ianuary and to leaue off armes thereby to set the King at libertie and his Realme in peace The Triumuirat that is The Triumuirats answere the Duke of Guise the Constable and the Marshal de S. Andre made diuers answeres onely tending vnto the suppression of that edict The Emperour and the protestant Princes were by the Prince fully certified of the whole Estate of France who in an open assembly of the Estates shewed the letters of the Queene Regent expresly written vnto him after the ceasing vppon the King and Parris recommending vnto him the mother and her children besides that hee made an agreement at Orleans with the Lords and Gentlemen there assembled to vse their forces and meanes for the deliuery of the king and Queene and for the maintenance of the edicts and state of the Realme this agreement sent vnto the Court the same day beeing the ninth of Aprill A greement made at Orleans a letter was published and registred in the Parliament whereby they certified the King his bretheren and the Queene that as then they were at libertie also by an other the King declared his intent to bee that the edict of Ianuary should bee executed in all places but onely in Parris The Prince for his part solicited those of the religion to send him men and mony The 25. of Aprill the Counte de Rochefoucaut with great troupes went out of Poicton and Xaintonge and arriued in Orleans The next day the Prince receiued a large aunswere Many proceedings on both partes before they proceed to armes vnto a certaine declaration by him made and sent thither but hauing vnderstood that the day before in all the places of the Cittie of Parris both hee and his partakers had publikely beene declared and termed seditious and euill Christians hee made a second declaration wherein hee openly declared and described the horrible cruelties alreadie committed against those of the religion imploring the edicts yeeldeth a reason of his actions and by letters written the 27. to the Parliament of Parris desired that his enemies hauing first raysed armes should laye them downe and that for his part he would do the like thereby to cease the calamities of the Realme And to the end to shewe all forraine Princes his intent two Gentlemen were by him deputed to stay in Almaine to the end that if the Triumuirat should there enterprise to leuie men they should procure that the Prince might there bee ayded and not others which done order was taken for the securitie of Orleans and there they coyned mony in the kings name The Queene therevppon beganne to solicite a peace writing letters vnto the Prince who vppon the first of May made her aunswere withall sending her a memoriall signed with his hand Meanes vsed by the Queene containing the meanes of pacification as hee had declared vnto the Parliament The fourth day after the Triumuirat made a declaration to the contrary requiring the abolution of the edict of Ianuary and of all exercise of religion onely that of Rome and that such as bare armes without the expresse commission and commaundement of the King of Nauarre the kings Lieftenant generall should leaue them off vppon paine to bee declared rebelles and enemies to the king and his Realme desiring likewise the Queene-mother to obtaine that all the forces on both partes might bee vnited and ioyned togither vnder the commaundement of the king of Nauarre and that so doing they were readie to retire vnto their houses The declaration of the Triumuirat but the king made a new declaration wherein the edict of Ianuary was still continued After many speeches in the end they grewe to blowes whereof I will speake as time serueth and first beginne with the Prince and his troupes Iu the beginning of the warre the Queene seeketh to accord and thē with a summary deductiō of that which happened in the Prouinces The companies of Lanciers beeing for the most part arriued at Parris with some of the olde companies of foote the king of Nauarre and the Triumuirat marched towards Chasteau Dun. The Prince at that time beeing as strong as they determined to enter into the field which mooued the Queene to seeke the procuration of a peace while the Triumuirat might haue meanes to gather a greater force One of the principall dealers therein was the Bishoppe of Valence The practises of the Bishop of Valence and what followed who in some sort perswaded the Prince extreamely greeued to see himselfe constrained to enter into a ciuill warre to offer the Queene to goe out of the Realme with all his friends to procure a peace Within two daies after he went to speake with the Queene and shewed her his minde which hee had no sooner vttered but hee was presently taken at his word the Queene making him great promises saying that the next day shee would send vnto him to knowe the conditions by him to bee propounded Wherevpon at his returne the Prince hauing communicated his intent vnto his companie not only the ordinary Councell but all the Coronelles and Captaines were summoned to giue their aduise which was wholly and directly against that declaration and the opinion of Monluc and the Queene-mother Among the rest Missieurs d'Andeloc and Boucard maruellously incouraged all the companie by their bolde and braue resolutions and if they had beleeued Monsieur d'Andelit presently they had set vppon the Triumuirats troupes After the Truce an enterprise of no small importance was begunne but your guides hauing not well conducted the Princes troupes and withall much raigne falling a great aduantage was lost Good discipline for a time in the Princes Armie At that time military discipline among the Princes souldiers was much to bee commended for the Gentlemen neuer molested their Hostes and such as had meanes payd honestly for that they tooke The Pesantes stirred not out of their houses such as offended were punished One named the Barron de Dampmartin that had violated a maide by great fauour escaped death but after continuing his follies hee had his head striken off within Parris this exemption in the beginning of the warres was taken for an euill signe No blasphemie was heard in al the Princes campe Among thē you sawe neither cards nor Dice for women they were from thē no man strayed out of his troup to forrage much lesse to boote-halling morning and euening at rising and
The Admirall resolueth to goe into Normandy The Admirall on the other side receiued new promises and assurances of the Rutters and withful determination to fight marched vnto Iarqueau which as then was in his power and the tenth day after tooke Sully and the Castle by composition Touching the Duke de Guise beeing hard by Orleans it was resolued that the Admirall with the Rutters and some French Gentlemen should march towards Normandie thereby to constraine the enemie to separate his forces and to giue the Rutters mony that should be brought out of England leauing all the footemen with the rest of French horses ledde by Duras Bouchauanes Bussy Saint Cyre Auaret and others for the defence of the Towne vnder the gouernment of d'Andelot The good will of the Rutters towards those of the religion The Rutters at that time shewed themselues so voluntarie that they left their waggons at Orleans and caused their boyes to carry their necessaries vpon the waggon-horses whereof they made a Cornet of foure hundreth indifferent men The Duke de Guise on the other side tooke order for the defence of the Townes of Normandie and at the same time a thousand extortions were cōmitted against those of thereligion specially in Parris where diuers strange murthers were cōmitted There was likewise a declaration sent vnto the Rutters in the name of the King and all the Princes of the blood to cause them to leaue the Admirall But that serued to as much effect as the Queens letters to the Admirall that answered her in other sort thē they expected On the other side the Prince hauing sayled to escape out of prison and one that sought to helpe him beeing executed yet hee lost not courage but to the contrary spake with bolder courage then euer hee did his nature beeing such that in aduersitie he seemed most inuincible The Admirals voyage into Normandie The first of February the Admirall departed from Orleans with foure thousand horses better furnished then when he fought the battell but not any carriage only thirtie waggons lightly ladē The fourth of February he came before Eureux where the Inhabitants were cōtent to suffer him to march peaceably before the Towne the which passing through a straight hard by Bernay a smal Towne certaine Pesants conducted by a Gentleman of the countrie vnder colour of their great number sought to resist him But to theirs and others their likes costes and ouerthrowes who after the taking of Roanc had committed many outrages and at the Admiralles arriuall assembled themselues togither who hauing stayed certaine daies at Dines was desired by the Inhabitants of the Towne of Caen to ayde them against the Marquesse d'Elboeuf and a new knight of the Order named Renouart who with their troupes molested the Towns-men continually taking some of them prisoners The Admirall busied with other matters sent them Monsieur de Mouy not long before deliuered out of prison with his company and some Argolitiers and hauing receiued mony out of England Artillerie powder fiue companies of English and two of Frenchmen he battered the Castle of Caen vppon the first of March and the next day tooke that strong place by composition The Duke of Guise approached to Orleans But in the meane time let vs returne to the Duke de Guise that approached Orleans about the fift of February the next day with most resolution and by the faintnesse of the Lansquenets that forsooke the place hee wanne the Pertereau wherein they of the Towne left foure hundreth good French souldiers some taken the rest slaine and without the valiant resolution of the Gouernour and the Gentlemen that were in it they had receiued more hurt The ninth hee tooke the Tourelles by surprise and caused great quantitie of Artillerie to bee brought from Parris and Nantes to batter the Isle and the Towne they within shewing maruellous resolutions to rampier and fortifie themselues The Duke of Guise slain by Poltrot bofore Orleans Thursday the eighteenth of February hauing appoynted what order should bee taken touching the assayling the Isles about nine of the clocke at night hee wrote vnto the Queene that within foure and twentie houres after hee would send her word of the taking of Orleans wherein hee would not spare any man woman or childe whatsoeuer and that after hee had kept his Shrouetide therein beeing as then vppon the three and twentieth of February hee would in such sort spoyle and destroy the Towne that the memorie therof should be extinct for euer But man purposeth god disposeth for that the same day as the Duke of Guise about euening returned from the campe to the Castle of Coruey where hee lodged minding to execute that which hee had written vnto the Queene a young Gentleman of Angoulmois named Ich◠Poltrot Sieur de Merey hauing long time before determined to giue the blowe and made his friends of Lyons and other places priuie thereof stayed for him in the way as hee returned to his lodging accompanied with two Gentlemen one going before him the other speaking with him mounted vppon a mule Poltrot that rode vpon a Genet of Spaine went so neare the Duke that beeing about fiue or sixe paces from him hee discharged his Pistolle laden with three bullets seeking to strike him on the shoulder where his armour could not defend him as hee did doubting hee wore a priuie coate which done he fled away and the next day hauing ridden all night hee was taken and committed prisoner Poltrot executed and not long after tormented with hotte tonges to make him confesse and then torne in peeces by foure horses Diuers confessions were published to bee made by him touching this deede thereby to accuse the Admirall and others as if they had mooued him to do it but besides the constant and resolute answeres of the Admirall it was euidently knowne specially at the execution that Poltrot did it of his owne motion and particular intent thereby to deliuer France and specially Orleans from the violence of the Duke of Guise that died the foure and twentieth of February not hauing holden his Shrouetide as hee thought within Orleans but rather in his turne receiued another reward then eyther hee or his expected The motion of peace mooued before his death was presently renued and after many meetings and assemblies Motions of peace renued after the death of the Duke of Guise the Queen-mother exceeding glad of the death of the Duke of Guise whom shee doubted more then all the rest hauing giuen a thousand courteous entertainments vnto the Princesse of Conde the seuenth of March an assembly was holden in the Isle of Boeufs hard by the Towne whither the Prince and the Constable as yet prisoners were brought to make some agreemēt The Constable at their first enterance said that if they spake touching the edict of Ianuary hee could not indure it and in trueth it was as much to condemne him and all his partie of treason to
returning from Orleans were drowned with three Marchants of Dauphine Besides that diuers were put to death the hangmaÌ„ or executioner by Montare called Gossop seruing the peoples humour and executing either without lawe or processe such as they deliuered vnto him to be put to death The leuen and twentieth of May 1562. the Counte de Montgommery accompanied with fixe score horses entered into Bourges wherein many secret conspiracies were vsed and executed against those of the religion and kept it for the Prince bringing from thence great summes of mony for the payment of the Souldiers vnder the Princes conduct taking the great Tower likewise into his custodie In the month of Iune after Monsieur de Iuoy was sent thither by the Prince with two thousand foote to prouide for all things necessarie against the Towne shuld be besieged as the enemie determined to do it Three Corners of Argolitiers came thither likewise who beeing arriued therein they vsed to make certaine sallies by which meanes the Towne of Meun sur Loire was taken to the great periudice of the Priestes the Monkes and Images As likewise they forced the Castles of Saint Florent and Coudrai the Gentleman of the place dying with feare Iuoy hauing made an enterprise vpoÌ„ Issoudun preuailed not wherevppon his troupes beganne to mutin against him which being appeased the fifteenth of August the armie of Triumuirat approaching to Bourges Iuoy and the Sheriffes were summoned to yeeld the Towne vnto the King The Sheriffes referring the matter vnto Iuoy hee made refusall wherevppon ensued diuers issues and skirmishes coÌ„monly to the great disaduantage of the enemies and there was an open combatte fought betweene Captaine S. Martin the Huguenot and the Monke Lichelieu Maister of the Triumuirats campe Bourges in Berry the Monke was thrust into the bodie with a sword and lost his coate armour which Saint Martin bare away The twentieth day of the Month a strong batterie was made and in one day they shot at the least a thousand cannon shot but because it preuailed not much the Duke de Nemours was imployed to perswade the besieged and beeing at the wall to speake with them making many goodly promises which hee assured vppon his faith one of the Souldiers within the Towne said openly vnto him that the faith hee then offered was the same which he had holden to the Barron of Chastelnau had it not been for certaine Gentlemen he had as then been slaine That which constrained the Triumuirat to parley with the Towne was because the Admirall issuing out of Orleans about Chasteaudun had surprised burnt the powder munition that was sent theÌ„ from Parris and for that cause vsed such means with Iuoy by the Counte Rhingraue and the Queen-mother that vpon the last of August and the next day he graunted to their request and yeelded vp the Towne to the great disliking of his souldiers whereof part with the Captaines la Porte S. Martin that hurt Richelieu S. Remi and Brion Maister of the campe went to the Duke of Guise and from thence to the siege of Roane where they were slaine the rest had part of the bootie The rest of the Souldiers and Captaines got to Orleans with many difficulties and losse of 30. or 40. men Iuoy had great displeasure at the Princes bands both for his faintnesse and the loosing of the place beeing of so great importance Wherevppon hee withdrewe himselfe vnto his house much greeued for his misfortune specially because hee had left great store of Houshold-stuffe and other necessaries within Bourges and among the rest a Chalice set with diuers rich and precious stones which hee was constrained to giue vnto the Queene-mother who with great deuotion receiued it of him and kept it as a most rich Iewell as likewise many other precious lewelles of the holy Chappel which were kept from the hands of little theeues to bee the better and safelier kept by her Monterud Lieftenant to the Prince de la Rochesuryon in Berry hauing armed himselfe with letters from the Triumuirat contrary to the capitulation made with Iuoy draue those of the religion out of the Towne their houses beeing ransacked and at their issuing some of them were robbed some beaten and some slaine within the Gates An edict beeing made that forbidding those of the religion that stayed in the Towne not to speake or assemble togither aboue two in a company and so Bourges remained in that sort vntill the edict of pacification The third of Aprill 5562. those of the religion in Mans ceased peaceably vppon the Towne Le Mans. Charles d'Agennes Bishoppe of the place retiring vnto a Castle where hauing fortified himselfe he coÌ„mitted many murthers spoyles vppon the people Their affaires within the Towne holding in a meane vntill the moneth of May that for want of a man of authoritie and well affected to the religion and to the estate of the common and particular commoditie of the people the souldiers beganne to fall to extremities and in fleed of assayling their enemies in the field they busied themselues in the Towne to breake downe Images and Priests Altars to the great disliking of the Ministers and other peaceable persons shewing them that it was against the edict of Ianuary the treatie of association holden in Orleans the declaration which those of Mans not long before had made sent vnto the king by Monsieur de Mortier From the â—hurches in the Towne they ranne vnto the Villages bordering about it and adding euill to euill committed certaine spoyles which caused the Pesants to fall vppon them and to slaye some of them as they retired laden with their praye Those that remained within the Towne were diuided some commaunding in the Castle others within the Towne Those of the religion beeing abashed at the insolences of the Captaines and souldiers newes was brought that the Triumuirats armie was as then at Blois and that the Duke de Montpensieur made preparation to assayle them They likewise had intelligence that of three Captaines that commanded within the Cittie two of them had secret conference with the enemie which considered as also that the Towne was weake and slenderly furnished of men the twelfe of Iuly it was confusedly and in great haste forsaken about eight of the clocke at night at which their issuing were found to the number of eight hundreth men all armed that by Captaine la Mothe Tibergeau with great difficulties were conducted vnto Alancon The other two Captains presently yeelded vnto the enemie those that saued themselues at Alancon tooke diuers parties some not accustomed to beare armes stayed there others went to finde the Counte de Montgommery or the Duke de Bouillon For the Ladies and Gentlewomen some withdrew themselues to Deep or to New-hauen or else into England The next day after the Towne so forsaken such of the Romish religion as had absented themselues from thence entered againe and then beganne a terrible trouble verie fewe of the
those of the religion whose goods were taken from them was maruellous as well in that Towne as others in Bourgongne as also in other Townes and Prouinces of the Realme The one and twentieth of Iune the house of one of the principall of the Citie was forced and sacked In the moneth ensuing diuers meanes were vsed to cause such as were lest to abiure the religion some remained firme In the beginning of October the Parliament of Dyon assayed to commit some of them prisoners and summoned the rest to appeare and such as appeared at Dyon although innocent were hardly handled others had diuers aduentures and some yet very fewe wounded and slaine So that in Beaune there were not aboue two men and some women of great reputation that made open profession of the religion by the support of their assistance Those of the religion in Mascon vppon the thirteenth of May made themselues the strongest yet without effusion of blood and three daies after Mascon the Images were beaten downe as they had beene at Lyons although the Ministers and auncients were of the contrary aduise Mombrun hauing left Chalon and come downe to Mascon put the Inhabitants in such feare that many of them were of opinion to leaue the Towne Wherevpon Tauanes First siege who not long before had made them many gracious offers came before the Towne minding to enter which the people denyed which caused him to assemble all his forces and vppon the third of Iune besieged the Towne his armie being Bourguignons of the Counte euery man wearing a red scarse which was an occasion that the Towns-men shewed the Kings Councell that it was no reason that they beeing his naturall subiectes desiring to liue peaceably according to his edicts should bee constrained to open their Gates vnto Tauanes beeing accompanied with straungers enemies to the Crowne and for many causes suspected vnto them Wherevppon letters were sent vnto Tauanes who withdrewe himselfe in such sort that not long after hauing receiued an other packet hee sought to cease vppon the Gates vnder the Towne whereof hee sayled hauing receiued a hard repulse And as hee made preparation for a second siege those of Lyons sent Monsieur d'Entrages to ayde the Towne who by his conduction made many sallies and braue skirmishes Second siege which notwithstanding Tauanes caused his trenches vppon the one side of the Towne and the third of Iuly wanne the Subburbes of S. Lawrenre the next day making such a batterie that in lesse then two houres all their defences lay vppon the ground And the same day one Mussy seruant to Tauanes was hanged within the Towne for enterprising to cause the towne to bee surprised Not long after Entrages beeing summoned to yeeld made aunswere that if hee had the Maister in his handes hee would cause him to passe the same way his seruant Mussy had done which set Tauanes in such a rage that besides fifteen or sixteene hundreth shotte made against a Tower they shot diuers hundreth times against the breach whereby diuers men were slaine and maimed But the resolution of the assieged hindred Tauanes from approaching and contenting himselfe to send twelue souldiers to viewe the breach sixe of them were slaine and about eleuen of the clocke at night thirtie souldiers issuing out of the Towne cut the throates of certaine Sentinelles and entered so farre as to the Artillerie to trie if they could stop it which they had done if Tauanes in person had not come thither The next day although the Tower so much beaten and defaced had opened a new breach vnto Tauanes yet hee stirred not but to the contrary making shewe in great haste to returne into Bourgongne suddainly raysed his campe leauing certaine thinges of powder behinde him with an ambuscado if those of the Town had offered to come forth but Entrages beeing a polliticke souldier and one that had not many men to loose suffered not his souldiers to issue Tauanes thereby beeing deceiued lodged his troupes not farre from thence and went vppe againe to Chalon where certaine troupes of Dauphine came to meete him At that time it chanced that two Sheriffes of Mascon hauing by their authoritie in the night time laden certaine boates with the reliques of gold and siluer and other ornaments of the Temple of S. Vincents in Mascon minding to carrie and sell them in Lyons Reliques taken for booty beeing two or three leagues off were discouered by one named Saint Poinct who being ayded by certaine Gentlemen of Dauphine and a good troupe of footemen passed the riuer aboue Belleuille and setting vppon the boates tooke them and became Maisters of all that was within them valewed at the least to the summe of thirtie or fortie thousand frankes The Challices and Images of golde and siluer were broken and parted between S. Poinct and his companions although they termed themselues Romish Catholicques Wherevppon a young Lacquey came to Gascon who hauing falsely charged two Captaines was hanged but the souldiers of those two Captaines beganne to mutin because their leaders had been committed to prison vsing many threatning speeches This beeing appeased Entrages saying he would make a generall muster in a plaine hard by the Towne caused those two companies of mutinous fellowes first to issue forth Belleuille defended by astraunge accident which done he shut the Gates vppon them by which meanes beeing constrained to take the other part they went to Belleuille that held for the religion and arriued therein in good time vppon the 28. of Iuly for that the next morning before the breake of the day S. Poinct with sixe or seuen hundreth foote and two hundreth horse and the Pesants of the countrie besieged the Towne thinking to enter therein without resistance But approaching neare the walles and by chance discouered by the one that rose somewhat early they were so hardly receiued by the souldieis of Mascon that they were cōstrained to retire with shame and great losse to reuenge themselues they draue away the beastes of diuers Farmes and sacked the house of a rich Pesant whom they massacred and cast his bodie into the Soane but his bodie was taken vppe and buried in Belleuille How the Queene mother her Regency Hitherto I haue shewed the estate of the particular Prouinces of France during these first troubles now let vs returne againe vnto the Court The Queene beeing deliuered out of the hands of the Triumuirat to assure her authoritie and to hold the greatest personages in some stay thereby to serue her turne by some of them to checke the rest first shee iuested the young Duke of Guise with the estates and offices of his father and to appease the Parisians much greeued for his death shee deliuered Poltrot vnto them that was executed with as greeuous punishment as if hee had slaine the king himselfe which done something was to bee done for the appeasing of those of the religion that had been spoyled massacred as you haue heard The
was discouered and that the forces that should haue met in time and place sayled The Cardinall of Lorraine saued himselfe in great haste and fledde from the Court and yet he kept his credite in the Court being able to do as much absent as present To the contrary the Prince and his partaker fell into great difficulties by prouoking the hatred and collor of the king against them because through their meanes hee was constrained to go from Meaux to Parris with great feare although hee had sixe thousand Switzers about him besides horsemen the Prince at his approaching hauing betweene foure and fiue hundreth horse at the most neuerthelesse it was put into the kings head that he sought to attempt against his person so that from thenceforward he alwaies had a secret grudge against them This entrie into the warre hauing had but a hard beginning for the Prince other effects recompenced the defaults of his former fortunes but more by the particular motions and dispositions of certaine Gentlemen and Inhabitants of Townes then any Precedent deliberation whereby it fell out that those of the religion seized vpon Orleans Auxerre Soissons and other places The generall leuying of armes in one day by the Prince and his participants did no little abash those of the contrary part as also that with so small a number of horse he durst approach so neare sixe thousand Switzers whom he had charged betweene Meâ—â—x and Parris yea and ouerthrowne them if the Harquebusiers on horsebacke whom hee attended had kept their appoynted time or if he had bin strengthened with 150. horse out of Picardie that came certaine houres too late But the Prince not daring to venture vpon so great a troupe of Switzers The Prince retireth to S. Dennis that seemed a forrest therein perceiuing too much hazard and too small aduantage for him and his troupes went vnto Saint Dennis with his troupes where not long after hee had more company so that in fewe daies hee found himselfe to be 2000. horse and 4000. Harquebusiers strong which not long after were dispearsed Monsieur d'Andelot sent with 500. horse towards Poissy and Pontoise to hinder those of Parris that haue their victuals brought them by water Many companies of foot marched toward Argentueil Pont Charenton and other places bordering on the same The rest of the troupes were sent part to meete the troupes of Guyenne that should enter into Orleans surprised by Monsieur de la Noue and part into other places where need required So that the Prince and the Admiral staying at S. Dennis with certaine Gentlemen could not haue aboue 800. horse and 1200. Harquesiers The Constable had within Parris aboue 3000. horse 12000. foot and the sixe thousand Switzers with artillerie and warlike ammunition as much as he would desire yet stirred not fearing the hard resolution of the Prince his traine who by their troupes dispearsed seized vpon the passages both by water and land wherevppon the Parrisians not vsed to fasting beganne to complaine The Prince hoped to constraine them to fight and that his forces being vnited if hee might bee victor to bring his enemies vnto a more assured peace then that hee made before and if hee were ouerthrowne the places which hee held vppon the riuer of Marne and Seyne would serue him for his retrait staying for the Rutters that beganne to stirre with his forces of Guyenne The Constable to the contrary hauing taken the view of the Princes lodging and forces determined to giue them battell assuring himselfe to ouerthrow theÌ„ without resistance for that besides his number of men being tenne for one he had great store of Ordinance and pikes and a faire fielde well fitting for his troupes and cannons All these disaduantages notwithstanding disswaded not the Prince but that hee the Admirall Ienlis and other leaders of the religion issued to assayle them The battell beeing giuen vppon the tenth of Nouember 1567. The battell of S. Dennis continued almost three quarters of an houre night separating them the issue beeing such that those of the religion that had aduanced themselues aboue a quarter of a League entering with most strauge furie vppon their enemies wearied with striking their horses being breathlesse or hurt namely that of the Prince slaine vnder him and the Admiralles horse hauing borne him twise through the thickest of his enemies forces beeing a very strong horse in the mouth and in the beginning of the fight had broken his curbe and yet neither of those two leaders hurt were constrained to recuile but retiring in good order most of the Constables foote did little seruice but the Princes playde their parts the horsemen on both sides fighting with great courage The Constable himselfe was wounded to death and died within short time after and before hee died Death of the Constable connielled and desired the Queene to pacifie those troubles with all the speed she might but shee followed other counsell whereof shee and her sonnes haue had leisure to repent them and died before shee had reeled vp her spindle The Prince thinking his enemies would haue set vppon him againe to bee reuenged vppon a handfull of men that had held them play vnder their noses speedily sent for Monsieur d'Andelot who about midnight returned to S. Dennis and it was well for those of Parris as their leaders affirmed that hee came no sooner for if hee had it would haue fallen out hardly with them After a little breathing the leaders determined that it would bee necessary for them to abate some of the Romish Catholicques pride and opinion of their aduantage by shewing them that those of the religion had sufficient courage and called them to performe the battell Wherevppon the next day in the morning they entered into the field with their small armie marching towards the subburbes of Parris and there stood certaine owers in order of battell burning a village and some Windmilles in the open face of the Parrisians that neuer once issued foorth being busied to burie their dead to heal their wounded to suruey their corners and companies and to bee short thought it no wisedome to hazard themselues against those whom they perceiued to bee strengthened and so resolute to fight But the Prince perceiuing that the losse of one man would bee more to him then one hundreth to his enemies that daily increased that to stay longer so neare Parris wold be the ouerthrow of his smal campe the next day marched forward towards Montereau where the forces assembling at Orleans and Estampes ioyned with him To the contrary the kings armie Both the armies in the field their exployts till the end of the yeare whereof was Generall Henry Duke of A niou brother to the king a young Prince beeing as then about the age of sixteene yeares assisted with a great number of Lords Gentlemen and Captaines followed after the Prince seeking occasion to giue him battell The Protestants troupes of Guyenne and Poictou composed
Whereby the most part of this troupe left that place to lodge themselues with more ease left but a small number of men in place that laye about halfe a league from it This great fault produced another which was that the watch was too weake A notable fault which could not come time ynough to hear nor giue alarme to the enemies troups as they had beene instructed thereby to make them thinke that all the Princes Auantgard lay there The Dukes armie beeing very strong resolued to seize vpon the passage although all the Princes power had opposed themselues against him and by the diligence of Monsieur de Biron not onely repaired the bridge but made a new bridge of barkes which are carried with armies royall and before midnight had finished it which done without great noyse they began to passe ouer both horse and foote The Princes men that stood in gard with fiftie horse about a small quarter of a league from the passage in a manner could scarce perceiue them to passe vntill about the breake of day wherewith they presently aduertised the Admirall who knowing that most part of his men had lodged in other places namely on that side where the enemies came sent them word that they passed and with all speed to march towards him that they might retire altogither that in the meane time hee would stay for them at Bassac At the same time also hee commaunded that all the carriage and footmen should retire which was presently done If then within one houre after all his forces had beene assembled hee had easily retired without much labor Slacking of things daungerous in warre but the time being about three houres that passed in staying for them was the principal cause of their ouerthrow The Admirall would not loose those troupes being nine Cornets of horse and certaine companies of foot wherof the Coronels were the Counte Montgommery Acier and Puuiaut Beeing all come onely Acier that tooke the way towards Angoulesme all the Dukes armie beeing past and hard by the Admirall the skirmish began so hot that each man perceiued that day would bee a battell beeing the thirteenth of March which made the Prince turne backe being half a league from them passing forward for hauing vnderstood that hee should bee constrained to fall to blowes hee hauing a Lyons heart would bee one among the rest WheÌ„ the Admiral for his retrait came to forsake a small chanel which might bee passed ouer but in two or three places the Duke was counselled to aduance the flower of his horsemen composed of seuen or eight hundreth horse which ouerthrew foure cornets that made the retrait where la Noue and la Loue were taken prisoners The Princes magnanimitie ended not but with his life Valiant charges hauing couragiosly sustained the fight as also Coronel Puuiant who not long after reassembled his dispearsed troupe the same horsemen of the Dukes campe not long after charged d'Andelot in a village but he valiantly resisted them and slew Monsalez and diuers others of good account to the number of fifteene or sixteene the Prince and the Admirall ranged in two great squadrons of horse perceiuing that the enemie went about to inclose them betweene all the Dukes forces Charante prepared themselues to giue the charge The Admirall began the Prince seconding which was with greater force then the first and at the beginning made al those that flood against him to turne their backs after that sustaining a new charge where for a time the battell was hot and fierce but in the end he and the Admirall hauing all the enemies armie vpon them the Prince being falleÌ„ vnder his dead horse therby ensued the ouerthrow of the horsemen hauing lost about one hundreth Gentlemen and among the rest the Prince himselfe who lying vnder his horse could not bee relieued by his troupes and yeelding himselfe to Monsieur d'Argences at the report of his taking The death of the Prince of Conde and others a Gentleman of Gascon called Montesqueon Captain of the Dukes guard ran thither and discharging a Pistoll at him shot him in the head wherewith hee presently died His death bredde great sorrow among those of the religion and much ioy to diuers that loued him not namely to the king the Queen the Duke of Aniou and all the house of of Guise specially the Cardinall of Lorraine who the next day after the news was brought vnto the king as then beeing at Metz touching the battell wherin the Catholicques had lost two hundreth Gentlemen among the which were diuers Lords and men of name comming to salute the king after the maner of Courtiers smiling said vnto him your Grace as I suppose is now better disposed then you were the other day beeing eased of much corrupt blood In that manner iested hee who vpon the bodies of the Princes of the blood and the Nobilitie of France placed the foundation of the rule and gouernment which his familie would after haue vsurped as you shall wel perceiue From Metz they sent certaine cornets that had bin taken from the Prince vnto the Pope whereat that good Pastor so much reioyced that he went a foote on procession from his Castle of Saint Ange to the temple of the holy ghost withall the Cardinals to thanke his Imagess with out flatterie this praise may wel be giuen vnto the Prince of whom we will now speake that not any man liuing in his time did euer surpasse him in courage nor courtesie He spake very wisely more by nature then art liberall and readie to all men an execellent leader in warre yet a louer of peace most firme in his religion inuincible in aduersitie but milde in prosperitie a great iester subiect to vanitie louer of women and collor but one that gaue place to reprehensions and aduises of such as hee loued and respected but by this ouerthrow wee may gather that when a matter of importance and hazard is to bee effected it ought not to bee done by halues for that either we must leaue it and not be ashamed to retire or else do it withall our forces If the Admirall and the Prince had had all their forces the Duke would not haue set vpon them also when armies lye scattered they fall into inconueniences which the sufficiencie of the best leaders cannot remedie After this battell the Duke sent to besiege Cognac and began to imbrace diuers other enterprises as if nothing had bin impossible vnto him Exployts after the battell of Brâ—ssac for that not long before certaine places in Poictou had been taken from those of the religion but Cognac stayed the course of this victorie in such sort as that after the Duke had lost the boldest of his footemen in that siege hee thought to get as much by intelligence against Saint Iohn d'Angely where dooing nothing hee summoned Angoulesme that made him no other aunswere but with threatnings to send him away with losse and shame
May. Second parley of peace I said before that the first aunswere made by the king to Messieur de Teligny de Beauuais and la Nocle Deputies for the Princes to parley of a peace at Anger 's was such that after it the warre was rather increased then diminished For those of the religion perceiuing that they sought onely to ouerthrow and destroy them determined to proceed and to make of necessitie a vertue And as time breedeth changes those that happened were to their aduantages in such sort that their courages were increased and their hopes fortified The king the Queen and their Councell perceiuing that since the losse receiued before Saint Iohn d'Angely they found themselues new to beginne determined to beginne a parley of peace wherein for their part Biron was imployed with charge as like wise Teligny Deputie for the Princes to say vnto the Admirall that the king and the Queen his mother desired more then euer they did to receiue him into their fauours with many such like words whereof the effects may well bee seen in the discourse of the yeare 1572. The king was greeued that the continuance of warre bereaued him of his pleasures ouerthrew the loue and obedience due vnto him fouraged his countrie diminished his treasures and consumed his forces His wicked Councellours ceased not to kindle in his heart the fier of rancor and desire of reuenge against the Admirall his associates and all those of the religion because of the iourney of Meaux in the beginning of the second troubles and of so many resistances as they had made The Queen his mother was much offended because that from the beginning of the first troubles it was discouered that her intents were to rule and to cause the one part to spoyle the other Her chiefe obiect beeing wholly against those of the religion specially against the Admirall and other commaunders There was too much paine and daunger to bring them to her bow by dint of sword murtherers and impoysoners durst hardly approach the Princes applyed themselues to the time and from their youths beganne to know the friends and enemies of rest and quietnesse of France On the other side the Queen of Nauarre and the Admirall as also diuers great Lords of their part affected to the good of the Common-wealth and foreseeing that the ingrafted enemies thereof desired nothing but the weakning of the same by the meanes of ciuill warres there to erect their practises and to open the way to their ambitious deuises desired by an assured peace to see some end of the miseries of France hoping that mens mindes being somewhat cooled good counsell would bee taken for the benefit of the Common-wealth to the vtter confusion of the secret and open enemies thereof the diuine prouidence of the almightie God and ruler of the world directeth our affaires partly according to our desires but for the most part it guideth all things in such manner that calling to mind that which past after vntill the death of the Duke of Aniou which was Henry the third wee cannot marke nor say otherwise but that the iudgements of God are vnsearchable and that his waies are impossible to bee found out To returne vnto the Princes they were constrained after the battell of Of the great voyage made by the Princes after thâ—ir tourney of Moncontour vntill the peace Moncontour to keepe themselues farre from the Dukes armie to assure their troupes to stay their enemies about townes and so to consume them while they strengthened themselues and became busier then before thereby to constraine those that tooke so much pleasure in war to seeke for peace This counsel was good because of the improuidence of the Romish Catholicks who without resistance suffering this smal snowball to retire in time it became as great as a house for that the authoritie of the Princes drew and moued many people The Admiral by his prouidence surmounted the occurrent difficulties and the Rutters to the number of three thousand horse for the field gaue reputation to the armie They indured much vntill they entered into Gascon where they strengthened themselues with Harquebusiers beeing most necessarie for them specially to defend the horsemen nightly surprises much vsed in that countrie because of the nearenesse of Townes and Castles They were mingled among the Cornets of Rutters and other French troupes in such sort that both plaine countries and couert they were alwaies ready to defend theÌ„ Staying of the Princes Armie The longest way that this demy armie made was towards Agenois and Quercy where it stayed almost all the winter and by the good entertainment it receiued there both great and little spedde wel In this voyage the Princes abandoned the enemies countrie for a pray vnto their souldiers and whosoeuer would hazard wanted no meanes those Prouinces were so abundant Monluc went about to hinder their passage ouer Garonne but the diligence of la Loue that ledde the Princes light-horse hauing taken those places that serued for resistance forced him in all haste to retire to Agen so that in the moneth of December 1599. all the armie passed ouer Garonne at Saint Maries port without impeachmeÌ„t at the second time for at the first Monluc had broken their bridge The twentieth of the same moneth Captaine Piles ioyned with the Princes armie and hauing obtained three Cornets made them flye that followed him so neare La Loue and his Argolitiers made diuers courses and picorees into Agenois and the countries thereabout The first forces that ioyned with the Princes were those of the Countie Montgommery comming from Bearn and it is not to bee doubted if he were welcommed at his returne The two and twentieth of December Bole a strong Towne was taken that done Exployts of this armie in their voyage that armie went to lye at the Bastille Saint Surin two leagues from Thoulouse The next day and others ensuing beganne a manner of war most violent by reason of the burnings that were permitted to be made about that great Towne onely vpon the houses of Presidents and Councellours of the parliament it beeing alleaged that they had been most earnest and as it were inraged to burne and massacre those of the religion beheaded Captaine Rapin that brought them the Edict of peace from the king and committed diuers insolencies oppressions for the which as then it was requisite to punish them for that omitting that occasion it would possible not be found againe The Marshall d'Anuille Gouernour of Languedoc la Valette and diuers others of account were within Thoulouse accompanied with fiue hundreth Gentlemen and 9000. harquebusiers as well straungers as of the countrie wherewith they made many sallies with diuers effects yet neuer went farre from their walles for fear of some surprise after Thoulouse had receiued those small checkes the armie went towards Carmaine Thoulouse checked a small towne which was forced and such as resisted put to the sword The like was done to those
certain charme vsed against the life of the king Althogh la Mole sustained the cōtrarie vntil the last point of his death affirmed it to be made only to continue him in the loue of that Gentlewoman whom he ment to marrie The king vsed all the meanes hee could to surmount and ouercome his sicknesse and as his yeares gaue him assayed diuers times to shewe his courage but all in vaine After the departure of the king of Polonia they perceiued him to bee more changed in minde then in bodie If he had liued longer it is without all doubt that the Councellours of the massacre had receiued their reward from him his heart was so much mooued against them so that he could not chuse but vtter his mind therin to some about him in the Court whom hee knew to bee vtter enemies to such iniustice and thereof wrote letters out of the Realme So that to conclude hee was determined to haue made some stirring among them vntill that finding himselfe to bee seized vppon and that hee had not the meanes as then to execute any thing beeing inuironed by men that helde him as it were bound both hand and foote his seruants slaine disgraced or banished from him wherein in time he thought to take order that might procure an ouerture to his haughtie desires not once thinking vntill hee was so weake that hee had beene so neare his death His letters to the Gouernors of Prouinces In the end of March hee wrote vnto the Gouernours of the Prouinces saying that seeing the discontentment of his subiects and the common cause of the religion produced so many troubles within his Realme hee desired them to vse peaceable meanes with those of the religion declaring that hee would not that any wrong should be done vnto them nor other dealing vsed towards them in their affaires then the other Catholicque subiects of his Realme hee commaunded that those of the religion should bee safegarded by those of the Romish Church to assure defend them from the violence that was to be done against them where any such should bee enterprised hee commaunded all his Officers to vse the speediest and readiest iustice that might bee willing them to looke vnto it calling God to witnesse that his onely intent was to see all his subiects liue in peace Hee likewise desired the same Gouernours to prouide that their companies should not in any sort bee chargeable to their subiects but should paye according to the order therein taken by the same letter also shewing that hee had been sicke of a quarterne ague hee was as then somewhat recouered so that the reports spred abroad of his death were wholy vntrueths The fourth of May hee aduertised the said Gouernors of the imprisonment of the two Marshals that were accused of conspiracie against his person and the estate inioyning them to ouerrunne all those that were vppe in armes to put them to the sword but the poore Prince as then was neither respected of friends nor enemies Euery day he receiued packets of new commotions that bredde nothing but discommodities wherein a firme peace and faithfull maintenance of those of the religion in the exercise thereof and in that which they had desired for the conseruations of their persons goods dignities rights and priuiledges had beene the onely remedie which his mother and her Councellours abhorred Hee perceiued the beginnings of new troubles in the captiuitie of his brother and his brother in law and the two Marshals as also in the exile of the Prince of Conde and of diuers great Lords his subiects armed one against the other and to bee short the fire of diuision kindled more then euer it was Wherevpon ouercome with the euill that raigned in his bodie and with so many horrible tempests in his brains he was forced to keepe his bed and yeelde to his disease For the space of certaine daies hee stroue and struggeled against nature not yeelding therevnto by extreame force The nine and twentieth of May letters were written in his name to the Gouernours of Prouinces to whom hee sent word that during his sicknesse if he chanced to die vntil the comming of the king of Polonia his brother successor they should obey the Queene his mother Letters in fauour of his mother whatsoeuer shee would commaund shewing that his bretheren the Duke of Alencon and the king of Nauarre had promised him to do the like in her behalfe in the two last weekes of his sicknesse hee lost much of his blood that issued out of many places of his bodie and once rowlde himselfe therein falling downe by weaknesse many times naming diuers Lords whom he particular hated and that till then had kept themselues out of his hands The thirtieth of May which was the day of his death the Queene-mother perceiuing that the simple letters made the day before The day of his death what passed as then specially touching the regency touching the charge to her committed sufficed not to strengthen her authoritie during the absence of the king of Polonia whom shee feared could not so soone returne againe into France determined for his sure establishment to cause her selfe to bee declared Regent in the absence of the king to come and to cause letters pattents thereof to bee sealed by the Chancellour Birague who with the seales was wholly at her commaundement which was as much as to ouerthrow subuert the fundamentall lawes of the Realme to abolish the right of the first Prince of the blood to lessen the authoritie of the estates generall to rule the Parliaments and to raigne in straunge manner ouer France Neuerthelesse the better to binde the hands of the two first Princes of the blood and the two Marshals whom shee held prisoners to beate her enemies to extirminate the Countie de Montgommerie kept prisoner against faith and promise made to sowe new diuisions in the estate and so to maintaine her selfe in those confusions without foreseeing the great disorders whereof shee should bee cause by that meanes giuing libertie to those that in the ende would bee her ouerthrowe as heereafter you shall heare her ambition blinded her eyes shee entered into the kings chamber with Birague by whom shee caused to bee shewed vnto him that seeing his sickenesse hindered him from dealing in the affaires that required his presence it should be good to giue the regencie of the Realme vnto the Queen his mother and commaunded that letters pattents to the same end should be giuen vnto her The king that was at his last houre by their aduise caused the Secretaries and Captaines of his guards to bee called in to whom hee saide Doo all that which the Queene my mother shall commaund you and obey her as my selfe The Duke of Alencon and the King of Nauarre were likewise called that they might knowe that the Regencie was committed to the Queene-mother and were expresly named in the letters that were presently dispatched for the same purpose
receiue her Cittizens for his true faithfull and naturall subiects and not to put any difference between them and others vnlesse it were in this poynt to haue in remembrance that they were the first who without constraint acknowledged him for their king and by their example haue gotten vnto him the best part of his flowrishing Scepter Behold the iust reasons and causes of this so suddaine change if the obedience which the subiect draweth from the yoake of strangers to yeeld it vnto his owne superior may be called a change And the more commendable it wil be in so much as that the seruice of the king is not contrarie to the commandement of God that religion remaineth firme within her franchises shining in her glorie inuiolable vnexpugnable in her forces As long as the wars were wholly for religion they contributed whatsoeuer they had but when they once perceiued that the holy conuersion of the king made this war no more war against religion but onely against the estate they could not longer delay nor withdraw out of their mindes the feare and reuerence they owe to the true image of God which is the king beleeuing certainly that those beare armes and fight against God that rebel against a most Catholicke and Christian Prince In this so great disorder great wisedome good order hath bin seene for that the most aduised and best experienced concerning matters of estate iudged this quotidian feuer could by no meanes bee healed but by some strong and violent remedie But by the prouidence of God the disease that in mans iudgement seemed incurable hath been healed without shedding one drop of blood by the constant and firm resolution of those that rather desire to die then not to see themselues franchised from this gouernment which is contrarie to the royall estate and losed from the middle of so many protections which how holy or iust soeuer they be are altogither dangerous and the best title they can bear is of no value To be short this towne which hath alwaies made shew of pure religion towards God and fidelitie to her Prince hath well shewed that the flower de luce which for the space of so many hundreth yeares had been grauen in her heart could not be pulled away but by cleauing and renting in peeces the hearts of all her Cittizens that she could not brooke nor once indure such Frenchmen as are transubstantiated into Spanish minds that gape onely to see this Scepter broken this crowne in peeces that they might gather the remnants and plucke off the flowers Thus much I thought good to speake before I enter into the Historie THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF the last troubles of France vnder the raignes of Henry the third and Henry the fourth now liuing M.D.LXXIIII I Am not abashed if such as at randon discourse speake of our great miseries do so oftentimes run into fond opinions A Historie ought to be without passion because that to get out of so great a laborinth they followe not the right way of the trueth but rather taking the crosse-path of their own passions they leaue the high-way and approache the ditches Their writings are of blacke and thicke cloudes which neuer appeare without some thunder of euill reports iniuries and slaunders Tables representing nothing but infamous pictures of Monsters and Arches of imperfections And when they enter into the deepe consideration of the Authors of our euilles they throwe the fault and mischiefes of these deuisions sometimes vppon one and some times vppon an other their opinions beeing furred onely with the drugges of hated or of zeale which transporteth their mindes Such people that like serpents nourish themselues by poyson The causes of the troubles of France imputed to diuers things and that are better pleased with the darke Eclipses then with the bright shining beams of the Sun and do more reioyce to shewe some execrable action then to speake of any memorable and woorthiething haue in this season raised most straunge mutinies mooued the people armed the greatest cowards with their seditious writings troden the Maiestie and reuerence of Princes vnder foote bannished modestie in her place established insolencie despigh and confusion Therefore to make knowne Against such as say that the King of France and Nauarre are the causes of the troubles through all the parts of the world the beautie excellency and woonders of the royall actions of their liues to drawe so many Princes and great and valiant Captaines out of the circle wherein by these diuisions they are compassed to shewe the Maiestie of our King to bee farre distant from the many vnworthy slaunders of those that affirme and accuse him to bee the onely motion of our countries troubles to declare in this discourse the royall vertues that shine through the thicknesse and obscurities of impietie and rebellion and to disswade mens mindes from so many false perswations I haue drawne out of the most staied and certaine opinions the truth concerning the beginning and proceedings of the last troubles that haue vexed this Realme by the renewing of seuen most cruel bloodie warres a Frāce hath indured seuē warres and hath seene 6. Edicts of pacification God grant that the 7. peace may be the last and the end of ciuil miseries The peace for forraigne warres was made in Ann. 1559. There is no opinion that is deeper with in the hearts of men then the opinion of religion by the hazard of so many battailes the ruin of so many people the taking and spoyling of so many townes and the death of so many Princes that the only remembrance taketh away my sences stoppeth my speeche and maketh my pen to stay◠therefore to begin this matter and to voyde the spindle we must first finde the ende of the third and by the ende of forraigne warres weaue this cloath of ciuill Commotions All war is cruell and endeth with more difficultie then it is taken in hand but those diuisions that happen in any estate touching the point that ought to knit and vnite the spirits of men are more bloodie their beginnings more terrible and their endes more dangerous and the more the pretences are large and faire the more men enter into the sustaining and defending of them for there is nothing that doth mooue them more then the defence of their religion nor any thing that doth more animate nor sooner put them in obliuion of the consideration of respect dutie and obedience then the quarrell concerning the saluation of their soules and the manner of the seruice they ought to minister vnto God euery man esteeming that religion he followeth to bee the true and purest manner of woorshipping condemning and reiecting all that which is not conformable vnto it n = b The Oracle of Apollo gaue answer to the Troiāt that their towne should neuer be takē as lōg as they kept that image of Pallars This is the Paladium of Troy our rest and welfare
mother and his bretheren But the freedome of the Ministers being impatient to staye the resolution of a Councell made them to preach openly whereby they so much tempted and altered mens consciences that suddainly the ceremonies traditions of the Church were abated and the temples seased vpon destroyed And the Constable beeing descended of the first Barron and first Christian in France opposed himselfe against this diuersitie of religion in one realm The Edict of Iuly made at S. Germains in Laye 1561. The assembly at Poissy The murther of Vassy the 1. of Mars 1562. The battaile of Dreux the 19. of Decēber 1561. The Constable was first taken then the Prince of Conde The king of Nauarre was slaine at the siege of Rouē 1562. The Duke of Guise slaine before Orleans the 24. of Febru 1563. 1. Edict of peace Anno. 1563. Reconciliatiō betweene the D. of Guise and the Admirall 1566. Counsell of the Duke of Alue The enterprise at Meaux at the feast of S. Michael 1567. The battaile of S. Denis on S. Martins euen 1567. VVhere the Constable was slaine The second Edict of peace at Lōiumeau which from the time of king Clouis had bin holden maintained in paritie and integritie vnder the ancient faith of their forefathers The Cardinal of Lorraine on the other side tooke the matter in hand and counselled the king to make an Edict against those of the religion the presumption of certain men was such that they cōsented to the disputation at Poissy wher in place of remedie we found but an increasing of our miseries After that the Edict of Ianuarie so much renoumed in all the troubles and solemnized by the Huguenots folowed the breach whereof by the means of Vassy caused both parts to fall to armes vpon the plaines of Dreux which gaue the name to that me morable battell not onely for the number of men there assembled being 1900. foot 2000. horse for the kings part 4000. horse called White-coates 6000. foot of the contrarie as for diuers other accidents that therin were marked besides the taking of two of their chiefe leaders For the Prince of Conde that imputed the first motions of his imprisonmēt of his separatiō frō the fauor and presence of K. Francis the 2. to the practises of the Duke de Guise that euening of the battell was his prisoner accepted the halfe of his auncient enemies bed that was offered vnto him a right discription of this variable world wher you see one triumphing the other captiue Among so many prosperities that inuironed the Duke of Guise by the death of the king of N. Generall of the kings armie followed by all the Catholicque Nobilitie Tutor cōductor of the king Queen-mothers whole affaires death being iealous that the Capitall citie of the realme at his arriuall had cried Viue Guise Viue Guise with as great ioy gladnes as euer they cried Viue le Roy dispatched him out of the way by Poltrots means that slew him at Orleans therby finished the first ciuill war at which time the Prince of Conde was deliuered out of prison the Constable brought the first Edict of peace By this peace France had means to breath and her subiects to liue in some assurance but the corrupted humours that caused the disease of the estate were not so wel disiested but that ther rested some remnants whereby it might be feared it would fall into a much more dangerous sicknesse which happened 3. years after whē the most troublesome alterers of estate renued the fire which although it were not vtterly quenched yet it was half cōsumed The Queen hauing performed that generall visitation of all the kings Prouinces at Moulins taken vp the quarrel between the houses of Guise Chastillon and made thē friends caused 6000. Switzers to be sent for vndera fained sear of the D. of Albes passage throgh France with whom she had conferred at Bayonne wher they concluded that to liue in peace it was best for her to fish after great Samons to leaue the frogs The Admiral perceiuing it determined rather to saue himselfe by his armes then with his legs and went so near vnto the king that he had almost taken him at Meaux and so caused him to retire to Parris being conducted by Pfiffers regiment And the Prince of Conde tooke the town of S. Dennis assieged Parris burned the milles And in fine the two armies met fought before S. Dennis wher the Protestants retired the K. had the victorie but it cost him the life of the Constable beeing one of the valiantest Captains in al Europe who hauing commanded in 7. battels died in the sight of the citie of Parris and of his king at the head of an armie victorious by his cōduction hauing cut his enemies in the cheeks that had wounded him in the face he was by a Scot shot into the raines with a Pistolle so died of the seuenth wound he had receiued in that seuenth battel being of the age of 60. and 7. yeares This death procured an other little peace cōmonly called the lined peace which continued but 6. months and made a war that The Prince of Conde slaine at Bassac the 21 of March 1569. The battaile of Montcontour the 3. of October 1569. The 3. Edict of peace An. 1570. indured for the space of 2. whole years wherein the Prince of Conde died and where the Princes of Nauarre and Conde the Dukes de Guise and Maine were Captains the one of the protestants armie vnder the conduct of the Admiral the other for the defence of Poictiers vnder Monsieur the kings brother General of his Maiesties armie whereby the battell of Moncontour happened where all the protestants footemen were slaine and the Rutters spurs were not sharp ynough to make their horses flie but Monsieur not pursuing his victorie suffered his enemies to range meet togither again who in short time were foūd strong ynough to constrain him to the wars or else to make another Edict of peace with more aduantage then the two first This peace being sworned by al those that had any publike authorite therin caused the Frenchmen to feele the sweetnesse of tranquillitie to be much different from the sharpnesse and bitternesse of ciuill diuisions Therein the king the Queen-mother his bretheren and the Princes did nothing but breath and aspire vnto contentment nothing was spoken of in France but only assurance and of remoouing their wars vnto the frontiers or within the bowelles of forrain countries and euery place was filled with marriages bankets c. But this goodly shew was put only a presaging of the torment that ensued and Saylers iudged that those great calmes would in the end cause some great tempest For presently after ensued the great and terrible day so full of blood teares and sorrow where without respect The massacre vppon Bartholomewe day Ann. 1573. so many
in disobedience to maintaine religion the easing of the people Nor better nor fairer pretence to open the eies hearts and purses of such men to enterprise warre could not be found At the same time the king had sent vnto the Princes for the restitution of the Towns which they held for the obseruation of the last edict of peace which they were to yeelde vp at the end of 6. yeares But because the king of Nauarre sent word vnto his Maiestie Prolongation of the time of the townes of assurance 1582. that the peace hauing so often been broken by surprises and open warres the termed of 6. yeares was too short a time for the execution of the Edict and abollishing of wars he agreed to the prolongation thereof Wherevpon all the Princes of the league tooke occasion to say that the king fauoured Hereticques and that he would indure heresie and considered not that those Townes were inhabited by Huguenots strong of scituation hard to be won by force When the king of Nauarre perceiued those motions and that some matter was breeding he foresawe the tempest wold light vpon him what pretence soeuer was made therevpon he besought the king to call to minde the intelligences hee had giuen him in Anno. 1576. sent expresly by a Gentleman concerning the treatie and handling of the league in Spaine and Italie that he shuld looke to the profite of the myne seeing it was discouered And perceiuing the enterprise euery day more and more to proceed he began to take care of himselfe sent the Lord of Pardillan to the Queen of England the king of Denmarke and the Princes and Electors of Almaine to renue amitie with them desiring their aydes touching the preuenting of new troubles that began to rise in France against the edict of peace to appoynt a good sum of mony to bee sent vnto some Towne in Allemaine to bee imployed for the leuying of certaine forces against the enemie In the mean time for the aduantage of the league but to the great trouble and mischiefe of all the Realme of France The death of the Duke of Alencon in Iune 1584. Monsieur the kings brother eyther by his riotousnesse in the lowe countries for greefe of the hard successe of his affaires by hazard or by Salcedas means that was executed died at Chasteau Thierry His death awakened the most drousie heads it brake all the bandes that stayed the proceedings of the league and caused it presently to roare at Chaalons Rheims Troye Dyon and Mezieres It had alreadie found credite ynough in all the other Towns specially at Parris wherein they were diswaded from the yoake of the Huguenots and the hope of the king of Nauarre to rule ouer them The first point of the loue to the king was alreadie foundred in her hart she spake not of him but with al kinde of disdaine euery day presented him with the opinions and censures of Pasquils indiscreet ieasts and libels without names wherein corrupt minds alreadie stuffed with the disorders of the Court swallowed vp the poyson of their mutinies vnder what pretence I knowe not speaking of the king as of a Sardanapalus or one that did nothing The kings deuise Manet vltime Coelo Qui dedit ante Duas vnam abstulit alcera nutat Tertia tonsoris nunc facienda manu of a Prince drowned in his pleasures and delights whom alreadie they placed like a Chilperic in a Monastrie and in stead of the third Crown which by his deuise was reserued for him in heauen they promised him one made with a raisor in a Cloyster But hee that would knowe the first conception birth and infancie of the league within Parris hee must beleeue that which Manant saith to Maheustre that speaketh like a wise man and by the propositions and answeres representeth all those that deale therein and for the first hee nameth him that was the secret Minister of the leaguers intent to make it known to three Preachers that tooke seuen or eight Coaintors with them thereby to make a small Councell which was oftentimes holtors within the Colledge of Forteret where they beganne to chuse sixe others of the most faithfull The Colledge of Forteret was the cradle of the league The sixe first confederates of the league to watch at all the sixe quarters to report what was done in those places to sowe this new graine within their heads to sound the affections of the most feruent Catholicques and to dispose them to a resolution against the king the world and death Those sixe Arch-leaguers in the beginning made a faire and great Haruest and as with the number courage increased The principall leaguers were assured that those new confederates would ingender others presently therevppon the two pillers that sustaine and vphold the Prince which are the most faithfull Archers of his Court of guard that is good will and authoritie were thrown downe hatred and despight entering into their places Of those two plagues as of a monsterous blood was conceiued and brought foorth most disloyall rebellion and the despising of the lawe and the authoritie of the Prince mixed with the euill minde which the people bare to their king his Councell and his fauourers hatched this great Erynnis and furious mischiefe in France that hath entered into all the vaines of our bodie But alasse poore people what will you do what example what commandement what iust reason mooueth or assureth you to arme your selues against your king What lawe approoueth the rebellion of the subiect against him whom God hath appoynted your king If there be any imperfection or disorder are you to correct it or can the foote ordaine a lawe for the head It is no more lawfull for you to resist against the faults or imperfections of your Gouernours then to despight God and aske him the cause of the frosts and hailes that beat spoyled your vines Stay you little snayles within your shels come not foorth you torteaux out of the cases vnder them you are assured for you shall no sooner put forth your heads nor stretche out a foote but presently be assayled lie opē to your enemies readie to receiue the first blowe that shal be giuen Assoone as the league perceiued that diuers townes had made great fires for ioy of her birth it was presented to the Pope that he might giue it his blessing auouch it for his and declare it to bee for the Catholicke Apostolike and Romish Church But Gregory the 13. desiring to shewe himselfe to bee the common father of all Christians and Pastor not dispearser of his flocke Pope Gregory would nener consent to this raising of men The answere of the Pope vnto the league considering that the raising of armes against a most Christian and Catholicque king was wholly contrarie to the doctrine of the Gospell the examples of Christ and his Apostles and the lawes of pollicie and state certified the leaguers Deputies that he
Mauarre that hee should not mooue at those actions but content himselfe with patience the people might perceiue and iudge the pretences of the league and knowe on whom to laye the blame praying him to assure himselfe of his good affection with promise that he would not forget his interest more then his owne and that he would not be vnmindfull of him as being his good brother withall discouering vnto him the iudgement hee had conceiued touching those new troubles which was in these words That hee knewe that those of the league what shewe soeuer they made pretended onely against his person and his Crowne minding to rise and become great at his costs seeking nothing else but the vtter ruine and dssipation of his estate While the flame issued out of this fornace the league made warre against the Huguenots ceasing vppon the best Townes of the Catholicques in all the realme Religion was preached in Guyenne and they went to driue it out of Picardie Marceille taken the 9. of Aprill 1585. by the league but presently againe reduced to the K. obedience the Hugnenots were in Rochel and the leaguers armie marched straight to Parris they are at Montpellier and the league set vppon Marseille which by means of the second Consull of the Towne they tooke who afterward was hanged The taking of it againe out of their hands liked the king so well that as the messenger brought him news thereof into the Hall whereas then he was leauing his companie hee went vnto them and commending their resolution esteemed them for his faithfull and good subiects in that they had hanged the leaguerer Daries saying vnto them My good friends I am cōtent to grant to your request and more if need require assuring you that my liberallitie shal neuer bee wanting to acknowledge your great fidelitie But in the mean time he tooke no order for his affaires he was on foot and the leaguer spake on horsebacke he ware the Penetentiaries sack and they armour on their backes and leauing armes which nature and necessitie presented vnto him The K. zeale to religion cause of the peace in An. 1577. hee had recourse to penne and Inke and made his declaration but in such cold manner that you would say he durst not name his enemies and seemed like a man that complained hee had been beaten but shewed not by whom hee said that both before and since his aduancement to the Crowne hee had sufficiently shewed his zeale and affection towardes the Catholicque religion whereof the onely conseruation was dearer vnto him then his own life or royall Crowne That he had been constrained to make peace when he perceiued that hee wanted meanes to continue the warres Fruits of peace to all estates specially when he knewe and well perceiued that all his Realme was wearied with their continual calamities That peace was the readie remedie to bring his subiects to one religion to establish iustice to correct abuses reforme manners comfort the Cleargie and the people reuiue the qualities and horrors of his Nobilitie in a manner imbased by those diuisions That the peace being well holden and obserued it would procure an entire and ful contentment to al estates And thereby iustice would bee in force by authoritie of the lawes The Cleargie reformed and that in all places there was no other but learned and godly Prelates The Nobilitie reconciled leauing hatred distrust and the people deliuered from the insatiable troubles of warres That diuers neuerthelesse both impudent and bolde more hypocrites then religious had taken pleasure to interpret that peace to a secret fauour and loue hee should beare vnto the Huguenots thereby to aduance them a thing which neuer once entered into his mind That the feare of troubles the might arise after his death The disputation of the Princes succession is odious while the Prince liueth was not a sufficient cause to torment trouble him in his life and as it were to condemne him not to bee any more the person that God and nature had ordained him That he neuer fauoured the succession of a king that should be to the disaduantage of the Catholicque religion that it was in a manner to constraine nature time so much to distrust the goodnesse of God as to vndertake a quarrell touching the succession of the Crowne during his life beeing healthfull and strong of bodie his Queen the flower of her age This is spokē for Monsieur de Guise that was Great-maister of France euery man in hope that God would send them issue that the Princes which complained to bee out of his fauour had receiued as great fauour and rather more then euer they deserued hauing honoured them with the greatest and most honourable offices of his Crowne which in times past were not giuē but to the Princes of the blood And in fine hauing promised to restore the Church to her splendure the Nobilitie to their contentment iustice to her authoritie and comfort to the people hee prayed coniured exhorted and commaunded all Ecclesiasticall persons Gentlemen Parliaments and Townes to separate themselues from all such meanes as might impeach the effect of so holy an intent and to leaue all leagues and assosiations vniting themselues vnder his obedience as by nature dutie and their owne welfare they were bound The king of Nauarre who to obey the king had not as yet taken armes let passe all the occasions that might excuse him thought that of all insensible creatures he should bee most insensible The king of Nauarres declaration made at Bergerac the 10. of Iune 1585. presented to the king by Monsieur de Cleremont if hee should bee so simple as not to perceiue the many slaunders raised against him and that if seeing an arme lifted vp readie to strike the king hee would not stay it and shewe the generositie of the house of Bourbon vnder the promise of his Maiestie made a declaration which he presented and sent to all christian Princes and chiefe companies of France to make them capable of his actions Wherein hee fully discouered his religion and manner of faith shewing that hee had been borne during the Schisme and permission of two religions in France that he neither could nor would leaue that wherin he had bin brought vp and instructed if by a lawfull Councell hee were not otherwise conuerted and that still then they could not hold him for an hereticque much lesse as one that had fallē from the church affirming that he had neuer bin hereticque nor contrary to his first opinion and that they thought rather to destroy then instruct him and to ouerthrow then vnite him That euery man knoweth whē he yeelded to heare Masse after Saint Bartholomewes day That both age force and feare made him consent to that which in minde he neuer thought and that assoone as hee was at libertie hee returned to the exercise of his first religion That in all the warres which hee made hee neuer
Sieurs de Laual Boulaye and others who presently after hauing receiued intelligence that Tiercelin was come from Oleron to go to Marennes and so to returne to Sainctes he went to watch him on the way very neare to the plain where certaine horsemen would haue issued out of Sainctes but they were set vppon and dispearsed by Cargrois that ledde the Argolitiers of Monsieur de Laual After this skirmish the Prince returned to Taillebourg As for Tiercelin although he knew that his enemies watched his returne hee made no account thereof trusting in the strength of his Regiment and so resolued to fight with them wheresoeuer they should assayle him and vppon the seuenteenth of Aprill he marched towards Sainctes in very good order Which the Prince vnderstanding mounted on horse bocke with his brother in lawe the Sieur de Trimouille la Boulaye Auantigny and others to the number of thirtie persons with as many Harquebusiers so made towards Tiercelin whom he found about a thousand paces from the subburbs of Sainctes where hee set vppon his reareward and slewe about thirtie or fortie of them the rest of the Regiment ranged themselues in order of battel vnder the hedges and in the high-way In that first charge the Sieur de Trimouille had his horse flain betweene his legges and without speedie succour had been in great daunger La Batarderaye Ensigne-bearer to Boulaye was there slaine Chanterelles and Captiane Nauarre wounded to death Auantigny hurt both in the hand the knee and notwithstanding the Prince perceiuing the Sieur de Lanal to bee gone to fetch his company not farre from thence and that in great haste came golloping with about fiue and thirtie horse commaunded him to set vpon the enemie where that yong Lord readier to execute the charge then the Prince to commaund leaping ouer hedges and ditches made right vppon the Colnelles Ensigne being as then guarded with a battell of pikes which he braste fighting with him that bare the Ensigne and put him with all the pikes to flight whereof there were flaine to the number of sixtie men and tooke the Ensigne with him Tiercelin beeing hurt in the arme saued himselfe with a great number of hurt men There the Sieur de Laual lost Sailli called Tanlay because the other died not long before at Saint Iohns and Rieux his two bretheren greeuously wounded one in the head the other in his groyne whereof they dyed within two daies after Cargrois was shot into the knee and the Prince himself gaue two braue charges to the horsemen of Sainctes that thought to ayde Tiercelin and put them twise in disorder bearing with him their armes and other furnitures togither with the Collonels Ensigne but it greeued him much for the mortall wounds of those two young Lords that were followed by the Sieur de Lanal their brother that died within eight daies after The armie of the Duke de Maine in Poitou The Duke de Maine minding to make his profit at other mens costes and thought by the ouerthrow of the Prince of Condes armie to spoyle the rest of the forces that were in Guyen departed from Poictiers with a faire and goodly company of men This Prince valiant and wise that hath alwaies holden his reputation by keeping promises both with his enemies and friends neuer knewe what is ment by ioyning a peece of a Fox skinne to the skinne of a Lyon not being large ynough But as there are many who not withstanding they haue contrary windes yet doo arriue in safetie at their desired port so diuers men receiue so many crosses in their enterprises that fortune neuer fauoureth neither their valour nor their vertues In times past hee had done many valiant acts in Dauphine and now hee imployed time mony and great labour to do no great matter in Guyen His armie was of fiue hundreth French horsemen eight hundreth Rutters foure hundreth Lanciers Albanois and about fiue thousand foote with diuers peeces of artillery Hee made his account to force Townes not so much by fight as by famine wherevnto the season of it selfe was sufficiently disposed which should sooner bee ouerthrowne then fought withall and sooner fought withall then assayled At his arriuall Xaintonge and Poitou trembled being as then afflicted with three poynts of Gods horrible punishments plague famine war where the souldiers found no other booties but famished rattes Hee imployed them first in the taking of Montignac Beaulieu and Gaignac small Towns and thē to the impeaching of the passage of the riuer of Garonne wher he thought to surprise the king of Nauarre and alreadie had written vnto him that hee could not shunne his nettes Saint Bazeille lying vppon the same ruier was taken by force and spoyled and Mont-segur taken by composition The Duke de Maines ficknesse at that time bredde great disorder in his campe and want of mony weakened the courages of the resolute neuerthelesse hee tooke Chastillon a place fortified by the valour of the Barron de Sauignac Gouernour thereof and after that Normand in Perigueux But their want was so great in the armie and the extremitie so much that it fluttered but with one whing And the chiefe Generall that looked for nothing but a reuolt and perceiuing that where he thought to winne in Guyen hee had lost Aussonne in Bourgongne gaue the king to vnderstand that it was more then a yeare since his souldiers were forced to march on foote alwaies fighting in the enemies countrie with men and with the ayre the difficultie of the passages the ouerflowings of riuers the coldnesse of the weather and the long raines without being once succoured neither with new forces mony nor amunition for the warres and sayde that of seuenteene hundreth and three score thousand crownes wherevnto the wages of the armie amounted vnto Read the declaration of the Duke de Maine touching his exployts in Guyenne hee had receiued but three hundreth and foure thousand Crownes From that voyage hee brought with him the daughter of Madame de Chaumont beeing of the age of twelue yeares to marry her to one of his children Behold the triumphs of the league in Guyenne in an other place I haue said something touching the king of N. voyage out of Gascongne into Poitou which requireth a larger discourse which is that in the moneth of Febr. 1000. fiue hundreth eightie sixe the Marshall de Matignon hauing besieged Chastelles the king of Mauarre accompanied with two or three hundreth Gentlemen about eighteene hundreth Harquebusiers raised the siege What the K. of Nauarre did to impeach 4. armies of the league and determined to diue within the Castle Then he made a voyage into Bearn there to take order for his affaires which done he returned towards Nerac and passing at Lanse a Towne belonging to himselfe hee had intelligence that the Duke de Maine marched forward to impeach his passage ouer Garonne Notwithstanding hee went to Nerac to fortifie the place and issuing out he marched
which should be eyther vniuersall or nationall a most soueraigne and assured remedie prooued heretofore against more pernicious herefies then these of our time whereby the bodies of Common-wealths haue bin purged of their infected blood and filled againe with good and viguerous humours Chiections against the instruction asked by the king of Nauarre Others that commaunded both the minde of the king and all the estates said that trueth once debated and determined ought not to bee brought in question againe that it was no reason that the apperite of some newters that had withdrawn themselues from the common societie of the Church to play their parts alone and to induce the madnesse of their euill timbered braines should seeke to trouble all Christendome by assembling of a Councell the resolutions whereof can bee no other then those at other times assembled trueth hauing but one face And therefore counselled his Maiestie to prouide that his successour might bee of no other religion then his owne and to assure all his Catholicques therein that feared nothing so much as the establishing of the King of Nauarre in the succession of the Crowne of France The king had promised by his Estict to take an order touching his successor but at that age wherein hee liued and in the young and lustie yeares of the Queen his wife he hoped that God would blesse him with some masculine line that might auoyde the difference of those ambitious persons And therefore hee tooke no pleasure to heare any speech of that which in his minde seduced to imbase his authoritie and to make his graue before he was dead For that assoone as a Prince hath declared who shall bee his successor his testament is made and then in his Realme he is accounted but as the sun that goeth downe euery man casting his eyes vpon him that shall succeede It was a capitall offence in Rome to seeke to knowe what should bee done after the death of the Emperour and the Emperours of Turkie cannot indure the sight of the children their successors but send them farre from the Court and neuer see them but when they are first borne or else when they are circumcised There are diuers well gouerned peaceable Monarches wherein such are punished as are ouer serious to inquire what may happen after their Kings death The Parliament holden in England 156â— The Parliament of England that solicited the Queene to nominate her successor among those houses that aspired therevnto receiued no other aunswere from her but onely that shee was of opinion that they sought to make her graue before shee was dead And to cut off such seditious curiosities she caused an Act to bee made that no man should presume to speake or dispute of the succession of her kingdome Ne quis assirmet vel existimet vel coniectet cui nam regnandi ius debeatur The death of king Francis the first 1547. The iealousie of him that is to succeed is incredible and so much distrustfull that the father cannot indure the hope of his sonne the gold of this Historie is too weake therein to place the Orientall pearles which I finde in so many notable discourses that are made concerning this last motion hee that wrote the free and excellent discourse so called rehearseth this domesticall example of our kings that the great king Francis beeing weake and sicke in his Castle of Fontainbleau about the begining of the moneth of May in the same yeare that hee died his disease increased so much that they esteemed him eyther dead or that hee would not long continue aliue Wherevppon all the Court in great haste ranne to seeke the Dauphine prince Henry who for the same iealousie of succession durst not come in his fathers presence for the space of sixe or seuen yeares before in such manner that most of all the chiefe Courtiers had left the king euery man going to worship that new son Meane time the king recouered his health and his disease beeing somewhat cured there was a Procession to bee made which is yearely obserued with great solemnitie through out the Realme of France against which time the olde King rose vp and came out of his chamber his face and haires dressed and combed not as if hee had neither beene sicke nor aged withall putting on certaine youthfull garments and in that sort was present at the processions and beeing returned he vsed this speech I will once againe put them in feare before I die And it was true for suddainly the chance turned for that assoone as the news was spred abroad that the king had recouered his health all the Courtiers by degrees repaired vnto him much abashed and in great feare and then the Dauphine for his part was left as naked without company as his father had beene before There the king shewed himselfe like a king and so hee ought to behaue himselfe like a king Non legiones non classes perinde sunt firma imperii munimina vt numerus liberorum Tacit. But to the contrary the king not onely permitted a conference touching the succession but suffered his subiects to rise vp in armes for the triall thereof and that before all the assembly there should bee a proposition put forth touching the excluding of the lawful successor Is not this as much as if they should compel him to make his testament and to striue as though hee were at the poynt of death Wherein you may beholde the extremities of the League that seeking to ouerthrow the estate would beate down the supporters with al the Princes of the blood who being aliue it is vaine for them to seem to lay hold on the tree or once to digge the myne of their pretences for neither armes nor fortresses do so well defend and maintaine an estate as the number of children of the Princes familie which is the meanes to breake a perpetuall order of succession as long as they liue choaking the ambitious hopes of such as would ouer throw and subuert it Then the League can neuer attaine vnto the end of their course nor their forces remooue the Crowne of the branches of Valois and Bourbon to the house of Vaudemont if first they procure not the degrading of all Saint Lewis race Propositions made the fourth of Nouember 1588. The king to please the inraging appetites and desires of the League consented they shuld determine of that which the greatest part of the league had alrea die resolued which was the condemnation of the king of Nauarre it was first debated among the Cleargie where by them without great resistance it was determined that this Prince should be holde for an hereticque and their leader a Relaps excommunicated depriued of the gouernment of Guyenne and of all his honors vnwoorthie of all successions of Crownes and royalties which they appoynted to be signified to the rest of the estates the Archbishop of Ambrun the Bishop of Bazas the Abbot of Citeaux and other
the king that much offended him whereby hee changed his collor into furie And after many words both ouer hardy and bold wherein hee had been instructed and counselled by Cardinall Morosin hee perceiued that all things proceeded from euill to woorse and that the things which seemed curable were become incurable The king suspected the Duke of Guise to vse these speeches either to induce him to bereaue himself of his authoritie and to giue him all soueraigne power or else to find some means of discontentment that thereby he might breake vp the Parliament and so make his Maiestie odious to his subiects wherewith hee could not so much dissemble his displeasure but that such as were present perceiued well that it would bee the meanes to open the woundes that were thought to bee healed he determined to stop the hopes and enterprises of this Duke with the price of his life and no more to indure so many insolencies and braueries of the league that esteemed it a title of honour to beare the name of Guisart and of infamie and dishonor to haue the name of a seruant to the king The death of the Duke of Guise vpon the 23. of December 1588. Vppon Fryday the three and twentieth of December hee sent for his Councell and willed them to assemble somewhat sooner then ordinarily they vsed to do because hee determined after dinner to go to Nostredame de Clery which is betweene Blois and Orleans there to keepe his Christmas The euening before hee had sent into diuers places to assure such townes as hee iudged to bee most wauering and prouided for all things necessary beeing in the middle of so many seruitors of the League and sent for certaine of the fiue and fortie to the number of seuen shewing them that hee had indured too much at the hands of the principall Ruler of the League that hee would no longer haue a Maister and that hee had determined to put the Duke of Guise to death The order of the execution beeing deuised the Cardinalles de Vandosme de Guise and de Gondy the Archbishop of Lyons the Duke of Guise the Marshalles of d'Aumont and de Rets Monsieur d'O Monsieur de Rambouillet Princes Prelates and Lords of the Councell Monsieu de Maintenon Monsieur Marcel and Monsieur de Petremolle came to sit in Councell and the king had giuen order to shut the Castle Gates assoone as they were entered There is nothing that so much iniureth the trueth of a Historie as passion which maketh mans iudgement to yeelde which way it will and causeth him to erre and to seeke to disguise the trueth Diuersitie and contrarietie in Historians There is a maruellous vncertaintie in the circumstances of this Historie wherevnto euery man giueth what shewe and colour it pleaseth him and turneth the fairest side vnto his passion so that among so many varieties of iudgement a man can hardly finde a certaine trueth Some write that as the Duke of Guises eye on that side his face where he had the scarre began to water not finding a hand-cherchef in his pocket hee desired Monsieur Otoman Treasurer of the house that stood by him to take the paines to go to the chamber-doore to see if hee could finde any of his Pages or Lacqueys and to commaund them to fetch him one and that Monsieur de l'Archan Captaine of the guard caused one to bee fetched by Saint Prix chiefe Groome of the kings chamber Others say that as the Duke of Guise stayed till all the Councell were come The Duke of Guise was in a new sute of russâ—â— hee talked with the Archbishop of Lyons who perceiuing him to be in a new suite and that somewhat thinne sayd vnto him that the indisposition of the time being colde and moyst required a warmer kinde of garment and that vppon those speeches his nose bled he was a colde hee commaunded one of the officers of the Councel-chamber to make a fire and one called Fontaine to fetch him a hand-cherchef He that wrote the recuell of the third volume concerning the league saith that the Duke of Guise before hee went out of the Councel-chamber sent a Page into his owne chamber to fetch him a cleane hand cherchef and that his Secretary in one the corners thereof tyed a small note in writing for an aduertisement vnto the Duke his Maister withall speede to leaue the Councell otherwise it would cost him his life And that the handcherchef was brought but not deliuered beeing taken from the Page togither with the note as he went vp the staires The Councell beeing set about eight of the clocke in the morning and reasoning of that which Monsieur Petremolle had proposed The Lord of Pretremolle vnderstandeth their agreements the Duke of Guise felt certaine straunge motions at his heart with diuers extraordinary passions his spirit beeing the Prophet of his euill fortune that ensued and in that distrust hee felt a weaknesse at his heart wherewith hee willed the Vsher of the Councel-chamber to go to Saint Prix to fetch him some preserued Lemons and hee sent him some prunes of Brignoles and reisons of the sunne whereof hee eate and put the rest into a cup wherein they were brought With that the King sent for him by Monsieur de Reuol one of his Secretaries and as hee went out of the Councel-chamber to enter into the kings lodging and that hee lifted vppe the Tapistrie to go in hee perceiued himselfe to bee charged both with Rapiers and Poinyards by fiue or sixe of the fiue and fortie but they could not enter so faste vpon him but that he defended himselfe till he made them driue him once about the chamber minding not to leaue his life like a coward thereby to shew the last signe of his inuincible courage that made him so much esteemed and as yet giueth an honourable memorie of him to all those that commend the valour of a valiant courage The same Collector of the proceedings of the league turneth the bias an other way with an ouer thorny and sharpe iudgement and a ballance too much vnequall setting down this action contrary to the trueth for hee reporteth it in these words saying The Duke of Guise thinking to go into the kings chamber and issuing out of the Councel chamber into the entrie that leadeth to the kings lodging redoubled his distrusts and would haue returned backe againe which neuerthelesse he did not And it had oftentimes beene tolde him that Monsieur de Longnac had enterprised to kill him in such maner that he hated him and had him in great suspition and as hee went towards the kings chamber hee perceiued Monsieur de Longnac sit vppon a trunke with his legges crossed thinking verely hee had beene there of purpose to assayle him as shewing to bee mooued with most violent distrust and deepe suspition and although the said Monsieur de Longnac mooued not the Duke of Guise notwithstanding thought to runne at him and
and of the Huguenots and to conclude so much despised all things which neuerthelesse within one moneth after hee was constrained to do that within sixe weekes hee perceiued himselfe to bee reduced onely to the Realme of Tours Blois and Baugency The fourth of January 1589. And so after the death of those two Princes of Lorraine and the imprisonment of the rest that were most suspected despising all the aduise giuen him to enter first into the field and that doing so hee should haue a great aduantage vppon his enemies hee commaunded the estates to proceede with the Parliament They presented him the billes of the three estates and againe the third time the Edict of vnion was published by Monsieur Ruze and sworne by his Maiestie with most solemne protestation to obserue and cause it to bee holden for a lawe of the Realme The king of Nauar vnderstandeth of the death of the Duke of Guise the 26. of December Lachrymas non sponte cadentes effudit genitúsque expressit pectore lato His Councell besought him to reiourne the Parliament vntill an other time but hee was so much affected to heare and determine vpon their billes that hee forgot both the care of his person and estate and would not leaue off the assembly vntill hee heard that the Duke de Maine was alreadie before the subburbes of Parris and that hee went to ayde Orleans with all those with whom hee had practised to reuenge the deathes of his two bretheren The king of Nauarre receiued the newes of this execution beeing at Saint Iohn d'Angely by two Postes expresly sent from Blois on horsebacke to certifie him thereof And he that was neuer found to be voyde of great modestie in his most haughtie enterprises nor yet without constancie in all the greatest crosses which both time and men had wrought against him bewailed not so much the death as the euill fortune of the house of Guise it is the nature of those that are most couerteous not to behold the head of their enemie but with a sad and sorrowfull eye Antigonus bewailed Pyrrus Caezar Pompey Rene duke of Lorraine Charles Duke of Brurgongne and the Earle of Montfort Charles Earle of Blois It is true that hee knewe this accident would bee a great helpe touching his iustification that thereby hee was discharged from beeing cause of the mischiefe of ciuill warres and that the king hauing iudged and found the Duke of Guise to bee most culpable touching the troubles of the estate had punished him according to his desert He said that al the world he onely excepted imagined mischief of the house of Lorraine and would bee glad to see the indignation declarations and forces of the king his Lord bent against them But for his part hee could not doo it neither yet doth it but only that of two euils he is constrained to chuse the least Yet did he not refraine to pursue his enterprise against the Towne of Niort which was in this maner The troupes that were to execute the same vnder the conduct of Mousieur de S. Gelais giuing foorth that they went for Congnac by night marched within halfe a myle of the towne the lathers and other warrelike amunitions passing about a bowe-shot from the walles and because the moone shined very bright they were forced to stay till it was downe least the assaylants should be discouered who in the meane time slept vppon the Ice wearied with long trauell and troublesome way The taking of Niort The execution being followed in conuenient time Messieurs de Ranques Valiers Gentil hauing founded the ditches caused their lathers to be broght other instruments Wherein valour consisteth neare vnto the gate which they ment to assayle I would desire such as shall read this poynt to consider and note that notable enterprises are not executed without good order and discretion and that the honour of armes consisteth not in strength wherein many beasts haue great aduantage ouer vs nor in that kinde of furious assault which is more naturall to beastes then men neither yet in the hearts of the Actors which go where blinde conductions leadeth them but in the good order and pollicie established by the Leaders The approaching of those that bare the lathers was not so secretly done but that the Sentinel heard some noyse and presently cried Quivala Whereat if the assaylant had either beene fearefull or troubled the enterprise had bin discouered and so haue lost their labours But they stayed and stood so quietly that the Sentinell himselfe answered to the Corporall and saide I heard a noyse but I perceiue it is nothing and vppon that the lathers beeing artificially made to ioyne togither were raised against the walles about sixe and thirtie or fortie foote high Scaling Lathers set vp Galeati lepores Liuius 28. By this escalado the Sentinell was surprised and throwne ouer the wall and then the Court of guard wherein they found but seuen or eight poore artificers for that commonly within Townes the rich do watch by the eyes of the poore that saued themselues because they should make no noyse And although it had been determined to let as many of their men mount vp by lathers as possibly they might it chanced neuerthelesse that one of the small number that had entered perceiuing himselfe in some perill cried vnto the engenier and thought to spoyle all their enterprise for that crie made an alarme among all the Inhabitants and serued to the engeniers for a watch-word to play with their Ensignes being before the Rauelin which made an ouerture of the gate and at that instant the Engin wrought against the bridge of the Towne which brake but two plankes of the bridge and so the gate opened in two parts the entrie of the bridge was very straight where one man alone could hardly get in and yet hee must descend by one of the lathers into the ditch and then with the same lather go vp to the entrie of the bridge two men well armed had beene sufficient to haue kept it against them all In the end by meanes of that entrie and by their escalado the first that entered were Messieures de S. Gelais de Rambures and de Parabieries who with their companies met hard by the Towne-house where they beganne to crie Viue Nauarre and there among the people being in feare surprised and abashed they found so small resistance that in lesse then three or foure houres the assaylants entered vanquished became Maisters of the towne being put to the spoyle and yet without murther violence or iniurie done vnto the Cleargie that were not once touched the king of Mauarres intent beeing not to constraine them in their religion Hee receiued the newes of this surprise at S. Iohn d'Angely whereas then he remained the gouernment whereof he committed vnto Monsieur de S. Gelais Monsieur de Parabieres commaunded in the Castle wherein hee found fiue peeces for batterie and two long coluerins
deuise new subsidies and receipts of mony but vpon whom vpon a poore countrieman robbed and naked and turned into his shirt for so wee may terme the people of France And after this Orator had shewed that there rested no surer nor better remedie against those disorders then to require an account of those who by the oppression and impouerishing of the subiectse haue heaped vp so much riches then to free himselfe from the practises and false perswations of certaine euill Councellours religiously to execute and violably to obserue his ordinances and not to content himselfe only to see them published and imprinted without causing them to bee practised by a prompt and continuall exercise hee concludeth his learned and long Oration by demaunding the conclusion of the estates saying Sorrow for the death of the Queene mother ANd therefore most noble Prince we humbly beseech you that the eie of your prudencie may alwaies be open for the defence of your poore people and the vnburthening and comfort thereof and that your good resolutions may in no sort be altered nor changed Wee hoped that by a long life the Queene your most wise and most honourable Ladie and mother should therein haue been a great furtherance vnto vs by the proofe and experience that France hath had of her so good and profitable Councels but seeing her daies are finished and that her dignitie of a Queene and Princesse graunted her not the priuiledge to prolong her yeares neither yet to promise her further respite the will and pleasure of God with the necessitie of a tombe must serue you for a consolation and patience and hope that her happie soule will make prayers in heauen that shall be more certaine and profitable vnto your Maiestie and the estate then all the counsels in the world In the meane time we will haue our recourse vnto the fauour and good will of the Queen your most deare spouse in whom your subiects haue beholden so much shining light of deuotion pietie and christian vertues that they expect by her meanes the comfort by them hoped for with a confirmation of your good and iust intents ayded and assisted by those of the Catholicque Princes of your blood The rest dependeth partly vppon your chiefe Iustice and the Keeper of your Seales who beeing chosen for his deserts and by the certaine report of his integritie wee hope will not permit that such ordinances which are made within his time should bee violated and broken as it were at the same instant Which dooing wee will no more lament the holy raignes of auncient kings wee shall not neede to speake of the iustice of Charles the great Saint Lewis nor Philip Augustus much lesse will wee make account of the fatherly affection of king Lewis the twelfth Our bookes shall onely bee filled with your wisedome iustice clemencie and loue the heauens shall open to place vppon your heade a Crowne of great prosperite God will giue you the grace to see your posteritie which in valour shall cause the name of Valois to increase a name the onely continuation whereof will procure the welfare and honour of France Further the sweetenesse of so happie a season and the enioying of the fruits by vs hoped for and expected to proceed from the conclusion of this Parliament will confirme vs in the seruice that wee owe vnto your Maiestie the which by vs is newly assured by a solemne oath made in open assembly of all the estates and registred for a perpetuall lawe in all fidelitie to loue honour and obey your Maiestie And because that time representeth it selfe wherein wee may make proofe of the effects of our good wils and that otherwise the want of means commandeth diuers of vs with speede to depart from hence I am expresly charged to beseech your Maiestie to graunt vs leaue to the ende that beeing in our Prouinces some of vs will bee messengers of your most holy and laudable inspirations others by the authoritie of Magistracie which they beare may there cause you to bee obeyed and that all of vs togither with mutuall minds and certain concord may withdraw ourselues out of a common perill and yeeld you certaine testimonie that we are and will continue most faithfull most humble and most obedient subiects vntill the last gaspe of our liues The king who for the space of fifteene daies had been solitarie without resoluing vpon the billes by the three estates presented vnto him perceiuing that the estates could not attend nor stay the full conclusion thereof without great discōmoditie touching their own affairs that they besoght him to haue licence to depart hee vsed certaine perswasions rather then commaundements to stay them for a time vntill their billes should be fully aunswered or at the least a certaine number of each Order to bee there at the publication of his aunsweres and ordinances All the Deputies that were aduertised of the risings that beganne to bee made within their Prouinces and that vpon a suddaine all the Townes disposed themselues to dance after Paris besought him to depart The king not desiring to hold thē against their wils caused a publication to be made of certaine articles touching some of the principall poynts of the billes put vp in partliament which were the rebating of the fourth part of the balages foreseeing very well that in so great a raising of armes his poore people would bee so extreamely oppressed that they could not paye all A dissolution of the estates the 16. of Ianuary 1589. Attempts of the League against the king And thus the estates being dissolued a declaration was sent vnto all the Prouinces to assure them of his Maiesties good intention The nineteenth of Ianuarie there was published at Paris and in other places a declaration from the Princes Catholicque Townes and Communalties vnited togither with the three estates of the Realme for preseruation of religion and the peoples libertie to whom they promised a discharge from a fourth part of the taxes and of their fruites and increase although hee one night well ynough said that the people of France had suffered greater extortion vnder the league in three yeares then before they had done during the space of three ciuill warres and vnder the raigne of the three last Kings Further the thirtieth of the same moneth the Presidents Princes Peeres of France Prelates Maisters of requests Councellours Aduocates and Procurors generall Registers Porters Notaries Solicitors and Procurours of the Court of Parliament to the number of three hundreth and sixe and twentie made a newe oath of vnion signed by each of them in particular some of them hauing thereto set their blood instead of Inke the purpose and end whereof was to persecute the king by all meanes possible without respect had to his dignitie or any other consideration for the execution of Blois The decree of Sorbonne before made was also published importing that the people of France were freed and absolued from the oath of fidelitie
oppose themselues by all means against the said Henry and in case they should resist him vnto death if it might be called martyrdome The seuenth of May in the third generall Congregation made for the decission of these articles in the great hal of the Colledge of Sorbonne all the Doctors of that facultie in generall and each one in particular which were by oath called to this Councell concluded and resolued with one accord vpon this that followeth It is by the right of Ecclesiasticall lawes forbidden and prohibited that Catholicques should receiue an hereticque for their king or a fauourer of heresie and a notorious enemie of the Church and more straightly forbidden to receiue one that was fallen away and excommunicated from the holy mother Church That if it came to passe that any one defamed with these faults had obtained by exterior iudgement absolution of these crimes that hee rested notwithstanding in an euident daunger of dissimulation and perfidiousnesse and the vtter ruine and subuersion of the Catholicque religion and the same partie ought neuerthelesse to be excluded and banished the realme by right of the same law And whosoeuer should bring againe such a person into the realme and either ayde or fauour or otherwise permit that hee should come againe If he might hinder it and beeing bound to do it according to his charge that person should doo open iniurie to the sacred cannon of the lawes and therevpon hee might bee iustly suspected of heresie and reputed a pernicious person both to the religion and Romaine Church and for this cause they might and ought to proceed against him without respect either of degree or preheminence And for as much as Henry of Bourbon is an hereticque and a fauorour of heresie a notorious enemie to the Church fallen away from the Romaine faith namely excoÌ„municate by our holy father and that there would be euident danger of dessimulation and parfidiousnesse and ruine of the Catholicque religion If hee should obtaine outwardly his absolution the Frenchmen are in conscience bound to hinder him to the vttermost of their power from comming to the gouernment of that most christian Realm and not to make any condition of peace with him notwithstanding his foresaide absolution Although euery other lawfull successour of the Crowne should surrender vp his right and all those that fauour him doo offer iniurie to the holy cannons are suspected of heresie pernicious to the Church and as such ought to bee diligently reprehended and punished And like as they which giue ayde or shew fauour in any manner whatsoeuer to the said Henry pretending title to the Realme are disturbers of religion and dwell continually in deadly sinne so likewise those that with all their might doo oppose themselues against him mooued therevnto by a religious zeale doth vndoubtedly merite great praise both of God and men And as wee may rightly iudge of those which by their false opinions established the kingdome of Sathan to haue eternall paine prepared for them in hell so may it bee saide with reason that those here mentioned shall bee rewarded in heauen with eternall glorie that persist euen vnto death against him and as defendors of the faith shal they beare in their hands palmes of martyrdome The Sorbonists cast oyle into the fire of sedition the chiefe of the leaguers being aiders thereunto Now although before this diuision the Parisians were of full opinion to keepe the gates shut against the King yet afterward they became far more obstinate and at the beginning assayed by often issuing foorth to indomage the kings troupes who contented themselues onely to repulse them hoping that the extream want of victuals which they perceiued to grow euery day greater then other would at length constraine them to repent their follie But oner and aboue the deceits before mentioned they were helde in hand with other subtilties for the chiefe of the leaguers hauing purposely set spies in euerie place to marke the countenance speeches of such as they held in suspition that is to say such persons as longed after peace shewing by their words that the flower deluce and the true Princes of France were not expelled out of their hearts So soone then as any one durst but speake of peace accord or communication of agreement without forme or figure of law they were presently killed in the place or drawne foorth and then throwne into the riuer there were aboue twentie seuerall persons thus vsed onely for saying that it were good and necessarie to make peace with the enemie On the other side the Duke de Maine being in the Duke of Parmas Court writ diuers letters to the borderers of Picardie that shortly they should see a puissant armie sent for the deliuerance of Paris Afterward the Duke de Nemours beeing the Popes Legat the Ambassadour of Spaine the Bishoppe of Vaine remedies sought by the Popish Câ—â—â—rgie Paris the Archbishop of Lyons the Bishop of Plaisance those of Renes Senlis and others Panigarole the Bishop d'Aost Bellermin and Tycens lesuites with many more of the Romaine Clargie caused solemne processions to be made double fastings brotherhoods visiâ—ations of Temples vowes and supplications and all to entertaine and hold the people in a vaine hope of deliuerance Likewise many Doctors Priests Curates and Friers girt weapons to their sides and made shews abroad with many fond ceremonies which caused the people both to laugh and weepe They trauelled without ceasing to the walles trenches and rampiers of the Towne The Iesuites and other Monkes being well stored with munition of victuals in their Colledges and Couents kept watch according to their turne The Ladies of Nemours of Maine of Guise of Montpensier and others solicited the people on their side with strong perswasions rather to perish by the famine then to speake or seek for agreement with the king But the famine grewe great for the Leaguers Captains hauing imbarqued their people and passengers without bisket they had no meanes for the space of three or foure months but to stay for the Spanish succours to bee assistant to the Parisians All their prouision of wheat and other graine which was broght in for publicke reliefe was spent consumed in the first three weekes of the siege Famin made war against the Parisians Those which had any reuertion left in their houses did most closely lay it vp in secret places from being found The others which put their confidence in the speeches of the chiefe Leaguers and seditious Preachers soone perished or indured infinite sorrowes The king kept them closed in on euery side beeing Maister of Mant Poissy Corbeil Melun and Montereau holding the riuer of Sein by that meanes shut vp both aboue and below Laigni and the fort of Gournay kept also the riuer of Marn stop from them Cempiegne Creil Beaumont other of the kings holds stopt the passage of the riuer of Oise So that al prouision that shuld come by water to the Parisians was
hereby preuented being also depriued of the plain of the Isle of France by the taking in of S. Dennis Now vpon intelligence giuen to the Duke de Maine that the extreame want of victualles would constraine Parris verie shortly to yeelde vnto the king answered that the taking thereof should bee very preiudiciall vnto him who would scatter his armie by that conquest in such sort that soone after the league should make a good match thereof But the kings minde or intent was not to possesse Parris in such sort as his enemies imagined For although the same were in a manner vnpossible by reason of the smal number of his people yet would he not see and behold much lesse procure the ruine of his chiefe and capitall Cittie although that many therein especially the chiefest deserued for their offences most greeuous punishment Hee tooke much pittie on the great number of people misled by euill counsell and hoped that their afflictions would giue them warning that if the Dukes of Maine of Parma comming to their succors would hazard themselues to a battell their discomfiture would constraine the besieged to acknowledge it But the miserie of the Parisians was so great that some of them were inforest to yeelde the other would rather indure an hundreth deathes by famine So that within twelue or fifteene weekes there was an extreame desolation among them They eate vp both their mooueables and their mony The souldiers had license to bee so bold that they broke vp their walles and defiled the chastitie of many families The principal men of the League rose vp and tooke to themselues the relicques of their Churches The anucient Iuels and the Crownes of the kings of France were put in the font Those householders which were rich were subtilly spoyled the subburbes ruined the Cittie become full of sorrow and need the rents of the chamber of the Cittie lay dead the lands all about vntilled and desolate An hundreth thousand persons died with hunger with nakednesse with pouertie in the streetes and in the Hospitals without all mercie or reliefe in the space of three moneths The Vniuersitie was conuerted to a desart place wherevnto all the Pesants resorted for lodging and the Cloisters of the Colledges were conuerted into stables for beasts VVithin the great hall of the Pallace there was none found but Leaguers and forgers of newes In the streetes grasse did growe plenteously and the shoppes for the most part were shut in continually In stead of Chariots and Coches appeared on the one side certaine troupes of men of warre who were more imployed to fight with hunger then with any other enemie on the other side an horrible desolation The besieged could by no meanes come by victuall but through the mercie of the Kings Garrisons which hee had set within Saint Dennis in the Fort of Gourney at Cheureuse and at Corbel The most part of the furie of this famine fell vpon the third estate as for the Cleargie who for the most part were well prouided they preached nothing but patience And the Prelates before mentioned vttered still vilde things against the king and his followers and in all their sermons assured the poore famished people that the Spanish succours would come very speedily On the one side those whom they called the sixteene on the other the fortie with the factious sort that wore long gownes wrought in the wheel The Parliament which continued as it were slaues both to the Spaniard to the Guise published an Edict the fifteenth day of Iune wherin it was prohibited vnto all of what estate quallitie dignitie and condition so euer they were not to speake of any composition with Henry of Bourbon on paine of death but thereby were inioyned to oppose themselues against him by all the meanes they might and not to spare any practise whatsoeuer ye◠though it were to the very spilling of their heart bloods Moreouer this court ordained that all the Inhabitants of the Towne should bee obedient to the Duke of Nemours Gouernour of the I le of France in all things which they should bee commaunded to do on his behalfe and that this Edict should bee read and published throughout all the streets and lanes of Parris to the end that more should pretend cause of ignorance But the people who could not liue by paper nor the windie promises of the Duke de Maine and his Preachers after they had eaten dogges and cats horses asses mules hearbes rootes and all that they could imagine to get in their necessitie came in a shole to the Pallace requiring peace of the councell there assembled where they made among them a certaine tumult but the Captaines who were before aduertised of their comming at last appeased The Parifiās desire peace and cannot obtaine it them the people beeing content by the meanes of certaine small comforts for the space of nine or tenne daies but in the end there assembled to the same place a greater troupe of people then before euery one prouided with weapons boldly demaunding that they might either haue peace or bread Then a certaine Captaine of Parris named le Glois ranne foorth vnto them to send them away with faire words but it is to bee remembred that famished bellies haue no eares VVherevpon they required him in the field with his own Oration where hee was so beaten that within a small time after hee departed the world The Cheualier d'Aumalle beeing followed by his adherents went among the multitude causing all the gates of the Pallace to bee shut and imprisoned a great number of them of whome there were some afterward hanged The chiefe of the leaguers perceiuing that in the end the discontented multitude would worke their confusion if in time they did not preuent them The chiefe of the league seeketh to de ceiue both the king and the people assembled themselues togither with the principall of their Towne and after many writings notwithstanding the diuision of the Sorbonnists and the act made in the Leaguers Parliament were resolued that the Bishoppe of Parris and the Archbishop of Lyon should go to seeke out the king to conferre vpon means of pacification This was done in the beginning of August but before they departed they would haue leaue of the Legate to the end they might not be excommunicated by the Pope Before they had obtained it the Legat made a consultation with Panigarde Bellermin and Terius Rector to the Iesuites comprised in these articles that is to say If the Parisians did runne into excommunication being constrained by famine to yeelde themselues to an hereticall Prince If the Deputies going to such a Prince to seeke his conuersion or to better the condition of the Catholicque Church were comprised in the excommunication of the bull of Pope Sixtus the fift The Doctors answered to these articles no. Deputies of the leaguers sent to the King and his aunswere Then went the Deputies to seeke the king at Saint Anthonies in the
indeuours and by practises at Rome to ouerthrow indomage and make the D. of Neuers voyage for the king vnprofitable whom hee had sent to acknowledge his dutie to the Pope As for the Preachers belonging to the League publicke and priuately before and after the truce their discourses at Paris and other places were that the Masse which they sung before the king was but a deceit that it was impossible the King should bee conuerted that the Pope could not recatholize him that it was lawfull for the people to rise against him and his officers that it appertained to the Sorbonnists to iudge whether the Pope oght to receiue him as king And if peraduenture hee should do it neuerthelesse hee might bee held for an hereticque and one excommunicate that it was lawfull for any particular man to kill him that should say hee was revnited to the Catholicque Romaine Church These and such other propositions were made and spredde both within Paris and other places In regard of the declarations made by these estates of the League to keepe the fauour of their partakers to giue a secret touch to the kings Councellors as if they were not right Catholickes and to bring the Realme into far greater trouble then before they in their assembly the eighteenth day of August made a declaration containing these words among many others With one consent and aduise wee haue decreed established and or dained and by this present doo decree establish and ordaine that the holy and sacred generall Councell of Trent shall bee receiued published and obserued purely and simply in all places and iurisdictions of this Realme as at this present in the generall bodie of the estates wee do receiue and publish it Their oath Moreouer the same estates deuised the forme of an oath in these termes Wee promise and sweare to continue vnited togither for the defence and preseruation of the Catholicque Apostolicque and Romaine religion and to bring if it be possible this kingdome so long time afflicted to his auncient dignitie and renowme and neuer to consent for any perill or cause whatsoeuer shall come that any thing shall bee done for the aduancement of heresie or to the preiudice of our religion for defence whereof wee promise to hee obedient to the sacred decrees ordinances of our holy father and the sacred sea of Rome without euer falling away from the same Their diuision vpon the principall point But they were not vnited togither in respect of the principall poynt which was to acknowledge one king The Parisians and other townes that held for the League desired that the king of Spaines daughter might bee married to the Duke of Guise and so beeing ioyned by matrimonie they might be crowned King and Queene of France The Duke de Maine who was solicited to aduance the house of the Popes Legate made shewe to agree to so great an honour done to his Nephew but hauing accorded vpon the generall for his particular profit hee demaunded things impossible or at least so difficult that it might bee well perceiued that not esteeming the Popes or King Philips will nor the consent of the estates and chiefe of the League hee said as the Cardinall did in the Conclaue I chose myselfe Impossible it was that euer hee should come to aduance his Nephewe to the Crowne Peter Barriere attēpted to kill the king and is executed for the same These contentions produced the truce aboue mentioned which the Duke of Maine and his Councellours forged to breake a blowe with the partakers of Spaine and to draw new treasures into their purses This wrought the confusion of France on the one side on the other the Prelates and Sorbonnists which with the watch-word receiued from Rome had drawn the king to the Masse imagined in this sort to fish for a golden world But the leaguers thought to bring in new troubles and pernicious practises for in middest of these businesses the sixe and twentieth day of August Peter Barriere Alias Bar borne at Orleans was committed prisoner at Meleun where hee finally confessed that hee was seduced by a Capucin Fryer at Lyons by the Curat and Vicar of a certaine Parish in Paris and also by a Iesuite closely to follow the king and to murther him with a two edged knife the which was found about him He had beene intised to this parriside and was resolued to doo it chiefly about two months before and further confessed that two Priests by him nominated were also come from Lyons for the verie same intent and that he set himselfe the forwardest for the execution thereof to the ende hee might get the greatest honour thereby Hee was drawne through the streetes of Meleun where then the king was they cut off his right hand holding the murthering knife therein and after burned the same After this was done they broke his armes legges and thigh bones and in that sort laide him vppon a wheele where hee languished certaine houres till hee died then was his bodie consumed to ashes and throwne into the riuer his compleces or confederates so disguised themselues that they could not bee found or taken The Duke of Nemours Tragedie At this time was the Duke of Nemours within Lyon from whence hee would not stirre to go to the estates of the league although the Pope had giuen him commaundement the other chiefe Captaines thought it meete and his friend and seruants desired him to go hee vouchsafed not so much as to send vnto them knowing that the leaguers cast their eies altogither vpō the Duke of Guise and that the Duke de Maine his brother by the mothers side crost all his purposes and would worke all meanes for his death A certaine bolde Eryer of Lyon perceiuing well that this yong Prince pretented to bring some new matter to passe within the league whereby at least hee might haue some great hand in the gouernment by the aduice of two or three Councellours who were of his complecies hee compassed Lyon with many fortresses which held on his side at Toissai Vienne Montbrison Chastillon de Dombes Belleuille Tisi Charlieu and other places Quirieu forsaking him hee bought it with a great sum of mony at the hands of the Lord of Saint Iulian which was Gouernour thereof This done Lyon was inclosed as well by water as by land The Lyonnois did not withstand neither his prodigallities nor his Councellours nor his men of warre which forraged the plaine countrie receiuing the guerdon of their reuolt from the kings obedience In the end acknowledging themselues they rose vp against the Duke of Nemours assisted by the counsell and presence of their Archbishop sent by the Duke de Maine and the eighteenth of September they tooke holde of Nemours who was seene three times at deaths doore committing him to close prison where hee continued certaine moneths and at last escaping by cunning meanes spoyled of his succours chased from his Fortresses hee went and died farre from France in
kill these kings and that king Henry the fourth at that present raigning was not of the Church till such time he was allowed by the Pope of all which hee repented himselfe asking forgiuenesse of God of the King and of the lawes which done hee was conueyed vnto the place of execution carrying in his hand the murthering knife wherewith hee intended to murther the king the which was there first cut off his flesh puld off with hotte burning pincers hoth from his armes and thighes after that his bodie was drawne and halde in peeces with foure horses and his quarters cast into the fire and consumed to ashes and the ashes scattered in the winde Moreouer by the same act of Parliament it was forbidden to all persons of what estate condition or quallitie soeuer they were on paine to be punished as traitors to say or publish in any place whatsoeuer the aforesaid slaunder to witte that the king was not of the Church till hee had the Popes allowance or approbation or that it was lawfull to kill the kings By which they Henry 3. Henry 4. vnderstood kings that were not authorised by the Pope In what reputatiō were the Iesuites before the first Parliamēt in Frāce The Court hauing declared the said reports to be scandelous seditious contrarie to the word of God and condemned as false and hereticall by all holy decrees Ordaining also that all the Priests and Schollers of Clermont Colledge and all other of the same societie of Iesus to bee held and reputed as corrupters of youth disturbers of the publicke peace enemies to the king and the estate to auoyde within three daies after the proclamation of the said Edict out of Parris and all other places and Townes where their Colledges are and within fifteene daies after out of the kingdome on paine that being found or taken after the said time prefixed to be punished as guiltie of the said crime of treason That their goodes mooueable and immooueable shall be forfeited and imployed as the said Court shall giue order Forbidding moreouer from thencefoorth all the kings subiects to send their children to any Colledges of that societie out of the kingdome to bee their instructed or trained vppe on the same paine to bee punished as guiltie of high treason This Edict was pronounced to Iohn Chastel executed on thursday the 29. of December During the imprisonment of Chastel some of the Deputies of the Court which were sent to search the Iesuites Colledges hauing seized vppon many papers found among them certaine written bookes made by a Iesuite Priest named Iohn Guignard since the generall pardon giuen by the King to the people of Parris there was written in these bookes many vilde matters both against Henry the third deceased as against Henry the fourth now liuing containing nothing but traiterous practises among the rest these words were found The king was born at Bern for which cause they cal him Bernois That the Bernois being now conuerted to the Catholicke faith was more gently vsed then he deserued that if they would inuest him with the royall Crown they shuld do it in some wel reformed couent wher hee might doo penance for all the euils which hee hath done in France that thankes might be also giuen to God for that hee had giuen him grace to acknowledge his wickednesse before his death That if he might not be deposed without war they ought to war against him and to kill him if he did not otherwise That the Crowne of France ought to be transferred to an other familie then that of Bourbon That Iames Clement did an heroicall act in murthering Henry the third The Court hauing seene such writings sent for Guignard before them who auouched all he had written by meanes whereof he was found guiltie and condemned to be hanged to death which thing was executed the seuenth of Ianuarie Peter Chastel father to Iohn and Iohn Gueret Schoolemaister or Tutor to the young traitor were the same time banished the father for a certaine time out of Parris the tutor for euer out of the realm not to returne on paine of death Moreouer the father was condemned to pay for a fine 2000. Crowns and commadement giuen that his house shuld he puld downe to the ground and a stone piller set in the place where it did stand with an inscription of the cause wherfore it was thus raced The court at that time did again looke ouer Peter Barrieres iudgements wherin the wicked counsel of Varade a notable Iesuite was more throughly marked who had principally and more then any other induced Barriere to kil the K. whom he called tyrant It was also testified that two Switzers passing by Besancon a fewe daies before Chastelles deede was attempted did meet two men attired like Iesuites who said one to the other for shortly the king of Nauarre shall bee either slaine or hurt which deede they esteemed most meritorious in the kingdome of heauen It was also noted that a Iubelie had bin published at Rome which the kings enemies called a peece of ordenance to confound the Bernois as if it had been a good worke the same was also vnderstood by the Spaniards lately arriued in Brittain to succor the rebels This was also hoped for by the Iesuits namely by those that were at Paris some of whom as their Colledges were inuironed about with watchmen incontinent after the king was hurt cried at their gates to their companions in these words Surge frater agitur de religione There were also found among these Iesuites many Anagrames against the king and certain rimes made in their Chases wherof the argument was to suffer death constantly and to assaile the tyrants Againe there was it found that the Maisters of the Colledges of Clermont depriued and forbad the Schollers at any time to pray for the king since the yeelding of Parris to his Maiestie saying that all such as went to heare his Masse were excommunicate Moreouer it was prooued and iustified against an other Iesuite a Scotchman named Alexander Haius that hee taught the people publickly that they might dissemble and obey the King for a time oftentimes faintly speaking these words Iesuita est omnis homo This Iesuite was also charged that he had oftentimes vsed these speeches that if the king did at any time passe before their Colledge that hee would fall out of the window vpon him to the end he might breake his necke On these accusations his inditements being drawne and that his words were found to bee spoken before the yeelding of Parris the Court did onely banish him out of the Realme of France for euer It appeared also by other informations sent from Bourges made the seuenth of Ianuarie that one named Francis Iacobe a Scholler of the Iesuites at Bourges vanted that he wold kill the King but that he thought he was dead alreadie thinking that an other had done the deed In consideration of these matters aforesaid and other prooues
Prince of Conde being prisoner demaunded nought but libertie and his minde being peaceable and courteous to such as knewe how to vse him would not much stand as the Queene thought vppon certaine articles Wherefore fearing least the Admirall as then busied in Normandie beeing at Orleans should seeke the ratifying of the edict of Ianuary that might breake the accord and renue the warre whereby would ensue her disgrace shee vsed all the meanes she could to preuent him in such sort that vppon the seuenth of March there was a conference holden between the Queene the Prince and the Constable as yet prisoners referring their further deliberation to the next day because the Constable hadde said openly Subtiltie of the Constable that hee could not consent to the re-establishing of the Edict of Ianuary wherein hee vsed a fine shift for that if hee should haue auouched it hee hadde prooued both himselfe and all his partners guiltie of treason in hauing violated and broken the Kings Edict The Prince euill counselled permitted certaine articles to be drawn where in trueth hee should haue holden onely vnto the saide Edict but nothing beeing resolued at that time hee obtained libertie to enter into Orleans there to conferre with his Councell where hee asked the aduise of the Ministers as then assembled therein from diuers places beeing to the number of seuentie twoo persons What was done by the Ministers for preseruation of religion who by their Deputies vsed all the meanes they could to perswade him to stand to the Edict of Ianuary not derogating any thing thereof shewing the daungers that might thereof ensue that done they presented him with certaine articles requiring that hee would demaund the obseruation of the Edict without any restrictions that iustice should bee done for the massacre at Vassy Sens and other places wherein there was not found the least poynt of hostilitie to bee committed by those of the religion as also of diuers others most manifest ruptures of the said Edict besides the exploits of warre The rest of the articles concerned the conseruation of the discipline of the Churches and the reestablishing thereof which notwithstanding the Prince was so much perswaded by the Queenes and others promises after that to make an other and a better agreement shewing him that the restrictions and moderations which as then were set downe were done at that time only to content appease those of the Romish religion by reasonable means to obtain a greater libertie withal that there were many that sought for peace what price soeuer it cost that hee consented vnto the exceptions contained in the new contract causing them to bee redde before the Nobilitie willing no man to giue his aduise therein but onely Gentlemen bearing armes as hee saide it openly before the assembly The improuidence of the Prince that beleeued the promises of his enemies in such manner that the Ministers from that time forward were neuer called to deale therein by which meanes the Edict of pacification was concluded vppon the twelfth of March drawing the exercise of the religion from the subburbes of all the Townes in the Realme and referring it to the houses and Castles of Gentlemen and in some small number of Baliages not comprehending the Townes which as then held for the religion wherein the exercise was left free and all whatsoeuer the Prince and his adherents had done in those warres acknowledged and auouched to bee for the seruice of the King The Admirals wisdom but to no effect Two daies after the Admirall wrote letters from Caen vnto the Queen touching the accusation made against him concerning the death of the duke of Guise committed by Poltrot He besought her to command that the prisoner might bee safely kept that the trueth of the action might bee knowne Meane time hee sent her a breefe aunswere touching the intergatories of Poltrot shewing by many and great reasons that hee was neuer made priuie to the pretence or conceit of Poltrot touching that action whose death notwithstanding hee acknowledged to bee the meanes to reduce France vnto a quiet estate The Queene esteeming it not conuenient for her affaires to suffer the Admirall to liue in peace but by this meanes seeking to entertaine hatred among the Nobilitie to raigne and gouerne in the middle of their deuisions made no account of those letters Those that with her had the processes of Poltrot to examine perceiuing that the dispositions of the prisoner had no apparant ground within three daies after sent to Parris that they should dispatch him out of the way that it would bee daungerous to keepe him and that hee would deny what hee had said Wherevppon his proces was made hee was diuers times examined and according to the torments giuen him they found diuersitie in his speeches And beeing condemned vpon the eighteenth of March to be pinched with hotte tongues hee openly declared that the Admirall knew nothing of his intent to kill the Duke of Guise Neuerthelesse certaine Captaines of Parris deposed that hee had confessed the contrary vnto them after the first drawing of the horses But vpon his variable depositions Proces and execution of Poltrot the quarrell betweene the houses of Guise and Chastillon whereof ensued the infinite mischiefes of the yeares ensuing The Admirall hauing ranged his enemies in Normandie to a good poynt as then had a stronger armie then hee had before The Admirals meanes made frustrate by the substiltie of the Queene wherewith hee constrained the members of the Triumuirat to fall to reason whereof ensued the quietnesse of France but the articles of the peace being almost all agreed vppon on both parts at the Princes request hee issued out of Caen vpon the 14. of March onely with his horsemen the Vantgard whereof being ledde by the Prince of Portien that tooke the way towards Lisieux the rest passing by Falaise and Argentan into Perche In the way such as would resist his army were set vppon and punished And the three and twentieth of the same moneth the Admirall beeing arriued at Orleans with all his forces found that the Edict of pacification had beene agreed vppon signed and sealed in his absence fiue daies before hee arriued The next day hee gaue his aduise in open Councell before the Prince and among other things shewed that they were to remēber that from the beginning of the warres made by the Triumuirat they had alwaies offered the obseruation of the Edict of Ianuary Parris only excepted and that considering the estate of their affaires those of the religion had more means then they had before to defend themselues from the violences of their enemies of three authors of those warres two of them beeing dead the third prisoner and a good pledge for the Princes assurance that the Churches were restrained to one Towne in a Baliage and other such exceptions was as much as if they should striue against God and ouerthrowe more Churches by the dash of a