wente secretly into the frontiers of the lowe countrey and toke with him as partners of his iourney and priuie to his counsell thre Frēchmen of great credite with the Admirall namely Saucourt la Noue and Genlis to whom the king had giuen in charge to see if they coulde by any meanes attēpt and possesse any townes bordering vppon his realme They gathering diuers other gentlemen into their companie went speedily into the lowe countrey the Admirall not knowing of it VVho as soone as he vnderstode of their going thether wrote vnto them that he much maruelled what they mēt saying that he well knewe there coulde be no power gotten readie before .xl. dayes end and that they should be wel aduised to do nothing rashly nor to ouerthrowe with hast their deuises that seemed not ripe to be executed The countie of Nassaw inflamed with the sighte and desire of his countrey and fearing the mutablenesse of the king did firste at the soden set vppon Valentiennes but being repulsed by the Spanish souldiers that were in garrison in the Castell he hastily departed to Montz and toke the towne being a place very strong by nature and well furnished with all things necessarye for the warre VVhiche thing beyng by reporte and messangers spred abrode in the lowe countrey and caried into Fraunce and Germanie both encouraged all them of the Religion with great hope and also seemed to haue now playnely and openlye deciphred disclosed the mind of the French king Moreouer Genlis returning to Paris when he had made reporte to the king of all the matter as it had proceded easily obtayned of him that by his assent he might leuie certaine bandes of footemen and horssemen of Fraunce and carie them to succoure Montz But by the way when he was entred into the bounds of the lowe countrie hauing with him to the number of foure thousand footemen and aboute foure hundreth horssemen they were beset by the Duke of Alua and the most parte of them distressed which thing was well knowne to haue ben wrought by the meanes of the Guisians which by dayly messages and letters aduertised the Duke of Alua of theyr purposes and preparation VVhich falsehod of theirs many most affectionate to the Romish Religion were highly offended with bycause a great number addicted to the same Romishe Religion were in that companie VVith this losse and with the rescue of the towne of Valentiennes the King seemed to be much troubled for he feared least his counsels being disclosed to the Spanish king would at length breede some cause of querel and warre Howbeit when he began to remember that a great parte of his secrets was already reuealed to the Duke of Alua he oftentimes resolued to vtter his minde plainely and to make open warre But he was withdrawne from that purpose by certaine men whiche the Admirall had long before conceyued that they would so do Howbeit he gaue the Admirall libertie to send whatsoeuer he thoughte meete to further the Prince of Aurenge his enterprise and as great supplie either of footemen or of horssemen as he could to the armie which the Prince of Aurenge had leuyed in Germanie VVhen the Admirall for that cause had made request that he might leauie thirtie troupes of horssemen and as many ensignes of footemen he easily obtayned it For the entertainement of these footemen it behooued to haue money wherefore at the request of the Admirall the king called for his Tresurer and commanded him to deliuer to the Admirall so much money as the Admirall should thinke meete and charged him that he should not in any wise after the vsuall manner of the accompts of finances write the causes of the receipt but only set it downe in this forme This summe of money was payde to the Admirall suche a day by the kings commaundement for certayne causes which the king hath commaunded not to be written and to thys warrante the King subscribed with hys owne hand Also the King wrote to Monducet his Embassadoure in the lowe countrey to trauell as earnestly as he could for their deliuerance that were taken at the ouerthrowe of Genlis which commaundment it is said that Monducet did most faithfully and diligently execute Not long before this Ioane Queene of Nauarre aboue mentioned died in the Courte at Paris of a sodaine sicknesse beeing aboute the age of fortie and three yeares where as the suspition was great that she died of poyson and hir body was sort hat cause opened by the Phisitions there were no tokens of poyson espied But shortly after by the detection of one A. P. it hath bene found that she was poysoned with a venomed smell of a pair of perfumed gloues dressed by one Renat the Kings Apothicarie an Italian that hath a shop at Paris vppon sainte Michaels bridge neare vnto the pallace which could not be espied by the phisitions which did not open the head nor loked into the brayne It is well knowne that the same man about certayne yeares past for the same intente gaue to Lewes Prince of Conde a poysoned pomander which the Prince left with one le Grosse his Surgion le Grosse delited with the same was by little and little poysoned therewith and so swelled that he hardly escaped with his life By hir deathe the Kingdome came to the Prince Henrie hir sonne to whom as is abouesaid the Kings sister was promised and contracted Things being as it seemed throughout all Fraunce in most peacible estate and the concord of all degrees well established the day was appointed for the marriage of the king of Nauarre which day all they that fancied the Religion esteemed so muche the more ioyfull to them bycause they sawe the King wonderfully bent therevnto and all good men iudged the same a most assured pledge and stablishmente of ciuill concord whereas on the contrary part the Guisians and other enimies of common quietnesse greatly abhorred the same marriage VVhen the day came the marriage was with royall pompe solemnized before the greate Churche of Paris and a certaine fourme of words so framed as disagreed with the Religion of neither side was by the kings commandement pronounced by the Cardinall of Burbon the king of Nauars vnkle and so the matrimonie celebrate with greate ioy of the king and all good men the bride was with greate trayne and pompe led into the Church to heare Masse and in the meane time the bridegrome who misliked these ceremonies together with Henry Prince of Conde sonne of Lewes and the Admirall and other noble men of the same Religion walked withoute the Church dore wayting for the Brides retourne VVhile these things were in doing at Paris Strozzi who as we haue said had the charge of the kings power at sea houering vpon the coast of Rochell did now and then send of his captaines and souldiers into the towne vnder colour of buying things necessarie and sometime he came thither also him selfe The like was done at the same time in another part
speede deliuered ouer the same bookes to those of whome they had receyued that commaundement After noone the Queene mother lead out the King the Duke of Aniow Gonzague Tauaignes the Countie de Rhetz called Gondin into hir gardens called Tegliers This place bicause it was somewhat farre from resort she thoughte most fit for this their last consultation There she shewede them how those whom they had long bene in waite for were nowe sure in hold and the Admirall lay in his bed maymed of hoth his armes and coulde not stirre the king of Nauarre and Prince of Conde were fast lodged in the castle the gates wer kept shut all nighte and watches placed so as they were so snared that they coulde no way escape and the captaines thus taken it was not to be feared that any of the Religion woulde from thencefoorth stirre any more Now was a notable opportunite said she offred to dispatch the matter For all the chiefe captaines were fast closed vp in Paris and the rest in other townes were all vnarmed and vnprepared and that there were scarcely to be founde ten enimies to a thousand Catholikes that the Parisians were in armour and were able to make threescore thousande chosen fighting men and that within the space of one houre all the enimies may be slayne and the whole name and race of those wicked meÌ„ be vtterly rooted out On the other side saith she if the King do not take the aduantage of the fitnesse of this time it is no doubte but that if the Admirall recouer his health al Fraunce wil shortly be on fire with the fourth ciuill warre The Queenes opinion was allowed Howbeit it was thought best partly for his age and partly for the affinities sake that the king of Nauarres life shuld be saued As for the Prince of Conde it was doubted whether it were best to spare hym for his age or to put him to death for hatred of his fathers name But herein the opinion of Gonzague toke place that he should with feare of death and torment be drawen from the Religion So that counsell brake vp with appoyntment that the matter should be put in executioÌ„ the nexte night early afore day and that the ordering and doing of all shoulde be committed to the Duke of Guise The Admirall being enâ—ormed of stirre and noyse of armour and threatnings heard euery where through out the towne and preparation of many things pertaining to tumult sent word therof to the King who aunswered that there was no cause for the Admirall to feare for all was done by his commaundement and not euery where but in certaine places that there were certaine appointed by him to be in armor least the people should rise and make any stirre in the towne VVhen the Duke of Guise thoughte all things readie enough he called to him the abouesayde Marcell and charged him that he should a little after midnight assemble togither the maisters of the streetes whome they call Diziners into the towne house for he had certaine strange and speciall matters in charge froÌ„ the king which his pleasure was to haue declared vnto them They all assembled bytime Carron the new prouost of merchaunts guarded with certaine Guisians and among the rest Entragne and Pnygallart made the declaration He sayd that the kings meaning was to destroye all the Rebels which had in these late yeares borne armes against his maiestie and to roote out the race of those wicked men it was now very fitly happened that the chieftaynes and ringleaders of them were faste enclosed within the walles of the towne as in a prison and that the same night they should first begin with them and afterward for the rest assone as possibly might be throughout all partes of the Realme the King would take order and the token to set vpon them should be giuen not with a trumpet but with tocksein or ringing of the great bell of the pallace which they knewe to be accustomed onely in great cases and the marke for them to be knowne from other should be a white linnen cloth hanged aboute their left arme and a white crosse pinned vpon their cappes In the meane time the Duke of Guise made priuie thervnto the Captaines of the Kings guarde both Gascoignes FrenchmeÌ„ and Switzers and bad them be readie to goe to it with good courage Shortly after the Duke of Guise and the bastard sonne of king Henrie commonlye called the Cheualier with a great band of armed men following theÌ„ went to the Admirals house which Cossin kept besieged with harquebuziers placed in order on both sides of the streate The Admiral aduertised of the stirre and the noise of the armour although he had scarcely ten persons in his house able to beare harnesse and in his chamber onely two surgions one preacher and one or two seruitors yet coulde not be made afraide trusting as he oft rehearsed vpon the Kings good will toward him approued by so many and so great meanes of assuraunce hauing also confidence that the commonaltie of Paris if they once vnderstode the King to mislike of their madde furie howe much so euer they were in outrage yet so sone as they saw Cossin warding the gate they wold be appeased He repeated also the other for keeping of the peace so ofte openly sworne by the King and his brethren and their mother and entred in publike recordes the league lately made with the Queene of Englande for the same cause the articles of treatie couenanted with the Prince of Aurenge the kings faith giuen to the Princes of Germanie some townes attempted and some taken in the lowe countrey by the Kings commaundement the mariage of the Kings sister solemnized but sixe daies before which it was not like that he wold suffer to be defiled with bloud finally the iugement of forain nations and of posteritie shame and the honor constancie of a Prince publique faith and the sacred respect of the law of nations all which it seemed monstruous and incredible that the king could assent to be stained with so outragious a cruell deede Cossin when he sawe the noblemen drawe neere knocked at the gate which as is abouesaid he was commaunded by the Duke of Aniow to kepe VVhervpon many applyed the olde prouerbe A goodly guarde to make the woolfe keper of the sheepe VVhen he was entred without in maner any difficultie he caried in with him a great companie of armed men and after those followed the great Lords Such as Cossin found at the entrie of within the porch of the house he slew with a partisan that he had in his hand VVhich when the Admirall vnderstoode he caused those that were about him to lift him out of his bed and casting on a nightgowne vpon him he rose vpright on his feete he bad his friends and seruantes to flee and make shift for them selues and to take no more care for him for he sayd that he was readie with most willing hearte to
had stayed in a wardrobe adioyning to his owne chamber and caused them to lodge there al night A little afore day hearing of the running of men and noyse of armor and cries and killings they rose in hast and immediatly de Nance whome we haue before spoken of came to them and cōmanded them in the kings name to come downe into the court and to leaue their weapons behind them and lastly to depart out of the castle VVhen de Pilles sawe himselfe thrust out among the multitude of the murthering souldiers and beheld the bodies of them that were slayne he cried out with a very lowde voyce that the king might well heare him protesting vpon the kings fidelitie and detesting his trayterous infidelitie therwith he toke off a rich cloake whiche he wore and gaue it to one of his acquaintāce saying take here this token of Pilles and hereafter remember Pilles moste vnworthyly and shamefully slayne Oh my good Monsieur de Pilles saide the other I am none of them I thanke you for your cloake but I will not receiue it with that condition and so refused to take the cloake and immediatly de Pilles was thrust through by one of the guarde with a partisan and died And this ende had this most valiante and noble gentleman And then his body was throwen into the quarrey with the rest whiche when they that passed by did behold the souldiers cryed out there they be that made assault vpon vs and would haue killed the king Leranne beeing thrust through with a sword escaped and ran into the Queene of Nauarres chamber and was by hir kept and preserued from the violence of those that pursued him Shortly after she obtayned his pardon of hir brother and committing him to hir owne Phisitions restored him both to life and health VVhile things were in doing at Paris Strozzi which as we haue aforesayd was come with all his power to Rochell sent a great number of his souldiers into the towne vnder colour of a banket to be made to his friends in the castell called la Cheine but by reasō of the iealosie watches of the townes men by whom he sawe his treason was espied he went away without his purpose But they of la Charité which as we haue before shewed were trapped by the Italian horssemen taking lesse heed to the safe keeping of their towne were a little before night surprized and within fewe dayes after put to the sweard The next day following where any that had hidden themselues in corners at Paris coulde be found out the slaughter was renewed also common labourers and porters and other of the most rascals of the people and desperate villaines to haue the spoile of their clothes stripped the dead bodies starke naked threw them into the riuer of Seane The profit of all the robberies and spoyles came all for the most part to the handes of these laborers and the souldiers and to the Kings treasure came very little or nothing The onely gaine that came to him was that which might be made of the vacations as they terme them of offices and of places of Magistrates Captaines other romes of charge wherof yet he gaue a great part freely away to diuers of the court For the Admirals office he gaue to the Marques de Villars the Chancellorship of Nauarre after the murther of Francourt he by and by gaue to Henry Memne de Malassise which had been the truchman and messenger in the treatie of the last peace the office of the maister of the Finances after the slaughter of Prunes he gaue to Villequier the office of President des aides when Plateau was slaine he gaue to de Nully the other offices he sold as his maner is to such as gaue ready money for them For it hath ben the custome now lately of certaine Kings of Fraunce such as among forein nations hath not bene heard of to put to sale all the profits rights and benefites of the crowne and to kepe an open market for money of all iudiciall offices and of all the roomes belonging to his treasure and finances according to a rate of price set vpon euerie one of them and there is not in maner one in all Fraunce that doth not opēly iustifie that he bought his office for readie money and that no man ought to maruell if he desire to fill vp the empty hole of his stock againe And therefore iustice is throughe all Fraunce vsually bought for money though there be neuer so many murders committed yet is there no processe awarded to enquire thereof till present coyne be payde to the rakehelles and scribes This butcherly slaughter of Paris thus perfourmed and foure hundred houses as is abouesayd sacked immediatly messengers were sent in post into all partes of the Realme with ofte shifting their horsses for hast to command all other Cities in the Kings name to follow the example of Paris and to cause to be killed as many as they had among them of the refourmed Religion These commaundments it is wonderfull to tell how readily and cherefully the greatest part of the Cities of Fraunce did obey and execute But the king fearing as it was likely the dishonour of false treacherie and periurie sent letters to the gouernours of his prouinces and also speedie messangers into England Germanie and Switzerland to declare in his name that there was a great commotion and seditious stirre happened at Paris which he was very sorie for that the Duke of Guise had raised the people and with armed men made assaulte vpon the band that was assigned to the Admirall for his guarde and had broken into the house and slaine the Admirall and all his companie and houshold seruants and that the king had hardly kept safe from those daungers hys owne castell of the Louure where he kept him selfe close with his mother and his brethren the true copie of which letters is hereafter inserted But the same most mightie and by the consent of all nations commonlye called the most Christian King within two dayes after came into the Parliament accompanied with a great traine of his brethren and other Princes The counsell being assembled he sitting in his throne began to speake vnto them he declared that he was certified that the Admiral with certaine of his complices had conspired hys death and had intended the like purpose against his brethren the Queene his mother the king of Nauarre and that for this cause he had commaunded his friends to slay the sayde Admiral and all his confederates and so to preuent the treason of his enimies This his testification and declaratiō the king commaunded to be written and entred in the recordes of Parliament and that it should be proclamed by the heraldes and published by Printers And he willed a boke to be set forth to this effect that the slaughter of the Admirall his adherentes was done by the Kings commaundement for so was his maiesties expresse pleasure bicause they had
himself he commaunded one day to be giuē a hundred thousand pounds of his owne treasure in recompence of his former losses VVhen his brother the Cardinall Chastillion endowed with many great and welthie benefices was departed his life the king gaue him the fruites of one whole yeare Also the kyng wrote to Philibert Duke of Sauoy that he should do him a most acceptable pleasure if he did not onely deale more gently with those that in the former warres had ayded those of the Religion but also would vse clemencie and mildenesse toward all other that professed the same Religion within his dominions And for that there was old enmitie betwene the Guisians and the Admirall wherby it was to be doubted that perillous contentions wold arise in the Realme of Fraunce the king willed it to be signified to them both in his name that they should for his sake and the common weales giue ouer those displeasures and he prescribed them a certaine fourme of reconciliation and agrement the same whereof the foundations had bene layed almost sixe yeares before in the towne of Molins where the king calling to him the greatest estates of his realme after consultation and deliberation had vpon the matter pronoūced the Admiral not guiltie of the death of the Duke of Guise wherwith he was charged by the yong Duke of Guise and his kinsmen and so the king by the aduise of his Counsell had ended that controuersie Furthermore the Cardinall of Loraine who as we haue sayd was the very forger of all the former warres to take away al ielousie of new practises was departed to Rome toke with him his familiar friend the late created Cardinall Peluey one reputed a most subtil craftie persō vnder pretēce of goyng to the election of a newe Pope in place of the olde Pope then lately deceassed But there was none greater and more assured tokē of publique peace quietnesse than this that the king purposed to giue hys sister Margaret in marriage to the Prince Henry the sōne of the Queene of Nauarre which Prince had in the last warre defended the cause of the Religion and bene soueraigne of their armie VVhiche mariage the kyng declared that it should be the most streight bond of ciuill concorde and the most assured testimonie of his good will to those of the Religion Yea and also bicause it was alleaged that the sayd Prince Henrie was restrayned in conscience so as he might not marrie the Lady Margaret being of a contrary Religion a Catholike and giuen to the rites of the Romish Church the king for aunswere sayd that he would discharge hir of the Popes lawes and notwithstanding the crying out of all his courtiers to the contrary he permitted him that withoute all ceremonies in the porch of the great church of Paris the mariage shoulde be celebrate in such a fourme as the ministers of the refourmed Church misliked not VVhiche thing being by reporte and letters spread through the world it cannot be expressed howe muche it made the hearts of those of the Religion assured and out of care and howe it cast out al feare ielosies out of their minds what a confidence it brought them of the kings good will toward them Finally how muche it reioyced forreine Princes and states that fauored the same Religion But the Admirals minde was much more stablished by a letter which about the same time Theligny brought him with the kings owne hand and sealed wherein was conteined that whatsoeuer the Admirall shuld do for the matter of the intended warre of the lowe coūntrey the king would allow and ratifie the same as done by his owne commaundement About that time Lodouic of Nassaw with the Queene of Nauarre a Lady most zelously affected to the Religion came to the Frenche Courte The league was made betweene king Charles and the Prince of Aurenge and the articles thereof put in writing The mariage was appointed to be holden in the towne of Paris For whiche cause the Queene of Nauarre during those fewe dayes repaired thether to prouide things for the solemnitie of the wedding For the same cause the king sente to the Admirall one Cauaignes a man of an excellent sharpe witte whome for the Admirals sake the king had aduanced to great honoure requiring the Admirall to go before to Paris as well for the said preparation as also for the matter of the warre of the lowe countrie promising that he himselfe would within fewe dayes followe after him assuring him that there was now no cause for him to feare the threatnings and mad outrages of the Parisians For in asmuch as the same towne is aboue all other giuen to superstitions and is with seditious preachings of Monks and Friers dayly enflamed to crueltie it is hard to expresse how bitterly they hated the Admirall and the professors of that Religion VVherto was added a griefe of their mind conceiued certaine dayes before by reason of a certaine stone crosse gilted and builte after the manner of a spire steeple commonly called Gastignes crosse whiche the Admirall with great earnest sute obtayned of the king to be ouerthrowne for he alleaged that being erected in the midst of the rage of the ciuill warre as it were in triumph to the reproch of one of the Religion it was a monumente of ciuill dissention and so a matter offensiue to peace and concord The King well knowing this deadly hate of the Parisians to the Admirall wrote his letters to Marcell the prouost of the marchauntes whiche is the highest dignitie in Paris with sharpe threatnings if there should be raised any stirre or trouble by reason of the Admirals comming To the same effect also the Duke of Aniow the kings brother and the Queene mother wrote to the same Marcell and the rest of the magistrates of Paris so that nowe there seemed vtterly no occasion lefte for the Admiral to feare or distrust And within few dayes after the king sente Briquemault a man of greate vertue and estimation to the Admirall with the same instructiōs saying that the matter of the lowe countrey could not well be delt in without his presence The Admirall perswaded by thus many meanes and filled with good hope and courage determined to go to Paris where so sone as he was ariued and had bene honorably and louingly entertayned of the king and his brethren and the Queene mother and consultation entred among them about the preparation for the low coūtrey he declared to the king at large how the Duke of Alua was in leuying of great power and preparing an armie and that if the king should dissemble his purpose it would come to passe that many thereby wold shew themselues slower and slacker to the enterprise and that nowe were offered greate meanes to do good whiche if he let slippe hee should not so easily recouer the like againe hereafter And therefore it was best to take the aduantage of this opportunitie A fewe dayes before Lodouie of Nassaw
the king he immediatly called Monsieur de Nance captaine of his guard and commaunded him to apprehend Challey and bring him to him Challey assoone as hee heard the stroke of the peece fledde into the Kings castle called the Louure and hid him in the Duke of Guises chamber from whence he conuayed him selfe away assoone as he had heard of the kings commaundement â–ª VVhen de Nance was infourmed of his departure he answered that Challey was a gentleman of good worship and there was no doubte but when neede were he woulde appeare before the King and the magistrates VVhile these things were doyng and the Admirals wound in dressing Theligny went by his commaundement to the King and most humbly besought him in the name of his father in lawe that his maiestie woulde voutsafe to come vnto him for that his life seemed to be in perill and that he had certaine things to say greatly importing to the King safetie whiche he well knewe that none in his Realme durst declare to his maiestie The King curteously aunswered that he would willingly go to him and within a little while after he set forwarde The Queene mother went with him and the Duke of Aniow the Duke of Monpensier a most affectionate subiect to the Churche of Rome the Counte de Rhetz the Queene mothers great familiar Chauigny and Entragny which afterwarde were chiefe ringleaders in the butcherie of Paris VVhen the King had louingly saluted the Admirall as he was wont to do and had gently asked him some questions coÌ„cerning his hurt and the state of his health and the Admirall had aunswered with suche a milde and quiet countenaunce that all they that were present wondered at his temperance and pacience the king beyng much moued as it seemed sayd The hurt my Admirall is done to thee but the dishonour to me but by the death of God saith he I sweare I will so seuerely reuenge both the hurte and the dishonor that it shall neuer be forgotten He asked him also how he likâ—d of the Iudges that he had chosen to whoÌ„ he had giuen commission for examining the matter The Admiral aunswered that he could not but very well like of those that his maiestie had allowed of yet he besought him if he thought it good that Cauagnes might be called to counsell with them albeit that it was no hard matter to finde out for it was no doubt sayd he that this good turne was done him by the Duke of Guise the reuenge wherof he referred to god This onely he most heartily and humbly besoughte of his royall maiestie that the fact might be duelie enquired vpon The King aunswered that he would take earnest care of it and reuenge that iniurie with no lesse seueritie than if it had bene done to himselfe Then the kings brethren and their mother with drawing themselues a while the Admirall as it was afterward knowne by his owne report began to aduise the king to haue in memorie those things that he had ofte tolde him of the daungerous intentions of certaine persons and he tolde him that though he himself had receiued a great wound yet there was no lesse hanging ouer the kings head and that long ago there was treasoÌ„ in practizing against his life which if he would do wisely he should auoyde betimes Further he sayd that though so soone as God should take him to himselfe out of this life he doubted not but that his same should be brought into sundry slaunders by enuious persons and such as ought him euill will by reason of the late warres neuerthelesse he had oftentimes disclosed vnto the king the authors of the dissentions and opened the causes therof and that God was his witnesse of his most faithfull hearte to the king and the common weale and that he had neuer holden any thing dearer than his countrey and the publique safetie The king after such aunswere made herevnto as he thought best spake aloude heartily entreated the Admirall to suffer himself to be remoued into his castell of the Louure for that he thought some perill least there should arise some sedition among the commons alreadie in disorder or any stirre in that madde and troublesome Citie VVherto this speech of the king tended coulde not then be vnderstoode For though the coÌ„monaltie of Paris hath euer bene accompted the most foolish madde of all other yet is it euer most easily appeased not onely with the comming and presence of the king but also with the very sound of his name The Admirall most humbly and largely thanked the king and made his exuse vpon the counsell of the Phisitions which feared that shaking would encrease his paine and therfore had taken order that he should not be stirred out of his place Then the Counte de Rhetz turning to certaine gentlemen of the Admirals friends sayd I would the Admirall would follow the kings counsell for it is to be feared that some such stirre may arise in the towne as the king shall not easily be able to appease VVhich speech being vttered although no man did yet suspect whereto that aduise tended yet the Admirall his friends thought it good to request of the king to assigne vnto him certaine of the souldiers of the guarde for his safetie The king aunswered that he verie well liked of that deuise and that he was fully determined to prouide aswell for the Admirals safetie as for his owne and that he would preserue the Admirall as the ball of his eye that he had in admiration the constancie and fortitude of the man and that he neuer before that time beleued that there could be so great valiauntnesse of courage in anye mortall person Therewith the Duke of Aniow the Kings brother commaunded Cossin captaine of the Kings guarde to place a certaine band of souldiers to ward before the Admirals gate There could hardly a man be found more hatefull against the Admirals parte nor more affected to the Guisians thaÌ„ this Cossin which the successe plainly proued as hereafter shall appeare The Duke of Aniow further added that he thought it should be good for the Admirall if moe of his frieÌ„ds and familiars that lodged in the fauxburges did drawe nearer about him and forthwith he commaunded the kings herbingers to warne those to whome they had before assigned lodgings in that streete to remoue from thence and to place the Admirals friendes in their roomes VVhiche counsell was suche as none coulde possibly be deuised more fit for those things that followed For those whiche might haue by flight escaped out of the suburbs were nowe holden fast inough being enclosed not only within the walles of the towne but also within the compasse of one narrow strete The nexte day after the Vndermasters of the streetes commonly called Quartermen â—urueyed al the vittailing houses and Innes from house to house and all the names of those of the Religion together with the place of euery of their lodgings they put in bookes and with
render into the hands of God now calling for it againe the spirit that he had lent him to vse for a time and sayd that this violent crueltie was prepared not so much for his destruction as for the dishonoring of Christ and the tormenting of so many Churches the defence of which Churches he had at the potition of all godly men with his many daungers and calamities sustained In the meane time there came vp the staires into the hier part of the house one Benuese a Germayne broughte vp in the house of the Duke of Guise and to whome it is saide that the Cardinall of Loraine had giuen one of his bastard daughters in mariage and with hym came Cossin the Gascoine Attin a Picarde a retainer and familiar of the Duke d'Aumal one that a few yeares before sought to murder d'Andelot by treason and also one Hāfort an Auernois all weaponed with swords and targets and armed with shirts of maile VVhen they were broken into the Admirals chamber Benuese came to him and bending his drawen sword vpon him said Art not thou the Admirall he with a quiet and constant countenance as we haue since vnderstode by them selues answered I am so called And then seeing the sword drawen vpō him he sayde yong man consider my age and the weake case that I am now in But the fellowe after blaspheming God first thrust his sworde into the Admirals brest and then also stroke him vpō the head and Attin shot him through the brest with a pistol VVhen the Admirall was with this wound not yet throughly dead Benuese gaue him the third wound vpon the thigh and so he fell downe for dead VVhen the Duke of Guise which stayed in the court with the other noble men heard this he cried out alowde hast thou done Benuese he aunswered I haue done Then said the Duke of Guise our Cheuelier meaning King Henries bastard abouesaide vnlesse he see it with hys eyes will not beleeue it throwe him downe at the windowe Then Benuese with the helpe of his fellowes toke vp the Admirals body and threw it downe through the windowe VVhē by reason of the wounde in his head and hys face couered with bloud they could not well discerne him the Duke of Guise kneeled downe on the grounde and wiped him with a napkin and said now I know him it is he And therewithal going out at the gate with the rest of the Lords he cryed out to the multitude in armoure saying my companions we haue had a good lucky beginning nowe let vs go forward to the rest for it is the Kings commaundement which words he did ofte repete alowde saying Thus the King commaundeth This is the Kings will this is his pleasure And then he commaunded the token to be giuen by ringing tocksein with the great bell of the palace and alarme to be raysed and he caused it to be published that the conspiratours were in armoure and about to kill the king Then a certaine Italian of Gōzagues band cut off the Admirals head and sent it preserued with spices to Rome to the Pope and the Cardinall of Loraine Other cut off his hands and other his secret partes Then the common labourers and rascals three dayes togither dragged the dead body thus mangled and berayed with bloud and filth through the streetes and afterwarde drew it out of the towne to the common gallowes and hanged it vp with a rope by the feete In the meane time those of the noble mens bandes brake into all the chambers of the admirals house and suche as they founde eyther in theyr beds or hidden they mangled them with many wounds and so slaughtered them Of that number were two young children pages of honourable birth There was also the Counte Rochfoucault which for the excellent plesantnesse of his wit and for his valiantnesse was hiely beloued of King Henry and so seemed for the same cause also to be beloued of the king Him was de Nāce abouesaid commaunded to kill but he refusing it for their old acquaintance and familiaritie one Laberge an Auernois offred him self to the king to do it but with this condition that the king should giue him the captaineship of horssemen which Counte Rochfoucault had There was also slayne Theligny the Admirals sōne in law a yong man of singular towardnesse bothe of wit and courage to whome the king these many yeares had both in words and countenance made shewe of so great good will as that no man was thoughte to be more hiely in his fauoure He crying out that it was now grieuous to him to liue for that he had euer commended to his father in lawe the faithfulnesse of the King refused not the deathe offred hym And many other most flourishing yong noble men and gentlemen were euery where butcherly murthered in that streete Then the noble mens bands and Cossins souldiers went ransacking from house to house and the Admirals house and all the other houses were all sacked and spoyled euen in like manner as is vsed to be done by souldiers greedy of pray in a towne takē by assault and many by this robberie were of beggers sodeinly become riche men For the Duke of Guise the Duke of Monpensier the Cheualier king Henries bastarde Gonzague Tauaignes and the other great Lords did with reward of the spoile and bootie encourage the multitude to the slaughter and cried out aloud that this was the kings will. So all the rest of the day from morning to euening the rascall multitude encouraged by spoyle and robberie ranne with their bloudy swords raging throughout all the towne they spared not the aged nor women nor the very babes In ioy and triumph they threw the slaine bodies out at the windowes so as there was not in manner any one streete or lane that seemed not strawed with murthered carcases VVhile these things were thus a doing in the towne the King of Nauarre and the prince of Conde whome the King had lodged in hys owne castle of the Louure were by the kings commaundement sent for and conueyed vnto him But their company their seruitours of their chamber their friends reteining to them their scholemaisters and those that had the bringing vp of them crying out alowde to the Kings fidelitie for succoure were thrust out of the chambers and by the kings guard of Switzers hewed in pieces and slaughtered in the kings owne sight But of that number of persons slayne no mans case was so much lamented of many as Monsieur de Pilles in whome it is hard to expresse whether there were more godly zeale in Religion or prowesse in warre VVhereby hauing in the late yeares specially by the defence of the towne of Saint Iohn d'Angeli which the King then besieged gotten great honoure of cheualrie he was thoughte very well beloued and hiely esteemed of the king Him and Leranne the sonne of Odou by the French Kings commaundement which was not then vnderstoode whereto it tended the King of Nauarre
conspired to kill him and his brethren and the Queene his mother and the King of Nauarre And farther that the King did forbid that from thenceforth there should be no moe assemblies holden nor preachings vsed of the Religion After the kings oration ended Christopher Thuane President of that Parliament a man verie notable for his lighte brayne and his cruell heart did with very large words congratulate vnto the king that he had nowe with guile and subtiltie ouercome these his enimies whom he could neuer vanquishe by armes and battell saying that therein the King had most fully verified the olde saying of Lewes the eleuenth his progenitor King of France which was wont to say that he knew neuer a Latine sentence but this one Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare He that can not skill to dissemble can not skill to be a king But Pibrace the aduocate of the Finances made a short oration the summe wherof was to this effect that although the king had iust and great cause to be displeased yet he thoughte it more agreable with his maiesties clemencie and goodnesse to make an ende of the slaughters and common spoyle and not to suffer suche outrages to be any longer committed without iudiciall proceding in the cause and besoughte his maiestie that from thenceforth it woulde please him to vse the lawe which is well knowne to be the onely stablishment of kingdomes and empires and that there had bene alreadie giuen to the commonaltie too perilous an example to followe An arrest of Parliament with the Kings royall assent being made to that effecte there were immediately Haroldes and trumpeterâ— sent round about all the towne and an Edict proclaimed in the kings name that froÌ„ thenceforth the slaughters coÌ„mon butcherly murtherings shuld ceasse and that all persons shuld abstaine from pillage and robberie This being knowne there were diuers speeches vsed of this matter throughout the town and specially of learned men The most parte sayd that they had read many histories but in all memorie of all ages they neuer heard of any suche thing as this They compared this case with the horrible doings of king Mithridates which with one messenger and with the aduertisement of one letter caused a hundreth and fiftie thousand Romaines to be slaine Some compared it with the doing of Peter of Arragone which slewe eight thousand Frenchmen in Sicile which Isle they had surprised in his absence But yet this difference appeared betwene those cases and this that those Kings had exercised their crueltie vpon foreins and strangers but this king had done his outrage vpon his owne subiectes being yelded not so much to his power as to his fayth and credit Those kings were bounde by no promise but such as was giuen to the strangers themselues this king was with newe made league bounde to the Kings and Princes his neighbours to kepe the peace that he had sworn Those kings vsed no guilefull meanes vnworthie for the maiestie of a king to deceiue this king for a baite and allurement abused the mariage of his owne sister and in a manner besprinkled hir wedding robe with blood VVhich dishonor indignitie no posteritie of all ages can forget Some againe discoursed that though this cruell aduise semed to many Courtiers to haue bene profitable yet not onely the honor of a King but also the estimation and good same of the whole nation was against that shewe of profit They alleaged how Aristides did openly in the audience of all the people reiect the couÌ„sell of Themistocles coÌ„cerning the burning of the LacedemoniaÌ„s nauie although it must nedes haue followed that the power of the Lacedemonians their enimies should therby haue bene vtterly weakened Furius Camillus receiued not the childreÌ„ of the chiefe Lords of the Phalisce betrayed to him by their schoolemaster but stripped him naked and deliuered him to be whipped home with rods by the same childreÌ„ Pausanias hath lefte it reported that the posteritie of Philip of Macedon fell into moste greate calamities for this cause that he was wont to set light by the reuerend conscience of an oth and his faith giuen in leagues Some cited the lawe of the twelue tables Si patronuâ— clienti fraudem facit facer estâ— If the patrone or soueraigne defraude his client or vassal be he out of protectioÌ„ They disputed also that like faith as the vassall oweth to his Lord the Lord oweth also to his vassall and for what causes and for what fellonies the vassal loseth his tenancie for the same causes and fellonies the Lord loseth his segniorie Some saide that the right hand in auncient time was called the pledge of the faith of a king and that this if a king shall despise there is no communion of right with him and he is no more to be accouÌ„ted a king neither of his owne subiects nor of straungers Kingly vertues in times past haue bene reported to be these iustice gentlenesse and clemencie but crueltie and outrage haue euer bene dispraised both in all persons and specâ—ally in princes Scipio hath in all ages bene praysed who was wont to say that he had rather saue one citizen than kill a thousand enimies whiche sentence â–ª Antoninus the Emperour surnamed Pius the kind or vertuous did ofte repete It was a most shamefull by worde of yong Tiberius to be called Clay tempered with bloud They said also that kings haue power of life and death ouer their subiects but not without hering the cause and iudicial proceding that there cannot be alleaged a greater authoritie than the dictators had at Rome in whome was the soueraigne power of peace and warre of life and death and without appeale yet was it not lawfull for them to execute a citizen his cause vnheard Only theeues and murderers take away mens liues withoute order of lawe and hearing their cause VVho can doubt said they but that this so great outraâ—e so great sheading of Christian bloud is the frute of the curssed life of the courtiers For saide they nowe throughout all Fraunce whoredome and loose leudnesse of life are so free and vsuall that nowe the most part of the women of Fraunce seeme to be in manner common and the wicked blasphemies and continuall execrations and dishonorings of Gods most holy name and maiestie are suche as God cannot longer beare and true it is though incredible among foreine Nations that the catholikes of Fraunce haue prescribed them selues this for a speciall marke to bee knowne from other men that at euery thirde word they blasphemously sweare by the head death bloud and bellie of God and wonderfull it is that the King him selfe is so much delighted in this custome of swearing and blaspheming and this as it were a pestilente infection is spred abrode and common among the very plowmen and paysants so as none among them now speaketh three words without most filthy blaspheming and horrible execration of god VVho can longer beare the vile vnchastities the bawdes and
feede hit eyes with that spectacle had a mind also to go thither and she caried with hir the king and both hir other sonnes But the nexte night following the body was conueyed away and as it is thoughte buried About that time where as many of the Court secretly muttered that the king shoulde by this fact incurre dishonoure not only amoÌ„g forreine nations but also with all posteritie in time to come for euer Moruillier of whome we haue made mention before one that is accompted the principal lewde practiser and wicked sycophant of all Fraunce and the first authoure and chiefe meane of bringing the Iesuites into France came to the Queene mother and tolde hir that it was best that some of those that were lately taken fleyng and hiding themselues should for maners sake be brought to open iudgemeÌ„t and after the accustomed maner should be enquired vpon that they might be condemned by the Sentence of certaine iudges piked out for that purpose and so opeÌ„ly executed in sight of the people There were called to counsell herevpon Birage Limege Thuan and Belleure They not only allowed Moruilliers opinion but also gaue aduise that a man of hey made in figure for the Admirall for his body as we haue saide coulde not bee fouÌ„d should be dragged by the Boureau thorough the streates his armes and ensignes of honoure broken his memorie condemned his castels and fermes rased his children pronounced infamous vnnoble and intestable and all the trees in his woods to be hewen downe to the heighth of sixe foote There was among those that were apprehended one Cauaignes master of Requests to the King and Briquemault of whome we haue before spokeÌ„ This Briquemault had spente his time in seruice in the old warres in the time of king Frauncis and king Henry and was for the warre accompted a man of great experience among the best now liuing and was neare about threescore and ten yeares olde As sone as they were caried into prison there were presented vnto them all the tormenter and the hangman and they were threatned with torture and tearing their bodies in peeces vnlesse they woulde presentlye subscribe with their owne hand that they were of counsell with the Admirall to kill the King and his brethren and the Queene mother and the king of Nauarre They all cryed out that they were readye to suffer deathe most willingly forasmuche as the kings pleasure was it should be so but so great torture they coulde not beare and therefore humbly besought his royall goodnesse and clemencie to pardon theÌ„ that torment and yet trusting vpon the mercie of God they hoped that they should suffer exceeding great paynes rather than staine theÌ„selues with so great shame or confesse an vntrue crime against themselues They that were first assigned their iudges hearing their cryes and defenses and fearing the iudgemente of the worlde saide plainly that they would not drawe vpon themselues moste assured infamie for condemning them Therefore there were newe iudges appointed in their places to them was adioyned such a tormenter and norarie as were thoughte fittest for the purpose And so Briquemault Cauaignes were quickly condemned by a shadowed forme of lawe and led to the gibbet standing in the principall strete of the towne and in sight of many thousands of men gazing at them To this spectacle the Queene mother ledde the King and hir other sonnes and hir sonne in lawe the King of Nauarre It was thought commodious for playing of this last acte that Briquemaâ—lt should in hearing of all the people aske pardon of the king and for that purpose there were some suborned to put him in minde that if he woulde he might easily purchase his life for the king was of nature full of clemencie and mercy and if he woulde aske pardon of his maiestie with confessing his offence he shoulde easily obtaine it He answered with a valiaunt and bold courage that it was not his part but the kings to aske pardon of God for this fault and that he would neuer craue forgiuenesse of that offence wherof he well knew himselfe and had God to witnesse that he was cleare and innocent Neuerthelesse he besought God to forgiue the king this fault So were these two excellent and famous men with halters fastened aboute their necks throwne by the hangman from the ladder and hanged and there withall also the man of strawe made for figure of the Admirall was tied fast and hanged with them after a preposterous order of lawe wherby the Admirall was first slayne and then condemned But wheras in a manner in all townes there were great slaughters committed yet was there none more horrible nor more outragious than the butcherly murder at Lions So soone as the letters from the Court were brought to Mandelot gouernour of the towne first by a cryer and trumpet he caused to be proclaymed that all the professours of the Religion shoulde appeare presently before him at his house They without all delay repayred to him As soone as they were come he commaunded them all to suffer themselues to be led to priso by such officers as should be assigned them They obeyed his word and followed the officers that led the. By reason of the great multitude they sorted them into sundry prisons Then Mandelot willed the common executioner to be commaunded in his name to take some to helpe him and to kill those that were in prison The executioner aunswered that he vsed not to execute the law vpon any but such as were condemned and in publike and open places and therefore willed him to seeke another slaughter man if he would Mandelot thus refused by the executioner commaunded the garrison souldiers of the castle to do it The souldiers aunswered that it was against their honoure to vse weapoÌ„ vpon men bound and lying suppliant before them If they had raysed any rebellion or had offended or prouoked them they said they would most readily haue fought with them Beeing thus refused by them also at the last he committed the matter to the watermen and butchers Those fellowes being let into the prisons wente to it with chopping kniues and butchers axes Such as they found prostrate at their feete piteâ—â—sly holding vp their hands to heauen crying vppon the mercie of God and men they did for sport cut off their fingers and the toppes of their handes and throughout the whole towne was heard such a crie and lamentable howling of women and children that innumerable people euen suche as were zelously giuen euen to the popish Religion did detest that crueltie and iudged that not meÌ„ but outragious sauage beastes in shape of men were entred into the prisons It is well knowne that a great number of honest women in the towne great with childe were so slighted with the horror of it that they were deliuered befor their time And out of the Courte of the gaole called the Archbishops prison the bloud was seene in the broad day light to the great abhorring and
feared by those which pretend to breake the Edict of Pacification and thereby would execute a reuenge of their long priuate grudge to our incredible vexation and anguishe of minde For this cause it is your part to giue to vnderstand and publishe throughout that Citie of ours and other places pertaining to it that euery one should quietly and peacibly kepe their houses without taking weapons in hande and offending one the other vpon paine of death and well and diligently to kepe our Edict of Pacification And if any goe about to contrarie this our intent and minde to cause them to be punished and rigorously chastised by penalties imposed on such offendours in our ordinances hauing a watchfull and diligent eye to the safegarde of that our Citie in such sort that no inconuenience arise in your seruice towardes vs as you woulde haue vs to knowe that you are our loyall and obedient subiectes Giuen at Paris the .xxvij. day of August 1572. Thus signed CHARLES and â—â—â—owe De neuf-ville A LETTER OF THE TREAsorer of the leagues of the Switzers written by the kings commaundement vnto the sayd Leagues of the same argument that the former letters were NOble Seigniours Monsieur de la Fontaine Ambassador for the King your assured and perfect friend confederate and I his Treasorer in this countrey hauing commaundement of his maiestie to communicate with you as with them whome he accompteth his chiefe and sure friends of a chaunce which lately happened in the Citie of Paris his owne person and court then being there wherof he receiued so much more griefé and displeasure bicause it befell on such a time as he least feared or loked for such a thing The matter is this On the .xxvij. day of August last the Admirall as he went from Louuâ—e was with an harquebuze shot hurte in the hande and arme whereof when his maiestie was aduertised he commaunded incontinent that search and punishment were had of the offendour and the authors of such a mischiefe whervnto when he had readilie layde his hande by his officers and committed the inhabitantes of the house where the harquebuze was shot to prison they which were the cause firste of the mischiefe as it maye easily be presupposed bicause they woulde preuente the inquisition therof heaping one transgression vpon another on the .xxiij. and .xxiiij. of the said moneth assembled a great troupe of people in the night and moued the people of Paris to a veryâ— great sedition who in a rage set vpon the Admiâ—rals lodging and enforcing the Garde which his Maiestie had set for the Admirals suretie and keping slewe him with certaine other gentlemen in his companie as the like also was committed vpon others in the Citie the matter growing in the verie same instant to suche an outrage and commotioÌ„ that whereas his Maiestie had thought to prouide remedie for appeasing therof he had much a doe with all his Gardes to kepe his house at Louure where he lodged with the two Queens his mother and the Spouse the Lords his brethreÌ„ the King of Nauarre and other Princes Thinke therefore ye noble Seigniours in what a perplexitie this yong and couragious King now standeth who as a man may saye hath helde in his hande thornes in steade of a Scepter euer since his comming to the Crowne for the great troubles which haue almost euer since beene in his Realme and therefore by the good and wise counsell and assistance of the Queene his mother and the Lords his brethren thought to enioy and establishe a more sure repose in his Realme and a more happie gouernement for himselfe and his subiectes after he had taken away as he thought all occasions of dissentions amongst his subiectes by the meanes of his Edicts of Pacifications and of the mariage of the King of Nauarre to the Ladie his sister and the Prince of Code to Madome de Neuers Besides all this to the intent nothing should be lefte vndone that mighte serue for the quieting of all things and especially for the Admirals safegard his Maiestie as euery man knoweth hath done his endeuour to the vttermost to appease and reconcile his principall and most daungerous enimyes vnto him And so God the true iudge of the Kings Maiesties good and pureintent brought to passe that the peoples rage being quieted within a few houres euery one went home to his house and the king had speciall regard to nothing more than to see nothing attempted or innouated contrarie to his Edicts of Pacification and the repose of his subiectes as well of the one Religion as of the other And for that purpose hath sent to diuerse of his Gouernours and Officers in his prouinces to loke diligently to the obseruing of his Edictes with expresse commaundement to holde their handes there that euerie one might peâ—ceiue that the chaunce at Paris happened for some priuate quarell and not for any purpose to alter his Edicts which his Maiestie will in no wife suffer VVhich is the principall thing noble Seigniours that his Maiestie hath commaunded vs on his parte to assure you and to let you vnderstand the daungers that depende ouer him and his neighbours not so much for this sedition for he trusteth in God that shall growe no further and his Maiestie wil kepe his Realme in as good repose as it hath bene since his last Edict of Pacification but for the great mustering and assembling men of warre in many places specially in the low couÌ„treyes where it is yet vncertaine on which side God will giue the victorie nor whether the conqueror will employ his force after his conquest VVherefore his Maiestie prayeth you continuing the good loue and intelligence which hath always bene bewixt the Crowne of Fraunce and his allied and confederate friendes the Seigniours of the Leâ—gues to haue good regarde to him and his Realme in case that neede shall require as he will haue to you and your prosperous estate if it be requisite employing in the meane whyle your great and singular wisedome to the preseruation of the vnion of the Nation in League which is the onely cause to make you not onely able to send succour to your friends but also maintaine your selues in estimation that you may be a terrour to your neighbours how great so euer they be his maiestie promising you in all occurrentes as much friendship fauour and assistance as you can desire and to be as entier and perfect a friend as euer your nation had any A DECLARATION OF THE King concerning the occasion of the Admirals death and his adherents and complices happened in the Citie of Paris the. 24. of August 1572. Imprinted at Paris by Iohn Dallier Stacioner dwelling vpon S. Michaels bridge at the signe of the white Rose by the Kings licence BY THE KING HIs Maiestie desiring to haue all Seigniours Gentlemen and other his subiects vnderstand the cause of the murder of the Admirall and his adherentes and complices which lately happened in this Citie
of Paris the xxiiij day of this present moneth of August least the said deede should be otherwise disguised and reported than it was in deede his Maiestie therfore declareth that which was done was by his expresse commaundement for no cause of Religion nor breaking his Edictes of Pacification which he alwayes entended and still mindetâ— and entendeth to obserue and keepe yea it was rather done to withstand and preuent a most detestable and curssed conspiracie begon by the sayd Admirall the chiefe captaine therof and his sayd adherents and complices against the kings person his estate the Queene his mother and the Princes his brethren the King of Nauarre and other Lordes about him VVherefore his Maiestie by this declaration and ordinaunce giueth to vnderstand to all Gentlemen and others of the Reliâ—gion which they pretend refourmed that he minâ—deth and purposeth that they shall liue vnder his protection with their wiues and children in their houses in as much safegarde as they did before folowing the benefite of the former Edictes of Pacification most expressely commaunding and ordaining that all Gouernours and Lieutenants generall in euerie of his Countreyes and Prouinces â–ª and other Iustices and Officers to whom it appertaineth do not attempt nor suffer to be attempted and thing in what sort soeuer vpon the persons and goodes of them of the Religion their wiues children and families on paine of death against the faultie and culpable in this behalfe And neuerthelesse to withstande the troubles slaunders suspicions and defiances that may come by sermons and assemblies aswell in the houses of the sayde Gentlemen as in other places as it is suffred by the sayde Edictes of Pacification it is expressely forbidden and inhibited by his Maiestie to all Gentlemen and others of the sayd Religion to haue no assemblies for any cause at all vntill his Maiestie hath prouided and appointed otherwise for the tranquillitie of his Realme vpon paine of disobedience and confiscation of bodie and goods It is also expressely forbidden vnder the paine aforesayd that for the foresayd occasions none shall take or retaine any prisoners or take raunsome of them and that incontinently they certifie the gouernours of euerie prouince and the Lieutenante generall of the name qualitie of euerie such prisoner whome his Maiestie hath appointed shall be released and set at libertie except they be of the chiefe of the late conspiracie or such as haue made some practise or deuise for them or â—ad intelligence thereof and they shall aduertise his Maiestie of such to know his further pleasure It is also ordained that from henceforth none shall take or arrest any prisoner for that cause without his Maiesties commaundement or his Officers nor that none be suffred to roame abroade in the fieldes to take vp dogs Cattell Beefes Kine or other beastes goods fruites graine nor any thing else nor to hurt the labourers by word or deede but to let them alone about their worke and calling in peace and safetie At Paris the .xxviij. of August 1572. Signed CHARLES and vnderneath FIZES THE KINGS LETTERS TO the officers of Burges of the same argument that the former declaration was OVr trustie and welbeloued we considering that vnder the colour of the death of the Admiral and his adherents and complices certaine Gentlemen and others our subiectes professing the Religion called Refourmed might rise and assemble together to the preiudice and hinderance of the tranquillitie which we haue alwayes desired shuld be in our Realme the doyng of the said murder being counterfeited and giuen out otherwise than it was VVe haue therefore made a declaration ordinance which we sâ—nd you willing you to publishe the same incontinently by sounde of Trumpet and setting the same vp in such places of your Iurisdiction where cryes and Proclamations are vsually made to the ende that euery one mighte knowe it And although we haue alwayes bene diligent obseruers of our Edicts of Pacification yet seyng the troubles and seditions which might arise amongst our subiects by the occasion of the sayd murder as well of the Admirall as of his companions we commaunde you and ordeine that you particularly forbid the principals of the Religion pretended refourmed within your Iurisdiction that they haue no sermons nor assemblies either in their houses or in any other places to take away all doubt and suspition which might be conceyued against them And likewise that you aduertise such as dwell in the Cities of your Iurisdiction what you iudge meete to be done to the intent they might in this poynt follow our mind and kepe them quiet in their houses as they may do by the benefite of our Edict of Pacification there they shall be vnder our protection and safegarde but if they will not so retyre themselues after you haue giuen them warning then shall you set on them with all strength and force aswell by the prouostes of the Marishals their Archers as others which you can gather together by Bell ringing or otherwise so that you bewe them all to peeces as enimyes to our Crowne Besides what commaundements so euer we haue sent by worde of mouth eyther to you or others in our Realme when we were in feare vpon iuste occasion knowing the conspiracie that the Admirall had begon of some mischaunce that might fall vnto vs we haue and do reuoke willing you and others that no such thing be executed for such is our pleasure Giuen at Paris the .xxx. of August 1572. Thus signed CHARLES and vnderneath De Neuf-ville Published in iudgement REMEMBRAVNCES AND INstructions sent by the King to the Counte of Charny his general Lieutenant in Burgundie of the same argument THe King considering the commotion lately happened in Paris wherein the L. Admirall Chastilion with other Gentlemen of his side were slaine bicause they had mischeuously conspired to set vpon the Kings Maiestie person the Queene his mother the Princes his brethren the King of Nauarre and other Princes and Lordes neare about them and vpon his estate and least they of the Religion called refourmed not knowing the true causes of the sayde rebellion should arise and put them selues in armes as they haue done in the troubles that he passed and deuise newe practises and fetches against the weale of his Maiestie and tranquillitie of his Realme if he should not cause the truth of the matter to be knowne to all Gentlemen and others his subiects of the saâ—e religion how it passed and what his pleasure and mind is in their behalfes And thinking that for remedie hereof it is verie needefull for the Gouernours of the Prouinces in his Realme to go rounde aboute their gouernementes for this occasion he willâ—â—h that the Counte of Charnye greaâ—e Eâ—qâ—ire of Fraunce and his Maiesties Lieutenant generall for the gouernement of Burgundie shall go diligently through all Cities and places of the sayde gouernement and as he arriueth in euery plâ—ce he shall deuise the best wayes that he can to make peace