farre as Lancy in Masconois where by reason that manie principall Captaines were corrupted with money and fayre promises and the rest suffered great wants they concluded to returne backe so that hauing made their capitulation and gotten theyr Passeportes Sundry of the Germaine Captains corrupâ—ed by mony caused the whole armie to retire The death of the duke of Bonillon euerie man made all the speede home that might bee loden with miserie shame and dishonour with the losse of many Ensignes and Cornets besides their chiefest leaders and commaunders The Duke of Bonillon generall of that armie with the Lord Clerebant and Van being not able to draw them forwards by any perswasion returned to Geneua where they died shortly after The Count de La Marke brother to the duke of Bonillon was deceased long before at a place called Loyne Great numbers of this dispersed armie were inuaded by their enemies and slaine in their passage homewards contrarie to the promise which had beene made vnto them by the Catholiques The Colonels and Captaines of the Switzers the chiefe authours of the dissolution of that Armie were seuerely punished by their Segneuries so that this whole armie was maruellously afflicted and euerie one was scourged after one sort or other and hauing spent and spoyled infinitely did nothing but worke their owne calamitie and ouerthrow The King vndoubtedly had taken maruellous care to sâ—uer this mightie puyssaunce and by cunning handling of the matter The Guises slaunder the King had brought them to this extreame passe that vnder the colour of a Passeport hee exposed them to the butcherie and rage of their enemies And although that by reason of this politique dealing he deserued high commendation yet the Guise so handled the matter that all redownded to his further discredite and caused his subiects to speake worse of him then at anie time before For the Guise had caused it to bee bruited abroad that not onely the King had willingly suffered the Germaines to escape contrarie to the counsaile and aduice of the Duke of Guise but also had giuen them the meanes to retyre in safetie some into Germanie and others into Languedocke there to ioyne with the King of Nauarre and so to continue further troubles in the lande to the great and intollerable harme of the good Catholiques and the encouraging of Heretikes and such as were enemies to holy Chuch When the Friers and Iesuits in Paris and other principall cities were possessed with these newes they brake forth into very seditious speeches openly exclayming against the King and extolling the wisdome prowesse noble acts of the duke of Guise whereby they procured him much fauor among the multitude that knew nothing but what they heard by the Leaguers and their fauorites which made them think that the King had killed his thousand but the Guise his ten thousand All which treacherous dealings tended to no other end but this either to make the French beleeue that the K. was not indowed with such noble and heroycall vertues as were requisite for him that should gouerne so mightie and puissant a nation or else that he was a notorious dissembler a maintainer of Heretikes a secret enemy to the Catholikes And then what should they doo with such a King let theÌ„ make choise of another more valiant more wise more prouident more religious a more stout defender of holy Church and who should that be but the Guise who for the zeale courage valour and singuler dexteritie in the mannaging of matters of estate was not onely superior to the King The leaguers attempt against the yong duches of Bonillon but the paragon of all Europe The leaguers being assured of the death of the duke of Bonillon and that hee had left his sister Madame Charlate de la Marke a yong and tender Ladie heyre to all his soueraigne segneurie and principalitie of Bonillon thought it their best to let the king of Nauarre alone for a time at whose handes there was little to bee gotten vnlesse they payed deare for it and to enterprise somewhat aagaynst this desolate Ladie and either by hooke or by crooke as wee vse to say to get the Dukedome into their possession VVhereupon the Duke of Guise vsed all the cunning hee coulde to match his sonne the Prince Ienuill with her and the Duke of Lorraine was as earnest a suter for his sonne called Marthuis de Pont and Lorde Vaudemont But neither of them being able by all their deuises to winne that Ladies fauour they thought it best to ioyne together and to compell her to match according to their lykings With this resolution they entered the Dukedome of Bonillon with a great power burning wasting killing murthering rauishing and committing all other horrible and detestable villanies that coulde bee imagined The crueltie of the leaguers against the dukedom of Bonillon and besieged the sayde Ladie and her two principall Townes Sedan and Iamets where they continued a long tyme spent much Treasure and lost most of theyr men and in the ende with shame and dishonour beeing well beaten at a womans hand by the valiant conduct of the Lord Necuile were glad to giue ouer and returne home Whilest the dukedom of Bonillon was vexed and tormented with these troublesome sutors the principal leagers assembled at Nancie in Lorrain where there was a great consultation helde how they might aduance themselues and ouerthow the King against whose person and state they had for a long time bout all their endeuors There they agreed to present certain articles to the king which they would haue him agree vnto and those were such as tended to the vtter destruction of the King and the auncient Nobilitie of Fraunce and the safetie of themselues First they requested the King to ioyne more openly with the League and to put all such as they dislyked out of their offices The petitions of the leâ—gue to the king To cause the Councell of Trent to bee proclaymed throughout all his Dominions To establish the Spanish inquisition To put such Castels and strong Townes into their handes as they should name vnto him That hee shoulde sende an armie into Lorraine vpon the borders of G rmanie to let the entrie of strangers into the land and for the maintenance thereof should cause all the goods of those whome they tearmed Heretikes or fauourers of Heretikes to bee solde and the money to bee deliuered into theyr handes That the Catholiques shoulde pay the tenth of their reuenewes for the same purpose and that the surplussage shoulde bee to pay the most needfull debts of the principall Leaguers and that the life of no Heretike prisoner shoulde be spared vnlesse hee would abiure and put in good securitie to liue Catholiquely hereafter and to giue all his goods or the iust valew of them which hee hath then in his possession to the supporting of the League and to binde himselfe to serue three yeares wheresoeuer he should be commaunded The
turned to the great good of the French who otherwise had beene in maruaylous danger to haue beene ouerthrowne at that encounter The Marques fought valiauntly and pearcing through the middest of the horsemen hard to the Ordinance ouerthrew a great bande of Gascons which were appointed to guard them The French being encouraged with the presence of their king laide about them like men and the Switzers beeing promised double pay like Tygres tare and rent in peeces as manie as fell into theyr handes And had not the earle of Petilia at that present escaped from the French and by comming to the flying Italians with all the forceable reasons hee coulde perswaded them to renew the fight the whole power of the Venetians had beene vtterly ouerthrowne Both armyes being well wearied with a long and bloody fight The French K. looseth all his baggage they sounded the retreate The French had lost all their baggage and the riches of Naples which was going into Fraunce was taken by the Italian souldiours a great number of their brauest men were slaine and amongst others the bastarde of Burbon a man of surpassing great valour The King himselfe hauing likewise lost all his plate and houshold stuffe was in extreme peril and had vndoubtedly bin taken had it not beene for the excellencie of his horse which was a cole black with one eye And although he gate the victorie and remained maister of the field yet were his losses verie great and farre surmounted the gaine he had gotten in that long and wearie voyage He was constrained to lie the night following in a simple cottage The distresse of the French King and all his great Lords were lodged round about him in the open fields who had nothing to eate nor any chaunge of apparell to put on So that they resolued to dislodge in the dead of the night and with al speed to recouer Ast. The French run out of Italie The Armie was sore afrighted and euery man coueted to bee in the Vauntgard supposing thereby to be furthest from daunger and nearest vnto places of safest retreate And thus marching forward in tumultuous maner with much ado got to Ast where they staied not long but went to Thurin and so to Lions The king was no sooner in France but all things went backewarde in Italie The great alteration in Italie all places reuolted and well was he that could first teare in peeces the Flower de Lis. Whosoeuer had beene friends before now became enemies and nothing was so hastily gayned but it was as speedily lost And the French Nation who not long before had beene the terror of the Turke the Pope the Emperor the Venetians and in a maner of al Europe were now in nothing more famous then in their dishonourable flight out of Italie leauing vnto posteritie a notable example of the chaunge and mutabilitie of these worldly affayres And as it vsually falleth out if fortune begin once to chaunge it neuer ceaseth vntill it haue throwne a man groueling to the ground so it fared with this king who began to decline a pace and to be crossed euerie day more then other His yong sonne the Duke of Orleance began to be desperately sicke and so continued languishing vntill at last he died wherewith his father was immesurably greeued The death of the yong D. of Orleanes and from that time forwards nothing thriued that he tooke in hand his friends forsooke him and his enemies dayly encreased and almost all matters stoode in verie bad tearmes Euill newes was brought from euery corner and the worst of all other was this death suddenly sendeth forth a messenger to summon him to appeare before him and to giue an account of his stewardship For as he was in a Gallerie at Ambois looking vpon such as played at tennis The sudden death of Charles the 8. King of France hee was suddenly stroken with an Apoplexie and liued not past some fiue or sixe houres after but yeelded vp the ghost 1497. hauing reigned fourteene yeares And albeit he were a very mightie Prince and had exceeding many goodly Castels beautifull houses and statly Pallaces and had conquered so many earledomes Marquesats Dukedoms and Kingdomes had made all Italie to stoope and bend at his becke had triumphed at Naples and atchieued so glorious a conquest and that so easily yea almost without drawing of his sword so that hee was now become one of the most redoubted worthies of the world yet did hee ende his dayes on the sudden and died in a verie miserable and beggerly place which sheweth the lamentable estate of all sorts and that the most mightie Potentates are subiect to a maruellous chaunge and alteration CHAP. III. Lewis the 12. King of France entreth Italy conquereth Millan taketh the Duke thereof prisoner He ioyneth with the Spanish King to conquer Naples who expelleth him and keepeth the kingdome for himselfe The battaile of Rauenna The Switzers driue the French out of Millan The death of King Lewis AFter the decease of Charles Lewis Duke of Orleance Lewis D. of Orleance K. of France and next heire to the Crowne succeeded in the kingdome who entituled himselfe king of Ierusalem Naples and Cicil and Duke of Millan intending to conquer the Dukedome and for that purpose prouided all things necessarie with all the speed that might be But by reason of the former kings expenses he foūd small store of treasure so that for to furnish himselfe he set to sale all the offices of France except such as were iudiciall a daungerous practice and none of the least occasion of that great confusion which afterwardes ensued Lewis D. of Millan forsaketh the French king Lewis Duke of Millan feared the Venetians more then the French and therfore ioyned with the Florentines to recouer Pisa But hee erred exceedingly herein for Lewis of Fraunce hauing made peace with other Princes bent all his forces agaynst Millan with whom also the Venetians ioyned in the ende Whereat the Duke was maruellously astonished and began to fortifie his owne territories so strongly as hee might But hee putting those in trust who were in most fauour and not such as had the greatest vertue and fidelitie too common a fault among great estates lost one thing after another and in a short space all things going backewarde Millan yeeldeth to the French hee was forced to forsake Millan and flie to the castell by reason the Citie was yeelded to the French Which ioyfull newes beeing brought vnto the King who was then at Lions hee determined forthwith to passe in person ouer the Alps The French K. goeth to Millan and being in Italy compounded with all the chiefe estates there and did in a maner whatsoeuer he listed The King hauing remained a while in the Duchie of Millan and taken such order for his affayres there as he liked best returned home leauing the Cardinall of Ambois for his Lieutenant in those quarters But he was no sooner
anie wayes diminished or his former authoritie impayred that for the maintenaunce thereof hee vexed himselfe in most straunge and pittifull sort Hee woulde not at anie time come abroade nor bee seene but of some fewe in whome hee reposed a speciall confidence His Court Gates were continuallie guarded yea his verie Chamber Doore so surelye watched The miserie of Lewis the 11. as that it was impossible to keepe a prisoner in more strayte manner then hee kept his owne selfe And beeing a king that in former tymes had taken his delight in so manie rich beautifull and flourishing Cittyes and solaced himselfe in so manie stately Pallaces and pleasaunt Gardeyns was nowe to his vnspeakeable torment confined in a narrowe rowme sequestring himselfe from all companie and euerye other thing which might breede his delight or encrease his comfort and so continued in this miserable estate alwaies languishing in feare The death of Lewis the eleuenth King of France vntill his death which was in the yeere 1483. and hauing raigned two and twentie yeeres left behinde him a sonne who succeeded in the kingdome in whose dayes fell out many strange and admirable occurrences as shall appeare in the Chapter following CHAP. II. Charles the eight inuadeth Italy and conquereth Naples Alphonsus and Ferdinando flie into Cicilia the Venetians and other Princes leuying a great power driue the French out of Italy The battell of Tarro The French king dieth sodainely ALbeit that Lewis the eleuenth not long before his death Charles the eight succeeded his father Lewis in the kingdome of France had oftentimes and that very seriously aduised his sonne Charles who was to succeed him in the kingdome to maintain peace and amitie with all his neighbours rounde about and by no meanes to enter into warres with any forraigne Princes before hee were growne to ripe yeeres and that the Realme which had endured so many calamities and miseries wherewith it was greatly impouerished should be growne rich againe and better prouided to resist any violence that should be offered yet could not the graue and strong perswasions of so wise and well experienced a Prince take such deepe rooting in the heart of this yong King but that thorow his owne ambitious desire to make himselfe great and the manifolde reasons alleaged by sundrie of his aduisants partly to flatter him in his owne honour but more especially to serue theyr owne turne they were quickly plucked vppe againe and hee fully resolued to enter into a warre which of all other was thought most daungerous and which wrought as straunge effectes as much varietie and as singular alterations and chaunges as any other whatsoeuer All which to the ende they may bee the better vnderstood it shall bee verie conuenient to rippe vp the matter from the beginning and in as fewe words as may bee to shewe the originall of so great trouble as afterwardes ensued Charles the eight King of Fraunce pretending a title to the Kingdome of Naples as heire to Reynard Duke of Aniow Lewis Sfortia D. of Millan perswadeth Charles the eight to conquere Naples was no sooner settled in his kingdome but he was forthwith enduced by the colourable perswasions of Lewis Sfortia who had not long before vsurped the Dukedome of Millan to put in his claime and with might and mayne to assay to gette so noble so rich and renowmed a Diademe Notwithstanding for that it was a matter of no small importaunce it was thought good to haue it thorowly debated in Councell and to heare the opinions of the wisest and the best experienced in the lande who when they had with great maturitie of iudgement pondered euerie circumstance as the danger the king was likely to thrust himselfe into the infinite treasure that must bee expended as also what a multitude of valiant mens liues that would cost before so glorious a victorie could be atchiued and the difficultie that would be in keeping that beeing once gotten The Kings Councel disswadeth the King from the conquest of Naples they wholly resolued that it was an enterprise in no wise to be attempted Notwithstanding the king who was yong desirous to eternise his name by some memorable attempt could in no wise be diuerted being moued as it were by some diuine instinct and incouraged by sundrie remonstrances of two of his principall fauorites called Vere and Brissonet both which were but meane politicks and of all other most ignorant in militarie affaires These two were daily solliciters of the king Vere and Brissonet encite the king to enter Italy who otherwise was but too willing of himselfe to prouide all necessaries for his intended voyage and to set forwarde with as much celeritie as possibly might be The yonger sort of the French Nobilitie and such as had least experience were likewise exceeding desirous to enter Italy by force of Armes and to shew their valour and noble courage to forraigne Nations Al things seemed to concurre for the furtherance of this happy attempt saue that which was most necessarie and that was wise and wel experienced Captaines and store of siluer and gold which are accounted as the veines and sinewes of the warres There were men enough but such as were most fitte were most vnwilling the Kings Coffers were emptie and nothing could bee borrowed but vpon great interest and good assurance Thus the lets were many and the meanes to effect any thing with honour very small and in the end if the successe were such as was desired yet should there be nothing gotten as Lewis the eleuenth was wont to say but infinite trouble and imminent perill and that with the effusion of much French bloud The King resolueth to go to Naples contrarie to the opinion of his councell The King resoluing to passe into Italy notwithstanding whatsoeuer could be alleaged to the contrarie made a league with Ferdinando King of Spaine with Maximilian king of the Romanes and with Phillip Archduke of Austria and Duke of Flanders as also with the King of England least being occupied in his warres abroade he might happen to be molested at home by some forraigne enemie and deferring his iourney vntill the spring following which should be in the yeere 1493. in the meane while commanded that all things should be in a readinesse which were requisite for the maintenance of his Armie All men of vnderstanding wondered at this strange resolution of the King and the best affected towardes the Crowne of Fraunce did maruailously feare the sequel of so dangerous a iourney The more to encourage the King and to stirre him vp to prosecute his intended voyage The D. of Millan commeth to Ast to the French King Lewis Sfortia who vsurped the Dukedome of Millan as is alreadie sayde and had beene the first motioner of this warre did not onely promise vnto the King all the ayde and furtherance that might be by his embassadours but also came himselfe with the Duchesse his wife very nobly accompanied vnto
in the taile with a troupe of horsemen but beeing ouerthrowne from his horse was presently slaine with a Pike which was thrust into his side and so died most vnfortunately when hee had gotten a most glorious and honourable victorie The Lord Lautrech his cousin Germaine being hurt with aboue twentie wounds lay besydes him almost dead but beeing succoured in time was afterwards recouered The number that was slaine on both sides were well neare tenne thousand persons the thirde part of which were French men whose losse was farre the greater by reason of the death of Foix with whom the courage strength life and fiercenesse of that army was in a maner vtterly extinguished howbeit they entered Rauenna which they sacked and spoyled Rauenna sacked and spoyled and tooke sundrie other Cities raunging vp and downe at theyr owne pleasure But presently they began to be afflicted with newe crosses for the Switzers passing the Alpes and ioyning with the Venetians The Switzers expell the French out of Millan tooke Cremona and Bergamo and approching Millan Triultio being without hope to defende the Citie secretly stole away into Piemont and vpon the newes of his departure Parma Placentia Bologna and almost all Romagna returned to the Pope and Geane likewise reuolted from the French choosing Fregosa who had beene generall of the Venecian armie for their Duke Thus the French Kings affaires began to be quailed in Italy and by reason the king of England was nowe readie to enter France he was compelled to looke to the defence of his owne countrey The death of Lewis the twelfth king of France and to suffer the Switzers to take their pleasure in Millan But the French King reconciling himselfe with England married the Kings sister with whom he liued not three moneths but died at Paris 1514. after he had raigned seauenteene yeeres and was buried at Saint Denis CHAP. IIII. Francis the first King of France winneth Millan from the Emperor His great vertues he besiegeth Pauia and is taken prisoner He is sent into Spaine A league made against the Emperour The French King is deliuered and falleth out with the Emperour He dyeth at Rambouillet LEwis the twelfth was no sooner deceased Francis the first King of France but Francis Duke of Angolesme succeeded in the Kingdome who continuing the former quarrell for the Dukedome of Millan and kingdome of Naples left no stone vnroled to bring his desires to passe but forthwith there approched many impediments and sundrie blocks were cast in his way which maruailously altered his course extreamely crossed al his designements for the Emperour Maximilian growing aged and beeing wearie with the burthen of the Empire sent Embassadors to the Electors and to the Pope to desire them to choose Charles of Austriche and king of Spaine for their Emperour but the French king thinking him to be mightie inough already labored by all possible meanes to hinder that election Before that any thing could be accomplished Maximilian died The King of France laboreth to bee Emperour whereupon the French and Spanish kings became earnest competitors and each endeuored to win the Goale from other The French King was put in some hope by the faire promises of the marquesse of Brandenburge one of the electors howbeit in the ende Charles of Austriche was chosen which spited Francis to the heart Charles K. of Spaine chosen Emrour And now hee daily picked quarrels at the Emperour and at last fel flat out with him for being a Prince of great courage wise industrious rich and ambitious hee in a sort disdained that the yong king of Spaine should be preferred before him and therefore he presently hired Switzers who for money became his mercenaries and sent Monsieur de Lantrech to besiege Millan which was valiantly kept by Prospero Colonno The rumour whereof being spread beyond the Alps The great commendation of Francis the first caused Antonio de Leua to fortifie Pauia so that now all Italy began to bee in an vprore and the French kings comming was greatly feared for that hee was a Prince vniuersally furnished with all royall vertues and fit to enterprise great matters And vnderstanding that the Emperiall power had not onely expelled the French men out of the Duchie of Millan The great commendation of Francis the first but were entred France and by besieging of Marseiles in Prouence seemed to dare him within his owne dominions hee gathered a strong power and marched towardes his enemies with all speede who hearing of his comming brake vp their siege and hasted to Italy whom the king pursued so fast The King of France taketh Millan that the emperials were no sooner entred into Millan but that hee was hard at the gates where hee stayed not long but that the Cittie was yeelded vnto him the emperiall forces forsaking it and flying to Lody after a very tumultuous and disordered sort The King vsed the Citizens verie graciously and hauing somewhat reposed himselfe and refreshed his wearie troupes marched discreetely towardes Pauia The K. besiegeth Pauia wherein was Antonio de Leua with fiue thousand Lansquenets fiue hundred Spanish footmen with two cornets of horsemen The king encamped before the towne and besieged it very straightly the emperials beeing aduertised heereof gathered all theyr forces together and hauing an army wherein were seauen hundreth men of armes and as many horsemen a thousande Italian horsemen and aboue sixteene thousand footemen Spaniardes and Almans they sette forwarde from Lody with a full resolution to remooue the siege or to fight with the French and hazard all vpon a battaile The King was no sooner certified hereof but that sending for all his Captaines and men of war he fully determined to continue his siege and to expect the comming of his enemie whatsoeuer coulde bee alleaged to the contrarie often affirming that hee hadde rather dye then to stirre one foote before he had taken the Citie The emperiall Captaines beeing driuen into great necessitie for want of money and other necessaries and hauing much adoo to pacifie theyr souldiours The Emperials enuade the french Kings camp thought it best to vse expedition considering that it was impossible for them to continue long their men growing mutinous for want of pay and thereuppon as those that stoode in very desperate estate hasted to inuade the French who prepared with great courage to meete them they were exceedingly encouraged by the presence of theyr King who should bee an eye witnesse of theyr valour and prowesse The marquesse of Pescara with three thousande Spanish footemen assayled the French trenches where hee slew fiue hundreth men and poysoned three peeces of great ordinance This vnexpected accident dismaied many of the French souldiers and the rather for that the Admirall who carryed the cheefe sway in the Army next vnto the king was hurt in the thigh with a shotte and was carried to Placentia to bee cured of his wounds Sixe hundred Grisons were called
sollicited other Princes as the Pope the king of England the Venetians and other states to ioyne with him and made a strong league and fell flat out with the emperour afresh notwithstanding all the promises which had beene made Then presently ensued new warres and all Europe was in a sort infected with this contagious humor Fortune which hadde so extreamely crossed the French designements began to be more fauourable and to beholde the king with a smiling countenance for the Lord Lautrech beeing sent into Italy tooke Bosco Genes Alexandria and Pauia from the emperour maruaylously aduauncing the French affaires The emperour beeing vexed at the heart with these newes complained greeuously of the king offering him the Combate The Emperour offereth the combate to the french King calling him forsworne and periured prince the King gaue him the lie and affirmed that hee would make it good vpon his body when and where he durst Thus did these mightie potentates fight a farre off with their tongues and their armies in Italy and other where sought to ruinate and ouerthrow each other by all possible meanes After many conflicts wherein sometime the emperials and sometime the French as it were alternatiuely had the better there was a peace concluded for tenne yeeres in which time the Emperour in very freendly and louing manner A peace betweene the Emperor and the French King passed through France to represse certaine tumultuous outrages committed in Flanders This peace beeing expired they fell again into new broyles but they were soone ended and nowe began France to bee scourged with the English who hauing gotten Bulloigne wasted their countrey round about The French king beeing very desirous to impale the English forces The death of Francis the first king of France and to keep them from forraging after their woonted manner raysed certaine forts round about in the most conuenient places but whilst hee was earnestly busied herein hee sodainely fell sicke and died 1546. at a place called Rambouillet hauing raigned 32. yeeres leauing his sonne to succeede him in all his territories and dominions CHAP. V. Henry the second maketh warre against the Emperour and taketh Metz and many other townes The Queene of Hungary inuadeth France The great army of the Emperour for the recouerie of Metz which was kept by the Duke of Guyse The Emperor raiseth his siege Teroanneis besieged by the Emperials The King raised a great power to withstand the Emperour The cruelty of the French in Henault The battaile of Reuty The King and the Emperour breake vp their armies Charles the fift yeeldeth ouer his empire Rome besieged and taken King Phillip of Spaine besiegeth Saint Quintins which he taketh after hee had ouerthrowne all the power of France The original of the Huguenots in France Callis besieged and takâ—n by the Guyse Count Egmond ouerthroweth Monsieur de Termes the Captaine of Callis Phillip King of Spaine marryeth the French Kings daughter At whose marriage the King of France is slaine by Montgommery HEnry the second of that name King of France Henry the second King of France was not onely heire of his fathers Kingdome but also of all royall vertues and princely qualities In the beginning of his raigne hee maintained the Scots against the English but at length a composition beeing made The king of France bendeth all his forces against the Emperor hee bent all his forces against the Emperour who at that time made warre against the Princes of Germany and hauing gathered a strong power wherein were 2500 french footmen 7000. Lansquenetes 1200. men of armes besides 2000. horsemen as many harquebuziers on horseback vnder the leading of the Duke of Aumaile ordaining the admirall Annebaut his Vizgerent in France Metz taken by the french commanded the Conestable to march before with the vauntgard who aduanced towards Metz. The towne was quickly yeelded vpon such composition as pleased the king and so became annexed to the crowne of France From thence the king went towardes Strasbourg where the French would gladly haue entred but the Citizens would in no wise permit them howbeit they offered what prouision they were able to spare but that would hardly satiâ—fie notwithstanding considering the Cittie was very strong and the people resolutely bent to defende themselues the King turned towardes Hoguenan and VVisbourg where the Embassadors of the emperiall princes met with him and desired him that he would enter no further into Germany with which message although the King was nothing well pleased yet he made a faire shew and seemed to take all things well and returned towards France The Queene of Hungary leuieth an army to inuade France The Queene of Hungary the Emperours sister vnderstanding of the retreat of the French deuised all the meanes that might bee to impeach them and to cut of as many as shee could catch at any aduantage and hauing leauied an army to the number of twelue thousand footmen three thousand horse vnder the leading of the Count Mansfeild and Martyn Vaurosh entered the faire fields of the Flower de Lys which they spoyled verie pittiously The King beeing aduertised heereof marched with all speede to releeue his distressed subiects but the emperials hearing of his resolution retired speedily whereupon the King began to cast about how he might conquere the Duchie of Luxembourg and hauing taken a Castle called Rock hee laide siege vnto Saint Iehan Solieure and Danuill all which were forthwith yeelded vnto the King Yuoy a place of great importance helde out for a time but in the ende it was gladde to hearken to a composition for albeit that the valiant Counte Mansfeild hadde put himselfe within the Towne and had fortified it very strongly with a resolution to defende it against all men yet by reason of the cowardlinesse of his Souldiers he was forced to yeeld to the Conestable and he with sundrie others of especiall account were carried prisoners to Paris Then ensued the taking of Momedy Luzembourg and the Dukedome of Bouillon by the mareschall of Sedan Cimets was likewise taken and the spoyle thereof giuen to the Souldiers Thus the French king prospered gaining many Townes Castles and strong holds from the Empire The French King breaketh vp his army without any resistance but his souldiers beeing wearied and diseased hee was forced to breake vp his campe and lay them in garrisons and to expect what course the Emperour would take to recouer his honour and to regaine his townes who by reason he was occupied in the warres with certaine of the Germaine princes could not hinder the French proceedings But he hauing with much ado compounded with Maurice and the rest of the Protestants employed all his counsels how to recouer that which the French king had taken from him and hauing perswaded with the Germaine potentates to aide and assist him in hs intended enterprise The preparation of the Emperour against the French king caused al his old bands which were in Italy as
made verie great preparation both to with stande the French abroade and also for to finde them occupied at home and the rather because a third armie vnder the leading of their Admirall Chastillon gouernor of Picardy inuaded Artâ—oise wasting and spoyling the Countrey exceedingly Thus was the league which was so solemnly sworne and so necessary for all Christendome broken againe by the sinister counsels of the Guyse and the warres beganne afresh betweene these two mightie Princes King Phillip prepareth a great army to besiege S. Quintines King Phillip being highly discontented with the French King for so many iniuries and indignities offered hauing gathered a great army wherein was thirtie fiue thousand footmen and twelue thousand horse besides some eight thousand English vnder the leading of the Earle of Penbrooke purposed to besiege Saint Quintines in Vermandoise Chastillon putteth himselfe within S. Quintins which the Admirall Chastillon suspecting putte himselfe within the Towne with such power as hee hadde in a readinesse and fortified it as strongly as he could the French king likewise prepared to withstande the Spanish inuasion and hauing prouided an hoste consisting of eighteene thousande footmen Almaines and French The Conestable sent to releeue Saint Quintins and some fiue or sixe thousand horse sent the Conestable of France to front the enemie and to keepe him from entring into the fat fieldes of the Flower de Lis. But before this power could bee in a readinesse the prince of Piemont generall of the Spanish forces hadde inuested Saint Quinsines Saint Quintins besieged and planted his siege before the Towne which he watched so narrowly that it was impossible for any succours to enter without apparant daunger The Conestable notwithstanding espying a conuenient time conuayed certaine troups of footmen and horsemen into the Towne vnder the fauour of a skirmish maintained by the Duke of Neuers and the Prince of Condy The Conestable of France releeueth Saint Quintins and retireth which beeing performed hee beganne to retyre as not willing to hazard his fortune at that present which at the first was not discerned by the Spanish But after that the victuallers and pages of the French Campe perceiued the retrait of theyr Armie and howe farre they were engaged they beganne to runne after in great haste and with theyr yelling and crying gaue such euident proofe to the enemie of their exceeding feare so that the Count Egmond Count Egmond chargeth the Conestable who first discouered the French dismarch hauing aduertised the prince commaunded the trumpets to sounde Dedans dedans and with two thousand horse charged them on the side The Count Henry and Ernest of Brunswick each of them hauing a thousand beeing backed with the Counte Horne who hasted on with great fury did likewise assaile them at one instant who in their retiring turning head receiued them with equall valour While the French were thus assailed in the flanke the Count of Mansfeild Dostrate and Gueldres with three thousand horse ranne vpon them in the front and that with such a furious feast that hauing ouerthrowne theyr formost ranke the rest were soone defeated and compelled to flie away The Conestable is ouerthrowne and takeÌ„ prisoner with a great number of the French Nobilitie Iohn of Burbon Duke of Angolesme was dismounted at the first encounter and beeing horsed againe was slaine at the second Francis de la Tour vicount of Turin Saint Gelais and aboue a hundred and twentie Gentlemen of good account beside sixe hundred common souldiers died at that battaile The Conestable beeing wounded in the hippes was taken prisoner and brought to the Prince and so were the Dukes of Montpensier the mareschall Saint Andrew Lewis prince of Manfona the Ringraue Rochfaucont Saint Heran Burdillon Mouy Montsales and many other of the Nobilitie of great reckoning and reputation There were also aboue three hundred Gentlemen of Marke taken prisoners and many of the footmen beeing slaine the rest were taken to mercy and driuen away by troups as if they hadde beene flocks of sheepe and presented to King Phillip with theyr ensignes and colours as monuments of his glorious and triumphant victorie The King of France was wonderfully astonished with this ouerthrowe and the rather for that Paris the cheefe Citie of his Realme seemed to be straightly terrified that sundrie of the principall Citizens beganne to flie The great feare of the Parisians after the ouerthrow at S. Quintins and to withdraw themselues towardes the vttermost bounds of the lande fearing the comming of the enemie who had nowe libertie to doo what hee listed Howbeit hauing borrowed thirty thousand pounds of the Parisians he presently hired fourteene thousande Switzers and sent to the Duke of Guyse who was in Italy to repaire into France with all expedition and to bring with him all the forces hee could make Thus was the King driuen to an exigent and hee who not long before hadde sent the Guyse to anoy other men was nowe glad to call him home againe to defende himselfe The Hugonots tooke their name of a gate in the Citie of Tours called Hugon because thâ—se of the reformed religion being greatly persecuted did many times in the night assemble neere that gate where they had preaching and other exercises so that in the beginning in the way of mockage they they were called Hugonots which name being carried from one to another at length became a common name and vsed of al sorts who stood almost in a desperate state and lay open to the inuasion of his enemies In the meane time the King was earnestly busied in gathering of another Armie sending out his proclamations into all quarters fortifying Paris and appoynting the Duke of Neuers who by great happe escaped at Saint Quintins to bee his Lieutenant and to empeach the enemie from entering any further into France The number of those who were called * The Hugonots persecuted in France Hugonots began to increase and were dispersed in a manner ouer all the lande and because the affaires of the state went thus backward almost nothing prospered that was taken in hand one of the principall men about the king perswaded him that God was angrie and punished the land for that such sects and heresies as they tearmed them were suffered to increase and multiplie in a manner without controlement and that the King to pacifie the wrath of GOD must take a more seuere course in punishing such as were offenders heerein who hadde beene the principall meanes to pull downe the wrath of God vppon the King and the whole Lande Whereuppon there immediatly ensued horrible crueltyes towards the poore Hugonots and infinite multitudes were putte to death in a short time so that the rage of persecution grewe very great supposing thereby as by an expiation to turne away the hand of the almightie which was so heauie vppon France but they were exceedingly deceiued heerein for by applying a wrong medicine the disease dayly increased and
a straight commaundement to all his ordinance and men of armes to assemble themselues at Pierreport in as warlike maner as might be there to attend his further pleasure and to be in a readinesse to be employed as occasion should be offered King Philip of Spaine had likewise gathered a very strong power and al things were prouided by these two mightie Monarkes as though they ment to determine all their controuersies by some one cruel bloody battell But God who ruleth the hearts of princes disposed of their intentions far otherwise then their blind affections led them For vpoÌ„ the sudden their hard harts began to be mollified and each party inclined to peace so that the place being appointed and the deputies on both sides agreed vpon they met about the midst of October following at Cercam betweene Artoys and Pycardy There were many complaints on both sides and a commemoration of sundry indignities offered on either part Each defended others doings neither was there any likelihood of better agreement so that after many contentious words their assembly brake vp without any coÌ„clusion for peace and yet for that winter approched the soldiers were not able to keep the field Peace concluded between France and Spaine both princes dissolued their armies and licenced their men of warre to repose themselues vntill the next yere But before that time by reason of newe occurrences there was a generall peace proclaimed betweene these two nations each linked with other with very strait alliances For King Philip whose wife Mary Queene of England was lately deceassed was contented to take in marriage Elizabeth the eldest daughter of Henry the French King and Pilebert Emmanuel duke of Sauoy was affianced vnto madame Margaret his sister so that by reason of these new coÌ„iunctions there insued much quietnes to all Christendome but especially to these two kingdoms who now had made an end of all their quarels contentions and seemed to study of nothing but how they might honor and solemnise in most royall maner these new marriages There was exceeding sumptuous preparation against the appointed time all the Nobilitie of France were assembled at Paris to attend the king to honor these espousals The lady Elizabeth was coÌ„ducted by the king her father to our Lady Church at the day prefixed in most pompous and stately maner and there married by the Cardinall of Burbon to the Duke of Alua was who constituted Procurator of the king of Spaine his maister The Duke of Alua marrieth the French kings daughter for his maister the king of Spaine There were all the princes of the bloud attending in their order and many cheefe Prelates and all the officers of the crowne The Duke of Alua was accompanied with the Prince of Orenge Count Egmond and sundrie other very honourable personages The marriage being finished there was exceeding feasting banquetting and cheering with dauncing masking and all other pastimes that could be imagined both to delight the eye and please the eare The king reioyced to see his daughter so honourably aduanced the Nobilitie and commonaltie were maruailously glad to remember what ease peace and tranquilitie they should enioy by this newe affinitie and all sorts seemed to triumph hoping there would be a perpetuall league and corespondency betweene these two Nations but now behold a woful mishap and lamentable mischance wherewith all this mirth and iollity was turned into weeping wailing and great sorrow so enterchangeably doo these two accompany each other so certainely do they follow one another The French king who had bin the principall challenger at tilt assisted by the Duke of Guyse Alphonse the Prince of Ferrara and the Duke of Nemours hauing borne himselfe very nobly that day and broken many staues to his great honor and high commendation would needes in the end run a course with count De Mont-gommery a valiant gentleman of France who at the first refusing The French King slaine with running a course at â—â—lt yet commanded by the king accepted the condition and offered so freely that theyr staues flying in peeces some of the shiuers getting in at the sight of the beuer pearced into the kings head greeuously wounded him that he died within eleuen daies after to the immesurable greefe of his subiects after hee hadde raigned twelue yeeres three moneths and tenne dayes CHAP. VI. Francis the second the French King The Guises authors of all the confusion in France The Guises ioyne with the Queene mother against the King of Nauarre The King of Nauarre yeeldeth to the Queene mother The Duke of Guise made Lieutenant for the King and Henrie Cardinall of Lorraine made L. Treasurer of France They incense the King agaynst the princes of the blood The enterprise of the Lord of Renaudie The hatred of the Guises towards the three Chastillons The Prince of Conde beeing discontented goeth from the Court The order of the States of France The Admirall presenteth the supplication of the Hugonots to the king The Prince of Conde committed to prison and is condemned to die The death of the King THe Kingdome of France had for manie yeares togither beene verie well acquainted with the variable and changeable estate of vnconstaunt fortune and vnder Charles the eight Lewis the twelfth Francis the first and Henrie the seconde had by wofull experience found how subiect the most flourishing estates kingdoms coÌ„monwealths are to a continuall change and alteration and therfore hauing by long obseruatioÌ„ perfitly learned that the best means to maintain her selfe in her wonted grandeur and glory was to be leagued with her neighbour Countries and to be at peace and vnitie at home beganne to haue a flexible heart and to encline to quietnesse as much as might bee so that hauing ended all quarrels and buried all wronges and indignities in the pit of obliuion and by a neare coniunction with the Spanyard her ancient and mightie enemy in the opinion of most men procured her selfe a perpetuall peace began as it were to clap her handes for ioy and seriously to tryumph in so incomparable a benefite But the fatall and ineuitable mishap of this most noble kingdome which had florished for so many hundred yeares and had been the paragon of her neighbor nations could not as it seemeth be auoyded but that it must needes take place and wanting forraigne enemies to worke her ouerthrow must needes hatch a viperous brood which by gnawing out the belly of their owne mother haue most vnnaturally sought the destruction of her who haue most tenderly fostered and brought them vp The house of Guyse the principall cause of all the sturres in France The principall cause to produce so lamentable an effect and the only means in a maner to hatch so horrible a mischiefe was the immesurable ambition of that haughtie and aspiring house of Guyse who albeit they were straungers and no natural French men yet fortune so fauoured their attempts and made some of them
giuing him verie gracious wordes and an honourable testimonie of his good seruice commanding euery one to speake his opinion in order and as the case required In this assembly there were three which spake excellently to the purpose laying open vnto the viewe of all men the naked truth and as men resolute in their countries cause not daunted with the faces of any openly reproued that course which was taken in the administration of the Common-wealth and the affaires of the land And those were Moluc Bishop of Valence Marillac the Archbishop of Vienna and Chastillon the Admirall The eloquent speach of Mouluc did somewhat warme the Guises and Marillac with his hardie and learned discourses did make them as hote as a toast Mouluc Marillac the Admiral worthy of immortal praise for their free speach Both concluding that to preuent so many miseries as were likely to ensue it were conuenient to assemble a generall Councell or if that could not be accomplished then to referre the deciding of those controuersies to a nationall Councell and in the meane time to deale more mildely with such as were of the reformed religion But when the Admirall came to speake he made them starke mad hee so touched them to the quicke The Admirall touch the Guises to the quicke For hauing first approoued that which had beene sayde by Mouluc and Marillac he insisted vpon the new garde which the Guises had set about the king which said he was a matter of perillous consequence to nourish the K. in a diffidence and euill opinion of his subiects and in time might draw on the hatred of the people towards their prince who seeing themselues suspected wold be suspitious againe seeing their king and souereigne armed against them and in stead of free accesse to impart vnto him their griefes and doleances to be vtterly secluded from his presence by a multitude of armed souldiours And for his part he could not conceiue what reason there was why the French king should be so garded for he would pawne his honour his goods yea and his life to that there was no harme meant against his person If any of his principall Officers were afrayed of themselues it were good to cut off all occasions of offence which arose especially of the disordered gouernment of such as had the managing of the publike affayres The duke of Guise highly offended with the Admiral The Duke of Guise was in an extreame rage with the Admirall for these speaches and from that day forward grew to be his mortall enemie And albeit that hee and the Cardinall his brother laboured to crosse these good motions before remembred yet was it agreed vpon by the King with the assent of all the Nobilitie that there should be another assembly of the estates at Meaux and there these points to be more fully resolued of and in the meane time that euery one should repaire into their Countries to learne the state of them the better to acquaint the King at the next assembly with their plaints While these things were thus in handling there were many enterprises of the Mal-contents tending to the surprising of sundry townes which occasioned the Guises to send out proclamation in the Kings name and to leuie souldiours to withstand as they said the attempts of the seditious and perturbers of the state But the truth was that hauing their forces in a readinesse they might send on the sodaine for the Prince of Cond◠who was still with his brother the King of Nauarre and if hee would not come then to fetch him by force But first they assayed after a milde manner to accomplish their deuises causing the king to write vnto Nauarre in friendly sort to request him to come to the Court and to bring his brother Conde with him or otherwise hee shoulde bee compelled to fetch him for that there were so many and so euident accusations agaynst him But Nauarre and the Prince aunswered so wisely and with such courage that their enemies thought it not good to attempt any thing agaynst them by violence Whereupon they caused the king to sende an other Messenger by whome they were required to come to his Maiestie The Guises cause the K. to falsifie his worde assuring them in the worde of a Prince that there should no iniurie bee offered them but that they shoulde returne at theyr pleasure onelie hee desired to bee satisfied from the Prince of Condees owne mouth touching such matters as hee was charged with Whereupon these two Princes relying vpon the kings faythfull promises 1560 repayred to the Court whither they were no sooner come but that the Prince of Conde was committed to Chauignie The Prince of Conde cōmitted to prison Captaine of the guarde and by him clapt vppe in prison where no man might speake vnto him The king of Nauarre had no further libertie then to walke from his owne Chamber to the king and no man might speake with him but such as pleased the Guise who set spyes enough about him to obserue his doings The mother in Lawe likewise of the Prince of Conde and Sister to Chastillon the Admirall was sent to prison and verie narrowlie looked vnto Her Closet and all her house was ryfled to find some matter agaynst her This rough dealing with the chiefe Princes of the blood and other such of great qualitie and calling made many muse what would be the issue of such outragious designes The Prince had not beene long committed to prison but there was a priest sent vnto him to say Masse in his Chamber But hee commaunded him to bee thrust out by the heade and shoulders The Prince thrusteth a Masse priest out of his doores by the head and shoulders willing him to tell the King that hee woulde not suffer any such idolatrous seruice in his presence as also that hee woulde not to saue his life offende the Maiestie of God in so high measure VVhen his enemyes had gotten this aduauntage agaynst him they so incensed the King that he forthwith commanded his processe to bee drawne and sentence of death to be pronounced against him The prince condemned to die with commaundement to hasten the execution as speedily as might bee But while they were earnestlie busied about this matter and thought euen nowe to haue attayned to the full period of their desires the king fell dangerously sick of an vlcer The K. falleth sicke growing in his ear which increasing more more the phisitions despairing of his recouery the Princes execution which should haue beene the morrow following was respited for a time vntill they saw what would become of the king who euerie day waxing worse and worse notwithstanding all the meanes that could be deuised by the Guises their solemne vowes to the saints in Paradice their publike processions with earnest praiers for his helth yet he died the fift day of December The death of the French King 1560. after he had
reigned 17. moneths to the exceeding grief of the Catholiks the great terror of the D. of Guise The horror of the Guises and the Cardinall his brother who had caried themselues so proudly and arrogantly during all the time of his reigne that they were extreemly hated of all that were of any vertuous and humble disposition and therefore were now maruellously afraid least they should endure some scourge for their former outragious doings and that horrible confusion which they had brought into the Common-wealth CHAP. VII Charles the ninth the French King the Prince of Conde set at libertie The discontentment of the Princes of the blood The King of Nauarre made the Kings Lieutenant The Conestable bandeth with the Guises The King of Nauarre forsaketh the Protestants The Triumuirat The murther at Vassie The beginning of the first ciuill warres The death of the King of Nauarre Dandelot bringeth forces out of Germanie for the succour of the Protestants The battell of Dreux Poltrot killeth the Duke of Guise Peace proclaimed FRancis the second was no sooner deceased and that Charles the ninth was come to the Crowne but all seemed to bee cast in a new mould especially the state of the Prince of Conde was incontinenly altered for whereas before hee was accused and condemned of high treason and should haue beene executed had not the malicious purposes of his enemies beene crossed by the sudden death of the King now he was cleared of all the former accusations and declared innocent of those pretended crimes and restored to his dignitie and place The Prince of Conde set at libertie The Guises his mortall enemies beganne in all submisse maner to seeke his fauour and neuer left the Queene mother vntill shee had accomplished theyr desyres which was the more readilie brought to passe for that they had caused the late King a day or two before to speake louingly vnto the King of Nauarre and to affirme that the Guises neuer attempted any thing eyther agaynst him or his brother the Prince of Conde but that whatsoeuer was done was at his commaundement and that contrarie to theyr counsaile and aduice hee had caused the saide Prince to bee imprisoned and therefore hee desired them for the loue they bare vnto him that they woulde not conceyue hardly agaynst them or anie of theirs Albeit Nauarre did not beleeue this yet as one loath to raise new stirs he was content to temporise dissemble the matter supposing in deed that now their pride was abated and that they would no more carrie themselues so hautily as they had done in times past But they no more able to change their natures then then the Leopard her spots still aspired to haue the gouernment in their hands and it seemed the Queene mother was well content to giue them some countenaunce fearing thaâ— if they should bee altogither kept vnder by the Princes of the blood her authoritie would likewise in short time be limited which was a thing that shee could not endure by any meanes Which being noted by the King of Nauarre hee complained to the Queene mother The King of Nauarre complaineth to the Queen mother of the Guise that those of Guise were againe too much fauored and that they had too great countenance being preferred before him who was the chiefest Prince of the blood and who by the ancient lawes ought to haue the gouernment of the Realme during the nonage of the King and that he could not endure to see them aduanced who had alwayes beene his mortall enemies And although he were contented to beare much in regard of the loue and dutie he bare vnto her The Princes of the blood depart from the Court greatly discontented yet there was no reason why his kindnesse should be so hardly requited And if it were he woulde not endure it and further if the duke of Guise were so neare about the King he must and would be further of The Queene mother sought to content Nauarre with faire wordes but yet she did not satisfie him as he desired and therefore the next day hee with most of the Princes of the blood the Conestable his sonnes and Nephewes of Chastillon departed from the Court towards Paris highly discontented with the Queenes answere The Queene mother who extreemely greeued to see this accident sent for the Conestable to come and speake with her to whom she caused the King to say and that in the presence of two Secretaries of estate The Conestable commanded by the King not to depart from Court who were readie to recorde what was spoken that seeing hee was the chiefe Officer of the Crowne and one of whose presence hee stoode in neede of at that instant he commanded him not to forsake him as he would answer it at his perill Which word tooke such place and made such an impression in the Conestables minde that albeit hee were often summoned by the King of Nauarre to stand to his promise yet he could not be drawne from the Court but kept him stil with the King wherupon it was presently voiced that the Queene mother maintained the Guises against the King of Nauarre and the rest of the Princes of the blood But least Nauarre and his associates should bee too much discontented with this crosse dealing it was thought good to practise some newe attonement betweene them and the Guises and to declare Nauarre the kings lieutenant generall throughout all his dominions The King of Nauarre made lieutenant generall for the king which was accomplished by the meanes of the Conestable so that now Nauarre was highly honoured and the Guises made Court vnto him This gaue some comfort vnto the persecuted Hugonots and caused all men to hope for some better gouernement then had beene of late time and the rather for that Nauarre tolde the Ambassadour of Denmark that within one yere he would cause the Gospel to be preached throughout all France It was a wonder to heare what ioy there was generally throughout the whole land and how exceedingly the number of the Protestants were encreased in a short tyme by this little countenaunce which was giuen them In somuch as they coulde hardly finde conuenient places to receiue the multitudes which flocked to the Sermons Now as there were many who vsed this benefit wisely and with great reuerence so there were others who indiscreetly abused it exceeding a meane and hastily running from one extremitie to another supposing they stoode vpon a better foundation then indeed they did began to vse too much libertie to eate flesh and that vpon such dayes as were forbidden to condemne festiuall dayes and many ceremoniall vsages to pul downe images and deface altars contrarie to that which had not long before beene expressely commaunded which was that the ordering of these things should bee referred either to a generall or nationall councell The Constable alienated from the Admirall by the practise of the Guise This boldnesse and rash dealing of many
them that shee for her parte did thinke very honourably of all their proceedings and did not doubt but the King her sonne would bee mindfull hereafter to recompence so many deserts The Queene mother alloweth of the proceedings of the protestants seeing it was very apparant that both his estate and her owne was maintained by their royall seruices They againe humbly thanked her maiestie for her good opinion beseeching her to continue their gracious Lady and to bee a meanes that there might bee an ende of those miseries which nowe so fearefully threatened the crowne of France promising for their parts to bee most ready to employ their whole studies yea their goods and liues and whatsoeuer other meanes they had to assist her maiestie in so good and laudable an action so that they might enioy a peace with a free exercise of their Religion according to the Kings edict They further declared vnto the Queen mother the manifold greeuances of the kings subiects with a meanes to remedie so many so lamentable disorders to al which sundry other remonstrances albeit she seemed to giue some allowances yet for that shee stood so stiffly against the free exercise of Religion and would needes vrge the Prince to depart the Realme as indeed he had promised rather then hee would bee any occasion of the continuance of ciuill wars albeit presently vppon better and more mature consideration hee repented him of the speech there could bee nothing concluded Whereupon the Prince returned to his campe The Prince of Conde returneth to his Campe prepareth for warre exceeding glad that God had deliuered him out of the snares of his enemies and resolued with all for his forces to fight it out and to hazard his fortune assoone as any oportunitie was offered With this resolution he dislodged and marched towards the Catholikes hauing in his army ten thousand fiue hundred footmen and a thousand horse Now when he approched the enemie hauing disposed his troupes in very warlike maner he twice presented the battaile but the Catholikes refused The Catholikes refuse to fight for that all their forces were not as yet assembled The Prince seeing hee could not drawe them out of their strength hauing braued them in the faces and maintained some light skirmishes with them retired towardes Orleance sending abroad into all quarters to prouide all necessaries for the warres and for the more speedy accomplishment heereof it was decreed that Soubize shoulde bee sent to Lyons Rochfaucont into Xaintoigne Duras into Guyen and Briquemault into Normandy and so into England to procure both men and money and as many friendes as might be gotten Dandelot was likewise sent into Germany to hasten such succours as were promised by the Princes Protestants Conde and the Admirall with the rest of the Captaines and Gentlemen with two and twenty ensignes of footmen remained stil in Orleance By this time were the forces which came out of Germany to the aide of the Catholikes in a readinesse to march vnder their Collonelles Forces sent out of Germany to aide the Catholikes Rokendolf Frewlich and the Ringraue who besides certaine Cornets of Reisters had likewise twentie ensignes of Lansquenits These were no sooner arriued at the campe but that the Triumuirate thought it best to employ them with al the rest of their forces against the Hugonots and that before they should haue any aide come out of Germany For the hastening whereof Dandelot hadde assayed all possible meanes and had so pollitikely handled the matter that notwithstanding all the practises of his enemies hee procured great ayde for the strengthening of the cause The Catholikes were long in suspence whether they should besiege Orleance or Rohan The Catholikes besiege Rohan and take it the principall Citie in Normandie but at last they resolued to assay their forces agaynst Rohan Where hauing first gayned the fort of Saint Katherins which commaunded the towne through the treacherie of the captaine who was corrupted with money and faire promises they foorthwith entred by force killing spoyling and murthering the inhabitants in most cruell and horrible manner and making hauocke of all thinges without pittie or mercie Augustine Marolat Marlorat hanged a famous learned man and chiefe Minister of the Towne was there hanged with Mautreuill the president of the Parliament besides sundrie other of speciall account The Catholikes lost manie of theyr brauest men and amongst others the King of Nauarre who beeing shot with a Harquebuz in the left shoulder as hee was making water in the Trenches dyed the seuenteenth of September following The King of Nauarre wounded to death neuer attaining that Marittime Kingdome the hope whereof had so bewitched him that he forgat wife children kinsfolks friends Religion yea and God himselfe and thought of nothing but of the Sardinian Crowne beeing happie in nothing but in this that hee dyed in the beginning of the Ciuill warres and neuer lyued to see the miserie of his owne Countrey whereof hee had beene a chiefe and principall cause The losse of this Citie being a place of so great importance was a maruailous discouragement vnto many who stood but faintly to their tacklings before and had no doubt wrought a more daungerous effect had not this breach beene repayred or at least well amended by the surpassing care and prouident circumspectnesse of Dandelot who so plied his friends in Germany Dandelot bringeth forces out of Germany to the ayd of the Protestants that he had gathered about 3300. horse and 4000. footmen with whom there met the Prince Portion at Strausbourge with 100. French horse The ioiful news of which power encouraged the confederates to hold out in hope of their future help and maruellously animated such as before were exceedingly daunted with the remembrance of their former losses These new supplies marched towards Lorrain and passing ouer the riuer of Seine trauersed the country by Yonne Creuen Montargis and arriued at Orleance in despite both of the duke of Neuers and the Mareschall S. Andrew who were sent to stop their passage with 14. cōpanies of men of Armes 16. cornets of Argoletters 25. ensignes of footmen 9. companies of launces and 13. of light horse besides the old troupes of Picardie vnder the leading of Pauan Monsales Giury Crenay and many other Chieftaines This noble and valiant Dandelot gayned a verie honourable report euen of his enemies for so wise and politique a conduct insomuch as hee was not onely reputed a Gentleman of surpassing courage and of an vndaunted spirit in greatest perils but also a leader of excellent skill Dandelot esteemed for an excellent captaine and deepe foresight to preuent all daungers About the same instant there met with him also Rochfaucont and Duras with some three hundred horse and a thousand fiue hundred footmen al which were no sooner assembled at Orleance but that the Prince determined to take the field and hauing prouided all thinges in a readinesse departed towarde Phiuiers and
after hee had braued them for a good space and had wasted and spoyled hard to the suburbs seeing that no man durst appeare to impeach his proceedings considering that victuals and other necessaries for his army waxed scant and that the Catholikes hourely reenforced themselues as also vnderstanding that Cassimer was comming with a great army to his ayde he dislodged then from S. Dennis the fifteenth of Nouember and went towards Lorrayne to receiue his Almaines Beeing on his way at Montargis hee receiued letters from Truchares who was a little before elected Maior of Rochell that if hee would sende some especiall man of account to be Lieutenant in his absence they would yeeld the towne to his deuotion The Prince was wonderfull glad to heare this good newes knowing that to bee a place of no small importance and therefore hee foorthwith dispatched Saint Hermin his Cousin with letters to the Mayor and Shriues of the towne giuing them hearty thankes for their great fauour and kindnesse with a request to remaine constant and to receiue his Cousin as his Lieutenant in his absence Rochel yeelded to the Protestants This gentleman was very welcome to the Rochelers where hee arriued the tenth of Februarie 1568. and so Rochell being a maruailous strong place accomodated with a goodly hauen by which meanes it was growne very rich remained euer after at the deuotion of the Confederates The troups of Poictou Xaintoigne c. By this time were there newe troupes leuied in Poictou Guyen Xaintoigne Angolesme and Gascongne vnder the leading of Saint Cyre Soubize Puuiant Pilles and other chiefetains amounting to the number of eighteene Cornets of horse and twenty leauen ensignes of footmen who marching to ioyne with the Prince tooke by the way Dorat Lusignan and Pont Sur Yon where they ioyned with the vauntgard ledde by the Admirall Chastillon from thence passing by Sens they tooke Bray Nogent Montereau and Espernay Thus did the Protestants stil aduance their affaires the Catholikes being not able to impeach or hinder them notwithstanding all their practises and deuises Monsieur Duke of Aniou made the Kings lieutenant generall Now was Monsieur the Duke of Aniou brother to the King by reason of the death of the Constable proclamed Lieutenant generall ouer all his brothers territories and Dominions who beeing assisted by the Prince de Nemours Longauille the Mareschall Cossy Tauannes Martigues Carnaualet Losses and sundrie other great Captaines was commaunded to bridle the Protestants as much as might be The Duke of Aumaile was sent into Lorraine to ioyne with the Marques of Baden who had raysed a power of some three thousand horse for the seruice of the King and the Duke of Alua sent the Count of Aremberg with a thousand and two hundred horse and two thousand footmen Spaniards and Burgonians who shoulde ioyne with Monsieur against the Prince of Conde The marques of Baden and the Duke of Alua send forces to Monsieur and the rest of the Confederates The yong Lonsac was sent to the Count Palatine to hinder the leuie of the Reisters made by his sonne Cassimer and nowe readie to march for the succour of the Protestants Thus was there great preparation made on all sides to continue the warres and to consume Fraunce with the flame of ciuill broyles The Prince being aduertised of all this hasted to meete with his Reisters and with much adoo being followed in the taile by the Catholikes at length arriued at Saint Michaell where hee passed the Riuer of Meaux and so entered into Lorraine still proceeding forwardes vntill hee came as farre as Mousoâ— where hee met with Cassimer and his Almaines The Prince of Conde meeteth with Cassimer his Almains who accompanyed with the two young Countes of Barbie the Count Holo the Mareschall of the Palatinate Scomberg and manie others of great reckoning and account had long expected the comming of the Confederates After some stay made for the refreshing of their wearied troupes they determined to returne towards the pleasant and fertile fieldes of the Flower de Lis there to assay if they could bring their enemies to any honest and reasonable conditions Monsieur had speedie intelligence of the returne of both Armyes wherefore hee sent great numbers both of horsemen and footemen to stoppe all the passages and amongst others commaunded the Duke of Neuers with his Italian bandes to defende the Riuers of Merne Seyne Yon The Duke of Neuers appointed to stop the passage of the Almains into France and sundrie other places And that if hee could not hinder theyr course yet he should annoy them by all possible meanes to the ende that beeng wearied and wasted so much as might bee his excellencie might fight with them afterwards in grosse with more aduauntage The Protestants minding not to forslowe theyr businesse dislodged from Chalons and marched towards the head of the Riuer of Meuse and so leauing Comercyon on their right hande passed ouer at Marne and went towardes Chastillon where they were assayled by certaine troupes of Italians and French who set vpon the taile of the army to cause them to hasten their pace But Scomberge Certain Italian troupes ouerthrowne by Scomberg being sent with part of his owne Regiment assisted by some fewe of the French gaue them such a furious charge that hee wholy defeated them and brought theyr colours to the Prince The armie was forthwith aduaunced and marching through Hurepoise by Bleueau and Montargis arryued at last in Beausse and encamped before Charters which they determined to besiege for that it was verie rich and well able to relieue the armie with manie necessaries The comming of this great power encouraged diuerse who had kept them selues close to put forth theyr heads and to attempt manie things in fauour of the Confederates Those of Languedocke Prouence and Gascoigne were presently vp in armes vnder their leaders Sipteres Montbrun Moâ—â—ans Senas Bâ—urinqâ—et Rapin Montacut and sundrie other Chieftaines and suddenly surprised Nismes Montpellier Saint Marcell Saint Esprit Saint Iean Boue all which they fortified for their greater profite and securitie The Catholikes were not idle but sought to catch whatsoeuer they coulde come by which might any way tend to their aduauntage Montaret gouernour of the Countrey of Burbonois with Terride La Valette and Monsales surprised certaine troupes of the Protestants whom they quickely defeated and put to flight Mascon was taken by the Duke of Neuers Mouluc likewise tooke certaine Isles in Xainctoigne and prepared all necessaries to besiege Rochell one of the principall retreates of the Protestants The Count Martinengo Richleu and sundrie others besieged Orleance Thus were they in euery corner of Fraunce vp in Armes and no man knewe where to bee safest from the violence of the souldiours and men of Armes Now were all things in a readinesse for the siege of Chartres Charters besieged so that hauing raysed theyr mounts and planted theyr artillarie they began to beate
Religion would accept of any conditions But they beeing too often before beguyled with fayre wordes woulde not hearken thereto least the world should thinke that they were no longer able to maintaine their cause a speciall plotte sayd they to discountenaunce the rest of theyr proceedings The Protestants refuse a peace VVhereupon both the Catholiques and Protestants still continued to vexe each other in all hostill manner The Count de Lude and Puygalliard recouered Marans Browages and many other Islandes from the Confederates which were againe regayned by La Noue and stronglie fortifyed for the further aduauncement of the affayres of the Protestants Who preuayled also verie mightily by Sea taking manie great pryses which were no meanes to further theyr designements Whilest things fell out in this maner about Rochell the Princes the Admirall and the rest of the chiefest of the confederates had greatly encreased their forces and hasted to ioyne their troupes with Montgommerie Moubrune and other Chieftaines who had gathered a great number of harquebuziers to supply those bandes which had beene broken at the battell of Mountcounter And hauing thus reenforced their army they marched towards Lorrain there to attend the comming of theyr Almaynes And as they passed through Languedocke and came neare vnto Mountpellier La Loue one of the Mareschals of the campe was slaine as he was fast asleepe in the dead of the night through the great neglâ—gence of the Sentinels La Loue slain through the negligenâ—e of the Sentinels who beeing suddenly surprised by the garrison within the Towne were the cause of the death of this braue Chieftaine who for his valour courage and noble conduct was highly commended of all the Protestants Many townes were gayned by the Princes in these quarters as Lunell Nismes Margarite Saint Ambrose Saint Iean Saint Priuâ—te Bezouze Castillon Alâ—ts with sundâ—y other of good importance by which happy exploits the confederates did begin afresh to countenance themselues and to recouer much of their former honour and renowme When as the K. was aduertised of all their designes and how that they dayly encreased their forces surprised many castels strong holds and were now almost ioyned with their Reisters with whose ayd they resolued to returne againe into the heart of France and peraduenture once more to besiege the capitoll of all the Kingdome he dispatched forthwith the Mareschall Cossy with an armie wherein were 4000. Switzers 6000. French harquebuziers some 3. or 4000. horse and twelue great peeces of Ordinance with which forces he marched towards the princes Mareschal Cossy sent against the Princes who were incamped at a place called Saint Iean in Burgundy with some 2500. harquebuziers 2000. horse and eighteene cornets of Reisters These two armies came no sooner in view each of other but that their Enfans perdus began the game so that there was a hot skirmish on both sides The Prince of Berne and Conde were there in person each of them in the front of their Regiment and resolutely bent to go to the charge and there to make the first triall of their fortune The fight continued long and many were slaine but the Catholikes hauing the worse after they had lost Monsieur de Bellegard Monsieur de Bellegard slaine one of the Knights of the order besides diuerse others of good accouÌ„t were forced to suffer the Protestants to passe who hasting on their way after great trouble and a long and painefull iourney hauing in a maner rounded all Fraunce at the last they drewe neare to La Charitie Sancerre Antrin Vezelay and other Townes of the Religion where they defended themselues to theyr maruaylous comfort and contentation Nowe was the treatie of peace before mentioned reiterated and earnestly pursued by diuerse who perswaded the King The King perswaded to a peace that these intestine warres consumed none but his Subiectes that the murthers robberies burnings and such like miseryes woulde bee the confusion of the whole state and that who so euer gayned yet hee lost to the great impouerishing of the Crowne of Fraunce and the vtter destruction of that noble kingdome which had beene the paragon of all Europe These and the like reasons induced the King at length to condiscend to a peace which was accepted by the confederates and published in the yere 1570. to the great comfort of all the French and exceeding quiet of the whole lande where we may see the strange and wonderful mutabilitie of mens minds which as they are not long contented with one the self same estate so do they seldom or neuer like the better before they haue beene well scourged with the rod of their owne folly and taught by wofull experience howe to discerne betweene good and bad CHAP. XIIII Peace proclaimed in France The mariages of the King the Duke of Montpensier the Duke of Guise and the Admirall The Queene of Nauarre goeth to the Court The Admirall goeth to the Court The death of the Queene of Nauarre Peace proclaimed THe kings Edict for the establishing of a peace was no sooner published but that the forces on both sides were forthwith licenced to depart euery man to his owne house which hee had not seene for a long time before to the vnspeakable ioy of the protestaÌ„ts no small comfort to the better and honester sort of the Papists who as mariners that haue escaped some dangerous troublesom tempests and are arriued safely in their wished port held vp their haÌ„ds to heauen with giuing thanks for so vnspeakeable a blessing and earnestly entreated the almightie that they might spend the rest of their dayes in peace and quietnes The Princes with the Queene of Nauarre and sundry of the chiefe of the Protestants as the Admirall the Count Lodowick of Nassau Teligny La Noue and diuerse other withdrew themselues to Rochell for their greater securitie vntil they might see how the kings Edict would be executed Now began there a great alteration in the minds of the French all mens actions were suddenly changed as a man would haue thought after a strange wonderfull maner For where as not long before there was no talke but of hatred wrath murther bloodie broyles and most cruel and vnnaturall warres now was there nothing so much spoken of as loue amitie friendship and making of mariages The King was espoused to Isabel the second daughter to Maximilian the emperor The King marrieth whose nuptials were solemnised with great pompe and magnificence Lois of Burbon and Duke of Montpensier maried with the Duke of Guises sister Duke Montpensier marrieth and the Duke of Guise matched with the widowe of the late Prince Portion D. of Guise marieth one of the principall of the Confederates The Mareschall Cossy and Prontiere one of the Secretaryes of estate were sent vnto Rochell to treate with the Queene of Nauarre as touching a marriage betweene the Prince of Barne her sonne and the Ladie Margaret the Kinges sister a
poynted to the house from whence the peece was shotte and willed some of his Gentlemen to go search who was within sending Captaine Pilles and Captaine Monius to aduertise the King of his hurt Whilest he was led home by the lord Guerchy another gentleman the doore of the house beeing broken open the harquebuz was found but the harquebuzier was fled out at a backe gate and finding a spanish Gennet which was there prouided in a readinesse galloped away with all speede crying as hee went that now there was no Admirall in France Captaine Pilles finding the King at â—ennis with the Duke of Guyse The notable dissimulation of the King related vnto him the Admirals hurt which hee no sooner vnderstood but he leauing his play threw down his racket looking very pensiuely went to his Chamber the king of Nauarre the Prince of Conde the Count Rochfaucont and many other Lords knights and Gentlemen of the Religion beeing enformed of this mishap went presently to visit the Admirall The King taking with him the Queene mother The king goeth to visit the Admiral his two brethren and most of the principall Catholikes went likewise to comfort him shewing many signes of great sorrow for his harme complaining that indeede the Admirall felt the harme but the dishonour was done to the King vpon whose faithfull promise hee was come to the Court and therefore both hee that had committed the fact and all that consented thereto should bee most seuerely punished to the example of all other villanous and notorious malefactors whereto the Admirall answered that hee would leaue the reuenge to God and the execution of Iustice to the King but as for the authour hee was knowne well inough and because hee could not tell how long hee had to liue hee besought the king that hee might talke with him in secret touching things of very great importance and such as were most necessarie for the state of the Kingdome The King seemed to bee willing herewith but the Queen mother by a deuise brake off their talke for that time so that there was no further conference and because the king of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and diuers others moued the king that they might haue leaue to carrie the Admiral to his house at Chastillon which was some two daies iourney from Paris as to a place of greater quiet and securitie the king not willing to condiscend thereunto answered that so long a iourney would very much endanger his health and therefore he thought it better to haue him lodged in the Louure neere vnto his owne person where he should be safe from all perill furthermore he willed all the cheefe of the Protestant Nobilitie to place themselues as neere him as they could in case that if there were any need they might be readie to succour one another and appointed the Mareschall Cossy with a band of harquebuziers to guard his lodging The wolfe appointed to keepe the Lambe Vpon the Satterday which was the twenty three of August the councell sat about the examination of certaine witnesses touching the fact and sundrie other suspected persons taking great paines as it seemed to boult out the truth as though they meant to punish the offender with all rigour and seueritie With these and the like apparances the protestants helde themselues well satisfied neuer suspecting that all was but dissimulation and that so great mischiefe did hang ouer their heads The same day there was a sodaine rumour ouer al the Citie that the king had sent for the Mareschall Memorancy commanding him to come to him with al the forces hee could make and therefore the Parisians were best to stande vppon their guard but all was founde in the end to be vtterly false Teligny beeing giuen to vnderstand by the Admirals trumpetters that there were sixe cart loades of Armour brought into the Louure answered that hee did not like that men should bee so suspitious without cause for his part hee was well assured of the Kings good fauour and wished other men were so likewise seeing it was not possible that there should be any harme intended towardes them whome the king had honoured so many waies and had oftentimes so solemnely sworne to remaine theyr gracious and louing soueraigne But the king with all those of his secret counsell seeing that they had nowe brought all things about euen as they had desired and that the Admirall was taken in a trap and all his principall associats so snarled in their nets that it was impossible for them to get out thought it high time to putte in execution that which they had purposed so long before and at that instant to finish the dayes of all the Protestants Whereuppon a signall was giuen in the dead of the night by the touling of a Bell in the Louure which was no sooner heard by Cossy who as is alreadie sayde with a bande of harquebuziers guarded the Admiralles lodging but that hee commaunded his men to breake open the doores and to kill as many as they sounde in their wayes The Admirall hearing the noyse and fearing some seditious enterprise willed one of his Gentlemen to call to the guard which was appointed him by the King little imagining that it was they that came to offer him such violence and arising out of his bedde putte on his night gowne and kneeled downe to pray By this time were sundrie of the murtherers gotten in had slaine such as they found in the house The first that entred into the Admirals chamber was one Besme an Almaine a desperate ruffian one of the Duke of Guyses houshold seruants who with his drawne sword in his hand sayde Art thou the Admiral who answered with great constancie So I am called Which hee had no sooner vttered but that Besme runne him through with a sword and another called Atinius The Admirall murthered shot him into the brest with a Pistoll and the rest as Causius and Sarlaboix stabbed him with their daggers and threw him out at the window to the Duke of Guyse and Aumaile and the Cheualier of Angolesme who was King Henry his bastard all which stood crying out to make a quicke dispatch and would not departe thence vntil they were assured of his death and for that hee was so bloudied about the face by reason of his woundes vpon his head that it was hard to know him the Guyse kneeled down and wiped away the bloud with his handkercheffe and seeing it was hee whom they looked for cryed out that they hadde made a happie beginning willing them to proceede for it was the Kings pleasure and that the K. commanded them to spare none of the Hugonots and this hee vttered very often and with a loude voyce A certaine Italian cutte off the Admirals head and hauing embaulmed it sent it to Rome as a present to the Pope The Admirals head sent to Rome Some cutte off his handes and others his secret partes and hauing trayled his
body through the streets hung vppe his dead carcase on a gibbet at Mountfaulcon and this was the lamentable ende of this noble Gentleman The great commendation of the Admirall who for his wisedome pollicie courage and constancie in the profession of Gods truth and maintenance of the same was one of the most excellent and famous men that euer was bred and brought vp in France The same day that the Admirall was hurt the king aduised his brother in law the king of Nauarre to cause some tenne or twelue of his trustiest friends to lodge neere him the better to defende him if the Duke of Guyse whom he tearmed a shrewd boy should happen to attempt any thing against him These Gentlemen and some others who were lodged in the king of Nauarres outer Chamber after the death of the Admirall and that they were disarmed by Nancy hauing their swords and daggers taken away were brought to the gate of the Louure and there were murthered before the kings face Then were the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde brought before the king The k ng of Nauâ—râ—e and the prince of Conde brought before the king who tolde them that hee would not suffer any more Religions in his Land then one and therefore if they loued their liues they must nowe become Catholikes and go to masse for hee meant not to beare with them any longer The king of Nauarre made a very submisse and humble answere but the Prince of Conde who was of more stout and couragious nature replying otherwise then the king expected was threatned with the losse of his head if hee relented not within three daies and so was sent to prison beeing first called obstinate seditious and rebellious traitor and the sonne of a rebellious traytor Nowe beganne the Courtiers with the kings guard who were appointed to massacre the Protestant Nobilitie to kill and murther all sorts in most outragious manner The Count Rochfaucont Count Rochfaucont so greatly beloued of Henry the second for his conceited and pleasant humour adorned with so many excellent graces and noble vertues fit for a perfect courtier was forced to yeelde vp his life to these mercilesse wretches who saluted him with this pittious godmorrow Teligny de Montreuill Teligny the Admirals sonne in Law and for his humble and milde spirit graced with a singular dexteritie in the mannaging of all publike affaires very deere vnto his Wife and prudent Father was seene of many but no man was so hardy as once to touch him vntill at last a stranger that knew him not ranne him thorow with a Rapier as hee was bewailing the death of so many braue men The Barron of Pardaillon The barrons Pardaillon the Barron of Pilles Pilles Soubize Soubize and Puuiant Puuiant all very famous and worthie men hauing beene commanders in Cheefe and well worthie for their rare vertues of better fortune were there murthered after a most disloyall and trecherous manner The marquesse of Reuell The marquesse of Reuell was hotly pursued as hee fled in his shirt towards the Riuer side and there was slaine by Bussy of Amboise his neere kinsman Monsieur the kings brother at the request of Archan the Captaine of his guard who was amorous of the Lady Chasteneray sent certaine souldiers to kill La Force her father in law who had thought that they had likewise slaine both her brethren but there was but one founde dead and the other beeing very sore wounded escaped by reason he was couered with the dead body of his Father where hee remained vntill the euening following and then secretly conueyed himselfe into the lodging of the Mareschall Biron his kinsman which when his sister Chasteneray vnderstood being sorrie that shee could not be heire as she earnestly desired she went to the Mareschals house fayning that shee was maruailously glad that her brother had so escaped desiring to see him that shee might comfort him but the mareschall smelling her intent would not bewray where hee was and by that meanes saued his life By this time was the signall giuen to such as commanded ouer the common people to make dispatch of the rest of the Protestants who beeing in a readinesse and encouraged by the Duke of Guyse Aumaile and Neuers slew euerie one that fell into their handes yea they so greedily thirsted after innocent bloud that in a short time they had made such a maruailous carnage and butcherie The carnage and butchery in the Citie that the streetes seemed to be paued with dead carcases and Carts were laden with the bodies of men women and children which were throwne into the Riuer death and desolation walked about in euerie corner of this Cittie and that in most gastly and greeuous manner to the extreme horror and dreade of euerie beholder There was nothing but weeping wayling and lamentation and a most wofull and fearefull crie throughout the whole Citie About the breake of the day the Duke of Guyse Neuers and Aumaile brethren in euill The Protestants in saint Germaines escape by flying away and the cheefest authors in that pittious tragedie went to awake sundrie of the Protestant Nobilitie who were lodged in the suburbs of Saint Germain as the Vidame of Chartres the Count of Mont-gommery the Lord of Fountenay Caumont Columbiers and many others who beeing aduertised of that which had happened supposed at the first that it had beene some vprore of the people and therefore purposed to haue gone to ayde the King fearing there had beene some danger towards his person but on the sodain they discouered 200. armed men and those of the kings guard who cried kill kill shooting at them and that in the kings sight who also as is reported took a harquebuz and swearing and blaspheming in most heathenish maner cried out shoot shoot The king helpeth to murther the Protestants Gods heart they flie they flie As those of the reformed Religion saw this they fled with all possible speede leauing whatsoeuer they had behinde them being pursued by those three Dukes before remembred The Bastard of Angolesme and diuers others who wounded some and had killed many had they not beene hindred by the negligence of the Porter who mistooke the keyes of the gates where they shoulde haue issued foorth was the occasion that the Protestants had some little time giuen them to prouide for their better securitie They were no sooner gone but the Switzers of the kings guard and sundrie courtiers spoyled their houses killing whomsoeuer they found cruelly murthering both man woman and child all that day being the 24. of August 1572. was spent in massacring rauishing sacking so that there perished by this turkish and barbarous villany aboue 10000. persons as well noble men as Gentlemen The number of Protestants slaine in Paris presidents of courts councellers aduocates schollers preachers phisitions proctors marchants artisans women maides and children All places were full of dead
the rest of their proceedings And hauing gotten sundry strong townes forts and castels into their handes they flatly refused those conditions of peace which the Rochellers had accepted fortifying themselues with a newe association and league began to annoy the Catholiks with open warre The mareschals of Memorancie and Cossy committed to prison The King being about this time incensed against the Mareschals of Memorancie and Cossy committed them to prison and suspecting the Mareschall Danuill to be of their confederacie depriued him of his Lieutenantship in Languedo ke and gaue it vnto the Prince Dauphin son to the Duke Montpencier Which when the Mareschall vnderstoode hee aranged himselfe with those of the Religion seizing vppon sundry strong townes as Montpellier Beucary Lunell and others Mareschal Danu â—l â—oyneth with the Protestants fortifying them with sufficient garrisons and all other necessaries There were also great numbers of the Catholikes who receyuing small fauour at the Kings hands neither were so rewarded for their seruices as they expected grew maleconts and seeing Monsieur the Kings brother was departed into Polonia they thought it now fit time to take their aduauntage and by leaguing themselues with the Protestants to reforme the policy of the land and to reclaim the king who said they was wholy misled by the wicked couÌ„sels of such as were strangers and enemies tothe Crowne of France They had also practised with the Duke of Alenson the Kings yongest brother to take part with them and found him not vnwilling to becom their leader and generall in this so hautie an enterprise And where as the Rochellers would not for a long time be drawne to ioyne with the rest of the Protestants Rochell ioyneth with the rest of the Protestants malecontents at last through the dexteritie and politike inducements of La Noue a man of great credit among them they were contented to bee embarked into that action and to prouide all necessaries for the maintenance of the future wars The Confederates hauing all things thus in a readinesse attended the departure of the Duke of Alenson The Duke of Alenson disswaded from going in the Protestants the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde from the Court and for their better safetie had sent some two hundred horse to Saint Germain in Lay but the King being made priuie hereof and his excellencie diuerted by La Moly the proceedings of the Protestants were mightily crossed for the time howbeit like men of courage and resolution they went forwards and openly inuaded the Catholiques both by sea and land Montgommerie who for a long while had beene in the I le of Gersey landed on the sudden in Normandie Montgommery landeth in Normandy ioyning with the Columbiers and incorporating himselfe with the Norman troupes made sharpe warre vpon the Papists getting many townes and fortresses which were very aduantagious for the Protestants Great preparation was made by the King to withstand these proceedings and proclamation was sent out into all parts to assemble the Bannes and Arierbannes and such was the diligence vsed herein that there was quickely gathered together a sufficient number to make two armyes which the King presently diuided sending the one into Poictou vnder the conduct of Montpencier against La Noue and the other vnder the leading of Mategnon into Bas Normandie agaynst the Count Mongommerie who preuayled mightily against the Catholiques seising vpon sundry their best townes and strongest holds and raunging euery where at his pleasure But at last the Count comming to Donfron was suddenly besieged by his enemies where he was taken prisoner being shamefully forsaken by his souldiers and so was led away to Paris and there had his head stroken off Montgommery taken beheaded the 26. of Iune to the great reioycing of the Parisians and the exceeding greefe of the Confederates CHAP. XVIII The King waxeth sicke Maketh a peace with his subiects Ordaineth the Queene mother Regent of France in the absence of the King of Polonia His death The end of the fourth ciuill warres The King waxeth sickly WHilest the Duke Montpencier besieged Fontenay the King who had now for a good while beene sickely and diseased began to waxe worse and worse insomuch as the Queene mother fearing that if he should die vpon the sudden there woulde be maruellous hurly burlies at court thought it best to sende for the Duke Duke Montpensier returneth to the Court. whom she comanded to repaire vnto the kings presence withall speed who thereupon brake vp his siege licensing his army to depart and he himself hasted to the Court. There he found a strange Metamorphosis for the king was now verie desirous to end the wars and to make a peace with the Protestants and would haue them fauoured and protected as well as his other subiects The king desirous to make peace with his subiects desiring and that verie instantly all sorts to put to their helping hands and to shew themselues furtherers of so laudable a worke Commaunding likewise his Lieutenants and gouernors in all his Dominions to cause his former Edicts to be diligently obserued to punish with all rigour and seueritie who soeuer refused to obey this his commaundement The Queene mother did likewise labour verie earnestly herein The end of the fourth ciuill warre and seemed desirous of nothing so much as to establish a peace and quietnesse throughout all Fraunce The King did still decay and death hasted his pace to ouertake him so that notwithstanding all the meanes that could bee imagined to escape so hote pursute yet there was no remedie but needes he must be arested and called to account for his former actions Which when with great perplexitie of minde and sorrow of heart he perceiued hauing ordained the Queene mother for Regent during the absence of the King of Polonia The Q. mother made Regent of Fraunce to whom the crowne of Fraunce as next heire did appertaine he yeelded vp his life the 30. of May at Bois de Vincens 1574. in the 13. yeare of his reigne and in the 24 of his age hauing bin the most bloodie and cruell Prince that euer did weare the French Diadem And as hee continually thirsted after the blood of the poore Protestants so did hee neuer cease vomiting and belching out of blood all the time of his sicknesse with most horrible swearing and blaspheming vntill his last gaspe after a most strange and fearful maner And this was the end of Charles of Valois and King of France The death of Charles the ninth King of France who beeing by nature wicked by education irreligious and by vngodly and wicked counsel easily drawne into all kinde of impious and barbarous actions began with iniustice continued with crueltie and ended in misery leauing that noble kingdome so torne and dismembred the Nobilitie so diuided and discontented and the communaltie so oppressed and impouerished that the whole state hauing lost the ancient splendor
the inhabitants The Towers and the Bulwarks were ouerthrowne and the walles dismanteled and so in a short time one of the most beautifull and strongest holdes in Europe was vtterly rased and remained as a perpetuall monument of the Princes heauie indignation and displeasure The king of Polonia being aduertised of his brothers death by letters from the Queene mother and that he was now become heire to the Crowne of France albeit he was quietly established and a king ouer a mightie kingdome which was euerie way both very profitable and honourable vnto him yet as the nature of all men is to loue their owne naturall countrey more then another hee presently resolued to returne home againe and as shortly as might be to beholde the goodly and pleasant fieldes of the Flower de Lis but the great loue and reuerence which the Polonians bare vnto him who hauing vnderstood that the disease wherewith his brother Charles was afflicted was incurable and that peraduenture the Crowne of France would quickly intyce him out of Polonia made them watch ouer him with so vigilant an eye and to obserue him so narrowly that it caused him to doubt what course he should take to escape their hands and beeing indeede induced by sundrie strong presumptions to think that they would in no wise condiscend to his departure that it were but lost labor yea peraduenture much harme to acquaint them with his intended voyage determined to accomplish his purpose as closely and as secretly as he might and to leaue them his reasons in writing of so sodaine and hasty departure Wherefore hauing disposed of all things which were requisite for the furtherance of this proiect he first publikely dismissed Bellieure the French Embassador sending him home as one who seeing his maister was dead was nowe to be discharged of his office and with him hee sent the choysest Gentlemen about him and the cheefest and principall Iewels that hee had This being done hee made an exceeding sumptuous banket to all the great Polonian Lords and the Gentlemen in the Court which beeing finished and euerie man departed to his rest the king himselfe went likewise to bed as though he had purposed to haue slept vntill the next morrow but he had not rested long The king of Polonia stealeth away into France but rising againe putting on disguised apparrel he passed through the watch with Halde one of the Gentlemen of his chamber and mounted vpon his horse which was readie for that purpose and posted away from Gracouia with all speede and shortly arriued in Austria without any let notwithstanding all the extreme pursuite made by the Count Christophe the Count Tancy and many other Polonian Lords and comming to Vienna was royally receiued of the Emperour by whom hee was conducted to the territories of the Venetians who likewise entertained him in most honourable and magnificent manner and so passing by Padoua Ferrara and Cremona entred into Piemont and so into France where hee was no sooner come but he found all the countrey full of troubles tumults and dissentions and almost no corner free from cruell and bloudie warres The beginning of the fitf ciuill warres The Mareschall Danuill and his designes The Mareschall Danuill beganne to stirre coales in Languedocke and daily to enterprise vpon the Catholikes and to aduance the affaires of the Prince of Conde and his associats all that euer hee might The king finding such troubles in euery corner of the Land seemed to bee very sorrie and sought by all meanes to establish a peace and to that ende wrote to the Prince of Conde and the Mareschall Danuill who were the principall men among the Confederates that they shoulde signifie vnto him the causes of their discontentment and then he would as their king and soueraigne see them satisfied so farre foorth as might stand with equitie and iustice whereuppon both the Prince and the Mareschall sent their deputies vnto the king and Queene mother by whome their maiesties were certified of all their greefes and doleances The Prince of Conde and the mareschal Danuil send their deputies to the king and the reasons that moued them to take Armes which was saide they to defende their religion their liues and liberties and to maintaine themselues both against their owne enemies and the sworne aduersaries to the Crowne of France who beeing but strangers ruled all at their pleasure offering the greatest wrong and indignitie that might bee and that vnto the Princes of the bloud and cloking their actions with a colourable shewe of Religion set the whole Lande in a combustion intending indeede the vtter desolation thereof vnlesse they were speedily preuented and some good course taken to stop theyr turbulent proceedings The King incensed to wars by the perswasions of his councell The king seemed to giue them a fauourable hearing as one willing to make a pacification among his subiects whom hee would haue to liue in loue and amitie one with another vnder his obedience but by reason there were certaine articles propounded by the confederates which could not on the sodaine be agreed vpon the peace was deferred and the warres continued wherupon there were newe associations and leagues and both parties stood resolutely bent to annoy one another as much as might bee Those of the Religion were animated by the comfortable letters of the Prince of Conde who promised thē speedie aide and assistance hauing recouered Saint Iean D'Angely with sundrie other places of very good importance they gathered some fiue hundred pistoliers and a thousand two hundred harquebuziers led by the valiant La Noue wherewith they stopped the roades of their enemies who hadde a long while harryed and wasted tne Countrey without pittie or mercy The king as it seemed was of himselfe very inclinable to peace and in a sort contented that the protestants should freely enioy their consciences and haue publike places allowed them for their preachings but hee had no sooner entertained the councellers of the late king Charles but that hee was foorthwith cast in a newe mould for albeit hee were very earnestly sollicited by the Embassadours of the Queene of England the Duke of Sauoy and the Switzers to yeeld to some good agreement with his subiects yet would he not be drawen thither with all the perswasions that could be vsed but still maintained the warres and in all hostill manner inuaded those of the reformed Religion persecuting them with fire and sword with a full purpose to bring them to vtter ruine and desolation and being aduertised of the great leauy of Reisters which the Prince of Conde made in Germany which amounted to the number of seauen thousand and fiue hundred horse and three thousand footmen vnder the leading of the Duke Iohn Cassimer Duke Cassimer commeth to ayde the Protestants sonne to the Elector Palatine hee sent Mareschall Biron into Lorraine towardes the frontiers to stoppe theyr passage and to attend the comming of the Duke of
warres caused it to bee secretly spredde abroade among the people that hee was descended from Charlemaine and therefore had some right and title to the Crowne of Fraunce And as though hee meant one day to put in his clayme had so ordered the matter that great numbers of the Nobilitie and sundrie of the principall Citties of the lande were wholie at his deuotion but hee was cutte off in the middest of his hope as is alreadie sayde before Orleaunce and all his deuices came to naught sauing that he left behind him a sonne as hautie as aspiring and as ambitious as euer was the father Henrie duke of Guise his ambitious turbulent nature and one that attempted greater matters then euer did any of that line This man beeing growne into great credite with Charles the ninth and likewise with Henrie the thirde so aduaunced himselfe by their fauours that he gaue the lawe to Fraunce and did euery thing as he lysted And practising those rules which his father and vncle had left him was euermore deuising howe to trouble the state and to holde the King at continuall strife with his subiects as the readyest and speedyest way to compasse that which that factious and turbulent house had so greedily gaped after for these many yeares VVhereupon hee pondering with himselfe that if this late reconciliation which was made betweene the King and his subiects shoulde continue that the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde with their adherents and associates would quickely growe mightie and so with theyr power and authoritie easily ouerthrowe all his councelles and that in such sort as hee should neuer bee able to accomplish and fulfill his intended purpose thought it best and most expedient for his aduantages to beginne newe broyles and sturres and with a sixt ciuill warre to bring France againe into a Chaos and confusion The better to effect this and to lay as sure a foundation as might bee for so badde a buylding it was deuised that the Bishop of Paris and a certaine Aduocate called Dauid as craftie as wilie and as wicked a fellowe as anie lyued in those dayes shoulde bee sent to Rome The Bishop of Paris the aduocate Dauid sent to Rome to haue the direction of the Pope and his Cardinalles howe it were best to beginne and afterwards most circumspectlie to proccede and go forwardes in so hautie and weightie an enterprise There were many bitter complaints and sharpe accusations framed agaynst Henrie the third the French King against Monsieur his brother the king of Nauarre the Prince of Conde against the race of the Valoises the Burbons Accusations against the houses of Valois and Burbon all the princes of the blood and the auncient Nobilitie of Fraunce they were all either heretikes or fauourers of heretikes and by their late pacification entended the vtter subuersion of the holie Church of Rome There it was shewed to make the King and all his Princes the more odious howe the house of Capet had alwayes withstoode the Bishoppes of Rome and had in olde time maintained the Valdensis and Albigeons and nowe were either Hugonots or else great fauourers and abettors of them But on the contrarie that the house and lynage of Charlemaine which was wrongfully dispossessed of the Crowne had a speciall grace giuen them by the Papall benediction to support and helpe holie Church and that yet there were some of that ofspring left and those stoute maintainers of the Papall dignitie meaning those of Guise and such as had alwayes like notable Champions valiauntlie defended the Romaine fayth and therefore it was expedient nay most necessarie for the preseruation of the Catholike Religion to roote out the houses of Valois and Burbon and to restore the ofspring of Charlemaine which was endewed with all excellent vertues and throughly furnished with most notable gifts requisite for the execution of all commendable and honourable attempts The Councel holden at Rome for the rooting out of the blood Roiall of France And for the more speedie accomplishment hereof it was resolued that the Guises with their partakers should procure newe commotions in the lande and nourish the warres by all possible meanes that might bee That they should league the Nobililtie by oath to persecute the Gospel and to choose for their heade and principall of their league Henrie Duke of Guise whom the King shoulde bee counsayled to let alone and suffer him to proceede as he liked best seeing he was a man of that iudgement that knewe well enough what hee had to doo The Queene mother likewise should bee sent to perswade Monsiour her sonne to beat the assembly of the States which should bee holden at Blois Whither the king shoulde solicite the king of Nauarre and Prince of Conde to come by all the faire wordes that could be deuised And in the meane while there should be sundrie cunning fellowes and such as were most deuoted to the league sent abroad into the seueral prouinces who should secretly labour that such Deputies might be chosen as would further the designements of the Leaguers all that might be During which priuie practises the Friers and Iesuites shall incense the people agaynst the Hugonots by their seditious Sermōs The priests in their parish churches shal secretly take the names of all the able men for the warres and in their shriuings shall charge them to prouide them of all such weapons as shal be appoynted them by their captaines The States shal sweare to obserue and obey whatsoeuer shal be concluded And if Monsieur the king of Nauarre the prince of Conde and the rest of the princes of the blood do not appeare at the said assembly they shall be condemned as rebels and likewise all other that shal any way oppose themselues against the proceedings of the said States who shal sweare their obedience to the Sea of Rome and to obserue the Councell of Trent and withall a request shall be made to the king that if any man shall resist and refuse to giue his allowance thereto that he shall appoynt the Duke of Guise his generall and giue him authoritie to pursue him to the death who hauing so great forces shall cause them to be in a readinesse to march towarde Blois assoone as the assembly of the states is begun All things being thus contriued there shall be certaine commissioners chosen to enquier of the life and deedes of Monsieur and certaine iudges appoynted to condemne him for ioyning himselfe with the Heretikes and so his processe shal be drawene forthwith after the godly example of the king of Spaine who put to death Charles of Austrich his naturall sonne As soone as Monsieur is condemned then shall the forces march to strengthen the execution and shall set vpon all the Hugonots and put as many of them to the sworde as they can come by and the Duke of Guise beeing so strongly appoynted shall seyze vpon the persons of the King and Queene mother and by
for by reason that Captaine Rochmort who had surprised the saide Castle was slaine with a shot out of the Towne as hee was leaning in his chamber window the Castle was rendered again vpon composition made sure for the League as it was afore time The Prince beeing ignorant hereof passed the Loyre with all his troups which were some eight hundred horse and almost a thousand and two hundred harquebuziers on horsebacke conducted by the Lord of Nemours Lauall Trimouille Boâ—lay Saint Gelais Aubigny Ouches Rohan Touche Flesche and sundrie others The Lord Clermont had likewise gathered a great companie of horse and encamped himselfe with the Prince neere vnto Angiers These companies approching the Towne expected some signall from the Castle whereby they might vnderstand that it still held for the king of Nauarre but they were certified that the saide Castle was yeelded the day before into the handes of their enemies and therefore that it was lost labour to stay there any longer Which newes greeued the Prince exceedingly made him with the rest of his councell to fall to consultation how they might safely get backe ouer the Loyre and free themselues out of that danger which then appeared before their eies and for that they knewe well inough that both the kings forces and the Leaguers were vp in all quarters and hasted by all possible meanes to encounter them they retyred towards the Loyre with a purpose to returne the same way they came The Lord Lauell beeing the formost got ouer without any danger but before the comming of the Prince all the passages were seised by the enemie and the prince was aduertised by many messengers that either hee must resolue to open his way by the sword or else to hazard himselfe at al aduenture through the Countrey of Beause The Prince approching the danger The great distresse of the Prince and the rest of the Protestants that were with him and thinking that in either of these there was but hard choyse called a Councell but by reason of the diuersitie of opinions it was long before any thing could be concluded at length it was agreed to passe through Beause Then euery man prepared himselfe towardes that desperate iourney and marching toward Luche in Aniou purposed there to passe ouer the Loyre vpon the Bridge but the Riuer was so risen that there was no passage without imminent perill From thence therefore they went to Lude and so to Prillay Vandeloyre S. Arnol where they heard newes that the Duke of Espernon and the Mareschall Biron were at Boneuall in Beausse with great forces readie to fight with the dismayed multitude that the Duke De Mayne as on the other side of the Loyre neere vnto Bloy readie to cut off such as should fortune to passe that way and that all the Countrey was full of strong garrisons attending with great deuotion to make a pray of the Prince and that handfull of men which did accompanie him so that it seemed the further they went the neerer they approched their destruction and hauing with their long and laborious marches wearied themselues and tired their horses they did vtterly dispaire of any good successe In this great agony they iourneyed on and euerie day receiued more vncomfortable newes then other wherewith many supposing that all was lost secretly disbanded from the grosse of the Armie and repaired to such friendes as they had in the Countrey The Prince and the rest of the Nobilitie were wonderfully perplexed and knew not what course to take at length they resolued to diuide themselues into seuerall companies some going one way and some another the Lord Rohan with many Gentlemen in his retinew went towards Britaine Saint Gelais went towards Vandosme the Prince the Lords of Trimouille and Auantigny with some of their principall seruants betooke them to their fortune as well as the rest and hasted to get into some place of greater securitie The laborious and tedious trauaile of this noble Prince his wearisome courses his long Caualcados his great and perilous dangers hee escaped before he gat to that Iland of Gernsy would require a long discourse were sufficient for a whole volume As soone as the cheefetaines were thus dispersed the common souldiers were quickly scattered some tooke their way towards Orleance some towards Nomandy and some towards Mayne and to bee short euerie man went which way hee liked best trauailing in exceeding great feare hauing as they imagined neither meanes to escape nor force to resist but were readie euerie minute to fall into the hands of those who did wholly pursue them The Prince of Conde with the cheefest of hiâ— troupes arriued at Rochell much about one time and thirsted for nothing more then for their bloud but when all hope failed God did miarculously deliuer them and so deliâ—ered them in theyr iourneyes that hauing auoyded a million of more then apparent perils they all arriued at length at Rochell and that much about one time to the exceeding comfort of themselues and the wonder of all France CHAP. XXII The cruell Edicts of the King against the Protestants The number of the Popish Armies which were ouerthrowne in one yeere The villanous dealâ—ng of the Guyse The battaile of Coutras WHilst the Prince of Conde and the rest of his distressed Armie made this hard shift for themselues the Duke de Maine The Duke de Maine made captaine generall ouer the forâ—es of the Popish Clergy whome the League had procured to be appointed generall by the Kings authoritie ouer a mightie power maintained at the cost and charges of the Clergie of France bestirreth himselfe and seeketh to annoy the protestants as much as might bee but by reason the Vicount of Turin opposed himselfe against his proceedings with an army of sixe thousand men hee did no other harme but gat some fewe Townes which were of no great importance The League not prospering so fast as they desired by force of Armes caused the king who was nowe solde ouer to worke his owne confusion and the vtter ruine of his Realme and States The cruell Edicts of the king to make many cruell Edicts against those of the Religion notwithstanding all the pacifications and graunts of former times and they were commanded to auoyde the Realme within fifteene dayes otherwise there was libertie giuen to persecute them to death to seise vpon their goods lands and linings and to employ them to the kings vse The king of Nauarre knowing that all this was doone by the procurement of the League and the Popish Clergie seised likewise vppon all the Landes and goods of such as were either Leaguers or fauourers of that factious and rebellious multitude The seuere proclamations made by the king against those of the Reformed Churches wrought many lamentable effects in the Land Some who made profession of the Gospel recanted and turned to Poperie and because they would not bee suspected on any dissimulation they became earnest persecutors of
who continuallie incensed the King agaynst the Hugonots and after the confusion and ruine of all his former Armyes perswaded him to assayle those of the Religion in Guyen with newe forces vnder the conducting and leading of Duke Ioyense for that it was thought that the Mareschall Biron was of too milde a nature and had dealt somewhat too fauourably in his late voyage Thus Duke Ioyense being armed with the Kings authoritie The Duke Ioyense sent against the Protestants and ayded with a mightie power inuaded Guyen where he tooke sundry townes as Mote Saint Cloy Saint Mexent Tonnay Charauty Maylezay and some others but the plague encreasing among his souldiers he was forced to breake vp his campe and to disperse his forces and hee himselfe posted to Paris to the rest of the principall Leaguers The King of Nauarre vnderstanding of his retreate set vpon his stragling troupes killed many tooke sundrie prisoners and in a short space recouered all that had beene lost Thus the Leaguers had caused the King to spend much money about nought intending thereby to weaken him and strengthen themselues for by this meanes they were still in authoritie and did in a maner what soeuer they lifted empouerishing their enemyes and inriching theyr friends as the readyest way to effect that which they had long before determined to accomplish About this time were the Germains readie to march towards France The great preparation of the King to withstande the Germans whereof the King being aduertised he prepared three seuerall Armies with the which he ment both to defend himselfe and to offend his enemies The duâ—e of Guise was made generall ouer the first wherin were 23000. French men besides 400 Launces 2000. Italians and sixe hundred light horse sent to him out of the low Countryes by the Duke of Parma All which were appointed to barre the Germaines out of Lorraine if it were possible or else to hinder them that they should not passe through Champaigne The King led the second army into Berry wherein was 88. companies of men of Armes ten thousand French footemen 12000. Switzers 4000. Rutters 12. double CanoÌ„s 2000. pioners with which power the King determined to keepe the Loyre The duke Ioyense conducted the third army against the King of Nauarre to keepe him occupied and to withhold him from ioyning with the Germaines The battell of Contras The King of Nauarre gathered as great forces as he could and being accompanied with the prince of Conde Count Soyssons the Lord Trimouille the vicount of Turen and many other honorable estates hasted to incorporate himselfe with his strangers vsing great speed gat ouer the riuer of Droune where the duke Ioyense had intended to stop his passage and so marched forwarde purposing to lodge at Contras The duke supposing that the aduauntage was his for that the king of Nauarre was weake in power inclosed between two riuers so that he could not escape without fighting as one desirous to do some notable exploit resolued to trie his fortune by some generall fight Whereupon hee tooke his place for the battell neare vnto Contras The King of Nauarre was glad of the Dukes resolution and hauing disposed all his troupes in very warlike manner wayted his best oportunitie to begin the battell About eight of the clock in the morning the Artillarie on both sides began to play And for that the king of Nauarres Ordinance was commodiously placed it did maruellously endomage the Dukes men of armes which stood at his right hand as also the regiments wherwith they were flanked for their better assurance wherewith when many were rent and torne in peeces the rest resolued rather to charge then to die so miserably without any further fight The harquebuziers came no sooner in reach each of other but they powred out their shot as thicke as haile each partie endeuoring to do well and to annoy one another to their vttermost The king of Nauarre had diuided his horsemen into foure squadrons the first was led by himselfe the second by the Prince of Conde the third by the Count Soysons who stood on the left hand of the king and the fourth by the vicount of Turenne who was at his right hand equally aduaunced with the formost These standing still beheld the skirmish of their footmen vntil the duke hasted to the generall onset then these three Princes of the blood euerie one in the front of their regiment began to change their pace into a trot and so into a gallop giuing such a furious charge vpon their enemies that they wholy defeated them and hauing killed a great number the rest betooke them to flight The footmen seeing their horsemen ouerthrowne lost courage and ranne away for company then was the mortalitie great for the Protestants pursuing them committed a maruailous carnage among them that fled There was slaine the Duke of Ioyense D. Ioyense slâ—ine and his army ouerthrowne generall of the armie and Saint Suuer his brother Bressay Rousay count Suxe Count Ganeto Count Aubiyon Fumel Rochford Neufny Gurats Saint Fort Tercelin maister of the campe Chesner and Vallade besides many other Lordes and Gentlemen of marke Bellegard Saint Luc the Marques of Prennes Count MoÌ„soreau Sansac Cipierre Santray Montigny Villecomblim Chasteaurenauld Parriere Chasteauueulx Chasteloux and Auuerdiere all captaines and commaunders were taken prisoners Diuerse Castels and strong holdes were presently yeelded vnto the king of Nauarre and a verie great feare possessed the hearts of the rest of his enemies CHAP. XXIII The great armâ—e of the Germaines ouerthrowne The death of the Duke of Bonillon The Guises slander the King The Leaguers besiege the Duchesse of Bonillon Their ouerthrow The Prince of Conde poisoned The Parisians rebel against the King The King flieth to Charteres The Guisards vow to kill the King THe French King 1588 The army of the Germains commaunded by the Duke of Bonillon and Duke of Guise were all this while verie busie in prouiding of all necessarie meanes to withstande the Germaines who still came on forwardes Their armie consisted of fiue thousand Ruttars fiue thousand Lancequenets sixteene thousand Switzers with whom were ioyned foure thousand French harquebuziers and three hundred French horse The Lord Mouy brought also two thousand French harquebuziers on horsebacke the Lord Villeneufe one thousand and the Lorde Louers one thousand The Lord Chastillon likewise ioined with them with one thousand fiue hundred harquebuziers and two hundred horses The whole number came to some thirtie fiue thousand besides the companies brought by the Prince of Contie They had sixteene peeces of great Ordinance with store of all warlike munition The general of all these was the Duke of Bonillon who commaunded as Lieutenant for the King of Nauarre This mightie and puyssant armie was the terrour of the League and the hope of the Protestants but the expectation of both was disappoynted for after that the Germaines had marched through Lorraine and were gotten into Fraunce as
King did allowe of such of these Articles as did any way concerne the suppression of the reformed Religion The king refuseth to grant all the petitions of the league but considering that the rest did wonderfull derogate from his Crowne and dignitie and that they tended directlie to the weakening of himselfe and the strengthening of the league of which for a long tyme hee had verie hardly conceyued hee would not bee enduced to condiscend vnto them by anie manner of meanes or entreatie whatsoeuer Now as the Leaguers laboured openly by these and such like deuises to weaken the King so they practised secretly to destroy the King of Nauarre and Prince of Conde knowing that if they were once ridde of them it woulde bee an easie matter to accomplish the rest Heerevpon they set on worke certaine wicked and diuellish persons to bring these two great Princes to their deaths And assuring themselues that this detestable deuise woulde take effect they caused it on a suddaine to bee bruited all ouer the Realme of Fraunce that Nauarre and Conde were both dead But by Gods good prouidence Nauarre escaped that daunger and tooke no harme The Prince of Conde by the treacherous and villaynous dealing of some of his housholde seruaunts and amongest others of one Brillant and a page The prince of Conde poysoned two such as he had greatly fauoured and bestowed many benefites vpon was poisoned the third day of March in the yere of our Lord The great commendatiō of the prince of Conde one thousand fiue hūdred eightie and eight and died within two dayes after at Saint Iean d' Angely Whose death was greatly lamented of all good men for that hee was wise valiant zealous in religion true harted to his Prince a louer of his country and an irreconciliable enemie to the perturbers of the state and to all such as hee knewe to be aduersaries to God to the King and to the Crowne of France The Guises and the rest of the leaguers reioysed not a little at this newes for nowe they thought they were gotten one steppe higher and had greater hope to oppresse the Protestants then before who they knewe were mightily weakened with this losse And for that they supposed that in this conseruation of mens mindes they had oportunitie to attempt something which might still aduaunce their affaires they thought good that the Lorde Lauerdin who had scaped a scowring at the battaile of Coutras should assaile Marans a place of very great importaunce and if it were possible to make it sure for the league The Lord Lauerdin applied his businesse so diligently that he gayned the sayd Island of Marans in a short time Marans gained by the Lord Lauerdin by reason that the Protestants being amased as it were with the vnexpected death of the Prince did not prouide timelie enough for the fortifying thereof with such store of men and munition as was necessarie Albeit that the King was glad that the Lord Lauerdin had gotten Marans yet he liked not that it should be kept by the Lord Cluseaux whom he knewe to bee a fauourer of the League but there was no remedie he must beare with the time being indeede not able to doe as hee would for the most part of his Councell and those of the chiefest were leagers and the Duke of Guise the head of those monsters had caused such infamous rumours to be raysed of the Kings actions and by secret practises had so disgraced him among his subiects that he was almost growne into contempt among the communaltie and was imputed no bodie in comparison of the Guise This opinion the King would gladly haue rooted out and was verie desirous to gaine their good willes and affections if possibly he might The better to effect this he thought best to proclaime wars afresh against the Protestants The King prepareth to go into Poictou against the Protestants and to rayse a great power and to go in person into Poictou agaynst the King of Nauarre and all his confederates that so by some famous exploits against those of the reformed religion hee might regaine the loue and liking of his lost subiects The Duke of Guise who knew that he had stollen away the peoples hearts from the King thought it now good time to discouer his secrete meaning more openly and presuming of his fauourers at Court and the good wil of the countrey The Guise determineth to seise vpon Paris and to take the King concludeth to get Paris to seise vpon the king either aliue or dead to kill as many princes of the blood and other officers of the crown as he could lay hands vpon and by fine force to set the diadem of France vpon his owne head Now that he might be the more assured to accomplish all this he wrote secret letters to all his chiefe friends and followers to meete him at Paris as spedily as they might And for that the King should not be able to withstand him he had set the duke of Aumaile to warre against sundry townes and cities in Picardy and had giuen order that others should attempt as much in Normandy and other places knowing that the king would send thither his principall forces to keepe those countries in his obedience and then he might with more facilitie execute his intended purpose Vpon these aduertisements of the Guise to his associates there repayred vnto Paris great numbers of the most factious turbulent and malecontent persons of all the Land Many Spanish Captaines and Hispaniolized french were soone assembled in that mightie Cittie and that to the number of fifteene or sixteene thousand besides the Citizen Leaguers who were exceeding many and those as desperate and rash headed as any others whosoeuer the Duke of Guyse being diligently enformed of this and knowing how greatly hee was expected at Paris by his confederates resolued to post thither with all speede and the rather for that the king euen as he wished had now dispersed his forces sending some into Normandy and others into Picardy to maintain◠his authoritie in those prouinces the King had long mistrusted the Guyse for that he was now aduertised that hee was comming to Paris he vehemently suspected that there was some notable practise in hand to be performed against him by the Leaguers he therefore sent word to the sayd Duke whom hee vnderderstood to bee forward on his way by the Lord Belieure that in no wise hee should come to Paris at that time vppon paine of his displeasure and in case that he would notwithstanding continue his iourney that then hee helde him for a traytour and the authour of all those miseries wherewith the Land was so encombred at that instant Belieure did his message The Guyse entreth into Paris contrary to the Kings commandement but the Guyse did little regard it for he followed the said Belieure at the heeles and was at Paris almost assoone as hee accompanied not past with some
the one for Guyen Two armies sent against the Protestants commanded by the Duke of Neuers the other for Dauphiny vnder the leading of the Duke de Maine All these troublous stirs being now ended the K. and the Leaguers beeing made friends it was thought good to call an assembly of the state to reforme the pollicie of the Land and to take some finer course for the prosecuting of the warres against the Hugonots and to that ende the king sent his writs to summon all prouinces Cities and townes This Parliament was appointed to begin the 15. of August yet afterward it was deferred vntill the ninth of October following to send their deputies to Bloys prouided alwaies that they were good Catholiks and such as neither had fauour nor were any waies suspected to fauour the king of Nauarre nor his associats and the Duke of Guyse and the rest of the Leaguers so handled the matter in the meane time that not any one man in a maner was chosen to be sent to that assembly but such as they were assured did either openly or secretly fauor their proceedings At this great Parleament there was much adoo and many things talked of but especially of the Edict of Reunion made the one and twentie of Iuly which tended to the establishing of Poperie the rooting out of Heresie and the disinheriting of the Princes of the bloud prouoking the king with many bitter words vehemeÌ„t exhortations to embrew his haÌ„ds in the bloud of the saints and with fire and sword to roote them out of France All which was assented vnto by the king and his three estates enacted as a fundamentall law of the land which they all swore to see inuiolably kept and obserued in al the kings dominions to the vttermost of their powers The king of Nauarre was quickly aduertised of whatsoeuer had passed at Bloys The Protâ—stants assemble at Rochel and therfore assembled all his principall friends followers at Rochel the 16. of Nouember following whither likewise all the reformed churches sent theyr deputies where they resolued vppon the defensiue and the meanes how to withstand their enemies The king continued at Bloys all this while and albeit hee shewed a faire countenance to the Guyse yet in heart hee loued him not for that indignitie which was offered him at Paris besides many other saucie and audacious Pranks which hee plaide since did breed a reuenging minde in the K. which he meant to shew more apparantly assoone as any oportunity was offered Now as it vsually falleth out betweene late reconciled enemies each still suspected other and many tarres â—ell out betweene their friendes and followers which bred sundrie sturres and hurleburlies in the Court but there were two especially which gaue the â—larum to the Courtiers and made euerie man to stand vpon his guard The first quarrell arose among the Pages and lackies some holding with the Burbons and some with the Leaguers wherewith the Duke of Guyse was so affrighted Two sodainâ— vprares at Court that hee ran into his chamber barred the doores and kept himselfe as close as he could The second was occasioned by a souldier who beeing hurt ranne to saue himselfe in the Guyses Chamber whither hee was followed by the kings guard with their drawen swords in their hands whereupon once againe all the Court was in an vprore not without great feare least some dangerous euent would ensue About the middle of December the Duke of Guyse shewed himselfe more disobedient then at any time before and a great contemner of the king and his authoritie The Guyse a maâ—â—â—â—ter of murtherers and Rebels in maintaining a number of Ruffians murtherers factious seditious persons and such as raised a rebellion in August last and had attempted the killing of the Duke of Espernan at Engolesme These were lodged in the Court and flocked about the Guyse and were so countenanced by him that no Magistrate durst say a word to them besides the king being daily enformed of many trech erous practises against his person and estate called al his Nobles and willed them to sweare that they should neuer attempt any thing against him The Guyse refuseth to take his oath for the preseruation of the King the Duke most disloyally refused and said in his presence that he would not take such an oath and if hee did any thing otherwise then he ought there were good lawes to punish him spare him not no other answere could bee gottten at his hands and fearing that the â—ing would be reuenged as well for this as for other notorious contempts as also considering that all the drifts of his councellers were so discouered that there was no way to hide them anie longer and therefore that now with all speede hee must put them in execution hee called a Councell of his most trusty friends as Lewis Cardinall of Guyse his brother the Archbishop of Lyons and some fewe others in which it was concluded The Guyse and his associats vow to kill the king that the king must needes bee dispatched out of hand and that all delaies were dangerous and therefore the twentie foure of that moneth was appointed for that tragical execution binding themselues to see the same performed with a solemne oath Thus was this great french king discouered of a very auncient and noble race honoured for a long time of his owne subiects and reuerenced of his neighbour Princes condemned to die by the hands of most disloyall traytors who had all their aduauncement by him and his predecessors CHAP. XXIIII The King resolueth to kill the Guyse The death of Francis Duke of Guyse and of the Cardinall his brother The terror of the Guysards The death of the Queene mother THough the King knew not of this sentence of death which was pronounced against him The King resolueth to kill the Guyse yet the olde and new iniuries offered vnto him by the Guyse did sufficiently exasperate him and made him watch all opportunitie to seeke his reuenge and assoone as euer he could to be ridde of so desperate a traytor This determination of the king could not be kept so secret but that the Guyse hauing many friends about the king who suspected some such thing aduertised the Duke the two and twenty of December by laying a little bill vnder his napkin wherin was written Looke to your selfe for some are about to play a shrewd play with you Hee perusing the writing wrote this answere They dare not and so threw it vnder the â—able The same day the king receiued diuers aduertisements of this horrible conspiracie of the Guyse against his person The aduertisements of the Duke of Maine and Aumaile to the King touching the attempt of the Guyse and especially from the Duke de Maine who sent Alphonso Corse to him with this message That it was an easie matter to carrie beades about and to put on a counterfeit shew of holinesse but hee was
sure that his brother had a dangerous enterprise in hand against his Maiestie which he knew not certainely when hee would put in execution but hee was well assured that the time was not farre off and that hee doubted least his warning should come too late And aduised him in these words That his Maiestie should beware of a desperate and furious mind The Duke of Aumaile sent likewise the duchesse his Wife to giue the King to vnderstand That there was great danger towards his person and that the conspirators were vpon the poynt of execution The king had also intercepted manie letters by which hee did euidently perceiue as much and how that the Guyses had sworne his death and destruction and disinhereting of the royall bloud of France in the houses of Valoys and Burbons and to sette vppe the house of Lorraine All these remonstrances made the king bestirre him and to deuise some speedie Course for the preseruation of his owne life Wherupon he got the keyes of the Castle doubled his guards and appointed a strong watch in the Town with commaundement not to open the gates without his speciall lisence all which was doone in the night without the knowledge of the Guyse and calling vnto him some seauen or eight of those fiue and fortie pensioners which daily attended on his person hee reuealed vnto them his purpose requiring theyr ayde and assistance who receiued most willingly their seruice with promise to execute his will and to doo as his Maiestie had directed them The next morning the Duke of Guyse the Cardinall his brother the Archbishop of Lyons with the Mareschall of Haultmont were assembled in the chamber neere vnto the king and readie to sit in councell howe and in what manner it were best to commit their detestable parricide The king hauing disposed of all things in the best manner that hee could deuise sent a Gentleman to call the Duke of Guyse to come and speake with him who comming forth and seeing the Guards more carefully disposed then was accustomed hauing a guiltie conscience beganne to suspect and as oftentimes the minde of man vppon the instant of so great aduentures presageth that which afterward ensueth so at this present the Dukes hart fainted and his colour charged as one fearing some imminent perill hee was readie to swound hee had sent his Page for a handkercheffe in one of the corners whereof his secretarie named Pellicart had knit vp a little written bill containing a warning to get him away with all speede or else he were but dead But this handkercheffe was intercepted with the remembrance as the Page was comming vppe and neuer came to his handes The Duke in going through a narrow passage to the King encreased his mistrust and was about to returne but still hee went forwards into the Kings vtter chamber where seeing the Lord Loiguake fitting vpon a chest whom of all other he most hated for that he had beene long perswaded that the same Lord determined to kill him hee set his hand to his sword with a purpose to set vppon the sayde Loiguake but by reason hee did weare his Cloake Scarft wise he was so troubled that he could not draw it past halfe way out of the sheath they who were appoynted for his execution The death of Francis D. of Guyse seeing him enterprise such an audacious act and that at the kings chamber doore preuented him and slew him at that instant The noyse was such in this tragicall execution that the Cardinall entred into a mistrust and made hast to get forth but he was stayed by a Gentleman of the Scottish guard The death of the Cardinall of Guise who had commandement to arrest him and not long after by reason of his former treasons and his presumptuous behauiour at that present mingled with some threatning speeches hee was strangled in the same placce where hee was taken prisoner The Archbishop rushed foorth in great furie and saide hee would helpe the Duke of Guyse but hee was quickly cooled and clapt vp in prison though afterwarde released vppon his submission and acknowledgement of his offence The Cardinall of Burbon the Prince Ieuuille sonne to the Duke of Guyse the Mareschall D'Albenfe with many other pertakers in this treason were apprehended and committed to safe keeping and likewise Pellicart secretarie to the Duke of Guyse with all his papers and writings whereby all the secret Councelles of the Guyses and the rest of the Leaguers as well of Princes and Nobles as of the Clergie Towne and Cities were manifested and discouered The fame of this execution was foorthwith spread abroade in the Towne albeit the Castle gates were shut which made all such as had guiltie consciences to packe from Bloys as speedily as euer did the Protestants from the suburbs of Saint Germaines on Bartholmew day The Guysards flie from Bloys and to seeke to shift for themselues some other where Thus were the Leaguers wonderfully crossed in their designements and many who the day before thought it an honour to bee called Guysards and were readie to challenge to the Combate such as reputed them Royalles were now altered on the sodaine and cast in a newe mould esteeming all that factious multitude worse then theeues and murtherers Shortly after that these things thus passed at Blois died the Queene mother The death of the Quâ—ene mother of France who was very olde and had liued too long for Fraunce where she had beene as the firebrand of the Country the nurse of all rebellions the bellowes of all ciuil dissention the instrument of the diuell to worke all impietie and vngodlinesse the procurer of the fall and destruction of her owne children and the principal worker of all this wofull and lamentable alteration happened in that noble and renowmed Kingdome CHAP. XXV The rebellion of Duke de Maine and most of the principall Cities of Fraunce The King of Fraunce and the King of Nauarre are reconciled The King of Fraunce murthered by a Frier The King of Nauarre proclaimed King of Fraunce THe King thought good to aduertise all his subiects of that which had happened at Blois and for that purpose wrote diuerse Letters to his seuerall gouernors of his prouinces duly enforming them of al these occurrences and sent to the assembly of the States to let them vnderstande that it was his pleasure that they should still continue and that he was fully determined to followe their reasonable counsailes in all things but they by little and little slyding away one after another got them home into their Countryes and by spreading of most accursed and damnable rumours deprauing the Kings fact with many hyperbolicall speeches which they amplified with sundry lying reasons and defamatorie libels tearming this execution by the name of the massacre committed at Blois caused an vniuersall rebellion of all those Townes Cities and Prouinces which had reiected the Gospel in former tymes The Duke de Maine no sooner vnderstood thereof
his bodie The death of Henry the 3 the French King not withstanding all the remedies that could be deuised or imagined hee yeelded vp his life into the handes of him that gaue it him hauing reigned fourteene yeares and seuen moneths And this was the ende of Henrie the third the French king and king of Polonia and the last of the house of Valois who being bewitched with the sorceries of his mother and inclyning to euill by his owne bad disposition opposed himselfe agaynst Gods true religion and being giuen ouer to worke his owne destruction followed the wicked counsailes of his notorious and sworne enemies who spake him fayre to his face but inwardly hated him and neuer ceased persecuting of their deuelish deuises vntill they had brought his state to confusion and procured his vntimely death and destruction CHAP. XXVI Henrie the fourth the French King ouerthroweth the Leaguers in two seuerall battels Great famine in Paris The Duke of Parma entreth into Fraunce relieueth Paris From whence he flieth againe in great haste into the Lowe Countryes The Pope excommunicateth the King VVho causeth his Bull to be burned at Towers The great Armie of the Germianes The Duke of Parma goeth the sâ—conde time into Fraunce and preuayleth greatly agaynst the King The Leaguers seeke for peace The King encline to Poperie His coronation Paris with most of the great Citties of Fraunce turne to the King IMmediately after the death of Henrie the third Henrie of Burbon King of Nauarre and the true inheritour to the Crowne of Fraunce both by his owne right and by the last will and testament of the late King The princes Nobles and souldiers take their oath of obedience to Henry the fourth was proclaimed King of Fraunce by the name of King Henrie the foorth and so acknowledged by all the Princes Nobles Colonels Captaines and souldiours in the Campe after the ancient maner of choosing the Romane Emperors giuing him their oaths of fidelitie and obedience with protestation to assist him to maintaine his royall and princely authoritie against all traitours rebels and leaguers to the vttermost of their powers The Prince Montpensier being then at Audly a towne vpon the Riuer of Seyne caused likewise all his army to take the like oath exhorting them to defend constantly the late kings wil and valiantly to oppose theÌ„selues against al seditious persons despisers of gods lawfull ordinance traitors to their King sworne enemies to their own couÌ„try This Henry of Burbon King of Nauarre and now the French king and so hereafter he shall be tearmed considering the strength of his open enemies and fearing the treacherie of many in the Campe who were deuoted to the league knowing that they might be a meanes to distresse him beeing so neare vnto a great number of his euill willers who were likely to double their rage by reason of this exploit done vpon the late Kings person The French King retireth toward Norman de thought good to licence so many as he suspected to depart the campe and determined to retire with the rest into Normandie somewhat further from his enemies and to gather as great a power as hee could of his trustiest and most assured friends and in the meane time to view the attempts and preparations of the Leaguers The armie of the D. de Maine The D. de Maine besides all the bands which he had collected of the French rebels receyued certaine Swart Rutters vnder the leading of the Duke of Brimswicke The Duke of Lorraine sent his sonne likewise called the Marques of Pont. with certaine companies of horsemen with this great armie which amounted to the number of 25000. men The Duke de Maine marched towards Deep where the King lay with some nine or ten thousand men who vnderstanding of the approach of the enemie tooke the field with those forces which he had and encamped at Arques about two miles froÌ„ Deepe where he stayed not long but that the enemie appeared in fight at a village not far off called Martinglize The king sent out forthwith his light horsmeÌ„ to discouer between whoÌ„ the foreruÌ„ners of the Leaguers there were many hot skirmishes On the 19. day of September the enemie passed ouer a little riuer which ranne betweene both Armies and put himselfe in battaile array very well ordered strongly appointed and marched directly towards the king The Lord Billing with two thousande shot was appointed to charge first and the Duke de Maine stood behinde him with a strong battaile readie to succour as need required The king had quickly ordered his battailon hauing disposed of all things in as warlike maner as he could deuise sent forth his light horsemen to charge the enemie who were backed with the Prince of Conde led by the Lord Montaret His battailon of footemen was flanked with his owne cornet wherein were the Lord Graund Pryer of France the Count Rochfaucoult the Count Rossy his brother the Count Rochford with diuers other Gentlemen of great reckoning and such as were neerest about his person and hauing called vppon God to ayde him in his iust and righteous quarrell so furiously charged the enemie that hee left fiue hundred dead vpon the place at that instant The rest seeing the slaughter of their fellowes and the furie of the kings souldiers began to shrinke and in a short time to flie away in great feare and disorder The Principall men of the Leaguers which were slain were the Lord Saint Andrew Sagne Collonell of the light horsemen the Lord Saint Vidal Lieutenant of the Ordenance the Lord Vienuille Count Billing Temblecourt Sauelak and diuers others were taken prisoners The king lost the Count Rossy brother to Rochfaucont and the Lord Bake Ville a Gentleman of very worthy and commendable parts and not past some thirtie or fortie others The Duke de Maine seeing his bad lucke retyred his beaten troupes towards Picardy the king being strengthened with the forces of the Prince of Soysons Duke Languauille and Mareschall Haultmont besides foure thousand Englishmen newly sent him out of England The Lord VVillowby vnder the leading of the right noble and valiant Lord VVillowby departed from Deepe coasted the enemie til he came to Menlau and then returned toward Paris supposing that by that meanes hee should draw the Duke to follow him and so bring him to a battaile The king bringeth hiâ— army before Paris The King comming to Paris about the 28. of October determined to assault the suburbs and hauing prepared all things in a readinesse for that purpose assailed them the first of Nouember following where hee founde some resistance but the courage of the Souldiers redoubled with the presence of the Prince was such The suburbs of S. Germaines takeÌ„ that they quickly gayned them and slew aboue a thousand and fiue hundred of their enemies there were also taken fourteene ensignes and thirteene peeces of Ordenance The king seeing the Leaguers attempted nothing but
the Lord Clermont Autragne one of the Captaines of the kings guard the Lord Tishcombert Longanuay Crenay Vienne Muauille Fequiers with some other twenty or thirtie Gentlemen at the most The Marquesse of Neste the Eearle Choysy the Lord de O the Count Lud the Lords Mouleuet Lauergue Rosne and many others were hurt but not in danger of death and this was the ende of this great battaile fought in the plaine of Saint Andrew the fourth of March 1590. The fame of this glorious victorie ouer the Leaguers so terrified sundrie townes that they yeelded forthwith and sent to craue pardon for their former offences Mante Vernon Cressy Lagny Poysy Saint Germaine and Saint Clow were the first that were drawen to their due obedience by whose examples sundrie others were easily reclaimed and yeelded vppon their first sommance the king beeing glad of this fortunate successe resolued to besiege Paris whereof when as the Parisians The Parisians prepare to endure a siege were enformed as also of the ouerthrowe of the Duke de Maine they were maruailously affrighted and tâ—e rather for that they had promised themselues an assured victorie grounding vppon the Dukes proude bragges and the fantasticall prophesies of sundrie seditious Friers and had not the Duke Henrico Caietanc the Popes Nuntio and Barnardin Mendoza scattered good store of Crownes among the Iesuites and such frierlike fellowes who shoulde with theyr seditious Sermons encourage the people to persist in theyr rebellious actions and corrupted the principall inhabitants with money and fayre promises the Parisians hadde in that conseruation of minde come to aske pardon as well as others but they beeing seduced by their chiefetaines and ringleaders beganne to bethinke them howe to fortifie their Cities and to make themselues able to endure a siege The king seeing their obstinacy followed his course and knowing the Citie to bee very populous and nothing well prouided for so many moneths determined to take all the passages and to blocke in the Parisians so sure that they should come by no victuals making choyse to vanquish them rather by famin then by the sword as the safest way to punish his enimies and to saue his friends Hee therefore seised vppon all the stronge Townes about the Citie as Corbeil Melun Montereaufault Yonne and Charenten and stopping the Riuer of Oyse Marne Yonne and Seyne would not suffer any prouision to bee conuayed into the Citie Whereupon there beganne to grow great scarcenesse The Duke de Maine goeth to Bruxelles to the Duke of Parma for ayde and a sore famine threatned that rebellious multitude The Duke de Maine was gone into Peronne in Picardy and from thence to Bruxelles to the Duke of Parma to entreate him to come to the succours of the League and vsed all the other meanes hee could to leuie newe forces and hauing had some promises from Spaine assured himselfe of ayd out of the low Countryes wherwith he should be once againe able to meete the king who all this while lay before Paris and attempted nothing but onely to keepe it from victuals and by that meanes had so famished the towne of S. Dennis S. Dennis yeeldeth to the King that after that they had consumed all their old store and had eaten vp their horses dogs cats rats mice rootes hearbs much bread made of ground straw beaten to powder they were enforced to yeeld to the kings mercy who vsed them very graciously Penury and want likewise so pressed the Citie of Paris Great famin in Paris that by the beginning of Iuly there were no dainties to be found in the Citie but the Parisians were glad to fall to such homely viands as not long before had serued for a dish at S. Dennis Yea so great and so horrible was the famine that there were many children eaten and deuoured by those hungry and staruen rebelles When the Duke da Maine who was still attending vppon the Duke of Parma was aduertised of the great and extreme penury that was among the Parisians as also of the vprores and murtherings of the people hee wrote letters full of rich promises assuring them of the comming of the Duke of Parma and himselfe with a sufficient number to raile the siege The miserable people oppressed with the tyrannie of their rulers hardned with seditious sermons blinded with ignorance seduced with malice and sed with much villanie from Spaine from the Pope and from this Duke and by Gods iust iudgement giuen ouer to a reprobate sense held out obstinately and would by no perswasions be enduced to submit themselues vnto the Kings mercie The hope that the Spaniard had to conquere France and to cloath himselfe with the rich spoyle of the Flower de Lis made the Duke of Parma to giue better eare to the Duke de Maine The Duke of Parma entreth into France and to hearken to the succours of the distressed Leaguers so that hauing gathered a power of some 15000. Spaniards Italians Wallons and Flemmings all of the olde bands of the countrey in the latter ende of August hee entred into France and ioyning with the forces of the Duke de Maine marched towards Paris The King hauing to deale with so great an enemie brake vp his siege and went to meete him as farre as the plaine of Boundy and there ordered his battailes made himself readie to end the quarrell by a generall fight the Kings army consisted of 10000. French footmen 4000. Switzers 4000. horsemen the greatest number wherof were gentlemeÌ„ of the cheerest houses in France and 800. Rutters there were sixe Princes two Mareschalles of France and a great number of noblemen captaines and Gentlemen who were able to leade as great an armie as that was The Duke of Parma hauing discouered all his warlike multitude from the top of a hill returned to his campe and caused his souldiers to entrench themselues as strongly as they could and refused to fight The Duke of Parma refuseth to fight albeit the king staied for him by the space of three daies together but afterward perceiuing that the Duke would not be drawen to a battaile by no meanes hee determined to breake vp his armie and to sende his souldiers into seuerall prouinces to rest and relieue them after so painfull and laborious a iourney and so to make them fresh and lustie against hee should haue better opportunitie to fight against his enemies Assoone as the king was departed wel neere twenty Leagues off and that he had deuided his forces by sending them into seuerall places The Duke of Parma entreth into Paris the Duke gat him out of the treaches hasted to Paris where he was welcomed with great ioy but he had not continued there long but the tyrannie pride and villany of the Spaniard and hispaniolized was such that the Parisians waxed weary of that intollerable burthen would faine haue bin rid of them and they had wist how they therfore entreated the duke to open the riuer
that ende stuffed all his frontier townes with strong garrisons but they opening their way by force passed forwards and by easie iourneyes came to the king who beeing strenhthened with these new forces resolued to besiege Boar. The Leaguers being now not able to encounter with the king in the field fortified the Citie as strong as they could and attended the comming of the Duke of Parma whose ayde they had instantly desired the better to maintaine head against the king The Duke vnderstanding in what tearmes the Leaguers stood knowing that the losse of Roan being a principall Citie in France 1592 The duke of Parma goeth the second time into France and the cheefest in Normandy would be very preiudicial vnto that mistery which lay secretly enclosed in his brest and a great meanes to crosse the proceedings of the Spanish king hispaniolized French gathered a great power and leauing the gouernement of the Low countreyes to the Count Mansford marched towards France which he entred about the midst of Ianuary with some 8. or 9000. Spaniards Italians Duch Wallons ioyning with the Leaguers so encreased his armie that he grew to be some 17. or 18000 strong with which power he determined to raise the Kings siege to deliuer theÌ„ who had with so great earnestnesse sought his helpe and with this resolution he marched towardes Roan which assoone as those who kept the town vnderstood they began to plucke vp their hearts and made many sallyes forth vppon the kings forces but being valiantly withstood shrewdly beaten were glad to returne with the losse often times of their valiantest leaders and most forward souldiers Nowe as the Leaguers within the town begaÌ„ to be punished with many miseries the famin daily encreased to the destruction of many so penury and want of necessaries began to creepe in among the kings souldiers and by reason it was in the extreme of the Winter many perished with cold and great numbers fel into very sore greeuous diseases notwithstanding the siege was still continued and all the politike deuises that might be put in practise to gaine the citie The Duke being about Rue and there thorowly enformed as wel of the state of Roan as of the courage resolution of the kings forces would not attempt any thing rast ly but sending for greater forces out of Flanders vnder the conduct of the Earles of Aremberg and Barlemont kept himself close for a while purposing as it seemed to protract the time to cause the K. who as is already said began to fal into manifold waÌ„ts to raise his siege from before the city but the Duke perceiuing that this depose took not so speedie effect as he desired pondering with himself how hard dangerous a matter it was to releeue the citie by force The pollitike dâ—uise of the Duke sought by a cunning pollitike deuise to bring his businesse about and therefore on the sodaine dislodged retired his whole power ouer the Riuer of Some as though he had purposed to returne home again without any more ado Which when the king perceiued and now verily thinking that hee had bin quite gone he licensed the greatest part of his Nobilitie and Gentlemen to departe home to their houses there to refresh themselues after so long tedious trauaile reseruing a sufficient number to maintaine the siege the K. departed to Deepe there to repose himselfe and to take counsell for the ordering of the rest of his affaires The Duke was quickly enformed by his espialles of whatsoeuer the king had done The Duke returâ—eth towards Roan and â—nowing now that all his aduantage consisted in celeritie caused his troupes on the sodaine to turne head and to march backe againe towards Roan and vsing great expedition so fast approched that the kings armie beeing not readye to encounter him and no assured course taken to crosse his designements he besieged Candebeck a town standing vpon the riuer betweene New-hauen Roan Roan releeâ—â—d by the 〈◊〉 of Parma By this meanes was the riuer cleered liberty obtained to passe and repasse without peril then were there forthwith a great number of ships prouided being thorowly furnished with victuals and all other necessaries were sent to Roan to releeue the Leaguers who were nowe extremely distressed and almost famished The King sought all the opportunitie that might be to fight with the Duke and offered many skirmishes to drawe him thereto but hee knowing fortune to bee very inconstant and in the warres especially to bee most wauering and vncertayne vtterly refused to hazard all vppon a Battaile and vnderstanding that there was some scarcitie in the kings campe and that it was impossible that so great a multitude shoulde bee long kept togither in a Countrey so exceedingly wasted where there were no meanes to relieue their wants kept himselfe close and sought to wearie his enemies by his long delaies The K. daily braued the Spaniards in the face dared them by many indignities to come to handy strokes which made the Duke resolue to do somwhat albeit he were sickly and most vnwilling to fight The Duke would not bee drawne to an entire fight supposing that if hee shoulde not stirre vpon so many prouocations his enemies would waxe more couragious and himselfe with all his Spaniards should lose much of their wonted honor reputation Whereupon he determined to encounter with the kings forces and to make some triall of the courage and resolution of his enemies yet so warily that he would be sure not to bring himselfe and his souldiers to a set battell but by some light conflict to maintain his honor and by a Spanish brauado to make the world beleeue that hee did but little esteeme of the king and all his forces Whereupon euery thing being in a readinesse and hauing encouraged his troupes with sundry perswasions the signall was no sooner giuen but there began a sharpe and cruel fight which hastened the death of many braue and valiant souldiers But the Duke espying the Kings side to be too strong and that his men were put to the worse withdrewe his troupes within their intrenchments hauing lost the yong Lord of Chastres and many other of great reckoning and account The dukes horse was shot through with a bullet The Count Horratio Scipio and Hanniball Bentiuolio with many others were sore wounded and in daunger of their liues The Duke not liking to trie the quarell any more by force fell to his old politike practises The duke de Maine entreth Roan and laboured by all possible meanes to get away away from the king without any further fighting Wherfore leauing a garrison of some 500 Spaniards French and Wallons in Caudebecke and sending the Duke de Maine with 3000. Leaguers into Roan hee reposing himselfe for a while within the Citie at length marched away as strongly and as closely as he could towarde Paris The D. of Parma marcheth