Prince of Milphe the Lâ—â—ds of Barbesâ—â—â—â— Burie Viâ—lâ—ers Corneilles vndertake the worke and cast downe â—alfe a Tower pâ—ssiâ—g from the Towne to the Castell but that 〈◊〉 whicâ— ioyned to the Castell stâ—â—ding firme the place was not much weakened Tâ—e King then 〈◊〉 to attempt it by batterie and hee himselfe shewes the place where to plant the Cannon At the approches Lâ—sarches and Pont-briant 〈◊〉 experienced Commissaries of the artillery with many Caâ—â—oniers and others loose their liues The Cannon planted vpon the brinke of the â—â—ench plaies two daies togither and the third they make a breach of thirtie fadomes The Kings presence being the rewarder of vertue setts many yong gentlemen on fire being desirous of reputation and before that order be giuen â—or the assault carries them to the toppe of the breach But they find the like valout in 〈◊〉 them some are slaine vpon the place others returne â—ore wounded Charles of 〈◊〉 among others Earle of Sincerre a yong Noble man who followed the â—â—â—ppes of his 〈◊〉 vertue Aubigny Lieutenant to Sercu and Damiâ—te enseigne beâ—â—er of the sayd Company testified by their deathes the hope of their youth if the chance of armes 〈◊〉 â—ent them a longer life Haraucourt a Lorraine and his â—rother his Lieutenant sons to the Lord of Paâ—oy Lieutenant to the Duke of Guise in the gouernment of Champagne and of his companie of man at armes Fâ—leâ—eres soâ—nâ— to Mardicoque and many others returned backe lame Yet this attempt amazed thâ— beseeged and helpt the generall For when as they see the order the King had giuen to assaile them in the morning a great number of men at armes on foote with fiue or six hundred light horsemen all the rest on horse-backe the whole army readie to be put in battaile if the enemy approched some appoynted to march first others to second them and some to releeue them that went to the assault the resolution and courage of the night past made them enter into composition whereby they departed with theiâ— baggage leauing the artilleâ—ie munition victualls The King committed it to the gard of Sercu The Castell of 〈◊〉 â—â—ken giuing him a company of fifty men at armes and a thousand foote Saint Paul neere vnto Hedin might much annoy him and reduced to the Kings obedience crosse the garrisons of Betune Arras Liliers and other places there abouts Annebault did this exploit and Anthonie of Castell an Italiâ—n Ingenâ—ur vndertooke the fortification of the Towne and Castell Saint Paul and Lilâ—iers taken Lilliers abandoned by Lieuin Captaine of the Towne was by the Lord Steward and Duke of Guise visiting the Country added to the former Conquests and left vnder the commande of Martin du Bellay Captaine of two hundred light horse ioyning vnto him la Lande with a thousand foote to keepe them of Saint Venant and Maruille from annoying the forragers victuallers of the French Army The Bourguignons had fortified an Iland at Saint Venant vpon the riuer of Lis. The Lord Steward vndertakes to force it and takes with him the Earle of Fursâ—emberg with eight thousand French and Germains At the first the beseeged repulse the Lansqueâ—ets kill some and wound many And now the day began to faile when as Charles Martâ—l Lord of Bacqueuille la Lande discouering one part of the trench worse manned then the rest they crosse it with their Normands and Picards and come to handâ—e bâ—â—wes they loose some men and kill many of the enemies force the trench the â—ampar and the bastion they compell them to abandon and leaue their defeâ—ceâ— and make way for the rest of their companies and troupes to enter who châ—â—ing the enemies make a great slaughter of men to reuenge the death of their companions They presently set vpon the second fort the bridge whereof was crâ—st with great long peeces of wood ioyned one to another and betwixt manned with good shott defended with a mill of stone well perced and furnished with harguebuses of Crocke and other shot But nothing is difficult to a resolute mind and the fâ—â—st flying to the second fort strooke terrour into them they force them and put them all to the sword The number of the dead was estemed twelue or fifteene hundred on both sides the place spoyled the bootie carried away and the houses burnt There passed no day without an enterprise of one side or other courses and recourses prises and reprises of men victuals and places ill garded or not gardable The King seeing the Emperour had no armie readie able to crosse his new conquest content for that yeare to haue taken Hedin and fortified Saint Paul he caused Liliers to bee burnt reseruing the Abby of Nunns and the Churches and the walls to bee beate downe that the enemie lodging there should not annoy Therouenne and Saint Paul he gaue the gouernment of S. Paul to Iohn d'Estouteuille Lord of Villebon Prouost of Paris with his coÌ„pany of men at armes that of Moyencourt named de Hangest to Martin du Bellay with his two hundred light horse and two thousand foot coÌ„manded by the Captaines la Lale and Saint Aubin Normans Blerencourt and Yuille Picards euery one fiue hundred and in the Castle a thousand men vnder the charge of René of Palletiere He left the Earle of Furstemberg in garrison at Dourlans with his Lansquenets and a hundred men at armes vnder the guidons of the Lords of Estree and la Roche du Nâ—â—ne But these bands were so ill compleet as they made not halfe their numbers then hauing in like sort prouided for other places hee brake vp his campe and dismissed his troupes to giue order for the affaires of Piedmont where the enemie grew strong The King thus disarming the Earle of Bures armes fower and twentie thousand Lansquenets six thousand Walons and eight thousand horse and resolues to charge the Lansquenets lodged neere to Dourlans to make the seege of Saint Paul more easie which he ment to attempt By the surprise of some letters he learned that the fortificatioÌ„s of the place required yet 2 c. dayes time to make it able to repulse the enemie He changeth his opinion and truning head to Saint Paul makes his approches the tenth of Iune notwithstanding the many sallies and skirmishes of the beseeged hee recouers by meanes of a great hollow way which the sodaine arriuall of the Imperials would not suffer them to make euen the point of a great Bulwarke vpon the way to Mouchy they vndermine day night shoot sixteene or eighteene hundred canon shot make a breach of three or foure paces Saint Paul beseeged by the Imperials and by the furie of seuen or eight peeces of artillerie force Martin de Bellay Blerencourt and Yuille to abandon the breach which lookes towards Dourlans their cheefe and almost only defence hee giues an assault with fiue or sixe hundred men onely to vew the breach and by the thunder of their Canons which battered all along the
great persecuter of the enemies of the Clergie curteous and officious to his friends busie for the enriching of the Church a great builder And finally as hee was readie to depart from Ancona to march in person against the Turke who was then entred Italie a Cotidian ague seized on him whereof hee dyed in the yeare 1464. Of him we reade thus much as Platina and Sabellicus doe report Preests are forbidden to marrie for a great reason but yet there is a greater for the which they should bee suffered In the second booke of the Councel and moreouer Paraduenture it should not be the worse if many Preests were married for many being Priests and married should bee saued the which in their barren Caelibat are damned Hee likewise would haue abolished some Nunneries of Saint Brigit and Saint Clare caâ—sed the Nunnes to come forth to the end saith Caelius secundus that vnder the habit of religion they should not hide their adulteries Paul the second borne at Venice before named Peter Barbo Cardinal of Saint Marc succeeded His first calling was marchandiseâ—punc but seeing an vnckle of his chosen Pope he applied himselfe somewhat to learning and was first created Arch-deacon of Boullen then Bishop of Ceruio after Cardinall and finally Pope The pride and pompe of Paulus the 2. A man of a good personage but arrogant proud so as Platina obserues that he first spake these wordes That the Pope carries within the circuite of his bosome all diuine and humane laws Exceeding all his Predecessors in attyre but aboue all in his mitre the which hee enriched with pearle and stones of an inestimable price shewing himselfe proudly vpon soâ—lemne dayes â—hus sumptuously attyred followed by his Cardinalls with scarlet hatâ—es the which hee did forbid all others to weare vpon greeuous â—â—nishments and mounted vppon mulets with footeclothes of the same colour grosse and dull witted louing neither learning â—or learned meÌ„ so as he declared them Heretiks that either in sport and earnest did pronâ—uÌ„ce this word Academy or Vniueâ—sity Couetous dissolute The Popes disposition voluptuous turbuleÌ„t giuen to coÌ„iuring the whole time of his raign he troubled Italie with combustions and homebred warres Finally they report little good of him but that he had beene pittifull to the poore and needy to haue preserued Rome from famine and reformed many Monasteries reducing them to a better discipline They say that hauing one day read certaine poesies made against him and his daughter he began to greeue and to blame the rigour of the law made by his predecessors who did forbid Priests to marrie so as seeing himselfe a scorne to the people hee resolued to giue Priests liberty to marry but an Apoplexie tooke him sodeinly out of this world the 25. of Iuly 1471. leauing a rich treasure In trueth They gather goods saith the Oracle and know not who shall enioy them Some impute this sodaine death to the Author of the Magicke arte the which he practised Sixtus the 4. borne at Sauonne and named Francis of Ruere Generall of the Grey Friars and Cardinall of S. Sixte Legat of Auignon was installed by the election of the Colledge in the Pontificall chaire Liberall and charitable to his owne beyond the bounds of true zeale for in their fauour he gaue Indulgences and pardons prodigally and granted many other things against all right and reason so saieth the Historie Amongst the rest he aduanced Peter of Ruere to a Cardinalship a monstrous man in his expences who in two moneths deuoured in vanities dissolution and loosenesse aboue two hundred thousand Crownes besides the debts wherewith he charged his heires He repaired many decayed Churches and Monasteries built new and gaue them great reuenews He restored the Abreuiataires which was a Colledge of learned men and studious in diuine and humane lawes Poets Orators Historiens c. first instituted by Pius the 2. then abolished by Paul the 2. his successor Then did he institute anew the Bullistes people fitter to get money then for any other thing and nine Notaries of the Apostolick treasure appointing them certaine reuenues which offices were sold in the beginning for fiue hundred crownes and since for two or three thousand crownes so well could they sell their marchandise Sixtus made many vniust warres against Ferdinand King of Naples for that against the Popes lâ—king he had succoured his sonne in law Hercules of Este Dâ—ke of Ferrare besieged by the Venetians Against the Venetians whom he did excoÌ„municate Against the Florentins excommunicated likewise with an interdiction of fire and water But by the intercession threats of the King the succours the Venetians gaue to the Florentinâ— against the Pope who had incensed Ferdinand King of Sicile Alphonsus Duke of Calabria and Frederick Duke of Vrbin Captaine generall for the Church to make warre against them he absolued them Then being sick of a Feuer hauing newes that a peace was made betwixt the Venetians and other Potentates of Italy hee dyed sodenly There flourished vnder him Iohn of Mont le Roy a great Mathematician Ralph Agricola Pomponius Lâ—tus Ambrose Calepin learned men in humanitie Let it suffice to haue noted such Popes as haue raigned vnder our Lewis and now let vs see that which concernes the Empire â—hat great Iohn Huniades a firme and â—ound rampier for the Christians against the Turkes The estate of the Empire had left two sonnes Ladislaus Matthias They had for an hereditarie enemy Vlrike Earle of Cilie neere kinsman and a fauorite to Ladislaus King of Hongarie and Bohemia sonne to Albert of Austria borne after his fathers death Ladislaus the eldest complaining one day to Vlriâ—e of the slanders wherewith he wrongfully charged him to King Ladislaus they passed from words to blowes so as he slue Vlrick for the which the King of Hungarie caused him to bee publickely beheaded and lead Mâ—tâ—hias the yonger prisoner to Prague in Bohemia to put him to death farre from the â—iew of the Nobility of Hongarie to whom the memory of Huniades was wonderfull deeâ—e and precious But as Ladislaus prepared for his mariage at Prague to be sonne in lawe tâ— Charles the 7. behold a blacke and deadly poison sodenly choaâ—es vp the ioy which that new alliance had concâ—iued After whose death there did arise great quarrels for the succession Some Noblemen of Hungarie wished the Emperour Fredericâ— the third for their Kiâ—g the greatest part preferred Matthias both for that he was of 〈◊〉 nation as for the happy memory of his father Iohn The election being made Matthias is set at libertie by George Boiebrac the new King of Bohemia hee demands the Crowne Frederick armes himselfe with a constitution which he had receiued from Elizabeth mother to Ladislaus deceased when he sent him her â—onne to bring vp Vpon refusall they go to armes but the Germaine Princes pacified this quarrell concluding Warre for the Crowne of Hongary That Matthias should pay
army with a braue hardie resolutioÌ„ opened the passage by force but with great losse of hisforces the which fortified with newe troupes hee sends into high Misia and Selauonia chased Stephen King of Bossne out of Iaize the chiefe Citty dispossessed him of his Realme and in the end slewe him about the yeare 1463. A while after Matthias King of Hongarie recouered the sayd Citty and Realme ouerthrewe a great armie of Turkes spoiling the country of Sirme tooke many places in Croatia and Dalmatia and in the ende expelled Mahomet being come to beseege Iaize spoiled his campe and was master of all his baggage Scanderbeg expelled his country was retyred into Italy where shewing that the diuision of Christian Princes was the meanes to confirme the Turkes estate and that it was impossible to make him giue ouer this audacious and insatiable desire beeing at Lisse vpon the riuer of Drille hee was surprised with a feuer whereof hee died being threescore and three yeares old in the yeare 1467. Scanderbeg 〈◊〉 His vertues A Prince exceeding all men in valour of an wonderfull courage so as euen with vehemency his lippes did bleed at the beginning of euery charge Hee neuer refused battaile neuer turned his backe neuer was hurt but once lightly in the foote with an arrowe he neuer led aboue six thousand horse and three thousand foote and had slaine with his owne hand aboue two thousand barbarians striking with such force as he cut many in two peeces Mahumed being freed by the death of Scanderbeg vndertooke three warres at one instant Misithes of the race of the Paleologues had commission to go to Rhodes Acomath Bascha into Italy to conquer it with Rome and the Empire of the West and Mahumed himselfe goes into Asia Mesithes being often beaten was forced to returne with the remainders of his armie languishing and in pittifull estate Acomath lands in Calabria takes Otranto and so amazeth all Italie as the Pope neglecting all in regard of the safetie of his person resolues to leaue Rome Mahumed going into Asia died of the Collick neere vnto Nicomedia in the yeare 1471. A happy death for the Christians for Otranto besieged by the Italians aided by Matthias was yeelded by composition wiâ—h their liues and goods saued without attending fiue and twenty thousand Turkes which Acomath pursuing his victorie brought to their succours Thus Italie was deliâ—ered from imminent danger and the Pope assured we will now leaue the raigne of Baiazet second successor to Mahumed to continue our worke in the West CHARLES the eight the 56. King of France CHARLES 8 KING OF FRANCE .56 THis raigne will not hold vs long 1483. but after the Duke of Orleans league the motiue of fiue yeares warre in Brittanie ended A briefe rehearsall of Charles his raigne by the Kings marriage with Anne the eldest daughter to Francis Duke of Brittanie we shall be transported beyond the Alpes to take the possession which René King of Sicile and Charles Earle of Maine his brother had by their testaments left to Lewis the xi to the rights they pretended to the realme of Naples vpon the way wee shall see him entertained by Lewis Sforce in the Towne of Ast then hauing receiued the Forts of Florence with the Cittie of Pisa from Peter de Medicis he enters Rome notwithstanding the gainsaying of Pope Alexander hauing vsed therein the rights of a coÌ„querour he treats an accord with the said Pope receiues from him the title of Emperour of Constantinople with the institution of the realme of Naples and consequently causeth himselfe to bee crowned King of Sicile And to augment his honour hee makes his passage maugre the forces of all the Princes and Potentates of Italie at Fournoue and laden with glorie and spoiles returnes triumphantly to seeke some rest in France after his wearie toyles But alas when as in the greene and vigorous season of his life he shall meditate of a second voiage for the recouerie of his realme of Naples as easily lost as wonne and when as the Easterne partes liued in hope to haue the Christian church restoted by him oppressed now vnder the Turkish Traine Death vniust and vnseasonable according to man shal with himselfe cut off al his goodly desseins the which he had laid in the beginning of his florishing youth to carry him to the fruition of a better rest The iudicious reader may iudge if we haue reaped more honour profit in the getting then shame hurt in the losse of so many Estates lying farre from vs. Charles came to the Crowne at the age of 13. yeares Charles his disposition and education delicate weake sickly in his youth mild gratious deuout but wilful in his humors Lewis had bred him vp at Amboise attended on by few seruants not visited by any without any instruction but bare reading not willing to helpe nature by art Yet the weaknes thereof hath often times more need of a prop to support it a spurre to pricke it forward then of a bitt to restraine it Did he feare that learning should imparre his health or corrupt the good seeds which nature hap planted in his mind He was content that according to his fathers humour his sonne should learne this only senteÌ„ce in Latin He that cannot dissemble cannot rule But he did him wrong for he was inclined to the reading of French books he came no sooner to the crowne but they found in him a desire of knowledge which made him to haue a taste in the Latin tongue But as the aptest of his age was slipt away without profit so did hee salute the Muses but a farre off weake of bodie but of a good wit capable of counsell succeptible of the helpes requisite for the gouernment of a firme solide State His minoritie was the cause of a quarrell The Duke of Oâ—leans and Earle of Beauieu contend for the Regencie betwixt the Duke of Orleans a young Prince and neerest to the Crowne and the Earle of Beauieu for the Regencie which caused his Coronation to be differred vntill the next yeere after the which an assembly of States should determine of the administration of the King Realme The Princes of the bloud attending this sollemnitie hauing bin so often wronged by Oliuer le Daim Daniel his seruant Doyac who had wholy gouerned the deceased King did without the Kings priuitie whose young yeares witheld him from gouernmeÌ„t informed of their insolencies proud carriage vniust murthers thefts extortions other crimes which they had committed vnder â—he authoritie of Lewis the xi and by a decree of the Court make Daniel forfaite both bodie and goods and his master likewise some few dayes after Doyac whipped at the corner of euery street Oliuer and 〈◊〉 hâ—â—ged lost one of his eares vpon the pillerie at the Halles of Paris then hauing his tongue pearced with a whot iron he was conueied to Mont-Ferrant in Auuergne where he was borne
assault although they could not mount but with Ladders the wall remayning yet aboue three yards high Those within mayntaine it valiantly and fighting the space of three houres in the ende they repulse our men with the losse of three hundred foote and some men at armes with a great number of hurt amongest others the Lord of Chastillon the master of the ordinance and Spineuse who being hurt with the artillery from the Towne died within fewe dayes after In the meane time the Cittizens amazed and fearing a more dangerous charge treated of their yeedling without the priuity of Marc Anthonie Colonne when as behold the enemy comes marching to their succour who campes at Meuâ—â—nach three miles from Rauenna fortifying themselues with a trench â—â—ch as the shortnesse of time would permit leauing an entry of about twentie fadome◠〈◊〉 raiseth the seege turnes the mouth of the Cannon towards the enemies and on Easter day the eleuenth of Aprill passeth Ronque leauing his rereward led by Yues d' Alegre vpon the riuers side towards Rauenna to succour the armie at neede to mâ—ke head against those that should issue out off the Towne to keepe the bridge which they had made vpon the riuer of Montone then disposing of his troupes he giues the â—â—ant-gard to the Dâ—ke of Ferrare the battaile to the Lord of Palisse and the Carâ—â—â—all of Saint Seuerin who great both in minde and body couered from the head to the foote with most shyning armes performed the office of a Captaine rather then of 〈◊〉 Gaston reserued to himselfe no priuate charge but would bee free to see and succour in all places the beauty of his armes his cassake his cheerefull countenance his eyes full of vigour and shyning for ioye made him very glorious The enemies seeing ouâ— French passe the riuer were ranged in battaile Fabrice Colonne led the foreward the Cardinall of Medicis Legat of the Councell of Lateran the battaile but a fatall signe in a peacefull habit Caruagial a Spanish Captaine the reereward So the two armies approching one to the other stood immouable aboue two houres the enemies being loath to abandon the compasse of their palissado The Spaniards artillery thunders and at the first volee ouerthrewe many French The battaile oâ— Rauenne wonne by the French The French answers but with a greater losse to their horse Peter of Nauarre hauing caused the foote to couch flat vpon their bellies Fabrice cries presseth and importunes to go to the battaile and not to suffer them to bee consumed by the Cannon The Nauarrâ—is contradicts presuming that the more the danger increased the more famous would the victory be which he expected But the Cannon had so scoured their men at armes and light horse as they could no longer keepe their rankes There might you see men and horse fall dead to the ground heads armes and legges flie into the 〈◊〉 when as Fabricio cries out Shall wee die shamefully heere by the obstinacie and malice of a villaine Shall this army bee consumed without the death of any one enemie must the honour of Spaine and Italie bee lost for the pleasure of a Nauarrois Speaking thus he presseth out of the trench with his companie all the horse-men followe him the foote rise and with fury charge the Lansquenets All the squadrons ioyne danger glory hope and hatred of nation against nation flesh them in the combate Fabricio Coloâ—ne is already taken by the Duke of Ferrares companie Alegri chargeth in flanke with his rereward The Viceroy of Naples and Caruagial are put to flight leading with them almost a whole squadron The light horse are disranked and the Marquis of Pâ—scara their Captaine prisoner being couered with wounds and bloud The Marquis of Padulle is lâ—kewise defeated with his squadron and taken prisoner The Italians foote sâ—râ—nke and began to turne their backes if the Spaniards had not speedâ—ly come to second them against the Lansquenets But all the hoâ—semen fled and the Spanish battallion reâ—â—red in order when as Gaston turning to charge them with a great troupe of horse not holding the victory absolute if those retired whole he went couragiously to assaile them But alas as they charge the hindermost they are enuironed by this battallion cut in peeces for the most part he throwen vnder his horse was slaine being thrust into the sâ—anke with a pike Doubtlesse a happy death for him hauing this content in his sâ—ule to die in so yong an age honored with so much glory Gaston of Foix slaine the which he had purchased in fewe monethes by so many and so notable victories but a fatall victory polluted with the death of so braue a Commander who but euen nowe began to make his naâ—â— and his valour knowen and by his fall carried with him the happinesse of the French and the strength of this army The Viconte of Lautrec his Cousin remayned almost dead by him maymed with twentie wounds but led afterwards to Ferrare and being carefully looked vnto hee escaped to do the King notable seruice Gaston being dead the Spaniards retire without trouble or let the rest of the army is broken and dispersed The baggage taken enseignes and artillery Prisoners of account Prisoners of marke Fabricio Colonne the Marquises of Pescara and Padulle Estelle and Bitonte the Earle of Monteleon Iohn of Cardone Peter of Nauarre manie Barons and Noblemen Spaniards Neapolitans and Italians and the Legat of the Councell of Lateran There were slaine according to the common estimation ten thousand a third of the French amongest which were Alegre and Viuerrois his sonne Raimonet of Saint Maur Molare and some other Gascoine Captaines Iacob Colonell of the Lansquenets a braue man The number of dead and commended to haue assisted much with his troupe for the wynning of this victory Two thirds of the enemies but almost al their chiefe Captaines and the brauest of their army a great number hurt and most of them that fled were stâ—pt and beaten downe by the Countrymen which lay in troupes by the way And for the last act of this Papal tragedie Rauenna is taken by assault and cruelly sackt and spoyled Imola 〈◊〉 taken and sâ—ckt Furli Cesena Rimini and all the forts of Romagnia followed the victoâ—â— fortune and the Legate of the Councel of Pisa receiues them al in the name of the said Councel The body of Gaston was carried to Milan with an honorable conuoy in a litter followed by the aboue named prisoners interred with a wonderfull mournefull pompe namely of the soldiars whose hearts he had so wonne as they protested that nothing was impossible vnto them vnder the leading of such a Commander And the King his Vncle receyuing these heauie tidings I would to God sayd he I were driuen out of Italy so as my Nephew de Foix and the other Noblemen liued I wish such victories to mine enemies If we vanquish once more after this sort wee shall bee vanquished Without doubt
wherevnto he added a complaint of their bounds in the diuision whereof he would resolutely haue the aduantage But to giue a better colour to this quarrell of State hee ioynes religion For saith he to his people to what end should these Arrians haue so good a paâ—t among the Christians Yet before he would come to open force Warre against the 〈◊〉 he talkes of a friendâ—y conference The two Kings appoint a day and a place for an enterview to parlee of their affaires But this meeting increased their hatred for being both vpon the place some confident seruants to Clouis gaue him notice that Alaric had laide an Ambuscadoe to surprize him in their parle Clouis was much moued with this and resolues to make warre against Alaric hee raiseth an armie and beeing ready to marche towards Guyenne behold a new occasion which makes him turne his forces towards Bourgongne We haue shewed how that Gondebault King of Bourgongne Warres in Bourgongne and why slue his brother Chilperic father to Clotilde vpon the first diuision of their portions after their fathers death Hee had two bretheren remaining Gondemar and Gondegesil of whom he desired infinitely to bee freed hauing too many bretheren and too little land according to his vnsatiable desire Their debate was for Prouence and Daulphiné which they demanded for their portions Gondebault enioyed the chiefe Citties except Vienne which the brethren held Clouis his Armie ouercomes that of Gondebault marching victoriously through the Countrie of Venaison where the battell was fought Gondebault saues himselfe with great difficultie in Auignon and is presently besieged by Clouis who yee grants him an honourable composition and labours to reconcile him with his bretheren which done he returnes into France and Gondemar and Gondegesil retire into Vienne dreaming of nothing lesse then to haue their elder brother for an enemy But Vienne must be the pitte-fall of their misery to swallow them both vp one after an other for behold Gondebault is with a strong armie at the gates of Vienne and his bretheren are reduced to that extremitie as hauing no meanes to defend themsâ—luâ—â— nor to get reliefe from their friends the Citty is easily taken and euery mâ—n seekeâ— to saue himselfe as he can Gondemar flyes into a Tower where he is besieged assaâ—â—ed and burnt with all his troupe Gondegesil is taken aliue after this tragick feare but being alone he slippes a way and flyes to Clouis whome hee found in Armes ready to march vpon this new accident Clouis takes new aduise The ancient hatred he bare to Gondebault who had crossed him in his mariage the iniustice and more then barbarous crueltie the complaint of this poore Prince his ally who cast himselfe into his armes had much power to perswade him to the voyage of Bourgongne But that which made him resolue was for that Gondebault prepared to succour Alaric against whom Clouis did now march with his forces Thus the iust iudgement of God prouided a scourge for this murtherer who addes rashnesse and insolencie to his first disorders Clouis enters with an armiâ— into Bourgongne Feare doth not onely surprise the countrie but also the peoples iust hatred of this tyrant being infamous with so many parricides so as in few dayes the principall Citties yeeld vnto Clouis and the rest are ready to submit themselues into his hands as to their deliuerer Gondebault pursued by God and men faintes being insolent in prosperitie and daunted in aduersitie 507. All things conspired to his ruine But as God doth not alwaies take sinners at the rebound Clouis conquestes in Bourgongne hee stayed the blow by meanes of Clotilde who grieuing to see her house decay to the ouerthrowe of the state of Bourgongne makes intercession to her husband for her vncle and his Countrie and preuailes so with him through her intercession as shee perswades him to passe no further but to leaue the rest to her vncle Gondebault with a reasonable peace whereof she drew the articles Thus Clouis dismisseth his armie hauing onely prouided for the gard of Vienne Mascon Chaalon and other Townes taken from Gondebault and hee giues the charge of them to Gondegesil This is all that Gondebault could hope for in so great a danger but he would needes perish A treacherous attempt of Gondebault when as he sees himselfe without any enemie By Clouis departure he marceth so secretly with his forces as in one night he surpriseth Vienne by the Conduit heads guided by him that had them in charge being cast out ofâ— the Citie with the scumme of vnprofitable people Vienne must bee the Sepulchre of Gondegesil as it was of Gondemar for in this vnexpected surprise as 〈◊〉 and the Bishop sought meanes to saue themselues in the temple of Saint Mory amazement giues an easie entrie vnto Gondebault who being maâ—ster thereof doth massâ—cre both Gondegesil his brother and the Bishop without any reâ—pect Clouis moued with this treacâ—erous attâ—mpt returnes with his armie and beseegeth Gondebault who vnable to resâ—st escapâ—â— by night and saues himselfe in Italie with Thierry King of the Ostrogoths his friend and confederate They being tormented in conscience A iust punishment oâ— the murtherer Gondebault without all 〈◊〉 of releefe hee falls into horrible dispaire and dyes hatefull euen to those that had receiued him leauing a notable example to all men that man is the cause of his â—wâ—e miserie that hee deceiueth himselfe when as ouerruled by his owne passion hee thinkes to mocke God freely who sleepes not when as men are most secure in their wickednesse But after a long patience God payes both the principall and the interest and hee that seekes an other mans goods doth often loose his owâ—e the halfe being better then the whole for to liue quietly with content This was the end of Gondebault and the beginning of the title which the Kings oâ— France pretended to Bourgongne The fast winning 〈…〉 â—nd Prouâ—nce The States of Prouence Daulphiné and Saâ—oye were dependances on this Crowne Clouis reteyning Daulphiné and the Countries adioyning vnto Bourgogne he left Sauoy and Prouence to Sigismond and Gondemar the children of Gondebault ioyning equitie and mildnes to his iust victorie Hauing thus setled the affaires of Bourgongne he marcheth presently with his victoâ—ious armie into Languedoc against Alaric King of the Visigoths who held not onely that goodly Prouince but 〈◊〉 the Countrie from the Pirence mountaines euen to the bankes of Rosne and Loire as wee haue sayd Clouis hauing assembled his armie at Tours marcheth into Poictou where Alaric attends him with his forces meaning to fight with him at his entrie The battaile is giuen and much blood shed on either side but the absolute victorie remaines to Clouis as the bodies the held and the head of Alaric whome hee slew with his owne hand an accident very remarkable 〈◊〉 slaine by the hand o◠〈◊〉 that one Prince should kill another with his sword in hand in the
Flaunders and Normandie Clodamyr King of Orleans and the estates of this realme were all the Duchie of Orleans Bourgongne Lionois Daulphiné and Prouence Thierri was King of Mets and to his realme were subiect the Country of Lorraine and all the Countries from Rheims vnto the Rhin and beyond it all Germany which was the auncient patrimony of the Kings of France Hee was receiued in this royall portion with his bretheren although hee were a bastard the which hath beene likewise practized by others in the first line And as euery one of these foure Kings called himselfe King of France so they also added the name of their principall Citty where they held their Court. Thus they called them by speciall title Kings of the Cittie where they had their residence And in truth euery one caried himselfe as King in the Countries vnder his obedience not acknowledging the elder but by mouth onely As the plurality of Masters is a plague in an estate so is it miraculous that the realme had not beene ruined by so many Kings especially amidst such monstrous confusions Horrible confusion among brethren which then reigned full of treacheries cruelties and parricides I tremble to enter into this labyrinth the which I will but passe ouer measuring the Readers sorrowe by my griefe in reading and writing these tragicall confusions But let vs obserue things by order After these foure brethren had peaceably made their diuisions and taken lawes of their owne accord in the yeare 515. according to the most approued calculation they marry their sister Clotilde to Almaric sonne to Alaric King of the Vuisigoths who had recouered a good part of Languedoc the which Clouis had taken from his father and by this marriage they yeeld vnto him the Cittie of Toulouse But this alliance was the cause of great diuisions and ruine Ambition and Couetousnes good Counsellers of state made euery one to conceiue as great a kingdome for himselfe as that of his father perswading them to attempt any thing to bee great Bourgongne was quietly returned into the possession of Gondebaults children Sigismond had the name of King as the elder and Gondemar a portion Clodomyr King of Orleans as nearest neighbour castes his eyes vpon this goodly Country although hee had no cause of pretension but onely conueniency Yet hee findes a colour to beginne this quarrell The rights pretended by his mother Clotilde issued from the house of Bourgongne and the zeale of Iustice to chastise Sigismond for that he had slaine his eldest sonne to please his second wife and her Children Clodomir takes and is taken He enters into Bourgongne with a mighty army seizeth on Sigismond his wife and children brings them to Orleans and there castes them all into a well Thus God punished the cruelty of Sigismond an vnkinde father by a cruell and disloyall hand Clodomir presumed that he had conquered all hauing slayne the King of Bourgongne But the Bourguignons incensed with this crueltie confirme Gondemar in his brothers seate and leauy an army to defend him against Clodomir The armies ioyne Clodomir puft vp with this first successe promysing vnto himselfe a second triumph thrusting himselfe rashely into his enemies troupes is slayne with a Lance and is knowne by his long haire the marke of Kings and Princes of the bloud as wee haue said The Bourguignons cut off his head pearch it on the top of a Lance and make shewe thereof to the French in derision who retire themselues after the death of their Generall But Childebert Clotaire his brethren returne into Bourgongne with a strong army force Gondemar to flie into Spaine leauing them free possession of 〈◊〉 reâ—â—me the which was their proiect rather then the reueÌ„ge of their brothers death 〈◊〉 was dâ—â—ided among the brethren as a coÌ„mon prey all the realme of Bourâ—â—â—â—â—â— is therin coÌ„â—rehended Thierri King of Metz had his part but the poore children 〈◊〉 are not only excluded Cruelty of brethren but two of them are barbarously slaine by the cruel commaundement of their vnnaturall Vncles 520. and they say that Clotaire slewe one of them with his owne hands Cruelâ—â—e of bretheren in the presence of Childebert the other was thrust into a monastery This confusion was followed by two others Thierri King of Metz making warre against them of Turinge called his brother Clotaire to his aide being repulâ—ed at the first by the force of that nationâ— aided by his brother he preuailes and the vanquished stands at the mercy of the conquering bretheren but behold they fall to quarrell for the spoile Thus the ende of a forein warre was the beginning of a ciuill dissention betwixt them Warre betwixt the bretheren They leauie forces with intent to ruine one another Childebert ioynes with his brother Thierri against Clotaire Such was the good gouernment of these bretheren as desire and ambition did counsell them They are in armes ready to murther one another As their armies stood in field ready to ioyne behold a goodly cleere day ouercast sodenly with such darkenesse that all breakes out into lightening thunder and violent stormes so as the armies were forced to leaue the place and by this aduertisement as it were from heauen An admirable reconcilement these Kings assembled to shed blould change their mindes and turne their furious hatred into brotherly concord Thus God the protector of this estate hath watched ouer it to preserue it euen when as they sought to ruine it and that men hastened to their owne destructions But from thence the vnited bretheren passe into Languedoc against Almariâ— King of the Visigoths their brother in lawe The cause of their quarrell came from their sister Clotilde maried to this Gothe as we haue said so as she which should be the vniting of their loues was the cause of their bloudy dissention She was a Christian and hee an Arrian This difference in religion was cause of the ill vsage shee receiued from her husband and his subiects These bretheren incensed by the complaint and calling of their sister enter into Almarics Country with their forces who hauing no meanes to resist seekes to saue himselfe but he is taken and brought before his brethren in lawe by whose commaundement he was slaine Thus Childebert and Thierri hauing spoyled the treasure and wasted the Country of their confederates returne into France accompained with their sister but shee died by the way inioying litle the fruite of her vnkinde impatience although shadowed with the cloake of inconsiderate zeale Thierri dies soone after leauing Theodebert his son heir both of his Realme and of his turbulent and ambitious humour A part of Bourgongne was giuen him with the title of a King the which he left to his sonne and as a chiefe legacie the hatred he did beare to his brother Clotaire King of Soissons As soone as he sees himselfe King by the decease of his father hee takes part with his Vncle Childebert King of Paris against
Clotaire his other Vncle but by chaunce they were reconciled Theodebert impatient of rest seeking where to imploye his forces findes that the Dane a people of the North A good and a happy warre did scoure along the sea coast to the great hinderance of the French Marchants he marcheth against them being resolute to fight with them These forces were better imployed then against his brother so the successe was more happy for hee chased away the Danes hauing defeated a great number and purged the Ocean from pyrates This exployte wonne him great reputation in all places so as he is sought vnto by the Ostrogoths in Italie beeing pressed by Belisarius Lieutenant generall for the Emperour Iustinian and a very great captaine who had recouered Sicile Naples and Pouille from them and in the ende the Cittie of Rome the which he fortified As the Goths estate declined daylie in Italie Theodat their King reiected and Vitiges chosen in his place Theodebert comes into Italie puft vp with his victorie hee takes footing and makes head against Belisarius but forced with sicknesse he retires to his owne house leauing three chiefe Captaines for the guard of the places conquered In his absence the Goths are defeated and Vitiges slaine Totila succeedes him who hauing taken and sackt Rome did so restore the Gothes estate in Italie as he became fearefull to the Romaines But the chaunce turned against him his army was defeated and himselfe slaine and to increase the mischiefe those great Captaines left by Theodebert were slaine one after another so as the Gothes being chased out of Italie by Narses all Theodeberts great hopes vanished 522 yet he laboured to attempt some great enterprise against the Emperour Iustinian and drew much people to it Wâ—râ—e rashly vndertaken prouâ—s vnfortunate but hauing made this goodly shew and put himselfe and his friends to great expences he was forced to returne out of Italy without effecting of any thing leauing a goodly example to Princes not to attempt lightly an vnnecessary warre least they buy losse and shame at too high a rate In the end Theodebert who thought to haue vanquished the mightiest enemies was slaine by a wild Bull going a hunting and his great enterprises were interred with him in the same graue hauing hunted after vanity and found death at the end of his immortall desseignes Theodebert left Theobald heire of the great estates of Austrasia Bourgongne and Turinge the which hee did not long enioy dying without children Austrasia is now called Lorraine and almost without any memory that he had liued but onely that hee had by will leâ—t his Vncle Clotaire heire of all his goods whereby there sprung vp a new warre Childebert indured this testament impatiently aswell for that hee was excluded as also for that his brother was made more mighty by his nephews estate so couetousnesse and enuie giue him aduise to crosse him Clotaire had one bastard sonne called Granus a sufficient man but very wicked and audacious who for his insolencies was in disgrace with his father Childebert resolues to oppose this sonne against the father and to vse him in the execution of his malitious intent Thus abusing the absence of Clotaire who was busied in warre against the Saxons he goes to field with a great armie supposing to haue to doe but with young men and irresolute and the more to amaze them hee gaue it out that Clotaire was dead This report was coloured with such cunning and as men do often beleeue that which they feare that these young Princes seeing themselues ouercharged with great forces yeeld to a preiudiciall peace with their Vncle. This heart-burning seemed to extend further when as death surpriseth Childebert who dyes the yeare 549. without any children and leaues his enemy Clotaire for successor being vnable to cary his realme with him Clotaire returnes out of Saxonie being offended with his bastard Hee pursues him into Britanie whither hee was fled A horrible punishment of a rebellioâ—â— sonne and by a wonderfull accident guided by the Iustice of God the reuenger of the sonnes rebellion against the Father Clotaire findes his sonne with his wife in a pesants house where transported with furie he burnes them aliue yet not extinguishing the memorie of his rebellion to terrifie rebellious children by so memorable a president Thus there passed forty fiue yeares in the barbarous and vnhappy raignes of these foure soueraigne Maisters children to the great Clouis in the which there is nothing memorable but the remembrance of Gods iust iudgement against those that suffer themselues to bee transported by their passions for all these vitious raignes were vnhappy passed with much paine and ended with much misery represented to the perpetuall infamy of the vnkinde cruelties of their Kings CLOTAIRE the first the seuenth King of France CLOTAIRE KING OF FRANCE VII CLOTAIRE remained alone King of France by the death of his brethren 552. for their children were dead and Childebert the eldest dyed without issue Behold the frute of so great paines after their diuisions to build great Monarchies Clotaire raigned fiue yeares alone he had by two wiues fiue sonnes and one daughter that is Cherebert Chilperic Sigebert Gontran Gautier and Closinde not reckoning Granâ—s wâ—om he had by a Concubine His raigne was short and wretched He sought to extort the thirds of all Ecclesiasticall liuings for his priuate affaires but the Clergie opposed themselues against him so as his threats preuailed not In the beginning he subdued the Saxons subiects to the French but the Turingiens being vp in armes and he about to suppresse them the Saxons ioyne with them to withstand him with their common forces Yet these mutinous nations seeing themselues encountred by too strong a party craue pardon and promise him obedience Clotaire refusing to accept it forceth them to make defence the which they performed so desperately as they defeated the French and Clotaire with great difficulty saued himselfe It is an indiscretion for a Prince to thrust his subiects into despaire An example for Princes not to thrust their subiects into despaire but to imbrace all occasions wisely that may purchase a willing obedience and not to seeke it by extremities After this defeat he returnes into France and being at Compiegne hee desires to go a hunting Being old and decayed he heats himselfe falls into a quotidian and dies the yeare 567. He was much grieued in his sicknes for hauing liued too too ill but he protested that he hoped in the mercies of GOD. As our histories report Before that he ruled as King alone he erected the little realme of Yuetot 567 vpon this occasion On good Friday hee slewe Gawter of Yuetot his seruant in the Chappell whereas he heard seruice They report the cause diuersely The greatest part hold that the King had rauâ—shed his wife lodging in his house so as he that was beaten suffered the punishement Pope Eugenius displeased with this infamous murther
so cunningly gaine the loue of the inhabitants as the Bishop himselfe allowed of this marriage although she were his Aunt Chilperic moued with the same of this loue which proceeded vnto marriage came to Rouan and according to the Eccâ—esiasticall discipline degraded and banished this Bishop and by his absolute authority puts Merouee into a Cloyster But he stayed not long there for after the departure of Chilperic a certaine friend of his called Bosson drew him forth being set on by Fredegond hauing brought with him three hundred men too small a number to fight and too many to flie And so it happened to Merouee for being pursued and taken by his father Chilperic hee was slaine by his commandement And least Audouëre his mother a vertuous Princesse and Clouis her other sonne should seeke meanes of reuenge he reiects his wife and causeth Clouis his other sonne to be secretly slaine The father 〈◊〉 his sons by the practises of a woman being brother germaine to Merouce These disorders could not be done without the complaint of the Nobility against Fredegonde who held not yet the degree of a wife with Chilperic although she had free accesse both to his Court and bed from the which she had dispossessed his lawfull wife Chilperic to pacifie these complaints pretends some reasons for this diuorse and disguising the murthers cunningly he takes Galsonde to wife â—he daughter of Athanagilde king of Spaine But the impatiencie of Fredegonde The husband puts away one wiâ—e and kills another doth soone dissolue the bonds of this bashfull respect thrusting Chilperic into such a fury against this second wife as he strangles her and maâ—ies Fredegonde publikely who possessed her husband so absolutely as she commanded imperiously vnder the cloake of his authority He oppreseth his subiects â—rom these domesticall crimes insolency rageth against the poore people by taxes impositions and insupportable exactions and report imputes all to the deuises of the same workewoman Complaints sound out in all places but absolute authority had so preuailed as they could find no remedy the people being weake such as else might haue had means to countenance the ancient French liberty were either terrified or inchanted by this Proserpina The punishment of these crimes But Chilperic must beare the punishment of his execrable wickednesse by the malice of her who had made him an instrument to massacre brother children wife to consume by degrees his poore subiects Whilest that Chilperic loued her exceedingly she affected a nobleman in Court called Landri de la Tour who by her fauour had obtained two of the greatest offices of the Crowne of Duke of France and Maire of the Pallace to whom she most vildly afforded the best place in the Kings bed This villanous detestable loue was cunningly cloaked with the deuises of this strumpet who hauing a sonne by Chilperic as a new gage of loue she purchased daily more credit with him But this was a short comfort for Chilperic for foure moneths after the birth of this sonne whom he named Clotaire he was vnhapily slaine by her and Landri when he least expected death this was the occasion One morning as Chilperic ready to go to hunting came booted into his wiues chamber to salute her he found her combing of her head with her haire ouer her face drawing neere vnto her without speaking he toucheth her in iest with his riding wand on the hinder part of the head she supposing it to be her adulterer Landri accustomed to come secretly vnto her at all houres saith vnto him In my iudgment Landri a good Knight should alwaies strike before and not behind The King vnderstanding by halfe a word more then he desired to know departs amazed takes horse goes a hunting not with any intent to kill the beast but deuising how he might be freed of Fredegonde Landri But he had to do with a woman of too subtile wily a spirit who hauing passed her apprentiship in so many other murthers could soone resolue to depriue her husband of his life to saue her owne Without any further delay she sends for Landri reports to him the history concludes with him to kill the King her husband in his coming from hunting fiâ—des ministers to execute this desseigne the which succeeded as they had plotted against Chilperic suffering in the end by the same hand which he had caused to shed so much bloud the horrible paine of his miserable massacres for as he came melancholike froÌ„ the chase accompanied onely with one page he was sodenly set vpon by these murtherers who slew him with his page so commodiously as they returne vndescried to the troope as if they had neuer dreamed of it The King is found dead euery one cries out euery one runs vp and downe and those first of all that had done the deed But it was giuen out that the murtherers were fled into Lorraine from whence assuredly they were come by Childeberts command The Court is filled with teares especially Fredegonds chamber who continued in passions with her Landri and could not be comforted the one calling for her good husband the other for his good maister but the quick sighted held them for Crocodil es teares Thus liued and thus died Chilperic hated and detested euen then and of the pâ—steritie 588. for proofe that a wicâ—ed life will haue a wicked end and that God ruines the wicked by themselues euen when they promise themselues all impuâ—iâ—ie They adde impietie to his execrable wickednes for hee denied the truth of the three persons in one Deitie and the incarnation of the sonne of God Imâ—ietie the spring of euil wherein consists the hope of our saluation But admonished by the French Church hee protested to leaue his error A monstrous Râ—igne vnder a monstrous King where Potenâ—ates may see that misery is the true reward of sinne And that horrible crimes are punished with extraordinarie paines euen in this life This Tragicall end of Chilperic a wicked and vnfortunate Prince happened in the yeare 588. CLOTAIRE the second the tenth King of France A memorable raigne in confusion CLOTAIRE 2. KING OF FRANCE X THe beginning mâ—dest end of this reigne is remarkable for it is aâ— parent that God is the true gardian of this Realme without whome it must needs haue perished in these strange confusions Clotaire a yong child of foure moneths gouerned by his mother a most wicked woman being come to yeares hee finds himselfe incumbred with many warres yea ciuill warres against his owne kinsmen and bloud Who will not then confesse the issue of his reigne being peaceable and well gouerned to bee a singular testimonie of the prouidence of God towards this estate This yong child the sonne of bad parents was notwithstanding receiued for law full â—ing by the French by vertue of the â—undamentall law Efficacie of the law of state which had appointed this Realme to be hereditary Whereby is
sonnes Theodebert and Thierri Tragicall practises of â—wo women The first had for his portion the realme of Austrasia the second had Bourgongne Brunehault his mother suruiued him and kept at Metz with the eldest she presentenly styrred vp these two Princes ouer whome shee had great authority as their grandmother to pursue Clotaire for the shame and death of their father Behold sodenly an army of Austrasians and Bourguignons marcheth into France led by these two yong Princes Clotaire accustomed to these sports opposeth himselfe in person and gettes the victory with such successe as they say the course of the riuer of Aurance where the battaill was fought was stayed by the dead bodies of the conquered Fredegonde leapt for ioye of this second triumph Fredegonde dies with 〈◊〉 victory by reason of Brunehault who was her chiefe obiect but her ioye was presently conuerted into her owne funerall for shee died soone after to teach reuenging spirits that their hatreds which they would haue perpetuall are mortall and at the least wise ende with their deathes Thus Fredegonde died in her bed and was interred neare to Chilperic whom she had caused to be slaine so as in this peaceable death we may consider the patience of God which doth often attend those it reserues to his last iudgement But Brunehault who thought her selfe a conqueresse by the death of Fredegonde her capital enemy incenfeth Theodebert Thierri her grand-children anew against Clotaire They raise another army vnder the coÌ„duct of Beroald not willing any more to hazard their persons being taught by the successe of two great defeats Beroald is slaine in this battaile and yet the victory remaines to his men with great losse to the French so as it seemed the warre would grow more violent betwixt these Princes who nowe beganne to see a part of their reuenge against their Cousine Clotaire But the malice of Brunehault who had banded the Cousins must nowe diuide the brethren This old bitch euen in the fury of war fouÌ„d stil meanes to follow her beastly lechery then had she got a yong courtier called Protade for a stallion whom she entertained in vew and knowlege of the whole Court 599. and aduanced him beyond dutie or deâ—ert The dislike of this vnchast conuersation offensiue to the whole world doth in the end force Theodebert to find a meanes to withdrawe his mother from the view of the multitude who were eye witnesses of the filthinesse of this shamelesse old woman and of the ignominie of his house He supposed to send her away with pollicie perswading her she should doe best to retyre her selfe into some goodly monasterie there to lead a godly life and to seeke for rest be fitting her age This admonition caused her partly to leaue the Court and State of Theodebert but not to change her mind She retyres then from Metz Brunehault incenseth 〈◊〉 brother against the other and comes into Bourgongue to her other sonne full of choller and finding Thierri ill affected against his brother shee presently kindles the vnfortunate fire of dissention betwixt them which consumed them both and finally her selfe That posterities may note in this tragedie the examples of Gods iust iudgement who punisheth one sinne by another and the sinner by his owne sinne This lewd woman perswades Thierri that Theodebert was a bastard the sonne of a Gardiner and that he had lawfull cause to make warre against him as an vsurper of that which belonged vnto him by right Thierri being exceeding couetous embraceth this occasion prepares an armie against Theodebert and imployes this Protade in the principall charge who was a kindler of warre in the spirit of this yong Prince The cheefe Noblemen of Bourgongne infinitely grieued with these disorders not daring directly to charge Brunehault they set vpon her Minion kill him By this meanes they drawe Thierri to an accord with his brother Theodebert and so either of them sends backe his troupes Thus this fire seemed to be wholy quencht the which kindled soone after in an other place by the practises of the same woâ—k woman Thierri had remayned long vnmarried entertayning change of women by the counsell of this bitche who daily prouided him store of this stuffe but solicited by the continuall perswasions prayers of his Councel The husband against the 〈◊〉 he takes to wife Membergue the daughter of Dataric King of Spaine louing her with that honest affectioÌ„ that a man ought to loue his wife Brunehault iealous of this lawfull loue fearing to be dispossessed of her authoritie and credit if a lawfull wife possessed her husbands hart she workes by her charmes reducing Thierri to that extremitie that hee was not able to accompany with his wife and for a bait to his adulterie she furnisheth other women whome he might freely vse as shee loathed him of this poore Princesse causing him to send her home to her father Dataric as vnable to beare children who infinitly greeued with this disgrace done him in the person of his daughter resolues to reuenge Hee complaynes of this iniurie both to Clotaire and Theodebert whome he knew to be enemies to Thierri and all togither resolue to make warre against him Brunehault seeing this great storme ready to fall vpon Thierri she perswades him to compound with his brother Theodebert at what price soeuer whose humour she knew wel This accord was sold by Theodebert to Thierri at a deere rate for he had the CouÌ„tries of Champaigne Touraine Artois and many other places but it cost himselfe much dearer for by this composition all the armie was dispersed and euery one retyred home Thierri who by the aduise of his mother stood vpon his guard surpriseth his brother Theodebert with such aduantage that not onely he recouers all that he had giuen him but by the Councell of this Proserpina he embrewes his hands in his blood murthering him most barbarously The brother kills the brother Theodebert had but one onely daughter whome Thierri would take to wife to haue some honest pretext to seize vppon all his Estates But Brunehault who desired greatly to see him maister but not to haue a companion in this absolute authoritie disswades him from this marriage inferring to couer her hidden intent that it was not lawfull to marrie his neece Thierri blinded with passion who by a iust iudgement of God sought to die by poyson of this viper by whose meanes hee had done so much mischiefe replies that the daughter of Theodebert was none of his neece seeing that Theodebert was not his brother being begotten by another father reproching BruÌ„â—hault that he knew no more then she had taught him And that vpon this occasion shee had encouraged him to kill him And as they grew hot in wordes hee threatened to kill her Brunehault seeing her selfe taken by the â—ose 601 and measured by the same measure she had measured to others resolues to preuent Thierri and to murther him She herselâ—e
sweete Liquor of his insatiable reuenge A notable obseruation for treacherous and reuenging spirits who are then vanquished when they thinke to bee Conquerors Thierri a King in shewe is a spectator of these Tragedies as of a game at tables of his diuers Maiors which play at leuell coyle vntill that Pepin gets it and enioyes it onely with the Soueraigne gouernment of the French Monarchie Pepin during the confusions of these raigns had beene in Austrasia and purchased great credit with all men so as he was held worthy of this great charge the which he gouerned with so great wisdome and valour as hauing settled France in a peacefull Estate he had purchased more credit authority among the French then the King himselfe In the ende Thierri dies in the yeare 693. hauing raigned 19. yeares leauing Clouis and Childebert his Children for a witnesse that he had liued but in effect Pepin and his for the true heires of the Realme CLOVIS the third the 16. King of France CLOVIS .3 KING OF FRANC XVI BEing the eldest sonne of Thierri he raigned foure yeares and dyes without name and without children 693 to whom succeeds his brother CHILDEBERT the second the 17. King of France CHILDEBERT .2 KING OF FRANCE XVII WHO raigned 17. yeares 700. and dies in the yeare 718. hauing left two Sonnes Dagobert and Clotaire of like humour to himselfe DAGOBERT the second the 18. King of France DAGOBERT .2 KING OF FRANCE XVIII 719. HE raigned foure yeares and left two Children Chilperiâ— and Thierri with no better memorie then the rest So there passed fortie and foure yeares during which time Pepin had good meanes to fortifie his authority the which was in effect absolute by the negligence or rather idlenesse of these Kings who made a necessary way to newe desseins by their voluntary suffrance to incroach vpon their authority Pepin well acquainted with the humour of the French naturally bent to loue their Princes did not openly despise his masters but excused their weake dispositions not capable of much paine representing the heauie burthen of a great Estate and that the honour to gouerne iâ— is a trouble which costes deere He setled an impression in the Frenchmens mindes That those onely were worthie to bee Kings that knewe howe to gouerne So without any infinuating speech the ordinarie seruices hee did to the realme mayntayning â—t in peace his great prâ—fession to loue religion Iustice and the peâ—ple whose â—ase hee was wonderfull carefull of did recommend him to all men and the good turnes he did to all persons by reason of his charge did daylie purchase him many friends and seruantâ— Doubtlesse as it is as great policie to bee a good man so is there no small dexterity in the tâ—king of Citties and Countries by the hearts of men Thus Pepin layed the foundation and his successors finished the perfect building of a newe gouernment A lesson for our Kings to haue a care howe they referre the charge of affaires to their seruants Read and iudge O yee Kings and to whome they trust and howe This example doth verifie that they were better to be more careful and take more paines then to disroabe themselues of this great authority the which makes them not only eminent aboue all men but carries as it were a tipe of the Maiestie of God in the gouernment of the world 718 whereof they must yeeld him an account and not loose that by base cowardlinesse which they should mainteine by vertue But let vs returne to Pepin â—ee made great shewe to loue religion and vpon this cause he makes warre against Râ—bod Duke of Fâ—ise a pagan whome hee conquered and forced to receiue the Christian religâ—on â—ith all â—is subiects He restored Lambert Bishop of Traict to his dignity beeâ—ng expelled by â—broin and confined into a Monastery finally he infinitly fauored all that tended to the seruice of God and one of his chiefest cares was to aduance them that had châ—â—ge ouer the Church whose loues he had so purchased by this good vsage as they soone requited him causing the people to loue him with whome such as rule their consciences haue great authority This was a point of state as much as of deuotion He also made proofe of his valour in diuers sorts reducing the people of Germany on either side the â—hin to the obedience of the French who began to mutine and so restored the beautie of the realme of Austrasia He was carefull to maintaine Iustice and imbraced the people no waies oppressing them with any new impositions In the meane time he was not carelesse of himselfe and his Children He commaunded absolutely beeing armed with the authority of his Soueraigne neither was there any appeale from him vnto the King Hee had two sonnes by Plectrude Drogon and Grimoald he gaue Champagne to Drogon and after his death hee caused his sonne to succeede him with the title oâ— a Duke In the beginning he gaue the offices of great Master and generall of the Treasure to Nordebert his deere friend but after his death he inuested his owne sonne Grimoald in those places Pepin incontinent But as the vanitie of man transports it selfe beyond the lymits of respect it chanced in the end that Pepin forgat himselfe in his prosperity for not satisfied with Plectrude his lawfull wife hee fell in loue with a gentlewoman named Alpaide by whome he had one Bastard which shal be verie famous in the course of this historie vnder the name of Charles Martel and as the mischiefe encreased hee puts away Plectrude and marries Alpaide Lambert Bishop of Traict admonished him of this fault but he suffred Alpaide to cause him to be slaine by her brother Dodon who soone after â—elt the punishment of this bloud for being strooke with a disease of wormes not able to endure his owne stench he cast himselfe headlong into the riuer of Meuze Grimoald the sonne of Pepin following his fathers example abandoned himself to strange women disdayning his wife But this adultery was decre to them both for Grimoald too familiar with one named Rangare sonne in lawe to Rabod Duke of Frisâ— was slaine with him by a iust iudgement of God hauing taught him so filthy a trade to abâ—ndon himselfe to strumpets and to reiect his wife Pepin was so perplexed for the death of his sonne as hee died for greefe and choller against Rabod the author of this murther Thus both he and his sonne reaped the fruits of their adultery Vpon his deathbed he ordayned Charles his Bastard to succeed him in the gouernment of the realme but Plectrude imbracing this occasion Charles Martel bastard to Pâ—pin vpon the death of her husband and well supported by her kinsfolkes causeth Charles to be taken and put in pryson at Cologne and aduanceth Thibauld the sonne of Drogon her owne sonne and Pepins to the gouernment although in effect she vnder his name gouerned all the affaires of state This
French lying vpon his countrie in garrison and spoiling it and so to deceiue both the Pope and Pepin but behold a strange accident befalls him Of an ill life an vnhappy end Being a hunting chasing more after his fantasies then the beast his horse casts him downe a rocke and breakes his neck Thus the subtill Lombard thinking to deceiue was deceiued he ended his subtiltie with his life and the warre begun by him without reason by a iust death The Pope recouers his places and Pepin returnes into France taking nothing in Italy but leauing the realme of Lombardie in the same estate he found it without any alteration This Kingdome ended not with Astolpho for Didier Duke of Hetruria his neere kinsman seizeth presently thereon by meanes of his intelligences but Rachise brother to Astolpho who was lately become a Monke leaues his frock to enioy his fathers kingdome yet for that he was the weaker in this iust title the Pope pacified this controuersie in fauour of Didier who remained King of Lombardie vpon condition that the Citties of Ferrara and Faenze should be yeelded to the Church But let vs returne to Pepin his absence with two yeares continuall warres had broken the vsuall custome to call a Parliament and bred many disorders within the realme Pepin confirmes his authoritie by a Parliament so as being returned into France he presently called a sollemne Parliament wherein he established lawes according to the inconueniences that were to be redrest as good lawes doe commonly proceed from bad manners In this assembly he gaue audience to the Ambassadors of the Emperour Constantin who demanded a confirmation of the amitie and alliance which the Emperour had with the house of France and receiues the new homage of Tassillon Duke of Bauiere So referring all matters of importance to the iudgement of the Estates honouring them that had honoured him he doubled his subiects deuotion and established good lawes within his realme But knowing the humour of the French impatient of rest he found how difficult it was to reteine them long in peace without some forraine imploiment and necessity presents him two occasions one in Guienne He makes a forreine wit to auoide a ciuill and the other in Saxonie Countries subiect to the Crowne of France but both impatient of the French command The Saxons began first with whom Tasillon Duke of Bauiere who as we said did homage to the King ioines contrary to his oth This warre seemed of some difficultie drawing to it all the other Germaines subiect to this Crowne but Pepin preuented it with such speed as hauing suppressed the Saxons he forced them to a new obedience charging them to bring him yearly three hundred good horses for an homage that they should vndergo the censure of the Estates be enemies to the enemies of the King and realme Hauing thus pacified Saxonie he makes a generall assembly at Wormes to settle the affaires of Austrasia from thence he marcheth with his victorious armie against Ieffroy Duke of Guienne according to the resolution of thâ— Estates being leuied for that occasion We haue said that Eudon father to Ieffroy had greatly disquieted France and left his children heires of his discontent but Martel withdrawne by new difficulties could not finish that which he had begun Ieffroy remaines sole Duke of Guienne by the death of his brother he growes daily more insolent bandies all his subiects of Guienne openly against France and afflicts the Clergie infinitly in their liues and liuings Pepin begins with admonitions and threats but Ieffroy grows more obstinate in contemning his Kings command so as they must come to open force and Ieffroy must pay the interests of his long delayes Pepin enters Guienne with an armie and Ieffroy seeing his resolution sends his deputies to auoide this storme Warre in Guienne beseeching him with all humilitie to pardon what was past promising obedience Pepin hauing comanded him to make restitution to the Clergie returnes into France and dismisseth his armie supposing Guienne to be quiet Ieffroy seeking his owne ruine by his furious rashnes goes to field with such forces as he could leuie among his subiects hauing pasâ—ed Loire he enters Bourgogne in hostile manner hoping to surprise Chaâ—lons The King held a Parliament at Orleaâ—s 764 when this intelligence came vnto him he sends them presently to Neuers assembleth his forces and marcheth against Ieffroy who sodenly repasseth the riuer and with great marches recouers Bourdeaux as the Citie of his greatest safetie being as much confuâ—ed in his defence as he was rash in his attempt Pepin pursues him and in his passage all the Townes of Guienne yeeld without any difficulty as to him whom they acknowledge for their lawfull King Ieffroy forsaken of all men pursued criminally by his Prince is slaine by one of his houshold seruants and is interred like a beast in a marish â—ere to Bourdeaux In detestation of his memory Ieffrâ—y pittifully slaine 〈◊〉 like a beast A foolish life a filthy end the place is called the Tombe of Caiphas vnto this day Thus was the vniust and rash rebellion of Ieffroy punished by his death the warre died in Guienne and the wise valour of Pepin was so much the more commended for that his iust pursute was accompanied with patience and mildnesse But Pepin was mortall the toile of so great warres the care of publike affaires had much broken him so as his old age might be more profitably imployed in the maintenance of Iustice and peace then in warre the burthen whereof he might without danger lay vpon his eldest sonne Charles Pepin resignes the Crowne to Charles a wise a valiant young Prince of whose modestie and obedience he was well assured Thus resoluing to passe the rest of his dayes in quiet but not idlely he retires to Paris but soone after he was surprised with a sicknesse whereof hee dyed and so went to heauen there to find rest which he could enioy on earth it was in the yeare 768. of his raigne the eighteenth By his wife Berthe with the great foote he left two sonnes Charles and Caroloman recommending them to the Estates to giue them portions at their pleasures So great was the assurance of this good Prince in the loue of his subiects whom as he had made the most assured gard of his person state so at his death he left his children to their faithfull discretion Pepins childreÌ„ He had seuen daughters Berthe the wife of Milon Earle of Mans mother to that great Roland Hiltrude wife to René Earle of Genes mother to that renowmed Oliuer Roâ—arde Adeline Idubergue Ode and Alix He had the happines to enioy his owne father vntill hee came to the age of man the like good hap continued in his children and for the perfecting of his happinesse hee had a sonne one of the greatest and most excellent Princes that euer ware crowne Thus Pepin the first of that race
any great resistance euen vnto Xaintonge the countrymen being retyred within the Townes expected the returne oâ— Charlemagne their King Aigolands army was great and proud with the remembrance of their late victory so as Charlemagne returning with his troupes from Spaine weâ—l tyred he maintained his countries more through his authority then by present force yet hee fortified the courage of his subiects with his presence and bridled the Sarazin who could not be ignorant with whom he had to deale nor wheâ—e hee was being enuironed with enemies on all sides and in an enemies country The Sarazin seeming to incline to a peace gaue Charlemaigne to vnderstand that he had first inuaded and that his passage into France was onely to draw him out of Spaine and to leaue to the Sarazins their conquered countries free and therefore the treaty of an accord was easie seeing there was no question but to yeeld euery man his owne and to suffer him to enioy it quietly the world being wide enough for them all But to the end this treaty might take effect after many messages on eyther part they resolue to parlee So vpoâ— Charlemagnes faith Aigoland comes to the Campe. Châ—rlemaâ—nâ— and 〈◊〉 part Chaâ—â—emagne either moued with zeale of religioÌ„ or making it the colour of his actions gaue the Sarazin to vnderstand that he should haue his friendship if he would leaue his Pagan superstition be baptised and make open profession of Christianitie 787 The Sarazin although hee had a goodly armie yet not willing to hazard any thing content with this reuenge of Charlemagne desired nothing more then to returne quâ—etly into Spaine â—eing now in Charlemaignes campe to maintaine his reputation he makes no shew of feare Conditions propounded by Aigoland but talking to his owne aduantage as if no force but only reason shouâ—d moue him he enters into a serious and cunning discourse with Charlemagne shewing That vnnecessary warres were the ruine of mankinde and that he was greeued to see so much bloud spilt That he had not begun but followed being vrged by necessitie to defend himselfe against the forces of Charlemagne That he was not yet so abiect nor his forces so weake as to refuse the battaile but for that it were an infinite losse to hazard so many men hee desired to make triall of the right by some troupes and he that vanqâ—ished should haue the right and true religion on his side protesting to â—eeld to that religion which should appeare the best by that triall Accepted by Charlemagâ—e The condition was accepted by Charlemagne The proofe of this priuate combate was made and the Christian troupe vanquished the Sarazin Thus Aigoland protests openly to be a Christian but in heart he had no such meaning and takes this occasion to breake the treatie He findes Charlemagne at table well accompanied with his chiefe followers for then it was the custome of our Kings not to eate alone and sees twelue poore men ill apparelled sitting by vpon the ground neere to the table of the Noble men He demanded what those poore miâ—erable creatures were which did feed apart One answered they were the messengers of God He then sayd their God was of small account seeing his messengers were so mâ—serable and contemptible and therevpon takes occasion to retire himselfe hauing lost no labour by this treaty but qualified the force of Charlemagne viewed his traine and made shew of his courage and dexteritie euen without an Ambassador Charlemagne on the other side was resolute to haue his reuenge Sarazins defeated in Spaine for so notable a losse of men and so bold an affront of the Sarrazin with all speed he raiseth an armie of an hundred and thirty thousand men A notable number for this realme and so fraught with choller and indignation he returnes into Spaine His entrie was prosperous for at the first incounter hee defeated Aigolands armie neere to Pampelune and for a seale of his victory he carried away the head of his enemy Aigoland slaine by the hand of Arnold of Belange a noble and valiant Knight but the sequele was not answerable to the beginning for notwithstanding the ouerthrow of these Sarazin troupes all the rest in Spaiâ—e were nâ—t vanquished where there were more Kings and more men of warre who had great correspondencie with Amurathe King of Babilon where was their nursery and store-house Marsille and Bellingand bretheren were the chiefe of the remainder of the Sarazin armie wherein there was a great Babilonian Giant called Ferragut of an exceeding greatnesse who was slaine by Rowland nephew to Charlemagne and this act is famous in our Histories and is sung by our Romaines with a great fabulous shew After the death of their brother they gather together the relikes of their defeated troupes they make shew of resolute men and vow to sell this victory deerly to Charlemagne being fauoured by many good Townes within the countrie Charlemagne stayes sodenly and pursues not his victory But God reserues to himselfe a soueraigne power ouer mens desseignes yea ouer the greatest and in matters of greatest consequence to the end that all may learne to aske councell and successe from him It was his will that the French forces should not possesse Spaine the which he allotted as a portion for another nation Thus Charles who should haue beene all fire after his victory tempered his heate which caused Idnabala the Sarazin A treatie of peace with the Sarazin which they accept hauing free accesse vnto his campe to make some motion of peace He was a good Secretary of his companions mindes what sheâ— soeuer he made to speake of himselfe Charlemagne considering by late experieâ—â—e that the successe of armes was variable and that this warre was to his sâ—biects losse imploying both liues and goods for the purchase of an vncertaine victory and seeing himselfe charged with infinite great affaires in his estates to the preseruation whereof reason called him 791. rather then to seeke for new he seemes not vnwilling to heaâ—ken to the motion of Idâ—abala who told him plainely that hee found the Sarazins affaires to be so desperate as they would gladly imbrace his friendship at what rate soeuer The Sarazins answer reioycing at this new accord was soone made The treaty being begun the fundamentall article of religion was propounded the which Charlemagne makes shew to maintaine with great vehemencie but the Sarazins being obstinate Charles is content to grant them peace paying some great summes of money as a token they had beene vanquished Hee sends a Noble man of his Court names Ganes The Treason of Ganelon to treat with them the people haue since called him Ganelon as an odious name who being corrupted by Marsile and Belligand promiseth them meanes to send Charlemagne into France and to make him receiue a notable disgrace They agree to make a composition being in shew very honourable for Charles to whom they promise to pay as an homage and an
Caroloman but hee is not numbred among the Kings Charles the Grosse raigned nine yeares Eudes or Odon eleuen yeares Behold the 22. yeares of this minoritie The 28. raigne vnder LEWIS and CAROLOMON LEWES .3 KING OF FRANCE XXVIII CAROLOMAN KING OF FRANCE XXVIII THey talke diuersly of these Kings who in deed were no lawfull Kings but guides to a lawfull King A confused and obscure age which hath leâ—â— such famous persons in doubt But wee may say in their excuse that men being weary of these confusions haue willingly left them doubtfull to hide the infamie of their times or else no man durst set Pen to Paper to represent the shamefull courses of those miseries Lewis and Caroloman tooke either of them a part to gouerne Lewis the countrie on the other side of Loire and Caroloman that on this side They had the Normans and Boson King of Arles for common enemies Lewis defeated by the NormaÌ„s and â—yes for griefe and as continuall thornes in their sides in diuers places and vpon diuers occurrents for the ending whereof they besiege Boson in Vienne and resolue to take it but presently the Normans come to his succour Caroloman continues the siege and Lewis goes to incounter the Normans But oh the vanity of humaine conceptions the Regents are frustrate of their hopes for Lewis looseth his Armie and afterwards his life through griefe of his defeat Carolomon on the other side takes Vienne but not Boson who saues himselfe in the Mountaines of Viuarez And contrarywise hee that hoped to haue his greatest enemy in his power was surprised by death vnlooked for and extraordinarie 885. hauing ended his â—eege and become sole Regent by the death of his brother But the manner of his death is diuersly obserued some write that running in iest after a gentlewoman he was crusht vnder a gate whether his horse had violently carried him Others say that hee was slaine by a boare going a hunting or that being at the chase he fell downe and brake his necke But all this notes that the manner of his death was violent and extraordinarie Caroloma◠〈◊〉 a violent death So the Regencie of these two bastards gotten by sute against the Law was both short and vnfortunate Lewis succeeded to these two brethren Men dispute with much vncertaintie what he was to Caroloman either brother or sonne but all agree he was an idle person It is likely hee was the nearest kinsman hauing seized on the authoritie after the death of these two Regents but in effect the French had the power in their owne hands It chanced as they were readie to free themselues off this Lewis that he died and so they called Charles the grosse King of Bauiere first Prince of the bloud to this great dignitie CHARLES called the grosse or great 29. King and Emperour An Example from a tragicall change to a worthie person CHARLES THE GROSE KING OF FRANCE XXIX CHarles called the grosse began to raigne the yeare 88â— and raigned nine yeares 885. His entrance was goodly but his end tragically fowle Hee was installed in the Regencie with the same ceremonies that the other two forenamed for he was crowned King with promise to restore the Crowne to the lawfull heire and to gouerne according to the will of the States Hee was sonne to Lewis called Germanicus sonne to Lewis the gentle as wee haue said This neerenesse of bloud gaue him an interest and the Imperiall dignitie power and meanes to gouerne the Realme well So the eyes of the French were fixed on him as the man which should restore their decayed estate Great hopes oâ— Charleâ— his good gouernment after so many disorders and confusions His entrance was reasonable happie as at the first euery thing seemes goodly being respected of all his subiects He went into Italie and expelled the Sarazins which threatned Rome but being returned into France hee found a new taske for the Normans a Northerne people gathered togither not onely from Denmarke but â—lso from Sweden and other neighbour Countries as the word of Norman doth shew signifying men of North were dispersed in diuerse parts vpon the sea coast of the Realme of France and had cheefly set footing in the Countries of Arthois â—herouenne and other low Countries and in Neustria one of his greatest and neerest Prouinces taking their oportunitie by the troubles so long continued among the brethren Neustria new calleâ— Normanâ—ie Chaâ—les defeated by the Noâ—mans yâ—lds to a preiâ—diciall peace Charles marcheth with his armie against them but at the first incounter he was beaten This checke although the losse were small stroke a greater terror and in the end caused an apparent impossibilitie to recouer that Prouince from so great forces so as he was aduised to enter into treatie with them and to make them of enemies friends leaâ—ing them that which he could not take from them The which hee did absolutely of his owne authoritie being very great vnited in these two dignities without the priuitie of his Estates So Charles yeelded Neustria to the Normans vppon condition they should do homage to the Crowne of France Then gaue they their name to the Countrie which they had conquered ratified by this sollemne title and called it Normandie He likewise lost Frâ—seland and gaue Gisele in marriage being the daughter of Lothaire his Cousin to Sigefrid or Geffrâ—y one of the cheefe of the Normans thinking thereby to stoppe this storme But therby he wrought his owne ruine for this grant was found so woÌ„derfully strange that the French not only greeued that the Regent had done it without their aduice but also that in yeelding this goodly countrie to the Normans he had dismembred the inheritance of the Crowne which is inalienable by the law of State And although necessitie might inferre some consideration for Charles his excuse yet the French for this respect conceâ—â—ed so great a hatred against him Charlâ—s extreamly hated as they could not rest vntill they had degraded him And as one mischeefe neuer comes alone Charles finding himselfe thus disdayned fell sicke This corporall sicknes was accompanied wâ—â—h a distemperature of the mind farre more dangerous by an extreame iealousie hee had conceiued against his Queene Richarde daughter to the King of Scots suspectâ—ing her to haue beene too prodigall of her honour These two infirmities of bodie and mind made charles altogither vnfit for his charge which consists more in action then in contemplatiue authoritie and in a season when as occasions were ministred on all sides This difficultie and disabilitie to serue effectually in the regencie of the Realme and Empire vnited in one person of whome all men expected much and they discontent of the ill gouernment which the French and Germains depending of this Crowne pretended in quitting Normandie made both the one and the other to enter into strange alterations against Charles At the first his great authoritie kept the boldest in awe and his sicknes did excuse
Reason and respect of the common good fights for Robert The same reason ioyned with the royall authoritie armes for Charles against these new desseigne But God who guides the least moment of our life watcheth mightily for the preseruation of mâ—ankind and disposeth of Kingdomes by his wisedome had limited this bold attempt reseruing the change to another season and yet for the same â—ace of Robert Euen so the death of him that had crowned Robert was a foretelling of his owne The armies lodge in the heart of France neere vnto the great Cittie of Paris the seazing whereof was a maine point of State but see what happens he that thought to vanquish is vanquished As the armies approch neere to Soissons striuing in the vew of Paris who should doe best they ioyne The combat is very cruell but Robert fighting in the front is slaine Robert defeated and slaine by Chaâ—leâ— leauing for that time the victorie to Charles the simple and a â—onne in his house shall reuiue his desseine in his posteritie that is Hugues 〈…〉 to Hugh Capet â—he death of Robert did not daunt his armie but it continued firme vnder the commaund of Hebert Earle of Vermandois son in law to Robert And Charles did so ill manage hiâ— victorie as it became a trappe for his owne ruine for seeing these forces to stand fiâ—me hee seekes a treatie of peace with an vnseasonable feare Hebert imbraceth this occasion beseecheth Charles to come to Saint Quentins to confer togither Charles simple indeed comes thither without hostages Câ—aâ—les taken prisoner by 〈◊〉 Hebert hauing him in his power takes him priâ—oner And hauing declared vnto him the will of the French to haue the Realme gouerned by a more sufficient man then himselfe hee resolues to assemble the pâ—iâ—cipall of the Realme to that end conueies him to Chastean-Thierry and from thence to Soissons where hee had assembled the cheefe of the Realme chosen after his owne humor where hee makes him to resigne the Crowne to Raoul his godsonne the first Prince of the bloud by his mother Hermingrade daughterto Lewis and wife of Boson King of Bourgongne So this poore Prince is led from prison to prison for the space of fiue yeares yet 〈…〉 in his raigne and after hee had renounced his right hee payed nature his due Câ—aâ—les diâ—s oppâ—essed with greefe and dying of a languishing melancholie to see himselfe so ignominiously intreated by that audacious affront done by the treacherie of his owne vassall Qâ—eene Ogina flies to England wâ—â—h her sonne Lewiâ— He had to wife Ogina the daughter of Edward King of England a wise and a couragious Princesse by her he had a son named Lewis This poore Princesse seeing her husband prisoner and foreseeing the end of this Tragedie 908 by the strange beginning takes her sonne Lewis and flies speedily into England to her brother Aldesâ—on who then raigned yeelding to the time and the violent force of her enemies Thus Raoul was seated in the place of Charles the simple a Prince of apparent vertue and so they account him RAOVL the 32. King but in effect an vsurper of the Realme RAOVLE KING OF FRANCE XXXII HE was proclaimed and crowned King of France at Sâ—issons 923. in the yeare 923. and raigned about 13. yeares Raoul an vsurper his raigne was vnfortunate during Charles his imprisonment and after his death This raigne was painfull and vnfortunate Normandie Guienne Lorraine and Italy were the cause of mâ—ch fruitlesse labour Hee sought to suppresse the Normans and to repaire the errors of Charles the Grosse and Charles the Simple who were blamed to haue suâ—â—ered them to take footing in that country to the preiudice of the Crowne but he preuailed not nor yet in Lorraine nor in Guienne whether he made voyages with much brute and small fruite From thence hee turned his forces towards Italy where the State was much troubled by the decease of Boson and boldnesse of the Commanders who held the strongest places playing the Kings in refusing to acknowledge the Empire but in name and in effect they commanded as Soueraignes imagining their gouernments to be hereditary for their children Hee performed some things worthy of commendation in suppressing Berenger Duke of Friul 925. who hauing freed himselfe from the Empire had vanquished Lewis the sonne of Boson who inioyed Italie as we haue sayd as husband to the daughter of Lewis one of the sonnes of Lewis the gentle Raoul made a quiet end with Hugues Earle of Arles who had gotten possession of that goodly Cittie as gouernour seated in a fertile Countrie and very conuenient he suffered him quietly to inioy the Cittie and territories about it holding it of the Crowne of France Thus passed the raigne of Raoul without any great profit after so much toyle and trouble vnder a colour to do better then the lawfull heire wrongfully dispossessed by him Leauing no memorie but his ambition and iniustice in a deluge of troubles and confusions wherein the Realme was plonged after his departure to the great discontent of all the French He died after all these broyles in the yeare 936. at Compiegne An age wonderfully disordred Necessarie obseruations for great estates wherein we may profitably obserue by what accidents and meanes great estates are ruined Ciuill warres bred the first Simptomes As order is the health of an estate so is disorder the ruine The seruant hauing tasted the sweetnes of commaund imagins himselfe to be master being loath to leaue the authoritie he had in hand holding it as his owne by testament In this resolution there is nothing holy all is violated for rule all respect is layd aside euery one playes the King within himselfe for one King there are many where there are many masters there are none at all The which we must well obserue to vnfold many difficulties in the History of this confused age wherein we read of many Kings Dukes and Earles although these titles were but temporarie hauing no other title but the sword and the confusion of times Confusions of thosâ— times Thus was France altered after the death of Charles the simple by the practises of Roberts League There was no gouernour of any Prouince throughout the realme which hold not proper to himselfe and his heires those which were giuen vnto them but as offices From hence sprang so many Dukedomes Earledomes Baronies and Seigneuries In France the which for the most part are returned to their first beginnings Italie giuen to an Infant of France was possessed by diuers Princes In Italâ—e and Germanie Germanie withdrawne from the Crowne was banded into diuers factions so as the Empire of the West confirmed in the person of Charlemagne continued scarse a hundred yeares in his race for Lewis the fourth the sonne of Arnoul of whome we haue spoken was the last Emperour of this bloud In his place the Germains elected Conrade Duke of East Franconia the yeare
Realme of Sicilia giuen him by authoritie of the holy Sea as a holy gage of the Church Peter answeares That Charles is the vniust vsurper hauing violently rauished the Lands of the Empire from Manfroy the lawfull heire That hee could not bee ignorant of his right hauing married Constance his daughter by whom hee had Sonnes to whome he could not denie the dutie of a Father without wronging of Nature Thus he opposeth the authoritie of Nature to the Popes power right to wrong and reason to passion Moreouer to this law of nature he ioynes faith the ground of humane societie being called and desired by a people vniustly wronged in their goods liues and honors Should hee then contemne their teares being bound to succour them He hath therefore done what he ought 1282. a lawfull heire against an vsurper and a tyrant for poore people oppressed resolute to continue so great a worke worthie of a Châ—istian King perswading himselfe that God who had giuen him a good beginning would send him a happy ending leauing Sicilia free and peaceable to his posteritie And thus one for an other The Pope supports Charles against Peter Hereunto Pope Martin the fourth did add his thundrings supporting Charles his cause with as great vehemencie as his Predecessor Nicholas had laboured to plot his practise against him He sends a Legat to the Sicilians to let them vnderstand that they were excommunicated and their goods confiscate The Legat deliuers his Commission freely and cites all the people to Rome with an expresse inhibition to all Preests not to communicate any Sacraments vnto them vnder great paines So all the Churches in Sicilia were shut vp by the Popes authority The same thunderboult is cast against Peter he is Excommunicated Degraded and his realme of Arragon accursed but from words they fell to blowes Charles resolute to hazard all intreats Philip his nephew to succour him with his best meanes in this his great necessitie And the better to ingage him he giues Catherin the daughter of his son Charles the lame in marriage to Charles the yongest sonne of Philip and in consideration of this marriage giues him the Duchie of Aniou Of this marriage shall issue Philip of Vallois who shall be King of France Philip succors his vncle Charles fortie three yeares after All France armes for this warre Philip imployes all his meanes Peter Earle of Alanson the Kings brother Robert Earle of Artois his nephew the Duke of Bourgongne the Earles of Bologne Dampmartin Ioygny with an infinite number of the Nobilitie repaire from all parts of the Realme Charles sending men expresly with priuate letters to all his friends to inuite them to this war And to keepe Paleologus in Constantinople hee workes with the Christians of Asia and with the Ilands of Cipres Malta Rhodes and others to make warre against him and likewise he fought to disquiet Arragon by meanes of the Nauarrois Philip remayning at Tolouse for that purpose Behold the Arragonots in great perplexitie charged on all sides both with spiritual and temporall armes but that which troubled him most the Sicilians excommunicated by the Pope and amazed at so great forces as came to Charles from all parts not not onely grew cold The Sicilians seeke to make their peâ—ce with Charles but also sought to make their peace with Charles To this end they goe to Rome to Pope Martin of whome they craue pardon with an extraordinarie humilitie for the Historie noates that their Deputies being on their knees cryed to the Pope Qui tollis peccata mundi miserere nostri A title belonging onely to Iesus Christ. This deuout respect had in a manner drawne the Sicilians to Charles his obedience wherein Doubtles he had preuailed if he would haue imbraced the occasion for Pope Martin had perswaded them to yeeld but without a French garrison Whereunto Charles would not coÌ„discend seeking to haue them at his discretion Peter was not quiet in mind amidst al these difficulties hauing the Pope in front the people readie to reuolt Philip watching ouer his Realme of Arragon and an armie in the Port of Naples redie to land Peter doth pollâ—tikly auoyd all dangers Hee findes an expedient for all these difficulties to stay all these forces to quiet this storme of Sicilia and to escape all dangers after a manner in shew worthy of commendation for the reputation valour and bountie of so great a Prince Hee giues Charles to vnderstand that hee lamented the common miserie of so much people whome he did see in danger for their priuat quarrels that it were much better to end it betwixt themselues by the sword That if hee were an honest man a souldiar and a King hee was redie to fight with him and Sicilia should remaine to the Conqueror They were both old and broken but both equall Peter had onely the aduantage in one thing he was more cunning then Charles and his intent was to circumuent him as indeed he did A Combat appointed betwixt two Kings Charles willingly accepts the combat The manner is determined by a common consent â—hat either King should take a hundred choise horse and that the conquering troupe should purchase Sicilia to his King Bourdeaux is chosen for the place of combat the day is appointed All Europe flies to this Theater to see an end of so notable a quarrel by such an extraordinary meanes Charles comes to the place at the prefixed day with his troupe chosen out of the brauest Gentlemen of the Armie Peter appeares not nor any one for him 1283. he is called he is summoned they protest against him but there is no newes of him So after all these soâ—lemne protestations euery one retires with laughter Peter fortifies himselfe in Sicilia but Peter was otherwise imployed he assured Sicilia by his wiues meanes whom he sent thether prouiding to fortifie the weaker places both of Sicilia and Naples equally threatned The heate of the French is cooled by this intermission of time by the hope of an accord and by the departure of so great a multitude disbanded to see this sight the Sicilians had taken breath and Peter stood firme to choose his best aduantage The French being out of hope to see this controuersie ended by combate returne to armes but with lesse courage To make warre in Sicilia they must approach and they must land Roger of Lore a banished man of Apulia Admirall of the Arragon Fleete had the garde of the landing Charles the Lame sonne to King Charles offers to land but his Fleete is defeated and he taken prisoner Charles wonderfully perplexed with this losse runnes from Cittie to Cittie in his Realme of Naples seeking to raise new forces when as death calls him to his rest Charles the Lame the sonne of Charles taken prisoner the which in his life time he would neuer enioy hauing giuen to many and receiued himselfe infinite troubles without any fruite In his youth his
part the realme of Naples and the Earldome of Prouence and left one sonne named Charles who had two daughters Iane and Magdalene Iane by the death of her sister remayned sole heire of these two great Estats and was married to Andrewe the sonne of Charles King of Hongarie The subiect of our discourse will not suffer mee to speake of the other children Philip the yongest sonne of Charles the Lame had one sonne named Lewis Prince of Tarentum verie faier but of a violent and bold spirit Iane began to loath her husband and preferring the filthy loue of her Cosin before the honour of marriage Iane Queene of Naples kils her husband shee caused her husband Andrewe of Hongarie to be slaine cloaking this horrible and tragike acte with an impudent hipocrisie for she takes vpon her the habit of mourning after the death of her husband whome she her selfe had slaine and writes letters to Lewis King of Hongarie brother to Andrewe full of lamentations Lewis knowing the detestable dissembling of this mastiue The kingdom of Naplâ—s taken by Lewis king of Hongarie prepares his forces against these fayned teares and without any dissembling hee marcheth towards Italie with a mightie armie resolute to take an exemplary punishment of these wretched heads but Iane and Lewis flie into Prouence before the storme Lewis fauored by the reuenging iustice of God takes the Realme of Naples easilie with Charles Duke of Durazzo left for the gard thereof and Lewis Robert and Charles Princes of the bloud The first hee beheads the rest he sends into Hongarie to perpetuâ—ll 〈◊〉 and leauing Stephen Vayuoida gouernour of his newe conquest hee returnes 〈◊〉 to his realme In the meane time the hatred betwixt the two Princes growes violent Warre renued betwixt the two Kings both by forme of 〈◊〉 by open force Philip makes diligent search both in Normandie Picardie 〈◊〉 â—oâ— al the nobility which fauored Edwards faction He caused Oliuer of Clisson to loose his head whose sonne shal be Constable vnder Chales 6 with Bâ—con Persy and Geossroy of 〈◊〉 Knights of marke in whome he notes no other crimes but that they were Englishmen Geossroy of Harcourt was sommoned but in steed of appeering at Paris he retired 〈…〉 to London to kindle the fier in France Yet in these preparations for warre Edward gaue scope to his loues for in the beginning of this warre he instituted the order of the garter with this motto Hony soit qui maly pense in honor of the Countesse of Salisbury honoring in her the chastitie which he could neuer 〈…〉 by all his amorous practises He armes on both sides in Guienne and Normandie The Duke of Lancaster general of the army in Guienne takes Vilefranche of Agenots 〈…〉 S. Bâ—sâ—â—e with many other townes Castells In Guiennâ— to whome Philip opposeth his 〈◊〉 Iohn duke of Normandy who recouers Angoulesme Villefranche froÌ„ the English But the greatest burthen of the warre fell vpon Normandie whether Edward led the flower of all his Nobility landing in the Countrie of Cotantin with aboue a thousand saile At hâ—â— entrie he puts all to fier and sword takes the Towne of Carentan In Normandy by force kills al he 〈…〉 or disarmed spoiles burnes and razeth the Towne In the champian 〈…〉 puts all to the sword saying that he did offer those sacrifices to Bacon Persy his other seruants being vniustly massacred by Philip. The reason was for that the heads of these men stood vpon the cheefegate of Carentan Then he takes and spoiles S. Lo and after a great fight he becomes master of Caen with such a terror as Falaise Lisieux 〈◊〉 yelded vnto him without any resistance These townes being taken he marcheth into the I le of France to drawe Pâ—ilip to battaile proclaiming generally that he called him to fight in the view of all France 1346. at the great Theater of his chiefe cittie of Paris At the same time by the like practises Flanders rebelled by means of Iames of Arteuille who was more then a passionate partaker of Edwards So the disordred passion of this desperate seditious man was a trappe for his owne ruine For as he not onely laboured by all meanes to shake off the French yoake but also grew so audacious as to perswade the Flemmings to leaue their naturall obedience to their Earle and to receiue a new Lord such a one as the King of England should appoint the Flemmings much displeased with this insolent proposition of Arteuille Arteuille slaâ—n by the Flemingâ— as the bloud of a faithfull subiect can neuer denie his Prince they fall furiously vpon him in open assembly and without any further processe they kill him reuenging vpon him the mischiefes they had committed by his pernitious councels Thus in the end this Tribune receiued the guerdon due to such as abuse the furie of an inchanted multitude making them the instruments of their passions against their superiours This iust execution crossed Edwards desseins in Flanders and gaue the Earle meanes to repaire to Philip with his forces and to consecrate his life to him the which he lost in this voyage Philip slept not during these proceedings of Edwards he had gathered together one of the goodliâ—st armies that euer was seene in France consisting of French Lorraines Germaines and Geneuois he which he led towards Meulan where Edward said he attended to fight with him Edward retires vpon this alarum They imagined that he fled for feare but the issue will shew that the great God of armies had appointed his victorie in another place He retiers and Philip followes who in the end ouertakes him at a village called Arenes a remarkable name to shew that all the trust of humane forces and all the desseignes of mans pollicie are like vnto a quicksand Phâ—lips great armie hauing the aduantage of being at home presumed of an assured victorie Edward retired to get the riuer of Somme at Blanquetaque but he must fight for the passage Philip had already seized thereon by Gondemar of Fate with a thousand horse and 6000. foote the most part of them Crosbow men yet Edward resolued to passe or dye With this resolution he leapes into the water and cryes out He that loues me let him follow me At this speech they all plunge into the riuer without any stay so as presently the English recouer the banke Gondemar troubled at this gallant resolution The French defeated at â—lanque taque amazeth his men with his terrified countenance All giue way to the English who incountring our men in disorder charge the rereward but the retreat was neere at Abbeuille and S Riquiâ—r places vnder our obedience The losse was not so great as the disgrace yet was it a presage of a greater mischiefe which followed France These poore men arriue at Abbeuillâ— in a throng all distempered with the amazement of this shamefull and vnfortunate flight Philip exceedingly transported with this disgracefull
who was yet liuing The Inhabitants of Gand a mutinous people by nature who neuer want matter to mutine Troubles in Flanders pacified by Pâ—ilip had then a great discontent both against their Earle in generall by reason of some new impositions and against them of Bruges in particular iealous to see them in so great fauour with their Prince by reason of a Chanell which they had drawne from the riuer of Lis for the commodity of their country which Riuer crossing the riuer of Gand the Gantois supposed it was all theirs in proper so as none might vse it without their liking This iealousie grew so great that this great citty as big with their wayward and contenâ—ious humors as it was populous and rich being thus moued resolues to make shewe thereof and in this fury they make a League and choose a head bearing a marke or token of their faction and from words they go to blowes One called Leon a bold practiser of popular seditions was found fit to be the Ringleader of this tumult their marke was a white cap for all the troupe These Gaâ—tois gather together they hinder the worke of this chanell and the gathering of the custome beeing the cause of this quarrell they kill Collecters and receiuers and in the ende the gouernour of the cittie called Roger who being there for the Earle laboured to teach them their duties Their fury exceeded so farre as they spoyle the Earles Pallace fire it and in their rage pull it downe to the ground They run in great troupes to other townes to draw them to their league They beseege 〈◊〉 held by the Earles men crying in al places Liberty as hauing a meaning to change their Lord and then to seize vpon Flanders This cruell disorder amazed the Earle when as behold Philip Duke of Bourgogne his sonne in law flies vnto him to quench this fire and as men admire rather the Sunne rysing then sitting and that the name of the house of France and the greatnesse of his goodly portion gaue him great authority so it chanced that he pacified this rebellion to the content both of the Earle and cittyes taking a happy possession of this great inheritance by a famous and profitable occasion But Flanders alone was not subiect to these madde mutinies for those of Montpellier newly reduced to the obedience of our King Sedition at Montpelâ—ier grew into so great a fury as they slew Iames Pontel a Knight of the order and Chancellor to Iohn Duke of Berry Gouernour of the Country Guy of Scery Senâ—shal of Rouergue Arnauld of Montelaur Gouernour of the said citty and other officers of the Kings and Dukes to the number of fower score and cast their bodies into a well As the outrage was odious so the punishment was memorable The Duke of Berry comes with forces assisted by the whole Prouince detesting so â—oule an insolency so as the Inhabitants calling to minde their audacious phrensie resolue to submit themselues to punishment and not to stand desperately against force The Consuls of the Cittie hauing halters about their necks and torne cloaths The Duke of Berry comes to Montpellier to punish the seditions the keys of the citty in one hand and a red cap the marke of their office in the other met with the Duke their gouernour being followed by the Clergy carrying a crosse all crying for mercy and weeping with a lamentable noyse In this mournefull sort the Duke enters the citty gates being without any gard he finds the streets full of poore and desolate people vpon their knees men and women olde and yong crying for mercy and redoubling their pittiful cries as witnesses of their repentance Then the Duke commands they should presently bring all their armes into one place nere vnto his lodging placing a gard at the gates and vppon the walles The next day he caused a scaffold to be made in the market place where hauing sharply rebuked the people for their rebellion he pronounced a sentence in the Kings name whereby he declares That all their priuileges were taken from them their Consulship Towne house The sentence pronounced against them of Montpellier common Arches vniuersity their Bells Saltpannes and all Iurisdictions of the cittye eyther of soueraigne courts or of the commonalty six hundred Inhabitants to be chosen at aduenture condemned to die that is two hundred to loose their heads two hundred to be hanged two hundred burnt their children declared infamous and slaues for euer their goods confiscate The commonalty should pay six score thousand franks of gold and the charges of the Dukes voyage and his armies The Consuls with certaine Councellers that were named should drawe the bodies of such as had beene massacred out of the well and bury them A Chappell should be built for their obsequies With the same Bell which did sound the alarum The gates and citty walles should be beaten downe and their armes burnt publikely This was their doome but it was moderated at the intercession of Pope Clement The sentence moderated then resident in Auignon by the meanes of Cardinall de la Lune The same was qualified the priuileges restored the gates and walles preserued but the Aurhors of this sedition were put to death that the rest of the Inhabitants might liue in safety A notable president for subiects to suppresse their fury euen when they thinke to haue a iust cause of complaint feeling themselues surcharged or otherwise grieued considering the errours are sooner committed then repaired And for commanders that it is a dangerous resolution to let loose the raines to a mad multitude which augments the mischiefe supposing to cure it Queene Ioane wife to our wise Charles daughter to Peter of Bourbon dies about this time Queene Ioane dies to the great griefe of her husband to whom she left two sonnes Charles Lewis both very yong for Charles was borne the 3. of December 1371. and was carried to the Font by Charles of Montmorency and baptised by Dourmans Bishop of Beauuois and Chancellour of France Lewis was Duke of Orleans She leâ—t him also one daughter Isabell marryed afterwards to Richard King of England Necessary obseruations for the course of our history Her children This good Prince after his wiues death was nothing healthfull so as broken with poyson the which had much weakened him with the tedious toiles of his youth more then with age he decayed dayly and he himselfe perceiued it so as feeling the ende of his life to approach remembring what troubles he had past during the mournefull imprisonment of his Father by the contempt vsed of his yong age least the like should happen to his sonne Charles vnder colour of his minority gouerned by tutors he decreed in a general assemblie of the States by a lawe and an irreuocable Edict That after the decease of the king of France his eldest sonne should succeed him presently and at the age of 14. yeares should be
daughter named Katherine all by Elizabeth of Bauiere Charles vnworthily married one of the chiefe fier brands of this Tragedie an outragious woman an vnnaturall mother and altogether vnworthy of this crowne These three sonnes were Daulphins one after another in their fathers life but Charles succeeded him notwithstanding all crosses and difficulties and Katherine his sister was married to Henry the 5. King of England a mournfull gage of a horrible confusion for this Realme But alas how many cruell acts of ambition vanitie and treacherie of such as held the helme of this estate being either royall persons or setled in the highest dignities How many changes and reuolutions of these froward humors daring any thing vnder the libertie of this raigne the King being eyther a child or sick and alwayes weake and vnable to gouerne so great a charge Strange â—uents In the first Scene of this Tragedie we shall see the Vncles of this young King in diuision one against another Lewis Duke of Aniou declared Regent as first Prince of the bloud is crossed by his bretheren the Dukes of Berry and Bourgogne and he abuseth his authoritie imperiously Lewis Duke of Aniou being dead Lewis Duke of Orleans brother to King Charles the sixt shall take his place as the first Prince and shall fall to quarrell with Philip the Hardie duke of Bourgogne his Vncle who dying shall leaue Iohn his sonne successor of his iealousie against Lewis Duke of Orleans his cousin Iohn shall exceed all humanitie and kill him but the hatred shall not dye being transplanted into Charles Duke of Orleans sonne to Lewis massacred the which shall breed infinite troubles The Daulphins shall play their parts sometimes friends and sometimes enemies one to another Iohn who had murthered Lewis of Orleans shall be slaine by Charles the Daulphin who shall be King but from Iohn shal spring another Philip of Bourgongne who shal kindle a new fire to be reuenged of his fathers death The Stranger is ingaged in these ciuill warres women augment it by their furies On the one side Valentine Dutchesse of Orleans on the other Isabel Queene of France The Constables of Clisson and Armagnac are likewise drawne in and the subiect growes licentious in these disorders Passion preuailes with such furie as the mother forgets the birth of her owne wombe and so abuseth her authoritie as she dares attempt against the fundamentall law of state to giue the realme to a Stranger who was crowned and proclaimed King in the heart of France by her boldnesse These be the contents of this wretched raigne with these two parcels distinctly to be obserued the Kings Minoritie and his Maioritie and thereby we shall diuide our whole discourse THE MINORITIE OF KING Charles the sixt From the yeare 1380. When as Charles receiued the Crowne by the decease of his Father vnto the yeare 87. that he dismissed his Vncles to rule alone with absolute authoritie THe generall estates assemble at Paris 1380. presently after the death of Charles called the Wise to prouide for the gouernment of the King and realme and to auoide all apparant iealousie betwixt the Kings Vncles they decree That according to the declaration made by their good King deceased Charles his sonne should be annoynted and crowned King and that vntill he were of competent age to gouerne so great an estate Lewis Duke of Aniou as eldest of the house of France and so the first Prince of the bloud should be Regent Lewis of Aniou Regent and haue the authoritie of Councell and royall command And likewise by vertue of King Charles his will Clisson Constable Oliuer of Clisson a braue and valiant Knight borne in Brittanie was made Constable of France Oliuer of Clisson tooke possession of his charge preparing for the Kings Coronation And the Duke of Aniou receiuing the Kings treasour which they say was eighteene hundred thousand Crownes A very great summe for those times and after so wretched a â—eason He forced Sauoisy the head Treasurer to deliuer those summes into his hands and by this excesse laide the ground of a great presumption which followed Charles is anoynted at Rheâ—ms and Crowned after the custome of France the 25. of October in the yeare 1380. in a sollemne assemblie of his Princes of the bloud A controuersie for precedence betwixt the Kings Vncleâ— at his coronation Princes allyed and Officers of this Crowne The Dukes of Aniou Beâ—ry and Bougrongne the Kings Vncles Wencelin Duke of Brabant the Dukes of Lorraine and Barre the Earles of Sauoy of Marche and Eu friends and confederates to our Kings did assist At this solemnitie there was some question for place whether should take it the Duke of Aniou as Regent of the Realme or the Duke of Bourgongne as first Peere of France and Deane of the Peeres distinguishing the degrees according to their qualâ—ties to whom the order was giuen The King to crowne his installment by some notable act tooke vpon him to decide this controuersie and decreed That for as much as at the Kings annointing the Peeres of France ought to hold the first ranke in all ceremonies the Duke of Bourgongne as the first Peere sâ—ould take place of the Duke of Aniou And so Philip was preferred before his elder brother continuing the possession of the name of Hardie the which he purchased in defending his father Iohn so stoutly at the battaile of Poitiers But he encreased this name of Hardy too much in his carriage leauing it hereditarie to his children conuerting this stoutnesse into an imperious presumption which bâ—ed a huge deluge of miseries to the great preiudice of the whole realme The day after the coronation the States beseech the Regent to prouide for the releefe of the poore people whose burthen was too heauie for the great arrerages they were to pay of debts growne in former raignes and the rather for that there was no warre which imposed the necessity of so great a charge The Regent did not yeeld therevnto Tumults in France but continued these leauies of money more and more which was the occasion of tumults in diuers Prouinces of France as if this popular humour had beene like vnto a pestilent feauer or an infectious disease Flanders likewise kindled great fiers vpon sundry occasions which were quenched with much trouble after memorable combustions Flanders shall imbarke first in this misfortune and shall come last to land not without danger by strange accidents To teach Princes how farre they should presse their subiects And for subiects with what respect they should reuerence their Superiours in seeking out remedies for their afflictions for in the ende amiddest all these tumults the victors weepe and lament in the ruine and notable losse and ouerthrow of the vanquished Flanders We haue sayd that Philip Duke of Bourgongne made a composition for the Gantois with the Earle of Flanders his father in lawe But this accord lasted not long for the Earle disdayning the
In the end by the Dukes meanes yeelding him his libertie this quarrell was ended marrying the eldest sonne of René with the daughter of the Earle of Vaudemont But let vs reserue the rest to the following raigne About the end of this yeare a solemnitie was done in Paris which carried more shew then substance We haue said before how that Henry the 6. King of England Henry King of England crowned at Paris had beene crowned King of France when as our Charles was crowned at Poitiers after the decease of his father Henry was but two yeares old and came not out of England vntill that Charles had bin sollemnly crowned at Rheims to the great ioy of all the French but when as the Duke of Bedford found how much this autentike publication aduanced the affaires of Charles he caused Henry to be brought into France and to be crowned at Paris with an extraordinarie Maiestie to out-countenance Charles his Coronation by a greater shew of pompe But the bloud of France cannot dissemble no man was moued thereat no more then to see a Tragedie acted vpon the Stage This yeare is very barren of all memorable exploits but that this silence noted an entrance to an accoâ—d both parties being weary of pleading yet with great slacknesse as we see in diseases which come sodenly and passe away slowly we must therefore crosse this rough way before we come to Paris Montargis taken by the English as we haue said Montarâ—is taken and lost againe was noâ— recouered by the French but after a diuers maner for the English lost the Toâ—ne by the Castell and the French the Castell by the Towne yet were they three moneths in winning of the Castell Hauing taken all they lost all by the same meanes tâ—at made them so much to gape after the Castell which was the want of money This shamfull losse greeued many of the greatest in Court and bred a new trouble by this occasion Tremouille was yet in great credit with the King Tremouille taken and deliuered againe hauing by this meanes a great hand in the State they accused him to haue heaped vp great treasure to the preiudice of such as daily imployed their liues for the Kings seruice The greater men reâ—olue to take Tremouille prisoner and to punish him like vnto Giac and others before mentioned The King was at his Castell at Chinon Tremouille followes him as his 〈◊〉 but it chanced as he was in his chamber the Lords of Brueil Coytiuy and Fetard 〈…〉 with 40. armed men enter and take him not one of a hundred of that sort could escape But six thousand Crownes saued his life hoping to returne againe into credâ—t The Constable of Richmont growes into greater fauour then before Thus misfâ—rtune is good for some thing Bedford puft vp with the successe of Montargis takes Mâ—lly in Gasâ—enois but hauing besieged Lagny in Brie he was repulsed· and at the same time Iohn of Luxembourg of the Bourguignon faction is dispossessed of Ligny in Barrots by the Gentleman of Comeâ—cy A disgrace which shall draw the Bourguignon to a â—â—mposition so much desired togither with the happy successe of the French in the Câ—untry of Arthois the taking of S. Valery in Ponthieu The confusion of the warre and the generall wauering of 〈◊〉 câ—iefe Citties in Picardy tired with these confusions being so great as no man was 〈◊〉 of his person of what partie soeuer if he were the weaker The Cardes were so shuffled 1432. as an English man would become French to take a Bourguignon and a Frenchman become English or a Bourguignon to take a Frenchman These vnkinde treacheries were vsuall especially at Amiens Abbeuille and throughout all Picardie where the warres had been most licentious Which outrage hath been reuiued in ouâ— miserable age through the crueltie of these wretched warres which causeth men to make shipwracke both of faith and honour This yeare had a plausible beginning but without any great effect The Councell of Pisa being assembled as we haue said to redresse the confusion of Antipopes and to reduce the Church diuided by this Schisme vnto vnion sends the Cardinall of Auxerre vnto the Kings of France and England to exhort them vnto peace Charles protested that he desired nothing more the English said the like They assemble to this end at Auxerre in great troupes but at their first meeting all this treatie was broken off for both the one the other stood vpoÌ„ the qualitie of King of France being the fundameÌ„tall point of all their quarrell The Duke of Bedford spake more proudly then Charles himselfe A treatie betwâ—xt the French and English as if the law of State which maintained this Monarchie had beene made in England an Iland become firme land and France changed to the Isle of Albion or of Brittanie of such force is error euen in matters of State when as passion ouer-rules the light of reason So as they all depart without any effect They onely conclude a truce for the great want of the poore people who could suffer no more But this truce was a pit-fall for many trusting the countenance of this courteous warre which making profession to meane nothing so is more to be feared when she smiles then when she frownes Ioâ—n Duke of Bourbon dies in England Wee haue saied that Iohn Duke of Bourbon was taken prisoner in the battaile of Azincourt whom they could neuer redeeme at any rate This yeare he dyed in England and his sonne Charles succeeds him He had to wife the sister of the Duke of Bourgongne but they fall to words for their rights and so to warre Charles takes from Philip A quarrell betwixt the Dukes of Bourbon and Bourgongne Grancy Aualon Perepertuis Mucy-l'Euesque Chaumont and other places The Bourguignon had his reuenge and besiegeth Belleuille in Beauieulois belonging vnto Charles Mary Duchesse of Berry labours to reconcile these Princes and drawes them to a peace the which shall soone be a meanes of a generall accord betwixt the Bourguignon and France by the mediation of the Duke of Bourbon a profitable instrument of so good a worke This occasion not preuented was seconded by an other for the Duke of Bedford Bedford marrieth againe after the death of his wife being sister to the Duke of Bourgongne marries with Iaquelin the daughter of Peter of Luxembourg Earle of S. Pol who was no friend to the Bourguignon and moreouer the youth and beautie of this new spouse had so bewitched Bedford as he was easily drawne from Philip whose loue he entertained with great difficultie The Duke of Bedford and Bourgongne in dislike yet in respect of the generall cause they made a good shew and had met at S. Omer to that effect but this enterview encreased their discontents In the meane time the truce being ill obserued on either side is conuerted into a languishing warre Bedford makes warre in the Countrie of Maine by Scales and
this imagined Empire of the East the Paleologues seised thereon and gouerned it diuersly according to their passions Miâ—hel Andronic Iohn Manuel hauing brought vpon the stage both in diuers occurrents with diuers successe the most horrible tragedies which impiety could deuise to the great dishonor of the Christian name In the end Constantine Paleologus giues the last acquitance of the auncient possession of the Empire to make a new bond in fauour of the Turkes that his name might be answerable to his miserie Wee haue shewed what a breach Baiazet had made in Hongary making so great a slaughter of the french when as he tooke Iohn Duke of Bourgongne prisoner This beginning of a victorie had in shew proceded farther and ruined Constantinople the which he beseeged but that God who would suffer the Christians to breath for their amendment suppressed this tyrant by an other tyrant for Baiazet being taken by Tamberlane did then suffer for his cruelty but he left the conquest of the great Cittie to his posteritie at such time as the wise iust prouidence of God had decreed it the which was 50. years after for the battaile wherein Baiazet was vanquished after he had ouerthrowen our Christians was giuen in the yeare 1395. and Constantinople was taken the yeare 1453. the 29. of May by Mahomet the 2 grand-child to Baiazet a fit instrument to punish the impietie cruelty and all other kindes of execrable dissolution which then raigned among the Christians euen among those which had the cheefe command This Mahomet was the sonne of Amurath borne of a Christian the Daughter of the Despot of Seruia and instructed by his mother in the Christian religion to be the more fit to chastise the Christians who confessing God in their mouthes and denying him their deeds could not be ruined by a fitter instrument and more answerable to the crime whereof they were guilty then a tyrant Atheist who hauing tasted the the true religion had spued it out hauing no religion and mocking at all that caried the name of religion This Mahomet seking to settle his Empire as the eldest of his house 〈◊〉 crueltie against his bretheâ—â—n being loth to haue any companion caused his two brethren to be slaine Tursin and Calepin the one he drowned in a basen the other he caused to be strangled Hauing murthered his two brethren by two of his Bashaes Moyses and Haly he puts these murtherers to death for his bretherens bloud shedding their bloud who had beene the instruments of their murthers Hauing thus setled his Empire by these solemnities he applies all his wit to ruine the Christians being diuided of themselues by strange partialities and as it were inuiting him to their ruine He seizeth vpon the Empire by degrees being called in by the Christians to decide their quarrells and fortifying the weaker of purpose against the strongest A politick man painfull actiue and imperious getting authority by his fearefull tiranny Being seised vpon the Country hauing incombred the Christians affaires and diuided their mindes by sundrie intelligences it was easie for him to beseege Constantinople for who should succor it The greatest enemies the Christians had within the Country were the Christians themselues The Paleologues with the Churches of the East had had recourse to the Pope Emperour and King of France by their fauour to the Councells of Pisa Constance Basill one after an other but they returned with nothing but winde dispaire mockery Thus Mahomet wel assured of his enemies estate beseegeth Constantinople the which was now but the shadow of the Empire a great masse of building testifying that the beauty of the Empire was decayed The Emperour Constantin Paleologus who resigned his authority vnto Mahomet had only a fewe succors from Genua and Venice Constantinople beseeged Mahomet had two hundred and fiftie shipps of war and two hundred thousand fighting men amongest the which the most warlike were leuied in those Countries which made profession of the Christian religion The beseeged seeing their estate desperate sought to sel their liues deerely But what could they do their walles being battered downe by the horrible thunder of the Turkish artilery their port forced by their armed shippes and they themselues oppressed by so infinit a multitude Constantinople taken by the Turks So as a generall assault being giuen Constantinople is taken by force The Cittie thus forced on the one side as Constantine and many of his troupe sought to saue them selues by a gate that was free they were furiously pursued by the victorious Turkes the port being stopt by the multitude Constantine the Emperour smothered many were smothered among the which Constantine was found dead The Turke incensed for the losse of so many his men glutted himselfe with the slaughter of the poore Inhabitants of Constantinople killing all indifferently without respect of age or sexe yong and old women maidens with such exceeding crueltie as no man can write it without terror nor reade it without teares When we shalset before our eyes this goodly Country of the East this capitall Citty of the Empire where the voice of the gospell had sounded in the sacred mouthes of so many holy personages famous doctors of the Church which haue serued happily in their times to become now the dongeon of Impiety the fortresse of error the Rendezuous of al barbarisme and iniquity where Mahomet raiseth himselfe aboue the Kings of the earth thretens Christendome proudly hauing an Empire not onely fashioned but also fortified with the force power of so many kingdoms But alas what speake we of Constantinople the last of our losses in the East When we begin by Ierusalem the chiefe Rendezuous of the Elders of the house of God from whence the Gospell flowed where the holy mouth of the son of God and of his Apostles haue sounded out when we continue by Iury a land which hath so long nourished the true church bin the gard of the doctrine of helth when we crosse ouer this great country of Asia froÌ„ thence passe into those goodly Prouinces of Europe Greece Macedonie the neighbour Nations when we cast our eyes beyond the sea and behold from our windowes the heauen vnder which Affrike lies heretofore replenished with so many goodly churches and enriched with so many excellent Doctors yet all these great large Countries are at this day the receptacles of Mahomet where he vomits forth his blasphemies spoiles the miserable remaynders of the poore Christian Church where he takes the tith of sons and daughters to giue them to Moluc forcing theÌ„ to leaue the truth where he hath ouerthrowen al libertie to plant his absolute Tirany banished all learning euery thing may put man in minde that he is a man what may wee say in comparing our selues with them are wee better then so many that haue lyued in those desolate places making profession of the same Christian religion
from the Fâ—ench Presently Capoua Auerse Nole the Castle of Montdragon and many other places follow this example and the greatest part of the realme turnes to Ferdinand Some one must needs pay for all Caiete hauing taken armes for Ferdinand the French garrison enters the Towne with furie Caiete sacke by the French makes a horrible slaughter of the rebels and sacks it The Venetian army at sea besiegeth Monopoli a Citty of Apulia both by sea and land giues a hote assault they take it by force and the Castle by composition and afterwards the Towne of Pulignan Charles aduertised of these reuoltes being parted from Ast towards Turin he sends away Peron of Basche his Steward to hasten away an army at Sea from Vâ—llefranche neere vnto Nice the which carryed two thousand fighting men with store of victuals vnder the command of the Lord of Arbaâ— a valiant Captaine and well experienced at sea yet very vnfortunate in this expedition for hauing discouered Ferdinands fleete about the Isle of Poreze consisting of thirtie saile and two great ships of Genoua they presently turne taile to the enemie leauing him a small Biscaine ship for a pawrre and recouer the Port of Liuorne The French fleete flies voluntarily where the Captaine could not stay the greatest number of his souldiers from landing who tooke the way to Pisa. In the meane time the Arragonois imployes all his forces against the new Castel the Castle de l' Oeufe other forts held by the French And to make the way the more easie he fortifies the Hippodrome mans the Mont S. Herme and Puisfaucon and assailes the Monasterie of the Crosse. Bâ—t being at the first greatly annoyed by the Artillerie he conuerts his force into pollicie which prooues vnfortunate for the Author There was in it a Moore sometimes seruant to the Marquis of Pescara The Marquis sounds him and hee promiseth to giue entrance For this effect The Marquis of Pescara slaine he mounts in the night by a Ladder set to the Abby wall to conclude of the conditions the manner and the time but he discouered not an other Paris who lying behind the battlements of the wall cut the throate of his Achilles with a Crosbow The Marquises death was repaired by the reuolt of Prosper Fabricio Colonnes The reuolt of the Collonnes who notwithstanding the great aduancements they had from the King carryed away with a light beleefe spred abroad by certaine lying letters of Lodowicke Sforce that the King was dead at Fornoâ—e and seeing moreouer that the French affaires declined they returne to Ferdinands pay The Castels thus beleaguered the sea shut vp by Ferdinands fleete famine encreasing daily and all hope of forraine succours cut off by the voluntary route of Arbans nauie made the Viceroy to yeeld vp the new castle to Ferdinand after three moneths siege with promise to go into Prouence if hee were not releeued within thirty dayes The new Castle at Naples compounds with Ferdinand departing with bag baggage and for assurance of this capitulation he gaue for hostages Yues of Alegre la Marche of Ardenne lâ— Chapelle of Aniou Roquebertin Catelan Ienlis this was the 6. of October If any releefe came vnto them it must be of those forces that were dispersed within the realme So the Lord of Persi d' Alegre brought the Suisses with many of the companies of men at armes accompanied by the Prince of Bisignan and diuers other Barons persisting yet in their fidelitie Monteleone put to flight by the French Ferdinand aduertised hereof opposeth the Earle of Monteleone They incounter at the Lake of Pizzale neere to Eboli where our French had a reuenge of that braue flight of their armie at sea For the Earles forces exceeding Persi in number flie at the first approch without any fight leauing Venantio sonne to Iules of Varane Lord of Camerin prisoner but being not pursued for that our men came to an other end they retire without any great losse to Nole and after to Naples This victory thrusts forward our men to the execution of their desseigne Ferdinand to hinder their approach casts vp a trench from Mont S. Herme to Castle d' l' Oeuf and plants artillerie vpon the hils adioyning the which doth greatly indomage the French and takes away all meanes to enter the Castle This side wanting fresh water made them retire in disorder leauing behind them some peeces of Artillerie and part of the victuals they had brought for the releefe of the Castels being discontented with the small endeuour the besieged had vsed to receiue them He that giues ouer looseth the game The Viceroy frustrate by this dislodging of all hope of succours leauing three hundred men in the Castle Neuf Castle Neuf abandoned by the Viceroy a number proportionable to the victuals that remained a conuenient garrison in that of de l' Oeuf he imbarkes by night with the rest of his souldiers being 2500 and takes his way to Salerne Ferdinand complaines that the accord is broken That it was not lawfull for the Earle of Montpensier to depart sodenly without taking leaue and with such a company before he had consigned him the Castles threatning to be reuenged of the hostages for this iniury deceit the which were yeelded a moneth after the prefixed time when as the garrisons compounded for their departure being vnable to endure the famine any longer Those of Castle Neuf vpon condition the hostages should be deliuered Those of de l' Oeuf if they were not succoured by the first day of Lent ensuing But let vs leaue Ferdinand confirmed in his throne and returne to Nouarre Nouarre was at the last cast they had no more Corne no more horses but for few dayes some died of hunger some languished of sicknesse Mugnes Brione Camarian Siege of Noâ—arâ—e Bolgare and other neere places with the forts built by the French were taken by force and the enemie lodged in the Suburbes were so many Block-houses neither was there any meanes to succour them without a battaile But how The King tooke his pleasure at Turin and at Quiers he had no will to hazard another battaile for one Towne onely which the Duke of Orleans would keepe and no man would fight but in the Kings presence The Prince of Orange who in matters of warre had great credit with the King and all the other commanders desiâ—ed rather to end the siege by some friendly agreement then by the hazard of a battaile Winter approched euery one sees his store spent many are sick some retire without leaue others obtaine it The enemy giues â—are to a peace His armie was newly increased by a thousand Reisters led by Frederick Capelare of the Countie of Ferrete and by eleuen thousand Lansquenets commanded by George of Abeâ—â—ing borne in Austria The leuie which the Bayliffe of Dijon went to make in Suisserland was not yet ready Why then considering the consent of both parties are
had greater occasions then euer Experience had made him wise He remembred the errors he had committed in his first iourney and obserued theÌ„ wel hoping if he might recouer his losses to prouide better for the gard of the Realme His intelligences from all parts called him He had a truce with the Castillian Reasons to drawe the King into Italy He had a new league with the Suisses The Emperour was discontented with the Venetians and sought his friendship beâ—â—g desirous to ioyne with him to seise vpon the states of Italie with their common force and expenses imitating the Castillian Pope Alexander labored to reconcile himselfe The Venetians deuised how to estrange themselues from Lodowike The Florentins had resolued to free themselues as soone as Charles should begin the warre And to this end they demanded the Lord of Aubigni for their generall with a hundred and fiftie Lances whereof they should pay a third part The Marquis of Mantoua was discharged from the Venetians pay and should bring to the King with the Vrsins the Vitelli and the Captaine of Rome brother to the Cardinall of S. Pierre fifteene hundred men at armes Italians He had the friendship of the Duke of Sauoye and the Marquises of Saluces and Montferrat Iohn Bentiuole promised to ioyne with his troupes as soone as he should passe the mountaines But he is diuerted by diuers meanes Some of his fauorits thrust him forward to this enterprise but with so huge a preparation both by sea â—and and so great prouision of money as it required a long time Hindred by diuers meanâ— Others entertayned 〈◊〉 his delights and loathed him with all difficulties and the Cardinal of S. Malo according to his vsuall manner lackt the prouisions of money Thus the time was â—â—st matters made fruitlesse which were almost brought to their perfection There â—ere no dispatches for the Lord of Aubigni no money for the Vrsins Vitellies Fregoses no man passeth into Italy So as all mens mindes growing cold the Fregoses make their peace with the Duke of Milan The Vitelli had passed to the Venetians pay if the Florentins had not entertayned them for a yeare The Florentins themselues counselled by Lodowike Sforce â—n the beginning of the yeare 1498 sent an Ambassage to Rome sigâ—iâ—â—ing although in doubtfull termes that if Pisa might be yeelded vnto them they â—ould ioyne themselues with the rest for the defence of Italy against the French A 〈◊〉 â—olicy but made frustrate by a Venetian shift The Venetians beeing labored to yeeld to the restitution of Pisa seeing there was no 〈◊〉 meanes to separate the Florentins from the French The Venâ—tiaâ—â— oppose against the Floâ—eâ—tiâ—s they couer their couetousnes with many colours they complaine that this counsell proceeds not of any care they haue to the coÌ„mon good but from the bad affection which some one carries to their estate â—or say they by their Ambassador at Rome the Florentins hoping to enioy the greatest port of Thuscany by the returne of the French into Italie the yeelding of Pisa were not able to diuert them from their naturall inclination to the house of France but contrariewise the more mightie they are the more meanes they shall haue to disturbe the quiet of Italy Why then haâ—e the Confederats by a common consent promised the Pisans to defend their libertie aâ—d nowe to violate both their honour and faith Is this the reward for the exceeding charge we haue so willingly maintayned when as all the other confederats were so vnwilling to disâ—â—rse any thing for the common good By what meanes was Italy preserued With what forces did they fight at Taro With what armes haue they recouered the Realme of Naples Wherewith haue they forced Nouarre to acknowledge her first Lord Can any one denie but tâ—â—sâ— actions did proceed from a sinceere affection to the good estate of Italy seeing wee were not the neerest vnto dangers neyther are the disorders growne by vs whereof wee suffer the paine Whilest these things were treated of at Rome among the Confederates The Caâ—teâ—â— of 〈◊〉 built by Câ—arles not without apparent signes of future diuision a newe humor carries away our Charles to his Castell which he caused to be built at Amboise a building of admirable worke charge hauing to that end brought the most rarest workemen that could be found 1498. from Naples and all other parts and for the beautifying thereof he had gathered together the goodliest plots that could bee found in France Italy Flanders and else-where not able to foresee that in steed of a proud and stately Palace he should end his life in a base and filthie gallerie Broken off by his death Hauing his minde inclined besides his building not onely to a second voyage beyond the Alpes but to reforme his life honouring the Queene his wiues bed with a chaste respect whereas many loose allurements had transported his youth To restraine the pompe and ambition of the Clergie To order Iustice giuing audience twise in the weeke to all complaints and free accesse to any that would desire iustice Doubtlesse Note O yee Princes The King sitting in his throne of Iustice saith the Wiseman disperseth all ill with his looke To reâ—orme his house to dispose of his treasure to ease his subiects restraining all taxes which had beene made vpon his subiects to twelue hundred thousand Frankes besides his reuenews a summe which his estates had graunted at his comming to the Crowne for the defence of the realme It chanced the 7. of Aprill going after dinner with the Queene into the Castle ditches he strooke his forehead against the doore of a gallerie whereas he meant to see a set at Tennis this blowe being a certaine aduertisement to driue him to the premeditation of his approching end the last pangs of death moued him presently with a godly and holy resolution but wisely conditioned according to mans weaknesse the which he testified by these words talking with Iohn of Beauucis Bishop of Anger 's his Confessor touching the faults he had committed in his younger age I hope saieth he neuer to commit mortall nor veniall sinne if I can auoide it Presently vpon this protestation he fell backward falling into an Apoplexie wherewith he had beene a little before troubled which closed his eyes with the sleepe of death about eleuen of the clock at night A notable example wherein wee read the pittifull estate of Princes when as death knocketh with an euen hand both at Kings Palaces and at poore mens cottages giuing them an end like to all other men and the inconstant loue of Courtiers Behold a King who commanded ouer so many Prouinces whom so many great Citties obeyed who had such numbers of sumptuous Castels at his pleasure and now building a house of a royall attempt giuing vp the ghost in a chamber neere to a gallerie stinking with the Vrine which euery one made as he passed through it laid vpon a poore
to referre it vntill the next day seeing there remained scarse an houre when Alegre in a manner alone among many blamed the feare and couardise of such as sought delaies Then the Viâ—â—roy said For my part I am readie to fight but I feare this braue Counsellor will repose more trust in his coursers legges then in the valour of his arme when it shall be needfull to fight foretelling the issue of the fight and the flight of Alegre He therefore puts his man in battaile and leades the foreward with Captaine Ars the battaile he giues to Chandiou and the reerward to Alegre It is a friuolous ceremonie to call a counsell and conteme good aduice preferring opâ—â—ions that doe but resemble the truth And what reason had our men so farre from succers hauing so many enemies in front to hazard all vpon a shew of valour Seeing the discomoditie of the way being barren of water and the exceeding heate beyond the ordinarie of the moneth of May required rest But man cannot auoyd his fortune when it approcheth he runnes after it The Duke oâ— Nemours takes the way to Cirignole sending some troupes before to seize vpon the place but the Spaniards being arriued first lodged in certaine vinyards intrenched their lodging with a large ditch The French arriuing not able to iudge whether those they did see before them were all or a part of the Spanish armie for that the light horse led by Fabriâ—io Colonne the Lances of the men at armes the feâ—el stalkes which were very high in that Countrie tooke from them all knowledge did assaile the enemie with great furie But the smoke and dust which the Spanish Canon raised in the ayre blinded our men A general ouerthrow of the French The Duke of Nemourâ— slaine who could not come to handie blowes by reason of the enemies trench The Vicâ—roy seeking to force them by an other way is slayne with a harguebus extinguishing in him the name and familie of the Earles of Armagnac and daunting the courage of the whole armie the which by the death of their Commaunder presently fled being fauoured by the approching night whose darknesse couered their retreat preseruing some from death and others from prison Chandiou otherwise called Chandenier a gentleman of Poictou neere vnto Niort was likewise slaine fighting at the same ditch d' Ars seeing the most part of his men slaine and that d' Alegre had fulfilled the Viceroys prediction cursing the wilfulnes of the man who by â—is contumacie at an vnseasonable time and vnfit houre had made a shamfull breach in the honour of the French nation and diuerted the Viceroy from the true meanes to make warre in the end he saues himselfe in Venouse Alegre running vp and downe gathers vp the peeces of this shipwrake with the Prince of Salerne and many Barons of the Countrie whilest that Gonsalue following his good fortune tooke his way to Naples at whose approch the French shut themselues vp into the new Castle and the Neapolitains the fourteenth of May receiued Gonsalue vppon condition to maintaine them in their rights and priuileges Auerse and Capoua were also light in their change But what vrgent necessitie thrust our men into this aduenture They had strong places inough to maintane themselues foure or fiue moneths during the which either some notable succors or the approching winter might breed some alteration Out of doubt the iâ—paciencie of the French The indiscretion of the French who cannot temporise was the cause of this last losse of the realme of Naples rather then any necessity that forced them yet Lewis of Armagnac had equalled the reputation of the brauest Captaines that had bin long before him When as good commanders haue managed an vnfortunate war we must iudge modestly of the issue of humain forces confesse that they haue done their duties that others might haue incouÌ„tred the like difficulties raise our considerations higher to him that placeth displaceth kings froÌ„ their thrones as it best pleaseth his diuine prouidence The King resolued to send two mighty armies one by sea another by land to saue the castles of Naples Caiete some other places which yet held good and to inuade Spaine with two other armies the one in the county of Roussillon which ioynes to the Mediterranean sea the other towards Fontaâ—abie and other places lying vpon the Ocean and at the same instant with an army at Sea to inuade the coasts of Câ—telogne Valence But whilst these were preparing Gonsalue battered the Cittadell and Peter of Nauarre made a myne where hauing giuen fire the violence of the pouder made a breach by the which the Spaniards attending in battaile the issue of this stratagem enter some by the breach of the wall some by scalado The Castles of 〈◊〉 â—akâ—n On the other side the French issuing out of the new Castle to expell them the Cittadell the Spaniards turne head and repulsing our men towards the rauelin they enter pell mell with them and aduancing with the same fury to the gate they force the French to yeeld them the Castle Very happily for the enimy for the next day there arriued from Genes to succour them sixe great shippes and many other barkes laden with victuall armes munition and two thousand foote But this was physicke after death and the worke being ended this army retyres towards Caiete The Castle de l'Oeâ—f was taken by the like myne The French enioyed Caiete yet with other places there abouts and in Abruzze Aquile the rocke of Euandre Rossane Matalone with many other places belonging to the Barons of the Angeuin faction and Lewis of Ars being with the Prince of Melfe worthy doubtlesse of our history seeing that Gonsalue hauing offered to leaue him his Estate absolute if hee would ioyne with the Spanish faction hee chose rather to depart with his wife and children being fortified in Venouse hauing surprised and vanquished Valentine Benauide with some Spanish troupes he annoâ—ed the whole country The conclusion of this warre consisted in the keeping or losse of Caiete hauing a very conuenient hauen for ships that came from Genes or Prouence Gonsalue therefore bends his forces thither But Alegre hauing drawne forth 400. Lances and 4000. foote preserued at the battell the which he had lodged in Fondi Itri Tracette the fort Guillaume and else where enters into Caiete abandoning the other places to the victors discretion to saue that which did most import who hauing battered the wall made a breach and receiued great losse at two assaults hauing intelligence of the arriuall of the Marquis of Salâ—ce made Viceroy by the King in the Duke of Nemours place with sixe great Genoa Carackes sixe other ships and seauen Gallies followed by others carrying a thousand foote of the I le of Crosica three thousand Gescons he retires his men to Naples well diminished with skirmishes assaults and with retreat amongst others of Sante Armentel Alphonse Lopes Iohn Litestan
But he knew morâ—ouer that being diuided from his maiesty his Councells could not succeed happily in the ende they treaâ— a new amity league togither and to make the king the better aâ—â—ected he giues a Cardâ—â—â—ls hat The Pope and King are reconciled to eyther of the forenamed Bishops and power vnto the King to dispose of all benefices wiâ—â—in the Duchy of Milan The more the King confirmed himselfe in the Popes alliance the more he loaâ—hed that of Maximilian and of Philip his sonne the passage which hee pretended into Italie with a mighty army to receiue his imperiall Crowne and to cause â—is sonne to bee chosen King of the Romans being greatly suspect vnto the King anâ— tâ—e greatnesse of Philip who by capitulation had sent his Father in-law Ferdinand back into Arragon hauing already so apparently estranged the Kings loue from him as he gaue Clâ—ude his daughter in marriage to Francis Earle of Angoulesme the next heyre to this Croâ—ne after the Kings discease without heyres males at the sute suppâ—ication of all the Parliaments of his Realme The which serued for an excuse to Philip. And the more to dâ—uert Maximilians passage into Italy the King sent men to succour the Duke of â—uâ—â—dres a great enimy to Philips prosperity and to molest his Prouinces of the Lovv-â—â—â—nâ—râ—es in his absence As these things passed the Pope burniâ—g with desire The Kinâ— seekes bâ— alâ— meaneâ— to 〈…〉 sonne 〈◊〉 to restore vnto the obedience of the Church all such placeâ— as had beene taken away intreâ—ted the King according to their agreement to ayde him in the recouery of Perouâ—e and Bologne This request was very pleasing vnto the King it was a meanes to tye the Pope whom they had in some â—ealousie in Court to haue beene prâ—uy to some practâ—se which Octauian Fregose had made to dispossesse the King of the Seâ—gneury of Genes Moreouer Bentiuole Lord of Bologne seemed more affâ—cted to Maximilian then to him and Iohn Paul Baillon the vsurper of Perouze was in diâ—grace with the King hauing refused to ioyne with his army when it was vpon the Garillan Notwithstanding the protestation which the Venetians made vnto the Kâ—ng The Popes expâ—oâ—â—s To take armes for the defence of Bologne if the Pope did not first make theÌ„ grant of the rights of Faenze belonging to the Church did somewhat diuert â—im referring the execution to another time Yet the Pope being vehement and pereÌ„â—tory by nature goes out ofâ— Rome with fiue hundred men at armes and giues notice of his comming to the Boloâ—nois commanding them to prepare to receiue him and to logde 500. French Lâ—nces in their country whereof he had yet no assurance Then Baillon fearing his comming goes to meete the pope and deliuers him the forts of Perouze and Perousin In the end by the perswasion of the Cardinal of Amboise the King commanded Charles of Amboise Lord of Chaumont 1506. to assist the Pope in person with fiue hundred Lances and three thousand foote amongst the which were Gâ—ston of Foix the Kings nephew and Duke of Nemours Peter of Foix Lord of Lautrâ—c his cousin the Lord of Palisse and others Bentiuole and his children amazed at this sodaâ—ne aâ—riuall Bentiuol compounds with the Pope anâ— deliuers vp Bologne beseech Chaumont to be a mediator and to procure them some tollerable conditions who dealing with the Pope obteined leaue to depart safelie out of Bologne to remaine in what part he pleased of the Duchie of Milan to sell and carry away all their mouables and to enioy the reuenues they possessed by any iust title without any molestation Thus Bologne returned to the obedience of the Church and the Pope hauing giuen the Duke of Nemours a sword inriched with precious stones amongst the which there was one Diamond of inestimable value eight thousand Ducats to Chaumont and ten thousand for his men he conuerted all his thoughts to annoy the Venetians The death of Philip Archduke of Austria At this time dyed Philip the Archduke of a Feuer within few dayes in the Cittie of Bourges young of yeares strong and healthfull of body leauing an heire the fatall scourge of the French Monarchie who within few yeares sâ—all mount vpon the Theater of our Historie to acte many and diuers tragicall parts And the Duke of Valentinois to finish the last acte of his Tragedie hauing slipt downe with a corde from the forte of Medina de'l Campo and sought for refuge with Iohn of Albret King of Nauarre The Duke of Valentinois slaine brother to his wife was in the end slaine before Viane fighting for his brother in law Too honorable a death for such a tyrant Chaumont was no sooner returned but there sprung vp a new occasion to imploy his â—orces Rebellion at Genes the Genouois taking occasion not of any desire they had to rebell but onely of ciuill discords betwixt the people and the Nobles the which do often transport men beyond their fiâ—st resolutions did sacke the Noblemens houses and did tumultuouslie create a new Magistracy of eight popular men whom to authorise them the more they named Tribunes of the people they sâ—ized by force on Spetie and some other Townes lying vpon the Easterne riuer The Lord of Rauastein being absent flies speedily to Genes with a hundred and fiftie horse and sâ—uen hundred foote The King had sent vnto thâ—m Michel Riccio a Doctor banished from Naples to perswade them to seeke rather the mildnesse of his mercie then to trye the rigour of his forces But a mutinous peopâ—e is like vnto a wilde horse which runnes furiously vntill some downefall stay him â—or in steed of giuing care to his counsell they go to besiege Monaco lying vpon the sea in a commodious place and of great importance for the Câ—ttie of Genes they create Paul de Noue a Dier of Silke Duke of Gâ—â—â—s beate downe the Kings armes and set vp Maximilians they take Castellat a Castell built abâ—ue Genes in the mountaine and â—gainst their faith cut the French mens throates that were in Garrison So the King imputing that to the Genouois as a rebellion which they had done by ciuill discord marched himselfe in person followed by eyght hundred Lances eighteene hundred light horse twelue thousand foote and an armie at sea consisting of eight Gallies The King goes with his armie against the â—ebels at Genes eight Galleons and many Foâ—sts and Brigantins he raiseâ—h the siege at Monaco takes the Bastion which they had built in the top of the mountaine forceth the Genouois to yeeld to his mercy disarmes theiâ— the 29. day of Aprill enters into Genoua â—n câ—mpleat aâ—mour with his sword in his hand vnder a Canopie accompanied with all his companies of men at aâ—mes and Archers of his garde who at the pittifull crye of the people demanding mercy of his Maiestie he grants them pardon paying a hundred thousand Ducats in ready money and two hundred
hundred Lances eight hundred light horse and fifteene thousand foote halfe French and halfe Lansquenets The whole Countrie was already in a mutinie the Earle of Mussocque sonne to â—ohn Iames of Triuulce was entred into Ast and Alexandria the French had taken Cremona Sonzin Lode and other places neere and the Milanois had excused themselues to their Duke who was at Nouarre for that hauing no man to defend them they made their composition with the French yet giuing him hope to returne to his subiection when as the Suisses and his confederates should ioyne in field Bartholmew of Aluiane Generall of the Venetian armie had taken Valege Pesquiere and Bresse when as the Kings armie at sea approching to Genes and finding Othobon and Sinibaud the sonnes of Lewis of Fiesque leading foure thousand foote and on the other side Antonel and Ierome Adornes Genes taken with a gâ—eat number of the country men they tooke Genes from the Fregoses where the victors entring transported with the furie of reuenge the two Fiesques bretheren caused Zacharie brother to the Duke of Genes to be slaine and then to be tyed cruelly to a horse tayle and dragged through the Cittie being present a little before at the death of Ierome their brother who comming out of the Palace had beene murthered by Lodowike and Fregosin brothers to the Duke All this succeeded well but forty thousand Ducats lately sent by the Pope to the Suisses had drawne an infinite number into the estate of Milan thrusting themselues into Nouarre at the first bâ—ute that the French meant to besiege it It was the same Nouarre wherein Lodowick Sforce father to this present Duke was taken prisoner In the Kings campe were the same Captaines Tremouille and Triuulce some of the same Ensignes and Colonels which had sold the father accompanied the sonne in this warre And these presumptions caused Tremouille to make this ouer-bold promise to the King That he hoped to deliuer him the sonne of prisoner in the same place where before he had gâ—uen him the father The remembrance of happinesse past comforts the hope but let vs take heed least vnder this colour we grow insolent and carelesse Now the arrogancie of our French findes a firme resolution in the Suisses whereof followes a strange catastrophe and an ouerthrow of the desseine The armie batters Nouarre furiously and layes a great part of the wall euen with the ground but whereas the descent was wonderfull hard and dangerous so as Tremouille aduertised that new Suisses were entred into it and that Altosasz a very famous Colonell brought a greater number which comming by the valley of Aoust approched to Iuree dispairing to take the Towne he retired his Campe to go fight with the succours that came making his accoumpt to breake the enemies rather by their owne disorders for want of pay then by the force of his armes But by the perswasion of Moâ—in one of their Captaines ten thousand Suisses issue forth in the night the 6. of Iune without horses and artillerie against a mightie armie and better prouided they set vpon our French not asleepe but in a lodging vnfortified The men at armes assemble at the first alarum of their Sentinels range themselues in battaile and the foote vnder their colours The artillerie laide many Suisses on the ground when as the sunne beginning to appeare the body of their armie resoluing rather to be cut in peeces then retire seuen thousand of them fall violently vpon the Laâ—sequenets who garded the artillerie and 3000. of them plant themselues with their Pikes charged against the horse The Suisses and Lansequenets thrust on with a mutuall hatred and a desire of victory hewe one another with a bloudy furie one while the one shrinkes is chased and recoiles and then the other filling the field with â—ead bodies wounded men and with bloud in view of the men at armes lodged so as they could not succour the foot by reason of brookes and ditches that were betwixt them So the Suisses after two houres combate remained victors winne the Artillerie turne the mouth of it against our men and put both foote and horse to flight of whom there is nothing remarkeable obserued but that Robert of la Marke Lord of Sedan vnderstanding that Floranges and Iamets his sonnes The memorable valour of Robert de la 〈◊〉 Colonels of the Regiments of Lansquenets lay among the dead carcases moued with furie and a fatherly affection he runs into the middest of the Suisses troupes and in despight of them laies the eldest vpon his horse and the yongest vpon one of his men at armes bringing them aliue out oft the conflict being reserued to shew future proofes of their valour There died about fifteene hundred Suisses with the Author of this glorious Councel Of ours the most part of the Lâ—nsquenets fighting and of the French flying vnto the number as the Italian Authors say of ten thousand All the horse in a manner saued themselues the Suiâ—es not able to pursue them for want of horse all their baggage was lost and two and twenty pecees of great Artillery with all the horse appointed for the same Doubtlesse it was one of the most glorious battailes that euer the Suisses wonne whereby we obserue that to bee surprised and preuented takes away all iudgement of command from the best commanders daunts the soldiers courage breeds confusion in order This victory being gotten all places which had declared themselues for the French craue pardon and purchase their peace for money Milan for two hundred thousand Ducats the tâ—st according to their power to be distributed to the Suisses to whom was due the glory and profit of this victory gotten by their bloud and valour Octauiâ—n Fregose aided by three thousand Spaniards commanded by the Marquis of Pâ—scare enters Genes and causeth himselfe to the preâ—udice of Iohn his brother to be created Duke of Genes Aluiane fearing least this happy successe of the Suisses and Spaniards should draw them vpon him retires himselfe takes Legnague from the Germaines besiegeth Verona but in vaine and then lodgeth his armie within Padoua The two chiefe Authoâ—s of the Councell of Pisa Bernardin Caruagial and Frederic of S. Seuerin amazed wâ—â—h this route went and craued pardon of the Pope and were restored to the ranâ—e oâ— Cardinals In the end of the yeare the Castels of Milan and Cremona returned to the Duâ—e of Milans obedience so as the King held nothing in Italy but the Lanterne of Genes the which wee shall see taken and razed by the Genouois Without doubt he that seekes profit farre from his owne home is oft times forced to returne poore and naked Troubles in 〈◊〉 by the Engâ—â—sh The King thus dispossessed of his estates in Italy turnes his thoughts now armes to crosse the attempts of England Henry King of England hauing at the Popes perswasion resolued to inuade the realme of France agrees with the Emperour to giue him six score
the fiue no otherwise but for the defence of his owne estates As for the Castells of Lugan and Lugarne strong passages and of great importance for the surety of the Duchie of Milan they desyred rather to raze them then to take three hundred thousand Ducats for the restitution thereof Let vs nowe lay out all armes aside for a certaine space and giue our warriours time to take their breath and returne againe shortly to warre by the ambitious factions of two most great and mighty Princes This yeare in Febuary was borne Francis 1â—17 Daulphin and successor to this Crowne if his end had not beene violently forced The Daâ—â—pâ—in Francis borne Laurence of Medicis did present him at the Font for the Pope â—is Vncle. A Christening celebrated with iousts skirmishes incounters besieging and taking of places and other such stately shewes as the memory of man hath not obâ—erued greater And the King to make a more stricter league with the Pope he caused the said Laurence to marry with Magdaleine daughter to Iohn Earle of Auuergne and Auraguez and of Ioane sister to Francis of Bourbon Earle of Vendosme who died at Verceil when as King Charles the eight returned from Naples Of this marriage came Katherin of Medicis whom we shall see Queene of France and Mother to the three last Kings of the name of Valois At the same time the King sent Gaston of Breze Prince of Fonquarmont brother to the great Seneshall of Normandie with two thousand French foote to succour Christierne King of Denmarke against the rebels of Sueden who after they had wonne a battaile for the King being abandoned in the end by the Danes in a combate vpon the Ice where those Northerne Nations are more expert then ours were ouerthrowne and the most part slaine such as could escape the sword returned without pay without armes and without clothes 1518. The yeare following the last of March Henry the Kings second sonne was borne who by the death of the Daulphin his brother shall succeed his father Henry King of England was his God-father and gaue him his name During this surcease of armes among Christian Princes the Pope motioned but saith the Originall rather in sâ—ew then with any good intent Estate of the East a generall warre of all Christendome against Selim Prince of the Turkes Baiazet as we haue sayd in his latter age studied to install Acomath his eldest sonne in the throne of the Turkish Empire Selim the younger brother through fauour of the Ianisaries and Souldiers of his fathers gard forced him to yeeld the gouernement vnto him Selim was no sooner in possession but as they say hee poisoned his father and murthered his bretheren Acomath and Corcut and in the end all that discended from the line of the Ottomans Then passing from one warre to an other he vanquâ—shed the Aduliâ—ns ouerthrew the Sophi of Persia in battaile tooke â—â—om him Tauris the chiefe seate oâ— his Empire and the greatest part of Persia rooted out the Sultans of Egipt and the Mammelius tooke Caire and seized vpon all Egipt and Syria So as hauing in few yeares almost doubled his Empire and taken away the hinâ—â—rance of so mightie Princes who were iealous of his Monarchie Christian Princes did not without cause feare the happy course of his victories Hongarie was weake of men and in the hands of a Pupill King gouerned by Prelates and Barons of the realme diuided amongst themselues Italie dismembred by former warres â—eared least the part alities of these Princes should cause Selim to turne his eyes towards it The â—ope and all the Couâ—t of Rome making shew to preuent this imminent danger thought it expediâ—nt to make a great prouision of money by a voluntarie contribution of Princes and a generall taxe ouer all Christendome That the Emperour accompanied with the horse of Polonia and Hongarie and an armie of Reistres and Lâ—â—squenets fit for so great an enterprise should assaile Constantinople and the King of France with the forces of his Realme the Venetians Suisses and Potentates of Itaâ—ie should inuade Greece being full of Christians and ready to rebell vpon the first approach of forâ—aine â—oâ—ces The Kings of Spaine Portugall and England should passe the straight of Gallipoli with two hundred saile and hauing taken the Castell at the enâ—rie thereof they should approach neere to Constantinople That the Pope should follow the same course with a hundred great Galleys These were goodly plottes in conceit This counteâ—feit shewe to send an armie into Turkie was but a deuice to fill the Popes coffers which was made emptie by the former warres especially by that of Vrbin To treate of these propositions Leo published in the Consistorie a generall Truce for fiue yeares amongst all Christian Princes and vpon rigorous censures to them that should breake it Appointing for Legats the Cardinall of Saint Sixte to the Emperour the Cardinall of Saint Marie in Portico to the King the Cardinall Giles to the King of Spaine and the Cardinall Laurence Campege to the King of England hee proclaymed his Bulls of pardon to all such as should contribute a certaine summe for so woâ—thie an expedition All Princes accept of this truce and shewe themselues verie willing to so honorable in action But the meanes howe in so short a time to make a firme Vnion among so many Potentats who had beene long at deadly warre Euery one studies of his priuate interest and finding the danger to concerne one more then an other they care for themselues and manage these affaires carelesly more with shewe then deuotion This negligence of the publicke state and greedinesse of priuate men was the more confirmed by the death of Selim who leauing his Empire to his sonne Soliman young of age but of a milder spirit and not so enclyned to warre A peace concluded with the English then all things seemed to incline to peace and loue betwixt so many great warriors The Kings of France and England renued their friendship by a defensiue League betwixt them vppon promise of a marriage betwixt the Daulphin King Francis eldest sonne and the onely daughter of Henry King of England both very young which contract many accidents might hinder before they came to sufficiencie And Henry yeelded Tournay for foure hundred thousand Crownes the one halfe for the charge in buâ—â—ding the Citadell and for the artillery powder and munition which the King of England should leaue in the place the other halfe for the expenses in conquering thereof and for other pensions that were due vnto him Thus often times the looser paies the shott On the other side the Kings eldest daughter being dead And with 〈◊〉 Spaniards whome they had appointed to bee wife to the King of Spaine a peace betwixt these two Kings was reconfirmed according to the first Capitulation with promise of the yonger An alliance which eyther Prince did confirme with great outward shewes of friendshippe King Francis wearing the order
Frederike of Bâ—ssole to receiue him into the estate of Milan with foure hundred Launces and seuen thousand Suisses and Italians Noâ—are taken being ioyned togither they went to Nouare and through the fauour of the Castle tooke it at the third assault with the slaughter of most that defended it A small gaine which shall cause a great losse For Lautrec wanting a great part of his forces hee gaue Sforce meanes to enter into Milan Pauia beseâ—ged in vainâ— with his Lansquenets and three hundred horse with an incredible ioy to the Milanois The comming of a new Prince is very pleasing to an estate whereby the people hope for ease Lautrec seâ—ing Sforce dislodged from Pauia and receiued into Milan resolues to beseege Pauia where the Marquis of Mantona commaunded wiâ—h two thousand â—oot and thre hundred horse Lautrec batteâ—s the Towne and makes a breach of thirtie fadâ—me hee giues two assauâ—ts and is repulsed There was a posterne in the Towne ioyn ng to the riuer of Tâ—sâ—n where they watred their horses which by reason of the riuer was ill garded whilest they did busie the Imperialls at the breach Saint Colombe had charge to passe the riueâ— at a foard with two thousand foot and Riberac and Rocheposay with foure hundred horse of the companies of Lautrec and the bastard of Sauoie who marched along the wall where there was no flankers should by the swiftnesse of their horses seize vpon the Posterne and â—old it vntiâ—l theiâ— foote came Riberac and Rocheposay execute their dessein they â—â—ter the Towne plant a Guidon vppon the posterne but Saint Colombe was content to bring his â—en to to the riuers side without wetting of his foote So that the Cittizeâ—s had leisure to come to succour it and to repulse our men who if they had beene followed had taken the Towne Riberac was slaine fighting and Rocheposay had a leg broken with a musket shot This attempt did wonderfully amaze the Inhabitants considering their want of men and munition and the Marquis made it knowne that without succors he should in the end bee forced to yeeld the Towne Prospâ—r knowing the danger sent twelue hundred Corses and Spaniards who marching by night speaking Gascon were taken for Gascons by the Venetians and passed theiâ— fiâ—st gards and meeting with some French scouts speaking Italian were taken for Italians So as deceiuing the companies by this Stratageme they passed without discouerie but very late by the horsemen who charging them behind slew some smal number The death of Riberac kinsman to Lautrec made him to double the furie of the Canon and all prepared for an assault when as Colonne fortified with Sforces troupes goes to field and comes to campe at Chartrousse three miles from the French What meanes then was there to giue an assault hauing a mightie armie behinde them and all things else succeeding crossely The money which Lescut had brought was spent and that which came from France was stayed in Arone by the Vicount Anchise who was sent to that end from Milan to Buste The continuall raine had ouer-flowed the riuer of Tesin and small brookes grew to be great riuers so as the victuals which came from Omeline to the campe could no more passe whereby they were forced to raise the siege and drawe towards Monce to enioy the commodities of Laudesan and Cremonois The enemie seeing the French armie take the way to Monce fearing they would recouer Milan went to lodge at Bicocque a Gentlemans house but of so great a circuit as twentie thousand men might easily be put in battaile vpon the way from Laude to Milan Without doubt the valour and wisedome of Prosper gaue the fiâ—st wound to the French affaires but the impatience of the Suisses did vtterly ruine them Their Colonnels gaue Lautrec to vnderstand that their companions were wearie of camping so long without any profit thâ—t they demand of three things the one eyther money leaue to depart or a battaile Our Commanders hoped by famine to driue Colonne out of his borrow And what reason was there to assaile a mightie enemie in a Forte intrenched with Trenches flanked with great platformes well furnished with artillerie But neither perswasions prayers promises nor authoritie could diuert them from their first resolution Seing then there was no other meanes to reteine them Lautrec forced to fight by the Suisses Lautrec resolued rather to hazard his armie by a battaile then to giue any occasion to be suspected of cowardise An vnfortunate condition of a commander who sees himselfe a slaue to those whom he should command and what a greefe is it to be forced to doe that which must needs bring shame and confusion but where force raigneth right hath no place The day of Quasimodo the armie marcheth towards Bicocque The marshall of Foix led the foreward Lautrec the Marshall of Chabannes the bastard of Sauoy and Galeas of Saint Seuerin the battaile Francis Maria Duke of Vrbin with the Venetian armie the reerward Count Peter of Nauarre marched before to make the way The Lord of Montmorency should assaile them on the one side with eight thousand Suisses Lescut with three hundred Launces and a squadron of French and Italian foote should charge at the Bridge entring into the enemies lodging and Pontdormy should marche before the Marshall of Foix with a troupe of horse to watch least the Imperials should come behinde and disorder the armie and likewise to succour where neede should require Besides force Lautrec vsed this pollicie to raise the men at armes to set red crosses vpon their Cassocks the marke of the imperiall armie in steed of a white the liuerie of France But the prouidence of Colonne made this deuise fruitlesse as we shall see On the other side Colonne had sent for Sforce who hauing sodenly assembled foure hundred horse and six thousand of the commons was set to garde the bridge and all the troupes were put in battaile vpon the Trench Montmorency accompanied with a gâ—eat number of the Nobilitie was come close to the enemies rampar intreating the Suisses to attend the Artillerie The battaile of Bicocquâ— and that the Marshall of â—oix should be ready to assaile them on the other side that Colonne being charged on all sides might be constrained to diuide his forces But a rash furie transporting the Suisses to their owne ruine all runne furiously to the enemies Fort. The Canon entertaines them before they approach and kills aboue a thousand of them A vollee of small shotte kills most of theiâ— Captaines and chiefe Souldiers and the Rampar being aboue a Pike in height stayes them sodenly The Earle of Montfort eldest sonne to the Earle of Laual Miolans of Sauoye Grauille brother to the Vidame of Chartres Roquelaure la Guiche the Lords of Tournon and Longa Launay a Gentleman of the Kings Chamber and many others dyed there Colonell Albert Peter who aboue all others thrust them into this furie suffred the paynes of his rashenesse
The pesants and montaâ—â—ers lying in ambush in the straights and narrow passages along the Alpes and issuing forth sodainly sometimes vppon the scowts sometimes vppon the reerward stayed them euery two hundred paces to defend themselues hauing no meanes to offend this swarme of men who being charged vanished by crooked and vnknowne wayes Fiftie men of the Countrie resolute for all euents had shutt themselues in a fort called our Ladies Tower with an intent to shoote at the Emperour in the passage and all of them at one instant to discharge their harguebuses But they take Martha for Marie they kill a Nobleman with a rich coat of armes and followed by a troupe of men which did him great honour The Emp. brings the canon batters the Tower forceth them to yeeld at his pleasure to purge the offence they had made sends them al to be hanged Moreouer being aduertised that a great number of pesants women children catttel were hidden in the ground in a wood on the side of a mountaine he caused the wood to be fired in many places aboue the wind so as all were miserably burnt or slaine A stratageme which did so incense the people against the Emperour as neuer any of his men fell into their hands but he made tryall of a most tragicke and cruel death These first fruits might induce the Emperour to drawe a consequence from the lesse to the greater in comparison of these people vnacquainted with armes with those whome nature â—nd exercise had instructed and to make him knowe that it was no small enterprise to aâ—saile a King of France at his doore But this troubled his minde Hee thought in the beginning of this warre to haue 〈◊〉 disgraced the King with the Germains and Suisses as he should drawe no men from them Notwithstanding aduertised that besides the eight thousand Suisses leuied by Lewis of Anguerrand Lord of Boisrigault Stephen d' Aigne Lord of Beauuais and William Lord of Isernay gentlemen of the Kings house had made a leuie of the like number all which had in a manner ioyned with the Marshall of Montmorency who had nowe about thirty thousand men in his campe he is nowe much greeâ—ed in his heaâ—t that hauing in the former warres wonne so many happy victories vnder the command of his Captaines now marching in person with so strong and mightie an army after he had published his triumphes throughout the world he should performe no honorable exploit of war Therefore the 15. of August he makes choise of three thousand Spaniards foure thousand Italians and fiue thousand Lansquenets and takes in his coÌ„panie the Duke of Alba a Spaniard Alphonse d' Aualos the Marquis of Guast and Don Fernand Gonsagne Italians and the Cont Horne a Germaine followed with all the floâ—er of his horsemen and aduanceth neere to Marsâ—illes hee goes himselfe in person 〈◊〉 vewe the Towne being couered with the ruines of a house lately beat down an◠〈◊〉 forth the Marquis to marke a conuenient place for the planting of his artillery agâ—inst the weakest place of the Towne This resolution had beene good when as the Kings forces were not yet vnited and his people terrefied by the sodaine and vnexpected landing of so mightie an enemie The watch vpon the rampars discouered the Marquis they send forth men to compasse him in behinde if there were no more then those which appeared with him Hee retires towards the place from whence hee parted and by his retreat they discouer a greater number of men behind that ruined house They set vpon them that issued forth and some Cannon shot scatter the stoanes kill some and hurt otherâ— This first amazement carried the Emperour to his Campe after hee had appointed the Duke of Alba and the Cont Horne to stay about Marseilles and the Marquis of Guast with twelue hundred horse and six enseigns of foote to go and vewe Arles that if they found it not able to bee taken by assault he would come thether with all his forces In the meane time least the first that sallied forth should fall into some ambush they send other fresh men in fregats and boats armed who going along the shoare get aboue the place where they had seene the harnes shine and landing take a compasse among the mirtells and other bushes which grow in that Countrie The Duke discouers them and to busie them sends certaine horses to drawe the whole troupe which followed vpon them Our men had the like desseine and when as the enemies whole strength appeeres they seeme amazed retire without order and drawe them that pursued towards an open plaine commanded by the Cannon and turning their backes saue them selues among the bushes The Cannon plaies and passing through the Imperialls makes heads legges and armes to flie into the aire so pittifully mangled as the cries of them that died the terror of them that fled and the amazement of them that were found turnes them all into a hastie flight the soldiars hidden in the bushes makes a furious sally vpon them that fled the Duke gathereth againe his men far from the shoare into a valley couered with rockes and hilles and hauing vewed them hee found his number greatly diminished amongest others those of the Cont Horne and of an other Germaine Captaine his nere kinseman The Marquis of Guast had alreadie discouered that they had abated a little hiâ—l 〈◊〉 did ouerlooke the Towne of Arles vpon the which a few peeces of artillerie being planted would haue held the Towne in great subiection Arles is seated vppon Rosne at the point where it parts in two and runs with two mouths into the sea mâ—king an Iland which they call Camarole Iohn Carraciol a Neapolitane Prince of Melphe commanded there as the Kings Lieutenant with a thousand foot Gascons of the troupes of Iohn of Foix Eaâ—le of Caâ—maine a thousand Champanois vnder the commaund of Iohn Anglure Lord of Iour two thousand others vnder the enseigns of the Lords of Marieu of Daulphiné la Goute a Bourbonois du Palais of the Countie of â—oix and the Baron of Rixâ—u of Languedoc to euery one fiue hundred and Bonneual about a hundred and thirtie men at armes As the Marquis lying in ambush behind certaine windmils viewed the weakest parts of the Towne being discouered Anthony of Anâ—ienâ—ilâ—e Lord oâ— Villiers Commissarie of the artillery plants two peeces of artillery so 〈◊〉 against these mills as if the Marquis seeing them giue fire had not slipt aside hee had there ended his dayes So as the Marquis frustrate of his hope either to surprise or to forâ—e the Towne of Arles 〈◊〉 his way to Marseilles Marseilles was beseeged by the Dâ—ke of Alba more in shew then with any hope to force it and onely with an expectation to draw the beseeged to some rasâ—â—allie or to haue the Kings armie to come to succour them and then to fight with them wâ—th an aduaÌ„tage With this desseine the Emperour lay so neere as
troupe of others in the moneth of Aprill 1545. fired many villages neere vnto Merindol pâ—t many of the Countrimen into the gallies spoyled razed and burnt Merindoll being vnpeopled tooke Cabrieres by composition and against his faith in cold bloud hee cut in peeces fiue and twentie or thirtie men chosen at his pleasure rauished â—iues and yong virgins burnt about fortie in a barne whereof the most part were with child put aboue eight hundred to the sword and carried away many prisoners to Marsâ—â—lles Aix and Auignon This did too farre exceed a decree giuen against seuenteene persons abusing the Kings authoritie with too great violence who in his latter age toucht with a remorâ—e of conscience by reason of this horrible proceeding against his subiects whome hee had too lightly abandoned to these butchers greeued that hee could not before his death punish the authors of these murthers exemplarly lying in the bed of death he commanded Henry his sonne expresly King Francis touched in conscience not to make his memory hatefull vnto strangers nor subiect to the wrath of God in not punishing of this guilt Euen so that great King Dauid amongst other dispositions of his last will Thou knowest said hee to him that should sit on the throne after him what Ioab the sonne of Tseruia hath done vnto me and what he hath done to the two Commaunders of the armies of Israel Abner the son of Ner and Amasa the son of Iether whom he hath slaine hauing shed bloud in time of peace Thou shalt not suffer his white haires to descend with peace into the graue But Salomon performed his fathers will more religiously Yet one at the least must suffer for many the chance fell vpon one that was least guiltie named Guerin an aduocate by proâ—ession who was hanged at Paris The Cardinall of Tournon Grignan and la Garde were in some trouble but more feared then hurt Menier escaped but hee died after being tragically possessed with a furie and a secret fire which consumed his bowels Gods iust iudgements vpoâ— murther The people of Guienne reconciled to the Kings fauour The yeare ended with the death of two famous personages Pope Paul the ninth of Nouember to whome succeeded Cardinall Iohn Maria Bishop of Mantoua and the vertuous Princesse Marguerite of Valois sister to King Francis deceased and wife to Henry of Albret King of Nauarre the fourteenth of December They say commonly that for all offences there needes but one satisfaction Seeing then that by the punishment of the cheefe authors of the sedition in Guienne the King had pardoned the commons he was not so inexorable but for a small satisfaction they were easily admitted to fauour so as in October past they of Bourdeaux had obteyned a remission binding themselues perpetually to his Maiestie To entertaine at sea for euer as wel they as their desceâ—dants two ships furnished for the warre to vittle the Castle of Trompet and du Ha and to renewe the victuals euery yeare By this meanes their Parliament was restored in Ianuarie and all things setled in their former estate By their example the three estates of Poictou Xaintonge Angoulmois Perigort Limosin and la Marche in the beginning of this yeare obteyned abolition of the custome vppon salt in Guienne paying foure hundred and fiftie thousand franks and fiue and twentie thousand for the satisfaction of the Kings officers of the said custome Then sprong there many and sundrie fiâ—ebrands of warre But before wee quarrell with the Emperour the English must yeeld vs Boullen The fort which the Lord of Chastillon had built in the yeere 1548. annoyed them much and the recouery of the forts of Selaque Blaeonnet and Bonlamberg and so many men defeated by the surprise of them gaue the Duke of Summerset and the Earle of Warwike to vnderstand that there was no thing but blowes to bee gotten in maintayning the warres of Boullen Moreouer the diuisions of England 1550. and the warre of Scotlanâ— called home their troupes So as for the summe before specified Peace with the Eâ—glish payable at two termes a peace was againe concluded with the English and Boullen restored to the King into the which his Maiesty made his entrye the 5. of May and did his homage wherevnto the Kings of France are bound by the institution of Lewis the XI as we â—aue elsewhere obserued Hereafter those small sparkles which began to appeare after the murther of Peter Lewis sonne to Pope Paul Farnese deceased slaine by his houshold seruants by the perswasion of Andrew Doria and Ferdinand Gonzague with the priuity and consent of the Emperour to seize vpon the Citty of Plaisance with the more facillity haue kindled so great fires as we shall see France Germany and Italy in combustion Paul had giuen â—arma to Octauian Farnâ—se sonne to the said Peter Lewis whereof he had institution of Iulâ—o his successor This Peter Lewis inclined much to the French party He had giuen victualls and ayde to Peter Strossy when as he came into the Countrie of Plaisance with â—ome forces for the seruice of the most Christian King and that which more inceâ—â—â—d the Imperialls he was suspected to haue assisted the Cont of â—iesque in an enterease made vpon Genes for the kings seruice the yeare 1547. in the which Ianeim Doria was slaine and Andrew Doria expelled This caused the death of Peter Lewis Faâ—nese Octauian his sonne had married the Emperours bastard daughter But they say that charity begins by it selfe The Emperour did labour him much he would gladly ioyne Parma to Plaisance that by lawfull meanes letting the Pope to vnderstand That Parma being of the patrimony of the Church the which was in his protection he ought to be preferred before Farnese seeing that Farnese could not keepe it but wiâ—h the men and money of his holmes The Pope being of a base mettall and fearing the touch tempted with the Emperours practises sends to Duke Octauian That he could no more furnish the extraordinary charges wherewith he had promised to assist him and Farnese finding that the Emperour laide this plot to dispossesse him off his inheritance he seekes a strong support in France against his father in-lawes practises The king who had not renounced the auncient pretensions of the house of Orleans to the Duchie of Milan declares himselfe but with the Popes good liking protector of the patrimony of the Church and of the Farneses The Emperour is in a rage who with his violent exclamations so terrifies the Pope as he abandons his vassall Octauian The Pope on the other side nothing well affected to the French grew bitter against the King he commands him to renownce this protection and for not obeying hee threatens to curse boâ—â— him his realme Thus Iulio the 2. not able to satisfy his greedy desire with the keies of S. Peter he vnsheaths the sword of S. Paul kindling by his madnesse these deadly diuisions throughout all Christendome as if the
Gouernour of Bapaulme being more vigilant incounters them betwixt a wood a village and a riuer chargeth them and in a moment takes from them both their bootie and their liues at his discretion The Imperialls seeing Mariâ—mbourg victualed opposed a Fort called Giuets whence forraging all the neighbour Countrie they did starue Mariembourg Twentie thousand foote some enseignes of the old Spanish bands and fiue or sixe thousand Reistres vnder the command of Count Farlemont camped about this Forte to hinder an othâ—r victualing conducted by the Duke of Neuers the Admirall Sansac Bourdillon and others with eight hundred men at armes eight hundred light horse and some eight thousand foote The 26. of Iuly the French horse charge the Reisters and driue them into their fort then seeing the Imperials loth to make any farther aduenture the time bâ—ing very tainie and vnseasonable want of forrage colde hungar and many other discomâ—odities caused them to sound a retreat and to leaue the third victualing of Mariembourg to Sansac and Bourdillon after the which the rigour of the season and the iniuries of the aire forced both parties to liue in rest Whilest they remaine quiet vpon the fronter let vs visit them beyond the mountaines The Marshall of Brissac had the winter past seized vpon Yuree and â—ielle War beyond the Alpes in the spring he had fortified S. Iaco taken Crepacuore surprized by the industrie of Captaine Saluoison gouernor of Verrue Cazal the storehouse of victuall and munition prepared by the Imperials for the recouerie of Piedmont ruined Poman S. Saluador and other small places not to be held and vneasily fortified in any short time About the end of Iuly the Duke of Alua successor to Gonsaque in the gouernment of Lombardie went to field with twenty thousand foote foure thousand hoâ—se and forty Canons who at the first besieged S. Iaco but he found good resistance Birague Vimeâ—cat commanding in the place forced him to retire to fortifie at the bridge of Sture hoping to vanquish those by famine who had repulsed his attempts by force The Marshall being fortified from the King with foure thousand horse fourteene thousand â—oote lead by the Duke of Anguien Prince of Conde Dukes of Aumalâ— Nemours Vidame of Chartres Aubigni Gonnor Vantadour d' Vrfé la Chastre and Lâ—de with a great number of voluntarie gentlemen besieged Vulpian defeated the succâ—â—s which the Duke of Alua sent tooke the high and the lowe towne by force and the Castle by composition Montâ—aluo both Towne and Castle after the dismanteling oâ— Vulpian followed the conquerours fortune the French made these conquests in September and October the remainder of the yeare was more quiet But before we proceed let vs speake something of the warres of Siene which beginning long before were ended this yeare The insupportable behauiour of Don Diego of Mendosa gouernour of Siene forthe Emperour had driuen the Cittizens to put themselues into the Kings protection and to bring into their Cittie foure thousand men vnder the command of the Earle of Peâ—illano who being entred force the Spaniards kill some and expell the rest by composition These men chased from Siene seize vpon Orbittello fortifie it After the siege of Metz the Emperour sent Don Garsie of Toledo Viceroy of Naples with fifteene hundred horse and twelue thousand foote to spoile the Countrie of Siene and the King to crosse him sends the Lorde of Termes with twelue thousand foote besides the Inhabitants of the Countrie all hauing vowed to roote out the gouernement of the Spaniards Termes being entred hee prouided for the fortification of tâ—e Cittie and assured himselfe of Montselice Montelie and Montalâ—in against the threats of the viceroy and of Aseanius dela Corne attending the arriuall of Peter Strossy who came with the title of Lieutenant generall for the King with a good troupe of men at armes Strossy being arriued hee makes newe leuies in Italie Cosme Duke of Florence giues intelligence to the Pope and Emperour all ioyne togither to send home the French giuing the charge of their coÌ„mon army to Iames of Medicis Marquis of Marignan The Marquis beseegeth Siene and at his first approch had almost surprised it by night the fortifications being not yet finished The Sienois withstand him giue him the repulse Sienne beseeged and kill many of his men He then incamps before the Towne spoiles the Country and had already reduced them to necessity while that Strossy was busied to prouide for the other places within the estate of Siene Strossy comes into the Towne and goes presently to field againe with six hundred men he surpriseth Ralphe Baillon and Ascanius de la Corâ—e who had an enterprise vpon Chiusi he defeates their troupes kills Baillon and sends Ascanius prisoner to the King Tâ—e King releeued him with newe supplies in Tuscane and likewise in the Isle of Corsâ—â— where the Lord of Termes had taken from the Genouois partisans to the Emperour the Townes of Saint Florent and Saint Boniface a port of the sea These last succors consisted of fiue thousand Suisses and Gascons with some light horse And whilest they take breath in Siene Strossy makes a second sallie with fiue hundred good horse and six thousand choise foote takes Montcalin and Montcarlo from the Duke of Florence and by this stratageme he forceth the Marquis to leaue Sienne for to succour the Florentin then seeing the Marquis fortified with newe troupes hee returnes with his men to Siena Moreouer Leo brother to Peter Strossy ranne along the coast of Tuscane and spoiled the ports belonging to the Duke of Florence But as he approched too neere to Scarlin to discouer the place he was slaine with a shot Strossy to reuenge this death comes to coÌ„tinue the seege attending the succours which the Lord of Montlue brought Montlue being arriued Strossy makes an army compounded of 600. Italians two thousand Gascons two thousand Suisses two thousand fiue hundred Lansquenets and about a thousand horse with which troupes hee resolued to sight with the enemy if he presented himselfe hauing left the gard of Siena to Montlue he went to batter Ciuitelle in the territory of Florence The Marquis goes to succour it and at his arriuall chargeth Strossy who makes head against him and both the one and the other bathe the field with a great effusion of bloud Strossy leaues Ciuitelle to set vpon Foian a strong and a rich place hee batters it and the first day takes it by assault cutting Charlot Vrsin in peeces with all those that kept it spoiles it and abandons all to fire and sword But see a troublesome Catastrophe The Marquis approcheth better furnished with artillerie and Strossy marcheth towards Montpulcian fauoring the retreate of his men with many and rough skirmishes Then the Italians beeing the chiefe strength of his army slippe from him and leaue him much inferiour to the Marquis who following with speed ouertooke him betwixt Martian Lucignan and Foyan giues him
battaile Strossy entertaynes it and with a bloudie fight giues testimony of the valour of his courage But Bighet an Italian being enseigne Colonnell of the army turnes his backe cowardly and the French sauing their liues after him by the nimblenesse of their legges leaue the horse the Gascons and the Suisses to endure the charge who had rather die with their armes in their hands then turne their backs Bighet and the Earle of Alte were afterwards beheaded the first as being the principall cause of this defeate the other for that he had cowardly yeelded Lusignan a place impregnable They reckon two thousand fiue hundred slaine some say foure thousaÌ„d besides a great number wounded to the death and fiue or six hundred prisoners Strossy saued himselfe in Montalein the Marquis recouered Foyan Martian Lucignan some other places which euen then began to force the Sienois to obey the Conquerours command who camped before their towne with all his forces Montluc comforts them and confirmes their resolutions but the comming of Strossy with two enseigns of foot and two companies of men at armes saued in this ship wrake reuiued them more the which he did hazard in fauour of the beseeged vpon a report of the death of Montluc Montluc foreseeing that bread would sooner faile the beseeged then courage had alreadie set an order for euery mans diet The Marquis repulsed by the losse of six hundred men at a sâ—alado giuen in the night to the Cittadell and the fort of Camollia and finding that by skirmishes batteries assaults intelligences nor other stratagems he should neuer bee maister of Siene he reâ—olues vpon the longer but the more easie expedient so as the watches the toyles the diâ—eases and worst of all famine and dispaire of succours forced Montluc the twentie one of Aprill this yeare to saue the rest of his men by an honorable composition which is read at large in the historie of the warres of Italie Siene fell afterwards into the hands of the Duke of Florence· and the Marquis for that he had prolonged the warre of Siene contrary to the Emperours liking and wasted a mightie armie before it died in disgrace in the end of the same yeare Now the Emperour whose humour wee haue sufficiently learned by the discourse of the historie shrinking vnder the burthen of the affaires of this world wearied with the toyles of warre toucht with some remorse for the bloud spilt in those long and mournefull wars of Christendome being perswaded that his discords with our Kings had made the Turke to preuaile much in diuers parts of Europe his coming of late in fauour of the French to the Isle of Corse to assist them at the seege of Calui and Saint Boniface to ayd them to conquer the Island then in their retreat to spoyle the coast of Tuscane to beseege Plombin and the Isle of Elbe of the territorie of Florence to afflict the estates of Naples Sicile and Calabria with infinite miseries and being laden with great spooles to carrie away without controule and to sell infinite numbers of Christian soules at Constaneinople and other places These considerations caused him to call Philippe his sonne from England to Bruxelles The Emperour resignes his Kingdome to his sonne where by autentike letters of the fiue and twentith of October hee resigned al his realmes vnto him commaunding all his estates and subiects to acknowledge him as their true and lawfull King aduising him particularly among other exhortations To make a peace and entertaine loue with the King of France vniting their common forces rathet for the defence then oppression of Christendome Philip was inclyned to peace and his wife Mary Qâ—eene of England more who desired to hold him by her to raise vp an heire for the Realme and by the confirmation of the old religion to restore the Clergie to the possession of their lands held by the Nobilitie So as a truce was concluded for fiue yeeres but it was as soone broken as made Paul the fourth was enemie to the Spaniards and the Colonnes suspecting him to be of the French faction as in trueth the house of Caraffes had of old time fauoured the title of our Kings to the realme of Naples sought to assure their estates and persons To this end they held some secret assemblies within Rome in the houses of Marc Anthony Colonne and the Cardinall of Saint Fior enemies to the house of France The Pope to crosse them imprisons this Cardinall in the Castle of Saint Angelo with Camille Colonne Iulian Cesarin and the Abbot of Bresâ—gue he summons Marc Anthonie and plants gards and sentinels throughout all the Cittie The Colonnes and their adherents flie to the Castillian He commaunds the Duke of Alua to succour them The Duke marcheth with that desseine and takes from the Pope about Rome Anagne Pilastine Segne Tiuoli and by the seege and taking of Ostia cuts off the victuals fâ—om Rome and the Colonnois fortifying themselues about Rome kept the Pope mewed vp within compasse of his wals The Pope appeales to the King for ayd and sends him by his nephew the Cardinall Caraffe a triumphant hatt with a stately sword Our two Kings did not greatly loue their ancient hatred and discontents were yet fresh and their houshold flatterers to whome common confusions did serue as a ladder to aduaâ—ce their estats and to inrich their houses whereas peace sends the most of them home to line priuately 1557 were glad that Rome kindled the coales of newe quarrells betwixt their maisters So the French meaning to crosse the Castillian in fauour of the Pope sent Strossy Marshall of France in the place of the Lord of Sedan lately deceased after his returne from prison out of the Lowe Countries to oppose against the Spaniards attending the succors led by the Duke of Guise The Duke of Guise arriued at Turin with about fifteene thousand foote eight hundred men at armes and twelue hundred light horse being assured of supplies so soone as the warres should begin hauing ioyned his foâ—ces with those of the Marshall of Brissac he marcheth directly to Valence making this his colour that the garrison had shot at the French going to succour the Pope and for that it was secretly giuen out that the French had taken Pauia hee amazeth Spoluerin who kept the Towne with two thousand men summons him to yeeld threatning him to put all to fire and sword if he enter by force Thus Spoluerin being terr fied departs with bagge and baggage Valenâ—e taken and looseth his head at Pauia for a reward of his base cowardise Oâ— the other side Strossy Montluc and others which were in Rome With Ostia and other places issue forth with sixe hundred horse and fiâ—e thousand foote recouer Osâ—ia by composition and expell the Spaniards from Velitres Tuscule Marin Groteferrate Palesan Saint Angelo Saint Paul Vico Valerio and other small places in the territories of Rome The Duke of 〈◊〉 retreat had opened the way
to the Towne being opened â—alaâ—s taken and the beseeged sodainely surprised without hope of speedy succouâ—s first the castle and then the towne returned to the obedience of this crowne as gâ—adly as we haue seene her antient Burgesses bid their poore desolate country mournfully farewell in the yeare 1347. The county of Oye 1558. and all the forts the English held there returned likewise to the subiection of their first and lawfull Lord. Guines and other places dismantled spare the cost which should be consumed in the defence thereof On the other side the Duke of Neuers did take for the King the Castle of Herbemont the forts of Iamoigne Chigny Rossignol and Villeneufue The Daulphin married to Mary 〈◊〉 of Scotlâ—nd Thus their sorrow was turned into ioye their hearts panting yet with that bloudy battell of S. Laurence The Court was partaker of this ioy celebrating the 28. of Aprill in the midest of these prosperities the marriage of Francis Daulphin of Viennois with Mary Steward Queene of Scotland daughter to Iames the 5. and Mary of Lorraine daughter of Claude Duke of Guise During these happy victories and coniunctions of alliances the Duchesse Dowager of Lorraine laboured to increase these solemne and publike ioyes by the conclusion of a peace betwixt the two kings The Cardinall brother to the Duke of Guise met with her at Peronne to that intent but this parâ—e without effect hastened the execution of an enterprise vpoÌ„ Theonuâ—lle the which being battered froÌ„ the 5 to the 21. of Iune with fiue and thirty Canons and the mynes ready to plaie receiued an honourable composition The proiect of this prize is giuen to the Duke of Neuers the glory of the execution to the Duke of Guise and the Duke of Nemours the Marshall of Strossy who was slaine there with a shot vnder his left pappe the Duke of Guise leaning on his shoulder as they caused a platforme to bee vndermined the Lords of Montluc Theonâ—â—â—le taken by the French Vâ—elleuillâ— and Bourdillon had the honour to haue giuen good testimonies of their valours in this prize Chigny taken afterwards from the Wallons was fortified Arlon Villemont and Rossignol burnt and made vnprofitable for the warre The English in the meane time spoyled the coasts of Normandy and Picardy and the King to stop their courses prepares two small armies one at la Fere vnder the Duke of Aumale the other at Calais vnder the Marshall of Termes who succeeded Stroâ—â—y The Marshall attempts Berghes they feared not the French there the towns which the Spaniards held vpon that coast were ill furnished he takes it sacks it and by that meanes opens the way to Dunkerk Dunkerkâ— being taken and spoyled in foure dayes inriched both the souldiers and boyes of the armie But the Flemings force them to make restitution the Marshall camped before Grauelines and the Cont Aiguemont Lieutenant for the King of Spaine in the Lowe Countries hauing speedily assembled out off the neighbour garrisons and of other forces about sixtâ—ene thousand foote a thousand or twelue hundred Reâ—stres and two thousand horse cuts off his way vpon the Riuer of A which comes from S. Omer and forceth him to fight At the first charge the French army ouerthrowes some squadrons of horse but at the second shocke The Marshall of â—ermes defeated the Marshall is hurt and taken with Villehon Senarpont Moruilliers and Chaune a great number of Captaines and souldiars are slaine vpon the place and all the troupes so discomfited as of all the companies of men at armes of three corners of light horse Scottishmen fourteene enseigns of French foot and eighteene of Lansquenets fewe escaped death or imprisonmentâ— a wound which reuiued the â—â—ar of S. Laurence and did frustrate the Duke of Guise his enterprise vpon Luxembourg but it was partly recompenced by the Lord of Kersimon vpon six or seuen thousand English Flemings which landed at the hauen of CoÌ„quest spoyling and burning the weakest parts of the coast of Brittain This was in the end of Iuly The Duke of Guise fayling of Luxembourg came to lodge at Pierrepont in Tirasâ—â—e and there â—ortified with seauen Cornâ—ts of Reistres brought by William younger sonne to Iohn Frederick Elector of Saxony and a newe regiment of Lansquenets led by Iacob of Ausbourg made the French army as strong as the yeare before Aboue all others were most apparant the companies of the Duke of Guise Lieutenant geneâ—all of the Dukes of Montpensier Neuers Aumale Bouillon Nemours Saxony Lunembourg of the Prince of Roche-sur-yon of the Prince of Salerne of the Cont Charny the Marshall S. Andre the Marquis of Elheuf and of the Lords of Rochefoucault Randan Curton Montmoâ—ency the Constables elâ—est sonne Esâ—henets Roche du-Mâ—â—â—e Ienlis La Veuguion Mourdillon Tauanes of Beâ—uuais The light horse of the Earles of Eu and Roissy of the Lords of Valete Bueil Laigny Rottigotty Lombay and others wherof the Duke of Nemours was generall and so great a number of â—ermaines Suisses and Frenchmen as this flourishing armie of men lodging neere to Amiens along the riuer of Somme preuailed much for the treatie of peace which followed soone after Philip had his armie likewise vpon the riuer of Anthie both intrenched and fortified with artillerie as if they meant to continue there and in time to tire one another Some moneths passe without any other exploite then inroades and light skirmishes In the end the eternall God of armes who from his heauenly throne beheld tâ—e seate of these two mightie armies changed the bitternesse of former warre into a pleasiâ—g peace confirmed by alâ—iances the yeare following The Abbie of Cercamp vpon the limits of Arthois and Picardie gaue tâ—e first entâ—ie And as the Constable being freed from prison the Marshall of S. Andrew the Cardinall of Lorraine Moâ—uilliers Bishop of Orleans and Aâ—bestiâ—e Secretarie of State assâ—mbled for the King treated with the Duke of Alua the Prince of Orange Regomes de Silues Cupbearer to King Philip Granduelle Bâ—shop of Arras and Vigle of Zuichem President of the Councell of State of the Lowe Countries behold the death of Charles the 5. Emperour chancing in September and that of Mary Queene of England aâ—out the middest of Nouember changed both the place and the time of this conclusion Castle Cambresis had the honour to finish it at the second conference the which was confirmed by the marriages of Philip with Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Henry of Phillibert Emanuel Duke of Sauoy with Marguerite the Kings onely sister and of Charles Duke of Loâ—raine with Claude a yoâ—ger daughter of France The King yeelded to the Castillan all that hee had taken from him as well on this side as beyond the mountaines To the Sauoyard he restored Bresse Sauoy Piedmont to the Genouoiâ— the Isle of Corse and about foure hundred places more conquered during these â—atall and pernitious Warres which had made so many Prouinces desolate ruined so many Castâ—es Villages
which he had receiued from the Prince of Condé to bring him forces to Orleans which succeeded ill for him as we shall see Burâ—e and Montluc did run vp and downe the country to crosse the Protestants desseines and those of Bourdeaux hauing too slackly proceeded in an enterprise made against the towne and Castles caused the Parlement to search their houses and to put them to death who had not in time retyred themselues vnder Duras Enseignes Montluc incensed especially against them of Agen tryed all his wits to bring them vnder his power and command He had against him the Lord of Memy Generall of the warre for the Protestants in Guienne and the neighbour countrie a sickly man and not greatly practised in such affaires for if he had made benefit of the great forces which he had at his command and would haue beleeued Arpaion and Marchastell hee might in shewe haue cut Montluc in peeces beeing much weaker of men who knowing the carriage of his aduersary wearied him with dayly courses and alarums to the contempt of the Protestants which fell into his hands as hee himselfe doth vaunt in his Commentaries a true portrait and table where wee may read at large the horrible desolations chanced in those countries during the first troubles In the ende those of Agen seeing their Towne vnable to resist the Canon make a troupe of about sixe hundred men and retyre for the most part to the Castle of Penne committed by Duras to Captaine Liouran The next day the common people of Agen troupe together spoile and kill all they meete Bury and Montluc flye thither they execute many prisoners and such as were absent they hang in picture Duras not able to diuert this heauy accident takes the way of Quercy wins Lausette by force kils fiue hundred threscore and seuen men amongst the which nine score fourteene Priests were found slaine without any respect oftheir order through this detestable warlike insolencie For a counterchange Montluc comes to beseege the Castle of Penne forceth the place after the death of Liouran puts man woman child to the sword and continuing the course of his prosperitie takes and sackes Castel-ialoux Marmande Saint Macaire Bazas Tâ—ncins Port S. Mary Villeneufue of Agenois the castle of Duras and Montsegur leauing bloudie trophies of an vnciuill and pitifull victorie Lectoure the capitall Towne of Armagnac was at the Prince of Condés deuotiâ—â— Bugole a Captaine of Bearne and a Catholike commanded there who by the taking of Sauuetat of Gaure Lectoure of Larromien and of Tarraube had assured the Protestants of his constant affection to their party Monluc sends Captaine Peirot his sonne to suppresse Bugole Peirot treates with Bugole and reapes the fruites which follow by his paâ—â—e Captaine Mesmes lead two hundred souldiars to fortifie Lectoure Bugole cauâ—eth them to stay vpon the way vnder colour to send them a garde to make their passage easie And to this intent he speedily sends to field three hundred men at armes fiâ—e and forty Argoleters himselfe leads other troupes of foote to Tarraube that by the weakning of Lectoure Peirot might haue meanes with his men at armes to hinder the returne of the troupes of Tarraube to Lectoure and by the same stratagem cuts off the passage for Captaine Mesme leauing him in prey at Roquebrune a poore village from whence he passed through his enemies being 4. or 5. to one and retired into â—earâ— Moreouer although Tarraube were vnfurnished of meale and water yet hee kept his footmen therein that being besieged they might more easily be at Petâ—ots mercy as it afterwards fell out And to fill vp the measure of his treacheries soone after the yeelding vp of Tarraube he with a brother of his followed Peirots enseignes against his plighted faith he beheld him to cut in peeces 231. prisoners at Tarraube hang some and ransome many Bearn Monluc aduertised hereof assembles the commons with six companies of foot besiegeth Lectoure makes a breach giues an assault in foure places Brimont giues him the repulse hauing not with him aboue 100. souldiars a weake number the which induced him in the end together with the Queene of Nauarres intreatie to whom the Towne belonged to depart by composition Duras in Guyenne Now we must performe our promise touching the exploits of Duras in Guyenne with the first forces he had gathered together he tried to assure Bourdeaux but hauing failed of his desseine he chose the country betwixt the riuer of Garonne Dordonne to review his troupes S. Macaire gaue him bullets as he passed in steed of victuals kils some of his men His fâ—rst defeate He is offended therewith assaults the towne forceth it takes his reuenge of the former outrage Burie Monluc pursue him they knew well that hauing slaine him all Guienne vnfurnished of a coÌ„mander would be at their discretion they ouertake him neere to Rozan and charge him at their aduantage being abandoned by the most part of his company which were vnwarlike and not capable of discipline This first check was sufficient to make him abandon all yet the cause whereof he had taken the defence did summon him once more to trie the hazard of armes He gathers together what he can assembles new forces takes the way of Agenois and of Querâ—y helps them of Agen reuengeth his iniuries vpon Lauâ—erte as we haue heard marcheth towards S. Antonin and there fortifies himselfe with two companies of foot lead by Marchastel His meaning was to go into Languedoc and ioyne with the Lord of Crâ—sol but the Earle of Rochefoucault inuites him to the succour of Orleans for a gard sends him Bordet a valiant gentleman of Xaintonge with 60. horse 200. Argoletiers 〈◊〉 enseigns of foot These troupes consisting of about 5000. men horse and foot march to Montauâ—an there they receâ—ue men munition artillery and so turne to Xaintonge in the way they force the Castle of Marcues take the Bishop of Cahors there threaten to hang him as the author of a massacre made of the Protestants within his diocesse fiue or six souldiars made satisfaction for this offence by their deaths Bordet had a splene against them of Sarlat they had in his passage slaine two of his gentlemen A great error So at his perswasion Duras incampes before it the 1. of Octob. Burie and Monluc â—â—ie to succour it with a great number of horse and some 8000. foote Duras raiseth the siege and to lodge at ease diuides his men into Heudreux Ver and other places neere the rainie wether gaue them likewise some impression and confidence of the enemies temporising But they were vigilant fearing lesse the iniurie of the aire then Duras they came thundring vpon him Without doubt when 2. armies are neere together the first that makes his retreat giues the other an aduantage Duras who supposed they had bin but the enimies scouts determined to retire softly to put
being apprehended 〈◊〉 vertue of a commission graunted by the Parliament were led to Toulouse and conceâ—â—ned some to the gallies others were fined some banished At Limoux they had aduantage ouer the Catholiks but Pomas being entred with tenne companies and eâ—ght hundred bandoliers Spaniards for the most part and the Marshall of Mirepoix being sent by the Parliament the Towne was subiect to the will of the stronger and suffered the ordinarie insolencies of conquerours robbings murthers and rapes He that sees his neighbours house on fire should looke to his owne So the Protestonts of Besiers aduertised of the murther of Vassy Besiers draw some souldiars vnto them and ruine the images in all the Churches Beaudiné cheefe of the Protestants troupes assisted them and by the taking of Magalas and Espignan strong places which did much annoy Besiers assured the towne to their partie Ioyeuze followed by 5000. men 12. peeces of artillerie crossed their attempts hauing at the second assault forced Lezignan taking Montagnac by composition he tooke the way to Pezenas Beauâ—iné comes against him and might easily haue defeated him but fiue hundred Crownes which the master of his campe had receiued of Ioyeuze with promise of a thousand more made him loose about six score souldiars and by the rout of his companies opened the gates of Pezenas to Ioyeuze Besiers was readie to receiue a law from him but the sacke and murther of their neighbours and the feare of the like vsage made them to shut their gates against him and to go to field to force and burne Lignan with the defeat of two companies that kept it and then to surprise Seruian to force the garrison of Câ—souls scale Villeneufue neere vnto Besiers and so to preserue themselues vntill the publication of the peace Beaucaire Beaucaire feared like vsage to Limoux They therefore obteyne two companies from Nismes S. Veran a Beauuoisin with Seruas and Bouillargues lead them they assure the Towne and Castle ruine images and altars and then retire leauing a companie for the safetie of their companions To incounter them the Catholiks by twylight bring in a great number of souldiars attyred like pesants and in the night open the gates to fifteene or sixteene hundred men who comming from Tarascon separated onely by the Rhone made their coming famous by bloud and sacke The Protestants recouer the Castle and speedily call backe Seruas and Bouillargues who returned to Nismes They turne head Seruas enters into the Castle and so descending into the Towne surpriseth his enemies kils a great number and pardons such as laying downe their armes craue mercy Bouillargues comming from the rescue of the bootie which they carried away and wearie with killing them that fled he likewise enters into the Towne and puts all to the sword that he incounters Thus Beaucaire remayned in the Protestants hands vntill the Edict of peace The like feare troubled them of Montpellier The proceedings at Toulonse and other places amazed them Montpellier they fortifie themselues raze the suburbs in a manner as great as the Towne beate downe thirtie Churches and by these ruines make themselues able to sustaine a seege which threatned them The enemie discharged his choller vppon certaine shot lodging in an old Towne ill flanked a League from the Towne who hauing yeelded to haue their liues saued were notwithstanding slaine as they came forth The like chance fell vppon the Captaine and twentie souldiars that were in Maguelonne and deseruedly according to the diuine iustice hauing treacherously sold the Castle At that time the Lords of Suze and Sommeriue the chiefe of the Catholikes armie in Languedoc had passed the Rosâ—e with about 3000. foote foure hundred Maisters and three Cannons with an intent to besiege S. Giles a small towne vppon the Rosne Bâ—â—uâ—iné vpon this aduice parts from Montpellier Battell of S. Gyles spedily assembles sixe hundred horse and eight hundred foote vnder the command of Bouillargues Albenas and â—râ—lle he is aduertised by some prisoners of a disorder in the enemies campe he marcheth towards them and chargeth presently Suze and Sommeriue turne their backs their Captaines and souldiars are amazed and run away Bouillargues followes them that flye not one makes resistance Grille falls out likewise both ioyntly do kill what by the sword water 2000. men and win all their baggage being richly furnished as to a certaine victory with two canons the culuerin beeing sunke in the riuer of Rhone 22. Enseigns the Colonels guidon This victory makes them proud and Grille coÌ„temning the aduice which was giuen him suffered himselfe within few daies after to be surprised taken at Arenaâ—ses to loose a hundred or six score souldiars his troups to be put to flight towards Lunell Mauguel Sommieres had it not bin for the arriâ—â—ll of Beaudiné who freed him he had remained in trophe for his enemy In the meane time Ioyeuze seing the plague to wast his men dayly retires from the Campe before Montpellier it was rathet to free the Inhabitants from iealousie Hee had practised certâ—inâ— intelligences within the Towne but the iustice of God brought two of the chiefe Marchants to be a spectacle vpon a scaffold for other crimes who hauing confessed the treason euen as the sword hung ouer their heads ended Ioyeuzes pâ—aâ—â—iâ—es with their liues His attempts vpon Adge were as fruitelesse and much more preiudiciall vnto him Agde for being repulsed by Sanglas from a scaladoe and two sundry assaults Bouillargues cut off two hundred and seuenty of his men in his retreat hauing diuided them into three bands He drew three hundred Catholikes lodged within Aramon into an ambuscadoe slue the most part of them and soone after seized on S Laurent in the Comtat he chased fiue and thirty Italian Lanciers threescore Argoletiers and a companie of foote But the course of his prosperity was somewhat stayd by the death of Rays guidon of his company and of Captaine Aisse who kept the Tower of Carbonicre seated in the marishes of Aiguesmortes did wonderfully molest the said towne it being surprised in an ambuscado they slaine the 12. of NoueÌ„ber The death of these men was recompensed with the slaughter of fourscore surprised slaine by theÌ„ of Montpellier within Bourg a small Towne vpon Rhone besides a great number that were drowned seeking to saue them selues by the said riuer This happy successe inuites them to newe attempts A companie of the enemies lodged in Agnane and spoiled the country about Rapin gouernour of Montpellier being followed by fiue hundred snot and Gremians troupe of horse awaked them in the night about Christmas surprised some asleepe others in their shâ—ts slue the greatest number and brought the rest prisoners to Montpellier The yeare ended with the taking of S. Paul Damiatte separated by the riuer of Agout beseeged battered within three dayes taken from the Protestants by Peirot son to Montluc with great
his presence to enioye the Mothers affections to haâ—e authority within the realme Finally the second of December after two monethes seege the King signed their capitulation Saint Iean yeeded That they should depart with their goods armes horses and Enseignes â—isplayed and of foure monethes should carrie no armes for the pretended reformed reâ—â—gion But as this seege is famous for that it was valiantly followed and defended so is it lâ—kewise famous by the breach of faith giuen by his Maiestie At their going forth they spoile them of their armes apparell and money the Duke of Aumale and the Marshâ—â—l of Vielleuille are notable to make good the Kings promise nay the Duke of Aâ—ioâ—s presence can not restrayne their insolencies They robbe their baggage they take away their horses they spoile their men And to encrease their villanies the regiment of Sarricu being lodged at Saint Iulian hate a League off comes ouerthwart beats kills murthers and casts them into the riuer and happie is he that can escape in his shirt to recouer Angoulesme where Piles and some others holding them selues by reason of this treacherous and vnwoâ—thie vsage contrarie to the Lawe of armes freed from the conditions wherevnto they were bound by the capitulation The composition â—roâ—en went to the Princes to vnderstand their pleasures The historie obserues aboue ten thousand men of warre lost before Saint Iean fiue thoâ—sand Cannon shot spent fiue and twentie or thirtie Commissaries of the artilâ—erie slaine in their charge many shronke away and in the end the Campe was diminished eighteene or twenty thousand men The army tired with labour and prest with want of victualls and other discâ—mmâ—dities dislodging from Saint Iean d' Angely gaue the Princes leysure to determâ—â—e of their voyage and the King retyring to Anger 's assigned the Princes deputies tâ—â—tâ—er to begin the yeare following by the countinuance of a treatie of peace begunne in the moneth of Nouember A treatâ—e of Peace Beauuais la Nocle and Teligny come thether in February and returne with no other answere to the Protestants 1570. but a libertie to liue within the Realme fâ—ee fâ—â—m seaâ—ch in their houses and for their safetie two Townes which Biron shâ—uld naâ—e vnto them in the which they might do what pleased them without their impugning the Kings authoritie nor the quiet of the Realme his Maiestie oâ—fring to restore them to their charges except such as had beene dismissed by the 〈◊〉 of Iustice and the money growing by the sale thereof receiued by the Kâ—ngs commandement but forbibidding all exercise of religion but the Catholike Apâ—stolike and Romish banishing all ministers out of the Realme and 〈◊〉 them to disarme to send backe presently their forraine forces and to yeelde 〈…〉 Townes possessed by the violence and force of armes In the meane time postâ—s flie into England and Germanie and to diuert or staie the succours and strengths wâ—ich the Protestants might expect from thence the brute flies that a peace is made in France The Princes and Admirall thinking they were but deuises to hinder their affaires Enterprise vpon â—â—urges fatall to the vndertakers euery one prepares againe to put on harnes their forces were dispersed into diuers Prouinces those about Bourges had an enterprise vpon the Towne by the practise of a souldiar who by treacherie makes them to loose thirtie men at the entrie and as many prisoners So hee that thinkes to take is often taken himselfe The reduction of Poictâ—u had likewise brought Marans and the Castell of Beauuâ—iâ— â—poâ— the sea to the Kings obedience 1570. Angoulesme and Rochell only remained to the Protestantâ— They had lost Lusignan but Blaye Taillebourg the Isles of Xaintonge Marennes and â—rouage were yet at their deuotion To trie Rochelle the King threatens them by his letters and by promises he seeks to winne the Gouernours of Flâ—ye and Taâ—llebourg Pardailâ—an and Romegou They answere saith the Historie the King wisely and Lansac couragiously War in Poictou You cannot be more greeued said Pardillan to attempt to force mee in this placâ— then I shall be for the â—hame losse and confusion which I shall cause you to receiue or anâ— other that shall attempt it Româ—gou speakes in the same sence The effect was more to be feared then words yet Lansac attemped nothing against them The Islands had mâ—ch annoyed the seege of S. Iean d' Angâ—ly and the Lansquenets escaped from Montcontour were dispersed there The Earle of Lude Puigaillard and la Riuiere Puitaillé gouernours the one of Angeâ—s the other of Marans with eight Cornets of horse and tweâ—tie enseigns of foote force the said Islands and make such a slaughter as there remained not aboue three hundred fighting men La Noue the Princes Lieutenant in Guienne studied to recouer Brouage a place of greaâ— importance for the Rochelois when as the Baron of la Garde attempting vppon Tonne-Charente made both their enterprises to proue vaine Rochelle is now blockt in on al sides Ludeand Puigaillard had an armie in Poictou la Riuiere-Puitaillé the elder held Marans and other places there abouts the yonger commaunded in Brouâ—ge Landâ—reau Viceadmirall held Olone The Brittons and Bourdelois cut off the Rochelois victuals by sea La Garde then Generall of their galleyes did runne often times euen into their hauen but to presse them on all sides hee would gladly haue beene maister of Tonne-Charente La Noue had vndertaken the defence thereof who vnderstanding the Barons practise so planted his shot as at his enemies first landing he slue their commaunders and many others gaue libertie to the slaues and became master of the galley and if heate had not too soone transported them the rest commiâ—g to enter into Charente and resolute to land they could not haue escaped death or prison This galley did afterwards serue Româ—gou to beate the Catholikes in many places And if La Garde preuailed nothing by force his pollicies were of as small effect So as he lost his time men and money and did nothing of moment Contrariwise the defeat of some troupes at Nouaille by the hargubuziers of la Noue vnder the leading of Scipio an Italian Ingener In Guyenne Xaintonge Angâ—ulmoiâ— and the recouerie of Marans by la Noue vppon Chaperon Gouernour of the place after the death of the elder Puitaillé lately diceased was the cause of the winning of tenne or twelue other places thereabouts and gaue the Rochelois meanes to enlarge themselues The spoile of Olone did enrich them furnished them with fortie good vessels with some armes and Canon and a good number of prisoners and diminished their enemies strength of about foure hundred fighting men This reuiuing caused Puigaillard and Fernacques to make enterprises vppon Langon and Gué of Nelugre and by the recouery of Luson to molest Marans and Rochell againe if that la Noue had not speedily taken this Fort from them that came to seize on it and slue Sforce a valiant Gentleman the head of a
well defended the besieged with the losse of seuenteene Souldiars not onely repulse the enemy but also make them leaue about three score of their most resolute men slaine in the ditches aboue two huâ—dâ—ed wounded to the death and as many maimed for euer then coole their heate caâ—sing them to change this hasty fury of Canons and assaults into a more long but a more violent war They make many forts neerer vnto the Towne notwithstanding tâ—e â—allies and ordinary sâ—irmishes of the Sancerrois they furnish them with artillery men sâ—fficient to cut off all releefe so as being shut vp on all sideâ— they begin to want ordinary victuals in the begâ—nâ—ing of Aprill they eat their Asses Moiâ—es Sancerre in greâ—â— extremitie for victuals then fal they tâ— horses dogs cats mice moales lether in the end to parchmin hornes trappings oâ— horses girdâ—es and wilde rootes And in the end of Iune three parts of them had â—o bread to eate some make it of flaxe seede others of all kinds of hearbes â—â—xt 〈◊〉 branne beaten and ground in morters and others of straw of nut shels and of sâ—â—tes grease and tallow serued for pottage and frying yea some a strange thing and neueâ— heard of laboured to incounter the crueltie of their hungar by the excrements of horses and men But a horrible thing to see the nineteenth of Iune a labourer iâ— tâ—e vines and his wife satisfied their hungar with the head and intrayles of their young daughter about three yeares old being dead in languishing giuing no other graue to the members of this poore carkase but their bellies But the magistrate aduertised of this inhumanitie did for examples sake shorten their dayes finding them guiltie of other crimes neither were they forced hereunto by any extremitie seeing the â—ame day they had beene releeued with pottage made of hearbes and wine whereof there was store in the Towne To conclude foure score men died by the sword at Sancerre saith the Historie but of hungar both within and without aboue fiue hundred And euen now the King began to see his threats to take effect An admirable meanes for the deliâ—erie of Sancerre I will make them said he eate one an other They were hopelesse of all humaâ—ne helpe such as they sent out for succoâ—rs either fell iâ—to their enemies hands or died by the sword or returned no more or could not reenter So as they could not hope for any helpe but in dispayring of helpe when as the prouidence of God brings them a strange and far-bred nation to giue them the liberâ—ie â—f the fields and the vse of bread The Estates of Poland had chosen Henry Duke of Aniou brother to our Charles for their King as wee shall see in the end of the seege of Rochell but with a promise and oth taken by the Bishop of Velence and Lansaâ— in the name of the King their master That all the Townes and persons in France molested for the cause of religion should be set at libertie At the request thereof the Ambassadors of Poland thâ—s poore people languishing for hungar yet resolute to die one after another rather then to fall into their enemies hands who threatned them with a geneâ—all massacre the nineteenth of August they obteyned of la Chastre in the Kings name To depart with their armes and baggage impunitie for such as would remaine still permission to dispose of their goods Sancâ—rre yeelded by câ—mpositâ—on promise to preserue the honour of women and maidens and to pay la Chastre forty thousand francks by the inhabitants that were absent So la Chastre entring the last of the sayd moneth dâ—smanteled Sancerre beate downe some houses tooke away the Clocke Belles and other markes of a Towne but the other pointes of the capitulation were reasonablie well obserued the Baylife Ionneau was massacred the 12. of September neere vnto la Chastres lodging Seege of Rochel Nowe followes one of the most memorable seeges that hath beene in many ages A seege where many of the Commaunders and most part of those which were noted to haue forced the Admiralls lodging began the butchery and committed so many murthers at Paris and else where came to seeke their graues The Kings army â—as held to be fifty thousand men by land and sea and threescore peeces of artilleâ—y The beseeged had a good number of gentlemen and horsemen eight companies of Inhabitants nine of strangers one of the Mayor one of voluntaries consisting of twentye Mâ—squetiers fiue and twenty armed with corselets of proofe and thirty hargue busiers the two thirds thereof were Gentlemen and such as had the charge in the former warres Yet the mildest way is the best And therefore Bâ—ron in the beginning seekes some meanes of an accord but the Rochelois discouering euery day some new practise beleeued that their preseruation consisted in distrust And a gentleman being in Rochell reuealed the intelligences which Biron had with him for the surprising of the Towne hauing alreadie drawne into the Towne some souldiars of Puigaillards and Saint Martins companies and was readie to drawe in the most resolute Captaines if the Mayor and Councell had not held it more fit by a small exemplarie execution to breake off a great and dangerous enterprise To incounter the enemie la Noue is chosen chief of the forces within the Towne without any diminution of the Maiors rights and authoritie in other things Montgoâ—â—â—â—â—â— succors could not passe la Noue sends newe deputies into England to the same 〈◊〉 but the league confirmed of late yeares betwixt our Charles and Queene Elisaâ—â—â—â— â—owe agâ—ine renewed by the baptisme of the Kings daughter whereof Elisabeth 〈◊〉 â—oâ—mother with the Empresse seemed to withdrawe the affection which was woâ—t to come from beyond the seas for the releefe of the Protestants whilest the salâ—eâ— and daylie skirmishes at Rochell inflame both the one and the other where oâ— the reason of the nerenesse of their retreat they do greatly wast the number of the 〈◊〉 The eleuenth of February the Duke of Aniou arriues at his army accompained with 〈◊〉 brother the Duke of Alanâ—on the King of Nauarre The Duke of Aniou comes â—o campe the Princes of Condé and Daulâ—â—â—né the Dukes of Longueuilâ—e Bouilâ—on Neueâ—s Aumale and Guise the yong Earle of Rochefoueault the Grand Prior and many other Noble men bringing with them a great trayne of men who for the most part would haue beene greeued they should 〈◊〉 taken this Sanctuarie and succor from the Protestants This seege was great and 〈◊〉 seeme to be of long continuance Euery man runnes thether euery one will haue 〈◊〉 share They prepare things necessarie for the batterie and in the meane time make many skirmishes Before they come to their greatest force the Duke sollicits tâ—e gentlemen and Inhabitants by letters conteyning both promises and threats They hâ—mbly shew vnto him the necessity of their defence knowing no fitter meanes to preâ—erâ—e their liues against
second wife in Taillebourg the 16. of Marche The Prince of Condes second marâ—age Charlotte Katherine of Tremouille sister to Claude of Tremouille Duke of Thouars c. by whom hee had Henry of Bourbon Prince of Condé the first Prince of the bloud at this present and first Peere of France Within few dayes after Tiercelin with his regiment of about sixe hundred and fiftie men returned from an enterprise which Saint Luc the Gouernour of Brouage had made but in vaine against the Isle of Oleron The Prince aduertised of his passage followes him with La Tremouille his brother in lawe La Boulay Auantigny and some thirty others hee chargeth them in the taile neere vnto the suburbes of Xaintes and killes thirty or forty of his men the rest put themselues in battaile through the fauour of the hedges and the high way The Earle of Laual comes galloping with about fiue and thirtye horse of his company which had beene lodged a little from thence and seeing the Prince the rest of his company ingaged in the combat hee goes directly to the Colonels enseâ—gne couered with a battalion of pickes hee breakes them fights with him that carried it pulls it from him puts him to flight Tiercelins regiment defeated kills threescore soldiars vppon the place and chaseth the whole regiment Tiercelin saued himselfe carrying to Xaintes a hurt in the arme and many others being maymed Tremouille had a horse slaine vnder him and some were hurt but the Earle lost Sailli and Rieux his brethren Tanlay was lately deceased of sicknes at Saint Iean and himselfe surprised with a feuer The death of foure bretheren of Lauall and wonderfully greeued for the losse of his three brethren followed them to the graue within a few dayes after and all foure were interred within the Castle of Taillebourg But what did the King of Nauarrâ— in the meane time he hath vntill now maintaned himselfe vnder the obedience of the Kings coÌ„mandements hetherto hath bin nothing but mutual writings Edicts declarations coÌ„mandements directions to the officers of the Crowne for the execution therof Hereafter he displaies other armes then paper inke The marshal of Matignon had besieged Castels in Februarie the king flies thither with about three hundred masters and eighteene hundred harguebusiers on horsebacke hee rayseth the seege disposeth of his affaires in Berne comes to Nerac and assures the Towne passeth the Garonne at Saint Bazeille notwithstanding the Duke of Mayenne who lay within two Leagues of his passage crosseth Perigord and Angoulmâ—is and so comes into Poictou where the Marshall of Biron with about twelue hundred horse and foure thousand foote molested and troubled the Countrie neere vnto Rochelle beseeged Marans The arriuall of the said King and the resolution of the beseeged commaunded by la Iarrie made the Marshall to paâ—â—e the riuer of Charente and to leaue Marans to the free exercise of both religions The King of Nauarre went to Rochelle to visit the armie at sea and by a palissado to keepe in them of Brouage The Cardinall of Lenoncourt and the President Brulart were sent the yeere before from the King to assure the King of Nauarre of his Maiesties loue and to exhort hâ—m againe to vnite himselfe to the Catholike Church as well for the good of his conscience as also to make his way to the succession of the Crowne more easie to shew vnto him the causes that had moued him to breake the peace and to intreat him to yeeld the Towâ—es of suretie The time would not suffer these propositions to take effect bâ—t contraâ—ywise after the example of the League sayd the King of Nauarre we should demaund better Townes So the Ambassadors ended their charge beseeching the 〈◊〉 King to enter into some treatie wherein the Queene mother should deale to his câ—nteâ—t so as hee would stay the leuie of Reistres Lansquenets and Suisses which Clerâ—aut Sâ—gâ—r and Guitri had procured Hee accepted of this conference the which breeds a truce in the end of the yeare but wâ—th protestation not to stay the good will of such as in so important an occasion and extreame necessitie had gone to field that rasing the Kings authoritie troâ—â—â— vnder fâ—â—te by the breach of his Edict they might preserue him from the 〈◊〉 inuasion of the League Hee was better affected to a good peace then to a bad 〈…〉 the Queene mother telling him that the King would make no peace nâ—r truce with him The Quâ—ene motâ—â—â—s 〈…〉 vnlesse â—ee would become a Catholike shee made this conference 〈…〉 fruitlesse Shee lets him vnderstand that this change would make his 〈◊〉 more free more assured and more fit for his calling that his conueâ—sion would bâ—â—ng him in grace with the King leauing to couâ—t a Maior of Rochelle whome hee did not commmaund absolutely But this Prince had his eares too much beaten with 〈◊〉 pâ—â—posiâ—ion and could not yeeld thereunto but by due forme which was by a hoâ—◠〈◊〉 â—awful Councell And the Duke of Neuers thinking to adde some more perswasâ—â—â— reasons then the rest of the assemblie you cannot saith hee leuie any impost there A Priâ—ce doth what hee will when as hee wills nothing but what hee ought 〈…〉 reason answered this Pâ—ince being free and of a quicke conceit for we haue no 〈◊〉 amongst vs. 158â— This â—onâ—erence bred a â—ealousie among the Parisiens They were more inclined to 〈…〉 euer The Duke of Mayenne adueâ—tised that the Queene mother 〈…〉 the Kingof Nauarre to mediate an accord hee makes hast to Paris to 〈…〉 Kâ—ng that this negotiation was contrary to his Edict that such a peace could not be good breeding effects in religion contrarie to the tranquiâ—â—tie of Catâ—â—â—â—ke Consciâ—â—câ—s Being arriued there the sixe Arch leaguers impart vnto him their secret artâ—câ—es To sâ—ppresse heresie refoâ—me the Court and the 〈◊〉 of Migâ—â—â—ts and for a fatall wound to the Estate To seize vppon the Kings 〈◊〉 Hee allowes of these counsels and sounds their desseins but finds the execution difficult So tâ—e ratts in the Fable found this expedieâ—t to bee very good to be◠〈…〉 of the Cats approch and to saue themselues to hang a bell at his 〈…〉 durst vndertake to doe it The Queene mother aduertised of this 〈…〉 tooke her way to Court Her arriual with the irresolution of the 〈…〉 the Parisians wauering in the midest of so dangerous an enterprise Tâ—e Qâ—eeneâ— departure kindled the warre in Poictou The King of Nauarre gâ—es to 〈…〉 by composition Sasay by assault forceth Saint Maixant to yeeâ—◠〈…〉 to his obedience beseegeth Mauleon and during the batterie take◠〈…〉 Whiâ—st the King of Nauarres armes prosper in Poictou the Duke of Mayenne treats with the leaguers at Paris the mouth of his mutinous preachers disgraceth the kiâ—â—s authority with the people the Duke of Guise 1587. continues to make warre against them of Iamets the which he had begon against the Duke of Bouillon from the first beginning
tyme in curling of his haire The battaile of Coâ—tras The nine teenth of October accompanied with the Prince of Condé the Conte Soissons his brother the Viconte of Turenne and other good commanders hee takes his lodging at Coutras to passe the riuer of Drougne at a ford The Duke supposing to haue him at his deuotion betwixt two riâ—ers giues the rendezuous to all his forces the next day betwixt Roche-Chalais and Coutras and there made choise of his place of battaile to his best aduantage halfe a League from Coutras The King of Nauarre and his souldiars had swet more in skiâ—mishes then in tenis-Courts and did take more pleasure in the dust of their enemies chase then in feasts The inequalitie of the number doth not amaze them Hee marcheth before resolues his men to fight makes them to fall on their knees and pray to God puts his horsemen into foure squadrons his owne that of the Prince the Earles and the Viconts The souldiars inflame their courages by mutuall skirmishes and reprochfull speeches from words they goe to blowes The King of Nauarres artillerie thunders fiâ—st at eight of the clocke and at the first volle sweepes away seuen Captaines of the regiment of Picardie The Dukes answeares him but without effect The ignorance or malice of the Canâ—oniers hauing planted it so low as it fell vpon a little â—ill betwixt both armies The Dukes horsemen led by Lauerdin and Captaine Mercoeur giue the charge and at the first encounter force through the King of Nauarres squadron and passing on the Vicont stayes him and beates him backe The Duke presuming by this first good happe to obteine a totall victorie ouer thâ—ee cheefe heads of the house of Bourbon aduanceth resolutely flancked with two hedges of armed men to charge with the Lance. The foure commaunders march euery one in the head of his troupe first easily the pace then the trott and after in their full carier They charge and breake them This conflict which consisted for the most part of Leaguers Defeat was almost as soon dissolued as it was resolued on it began at nine of the clocke and at tenne not any of the Dukes men had any offensiue armes some aâ—e ouerthrowne some taken and some seeke their safetie in flight The victors poursue them thâ—ee Leagues and strewe the fields with men horses and armes The Duke is compassed in by a squadron of men at armes A voyce reuiues the memorie of the slaughter made at Saint Eloy and of the Companie of Pueilhes at the brute whereof he is slaine presently Death of the Duke oâ— Ioyeâ—se without any respect of his qualitie His brother Saint Sauueur Bresay who carried the white Cornet Roussay the yonger brother of Pâ—ennes guidon to the Duke the Earles of Suze Ganuelo d' Aubiâ—oux the Lords of Fumel Neufui the elder brother of Perigord yong Rochefefort Croisete Gurat Saint Fort guidon to Saint Luc du Bordet his enseigne de Vaux Lieutenant to Bellegarde gouernour of Xaintonge Montigni enseigne Tiercelin master of the Campe Pluuiault la Brangerie Campelis the yonger la Vallade Bacullard with many other Caâ—taines and a great number of men of account and qualitie with about halfe of the armie made the battaile of Coutras famous by their deaths as the most memorable of all that haue been giuen for religions cause in France Many rich prisoners and a very rich spoyle All his Cornets taken his cannon carried away and his baggage seized on At their returne from the pursute thankes were giuen to God vpon the place of battaile died with bloud and couered with carcases But that which honoured the King most in the midest of this so commendable a moderation of his victory hee shewed himselfe no lesse milde and courteous to the prysoners and the wounded then wise and valiant in heate of the fight He caused the dead to be buried cured the wounded sent home almost all the prisoners without ransome gratified most of the Commanders caused the enseignes to bee deliuered to Montigny aboue the rest commended him to haue behaued himselfe valiantly in the battayle whereby hee began to purchase fauour with the King of Nauarre and afterwardes gotte great reputation with him for his valour and fidelity when as hee vnited both Crownes into one The Prince of Condé at the first charge had a blowe with a Lance on the side and beeing ingaged vnder his horse it did so preiudice his health as the griefe thereof did soone hasten him to his ende This is the greatest losse of the Protestants army in this coâ—bate in the which there was a very small number slaine and not one of account The King of Nauarre is nowe freed from the snares that were layed for him nowe hee aduanceth towards the spring of the riuer of Loire and giues aduice of his desseine to the army of strangers which then was in Hurepois about the Lands of the Lord of Chastillon The King camped vpon Loire betwixt Cosne and Neufui and by aduice of the Duke of Neuers hee cloyes the passages with trees stoanes and other hindâ—ances where the horses should passe The second cause next to God of the ruine of this army to whom they thought the King at his entry would haue presented a blanke to prescribe what they pleased The Duke of Guise followed them at the heeles and the Duke of Mayenne on the one side and yet both of them could not keepe them from surprising of some small Townes to refresh their army But when as they see themselues frustrate of all hope to ioyne with the King of Nauarre or to passe the riuer of Loire that they must eyther retire or march forward to meete with the King of Nauarre or ingage themselues farther within the realme to seeke bread for themselues and forrage for their horses or else march on the left hand and wander into vnknowne Countries they growe amazed they mutine they faint Some Frenchmen attempt la Charité but their enterprise succeeds not The Germaine aâ—my in Beausse In the ende they leade the army into Beausse where they should finde meate both for man and horâ—e The seauen and twentith of October they lodged at Vimorry and places there abouts neere to Montargis To take from them this lodging the Dukes of Guise and Mayenne taking aduantage of the passages of the riuer of Loing come at supper time with fifteene hundred horse and fiue thousand foote and charge the Baron Donneau beeing lodged in Vimorry with seauen or eight Cornets of Reistres Charged at Vimorry but they had almost verified the saying of the King of the Epirots vanquisher of the Romaine army We are vndone if we get such an other victorie for three hundred horses of baggage the Barons two Cammells and the death of fifty souldiars with a hundred seruants was not sufficient to recompence the bloud of fortie braue and gallant Gentlemen and two hundred good souldiars slaine vpon the place by the Reisâ—res who
and some others were lightly hurt In this battaile they obserue three chiefe things The first the Kings firme resolution to giue battaile with an assured confidence that the sinceriity of his intent and the equity of his cause should bee fauored with the assistance of heauen The second that at the very instant of the fight it seemed that the earth did bring forth armed men for his seruice for on the eue and the day of battaile there came aboue sixe hundred horses vnto him vnexpected The third that of two thousand French Gentlemen only twelue hundred did fight twelue hundred put to rout an army of foure thousand horse fresh well mounted well armed and twelue thousand foote Without doubt the Eternall God of armes doth neuer forget the right of Princes Conquests after the victory against their rebellious subiects and a braue resolution with a wiâ—e commaunde giues a happie ende to battailes This victory purchased Vernon and Mante vnto the King two principall bridges vpon the riuer of Seixe And the heauens seemed to poure more blessings vpon our Henry and to make his way easie to an absolute Royaltie An other 〈…〉 of the League for the Earle of Rendan chiefe of the League in Auuergne was the same daie of the battaile of Yury shamefully chased from the seege of Iosstre slaine in battaille his troupes cut in peeces and his artillery taken by the Lords of Curton Rostignat and Chasseron As they had abused the Mantois with a vaine assurance of his death whome they durst not looke vpon nor incounter so with the like practises they must delude the Parisâ—â—ns The Duke of Mayenne his sister of Montpensier and the other heads of the League deceiued of hopes published by printed bookes That at the first assault at Dreux the Bearnois had lost aboue fiue hundred men that their wounds had made a greater number vnfit for their armes That the Marshall of Biron was wounded vnto death That in an other encounter neere vnto Poisâ—y the Vnion had gotten a great victory That in the battaile of Yury the combate had beene long and the losse almost equall That if the Bearnois bee not dead hee is little better But such as glad to haue saâ—ed themselues came to Paris marred all in verifying the Contrary making the people to hang downe their heads and to wish for peace by a still and mournefull muttering The fire brands of hell in their pulpits made the losse farre lesse then it was giuing them an assured hoped of speedie and newe succors from Spaine for the restoring of their Estate and the destruction of the Maheustres so they then called such as did fight vnder the Kings Enseigns To that ende the Duke of Mayenne went into Flanders to the Duke of Parma that is to say hee went to ruine his honour and reputation for being a master at home among his owne countryemen hee went to make himselfe a seruant and slaue to an ambitious proud man who hath often made him attend at his gate and lacquay after him before hee could receiue an answere of any matter of small importance to the great griefe an disdaine of the French Gentlemen that did accompanie him Doubtlesse it was necessary the Duke should trie the insolency of strangers the better to know the courtesie of the French and submit his armes and person to the King his soueragine and lawfull Lord the means whereby hereafter hee shall abolish the memory of things past Aduersity makes the wilfull more obstinate The Court of Parliament at Rouen for execution of the former decree puts to death the seauenth of Aprill some prisoners the Kings seruants and three daies after they declare all those persons guilty of high treason to God and man that followed the King of Nauarre so speake the decree and would not yeeld to King Charles the tenth of that name 1590 ioyne with the Vnion and carrie armes vnder the â—uke of Mayenne â—â—â—lest these threaten by their decree and the Duke goes to beg releefe the King being at Manta laboured to reduce the Parisiens to reason by mildnes But these trumpeâ—â— of sedition imputing this delay to want of courage perswaded the people that shortly their sworne enemie should haue worke inough and that at length he should beemined that a little patience would giue them a great victorie that they must not yeeldâ— any article whatsoeuer making impudent allusions to the name of his familie who is now seated in the throne of this monarchie These insolent exclamations brought the King about Paris Paris is accustomed to liue from hand to mouth Seege of Paris the benefit of the Hales the Place Maubert and other market places is the cause that the most part of housholds doe not knowe what prouision meanes And the cheefe of the League had so setled this former beleefe in the Citizens minds as of a hundred fourescore and nineteene had neglected to prouide for things necessarie to endure the toyle of a seege So as the taking of Mante Poissy Pont-charenton Corbeil Melun Montreau vpon Seine and Logny vpon Marne brought Parts in few moneths to extreame necessitie Compiegne Creil and Beaumont stopt the 〈◊〉 of Oise Erronious decision of Sorbonne But the ordinarie cries of the Preachers the practises of the cheefe and the Ladies of the League and the erronious decision of the facultie of Sorbonne giuen the seuenth of May in the thâ—rd generall congregation held to that end in the great hall of the sayd College prohibiting all Catholikes according to the law of God sayd they to receiue for King an heretike or fauorer of heretikes relaps excommunicate although he do afterwards obteine by an outward iudgement absolution of his crimes and Censures if there remaine any doubt of dissembling treacherie or suâ—uersion of the Catholike religion Condemning all them for heretikes forsakers of religion and peâ—â—icious to the church that should suffer any such to come to the crowne Al these made the multitude more obstinate against the extreamest miseries which the rigour of a long and painful â—eege may cause Besides this decision they had yet stronger restraints to bridle mens tongues actions that fauoured the flowre de Liz in their hearts The sixteene set spies to obserue the speeches and countenances of such as they suspect that is to say of such as wish for peace and haue not lost the remembrance of the true Princes of France And if any one chance to say It were good to â—reate of a peace He is a politike hee is a Roialist that is to say an heretike and enemie to the Church They spoyle imprison yea put to death such as doe not applaud this horrible tyrannie 〈◊〉 of the Paâ—â—siâ—ns The Duke of Nemours in the Duke his brothers absence commaunded at Paris and for his cheefe Councellors he had the Popes Legat the Ambassador of Spaine the Archbishop of Lion the Bishops of Paris Rennes Plaisance Senlis and others â—anigarole Bishop of
stand and the enemies freed from him begin their retreat The Kings horse follow them to the top of the hill and there put themselues in battell A notable victorie The King hauing taken breath in the place from whence hee parted to go to the charge diuides his men into two troupes one for himselfe the other for the Marshall Here about a hundred French gentlemen take the place from fifteene hundred horse and by this meanes the King was master both of the enemies bodies and of the place of battaile His Maiesty gathers togither such as were dispersed to make the better shew HereupoÌ„ arriues the Earle of Clâ—rmont Vitry the Kings light horse those of Cesar Monsieur the Duke d' Elbeuf the Earle of Chiuerny the Cheualier d' Oise the Lord of Risse and Aix which made about six hundred horse of his ordinary all greeued that they had not followed the fortune valour of our King to be partakers of the honor which he had wonn With this supplie hee turnes to ouertake them that â—led and pursues them two Leagues neere vnto Grey A shamefull flight but not able to follow this shamefull flight hee was content his glorie should surmount their shame and that his valour had vanquished their â—orce and vsing this famous victorie with pietie hee let all the world know in his person That it is not the sword nor the arme that strikes nor the number of men that preserues Kings in the midest of armes but that high Prouidence which fighting with the one band for the iust cause of lawfull Princes against the attempts and violences of â—â—urpers and Tyrants and holding victories in the other decides the quarrels of Sâ—â—erainties by the equitie hee finds in Princes armes vniustly oppressed and makes it â—â—nifest that the admirable euents of battailes consist and relie not onely in number or force but in the free disposition of his fauours vnto a people whose miseries hâ— will shorten which the continuance of war hath bred in a diuided Estate The enemie returned to lodge at Saint Seine and dislodging the next day 〈◊〉 feare 1595. they repassed the water vpon their bridges leauing both the one and the otheâ— side of the hill at the Kings deuotion who without doubt had giuen them a great checâ— vppon this retreat if his footmen had beene with him and the horses lâ—teâ—y arâ—â—ued could haue endured the toyle in the vehement heat of the sunne The Duke of Mayenne and the Castillian lost in this charge sixe score men slaine vpon the field three score prisoners and two hundred hurt His Maiâ—stie onely â—oure slaine and one prisoner But for a notable circumstance and a signe of the eâ—peciall care of God ouer his person hee performed these exploits without any other armes then his â—â—irasse alone and was well assisted to their great commendation by the Dukes of Guise and Elbeuf the Lord of Tremouille and the Marquises of Treynâ—l and Pizany by the Lords of Inteuille Roquelaure Chasteauvieux Liencourt Montigni Mirâ—poix and others And in despight of all the furious attempts of the League the Castell of Dijon and in a manner all Bourgongne was sone after reduced to the Kings obedience and now the third time he freed his realme from strangers The King in the end inuades the County forceth one of their lodgings in the vew of the Constable of Castille neere vnto Grey becomes master of the field takes Aspremont and many other places he had forced their cheefe forts if the Suissâ—s had not intreated him to retyre his army and to suffer that Prouince to inioy her ancient libertie Whilest the King continues his victories the Marshall of Bouillon executes a dangerous enterprise but of importance vpon the Towne and Castell of Han. Han opened the way for the Spaniard from the fronter vnto Beauuais and Amiens f Haâ— â—urprised or the King but this surprise cunningly performed did wonderfully annoy them and not one Spaniard of those which had it in gard escaped either death or prison Six score naturall Spaniards and six or seuen hundred Captaines and souldiars of diuerse nations were slaine and three or foure hundred prisoners Humieres slaine But all this scumme of men could not recompence the deaâ—h of that braue and generous Nobleman aâ— Humieres one of the cheefe actors in the enterprise as much lamented first by the King then by the Nobilitie and generally of all France as his vertues and mâ—â—its â—ad made him commendable and necessarie for his Maiesties seruice La Croix master of the campe Mazieres Lieutenant to Suruille and Boyencourt Captaine of Humieres gard were companions of his valour and graue The Towne was taken for the King with the death of some twentie other gentlemen and about a hundred souldiars Bâ—t the Spaniard soone after reuenged this surprise vpon Castelet but more sharply vpon the Towne of Dourlans for hauing put to rout the succours which the Maâ—shal of Bouillon sent slaine the Admirall of Villars and many gentlemen they tooke the Towne by assault not for want of men or munition Castelet and Dourlans for the Spaniards but by their bad order and the intelligeâ—ce which the Commaunders in the Towne had with the enemie and entred it with such great furie as they had no respect of sex or age hauing no reason for their horrible crueltie but the fresh remembrance of their companions It is cryed they to reuenge those of Han. The Duke of Neuers the Marshall of Bouillon and the Earle of Saint Paul Commaunders of the Kings troupes hauing diuided the charge amongst them to incounter the Spanish forces the Marshall and the Earle went to prouide for the places about Bollogne and the Duke for those vpon the riuer of Somme Passing by Amiens hee finds the people and the cheefest so amazed that to assure them he was forced to lay aside the qualities of his person and to promise to put himselfe into Corbia foure Leagues from Amiens to defend it if the enemie approched He enters it the third of August veâ—es it both within and without takes a suruay of the quantitie of munition and of the number of monethes and prouids as time and necessitie would permit him for things necessary for the preseruation of the place The Spaniard had an other desseine for the first day of the moneth hee parts from about Dourlans and taking the way betwixt Peronne and Corbie seemes to threaten Saint Quentin or Cambray So the Duke leaues Corbie but doubtfull whither the Spaniard went 2595 yet aduertised by the Viconte d' Auchy gouernor of Saint Quentin Cambray beseeged that the enemy approched towards him he goes to defend Saint Quentin He is no sooner armed but newes come that the Earle of Fuentes is lodged about Cambray to beseege it with seauenteene thousand men and threescore and two peeces of artillery The Lord of Balagny Marshall of France by his articles of capitulation with the King confirmes this aduice by
vnto him to haue had intelligence with Chastillon Admirall of France and with William of Nassau Prince of Orange touching the Low Countries This as some say was discouered by Don Iohn his vncle bastard brother vnto the King who being inexorable against them that had offended came vnto the Princes chamber in the night whereas hee found two pistols behind his beds head and some papers which did auerre the intelligences he had with his enemies The King first gaue him a gard afterwards he put him in prison and in the end to death But first he propounded to his Councell of conscience what punishment a Kings sonne deserued that had entred into League against his Estates and had conspired against his fathers life and whether hee might call him in question His Councell layed before him two remedies both iust possible the one of Grace and Pardon the other of Iustice and punâ—shment and the difference betwixt the mercie of a father and the seueritie of a King saying that if by his clemencie he did pardon them which loued him not hee could not but pardon that creature which he should most affect They desired him to imitate the Emperour Charlemagne who imputed the fiâ—st conspiracie of his sonne Pepin against him to lightnes of youth and for the second hee confiâ—ed him iâ—to a Monasterie protesting that hee was a father not a King nor a Iudge against his Soâ—ne The King answered that by the law of Nature he loued his sonne more then him elfe but by the law of God the good and safetie of his subiects went before it Moreouer he demaunded of them if knowing the miseries which the impunitie or dissimulation of his sonnes offences would breed he might with safetie of conscience pardon him and not bee guiltie of those miseries Hereat his Diuines shronke in their shoulders and with teares in their eyes sayd that the health of his people ought to bee deerer vnto him then that of his Sonne and that hee ought to pardon offences but such crimes as abhominable monsters must be supprest Hereupon the King committed his Son to the Censure of the Inquisitors commaunding them not to respect his authoritie no more then the meanest within his Kingdome and to regard the qualitie of his son as if he were a King borne making no distinction therof froÌ„ the partie accused vntil they found that the excesse of his offence would no more admit of this consideration remembring that they carried in their soules a liuely Image of the King which had iudged Angels and should without distinction iudge Kings and the Sonnes of Kings like vnto other men referring all vnto their consciences and discharging his owne The Inquisitors for the practises which hee had with the enemies of his religion The Iudgâ—menâ— oâ— the Inquisitors declared him an Heretike and for that he had conspired against his fathers life condemned him to die The King was his accuser and the Inquisitors his Iudges but the Iudgement was signed by the King which done they presented many kinds of death in picture vnto the Prince to make choise of the easiest In the end hee demaunded if there were no pittie in his father to pardon him no fauour in his Councell for a Prince of Spanie nor no wisedome to excuse the follies of his youth when as they told him that his death was determined and might not be reuoked and that all the fauour was in the choise of the mildest death He sayd that they might put him to what death they pleased tâ—hat there was no choise of any death seeing they could not giue him that which Caesar held to be the best These last words A vnloked foâ— death best deliuered with passion were followed with a thousand curses against his Fortune against the inhumanitie of his Faâ—her and the crueltie of the Inqusition repeating verie often these wordes O miserable sonne of a more miserable father Hee had some dayes of respit giuen him to prepare himselfe for death One morning foure slaues entred into his chamber who awaking him put him in mind of his last houre and gaue him small time to prepare vnto God Hee start vp sodainly and fled to the bed post but two of them held his armes and one his feet The deaâ—h of the Prince of Spaine Death of the Queene of Spaine and the fourth strangled him with a cord of silke Many hold that hee died of letting bloud his feete being in warme water The death of the Queene of Spaine foure moneths after made the world to suspect other causes of his death The King was also vnfortunate in his enterprises against Flanders and England hauing prepared a great fleet which perished in the narrow Seas almosâ— without any fight Hee is blamed for his crueltie against the Indians whome hee abandoned to the slaughter like vnto brute beasts Hee had foure wiues aâ—ter that of Portugal He married with Marie Queene of England by whome hee had no children His third was Elizabeth of France surnamed by the Spaniards the Queene of Peace by whome hee had two daughters the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia now Archduchesse and the Infanta Catherina Michelle who was Duchesse of Sauoy The fourth was Anna of Austria daughter to the Emperour Maximilian and his owne proper Neece by whome hee had three Sonnes and one daughter of the which there now remaines the Prince Charles Laurence surnamed at his comming to the Crowne Philip the third Hee affected the Empire as much as might be and not able to attaine vnto it hee sought the title of Emperour of Spaine The King of Spaines ambition yea hee was resolued to go to the Indies to take vpon him the title of Emperour of Amerâ—â—a After all his ambitious proiects vppon Affricke his attempts against Ireland and his intelligences with the Turkes Barbarians and Persians whome he hath sought to diuide and to make vse of euen against Christian Princes but chiefly and especially against France yet in the end hee was forced to confesâ—e That all the power and pompe of this world was meere vanitie He raigned aboue fortie yeares and was buried with his Ancestors as he had ordayned We haue said that hee drew a writing out of a little Cabinet and deliuered it vnto his sonne Some writers say that it was a translation into Spanish of the Instruction which the King S. Lewis gaue vnto his Sonne Philip the hardie Others say it was the Instruction which followes Instruction oâ— the King of Spâ—inâ— to the Prince his Sonne My sonne I haue beene alwaies sollicitous and carefull to leaue you your Estates peacefull and quiet but neither the many yeares which I haue liued nor the assistance of Princes my Allyes could euer purchase it I confesse I haue spent in lesse then 33. yeares fiue hundred nintie and foure millions of ducats all which haue bred mee nothing but cares and troubles It is true I haue conquered Portugal but as France did hardly escape me so may
to moderate their punishment what know I what they would haue sayd vpon the wheele you neuer attempted any thing against mee but when as they which slue my Sonne could no more accuse you What did then hinder you why you did not speedely aduertise the Iustices At the least it was feare to restore the money which you had taken in committing a Domesticall theft the which was alwaies punished with death and wherein the Lawes of Hospitality the which are Holy among all Nations were also violated Whome should I sooner challendge for the death of my Sonne then him who had his spoiles Nature hath hidden in the earth both gold siluer and iron but the malice of Man hath drawne them all forth that it might want no instruments for Murthers nor reward for Murtherers Desire and couâ—â—ousnesse thâ— cause of murâ—â—hers No man shâ—ddes bloud to die his hands therein there must be some other violent passion to thrust him on Couetousnesse is the most ordinary All coniectures all presumptions were and are found true that my Son had bin slaine by some one that desired his money whom then might I better call in question then him who was found seized thereon If treading vnder foote the Murther of my Sonne as some Mothers do I had onely demanded his goods of you you could not haue aâ—oyded 〈…〉 and rigorous condemnation But for that I haue sougâ—t reuenge of the Murther â— am thiâ— day in danger to bee condemned what recoâ—â—ence Caâ—us Antonius waâ—â—ccused for the Conspiracy of Catelin whereof he was 〈…〉 intermixt with other thefts which he had in formeâ—-times committed in Macedoniâ— for the which he was condemned And yet the one of his 〈…〉 common with the other In this câ—â—se Mâ—rther and Thefâ— haâ—e great 〈…〉 many bee there in this great Citty which beeing murthered lâ—â—e to this poore â—ong-man should â—emaine three monthes vnknowne if their Hoste waâ—ting them did not presently adueâ—â—iâ—e the Iustice. Sâ—ffer them to take their money without punishment that is 〈…〉 declare him innocent that hath hidden it and you shall hâ—pe to â—â—de the Murtherers It is a strange thing that in the head Citty of this Realme and in the 〈◊〉 of the Parliament there should be such furious Tigers found to 〈…〉 in the most â—ideous forest in the world Tâ—e mâ—re these 〈…〉 to coÌ„temne the Lawes the more must you endeauor to 〈…〉 All that may â—erue to punish such detestaâ—le crime must be 〈…〉 can so much aduance it as to 〈…〉 spirits are terrefied and amazed If all be â—â—ke vnto the 〈…〉 bee rotten before they know he is dead There be some that are incident to the suâ—pition of a crime 〈…〉 be very innocent as he that is found neere vnto a man that is newly Mâ—â—â—â—erâ—d 〈◊〉 happily be put to the Racke this is a meere mischance or rather 〈…〉 obserued in this case by the Heatheâ— Lawiers let vs say with the Dâ—ctors of the Church that it is a secâ—et iudgement of God the which we must aâ—mire and not curiously serch into The Thunder is Worshiped euen by them that are stroken with it Puâ—ishmeâ—ts ordayned by Iustice are the chastâ—sements of Gods hand whose Poâ—re is represented here belowe by the Prince and His by his Magistrates The Philosopher Crator sayd that hee which suffers 〈◊〉 wiâ—hout desert is much eased in this accident of fortune but in this fact which is now in question the Plaintiâ—s theft and not his mi â—ortâ—ne hâ—tâ— with great reason made this suspition to fall vpon him Do you not consider that the paine which you haue suffâ—ed is the cauâ—e you shal be tâ—is day abâ—olued Without it your theft could not remaine vnpunished your demand of domage and interest belongs onely to them that are meerely innocent if you bee accâ—sed of two faults and are found guilty of one you must iâ—pâ—ore the mercy of the Iudge and not his rigour It was then imp ssible to free you from the Racke by all the Mâ—ximes of Lâ—â—iers and their Interpreters followed by a Decree which nâ—edes no other dâ—â—ence then Reason And not to straie from this cause shall I let you plainly see that you neede not bâ—â— so fearefull to come to the Racke If these Mâ—rtherers â—ad not beâ—ne tortured for the robbery for the which they were executed they could not haue beene condemned for want of proofe The one of them conâ—est it vpon the Racke As the Racke tormented you so the Racke releeued you hauing discouered your innocency in regard of the Murtâ—er And in easing you it hath brought before iâ—â—â—e eyes my Murthered Sonne who presents himselfe euery night vnto mee with stretched out armes whilest the Mâ—rtherers kill him So as one and the selfe same tâ—ing hath filled me 〈◊〉 Heauâ—nesse and you with Ioy. Coâ—â—ent your selfe then with your good Fortune and insult no moreouer my misery do you not fâ—â—re that they will lesse pitty you and the paine you haue endured when they shall see you haue none of 〈◊〉 nor of my distresse I will not say vnto my Masters that it is cruell and barbarous to add afflictions to the afflicted why should I 〈…〉 seeing that all the condemnations which my aduerse partie demands against mee 〈…〉 no more to my calamitie A mothers passions excusable then small brookes doe vnto the Sea It is the onely comfort which remaynes in my miserie that it can haue no increase I will not therefore spend any time to cyte the texts of Lawiers which hold the violent passions of 〈◊〉 miserable a Mother excusable They be Lawes which are borne with vs whereof 〈◊〉 man can be ignorant seeing we haue suckt it with our Mothers milke and which â—ee cannot abrogate but in spoyling our Humanitie I will not striue to represent vnto you that affection to the Children or to the Parents euen as the loue of good Subiects to their Prince consists not in any mediocritie or temper but in excesse that excesâ—e which in otâ—er motiues of the mynd is vicious is herein the full of all perfection Why should I come to these excuses seeing that if I were to begin my Accusation I would doe no lesse then I haue done I had rather bee condemned to all sorts of Dâ—magâ—â— Interests and Reparations then to repent mee of the pursute I haue made for the death of my Sâ—nne A goodly pretext for those Mothers which doe euery day sell the deare bloâ—d of their Children when they shal heare that I haue bin condemned shall they not then haue reason to say that they feare Domage and Interest if they open their mouthes Dion obserues that they were reduced to that point at Rome hauing so much discountenanced accusations as they were forced to promise Impunity to him that should conuict an other of a greater crime then his own Calumniators and false accusers are to be feared vnder bad Princes which inrich themselues with the confiscations of their Subiects and not vnder the iust and flourishing
made with Torches from Bosâ—eduâ— which was but two Leagues off aduertising them that they should be succored within foure daies The Beseeged being to much vnacommodated seeing the Princes soldiars aduance euen vnto the foot of their Counterscarpe and that they appointed to make two Bridges to go vnto the assault after a breach were made the said foure daies of their hope being expired seeing no shew of succors about two of the clocke in the afternoone the same day they demanded againe if the Prince would harken to a compositioÌ„ The Prince fearing as it soone after fell out an other ouerflowing of the Riuers which would force him to abandon his Approches and Trenches and to retyre his Cannon with some difficultie The Beseeged hauing sent eight Deputies vnto him a composition was made and a hundred and fiue and twentie thousand Florins promised them with condition that they should continue still in the Fort vntill the money were payd Promising and swearing vnto the Prince that so long as they continued in the Fort attending the money they should keepe it faithfully for the States and Prince and withall should obey such Captaines and Officers as should bee sent vnto them by him renouncing and reuoking the oath which they had formerly made vnto the King of Spaine or to Albert the Archduke of Austria Whereupon Articles were drawne on both parts which I omit for breuities sake referring the Reader to the Originall The eleuenth of the sayd Moneth they went out of the Fort S. Andrews Foâ—â— taken and were payed by the Commissaries of the States by the Powle being a thousand one hundred twenty and foure men by muster the least of them receiuing a hundred and sixe Florins They being gone forth the Prince sent in foure of his companies and then he entred with all the Noblemen of his army After they had receiued their money they were presently shipt and sent away into Garrison into diuers Townes of those Prouinces Behold the Fort which was held Impregnable easily wonne by the States and not onely the Place Artillery Munition and prouisions of Warre and Victuals which were more worth then 125000. Florins but a troupe of as braue men as the Archduke had of long time in his army choyse and old trayned souldiars The Prince found in this Fort ninetie and sixe barrels of Poulder eighteeene peeces of Ordinance with a great quantitie of Wheate Rye Malt and other Graine and Victualls About this time Mounsieur â— Briauté a yong French Gentleman Captaine of a companie of horse in the States pay and exceeding valiant beeing in garrison in the Towne of Saint Gheertruidenbeâ—gh receiued some wordes of reproch as well to his owne person as to the French nation ill reported and lightly deliuered by a souldiar which had runne away from the States seruice his name was Lekerbitken that is to say a daintie morcell for his courage Lieutenant to Grobbendones companie of Horse who was Gouernour of Boslâ—duc in Brabant Briauté wronging his degree and reputation to meddle with one which was not of his quality for such light words which are ordinary among souldiars sent him a challenge defying him bodie to bodie fiue to fiue tenne to tenne or twentie to twentie This challenge was accepted by Leâ—erbitken of twentie against twentie on horsebacke with such armes as they did vsually carrie at the Warre The day and place was appointed although Prince Maurice did disswade and forbid him alleadging the friuolous occasion of the quarrell and the inequalitie of his person to that of a Traitor and Renigadoe But Briaute hauing made choise of nineteene horsemen of his companie almost al French in whom he trusted most himselfe making the twentith hee went out of Gheertruidenberghe telling Wingarde Gouernour of the place that it was with the Princes concent and hauing giuen him if he died in the Combate his best aâ—mes the which were as faire as rich and as curiously wrought as any Prince could weare hee went to the place appointed for the Combat midway betwixt Bosledue and Gheertruidenberghe Briauté finding not his enemie aduanced further then hee ought meeting halfe a League from Bosledue vpon their approch they charged equally Briauté and his companie with long Pistolls onely and Lekerbitken with Carabin and Petroneâ—l The two Commanders had before giuen a signe to know one another Briauté who had a great white feather Briauâ—â— kills his enemie made choyse of Lekerbitken who had a red and charged him with such great â—urie as hee slue him shooting him in at the sight of his caske at this charge there were fiue of them of Bosledue slaine whereof the Brother of Lekerbitken was one It semed Briaute should vanquish but they of Bosledue reâ—uming courage to reuenge the death of their leader returned more furiously then before to the charge the which strocke a terror into Briautes companie who flying away left their Captaine in danger who was taken Prisoner with a Cosin of his and was carried with three of the companie to Bosleduâ— Grobendone being before the port expecting the returne of Lekerbitken and to learne with the first how the combat succeeded seeing not his Lieutenant he demanded where he was they answered that he was slaine and his Brother with him hee replyed and why haue ye not then slaine these at which wordes his men fell vpon Briauté and his Cosine Briauâ—é murth red murthered them in cold bloud This yeare the Emperour made the Duke of Mercure LieutenaÌ„t General of his army in Hungarie sending him his Commission the which he would not accept without the Kings commandement esteeming no honor nor greatnes in the world to bee desired or accepted of a Subiect The Duke of 〈…〉 â—econd voyage into Hungarie without the permission of his Prince The King liked well of it This was his second voyage into Hungarie who after that hee had receiued the Emperours commandement at Vienna he went directly to Iauarin where hee was acknowledged Lieutenant Generall to the Emperour in his army the which was very small in number but very great in courage and resolution to doe well Wee haue shewed before how that Michael Palatin of Valachia vanquished Cardinall Battory and the Transiluanians and how hee became Master of Clausembourg in the Emperours name Let vâ— now see how ambition blinded him and how hee lost Valachia and was forced to liue at Vienna a pentioner to the Emperour Ambassador from the 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 of Valâ—câ—â—a In the beâ—inning of this yeare a second Ambassador came from the Turke vnto the Palatin of Valachia to draw him from the Emperours alliance to inuite him to haue intelligence with the Turke The Palatin went to meet this Ambassador with a great 〈◊〉 and wel appointed His name was Haraian an old Captaine and of a reuerent aspect Coming neere togither both of them lighted and hauing imbraced one another the Aga tooke off the Palatins sword and girt him after the
them to Alba regalis promising the Turkes to deliuer them Shuartzbourg or if he would not trust them they would shew them the meanes to take him in Zolnock whether hee should come to bring their money Scuartzbourg had intelligence thereof yet some of the Traitors inuited him by their letters to come promising to open him the gates being come the kept him and sought to surprise him so as hee was forced to send Captaine Scharpffenstein with the Cannon to force them the 22. of Iune The Traitors receiued carts loden with prouision from the Turkes and deliuered them Christian prisoners which they carried a way to Vesprin and Alba regalis with great treacherie crueltie euery one deliuering vp his Host. In the meane time Michael Marot aduertised Schuartzbourg to come himselfe to beseege Pappa for that the Traitors were at diuision among themselues killing one another Schuartzbourg goes takes one of these trecherous Captaines at a sallie causing him to bee flead aliue and his head to be set on the end of a Pike to stirke terror into the rest They also take a Bastion from them by force by the which they might let in Turkish â—uccors who did all they could to succour them the which they could not effect by reason of the great floâ—ds and the resistance of the Christians The Traitors being famâ—shed and in great want of all things grew desperate desiring rather to die then to yeeld and be executed Among others they make one sallie in the night the last of Iuly and charge Marsbourgs quarter where finding the souldiars dronke they defeated many and put the whole Campe in armes Schuartzbourg a braue and valiant Captaine going to giue order for this tumult was slaine with a shot to the great greef of all the Câ—ristianâ— Schuartzbourg slâ—iâ—e before Pappa Notwithstanding his death the seege was continued the Traitors defended themselues desperately making a sallie the next day carrying many prisoners 〈◊〉 tâ—e Towne with some Captaines and slue three hundred And being perswaded to yeeld they answered that when all their victualls were spent they would eate their prisoners yea and Michael Marot the Gouernor The Emperour giue the charge of this army to Melchior Reder who had brauely defended Vaâ—adin The Traitors seeing they could hould no longer fore-cast how they might 〈◊〉 and the 9. of August they dryed vp a poole which did enuiron Pappa of one side and for that the bottome did sinke they did cast Hardles Strawe and other baggage into it Reder aduertised hereof sends Nadaste the Count Thurin and Colonitz to sâ—rprâ—ze them The Traitors flying had alreadie gotten vnto a wood at the end of the Poole where they ouertooke them and refusing to yeeld some of them were cut in peeces And among others la Motte their Captaine with a hundred more were slaine Their Mediator with the Turkes was taken with many of the chiefe of the Treason In the meane time Marot the Gouernor whom the Traitors had put in prison being freed from his bonds gets forth with others and comes to the Campe. Reder by this meanes enters into Pappa and deliuers the other prisoners At this entry many of the Traytors were slaine some were reserued for execution and were sent to other Garrisons to serue for an example Some were Impaled others broken vpon the Wheele and scorched with a small fire and basted with Lard Diuers punishmâ—nts of Trayâ—ors some had their Bowells pulled out off their Bellies and burnt before their faces and their thighes shoulders and other parts of their Bodies scorched some had their Hearts pulled out aliue others had their throats filled with Sulpher and Pouder and so set on fire some were buried aliue vp to thechinne and ther heads broken with Bullets euery one by order of Martiall Lawe to make them apprehend by the seuerity of their deaths the foulenes of their treason Which diuersity of seuere punishments seeming to tend to cruelty was very necessary to make all Christians abhorre treason The Lords of Sillery and Alincourt by the Popes aduice and the Kings commandement went from Rome to Florence A Treatie of the Kings marriage to treat a marriage betwixt the King and the Noble Princesse Mary of Medieis the which had beene propounded before This demaund was so pleasing vnto the great Duke as he made no difficlulty Her Portion was six hundred thousand Crowns comprehending that which the Great Duke had lent the King of the which he paid himselfe with Iewells and other precious moueables The Contract was past in the Pallace of Pitty the 25. day of Aprill in the presence of Charles Anthony Putei Archbishop of Pisa and Virginiâ— Duke of Bracciano All Florence shewed great ioy thereat and the Princesse was presently declared Queene of France She dyned publikely vnder a cloth of Estate the great Duke sitting farre beneath her The Duke of Bracciano gaue her Water and Sillery the Kings Ambassador the Towell The rest of the day was spent in all kind of sports Soone after Monsieur Alincourt went to carry these good newes vnto the King with the Queenes picture which the great Duchesse sent him The King sent Frontenaâ— The Queenes Picture sent to the King to serue the Qâ—eene as her cheefe Steward who presented vnto her his Maiesties first Letter and withall he sent his Portrait to the great Duke The King resolued to effect the promises of Marriage as soone as the Duke of Sauoy had performed his touching the Restitution or the Exchange of the Marquisate of Salusses and to go to Auignon to receiue the Queene but the Duke was much perplexed what hee should doe After the Duke of Sauoyes departure the King went to passe the Lent at Fontainbleau where there was A Conference at Fontainbleau a great Conference betwixt the Bishop of Eureux and Philip de Mornay Lord of Plessis Marly Gouernour of Saumur Intendent of the house and Crowne of Nauarre in the presence of the King Princes and Officers of his Crowne Councellors of State Prelats and other Noblemen of marke It was touching a booke which Monsier du Plessis had published of the Institution of the Lords Supper and against the Masse wherein the Bishop did taxe him to haue falsified many Authorities Whervpon du Plessis presented a Petition vnto the King that his Maiesty would be pleased to appoint Commisioners to examine euery passage of Scripture cited in his booke The King yeelded to this Conference that the trueth might be made cleare against the darknesse of sâ—ander referring the care thereof to his Chancellor The Commissionars appointed for the Catholiks were Augustin Thuanus President of the Court Parliament at Paris Pithou Aduocate in the Court and Fieure Schoolemaister to the Prince of Condé in whose absence came Martin the Kings Phisition And for the other the President of Calignon Chancellor of Nauarre in whose place entred de Fresnes Gauaye President of the Chamber of Languedoe and Casaubon his Maiesties Reader
them who would gladly haue saued them for there was no mercie in the Scottishmen who slue all they met for an expiation of the death of their Companions murthered in the morning in cold bloud so as they said that the Archduke lost aboue sixe thousand men and seuen or eight hundred prisoners whose liues were saued with great difficultie yea the Admirall of Arragon being led prisoner towards the Prince The Admiral of Aâ—ragon prisoner had beene in great danger of his life entring into Ostende if hee had not beene neere the Prince The States as well in the incounter in the morning as in the battell lost aboue two thousand men amongst the which were three Captaines of Horse twenty of Foot but not any Nobleman of accoÌ„pt On the Archdukes side died the Count de Saume the Seneshall of Montlimar who being prisoner and sore wounded died soone after his taking at Ostend the Barron of Pimereul Sonne to the Treasorer Chassey the Seigneour of Ottigny Sonne to the President Richardot Men of account slâ—ine on the Archdukes side Don Gaspar de Sapena a Colonell who died in Ostend Don Diego de Torres Don Gaspar de Loyaza Don Gonzalo Spinola Don Ioan de Pardo Don Garcia de Toledo Don Lopes de Capata Don Alonso de Carceno Don Louys Faccardo Sebastian Velasco Sebastian Doteloa Christouall Verdugues Matheo d' Otenil Ioannetin de Casa noua the Contador d' Alimes and many others There were taken prisoners Don Francisco de Mendoza Marquis of Guadaleste The cheeâ—e prisoners Great Admirall of Arragon and the Archdukes Lieutenant Generall Don Baptista de Villa noua who were led to Horne in Holand Don Alonso Requell to Delfe Don Gonzalo Hernandes de Spinosa to Vtrech Don Pedro de Montinegro and Don Philip de Tassis to the Hage Don Pedro de Velasco to Bergh Don Pedro de Lensina to Encusen Don Anthony de Mendoza and Don Francisco de Torres to Bergh Of the Archdukes houshold were taken the Count Carlo Rezi Don Diego De Gusman and Mortier all three being his pages and Don Pedro de Montemaior his Gentlemen Caruer his Phisition Surgian Harbinger Rider Cooke Porter and Groome of his Chamber some of his Gardes c. fortie seauen Ancients and thertie seauen appointed and reformed Sargents The Archduke lost sixe Peeces of Artillery The Prince returnes to the â—â—ege of â—â—â—â—port and with the two which they had taken in the morning a hundred and sixe Enseignes and fiue Corners comprehending the mâ—â—â—ners Standard the Colours which were lost that day were also recouered Fiue daies after this Battaile the Prince returns againe to the seege of Nieuport hauing possed the Hauen againe hee caused his Shipps to returne intrenched his Campe vnshipps his Cannon and prepared his Batteries but the same night there entred three Regiments into the Towne the which they could not preuent besides fiue Companies which were there in Garrison before so as the Prince finding it very difficult to take the Towne by assault without greater forces and a long â—eege considering the number of their men the which might greatly preiudice his affaires and little aduantage him by the taking thereof beeing in danger vpon his departure to bee taken againe hee raised his Campe and imbarked his Cannon with all the Baggage Tentes and Pauilions commanding the Shipps to returne towards Ostend The Prince beseegeth Isabellas â—ort hauing resolued to attempt the Forts of Isabella Saint Clara and Grotendorst so as the next day hauing past the Hauen of Nieuport hee went to beseege the Fort of Isabella neere to that of Albertus which hee had taken at his comming to Ostend but the one and twentith day of the month at the breake of day the Arch-dukes army beeing newe supplied The Arch-duke releeues it and raiseth the seege appeered and set downe neere vnto the Fort of Clara without any opposition so as the Arch-duke sent to refresh the sayd Forts both with Men and Munition the which the Prince could not hinder by reason of the great ditches which were in the Meadows so as the Prince finding that he was to fight with two enemies if he should assayle the Fort made his retreat contenting himselfe for that yeare with the victory of Niâ—uport so as hee was blamed of many for that hee could not make vse of so great a victory Count Maurice and the States hauing demanteled Albertus Forte as much as they thought good and raised the seege from that of Isabella they returned with their Armie into the vnited Prouinces putting them into Garrisons Count Mauricâ— returnes into Holland and the Archduke retired the Bodie of his Army out of Flanders except some Companies which hee left within the Forts repayring that of Albertus againe in the same manner as it had bin before Wackene the Arch-dukes Vice-admirall remayning commonly in the Towne of Dunkerke to reuenge the losse at the Battaile of Nieuport goes himselfe to Sea with seauen or eight Shipps of Warre and falls vpon a peece of the Fleete of Holland and Zeland which went to fish for Herrings the which although they had some Shipps for their gard dispersed heere and there yet not beeing able to defend alike some lying farre of the Vice-admirall tooke some of them The exploits of the Vice-admirall of Flanders and hauing taken out the Pilotes and Masters of the Shipps hee nayled the Mariners and Fishermen vnder the Hatches in fifteene or sixeteene of the a foresayd Shipps the which hee perced beneath in the Keeles so as they sunke to the bottome of the Sea with all those poore distressed wretches which could no way saue or helpe themselues a poore reueng and a pittifull thing to see and heare the lamentable cries of those which were so miserably drowned This Sommer the States of the Lowe Countries caused a great Galley to bee Built in the Towne of Dordreâ—ht in Hollande to stoppe the Passages and courses of them of Scluse this beeing called the blacke Galey of Dordrecht hauing ten or twelue peeces of Artillery whereof there were two Cannons in the Poope and two in the Prowe it was no sooner finished manned but she was sent from Flessingh in Zeland to drawe forth the enemies Galleies whilest she lay at an Anchor The blackâ— Galley of Dordâ—etâ—ht the Captaine hauing discouered three Galleies of Scluse which had taken a Marchants Shippe of Zelande pursued them and at the first charged one of the three so furiously as after great harme done her she was forced to retire which done the Captaine went to the other two who had seized on the ship the which he tooke from them and forced them to retire to Scluse with no lesse losse then the first And afterwards the night of the 29. day of Nouember this Captaine with his Galley and foure shalops well manned set vpon the Admiralls ship of Andwerp in the middest of the Riuer of Escault before the said Towne the which was one of
hatred to vnite their wills gathering all their troupes speedely togither beeing in all but eighteene thousand men and present themselues vnto the enemy lodging vpon an other hil right against him The Transilnâ—â—ians defeated but much lower The Transiluanian being annoyed by their Canon came downe from the hill into a valley betwixt both The Imperialists compasse them in and charge them in such sort as they slue eleauen thousand vpon the place the rest fled with their Generall who cursed God and his Fortune loosing his baggage forty peeces of Canon and 150. Enseignes which were sent to the Emperour to make his victory absolute Battory went to the great Turkes Court to begge for newe succors but he was not welcome the Turke beeing discontented for the losse of Alba Regalis and for that the intelligences which hee had with the Prince of Valachia did not succeede according to his intentions The Emperour did long foresee that ambition should be more powerfull in the Valachians heart then duty many reasons entertained him in these doubts the acts of absolute power which hee had done in Transiluania the fortification of places the warre against the Moldauian and especially his proud and imperious disposition made them beleeue that hee had resolued to make one soueraignty of three Prouinces True it is that to free them from these iealousies hee had sent his Deputies to the Emperour to assure him that he would not hold Transiluania 1601. but at his commande and seeing that his assurances were weaker then their doubts and apprehensions he sent his Wife and one of his Children for hostages and in the end came himselfe to giue an account of his actions confessing that the rigors which he had vsed vpon the Transiluanians were not to reuenge his owne priuat passions but the publike iniuries in the disloyaltie of this people which were reuolted against the Emperour The Turke beleeued that the Valachian would not passe the riuer of Danuby to make warre against him and that he would giue the Emperour good wordes and he should haue good effects The Valachian as full of courage as of ambition sought but some worthy occasion which shewed his constancie and loyalty to the Emperour tooke from the Turke all hope that if he could not be his friend openly yet hee would serue him vnder-hand To this effect he propounded an enterprise vpon Thrace to diuert the Turkes forces as Scipio did vpon Carthage to free Italy demanding no other fruits of the conquest then the proofe of his dutie and zeale to the common good of Christendome swearing and protesting that hee would rather drinke Bulls bloud then euer to entertaine a peace or frienship with them whose ruine and exterpation he had sworne The Emperour knew well that hee sware but to couer his disloyaltie nor did not affect the generall cause of the Empire but to aduance his priuate passions and therefore hee resolued to be assured of him George Basta obserued his actions and represented them in such sort vnto the Emperour as he gaue him commission to bring him prisoner to Prague The Valachian offered to draw his sword against him that brought this charge but he was preuented by Bastas people The Turke was sorrie for it knowing that all the submission which he made in shew to the Emperour The Valachian committed to prison should not alter him from his first affections but this greefe was nothing in respect of the losse of Alba Regalis It is a small Towne seated in a Marishe which makes the approches difficult it was taken by the Duke Mercure at the third assault in lesse then thirteene daies Alba Regalis taken by the Duke of Mercure the 22. of September he set nine hundred Christian prisoners at libertie tooke 2000. Turkish women and children when the beseeged did see that they could not saue themselues from the Christians they set fire of their munition ruined the Castell and a good part of the wall yet the spoyle was esteemed at three millions of gold for that all the riches of Buda was there as in the place of surety all that bare armes were cut in peeces The spoyle there except the Basha and some hundred souldiars with him who being retyred into a strong Bastion the Duke Mercure receiued them to mercy and granted them their liues onely which grace they had not deserued for that they had not aduertised the Duke of the mynes that were prepared in diuers parts of the Towne wherewith some Christian souldiars had beene spoyled the Towne much indomaged and the Duke himselfe in great danger Hassan Basha great Vezir came with an army of threescore and tenne thousand men to recouer it againe before it were victualed and the ruines repayred but hee was forced to abandon it with losse and disgrace through the valour and wisedome of the Duke Mercure And so Alba Regalis a famous towne being the ancient seat of the Kings of Hungary returned to the Christians The Valachian offering to draw his sword against Colonel Petz who had charge to seaze on him The Valachian â—lâ—â—ne by the VValons a Captaine of the Walons being more aduanced then the rest thrust him through the bodie with his halberd whereof falling downe hee was presently slaine by the rest who cut off his head without any resistance of his people that were present In his tent they found letters which discouered his treacherie against the Imperial Maiestie and his wicked desseins so as the Valachians themselues who had been greatly incensed by this death hauing seene and red the letters were pacified saying that he had beene deseruedly slaine The Generall Basta made a proclamation That all the Valachians souldiars that would should haue leaue to depart or if they would serue the Emperour they should be entertayned with the like pay in taking of a new oath so as many were enrolled vnder Basta By this meanes Basta this yeare reduced allmost all Transiluania vnder the Emperour Yet Battory who had beene defeated Battories practises attempted all meanes to recouer his lost Countrie and his Soueraigne authoritie being supported not onely by the Transiluanians but also by the Tartares and Turkes Before and since his last defeat he had sought to surprize Clausembourg but in vaine afterwards he liued as a Vagabond in the Mountaynes and Deserts with fewe people And for that the Generall Basta did still presse him on euery side finding no place of Safety hee sent his Agents to Basta beseeching him to suffer him to inioy his Principality and that he would keepe no Garrisons nor Magazins but with the Emperors good liking Basta made him no other answer but that he must execute the Emperors commandments but he should do well to submit himselfe to the Emperor to haue his â—auour but Battory would not follow his good Councell yet in the end he was forced vnto it in the yeare 1602. Ferdinand the Archduke hauing spent much time at the seege of
Brignolet or Attignac had done they might bouldly haue said the Towne had bin wonne Halfe an houre after two of the clock a sentynell in the Tower of the minte hauing heard some rustling in the ditch shott off his peece to giue the Alarum and forced Brignolet to discouer himselfe charging all that were at the Corps de gard of the new gate to plant the Petard there and to make an entrie for the bodie of the armie which was in Plainpalais The Portcullâ—â— at the new gate cut downe They forced the Corps de gard being but fiue and twentie men but against the Maximes of warre which commands them to kill all they let one escape who ran vp and let downe the Portcullis to make their Petard vnprofitable The Towne was full of cryes and fearefull exclamations whereof the Sauoyards should haue made their profit increased their courages as it did daunt the Inhabitants who knew not which way to runne some criing to one gate others running to an other But the Assaylants lost themselues in the appearance of so happie a successe Those without should haue giuen an Alarum at some gate to diuide the â—orces of the Towne Those that were within made no vse of their Hatchets Hammers and Pincers they did forget to â—ire some houses and they were surprised with a dulnes of spirit thinking more of booty and spoyle then to make perfect their Conquest In the meane time the Consull cryes as they did sometimes at Rome Hee that loues mee let him follow mee Some Countrimen of the neighbour villages which kept gard in the Towne-house by turnes being led by some Captaines and Townesmen presented themselues to the new gate they were valiantly repulsed and yet the first shot they made slue their Petardiar Brignolet slainâ— who was busie about his Petard This first charge had not dislodged them if the whole strength of the Inhabitants had not come and charged them so furiously as they began to giue way shewing neither conduct nor courage Necessitie which breeds assurance euen vnto them that are borne without courage made the Townsmen so resolute in this defence as the Sauoyards did presently turne their backes The nimblest were â—orced to returne to their ladders which now could no longer serue them for a Cannon planted vppon the Bulwarke de l' Oye against the dâ—tch had broken them in such sort as they left foure and â—ifâ—ie dead vppon the place along the Curtyne of Corrateâ—re and thiâ—teene that were taken aliue If the Townsmen had had souldiars inough to haue made a fallie in this Confâ—sion those that were at Plainpalais had not returned in soe good order There were thirteene taken aliue vpon promise that was giuen them that they should bee prisoners of warre for else they would haue preferred an honorable death before any promiâ—e that was made them to take them aliue and to disarme them Attignac was among them who fought couragiously and gaue the order of Saint Maurice which he wore to his seruant willing him to saue himselfe The resolution of the Bâ—ron of Attignac being resolued to die with his sword in his hand It had beene better for him to haue bin slaine at the Combate of D. Philippin then to be reâ—erued for so ignominious a death The Seigneurie would not intreat them as prisoners taken in the warre but like theeues that had entred the Towne by the wall against the Law of Nations and the publike faith The prisoners are intreated like theeues They sayd that the Dâ—ke was too noble a Prince to adâ—ow so wicked and treacherous an Act. There were many opinions vpon the Iudgement of their death The most modest concluded to haue them put to ransome others to keepe them prisoners that they might serue for exchange if occasion required through the continuance of the warre â—ut the most violent stirred vp the people representing vnto them their Religion the rauishing of their Wiues and Daughters the Murther Sacke and perpetual slauerie concluded against them and the lamentations of their Widowes Children that had bin slaine the which being well considered off made the mildest opinions seeme vniust So as they were condemned to be hanged They requested their Heads might be cut off like Gentlemen They were condeâ—â—ed to be hanged the which was granted them but it was after they had beene strangled The threescore and seuenteene Heads as well of those that had beene hanged as of the others that had beene slaine were planted vpon the Galloes and their bodies throwne into the Riuer of Rhosne On the Tewsday after they made a generall Fast for their deliuery They presently sent to al their neighbours for Succors They published in all places the wonders of this deliuery They write vnto the Gouernor of Lions in this manner Letters froÌ„ the Seigneury of Geneua to Monâ—ieure de la Guicâ—â— Gouernor of Lions My Lord you haue vnderstood heretofore by many of our Letters how his Highnesse of Sauoy notwithstanding that he knew and had coâ—fessed that we were comprehended in the Peace made in Ianuary 1600. betwixt his royall Maiesty of France and him yet he hath oppressed vs in sondry sorts not onely by the detayning of our Reuenues forbidding of trafficke and other Violences and Extortions yeelding nothing to the many and iust admonitions of his Maiesty but also hath attempted often to inuade and surprise vs in this time of Peace So it is that to glut his pernitious desseigne the Lord of Albigny on Satterday last the eleuenth of this month about Mid-night had brought before our Towne on the side of Plainpalais about two thousand choice men Horse and Foote and had cast about two hundred into our Ditch neere vnto the old Gate of Corratiere and hauing planted Ladders one within an other hee had caused them to mount about three of the clocke on the Sunday morning the twelfth of the month incouraging them being himselfe in the Ditch so as being entred into the Towne some went to the Newe-gate to plant the Petard and to drawe in the body of theyr Troupes which made a stand in the Meadow of Plainpalais others would haue seized vppon the Minte-gate and so haue entred into the middest of our Towne But it pleased our good God to looke vppon vs with a fauourable eye and to giue courage to our Men so as they haue repulst them so valiantly as they haue slaine the beâ—t part of them vpon the place and some others haue beene taken and since hanged by our commandment The rest haue cast themselues head-long downe the Walles so as wee heare that manye of them are dead or grieuously hurt But it is likely that the Lord of Albigny will continue his hatred against vs hauing also intelligence that his Highnesse is not farre from vs. Wee therefore most humblye pray and intreat you withall our affections that it would please you duely to consider the preiudice which the taking of our Towne
and Champagne with the Commanders and Knights at the Temple and the King went to dine with Zamet This order hath alwaies affected two kinds of Knights some for seruice and others for honor The Order of Malta hath of the cheeâ—e houses of Chrâ—sâ—endom and both for the greatnes defence and support of the Order There haue beene children of the greatest and mightiest houses of Christendome who although they doe no seruice in effect being diâ—pensed withall yet they profit their profession much by the entertaynment and communication of friendships and respects of their houses to the common good of the Order Others that are issued from the noblest families of all the Nations of the world are bound vnto actuall seruice in the Iland they haue all the Mediteranian Sea for the Carire of their exercise and all the world for witnesses of their glorie After that they haue done the seruice which they owe vnto the Order they cannot grow old in pouertie and in this assurance they goe more willingly to all occasions that demand a proofe of their valour being reasonable to hazard themselues in great enterprises to merit great recompences The Knights neuer growe old poore â—he season is fayre vnder the newe raigne of the Emperor of the Turkes who although hee were a childe and entring into the foureteenth yeare of his age yet he gaue generous proofes of his disposition to War The Turkes â—hâ—nâ—â— their Emperor will proue an other Soliman and the Turkes thinke to see â—pring vp in him the Hatred and Fury of Sultan Soliman against the Christians and that hee should begin his raigne by the Conquest of Maltha as the other did by Rhodes Although â—he desire of these Barbarians to subdue the Christians be insatiable yet if they could gette Maltha they would hold themâ—elues content There is none but this Morcelâ— that can satisfie them the Wolfe would be no more a Wolfe if hee were full La Valette great Maâ—â—er forced Seliâ— to 〈◊〉 the seege in the yeare 1565. but Selim thinking to swallow it once had like to haue choked and so may all they doe that do attempt it Amet then the newe Emperor of the Turkes presently after the death of Mahomet his Father who ended his life with the ende of the last yeare went to the Mosquee neere vnto Constantinople to put on the Sword of his Fore-fathers By their example hee should haue put his brother to death Amet Emperor of the Turkes but he reserued him vntill he was of age to haue children so as the byrth of the first child of this Prince shall bee the ineuitable death of the brother He let them presently see that his youth should not be incapable of affayres as they thought He seizeth vpon his Grandmothers Treasure Hee caused his Grand-mother to bee sequestred who would rule as she had done in the life of Mahamet her Sonne beeing Ambitious Proud and Imperious in her passions hauing great authority and great Treasure to maintaine it and to get more being supported in her desseignes by the worst and most factious of the Eâ—pire He said that he would go to the Wars of Hungary in person he made many goodly Orders to reforme the Discipline and to ease the people He fell sicke of the small poâ—kes and kept his Chamber for some dayes After his recouery he shewed himselfe often vnto his people The present hee gaue vnto his Souldiars as the newe Emperors doe was of two Millions and a halfe The Saphis which are the Horsemen had ten Crownes a man and fiue Aspres a day more to increase their pay the Ianissaries had thirty Crownes and one Aspre more of pay The cheefe Officers of the Court did also taste of this liberality His Father had caused his first Visier to bee strangled Aly Bascha Gouernor of great Caire entred into this charge the Fall and Ruine of the one was the rising and settiâ—g vp of the other There is no place so great among the Turkes as the dignity of the first Visier Hee alone holds the Reynes and Helme of the Empire He is the first of the Baschas whose name is a Diminitiue of Padachaas that is to say Great Emperor Cygale represented vnto this young Prince the quality of his deserts to merite this charge but hee was answered That it was reserued for Aly Bascha and that hee should content himselfe with the Admiralty of the Seas That which did much helpe to raise Aly Baschas fortune was the treasure which he brought out of Egypt and the great reputation of Iustice and Wisedome that he had gotten in that Prouince the gouernement wherof is no lesse affected among the Turkes then it was in former times among the Romaines In his way he had caused a Rebel of some countenance and authority to bee strangled who had presented himselfe vnto him to haue a pardon He entred into this charge setled the affayres with great order in the conduct whereof hee left great proofes of his Wisedome and Iustice. But he presently left the place vnto another The death of Mahomet was not published in the Army of Hungary by any other then by the Generall Great accidents may not be sodainly deliuered vnto the people nor without good consideration for the Inconueniences which the sodaine amazement doth cause This death did not breake of nor any thing alter the Treaty of a Truce or of a Peace in Hungary The negotiation was coÌ„tinued in an Iland aboue Buda and Pesâ—e but with small effect The Emperor distrusting the King of France who onely had the meanes to ende it happily and profitably But it were to Treat of impossibilities to make the Princes of the house of Austria trust vnto the Councels of the French and it is an act of great indiscretion in Christians to trust vnto these Barbarians who haue neither Faith nor Truth The first enemy that shewed himselfe against Ameth was the King of Persia The King of Peâ—sia in armes who came neere vnto Babilon giuing the Souldiars to vnderstand that were within it that it was onely to deliuer theÌ„ from the yoake and oppression of the Turkes to change their condition into a better and their seruitude into Liberty This made the people of Asia to conceiue some hope of better vsage vnder the raigne of this young Prince But euery one desired to change his Maister vppon a conceit that this change should be profitable notwithstanding that any alteration in an Estate is mortall He tooke Tauris the cheefe Citty of Persia and Anziron a strong place in the Mountaynes of the Georgians and others which remayned to the Turkes by the Treaty of Peace This yeare died the Archbishop of Mentz Whervpon the Chapter tooke vpon theÌ„ the Administration of the Archbishopricke The Archbishop of Mentz dies according to the antient rights and gaue a day to assemble for the election Many Noblemen were there present the Bishop of Wirtzbourg came not vpon an
diuers Prouinces and many men â—ol 2â— His cruell pracâ—ises to become great ibid. Horrible murther committed by Clouis ibid. The death of Clouis fol. â—1 His vertues and his vice ibid. The Estate of the Churâ—h ibid. The 6. raigne vnder the â—oure sonnes of Clouis Childebert Clodamir Clotaire Thierry Who raigned together 42. yeares as Kings of France but with particular titles vnder this generall but the eldest beares the name Childebert the 6. King of France HOrrible confusion among brethren fol. 23 Clodamir takes and is taken Crueltie of brethren ibid. Warre betwixt brethren fol. 24 A happie reconâ—ilement ibid. A good and happie warre ibid. Warre rashly vndertaken prooues vnfortunate fol. 25. Austrasia now called Lorraine ibid. A horrible punishment of a rebellious Sonne ibid. Clotaire 1. the 7. King of France PRinces ought not to thrust their subiects into despaire fol. 26 Cherebert 8. King of France DIuision of portions breâ—ds a diuision of harts fol. 28. Horrible confusions betwixt brethren and by their wiues One makes warre against another ibid. Sigâ—bert â—laine fol. 29 Chilperic 1. the 9. King of France THe father kils his sonne through the practises of a woman fol. 30 The husband puts away one wife and kils another ibid. He oppresseth his subiects and the punishment of his crimes ibid. Impietie the spring of all euill fol. 31 Clotaire 2. the 10. King of France THe efficacie of the law of State fol. 31 Notable subtiltie of a woman fol. 32 An imaginarie King ibid. A King in his cradle a Conqueror fol. 33 Tragicall practises of two women ibid. â—redâ—gonde dies with her victorie ibid. Brunâ—hault incenseth one brother against another â—ol 34. The husband against the wife ibid. The brother kils the brother ibid. Brunâ—hault murthers her sonne fol. 35 She is put to a horrible death ibid. Mildnesse fit to repaire a decayed estate fol. 36 The greatnesse of the seruant is a blemish to the master ibid. Too great facilitie hurtfull to an estate ibid. Dagobert 1. the 11. King of France HE forceth his subiects to obedience fol. 37 The Iewes banished France ibid. He was blamed for his adulterie ibid. Hee did great exploits of armes vnder the conduct of Pepin fol. 38 He preferred his younger sonne before the elder ibid. Clouis 2. the 12. King of France THe manners of the idle King fol. 38 The Maior of the Pallace gouernes the whole State â—ol 39 The brethrens portions and their good agreement ibid. The â—eligious life of Queene Baudour ibid. Clouis carefull to releeue the poore ibid. Clotaire 3. the 13. King of France CLotaire a cruell and a wicked King oppressed his subiects fol. 40 Childeric or Chilperic 2. the 14. King of France HE takes his brother and makes him a Monk fol. 41. He growes prowd and cruell The French hate him ibid. He is murthered by his subiects his Queene being with child fol. 42 Thierry 1. the 15. King of France OF a Monke he is made a King fol 42 He is taken prisoner by his subiect iâ—â—d A trecherous murther fâ—l 43 Ebroin Maior of the Pallace growes cruell and â—euengefull hee is murthered by a French Gâ—â—tleman ibâ—d Pepin Maior of the Pallace gouernes with gâ—eaâ— credit ibid. Clouis 3. the 16. King of France HE raigned foure yeares and died without memorie fol. 44 Childebert 2. the 17. King of France HE raigned 17. yeares and did nothing worthy to be spoken of fol. 45 Dagobert 2. the 18. King of France PEpin commanded in a manner absolutely 44. yeares â—ol 46 Princes must looke to whom they commit the charge of affaires ibid. Pepins behauiour during his Maioraltie fol. 47 He was incontinent Charles Martell his bastard ibid. Charles Martell chosen Mayor of the Pallace fol. 48. A second victorie to vse it well ibid. Chilperic 3. the 19. King of France A Prince of no valour simple and voluptuous fol. 49. Thierry 2. the 20. King of France CHarles Martâ—ll chosen Prince of the French â—ol 50. Multiplicitie of Masters a ruine to an Estate ibid. The Sarazens inuade France with 400000. men fol. 50. Martel encounters them and encourageth his men ibid. A memorable defeat of Abdâ—rame the Sarazen and his death fol. 52 The fidelitie of the Viennois to the Fâ—ench fol. 53. The courage of a Bishop ibid. New attempts of the League ibid. A new armie of Sarazens in France ibid. Languedoc seuerely punished by Martell fol. 54 Martel forceth the â—risons to be christened ibid. Childeric 5. the 21 King of France the last of that race THe disposition children and death of Martel fâ—â— 55 Pepin armes against the Sarazens and prescribes them a Law â—â—l 56 He repaires the ruines of the Sarazens ibid. The estate of the Church ibid. Pepin meanes to make himselfe King ibid. The Pope dispenced the French from their oath of obedience to Childeric fol. 57 Pepin the short the 23. King of France and the fiâ—st of the second race PEpin chosen King by the Parliament and Childeric reiected â—ol 60 Soueraigne causes of this change fol. 61 The estate of this second race ibid. Instruction for great men ibid. Pepin striues to win the French by good deeds ib. The Saxons rebell and are subdued ibid. Pepin prouides for the affaires of Italy â—oâ— 62 His wiâ—dome in vndertaking a warre ibid. Astolpho breaks his faith and besiegeth Rome ibid. Pepin confirmes his authoritie by a Parliament fol. 63 He makes a forraine warre to auoide a ciuill ibid. Ieffâ—râ—y of Guienne slaine by his seruant fol. 64 Pepin resignes the crowne to Charles ibid. His children his death and his Manners ibid. The estate of the Empire ibid. Italie made desolate by the Gothes and by the Lombards fâ—l 65 They are expelled by the French ibid. The beginning of Mahomets sect in the East ibid. The estate of the Church at Rome â—ol 66 Contention for Primacie A worthy speech of S. Gregory Dispute for Images At the first but a politicke inuention ibid. Estate of the ancient church Insolencie of Popes at this day â—ol 67 Charles the Great or Charlemaigne the 24. King of France PEpins children diuide the Realme fol. 68 Charles the patterne of a great King ibid. His manners his studies and his armes ibid. The successe of his raigne fol. 69 Carolomans iealousie against his brother ibid. Troubles at Rome 〈◊〉 deeds in 〈◊〉 of his 〈…〉 fol. 70 The Lâ—mbards dissimulation and his presumption in hanging of the Popes Secretaries ibid. Rebellion in Guienne by Hurault ibid. Instruction for Princes fol. 71 Caroloman dies ibid. Charlemagnes wiues and his children ibid. Carolomans widowe ioynes with the Lombards against him 〈◊〉 deeds 〈…〉 â—ntill he 〈◊〉 Empeâ—â—â— ibid. Didier king of the Lombards makes warre against the Pope fol. 72 Charles opposeth himselfe against the Lombard ibid. Charles makes warre with the aduice of his estates and deâ—eates the Lombard twise ibid. He takes Verona and is entertained at Rome fol. 73 Pauia taken and Didier in it ibid. A memorable warre in Germanie and
Burgundy fol. 67 The maiâ—iâ—iâ— of K. Charles the sâ—xt Complaints against the Duke of Berry and Bâ—tzac his Treasurer burnt fol. 68 THe tragicall end of Charles King of Nauarre ibid. â—emaâ—keablâ— fâ—r â—is health fâ—â—m tâ—â— yeares 1â—88 vnto 1â—9â— Peter of Craon being disgraced in court is perswaded by the Duke of Britainâ— to murther the Constable whom he assaults but kils not fol. 71 He is condemned for his attempt foâ— 72 Charles being distempered with choller his Vncles and Phisitions dissuade him from the war in Brittaine yet hee marcheth on against the Duke ibid. The duke labors to pacifie the king who parting from Mans a strange accident befell him fol. 73 CHarles fals into a phrensie the court in a pitiful case with a generall censure of this accident fol. 74. The second season remarkable fâ—r his sicknesse from the yere 1393 vnto 1422. The second causes of his phrensie his army dissolued and care taken of his person fol. 75 An order taken for the gouernment of the realm fol. 76 The disposition â—f Philip Duke of Burgondy ibid. FActions and alterations in Court fol. 77 Philip Duke of Burgogne aduanced to the gouernment of the realme by a decree of the Estates The kings Minnions ill intreated ibid. The Constable flyes from Paris and is condemned beeing absent ibid. Charles fals into a relapse by a strange accident fol. 79 Richard king of England marrieth with Isabell of France fol. 80 Is put from his gouernment fol. 81 The French succour the Hungarians and are defeated ibid. Charles his children during his infirmitie fol. 82 Hatred betweene the house of Orleans and Burgundie fol. 83 The Duke of Brittaine and the Constable reconciled ibid. DIscentions between the Dukes of Burgundie and Orleans The beginning of the ciuile warre fol. 85.86.87.88 The duke of Orleans murthered by the Burguignon fol. 89 The sequele of this trecherous murther fol. 90.91.92 The faction of Burgundy and Orleans after some ciuile warre appeased by the Daulphin who dispossesseth the Burguignon and restores them of Orleans from the yeare 1409. to 1413. fol. 93 94.95.96.97.98 Iohn of Burgundy crost by the Daulphin and the house of Orleans stirs vp new troubles from 1412. to 1417. when as the Daulphin died but troubles ceased not The estate of the Court vnder Lewis the Daulphin fol. 100 The Daulphin takes vpon him the name of Regent fol. 101 The Duke of Burgundie disgraced and banished not admitted into Paris proclaimed guiltie of high treason the King marcheth against him and he sues for peace fol. 102.103 Henry the 5. King of England enters France with an army demands Katherine the Kings daughter and marcheth into Picardie fol. 103 The King of England forced to fight and gets the victorie at the battell at Agencourt fol. 104 The Emperour Sigismund comes into France fol. 105. The Daulphin Iohn fauours the Burguignon and his death ibid. Iohn of Burgundy ioines with Isabell the Queene who takes vpon her the regencie and makes warre against her sonne Charles the Daulphin seizeth vpon Paris kils the Constable of Armagnac Henry of Marle Chancelor of France but is slaine in the end by the Daulphin from the yeare 1415. to 1419. fol. 106 A strange confusion the Mother against the Son fol. 106. The Burguignon armes and drawes in the English fol. 107 The Daulphin encountred by three great enemies The Burguignon the English and his mother ibid. The King dislikes of the Queen and the Burguignon ioynes with her fol. 109 The Queene declares her selfe Regent of France erects new courts and officers fol. 110 Paris surprised the King taken and the Daulphin saues himselfe fol. 111 The Daulphin seekes to recouer Paris fol. 112 A horrible massacre at Paris with the number murthered and a plague ensues it fol. 113 Roan besieged and taken and all Normandie yeelds vnto the English fol. 114 The Burguignon and the Queene seeke to reconcile themselues to the Daulphin fol. 115 The Duke of Brittaine leaues the English and ioynes with the Daulphin fol. 116 The Parisians mutinie and kill the Burguignons seruants fol. 117 A peace betweene the Daulphin and Iohn of Burgundie ibid. The Daulphins proceedings reasons and resolution to kill the Duke of Burgundy fol. 118.119 The Daulphin causeth the Duke of Burgundy to be slaine fol. 120 Blood punished with blood with the Catastrophe of this miserable raigne fol. 121 During these occurrents Henry the 5. Charles the 6. dies leauing the Crowne in question betweene Charles the 7. and Henry the 6. proclaimed King of France at the funerals of Charles the 6. from the yeare 1419. to 1422. fol. 122. The exploits of the Daulphin and of Philip of Burgogne after this murther fol. 122 Queene Isabell hates her sonne deadly ibid. Henry the 5. proclaimed heire of France with his proceeding in his new royaltie fol. 123 The English defeated and the Duke of Clarence slaine fol. 124 The great exploits of Henry the 5. ibid. His sicknesse and death fol. 125 Charles the 6. dies ibid. Henry the 6. proclaimed King ibid. Charles the 7. the 54. King of France NOtable particularities of this raigne fol. 127 Charles his raigne his children manners and disposition fol. 128 The miserable estate of this Realme vnto the Coronation of Charles the 7. during 7. yeares  England Burgundy Sauoy Brittany enemies vnto Charles fol. 129 Charles aduanceth Scottishmen and makes a gard of them for his person ibid. The Dukes of Bedford and Burgogne conclude a great league against Charles fol. 130 Warre against Charles in diuers places defeated by the English and Meulan taken fol. 131 The cause of the diuision betweene the Dukes of Bedford and Burgundy fâ—l 132. The notable battell of Creuant where the French and Scottish were ouerthrowne by the Duke of Bedford â—â—l 133. 〈◊〉 11. the eldest Son of Charlâ—â— borne 〈◊〉 134 New supplies â—ome out off Scotlâ—d the French growing weary of the Englâ—sh coÌ„plot agâ—iâ—st thâ—m 〈◊〉 135 The Duke oâ— Bedford sends a challenge to the Fâ—ench Army who are in diuisâ—on 〈◊〉 136. The French defeated at the battell of Veâ—nuill f l. 137. The number taken prisonâ—â—s and slaine fol. 138. Câ—arlâ—â— hiâ— miseraâ—le â—state discâ—ntentes fol. 139. Bedforâ— and Richmont brothers in law at variance f l. 140. Câ—arlâ—â— sends an ambassage to Philip of Burgundy 〈◊〉 141 The Duke of Bâ—ittaiâ—e comes to Charles and 〈…〉 English â—ol 142 Thâ—â—â—â—ttons dâ—fâ—â—ted by their error fâ—l 14â— The Kingâ— mâ—gnoâ—s slâ—â—ne by his Councâ—l 144. 〈◊〉 Duke of â—urgondy made heyre of 〈◊〉  Hamault Hollâ—nd â—nd Zelâ—nd 〈◊〉 145. The Duke of â—edford brings newe forces out of England 〈◊〉 Montargis beseeged by the English releeued by the French and the English defeated fâ—l 146 Pontarson taken by the English fâ—l 147. The famous sâ—â—ge of Orlâ—ans from 〈◊〉 148. 〈◊〉 156. THE Coronation of Châ—rlâ—s the 7. at Rheims 156. The desseigne of the â—urguignon and Sauoyard against Daulphine and Languedoc fol. 1â—7 All Champagne yeelds to
of the Gantois fed by Lewis his policie fol. 274.275 The Gantois ouerthrowne and Adolfe Duke of Guelders slaine fol. 276 Maximillian and Marie maried fol. 277 The politique liberalitie of Lewis fol. 278 The disposition of Edward King of England fol. 279. Is fed by Lewis his dilatorie hopes ibid. He neglects Marie of Burgogne ibid. Affects greatly the alliance with France ibid. A trecherous attempt at Florence against the house of Medicis fol. 280 The mutinie appeased and the murtherer hanged ibid. The battell of Guingaste where many were slain and the French left the field fol. 281 Lâ—wis seeking to reforme his Realme is hindered by infirmities yet is iealous of his authority eueÌ„ in sicknesse ibid. The death of Mary of Burgogne pleasing to Lewis fol. 282. Edward the fourth King of England dies fol. 283 Râ—â—hard murthers his two nephewes vsurpes the Crowne ibid. Lewis his disposition in his declining age fol. 284 His inuentions to make beleeue he liued still fol. 285. His death and disposition â—â—l 286 The Estate of the Church vnder Lewis â—â—l 286.287 The Estate of the Empire fol. 288.289 The Turkes ouerthrowne twice in Asia winne the third battell fol. 290 Scanderbeg his death and vertues ibid. Charles the 8. the 56. King of France A Breefe rehersall of his raigne fol. 291 His disposition and education fol. 292 Contention betweene the Duke of Orleans and the Earle of Beau-ieu for the Regency ibid. Landais gouerns the Duke of Brittaine insolentlie ibid. King Charles his coronation fol. 293 The Duke of Orleans being put from the RegeÌ„cy discontented leaues the Court. fo â—94 The Duke of Brittaine being troubled is forced to deliuer Landais who is hanged fo 295 Charles seekes to diuide the Brittons from their Duke and makes a secret treaty with the Nobility fol. 296 The Brittons reconciled to their Duke and Rieux reuoults from the French fol. 298 Ancenis Casteaubriant Vennes taken for the Brittons fol. 299 Diuision in the Brittish Army fol. 300 The Battle of St. Albin where the Duke of Orleans and the Earle of Dunois are takeÌ„ prisoners fol. 301 Diuers Townes in Brittany yeelded to the FreÌ„ch fol. 302 The Duke of Brittane after a peace made with the King dyes fol. 303 The pittifull estate of Brittaine fol 304 Anne of Brittaine succored by the English and Spanish foo 305 The Marshall of Riux and the English beseedge Brest and Conquett fol. 306 Maximillian made Arbitrator betweene king Charles and Anne of Brittaine fol. 307 Nantes and Guingam taken by the French fol. 308 A finall peace in Brittaine by Charles his mariage with Anne fol. 309 The practises of the English vpon Brittaine ibid. Arras betrayed to Maximillian fol. 310 Motiues for the voyage of Naples with the waÌ„ts for the voyage â—oâ— 31â— Lodowick Sâ—orza vsurps Milan and surpriseth the Castle fol. 312 The estate of Italy in 1490. fol. 31â— The peace of Italy ruined by Peter of Medicis â—ol 314 A league betweene the Pope the Venetians and the Duke of Milan fâ—l 3â—5 Charles his right to Naples and Scicilia ibid. He could not be diswaded by his counsell from the enterprise of Italy fol. 316 His voyage to Naples vndertaken without money fol. 31â— Lodowicks perswations to Charles with the death of Iohn Galeat Duke of Milan fâ—l 318 The â—lorentines and Peter de Medicis offer king Charles their citty withall other his demaunds â—ol 319 Peter de Medicis and his bretheren expelled â—lâ—rence fol. 32â— King Charles enters Florence ibid. The Pope perplexed hauing many enimies sends to the King fol. â—â—â— The walles of Rome and of the Castle St. Angelo fall alone at the kings entrance â—ol 322 Alphonso frighted with horrible visions for his cruelties crownes his Sonne and â—lyes fol. 323 Vpon the first entry of the French into the kingdome of Naples Capna Auerse Nola Naples yeelds fol. 324 Zemin being thrice ouerthrowne by Baiaâ—et â—lyes and is poysoned by Pope Alexander fol. 326 The Venetians discouer to the Turke an enterprise vpon Scrutaâ—y fol. 327 A league concluded against the French fol. 328 King Charles takes order for Naples and goes towards Rome and the Pope â—lyeâ— fol. 3â—9 Sauanoccllas predictions fol. 330 Milan and the whole Dutchy ready to reuolt against Lodowickâ— fol. 331 A foule reuenge by the Suisses repaired by a notable peece of seruice fol. 332 The Battle of Fornone where the King is in great danger fol. 3â—3 The Army of the league ouerthrowne fol. 334 Ferdinand defeated by Aubigny enters Naples and the most part of the kingdome reuolts from the French fol. 336 Caiette sackt by the French ibid. The Marquesse of Pescara slayne fol. â—37 The newe Castle at Naples compounds with Ferdinand ibid. Twentie thousand Suisses at Verceil for the king fol. 339 The Suisses practise to seize vpon the King ibid. The Venetians propositions to the King fol. 340 The beginning of the Poxe ibid. The treachery and couetousnesse of Entraques fol. 341 A newe French fleete in the kingdome of Naples fol. 343 Ferdinands lansquenets defeated by the French fol. 343 A truce betwixt the kings of France and Castile ibid. Charles greatly affects the enterprise of Italie but is disswaded by the Cardinall of S. Malo fol. 344 The last act of this tragedy and the French defeated fol. 345 A dishonorable coÌ„position made by the French fol. 346 The Earle of Mountpensier dies with most of his troupes ibid. King Ferdinand dies fol. 347 The Duke of Orleans refuseth to make warre against the Duke of Millan in his owne name ibid. The Duke of Millan perplexed is succoured by the Venetians fol. 348 Reasons to draw the King into Italie fol. 349 The castle of Amboyse built by Charles ibid. His death and disposition fol. 350 Lewis the 12 the 57. king of France THe happines of his raigne fol. 351 The genealogie of Lewis the 12. fol. 352 Lewis his title to the Dutchie of Millan ibid. The Pope capitulates with the King fol. 354 The Venetians and Florentines congratulate his comming to the crowne ibid. Borgia comes to court and commits a treacherous murther ibid. King Lewis associats with the Venetians fol. 355 Millan mutines against Lodowicke and hee flies shamefully fol. 356 Millan beeing yielded Lewis makes his entrie fol. 357 Vitelli besiegeth Pisa is taken and beheaded at Florence ibid. Our Ladies Bridge at Paris falls fol. 358 The estate of the East ibid. Millan and the Suisses reuolt and Sforza recouers it againe fol. 359 Lâ—dowicke Sâ—orza taken fol. 360 Millan pardoned by the King fol. 361 The potentates of Italy reconciled to the King fol. 362 The exploits of Câ—sar Borgia fol. 363 The pittifull death of the Lord of Faenza murthered by Borgia fol. 364 The warres of Naples reuiued fol. 365 The realme of Naples diuided betwixt the Kings of France and Arragon ibid. Fredericke king of Naples simplicitie fol. 366 The lamentable taking of Capua with the souldiers insolencies fol. 367 The capitulation of Fredericke who of king of Naples is
made Duke of Amou ibid. A treatie betwixt the Emperour and Lewis fol. 368 The beginning of diuision betwixt Lewis and Ferdinand fol. 369 Gonsaâ—ue the great captaines vertues ibid. New broyles in Italie fol. 370 The Duke of Valentinois cruelty ibid. The exploits of the French in the kingdome of Naples fol. 371 The Valentinois fearefull to the potentates of Italie ibid. The Venetians oppose against him fol. 372 The King discontented with the Pope and his sonne fol. 373 A counterfeit peace with the Spaniard but not ratified fol. 374 The Duke of Atri defeated by the Spaniard fol. 375 A generall ouerthrowe of the French and the Duke of Nemours slaine fol. 376 The kings new armie for Naples fol. 377 The estate of the church and the death of Pope Alexander the 6. fol. 378 The Vrsins and Colonnois reconciled bandy against the Valentinois fol. 379 Iulius the 2. chosen Pope ibid. Borgia the Valentinois a prisoner fol. 380 A truce betweene France and Spaine the wars of Naples reuiued ibid. The Marquis of Mantoua general of the French giues ouer his charge of the army fol. 381 The realme of Naples wholly lost by the French fol. 382 Lewis makes peace with the Spaniard and Emperour against the Venetian fol. 383 The death of Fredericke of Naples fol. 384 Lewis seekes by all meanes to crosse the Emperor and his sonne Philip. fol. 385 Bâ—ntiuoll deliuers Bolonia to the Pope fol. 386 The death of Philip Archduke of Austria ibid. The death of Borgia duke of Valentinois ibid. An enteruiewe of the Kings of France and Arragon fol. 387 The Suisses forsake the Emperour and Maximilian is defeated fol. 388 King Lewis goes into Italie fol. 389 The Venetians excommunicated by the Pope and ouerthrowne at Agnadell by the French fol. 390.391 The Venetians begin to recouer their losses take Padua and surprize the Marquis of Mantoa fol. 392 Padua besieged againe by the Emperour fol. 393 The Venetians make warre against the Duke of Ferrara fol. 394 The Suisses forsake the alliaÌ„ce of the FreÌ„ch and ioyne with the pope fol 395 A French armie enters Italie and the pope seekes to expell them fol. 396 397 The Suisses retire and the Venetians make an attempt against Genoa fol. 398.399 Eight conclusions made by the French Church against the pope fol. 400 The siege of Bolonia fol. 401 The death of Charles of Amboyse Lord of Chaumont fol. 402 A Councel begins at Pisa and is transported to Millan fol. 403 Bolonia beseeged by the Spaniards where there happened a miracle fol. 404. Brâ—â—â—e taken by the Venetians and recouered by the French fol 405. The French Army in Italy getts the battaile of Rauenna where 〈◊〉 of Foâ—x is slaine fol. 406.407 Rauenna taken and sackt fol. 408. The French Army disordered they loose Milan fol. 409. Lodowick Sforze restored to the Duchy of Milan fol. 410. Nauar vsurped by the Arragonois fol. 411. A royall Army in the Duchy of Milan and Genoa taken fol. 413. The memorable valour of Robert de la Marke fol. 414. Terouenne and Tournay taken by the English fol. 415. Charles the Emperor affects to be Pope fol. 416. Queene Annâ— of France dies and Lâ—wis marries Mary of England fol. 417. The death of Lewis the 12. and his vertues fol. 418.419 Francis the fiâ—st of that name the â—8 King of France HEE goes with a Royall Army into the Duchie of Milan and takes Genoa fol. 421. His first passage ouer the Alpes fol. 422. The inconstant treachery of the Suisses with the battell of Marignan â—ol 423. Milan yeelds to the French fol. 424. A League against the King broken by the death of Ferdinand fol. 425. Brescia and Verona taken by the French and deliuered to the Venetians fol 426. Francis Maria chased from Vrbin and Laurence of Medicis inuested in the Duchy fol. 427. Franâ—â— the Daulphin borne fol. 428. A peace concluded with the English and Spaniards fol. 429. Charles the 5. elected Emperor 1520. fâ—l 430. The beginning of Lutâ—ers doctrine fol. 431. Troubles in Spaine fâ—l 432. The Pope capitulates with the Emperour fol. 433. The King and the Emperor at open warre Tournay Meziers beseeged and Mouson taken fol 4â—4 4â—5 Mouson recouered Fontarabâ—e taken fâ—l 4â—6 The Emperor retreating dishonourably Hedin and Turney are recouered by the French fol. 4â—7 The Pope declares himselfe against France fol. 4â—9 An ominous signe to the French at Milan Ibid. Errors of the French Army fol 440. Lautrâ—ch odious to his Army fol. 441. Milan taken and sackt iâ—id Pope Leo his death with the altâ—râ—tions afterwards fol. 442 Adâ—ian the 6 created Pope and the war reuiued fol. 443. Milan and Pauia beseeged by the French and Nouarre taken fol. 444. Lâ—utrech forced to fight by the Suisses and is ouerthrowne fâ—l 445. Laude and Cremona taken from the French fol. 446. The Venâ—tians foâ—sake the French Genoa is taken by the Spaniards fol. 447. Fontarabie beeseeged by the Spaniard and â—eleeued by the French ibid. Wars in Picardy Douilans beseeged Teâ—igny slaine fol. 448. The English land in France take Hedin and returne fâ—l 449. Rhodes taken by the Turke ibid. The Castle of Milan yeelded fol. 450. A League betweene the Emperor and the Venetians fol. 451. The Duke of Bourbon reuolts and flies disguised fol. 452.453 The Milannois fâ—aude with the seege of their Towne fol. 454. The Castle of Cremona releeued Baionne beseeged ibid. Fontarabie taken from the French fol. 455. The valour of 〈◊〉 with the taking of Roy and Mont-didier by the English fol. 456. Pope Aâ—riaâ— diâ—s and Pope Clement the 7. chosen in his place ibid. Iohn de Medicis stratagems with the death of Prosâ—er Colonâ—â— fol. 457. The French charged and ouerthrowne by the Imperialls fol. 458. Briares taken by the Milannois and the Admirall defeated fol. 459. Marseilles beseeged by the Imperials froÌ„ whence they retreate in disorder fol. 460. King â—rancis goes into Italy and takes Milan ibiâ— The Esâ—ate of the Imperialls fol. 461. The Pope makes a League with the King who sends an Army into Naples fol. 462. A notable victory gotten by the Marquis of Salusses ibid. The death and worthy exploytes of Pontdormy fol. 463. The Imperiall and French Army approch ibid. Sadde fore-runners of an ouerthrow fol. 464. Battell of Pauia where the French King is taken prisoner fol. 465. The King of England offers all loue to the French King beeing a prisoner fol. 466. The Emperors vnreasonable demands with the Kings resonable offers fol. 467. King Francis carried prisoner into Castile ibid. King Francis released fol. 468. The Marquis of Pescara dies fol. 469. The miserable estate of Milan and Cremona taken by the Confederates fol. 470. Rome surprized and sackt by the Imperialls where the Duke of Bourbon is slaine fol. 471.472 A newe League against the Emperor fol. 473. Genoa Alexandria and Pauia taken by thâ— King and the Pope deliuered fol. 474. The King of England and France proclaime war against the
fol. 588. The massacre at vaissy fol. 589. The first ciuill trobles fol. 590. The death of the King of Nauar Roan taken the Protestants beaten in sundry place ibid. The Battaile of Dreux where both Generalls are taken fol. 591. The Duke of Guise beseegeth Orleans and is slaine by Poltroâ— fol. 592. A peace concluded at Orleans fol. 593 Sundry particular trobles at Meaux Chalons Bar S. Estienne Sens Corbigny Antraia La Charite Chastillion vpon Loyre Gyen Montargis Aurilliac Issodun Mans Vendosme Angiers Blois Mer Tours Poitiers Roan twise beseeged and taken Diepe fol. 595.596.597 598. New-hauen deliuered to the English fol. 599. Duras in Guienne twise defeated with the exploites of Piles and Riuiere fol. 600.601 Particular trobles â—n 1562. and 1563. from fol. 601. to 615. A generall Councell at Trent Anno 1564. fol. 615. The Edict of Peace ill obserued fol. 616. Murther of the Protestants at Creuan Tours ibid. Processe against the Iesuites fol. 617. A royall league fol. 618. The Turkes army at Malta ibid. The death of the Pope and Emperor ibid. A Parliament at Moulins fol. 619. The Protestants discontent resolue to Arme with the successe of their enterprise· ibid. The beginning of the second trobles fol. 620. The battaile of S. Denis the Constable hurt whereof he died fol. 621. A treaty of peace renewed but in vaine fol. 622. Charles beseeged fol. 623. A second Peace with the Catholikes discontents and the Protestants complaints fol. 624. The King makes an Army against the Protestants fol. 625. An Incounter at Iassenuille with smal slaughter fol. 626. Succors of money and â—â—â—ition from England fol. 627. The Battaile of Brissac the Prince of Conde slaine fol. 628.629 The Duke of Deux-ponts comes into France and dies there La Charite takeÌ„ by the Germains fol. 630. Incounter at Roche-abeile fol. 631. La Charite Poitiers and Chasteleraud beseeged fol. 632. The Battaile of Moncounter and victories after the Battaile fol. 634. Nismes taken by the Protestants ibid. Vezelay beseeged shamefull to Sansac fol. 635. A treaty of peace anno 1570. in February fol. 636. Warre in Poitou Guienne Xantonge and Angoulemois fol. 637. The Protestants fortified the Prince makes a voyage after the Battaile fol. 637. Incounter at Rene-le-Duc truce in the Armies warre in Guienne and the fort of Luson beseeged fol. 639. The third Edict of Peace fol. 640. King Charles marâ—ies the Emperors daughter ibid. A treaty of marriage betwit the Prince of Nauar and Marquise of Valois ibid. The Kings dissimulation with the Princes and Admirall fol. 641. Peace with the English and the Queene of Nauar comes to Court fol. 642. The Admirall comes to Paris fol. 643. The Queene of Nauar suspected to bee poisoned dies ibid. Negotiation of Poland fol. 644. The King resolues and the Duke of Guise giues order for the massacre of the Protestants with the names of the chiefe murtherers and murthered fol. 646.647 The King aduowes the murther with the Noble resolution of the yong Prince of Conde fol. 648. The Guisians deny to take the Massacre vpon them fol. 649. Warre against the Rochelois fol. 651. A decree against the Admirall fol. 652. A Comet in Nouember 1572. ibid. Sancerre beseeged and in great distresse for victualls fol. 653. Sancerre deliuered by an Admirable meanes yeelded after by composition fol. 654. The Duke of Aniou comes to campe and the Duke of Aumaule slaine fol. 655. Rochell after the enduring of nine assaultes makes a Peace fol. 656. Warre in Lanquedoc Quercy seegâ— of Sommiers fol. 657. In Gascony Viuaretz Daulphine fol. 658. The Protestants order in Languedoc with their Petitions AdmonitioÌ„s to the King fol. 659. Chaâ—les faâ—ls dangerously sick and new practises in Court fol. 660. Beginning of the fourth troubles fol. 661. The Marshall Mommorency put into the Bastile Count Montgomery taken fol. 662. The Prince of Condies retreate into Germany fol. 663. Charles his death and disposition ibid. Henry the 3. of that name 62. King of Francâ— COnfirmation of the Queenes regency fol. 665 Danuille suspected at Tholouse associates himselfe with the Protestants 〈◊〉 666. Warre in Daulphine Viuaretz Poitou Fontenay surprised ibiâ— Lusignan yeelded and Pousin beseeged fol. 668 Estate of Languedock Livron honored with a second seege fol. 669. Cardinall of Lorraine dies fol. 670. Warre betweene the Marshall Danuille and the Duke of Vsez fol. 671. The Kings Coronation and marriage ibid. Negotiation of Peace fol. 672. Sedition at Marseilles Monbrun defeates Gordâ—â— is afterwards ouerthrowne taken and vniustly put to death fol. 673. L'Edigueres chiefe in Daulphine fol. 674. The Duke of Alanson discontented ibid. The Dukes declaration fol. 675. The Queene Mother goes to the Duke of Alanson fol. 676. The Queene mothers second voyage to the Duke fol. 677. The King of Nauar escapes from Court fol. 678. The fifth Edict of Peace ibid. Breach of Peace preparatiues of new trobles fol 679. The practises desseignes of the house of Guise at Rome and in Spaine fol. 680. The first League at Peronne fol. 681. The Duke of Alanson reconciled to the King the beginning of the parliament fol. 682. The King of Nauars request to the Estates ibid. The Prince of Condes answere 〈◊〉 683. The sixt ciuill warre by the Dukes of Aniou and Mayenne ibid. The Peace of Poytiers Articles of hard Execution fol. 684. The Kings behauior during the Peace fol. 685. The Order of the Holy Ghost erected ibid. Prolongation of Townes granted to the Protestants and newe motiues of Rebellion fol. 686. The Kingâ— of Nauarre solicites to ioyne with the League and the Duke of Aniou dies ibid. The League presented to the Pope but not approued fol. 687. Duke Espernons voyage in Gascony and new motiues of the League fol. 688. The Kings the King of Nauares declaration fol. 689. The League weake and the Duke of Guise fortified by a Peace fol. 690. Warre against the Protestants fol. 691. Pope Sixtus the 5. excommunicates the King of Nauar and the Prince of Conde fol. 692. The voyage of Anger 's and the Castle taken fol. 693. The Prince of Conde in route fol. 694 The Prince of Condes second marriage fol. 695. The death of 4. Brethren of Lauall ibid. The Queene mothers conference with the King of Nauar. fol. 696. The Duke of Bouillon chiefe of the Germaine Army fol. 697. The King desires Peace the Duke will haue war which is concluded the Kings Army the Protestants army with the causes of the affliction of France fol. 698. Entrie of the strangers with the errors of their Army fol. 699. Battaile of Coutras where the Duke of Ioyeuse is slaine fol. 700. The Geâ—maine Army in Beause charged at Vimorry fol. 701. Death of the Duke of Bouillon fol. 703. Disposition of the Duke of Guise ibid. Death of the Prince of Conde fol. 704. The Duke of Guise leaues the warre of Sedan comes to Paris fol. 705. Barricadoes at Paris fol. 706. The King retires
from Paris fol 707. The Duke of Guyse seekes to returne into fauor fol. 708. The Queene mother Imployed for a peace seauen demands of the League and the Kings answeare fol. 709 The Duke of Espernons Iustification Deputies of the Parliament with the King and his answer fol. 710.711 The defeate of the Spanish Armado in 1588. with the Duke of Medinaes excuses fol. 712. The King refuseth to go to Paris with new resolutions of the League fol. 713. The Kingâ— Couâ—cellors dissmissed the Court trobles against Espernon in Angoulesme fol. 714. Conuocation the Estates at Blois the Kings speech fol 715. The Marquisate of Salusses surprised by the Duke of Sauoy fol. 718. The Duke of Guisses dissembling fol. 719 Assembly and Petition of the Pâ—otestants ibid. Obiections against the Duke of Guise and the Kings last resolution fol. 723. The Duke of â—â—ise slaine fol. 724 Death of the Queene mother fol. 725. Nâ—ort taken by the King of Nauar. ibid. The Parâ—sians Insolencies fol. 726. The Duke of Mayennes couâ—ses the Kings letters to him fol. 727. The Estates at Blois disâ—olued with the Archbishop of Bourges others speeches fol. 728.729 A generall Councell of the vnion with their Insolencies and reuolts fol. 730. The Duke of Mayennes attempts fol. 731. Reconciliation of the the 2. Kings fol. 732. Paris beseeged fol. 733. The Death of Henry the 3. his last speech and manners fol. 736.737 The 3. parcell of the 3. race of Capets in the Royall branch of Bourbon beginning with Henry before King of Nauar and the 63. King of France THe Genealogy of the King S. Lewis fol. 740.741 The King raiseth his seege from Paris goes into Normandy and the Duke of Mayenne followes him fol. 742. Notable exploits at Arques against the League fol. 743. The King approcheth to Paris fol. 745. The seege of Dreux and disposition of the kings army fol. 748. The Battell of Yury where the Leaguers are ouer-throwne with the losse on both sides fol. 749.750 The seege of Parâ—s with their miseries fol. 752. Deputies sent to the King with his answere to them fol 753. The seege of Paris raised and the Duke of Parmas retreate fol. 754.755 Roan beseeged and succored by the Duke of Parma fol. 759. A trecherous decree of the Court Parliament of Roan fol. 760. Death of the Duke of Parma and the Marshall Biron fol. 762. A sentence of the Court Parliament against the Bull of Pope Clement the 8. fol. 765. The Kings declaration against the Leaguers fol. 767. The Kings Conuersion fol. 769. By what meanes the townes of the League returned to the Kings obedience and the Spaniards chased out fol. 771. The Kings Coronation fol. 772. The miraculous reduction of Paris to the Kings obedience fol. 773 A decrree against the League and the Duke of Mayenne fol. 775. The Duke of Guise reconciled to the King fol. 777. Processe against the Iâ—suites renewed ibid. The King hurt in the face by Iohn Chastell fol. 778. Warre proclamed against the Spaniard fol. 779. Spaniards in Pycardie great seruice done by the Constable fol. 780. Wonderfull efects of the King Armies with the wisdome and valure of the Marshall Biron fol. 782. Haâ— surprised for the King and Humieres slaine fol. 784. Cambraâ— beseeged yeelded to the Spaniard fol. 785. The Pope blesseth the King and the Dukes of Mayenne and Nemours are receiued into grace fol. 786. Calais and Ardres taken by the Spaniard and La Ferte by the King fol. 790. Amiens surprised by the Spaniard fol. 791. Beseeged againe by the King with the effects of the warre in Britanie and Champagne fol. 792. Warre in Sauoy and Maurienne taken fol. 793. The Duke of Sauoy defeated in sundry places fol. 795. Amiens yeelded and the Spaniards depart fol. 799. Crequi taken prisoner and the Fort of Saint Bartholomewe taken by L' Edigueres fol. 801. The reduction of the Duke Mercure and Britany to the King fol. 882. The most memorable things conteyned in the continuation of the generall History of France THE wisdome Iustice and piety of Pope Clemenâ— the 8. fol. 805. Three Popes in 17. monethes ibid. The Pope exhorts the two Kings to Peace ibid. Reasons that mooued the King of Spaine to a Peace fol. 806. The Prince of Spaine reiects the Councell of Peace ibid. The Infanta desirous of a Peace ibid. The Arch-duke applies his minde to Peace ibid. He sends Armes vnto the King fol. 807. The King of Spaine doubtes of a Peace ibid. A long Peace preiudiciall to a warlike nation ibid. The Kings generous resolution fol. 808. The Generall of the Friars returne in dispaire of a Peace ibid. The first negotiation of a Peace at 5. Quintiâ— fol. 809. The King of Spaine resolues to yeeld vp all places ibid. Veruins chosen for the conference ibid. The Precedence yeelded vnto the French fol. 810. An Agent from the Emperor to the states of the vnited Prouinces ibid. The Admirall of Arragon sent Ambassador to the Emperor ibid. The Duke of Sauoy desires to be comprehended in the treaty of Peace fol. 813. A Peace concluded ibid. Ambassadors to sweare the Peace and Hostageâ— for the restitution of places fol. 814. The King of Spaine signes and sweares a Peace 〈◊〉 His Sonne signed it not till the treaty of Sauoy Anno. 1601. ibid. Deputies sent froÌ„ the King to the Arch-duke to take is oth fol. 815. Charles Gontault of Biron created Duke of Biron and Peeâ—e of France 〈◊〉 A feast made at Paris by the Duke of Bâ—ron ibid. The Arch-duke sweares the Peace 〈◊〉 816. Hee giues presents to the Duke of 〈◊〉 ibid. The King is aduertised of the Duke of Birons practises 〈◊〉 The Duke of Sauoy sweares the Peace 〈◊〉 laquiline Contesse of Antremont wifâ— to the Admiral was prisoner at lurâ—e and 〈◊〉 died fol. 817. Her Letter to Peter Mathew 〈◊〉 Complaints from the towne of Geneua 〈◊〉 The Duke of Sauois pretensions 〈◊〉 Donation of the Lowe Countries to the 〈◊〉 of Spaine fol. 818. The conditions The Prince ratefies the donation ibiâ— The Infanta sends Procuration to the Arch-duke to take possession of the Low CouÌ„tâ—ies ibid. An Assemblie at Bruxelles vpon the donation made to the Infanta fol. 819. The Arch-duke leaues his Cardinalls habit ibid. The Arch-duke writes to the vnited Prouinces ibid. Letters from the Prince of Oâ—ange to Count Maurice ibid. A Diet at Ratisbone fol. 820. Execution of the Imperiall sentence against the Towne of Aix ibid. Iauarin recouered from the Turke ibid. The loosenesse of a Ladie of Naples ibid. The life and death of the King of Spaine fol. 821. Don-Carlo conspired against his Father fol. 822. The diuers reports of his death ibiâ— The sentence of the Inquisitors against D. Carlo fol. 823. The death of the Prince of Spaine ibid. The death of the Queene of Spaine ibid. Instruction of the King of Spaine to the Prince his Sonne 〈◊〉 824 The carrying of Armes forbidden in France ibid. The Clergy of France
Seine Espernay Ceant in Othe Sens Auxerre Neuers Corbigny Aurillac Moulins Issoudun Mans Vendosme Anger 's CraoÌ„ Blois Tours Bourgueil places thereabout Poitiers Rouen Valongnes Vire S. Lo Dourdeaux Agen and generally in all parts of the realme are read at large in the Originals and would augment this volume beyond the iust proportion Time and leisure may hereafter giue all this discourse specified more particularly Let vs onely obserue the most memorable exploits chanced during these first troubles from the moneth of Aprill in the yeare 1562. vnto the publication of the peace The Protestants of Meaux exceeding the Catholikes in number had vntill the end of Iune continued the exercise of their religion without any disturbance Particular troubles at Meaux then transported with an indiscreet zeale and ill aduised presumption grounded vpon their numbers they flie to the Churches beat downe images and make the Priests retire This insolencie made the Court of Parliament at Paris to censure them and to abandon them to any that could spoile or kill them without any forme of processe Therevpon Lâ—noux brother to Montluc comes to Meaux and with the consent of the Protestants restores the exercise of the Catholike religion and then giues commandement to the inhabitants to bring their armes into the Towne house Some obey others to the number of foure hundred march to ioyne with the prince Portian they charge them and kill them all but fortie which recouer Orleans with much adoe leauing their wiues to the mercie of the stronger whereof many were forced to go to the Masse with blowes many marriages solemnized anew many children but without order baptized againe The 13. of February 1563. some fugitiues tried to recouer the place but this caused a totall ruine of their companions who remained within the towne they were massacred drowned and hanged their wiues and children rauished their goods spoiled and their houses made inhabitable At Chaalons des Bordes the Lieutenant to the Duke of Neuers gouernor of Champagne slue many men and women imprisoned handicrafts men spoiled their houses At Chaalons caused marriages to be resolemnized and children to be rebaptized At Bar. Those of Bar vpon Seine became the stronger but rashly in a place easie to be forced Some Cannons planted onely against the Castell scattered all within it like vnto partriges So the beseegers entring finding fewe men to execute their reuenge on they fall vpon the women maydens and Children open some of their stomakes pull out their hearts and with a furie vnworthy doubtlesse of one created after the same image and likenesse teare them with their teeth Ralet a yong Aduocate sonne to the Kings Proctor was a prodigious thing hanged by his fathers procurement In the moneth of Ianuary following some fiftie horse of the garrison of Antrain surprised the towne at the breake of day and at the first tied this Ralet to the top of his house then with their pistolls caused him to expiate the death of his sonne The other murtherers were murthered and their spoile spoiled by other spoilers So the Lord requires the bloud of man by the hand of man himselfe 1562. Saint Estienne being returned from Orleans with two of his bretheren and 〈◊〉 â—thers to refresh himselfe Saint Estienne in a house of his neere vnto Reims was besett beâ—eegeâ—â— battered with the Cannon by a troupe of fifteene or sixteene hundred men who 〈◊〉 forth vpon their word to speak with the Duke of Neuers who they sayd 〈…〉 him was murthered by his owne Cousin germaine the Baron of Cerny and 〈…〉 bretheren with sixteene others stabde At Sens. A hundred persons of all qualities were miserably slaine at Sens their bodiâ—s 〈◊〉 naked into Seine their houses spoiled and as if it had beene no sufficient reuenge their vignes were pulled vp At Neuers The eleuenth of May 1562. the Catholikes of Neuers 〈◊〉 in many gentlemen of the Countrie seized vpon the gates and three daies after fell vpon the Protestants Fayete arriues ransackes their houses rebaptizeth the Câ—â—â—dren expells whome hee pleased and so laden with bootie worth fiftie â—hou â—â—d Crownes At Corbigny he retires to his house in Auuergne Noisat Marshall of the companie of Fayete intreated them of Corbigny in the like sort Captaine Blany surprised the 〈◊〉 fewe dayes after and restoâ—ed the Protestants to the publike exercise of theiâ— religion At Antrain Captaine Blosse surprising the Towne of Antrain stayed the Catholikes from committing the like excesse as they had done at Auxerre Steuen Blondelet a preest and an other called the Dangerous were hanged and shot Issertieux called in by the Protestants of la Charité to take the charge of the Towne was set vpon by Cheuenon At la Charite Achon and other troupes and finally beeing beseeged by Fayete hee yeelded vp the Towne vpon an honest composition for his partie This was the x. of Iune but the Grand Prior entring he pulled the Capitulation being signed out of Issertieux hand and afterwards la Fayete abandons these poore protestants to spoile and ransome like to them of Neuers The 3. of March following the Captains du Bois Blosset and Blany reenter by Scaladoe Leauing it afterwards in gard to du Boise who defended it with threescore and seauen soldiars and some Inhabitants against an armie of foure thousand foote and horse slue aboue foure score of them and forced them to raâ—â—e the seege Chastillon vpon Loire Those of Chastillon vpon Loire standing amidest many difficulties and in the ende spoiled of all their commodities fortified their little Towne and the 5. of Ianuary endure an assault against the Lord of Prie kill seauen or eight of his men and hurt many others the men defending themselues with stoanes and the women powring boyling water vpon the assaylants In the end Monterud gouernour of Berry beseeged it battered it and tooke it by force killed men and women young and olde spoiled the Towne euen to the hingells of doores glasse and barres of windowes At Gyen Gyen maintaynes it selfe long the Protestants weâ—e the stronger but the insolencie of Captaines and soldiars whome the Prince of Condé sent thether from Orleans to refresh themselues one after an other forced manie of the Inhabitants to retire to Orleans So the Towne remayning at the deuotion of the kings army who camped before it it was subiect to the violence of the stronger where the Italians among other â—nâ—olencies cut a yong childe being aliue in two peeces and with a horrible furie eate his liuer At Montargis Montargis was the Sanctuary of many Protestant families vnder the countenance of Renèe of France daughter to King Lewis the XII and Duchesse dowager of Ferrara The Duke of Guise sonne in lawe sends Malicorne thether with foure companies of men at armes but the prey hee sought was safe within the Castell his furie fell vpon an olde man met by chance who was slaine and cast into the
riuer Malicorne threatens the Duchesse to bring the Cannon to force her to yeeld the Casteel and the Protestants that were in it But the generous resolution of this Duchesse and the death of the Duke of Guise stayed the execution of his threats At Aurillac Bresons according to the CoÌ„mission he had from the Duke of Guise to seise vpon the forts of high Auuergne enters into Aurillac murthers eight men spoiles the Towne that of Argentat with some Castells rauisheth wiues maydens making his 〈◊〉 to roote out all the Protestants in the Country if the Edâ—ct of pacification had not forced to surcease Montare comes to Moulins with like Commission 1562. 1563. expelled out of the Towne whom he doubted then giuing a libertie to his troupes spoiled the houses and farmes there abouts he caused six men to be hanged and fiue others to be drowned returning from Orleans with three marchants of Dauphiné At Moulins and suffred the hangman to execute those without any forme of processe whom the multitude deliuered vnto him to bee put to death Thirteene yong men of Issoudun were beaten downe in the water the 8. of May at S. Lisaine a village two leagues from the Towne and the 9. of Iuly following Sarzay seized vpon Issoudun armed the Catholike Inhabitants At Issoudun drew malefactors out of prison and filled it with Protestants who for the most part died being smothered vnder the ruines of a Tower of sixteene that escaped ten saued themselues at Bourges Vntill the Edict of Peace he spoiled both the towne and Country ransomming â—ome deliuering others to the hangman which had not means to redeeme theÌ„selues he rauished wiues mayds and to conclude exposed these poore creatures to all the insolencies of soldiars The 3. of Aprill .1562 those of Mans became masters of the towne But violence neuer continued long At Mans. and soldiars led by a Commander of small credit and little authority did neuer see their armes prosper These men are no soner armed but they imploy themselues to the beating downe of images sacking of Churches and from the towne they run to the villages nere The commons assemble kill such as they meete and res kue the bootie In the end an apple of diâ—cord diuides them of the Towne the Castle the insolencies of the Captaines and souldiars amaze the Protestants the Duke of Montpensier prepares to assaile them of three Captaines which command within the Towne two haue intelligence with him This being discouered the towne being also ill furnished La Mothe Tibergeaâ— drawes forth tumultuously eight hundred men carrying armes leading them through many difficulties into Alançon who then tooke sundrie parties some not practised in armes remained there others put themselues into the troupes of the Conte Montgomery others of the Duke of Bouillon and the other two Captaines submitted to those to whom they had giuen their words Thus the Catholikes haue their turne they were driuen out of the towne and now they reenter and full of spleene they spoile the protestants houses both within the towne and abroad eight leagues compasse without respect of kindred kill spoile and ransome men women and children Some women of state some simple people seruants chambermaides some retired to their farmes or to their friends in the country remaine at the deuotion of fiue hundred Harguebusiers leuied for the gard of the towne and country there abouts who forbeare no kind of reuenge rigour The prisons are filled they forbid by any means to sollicite for theÌ„ the accused are not admitted to except against any witnesse and for the last act of this Tragedie aboue two hundred persons of al qualities sexes purge by their mournful deathes the insolencies of these first furies The absent were executed in picture their goods confiscate that were dead carrying armes Cruelties committed in Mans. their children degraded from al offices and declared incapable to succeed In villages nere farther of aboue six scoore persons yeelded their throats to the reuenging swords of them whome the change of armes had now giuen the aduantage One Captaine Champagne to glut the pikerils in a poole which he had doth gorge them with aboue fifty persons Bois-Iardin his Lieutenant fills two trenches nere vnto his house with fiftie or threscore carcases La Ferté Bernard Sablé Maine Loire Castle Memers Belesme and Martigue had the fields there about white with the bones of the slaine whose flesh was deuoured with birds and beasts The Images ouerthrowne at Vendosme the altars beaten downe At Vendosme yea the monumeÌ„ts of the house of Vendosme too insolently broken might not these stirre vp some reuenge You beat downe say the Catholiks the images and destroy the reliks of the dead but we will beate downe as many lyuing images as shall fall into our hands The Monkes of Saint Calais second them and of many Protestants which held their Abby they massacre fiue and twentie or thirtie Some troupes which kept the fields kill the first that passe stoane them and cast them into wells The Lord of Congnee ioyning with some gentlemen comes to charge them kills the murtherers and except a feâ—e which fled betimes puts them all to the sword then hee dischargeth the rest of his fury vpon the Priests and Monkes 1562. and causeth two of the most 〈…〉 to be hanged in their Church yea where the alarum had rung to assaile the Pâ—â—â—â—stants Those of Anger 's become the stronger yet without any offence to their feâ—loâ— ciâ—izens At Anger 's and make an agreement with themselues To liue peaceablie one with an oâ—her â—nder the Kings obedience with obseruation of the Edict of Ianuary This modesty contâ—â—ued from the 5. of Aprill to the 22. Then they loose all patience ouerthrowing the images and relikes of S. Samson The Catholikes rest patient but they could well chooâ—e â—â—e time of their aduantage It chanced that the Prince of Condê required a suppâ—â— of men and money from the Protestants of Anger 's Many Gentlemen and souldiars march and by this meanes make their party weake Puygaillard a Gascon Captaine sent by the Duke of Montpensier enters the Castles the 5. of May and the next dâ—y wins a part of the Towne then to lull the Protestants asleepe and to haue them in the ende at his deuotion he graunts them feee liberty of religion But two dayes â—fter vnder colour of disarming them they enter their houses A receiuer of subsidâ—es and some others barre vp their gates They sound the alarum their houses are spoiled and the prisons filled with men and women and after the eleuenth of the said month vnto the end of the yeare aboue foure score men were executed after diuers manners Many women of all qualities were put into sacks drawne through the dirt and their bodies cast into the riuer their daughters rauished and some making strong resistance were stâ—bbed with their daggers And the Duke of
concerne the King his Person and his State and if it bee tollerable to heare what is sayd yet is it not lawfull to â—peake or publish it His Maiestie himselfe hath not yet declared the cause of the Count of Avuergues restraint and in the letter which hee did write vnto the Gouernour of Lions vppon that subiect hee did onely send him these wordes The Kings letters to la Guiche from Fontainbleau the 15. of Nouemb 1604. You haue vnderstood how that I haue againe caused the Count of Auvergne to bee apprehended being aduertised that hee continued still in his bad practises and that hauing sâ—nt often for him hee would not come At the least I will keepe him from doing ill if I can At the same time when as the Count of Auvergne was taken the brute was that the Duke of Bouillon had like to haue beene surprised When as he could find no other refuge for his â—ffayres but to retire himselfe out of the Realme hee hath vsed the lâ—bertie of his retreat wisely and hath alwayes sought the Kings fauour for the assurance of his reâ—urne Some forraine Prince of his friends aduised him not to returne to Court to hold all reconciliation suspect and to beleeue that when a Prince is oâ—ce offended he is neuer qâ—iet vntill the offence bee reuenged That hee must not trust to that which hee promiseth nor to that which hee sweares houlding both the one and the other lawfull for reuenge That the word of a Prince that is offended is like vnto Zeuzis cluster of grapes which takes Birds but his oth is like vnto Parrasius vayle which deceiues Men. Those which haue lost the fauour of their master for that they had intelligence with them whome they could not serue without cryme are alwayes in continuall distrust the which followes the offence as the Boat doth the Shippe vntill they haue quenched and smothered the cause and made it knowne that they are diuided and enemies to all their wils that would distract them from their duties for Men that are double and dissemblers are neuer tamed no more then a Batt which is halfe a Ratt and halfe a Bird or the Chastor which is flesh and fish The Duke of Bouillons patience hauing giuen the King time enough to consider of his intentions The Duke of Bouillon is redie through the Kings Clemencie to obtaine all that he could desire to returne to a greater fortune in the which lesse is allowed then to a meaner estate The Duke Tremouille ended his fortune by death Hee might haue dyed when as the King would haue lamented the losâ—e of him more Death of the Duke of Trâ—mâ—uille for hee was not now well pleased with certaine wordes which had beene reported vnto him and if hee had liued he would haue beene in paine to excuse himselfe of the commandement hee had made him to come vnto him to answere it From hence spring two fruitful considerations the one that there is nothing so fearefull and terrible as the threats and disgrace of his King the other that it is alwayes dangerous to speake ill of his Prince For the first Cassander greatlly feared Alexander euen when hee was dead for that hee had seene him once transported with choller against him And although that after the death of Alexander he was aduanced to the Throne of Macedon yet walking in the Cittie of Delphos and hauing seene an Image of Alexanders who was nowe rotten in his graue he did so tremble as his Hayre stood right vp his knees fayled him and the palenesse of his countenance shewed his amazement and the terrible assault which his memory gaue him for the second when a free speech hath once escaped against the respect of the Prince he must haue a great and a strong Citty as Lisander sayd to defend his liberty of speech They haue neither Friendes not Councell against the King and if their misery findes any shadowe or protection it is but like vnto Ionas Gourd of one night Let them not flatter themselues in the greatnes of theiâ— houses nor their Allyances this qualitie doth but increase their offence Princes are not so much mooued with that which the common people do as with the Lycentious words of great men Caius disguised himselfe into as many fashions as he imagined there were Gods A Cobler seing him set in his Pallace like Iupiter with a scepter in one hand a Thunderbolt in the other and an Eagle by his side burst out in a great laughter Caius causing him to come neere asked him why he laught I laugh at this foolerie answered the Cobler The Emperour laught also suffering it to passe freely without choller yet punishing other speeches seuerely which came from persons better quallified Thus ends the seuenth yeare after the conclusion of the Peace FINIS ⧠A TABLE OF THE MOST memorable things contained in this Historie Pharamond the first King of France THe fundamentall date of the French Monarchy Folio 1 The estate of the Empire at the beginning thereof ibid. The time of his raigne fol. 2 The estate of the Church ibid. The French can endure no gouernement but a Royaltie â—ol 3 The Royaltie of France successiue and the efficacie of a successiue Royaltie ibid. A successiue Royaltie the best kind of gouernement fol. 4 The manner of the receiuing of a new King in old time ibid. The people consent not to preiudice the Kings prerogatiue at his first reception fol. 5 In France the Male is onely capable of the Crowne ibid. The fundamentall Law which they call Salique ibid. The practise of the Salique Law â—ol 6 Of the word Salique and what the Saliens were ibid. The death of Pharamond fol. 7 Clodion or Cloion the hairie the second King of France THe first attempt of Clodion fol. 8 The estate of the Empiâ—e fol. 9 A Law â—or wearing of long haire ibid The Estate of the Church ibid. Mâ—roâ—â—è the third King of France HE enters France â—ol 10 The French ioyne with the Romanes and Gothes fol. 11 Orleans besieged by Attila hee is ouerthrowne but not quite vanquished ibid The happie raigne of Meâ—ouâ—è fol. 12 The estate of the Empire and the Church ibid. Childeric or Chilperic 4 King of France HE is expelled for his vice fol 13 He is called home againe ibid. Clouis 1. the 5. King of France and the first Christian King HE aspires to the Monarchy of all Gaule fol. 15. The fiâ—st rooting out of the Româ—ins ibâ—d Clouis becomes a châ—istian fol. 16 Religion the only true bond of aâ—â—ectâ—ons ibid. Gaule called France ibid. Waâ—res against the Wisigothes fol. 1â— Warres in Burgundy and the cause why ibid. Clouis conquests in Burgondie fo 18 A â—recherous attempt of Gondâ—bault hee is justlie punished for his murthers ibid. The first winning of Burgundy Daulphine and Prouence ibid. Alaric slayne by the hand of Clouis ibid. The Emperour sends Ambassadours to Clouis fol. 19 Clouis being conqueâ—or is conqâ—ered ibid. He looseth