challengeth the right of first fruites which giues the first yeares reuenues of all benefices to the pope and so continues vnto this day But as he gathers together this money with a wonderfull greedinesse behold he fals from his moyle and bruseth himselfe Vrban dies miserablie The worke of heauen answerable to his insolent ambition who soaring too high makes him fall lowe dying when his hatred was greatest to ruine his enemies He languished 27. dayes in his death bed dying by degrees suffring the paines which he caused his poore Cardinalls to indure not able with his death to wipe out the immortall hate of his detestable life disgraced by al writers Thus Vrban the sixt the first guidon of Schisme died in the eleuenth yeare of his Popedome In whose place Peter Thomaâ—el named Boniface the 9. is chosen Pope successor to Vrbans couetousnesse Pope Boniface exceeding couetous as his life and death doth witnesse Niem obserues a memorable act Boniface lying at the point of death some one to comfort him saide that he should do well A brutish custome as if to speake of death to a sicke body were to pronounce the sentence of a Iudge to deliuer him into the executioners hands I should do well said he if I had money and yet he had full howses hauing then but ten howres to liue So he dyed the tenth yeare of his Popedom not lamented of any but that he liued too long and by his impudent couetousnes opened the gate to all impunity of sinne Innocent the 7. succeeded in the place of Boniface no more innocent then the former verifiyng the beauty of their names by the bounty of their liues A sworne enemy to the vnion of the Church causing two Romaine Cittizens to be put to death as seditious for that they mooued him therein as Platina doth obserue Pope Innocent an enâ—mie to the vnion of the Church Pope Gregory the 12. a cunning dissembler He continued but two yeares into his place Angelo Corrier a Venecian called Gregory the 12. was aduanced a subtill and dissembling man coldly ambitious and faintly holy hauing no piety but in shewe so as for his crooked manners he was called Erroriâ—s for Gregorius that is to say a Deceiuer drawing men into error with his goodly shewe All this was done at Rome by the Italians in the meane time what doe our Popes â—ea at Auignon Clement the 7. making profession of the same authority which the Pope did at Rome was no better then the other although the history notes not so many priuate acts of his excesse In generall he was cruell in the beginning couetous during all the time of his Popedome He was exceeding ambitious and wilfull vnder colour of modestie and humilility The estate of Auignon vnder their Popes Benet 13. an ambitious dissembler He suruiued him but two years After the death of Clement the 7. they create a new Pope to oppose against him at Rome which was Peter de la Lune a Spaniard bornâ— but hauing liued long at Montpellier to study the law A man of sound iudgment learned actiue patienâ— in shew but in effect very ambitious a dissembler giuen to his owne will and tyed to his profit free from cruelty wherof he is not taxed giuing free scope to couetousnesse So great was the impudency of Marchandize in the Church sayes Niem and Platina set to the view of all Christendome that the authority of the keyes and Apostolike learning was contemptible to the whole world Truely all diseases growe by degrees through surfeits taken vnaduisedly Disorders in the Church and bad humors which creepe insensibly into the body euen so in these miseries of the Church All was set to sale all sorts of benefices especially Cardinalls hats were for them that would giue most The reuenues impropriations and all things else were sold to him that offered most Sometimes one benefice was sold to many and all their money fell into good handes that had learned to receiue and not to restore againe The composition for all sorts of crimes whole Townes were sold by the authority of the Soueraigne pastor I write but a part of that which the Popes Secretaryes haue set downe at large and tremble to report the iudgment they make of these abhominable confusions To conclude all christendome tyred with these disorders commited by such as had the authority to order complained much to their Kings and princes who wishing a redresse exhorted the Popes of both seas Gregory the 12. and Benedict the 13. to leaue their priuate quarrells for the generall good of the Church Benedict makes great shewes to desire it That if he must needes yeeld he is ready to leaue the dignity wherwith the Church had honoured him yea his owne life these are his very wordes for the peace of Gods Church Gregory speakes more coldly yet hee promised the like but when it came to performance they were but shiftes delayes and other deuises to winne time and to retaine still their authority which neither of them would leaue In the ende at the great instance of Kings and Princes A counsell at Pisa to reforme the schisme of the Church the Colledges of Rome and Auignon agree to meet at Pisa to finde some meanes to determine of this reprochfull confusion Benedict yeelds but Gregory opposeth Notwithstanding his refusall all meet at Pisa. Thus all assembled whether the Emperour the Kings of France England Spaine Scotland Portugall Hongary Denmarke Sweden Pologne and Norway send their Ambassadors and the Churches of the east their deputies hauing debated the controuersie depending betwixt Gregorie and Benedict they depose them both Two Popes deposed Alexander the 5. chosen as nourishing a schisme in the Church and refusing to obey the Counsell whereas neither they noâ— their deputies had appeared In their place they choose Alexander the 5. a Candâ—ot held to be learned and veâ—tuous but he died within the first yeare of his Popedome So as the Colledge of Cardinalls retyring to Bologne created Iohn the 23. in his place But neither Gregory nor Benedict omitted any thing of their traine scorning the decree of the Councell So as for one Pope they had three Three Popes at one time the one at Rimini the other at Bologne and the third at Auignon and the last being worse then the first shall giue a reasonable good cause of further inquiry to Christian Princes in an other â—eason the which we will attend by order of the history and will returne into France to our Charles the 7. in the ioye of his Coronation which was to him and to all his subiects a happy fore-telling of the restoring of his Râ—alme but this excellent worke was not so soone ended We must now see by what degrees Charles recouered the possession of the Townes subdued by the English and how he expelled them out of this Realme The second parcell is set downe by vs in the front of this
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
one thing in him which shewes that hee was not wholy depriued of iudgement the which happened in a time of a great dearth To releeue the poore people he suffered them to take the siluer wherewith the Temple of S. Denis had beene couered by Dagobert Doubtlesse the care of the poore is a worke worthie of a great Prince Bountie is better then sacrifice and Christian soules be the true stones of a spirituall Temple where God dwels as in his proper mansion So as to nourish and support the poore the precious members of the Church is to build a goodly Temple Sigibert King of Austrasia hauing no children nor hope of any was so sollicited by Grimoald Maior of his pallace as hee adopted his sonne Childebert and sone after hee himselfe had a sonne and died leauing him heire generall of all his realme But Grimoald vnder colour of this adoption desirous to establish his son in the possession of Sigiberts estate takes his yong sonne and sends him to be brought vp in a monasterie of Scotland In effect he had seized on all the realme if Ercembault Maior of the Palace of France had not valiantly opposed himselfe against this his cruell vsurpation hauing defeated and taken both him and his sonne and punished them both by a sollemne sentence at Paris A notable example for many considerations but especially a singular proofe that God is the Protector of Orphelines and a iudge of the vsurpers of an others right Clouis had three sonnes by Baudour Clotaire Childeric and Thierri All three shall be Kings successiuely but Childeric was presently King of Austrasia left without any lawfull heire after the death of the sonne of Sigebert Hee raigned sixteene yeares and died in the yeare 692. hauing left his Realme in great peace without any enemie 662. CLOTAIRE the third the 13. King of France CLOTAIRE .3 KING OF FRANCE XIII CLOTAIRE the eldest sonne of Clouis was King of France fiâ—st vnder the gouernment of Erich and then of Ebroin Mayre of the Pallace a wicked and cruell man who shall minister occasion to talke of his life in the succession of these latter Kings Vnder his reigne he made great exactions vpon all the people who as he said liued too plentifully and forgat themselues by the inioying of too happy a peace Clotaire raigned foure yeares and died without name and without children in the yeere 666. of whom we may say as of the rest that succeeded him That they haue left nothing memorable but that they left no memory CHILDERIC or CHILPERIC the second the foureteenth King of France CHILDERIC .2 KING OF FRANC XIIII CHILDERIC the second son of Clouis was alreadie in possession of the realme of Austrasia but a greater drawes him into France 666 where he findes important difficulties â—or Ebroin doubting if Childeric should raigne he would take from him the dignity of Maior and giue it vnto Vfoald Maior of Austrasia who was his trustie seruant perswades Thierri the yonger sonne of France to seize vpon the realme and causeth him to be Crowned King But Childeric comes with a strong army being fauored by the French who hated Ebroin and in respect of him Thierri and were well affected to the elder so as he seizeth vpon Thierri and Ebroin Hee did onely shaue Thierri put him into the Monasterie of Saint Denis and he sent Ebroin to Luson in Bourgongne To small a punishement for so foule a fact nay rather a perpetuall pryson aâ—d insupportable torments had beene more meete for his ambitious spirit Childeric then was receiued of all the French to whome soone after he made a slender recompence for he grew so proud and cruell as there appeered in all places signes of his tiranny and cruelty One amongest the rest cost him deere for hauing caused a Gentleman called Bodille to bee whipped hee gaue him a iust occasion to seeke his ruine The French wearied with his insolencies take this barbarous act very disdainfully so as Bodille had an easie meanes for reuenge vpon Childeric although hee were a King he resolues to kill him and wants no friends to accompanie him in this execution The match is made to surprise him a hunting at their best adâ—antage Childeriâ— being there he is eniuroned by Bodille and his Companions who increase still and he being ill attended by his followers 678. is slaine by Bodille who followed by his confederates A 〈◊〉 punishment goes presently to a neere Castle whereas Blitilde the Queene remained great with child being entered he slew her with her child leauing a memorable example to Princes neuer to thrust their subiects into dispaire nor to abuse their authority to the dishonour and contempt of their Nobility which is their right arme Thus died Childeric hauing reigned but two yeares Leauing an odious memory to his posterity to haue begun well and ended ill cleane contrary to Childeric the first his Predecessor who began ill and ended well THIERRI the first the 15. King of France THIERRI I. KING OF FRANCE XV. CHilderic being thus slaine the French not able to liue without a king â—nd desiring none but one of the bloud royall post to S. Denis draw forth Thierri and establish him in the Realme from the which they had deposed him for his elder brother and make Landregesil the Son of Archembault Maior of the Pallace with whom they were well pleased during his Maâ—ralty A notable example both of the peoples consent gouerned by reason and the efficacy of the Soueraigne law the which is the soule of an Estate and the ground of a lawfull Empire The Realme was very peacefull in this beginning when as Ebroin perswaded by some discontented Noblemen leaues his Cloister and raiseth an armie in the beginning but small but it so increased by the kings contempt and his Mayors as he remaines a Victor with an incredible celerity Ebroin seizeth on the Kings person intreats him with all reuerence and respect and protests to require nothing but to bee held his most faithfull seruant as he had beene in his first reigne Landregesil was then absent who seeing the King taken and all the fauour of the French turned to Ebroin being victor hee willingly giues eare vnto him â—84 and vpon his â—aith and promise of good vsage putts himselfe into his hands A trâ—acherous murther by whome he is treacherously and cruelly â—â—ame Ebroin hauing begun this course continues his cruelty to satisfie his reuenging minde vntill that he himselfe after that he had murthered many good men contrarie to his oath amongest the rest Leger Bishop of Auâ—un hauing admonished him of his dutie and Marâ—in Maior of the Palace of Austrasia to whome hee had giuen his faith with a sollemne oath in the ende he thrust himselfe vnaduisedly into the hands of Ermanfroy a French gentleman his capitall enemy who slue him when he least feared it hauing nowe an imaginatâ—on to bee mounted to the toppe of his greatnes and to tast the
called the Bald King anâ— Emperour who raigned 33 yeares and to Charles the 2. succeeded 879. 27. Lewis the 2. his sonne called the Stuttering King and Emperour who raigned but a yeare and six moneths   At his death he left his wife with child who being borne was acknowledged for lawfull King and called Charles the Simple his minoritie lasted 22. yeares Many Tutors many confusions These Regents are crowned Kings and acknowledged by that name doe hold the ranke among Kings and so we must diuide these 22. yeares to euery Regent according to his raigne 881. 28. Lewis the 3. and Caroloman bastard of Lewis the stuttering raigne as Regents fiue yeares 889. 29 Charles the 3. a Prince of the bloud called the grosse as Regent he raigned 7. yeares being both King and Emperour he was put from them both 896. 30. Eudes or Odon sonne to Rob. Duke of Aniou as Regent he raigned 10. y. In the confusion of these last Maisters the royall autâ—oriâ—y being greatly weakned many Countries freed themselues from the obedience of the French Monarchie So fell out   THE ECLIPSE OF THE EMPIRE   Both in Germanie Italy The body of the Empire remained in Germanie being afterwards gouerned by an Emperour chosen by the Princes Electors And Italy was dismeÌ„bred into diuers Principalities vnder diuers Potentates In the end after this minority of 22. â—eares 899. 31. Charles the 4. called â—he Simple sonne to Lewis the Stuttering was crowned as lawfull King raigned 25. yeares But Raoul of Boâ—rgongâ—e 923. 32. A Prince of the bloud was called by the League to put downe King Charles called the Simple being imprisoned by them and forced to renounce the Crowne Charles dying with griefe Raoul raigned 13. yeares but in the end was expelled from this vniust vsurpation 936. 33. Lewis the 4 called d'Outremer or beyond the sea sonne to Charles the Simple being called out of England whether his Moâ—her had carried him to preserue him from the League was acknowledged King and raigned twenty and nine yeares 954. 34. Lothaire his sonne suâ—câ—eded him who raigned thirtie and three yeares 986. 35. Lewis the 5. sonne to Lothaire raigned about two yearâ—s and dying without issue interred with him the race of Charles Martel as his Ancestors had of long time obscured his vertues and that of the valiant Charlemagne vnfortunate in their successors Thus the second race called Carlâ—â—ingiens hauing raigned 230. yeareâ— ended 〈◊〉 Lewis the 5. and gaue place to the third raâ—e which raignes at this day 750. PEPIN the short the 23. King of France and first of the second race PIPIN KING OF FRANCE XXIII THE French thus freed by the Popes dispensation from their oth of obedience assemble their generall Estates and to auoyde confusion in the Realme apparently growen by the negligence of their Kings they conclude to reiect Childeric and to choose Pepin the one vnworthie to raigne by reason of his vices and the other most worthie to be King for his royall vertues And to the end the fundamentall Law of state should not bee directly infringed in this new election they bring Pepin from the race of great Clouis of whome they sayd hee should be acknowledged for the next heire Pepin chosen King by the Parliâ—ment and Childeric reiected seing that vertue his race being duely weighed he approched nerest to him in vertue Pepin himselfe would not assist at this assemblie that the offer of this dignitie being made without his appareÌ„t seeking it might be the more honorable Being called to heare the general conclusion of the Parliament and the common desire of all the French hee presents himselfe being pleasing to all men in more then an ordinary sort little of bodie but shewing in his countenance the greatnes of his spirit amiable by his mild and modest behauiour and admirable for his graue pleasing Maiestie The Assembly lets him vnderstand by Boniface Archbishop of Mayence or Mentz that the French in regard of his vertues and their future hope hâ—d by a free and generall consent chosen him King of France And for execution of the said decree hee was instantly in the presence of them all installed King the royall Crowne was set vpon his head by the said Archbishop and then he was raysed vpon a target and carried about the assembly after the ancient ceremonie of the French And by vertue of the same decree Childeric was chalenged as vnworthy of the Crowne degraded shauen and confined into a Monastery thereto passe the remainder of his daies This notable change happened in the yeare 750. in the Citty of Soissons but with so resolute a consent of all the French nationâ— as there appeared not any one that made shew to dislike thereof A most assured testimony that Goâ— had so determined Soueraigne câ—uâ—es of this chaâ—ge hauing resâ—rued to himselfe the soueraigne authority ouer Kings to place and diâ—â—lace gird vngird raise and cast downe according to his good pleasure alwaies iust alwaies wise To him we must ascribe the principall and soueraigne cause of all changes For God is the gouernour as hee is the Creator It being a necessary consequence that he gouernes that which he hath created and by his prouidence watâ—â—eth especially ouer mankinde for whom he hath made the world If we shall otherwise seeke the neerest causes of this alteration we may iustly say that vice dispossessed Childeric vertue set Pepin in possession of the Crowne loue the reuerence of sâ—biects being the sâ—pport of publike authority hate and contempt the ruine thereof To the end that Princes by so worthy an example may learne to banish vice which making them hatefull contemptible thrusts them from their Thrones and to plant vertue which causing them to be respected and honored makes them to raigne ouer nations Now we begin a new gouernment vnder new Kings and in a new race In the beginning we shall see two great Princes The estate of this second race vnder whom good order shall make an alteration of affaires with an abundance of all blessings both spirituall temporall Iustice wisdom pollicie armes valour large limits of territories abundance of peace the excellent knowledge of learning to raise this estate to the greatest happines that euer it enioyed scarse any other kingdom whatsoeuer let forraine nations say what they please But the happines of these two Kings shall not be hereditary in their posteâ—ity who beginning soone to degenerate shall decline by degrees vntil that vice depriuing them of the Crowne vertue shall giue it to another who shall shew himselfe a more lawfull successor and righter heire to Charlemagne hauing a better part in his vertues This second race shall enioy the kingdom 237. yeares beginning to raigne in the yeare 750. ending in the yeare 987. hauing begun by vertue and ended by vice A goodly lâ—sâ—on for Potentates thâ—t bounty wisdom and valour Inâ—â—â—uction for
Countrie finding more safetie at Rome then in other citties of Italie retyred themselues thither and peopled the Cittie So by this occasion newe Rome the seat of the Popes iurisdiction succeeding the Emperours hath beene built within old Rome amidst the Pallaces walkes Basiliques Coliâ—ees Amphytheatres and other ancient buildings But aboue all the credit and authoritie of the Bishop of Rome by these new occurrents crept in by degrees vntil he aduanced hiâ—selfe aboue the Emperours Kings Princes of Christendome yet he of Constantinople held himselfe the Superior being in the proper seat of the Empire and in the light of the Imperiall Court Thus they fall to debate Contention for the Priemacie and the cause of their dissentions was the preheminence of their seas and the authoritie of the vniuesall Bishop This contention bred infinite confusions in the Church and in an vnseasonable time which inuited men to sacke and spoyle So as S. Gregorie Bishop of Rome a man of singular pâ—etâ—e learning hauing couragiously opposed himselfe against Iohn Bishop of Constantinople who affected this title of vniueâ—sall Bishop and detesting so vnreasonable and vnseasonable an ambition cries out Oh times oh manners the whole world is set on fire with warre Christians are euerie where massacred by Idolaters A worthie speech 〈◊〉 S. Gregorie Citties and Temples razedby Barbarians and yet the pastors of the Church as it were treading vnder foot the common calamitie of Gods people dare vsurpe names of vanitie and braue it with thâ—se prophane titles The reader curious to vnderstand the Estates of those times and to note the degrees and authoritie of this vniuersall Bâ—shop established in the Church may read the epistles of this good father great in name and in effect without troubling my selfe to â—et them downe in particular whose intention was to shew That who so taketh vpon him the authoritie and title of vniuersall Bishop in the Church and to haue any Soueraigne preheminence presumes aboue Iesus Christ the onely head of the sacred bodie of the Church Hee that takes on him the title 〈◊〉 vniuâ—rsâ—ll 〈◊〉 is the 〈◊〉 oâ— Antichrist and by consequence he doth affirme that he is the foâ—erâ—nner of Antichrist And yet after these graue and serious admonitions of Saint Gregorie the great within tenne yeares after Boniface the third obteined from Phocas the Emperour the title of vniuersall Bishop with authoritie ouer the vniuersall Church as Platina the Popeâ— Secretary doth reâ—ort To this quarrell for the Supremacie was added the controuersie for images which caused infinite confusions Dispute for Images the â—mperours and Bishops were banded one against another and by their dissentions the people were stirred vp to seditious reuolts the which aâ—ter many Tragicall euents were a meane to ruine the Empire of the East It was a popular custome to erect Images to those whome they would honour as hauing deserued well of the Common weale Christians desiring to honour the memorie of holy men began to set vp images euen for them also following this ciuill custome and did erect them in Temples as places consecrated to deuotion Some Bishops â—auored this new deuice in the Church and others did impugne it Epiphanius did teare a picture in peeces Images at the 〈◊〉 a politike 〈◊〉 and Serenus did beat downe an image the one in the Eâ—st the other in the West The Christians borne and bred in this ancient doctrine of the Apostles My children beware of Images maintainâ—d in the Catholike Church by succession from father to sonne could not digest this innouation no more could the Emperours Hence grew the dissention the greatest part of the Bishops holding the contrarie That it was a part of the seruice of God and a bond to retayne mens soules in deuotion with reuerence This contention grew in the time of the Emperour Philippicus called Bardanes who by an Edict caused them to be throwne downe in the yeare of grace 713. the which continued to 782. vnder Constantin the second called Copronimus an enemie to images who commaunded them to bee cast downe contraâ—y to the liking of his mother Irene who not onely maintained them with violence but also caused them to be confirmed by a Councel held at Nicee a Cittie in Bithinia seeing 〈◊〉 at Constantinople where shâ— had made the conuocation of this Ecclesiasticall Assembly the people were resolute to withstand them Hence grew an execrable Tragedie in the Imperiall Court Irene seing her sonne resolute against her deâ—ence oâ— Iâ—ages was so transported as hauing seized on him in his chamber she caused his eyes to be put out so as dying with greefe she vsurps the Empire Through this bad gouernment Tragicall crueltie of a mother against her soâ—ne confusion so increased in the East as in the end necessitie made the way for Charlemagne to take vpon him the dignitie and title of the Emperour of the West and to preserue prouinces in those parts from the disorders of the Grâ—â— Emperours as wee may see in the continuance of tâ—is Historie I am bound to obserue these so notable occurrents in those times as belonging to the subiect of my Historie to represent truely both the Estate of the Empire and of the Church when as Charlemagne vndertooke the gouernement of the Empire and vnited it happily to the French Monarchie The wise reader may verifie more plainly in the Originalls from whence I haue drawne this Inuentorie what I haue briefly set downe here touching the occurents of those ages wherein the Oracle of holy antiquitie was verified by the end of these straÌ„ge Tragedies The truth is lost by contending The first simplicitie of the Catholike Church being rich in her pouertie by the abundance of truth conteined since the golden age of the Apostles and their Dâ—sciples was changed into rich and stately pompe the Crownes of martirdome wherewith the fiâ—st Bishops of Rome had beene honoured into a triple Crowne Estate of the ancieÌ„t church which not onely hath and doth giue Lawes to the Emperours Kings and Princes of the earth but doth tread them vnder foot dispossesse them of their estates Insolencie of Popâ—s at this day and declares them incapable of rule when they obey him not and for a marke of this soueraigne authoritie hee makes them to kisse his feet in token of the homage of deuotion and spirituall reuerence as hauing power ouer soules to iudge of all men and all things soueraignly and not to bee iudged by any as the circumstances of our historie wil shew in diuerse places This was the Estate both of the Empire and of the Church vnto the death of Pepin the short the first King of the second race in the yeare 750. or thereabouts CHARLES the Great or CHARLEMAGNE the 24. King of France From the yeare 768. vnto the yeare 814. CHARLES THE GREAT KING OF FRANCE XXIIII 768. THE Estates of France assemble after the death of Pepin and by their consents and aduice
Peâ—ine childreÌ„ diuide the realme Charles and Carolomon his sonnes diuide the realme betwixt them by equall portions Châ—rles was crowned at Wormes Carolâ—man at Soissons writers agree not in the declaration of their portions for that by the death of Caraloman the whole realme came to Charles three yeares after the death of their Father Brothers of diuers humors who in the end had ruined each other by this equalitie of power which proues often an vniust and a dangerous ballance in an estate But Gods will was to preserue so great a Monarchie in Europe to be a harbour for his Church by chosing a great Prince to vnite in him alone the power which is dismembred by the command of many Maisters Charles was endued with singular gifts both of body and minde wherevnto by the wiâ—e care of his father Pepin was added as a seale the instructions of a vertuous conuersation Charles the patterne of a great King His manners learning and armes For the ground of all vertues he was carefully instructed in religion the which hee loued and honoured with great reuerence all his life time and likewise the Churches and Pastors Charitie temperance equitie care of Iustice and of order to releeue the people to keepe his faith both to friend and foe and to vse a victory modestly were the noâ—able effects of this excellent knowledge as remarkeable in him His studies as in any Prince that euer liued Hee loued learning by 〈◊〉 and learned men Paul of Pisa instructed him in the Greeke and Latin tongues anâ— â—â—mon in Philosophie and the Mathematikes Hee called these humaine sciences his pastimes and the companions of his Sword and sometimes did recreate himselfe therein Hee tooke a delight in poetry as some of his writings do witnes but especially in Histories wherein he was exceeding well red The vniuersities of Paris and Pisa built or enriched by him witnesse the loue and honour hee bare to learning In armes hee had his father Pepin for hâ—s chiefe schoolemaster and experience doth testifie how much he profited Before his father left him he had great commands and discharged them with such reputation His armes as the continuance of his armes when he was King shewe plainely that there was neuer soldiar that carried sword with more valour nor great Captaine that commaunded with more obedience nor performed any thing with greater fortune nor vsed his victories with more mildnesse iudgement neyther did euer King or Prince raigne with more authority nor was more reuerently obeyed then our Charlemagne well deseruing the name of great for his vertues He was of a liuely disposition quicke actiue and vehement but modestie and wisdome did season this viuacity and vehemency with so good a grace as iâ— the one could not bee without the other and this moderation of diuers humors made him as admirable in his wit as venerable in his countenance and person There appeared in him a graue sweete Maiesty in a goodly personage great strong and patient of labour A quicke spirit cleere sownd both in apprehension memory and iudgement resolution neuer failed him in difficulties no replie in discours terrible to some amiable to others according to the cause persons and occurrents Vertues which purchased him so great credit as he was beloued respected and feared of all men with such obedience as the effects of his raigne do shewe for hauing receiued a great Kingdome from his father he enlarged it with a wonderfull successe God hauing raised vp these three great Princes one after an other Charles Martel Pepin this great Charles to preserue the Christian name in a great Monarchy The successâ— of his raignâ— amidest the deluge of barbarous nations and the ruine of the Empire I haue coated these his singular vertues in the beginning to giue a tast to the obseruation of his great and admirable actions where there wants nothing but order to relate them fitly in so great a diuersity the which hath ministred occasion to the obscure writers of those times to be too breefe or too tedious ofte-times to report matters very vnlikely for the greatnesse of thingâ— which they haue handled in a fabulous manner and in deed the euents are almost incredible and more miraculous then ordinary Doubtlesse I could gather out of the most confident authors and that according to the order of times as euery thing hath changed and answerable to the greatnes of the subiect that which cannot well be represented without some direction All the deedes of Charlemagne must bee referred to that which he hath done either whilest hee was King alone of France or when he was Emperour and had vnited the Empire to his royaltie And in those times there is first to be obserued what he did in the life of Caroloman in Guienne and after his death in Italy Spaine and Saxonie where he had great matters to decide This is the desseine of our relation The deedes of Charlemagne in the life of his brother Caroloman CAroloman was infinitly iealous of his brothers greatnes whome with greeâ—e he did see be loued honored and obeyed of all the French for his singular vertues both of body and minde This iealousie too ordinary a Counsellor to Princes made him to seeke all meanes to counteâ—mine and ouerthrowe the affaires of Charlemagne who had his eyes fixed vpon Italie as the goodly and most beautifull theatre oâ—â—is vaâ—our the tâ—ue subiect to maintaine his authority and power among Christians and Carolomâ—â— did all hee coulâ— to crosse 〈◊〉 desseins And this was the estate of Rome and Italie 771 Presently after the decease of Pepin the Church of Rome fell into great confusions by the practises of Didier King of Lombardie a sworne and capital enemy hauing corrupted some of the Clergie hee caused Constantin brother to Toton Duke of Nepezo his vassall and trustie to bee chosen Pope with such violence as hee made Philippicus being already Canonically chosen to be degraded Troubles at Rome This better party seeing themselues contemned by the Lombard assemble togither and by one common consent choose Stephen the third a Sicilien for Pope who resolues to call in the King of France and to oppose him against his enemies desseins Charles sollicited by the Pope sends twelue Prelates speedily to Rome to fortifie their party against the other meaning at greater neede to apply a greater remedy The matter succeeded according to their desire that had intreated him for the Counsell beeing assembled at Latran they confirme Stephen lawfully chosen and depose Constantin raised by disorder and violence The Lombardâ— dissimulation But Didier would not be controuled with this repulse and seeing that force had not succeeded he resolues to trie policy and to vnder-mine Stephen witâ— a good shew He sends to congratulate his election purgeth himselfe of the Antipope Constantin degraded accuseth both him and his brother of ambition protesting to liue with him in amity and for proofe of this his
a people which had possessed a part of Thrace neere vnto Constantinople he was slaine in the conflict Hee had one sonne named Staurat who by reason should succeed him but Michel his brother in law seizeth on this poore young man and makes him a way and hauing corrupted the chiefe men with gifts hee vsurpes the Empire The Empire conâ—iâ—med to Charles and least that Charlemagne should crosse his desseignes he seekes to insinuate with him not onely ratifying what Nichâ—phorus had done for the diuision of the Empire but by a new contract doth acknowledge him Emperour of the West Thus the affaires of our Charles were daily confirmed but his minde toiled with these new losses and the painfull difficulties he had suffered throughout the whole course of his life required nothing but rest All his life time he held the Church in great reuerence Charles his care to â—â—le the Church had imployed his authority to beautifie it and bountifully bestowed his treasure to inrich it but this great plenty in so happy a peace made the Churchmen to liue loosely Charles well instructed in religion knowing how much it did import to haue doctrine and good manners to shine in them that should instruct others he doth call fiue Councels in diuers places of his dominions for the gouernment of the Church At Mayence at Rheims at Tours at Châ—alons and at Arles and by the aduise of these Ecclesiasticall assemblies A good instructiâ—n 〈◊〉 â—rinces to louâ— piety hee sets downe orderâ— for the reformation of the Church in a booke intituled Capitula Caroli magni which they read at this dayâ— for a venerable proofe of the piety of this great Prince A worthy president for Princes which seeke true honour by vertue whereof the care of piety is the chiefe foundation He held likewise a great Councell in the Citty of Francford â—These are the very words of the History of the Bishops of France Germanie and Italy the which hee himselfe would honour with his presence where by a generall consent The false Synode of the Greekes I 〈◊〉 the very words of the Originall vntruly called the seuenth was condemned and reiected by all the Bishops who subscribed to the condemnation 〈◊〉 there fell out a new accident which drew Charles againe to armes Adelphonse King of Nauarre surnamed the chaste by reason of his singular temperance did careâ—ulâ—y adâ—ertâ—se him New warre in Spaâ—nâ— crost by secret practises that there was now meanes vtterly to subdue the Sarazins in Spaine Charlemagne who desired infinitly to finish this worke so oft attempted without any great successe giues â—are to this aduise leuies an armie and marcheth into Spaine relying on the Spaniards fauour being Christians Adelphonse meant plainly but so did not the chiefe of his Court nor his associates who feared his forces no lesse then the Sarazins and euâ—n the most confident seruants of Adelphonse doubted to be dispossessed of their gouernmeÌ„ts by a new Maister So they crosâ—e Adelphonse in countermanding of Charles but the lots were cast his army is in field and he resolute to passe on He enters into Spaine where he finds so many difficulties as he returnes into France and so concludes all his enterprises imbraciâ—g againe the care of religion and of the Church as a subiect fit for the remainder of his dayes A happy concâ—usion of Charlemagnes life Hee was thâ—ee score and eight yeares old when he left the warres so he spent three whole yeares in his study reading the Bible and the bookes of Saint Augustin whom he loued aboue all the Doctors of the Church He resided at Paris â—o haue conference with the learned where hee had erected a goodly 〈◊〉 â—urnished â—ith learned men such as that time could afforde and enriched 〈◊〉 goodly priuileges Hee had an extraordinary care to haue the seruice of the Câ—urch suppâ—â—ed as a Nursery of the holy Ministery Thence grew so many Colledges of Chanoins with such sufficient reuenues 81â— Thus Charles spent three yeares happily in the onely care of his soule leaâ—â—ing a goodly example to Princes to moderate their greatnesse with pietie their enioying of temporall goods with the hope of eternall and to thinke of their departure out of this life in time He makes his 〈◊〉 Thus foretelling his death wherevnto he prepared himselfe by this exercise he made his will leauing Lewis his sonne sole heyre of his great Kingdoms and bequeaths to the Church great treasures as more at large is conteined in his will set downe in the Hâ—story His Testament was the messenger of his death for soone after he fell sicke He dyes and continued so but eight dayes dying happily vnto the Lord in the yeare of grace 814. of his age the 71. and of his raigne the 47. including 15. yeares of his Empire He was interred at Aix La Chapelle where hee was borne and his memory honoured with a goodly Epitaph set downe in the History The true 〈…〉 and Hee was one of the greatest Princes that euer liued His vertue is the patterne of Princes his good hap the subiect of their wishes The greatnesse of his Monarchie is admirable for he quietly enioyed all France Germanie the greatest part of Hungaâ—ie all Italy and a part of Spaine But his vertues were greater then his Monarchie his clemencie wisdome and valour his learning yea in the holy Scripture his vigilancie His vices magnanimitie and singular force be the theater of his immortall praises And yet his vertues were not without some blemish as the greatest are not commonly without some notable vice for hee was giuen to women adding Concubins to his lawfull wiues by whom hee had bastards I haue noted elsewhere the number of his wiues and children Lewis the weakest of them all remained alone the sole heire of this great Monarchie of France the Romaine Empire but not of his noble vertues We are now come to the top of this great building we shall see it decline and therein note the admirable prouidence of God who amidest the confusion of this estate hath alwayes preserued the Maiestie of this Crowne LEWIS the gentle the 25 King 815. and Emperour of the West LODOWICKE I. KING OF FRANCE XXV AS the vertues of Charlemagne had raised this estate to an admirable greatnesse so the small valour or rather the vices of his posterity caused the declining and if God had not preuented had beene the ruine thereof His intent was onely to change the race vnworthy to raigne but not the realme the which hee hath preserued vnto this day by his prouidence in the bosome of one country and in it his Church for the which he maintaines both the estates where it remaines and the whole world which cannot subsist but in regard of it Thus the French Monarchie being come to the heigth of her greatnesse The declining of this race the lawe imposed vpon all humaine things would haue it decline that of
sprong the first occasion of the fall of this race a King of small merit A confused and vnhappy raigne hauing performed nothing praise worthy for in that wherein hee desired to winne the reputation of doing well hee did exceeding ill His greatest ambition was to seeme a good Vncle to the onely daughter of his brother Lewis with whome hee had made so strict a League of loue He married her to Boson as I haue sayd but the euents shew that he married her with an iâ—tent to goâ—erne her inheritance at his pleasure Being proclaymed Emperour hee leuies a great and mightie army and goes in person into Italie His pretext was to suppresse the Dukes of Spoletum and Beneuent who â—ought to free themselues from the subiection of the Empire and to become Soueraigâ—es but â—is intent was to seize vpon the strong places of Italie Charles seekes to deceiue hiâ— Neece and so â—y conseqâ—eâ—ce of that which belonged to his Neece Hermingrade But Bosâ—n her husband discouering her Vncles intent preuented him ioyning with the sayd Dukes and prouiding for the Citties of Italie with all expedition 879. as his wiues inheritance and then hee aduertised Charles entring into the Countrie that it was needlesse for him to passe any farther and to put Italie to vnnecessarie charges seeing that he himselfe could gard it sufficiently the foresaid Dukes did submit themselues to reason But being easie to iudge that Charles hauing an armie in field Charles diuerted from the warre of Italy and a resolute desseine would not retyre without constraint Boson makes factions in France in the heart of his Estate to diuert him An easie matter both for their discontents against him and the miserie of that age nourished in the libertie of vnciuill warres This occasion drew Charles from this vniust desseine for at the first brute of rebellion he turnes head towards France but there chanced more to him then he expected for he not onely left his Neeces patrimonie but his owne life in Italie with a notable instruction Not to loose this life for the desire of an other mans goods Thus died Charles the bald at Mantoua the yeare 879. leauing the Realme to his sonne Lewis Where he dies the which hee sought to augment with an others right LEVVIS the second called the stuttering 27. King and Emperour LVDOWICK .2 KING OF FRANCE XXVII HE raigned onely two yeares and succeeded his father likewise in the Empire but not without opposition for the Princes of Italie sought to be Soueraines and the Germaines bearing impatiently the confusions passed desired to restore the beauty of the Imperial dignity greatly decayed in Italie by such as possessed the â—aâ—ds of the Empire They spared not the Pope himselfe who by little and little vsurped the Imperiall rights in Italie These complaints being made to Lewis the Emperour Iohn the 3. Pope of Rome came into France to redresse that which conceâ—ned the Sea of Rome He was courteously receiued by the King 880. staied in France a whole yeare and there held a Councell at Troyes in Champagne The raigne of Lewis was very short The Pope was scarcegâ—ne but hee was lodged in the bed of death He had no lawfull children but two bastards Lewis and Caroloman both men growne whereof the one was already married to the daughter of Boson King of Arles His wife was with child In the doubtfulnesse of the fâ—â—ite which should be borne he must prouide a Regent to gouerne the realme if it were a sonne And although Lewis loued his two bastards deere'y yet would he not haue them Regents but made choise of Eudes or Odon Duke that is to say gouernour of Anger 's the sonne of Robert of the race of Widichind of Saxony of whom we haue before made mention to bee Regent of the Realme and experience taught Lewis leaues his wife with childe that his iudgement was good Thus Lewis dyed hauing left nothing memorable but a sonne wherein I obserue three notable things The efficacie of the Lawe of State preseruing the right of the lawfull heire not yet borne The minoritie of a King subiect to many confusions and miseries and the liberty of great men in the weakenesse of a young Prince who fiâ—he boldly in a troubled streame In this raigne happened the Eclipse of the Empire The first check giuen to this second race was by a League which dying in shew made the King to dye in effect and in the end carryed away the Crowne burying both the King and all his race in one tombe This History is very obsâ—ure by reason of the Regents which are numbred among the Kings during the minoritie of the lawfull heire and therefore good directions are needfull in so confused a laborinth of diuers raignes Behold therefore the simple and plaine truth Lewis the Stuttering being dead the Parliament assembled to resolue for the gouernment of the realme vntill that God should send the Queene a happy deliuery The estates honour the Queenes wombe and if it were a sonne appoint who should be Gouernour to the King and Regent of the Realme vntill he came to the age of gouernment There was no Prince that made any question to the Infants title that was to bee borne or that sought to take the adâ—antage of the time to aduance himselfe vnder colour of neerenesse of bloud but it was concluded by common consent they should carefully preserue the Qâ—eenes wombe vntill her deliuery The Kings will was plaine for he called Eudes as we haue said to be Gouernour to his child vnborne and Regent of the realme Regents crowned as Kings but Lewis and Caroloman bastards of France had so laboured for voyces as they preuailed against this Testamentary decree and were chosen Regents by the Estates who for confirmation of this authoritie decreed they should be crowned yet with a profitable exception for the pupils interest the lawfull heire of the Crowne A dangerous proceeding A dangerous course making seruants taste the sweetnesse of Soueraigne command which made the way to a horrible confusion and multiplying the authoritie of many masters did greatly preiudice the lawfull heire the which may not without extreame danger be imparted but to one onely The Queene was happily deliuered of a sonne the which was saluted King and was called Charles of whom wee shall speake hereafter The day of his birth was the 12. of December Charles borne after his â—athers death in the yeare 881. But we must now passe 22. yeares full of troubles before our pupill comes to age so as to marche safely in so obscure a laborinth wee must distinctly note the diuers parcels of this interreigne 882. The Minoritie of Charles called the Simple the which continued 22. yeares vnder 4. Regents whom they call Kings LEwis and Caroloman Brothers the bastards of Lewis the Stuttering chosen by the States raigned two yeares or there abouts to whom they adde Lewis the idle the sonne of
was greatly troubled with diuers factions among the which the Kings part was reckoned the greater but experience shewed it was the weakest for Eudes kept them in awe The King who had the greatest interest thought least thereon being ill aduised by them who sought to abuse his simple and tractable disposition and to aduance themselues by his ruine Hee solicits Eudes in such sort as in the end he strips himselfe of all authoritie and resignes it into the Kings hands who knowes neither how to manage it nor how to auoyd his owne misfortune the which Eudes preuented whilest he liued It was not long before his death that he resigned al his authoritie of Regent vnto Charles as to the lawfull heire the which hee could not long keepe when hee was in possession thereof according to his soueraigne desire CHARLES the 3. called the simple 31. King CHARLES .3 KING OF FRANCE XXXI HEE was Crowned in the yeare 902. Eudes gouerning with him eight yeares from his coronation 902. Charles remayning alone after the death of his Regent in the yeare 902. raigned 27. yeares His raigne was miserable both in the beginning midest and ending He ratified the accord made with the Normans by Charles the Grosse and sealed it with the marriage of his sister Gilette with Rhou or Raoul hee is also called Rhoulon their chiefe Commander who hauing left the Pagan superstition and imbraced Christian religion purchased a great reputation in that Country whereof he was first called Duke But the Normans sute ceasing a more violent fire is kindled by confusion All breaks forth A league made against the King discouers it selfe and takes armes without shame or respect A memorable league of Robert against King Charles the 3. but being the breeding of the change of this second race We must obserue it very distinctly and seeke out the motiues thereof The League of Robert brother to Eudes 906 against king Charles the simple the first steppe to the change of this second Race The which laie smothered 53. yeares before it was fully discouered vnder Hugh Capet from the yeare 923. to 976. ROBERT Duke of Aniou that is to say gouernour by the death of his brother Eudes becomes the head of this League accompanied with many great men of France The motiue of this league The euent shewes that their intent was to reiect Charles the simple as vnworthy to raigne and to choose a newe King I doubt not but Robert affected the Crowne for himselfe but that is very likely that hee couered this his desseine with some goodly pretext The writers of that obscure age haue concealed the motiues but as by the effects we knowe the cause so by the euent of this League when it was strongest we may iudge of the intent They aduanced a Prince of the bloud for king causing Charles to quit the Crowne Charles 〈◊〉 from the Crowne disgracing him with the name of simple or foolish and delaring him incapable of so great a charge Who seeth not then the reason that during the minority of Charles the simple the diuersity of masters had bred infinit confusions in the state and that since his coronation things were nothing repaired although Eudes had resigned him the Regency They pretend it was necessary to furnish the realme with a more worthy Prince to giue an end to these miseries But that which cheefely mooued the vndertakers was their priuate interest the which they cloaked with the common-weale The humors of this insufficient King offended many too milde to some too seuere to others and ingratefull to such as had best serued him The commentary which hath beene added to the text of the Originall is not likely that Robert as brother to Eudes pretended the Crowne as heire vnto his brother beeing lawfully chosen by the States But wherevnto tends all this Eudes had leâ—t no suspition to pretend any interest vnto the Crowne hauing beene Regent after others and enioying it but by suffrance resigning it willingly or by constraint vnto the lawefull heire Truely the French mens carefull keeping of their Queenes wombe their acknowledging the childe borne after the fathers death for King their choosing of Regents their placing and displacing of one and the same Regent do plainely shewe both the efficacy of the Lawe and the resolute possession of the French the which they yeelded not easily to a man with so weake a title What then I should rather thinke that the peoples complaint tired with so long calamities Robert the head of the league and in â—â—mes was their colour to furnish the realme with a more wise and profitable guide and that they sought a Prince as in the ende they tooke Raoul King of Bourgongne the first Prince of the bloud of which League Robert was the ringleader as the first in dignity and most valiant in courage or the most rash in so dangerous an enterprise The memory of his brothers wise and peaceable gouernment and his owne valour opposite to the foolish and base disposition of Charles blemished with this name of simple for his folly and contemptible humors gaue a great Lustre to this enprise with those great intelligences he had within the realme and namely with the Normans his confident friends With this assurance hee armes boldly against Charles promising himselfe an vndoubted doubted victorie by the valour of his men and the basenes of his enemie Charles the simple awakes at this strange reuolt and distrusting his owne subiects who 〈◊〉 sees risen in armes to dispossesse him of his estate he flies to Henry the 3. Emperour and prepares al hee can to calme so great a storme As their armies approach Robert to haue some title to make a warre causeth himselfe to bee crowned King at Rheims Râ—bâ—rt câ—useth himselfe to be crowned King by Herué the Archbishop who died three dayes after this vnlawful Coronation The opinions are diuers but for my part I doe not hold that Robert caused himselfe to bee crowned with a better title then his brother Eudes who was neither crowned nor raigned as King but as Regent But all the French complayned that they needed a better King then Charles the simple who would loose the Crowne if it were not foreseene The erroâ—s of King Charles He had alreadie ratified the follie of Charles the grosse in continuing the vsurpation of Neustria to the Normans who with the Kings consent were seized thereon with the title of lawfull possession and moreouer they were much incensed that hee had put himselfe into the protection of the Emperour Henry to giue him a cause to inuest himselfe King of France as of late dayes the Germains had infranchised themselues from the French Monarchie by the diuision of brethren which had raigned and the minoritie of Charles who then commaunded This iealousie inflamed the hearts both of the one and the other and serued Robert for a shew meaning to fish in a troubled water Now they are in armes
by meanes of his brother whom hee held prâ—soner hee resolues to take it by force and in the meane time hee beseegeth Windsor by some Noblemen of his partie Iohn sleepes not hee makes a vertue of necessitie imploying all his meanes to leuie men and to keepe what remained But behold an accident which ends both his sute and his life One of his Captaines brings him certaine troupes to releeue Winchester where hee attended the siege but they were charged by Lewis his men Iohn seeing his people to perish some by the Sword and the rest drowned flying to saue themselues oppressed in his conscience not able to endure the reuenging furies of his Nephews bloud vniustly spilt hee falles to a despairing griefe King Iohn dies for griefe and shortlye after dyes suffering the punishment of his iniustice and crueltie Leauing a notable example and president to all men neuer to hope for good by doing euill although the offender growe obdurate by the delaye of punishment This was after eighteene yeares patience during the which Iohn raigned with much trouble a slaue to his furious passions the which is a cruell and insupportable commander The English châ—nge their opinion Thus the decree of Gods iust iudgement against Iohn the parricide was put in execution in the yeare 1217. But this death of Iohn did not settle Lewis in his new royaltie as it was expected The discontent of the English dyes with Iohn and the loue of their lawfull Prince reuiues in his Sonne Henry God limits the bounds of States which mans striuing cannot exceede The Sea is a large Ditche to deuide England from France the Pyrenei Spaine and the Alpes Italy if audatious Ambition and Couetousnesse would not attempt to force Nature The English pleased with his death that made them to languish cast their eye vpon their lawfull King The Pope interposeth his authoritie for Henry against Lewis Who desirous to preserue what hee had gotten prepares his forces when as the losse of his Fleete comming from France to England makes him to change his resolution yeelding to reason and time restoring another man his right and estate to keepe his owne at home the surer and safer The Englâ—sh receiue Henry the sonne of Iohn and dismisâ—e Lewis of France Thus Henry the third the Sonne of Iohn was receiued King of England and Lewis returned into France but Iohns posteritie shall bee reuenged of the Children of Lewis with more and greater blowes then hee had giuen Lewis being returned into France findes worke at home to imploye him in Warre which hee sought beyond the Seas The occasion was to make head against the Albâ—geios of whome wee will discourse in his life and not interrupt the course of this raigne It is now time to finish this tedious relation of Philips actions and to shew the conclusion of his life Avuergne vnitâ—d to the Crowne Hee did confiscate the Earledome of Avuergne and vnited it vnto the Crowne taking it from Guy being found guiltie of Rebellion this was his last acte All the remainder of his dayes were consecrated to make good lawes for the well gouerning of the Realme At Paris hee did institute the Prouost of Marchants and the Sheriffes for the politike gouernement thereof hee caused the Cittie to bee Paued Philips actions being before verye noysome by reason of the durt and mire Hee built the Halles and the Lovure beeing beautified since by Henry the second with a goodly Pauilion and the rest of the new Lodging Wherevnto King Henry the fourth that now raâ—gnes doth adde a Gallerie of admirable beautie if the necessitie of his affaires suffer him to Crowne the restauration of his Estate by the finishing of this great building Hee walled in Bois de Vincennes and replenished it with Deare and with diuers other sortes of wilde Beasts hee finished that admirable and sumptuous building of our Ladyes Church whereof the foundation was onely layde vnknowne by whome Hee made lawes against Vsurie Players Iuglers and Dycing houses 1219. An enemie to publicke disolutions and a friend to good order and iustice Hee releeued the people ouer-charged by reason of the Warres Hee restored vnto the Clergie all the reuenues hee had taken from them during his greatest affaires And thus hee imployed this last acte of his life to gouerne the Realme Landes vniteâ— to the Crown to the which hee had vnited a good parte of that which was alienated by Hughe Capet That is all Normandie a good part of Guienne the Earldomes of Aniou Touraine Maine Vermandois Cambresis Vallois Clermont Beaumont Avuergne Pontheiu Alancon Limosin Vandosme Damartin Mortaigne and Aumale Wee shall hereafter see how the rest of the Crowne landes returned according to the diuers meanes which GOD gaue by the good gouerment of our Kings Philip imployd his peaceable olde age in this sort when as God did summon him to leaue his Realme to take possession of a better Hee was verye sicke of a quartaine Ague which kept him long languishing in his bed giuing him meanes to meditate vpon his death and to prouide for the Estate of his Reaâ—me leauing a good guide whom hee had leasure and meanes to fashion yet could hee not make him the perfect heire of his Vertues and Happinesse Although Lewis his Sonne were not vicious yet had hee nothing excellent to make him apparent among other Kings He would not Crowne him in his life time beeing taught by the late and neighbour example of the ill gouernment of England betwixt the Father and the Sonne finding his forrces to faile him by the continuance of this Feauer hee made his Will Philips testâ—ment In the which hee delt bountifully with his Seruants according to their deserts hee gaue great Legacies towards the Christians Warre in the East and to the Templets who were then held in great reputation to bee verie necessarie for the garde of Christendome Hee gaue new rents to Hospitalls and to very many Churches And so hee died in peace the yeare 1223. the first of Iulie Hâ—s death in the age of fiftie and nine yeares beloued and lamented of his subiects Hee was fifteene yeares old when hee began to raigne and gouerned forty and foure yeares hee left two Sonnes His condâ—tions Lewis and Philip and one Daughter called Marguerite Vnhappie in his house and verye happy in his raigne· His minoritie was reasonable good but his age was verie reuerend Crowned with all the contents a mortall man could desire in this mortall life hauing left many testimonies of his Vertues to make his memorie deere and respected of his posteritie His estate peaceable his heire knowne and beloued of his subiects and of age and experience to gouerne himselfe and to force obedience A Prince rightly called Augustus whom wee may number among the greatest Hee was most Religious Wise Moderate Valiant Discreete and Happy a louer of Iustice of order and of pollicie friend to the people enemie to Disorders Dissolutions
enterprises were happy but in his age very vnfortunate Robert Earle of Artois by the decease of the Father and imprisonment of the Sonne remaines Tutor to the Children of his Father in Lawe Charles the Lame and Regent of the Realme of Naples Charles King of Naples â—yes but Peter of Arragon keepes Sicilia at that time lost for the French After the death of Charles of Aniou behold Peter of Arragon is assailed with a new partie Pope Martin the fourth doubled his excommunications against him as a capitall enemie of the Church and inuested Charles the youngest Sonne of Philip King of France in his Realme hee absolues the Arragonois from their othe of obedience and Proclaimes a holy Warre as against a sworne enemie of the Church For the execution of these threats Philip imployes all his meanes to raise a goodly Armie vowing to be no more circumuented by Peter of Arragon Iames King of Maiorica and Minorica ioynes with him an enemie to Peter Philip makes warre agâ—inst Peter of Aragon who had spoiled him of his Estate so as there were foure Kings in this Armie Philip King of France and his eldest Sonne Philip King of Nauarre Charles his Sonne inuested in the Realme of Arragon by the Pope and Iames King of Maiorica The Armie was faire and the Frenchmens courage great being very resolute to reuenge the massacre of the Sicilian Euen-song the ridiculous scorne of the combate and the imprisonment of Charles The Red scarfe the marke of the holy Warre Warre in Arragon against one excommunicated and their couragious resolution to bee reuenged of a cruell enemy who had shed bloud by treason appeares in these troupes brauely armed All this promised a great victorie to Philip who commanded his armie in person But the issue will shew that being a Conquerour he lost the fruites of his victorie and in the death of three great personages shall bee seene the vanitie of this world Philip enters the Countie of Rossillâ—n with a goodly Armie all obeyes him except the Cittie of Gennes neere to Perpignan the which hee besieged and it was well defended but in the end it was taken by the French Peter was come out of Sicilia to defend his Fathers inheritance hee fortifies all hee can against Philip and the difficultie of the passages seemed to fauour him but the resolution of the French surmounted the steepenesse of the Rockes The passages are forced Peters Armie is defeated and hee saues himselfe with difficultie by these inaccessible places The Armie enters the Countie of Emporias Peter of Arragon defeated Pierre 〈…〉 in one day Girone is besieged and as Peter comes to succour it the French incounter him and ouercomes him who hardly saues himselfe in Ville-franche extreamly amazed with this happy beginning of Philip. What followed hee that was accustomed to deceiue all the world by his inuentions and pollicies He dyes could not by any meanes deceiue Death transported with griefe sorrow impatiencie and dispaire hee dyes the fifteene of August in the same yeare with his enemie Charles The brute of Peters death makes Girone to yeeld presently 1286. being a very strong Citty and promiseth Philip an assured possession not onely of the realme of Arragon but also of Sicilia where in shew they could not resist when as behold other occurrents which mans reason could not preuent Philip assuring himselfe thus of the peaceable possession of the realme of Arragon minding to free himselfe of a needlesse charge he dismisseth the Galleys of Genoa and Pisa the which hee had hired and for that the plague was crept into his Campe he had dispersed his forces about the Citties of Giâ—onne and Perpignan whether he retired himselfe very sick with an intent to pacifie the whole Countrie hauing recouered his health and taken some breath Roger Admirall of Arragon of whom we haue spoken ignorant of Peters death was parted from Sicilia with an intent to bring him succours against the French Fleete Being arriued at Genoa a newter Cittie and of free accesse for both parties he is informed both of the death of his Maister and of the estate of Perpignan and being there of this new accidentâ— he takes a new aduise In steed of returning into Sicilia hee hiers the Galleys of Genoa and â—isa dismissed by Philip and resolues to enter the Port of Perpignan where he had intelligence that Philip remained without any great garde and the Port to bee without defence He arâ—iues so happily as without any opposition he giues a signall to the people of his arriuall Philip set vpon vnawares and 〈◊〉 danger who sodenly rise and kill the French in the houses streetes Philip lay sick in his bed and the French Souldiars had no thought of Roger. The King made a vertue of necessitie he incourageth his men with a sicke and feeble voice and they behaued themselues so valiantly as they expell Roger out of Perpignan and Philip held the Citty who was so distempred with this alarum as his sicknesse encreased dayly The death of Philip. and he died the 15. day of October hauing suruiued Peter but two moneths in the same yeare 1286. and in the same moneth dyed Pope Martin the 4. to shew vnto great Princes the incertaintie of their great desseignes Thus liued thus raigned and thus dyed Phillp the 3. surnamed the Hardie hauing raigned 15. yeares and liued fortie a great vndertaker leauing no memorable acte to his posteritie but a good example not to deale in other mens affaires Of his first wife Isabel he had Philip and Charles remaining His children Charles was Earle of Vallois of Alanson and of Perche Father to Philip of Vallois who in his course shall succeed to the crowne Philip his eldest Sonne was King of France of the same marriage he had one Daughter Marie who was Duchesse of Austria By his second wife Marie he had Lewis Earle of Eureux and Marguerite Queene of England The estate of the Empire after a long confusion of diuers Emperours and the interregne had some rest the Popes being busied in the warres of Sicilia Raoul of Auspourg a good and a wise Prince was chosen Emperour after these disorders imploying himselfe carefully to cure the wounds of Germanie and held the Empire from the yeare 1273. vnto 93. The estate of the Church appeares by that which hath beene spoken in this raigne This onely is particular That a Councell was held at Lions by Gregorie the 10. where it was Decreed That to auoide the tediousnesse of the Popes election the Cardinals should assemble at the Popes death and keepe the Conclaue neither going forth not conferring with any one vntill the Pope were chosen The which is practised at this day In those dayes dyed Thomas Aquinas a very subtill disputer Bonauenture Ihon Duns called Scott and Gabriel Biel famous men in those dayes suruiued him PHILIP the fourth called the Faire the 46 King of France PHILIPPE .4 KING OF
Realme Naples continued longer in the French mens power but in the end all was lost as we shall see hereafter so as the Arragonois retained to himselfe the possession of these goodly Estates and left vs in our voluntarie losses the gages of our accustomed rashnesse and an apparent testimonie that the Popes gifts to our Kings haue not greatly enriched the poore realme as appeares by infinite examples After that of Naples Hungarie was in no better estate being giuen by the Pope to Charles Martell Sonne to Charles the Lame thâ—se two quarrels hauing drawne all Europe into a strange confusion So there was euery where vanitie for truth brute without fruite and shewes without effect The originals are my warrant for this trueth the which I ought to the honor of the Historie without dissembling LEWIS the tenth called Hutin the 47. King of France LEWIS .10 KING OF FRANCE XXXVII 1315. THIS raigne is short and of small fame as the actions of this King are not greatly commendable He began to raigne in the yeare 1315. and dyed the yeare after the 16. of Iune and so hee scarce raigned a yeare and a halfe The mâ—nâ—rs o◠〈…〉 which time was full of tâ—ouble and confusion according to his turbulent and stirring disposition whereof he bare the name for a blemish to his posteritie fo◠〈◊〉 in old French signifies Mutine A Chollerick Prince Iâ—grate 〈…〉 Outragious defacing his royall Authoritie by the insolent abuse oâ— his power couâ—ring his mortall passions with the vale of his authoritie Hee first maâ—â—â—ed wiâ—h Marguerite the Daughter of Robert Duke of Bourgongne being detected o◠〈…〉 she was confined to Chasteau gaillard vpon Seine where she dyed in hâ—r ignominâ—e Afâ—er her death he married with Clemence the Daughter of Charles brother to Robert King of Sicilia Hâ—s Wiues pretended King of Hungarie Hee made a great preparation against Robert Earle of Flanders but could not passe with his Armie for Waters He discharged his choller vpon Enguerand of Marigny Earle of Longueuille Superintendant of the treasure whome Philip had imployed long and confidently Charles Earle oâ— Valois brother to Philip the Faire accused Enguerand of extortion and robbing the Tâ—easurie making him odious to the people for that he had long manageâ— the treasuâ—e of the Realme to his maisters good liking 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 put to 〈◊〉 but Lewis and Charles had hatched thâ—s hatred against him to the losse of his life Hee had caused the Pallace to bee built and he disposed of the publike treasure during the long warres of Flanders the which had wasted much to the peoples oppression and hinderance And therefore it was a pleasing spectacle to see Enguerand of Marigny hanged by a solemne sentence vpon the gallowes which he had caused to be made at Montfalcon beating downe his image in the Pallace where the place is yet to be seene with this inscription by it Let euery one rest content with that he hath For he that hath not sufficient hath not any thing This iudgement was very famous yet afterwards it was reuoked but the bodie was not taken out of the graue although he were fâ—eed from the ignominy of so shamefull a death The Earle of Valois was soone after taken with a languishing disease which consumed him by degrees and King Lewis Hutin died so sodenly as he scarce lay sick one day These were the workes of heauen which made the foolish people change their opinion of whom it was rightly spoken What the people sayes a foole speakes for euery one tooke these extraordinarie deaths as witnesses of Gods iustice who punisheth great Princes which abuse the ordinarie power which hee hath giuen them to serue their owne passions And it is to be obserued that this iustice of God continued in the posteritie of Lewis Hutin for he left his wife Clemence with Child who was deliuered of a Sonne an imaginarie King hauing liued but eight dayes and though he were royally interred with Kings yet is he not numbred among them Moreouer hee left one Daughter by his first Wife called Iane for whom Eudes of Bourgongâ—e her Vncle by the Mother caused great Tragedies against the fundamentall Law of State Iane the Daughter of Lewiâ— Hutin pretends the realme to haue her admitted Queene of France wrongfully and vniustly for that women are excluded by the law whereon the French Monarchie was grounded as we haue sayd So this miserable raigne was begun and ended by confusion and iniustice A notable example to obserue the vanitie of the Court in good seruants vniustly afflicted of the people in their false and passionate iudgements rendring euill for good and suffring themselues to bee transported with the ebbing and flowing of their passions speaking good and euill of the same action and the same man without rule without measure and without trueth And of the vanitie of great men which thinke it to bee the chiefe fruite of their greatnesse to abuse their power insolently to the ruine of their inferiours not remembring being blinded with their passions that they haue a superiour ouer them to make them yeeld an account of their vniust proceedings forcing them to make restitution with interest The Parliament made ordiâ—â—râ—â— All that Lewis Hutin did worthy of commendation was that he made the Parliament of Paris ordinary which had but two sittings in the yeare although this commoditie of pleading hath bred many sutes to the hindrance of the publike and priuate good He was called King of France and of Nauarre and left the two realmes to his successor who disposed thereof as we shall see PHILIP the 5. called the Long 48. King of France PHILIPPE .5 KING OF FRANCE XVIII THE controuersie touching the Crowne was easily decided by the euidence of reason and also for that Iane the Daughter of Lewis Hutin 1316. remained by the Will of Philip her Vncle Controuersâ—e for the Crowne of France Queene of Nauarre and Countesse Palatine of Briâ— and Champâ—gne and yâ—t for the discontentment of some Princes of the bloud Philip crowned Philip went to Rheims with a strong Armie to bee annointed there where he was installed the doores of the Church being shutte and well garded He began to raigne in the yeare 1316. and raigned sixe yeares Hee had foure Daughters by Iane the Daughter of Othelin Earle of Bourgongne and no Sonnes By meanes of his Daughters hee made his peace with his discontented Princes His children For hee gaue the eldest to Odon Duke of Bourgongne who had supported the Daughter of Lewis against him and gaue in dowrie the Countie of Bourgongne belonging vnto her by her Mother and to Lewis Earle of Eureux his other opposite hee gaue Iane with the Kingdome of Nauarre and the Counties of Brye and Champagne whereof he afterwards carried the title His dispositioÌ„ A Prince of a very tractable disposition and by consequence easie to bee corrupted rather inclining to ill then good There is
King Iohn hauing long expected the time of his deliuerie parts from England with a strong garde and is conducted to Calis attending the money 〈◊〉 the first pawne of his libertie The Regent his sonne labours earnestly the 〈◊〉 of Paris did contribute willingly a hundred thousand Royals and after their example all other citties paied their portions Of such power is our head cittie both to 〈◊〉 good and euill so by this ende they made amends for all former errors The money is brought to S. Omer whether the Regent comes to see the deliuerie Edward returnes to Calis he is wonderfull kinde to Iohn The two Kings sweare a mutuâ—ll league of friendship and they sweare a league of friendship and comprehended Charles King of 〈◊〉 being absent in this peace his brother Philip vndertaking for him to the end that all quarrels might be troden vnder foote and all men liue in peace vnitie and concord So Iohn being set at libertie after a languishing imprisonment foure yeares take his 〈◊〉 of Edward with all the shewes of loue that might be betwixt brethren and 〈◊〉 friends Being parted f om Calis he findes his sonne Charles comming to meete him with a great and stately traine I cannot well expresse the ioy of this first encounter this good King imbracing his sonne as his redeemer with ioy mixt with teares and full of fatherly affection with the content of his sweete recouered libertie seeing himselfe in his 〈◊〉 armes who had giuen him so many testimonies of his faithfull loue in his necessitie 〈◊〉 in the middest of his subiects with his first authoritie depending no more vpon anothers will King Iohn receiued by his sonne with great ioy And contrariwise what ioy was it for this wise sonne to enjoy his father so precious a gage of the authoritie order and obedience of a State and a great discharge for him of this painfull burthen Thus discoursing of what had bin done during his imprisonment and of what was to be done they arriue at Heâ—in whether not onely the whole countrie repaires 〈…〉 the Deputies of Paris and of all the prouinces of the Realme to congratulate their good Kings deliuerie where he disposeth of the gouernment of his house The King of Nauarre meetes him at Compiegne hauing fiâ—st sent back his hostages to shew that he relyed onely on his word put himselfe into his power Thus passeth the world after a storme comes a calme 1361. King Iohn made his entrie into Paris with this goodly traine being receiued with an incredible ioy of all his subiects The Kings reception into Paris The Parisiens going to kisse his hands offer him their hearts with a goodly cubberd of Plate worth a thousand markes for homage of their fidelitie and obedience The Parliament had surceased aboue a whole yeare Iohn for the first fruits of his recouered authoritie would honour the opening of the court with his presence being set in the seat of Iustice in the midst of all his officers to the incredible content of all men who beheld the cheerefull countenance of this Prince like the Sunne beames after a troubled skie Such was the returne of King Iohn into his realme after his imprisonment as the catastrophe of a Comedie in the which after mourning they reioyce This happened in the beginning of the yeare 1361. Some moneths were spent in these publike ioyes but they must seeke to get againe his hostages in the effecting whereof they found many difficulties for neither the priuate Lords whose homage he had bound to the King of England nor the countries whose Soueraignties he had yeelded by this accord would obey They argue with the King in councell and demand an acte shewing Difficulties in the performance of the conditions of peace that the King cannot dispose of the soueraigntie of his realme nor alienate the reuenues of the crowne Iohn on the other side fearing least Edward should reproche this vnto him as a practise betwixt him and his subiects made them sundry commandements to obey He went to Auignon to visit Pope Innocent who dyed at this time and Vrban the sixt succeeded in his place both Limosins To hansell Iohns recouered libertie and to ease his minde afflicted with long imprisonment Vrban exhorts him to vndertake the voyage of the holy land as generall of the action Iohn promiseth the Pope to goe with an armie Iohn not remembring the examples of Kings his Predecessors Lewis the 7. 9. nor apprehending the present burthen of his great affaires nor the danger of so mighty and watchfull an enemie who had so long and with so great paine kept him prisoner accepts the charge and makes a solemne promisse and to hasten the execution thereof he returnes into England Some saye the loue of the Countesse of Salisbury whose husband had the garde of the King being a prisoner was the principall motiue of his returne The which I cannot beleeue vpon the report of the English being vnlikely that his age his aflictions his great affaires and the voyage wherevnto he prepared should suffer this Prince to follow so vnseasonable a vanitie But whatsoeuer moued him therevnto he dyed there leauing his life in England where he had so long languished as a presage of his death Thus Iohn died in England in the yeare 1364. the 8. of Aprill Iohn dies in England His dispositioÌ„ leauing Charles his eldest sonne heire to the Crowne of France A good man he was but an vnfortunate Prince wise in ordinarie things but ill aduised in great affaires iust to all men but not warie how or whom he trusted in matters of consequence temperate in priuate but too violent in publick To conclude a good Prince but not considerate more fit to obey then to command Truely these heroicke vertues are the proper Iewels of Crownes and wisdome is a companion to the most excellent vertues especially in Princes who are aduanced vpon the Theater of manslife to gouerne the rest We haue noted that Bourgogne had beene giuen to Robert the grand-child of Hugh Capet for his portion A little before the deceasse of King Iohn Bourgogne annexed vnto the Crowne it was vnited to the Crowne of France by the death of Duke Philip a young man of the age of fifteene yeare sonne to that Iohn which dyed in the battaile of Poitiers He was betrothed to the heire of Flanders but both the Duchie and the Daughter were for another Philip the sonne of Iohn to whom the father gaue this new succession in recompence of the faithfull seruice he had done him the day of his taking and had continued it in prison CHARLES the 5. called the Wise the 52. King of France CHARLES THE V. KINGE OF FRANCE .52 THis Charles during the life of his father Iohn had giuen so many testimonies of his sufficiencie to gouerne well 1364. that he was held for King before he tooke the crowne Charles his raigne the which he receiued at Rheine
his sonne are contayned in this Empire for he died in the yeare 1â—78 Before his death hee prouided that Wenceslâ—s his sonne should succeed him in the Imperiall dignity At the first he married Blanche Countesse of Valois daughter to Charles Earle of Valois and sister to Philip of Valois King of France beeing very yong for she was but seauen yeares old when shee was betrothed vnto him hee had beene bred vp in the Court of France and learned the French humors he loued our crowne better then our Lawes A Prince wholy inclined to his owne particular making shewe to loue our Kings but vndâ—â—hand hee supported their enimies against them Thâ—s was the principall reason why his comming into France proued fruitelesse after so long a voyage and so great expences ministring a sufficient cause of iealousie to our Charles who gaue him the best entertainement he could to make him knowne that the sâ—ueraignty which he pretended to haue ouer France was but a dreame Yet hee suffered the Country of Daulphiné which they called the Empire as a member of the auncient Realme of Arles to bee wholy infranchised from that subiection to cut of all pretensions from his successors imbracing the commodity to settle his affaires euen by their meanes who he knew were not his friends This Emperour Charles the 4. did all he could both in Italy and Germany to apply vnto himselfe the â—ights of the Empire being wholy inclined to his owne profit The Emperours disposition for the which he vsed the name of Iustice good order being more learned in law then in doing right and hauing more knowledge then conscience It is he which made the Golden Bull both to rule the Election of the Emperour and the rights and dignity of the Empire The former confusions of the Empire had so dispensed all priuate gouernours of countries and citties as euery one played the Emperour in his gouernement These tyrannicall disorders were the cause of the Cantons in Suisserland Originall of the Cantons in Suisserland who since haue established a goodly commonweale consisting of thirteene Cantons who maintaine themselues with great order and force hauing the amity and alliance of the neighbour monarchs and an honourable place among the Estates of Christendome vnto this day Their particular history belongs not to our subiect it sufficeth to haue noted their beginning and the occasion of their common weale newly erected in the disorders of that age The church of Rome was in very poore estate first by the coÌ„tinual factions of the Guelphs â—helins and of it selfe by a distraction bred by an open schisme hauing two Popes Estate of the Church two chaâ—es two seas and a deadly hatred the which troubled al the Kings princes of chrisâ—endome some defending the Pope others the Antipope as his opposite We haue said that in the raigne of Philip of Valois the Pontificall Sea was translated from Rome to Auignon where it continued about 70. years Clement 6. hauing bought this citty for his successors being a pleasant and frutefull seate These quarrells continued with such violent passions had tyred mens minds like as a long processe doth weaâ—y the most obstinate pleaders The Popes beeing absent from Rome goueâ—ned the estate of Italy by three Cardinals their Legats but all went to ruine Gregorie 5. a Limosin being chosen Pope at Auignon went to Rome to redresse these confusions wherein there was small helpe Being receiued with an incredible ioy of the Romanes Diuision at Rome for the Election of a new Pope and of all Italy he returnes no more to Auignon but passeth the rest of his daies at Rome After his death the people with all vehemency require a Romane borne or an Italian for Pope but there was some difficulty in the election for the Colledge consisted for the most part of French Cardinalls who desired to haue one of their owne nation They were much diuided but the Cardinalls fearing the peoples fury armed with an intent to murther them if they did not choose one of their nation yeelded to the election of a Neapolitane named Bartholomew who was receiued and proclaymed by the name of Vâ—ban the sixt But within few dayes after the Malecontents retyred from Rome vnder colour to flie the plague to Fundy a towne in the Realme of Naples of the French faction by meanes of Queene Ioane An Antipope chosen when they did choose Clement the 7. a Limosin who retyred to Auignon and was opposite to Vrban the 6. with open deffyance one of an other which schisme continued vntill the Counsell of Coâ—stance each Pope with his faction Clement had for him the Kings of France Casâ—ile and Scotland Vrban had the Emperour the Kings of England and Hungary Clement held his seat at Auignon and Vrban at Rome In those dayes liued Bartholl Baldus Petrarch Boccatio Planudes a Greeke by nation Bonauenture and Iohn Wicliâ—e These hurliburlies touched the hearts opened the mouthes of many good men wonderfully grieued to see such diuision in the Church apparantly growne by the ambition of such as had greatest authority in the same Their writings lye open to their reasonable complaints which euery one may read without any further discourse CHARLES the sixt 53. King of France CHARLES VI. KINGE OF FRANCE .53 AS it is necessary to haue some direction to passe through a Laborinth so this crooked raigne hath need of some order to guide vs 1380. in the disorder of so many obscure confusions Necessarie obseruations for the vnderstanding of this raigne which we are to represent I will first obserue the most famous acts and worthiest personages of this raigne and then will I distinguish the subiect according to the occurrents This miserable raigne continued 42. yeares beginning in the yeare 1380. and ending in the yeare 1422. The seuerall dates Charles the 6. succeded hâ—â— father Charles the 5. at the age of 12. yeares being borne in the yeare 1368. he was crowned in the yeare 80. married in 84. dismissed his Tutors to raigne alone in 87. falles 〈◊〉 a phrensie in 93. and dyes in the yeare 1422. So being vnder age with his Tutors and of age in peâ—fect sense he raigned 13. yeares and liued in his phrensie 29. yeares Who sees noâ— then the iust calculation of 42. yeares in this raigne Châ—rles the 5. his father had three brethren Lewis Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry and Philip Duke of Bourgogne Queene Ioane daughter to Peter Duke of Bourbon The Kings Vncles wife to Câ—arles the fift and mother to Charles the sixt had one brother Iames Duke of Bourbon Thâ—se foure vncles shall plaie their parts vpon this stage in diuers occurrents but let vs adde â—he rest euery one shall haue his turne We haue said that Charles the wise left two sonnes this Charles the 6. whose raigne we now defer be and Lewis Duke of Orleance And our Charles had three sonnes Lewis Iohn and Charles and one
Brittain All â—re sent for euery man doth march the Râ—ndezâ—uous is at Mans. Peter of Craon retyers from Sablé whilest this storme â—iseth but the King marcheth on assuring himselfe that he was in Brittaine although some say that he was in Arragon and that the Queene of Arragon had giuen him intelligence that she held a French Knight prisoner at Peâ—pignan who would not discouer his name This distempered choller had much impayred the Kings health who carried in his face the disease of his minde His Physitians disswaded him from this voyage as most preiudiciall for his health and the Duke of Brittain by a new excuse The King marched against the Duke of Brittain beseeched him to beleeue that he had no dealings with Peter of Craon The King could not bee diuerted by all these difficulties from passing on in this iourney so willfully vndertaken by him although his Vncle 's found newe deuises to stay him both at Chartres and at Mans imploying his physitians to shewe vnto him how dangerous it was to march in Sommer beeing extreamely hot 1393. considering the debility of his health much impayred sence his burning choller the which had altâ—red all his bloud whereof he had proofe by daylie feauers His phisâ—â—ions diswade him But this passion of cholleâ— had so possessed his poore afflicted spirits that such as were about him besides himself perceiued his griefe to be the more weake in that he was insensible of what he suffred his seruants espied that which they could not but see in him by the extreame apprehension they had of the harme which was at hand Moreouer the Duke of Brittain to calme this great storme which was readie to fall vpon him although in truth hee had hidden Peter of Craon at Susmet and was â—oâ—y that he had not slaine the Constable Clisson sends a certaine Bishop of his Country to the King called the Bearded a very famous man for the integrity of his life The Duke of Bâ—ittain labors to satisfie â—he King to beseech him to beleeue that he was nothing guilty of this attempt neyther did he knowe what was become of Peter of Craon whome he would send vnto him with his hands and feete bound if he were in his power That he should not make warre against his owne Country and against a poore people which must suffer for an other mans folly In the ende this man pronounceth the threats of Gods iudgement against Charles if hee should proceede vnto warre so lightly vndertaken against his vassalls and subiects and against the articles of marriage concluded betwixt his daughter and the Dukes sonne as a seale of their loues This Bishop was heard in Councell and the Duke of Berry speaking more boldly then the rest for the authority which his degree and white haires gaue him layed open all that mâ—ght hinder this voyage But Charles stopt his eares to all good Councell hauing his braine disposed to the distemperature which shall presently seize vpon him running headlong into the mischieâ—e which should afflict him and all France He parts from Mans in Iuly in an exceeding hot day as the history sayes as if all things had conspited to affâ—â—ct this poore Prince The King parts frâ—m Mans. at nyne of the clocke in the morning to receiue the coolenesse of the greatest heate at Noonetyde weake in head and minde distempred with choller griefe despight and languishing his bodie weaâ—ied with watching and distast not able to eate nor sleepe hauing his head muffled with a great cap of Scarlet and his body couered with a thicke Ierkin of Veluet too waighty for a sharpe winter marching on a sandie plaine so scalt with the sunne beames as the strongest did melt in sweate and were out of breath Being entred the forest of Mans behold a man bare headed and bare legged attired in a coate of white rugge stepps sodenly forth betwixt two trees A strange aâ—cident bâ—falls the King taking hold of the reynes of his horse he stayes him and sayes vnto him King ride no farther but returne backe for thou art betrayed Charles whose spirits were otherwise dulled was amazed at this voyce and his bloud greatly disteâ—pered His seruants runne to this man and with blowes make him leaue the reines of his horse and so without any farther search the man vanished After this accident there presently followes an other Charles and his Noble men did ride in troupes deuided by reason of the dust and he himselfe was all alone pensiue with the pages of his chamber who were so neere vnto him as they troad on his horse heeles He that was neerest carried his helmet vpon his head and the next his Lance being garnished with crimsen silke As the heate of the Noone day makes men drousie on horse backe it chanced the Page which carried his Lance beeing very sleepy let it fall vpon him which carried the helmet making a great noyse like the rushing of armes The King starts with amazement at this noyse and seeing the crimson bandeâ—olle of the Lance hauing his spirits weakned with the former distemperatures transported with the imagination of this voyce sleepy with labour and heate he imagined himsâ—lfe to be compassed in wâ—th many armed men which poursued him to the death The second season from the time of the Kings sicknesse From the yeare 1393. to the yeare 1422. This time of his infirmity is distinguished into many acts whereof this is the first Scene of a long and mournful Tragedie THVS Charles transported with this phrensie layes hold on his sword drawes it runnes violently after his pages and cryes amayâ—e Charles falles into a phrenâ—ie At these Traitors The pages conceyuing at the first that he had beene displeased for the disorder of the Lance flie from him The King followes after doubling his crie At this noyse the Duke of Orleance runnes towards him to vnderstand the cause The King layes at him not knowing him the Duke flies and the King followes The Duke of Bourgoâ—gne â—ides to him Al gather togither with great outcry Squiers knights compasse in the king till that being wearied and his horse out of breath his most trustie Chamberlaine takes hold of him gently behind and stayes him cheering him with flattering words and speaking vnto him with that familiarity that befitts a faithfull seruant to a good master Then all drawe neere vnto him they take his sword from him they lay him on the ground and disroabe him of his thicke velluet ierkin and his scarlet cap to giue him breath His Brother and Vncles salute him but he knowes them not neyther makes he any shewe to moue The first fitt of the Kings phrensie being pensiue his eyes troubled turning vp and downe mute sighing panting mouing both body and head with great amazement All signes of phrensie appered in this poore Prince The Physitians are sent for in hast they come but hee knowes them not The pittifull estate of the Couâ—â— Brother
like a puppet vntill she came to age satiâ—fying his humor by some other wayes howsoeuer it were it proued to the dislike oâ— his subiects and scorne of neighbour nations Isabell being returned to her father shal be married to Charles Duke of Orleans sonne to this Lewis who is now in quarter and from her shall spring a goodly plant which in the end shall giue vs many Kings in their order to preserue this Monarchie But as if France had beene the store-house or rather the common Sanctuarie of all Christendome to whom the afflicted Christians might repaire in their greatest extremities It happened in those dayes that Sigismond King of Hongarie intreated Charles â—o succour him against the Turke the common enemie to the Christian name The King of Hongarie craues succoâ—â— of K. Câ—arleâ— who got footing in the Empire of the East For the schisme in the Church the confusion of the Empire and the dayly warres betwixt France and England had so mortified all Christians zâ—ale from all care to support the affaires of the East against the Turkes our sworne enemies as the way was made easie for the planting of themselues there to our ruine But all the fault was not in the Westerne Prouinces the Christians of the East were in horrible confusions and euen at Constantinople whereas the Paleologues had in some sort maintained the name of the Empire of the East since the bad gouernment of our French All the Lords of Greece vassalles to the Empire ioyning with the Despote of Bulgaria against the Emperour did striue to ruine one another This ciuill watte drew the Turke out of Asia where he was yet confined into Europe ouerthrew all the rest of the Empire and in the end shal burie the whole body of this great estate with the Christian name in the ignominie of our disordered passions as in a common sepulchre It sufficeth to note the motiue of this war which was to expell Raiazet of the race of the Otâ—omans who yet hold the Empire of the East being called in by Iohn Palcolog Emperoâ— but seeing so mighty an enemy entred within his dominions vnder a colour to succâ—â—â— him he sought to be freed from him by meanes of Christian Princes his friends The neerest was Sigismond King of Hongarie who had reason himselfe to sâ—are this oueâ—flowing deluge the which in the end hath ouer-runne Hungarie being at this day for the most part vnder the Turkes tyrannie But the euent was not answerable to his deâ—â—eigne Charles being solicited for succours granted them as freely as his infirmitie would suffer But the Duke of Bourgongne made the prouision the charge of the armie was giuen to his sonne Iohn Earle of Neuers being two and twentie yeares olde and married to the daughter of Albert of Bauiâ—re Earle of Hainault Holland and Zeland by whom he had then one sonne who shall succed him The armie was goodly beautified with the presence of many great personages as Phâ—lip of Eu Constable of France the Earles of La Marke Saint Pol and Bar The Frencâ— passe into Hongarie the Lords of Coussy Tremouille Vienne Bouciquault Roye Monterel S. Py Brezay to the number of a thousand Knights and Squiers Being ioyned to Sigismonds armie which consisted of many Hongariens Bohemiens and Germains they desired at any hand to haue the vangard to march in the face of an vnknowne enemie of whose discipline they were ignorant and to make proofe of their valour 1395. Against the aduise of Sigismond they cast themselues desperately into the midest of the Turkes auant coureuâ—s all the Christian armie being too farre behind to second them The French deâ—eated in Hongarie but it chanced that Baiazet followed by a farre greater troupe then theirs compassed them in easilie as with a Net so as after they had fought valiantly and made a great slaughter of Turkes not able to withstand so great a force they were all cut in peeces or taken prisoners Iohn of Bourgongne and all the aboue named Loâ—ds were either slaine or taken not one escaped the sword or slauerie Faiazet moued with the great losse of his men would haue slaine all the prisoners but the greedie desire of ransome was helpfull to some few of the Noblemen The historie of â—ermanie notes but fiue all the rest were murthered after their taking by the commandement and in the presence of this Barbarian who hauing resolued to kill Iohn of Bourgongne as the head of the armie was disswaded by an olde Turkea Necromaâ—cien who sayd vnto him Preserue this young man who shall kill more Christians then thine armie A Prince borne to the spoile and ruine of his countrie whereof he shall be shortly a more câ—uell scourge then the Tuâ—kes They spared him but he spared not the bloud of his cousine germaine to defile his incestuous hands and to prophane the bosome of France whâ—ch had so greatly honoured him Engâ—errand oâ— Coussy a great man in his time dyed in prison and Philip of Eu Constable of France by whose death the Earle of Sancerre was aduanced to this great dignitie but after him there shall be other Constables in this confused raigne This defeat chanced in the yeare 1396. before Nicopolis a Cittie in Misia neere to the which Traian vanquished the Danes This victory of the Turkes had proceeded farther by the terror it gaue to those countries but God gaue those Christians some time of breathing before the last stâ—oake the which came but too soone for the scorneâ—s of God yâ—t afâ—er this ouerthrow as Baiazet prepared to pursue his victorie against the Christians Tamberlan another scouâ—ge of mankinde ouerflowing Asia like a great deluge ouerthrew him and tooke him pâ—isoner and so God stayed the Ottomans force for that time but the Christians malice abusing the patience of God prouoked his wrath which being iustly kindled against them he suffered the Turkes to take Constantinople the capitall Cittie of the Easterne Empire as we shall see else where but let vs returne to France Charles had some truce with his infirmitie who notwithstanding this indisposition of his bâ—aâ—â—e was in reasonable good health of his body so as he had children during this time The Kings children during his infirmitie Before his sicknesse he had Isabell of whom we haue made mention and Lâ—wis the Dâ—ulphin Duke of Guienne But Iohn Duke of Touraine Charles Earle of Ponthieu Michelle Marie and Marguerite two sonnes and three daughters a goodly issue to keepe the Crowne from being an Orpheline were borne to him by Isabell of Bauiere duâ—ing the weakeâ—esse of his spirit And much happâ—nesse befell him After the taking of Bâ—iazet and the returne of Iohn of Bourgongne into France Happy successe â—or the Frâ—nch hauâ—ng payed his ransome the Lord of Bouciquault being sent to Genes to receiue it to the Kings obedience to whom they had willingly giuen themsâ—lues he made a voyage to Constantinople with a new armie more happy then
of Guienne and Daulphin of Viennois was betrothed to Katherine of Bourgongne daughter to Iohn Earle of Neuers sonne to Philip. To Iohn the Kings second sonne Duke of Touraine Iaqueline is promised the onely daughter of William of Bauiere Earle of Hainault and so his heire To Philip of Bourgongne son to the aboue named Iohn Michelle the Kings second daughter is promised for these marriages were all but future promises by reason of the yong age of the parties This was to ingage the faith to come and now present to satisfie the discontented Queene Isabel was double pleased both in her children and her race which by this meanes was transplanted into the royall bloud of France by her cousine who also carried the name of Bauiere But what as ambition cannot be tamed so in all these marriages there was more alliance then friendship and more dissembling then truth God must needes reconcile them at the last by a stronger conclusion Philip Duke of Bourgongne dies leauing his sonne Iohn the heire of his passions against Lewis Duke of Orleans in the yeare 1404. The beginning of the ciuill wars THus Philip Duke of Bourgongne raised vp with a new hope to maintaine him selfe against his enimie Lewis duke of Orleans as well by the ciment of this alliance as by the increase of power which his sonne Iohn brought him being his right arme the true Image of his great and haughty courage and a new firebrand of his ambition dies at this time when as hee dreamt least thereof for he died at Hal going to visit his Townes in Flanders and to crosse the practises of the Duke of Gueldres who was a principall support to the Duke of Orleans Marguerit his wife a companion in his ambition did not suruiue him a whole yeare who fearing to finde her husband too farre indebted renounced his moueable goods laying downe her purse and girdle vpon the place appointed according to the vsuall custome 1404. and so required an act from a publike notary Griefe for her husband did not hasten her death seeing that she feared her liuing should faile after him Pâ—ilip of Bouâ—goâ—gne his wiâ—e die Duke of Bâ—ittaine dies Iohn of Montfort Duke of Brittaine who had kept such a stir vpon the Theater died 4. yeares before him yet more wise happy in one thing hauing mortified the hatred he bare to the Constable Clisson before his death So death doth sodainly stay mens desseines which else flie most violently How wretched are we to be thus blinde in these goodly examples But let vs returne to our discourse Philip left three sonnes Iohn Anthonie and Philip but Iohn Earle of Neuers his eldest sonne succeeded him in his great Seigneuries of Bourgongne and Flanders Iohn Duke of â—ourgongne here oâ— his fathers qâ—arel and the chiefe heire of his hatred and other vices He was equall to him in ambition malice dissembling policy but herein he did surmount him That his father Philip hauing for the space of ten or eleuen yeares crossed the desseines of Lewis his Nephew yet he carried himselfe with such a cunning temper as holding the helme and making him to carry the bable he made his vnlawfull gouernement supportable by his modesty reasonable by the order which had confirmed him in this authority But Iohn continues his practises with such violent fury as within three yeares hauing giuen the Duke of Orleans a thousand crosses and plonged France in a ciuill war he murthers his cousin germaine most cruelly defiles his country and his bloud and continues his furious desseâ—ne with so great presumption as countenancing this murther with a free confession seeking to maintaine it by reason he omitted no kind of mischiefe but brought in all disordered confusions as if France had beene the Rendezuous of al villanie impiety A text the comentary wherof may be read at large in the following discourse Behold the beginning of a ciuill war among the French both long and furious bredde by the ill councell of the princes of the blood abusing their authority A historie the more worthy the noting for that it serues vs to marke the fits and accidents of diseases wherewith wee haue beene afflicted to applie the vse thereof to our owne experience Aâ—ter the death of Philip all the gouernement of publike affaires was without all controuersie deliuered into the hands of the Duke of Orleans The Duke of 〈…〉 to the gouernement The King loued his oneâ—y Brother deerely and desired to grace him what he could The Queene to please her husband made shew to reioyce thereat hauing no more a Duchesse of Bourgongne to incense her reason gaue him this preheminence and the French obeyed him willingly as the lawful gardian of the French Monarchie All things fauoured this yong prince if he had not failed himselfe but this choler hatched in his brest hauing for so long a time swallowed vp so many indignities the immoderate heat of command so much desired and the ambition and couetousnesse of his wife Valentine all these pluckt from him the fruâ—t of these fauourable occasions to settle his greatnesse and gaue his enimy meanes to ruine him These errours were accompanied with indiscretion The Duke indiscret in his gouernement which commonly shakes the miserable The Dukes of Berry and Bourbon his vncles had fauoured him much during the Bourguignons raigne and their age had greatly countenanced his authority if he could haue vsed them rightly But this yong Prince was so pleased with the sweet of command as he was loath to impart it to any the which must needes dâ—scontent them although beeing wise they dissembled it yet this dislike incouraged the Bourguignon his enemie to attempt against him The couetousnes of Valentine prepared the way to these disorders Lewis was desirous to purchase the Duchie of Luxembourg his wife vrged him thereunto hourely wishing him to deuise some meanes to make the King to paye for it Vppon this aduice Lewis propounds in councell that for the Kings important affaires there must be a taxation made There neuer wants some pretext to colour these exactions but in effect it was for this purchase Iohn duke of Bourgongne opposeth for the good of the common weale On the one side it was a goodly meanes to shew both his loue to the people and his zeale to the kings seruice and and on the other a reasonable subiect to make the Duke of Orleans odious Yet this proposition passed in councell thrâ—ugh the absolute authority of the Dâ—ke of Orleaâ—s 1405 The Bourguignon imbraceth this occasion Thâ— Duâ—e of 〈◊〉 growes 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 by reâ—â—on oâ— an imposition flatters the Parisâ—ens to ioyne their loues to oppose theÌ„ against his enemy who could not be more odâ—ous then in this cause And euen then they greâ—e into such dislike of him as they could neuer loue him This was spred throughout the Râ—alme and the Dâ—ke of Bourgongne hauing protested
by Iohn Duke of Bourgongne and in the ende Iohn makes a counterfeit peace with the children of Lewis but it is the renuing of greater troubles IOhn of Bourgongne hauing resolued to kill Lewis of Orleans his cousin Germaine went to Paris with so good a shew as if he had no intent to breake the accord so solemnely made betwixt theÌ„ That which most troubled him was to see his enemies authority coÌ„firmed by this reconciliatioÌ„ hauing the absolute gouernement of the State respected as the kings brother and the first Prince of the bloud And to giue him greater authoritie and power the good King Charles had giuen him for a new years gift i◠〈◊〉 yeare 1407. the Duchie of Guienne for his poâ—tion whereof the Daulphin then carâ—ied the tâ—tle This newe fauour and great aduancement kindled the coale of iâ—alousie in the â—ourguignons braine being already much transporâ—ed and holding it for certaâ—ne â—hat he should neuer by any ordinary course pâ—euâ—â—le against so passionate powerfull an enimy who as his meanes did increase so would his desire augment to â—â—â—â—e him He â—hereâ—ore thinkes it conuenient to preuent him and drawes vnto him meÌ„ fâ—â—o◠〈◊〉 aâ—dâ—cious a murther Raoulet of Auâ—onuille a Norman an ancient seâ—uant of his hâ—use and discontenâ—ed with the Kings brother for that hee had taken from him the oâ—â—â—ce oâ— Geneâ—all of Normandy and a Souldiour of Guines called Wâ—lliam Corteheuze with others of the same huâ—or to the number of eighâ—eene This William had a brother called Sâ—as of Courteheuze a groome of the Kings chamber who should be the instrument to draw this poore prince into the pittfall The Queene laie then in childbed the Duke of Orleans goes to visit her after supper when as this Sâ—as of Corteheuze goes to the Queenes chamber to tell him that the King desired him to repaire presently vnto him for very important affaires The Murtheters were lodged secretly in a house by the which the Duke shold pasâ—e Being mounted vpon his moile accompanied only with 2. Squires vpon one horse and one that followed on foote his pages carrying torches both before behind him as the horse which carried the 2. Squiers came before the house where this ambuscadoe lay he began to snort to run The Murtherers issue forth instanâ—ly and charge the Duke at the first they cutte off his hand which held thereines of his horse He cries out I am the Duke of Orleans and they answer The Duke of Orleans murthered by thâ— â—ouâ—gâ—â—gnoâ— It is you wee seeke for They double their blowes with such violence as they beate him downe and cleaue his head so as the braynes lay scattered vpon the pauement The yong Squire that remained with him runs desperatly among their weapoÌ„s is presently slaine vpon his poore maister The pagâ—s had alreadie giuen the alarum at his lodging and many came running to succor their Lord whome they finde thus massacred There was nothing to bee heard but cryes and lamentations whilest the murtherers hauing fyred a house and cast Calthrops in the streets gette themselues into Bourgongnes house Thus the night passeth in miserable lamentations Valentine doubles the terror of this horrible accident with feareful outcries The Princes his Cousines runne thither to participate in this sorrow All weepe and lament all crie out in this mournful house When the day appeers they finde his hand on the one side and his braines scattered on the other The relicks of this head are gathered together with teares and all is kept for an honorable funerall O head howe many mischiefes attend the O murtherer thou shalt be murthered disloyall thou shalt be disloyally slaine I haue horror yea I tremble to shed this bloud againe by my report The very enemies of Lewis were amazed at this audacious murther foretelling the miseries that should follow The Queene wonderfully passionate causeth herselfe to be remooued to the Kings lodging and doubles the gards In the ende the King hath notice thereof and apprehends it according to the weakenesse of his braine but the Princes prouided presently for his safetie and their owne euery man fearing for himselfe in so strange an accident Such was the violent death of Lewis Duke of Orleans traiterously slaine at Paris by Iohn Duke of Bourgongne The sequele of this treacherous murther the 20. of Nouember in the yeare 1407. who thinking to kill his enemies slewe himselfe and left this bloud prodigiously shed as a mournfull Legacy to his posterity and hoping in his ouerweening spirit to vsurp France from the lawefull heires he lost Bourgongne from his posterity neyther could hee hinder his issue whome he had so trecherously murthered from the happy enioying of the whole realme for Lewis Duke of Orleans left three Sonnes by Valentine the heire of Milan Charles Philip and Iohn from Charles the eldest being Duke of Orleans is issued directly King Lewis 12. the father of the people of Iohn Earle of Angoulesme father to King Francis The iâ—â—ue of Lewâ—â— of Orleanâ— 1. the father of the muses who hath giuen fower Kings successiuely to ouâ— monarchie But of Iohn of Bourgongne we can reckon but two successors Philip and Charles Philip was his sonne who by the patience of God left Charles in his place but Charles suffered for his grandfathers errors and his owne for he died in blond hâ—s pride was interred in an vnknowne tombe and Bourgongne was pluckte from the â—ellonious hands of this murthering race and vnited to the Crowne Nowe Iohn of Bourgongne shall committe strange disorders during twelue yeares fâ—om the date of this massacre and it semes that blinde Fortune hath adorned his temples with baâ—es and triomph to guerdon these execrable crimes but hee is not freed that drawes his halter after him Hee shall soone pay both principall and interest to Gods iust iudgement which slackes not although it seeme slacke but comes in due season marching slowely to take all excuse from the obstinate and impudent sinner recompencing in the ende this apparent slacknesse of punishement by the greatnesse of eternall paine But les vs retune to this desolate house Valentine widowe to Lewis with her three sonnes and Isabell of France the Kings eldest daughter wife to Charles the eldest sonne of Lâ—wis nowe Duke of Orleans by the decease of his father come all to our poore King Charles Valâ—â—â—ine demands iustice for the death oâ— her husband being sicke to demande iustice All cast themselues at the Kings feeâ—e as much discomforted as themselues for the cruell death of his onely brother whome he had alwayes loued deerely both sound and sicke Lewis of Aniou King of Sicilâ— and Naples the Dukes of Berry and Bourbon with all the Princes of the bloud accompany them in this lamentable state wherein Charles promiseth to giue them satisfaction The Kings Councell beeing assembled they require an account of the Prouost what hee had done in search of these murtherers He answers that hauing done
stranged sease Henry the â— sicke which the vulgar sort terme 〈…〉 and Phisitians 〈◊〉 which is a Gowâ—e with a Craâ—pe Enguerand 〈◊〉 that the chiefe disease whereof he dyed was Saint Anthonies fire but it is more credibly reported that he dyed of a Plurisie a disease in those dayes so rare and vnknowne that Physitions being not therewith acquainted nor with the cause whence it proceeded could not prefer be not apply any remedy therefore Henry hauing his minde fixed vppon this voyage and his supposed victory partes from Senlis hauing taken leaue of the King Queene and wife whom he shall see no more he caused himselfe to be carried to Melun in a â—â—tter but feeling himselfe prest by his infirmitie he returned to Boâ—s-de-Vincennes where hauing taken his bed he sent his army into Bourgongne vnder the commande of the Duke of Bedford his brother and the Earle of Warwicke commandâ—ng them to pâ—rsue the Daulphin At the 〈◊〉 of this great armie the Daulphin Charles leaues Cosné and retires to Bourges and 〈…〉 was freed Henry was not so freed from his sicknesse the which increasing daily made him to thinke of his ende disposing as he pleased touching his sonne Henry the 6. of that name whom he had by Katherine the daughter of France and the Duke of Exeter his Vnâ—le to be Regent of England commanding them expressely to liue in concord with Philip Duke of Bourgongne and 〈◊〉 to make any peace with Charles of Valois for so he called him vnlesse they might haue Normandy in soueraignty neither to release the Dukes of Orleans and Bourbon vntill his sonne were of a competent age And thus Henry the 5. dies beeing neare about forty yeares old Henrâ— the â— dies in the vigor of his age and spirit borne and aspiring to great matters hauing already giuen proofe of what he might haue done if he had liued longer But God would punish France by an Englishman yet would he not suffer France to haue any other â—â—ng then a Frenchman This vnexpected death in the great course of Henry the fifts victories hapened the last day of August in the yeare .1422 followed soone after by one no lesse memorable Charles the 6. dies For Charles the 6. our good King but subiect to the miserablest raigne that France had euer seene to that day â—ell sicke dyed the 22. of October in the same yeare 50. daies after the decease of Henry of England A sicknesse death remarkable in so great a King for after that he had languished in so long infamous an infirmity he died in a manner alone They name but the Chauncellour the first Chamberlaine his Aâ—moner with some groomes of his chamber which were present at his end After his death he was visited by such as had caused him to die liuing and by his miserable life had made all the realme to Languish At the funeralls of this poore Prince 〈…〉 proclaimâ—â— King after the herald had proclaimed The King is dead an other cried God saue the King God send a long hâ—ppy life to Henry the 6. by the grace of GOD King of France and England our soueraigne Lord. To the end that passion might triumph ouer the infiâ—â—itie of our King 1422. euen in his graue This Henry shal be crowned King at Paris soone after But where is that Isabel or rather Iezabel who had so much tormented her poore husband I seeke her in all the corners of this history yet cannot finde her She whâ— caused so great diuisions dies without any memory but to haue liued too long for France and her children Oh the vanity of this world which doth inâ—erre the most busie in the forgetfullnesse of the graue when as they thinke themseues raised to the toppe of their desseines Thus Charles the 6. raigned thus he liued and thus he died miserable in his raigne miserable in his life but most happie in his death as well to free himselfe from paine and by his occasion his whole realme from confusion as also by death to change his tumultuous and miserable life into a quiet rest and eternall happinesse for what else can we say of him whose misery gaue him the title of welbeloued hauing nothing reprochefull in his life but his afflictions This is all I can speake touching the iudgement of this raigne after the repetition of so many miseries so as measuring others by mine owne apprehension I thinke to ease them in not reuiuing so tedious a subiect noting that this raigne was alwaies miserable both in the minority and maiority of our King His manners his race his raigne and his age do appeere by that which wee haue written He liued 54. yeares and raigned 42. He had many sonnes and daughters Katherine is famous hauing bâ—â— the mournfull gage of many miseries Of three Sonnes which came all to the age of men Charles onely remayned successor of his Crowne but not of his fortunes for hee shall settle the realme redeming it out of Strangers hands as shall appeere in the following discours CHARLES the seuenth the 54. King of France CHARLES THE .7 KING OF FRANCE .54 · AFter the long and painefull Carriere of the fore-passed raignes 1422. were it not time now to breath Since the vnfortunate battaile of Cressy we haue felt nothing but thornes tempests forces and shewes of ruines And if wee shall abate that little happinesse which Charles the 5. brought vnto our Ancestors there are not lesse then seuenty yeares of confusion But all is not yet ended we must passe thirty yeares more before the conclusion And as if we felt the crosses of our fore-runners we must shut our eyes recouer new forces grow resolute against all stoâ—mes and ende couragiously with them The remainder of this painefull course in the troublesome discourse which we shall finde in the beginning of this raigne Notable particularities of this raigne to see in the ende a happy Catastrophe in the restoring of this Estate and the vnion of the Church diuided by a long and dangerous schisme which disquieted Christendome during the troubles of this raigne Here our Frenchmen may reade with admiration and profit that as it is not now alone that France hath beene afflicted so God doth not now beginne to watch ouer it deliuering it by miraculous meanes when as it seemed neerest to ruine Here Charles the 7. the least and last of his Brethren shall deface the ignominie of France and triumph ouer the victories of a stranger who had in a manner dispossessed him of his Realme of a truth God ment to punish vs by meanes of the English but not to ruine 〈◊〉 The French cannot be commanded but by a Frenchman The Ocean is a strong bar to diuide these two Estates content with their owne rights This raigne abounding in miraculous accidents is the more considerable being the perfect Idea of the raigne of Henry the 4. vnder whom we liue But to represent so variable a subiect
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
Bourguignon reconciled enemy to his enimes that he should renounce all alliance and friendship with the king of England and promise both his person and all his meanes to expell him out off France The performance was according to promise Charles Duke of Bourbon and Arthur of Brittaine Earle of Richemont Constable of France in the name of Charles the 7. aske pardon of the Duke of Bourgongne for the death of his father and the Duke pardoned him for the loue of God The Cardinalls in the Popes name and the Counsels absolue the Duke from the oath which he had made vnto the English and eyther part sweares to maintaine the accord in that which did concerne him So the peace was published with great solemnity to the incredible content of all men The King the Duke of Bourgongne and the whole Realme reioyced exceedingly only Iohn of Luxembourg Earle of S. Pol wold not be therin coÌ„prehended he shall suffer for it and his house after him This was the 24. of September in the yeare 1435. a famous day for those things which happened in this raigne whereof this accord gaue the first occasion The marriage of Charles sonne to the Duke of Bourgongne with Katherine of France daughter to our Charles was concluded to seale this accord From this peace sprong a more violent war against the English The Duke of Bourgongne sends backe all his contracts to the Duke of Bedford and hauing shewed him the iust reasons which had mooued him to imbrace the Kings amity beeing his kinseman and Lord hee renounceth the alliance of England with a watch-word that euery one should looke to himselfe Euery man sharpens his sword and scoures his armes to recouer that by force which they could not obtaine by reason War very violent against the English The first fruites of this accord beganne to grow ripe euen in the heart of winter for Corbeil yeelds presently to the King with Briâ—-Conte-Robert and the Castle of Bois de Vincennes The Bourguignon imployes all his friends and intelligences at Paris he vseth all his instruments meaning to set them to worke the yeare following All Normandy begins to reuolt Diâ—pe Fescan Monstier-Villiers Harfleu Tancaruille Bec-Crespin Gomusseule Loges Villemont Grasuille Longueuille Neuf-uille Lambreuille Charles-Mesnill S. Germain Fontaines Preaux Blainuille obey the King willingly chasing away the English receiuing the French for their safety all which was acted in two dayes What more To finish this worke God takes away one of the chiefe causes and one of the principall instruments of the misery which had so long afflicted this estate We haue seene what part Isabell of Bauierre played in this Tragedy wee haue sought her after the death of her poore husband and could not finde her for in trueth she was ciuilly dead Bedford fearing the spirit of this Medea seekes not onely to stay her hands but to keepe her eyes from the managing of affaires And for that shee had deuoured the treasure of the Realme he constraines herto keepe a diet He doth therefore sequester herto the house of S. Pol where she liued vntill the ende of this yeare in great pouerty no more assisted by the Bourgongnon then by the English Beeing dead they caused her bodye to be put into a small boate Queene Isabel dies and so transported by the riuer of Seine to S. Denis where she was buried without any pompe like to a common person A light put out whose sauour doth yet offende posterity In this yeare also died Iohn of England that great Duke of Bedford called Regent of France who hath noted many blacke pages in this volume and so much terrified our Ancestors Hauing seene the former accord and felt so sodaine effects in Normandy fearing the rest would follow he drowned himselfe in sorow and knowing no meanes to auoide this storme he dies at Rouen the 15. of December leauing to King Henry the 6. a bottome very hard to vntwist The Duke of Bedford dies and to his yong wife beeing sister to the Earle of S. Pol a cause of mourning the which continued not long for she married soone after with an English Aduenturer of small accompt giuing causeto laugh at her beeing but little pittied Charles being thus discharged of a heauy burthen by this accord hath more liberty to follow his honest delights He goes to Lions visits Daulphiné and stayes in Languedoc a Prouince which he loues aboue all the rest 143â— hauing found it most denâ—â—â—d to his seruice Montpellier was his aboad a place very pleasantly seated 〈…〉 this time of â—â—reation he had left good lieutenants in France who shal soone send him 〈◊〉 of their exploytes The Citty of Paris yeelds to the King and expells the English THe Bourguignon prepares to annoy the English whilest that the Constable makes way for the reduction of Paris His intent was parting from Pontoise to put himselfe into S. Denis a Towne halfe dismantled but Thomas of Beaumont Captaine of the Bastille hauing intelligence of this desseine preuented the Constable and entred into S. Denis with a notable troupe of soldiers Richmont notwithstanding approcheth neere to S. Denis the sentinell hauing giuen warning of his approch Beaumont issues forth to the bridge vpon the little riuer which is towards Pierre-file where he met with the fore-runners who hauing drawne him forth ingage him in the battaile the which was led by the Constable marching from the valley of Montmorency This English troupe was easily vanquished most of them were cut in peeces The English vanquished S. 〈◊〉 and the rest taken hardly any one of them escapes to carry newes to Paris Thomas of Beaumont is slaine among the rest vpon the place The Constable makes vse of this good successe he presently marcheth with his victorious forces to Paris which stood amazed at this nere power wanting a Regent who was lately deceased and such as were left to command were more fit to handle an Oare then to gouerne the helme Now waâ— the time for good Frenchmen to shew themselues whereof there were many in the Citty The Bourguignon faction being now become the Kings seruants imbrace this occasion and hauing consulted together they resolue to shake off the English yoake the which they 〈◊〉 too long endured The Duke of Bourgongne was then at Bruges but he had leâ—t the Lord of Lislâ—-Adam to 〈◊〉 with his partisans at Paris It is the same whom he had formerly imployed against Câ—â—rles and his father Iohn in the murther of the King seruants He had great credit 〈◊〉 the Parisiens of whom Miâ—hael Laillier was the chiefe Tribune Hee discouers by him the peoples affections being resolute to submit themselues to the King of whom they crâ—â—e onely a generall absolution of what was past This gentle demande beeing brought to Pontoise to the Constable and easily granted all prepare for the effects That quarter nere the Halles gaue the first signe of the French libertie at Paris by the meanes
this yeare he shall shewe a strange alteration of humor to the great amazement of all the world for being in his Castell of Thonnon a Towne seated vpon the Lake Leman he retiers with a small traine to Ripaille where he had an Abbaie of Monkes of Saint Maurice and hauing imparted his desseine but to two of his most confident seruants hauing bound them to keepe him faithful company he takes vpon him the habit of these monkes that is A graye frocke a longe cloake a gray hood a short cornet and a red bonet vnder his hoode but vpon his gray frocke he ware a great girdle of gold vpon his cloake a crosse of gold Hauing thus changed his habit his meaning was not to change his degree nor to leaue the world but vnder the colour of this habit his intent was to aspire higher as the course of his life will shew Being now retired to Ripaille His â—â—ssimulation he calles a parliament and shewes them his intention in this newe manner of life That being weary of the world where there was nothing but toyle and trouble hee would sequester himselfe to dedicate his life wholy to the seruice of God But to the end he might prouide for the gouernment of his estate he declares his eldest sonne Prince of Piedmont and Claude his yongest Earle of Geneue and he himselfe remaynes Duke of Sauoie although he had vowed himselfe to the order of Saint Maurice and without altering of any thing he reserues to himselfe the sole and soueraigne authority of al his estats Hauing thus published his intent he retires with his monks to Ripaille into one quarter of the lodging the which he had built apart accompanied with twenty of his fauorits in Monks attire but not liuing like vnto that profession for leauing them their water rootes Death of great Princes he qualified this sollitarie life with the best cheere he could get from Chamberie or Turin This yeare is likewise memorable by the death of three great Princesses of Catherine Queene of England sister to Charles the 7. the mournfull leuanie of our long miseries of the old Queene daughter to the King of Nauarre Mother to the Princes of Brittaine the Duke Constable and of the old Countesse of Armaignac daughter to the Duke of Berry and Mother to the Duke of Sauoie the Earle of Armaignac and the Earle of March All died almost in one day hauing seene the strange tragedies of France acted during their liues and vpon their children and in their ends seeing no end of our miseries As the furie of fighting grew colde so the war was turned into trafficke There was no Towne but the gouernor kept it for him that would giue most Sale of places an vnworthy traffick and Charles held it more expedient to haue a Towne or place for money then to beseege it with great charge to the oppression of his subiects and with a doubtfull euent Montargis had cost eyther partie much money to take it and to recouer it againe Charles buies it of Francis of Surienne an Arragonois vnder the English pay for ten thousand Crownes He bought Dreux the which he could neuer yet obtayne for eighteene thousand Crownes of William Brouillart of Beause a filthy trafficke worthy of that confused time but vnworthy of all good order and all royall authority The which being layed open vnto Charles he resolues to vse an honorable force to spend more money to get more honor So he beseegeth Meaux and takes it victoriously these were the first fruits of this newe yeare In the moneth of May Charles the only son of Philip Duke of Bourgongne comes to Tours where King Charles was resident and takes Catherine of France his daughter to wife according to the treatie of Arras Charles son to Philip of Bourgongne marries Katherin of France Hauing conducted her through his fathers Countries to Saint Orem where the duke attended him hee solemnized the marriage with exceeding great pompe the which did nothing increase the loue of these Princes allied nor the happynesse of the marriage the which was of small continuance and lesse loue betwixt the parties as the course of the historie will shew In the meane time the Bourguignon hath still two strings to his bowe Although he had renounced the alliance of England yet had he not left all his intelligences the necessity of their neighbour-hood giuing them still occasions to confer togither And as he was alwayes watchefull of his profit so had he a good gage in England to settle his affaires inretyring Lewis Duke of Orleans out of prison being taken at the battaile of Azincourt He caused Charles to entertaine a treatie for a truce with the English the first grounds were layed by the Duchesse his wife a cunning Princesse and careful of her husbands good The Cardinall of Wincestre comes to Grauelin to that effect yet this was but to lay the first foundation of the worke which shal be finished in due season We haue made mention of Iohn of Luxembourg who would not bee comprehended in the treaty of Arras Philip made great shewe to be displeased with him and Luxembourg likeâ—wise to be his enemie causing his men to be slaine in great disorder Philip treats with him vpon complaint of them that were wronged and all is pacified The cleere sighted did easily finde that this was the Bourguignons policie who seemed to bee in choller against him to gratifie Charles being much displeased with Luxembourg who played the pettie King with his maister but he shall not carrie it long for he died soone after the Bourguignon lost the whip he held ready for al euents 1439. and the children of Luxembourg stood in need of the Kings fauour But nowe the Bourguignon flies to an other practise He desired infinitly to be maister of Calais A ridiculous practise to take Calais and seeing that force could not preuaile he meanes to trie policy Some of his subiects perswaded him that in breaking of a dike they should let in the sea and so drowne the Towne Countrie about whereby they should force them to obedience He beleeues this imagination and imployes much paine and cost to effect it But this fancie of a floud vanished away like vnto the flemish army at the first seege whereof we haue seene the fruitlesse issue So this fantasticall floud proued ridiculous But the Duke to shew that he had done something caused the bridge of Milay to be beaten downe and some small dikes which onely watered the Countrie The beginning of this yeare layed the foundation of great matters for the restoring of our estate the which doth drawe on daiely by meanes not foreseene and without the wisdome or care of Charles who was chiefely interessed After the reduction of Paris all the Townes in generall were resolued to free themselues by force if the King had beene so affected but finding his minde inclyning rather to peace they beseech
and the same hope of eternall life Are our Prouinces more stronger fertill and richer then theirs our Townes stronger and better peopled O Christians if he be wise that takes warning by an other An excellent aduertisement to all Christians how well should these examples serue vs The same way which the capitall enemy of the Church hath made to Mahumed to inuest him in the Empire of the East is it not open by our common dissentions A miserable date the end of the warres betwixt France and England was the confirmation of the Ottomans at Constantinople and the beginning of many miseries to many nations as wee shall see in the following raignes But as misery is good for something nay rather as the prouidence of God is admirable who can drawe light from darknesse by the ruines of the Easterne Churches those of the West haue beene enriched The ignorance of all learning was very great throughout all the Westerne Prouinces since the rule of the Gothes The knowledge of learning and sciences being banished out of the East by the Turke came into the West so as by a singular miracle the West is now become East this goodly Lampe hauing lightned the Prouinces to be a herbinger to the gospell But this planting of the Muses is due to the raigne of Francis the 1. as well King of the Mules as of the Frenche The shipwarke of Constantinople did cast these great personages into Italie the which haue giuen a beginning of solide and perfect knowledge to our nations Emanuel Chrysoliras an Athenien George Trapezondee or of Trebizonde Learned men came into Europe Theodorus Gaza a Macedonien Ierosme Spartiate Gregorie Tiphernas Iohn Argyropile of Constantinople Laonicus Charcondil an Athenien Marcus Musurus a Candiot and Iohn Lascaris These haue begun but our men haue so followed as they haue surmonted them in the knowledge of those goodly professions Almost about the same time the arte of Printing had his beginning Some attribute it to the yeare 1440. to Iohn Guttemberg borne at Strausbourg Printing inuented others to Iohn Fauste at Mayence in the yeare 1452. Doubtlesse it is an excellent inuention to increase knowledge although the vanity and malice of men makes it often times their baude to the preuidice of the truth and all good manners But hauing wandred ouer so many strange Countries Let vs returne to France from whence hauing expelled the English and restored this Monarchie to her auncient beautie by the meanes of our Charles wee must nowe see the last act of his raigne and life The Last act of the raigne and life of Charles the 7. conteyned in seauen yeares From the yeare 1454. vnto 61. THis last act of the life of Charles 1455. 1456. 1457. 1458. 1459. 1460. conteyns a notable president of the vanity of this world Charles had passed a languishing youth borne in the weakenesse of his father and bred vp in the cruelties of his mother he began his life with pouerty the which was continued in the despaire of his affaires and yet he purchased peace to his realme but now he cannot inioy it Obseruations for the discours banding against his owne bloud lyuing in so wilfull a waywardnesse as in the end he brought himselfe vnto the graue after a terrible and tragick manner The whole Realme being in quiet after a long and tedious warre behold a newe storme ariseth in the Kinges house Lewis the eldest sonne of Charles and Daulphin of Viennois was not well satisfied with his father King Charles and the Daulphin discontented one with an other and his father lesse with him The occasions are rather probable then true as they are obserued by writers For to what ende should Lewis bee so discontented with his father for that hee was giuen to the loue of Ladies It is more likely that to proceed at what price soeuer names ceâ—taine Noblemen that should supplie their places that were absent in this action that nothing might want of all necessarâ—e solemnities to iustifie the condemnation To conclude according to the forme set downe in this processe Iohn Duke of Alanson was found guiltie of high treason practising to bring the English into the realme the ancient enemie of this Crowne witnesses are produced Letters auerred and the confession of the accused what more Sentence was iudicially giuen that he should loose his head and forfeit all his goods all being at the Kings goods pleasure Charles giues him his life the which neither President nor Councellor durst contradict yet Charles giues him his life condemning him to perpetuall prison and his goods to his wife and children where he continued but two yeares for Lewis being King he freed him from prison and restored him to his dignitie It is a hard law when force is ioyned to a Kings command Howsoeuer it were the cleere sighted did iudge that the Kings iealousie was the true cause of the condemnation of this poore Prince who had alwayes serued the King faithfully and the King had loued him aboue all the Princes of his bloud honouring him so much as to make him his gossip carrying his eldest Sonne Lewis to the Font. This his familiaritie with his Godson and the credit the Daulphin gaue vnto his councels was held to be a dangerous testimonie against him Were it then iustly or vniustly that this Prince was thus intreated who seeth not heere a great proofe of the inconstancie of this world of great friends they become capitall enemies nâ—ither bloud nor the gages of loue in so holy a thing as the badge of our Christianitie can subdue the violence of passion the which hath no restraint Passion makes Princes prisoners yea euen that which should be of most force to vnite loue hath most power to breed and increase iealousies A notable president in two so great personages Passion makes these two great Princes prisoners borne of one bloud the one a King the other capable of a kingdome The one is prisoner at Loches with his gard the other at Vendosme or at Tours in the greatnesse of his Court This is the difference the one endures paine forceably the other voluntarily But he that commits a sinne is hee not a slaue to sinne Charles his waywardâ—es Aâ—ter this condemnation Charles seemed alwaies grieued both in minde and couâ—tenance the iealousie which he thought to quencâ— in suppressing him whom he suspected so increased as in the end it was the cause of his death He suruiued little aboue two yeares after this Tragedie the which happened the 10. of October in the yeare 1458. and the King dyed the 22. of Iuly in the yeare 61. which time was vnto him a languishing prison or rather a pining death Doublesse he that serues God doth raâ—gne and he that serues vice is but a slaue the Crownes and Scepters of Kings haue no exception in this The quiet of a good conscience is true libertie And who can haue a good conscience but
daughter to wife the which he did As he prepared for this voyage and a stately traine for his daughter A strange death in the midest of â—oy which might equall or surmount the Ambassage sent from Ladislaus newes comes of the death of Ladislaus a young man of twenty yeares of age and of a generous hope who was poisoned at Prague Whose death was the cause of many miseries as we shall hereafter shew Their ioy in France was changed to mourning and the wedding to a funerall to the great griefe of Charles But to put him in minde of necessary causes amidest these voluntarie afflictions It chanced that the mother of Ioane the Virgin to purge the blot of infamie in the death of her daughtâ—r being condemned as a Sorceresse by the Bishop of â—eauuais to please the English obtaines a reuocation of this sentence from the Pope and Charles confirmes it causing it to be solemnlie published to the content of all Frenchmen to whom the remembrance of this generous spirit shall be for euer pleasing In the meane time this iealousie which was grauen in the heart of Charles is fed by the dayly whisperings of his household flattereâ—s And now behold a strange accident A Captaine in whom he had great confidence assures him that they ment to poison him he beleeues it and plants this apprehension so firmely in his heart as he resolues neither to eate nor drinke The tragicall death of Chaâ—les not knowing whom to trust He continued obstinately for seauen dayes in this strange resolution the which in the end brought him to his graue for being obstinate in this humour not to eate notwithstanding all the perswasions of his Physitians and seruants the passages were so shrunke as when he would haue eaten it was then too late and feeling his forces to decay he prouided for his last will and dyed the 22. of Iuly at Meun vpon Yeure in Bâ—rry in the yeare 1461. hauing liued 59. yeares and raigned 39. leauing two sonnes Lewis and Charles the first shall raigne after his father and the second shall be the causer of new troubles in France but not such as haue raigned vnder our Charles the 7. A Prince who hath as much aduanced the French Monarchie as any King that euer commanded for finding the realme ruined he hath restored it his Predecessors had planted the English in the bowels of the Estate he expelled them bringing in a gentle peace after an intestine warre of a hundred yeares A fâ—iend to Iustice good order and the people His dispositioÌ„ resolute in great affaiâ—es capable of councell wise couragious happy in the execution of good councels and happy in seruants that haue faâ—thfully serued him to the end of the worke of restauration wherevnto God had appointed him But these great and heroike vertues were blemished by some vices which were more visible in his prosperitie His 〈◊〉 then in his aduersitie for affliction restrained him but his happy successe puft him vp and gaue scope to his humours making him suspitious and amourous to the pâ—eiudice of his affaires and dishonour of his person On the one side vngouerned lâ—ue to strange women making him to forget the lawfull loue of his wife and to loose both time and iudgment whereby he blemished his reputation both with subiects and strangeâ—s On the other side presumption of his good successe made him vnpleasing to his best seruants yea euen to his owne bloud and this froward humour causing him to discontent such as hee should haue trusted setled so wilfuâ—l and peeuish a iealousie in his heart as hauing troubled all his house in the ende it brought him to his graue after a most fearefull and tragicke manner leauing in his vertues an example to bee followed and in his vices to bee auoided with a visible proofe in his happy successe That God vseth the weake instruments to the end that he might be knowne the Author of the good worke they haue in hand that his grace seeming strong in their weakenesse the homage and honour of all good might be giuen to him for whosoeuer glories let him glory in the Lord. Charles had no sooner closed his eyes but Poasts flie to Geneppe in Brabant vnto Lewis to aduertise him of his death The originall notes it for exceeding speed that through the diligence of Charles of Aniou father in law to Charles Lewis was aduertitised of the death of his father the very same day he dyed This Poast was speedy yet slowe in regarde of the desire Lewis had to returne into France and to take possession of this goodly Crowne which attended him LEWIS the eleuenth the 55. King of France LVDOVICVS .11 KING OF FRANCE .55 · WAs it not then likely that this so happy a Catastrophe of the latter raigne of Charles should haue purchased Lewis as happy and peacefull a Crowne as his fathers had beene painfull and full of crosses But the heires of worldly possessions which we call the goods of Fortune and of the body doe not alwayes inherit the same humors and complexions of their Predecessors Charles was of a curteous disposition affable a friend to Iustice and capable of councel he leaues Lewis his eldest sonne a Pâ—ince in truth humble in words and shew wise in aduersitie painfull The disposition of Lewis the 11. a free entertainer of men of merit curious to know all men of a good capacity perfect in iudgement and very continent But these vertues were blemished with many vices ill tongued reuengefull cruell full of fraud dissemblâ—ng distrustfull variable a friend to base people and an enemie to great persons yet willing to repaire the wrongs he had done to many But let vs impute this alteration to the multitude of his forraine homebred foes who â—ad greatly altered the good seeds which nature had planted in him That which plunged him in a labyrinth of troubles afflictions during all the course of his life was that at his first comming to the Crowne he discountenanced most of the Princes Noblemen whom Charles had fauoured preferring meane men to their places changed in a manner all the ancient officers of the crowne casierd discharged the old coÌ„panies of men at armes whereby such as hated him did taxe him as an enimy to al valour vertue Lewis the Daulphin at the age of eleuen yeares was rashly ingaged by some Noblemen others of the realme in the war called the Praguery against Charles his father His wiueâ— who speedily suppressed it by his resolution as we haue seene Beeing come to the age of man he married with Marguerit daughter to the King of Scots and as hee fell rashly in loue so he reaped nothing but repentance After her death not able to beare the vnpleasing waywardnes of his father he retires into Daulphiné and takes to his second wife Charlotte daughter to the Duke of Sauoy by whoÌ„ he had Ioachim who dyed young His children Anne marryed
to Peter of Bourbon Ioane the wife of Lewis Duke of Orleans after King of France the 12. of that name Charles his successor and Francis who died likewise in his infancy In the end Charles going to suppresse the practices of his sonne in Daulphiné and the neighbour Prouinces Lewis abandons the country and retyres to Philip Duke of Bourgongne at whose charge he was entertained six yeares Charles being deceased Philip of Bourgongne to perfect this good office ofhospitality to Lewis accompanied with Charles Earle of Charolois his sonne Iames of Bourgongne Earle of Estampes Adolfe Duke of Cleues the Lord of Rauestin his brother nephewes to the said Philip the Earles of Nassau and S. Pol and with many other Noblemen of the lowe countries conducted him into France with foure thousand horse well appointed chosen among a hundred thousand fighting men the which Philip had leauied vppon a brute that some Noblemen of the country would aduance Charles the younger brother of Lewis to the Crowne Iohn Duke of Bourbon the Duke of Orleans as well for his old age as for that he mourned for King Charles deceased came not from Paris Peter and Iames of Bourbon brethren the Earles of Armaignac Eu Vendosme Dunois GraÌ„dpré Philip of Sauoy with the greatest part of the Princes Noblemen and Officers of the Crowne go to meete him and conduct him to Rheims where he is solemnly annointed crowned by Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins Archbishop of that place assisted by the Cardinal of Constance the Patriarke of Antioch the Popes Legat 4. Archbishops 17. Bishops 6. Abots the 15. of August 1461. being about 38. yeares of age Two daies after Philip did him homage for his Duchy of Bourgongne as Peere and Deane of the Peeres of France for the Earledom of Flanders as a peere of France and for the county of Artois all other lands he held of the crowne TheÌ„ made he a sumptuous stately entry into Paris with very ioyfull acclamations of the people as you may see at large in the Originalls He lesome admonitions of Philip to Lâ—wiâ— After mâ—â—y sports tourneies publike feasts Philip taking leaue of the King exhorts him to lay aside all hatred and splene conceiued against some of his fathers ancient seruants from â—hom he should draw as many good seruices as they had giueÌ„ testimonies of their loialties to their lawfull Master to liue in loue and vnity with his brother Charles and to aduance him according to the degree he held within the realme Lewis was no sooner installed but the Inhabitants of Rheims minister an occasioÌ„ to imploy the first fruits of his forces About S. Remy the collectors of imposts were slaine their contracts burnt in open street The King sends thither many souldiars disguised like mâ—rchants laboreâ—s who entring secretly at diuers gates become the stroÌ„ger and aâ—e preâ—ently followed by some troupes led by the Lord of Mouy who seize vpon the towne takes 80. or a 100. of the most culpable puts theÌ„ to death suppresseth the mutinie About the end of the yeare Lewis made a progresse into Touraine where the Earle of Charolois comÌ„ing fâ—oÌ„ the pilgrimage of S. Claude did visit him the King in regard of the kindnes he had receiued froÌ„ Philip giueshim the gouernmeÌ„t of Normandy â—uery Franck iâ— worth two shilliâ—gs The Duke of Aâ—â—nson inlarged with 36000. frankes yearly pensioÌ„ for the non paiment wherof there wil soone grow great dissentioÌ„s ciuil wars In sooth the words of a prince shold be held for Oracles neyther shold he be lesse iudicious then coÌ„nstant in his promises The Duke of Alencon was set at liberty whoÌ„ Charles the 7. had restrained But oh the vanity of man we shall him hereafter a prisoner condemned vnder his authoritie 1462. who now giues him both life and libertie Then the King gaue to his brother the Dukedome of Berry for his portion and assigned the Queene his Mothers dowrie who shall not long enioy it but dies in the yeare 1463. in the Countie of Xaintonge with the towne and gouerment of Rochell Chinon Pezenas and other places Then he went in pilgrimage to S. Sauueur of Redon in Brittanie where the Duke did homage for this said Duchie the Countie of Monfort and other places he held of the Crowne But deuotion did not so much draw Lewis into Brittanie as a desire to discouer the Dukes affection his country and his forces whom he held in iealousie the which shall easily draw the Duke into the vnion of malcontents as we shall soone see which will fall out happily for him to disappoint the King of the prey he haunted after in Brittanie Lewis in the meane time carelesse of Philips aduise not able well to endure the sight of his fathers spies whom he accused as the motiues of his disgrace changeth the gouernours of Prouinces and most of the Officers both for Iustice and warre he placeth new being chosen out of those that had beene companions of his fortune the which to agrauate they called a banishment imputing it to them that were displaced Moreouer he prohibited all Princes Noblemen and Gentlemen the sport of Hawking and Hunting vnder great and odious punishments no further then he should permit a second fire-brand of the following combustions Now the King of Arragon seeking to reduce his rebellious subiects of Barzellone to their duties by force ingageth the Countie of Roussillon to Lewis for three hundred thousand Crownes whereof he receiued fiftie thousand presently being followed with a goodly and mighty armie Lewis purchaseth the Countie of Roussillon to succour the said King vnder the command of Iames of Armaignac Duke of Nemours Henry King of Castill complaines by his Ambassadors of these succours giuen to his aduersarie which was a breach of the League betwixt France and Castill The King as well to end this quarrell as that which Blande the onely daughter and heire of the King of Nauarre wife to the said King of Arragon had with the King of Castill by reason of some places in Nauarre he goes to Bourdeaux and there concludes the mariage of Magdaleine of France his sister with Gaston the eldest sonne to the Earle of Foix and presumptiue heire of Nauarre who lay hurt at Libourne with a Lance at a Tourney whereof he dyed leauing a sonne and a daughter Francis Phoebus his successour who raigned but one yeare and Katherine who succeeded him and was married to Iohn of Albret then he goes to Bayonne where the King of Castill comes vnto him and ends all controuersies A dangerous and fatall enteruiew for these two great Princes the most strictly allied of all Christendom of ancient from King to King from realme to realme and man to man bound by great curses to maintaine this necessarie league the which neuer yet had any breach and they now conceiued a contempt disdaine one of an other The â—rench of the Castillians sumptuousnesse and pride
not to deale at all in the warres which Lewis pretended against them A foule and dishonest trafficke made to the preiudice of so great personages The Duke signes and sweares this fraudulent and counterfeit peace A blowe able to amaze the Dukes of Guienne and Brittaine at the first hearing to see themselues thus abandoned of their chiefe support But he repayres it with an after blow by letters of credit writteÌ„ with his own hand giues theÌ„ aduice to continue their course that his intent was only to recouer his townes vpoÌ„ Somme Notable deâ—â—â— and 〈◊〉 which done he will beseech the King by especiall Ambassadors to desist froÌ„ making war against theÌ„ vpon his refusal he will succour theÌ„ with body goods that as the King at his pleasure had brokeÌ„ the treaties of CoÌ„â—tans Peronne so might he infringe his promise oath As for the Earles of Neuers and S. Paul Constable although he had a iust occasion to hate them 1472. yet would he remit their iniuries and suffer them to inioy their owne and beseech the King to doe the like by the Dukes of Guienne and Brittanie suffering euery one to liue in peace and safetie vnder the Articles respectiuely accorded if not he would succour his allies Craon and Oriole had likewise sworne for the King leading Simon of Quinchi a gentleman bred vp in the Dukes house to receiue the othe of his Maiestie But from a new subiect springs a new proiect Behold newes are brought that the Duke of Guienne is sick and without hope of recouerie Vpon this aduice the King delaies the oath findes â—uasions attending the course of his disease and in the meane time doth speedily seize vpon many places of Xaintonge he doth presse Rochell the which vpon these accidents of reconciliation and sicknesse inclines to a composition he withdrawes many of his brothers chiefe seruants and resolues to signe this peace as the sundrie euents of his affaires should lead him and in the meane space he protracts time with the Bourguignon during the which Charles Duke of Guienne dyes at Bourdeaux the 12. of May The Duke of Guienne dyes by the which Lewis recouers the Duchie without blowes and moreouer retaines Amiens and Saint Quintins O subtill wits both deceiuers but not of like industrie so our Lewis shall more easilie auoide the snare But oh death in generall which by the dissolution of the body and soule doest dissolue great desseings The Brittons were ready to enter building vpon great intelligences and practises within the Realme the which without doubt had much troubled the State But oh vnseasonable death in particular how fitly shalt thou serue to shadow the filthy and hatefull yet well coloured reproches of enemies and the murmurings of the most respectiue A death too much neglected but by some affectionate seruants to the deceased Duke who discouer that Iourdain Faure borne 〈…〉 Daulphiné great Almoner to the Duke and Abbot of S. Iohn d' Angely By poison assisted 〈◊〉 Henry de la Roche one of the said Dukes Kitchin had hastened his death by so violâ—nt a â—â—â—son that with a strange and lamentable contraction of his sinews his hayre 〈◊〉 and teeth fell out before his death The Lord of Lescut retired himselfe into Brittanie leading prisoners with him these cursed murtherers Note the murtherers of Princes where the Abbot was found one morning starke dead in his Chamber with a Thunder-clap Hauing his face swollen his body and visage black as a coale and his tongue hanging halfe a foote out of his mouth God doing that iustice in the twinckling of an eye which men delayed Let vs confesse the trueth and without passion the veritie of the Historie doth presse vs vnto it that Charles had beene an ill brother and ought more honour and obedience to him to whom that great Author of Nature had giuen the right of eldership aboue him yet should he haue beene regarded as a sonne of France Note and from his infancie receiue a portion fit for the entertainment of his estate and house Kings haue alwaies power to comptroule the insolencies of their neerest allied when they forget their duties But howsoeuer let vs obserue the order of diuine iustice who easily raiseth vp home-bred scourges but in the end he doth cast the rod into the fire Lewis must be measured with the same proportion he had measured his father and Charles must suffer for the rashnesse of his rebellions This death being little lamented makes such to speake as had but too diligently obserued Lewis his speech hearing one day of the death of the King of Castils brother He is but too happy saith he to haue lost his brother but hatred and ill will grounds their passions euen vpon a Needles point At the same instant Nicholas Marquis of Pont heire of the house of Aniou one of the aboue named riualles made sure to Anne the eldest daughter of Lewis abused with the great yet vaine promises of the Duke of Bourgongne renounced this so worthy an alliance of hâ—s Soueraigne Lord for a frustratorie hope which the vassalle gaue him to marry his daughter but he was ignorant that death the yeare following would punish this rashnesse and preuent him from the inioying either of Anne or Marie The Marquis of Pont dyes and the Earle of Eu. A season likewise famous by the death of Charles Earle of Eu a wise and vertuous Prince whose faithfull seruice to France deserues this testimonie that being sonne to Philip of Bourgongne Earle of Neuers and Rethel and grand-child to Philip the hardie a sonne of France and Duke of Burgongne and by consequence neere kinsman to Charles yet in all these combustions he had faithfully serued the King and preferred the Flower-de-Luce before the Red Crosse. Let vs likewise obserue the death of William Chartier Bishop of Paris The Bishop of Paris dyes who after his conference with the League before Paris in the Kings absence was alwaies in such disgrace with him as after his death Lewis caused his Epitaph to be changed making mention of the bad seruices he had done him during the warre of the common-weale suborning the inhabitants in fauour of the Burguignon The death of the Duke of Guienne had wonderfully afflicted Charles of Bourgongne to increase it he had intelligence that the Brittons would not arme considering that he was dead for whom they should rise In the meane time the chance was cast he had beene at great charge The Bourguignons practises against Lewis and to turne head without restitution were a shame but that which made him mad Amiens and S. Quentin were lost he must hazard all And first he writes to many townes he chargeth the King to haue consented to his brothers death and labours to draw them into armes declaring himselfe their protector but no man stirres so the small effect of his letters sets him on fire and in this choller he marcheth to Neâ—le
on eyther side the Venetians craue respite for two moneths to accept or not and the King transported with a great desire to see his France resolued to part the next day But aduertised that the Suisses practised eyther to assure themselues of his person or to seize vpon the cheefe in Court for three moneths pay which they sayde was due vnto them by an accorde made with Lewis the eleuenth That so often as they should go forth with their Ensignes displayed The Suisseâ— practise to seize vpon the King they should receiue that payment hee parted from Verceil into the which many Suisses were gotten and went towards Trine a Towne belonging to the Marquis of Montferrat This humour possessed them by the instigation of those to whom this peace was not pleasing From Trine the King sent the sayd Marshall of Gié the President of Gannai and Argenton to Lodowicke Sforee to moue him to an enterview But hee grounded his excuse vpon some speeches which the Earle of Ligni and the Cardinall of Saint Mâ—lâ— had vsed 1496. That they should take him when he came to the King to Pauie yet would he willingly parle with the King hauing a barre and riuer betwixt them He had heard talke of the parle betwixt Edward the CoÌ„stable of S. Paul with Lewis the eleuenth Charles taking this distrust in ill part receiued his hostages of Milan and impatient to attend the Geneuois aduancing to Quiers he sent Peron de Basche to Genes to receiue the two carrakes promised by the treaty and to arme foure others wherein hee made accoumpt to shippe three thousand Suisses to releeue the Castells of Naples knowing that the armie of Nice had beene altogither vnprofitable But it was sufficient for the Milanois to promise hee knewe well that hungar would force the wolfe out of the woode that is to say that want of victualls would shortly expell the garrisons out of those Castells Moreouer being perswaded the King would hardly repasse the Alpes he seekes the friendship of Ferdinand arming two ships for his seruice Charles did then send the Lord of Argenton to Venice to knowe if they would accept of the peace and to passe three articles To re-deliuer Monopoli which they had taken from him To draw back the Marquis of Mantoue their Lieutenant generall all others they had in the Realme of Naples for Ferdinands seruice and to declare King Ferdinand to be none of the league lately made in the which there was onely named the Pope the King of the Romains the King of Spaine and the Duke of Milan For answer they flatly refuse all the Kings demands as hauing no warre with him and that their meaning was only to succour the Duke of Milan as their Allie whome the King sought to ruine And for the making of an agreement they offer to be a meanes That Ferdinand should do homage to the King for the Realme of Naples with the Popes consent and should pay a hundred and fiftie thousand ducats yearely and a present summe of money the which they would lend for the loane whereof they should haue Bruduse Otrante Trani and some other places in Apulia in pawne That Ferdinand should giue the King some places for safety to make warre against the Turke according to the hope wherewith Charles had fed all Christendome The Venetiaâ—â— prâ—positions to the King The which if he would vndertake all Italie should contribute therevnto That the King and they should dispose of all Italie without contradiction and for their part they would serue the King with a hundred gallies at their owne charge and with fiue thousand horse by land But this Turkish warre was but a glorious cloake for euery priuate mans couetousnes And who can wonder if God did sodenly frustrate out desseignes hauing an other ground then we made shewe of Who will not iudge but this offer had beene as honorable for France as the generall losse of the sayd Realme was dishonorable Charles would willingly haue vndertaken it and the greatest part of his Counsell did allowe it But Tacitus obserues of Vitellius That his iudgement was such as hee found all harsh that was profitable and tooke nothing in good part but what was pleasing and that proued hurtfull A lesson for Princes not to trust so confidently to some particular persons for the gouernment of their affaires as not to impart it sometimes to others neyther to aduance any one so high as all the rest should bee his inferiors for making himselfe to be feared and respected aboue all as the Cardinall Briçonnet his Bretheren and kinsfolke did he commonly makes his house great at his maisters coste But it was the humor of this young King fearing sayeth the history to displease them to whome hee gaue credit and especially such as gouerned his treasure as the aboue named Our Conquerors are nowe arriued at Lion in the moneth of October not greatly carefull of those they had left at Naples without any intelligence or letters from the King but onely counterfeit and nothing but promises for assignations of pay whereof followed the generall losse of the Realme who for a signe of their conquest left them nothing but the possession of a stinking and contagious disease which afterwards spred ouer all France The beginniâ—â— oâ— the pockes the which beeing till then vnknowne in our parts and the Phisitians not acquainted with the cure thereof lodged manie in the graue leauing many deformed and lame of their limmes 1495. and subiect to continuall torments Charles hauing continued two moneths at Lion hee receiued two very troublesome and vnpleasant aduertisements One was Domesticall the death of his sonne the Daulphin deceased at three yeares of ages A goodly child saith the Originall and bold in speech who feared not those things which other children are accustomed to feare The other was forreine the yeelding of the Castels at Naples The King passed ouer his mourning lightly for being little both of bodie and vnderstanding he began to feare least the Daulphin growing in these generous dispositions which they noted in his infancie should soone blemish the fathers power and authoritie A lamentable thing that so great a Monark should feare his owne child lying in a cradle But that was certaine that Charles the seuenth his grandfather had beene iealous of Lewis the eleuenth his sonne Lewis had terrified his father and was in feare of his sonne Charles the eight and now Charles apprehends some decay in his estate by his son Iealousie is a disease which doth commoÌ„ly infect Princes houses The other accident was of greater consequence and toucht him more neerely But were not these crosses sufficient to afflict him but he must receiue a publike shame by meanes of a priuate mans couetousnesse The Florentines prest the performance of their treatie sworne at Florence confirmed at Ast and afterwards at Turin Charles writes to this effect to Entragues Captaine of the Citadell at Pisa and to the bastard
dayes seege they obtayned of Ferdinand a truce for thirty dayes and necessary victualls for that time during the which none of the beseeged should go forth Licence for the Duke Montpensier to signifie this accord vnto the King the soldiars their liues and goods saued with the which they might retire into France by land or sea and the Vrsins with other Italian soldiars whither they would out of the Realme Impunity to the Barrons and al others that had followed the French faction and restitution of their goods and offices so as within fifteene dayes they returned to Ferdinand All this is good A dishonorable composition made by the French but there followes a very dishonorable promise That if the Earle of Montpensier bee not releeued within thirtie dayes he shall deliuer Acelle and all that he holds within the Realme of Naples into Ferdinands hands with all the artillery Thus reason yeelds where force commands The time expired all were conducted to the Castell of Stabbie vpon the sea and the Viceroy was summoned to yeeld vp all the other places which the King possessed But pretending that his authority did not extend to the Captaines which commanded in Calabria Abruzze Caiette and other places which the King himselfe and not he had giuen them in gard the Arragonois making shewe to dismisse them caused them to be conducted but more properly confined them vpon this controuersie to Blaie and Puzzol where vnder colour that shipping was not yet readie part of them by the wants they had endured and part by the indisposition of the aire beeing hot and vnholsome and part feeding intemperatly vpon Grapes and other fruit halfe ripe but with more likelehood hauing as some write seasoned their meates mixt their wines with drugs insupportable for the stomake the Earle of Montpensier died and of fiue thousand men The Earle of Montpensier dies with most of his troupes scarce fifteene hundred returned safe to their Country There is but one hazard to loose all A battaile although very disperate had beene far more honorable and lesse fatall But let vs rather note the examples and errors of other then reproue them Virgilius and Paul Vrsin by the Popes commandement who had sworne the runne of that house were shâ—t vp in the Castell del'Oeuf their men led by Iohn Iordan the â—on of Vrsin and Bartholmewe of Aluiane were stript in Abruzze by the Duke of Vrbin and these two commanders called by Ferdinand to Naples were likewise imprisoned Aluiane escaped soone after the rest died in prison Now all things smile vpon the conquerour but hee pursues the victory otherwise then wee can doo and in these garboiles euery one flies to the stronger and makes his peace as he may Ferdinand â—ends Don Frederic his Vncle and Prosper Colonne before Caiete and Fabricio Colonne into Abruzze who receyued Aquille for the Arragonois tooke the rocke of Saint Seuerin by force and caused the Captaine and his sonne to be beheaded to terrifie the rest then he went and incamped before Salerne where the Prince of Bisignan made his peace for himselfe for the Prince of Salerne for the Earle of Cappacie and some other Barons Gratian des Guerâ—es forced to giue way to this violent streame leaues Abruzze and retyre himselfe with eight hundred horse into Caiete where don Frederic doth presently inuest him Gonsalue returned into Calabria where the Lord of Aubigni after such resistance as his forces could make being gotten in to Groppoli in the end promiseth to leaue all the Prouince hauing liberty to returne into France by land The other Captaines eyther for that they had filled their bagges with the prouisions of their places or had by disorder consumed that in fewe dayes which in time of necessity might haue serued long or through feare or impatiency of the discomodities which followe a seege were forced to yeeld them at the first summon But shall Ferdinand long enioy the happy successe of his armes Behold hauing not yet tasted the sweetnes of his Conquests remayning nothing for the recouery of the Realme but Tarentum Caiete and fewe other places held by Charles of Sanguin Mont Saint Angelo where Don Iulian of Lorraine commanded who caused the neighbour Countries to feele both the greatnes of his courage and the weight of his arme 1497. death comes and cuts off both the course of his victories the threed of his life and transports his Crowne to Don Frederike his vnkle King Ferdinand dies Thus the state of Naples felt the diuers humors of fiue Kings in three yeares Ferdinand Alphonso or King Charles the eight Ferdinand the incestuous hauing married his Aunt sister to Alphonso his father and Frederike Frederike leauing the seige of Caiete comes to enioy his Nephes succession and those which had before followed the French partiâ— as the Princes of Salerne and Bisignan the Earle of Cappacie and others were the first to proclaime his name in Naples and to 〈◊〉 him to finish the remainder of the warre against our men Tarentum beseiged by the Venetians was forced to yeeld through famine who hauing held it some dayes noâ— without suspect that they would appropriate it to themselues in the end they consigned it vnto Frederike at the Popes intreate and the King of Spaines Caieâ—â— might haue held out some monethes but iudging the King would haue as little care to succour them as many other places negligent lie lost to the preiudice both of a great number of the Nobilitie and also of the Crowne they compounded with Frederike by the meanes of the Lord of Aubigni giuing them leaue to returne by sea into France with bagge and baggage And consequently all other places did quite reiect the French commaund in the state of Naples And Frederike hauing obteyned the inuestiture of the Realme from the Pope was sollemnly crowned Thus King Charles was freed from the care hee had for the recouerie thereof but the losse and infamie thrusts him on to reuenge vpon the next neighbour The Princes of Italie incâ—nse the king against the Venetians and Duke of Milan Many Poâ—eâ—rates of Italie perswade him thereunto the Duke of Ferrara knew well that the Venetians hauing taken Polesan from him sought his ruine and amidest these diuisions he was like vnto a sheepe betwixt two wolues that is to say the Venetians and Duke of Milan his sonne in law who preferring his safetie and his childrens before the loue of the Duke of Milan offered the King fiue hundred men at armes and two thousand foote The Marquis of Mantoua being discontented with the Venetians fel from them with 300. men at armes Iohn Bentiuole offered a hundred and fiftie men at armes the companies which his two sonnes led with a good number of foot The Florentines not to loose Pisa and other places and to warrant themselues from the wrongs which the Venetians practised against them promised eyght hundred men at armes and fiue thousand foote at their
about Barlette for want of water and many other reasons they resolued a part of the armie should remaine thereabouts to maintaine a kind of seege and the other should seeke to recouer the rest of the realme After this Counsell the Viceroy seized vppon all Apulia except Tarentum Otrante and Gallipoli and then hee returned to Baâ—lette The Lord of Aubigni entring Calabria with the other part of the armie tooke and sackt the Towne of Cosenze with some other places But our proâ—perâ—ty lasts not long we commonly sleepe in the midest of our course This happie beginning made ouâ— Lewis more carelesse then the cause required the which if hee had coâ—tinued hee might eâ—sily haue expelled the enâ—mie before hee had beene supplied out of all the state of Naples but hee tooke his way for France aâ—ter he had treated a new with the Pope and receiued the Valentinois into fauour againe vpon condition To aid him in the warres of Naples when need should require and a promise from the King To giue the Valentinois three hundred Lances to helpe him to conquer Bologne for the Church and to suppresse the Vrsins Baillon and Vitellozze against whom the King was wonderfully incensed for the outrages they had done to the Florentines and for that they had shewed themselues too slacke in the execution of his Maiesties commaundements especially Vitellozze who had refused to yeeld the Florentines the artillerie which he had taken from Aretze This reconciliation made the Valentinois fearefull to all Italie The Valenâ—inâ—â—s fearâ—full to the Potenâ—aâ—s of Itaâ—â—â— And doubtlesse whosoeuer is neighbour to a cruell and inexorable man hath need to stand vppon his gard Moreouer a wicked man hauing so firme and strong supports in the Kings counsell where the Cardinall of Amboise ruled all how could hee but dayly presume to comit new insolencies The Venetians were wonderfull iealous of Borgias greatnesse increasing dayly 1503. shewing the King by their Ambassador how much it did derogate from the beautie of the house of France and the glorious surname of most Christian King to fauour a Tyrant borne for the ruine of people and the desolation of Prouinces disloyall cruell thirsting for humane bloud by whome so many gentlemen and Noblemen had beene so treacherously slaine who sometimes by the sword The Venetians oppose against him sometimes by poyson glutted his crueltie vpon his allies his kinsmen his brethren vpon them whose age euen the barbarous Turkes would haue respected But the King did not build so much vppon the Popes fâ—iendship as hee doubted his hatred Moreouer he thought being firmely vnited to him no man should dare to attempt any thing against the authoritie of his Crowne in the estates of Milan and Naples The Kings answere was That he neither would nor ought to hinder the Pope from disposing at his pleasure of places belonging to the Church The Venetians therefore foâ—bearing to crosse the prosperitie of the Valentinois A League against the Valentinois for his Maiesties respect behold many small brookes ioyned togither make a great streame The Vrsins the Duke of Grauine Vitellozzi Iohn Paul Baillon Liuerot of Ferme Hermes for Iohn Bentiuole his father Anthony of Venafre for the Sienois with many other heads make an offensiue and defensiue League by meanes whereof and by the surprise of the Castle of Saint Leon Guidobalde recouered all his duchie of Vrbin They go to field with seuen hundred men at armes and nine thousand foote but they displease the King arming themselues with his authoritie hoping it may be that he would not be discontented to haue the Valentinois molested by another The Valentinois flies to the King and speedily prouides for conuenient remedies first hee pacifieth Cardinall Vrsin by the meanes of Iulius his brother and by diuers policies did so cunninly practise fiâ—st one then another of the confederates conâ—used and troubled with the Kings succors which the King gaue commaundement to the Lord of Chaumont to send to Borgia with expresse charge to countenance his affaires by all meanes that the first which was taken in the snare was Paul Vrsin whom he held to be a fit instrument to dispose of his companions and to draw them innocently into danger But what did these poore Commanders capitulating with a wicked wretch Fatal to the â—uthors whose sweet wordes was a snare for their death and who must shortly serue as an instrument of Gods wrath against them Truely whilest they imploy the forces which they had leuied to suppresse him in his fauour for the taking of some places and that they suffer themselues to be lulled more a sleep with his goodly shewes and sweete speeches he prepares for their ruine After they had by his commaundement taken the Towne and Castle of Sinigalle hee comes thither the next day with all his companies in order hee causeth then to bee taken prisoners strips their troupes The violent death of Vitellozze and Liueâ—ot and to make the last day of this yeare famous hee strangles Vitellozze and Liuerot of Ferme The first must follow the miserable course of his house all his other brethren and according to the order of their ages being dead of violent deaths Iohn was slaine with a cannon before Osâ—â—e vnder Pope Innocent Camille with a stone before Circelle Paul was beheaded at Florence And Liuerot felt in his person the treason whereby he had in a banket treacherously murthered Iohn Frangiane his vnkle with many Cittizens of Ferme to vsurpe the Seigneurie thereof Now we shall see a yeare full of memorable famous accidents begun with the Popes impâ—etie The notable cruelnes of the Valentinois treacherie but he was ignoraÌ„t what should presently befall his own person and state Being aduertised of his sonnes exploits at Sinigalle hee cals the Cardinall of Vrsin to the Vatican who trusting in his faith whom all the world knew to be faithles was lately come to Rome Being arriued he is taken prisoner and with him Rainold Vrsin Archb. of FloreÌ„ce the Protonotaire Vrsin and the Abbot of Aluiane brother to Barthelmew Iames of S. Croix a Romain-gentlemaÌ„ whom some few dayes after hee caused to bee deliuered vppon a good caution The Cardinal poysoned The Duke of â—â—â—uine and Paul Vrsin strangled but the Cardinall ended his dayes there by prison and the Valentinois hearing that the Cardinal was prisoner he caused the Duke of Grauine Paul Vrsin to be strangled TheÌ„ he approched to Siene meaning to seize thereon vnder colour to expel Pandolâ—o Petruâ—â—io as an enemie and disâ—urber of the quiet of Tuscane promising that when he had chased him he would presently returne with all his troupes to Rome without indomaging their territories The Steâ—ois thinking it no reason that the whole Citty should incurre so great danger to maintayne the power of one priuate Cittizen and Pandolfe desyring rather to accept that with euery maÌ„s good liking which in the end the peoples hatred the peril
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
Chastillion brought him two hundred men at armes which the Pope sent him discontented that the Venetians had inuaded this Duchie without respect of the superiority which the Church hath ouer it fauored with the knowledge of the Country and the nature and oportunity of the riuer hauing brought his Cannon to the banke opposite to the enemy being couered with a strong causey after an assault giuen to the bastion where his men had the worst hee saluted the Venetian shippes so fuâ—iously as some â—ot able to resist yeelded others fiered with the shot were miserably burnt with the men that were in them others sinking escaped the enemies hand and the generall saued himselfe by flight in a Cock-boate his galley-flying shooting and defending it selfe was in the end suncke To conclude the riuer beeing full of bloud fire and dead men fifteene galleies came into the Dukes power some great shippes many foistes and other small vessells in great number threescore enseignes taken and two thousand men slaine This army defeated Alphonso sent presently Hippolite Cardinall of Este his brother against that army which had taken Comache but the losse of the other hauing forced them already to retire the Cardinall imployed his forces to recouer Lorete which the Venetians had fortified This done the Pope desirous to tie the Duke of Ferrare vnto him 1510. to the end that acknowledging the good he should receiue by his intercession he should depend more vpon him then on the King against whome he layed the foundation of great hatred was a meanes the Venetians should yeeld Comache to the Ferrarois and should no more molest his estate And to reconcile them with Maximilian he sends Achilles de Grassi Bishop of Pesere his Nuncio vnto him But through the Emperours excessiue demands and the Kings Ambassadors crossing it Achilles returned without effecting any thing The season made them proceed coldly in matters of warre vntill the end of this yeare Maximilian and Ferdinand had contended before the King for the gouernment of the realme of Castille the first for Charles his grandchild the second building vpon his wiues testament as we haue seene before In the end the Cardinal of Amboise not considering how much this accord did preiudice the Kings affaires drew Maximilian to consent that the Catholike King in case he had no heires male should be gouernor of the realmes of Castile and Naples vntill that Charles his grandchild should come to the age of fiue and twentie yeares and should pay vnto the said Charles fortie thousand ducats yeerely fiftie thousand to Maximilian at one payment and should ayd him according to the treaty of Cambray to recouer that which belonged vnto him Accord betwixt Maximilian and Feâ—â—dinand A match which gaue courage to Ferdinand to incounter the Kings greatnes the which in regard of the realme of Naples he alwaies feared Doubtlesse ambition did so blind the eyes of this good Cardinall as hee could no more discouer this grosse policie then foresee that death prepared him a biere in stead of a Pontificall chaire In the end of this yeare died the Earle of Petillane Generall for the Venetians old and of great experience in martiall affaires Although they proceed slowly in matters of warre yet Princes mindes were disquieted with many distemperatures especially the Emperours who dispairing to get the victorie of the Venetians by his owne proper forces perswaded the King to attempt the recouerie of Padoua Vincence and Treuise receiuing a sufficient recompence The King knew well that whilest the Venetians possessed a foote of land he should still be compassed in with continuall charge and dangers The Popâ— practises against the king But hee was diuerted from repassing of the mountaines by the sicknesse of the Cardinal of Amboise to whome onely hee committed all his affaireâ— fearing likewise least a new armie should wholy withdraw the Popes affection who long before deuised by what means hee should dislodge the French out off the Estates of Italie and fearing as wee haue said elsewhere least the King being armed should dispossesse him of his chaire to place the Cardinall of Amboise in it hee labored to draw the English from the Kings friendshippe he practised to ioyne with the Suisses by meanes of the Bishop of Sion to the preiudice of his Crowne and protected the Venetians In â—ruth we may behold three Princes act three diuers personages vpon this theatre The King of a faithfull allie the Emperour of a weake and the Pope of a dâ—sloyal Three dâ—uers humors 〈…〉 Princeâ— In the end the King the better to supplie the affaires of Italie goes to Lions with an intent to pacifie the Pope or at the least to keepe him from being his enemie To this end he sends Albert Pie Earle of Carpi with commission to offer the Pope both the Kings forces and authoritie in all occasions to impart vnto him the affaires that were now handled The requesâ—s which the Emperour made vnto him and to leaue it to his discretion to passe or not into Italie were not these sufficient submissions to pacifie any discontented mind Contrariewise Iulius receiued the Venetians into fauour and the foure and twentith day of Februarie gaue them full and absolute remission Hee still solicâ—ts the English to take vppon him the title of Protector of the sea of Rome against the King of France against whome sayd hee if hee made warre many others to whome his power was odious would take armes The Suisses forsake the alliance of France and ioyne to the Pope But hee drewe the Suisses with more efficacie to the protection of the Church paying a thousand florins yeerely to euery Canton The boldnesse and presumption wherewith they refused to renue their alliance with our Lewis but vppon condition to augment their pensions had iustly displeased the King but this vnseasonable repulse shall proue very preiudicial to this Crowne The King in exchange allies himselfe with the Valaisans and Grisons who bind themselues to giue passage to his people and to deny it to his enemies and to serue him for pay with such forces as they could make The Pope fortified with this new alliance bends all his thoughts to support and raise the Venetians to reconcile them to the Emperour and by their rising to pull downe our Lewis But the Popes alienation serued only to kindle new fires in Italie The Emperour and the King discontent with the shewes which the Pope made in fauour of the Venetians vnited themselues more strictly togither and the Duke of Ferrare gaue the King occasion to aduance his forces for the protection of his estate for the Duke hauing set an impost vpon all the marchandise that passed by the Po to Venice the Pope commaunded him to free it as not being in the disposition of the vassal to impose a tribute without the libertie of the Lord of the fee. And in case he disobeyes hee denounceth warre against him The Duke thus threatned flies to the
Venetian and English would imploy his forces to recouer Milan and this should bee a new whetstone to sharpen their hatred and make their vertue knowne to the whole world No man doubted of the Kings resolution herein and in deede hee prepared for it hauing retayned the Lansquenets which the Duke of Gueldres had brought against the English Aâ—d the Pope although it were a verie troublesome thing vnto him to haue the King recouer this estate yet knowing that his perswasions could not diuert the enterprise he aduiseth him but faintly not to prolong it giuing him to vnderstand that things were ill prepared to resist The Emperour had no forces and as little money the Arragonois armie was growne weake and not paid the people of Milan poore and brought almost to despaire no man could furnish money to make the Suâ—â—es marche and Fregose was not out of hope to agree with his Maiestie for the Seigneurie of Genes The Popes pollicie But let vs obserue his pollicie All these prouocations came not from a sincere heart The Pope sees euery one tired with trauels past and ill prouided And now the French had taken breath and fortified themselues with new alliances he begins to feare the King and would assure himselfe of his forces in case he came into Italy Moreouer he knew well the King could not this yeare molest the estate of Milan by reason of a clause mentioned in the truce with the Arragonois· and if it should so fall out this good inclination and will should serue him for an excuse with the King when as hee should â—equiâ—e either his consent or helpe During this truce the Lanterne at Genes being reduced to all extremitie for want of victuals and not able to be succoured yeelds to the Genouois who made it euen with the Causey Thus the King was dispossessed of all his conquests in Italy We must not wonder if the people make heapes of Stones of the Castels within their Townes when they fall into their powers for they are but shackles of their libertie In the meane time the new confederacie which the Pope contracted with the Emperour betwixt whom and the Venetians Leon laboured an agreement not giuing the King any notâ—ce thereof lending him fortie thousand Ducats and receiuing from him Modene in pawne gaue our Lewis new causes of iealousie and distrust To be resolued then of the Popes intent he sends to intreat him to declare himselfe in his fauour adding moreouer that if he might not be in good termes of friendship with him he would accept such conditions of Maximilian and Ferdinand as he had refused On the other side Maximilian and the Arragonois wanted no perswasions full of efficacie to vnite the Pope vnto them for the defence of Italy shewing that if vnited together they had beene able to chase the French out of the Duchie of Milan they were not now more vnâ—ble to defend it against him They did not omit to shew that if the King prâ—uailed in his dâ—sseins he would not faile to be reuenged at the same instant of all the iniuries he had receiued namely of the money wherewith Leon had lately thrust the Suâ—ssâ—s into â—ourgorgne And the authoritie of the Suisses who continuing in their first spâ—â—â—ne ofâ—â—red for six thousand Florines of the Rhin to take and defend the passages of Mount Senis Mount Geneure and Final and for fortie thousand Florines a moneth to â—â—uade Bourgongne with twenty thousand men did strangely moue the Popes minde who restrained by feare of that he most desired made some scruple to bewray his conceitâ— giuing them all good hopes vnder geneâ—all termes In the end being prest by the King behold his answer That he had perswaded him to 〈◊〉 into Itaâ—ie when as without danger or effusion of bloud he might haue reaped an assured victorie That now other Princes haue so ordred their affaires as there is no more hope to â—anquish but with much hazard and bloud And for that the Turke had lately increased his power much by a notable victorie against the Sophi of Persia Leon therefore foâ—gets not to adde That it is was neither conformable to his nature nor agreeable to his â—fâ—â—ce to fauour Christian Princes armes against themselues That he could not but exhort him to su câ—â—sâ— attending some more easie and better oportunitie which being offered hee should alwaâ—â—s finde in him the same disposition to his glory and greatnesse that he had some fewe moneths before made shew of This answer was sufficient to quaile the Kings hope of Leons fauour yea to let him vnderstand that he would oppose both his Councell and forces against this enterprise which the King had resolued for the Duchie of Milan according to the charge he had giuen to the Duke of Bourbon But death which commonly cuts off the councels of man with his life stayed this resolution to reuiue it soone after in the minde of his next successor For as Lewis pleased himselfe exceedingly in the excellent beautie of his new Spouse The death of Lewis being but eighteene yeares old behold a feuer accompanied with a fâ—ux of bloud frees him from the troubles and cares of this world to enioy an eternall and happy rest in heauen noting the first day of Ianuarie with the exceeding greefe which his memorie graued in the hearts of all his subiects Hee was a godly Prince iust chaste milde temperate loyall louing his Princes His vertues his Nobilitie and his people and likewse beloued of them a friend to sinceritie plainnesse and trueth an enemie to enuie lying and flatterie Let vs obserue for a testimonie thereof that royall apothegme being vrged by the flatterers of the Court to take reuenge of Lewis of Tremouille who had ouercome and taken him at the battaile of S. Aubin A King of France saith he doth not take vpon him the quarrels of a Duke of Orleans If hee hath faithfully serued the King his Maister against me who was but Duke of Orleans he will do the like for me who am now King of France But aboue all he was good to his subiects whom he did alwayes studie to ease for how many leuies hath he maâ—â— both of horse and foote without the oprression of his people by any new imposition How often haue his subiects willingly granted him an increase of subsidies to supply his foâ—reine and domesticall affaires and yet would he not allowe of these impositions desiring rather to cut off the expenses of his owne person and his house to saue his people from oppression and spoile Francâ— was neuer seene so populous so fruitfull so râ—che so well tilled nor so well built as in this raigne A happy raigne in the obseruation of Iustice martiall discipline lâ—beâ—tâ—e of â—â—afficâ—e increase of goods cheapnesse of victuals and which is more euery man to eate his bread quietly at his owne board free from outâ—ages and Souldiars violence To conclude neuer King loued his people so much neueâ— subiects loued their
commonly the better The 17. of Februarie Iohn de Medicis to be reuenged of a disgrace which his troupes had receyued by a former sallie layed a bayte for them of the Towne seconded with a double ambush the one in the trenches nere vnto the Towne the other farther of The Spaniards drawen on by their former victories pursuing them which had charged them they discouer the farthest Ambush and began to retire when as the nerer cuttâ—â—g off their way putts them all to the sword But this small victory did greatly preiudiâ—e the generall Iohn de Medicis had the boane of his heele broken with a shot and was carried vnto Plaisance His troupes were so dispersed after his hurt as the armie was deminished aboue two thousand and his absence did coole his soâ—diaâ—s courage and heat in skirmishes and assaults for he was a great soldiar and the good successe of a battaile doth partly depend of the presence of such personages The Imperialls had no more meanes to maynteine themselues within their fort want of money had soone driuen them forth yet they considered that by their retreat Pauia would be lost and they were out of hope to preserue the rest which remayned in the Duchie of Milan To assaile the French within their lodging were a â—angerous and vaine attempt Also the enemies resolution was not to giue battaile vnlesse â—ome aduantage were offred them but onely to retire their men that were within Pauia and to man it with newe troupes the which they could not do without passing in vâ—â—e of the French Caâ—pe They therefore prepare themselues to two effects eyther to execute their desseine or to fight if the King issuing out of his fort would stoppe their passage The night before Saint Mathias day the 25. of February the day of the Emperour Charles his natiuity they disquiet and tire our men with many false alaâ—ums Batâ—aille of Pauia and make two squadrons of horse and foure of foote The first vnder the commande of the Marquis oâ— Guast consisting of sixe thousand Lansquenets Spaniards and Italians The secoÌ„d vnder the Marquis of Pesquaire The third forth of Lansquenets led by the viceroy and Duke of Bourbon They come to the Parke wall cast downe about threescore â—â—dome enter within it take the way to Mirabel leauing the Kings army vpon their left hand The artillery planted in a place of aduantage doth much indomage their battaâ—lons and forceth them to runne into the valley for shelter Here impatience transports the King He sees the enemy disordred and thinkes they are amazed moreouer he had intelligence that the Duke of Alanson had defeated some Spaniards that would haue passed on the right hand and had taken from them foure or fiue Cannons Thus the King loosing his aduantage seekes his enemies and passing before his owne Cannon hinders their execution The Imperialls desired nothing more then to haue the King out of his forte and to be coâ—ered from his artillery They now turne head against him which was directed to Mirabell The King supported with a battaillon of his Suisses beeing his chiefe strength marched directly against the Marquis of Saint Ange who ledde the first of the horsemen ouerthrowes them killes many and the Marquis himselfe But oh villanie The Suisses in steed of charging a battallion of the Emperours Lâ—nsquenets which did second their men at armes they wheele about and go to saue tâ—em selues at Milan The Marquis of Pescara came to charge the King with his battaâ—â—ons Francis Brother to the Duke of Lorraine and the Duke of Norfolke who lâ—d about fiue thousand Lansquenets marched resolutly against him but they are sodâ—â—â—â— inuironed with two great battallions of Germains defeated and cut in peeces 〈◊〉 Suisses thus retired the Lansquenets lost the whole burthen of the battaile lay vpon the King so as in the end being hurt in the legge face and hand his horse slaine vnder him charged on all sides defending himselfe vnto the last gaspe he yeelded vnto the Viceroy of Naples who kissing his hand with great reuerence receiued him as prisoner to the Emperour At the same instant the Marquis of Guast had defeated the horse that were at Mirebel and Anthony de Leue issuing out of Pauie charged our men behinde Thus seeing the pittifull estate of the Kings person all giue way all seeke to saue themselues by flight The Duke of Alanson seeing no hope of recouerie preserues the rereward in a manner whole Slâ—ine in the battaile and passeth the riuer of Tesâ—n The vantgard for a time maintayned tâ—e fight but in the ende it shronke by the death of the Maâ—shall of Chabannes This day depriued vs of a great number of the chiefest Noblemen of France amongest the which the Marshalls of Chabannes and Foix the Admirall of Bonniuet Lâ—wis of Tremouille about threescore and fifteene yeares old a worthy bedde for so valiant a Nobleman whose Councell deserued to be followed Galeas of Saint Seuerin master of the â—orâ—e Francis Lord of Lorraine the Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Tonnerre Chaumont Soâ— to the great master of Amboise Bussy of Amboise the Baron of Buzansois Beâ—uprâ—â—â— Marafin the chiefe Quirie of the Kings stable and about eight thousand men The bastard of Sauoie Lord Steward of France died of his wounds being prisoner There were taken Henry King of Nauarre The Eaâ—le of Sâ—int Paul Lewis Lord of Neuers Fleuranges sonne to Robert de la Mark the Marshall of Montmorency Laual Brion Lorges la Rochepot Monteian Annebault Imbercourt Frederic of Bossole la Roche Du Maine la Mâ—â—lleray The Regâ—nts foreâ—ight Montpesat Boissy Curton Langey and many others Of the enemy there died about seauen hundred fewe men of Marke besides the Marquis of Saint Ange Triuulce and Chandions who remayned at Milan aduertised of the ruine of their army returned with their men in to France so as the very day of the battaile all the Duchie of Milan was freed from the French forces The next day the King was led to the Castell of Pisqueton vnder the gard of Captaine Alarson alwaies intreated according to the dignity of a royall person but so farre forth as the quality of a priâ—oner would permit The Duke of Albanie was farre ingaged in the realme of Naples and all passages by land were by this disgrace stopt To drawe him out of danger the Regent mother to the King giuing order for the affaires of the realme sent Andrew Dorie generall of the Kings gallies vnto him with la Fayete the Viceadmirall beeing at Marseâ—â—les who without any losse of men but of some â—couts chased by the Colonnois euen to the very gates of Rome returned safely into France The estate seemed nowe neere a shipwracke as well by the imprisonment of the head as by the death of many worthy personages who might haue serued greatly in the preseruation thereof But God by many corrections would often chastise France but neuer ruine it The Kiâ—g of Englaâ—d
beseeged And the King relying vpon the assurance he had of the Marshall of Biez aduanced hoping that the Bulwarks and the Courtynes of the fort had beene in such defence as he might haue imployed his armie elsewhere But there are two reasons which diuert him The one priuate which was the death of the Duke of Orleans his yongest sonne who supprised with a Quotidian feuer Death of the Duke of Orleance which they held to be pestilentious died the eight of September in the Abby of Forest-montier betwixt Abbeuille and Montrueil being three and twentie yeares old leauing a second greefe to the father to haue lost two sonnes at such times as they grew capable to ease his decaying age and without doubt the the waywardnes which made this Prince melancholike and difficult will hasten the course of his life to bring him to his graue The other was publike the Prince of Melphe being sent to visit the fort hauing considered the time of the foundation and the terme it required to come to the perfection reported that winter would bee well passed before it should bee made fit for seruice without the assistance of an armie So the King seeing his hopes lost and the season spent for the effecting of his desseins he retyred towards Amiens to the Abby of Saint Fuscien Skirmishes before Boullen In the meane time the neernes of the Kings Campe at Monâ—-Lambert did inuite both nations daily to make great skirmishes One day amonst the rest the Duke of Aumale seing our men withstand a charge of the enemies but faintly and were readie to be ouerthrown making a count hee should bee seconded by his troupe hee fals vppon a company of English which went to charge our French vpon the flanke at the first approch stayes them but being stroken with a launce betwixt the nose and the eye it breaks in peeces and left the tronchion halfe a foot within his head without doubt we may admire the generositie of this yong Nobleman who for so rough a charge lost neither stirops nor vnderstanding to free himselfe from those which had compassed him in and his admirable patience in induring the paine when they came to draw forth the three square head as constantly as if they had pulled but a haire from his head Winter approched and the King considering that his enterprise vpon Guines was â—râ—strate aduertised moreouer that the English made a new leauie in Germanie of ten thousand Lansquenets and foure thousand horse with this supply to come and raise the siege at Boullen he fortified all the approches in the countrie of Tierache and aboâ—t Aubenton Veruein and Guise to stop their passage He sent the Marshall of Biez to inuade ruine and burne the land of Oye for that Calais Guines and Hames which the English held vpon the maine land had no other reliefe but out of that Countie and to dispose of the affaires as occasion should serue he marched towards la Fere vpon Oize The land of Oye containes about foure leagues in length and three in breadth a marish very fertill in pastures Description and â—ark of the land of Oye hauing on the one side the sea and at the one end towards the sea Calais at the other end Grauelin of the land of Flanders towards the land and alongst the bankes of the Marish is the Towne of Guines and the Castle of Hames and at the end towards Arthois stands Ardres For the safetie of this land the English had made great trenches towards the firme land the which were commonly full of water and fortified with Rampars and to flanke them fortes and bastions well manned to defend the entrie into the countrie The affection which euery one bare vnto the Kings seruice made them to passe the channels which flowed into the countrie directly against the fortes They assaile them force them and put all to the sword they finde Two thousand English come to their succours the French men at aâ—â—es charge and defeate them and kill the most part the rest cast themselues into the trenches where the horsemen could not follow foure score or a hundred of our horse with manie men at armes test fâ—ed by their deaths or wounds the furie of this incounter The English were strong both in high and base Boullen and in the Tower of Ordre this Tower was built by Iulius Caesar the second time he passed into England to haue a Lampe vpon the top of it to direct his ships if they should be diuided by any stoâ—me at Sea as in his first voyage and the retiring of our troupes made them to enterprise vpon our â—orte wâ—ich was made on the other side of the water right against base Boullen Seuen or eight thousand choise men come an houre before day and mount sodenly to the top of the rampar where they might easily enter in many places without any ladders Thibault â—ouhault Lord of Riou Lieutenant for the King within the fort finding his succours farâ—e off saies the originall watched in the night and rested the day If the enemy charged furiously he repels him with no lesse assâ—rance kils all them that mounted ouertâ—rowes the rest puts them in route so as by this gallant repulse he was afterwards freed from the attempts of the English We must now plant strong barres against the Lansquenets which come to succour the King of England A leuie of Lansquâ—nets â—or the English mâ—de fruitleâ—â—e They were lodged at Fleurines a great village in the countrâ—e of Liege 〈◊〉 leagues from Mezieres Mezieres was of great importance if the enemy had surprised it And the Emperor fearing that this great swarme of men finding his countries vnfurnished of souldiars would doe some harme had hindred their passage through his teâ—â—itories This refusall might haue made the Germaines to haue sought a passage by force through the realme So the King to crosse them sent Laâ—gey into Mezacres with a thousand foot and the horsmen of Bourgongne and part of Champagne he sent Longueuall his Lieutenant into Champagne to muster the Legion of the country manneâ— the pâ—ssages where he thought the enemie would attempt He sent the Duke of Angâ—ien into Guise with three hundred men at armes and a number of foote In the end the Lansquenets hauing staied 3. weekes at Fleurines doubtfull where they should make their passage the day of their pay being come and the money yet in England they turne their enseignes returne home the same way leading with them the King of Englands Treasurers for assurance of their entertainment Our Francis is now freed of a great care By the death of the Duke of Orleans the chiefe conditions of peace made with the Emperour were voide so to enter into new treaties his Maiestie sent from Folambray neere to Coussy the Admirall Annebault and the Chancellor Oliuier â—he Emperour was at Bruges and determined to send an armie against the Protestants and commonalties of Germanie who yeelded him no
such obedience as hee required of his subiects and with this desseine he went to Antwerp to receiue money by imposition and borrowing This voiage is a cloake to delay our Ambassadors 1546. But in effect he ment to know the minds of theÌ„ of Antwerp that according to the course of affaires he might be more milde or sharpe in his answers And the sayd Ambassadors discouering his ordinarie delaies and dissimulations in the end tooke their leaue returning with no other assurance but if the King began no warre against him hee was not resolued to make any A word serues to a man of Iudgement What might the King conceiue of this cold entertainement but that the Emperour sought an oportunity to begin a new war with aduantage and if he had forced them to obedience whom hee threatned in Germanie he would bring al forces both Catholiks Protestants ioyntly against the frontiers of this realme To auoide a sodaine surprise hee giues the gouernment of Languedoc to the Duke of Anguien that of Piedmont to the Prince of Melphe lately created Marshal of France he sent to fortifie the weake places of Picardie hee made a fort aboue Maubert-Fontaine seauen leagues from Veruein and fiue from Mezieres at the going out of the wood and for that the frontier of Champagne lay most open to the Germains hee fortified Meziers and Mouzon built a fort vpon Meuze on this side the riuer within the realme betwixt Stenay and Dunle Chasteau the which hee called Villefranche he fortified the Castell of Saint Menehoult Saint Desier Chaumont in Bassigny Coiffy and Ligny and made Bourg in Bresse able to make head against a mighty army Thus the King prouided for his frontiers and places subiect to the enemies inuasions But the plague had so diminished the number of soldiars that were in the fort right against Boullen as of twentie enseigns not aboue eight or nine hundred men escaped this mortalitie A great plague in the â—ort before Boullen The soldiars notwithstanding are commended for their fidelity constancie and patience in the gard thereof The raine snowe and other iniuries of the aire the moistenes of their lodgings being but hoales in the ground coueâ—ed with a pentise of strawe and when a whole household was dead the ruines serued to bury their carcases had bred these diseases But the spring time hauing tempered the season and stayed the plague the Lords of Essé and Riou being refreshed and supplied with men returned to their ordinary skirmishes to the enemies losse The fort wanted victualls Senerpont Lieutenant to the Marshall of Biez was appointed for this execution Three hundred English horse come to hinder this victualing He meetes them the day after Easter day neere to the bridge of bricke beneath mount S. Stephen the skirmish begins on eyther side the Lord of Tais and the Conte Reingraue ariue either of them with sixe or seauen score gentlemen the alarume comes to Boullen the English supplie their men with seauen hundred horse and foure hundred harguebuziers Senerpont chargeth the horsemen before they had ioyned with their shot the Reingraue is hurt at the first charge and ouerthrowen and on the other side the Marshall of Calais beeing chiefe of the enterprise is slaine with a hundred or sixescore English about two hundred horse on eyther side and threescore and fifteene English prisoners all in cassaks of vellet garnished with gold and siluer A while after the Marshall of Biez parted from his campe for the same effect accoÌ„panied with fiftie men at armes the Reingraue with his regiment of foure thousand Lansquenets and two hundred French shot he incountred the Earle of Surrcy followed by six thousand English men with an intent to take from our men the meanes to refresh the fort with victualls and necessarie munition Here the combate was long and furious in the ende the English ouerthrowen retire to a little fort where they force them Seauen or eight hundred of their men are slaine Surrey saues himselfe by flight and leaueâ— seauen or eight score prisoners Boullen was but a Church-yard for the English a wasting for their treasor The King oâ— England considering how obstinate the King was in the recouerie of his Towne that moreouer the Emperour what league soeuer they had togither had his priuate desseins and regarded nothing but his owne interest he lettes the King vnderstand That he is resolued to haue hiâ— for his friend and to ende all controuersies So the Deputies for â—heiâ— maisters meete betwixt Ardres and Guynes For the King came the Amirall Annebault and Raymond the first President of Roâ—an for the English Dudely 〈◊〉 of England and afterwards Duke of Northumberland and finally after many câ—â—â—â—â—tations a peace was made with these conditions That the King within eight daies sâ—ould pay eight hundred thousand Crownes to the King of England as well for the arreriges of his pension as for many other expences made by the sayd King in the fortification of Boâ—lleâ— of the Countrie And in regard of the said sum the King of EnglaÌ„d should deliuer vnto the King Boullen and all the Countrie belonging vnto it with the ancient places or newly 〈◊〉 by him Mont-Lambert the Tower of Ordre Ambletueil Blacquenay and others with all the artillerie victuals and munition in the said places This yeare is famous by the death of Anguien In the moneth of February the snow was very great The death of the Duke of Anguien and the Court being at Roche-guion some yong Noblemen attending the Daulphin made a challeng some to defend a house others to assaile it â—ith snow bals But this pastime ended soone with a pittifull and fatall spectacle As the Duke came out of this house a cofer full of linnen cast out of the window falls vpon his head and within few houres sends him to rest in the graue with his ancestors leauing a suspition of some great men being enuious and iealous of his vertue reputation and fauour which he had gotten with the King the people and men of warre of whome he was more then any other of his age esteemed beloued and respected The beginning is likewise remarkable by the decease of Henry the eight King of England The death of the King of England leauing for his successor his sonne Edward eight yeares of age This death bred a great alteration and change in the health of our Francis they were almost of one age conformable in coÌ„plections And our King taking this for a presage or fortelling that his turne should soone follow after grew then more melancholy and silent then before He fals sicke of a feuer for the auoyding wherof hauing passed many places fit for the pleasure of hunting la Muette S. Germain in Laye Villepreux Dampierre neere vnto Cheureuse Limours and Rochefort he came to lodge at Rambouillet and as the pleasure he tooke both in hunting and hauking stayed him there sometime his feuer increased and grew to a
Quotidian So finding his houre come he disposed of his conscience and of his house he greatly recommended his subiects and seruants to the Daulphin his successor and the last day of March The death of Franâ—is the â— in the yeare 1547. being fiftie and three yeares old hee changed the painfull and continuall toyles of this mortall life with the eternall rest which the happie inioy for euer A Prince wonderfully lamented both of his subiects and strangers whose vertues deserue to bee placed among the most famous valiant Courteous bountifull iudicious of a great spirit and an excellent memorie A louer of learning and men of merit to whome arts and sciences owe the perfections they haue gotten at this day hauing by his bringing vp of youth founded Colleges in Paris in the Hebrew Greeke and Latine tongues assembled from all parts of the world learned men and of good life and by this meane cleered the darknes of Ignorance wherewith the world had beene so obscured by the malice of time and negligence of former ages A Prince fauoured with many good yet crost with as many bad and sinister fortunes Happie notwithstanding that no aduersitie could euer make him degenerate from a noble and royall mind nor from the true beleefe of a good and faithfull Christian. Happie and blessed in his end to haue pacified all forraine confusions which had so long troubled his estates and his subiects quiet But without doubt hee had beene far more happie if he could haue left his realme free from those fatall diuisions which euen in his raigne had so miserably diuided his subiects and shall cause hereafter strange combustions the first consideration whereof makes my haire to stand vpright and my heart to tremble at that which is to come HENRY the second 59. King of France HENRY .2 KING OF FRANCE .59 · NAture his age and the good education he had receiued vnder his father in the gouernment of the Estate 1547. did countenance him in this succession the which he receiued on the same day that he was borne and confirmed it in Saint Germaine in Laie by the restâ—tution of the Constable of Montmorentie by the publication of many goodly ordinances for the reformation of apparell ordering of the Treasure prouiding for the poore suppression of new erected offices gouernment of the riuers and forrests maintenance of Iustice and releeuing of his subiects but aboue all that necessarie lawe against blasphemers as we may see in the Originall Doubtlesse this was a commendable beginning and worthy the homage he did owe to the Soueraigne Lord as an acknowledgment of the fee whereof he tooke possession if he had not polluted it with the mournfull spectacle of that bloudie and fatall combate betwixt Iarnac and Chastaigneray whereof he would be an eye witnesse and behold the laters bloud shed contrarie to all mens opinion by Iarnaâ— being the weaker and newly recouered from sicknesse So shall we see in the end of this raigne that Gods diuine Iustice doth suffer That the man which did thirst after an others bloud shall finde some one to drinke his owne The restoring of the Constable disapointed the Cardinall of Tournon The Constable restored and the Admirall of Annebault touching the chiefe gouernment of the State and the Lords of Longueual Esâ—ars Boncour Framezelles Antibe Grignan the Baron of la Garde the Generall Bayard and many others accused some for theft some for other disorders in their charges did somewhat trouble the Court It was an olde saying That he which eaâ—es the Kings Gooâ—e will cast vp the feathers a hundred yeares after but since they haue turned this saying into a Prouerbe He that steales a hundred thousand crownes from the King 1548. is quit if he restore ten thousand So some preâ—aâ—â—â—d by 〈…〉 others escaped rigorous punishments through fauour In the meane time the ceremonies of the Kings Coronation were 〈…〉 Rheims and hauing receiued it the 27. of Iuly by the hands of Charles of Lorraine Archbishop of Rheims Henry the 2. crowned he made a voyage into Picardie and did visit the 〈…〉 were made about Boullen then did he prepare an armie to succour Scotland 〈◊〉 whom the English made warre for that the Lords of the countrie had refused to giue their Princesse Mary Steward in marriage to yong Edward hoping by this bond tâ— vnite the two realmes of England and Scotland to the preiudice of the French of the common alliance betwixt France and Scotland The Lord of Essé was chiefe of the armie Peter Strossy generall of the Italian bands d' Andelot Colonnell of the French â—oote the Reingraue chiefe of the Lansquenets An armie in Scotland marching by land against the English forces and Leon Strossy Prior of Capoua by sea spoiled the English of the greatest part of their conquests but the confirmation of the peace lately concluded betwixt the deceased Kings of France and England ended this warre and brought back our aduenturers into France 1548. Francis at the end of his daies had well foreseene the leuaine which should soone breed new combustions with the Emperour Henry must be heire to his quarrell aâ— well as to his crowne and knowing that the Pope had a fresh and iust cause of indignation for the murther of Peter Lewis Duke of Parma and Plaisance his sonne and sortâ—â— inuasion of Plaisance by Ferdinand of Gonsagne Lieutenant for the Emperour in Italieâ— he sent Charles of Lorraine lately honoured with a Cardinals Hat this is he that shall minister so much matter to talke of him vnder the successors of Henry to draw the Pope from the Emperours partie to the Kings alliance but death shall frustrate the Pope of his intended reuenge Commonly men fish best in a troubled streame many knowing this new King to be of a mild spirit addicted to the delights of Court little practised in affaires they kindled a desire in his minde to reuenge the wrongs the Emperour â—ad done to France whereof they vrged for a testimonie the death of Vogelsberg beheaded in Ausbourg at his returne from the Scottish warres for the Kings seruice Oâ— the other side the Emperour grew not a little iealous of the progresse the King made into Bourgogne Bresse Sauoy and Piedmont as if he had carried with him an alarum 〈◊〉 to sâ—â—rre vp the people to the following warre And it may be it had then been kindled but an home-bred mutinie staied it for a time During the Kings voiage the extorsioâ—s of the tol-gatherers and farmers of Salt Sedition for the customes caused the commons of Guienne Xainâ—onge and Angoulmois to rebell In few weekes forty thousand men go to field armed with all kind of weapons the Ilanders ioyne with them and with a common consent fall vpon the tol-gatherers The people of Gasconie do presently follow this pernitious example The commons of Bourdeaux rise finding la Vergne Estonnac Maquanan and others Tribunes fit for their humors they
charged them defeated them and followed them aboue a League hee slue seuen or eight hundred men tooke about fiue hundred prisoners and amongst the rest the Duke himselfe with seuen enseignes The Kings armie consisted of about seuen thousand horsemen fiue and twentie thousand foot with a hundred peeces of artillerie great and small desiring nothing more then to make his valour admirable by the issue of some happie battaile The Emperour on the other side sought to temper this heat and to wast this great power at the seege of some place oâ— importance The King to sound the Emperours resolution aduanceth neere to Valentiennes he wearieth his enemie with daily skirmishes gals him to the quicke and gets the aduantage But the Emperour apprehends it not the King finding him loth to hazard any thing sent the Marshall of Saint Andrew to spoile the Countâ—e of Saint Paul then in the end of October he puts part of his forces into garrison the rest hee dismisseth and sendeth away Now our armes are layed aside vntill the â—ext spring At the spring the King diuided his forces into three armies The first was commaunded by the Prince of la Roche-sur-yon being compounded of tenne thousand foote three hundred men at armes and fiue or sixe hundred argoletiers The Constable had the charge of the second conteining fiue and twentie enseigns of French as many Suissee two regiments of Lansquenets two thousand horse some of them light horse and some argoletiers with some English and Scotish horsemen The third led by the Duke of Neuers had twentie enseignes of English and Scots two regiments of Lansquenets three hundred men at armes eight hundred light horse and shott on horsebacke with two hundred Reisters pistoliers and all three breathed nothing but reuenge and desire to â—equite those confusions in Picardie New exploits The Prince enters into Arthois hee spoyles burnes and defeats two Comets of horse he kills two hundred vpon the place and sends their colours to the King The Constable takes Mariembourg fortifies Rocroy ruines the forts of Trelon Glaion Simâ—y and others built within two yeares The Duke batters and takes the castells of Oâ—â—mont and Beaurin by composition ruines and burnes a great number of villages then hauing by the taking of some strong places seated vpon the Meuze opened the passage of the riuer he enters Liege and takes Agimont and Bouuines by assault putting almost al the Inhabitants to death eyther by tâ—e sword or by the â—aÌ„d of Iustice for that they presumed to stand against an army royal for their outragious speeches and to increase their punishment he burnt the Towne he assured himselfe of Castelthiery and Valuin being abandoned he tooke spoiled Dinan but he preserued the female sexe from the violence of the Germains being fled into a Church Emanuâ—l Philâ—bert Duke of Sauoie by the death of his father Charles lately deceased assembled his army with an inteÌ„t sayd he to fight with the French if they aduanced We must trie this braue resolution The King passeth the riuer of Sambre the 25. of Iuly being followed by the Duke of Neuers he enters the Country of Hainalt spoiling burning and making all desolate seeking to drawe the enemie to fight Some troupes charge euen vnto the suburbs of Niuelle the fiâ—st towne of Brabant and for a noate of their passage they fire the sayd suburbes and villages there abouts so as many pleasant dwellings were consumed vnto ashes The Duke of Sauoye flies the listes and the army marching towards â—ains one of the chiefe Townes of Hainault lefte no thing behind it but tears sighes desolation fire smoake and ashes and to conclude a mournefull scaffold whereon two great Princes played a horrible tragedie being cruelly incensed one against an other The Castells and pleasant dwellings of the gentlemen of the Country yea Bains it selfe and Mariemont that stately house and others belonging to Mary Queene of Hongarte sister to the Emperour Tragny that goodly and proud Castell Reux Bauets with an iâ—finit number of others were in reuenge of that goodly place of â—olembray reduced to that estate as they might well say here was Bains here was Marâ—emont here were Tragny Reux and Bauets In the end the French hauing spoiled the whole Country drewe the Emperour to fight the two armies incounter about the midest of August neere vnto Renty The two armies mâ—ete the Imperiall foreward chargeth the Duke of Guise his troupes but to their confusion he deâ—eats them with the helpe of those succors that came speedely vnto him he kills eight or nine hundred men and strikes such a terror into the rest of the Imperiall army as they retire hastely into their campe as hauing no more desire to fight So the winter aâ—proching and want of forrage troubling the men at armes the King dismissed the â—uisses and his Nobility then leauing the Duke of Vendosme generall of the rest of the army he tooke from the enemy all meanes to endomage the realme but by sacking bâ—rning of the Country about Hesdin The 23. day of March Pope Iulius the 3. died Marcel Ceruin borne in Tuscane succeeded him but soone after his election death burieâ— botâ— his name and memorie Iohn Peter Caraffe a Neapolitaine called Cardinall Theaâ—m the câ—iefe author oâ— the Iesuists sect held the Romain sea and called himselfe Paul the 4 We shal this yeare quench the fires of the yeare past but it shall kindle new câ—mbâ—stions both on this side and beyond the Alpes So as no affection to the publicke good but the onely indisposition of the aire hath made vs till nowe surceale oâ—r armes Philip sonne to the Emperour Charles had the yeare past married with Mary Qâ—eene of England by the decease of Edward 6. and whilest that England did flame 〈…〉 by reason of the burning fires against such as had shaken off the yoake of â—â—e Romish obedience they did solicit our two warriors to pacifie their mutuall 〈◊〉 by some firme and durable peace Cardinall Poole an Englishman was imployed the 〈◊〉 but without effect for the soare not was yet ripe The courses of the Imperialls made the French to attempt vpon Castell Cambrose yet making faâ—re warres with the Spaniards and to victuall Marâ—embourg at diuers times 1555. while on the other side Francis of Cleues Duke of Neuers with the Admirall of Chastillon gouernour in the absence of the Duke of Vendosme who was gone to take possession of his new estates fallen to him in the right of his wife by the death of Henry of Albret and shall here after bee King of Nauarre and Soueraigne of Bearne gaue order for the defence of the fronter But behold one of the tricks of our ordinarie confidence Fifteene hundred of the Arrierban and foure hundred foote with some garrisons of Picardie returned home laden with spoile The Arâ—ier-ban of France defeated Without Scoutes saieth the Originall without order without feare of the enemie and without courage Haulsimont
and Townes drunke so much Christian bloud and slaine so many millions of men of all qualities reteining nothing but the territories of Boullen and Calais Thus the winde doth sodenly drinke vp all the toile all the trauels all the swear of many ages And the Lord saith vnto man Thou foole this night will take thy soule from thee and who shall haue the things which thou hast prepared And All men are vaine doubtlesse man labours for a shadow he troubleâ—h himselfe for nothing But must the quenching of forraine confusions kindle new fires in the middestand foure corners of the realme without doubt there needed no violent but spirituall remedies to redresse those diuisions which grew daily for a religious cause Henry was of a milde and temperate spirit but hee gaue eare too lightly to such as could not effect their desseines but by troubles The prisons were full of such as they called Lutherans Persecutions for religion and euen then many noble faâ—ilies were toucht with that cause Moreouer many officers of the Parliament wâ—shed a milder proceeding against those prisoners This diuersitie caused an assemblâ—e which they called Mercuriale to heare the opinion of Presidents Councellors vpon this controuersie the which the King was required to countenance with his presence Councellors of the Parliament impâ—â—â—oned Anne du Bourg vsed a great libertie of speech some others did second his opinion This freedome transported the King into the choller hee commands the Constâ—ble to put them in prison and vowes to see them burnt within few dayes if they persist But oh Prince The yeares of thy accoumpt are come and thou entrâ—st into a pathe from the which thou shalt no more returne The Constable deliuers them to the Court Montgomery Captaine of his Maiesties gardes who leads â—ourg to the Bastille and the rest to diuerse â—ther priâ—ons Let vs not iudge hereby but admire howsoeuer the iudgements of God in that we shall see these three personageâ— euery one in his ranke dye an extraordinarie and tragicall death The marriages of the Kings Daughters and Sister were sollemnized with all the pleasures and sports that might be deuised The Court exceeded in sâ—mptuous feasts playes maskes dances and bonfires ordinarie acclamations in such ceremonies testâ—fied the peoples publicke ioy by reason of the peace but this pleasant Comedie was conuerted by a sad catastrophe into a pittifull and mournfull Tragedie The King would the tenth of Iune 〈…〉 the â—â—â—â—â—engers at the Tilt in Saint Anthonies streete being seconded by the Duke of Guise and Ferrare and to runne his last course in fauour of the Queene his wife he sent a Lance to the Earle of Montgomery The Earle excuseth himselfe to runne against his Maiestie the day before hee could not hit any one and it may bee now he feared a second shame But hauing a second charge from the King to enter the Lists he runnes and breakes his Launce vpon the Kings cuirasse and with a splinter thereof his Beauer being somewhat open strikes him so deepe â—nto the eye 〈◊〉 the tenâ—h of Iuly his soule left his body The death of King Henry in his house of Tournelles tâ—e 42. yeare of his age He had by Katherine of Medicis his wife fiue Sonnes and fiue Daughters His children Francis his successor of the age oâ— sixteene or seuenteene yeares Lewis Duke of Orleans who liued few moneths Charles Maximiâ—lian Edward Alexander afterwards named Henrâ—e the 3. and Hercules afterwards named Francis Elisabeth married to Philip King of Spaine Claude to Charles Duke of Lorraine Marguerite to Henry of Bourbon then King of Nauarre Iane and Victoire tâ—ins who dyed soone after their birth Hee was a religious Prince goodly of a milde disposition peaceable affable His disposition not greatly subiect to passions generous loâ—ing his seruants and men of merit but voluptuous and not able to discover in due tiâ—e the ambition and couetousnesse of such as possessing him made â—ale of lawes iustice offices and spiâ—ituall liuings emptied the subiects purses and nourished the warres which we haue before obserued namely since the breach of the truce finding such sweetenesse profit and honour in the managing of the Treasure and commanding of the Kings Armies in the voyage of Italie and especially in this last Lieutenancie generall in Picardie as hereafter wee shall see a young Prince raigne like a shadow and they being seized of the gouernment both of his person and of his realme shall dispossesse the chiefe officers of the Crowne keepe backe the Princes of the bloud the true and lawfull gouernours of the State the King being in his minoritie and to plot the meanes to raise their race to the royall throne 1559 FRANCIS the second the 60. King of France FRANCES THE .2 KING OF FRANCE 60. THis raigne is short but very memorable We behold a Theater whereon is acted a horrible tragedie a King yong of yeares and of iudgement gouerned by his mother and his wiues vnckles a a new forme of Court The Princes of the bloud haue no more credit and seeme to neglect both the publike and priuat interest The Courtiers stand at a gaze and for the most part stowpe to the stronger The Clergie shield themselues vnder those that kindle these fires in France The Nobilitie wearied with former toyles do yet wipe off the dâ—st and sweat from their armes The people diuided for matter of religion and oppressed with burthen of former warres desires to breath The Constâ—ble holds his place yet is he not so surely seated but they will displace him There are two factions in Court the Constable holdeth the one those of Guise the other The first was firme and sincere the last cunning Two factions in Couâ—t and plyable The Queene mother ioynes with the last The King of Nauarre might crosse them and therefore to be the better informed of his desseins she entertaines seruants and pensioners about him The Princes of the bloud the Constable the Marshals the Admirall and many other Noblemen prepared for the funerals of the deceased King when as the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine leading the King Alterations in Court his brethren and the Qâ—eenes to the Louâ—re begin a strange alteration a true patterne of the inconstancie of this world The Duchesse of Valentinois had quietly gouerned the deceased King and by her practices had caused Francis Oliuer a man of a singular reputation and Chancellor of France to bee dismissed At the first entrie shee is spoyled of her precious Iewels which testified the Kings loue vnto her to adorne the Queene that raignedâ— and by her disgrace leaues the place to Catherine to rule hereafter without Companion They take the seale from Cardinall Bertrand a â—eruant to the said Duchesse and to haue a Chancellor at their deuotion they restore Oliuer They giue the Cardinall of Lorraine the gouernment of the Treasure and of the affaires of State and to the Duke of
both with French and forren forces Hauing thus lost the oportunitie of a battaile the Prince maintaines his armie about two monethes with a commendable discipline without blaspheming whoring robbing or theft In the end they loose all patience Baugency taken by assault opens the dores to disorders for this first heate soone past with the French growes cold money for their pay growes short the nobility could not frame themselues to this strict discipline of war which the Admiral did practise being a great enemie to robbings In many Prouinces matters weÌ„t indifferently betwixt the Catholikes and the Protestants and to giue two strokes with one stone to stay the disputation of this armie and to releeue them that might in the end fall the Prince sent the Earle of Rochefoucault with some troupes into Poitou Xaintonge and Angoulmois Soubize to Lions Yuoy brother to Genlis to Bourges Montgomery into Normandy d' Andelot to hasten the succours of Germany and Briquemaut into England These troupes from the moneth of Aprill vntill the midest of August did possesse Orleans Baugency Vendosme Blois Tours Poitiers Mans Anger 's Bourges Angoulesme Rouan Chalon vpon Soan Mascon Lion the most part of Daulphiné with many others not without effusion of bloud spoyling of Churches and such insolencies as the warre doth cause in a Countrie of Conquest Orleans and Bourges held by the Prince did much helpe their affaires but Bourges might be easily surprised before it were fortified Bourges recouered The King then whom the coÌ„manders had drawne into the armie marcheth thither and the composition which Yuoy made with his Maiestie put him for a time in disgrace with the Prince This arme cut off as the Gnissens said from the Huguenots inuited the Kings armie to the seege of Orleans where the Prince and the Admiral were But the resolution of these two Commanders and the feare to receiue shame losse made them passe on to Roüen where Montgomery commanded with seuen or eight hundred souldiars of the old bands and two companies of English Death of the King of Naâ—aâ—â—e The end of September was the beginning of this seege a famous seege by the hurting of the King of Nauarre in the shoulder as hee suruayed the weakest part of the Cittie whereof he died the 17. of Nouember three weeks after it was taken by assault and spoyled Montgomery saued himselfe in a gallie but many of the chief passed through the executioners hands On the other side Lewis of Bourbon Duke of Montpensier Rouen taken reduced to the Kings obedience the Townes of Anger 's Mans Tours the Marshal S. André tooke Poitiers from the Lord of S. Gemme and Henry of Montmorency Lord of Damuille incountred the Protestants forces in Languedoc whilst the Earles of Tende and Suze The Protestants beaten in diuerse places by the defeat of Mombrun tooke Cisteron for the King Montluc with Burie gouernours of Guienne put to rout the troupes of GascoÌ„s which Duras led to the Earle of Rochefoucault beseeging S. Iean d' Angeli The ouerthrow of Duras brought the Earle with 300. gentlemen the remainder of the defeated armie on this side Loâ—re to ioyne the Prince with the Reistres whom d' Andelot brought This supplie made the Prince resolue to go to Paris by aÌ„noying it to encrease the feare wherwith they were possessed He marcheth forceth Pluuiers takes Estampes beseegeth Corbeil but finding it better furnished with men then he expected he approcheth to Paris makes a great skirmish beates backe the troupes that were come out off their trenches So hee camped at Gentilly Arcueil Mont-rouge and other neighbour villages The Queene mother busies him seuen or eight dayes with diuers parles during the which foure and twentie enseigns of Gascons and Spaniards arriuing were lodged within the suburbs of Saint Iames. The Prince then seeing his enemies forces to encrease resolues to fight with them before they were fully assembled so as all hope of peace conuerted into smoake hee riseth the tenth of December takes the way to Chartres and resolues to goe into Normandie to receiue the men and money which came out of England and by that meanes to diuert the seege of Orleans The Constable and Duke of Guise march after him Dreams are lies as we comonly say A notable dreame yet haue we often tried those which present theÌ„selues in the morning the spirit hauing taken sufficient rest to bring certaine aduertisements of that which is to come The night before the eue of the battaile the Prince dreames that he had giuen three battailes one after another obteyned the victorie ouerthrowne his three principall enemies and finally himselfe wounded to the death hauing layed one vpon another and he aboue them all yeelding in that sort his soule to God And to say the trueth haue wee not seene this vision verified by the death of the Marshall of Saint André which is at hand by that of the Duke of Guise before Orleans the yeare following and by that of the Constable at the battaile of S. Denis and of the Prince himselfe in that of Bassac In the Kings armie they numbred two thousand horse The battaile of Drâ—ux and nineteene thousand foot In that of the Prince foure thousand horse and twelue thousand foot They ioyne the nineteenth of December and without any skirmishes charge with all their forces The Princes Suisses loose seuenteene Captaines with three parts of their â—oâ—pes which were aboue three thousand and endure three charges before they could bee broken On the other side the taking of the Constable the death of the Marshall Saint André the defeat of their troupes caused a generall confusion in the Kings armie if the Duke of Guise charging the white cassaks the Reisters with furie whose pistols had made a great slaughter of his men had not forced through the Princes horse who straying too much from the battaile fel prisoner into the hands of the Lord of Damuille the which made the victorie doubtfull seeming before to incline to his side The conflict continued from tenne of the clocke in the morning vntill night with many charges there were seuen thousand men slaine vppon the place on both sides many hurt and in a manner all died and a great number of prisoners The King lost besides his Suisses the most part of his horse and a great number of foot There were slaine of men of marke the Duke of Neuers killed by one of his houshould seruants either by hazard or of purpose the Lords of Montbrun the Constables son d' Annebault Giury la Brosse and his sonne there were hurt the Duke of Aumale brother to the Duke of Guise Rochefort and Beauuais Aussun a Nobleman of Gasconie whome feare made flie to Paris and there he died of greefe The Prince lost about two thousand two hundred foote and a hundred and fiftie horse French and Reisters This battaile is famous by the taking of two Generals the one in
men with all impunity would in few yeeres giue cause of new confusions So by this peace the Germaine was sent home Elizabeth Queene of England held Newhauen whereof the Prince had put her in possession as a pawne and securitie for the money wherewith she had assisted his partie To make a breach betwixt her and the Protestants the English must be chased away by them that had called them in Newhauen recouered The King goes thither in person they likewise vrge the Prince to go with most of his partie and cause them to make the point The place is strong both by nature and art but the fresh water being cut off and the plague hauing wasted about three thousand men the Earle of Warwike entred into Capitulation the 28. of Iuly and the next day yeelded the place to the King One of the cheefe motiues that induced the Prince to yeeld so easily to these conditions of peace was the Lieutenant Generall which he expected by the King of Nauarres death and the Queene mothers goodly promises But to confirme her Regencie she puts the Prince from all his hopes She causeth the King to be declared of full age being yet but fourteene yeares old carries his Maiestie to the Parliament at Rouan makes him protest That he will not hereafter endure the disobedience that hath beene vsed against him since the beginning of these troubles that his pleasure was to haue the Edict of pacification duly obserued threatning such as should oppose or make any Leagues And afterwards by an admonition made in writing by the Parliament of Paris touching the Edict of his maioritie confirming that of pacification the Queene mother causeth her sonne to name her ouerseer and President of his affaires and for an answere to the Court according to the instâ—uctions of his mother I do not meane said hee you should deale in any other thing but with the administration of good and speedie Iustice to my subiects Vnderstand hereafter that you are not confirmed in your offices by me to be my tutors nor Protectors of my realme nor Gouernours of my Cittie of Paris as hitherto you haue perswaded your selues The King being returned to Paris the Duke of Guises widow his children and kinsfolk came solemnly and demanded iustice of the murther committed on the person of the deceased taxing the Admirall as the cheefe author thereof But it was not yet time to suffer these two houses to incouâ—ter That of Guise might receiue as much or more losse then the other and Catherine pretended to make her profit of the first To auoyd this brunt she causeth the King to command them to surcease this quarrel appoints theÌ„ another time to aduise thereon In the meane time she honours them with the cheefe charges and giues them all accesse and countenance neere his person The rest of the yeare was spent in the confirmation of many Edicts touching the Eccâ—esiasticall and ciuill causes and then was the Iurisdiction of Iudges and Consuls among the marchants erected and the notaries of consignations established As these things passed in France the Prelats assembled at the Councell of Trent prouided for the support and maintenance of the Catholike religion 1564. namely in this estate The Cardinall of Lorraine a man greatly practised in the affaires of the realme A generall Councel at Trent â—â—th all he can to root out the Protestants To that end they find this expedient That the Kings of France and Spaine should make a strict League and hee of Spaine sâ—â—uld giue the French such forces as were requisite for the execution thereof The holy League and in tâ—e meane time they should seeke all meanes to abolish the Edict which alowed the exerciâ—e of the pretended reformed religion that this treatie made for the preseruation of the Catholike 1564. Apostolike and Romish religion should bee called The holy League The Cardinall promiseth to imploy all his indeuours and meaâ—es to this â—â—fect and assures the assemblie of the willingnesse and good affection of the Queene mother and the Lords of the Councell The cheefe of this League were the Pope the Kings of France and Spaine the Princes of Italie the Common weale of Veâ—ice and the Duke of Sauoy Of the Emperour and the house of Austria they speakâ— diuersly So from the beginning of February they labour to produce some effects Theâ—r Ambassadors come to Fontainbleau demanded the obseruation of the decâ—â—es of the Councel throughout al France wherof the reading should be the fiue 〈◊〉 of March at Nancy in the presence of the Ambassadors of all Cathâ—liâ—e Princeâ— asâ—eÌ„bled to make a general League against those estates that were falâ—e from the obedience of the Romish Church They require also that in fauour of the Clergie the King should cause the alienation of Ecclesiasticall goods to cease as against the law of Gâ—d and preiudiciall to his Maiestie and the Realme That the Edict of pacification should be disanulled and heretikes rooted out namely such as had beene partakers of the Duke of Guises murther Behold new firebrands to cast this monarchie into the flames of a second ciuill warre But the fires of the first did yet smoake And things not being so soone prepared to enter into new homebred combustions the King answeres That he hath graunted the Edict to free the Realme from strangers and that hee hopes henceforth to maintaine his subiects in peace according to the institution of the Church In the meane time such as were worst affected to the publike peace attempted many things contrarie to the Edict The Comissioners sent for the obseruation tâ—ereof The Edict of peace ill obserued had small credit in many places The Estates of some prouinces sayd plainely that they could no more endure two religions then two Sunnes the execution thereof had small or no effect in places where it was proclaymed the Magistrates delayed to appoint the Protestants places for their exercises and by their â—lacknes caused many to seeke their dwelling elsewhere to liue in quiet and safetie The complaints and discontents which â—ounded in the Kings eares from all parts gaue Catherine vnder colour to lead the King in progresse through the Prouinces of his Realme and by his presence to end many controuersies which euen then seemed to threaten him with some eminent confusion a goodly pretext of conference with the King of Spaine Charles begins his voyage by Champagne and through Bourgongne comes at Lions The voiage of Baâ—oâ—ne forbidding the Protestants the exercise of their religion following the Court yea euen in the Townes that were assigned them for their assemblies whilst his Maiestie should bee resident there The Protestants were here in great numbers and might well fortifie themselues againe at need To take from them all meanes they build a Câ—ttadell and the King stiâ—s not before it be in defence By the example hereof many other Townes receiued the like restraint whilest on the other side they diâ—manteled
of the aduantage which he had ouer the said heretikes That for a present reformation of affaires and to preuent the feare the Catholikes had to fall vnder the commaund of heretikes he would call a Parlement of the three Estates of France and resolues presently to reuoke many impositions which oppresse the people As for the priuate complaints against the Duke of Espernon and his brother I will saith he alwaies make it knowne in all occasions that I am a iust Prince and will preferre the common profit of my Realme before any other consideration The duke of Espernons iustification But the two brethren Espernon and la Valette say To what ende should they make an enterprise at Paris to take the Duke of Espernon who was then in Normandie and why made they â—arricadoes euen to the gates of the Louure armed the people and seized vpon all the chiefe places of the Citty to chase la Vallete from Valence and other parts of Daulphiné where he remained And if the confusions of former ages haue kept other Kings from acknowledging our fathers seruices and he hath rewarded his merits in his children what bee those iealous and malicious heads that enuy our fauours with his maiestie What censure what rigour what lawe may keepe a King of France from aduancing to authority some fauourites who reuiue in them the vertues of their ancestors Moreouer the League makes mention in what places our fauour hath beene imploied the treaties of the Duke of Espernon in Guienne his being acquainted with Cleruauts negotiation for the Huguenots of Metz the enterprises hee hath made vppon Cambray his late fauour to the Reistres in their returne his secret conference with Chastillon the consultations of that tumult which hath lately happened in Paris the taking of Vallence Tallard Guilestre and other places from the Catholikes of Daulphiné and his practises to stay the yeelding of Aussone But we say would to God we had in like sort taken Chaalon Dijon Montrueil Cambray and all that are subiect vnto his Maiesty within the heart of France They tearme vs fauourers of Heretikes And yet we haue in sixe moneths taken from them by the sword all their conquests in Prouence the King since the death of Henry the bastard and Grandâ—Prior of France had giuen this gouernement to the Duke of Espernon which former Gouernours could not do in twenty years The taking of Sorgues in Daulphiné by vs two during the frozen time of winter and the ouerthrow of the Hugâ—enots Suisses by la Valette but especially the last disvnion of the Suisses from the Reistres which made the way for the Duke of Guise to defeat them at Auneau and the discontent wherein the Duke of Espernon left the King of Nauarre at his departure out off Guienne are not these sufficient testimonies that their accusations are as friuolous and malicious as the sale of offices wherewith foâ—ke chaâ—ge them for iustification whereof the Duke of Espernon offers to present his head at his Maiesties feete if it be proued that he had euer any such thought in his soule Contrariwise who hath during the reignes of Henry the second and Francis the second managed the treasure without controll but the house of Guise whereof the latter â—ollow the steppes of their Predecessors Who haue forced the King to exact vpon his subiects but the warre which they haue kindled and drawne his Maiesty into what house did euer from so small a beginning grow to so fearefull a greatnesse To conclude no man shal blame vs for being Pensionars to the King of Spaine to haue hindred our King from the recouery of the Seigneuries of the Lowe Countries nor to haue stollen away the reuenues of his generall receipts Wee will no wayes hinder this goodly reformation we are not in Court nor in the Kings presence Let vs see the first fruits of this so commendable a gouernement Haue you left Paris haue you yelded it to the King your Lord and naturall Prince Nothing lesse you haue reuolted Câ—rbeil Melun and Pontoise you haue with false perswasions withdrawne the best Citties of the realme But we will in protesting to bee ready to deliuer iâ—to his maiesties hands with our liues and honor all the offices â—harges gouernements and places which it hath pleased him to commit vnto vs inuite our accusers to doe the like And if they will pretend in quality of persons let them vnderstand that whatsoeuer eyther party holds it appertaines vnto the King neyther can they keepe it but at his pleasure Thus the two brethren iustified themselues whilest the Court of Parlement makes knowne vnto the King by their Deputies their griefe for this insolencie which had forced him to abandon Paris They appeale vnto his clemencie and bounty Deputies of the Parliament with the King They present for an humble excuse of his officers the weaknesse and feare which had forced them yeeld to so violent a reuolt beseching him to returne into his Citty and to giue rest and content to his Maiestie order to his affaires grace to their purple robes and authority to their offices and by his presence to disperse the mutinies which diuisions had bred For answer The Kings answer I doubt not said the King but you would willingly haue reformed this disorder if it had beene in your power neither of your persisting in the same affection and fidelity which you haue testified to my forefathers I am not the first that hath beene toucht with such afflictions neither will I leaue to be a good father to such as shall be good children I will alwayes intreat the Parisiens with the quality of a father as children that haue strayed from their duty not as seruants that haue conspired against their maister Continue in your offices and receiue from the Queene my mother the commandements and intentions of my will This answer was soft and colde but after dinner he addes a sharper part and calling back the Deputies I know saith he wherefore garrisons are set either to ruine a Towne or for distrust of the inhabitants But what cause had the Parisiens to presume that I would destroy a Towne wherevnto I haue brought so many commodities by my presence as ten or twelue townes would thinke themselues greatly benefited thereby and what distrust could I haue of a people whom I loued of a people in whom I trusted Haue they lost a loafe or any thing whatsoeuer by meanes of these pretended garrisons I sought the preseruation of my good Cittie of Paris and the safety of my subiects meaning by a strict search to put out a great number of strangers whom I knew to be secretly crept in They haue offended me yet am I not irreconciliable neither haue I any humour to ruine them But I will haue them confesse their faults and know that I am their King and maister If not I will make the markes of their offence remaine for euer I will reuoke my Court of Parliament my
had beene so abandoned to mischiefe as neyther the feare of God nor the dignity of his person could disswade them from this horrible sacrilege Onethiâ—g saied hee doth comfort mee that I reade in your faces with the griefe of your hearts and the sorrowe of your soules a goodly and commendable resolution to continue vnited for the preseruation of that which remaynes whole of my Estate The Kings last speeches and the reuenge which you owe vnto the memorie of him who hath loued you so deerely I seeke not the last curiously leauing the punishement of my enemies vnto God I haue learned in his schoole to forgiue them as I do with al m heart But as I am chiefely bound to procure peace and reast vnto this realme I coniure you all by that inuiolable faith which you owe vnto your Countrie that you continue fiâ—me and constant defenders of the common libertie and that you neuer laye downe armes vntill you haue purged the Realme of the troublers of the publike quiet And forasmuch as diuision aloane vndermines the foundations of this Monarchie resolue to bee vnited in one will I knowe and I dare assure you that the King of Nauarre my Brother in Lawe and lawefull successor to this Crowne is sufficiently instructed in the Lawes to knowe howe to raigne well and to commaunde reasonable things and I hope you are not ignorant of the iust obedience you owe vnto him Referre the difference of religion to the Conuocation of the Estates of the Realme and learne of mee that pietie is a dutie of man vnto God ouer which worldly force hath no power Thus spake Henry euen as the last pangs of death carried him within few houres after from this vnto an other world but a notable circumstance in the same chamber where the Councell was held on that fatall day of Saint Bartlemewe in the yeare 1572. By his death hee extinguished the second parcell of the third race of Capets in the branch of Valois leauing the Crowne to the third roiall branch of the Bourbons wherevnto the order of the fundamentall Law did lawfully call him A mild and tractable Prince courteous wittie eloquent and graue His manners but of easie accesse deuout louing learning aduancing good witts a bountifull rewarder of men of merit desirous to reforme the abuses of his officers a friend to peace and capable of counsell but weak and yeelding in aduersities and by that meane making his enemies ouer-bold in their ambitious desseins Finally a Prince who deserued to be placed amongst the worthiest of this Monarchie if volupâ—uousnes luxury excessiâ—e prodigalitie to some of his fauorites the which might without enuie haue beene diuided amongst many men of honour had not made him negligent and carâ—lesse of the politike gouernment of his estate and so blemished the goodliest graces which nature had planted in his soule THE THIRD PARCELL OF THE THIRD RACE OF CAPETS IN THE ROYALL BRANCHE OF the Bourbons beginning at Henry now King of Nauarre and the fourth of that name of France and of Nauarre Our King shall iudge vs and go before vs and shall conduct our battailes for vs. And God hath annointed thee ouer his inheritance for Prince and thou shalt deliuer his people from the hands of their enemies that are about them And The Lord his God is with him and a crie of the Kings victorie in him HENRY the fourth before King of Nauarre the first of the third royall branch of the Bourbons 63. King of France HENRY IIII. KING OF FRANCE AND NAVAR · · BEhold the Theatre of mans life diuers passions appeare in diuers acts But sorrow yeeldes to ioy and happines chaseth away heauinesse God gouernes the being of this world by seasons Men reape not before they haue sowed neither doe they sowe before they haue laboured Thus he gouerns the society of mankind by certaine degrees that man may know that he deserues not the sweet that hath not tasted of the sowre and that the force of his wit can no waye aduance the happy successe of his Estate without the helpe and grace of that great Gardien who by miraculous meanes preserues Estates from apparent ruine This reigne hath two parcells The beginning is painefull full of crosses and confused vntill that our Henry sollemnly installed be acknowledged lawfull King by alâ— his subiects for till then the most impudent and passionate called him the Bearnois 〈◊〉 disdaine others more modest left him his first title of King of Nauarre or at the least of Prince of Bearne But the successe will teach vs that euen nowe the Lord would suoâ—our this Monarchie and in despight of all the violent oppositions of man make our King to triumphe ouer all domesticall and forrayne insolencies which had â—â—â—allowed him for the lawfull successor and almost dispossessed him of his Realme Doubtlesse we must confesse without flattery that France had neede of this Prince to roote out like an other French Hercules those hideous monsters which made it horrible and fearefull to her owne children to restore the French to the greatnes of their reputation and this crowne to her former beauty It is of him that the Princes of our age and of future ages shall learne to be Captaines He himselfe alone hath made more warre then all they haue seene together Let vs also obserue a great conformity of his raigne with that of Dauid in afflictions and blessings and 〈◊〉 that God would make him equall in the zeale of pietie and iustice the chiefe and fiâ—mest pillers of a royalty let vs hope that with a holy ambition being borne a King he will shew himselfe so and that he may long reigne happily to the glory of God the good of his subiects and the health of his owne soule But let vs see by what degrees the fundamentall lawe of this Estate calles him to this monarchie The Genealogy of the King Saâ—â—t Lewis Lewis surnamed Saint .44 King of France had many sonnes Philip his successor surnamed the hardy Peter Earle of Alançon Robert also Earle of Alançon by the death of Peter and Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauuaism the first and the last haue left issue the two others died without heires and before their father Philip hath left by order successiue in direct line masculine and lawfull or collaterall from the neâ—rest to the neerest kinne all our Kings which haue continued in the tâ—ird royall race euen vnto Henry the 3. King of France and of Poland by whoâ—e death the name and family of Valois being extinct the lawe seekes to the line of Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauuasm and findes not any one neerer then the house of Vendesme whereof our Henrie is the sole and lawfull heire Male as descending in the â—irect masculine and lawfull line from the said Robert Robert For Robert had by Beatrix the onely daughter and heire of Archibauld Earle of Bourbon Lâ—wis the first Duke of Bourbon Lewis whose lands were
these Tribunes hee shortned their number weakened their authoritie and maintained his owne as well as hee could and to paeifie the people guiltie of this mutinie hee published the 10. of December an abolition of things past in this disorder The King in the meane time made his necessary prouisions for the siege of Rouan and appointed his store-houses at Caen Pont Larche Ponteau de Mer and other places On the other side the hope of speedy succours from the Stranger the presence of Henry of Lorraine eldest sonne to the Duke of Mayenne and the arriuall of the Segnieur of Villars with sixe hundred horse and twelue hundred Musketiers A treacherous decree of the Court of Parliament of Rouan made the Cittizens to persist in their rebellion and the Parliament to forbid all men by a dâ—cree in any sort to fauour the part of Henry of Bourbon vpon paine of death ordaining that the oth of the vnion made the 20. of Ianuary in the yeare 1589. should bee monthly renued in the generall assembly made to that effect in the Abbay of Saint Owen with commandement by the sayd Court to the inhabitants to obey the Lord of Villars Lieutenant to the sayde Henry in all hee should command for the preseruation of the Towne Moreouer Bauquemare then first President procured that all the Inhabitants should sweare before La Londe Mayor of Rouan to reueale all such as by worde or deed should fauour the King of Nauarre to be exemplarily punished Villars hauing got footing within Rouan hee presently displaced his superior 1592 settles his authority expells all such as hee suspected fortified Saint Catherins mount and did all acts of hostility against the King annoying his army what he could the which besides the obstinacy of the beseeged was to encounter with the extreame rigour of the winter sicknes and want of victualls But they surpassed all these difficulties cheerefully and the beseeged were readie to yeeld when as newes comes that the Dukes of Mayenne and Parma had taken Neufchastell abandoned by the Kings garrison and were lodged at Franque-Vâ—â—le halfe a daies iourney from Rouan The Duke of Guise la Chasire and Vitry his Nephew led the foreward The Dukes of Mayenne of Parma and Sfondrate Nephew to Gregorie the 14. the battaile The Duke of Aumale the Earle of Chaligny brother to the Queene Douagâ—r Boisdaulphin Balagny and Saint Paul the rereward Bassompierre and la Motte Lorrains led the Suisses and the artillery Whilest that the King made a necessary voiage to Diepe to frustrate some intelligences of his enemies the Marshall of Biron drawes forth seauen peeces of artillery to Bans a village aboue Darnetall plants them in three places and puts himselfe in battaile to receiue the Duke of Parma who should come to lodge in the valley on that â—ide and by his countenance made them thinke that hee had a desire to fight The King arriâ—es continues in battaile almost thirtie houres and prouoakes his enemie by continuall â—kirmishes But he was encountered by a cunning temporiâ—er who passing with his troupes wide of Darnetall made the King to deuise a new stratageme to drawe him on more and to engage him as it happened soone after The King dismisseth his Nobility but with charge to be readie at the first command and by continuall skirmishes kept Rouan from any releefe from the twentith of March to the 21. of Aprill In the ende the Dukes of Mayenne Guisâ— and Parma seize vpon Caudebec Rouan succored but not victualed from whence the garrison was dislodged and the same day they come to Rouan but staie not many howers neyther had they meanes to victuall it His Maiesty seeing that Rouan was not supplyed with victualls passeth at Pont-Larche causeth his armie to aduance towards Fontaine le Bourg and sends for all his garrisons of Louuiers Mante Meulau Vernon and other places nere so as fortified with aboue three thousand horse and sixe thousand foote in lesse then sixe daies hee turnes head towards the village of Iuetot where the Dukes of Mayenne and Guise were lodged chargeth their foreward and deâ—eates it quite The enemy defeated of Iuetot chaseth the Dukes aboue two leagues from Parmaes quarter leauing their baggage and plate in the possession of la Guisch The first of May hee takes from them an other lodging leaues aboue sixe hundred Leaguers dead vpon the place and looseth but fiue souldiars and eighteene or twentie hurt All these checkes should drawe the Dukes to fight but Parma seekes onely to free himselfe from the King and the rest had no desire to make tryall of their sufficiencie They held themselues verie close intrenched and fortified within their Campe issuing forth no more then they had lately done neere vnto Lagny The King presseth them and takes from them all passages both for victualls and retreat They likewise intrench a great woode and to stoppe the Kings approach lodge there two thousand Spaniards and Wallons In sight of their whole armie his Maiestie forceth this intrenchement and had it not beene for a small number who by great speede recouered the army had defeated the whole troupe For ten daies space the King tired them with continuall skirmishes and inroads during the which hee vewes the situation of their Campe the tenth of May hee made choise of such forces as hee held necessary and by fiue of clocke in the morning chargeth a quarter which the Leaguers held to bee most safe and without resistance kills about two thousand fiue hundred men vpon the place carries away aboue two thousand horse and winnes all the baggage To conclude this warre brought forth nothing so memorable as that which was done at Caudebec at Iuetot and at Aumale But for a proofe of the perpetuall assistance and fauour of heauen to our King amidest this thundring of artillery and so many showers of shot his Maiestie was hurt with a Harguebus in the reynes but yet so miraculously The King miraculously hurt as the force of the bullet was spent in the emptines of the aire and lay betwixt his armor and his backe giuing the King this lesson by a diuine aduertisment My Lord husband your life more sparingly it is necessary for your subiects The Duke of Parma â—scaped not all these encounters without a musket shot in the arme the wound did accompany him to his graue The Dukes â—etreaâ— In the end blowes hungar and extreame thirst forced these Dukes to take their way to Paris in confusion from whence Parma carrying no tokens of victory passed through Brâ—e recouered Arthois and so went to refresh himselfe at Bruxelles then in the ende of the yeare he died in Arras as hee returned from the Spawe His reputation beganne to decay Death of the Duâ—e of Paâ—â—a He had preuayled little in France and Conte Maurice did daylie take some thing from him in the Lowe Countries Hee had beene aduertised as by a prognostication that hauing taken the Towne of
requisite in a seege of such importance to attend the treaties of the one and the other He commended the first for the affection hee had shewed to preserue the realme entire hauing not done nor suffred it to bee dismembred but of some places in the great declyning of his Estate dâ—clares that he had alwaies heard that the second had no part in the troubles and diuisions of the realme by any desseine preiâ—diciall to the Estate This reunion of the Duke of Mayenne caused the yeelding of Soâ—ssoâ—s Pierrefont Chaalon vpon Saone Seurre in Bourgongne and some other places to the Kings obedience who in like sort to giâ—e order to the dâ—â—orders of Brittaine a Prouince all couered with Spaniards vnder Don Iohn d' Aghigliar sent the Marshall of Lauerdin thither after the death of the Marshall d' Aumont The hazard and burthens of rebellion ruined the Dâ—ke of Aumalâ— onely he would be more willfull then all the rest He therefore grew so incensed against him as the Court of Parliament at Paris made his processe declared him guilty of treason in the hiâ—hest degree his picture to bee drawne in peeces with foure horses all his goods forfâ—ited to the King adiudged his goodly house at Anâ—t to be razed to the ground and for more detestation of his treachery the Trees about it cut off by the waste But he sought his safety with Albert Cardinall of Austria at Bruxelles lately come to succeed the Archduke Ernest his brother Albert assures the besieged in La Fere to free them but he suffered the succours that should releeue them to bee defeated And the Earle of Fuentes hauing manned the Townes of his new conquest went to winter in Haynault and gaue the King meanes to dismisse most part of his horsâ— to be ready in the spring against the Cardinals desseignes In the meane time he assembled the Estates of Picardie Bolognois Vermandois and Thierasche in Amiens prouided for the estate of the Prouince and punished some Captaines with death whose couetousnesse had partly beene the cause of the former losses Whilest that our Henry assisted now by the Dâ—ke of Mayeâ—â—e in person 1596. bring them of La Fere to be ready to submit vnto his Maiestie behold the beginning of this new yeare sowes the seeds which shall bring â—orth most profitable fruites for the perfect restoring of this estate The Townes and whole prouinces desire a generall deliuerie and nothing stayes the effects but that some Gouernours â—ill haue the honour to see the Canon at their gates before they treate of their accord others set their places to sale A filthy traffick fitte for the confusion of this age but vnworthy of all good order vnworthy the duty of good subiects vnworthy of the libertie and honour of the French Nobilitie The King reducing them by force which will not voluntarily returne to their duties hee willingly giues eare to the mildest and shortest course Hee should spend more money to get morâ— honour but hee frames himselfe after the example and modell of Charles the seuenth whose two raignes had many conformities He desires rather to buy a place for money then to besiege it with much more charge and great losse of men The people suffer great losse and oft times the issue is doubtfull The first fruites of this new yeare are most happy in generall and most honourable for the chiefe authors thereof The Duke of Ioyâ—uze holds the first ranke The Duke of Ioyâ—uze It is hee which hath lately taken againe his profession of a Capuchin wherevnto he was vowed after the death of his wife and by the decease of the last Duke of Ioyâ—uze his brother drowned neere to Villemur had leâ—t him to succeed in the name gouernement and estate of the deceased Without attending of any force he yeeldes freely to his Maiesties seruice and the King opening his armes and heart makes him partaker of his especiall fauours honouring him with the title of Marshall of France and one of his Lieutenants generall in Languedocke in the Townes places and countries hee brings to his obedience giuing him this testimonie that the onely zeale and profession of his religion had made him take armes without any other pretension whatsoeuer By his example the officers of the Court of Parliament Tholousâ— yeelds remaining at Tholouse for the exercise of Iustâ—ce the Capitoulx and all the rest of the Cittizens together with all other people of the Prouince of Languedoc which held the contrary party vnder the authority of the sayd Duke make knowne vnto the King the desire they haue to yeeld obedience and dutye to his Maiâ—stie and their resolution to perseuer therein The Duke of Guise did second this happy beginning of the yeare and doth sweeten the sharpnesse of those losses which the Spaniard had caused vs lately to suffer Hee was still vigilant to imbrace all occasions that might settle his affaires in his gouernment of Prouence wherewith the King had newly honoured him hauing â—â—â—eady with the helpe of the Lord of Les Diguieres reduced Cisteron and Riez to 〈…〉 of this Crowne and Martegues with the Tower of Bouâ— seated at 〈…〉 of the sea the Towne and cittadell of Grasse with the helpe of the Earle of Carces and the Lord of Croze hee findes a fitte oportunitie to make knowne vnto his Maiestie that hee had quite forsaken the alliance and correspondencie which hee had with the Spaniard 1556. Lewis of Aix and Charles of Casau commanded in Marseilles with great authorâ—â—iâ— violent men and of the Spanish faction Marseiâ—les They bargained with Phillip to sell hiâ— this Towne of importance the port of all the Prouince and the key of one of the cheeâ—e entries of this realme where the Emperour Charles had often knockt yeâ— could neuer get it open and for the execution of their desseine had alreadie caused some Spanish galleyes to approch vnder the commaund of Prince Charles Doria of Genes All sucâ— as were fled out of Marseilles propounded some enterprises vppon the Towne to the Duke of Guise but all were weake and of small possibilitie yet had he purchased some reproch to faile in his seruice to the King if he had not attempted some one Peter of Liberta commanded at port Reale a man of courage valiant and full of affection to the Kings seruice He acquaints the Duke of Guise with his resolution either to kill or to shâ—t out these two Tribuns who euery morning at the opening of the gates went with their gards to walke without the Towne that laying an ambush neere vnto the gate it would be easie to seize on them to bee masters of the port and so consequently of the Towne The Duke thinkes well of this enterprise hee takes the name of the gate and of the person for a signe of good fortune The gate is called royall and the libertie which the Predecessors of the vndertaker had in old time pourchased to the towne of Calui in Corsequa
Escurial which hee had built the wâ—ich is one of the richest and most sumptuous buiâ—dings in Christendome he would needs bee carried thither although the Phâ—sitâ—ans did disswade hâ—m being so full of painâ— yet hee was remooued thither in sixe dayes being aboâ—t seuen Leagues from Madâ—il Being there his gout increased his paine with a feuer so as being out of hope to recouer hee began to prepare himselfe â—or death and receiued the holy Sacrament Then he desired to haue D. Garcias of Loiola sollemnly consecrated Archbishop of Toledo by the Popes Legat Others write him 〈◊〉 by the resignation which Albert the Archduke of Austria had made vnto him Afterwards he had an Aposteme in his leg and foure more vppon his brest whereat his ordinary Physitions were muâ—h amâ—zed calling Olias a Phisition from Madril All theâ—e togâ—â—her with the aduice of Vergaias an other practitioner applyed plasters to ripen theâ—e Aâ—ostâ—mes beâ—ng ripe and broken they cast forth much filth and a great number oâ— Liâ—e so as they could â—ardly dresse him being also so weake as foure men weâ—e faine to râ—mooue â—im in a sheet to make his bed and to keepe him cleane These lice as the Physitians sayd did ingender of this putrified stâ—nking matter In the beginning of September as his feuer began to increase hee called for the Prince his Sonne and the Princesse his daughter the Archbishop of Toledo and others assisting and shewing his bodie to his sonne he sayd Behold Prince what the greatnes of this world is see this miserable bodie whereas all humaine helpe is vaine He cauâ—ed his câ—â—fin being of brasse to bee brought and a deaths head to bee set â—ppon a cubpord with a Crowne of gold by it Then hee Commaunded Don Lewis de Velâ—sco one of his Chamberlaines to fetch a little Casket in the which hee had put a precious Iewell the which he gaue vnto his daughter in the presence of the Prince saying This Iewell was your mothers keepe it in remembrance of her Hee also drew forth a written paper which he gaue vnto the Prince saying That it was an instruction how hee should gouerne his Kingdome and Countrie Then hee tooke forth a whip at the end whereof appeaâ—ed some markes of bloud saying lifting it vp That it was bloud of his bloud although it were not his owne bloud but the Emperour his fatheâ—s who was accustomed to chastiâ—e his bodie with this whippe and therefore hee had kept it and shewed it vnto them This done hee disposed particularly of the order and pompe of his fuâ—erals Then in the presence of the Popes Nuncio he recommended the holy Sea the Pope and the Catholike Apostolike and Romish religion vnto his câ—ildren desiring the Nuncio to giue him absoluâ—ion of hiâ— sinnes and to blesse his children recomâ—ending the Infanta his daughter vnto the Prince his sonne and to mainteâ—ne her Countries in peace appointing good Gouernours rewarding the good and punishing the bad Then he commanded they should set the Marquis of Monteiar at libertie vpon condition hee should come no mâ—re to Court and that tâ—e wife of Antonio Perez sometimes his Secretarie should bee freed from prison vpon condition that she should retire herselfe into some Monasterie Then he comcomanded them to leaue his Sonne alone with him to whome hee said these words My Son I desired â—ou should be present at this last act The Kingâ— last speech to his sonne to the end you should not liue in ignorance as I haue done how they giue this Sacrament of the last vnction and that you may see the end of Kings and of â—heir Crownes and Scepters Death is readie to take my Crowne from my head to set it vpon yours Herein I recommend two things vnto you the one is that you conâ—inue obedient to the Church the other is that you administer Iustice to your subiects The time will come when this Crowne shall fall from your head as it doth now from mine you are yong I haue beene so My dayes were numbred and are ended· God keepes an account of yours and they shall likewise end They say that he did with passion inioyne him to make ware against Heretikes and to retaine peace with France The Prince thinking there was no more hope of life in him and desiring to aduance the Marquis of Denia his fauorite demanded the golden key of the Cabinet from D. Christopher de Mora the which he refused desiring his Highnes to pardon him for that he might not deliuer it without the Kings expresse commaundement wherewith the Prince went away discontented D. Christopher complained hereof to the King who neither liked of the Princes demaund being made â—oo hastilie nor allowed of his refusall commaunding him to carrie the key vnto the Prince and to craue pardon The Prince returning to visit his father D. Christopher de Mora kneeling downe kissed the key and deliuered it vnto him the which the Prince tooke and gaue to the Marquis of Denia And as the Prince and the Infanta his sister stood before the Kings bed he sayd vnto them I recommend vnto you Don Christopher de Mora the best seruant I euer had with all my other seruants And â—o giuing them his last farwell and imbracing them his speech failed him continuing in that estate two dayes vntill his death The King of Spaines birth and statute He was borne in the yeare 1526. on Saint Markes day in Aprill and died the yeare 1598. the 13. of September He was but little of statute but otherwise of a pleasing aspect yet he had no beautifull countenance by reason of his great nether lippe the which is hereditarie to the house of Austria else hee was faire of complection rather resembling a Fleming then a Spaniard of such a constitution of bodie as hee was neuer sicke in all his life but of the disease whereof he died and was sometimes troubled with faintings He did neuer eate any fish He was of a constâ—nt resolution and of a high spirit His courage and Spirit apprehending presently the ends of things and foreseing them with an admiâ—able wisedome and iudgâ—ment Hee was neuer amazed for any accident At his first comming into Flanders by the grant of the Emperour Charles the 5. his father hee woon two great battailes against the French that of Saint Laurence at Saint Quintin and afterwards that of Grauelines and both by his Lieutenants being himselfe of no warlike disposition He was very deuout in his religion and had opposed himâ—elfe against all called heritikes of his time taking this occasion as many haue writâ—en to aduance his affaires in Christendome Hee was infortunate in his fiâ—st marriage with Mary Princesse of Portugal D Caâ—lo conspirâ—s agâ—inst his fâ—â—her Diuerâ— report that he was vniustly puâ— to death by the malice of the inquisitâ—on Comiâ—ted to pâ—ison by whome he had one sonne called Charles whose life was short miserable hauing a violent end vpon certaine imputations which were layd
mâ—diats the reduction of Tholouse to tâ—e Kâ—ngs obedieâ—ce he consented to returne vnto the world vpon two conditions The one was that it should be with the consent and leaue of the Generall of the Order The other by the dispensation of the Holy Sea and that he might returne againe when God should send rest to the Church and State This obtained from the Pope his Generall father Angelo is againe of the world doth al acts of a Worldling of a Captaine and of a Soldiar applying himselfe to the humors of the time After that hee had pacified many popular seditions in Tholouse and beene a meanes to reduce it to the Kâ—ngs obedience being at Paris hauing witâ— the Kings good liking and pleasure married his only Daughter to the Duke Monâ—pensier a Prince of the bloud he bethought himselfe of his bonde conteined in his dispence and went and yeelded his obedience vnto the Holy Sea to his Order whereas he is nowe one of the chiefe Conductors hauing referred all his domesticall affaires to the Cardinall his brother and to the Duke his Sonne in Lawe Hâ—s Mother desâ—res h s returâ—e to the Capâ—châ—â—â— His Mothers teares preuailed much for his returne She was more afflâ—cted for this change then for the death of all her other Children and neuer ceased vntill shee had drawne Frier Angelo for so she still called him out of the desertâ— of Egipt to Mount Caluaire and that she had seene him in the habit which he had left These be mighty effects of grace which reformes that which is deformed and conformes that which is reformed confirmes that which is conformed transâ—ormes that which is confirmed The 〈◊〉 hâ—s resoâ—â—tion and makes the Soule to lâ—ue more in Heauen whether it aspâ—res then iâ— the body where it breathes The King went to visit him and commended his resolution saying that he did sometimes thinke to speake vnto him of it and had done it but â—ee doubted that he would mistake his meaning and thinke he did it to be rid of him Dyning one daie in a place whereas there was onely his Maiesty and three other Noblemen That is to 〈◊〉 the King the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 the Dâ—ke 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 the 17. 〈…〉 he sayd vnto them that in the world there were men of all conditions and qualities to be found but they should hardly assemble foure so different and that in these â—oâ—e wherof he was one there was a Sinner conuerted A Leaguer repented a Capuchin diuerted and a Huguenot peruerted This amazement in Court for the Duke of Ioyeuze was increased by the sodaine death of Schomberg who was taken with an Apoplexie returning from Conflans whereas Villeâ—râ—y had feasted the King and all his Councell It gaue him no respit to speake French nor Dutch 1599. This yeare the Pope made nine Cardinals for the second promotion of his Pontificat among the which was Robert Bellarmine a Iesuite which caused many to murmure being against the Institution of his Order Iesuits incapable of spirituall dignities by the which all Iesuites are excluded from such like dignities being forbidden not onely to aspire vnto them but also to hope for them hauing taken a particular othe neuer to seeke nor pretend any Dignitie nor Prelatship directly or indirectly neither in their companie nor without but by his commandement who may command without replie vpon paine of sinning as it happened vnto Cardinall Toleto and now to Bellarmin Warre dying had left no quarrell in France but for the Marquisate of Salusses The Marquisat of Salusses in question which the King demanded as depending vpon Daulphiné and the Duke of Sauoy sought to vnite it vnto his house from the which hee pretends the Daulphins had wrested it The difference of this restitution must be determined by the Pope who was named Arbitrator by the treatie of Veruins It is the most important sute that hath beene long time in Rome The parties send their Ambassadors to Rome to sue vnto the Arbitrator for iudgement President Brulart goes for the King and the Count d' Arconas for the Duke of Sauoy and they come to Rome in the beginning of the yeare In the meane time the Duke beseecheth his Maiestie that hee will giue him leaue to visit him The King answered the Duke that he would gladly see him but resoluing to accompany his Sister when shee should go into Lorraine hee should not make any long aboade in any one place during the rest of the Winter and therefore hee desired him that hee would deferre his voyage vnto the Spring thinking that he should not bee troubled to â—eeke him any farther then in the Cittie of Lions where he meant to bee about the same time They pursue the Arbiterment at Rome the Arbitrator the best of good Popes shewes as great Integritie as the parties did Passion He was free from all affection that was contrary to Iustice and would do nothing contrarie to his conscience He was carefully instructed by either partie concerning this controuersie You may read the whole processe at large in the Originall The Duke of Sauoy hauing kept the Marquisate of Salusses some yeares whilest that France had turned her owne armes against her selfe considered that so soone as the King should ouercome his other affaires the recouerie thereof would not be the last of his enterprises for the restauration of that to his Crowne The Duke of Sauoy seekes to be reconciled vnto the King Hee was therefore one of the first that sought to reconcile himselfe vnto the King and the first propositions were made by Sebastian Zamet The King could hardly beleeue that the Duke of Sauoy would separate himselfe from the desseignes and councels of the King of Spaine who had alwayes a body of an armie in France being so strictly tyed vnto him Hee therefore sends to Syllery his Ambassador in Suitzerland to enter into conference vpon this matter with the Dukes Ambassadour there and to sound his intention The Duke had sent the Marquis of Aix into Spaine to know how hee should treate with the King At the same time they surprized a Pacquet comming from Spaine the which being deciphred they found the Duke desired to treat in good earnest for his Ambassador writing from Madril sent him word that touching the forme of the accord for the which he desired to haue councell the King of Spaines Ministers would neuer tell it but with many conditions and secretly although it were a thing which they desired that they might retire their forces and imploy them in Flanders whereas all things went to wrack That if his Highnesse whom it did import could finde the meanes to effect it he was assured in the end they would finde it good Multa â—â—eri prohibentur quae tamen facta tenent as they had done many other desseignes reiected by them in the beginning and afterwards allowed according to the successe Many conferences were made concerning this cause before
incountred by the States and beaten neere vnto Dunkerke The King aâ— Males-herbes with the Marquis of Verâ—nucil Nothing did hinder the Kings exercises and sports at Blots and Males-herbes where hee spent his time with the Marquise of Vernucil in the meane time his good seruants watched both within and without the Realme for the good of his affaires all laboured in diuers actions but with one will and to one end to make the State as flourâ—shing as it had beene and the Maiestie of the Prince to be respected as it is Sacred and Holy Out of this number of good Seruants Officers of the Crowne death tooke away Phillippe de Hurault Earle of Chiuerny and Chancellor of France The death of the Chancelloâ— Chiuerny He had beene at the first Controuler of King Henry the 3. house being Duke of Aniou and King of Poland and by him made keeper of the Seales in the life of the Cardinall of â—iraque and after his death Chancellor and by him dismissed to his house at the States of Blois when as the Seales were giuen to Montheleu Aduocate in the Court of Parliament In this change he made triall that Princes Officers are in his hands as Counters be in an Auditors who raiseth them to the greatest and highest number and sodenly brings them downe to the lowest And although it be not spoken why the King commanded him to retire yet assoone as they saw him disgraced the friends of his fortune and the seruants of his fauours abandoned him He continued a while like an old cast ship which lyes in the harbrough and serues to no vse Hee returned to his charge and serued the King stoutly in the most troublesome and dangerous time of his affaires Complaints against the Chancellor Afterwards he had many crosses There were so great complaints exhibited against him in the Assembly at Roan as he was in danger to haue lost the keeping of the Seales or not to haue a Cardinals Hat demanded of the Pope for him Hee did not affect the second and the first hee preuented considering that they could not take away any thing nor diminish his great Dignities but with Shame and Disgrace Pompone de Belieure Chancellor of France Pompone de Belieure succeeded him after his death he restored the Seales the sacred instruments of Soueraigne Iustice to their honour All corrupt practises which made friends to the preiudice of the Common-weale were banished There is no other fauour then that of Iustice no other expedition but in publike and by order Nothing is setled extraordinarily but by the Kings expresse commandement or for the good of his seruice which may not bee deferred vnto the Sealing day and that in the view of all the Officers of the Chancerie Nothing is presented which hath not beene examined and held iust by the Maisters of Requests that were present The King hauing receiued newes of the Chancellors death he commanded Villâ—roy to dispatch his Letters before he demanded the place which done he presented himselfe to take his oth betwixt his Maiesties hands kneeling vpon a Cushion of Vehâ—eti the which the Chancellor and Constable onely doe and no other Officers of the Crowne His Maiestie would not binde him but to doe what hee had alwayes done for the good of his seruice and of his Crowne To conclude hee was not preferred to this high dignitie before any one that exceeded him in ranke of seruice or in merit and experience hauing vndergone the chiefe charges within the realme and happily performed abroad important and weighty Ambassages for the King About this time Iohn de Schomberg Archbishop and Elector of Treues dyed and in his place was chosen Lothaire Death of Iohn de Schomberg of the noble family of the Meternits a man of great experience and singular learning and aboue all a great louer of peace and quietnesse a worthie vertue in Princes and Prelats Death of the yong Princesse of Conâ—é This yeare also tooke away some Princesses in France amongst others Madamoiselle the onely daughter of the Prince of Condé the which hee had by his first Wife the Princesse of Neuers and Marquis of Lisle Her obsequies were made at Saint Germain des Prez with great shew as it was fit for a Princesse of the bloud Loâ—se de Budos the Constables wife died also a little before the Duchesse of Beaufort hauing left one Sonne and one Daughter whereby the famous house of Montmorency is renued the which was like to fall to the Distaffe The Marquise of Belle-Ile widow to the Maâ—quis the eldest Son to the Duke Marshall of Raiz The Marquise of Belle Ile becomâ—s a Feuâ—llantine at Tâ—oloâ—se a yonger daughter of the house of Longueuille hauing passed fiue yeares of her widowhood brought vp her Son in al vertue and pietie departed secretly out of Brittanie not aduertising any one of her kindred and went to professe her selfe a Nunne in the Monasterie of the Feuillantines at Tholouse Her Brother and her Husbands brethren posted after to diuert her but she was already in the Couent and resolued to end her dayes there A generous resolution of a Ladie issued from that noble house of Longueuille which holds one of the first places in France It is Soueraigne of the Countie of Neufchastel in Suisse and allyed to the house of Bourbon in diuers branches Execution of the Edict of Pacification The Commissioners which were imployed for the execution of the Edict of pacification found some difficulties in those places whereas the Bishops and Pastors of the Catholike Church had neither Temple nor place of retreat yet the Masse was restored to those places where it had beene banished fifteene or twentie yeares and the Preaching appointed onely in those places that were allowed by the Edict They found in all places rough and violent Spirits very hard to be dealt withall which inuented vaine quarrels when as they wanted iust cause of complaint The Commissioners exhort either partie as well to Concord as to Pietie and alwayes to containe their wills within the bounds of Obedience and not of Rebellion and to forget the factious names of Papists and Huguenots the which haue beene no lesse fatall to France then those of Guelphes and Gibellins in Italie They aduised the Preachers to take heed that their discourses were not streames of sedition as they are sometimes of Eloquence for they that make profession to teach the word of God may do as much harme in fauouring a Sedition as they shall gather profit of his Ministerie when hee shall preach Peace The Commissioners did admonish the Magistrates and cheefe of Iustice to preuent the first motiues of sedition which getting credit with the simple is the cause of great disorders So the Edict was executed throughout the realme and the most sauage began to liue louingly togither burying the remembrance of things past Things done cannot be recalled We must grow wise hereafter by the consideration of
more constant then the loue of the Father to his child especially of Fathers that haue the instinct of Nature But mothers haue their affectioÌ„s more violent If any thing happen vnto their â—hiâ—dren it breedâ—s a great aâ—teâ—atâ—oâ— in them Witnesse the iudgement of Salomon seeking betwixt two Women to know the right Mother So yâ—u may see the passion of Dauid when he caâ—led his Sonne My Sonne Absoâ—oâ— my sonne he was much troubled But Mothers are muâ—h more feeling the same paine they suffered at their birth And that which afflicts the Defenâ—resse much more is that they CoÌ„plaâ—â—ants obiect against her that she loued not her Child That without doubt is insupportable to a Mother The latter times are miserable foretold by the Prophets Thaâ— Inhumanity Inciuility Astorgie that â—â—to say want of loâ—e in the Parents vnto their Châ—ldren and of Children vnto their Parentâ— should enter into the hearts of men What say I of Men who are no Men sâ—eing they proue Inhumane Cruell Bâ—uâ—ish and Vnnatuâ—all But can it be that two such contrary passions should iumpe in our Defendresse Could she hate her Son and not seeing him any more complaine that he was dead Could she accuse his Host Hostesse if she loued him not Iosephus in his first booke of the Iewish War reporting the accusation of Herode against his Children sayth that Saturninus would not condemne the accused sayâ—ng That it was not lawfull for him who had children to giue sentence of death against an other mans children A speech worthy of a graue Romaine but had beene better spoken by one borne in Iuâ—â—a â—or in former times the Iudges giuen by God vnto the People were chosen ouâ— of the fathers of Families who had or had had Children and who by this meanes knew best thâ—â—ust affections of Fathers loue The History addes that an old Man at armes of Herods called â—yron was so transported seeing a cruell Father as hee became almost madde going â—â—om place to place exclayming that Iustice was troden vnder foote Trueth was pâ—rishâ—d Nature confounded and all was full of iniquity with such like speeches as passion made him to vtter So strange this good old Man held this Mallice not beleeuing that such neere Kinsmen should conspire against their owne bloud And therefore it is not to be presumed that our Defenâ—resse beeing a Mother was otherwise then well affected to her Sonne and what greater proofe of her loue can bee giuen tâ—en her accusation against the Complaynants And who can represent the tender affection of Fathers and Mothers which seale the resemblance of bodies and mindes in the little admirable seale of the Infant the Mothers beeing much more affectionate to that which proceedes from them then the Fathers What then may bee sayd of the obiection made vnto the Defendresse Doubtlesse false allegations must concurre with naturall as Paulus the Lawyer sayth of Confessions and it is not lawfull for Iudges L. confessionibus D. de Iâ—â—errog act especially for such as are Fathers to beleeue that a Motheâ— would hate her Sonne to the deaâ—h especially this poore Woman who makâ—ng her complaint of the Murther did note one notable circumstance saying that her Sonne had complayned vnto her that the Demanders were froward Hosts The which shewes a wit in her complaint and the Loue which she bare to 〈…〉 Sonne remembring the first yeares of his infancy being young and the 〈◊〉 of his Mother A Sonne whom she being his Mother seeing no mâ—re 〈◊〉 out with the Mother of Lâ—muel What my Sonne what the Sonne of my 〈…〉 the Sonne of my vowes Prou. 31. This poore Motheâ— was perplexed she sought her Sonne and 〈…〉 Sonne which was but simple and might easâ—ly be wronged for he went 〈…〉 Money he 〈◊〉 it in his Chamber which was a bayte for Theeues 〈…〉 steâ—le say 〈◊〉 hand on it the suffered men to enter into his Chamberâ— me◠〈…〉 knew not What might the Mother thinke of this Had she not reasoâ—â—o 〈…〉 slayne him 〈◊〉 as iâ— was said in the booke of Wisdome That the Iustice 〈…〉 〈◊〉 deliuer them It is also written That the disloyall shal be taken for their 〈◊〉 and the wicked shall be the ransome of the iust and the disloyall for the righteous 〈…〉 then this poore Woman thinke with reason that you are not to haue any 〈…〉 the Demaunders Prou. 2â— v 21 vnder colour of their base condition seeing that for a 〈…〉 they would haue committed the deede hauing taken their Ghosts money 〈…〉 fied them These bee the reasons by the which the poore Mother may 〈…〉 her selfe that shee hath not attempted any accusation for the which 〈…〉 be charged with slander Let vs nowe come vnto the Iudges They need no excuse nor any defence 〈…〉 Decree then the authority of soueraigne Iudgements yet we may say for the 〈◊〉 which they had of the proofes if not full and cleare as the Noone day yet thâ—y 〈◊〉 such as the presumptions were vehement If the accused suffred it came 〈…〉 for they obserued not the precept which teacheth man Aboue all to 〈…〉 heart pure from whence life proceeds Prou. 4. ve 23 They haue applied their hearts to desire 〈◊〉 mans goods resembling those that erre Either through want of instruction 〈…〉 great indiscretion or hauing their hearts peerced with the Dart of couetousnesse Ibid 5. ver 23 And therfore it is no wonder if they haue not appeared in iudgement with a constant countenance Ibid. 10. v. 6. For blessings are vpon the head of the iust but extorsions sloppe the mouth of the guilty Do you not see that God was not with the accused they were confounded in that owne speeches Life and death are in the power of the tongue hee that loues it shall eate the fâ—uites thereof 〈…〉 21. They haue said too much charging the Mother which accused them oâ— hatred to her Sonne And who will not beleeue but the Iudges seeing the Proâ—esie made them pâ—ayers vnto God to open their vnderstandings The doubt which they had of the â—ircumstances of the charge hath beene fortified by examples the whiâ—â— are the 〈◊〉 â—ncounteâ—s that come vnto the minde In this Citty a Woman 〈◊〉 neere to 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 with a Hammer which two theeues had taken in a Smiths shop 〈◊〉 the Smith being condemned he was put to the Racke Afterwards the theeues weâ—e apprehended for other crimes and freede the Smith who was a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 executed Iudges in coniecturall causes erre sometimes against their wâ—â—les beâ—ng bound to follow thâ— probable for that which may happen or hath happened Sometimeâ— there are bad Hosts Treacherous and murtherers It is dangerous said Phâ—dâ—us to bâ—leeue but it is more dangerous not to beleeue There is no reason then to heare the complaints of the Accused against the Iudges Witâ—esse that which that wise King hath written whose words are like vnto deepe springs which cannot be dried and fâ—om whence we drawe proâ—â—it for
his last hope vppon Bouuens to whome hee sends the countersigne without the which he was bound not to yeeld it This token was but counterfet D' Hostel played an other part he made this his colour to haue meanes to enter into the Cittadell A Countersigne carried to Bouuens and to giue this countersigne to Bouuens for his warrant and thereby to assure him that if he had meanes to hold good a moneth hee should disclame the signing of the ratification and make a shew of disobedience and hee should bee releeued D' Hostel went into the Cittadell and found that miserie would not suffer them to vant of resistance as they had done that things were no more in the Estate that Bouuens had represented them and that their neccessities were so extreame as there was no meanes to suffer them any longer beeing prest without by the Kings Army and within by cold and hunger which made the Duke more tractable to yeeld that which hee could not hold sending the ratification in the beginning of March and at the same time the Cittadell was deliuered into the Kings power Diuers opinions of the Peace The generall censures of this Peace were diuers The King was pleased that the pofit was apparent and assured for his Estates hauing for one Marquisate more Earles and Marquises then there are Gentlemen in the Marquisate of Saluces inlarging his frontiers aboue thirty Leagues and so restrayned the Dukes Estate on this side the Mountaines as hee hath left two third partes lost eight hundred Gentlemen and a fort which hee himselfe writing vnto Bovuens esteemed more then all the Marquisate with Prouinces as fertill as any bee in France It is true that the Honour to keepe that which was the cause of the Warre remayned to the Duke and by this meanes of a Peace hee hath no more neede of Spaniards nor of the Count of Fuentes Comodiâ—ies which the Duke got by the Peace who did him alwaise some Spanish affront and is free from all feare of the French who keâ—t Piedmont in awe while they had a retreate there The Duke who neuer went out of the gates of Thurin without six Companies of Horse and entertayned Garrisons which cost him more then the reuenues of the Countries exchanged may nowe sleepe and goe and come in safety This Moneth of March Louyse of Lorraine Dowager of France Widow to Henry the 3. The death of Queene Loâ—yse King of France and of Poland died her death was better known by the losse of such a light then by the mourning of her Heires or the Honour of her Funeralls for the Duke of Merâ—ure her Brother to whom she left her goods and the execution of her will was then in Hungary The Duchesse of Mercure attended on her vntill she died and layed her Body in the Couent of Saint Claire vntill shee might bee enterred with greater pompe She desired to bee layed in one Tombe with the King whose Body attendes vntill that the piety of the lyuing may remember the condition of the dead the which giues cause of amazement that the Earth which neuer fayles for the life of Princes should now want for their interment She was Daughter to Nicholas Earle of Vandemont Death of the Princesse of Coâ—â—e A most vertuous Princesse shewing in al her actions a singular piety and modestie The same yeare also Madam Francis of Orleans Princesse of Conde Mother to the Count of Soissons died in her house of Grenelles at Paris the Funerall Pompe was celebrated in the Abbey of Saint Germain de pres The Princesse of Conty dies About the end of this yeare the Princesse of Conty died of a great and languishing sickenesse as shee went to her house at Fonnestable in Perche to change the aire by the aduice of her Phisitions but shee changed her life The Duchesse â—â— Esquilâ—on leauing one onely Daughter the which the Count of Soissons married Afterwards the Duchesse of Eguillon died being Daughter to the Duke of Neuers deceased who left great cause of mourning to the Duke of Esquillon eldest Son to the Duke of Maine and the rather for that she died in child-bed the Child also with her The King in 40. daies had conquered all Sauoy with in 40. after hee married treated of a Peace made the Qâ—eene in case to be a Mother went in post from Lions and came to Paris which bare his long absence impatiently His returne gaue the world to vnderstand how quiet constant the affaires of France were that a King which went a 100. Leagues with 12. only in his traine was well assured of his subiects and feared not his neighbours The Qâ—een followed by smal iorneyes came to Fontainbleau where she stayd not long but came to Paris abouâ— S. Germains Faier her first lodging was at Gondies house her fiâ—st Gentleman of Honour beeing in the suburbes of S. Germaine The next was at Zameâ—s superintendant of her house then she came to the Lovure The Parisiens prepared themselues besought the King to giue them leaue to make her a stately entry but his Maiesty would haue the charges of this entry reserued for a more durable worke The Queene comes to Paris All the Princesses of the bloud with the chiefe Ladies of the Court and Citty presented themselues to kisse her hands and to do their duties vnto her Maiesty She made much of all that the King fauored and resolued to loue what hee Loued framing her will in such sort vnto his as she held his will for an vnwritten Lawe This yeare the Pope granted a Iubile and pardons to all the French that should goe vâ—sit the Church of Saint Croix in Orleans doing the workes of Christian charity An infinit number of people went thither from al parts of France the King and Queene went thether with the fiâ—st and gaue meanes to helpe to build this Church which had beene ruined during the furie of the fiâ—st ciuill warres The King layed the first stone of this building An act worthie of a Christian King the true successor of the pietie of S. Lewis his Predecessor But whilst he gaines pardons his enemies watch to surprise the best places of his Realme He was disarmed vnder the assurance of the Peace The armie of strangers was still whole togither and became fearefull to all Italie All the Princes were troubled therat and althovgh they bee not well vnited togither yet when there is any question of common danger they haue good correspondency At Rome they sayd it was for Geneua and that the Marquis of Aix was gone to intreate the Pope to fauour him with his blessing and to fortifie him with his meanes An enterprisâ— vpon Maâ—seilles Many other discourses were made touching this army but time discouered that it was entertayned for Marsâ—illes There is nothing â—o holy but money will violate nor so strong but it will force The Count of Fuentes vpon promise of great
a list He that appreheÌ„ds death hath no desire to eate yet hee set him downe rose againe presently and according to his vsuall maner went vnto a window which looked into the Court of the Basâ—ille where hearing the cries and lamentations of a woman hee thought they were for him had this sad content to see they wept for him before his death Soone after the Chancellor goes towards him who crossing through the Court the Duke of Biron espied him cryed out that he was dead You come sayd he to pronounce my sentence I am condemned vniustly tell my kins-folkes that I die an innocent The Chancellor went on without any motion coÌ„manding that they should bring him into the Chappel The prisoner seeing him come a farre of cried out The Duke of Biâ—ons words to the Chancellor Oh my Lord Chancellor is there no pardon is there no mercy The Chancellor saluted him and puâ—ts on his hat The Duke of Biron continued bare and hauing abandoned all the powers of his Soule to greefe and passion hee tooke the aduantage to speake first and to speake all that a tounge ouer greeued might vtter reproching the Chancellor that hee had not had so great a desire to saue him as to condemne him After condemnation all discours is vaine Hee added thervnto certaine words the recording whereof is prohibited and the report punnishable But Princes regard not the rayling of subiects against their Maiesty the which returnes alwaies froÌ„ whence it came The Duke of Biron knowing not whom he should challenge most for his misfortune turned towards the Chancellor and shaking him by the arme sayd You haue iudged me God will absolue me Men condemned may speak any thing hee will lay open their Iniquities which haue shut their eyes because they would not see mine innocency you my Lord shall answere for this iniustice before him whether I do sommon you within a yeare and a day I go before by the iudgement of men but those that are the cause of my death shall come after by the iudgement of God All which was deliuered with such violence as hee cryed out and stormed both against the King and his Parliament They beare with all which proceeds from choller in a condemned man of his humor and quality But this excesse to adiorne a Chancellor to Heauen being 70. yeares old was held vnworthy the great courage of a Captaine blaspheming and brauing death and yet ignorant how they pleade in an other world He was not the first in the like extremities that haue adiourned their Iudges before the Throne of God Iohn Hus sayd in dying That those which had condemned him should answer a hundred yeares after before God and him and the Bohemians who preserued the Asshes of his bones and maintained his Doctrine coyned money with this adiournement But the Duke of Birons assignation was vaine for the Chancellor appeered not but hath bin more healthful since then before He found no means to enter into discours amidest the confusioÌ„ of so many words which were like vnto a violent streame Yet he interrupted him to tell him that he had need of Gods helpe that he should recommend himselfe vnto him He presently answered that hee had thought vpon God and implored his aide to giue him patience against their iniustice but neither he nor his Iudges had thought of it in condeÌ„ning him Passion transports the rounge Passion sayd the Chancellor makes you to speake many things without any colour and against your owne Iudgement There is not any man hath better knowne your merits then my selfe and I would to God your offences had bin as much vnknowne as they haue bin dissembled The knowledge thereofwas so great and so perfect as your Iudges haue bin more troubled howe to moderate your paine then to haue you punnished they haue more labored to iustefie you then to condemne you Whilest the Chancellor was speaking the Duke of Biron turned towards Roissy Master of Requests asked him if he had also bin one of his Iudges Roissy answered My Lord I pray God to comfort you My father loued you so intirely replied the Duke of â—iroÌ„ that although you were one of them that had coÌ„demned me I would forgiue you And so returning to his discourse he addresâ— himselfe vnto the Chancellor who was saying some-thing vnto Voisin I see well sayd he what it is I am not the most wicked but I am the most vnfortunate Those which haue done worse then I would haue done are â—auored The Kings clemency is dead for me Hee doth not immitate the examples of Caesar nor Augustus or of those great Princes who not only pardoned them that would haue done ill but euen them that did ill who were euer sparing of their bloud yea of that which was least esteemed wherin can the King shew himself greater theÌ„ in pardoning Clemency is a Kingly vertue Euery one may giue death Clemency a royall vertue but it belongs onely to Soueraigns to giue life And cruell that he is doth he not knowe well that he hath pardoned me I had a bad desseigne he granted me grace I demand it againe you may easily aduertise him a â—â—st wil soone returne The Queene of England told me that if the Earle of Essâ—x would haue humbled himselfe and sued for grace shee would haue pardoned him Hee grewe obstinate and would neuer implore her mercy taking from her all meanes to shew the effects She like a generous Princesse desiryng to pardon him euen as she would that God should pardon her He was guilty I am innocent he sued for no pardon for his offence I craue it in mine Inoceney Is it possible the King should thinke no more of the seruices I haue done him doth hee not remember the conspiracy at Mantes and the danger hee had runne if I had had intelligence with the Conspirators who found nothing that did hinder the effects of their desseigne then my loyaltie nor a more ready meanes to attayne vnto it then in causing me to be slaine The Duâ—â— oâ— Birons repâ—ochâ—s There is no veine in my bodie which hath not bled for his seruice He shewes that he neuer loued me any longer then he thought himselfe to haue neede of me Hâ—th he forgotten the â—eege of Amiens where they haue seene me so often couered with fire and bullets and to be in so many dangers eyther to giue oâ— to receiue death Hee now quentcheth the torch in my bloud after that he hath vsed it My Father exposed himselfe to a thousand dangers and purchased death to â—et the Crowne vpon his head I haue receiued fiue and thirty wounds vpon my body to preserue it for him and for my reward hee takes my Head from my Shoulders Let him beware least the Iâ—stice of God fall vpon him He shall finde what profit my death will bring him it will nothing assure his affaires but impaire the reputation of his Iustice. Hee
did owe to gentlemen that had nothing to shew for it and among others to the Ambassador in England when the Chancellor had dined hee came to see him with the fiâ—st President found that as a troubled water growes cleere being setled so the time which he had giuen him to thinke of his affaires had takeÌ„ from him the violent agitations of his fantasie freed his heart from the feare of death He coÌ„mandded al that were in the place to retyre and they sat downe togither about halfe an houre but their dâ—scourse is vnknowne In the ende the Chancellor sayd vnto him I should doe wrong vnto your courage if I should exhort you vnto death shee hath presented herselfe vnto you in so many places as it is not in her power to trouble the Constancie and Patience wherunto I beleeue you are disposed You find it hard to die in the flower and vigour of your age but if you consider that our dayes are lymited and that they depend of the fore-sight of the Gouernor of the whole world you will receiue this death as by the will of God who meanes to retyre you out of this world for your owne good before that some great and long miserie shall send you As we may not desire a death which is farre off so may we not reiect that which offers it selfe No no answered the Partie condemned labour not my Lords to fortifie me against the feare of death theâ—e twentie yeares it hath not feared me and knowing not where she would take mee I haue expected her euerie where You haue giuen me fortie dayes to thinke vpon it yet I could not beleeue that beeing not in the power of my enemies to take away my life I should be so miserable as to be seazed on by death with the consent of my friends The King said the Chancellor hath cuâ—t of al that might be shamefull and ignominous He then asked him if hee would speake with any one Hee sayd that he desired to see La Forse and Saint Blancart They tould him that they were not in the Cittie He deâ—ires to see his â—riends but there was a gentleman of the Lord of Badefous and after that he had demanded for Preuost Comptrouler of his house and that they had answered him that he was gone three dayes before to a house of his in the Countrie he then sayd that hee ought not to haue beene there that he had all his blankes adding thereunto these wordes of Compassion The Chancellor takes his â—â—aue of him All the world hath abandoned mee In these crymes friendship is dangerous friends fayle and the disease is taken by acquaintance as well as by infection He is wise that knowes no man nor no man knowes him At these words the Chancellor and the first President tooke their leaues of him with teares in their eyes He intreated them to receiue a good opinion of his life by the assurance which he gaue at the point of death that he had neuer attempted any thing against the King that if he would haue vndertaken it the King had not beene liuing three yeares since The Chancellor went out of the Bastille with the first President and Sillery stayed in the Arcenall vntil the execution was done The Duke of Biron intreated the Knight of the Watch to go after him to request him that he would suffer his Body to be interred with his Predecessors at Biron for although Nature hath prouided that no maÌ„ shal die without a Graue yet meÌ„ thinke curiously thereof before they die and imagine that as glory preserues the reputation of the life so the Graue maintaines the remembrance of the Body He that had seene him would haue thought hee had not bin readie to die so little care hee had of death or els he promised to himselfe some vnexpected effects of the Kings mercy or to escape by some miracle There is no such deceit as imagination frames in these extremities when shee flatters her-selfe with vaine hope imagining that God doth greater wonders and that they haue seene a pardon come betwixt the Executioners sword and the Pâ—â—soners necke Voisin asked him if he pleased to say any thing else that might serue to discharge his conscience The Preachers exhorted him not to conceale any thing to consider that they could not giue him Absolution but for what he should confes He answered that although the King did put him to death vniustly yet he had so much loued his seruice and had serued him with so great loue â—bedience neuer diuiding tâ—e one from the other as he felt in his thoughts of death those of his loue to be so liuely and ardent as he would not conceale any thing that he knew to be against his person or Sâ—ate for aâ—l the world no not for the assurance of his life hee would not speake any thiâ—g tâ—at was not true He drewe Voisin and his Confessors a part and whispered some-thing vnâ—o them the which was presently written He praies before he goes forthe of the Cappell Hauing continued with his Confessors halfe an houre being neere fiue oâ— the Clocke one came and told him that it was time to part Goweâ— sayd he seeing I must He then kneeled downe before the Altar makes his praier and recommends him-selfe vnto God before hee goes out of the Chappell He asked if there were any one that belonged vnto the Marques of Rhosny Arnaut was there whome he willed to present his commendations vnto his Master in remembrance not so much of him that went to die as of his Kins-folkes which remained aliue and to assure him that he held him for a good seruant to the King and profitable and necessary for his seruice and that â—e was sorry he had not followed his Councell Hee knew one that followed the Duke of Mayenne and intreated him to say vnto him that if in his life he had giuen him some cause not to loue him yet he desired him to beleeue that hee died his seruant and the Duke of Esguillons and the Earle of Sommeriues his Children He sends câ—mmendatioâ—s to the â—ount of Auueâ—â—ne Hee charged Baranton to deliuer his last words of loue and affection vnto his Bretheren coÌ„manding them to keepe the faith which bound them vnto the Kings seruice not to apprehend his misâ—ortune nor to come at Coâ—â—t vntill that time had worne out the Sâ—arres of his ignoâ—inious death Hee intreated one of them that had garded him to go tel the Earle of Auuergne that he went to die without griefe but for the losse of his frieâ—dship that if God had giuen him a longer life hee would haue done him more seruice beâ—eeching him to beleeue that he had sayd nothing at his Arraignment that might hurt him if it were not that hee had more want then bad meaning The Count of Auvergne receiued this far well as from a true friend with a feeling worthy of his friendship he intreateâ—
beginning of the yeare did so freeze the Riuer of Danowe as the one passed ouer on drie foote to the other and skirmishing some-times vpon the Ice A Captaine of the garrison of Pesâ—a hauing intelligence that some of the chiefe of Buda were gone forth with many women to the Bathes which are neere vnto Buda he past the Riuer with threescore shot and surprised them in such sort as hee died the water of the Bath with their bloud not sparing any but a little Chiâ—de sonne to one of the chiefe of Buda The women were so amâ—zed as they flâ—d nâ—ked vnto the Towne the feare of death was more powrefull in them then shame The Turkes had the aduantage this yeare both by Lande and Sea they recoâ—ered what they had lost in Hungary and disapointed the enterprises of the Sea Army of Spaine the which were more grounded vpon the words and assurances of the King of Fez to deliuer Algier vnto them then vpon consideration of their forces Cigale went out of Constantinople with fifty sayle to obserue and followe them in their course Cigale goes forth of Constantinople In the end D. Iohn of Cardona was no happier then the Prince Doria It had bin a miracle if the Affricains had intreated the Spaniards better then the Portugalls One may say of theÌ„ as was sayd of the Romaines What may a man hope for of Rome which hath ruined Alba from whence it is issued What may one expect of the Kings of Fez if for the desire of raigne the Sonne hath not spared the Father Whilest that Muleasses was with the Emperour Charles the fift to treate of his Protection Amides his Sonne made himselfe master of the Realme The olde father returning with forces to enter into Thunis was taken in a passage where his Sonne had layed an Ambuscadoe and with him two of his Children which done this barbarous wretch pulled out the eyes of them all three Many thought that this Armie had had no desseigne the Treasons of France beeing discouered they had neede of it in Flanders many wondred to see the Spaniards seeke after new Conquests when as the affaires of the Lowe Countries were in so badde Estate Ostende was not yet readie to yeelde Graue beseeged Count Maurice had beseeged Graue to drawe the Arch-duke from Ostende if he might There were in Graue fiueteene hundred souldiars besides the Inhabitants The Archduke commanded the Admirall of Arragon to succour the beseeged with all speed who gathered togither what troupes he could and made many attempts vpon Count Maurices trenches the beseeged fallying forth of the Towne at the same times but finding that all his enterprises were in vaine hee made his retreat in the night sending his baggage away before and after that hee had stayed some dayes at Venlâ— the Inhabitants refusing to receiue the garrison which he would haue giuen them hee marched towards Vâ—recht hauing lost all hope to rayse the seege of Graue The Admirals retreat considering that a great part of his troupes were slipt away especially the Italians which yeelded themselues vnto Count Maurice some continued and serued him others tooke Pasports from him and returned into their Countrie The seege of Graue continued still with all violence the Walls and Rampers were so battered as they scarse durst shew themselues and the beseeged being beaten from their fortifications seeing all things readie to giue a generall Assault they made a composition to yeeld the nineteenth of September vpon certaine conditions The Count Maurice vsed the souldiars with all humilitie suffering them to carrie away their Armes Enseignes and all other Moouables The best troupes of the Admirals Army were mutined pretending that there was thre millions of Liuers due vnto them demanding their pay in a very vnseasonable time A mutiny in the Admâ—ralls Army seazing vppon the Castell of Hoochstraten at such time as the Archduke thought to succour Graue He held this as a reuolt infidelitie and intelligence with the Enemie for which cause hee proclaymed them guiltie of high Treason permitting all men to Kill them without feare of punishment promising tenne Crownes in recompence for euery souldiars head a hundred for an Officers two hundred for a Captains fiue hundred for that of the Electo The Mutinados published a declaration with iniurious tearmes and reproaches saying that the Archdukes would pay them with Prescriptions and Banishments a kind of pay and entertainment that doth neyther feede the Belly A Proâ—estation of the mutâ—â—â—â—â— nor couer the Backe that in demanding that which was due vnto them they had done but as others had done in the like occasions forced by necessity being no Cameleons to liue of the aire That to condemne theÌ„ to die which had no feare of death which had meanes not only to defend themselues but also to offend was absurd That their heads beeing set to sayle at ten Crownes a peece they did hope to defend them so well as their Highnesses should see but fewe of them Thus the Mutiners complayned but in the ende they found that all complaints were vaine against their Superiors The Arch-duke was ingaged in a second Warre against his owne troupes the which was no lesse trouble-some vnâ—o him then the enemy his discontent was much augmented by the defeate of the Gaileies of Spaine that came into Flanders This yeare their were eight Galleies rigged at Siuille vnder the Commande of Frederic Spinola there were 400. men in euery Galley besides the slaues The Galleies oâ— Spaine commâ—nded by Spinola and 800. men which they tooke in at Lisbonne These Galleies went toward the Coast of England being sent by the King of Spaine to ioyne with others which the Arch-duke had to hinder the trafficke of England Holland and Zeland and to keepe Osâ—end from alâ—â—eleefe Two of them the Trinity and the Occasion were sonke by Sir Richard â—uson vpon the Coast of Portugalle about the Cape of Sicambre these Galleies were discouered the 3. of October by two Shippes of Warre of the Sates who had them in chase The same day Sir Robert Mansel discouered them beeing a thwarte Calis gâ—uing aduice vnto the States shippes which lay vpon the Coast of Flanders by discharging of his Cannon The States shippes finding them aboue the pointe of Douer pursued them and fought with them they flying as fast as they could to recouer some of their Portes in Flanders but they were so ill intreated as foure of their Galleies were sonke the other 4. which remayned were so hotly pursued as two of them were cast away vpon the Coast neere vnto Nieuport and an other neere Dunkerke and the eight wherein Spinola was ranne a shoare at Calais and was saued with great difficulty where the Galley slaues being set at Liberty euery one went where he pleased and Spinola with his Gentlemen and the rest that he could saue went to the Arch-duke to Bruxellâ—s The Admirall of Arragon hauing fayled in the releefe of
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
that might be without preiudice to their Alliaâ—ces to assure a good Neighbour-hood with the State of Milan so as the Count oâ— Fuentes would demolish the Fortâ— within sixe months vpon their Frontier The great Cantons of the Suisses were Actors in this busines perswading the Grisons to trust rather to Courage then to the safety of their mountaines Matters continued in great suspence They sent often to Milan and what was concluded there was dissoluâ—d in the Assembly of the People by the friends of this Crowne and by the Wisedome of the Kings Ambassador who said plainely that his Maiesty would leaue their Alliance if they made not a Declaration that might content him Those iudgments that were sound not preiudicate found it reasonable in this reason the honor of their faith the reputatioÌ„ of their estate as coÌ„trariwise they thought it could not be an act of glory to sel their Alliance as it was not coÌ„mendable for the Spaniards to bâ—ye it if they were of the Romans humor who neuer sought that by Gold which they might do by the sword But against these apparant reasons An Allyance puâ—chased dishonorable the Count of Fuentes had so many Trickes and Deuises as the Ambassador of France had much adoe to retayne this people who promised in words not to forsake the allyance of France and Venice doing the contrarye in effect In former times it was incredible that the Suisse so great an enemy to the house of Aâ—stria from whose subiection they had reuolted and the Grison so contrary to the Spanish fâ—shions would incline that way and contradict the very feeling of Reason and Nature The Truth hath freede the doubt and let vs see that it is of this people as of Viniger the which neuer freezeth for that it is extremely cold The Suisses and Grisons for that they are enemies to the Spaniards will not haue the power of Spaine to bee their enemy The bad successe of this businesse did not concerne France and the Venetians alone the best aduised did fore-see that it might drawe a Ciuill Warre into Italy vnder the pretext of Religion Many Commanders and Captaines Grisons not able to endure the Rigour and Threats of the Count Fuentes were sollicited by them of their Beleefe and Religion lurking in Italy to hold good and to attend vntill the Lord came from Edom to disperse their enemies and to beleeue that as there is no Waâ— more glorious then that which is vndertaken to free their Country from seruitude so there is none more iust then that which is made to deliuer Consciences from Tyranny and that both in the one and the other occasion it is a great happynesse to sacrifice their Liues The King sent aduice thereof to Rome for the Consequence and Danger of Religion Hee did also pacifie the diuision of the people of Valais who were in Armes and ready to come to a generall Combate for the same quaâ—rell In the meane time the Grisons remayned betwixt the doubtfullnesse of Warre and the discommodities of Peace and as in the breeding of such diuisions free and curious spirits cannot reteyne their passions they made Pasquins in Italy vpon this subiect and the Spanish braueries were not mute the which the Grisons answered with the like humour If the Venetians who were the cause of all the mischeefe would haue spoke and set their hand to the worke as they ought the Count of Fuentes who did more by example then by any authority would haue intreated the Grisons more mildly But besides that Common-weales are not good for an offensiue Warre these Seigneures who would not hazard anything but preferre present and assured things before that which was past and perilous would haue beene content to haue inioyed that which they desired without any trouble There was a generall assembly held at Illant at one of the Corners of the Grisons where afâ—er great diuersity of opinions it was concluded by the greater part that seeing the Ambassadors had through their Auarice defamed their Legation and suffered the Count of Fuentes to binde the liberty of their aduice with chaines of Gold and had exceeded the instructions that were giuen them the laâ—t Treaty made at Milan should be declared voyde and of none effect if the Alliance of France and that of Venice were not expressely reserued The Dobles of Spaine had wrought wonders giuing motion to the most heauy and speech vnto the Dombe to fauor the Count of Fuentes intentions with a Nation that loues money beyond all measure But in the ende the consideration of their owne health and the ruines of their liberty were of more â—orce making them to choose the hazard of Armes and of all discommodities rather then to suffer the Fort which the Count of Fuentes had caused to be built to stand vnruined And for that incensed with this resolution he had made shew to seyze vppon Valteline they made a leauy of eighteene hundred Men in sixe companies to oppose against him The Kings intention was that the treaty of Milan should not alter the Alliances of the Crowne of France and of Venice But if the Grisons should breake with the French dishonour their reputation with so foule a defection the French had no great reason to regard it seeing it were a losse but of inconstant friends whose faith was ruined by the same meanes it was preserued True it is they should loose a goodly passage into Italy but when they had any desire to goe thether it should not bee by the Grisons The French Armies were neuer led that way to passe the Alpes It is true that when the Kings of France held Milan this passage was necessary for them to draw in Suisses and Germaines for their seruice But inioying this no more they neede not to care much to loose that which cost them so deere to maintaine This was the beginning of the thirteenth yeare of Pope Clement the eights sitting in the Pontificall Chaire In his youth a Mathematician told him that he should be a Cardinall then Pope and should sit in the seat twelue yeares A Friar had told Leo the tenth as much hauing saued himselfe in Mantoua after the battell of Rauenna assuring him that hee should be Pope â—redictions of â—riar Seraphin of Montoua before he came to the age of fortie yeares A Terme which made this prediction seeme ridiculous and impossible and yet it was true for after the death of Iulio the second the yong Cardinalls being banded against the old chooâ—e him Pope The Astrologian hath spoken very truely in the two first adueÌ„tures of this Pope but hee hath misreckned himselfe in the third yet some feare it is but one yeare for this which wee shall shortly beginne is full of badde constellations vpon that Sea as they hold that haue studied the booke of the Abbot Ioachim Curious questions About that time there was a Iesuite that maintained an opinion that was held very bold throughout all the
reported wonders of the greatnesse and power of the King of Persia who he saâ—d had taken aboue fourescoâ—e Towns from the Turke that he had defeated Cigale in Battell and that now he held Aleppo beseeged and that they could not passe his Countries in three moneths that he could raise two hundred thousand Foote and a hundred thoâ—sand Horse for his defence After that hee had discoursed long with him vppon this sâ—biect he asked the Gouernor by his Interpreter What profit he had by his charge and the Gouernour asked Why he demanded it Because answered the Ambassadour that the King of Persia my Maister neuâ—r reapes any profit of that which is leaâ—ied in his Prouinces but leaues the disposition therof to the Goâ—ernors who for that respect are bound in time of War to furnish a certaine number of Men and a propotion of Money out of the reuenues of their Gouernments We must beleeue them which come from far for that the great dâ—stance makes the proofe difficult The Pâ—rsian ioynes vpon the North with the Medes Desâ—ription of 〈◊〉 on the West side it hath Susiane vpon the East Caramania and towardes the South it is bounded with the Sea The powers of the World haue their reuolutions and periods as well as Men. It hath beene seene in the Monarchy of the Persians They held the Monarchy two hundred and fiue and twenty yeares the Medes expelled theÌ„ these were chased away by the Macedonians and they by the Romaines and the Romaines by the Saracins Sâ—nce they haue freede themselues from any others coÌ„mand and reserued some peece of the anâ—ient Monarchy But the Turkes intreated them very ill who after many long Wars granted them in the end so infamous a Peace as they retayned their capitall Cittie and so iniurious as the worst conditions of warre had bin better As peace is to be desired for them that are at ease and war for the miserable This Persian tooke the way of Suisserland to performe his Ambassage hee went from Lions to Baden during the assemblie of the thirteene Cantons of Suisses he had but one more on horsebacke with him and fiue or sixe men on foot and one cart for his baggage When as the Kings Ambassador saw him in his equipage he said he did not thinke his charge should haue any great traine seeing he himselfe had so small The King hauing promiâ—ed to restore the Iesuits The Iesuits restored Father Cotton came to Paris by his Maiesties coÌ„mand with father Armand the Prouinciall and father Alexander They not onely found all things easie but beyond their conceiued hopes for the King grew presently into such a liking with Father Cotton as he did nothing but he was called in the end his Maiestie granted their returne vpon certaine conditions and the Edict made for their establishment notwithstanding any oppositions made vnto the Court to hinder the confirmation therof was confirmed in the beginning of this yeare and their Colledges restored at Lions Rouan Bourges and Dijon The Seigneur of Varenne Controller Generall of the Posts Iesuits at Lâ— Flecâ—â— and now Gouernor of the Towne and Câ—stell of Anger 's who loued them of this company besought the King to build a newe Colledge at La Fleche in Aniou with priuileges like to the other Vniuersities of this realme the which the King made of a royall foundation and gaue them his owne hoâ—se with pensions â—or the instruction of a good number oâ—â—ong gentlemen whome his Maiestie would haue bred vp and instruâ—ted there in al Professions Tongues Exercises During these great royall fauouâ—s Father Cotton tasted oâ— some prâ—uat diâ—grace Father Cotton wounded for returning one night somewhat late about the end of â—ebruarie and passing by the street of the new bridge to goe vnto the Louvre there were cerâ—aine Pâ—ges and Laquaies which calling for him at the dore of the Carosse wounded him with their rapiers hauing one great wound in the shoulder going towâ—rds the necke the throat whereof notwithstanding he was soone after câ—red There was great search made for this attempt but the King himselfe discouered presently whence it might proceed The Pages Laquais of the Court had beene whipt by commandement for their insolencie in crying with dirision Old woll old Cotton vpon the complaint of certain Princes and Noblemen Those that say this blow was premeditated by the enemies of the Iesuits were deceiued and his Maiesties only opinion who iudged that it came from the Pages and Laquais was true Some were taken and examined the King himselfe heard the examination first they excused themselues of the fact then they sayd that they meant onely to strike the Coachman to whome they had cryed to goe farther off and that hee would hurt them comming so neere the wall the which hee would not doe and that thinking to strike the Coachman they had hurt Father Cotton If â—ather Cotton had not beene an earnest suter vnto the King to pardon them it had gon ill with them but notwithstanding they were banished the Court and forbidden euer to come there vppon paine of death This yeare the King besides his goodly buildings which shall make his memory commendable to posterity A Chanel from the riuer of Seine to Loyre would also shew vnto future ages that he had a care of the good of his subiects who for the commoditie of their comerce traffick caused a câ—anell to be made by the which all marchandise should be carried from the riâ—er of Loyre into the riuer of Seine At the same time hee began his channell from Seine to Loyre which costs a hundred and fourescore thousand Crownes in 3. yeares They propounded vnto his Maiestie an enterprise of greater difficultie to ioyne the two Seas togither to make the nauigation from the one to the other through FraÌ„ce not to passe by the straight of Gibraltar By the means of a chanell more easie to bee made betwixt the two riuers which passe the one from Tolouse into the Ocean the other from Narbone into the Mediterranian Sea theÌ„ that which is made to ioyne the riuers of Seine and Loire togither The vndertaker offered CantioÌ„ to â—oiâ—e the nauigatioÌ„ of the â—aid two Seas by this Câ—anel within one yeare for 40000. Crownes only the which should carrie a vessell of foure fadome wide from one Sea vnto the other for a certaine proofe of his desseine Which was to make ships to passe afterâ—ards within a â—mall time and for little more charge There were many new inuentions for works deuised and brought into France this yeare by strangers New inuentions of workes brought into France Making of Cipers as weauing of gold after the manner of Milan and the making of cloth and lines of the barke of white Mulberie trees more easily then of nettles or any other trees and more strong and of longer continuance then any other the which was inuented by Monsieur Serres in Prouince The making of all
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
the cause of this warre fol. 74 Charles subdues the Saxons and perswades Witichind to be a christian ibid. The ofspring of Witichind f. 75 The Institution of the twelue Peeres of France fol. 76 Treachery of Idnabala the Sarazin ibid. Pampalune taken and the Sarazins victorie ibid. The Sarazins enter into Gascoine ibid. Conditions propounded by Aigoland and accepted by Charles fol. 77 Sarazins defeated in Spaine ibid. The treason of Ganelon fol. 78 Rouland defeated at Ronceuaux he dies for thirst ibid Charles reuengeth this treacherie ibid. The end of the Spanish warre fol. 79 Bauiere incorporated to the crowne for rebellion ibid. The limits of the French Monarchy in Germany ibid. The occasion why Charlemagne was proclaimed Emperour fol. 80 Contention in the East â—or Images ibid The tragicall death of Constantine fol. 81 Irene his mother banished ibid. Diuision of the Empire ibid. Warre in Italie and in Saxony fol. 82 Charles hâ—s dâ—edes while he was Emperour Charles repulst at Venice He diuides his possessions to his children and settles an order for their lawes The Danes reuolt ibid. Charles looseth two of his best sonnes ibid. Rebellion against Charles fol. 83 The Empire confirmed to him his care to rule the Church ibid. A good Instruction for princes to loue pietie ibid. New warre in Spaine crost by secret practises ib. A happy conclusion of Chaâ—lemagnes life ibid. Charles makes his Will and dies fol. 84 The true praises of Charlemagne and his vices ibid. Lewis the gentle the 25. king and Emperour of the West THe declining of this race fol. 85 Lewis his wiues and children fol. 86 His base facilitie ibid. A furious crueltie his indiscretion ibid. Tragicall rebellion of children ibid. Abuse in the Clergie fol. 87 Lewis imprisoned by his children hee is forced to giue them portions and he dies ibid. Diuision among the brethren and the cause fol. 87 The estate of Lewis his children aâ—teâ— his death Loâ—haire thinking to surprize his brethren is surprized and defeated fol. 88 He dies a Monke ibid. An accord betwixt Charles and Lewis fol. 89 Hermingrade daughter to Lewis married to Bosan king of Arles fol. 90 Charles the bald the 26. King and Emperour A Confused and an vnhappy raigne fol. 91 Charles seekes to deceiue his Neece ibid. He is diuerted from the warre of Italie where he dies fol. 92 Lewis 2. called the stuttering the 27. King and Emperour THe princes of Italie oppose against him f. 92 The Pope vsurpes the imperial rights in Italy ibi Lewis dies and leaues his wife with child fol. 93 Regents crowned as Kings ibid. Charles borne after his fathers death ibid. The minoritie of Charles called the Simple the which continued 22. yeres vnder 4. Regents whom they call Kings The 28. raigne vnder Lewis and Caroloman Basâ—aâ—ds LEwis is defeated by the Normans and dies for griefe fol. 94 Caroloman dyâ—s of a violent dath fol. 95 Charles called the Grosse 29. King and Emperour GReat hopes of his good gouernment fol. 96 Neustria called Normandie ibid. Charles defeated by the Normans yeelds to a preiudiciall peace ibid. Hee is extreamâ—ly hated and deiected both from Empire and Realme ibid. He dies poorely in a village fol. 97 Eudes or Odon named Regent by Lewis the 2. the 30. King of France THe race of Eudes from whence Hugh Capet sprong fol. 98 Eudes maligned in his Regencie fol. 99 France full of factions ibid. Eudes resignes the Regencie to the King a little before he died ibid. Charles 3. called the Simple the 31. King of France A Memorable League made by Robert brother to Eudes against King Charles fol. 100 Charles put from the Crowne fol. 101 Robert the head of the League and in armes ibid. Robert causeth himselfe to be crowned King fol. 102. The errors of King Charles ibid. Robert defeated and slaine by Charles ibid. Charles taken prisoner by Hebert he dies for griefe ibid. Queene Ogina flies into England with her sonne Lewis ibid. Raoul the 32. King but in effect an vsurper RAâ—ul an Vsurper raignes vnfortunately fol. 103. Necessâ—rie obseruations for great Estates fol. 104 Confusions in France Italy and Germany ibid. Confusion in the East and in the Church ibid. Pope Ioan deliuered of a child in the open streete fol. 105. Lewis 4. the 33 King LEwis a disloyall prince fol. 106 Hee marrieth one of the Emperours sisters Hugues father to Hugh Capâ—t marrieth another ibid. The duke of Normandie tâ—aiterousâ—y slaâ—â—e 〈◊〉 107. Lewis deales trecherously in oppressing the Normanes 〈◊〉 The King of Denmarke comes to succour tâ—e Duke of Normandie fol. 1â—9 Lewis taken prisoner at a parle and set free vpon conditions ibid. Richard Duke of Normandy marries the daughter of â—ugueâ— the great ibid. Lâ—wis seekes to ruine Hugues his brother in Law â—ol 1â—â— Trecherie punished with trecherie Count Hebert hanged ibid. Lewis dies hated of his sâ—biects ibid. Lothaire 34. King of France LOthaire a trecherous king fâ—l 111 He attempt warre against Richard of Normandie but in vaine ibid. Lothaire makes warre against the Emperour 〈◊〉 112. Lorraine giuen to Charles of France by the Emperour ibid. Lothaire dies detested of all men ibâ—d Lewis 5 the 35. King and the last of the sâ—cond â—ace THe last King of the race of Charlemaigne fâ—l 113. God the disposer of Kingdomes and States ibid. Hugh Capet the 36. King and the first of the third Race CHarles Duke of Lorraine heire presumptiue reiected from the Crowne and Hugh Capet chosen King of France fol. 117 The reason why Chaâ—les was reiected fol. 118 Hugh Capet held most worthy of the Crowne ibid. His fathers wise proceeding fol. 119 His off-spring ibid. Why he was called Capâ—t ibid. Hugh Capets proceeding to attaine to the Crowne fol. 120. A parliament at Noâ—on â—or his election ibid. Hugh Capet crowned at Rheims fol. 121 Charles of Lorraine begins warre and surpriseth townes ibid. Hugh Capâ—t defeated and in danger ibid. Charles promiseth vnto himselfe a happie raigne ibid. He is taken in Laon carried to Orleans where he dies in prison ibid. Hugh Capet no vsurper fol. 122 The subiects doe homage vnto him ibid. Hee doth renew the orders of the twelue Peeres of France He suppresseth the Mayor of the Pallace ibid. Hugh crownes his sonne Robâ—rt King fol. 123 Roberts veâ—tues ibid. The Constable succeeds the Maior the Constables authoritie ibid. Hugh decrees that the eldest should raigne alone among his brethren ibid. He suppresseth the Mayor of the Palace ibid. The French cannot subsist but vnder a Royaltie ibid. Paris the chiefe place of Hughes residence ibid. His proceeding against Arnulph bastard of Lothaire who is deposed from his bishopricke ibid. The manners of Pope Iohn the 12. fol. 125 The estate of the Church and Empire ibid. Hugh Capet dies ibid. The Monarchy of France of greater continuance then euer any fol. 126 An order for the vse of this raigne ibid. The names of 13. Kings of the first royall branch of Capets placing Hugh Capet for
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
all gouernment Thus Lodowicke commands Milan absolutely and Robert serues the Venetians yet Galeas and the Earle of Caiazze children to Robert shall returne and doe Lodowicke good seruice in the State of Milan Then began Lodowicke to increase in authority grauing the Dukes picture on the one side of their coyne and his owne on the other not without the muttering of many namely of Isabell the wife of Alphonso Duke of Calabria sonne to Ferdinand King of Arragon as proud and haughtie a woman as her husband was weake of iudgement and without courage This repyning made Lodowik to hasten his resolution And thus he proceeded when the Duke went forth of the Castell his brother remained within and Lodowicke conducting him home the captaine did vsually come forth vpon the bridge to receiue him Lodowicke vsurpes Milan and suprizeth the Castell One day among the rest Lodowike staies him purposely a little without the bridge to drawe forth the Captaine whome Galeas and the Earle Caiazze seize vpon and on such as followed him They within drawe the bridge Lodowicke lights a candle sweares to cut off their heads that were in his power if they yeeld not the place before the light be burnt The which they do He enters and placeth men at his pleasure he putts the Captaine in prison arraines him vpon colour that he meant to deliuer vp the Castell to the Emperour He staies some Germaines and makes them beleeue that they treated in fauour of the house of Austria which of old time pretended some right to the Duchie yet afterwards both he they were set at liberty Lodowike is now maister of the fort He must seeke means to maintaine this vsurpation yet least he should growe too odious he makes all dispatches in that name of Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan his Nephew a Duke in name only but he in effect In the meane time Isabell sollicits her father and Grandfather to reuenge the iniustice and tyrannie of Lodowike Lodowike vnderstood well that this acte would offend many Princes that his insolent and not accustomed exaction of money made his name odious to all the people of the Duchy and that Ferdinand King of Arragon with his sonne Alphonso would not faile to imbrace the quarrell and right of Iohn Galeas and of their Isabell. To crosse them he cunningly to the preiudice of the ancient confederacie of the Estats of Italy makes a league betwixt the Pope the Venetians and Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan his Nephew arming himselfe alwaies with that name for their common defence and namely of Lodowikes gouerment vpon condition that the Venetians and the said Duke should either of them send presently two hundred men at armes to Rome and greater forces if need were for the recouery of such places as were deteined from the Church by Virgilius Vrsinus in fauour of Peter of Medicis his kinsmaÌ„ associat with Ferdinand Alphonso And more to crosse their estates Lodowick who could not subsist in the midst of their vinted forces sends an honorable Ambassage to the King wherof the Earle of Caiazzo was the chiefe assisted by Charles of Balbiano Earle of Belzoioso Galeas of S. Seuerin who had married a bastard of Lodowicks who greatly vrge the title he had to this goodly and pleasant countrie of Naples They easely drew the king to tast a vaine glorie of Italie perswading him by great offers of seruice succors of men money and munition But before we passe the Alpes let vs examine the estate of Italie the right which our Charles pretended Since the declining of the Romaine Empire Italie neuer enioyed a more happy prosperity then about the yeare 1490. A long peace had made the most barren places fruitfull it abouÌ„ded in people riches great men of state and good witts in learning industrie and military fame such as that age could produce beautified with the state of many Princes not subiect to any other coÌ„mand but of themselues Laurence of Medicis a Cittizen of Florence The Estate of Italie 1490. was a great meanes to hold things in this prosperous estate a man of a quiet spirit experienced in affaires iudicious of great authority aboue all his fellow Cittizens for that he gouerned Pope Innocent the 8. his kinsman absolutely renoumed throughout all Italie He knew that the greatnesse of other Potentates would mightely shake the Common weale of Florence and therefore he sought by all meanes to hold them equall by a generall obseruation of peace Ferdinand of Arragon King of Naples a wise Prince and of great reputation did much affect this publicke quiet but he had worke at home Alphonso Duke of Calabria his eldest son being much discontented seeing that Iohn Galeas Sforce Dâ—ke of Milan his sonne in Lawe should carry but the naked and simple title of Dâ—ke vnder the oppression of Lodowike his Vncle. But Ferdinand hauing yet a fresh impression of the late reuolt of his subiects of Naples not ignorant that at the first motion they would open their armes to the house of France considering the affection which most of his subiects bare vnto it of old he feared least the diuisions in Italy should drawe the French to inuade the Realme of Naples preferring a present benefit before the indignation of his sonne desiring rather to vnite himselfe with the other Estats especiallie that of Milan and Florence to countermine the Venetiens greatnesse being then fearefull to all Italie puft vp with the late ouerthrowe of the Duke of Ferrara father in lawe to Lodowike after a long and dangerous hazard of their estate Lodowike was in the same predicament with the rest and moreouer peace was farre more necessarie then warre for the preseruation of an authority lately vsurped Herevnto that commendable inclynation to peace which he found in Laurence of Medicis did mooue him And considering that in regard of the inueterate hatred betwixt the house of Arragon and the Venetians they should hardly make any firme League betwixt them he therefore concluded that Ferdinand and his sonne should not bee at neede assisted by any other to crosse him in his desseins and hauing them alone opposite he should easily withstand them So Ferdinand Lodowike and Laurence continued the alliance cherefully which they had renued in the yeare 1480. for 25. yeares all the meaner Potentats in a manner leauing vnto them to whom the Venetians greatnesse was wonderfully suspected managing their affaires apart not imparting their couÌ„sells to the body of the coÌ„mon league watching onely oportunity to growe great by the publike discords Tâ—oubles by the death of Lâ—â—â—ence of Mâ—dicis Being all thus vnited they were too strong for the Venetians yet were they full of enuie and mutuall iealousie one prying still into an others estate and continually crauing desseines so as they could not long liue in true and faithfull friendship The death of Laurence of Medicis was a great cause of the breach of this generall peace An vnseasonable death for him
hauing not yet liued 44. yeares complet for his Country the which by his wisdome and iudgement flourished most happily in all the benefits which a long peace doth vsually bring forth and for Italy as well by reason of the affaires which he did wisely manage to the generall good of the whole Country as also for that he was a notable instrument to temper the diuers humors and iealousies which sprong vp dayly betwixt Ferdinand and Lodowike and to quench the flames which might easily cause a generall disorder This peace beeing well shaken by his death was presently quite broken not so much by the death of Innocent who by his sloth was growne vnprofitable as â—ell for himselfe his friends and the publicke after hee had retyred his armes the which hee had displayed at the instance of the Barons of Naples as by the succession of Roderike Borgia who was then called Alexander the sixt a Spaniard chosen vnder the factious discords of Ascanius Sforce brother vnto Lodowike Pope Alexanders disposition Iulian of S. Pierre buying the suffrages of many other Cardinalls partly with ready money and partly by promises of Offices and benefices He was subtill and quicke wiâ—teâ— excellent in counsell vehement to perswade and a great man of state But sayth the Originall his vertues were surpassed by his vices dishonest in manners no sincerity 〈◊〉 shame no truth no faith no religion in him but an insatiable couetousnes an immoderate ambitien The peace of Italy ruined by Peter of Medicis a cruelty more then barbarous and a violent desire to aduance by what meanes soeuer his children which were many in number Peter the eldest sonne of Laurence of Medicis was successor to his goodly honors but not to his fathers good humors Peter differed as much from Laurence as that Hector drawne dead at a chariots taile from Hector returning victorious honored with the spoiles of Achilles At his entrance to the gouernment following an aduice directly contrary to his father without any other counsell then of Virgilius Vrsâ—nus of whose humour Peter depended both their Mothers being of the family of Vrsins he made so strict a League with Ferdinand and Alphonso as Lodowike a vigilant and subtill man conceyued presently that the Florentin forces might easily bee drawne to preiudice him in fauour of the Arragonois This iealousie was layed open by this accident The confederatâ— according to their custome must send to congratulate and acknowledge the newe Pope Lodowike had wisely aduised that all the Ambassadors should enter Rome togither in company and likewise into the consistory before the Pope and that one should speake for them all for sayd he by this manner of proceeding we shall make knowne to Italy that there is not onely a singular loue and League betwixt vs but also so fâ—rme a coniunction as wee shall seeme to be but one body and one Principality Ferdinand approued this aduice Peter did not publickly gainsay it but in priuate hee could not digest it being one of the Ambassadors chosen for the common weale of Florence hauing resolued to beautifie his ambassage with a proud and staâ—ely traine He considered that entring into Rome and presenting himselfe to the Pope in troupe his traine would appeere far lesse stâ—tely in so great a company And therefore he caused the King of Naples to frustrate this desseine as not to be done without confusion But Ferdinand loath to displease one to please an other doth aduertise Lodowike that he did not recall his first consent but at the instant request of Peter of Medicis There was yet an other reason which made Lodowike to suspect some secret intellâ—gence betwixt Peter and the Arragonois Francisquin Cibo bastard sonne to Innocent after his fathers death had retired himselfe to Florence to Peter of Medicis brother to Magdalene his wife Being planted there Virgilius Vrsinus bought of him by Peters meanes Larguillare Ceruetre and some other places neere to Rome for fortie thousand duckets The money was in a manner all lent him by Ferdinand of purpose to the ende that Virgilius being his kinsman and entertayned soldiar growing great about Rome he might reape the more profit Ferdinand found no better foundation for his safety then to tye all or the greatest part of the Noblemen within the territories to suppresâ—e that Hidrâ—es head if it shold rise too high This he labored more carefully doubting that Lodowikes authority would proue great hereafter with the Pope by the meanes of Cardinall Ascanius his Brother The vanity of mans conceites must needes discouer the weakenesse of his iudgement Of two mischiefs Ferdinand did choose the greatest grounding vpon a light profit he did not foresee that he layed the way open to his owne ruine For the â—â—pe discouering the Arragonois intentioÌ„ pretending that by the alie nation of these 〈◊〉 places lying in his Iurisdiction done without his priuity they were by right forfaiâ—ed to the Apostolike sea He exclaimes and complaines against Ferdinand Peter Virgilius protesting to omit no meanes that may serue for the defence of his dignity and the rights of the Romaine sea Lodowike embraceth this occasion and seeing the Pope to study of some great reuenge against Ferdinand he feeds his passions by the loane of forty thousand ducats three hundred men at armes leuied vpon the coÌ„mon treasor Yet apprehending new troubles he aduiseth Ferdinand to perswade Virgilius to coÌ„tent the Pope by some honest composition to preueÌ„t the incoÌ„ueniences scandales this diuorce might breed and councelleth Peter to follow the domesticall example of his father and to be a mediator as he had beene betwixt Ferdinand and him rather then a fiâ—e brand to kindle diuision but he talked to a deaff man â—erdinand promiseth to do it but he ruined with one hand what hee raised with the other he secretly sollicits Virgilius to taâ—e possession of those Townes and not to yeeld the Pope any tâ—ing but some certaine summe of money by meanes whereof he should remaine peaceable Lord oâ— the sayd places promising to waâ—rant him from all troubles Lodowike findes hereby that it behoues him to fortifie himselfe with newe supports and newe alliances He hath a good oportunity the disdaine of Alexander against the King of Naples and the affection the Senat of Venice seemed to haue to the Dis-union of this League whereby their proiects had so long beene made frustrate But the Pope loued his children deerely and contrary to the custome of others who called them Nephewes as a more modest name he impudently called them Sonnes He hoped to obtaine one of the bastard Daughters of Alphonso for one of his bastards sonnes Grafte crabbe vpon crabbe and you shall neuer reape good fâ—uite and whilest this vaine hope possessed him he opened his eares rather then his heart to Lodowikes motion Ferdinand gaue his consent but Alphonso hated the ambition pride of Alexander The Pope being thus frustrate turnes all his thoughts to Lodowike mooued
a Germaine but aboue all Gonsalue grieued for Dom Hugues of Cardone and Roderike Maurice slaine with a Cannon shot There small good haps were crossed by the taking of the fort of Euandre Aquâ—â—e and al other places of Abruzze the which drewe all Calabria to the Spanish obedience The King in the meane time sent seuen thousand foote The Kings new army for Naples and eight hundred men at armes commanded with the Title of Generall by the Lord of Tremouille who then by common consent was held one of the chief for martiall affaires but surprised by sicknes at Parma he gaue the charge therof to Francis of Gonzague Marquis of Mantoâ—a and eight thousand Suisses to the which the Florentines did adde 2. hundred Lance â—â—e Duke of Ferrare the Bolognois and Gonzague a hundred men at armes and the Siennois a hundred more the which being ioyned with those troupes that were in Caâ—ete made about the number of a thousand eight hundred lances French and Italian and aboue eighteene thousand foote besides the army at sea wherein were great forces For the passage of this army by land the King desired to bee satisfied of the Popes intention and of the Valentinois for the Pope who made an ordinary trafficke of other mens losse and calamity signified that as a common father aâ—d hee to both parties he would remaine a newter suffering either of them to leaâ—y troupes indifferently in the territories of the Church he granted free passage to the said armie And the Valentinois offered the king to ioine vnto his army 500. men at armes and two thousand foote but some letters intercepted from the Valentinois to Gonsalue discouered the very botome of his thoughts capitulating that Gonsalue hauing taken Caiete and consequently all the realme of Naples the Valentinois should seize vpon Pisa and then ioyning their forces they should inuade Tuscane But as the Pope and his Borgia would serue two maisters The estate of the Church and the King pressing them vehemently to declare their mindes plainly behold a strange Catastrophe of the Popes Tragedy The Pope and Borgia had before time poysoned the Cardinalls of Saint Angelo of Capoua of Modena Vrsin and many other rich personages whome commonly by their death they disrobed of their goods They had likewise sworne the death of Adrian Cardinall of Cornete They were to suppe coolely in an arbour in a garden belonging vnto Adrian for the effecting of their desseing the Valentinois had sent before some flagons of poysoned wine whereof hee gaue the charge to a grome that was ignorant of the busiâ—es with expresse commandement that no man should touch them It chanced that the Pope comming before the cloath was layed distempered with heate and thirst called for wine The taster thinking this flagon had beene especially recommended for the Popes owne mouth and his sonnes filled of this wine to the Pope And as he was drinking the Duke of Valentinois comes to whome beeing desirous to drinke they gaue of the same flagon Thus Pope Alexander the 6. died the next day the 18. of August whose immoderate ambition The death of Pope Alexander His disposition vnrestrained arrogancie detestable treachery horrible crueltie vnmeasurable couetousnesse selling both holy and profane things had infected all the world verifying in his person That the wicked man labours to bring forth outrage but he shall bring forth that which shall deceiue him hee hath made a pit and is fallen into it And The eternall God searcheth out murthers and remembers them The Valentinois through the vigor of his youth and speedie counter poysons beeing put into the belly of a moyle newly killed prolonged his dayes to feale many deathes in his soule not dying so soone He had often foreseene al accidents that might happeÌ„ vnto him by the death of his father prouided remedies for theÌ„ all but he reckoned without his host not supposing to see his father dead himself at the same instant in extreame danger of death And whereas hee did alwayes presume after his fathers decease partly by the feare of his forces partly with the fauour of the Spanish Cardinalls which were eleuen to cause a Pope to be chosen at his pleasure hee is nowe forced to apply his Counsells to the present necessity And imagyning that he should hardly at one instant withstand the hatred of the Colonnois and Vrsins if they were ioyntly handed against him he resolued to trust them rather whom he had onely wronged in their estates So restoring to them their lands and possessions hee presently reconciles himselfe with the Colonnois and others of their faction who by the comming of Prosper Colonne to Rome had already fiâ—led all the Câ—tty with iealousies and tumults some fearing least this reconcilâ—ation should drawe the Valentinois to the Spanish party others apprehending the comming of the French army Moreouer the Vrsins assembled all their partisans and thirsting after the Valentinois bloud sought to reuenge the outrages which all their famimely had sustayned So as in hatred of the deceased Pope and his sonne they burne all the shoppes and houses of some Spanish marchants and courtiars at Mont-Iordan All the other Parons in the dominions of the Church by their meanes returne to their lands and goods The Vitelli returne to Citta of Castello Iohn Paul Baillon chased from before Perouâ—e at the first seege returnes and by a furious assault takes it The Towne of Plâ—mbin receiues her first Lord. The Duke of Vrbin the Lords of Pesere Camerin and Siâ—igalle are reestablished in their possessions The Venetians assemble many men at Rauenne and giue cause of suspect to inuade Romagnia which onely remayned vnder the Valentinois command desyring rather to serue one onely a mighty Lord then to haue a particular Lord in euery Towne Notwithstanding all these disgraces yet both the French and the Spaniard made great instance to entertayne him or to winne him to their party the French for that he might beeing armed crosse their passage into Italie if hee discouered himselfe in fauour of the Spaniard and molest them in the estate of Naples the Spaniard for that they desired to make vse of his forces and to get by his meanes the suffrages of the Spanish Cardinalls for the election of a future Pope But the French armie approched Rome and the King might hurt or helpe him more then the Spaniard both within Rome and in his other Estates He therefore passed this accord the first of September the Cardinall of Saint Seuerin and the Lord of Trans Ambassador vndertaking for the King To aide the King with his forces in the warre of Naples and in any other enterprise against all men except the Church And the sayd Agents bound his maiesty as well to protect the person of the Valentinois as all the estates which he possessed and to aide him to recouer those which he had lost The Cardinall of Amboise vp on the first newes of Alexanders death postes thether
to labour for the Popedome building chiefely vpon Cardinall Ascanius promises whome two yeares before he had drawne out of the Tower of Bourges But so many ambitions braines fraught rather with diuisions and partialities euery one for his owne priuate proffit then assisted with the holy spirit to whome notwithstanding they giue the first voice in their election Election of a newe Pope did in the ende frustrate both the French and Spaniard to install Francis Piccolomini Cardinall of Siene beeing old worne sickely to the which the whole Colledge agreed both for that this neutrall election might disperse the diuers pursuits of the pretending nations as also for that the newe Popes infirmity gaue them hope to proceed shortly to the subrogation of another To reuiue the memory of Pius the second his vncle who had made him Cardinall hee was called Pius the third Yet this election did not pacifie the troubles within Rome The Valentinois and the Vrsins being within the walles fortify in themselues daylie with newe companies resolued to obtaine by force the Iustice which their reasonable demandes could not get of the Colledge of Cardinalls when as their Partisans were arriued This contention did greatly trouble both the Court and the people of Rome did mightily preiudice the French affaires for this vehement affection wherewith they see the Valentinois supported by France drewe the Vrsins to the Spaniards pay whose forces were of no small consequence for an absolute victory But the desire the Venetians had to see the King disapointed of the Realme of Naples The Vrsins Colonnois reconciled â—bandie against the Valentinois and the liberty they gaue the Vrsins to leaue their pay made the world to iudge that eyther they had perswaded this family to the Spanish party or at the least they had coÌ„sented thervnto And this was an other cause of discontent to be reuenged of them in time The Vrsins being entertayned by the Spaniard and reconciled with the Colonnois by the mediation of the Ambassadors of Spaine and Venice and ioyntly resolued for a common reuenge vpon the Valentinois they fall vpon his troupes in the suburbes the which beeing vnable to withstand so violent a charge were forced to giue way vnto their violence and the Commander to saue himselfe in the Castell Saint Angelo hauing likewise with the Popes consent taken the Captaines oath to depart when hee pleased The tumult beeing thus pacified it gaue them free liberty to attend a newe election for Pius nothing deceyuing their conceyued hope of his shorte Popedome died the twentie sixt day after his creation But alas Alexander had serued but as a scourge for that great Iudge but nowe hee takes his rodde in hand to breake Italie in peeces The Cardinall of Saint Pierre mighty in friends in reputation and in wealth was chosen the last of October and named Iulius the second by nature factious and terrible vnquiet and turbulent but stately Iulius the 2. chosen Pope a great defender of the liberties of the Church and a most franke receiuer of the loue and fauour of all those that might aduance him to this dignity The Valentinois flight to the Castell of Saint Angelo and the dispersing of all the troupes hee had with him made the Townes of Romagnia which had till then continued constant firme in his obedience to call home their ancient Lords or to imbrace sundry parties And the Venetians good fishermen in a troubled water aspiring to the coÌ„mand of all Romagnia had seized vpon the Castels of the vally of Lamone of the Towne of Forlimpople of Rimini Faenze Montefiore S. Archange Verruque Gattere The vsuâ—paâ—ions of the Venetians Sauignagne Meldole and in the territorie of Imole Tossignagne Solaruole Montbataille and had easily seized vpon Imola and Furli if by the new Popes complaints whom they had strangely discontented they had not put their men into garrison The Venetian vsurpations did wonderfully displease Iulio but what could he doe being newly aduanced to the chaire vnprouided of forces of money or of any hope of succours from the Kings of France and Spaine being not yet resolued whose Ensignes to follow To retaine in fauour of the Church some places which the Valentinois yet held and to oppose him in some sort against the Venetians although he loued the Valentinois heeles better then his face he agrees with him that he should go to Ferrara and Imola to receiue such forces as he could leuie But he is no sooner parted but a new desire of command sugests that it should be good the Valentinois should deliuer vnto him such Castles and places as he commanded to the end the Venetians should not inuade them in his absence And to this end he sends vnto him the Cardinals of Volterre and Surente Vpon the Valentinois refusall the Pope being offended sends to arrest the Gallies wherein hee had imbarked at Ostia and causeth him to be brought from Magliana to Vatican honoured and much made of but safely garded Thus you see the Valentinois power reduced to nothing spoiled in a manner of all he had vsurped The Valentinois a prisoner his troupes stript by the Florentins and himselfe at this instant so well watched as he could not go the length of himselfe But let vs see what becomes of so many great and goodly desseignes of our Lewis He intends not onely to recouer his losses in the realme of Naples but also with one breath to crosse the affaires of Ferdinand in Spaine The Lord of Albret and Marshall of Gié marched towards Fontarabie with foure hundâ—ed Lances among the which Peter of Foix Lord of Lautree and the Lord of Lâ—scun so famous in our Historie made first shew of their vertues and fiue thousand foote Gascons and Suisses And to make warre in the Countie of Roussillon was sent the Marshall of Rieux accompanied with Geston of Foix Duke of Nemours by the death of Lewis of Armagnac the Vicounts of Paulin and Bruniquet the Earle of Carmain The attempts of the French against Spaine the Lords of Montaut Terride and Negrâ—pelisse leading eight hundred men at armes and eight thousand foote French Gascons and Suisses And at the same instant an armie was readie at sea to inuade the coast of Catalogne and the realme of Valence but he that ouergripes himselfe holds little these were but shewes without effect For the Lord of Albret being entred into the Prouince of Guiposcoa whether that the enemies forces were greater then his or fearing least the Castillan should be reuenged of the King of Nauarre his sonne he retired and went into Languedock to the Marshall of Riâ—ux to besiege Saulses with their ioynt forces But the King of Spaine hauing assembled a great armie at Parpignan from all his realmes and marching in person with a resolution to raise the siege by some notable stratagem ouâ— men finding themselues too weake retired to Narbonne with a successe contrary to the Lord of Albons in