weighty reasons the rules of War and even those of common sense In pursuance of this he first of all others having resolv'd upon the Battel and giving onely this for his reason that the Enemy whom he held inclos'd betwixt two Rivers cou'd not possibly escape in case they march'd directly to him before he had time to get away all the young Nobless who surrounded him gave such loud applause of his opinion crying out Battel Battel that they drew the rest into the same resolution no man being able or daring to resist the torrent And there was so much of presumption in this Council which was so hastily concluded that the Duke as if he were assur'd of victory fearing nothing but that the Enemy shou'd escape his hands before he cou'd come up to him began even before midnight to march his Army towards Coutras that he might attack the King of Navarre at break of Day But that Prince being inform'd of his intentions by his Scouts and foreseeing that he shou'd be constrain'd to come to a Battel unless he wou'd incur the manifest danger of being beaten if he shou'd make his retreat in the face of the Enemy was resolv'd for that reason to march towards him and spare him the pains of half his way In effect having heard the account of a rough Skirmish which happen'd in the Night betwixt the Scouts and the Light Horse of the two Armies without any considerable advantage on either side he got on Horseback a little before Day and advancing towards the Enemy he went to possess himself of the Place he had design'd for the Field of Battel which was a Plain betwixt six and seven hundred paces of Diameter on the far side of a little Wood about half a League distant from Coutras having that Town on his Back on his left hand the Drogne which bounds the Plain on that side and on his right hand a Warren a Copse lopp'd the year before a kind of little Park bending towards the Enemy and fenc'd onely with an Hedge and Ditch There it was that he drew up his Army in Battalia which consisted in the whole of about four thousand five hundred Foot and two thousand five hundred Horse He plac'd on his right Wing the biggest of the two Battalions of his Infantry made up of the Regiments of Castelnau Parabere Salignac and some other Companies who extended themselves in the Warren advancing even to the Hedge and Ditch which fenc'd the little Park that cover'd them These were sustain'd on their left by the Squadron of Light Horse which had at their Head La Trimoüille Vivans Arambure and Vignoles who Commanded them and before them an hundred and twenty Arquebusiers for their Forlorn Hope There follow'd them sloping always to the left the whole Gendarmery divided into six Squadrons the first consisting at most of two hundred Gentlemen almost all Gascons Commanded by the Vicount of Turenne accompanied by Pardaillan Fontrailles and Choupes There came after them at the distance of sixty Paces the Squadron of the Prince of Condè who had with him Louis de Saint Gelais Marshal de Camp des Agueaux Montaterre the Vicount of Gourdon the Vidame of Chartres and more than two hundred and fifty Men at Arms. There was an Interval of an hundred and fifty Paces betwixt the Prince and the King of Navarre who Rode at the Head of his Squadron of three hundred Gentlemen amongst whom were the Lords de la Force de Ponts de la Boulaye and de Foix Candale who bore the Standard At last follow'd the young Count of Soissons having after him the famous Captain Favas and two hundred Horse in his Squadron distant from the King two hundred Paces and sustain'd on his left along the River side by another gross Battalion compos'd of the very flower of the Regiments which were Commanded by Charbonniere the young Montgomery de Preaux de la Borie and de Neuvy All these Squadrons made up a large Front and were of little Depth that they might take up the more in Bredth And the King of Navarre as he had formerly seen it practis'd by the Admiral of Coligny had cast into their Intervals on both sides of his Horse small Parties of Dragoons by fifteen and twenty in a Company who some of them with one Knee on the Ground some of them half Stooping and some of them standing upright that they might not mischieve one another shou'd discharge upon the Enemy at fifteen foot distance for certainty â—o Execution And his Artillery which the Night before he had left beyond the River that he might pass it more speedily to gain Coutras being come up to him just in the nick under the Convoy of George Clermont d' Amboise Master of the Ordnance was advantageously plac'd on a small ascent at the right hand of the Count of Soissâ—ns Thus was this Army rang'd in form of a Crescent whose two Battalions of Infantry more advanc'd than the Squadrons towards the Enemy made the two Horns and betwixt both of them the Squadrons of the Prince of Condè and the Vicount of Turenne form'd the hollow of the middle part In the mean time the Duke of Ioyeuse having pass'd through certain narrow and troublesome ways which lay betwixt his last Nights Lodging and the Plain and that with difficulty enough which was caus'd by the disorderly March of his young Gallants whose eagerness was not to be commanded the Marquis of Lavardin his Marshal de Camp a great Souldier on whom chiefly he rely'd drew up his Army into Battalia as well as the disorder wou'd give him leave his whole Forces at that time not amounting to more than nine thousand men and those ill Disciplin'd Over against that gross Battalion which inclos'd the right Wing of the Enemy he plac'd on his left Wing the Regiments of Picardy and Tiercelin which form'd a Battalion of eight hundred Musquetiers cover'd with about a thousand Corslets These had on their right hand the Light Horsemen and the Albanois Commanded by their Captain Mercurius Buat and another Squadron of four hundred Lances whom Lavardin himself chose to Lead in the room of Monsieur de Souvrè who lay dangerously hurt of a fall Montigny who Commanded another of five hundred Lances was plac'd on the same hand in opposition to the Vicount of Turenne after which bending still towards the River which they had on their right Hand there was extended on both sides the way right over against the three Princes a gross of twelve hundred Lances wherein was the Person of the General and the Standard born by the Sieur de Maillay Bressay The whole body of the young Gallants who were Voluntiers with the greatest part of the Noblemen and Gentlemen were in this gross the first Rank of which was compos'd onely of Counts Marquesses and Barons having at their Head the Duke of Ioyeuse accompanied by his younger Brother the Marquis of Saint Sauveur and the brave St. Luc and
Picardy in which Country almost all the Noblemen and Gentlemen who had been the first to sign the League had now totally relinquish'd it But that the courage of the Soldiers might not cool who were eager to be at blows with the Enemy he satisfy'd himself with bidding the Sieur de Vic who was Sergeant Major General to show them the Post he had appointed for them which immediately on their Arrival they tooâ— up with resolution to signalize themselves that day This being order'd without more delay he gave the sign of Battel and the work began with the discharge of their Cannon which was so well perform'd by the Master of the Ordnance Philibert de la Guiche that before those of the League began to play nine Cannonades were given by â—he Royalists which did great execution on the Enemy and particularly shatter'd the Squadrons of the Reiters Thus after three or four vollyes on either side two gross Squadrons made up of Italians and French and flank'd with Lansquenets advanc'd and came up to the charge against the Left Wing of the Royal Army that they might put themselves under covert from the storm of the Great Guns But the Marshal d' Aumont who was in that Wing having advanc'd likewise the better half of the way to meet them drove upon them so furiously that they turn'd their backs and pursuing them with slaughter to the entry of the little Wood which bounds the Plain he immediately return'd to his Post according to the Orders which he had receiv'd from the King While these men were so ill treated the Reiters on the Right Hand being desirous to gain the Cannon by which their Squadron had been so miserably torn went to Charge the Kings light Horsemen with so much fury that they forc'd them immediately to give back and at the same time two other Squadrons of Flemmings and Walloons seeing them already shaken advanc'd to break them But the Baron of Biron on the one side and the Duke of Montpensier on the other charging them on the Flanks first stopp'd them then broke in upon them and afterwards pierc'd quite through them and the Light Horse who had this time given them to rally returning to the charge the Reiâ—ers gave ground most basely abandoning the Walloons and not being able to make their retreat or rather to save themselves through the intervals which were too narrow they overturn'd their own men and put all things in a terrible conâ—usion notwithstanding the care which was us'd by the Duke of Bruâ—swick their Colonel who was never able to rally them and therefore put himself into the Squadron of Walloons desiring rather to perish with those valiant men who were inclos'd on all sides and cut in pieces than to save himself by flying with his own Runaways In this manner the Battel was maintain'd on either part with extreme obstinacy for some time and all the Squadrons of both Armies fell in so vigorously that they were mix'd with each other excepting only that of Mareschal dâ— Biron who with his Body of Reserve made it his business to hinder the Enemy from rallying which he perform'd But that which decided the fortune of this great day and assur'd the Victory to the King was his own Heroick Valour which he made conspicuous by combating that formidable Squadron of 1800 Lanciers which the Duke of Mayenne had made so strong for no other reason than to charge with great advantage of number upon that of the King not at all doubting but if he cou'd break that Body the Victory wou'd be his own Observing then that the Reiters were absolutely routed and fearing lest they shou'd disorder his men by falling back upon them he drew after him that great Body of Horse and caus'd 400 chosen Carabins to advance first who were all of them arm'd Head and Breast whom the Count dâ— Tavannâ—s who led them up commanded to discharge within five and twenty Paces of the first Rank of the Royal Squadron with intention to clear it And at the same time the Duke of Mayenne who appear'd at the Head of his Men mounted on a Turkish Horse the most beautiful that cou'd be seen made up furiously with his Lance couch'd and follow'd by the gross of his Cavalry to the Kings own Troop which he believ'd to be already well shaken by that sudden and terrible Discharge who nevertheless sustain'd the fury of that Shock keeping firm in their Saddles and some there were who had three Lances broken on them without loosing of their Stirrups But the most admirable part of this Encounter was that the King advancing twice the length of his Horse before the Front of his Squadron with his Pistol in his hand thrust into the midst of that thick Wood of Lances and charg'd with so much ardour of Courage into their Body that he gave them to understand by this wonderful Action he was no less a most valiant Soldier than a most expert and great Commander And indeed he was so bravely follow'd by the Princes and Lords of that Squadron whom his Example had rais'd to emulation that after an obstinate Dispute which endured a long quarter of an hour and was maintain'd with Swords and Pistols in that confus'd Medly where the Lances were of no farther use this great Squadron of the Duke of Mayenne was broken dispers'd and cut in pieces or wholly routed neither cou'd the Duke who that day perform'd all the parts of a valiant Soldier and a great General even in the opinion of the King himself either stay their Flight or rally them afterwards with all the endeavours he cou'd use Insomuch that seeing himself almost inclos'd he retir'd amongst the last of his men to the Bridge of Ivry which he caus'd to be broken down after he had pass'd the greatest part of his routed Army over it and then for his own safety fled to Mant. The rest with the Duke of Nemours the Chevalier d' Aumale Rosne Tavannes and Bassompierre having taken the way of the Plain escap'd to Chartres In the mean time the Victorious Party were in great trouble for the King who had vanish'd out of their sight in that gross Squadron of 1800 Lances into which he had charg'd before the rest when at length they beheld him returning and bearing aloft his bloody Sword having defeated three Cornets of VValloons which were left amongst the two Battalions of Swisses and came desperately upon him after he had Charg'd through the Duke of Mayenne's Squadron At his appearance the whole Field of Battel rang wiâ—h loud Acclamations and Shouts of Vive Le Roy. Then the Victory being assur'd and absolute no other Enemies remaining in the Field but those Swisses for the rest of the Foot and particularly the Lansquenets being forsaken by their Cavalry had been cut in pieces excepting those who provided early for their safety the King that he might gratifie the Cantons took them to mercy on condition they shou'd henceforth keep more
resolution as generous as his and much more daring was also much more fortunate in the execution of it For having perceiv'd the Prince of Condè at a distance and distinguishing him from the rest while that Prince was eagerly pursuing his Victory he comes up to him at a round Gallop and couching his Lance overturns him to the Ground with a great stroke which he gave him full in the middle of his Cuirasse after which immediately throwing himself from his Horse he presented him his hand with extreme respect to lift him from the Earth and at the same time beg'd him to receive him as his Prisoner which the brave Prince admireing the courage and prudence of his Enemy perform'd embracing him with all the generosity of which he made profession This Victory was complete the Colours the Cannon the Baggage remain'd in possession of the Conquerour and with these the Field of Battel cover'd with betwixt four and five thousand Souldiers and four hundred Gentlemen of the Dukes Army who lay extended on the Plain amongst whom besides the Duke of Ioyeuse and his young Brother Monsieur de St. Sauveur were the Counts de La Suze d' Avaugour d' Aubijoux the Sieurs de Neuvy du Bordet de Mailly-Bressay de Roussay youngest Brother of Piennes Guidon to Ioyeuse de Vaux Lieutenant to Bellegarde d' Alluin de Fumel de Roche fort de Croissotte de Tiercelin Saveuse who was Mestre de Camp and the Sieur de St. Lary-Bellegarde Son to the Marshal of the same Name and Governour of Saintonge and of Angoumois who being mortally wounded died not long after of his hurts Almost all the remainders of the Army were made Prisoners excepting onely the Albanois who forsaking the pillage about which they were busied at Coutras preserv'd themselves by flight and the Marquis of Lavardin who not being able to Rally his men who had pursu'd the Runnaways too far retir'd almost alone to Roche-Chalais with one Ensign which he sav'd out of the Regiment of Picardy This retreat way very Honourable to that Valiant Gentleman who having renounc'd Calvinism which his Father had embrac'd combated that day against the King of Navarre as against the Head of the Huguenots but not long after casting himself into his party for the defence of the State and the Rights of the Crown he always fought for him against the League with so much Valour Conduct and Fidelity that at length he receiv'd in Recompence of his long Services the Baston of Marshal de France To conclude this memorable Victory cost not the Conquerours above five or six Gentlemen and what added to the lustre of it was the wonderfull Clemency of the King of Navarre By his own presence he stop'd the fury of the Souldiers who were putting all the Infantry to the Sword He receiv'd all Prisoners of Quality with infinite Courtesie he chear'd them for their loss by extolling their Courage he sent almost every man home without paying Ransome he reâ—â—or'd to the Parents and Relations the Bodies of such as had died Honourably in the Field of Battel and beyond all this the Corps of the Duke de Ioyeuse for whom the King in continuance of his favour even after Death perform'd a most magnificent Funeral with Royal Pomp. In â—ine this Generous Conquerour had so much moderation that he sent his immediate protestations to the King that aftâ—r this advantage he demanded nothing more than the Honour of his favour and the restoring of that Peace which his Majesty had graciously given him and which their common Enemies had broken But after all it must be ingenuously acknowleg'd that as he had the conduct and valour of Hannibal in this Battel so he had his misfortune too in not understanding the art of managing his Victory or in his unwillingness to use it For were it that the Conquerours enrich'd with the Spoils of their Enemies long'd for Quiet that they might enjoy their Booty at their ease or that the Noblesse who had serv'd under him as Volunteers had not oblig'd themselves to longer Duty than till that time or that having weaken'd by his Victory the party of the League he desir'd not that the Huguenots who confided more in the Prince of Condè than himself shou'd encrease their strength or to speak more plainly that certain amorous ingagements somewhat unworthy of a Victorious Heroe recall'd him into Bearne most certain it is that he dissolv'd his Army and licens'd them to the time he had appointed then repass'd the Garonne speedily with part of the Ensigns and Colours he had taken from the Enemy which he was ambitious to present to the fair one whom he lov'd instead of putting himself into a condition of reaping that Fruit which he might reasonably expect from so great a Victory and of going speedily to joyn the great Army of Germans which was Marching to his Assistance and concerning which it will now be necessary that I speak For while these things were acting in France the Protestant Princes of Germany who were furiously incens'd against the King for that disdainfull and rough answer which he had made to their Ambassadours set on foot a more powerfull Army than ever they had sent into this Kingdom for the succour of the Huguenots There were in this Body which was rais'd eight thousand five hundred Reyters betwixt five and six thousand Lansquenets and sixteen thousand Swissers whom the Sieur de Clervant had obtain'd from the Protestants for the King of Navarre besides four thousand others whom he had left behind him in his paâ—â—age through Dauphinè to reinforce the Army of Lesdiguieres but before they were able to joyn him they were totally defeated by the famous Colonel of Corsica Alphonso d' Ornano Duke Iohn Casimir of whom I have frequently made mention in my History of Calvinism ought to have commanded these Germans in his own Person but immediately before they were to March he excus'd his going with them because he was oblig'd to stay in Germany having taken upon him the Government of the Palatinate during the minority of the young Electour his Nephew whereupon they were constrain'd to receive the Baron of Dona his Favourite whom long before he had resolv'd to substitute in his room Justice ought in reason to he render'd to every man's desert in speaking the naked truth without taking up a prejudice on trust from receiv'd Opinions which often have very false Foundaâ—â—ons Though the greatest part of the French and Italian Historians have spoken little to the advantage of this Baron 't is nevertheless most certain that he was of a Birth Noble enough to sustain the Quality of a General and that he was not at all below the Dignity of that Employment being descended from one of the most illustrious Families of Prussia and his Ancestours having possess'd for many Ages the Honour of Burgraves which is one of the most considerable of the Empire He was a man who wanted neither Sense nor good
House which first produc'd and since that time maintain'd the League But the bottom of that design was this that the Germans had no great desire to be at so great a distance from their own Countrey and the Duke of Bouillon wou'd have been glad under that pretence to provide for the security of Sedan and Iametz to which he knew the Lorrainers cast a longing eye On the contrary the French-men the Envoys of the King of Navarre and the Baron de Dona who follow'd the Orders he had receiv'd from Duke Casimir made it be concluded that they shou'd satisfie themselves in their passage through Lorrain to make what havock they cou'd in that Countrey which had been wholly free from War since that which the Burgundians made who were defeated with their last Duke at the Battel of Nancy and that without stopping their course by investing Towns they shou'd hasten their conjunction with the King of Navarre who expected them On the other side in the Council which was held at Nancy the Duke of Guise propos'd to hinder the passage of the Enemy because that being well inform'd of the division which was amongst them he doubted not with those few Troups which he had then with him which notwithstanding were compos'd of well disciplin'd and experienc'd men that he shou'd find some opportunity of Defeating them in that narrow Dukedom inclos'd on all sides with mountains and Rivers or at least that he shou'd force them back into their own Countrey and this was also adher'd to by all the French who were then present But the Duke of Lorrain who by no means wou'd consent to expose his State to the hazard of a Battel and who after all that cou'd be said had rather his Dukedom shou'd be ruinated than be lost wou'd absolutely have it that without opposing the passage of that Army one part of his Forces shou'd be put into his Towns whither the Countrey-people shou'd retire with all the provision they cou'd carry that the Ovens shou'd every where be broken the Mills pull'd down and the Forage destroy'd and that with the remaining part of his Forces they shou'd coast the Enemies and constrain them by the scarcity of all things and by harrassing them perpetually to depart speedily from Lorrain and pass into France into which he was resolv'd he wou'd not enter And fearing lest the Duke of Guise whose design and boldness he well knew shou'd engage his little Army whether he wou'd or not in some dangerous Battel he determin'd to have the Command of it himself and order'd it to be encamp'd betwixt the New Town and a little Wood which serv'd for a Park to an House of his Highnesse's call'd the Male-Grange watching his opportunity to employ it to his most advantage according to the way which the Enemy shou'd take The Germans then having assembled in the plain of Strasburg almost all their Troups and finding the passages free by the retreat of those who shou'd have guarded them but were now recall'd to Man their Towns pass'd the Mountain near Saverne without other obstacle besides the trouble they had for three days space in opening the ways which were incumbred with bodies of great Trees laid across the passages They were no sooner got over it than the Duke of Guise who lost no occasion of surprising the Reyters towards whom he was advanc'd with the Van-guard order'd the first Camisade to be given them by the famous Colonel De Rone who was afterwards made Marshal of the League and the Baron of Swartzenbourg who in the night attack'd the Quarters of Colonel Bouck who was undoubtedly the most able Officer they had And being such he was not surpris'd for the Guard he kept about his Lodgings was so watchfull that he had timely notice and was got on Horseback when he was attacqu'd but he was so vigorously charg'd that with all his brave resistance he was not able to maintain the place from the Assailants nor hinder them from taking one of his Colours which the Duke of Lorrain sent immediately to the King as by way of Advertisement that the Enemy was already in his Countrey and that therefore it was time to Reinforce Monsieur de Guise with all the Troups which he had promis'd them The next day which was the last of August the Germans entring into Lorrain immediately possess'd themselves of Sarbourg which a Lorrain Gentleman who was in it with two Companies sufficient to defend it at least some little time surrender'd basely on sight onely of their Fore-Runners without staying so much as to be invested The like happen'd not to Blamont which another young Gentleman of the same Countrey maintain'd so bravely though the Enemies Foot with their Cannon was lodg'd in the Fauxbourg that having kill'd of them more than two hundred men in one Attacque he forc'd them to dislodge with shame And from thence they March'd to Luneville before which they receiv'd a greater affront than was the former In effect the Baron d' Ossonville Colonel of the Lorrain Infantry having taken upon him to defend so weak a Place where he had hastily made some slight Fortifications shew'd so much resolution grounded on the promise which the Duke of Guise had given to relieve him that they durst not so much as once Attacque the Town In this manner these Foreigners who acted rather like Robbers or Bandits than Souldiers made it their onely Business to waste the Countrey Plundering Sacking and Massacring the very Women and Children in revenge of the great wants they suffer'd by being depriv'd of the means of their subsistance all Provisions being lock'd up from them in the fortifi'd places in besieging of which they were unwilling to ingage for fear of loosing too much time That which gave the Duke of Lorrain the greatest trouble was the fear he had lest they shou'd ransack his Town of St. Nicholas which at that time wanted nothing but Walls to be the fairest and the richest Bourg in Lorrain excepting onely Nancy as it wou'd be at this day if the Imperialists who boasted that they wou'd restore the late Duke Charles to his Estates had not finish'd its Destruction by their feeble Succours laying waste the Villages and open Towns without Defence and particularly that famous and sacred Bourg which they had never violated as they did when they reduc'd it almost into Ashes if any spark of Religion or Humanity had been remaining in their Hearts I hope my Reader will pardon me for this short Digression and give it to the just resentments which I have against those Barbarians being as I am particularly interess'd in the fortune of that miserable Town which had never been ruin'd by the Croats and Germans if a Duke of Guise had been its Champion as he was on that occasion which I am going to relate For that gallant Prince seeing the concernment of the Duke of Lorrain for it and its Destruction seeming to be unavoidable as lying open on all sides
his Squadron of 250 Horse cover'd that of the Duke of Montpensier and the Artillery of four Cannons and two Culverines was plac'd upon their Left On the other side the Marshal de Biron with 250 Horse and two French Regiments which flanck'd him stood on the right hand of the gross Squadron of the King after the Regiment of Guards and that of Brigneux but somewhat backward that his Men might be for a Body of reserve And the Count Theodorick de Schomberg who commanded the Squadron of Reiters flanck'd in the same manner by two small Bodies of French Infantry made the right Wing a little hollow'd in form of a Crescent like the left Thus was the Royal Army Marshall'd which consisted of betwixt 9 and 10000 Foot and 2800 Horse divided into seven Squadrons each of them with a Plotoon of Forlorn Hope before them The Army of the League appear'd at the same time but posted on somewhat higher Ground and more backward towards the River than it was the day before being Marshall'd much after the manner of the Kings Forces unless it were that being more numerous as consisting of 4 or 5000 Horse and of 12000 Foot the Wings of it advanc'd farther and bent more inward in the form of a larger Crescent The Duke of Mayenne with his Cornet of about 300 Horse to which the Duke of Nemours his Brother by the Mothers side joyn'd his own Squadron of the like number of Gendarms plac'd himself just opposite to that of the King in the very bottom of his Crescent betwixt two gross Squadrons each of them of 6 or 700 Lanciers which were Flemmings and Walloons commanded by Count Egmont They were flank'd on their Right and Left with two gross Battaâ—ions of Swisses rais'd from the Catholique Cantons cover'd with French Infantry and flanck'd with two Squadrons of Walloon Carabins Those were follow'd by two other Squadrons one of 5 or 600 Horse on the Right hand and the other by 3 or 400 on the Left where their Artillery was plac'd consisting of two Culverines and two Bastard Cannons The Light Horse-men commanded by the Baron de Rosne extended themselves on the right hand before a gross Squadron of Gendarms which sustain'd them and two Squadrons of Reiters led by the Duke of Brunswick and Bassompierre stood on the right Wing with the Regiment of Horse commanded by the Chevalier de Aumale who put them under the Conduct of his Lievtenant that he might have liberty to fight by the Duke of Mayenne's side in that formidable gross of 1800 Lanciers which were oppos'd to the Kings Squadron not so strong as themselves by two thirds and only arm'd with Sword and Pistol there not being in the whole Army of the King so much as one single Lance. The Lansquenets of the League and the rest of the French Infantry were divided into many Battalions which like those of the King were plac'd on the Flanks of their Squadrons betwixt whom and their Battalions there was not interval enough to make room for the Reiters when they were to wheel about after discharging which occasion'd their great disorder The two Armies being thus Marshall'd about ten of the Clock stood viewing and considering each other for some time but in very different Postures There was scarcely any thing to be seen in that of the League but Gold and Silver Embroideries upon costly and magnificent Coats of Velvet of all sorts of Colours and an infinite number of Banderolles fluttering about that thick Forrest of Lances which seem'd to threaten the Overthrow of their Enemies at the first Shock before they cou'd come up so close as to single out their Men and discharge Brest to Brest or even so much as to hold out their Pistols On the other side the Kings Army had no other Ornament than Iron but their Joy sparkled in their Eyes and all the Soldiers march'd to the Fight as to a certain Victory especially that invincible Troop of 2 or 3000 Gentlemen which were the Flower of the Army and whom the King himself in plain Armour like the rest inspir'd with Vigor by his only Presence and the sprightfulness of his Behaviour In the mean time when he had observ'd that if he approach'd not nearer to the Enemy there wou'd be no Battel because they were resolv'd on the other side to stand their Ground without quitting their advantagious Post he advanc'd towards them above 150 Paces leaving no more distance betwixt the two Armies than what was necessary for the Charge and by that motion which he made with so much judgment and Military Skill drawing somewhat on the left hand that he might have the Wind in his Back which otherwise had blown the Smoak of the Powder in the Faces of his Soldiers he came up so close to the Enemy that it was no longer possible to avoid the Battel Then putting on his Headâ—piece the Crest of which was shaded with three white Plumes which might easily be discern'd from far and being mounted on a large Nâ—apolâ—tâ—an Courser whose Colour was of a brown Bay adorn'd with a Tuâ—t of Feathers which proudly distinguiâ—h'd him from the rest he made a short Ejaculation to God which was follow'd by the loud Cries of Vivâ— lâ— Roy. As to those Florid long Orations which our Historians on this occasion make for him and the Duke of Mayennâ— as if they had spoken them at the Head of their Armies 't is most certain they were invented in the Studies of their Authors For one who was present in the Battel has assur'd us that the King spoke only with his Gesture and his Looks to those who were more remote and said no more but these few Words to the great Lords who chargâ—d with him in the first Rank of his Squadron See my Companions the Enemy before us Now we have â—ound them our business is to â—ight them and God is for us If you loose the sight of your Colours look about for my Plume of Feathers and rally there you will find it in the direct way to Honour and to Victory For the Duke of Maâ—enne who was both a great Captain and in spight of his natural Heaviness a brave Soldier when he was once come to a Resolution of fighting all he did was to show to the first ranks of his Army the Crucifix which a jolly Fryar who had said publick Prayers carried before him He wou'd have it understood by this only gesture without loss of time in tedious speeches which cou'd never have been understood that it was for Religion that they fought against Heretiques and Promoters of Heresy who were the declar'd Enemies of Jesus Christ and of his Church It was almost Noon when the King was told that Charlâ—s d' Hâ—mieres Marquess d' Ancrâ— he who was in part the cause of gaining the Battel of Senlis was coming up within a quarter of a League of the Field of Battel with 2 or 300 Gentlemen whom he brought with him out of
the pulling down or rather the total ruine of the Sixteen wou'd also repair the Loss which the Parliament had suffer'd of its only President remaining now without an Head and acting with absolute Power in the nature of a Soveraign Monarch he created four new Presidents out of their number whom he believ'd to be entirely in his Interests not doubting but they wou'd imploy themselves on all occasions to maintain his Power in that Body after which he was oblig'd to take the Field and to beg as he had done formerly the Assistance of the Spaniards against the King who having made great progress during those Troubles and Divisions which were likely at that time to ruine the Party of the League had laid Siege to Roüen He had already taken Noyon in view of the Enemies Army which which was then stronger than his own And having lately receiv'd the Supplies of Money and of three thousand men which the Earl of Essex the Queen of Englands Favourite had brought him he went with twelve hundred Horse to joyn upon the Frontier on the Plains of Vandy five or six thousand Reiters and above ten thousand Lansquenets which the Vicount de Turenne had brought him from Germany where he negotiated so well with the three Protestant Electors and William Landtgrave of Hesse that he obtain'd this considerable Succour notwithstanding all the Endeavours which the Emperor Rodolphus had us'd to hinder him Which important Service with many others which he had constantly perform'd from time to time during the space of eighteen years that he had serv'd the King was immediately recompenc'd by his Royal Master who having given him the Baston of Mareshall made him Duke of Bouillon and Soveraign Prince of Sedan by giving him in marriage the Princess Charlotte de la Mark Sister and Heir to the Duke deceas'd He also on his side being desirous to let the King understand that he wou'd endeavour to deserve that Honour which was done him by his Majesty and what he might expect hereafter from him did like David who marry'd not Sauls Daughter till he had kill'd an hundred Philistims for as a Preparatory to his Marriage in imitation of that Scripture-Hero he took the Town of Stenay by Scalado the day before his Marriage The King now finding himself strengthen'd with so considerable a Supply went to re-joyn the Gross of his Army before Roüen which the Marshal de Biron had invested As that Town was well attaqu'd so was it better defended during the space of six months by Andrew Brancas de Villars who was afterwards Admiral of France and at that time Lieutenant General in Normandy and Governour of Roüen and Havre de Grace for the League He perform'd on that occasion all that cou'd be expected from a great Captain for the defence of a Town committed to his Charge and by his long and vigorous Resistance twice gave leisure to the Duke of Mayenne to bring him the Relief which he had obtain'd from the Spaniards It was not without much difficulty that he gain'd these Succours but at length having artfully insinuated into the King of Spains Ministers that he wou'd procure the Election to fall upon the Infanta which thing they passionately desird though he fed them only with false hopes of it the Duke of Parma receiv'd such express Orders to march once more into France for the Relief of Roüen that it was impossible for him to resist them though he wou'd gladly have been dispenc'd with from that expedition He therefore advanc'd but very slowly with a strong Army of thirteen or fourteen thousand old Soldiers Spaniards and Walloons and seven or eight thousand French Lorrainers and Italians which last were the remainders of the Duke of Mayennes and Montemarciano's Forces The King in person went to meet them on their way with part of his Cavalry to harrass them in their March and advanc'd as far as Aumale that he might defend that Passage against them But considering that he had not strength enough to maintain it and that their whole Army which he went on purpose to view and to observe was coming to fall upon him and might easily inclose him by passing the River either above or below that Burrough he thought it necessary to make a speedy Retreat 'T is true that this Retreat which he made in view of so great an Army was very brave and that he never show'd the greatness of his Courage and undaunted Resolution more than on this occasion which was the most dangerous in which he had ever been ingag'd but the great Captains of that time all concurr'd in one Opinion that he perform'd it rather like a valiant Soldier who was well seconded by Fortune than like a prudent General whose duty it is to take his Measures so justly that he may not absolutely depend on the inconstancy of chance which often by one sudden blow has ruin'd the most fix'd and solid Undertakings For that he might give his men the leisure of retiring with the Baggage he plac'd an hundred Arquebusiers at the enâ—rance of the Burrough and putting himself at the Head of two hundred Horse he advanc'd almost half a League towards the Enemy coming up within Pistol-shot of them and made many discharges upon the Carabins which march'd at the Head of the Army whom he immediately stopp'd But the Duke of Parma having receiv'd information that he was there in Person so weakly attended and out of his Generals Post first sent out his light-Horse against him and after them the Body of his men at Arms who drove him back into Aumale His hundred Arquebusiers were there almost all of them cut in pieces and he was in danger to have been inclos'd and either kill'd or taken had not the night come on apace during which the Enemies unwilling to ingage themselves any farther without having first discover'd the Country he fortunately brought off his men in that dangerous Retreat in which he was shot in the Reins with a Pistolâ—Bullet but the Discharge being made at too great a distance it only raz'd his Skin without farther harm His Enemies themselves and principally the Duke of Parma in this Combat admir'd his Valour and his good Fortune but gave no great commendations to his Conduct and the Marshal de Biron who us'd to speak his mind freely cou'd not hold from telling him at his return that it was unbecoming a great King to do the duty of a Carabin In the mean time Villars willing to make advantage of his Absence perform'd one of the most gallant Actions which were done in the course of the whole War For being inform'd by his Spies in what order the Camp of the Besiegers lay he on the twenty sixth of February made a furious Sally out of all the Gates which were opposite to the Key which in effect was worth to him the gaining of a Battel For having surpris'd the Enemy and carry'd all the Quarters which look'd towards those Gates at a
Arques 748 c. at the attacquing the Suburbs of Paris 752. at the Battel of Ivry 775. at the Siege of Roan 845. he is kill'd before Espernay 862. counsels the King to put Fryer Ange and his Penitents in Prison Pag. 369 367 The Baron of Biron at the Battel of Ivry 775. at the Battel of Fontan Francoise 946 947 The Sieur de Bois-Dauphin enters into the League 105 John Boucher Curate of St. Benets a grand Leaguer and his Character 95. his Chamber is call'd the Cradle of the League 99. causes the Alarm-Bell to be rung in his Parish Church at the Sergeants and Archers that would seize the Seditious 304. preaches against the King 431 432. retires into Flanders with the Spaniards after the reducing of Paris 943 The Duke of Bouillon la Mark General of the German Army 231 233 Charles Cardinal de Bouâ—bon put by the Duke of Guise as a Ghost at the Head of the League 92. his weakness and ridiculous pretension 93 102 114. his Manifesto or that of the League under his name 114. the King declares him to be the nearest of Blood and gives him the Prerogatives of the Presumptive Heir of the Crown 382. He presides over the Clergy at the Estates of Blois 388. is seiz'd Prisoner 403. is declar'd King by the Council of the Union 739. and proclaim'd by the Name of Charles X. 764 765. his death in Prison Pag. 821 Charles de Bourbon Count de Soissons joins with the King of Navarre at Monforeau 198. his Valour at the Battel of Coutras 221 222. at the attacquing the Suburbs of Paris 753 Henry de Bourbon Prince de Conde brings an Army of Germans into France 10. is excommunicated by Pope Sixtus Quintus 132. drives the Duke of Mercoeur from Poitou 146. the History of his unhappy Expedition upon Anger 's 145 146. espouses Charlotte Catharine de la Trimoille 147. quits the Siege of Brouage where he leaves his Infantry and marches with his Cavalry to relieve Anger 's where his Army is scatter'd and how 150. his firmness at the Conference of St. Brix 162 163. his Valour at the Battel of Coutras 207 c. his Death and Elogy 329 330 c. Henry XI de Bourbon Prince de Conde a grand Enemy to the Heresie of the Calvinists notwithstanding that he was born of a Calvinistical Father and Mother 148. his Elogy ib. c. Lovis de Bourbon Duke of Monpensier manages the Conference at St. Brix 162. joins with the Troops of the King's Army at Gien 260. his Valour at the Combat of Arques 748. at the Battel of Ivry 774. Andrew Brancas de Villars maintains the Siege of Roan with great honour 845. puts all the Camp in disorder 850 851. is made Admiral of the League Pag. 872 Anthony de Brichanteau Beauvais Nangis enters into the League and why 106 107 c. re-enters into the King's favour who gives him the Signet of Admiral of France 393 394 The President Brisson head of the Parliament of the League 450. secretly protests before Notari of the violence that he suffers ib. the Sixteen cause him to be hang'd 837 Peter Brulart sent to the King of Navarre to convert him 140 141 c. his Elogy and that of his House ib. his Banishment from Court 384 William Duke of Brunswick at the Battel of Ivry where he is slain 789 Bussy le Clerc a furious Leaguer 98. takes Arms to hinder de Prevost Curate of St. Severnes from being apprehended who had preach'd seditiously against the King 303 304. is made Governour of the Bastille after the Barricades 365. leads the Parliament to the Bastille how and under what pretext 444 445. is constrain'd to surrender the Bastille to the Duke of Mayenne 838. saves himself in Flanders where he dies miserable 839 840 C. CArdinal Cajetan sent Legat into France by Sixtus Quintus 758. hinders an Accommodation being made with the King though he should be converted 766. runs the risque of being kill'd at the Shew of the Ecclesiastics and Monks during the Siege of Paris Pag. 808 Queen Catharine de Medicis engages the King in the War against the Hugonots 7. concludes a Peace at the Court of the Religion 11 12 13. she hinders the King from opposing the League at first 60. she maintains it under-hand 80. she would exclude the King of Navarre from the Succession that the Prince of Lorrain her Grandson might reign 85. she holds a Correspondence with the Duke of Guise and hinders the King from arming himself against him 117. her Conference with the King of Navarre at St. Brix's 161. she carries the Duke of Guise to the Louvre and mollifies the King's anger 344. counsels the King to go out of Paris 362. she suffers her self to be amus'd by the Duke of Guise who enters very dextrously into her Interests 371 372. her surprize at the death of the Guises 403. her Death 437. 438. her Elogy and Portrait 438 439 c. Claude de la Chastre Bailiff of Beny 105. Mareschal of the Camp in the Duke â—f Guise's Army against the Râ—yters 246 250 266. marches the first to Montargis to surprize the Reyters at Vimory 266 267 268. his advance to Dourdan to surround them in Aunâ—au 279. what part he had in the defeat of the Reyters at Auneau 268. he preserves Berry and Orleans for the League 493. is made Mareschal of the League 872. he makes his Peace and re-enters into Obedience Pag. Pag. 936 The Count de Chastillon Son of the Admiral brings assistance to the Army of the Reyters 233 258. his brave reâ—reat in the middle of an infinite number of Enemies 298. repulses the Troops of the Duke of Mayenne before Tours 482. defeats the Troops of Sieur de Saveuse 491. his Valour at the Combat of Arques 742 748. he misses taking Paris by storm 812. he 's the principal cause of the happy success at the Siege at Chartres 817 818. his Death and Elogy ib. 819 Clement VIII Pope would not receive the Catholick Deputies of the Royal Party 861. nor the Duke of Nevers that went to render him Obâ—diâ—nce 933. after having a long time refus'd to give the King Absolution he gives it at last 934 The Combat and Retrâ—at at Pont St. Vincent 246 c. The Combat at Vimoroy 267 c. The Combat at Auneau where the Reyters were defeated Pag. 277 c. Combat at Fontain Francoise 947 The Conference of the Duke of Espernon with the King of Navarre about his Conversion 87 c. Conference at d'Espernay and de Meaux 121 The Conference of Sieur Lennoncour and President Brulart with the King of Navarre for his Conversion 140 141 c. The Conference at St. Brix between the Queen-mother and the King of Navarre the Prince of Conde and the Vicount de Turenne 161 162 c. The Conference at Nancy between the Princes of the House of Lorrain 184 c. The Conference of Henry III. with Cardinal