Marquess Oquincourt to advance with his Forces and to indeavor by the assistance of the loyal Subjects to get into the Town Oquincourt went from Saumeurs on the Tenth of February with the Horse Regiments of Espance Roquespina with Fertes Gens de Armes and with Mazarins and Barbarino's light Horse and came the same day to Beaufort where being advertised from the King that the Inhabitants had promised to keep a gate open for him he marched thitherward two hours before day with his Cavalry only re-inforced by 100 Norman Gentlemen which young Count Grance brought and the next day he appeared before the City charged the Enemies that fallied out set upon the Barricado but to little purpose for it was impossible to storm it without Foot he lost some Horse and had some Gentlemen hurt The besieged fallied out at the same time against the Guard by the Mills but were repuls'd by Voluntiers who came speedily thither Five Companies of the Guards coming in afterwards he the next morning fell upon the Suburbs of Bersigny guarded by Barra's Regiment and by the Inhabitants called Loricersi more seditious than the rest who basely did abandon it and the Kings men entring fell suddenly to make a Barricado against the City whereby to fence themselves against a Raveline and a Tower upon the Gate from whence Monsieur de Iuxsen a Son of Oquincourt was slain by the shot of a Faulconet And another Gentleman was slain near All-Saints Gate But the Marishal wanted Forces to take the City wherefore Count Broglio was ordered to advance with his Troops and Marishal Millerey was ordered to furnish him with four pieces of Battery and with necessary Ammunition which was readily done but it was very hard to bring them by reason of the extraordinary waters and high wind their being neither Bridges nor Barks to pass the Horse over and for that the Duke of Rohan had fortified a Village called Pointa upon the mouth of the River and furnished it with a great Garrison and with armed Boats yet Broglia made a shift to get over in certain small Boats and came without delay before the said Pointa where he charged the Enemy in their Trenches overcame them and got into the Village just when those of the armed Boats were come on land and were going to Dine He took Cavalliere Ierse and divers other Officers Prisoners and made himself master of the place and Pass so as great Artillery and Ammunition might be brought to the Camp before Angiers wherewith the Batteries were perfected They then opened the Trenches and the Kings men approached the Wall from whence the besieged shooting off small pieces and Musquets the only Son of Marquess Florenville was slain The Duke of Rohan being straitned and wanting succor beat a parly desired a suspension of Arms and leave for his Wife to come forth and treat of composition which was granted and it was agreed that he for a while should be deprived of the Government of that Province that he should put the Castle into the King's hands and that without undertaking any thing contrary to the Kings service he might retreat quietly with his Family to Paris The Garrison of Ponte de Ce was not comprehended in this Capitulation which holding for the Princes Forces were sent against it under the same Count Broglia and Count Naivailes to each of which Marishal de Oquincourt assigned 400 commanded men this place lies in an Island in the midst of the Loire begirt with with several modern fortifications and famous for Wars in former ages so as it could not be assaulted but by Boats and afterwards by an Isthmus of land which thrusts out into the River towards Nantes The foresaid named Counts imbarqued with their Forces and being backed by some Gallisoists landed upon the point of the Island Broglia assaulted the Tenaglia on the right side and Naivales on the left so couragiously as they soon took it putting most of the Defendants to the Sword Monsieur de Beauvean Governor of the place got into the Castle caused the draw Bridge to be raised and made signs with his hat that he would capitulate the Marishals self treated with him and granted him his life upon surrender this enterprise ended thus whereby the whole Province remain'd in obedience to the King with the loss of but a few remarkable people for besides those that dyed before Angiers none dyed in this Action of Ponte de Ce but the Marquess of Signeres and two or three were wounded Oquincourt left a Garrison there commanded by Monsieur Fontenelle Captain of the Piemont Regiment he return'd from thence to Angiers and then to the King at Saumeurs whose Council thinking that he had done much published that he had been greatly profitable We must not here omit to tell how Marishal Turenne being restored to the King's favour by the Cardinals means presented himself before their Majesties ere they parted from Poictiers by whom he was civilly received and without re-capitulation of any thing that was past was taken into the esteem which he was formerly in On the contrary Chasteauneuf being troubled that the resolution of going to Guienne was put off without his knowledge were it either that he had ingaged himself to his friends never to serve with the Cardinal or that he thought he should never be able to indure him and therefore feared himself might be removed did of himself take his leave of the King the very morning that he went from Poictiers and with his Majesties consent retired to live privately at Tours so as the Cardinal remain'd sole Arbitrator of all affairs as formerly but not without the Envy and Emulation of those who could not indure that the superintendency should be committed to a Forreigner Conde having staid two or three days at Dromet went to St. Savinian a place belonging to the Prince Taranto where he staid a week and return'd from thence to Braissemburg and from thence to Xaintes where he past over the River and came to Pons Monsieur Baugy Camp Marishal advanced with 500 Horse by bie-ways and was advertised that the Enenemies Forces were quartered in several places wherefore about Sun-set he on the tenth of Ianuary forded over the River Ne at Merpin and two hours before day came before Brive intending to surprise some of their quarters in which Village was Duras his Regiment quartered where Monsieur Fouvilles advancing with 40 Horse pretending to be of the same party charged some Horse who were come out to make discovery so furiously as they were forced to retreat with some confusion and Bougi fell so furiously upon them as the greatest part of the Enemy were either slain or taken The Prince his quarters were divided far one from another so as though the Trumpets sounded to Horse they could not meet together time enough to escape Anguier's Regiment but being charged by Monsieur Vivias with Crequi's Regiment most of them were either kill'd or taken Prisoners Wherefore the Prince
hearing that Harcourt was marching towards him left Prince Taranto in Xaintoigne to defended Xaintes Faileburg and some other Towns which were for him and went with some Horse and Foot into Guienne himself that he might be sheltred by the River Sille and by the Town of Bourg within one league whereof Harcourt was lodged who diligently pursued him But Ambleville and Berbisieux two walled and well Garrison'd Towns being on his back which might much incommodate the Army he that would take them must leave pursuing the Prince and give him time to look to his affairs otherwise he should err against the Maximes of War wherefore Harcourt resolved to continue his march and yet at the same time to reduce the aforesaid two Towns to the Kings obedience He sent Marquess Plessis Belliere against Ambleville who upon the sight of the Canon reduced it he left Monsieur Bellasons with the Regiment of Picardy to reduce Barbesieux who discharged himself therein with much honour and Harcourts self staying no where came with miraculous speed near to St. Andrea within three leagues of Bourg almost before his march was known where he found that Aubeterre whom he had sent before to possess himself of the passes and to take up quarters had been repulsed and but badly treated in his attempting the Regiment of Baltazar which was got into the Village of St. Antoine and that the Prince was in Arms with all his men and that he had placed himself in very good order in advantagious places So as not daâ—ing to advance further by reason of the advantagiousness of the Prince his situation he spent that night only in some small skirmishes wherein Harcourt not being able to discover the Prince his weakness many of whose men were wanting and could not come up unto him he lost an opportunity of routing him totally and might peradventure have taken him Prisoner The Prince passing his men here over the River went to Libourn and having refreshed his men there he went to Bergerack where he made the Fortifications desensible and return'd from thence to Libourn to see the Princess his Wife who was with child of a Son which was afterwards called Duke of Bourbone Being advertised that the Prince of County had taken Guadacosta a Town three leagues from Libourn and that he faced Marquess St. Luke and was ready to fight him he marched towards him and came opportunely for finding the King's quarters lay a sunder about Miradaux he got into the midst of them but being to pass over a Bridge before he could assault them they had time to give an Alarm and to put themselves in order about that Town notwithstanding he charged them with Marche's Regiment on one side and he himself being on the head of his men fell so furiously upon them as he slew many and took many Prisoners the rest got into Miradaux and gave an Alarm to the head quarter whence St. Luke came out with his men and put them into battle array The Prince did the like though he were fewer in number thus they stood looking upon one another not doing any thing Prince County came thither four or five hours after with the Marquess Montespan and with the rest of the Forces and here a Council of War was held to know whether they should charge the Kings Camp or no. Conde's Foot were but few and all new men they exceeded not 500 Foot and 700 Horse St. Luke had about 2000 old Foot 700 Horse the situation was steep and advantagious for the King's men so as it was thought fit to forbear attempting them till three pieces of Canon were come which the Prince had sent by water to take in Agen. All the day was therefore spent in lusty skirmishes wherein the Marquess his men had the better at first but when the Prince having released some of the Kings men whom he had taken Prisoners let the Enemy know that he was on the head of his Troops the Enemy were so affrighted at his very name as they began to retreat by night to Leyteres two leagues off in such disorder as the Guard which was advanced by County discover'd their march and gave notice thereof to the Prince his Brother he took with him what Horse were ready caused all the rest of his Soldiers to march and overtook the Enemy at Miradaux and charged them so furiously as he routed the Enemy who ran with some loss then with no less fervour he fell upon the Brigades of Champagnia and Lorrain who not being able to make their party good unbacked by Horse got into the Town but fared but ill the Town is environed with old weak walls broken down in many places and may rather be termed an open Village than a walled Town The Prince summon'd Count Marin Camp Marishal and Couvanges Colonel of the Lorrain's Regiment to surrender upon discretion they offer'd to yield up the Town and not to bear arms against him for six months But Conde finding the Town weak and that it wanted Warlike Ammunition thought he should have them all Prisoners of War within two days wherefore he refused their offer and resolved to attack the Town and planted two pieces of Artillery against it though he had but 80 Bullets and very little powder The besieged were likewise but badly Ammunition'd but St. Luke found means to have some brought in every night yet the Prince resolved to make a breach and made his Horse men light to give an assault but was hindred as not being in a fit condition Count Harcourt was come again to St. Iohn de Angeli after his having given many defeats where hâ—aring of the Prince his proceedings marched speedily towards him he past the Garomne at Avilare The Prince being far inferior in number would not stay for him but quitted the enterprise of Miradaux and retreated to Stafort where he refreshed his men and divided his Army in Pluma Peregrin and in the neighbouring Towns and sent from thence a party of Horse to inquire after Harcourts ways who was gone from Avilare to Lomagna intending to secure his quarters by taking Beaumont a little walled Town upon the River Gimona Marquess St. Luke being gone from Auch with other Forces was marched towards him and Saufbeauf advancing as near Stafort as he could to charge the Troops which should come out of the Enemies quarters Count Illabone and Aubeterre went towards Pluma to charge Conde's Gens de Armes who were quarter'd there and St. Luke went also against Pergaime Harcourt with the rest of the Army tarried in the midst of them to releive such as should have most need The Prince not having had any news of the Enemy till such time as they were got into the midst of his quarters was much surprised but being an excellent Commander and good at putting on resolutions he presently made all that were with him get on Horseback and drawing forth his Foot accompanied by the Dukes of Rochefaucolt and Belgarde Count Marsin and others
did so and put 500 Foot into it this served to overlook almost all the Spaniards Camp being within Musquet shot of the Abby of Petalba which the Spaniards had fortified a little without their line At last many expedients being discussed they resolved to indeavour relief by assaulting the Fort Alfonso and to enter Barcellona on that side he acquainted none with this but the Marquess of St. Andrea and Marenville and Count Pardalian The first whereof was to command the Troops which staid without and the other two were to follow him with 500 Horse and as many Foot Fort Alfonso was a Tower fortified upon the Sea bank one side whereof was secured by the Sea and the other by an unaccessable Fen which served for a Trench for above 2000 paces it had a strong Palisado on each side which were to be broken before the Horse could pass The Troops of the old Catalonian Army were to fall on the right hand towards the Sea and those of the Italian Army on the left hand towards the Fen which was accordingly done on the 22 th of April Pardalian who was to manage the assault on the left hand set on the Norman and Britain Foot against the Palisado and after having dislodged those who defended it and made tryal of a furious Volly of Canon and Musquets they did all they could to pluck down the Rafters so to make way for the Horse which the mean while was exposed to Musquet shot which plaid from the Fort but they could not break them In these straits Pardalian meditating on what side he might advance it happened that a Horse of a Soldier that was slain went wandring up and down and at last past over the Fen whereupon the Count made forward presently though the water came up to his Saddle skirts and past safely over being followed by Boessack's Regiment and by Prince Thomaso his Squadron of Gens de Armes and he charged the Enemy so furiously as after a fierce bickering he routed them quite and pursued those that retreated to within their quarter of Sans he himself not being at all wounded though his cloths were shot through and his Horse shot under him five or six times At the same time the others fell on on their side and came through the Sea-water before the Palisado they assaulted the Fort by Ladders which proving too short they could proceed no farther but instead of tarrying to make new attempts by which they were likely to have done their business the Marishal went towards the City being earnestly intreated so to do by the whole Council of Catalonia which hindred the getting of the Fort so as it was known at last though too late that those of the City had Counselled amiss and the Spaniards grew so apprehensive of that Fort as they presently caused it to be new fortified and provided all things necessary The Marishal was welcomed into Barcellona with extraordinary joy and jubilee for having exposed his life to so evident danger for their liberty when he was got in he chiefly be thought himself how to make use of the great Garrison to open the passes considering that the Horse which were above a Thousand could not be maintained long in the City wherefore he resolved to fall again upon the Fort Alfonso St. Andrea being without with the rest of the Army which was much lessened studied also how to break the line and so to get into the City the Marishal in the mean while who acquainted St. Andrea with his design and agreed upon the manner how thought to attempt the Fort Rey which the Spaniards had built within Musquet shot of Mongevick and the next morning planted a Battery of six Canon against it intending to assault it But Marquess Mortara who had drawn out his Army behind it to defend the Fort was contented to play upon it for five days till he had answered St. Andrea who going the mean while behind the Mountain St. Pietre Martire and seigning to return to his quarters fell privatly upon a Fort under St. Ierolomo and took it cut the Garrison in pieces and took a Captain who commanded it Prisoner and took two pieces of Artillery and gave sign by fire to the City thinking that the Citizens would have sallied out or else would have faln upon the Fort del Rey. But they doing neither of these and St. Andrea not being able without Foot to maintain the Fort he abandon'd it and return'd to his quarters where hearing that the Marishal intended to assault the Fort Alfonso he sent Monsieur Brecourt into Barcellona to desire some Foot without which he said he neither could keep his quarters nor undertake any thing against the Enemy The Marishal sent him the Regiment of Britany and Normandy which were not above two hundred Foot and sent Monsieur de la Place with them to consult with him about the taking of the Fort Alfonso and Mongevick The French advanced notwithstanding and fell so furiously upon the Spanish Horse as notwithstanding the fires which the Spaniards made from the Fort and from their Ships and Gallies they routed them and forced them to fly into the aforesaid Fen with great loss of Soldiers and Officers amongst which Boutiers self was sorely wounded and divers Captains taken Prisoners The Marishal received a Pistol shot in the thigh Perdallian was shot by a Musquet in the Arms and also Maranville in his breast-plate but the French for all this could not effect their ends for the Spaniards having discovered their design doubled their Guards and had seasonably put Five hundred Foot into the Fort so as not being longer able to resist the thunder of Canon and Musquet which plaid continually upon them from all parts they were forced to retreat which they did in good order and without loss the Marishal retreated into the City and St. Andrea to his former quarters Whilst the Spaniards insisted upon the siege of Barcellona they thought of taking other places also which the French were masters of in Catalonia and particularly upon those on the Frontiers of Aragon Count Lemose Viceroy and Captain General of Aragon having upon several occasions indeavoured to surprise Bellaguer but still in vain resolved to attempt it once again Don Pietro Valezuela Mendosa Governour of Lerida cast his eye upon the said Bellaguer and prepared to get it by the intelligence which he held with some of the Inhabitants in pursuance whereof his Garrison being re-inforced by some Foot and by a hundred Horse he sent Don Iovanni de Sala Manques to confer with his friends in Bellaguer and to agree upon the business They readily offered that six of them would open a portcullis in the Bridg that they would kill the Guards that they would do it by day and that those that were to do the business should hide themselves in the Covent of St. Dominico which was upon the head of the Bridg and that to the same purpose they should place some silly companions in
were armed who were all Friends to France and bitter Enemies to the Spaniards General Marsin sent the Marquis of Fara afterward with four Regiments of Horse to quarter at Villa Franca two Leagues distant from Sirges that he might there observe the proceedings of the Enemy with orders notwithstanding to retreat if they should make towards him which the Duke of Albuquerk did with most of the Catholick Horse whereupon the said Marquis got to Horse betimes and without confusion retreated to Martorel after having been charged by the Spaniards in which Bickering all the French Commanders did signalize themselves and in particular Viscount Larbusle who together with divers other Officers and Souldiers were Wounded Duke Albuquerke did also behave himself valiantly having his Horse killed under him and Don Gaspero de la Cueva and three other Captains were slain neer him Don Iuseppe Marguerite had in this interim conveyed divers Writings into the Enemies Camp containing promise of Pasport and Moneys to all that would withdraw from the Spanish service so as after the last encounter the Enemies ran so fast away for their sufferings were great as their Army was much diminished Marsin quartered afterwards near St. Andrea and thinking that the Spaniards might go into the Panades to get new intelligence again in Barcelona and not finding himself strong enough to fight them nor to force them to remove he resolved to effect it by a powerful diversion in the Kingdom of Valenza Wherefore he sent Don Iusippe d' Ardene into those parts with 3000 fighting men who entring without any opposition over-ran a great part of the Country which General Garay understanding he suddenly embarqued 3000 men for Vineros and leaving his Baggage and Artillery at Taragona he drew the Garrisons out of Montblank and Sirges and marched himself towards Villabodin and from thence into the parts of Lerida being pursued by the French who did somewhat prejudice his Rear by reason of his slow march and peradventure he might have fared worse had not D'Ardena been far off with his Forces who brought nothing with him into Catalonia by his over-running the Kingdom of Valenza but that contagious Disease which did afterward ruine almost that whole Principality This years Campagnia being thus ended in Catalonia whilst all were in their Winter-quarters and whilst the French studied no less to surprize Taragona than did the Spaniards Barcelona Iusippe Arbose a Notary of Taragona advertised Marsin that there were not above 400 Souldiers in Garrison in that City that he the said Arbose had above 80 Catalonians who were his Friends there who when the French should possess themselves of a Gate they would take up Arms against the Garrison He therefore went from Barcellona seeming as if he went to view his Quarters neer Villa Franca five miles distant from Taragona and carried with him 800 Foot and some Horse and marching by night came before the Town on St. Ierom's Hermitage side upon a Hill within Musquet-shot of the City by which advantage he sheltered his Foot and Horse He advanced 500 Horse to a high place which was sheltered by the same Hill to hearten those that were to possess the Gate towards which the said Arbose one Catalonian and five French marched in Country-habits with ten Mules loaded with Meal as Provisions which were usually carried into the Town which the Sentinel who was upon the Wall perceiving he gave the accustomed Signe whereby they were permitted to the first and second Portcullices but as they were to enter the third and that seven Souldiers that were of the Guard would have opened the Great Gate the Sentinel observing that some of those supposed Country-people did not answer well in the Catalonian Tongue cried out that they were French yet he would advance and possess himself of the Wicket but the Guard coming in when they heard the moise they were forced to retreat and slew the Sentinel with a Pistol-shot Those who were privately advanced to assist these men hearing the Pistol go off which was the Signe given for them to advance they did so but were slain or stop'd by the Spaniards and had their Mules taken And Marsin hearing the sinister chance retreated to Barcellona on the 15 th of Ianuary throughout which whole City it was noised that the Enterprize had taken as certainly it would have done had they taken Catalonians instead of the French THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The FOVRTH BOOK The CONTENTS The Prince of Condé declares himself dissatisfied with Cardinal Mazarine joyns with the Frondeurs then repents and makes his Peace again The discontented party endeavour to raise seditions in Paris A Musquet is discharged at Councellor Jolly An Assassinate against Condé is suspected whereof the Frondeurs are accused The Prince resents it and endeavours to have the persons guilty punished accusing the Duke of Beaufort and Coadjutor as the Principals They endeavour to excuse themselves and remove his jealousies but in vain whereupon they joyn with the adverse party The Marriage between the Duke of Richlieu and the Marchioness of Pons is concluded at which the Court is much dissatisfied The Dutchesses of Cheveuse and Anguillon being highly offended with the Prince of Condé as the principal Agent therein plot his Ruine New Commotions arise in Paris and the Princes of Condé Conty and Duke of Longueville are Imprisoned The Abbot de la Riviere loses the Duke of Orleans his favour Divers Noblemen declare for the Princes Count Marsin is Imprisoned in Catalonia There follow many changes of Governours and the Chancellor falls into the disfavour of the Court The King goes into Normandy and from thence to Burgundy Some Towns in Berry by the Count D'Aignon his means put themselves under the Kings obedience Belgarde is taken by the Royalists The Dutchess of Longueville retires into Flanders Thence to Stenay and together with Marshal Turenne concludes a League with the Spaniards The Princess of Condé is received at Bourdeaux and that Parliament declares for the Princes The King makes preparation for his going to Guienne and the War against Bourdeaux is renewed The Duke of Orleans demands to have the Imprisoned Princes brought to the Bastile He is pacified and there happens divers accidents in Paris The War in Catalonia continues and the Spaniards make great preparations for fomenting the Civil War in France AMidst these so many various Interests and pretences of the differing parties there hapned a new and unexpected Accident which had like to have turned topsie-turvy not the Court onely but also the whole Kingdom of France in regard the Prince of Condé pretending that the Cardinal at the Conference touching the Peace at Paris had promised the Government of Pont de L' Arche unto his Brother-in-law the Duke of Longueville and he denying it was so highly incensed and disquieted that he declared He was resolved to come no more at Court whilst the Cardinal was Minister of State or in the Kingdom Which occasioned so great a confusion
to make head against the Enemy the other to come to a general action of Arms before the French Forces should be diminished and before Turen should have recruited his as he easily might do by the neighbourhood of the Spaniards or leaving both these to betake themselves to a third means which was to go to their winter quarters which would be as bad if not worse than to lose a Battel for thereby Turen would obtain his intent all these reasons being weighed by common consent all pitcht upon the resolution of fighting as soon as might be Plessis Pralin solicited the Governour of Rethel therefore to end the Capitulation by the next day break and at the same time when the Garrison began to march out he hastened his march after the Enemy that he might overtake him and ingage him to fight But being come to Geneuille he was told by a party of Horse which came then unto him that the Enemy was already so far advanced as it was impossible to reach him with his men who were already wearied with the Siege and with their march wherewith he acquainted the Cardinal who sent him word that if he could do no otherwise he should retreat and that he would expect him at Dinner that day but he was advertised by the forerunners of another party of the quarters of Oquincourt and of Lieutenant General Le Rose who were further advanced that Turen had haulted in the said vally of Burg wherefore without sending to the Cardinal he hasted thither being resolved to fight and by Moon-shine he came on the 15 th of November before it was bright day to the vally of Smide from whence the Enemies Croats were just then gone having heard news of the advancing of the Kings men Then General Turenne giving sign to his Troops by three several shot of Cannon that they might rank themselves in order the Commanders were so diligent as the most of them were in Battle-array upon the tops of the Mountains before the Kings men could come up unto them as they indeavoured which when Plessis Pralin knew finding how he had failed in his first design which was to have gotten between the Enemies quarters and to have kept them from joyning he betook himself to march with much diligence upon the parallel line to the Enemy and getting the upper hand with his right wing on the part where Turenn's left wing stood intending to play upon it on the Flank now that they were weak and that the Lorainers were not yet come up unto them who came not long after but Turenne also hastning his march both the Armies marched in a parallel line for above a League not far from one another and then came the Lorainers in with whom Turenne finding himself able to resist the Kings men he staied upon an advantagious scituation to put his Army in Battle-array and to put the business to the arbitrement of Fortune He drew out his men into only two lines that his Front might be the larger upon the top of the Hill which extends it self into a large plain and he according to his custom placed himself upon the left wing of the Horse assisted by Count Duras by Baron Bouteuille and by Messieurs de Beaunau and Montelieu who were the prime Commanders Monsieur Fuges and Count Lignauile Commanded the Lorainers who ranked themselves on Turenn's left side The right was possest by the five newly raised Regiments of the Germans conducted by Monsieur Lanau Don Stephano di Gammara assisted the Walloon and the Lorain Foot and the French were led on by Messieurs di Betbets de Rosopere and by Count St. Quinten whereof the first Commanded Turenn's Brigade the 2 d. that of the Crown and the 3d. that of Stenay on the head of which Battailions stood Marquess Hocourt of Omale and Count Bossu a Fleming The six field pieces were placed on the Front of the Army preceeded by the Forlorn hope who were to give the first Skirmish some Croats were to scour the Country and to Skirmish with the forwardest of the Enemy Marishal Plessis Pralin having discovered the vally which lay between the two Armies divided his Army which consisted of 4000. Foot and 500. Horse into two Battailions also the first whereof was led on by the Marishals self accompanied by Monsieur Maincamp Monsieur Villaquiere the Marquess d' Oquincourt and de la Rosa all four Lieutenants General by Count Plessis Pralin Son to the General by Count Nauailes Vicount Corvalle Monsieur de St. Gervies and Monsieur Fleshenteyne with whom were divers other Officers and experienced Gentlemen Messieurs de Valle and de Pradell commanded the Foot which were divided into six Battailions on the Front whereof were placed two pieces of Canon The 2 d. Battel contained five Battailions of Foot part French part Dutch led on by Messieurs Chaumontelle la Susa d' Emeraut la Flotte Venciuille and others in the intervall between these two Squadrons of Foot were two Squadrons of Prince Thomaso of Sauoy his Gens d'arms some Companies of the Generals and of his Sons and of my Lord Digby an Englishman Monsieur d' Invile Marishal of the Camp had the care of the reserve of Horse of this 2 d. line The King's Army advancing in this order General Turenne to keep the Foot from adjusting themselves between the intervals of Horse Squadrons as they began to do advanced himself in person with his wonted courage and the Lorainers were so ready on the left hand as they gave leave only to three Squadrons of the Enemies Horse to oppose them for the Kings men had regulated their first body on the right hand according to the number of Turenn's Troops which as yet had not the Lorainers joyned to them and therefore finding this advantage he furiously charged the Enemies line who with no less valour incounter'd them so as without giving fire their Horses heads shook one against another Marishal Plessis Pralin being on the head of the first Squadron on the right hand thrust forward to incounter him and at the same time sent Cavaliere Barada to wish Marishal d' Hochencourt to fall upon his Flanck but the Enemy not having at all sustain'd the onset on that side d' Hochencourt could not make use of the advantage of his station but being advertised by Monsieur de Quay Marishal of the Battel that five of Turenn's Squadrons marched a little lower to fall upon his Flank he was forced to quit his first design and to fight these with the Queens Regiment and that of Carlo Broglia who put them to flight Monsieur de Cosse who was to have backt him on the head of the second Battle seeing that d' Hochencourt had escaped danger on that side advanced with Vatimont and Cimitiers Squadrons against others which were led on by Count Ligneuille who hasted to assault the Dutch Troops of Lieutenant General Rosa and routed them But the conflict was much hotter on the right wing where Turen's
left hand Squadrons he himself being with his Sword in hand on their head fought egregiously and charged the Kings Horse home amongst whom Count Plessis the Marishals Son and many other Gentlemen of note were at the very first onset slain and the rest routed but with so much loss to Turenn's men who though victorious were so much lessened and so confused as they might almost be said to be routed as well as the others In this dangerous emergency the Marishal General gave singular proofs of his experience and valour for incouraging those that gave back with his own presence and rallying those that were routed and fled he ordered his Adjutant Monsieur Lomenet to make the Horse advance who were upon the Foot 's Flank and who not having yet fought were fresh and intire with these he himself and Monsieur Manicamp fomented by Prince Thomaso's Gensd ' Arms which were led on by Cavaliere Vssinga gave furiously on upon the first line of the Lorain Horse which were disposed of in seven Squadrons and finding them already in disorder and wearied with having fought till then against three great French Squadrons he burst in amongst them in relief of whom came Count Bossu who with two Squadrons fell upon the French Foot who wanted Horse to back them for Monsieur d' Inville after having charged with the reserve was faln back Here the fight began hotter than before the Pikes opposing the fury of the Horse with much undauntedness and signal example at last Monsieur de Villaquier came in with the fresh and intire Battles of the second line and Turenne having but two Battles of the second line to oppose them one of them which was led on by a Dutch Commander who was there slain was routed The other being commanded by the Serjeant Major made forward and routed two of the Kings Battels and here the whole second line of the Lorrainers mixt with the first so as when the 2 d. line of the French Army which was wholy composed of Veteran Germans came up in good order it found them in great confusion Turenne who would have brought up the ranks of the first line to charge and then have faln back into the second had his Horse wounded under him so as he could move but slowly Count Duras Baron Bonteville and Messieurs de Beauneau and Montilieu having routed those that withstood them marcht up with the remainder of their Troops to the Cannons mouth and broke some Squadrons of the 2 d. French line But this mean while whilst Monsieur Lanau who commanded the five Dutch Regiments in Turenne's right wing had his Horse slain under him and was himself taken Prisoner in the first charge wherein he had some advantage all his men were put to flight which caused the Kings men of the left wing to return to the right wing where charging the second fresh line of the Lorrainers they routted them utterly so the field was won wherein Count Lignaville was taken Prisoner and Mounsieur Fouges who had received two wounds and Edward Prince Palatine together with two other German Colonels were slain General Turenne as he past between the Lorrain Squadrons and his own Troops finding himself alone for all his Gentlemen were mingled with the Enemy and his Horse being again twice wounded was invironed by some of the Kings men who asked him if he would have quarter when Monsieur de Berge Captain of his Guard coming in they defended themselves with unparalled courage and throwing two of the Enemies to the ground they luckily got free from the rest crying out that they were the Kings Officers and that those Dutch men would have kil'd them Thus they escaped out of the Field and Turenne met with Monsieur de Vaue Serjeant Major of Beauveau's Regiment who lent him a Horse wherewith he saved himself so as finding both the wings of his Army utterly routed the Foot presently threw down their Arms and ran all save Turenne's Brigado who refusing quarter fell in with unheard of boldness into the midst of the Kings Squadrons where they were all either slain or taken after an hours fierce conflict Here was Haucourt taken Prisoner who commanded two small bodies of Horse and Don Stephano de Gammara General of the Spanish Artillery Count St. Quinten and Colonel Capion and divers other Officers and Soldiers were slain Thus the Kings men won the day were masters of the Field took 24. Ensigns all the Drums and about 3500. Prisoners and about 1800. were slain General Turenne the Counts Bossu and Reens and some more Horse retreated towards Barledue and from thence to Stenay the rest who escaped the Victors fury dispersed themselves several ways Of the Kings Army there died upon the Field beside Count Plessis Son to the General Aluimare Vale and Carualle all of them Field Marishals Serjeant General Rosa Colonel Beus and the Vicount de L' Hospitale besides many that were wounded about 480. Soldiers and Officers of lesser account After this Victory the Garrison of 300. which was in Chasteau Porcien yielded upon discretion to Camp Master Bougy who during the Battel was besieging it with 1500 men and all the other Garrisons under Turenne in the Towns beyond the River Aisne did also surrender This Victory was accompanied by the taking of Barleduck which the Lorrainers held Viscerge which was stoutly defended by Maileferd a French Colonel the Town and Castle of Miracourt which yielded upon discretion to Marishal Ferte Senetre who was he that took all these Towns as also the Castle Gardia with the Garrisons of Vic and Mongenuick But the season being unfit for further proceedings and rest being rather to be thought upon for the Soldiers than new enterprises they were put into their Winter quarters the Cardinal being thus Victorious no less by this fortunate success then by having secured the Princes this year in the Kings name taken the Towns from them which they possest succord La Guise recovered the Castle of Dijon Belgarde Danuilliers Cleremont St. Iohn di L' Ansne Verdun Caen Diepe secured Haure de Grace and Roan ended the commotions in Guienne reduced Burdeaux and driven the Spaniards from Rethel it is impossible to relate what confusion they were in who murmured against his Government of affairs and who were jealous of his actions His Friends who according to the fashion of the Court do flatter Fortune more than persons solicited him by their Letters to come receive Triumph in Paris telling him that these happy successes had stopt all mens mouths wherefore he returned to Paris on the last of December which occasioned the bad accident which followed as you shall hear which he had shun'd had he tarried but one month longer in the Army out of Paris The Coadjutor after the Battle at Rethel being desired by his especial friend Monsieur di Militiere to mind his studies and not to meddle any more in factions and in the intrigues of the Court where the Cardinal grew
landed about 700 foot so as the Fleet which consisted only of eight Ships and fourteen Gallies was hereby increased as it was afterwards by the remainder of the Gallies brought by Duke de Alburcheque who landed some foot wherewith the Castillian Camp was ever and anon furnish'd as well by Sea as Land some 2500 Soldiers what foot what horse being arrived at once and two pieces of Canon conducted by Don Pietro Vancella on the last of December Governour of that Town to the great joy of all the Army so as being assured to be assaulted the besieged battered their Guards and began chiefly to have an eye to those who were held to adhere to Marsine and Spain wherefore Don Giuseppe de Ardena who as hath been said was sent for back to Barcellona march'd down the Mountain with 350 foot on the side of Valuedriera and by the Covent of Madonna delle Gratie and entred the Town on the 25 th of November The Spaniards this mean while acosted the City with their Gallies and Ships and October and November were spent in making little Forts upon the neighbouring Mountains which were the Fort Masguinardo upon the hill Portello del Pino and another near the Covent of Madonna delle Gratie whereof nothing succeeded of note but a deluge of Rain which drowned divers Soldiers Wherefore failing of Victuals which were daily brought from Taragona the Army was well nigh forced to rise there being no Corn nor any thing whereupon to sustain themselves in those desolate parts yet that Nation injoying the great prerogative of sobriety and sufferance they at last won the day The Court of France though involved in intestine troubles was not wanting in doing what the bad conjuncture of time would suffer them to do and now that the season would not permit the use of Arms in Piemont the King writ in November to Marquess St. Andrea Monbrun to make hast back over the Mountains leaving only Scoope's Regiment of foot to guard the Towns upon the Frontiers that most of the foot together with Camilla's and Terme's Regiments of Horse the Gens de armes Prince Thomaso's Guard and le Compagnie Franche of Villa Monte and Vaosi should go into Burgundy and that the rest of the Horse together with the Foot Regiments of Normandy and Britanny should march into Guienne which Andrea doing not without some delay by reason of the opposition made by the Dutchess of Savoy who was loath to be abandoned by those Forces but the Horse not being able to pass over the Bridge St. Esprite by reason of the abundance of Rain that fell which caused Rhodanus to swell they were forced de ingolfare le truppe in Dolpheny and to inlarge them in the Towns of that Province and the Forces consisting of 37 Companies of Horse and 60 Foot Companies did much oppress that Country Wherefore the Nobles sent Commissioners to complain thereof to the Marquess who willing to content them could take no other expedient than to make his men march over the Bridge of Avignion which was not usual and which was not to be done without the Pope's permission who is Lord of that place yet the Vice Legate Seignior Corci gave him leave for which the King himself did afterwards vvrite thanks unto him But because there was greater need of help in Catalonia than in Guienne he was no sooner come to Nimes but that he received Letters sent from Marishal della Motta who was declared Viceroy of Catalonia by the King wherein he was ordered to go and releive Barcellona telling him that the only sight of his men would suffice to free the City and promising him that he should return within one month after he had entred that Province in Conformity whereunto the Marishal wrote unto him likewise from the Court that those Forces not being to stay above a month in Catalonia Sopra di cio dovea prender le sue misure he was accordingly to take his measures The Marquess who found his men wearied with their long march writ to la Motta that he might have leave to refresh his men one month in Languedock which la Motta refusing wish'd him to go into Catalonia and raise men saying he must not look to hear any more from him upon consideration that the journey was short and that he needed not carry along any Baggage for the more hast to the end that relief might come before any succor could come from Spain This years Campagne ended in Piemonte without any affair of Consequence for though the Spaniards advanced as far as Montcalliere not far from Turenne seeming to have some design upon Pivaralle their end was only to ease the State of Millan and to refresh their Army with plundring Piemonte which was already wasted very much whereby the Spaniards hoped to bring the Dutchess of Savoy since she had but little hopes of succor from France by reason of the intestine troubles to some reasonable agreement But Marquess St. Andrea Monbrune mustering the French Forces traced the Enemy so luckily as by frequent Allarms and Skirmishes he made them forego part of their booty and at last overtaking them in a Village called Boutelliere two of their Squadrons of Horse were stoutly driven back by the French to the body of their Foot which guarded the Baricado at the entrance into the same Village which gave so hot an Alarm to the Enemy as Marquess Caracena hasting to take Horse put his foot out of joint The next morning knowing that St. Andrea was a narrow passage between two mountains where he might might fight them upon advantage he ordered Padaglian to fall upon the Spanish Army on the Rear with three Regiments of Horse with Vxelles his Brigade of Foot and with 900 Foot of the Country Militia whilst he should assault them on the Front Affairs being thus ordered Pardaglian march'd speedily after the Spaniards and after three hours march upon the going down of the Sun he overtook them in the Vally of Montison but not having order to fall upon them till after St. Andrea had begun on his part whereof he heard no noise he haulted upon the banks of a little River within sight of the Enemy with whom he Skirmish'd all the night with his Horse But Caracena being removed at Sun-rising Pardallian did the like taking to the left hand and being come to the Castle of Courtendome a mile distant from the Enemies Army he there heard that St. Andrea could not assault them according to agreement for that the Spaniards were gotten by intelligence into the aforesaid Castle yet that he might not return without doing any thing he came once more up to the Spanish Rear and finding that the Enemy withdrew their Foot leaving three Squadrons of Horse to guard them he presently charged them with his forwardest Horse hoping to ingage the Foot but the Horse betaking themselves to their heels he in the head of his Troops chased them even to the grosse of their Rear ordering the rest
come The Duke of Nemeurs having already past over the River with some of his men the Kings men thinking that more of the Enemy were past retreated to beyond their quarters and left the breast-work free to Conde who passing over on the head of 100 Horse went with some others to fall upon Oquincourt's hindmost quarter which he took as he had done the others and whilst they were busie in plundering here the Marishal knew by the light of the fire which burnt the Houses that there was not above 300 of the Plunderers wherefore he made towards them with 700 Horse which when the Prince perceived he drew out his Squadron and marching in the first file himself with Nemeurs Beaufort Rochefaucolt Marsillac Tavanes and three or four more of his Gentlemen he exposed himself and all the chief of his party to do the duties of ordinary Gentlemen The Kings Troops charged his Squadron and having given fire neither side gave back but at the second Volly the Duke Nemeurs was wounded and had his Horse kill'd under him at last the Prince was forced to give back and all the Officers having made the light Horse stay haulted some 50 paces off not being further charged by the Kings Troops wherefore a Squadron of 30 Horse belonging to Megly coming on at the same time Conde and the rest of his Commanders placed themselves again on the head of his men and charged Oquincourt on the Front and worsted him nor were his men ever able to rally again From thence he went to before Blenau and Oquincourt followed the baggage which was then totally plundered by the Prince his men The Marishal by reason of these exigents retreated by the advantage of the night to joyn with General Turenne Monsieur de Espouse headed his Squadron and went directly towards St. Prive that he might get from thence to Briara The Croats staid in their first quarter sounding their Trumpets to make it be believed that their whole body was there and they had order if they should be charged to run as fast as they could by another way thither Oquincourt rid all the rest of that night and met not with any incounter for the Enemy did but seem to follow him and in lieu thereof chased 200 Horse which on purpose went another way When Turenne heard first of the assault he caused to sound to Horse throughout all his quarters and joyning his Troops speedily together he marched toward the place where the assault was given to bring relief but having heard by the fugitives of the disorder and the misfortune which fame makes always greater than it is being ratified by divers Captains and Officers he thought half the Kings Troops had been lost and that in such a case it was better to think of retreating and of saving the rest of the Army which if it should be lost the Kings person would be in no small danger than to hazard a new bickering yet he took a contrary resolution and rallying his Soldiers as he marched he went straight toward Osay on this side the Channel where Count Naivailes quarters were thinking by the knowledg he had of those parts to get into some advantagious station and that when the Prince should see him march so franckly towards him he would be more weary in his march and more apprehensive and that fortune which always favours the forward would not abandon him in this which was thought a great piece of valour When he had put his men in battel array and had rallied many that ran away he advanced couragiously against the Enemy There is a small thin Wood within three leagues of Briara which parted the Generals quarters nor could the one come to the other but by a narrow causey near which Turenne advanced thinking to make the Prince believe that he would make use thereof and defend it which the Prince did cunningly suffer him to do intending afterwards to incompass him and totally undo him But Turenne with the wariness of a gallant Commander possest himself of the causey with 50 Horse observing Conde's ways who thinking to have him in a Net went presently towards the Wood with his whole Army and with two pieces of Artillery Then Turenne in stead of defending the Causey as he made it be thought he would do and which would have been his utter undoing came speedily out and drew out his men into an orderly Battalia in the midst of the plain whereby Conde thinking that the Kings Army retreated sent out some Squadrons to pursue it But Turenne facing soon about fell upon those that were advanced that he might fight them before the rest were come forth Conde knowing his disadvantage haulted and recalled those that were advanced declaring that none but Marishal Turenne could have kept him from an intire Victory and that of all the friends that he had ever lost he was grieved for none so much as for him The Kings men drew up towards the Wood where they planted their Canon and began to play upon the Enemy who were a little damnified not having Canon sufficient to answer the frequent shot of the adversary Monsieur Marrais Brother to Marishal Grance and chief Commander of the Valoi's Regiment were there slain Turenne having thus by his mere industry stop'd the Army of the Princes they stood facing one another all that day when Oquincourt came in with almost all his men for he had lost but few and those more by the darkness of the night than by the Sword of the Enemy Oquincourt spoke with the Prince who in a civil manner sent one of Turenne's Captains whom he had taken that night back to him and writ unto him that though he never thought to have seen him in the head of an Army against him the Prince yet he declared that he had always been bound to him and would ever be his servant he presented his service in the same Letter to his Brother the Duke of Bullion The rest of the day being spent in the playing of Canon the Kings Generals a little before night caused their Troops to retreat Conde did the like returning by the same way that he came from Braliera and went the next day to Chastillion where having staid three or four days he found it necessary to go to Paris being sent for thither by his confidents to interrupt the treaties which were then in hand between the Inhabitants the Parliament and the Duke of Orleans by such as were partial to the Court and for the jealousie he had of the Coadjutor The Dukes of Beaufort and Rochefaucolt Prince Marciliack Monsieur Guitaut and divers other Lords and Gentlemen went along with him which was the cause of the prejudice which afterward befell him and his party The nights success being brought to Court with such inlargements as use to accompany uncertainties did much perplex all mens minds for it was thought that day would prove fatal to one or other of the parties and as the French measure
Parliament wherefore they indeavoured to gain time and to keep the Parisians Neutrals that they might not assist the contrary party with men and monies which they wanted much The Princes and Parliament on the other side studying to preserve their credit with the people by the specious pretence of easing their grievances forbare not any thing that might incite the fury of the Inhabitants against the King's Agents and because it was necessary for the Commerce of Paris to keep the King's Army from passing over the Seene and to exhaust St. Germans of all things by keeping it from the daily helps which it received from Paris they raised some Troops which being joyn'd to other Forces overran the neighbouring Country by night doing more harm to the neighbouring Town and Villages than did the Kings men who came even to the Gates of Paris The Prince of Conde caused two Arches of the Bridg of St. Clow to be broken and all the rest that were upon the Seen from Paris to St. Germans and placed good Garrisons in St. Clow and Neully with Ammunition furnished from Paris but at the cost of the Princes for the Parisians could never be brought to disburse any monies for them in this War whose Troops having taken Estampes they pretended to fortifie themselves there hoping thereby to keep Paris and Orleans true to them which was their main business Whilst the Kings Army was quartered in Chartres and thereabouts the aforesaid Troops threw themselves into Estampes with their Lieutenant General for the Prince and Dukes of Nemeurs and Beaufort were gon to Paris to keep the Frondeurs and their friends true to them many whereof wished for the Kings return and willingly listned to treaties which were then in hand touching the receiving of their Majesties who if they had then freely appeared they would have been welcomed with all joy and applause and the Princes and their party had been driven out for the common people were easily wound about and the Citizens were mightily affraid they should make tryal of War and the miserable effects thereof the Princes men had abundance of Victuals in Estampes which the Kings Forces wanted mightily wherefore Marishal Turenne who managed the War with much precaution when the Court was come to St. Germans and that the treaty of publick peace was begun upon the Princess of Orange her passing through Estampes and before the jealousie of the Duke of Lorrains marching towards Paris grew greater bethought himself of a gallant design After he had received a pass from the Court and sent it to Madamoselle to carry her to Paris he propounded to the Marishal de Oquincourt and to the other head-Officers that the said Princess being gon to Estampes and the Army of the Princes which were drawn out in Battalia when they should be retreated to their quarters and the better half of them according to custom gone for forrage they might easily get some good advantage by falling upon them at unawares Upon this with general consent they got on Horse-back and marched quietly with all their Troops and Artillery on the third of May which was the next day after Madamoselle was gone from Estampes thitherwards leaving the Horse Regiments of Marcuse and Lamet and Rales Burlemonts and the Crowns Foot to guard the Bagage at Chartres which was five leagues from Estampes the design was to surprise the Suburbs St. Martine wherein part of the Princes Troops were and having past the River Fuleville they marched quietly and in good order till an hour before day within sight of Estampes the Enemies Army kept in Battalia and when Madamoselle was gone Conde's Regiment and that of Burgundy together with seven other Dutch Regiments of Foot and Virtembergs and Bruchs Horse Regiments quartered in the aforesaid Suburbs which was to be assaulted The Kings Generals finding the adversary thus quartered they drew out a body of commanded men from out the body of Foot to place them in the intervals of the Squadrons of Horse together with all the Pol-axes the Army was drawn out into Battalia the Canon was placed within Musquet shot of the Town Turenne took upon him the most dangerous charge with 300 Soldiers whilst Oquincourt was to assault the other end of the Suburbs with 500 commanded men Virtemberg and Bruchs Dutch Regiments who were placed without were forced by some shot of Artillery to alter their station the forlorn hope fell on upon the Suburbs but finding stout resistance for the Princes men were many and well fortified Turenne came in with his own Brigage and those of Vxelles and Picardy and after a hot skirmish made himself master of some of the houses and of some of the Garden Walls which were defended by the Enemy even to throwing of stones the mean while Oquincourt making forwards in the head of his men with his Sword in hand was the first himself that got over the Wall and driving the defendants into some houses that were near the Church yea even into the Church and Church-yard where they Barracadoed themselves But because the Kings men at their entrance into the Suburbs fell to plunder so as the Enemy might have come out upon their backs and get some great advantage in that confusion Monsieur Varennes a Voluntier who was near Turenne rid with loose reins into the Suburbs and making the Soldiers come quickly out of the houses put them into Squadrons in the Street before the Church-yard and seeing some of Count Broglio's Soldiers lead Count Brioll Prisoner â—e desired him to let those Soldiers know that there being no hope of safety their best course was to yield which he refusing to do Turenne sent him away Prisoner and caused a call to be beaten to Pieur's Regiment who were fighting desperately there whose Officers knowing Varennes capitulated and became Prisoners of War upon his word at which time Oquincourt coming in on the other side all the rest were also made Prisoners Count Tavanes who was in the Town with the other Commanders thought to go out and succor his side but being beaten back all that were in the Suburbs were left to the discretion of the assailants and all the Soldiers and Officers were generally slain or taken not being able to get into the Town nor to ford over the River The Burgundy Brigade abandon'd its station and retreated intire Conde's Regiment did make stout resistance and recovered a place where the Kings Commander yielded upon discretion Thus there being no more Enemies to make opposition the Suburbs was totally plunder'd and little less than burnt to ashes and the Generals much to their glory return'd to their quarters at Chartres and two days after to Palaisau Many of the Kings Officers and Soldiers dyed in this action and the young Count de Quinchy and Carlo Broglio were sorely wounded whilst they fought valiantly amidst the Enemy this action was generous and noble for which the Generals were much commended and the credit of the Princes was very much
Commissary of the Quarters from whom they took a good sum of Money which he had raised upon the Neighbourhood but they released him after together with some of Marsin's Officers who at that time besieged Saint Fermo a little Town hard by This was the Prologue unto the ruine of the Princes Party who were forsaken by the best of their Troops wearied with living in perpetual action without any hopes of profit or reward wherewith the Princes had endeavoured to sweeten all the Travels and hardships of their Party There followed after this divers other Accidents that much weakned the said Party which having no other foundation but the hope of bettering their Fortunes in lieu thereof met with unlooked for violences and oppression A certain Ingineer was imprisoned and 3500 Doubloons taken from him under colour that he had blamed the new form of Government from another called de Tuches they took 500 Doubloons upon pretence that he had written to Paris the News which past at Bourdeaux there was a Vessel seised and 25000 Crowns belonging to some Holland Merchants confiscated which she was carrying to Rochel being raised by Corn sold in that City declaring the same to be Counter-band Goods by which and such-like proceedings Merchant-strangers and the most able Citizens were extremely exasperated seeing that without shame or Conscience they stopped at no unjust or barbarous action About this time that is upon the first of February the Duke of Vendosme appeared with his Fleet in the Garonne and presently began to build a Fort in the Isle of Cazaux scituated i' th middest of the River and therefore of great importance and no small annoyance to those of Bourdeaux amongst whom there being many inwardly affected to his Majesty it was necessary the râ—st should be watchful and vigilant against Stratagems and Surprises which in such occasions are often practised And because the Curate of St. Peter's Church had in a publick Sermon exhorted those of his Parish to shake off the yoke of that slavery they suffered under an unjust Authority usurped over them by the base Councel of the Olmiera he was by order of the Prince of Conti arrested and committed to Prison but the people of his Parish rising in a tumult upon his carrying to Prison he caused him to be released and sent away fearing that something worse might happen because such Persons as are admitted to teach the Word of God have great influence upon the people when they perswade unto peace and to a quiet life and for this cause were also banished the Curates of St. Simon and St. Ramy together with the Priors and Guardians of the Dominicans and Capuchines divers Councellors of Parliament and several Citizens who chose rather to suffer any persecution than to run along with a Faction which was directly contrary unto the the Service of his Majesty so as the Parliament which at that time was by his Maâ—esty transferred to Agen lessened so fast that there remained in Bourdeaux only nine Councellors most of which were so terrified and confounded that they knew not well what they were doing The Parliament transferred began their meeting in Agen the third of March the Signor de Lane second President presided at the opening of it in the presence of the Duke of Candale the Bishop of the City and several other Persons of Quality who assembled upon that occasion But in Bourdeaux the suspicion of some new Conspiracie still encreasing all diligence possible was used to prevent it and maintain the Prince's power Publick Proclamation was made That all strangers without employment should depart the City all Hosts Taverners and such as let Lodgings were forbid to lodge or receive any without a billet from the Magistrate or his Deputy All Conventicles were forbidden and all Night walking after the Tap-too and vigilant Guards being set every where they were very watchful against surprizes and the rather because the Souldiers and Captains of the Royal Party drew more and more down into the neigbouring Towns and Provinces And forasmuch as the taking of Sarlat Sallagnat Tetrason and other walled Towns of Perigord by the Prince's Forces gave them the means of scouring all the Neighbouring quarters unto the great damage of the Province the Marquess Pampadour Lieutenant of the Province of Limousin gathering together some Gentlemen and divers Troops garrison'd at Nontron and other adjacent places under the Command of Monsieur de Brusquet Savagnac Mareschal de Campo and divers others drawn out of the Marquess de Montbrun and Count de Pardillian their Regiments under the Command of Monsieur de Baradas Maistre de Campo took a resolution to march against the Enemy who kept at St. Roberts in the County of Agen and by cutting off their way to Terrason to oblige them unto an engagement This design was no sooner discovered by the Enemy but they resolved to expect the coming of the King's Forces upon a rising ground where they drew up being 600 Foot and as many Horse commanded by Monsieur de la Roche Pampadour being well pleased to see the resolution of his Enemies correspond with his desire sent Monsieur de Brusquet with the Regiment of St. Andre to engage them and himself with the other Squadrons followed to relieve him The Prince's Troops made some resistance but after the first charge being frighted with the fury of St. Andre's old Horse and not accustomed to such fierce engagements suddenly turned their backs and fled The Foot abandoned by the Horse casting down their Arms cryed God save the King and without moving yielded to the discretion of the Conquerors who by this Victory besides the gain of all their Baggage freed their Countrey from the continual trouble of these Souldiers who were so much the more licentious by how much they were straightned in their pay and displeased with the Princes whom they served The Town of Montignac scituate upon the Bank of the Dordogne belonging to the Marquess of Hautefort gave testimony of an Exemplary Loyalty when instead of subscribing the Accord with the Count Marsin as did the other Towns of Perigord they took Arms and did not only maintain themselves in the obedience due to His Majesty but also did all the hurt they could unto the Prince's Troops as they did also in this Action of St. Roberto where Monsieur de Boulon issuing out with some Firelocks by Order of Monsieur de Radon Governour of that Castle they presently gave them chase and took several Prisoners The Castle of St. Surin was also besieged and taken by the Royalists it was rendred at discretion and the Captain Trinquet who commanded there was carried prisoner to Blaye There followed also the taking of divers other Castles and Walled Towns which with some small dispute either rendred themselves or were taken by force of Arms whereby the Prince's Troops came to be straightned into a narrow compass and the greatest part of the Inhabitants by their example were perswaded to return unto their
assault the Town as soon as the Ammunition which they expected from Narbonne was come that so in case the Enemy should put their Foot into Girone to defend it they might attaque the Mountain and if they did it not the Town might be with the more ease besieged and taken Girone is a great City scituated upon the hanging of a Hill encompassed with Walls flanked with some little Towers the Houses whereof served for Parapets unto that part of the River Fer which glideâ— on the right side of it so as it would not be hard to take it if there were not in it a great Garrison The French were Masters of the Field their Conveys came without danger and in all Skirmishes and Encounters which were frequent enough the Spaniards always had the worst Belliere practised Intelligence by all the means he could their Souldiers both Horse and Foot came from time to time in good numbers to yield themselves so as the Officers themselves were forced very often to keep guard over their own Souldiers The Irish had promised to come with their whole Companies into the French Service the Besieged began already to suffer much and some days were passed that the Horse had nothing to maintain them but the Grass and Weeds they got from the Parapet of the Town Walls The Spanish Generals perceiving that their Troops daily wasted to preserve the said Mountain had built three Forts and designed as was gathered by Letters which were intercepted to pass a part of their Cavalry to Barcellonâ— to relieve them from their Sufferings there and to joyn with the Army which the Constable of Castile was raising for the succour of Girone so as the French were constrained to be extreamly vigilant and to keep their Horse alwaies sadled in the Camp Whilest the Siege passed in this manner Plessis Belliere Treated with the Inhabitants of San Feâ—ion a little Town with a Castle indifferently strong situate upon the Sea beyond Palamos and Blanes the Garrison whereof having no suspition of what happened kept not so good Watch as they ought to have done The Enterprise succeeded luckily and Monsieur de Massarmes who was sent thither to effect it took the Town Castle and Garrison the 26th day of Iuly in the Night he found there 7. Brass Pieces of Canon and 4. of Iron with some Ammunition and for a complement of the good fortune a Bark going to Barcellona loaded with divers Merchandises of value which lay there was boarded before they heard the newes and instead of Spaniards whom they expected become a prey unto the French Things standing in this posture the Mareschal d'Oquincourt taking leave at Coure went into Languedoc where assembling the Souldiers appointed to serve under his Command he provided to march and joyn with the Army before Girone Plessis Belliere as soon as he had notice of it dispatched Monsieur de Rabaliere his Kinsman away to him to complement him and give him an account of what had passed in the Siege He let him know the wâ—nt there was of Powder that it was necessary to send that which was to come unto Narbonne and in the mean time to borrow a quantity from the Governour of Perpignan or Rose that in case he would force Girone or continue the Siege 't was necessary to speed the Levies of the Catalonians in Rossillon and cause Monsieur Lochman his Regiment of Swisses which had stayed there to advance as also those of the Queen of Anjou and of Languedoc who refused to march with the rest by reason of the precedency challenged by those of Auvergne who were in Conflans under the Command of Monsieur de Tilly. The Mareschal did what was desired of him by Belliere he brought with him those Regiments who renewed their said Pretensions and insisted so far upon them that it was necessary to put all the Officers of Auvergne under Arrest upon that occasion where they remained till Girone was relieved he brought 3000 pound weight of Powder from Perpignan Belliere went to meet him a League and half from the Camp accompanied by all the principal Officers of the Army and brought him thither upon the 27th of Iuly informing him how all things stood The Mareschal took the Command of all his Majestie 's Forces in those Parts and the Marquiss du Plessis Belliere fell sick of a continual Feaver which enforced him to keep his bed for five weeks time Mean while the French being resolved upon the taking of Girone battered the Walls made a breach and tryed to gain it by Assault but whether it were that the breach was not sufficiently large or that the Parapets and defences made to flank the Souldiers were not well lined with Earth oâ— that those who were commanded upon the Assault were wanting to their Duty in not following their Commanders they failed in the Onset and were forced to desist from any farther attempt upon hopes that the besieged being reduced unto necessity for want of Victuals would of themselves yield and in truth they were put unto the last extremity when their relief began to appear which entred into the Town upon the 24th of September being Mules loaded with Corn upon that side of the Town which was of most difficult access where were placed the Sâ—isses and the Queens Regiment seconded by Monsieur Carâ—iâ—ton's Regiment of Horse who were no sooner charged by the Spaniard but they fled and thereby gave them opportunity to joyn with those of the City who â—allied out The Mareschal was gone to visit certain Posts where having notice that those Regiments were ingaged he went forthwith to relieve them but coming thither he found his own men fled and the enemy joyned Plessis Belliere who had also notice of it hastened thither and meeting the Mareschal who gave him notice of the accident and consulting together they resolved to quit the Enterprise which being to be forthwith executed for avoyding loss of time and of some difficulty Oquincourt desired Belliere to take the charge thereof In order whereunto he gave Orders forthwith unto his own Regiment of Foot that of Poictoâ— and the Swisses that they should keep the Posts which the French held at Pont Maggior to facilitate their passage over the River he caused afterwards the Army to march in good order and pass the River to incamp at Madignan as they advanced and as soon as the Guard at Pont Maggior was drawn off the Spaniards seised upon it and the Constable of Castile drew about 400 horse over the River and some Musquetiers who placed themselves in the houses beyond the River The Horse were no sooner drawn out into the field but the French facing about charg'd them so briskly that they pursued them to the River side taking a good number of them Prisoners which defeat made the Enemy keep in his own bounds and forbear the farther following of the French From Madignan Oquincourt marched to Barca and the next morning being the 26th of September he marched
Souldiers and the best of his Officers amongst whom he heard with great grief of the imprisonment of Coligny his Kinsman a Person of great valour and in whom he had great confidence and the Court taking this as a Presage of good Success Resolved that the Duke of Espernon Governour-General of Burgundy should undertake the Enterprize of Bellagarde After the rendring of the Castle of Dijon Burgundy had been ever in great trouble by reason of the plunderings of that Garrison which continually infested that whole Countrey The Duke had therefore Garrisoned the Castle of Pagny near unto it and wanting Force sufficient to take it he had given ear to some Propositions made by the Prince of Conde's Friends to sell him the said Place which was hard to keep because it was so far within the King's Countries but the Treaty being broken off by reason of the too high demands of the Marquiss of Batteville Governour of the Place Espernon took order for making of Provisions fit for besieging of it and considering that those of the Franche Comté notwithstanding their Neutrality might send and succour it he sent concerning the same unto the Marquiss of San Martin and Monsieur de Cea Principal managers of the Catholick King 's Affairs in that Province from whom being assured that they had no thought of doing any thing against the Neutrality established and being also encouraged by the Burgundians who to pull this Thorn out of their sides offered to find Money and Provisions fit for the Siege the Duke passed the Somme at San Iean de Losne the Marquiss d'Uxelles came from Chalons to Verdun with what Souldiers he could draw from the Neighbouring places and brought together about four thousand Souldiers Horse and Foot under the Command of the said Uxelles and de Roncerelles both Lieutenants-General The Ninth of May the Duke possessed the Posts of Campblanc and de Pany whilest the others took up their Posts at Casâ—elles and San George and opening the Trench they made their Approaches to the place and with their Artillery battered it on two sides and a little below also on the other side of the River where Monsieur de San Quintin lodged himself with four hundred Foot The Besieged defended themselves with great courage and by their frequent Sallies endeavoured to hinder the King's Forces from advancing towards the Ditch but Roncerelles advancing the Trench unto the Counterscarp drained the water out of the Ditch filled it with Faggots and sprang a Mine under the Bulwark towards the River Batteville having no hopes of Succour and not being in a condition long to defend himself sent to the Duke and let him know It had been never practised in a War amongst Christians to assault a place without first giving a Summons to know if they would freely yield and therefore he desired to understand upon what ground they proceeded so severely against him Espernon made answer to him That this was usually practised against lawful Enemies but not against Rebels to the King and pretended he would not defer the Assault for which all things were now ready but being entreated by the Officers of his Army not to use such severity which oftentimes casts men into dispair he consented rather for sparing the lives of his own Souldiers than of the Enemy and a Capitulation for the Surrender was agreed upon Batteville marching on the 8th day of Iune out of the place with 700 Souldiers with their Arms and Baggage who were convoy'd unto Stenay The Burgundians were much pleased with this Enterprise having hereby quieted their Province and Espernon according to the promise he had made them caused the place to be dismantell'd and uncovered whereby the passage over the Somme became free and those people were eased of the Contributions they were forced to pay unto that Garrison to avoid being fired and ill entreated by the Souldiers and himself acquired much honour and a general Commendations by the Action The Troops who had served in this Siege were sent part unto Mareschal Turenne who was now ready to take the Field and part unto the Mareschal de la Ferte Seneterre who was already quartered upon the Frontiers of Lorrain and had taken divers Castles of the Territory of Verdun which were held by the Enemy To these good Proludiums of fortunate Success followed another Enterprize very bold and unexpected executed by Count Broglia Governour of la Basse a Captain of high repute and experienced valour He was advertised that the Troops which had been in the Quarters of Etere la Gorgue and the Neighbouring Posts being appointed to serve in the Prince of Conde's Army were the most part of them drawn thence unto the general Rendezvouz so as there were in those Quarters only Colonel Murphy with about 700 Irish and about 80 Horse under the Command of the Baron de Lambes he marched therefore from la Bassee with 400 Fire-locks and 100 Horse with a Bridge of Boats to pass the River Lis above Etere and Armentiers that he might fall upon the Quarters of Etere where Murphy's Regiment lay He Commanded Monsieur de Lavogadre a Colonel of Piemontoiâ— to pasâ— the River with 350 Fire-locks and himself staid on the hither side with the 100 Horse and the remainder of the Foot to succour and assist where need should be Monsieur de la Trenoy Serjeant-Major of Bassee advanced with 100 Fire-locks about midnight the 13th of Iune and charged with so much valour that notwithstanding the Assault was sustained with great courage by the Enemy yet he drove them to the Church where they fought two hours but at last the French having made themselves Masters of the Church Doors constrained the Irish all to yield themselves prisoners of Warr who were in number 300 Souldiers 6 Captains and all the other Officers Murphy himself escaping by favour of the Night From thence the same Night the Count advanced unto the Fort of la Gourgue but found it quitted and so having driven the Countrey thereabouts and got some Booty he returned to La Bassee very well pleased to have destroyed that Fort and taken all those Souldiers and Officers The Prince of Conde was startled with this News and had without doubt forthwith taken the Field had not the taking of the 300000 Ryals before mentioned by the English retarded the Provisions which were thereby to be made and in particular of Horses to remount the Cavalry and for Artillery which were afterwards provided with some difficulty in Holland The General Turenne making use of this Conjuncture having caused the Troops to march into the Countrey about Rheims parted from Paris the 14th of Iune and in a certain place not far distant from Chillery in Champaigne consulting with the Mareschal de la Ferte who was yet drawing together his Souldiers in the Countrey about Verdun touching the course they were to hold they concluded to besiege Rhetel to take from the Enemy all means of advancing farther into Champagne being
too much Glory as being jealous of his inconstancy After many consults touching the course they were to hold it was at last unanimously resolved To endeavour by all means the forcing of the Enemy unto a Battel according to the event whereof they might afterwards proceed to farther resolutions With these Designs therefore the Armies advancing and confronting of each other â—taid eight or ten dayes having no other obstacle to hinder their encountring but the River Oyse which ran between them The Mareschal Turenne although inferiour in number to the Spanish Army would have have accepted of the Battel to which his noble Courage did provoke him had not his daring spirit been restrained by that staid Experience which though young in years he had to his great glory gained in Two and twenty pitch'd Battels wherein he had commanded and he was forbidden by express Orders from the Cardinal who seeing the Fortune of the Kingdom to depend upon that Army would not expose to the uncertainty of an Encounter upon so much disadvantage all his past labours present condition and future hopes And thereupon following the opinion of that wise Roman who destroyed the Carthaginian Army with holding it at a bay without concerning himself for publick rumours he contented himself with galling them sometimes in the flank sometimes in front and sometimes in the rear with enforcing them sometimes to Quarter close together sometimes to enlarge themselves to hinder their Marches reduce them into want of Victuals and finally to overthrow all the designs they had projected against France But there being in Turenne as well as the Prince of Conde a most ardent desire of glory he could not satisfie his Mind without giving some proof of his Courage upon some occasion and therefore he passed the River one day with between 700 and 800 Horse and joyning with the great Guard he kept beyond the River charged that of the Enemy kept upon the head of the Marsh of Fonsomma beat them into the gross of the Spanish Army took many prisoners and with incomparable Courage and Conduct made a safe retreat to his own Quarters Upon the 24th of Iuly the King Cardinal and the whole Court came to the Army where he was received with extraordinary Duty and Applause by 100 Squadrons of Horse and 18 Battalions of Foot drawn out which made up in all 16000 Combatants consisting of Old Souldiers inured unto the Warr Expert Officers and Noble Persons who were Volunteers Turenne being willing to give them the Divertisement of a Skirmish which was wonderfully desired by his Majesty who was full of Lively Martial thoughts passed the Oyse at a Foord with the Guard of Cavalry Gens d' Arms and about 1000 Horse drawn out of the Army charged upon and beat up the same Guard of Conde who taking it for granted that the French Generals upon his Majesty's arrival were resolved to give Battel drew up all his Army and stood firm observing the motion of the French until the King retired and that 't was known to have been onely a party at which time they were troubled they had not advanced and tried their Fortune His Majesty staid all that day in the Camp filling all persons by the Majesty of his presence with Courage and Desire to do something which might signalize them in his Service He Dined that day in Turenne's Quarters with a good number of the principal Commanders who sate at Table with him at Night he Supped in those of the Mareschal de la Ferte Senneterre with the same order and lodged in Turenne's Quarters in the middest of the Army and went the next day from thence towards Paris Two or three dayes after the King's departure the Spanish Army rose from these Posts and took their March directly towards San Simon and Serocourt Passes upon the River Somme between Ham and San Quintin That of France followed it marching the way of Fera lodged at Chery and Maiou and passing the Oyse in the same place where it makes a little Island and a little higher at Verduel it drew up in Battalia a little above Travessy where it encamped alwayes observing the Enemy that he might not have time to invest any place or throw up Works about it as they desired to have done after they perceived the difficulty of drawing the French to a pitched Battail Conde doubting least Turenne should be upon his Back as they filed along by San Simon was careful in the passage and took up Quarters onely a league from Ham which gave great apprehension that he thought of besieging that most Important place situated upon the Somme between St. Quintin and Peronne This Motion obliged the French Generals to advance unto Chauny a Town upon the Oyse and from thence to coast unto Noyon chief Town of a County strong in Men and situate upon the same River where they made a halt some dayes during which the Spaniards making head against them the Prince of Conde went with 6000 men to Magny and from thence to Roye a walled Town upon the head of the River Moreul and approaching it on three sides got it by Surrender in 15 hours there being none but the Inhabitants and some Gentlemen of the Countrey thereabouts who ran in to defend it and being without Parapets or other Fortifications The taking of this being understood by the French Generals they suspecting the Attack of some place upon the Somme marched to Magny Conde designing the Enterprise of Corbie a most Important place Royally built seated upon the Somme between Peronne and Amiens made shew of marching with part of the Army and Artillery upon the way of Beauvais a City the Metropolis of a rich County one of the strongest and wealthiest of France bathed by the River Therin that he might cause the French to draw off from the Post which they had taken and at the same time clap about Corbie Turenne who by long experience was able to discover the Prince's Arts and knew full well that he would not engage himself into France with so many strong Towns behind him and an Army in flanck instead of marching after him as it might seem probable he should have done after he had consulted with the Mareschal his Collegue upon the 9th of August marched that very Night to Magny where they made the rejoycings due for the good News of the Reduction of Bourdeaux which filled all their Minds with confidence of good success and presently passing the River dispatched the Count Schomberg Lieutenant of the Company of the Scotch Guard with 400 Horse and 200 Foot to reinforce Corbie and prevent the Prince's designs upon it All the French Army marched at the same time towards Ham passed the River by night and quartered on the other side where having notice that the Count de Maile with a great Convoy of Ammunition and Victuals 4000 men drawn out of the Garrisons of Flanders and 6000 Freebooters was parted from Cambray to reinforce the Spanish Camp before any
with the Court and the business was upon the point agreed but the Town being blocked up just as he expected the Prince of Conde's consent unto the agreement he thought he could not with his honour quit it but as a generous Cavalier stand in defence thereof he returned therefore that answer and that Montal might have no occasion to suspect his Faith he declared that he would in that Siege serve as a private Souldier leaving the care and Government of all to him which he did exposing himself always to the greatest dangers The King returning upon the 28th of October to Chalons upon the first of November the French began to break ground and make their aproaches on two sides and planted their Batteries against the City but with little profit by reason of the brisk defence the besieged made by sallyes and other oppositions which made the Enterprize seem difficult Upon news brought that the French besieged this Town the Prince of Conde who as hath been said was troubled with a Quartane Ague gave order unto the Counts Briole and Duraz that drawing together what strength could be gotten out of the neighbouring quarters they should endeavour to put some relief into the Town and the whilst he with the Spanish Generals would gather together all their Forces not so much to defend that place as to be able to take up Quarters within France The said Counts by assistance of the Lorenois got together 3000 Foot and 2000 Horse and advanced to accomplish their design which without doubt had taken if the Cardinals diligence had not prevented them who having notice thereof upon the 4th of November at Night from the Count Grand Pre Governour of Mouson presently leapt out of Bed and gave orders about it he dispatch'd presently Monsieur d'Onè Lieutenant of his Guard to Vitry to make the Count Brugy with the Forces of Guienne come in all hast unto the King's Camp he commanded the Gens d' Armes and Horse of his Majesties Guards and his own and all the Gentlemen of his House to march immediately He forthwith sent Courriers all about that from all places Souldiers should come and re-inforce the King's Army to the command of which he appointed the Mareschal du Plessis Pralin in whose fidelity and experienced Valour he had great confidence so as by break of day all the Souldiery and as many Gentlemen as were about the Court were Horsed and Armed with a readiness equal unto the quickness of their Life and Spirit The Mareschal went from Chalons after Dinner the same day and being accompanied by a good number of Volunteers and the said Guards marched towards the Camp to be there at Night the most privately he could and that he might be ready to fight them the next morning at which time they were expected but the Commanders of Conde's Troops moved not at all being perhaps in fear of being encountred and inclosed by Mareschal Ferte Sâ—nnâ—terre who by the Cardinal's Order was drawn off from the Army with 3000 Horse and 500 choice Dragoons and marched to get between Clermont and St. Menhaud being a fit place to charge upon the Enemies Rear in case they had engaged themselves in any design against the Army that besieged the Town The next day all the Troops of Guienne came up being in number Eleven Regiments of Horse and Ten of Foot all Old tried Souldiers so as the Army being now re-inforced by these and other Recruits which came from Germany Conde could not undertake to relieve it without a full Army and that with evident danger of being drawn to a pitch't Battel then much desired by the French but abhorred by the Spaniard who should then have run too great a hazard and therefore were very wary in seconding the daring Councels of the Prince of Conde about fighting a Battail or the undertaking of any hazardous design and especially it being about a Town belonging to the Prince himself they were not willing to venture their Souldiers for anothers benefit To which was added That the Lorenois pretending to have done sufficient for that Campagne were resolved not to draw again out of their Quarters Upon the arrival of the Mareschal du Plessis the Siege was taken up with greater vigour being notably defended by Montal with frequent Sallies and losses on both sides and better he would have done had not a Magazine of Ammunition been blowed up the Night before the 6th of November by means of a Cannon Bullet shot into it or some other accident the same being variously reported The French assaulted vigorously the Half-Moon before the Port du Bois and at the same time got into the Ditch on the other side but the Besieged fallying out upon their backs hindered their work and took prisoner Monsieur d'Ortis a Lieutenant of the Guards and hurt several other Souldiers and Officers amongst whom was Monsieur de Pontet a Captain of the said Guards Upon the 16th day they made a Sally upon the Guard of Monsieur de Nancre who commanded then in the approach but were with some loss beaten back which happened also in another Salley made upon the Trench kept by the Regiments de Guard two days after where they were repulsed by Monsieur de Charmon a Captain of that Regiment with the loss of some Souldiers and of Monsieur de la Garde Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment de Burgoigne Which was also seconded by the death of Monsieur Demon Sergeant Major of the Town who was next day killed in the Ditch as he went to discover which way they might go with most security to interrupt the Works of the Besiegers The Marquiss Castelnau in the mean time attacked a Work called Ferra Cavalli and having carried it got into the Ditch and made a Gallery to defend the Miners which succeeded well after they had beaten back two Sallies of the Besieged who were many of them killed upon the place The Regiments d'Uxelles and Dampierre on the other side took the Half-Moon on the right side of the breach called La Exvelape whereupon the French being on the one side ready to give the Assault and a Mine ready to blow up the Bastion on the other the Besieged wanting Powder demanded a Parley and offered to give up the Town if in Eight dayes they were not relieved which being refused by the Mareschal who gave order for prosecution of his Works Upon the 25th day Montal without any reserve agreed to march out of the Town with Arms and Baggage which he did upon the 27th of November towards Rocroy being followed but by few French because the greatest part of those who served him accepted the Amnestie and either went into the King's Service or their own houses as did also the Marquiss de Forz Monsieur de Taissy Geneste and others who being invited by the King's Clemency câ—st from their minds all kind of bitterness and found that the true happiness of Subjects consists in their entire obedience to their Soveraign
Time The Abbot not diving into the depth of the business press'd the Queen continually to use all convenient means at Rome for his preferment but he was not aware that the Instrument he made use of was that which wounded him for the more the Court of France did desire this honour for la Riviere the Pope did the more retard this promotion to avoid giving this satisfaction to Cardinal Mazarine with whose Interest he thought it did comply that the Abbot might be decored with that dignity without which his concernments would be ruined For the Pope was not very well disposed towards the Cardinal for reasons that shall be said in their proper place Yet the Pope had not refuse'd to nominate him and the Abbot received visits in L'Hostelle d'Orleans where he lived from the Pope's Nuntio with great applause and approbation as if he had already been made Cardinal And though many said that this was done by Mazarine's cunning and not with the Queens intention yet as men are easily lull'd asleep with Songs which please them the Abbot wanted the Courts wariness for being free from all suspition he was so well perswaded of himself as he believed that if there were any thing in hand at Court prejudicial to him it would be found out by the Cavalier de la Bene and by others his friends which he kept at Rome as Agents to the Duke his Patron to sollicite this his Promotion This nomination of Cardinalship succeeded in the year 1648 and it was effected by the Queen being withstood much by the Court. When the King was returned to Paris Condé's Family having prevailed with Conty to become an Ecclesiastick they pretended to the name given to la Riviere for Conty were it either that he did really desire that dignity or that by abandoning that pretension he might get some greater advantage Upon the hearing of this the Abbot employed the Duke of Orleans to the getting of what was promis'd him and made him withdraw to Limours threatning that if they failed him he would go into Languedock The Queen was much troubled hereat and was forced to perswade the Princes to yield to the said pretension shewing them that Conty being a Prince of the Blood it made but little for his reputation to be made a Cardinal at the King's nomination as was usual to the Subjects of France but that it ought to be done for his extraordinary Merit and for his Birth So as Condé being willing to satisfie the Queen and yet not to lose his right to the Cardinalship it was agreed upon between them that her Majesty should write to the Pope and desire Conty's promotion as Extraordinary which if the Pope should deny then Conty should be nominated for Cardinal instead of la Riviere and that the Queen should declare that when a Prince of the Blood should pretend to such a dignity all others were to give way The difference being thus adjusted the Duke of Orleans returned to Paris where not long after the Abbot was made a State-Minister and was upon all occasions caressed by the Cardinal and by Condé The third Faction which was Condé's was onely to establish himself upon sound foundations seeking onely some pretensions to effect it He was Governour-General of Berry and of the City and great Tower of Bourges the Metropolis of that Province He had therein many Fee-farms and Vassals besides the strong Castle of Montrond which was well provided and well Garrison'd by him He was likewise Governour-General of Burgundy and of the Castle of Dijon the Metropolis thereof scituated upon the River Ousche wherein he had also many Fee-farms and Vassals besides the Town of Belgarde with the Title of the Dukedom sufficiently Garrison'd upon the River Sone He was Governour of Verdune and of St. Ione de l' Aune places of importance for scituation but meanly Garrison'd and he treated by leave from the Queen to make himself Governour of the important Town and Castle of Ausone as you go from Dijon to Dole He also had the Government of Steney and Clermont strong and considerable places He was Governour-General of Compeigne and had newly obtained from the Queen the Government of Danvilliere a noble Town in Luxemburg lately before won by the French wherein Monsieur di Rochefaucault Brother to Prince Marsilliack who was Governour of Poictou was Governour His Sisters Husband the Duke of Longueville was Governour-General of Normandy and particularly of the City and Castle of Caen and of the City and Castle of Diepe a considerable Sea-Haven and he had therein also many Fee-Farms and Vassals The Marquiss of Beveron who was a great friend of his was Governour of the old Town of Roan and his Couzin Count Mattignon Governour of Granville and of Cherburg both Sea-Havens and these were the two Lieutenant-Generals of the same Province he prest continually for the Government of Pout d'Arck upon the Seine two Leagues from Roan Marshal de Brese Condé's Father-in-law was Governour-General of Anjou and of the Castles and City of Angiers the Metropolis thereof and of Saumeur The Count d' Alets Condé's Kinsman was Governour of Provence who kept in Arms in that Province against his Enemies and being by the Inhabitants made Master of Toulon he kept his Regiment of Foot in Garrison there after Monsieur di Garniere's death and behaved himself as Governour This was the strength of the third Faction to the which many great Lords and Gentlemen of the Kingdom did adhere who were friends to these Princes and who did publickly aver that they did it merely to moderate the Cardinal's greatness upon whom they laid all foules And to make himself yet stronger Condé though he had not first consented to the Marriage of Duke Mercoeur with Madamoselle Mancint yet by means of such as were friends to them both he made the Duke of Vendosme be told that he was a Prince of such Birth and Morit as he might justly pretend to be Admiral without consenting that his Son should marry the Cardinal's Niece and that if he would gainsay it and joyn with his Interests he would carry affairs so as that he should be Admiral and that he being one who loved the Honour of the Princes of France he was unwilling that the house of Vendosme should match so far beneath it self He spoke hereof without any manner of respect though it were a question whether he did it out of ill will to the Cardinal or to prejudice the Duke of Vendosme with whom it was known he was not upon good terms It was also thought that he endeavoured to slave off Candale from considing in Mazarine but the Court being already too much engaged with his Father the Duke of Espernon who was kept by the Cardinal in the Government of Guienne for the reasons aforesaid he could not effect his desire So as considering that the Countess of Martinozza's Marriage could not be effected without restoring Espernon to Bourdeaux he publickly opposed it fomenting
party as well as of all others that depended on him This was executed with much speed and upon very advantageous conditions the Government of Pont de l' Arche being thereupon granted to Longueville and the Cardinal assuring him he would proceed no farther in the Treaty of Marriage between the Duke of Mercoeur and his Niece Such was the end of this difference the Cardinal kept his Station the Frondeurs were deluded the Parliament confounded and all other the discontented parties were much unsatisfied especially to see so great a change in less than eight days without the least notice given of it to any one of those many persons of Quality who had upon this occasion declared for him whereupon the general hatred which was in a manner laid aside was kindled against Condé much more violently than before and especially in those who having thought the difference between him and the Cardinal would continue had been too forward in the declaring of themselves and being now discovered and abused railed against Condé taxing him to be a person who minding onely his own ambitious designes had no value for his friends nor consideration of the services which they had done him But above all Beaufort and the Coadjutor were most implacably his Enemies they having fancy'd to themselves great matters by his assistance and the rather because the Prince said publickly That he would rather suffer four Mazarines to be Ministers of State than one Chasteau Neuf professing That he had been in much trouble those few days he had been with them their inclinations being so diametrically opposite to his The Frondeurs and all others being thus disappointed of their hopes of banishing the Cardinal that which followed was first the small respect which Condé seemed to bear towards the Queen and the first Minister of State believing the shews of reliance upon him from them were true not counterfeit Secondly the great dissimulation which the Cardinal used towards him And thirdly which was most of all the Curses which were generally made against Condé for keeping in a Minister of State who was generally hated by all persons and many thereupon presaged the time was drawing on which might be seasonable to Imprison him as heretofore his Father had been in the Bastile upon the like conjuncture of affairs by the Marquiss d' Ancre and there was none but thought the Cardinal capable of those Maximes by which great persons are taught to take such courses as that a Subject who hath been able once to dispose of all things at his pleasure should not be continued in such Authority and Power This came to be the general discourse so as in all places there was nothing so much spoken of as of the Princes being clapt up though there were divers persons who said it was not to be thought the Cardinal during the Kings Minority would dare to attempt such a thing against a Prince of his quality because nothing of that kinde could be effected without the knowledge and consent of the Duke of Orleans who was President of the Council and Condé had the Abbot de la Riviere for his Confident who proud of such an Honour from so great a Prince assured him that his Royal Highness resolved nothing and much less of affairs of such importance without consulting first with him and therefore he assured him he would not fail upon any such occasion to give him notice The Cardinal in the mean time was particularly informed of all the Prince's actions and studied nothing more than some convenient opportunity to interrupt his bold designes and the great difficulties which appeared in the performance of it rendered him much more fixed in the resolution he had taken to perform it He considered on the one side the desperateness of the attempt and the extremity of ruine which would fall upon him if the Prince who was extreamly jealous of every thing should come to have the least suspition that he had any thought against him And on the other side how ignominious his management of the State would be if the Authority of the King his Master should during that time be impaired and lessened by the Prince And in this perplexity he resolved that dissimulation was the true Sugar he was to use wherewith to sweeten all his Actions In order hereunto he caused presently all his said Nieces to be removed from Court and shut up in a Monastery of Nuns in the Fauxbourgh of St. Germains and declared publickly that his intentious never had been to marry his Nieces in France for those ends which he was charged withal and therefore he was very glad to give over the thought thereof his onely drift being to unite the Royal Family against those who endeavoured to raise Dissentions amongst them This gave a stop to those Discourses which his Enemies had formerly made against him in Paris upon that occasion But his true end therein was to put them in a place of safety so as in ease he should be forced upon any occasion to retire these Ladies might not be exposed unto the insolencies of an unruly people as foreseeing all those artifices which the malice of his Enemies made use of to procure his Ruine These passages very much troubled the Leading Men of the Frondeurs and all the other Malecontents who saw their party decaying daily by the Residence of the Court which eclipsed all other Authority in Paris and by the agreement between the Prince and Cardinal and therefore they resolved by some extraordinary and suddain attempt to put things unto a hazard before the peoples mindes were wholly quieted and thereupon to take such resolutions as time and the condition of Affairs should suggest to them The Parliament had not in this mean time met since the first of April because all things being quieted by the Peace lately concluded there had been no occasion for their meeting The Great Chamber had ended several differences between the Partisans and their under-Farmers who refused to pay their Rents although it were the order both of the King and Parliament that they should do it In pursuance hereof the Partisans had caused several of the under-Farmers to be Imprisoned in the Town-house where they had been restrained for several days And upon this occasion the Partisans to procure payment of their Money met several times and in great numbers in the Town-house which caused some discourse amongst the people who were very much enclined to Tumults and Sedition The Chambre de Vacance upon the motion of the Procurator-General his Substitute prohibited all kind of Meetings upon any occasion whatsoever without order from the Magistrate The Partisans thought themselves injured by this Order and presently chose several Deputies persons of quality as Councellors and Advocates and Temporal Citizens amongst which were the President Charton the Councellor Iolly the Advocate Portait Monsieur de Constunes a Burgess of Paris and others who had Commission to endeavour the ending of this matter without
and with a large deep ditch but it being requisite that at the same time when the Suburbs should be assaulted on the other side the besieged should also make a Sally and assault the Suburbs Monsieur de Rochecheviera was sent into the Town to make agreements with those Commanders and ordering the assault in three parts that of the middle was given in charge to Plessis Belliere with the French guards and 150 forlorn Foot led on by Captain Chassonville that on the right hand was led on by Monsieur Folleville with the Switzers Guard back'd by the Queens Gens de Armes and Cavalry that on the left hand was given to Monsieur Haudecourt with Harcourts Recruit back'd by the King's Cavalliers and by the Duke of Rhohans Gens de Armes The rest of the Horse were placed in a convenient place to back those that were to give the assault affairs being thus ordered Harcourt summon'd the Suburbs who answered with the mouth of their Musquets and Monsieur de St. Aubine a Domestick of the Prince who commanded there said that was all the composition which they would give So as the French guards advancing under Monsieur Chassonville they made themselves masters of the first Barricado as did all the rest with miraculous courage on their parts Monsieur Heudicourt was wounded on the thigh by a Musquet Vmont Captain of the Switzers guard Cavalliere Bagnol Beauvoire Captain of Harcourt's Regiment and Monsieur Godiniere were also wounded At the same time Monsieur Bellafons came out with the Gentry which were in the Town and assaulted the same Suburbs on another part which opens upon the Bridge whereby he kept the Enemy from saving themselves by the River so as after a stout defence the Suburbs was storm'd and all that were in it either slain or taken Prisoners amongst which Monsieur de St. Aubine Noier and many other Commanders were taken and four Captains eight Lieutenants and about 300 Soldiers were slain and the Town was opportunely relieved to Harcourts great glory for it was done in sight of the Enemies Army and of Conde's self who was ready to go wild seeing his men routed and had he not been hindred by his men he would have put himself into a small Boat and have indangered himself to relieve his party The business of Cognack being thus vanished whereupon the Prince did build very much they who had conceived great hopes were much dejected and the Prince his business grew daily worse he retreated with his Forces in such confusion as they left behind them twelve Cart load of Ammunition as also Prince Taranto's baggage and in passing over a little River the Prince his Van taking their own Reer for Harcourts Forces was so terrified as seeking to save themselves many of them were drowned But because the getting of the three Towers upon the Gate which were fortified made much for the peaceful possession of Rochel Estisack having received Artillery and some recruit of Soldiers presented himself before that of la Catena and Lanthorn the Soldiers when they saw the Canon ready to thunder upon them surrendred upon conditions But the third which was greater and much stronger called St. Nicola gave more trouble to the Kings men there being above 130 Soldiers in it with several valiant Commanders so as Harcourt came before it himself in person with more strength and assaulted the said Tower the Governour resolved to parly but Harcourt answering that he could not treat with a Rebel and telling the Soldiers that they should have no quarter unless they would kill their Governour and throw him out of the Window into the Ditch they were so terrified as they slew their Commander and surrendered on the 27 th of November and Rochel together with the Country of Aunis remain'd well Garrison'd under the Government of Estisack The zeal which not only the Catholick Officers shewed upon this occasion to the Kings service is remarkable but even the Hugonots who shewed excessive hatred against Ognone The Island of Rhe submitted likewise to the King After these prosperous successes Count Harcourt went from Rochel to a Village three leagues off the weather being so bad as would not suffer his Foot to come further than Surgeres where hearing that Cavalliere Crequi was come to Parancy which was within two leagues with the Flanders Forces and that the Prince had caused his whole Army to come on this side the River over the Bridge of Tonney Charente he thought to make use of the occasion which was fortunately offerd him by this recruit He therefore sent away orders to the said Crequi to muster all his men in Parancy whither he himself went the last of that month intending to surprise the Prince by a secret and sudden march to which purpose causing all his Forces to pass over a certain Ford by which he was to go he put himself in Battle array before Tonney Buttonne a little walled Town where there is a great Tower wherein the Prince had placed some Musquetiers to make good that station where leaving some few Soldiers to take it he presently advanced his guards under Plessis Pralin and gave him order to charge some Squadrons of the Enemy which appeared on the top of the hills near Moragne behind the which he thought the Enemies whole Army had been and so to give them battle but they by the advantage of the night were not seen so they came not to blowes till the next morning when the Kings men being come within sight of the Enemy Crequi on the right hand Bellafons on the left and the Voluntiers in the midst inheartned by Harcourt who followed them with the body of the Army they charged the Enemies Squadrons so bravely as though they resisted stoutly yet they were pierced through and through and pursued to a breast-work where the Prince stood with other twelve Squadrons and could not keep his men from being slain and taken Plessis Belliere and the other Officers who were on the head of the Anjou's Regiment seeing there was no means to pass the breast-work which Conde defended with a considerable body of men and discovering that there was a quarter on the left hand from whence some Troops pretended to go and joyn with the grosse body they charged them so hotly as many were slain upon the place others saved themselves in the washes and the rest got to a strong house where they rendred upon discretion to the Anjou's Regiment Harcourt with some others advancing at the same time to cut off the way from the Princes men met with another breast-work which hindred him and the night coming on parted the two Armies The Kings men were incamped half a league from the Enemy who return'd to Tonney Charente and past by right over the River having lost 3 or 4 hundred Gentlemen together with divers Officers and their baggage Harcourt went afterwards to Tonney Charente having re-made the Bridge which the Prince had broken Thus the two Armies stood facing one another
and went to the Duke his Father having past his word that he would forget what was past The King tarried at Pontoise from the 17 th of Iuly till the 19 th of August in which time great sickness grew there by reason of the straitness of the Town and the scarcity of all things Many dyed amongst which the Duke of Bullions death was lamented and this malignant influence dilated it self even unto Paris where a great many men of all sorts dyed in a few days the Duke of Vallois the only Son to the Duke of Orleans being about two years old dyed also this September to the great grief of his Father and Mother by his death Conde returned to be the first Prince of the blood as he was before the other was born for the Sons nor Brothers of the King are not called Princes of the blood but Sons of France Whilst affairs went thus in these parts Count Harcourt keeping still with his Army in Guienne to observe what the Princes Forces did went to besiege Villaneus upon the River Lot which was fortified only with old Wals and Towers but well garrison'd under Marquess Theubon wherefore he was forced to raise his siege after two months attempt The Kings men had ill fortune also in Flanders for want growing hourly greater in Dunkirk the Plague and dysentery grew so violent amonst the Soldiers as above a thousand of them dyed in eleven days and the rest were so weakned by continual watching as the Archduke resolved to approach it with 8000 Foot and 3000 Horse and Ten pieces of Canon there were not above 700 Foot in the City who were fit for service of which 200 of the Inhabitants who wished well to Spain did still keep Guard and the rest defended the Fortifications who were continually in Arms without being misled whereat there was such murmuring as they were thrice ready to revolt had not the Governor by hopes of speedy succor and by his much reverenced Authority detained them The Spaniards fell upon the Counterscarp on the sixth of September upon three sides with a Thousand men on each part the Spaniards and Italians won it and lost it again with some prejudice but being assaulted a second time with fresh men they won it wherefore Monsieur de Estrades finding that his men had given back and that the Enemy began to lodge upon the same Counterscarp fell upon them with 500 Foot and 40 Officers and charged them so furiously as after a bitter and bloody bickering he recovered the Counterscarp losing Seven Officers and Twenty five Soldiers and he himself was shot with an Harquebuse on the Thigh After this unfortunate but glorious accident followed treachery framed by three Soldiers who were bribed by the Enemy which being discovered cost them their lives and the Governor was commended for discovering and punishing it for six weeks past the Soldiers had but six ounces of Bread the day wherefore Estrades and all the chief of the Garrison thought it fit to yield to necessity and to parly wherein it was concluded on the 12 th of September that if they were not relieved within six days the place should be surrendered that in the interim there should be a cessation of Arms and that the besieged should be permitted to send two Captains one to Callis to the Marishal de Aumount and another to the Duke of Vandosme at Diepe to acquaint them with the condition of the place and in what need they stood of speedy succor Rivilliers went to Callis Rouvie to Diepe and they arrived so luckily as Marishal de Aumount began the same day to lade six months Victuals in several Barks and 1500 Foot at Callis to attend the Fleet which was gone from Diepe wherein they were to go to Dunkirk which being block'd up by some few Spanish Vessels it had not been hard to have fought them and to have made way through them But before we speak of the going of the Fleet we must acquaint you with what past in the Seas of Britanny before it went from thence the Duke of Vandosme vvho vvas Lord High Admiral of France vvas gone into that Province and had armed some Frigats about Rochel against Count de Ognons Fleet which was re-inforced with some Ships from Spain which threatned Rochel not a little When he had gathered together Twelve Ships Three Frigats one Gally and some other Vessels in Brest he went from thence on the 19 th of Iuly and coasting along Eiavet and other places some other Ships and Gallies joyned with him so as being about Twenty Ships and Frigates Four Gallies and Twelve fire Boats he went towards Olone and from thence to the Strand of Pallisse over-against the Fort Preda where Monsieur Souches Commander of the Isle of Rhe furnished him with some French Foot The Spanish Fleet consisted of Seventeen Frigates commanded by Admiral Antonio Misnell and by Antonio Dies who being drown'd between Blavet and Grois Cornelius Meigne succeeded him to this Fleet was joyn'd Twenty five Vessels and five fire Ships when news came of the Arrival of the French on the Ninth of August two hours after Sunrising they were at a competent distance to begin battle with their Canon which roared on all sides they advanced warily not to ingage themselves in danger a brisk wind blowing a little before night the Fleets were severed The Nativity a Spanish Ship was burnt and taken Commanded by Antonio Gonsales a Dunkirker a Ship of the Neapolitan Squadron vvas sunk aftervvards Vandosme vvould have done more but vvanting necessary provisions and monies he vvas contented to have driven them avvay sent his Ships into Haven and he landed at Rochel vvent tovvards the Court vvhich vvas then at Campagne vvhither he came on the Fourth of September from vvhence he vvas suddenly sent vvith orders to relieve Dunkirk to vvhich purpose expresses vvere sent into Britanny and the neighbouring Provinces at the nevvs brought by Monsieur Rorur of Dunkirks capitulating the Commanders of the Fleet made that vvays presently hoping to relieve the Tovvn But the Parliament of England at the desire of the Spanish Ambassador in London and the rather for that they liked not that that important Haven so near the Thames mouth should remain in the French mens hands they apply'd themselves to divert their succor vvherefore that Kingdom being strong at Sea by reason of the War declared against the Hollanders vvhen the French Ships appeared before Callis to receive in provisions and necessaries for the relief of Dunkirk assoon as they had cast Anchor Blake the English General fell upon them vvith many of his Fleet vvith such fury as they prepared rather to fly than fight though in vain for unless it vvere Three Ships vvhich held out at Sea and got into Flushing all the rest were taken but that the Parliament of England might not appear an open Enemy to France now that they were at War with the Hollanders they sent all the people that were in
was in amity therewith but being in the flower of his Age and enured to command he was too passionately in love with Glory which is not gained without toil and labour to be content to fit down and give himself unto repose and quiet France being therefore Regulated by these Maximes and the Cardinal working by courteous means and demonstrations of affection rendred his Ministry full of sweetness never pretending to take other revenge against his Enemies but onely to let them know he was a good and virtuous Person whereby that bitterness against him which by a few seditious persons Enemies unto the Publick Quiet had been infused into the minds of many was in a great measure allayed and sweetned The first effects whereof were seen at Paris where his Reputation having been more blasted than in any other place the Citizens by the remorse of their own Consciences thought themselves bound to make a publick shew of their Repentance by making him an open satisfaction for the injuries they had by a publike Arrest done to his Reputation the Year before and in order thereunto invited him upon the 29th of March unto a sumptuous Feast in the Town-House being an Honour never used by them but to great Princes The Cardinal went thither accompanied by the Dukes of Guise and Arpaion by the Mareschals of France Estree L'Ospitall Villeroi Grammont Motte Haudecourt Ferte Senneterre Aumont Hoquincourt and Grancè by the Count of Servient by Monsieur de Fouquet Surintendant des Finances Monsieur le Tellier Secretary of State six Counsellors of the Community three Quatreneurs and many others Then followed the Feast with great Pomp and Order and with so much shew of affection in the people of which the Piazza in the Greve was so full that being my self there out of curiosity I heard them publickly bless his Name praise his management blame those who had falsely slandered him with divers other wonderful things which happen when a people changes the extremity of hatred and contempt into the excess of honour and esteem The Cardinal came several times to the windows and caused pieces of Money to be thrown amongst the people to his great applause his health was often drunk by all those Citizens and all those honours were done unto him which can possibly be rendred unto a first Minister of so high a Condition whilest he dined the Seats and Hall were filled with as many of the City Dames as the place would hold drawn thither by their curiosity to see a Man they esteemed the Miracle of Nature The Cardinal used great Civility towards all throwing about great quantities of Sweet-meats at his going through the Hall at parting he entertained sometimes one sometimes another and although he were in view of all in the Piazza there was not amongst all that people heard one that spake an ill word of him but I observed that all applauded and wished him good success I heard more than one say he was a good Friend to France and the Spaniard's Scourge Others said he had given unto France a King and to the King a good Minister of State with such like sayings they ran after his Coach every one desiring to see him and to shew himself the Omen was surely good and the events proved it to be so the effects being correspondent to such good wishes The Count de Beaujeu held about this time Intelligence with one of the Inhabitants of Rhetel and agreed to surprize that place through a hole in the Wall he drew together 600 Foot and 400 Horse and on the 4th of April at night came privately thither and caused some Souldiers to enter through the hole but being discovered before a sufficient number were got in the Design failed and he notwithstanding took in hand another Enterprize The Count had been advertised that the Lorrenois Commanded by the Chevalier de Guise Brother unto the Duke leaving their Quarters beyond the Mose and the Sambre were drawing towards the Frontiers of France he therefore advanced that way and whilst he was at Charleville consulting with the Marquiss of Noirmonstier Governour of that place with Monsieur de Bussy Lamet and others they had news from Monsieur de Mentegu Governour of Rocroy That the Count Coligny Lieutenant-General to Conde was gone to attaque Couvin a little Town upon the River Noirau three Leagues distant from Rocroy in the Country of Liege garrisoned by the French who had beaten thence a Regiment of the Enemy which had been quartered there and that he had invested it with two Pieces of Cannon Whereupon gathering together all the Troops which in so short a time could be assembled at Rocroy they marched from thence unto a little rising distant a quarter of a League from the Camp of those of Conde's Party and put themselves in Battalia under the covert of a Coppice from whence Beaujeu and Mentegu alighting to discover the posture of the Enemy saw their Cavalry drawn up in Order beyond the River and the said Wood. Beaujeu presently considered That in case he should march with the whole Body the Horse would then retire under the shelter of the Musquetiers where the French would have much more difficulty to fight them and therefore thought 't was best to make the Enemy believe their number was much less so as believing it to be a small Party they might ingage to fight them and follow them into the whole Body behind the Wood and so it punctually happened for two Squadrons only being sent out they were immediately charged by Coligny's Troops the King's men began to skirmish receiving the Charge with great dexterity Conde's men not doubting any Stratagem advanced so far that they fell in among those by whom they were expected Beaujeu and the other Commanders when the time served fallied out and charged the Enemy with so much fury that they forthwith put them to flight spurring hard towards their own Quarters The Royallists in the Chase took several Prisoners Monsr de la Villetta at the same time fell upon the Foot abandoned by their Horse who were retiring to Bossat but being charged after they fired once yielded forthwith and throwing down their Arms took Quarter as Prisoners of War in which number was Coligny himself after he had performed all the parts of a valiant Cavalier in labouring to make those who fled turn face against the Enemy he was taken by Monsieur de Delore Cornet of the Troop of Rocroy the Colonel Ghegy was taken by Monsieur de Rumelly Monsieur de Buchol and several other Officers were also Prisoners and in this Action Monsieur de Loan Montreuil and the Marquiss de Caufort carried themselves nobly they being the Persons who charged the Foot between Couvin and Bossat This good Success joyned to the other whereof we have before treated gave great satisfaction to the Cardinal as on the other side it brought great trouble to the Prince of Conde who had there lost above a thousand good
quartering his Troops all along the Banks of Tanaro and there the French staid till the arrival of the Mareschal de Grancè who passing the Alpes with a Recruit of 1200 good Men upon the 18th of September came to the Army where informing himself of the condition wherein the Spanish stood which incamped upon the same Frontier and endeavoured to get farther into Piedmont he had notice that Caracene having left Montenego was upon his march to gain a Pass over Tanaro at a place called La Rochetta with design to go to Felizzano He thereupon presently called a Councel of War wherein it was resolved not onely to hinder his advance but also to enforce him unto a general Battel and put all unto a hazard whereupon he sent the Marquiss Monpesat Lieutenant General and Commander of the Rear-Guard upon the 23. of September to seize upon the places of most advantage and having himself put the rest of the Army into order of Battail upon the Campagne which is sufficiently spacious he advanced with 4. Squadrons to take notice how many passed being accompanied by the Marquiss Vardes who was that day of the Guard and commanded as Lieutenant General He came without contest unto the rising ground which commands all the Neighbouring Campagne and having there discovered that Caracene began to pass with the Van-guard over a Bridge of Boats and was followed by the Foot led by the Lieutenant General Don Vincenzo Monsury the Horse foording over the River a little lower with the Duke de Sesto General of the Gens d' Arms and Count Galeazzo Trotti General of the Neapolitan Horse he thought he would not give the Spaniards time to pass with all their men because they might then seise upon the Campagne and either force the French to retreat or fight with disadvantage and therefore advanced presently with the Gross of the Army Caracene not being able to prevent the French by reason of the time spent in passing of the River and two hours lost in expectation of the Bridge of Boats pretended to make a halt there and expect him in the advantage of those Posts he thought most convenient to defend his Camp which had now passed the River and because he had not time to draw out his Army into the Plain and that the place beyond the Tanaro was something narrow accommodating himself unto the time and place he drew his Horse up in Squadrons behind his Foot He then presently seised upon two Houses and placed there the Regiments of Don Lewis and Don Inigo de Velandia and in the space between the Houses the Regiments of Don Ioseph Velasco and Don Diego d' Arragon and de Beltin with a design of uniting them together by a Breast work to be cast up but that for want of time was left unperfect The Mareschal considering the posture of the Enemy and that his Vantguard which was advanced might by the advantage of the Hill put some disorder into the Spanish Camp which was commanded by it yet not within Musquet shot though he had onely two small Pieces which were not very proper for that business put his Army presently in order into two Divisions Unto the Marquiss of Monpesat he gave the care of the Right Wing thereof composed of the Regiments of Navarre Peirault Aiguebonne the King's Guards of Swisses the Squadron of the Mareschal's own Guard the Regiments of Orleans Feron Prince Maurice of Savoy Marcoussè Fernes and Epinchat The Left was Commanded by the Marquiss de Vardes consisting of the Regiments of Foot of Orleans Lionois and Quincè and the Horse were the Regiments of St. Andrè Bregi and Villa Francesi on the left hand of which stood all the Free Companies the Troops of the Savoy Horse under the Command of their General the Marquiss de Monte a Veronnois to whom were also joyned the Foot of the Regiments of the Marquess Monpesat and of the Marquess de Villa Lieutenant General of the Savoy Horse In the second division stood the Regiment de Saux to second the Regiment of Navarre with the Regiments of Carignan and de Sault and on the left that of Grancè seconded the Regiments of Orleans and Lionnois having with them in the same division the Guards of Savoy the Gens d' Armes d'ordinance of France together with the Regiments of Ris Deuncly and St. Aignan In this order the French marched on and charged briskly upon three Companies of light Horse and some Files of Musquetiers that were advanced unto the top of the Hill and pursued them into the Gross of Benavides Vellandia and Beltin who received the French with so much courage and fierceness with their Pikes and with Musket shot through divers holes in the Walls of the said houses which flanked upon them that Monpesat perceiving 't was impossible to make any farther impression upon them retired and the French resolved to endeavour the gaining of a little Church or Chappel which stood towards the River not above 20 paces distant from the Houses where Caracena had placed two Files of Musquetiers Spaniards and Italians to guard it with orders that if they were attacked they should retire unto a body drawn up in Battle-ray and composed of the Regiments of Don Carlo d' Este Don Ioseph Brancario Daniel Asti the Count de Santillana and the forraign Souldiers of the state of Milan Grancè caused the said Chappel to be attacked by 200 chosen Foot seconded by some Horse and forthwith took it the Musquetiers who were placed there retiring themselves according to their orders unto the gross which stood firm and kept their Post he then drew out his Company of Gens d' Armes about 30 paces from the left Wing of the Spanish Troops and at the same time gave a vigorous charge with his Foot hoping that if they could make any impression upon the Enemy the French Cavalry might break in and total confound them but meeting with a certain Slough made by a Brook which runs into the Tanaro he was constrained to make a stop at the same time when the Troops of Savoy charged between the River and the Spaniards right Wing in a place that was more open where with the first volley of the Enemies shot the Marquess de Monte a Cavalier of great conduct by reason of his long experience and much renowned for his many famous Actions was unhappily shot by a Musket Bullet in his head whereof he forthwith died the Marquess Villa was slightly hurt in the Arm besides the Count de Medavy Son to the Mareschal Monsieur de Bussy Major General of a Brigade and several other officers who were also hurt Whereupon Grance finding the constancy and resolution of the Spaniards animated by the presence of Caracene their General who like a Valiant Captain engaged himself in the first ranks where greatest danger was drew up the second division with the two field pieces one of which at the first shot was rendred useless by the breaking of the Carriage and
an open Country and full of Corn as without doubt they would otherwise have done to their very great advantage Turenne advanced to Chauteau Porcien and placed himself beyond Rhetel and Chaumont that is a Castle where the Spaniards had a Regiment of Foot that were recruiting and 60 Horse in Quarters who at first sight yielded themselves prisoners of Warr without Colours or Baggage The Mareschal de la Ferte came by the Valley of Bourg on t'other side of the River Aisne and there in the Campagne of Chaumont having drawn up all their Troops they made their approaches to Rhetel on both sides where the same Night the Regiments of Picardy of Turenne and Palnau possessed themselves of all the Out-Works raising two Batteries one near the Port of Rocroy and the other at the River Gate where La Ferte was quartered There were in the Town 5 or 600 men under the Command of the Marquiss de Persan who in the Night was in great danger of being made a prisoner at the taking of the Out-works they opened in two dayes two breaches and whilest the French prepared to assault them the besieged Capitulated and agreed to march out with Arms Baggage and two Pieces of Artillery and to be convoy'd unto Stenay The Mareschals left there for Governour Monsieur de Boda with his Regiment of French Foot and themselves went to observe the motions of Conde and the Spaniards who during the time of that Siege marched together towards Hayes d' Avennes their taking the Field having been delayed as well for the said want of Horse as for a Treaty they had with a certain Citizen of Arras about surprizing of that City he had intelligence with Cardinal Mazarine and played the double spy to deceive the Spaniard and get money from them The intelligence was begun the Year before and continued untill Conde found himself abused having parted with above 2000 Doubloons at several times upon that score The French having notice that the Spaniards were not strong enough to fight their flourishing and numerous Army marched up towards the Prince being resolved to assault him before he was reinforced with more men which he carefully laboured to be but he drew up his men in Battalia between two Woods behind a straight Pass which prevented them from taking him in that place of advantage where he first was and had been found if he had been but one half hour later advertised of the French Armies motion Whereupon the Mareschals returned unto their Quarters and from thence marched towards Vervins into certain Villages near the Abbey of Fougny from whence drawing to Vervins they lodged near Poussy and from thence Coasting by Guise they encamped at Riplemont to observe the Enemy who were reinforced by the Army of Lorrain and some Troops from Flanders with which their design was to enter France upon hope that when they should appear there would many declare for them The French Generals therefore being much inferiour in number were to carry themselves very circumspectly and not to hazard a Battel which was much the more dangerous by reason of the consequences would depend upon it then for the present loss they could receive The French Courts aim was to gain time to resettle the Affairs of the Kingdome by gaining Bourdeaux to hinder Conde from raising new Stirres and Garboiles by means of his party and dependance and to frustrate the Spaniards expectations of ruining France grounded upon the Credit and Reputation of Conde which was the onely Butt unto which the Consultations of Spain tended as believing that Crown with their Dominions and Countreys so divided and void of Inhabitants could not in any other manner get an advantage over France an entire united Countrey and therefore without sparing of Money nay even with the prodigal lavishing away thereof unto the Malecontents of France they endeavoured to draw others and by such arts obtain that which by their own Forces they could not gain The Effects notwithstanding corresponded ill with the appearance because the hopes being reduced unto a few particular persons who were more greedy of their own profit than that of others they sought onely the means how to render themselves necessary unto the King of Spain's Service and to draw thence advantages grounded upon this Maxime That to draw Rewards from Princes they ought to make them rather hope for than obtain the fruit of their Endeavours Things being therefore thus managed and the Spaniards having made their Provisions for that Years Campagne there were divers Consultations held between the Princes and Generals of the Armies touching the several courses they ought to steer The Generals of Spain proposed to undertake some notable Design and by taking some Town of Importance by means thereof to make afterwards a farther progress and upon that foundation to maintain a Warr in the Enemies Countrey it was proposed That Five or Six thousand of the best Souldiers with Expert Captains should be imbarked and sent forthwith for Guienne to re-inforce the Prince's Forces in that Province give Courage unto those of Bourdeaux and nourish that Warr which was the powerfullest Diversion could be given to the Christian King's Forces But the fears that the Succours of Spain would not be sufficient for that purpose and the disorder would arise by dismembring the Forces of Flanders made that Proposition to be laid aside The Prince of Conde magnifying the Correspondence he had in Paris declared and was very pressing with pregnant Reasons That they should forthwith draw the Army together pass the Somme and marching as near as they could to Paris invite their Partisans to raise some new Sedition in the City wherewith the Court being startled would easily quit it and in that confusion marching to Mantes they might seize upon Pontoise Senlis and some Neighbouring places where their Party being strengthened by those Malecontents would fall in with them they might reap singular advantages and keep the Warr alive in France This Proposition was specious in appearance and so well represented thâ—t the Councel approved of it thinking that Conde would be seconded by the effects as he seemed to be by the desires of many who applauded his Actions and could not stop the turbulency of his spirit Two notable Difficulties occurred in the execution the one that the hearts of many were very much cast down by the Successes of Bellegard and Rhetel who could never have imagined that the King in that Campagne could have Forces and Conde want them to suffer two Towns to be miserably lost under his nose whereby the confidence they had in him was much diminished The other That the French Army being drawn out into Campagne much stronger then was expected 't was very dangerous to pass Rivers and engage ones self in an Enemie's Countrey without a place of Retreat upon occasion being Coasted by an Army though inferiour in number yet equal at least to them in valour of Souldiers being all French Bold and Expert and a Body