the right and to the left presuming upon Victory while the Event was yet in suspense Never was Fortune braved with a more forward joy yet there were called to prayers for obtaining Victory the Priests a generation believed by alas too many a useless burden of the earth The Conflict was sharp and the Dispute maintained with a stiff obstinacy Our left Wing came to a sad misfortune Seneterre discharging manfully the part both of Commander and Souldier was shot and cut He having had his Horse killed under him was carried off and soon after came in again The Enemies too were possessed of our Ordnance which the excelling valour or Hospital recovered but when he was wounded in the Arm were lost again and turned upon us the fortune of the day was changed by Syrot who charged gallantly and came to succour the left Wing that was in apparent danger and almost trampled down The Wallons Germans and Italians being slain the hardest part of the work was behind to deal with a Regiment of Castillians stout and invincible The Infantry of the right Wing had often charged but always without any success At length Gassion being not ignorant of what importance that Regiment was bringing up with him the Horse of the right Wing broke in upon the close Ranks and routed them Presently the Enemies Army was totally defeated The cruel rage of our Switzars discharged their fury upon the Spaniards who counted it brave to die before the face of their Commanders rather than to take Quarter Fuentes the Master of the Ordnance in the Enemies Camp avoided the disgrace of flight by dying in the Bed of Honour Their Switzars affected the reputation of having their Colonel killed who during the Engagement was carried about in a Sedan he had made oath never to fight against the French neither on Horse-back nor on foot The Count of Issemberg accounting that there was less danger in running away than in being made Prisoner escaped away wounded and a little after dyed of his wound Melo leaving behind him his Commanders staff which came afterwards into the victorious hands of Enguien having rid full eight miles by the swiftness of his Steed hid himself within the Town of Mariemburgh attended by a few that bore him company in his flight having abandoned his whole Army and it was a confessed truth that the Souldier that day fought like a most valiant General and the General run away like a most cowardly Souldier only the renown of Enguien gave him the glory of having been vanquished by so great a Person It was now no longer a fight but a mixt Carnage A slaughter here of one there of whole Companies Limbs of men lye scattered about upon the ground Souldiers maimed and disabled yet would not leave grasping their Arms till through the expence of much blood they sunk down and dyed Some fled the shortest way others got into the opposite Wood and paths unknown to the Pursuers Naked men encounter with such as are armed and the wounded with such as are whole As is the fashion when fear possesseth the spirit Enguien would no longer pursue them upon the flight but commanded their weary hands their thirsty bodies their blunted Arms to be quiet and having gone through a business of singular danger entred Roc-Roy in Triumph Now he owed this Victory more to his Valour than Fortune For he both drew up his Army most skilfully fought couragiously and with excellent judgment despised the loss of his great Guns knowing that the main concern was the keeping the Army in order and holding the field Then what is rare in that heat of Passion and Age. He pursued them upon the flight with more prudence than eagerness All that were present confessed that Hospital Seneterre Gassion Syrot Espenan deserved to have Enguien for their General and Enguien to have such Officers This hath been too large in the Relation but so many following Engagements shall be all comprehended under this one Roc-Roy being relieved Thionvilles Attaque is resolved upon It is a City of the Dukedom of Luxemburgh cut by the Mazelyn in two parts the one looks towards Metz the other Triers for it hath two Gates situated in a Valley fortified with Trenches and Bulwarks incomparably well At that time judged to have been of great importance not so much to expiate the slaughter of Fequier by putting it to the Sword which had been a quarrel suiting our bravery but that the French Territory might be enlarged by such an Acquist Therefore having wasted the Country and reduced some few Villages on the thirtieth day after the Battel at Rocroy the French Army came within view of Thionville with the same push of fortune carried Guere and Gassion went before to take up the Armies Quarters Conde with prodigious swiftness by the fourth days march came to Metz and a Recruit of new-raised men being taken on there his Army was compleated in numbers By the Counsels of the Commanders by the works activity and patience of the Souldiers by the valour of Enguien within four months time after the Siege was laid there came into our hands that City famous to the memory of posterity for the antiquity of its Original and frequent varieties of Fortune which having escaped many casualties now as it were restored the new Peace cherishing all doth rest quietly under the protection of the French clemency Because there had been assaults with variety of success and many men lost before it when News came to Paris that Thionville was taken there was infinite rejoycing the Churches were full of those that give God thanks for the Victory the Entry too of Enguien being more celebrated than is the custom by the people running in multitudes out of Town to meet him exceeded the usual measure of Honour The League that we had struck with Gustavâ—â— Adolphus the great King of Sweden lasted as long as he lived When he was dead it was renewed with his Successors amongst whom Duke Bernard of Weymar a Branch of the House of Saxony or rather the very stock was eminent for his great merits Our Arms were joyned with the Gothick under that renowned Duke who dying of the Plague not being poysoned as was malignantly given out that he might not oppose Richlieu's designs the Commandâ— in chief over the Army was committed to Weybrantz who was already acquainted with the German Souldiers and Discipline a name well known to the Hercynian and Rhyne His Engagements proved very fortunate by a victory over Lamboy and divers Enterprises still successful At length as is the usual Fate of Martial men having his Arm broken with a Canon bullet before the Walls at the Siege of Rothuel he lived to come into the City Those that accompanied him weeping gave an appearance to the Army looking on as if they had been following not Weybrantz but his Corps His mind continued unshaken and after he had given all his orders as though he had discharged the duty of his
to be read in men Fortune having taken much away from me hath left me the conversation of the French Natures which I do here in a manner limbe This in truth is more profitable than to be informed of bare particular occurrents I compose and write what another Age will read Our own disregarding it self as having left off to do commendable Actions thinks it impertinent to be praised or dispraised and defies Images because it dreads them As to Mazarine I speak not of his Fortune but of himself who was known to me not for any obligation but many wrongs that I received from him since my whole family is beholding to him singly for its calamities Nevertheless such is the power of truth that I cannot slothfully suppress the praises of so great a Personage but am over-ruled to give them their due Encomium leaving to others to dilate in flattering Discourses THE SECOND BOOK OF THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The CONTENTS Of the Actions at Home and in the Field during the happy five years under the most prudent Conduct as ever was from the Year 1643. wherein Lewis dyed to the Year 1648. when the Civil War was unfortunately commenced IN such a State of Affairs although flourishing there is no question to be made but that the House of Austria would have lifted up their head many amongst us having already plotted a Rebellion and got together by divers practices fuel for the Combustion had not Mazarine his Envyers carp at it the ends being secret obviated the imminent dangers by entertaining the quieter sort of men with hope gifts and the sweetness of ease and by scattering the active and military men through Germany Flanders Italy and Spain upon hard and desperate Services towaste and repel the Enemy lest he should be hindered by intestine dissensions to carry on his Plot at home and abroad What would have been the consequent if such a multitude of idle persons having got head under a minor King and casting of the Princes awe should have been sollicited to raise Civil Disturbances Before the pledges of the Kingdom were grown to full age and the dearness of their Soveraign which is made habitual by time had cemented their spirits The Estate not yet firmly setled would have been broke to pieces with discord which his gentle moderation did cherish for five years and brought to such perfection that being grown to full strength it could bear any shock though the malignancy of the French Fate should charge it never so furiously Therefore waving Occurrents rather ordinary than worthy the relating I shall write only those passages whose knowledge hath influence upon life counting it more eligible to edifie the Understanding than to feed the Fancy with an empty Narrative of Proceedings Here is not to be expected any Journal to give a particular account of Actions with their Circumstances but you will find secret Advices refined from vulgar Errours short and mystical so that I confess he had need have a piercing Judgment that can reach and fathom my meaning He that is not provided of that let him not offer to meddle with my Book but go about some other business The first Essay of the new King was the Expedition of Rocroy Roc-Roy or the Royal Rock is a Garrison at the Entrance of the Forest of Ardenne fortified with strong Works Hardly any foot of arable Land is near it All the parts round about it are over-run with Heath and Bryars The place is of such importance that the Garrison which holds it may freely march up as far as Paris and the vast Plain of Champaigne lies open to be scoured over by the Scouts from Rocroy Nothing was accounted more advisable among the Officers of the Army in the Low-Country after the death of Lewis than to reduce that Frontier Therefore May 12. 1643. Rocroy is closely beleaguered the Out-works are presently stormed the Defendents which were about 500 not being able to make good such a Line against so furious an Attaque The Spaniards lodge in the neighbouring Quarters more like Conquerors than Combatants Don Francisco Melo was Captain General The Count Issemburgh Duke Albuquerque and Count Fuentanon Lieutenants The Army consisted of 20000 men Intelligence being brought of this Enguien who was quartered in Picardy united his Infantry which lay upon the Ause with his Cavalry lying upon the Oyse and immediately sent away Gassion with 500 Horse to scout and do such farther Execution as the matter should require Gassion giving the Enemy perpetual Alarms whilst he and a Party are engaged conveys a 100 choice Musquetiers into the besieged Castle no small relief to the Garrison that was now sorely distressed Enguien with hard marches having drawn together the whole of his strength on the 17. of May quarters at Bossue a Town four miles distant from Roc-Roy Hither comes also Gassion A Counsel of War is called about the relieving of Rocroy There were some of opinion that they needed not give Battle but only send in succour the prevailing advice was to put it to a pitched Field There were narrow Lanes and By-paths to be got over before the Forces could come to draw up on even ground That part is gallantly performed and with notable success The French could hardly be kept in from running upon the Enemy even at the very break of day That was the fiery courage of the French yet there was this farther consideration that a French-man coming over from the Enemy had informed that Beke was upon his march drawing near with a Recruit to re-inforce the Spaniards Now Beke was of no mean esteem among both Wallons and French Such reward being given the Informer as his condition required all things are prepared for the hazard of a final decision And now the whole order of the future Engagement is brought under the eye All things are marshalled with exquisite care and providence on both sides and such preparations made that night as though a Battel had been bid against the next day Enguien judging it better to stay till broad day-light encouraged them and afterwards sent them to refresh themselves when this was done he went about the Companies standing to their Arms with the Field-Officers and his Attendants inspiring into the Troops of Souldiers a fortitude worthy of their ancient Glory and past Monuments He could neither endure to stand still nor would relieve his wearied body with sleep The Army had at no time seen the General so sprightly and did readily draw from his undaunted looks an assured conjecture of Victory At length when the clear light discovered ours and the Enemies Battalia Enguien rejecting the advice of his cautious friends clapt on a sleight Breast-plate and no Helmet that his face might be open and manifest to the Souldiers during the whole Engagement The Battel was thus set in array Gasston to command the right Wing Hospital the left with Seneterre The Wings were inforced with the reserve of Espenan Enguien turned his quick eyes to
afterwards fell upon all that lay in their way in general without so much as regarding the situation of Places This War proved unproportionable to the expectation of the German Nation whose valour heretofore victorious over the Romans at this juncture appeared to have been superannuated At the same time Enguien scarcely having a beard and but newly writing man seemed both to have dispatched Germany and to enter upon Triumphs in all places rowing along the conquered Rhyne Like fire which having preyed upon the obvious Wood is checked by the intervention of a River The Inroad a while stopped at Mariandale the neighbouring Inhabitants call it Mergenstheim There Thurenne Enguien was a great way off being straightned for provision had dispersed his Forces for Forrage whilst himself secure of the Enemies consulted what was to be done The Austrians and Bavarians under the Conduct of Merck and Hans Werth suddenly assault him He gathering together what Forces the pressing necessity would permit refused not to stand the utmost tryal Thurenne acting the part both of Commander and Souldier stoutly seconded by Rosa withstood the Enemy charging with desperate rage and at length when he could not be safe even in Merindol leaving behind him his Baggage and Artillary retired to the parts about the Main with his Horse Trac did gallant service in heartning the Souldiers The rest of ours escaped towards Flesburg and having passed the Rhyne at Spire got safe to Mentz to joyn with Thurenne Enguien being certified of this unfortunate Engagement obliged Conismark the Swede and Guez Colonel of the Hessians although they were averse and pressed after returning home into their Country to tarry but so long with him till he had got a pass upon the Nicer Glen was come up to re-inforce the Enemies Army not a little puffed up with their success at Merindol Enguien having left all his Baggage at Wisloque designed to surprise Hailbrun between the Danube and Rhyne The Enemies which had a suspicion of some such intention march with unwearied haste and pitch upon a Hill not far off from the Walls of Hailbrun lying so that the Nicer running before them ours could neither enter Hailbrun nor assail the Enemy Therefore it is resolved to march on towards Frankendale and the Danube Conismark left our Army and followed his own designs The Hessians endeavouring to do the like but being restrained and countermanded by the Landgravinne stayed with us After many Proposals debated on all sides it is resolved to beat the Enemy up as far as the Danube and return to Hailbrun but both Armies each day marching in a parallel line there were not wanting light Skirmishes A long time they shot their Guns off in view of each other A Moor lying between hindred their engaging Ours bent their course towards Norling the Enemies towards Donavert Enguien had an intention to turn for Hailbrun when of a sudden he is informed that the Enemy came on eager upon fighting and was between the River of Weran and our Army Enguien might easily have avoided it had he not been resolved for the Encounter His cheerfulness filled the hearts of all with hope Never was he more undaunted never more secure both Armies fell to prayers after a laudable custom to encourage the Souldiers who having performed this duty appear to fall on more couragiously although God called upon in due order doth not always come in to assistance Grammont led the light Wing Thurenne the left the Foot in the main Body was commanded by Marsin Chasteaâ—nâ—â—f and Bellenauw the Hessians with their Guez and Heems in the Rear Chabot brought on the Reserve Moussay delivered Enguiens orders on every part But what shall I speak of the presages in the minds of mortal men At Paris before the â—ight the Victory was published nor were there hidden the imminent signs of the destined success The like hath been heretofore remarked among the Romans A Village with a Castle lying between both Armies was furiously battered with our Canon Thither came down the Enemies from the top of the Hill and ours at the same time The Dispute seemed to have been about the surprising a paultry Dorp Enguien was every where conspicuous in his most noted Coat of Armour and rid among his Troops commending or reproving as every one merited and stoutly inforced what parts were weakned by the Enemies execution When our Army seemed to decline Grammont comes in who having restored the day is with Chatre taken Prisoner and carried to Muncken the Metropolis of Bavaria The right Wing had bin utterly lost unless new courage had been infused into the Souldiers by the valour of Thurenne who commanded the left Thither also comes up Enguien twice wounded and having had two Horses killed under him The Enemy having shewed what stubbornness they could were compelled to retire towards Donavert which Town having plundered they past the Danube never thinking themselves safe till they had got on the other side It was not judged prudential to pursue Their Guns and Baggage were taken the evidence of a compleat Victory Merck the General was slain Glen taken and the Duke of Holsten 4000 destroyed 2000 taken Enguien having transferred the whole glory upon Thurenne possessed Norling How should â—onismark be vexed at our prosperity to have been absent because he had not appeased with Austrain blood the Swedes that is his Country-mens Ghosts and had not washed the field a few years before stained with so much gore for our Army stood upon the same ground as the Swedes had done before The same furrows were once more watered Once more Norlingue saw Armies drawn up in Battalia and that petty City in it self ignoble was ennobled by having its Plains scoured over with a double pitched fight but the news of the success was carried with such speed that the King knew his having vanquished before his having been engaged and the news of the Victory out-run the message of the danger but in truth as hath been already said it was presage not the swiftness of the Post After Enguien had wearied his body with so many toils he fell into a sickness but being soon recovered of that he returned to Paris The City rung of nothing but Enguien his excellent accomplishments of mind that ripeness wherein heâ— so early surpassed great Commanders his resolution in running through dangers his expedition in laying and executing designs his faith in keeping Articles clemency towards Prisoners temperance even in lawful pleasures His maligners gave out that all these good qualities were spoiled by his hearkning to paultry Counsellors his following debauched Treats his deriding vertuous and grave men with bitter jests his being more penurious than his Father Such were the rash speeches of some men It was believed by the wiser that his accumulated successes were the causes of all the Troubles that afterwards he fell into to his great prejudice the Princes mind having been depraved by Flatterers who presuming too much upon himself and false Counsel
Nation Falconbridge is honourably received by the King and having been presented sumptuously and magnificently returned home In the mean time Thurenne assaulted Dunkirk the Marquess of Leyds more stoutly defending The Spanish Low-Countries bent and restrained their whole Power to relieve the distressed City Dou Juan d'Austria and Conde drew up not far off and sent in Hoquincourt who as he views the French Camp was shot through by a common Souldier happy in his misfortune because by looking out his Fate he anticipated the destruction that was imminent over the Spaniards Thurenne June 14. 1658. about nine in the morning having left the care of the Trench to Richlieu went to seek the approaching Spaniard and met with him which gave the Enemy terrour The Marquess of Crequi commanded the right wing and he was matched with Conde who understood not to be conquered Chaste aunaud Mauvissier led the left Squadron where stood Lockhart with his English Scarce was ever a more bloody Fight in so short a time Whatsoever old Souldiers were in the Spanish Forces fell before the face of Don Juan who being himself obliged to retreat is reported to have cryed out That he was conquered by savage Beasts that rushed on furiously without any sense of danger Few of the French were lost Conde having his Horse killed under him escaped hardly mounted on anothers His most intimate friends were taken Guitault Mely Boutteville Collins and others The Baggage and Colours left upon the place fell to the Victor Thurennes valour was extolled even by the Enemy who in so great a Battel acted more than commanded And what less could be expected of such a Captain to whom no face of War is new and strange who hath imbibed all Military Discipline and perfected it by long practice having been so often exercised by Fortune and always out-done others and himself No farther hope of Relief being left the besieged Leyda held out Dunkirk to the last undaunted and at last crushed under so many cares and hazardous attempts dyed of a shot fortunate in this that he did not survive the destruction of the City but had its monumental Walls the Witnesses of his Valour The besieged City followed his Fate which surrendred to the French King He on the 25. of June entred it thinking himself abundantly satisfied in securing the old Religion Lockhart in the Name of Cromwell engaged by solemn Oath that the Catholick Profession should be preserved entire at Dunkirk The neighbouring Cities Bergen Dixmuid and Feurne readily render to the King Crequi is sent in a pompous Ambassade to Cromwell with Mazarines Nephew in his Train This was the last Blaze of that petty Tyrant who dyed not long after in his Bed a rare instance The whole World run a madding after the Fanatick to whose industry was attributed what should be imputed to the Vicissitude of Times The dulness of his stupid Age acquired him Reputation Such Monsters do arise when unavoidable Alterations are imminent which must be without delay taken off or the proper time attended yet for all this passions of cruelty are not to be provoked nor mens spirits inflamed to Revenge They oftentimes fall into no great inconveniencies who take wrongs patiently Amidst these prosperous successes the King falls into a Feaver at Calais judged mortal His Mother groaned over the Fate of her Son France of her King Mazarine of his Master Supplications are made at all Altars and Prayers for his Majesties Recovery publickly enjoyned Mazarine day and night sate by his Bed-side to make him governable in taking Physick which he would taste himself either to take off the unpleasantness or make proof of it The eleventh day accounted Critical the King seemed at the point of death could scarcely lift up his eyes that now appeared almost set in his head The agony of the disease a little remitting he came to know them that stood by him his Majesty never being totally eclipsed Oftentimes turning to Mazarine whom he obligingly called by the name of Friend would ask him to advise him freely of the extreme danger of his life since his Mother out of tenderness of affection could not Philip Duke of Anjou the Kings Brother to whom upon the death of Lewis the succession had devolved demeaned himself modestly Plesse Praslin was his Governor Although there wanted not among the Courtiers Spirits desirous after Alteration that before the setting of the Sun adored the rising one The King having Antimony with judgment administred him by Geunault recovered and being conveyed to Paris payed his Vows in Nostre-dame-Church a Heart of massie Gold was hung upon the Wall as an Oblation Afterwards to confirm his Health he retired to Fountainbelleau Mazarine stayed some time behind to advance the Siege of Graveling Mareschal Ferte carrying on the Expedition whilst Thurenne gives terror all abroad over Flanders The taking of Graveling was the last Monument of the French Glory before the Conclusion of the Peace Ferdinand III. was dead and before his Father Ferdinand the King of the Romans The Imperial Throne was vacant for Leopoldus being in his Minority was not yet of an Age capable to manage the Empire Thus was there a wide field set open for the Ambition of the Princes This seemed a fit opportunity to rend the Imperial Dignity from the House of Austria It is a hard matter to throw down from its ancient Seat a reigning Family that is confirmed by the uninterrupted succession of so many years Gustavus Adolphus King of Swethland having a just quarrel against the Austrians had indeed laid aside all thought concerning himself but promised his Service to promote the Interest of others There occurred worthy of the Empire in the Bavarian Line Ferdinandus Maria Duke of Bavaria if you consider his power if prudence and maturity of Age Philip William Duke of Newburgh An honourable Embassie is ordered by the French King for the performance of which Gramont Mareschal of France and the Marquess Lyonne are chosen by the King with these Instructions To go to Frankfurt upon Meyne where the Electoral Diet was held that there they should possess the Electors minds should pervent the Spanish designs should obviate the applications of Pigneranda who was manifestly designed a Broker of Voices That the Germans should be minded of their ancient liberty and of chusing an Emperour not of the House of Austria upon the remembrance of their arrogant exercise of their Authority to steer their motions by the directions of the Bishop of Mentz Upon his Advice this Embassie was undertaken The Ambassadors perform their parts diligently â—ating that of Bravery and Magnificence wherein they did not so much feed the eyes of the Vulgar as the hopes of the Grandees They decently address to the Elector of Mentz and the rest That their Master did not sue for the Empire in his own behalf but for some German Prince That the Electors should assume Spirits worthy of their Predecessors and not suffer the Empire gotten by
humor of the Country addicted to subtiliâ—ties which take up the Judgment-Hall with Law-suits hath there a great door open to the Judges Tribunal A people cunning to draw up Instruments and at every case that is actionable He that hath to do with such Creatures had need have his Wits about him They compose their differences by Tryals at the Bar seldom by Duels in the field They can suit their industry to any course of life and have parts not transcendent but to whatsoever imployment they turn themselves indifferent There is no where a greater readiness to put up injuries so they may be secured from want and have the least glimmering hope of advantage The Nobility burdened with numerous Dependents cannot long maintain its State in a-like Equipage therefore it is greedy after Changes but such as may prove beneficial The Neighbourhood of tin Court renders the Normans less at the dispose of their Governors The malignancy of the time over-reached this so wary people But what Provinces did not this Comet influence The Duke of Longueville waited in suspense till by some ouvert Declaration he might distinguish whether they were addicted to the King or the other Party accordingly to shape his course by such discovery The Court between Paris and Rouen the two most powerful Cities of the Kingdom was distressed with the want of all things especially of money the Aids coming in but slowly from all parts Amidst these straights nothing did so much tormeâ—â— Mazarine as the dispositions of Orleans and Conâ—â—â— The former not brooking delays detested the stusbornness of the War which he had supposed wouâ—â— have been dispatched in few days This other wâ—â—2 thought to have flown off from his eagerness 〈◊〉 fighting to policy and that which is the most 〈◊〉 toward of all Policies to dissemble a joy and loâ— of those matters which inwardly did most offenâ—â—â— him Laigne upon the Marne is taken by Persan from whence that fruitful Country of Brye is infested by the Inroads of the Kings Army The City Militia grew every day more unwilling to submit to orders You might see many murmuring with a slack and proud carriage and the violence of the most languishing Thereupoâ— the Archbishop of Corinth gets up into the Pulpit at S. Pauls and â—aith I would have had you in safety I would have had you victorious and the goodness of the Cause had acquitted you unless your repentance and tameness did plead guilty Then having inveighed much against the Government and Mazarine he cometh down out of the Pulpit having put off his Miter and Surplice he buckles on his Armour Often he sallied out of Town to charge the Enemy without any regard to his Function which ought to have been imployed in peace-making what many affirm they saw I do not spending always generously and for the most part profusely upon all people He tired his own and other mens Estates Rochefoucault had inveigled the mind of the Dutchess of Longueville with higher Enchantments they had promised to run all Fortunes together The Archbishop of Corinth not well contented to be a Favourite of the second Rank joyns with Beaufort and the Slingers For the Faction had more than one Head nor was it informed by one soul It is certain that Madame Longueville and Madame Mombazon bred up amongst the Weather-cocks of the Court were not only admitted to be of their Privy Council but to the great pleasure of Fortune did sway the minds of the Commanders Nothing did more anger the Parisians than that Corbeil was at the first taken from them by Vxelles coming in to the Kings aid with the Forces of Burgundy Beaufort Rochefoucault and Nermont are chosen to go and recover the Town with a strong Party but of fresh Souldiers They go triumphing out of Town The people thronging after them as far as S. Victors wish them a happy Expedition They were scarce come to Irviz four miles out of Town but they begun to grow weary or afraid of the danger Some quit their Colours some lurk in holes many slink away secretly These halted behind their fellow-Souldiers others drew them on They kept neither Rank nor File but straggled all abroad Sometimes they went to the City the farthest way about anon in the beaten road and by the shortest cuts their voices surfeited by excess and the hoarse drunkenness of the tippling Rout interrupted the Commanders Orders The misgiving mind of this ill-trained Militia escaped from Conde that was on the March against them 'T is believed he was unwilling to cast away his valour in an unglorious fight with so many drunken men and to stain his victory with the baseness of the Combatants So the King gained a prosperous success without the price of blood Vitry too marched out upon design to clear the Road for Convoys of Provision and having in his March home engaged a Party of German Horse there was a sharp Encounter at Vincennes In that fight Tangred was slain Marguerite Bethune gave him out to have been the Son of her Husband Henry Duke of Rohan being in truth angry with her Daughter for marrying Chabot against her consent That Marguerite was his Mother is without controversie who was his Father is not very cleâ—â—â— But certain it is that the Duke of Rohan would never hear of any such Issue The doubtful Child lay a long time secret having had a base breeding among the Hollanders Kept to Plow and Cart from whence of a sudden he is put into publick Imployment Being but eighteen years old he had a portly and graceful carriage of his whole body a sprightful mind comely look and suitable disposition That business so cleanly carried was for a long time the subject of common discourse when in good time these Civil disorders broke out and offered the poor Wretch a fair opportunity of perishing handsomly His Mother touched in conscience and affection admired his Person all hiâ— actions and his very death thinking without doubt to perpetuate the Renown of her Husbanâ— by so great a Progeny The Kings Army greâ—â— wanton would not do duty fell a plundering anâ— pillaging waxed dissolute for want of being pâ—â— on Service It is resolved to assault Charenton and wrest so advantagious a Post from the City Clanleil kept with a choice Garrison for the Parliament that Town that hath a Bridge over the Marn Orleans led the Troops to S. Denis where it is concluded in a Counsel of War to storm the Town Conde was Commander in chief for the Expedition Chastillon Lieutenant general makes the Onset They cut their way out by the Sword The Kings Army break through the Barricadoes that were but hastily set up Chastillon carrieth the Town by on slacht purchased at the price of his own blood for he was mortally shot and fell rather after the Fate of his Family than his own particular Fortune in whom the Issue by the right Line of the great Gaspar Colligny was extinct and all the remaining blood of
plot and carry on an Attempt of Rebellion to the manifest contempt of the Royal Majesty It is now the second month that he harbours in the City never so much as rising nor saluting the King but once and that slightly but in the Parliament and all abroad disperses malignant Speeches â—arping at the Government though well managed to disaffect the people and draw them of from their due Allegiance that he had fortified his Garrisons levied Souldiers in the Countries all over which he had drawn such as were ready to fall off to his own devotion and party that open Intelligence was held with the Spaniard at Brussels continually that he had not procured the Enemies Garrison to be drawn out of Stenay which was a condition of his Enlargement that Forces united always at Marle did obey only the Orders of the Prince to the prejudice and affront of the Royal Army that those mho quitted his Majesties Colours came in to Condes where was plundering instead of Martial Discipline and Hostility acted over Champaigne and Picardy as though they were the Enemies Country that all these were insolencies which her Majesty could not digest without casting away the Helm of the Kingdom which would hereafter be reproached on her Therefore they should freely utter their Judgments if they had any kindlings of Duty towards his Majesty that she had disburdened her Spirit in these just complaints the rather because within twenty days she must give up the Account of her Regency to the King that would then come to be of Age. All supprest their sense of the matters herein mentioned only Conti answered That all these were the Devices of their Enemies which his Brother would easily confute In the mean time the Differences were fomented as served to mens advantages These are raised by Court-Vassals whose practice it is to praise or diâ—praise all things good or bad alike To whisper in mens ears dissemblingly and upon design for their private gains The naked merit of a painful service carries no Honour with it for which this wary and most excellent Prince is bought and sold Servient Tellier and Lyonne being chased away Villeroy and Bryenne answered the shadow but not the substance of a Privy Council Zongo Ondedei one of Pizarro strongly affected to Mazarine who took the courage to espouse the Fate of the Banished rather than pursue his own acted many things stoutly and gravely which might justly countervail the cares of a Prime Minister But lying under the imputation of being an Alien could advance no higher therefore insinuated his Counsels underhand by other persons Those openly designed were Chasteauneuf Mole and Vieville The first as Candidate of the Supreme Ministry the second as Keeper of the Seals Seguier being again put out of Office who was bandied like a Ball by this and that hand and the last designed for the Treasury commonly called Barboni because they wore long Beards and Mustaches turned up with Whiskers hated of Conde as shall be related But during this Mercoeurs business took up the Court and Parliament who scarcely with the Queens consent rid poste to Cologne and was married by the Archbishop that Elector to Mancina Mazarines Niece Such assurance was there of Mazarines being in Favour The Parliament was highly incensed against the prohibited Marriage at the special instigation of Conde All this fell out as well as he could wish and from thence was a powerful occasion to hasten his Enterprise because Mazarine was charged still to hold his Usurpation Conde thought it his Interest to wash off the Aspersions cast upon him not so much out of any advantage that he reaped by it as to depress and baffle the Queen and his Enemies Therefore he extorts from Orleans a Testimonial to compurge him of the Articles charged upon him It was read in the Parliament That the Duke of Orleans doth give assurance that the Forces are kept at Marle not without his consent who had sent Valone thither to command Condes and his own Troops not Seneterre who was a Mazarinist that he as Lieutenant General of the Kingdom had power so to do as to Stenay that Conde had always offered his service to out the Spaniard from it either by strength or policy In a word that he had never observed any thing in the Prince but a mind upright and affected to the King and Kingdom To declare him guilty of high Treason for holding correspondence with the Enemy was an ill advised act which he was not acquainted with but a few hours before Such a Remonstrance from Orleans troubled the Queen who as she was most skilful of dissembling did yet conceal her resentments Orleans craved pardon for what he had done promising this should be the last kindness he would do Conde It was promised they would not foment discords Although the Parliament and Orleans were inclined to judge Conde innocent the Prince would bear down his Enemies therefore he publishes a Manifesto very brave indeed After the Memorial of Orleans he needed no farther Apology yet that he might obviate scattered Rumors and might stop the mouth of Fame and stiffle Discovery he had these few things to say for himself That he held nothing in France but what was left him by his Father Stenay and Clermont were recompenses for the Admiralty of right devolved upon him by the death of the Duke of Breze Brother-in-Law After thirteen months Imprisonment that the Enlargement might be called by him an Innocent not a Favour but Justice That he could not be excluded from the Kings Council whereof his Father had been appointed the Principal by the Will of the late deceased King That he had not fortified his Party with Castles whereas on the contrary Mazarine had possessed himself of all the Forts in France by his Confidents All the Forces that he kept at Marle were not so much to be grudged at whenas France owed to such Troops as those the greatest part of their Victories and they were kept a foot at the appointment of the Duke of Orleans who was legally invested in the power of ordering those Affairs That he had changed Burgundy where his Estate was deposited for Guyenne that by that means the poor Country might be relieved from the Tyrannical Government of Espernon That he had with good reason kept the fortified Towns in Burgundy as having been purchased by his Father with the consent and allowance of the King That nothing was given him in lieu of them by Guyenne That Servient Tellier and Lyonne representing Mazarine were justly removed with the Applause of the Senate but for his forbearing to come to the King and his Council that was commended by all understanding men whenas the Queen did avowedly conâ—ide in his declared Enemies that he must beware of their Plots that he might not fall again into their Traps wherein he had been once already caught By his Intelligence with the Enemy with which he was so much reproached that he pretended nothing