side of it runs a little River which being Foordable in all places is by those of the Country commonly called Eure. This River the Hugonots had passed the nineteenth and being lodged in the Villages adjoining expected to continue their march the morning after with like haste as before But the Catholicks Army following them without staying any where and a shorter way arrived the same night at the River and lodged in the houses thereabouts so that there was nothing between both the Armies but the current of the water Yet by reason of the Shrubs and many Trees that grew upon the banks they could not see one another though they were so near It is most certain that the Prince who lodged next the River lay there with such negligence a fault which hath ever proved fatal to the Hugonots that without placing the wonted Guards or sending out Scouts or any other care whatsoever he took his rest all night and knew not of the Catholicks coming till next morning very late But the Constable quite contrary being a practised experienced Captain very well knowing the advantage he had and making use of the Enemies carelesness passed all his Army over the River the same night by Moon-light without any obstacle or impediment and going on a league forwarder upon the place where the enemies were lodged possest the way by which following their design they were of necessity to pass There between two little Villages the one called Spinal the other Blainville which stood by side the great Road he placed his men with great commodity and no less silence The Army was divided into two parts the first the Constable led the other the Duke of Guise but they disposed their Squadrons in such a manner that in the Right-wing of the Constables were the Swisses flanckt by the Regiments of Fire-locks of Brittany and Picardy and in the Left-wing of the Duke of Guise the Germans flanckt with the Gascon and Spanish Infantry and both the Wings closed and sheltred with the houses of the Villages having Spinal on the right and Blainville on the left hand and besides the defence of the houses they placed their Carriages and Artillery on each side for the enemy being stronger in Horse they doubted to be compassed in and charged in the flanck The main body of Cavalry being divided into little Troops of Lances that they might use them the more conveniently and were placed between the Squadrons of Foot which in a manner flanckt and covered them and only the light Horse taking their station out of the Battalions were drawn up at the point of the Right-wing where the Champagn began to open it self and with a large front possessed the pass of the great Road. But the Duke of Guises Battalion which was in the Left-wing though it was nearest to the enemy yet was it so covered with a number of Trees that it had in flanck and the houses of Blainville that it could hardly be perceived by the Hugonots and on the contrary the Constable having his light Horse ranged upon the Champagn was easie to be discerned afar off and by the largeness of their Front might well be taken for the whole body of the Army The day being come and the Admiral who was farthest from the River beginning according to the order given to march on a suddain the Constables Squadrons appeared and being assured by his Scouts that they were the Catholicks exclaiming against the negligence of his Officers he turned about saying aloud to them that were next him The time is now come that we must no longer trust to our feet as we have done hitherto but like Souldiers rely upon the strength of our hands and having sent word to the Prince that the enemy was arrived he caused his Division to make a halt that the rest of the Army might draw up to join in a Body upon the Champagn The Prince though he were advised by many to turn to the left hand to recover a Village thereby that he might either prolong or else wholly avoid the necessity of fighting yet the nearness of the enemy inciting his natural fierceness he resolved rather to make a day of it without advantage in the open field than to be afterwards forced to disband the Army without making trial of his fortune So hastning his march he joined with the Van in the middle of the plain and having with great diligence put his men in order continued on his way with an intention not to provoke the Catholicks and to pursue his journey but if he were provoked by them not to refuse the Battel The Hugonots marching in this manner and not having discovered the Squadrons of the Duke of Guise who causing his Foot to set one knee to the ground and his Horse to retire into the Street of the Village stood as it were in ambush passed on without perceiving they left a part of the Enemies force behind them and came up to the place where the Constables Battalia was drawn up who perceiving the great advantage he had for the Duke of Guise fetching a little compass about they having inconsiderately ingaged themselves might set upon them in the Rear commanded the signal to be given to the Battel with fourteen pieces of Cannon that were placed on the outside of the left Wing Whereupon the Prince though his light Horse were somewhat disordered therewith putting himself in the head of his Division led them on with great animosity to assault the Battalion of the Swisses which in a manner fronted him The first that fell in upon them were Monsieur de Muy and Monsieur de Avaray with their Horse then the Prince charging himself and by his example the Baron of Liancourt the Count de Saule Monsieur de Duras and the other Captains de Gens d' Arms the whole force of that Battalia was turned upon the Swisses some charging them in the Front others in the Flank with all the earnestness and violence that might be believing that if they were routed the victory would infallibly incline to their side But the Swisses charged and compassed in on every side by such a number of enemies valiantly charging their pikes received the shock of the Cavalry with such a courage that though divers of their pikes were broken and many of them trodden under foot by the Horses yet they stood firm in their order repulsing and abating with exceeding great slaughter the fury of the enemy At the same time the Count de la Roch-fou-cault and the Prince of Porcien who brought up the Reer entring fiercely into the Battel first fell in upon the light Horse which made but weak resistance and afterwards upon the Regiments of Picardy and Brittany that flankt the Swisses on that side and the Fire-locks being broken and routed they likewise assaulted the same Squadron in the Rear where though the danger and loss of blood were great yet they found a resolute and hard encounter For the Swisses standing in
the Constable was not idle but being confident they would either make a retreat or if they came to fight be totally ruined the morning after being the Vigil of St. Martin one of the Protectors of the Crown of France having put the Army in order sent resolutely to assail the Enemy The Duke of Aumale and the Mareshal d' Anville led the Van and were placed against the Admiral the Duke of Nemours with a great number of Horse which were ranged upon the champagne brought up the Reer and the Battel commanded by the Constable was placed against the Prince of Conde after whom followed the Swisses in their orders flanked by the Count of Brissac and Strozzi's Foot It was already past mid-day when the Constable seeing the Enemy resolved to give them Battel not to lose time advanced with his Squadrons in such haste to charge them that the Foot marching in order were left a great way behind and could not come up to fight which falling out according as the Hugonots desired they with their Cavalry in which they had much the advantage drew up behind the Constables Battle and charging him couragiously quite through made a great slaughter amongst his men The Duke of Nemours thought to stay the fury of the Enemy by charging them in the Flanck but the Ditch being in his way and a gallant opposition made by the Hugonot Musquetiers at the work there was so much time to be spent there that he could not make such haste as was requisite to succour the Constable The Duke of Aumale and the Mareshal d'Anville attempted the same but were hindered by the Admirals Van who having moved from his place and retired almost to the bank of the River that he might not be surrounded mingled valiantly with them by which means the Constables Battalion being assailed and shaken by divers Troops of their Horse besides the Princes own which was in the midst remained without receiving any succours so over-matched by the Enemy in number that in a short time it was absolutely rouâ—ed and destroyed The Constable had four little hurts in his face and a great blow with a Battle-axe upon the head yet he still continued fighting valiantly and was endeavouring to rally his men when Robert Stuart a Scotch-man rode up to him with his Pistol bent toward him whereupon the Constable said Dost thou not know me I am the Constable he replied Yes I do and because I know thee I present thee this and instantly shot him in the shoulder which made him fall but as he was falling he threw his Sword which though the Blade were broken he held still in his hand with such a violence at Stuart's face that he beat out three of his teeth brake his jaw-bone and laid him upon the ground by him for dead The Constable lay a good while abandoned by his men that ran away and left him in the power of the Enemy but the Duke of Aumale and Monsieur d' Anville having routed and defeated the Admirals Van when they once saw them flee left the pursuit and came up to succour and sustain the Battalia by which means the Constable was redeemed out of the hands of the Hugonots who were then carrying him away prisoner and his Son with much difficulty convey'd him though already half dead to Paris The Duke of Nemours having in the mean while passed the Ditch and with great slaughter driven the Hugonots out of their Work with the like Massacre brake their Rear and having chased those that ran away into their quarters rallied his Horse and returned furiously to mingle with the Enemy in the hottest of the fight So the Catholick Van and Rear which had put to flight the Hugonot Van and Rear coming close up to the Princes Squadrons charged them so furiously in the Front and in the Flank that many of his Troops being disordered the Victory manifestly inclined to the Catholicks In the mean while the night overtook them which was very dark and rainy by favour whereof the Prince of Conde who having had his Horse kill'd under him with much difficulty recovered another and the Admiral who by the fierceness of a Turkish Horse that he rid that day was so far engaged amongst the Enemies that he had like to have been taken prisoner retired in haste to St. Denis leaving the Field and the possession of their dead as an assured token of a Victory to the Enemy The Catholicks though victorious partly through the loss of their General partly through the darkness of the night left pursuing them and the Foot having not had time to mingle in the fight returned intire to their Quarters The slaughter on both sides was much more considerable in regard of the quality than number of the dead for on the Kings party none fighting but the Horse and on the contrary those Foot only that defended the Ditch which flanked the Rear they that were killed were without doubt the most part Gentlemen or Persons of Note amongst which those of the Hugonots side were the Count de Suze the Vidame of Amiens the Count de Saut Messieurs de Piguigny Canisy S. Andre and Garenna of the Kings men few were killed but very many hurt as Monsieur de Sansac a Cavalier of great courage and expectation The day after the Battel the Constable died having at the 80 th year of his age fought fiercely with a youthful courage and shewed no less ardour of mind than vigour of body At his death he had no disturbed thoughts but on the contrary testified an exceeding constancy insomuch that a Confessor coming to his bed-side to comfort him he turned about and with a serene quiet countenance desired he would not molest him for it were a brutish thing having lived fourscore years not to know how to die a quarter of an hour He was a man of an exquisite Wit and mature Wisdom accompanied with a long experience in the changes of the World by which Arts he acquired happily for himself and for his posterity exceeding great Wealth and the chief Dignities in the Kingdom but in his Military Commands he had always such ill fortune that in all the Wars of which he had the Government he ever remained either a Loser or grievously wounded or a Prisoner which misfortunes were occasion that many times his fidelity was questioned even in this last action where fighting he lost his life there wanted not some who were envious enough to accuse him That having the command of the Kings Army against his own Nephews he charged so late and left the Foot behind on purpose because he would not though he might gain a compleat Victory Those that spake without passion gave him three principal attributes That he was a good Souldier and a loving Servant but an ill Friend for in all his actions he was ever swayed by the consideration of his own interest The same day died Claud de l' Aubespine chief Secretary of State a
the Battel and there to consult with the Prince what course as things went was best to be taken But it was first necessary not to leave them a prey to the Enemy to send for the Foot that were appointed to guard the passes of the River and to get together the light Horse which for want of victuals and commodity of quarter were dispersed into several places in which though all possible diligence were used yet so much time was spent that he found himself contrary to his purpose in a necessity to fight for the Duke of Anjou having imbattelled his Army and resolved whatever hapned to make a day of it sent all the light Horse before and in the head of them Monsieur de Martigues called generally The Souldier without fear to fall in upon the Enemies Reer that so he might hinder their march and gain time for the rest of the Army to come up Martigues coming upon the Hugonots just as they left Brissac began to skirmish so hotly that the Admiral being forced to stay gave order to make an halt and facing resolutely about perceived it was impossible any longer to avoid the encounter of Battel wherefore having sent the Prince of Conde word of the danger he was in he placed the Sieurs de la Noue and Loue in the Reer commanding them to maintain their ground against the light Horse and to hinder their advancing whilst he passed into a certain place full of ditches and encompassed with water beyond which he meant to draw up his men in order that the strength of the situation might in some measure supply the defect of his forces or at least defend them in the Flank from the multitude and fury of the Enemy These Commanders sometimes skirmishing and sometimes couragiously mingling amongst them sustained a good while the charge of the Catholicks but Monsieur de la Valette the Count de Lude Monsieur de Monsalez and Malicorn coming up with four Squadrons of Lances they set upon them with such violence that the Captains being taken prisoners all the rest of the men plainly ran away Whereupon the Admiral finding he could not long make resistance and desiring as far as he was able to avoid the necessity of fighting piece-meal left Andelot with 120 Horse to make good that place of advantage that he might hinder the Enemies passage and himself with all the rest of the Van retired a good trot to meet the other part of the Army which was already marching towards them with great diligence The Prince of Conde understanding the Admirals danger came with all the Horse to succour him and left order that the Foot should follow softly after conceiving he should have time enough to join with the Van and bring all the Army together to fight But when he saw part of the Admirals men routed and so hotly pursued by the Enemy who every moment increased in number and strength he made a stand upon the high-way having on one Flank a pool which defended him on the right hand and a little hill which covered him on the left and with exceeding wariness ranged those forces he had with him taking all the advantage that was possible of the situation of the place In ordering of his men he left a free void place for the Admiral who though he arrived a full gallop with the Horse took his post without making any disorder and facing about to the Enemy put himself in a readiness to fight keeping the left Flank at the foot of the hill In the mean while the first Squadrons of the Catholicks Horse had set upon Andelots post who finding himself seconded by Puviauts Musketiers which being placed behind the hedges and the banks filled every thing with smoak cries and blood bravely opposed the Enemy and it was a spectacle worthy the remembrance that in the charge he encountered the Duke de Monsalez who behaved himself no less couragiously and came up so close to him that with his bridle-hand he lift up the Beaver of his Helmet and discharged a Pistol in his face of which shot he fell down dead upon the ground nevertheless the Hugonots yielding to the superiour number of the Catholicks could not maintain that post above half an hour but setting spurs to their Horses gallopped away to the main Body of the Van and ranged themselves on the place that was appointed for them Whilst these things were doing the Duke of Anjou having without tumult or confusion disposed his Army in very good order advanced readily to begin the Battel the beginning of the day giving great hopes of an assured Victory Without any detraction both sides shewed an equal resolution and boldness of courage but the other circumstances were not equal and especially their Forces for part of the Hugonots Foot which were distributed upon the banks of the River hearing of the Enemies passage and believing they could not possibly joyn with the rest of their Army were passed over the River and retired to a place of security and the rest that were with Monsieur d' Aciere according to theiâ— orders following the Prince of Conde could not come soon enough to the fight but dispersed themselves in several places without making trial that day of their fortune Notwithstanding the Hugonots being defended on one side by the Lake and on the other by the Hill and therefore sure they could not be hurt in the middle bravely sustained the fierceness of the encounter the Commanders no less than the common Souldiers fighting boldly on both sides and with great courage disputing the success of the day The Duke of Guise charged the left wing where were the Admiral and Andelot with a great number of the Nobility of Provence Britany and Normandy and there the fight was very hot the event of the Battel remaining very doubtful for many hours but the Catholicks being continually furnished with fresh supplies the Hugonots being no longer able to resist so much a greater number all the Van was at length utterly routed and the Commanders seeing the Admirals own Cornet upon the ground by reason of the imprisonment of Monsieur de Guerchy that carried it the Baron de la Tour General of the Rochel Fleet killed and Saubise Languilliers and Monteran the principal Barons of their party taken prisoners they resolved before they were too much pressed by the Enemy to provide for their own safety by flight The same did the Count de la Rouch-fou-cault and the Count de Montgomery who were in the right wing of the Battel by the Lake for they being furiously charged by the Duke de Montpensier who led the Catholick Van after a long obstinate defence leaving Chandenier Rieux and Corbouson dead upon the place with a great number of the Nobility of Provence Languedoc and Gascony despairing of the Victory sought to save themselves Only the Prince of Conde who in the beginning of the fight encountered the Duke of Anjou's own Squadron though he were
as well as possible they might by the Sieur de Lavardin Lieutenant-General having spread a long Body of Lances in the Plain on whose Wings were two Battalions of Infantry which flanked it on either side and he himself with the Light-Horse led by the Sieur de Montigny and Mercurio Bua was â—t the Head of the whole Army having placed the Artillery at the point of the left Wing But the Confusion of those untrained Soldiers who were come thither without order and had scatteringly broken their Ranks and disordered their Squadrons and the way also to the place appointed being to say the truth narrow and Woody made them lose so much time in embattelling that the King of Navarre finding that the Enemy moved had conveniency to bring up his Artillery which by reason of their hasty passage was left the night before on the other side the River who otherwise must have been fain to fight â—ithout his Canon which would have been an extreme disadvantage to him Now having received that benefit by the slowness of the Enemy he divided his Army consisting of 2500 Horse and 4000 Foot into seven Squadrons whereof four were Cuiâ—assiers one of Light-horse and two of Foot and caused the Culverins and the small Field-pieces to be planted in the front of the Army upon the bank of the River in a place somewhat higher then the Plain the two middle Squdrons which made the bottom of the half-moon he commanded himself the Prince of Conde and the Count de Soissons on the right hand and on the left the Viscount de Turenne the Light Horse were commanded by the Duke de la Tremouille and the Sieur de Vivans who was Marshal of the Field and the two Bodies of Foot on the right hand were commanded by the Baron de Salignaâ— Chastelnew and Pardbiere who upon their flank had a thick Wood and a ditch of seven foot-broad and by Lorges Preaâ— an Charboniere on the left all old expert Colonels of that party who were defended with the Walls and Buildings of the Park but more especially of the Warren The care of the Artillery was committed to the Sieur de Clairmont Marquess of Gelerande and the Baggage either purposely or by chance was left in the Village of Coutrâ—s without any Guard either of Horse or Foot The Armies were very different for the Duke of Ioyeuse's was cloathed all with rich upper Coats set forth with gallant Liveries Plumes and other wanton ornaments but half in disorder and all wavering a manifest sign of want of experience whereas the King of Navarr's had no other shew then that of Iron nor other ornaments then their Arms rusty with the rain yet united and compacted in a firm perfect array shewed their worth most clearly in Soldier-like actions and behaviour The Canon began to play on all sides the Sun being above two houres high but either with different industry or fortune for the King of Navarr's making a lane thorough the Catholick Lances and passing from thence into the Squadrons of Infantry made a very great slaughter of them and put them all into confusion but the Duke's Canoneers levelled their Pieces so low that all the Bullets struck into the ground and killed no body except one Gentleman of the Prince of Conde's which the Sieur de Lavardin perceiving and knowing that to give the Enemies time to charge again and redouble their great shot would cause the total routing of the Army which was so broken and disorder'd by the Artillery that they hardly kept in Battalia having commanded to sound a charge fell in with his Light-Horse so furiously upon those of the Enemy which stood over against him to the number of some two hundred that the Sieur de Montigny killed the Duke de la Tremouille's horse under him and Captain Mercurio â—ua wounded the Sieur de Vivans Marshal of the Field very dangerously and having scattered the light-Horse came up to the Squadron of Cuirassiers led by the Viscount of Turenne whom they charged not in the Front but rushed fiercely upon their flank and making way quite thorough them whatsoever the occasion was for it was afterward diversly spoken of ran on with full speed to the Village of Coutras where the Enemies Baggage was There the Albanians being out of breath with the length of their career and seeing booty before them fell to pillage and were so long before they rallied again that they resolved to retire into some place of security without doing any further service But the King of Navarre having briefly exhorted his men to fight for their common safety and having put Thirty Gentlemen before him with short Lances ran but ten paces to meet the Catholick Cavalry who having begun their Charge too soon were in such disorder with the length of their career that their Lances wrought not their wonted effect and did no good at all wherefore being thrown away the fight remained equal wherein besides the valour of the Soldiers their Squadrons being much harder to break thorough then the long weak Battalion of the Duke de Ioyeuse the Cavalry of the Catholicks was routed and defeated in less then half an hour the Duke himself among an infinite of Lords and Gentlemen being left dead for being overthrown upon the ground and offering 100000 Crowns in ransome he was with three Pistol shots most violently slain Nor had the Infantry better fortune then the Cavalry for being charged on all sides and fierce cries resounding every where that every one should remember the slaughter of St. Eloy where two Regiments of the King of Navarr's were cut in pieces without mercy the Soldiers were not satisfied till they had put most of them to the Sword the Commanders being not able to restrain their fury nor the King of Navarre to prevent it being busied otherwhere in chasing the Reliques of the Cavalry The slaughter of the Conquered and pursuit of the Conquerors lasted three houres after which they were Masters of the field of the Canon Colours and Baggage wherein to the laughter of Soldiers accustomed to the toils of War they found many of those softer accommodations of ease and tenderness used in the Court There were slain three thousand five hundred of the Catholicks besides the Duke of Ioyeuse the Count de S. Sauveur his brother Brâ—say who carried the General 's Cornet the Counts de Suse d' Aubijoux and Gavelo Colonel Tiercelin and many others but the number of prisoners was much greater for except Lavardin Montigny and Mercurio Bua who saved themselves all the rest remained in the power of the Enemy On the King of Navarr's side there were not full Two hundred killed among which not any many of great note and among those that were wounded onely the Sieur de Vivans Captain Favas and the Viscount de Turenne but slightly In this so great Victory the King of Navarre shewed his clemency no less then he had done his prudence
and Falaise before him would retire and then he might fortifie it better and put in a stronger Garrison But the Gautiers being come within four Leagues of Falaise quartered in a great Bourg which they fortified at the entry of the great high-way towards the enemy with their two Pieces and with a Barricado made with barrels full of earth and soil that theâ— might not be unexpectedly assaulted without defence and the Count de Brissac at a little distance from them but out of the great high-way took up his quarters and sent forth parties of Horse to scour the Country Villiers the King 's Field-Mareschal little valuing the number of those in expert tag-rag fellows having been out himself to discover their quarters perswaded the D. of Montpensier presently to raise the siege and without delay to assault the Enemy and the Duke desirous to try the encounter and being very confident of Villiers his experience quitting the siege the same night and drawing off his Canon from the wall resolved to assault the Gantiers the next morning Villiers ordered the assault on this manner that the Culverin and the Canon should play along the great way upon the enemies Barricado and Field-pieces and that then the Infantry should make the assault severally under their Colonels upon that part that the D. of Montpensier with his own Troop should fall on by a way that led into the field on the right side and the Count de Torigny with the Cavalry of the Vanguard by another on the left hand and that the Sieurs de Sureâ—â— and de Baqueville with two bodies of horse should stand ready to oppose the Count de Brissac if he with his horse should make any attempt to divert the assault The Culverin and Canon hit so luckily that they beat down all the enemies Barricado and took off the head of Captain Vaumartell who was encouraging and ordering his soldiers whereupon the sign was presently given to assault the enemy on all sides The Duke of Montpensier a brave generous Prince trotted on at the head of his Cavalry to attaque the Enemy but whâ—â—soever the occasion was leaving the place appointed him on the right hand he came to â—â—ll on just in the place where the barricado being thrown down the enemies two Pieces were planted which had not yet given fire and he was in great danger to have many of his men slain and that the assault would have a bloody issue The wind was very high by reason whereof together with the noise of the Armies no mans voice could be heard so that the Duke would certainly have been in danger if Villiers setting spurs to his horse running full speed to overtake him and hitting him with his Truncheon upon his Helmet to make him stay had not told him his error and brought him by a plain free way to charge the Enemy in the Flank which the Count de Torigny having done likewise on the other side and the Infantry in the Front where about twenty soldiers were slain by the Faulconets the Enemy was defeated in less then an hour with the loss of about Two thousand men all their Baggage Colours and Cannon The Count de Brissac who during the conflict appeared upon a hill hard by seeing himself without comparison inferiour in force retired streight to Falaise without making any further attempt having though with so great a slaughter of his men made way to relieve that place and the Kings Army victorious quartered that night in the adjacent Villages It was debated in the Council of War whether they should return to the Siege of Falaise or no but the opinion of Villiers prevailed who the Count de Brissac being within it with the rest of his Forces thought it would be a difficult and a tedious business and advised that the Army in the heat of the Victory should prosecute the Gautiers to take their places and pull up the root of that Insurrection for that obstacle being taken away there would be no Forces left in the Province which could hinder them from taking in the Towns With this resolution the Army increased with above Four hundred fresh Horse marched towards the Gautiers who being resolved to make resistance to the last man put themselves in three places Vimotier Bernay and la Chapelle Gautier into which the Commanders shut not up themselves but Longchamp retired to his Government and the rest gave out that they went to the Count de Brissac to prepare assistance Vimotier was first assaulted where with small trouble it being an open place the Bourg was entred above a Thousand of the Gautiers slain and those that fell into the Enemies hands alive having taken an oath not to bear Arms any more but to follow their Tillage were set at liberty so that having found very great gentleness and good order in the Army by the care which the Duke and Villiers used in punishing those who dared to commit any outrage or insolence they were quieted and returned to the managing of their own affairs Greater was the difficulty in assaulting Bernay which was both walled round and had the best men within it but the Cannon having battered from morning till noon the Foot made the assault which having been stoutly received by the defendants they renewed the Battery the next morning and having made a wider breach many Gentlemen alighted from their Horses and put themselves in the head of the Infantry to facilitate the assault Wherefore it being valiantly redoubled in the morning the service lasted hot and bloody for the space of four hours at last young l' Archant and the Sieur de Baqueville entered the Town and after them the whole Army putting the Gautiers to the Sword whereof a very great number was slain and a House being set on fire by a Boy of Colonel St. Denis who for that fault was condemned by Villiers to suffer death the greater part of the Town was burned to the ground There were killed on the King's side the Sieur de la Fountain one of Villiers his Adjuâ—ants 14 Gentlemen and about 100 Soldiers The prisoners upon the same oath and conditions were set at liberty But the remainder of the Gautiers reduced into la Chappelle seeing their companions defeated and that the Commanders appeared not with relief from any place resolved to yield themselves and having sent two Curates of their Parishes they were received to mercy on the same termes whereupon leaving their Arms and Colours they returned to their houses and to their wonted employment of Tilling the Earth This was the first prosperous success of the War and the news thereof was carried with great joy to the King to Tours where he was busie in increasing his Army and giving order about his Interview with the King of Navarre To which purpose the Sieur du Plessis-Mornay was come to the King a great many dayes before and the Abbot del Bene was likewise gone to the King of Navarre nor were
he would take the same resolution because it was dictated by reason having till then believed that he had had to do with a Captain-General of an Army and not with a Captain of Light-horse which he now knew the King of Navarre to be but this business bred a discontent among the Commanders of the League for the Spaniards and Italians commended the Duke of Parma's wariness and his secure way of managing the War and the French praised the forward humour of their Nation and would have had him proceed in the same manner which they saw the King hold in the promptness of his resolutions but the condition of the one was very different from that of the other for the King being General of a voluntary Army and having no other hope nor any other security but himself was necessitated to venture his own person upon all occasions making way with his danger for those that followed him but the Duke of Parma coming only to succour the Confederates would not hazard at once the hopes of France and the possession of Flanders without expectation of some fruit by his Victory that might countervail so great a loss and therefore with art and prudence as he had done at Paris he pretended not to conquer but not to be conquered However it were it is most certain that from hence there began to rise differences and discontents between him and the Duke of Mayenne which afterwards encreased every day The Army of the League advancing with commodious marches laid siege to Neuf-Chastel which by reason of its weakness they believed would have made no resistance but the Duke of Parma incensed at the boldness of the defendants and at the impediment which he received thereby caused his Artillery to be planted with as much speed as was possible and with wonderful fury to batter that part of the wall which stood toward his Camp which being old and not lined with earth within a short space afforded a breach very convenient to be assaulted which Monsieur de Giury seeing began to capitulate and though the Duke were at first highly incensed at his resistance yet being appeased by the intercession of Monsieur de la Chastre Giury's Father-in-law and admiring the valour of that Cavalier who to give his party time to recover breath had thrust himself into so great a danger granted him honourable conditions about the performance whereof there arose some dispute for Monsieur de Rebours a Colonel of French Infantry who had shut himself up in the Town with Giury not having been particularly mentioned in the Capitulations the Duke of Parma pretended that he not having been named ought not to enjoy the benefit of the Articles but to remain a prisoner and Monsieur de Giury argued that having made composition for himself and all his soldiers though Rebours was not named with the other Officers because he had not his men there was yet comprehended and ought to go free with all the rest which after it had been a while disputed the Duke of Parma generously remitted the difference to the Kings own decision who knew whether he had left Rebours with command or without command for the defence of the place But the King having called a Council of War and having heard every ones opinion gave judgement that Rebours was to be understood as comprehended in the Capitulation But the obstacle of Neuf-Castel though it was but for four days gave great help to the King's affairs for that time was not onely very considerable but in that interim part of the victual being spent which was brought along with the Army of the League it was necessary to stay to make new provisions for the Country destroyed in a siege of so many months in the sterility of the Winter did not afford any thing and the victuals that were to be brought from Picardy were of necessity to be accompanied with strong Convoys and backed by the Cavalry of the Army because the King and the Baron de Biron from Diepe and Arques where they lay caused all the wayes to be obstructed with their Horse This stay was of ten days to the great murmuring of the French for the Duke would not engage himself in an Enemies Country all ruin'd and not well known to him without such abundant provisions of victual as were necessary to feed the Camp not being accustomed to remit the event of his Counsels unto fortune In these dayes there happened many valiant encounters for the King being cured of his wound suffered not the Enemy to repose without suspition nor without danger but matters proceeded almost alike the encounters being between the Cavalry wherein the number of the Gentry on each side equalled the proceeding with bold attempts prompt resistance and gallant resolutions It fell out that the King being advanced upon a hill that lay on the right side of the great high-way by which all the Enemies Army marched caused the Sieur de Montigny with a Squadron of Light-horse and the Sieur de Praslin with another of Cuirassiers to fall suddenly into the Quarters of the Duke of Aumale who brought up the Rere just at the time when he newly entered into them but after a short skirmish rather than fight being in their retreat charged by the Count de Chaligny and the Sieur de Rosne there followed in the adjoyning Plain a great encounter to which the Sieur de Ferâ—aques and the Count de Torigny son to the Mareschal de Matignen coming up with the Troops of Normandy they fought above two hours with singular bravery but when they of the League would have retired they found themselves engaged by the Baron de Biron who with another Troop fell in upon their Flank so that to sâ—ve themselves they were fain to turn their backs and run full speed which the Count de Chaligny scorning to do and gallantly fighting in the midst of his enemies was taken prisoner by Chicot the King's Jester but a notable sturdy lad who in the taking of him received a wound from him in the head whereof he died not many dayes after The Count being brought into the King's presence and being much afflicted to have been taken by a Fellow of so base a profession the King comforted him assuring him that Chicot was a valiant Fellow and that he ought rather to complain against himself for having engaged himself so far to which the Count answering that the desire of seeing and learning had made him so forward the King replyed that those of his party knew not how to teach him and that if he would learn the art of War he ought to fight under his Colours and near his person These were the ordinary sayings of the King who gave the Counts ransome to the Dutchess of Longueville and her daughters who having been taken at Corbie after many months imprisonment were fain to buy their liberty with 30000 Ducaâ—s The next day just as the Army of the League came out
Spanish Cannon fired no less hotly but because they were in a higher-place they shot so under mettle that they did but little execution But in the variety of the skirmishes that were continually made in the field many observed that while the business passed between Cuirassiers and Cuirassiers or between Carabines and Carabines the French for the most part had the better but where the Flemish and Bourguignon Men at Arms came in the French Cavalry were fain to yield to the violence of the Lances to hinder which encounter which happened to the loss and trouble of the Nobility the King himself advanced to the head of his Squadrons gave order that as the Cuirassiers skirmished they should not join so close together but leave a good space between one another which having been often done they found that the shoâ—â— of the Lances not meeting a firm opposition proved for the most part vain which was of very great advantage as well because they skirmished with small Troops in the wide field where it was easie to them to open as because the Spanish Lanciers were very few in respect of the great number of French Cavalry Toward the evening a Trench was finished with which the Duke of Mayenne labouring all that day had shut up the way to Longpré wherefore the Count de Boucquoi's attempt being frustrated and there being no more hope of getting the Pass over the River since that neither Longpré had been attacqued nor the Kings quarters assaulted the first day the Commanders of the Spanish Army according to whose opinion the Cardinal Archduke governed himself determined to retire the same way they came and make their retreat before the victual which they had brought with them being spent the Army should begin to suffer for as for the Country it was so wasted that for fifteen Leagues round about there was nothing to be found that could be useful either to horse or man The sign of their departure appeared the next morning by their Baggage and the Free-booters that covered all the way towards Dourlans whereupon the King desirous not to let the Enemy draw off without some trouble commanded two Squadrons of Horse flanked with two others of Carabines to fall upon them in the Reer but the Sun being many hours high when the Army departed they saw them retreat in such a marvellous order that their main proposition being chiefly to prosecute the siege of Amiens the King himself thought best and all the rest of the Commanders concurred with him not to attempt any thing The Spanish Army had faced about so that Alonso de Mendozza led the Vanguard if the first divisions that retire can be called a Vanguard and the flying Squadron now was left in the Reer-guard to make the retreat This being Pikes in the midst with two great wings of Muskettiers on each side make a crooked form and an appearance something like a Half-Moon so that whosoever advanced to charge it fell first into a thick storm of Musket-Bullets after which they found a firm Battalion before them which fiercely shaking their Pikes made a terrible shew of a valiant opposition and if any Body of Horse made as if they would assail the Wings of the Squadron presently Melzi's and Landriano's Squadrons advanced which with two Bodies of Lances flanked with Carabines withstood the shock till the Muskettiers charging and setting themselves in order came furiously up to give fire again In this order the Pike-men with their Pikes upon the left shoulder retired step by step and facing instantly about at every little touch of the Drum retreated so quietly and with so slow a pace that in two long hours they were drawn off little more than half a mile in which space the Kings Light-horse ceased not to make many attempts and to give many charges but still with great loss for they were too fiercely answered by the ranks of the flying Squadron and at last Monsieur de Montigny having obtained leave to skirmish in many several places the Spanish Squadron made a halt pouring out such an abundance of small-shot that the Light-horse were forced to wheel about and being at the same time furiously charged by the Carabines who came out of each flank they were driven back even to the Kings Squadrons which advancing gently more for reputation than any thing else followed on the way the Enemy retired Above forty of the Light-horse were slain and many more wounded among which the Sieur de Coqueinvillier received a Musket-shot in the left Arm. But after this last charge of the Light-horse the Kings Squadrons made a stand a while and the Spaniards continued retiring a great deal faster and after they were gotten off as far as Cannon-shot shouldering their Pikes and Muskets they marched on their way without troubling themselves any further But being come to the water which of necessity they were to pass the King advanced with all his Cavalry to see if that impediment would give him any opportunity to disorder the Enemy but the flying Squadron instantly facing about made a stand in the midst of the way till the rest of the Army was past over and then observing the same order past thorow the water up to their knees without disordering their ranks at all or making the least discernable stop which marvellous form of retreating while so great and so numerous Squadrons of the Enemies Horse covered the field on all sides drew from the Kings own mouth That no other Souldiers in the World could do so much and that if he had had that Infantry joined with his Cavalry he would dare to undertake a War against all the World When they were past the water the French forbore to follow any further for the King would needs send back part of his Horse to defend the Camp and towards the evening he with the Duke of Nevers and Montpensier and with the Mareschal de Byron followed the retreat of the Spaniards The Archduke lay that night in the Abbey of Betricourt again and the next day passing near Dourlans marched strait to Arras with a design since he had not been able to relieve the besieged to apply himself to the affairs of Flanders The King being returned to the Camp sent an Herald to tell the Marquiss of Montenegro that having seen the issue of the relief he expected it was time now to think of yielding and that because he dâ—sired not the destruction of so many gallant Souldiers he would grant him honourable conditions The Marquiss who in a note brought him by a Boy had already had leave from the Archduke to capitulate would yet hear the opinions of the Commanders who having unanimously concluded that by reason of the contagious mortality of their want of Match of the small number of men to which they were reduced and because the Enemies were now Masters of the Rampart there was no thought of holding out answered the King That he desired Safe-conduct
meet armed with as many Horse as they could get the 27 day of September and assigned Rosay a Town in the Province of Brye very near Monceaux where the Court remained for their general Rendezvous Many have reported and some who in several occasions were taken in Gascony by Monsieur de Monluâ— and put to their trial confessed upon the torture that the chief scope of this enterprize was to murther the King and the Queen with all her other Children that the Crown might come to the Prince of Conde but so great a cruelty was not generally believed of all men Now whilst the Hugonots made their preparations in divers places and whilst their Confederates and Dependents assembled themselves together the enterprize was carried with marvellous secrecy but when they began to move from several parts to the place appointed the Queen though late and when it was even ready to be put in execution had advertisement thereof who never imagining that the Hugonots could so soon or with such secrecy unite themselves or make any insurrection that she should not have notice of it long before and thinking her self secure through the strength of her Swisses who lay so near was at this time surprized with danger when she least dreamt of any molestation having perhaps too much relied upon those dissimulations and arts which she used to appease the restless minds of the Hugonots yet not being at all daunted with the greatness of the danger believing her preservation depended wholly upon quickness as soon as ever she received the news she presently with her Son and some few near about them took Horse and leaving all their carriage and train behind went in great diligence to Meaux which was the nearest Town not having time to save themselves in any place that was stronger or better defended There they sent one Messenger after another for the Swisses who quartered in the same Province but a few Leagues off and the Mareshal de Momorancy was dispatched away to the Hugonots to demand of them in the KINGS Name the cause of their taking Arms. Momorancy as is said before in his heart favoured the Princes and the Admirals Factions but his natural averseness to action the respect he bore his Father his modesty of mind and the little satisfaction he received from the Prince of Conde made him nevertheless hold with the Catholick party and therefore he was thought a fit person to serve the Queens design which was to amuse the Hugonots Forces till the Swisses were come to Court And it fell out according to their desire for meeting the Prince and the Admiral upon the way whilst he informed himself of their reasons for this commotion whilst he disputed with them the unjustice of the open violence they intended to the Kings person and whilst they were consulting and debating with contrariety of opinions amongst themselves what answer the should return to the Queen the Swisses not losing any minute of the time but beginning presently to march with wonderful speed as if it had been to run a race arrived where the King was and the Hugonots lost the opportunity of effecting so great a design But the Swisses being already come and knowing the Hugonots would be there also within a few hours after the Kings Council entred into a debate whether it were better to stay in the Town and abide a Siege or else endeavour to make a retreat to Paris which was ten leagues off and hazard fighting with the Enemy upon the way The Constable believing for certain the Hugonots would set upon them in their march and thinking it very dangerous having no considerable company of Horse to fight in such an open champion Country perswaded all he could that it was not fit to expose the persons of the King and Queen to such an evident certain hazard The Duke of Nemours on the other side thought it not only dishonourable but much more dangerous likewise to expect a Siege in a little Town that had no Defence but an old broken Wall without any provision or method of War between which opinions they remained long in suspence and the Constables advice had at length prevailed if Colonel Fifer having desired to be admitted to the Kings presence whilst he was in Council had not with great effectual speeches humbly requested his Majesty not to suffer himself to be besieged in such a poor place by a company of insolent rebellious Subjects but that he would be pleased to commit himself and the Queen his Mother to the fidelity and courage of the Swisses who being six thousand strong would with the heads of their Pikes make a way for him through any Army whatsoever of his Enemies To this speech the Swisse Captains who staid at the Council-Chamber-Door adding their earnesâ— desires the Queen standing up and with gracious speeches commending their fidelity and vertue gave order they should refresh themselves those few hours of the night that remained for in the morning she would freely commit to the protection of their valour the Majesty and welfare of the Crown of France At which resolution the Air redounding with the shouts of all those of that Nation they went to prepare themselves for the next day and the Lords of the Court were very diligent to put the Archers of the Kings Guard and their own servants in order Presently after midnight the Swisses with great chearfulness beating up their Drums went a mile out of the Town to put themselves in order and the King with the Court taking the shortest way just at day break was ready upon the place where the the Swisses having received him and the Queen with the Ambassadors of Foreign Princes and all the Ladies of the Court into the midst of their Battalion began to march with such a fierceness and bravery that in many years France had not seen so remarkable a spectacle They had not marched thus above two miles the Duke of Nemours with the Horse of the Kings Guard going before and the Constable with the Gentlemen of the Court following after the Battalion when they saw some Troops appear of the Hugonots Horse which advanced a good pace to charge them The Swisses closed their ranks and charging their Pikes shewed such an undaunted courage to receive the assault of the Enemy that the Prince of Conde and the Admiral being come up to the Rear with a party of six hundred Horse making caracols and wheeling about the field durst not charge their Battalion who standing in a very close order and fiercely shaking their Pikes shewed little fear of the fury of their Horse But the Count de la Roche-fou-cault with a Troop of three hundred Horse and Andelot with another of two hundred being joined with them they returned furiously to charge them again in the Rear At the same instant the Swisses with admirable nimbleness faced about to fight and the King with great ardour spurred on his Horse to the front of the Battail being
followed by the chief Lords of the Court but for the most part without any weapons but their Swords none of them finding in such haste Arms either defensive or offensive fit for such an occasion The Hugonots made some shot as if they meant to fall in upon them in good earnest but seeing the frank resolution of the Swisses they wheeled off and caracolled again and began to keep at a distance Thus sometimes advancing sometimes making a stand to receive the charge of the enemy who followed them in the Rear seven Leagues together they kept on their way with an admirable constancy till the Hugonot Captains being wearied and seeing they could do no good partly through the daring courage of the Swisses partly because their Forces arrived not soon enough at the place appointed left off pursuing them and perceiving the night draw on retired to lodge in the adjacent Villages which when the Catholick Lords knew not to expose themselves the next day to a greater hazard they resolved leaving the Constable and the Duke of Nemours with the Swisses that the King and Queen should go on towards Paris which they did with more than an ordinary pace not without some fear and very much danger for if the enemy had been advertised thereof and sent but two hundred Horse before to lie in their way they might very easily have taken them All that were present were exceedingly moved to see the Queen with all her Sons so invironed by their Enemies that in an instant all the Royal Family might have been lost and it was a great chance it fell out otherwise nor less good fortune that the Swisses had such an address for without them it had been impossible to escape the hands of the Enemy The King being come to Paris was received with great joy of the people even shedding tears through tenderness and the Duke of Aumale who was there before went with three hundred Horse that he had gotten together to meet the Swisses who arrived not till after midnight in the Suburbs The next morning they entered the City with the same order and bravery being received by the King himself at St. Martins Gate who having highly commended their valour and made them a donative of a pay the reward of Conquerours they were sent back to the Suburbs where Quarters were provided for them The Cardinal of Lorain of whom the Hugonots had a principal design to rid themselves at the same time the King and Queen marched away went with a samll train out of the great road through by-ways towards his Archbishoprick of Rheims in Champagne and falling unawares into certain Hugonot-Troops which were gathering together in those parts leaving his coaches and losing his baggage with much difficulty saved himself by flight But the Prince and the Admiral though they saw the miserable ill success of their design which wholly depended upon expedition and prevention yet they resolved they would besiege Paris being of opinion that a City so replenished with people and not at all furnished with victuals would in few days be brought to such extremity that it must be delivered up to them of necessity for there was not any Army ready that was not any Army ready that was able to succour or relieve it To this end they began to possess themselves of all the passages of the Rivers by which provisions are conveyed to Paris fortifying and placing Guards in all the little Towns about the City which being but weak and unprovided of any defence in this sudden commotion were with little delay and less pains reduced into their power so that being Masters of Montereau Lagny S. Denis the Bridge of S. Cloud Dammartine and all the places thereabout the fifth of October they made incursions even to the walls of Paris and burnt the windmils without the Ramparts between S. Honore's gate and the port de Temple with great terrour to the Parisians and extream offence to the King who in the heat of passion could not forbear with threats and rough language to express an anger full of revenge In the mean while the Queen upon whose prudence and care the whole welfare of the State depended imployed all her industry to get an Army soon enough together to raise the enemy from the Siege To which purpose besides the general order given all over the Kingdom that the Catholicks should take arms the Colonels Brissac and Strozzi were sent for in all diligence with the old French Infantry the Sieurs de Sansac Savigny Tavanes and Martigues with the Gens d' Arms the Duke of Guise from his Government of Champagne the grand Prior from that of Auvergne the Mareshal d' Anville with the Forces of his Family and particular Orders and Letters directed to all the Catholick Lords and Gentlemen of the Kingdom to hasten them away who at the first report of the Kings danger instantly ran together wherefore though the occasion were pressing and urgent yet it was hoped all these aids would arrive before the City were reduced to an extream necessity which by the help of the Swisses and readiness of the Parisians was able to hold out many days But the thing that troubled the Queen was the great scarcity of money wherefore having called together the Catholick Princes Ambassadors that were resident at Court she very effectually recommended to them the present occasions of the State and desired every one of them to procure some convenient aid from their Masters nor content with this dispatched away Annibal Ruccelai post into Italy to get what considerable Sum he could of the Pope and the great Duke with Giovanni Corraro the Venetian Ambassador she treated in private with great shew of confidence to dispose the Senate to lend 100000 Ducats To the Duke of Ferrara she writ very earnestly that he would give her leave to make use of 100000 Francks and more that remained in France to satisfie certain debts and into Spain sent Monsieur de Malassise to the same purpose But foreseeing the slowness of these Supplies in respect of the urgency of the present occasions the King calling together the chief Citizens of Paris obtained of them 400000 Francks and it fell out very opportunely that the Prelates being assembled at the same time in Paris to consult of the affairs of the Clergy agreed among themselves to make the King a present of 250000 Crowns towards the present maintenance of the War besides these provisions which were presently brought in the King being informed that certain Merchants sent 60000 Reals of Eight into Flanders and exceedingly offended that they would not furnish him with any part of it caused the money to be stopt which was an exceeding help in so pressing a necessity Nevertheless the Queen to protract the time till supplies of men and other necessary provisions arrived and to abate the fervour of the Enemy being constrained to have recourse to her wonted arts excellently dissembling those so fresh injuries and the late
same was done by the other side for the rest staying behind the Prince the Admiral the Cardinal of Chastillon Roche-fou-cault and Andelot came to meet them The Prince spake very modestly though he departed not at all from the conditions already proposed but the Cardinal of Chastillon told the Constable who perswaded him to relie upon the Kings word without seeking any further security for their Propriety and Lives that they could not trust to the King and much less to him who had broken his word and was an occasion of the present calamities by having counselled his Majesty to violate the Edict of Pacification Whereupon the Constable gave him the Lye and so they parted with ill language no hopes remaining of an agreement Wherefore the King having called together the Princes Knights of the Order Captains of the Gens d' Arms and Colonels of Foot in the presence of many of the Nobility and others made a Speech full of couragious resolute expressions in which he told them That there was nothing he desired more than the peace and quiet of his Subjects which had induced him to grant the Hugonots many things repugnant to his own inclinations and contrary to his nature but notwithstanding so many graces and priviledges some of them abusing his favours with divers scandalous imputations sought to raise a Rebellion in the Kingdom and were grown so bold in their wickedness that they durst conspire against him the Queen and his Brothers for which enormous Treason he might justly chastise and cut them off nevertheless nothing altering him from his first resolution on the contrary to the prejudice of his own Authority and to the diminution of the Royal Dignity he had sent some of the principal persons in the Kingdom to treat with them to whom they were not ashamed to make those Propositions which were already well known to every body therefore he had at length determined to have that by force which he could not obtain by their consents and that he was confident easily to effect his desires by the assistance of those Lords he saw there about him who having been ever faithful to the Kings his Predecessors he hoped would not abandon him now in so great a necessity and in so lawful and just a cause wherefore he desired them couragiously to imbrace the occasion of meriting both from their King and Country and not to consider those dangers to which he would first expose his own Person for the preservation of the Commonwealth The Constable answering for all said Intreaties were not necessary for every one there was ready to venture his life and fortune in his Majesties service and then turning about to the Nobility continued his Speech in this manner Gentlemen there is no such true real Nobility as that which is acquired by Vertue and you that are born Gentlemen not to degenerate from your Ancestors cannot better imploy your selves than in defence of our King against those who to make a King for their turns endeavour to extinguish this Race Be resolute then and as with one accord you inviron his Majesty in this place prepare your selves with your Courage and Vertue to encompass him in Arms and I who have the charge of the Militia though I am old promise to be the first to assail the Enemy Which Exhortations were followed by general Acclamations and consent of all that were present though for the most part it was believed the Constable and his more in words than in deeds favoured the Kings party and gave too willing an eaâ— to the discourses of the Hugonots who were no less hated by the Nobility than detested by the Parisians and not without reason The City began to feel the incommodities of a Siege and suffered extreamly through want of Victuals for the Admiral in a bravery at Noon-day in the face of the Kings Army possessed himself of the Bridge at Charenton a league distant from the Walls whereby the passage of the River being cut off all manner of provision began to be at an excessive rate but the greatest difficulty was how to nourish such a number of Horse as were then in the Town for which reason the Constable provoked by the cries of the people and impatient having a much greater Army than the Enemy that the City to the small reputation of the Kings Forces should be so straightned and incommodated issued out of Paris the ninth day of November and quartered his Van-guard at la Chappelle a place upon the high-way between the City and the Enemies Camp which resolution obliging the Hugonots to lie close together in a Body that they might not be surprized apart they quitted the Villages about so that the passages were again open and the ways free to carry all things that were necessary into Paris They sent likewise to call back Andelot who with eight hundred Horse and about two thousand Foot had passed the River to streighten the Siege on that side believing that the Constable as it was true being much superiour in force would advance and presently either shut them up in St. Denis or else force them with great disadvantage to fight The Prince of Conde with the Battel lodged close under the Walls of St. Denis keeping that Town for his security behind him the Admiral with the Van lay on the right hand at St. Ouyne a Village near the bank of the River which served him both for a fence against the Waters and the Enemy and Muy and Genlis with the Rear at Aubervilliers a Town on the left hand and because on one side of them was a great open champagne they made a ditch and raised an indifferent work to secure them from being assaulted in the Flank and placed a guard there of six hundred small shot But the Hugonots entring into debate what was best to be done being so much inferiour in number to the Kings Army in which were sixteen thousand Foot and more than three thousand Horse many were of opinion it would do well to retreat till the Supplies they expected from divers parts were arrived the Prince of Conde and the Admiral thought it impossible to retreat without receiving an absolute defeat for the Kings Army lying so near they could not possibly march away without being discovered and consequently followed and assaulted wherefore they judged it best as well to maintain their reputation which to the Heads of a popular Faction and especially at the beginning of a War is ever of great consequence as also that they might the better make a retreat to give them battel for the days being at the shortest it would quickly be dark and soon stay the fury of the fight in which they hoped their Horse which were very good would so damnifie the Kings Army that they would not be able to follow them that night by the benefit whereof they might retire and meeting Andelot with fresh supplies secure themselves from danger Whilst the Hugonots were in this consultation
the Confines of Poictou upon the River Vienne Great was the expectation every body had of the valour and generosity of this Prince who in the first flour of his age being adorned with most noble Endowments seemed as it were born on purpose to sustain the weight of the greatest Empires in Europe for to his excellent form of body was added such a perfect constitution that the delicateness of his complexion hindred him not from supporting all the inconveniences that belong to a Souldier and in his mind appeared such signs of courage magnanimity prudence and a generous Spirit that his Vertue was thought much beyond his years which ornaments being accompanied with a natural eloquence and the knowledge of such Letters as belong to a Prince gained him not only wonderful love but a singular reverence likewise both from the Army the Nobility and from the whole Nation And though his actions indeed gave some testimonies of a humane condition which is never altogether free from the marks of moral frailty yet his inclinations to pleasures were imputed to the tenderness of his youth and his profuse liberality to his domesticks and servants thought rather a magnanimity of mind not yet fully settled than any weakness or want of judgment In this great esteem was the Duke of Anjou with all men to which that his actions might correspond he desired without further delay to meet the Enemy in the Field and being streightned by the season of the year already inclining â—o Winter forthwith making a general Muster of his Army in which were 7000 Horse 6000 Swisses 2000 Italians and 12000 French Foot moved with all his Forces marching through the same fâ—uitful Country of Poictou towards the place where the Hugonots were At the same time the Prince of Conde being Master of all the Country about seeing such a powerful Enemy come against him was with twenty four thousand Foot and little less than four thousand Horse upon his march with a resolution to approach as near as he could to the Kings Army without abandoning the Towns belonging to his party and opportunely to imbrace the advantage of any occasion that the propitiousness of his fortune should present Both the Generals had the same design a thing rarely falling out that two Enemies should concur in the same opinion for the managing of the War for the Duke of Anjou who thought himself superiour not only in number but also in the courage of his Souldiers and discipline of War desired to come to a Battel hoping to suppress the Hugonots before their succours came out of Germany and the Prince of Conde likewise who commanding Voluntiers which for the most part served without pay knew the ardour and union of his Souldiers would not long continue thought it better to make use of them whilst their fervour lasted than by prolonging the War run into those inconveniences of which he had formerly had too much experience But the desire and determinations of the Generals was crossed by the contrariety of the season for it being then about the end of November the extraordinary cold great ice and snows hindered the progress both of the one and the other for the days being short and the nights exceeding cold they could not the ways being broken and covered with snow either easily fetch in provisions or march with their Army or advance with their Cannon wherefore they were forced by making short journies and lodging in convenient quarters to ease the grievous labour of the Souldiers for neither the men nor the Horses could by any means lie in Tents by reason of which incommodities both Armies advanced very slowly But at length all difficulties being overcome with a wonderful constancy on both sides they came so near together between Poictiers Chastel-rault and Lusignan that they were not above four French leagues a sunder which as is said before answer to eight English miles The Duke of Anjou with the gross of the Army quartered at Iaseneuil a Town upon the great Road which from Poictiers lead directly to the Enemy and part of the Cavalry with some few Foot for the more convenience lodged at Sanse a Village but a league distant from Iaseneuil The Prince of Conde on the other side marching with all his Forces towards the Catholicks was come to lodge at Colombiere two leagues out of Lusignan at which Town all his Army quartered very commodiously In the mid-way equally distant from both Camps was a Village called Pamprou upon which each General had a design with an intent to lodge his Van there that he might be the nearer to vex and trouble the Enemy It so happened that Martigues on the Catholick side and Andelot on the Hugonots advanced both at the same time with the first Troops of their Armies to possess it At their meeting there was a fierce bloody skirmish between them which was gallantly maintained many hours though with various success to both parties but whatsoever were the occasion the Catholicks began to yield and the Village at last remained in the power of the Hugonots who pursuing their Victory advanced to follow the light Horse which were upon their retreat In the mean while arrived the Duke of Montpensier on the Catholick side who bringing with him above six hundred Lances Andelot being much inferiour in strength retired to the descent of a Hill which was between him and the Village where extendâ—ng the Front of his Horse and placing in Foot in each wing the Enemy could neither take a view of his Flanks nor his Rear but seeing such a large body towards him thought their whole Army had been brought thither and so lost the opportunity to rout and defeat Andelot But the condition of things was soon changed for within a little while the Prince and the Admiral appeared with all their Forces insomuch that they were exceedingly too strong for the Catholicks who had nothing with them but their Van all the rest of the Army being left behind in their Quarters in Iaseneuil Montpensier and Martigues knowing the insufficiency of their strength and doubting if the Enemy perceived it they should be charged with disadvantage by little and little left off skirmishing and retreated to a great thick Wood which was behind them and there put their men in order drawing into as large a Front as they could and placing the Muskiteers among the trees to make the greater shew but the Hugonot Commanders seeing it grow late and believing through the same mistake that all the Catholick Army was drawn out as well as theirs thinking they had done enough to draw them from Pampron staid there to lodge under covert and had not any thought to assail the Enemy that night wherefore Montpensier and Martigues having caused the Swisses to beat their Drums till midnight to make the Hugonots believe all the Kings forces were there and particularly the Swisses of whom they had a great esteem and causing lighted matches to be hanged upon the hedges
in the opinion of discreet men that Giovanni Mocenigo the Venetian Ambassador shewed it was a great temerity to stay for another of the Dukes attempts in that weak place so poorly manned and perswaded the Council and the other Lords that were there to retire to Chartres where besides the greatness and commodiousness of the City they might stay with more decency and also be much more secure in regard of the strength of the place and quality of the Garrison that kept it The King approved of this determination which as all things are not remembred by all men he had not thought of before and being come to Compeigne began to make ready his Army that he might advance to receive his foreign Forces But because he had not yet had intelligence of their setting forward he resolved in the mean time that he might not spend it unprofitably to lay siege to Noyon a Town upon the Confines of Champagne and Picardy which because it was much better provided of Horse than Foot molested all the wayes round about and did incommodate those places that held for him in those parts The reason that perswaded him to ease himself of it did also render it less difficult to be taken being full of Horse whereby the siege became more easie and ill-provided of Foot and those other things that were requisit for the defence of it and particularly of Ammunition Wherefore having drawn all his Army together upon the Five and twentieth of Iuly he caused the Mareschal de Biron to take up his quarter within a mile oâ— the Fauxbourgs of the Town and the same day the Sieur de Rieux perceiving the Kings intention departed from Pierrefont with Threescore Horse and as many Foot mounted behind them each having a bag of Powder at his Saddle-bow and passing secretly thorough the Woods got into the City and gave great relief to the Defendants Noyon is seated between a Mountain and a Fenn having on the South-side the Fen caused by the overflows of the River Oyse in that place and on the North the Mountain steep and not very accessible behind it thick spacious Woods distend themselves for many miles and no other way lies open save onely before thorow a little Plain that comes to the Gate of St. Eloy and to the rich Abby situate near the Fauxbourg The Town was encompassed with old Walls and great Towers from place to place but both the Towers and the Curtine were well lined with Earth The Mareschal de Biron having viewed the situation encamped before the City at a little distance from the River with a thought to assault the Fauxbourg and Abby that were in the Plain and out of the Fen and by that means to make himself a way to the Moat which of a great breadth encompasseth the Town on that side Monsieur de Ville Governor of the Town on the other side knowing the weakness of the Garison and the want of many things had not ceased some few dayes before the siege nor did yet cease after the Army appeared to sollicite relief redoubling Letters and Messages both to the Viscount de Tavannes and the Duke of Aumale Governor of the Province who no less sollicitous than he dispatched first the Sieur de Griboval with an hundred Foot and about twenty Horse and then the Sieur de Tremblecourt with his Regiment though reduced to a small number of men to try if through the Woods they could get by stealth into the Town but both of themcharged by the Garrisons of Chauny Corby and Catelet were defeated by the way so that Griboval scarce entred with sixteen of his Foot and Tremblecourt could not come no not within many miles of Noyon The loss of these necessitated the Viscount de Tavannes to put himself in hazard by attempting to get in and therefore being departed from Roye upon the first of August in the evening with Five hundred Firelocks and Three hundred Horse to convoy them under favor of the night he drew near the Guards of the Army an hour before day with great hope to pass between Guard and Guard before the Camp should have put themselves in order to oppose them but the Sieur d' Arges who by order from Biron had been out the same night with a party of Sixty Light-horse scouring the wayes chanced suddenly to meet him and not losing courage though he had so few men with him but valiantly making ready their arms and beginning the skirmish with hot vollies of shot was the cause that all the other parties which were abroad made haste to the same place Wherefore they of the League seeing themselves discovered and not knowing well in the dark by what number of enemies they were so bravely charged as the errors of the night are commonly pernicious without blood they both routed themselves without opposition and in a very great fear took flight several ways only the Viscount de Tavannes whilst with his Sword in his hand he endeavoured to stop his Soldiers being wounded in the Arm and in the thigh was at last taken prisoner by the Sieur d' Arges himself The Duke of Aumale upon whose Government the affairs of that Province did depend was much troubled at the ill fortune of his Officers and resolved to attempt the relief himself being most certain that if Foot and Ammunition were not put into the Town it must of necessity be lost within a few dayes wherefore marching from Han upon the seventh of August in the evening with Six hundred Horse and Nine hundred Foot to the end that his men might be ready and not lose courage in the dark as the others had done he determined to beat up one of the King's Quarters by break a day and whilst they sounded the Alarm there and were fighting endeavour to put in relief openly by day rather than put himself in danger of being disordered by night With this intention coming up to the Plain along the great high-way which leads directly to the gate he suddenly fell upon one of the quarters of the King's Light-horse that lay without the Trenches under cover of some scattered houses upon the same way The assault was fierce and the defence no less with which the same Sieur d' Arges a young Gentleman of high courage and his other companions sustained it But the Duke of Aumale still redoubling his fury with fresh Horse and Colonel Beranglise being come up with the Foot that followed the Light-horse though they fought valiantly would have lost their quarter and left the way free to the relief if Biron had not come in to help them with Three hundred Cuirassiers and Two hundred Reiters at whose arrival the Duke being furiously charged in the flank and even the Light-horse recovering vigour who before gave back the enemies advance was stopped until such time as new supplies coming up one after another and the Infantry of the Camp already all in Arms being fallen into their ranks
Regiment should move from Noyon with abundance of Victual and Ammunition to put it into Laon for the relief of the place but the Duke of Longueville who scoured the ways on that side having notice of it laid an ambush for them not far from the Town which though it was discovered by the Scouts that went before yet the Convoy being either affrighted at that unexpected encounter or thinking all the Kings Cavalry was there took a resolution to retire which not being able to do without time and much confusion by reason of their carriages the Sieur d' Escluseaux who was in the last Ranks as soon as his men were routed remained prisoner the Powder was divided among the Souldiers and the carriages of victual burnt but Nicolo Basti got back safe to Noyon The greatest difficulty of the Spanish Camp was want of victual without which they could not lie long in that place where while they staid they did so incommode the King that he could not prosecute the besieging of the Town wherefore the Duke of Mayenne had caused great store of provisions to be made at la Fere having determined to have them brought to the Camp the straight way which was in a manner behind them for this purpose Six hundred Spanish Foot a thousand Italians and an hundred Light-horse were gone thither the Commanders thinking that guard sufficient because they believed not the King would dare to pass by their Camp and leave it behind him to go to a place so far off and so dangerous to fall upon them but the thing proved otherwise for the Mareschal de Byron taking with him the Sieur de Montigny eight hundred Switzers and as many French Foot of the Regiments of Navarre and St. Ange two Companies of English the Baron de Giury with the Light-horse and four hundred Horse of the Count de Torignyes and the Sieur de la Curées departed by night from the Camp before Laon and being come with wonderful silence within a League of la Fere caused the Horse to lie hid in two little Woods which were on each side the way and he with his Foot hid himself in the Fields which being full of Corn almost ripe gave them conveniency to lie unseen The Spanish Camp was not above two Leagues from that place and people going continually from thence to la Fere they were often like to have discovered the ambush if the Mareschal very patient beyond his own nature had not with marvellous silence withheld his men who many hours being already passed began to be hungry and were with much ado kept in by him yet they persevered so long that towards evening certain Carriages began to appear having intended to have gone under favour of the night Much more difficult was it then to withhold the English from falling upon the enemy before the time but in the end part of the Carriages being past they rose up furiously and assaulted the Guards on all sides The Van which was of Italian foot made resistance valiantly and the same did the Battel which was of Spaniards but the Rear finding themselves nearer la Fere faced about precipitately to retire but with so ill fortune that falling among the Horse which was already come out of the Wood it was in a moment cut in pieces The defeat of them was a wonderful disadvantage to the rest of their companions who drawn into a Body bravely withstood the fury of the Kings Infantry for being left unguarded in the Rear they were assaulted also on that side by the Harquebusiers on Horse-back and yet facing every way and sheltring themselves with their Carriages they made it good a great while and that with no small loss to those of the King's party among which Colonel St. Ange and Monsieur Faveroles Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment of Navar were wounded and still marching on fought valiantly with their Pikes and Swords being partly defended and covered by their Carriages till the Mareschal de Biron fearing least the noise of it being heard the whole Spanish Army should fall upon their backs and therefore making haste to put the business to an end caused the Gentry to alight and advancing at the head of the Switzers charged with so great violence that the less number not being able longer to resist the greater the Italians and Spaniards stoutly defending themselves were all slain upon the place The Horse that fled were pursued by the Baron de Giuri even to the Gates of la Fere and of all those that were about the Carriages very few were taken prisoners On the Kings side were killed above Two hundred and few less wounded among which in the last brush the Sieur de Canisy Son-in-law to the Mareschal de Matignon and the Sieur de la Curee In this place also Henrico Davila who was one of those that alighted from their horses with the Count de Torigni put his Ankle out of joynt with getting over one of the Carriages and was in very great danger of being lamed for his whole life The Mareschal de Biron considering that by reason of the enemies nearness he might be assaulted every moment set fire on the Carriages to the number of Four hundred and having spoiled some and bringing away others of the Teams that drew them retired with infinite celerity the same night But the Spanish Army failing of this hope the Commanders were no longer able to subsist and therefore determined to take some resolution before they were further straightned by the necessity of hunger but they disagreed among themselves about the manner of their retreat for Count Mansfelt for the greater security would have raised the Camp by night and the Duke of Mayenne fearing both confusion and dishonor would needs have the retreat made by day And because Mansfelt persevered in his opinion he was content that the Vanguard led by the Sieur de la Motte and the Battel commanded by the Count himself should march away with the greater Artillery before it was light and he with the Rere undertook to make the retreat by day In this occasion both the discipline and valour of the Duke of Mayenne qualities for the most part obscured by ill fortune in his military enterprises appeared clearly for being to retire four Leagues through an open Country in sight of the Enemy who had so much a greater number of gallant horse he did it with so great order and resolution that he received no damage at all in his retreat He placed eight Corps de Garde part Italians and part Spaniards commanded by Ceecho de Sangro and Don Alonzo Mendozza and behind these he put the flying Squadron in the Rere of which he himself with his Pike in his hand and with him the Prince of Avellino the Marquiss of Trevico Agostino Messia Don Antonio de Toledo Don Iuan de Bracamonte and above 100 Reformadoes and a little before la Berlotte retired with his Tertia of Walloons who had six Field-pieces
with them ready to be turned against the Enemy As soon as it was broad day light the Walloons began to march and after them the flying Squadron at which time the King who had notice of it from Parabere being encouraged by the Mareschal de Biron who affirmed he had left so many broken Carriages and so many dead bodies upon the way that the Enemies would find it extreme difficult to make their retreat advanced with his Cavalry to fall upon them in the Rere but the eight Corps de Garde who were the last that moved retired with admirable expertness for as soon as the Wings of Musketiers had given fire they fell off into the Rere of the Pikes without facing about but fronting still towards the Enemy and in the mean time the shot played that were among the Files who had no sooner ended their volleys but the hinder Wings were come to be the Front and while they gave fire the Squadron retired without turning their backs after which the second following and after the second the third and so the rest one after the other drew off all by little and little to the Rere of the flying Squadron which when the Baron de Giury was come up unto with the Count de Soissons and the rest that were at the Head of the Kings Cavalry they fiercely charging their Pikes and powring forth a terrible thick hail of Musket-shot repulsed them in such manner that they wheeled about not daring to charge in amongst them which having been done several times the retreat went on with particular honor to the Duke of Mayenne who very tall of stature and compleatly armed stirred up the courage of all by his words and example and also with his own hand over-turned the Sieur de Persy upon the ground who with a Troop of Light-horse had the boldness to charge his Squadron But being come already tired with service and with heat unto a narrower way la Berlotte presented his Artillery placed on each hand upon the banks of ditches in such manner that the Kings Horse were constrained to make an halt letting the whole Camp march off safe unto la Fere Nor did the obstacles alledged by the Mareschal de Biron prove any hinderance for the retreat proceeding slowly and warily without hurry or confusion the Pioneers had time to free and clear the way But the enemies Army being gone the King returned unto the Siege and began to batter the Town and while the Artillery played upon it from every redoubt they made a mine to blow up the Ramparts and make a breach with more speed and Security but the besieged not being willing to lose themselves without making due resistance sallied out at the Skyt-gates upon the first of Iuly and fell into the Mareschal de Biron's and the Sieur de Montmartin's Trenches with so much violence that making themselves masters of the Redoubts they made a very great slaughter there Eleven Captains and above Two hundred Soldiers being left dead upon the place But the Mareschal de Biron coming happily at the noise and the soldiers running armed from all parts into the Trenches the enemy was at last beaten in again who taking another course made a furious counter-battery from whence they dismounted and spoiled many pieces of Cannon and yet all things being repaired with marvellous diligence there was already a great part of the Wall beaten down after which the Rampart appearing high it was necessary to stay till the mines and works under ground were brought to perfection which while they were about the Baron de Guiry who with extreme diligence hastened the work was shot in the head with a Musket in the flower of his age and to the infinite grief of every one lost his life a Gentleman of great courage and exceeding worth but of so sweet behaviour and so pleasing a wit improved with additions of Learning that forcing a general affection he was praised and beloved by his very enemies The mines which had been many dayes in hand being perfected had very different effects for the Sieur de S. Luc's proved fruitless because the water got into it the Count de Grammont's had vent given it by the besieged the Sieur de Montmartin's threw down the Wall but did no hurt at all to the Rampart only the Mareschal de Biron's and the Baron de Salignac's wrought very great effects and yet being assaulted one by Colonel Grillon and the other by the Count de Torigny they were valiantly made good by the defendents who having at the same time sprung a Fougade and blew up many of those who inconsiderately were advanced upon the Rampart the next day the assaults were redoubled several times the Duke de Bouillon and the Mareschal de Biron having the care of them in which though the assailants could not lodge themselves upon the Rampart yet the besieged lost so many men that without relief it was not possible for them to hold out longer wherefore they began to parley and upon the 22th of Iuly Capitulated to surrender if within twelve dayes the Duke of Mayenne did not either raise the Siege or put at least six hundred Foot into the Town but in such manner that the besieged might not assist the relief any way except onely in opening the Gate to it when it came nor might receive less than Three hundred Foot at a time Which Articles being made known unto the Duke the King sent the Duke of Montpensier the Admiral Villars and the Sieur de Balagny who had newly submitted himself to his obedience to possess the wayes as far as la Fere and hinder the passage of relief which not being come within the time prescribed the Count de Sommerive Colonel de Bourg President Ieannin and the whole Garrison marching out with their Armes and Baggage were convoyed as far as la Fere the King honouring the Duke of Mayennes young Son with great demonstrations of courtesie The besieged of Laon had hoped the Duke of Guise would bring them some relief by the way of Champagne and the King had suspected the same but the affairs of that Province were so distracted that it was not possible for him to think of stirring at that time for there were not onely practices on foot in every Town but with every Governor in favour of the King and not onely the people were inclined to acknowledge him as had been clearly seen in the Commotion at Troyes but more pernicious thoughts reigned even among those of the very party Monsieur de St. Paul a man of mean parentage had by all the degrees of War raised himself to the Office of Colonel in the time while the Duke of Guise's Father was living and had served him with so much valour and fidelity that he deserved not onely to hold one of the first places in his favour and also to be advanced to higher charges of Command but being favoured by his protection had by the marriage of a
Curassiers and Six hundred Harquebusiers on hors-back and gave order that all should march toward Luz he being to break his fast that morning at the house of the Baron of that Town and to stay there for some intelligence of the Enemies moving Luz stands upon the confines of Bourgongne and of the Franche Comte four Leagues from Gray and as much from Dijon so that he was in the way between the City and the Spanish Camp between which and Gray there was nothing but the current of the River As soon as the King was come to the place appointed and not meeting that intelligence he expected to know what the enemy did he sent forth the Baron d' Ossonville with Sixty Light-horse to discover and to bring him back the certainty of all things and he resting his men and refreshing his horses at leasure gave order that at three of the clock in the afternoon all should meet at Fountain-Francoise a village upon the edge of his confines there to dispose of themselves according to the information he should receive It was not yet noon when he and the Mareschal de Biron with Three hundred horse went that way to be upon the Rendevouz first of all to order and dispose the Forces as they came one after the other but when he was two miles from Fontain-Francoisé he saw three Horsemen come full gallop towards him who brought word that the Baron d' Ossonville being charg'd with Three hundred Horse of the League was forced to retire not having been able to discover any thing and that he desired relief that he might be able to withstand the greater Forces of the enemy The King not knowing what to believe whether the 300 Horse were the enemies Vanguard or else but some party that was scouring the Campagne sent forth the Mareschal de Biron and the Baron de Luz and the Marquiss de Mirabeau followed by 60 horse to succor Ossonville and to know matters more certainly who advancing at a large trot out of hasâ—e to recover Ossonville as soon as he was out of Fontain-Francoise discovered a Troop of 60 light-horse which were upon the steep of the hill just upon the way that led to S. Seine a village that stood upon the great Road which led straight to the River Saone wherefore he resolved without doubting to charge them and to advance to the top of the hill from whence he thought he might discover all the Countrey nor was it hard for him to obtain his intent for the light-horse received the charge without opposition and left them the hill free which as soon as he was gotten upon he discovered the whole Spanish Army at a distance which marching in its ranks was coming to quarter at S. Seine standing in a Plain which on the right side is bounded with a hill and on the other is covered with a Wood wherefore being desirous to carry back certain news of the quality and order of the enemy he resolved to advance that he might have means distinctly to observe the march and order of that Camp but he was no sooner descended into the Plain when he saw the enemies Three hundred Horse who having routed and pursued Ossonville came resolutely towards him The Mareschal knowing himself inferior in strength thought to retire without doing any more giving the Baron de Luz order to make a stand in the Reer with twenty of his men and endeavor to detain the enemies if they should come up to molest him which the Baron courageously performing their fury came upon his back with so much violence that being overthrown with his horse and four of his men slain who gallantly faced about the rest were constrained to gallop away Wherefore the Mareschal being likewise forced to face about towards the enemy fell in furiously to dis-ingage the Baron who having freed himself from his horse and much more difficulty from the enemy had got over a ditch and came towards him with his Sword and Pistol in his hand The encounter was very sharp and furious in the beginning but the Mareschal who fought without a head-piece being wounded with a â—lash in the head almost at the very first and some of his men being slain and trampled under foot by the fury of the enemy he began by reason of the inequality of the Forces to be in extream danger of being defeated yet was he not at all dismaid nor did he slacken the ardor wherewith he fought being accompanied by the Baron d'Ossonville who again was joyned with him and the Baron de Luz who was fortunately gotten again on horse-back till at the same time there appeared out of the Village and out of the Wood eight Squadrons of the enemies horse which separating themselves from the Army came a round pace towards him wherefore having something repressed the first violence of them who charged him first he turned his bridle and rallying his men began to retire galloping to get to Fontaine-Francoise where he believed the King to be already come with all the rest of his Forces But the hour assigned for the Rendezvous was not yet come wherefore the King though he had with him onely Two hundred horse of the Nobility and sixty Harquebusiers on horseback that were come up before the rest and though he had no other Arms on but his back and brest yet was he necessitated to advance and receive the Mareschal de Biron who was hotly pursued at the heels by a much greater number of the enemies The first Troops of the League were led by Louis d' Hudan Sieur de Villers and Captain Giovan Battista Sansoni a Milanese the first one of the Duke of Mayenne's field Mareschals the second Lieutenant of the Constables Light-horse the other French Troops were commanded by the Sieur de Tenissay and the Baron de Tianges and the Italian and Bourguingnon Light-horse by Don Roderigo Bellino and the Marquiss de Varambone An hundred Carabines marched first to begin the charge and after the other Squadrons followed the Duke of Mayenne with a body of Gens d' Armes The King was put upon a necessity of fighting with all this fury of the enemies and his Forces being not yet come up he closed upon the right hand with the Dukes de la Tremouille and d' Elboeuf the Baron de Termes and the Sieur de la Curee and upon his left hand the Mareschal de Biron though weary and wounded with the Baron of Ossonville and Lux and with the Marquiss de Mirabeau Monsieur de Villers with his Squadron charged that part where the Mareschal de Biron was and Giovan Battista Sansoni fell upon the other where the King himself was but with different fortune though they fought with equal courage on both sides for Monsieur de Villers at last beat back the Troops of Ossonville and Lux and forced the Mareschal to retire as far as Fountaine-Francoise but on the other side where the King was new Troops of
Gentry and Cavalry coming up straglingly every minute who having heard the danger he was in advanced with all possible speed to assist him Sansoni was killed with five wounds and his horse being routed and dispersed were driven back even to the last Squadron of the enemy Nor could the Sieur de Villers prosecute the victory on his side for having received a shot in his arm he was likewise constrained to retire For all thâ—s the King's danger lessened not for the Baron de Tianges and the Sieur de Tenissay advanced with fresh and numerous Squadrons to charge and the same did the Marquiss Varambone and Roderico Bellino in that place where the Mareschal de Biron fought so that being very much inferiour in number their men wearied and their horses haggled out and tired they were almost in a certain danger of being overcome yet the King with his voice even hoarse and with the example of his own valour encouraging every one and the Mareschal de Biron all bloody and covered with sweat and dust charging desperately among the first they prevailed so far that each fighting beyond his own power and above his own strength they gave time to the rest who were upon the way to come up amongst which the first were the Count of Auvergne Monsieur de Vitry and after them the Count de Chiverny the Chevalier d'Oyse and the Monsieur d' Inteville At the arrival of these after whom the whole Army was believed to follow the Duke of Mayenne caused the Troops to withdraw from the fight and the King seeing it was no time to think of any other safety than what courage afforded followed them with a gallant skirmish to the Plain and Wood of S. Seine where they met the Spanish and German Infantry which advancing valiantly in two divisions came to give their charge when they appeared the King drew back his bridle and the D of Mayenne having rallied all his Horse into one great body made shew as if he would charge him but the King's Troops were already arrived whereupon the number of the Cavalry was not much different and the Constable of Castile riding up to the head of the Army commanded his men to make an halt being resolved not to hazard all his Forces and all the Franche Compte to the danger of a Battel wherefore it being already late the King began to retire with a gentle pace toward Fontaine-Francoise and the Enemy though at first to conserve their reputation they made shew that they would follow him retired also without doing any thing else The Spaniards lay that night at S. Seine the King's Forces at Fountaine-Francoise and his own person at Lux having that day run one of the greatest dangers that befell him in all the revolutions of the past Wars in which he ought to acknowledge his safety no less to his own valour than the courage of those were with him among which after Biron the principal praises were given to Marquiss de Mirabeau the Count de Grammont and the Sieur de la Curee In this encounter which fame published to be much greater than the truth there were kill'd about forty on the Spaniards side and of the King 's above sixty the wounded were many more nor fewer were the number of those that were taken prisoners on both sides each party laboured to draw the fame of the victory and the honor of that day unto it self the â—panish Commanders because the number of the slain and prisoners were greater on the Kings side the French because they remained Masters of the field and likewise of the dead bodies and because they made the enemies retire to their very quarters But that which confirmed the victory on their side was the determination of the Constable who having heard from the Prisoners that the King himself was there and had been in the fight resolved though the Duke of Mayenne laboured much to the contrary not to pass any further and the next morning having caused his Army to repass the River went to lye in a place of advantage having Gray behind his Camp and the obstacle of the River before it The King advanced the next morning with all his Cavalry to see which way the Enemies would move and being come to the hill from whence he discovered the Plain and the Village of St. Seine he stood there a long time in Battalia not seeing the retreat of the Spaniards in respect of the Wood and of the opposite hill not would the King being without his Foot in a various Country full of advantageous places and not well known unto his men put himself into the danger of falling into some great Ambuscado but it being already past noon the Sieur de Tremblecourt and d' Ossonville with a few horse went up to the very entry of S. Seine where certain Peasants that were working in the Fields told them of the retreat of the Army whereof having speedily informed the King he advanced at a round trot to fall upon the Enemies Rere but he found that already they were all safely past the River and the boats taken away upon which they had made two Bridges wherefore having scowred and beaten the wayes along the banks of the River he returned that night to his quarters at Lux and the next morning went to Dijon to hasten the Siege of the two Castles The Duke of Mayenne on the other side not having been able to perswade the Constable to stay beyond the River began to intreat him to let him have some number of men wherewith he might go and defend his own in Bourgongne but neither was it possible for him to obtain that for the Constable who was come onely to defend the Franche Comte thought he had done enough in recovering Vezu and all the other Towns the French had gotten possession of and would no more put himself to the arbitrement of fortune so much the rather because his want of experience in Military matters made him very much to fear every small encounter and though he had a great Army about him he thought not himself secure from the celerity and courage of the King of France besides the continual Treaty the Duke of Mayenne held of making his peace with the King rendred him suspected to the Constable and to all the Spanish Ministers nor would they trust any thing of moment to his fidelity wherefore seeing himself destitute of all succor and that the Constable being grounded upon good reasons was not like to change his resolution he determined at last to close up the treaty of agreement and so much the rather because he was advertised by his Agents at Rome that the Pope manifestly inclined to the Kings absolution and therefore having sent the Sieur de Liguerac to Dijon he concluded upon these terms That he leaving the Spanish Camp should retire to Chalons upon the River Saone in the same Province of Bourgongne where without using Arms he should