Lothaire dyes detâ—sted of all men and Lewis his sonne for a finall conclusion of his race as an outcast of great Charlemagne LEWIS the 5. the 35. King and the last of this second race LEWES .5 KING OF FRANCE XXXV HE raigned one yeare onely and dyed without heire 964. without friends and without memorie The last King of the race of Charlemagne leauing his place voyde at time of need in troubles of State and confusion of times horribly corrupted He was likewise called idle hauing done nothing worthy of memory but in leauing the place to a better Prince and more worthy then himselfe whom God the protector of the Crowne of France had reserued for this estate in so great necessitie God the disposer of Kingdomes and states for as God had decreed that out of the house of Hugues the great should issue a great King which should repaire the errors of this bastard race of Charlemagne so likewise hee had prepared the meanes both for the father to lay the foundation and for his sonne Hugh Capet appointed for this dignity to finish this goodly building as it appeares in the following discourse THE THIRD RACE OF THE KINGS OF FRANCE Called Capets or Capeuingiens of the name of Hugh Capet Father to the Kings which raigne happily to this day I haue made the earth with a stretched out arme and dispose of the estates of men at my pleasure By me Kings doe raigne A particular Chronologie of the third Race Yeares of grace Kings From the yeare 988. vnto the yeare 1598. 988. 36. Hugues or Hugh Capet The first of that race who setled the Estate of the French Monarchie much shaken by the confusion of ciuill warres and the multiplicity of masters He reckons twentie and eight Kings issued from him successiuely from father to sonne or from branch to branch according to the order of the fundamentall Law of the State of France Hauing raigned nine yeares he leaues 996. 37. Robert his sonne alone of that name a peaceable King who raigns 32. yeares and to him succeeds 1028. 38. Henry the first of that name his sonne who raigns 33. yeares and to him 1061. 39. Philip the 1. his sonne who raigned 49. yeares and to him 1109. 40. Lewis the 6. called the grosse his sonne who raignes 29. yeares and to him 1137. 41. Lewis the 7. called the yong who raigned 44. yeares and to him succeeded 1181. 42. Phillip the 2. surnamed Augustus or giuen of God his sonne who raigned 44. yeares and to him succeeded his sonne 1223. 43. Lewis the 8. called the father of Saint Lewis who raigned 3. yeares and to him 1227. 44. Lewis the 9. called Saint Lewis a great and famous Prince he reigns 44 yeares and to him his sonne 1271. 45. Philip the 3. surnamed the hardie who raigned 15. yeares and to him his sonne 1286. 46. Philip the 4. called the faire who raigned 29. yeares and to him his sonne 1315. 47. Lewis the 10. surnamed Hutin hauing raigned 2. yeares hee leaues the Crowne to his brother 1317. 48. Philip the 5. called the long who raigned 6. yeares and leaues the scepter to his brother 1322. 49. Charles the 4. called the faire who raigned 6. yeares And by the law of State for want of sonnes or brother the Estates of France notwithstanding the pretentions of Edward King of England 1328. 50. the sonne of the onely daughter of Philip the faire placed in the royall throne 1350. 51. Philip of Valois the 5. sonne of Charles Earle of Valois and second sonne to Philip the 3. and by consequence the neerest kinsman to the three former Kings Heraignes 23. yeares and to him succeeds his sonne Iohn alone of that name   Vnder him began a confusion in the Realme the which continued neere a hundred yeares with much miserie that is from this Iohn vntill the warre of the common weale vnder Lewis the XI So wee reckon 5. very troublesome raignes vnder Iohn Charles 5. Charles 6.  Charles the 7. and Lewis the XI who setled and augmented the Estate of the realme being greatly decayed by the continuance of ciuil wars Iohn hauing raigned 14. yeares leaues the realme to 1364 52. Charles the 5. his sonne called the wise who raigned 18. yeares and to him succeeded 1382. 53. Charles the 6. his sonne who raigned with much paine 42. yeares and to him 1424. 54. Charles the 7. his sonne   Who expelled the English out of France and setled the Crowne seized on by the King of England who was Crowned and proclaimed King in Paris hauing raigned 39. yeares He leaues the royall scepter to 1463. 55. Lewis the XI his sonne   Who vnited Bourgongne and Prouence to the Crowne and thereby tooke away all occasions of trouble leauing the royall scepter to his sonne 1483. 56. Charles the 8. with peace   The which continued without any disturbance a boute a hundred yeares from the yeare 1462. vnto the yeare 1562. vnder the raigns of Lewis 12. Francis 1. and Henry 2. Charles the 8. hauing raigned 14. yeares dying without Children the realme was transported to 1498. 57. Lewis the 12. Duke of Orleans who raigned 18. yeares and for want of heires male remits the Crowne to 1515. 58. Francis the 1. of that name Duke of Angoulesme who raigned 32. yeares   An excellent Prince who after the long ignorance of obscure ages caused the knowledge of learning to flourish hauing beautified his vniuersity of Paris with excellent learned men in the tongues and sciences the which were dispersed ouer all Europe and to him succeeded his sonne 1547. 59. Henry the 2. of that name who raigned 12. yeares and to him succeeded 1559. 60. Francis the 2. his sonne who dying without Children there succeeded him his brother  61. Charles the 9. who dying without Children left the Crowne to  62. Henry the 3. his brother the last of the royall race of Valois who beeing slaine by a Iacobin and dying without Children there succeeded in the lawfull masculine line  63. Henry the 4. before King of Nauarre and the first King of the royall line of Bourbon who now raignes and long may he rule happily and holyly beloued obeyed and respected The Genealogy of King Henry the 4. now raigning according to the order of succession is at the ende of the royall branch of Valois HVGVES or Hugh Capet the 36. King and the first of the third race the which raignes at this daye vnder Henry the fourth HVGH CAPET KING OF FRANCE XXXVI THE royall throne of France remayning voide 987. by the death of Lewis the 5. did visibly call Charles Duke of Lorraine to the Crowne of whome we haue before made mention as the first Prince of the bloud royall to whome I say the fundamentall Lawe did adiudge the Crowne for want of heires males Charles Duke of Lorraine hâ—ire presumptiue reiected from the Crowne and. Hugh Capet chosen King of
authority and the Daulphins who was heire apparent to the Crowne of France the capitall Citty of the realme the aâ—pâ—â—bation of the best Cities most of the Prouinces and wâ—thout comparison gâ—eateâ— means of himselfe both for men and mony Thâ—s â—â—cond warre continued a veare it began in Iuly 1411. and ended the yeare afâ—eâ— 1412. in the same moneth far more variable and violent then the first and memoâ—â—ble in this that the vanquished was victor and the victor vanquished The same authoâ—itie which had supported the stronger was in the ende fauorable to the weaker â—uch as most pleased their masters humor receiued death of him for their reward Very necesâ—aâ—â— obsâ—â—uations to iudge of these Ciuill warres The Orlean faction went first to field They were about seuen or eight thousand horse The number of their foote is not specified 1411 Charles Duke of Orleans makes the body of his army in Gastinoâ—s the Duke of Bourbon in Bourbonois and the the Earle of Alenson in Vermandoâ—s Peronne Chauny Neele and Han yeeld vnto them Clermont which belonged to the Duke of Bourbon is fortified they seeke to surprise Reteil and Bapaumes but in vaine This was the first sally begun by them of Orleans But the Bourguignon takes an other course he prepares the Kings Edicts against them he imployes the peoples force within the Citties and armes in field and all availes him at the first He had a great army both of horse and foote the which doth presently march into Picardy where the Orleanois had begun and easily recouers what they had gotten Han standes resolute they beseege take spoile and sacke it The Flemings which were vassalls to the Duke of Bourgongne being laden with spoile craue leaue to returne home neyther could the Dukes promises nor threats retayne them but they leaue his army and depart This had almost ouerthrowne his affaiâ—es he abandons Mondidier the which was presently surprised by Peter of Quesnes Lord of Gannes of the Orlean faction and putting his army into garrisons doubting the euent of this warre he sends with all speede to Henry the 4. King of England crauing succors in this necessity The Bourâ—ignon crâ—ues aide of the King of England Henry makes his profit of these ciuill dissentions in France he presently sends twelue hundred men to the Bourguignon to supply the Flemings want vnder the commande of Thomas Earle of Arondel The Orleanois loose no time and for their neâ—rer approch to Paris they surprise Saint Denis and Saint Cloud places of importance and fortifie Corbeil for the passage of the riuer of purpose to famish this great Cittie which liues by dayly prouisions brought from diuers parts But hee findes one to countermine his practises vsing the same instrument he had imployed to hurt him The Orleanois keeping the field about Paris must needes be the cause of great calamities And all this was acted in the viewe of the King and Daulphin Iohn informes the King of his enemies insolencie who without appealing to his Maiestie presumed to spoile the heart of Francâ— as if they were strangers or enemies Charles apprehends this error but too easily Tâ—e King Daâ—â—pâ—iâ— incensed against the Duke of Orleans desiring nothing but rest but Lewis the Daulphin especially is incensed by these informations and his chollâ—r encreaseth daâ—ly against his Cousins of Orleans The Bourguignon saied that they played the Kings and could not conceale their intention which was to seize on the Crowne seeing they presumed to take armes against the King There are rigorous Edicts made against the Orleans faction as against rebelles and guilty of high treason All their goods honours and persons are confiscate which remayne in thâ—s army if within fiâ—teene dayes after publication of the Kings letters pattents they retire not themselues to their houses And to begin with thegreatest Charles of Albret Constable of France and Arnolde of Corby the Chanceâ—lor are dâ—spossessed of their dignities and the Earle of Saint Pol preferred to the first place and Dolâ—haing the Duke of Bouâ—gongnes aduocate to the last This stormâ— makes worke at Paris they seeke out all of the Orleans partie and presently cast theÌ„ into prison The Parisienâ— mutine against the Orlean faction Peter of Essars being restored to his place remembers the article made against him at Wincestre and aâ—mes the people against them Whosoâ—uer is found out by the Parisiens bâ—eing of the Orleans faction hee is brought with hazard of his lâ—fe to prison All is lawfull in this popular rage so it bee against the Armagnacs All these engins forced from diuets parts do strangely shake the Orlean partie Such as were restrayned within any Townes duâ—st not breath and many in the army slippe away daily fearing the rigour of these Edicts which were executed withall seueritie Chaâ—les Duke of Orleans hauing taken counsell of the Princes and Noblemen his associaâ—s what course to followe in this alteration before a greater in conueniency resolues to drawe the Bourguignon to battaile although he were fortified with these new forces from England So as hauing passed the riuer of Oyse vpon a bridge of boats all the passages being seized on by the Bourguignon in the Kings name he presents himselfe before the gates of Clermont in Beauuoisis 1412. where Iohn his capitall enemie remayned The Orleans aâ—my yet faire beautified with the presence of great personages the Duke of Bourbon the Eaâ—les of Alenson Clâ—rmont Albret Vertus Vienne Bouciquaut the Archbishop of Sens brother to that Montagu which was beheaded Craon Montbason Hangest with many Batons Knights and Squiers all resolute to ende this quarrell by battaile and to that ende hauing defied the Duke of Bourgongne they attend him betwixt Clermont and Cathenay But the Bourguignon leauing them there to spoile that goodly and fertill country of the Isle of France whereby they increased the hatred and curse of the people more incensed then euer against these Aâ—magnacs exclayming of him as of a coward that durst not fight he arriues at Paris to the peoples great content who attende him with all deuotion Hee presently takes Saint Cloud and Saint Denis from the Orlean partie to their great losse notwithstanding any diligence of Charles their head who proclaymed a victory before the combaâ—e Thus Paris is freed without any restrainte and all the Orleans partie brought verie lowe Neyther Charles noâ— his Associats talke any more of fighting with the Bourguignon they had worke inough to retyre themselues and to defend their Townes expecting a present seege Iohn of Bourgongne failes not to husband this good successe and â—o countenance his forces hee doth intangle the King and Daulphin in the pursuâ—e of his enemies halfe vanquâ—shed So his victorious army enters into Beausse turning head towards the Country of Orleans the inheritance of his chiefe enemie Esâ—ampes yeelds â—o the King The Duke of Bourbon is there taken prisoner and sent presently into Flanders Whilest that all things succeeded thus
to be reuenged vpon Charles the Daulphin and Charles to defend himselfe The exploites of the Daulphin and of Philip of Boâ—rgâ—ogue after this murther Philip was then in Flanders The Parisiens passionate partisans of the Bourguignon who had seene the Duke of Orleans murthered without mouing and they themselues had massacred the chiefe Officers of the Crowne and had shed the bloud of many good men for his pleasure and passion hauing repayed the bloud so treacherously slaine by him in the same coyne they nowe growe into a greater mutinie then if the King himselfe had beene slaine They send their deputies to Philip and promise not onely to bee faithfull but to assist him with all their meanes to reuenge the murther committed on the person of his father And at the same instant Montagu being escaped from the Turn-picke writes to all the Citties vnder the Bourguignons obedience of this accident the which he could report as an eye witnesse Charles on the other side writes to all the good Citties of the realme yeelding a reason of this murther and imputing the fault to the Bourguignons bad dealing who would haue slaine him at a parle exhorting the people not to mourne for the iust execution of a man borne for the ruine of France who had willingly thrust himselfe into this mischiefe offring all his meanes to settle the realme in peace according to the authoritie whereunto God had called him But in talking hee seekes countries Stephen of Vignoles called la Hire and Poton of Xaintrailles winne Crespy in Laonois and Caradoz of Quesne with Charles of Flauye take Roye places very important to trouble the Citties of Picardie where the Bourguignon was chiefely obeyed The strong Caâ—tell of Muin opposite to Crespye and Roye is surprised by the industry of his seruants keepes all Vermandois and Laonois in alarume This beginning caused Philip to seeke al speedie meanes to crosse Charles his proceedings being resolute to continue what he had begunne yet the Parisiens feared pressing Philip againe not to abandon the seruants of his house the which made him more prompt in the execution Philip being assured of his Flemings obtaines a suspension of armes from Henry the 5. King of England and a day and place appointed to treat a general peace betwixt the two realmes Then marching with his army through Picardie hee recouers Crespy Roye and Muin to the great content of his partisans and so he arriues at Troyes in Champagne the appointed place for this treatie Isabel Queene of France a cruell Medea and and vnnaturall mother continued her tragike choller against her Son who hauing defaced the common feeling of nature did soone forget the honor she had receiued to be married into the house of France Being thus wedded to the Bourguignons passions Queene Isabel hates the Daulphin hir sonne deadly she tormented her poore husbands spirâ—ts being exceeding weake perswading him that his best course was to disinherit this wicked son to declare his daughter heire and in marrying her to the greatest King vpon the earth to giue her likewise the realme after his decease to her issue as descended from the bloud of France Philip comming to the King found newe worke for presently Henry the 5. King of England concludes a peace with King Charles the 6. weddes Katherine his daughter and doth obtayne by letters pattents That establiâ—â—ing a firme and free peace in both the Realmes of France and England in regard 〈…〉 marriage of Catherine of France he is declared Regent of the realme during the life of King Charles to whom the title of King remaynes and to â—sabel his wife the title of Queene during their lâ—â—es But presently after the Kings decease The lawfull heire reiected and Henry the 5. declared heire of France the Crowne realme of France with al their rights and dignities should remayne vnto him whome King Charles the 6. calles by his letters patents his most deere and welbeloued sonne and to his heires in chiefe They cause this poore sicke King to sweare vpon the holy Bible to promise this for him and his withall exemptions and necessary clauses in so great and important a businesse This goodly act the finite of the furious passions of ciuill warre was made aâ— Troye the 21. of may in the yeare 1420. This done the French and English forces ioyning and marching vnder the same colours acknowledge one Comander and for their first exploit they win Monstreau-faut-Yonâ—e where they take vp and bury Iohn of Bourgongne againe and so marching on as against Rebells they take Melun Meaux and Morst and beseege Compiegne But least matters should growe cold Henry of England whome they call Regent returnes to Troye and with a goodly traine conducts the King Queene and his newe wife Catherine to Paris being better followed and serued then the King himselfe The Parisiens folly did wonderfully imbâ—ace the comming of this newe royaltie promising vnto themselues a newe heauen but this humor lasted not long hauing tried the power of forraine Princes and the commande of their Kings by very contrary effects The Regent held a Councell presently in great state in the Pallace of Saint Pol Henryes proceeding in his new royaltie of France being the Kings lodging Two throanes were erected for the two Kings and a seate vnderneath for Philip of Bourgongne The Kings councell being fewe in number is supplied by the Court of Parliament and the vniuersity Philip demandes Iustice of the muâ—ther committed on the person of Iohn of Bourgongne his father His Aduocate Rolâ—in made this instance The Kings Aduocate and the vniuersitie assisted him in the 〈◊〉 King Charles promiseth Iustice against his Sonne the Daulphin and to dâ—al good â—ffâ—ces for King Henry his newe Sonne This was the first act of the newe Regencie against the onely Sonne of his house And moreouer they decreed that heereafter all the treasure should be gouerned by the Regents authoritie and commande Henry resolues presently to call a Parliament for the necessity of his returne into England whether he ment to conduct his new Spouse The Bourguignon craues iustice against the Daulphin A Parliament was held according to this decree but all were amazed at this sodaine alteration euen the very report of my Historie hath some fealing thereof for what canst thou see herein gentle reader but frosen ice in the remembrance of these confusions renewed by the fealing of our owne Thus the Regent caused Charles Duke of Touraine and Daulphin of Viennois to be called to the marble table All sollemnities obserued and he not appearing by a decree of the Councell and of the Court of Parliament he was banished the realme The Daulphin banished the realme by a decree and he appeales and iudged vnworthy to succeede in any of the Seigneuries as well present as to come The Daulphin appeales from this sentence To God and his sword who in the ende doing him iustice shall blesse his sword and
confusion of the Duke of Bourgongne Let vs generally confesse that it is not now alone that God doth shew his singular grace and fauour to this Monarchie The Britton was watchfull and ioyntly with the Bourguignon they practised crosses of dangerous consequence The English from a generall demand of the Crowne of France restraine himselfe to the Duchie of Normandie oâ— Guienne But a franke demander requires a bold denier Lewis protests that hee would doo any thing to send the King of England out of this realme but to yeeld him the possession of any lands hee will rather put all to hazard Hee had a goodly and mighty army which they esteemed saith the Originall a hundred thousand fighting men and in shew might doo much the English being in bad termes with the Bourguignon But the quietest course is the best and both being willing to agree an accorde is soone made In the end the King graunts the English three-score and twelue thousand Crownes present paiment Paris lent the money vpon promises of restâ—tution by the feast of All Saints next following Articles of agreemeÌ„t with the English the marâ—iage of Charles with the eldest daughter of King Edward both being yet very young neither shall it take effect and for the estate of her house the Duchie of Guienne or fiftie thousand Crownes yearely payable in the Tower of London for nine yeares following at the end whereof hee and his wife quietly to enioy the reuenues of the sayd Duchie and the King should remaine discharged of the payment of 50000 Crownes to King Edward Moreouer the King promised sixteene thousand Crownes pension to some of Edwards fauorites who had much assisted in this reconciliation to Hastings two thousand to Howard to Iohn Chene Maister of the Horse to Sellenger Montgommeri and some others the remainder and besides there was great store of Siluer and Plate distributed among King Edwards seruants so euery Saint had his candle These conditions performed Edward should repasse the Sea and leaue Howard and the Maister of his Horse in hostage vntill he had recouered England yet not without an enterview of both Kings This peace should continue nine yeares comprehending the the Dukes of Bourgongne and Brittanie if they pleased The Bourguignon hearing these newes hastes his returne to the English followed onely with sixteene hundred Horse The Duke of 〈◊〉 come to king Edward At his â—irst arriuall hee discouers his inward passions by his outward countenance But hee came too late to preuent it Edward tells him that hee hath made a truce for nine yeares and exhorts him to enter according to the reseruation he had made He reprocheth King Eâ—waâ—d for making a truce Charles replies by fitts and after a reprochfull manner That Edwards Predecessors Kiâ—gs of England had performed many high exploits in France and with much sweare and toyle had woâ—ne great reputation He checketh him that hee did not procure the English to passe for any neede he had but onely to giue them occasion to recouer their ancient inheritance And to make it manifest that hee had no neede of their comming hee would not accept of any truce with the King vntill that Edward had beeâ—e three monethes in his owne Country And hauing thus sayd heereturnes towards Luxembourg from whence hee came A brauadoe of ill digestion to the English and his Counsell but plausible to all the friendes of confusion But what is become of our Constable is there no speech of him during this treatie The Constaâ—â—â— perplexed Nowe is hee more incombred with feare then euer Hee knowes well that he hath displeased the King the English and the Bourguignon all alike and still hee apprehends the conclusion at Bouuines In the meane time hee seekes to please all and setts a good face on it Edward had freely made offer to the French Ambassadors to name some Noblemen that were Traitors sayd hee to the King and his Crowne and to proue it by their hand-writings The King holds a Counsell vpon this matter some maintayne Edward discouers the constables disseins that this accusation is fraudulent and that the English would make his demandes the greater with the wracke of an others honour as hauing good intelligence in France But Lewis his iudgement was more sharpe hee knewe the Bourguignons courses he considered the season that the English had not any one place in their hands and that the Bourguignon had deceyued them Moreouer he knewe well that the Constable would not giue them any entry and least he should bee farther imbarked in the league the King entertayned him with many letters and kept him in good humour and the Constable likewise sent often to the King yet alwayes swimmyng betwixt two streames vnderstanding that the treaty betwixt the two Kings grewe to some perfection he seemed well satisfied and sends Lewis of Creuille a gentleman of his house and Iohn Richer his Secretary aduising the King that to auoyde this threatning forraine tempest hee should procure a truce to satisfie the English it were good to graunt them one or two smal Townes to winter in Hee supposed in doing this the English should be beholding to him and to rest fully satisfied for the affront at Saint Quentin Note alwaies that Lewis was a wonderfull instrument of diuision when he pleased Lewis subtill industry Contâ—y a prisoner at the defeate of Arras went and came vpon his faith to the Duke of Bourgongne to treat a peace Hee was by chance in Court at the comming of these two persons The King hides him in his Chamber behinde the hangings to heare and report to his master the speeches the Constable and his people held of him Creuille by the Kings commandement with a loud voice sayd that the Constable had sent theÌ„ to the Duke of Bourgongne with many instructioÌ„s to diuide him from the English and that they had found the sayd Duke so farre incensed as by their perswasions he was not onely readie to abandon them but to charge them in their retreat Creuille in speaking this did counterfet the gesture of a passionate Prince stamping and sweaâ—ing S. George the oath of Charles of Bourgongne saying that he called the King of England Blanâ—borgne and the sonne of an Archer whose name he carried words accompained with all the indignities that might bee spoken This mooued laughter in the King who taking pleasure at the repetition thereof and seeming somewhat deaffe made him to straine his voice in the report Contay no lesse amazed then the King was pleased would neuer haue beleeued it if he had not heard it And although it grieued the King much to dissemble the Constables counsell to giue some places to the English yet would hee not discouer his discontent to these deputies but answered them gratiously I wil send to my Brother the Queene the Constables wife were Sisters and let him vnderstand my minde hauing cunningly drawen a promise from his Secretary to reueale
But hee will teach vs that the surest stroakes come from the head and if the olde Duke of Guise could by a gallant stratageme recouer a towne from the English most important for the Estate of this Crowne he in like sort by the like exploite will make himselfe the terror of all Picardie 1596 Hee departs from Bruxells and giues it out that hee will succor la Fere. For his first fruites he findes meanes to giue them some releefe of men and munition in March. Calais and Aâ—dres taken by the Spaniaâ—d Then in Aprill he causeth his army being very strong to turne head towards Calais beseegeth batters and takes both towne and Castell by assault against all the resistance of the beseeged and puts many French gentlemen to the sword being sent to supply the Castell The Senâ—shall of Montlimart commanding the French and Aluarez Osorio the Spaniards in la Fere hauing for the space of fiue monethes endured all the toyles of warre and seene the riuer within the towne to rise two or three foote by the labour of men La Fâ—re lost had the 22. of the sayd moneth by a good composition some-what recompenced this so notable a losse if the Cardinall had planted here the lymits of his victories But contynuing the prosperity of his armies whilest the Kings are weary and demand rest after so great toyle hee goes in the beginning of Maye and campes before Ardres a very strong towne and notwithstanding their great defence became Master thereof the 23. of the moneth and resolues to people these townes of his newe Conquest with straâ—ge Colonies and prepares to adde vnto them that of Hulst in Flanders In the meane time the two armies spend the rest of the Sommer in light roads one into an others Country Warre in Arthois In the beginning of September the Marshall of Biron enters Arthois takes the Casteâ—l of Imbercourt encounters with fiue Cornets of horse of the Marquis of Varambon followed by fiue or sixe hundred horse of combate chargeth them hee kills all that seeke to withstand the violence of his armes puts the rest in route takes the Marqâ—is prisoner afterwards had fortie thousand Crownes for his ransome filled the whole Country with feare then inuading the County of Saint Paul he tooke and spoyled the towne and some other places The Cardinall busied at the seege of Hulst hearing that the Marquis was taken hee sent the Duke of Arscot to commande in his place As hee enters into Arâ—as the French assaile it on the other side spoile the Country about it and laden with bootie the Marshall retires safely to the fronters oâ— Picardie Being discharged hee returnes to Bapaume spoiles Hebuterne Benuiller Courcelles and other places defeates such as would make resistance and carries away more spoile then at the first And seeing the Duke of Arscot incamped neere to Arras vnder the fauour of the Cannon intrenched carefully and loath to hazard any thing knowing that he was to deale with one of the happiest and most valiant warriors of Europe they fire all and reuenge as oportunitie would suffer them the Spaniards outrage in places lately taken they make a roade towards Bethune and Therouenne bring away many prisoners furnish their places with Cattell at the enemies cost and without any resistance go and campe in the plaine of Azincourt The Duke supplied with eight hundred â—oote ioyned to the regiment of Colonel Bourlote parts from Arras the 5. of October and goes and incampes at Saint Paul The Marshall leaues him there returnes into Arthois runnes vnto Douay spoiles all then returning into Picardie hee gaue the Duke of Arscot meanes to recouer the Castell of Himbercourt who content with this conquest dismisseth his army and disposed of his companies into garrisons Then by the meanes of the Duke of Bouillon the alliance was confirmed and sworne betwixt the King the Qâ—eene of England and the vnited Prouinces of the Lowe Countries For matters past there is no remedie and the Polititians hold that there is no Lawe more vnprofitable then that which tends to reforme what is past The King therefore to settle his affaires and to prouide for the future resolute not to suffer theâ—e newe Colonies of Dourlans Capelle Castelet Cambray Calais and Ardres and with the newe yeare to renue a deadly warre against the Spaniard which might not bee attempted without a mighty army An Assâ—mbly aâ— Rouâ—n in â—orme of a Parliament nor the army leuied without treasure the which he could not recoueâ— without the helpe of his subiects hee assembled in manner of a Parliament the greatest and most discreet of the three orders of his realme at Rouan the fourth of Nouember where the Inhabitants of their owne voluntariâ— free will 5596 spent foure hundred thousand Crownes to make his Maiestie an honorable reception where he receiued the gaâ—ter a badge of the order of England by the hands of the Earle of Shrewsburie His Maiestâ—e desired to deserue these two glorious titles of Deliuerer â—estorer of of his estate At his coming to the Crowne hee had found France not onely in a manner ruined but almost all lost for the French but by the grace of the Almightie by the prayers by the good counsell of his loyall Subiects who make no profession of armes by the sword of his Princes and of his braue and generous Nobilitie by his paines and labour he had preserued it from losse Let vs saue it now from ruine said our King speaking to the assembâ—ie Participate my deere subiects with mee in this second glorie as you haue done in the first I haue not called you as my Predecessors did to make you approue my will I haue caused you to assemble to haue your Counsells to beleeue them and to follow them finally to put my selfe into your hands A desire which seldome commaunds Kings that haue white haires and are Conquerors But the vehement loue I beare vnto my Subiects and the exeding desire I haue to adde these two goodly titles to that of King makes mee to find all easâ—y and honorable The sharpnes of winter had layd armes aside and the excessiue raine caused many inundations whereof amongst others followed that of the millers bridge at Paris which sinking on Saint Thomas night was the losse of three hundred persons slaine in the ruines of the building and drowned in the riuer Whilest they examine the resolutions taken in this honorable assemblie and that the King prepares for a mightie armie to chase the Spaniard out off Picardie behold the capitall Cittie of this Prouince strong of seat and well fortified where his Maiestie pretended to make his Arcenall and storehouse for the warre against the Sranger in Arthois and other Prouinces of the Low Countries was surprised in the day time the people being at sermon without force without defence by the practise of some factioâ—s and the carelesse basenesse of the Inhabitants who standing vpon their ancient
vnworthy to oppose against an Imperiall army Whilest the King assembled his forces being ten thousand Suisses six thousand Grisons sixe thousand Lansquenets whereof the Duke of Neuers was generall and the twelue thousand men which came out of Piedmont hee sent the Earle of Sancerre to Saint Disiâ—r whether the Emperour turned the head of his victorious army Saint Disier beseeged without contradiction with the Duke of Orleans companie of a hundred men at armes whereof he was Lieutenant and some other troupes of horse la Lande and the Viconte of Riuiere eyther of them with a thousand foote The Emperour being come before the towne hastens his approches and trenches makes two batteries and plants sixe great culâ—erines towards the Castell to beate into the Towne and to hinder their ordinarie sallies he turned the water out of the ditch and brought them to the vse of three wells onely which hardly could furnish the soldiars and by a continuall battery The death of the Prince of Orange doth exercise their care to repaire it La Lande was tired with this toyle retyring at night to his lodging to refresh himselfe a Cannon shot passing by the breach through the Towne takes of his head whose losse was much lamented being a valiant gentlemen and a good soldiar In exchange about the same time the Prince of Orange going to visit the Emperour in the trenches a Culuerin shot into a heape of stoanes hurt him in such sort as hee died to the great greefe of the Emperour and his whole army The breach was reasonable and they come to the assault Eighteene enseignes of Spaniards goe to it and fight hand to hand with them which were beseeged for an houres space The Emperour causeth nine or tenne thousand Germains to aduance speedily succour them but if the assault was fierce the defence was no lesse valiant Our men ouerthrew the Spaniards A furious assault at Saint Disier from the breach into the ditch by maine force The Emperour sends about night a hundred men with veluet cassocks bourgumets on their heads they turne them likewise downe Eight enseigns of Germains renue the assault with many smal barrels of powder lances artificial fires They are likewise repulsed with such shame and losse as all their engins and deuises remaine in the ditches at the defendants discretion and very happily for they wanted powder and seuen or eight hundred slayne in three assaults gaue a certaine testimonie of the valour of the beseeged A Canon shott did miraculously take away the Earles sword which hee held in his hand without hurting him but lightly in the face This braue defence made the Emperour thinke that the beseeged would accept of an honorable composition He sends a trompet to trie their minds But he had no audience So the Emperour ceaseth his batterie to come to the vndermine The beseeged discouer it and in the night send forth Linieres a Norman Captaine who force the Spaniards to abandon the trenches which they had brought to the bulwarke of victorie they bring some pioners into the Towne to tell newes and cuts the rest in peeces Moreouer the Duke of Aumale being at Stenay vpon Meuze did greatly annoy the Imperialls campe and cut off their victuals from Bar-le-Duke They must therefore seeke to winne by pollicie what they could not get by force The Lord of Granuelle had surprised a pacquet wherein he found the Alphabet of the Ciphre whereby the Duke of Guise did communicate with the Earle of Sancerre By this meanes hee counterfeits a letter in the Dukes name and makes an vnknowne man to giue it secretly to a French dromme returning from the enemies armie for some prisoners that hee should deliuer it to the Earle The contents were that the King knowing in what want of victuals and powder they were readie to fall commaunded them to make so fauourable a composition as their men might be saued hauing yet no meanes to succour them They had indured sixe weekes seege their victuals and munition grew short and their powder was not sufficient to indure another assault So they obteyne twelue dayes truce during the which they should vnderstand from the King if he had meanes to succour them or if he would be pleased that for want of succours within the time Saint Disier yeelded the horsmen should depart with their armes horses their Cornets displayed and caskes on their heads the footmen with their armes marching in battaile enseigns displayed drums sounding carrying with them all their iewels and foure peeces of artillerie furnished at the choise of the beseeged This treatie pleased the King and they departed according to the Capitulation As honorable a Composition as euer was read off for men beseeged by so great an Emperour with all the forces of the westerne Empire in a bad place which had no better esteeme then a Countrie Towne But what was the motiue of this easie accord The Emperour was not ignorant of the small hope they had of succours and that within few dayes famine would bring them to his subiection But hee would take from the King of England who camped before Boulen and Montrueil all colour of excuse and to let him know that the fault was not in him if the treatie were not fulfilled according to the which without any stay elsewhere they should ioyne their forces neere vnto Paris the which vnited togither would haue made threescore and tenne or foure score thousand foote and eighteene or twentie thousand horse and to force the King to fight with disaduantage or to suffer his countrie and subiects to bee ruined before his face Moreouer hee did foresee that the Daulphin camping vppon the riuer of Marne with the bands come out of Piedmont in good order and well armed would make him consume his armie whilest the King made a body of fortie thousand men the which confronting him being fresh iustie and resolute might cause him more losse and shame then hee had receiued in Prouence And therefore the Emperour to procâ—ed in his conquests and desseignes which he had with Henry King of England came to lodge at Vitry in Parthois Here hee learnes that the King of England is not resolued to passe on before hee had reduced Boullen and Montrueil to his obedience the first dislike which shall soone draw the Emperour to Bruxelles Hee considers that the trauels past at Saint Disier and want had greatâ— he wasted his Souldiars that to proceede were to ingage both his men and his person in a Laborinth from whence hee should not easily free himselfe with honour The Emperour â—â—udiâ—s of his retreat that hauing in front a mightie armie still prospering hungar besides the Kings power was sufficient to force him to make a shamfull retreat that if the English take Boullen and Montrueil he will impart nothing to him of his conquests that being strong on this side the Sea hee will bee more obstinate when there shall be any question to
vnto him to haue had intelligence with Chastillon Admirall of France and with William of Nassau Prince of Orange touching the Low Countries This as some say was discouered by Don Iohn his vncle bastard brother vnto the King who being inexorable against them that had offended came vnto the Princes chamber in the night whereas hee found two pistols behind his beds head and some papers which did auerre the intelligences he had with his enemies The King first gaue him a gard afterwards he put him in prison and in the end to death But first he propounded to his Councell of conscience what punishment a Kings sonne deserued that had entred into League against his Estates and had conspired against his fathers life and whether hee might call him in question His Councell layed before him two remedies both iust possible the one of Grace and Pardon the other of Iustice and punâ—shment and the difference betwixt the mercie of a father and the seueritie of a King saying that if by his clemencie he did pardon them which loued him not hee could not but pardon that creature which he should most affect They desired him to imitate the Emperour Charlemagne who imputed the fiâ—st conspiracie of his sonne Pepin against him to lightnes of youth and for the second hee confiâ—ed him iâ—to a Monasterie protesting that hee was a father not a King nor a Iudge against his Soâ—ne The King answered that by the law of Nature he loued his sonne more then him elfe but by the law of God the good and safetie of his subiects went before it Moreouer he demaunded of them if knowing the miseries which the impunitie or dissimulation of his sonnes offences would breed he might with safetie of conscience pardon him and not bee guiltie of those miseries Hereat his Diuines shronke in their shoulders and with teares in their eyes sayd that the health of his people ought to bee deerer vnto him then that of his Sonne and that hee ought to pardon offences but such crimes as abhominable monsters must be supprest Hereupon the King committed his Son to the Censure of the Inquisitors commaunding them not to respect his authoritie no more then the meanest within his Kingdome and to regard the qualitie of his son as if he were a King borne making no distinction therof froÌ„ the partie accused vntil they found that the excesse of his offence would no more admit of this consideration remembring that they carried in their soules a liuely Image of the King which had iudged Angels and should without distinction iudge Kings and the Sonnes of Kings like vnto other men referring all vnto their consciences and discharging his owne The Inquisitors for the practises which hee had with the enemies of his religion The Iudgâ—menâ— oâ— the Inquisitors declared him an Heretike and for that he had conspired against his fathers life condemned him to die The King was his accuser and the Inquisitors his Iudges but the Iudgement was signed by the King which done they presented many kinds of death in picture vnto the Prince to make choise of the easiest In the end hee demaunded if there were no pittie in his father to pardon him no fauour in his Councell for a Prince of Spanie nor no wisedome to excuse the follies of his youth when as they told him that his death was determined and might not be reuoked and that all the fauour was in the choise of the mildest death He sayd that they might put him to what death they pleased tâ—hat there was no choise of any death seeing they could not giue him that which Caesar held to be the best These last words A vnloked foâ— death best deliuered with passion were followed with a thousand curses against his Fortune against the inhumanitie of his Faâ—her and the crueltie of the Inqusition repeating verie often these wordes O miserable sonne of a more miserable father Hee had some dayes of respit giuen him to prepare himselfe for death One morning foure slaues entred into his chamber who awaking him put him in mind of his last houre and gaue him small time to prepare vnto God Hee start vp sodainly and fled to the bed post but two of them held his armes and one his feet The deaâ—h of the Prince of Spaine Death of the Queene of Spaine and the fourth strangled him with a cord of silke Many hold that hee died of letting bloud his feete being in warme water The death of the Queene of Spaine foure moneths after made the world to suspect other causes of his death The King was also vnfortunate in his enterprises against Flanders and England hauing prepared a great fleet which perished in the narrow Seas almosâ— without any fight Hee is blamed for his crueltie against the Indians whome hee abandoned to the slaughter like vnto brute beasts Hee had foure wiues aâ—ter that of Portugal He married with Marie Queene of England by whome hee had no children His third was Elizabeth of France surnamed by the Spaniards the Queene of Peace by whome hee had two daughters the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia now Archduchesse and the Infanta Catherina Michelle who was Duchesse of Sauoy The fourth was Anna of Austria daughter to the Emperour Maximilian and his owne proper Neece by whome hee had three Sonnes and one daughter of the which there now remaines the Prince Charles Laurence surnamed at his comming to the Crowne Philip the third Hee affected the Empire as much as might be and not able to attaine vnto it hee sought the title of Emperour of Spaine The King of Spaines ambition yea hee was resolued to go to the Indies to take vpon him the title of Emperour of Amerâ—â—a After all his ambitious proiects vppon Affricke his attempts against Ireland and his intelligences with the Turkes Barbarians and Persians whome he hath sought to diuide and to make vse of euen against Christian Princes but chiefly and especially against France yet in the end hee was forced to confesâ—e That all the power and pompe of this world was meere vanitie He raigned aboue fortie yeares and was buried with his Ancestors as he had ordayned We haue said that hee drew a writing out of a little Cabinet and deliuered it vnto his sonne Some writers say that it was a translation into Spanish of the Instruction which the King S. Lewis gaue vnto his Sonne Philip the hardie Others say it was the Instruction which followes Instruction oâ— the King of Spâ—inâ— to the Prince his Sonne My sonne I haue beene alwaies sollicitous and carefull to leaue you your Estates peacefull and quiet but neither the many yeares which I haue liued nor the assistance of Princes my Allyes could euer purchase it I confesse I haue spent in lesse then 33. yeares fiue hundred nintie and foure millions of ducats all which haue bred mee nothing but cares and troubles It is true I haue conquered Portugal but as France did hardly escape me so may