of grace 920. the Empire being then very weake After Conrad was chosen Henry the â—ouler Duke of Saxony and after him his sonne Otho Princes adorned with great singular vertues fit for the time to preserue the West for the East did runne headlong to her ruine so as since Nicephorus who liued in the time of Charlemagne they did not esteeme them but held them as abiects in regard of those great Emperours which had liued before them namely Michel Curopalates Leo Armenien Michel the stamering Conâ—usion in the East the two Theophiles father son Basiâ—e the Macedonien Leo the Philosopher Alexander Constantine a Romaine all which had nothing of the Romaine but the name Thus this poore sicke bodie languished being torne in peeces by the infamies of these men either of no valour or altogither wicked attending the last blow by the hand of the Mahomeâ—ans whose power they fortified by their vitious liues vntill they had lodged them vpon their owne heads A notable spectacle of Gods iust iudgement who dishonours them that dishonour him In the Church and expells them from their houses that banish him from their hearts In these confusions of State the Pope of Romes power increased daily by the ruines of the Empire who thrust himselfe into credit among Christians by many occurrents Their desseins was to build a Monarchie in the Church by authoritie power Seigneuries ciuil Iurisdictions armes reuenues and treasor being growne to that greatnes as afterwards they sought to prescribe lawes to Emperours and Kings who refusing it and disputing vpon this primacie many dissentions grew among them and so were dispersed among the people This is the summe of all that shall be discoursed in the future ages in Christendome wherein we shall view the the sea of Rome the Empire and the kingdome I treat but of matters of State 929. wherevnto the subiect and the order of our desseine doth tie me to report by degrees so long and so obscure a discourse of those ages plonged in darkenesse Plantina the Popes Secretary reports a very notable accident happened at Rome in those times a yong maide loued by a learned man these are his words came with him to Athenes attyred like a boy In vita Ioannis octaus and there profited so well in knowledge and learning as being come to Rome there were fewe equall vnto her in the Scriptures neyther did any one exceede her in knowledge so as she had gotten so great reputation as after the death of Pope Leo she was created Pope by a generall consent was called Iohn the eight But it chanced that hauing crept too neere to one of her gromes shee grewe with child the which she did carefully conceale But as she went to the Basilique of S. Iohn de Lateran betwixt the Colises and S. Clement she fell in labour Pope Ioan deliuered of a Child in the open streete and was deliuered of this stolne birth in a sollemne procession in view of all the people And in detestation of so fowle a fact a piller was erected where this profane person died So without flattering the truth not the Empire alone went to wrack but also the realme and the Church being in those daies full of confusions in which they fell from one mischiefe to an other by the barbarous ignorance of all good things both in the State and Church as the wise and vnpassionate reader may obserue in the continuance of the history plainly described But let vs returne from the Empire and sea of Rome to France Wee haue sayd that when Charles the simple was first imprisoned the Queene Ogina his wife had carried her sonne Lewis into England to Aldestan the King her brother She had patiently suffred all during the furious raigne of Raoul the vsurper while the experience of diuers masters did ripen the French-mens discontents to make them wish for their lawfull Lord. After the death of Raoul Aldestan King of England hauing drawne vnto him Willam Duke of Normandie the sonne of Rhou sends a very honorable Ambassage to the States of France intreating them to restore his Nephewe Lewis to his lawfull and hereditary dignity The French wish it so as without any difficulty Lewis the sonne of Charles was called home by the Estates of France whether he was accompanied with a great troupe of English-men and Normans as the shewe of a goodly army which might seeme to force them to that which they willingly yeelded vnto LEWIS the 4. surnamed from beyond the seas 33. kâ—ng LEWES .4 KING OF FRANCE XXXIII 935. LEWIS returnes into France hauing remayned nine yeares or thereaboutes in England surnamed D'outremer or from beyond the seas by reason of his stay there He beganne to raigne in the yeare 935. and raigned 27. yeares A disloyall and vnfortunate Prince hauing made no vse of his afflictions 〈…〉 disloyaâ—â—â—rince vnworthy the bloud of Charlemagne And thus their ruine aduanced by the default of men the which God held back by his patience He fouÌ„d the Estate of his realme like vnto one that returnes to his houâ—e after a long and dangerous nauigation He was receiued with great ioye of all men Those which had beene most opposite vnto him made greatest shewes of faithfull and affectionate seruice to insinuate into his fauour Amongest the rest William Duke of Normandy but especially Hugâ—es the great Maior of the Pallace whome wee haue already noted as the sonne of Robert the chiefe of the said League Hee had imployed all his meanes for the calling home of Lewis into France and at his returne he spared nothing to confirme his authority This was the meanes to â—ay the foundation of a greater authority for his successors They must begin the newe gouernment of this Prince with a wife to haue lawfull issue The Emperours allyance was very needefull Otâ—o heâ—d the â—mperiall dignity being the sonne of Henry the fowler Duke of Saxony â—ewis marrieth one of the Emperors sisters 〈◊〉 â—ather to Hâ—gh Caâ—et marriâ—th an other He had two sisters Heâ—bergue and Auoye King Lewis marrieth the eldest and in signe of brotherly loue he motioned the marriage of the youngest with Hugues the great Lewis had two sonnes by Herbergue Lothaire who succeeded him to the Crowne of France and Charles who shal be Duke of Lorraine and contend for the Crowne but shall loose it Hugues the great was more happy then Lewis for of the yongest hee had Hugh Capet who shall take their place and ascend the royall throne to settle the French Monarchie 937. shaken much in the confusions of these Kings vnworthy to raigne or beare any rule And of the same marriage Hugues had Otho and Henry both Dukes of Bourgongne one after another Behold now vpon the Stage two great and wise personages the King and his Maior whom we may call a second King they striue to circumuent each other the which their actions will discouer but man cannot preuent that on earth
flies to Philip who comes himselfe with a very great army and enters Flanders The vncle supplaâ—â—â— his Nephew for the County of Flanders His meaning was to make a benefit of their common quarrell But it fell out otherwise by his prouidence who doth pull downe one raise vp an other alwaies iustly although the causes be vnknowne vnto vs. Robert defeates the King and his Nephews After this victory hee is receiued Earle of Flanders without any discontent of the King for the distressed pupills who relying no more on him fled for succor to Thierry Bishop of Liege who makes an accord That Robert the Frison should haue the Earledom of Flanders giue his Nephews some recompence After this peaceable possession of the Earledome of Flanders Philip fâ—rsâ—ks Baldwins Children at their neede In England Philip became a deere friend to Robert forgetting the good offices hee had receiued from his tutor measuring friendship by proffiâ— Such was tâ—eÌ„ the state of Flanders England had a greater change we haue sayd that Robert Duke of Normandy had instituted William his bastard sonne his heire and that hee had gotten possession of the Dâ—chie but behold a greater happinesse attends him Edward King of England hauing receiued much kindnesse from him and knowing him fit for the gouernment of the realme names him his heire by his testament by vertue whereof notwithstanding all the policy and force that Herould brother to the Queene could vse William is receiued King of England and crowned in a soâ—lemne assemble of the English homage is done vnto him as to their lawfull Lord this great dignity continued in his posterity Philip sees this new power impatiently Philip discontented at VVilliams aduancement to the crowne of England yet can he not preuent it but God hath prepared it as a rod to correct this realme by the three sonnes which William left to succeed in his Estates Robert William and Henry Ambition is the Leuaine of these warres it shewed it selfe soone after the birth of this new power growen to the Dukes of Normandy whose first breeding we haue seene in the second race by the increase of the realme of England Robert and Henry the sonnes of William come to the King at Constans vpon Oise As they play at Chesse with Lewis the sonne of King Philip there fell some contention among these yong Princes and from iniurious words they fell to blowes Lewis called Henry the sonne of a Bastard Henry struck at him with the Chesse-board and had slaine him if Robert had not staied him This blow being giuen Robert and Henry made all hast to saue themselues in Normandy The Leuaine of distention betwixt France and England where they incensed both heauen and earth with their complaints From this light beginning grew all the troubles which disquieted these two Estates during 400. yeares vpon diuers occasions Robert Henry being escaped the fathers so imbrace the quarrell for their children as they fall to armes Philip goes to field and takes Vernon depending of Normandie Robert goes out of Normandie and doth seize vpon Beauuois King William parts from England and lands in France with a great and mighty power The English enter into Guienne and inuades Xaintonge and Poitoâ— Behold the first check of a dangerous game Philip moued with these losses enters into Normandie with a great and mighty armie but he cures not one wound in making of another William on the other side runnes and spoiles all the Country euen vnto the gates of Paris where hee entred not then but his posteritie did after him Hee dies soone after but the quarrell suruiued in his children who augmented this hereditarie hatred in many sorts While they began to weaue this web Italy was in no better estate being full of horrible combustions and the cause was so much the more lamentable for that the mischiefe came from them Conâ—â—â—â—ons in Italy betwixt the Emperour and Popes from whom all good was to be expected We haue formerly spoken of the deuisions growne betwixt the Emperours and the Popes of Rome for their preheminences In all ancient times the Popes were subiect to be summoned before the Emperour who had authority to create them to depose them that were vnworthy of their charges to call Synods and to confirme all things which concerned the outward gouernment of the Church The Pope on the other side maintaines that all this authority was his The Popes vsurpation as vniuersall Bishop hauing power to bind and loose to iudge of all men and all causes as the soueraigne Iudge of the Church not to bee iudged by any man and so to dispose absolutely of all matters as well Ecclesiasticall as Ciuill as Monarch in the Church not only armed with power of excommunication to damne rebels and authority to remit sinnes but hauing also the temporall sword with soueraigne authority ouer Emperours Kings and Princes of the earth to place and diâ—place and to dispoâ—e of their estates Hereafter we shall find in euery raigne some memorable example of this soueraigne authority This raigne giues a very notable one After the death of the Emperour Conrade called Salique Henry the 3. of that name hauing happily gouerned the Empire left it to his sonne Henry the 4 yet very yong so as the Popes during this weakenesse of the Empire had meanes to fortifie themselues and so imbracing this occasion Gregory the 7. called Hildebrand did prohibite the Emperour all authority ouer the Clergie and forbad vpon paine of excommunication to haue any recourse vnto him for the collation of benefices or for any thing else that depended on the Church Henry moued with so great an affâ—ont Sâ—range confuâ—oâ—s betwixt the Emperoâ—r and the â—ope lets Gregory vnderstand that this his decree was contrarie to the ancient orders the vse of the Catholike Church Vpon this refusall he lets him know that hee will maintaine the rights of the Empire and complaines to the Clergie of Rome in an open assembly Gregorie calls an other wherein hee doth excommunicate Henry and all his adherents and sends forth his Bull into all parts wherby hee declares him excommunicate and degraded of the Empire and in his place causeth Rodolph Duke of Sueuia to be chosen Emperour Thus there growes two factions in Italy and in Germanie one for the Emperour and the other for the Pope behold two armies leuied of these factions ready to shed Christians bloud nine battailes were giuen vpon the quarrell of these preheminences In the end Rodolphe the new Emperour is taken and slaine by Godefroy of Bouillon who followed the Emperour Henry the fourth who after this victorie assembled a great Councell at Bresse where as Gregorie the seuenth is excommunicated and Clement Bishop of Râ—uenna appointed to succeed him they conduct him to Rome with an armie take the Citty after a long siege whereas the new Pope is sollemnlie installed and Henry the 4. Emperour restored
by the decree of Clement But this was not all those which were opposite to the Emperour chose in the place of Gregory Vrbain the 2. and their party growing strong the confusions increased opposing oâ—e Emperour against another Herman of Luxembourg to Henry and after him Egbert Marquis of Saxony the which were taken by Henry and slaine one after another Vrbain hath other practises against Henry hee animates his owne sonne by his first wife against him forcing all the lawes of nature The Pope incenseth the sonne against the father who takes from him both his Empire his life And as Henry had suppressed the practises of this his eldest sonne Pope Paschall who succeeded Vrbain the 2. succeeds him euen in the like monstrous practises incensing his other sonne Henry whom the father intended to make Emperour relying on him as on his child beloued aboue all the rest So this sonne bewitched by ill councell found meanes to seaze on his Father depriuing him first of the Empire and then of his life The Pope added to this death a new disgrace causing by his thundring Bulls The Popes malice against the Emperour being dead the body of Henry to be digged out of his graue These were the fruites of their serious controuersies for preheminence not onely vnknowne to the ancient Church nor practised by the Apostles but expreslie forbidden by the holy mouth of the sonne of God The Popes one after another troubled with these crosses had recourse vnto our Philip so had Henry the 4. being a prisoner to his sonne but the respect of his coÌ„mon friends made him to keepe the stakes and to be a spectator of these lamentable confusions And yet many orders were erected by the Popes amiddest these disorders that of the regular Chanoines for a difference of the secular the Charteaux Templiers Benedictins and Carmes Thus Philip a witnesse of others miseries raignes peaceably during this age full of confusion both in Church and State The Emperour had reduced the realme of Bourgongne to the Imperiall iurisdiction distinguished as wee haue sayd but during these disorders The begining of the estaâ—es of Daulphiné Sauoy Prouence and Francâ—e Conté the whole body was dismembred and reduced to an other forme as when one is wearie of an old garment The industrie of such as held the Citties and Countrie in their possession made foure peeces of this garment The one was for Otho of Flanders which is the Countrie about Besançon with the title of an Earledome whereof it carryes yet the name The other for Berald of Saxony who enioyed Sauoy The third for Guigue the fatte Earle of Grisiuaudan who from little grewe so great in the confusions of times hauing taken the chiefe Citties of the Country and in the end Grenoble the capitall Citty as he became absolute Lord of all that Prouince the which hee called Daulphiné in fauour of his Sonne who hauing married the Daughter of the Earle of Albon and Vâ—ennois named Daulphin would carry the same name holding himselfe honoured by so worthy an allyance The fourth peece is Prouence one of the goodlyest and richest both for the fertilitie of the Countrie and commoditie of Ports most conuenient in all the Mediterranian Sea this was fallen into the hands of Berengers successors by the meanes before specified So the Empire lost the command of these foure Prouinces which fell to foure diuers Lords leauing yet in Daulphiné some traces of the ancient name without any effect for they yet call it the Empire in their common language as wee haue sayd elsewhere But as during the raigne of our Philip these confusions were notable Voyage to the Holy Land so that great and renowned voyage to the Holy Land made by our Argonaâ—tes Christians â—s worthy to be carefully obserued The proiect was to deliuer the Christians of Asia â—ormented by the furious tyranie of the Mahâ—metaines and to repeople the land the which God had honoured with the first fruits of his Church This zeale of Christians was commendable I would to God they had at this day changed their disordered passions glutted with their owne bloud into so holy a resolution vniting their mindes and forces against the common enemie of all Christendome The occasion was giuen by a French Gentleman called Peter the Hermite The motiâ—â— of this enterprisâ— who hauing long trauelled in the East and seene the miseries of the Christians among the Barbarians the maners of the Leuantins and the commodities and discommodities of the Prouinces of Asia neerest to the Holy Land he laide a pâ—ot with Simeon Patriarck of Ierusalem to solicite all Christian Kings and Princes to imploy their forces for the conquest of the Holy land The euent was answerable to the proiect for being come to Rome to Pope Vrbain the 2. he did so well lay open the estate and importance of this action as being satisfied by him he resolues to inuite all the Kings Princes Potentates States Comoâ—altieâ— Lords and Gentlemen of Christendome therevnto To this end hee calls a Councell at Clermont in Auuergâ—e where he assisted himselfe and induced the whole assemblie by his perswasions with so great efficacie as they resolued neither to spare their persons nor estates in the execution of so important a worke Godefroy of Bouilâ—on sonne to Eustace Earle of Boulogne vpon the Sea being Duke of Lorraine by his Vncle Godefroy the Crooke-back the sonne of Gothelon a great and a generous Prince ofâ—â—ed himselfe the first to this expedition and was chosen chiefe of this famous action The Emperour and all Christian Princes promised to contribute their meanes some their persons A troupe of all the selected Nobilitie of Europe did willingly consecrate themselues The names of such as went to the Holy land The most apparent were Eustace and Baldwin brothers to Godefroy Hugh the great Earle of Vermandois brother to Philip King of France Robert the Frison Earle of Flanders Robert the second sonne to William the Bastard Duke of Normandie and King of England Stephen Earle of Blois and Chartres Aimar Bishop of â—uy William Bishop of Oranges Raimond Earle of Tholose and Saint Gilles Baldwin Earle of Hainault Baldwin Earle of Retbel Bohemond Duke of Apouâ—lie Garnier Earle of Grez Harpin Earle of Bourges Ysoard Earle of Die Rambaud Earle of Oranges William Earle of Forest Stephen Earle of Aumal Hugh Earle of S. Pol Rotron Earle of Perche and many others worthy to be registred in this Historie I haue onely noted such as I could finde out All Europe was moued with this voyage France Germanie Italy England Scotland Hongarie Denmarke and Sueden Spaine onely failed being at that time much troubled to keepe their owne home from the Sarrazins who were lodged euen in their bowels France did contribute more then all the rest of Christendom The zeale which moued these generous and valiant men made them to hazard all Dukes Marquises Earles Barons Knights and Gentlemen sold and ingaged their Seigneuries
to furnish themselues in this affected voyage at what price soeuer Godefroy of Bouillon chiefe of the armie sold the Seigneurie of Bouillon to Aubert Bishop of Liege and Metz to the Inhabitants Robert Duke of Normandie ingaged all his lands to his brother William King of England Herpin Earle of Berry his Earledome to King Philip. A sale farre more honorable for the selâ—ers then for the buiers There was a quarrell betwixt the children of Taâ—cred the Norman of whom we haue spokenâ— who by his valour had conquered Scicile Calabria Apulia â— growne from light beginnings It seemed to be immortall the question being betwixt wilfull Kinsmen but this zeale did so pacific their quarrels as they brought aboue twenty thousand braue men to the army with their own persons Iâ— euery 〈◊〉 there was nothing but men making their prouisions the wayes were full of souldiers horseâ— baggage which repaired to the Rendezuous the Ports Hauens and Seas swarmed with sâ—ips and vessels to transport our generous Argonauts they being guided with this holy zeale The number of the Armie to the Holy lâ—nd to settle the State of Christians in the Holy land The number of the armie is diuersly reported Some write they were six hundred thousand fighting men others restraine it onely to a hundred thousand The first number were more likely for what were that in Europe but for our wretched dissentions But that which they adde is to be considered That many else well affected were kept back by reason of the dissentions betwixt the Emperours and Popes so as Germanie a great nurâ—erie of men of warre sent very few and Italy fewer being dispensed withall by the Pope who had ingaged others See the ordinarie frutes of home-bred quarrels the which fortifies the enemies of Christendome Some writers of iudgment adde that Pope Vrbain did cunningly vse the Christians zeale to weaken the Emperour and his Partisans that hee might preuaile with more facilitie causing them to marche in this action and retaining such as were at his deuotion This is their opinion as the wise reader may verifie in their places 1096. The sequell will shewe that this voiage did nothing mortifie the quarrell betwixt the Emperor the Pope the which was reuiued after a tragick maner We follow the traces of truth as euery thing hath succeeded Here we discourse of the beginnings and motiues of this war we shall see the end and issue of this great preparation Let vs reurne to the hauen to our Argonaâ—â—es the trumpets sound they are all ready to set saile Godefroye diuided his army into three fleets making the Rendezuous aâ— Constantinople whether he had sent his Ambassadors to Alexis Emperour of Greece The army parts and arriues at Constaâ—tinople who entring into iealousie of so great an army made some difficulty to grant him ports yet in the end hee yeelded and gaue him an honorable entertainement The departure of these Christian Aduenturers was in the yeare 1096. the first day of Aprill Behold our Latins arriued in safe port thus hereafter wee shall call them to distinguish them from the Greekes being Christians friends the Turkes Leuantins enemies They vndertooke no small worke neither went they to take possession of an empty inheritance The Turkes and Mahometains their enemies were Lords of Asia from the realme of Pontus towards the Mediterranian sea vnto Hellespont after they had expelled the Greekes ouerthrowne the forces of the Caliphes of Babilon and Egipt The Maâ—â—metain command and had seized on Palestina Iudea and all the rest of the Kingdome of Israell from the entry of the holie Land vnto Libanus Ierusalem was in their hands Their estate springing from weake beginnings encreased dayly Soliman Belchiaroc was their fiâ—t Sultan or Emperour who quickned with so hot a sommons of Christians assembled his forces togither stoode vpon his gard and prepared to fight Godefroy taking the aduice of Alexis Emperour of Greece who made shewe to imploy all his meanes to aduance the common cause resolued to passe into Chalcedone and beginning with the Citties of Asia to make his passage more easie The Christian troupes twâ—se defeated by the Turkes Hee had sent Peter the Hermit before the first trumpet of this warre with Gaultier who was a better soldiar and some troupes to discouer the Country but both togither making scarce one good Captaine suffred themselues to be beaten by the Turkes so as Godefroy sends in their place one called Regnaud or Raimond who makes profession to know the Country but he speeds worse suâ—â—ring himselfe to be beaten by the Turkes and to â—ace his life he renounced the Christian religion abandoning al that had followed him to the slaughter This was a â—oretelling of ill successe The army marching by Asia the lesse first they beseege Nicomedia the lesse takes it â—â—en they attempt Nicea a Citty of Bethinia famous for the first generall Councell 〈◊〉 â—as held against Arrius The Sultan had thrust Mahomet into it one of his braâ—est Captaines yet was it taken by assault by the Christians after two and twenty daies â—â—ege The Sultan had his army in field the which approched to fauour the beseeged Godeâ—â—oy winnes the greatest part oâ— Asia and to saue the remainder of this ship-wracke and likewise to hold the Citties in obedience which stood amazed Nicea being yeelded there were some skirmishes so fauorable for the Latins as Soliman retires his army to the mountaines leaues the plaines Citties to Godefroy who puft vp with this happy successe and leauing a good gard in Nicea he passeth through Bethinia and comes to Heraclea the which yeelds presently and goes on with such successe as in lesse then foure yeares he subdued all the goodliest Prouinces of Asia that is to say Lycaonia Cilicia Cappadocia Paphlagonia Siria Mesopotaâ—ia and Comagene as the wise reader may see in the Originalls of the whole History without making of any particular relation in this discourse These happy and gainefull conquests strooke as great a terror in Soliman and the Leuantins as it purchased honour and reputation to Godefroy and the Christians so as hauing taken Antioche Tripaly and other renowned Citties Iudeâ— and Ierusalem taken Godefroy of Boullâ—n chosen King of Ierusalem they came into Iudea and to Ierusalem with a victorious courage Thus Ierusalem is beseeged with such dilligence and resolution as after eight and thirty daies it is taken by assault and all the Turkes â—ut in peeces The poore inhabitants without armes are carefully preserued to purchase a double victory to the Latins of valour in fighting well and of clemency in sparing the vanquished 1109. The Citty wone the Latins assemble in councel with one coÌ„mon consent choose Godefroy of Bouillon King of Ierusalem Al the royall ornaments were taken accâ—pted by him except the Crowne of gold the which he would haue of thornes like to that of our sauiour Iesus Christ to augment the price
these butchers attending their misery Lewis King of France punisheth the rebells shut themselues into the great Tower of S. Donas Lewis doth first bury the body of this good Earle honourably the which had lien without sepulchre and then doth punish the murtherers and their complices rigourously But this is not all He must prouide for the Earledome remayning without a Lord by the death of Count Charles deceassed without children Pretendants for the Earledome of Flanders There wanted no pretendants William of Ypre sonne to Philip of Flanders the second sonne of Robert the Frison King Henry of England who desired greatly to ioyne this goodly Country with his Normandy Stephen of Blois Earle of Montreuill and Bologne Baldwin Earle of Hainault and William the sonne of Robert called Court-house brother to the King of England but his sworne enemy hauing vsed his father ill and kept him prisoner Lewis was soueraigne Iudge of this controuersy Flanders depending on the crowne of France He assigned all the pretendants of the Citty of Arras signifiyng that his intent was to do him iustice but in effect he inclined to fauour adiudging the Earledome of Flanders to the last that is to William of Normandy to binde him with more strict bounds against his â—â—nsman On the other side the Flemings assemble at Ypre and chose William of Loâ— Lord of Ypre The King aduanceth with his forces to Ypre to preuent this popular election where he enters the stonger and forceth William to renownce it VVilliam of Normandy made Earle of Flanders From thence he goes to all other good Citties where by his authority he causeth William of Normandy to be receiued for lawfull Earle and puts him in solemne possession by a publike act But his fauour had ill bestowed this goodly inheritance of an vnworthy man whose fury depriued him presently Lewis hauing installed him He oppresseth his newe subiects returnes into France William insteed of winning his newe subiects by equity and mildnesse begins to oppresse them after a rigorous and imperious manner by infringing of their preuileges ostentations of his authority taxes subsidies newe impositions and by all other meanes which Princes that seeke to loose their Estates hold to torment their subiects He had so far exceeded as the Citties without any wauering resolue to prouide a better Earle and to this intent they seeke a head The memorie of their good Earle makes them to cast their eyes vpon him that hath most right to this inheritance as the neerest kinsman which is Thierri son to the Duke of Alsatia and of Gertrude daughter to Robert the Frison The Flemings intreat him to come into their country The Flemings chooâ—e them a new Earle promising him all assistance to conquer the State He comes and is receiued with an extraordinary ioy by all the people All the Citties assemble to acknowledge him by order and dismisse William of Normandy who seeing a flat repulse by this people thus freed repayres to Lewis for succour in this extremity Lewis fayles him not his army marcheth with great speed hee himselfe comes in person and is receiued into Arras from thence he adiornes Thierry to come and answer before him as his soueraigne by what warrant hee carries himselfe for Earle this sommons is made vnto him at Ypre whether he had retired himselfe Hauing condemned him by default Thierrithe new Earle of Flanders defeated he approcheth his army to Ypre to vexe the inhibâ—bitants Thierri sallies forth with a notable troupe of men they ioyne the fight is fierce but the check falles vpon Thierries forces who with much a doe saues himselfe in Alost William pursues him and approcheth the towne sommoning the Inhabitants to obey and to deliuer vp Thierri as an Vsurper VVilliam of Normandy stâ—â—â—e in Flanders But he was not aduised that one with a Crossebow shot an arrow at him and pierced him through the arme Behold hee is wounded and within two dayes he dies Thierri and the Flemings send presently to Lewis to beseech him to receiue them into fauour whereby he may be assured of theyr faithfull seruice Lewis consents and confirmes him and hauing caused him to take the oath of fidelity and receiued his homage after the manner of his Ancestors 1121. he returnes into France But Flanders continued not long in quiet as we shall see hereafter To these stirres of Flanders were added some garboyles in Bourbonois and Auuergne Archibauld Earle of Bourbon was deceassed leauing one sonne of the same name Troubles in Bourbonois but a young man and a brother called Haman who abusing the time in the weake minoritie of his Nephew would make himselfe Maister of Bourbonois pretending the Earledome to appertaine vnto him by the death of his elder brother to whom hee must succeed in order as the yongest of the house The mother and friends of Archibauld opposed against Hamon the right of representation inuiolable in France in great houses which is that the sonne of the eldest brother represeâ—ts the Father and without doubt succeeds in all his rights to enioy them as if he himselfe liued for that the Father reuiues in the Sonne Hamon building his chiefe interest vpon force would not admit any reason that made for his Nephew so as the matter was brought before the King who by the aduise of his Councell declares Archibauld the lawfull heire and puts Haman from his pretensions commanding him to leaue the possession of Bourbonois free to his Nephew 1123. This Archibauld did afterwards marrie his daughter Beatrix to Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauuoisis sonne to the King S. Lewis The stâ—â—ke of the house of Bourbon and of this marriage by the royall stemme is discended the most famous race of Bourbon the which at this day doth happily enioy the Crowne and realme of France But Haman who held some places in Burbonois would not leaue the possession refusing to obey the Kings commandement relying vpon the fauour of Eustache Earle of Auuergne who sought to free himselfe There was a priuate subiect of complaint against him hauing displaced the Bishop of Clermont against the Kings will These occasions drew the King into Bourbonois where hauing besieged Haman he ended this controuersie in fauour of Archibauld The affaires of Auuergne were more difficult by reason of William Duke of Guienne who imbraced the cause for the Earle of Auuergne pretending that he was his vassall This quarrell seemed to take a long course but it was pacified by this meanes Lewis had six sonnes Philip Lewis Henry another Philip Peter Robert and one Daughter Constance He had crowned his eldest sonne Philip who dyed by a strange accident going to take the aire on horseback Philip eldest sonne to Lewis died by a strange accident a Hog passed vnder the bellie of his horse the which being feared did shake this young King so violently as he threw him downe and so brused him as within few dayes after hee
the Countrie of Northuâ—â—â—â—and adioyning vnto Scotland for his charges in the warres Henry the father aduertised of all these preparations moues not hoping that reason should reclaime his Sonne and to this end hee sends an honourable Ambassage to Lewis and to his Sonne being in France the which made them more resolute an vsuall thing in such as are sought vnto Elenor addes more to this dissention great enough of it selfe The sonnes make warre against the Father to crosse the affaires of her old husband with whom shee stood in very bad termes Shee doth bandie her two Sonnes Richard and Geoffrey against the Father causing them to ioyne with their Brother Henry who is puft vp wonderfully here-with hauing his bretheren for companions of his furie The warre breakes forth amongst them the Kings Armie enters into Normandie the which obeyed the Father Henry the Sonne takes some places and ingageth some men of warre with great promises and by great assurances of good the which was not in his power to performe Henry the Father hauing prouided for England against William King of Scottes passeth into Normandie where laye all the burthen of the warre and Armes with great speede The coldnesse of his age was chased by the liuely apprehension of so many indignities The greatest part of his subiects detested the presumption of this Sonne neither could they allowe of Lewis his proceedings 1155. who had done better in casting Water then Oyle into this home-bred fire Lewis supports the sonnes against the father Lewis besiegeth Vernueil and fearing to be forced to raise the siege vnder colour of a parley with Henry he takes the Towne and sends forces from other parts into England to cause new broyles Richard Duke of Guienne by his Mothers right makes warre there but all these vnlawfull attempts haue no successe The French that passed into England are beaten Richard preuailes not against his Father to whom most of the Citties yeeld daily leaue the Sonne Richard drawne to his duty by the respects of Nature But they preuaile not which cannot be denied forced by necessitie desires to parley with his Father He is receiued into grace and deales with his brother Henry for the like reconciliation Lewis finding Henryes disposition allowes of it They send Ambassadors of either side This vnciuill vnlawfull warre was ended by this accord Henry King of England reconciled to his sonnes That the Father should reâ—aine alone in the Royall authoritie acknowledged and obeyed of all his sonnes that he should giue honorable allowances to eyther of them according to their degrees That the marriage of Henrie with Marguerite the eldest Daughter of King Lewis should be consumated and that Alix his other Daughter should be giuen in marriage to Richard the other Sonne of Henry to make an absolute accord Thus this Tragedie seemed to end with a Comedie But there shall be change of subiects vpon another Scaffold As these things passed in England Italy was nothing quieter by the dissentions that were reuiued betwixt the Emperours and Pope After the death of Conrad Frederick surnamed Barberousse is created Emperour of whom Histories yeeld an honourable testimonie of his wisdome and valour Hauing pacified Germanie he came into Italie to repaire the confusions bred both by long absence and the death of Conrad The Emperour hauing punished the Veronois and the Milanois New dissencion betwixâ— the Emperor and Pope had incensed Pope Adrian who supported them the factions of Guelphes and Gibelins beeing confusedly spred throughout all the Citties so as hee was ready to excommunicate him when as death stayed this storme leauing it ready to his successors The Schisme which grewe in the Sea of Rome by these factions stayed the blowe some hauing called Victor as most affectionate to the Emperours partieâ— others Alexander as his sworne enemie To remedie this deuision Frederick calles a Councell at Pauia and sends to both the Popes to come thether Victor comes and offers to performe what should be decreed Alexander on the other side makes the old answer these be the words of the Historie That the Pope was not to bee iudged by any man liuing and that hee neyther ought nor would appeare The Councell being thus dissolued without any good conclusion the Emperour for the making of an accorde intreates Lewis King of France Henry King of England and the Kings of Scotland and Bohemia to meete in some conuenient place for a parley Dijon was appointed as bordering vpon the Empire They meete but their conference did aggrauate the quarrell Lewis was wholy for Alexander who had likewise gained the Venetians and the greatest part of Italy The issue of this paâ—ley was open force the which Frederick imployed against the Milanois being the principall cause of this dissention Frederick the Emperor ruines Milan whome hee did punish seuerelie hauing taken spoiled and sackt their Cittie ruined it vtterly causing Salt to bee sowen there punishing the authors of this rebellion capitally Alexander not able to resist Frederick retires himselfe into France from whence he planted his battery against the Emperour The Milanois sauing what they could in this shipwrack begin to build their Citty vnder the fauour of Pope Alexander to make new desseignes against Frederick who returns into Italy makes himselfe maister of Genoa He takes Româ— and creates a new Pope from whence their means came defeats the Romaines in a pitched field takes Rome causeth another Pope called Calixtus to be created in the place of Alexander the 3. Alexander saues himselfe at Venice Otho The sonne of Frederick folows after to take him with 75. galleis Otho the Emperors sonne caâ—en by the Veneâ—ians But the chance turned for he himselfe was taken by Cian Generall of the Venetians and carried prisoner to Venice TheÌ„ Frederick grew more mild accepted of such conditions of peace as Alexander had prescribed That he should craue absolutions on his knees and himselfe should lead his armie into Asia So as Frederick comes to Venice and being prostrate at the Popes feet in a sollemne assemblie 1171. he asketh pardon The Pope sets his foote vpon his neck and cries with a lowd voyce Super aspidem et basiliscum ambulabis The Emperour moued with this disgrace The Emperor subiects himselfe basely to the Pope answers Non tibi sed Petro. The Pope replies Et mihi Petro. This brauado of Alexander seemed so strange to some of his traine as Theodore Marquis of Misnia trembling and gâ—ashing his teeth with choller was held back by the reines of respect yet hee runnes to the Emperour and takes him vp The Pope fearing least these Germaines should offer him some violence beeing amazed casts himselfe about Fredericks neck whome euen now hee held vnder his feete beseeching him to preserue him from his traine The Emperour giues him his word for hee was the stronger both within the Cittie and without hauing humbled himselfe for
Willam King of Sicilia Al these were preparatiues of great warre against France And could Baldwine Earle of Flanders be wel satisfied being intreated as we haue seene Richard ioynes with him They resolue to make warre against Phiâ—ip in diuers places Hauing assembled foâ—ces their Baldwine enteâ—s into Artois Richard into Vexin contries then in Controuersie wherby reasoÌ„ the warre should begin seing the processe was bred there Philip without any amazement prouids for Artois sending forces thether vnder the command of his Sonne Lewis Warres with Richard King of England He himselfe marcheth in person against Richard who beseeged Corceeile the which he releeued in despight of him Richard not able to hinder these souccors takes his way into the Contrie of Beauuoisin and spoyles it Phillip doth the like in Normandy All tends to trouble by the willfulnes of these two Princes when as the Pope some say Celestin others Innocent .3 sends his Noncio to exhort them to peace This perswasion staied it not but only made a diuersion of their armes for Richard supposing that Philip could not auoide the blow being ingaged in Nomandie he marcheth into Berry and being assisted wâ—th all his forces of Guienne beseegeth Yssoudun hauing wasted and spoyled all the country Philip beseeged Vernon although the name be diuersly coated Vernon Vernueil or Aumale he leaues the Towne and flies to Richard to draw him to fight who finding himselfe to weake retyres to his towne Philip returnes to his seege and wins the Towne not withstanding all the attempts of Richard who now takes breth to seeke his reueng but God had otherwise disposed with whome all Princes ought to accoumpt for their actions 1223. who laughes at men when they vexe themselues most During his aboade at Limoges hee was aduertised that one of his men at armes had found a great treasure in the ground This Souldiar fearing to bee ill rewarded by Richard flies to a small Towne of Limosin which the Historie called Caalac or Cailus held by the French although it were of the Prouince of Guienne then belonging to the English Richard besiegeth it but as hee approched too neere the walles hee was wounded with an Arrow in the left arme His desire to follow this siege makes him to neglect his wound which impaires not being drest He takes the Towne but the man saues himselfe hauing hidden his treasure so as Richard tooke not the treasure which hee hunted after with a desire so vnseemely for a great Prince but insteed of taking gold Richard King of England dyes death surprised him who leauing his life vpon so light an occasion leaues a notable example of the vanitie of this world in the lightnesse of humaine spirits who suffer themselues to bee transported with couetousnesse a miserable councellor both to great and small This death did somewhat temper the bitternesse of their dissentions but it did not quench it betwixt France and England Iohn had right to succeed in the Realme of England as brother suruiuing the King deceased Iohn succeeds Richard and makes peace with Philip. but Arthur Duke of Brittanie sonne to Geoffrey the other brother as wee haue said pretended the Crowne to belong vnto him as the sonne of the elder Elenor their mother being yet liuâ—ng Iohn was receiued by the English so as being in possession he had the better and stronger title Philip fauoured Arthur but hee meant to make his profit of the Brothers dâ—uision and to keepe the stakes Being sought vnto by Iohn the new King of England who had then nothing of greater import then his friendship hee concludes a peace with him vpon condition That Iohn should yeeld vp all that his Brother had taken in Berry and neuer pretend any thing of that which Philip had taken Vexin in these latter warres and that Elenor Mother to Iohn Duchesse of Guienne should doe homage to the King for that Prouince as depending of the Crowne of France This aâ—cord is ratified by a new alliance the which encreased no loue Lewis the Sonne of Augâ—stus takes to Wife Blanche the Daughter of Alphonsus King of Castill War betwixt Iohn King of England and Artâ—ur his Nephew and of Iohns Sister being his Neece In the meane time Philip fauours Arthur vnder-hand who assisted by his meanes takes the Cittie of Tours to his great content Arthur doth him homage presently for the Countries of Touraine Aniou and Maine and so passeth on and takes Mirâ—â—eau where Elenor his Gâ—and-mother was resoluing to proceed on further but the Almightie GOD stayed his course For Iohn comes besiegeth and takes Mircbeau againe and Arthur his Nephew likewise Iohn murthers his Nephew Artâ—ur Elenor extreamly afflicted with these diuisions dyes for griefe and Iohn puts his Nephew Arthur whom he held Prisoner to death to extinguish all controuersies for the title â—f the Realme although this death were cloaked as accidentally falne out for sorrâ—w The cauâ—e of a cruell warre Hence sprung a cruâ—ll Warre Constance the Mother of Arthur Duchesse of Brittanie demands Iustice of Philip as her Soueraigne Philip adiornes Iohn and for not appealing hee condemnes him as guiltie of the crime imposed Iohn declared 〈◊〉 of murtheâ— felony by 〈◊〉 and of fellonie in disâ—beying of his commandements Hee proclaimes him an enemie and doth confiscate all hee held of the Crowne This sentence is seconded by open force to make the execution thereof more easie The Brittons and Poiteuins wonderfully greeued with this cruell fact arme and come to Philip. So Iohn abandoned of all flies to Pope Innocent the third accusing Philip of the breach of his faith in making Warre against him Innocent the third declaring that the breache of faith belonged properly to his authority and so by consequence carrying himselfe for Soueraigne Iudge of the câ—ntrouersie betwâ—xt the two Kings commands both the one and the other to laye aside Armes and to suffer the Churches in peace threatning to cursse his realme that should disobey his authority Pope Innocent â—â—â—â—rposeth his authority Philip shewes that hee hath neyther broken his faith nor peace with Iohn But that hee being his vassaile had slaine his Nephew in the territories of his obedience as it appeared by good proofes so as it was not reasonable the holye authoritie of the Church should serue as a defence or support for his impunity in so detestable a crime seeing the punishments of subiects and vassals 1201. appertained to the Prince by all diuine and humane Lawes But there were new complaints to the Pope against Philip that finding himselfe oppressed with war he imposed certain tenths vpon the Clergy to ease the people who complayned of their burthens He did not exact this of the Church by his owne decree but had assembled a Nationall Councell at Soissons to that end The Pope said this was done against his authority and not onely threatned Philip by his Censure but also all the Clergy that had assisted
euent answered the proiect and by an admirable meanes the which ruined Peter through his owne folly This tyrant growne proud by the wishfull successe of the English forces makes no regard to satisfie the Prince of Wales for the charges of this warre although the successe were for his good but busying himselfe to take reuenge of such as had risen against 〈◊〉 he contemned such as had succoured him yea treading all pietie vnder foote he allyed himselfe with the King of Belle-marine a Sarasin and marrying his daughter he abiured the Christian Religion holding the neighbourhood of so mighty a King Peter forsakerâ— by the English is taken prisoner to be more certaine and profitable then all the forces of England But it fell out contrary to his conceipt for Henry assisted by the constable Guesâ—lin and the French forces hauing won fiue battels against Peter in the ende he was quite defeated and taken prisoner Hauing him in his power Peter King of Castile beheaded at the Castilians suâ—e wonderfully incensed against this Tyrant he caused his head to be cut off reaping the fruites of his impiety the which made him to forsake the true religion of his vanity trusting to a rotten planke with the losse of his conscience and of his exceeding cruelty hauing murthered his wife tiranised ouer his subiects and spoyled his brother of his estate against all right An excellent lesson for all men especially for great Princes not to dally with God who punisheth haynous crimes with haynous punishments euen in this life attending the euerlasting paine in the life to come Charles King of Nauarre was much perplexed seeing himselfe betwixt two armies for desiring to be a neuter and to please both he knew not how to gouerne himselfe He seeks to intertaine both Charles and Edward although he were more ingaged to the English and could not well trust his brother in law hauing greatly offended him The King of Nauarres dissembling So hee lets the English army to passe through his dominions when it marched into Castile to succour Peter and suffered himselfe to be taken prisoner by Oliuer of Mauny a Gentleman of Britaine who led him into Castile to make the English thinke he had bin forced and the French that hee did willingly imploy himselfe for them beeing in their troupes A miserable hypocrisie which of a maister makes himselfe a slaue who might haue bin one of the chiefe of the army without this wretched dissembling The good and wise King taught by the example of his father Iohn that an Eele is lost by ouergriping it desiâ—ed onely to pacifie his brother in lawe although he were well acquainted with his bad disposition and the practises he continued with England So he gaue him a safe conduct to come vnto him and restored vnto him Mantes and Meulan and the free possession of his lands in Normandy but this prince fraught with malice could not be reclaimed neither by the Kings prosperity noâ— by his clemency for not trusting him hee retires to his realme of Nauarre where he continues his old practises with the English Th◠〈…〉 King Charles hee helps the Britton with men out of Normandie and attempted against the Kings person seeking to poyson him by Iaquet Rue and Peter of Tertre his domesticall seruants who were executed and the Nauarrois places seized on as guilty of high treason Thus Charles was forced to fight against his owne bloud and to haue the malice of his kinsmen and allies No small combate for a great Prince We haue discoursed at large of the valour and happy successe both of Edward the 3. King of England and of Edward his sonne Prince of Wales But as humane things are not durable so there chanced a great accident vpon his returne from the war of Castile which brought them both to the graue The Prince of Wales finding himselfe threatned with a dâ—opsey passed from Bourdeaux into England to take the ayre of his natiue country but hee died soone after his ariuall the 46. yeare of his age A Prince of great hope not onely lamented of his friends but coÌ„meÌ„ded of his enimies Edward the father The death of both Edwards seeing his right arme as it were cut off died for griefe leauing Richard the son of his son Edward in his place who was receiued without any questioÌ„ made by his vncles as the first by right of succession Richard not to degenerate from the example of his grandfather and father The English second passage through France being crowned King vndertakes a warre in France whether he sends a goodly army vnder the coÌ„maund of the Duke of Clarence his vncle who hauing landed at Calais passeth the Riuer of Somme at Clery neere vnto Peronne bending towards Soisson he crosseth the Riuer of Oise Ain Then marching towards Chaalons he passeth Marne and shewing himselfe before Troyes in Champagne he spoyles the country and so goeth ouer Seine betwixt Ville-neufue and Sousey and bending towards Beausse and Gastinois he crosseth into Brittaine there 〈◊〉 the war in fauour of Iohn of Montport spoyling the country with a strange desolatioÌ„ On the other side there lands an other army at Bourdeaux the which hauing entred the country fortified such places as held for the English to nourish the seeds of this new warre 1380 In the country of Geuaudan a dioces in that large Prouince of Languedoc there was a Castle neere to Mande named Randon whereas the English maintayned a strong garnison a retreat for theeues which did infinite harme in the country The country hauing sued vnto the King to free them of this incombrance he graunted them Guesâ—lin the Constable a man of great reputation but the army should be defrayed at their charges He comes into Languedoc 〈◊〉 Randon and brings them to the last extremity but as the beseeged not able to hold out were entered into composition behold the Constable sick to the death yeeldâ— vp the ghost At the same instant the place was yelded vnto the King so aâ— in signe that the honour of this prize was due to Guesâ—lin the Captaines carried the keyes of the castle vpon his herse The death of the Constable 〈◊〉 Thus died 〈◊〉 leauing an honourable testimony of his valour and loyalty and to Charles an 〈◊〉 sorrow for his death who honoured him with a notable obsequie causing his body to be interred with the Kings at S. Denis at the foot of his own tombe was that of Guesâ—lin with a burning Lampe maintained by foundation called The Lampe of Guâ—selin vnto this day King Charles had g uen all Bourgogne to his brother Philip for his portion according to the will of his father Iohn as we haue said and had married him with Margueret the rich heyre of Flanders Being in possession of Bourgogne there happened another occasion in Flanders which won him great credit with those people whom he should comand after the death of Lewis his father in law
〈◊〉 in the King if he heard thereof he caused them to be trussed vp in packes of silke with cotton These armes passing vpon moyles through Aâ—uergne The Duke of 〈◊〉 armes 〈◊〉 Doyac Gouerâ—or â—f the Country had some intelligence and aduertiseth the King thereof who dâ—clâ—reâ— them forfeited to the benefit of Doyac This buying of armes made Lewis to gâ—pe more then euer after Brittain but he defâ—r the execution to practise the Gouernors of Gand by the Lord of Cordes and treats tâ—e mâ—rrâ—age of the Daulphin his son with Marguerit the daughteâ— of Maximilian and 〈◊〉 lately deceased The late suâ—prise of Aire by de Cordes amazed the Flemings and 〈◊〉 made theÌ„ willing to seeke an agrement with the King To this end Maximiâ—â—â—n they togither send a great Ambassage to Arras managed for the Arche-duke bâ— the Lords of Bâ—rgues and Launoye â—iâ—h some Secretarâ—es and for the Comonalties bâ— the Abbots of S. Bâ—rtin and Saint Peter of Gand. â—he King appoints his Lieutenant generâ—ll in Picardie to heare theÌ„ with la Vacquâ—rie lately created first President of the 〈◊〉 of Paris and other graue peâ—sonâ—ges A peace is concluded by meanes of 〈…〉 marriage in fauor whereof they giue as a portion to the sayd Marguerit the 〈◊〉 of Arthois Bourgongne the Lands and Seigneuries of Mâ—sconois Auxerrois Châ—rolois Salins Bar Sens and Noyon to enioye them for euer A peace betwixt the King and Maximilian And in case that young 〈◊〉 Earle of Flanders should die Marguerite should succeed him in all the Lordships that belonged to her deceased mother the souerainty of Flanders remayning to the King By meanes hereof the Artesiâ—ns that haâ— beene confined returned to Arras and the Citty recouered her ancient name Thus Marguerite was conducted into France by the Lady of Rauastein the bastard dâ—â—ghter of â—hilip Duke of Bourgongne and receiued by the Duke Duchesse of Bourbon who lâ—d her to Amboise the place of the Daulphins abâ—ade where the marriage â—as solâ—emnly celebrated Eâ—ward King of England was wonderfully inceâ—sed at this maâ—riage seing himâ—elfe depriued of hâ—â— peâ—sion The Dâ—ulphins mâ—rriage with Maâ—guerite and fearing least this disgrace should bâ—eed him great contempt yea a rebellioÌ„ of his subiects seing the effects of that which he would not beleeue Moreouer he did finde the King had newly planted strong defences betwixt them two and his conquests did stretch very neere vnto him He concâ—â—â—ed so great a griefe vpon all these considerations as soone after he died partly for 〈◊〉 and partly of an Apoplexie Soonâ— after the death of Edward Lewis recâ—â—â—es letters frâ—m the Duke of Glocester Edward of England dies who by the murther of his two Nephewes tâ—e sonnes of Edward his brother had vsuâ—ped the Crowne of England and was called Richard This Richard sought the Kings friendship but Lewis abhoring so barbarous a câ—uelâ—ie would not vouchsaâ—e to answere his letters nor to heare his message But he enioyed not long this tirannous vsurpation Troubles it England Richard murthers his two Nephews vsurpes the Crowne God raised vp that Earle of Ricâ—emont whome we haue seene so long prisoner in Brittain who with some little money froÌ„ the King and 3. thousand men leuied in the Duchie of Normandy passed into Walles ioyned with his father in law the Lord Stanley with 26. thousand English with which forces he encouÌ„tred Richard fought with him and slewe him in the field then waâ— câ—owned King of England At the same time William of Marche brother to him whom tâ—ey commonly caâ—led the Boare of Ardenne to install his sonne in the Bishoprike of Lâ—ege leaues a great number of foote and horse and beseegeth Lewis brother to the Duke of Bourbon being Bishop there The Bishop craues succors froÌ„ the Arche-duke of Austria and the Prince of Orange his brother in lawe who not able to come in time anâ—â—â—est by some secret partisans of la Marche he goes forth in armes to fight with his enemy was slaine whereby la Marche entred into Leige but soone after he was surprised by the Lord of Montaigni aided with some troupes froÌ„ the Archduke sodenly beheaded 1483. Our Lewis is now well satisfied touching the affaires of Flanders there remained nothing but a reuenge of Brittaine The last act of Lewis his life But oh how doth suspition feare distrust and finally death breake off his great desseins He is now at Plessis neere Tours priuate solitarie and shewing himselfe to few He feares a decay of his estate and yet is become vnable to gouerne a great Estate The opening of a doore feares him his owne shadow amazeth him death terrifies him but the worst is his conscience troubles him Hee puts his most trustie seruants from him hee doubts his neerest kinsmen hee abhors them he suspects them suspects al the world Those whom he doubts most hee dismisseth His disposition in his declining age with a couple of his gard to guide them pensiue sad dreaming froward peeuish and cholerick euery thing displeaseth him all is vnseasonable all offends him he knowes not what is fittest for him either life or death and yet would he liue raigne He knowes that he hath many enemies and hath offended many that the greatest of the Princes loue him not that the meaner sort murmured and that the people hated him for he hath ouercharged them yea more then any of his Predecessors and hath not meanes to ease them and although he hath a will yet it is now too late Oh what a greeuous testimonie is the conscience of our misdeeds fewe enter at Plessis Consciencia mille â—â—â—tes but his houshold seruants and the Archers of his gard whereof there are fouâ—e hundred daily in gard at the gate No Nobleman lodgeth there none come there but his sonne in law Peter afterwards Duke of Bourbon by the death of Iohn his brother and few of his followers and yet he thinkes still that some one enters in to offer vâ—olence to his person or that by loue or force they will pull his scepter from him He causeth his sonne to bee straitly garded and will not suffer many to see him least hee should be made the head of a faction His daughter hath no accâ—sse to him His son in law no credit His sonne in Law returnes from the Daulphins marriage Lewis with a deuise makes the Captaine of his gard to search such as are entred with the Duke to see if they were not secretly armed He commands him to hold the Counsell then he dissolues it for in his abseÌ„ce they would make Monopoles Who did euer see a mind more distract more vnquiet and fuller of cares Hee distrusts his sonne his daughter his sonne in law and generally all those that may commaund The Castle gate is safely garded but they may leape ouer the walls they must bee planted with gadds of iron with many points and so thicke as no man might
Rouen by the taking of Ponteau de Mer and Honfleur Moruilliers content to haue preserued Rouen at this time retires to his house leaues the charge to the Earle of Montgomery called by them of Rouen out of base Nâ—rmandy The 〈…〉 About the end of SepteÌ„ the King the Queene the King of Nauarre come to the armie consisting of sixtene thousand foot two thousand horse besiâ—es Reâ—sâ—res Lansquenets fiue dayes are spent in skirmishes but with most aduantage to the bâ—sieged 1562. The sixt day most part of the souldiers go to refresh themselues within the 〈◊〉 A Captaine named Lewis who had intelligence with the enemy giues them 〈…〉 They runne hotly to the assault during these skirmishes they had made a breach in the wall with fiue or six hundred canon shot they kill many good souldiars many pâ—â—ners The â—oâ—t takeÌ„ 28. women and take the place but with the losse of Lewis his life slaine b◠〈◊〉 of his souldiars as he did helpe the assailants to mount A worthy reward for sâ—â—â—â—â—ble a treachery Three hundred Burgesses did runne to the defence but the fury of the assault carried some to their graue and others to prison and made the way easiâ—â—or the taking of the Bulwarke of Martinuille and the fort of Montgomery The 13. of October a hot assault was giuen against the Towne from the morning vntiâ—l 〈◊〉 and many men on both sides slaine The next day about eleuen of the clocke they renue the assault and plant three Enseignes vpon the Rampar of S. Hilary Montgâ—meâ—ie repells them and driues them back beyond the trench killing of his enemieâ—â—bout eight hundred men and loosing of his party foure or fiue hundred men women and children The next day was fatall to the King of Nauarre If I may said he to a Nobleman escape from this seege The King of Nauarre slain I will neuer carry armes more for this quarrell A certaine foretelling of the mischiefe that followes vs doth commonly touch our hearts Hauing visited the trenches and dined neere vnto the wall without the battery he was shot in the shoulder as he made water the bullet being drawne out too late by the Surgâ—ons and his wound inflamed by his voluptuousnesse accompanied with a feuer hee gaue his soule to God the 17. of Nouember following as we haue said before â—n the meane time the battery continues many thousands of shot beat downe diuers towers many mynes play without effect The fourth assault was more aâ—aileable the 26. of October Rouen taken Therby the assailants win the breach at the port Hilarie they enter in troupe and kill all they incounter force houses rauish wiues and maides and commit all acts ordinary in the like accidents Montgomerie vnable to withstand this last violence saues himselfe in a gally with such as could get in the rest remaining in prey were spoiled slaine drouned and made prisoners The Parliament returnes three dayes after the taking of the towne and at theiâ— first sitting Execution at Rouen the president of Mandreuille lost his head Soquence and Berthonuille Councellors and Marlorat a Minister were hanged and the next day fiue Captaines and diuers Burgesses of the towne Moreouer enuy and hatred amidst these popular furyes brought in question the Seigneur of Anthot chiefe president and â—oisâ—oger the Kings aduocate being catholikes but enemies to sedition and wise politicians In ciuill tumults the vulgar doth commonly take for essential markes of religion the insolencies and excesse which fury and the sufferance of the magistrate doth suggest Diepe serued for a retreat to many Protestant families but the ouerthrow of some troupes which Briquemault sent to Montgomery for a supply Diepe yeelded and the taking of Rouen terrified the most part of the inhabitants who being pressed by Aumale and Villebâ—n were content to yeeld and to cease the exercise of their religion Ricaruille and Bacqueuille had the gouernment and taken againe the former of the Castle the other of the towne But howe many Captaines by indiscretion haue lost both liues and places Ricaruiâ—le going out off the Castle to see his horses is slaine and sodainly the Castle is seized on by Cateuille and Captaine Gascon who going from thence into the Townes takes Bacqueuille and restore the exercise of the Protestants vnder the gouernment of La Curee Montgomery laboured with all his power to mainteyne the Protestants in base Normandy but he had the Duke of Estampes and Matignon to incounter him In May hee had taken Vire Viâ—e beaten downe the Images and carried away the relikes The last of Iuly the Catholikes awaked at this first rumour surprize the Protestants comming from the preaching reuenge their losses by the death of some and hurting of others About the end of August la Mothe Tibergeau Auaines and Deschamps sent by Montgomery with â—ixe score horse surprize the towne and spoyle both it and the countrye The 4. of September the Duke of Estampes comes with eleuen Cornets of horse 1562 1563. they force the towne kill Auaines take the Castle stabbe two hundred men that were fâ—ed into it rauishe and kill women and children Tibergeau and many others ransomed their liues So as generally there was nothing but taking and retaking of townes with most cruell and inciuill stratagemes The Vidame of Chartres and Beauuoir la Nocle his brother in lawe hauing assured themselues of Newe hauen the Vidame going into England Newe hauen deliuered â—o the English treated with the Qâ—eene to succour the Protestants and for assurance of her men and money deliuered the sayd place into her hands with protestation as well by him as by the Queene no way to preiudice the Kings soueraigne authority nor the estate of the Realme Also she shall shortly yeeld it without any difficulty According to the treaty there arriues sixe thousand English in Normandy vnder the command of the Earle of Warwike and are dispersed to Rouen Diepe and Newhauen After the taking of Rouen the Reingraue brought his Reisters before Newhauen But his violence preuailed as little as fifty thousand crownes did with a collar of the Order a coÌ„pany of men at armes entertayned which the Queene Mother promised to Beauuais to corrupt him to yeelde vp the towne Brittain continued vnder the moderate gouernement of the Duke of Estampes both for that the Queene mother liued in suspence and entertayned both partyes Brittaine as also for that the factions of Normandy had drawne away the worst affected Those of Guienne Languedoc and other places made warre against the Images and altars ministring occasioÌ„ to shed the bloud of liuely Images at Grenade Castelnaudarry Cahors where aboue six score Protestants assembled to heare the preaching were slaine On the other side Bury and Montluc scourges to the Protestants reuenged the beating downe of Images throughout all Guienne with infinite murthers and lamentable spoiles Duras hauing abandoned the protection thereof vpon a commandement
the stemme foundation of the third royall race which raigne at this day Robert Philip the â—iâ—st Lâ—wis 7. called the Long. Lâ—wiâ— the eight Philip 3. called the bardy Lewis 10. called Huâ—in Henry Lewis 6. called the grosse Philip 2. called Augustus Lewis 9. called S. Lewis Philip 4. called the faire Philip 2. surnamed the long Charles the 4. called the Faire the last of this fiâ—st branch Robert the 37. King of France THe raigne of Robert long happy fol 129 He preferres Henry his younger sonne to the Crowne before the elder ibid. His disposition ibid. Wise Kings and of long life are happie for an Estate fol. 130 He giues Burgundie to Robert his eldest sonne ibid. Robert makes an agreement with the emperor for Lorraine ibid. He reconciles the Duke of Normandie and the Earle of Chartres ibid. Henry 1. the 38. King of France HIs raigne fol. 131 Contention betwixt the brethren ibid. Odo earle of Campaigne seekes to seize vpon Burgundie fol. 132 Robert Duke of Normandie preferres his bastard before his lawfull children fol. 133 Happie succâ—sse of the Normans in Italy ibid. Henry dies ibid. Philip 1. the 39. King of France BAldwin Regent in Philips minoritie fol. 134 He punisheth the rebels of Gascoine ibid. He dies much lamented fol. 135 The disposition of Philip. ibid. Philip forsakes Baldwins children ibid. William bastard of Normandie aduanced to the Crowne of England Philip discontented at his aduancement ibid. The Leuaine of dissention betwixt France and England fol. 136 The English enter Guienne ibid. Confusions in Italy betwixt the Emperour and Popes ibid. The Pope incenseth the sonne against the father and takes both Empire and life from him fol. 137. The beginning of the states of Daulphine Sauoy Prouence and Franche Countie ibid. A voyage to the Holy land and the motiue of this enterprise ibid. The names of such as went to the Holy land fol. 138. The number of the Army ibid. The Mahometans command fol. 139 The Christian troupes twice defeated by the Turkes ibid. Godfrey conquers the greatest part of Asia ibid. He is chosen King of Ierusalem ibid. The sonnes of William King of England fol. 140 Philip dies his disposition ibid. Lewis 6. called the Grosse the 40. King THe estate of this raigne fol. 141 Rebels suppressed and punished fol. 142 The Emperour grieued for the ill vsage of his father comes to Rome and forceth the Pope to take an oath ibid. The Emperour degraded by the Popes decree ibid. The Emperor and King of England ioine against France ibid. The French King and the Emperour reconciled fol. 143. Great troubles in Flanders ibid. Crueltie in the citie of Bruges ibid. Lewis King of France punish the rebels fol. 104 Pretendants for the Earledome of Flanders ibid. William of Normandie made Earle of Flanders ibid. The Flemmings chuse them a new Earle and Thierry the new Earle of Flanders defeated ibid. William of Normandie slaine in Flanders ibid. Troubles in Bourbonois fol. 145 The stocke of the house of Bourbon ibid. Philip eldest sonne to Lewis died by a strange accident ibid. Lewis the yong marries the heire of Guienne ibid. Lewis the 6. dies fol. 146 Lewis 7. called the yong the 41. King of France THe estate of his raigne fol. 146 The Christianâ— affaires in the East ibid. Godâ—frâ—y of Bouillon dies and the Christians loose all in the East fol. 147 The Emperor and King of France resolue to succour the Christians ibid. A horrible massacre coÌ„mitted by the souldiers of Lewis and by his consent fol. 147 The Emperour and Lewis goe into the East ibid. The Emperor of Greece deales trecherously with the Emperour and the King ibid. The Emperor and King of France make a shamefull returne from the East fol. 149 Queene Elenor vnchast ibid. Lewis pretends a cause to be diuorced from Elenor and restores her Guienne ibid. Elenor marries with Henry King of England ibid. The first Warre betwixt France and England for the Earldome of Tholouse ibid. Great troubles in England betwixt the Father and the Sonne fol. 150. Prince Henry â—ealous of his owne Father ibid. The Sonnes make Warre against the Father and Lewis supports his Sonne against him fol. 151. Henry King of England reconciled to his Sonnes ibid. Frâ—derike the Emperor ruines Milan takes Rome and creates a newe Pope ibid The Emperor subiects himselfe basely vnto the Pope fol. 152. Lewis dies ibid. Complaints against the abuses of the Church ibid. Phillip the 2. called Augustus the 42. King of France An excellent King and an excellent raigne fol. 153. His disposition The Iewes banished out of France ibid. Competitors for the gouernment of the State fol. 154. Troubles in Flanders for the Earldome of Vermandois ibid. Henry Prince of England dies before his Father ibid. Phiâ—lip of France and Richard of England make a Peace ibid. The miserable Estate of the Christians in Asia ibi The Christians in Asia at Ciuill warre fol. 155. The Emperor of Greece murthered by his Tutor ibid. King Philip and Richard King of England make a voiage to the Holy Land ibid. Richard exploits in Asia ibid. Philip stirs vp Iohn against his Brother Richard King of England fol. 156. Richard makes a truce with â—elâ—din ibid. Hee is kept prisoner by the Emperor and put to ransome ibid. An vnknowne Aduocate pleads against the King for his wife Gâ—lbâ—rge ibid. Philipâ— warre against the King of England and the Earle of Flanders fol. 157. Richâ—rd King of England dies fol. 158. Iohn succeeds Richard and makes a Peace with Philip. ibid. Warre betwixt Iohn King of England and Arthur his Nephew ibid. 〈◊〉 murthers his Nephew 〈◊〉 ibid. Iohn declared guilty of murther and felony by Philiâ— ibiâ— Philip takes Normandy and Poitou from Iohn ibiâ— Great enemies against Philip and a dangerous League against him ibid. His Victory at Bouines against the Empeâ—or fol. 159. The Emperor dies for griefe of his disgrace ibid. Iohn makes the Realme of England tributary to the Pope â—ol 160 He doth homage to the Popes Legat. 〈◊〉 Iohns oppression of his subiects is tâ—e cause of his ruine 〈◊〉 The English reiect Iohn and offer the Realme to Philip. 〈◊〉 Lewis of France receiued by the English 〈◊〉 King Iohn dies for griefe â—â—l 161. The English change their opinion They â—â—ceâ—ue Henry the Sonne of Iohn and dismisse 〈◊〉 of France 〈◊〉 Philips Actions Testament and his Lands vnited to the Crowne fol. 162. His death and his conditions 〈◊〉 The Estate of the Empire 〈◊〉 The Pope opposeth against the Emperor 〈◊〉 The Emperor muâ—thered by Otho who succâ—eded him ibid. The faction of Guelphes and Gibelius fâ—l 163. The Popes seekes to haue soueraigne authority ouer Christendome 〈◊〉 Orders of Relligious men ibid. Lewis the eight Father to Saint Lewis 43. King of France HIS raigne and death fol. 164. His manners ibiâ— Languedoc returnes to the Crowne ibid. Diuers opinions of the Albigeois and their opinions as some write ibid. The Earle of Tholouse
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
of gold pretious stones dedicated to his Crowne by a Holy humility and a religious acknowledgement of the victory which the Son of God hath gotten by his bloud to giue vs in Heauen the Crowne of immortall life This famous act chanced in the yeare 1099. in the moneth of March. Hauing put Godefroy and the Christians in possession of the Holy Land let vs returne into France to our Philip not without griefe to see the dissention betwixt the Emperour and Pope who were nothing reconciled by the voiage to the holy Land The increase of this newe power purchased in England to the Sonnes of William the Conquerour gaue him no small occasion to looke to his affaires and the rather for that this newe King of England had begonne to make a breach in his Estate taking Xaintonge and Poitou Countries very important being members of one of the principall Prouinces of his realme The sonnes of VVilliam King of England foreseeing also that Normandy would bandy it selfe against France without all respect William had leâ—t three sonnes of great hope William surnamed Rufus King of England Robert Duke of Normandie whome wee haue left in the holy Land and Henry Earle of Maine withall his treasure Philip therefore to secure his Estate following the example of his Ancestors caused Lewis his sonne whome hee had by Berthe daughter to Baldwin Earle oâ— Flanders to bee Crowned King Philip dies There was a scandalous breach in this marriage for Philip falling in loue with Bertrade the wife of Foâ—ques Earle of Aniou puts away Berthe and afterwards hauing reiected Bertrade hee receiued Berthe againe His disposition being mother to King Lewis to whome hauing resigned the crowne at Orleans hee died at Melun in the yeare of grace 1109. of his age 57. and of his raigne 49. hauing raigned long to settle his Estate but not without a leuaine of much trouble to come hauing degenerated from the vertues of his grand-fathers and father He was disloyall couetous louing nothing but his owne profit pittilesse ingrate and one who sowed dangerous seeds of much mischiefe which began to bud in the raigne ensuing LEWIS the 6. called the grose the 40. King LEWES .6 KING OF FRANCE XXXX AS wee foresee a storme by the clouds that rise 1110. by the darke mists of the thicke ayre The estate of this raigne pierced through with sparkles like the shining of a close fire and by the motiues of the water driuen with a violent and sudden wind euen so there be simtomes fits in an estate which foretell the alterations which shall insue the which fall not all at one instant but the subiect being gathered togither in processe of time breakes forth when it can no longer hold There is this difference betwixt naturall things and those which belong to man for that men can well discerne what the wether will be but he is blind in that which concerns himselfe and neuer beleeues vntil he feeles the blow falling into the danger which he flies by his owne fault neuer wise but after danger France had inioyed peace aboue a hundred yeares vnder these forepassed raignes shee now growes wearie This raigne is a preamble to a mornfull song which shal make them to weepe that reioyced in the fruition of so long rest The name of royall authoritie held all those great men backe which had any interest therein the wisedome of Capet Robert Henry and Philip had so bridled them as they willingly obeyed Now they are of an other humor The Duke of Normandie who since Capet had beene obedient and affectionate to the Crowne The French begin to fall from their obedience seeing himselfe strengthened with the Realme of England hee frames all his practises to ouerthrow this order by rebellions and tumults Lewis had scarce performed his fathers funeralls before the fire of rebellion kindled in diuers parts of the realme and as if the Kings youth had beene a blemish to his dignitie euery one will play the pettie King The places neere vnto Paris began these first reuolts by reason of the many great horses thereabouts Corbeil had an Earle 1109 Chartres an other Piseaux in Beause had one Crecy had his Lord Marle his Pompone his and so diuers other Seigneuries had euery one their particular Lord. But as a disease stirres vp all the humors in a weake bodie so all that were discontented with Lewis gather togither into one head to afflict him vnder the countenance of the King of England They were for a time suppressed yet this was but to open a vaine and not to cure the feuer Guy of Crecy the Lord Piseaux 〈◊〉 Earle of Dammartin Thibaud Earle of Champagne and Brye Pean of Louure in Parisi Milon of Montlehâ—ry and Philippe the bastard of King Philippe all ioyntly play the mutines and rise against their King At the same instant Henry King of England goes to field his priuate quarrell was for the Towne of Gisors seated vpon the riuer of Epre on the confines of Normandie Rebels suppressed and punished But this small processe was soone ended for Lewis hauing defeated the English neere vnto Gisors hee forced Henry to retyre and afterwards punished all these rebells increasing his reuenues by their confiscations But the quarâ—ell betwixt the Emperour and the Pope did hatch a more dangerous proces for France We haue sayd that Henry the 5. banded against his father Henry the 4. who had associated him to the Empire and had cast him into prison by the Popes Councell where this poore man died for greefe Henry the 5. wonderfully troubled in consciâ—nce and vexed with daily approches that hee had violated the Imperiall rights resolued to haue his reuenge of Pope Pascall the author of this cruell and vnkind Councell To conclude he aâ—mes and that with so great a resolution as in few dayes The Emperour 〈◊〉 for his 〈…〉 hee assembles threescore thousand foote and thirtie thousand horle with this army hee goes into Itâ—lie and hauing taken and spoyled Noâ—arre Pontremolo and Arezzo hee comes a Conqueror to the gates of Rome the which were opened without any resistance Being entred the Cittie and causing the Pope and Colledge to assemble he makes knowne vnto them the rights of the Empire as Pope Leo the eight had acknowledged them to Otho the second Emperour The Emperour comâ—s to Româ— and 〈◊〉 the â—oâ—e to take an oth and before him Adrian to Charlemagne according to the decâ—ee of the Councell at Rome conteined in the sixtie third distinction and to conclude he forced him to take the oath of fidelity as to the true and lawfull Emperour and then returnes with his army Pope Pascal extremely moued with this 〈◊〉 calls a Councell wherein he protests to haue beene forced by 〈◊〉 so by consequence pronounceth that whatsoeuer he had promised was of no force and after all these toyles he died Gelisais succeeded him both in place and hatred against the Emperour
her impudencie did so faâ—re exceed as shee would dishonourablie haue stayed in Antioche and left her husband presuming to cloake her shame with a shew of Religion saying without blushing that she could be no more the wife of Lewis to whom shee was Cousin in the fourth degree preferring the loue of a Iester named Saladin of the Sarrazin race Queene Elenoâ— vnchast before the greatnesse of a King of France her lawfull husband Lewis being much disquieted perswades this woman to returne a heauier burthen to his minde then to his ship being returned to his house hee frees himselfe with all the speed he can And whereas hee should haue cast this insatiate woman into the Riuer being no more his wife and retained her Dowrie iustly gotten she playing bankerout of her honour Lewis pretends a cause to be diuorsed from Elenor and restores her Guienne hee calles a Councell at Baugency to haue her diuorsed the which was granted vnder colour of this farre fetcht consangunitie But his desire was to bee freed from her So retaining two Daughters borne vnder the vale of their marriage hee restores vnto Elenor all her Countrie of Guienne that is he puts into the hands of his furious enemie a Torche to set his whole Realme on fire for so soone as shee sees her selfe freed from the subiection and feare of a husband shee stayed not long to acquaint her selfe with Henry King of England and Duâ—e of Normandie Elenor marries with Henry King of England the greatest and most capitall enemie that Lewis had So hee obtained Guienne by the voluntary cession which Lewis made to haue the better meanes to annoy him and his whole realme Moreouer Lewis payde deerely for so great a discomoditie for the Pope would not giue him a dispence to marrie againe without a great summe of money to be imployed in the warres of the Holy Land and to finish this worke hee tooke to Wife Constance the Daughter of Alphonso King of Galicia being a weake friend Lewis marries againe and farre off This marriage was not greatly conuenient neither for his owne quiet not the peace of his subiects This subiect of deadly rancor encreasing the hatred of these two neighbour Monaâ—kes of France and England burst forth soone by dangerous effects The benefit of the new purchase of Guienne was the cause of that perrilous warre the which had so long and so lamentable a continuance William Duke of Guienne Grand-father by the Father to Queene Elenor had marryed the onely Daughter of the first Raimond Earle of Tholouse who had ingaged the sayd Countie to Raimond Earle of Saint Gilles who since also called himselfe Earle of Tholouse being seized of the sayd Countie and enioyed it quietly vnder the Kings obedience Henry King of England offers the money to Raimond to redeeme it The first war betwixt France and England for the Earledome of Tholouse and demands the Earledome as his Wiues right Vpon his refusall he armes enters into Quercy takes Cahors spoiles the Countrie and besiegeth Tholouse Lewis intreated by Raimond runnes to quenche this fire Beeing arriued and the two Armies readie to ioyne a peace was made betwixt the two Kings by the marriage of Marguerite the Daughter of Lewis with Henry the eldest Sonne of Henry King of England The two kings reconciled by a marriage But for that shee was very young and not yet mariageable shee was deliuered into Henry the Fathers hands vntill shee were of fitte age to marry Lewis had now buryed his wife Constance who left him but two Daughters without any heyres male so as being desirous to haue a successor hee made no delay to matry and tooke to his third Wife Alix the Daughter of Thibaud Earle of Champagne his vassall 1151. and newly reconciled but not greatly affected vnto him vntill that time Hee had a Sonne presently by her whom hee called Dieu Donné or giuen of God as an acknowledgement that God had sent him at his and his subiects praiers This is hee that shall succeed him I should begin to describe his raigne but order commands me to relate what happened during the raigne of Lewis in the neighbour nations of England and Italy wherein Lewis had great crosses Henry King of England had two sonnes by Elenor Richard and Geoffrâ—y and by his first wife hee had Henry who was made sure to Marguerit of France of whom wee haue spoken The Father caused him to be crowned to settle him in his life time and tyed the English vnto him by homage A young Prince ambitious audatious ill aduised and rash who cannot long conteine himselfe with the taste of this new authoritie Notable troubles in England betwâ—â—â— the father and the sonne but will play the King with his Father And although his Fathers admonitions restrained him for awhile yet this ambitious humour still burst forth So as the Father from milde admonitions came to threats the insolencie of this young Prince increasing dayly Some yeares passed whilest this fire lay smothered very long for young Henry to whom the Fathers life seemed too tedious and the children of the second wife grew by the care of Elenor their Mother Henry the Father discontented with his Sonne and fearing that in consumating the mariage betwixt him and the Daughter of France the young Prince would grow proud augmenting his traine and State and through the fauour of King Lewis his Father in Lawe attempt something preiudiciall to his authoritie Hee delayed the accomplishment of this marriage although the Virgin werâ— of more then sufficient yeares to marrie To this mischiefe was added an other more shamefull for that Henry the Father caused this Princesse to bee carefully kept the which should bee his Daughter in Lawe fearing least his Sonne should violently take her away Prince Henry iealous of his owne father and marry her Elenor falles into iealousie as if Henry had abused her And it was easie to settle this conceit in her sonne in Lawe Henryes head who had the chiefe interest in this delay And to publish this scandolous report vnto the people to make the old man more odious vnto the whole world A malitious and importune woman borne for a great plague to both these Estates As men doe commonly adore the Sunne rising so there wanted no Sicophants in Court to flatteâ— the cares of this young King and likewise to incense the two Kings one against the other in flattering their passions Thus Henry transported by these occasions complaines to Lewis of the double wrong his Father did him both in the delay of his marriage and deniall of his authoritie And as Lewis at his request had giuen some admonitions vnto Henry in the end this passionate young Prince came to Paris where beeing well receiued hee enters League with Lewis to make warre against his Father and to disquiet him in diuers parts William King of Scotland is an associate vpon condition that Henry shall giue him
of K. Alphonso attending meanâ— to repaire his affaires in better season In the meane time Simon doth promise himselfe the property of all Raymonds estates the which he had gotten with his Sword but for that it was apparent that the King of France would hardly grant so goodly a Prouince taken from his kinsman to one of his subiects Simon therefore flies vnto the Pope by whose authority this war was chiefely ingaged from whom he attended his chiefe recompence hauing laboured for him Innocent the 3. finding that Philip who would not desist in his pursute against Iohn King of England notwithstanding his interdictioÌ„â— would not be moued now by his simple authority to leaue so important a peece he assembles a great Councell meaning to force the King to yeeld vnto his will â—he Patriarkes of Ierusalem and Constantinople were there in person The Councell of Latran and those of Antioche and Alexandria sent their deputies there were 70. Archbishops 400. Bishops and 1000. Abbots Priors The Emperors of the East West the Kings of France England Spaine Ierusalem Cipres and other Kings Princes and great estates had their Ambassadors By a decree of this notable assembly Count Raymond was excommunicated with all his associats The Earldome of Tholouse giuen to Simon of Montfort by the Pope his lands adiuged to Simon of Montfort for his seruice done and to do to the Catholike Church Philip could not gain-say this decree confirmed in a maner by the consent of the whole world He therfore receiued SimoÌ„ to homage for the Prouince of Languedoc whereof he tooke peaceable possession but he did not long enioy it â—or seeing himselfe inuested he began to oppresse his new subiects An Eâ—le is lost with ouer griping The people of Languedoc finding themselues oppressed with this insupportable burthen of Simon they resolue to call home their Count Raymond who was retired into Spaine to seeke some meanes to recouer the possession of his estate His case was not desperate for hee enioyed the Earldomes of Viuareâ—z Venaissan and the Citty of Auignon places kept by his subiects during these occurrents whether Simons forces were not yet come Raymond being called by his subiects returnes into Languedoc accompanied with a notable troupe of Arragonois being discontented for the death of their King Alphonso The whole Countrey baâ—died against Simon hating him as an vsurper Simon hated by his subiects of Languâ—doc for hâ—s oppression â—yâ—â—nie and detesting him as a tyrant for doubtlesse vniust violent things cannot continue Whilest that Simon seekes to bridle the Citties of his new conquests leaping from place to place with an infinite toile behold Raymond is receiued into Tholousâ— by intelligence with great ioy of the inhabitants Simon abandons all the rest and flies thether but he finds a stop for comming to the gates of the Citty as he approched neere the walles to parley he was hurt in the head with a stone wherof he died The example of Tholouse made the greatest part of the subdued Citties to reuolt Simon of Montfort left two sonnes Simon of Montfort slaâ—n before Tholouse Guy and Amaulry vpon the reuolt of Tholouse the one seizeth vpon Carcassone the other of Narbonne but Guy was slaine in Carcassone by the Inhabitants who were the stronger Amaulry hauing fortified Narbonne repaires to Philip Augustus beseeching him to succor him in his necessity Philip had the Wolfe by the eare for as on the one side he desired this goodly Prouince for himselfe rather then for the children of Simon of Montfort so was he also restâ—ained by the authority of the Pope and Councell He theâ—fore sends his sonne Lewis into Languedoc to reduce the Country to his obedience But he had scarce taken any one Castell when as his fathers death calls him home Count Raymond receiued againe in Languedock So as Count Raymond his subiects of Languedoc had time to reuiue their spirits recouer many places gotteÌ„ by Simon The king of England would neither assist nor send to the coronatioÌ„ of Lewis although he were held as Duke of Guienne 1223. This occasion moued Lewis to warre against him Warre in Guienne against the English whereby he got Niort and Rochel and Sauary of Mauleon Gouernour for the English retired to his seruice This losse made the warre more violent Richard Earle of Cornwaile brother to Henry King of England passed into France with a goodly armie and hauing taken S. Macaire Langon and Reolle Townes seated vpon the Riuer of Garonne and defeated some French troupes he made way for a truce which was fauourable for both parties But especially for Lewis being desirous to settle matters in Languedoc the which troubled him for the daily proceedings of the Albigeois yet was hee loth to labour for another For this reason he treats with Amaulry Earle of Montfort touching the right he had to that Countrie with whom hee preuailed the more easily for that hauing lost the greatest part of the Prouince he was not able to hold the rest with the Kings dislike to whom hee resigned it by order of a decree made by the Pope in the Councell of Latran and in recompence hee made him Constable of France with the consent of Pope Honorius Lewis compounds for Languâ—doc with the â—oâ—n of Simon Montfort Hauing compounded with the Children of Simon Montfort hee resolued to winne Count Raymond to his deuotion and to perswade him to lay aside armes whereof hee did see the euents to be very doubtfull His intent was to vnite this rich Prouince of Languedoc to the Crowne But reason which saith that no man thinkes his owne too much the respect which great men do vsually beare one to another and the alliance which the house of France had with the Countie of Tholouse were great restraints for the couetousnesse of Lewis But how soeuer he determined to make himselfe the stronger to prescribe them a law To this end he leuied a great Armie fortified with his Edicts by the which hee thunders against these poore Albigeois as Heretikes and Rebels These Edicts were of force whereas his authoritie was respected Count Raymond considering with himselfe the cruell beginning of this warre and the continuance of the like miserie in these second armes fearing to imbarke himselfe the third time with a people against his King is easily perswaded by Lewis to reconcile himselfe to Pope Honorius Thus Raimond leauing to oppose himselfe Count Raymond submits himselfe vnâ—o the Pope yeelds to Lewis and perswades the â—arle of Cominges the chiefe agent of his desseignes to the like obedience Thus both of them abandon the people go to Rome they make their peace with the Pope and leaue the Albigeois to the mercie of Lewis who seeing them without a head imbraceth this occasion to their ruine High and base Languedoc was wholy in his power by Raymonds departure Auignon remained with many other places in the Countie of
depart from Corbeil and enter Champagne in hatred of the Earle who had forsaken them to follow the Kings partie But Lewis taking him into his protection and marching towards them with his men at armes all their desseignes came to nothing And yet they had imbarked the Duke of Lorraine and the King of England in this quarrell Lewis hauing expelled them Champagne followes his course takes Angiers without any contradiction belonging then vnto the Brittons and from thence hee marcheth into Brittanie Terror opens the Gates of all the Citties The Earle of Dreuz leaues his Brother who seeing himselfe abandoned of them all but first of iudgement confesseth his fault and doth homage to the King for Brittanie The League broken and by this rebellion he gets the name of Maâ—clerck hauing so ill imployed his time as to suffer himselfe to bee vanquished by a Child and a Woman These troubles thus pacified to the dishonor of the Authors the young King wonne great reputation and his Mothers wisdome was generally commended Lewis makes a progresse throughout 〈◊〉 realmâ— who thought it fitte that her Sonne should bee seene of all his subiects As hee went this progresse hee receiued homage from all his Nobilitie and ordained many things according to occurrents It chanced that hauing erected Poitou to an Earledome and giuen it to Alphonso his brother Hugh Earle of Marche which lyes within Poitou would not acknowledge Alphonso for his Lord His Wife Isabell Mother to King Henry of England who had beene first married to King Iohn was the motiue scorning to subiect her selfe to an Earle of Poitou This ambitious passion was the cause of great Warre First shee drewe in the Earle of Lusignan vnder the same pretext for that there had beene Kings of Ierusalem and Cipres issued out of this Noble house and afteâ—wards the King of England The first tumult not preuented had almost surprised Lewis within Saumur and this Woman transported with pride and hatred sought to make him away eyther by poison or sword kindling the Warre in England by hired Preachers In the end after the two armies had made great spoile in Poitou Xantonge and Angoulmois both of friend and enemie a peace was concluded with the English vpon condition that La Marche should remaine in France This was the end of that feminine rage ridiculous in the issue but lamentable for the poore people who alwayes pay for the folly and malice of Princes Prouence was gouerned by the Berengers as wee haue sayd since the ouerthrow of Lewis the Sonne of Boson and then in the hands of Raymond Berenger Prouence comes to Charles of Aniou a sonne of France a fierce and cruell man who had so incensed his subiects being impatient and turbulent of themselues as they had recourse to Raymond Earle of Tholouse his neerest Kinsman to install him in their Earles place with whom they would haue no more correspondencie Being ready to arme the felicitie of Lewis pacified all Raymond Earle of Prouence had foure Daughters Marguerite which was wife to our Lewis the ninth and Queene of France Elenor which was married to Henry King of England Sanchia to Richard his brother Duke of Cornwaile and Beatrix which was to marry Daughters of great hapines hauing had three Kings and a Royall Prince The Earle of Prouence would hardly haue beene comptrould by Lewis but GOD who meant to plant a generall peace in France by the hand of this good King buried Raymond with his rage in one Tombe taking him out of the world whome a whole world could not containe Lewis after the decease of Raymond pacified the Prouençals in marrying his brother Charles the Earle of Aniou with Beatrix the Daughter of their Earle to their great content adding in fauour of this marriage Maine to Aniou And since this Charles was King of Sicilia Robert the yonger brother was Earle of Arthois By this meanes his bretheren remained satisfied Alphonsus being Earle of Poitou and Tholouse by his portion and mariage Charles Earle of Prouence and Aniou and Robert Earle of Arthois and the Realme continued in happy peace These things thus happily performed by Lewis hee imployed his care in the reformation of the Realme beginning first with himselfe and his houshold Lewis his disposition then did he plant Religion and Iustice the principall Pillers of a State for the good and ease of the people Hee lead a life worthy of a King louing and honoring Religion with much zeale and respect taking delight in the reading of the holy Scripures the which hee cauâ—ed to be Translated into the French tongue which I haue seene in a Gentlemans custodie carrying this title He did greatlie honor Clergie men being worthy of their places and was a seuere censor of them that did abuse it whom hee charged to liue according to their Canons and to shew themselues patternes of good life to the people That they should bee preferred to Ecclesiasticall dignities according to order in all libertie and should enioy their reuenues without lett That the exactions and insupportable charges imposed by the Court of Rome these are the words of his Edict on the realme of France by the which it was mâ—ghtily impouerished and which hereafter might be leuied should not in any sort be leuied without apparent cause his expresse command and the approbation of the French Church He had a good soule being iust sober modest The Patterne of an excellent Princâ— temperate in his eating and drinking in his talke habits and conuersation neither melancholie nor exceedinglie merry circumspect of a good iudgement staied charitable moderate vigilant and seuere in the obseruation of that he had decreed And as the Prince is the rule of his house he either chose seruants of his owne humor or else his seruants framed themselues vnto his disposition so as his Court was like vnto a well ordred Church His traine was royall and stately according to the times but there was nothing superfluous not lost so as hee had his Treasurie replenished to giue to such as deserued He paied his seruants wel yet he gouerned his treasure in such â—ort as his officers could hardly steale from him and such as offended he punished with so exact a seueritie as the rest feared to commit the like The orders for his treasure are registred in his Ordinances where you may see them at large He loued learning and learned men and delighted to read and heare good workes fauouring his Vniuersitie of Paris and drawing the Parisians to lâ—ue Scholleâ—s so as in his time the Vniuersitie of Paris had great prerogatiueâ— as the eldest Daughter of our Kings The realme was corrupted with the iniustice extâ—â—sion of former raignes by the sale of offices being most certaine that what we buy in grosse we must sell by retaile He did therefore expresly prohibite these sales and supplied such places as were voide according to the merits of persons after due examination to draw good men and
Guienne hee taketh Bourdeaux the chiefe Cittie of Guienne and then most of the other Townes doe willingly yeeld obedience vnto the King Rions and some other Castels well fortified by the Eâ—glish â—old good to serue as a Leuaine of this waâ—re Edward seeing himselfe thus assailâ—d aâ—mes by Sea and Land By Sea hee sends an Aâ—mie vnder the conduct of Robert Tiptoste A Leâ—â—ue beâ—wixt Edwaâ—d oâ— Enâ—land Gâ—y of Fâ—anders the Emperor and Dukâ— oâ— Bâ—r against Philip. By land hee sends some forces vnder the command oâ— Iohn Breton to preserue that which remained in Guienne and to fortifie himselfe with friends in the doubtfull euents of so important a cause hee makes a league with Guy Earle of Flanders and for confirmation thereof hee demands his Daughter Philip for his eldest sonne the Prince of Wales the heire apparant to the Crowne of England which the Earle accepts willingly And to omit nothing that might auaâ—â—e him hee enters league with Henry Duke of Bar giuing him Elenor his Daughter in marriage and with Adolphe of Nassau Emperour both hauing pretensions against France The Duke of Bar demanded Champagne of the King by the rights hâ—e preâ—ended and enters it with forces Philip sends Gualter of Creâ—y the Loâ—d of Chaâ—â—illion vpon Marne against him with a goodly Armie who on the other side entâ—ing into Barrois makes a diuersion and forceth the Duke to returne to defend his owne against Gualter â—he Emperour brauâ—ngly giues notice vnto the King that he will make warre against him to recouer the Lands belonging to the Empire Philip makes no other answer but sends him a packet well sealed vp in the which was a whiâ—e Paper foulded like a Letter without any writing This scofâ—e was a great defie as indeed the braueries of Adolphe had no successe The Earle of Flanders was the neerest and most dangerous enemie to preiudice Philip who had ioyned himselfe to the King of England by so strict a bond as the marriage of his Daughter Philip hauing three great enemies in front tryes his wittes to staye them The most dangerous was hee that dealt vnder hand that is the Fleming who made a good shew to Philip Stâ—â—ars dâ—luditur 〈◊〉 and yet treated with his most dangerous enemie but pollicie did circumuent pollicie The King findes meanes vnder-hand to giue him notice that hee would gladly see his Daughter whome hee had Christened and was called Philip by his name before he led her into England Guy brings her with him to Paris being arriued he is committed prisoner by the King The cause is made knowne vnto him by such as had commanâ—â—ment to arrest him That being his Vassaâ—le hee had presumed to allye himselfe with a capitall enemie to the Crowne giuing him so precious a gage as his Daughter Guy obtaines leaue to speake with the King Hee excuseth himselfe Philip sâ—izeth vpon â—he â—aâ—le oâ— Flâ—nâ—eâ—s Daugâ—ter but his Daughter â—â—maines as a pawne with the Queene to bee marryed at the Kings good pleasure 〈◊〉 Daughter although kindly entertained by the King and Queene was full of greefe lamenting dayly as if this honourable gaâ—de had beene a most cruell prison The Earle intreates Philip to send him his Daughter hee answers him plainely that hee tooke her not to restore her Herevpon Guy takes occasion to complaine of the great wrong hee pretended to bee done him by Philip who detaines his Daughter forceably without reason The English in the meane time make open warre in Guienne Philip foreseeing that this was the beginning of a greater storme meaning to lay the burthen vpon him that might doe him most harme sends a goodly Armie into Guienne against the English vnder the conduct of two great Commanders his Brother Charles Earle of Valois and the Constable of Neele to molest the enemie in diuers places Rions and Pondesaâ— Townes vpon the Riuer of Garonne then strong but now desolate are besieged and after many diâ—ficulties yeeld vnto the King and in the end Saint Seuer but with more paine Edmond Brother to the King of England is defeated at Sea The English affaires succeeded ill and reâ—uâ—nâ—ng into England repaires his Nauâ—e But striuing afterwards in vaine to besiege Bourdeaux with new forces hee goes and dyes at Bayonne then belonging to the English 1296. Thus all things succeeding ill for the English hee seekes all meanes to fortifie himselfe He flies to the Emperour Adolphe the chiefe instrument of his hope and sends him money to leuâ—e an armie To Pope Bâ—niface the eight beseeching him to remeâ—ber the priuate bond he had to the preseruation of England whereof he was protector Guy Earle of Flanders ioynes openly with the English in this societie to make warre against Philip with all his forces But from these light beginnings sprung diuers occasions which â—â—oubled these great Princes The Fleminge is the chiefe aduancer of this Trageâ—â—â— and shall haue his share in it A great assembly of Princes against Philip. He cals a great assemblie in the Cittie of Gramont in the yeare 1296. at the feast of Châ—istmas where Adolph thâ— Emperour Edward King of England the Duke of Austria Iohn Duke of Brabant the Earle of Iuliers William of Iuliers his Sonne Iohn Earle of Holland and of Haynault Robert Earle of Neuers William Henry and Guy of Flanders Ihon Earle of Namur and many other great personages meete and with one coâ—seâ—â— resolue to make warre against Philip. The colour was to maintaine Guy Earle of â—landers vniustly afflicted by Philip who had violently taken and stolne his Daughter against the right of Nations and detained her refusing obstinately to restore her to her Father It was decreed that Guy should begin by force and bee well secoâ—ded by the Emperour and the English in case of necessitie But before they come to Armes Pope Boniface should make the first point by the luster of his authoritie All things threatned Philip with much trouble but the end will shew that the attempts of man are all but vaine Boniface according to the intent of their league sends his Nuncio to Philip Popâ— Boniface eâ—enâ—y to Pâ—ilip which was Iames Bishop of Metz to exhort him to doe Iustice both to the Earle of Flanders and to the King of England protesting that hee desired nothing more then peace betwixt Christian Princes Hee sent the same Nuncio vpon the same subiect into England but with an other intent then hee made shâ—w of vnto Philip casting Wood and Oyle into this fire in steed of Water to quench it But for that this Pope must appeare in many acts of this Theater wee must obserue his disposition by some sufficient and not suspected testimonie Platina the â—opes Secretarie Being saith hee a Priest Cardinall of Saint Martin of the Mount Platina i◠〈…〉 hee affected the Pontificall dignitie with such vehemencie as hee omitted neither ambition nor fraude to compasse it and moreouer hee was puft vp with such arrogancie â—s â—ee
sitting in his royall throane attyred with a long robe of violet coloured veluet pouldred with Fowers-deluce of gold a crowne on his head and the scepter in his hand holding a royall Maiesty accompanied with his Constable Chauncellour and great Chamberlaine The Vicount of Melun great Chamberlaine of France coÌ„mands Edward to take off his crowne sword spurs to kneele downe the which he doth Then hee tooke both his hands and hauing ioyned them both together hee spake vnto him in this manner The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 King oâ— England to 〈◊〉 You become a Leege man vnto the King my Lord who is here present as Duke of Guienne and Peere of France and you promise to be faithfull vnto him loyal Say yea And Edward answered yea In like sort he did him homage for the countie of Ponthieu intreating Philip to restore him all those places in Guienne 1330. which his Predecessors had inioyed Philip answered him with great grauity that he would consider thereof This was the homage which Edward King of England did vnto Philip King of France the which I haue particularly noted as the first act of a notable Tragedy The euent will shew that Philip had done farre better without preiudice to his authority Philips error in receiuing homage lawfully purchased by the law of State to pacifie Edward by all ciuill meanes obseruable betwixt Kings and not to braue him vpon an inferiour quality the which is no blemish to the other for in the end he shewed himselfe his equall in dignity A furious bayte of hatred among Princes which cannot be reconciled Edward departed discontented from Philip The cause of Edwards disconteÌ„t against Philip. resolute to attempt all meanes to crosse him and to ruine him Hee seekes out all instruments fit for this dessigne both in Flanders Brittaine and Germanie whereof followed mournefull euents both for the King and his Realme I will note euery thing in order reseruing the Estate of the Church and Empire to the ende of his raigne least I should intterrupt the order of this discourse Philip was otherwise affected then Edward as commonly desire makes shewe of that which is not pleasing men with vaine imaginations for supposing that he had tamed Edward with his imperious homage he presumed that he had well setled his affayres to be obeyed by him without any contradiction and to haue his realme enioy an assured peace without any anoyance vnder his commaund Vpon this conceipt he intends a voyage to the East Philip resolues to go into the East desirous to be nothing inferior to the glorious and renowned zeale of his Predecessors In this deuotion he easily yeelds to the perswasions of Pope Benedict .xi. borne at Tholouse then resident at Auignon His fleete was then preparing at Aiguesmortes a sea Towne of Languedoc whilest that he prouides for the regencie of the Realme giuing it to Iohn Duke of Normandy his eldest sonne being foureteene yeares old leauing him a graue and learned Counsell And seeking to sownd Edwards mind if he would accompany him in this holy warre imitating the example of his Predecessors he learnes by certaine intelligence that he watched his departure to inuade France This new occasion gaue him a reasonable subiect to change his resolution and not willingly to expose his new inheritaÌ„ce to his enimy But this satisfied not Pope Benedict The Pope disconteÌ„ted with the King who grew so bitter vpon this alteration that exclaiming generally of Philip as disloyall he sought all meanes to annoy him There was a capitall hatred betwixt the Emperour Lewis of Bauiâ—re and the sea of Rome hauing excomunicated him as an heretike Benedict absolues him and becomes his friend seeking to oppose him against Philip who dislyking of this proceeding sends Entragues a gentleman of Viuarez to Auignon to let Benedict vnderstand that if he did not forbeare to speake ill of him he would force him to silence after the example of that his Predecessor whose name he bare and who had left so famous a remembrance of his rashnes to posterity Edward being returned into England sleepes not A Prince of an excellent iudgement great courage and of a resolute and actiue spirit high minded and a fatall instrument to chastise France His repulse his homage and his great meanes Edward resolues to make warre against Philip. were both the baite and the 〈◊〉 to this generous resolution which thrust him on to disquiet the possession of that by force which he could not obtaine by reason But for so great a proiect he needed a â—â—eat Counceller to direct and fortifie him in the execution of an enterprise of so great import Robert Earle of Artois a Prince of the blood of France descended from an other Robert sonne to Lewis 8. and brother to S. Lewis had a great suite with his Aunt Mahauld Countesse of Burgongne for the Earledome of Arthois Robert had laboured much for Philip in his great question for the crowne against Edward King of England before mentioned assuring himselfe that Philip would requite him in his vniust pretention but Philip preferred the countesses right before Roberts wrong so as leauing the course of iustice free the County of Arthois was adiudged to Mahauld Robert of Arthois the frebrand of war by a decree of the court of Parliament of Paris This losse did so discoÌ„tent Robert as he presumed to brag openly that he would dispossesse Philip of the crowne by the same meanes that he had raysed him vnto it But this presumptuous threat deliuered rashely before many witnesses cost both the realme and himselfe deere 1331. who in the ende smarted for his malitious and vnâ—easonable discontent He flies into England carrying nothing with him but a minde transpoâ—ted with passion armed with pollicy He flies into England Philip proclaimes him guilty of high Treason and seizeth vpon his lands Edward receiues him with al shewes of loue giues him the first place in his couÌ„cel Behold these two great Kings banded one against another entring into a dangerous warre which shall much afflict their estats as commonly the subiects pay for the follies of Princes The first breach began in the easiest places Guienne was the first exchecker of this long and dangerous game The Earles of Foix and Armagnac were for the King in Guienne the Earle of Albret for Edward The King of Scotland is a formall partaker for France warre begone in Guienne Scotland against Edward Edward begins to spoile Philips Countrie and Philip takes from Edward the Castell of Xaintes by Charles Earle of Alanson his brother Edward on the other side makes war against Dauid King of Scots and Philip sends him succors These were the first drops of that cloude which darkened the heauens attending the storme which shall fall after these thunder cracks but what is al this in regard of that which shal presently succeed By the aduice of Robert of Arthois Edward makes a proclamation against
where the Captaines iudgement is more auailâ—able then the souldiers force But why ascend we not from these second causes true in that which doth concerne vs vnto the first and soueraigne cause The arme of the Eternall â—urging this Realme full of vicious and corrupted humours letting it blood but not suffering it to die this bloud letting shal be the beginning of a stronger medicine prescribed by the same Phisition ministred vnto France in the following raignes but in the end we shal finde the operation to the recouery of our estate Let vs now see the progresse of our miseries Edward did all he could to manage this victory wisely Philip to preuent him Edwards procâ—eding after the battell wonne Edward without any stay passeth on without atteÌ„pting the great Citties of Amiens Abbeuille although neerer he makes shew to set vpon Monstreuil Bologne but he posted to Calais a fit place for the passage of England Iohn of Vienne Marshall of France with him the Lord of Andreghan great personages in those daies commanded there with a strong French garnison being assisted with the faithfull resolution of the inhabitants So presently after the bâ—tâ—aile of Cressy Edward did besiege the Towne of Calais A long siege painfull and of remarkable successe He 〈…〉 Philip amazed with these sharp crosses fallen out beyond his hopes of ease slept not although it were with much paine and lesse fruite But his whole care was not for the ouerthrowe at Cressy He had a further reach following the trace of this vnfortunate losse Hee was entred into a newe inheritance this newe losse was to him a newe checke Affliction is a great crime both in great and small A remarkable 〈…〉 this raigne and opens their mouthes which haue their hearts ill affected The people of France were in extreme pouertie and yet the necessitie of the Kings affaires forced them to a new charge The ill gouernment of the publike treasure the falsehoode of the Treasorers who inriched themselues by the pouertie of the miserable people the fall of money imbased the decay of trafficke the increase of taxes A 〈…〉 by a plâ—gâ—e imposts subsidies were the causes of this general want the which drew the people into dispaire in this surcharge of troubles falling vpon the King This burthen grewe the more heauie by a great famine being followed by a strange generall plague throughout the whole realme as if heauen and earth had conspired to the ruine of France Philip inuironed with so many and so great difficulties continues constant with a valorous resolution against them all He prouids for the gard of the Citties of Picardy lying neerest vnto danger and to driue off the time vnfit for armes he calles a great assembly of his estats Philip calleâ— a Parliament to take Councel aide and comfort in the perplexity of so many dangerous occurrents In this assembly it was decreed to call the Treasorers to an accompt and to refer the gouernment of the treasure to Clergie men to the Nobility Therby to free the people from all iealousie of ill imploying it The Abbots of Marmoustier and Corbie are chosen for this Intendancie and to assist them there are ioyned foure Bishops and foure knights Peter of Essars Treasorer of France is committed to prison condemned in a great fiâ—e to the King Many treasorers being condemned iustly or vniustly yeeld that at once which they had bin long in gathering The treasoâ—ers called in question for thâ—â—r charge the sponge being then pressed by necessitie The Bankers Lombards other vsurers are then called to a strict accompt by reason of their vniust exactions The interests are proued to exceede the principall the which is forfaired to the King The interest is remitted to the debitor which payed the principall But the chiefe frute of this assemblie was that the whole body was wel inclined to succor the King in so vegent a necessity Bankers and vsuâ—ers are sifted without any alteration for the new difficulties of State Thus the winter was spent without any memorable acte on either side In the spring Philip goes to field with a great army and approcheth neere vnto Calais to drawe Edward to â—ight but it was in vaine for Edward contenting himselfe with his victorie and not willing to râ—n the hazard of a second battaile kept himselfe within his trenches and to manifest his resolution vnto Philip Edward to 〈◊〉 not to leaue the seege he built houses about Calais to lodge his army drie sends for his wiâ—e protesting publikely by a solemne oth not to rise vntill he did see an end and make the inhabitants pay for their obstinate resâ—lution On the other side Philip labored to crosse Edwards desseines but with small successe To worke a diuersion of this seege hee makes war in England by the King of Scotlands meanes and in Flanders by his sonne Iohn then Duke of Normandy and afterwards King of France but all succeeded ill Dauid King of Scotland hauing by Philips perswasion entred and spoyled England was defeated taken brought prisoner to London through the happinesse of Edwards fortune and the diligence of his officers 〈…〉 losse in his raigne Iohn Duke of Normandie hauing left Guienne by his fathers command comes into Flanders beseegeth the Towne of Cassel held by the English faction but he is forced to rise by theÌ„ within the Towne Then he falles vpon Lislâ— where he hath a newer repulse so as hardly could he retyre himselfe to his father Philip who sees his subiects in danger of shipwracke yet could he not releeue them Guienne abandoned by Iohn for the action of Flanders suffered much for Henry of Lancaster Lieutenant for Edward in Guienne seeing the Country left weake by Iohns departure issues out of Bourdeaux with an army and finding no enemy he doth easily surprise many Townes of Xantonge and Poitou and ladden with spoile he returnes home 1347. In the ende Calais yeelds to Edward standing to his mercy Calais taken after a long and cruell famine and almost a whole yeares siege for the siege began the 30. of September .1346 and the Towne was yeelded vp in August .1347 The French garrison was put to ransome and so set at liberty the Inhabitants were worse intreated the baser sort onely were suffred to depart with what they could carrie about them and in their steed Edward sends a Colony of English to whome he distributed all the goods of the vanquished and fortified the Towne especially towards France to leaue this place hereditary to his posterity who held it .200 yeares that is from the yeare .1346 vnto the raigne of Henry the .2 father to the King last deceased The integrity of these poore inhabitants is remarkable in their extreme affliction Edward had reserued six of the chiefe Cittizens to be at his disposition for the satisfiyng of his oth hauing vowed to make the bloud to flowe in Calais
parties being hard the widow of Charles of Blois being called King Charles reconciles the pâ—eâ—endants for Britâ—aine and the matter debated he reconciles them vpon these conditions That for the interest which Ioane pretended for her and hers to the Duchie of Brittaine she should haue the Earldome of â—onthieure the Seigneuries of Auaugour Guello Gincamp Rochedorie Lauuton Chaâ—â—eaulin in Cornwaille Dualt Vhelgost and Rospreden to the value of twentie thousand Eures or franks of rent 2000 pound starling and if Iohn of Montfort died without lawfull heires the Duchie of Brittaine it should returne to Ioane and her issue male or female This accord drew Iohn of Montfort to Paris where hauing done his fealtie and homage as well for the Duchiâ— Brittain as the Earldome of Montfort and other Lands hee had in France the widow of Charles of Blois ratified it by vertue of the decree Oliuer of Clisson at the same treatie was restored to the possession of all his Lands forfaited when his father was beheaded as we haue saied He shal be Constable and shall giue vs good cause to speake of his life This accord was made in the Towne of Guerande in the yeare .1365 but it continued not long for Lewis of Aniou the Kings brother sonne in lawe to the Duchesse of Brittain was not pleased with this agreement whereby he saied he was greatly wronged Iohn of Montfort distrusting King Charles had his recourse to the King of England to whome he went in person to require ayde against the forces which he pretended would come against him The warre reuiued in Brittanie leauing Robert Knowles an Englishman in Brittaine who not attendâ—ng Iohns returne began to make warre vpon the French with all violence Charles being pressed both by the Duches Ioane and by Lewis of Aniou his brother declares Iohn guiltie of high Treason for that he had broken the accord would noâ— appeare vpon sundry summons dayly made vnto him So the warre began againe the successe whereof we wil note heere after Thus there passed six or seauen yeares with varietie of accidents in Brittaine In Fâ—anders Whilest that Brittaine was thus shaken with sundrie stormes Flanders was not without trouble by the accustomed practises of the English Lewis Earle of Flanders sonne to that Lewis which was slaine at the Battaile of Crecy had one only daughter named Marguerite who remayning heire of this great and rich estate was the Lâ—uaine of the antient iealousie betwixt the two Kings Charles and Edward striuing who should haue her The Citties of Flanders of greatest power in this purâ—ute held stoutly for the Engliâ—â— Conâ—e Lewis father to the maide was in suspence feaâ—ing both the English and the Freâ—ch for diuers respects and yet hee loued the first and feared the last But in the end by the meanes of Marguerite of Arthois mother to the Earle a marriage was concluded in fauour of Philip the hardy brother to Charles King of France to Edwards great griefe both father and son who in disdaine of this refusal sought al meanes to breed new troubles in France The treatie of Bretigny ministred a newe subiect and apparent cause of discontent to the King of England who complayned that hee had beene deceiued by Charles vnder a shewe of faithfulnesse hauing restored vnto him all his hostages receyuing onely the sommes promised for the ransome leauying vpon his simple word the reuenues of those Seigneuries granted him by the treatie The cause of new warre 〈…〉 and â—nâ—â—and Charles had retyred all his hostages in good time paying readie money and making knowne vnto Edward the sundrie charges he had giuen to the Countries and places comprehended in the treatie to yeeld them selues whollie into his power he likewise signified vnto him his subiects answers who in the beginning excused themselues ciuilly by honest delayes but in the ende the generall Estats giue Charles to vnderstand That the question being for the generall interest of the States they were not to bee forced to yeeld to an vnlawfull action directly contrarie to the fundamentall lawe of the realme which suffers not the King to preiudice the Crowne nor to alienate the reuenues thereof which were not to be alienated That tâ—is accord made in prison for the Kings redemption was forced and so by consequence vneiuill and not to be allowed by the Lawe of nations The effects followed this resolution with such an obstinacie of the Countries Citties Noble men which were charged by this treatie to yeeld as they protest freely to Châ—rles that they wil willingly spend goods liues rather then fal into the king of Englands hands coÌ„trariwise wold imploy al their meanes to liue vnder the subiectioÌ„ of the king of Fraâ—ce This faithâ—ull constancie of the interessed subiects must needs be pleasing vnto Charles 1366. but to that he himselfe had made this treatie his honouâ— was greatly ingaged the which he must 〈◊〉 by good and auaylable reasons and make it â—nowne vnto all Europe who haâ— tâ—eir eyes fixed vpon these two Princes playing their parts vpon so famous a Theater 〈◊〉 complaines by a sollemne Ambassage to the Emperour Charles the fourth 〈…〉 the paines to come into France The Emperor seâ—kes to reconcile theiâ— two Kings with an intent to imploy his authoritie and 〈◊〉 to reconcile these two Princes but it was in vaine The cause of this fruitlesse 〈◊〉 pâ—oceeded from Edward being resolute to haue his part tryed by armes being 〈…〉 by his victorious successe in the former raignes Châ—rles â—ad alwayes protested to obserue the treatie of â—retigny inuiolable But hauing 〈◊〉 the geneâ—all resolution of the States and of the countries and Noblemen 〈◊〉 bâ— the said treatie he resolues to protect them and hauing excused himselfe both to the Emperour and forraine Princes by a publike declaration he sends a Gentleâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Bâ—â—ussâ— called Chapponeau to the Prince of Wales being at Bourdeaux summoning 〈◊〉 to appeare before him at Paris Câ—arlâ—s proclaimes waâ—â—e against the Kinâ— of Eâ—â—â—lâ—nd at the instance of the Nobilitie and commons of 〈◊〉 complaining of him He also sent a Herald to the King of England to proclaime wâ—rrâ— against him The Earle of Armagnac the Lord of Albret who had newly maried 〈…〉 Boâ—rbon and by this alliance was become French the Earles of Perigort Cominâ—â— and Carmaâ— the Lords of Barde Condon Pincornet Pardaillan and Agenois began 〈…〉 against the King of England followed by all those Prouinces protesting 〈◊〉 the crowne of France At 〈◊〉 example all the Townes of the Countie of Ponthieure yeelded to Guy Earle of 〈◊〉 and to 〈◊〉 of Chastillon Maister of the Crosbowes Then the Kings armies marche 〈◊〉 parts vnder the commands of the Dukes of Aniou and Berry the Constable 〈◊〉 to whose wisedome especially to the Chancellor Dourmans The successe oâ— the Frâ—nâ—â— armie in Gâ—â—â—nne they attribâ—â—e the obedience of the people of Guienne discreetly practised by them Limoges and
seruice Queene of Sicile his mother in lawe with Tanneguy of Chasâ—ell being very acceptable to these two bretheren Their comming did greatly aduance this businesse They preuailed so farre as the Duke of Brittaine the Earle of â—ichmont his brother were both ready to imbrace the Kings friendship and to doe him seruice so as the Duke of Bourgongne would yeeld vnto it and in the meane time to draw this businesse to some good end Richmont should go and treat with his maiesty vpon good hostages for his safety This condition was accepted by Charles and to loose no time the Lord of Albret and the bastard of Orleans were sent vnto him for hostages and the townes of Chinon Loches Lusignan Meung were giuen him for assurance vntill the end of the treaty and ample pasports made to go and come with all liberty This worke began this yeare in Nouember and shal end the next yeare with a notable successe But the Duke of Bourgongne imbraced an other notable occasion which shall more preiudice the English then this occurrent of Brittain We haue said that this leâ—ain was layde in the yeare 1423. by the marriage of Iaquâ—line Countesse of Hainault Holland Zeland a wife contended for by two husbands the Duke of Brabant cousin germaine and a deere friend to the Duke of Bourgongne and the Duke of Glocester brother to the Duke of Bedford and vncle to Henry the 6. King of England two great parties which shall diuide the Dukes of Bedford Bourgongne and shall be the meanes to reconcile the BourguignoÌ„ to Charles A notable processe of Iaqueline against her husband supported by the Bourguignon reduce him to the obedience of this crowne expell the English out of France and restore the realme But the prouidence of GOD which goes insensibly by degrees aboue mans conceipt must be distinctly considered About the ende of this yeare Iaqueline of Hainault comes out of England with the Duke of Glocester her second husband foâ—tified with an armie of fiue thousand English She caused the Nobility and the Citties to renue their othes both to her and the Duke of Glocester her lawfull husband All the Nobilitie obeyes this commandement except the Earle of Conuersan Iohn of Iumont Angilbert of Anghien and all Townes except Hals The Duke of Bourgongne greatly affected this quarrell The Duke of Bedford foreseeing the danger that might growe by the Bourguignons discontent labors to suppresse it in the breeding and to that ende he drawes them to Paris with their friends but in vaine The one striues to inioy his estats and the other to hinder him So as whilest the cause is disputed in the Court at Rome the armies prepare on eyther side to ende it by bloud and spoile The Glocestrian begins the Bourguignon followes So the end of this yeare is the beginning of a warre of foure whole yeares but it shal be ended in fauour of the Bourguignon This newe yeare shal be spent in the altercations of the Court and Brittaine The Brittoâ— made Constable of France The Earle of Richemont comes to Tours to Charles as he had promised to the Queene of Sicile but not able to resolue any thing without the consent of the Duke of Bourgongne as we haue sayed the King seeing it very necessary he should go to him doth sende to him with a very honorable Ambassage Iames of Bourbon Earle of Clermont and a Prince of his bloud the Archbishop of Rheims and the Bishop of Puy The ende of their negotiation was double That the Duke of Bourgongne should like of the alliance betwixt the King and the Princes of Brittain Charles sends an ambassage to Philip of Bourgongne and that hee himselfe should bee reconciled vnto him to liue and continue good friends as they were neere in bloud The first was fully concluded with the Bourguignons consent the other was surseased The causes are specified for that Philip could not with honestie let slippe the death of his father where of Charles was the Authour this reconciliation could not bee well efâ—ected vnlesse that Charles did chase from him all such as had dipped their hands in this massacre eyther as fautors or as executioners They were specified by name Iohn Louuet President of Prouence Tanneguy of Chastel William d'Auaugour Iohn of Gyac son to that Lady of Gyac who perswaded Iohn Duke of Bourgongne to go to Charles at Monsâ—reau-faut Yonne where he was slaine But these were but colours for notwithstanding thâ—ir absence from Court yet the Bourguignon seemed to be nothing inclined to the Kings seruice In effect he stood watching the oportunitie to effect his desseins and so entertayned time to keepe the stakes as the whole course of the Historie will declare Charles imploying all his friends and meanes intreats Amedee Duke of Sauoyâ— to be a mediator of this accord In respect hereof he comes to Monuel in Cresse but in truâ—h this was but a shadow They all sought to get from Charles and so watched for oportunitie Yet the Bourguignon made all shewes of his seruice vowed to the King the establishment of France which he lamented infinitly to be fallen into the hands of Strangers He spared no cheere nor entertaynment for the Ambassadors and for a gage of sincere loue Philip giues his yongest Sister Anne in marriage to the Earle of Clermont but with an intent to winne a Prince of the bloud neere the King Thus the Bourguignon leueled alwayes at this marke did nothing but with an intent to maintaine his greatnesse at what price soeuer In the meane time the meaner smart for the follie of great men The Mignonâ— chased from Court At the returne of these Ambassadours the Court is in an vprore Charles greeues to chase away his seruants which could not be done but in contempt of his authority And yet the Ambassadors cryed out that without it they should not effect any thing and the more they stayed the execuâ—ion the more they hindered the Kings seruice d'Auaugour parted fâ—â—st with the good liking both of King and Court Gyac made his peace by the meadiation of the Queene of Sicile who had all power in this action The King was wonderfully discontented for the departure of Tanneguy of Chastel whome hee called Father A man beloued and of amiable conditions But there was no remedy Hee had giuen the chiefe stroake to Iohn of Bourgongne So likewise hee protested without any difficultie to retyer himselfe whethersoeuer his maister should command him Hee beseeched him to giue him an autenciall testimoniall that it was not for any fact of his 1425. but for the good of his seruice He obtaines it and a promise withall that his offices should be continued him Thus he retyers to Beaueaire in Languedoc and the office of Prouost of Paris remayned to him still with the fee and a good reputation with all men to haue beene a good seruant to the King and carefull of the publicke
the English Bowe-men All fâ—â—e some here some there without order without command and without courage and few fight Such as made head were slaine The rest saue themselues within Orleans There were fiue or sixe hundred of our men slaine vpon the place The English lost but one man called Brisanteau The chiefe of our side were the Lord of Oruall of the Noble house of Albret Iohn Stuard Chasteaubrun Montpipel Verduisant Larigot La Greue Diuray Puilly with better then a hundred Gentlemen This ouerthrow was called the battaile of Herings for that they carried them to the besiegers The amazement was greater then the losse for that the Earle of Clermont a Prince of the bloud who should haue beene a ring-leader of resolution and magnanimitie in these extreame accidents was so amazed with this losse as he retired with his men leauing the Cittie to the bastard of Orleans who resolues to attend the end of this siege at what price soeuer In this gallant resolution he was vertuouslie seconded by the Lords of Guitry Gaucourt Grauille Villars La Hire and Xaintrailles lights of great hope in this cruell storme and worthy of eternall memorie in that they dispaired not of this monarchie in so apparent dispaire And that which is chiefely to be obserued herein The King in dispaire of his aâ—â—aires the King vnderstanding this retreate of the Earle of Clermont said that he did see no meanes to saue the rest from shipwrack To increase this feare the Duke of Bourgongne comes to Paris at the same instant with a troupe of six hundred men at armes richly appointed Our Commanders being full of resolution were not onely to incounter with the English but with the confusion of times the Kings mâ—sfortune and which was worst of all the amazement of the men of warre who discouered plainly the disorder of the State They were loth to cast the helme after the hatchet but sought the most assured meanes to saue the Cittie in this storme Orleans stands vpon termes to yeeld to the Duke of Bourgongne They aduertise the King hereof who was so irreâ—olute as he referres all to their discretions They resolue to deliuer the Towne into the Duke of Bourgognes hands to keepe it for the Duke of Orleance or the Duke of Angoulesme his brother being then prisoners in England with the Kings good liking Pothon Xaintrailles and Peter of Orson wiâ—e and valiant men go to Paris to the Duke of Bedford vpon his assurance The Duke of Bedford refuseth the Deputies and discontents the Bourguignon He heares them and returnes them presently both for that he distrusted the Duke of Bourgongne and held the conquest assured The Burguignon was greatly discontented with the Duke of Bedford for his refusall whom after that time he neuer loued The English triumphed thus as a victor so as our Ambassadors could hardly saue themselues with their pasport Then the English saith the originall being in great prosperitie had no consideration that the wheele of fortune hath power to turne dayly But the holy veritie of the church which drawes vs to the wise prouidence of God cries I haue said to the fooles play not the fooles and to the wicked Lift not vp your hornes speake not with so great pride for greatnesse comes not from the East noâ— West neither from the Northâ—â— is God that raiseth vp and casteth downe He holds a cup of Wine in his hand he imparts it tâ— euery one as he pleaseth Truely the pride of the English who possessed of this Monarchy being drunke with his good fortune was nowe come to his height there remained nothing but the hand of the soueraigne Iudge to suppresse him but he shall not long hold it O my country forget not the time of thy visitation reade in this true discourse the estate of thy predecessors Remember their afflictions behold their feare see the image of that time wherein thou hast borne a part and iudge if now onely thou beginnest to be afflicted In this extremity as the French were exceedingly distressed so the English were transported with ioy for their late victory The estate of the French desperate and reioycing with a new hope as if all were wonne they cry to the besieged Will you buy my faire herings At the same instant the townsmen issue forth vpon the shoare The Earle of Salisbury stoode at a window in the tower vppon the bridge beholding the skirmish when as one of his Captaines named Glacidas said vnto him My Lord behold here your citty here may you view it plainely But behold a Cannon charged with stones was shot from the Towne The Earle of Salisbury slain before Oâ—leans which aymed at the Earles head strooke him and left him dead in the place This vnexpected blow comming as it were from heauen changed this exceeding ioy of the English into mourning being a man of great valour who by his carriage had wonne great credit among them beloued honoured of all for the mildenesse of his manners So this losse troubled both the wits and affaires of the English armie The Lord Talbot commandâ— in his place the which had greatly disbanded if the Earle of Suffolke Talbot Iohn Fastoll and Scales famous Captaines had not happily beene there to reuiue their spirits and forces attending the Duke of Bedfords pleasure who gaue the charge to Talbot beeing the choise of their best men with new foâ—ces So as the siege is continued with more vehemencie then before with great presumptions that all would go worse with the besieged In this occurrent Charles knewe not what to doe to whom should he flie his Princes forsake him Orleans beeing taken whether should he retire Bourges was ready to yeeld and withall the Country adioyning King Charles his miserablâ— estate He had no whole Prouinces vnder his obedience but Languedoc and Daulphiné And at the same instant the Bourguignon and Sauoyard prouide worke for him in those countries The taking then of Orleans which in reason seemed vnavoydable was the ouerthrowe of Charles and his estâ—te There was no winking at that which was too apparent That considering the estate of his affaires in generall and of his house in particular If Orleans should be lost all the citties vpon the riuer of Loire and in like fort the rest already varring would abandon him Amidest these fearefull considerations what could the braue and Noble Commanders within Orleans doe but plant their hopes in God and in themselues A soueraigne remedâ—e in extreame daungers So to purchase an honourable and profitable composition they set a good face on it giuing the English to vnderstand that if they desired their liues they should buye them deerely France reduced to so great an extreamity and truely such as men could doe no more behold God raiseth vp an extraordinary meanes the which meanes reason could not foresee and much lesse prouide A meanes which reuiued the daunted spirits God raiseth vp a newe meanes
the Countrie in alarme Occasions are offred of dayly skirmishes and daylie the English are beaten But the long stay of this little army and this thorne of Saint Denis stirred vp the people of Paris who loth to be so restrayned prepare a great power to force Saint Denis at what price soeuer The Marshall of Rieux loath to ingage himselfe beeing in all shewe the weaker retyres honorablie to Meulan without any losse The English beat downe the defences of Saint Denis being a common retreat to all men without any more labour eyther to keepe it or to recouer it The accord of Philip Duke of Bourgongne with Charles the 7. King of France IN the ende behold an agreement made with Charles so much expected so vnprofitablie sought after and nowe freely offred by the Duke of Bourgongne The deputies of the Councell presse both French English and Bourguignon to ende al quarrells by some good composition The Cittie of Arras is allowed of by them all to treat in The Assemblie was great from the Pope and the Councell of Pisa there came the Cardinalls of Saint Croix and Cipres An assemblie to treat of a peace with twelue Bishops For the King of France there was the Duke of Bourbon the Earle of Richmont Constable of France the Earle of Vendosme the Archebishop of Rheims Chancellor of France the Lords of Harcourt Valpergue la Fayette Saint Pierre du Chastell du Bois Chastillon du Flay de Railliq de Rommet Curselles and de Cambray first President of the Parliament at Paris with many wise and learned men as Iohn Tudart Blesset Iohn Charetier Peter Cletel Adam le Queux Iohn Taise and la Motte For the King of England the Cardinalls of Yorke and Winchester the Earle of Suffolke the Bishop of Saint Dauids Iohn Ratcliffe keeper of the great seale the Lord of Hongerford Ralfe the wise the Official of Canterburie and some Doctors of diuinity For Philip Duke of Bourgongne there came the Duke of Gueldres the Earle of Nassau the Bishop of Cambray the Earle Vernambourg the Bishop 〈◊〉 Leâ—ge the Earles of Vaudemont Neuers Salines S. Pol and Ligâ—y besides the deputies oâ— many of his best Townes The pompe was great both on the deputies behalfe of the Duke of Bourgongnes who intertained theÌ„ with all the honour good cheeâ—e that might be 〈◊〉 But leauing these circumstances I make hast to the principal matter The Kâ—ngâ— of France and England began the treaty The â—undamentall question was to whom the Crowne of France belonged The English did challenge it The question for the crown of Fâ—anâ—e both for that he was 〈◊〉 from a daughter of France as also by the graunt of Charles the 6. who did instâ—â—ce Henry the 5. and his successors heires of the crowne had disinherited Charles 〈◊〉 7. whom he termed an vsurper The deputies for Charles answered that they ought 〈◊〉 to call in question the ground of the Estate which cannot stand firme without that 〈…〉 heire to whom the lawe appoints and therfore without prouing of that which was apparent of it selfe they came to offers for the ending of all controuersies That if the King of England would both disclaime the title of King of France yeeld vp the countries held by him in diuers parts of the Realme he should inioy the Dâ—chies of Guiâ—nne and Normandy doing homage for them vnto the Kings of France as his soueraigne and with those conditions which his Ancestors Kings of England had formerly inioyed theâ— They stood vpon very different tearmes their authority was limited and possession puâ—t vp the English But sometimes he refuseth that after sues He that striueth to haue all most commonly looseth all One moitie in effect had more auailed the English then all in imagination who in the ende shall finde that the soueraigne Iudge the preseruer of the lawe and of States giues and takes away Charles the English cannot agree appoints and disapoints according to his good and wise will and that there is no force nor wisedome but his Tâ—e mâ—tter was soone ended betwixt the Kings of France and England seeing right could do no good the sword must preuaile Thus the Ambassadors of England returne without any effect those of France stay to treate with the Duke of Buurgongne and his deputies amongest the which he himselfe was the chiefe as well for his owne interest as for his iudgement in affaires A man exceeding cunning who could imbrace all occasions to make his profiâ— by an other as the discourse of his life hath made manifest Bâ—t 〈◊〉 what ende serues all this morter and so great workemanship to frame a building which shall be ruined vnder his sonne and shal bury him in the ruines thereof It is a â—oolish reason which thou calledst reasâ—n hauing no ground of reason and doest not hearken to the voice of heauen O Foole all thy riches shal be taken from thee this night Man walâ—es in a shadow he toyles in vaine to 〈◊〉 â—is name immortall in the graue he hunts with infinite labour and takes nothing As for Charles he sought to retire the Bourguignon from all league and alliance with tâ—e King of England and taking from him all occasions of discontent so to ingage him 〈…〉 honours as he should resolue to follow his faction as the most profiâ—â—â—â—â— knowing that his own priuate interest was the chiefe end of his desseins Matters 〈◊〉 câ—rried in shew according to the humour of that age the dâ—sposition of the court 〈◊〉 for the honour of Charles who must aske the Duke of â—ourgongne pardon hauing 〈…〉 father to be slaine against his faith Charles sends a blank to the 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 what conditions he pleased But was it not true must not the crime be câ—nfessed by hiâ— that was culpable Charles therefore resolues to send him a bâ—anke tâ—e accâ—rd doth testâ—fie that the Bourguignon fiâ—led it with so many vnreasonable conditâ—ons as it is strange so great a monarch should stoâ—p so much to his subiect vassall but necessity â—ath no law A presidâ—nt for great men not to attempt any thing against reason least they bee constrayned to repaiâ—e it with reason and yet to know that it is an amendment of a fault to yeeld to necessity for the good of the state beeing a great thrift to loose for gaine The â—â—iginall sets downe at large all the conditions of this treaty wâ—o so please may reade 〈◊〉 Monstrellet in the history of S. Denis The summe is that the massacre 〈◊〉 〈…〉 person of Iohn Duke of Bâ—urgongne at Montereau-â—aut-yonne 〈…〉 repaired by confession and ceâ—emonies Great sommes of present money with goodly Seâ—gâ—â—uries are giuen to the Duke of Bourgongne so many assurances for him and hi◠〈◊〉 a great volume is full of these scrupulous conditions The Duke of Bourgongnes promise is more simple that he should declare himselfe a friend to Charles the 7. King of France King Charles and the
countenance who at his first approche winnes the bridge vpon the riuer The English are amazed especially when they see Matago who was somewhat retired from the body of their armie to succour at all euents take the way to Bayeux The Constable makes his profit of this flight who without pursuing them chargeth their dismayed Armie The victorie of Fourmigny against the English Thomas Tirell puts himselfe in defence with the fauour of the riuer the Orchards Gardens but the Constable commands some of his horsemen to leaue their horses The Earle of Clermont inuirons the enemie on the other side the English being charged of all sides feeling the waight of their blowes giue way leaue their armes and suffer themselues to be slaine and taken to mercy The courtesie of the French spaâ—ed many in this ouerthrow The number of the dead there were more taken prisoners then wâ—re slaine They buried in three pits 3774. carcases by the report of the Heralds priests and good men that were there This losse did likewise bury all the conquests which the English had made in Normandy The commanders of the armie were prisoners Tirell Noâ—bery â—rient Kirqueby Warberton Arpel Alengour Vaquier Calleuile and a great number of English Nobilitie armed with coates of armes all are lead to Charles with their Ensignes An honorable spoile to his triumph but a perpetuall ignominie both to the runners away that saued themselues and to the cowards that were taken prisoners This absolute victorie cost France but eight men to the end they might doe homage to the great God of armes and victories who by this memorable ouerthrow made the way for the restauration I read with ioy the warrant of the Originall And therefore wise men do say that the grace of God was the cause of the Frenchmens victorie and so by his diuine power the English were ouercome This victory was giuen vs from heauen the 19. of Aprill in the yeare 1450. and thankes were giuen vnto God throughout the realme A solemne procession was made at Paris of foureteene thousand young children from the age of seuen to ten yeares carefully chosen ouâ— to the great content of the people going from S. Innocents to our Ladies Church All Normandie yeeldes to Câ—arles This notable victorie of Fourmigny did soone after cause the rest of Normandie to yeeld Vire yeelds by composition the which was granted to 400. Lances who might well haue contended for their liues Auranches stood the longer vpon termes through the resolution of fiue hundred voluntaries but in the end they departed with their liues onely and a whâ—te wand in their hands The strong Castell of Tombelaine garded by a hundred English yeelded two daies after Bayeux resolues to fight it out all prepare to armes After the ordinance had made a great breach and the mine ready to play Charles fearing the sacke of his subiects as well as of his enemies would not suffer his men to attempt so dangerous a matter and the souldiers on the other side crie out to be led vnto the breach But â—n the end they march without command and are twise repulsed yet Matago being amazed at the furie of these desperate men demands a parle the which â—s granted by Charles but he obtained life onely and a white wande for euery Souldier to some gentlemen of marke a horse and to poore families some carts to carry them A pitous spectacle to see foure hundred women carrying their children eyther in their armes or in their cradels leauing al their goods and mouables behind them and hardly carrying a poore clout for their greatest neede So Misery comes to him that spoiles for he shal be spoiled that makes an other weâ—pe for heeshall haue time to weepe Yet Charles caused this troupe of 900. men being disarmed to be safely conducted with the rest to Câ—â—â—â—bouâ—g a place which they had demanded for their retreate Bayeux being thus yeeâ—â—ed the Kings army marcheth to Saint Sauueur le Viconte the which yeelds without batterie They had a good composition for the number of men of waâ—re that were 〈◊〉 being fiue or six hundred they grant them their liues and goods retyring to Cheâ—eâ—ouâ—g Charles was loath to looose his men vnconstrayned â—or that there remained yet â—â—me pâ—â—ces of strength Caâ—n a goodly and populous Citty was beseeged with great preparation The composition at Caâ—n but to what ende should I consume time in the priuate report of assaults seeing we hast to the viâ—â—ory A great peece of the wall being beaten downe and our men burning with desire to 〈◊〉 to this hnorable breach Robert de Vere being gouernor demands a parle he hâ—ld the Castell being one of the goodlyest peeces in France with foure thousand soldiâ—rs So by the commandement of Charles the Earle of Dunois yeelded them 〈◊〉 honorable composition to depart with bag and baggage and their armes except the artiâ—leâ—â—e the prisoners were set at libertie and all that the Cittizens might owe vnto the English â—as discharged to the benefit of the debtâ—r All depart the fift of Iuly and are conducted in safety according to the accord and the King makes his entry two dayes after Falaize is beseeged in the meane time and yeelds the one and twentith of the same moneth Fifteene hundred English of their best soldiars obtayned a good composition to depart with bag and baggage Domfront garded by fiueteene hundred franke archers yeelds vpon the like composition the second of August following Cherebourg one of the strongest places of Europe in those dayes was the conclusion of that account and the crowning of this happie worke It was garded by .2000 desperat aduenturers who wonderfully greeued with so many misfortunes would be buried in the ashes of this last losse but Thomas Gomel gouernor of the place preuailed more tâ—â—n their obstinate resolution shewing that they had discharged their duties to their 〈◊〉 in being the last to fight But nature swayed most with Gomel for hauing his some prisoner with the King he would not loose himselfe with his sonne The accord was made absolute for his soldiars and his sonne and vpon this accord he leaues the 〈◊〉 and retires last into England to admonish Henry to prouide for Guienne â—here the whole burthen of the warre would fall So the 12 of August in the yeare .1450 Normandie one of the goodlyest and 〈◊〉 Prouinces belonging to this Crowne was reduced to the Kings obedience in a yeare and six dayes hauing remayned in the possession of the English thirty yeares and 〈◊〉 kept by them as it is a miraculous worke of God they were â—o easily dispossessed 〈…〉 Normandie let vs come to Guienne to finish the restoring of this Estate Guienne returnes to the Crowne of France GVienne had begon her last seats of armes by the taking of Cognac and Saint Maâ—grin as we haue sayed whereas the wane continued coldly during that of Normandie But Charles after the happie conquest of this Prouince The
pleasing to the Duke as the peace of Conflâ—ns So the King returnes into Touraine Charles out of France iâ—to GuieÌ„ne the Duke of Burgongne into Hainault where he assembles his Estats and shewes the losse he had receiued for that his men at armes were not so soone ready as the Kings and giues order to be no more surprised vnawares Thus the Estate is pacâ—fied but the Duke of Guienne was no sooner returned home The Duke of â—uiene seeke to marry with the heire of Bourgongne but there springs vp new seeds of diuision He receiues the Earle of Armaignac into fauour and restores him to full possession of the Lands which the King had conficate Lewis moued with this reconciliatsion sends forces and takes the lands into his owne hand disappoints the Earle whome he knew to be a stirring and a factious man and euen then he resolued to diâ—possesse his brother of the Duchie of Guienne as he had doone of that of Normandie The Duke foreseing this storme sends often to the Bourguignon and vnder colour to seeke his daughter labours to bind him more fiâ—nely vnto him by that alliance The Bourguignon hauing his heart puste vp with as great conceiâ—s as his person was susceptible of trauell but exceding the capaciâ—ie of his sence he fed him with hope yet had he no such meaning but preserued her as a most pretious iewel to be courted by many and to serue him at need according to diuers occurrents both of their persons and meanes Neither would he haue so great a Sonne in Lawe as the only Brother of a King of France whome he might not rule at his pleasure neither could he digest the words proceedings of the Duke of Brittaine the Constable The Constable would haue the Duke of Guienne beholding vnto him for this marriage the Britton repined he should haue the honor The King comes to crosse it and with â—eason for this alliance had wonderfully fortified his brother who being ioyned with the Duke of Brittaine had gâ—eatly crossed the Kings estate and his childrens Moreouer the King of England did much disswade the effecting thereof said he to the Duke of Bourgongne if the King of France comes to die without children his brother succeeds to the Crowne and this marriage vniting vnto it so many prouinces and Seigneuries the estate of England were neere her ruine But to what ende serue these affectionate and contrarie poursuits Alasse some one thinks himselfe sound that carries death in his bosome But he that raigneth in heauen Psal. â— laughes them to scorne within fewe monethes our Charles of Guienne leauing the world shall leaue his loues So it is that their vehement solliciting extorted some verball promise confirmed by a letter but he had great Corriualls who all pretended to haâ—e the best part in the pie Nicholas Marquis of Pont Corriuals for the heâ—â— of Bonâ—gongne sonne to Iohn Duke of Calabria and Lorraine Philop Duke of Sauoie Maximilian Duke of Austria Son to the Emperour Frederke All these marched in equall ranke but in the end Maximilian shal be conquerour yet not during the life of Charles of Bourgongne This marriage gaue a goodly colour to these mediators but vnder the shadowe thereof they treated of other matters They must auoide this storme ready to oppresse the Duke of Guienne Behold therefore the publike Ambassadors and priuate messengers of these three Dukes are sent respectiuely one to another The Lord of Vrfé and Poncet de la Riuiere Agents for Charles of Guienne The Abbot of Begard since Archbishop of Lion is an instrument for the Britton to the Bourguignon they taxe the King to haue practised and suborned what by friendshâ—p and what by force the Duke of Guyennes seruants to haue already defaced a place belonging to the Lord of Estissac with many other things testifying that the King would soone dispossesse his brother of Guienne if he were not speedily preuented A new league betixt the Duke of Bourgâ—ngne Guiâ—enne and â—â—ittâ—ine against Lewis that to this effect he was armed and ready to enter into Xaintonge The Duke of Bourgongne sends often to the king touching these affaires The King excuseth himselfe and accuseth his brother as hauing treated with the Earles of Armaignac and Foix to his preiudice seeking to inlarge his limits without his priuitie to enter into factions with his enimies yet he promiseth to suffer him to inioy his portion peaceably This promise carryes no credit and works lesse effect the Dukes of Guienne Brittaine insist they presse the Bourguignion yet that it may be done without the assistance of the English the ancient and generall enemie of this Realme seeing that all their coÌ„mon desâ—â—ins tended but to the good and ease of the publicke that his assistance with the great intelligence he had with many gouernours Captaines of places did fortifie them sufficiently pleasant people to seeke with a blody wound once againe to abuse the coÌ„mon people with this baite of publike good to couer their priuate passions with so pleasing a shewe Charles of Bourgougne casts the stone and hides his arme and the better to disguise his proceeding he solicites the English secretly to inuade France on the one side whilst that he seemed blind not to see it .. But it was in vaine the English had more willingly assisted the King if this marriage had allyed the two houses of France Bourgongne In the end behold a number of Princes in great perplexitie the which is more lamentable for that they shall tâ—ouble their heads with so many preiudiciall extrauagant conceptions this confusiâ—n shall in fewe yeares oppresse them in a manner all Lewis particularly fauoured of heauen shall suruiue them and carry away their spoiles They preuaile thus much the Duke of Bourgongne possessed with an earnest desire to recouer Amiens S. Quintin and other townes vpon Somme he armes twelue hundred lances three archers to a Lance well armed weâ—l mounted The Bourguignâ—â— comes armed into Fâ—ance and good leaders What doth our Lewis In trueth he had too good a iudgement to want foresight he that thought to surprise shal be surprised To diuert the Bourgâ—ignons leauy he had often sent the Lord of Craon and the Chancellour of Oriole who being very trusty seruants in the end coÌ„clude an absolute peace The King yeelds to the Dâ—ke the foresaid townes Lewis makes a â—eace with the 〈◊〉 he abandons vnto him the Earles of Neuers S. Paul Constable the one hauing serued the King loyalty at Peronne had purchased the dukes indignation the other hauing nourished hatred and distrust betwixt these two princes for his owne profit had so vnreconciledâ—ie estranged them from him as they bandye ioyntly to his destruction giues him al their lands to incorporate them to his own if he coâ—â—d The Duke in exchange forsakes the Dukes of Guienne and Brittaine and their â—â—igneâ—ries to dispose at his pleasure promising
were with tempest driuen vpon the coast of Brittaine and there forced to take land where they were seized on and led with sure guards to Vannes A verie happie chance for the Duke for while hee holds this goodly gage hee was assured to commaund the forces of England but very vnhappy for the Earle for if hee might haue landed in France Lewis without doubt to crosse Edward would haue laboured to restore him This truce did wonderfully displease some of Edwards househould seruants Lewis of Brettailles among the rest a gentleman of Gascony Edwards seruants discontented with the truce was greatly discontented giuing out that the King his maister hauing in person wonne nine battails had gotten more dishonour by the voluntary losse of this tenth which was in a manner gotten then he had purchased honour in the former nine That the French might with reason laugh at Edwards credulous facilitie Lewis aduertised by the Lord of Argenton of this Gascons free discourse resolues to stoppe his mouth to the end he should not hereafter spend his tongue to the preiudice of this Estate He sends for him Lewis a free buier of meÌ„s seruices and makes him dine with him offers him great aduancements so as hee will serue him Vpon his refusall hee giues him a thousand crownes presently and promiseth to doe good for his brethren that remayned in France binding him to maintaine as much as in him did lie the friendship growing betwixt these two Crownes Bretailles did not iudge amisse Our Lewis had sometimes a more liberal tongue then was conuenient and feared much least some words had passed him whereby the English might discouer that he mocked him and so it chaunced yet behold how hee couered it The day after this enteruewe being in his Cabinet he fell to iest of the wines other presents he had sent to the English But hee discouered not a Gascoyne marchant dwellâ—ing in England who by chance was crept in to obtaine a lycense of the King for the transporting of certaine pipes of wine freed froÌ„ impost This marchant might talke he must therefore be woon and staied in France vnder some apparent pretext The King sent the Lord of Argenton to talke with him aduaunceth him to a good office in the towne where he was borne hee giues him a thousand frankes presently to transport his familie the transport of wines he required and a man to condâ—ct him to Bourdeaux but all vppon condition that not he but his brother should make the voyage into England Thus the King made amends for his rashe speech Edward is now vnder saile he was a newe Conqueror Causes that mooued Edward to passe and to returne home into England his presence was therefore more needful in England he did neuer much affect the voyage Two principal reasons dâ—ewe him into the action The one was all his subiects gaping after the possession of this Crowne did sollicit him and the Bourguignon prest him An other was he might reserue a good part of the mony that should bee raysed for this voyage for the Kings of England leuie no thing aboue their reuenues but for the warres of Fraunce But see the policie of Edward he had of purpose brought with him ten or twelue of the chiefe bourgesses of the Cittie whose credit was great with the Commons and who had with all care procured this taxe These men were soone weary with this military toile Presuming that at the first arriuall a profitable battaile should decide the quarrell And to make them tast more fealinglie the sweetenesse of peace from the sharpenesse of warre Edward doth sometimes trouble their heads with doubts sometimes with feares to keepe them from murmuring at his returne into England On the other side he loued his pleasures was of a complexion not able to endure the trauells requisite for the conquest of this Realme and although the King was ouercharged with enemies yet had he prouided well for his defence But see the most vrgent reason of Edwards retreate The performance he desired of the marriage betwixt the Daulphin and his daughter A marriage which made him dissemble many things whereof Lewis will make his profit To conclude as they which haue beene deceiued in their friendship hate without dissembling Edward seâ—â—â—s the Constables letters vnto Lewis Edward before hee parted from Calais sent the King those two letters of credit which the Constable had written vnto him with all other verball assurances which he had giuen him Sufficient testimonies to accuse and conuince him of those crimes wherewith he shal be hereafter charged Let vs nowe reconcile the Duke of Bourgongne and Brittain with the King Contay was now returned from the Duke of Bourgongne the day of the enterviewe and had found his maister in a good humour when as the English were returned Hugonnet Chancellor of Bourgongne other Ambassadors for the duke meete at a bridge midde way betwixt Auennes and Veruins in Hainault so well accompanied with Archers and other men of warre that one of the English hostages whome the King had led with him tooke occasion to say that if the Duke of Bourgongne had beene followed with many such men when he came to salute King Edward peraduenture they had not made a peace Discontent betwixt the English and Bougguâ—gnons The Viconte of Narbonne answered That the Duke wanted no such men and that hee had sent them to refresh themselues but six hundered pipes of of wine and a pension which the King gaue them made them hast home to their Country The English mooued herewith It is as euery mansaied replies he that you wold deceiue vs. Do you call the money the King giues vs a pension It is a tribute and by Saint George you may talke so much as we will returne againe This quarrell stayed their proceeding neyther did they preuaile any more the second time when as the King appointed Tanneguy of Chastel and the Chanceller Oriole to heare the sayd Ambassadors at Veruins but the third assembly which was in the Kings Chamber made a full conclusion and in truth Brezey had reason to say one day to the King that his horse was well laden when he was on him A truce betwixt Lewis and the Bourguignons for that hee carried all his Counsell with him for in deed he did effect more in his presence then al his Ambassadors togither where there was a truce accorded for nine yeares according to the other but by reason of the oath which Charles of Bourgongne had sworne to Edward in his choller it might not be published vntill the 17. of October following Edward discontented that the Duke of Bourgongne would treate a part sends Montgomery a Knight very inward with him to the King to Veruins Edward offers to ayde Lewis against the Bourguignon hee requires two things the one that hee would take no other truce with the Duke then that which hee had made the other that hee
thousand Ducats to enter Bourgongne at the same instant with three thousand horse and eight thousand and foote Germaines and Suissâ—s promising the Suisses a certaine summe of money to ioyne their forces with Maximilian being content they should reteâ—ne a part of Bourgongne vntill they were fully satisfied According to this agreement the English enters the marches of Picardie camps before Therouenne with fiue thousand horse of combate and aboue fortie thousand foote But the English forces did not molest France at land only the Admirall of England ran along the coasts of Normandie and Brittanie And the King to resist their incursions caused foure Gallies to passe the straight of Gibralâ—ar vnder the charge of Captaine Pregent At the first incounter the Admirall chased Pregent into Brest Here Pregent turnes his force fights with the Admirall and hurts him whereof he died within few daies after After that foure score English ships and twenty Normands and Brittons ships fought with equall forces ours hauing the winde But in the end Primauguet a Britton Captaine of the Nunne which Queene Anne had caused to be built beset by ten or twelue English ships and resolute to sell his death dearly grapled with the Regent the chiefe ship of the enemies fleete and fiering it burnt both the one and the other with all that was in them Therouenne was defâ—nded by two hundred and fiftie Lances and two thousand foot whilest the King prepared two thousand fiue hundred Launces ten thousand Lansquenets led by the Duke of Gueldres sixe thousand others Thâ—rouâ—â—â—e beâ—eeged which the Duke of Norfolke brought being fled long before out of England and tenne thousand French to succour the beseeged who in the meane time molested the enemie day and night with their artillerie with the which the great Chamberlaine of England was slaine and Talbot Captaine of Calis lost a legge The troupes assembled the King sent them to Aire vnder the comand of Lewis of Longueuille Marquis of Rotelin Captaine of the hundred gentlemen of his houshold Victuals grew scant in Therouenne when as the Lord of Pieâ—es gouernour of Picardie and the French Captaines chose out the most resolute of all their troupes and gaue them charge to carrie victuals to the Towne And for that their enterprise had happily succeeded retyring too confidently and reproching the enemie of couardise hauing no intelligence of their intent the English hauing sent their horse and fifteâ—ne thousand foote to cut off our mens passage who did ride on their nagges disarmed they charge them vnawares being readie to wade through a riuer that passeth at Huchin they kill about three hundred and take many prisoners amongst others the Marquis of Rotelin Bayard la Payete Clermont of Aniou and Bussy of Amboise all the rest casting away their Launces and trusting to their heeles and horses saued themselues by flight And therfore they call it the battaile of spurres which caused the yeelding of Therouenne the which was dismantled The incounâ—â— of 〈◊〉 to take away all cause of discord betwixt the Archduke Charles who by ancient right pretended it and the English who challenged it as conquered from the enemie by the sword From Therouenne Henry went to campe before Tournay following in this resolution not so much the actions of a good Commander in the warre seeing the taking of this place lying within the low Countries brought him small profit as the perswasions of Maximilian hoping that this Towne pulled from the French might in time returne to the obedience of his grandchild Charles to whome they pretended it appertained Tournay taken Tournay vnfurnished of men of warre and dispayring of succours for that the King not being maister of the field nor of sufficient force to incounter the English could not succour it saued her selfe from spoyle paying a hundred thousand Crownes To crosse the English at home The Scots defeated the King had stirred vp Iames King of Scotland an ancient allie to this Crowne but the chaunce of armes was nothing fortunate for him neither at land nor at sea for ioyning with the English armie where Queene Catherine was present he was vanquished vpon Til and slaine with aboue twelue thousand Scots After these victories the end of October approching Henry left a great garrison in Tournai The English retire dismissed his strangers and toke his way towards England carrying no other recompence for so great and sumptuous a preparation for warre but the Cittie of Tournay But some desseins vpon Scotland fallen into a pupils hands hastned him home An other storme threatned France The Suisses armed according to the former conuentions the King sends Tremouille vnto them to disperse them vnder whome many of the Colonels had receiued the Kings pay But neither by presents not promises preuailed he any thing onely he had a secret intelligence giuen him from some Captains to prouide for the defence of his gouernment of Bourgongne whether the Pope the Emperour Sforee did thrust them And behold foureteene or fifteene thousand Suisses with the troupes of the French Countie a thousand horse The 〈◊〉 enter into Boâ—â—goâ—ne and the artillerie which the Emperour gaue them vnder the conduct of Vlric Duke of Wirtemberg camped before Dijon Tremouille was returned with a thousand Launces and six thousand foot who by his practises had greatly altered the Colonels when as the multitude doubting the faith of their Captaines takes the artillerie and batters the wall Tremouille not able to resist the force of this nation which increased daily flies to the last remedy and without expecting any authoritie from his Maiestie agrees with them That the King should renounce the rights he had to the Duchy of Milan should pay them 400000 crownes within a time prefixt which they preteÌ„ded was due for their seruices in the former wars and for assurance therof he gaue for hostages his nephew of Mezieres Bailife of Dijon and foure bourgesses of the said towne who sauing themselues awhile after in Germanie escaped the threats of this people to cut off their heads if the King did not ratifie it Doubtlesse these were wise men to saue their heads from the Suisses choler A very preiudiciall accord for the King if he had beene constrayned to ratifie it But was it not better to lull the Suisses asleepe then to loose Dijon Our Lewis is now freed off two incombrances the English and the Suisses But the exemption of present dangers freed him not from a relaps for the English departing threatned to returne in the spring and prepared alreadie being loth to stay any more so long at the warre The Emperour had the like intent to annoy him The Catholike King deuised as was discouered by a letter written to his Ambassadour resident with Maximilian the meanes to draw this Duchie of Milan to Ferdinand their comon granchild yonger brother to Charles the Archduke shewing that by that meanes all the other estates of Italie should bee forced to take their law
the fiue no otherwise but for the defence of his owne estates As for the Castells of Lugan and Lugarne strong passages and of great importance for the surety of the Duchie of Milan they desyred rather to raze them then to take three hundred thousand Ducats for the restitution thereof Let vs nowe lay out all armes aside for a certaine space and giue our warriours time to take their breath and returne againe shortly to warre by the ambitious factions of two most great and mighty Princes This yeare in Febuary was borne Francis 1â—17 Daulphin and successor to this Crowne if his end had not beene violently forced The Daâ—â—pâ—in Francis borne Laurence of Medicis did present him at the Font for the Pope â—is Vncle. A Christening celebrated with iousts skirmishes incounters besieging and taking of places and other such stately shewes as the memory of man hath not obâ—erued greater And the King to make a more stricter league with the Pope he caused the said Laurence to marry with Magdaleine daughter to Iohn Earle of Auuergne and Auraguez and of Ioane sister to Francis of Bourbon Earle of Vendosme who died at Verceil when as King Charles the eight returned from Naples Of this marriage came Katherin of Medicis whom we shall see Queene of France and Mother to the three last Kings of the name of Valois At the same time the King sent Gaston of Breze Prince of Fonquarmont brother to the great Seneshall of Normandie with two thousand French foote to succour Christierne King of Denmarke against the rebels of Sueden who after they had wonne a battaile for the King being abandoned in the end by the Danes in a combate vpon the Ice where those Northerne Nations are more expert then ours were ouerthrowne and the most part slaine such as could escape the sword returned without pay without armes and without clothes 1518. The yeare following the last of March Henry the Kings second sonne was borne who by the death of the Daulphin his brother shall succeed his father Henry King of England was his God-father and gaue him his name During this surcease of armes among Christian Princes the Pope motioned but saith the Originall rather in sâ—ew then with any good intent Estate of the East a generall warre of all Christendome against Selim Prince of the Turkes Baiazet as we haue sayd in his latter age studied to install Acomath his eldest sonne in the throne of the Turkish Empire Selim the younger brother through fauour of the Ianisaries and Souldiers of his fathers gard forced him to yeeld the gouernement vnto him Selim was no sooner in possession but as they say hee poisoned his father and murthered his bretheren Acomath and Corcut and in the end all that discended from the line of the Ottomans Then passing from one warre to an other he vanquâ—shed the Aduliâ—ns ouerthrew the Sophi of Persia in battaile tooke â—â—om him Tauris the chiefe seate oâ— his Empire and the greatest part of Persia rooted out the Sultans of Egipt and the Mammelius tooke Caire and seized vpon all Egipt and Syria So as hauing in few yeares almost doubled his Empire and taken away the hinâ—â—rance of so mightie Princes who were iealous of his Monarchie Christian Princes did not without cause feare the happy course of his victories Hongarie was weake of men and in the hands of a Pupill King gouerned by Prelates and Barons of the realme diuided amongst themselues Italie dismembred by former warres â—eared least the part alities of these Princes should cause Selim to turne his eyes towards it The â—ope and all the Couâ—t of Rome making shew to preuent this imminent danger thought it expediâ—nt to make a great prouision of money by a voluntarie contribution of Princes and a generall taxe ouer all Christendome That the Emperour accompanied with the horse of Polonia and Hongarie and an armie of Reistres and Lâ—â—squenets fit for so great an enterprise should assaile Constantinople and the King of France with the forces of his Realme the Venetians Suisses and Potentates of Itaâ—ie should inuade Greece being full of Christians and ready to rebell vpon the first approach of forâ—aine â—oâ—ces The Kings of Spaine Portugall and England should passe the straight of Gallipoli with two hundred saile and hauing taken the Castell at the enâ—rie thereof they should approach neere to Constantinople That the Pope should follow the same course with a hundred great Galleys These were goodly plottes in conceit This counteâ—feit shewe to send an armie into Turkie was but a deuice to fill the Popes coffers which was made emptie by the former warres especially by that of Vrbin To treate of these propositions Leo published in the Consistorie a generall Truce for fiue yeares amongst all Christian Princes and vpon rigorous censures to them that should breake it Appointing for Legats the Cardinall of Saint Sixte to the Emperour the Cardinall of Saint Marie in Portico to the King the Cardinall Giles to the King of Spaine and the Cardinall Laurence Campege to the King of England hee proclaymed his Bulls of pardon to all such as should contribute a certaine summe for so woâ—thie an expedition All Princes accept of this truce and shewe themselues verie willing to so honorable in action But the meanes howe in so short a time to make a firme Vnion among so many Potentats who had beene long at deadly warre Euery one studies of his priuate interest and finding the danger to concerne one more then an other they care for themselues and manage these affaires carelesly more with shewe then deuotion This negligence of the publicke state and greedinesse of priuate men was the more confirmed by the death of Selim who leauing his Empire to his sonne Soliman young of age but of a milder spirit and not so enclyned to warre A peace concluded with the English then all things seemed to incline to peace and loue betwixt so many great warriors The Kings of France and England renued their friendship by a defensiue League betwixt them vppon promise of a marriage betwixt the Daulphin King Francis eldest sonne and the onely daughter of Henry King of England both very young which contract many accidents might hinder before they came to sufficiencie And Henry yeelded Tournay for foure hundred thousand Crownes the one halfe for the charge in buâ—â—ding the Citadell and for the artillery powder and munition which the King of England should leaue in the place the other halfe for the expenses in conquering thereof and for other pensions that were due vnto him Thus often times the looser paies the shott On the other side the Kings eldest daughter being dead And with 〈◊〉 Spaniards whome they had appointed to bee wife to the King of Spaine a peace betwixt these two Kings was reconfirmed according to the first Capitulation with promise of the yonger An alliance which eyther Prince did confirme with great outward shewes of friendshippe King Francis wearing the order
come out of Albe and Quieras he forceth the passage of Suze against Cesar of Naples who kept it with ten thousand men chaseth them two miles wins all their baggage makes the Marquis to retyre all his forces to Riuole and Montcallier leauing Pignerol at libertie opens a way by the taking of Villane from two hundred Spaniards which were cut in peeces addes to his conquests Riuola abandoned by the Marquis turnes head to the enemie incamped on this side the riuer of Po right against Montcallier but hauing the bridge to fauour him to retyre when he pleased he begins the skirmish with his light horsemen against theirs kills many takes some and looseth few he chaseth all their troupes beyond the bridge who breaks it after them but with the hazard of their liues that remayned behind Those of Montcallier come with a great shew of affection and repaire it and then receiue into their Towne all the souldiars which the Daulphin had left to guard the riuer whilest the armie passed at Carignan The Marquis dislodging still left in Quiers Don Anthonie of Arragon his brother in law with foure thousand men and himselfe recouered the Countrie of Ast. Thus our men being at libertie on all sides become masters of Poirien Riue de Quiers Villeneufue d' Ast Montafié Antignan and of all other forts vnto the gates of Ast of Quieras Albe and Fossan whether they retyred all the Corne of the Country which did serue for the victualing of the Campe and places of conquest About thirtie thousand sacks of corne which the Marquis had gathered togither but had not leysure to bring from Montcalier and much other munition found in diuers places supplyed Turin for a yeare During these actions the King comes accompanied with the Earle of Saint Paul the Cardinall of Lorraine and many other great personages And as his Maiestie tooke councell at Carignan with the Daulphin and the Lord Steward newes comes vnto him that the garrison of Vulpian kept the valley of Suze The King comes into Piedmont and for that Riuole nor Villare had any horsemen to stay their incursions they did wonderfully annoy those that followed the Campe. Hee presently sent away Martin du Bellay and very happily They had newly seized vppon six moyles laden with money for the payment of the armie driuing the moyles and the treasorers in the midest of them Du Bellay passeth the riuer of Doüaire intercepts their way and ouertakes them three miles from Vulpian he makes them to leaue the moyles and only with the losse of the Treasorers which they carried away brings them safe to Riuole The conclusion of this Councell was to beseege Quiers where the King would imploy the first fruits of his last forces But the great commander of battailes 〈◊〉 him a more fauorable issue Truce betwixt the two Princes The truce of Picardie had giuen libertie to the 〈◊〉 of Hongarie and likewise to the King to send some gentlemen into Spaine to 〈◊〉 a peace or a generall truce and the deputies had so well performed their 〈◊〉 as a suspension of armes was concluded on either side from the eight and 〈…〉 of Nouember vntill the two and twentith of February following whereby euery oâ—e enioying that whereof hee should bee found seized at the time of the pubâ—â—cation the garrisons of Turin Vorlin Sauillan Montdeuis and other frontier places were no t slacke to inlarge their limits as farre as they could nor to put men in the Kings name into all the small places and castles there about Three dayes after the truce was proclaymed the Marquis of Guast came to â—â—sse the Kings hand whome he receiued very gratiously and the king making the Lord of Saint Montiean gouernour of Piedmont he left William of Bellay his Lieutenant generall in Turin Francis Earle of Pontreme at Pignerol the Baron of Castell-pâ—â—s 〈◊〉 Sâ—uillan Charles of Dros a Piedmentois at Montdeuis hee had surprised and kept the place from the Imperials when they were the strongest in field Lodowike of â—â—rague at Vorlin and Nicholas of Rusticis at Carmagnole he dismissed his Suisses and taking his way to France he sent the Cardinall of Lorraine from Lions with Montmorency the Lord Steward to Locate where the Emperours deputies should meet concerning a peace betwixt their Maiesties The confusions had bin great their splene not easily to bee pacified which made them to prolong the truce for sixe moneths more After all these toyles and painfull endeuours the loyall seruice of the most worthy deserued reward which make the King being at Molins to aduance Anne of Montmorency to bee Constable of France the place being void by the reuolt of the Duke of Bourbon he gaue his place of Marshall to Montiean and that of the Marshal la Marke deceased to Claude of Annebault It was now time to suppresse these infernall furies An enteruew at Nice which had so long troubled the quiet of Christendome with such fatall combustions and that the Pope doing the office of a common father should therein imploy his authoritie Hee procures an enteruew of these two great Princes at Nice and himselfe assists being about threescore and fifteene yeares of age in the beginning of Iune Their mutuall hatreds had taken too deepe roots in their hearts and that fatall and bloudie checke which his brother Ferdinand King of Hongarie had lately receiued from the Turke had nothing mollified the Emperour Time doth pacifie discontents Ten yeares were sufficient or neuer â—o dispose both the one and the other to a generall peace A truce foâ— ten yeares The Pope therefore seeing that by the full deciding of their quarrels he could not confirme a finall peace he propounded a truce for tenne yeares the which they concluded betwixt their Countries and subiects and then euery one returned home But Charles was borne to bee a perpetuall scourge to this realme and many yeares shall not passe before â—e put vs in alarum with an vnworthy and base motiue of new confusions Let vs now see how he worketh like a foxe to produce effects for his owne benefit The Emperors polâ—icy The Gantois being opprest with many extraordinarie tributs had spoyled the Emperours officers who growing desperate and seeking to fortifie themselues against the reuenging wrath of Charles they secretly offer obedience to the King as to their Soueraine Lord. The King performing the dutie of a good brother and faithfull friend giues the Emperour intelligence thereof The Emperour deuiseth by some notable examples to suppresse the Gantois insolencies But the passages thither were not very certaine By Germanie the protestants might somewhat hinder him By sea a storme might as well cast him vpon the coast of England as vpon Flanders the diuisions he had with the King of England by reason of the diuorce of Queene Katherine his Aunt would not suffer him to take any assurance from him France was very comodious for him to this end he demaunds the Kings word for his
expell the customers sack many good houses vnder colour to seeke for these exactors the commons enter to the towne massacre all that follow not their party Moneins lieutenant for the King within Bourdeaux sends a number of shot out of the Castle of Ha thinking to terrifie this inraged multitude But all this increased their popular furie They forced the Councellors of the Parliament Cruelties comitted in Bourdeaux by the rebels to lay aside their gowns to put on Mariners caps to carry pikes to follow their Ensignes the maisâ—ers of Saulx bretheren the one Captaine of the towne the otheâ— of Castle Trompet to be their leaders to assist at the sacking of many houses and to see their friends fellow cittizens massacred before their eyes They spoile the Towne-house a goodly store-house for armes to increase their villanies they murther Moneths most cruelly being come amongst them thinking with courteous words to pacifie the fuâ—ie of these muâ—mes Hauing wrought their wils and being laden with booâ—y they disband some one way some another the parliament fortified with men of honor and resuming their authority punish by exemplary iustice La Vergne one of the chiefe Tribunes of this rebellion La Vergne drawne with â—oure horses and some other of the most apparent The King was no lesse ready to reuenge this outragious and rashe rebellion then the commons were actiue in the execution The Constable had the commission for Guienne Francis of Lorraine Duke of Aumale whom we shall afterwards see Duke of Guise so famous vnder Francis the 2. and Charles the 9. that of Xaintonge with foure thousand Lansquenets many French horse This man seeking to win the reputation of a mild mercifull Prince pacified the CouÌ„try without punishment of what had passed The other marched after another maner for ioyning both armies togither he entered into Bourdeaux disarmed the people tooke and burnt all the records registers rights priuileges of the Câ—ttizens of al the country of Bourdelois he caused the Court of Parliament to cease beats downe their bells forced 7. score of the chiefe to go vnto the Carmes they had three daies after the mutiny in the night takeÌ„ vp this poore dismeÌ„berd carcase lying filâ—â—ly vpon the ground with a gentleman of his named Montâ—lieu to fetch the â—odie of Mâ—neins and to conduct it in mournful sort vnto S. Andrews Church by the punishmeÌ„t of the two Saulx Estonnac an other Tribune who had seized vpon the Castel Trompâ—t many others he purged their offence Talemagne and Galaffie Colonnels of the coÌ„mons were afterwards broken vpon the wheele either of them carrying a Crowne of burning iron for a marke of the soueraignty which they had vsurped The end of this yeare was more comicall Anthony of Bourbon Duke of Vendosme married Ioane of Albreâ— daughter to Henry of Albret King of Nauarre and of Marguerit sister to King Francâ—s the 1. and the Duke of Aumale the daughter of Hercules of Esâ—é Duke of Ferrare of Renâ—è of France Daughter to king Lewis the 12. And during these sports in Court that extraordinary chamber against them whoÌ„ they call Lutherans was erected who persisting constaÌ„tly in the profession of their faith suffred their bodies to be consumed to ashes The birth of Lewis the Kings yonger son the 3. of February at S. Germaine in Laye his baptisme the 19. of May the coronation of Queene Katherine at S. Denis the x. of Iâ—ne the stately entry of their Maiesties at Paris the 6. of the same moneth and the great â—ournoy at the Tournells made in fauor of the Ladies continued the sports in Court which finished the King sitting in his seat of Iustice the 2. of Iuly would giue sentence in his Court of Parliament at Paris according to the ancient custome of his predecessors The presence of the Prince giues authority to the Magistrate and the eye of the king saith the wise man scatters il counsells Troubles in England At that time the nobility of England weâ—e at iarre with the CoÌ„mons The people required restitutioÌ„ of religion The nobles who by their change of religion enioyed the Clergy lyuings would not yeeld So the people rise the nobility takes armes Thomas Semer Admirall of the realme Vncle to yoâ—g King Edward the 6. by the mother is accused to haue supported their party which folowed the Romish church by coÌ„sequence to haue conspired against the king his own brother the Dâ—ke of Somerset caused his head to be publickly cut off Edward 〈◊〉 for those forces which he had prepared beyond the seas against our Henry Cleâ—eâ—s Gueldrois Bourguignons and Germains a means to reconcile the Nobles with the Câ—mmons During these tumults in England the King sent Paul Lord of Termes to continue the war in Scotland begon by Essé who hauing lately defeated the English before Hedingâ—on and taken the Isle of horses resigned his charge to his successor In the moneâ—h of Iune Iames of Coucy Lord of Veruein was beheaded at Paris Oudard of â—â—ez Marshall of â—rance degraded after a long imprisonment the one for that he had incoâ—sideratly comitted the gard of Boullen to his son in Law the other for that he had so lightly yeelded vp a strong and well fortified place vnto the enemy Yet in the yeare 1575 â—he heire son of Veruein shal restore the memory of his father grandfather by the mother side to their former honor dignity and renowne There falls out an other suâ—e since the yeare 1540. the Parliament of Prouence had for matter of religion condemned 17. persons of Merindol to be burnt the village to be razed and the trees to be cut downe withi◠〈◊〉 huÌ„dred paces The Clergy pursued it but some gentlemen and others lesse bloudy staied the execution of this decreee and King Francis fiue monâ—thes after sent â— pardon to these Vaudois of Merindol other places vpon 〈…〉 within three monethes they should abiure their errors They appeere in 〈◊〉 protest that 〈◊〉 â—â—ue not maintayned nor published any erroneus thing ofâ—â—ag to 〈…〉 the word of God they can shew them any sounder doctrine they 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 in writing with an answer to the reproches wherewith 〈◊〉 were taxed and require to be allowed or iudicially heard in their defences Foure yeares passe away 1549. during the which being onely threatned with 〈…〉 subsist But the President Chassané being dead Iohn Menier his successor a violen◠〈◊〉 became a mortall enemie to those of Cabrieres and Merindol amongst whome◠〈◊〉 dwelt certain subiects of his Oppede whose lands he possessed to ioine theÌ„ to â—is 〈◊〉 Through the perswasions of Menier the Cardinall of Tournon obteines letters paâ—e its from King Francis to the Court of Parliament for the execution of the first sentence according to the which Menier terming himselfe Lieutenant of the Lord of Grignan gouernour of Prouence accompanied with the Baron of la Garde and a great
Bishop carried the spirituall sword in his hand to draw it for vnlawfull things at the fiâ—st impression of his fantasie To crosse the Pope the King forbids expresly to carry or send any gold or siluer to Rome for any dispatches Bulles Annats Dispensations or any other thing commaunding the Metropolitaines of the Realme to prouide according to the ancient priuileges and liberties of the French Church And for that Gonzague beseeged Parma to giue both the Emperour and the Court of Rome a blowe hee commâ—unded Charles of Cosse Marshall and Lord of Brissac his Lieutenant generall in Piedmont by the death of the Prince of Melphe to fortifye and furnish Miranâ—oâ—e Brissac sends some Souldiars Gonzague surpriseth them and puts them secretly to death and sodaynly doth belegar Mirandola War in Italy Warre is nowe begunne on all sides and for light occasions hee that seekes a quarrell wants no apparent shewes to colour it Both these Princes expected some worthye occasion But let vs raise vp our thoughts and say That GOD had not powred 〈◊〉 all his iudgements against Christendome being full of excesse and worthy of 〈◊〉 puâ—â—ishment 1551. The King sends newe forces into Piedmont and commands the Marshal to 〈◊〉 Parma and Mirandola He effects it and by the taking of Quiers S. Damain 〈…〉 places he forceth Gonzague to abandon the country of Parmesan to succour Montâ—errat and to defend the estate of Milan On the other side Mary Queene of Hongary and Gouernesse of the Lowe Countries for the Emperour armed in fauour of her brother both by sea and land And vnderstanding that for a greater confirmation of loue the Marshall S. Andre earned in the Kings name the order of France to young Edward King of England she caused certaine ships to lie betwixt Calais and Douer to seize on him in his passage Buâ—â—o preuent her policy the Marshall caused some Flemish ships to be stayed which lay at anchor in the road of Diepe vntill they were assured of his arriuall in England And Mary likewise seized vpon all the French ships that were within her gouernement Thus hart burning grew on all sides which burst out into open warre euery one calls home his Ambassadors and assures the places neerest to the enemie the King especially of Lorraine hauing some iealousie of Christienne the Dowager and neere allied to the Emperour who to free her selfe from that imputation did put her selfe with her Sâ—n Charles into the Kings protection who caused him to be brought vp with the Daulphin Francis and afterwards he married one of his Maiesties daughters Before we proceed to open acts of hostility the King excused himselfe vnto the Pope by the Lord of Termes for that which he did in sauour of Octauian Farnesâ— and by the Abbot of Bellosanne he protested against the decrees of the Assembly which was held at Trent the which considering the Popes and the Emperours spleene against France he could not hold to be a lawfull and holy generall Councell Not that I pretend said he to withdraw my selfe from the obedience of the Church but onely to auoide the surprises of such as vnder colour of reformation seeke to disgrace both my person and realme And in trueth he confirmed sufficiently this last clause by the rigorous ordinances which he published against those which had their cause common with the Protestants of Germany touching matters of religion whereby fires were a new kindled against them in many parts of the Realme and yet the King treated priuately with the Protestant Princes of Germany and generally with all the Electors and free Citties of the Empire Who sawe their liberties and freedomes in a manner ruined if they did not oppose some mighty aduersary against the Emperour who by maine force might stay the course of his vnmeasured couetousnesse The Emperour contrary to his oath detained Iohn Duke of Saxony and Philip Landgraue of Hesse in miserable captiuity A league betwixt the King and the Proteâ—â—â—nts of Germany He had vanquished most of the other Princes in war and fearing least the French should in the ende demaund the right vsurped in old time by the Saxons ouer the heires of Charlemaigne when the Empire was hereditary he pretended to transport the Imperiall Crowne into his house for euer and now he thought to haue a fit oportunity He had suppressed his enemies in Germany he had a Pope at his deuotion he was armed The most part of the Cardinalls who assisted at the Councell were either naturall Spaniards or of the Spanish faction and by consequence might easily by a decree of this councell giue authority to what hee intended With this disseine he had caused his son Prince Philip to come out off Spaine who died King of Spaine in the yeare 1598. to haue him declared his successor or at least his associate in the Empire oppressing the people of Germany by insolent and tyrannicall exactions The Electors not accustomed to seruitude and lesse to the slauery of Spaine not able with their own forces to shake off the yoake which they see ready to be layd vpon them they repaire vnto the King shewe him the wrongs and outrages done vnto them they pretended the ouerthrow of the holy Empire and the abolishment of the rights and priuileges of the Electors Commonalties and Lords of the same they beseech him that in regard of the auncient league betwixt the Empire and the crowne of France he would take their iust cause in hand and maintaine the common liberty of Germanie The King resolues to enter into League with them 1552. and graunts the succours which they demanded They giue him this honorable title Defender of the Germains The King makes a league with the 〈◊〉 of Germany against the Emperour protector of the nation and of the holy Empire He armes thirtie thousand men and desirous to countenance his forces with his owne presence he appoints Queene Katherine his wife Regent in France he makes many goodly Edicts for the gouernment of the state for the ordring of his men at armes and for the obseruation of military discipline hee reformes the abuses of Commanders suppresseth the insolencie of souldiars a commendâ—ble institution in comparison of that which hath beene seene in the raignes of his children and giues the Rendezuous â—or his armie at Vitry Hee was accompanied with â—â—thonie Duke of V ndosme whom we shall shortly see King of Nauarre by the decease of Henry of Albret his father in Lawe Iohn Duke of Anguien Lewis Prince of Conde all bretheren Lewis Duke of Montpensier Charles Prince of Roche-sur-yon al of the royall familie of Bourbon the Dukes of Neuors Nemours Guise Aumale Elbeuf The Kings armie the Lords of Rohan Rochefoucault Chastillon d' Andelot and others in great numbers in very good order The Câ—nstable of Montmorencie was made generall of the armie a house which sâ—aâ— hereafter be made a Duchie and Peere of France Claude of Loâ—râ—ine Duke of 〈◊〉 a yonger brother
the Duke of Guise and the Admirall This apparent meanes to confirme a publike concord did please the Admirall beleeuing this marriage should be the ground of a most happie peace and the Queene of Nauarre feares least delay should alter the Kings good meaning But the accomplishment of the marriage was hindred by some leâ—â—s The Pope made some dâ—fficulty to dispence therewith as well by-reason of the consanguinity of the parties the one being petie Nephewe the other grand-childe of Francis the 1. King of France as also for the difference of their religions The Qâ—eene of Nauarre likewise made some scruple of this disparity of religion of the ceremonies and of the place of the sollemnitie She would not haue the marriage celebrated after the manner of the Catholike Church and feared the Citty of Paris as most affected to their religion and of long time an enemie to the house of Nauarre Contrariewise the King would haue Paris to be the Theater Pretexts for the lowe Countrie warres where this notable act should be sollemnly celebrated in the vewe of the Capitall Cittie of his Realme without changing any thing in forme of royall mariages In the end the respect of ciuill reason preuayled As â—or the motiues of this warre pretended in the Lowe Country they were goodly in shâ—w for besids this hereditarie hatred of the French against the Spaniard beeing reuiued by the outrages and warres made in France by Charles and Phâ—â—ip his sonne the remembrance whereof was yet fresh they renued the ancient quarrells of many possessions in the Lowe Countries depending of this Crowne Moreouer they pretended newe causes which seemed lawfull to breake the allyance betwixt the two Kings That his Maiestie had most certaine intelligence of poyson giuen by Philip to his wife the Sister of our Charles vpon some discontents and filthie iealousies These reasons had a shewe of truth and the Admirall to the end the French who cannot liue long togither in mutuall concord and that by a long vse of warre breathed nothing but warre should not seeke some newe seeds of ciuill diuision held it good to diuert this vehement heate against some stranger and nation a faâ—â—e off Many necessarie considerations fortified this ciuill Councell The forces of the Prince of Orange and his bretheren who spoiled by the Spaniard of many rich possessions both in the Lowe Countries and in the Countrie of Bourgongne had long time sought to recouer it by armes The credit and fauour of the Lowe Countrie men in Germany by reasoÌ„ of the exceeding crueltie of the Duke of Alba Lodâ—wike of Nassau brother to the sayd Prince a man of great courage and resolution prest it forward and his presence was a spurre to the Admirall Moreouer to the end it should seeme this warre was managed with the Kings consent his Maiestie did suffer the Prince of Auranges fleete to ride about Rochelle annoying the Spaniards and Portugalls which sailed vpon that coast the trafficke of the Lowe Countries and for the Comte Lodowike to sell the bootie hee had taken from the enemie freely and publikely at Rochell So the Admirall a wydower by reason of Charlotte of Laual deceased in the second troubles after he had espoused the Contesse of Antremont in Sauoye at Rochelle The Admiral comes to Court and giuen his daughter Louyse to the Lord of Teligny to wife he comes to Court relying vpon the Kings assurances so often confirmed by messengers and especially by the Marshall of Cossé whome the King had sent to accompanie him presuming the Admirall would giue more credit to the Marshalls words by reason of their familiarity The King receiued him with all demonstrations of loue those of Guise leaue him the place not to yeeld any thing vnto him but to returne soone after with greater authoritie and to take from him all iealousies distrusts which were giuen him froÌ„ al parts the King at the first doth recoÌ„pence the losses which the Admiral had sustained during the former warres by the gift of a hundred thousand frankes and grauâ—ts him for one whole yeare the reuenues which his brother the Cardinall of Chasâ—â—â—ha enioyed being lately deceased in England He giues him a place in the priuy Councel doth ofte times conferre with him touching the warres of Flanders and mâ—kes shâ—we to be gouerned therein by his aduice and Councell he honours him with that plaâ—sible name of father and treats with him so familiarly as the Countries tooke this familiarity for a seale of his Masters affection to the Admirall and the people begâ—n nowe to murmure that Charles not onely fauoâ—ed the Huguenots but would shortly himselfe become a Huguenot A Cunning bayte to free the Admirall from suâ—pition by the aduertisments wich had beene giuen him to the Contrary Hee could nowe tast no admonitions his spirit was so transported with the Kings Countenance and words Doubtlesse the wisdome of man failes euen in the wisest when it pleaseth him that giues it to weaken the strongest spirits and by a iudgement incomprehensible to man to cast a vayle before his eyes and to make him vnable to conceiue the iustice and horror of the iudgement which hee meanes to display For the better aduancing the enterprise of the Lowe Countries the Admirall thought it fit the King should make a peace with Elizabeth Queene of England They might treate it with a very honest colour to the preiudice of the Spaniards Elizabeth was not married and Henry Duke of Aniou had no wife the dignitie of so high an alliance was honorable for the Duke and the qualitie of a Kings Brother was not to bee contemned by the Queene hauing also in his yong age purchased great glorie and reputation Peace â—â—th the English This charge is giuen to the Marshall of Montmorency Bâ—t the issue did shewe that besids this negotiation of peace their meaning was to abuse both the Admirall and all others whome it was expedient to â—buse for the execution of the Councell of Saint Cloud and by the same practise to send the Marshall farâ—e from Court least by his ordinary conueâ—sing with the King hauing a good iudgement and smelling out the complots of this pitifull Tragedie hee should discouer them to the Admirall his Cousin and by meanes of this newe peace the English in the midest oâ— this indignity should bee restrayned from attempting of any thing in fauour of the Protestants as it chanced During this time the Admirall retires to Chastillon and in the meane season they prepare a fleete at Bourdeaux and Brouage vnder the Commande of Strossy Landereau and the Bâ—ron of la Garde The pretext was the warre of Flanders yet had they expresse Commission to attempt vpon Rochell and by open or secret practises to get it in their owne powre The Admirall hauing sounded the fourd vpon his assurance to the Queene of Nâ—uarre of the Kings singular affection to her and to all her house The Queene of Nauarre comâ—s to Court in
Adultery and Incest for satisfaction whereof they condemne them to loose their heads The King during the Processe was often sued vnto for their pardon But considering that in such Crimes it were impiety to shewe pitty that mildenesse was seuerity and clemency cruel and that the most holie and the most iust of his Predecessors reuoked a pardon which hee had giuen to a malefactor falling vpon that verse of the Prophet Dauid in his praier-booke Doe Iustice at all times Sayd that hee reâ—erâ—ed it to the Iustice of his Court of Parliament The Father desired to change the infamie of the punnishment into a death lesse shamefull but longer and more cruell the which the Emperor Opilius Macrinus vsed causing such as were condemned for crimes to be shut vp betwixt foure Walles Hee offered all his Lands to procure his Children that manner of punishment The executioÌ„ of the parties condemned This could not be for that by the doome of the Iudgement the execution was to be done at the Greue where it moued pitty and compassion in many lamenting the youth of the Brother the beauty of the Sister and the misery and blindnesse of them both The yeare ended in Peace as it had begunne in pleasures and sports there was no newe occasion offered but the passage of the Constable of Castille to go into England for the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace betwixt the Kings of England and Spaine The Constable of Castills passage The King aduertised of his passage by Bourdeaux sent to the Marshall d' Ornano to receyue him the which he did going to meet him with a great number of Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Country The Emperor Charles the 5. passing through France admired the great and goodly Traynes of Gouernors of Prouinces which came to receiue him commending them very much The Constable of Castille fuller of these Spanish fumes made no great account thereof and receiued these honours after a Spanish manner The Marshall d' Ornano entertayning him with the singularities of this Realme told him That heeshould see a Country yea a World in seeing Paris He answeâ—ed him That he had left behinde his backe the goodliest Citties of Christendome But they are not so Great nor so well peopled saide the Maâ—shall D' Ornano The People answered the Constable Adde nothing to the excellency of Citties although it helpes something for the strength of the State The Marshal asked him If he would not see the King He shewed by his answer Thas he was not greatly curious yet must hee see him with the respect that was due to that Maiesty Hee came to Paris with a great Trayne The King of Spaine spares no cost in such occasions and thinkes no expences more royall then those which makes his Golde to glister in the Eyes of strangers In like sort his Ministers and Ambassadors seeing themselues so well followed and serued take delight in shewing the greatnesse of their Maister and are not silent when they must publish his power Mendoza who neuer went out off his Lodging but on Horse-backe in Litter or in Carosse with all his Traine although it were but to go to the Church the which was very neere his Lodging hee neuer spake three words but two were for the greatnesse of his Maister saying often Mendozas speech That God was mighty in Heauen and the King of Spaine on Earth An other going out of Rome to accompany the Pope went with sixe Litters six Carosses euery one hauing six Horses two hundred Gromes and threescore Carts for baggage and all for a small iourney The Prince of Parmas Traine was admirable and royall shewing by his equipage the greatnesse of his Maister whom he serued The Constable of Câ—stille did not hide it neither in his Wordes nor in his Traine hee had alwayes some wordes of ostentation to shewe it The Constable comes to visit the King He went to the Lâ—vâ—re and did see the King in his Cabinet he entred with a good Grace but stately and proude the which was sodenly conuerted into great humility for approching neere vnto his Maiesty who was sitting in a Chayre he kneeled vpon one knee and continued so a little longer then hee thought The King tooke him vp imbraced him and shewed him a very good Countenance He spake much to assure him that the King of Spaine held nothing more deere then the preseruation of the Peace Hâ— lets him vnderstand his Masters affection to the Peace and vnlesse that time should greatly force his will hee had no other power but to continue it in this Resolution and to bring forth fruites of great Loue and Friendship the which is firme and constant betwixt equall powers Hee heard from the King words of the same affection then he tooke his leaue to go see the Queene Going downe to crosse the Court where he was attended by his people with forty Torches of white Waxe hee said to some of his Company That the King had receiued him with the Maiesty of a King He saâ—uâ—es the Queene â—nd the Daulphin and had imbraced him as his Kinsman Hauing done his duty vnto the Queene he demanded leaue to go and see the Daulphin The King caused him to be conducted the next day to S. Germaine Being arriued there the gaue notice to his Gouernesse that the Constable was there with a great Traine of Spaniards At that word of Spaniards the little Prince opened his eyes and makes them speak it againe They be Spaniards that come to see you Spaniards said the Prince ça ça giue me my sword Who so had not known that this word came from his own motioÌ„ would haue thought that they had printed in his fantasie the same opinion which King Charles the seuenth Lewis the eleuenth and Charles the eight had had in thier infancie of the English and Bourguignions And if the Spaniards had heard him the strangenes of such a word would haue caused them to apprehend new worke and to feare and beleeue that which the French souldiar saith that they must present Milan for the first tryall of this yong Eaglet The Constable admired his constant eye and his Phisiognomie and was amazed at so great a boldnesse in that age and so much Iudgement in that Infancie Monsieur the Daulpin told him tales in his language and according to his vnderstanding as Alexander did to the Ambassadors of Persia. All the Spaniards did meruaile and the more for that the dore was open for the least of the trayne They see about him a goodly companie of young Noblemen Alexander Monsieur the Prince of Longueuille and the three sonnes of the Duke of Espernon The Constable of Castille past on to goe into Flanders he came to Bruxelles and descended at the Archdukes Pallace where he was well receiued and from thence hee past into Flanders Although the subiect ought not to reckon the yeares of his Prince but to wish him a long and prosperous life yet we
the cause of this warre fol. 74 Charles subdues the Saxons and perswades Witichind to be a christian ibid. The ofspring of Witichind f. 75 The Institution of the twelue Peeres of France fol. 76 Treachery of Idnabala the Sarazin ibid. Pampalune taken and the Sarazins victorie ibid. The Sarazins enter into Gascoine ibid. Conditions propounded by Aigoland and accepted by Charles fol. 77 Sarazins defeated in Spaine ibid. The treason of Ganelon fol. 78 Rouland defeated at Ronceuaux he dies for thirst ibid Charles reuengeth this treacherie ibid. The end of the Spanish warre fol. 79 Bauiere incorporated to the crowne for rebellion ibid. The limits of the French Monarchy in Germany ibid. The occasion why Charlemagne was proclaimed Emperour fol. 80 Contention in the East â—or Images ibid The tragicall death of Constantine fol. 81 Irene his mother banished ibid. Diuision of the Empire ibid. Warre in Italie and in Saxony fol. 82 Charles hâ—s dâ—edes while he was Emperour Charles repulst at Venice He diuides his possessions to his children and settles an order for their lawes The Danes reuolt ibid. Charles looseth two of his best sonnes ibid. Rebellion against Charles fol. 83 The Empire confirmed to him his care to rule the Church ibid. A good Instruction for princes to loue pietie ibid. New warre in Spaine crost by secret practises ib. A happy conclusion of Chaâ—lemagnes life ibid. Charles makes his Will and dies fol. 84 The true praises of Charlemagne and his vices ibid. Lewis the gentle the 25. king and Emperour of the West THe declining of this race fol. 85 Lewis his wiues and children fol. 86 His base facilitie ibid. A furious crueltie his indiscretion ibid. Tragicall rebellion of children ibid. Abuse in the Clergie fol. 87 Lewis imprisoned by his children hee is forced to giue them portions and he dies ibid. Diuision among the brethren and the cause fol. 87 The estate of Lewis his children aâ—teâ— his death Loâ—haire thinking to surprize his brethren is surprized and defeated fol. 88 He dies a Monke ibid. An accord betwixt Charles and Lewis fol. 89 Hermingrade daughter to Lewis married to Bosan king of Arles fol. 90 Charles the bald the 26. King and Emperour A Confused and an vnhappy raigne fol. 91 Charles seekes to deceiue his Neece ibid. He is diuerted from the warre of Italie where he dies fol. 92 Lewis 2. called the stuttering the 27. King and Emperour THe princes of Italie oppose against him f. 92 The Pope vsurpes the imperial rights in Italy ibi Lewis dies and leaues his wife with child fol. 93 Regents crowned as Kings ibid. Charles borne after his fathers death ibid. The minoritie of Charles called the Simple the which continued 22. yeres vnder 4. Regents whom they call Kings The 28. raigne vnder Lewis and Caroloman Basâ—aâ—ds LEwis is defeated by the Normans and dies for griefe fol. 94 Caroloman dyâ—s of a violent dath fol. 95 Charles called the Grosse 29. King and Emperour GReat hopes of his good gouernment fol. 96 Neustria called Normandie ibid. Charles defeated by the Normans yeelds to a preiudiciall peace ibid. Hee is extreamâ—ly hated and deiected both from Empire and Realme ibid. He dies poorely in a village fol. 97 Eudes or Odon named Regent by Lewis the 2. the 30. King of France THe race of Eudes from whence Hugh Capet sprong fol. 98 Eudes maligned in his Regencie fol. 99 France full of factions ibid. Eudes resignes the Regencie to the King a little before he died ibid. Charles 3. called the Simple the 31. King of France A Memorable League made by Robert brother to Eudes against King Charles fol. 100 Charles put from the Crowne fol. 101 Robert the head of the League and in armes ibid. Robert causeth himselfe to be crowned King fol. 102. The errors of King Charles ibid. Robert defeated and slaine by Charles ibid. Charles taken prisoner by Hebert he dies for griefe ibid. Queene Ogina flies into England with her sonne Lewis ibid. Raoul the 32. King but in effect an vsurper RAâ—ul an Vsurper raignes vnfortunately fol. 103. Necessâ—rie obseruations for great Estates fol. 104 Confusions in France Italy and Germany ibid. Confusion in the East and in the Church ibid. Pope Ioan deliuered of a child in the open streete fol. 105. Lewis 4. the 33 King LEwis a disloyall prince fol. 106 Hee marrieth one of the Emperours sisters Hugues father to Hugh Capâ—t marrieth another ibid. The duke of Normandie tâ—aiterousâ—y slaâ—â—e 〈◊〉 107. Lewis deales trecherously in oppressing the Normanes 〈◊〉 The King of Denmarke comes to succour tâ—e Duke of Normandie fol. 1â—9 Lewis taken prisoner at a parle and set free vpon conditions ibid. Richard Duke of Normandy marries the daughter of â—ugueâ— the great ibid. Lâ—wis seekes to ruine Hugues his brother in Law â—ol 1â—â— Trecherie punished with trecherie Count Hebert hanged ibid. Lewis dies hated of his sâ—biects ibid. Lothaire 34. King of France LOthaire a trecherous king fâ—l 111 He attempt warre against Richard of Normandie but in vaine ibid. Lothaire makes warre against the Emperour 〈◊〉 112. Lorraine giuen to Charles of France by the Emperour ibid. Lothaire dies detested of all men ibâ—d Lewis 5 the 35. King and the last of the sâ—cond â—ace THe last King of the race of Charlemaigne fâ—l 113. God the disposer of Kingdomes and States ibid. Hugh Capet the 36. King and the first of the third Race CHarles Duke of Lorraine heire presumptiue reiected from the Crowne and Hugh Capet chosen King of France fol. 117 The reason why Chaâ—les was reiected fol. 118 Hugh Capet held most worthy of the Crowne ibid. His fathers wise proceeding fol. 119 His off-spring ibid. Why he was called Capâ—t ibid. Hugh Capets proceeding to attaine to the Crowne fol. 120. A parliament at Noâ—on â—or his election ibid. Hugh Capet crowned at Rheims fol. 121 Charles of Lorraine begins warre and surpriseth townes ibid. Hugh Capâ—t defeated and in danger ibid. Charles promiseth vnto himselfe a happie raigne ibid. He is taken in Laon carried to Orleans where he dies in prison ibid. Hugh Capet no vsurper fol. 122 The subiects doe homage vnto him ibid. Hee doth renew the orders of the twelue Peeres of France He suppresseth the Mayor of the Pallace ibid. Hugh crownes his sonne Robâ—rt King fol. 123 Roberts veâ—tues ibid. The Constable succeeds the Maior the Constables authoritie ibid. Hugh decrees that the eldest should raigne alone among his brethren ibid. He suppresseth the Mayor of the Palace ibid. The French cannot subsist but vnder a Royaltie ibid. Paris the chiefe place of Hughes residence ibid. His proceeding against Arnulph bastard of Lothaire who is deposed from his bishopricke ibid. The manners of Pope Iohn the 12. fol. 125 The estate of the Church and Empire ibid. Hugh Capet dies ibid. The Monarchy of France of greater continuance then euer any fol. 126 An order for the vse of this raigne ibid. The names of 13. Kings of the first royall branch of Capets placing Hugh Capet for
Henry but being too weake of himselfe neither hauing any such friend as the King of France according to the triall so often made time out of minde he comes into France but he died at Cluny and in his place Calixtus son to the Earle of Bourgongne was chosen Pope The reputation of the place from whence he was descended was great so as he being a Frenchman easily called a Councell in France to the great satisfaction of the French The Emperor degraded by the Popes decree in a Councell at 〈◊〉 It was held at Rheims where by an ecclesiasticall decree he declared Henry an enemy to the Church and degraded of the Imperiall dignity As this ignominious decree did moue the Emperor so did it minister matter to the King of England his brother in lawe to imbrace all occasions to annoy Lewis his capitall enemie for seeing this Councell had bin held in France and consisted chiefly of the French Church it was very apparant that the Kings fauour was very preiudiciall to the Emperours affaires The English fayles not to harpe vpon this string to the Emperour The Emperor and â—ing oâ— England ioyne against France being already incensed by the thing it selfe promising him all his meanes incouraging him to enter France on the one side whilest that he came on the other with all the forces of Normandy and England The party was not small neither had Lewis small cause to feare being incountred by two such enemies But God shewed him the rod and reserued the punishment for an other season for as the Emperour was going to field the Germaine Princes foreseeing the misery of a warre vndertaken lightly vpon despight and weighing the importance of neighbourhood gaue him to vnderstand that he ought not to attempt warre against the King of France without declaring vnto him the causes of his discontent Hee therefore sends his Ambassadors to this end 1112. Lewis doth wisely answer him that hee is exceedinglie sorrie to see the two great Pillers of the Church so shaken by these dissentions and that it was to bee feared the whole building would bee ruined So as being a friend to both hee desired greatly to be a mediator of concord and not to carrie coales to increase the fire too much kindled alreadie the which ought to be quenched for the good and quiet of all Christendome This Ambassage was pleasing and preuailed so much as the Emperour disarmes The French King and the Emperour reconciled and was content to make Lewis a mediator for an accord betwixt him and the Pope to the great griefe of the King of England who expected a long continuance of this iaâ—â—e The composition was made at Wormes very beneficiall for the Pope in the yeare 1122. whereby Henry grants him the installing of Bishops and other benefices This did ease the sore but not cure it as the sequell of the Historie will shew While that Princes haue leisure to contend the poore people dye for hunger in many places of Europe This famine was exceeding great in Flanders Notable troubles in Flanders who then had for their Earle Charles surnamed the good for his good disposition and great charitie to the poore He sought by all meanes to releeue them But as barrenesse was one of the causes of this famine so the cruell couetousnesse of the rich was a great hinderance to the commoditie of victuals whereby there grew as remarkable an act as the successe was strange the particular report whereof the reader must pardon in the breefenesse of our stile There were three brethren at Bruges of the chiefe of the Countrie the which had gathered together a great quantitie of graine and would not sell it expecting a greater dearth which might cause a greater price that is Bertholphe Wendestrate Pouost of S. Donas and Chancellor of Flanders Lambert and Boussard Wendestrate brethren and an other rich Bourges called Lambert one of the chiefe of the Cittie This dignity of Prouostand Chancellor was so great as hee supplied the Princes place in his absence Vpon the peoples complaint the Earle decrees that all the graniers of these great houses should be opened and the Corne sold to the people at a reasonable rate The Comission was giuen to Thamard Almoner of the Earles house as a thing befitting his charge he causeth the graniers of these rich Bourgesses to be opened the corne is sold to the people and the money deliuered to the owners The people being releeued by the couragious care of Thamard commend him The Wendestrates and Lambert greatly discontented with this sale wherein they held themselues interessed cause many indignities to be done vnto him Lambert is directly accused by informations being a very audatious young man and the Wendestrates were touched therewith The Earle offended with these audatious attempts repaired them by Iustice threatning Lambert that if he continued he would seuerely punish him There was also an other complaint made by an old Abbot against the Prouost Treacherie against the good Earle of Flanders to whom the Earle spake roughly commanding him to restore vnto the Abbot what he ought him These free admonitions of the good Earle Charles did so alter the proud trecherous minds of these Cittizens as they resolue to kill him his milde facilitie giuing these wicked spirits both courage to attempt and boldnesse to execute And the end is answerable to their wicked desseine As the good Earle Charles went ill accompanied in the morning to his deuotion to the Church of S. Donas on Ash wednesday behold a troope of yong mad men led by this Lambert comes vnto him being vnarmed on his knees in a Chappell the Priest attired in his ornaments at the Altar the Earle holding forth his arme to giue his almes to a poore woman without any warning they beat him downe with their swords kill him and so forcing all to giue way The Earle of Flanders and his Almonet murthered they seeke for Thamard whom they find massacre with so great a furie as they leaue him vpon the place hewed into many peeces Their troope increaseth and they flie to the Pallace where all are amazed and finding it without gard without keyes without any gate shut they enter it with horrible cryes they kill sack and spoile and running from thence into the Cittie Crueltie in the Citty of Bruges they commit the like in those houses which they knew best affected to the good Earle Charles This furious crueltie was accompanied with an ouerweening indiscretion as if they had made some goodly conquest they braue it 1117. and play the maisters without feare of any punishment The people exceedingly grieued to see these barbarous cruelties against their good Prince whom they loued as a father durst not speake a word during this furye whereas this troupe of murtherers commaunded absolutely But the wisest Cittizens fled to Lewis as to their soueraigne Lord. Lewis comes to Bruges with great speede
Christians affaires in Asia declined still The Pope perswaded the Kings of France and England with many reasons The Christians â—stâ—â—â— in Asiâ— very miserable and the zeale of the common interest of Christendome made them resolue They became good friends with an intent to make a voyage together to the Holy Land to the incredible content of all their subâ—ects But whilest they prepare for this voyage let vs passe into Asia to visit the afflicted Christians After the fruitlesse returne of the Emperor Conrad and of Lewis King of France things went from bad to worse hauing caused the Christian forces to loose their reputation with the Turkes being growne proud with this vaine shew of Armes Baldwin dyes after the fruitlesse attempts of these great Princes Amaulry his Brother succeeds him who toyled himselfe in Egipt against Sultan Sarracon and Saladin his successor Hee was releeued by the comming of Fredericke Barbarousse who failed not to performe what he had promised to Pope Alexander But the Christians found small comfort in his comming The forces of the Empire which were great being dispersed by the death of the Emperour Amaulry likewise dyes who leaues one Sonne named Baldwin both yong and a Lepar so as hauing voluntarily resigned the charge finding himselfe vnfit he did inuest his Nephew Baldwin the sonne of William Long-sword Marquis of Monâ—errat and of Sibell his Sister and considering the weaknesse of his age he appoints Raimond Earle of Tripoli for his Tutor 1121. Hence sprung a horrible dissention among the Christians for Sibille by whom the right came to Baldwin her sonne after the death of Marquis William was married to Guy of Lusignan who was seized of the yong Infant Hee is now his Tutor by force the child dyes and Guy of a Tutor becomes a King The Christians in Asia at Ciuill warres not without great suspition of treacherie against the Infant and in the end they fall to warre Euery one doth strengthen himselfe for this goodly realme and they are incensed with greater fury then when they ioyntly made warre against the Infidels Guy seekes for succour of Saladin Sultan of Egipt who embraceth this occasion and runnes with a great Armie to besiege Tiberiades The Christians assemble and are defeated in a set battaile The Crosse is taken by Saladin and carried in triumph Then was Tripoly deliuered into his hands The Infidels make their profit by their dissentions and the Earle Raymond found dead in his bedd when as hee should haue raigned to teach all men how to trust Infidels Saladin passeth on he beeseegeth takes and sacks Ierusalem and in this amazement Ptolomais Azot Baruth and Ascalon yeeld vnto him These victorious conquests of Saladin were accompanied with great mildnesse to the people whome he had subdued that by this wise course the Miscreant might incounter the Christians disorders by a notable example of vertue Moreouer there happened another tragicall confusion Alexis a young man of fifteene yeares The Emperor of Greecâ— murthered by his Tutor sonne to Emanuell the Emperour issued from that Alexis of whom wee haue spoken in the beginning of this Easterne warre was cruelly slaine by his Tutor Andronicus and he himselfe afterward by Isaac and the people of Constantinople who had called him to the Empire Such was the sick estate of the East when as our Kings were solicited to go and visit it in the yeare 1190. Philip calles a Parliament at Paris to settle his estate they disswade him from the voyage but zeale transported him and made him fight with impossibilities So great efficacie this resolution had to go to this warre which seemed to be the gaine of their soules health as the Historie saith King Philip Ricâ—aâ—d King of England made a voâ—age to the East great charges were imposed vpon such as went not the voyage to pay the tenth of all their reuenues both spirituall and temporall called for this occasion the Saladins Tenths Richard King of England came with manie Dukes Marquises Earles Barons great Lords and an infinite number of young Gentlemen The Kings sweare a brotherly and inuiolable League The great 〈…〉 among Kings breeds contempt and hatred but the continuall and priuate entercourse by the way bred a familiaritie and this familiarity engendred a contempt and contempt hatred as the course of the History will shew A notable lesson for Kings and Princes to teach them how farre they should conuerse familiarlie Hauing crossed the Seas with some difficulties in the end they come into Syria The losse of the Crosse made them to besiege Acon the which they take very valiantlie after great losse of their men but the Crosse would not bee found As the Originall saieth The plague fell among their troupes euery one talkes of returning Philip speakes 〈…〉 indisposition Richard made some difficultie least that Philip in his â—bâ—ence should attempt some thing in his territories of France Philip hauing assured him by othe returnes and passing by Rome comes safe into France Hauing left the greatest part of his forces in the East vnder the command of Odo Duke of Bourgongne Richard remaining alone was better obeyed of the Armie and atchiued great and memorable exploits against Saladin being already amazed by the taking of Acon Richard King of Englandhis exploits in Asia 〈…〉 Gaza and Iaffa hauing repeopled them with Christian Colonies and vainquished Saladin in battaâ—le From thence he resolued to besiege Ierusalem but as hee was kept from this enterprise by reason of the Winter so was hee forced to leaue Asia vppon this occasion and returne into England During his voyage and Philips there had passed some vnkinde speeches by reason of Alix Sister to Philip and the wife of Richard who in great disdaine said That he had neuer toucht her that she should neuer come neere him blaming her as if shee had beene prodigall of her honour by a monstrous Incest with his Father Notwithstanding all shewes at their parting yet this did sticke in Philippes stomake 1061. who at his returne found his Sister Alix at Saint Germaine in Laie whether she was retired expecting his returne who failed not to seeke all means of reuenge Richard had left his brother Iohn in England to gouerne the State in his absence Philippe solicitts him and promiseth him all his meanes with his Sister Alix being vnworthely reiected for a gage of his loue Philippe stâ—rs vp Iohn against his brother Richard King of â—ngland But Elenor the mother of these Princes kept Iohn in awe from ioyning openly with Philip against his absent brother yet could she not restraine Iohn from giuing his word to Phillip who failes not to seaze couertly seing his faith plighted and the reuerence of the cause which held Richard from his house would not suffer him to worke openly So he takes Gisors by intelligence and all the other Townes of Vexin which were in controuersie These newes gaue Richard iust cause to resolue vpon
his returne but it cost him deere for Saladin whom he had kept in awe sence the taking of Acon Richard makâ— a truce with Saladin vpon vnreasonable conditions well informed of his necessity resolution makes him to buy a truce for fiue yeares at a deere rate yeelding him vp all that had beene taken sence the comming of the two kings into Asia and so the Bloud Time and Cost spent in this conquest were lost in an hower by the ill gouernment of our Kings Richard hauing left the absolute comande of the affaires of Asia to Henry Earle of Campegne takes his way for England but as he came to Vienna in Austria he was knowne and staied Richard King oâ— England staiâ—d by the Emperour mâ—de to pay a raâ—â—ome first by Leopold Duke of Austria and then by Henry the Emperor for some discontent he had against him Thus Richard was retained 22. monethes and not deliuered but for a ransome of an houndred thousand pounds sterling which was then a great and notable summe This was the successe of that long and dangerous Easterne voiage crossed with so many toyles takings and yeeldings vp and with such troublesome consequences for both Kings and both Realmes for the quarrell ended not vpon King Richards release out of prison as we shall see Richard being returned into England Strange marriages of Pâ—ilip he sought all meanes of reuenge for the Wrongs he supposed to haue receyued vnworthely of Philip in his absence and calamitie But let vs returne to Philip he had put a way Isabel taken Alix the daughter of the King of Hungary who liued not long with him She being dead he tooke Gelberge sister to the King of Denmarke whom likewise he put away and in her place married Marie the daughter of the Duke of Morauia After a long and bitter controuersie vpon the repudiation of Gelberge the king remaning obstinate in his resolution yet in end he receiued her againe beyond al hope and ended his daies with her sending backe Marie with honorable meanes to liue in this kind of sollitary life in manner of a widow But our Inuentary may not excuse it selfe vpon the breuitie of the stile without reporting the manner which Philip held in receyuing Gelberge after so long and obstinat a sute The King of Denmarke pursued vehemently in the Court of Rome for the honor and quiet of his sister reiected Philip not able to auoyd the decision of the cause And yet resolute not to receiue Gelberge prepares his Aduocates to shew the reasons which had moued him to put her away The cause was to bee pleaded before the Popes Legate in the great Hall of the Bishops Pallace at Paris thether they runne of all sides In this great and sollemne assembly Philipps Aduocates pleaded wonderfullie well for him against his wife but no man appeared for her As the Cryer had demanded three times if there were any one to speake for Gelberge and that silence should be held for a consent behould a yong man vnknowne steppes forth of the presse and demands audience An Aduocate vnknowne pleads against the King for his wife Gelberge It was granted him with great attention King Philip assisting euery mans ears were open to heare this Aduocate but especially Philipps who was toucht and rauished with the free and plaine discourse of truth which he heard from the mouth of this newe Aduocate so as they might perceiue him to change his countenance After this young man had ended his discourse hee returnes into the presse againe and was neuer seene more neither could they learne what he was who had sent him nor whence he came The Iudges were amazed and the cause was remitted to the Councell Pâ—ilip relents â—nd takes Gelberge againe Philip without any stay in Court goes to Horse and rides presently to Bois de Vincennes whether he had confined Gelberge hauing imbraced her hee receiues her into fauour and passed the rest of his dayes with her in nuptiall loue 1193 By Isabel he had Lewis the 8 of that name whome during his life he imployed in affaires and left him the Crowne But the peace of his house was blemished by these crooked changes whereby we may obserue by the disquieted mind of this worthy Prince that there is nothing absolutly perfect in humain affaires He which could surmount the insolencies of his enimies could not vanquish his owne passions He that could get else where could not preserue that which was most pretious that is the peace of his howse and of his bed and which is more of his soule who could not liue quietly a midest these contynual debates bred and norished in his bosome This was the banket which was prepared for him at his returne after so many broâ—les passed in the voiage of the â—ast Flanders and England ministred him matter of troubles all his life time 〈◊〉 had â—oudry wâ—rres 〈…〉 King of England and 〈◊〉 Earle of Fâ—andâ—rs and he requited his enemies with the like ouer whome he had victorious aduantages Balâ—wine Sonne to Baldwin Earle of Hainault and Namur called the fourth and of Marguerit of Alsatia the Heire of Flaunders by the decease of her brother Philip dead of late in the East was then seased of these goodly Seigneuries wherevnto he had added Vermandois the which he pretended to belong vnto him by a certaine agreement but in effect it was by the right of conueniencie the which he had seazed on in Philips absence who at his returne recouered it from him by force with the countrey of Artois the which he gaue to his Sonne Lewis being now growne great who tooke possession and receyued homage from them of the Country Moreouer Philip caused Bauldwin to doe homage as his vassal for Flanders and other Lands of the Low countries noted by that name at Paris according to the sollemnities required from thence he marcheth into Normandie takes Gisors and the Country of Vexin giuing it for a dourie to his sister Alix being put away by Richard whome he had married againe to the Earle of Ponthieu But sodenly there are complaints from England That Phlilip did breake his promise He replies That seing his sister was nothing to Richard there was noâ— reason he should enioye her doury But this quarrell must proceed farther Richard receiues his brother Iohn into fauour and pardons what is past so as he will serue him faithfully against Philip and be no more seduced by his practises It chanced moreouer that Otho of Saxony the Son of Richards sister was choseÌ„ Emperour in his absence being then in England froÌ„ whence he presently departs assisted with his Vncles meanes the which hereafter shall import him much Richard seing how much Tholouse did import him for his countries of Guienne enters into a strict League of friendship with Raymond Earle of Tholouse theÌ„ a widower by the death of Constance Aunte to Philip giuing him Ioane his sister in marriage the widowe of
all sutes among his subiects and happily hee might haue preuailed in reconciling that great deuision betwixt the Emperor and the Pope if zeale to releeue the afflicted Christians had not made him to abandon his owne quiet with all his good workes to transport his treasure and life into Affrick and there to leaue them among the Barbarians All declined in the East Mahomet preuailed so both there and in Affricke as Europe was threatned by their neighbor-hood Spaine as the neerest and Prouence and Languedoc by the easie aboard of the Mediterranian Sea Lewis not able to liue without seeking the aduancement of the Christian religion resolues a voyage into Barbarie Lewis goes into Barbèrie against the aduise of his estate and contrary to his owne experience A zeale which shall succeed ill for himselfe and his whole realme whom we cannot excuse of indiscretion Thus he inrouled himselfe the second time and his Sonne Philip likewise which shall succeed him with Peter Earle of Alanson and Iohn Earle of Neuers surnamed Tristan He left the Regencie to Simon of Neele and Mathew of Vendosme of whose fidelitie he relyed much Before his departure he made a league with the King of England to whom he had done many good offices in his great necessitie It was agreed A League wiâ—h Enâ—land 1269. â—hat the English should pretend no interest to Normandie nor to the Earledome of Aniou Maine Poitou and Touraine and as for Guienne hee should enioy the Countries of Quercy Limosin and Xainronge vnto the Riuer of Charenton all which Countries hee should hold by homage of the Crowne of France and in this regard he should be Vassall and Leege-man to the King of France For confirmation of this accord Edward his Sonne enters into societie of Armes with Lewis for the voyage of the Holy-land to maâ—che at the same time This accord was made in the yeare 1269. and their departure was the yeare after 1270. the first day of May. He paâ—ted from Aigues-mortes and not from Marseilles as some haue written for that there was no good port vpon the Mediterranian Sea hee caused the Cittie of Aigues-mortes in Languedoc to bee built and compassed it with goodly Walles which speake yet of him and with Chanels for the commoditie of the shoare the largest is calâ—ed The great Lewis by his name Edward takes his course for Asia and Lewis for Affrike the French armie consisting of forty thousand fighting men that of England is not specified The voyage was shott vnhappy for them both but especially for our good Prince Lewis had scarce lost the sight of shoare and discouered the Iland of Sardinia when as both he and his whole Fleete had almost perished in a storme Lewis in danger at Sea A presage of a mournfull successe In the end he lands in Affricke A Country worthy to loose that ancient name among vs and to be called Barbarie for the barbarous and vnfortunate successe it brought Lewis resolues to take Carthage a new Cittie built vpon the ancient name and held for a strong garrison of the Barbarians He takes it but with great paine and losse From thence heâ— goes to Thunis a strong and well garded Cittie resolute to haue it at what price soeuer But man purposeth and God disposeth For as Edward sonne to the King of England turned backe from his voyage of the East The Armie infected with the plague hauing passed but to Malta and Charles King of Sicilia going to ioyne with him to set vpon the Barbarians of Affricke altogether In a manner at the same time as they arriued all at Thunis the plague had deuoured a great part of the French armie and taken away many Noblemen And to encrease the mischiefe 1270. it enters the Kings pauiâ—â—on and strikes Lewis although some say it was a Flux But whatsoeuer it be our Lewis is extreamly sicke and feeling it deadly Lewis being sicke giues his sonne instruction hee calls for Philip his eldest sonne whose age and vertue preferred him to the Crowne Hauing giuen him goodly admonitions and exhorted him to serue God to liue verâ—uously and to gouerne his people â—atherly vnder the obedience of his lawes which hee himselfe must first obey hauing recommended vnto him the loue of his brethren Lewis dyes and intâ—eated all the Nobilitie about him to obey Philip he yeelded vp his soule to God to take his true rest in heauen leauing all his followers in great heauinesse being the most perfect patterne of a good King that euer was read off in Historie He only wanted the happinesse of a good writer although these small gleans which wee finde in the writings of the Lord of Ioinuille make his vertue admitable A Prince borne for a testimonie to that obscure age Lewis his vertues and for ours which is corrupted to be a President to all Kings and Princes of Religion Equitie Clemencie Wisdome Valour Magnanimitie Patiencie and Continencie to Loue Pietie Iustice Order and Peace to ioyne the loue of holy things and the modestie of manners with armes and State Hauing shewed that it is very fitting for a King To be a good Christian a good Warriour a good Husband a good Father a good Gouernour a good Iusticer and to know how to make Warre and Peace Verâ—ues required in a prince That it is very necessary to ioyne vnto the Maiestie royall Pietie Clemencie and Authoritie to gaine the Loue Respect and Obedience of all men And to conclude That the best gaâ—de and most assured reuenew of a Prince is the loue of his subiects worthy of that venerable name of Holy wherewith posteritie hath iustly honored him He was twelue yeares old when he began to raigne His raigne and gouerned 44. yeares So hee died in the 56. yeare of his age hauing receiued this mortall Crowne in the yeare 1226. and the immortall in the yeare 1270 the 25. of August Of Marguerite the Daughter of Raymond Earle of Proâ—ence His Children hee had foure Sonnes and foure Daughters A Princesse worthy of so great a husband the sole Wife of one husband and hee the onely Husband of one Wife His Sonnes were Philip surnamed the Hardie King of France Peter Earle of Alanson Robert also Earle of Alanson succeeding his brother Peter deceased without Children and he likewise died without any issue and Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauvoisin His Daughters were Blanche Queene of Castile Isabell Queene of Nauarre Marguerite Countesse of Brabant and Agnes Dâ—chesse of Bourgongne His posteritie in his two sonnes Philip and Robert So as of his foure Sonnes there suruiued but two Philip and Robert From Philip the 3. called the Hardie his eldest Sonne are issued successiuely eyther from Father to Sonne or from brother to brother or from the neerest kinsman to the next of bloud Philip the 4. called the Faire Lewis the 10. called Hutin Philip the 5. called the Long Charles the 4 called the Faire Philip
King Iohn who had already granted his pardon vpon good assurance Iohn grants his request yet could he not command his heart to leaue this malitious iealousie the which made him to seeke new occasions daylie to crosse his father in Lawes actions He then offers his seruice to the King of England who failes not to imbrace this occasion hauing the heart and hand of a Prince of the bloud whose power was great in the State Vpon this assurance he sends Edward his eldest sonne Prince of Wales into Guienne with a goodly armie a yong man of an exceeding hope And giues him for councell Iohn Shandos Robert Knowles Fraâ—cis Hali and Iohn of Arondel great men in their times and which shal be famous in those actions which shall follow New warre by the King of Nanâ—s practises He attended the end of truce the which being expired he enters Guienne and passeth into Langnedoc to Thâ—louse Narbonne ouer al he spoiles sacks kils and finds no resistance and returnes wiâ—hout difficulty to Bourdeaux being loaden with spoiles At the same instant another cloud of English men breakes out of Calis and spoiles the Country of Picardy but Ioâ—n by these skirmishes foresees the tempest of a greater warre measuring the forces of England by the will of King Edward his assured and tryed enemie He therefore seekes a remedie by an ordinarie course he calls a generall Parliament to take Councell and comfort from them in these newe occurrents Charlâ—s of Nauaâ—re assists but with an intent to crosse the Kings procedings by indirect practiâ—es and to withdrawe the subiects affections from assisting the King with their meanes in this necessitie Open force of the 〈◊〉 against the King but it was in vaine for in regard of Iohns promise to better the coyne they granted him a reasonable aide to raise and intertaine a great armie This faithful resolution of the French did for that time suppresse the violence of the English but not the furious malice of the Nauarrois for hauing labored in vaine to disswade the people from their promised succours and hauing raised by these practises seditions in diuers parts of the realme he lands at Cheâ—ebourg with two thousanâ— men robs and spoiles the countâ—y and takes â—he Castel of Coâ—ches in Normandie from the King An intollerable presumption of a subiect against his Prince after the muâ—ther of a Constable But Iohn disâ—embles this assiont and by the mediation of his sonne Charles Daulphin of Viennois he remâ—ts this second fault and receiues the King of Nauarre his son in Law againe into fauour but in effect he doth it to frustrate his purposes and to punish such as had assisted him Iohn did then giue the Duchie of Normandie to the Daulphin for his portion so as hee must take posâ—ession thereof An apparent cause to drawe him thether but in effect Iohns intention was to drawe the Nauarrois into a place of easie surprise to make him and 〈◊〉 adherents to giue an accompt of their wicked actions and to preuent them hereafter The new Duke of Normandie arriues at Roan whether all the good Townes of the Countrie runne to do him homage The King of Nauarre who held Eureux and many great Lordships in the Country with one of the greatest dignities in the realme comes to do him honouâ— well acompanied but better receiued by Charles his brother in law The King aduertised that the Nauarrois was at Roan with his sonne goes speedilie from Paris accompanied with his Brother Philip Duke of Orleans Lewis his second sonne Duke of Aniou the Earle of Tancaruille and Arnoul of Endreghan Marshall of France and ranne to Roan with this great traine 1352. Arriuing about dinner time he presently goes to his sonnes lodging where he findes him at table accompanied with the King of Nauarre and the most of them which had assisted him at the Constables murther where without any more deliberation or delay he causeth them all to be apprehended And then not pausing longer he made choise of fower out of this number the two Brethren of Harcourt the Lord of Maubue and Colinet Doublet chieâ—e actors in the foresaied murther and without any other forme of proceeding as a matter long before determyned he causeth their heads to be cut off Charles of Nauarre taken pâ—isoner by the King Fower of his complices beheaded setting theÌ„ vpon stakes and drawing their carcases to the gibet The next day he made choise of prâ—soners and sends the Nauarrois with Friquet and Bontabu his domesticke and most trustie seruanâ—s to Arras vnder sauegards and presently dismisseth all the rest to their houses enioyning them expresly vnto fidelitie and loyaltie to his seruice bynding them by a new oath This vnexpected execution amazed the whole Countrie like to a cracke of thunder but it roused vp the Nauarrois faction especially Philip of Nauarre brother to Charles and Geoffroy of Haâ—court Vncle to the two Bretheren beheaded Occasion of newe warre the which opened the gates to a strange confusion which shal cast Iohn into miserable captiuitie and drawe the Nauarrois out of prison with a flaming torch in his hand to fier the whole realme Behold Philip and the house of Haâ—court presently in England crying out against murther They intâ—â—ate Edward to stretch â—orth his hand to bee reuenged of so notable an iniustice and disloyaltie They offer him their hearts persons goods Townes and hauens to land in Nâ—rmandie without any difficultie and there to make warre comodiously against so trecherous and cruell a Prince Edward a wise and vigilant Prince who had his eyes open to all occasions that might annoy his enemy imbraceth this offer hee asâ—embâ—es his troupes to send them speedâ—ly into No mandie And to do nothing by halues hee imploies all hee can to leuie a great army the which he sends into Guienne to make worke for Iohn in diuers places and not to suffer this first heat of the discontended french to coole hee then without anie delay sends the Duke of Glocester into Normandie with .4000 choise men who lands easily Warre in Normandy and ioynes with Philip of Nauarre and so they ouerrune and spoile the Champion Countrie The terror of these newe forces spâ—eads presently ouer all The Towns of Lizieux Orbes B cheloin and Ponteau on the sea yeeld presently And not staying to beseege any great Citties he goes to Bretueil and Tuillieres and from thence to Vernueil in Perche the which he takes easilie giuing it out in all places that it was to reuenge the wrong done to the King of Nauarre and his seruants a dutie of humanitie which Kings ought not to refuse one to another in their greatest necessity King Iohn hasteth thither with his armie and recouers Bretueil and Tuillieres and had easily repossessed all the rest if a new occasion had not drawen him else where and the secret decree of God to his owne ruine Edward Prince of Wales the eldest sonne of Edward King of
much eased This prouision came happily for the preseruation of France against the which Edward made then great preparatioÌ„ at the instance of the Nauarrois The truce expired he did forbid the FreÌ„ch to trafficke into England in the meane time his army laÌ„ds at Calais himself follows in persoÌ„ with a goodly traine Being landed resolued to take possession of the realme of France or by force to turne it he marcheth directly to Arras the which he takes in 3. daies Edward enters France with an army hauing assured it with a stroÌ„g garâ—ison he goes towards Champagne where passing onely he besieged Sens which yeelds without resistance and by their example Neuers All Bourgongne was strooke into such a terror as they redeemed their country froÌ„ spoile with a great summe of mony Hauing thus found means to intertaine his armie at his enimies charge enriched his souldiers with an inestimable booty he marcheth towards Paris as the head city of the whole realme the chiefe end of his desseâ—â—e the certain triumph of his conquest the goodly theater of his victories Our â—egent was nothing amased at these threats of Edward for hauing asseÌ„bled a goodly army with great expeditioÌ„ he atteÌ„ds him at Paris where the whole burthen of this was did lie He lodgeth his army in the suburbes fortifieth against approches being taught by the examples of his grandfather father not to hazard any thing resoluing only to defend himselfe within his trenches This resolutioÌ„ succeeded happily He besiegeth Paris but in vaine for Edward seeing the impossibility to draw the regent to fight notwithstaÌ„ding al his alarums raiseth his siege marcheth into Britany to refresh his army to the great conteÌ„t of the ParisieÌ„s who could not sufficiently coÌ„mend the wisdom of their regent hauing so politikly auoided this storme The regent imbraceth this occasion he furnisheth Paris with aboundance of victualls commands the souldiers to liue orderly without oppression of the inhabitants he fortifies the weakest places with all speed and doth so incourage the people as they are ready to sacrifice theÌ„selues for the preseruation of the State Edward supposing the great wast caused by the men of warre resident in this great citty would haue taken from them al means to coÌ„tinue haue bred an impatiency in the minds of this vnconstant people giuing him the better meanes to enter it he returnes with his army being strong lusty by this good refreshing of Britaine Being returned he finds things better ordered then before so as preuailing nothing but walking about the citty beholding a far off the great towers and the admirable masse of so many buildings as a briefe of the whole world he resolues to leaue the siege returne no more Thus experience teaching him what the strength of our chiefe citty was he packes all vp and goes towards Chartres meaning to besiege it But whilest he lodged there his army making a horrible spoile of the whole couÌ„try there chanced an occasioÌ„ as the worke of heauen which sodainely quailed his ambitious disseine to ruine France for behold a horrible extraordinary tempest of haile thuÌ„der and lightning falls with such violence as many horses men in the armie perished as if that God had stretched forth his hand from heauen to stay his course Edward amazed with thunder He resolues to conclude a peace with King Iohn This amazemeÌ„nt causeth Edward to vow to make a peace with King Iohn and the regent his son vpon reasonable conditions He which had thus thundred did likewise opeÌ„ the Duke of Lancasters mouth shewing how reasonable it was to limit humane attempts within restrained bouÌ„ds not to attend an infinit perpetuall prosperity in wordly affaires beeing more safe to content himself with a meane successe theÌ„ to be traÌ„sported with the violent course of humane hopes cast in the mould of indiscreet desires He likewise laied before him the impossibility of so extraordinary a desseine as to make himselfe maister of all France a notable example for Princes to behold their own infirmities and the greatnes of God to whoÌ„ they owe the homage of their enterprises being theÌ„ most happy when they are most sober â—â—â—rate without imagining an infinite power in the short weaknes of this mortal life wherevnto they are subiect like other men A peace concluded at Bretignie The Articles This lessoÌ„ mollified Edwards hart inclining to the deliuery of K. Iohn his prisoner to a general peace the which was concluded at 〈◊〉 a village nere vnto Chartres in the yeare 1360. the 8. of May vpoÌ„ these coÌ„ditioÌ„s That the country of Poitu the Fiefs of Thouars Belleuille the couÌ„tries of Gascony Agenois Peregort Limosin Cahors Tarbe Bigorre Rouergue and Angoumois in soueraignty with the homages of the two next yeares after 1360. at reasonable paâ—ments And for the consideration the said King of England and the Prince of Wales his sonne both for themselues 〈◊〉 successors should renoâ—â—â— all rights pretended to the Crowne of France the Duchie of Normandie the countries of Tourance Aniou and Maine the soueraingty and homage of Brittâ—ine and the Earldome of Flanders and within three weekes they should deliuer King Iohn at Calais at their charge the expences of the Kings house onely excepted The hostages giuen for the performance of the conditions For assurance of which agreement there should be deliuered into the King of Englands hands these hostages Lewis Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry sonnes to the King of France Philip Duke of Orleance the Kings brother Philip Duke of Bourgongne the Earles of Blois Alanson Saint Pol Hâ—â—court Porcian Valentinois Grandpre Denne and Forest the Lords of Vaudemont Coussy Pyennes Saint Venant Preaux Montmorency Careneieres Boâ—â—â— guion Estoute-ville the Daulphin of Auueigne Andregel and Craon A choâ—â—â— of well selected personages to be a sufficient caution for the money and conditions that were to be performed The Deputies that treated The Deputies for King Iohn were Iohn of Dormans Bishop of Beauuais and Chanâ—eller of France Iohn of Melun Earle of Tanearuille the Lord of 〈◊〉 Marshaâ—â— of France â— the Lords of Montmorency and Vigny Iohn Croâ—â—â—e Simon of 〈◊〉 Iohn Marâ—â—â— Lawyers and Iohn Maillard and Stephen of Paris Bourgesies of Paris For the King of England were Iohn Duke of Lancaster the Earles of Northampton Warwicke and Suffoâ—â—â— Renauâ—d of Celâ—sâ—an Gualtâ—r of Maâ—ny Knights with certaine learned men for their Councell This treatie of a generall peace signed by the two Kings was ratified by their two eldest sonnes Charles and Edward and proclaimed by Heraulds first at the wiâ—dowâ—â— of the Kings and Princes lodgings and then at the corners of the streetes in great solemnitie The hostages were deliuered to Edward the father who imbarked at 〈◊〉 and lead them into England leauing the Earle of Warwicke in France to see the execution of the peace King Iohn brought to Calis
forbidden vpon paâ—ne of death and the English come to the succor of the associat Princes to bee satisâ—â—ed out of the Kings tâ—easor Without the Cittie of Auxerre neeâ—e to the Abbie of Saint Mâ—riâ—â— a stately scaffold was made where the King sitting in his seat of Iustice enuironed with his Princes the officers of his Crowne and the chiefe deputies of the Parliament the peace was proclaymed with as great ioy as the warre had beene tedious and mournfull To confirme this peace with Iohn of Bourgongne Philip Earle of Vertus married his daughter but all this could not reconcile him to the house of Orleans The Daulphin reioyced much at this peace and made all shewes of loue to his Cousins lately reconciled being greeued to haue bin so long dissentioÌ„ betweene them desirous â—o repaire what was past aboue all to maintaine an inviolable peace wâ—thin the Realme The good sicke King present at all yeelding his consent and authority somtimes inclyned to good sometimes to ill Queene Isabel held with the strongest but all these good motions were crossed by the Bourguignon so as all the confusions of this raigne are not yet ended Iohn of Bourgongne seeing himselfe crost by Lewis the Daulphin and the house of Orleans restored to grace stirres vp newe troubles from the yeare 1412. Vnto 17. when as the Daulphin died but the troubles ceassed not FRance began to hope for better by the meanes of Lewis the eldest Sonne to King Charles hauing a desire to make a peace against the Bourguignons will But this was not all they expected of the Daulphins first resolution yet the weakenesse of the sicke King The Boâ—â—guignons 〈◊〉 in Court and the inconstancie of his yong Lieuâ—enant gaue the subtill braine of Iohn of Bourgongne too great an aduantage to suffer the French to enioy the fruiâ—s of peace so much desired who neuer yeelded to baâ—e threats but grewe more resolute And notwithstanding this alteration of the Daulphin his sonne in lawe yet he left not the Court being alwayes neere the King keeping the Councel in breaâ—h who were for the most part all on his side and although they worshiped the Sunne rising yet seeing the spirit â—f this yong Prince to be weake and inconstant and the Bourguignons fiâ— me resolutâ—on they stood vpon their gard doing nothing that might openly offend eyther the one or the other but vnder hand they sought to please the most polâ—â—â—ke and redoubted maister who else mâ—ght proue a most cruell and dangerours enemie Thus were affaires handled in the Kings councell And as not only the Court but the whole world is an ebbing and flowing of diuers humors the which doe change according to occasions and the scaffold whereon dissembling trechery and treason play their parts diuersly so at that time the Bourguignon a principall artisan of these goodly shewes found an ample subiect wherein to imploie his filthy trade But although he seemed to haue gained all whatsoeuer he desired that should come to passe and to haue attayned the full of his desires yet all his enterprises came to nothing and in the end he paied with the price of his bloud the great debt of his horrible wickednesse But this acte shall haue manie Scenes In the first our History shall set downe the new gouerment of Lewis the Daulphin The estate of the Court vnder Lewis the Daulphin This yong Prince was not capable of so great a charge hauing an idle braine being carelesse and voluptuous giuen to his owne will obstinate taking no aduice from any but of himselfe or from yong men of his owne humour loth to yeeld to any that vnderstood more then himselfe and especially to his vncles whose graue haires he disdained neither could he loue his father in lawe being resolued to gouerne the realme alone The Queene seeing her Sonnes humour inclyned to loue the house of Orleans made shew to fauour them but in effect she was indifferent being wholy giuen to flatter which her husband and to gouerne him according to the time The Bourguignon dissembling his sonne in Lawes wayward humours was alwayes neer the King giuing him such goodly reasons as the good Prince could not gainsaie him The subiect of his sutes was pleasing to the Parisiens whose good liking he entertained carefully but alwayes with an intent to bee reuenged of his enemies vnder this goodly name of the common wealth as the soueraigne ende of all his desseins but in effect he held still one of the cheefest places not yeelding in any thing to gouerne them which seemed to rule and to keepe backe such as might crosse his authoritie By the peace of Bourges the Constable of Albret should bee restored to his dignitie and Arnold of Corbie to his Chancellourship They delaie them from daye to day but in the ende they are restored with much difficultie The meanest haue many delaies more troublesome then a flat repulse being more willing to leaue al then to make these frutlesse poursuites Arnold of Corbie being honorably restored to his place resigned it into the Kings hands to auoide the danger of so confused a time more wisely then Henry of Marle that suceded him being slaine at the massacre at Paris with the Constable of Armagnae But the Bourguignons flew a higher pitche then to preiudice the house of Orleans in their goods and honors or to crosse their affaires and their followers The Bourguignons resolution He found no better expedient then to do as he had doone with Lewis their father for a dead Lion doth no harme To this ende he assembles some of his most trustye followers at Paris to finde meanes to murther the Dukes of Orleans Berry and Bourbon But Peter of Essars one of his most violent partisans discouered this practise for the which hee soone after smarted By the treatie of Bourges the Englishe which came to the Duke of Orleans succour must be satisfied They presse for paiement one part being discharged to the Duke of Orleans great hindrance he was forced to leaue his brother Iohn Earle of Angoulesme in in hostage for the rest Being carried into England he was in the end redeemed after much trouble and many dâ—laies In this article the Bourguignon made shew of his good husbandrie solliciting the English vnder hand on the one side for to presse Charles his principall debtor and on the other side he cried out against the disorder of the Kings treasor so â—ll gouerned as there was not sufficient to furnish the ordinarie expences of his house pretending all these great summes to be wasted either by the Tresorers in gifts or in superflous expences This complaint was very plausible but it was a pitfall to catch his enemies to muâ—ine this discontented people by reason of their great oppression 1413. being easie to be mooued at the name of the common weaâ—e He soone obtayned from the King a generall conuocation of the chiefe Citties to reforme the abuses of the Realme and
but we sought our owne decay The Constable Albret comanded â—he foreward that day and with him were the Dukes of Orleans Bourbon the Earles of Eu and of Richemont the Lord of Bouciquault Marshal of France the Lord of Dampierre Admiral The Battaile was led by the Duke of Bar and the Earles of Alenson Vaudemont Neuers Blamon Salines Grandpre and Roussy The Reerward by the Earles of Marle Dampmartin and Fouquembergue The King of England forced â—o fight Henry being denied pasâ—age by the Constable resolues to fight puâ—ting his trust in God and in his owne valour determining to vanquish or to die He made choise of a place of hard accesse and the better to fortifie his archers euery one had a sharpe stake planted before him The French ordered as before attended their enemies either looking who should begin the game Impatiencye forceth the weaker like desperate men the English Archers being in fight with such a furie as the French foreward cannot endure the violent fal of this furious storme the CoÌ„stable Albret was slaine fighting in the foremost ranke The Duke Anthony of Brabant brother to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne seeing this disorder leaues his troupe to redresse it but he was also slaine by the English bowe men And gets the victorie with his bâ—other Philip Earle of Neuers The battaile was likewise foâ—ced after a great fight The reerward fled and saued them selues in the neerest places of retreate So as the losse was not so great as the shame and ouerthrow They number ten thousand men slaine but their rashenes was inexcusable The head smarâ—ed for it and the Bourguignons brethreÌ„ had there an honorable tombe Charles Duke of Orleans Lewis of Bourbon the Eaâ—ls of Eu Richemont Vendosâ—e the strongest pillers of the Orlean faction with many Noblemen and Gentlemen were taken and led into England This deâ—eat chancâ—d the 20. of Ocâ—ober in the yeare The Battaile of Agincourt 1415. called the euill Battaile of Agincourt And as one mischief comes neuer alone the bodies at this defeat were scarce buried before Lewis the Daulphin dies This Lewis eldest Sonne to our Charles Sonne in Law Lewis the Daulpâ—in dies and a terror to the Bourguignon was little lamented of the people and lesse oâ— his father in Law who hated him to the death A Prince of little valour and much toâ—le more busied with himselfe then with the affaires he managed the which he made troublesome by his insufficiencie presumptioÌ„ to know much His disposition vnwilling to learne fâ—om others what he vnderstood not for the good of the State and his owne duty Iohn Duke of Touraine his brother succeded him in the first degree of the Prince of the bloud The Duke of Berry dies and the Earle of Armagnaâ— was made Constable in the place of Charles of Albret who shall minister good occasion to speake both of his life and death Iohn Duke of Berry brother to our Charles the 5. augmented these losses A wise Prince and louing Learning coÌ„mendable in al things but for his couetousnes the which made his vertues of lesse fame A blemish very il beeseming a generous and heroicke spirit These great losses should haue made the Bourguignon humble but he became more insolent making new practises to raise him selfe hauing no competitor Imbracing this ocasion he gatheâ—s togither what troupes he can with an intent to go to Paris The Queene and Constable of Armagnac vnwilling he shoud come armed comand him in the Kings name not to aproch The Parisiens were not then so well conceited of the Bourguignon being restrained by the court vnâ—uersitie but especially by the Kings authoâ—ity being present who spake whatsoeuer his wife the Constable would haue him being then alone in authority in the Kings Councell The Bourguignons troupes kept the field 1416. committing all kinde of insolencies and spoyles against whom the King made Edicts as against common theeues The Bourguignon renewes the warre giuing the people liberty to kill them But this did nothing mollify the heart of this reuengefull Prince borne for his Countries misery hauing no other intent but to afflict it wâ—th new calamityes To this ende as in the Kings sicknesse the Daulphin had the name and authority of the State he sought to winne the fauour of Iohn succeeding in the right of his brother deceased This occasion was offered but the issue was contrary to his desseine The misery of our France was such as the common duty of humanity moued forraine nations to pitty foreseeing our ruine if the warre betwixt France and England continued In this common desire The Emperor Sigismond comes into Francâ— the Emperour Sigismond by the consent of the Germans came into France His traine and the good worke he vndertooke deseâ—ued an imperiall Maiestie but the ende will shew hâ—s intent to be other then he protested Being arâ—iued in France to the great content of all the French he findes our Charles at his deuoâ—ion who receiued him with all the pompe he could giue to so great a Monarch making shewe of the great desire hee had to make a peace betwixt the French and the English for the generall good of both estates But this accord was but halfe made The Emperour hauing remained some time with Charles goes into England where he findes Henry of an other humour puft vp with the happy successe of his affaires the weakenesse of ours and in trueth the measure of our miseries was not yet full So Sigismond hauing perswaded Henry in vaine returnes into France Charles to honour him sends his sonne Iohn Duke of Touraine and Daulphin of Viennois into Picardie to meete him hauing married the daughter of the Earle of Hainault as great a friend to the Bourguignon as ill affected to the French The Emperour seeing his labour lost in seeking this reconciliation takes his shortest course into Germany leauing a reasonable subiect to the cleare-sighted The Daulphin Iohn fauours the Bourguignon to iudge that he had an other intent then to settle a peace in France by countenancing of the Bourguignon the instrument of her miseries for after this yong pâ—â—nce had spoken with the Emperour he is wholy changed in fauour of the Duke of Bourgongne and resolues to â—andy with him against the Duke of Orleans This foundation beeing laid by the Emperours pollicy it was fortified by the Earle of Hainault father-in-law to Iohn the Daulphin Nowe he imbraceth the greatest and most dangerous enemie of all true Frenchmen with a wonderfull affection But the subtill is taken in his own snate the end doth often bewray the intent As all things tended to a manifest change by meanes of this yong Prince inchaunted by his charmes hauing a spirit like vnto waxe apt to receiue any impressions from so subtill an artisan as the Bourguignon behold death cuts off all these hopes The Daulphin Iohn dies cast in the mould of
men and gentlmen which had assisted these murtherers died of the plague except Lisle-Adam who was reseâ—ued to receiue his punishment from King Henry of England although vpon an other occasion as you shall see here after And was not this God who reuenged this crueltie But let vs returne to our discourse for seeiâ—g the punishment was so sodaine we might not well remit the rehersall to any otherplace Charles lookes but coldly vpon his wife whome he loued not neither in health or sickenesse Hee welcomes the Duke of Bourgongne with a cheerefull countenance who had wonne his heart by framing himselfe to his weakenesse with mild speeches shewes of honour and apparant humility Impressions of common sense whereof phrensie for the most part doth not depriue mad men The Bourguiguon alters all at Paris The Kings councell assembled presently many things were propounded the first day they began with Officers the Constables place was confirmed to the Duke of Lorraine and the Channcellors hip to Eustache of Lastre Lislle Adam and Chastelus are made Marshalls of France for their well deseruing at the masaker at Paris Our Bourguignon creates Charles of Lens Admirall of France being Captaine of Paris and Phillip of Moruilliers the Queenes Aduocate first President of the Court of Parliament The English take all Normandie During this confusion Henry King of England makes other worke He was in Normandy taking Townes and Castles without any resistance Touques a Câ—stell held impregnable was forced by him during the passions of our mad-men as the first fruites of his conquestâ— Louuiers Pont larche Caen Cherebourg Falaisse Argenton Alencon Constance S. Lo and other places followed to make the way open to Rouen without any great difficulty Rouen is besieged in a manner the very day of the massaker at Paris Henry doth assault it with all the force and policie he can as the Dongeon and chiefe strength of all Normandy Rouen besieged taken The cittizens giue a testimony of good and faithfull subiects by their valour and constancie They demand sucâ—ours from the King with a protestâ—tâ—on of the euent The Court makes shew to stirre and to prouide for their defence but what remedy can the dead giue vnto the sicke In the ende after all their resistâ—â—ce seeking to maintaine themselues vnder the obedience of France Rouen yeelds to Henry King of England vppon hard conditions All yeeldâ— vnto King Henry To paye him three hundred sixty fiue thousand Crownes of gold and three Cittizens at his choise to doe his pleasure And so he suffered them to inioy their priuileges Of the three which he had chosen to punish he pardoned two and caused Alain â—lanchart Captaine of the commons to bee beheaded worthy to be eternized in our history dying for the seruice of his Kâ—â—g and countrye in a time so famous for so desperate a confusion The sequile waâ— great for not onely all the Townes of Normandy yeeld vnto him but also the Iâ—â—e of France was so amazed as all obey hiâ— euen to the gates of Paris where the fuâ—â—e of our miserable dissentions prepared a Throne for the sworne enemye of 〈◊〉 Realme I am weary to report our shamefull losses as reuiuing our old soares Henry migâ—t haue grauen in his triumph I came I sawe and oâ—crâ—â—me onely Mont S. Michel in Normandy was maintained vnder the obedience of our crowne through the vallour 〈◊〉 some Gentlemen Normans whose names the history owes to posterity Iohn 〈◊〉 Montfort Duke of Britanie seeing this happie sucsesse makes composition wâ—tâ— tâ—e English shrowding him selfe vnder his protection but he shall soone leaue him 〈◊〉 a more happie season shall make him turne to the Daulphin In this shipwracke the Queene and the Bourguignon had meanes to glut their ambition and furie at Paris beholinge the ruine of France hoping that in all extremities they should make their peace with the King of Ingland at their Countries cost hauing a daughter for a paâ—â—e and confirmation of this accord They send Ambassadors to Henry King of England being a Conquerour and â—or a baite they carry the portrait of Katherine of France the Kings daughter a Princesse of excellent beauty who must likewise bee the Leuiâ—n of our miserie But Henry finding this figure to be faire The Bourguignon treates with the English but in vaine desires to see the essentiall substance so as the Queeâ—e and the Borguignon gouerning the spirit of this poore sicke King conducts 〈◊〉 person with his daughter to their enimy neere to Meulan to aduise of a meanes for a generall peace but they departed without any conclusion by reason of the great demaunds which Henry made puft vp with this victorious successe seeking to sell â—is friendship at too high a rate Yet the image of Katherine had made an impression in his heaâ—t beeing much discontented that they had refused her with these conditions The Bourguignon likewise found lesse kindnesse then he expected and returned maleconâ—nt for that Henry puft vp with these fortunate incounters and carried away with hope of future victorye spake more proudly then the Bourguignons humour could well digest which was the cause of his destemperature He growes discontented and seekes to reconcile himselfe to the Daulphin for Hâ—nry said in his choler That he would haue both daughter and Bealme whosoeuer said nay and that there was no sufficient security for what they promised seeing the Daulphin did â—ot consent theâ—eunto A pill which the Bourguignon could not easily swallow So he chawed vpon this speech of the English which drewe him to his ruine for euen then he beganne to study by what meanes he might reconcile himselfe vnto the Daulphin hoping to fiâ—de a better composition with a yong Prince his kinsman and weary of the warres then with the English growne insolent by his victories Charles was not quâ—et in minde fearing least in these treaties they should conclude something to his preiudice So as they both inclined to an accord but vppon diuers causes to oppose against their common enimie with a common force But before we shewe the effect of this common desire we must see both the estate of our Daulphin since hee retired himselfe from Paris and of the Bourguignon since hee became Tribune of the people Although this terrible storme might haue shaken the young yeares of the Daulpâ—in Charles vnacquainted with the affaires of the world and his disposition inclining to pleasure seemed vnfit to indure much paine and toyle The Daulphinâ— estate yet the effects at need shewed his constant resolution against all difficulties They attribute this consâ—ancie and resolution to the faithfull councell of his seruants yet was it much for him to follow it Tannegay of Chastell Iohn Louuet president of Prouence the Vicont of Narbone and Robert Masson were those which serued him most for Councell in the beginning but God soone after did raise him vp strong hands to mannage armes couragiously and valiantly La Hire Pothon
stranged sease Henry the â— sicke which the vulgar sort terme 〈…〉 and Phisitians 〈◊〉 which is a Gowâ—e with a Craâ—pe Enguerand 〈◊〉 that the chiefe disease whereof he dyed was Saint Anthonies fire but it is more credibly reported that he dyed of a Plurisie a disease in those dayes so rare and vnknowne that Physitions being not therewith acquainted nor with the cause whence it proceeded could not prefer be not apply any remedy therefore Henry hauing his minde fixed vppon this voyage and his supposed victory partes from Senlis hauing taken leaue of the King Queene and wife whom he shall see no more he caused himselfe to be carried to Melun in a â—â—tter but feeling himselfe prest by his infirmitie he returned to Boâ—s-de-Vincennes where hauing taken his bed he sent his army into Bourgongne vnder the commande of the Duke of Bedford his brother and the Earle of Warwicke commandâ—ng them to pâ—rsue the Daulphin At the 〈◊〉 of this great armie the Daulphin Charles leaues Cosné and retires to Bourges and 〈…〉 was freed Henry was not so freed from his sicknesse the which increasing daily made him to thinke of his ende disposing as he pleased touching his sonne Henry the 6. of that name whom he had by Katherine the daughter of France and the Duke of Exeter his Vnâ—le to be Regent of England commanding them expressely to liue in concord with Philip Duke of Bourgongne and 〈◊〉 to make any peace with Charles of Valois for so he called him vnlesse they might haue Normandy in soueraignty neither to release the Dukes of Orleans and Bourbon vntill his sonne were of a competent age And thus Henry the 5. dies beeing neare about forty yeares old Henrâ— the â— dies in the vigor of his age and spirit borne and aspiring to great matters hauing already giuen proofe of what he might haue done if he had liued longer But God would punish France by an Englishman yet would he not suffer France to haue any other â—â—ng then a Frenchman This vnexpected death in the great course of Henry the fifts victories hapened the last day of August in the yeare .1422 followed soone after by one no lesse memorable Charles the 6. dies For Charles the 6. our good King but subiect to the miserablest raigne that France had euer seene to that day â—ell sicke dyed the 22. of October in the same yeare 50. daies after the decease of Henry of England A sicknesse death remarkable in so great a King for after that he had languished in so long infamous an infirmity he died in a manner alone They name but the Chauncellour the first Chamberlaine his Aâ—moner with some groomes of his chamber which were present at his end After his death he was visited by such as had caused him to die liuing and by his miserable life had made all the realme to Languish At the funeralls of this poore Prince 〈…〉 proclaimâ—â— King after the herald had proclaimed The King is dead an other cried God saue the King God send a long hâ—ppy life to Henry the 6. by the grace of GOD King of France and England our soueraigne Lord. To the end that passion might triumph ouer the infiâ—â—itie of our King 1422. euen in his graue This Henry shal be crowned King at Paris soone after But where is that Isabel or rather Iezabel who had so much tormented her poore husband I seeke her in all the corners of this history yet cannot finde her She whâ— caused so great diuisions dies without any memory but to haue liued too long for France and her children Oh the vanity of this world which doth inâ—erre the most busie in the forgetfullnesse of the graue when as they thinke themseues raised to the toppe of their desseines Thus Charles the 6. raigned thus he liued and thus he died miserable in his raigne miserable in his life but most happie in his death as well to free himselfe from paine and by his occasion his whole realme from confusion as also by death to change his tumultuous and miserable life into a quiet rest and eternall happinesse for what else can we say of him whose misery gaue him the title of welbeloued hauing nothing reprochefull in his life but his afflictions This is all I can speake touching the iudgement of this raigne after the repetition of so many miseries so as measuring others by mine owne apprehension I thinke to ease them in not reuiuing so tedious a subiect noting that this raigne was alwaies miserable both in the minority and maiority of our King His manners his race his raigne and his age do appeere by that which wee haue written He liued 54. yeares and raigned 42. He had many sonnes and daughters Katherine is famous hauing bâ—â— the mournfull gage of many miseries Of three Sonnes which came all to the age of men Charles onely remayned successor of his Crowne but not of his fortunes for hee shall settle the realme redeming it out of Strangers hands as shall appeere in the following discours CHARLES the seuenth the 54. King of France CHARLES THE .7 KING OF FRANCE .54 · AFter the long and painefull Carriere of the fore-passed raignes 1422. were it not time now to breath Since the vnfortunate battaile of Cressy we haue felt nothing but thornes tempests forces and shewes of ruines And if wee shall abate that little happinesse which Charles the 5. brought vnto our Ancestors there are not lesse then seuenty yeares of confusion But all is not yet ended we must passe thirty yeares more before the conclusion And as if we felt the crosses of our fore-runners we must shut our eyes recouer new forces grow resolute against all stoâ—mes and ende couragiously with them The remainder of this painefull course in the troublesome discourse which we shall finde in the beginning of this raigne Notable particularities of this raigne to see in the ende a happy Catastrophe in the restoring of this Estate and the vnion of the Church diuided by a long and dangerous schisme which disquieted Christendome during the troubles of this raigne Here our Frenchmen may reade with admiration and profit that as it is not now alone that France hath beene afflicted so God doth not now beginne to watch ouer it deliuering it by miraculous meanes when as it seemed neerest to ruine Here Charles the 7. the least and last of his Brethren shall deface the ignominie of France and triumph ouer the victories of a stranger who had in a manner dispossessed him of his Realme of a truth God ment to punish vs by meanes of the English but not to ruine 〈◊〉 The French cannot be commanded but by a Frenchman The Ocean is a strong bar to diuide these two Estates content with their owne rights This raigne abounding in miraculous accidents is the more considerable being the perfect Idea of the raigne of Henry the 4. vnder whom we liue But to represent so variable a subiect
with profit it is necessary to distinguish it in order There are three parts famous both for the subiect and successe The first shewes the confused and troublesome beginning of this raigne The order of this discourse vntill our Charles was sollemnely installed King and thereby acknowledged of all the French for vntill that day the greatest part called him Earle of Ponthiâ—ure or King of Bourges in mockerie and such as were more modest termed him Daulphin of Viennois The second putts him in possession of his royall authoritie shewing by what meanes he reduced the Citties subdued by the English to his obedience beginning with the Cittie of Paris and so proceeding to the rest of the Realme expelling the English from all but onely Calais The third shewes the ende of this raigne discouering the Kings domesticall discontents which hastened him to his graue after the happy euents of all his difficulties So this raigne continued thirty nine yeares variable in good and euill The beginning difficult the middest happy and the ende mournfull This is the Theater of mans life where ioye sorrow happinesse and misfortune play their parts diuersly both with great and small Charles the 7. was one and twentie yeares old when hee began to raigne and raigned 39. yeares for after the decease of his father Charles the 6. hee tooke vpon him the name of King of France notwithstanding the pretension of the English the 22. of October in the yeare Charles his raigne 1422. he died the thirteenth of Iuly .1461 He was married at aleuen yeares of age to Marie the daughter of Lewis of Duke Aniou and King of Sicile By this marriage hee had three Sonnes and fiue Daughters His sonnes names were Lewis Philip and Charles Lewis the eldest shall succed him to the Crowne Philip died very yong Charles liued somewhat longer but without any great successe His childeren hauing only the titles of the Dukedomes of Berry Normandie and Guienne His daughters were Radegonde Yoland Catherine Iane and Magdaleine The first died being betrothed to Sigismond Duke of Austria Yoland was married to Amedee Duke of Sauoie Catherine to that great Charles Duke of Bourgongne who shall be his owne ruine Iane to Iohn Duke of Bourbon and Magdalein to Gaston Earle of Foix and this was his race His manners and disposition His manners will appeere by his life he was of a tractable and gentle disposition capable of counceil but louing his ease too much and suffring himselfe to bee often carried away by his seruants And yet as God would vse him for the establishing of the French Monarchie so did he bring him vp in the schole of affliction to fortifie him against all difficulties assisting him with great worthie persons both for warre and councell by whose meanes he did raise vp this estate yet with great and confused combats and by a long and painfull patience But let vs proceede to that which hath chanced vnder his raigne most worthy of obseruation The miserable estate of this raigne vnto the Coronation of Charles the 7. during seauen yeares From the ende of the yeare 1422. vnto .29 in the moneth of Iune when as hee was solemnly installed King in the Cittie of Poitiers SVCH was the estate of Charles when his fathers death called him to the Crowne Wee haue seene after that the miseries of France had caused his mother Isabell to forget her owne bloud making him to bee reiected from the Crowne and Henry the 5. King of England substituted in his place yet he fainted not in these extreamities but did valiantly withstand the pretended desseignes by whose death God soone laid the foundation of this realmes restoring Yet after the death of King Henry the 5. Charles was incountred with infinite difficulties He had small meanes fewer friends and many mighty enemies He scarce enioyned the least part of his estate followed by intreatie and obeyed by halues euen of such as made profession to be most faithfull The Citties had diuers motions Diuersitie of humours in the Citties as priuate interest drew mens mindes to that partie which they held most profitable There were but too many which followed the fortune of the English being a Conquerour the corruption of man inclining commonly to the stronger But amidest these vncertaine humours of people The enemies of Charles he had enemies which incountred him with aduantages apparently victorious for Henry the 6. although he were very young yet did he exceed him in all things he had a realme hereditarie and absolute The King of England the best part of the French Monarchie the assistance of the Duke of Bedford his Vncle with many worthy men and great meanes To these enemies were ioyned some great men which fished in a troubled streame euery one imagining to haue a part of this garment building their desseignes vpon the Sepulcher of Charles and the alteration of the State Among the chiefest were Philip Duke of Bourgongne Amedee Duke of Sauoie Peter Duke of Brittaine with his Brother the Earle of Richemont Diuers instruments vnder that great engin of England but all these motions were to ruine France and to build their greatnesse vpon her ruines The Burguignon who had a great hand in the State was most interessed and most opposite to Charles being apparently the author of his fathers murther The Duke of Bourgongne Yet Philip a iudicious Prince so hated him whom necessitie commanded him to hate in this accident as if he should loue him in time not wedding himselfe absolutely to the English yet did he so worke for him in shew as making himselfe in effect the stronger he might counterpeise him if necessitie required and strike the last stroake for him to whom the French should incline Reason likewise taught him that the people would respect the lawfull heire of the Crowne louing their Prince naturally and in the end would reiect the Stranger as an vnlawfull Tenant who made himselfe daily insupportable by his imperious cariage Amedee Duke of Sauoye being on the Stage and farre from blowes kept the stakes and entertained Charles The Duke of Sauoye as if he should be an assured mediator in these quarrels to end them with more aduantage then any Christian Prince and so he nourished this diuision by a strict intelligence which he had with the Bourguignon As for the humour of the two Brethren of Brittaine the course of the Historie will soone shew it Thus Charles charged by many enemies The Duke of Britaine had few faithfull and confident friends and in that golden age so small meanes to entertaine his friends as he could hardly supply the ordinary charges of his traine selling and ingaging peece after peece of his inheritance So as he had nothing more assured then the equitie of his cause and his resolution in this great necessitie He had yet some good friends remaining in Scotland whom he bought dearely Charles aduanceth Scottishmen aduancing them to
first motions put Charles in some hope of a better estate but behold a newe checke which cooles his courage At the same time that hee made his leauie in Scotland the Duke of Exeter prepared a great armie in England to releeue the Duke of Beford his brother that hee might haue meanes to contynue the warres in France There comes vnto him eight thousand archers and eighteene hundered men at armes For the imploying of these men Nâ—we forces â—aised in England he beseegeth Galardon taketh it at his first approch and without the losse of any houre hee plants himselfe before Yury and at the same instant all his forces come to him vnder the commande of the Earle of Salisburie The army being thus increased he presseth the seege Girault of Paliere held the Towne for the King The Duke of Bedford summons him to yeeld it â—iraud demandes respit to aduertise the King Charles was then at Tours well accompanied both of his subiects and forraine friends for after the defeat of Creuant foreseeing that the English would pursue the cause with more violence hee had prouided men to oppose against them The Marshall Du-glas Duke of Touraine by his newe pourchase â—ad brought him succors from Scotland The Vicont of Narbonne a goodlie troupe from Languedoc the which was the flower of the whole army The Duke of Alencon the Earles of Aumale Ventadour Tonerre Du-glas Moiry the Viconte of Mardonne the Lords of Fayette Tournon and other Noble men of Marke with their followers were readie to do their best endeauor So as hee had eighteene thousand fighting men The rendez-uous is in Perche and they were shortly to march to Yury The King stayes at Chastecudun The Constable of Bouâ—qhingam sends to vewe the enemies countenaÌ„ce The skouâ—s report the greatnesse of the English army and their dilligence at the seege who being discouered and pursued hardly escape They resolue that in steede of charging the English army they should beseege Vernueil a Towne obeying the English eyther to take it or to make a diuersion from Yury The first succeeded for our men approching to Vernueil with a victorious countenance and bragge as if the English army had beene defeated Vernueil yeelded to the French Yury yeelded Vernueil opens the gates without any question and yeelds to the Kings seruice But this shewe of victory cost our French men deâ—re who had done better to succour Yury then in loosing it to hazard their owne ruine as it happened afterwards Girault of Paliere hauing long and in vaine expected succors and doubled the prefixed time hee yeelds to the Duke of Bedford who hauing nowe no other impediment he resolues to fight with our army at his aduantage for the effecting whereof he had the better meanes by their long stay Hauing intelligence of the Estate of our Armie he resolued to drawe them to battaile knowing howe much it did import to send a victorious soldiar against one whome he hath vsually beaten Hee therefore sends a herauld to defie them giuing him charge to direct himselfe to the Duke of Touraine The Duke of Bedford sends a challenge to the French army a Scottish man being Marâ—shall of France To whome he saies The Duke of Bedford my maister commanded mee to tell you that he comes to drinke with you Du-glas answers him That he should be welcome but hee must make some hast for that diner was readie Vpon this brauado they go to Counsell The mischiefe was the army had no head hauing indeede too many A multitude of commanders and commaundements is a plague to all good order and especially in militarie discipline which consists wholy in authoritie Euery one had varied in his opinion Some were of aduice to attend the enemie A diuision among the heads of the French army others thought it fittest to take him at his worde without induring of these brauadoes Thus their diuided opinions diuided the armie and those which in shewe made the armie ouerthrew it Du-glas and Narbonne Du-glas sayed Seeing the army is well lodged hauing a good Towne to backe it to what ende should they runne rashly against a victorious enemie The Narbonnois replies To endure these brauadoes were to take away the hearts of the French Soldiars and to coole their courage without any reason and what greater indignities might a vanquished man beare The Duke of Alenâ—on and the Constable were of the first opinon but the contention grewe so great as the Viconte sayed That if the wiser had no minde to fight heewould go and defend the honor of France with the hazard of his life so being retyred to his quarter he coÌ„manded to sound a marche notwithstanding the Duke of Alensons intreatie to stay and march together On the other side the Duke of Touraine discontented at the Visconts choller keepes back the Scottes But necessitie drew forth the whole armie The French armie one Battaillon after another This disorder was the cause they could not choose a sit place of armes nor dispose of their Battaillons All were in grosse confusedly without any vantgard The chiefe of the armie were on foote They place two wings and to euerie wing a thousand horse The Italians had the right and the French the left In the â—ore-fronte of this battaile they planted foure hundred horse to beginne the skirmish The Duke of Bedford had oportunitie to dispose better of his armie The English armie he makes abode all on soote where he placeth his chiefe force and lodgeth there himselfe In the front of this body he placeth great store of Archers and euery Archer hath a stake stâ—câ—t in the ground to withstand the chaâ—ge of the horse Vpon either wing he plants the choise of his most resolute Archers Behind are his vnarmed people with the bagage the horses being tyed close together taile to taile with two cordes or wit hs but for their gard he left two thousand choise Archers In this order he attends the French whom he discouers comming a farre off resolute to fight with the countenance of conquerours They were long before they could set their troupes in order aâ—d ranne a full gallop to their death So as in these stirres and in their hast to fight they were out of breath before they came to blowes All the morning is spent in approches the two armies fronting one another a little after noone a signall is giuen to the battaile our aduenturers go to the charge to trie if they can force the grosse of the English armie The foure hundred Italian Lances lead by Cameran with one eye made the point and at the first charge beate back the English Archers that were in the front At the same instant our two wings of horse charge the English armie in flanke seeking to breake their ranckes The finy of the fight was violent on either side our men striuing to enter into the body of the English foote and the English labouring to withstand our men with a continuall
loue of faire Agnes A blot which doth yet blemish the name of Charles the 7. in the generall conceipt of the French nation registred as a certaine truth by the writers of our time which haue described that raigne As it is my course to search the originalls The King reproched for the loue of faire Agnes and not to alledge any new writer for an Author so haue I carefully noted what the Ancients did obserue Alain Charretier the Kings Secretarie saies nothing Monstrelet speakes but vpon occasion in the end of this raigne And for as much saith he as the King did see her willingly the common fame was that he kept her dishonestly for the vulgar is more inclined to speake ill then well But the loue which the King did shew her was for her pleasing behauiour and eloquent speach and also for that she was of all faire creatures the fairest The Historie of S. Denis written by the Historiographer of France doth cleerly excuse him in these termes I a Chronicler desiring to write the truth haue duly informed my selfe and without falsifying of the truth doe finde by Knights Councellors Physitians Surgians and other domesticall seruants examined by othe as appertâ—ined to my charge to the end to free the peoplâ— from scandall That during fiue yeares that faire Agnes liued with the Queene the King neuer frequented her but in great companie nor in the absence of the Queene he neuer vsed any lasciuious countenance vnto her nor touched her beneath the chinne And after his sports Charles retired himselfe vnto his lodging and Agnes vnto hers But he loued her for that she was pleasant and young among the fairest seeking all kind of delights to sweeten his thoughts and cares These are his very words But howsoeuer this scarre remaines vpon Charles his face that he neglected his affaires loosing both his time and iudgment with this woman and in his Gardens the which blemished his reputation much euen with his enemies The subiect diâ—contented against Charles who held him for an idle person and of small valour But as this report made him contemptible so the insolent behauiour of his Mignions made him hatefull for that vnder his authoritie these Horse-leeches oppressed the people and tooke all reward from such as had ventured their liues for the Kings seruice Thus this poore Prince surcharged with many difficulties was so discouraged as he had not any care to preserue himselfe by armes howsoeuer Charles desires an accord with Brittanie and Bourgongne but imployed all his spirits to finde some meanes of an accord at what price soeuer with the Duke of Bourgongne and Britaine But he was much deceiued for they had all conspired his ruine and euery one pretended a part in this confiscation The Duke of Sauoy looked for a share and Lewis of Chaalon Prince of Orange was in hope to make him selfe great with the remainders of this spoile But where the wisdom of man ended there the prouidence of God began who prouided meanes for Charles the which he could not foresee neither by his industrie or authoritie finde out that the restoring of this realme might be knowne to proceed from the miraculous bountie of God the Gardien of this estate We haue shewed with what care the Duke of Bedford had built an vnion with the Dukes of Bourgongne and Brittany to confirme the English affaires in France Arthur of Brittanie Earle of Richemont brother to the Duke of Brittanie began to make a breach in this alliance He had married one of the Burguignons Sisters and Bedford the other The League wâ—th England shaken This Arthur was a Prince of good iudgement who gouerned his brother peaceably and had a great interest in his Brother in lawe of Bourgongne Hee shall helpe much in the restoring of this estate vniting the hearts of Princes distracted from the King but his soure complections did much distemper Charles who shall pay deerely for the fruites of his seruice as the course of the Historie will declare The Duke of Bedford being at Paris mightily puft vp with his victories plaid the King this insolent greatnesse which made him odious to the French although they durst not shew it was likewise hatefull to his owne people Man hath alwaies the miserie that he seekes and is the plotter of his owne misfortune This pride bred a iarre betwixt him and the Earle of Richemont Bedâ—ord and Richemont brother to the Duke of Brittaine at iarre being brothers in law and made a way to the generall diuision of these confederate Princes and reunion of the whole realme Richmont was come vnto him to be imployed in some honorable charge fit for his house perâ—on making great esteeme of his loue whereof their alliance seemed an assured gage But he found nothing but discontents Arthur was of a French humour nourished in the mildnesse of our Kings bred vp in their armes and had beene prisoner for them at the battaile of Azancourt the time onely had withdrawne him from the Kings seruice whom euery man held â—ost The pride of Bedford reuiued in him this first affection so as not able any longer to accord with the English he resolues to seeke all meanes to recouer the Kings good grace and fauour and to intangle his brother the Duke of Brittaine Thus he leaues the Duke of Bedford and retires to his house with this discontent There falles out a fit occasion to aduance this businesse Arthur of Bâ—â—ttaine leaues the Engâ—ish to the good liking of Richemont for the office of Constable was voide by the death of the Earle of Bouâ—qham slaine in the battaile of Vernueil Charles sleepes not at these newes but as if he had attended some good opportunitie hee presently sends a trustie Gentleman to the Earle of Richemont to offer him his loue and for a gage thereof the dignitie of the Constable of France with all aduantages that a King may honour his seruant with This first sommons Richmont tooke reasonable well but he answered That he could not doe any thing without his Brother the Duke of Brittaine with whom hauing conferred he would presently aduertise Charles of his resolution But as the Kings vrgent necessitie made him to reckon the minutes so the tediousnesse of the Brittons answer made him to languish His counsell likewise allowed well of this league the which shall proue more troublesome vnto him then honourable and more preiudiciall then profitable vnto France Charles without attending any answer from Richemont sends Iohn Louuet President of Prouence one of the chiefe fauourites then in credit but he remembred not that he was in dislike with these Princes so as Louuet returned without any effect Yet Charles lothe to loose this opportunitie and to giue the English time to reconcile himselfe to these Brittons sends to him with all speed a very honourable Ambassage which was Yoland of Arragon Charles sollicits the Duke of Brittâ—â—â— his brother wins them to his
with the Burguignon being their neighbour with the Kings good liking In the meane time the Duke of Bedford leuies what men and money he can both in France and England for some great attempt Charles hath intelligence from diuers parts but what could he doe in so deepe dispaire of his affaires and in so visible an impossibilitie The famous Siege of Orleance ALL the Citties of this side Loire from the Ocean Sea were lost with the whole countries of Normandie Picardie the 〈◊〉 of France Brie and Champaigne He had nothing left but the Townes lying vpon the riuer of Loire from â—yen to Anger 's for La Charité held for the Bourguignon The chiefe was Orleance this being wonne what could hold out long for the French Bourges could make small resistance if the English had forced Orleans The enemies of our State who called Charles King of Bourges threatned to take from him this small and languishing royaltie Orleans then was the marke whereat the Duke of Bedford aimed who hauing wonne the Britton it greatly fortified the English affaires in France As for the Bourguignon he had in a manner recouered the Estates of Holland Hainault Zeland and Namur And although ambition and couetousnesse may neuer be bridled yet these Princes nothing friendly among themselues but as coÌ„mon enemies to this Câ—owne agreed well in this to make their priuate profit by the ruine of our state But man purposeth and God disposeth we shall soone see how much he scornes their vanities In this lamentable time mans reason could not discerne by what means Charles should resist so mighty enemies But in the weakenesse of this Prince I read with ioy the words of the Original which saith During the time that the English held their siege before the noble Citty of Orleans King Charles was very weake beeing abandoned by the greatest part of his Princes and other Noble men seeing that all things were opposite vnto him yet had he still a good trust and confidence in God He was not deceiued in this hope as the sequele will shew The charge of this siege at Orleans was giuen to the Earle of Salisbury a wise valiant Captaine hauing giuen good testimonies of his sufficiency for the well managing of this siege he resolued to take in all the forts neere vnto Orleans that obeyed the French beginning with the weakest parting from Paris taking his way through the Countrie of Chartâ—es he seizeth vpon all the smal Townes wherein our Captaines had so much toyled but a fewe monethes before Nogent le Retrou Puiset Rochefort Pertrancourt Ianuille Toury Mompipeau the Castell of Pluâ—eâ—s and la Ferte of Gaules The Earle of Salisbury sets downe before Orleans and approching neere the Cittie both aboue and beneath Meung Baugency and Iargeau In the ende he plants himselfe before Orleans the 6. of October in the yeare 1428. A day to be obserued for that the 12. of May the yeare following was the last fit of our disease which changed the estate of our miserable country like vnto a pleasant spring after a long and sharpe winter when as a goodly summer crownes all our labours with aboundance of peace and plenty So this siege continued iust 7. moneths The bruit of this great preparation did wonderfully disquiet both court and country vnder the French obedience in the weakenesse and confusions of the state The King after the taking of la Charité was commonly resident at Poitiers he now retires to Chinon to bee neerer to Orleans The townes willingâ—y contrâ—bute men money Charles his diligenâ—e to relieue Orleans and victualls Many great personages flie to this siege to defend the chiefe strength of our King and Kingdome Lewis of Bourbon the sonne of Charles Earle of Clermont the Earle of Duâ—ois bastard of Orleans the Lords of Boussaâ— and Fayette Marshalls of France Iohn Steward Constable of Scotland William of Albret Lord of Orâ—all the Lords of Thouars Chauigny Grauille Chabannes The Captaines la â—ire Xaintrailles Theolde of Valpergue Iohn of Lessego Lombards with many other gâ—eâ—t personages There were not any of the Prouinces of Daulphiné and Languedoc for that the Dukes of Bourgongne and Sauoy at the same instant prepared a great army by the meanes of Lewis of Chaalons Prince of Orange to invade those Countries being wholly in the Kings obedience The Orleanois resolues to defend himselfe He presently beates downe all that might accommodate the enemy suburbs howses of pleasure wine presses yea and the temples themselues Salisburie doth likewise vse great dexterity and diligence to plant his siege The Earle of Salisbury builds up sorts towards Beausse and the port Banniere he builds a great Bastille which he calles Paris Another at the port Renard which he names Rouen Towards S. Laurence another to the which he gaue the name of Windsore At the port of Bourgongne he fortified a ruined Temple called S. Loup and neere vnto it an other named S. Iohn the white At the Portereâ—n hee built a great fort vppon the ruines of the Augustines Church calling it London from the which hee wonne the Towre vppon the bridge and all with â—onderfull speede All the cittye is inuironed hauing neyther issue 〈◊〉 but with sore fighting And in these toyles they spend the rest of the yeare The first day of the new yeare the English for a new yeares gift to the citty bring their scaling ladders couragiously to the Bulwarke at the port Renard but they were valiantly repulsed by the defendants the next day the Admirall of Cullant hauing passed the riuer of Loire at a foord winter being very drie this yeare visits them of the cittie brings theÌ„ diuers necessaries vpon his returne he incounters some English troupes which came stragling from forrage 1429. He chargeth them cuts them in peeces and so retires without danger Thus the moneth of Ianuarie passeth without any other memorable exploite The battaile of Herings vnfortunate for the French But there happened a strange accident the 20. of Februarie following The Duke of Bedford sent Lenten prouision to the Earle of Salisburie with some munition of warre vnder the conduct of Iohn Fastall and Simon Bowyer with 1700. men for their garde The Duke of Bourbon brought a goodly succour of foure thousand men to the besieged He resolues to charge this English troupe hauing well viewed their numbers It was likely the stronger should haue the victorie but the issue was contrary to the desseigne For it chanced as his men marched confidently as it were to an assured victory without any iudgement the English seeing them in doubt how they should fight either on foote or horseback and irresolute in the end they resolue to charge the French it falling out many times in this exercise that he which begins winnes To conclude without any farther aduise the English imbracing this occasion charge our troupes who were so surprised with this vnexpected impression as they presently giue way to
Bourguignon reconciled enemy to his enimes that he should renounce all alliance and friendship with the king of England and promise both his person and all his meanes to expell him out off France The performance was according to promise Charles Duke of Bourbon and Arthur of Brittaine Earle of Richemont Constable of France in the name of Charles the 7. aske pardon of the Duke of Bourgongne for the death of his father and the Duke pardoned him for the loue of God The Cardinalls in the Popes name and the Counsels absolue the Duke from the oath which he had made vnto the English and eyther part sweares to maintaine the accord in that which did concerne him So the peace was published with great solemnity to the incredible content of all men The King the Duke of Bourgongne and the whole Realme reioyced exceedingly only Iohn of Luxembourg Earle of S. Pol wold not be therin coÌ„prehended he shall suffer for it and his house after him This was the 24. of September in the yeare 1435. a famous day for those things which happened in this raigne whereof this accord gaue the first occasion The marriage of Charles sonne to the Duke of Bourgongne with Katherine of France daughter to our Charles was concluded to seale this accord From this peace sprong a more violent war against the English The Duke of Bourgongne sends backe all his contracts to the Duke of Bedford and hauing shewed him the iust reasons which had mooued him to imbrace the Kings amity beeing his kinseman and Lord hee renounceth the alliance of England with a watch-word that euery one should looke to himselfe Euery man sharpens his sword and scoures his armes to recouer that by force which they could not obtaine by reason War very violent against the English The first fruites of this accord beganne to grow ripe euen in the heart of winter for Corbeil yeelds presently to the King with Briâ—-Conte-Robert and the Castle of Bois de Vincennes The Bourguignon imployes all his friends and intelligences at Paris he vseth all his instruments meaning to set them to worke the yeare following All Normandy begins to reuolt Diâ—pe Fescan Monstier-Villiers Harfleu Tancaruille Bec-Crespin Gomusseule Loges Villemont Grasuille Longueuille Neuf-uille Lambreuille Charles-Mesnill S. Germain Fontaines Preaux Blainuille obey the King willingly chasing away the English receiuing the French for their safety all which was acted in two dayes What more To finish this worke God takes away one of the chiefe causes and one of the principall instruments of the misery which had so long afflicted this estate We haue seene what part Isabell of Bauierre played in this Tragedy wee haue sought her after the death of her poore husband and could not finde her for in trueth she was ciuilly dead Bedford fearing the spirit of this Medea seekes not onely to stay her hands but to keepe her eyes from the managing of affaires And for that shee had deuoured the treasure of the Realme he constraines herto keepe a diet He doth therefore sequester herto the house of S. Pol where she liued vntill the ende of this yeare in great pouerty no more assisted by the Bourgongnon then by the English Beeing dead they caused her bodye to be put into a small boate Queene Isabel dies and so transported by the riuer of Seine to S. Denis where she was buried without any pompe like to a common person A light put out whose sauour doth yet offende posterity In this yeare also died Iohn of England that great Duke of Bedford called Regent of France who hath noted many blacke pages in this volume and so much terrified our Ancestors Hauing seene the former accord and felt so sodaine effects in Normandy fearing the rest would follow he drowned himselfe in sorow and knowing no meanes to auoide this storme he dies at Rouen the 15. of December leauing to King Henry the 6. a bottome very hard to vntwist The Duke of Bedford dies and to his yong wife beeing sister to the Earle of S. Pol a cause of mourning the which continued not long for she married soone after with an English Aduenturer of small accompt giuing causeto laugh at her beeing but little pittied Charles being thus discharged of a heauy burthen by this accord hath more liberty to follow his honest delights He goes to Lions visits Daulphiné and stayes in Languedoc a Prouince which he loues aboue all the rest 143â— hauing found it most denâ—â—â—d to his seruice Montpellier was his aboad a place very pleasantly seated 〈…〉 this time of â—â—reation he had left good lieutenants in France who shal soone send him 〈◊〉 of their exploytes The Citty of Paris yeelds to the King and expells the English THe Bourguignon prepares to annoy the English whilest that the Constable makes way for the reduction of Paris His intent was parting from Pontoise to put himselfe into S. Denis a Towne halfe dismantled but Thomas of Beaumont Captaine of the Bastille hauing intelligence of this desseine preuented the Constable and entred into S. Denis with a notable troupe of soldiers Richmont notwithstanding approcheth neere to S. Denis the sentinell hauing giuen warning of his approch Beaumont issues forth to the bridge vpon the little riuer which is towards Pierre-file where he met with the fore-runners who hauing drawne him forth ingage him in the battaile the which was led by the Constable marching from the valley of Montmorency This English troupe was easily vanquished most of them were cut in peeces The English vanquished S. 〈◊〉 and the rest taken hardly any one of them escapes to carry newes to Paris Thomas of Beaumont is slaine among the rest vpon the place The Constable makes vse of this good successe he presently marcheth with his victorious forces to Paris which stood amazed at this nere power wanting a Regent who was lately deceased and such as were left to command were more fit to handle an Oare then to gouerne the helme Now waâ— the time for good Frenchmen to shew themselues whereof there were many in the Citty The Bourguignon faction being now become the Kings seruants imbrace this occasion and hauing consulted together they resolue to shake off the English yoake the which they 〈◊〉 too long endured The Duke of Bourgongne was then at Bruges but he had leâ—t the Lord of Lislâ—-Adam to 〈◊〉 with his partisans at Paris It is the same whom he had formerly imployed against Câ—â—rles and his father Iohn in the murther of the King seruants He had great credit 〈◊〉 the Parisiens of whom Miâ—hael Laillier was the chiefe Tribune Hee discouers by him the peoples affections being resolute to submit themselues to the King of whom they crâ—â—e onely a generall absolution of what was past This gentle demande beeing brought to Pontoise to the Constable and easily granted all prepare for the effects That quarter nere the Halles gaue the first signe of the French libertie at Paris by the meanes
excuses of his long delay and to crosse the Duke of Bourgongne hee giues his Cousin of Orleans towards the payement of his ransome a hundred and fiftie thousand frankes a very great some in those dayes the which was not giuen for nothing in so great a necessity of the Kings affaires Lewis of Luxembourg and the widowe of Iohn of Luxembourg partisans to the Bourguignon do homage to Charles and yeeld the Towne of Marle vnto him these be fruits no doubt of the victorie at Pontoise In the meane time the Princes assemble at Neuers the Dukes of Bourgongne Bourbon and Alençon with the Earle of Vendosme The Duke of Brittain sent his Ambassador not able to come himselfe for that he was not yet in the Kings good fauour There were for the most part priuate discontents The Princes admonitions to the King and their demands tending to euery mans priuate interest As not to be maintayned in their degrees to be called to Councelles respected in their aduises honored in their charges payed their pensions and eased in their lands But the zeale of the publike good shadowed all with a shewe of Iustice peace order and releefe of the people That it was fit the King should proceede more speedily in the treaty of peace with the English the which had beene too coldly followed That he should supplie his Parliaments with good and sufficient men and thereby prouide for the offices and not for the persons that by their faithfull diligence suites might be shortned and speedie â—ustice administred without delay or respect of eyther of the parties That he should prouide for the ease of the subiect ouercharged rule the soldiars preuent robberies ransomings and extortions the which were daylie committed vnder too apparent an excuse that the soldiar was not payed That he should giue honors without respect of forepassed diuisions and declare alâ— his subiects capable of Offices and dignities indifferently not remembring what was past That he should haue a competent number of graue men in his great Councell worthy of that charge not to coÌ„mit the gouernment of the affaires of the Realme to two or three as had beene done in former times These are the chiefe points of their demands drawen word by word out of the Originall Charles was nothing pleased with these Assemblies made both in his absence and without his priuitie whereby many inconueniences must ensue all being done without his authority But being taught by his owne experience he digested this kinde of affront quietly being loath to alter any thing at such a season when as he had no neede of newe enemies and hauing eyther excused what had beene done or contented euery priuate person he proceeded to the principall which was the establishment of the affaires of the Realme The disorders of men of warre were insupportable the which must be reformed but that which troubled the King was the seege of Tartas remarkable by this circumstance Tartas is a Towne in Gasconie belonging to the house of Albret This Towne was beseeged by Captall de Buch a great Nobleman of that Countrie and of the English faction It was concluded for the extreame necessitie of the Country that there should be a surceasse of armes and lâ—bertie of free trafficke in that Prouince vntill midsomer following vpon condition that if the King did not succour the Towne by that day it should yeeld to the English or else the French should remayne in free possession without any controuersie And for assurance of this treaty the eldest sonne of the Lord of Albret should remayne in hostage The matter was of great waight being not onely a question of the losse of a place of great importance but of the Kings reputation who leauing his subiects was in danger to be abandoned by them so to loose all Gascoâ—â—e where the English had gotten many paâ—tisans Charles prouiding carefully for his affaires giues two blowes with one stone wherewith he strooke both the theeues and the English He armed with exceeding speede hauing drawen togither foure thousand horse eâ—ght thousand archers and eight thousand other foote An infinit numbeâ— of great personages and voluntarie Noblemen posted to this iourney as to a solemne assignation whereon depended the quiet and honour of France The Daulphin did accompany him in this voiage Charles of Aniou Earâ—e of Maine the Constable of Richmont the Earles of Marche Eu Castres Foix Lomaigne the eldest son of the Lord of Aâ—maignac the Lords of Albert Gaure Cominge Estrac Tartas Tancaruille and Montgascon the eldest son to the Earle of Boulongne Auuergne Philip of Culant Admiâ—aâ— of France with an infinit number of gallant Nobility Thus Charles parting from Parâ—â— comes first to Saumur whither Iohn Duke of Brittaine sent his Ambassadors to offer him homage and men Shame to haue so often lest him in al his extremities would not suffer him to see the King although the Constable were a good mediator for him He restored to the King the forts of â—ssars Palluau which annoyed al the CouÌ„try of Poâ—â—tou and Charles gaue them in gard to the Constable from thence he passed into Poiâ—tou and prouids that Marueil and Saint Hermine should no more trouble the people he then comes into Xaintonge which had beene much tormented by the Lord of Pons who humbled himselfe vnto the King promising to liue in peace Taillebourg was taken by force and the theeues punished Bretueil was taken and razed Thus Charles spent this yeare against theeues who had surprised some Townes The next yeare was haâ—pilie imployed against the English our open enemies making a great breach in Gasâ—â—nie and there abouts where the English had gotten deepest footing by the ancient and lawfull possession of his Ancestors In the ende by this breach the whole Prouince remained his but the prouidence of God imparts his blessings by degrees 1442. Hauing thus pacified Poitou and Xaintonge he comes to Limoges and so to Tholouse which was the Rendez-uous of all his troupes Being arriued hee giues notice to them of Tartâ—s that they should continue firme and that they should be releeued by the prefixed day but as he labors on the one side to settle his affaires so the English on the other side seeke to ouerthrowe them Behold Talbot comes out of England into Normandie with two thousand men and the Duke of Yorke hauing leuied men in the Countrie it selfe and places of their obedience goes to field with foure thousand men With these forces he thinks to take all that Charles held in that Prouince where he had left the Earle of Dunois and the Vidame of Chartres for the gard of those places but this enterprise had small successe Talbot beseegeth Couches and at the same instant the Earle of Dunois Galardon a place holding for the English to cause a diuersion Talbot hauing taken Couches the Earle leaues Galardon hauing no reason to hazard his small troupe against so great forces and putts them into garrison
prisoners and artillerie deliuer vp Arques Caudebecq Tancaruille Lisle-bonne Hâ—nnefleu and Monstreuille The Conditions granâ—ed to the English at Rouen they should pay fiftie thousand Crownes presently and discharge their priuate debts in the Cittie before they departed for assurance whereof they should leaue Talbot the flower of all their men with fiue other hostages such as the King should demande So Talbot remaynes for a pledge After ten dayes all articles agreed vpon beâ—ng performed except Honnefleu all the hostages haue leaue to depart except Talbot who stayes vntill Honnefleu is deliuered But Talbot must haue more time to tast the bountie clemencie of our King and the fruits of French couâ—tesie Thus Charles enters Rouen with great pompe Câ—arles enâ—ers Rouen but the peoples ioye exceeded the statelinesâ—e of his traine Their showtes drowne the Trumpets and Clarons all crie God saue the King 1450. This poore people greedie to see their Prince after so long and cruell a seruitude weepe for ioy men and women young and olde all runne many bonfiers are made but the fire of publike deuotion burnt more cleare This was the tenth of Nouember in the yeare 1449. a notable date for so singular a deliuerance There yet remained some Townes in Normandie to conquer Charles loth to loose any opportunitie or to giue the enemie any leisure to bethinke himselfe would scarse allow of any time for the publike ioy and content of his good subiects but goes presently to field with his armie Honnefâ—eu would not obey the Duke of Somerset the which he must deliuer vp according to the treatie there were fifteene hundred English resolute to defend the place but after fifteene dayes siege they yeelded vpon honourable termes King Charles deales honourablie with Talbot their goods and liues being saued Charles for an increase of the good cheere he had made vnto Talbot during his imprisonment giues him his libertie without ransome with meanes to retire himselfe into England with great gifts but he shall make him no due requitall of this good and honourable entertainment Fougeres the subiect of this last warre and the chiefe cause of this good successe returnes to the obedience of the Crowne through the valour of the Duke of Brittanie and Belesme with the Castell of Fresâ—â—â— by that of the Duke of Alançon As all things succeeded happily for our Charles so all went crosse in England The Earle of Suffolke gouerned King Henry the 6. quietly being a young man and of a weake spirit As all the affaires of England depended vpon this Earle The estate of England so did the reproches The Duke of Somerset a Prince of the English bloud very iealous of his credit and reputation and ashamed to be blemished with these losses in France layes the chiefe fault vpon Suffolke and others that had the gouernment and so incensed the people of London against them The Londoners mutinie and kill the Lord Keeper as the Londoners transported with choller for so great a losse meaning to punish the offenders fall vpon the Bishop of Chichester Lord Keeper of the priuie Seale and kill him in a mutinie they intend the like to Suffolke â—â— by the fauour of some of his friends he had not beene put into the Tower of London to yeeld an accoumpt of his actions Henry who loued him deerely takes him forth The English Chronicle reports quite contrary and sent him into France for his better safetie But it chanced that Suffolke seeking to auoide one danger fell into another where he made his last shipwrack for being met by Somersets people being his capitall enemie he was taken and beheaded his head body were sent to London those cruell spoiles set vp to publike view in places most frequented In the meane time all England troubled for the losse of Rouen and the greatest part of the Prouince resolues to hazard all to saue the rest of their conquests in France They had yet in Normandy the Townes of Caen Vire Auranches S. Sauueur leVicont Falaize Damfront Cherebourg with the strong places of Tombelaine Briquebec New forces sent out of England into France and a great part of Guienne With this remainder the English imagin to recouer the possession of what they had lost So Henry sends speedily 4000. men vnder the command of Thomas Tiâ—el one of his most renowmed Captaines Being landed at Cherebourg without any losse of of time he besiegeth Valonges a strong place and of importance At the brute of these forces all the English garrisons assemble to augment his armie and to fortifie the siege so as being together they make about 8000. men Our armie was lodged in diuers places to refresh themselues since the siege of Honnefleu the season being wonderfull moist in the thawe of the spring when as newes came to Charles of the landing of the English and the imminent danger of the besieged the losse whereof were a foule blemish to his victorie To preuent this he presently sends the Earle of Clermont with sixteene hundred Lances whereof the Earle of Castres the Admirall of Raiz the Seneshall of Poitou and the Lords of Montgascon Couuran and Rouhault were the commanders The English armie was lodged at Fourmigny a village betwixt Carentan and Bayeux in a place of aduantage to keepe themselues free from such forces as they might doubt should be sent from the King being then in the country Matago an old English Captaine came vnto him with a thousand Archers The English being thus fortified set their backes to a Riuer being flanked with diuers Orchards and Gardines before them they make trenches to stoppe their approche and in this sort they attend the enemie The neerenesse of Charles made them to imagine our French to be more in number then they were for this troupe did not exceed sixe hundred fighting men whereof a hundred onely commanded by Geoffray of Couuran and Ioachim of Rouault charged the English vantgard hauing slaine three or foure hundred put the rest of their armie in disorder yet the Earle of Clermont seeing the danger he was in with his troupe if the enemie had discouered his aduantage hauing so great an army against his small troupe sends presently to Charles for speedy succours By good hap as the messenger came vnto the King the Constable of Richmont arriues from Brittaine who marcheth presentlie not giuing his souldiers any leisure to breath exhorting them to go couragiously to an assured victorie His comming strack the stroake and swayâ—d the victory He had 240. Lances and 800. Archers and with him Iames of Luxembourg the Cont of Laâ—all and the Lord of Loheac Marshall of France with the good fortune of Charles He aâ—riues euen when as the Earle of Clermont was farre ingaged in the fight the English had taken two Culuerins from him and in despight had passed S. Clements-forde preparing to discharge these Culuerins when as behold the Constable comes with his troupe with a victorious
in doing well How farre better and more honourable had it beene for Charles to haue beene beloued and respected by his sonne Lewis who bâ—ing growne great and hauing giuen many testimonies of his iudgement and valour might well haue eased him in his greatest affaires as Robert did Hugh Capet being associate in the same raigne to be honoured and serued by the Princes of his bloud especially of this his trustie friend who had giuen him so many proofes of his loyaltie in his greatest affaires and receiued likewise from him such firme gages of his loue and to â—cape the fruites of this so much desired peace with his subiects the which he had 〈◊〉 for all his subiects But if â—e afflicts others he hath a good share himselfe He makes hâ—s Sonne to flie and to beg his bread in a strange countrie he causeth a poore Pâ—iâ—ce of hâ—s bloud to languish in prison and he himselfe feeles in his soule a continuall torment of greefe a fier of choller and a torture of iealousie trusting no man but liuing in continuall feare and was this man at rest A strange torment he hath brought peace to all men and cannot inioy it himselfe he hath bread and cannot eate it But what read I in the Originall of the manners of our Charles This King Charles saieth Monstrelet after his reconcilement with Philip Duke of Bourgongne His loues was of a good life and deuoute but when he had recouered his realme he changed his manners and polluted his life in maintaining dishonest women in his Court leauing the companie of a good and loyall wife suffring more honour and reuerence to be done to those women by the greatest of his Court then to the Queene they being more richly attired then the Queene her selfe the which was an ill president in such a person yet he gouerned his realme very nobly and wisely was indued with goodly vertues maintaining iustice throughout his whole realme Monstreleâ— and the historie of S. Denis excuse the loue of faire Agnes and here they accuse Charles My duâ—ie is to coate euery part faithfully in this my Inuentorie in the which there is nothing of mine owne but the bare report whereby it appeares that vertues are mixt with vices and that it is more easie to beare aduersitie then prosperitie Let the example of Dauid be confronted with this Wine causeth drunkennesse and water tempers Sometimes age is more weake and imperfect then youth to the end the whole honour of any good that is in man may be ascribed to God who is the Author thereof â—oy and griefe iealousie and loue be they not contrary affections and yet behold they are both in one subiect distracting him diuersly Inconstant nature of man who is a slaue to sinne by the meanes of sinne which receiues the motions of diuers windes from North South East and West both soure and sweete It will be now time after all this to shew the end of our Charles but we may not omit some notable things which chanced in this season during the ebbing and flowing of these seuen variable yeares Lewis the Daulphin was resident at Geneppe in Brabant and married with the daughter of Sauoy by whom he had a sonne The Duke of Sauoy with his wife who was daughter to the King of Cypres came to visit Charles and to pacifiâ— him with hope that he should soone see his sonne with this new gage of loue but all this did but ease and not cure Charles his infirmitie We haue said before Troubles in England that Henry the sixt King of England was put in prison by the Duke of Yorke who pretended the Crowne to appertaine vnto him by a iuster title then vnto Henry He makes an accord with the Duke of Yorke to free himselfe from this captiuitie That Henry should inioy the Crowne during his life but after his decease it should come to the Duke of Yorke and to his heires after him and so the Prince of Wales sonne to King Henry should be excluded from the succession of England By this accord Henry was released but Yoland his wife daughter to King René of Sicile shewes her selfe more resolute then her husband who hauing prouided for her affaires disauowes this accord as preiudiciall to her sonne and against the lawes which allow of no forced contract made by a prisoner and so she armes to maintaine her sonne the lawfull heire of the Crowne The Duke of Yorke likewise leuies an army to frustrate the Queenes desseines At that time the Queene did winne both the victorie and the heads of the Duke of Yorke of his second soone and of the Earle of Salisburie his chiefe partisan whom she tooke prisoners in the battaile and caused to be beheaded but she shall haue her turne In the meane time these troubles ministâ—ed an occasion vnto Charles to attempt against the English although transported with these home-bred discontents he had a troublesome enemie within himselfe without seeking one beyond the seas This was done by the councell and aduice of the Constable of Richmont who fearing the Kings humour and loth to deale in thâ—se discontents laboured to diuert him giuing him a better subiect to exercise his spirit It was also happy for the Constable that he was faâ—re off being likely that iealousie would haue brought him first in question whom Charles loued not much for the crosses he had receiued by him in the beginning The cause which had drawâ—e Richmont from Court was honourable for him for by â—he dâ—â—th of Peteâ— Duke of Brittanie his Nephew he was called to the Duchie Being Duke he would not leaue the office of Constable notwithstanding all the intreaties of his subiects being desirous to honour that charge in his age the which had honoured him in his youth although he inioyed the Dukedome but three yeaâ—es dying with the goâ—d opinion of all France hauing assisted it much both with his councell and valour This aduise to attempt against England giuen by the Constable Enterprise against England was executed by the Normans vnder the command of Peter of Brezay Seneshall of Normandie accompanied with a good number of the Nobilitie of Normandie and foure thousand fighting men these might do some great exploit in a countrie diuided and troubled but God hath appointed the limits of Kingdomes and that great ditch of the sea is sufficient to distinguish these two Monarchies who haue inough to content them without attempting against their neighbour To conclude this armie lands in England and takes Sandwich the which they presently spoile leaue and so returne to Honnefleu from whence they imbarked carrying away store of prisoners and spoile Their speedie returne was chieflie to saue their liues and goods which had beene in great danger if they had ingaged themselues farther for any rich spoile Charles was intreated by Ladislaus King of Hongarie sonne to that great Iohn Huniades one of the strongest Champions against the Turke â—o graunt him Magdalâ—ine his
forty Lances to draw forth the Townsemen who sallying out as an assured victorie are compassed in like partriges in a net defeated chased and slaine to the number of foureteene or fifeteene hundred many are taken prisoners and of the better sort Iames of S. Paul the Constables brother the Lords of Centay Carency and others At that time the King did set the Prince of Orange at liberty being of the house and bearing the armes of Chalon taken in warre being set at thirty thousand Crownes ransome the which the King did moderate to ten thousand and caused it to be presently payed to the gentleman that held him by meanes whereof he became the Kâ—ngs Liege man and did him homage for the sayd Principality So as the King gaue him power to intitle himâ—eâ—fe by the grace of God Prince of Orange Priuileges granted to the Prince of Orange by Lewis and to coyne money of gold and siluer of as high a standard as that of Daulphiné to grant all graces remissions and pardons but for heresie and treason This transaction with the former prises did wonderfully discontent the Constable iealous of the Kings good successe and fearing likewise some checke by so mightie an army which the Admirall and the Earle of Dammartin had at his gate The Constables malice For the auoyding whereof he giues the King a false intelligence that the English were at sea reâ—die land at Calais he perswades the King to prouide for the places of Normandie he promiseth faithfully to defend the marches of Picardie and in his Masters absence to reduce Abbeuille and Peronne to his obedience But let vs heare an other notable part of trechery hee seekes by all meanes to weaken the King 1475. and yet would he not fortifie the Bourguignon but that the English should crosse both their Estats that his owne might stand firme in the miâ—est of their confusions With this desseine he procures the Duke of Bourgongne to send Philip Bouton and Philip Pot Knights to the Duke of Bourbon and he for his part sends Hector of Escluse The Constable seekâ—s to suborne the Duke of Bourbon to signifie vnto him that the English would soone land that the Duke of Bourgongne and he the Constable ioyning all their powers togither would easily conquer the Realme exhorâ—iâ—g him for the auoiding of his owne ruine and his Countries to ioyne with them the which if he refuse and that it fall out ill for him he was not to be pittied The Duke of Bourbon sends the King two letters of this tenor brought to him at diuers times by Escluse who makes answer to the Duke and Constable that neyther promises nor threats should drawe him from the obedience and faithfull seruice hee did owe vnto his maiesty Lewis will produce these letters to the Constables confusion in the end of the next yeare For the present hee must assure his frontiers There is no newes yet of the English Lewis markes well this chase and will cause the Constable who supposed himselfe to haue the aduantage of the game to loose the partie Poore Nobleman Mournâ—ul presages to the Constable howe many misfortunes foretell they approching ruine Thy Brother prisoner Thy wife dead at the same instant one of the chiefest pillers of thy house who as sister to the Queene might at neede haue preserued thy head Thy Nephewe Scales prisoner with the instructions he brought from England to the Bourguignon And to fill vp the measure thy sonne the Earle of Roussy defeated at Grey in Bourgongne and prisoner with the Duke of Bourbon who shall not leaue him vntill the end of the yeare for fortie thousand Crownes ransom with the losse of two hundred men at armes Lombards the Baron of Couches and many others The Marshall of Bourgongne sonne to the Earle of Saint Martin two sonnes of the house of Viteaux whereof the one was Earle of Ioâ—gny the Lords of Longey Lisle Digoine Montmartin Ragny Chaligny the Bayliffe of Auxerre the Enseigne bearer to the Lord of Beauchamp and many others escaped death but not imprisonment Sufficient warrnings to amaze a resolute minde Hereafter the Constable is afflicted with strange distemperatures fed with the neighbourhood of the Earle of Dammartin being lodged neere S. Quentin whome he knewe to be none of his friends And fearing least the King should assault him he sends to take assurance of the Duke of Bourgongne intreating him to send him his brother Iames of Saint Paul the Lord of Fiennes and some other his kinsmen and friends to put them into Saint Quentin and to keepe the Towne at the Dukes deuotoÌ„i without bearing the Saint Andrewes crosse the which he promised to restore vnto him within a prefixed time They come they present themselues within viewe of Saint Quentin once twise and thrice The Constable seekes to the Duke of Bourgongne deceiues him but the Constable suspects them and sends them backe They came still eyther too soone or too late so as at the bruit of these forces the Admirall casts himselfe into Arras whereof followed the taking of Iames of Saint Paul who being brought before the King hauing liberty to speake he confessed that at the two first iourneyes hee came onely with an intent to comfort his brother but at the third time seeing the Constable had deceyued both his Master and him if he had beene the stronger hee would haue kept the place for his Master without offering any violence to his brother wherevpon his maiestie set him at libertie very well appointed seruing him vnto his death Lewis dissemâ—les with the Constable And although the Constable had lately done a notable disgrace vnto the King yet his maiesty dissembled it wisely and to take from him all cause of iealousie he willes him to go and make warre in Hainault and to beseege Auennes whilest that the Admirall was busied in Artois He goes but very loath and with exceeding feare and staies but little he retyres betimes being aduertised as he informed the King of two men in his army whome he described by apparent signes suborned to kill him He accuseth 〈◊〉 that he â—ought to kill him This newe feare accompained with distrust bred a terrible distemperature in the Constables head who hauing lost his credit both with the King and Duke will yet entertayne himselfe by both and perswade them that he is seruant but to one He sent often to the Bourguignons campe to drawe him from the seege of Nuz that he might ioyne fitly with the English at coÌ„ming on land then vpon the returne of his messengers he gaue the King some plausible intelligence to cause him to like of his conference with the Duke sometimes disgracing his affaires to winne the credit of an affectionate seruant with Lewis sometimes extolling the Duke to terrifie the King But oh policie simply shadowed On the other side hee knewe well that he had greatly offended the King by his last action He sees
Arras Boulongne Hedin and so many other Townes and to be lodged many dayes before S. Omer In truth our Lewis had a quick conceit and very watchfull He knew well that the English in generall were wonderfully inclined to warre against this realme as well vnder colour of their ancient pretensions as for the hope of gaine inticed by many high deeds of armes wherein they haue often had the aduantage and of that long possession both in Normandie and Guienne where they had commanded three hundred and fiftie yeares vntill that Charles the 7. dispossessed them That this baite might well perswade them to crosse his desseignes These two mighty Princes neighbours cannot see without iealousie the one to growe great by new conquests and the other to be at quiet He therefore entertaines Edward with sundrie Ambassages The politike liberalitie of Lewis presents and goodly speeches causeth the pension of fiftie thousand Crownes to be duely payed at London and some sixteene thousand distributed among such as were in credit about him so as the profit they drew from the iudicious bountie of Lewis tyed their tongues and blinded their eyes Money was muck to him in regard of a man of seruice and he was pleased to vaunt that the great Chamberlaine whereof there is but one in England the Chancellor Admirall Maister of the horse and other great Officers of England were his Pensiooners So he gaue vnto Howard foure and twenty thousand Crownes in money and plate besides his pension in lesse then two yeares and to Hastings great Chamberlaine a thousand markes of siluer in plate at one time as appeares by their quittances in the chamber of accoumpts at Paris Lewis had great need to vse this policie and bountie for this yong Princesse did infinitly presse Edward who for her cause did often send to the King to demand a peace or at the least a truce and in the Court of England there wanted not some to incense Edward that seeing the terme was expired by the which Lewis should send for the Infanta of England whom they called Madame the Daulphine hee would deceiue him Yet no respect neither priuate nor publick could moue Edward he was pursie louing his delight vnable to suffer paine glorious of nine famous victories The disposition of Edward King of England and fraught with home-bred enemies and aboue all the loue of fiftie thousand Crownes so well paide in his Tower of London kept him at home Moreouer the Ambassadors that came from him returned laden with rich presents and alwayes with irresolute answers to winne time promising speedily to resolue the points of their demands to their maisters satisfactions But let vs obserue another ingenious policie Lewis neuer sent one Ambassador twise vnto Edward to the end that if the former had happily treated of any thing that tooke not effect the latter knew not what to answer and so ignorance serued him for an excuse with delay of time Moreouer he instructed his Ambassadors so well as the assurance of the marriage they gaue to the King and Queene of England the accomplishment whereof they both greatly desired made them take hope for paiment Lewis feeds Edward with dilatorie hopes Yet the King had neuer any such meaning there was too great an inequalitie of age and thus getting a moneth or two by mutuall Ambassages he kept his enemy from doing him any harme who without the baite of this marriage would neuer haue suffred the house of Bourgongne to be so oppressed An other reason disswaded Edward from imbracing of Maries quarrell The reason why Edward neglects Maâ—â— of Bourgongne She had refused to marry with the Lord Riuers brother to the Queene of England The which match was not equall hee being but a poore Baron and she the greatest heire of her time And the better to keepe Edward quiet the King inuited him to ioyne with him and consented that he should haue for his part the Prouinces of Flanders and Brabant offring him to conquer for him at his owne charge foure of the greatest Townes in Brabant to entertaine him ten thousand English men for foure moneths and to furnish him with Artillerie and carriages so as Edward would come in person and seize vpon Flanders whilest that hee imployed his forces else-where But Edward found that Flanders and Brabant were hard to conquer and painefull to keepe and also the English by reason of the commoditie of their trafficke had no will to this warre Yet said hee since it pleaseth you to make mee partaker of your victories giue mee of those places you haue conquered in Picardie Boulongne and some others then will I declare my selfe for you and assist you with men at your charge A wise and discreet demand but those places were no lesse conuenient for Lewis who was loth to beat the bush for an other to get the birds It appeares that Edward did wonderfully affect the alliance of France Edward greatly affects the alliance with France and feared to â—iue the King any occasion to infâ—inge it so as some say hee caused his brother the Duke of Clarence to be put in prison vpon colour that hee would passe the seas to succour the Dowager of Bourgongne for the which crime he was condemned to haue his head cut off and his body to be quarteâ—ed a punishment inflicted vpon traitors in England But at the entreaty of their mother Looke the Chronicles of England Edward did moderate this sentence and gaue him the choise of what death he would wherevpon he was drowned in a Pipe of Malmesey But this Duke was sonne in lawe to the Earle of Warwicke whome Edward had slaine in battaile as wee haue sayde and it seemes the greatest crime they could obiect against him was the priuate hatred which vsurpers commonly beare to those whome they doubt might but erosse their tyranicall vsurpations And as wee haue recreated our selues beyond the Seas let vs now passe the Alpes and see what is done there suffering our warriours to enioy a truce vntill the next yeare There were at that time two mighty families at Florence the one of Medâ—â—â—s the other of â—acis These were supported by Pope Sixtus the fourth Troubleâ— as Florence and by Ferâ—inand King of Naples to ouerthrowe the absolute gouernement of the Citties they attempt to murther Laurence de Medicis and all his followers and gaue for watch-word to the murtherers when as the Priest celebrating the high Masse should say Sanctus in the Church of S. Raparee where they should assist at a certaine day A treacherous attempt against the house of Medicis Laurence escaped but being maymed of many of his members he saued himselfe in the vestry Iulian his brother was slaine and some of their followers Then runne they to the Pallace to murther all those which had the gouernement of the Citty but being mounted they see that some of their men had abandoned them so as they were not aboue foure or
not personally performed to preuent the miseries that growe by warre Maximilian was farre of vnacquainted with these practises no man sought to preuent it and these perswasions did ring dayly in the eares of Anne so as in the ende shee yeelds to follow the resolution of her states They were wonderfully toyled and wearied with the warre the people turmoyled the Nobility impouerished the Clergy oppressed some Townes taken and some waâ—ering and moreouer they did see a great Prince demand their allyance with force and the chiefe Noblemen inclyned to the French faction These reasons made it seeme more conuenient and to be preferred before the slowe succors of Maximilian A finall peace in Brittaine by a treaty of marriage Thus was Anne Duchesse of Brittain perswaded and a peace concluded and ratified by a happy and agreable treaty of marriage by the which to maintayne the subiects of the Country in peace that were armed for eyther side it was sayd That all exploits and offences committed and done vpon assurance or otherwise during the warres on eyther side should be forgotten and remayne without reproch to any as remitted abolished and recompenced euery man should returne to his home and all soldiars depart the Countrie A wise aduice to mainetaine these two Countries in loue and concord The Cittie of Rennes yeelds at this happie composition where the King entred in Nouember vpon the assurance and conduct of the Duke of Orleans with his simple traine and without any men at armes for so it was agreed to see the Duchesse and to ratifie the treaty making the Prince of Orange for that he had beene a chiefe instrument in this busines his Lieutenant generall in Brittaine then he tooke the way to Langeais in Touraine whether Anne was conducted by the Chancellor Montaubon Coetquen Lord Steward and by the Lord of Chasteaubriant and the marriage was consumated the 16. day of December The articles of the contract are to be seene in the Originalls The marriage to Chaâ—ls with Anne If this marriage were pleasing to God or not let vs leaue it to the iudicious reader so it is that of three sonnes they could not bring vp one Soone after Francis of Orleans Earle of Dunois died the chiefe fierbrand of this warre and likewise the principall motiue of 〈◊〉 peace From him are issued the Dukes of Longueuille and a littile before Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon was deceased without Children to whome succeeded Peter Earle of Beauieu who hereafter shal be Duke of Bourbon the eleuenth of that name This yeare was borne Gaston of Foixe Duke of Nemours sonne to Iohn of Foix The practises of the English vpon Brittain Vicont oâ— Narbone and of Mary of Orleans one of the greatest Captaines of his age who shaâ—l giue ample testymonie of himselfe in the warres of Italie which nowe approch There died also at Rome Peter of Foix Cardinall brother to the sayd Iohn and Vncle to Queene Katherin of Nauarre Henry of England wonderfully incensed at this marriage sought by all secret practises to surprize some of the chiefe places of the Prouince and at the first retreate of his army out of Brittaine hee caused it to make an offer at Port-blans and some other ports but they were still repulsed by the faithfull care of the Noblemen of the Country namely by the Chancellor of Montauban of Bertrand d'Acigâ—é and other sea Captaines Thus the Englishmen seeing their attempts like to take none effect bent their course to go towards Calais in the company of their King who was making warre in the Countie of Guines whilest that Maximilian should enter the Realme with forces on the other side then they beseeged Boullen by sea 1492. beeing kept from landing by the Lord of Cordes and the bastard of Cardonne Captaine of Arras with such small forces as they could sodenly oppose But oh Bastard whilest thou repellest this common enemie how preiudiciall shall they absence be from Arras Arras betrayed to Maximilian Foure young gallants saieth the history make false keyes to the gates and giue Maximilian intelligence bringing him by night into the Towne vnknowne to Carqueleuant Lieutenant to Cardonne Some write that one of those in whome he trusted for the opening of the gates made this Stratagem But howsoeuer he was taken in his bed sleeping at his ease and for a second token of base cowardise he yeelded vp the Castell without attending the succors that came vnto him The Towne was spoiled without sparing of the Churches or the traitors houses A worthy reward of their treachery Thus can we preserue our Conquests A while after they attempted Amiens A shame to soldiars that a woman should heare the first report that by her aduertisement to the watch in ringing the great bel of Beffroy should put the Towne in armes And as the first aduice came from a woman so are they honorablie qualified in the history To haue borne weapons and armes with their husbands who by the care and command of Rubempré and of Anthonie Clabault Maire of the Towne did their duties so well euery one repayring to the quarter which had beene formerly assigned him as the enemie returned amazed A duty which made them as famous as their descendants infamous by the notable trechery they committed in our dayes Henry loued peace and was imbarked more at the instance of his subiects least they should thinke him more gratious to the French then the ancient quarrells of both nations required then for any desire he had to haue the King his enâ—my to whom he had a great and strict bond as we haue heard The chiefe cause of his grudge was a great sum of money Peace with Henry which he sayd he had lent to the deceased Duke of Brittaine The King hauing discouered it coÌ„mands the Lord of Cordes to treat with him and payes him the money and so sends him home satisfied into England This peace made Maximilian willing to bee reconciled Moreouer the Princes of Germanie laboured in this pacification and the affaires of the Empire in the which his father had associated him since the yeare 1486. began to call him The Suisses laboured it And with Maximilian and the people especially those of the Lowe Countryey as well through the French warres as by their owne priuate diuisions were so toiled as they detested the warres In the end a peace was concluded for foure yeares onely by the meanes of the Dâ—ke of Bourbon the Prince of Orange and the Lord of Cordes So he receiued his daughter Marguerit againe with the Counties of Artois and Bourgongne receiuing the reuenues and homages and the King keeping the Castles to place garrisons in them vntill the end of foure yeares Behold this estate doth now enioy a happy rest by the vnion of this goodly and great Duchie to the Crowne of France and by a peace confirmed with Henry and Maximilian But as Charles had inlarged his Diadem with
continuing his desseâ—â—e he arriued at Bresse nine daies after his departure besieged it takes it by force and sacks it Doubtlesse this braue Prince did hazard his owne ruine if he had not with gâ—eat iudgement and order commanded that no man should looke to any spoile Bresse recouered by the 〈◊〉 before the towne were fully at his command And he dâ—â— so well put it in practise as the first that made shew to abandon his ranke was slaine by his companions But who doth vse such discipline at this day when as being greedy of bootie they loose so goodly occasions Our French lost some men at armes and many foote but the enemy lost about eight thousand some inhabitants armed some Venetians who were fiue hundred men aâ— a 〈◊〉 eight hundred light hoâ—se two hundred stâ—adâ—ors and eight thousand foote 〈◊〉 Contaâ—in Comissary of the Stradiots was slaine Andrew Gritti Anthoâ—ie Iusâ—iniâ—n Iohn Paul Maâ—fron and his sonne the Cheualier Volpe Balthazar of Sâ—ipion one of 〈◊〉 soâ—â—es of Anthonie of Pié Count Lewis Aâ—ogare his two sonnes and Dominique 〈◊〉 Captaine of the Stradiots were prisoners Count Lewis and his children the chiefe 〈◊〉 of this rebellion were afterwards beheaded A reuolt deeâ—elâ— bought by this 〈◊〉 which yeelded not to any other in Lombardie in Nobilitie and dignity and in wealth nâ—xt vnto Milan it exceeded all the rest This chasâ—â—sement made â—ergame and the other reuolted Townes to call backe the French whom they had lately expelled These prises and reprises conquests and happy successe prolonged the stay of the French in Italy and yet they did nothing settle their 〈◊〉 seeing what they enioyed was rather a charge and expence to them then any profiâ— Buâ— behold strange crosses both by land and sea do hereafteâ— bandie against the happinesse of our men They giue the King intelâ—igence from Rome A new league against the King that Henry the 8. King of England notwithstanding his promise was ioyned in league with the Pope it was coâ—firmed by writing that a Galeasse laden with wines corne and other prouision arriuâ—ng in England from the Pope had exceedingly altered Henry with the 〈◊〉 Clergie and commons of England That he should with his armie at sea inuade the coasts of Normandie and Briâ—tanie and send 8000. foote into Spaine to begin warre in Cuâ—enne ioyntly with the Arragonois And they made already great preparations of men and shipping in England and likewise of ships in Spaine to passe into England Moreouer the Emperour was altered and changed in his affection complaining that the King contrary to the capituâ—ation of Cambrai did hinder the aduancement of the Empire in Italy Hee required that Renee the Kings yongest daughter should be promised to Charles his grand-child giuing him Bourgongne in dowâ—ie and that the Maide should then bee presently deliuered into his hands and custodie That the controuersies for Ferrare Bologne and the Councell should be referred to him And moreouer hauing made a truce with the Venetians for eight monethes he protested not to suffer the King to increase his estate in Italie But these were but bare shifts to couer his bad intent Besides the Cantons of the Suisses were so incensed against this Crowne that although the King sought to winne their loues with store of gold yet the perswasions of the Cardinall of Sion whereby wee may see that Cardinalles haue beene alwayes dealers in matters of state had newly made them graunt to the confederats a leuie of six thousand men And the Pope to straine all his strings against our Lewis fearing least his extreeme rigour should induce the Florentins to followe the Kings fortune to the preiudice of his desseins he reuokes without any sute the Censures wherevnto he had bound them To quench this fire before it flamed farther the King commanded his Nephew to march with speede against the confederats army of whome he promised himselfe the victory being amazed and yet the weaker and then to assaile Rome and the Pope with all violence desirous that this warre to seeme the lesse odious should be made in the name of the Councell called first at Pisa and that a Legat deputed by the Counsell should receiue the conquered Townes in the name thereof The Cardinall of Saint Seuerin was appointed Legat of Bologne in the army So the Duke of Nemours furnishing all places with men necessary for defence gathers togither all the forces the King had in Italie â—e makes a company of sixteene hundred Lances fiue thousand Lansquenets fiue thousand Gascons and eight thousand French and Italians to whom the Duke of Ferrare added a hundred men at armes two hundred light horse The French army in Italy and a great quantitie of good artillery Gaston hauing left his at Finall by reason of the bad way The enemies army was 1400. men at armes a thousand light horse seauen thousand Spaniards three thousand Italians newly leuyed Gaston thrust forward aswell by the Kings commande as by his owne valour and desire of Glory was desirous to see if the enemy would willingly trie the hazard of a battaile They on the other side temporised attending their Suisses and that the English and Spaniards beginning warre in France should force the King to call backe all or the greatest parts of his troupes and yet coasted alongest the French army least the Townes of Romagnia should bee left in prey and the way layed open to go to Rome lodging alwayes in strong places neere to some strong towne which might serue them for a retreate at neede So the Duke of Nemours not able to cut off their viâ—tualls through the commodity they had of the Tâ—wnes of Romagnia nor force them to fight without great disaduantage goes and inâ—amps before Rauenna hoping they would not be so base minded as to suffer such a Citty to bee lâ—â—st before their eyes and by this meanes an occasion should be offered to fight with them in an equall place The enemy discouering this purpose sends Marc Anâ—honie Colonne to Rauenne with threescore men at armes of his company â—eter of Castâ—e with a hundred light horse â—alezar and 〈◊〉 â—ith six hundred Spaniards The â—owne is seated betwixt two riuerâ— Ronâ—ne and Monâ—one which descending from the Appenin hills straighten themselues neere vnto Rauenna with so small a distance that on eyther side they passe close to the walles Sauenna beseeged by the Duke of Nemâ—urs 〈◊〉 ioyning togither they runne into the sea three miles from thence Gaston incamps himâ—elfe betwixt the two riuers plants his artillery some against the toâ—er of 〈◊〉 betwixt â—ort Adrian and Ronque and some on the other side of the 〈◊〉 of Montâ—ne whether almost halfe his troupes were passed to batter in diuers places and tâ— hold the riuer at his will Hee batters the wall makes a breach of thirty fadome choseth ten out of euery companie of men at armes to couer the foote diuides his army into three squadrons giues a furious
both with French and forren forces Hauing thus lost the oportunitie of a battaile the Prince maintaines his armie about two monethes with a commendable discipline without blaspheming whoring robbing or theft In the end they loose all patience Baugency taken by assault opens the dores to disorders for this first heate soone past with the French growes cold money for their pay growes short the nobility could not frame themselues to this strict discipline of war which the Admiral did practise being a great enemie to robbings In many Prouinces matters weÌ„t indifferently betwixt the Catholikes and the Protestants and to giue two strokes with one stone to stay the disputation of this armie and to releeue them that might in the end fall the Prince sent the Earle of Rochefoucault with some troupes into Poitou Xaintonge and Angoulmois Soubize to Lions Yuoy brother to Genlis to Bourges Montgomery into Normandy d' Andelot to hasten the succours of Germany and Briquemaut into England These troupes from the moneth of Aprill vntill the midest of August did possesse Orleans Baugency Vendosme Blois Tours Poitiers Mans Anger 's Bourges Angoulesme Rouan Chalon vpon Soan Mascon Lion the most part of Daulphiné with many others not without effusion of bloud spoyling of Churches and such insolencies as the warre doth cause in a Countrie of Conquest Orleans and Bourges held by the Prince did much helpe their affaires but Bourges might be easily surprised before it were fortified Bourges recouered The King then whom the coÌ„manders had drawne into the armie marcheth thither and the composition which Yuoy made with his Maiestie put him for a time in disgrace with the Prince This arme cut off as the Gnissens said from the Huguenots inuited the Kings armie to the seege of Orleans where the Prince and the Admiral were But the resolution of these two Commanders and the feare to receiue shame losse made them passe on to Roüen where Montgomery commanded with seuen or eight hundred souldiars of the old bands and two companies of English Death of the King of Naâ—aâ—â—e The end of September was the beginning of this seege a famous seege by the hurting of the King of Nauarre in the shoulder as hee suruayed the weakest part of the Cittie whereof he died the 17. of Nouember three weeks after it was taken by assault and spoyled Montgomery saued himselfe in a gallie but many of the chief passed through the executioners hands On the other side Lewis of Bourbon Duke of Montpensier Rouen taken reduced to the Kings obedience the Townes of Anger 's Mans Tours the Marshal S. André tooke Poitiers from the Lord of S. Gemme and Henry of Montmorency Lord of Damuille incountred the Protestants forces in Languedoc whilst the Earles of Tende and Suze The Protestants beaten in diuerse places by the defeat of Mombrun tooke Cisteron for the King Montluc with Burie gouernours of Guienne put to rout the troupes of GascoÌ„s which Duras led to the Earle of Rochefoucault beseeging S. Iean d' Angeli The ouerthrow of Duras brought the Earle with 300. gentlemen the remainder of the defeated armie on this side Loâ—re to ioyne the Prince with the Reistres whom d' Andelot brought This supplie made the Prince resolue to go to Paris by aÌ„noying it to encrease the feare wherwith they were possessed He marcheth forceth Pluuiers takes Estampes beseegeth Corbeil but finding it better furnished with men then he expected he approcheth to Paris makes a great skirmish beates backe the troupes that were come out off their trenches So hee camped at Gentilly Arcueil Mont-rouge and other neighbour villages The Queene mother busies him seuen or eight dayes with diuers parles during the which foure and twentie enseigns of Gascons and Spaniards arriuing were lodged within the suburbs of Saint Iames. The Prince then seeing his enemies forces to encrease resolues to fight with them before they were fully assembled so as all hope of peace conuerted into smoake hee riseth the tenth of December takes the way to Chartres and resolues to goe into Normandie to receiue the men and money which came out of England and by that meanes to diuert the seege of Orleans The Constable and Duke of Guise march after him Dreams are lies as we comonly say A notable dreame yet haue we often tried those which present theÌ„selues in the morning the spirit hauing taken sufficient rest to bring certaine aduertisements of that which is to come The night before the eue of the battaile the Prince dreames that he had giuen three battailes one after another obteyned the victorie ouerthrowne his three principall enemies and finally himselfe wounded to the death hauing layed one vpon another and he aboue them all yeelding in that sort his soule to God And to say the trueth haue wee not seene this vision verified by the death of the Marshall of Saint André which is at hand by that of the Duke of Guise before Orleans the yeare following and by that of the Constable at the battaile of S. Denis and of the Prince himselfe in that of Bassac In the Kings armie they numbred two thousand horse The battaile of Drâ—ux and nineteene thousand foot In that of the Prince foure thousand horse and twelue thousand foot They ioyne the nineteenth of December and without any skirmishes charge with all their forces The Princes Suisses loose seuenteene Captaines with three parts of their â—oâ—pes which were aboue three thousand and endure three charges before they could bee broken On the other side the taking of the Constable the death of the Marshall Saint André the defeat of their troupes caused a generall confusion in the Kings armie if the Duke of Guise charging the white cassaks the Reisters with furie whose pistols had made a great slaughter of his men had not forced through the Princes horse who straying too much from the battaile fel prisoner into the hands of the Lord of Damuille the which made the victorie doubtfull seeming before to incline to his side The conflict continued from tenne of the clocke in the morning vntill night with many charges there were seuen thousand men slaine vppon the place on both sides many hurt and in a manner all died and a great number of prisoners The King lost besides his Suisses the most part of his horse and a great number of foot There were slaine of men of marke the Duke of Neuers killed by one of his houshould seruants either by hazard or of purpose the Lords of Montbrun the Constables son d' Annebault Giury la Brosse and his sonne there were hurt the Duke of Aumale brother to the Duke of Guise Rochefort and Beauuais Aussun a Nobleman of Gasconie whome feare made flie to Paris and there he died of greefe The Prince lost about two thousand two hundred foote and a hundred and fiftie horse French and Reisters This battaile is famous by the taking of two Generals the one in