of the Realme being very carefull to entertaine their loues Richard Duke of Normandie was one of his most confident friends whom hee had gratified mainteining him in the possession of his estate Hee receiued requitall of this good turne with interest in the person of Hugh his sonne to seate him in the royall throne as our History shall declare But all these aduantages were not onely crowned with a goodly and great offspring but also with a sonne endowed with singular graces both of body and minde Hee had sixe Sonnes and two Daughters The offspring of Hugues the great but his eldest was the chieâ—e heire of his name vertue authority credit and happinesse with such successe as he made perfect the worke his father had begun Hee was named Hugues and by surname Capet eyther for that he had a great head He was called Capitosus or that being young hee was accustomed to catch at his companions cappes as a presage of that hee should do to Kings Othâ— and Henry two other sonnes of Hugues were Dukes of Bourgongne one after another his other sonnes were aduanced to Ecclesiasticall dignities the one Archbishop of Tholouse the other of Rouan and the third dyed young One of his Daughters was married to the Duke of Normandie the other to Frederike Earle of Metz. Hee had taken his first wife from England the Daughter of King Edward and sister to Queene Ogina the wife of Charles the Simple mother to Lewis the fourth and although he had no children by her yet did he carefully preserue the friendship of this allyance and before his death he chose a wife out of this great house for Hugh Capet his eldest sonne the which was Adelais the daughter of King Edward Thus he fortified his greatnesse by all meanes the which raised his posterity to the royall throne purchasing credit both within and without the Realme by all meanes fitte to establish a great family These were the ordinary proceedings which humaine pollicie being the gift of God and a branch of his wisdome in those that he will blesse leauing the wretched plonged in their wretchednesse by their owne indiscretion doth vsually prescribe to wise and carefull men But Hugues the great had another benefit which surmounted all these his great meanes or the force of his friendships and alliances hauing a sonne capable of iudgement for great attempts fit for the time brought vp and instructed by himselfe To conclude all things were so disposed in France as they must necessarily receiue him for King Necessity the generall consent both of great and small and a meanes to preserue the Crowne from ruine the which hee alone could effect But if the French were forward in seeking to him Hugues was so much the more incouraged to imbrace so great and famous a dignity And in the execution of this generous desseigne hee carried himselfe with so great wisdome moderation and dexteritye as wee may well say that God called him as it were from heauen There remayned nothing but an orderly proceding to that which reason presented vnto them Hugues beganne with the greatest who had a speciall interest to preserue what they held Hugh Capets proceeding to attaine the Crowne He treated mildly with them for the coÌ„mon necessitie The condition was To leaue them all that by inheritance which they held of the Crowne by title of office and they to do homage and acknowledge him for their lawfull King Thus was the accord made betwixt the Nobilitie of France Hugh Capet profitable for the great meÌ„ necessarie for the people honorable for Hugues beneficial for the realme for by this meane the realme was maintained in one bodie vnder the authoritie of one absolute Commaunder Hugues was well furnished hauing a sonne capable of the realme which was hereditarie The better sort had what they could desire for them or theirs A Parlement called at Noyon â—or the election of Hugh Capet and the people remayned in quiet after so many miseries Things being thus disposed on all sides the Parliament assembles at Noyon whither they runne from all parts and both necessitie and desire to winne his fauour to whome reason should assigne the Realme brought all the citties and made such hast thither as sought to settle their priuat estates by this publike authoritie Hugh failes not likewise to call all his friendes to reape the frute so long sought for with so great paine and trauaile both by himselfe and his father and now to imploy them as in a day of battaile The assembly was great by the concurse of all the Prouinces and Citties of the Realme which repaired thither It was the more famous for that in shew the French offâ—red the Realme to Capet as if hee had not affected it As things passe in this sort Charles Duke of Lorraine well aduertised of the Frenchmens intent the desseignes of Hugh labours to preuent him and being resolued to imploy all his forces hee begins first by admonitions but so ill seasoned as it made the way more easie for Capet for hee sends his Ambassadors to the assembly of the States not to intreat them to receiue him into their fauours Charles sends his Ambassadors to the Estates and and so to the Crowne according to his hereditarie right but to summon them That if they did not speedily obey hee would reduce them to obedience by force The French alreadie incensed against Charles and hauing placed their hopes in Hugh being present and soliciting for himselfe assisted with his best friends fell into so great a rage against Charles by his rough and importune speeches as hardly could the law of nations restraine them from doing some outrage vnto his Ambassadors for their indiscretion Then the Estates inact by a sollemne decree That for as much as Charles had shewed himselfe a friend to the enemies of France I reiâ—cted from the Crowne and a sworne enemie to the French so likewise did the French renounce his friendship declaring him incapable of the benefit of the Law both for that hee gaue the first cause as also not being bound to acknowledge him for King that is an enemie to the State their oth binding them to a King which is a father iust wise mild and temperate And therefore Betweene God and their consciences without any alteration of the fundamentall law they renounce him and declare that their intention is to choose a King which should prouide for the quiet of France They deliuer this declaration to Charles his Ambassadors commanding them to auoid the Realme presently Thus Charles his reiection was the raysing of Hugh Capet for presently the generall estates assembled in one bodie and representing all the Prouinces of the Realme declare by an autentike and sollemne decree That being necessarie to choose a King for the preseruation of the Crowne of France destitute as well by the death of Lewis the fift as by the apparent treacherie of Charles Duke of Lorraine That in
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
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
hands 1303. as a pawne vntill the end of the paiment and he might beat downe what he had built in the Castels of Lisle Douay deliuering them to the Earle as to their lawful Lord. The Flemings tyed to sâ—â—ict conditions That the Flemings should raze the walls and Forts of fiue principal Citties Gaunt Bruges Ypre Lisle and Douay and neuer to build them againe That the King should make choise of 3000. men at his pleasure in Bruges and thereabouts that were coulpable of the seditions and murthers committed a thousand of them to bee imployed beyond the seas and two thousand on this side and that the Flemings should furnish 600. men at armes to serue the King one whole yeare where hee pleased And for the performance hereof the Citties should bee bound Six thousand pounds and should forfaire threscore thousand Liuers for non-payment for the effecting whereof Deputies should bee appointed During this treatie the Earle Guy and his daughter Philip Guy Earle of Flanders and his daughter dye the subiect of this troublesome reuolt died to the great great greefe of Philip who sees himselfe frustrate of al meanes to shew his clemencie and bountie But when these Articles were brought vnto the Citties the people did mutine with great impatiencie so as the Deputies perswaded Philip to moderate those which were most greeuous The demantling of the Townes except Bruges where the reuolt began and the banishment of the men conuerting it into a pecuniary fine and a great summe to an annuall pension prefixt to easie paiments Thus the accord was made Robert William and Guy brethren The conditions moderated the sonnes of the Earle Guy of Flanders were deliuered with all the prisoners but we shal see that in the execution thereof there was much trouble During these hard rough proceedings Edward King of England hauing receiued a check in Guienne was quiet fearing Philips resolution in greatest dangers whereof hee could wisely free himselfe in the end an accord is made by the marriage of Isabel the daughter of Philip Isabel the daughter of Philip married to Edward King of England with Edward the 2. who in regard of this marriage recouered all he had lost in Guienne in the taking of Isabell he left to his posteritie a heauy pawne to pretend a title to the whole Realme Philip had his reuenge of this Emperour Adolphe who had so boldly braued him in the beginning of this quarrell vnder coulour of demanding the lands of the Empire lying in the Countries of Bourgongne Daulphiné and Prouence being in old time the realme of Arles but then in the power of diuers Lords as we haue sayd vnder the Kings authoritie The King of England and Earles of Flanders had great cause to complaine of him hauing receiued two hundred thousand Crownes to make war against Philip the which he imployed in the pourchase of Thuringe taking possession of that goodly Land so vniustly gotten being solde by an vnnaturall Father who would disinherit his Children This filthie traffick agrauated by the complaints of the King of England and Earle of Flanders Adolphe the Emperour deposed made Adolphe of Nassau very odious and contemptible being issued from a noble and worthie race but this Act against the poore Children made him vnworthy of the Empire from which he was deposed by a decree of the Electors Albert of Austria seated in his place who poursuing him with war slâ—e him as they write with his owne hand in an incounter neere vnto Spire But Pope Boniface the 8. Philips greatest enemie remained yet vnpacified who stil continued his chollor against him in a season when as he thought him to be drawne drie both of men and money for they write that this warre of Flanders had wasted aboue three hundred thousand Frenchmen in eleuen yeares during the which it coÌ„tinued We haue seene how he vsed him by his Nuncios this last Act will not onely shew the continuance of his spleene but shal also represent a bad Catastrophé in this Tragedie the which shall light vpon the head of Boniface sought for by himselfe Albert of Austria was no sooner chosen and installed Emperour by the Electors but Boniface applyed his wit to winne him against Philip supposing to preuaile against Philip Pope Boniface his practise against Philip. as Gregorie the ninth had done against Frederic the second Hee proclames him Emperour inuests him King of the realme of France giuing him both the title and armes and taking occasion to sowe deuision in the heart of the Realme by meanes of the Clergie who by reason of their reuenues had great power in the State and for the interest thereof great will to preserue them Hee did also write his letters to Philip in this manner Boniface Bishop seruant of the seruants of God to Philip King of Frenchmen Feare God He write arâ—ogantly to Philip. and obserue his commandements wee wil thee to vnderstand that thou art subiect to vs both in spirituall and temporall things and that it belongs not to theâ— to giue any prebend or benifice If thou hast the keeping of any of them being vacant thou must reserue the profits of them to the successors If thou hast giuen any wee iudge thy gift to be void and do reuoke all that hath beene done and whosoeuer beleeueth otherwise wee iudge them heretikes giuen at Latran the fourth of the Nones of December the 6. yeare of our Popedome The King answeres him thus Philips answere to the Pope Philip by the grace of God King of France to Boniface calling himselfe the soueraigne Bishop little or no health Let thy great follie and rashnes be aduertised that in tempâ—ral things we acknowledge none but God for superiour and that the gift of prebends being void belongs to vs by our royall prerogatiue and the fruits that grow thereby the which wee will defend by the sword against all them that shall seeke to hinder our possession esteeming them fooles and without iudgement that shall thinke otherwise These are the very words drawne out of the originall But Philip to preuent the plots of Pope Boniface asseÌ„bled the Prelaâ—s of his realm at Paris with al speed hauing represeÌ„ted vnto theÌ„ the wrong which Pope Boniface had done him by his decree from the which he had appealed as erronious he makes them to renew their oath of fidelitie Hee thankes the King of England in that he yeelded not to the perswasions of Boniface who would haue incensed him against him and in the end he seekes to stay the violent course of his furious practises There was a Gentleman following the Court whose name was Felix of Nogaret borne in Seuennes a mountaine Countrie of Languedoc of the familie of the Albigeois as in that Countrie there were many reserued from father to sonne since the grant made them by Saint Lewis whome Philip held fit for the execution of this charge there was likewise a guide
libertie and the good cheere which Charles made her Vpon the report of her death Bernard Earle of Armaignac seizeth vpon the Townes of Cominges Duret Lile in Dodon Samathan and Lombres The Earle of Armaignac seizeth vpon the County of Commings and preparing to warre he leuies troupes in Arragon by Sâ—lezard a Captaine of that Countrie causing Iohn of Lescun a bastard of Armaignac to inuade the Kings teâ—ritories This excesse might haue proued verie preiudiciall when as Charles sends Lewis his sonne into Languedoc with a thousand horse to quench this mischiefe in the breeding Being arriued at Rouuergue all yeelds vnto him Euerie thing is opposite to the Earle of Armaignac The Earles of Perdriac and la Marche the chiefe supporters of his insolence leaue him in the plaine field Salezard doth likewise abandon him of such force is a royall maister against a bad cause The Earle of Amargnac seeing himselfe thus abandoned shuts himselfe into Lisle-Iordan 1443. to dispute his pretensions with more aduantage The Earle of Armaignac taken by the Daulphin but he thrust him selfe into the toyle for he was taken by Lewis and led prisoner to Carcassone These happy exploytes did greatly recommend the Daulphins iudgement and valour whom all men held worthy of a great commande Charles hauing commended him for so well doing would haue sent him backe against the Earle of Somerset who had raised a great armie on the frontiers of Normandy Brittain the which was like vnto a fire of straw for hauing taken la Guierche by force he left it as soone for money so retired with his army without any other exploit The heate of the English grewe more temperate touching the chiefe points of their affaires They stood vpon tearmes in the two first fruitlesse asseÌ„blies made for peace but nowe they seeke the King The Earle of Suffolke writes vnto him that he hath commandement from the King his Master not onely to renue the treaty of peace discontinued but also to finde meanes to marry him in France hee receiues a fauourable answer from Charles and vnder his safe conduct comes to him to Tours Charles continued still in an humor to loue peace and to seeke it but the Earle of Suffolke the Lord Rosse had no charge but to treat of a generall truce A generall truce the which they concluded for a yeere a halfe but this shall be a goodly occasion to send home the English After a shower comes a sun-shine and euen experience teacheth that after a great raine comes a long drought Now we shall see nothing but truces one after an other marriages and aliances during fower yeares which is a preparatiue to a ciuill peace for aboue a hundred yeares This truce being made they must now seeke warres else where so fruitefull is our vanity of change so as we cannot liue without suffering or doing harme to others The French impatient of rest when as they treated of this truce it was demaunded by the Ambassadors of both Kings what their men of warre should do This truce say they will be more chargeable vnto vs then warre for they must liue They haue not beene accustomed to work and yet they will make good cheere neither can the poore people endure any more Moreouer if they haue no worke they will fight with themselues we must therefore calme this storme and send them to such as loue vs not The French English sent to warre in Suizerland This was the cause of the war in Suizerland whereof Lewis was Generall leading both French and English vnder the same Ensignes Matago was Collonell of the English forces for the King of England vnder the Daulphins command He entred with his armie into the territory of Basill the country of Elsas betwxit Basill and Strasbourg one of the goodliest and most fertill prouinces of Germany they terrified Metz tooke Montbeliard filled all those countries with feare and combustion The motiues of this extraordinary enterprise may well be obserued by that which I haue said but these causes were farre fetcht and not to be imbraced by two Kings who but euen now tormented one an other especially by Charles who hauing suffred so many crosses should haue horror to cause others to feele the like without constraint yet he found a pin for all these holes Charles would haue his sonne take Montbeliard to be reuenged of the Gouernour for the wrong hee had done him spoiling his country as farre as Langres in his greatest necessity The motiues of this war in Suizerland He assayled the Suisses and namely them of Basill being fauourers of Eugenius against Felix his compettitor that is to say against that Amedee Duke of Sauoy who had so crossed him in his affaires whom he could neuer loue what shewe soeuer he made in pollicy And for that Germany that quarter nere vnto Suisserland supported Felix against Eugenius he therfore hated theÌ„ And to gratifie René King of Sicile who had a priuate quarrell against the citty of Metz he turned his forces against it But what meaning soeuer Charles had herein he imbraced this voluntary warre with an incredible affection as if it had bin to defend the hart of his Realme He himselfe came to Espinall hauing sent his army before to Metz he continued the siege fiue moneths vntill the Cittizens had paide two hundred thousand crownes for the charges of the warre and acquitted king René of a hundred thousand florins of gold which they had lent him in his necessity Lewis the Daulphin parting from Montbeliard ruines Portentru in disdaine of the Bishop a great sollicitor against Eugenius from thence he enters into the territories of Basill with this goodly and florishing army 1444. tyed togither with so many strings hee incountred foure thousand Suisses being resolute to defend their Countrie The greatest part of them were cut in peeces but they sold their liues deere for the Germain histories report that we lost aboue fiue thousand men although wee had the victorie The Emperour Frederic the 3. a Prince which otherwise loued peace vpon the complaints of the Citties lying alongest the Rhin The Suisses fight valiantly and are defeated caused them to arme so as Lewis returned into Lorraine fearing to be too far ingaged in an enemies Country whome he had incensed against reason yet Frederic sent his Ambassadors to Charles to renue their ancient allyances So this cloude of people-eaters passed falling vpon diuers quarters like a shower of haile in a field of ripe corne leauing nothing memorable but a notable example of rashenesse making a warre which was neither necessarie nor iust afflicting quiet peaceable people without any occasion Whilest that France EnglaÌ„d made Suiserland to weepe Henry the 6. King of England married with Marguerite of Aniou daughter to René Duke of Aniou and of Lorraine and King of Sicile and Naples The Earle of Suffollk fetched her froÌ„ Nancy
maâ—â—resse King Charles dyed such as they could finde out by chance And before his eyes were shut vp with this last sleepe euery one forgets the course which this declining sunne had runne to follow the hope of the Easterne starre which came to lighten this realme Thus Charles the eight liued and thus he dyed an humble Prince liberall religious courteous His disposition familiar and of easie accesse of a good and tractable disposition small of statute but of an inuincible courage louing Iustice and his people capable of counsell commended for his great attempts hauing in his youth purchased so much glory and giuen so great hope both within and without Christendome that if God had granted him a longer life without doubt he had equalled the same of the most excellent and rarest Princes In him failed the direct line of the Kings of France descended from Philip of Valois and the crowne fell to the collaterall line of the which the neerest and most capable of the succession was Lewis Duke of Orleans and Valois LEWIS the twelfth the 57. King of France LEWES THE .12 KING OF FRANCE .57 · NOWE behold our France hauing 1498. vnder Charles the eight happily breathed after the troubles and confusions which had so long afflicted the state during the raignes of his Predecessors takes her rest vnder the protection of a Prince excellent in bounty of nature in sweetenesse of manners in temperance and moderation of minde and affection finally in the happines and felicity of his raigne Who hauing extended his Empire beyond the lymits of Gaule subdued vnder his obedâ—eâ—â—e two of the noblest and mightiest Citties of the world Milan with Lombardie and Genes with her two riuers East and West togither with the Ilands of Corseque 〈◊〉 reconquered and diuided the Realme of Naples with the Castillian but in the end lost it by his treachery and disloyalty vanquished the Venetians in that memorable 〈◊〉 the 15. of May 1509. suppressed the Popes insolency defeated the Venetians Againe before Bresse made a peace with the Spaniard and Venetian consequently allied â—â—â—selfe with the King of England He shall haue this honor and content to see â—is â—ubiects in so great prosperity that by the conference of things passed before his 〈◊〉 the Realme was neuer so mighty in armes and men The happines of his raigne neuer so plentifull in all 〈◊〉 of commodities neuer so fortified with such strong places and which imports 〈◊〉 neuer so blessed in concord neuer so voide of diuisions neuer so able to 〈◊〉 a great charge and to produce noble attempts A Godly King chast vpright courteous good to his seruants gratious to his eneâ—â—es mercifull to all men a friend to Iustice and sincerity an enemy to flatery libeâ—rall but without oppression of any loyall respected in all parts of the world who in regard of learning shall open a way which his thrice worthy successor should bring to a most happy perfection But to crowne him with titles of honour hee was called The father of his people A King commanding a nation most willing to obey A people multiplying by millions in Nobilitie Marchants tradesmen and the common sort A people replenishing the Townes before halfe desert To conclude a people testiâ—yâ—â—â— the excellencie and greatnesse of their Soueraigne For the greatnesse of a King sayeth Salomon is in the multitude of people but when his subiects decrease it is the fall of his Soueraigntie But let vs see by the relation of the Historie the course of this admirable prosperitie and first of all his rights of Succession as well to this Crowne and that of Naples being King of France as also to the estate of Milan by reason of Valentine his grand mother King Charles the 5. had two sonnes The eldest Charles the 6. his successor who was father to Charles the 7. of whom was borne Lewis the xi father to Charles the 8. who dyed without children The genealogie of Lewis the 12. The yongest Lewis Duke of Orleans who married Valentine daughter to Iohn Galeas Earle of Vertus first Duke of Milan by whom he had three sonnes Charles his successor Duke of Orleans Iohn Earle of Angoulesme Philip Earle of Vertus The said Charles freed from his long imprisonment in England had by Mary of Cleues his wife our Lewis the 12. heire for want of heires male in the direct line of this realme and of the dependencies thereof and so was annointed at Rhâ—ims the 27. of May 149â— assisted at this sollemnitie by Iohn Duke of Alanson seruing as a Peere in the place of the Duke of Bourgongne Peter Duke of Bourbon for the Duke of Normandie Anthonie Duke of â—orraine for the Duke of Guienne Philip Earle of Ranasâ—ein in place of the Earle of Flanders Gilbert of Cleues for the Earle of Champagne Gaston of â—oix for the Earle of â—holouse and for the Peeres of the Clergie the Bishops that were then resident Afâ—â—â—wards he receiued the royall Crowne in the Abby of Saint Denis in France the first of Iuly following and the day following made his triumphant entâ—ie into Paris We iudge of the inward beautie of a Pallace by the entrie thereof Who would not then by these happy first fruites of this raigne conceiue a constant hope of a heauenly blessing Lewis after he had worthily performed the funeralls of his Predecessor hee first purchased the loue of the Noblemen of his Court mainteining euery man in his dignitie and state and the Magistrates in their offices He applyed his minde to order and to cut off the tediousnesse of suites freed his subiects of the third part of the Subsidies which oppressed them yea euen the rights which they are accustomed to pay to their new King for the charges of his funerall that is deceased and for his coronation and for a second benefit to the countrie he put the men at armes into their garrisons reducing them to the ancient discipline of warre which the disordered liberty of troubles past had much corrupted This done by the aiding of his best States men he made many goodly lawes vpon the abusâ—ue charges in the pursute of Iustice neither did he euer publish an Edict before it was confirmed by the iudgement of Soueraigne courts His decrees conteined some limitâ—tion of the pâ—iuileges granted in old time to Vniuersities the which they abused to the oppâ—â—ssâ—on of the people The Vniuersitie of Paris opposeth against the publication thereof and were ready to make a sedition many publishing infamous libels both against the King and against the Chancellor of Rochefort The Schollers troupe together and â—esolue to abandon both study and the exercise of learning Iohn Caue being Recâ—or The Vniuersitie at Paris 〈◊〉 forbids the Regents to read any more and the Preachers to preach vntill the Vniuersitie had recouered her ancient priuileges The King aduertised of these mutinies drawes many men at armes into Paris and sitting in Parliament confirmes the
head of the Albigeois in the raigne of Philip Augustus fol. 165. The Popes Legat slaine by the Albigeois ibid. An Aâ—my against the Albigeois a great slaughter of them by Symâ—n oâ— Monfort ibiâ— Count Raymond and his confederats defâ—ated by Symâ—â— of Monfort 〈◊〉 167 The Councell of Latran The Eaâ—ldome of Tholouse giuen to Symon of Montfort ibid Symoâ— hated by his subiects of Languedock is slaine before Tholouse Count Raymond is receiued againe into Languedock ibid Warre in Guienne against the English fol. 168. Lewis compounds for Languedock with the Sonnes of Simon of Monfort ibid. Count Raymond submits himselfe to the Pope Desolation of the Albigeois ibid. Lewis dies ibid. Lewis the ninth called Saint Lewis the 44. King of France QVeene Blanche Regent of the King and Realme fol. 169. Afection in France for the Regencie ibid. Languedock annexed to the Crowne by marriage fol. 170. Blanch preuents the discontented princes ibid. Lewis in danger to be surprized by his rebels ibid. Prouence comes to Charles of Aniou a sonne of France fol. 171 Lewis his disposition the patterne of an excellent prince fol. 172 A happy peace in the raigne of Lewis the rest of of the Albigeois fol. 173 Estate of the Empire and of the Church ibid. The Pope seekes to driue the Emperour out of Italie ibid. The Emperour goes with an armie against the Pope and his confederats ibid. The Pope drawes the French to his succour fol. 174 The Popes pollicie to supplant the Emperours ibid. Fredericks happie successe in Asia ibid. The Popes hatred against the Emperour irrecoÌ„ciliable ibid. The Emperour enters Italie with a great armie fol. 175 Gregorie turnes enemie to Fredericke beeing chosen Pope ibid. The Emperour Fredericke excommunicated and degraded the Germaines choose another Emperour ibid. The death of Fredericke fol. 176 Conrades sonne poysoned by Manfroy his bastard brother hee vsurpes Sicilia and Naples ibid. Lewis refuseth Sicilia and Naples offered him by the Pope ibid. Charles Earle of Prouence defeates and kills Manfroy in Sicilia ibid. The Empire without an Emperour by their ciuil confusions fol. 177 Charles of Aniou vicar of the Empire and king of Naples and Sicilia ibid. Conradin seekes to recouer his realme and is defeated ibid. He is cruelly beheaded by Charles with many others ibid. Lewis resolues to goe into Asia the confused estate of the Empire there ibid. The Empire of the Greekes translated to the French ibid. Three Emperours at one instant in the East 178 Lewis goes with an army into the East ibid. The Tartars refuse the Christian religion by reason of their ill life fol. 179 Lewis takes Damiette ibid. He besieged Caire indiscreetly The plague falls into his campe ibid. Lewis is distressed taken by the Sultan of Egypt and paies his ransome ibid. The French generally lament for their King fol. 180 Lewis makes good lawes ibid. Blanch his mother dies ibid. The English rebell against their King ibid. Lewis reconciles the English to their King ibid. Diuision in Flaunders pacified by Lewis ibid. Lewis goes into Barbarie fol. 181 Makes a league with England ibid. In danger at Sea ibid. His army infected with the plague ibid. Lewis beeing sicke giues his sonne instruction 182 His death vertues raigne children and posteritie ibid. The house of Orleans called to the Crowne ibid. Philip 3. called the Hardy the 45. king of France QVeene Isabel dies fol. 183 Richard sonne to Henry king of England slain traiterously ibid. Great contention for the election of a new Pope fol. 184 Lewis eldest sonne to Philip poysoned And the Countie of Tolouse annexed to the crowne ibid. The French expelled Constantinople by the Greekes fol. 185 Philips disposition and why called Hardie ibid. Charles king of Sicilia a turbulent Prince ibid. Peter of Arragon leuies an armie to inuade Sicilia fol. 186 Sicilian Euensong where all the French are slain ibid. Peter of Arragon Charles beeing expulst enters Sicilia and is crowned king fol. 187 The Pope supports Charles against Peter fol. 188 Philip succours his vnckle Charles and the Sicilianâ— seeke to make peace with Charles but Peter politickly auoides all danger ibid. A combate appointed betwixt two kings ibid. Peter fortifies himselfe in Sicilia fol. 189 Charles the sonne called the Lame taken prisoner and Charles the fathers death ibid. Philip makes warre against Peter of Arragon is defeated and dies ibid. Philip set vpon vnawares in danger with his death and children fol. 190 Philip the 4. called the Faire the 46. King of France PHilips disposition and issue vnhappy in the mariage of his sonnes fol. 191 The Parliament of Paris erected the Palace and the colledge of Nauarre built fol. 192 Cause of warre in Flaunders and Guienne ibid. Occasions to renew the war with the English ib. A league betwixt Edward of England Guy of FlaÌ„ders the Emperour the Duke of Bar against Philip. fol. 193 Philip seizeth vpon the Earle of Flanders daughter ibid. The English affaires succeeded ill ibid. A great assembly of Princes against Philip. fol. 194 Pope Boniface enemy to Philip. ibid. The Pope makes a decree against Philip and hee prepares to defend himselfe fol. 195 Philip hauing admonished the Earle of Flanders of his dutie inuades his countrey and defeats the Flemmings seizeth vpon all Flanders the Earle beeing forsaken by his confederates ibid. Guy put into prison and Flanders annexed to the crowne of France fol. 196 The people of Flanders oppressed reuolt and ioyne with the Nobilitie and kill the French ibid. Battaile of Courteay famous for the great defeate of the French fol. 197. A notable affront done by Pope Boniface to Philip. ibid. Arrogancy of the Popes Nuntio fol. 198. Philip subdues and makes peace with the Flemmings ibid. Guy Earle of Flanders and his daughter died fol. 199. Isabell the daughter of Philip married to Edward king of England ibid. Adolph the Emperor deposed and the Pope practiseth against Philip ibid. Pope Boniface his death and disposition fol. 201 The Colledge of Cardinals apply themselues wholy to please Philip. ibid. Pope Clement the 5. crowned at Lyons and remooues his seate to Auignon ibid. Philips death and the fruites of the Easterne voyages fol. 202 The Christians loose all in the East fol. 203. The estate of Sicilia ibid. Lewis the 10. callâ—d Hutin the 47. king of France THe maners of Lewis Hutin his wiues f. 204 Enquerand of Maâ—â—gny vniustly put to death ib. Ione the daughter of Lewis Hutin pretends the realme fol. 205 The Parliament made ordinary ibid. Philip the 5. called the long the 48. king of France COntrouersie for the crown of France fol. 206 Philips coronation childreÌ„ disposition ibid. Rebels calling themselues Shepards fol. 207. Flanders pacified ibid. Charles the 4. called the faire 49. King of France CHarles crowned without opposition fol. 208 His disposition and issue ibid. Isabel complaines of her husband Edward king of England fol. 209 The second parcell of the third race of the Capets containing 13. kings
reader may peruse it without passion Here beganne the great iarres and contentions betwixt the Emperours and Popes The Estate of the Church and Empire The ancient custome of the Catholike Church practised from Constantin the great the first Christian Emperour was That the Emperour should be president in the election of all Bishops euen of the Bishop of Rome The Popes would not allowe the Emperour should hold this prerogatiue ouer them since the time that Boniface the 3. tooke vpon him the name preheminence of vniuersall Bishop but were chosen without license froÌ„ the Emperour Iohn had held the pontificall sea by vnlawful meanes did lead a dissolute life to the discontent of many for the redresse whereof the Emperour Otho comes to Rome and vpon complaints hauing labored to reclaime this man to his dutie whome he found incorrigible in the ende hee calls a Councell within Rome where by a decree of this Assemblie Iohn the 12. was deposed and Leo 8. substâ—tuted in his place But the Emperour is scarce gone out of Rome The Pope confirmed by the Emperour when as behold newe factions Leo the 8. beeing chosen by his order is exâ—eâ—led by disorder and Benedict the 5. seated in his place Otho returnes and restoreth Leo who vpon this occasion made a decree That in executing the ancient rule of discipline which giues the election to the people and Clergie The power to chose and consecrate the Pope and to rule things belonging to the Apostolike sea and to establish and confirme the Bishops should belong vnto the Emperour as the head and first moderator of discipline Seditious election of Popes So the remedy was well expounded but not well applied for after the restitution of Leo they number seauen Popes Iohn the 14. Benedict the 6. Donus the 2. Boniface 7. Benedict 7. Gregory 5. Iohn 1â— which were one after another placed and displaced by sedition eyther expelled or imprisoned or strangled vntill that Gilibert Arch-bishop of Rauenne of whome wee haue spoken came to be Pope beeing named Siluester the 2. In the life of Siluester the 2. He was brought in by so strange a manner as I haue horror to read Platina who saies it was by deuilish arts But the wise reader may vewe the rest of this troublesome report in the author himselfe altogether vnreprouable beeing a confident seruant to the Popes and so may eaâ—e vs of this tedious toyle Such was the Empire and the sea of Rome amidest these horrible confusions Hugh Capet dies whilest that our Capet labored to repaire the breaches of his newe Kingdome Hauing raigned peaceably nine yeares he died the 22. of Nouember in the yeare 996. Leauing his sonne Robert not only successor to the Crowne but alâ—o of his vertues his happinesse his credit in the deuout loue of the French He had him by Adelais the daughter of Edward King of England in whome hee was so happy as not onely to see him of age but also crowned King and well married He raigned both alone accompanied with his sonne 996. beloued and honored of him and his subiects if euer father and Prince were A patterne of a great States man coming to the extremity of a desperate disease wherevnto he applied such seasonable remedies as hee might well bee called the Restorer of the French Monarchie But from him wee must ascend to God the true gardien of this estate meaning to preserue it by his care and wisdome who gouernes changes by his wise prouidence and giues vertues and successe at his pleasure Now we begin a new raignâ— a wiser more happy and longer then the two precedent whereof the one continued but three hundred and twenty yeares and the other two hundred thirty eight and this vnto Henry the 4. now raigning continueth 619. yeares so as counting the date of it first beginning from the yeare 420. making of all these particulars one grosse summe The Monarchâ—e of France of greater continuance then euer any from the yeare of our Redemers comming into the world we shall finde in all 1596. yeares inclusiue A terme which no State euer atteined vnto It is true that the bounds of this Monarchie shall not be so large as vnder Charlemagne yet better limited and although it seemes that Hugh Capet in yeelding the propertie of the Crowne lands vnto the Gouernours of places did diminish it yet in effect he did augment it in assuring the Crowne by this good husbandry being extraordinary yet very conuenient in such extreame necessitie And since all that which seemed to bee dismembred is returned from whence it came We must therefore set before our eyes all this great Monarchie imparted to diuers Lords aâ—d the royall authority ouer all as the head ouer the whole body which hath diuers members giuing life and force to euery part to exerciâ—e his proper function we shall see in order as things haue fallen out the greatest part of those Prouinces which were made hereditarie by this conuention of Capet returne to the Crowne againe The which I will labour to effect so long as the light shall guide me in the diuersiâ—ie of these changes We shall now enter into a more temperate raigne then the two former We shall not see so many armies in field so many victories nor so many conquests neyther shall we see so many audacious and infamous outrages so many murthers and parricides so many vnnaturall cruelties of children against the father of bretheren against bretheren of husbands against their wiues and of wiues against their husbands wee may well note and obserue diseases but neither so dangerous nor so tedious as haue beene played on the theater of horrible Tragedies in former raignes Doubtlesse as the body and minde haue their proper diseases so hath the estate of mankinde Man cannot be alwayes sound nor alwayes pleasant his body and minde haue their passions in their seasons according to the degrees which God hath prescribed them by the course of nature Likewise the changes are remarkable in all this Monarchie but this raigne iudicially considered we may admire the notable proofes of Gods prouidence who would fortifie this estate for the preseruation of his Church in Europe whereof France is a notable member and doth import much to all other nations The History therefore of this third raigne is most worthy of memory for the vse whereof we may obserue three famous parts to helpe the iudgement and memory An order for the vse of this third raigne The first from Hugh Capet to Philip of Valois where began the controuersie of the English against the French long and lamentable for the pretension to the Crowne of France The second from that raigne to Henry the third the last King of that branche of Valois The third begins at Henry the 4. now raigning the first of the most noble race of Bourbon This Inuentary shall faithfully and briefely quote the particularities of these last reignes to sent
enterprises were happy but in his age very vnfortunate Robert Earle of Artois by the decease of the Father and imprisonment of the Sonne remaines Tutor to the Children of his Father in Lawe Charles the Lame and Regent of the Realme of Naples Charles King of Naples â—yes but Peter of Arragon keepes Sicilia at that time lost for the French After the death of Charles of Aniou behold Peter of Arragon is assailed with a new partie Pope Martin the fourth doubled his excommunications against him as a capitall enemie of the Church and inuested Charles the youngest Sonne of Philip King of France in his Realme hee absolues the Arragonois from their othe of obedience and Proclaimes a holy Warre as against a sworne enemie of the Church For the execution of these threats Philip imployes all his meanes to raise a goodly Armie vowing to be no more circumuented by Peter of Arragon Iames King of Maiorica and Minorica ioynes with him an enemie to Peter Philip makes warre agâ—inst Peter of Aragon who had spoiled him of his Estate so as there were foure Kings in this Armie Philip King of France and his eldest Sonne Philip King of Nauarre Charles his Sonne inuested in the Realme of Arragon by the Pope and Iames King of Maiorica The Armie was faire and the Frenchmens courage great being very resolute to reuenge the massacre of the Sicilian Euen-song the ridiculous scorne of the combate and the imprisonment of Charles The Red scarfe the marke of the holy Warre Warre in Arragon against one excommunicated and their couragious resolution to bee reuenged of a cruell enemy who had shed bloud by treason appeares in these troupes brauely armed All this promised a great victorie to Philip who commanded his armie in person But the issue will shew that being a Conquerour he lost the fruites of his victorie and in the death of three great personages shall bee seene the vanitie of this world Philip enters the Countie of Rossillâ—n with a goodly Armie all obeyes him except the Cittie of Gennes neere to Perpignan the which hee besieged and it was well defended but in the end it was taken by the French Peter was come out of Sicilia to defend his Fathers inheritance hee fortifies all hee can against Philip and the difficultie of the passages seemed to fauour him but the resolution of the French surmounted the steepenesse of the Rockes The passages are forced Peters Armie is defeated and hee saues himselfe with difficultie by these inaccessible places The Armie enters the Countie of Emporias Peter of Arragon defeated Pierre 〈…〉 in one day Girone is besieged and as Peter comes to succour it the French incounter him and ouercomes him who hardly saues himselfe in Ville-franche extreamly amazed with this happy beginning of Philip. What followed hee that was accustomed to deceiue all the world by his inuentions and pollicies He dyes could not by any meanes deceiue Death transported with griefe sorrow impatiencie and dispaire hee dyes the fifteene of August in the same yeare with his enemie Charles The brute of Peters death makes Girone to yeeld presently 1286. being a very strong Citty and promiseth Philip an assured possession not onely of the realme of Arragon but also of Sicilia where in shew they could not resist when as behold other occurrents which mans reason could not preuent Philip assuring himselfe thus of the peaceable possession of the realme of Arragon minding to free himselfe of a needlesse charge he dismisseth the Galleys of Genoa and Pisa the which hee had hired and for that the plague was crept into his Campe he had dispersed his forces about the Citties of Giâ—onne and Perpignan whether he retired himselfe very sick with an intent to pacifie the whole Countrie hauing recouered his health and taken some breath Roger Admirall of Arragon of whom we haue spoken ignorant of Peters death was parted from Sicilia with an intent to bring him succours against the French Fleete Being arriued at Genoa a newter Cittie and of free accesse for both parties he is informed both of the death of his Maister and of the estate of Perpignan and being there of this new accidentâ— he takes a new aduise In steed of returning into Sicilia hee hiers the Galleys of Genoa and â—isa dismissed by Philip and resolues to enter the Port of Perpignan where he had intelligence that Philip remained without any great garde and the Port to bee without defence He arâ—iues so happily as without any opposition he giues a signall to the people of his arriuall Philip set vpon vnawares and 〈◊〉 danger who sodenly rise and kill the French in the houses streetes Philip lay sick in his bed and the French Souldiars had no thought of Roger. The King made a vertue of necessitie he incourageth his men with a sicke and feeble voice and they behaued themselues so valiantly as they expell Roger out of Perpignan and Philip held the Citty who was so distempred with this alarum as his sicknesse encreased dayly The death of Philip. and he died the 15. day of October hauing suruiued Peter but two moneths in the same yeare 1286. and in the same moneth dyed Pope Martin the 4. to shew vnto great Princes the incertaintie of their great desseignes Thus liued thus raigned and thus dyed Phillp the 3. surnamed the Hardie hauing raigned 15. yeares and liued fortie a great vndertaker leauing no memorable acte to his posteritie but a good example not to deale in other mens affaires Of his first wife Isabel he had Philip and Charles remaining His children Charles was Earle of Vallois of Alanson and of Perche Father to Philip of Vallois who in his course shall succeed to the crowne Philip his eldest Sonne was King of France of the same marriage he had one Daughter Marie who was Duchesse of Austria By his second wife Marie he had Lewis Earle of Eureux and Marguerite Queene of England The estate of the Empire after a long confusion of diuers Emperours and the interregne had some rest the Popes being busied in the warres of Sicilia Raoul of Auspourg a good and a wise Prince was chosen Emperour after these disorders imploying himselfe carefully to cure the wounds of Germanie and held the Empire from the yeare 1273. vnto 93. The estate of the Church appeares by that which hath beene spoken in this raigne This onely is particular That a Councell was held at Lions by Gregorie the 10. where it was Decreed That to auoide the tediousnesse of the Popes election the Cardinals should assemble at the Popes death and keepe the Conclaue neither going forth not conferring with any one vntill the Pope were chosen The which is practised at this day In those dayes dyed Thomas Aquinas a very subtill disputer Bonauenture Ihon Duns called Scott and Gabriel Biel famous men in those dayes suruiued him PHILIP the fourth called the Faire the 46 King of France PHILIPPE .4 KING OF
FRANCE XXXXVI HE found his authoritie respected within the Realme 1286. as well for his age The dâ—spâ—sition of Philip. as hauing gouerned the State with dignitie vnder his Father Philip. A good Prince Iudicious and of a noble minde and the which was not the least point of happinesse in this life he was well married with Ioane Queene of Nauarre whereof he tooke the name of King before the decease of his father His issue enioying her as a sweete companion of his complexions He had three sonnes by her goodly Princes of body and excellent spirits Lewis Philip and Charles which shall bee Kings successiuely one after another but all so ill matched Philip vnhappie in the marriage of his sonnes as it was his greefe to see his childrens houses infected with three Strumpets and put away without all hope of issue hauing seuerely punished the corrupters of his Daughters in lawe and confinâ—d these inâ—atiat mastiues into Monasteries He had also one Daughter of the same bed named Isabel who was married to Edward King of England leauing vnto France a heauie and dangerous Leuaine of horrible confusion by the meanes of her sonne a fatall scourge for this realme Philip after the decease of Ioane His second wife maried Constance the Daughter of Charles King of Sicilia a faire and a young Princesse whom he left great with a sonne the which was borne eight dayes after his decease and suruiued him but few dayes His raigne He began to raigne in the yeare 1286. and dyed in the yeare 1315. hauing raigned twenty and nine yeares The entrance of this raigne was goodly but Flanders Guienne and the Pope gaue him vpon diuers occasions and at diuers times many great and painfull crosses He loued Iustice and Learning wherin he was well instructed for that age so as he did consecrate the first fruits of his raigne to honor both the one the other as also the Muses did honour him with a goodly Oration which is read in the Originall of this Historie 1287. for a commendable memorie to posteritie of the vertues of this great Prince The Parliament was not tyed to any place but changed according to the necessitie of Prouinces Sutes were most commonly iudged definitiuely by the Bayliffs and Seneshals and the greatest causes were decided Soueraignly in the Kings Councell who gaue free audience to their Subiects Philip hauing obserued by the experience of former raignes that it was very necessarie to haue â—urisdictions distinctly limited The Parliament of Paris erected left a Soueraigne power to his Parliament at Paris a part of his royall authoritie in ciuill and criminall causes and the better to gouerne it he appointed a sufficient number of Presidents and Councellors with his Aduocate and â—roctor which number hath beene since augmented according to occasion and for the greater countenance of this dignitie hee placed it in his chiefe Cittie of Paris and to that end he caused that great Pallace one of the most admirable buildings vnder the coape of Heauen to be built by the meanes of Enguerand of Marigny Earle of Longueuille The Palace built Superintendant of the Treasurie of France Hee first oâ—dained but two sittings of the Parliament in the yeare the which necessitie hath made ordinâ—rie vnder Lewis Hutin his Sonne who also erected an Exchequer at Roan Other Prouinces had their Parliaments at diuers times and vpon diuers occasions With like affection he fauoured his Vniuersities of Paris with all maner of priuiledges hauing his Wife Ioane a companion of the same humour whom he suffered to build in her name that goodly Colledge of Nauarre where at this day in this Iron age Colledge of Nauâ—râ—â— wee may bâ—hold with admiration the great bountie of â—ur Kings in commendable and vertuous actions These goodly beginnings in shew the first fruites of a sound peace were crossed with many difficulties both within and without the realme Flanders gaue the fiâ—st subiect This Countrie is one of the chiefe Seignâ—uries of this Monarchie and in the yeare 1225. this lawfull subiection was acknowledged at Meluâ— by the Earle of Flanders Cause of the wâ—râ—e in Flanders In the beginning of this raigne Guy Earle of Flanders came to do his homage to Philip who required to haue the Citties of Flanders to ratifie this peace of Melun the which was performed but vnwillingly by this riche people who still complained vnto Philip that his Parliament at Paris did infringe their Priuiledges for the which hee wisely prouided but the great securitie of these rich Citties musâ— â—eeds be the cause of their own afflictions as it chanceth ofteÌ„ that a rich people being too faâ—r The cause of quâ—rrell in Guyenne seâ—ke wilfuâ—ly their owne ruine Guyenne did likewise much trouble Philip and these two quarrels were intricate one with another like vnto diseases which come together according to the times and occasions when they chance The King of England was Duke of Guienne since the marriage of Elenor as wee haue seene but many difficulties haue fallen out the accord made by the King S. Lewis specified by vs had limittâ—d the Seignâ—uries of Guienne to the English the which hee should hold by homage of our Crowne but he could not limit his desire being watchfull vpon all occasions to free himselfe from the subiection of France Let vs follow by degrees the actions and the orâ—er of times in the combersome report of these new stormes falling out diuersly and in diuers places like as in a time inclined to raine a Cloud dischargeth it selfe by Planets in diuers parts â—he force and neighbourhood of England increased the quarâ—ell and caused a continuance by diuers accidents Edward the first of that name Sonne to Henry the third liued then in England and Count Guy in Flanders Edward came likewise into France and did homage to the new King for the Duchie of Guienne and other lands which he held of the Crowne Occâ—sioâ—â— to râ—nue the war with the â—â—glish as Guy had done for his It chanced that certaine English Ships scouring along the coast of Normandie made a great spoile of the subiects of France Philip vpon their complaints intreates Edward to cause restiâ—â—â—ion to be made of that which had beene vniustly taken by his subiects Edward neglects it so as Philip causeth him to be adiourned to yeeld a reason of this attempt as vasâ—all to the Crowne He appeares not and so by sentence he is declared guiltie of fellonie and of high Treason and to haue forfeited his interest in all his Seigneuries of France For the execution of this decree Arnoul of Neele Constable of France is sent into Guienne with an armie 1293. in the yeare 1293. a notable date to coate the fiâ—st letter in this Inuentarie of a very long processe although with some inteâ—mission yet so violent as it had a most ruined France The Constable doth his exploit Pâ—ilip sends an armiâ— into
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
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
men which chanced in the beginning of the yeare 1394 shal burne farther and kindle a greater fire betwixt the vncle and the Nephewe foâ— the space often yeares vntill the death of Philip Duke of Bourgongne leauing this hatred hereditary to his posterity There is no meanes which the Bourguignon doth not attempt to wrong his Nephewe of Orleans Certaine Augustin Fryars vndertake to cure the King by incisions in his head wheâ—by he was in great danger of his life These counterfets were brought forth publikely in their habits and beheaded but the scarres of these wounds will remaine in Lewis his â—ace who recommended them vnto the King The women are dealers in these actions The Duchesse of Bourgongne perswades Queene Isabel that Lewis his meaning was to kill the King her husband his children These impressions are confirmed by the graue and sweet discouâ—ses of the duke her husband who by degrees setled a hatred in the Queenes minde agaiâ—st her brother in-law Thus this faction is much fortified by the authority of Queene Isabel and by her with her husbands name whom she makes to speake what she pleaseth sometimes as her will directed him but not alwaâ—â—â— Yet this weake braine is the checker of all these courâ—ly pollicâ—es by the meanes oâ— women who are continually about his bedde or his chaire to distemper his braine with variety of newes springing from their wretched passions and this poore Prince is sometimes won sometimes lost and alwaies tormented wâ—th these imporâ—unâ— discoâ—râ—es Vâ—lenâ—ine to the Duke of Orleans an Iâ—aâ—â—an and daughter to Iohn Galeaz one of the cunningest and most subtill witts of her time which subtilty some held she increased by coniuring would not yeeld to the brauadoes of these two Princesses against whom she opposed her selfe not only by her husbands degree but also by a politike courage bred in her selfe visiting the sicke king with such ciuill entertainment as her greatest enemies could not finde any honest colour to deny her the dore So as the King did not onely willingly see her but did call for her and in his greatest fits did know her onely among all the rest refusing to take any thing but from the hands of his good Sister of Orleans The more the Kings loue kindled a iealousie in these two Princesses her enemies the more it raysed vp the mind of Valentine and by hir meanes of her husband who remeÌ„bring too hatefully the degree whereunto he was borne and the wrong done him in reiecting him yet hauing neither dexterity nor meanes to win many seruants he gaue the Duke of Bourgongne all aduantages being graue cold pleasing and modest so as by his wise teÌ„per he disolued the heate of the Duke of Orleans immoderate vehemencie who tyring himself with the shew of his greatnesse makes it known by effects that all the authority was in the Duke of Bourgongne for whosoeuer had neede of any publike helpe he must pasâ—e through his hands what busines soeuer chanced either within or without the realme the true rendez-uous was at his lodging Thus the Vncle made his Nephew towalke horses as they say although he chafed and stamped beyond all measure These diuisions troubled the whole court making them to neglect the affaires of state and what can we obserue more famous in so disordered an estate Al businesses are done in the Kings name yet without the King vnlesse the parties would haue him to countenance some great passion I do purposely omit all that which passed in this raigne touching the schisme of the Church and the house of Aniou in the realmes of Naples and Arragon not to breake off the course of my intent meaning to represent in due place all that concernes this forrain history Richard King of England sends his Ambassadors to Charles to congratulate his recouery offring him a generall peace and demanding his daughter in marriage The Kings relapse delayed the conclusion for a time Richard king of England marrieth with Isabell of France but soone after by the care of the Duke of Bourgongne who had a great interest in this alliance by reasoÌ„ of his country of Flanders it was concluded in the yeare 1395. Charles had some intermissions by meanes whereof he could ride Richard repayres to Calais and Charles to Ardres whether Richard came to ratifie the peace concluded betwixt their Ambassadors and to receiue his new spouse The Kings encountred one another with loue and kindnesse making shewes of great good will but it was a short ioy for either of them For as it seemed that the quiet of these two realmes had beene setled by this generall peace sealed by this marriage and seasoned with so many reciprocall shewes of cordial affection betwixt these two great Kings behold a great combustion in England which intangles both these Kings in this common calamity Richard being of himselfe effeminate carelesse voluptuous and idle grew more delicate by this profound rest built vpon the alliance of his enimy who alone might haue quickned him He is alwayes with his yong wife imbracing her dallying with her and attiâ—ing her with such contempt of his authority abassing himselfe too much to his subiects so as he grew contemptible vnto his enimies who presâ—med to attempt against his person The ordinary warres of England against France had caused many necessary impositions without any grudging of the subiects but when as necessity ceased by this generall peace the people require to bee relieued William More makes an oration vnto the king in the name of all the English in generall Richard hauing no meanes in these infinite exactions to supply the charges of his idle voluptuous life contemned his subiects request and in the ende pressed vpon the same matter by the Duke of Glocester the Earle of Arondel in the name of them all he puts them vniustly to death The English madde with rage for the death of their deputies flie to such remedies as despaire giues to necessitie From this general discontent sprong a strange Tragedie against Richard for the English seeing themselues thus despised by their King they cast their eyes vpon Henry of Lancaster his cousine and hauing called a Parliament they put Richard into prison and crowne Henry of Lancaster in his place Richard King of England put from the Crowne Richard being forced in open assembly to resigne the Crowne and to condemne himselfe to perpetuall prison as hauing abused his royall authoritie and his subiects But this tâ—agicke change concernes the Histoâ—ie of England This may bâ—ieflie suffice for ours in the conference of our estate with theirs Charles did greatly grieue at this deiection of Richard his sonne in lawe from whom he expected great loue and quiet for his subiects But who seeth not the vanitie of this world both in great and small to feare a shower euen when the Sunne is hottest Hee sends for Isabell his daughter of twelue yeares old whom Richard had not yet toucht being content to behold her
In the end by the Dukes meanes yeelding him his libertie this quarrell was ended marrying the eldest sonne of René with the daughter of the Earle of Vaudemont But let vs reserue the rest to the following raigne About the end of this yeare a solemnitie was done in Paris which carried more shew then substance We haue said before how that Henry the 6. King of England Henry King of England crowned at Paris had beene crowned King of France when as our Charles was crowned at Poitiers after the decease of his father Henry was but two yeares old and came not out of England vntill that Charles had bin sollemnly crowned at Rheims to the great ioy of all the French but when as the Duke of Bedford found how much this autentike publication aduanced the affaires of Charles he caused Henry to be brought into France and to be crowned at Paris with an extraordinarie Maiestie to out-countenance Charles his Coronation by a greater shew of pompe But the bloud of France cannot dissemble no man was moued thereat no more then to see a Tragedie acted vpon the Stage This yeare is very barren of all memorable exploits but that this silence noted an entrance to an accoâ—d both parties being weary of pleading yet with great slacknesse as we see in diseases which come sodenly and passe away slowly we must therefore crosse this rough way before we come to Paris Montargis taken by the English as we haue said Montarâ—is taken and lost againe was noâ— recouered by the French but after a diuers maner for the English lost the Toâ—ne by the Castell and the French the Castell by the Towne yet were they three moneths in winning of the Castell Hauing taken all they lost all by the same meanes tâ—at made them so much to gape after the Castell which was the want of money This shamfull losse greeued many of the greatest in Court and bred a new trouble by this occasion Tremouille was yet in great credit with the King Tremouille taken and deliuered againe hauing by this meanes a great hand in the State they accused him to haue heaped vp great treasure to the preiudice of such as daily imployed their liues for the Kings seruice The greater men reâ—olue to take Tremouille prisoner and to punish him like vnto Giac and others before mentioned The King was at his Castell at Chinon Tremouille followes him as his 〈◊〉 but it chanced as he was in his chamber the Lords of Brueil Coytiuy and Fetard 〈…〉 with 40. armed men enter and take him not one of a hundred of that sort could escape But six thousand Crownes saued his life hoping to returne againe into credâ—t The Constable of Richmont growes into greater fauour then before Thus misfâ—rtune is good for some thing Bedford puft vp with the successe of Montargis takes Mâ—lly in Gasâ—enois but hauing besieged Lagny in Brie he was repulsed· and at the same time Iohn of Luxembourg of the Bourguignon faction is dispossessed of Ligny in Barrots by the Gentleman of Comeâ—cy A disgrace which shall draw the Bourguignon to a â—â—mposition so much desired togither with the happy successe of the French in the Câ—untry of Arthois the taking of S. Valery in Ponthieu The confusion of the warre and the generall wauering of 〈◊〉 câ—iefe Citties in Picardy tired with these confusions being so great as no man was 〈◊〉 of his person of what partie soeuer if he were the weaker The Cardes were so shuffled 1432. as an English man would become French to take a Bourguignon and a Frenchman become English or a Bourguignon to take a Frenchman These vnkinde treacheries were vsuall especially at Amiens Abbeuille and throughout all Picardie where the warres had been most licentious Which outrage hath been reuiued in ouâ— miserable age through the crueltie of these wretched warres which causeth men to make shipwracke both of faith and honour This yeare had a plausible beginning but without any great effect The Councell of Pisa being assembled as we haue said to redresse the confusion of Antipopes and to reduce the Church diuided by this Schisme vnto vnion sends the Cardinall of Auxerre vnto the Kings of France and England to exhort them vnto peace Charles protested that he desired nothing more the English said the like They assemble to this end at Auxerre in great troupes but at their first meeting all this treatie was broken off for both the one the other stood vpoÌ„ the qualitie of King of France being the fundameÌ„tall point of all their quarrell The Duke of Bedford spake more proudly then Charles himselfe A treatie betwâ—xt the French and English as if the law of State which maintained this Monarchie had beene made in England an Iland become firme land and France changed to the Isle of Albion or of Brittanie of such force is error euen in matters of State when as passion ouer-rules the light of reason So as they all depart without any effect They onely conclude a truce for the great want of the poore people who could suffer no more But this truce was a pit-fall for many trusting the countenance of this courteous warre which making profession to meane nothing so is more to be feared when she smiles then when she frownes Ioâ—n Duke of Bourbon dies in England Wee haue saied that Iohn Duke of Bourbon was taken prisoner in the battaile of Azincourt whom they could neuer redeeme at any rate This yeare he dyed in England and his sonne Charles succeeds him He had to wife the sister of the Duke of Bourgongne but they fall to words for their rights and so to warre Charles takes from Philip A quarrell betwixt the Dukes of Bourbon and Bourgongne Grancy Aualon Perepertuis Mucy-l'Euesque Chaumont and other places The Bourguignon had his reuenge and besiegeth Belleuille in Beauieulois belonging vnto Charles Mary Duchesse of Berry labours to reconcile these Princes and drawes them to a peace the which shall soone be a meanes of a generall accord betwixt the Bourguignon and France by the mediation of the Duke of Bourbon a profitable instrument of so good a worke This occasion not preuented was seconded by an other for the Duke of Bedford Bedford marrieth againe after the death of his wife being sister to the Duke of Bourgongne marries with Iaquelin the daughter of Peter of Luxembourg Earle of S. Pol who was no friend to the Bourguignon and moreouer the youth and beautie of this new spouse had so bewitched Bedford as he was easily drawne from Philip whose loue he entertained with great difficultie The Duke of Bedford and Bourgongne in dislike yet in respect of the generall cause they made a good shew and had met at S. Omer to that effect but this enterview encreased their discontents In the meane time the truce being ill obserued on either side is conuerted into a languishing warre Bedford makes warre in the Countrie of Maine by Scales and
where Charles was resident whilest that his army afflicted these poore people He feasted conducted this Princesse as his own daughter euen with tears of ioy The King of England marrieth but this ioy was sodenly coÌ„uerted into heauines by the death of the Daulphins wife his daughter in Lawe whom he loued deerely for her vertues which made her amiable to all France She was one of the chiefest in this great solemnity from the which she went to the bed of death her death was the sepulchre of her Mother the widowe of Iames King of Scotts who was come to see her and whilest her funeralles were making her Sisters ariue from Scotland to attend on her nay rather to descend with her into the graue if the humainty of Charles had not reuiued them giuing them honest meanes to maintaine their estats in France Thus passeth the Ocean of this miserable life in the which there is more cause of mourning then of ioy The Daulphins wife dies both in great and small The marriage likewise of England wherein were so great shewes of ioy shall end with a lamentable Tragedie as we shall see hereafter The truce was so pleasing to both Realmes A truce prolonged for fiue yeares that before it was expired the Kings of France and England renue it for fiue yeares more in hope of a perfect peace promising by their seuerall writings published generally to meete togither within six monethes in some conuenient place to confirme this peace so generally desired of all their subiects 1445. 1446. 1447. 1448. And to confirme the assurance of their promises the English deliuers Mans to Charles with all thee held in the Countrie of Maine but all is put into the hands of King René his father in lawe Francis Duke of Brittain doth homage to the King for the Duchie of Brittain and the Earldome of Montfort This was at Chinon but some monethes after there chanced a tragicall desaster in that house Francis suspecting that Gyles his brother would deale treacherously with him by the too familiar correspondency he had with the Engâ—ish caused him to bee put in prison by the Councell and care of Charles who had sent him foure hundred lances vnder the comand of the Admirall Coitiuy But they dealt worse with him causing him to die in prison for hungar The history of Brittain describes this accident very plausibly The cruâ—lty of the Duke of Bâ—ittany against his brother but it is true that Gyles died beeing prisoner with his brother Peter who suruiued him not long after hauing a great remorse for this tragicke accident In the rest of this yeare and the three following there is nothing memorable but the pursuts which Charles made for the reunion of the Church But not to breake off the course of our history which is properly to treate of that which concernes our Estate we reserue it for a more conuenient place A worke in truth not onely worthy of a great Monarke but of a peaceable time that in the peace of the State we may see the peace of the Church The soldiars insolencie was nothing abated by this voiage of Germany They returne more flesht then before against the poore laborer Charles made new orders to restraine them causing them to bee duly obserued but the ouerwening violence of the English increased daylie not onely by the negligence but by the command of such as had the charge The Duke of Yorke being called home into England the duke of Somerset succeeded him a proud man who thinking to do better then the rest did absolutely ruine the English affaires in France Hee dispenced with his soldiars in all their villaines 1448 and kept them ready to breake the truce vpon any profitable occasion The English breake the truce In the meane time the Souldiers ordinarie practise was to stand in Sentinell to surprise some good house in the countrie being ill garded to robbe it spoile it and carry away the prisoners by vnknowne wayes To this end they had their spies their guides and their retreats The fields were full of robberies by men disguised in strange and fearfull habits being masked when they espied their pray and therefore they called them counterfeit faces But to draw men into danger they marched like passengers expecting the commoditie to surprize them There is heard nothing but complaints and repulses All the pursuites which were made to repaire the breaches of truce did but increase the paine and charges of the interessed But of these small disorders committed by the Souldiars there grew so great an inconuenience as in the end it filled vp the measure against the English being hated and detested of all the French for their pride and insolencie Fougeres surprized by the English during the truce Fougeres a Towne of Brittanie vpon the confines of Normandie then very riche and populous being without garde vnder the assurance of the truce was easily surprised by Francis of Surienne called the Arragonois a Knight of the order of the Garter and a great Captaine vpon the marches of France obeying the English The Towne being surprised by him being accompanied with six or seuen hundred souldiers suffered all the miseries that might be They kill spoile and sack rauish women robbe Churches take prisoners and from thence they runne into Brittanie and fill all full of feare and combustion The Britton appeales to the King and both complaine to Henry King of England and to the Duke of Somerset his Lieutenant in France they presse them to repaire so notable a breach else they would seeke a meanes of reuenge But they receiue nothing but words disauowed by mouth and aduowed in effect for Somerset causeth S. Iames of Beueron to be fortified contrary to the treatie Charles receiuing these bare answers from England sees which way the chance would fall and that the game would not passe without blowes yet he restrained his men with great modestie holding it for a maxime that he must vse no force But when as moderate remedies can take no place with men not capable of reason then to oppose force against the iniurious passion of his enemie I read with ioy in the Originall that Charles conteined himselfe and was forced to this last warre To haue God on his side and the wrong on his enemie To conclude this moderate proceeding did so iustifie the good cause of Charles as it was continued with a happy euent not onely to abate the pride of the English but to expell them out of the whole realme as the iust iudgement of God pursued their arrogancie in this attempt by the breach of publike faith the vndoubted ruine of humaine societie which hath no certaine foundation but in perfect faith Here endeth the yeare but the controuersie shall begin more hotly by iust armes accompanied with a victorious sentence the which the Iudge of the world shall pronounce against the pretender of this estate Normandie reduced to the Kings obedience THe
in their words countenance appaâ—ell the Castillian of the plainnesse of the French attire for Lewis had short garments of bad stuffe the which the Spanish nation did impute to miserablenesse wherewith he was neuer blemished So as from that day these Kings did neuer loue but both nations conceiued such a mutuall hatred one against an other as they haue left it hereditarie to their posteritie and we haue felt the bitternesse of this old leuaine in our late and more then vnciuill tumult So perilous shall the enterview be of our Lewis with Charles of Bourgongne who shall hereafter come often in place at Peronne as we shall see Lewis being returned to Paris as by the purchase of Roussillon he had fortified his realme towards Spaine so desired he to assure it on the other side redeeming the townes lying vpon Somme the which had beene ingaged by the treatie of Arras to Philip Duke of Bourgongne for foure hundred and fiftie thousand crownes with this condition that the King should maintaine all the officers aduanced by the Duke in the said Townes a promise without performance for after the oath taken to serue him against all persons at the first he tooke away the Captainship of Amiens of Arras of Dourlans from Saueuse that of Mortaigne from Haut-bourdin a bastard of Bourgongne and the Bailâ—wike of Amiens from the Lord of Creuecoeur whose lands he did confiscate soone after aduancing to these offices Launoy the Nephew of Croy 1463. whereby he did greatly discontent the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne more who in despite of the said redemption did afterwards chase away the Lord of Croy with his whole family and confiscate their goods they beeing the meanes thereof Beeing retyred into France Lewis gaue him the county of Guynes with the office of Lord Steward of his house A discontent which shall hasten the Charolois to arme against our France Moreouer Lewis to tye the Pope vnto him by the meanes of Iohn Balue Bishop of Arras who since was made Cardinall in recompence of so good a seruice done to the court of Rome sends Godfrie Bishop of Albi Cardinall of Abbeuille vnto him to renounce all rights of the pragmaticall sanction So doing the Pope promised to send a Legat into France that should giue all benefices to the ende that all the money which should bee raised thereby might remaine within the Realme and be no more transported to Rome But the Pope beeing seized vpon the charter of the said Sanction made no accompt to performe his promise and to please the Romans he caused it to be dragged through the streetes So as Lewis being thus deceiued did forbid to carry any more money to Rome nor to bring any Bulls from thence He made Sforce Duke of Milan his vassall giuing him Sauonne which the French held a heauy motiue of lamentable warres which followed and receiued his homage But whilest he labours to purchase friends abroad he procures himselfe insensiblie mighty enimies at home The princes and Noblemen to whom the first places in court The League of the common â—ecale and offices of the crowne did appertaine seeing themselues with great indignity supplanted by these mushromes growne vp in one night put from the Kings fauour they sound one another both by mouth writings and by diuers messengers being assured of their mutuall loues they open their mindes discouer their conceptions and conclude To defend and maintaine their dignities For say they to what end do we suffer the indignities and braueries of these new vpstarts we should shew want of courage not to apprehend the wrong the King doth vs. Wee haue armes men friends money to force him to reason seeing we are debarred his preseÌ„ce by these base people that posâ—esse him The cheefe were Charles Duke of Berry the kings brother The chiefe of the league Iohn Duke of Bourbon who had married Charlotte the kings sister Francis duke of Brittaine Iohn Earle of Dunois bastard brother to Lewis Duke of Orleans the Duke of Nemours the Earle of Armaignac and the Lord of Albret The Duke of Berry was easily drawne into this league discontented to haue no better portion then Berry The Duke of Bourbon had not yet receiued his marriage money The Britton could not digest foure hard conditioÌ„s the which Lewis hauing an army ready in case he refused required of him That he should no more intitle himselfe By the grace of God Duke of Brittaine That he should coyne no more money without his permission That from thence foâ—th the King should leauie taxes and subsidies in Brittaine and not the Duke And that all that were beneficed within the Dukedome should acknowledge him immediately for Patron soueraigne Priuileges which till then had bin alwayes expresly reserued to all the Dukes his predecessors in the homages they did to the crowne The Earle of Dunois had alwaies bin of the chiefe of the army Lieutenant generall to Charles the 7. and now is depriued of all his offices and dignities by Lewis his sonne So euery one pretended diuers causes of complaint Charles of Berry must carry the bable a young Prince credulous an age which doth easily make men bold â—ash for they would vse him as the reuenging instrument of their passions But it is the means to draw him from Court without iealousie Behold an occasion is offred After that Lewis had visited the Townes of Picardy lately redeemed hauing crossed Normandie and Touraine he passeth to Poitiers leading Charles his brother with him Lewis going one day to his deuotion Iohn of Rommillé Tanneguy of Chastel Nephew to that Tanneguy that was charged for the death of the Duke of Bourgongne agents for the Britton in this action vnder colour to carry Charles Duke of Berry to the huntiug they lead him into Brittayne Tanneguy was discontented for that hauing disbursed fifty thousand franckes at the funeralls of Charles the 7. in the absence of Lewis he had neither recompence nor any thankes of the king and was not satisfied for the space of ten yeares There remayned nothing but to be assured of Philip Duke of Bourgongne 1464. who euen then had great cause of discontent for during the partialities of England betwixt the houses of Lancaster and Yorke Lewis supported Henry against Edward he being of Lancaster and this of Yorke for that Henry had married the daughter of René King of Sicile and by consequence was neere kinsman to Lewis In fauour therfore of this Queene he makes a proclamation in the territories of the Duke of Bourgongne forbidding them to aide or assist Edward terming himselfe King of England And for a greater disgrace King Lewis would impose a custome vpon the Salt in the Duchie of Bourgongne The Bourguignon opposeth he protests that Edward King of England is his allie and that he could not deny him succors being required As for the custome he shewes forth the ancient priuileges of
came a new taske in hand To kepe them in practise he sends part of them vnder the command of the Admiral bastard of Bourbon for Montauban was dead and the Earle of Dammartin into Armagnac He had beene one of the common-welth and this enterprise did alwaies sticke in Lewis his stomack At the fiâ—st without any effution of bloud they make him peaceable possessor of the countrie whereof they invest his brother and so the yeare ended But let vs se the first frutes of the following yeare To be revenged of Charles of â—ourgongne A new pretext of reuenge he must haue some apparent colour Lewis doth vnderhand practâ—se the Townes lying vpon the riuer of Somme animates the Nobility of the Countrie to complaine in the Parlement at Paris of the difficulty they had to receyue iustice and therevpon to require the Kings assistance fauour Moreouer they charged the Bourguignon that he extended his limits farther then he ought by the treatie vsurped the Kings rights and prerogatiues forcing some Lords whose lands did hold directlie of the King to doe him homage and seruice against all men Vpon colour of these complaints Lewis assembles the Estats at Tours in the moneth of March and Aprill the which was all he euer held but he calls none but his most confident seruants who would not contradict him in any thing For a conclusion of the assemblie the Duke is summoned to appeere at the Parlement of Paris He retaines the officer many daies at Gand and in the end sends him back As all things were prepared to ruine the Duke of Bourgongne behold there falls out another matter of some moment in this action The Earle of Warwick hauing aboue all others supported the house of Yorke against that of Lancaster had besides his patrimonie inriched himselfe aboue 4000. Crownes a yeere reuenue in rewardes and offices by Edward King of England Competitor to Henry the 6 whom he kept prisoner at London which Henry had so long ruled our France This his great credit drawes iealousie after it too ordinary in soueraine Princes especiallie to theÌ„ whom they haue raiâ—ed vp Edward King of England the Earle of VVâ—â—wick diuided wherby the Earle falls into some disgrace with Edward The Duke of Bourgongne to whome the Earles great authoritie and the secret intelligences he had with our Lewis was wonderfull odious and suspect for the Duke had married the sister of Edward to fortifie himselfe against Lewis not for any affection he bare to the howse of Yorke being by his mother issued out of the house of Lacaster feeds this harted of Edward agaiâ—st Warwicke who finding himselfe forced to yeeld to the stronger resolues to retyre into France hee leads with him Marguerite the wife of Henry 1470. daughter to Rene King of Sicile the Prince of Wales son of the sayd Henry and Marguerite Warwike â—lies into Fâ—ance the Duke of Clarence son in lawe to Warwicke and brother to Edward the Earle of Oxâ—ord with their wiues and children and many followers In his passage he takes many ships from the Bourguignons subiects and sells the bootie in Normandie And â—or a requital Charles causeth all the French Marchants to be taken that were come to the faire at Antwerp hee complaines to the Court of Parliament at Paris The Duke of Bourgungnes arrogancy of the reception the King had made of the Earle of Warwick threatning to fetch him wheresoeuer But the arrogance of his words was but the leuaine of his splene Lewis giues such entertaynment to the Earle of Warwick as he might hope for he armes all the ships he can finde in his fauour by meanes wherof he returnes happily into England and gathers togither an infinite number of men which ioyne with him from al parts he marcheth against Edward and forceth him to fly to his brother in lawe into Holland being accompained only wih seauen or eight hundred men for his gard without mony and without apparell other then for war Hee drawes Henry out of prison where he himselfe had formerly lodged him and installes him againe in his royall state Edward notwithstanding the presence of the Dukes of Glocester and Somerset sent by Henry obtaynes of the Duke of Bourgongne but vnderhand and secretly The Earle of VVarwike slaine and his whole army defeated by Edward for that hee would by no meanes incense Henry whom al England now obeied succors of meÌ„ ships money he returnes into the realme is receiued into London he meets with the Earle of Warwicke fights with him and kills him with his brother the Marquis of Montagu cuts all his army in peeces The Duke of Clarence before the battaile goes to â—is brother Edward and with his owne hand slue as some write Henry whom Edward had taken in London and led to this battaile this was in the yeare 1471. on Easter day This happy victorie is seconded by an other no lesse famous The Prince of VValles sonne to Henry deâ—eated by Edward The Prince of Wales sonne to Henry followes after with whome the Dukes of Glocester and Somerset had already ioyned leading fortie thousaÌ„d men of his faction Edward pufte vp with the prosperous successe of his first victory marcheth towards him fights with him kills him takes the Earle of Somersâ—t prysoner and the next day cutts off his head To conclude Warwicke had conquered the realme of England in eleuen days and Edward recouered it in twentie and remayned in peaceable possession vnto his death If the Earle had patiently attended the great forces which Prince Edward brought vnto him who will not thinke but he had remayned a conquerour But he feared Somerset whose father and brother he had put to death and hee must feale the effects of the diuine Oracle Hee that hath shed mans bloud his bloud shal be shed for God hath made man after his owne image and Gen. 9.6 Math. 26.52 Apoc. 13 10. All those that haue taken the sword shall perish by the sword In the meane time whilest these stirres are in England Charles the 8. of that name afterwards King of France was borne vnto Lewis at the Castell of Amboise a happie proppe of an old decayed father This birth causeth the Princes hereafter to be lesse respected and the King more feared and honored who hauing now an heire to whome he might leaue the Crowne Charles the 8. borne bandies all his witts to weakeÌ„ his enemies as wel for his own priuate regard as to leaue therealme wholie peaceable to his sucâ—essor Charles of Guienne lyued for shew in good amity with the King Francis of Brittain although he had preferred the order of the golden fleece before that of Saint Michell the which Lewis had offred vnto him being loath to loose assured friends to accept the friendship of a Prince in whom he could repose no confidence yet he contayned himselfe Charles of Bourgongne woare the garter openly molested the Kings subiects
King more â—euer subiects gaue with greater ioy to their Soueraigne then the French did to hâ—m â—haâ— glorious surname of Father of his people FRANCIS the first of that name 58. King of France FRANCES THE I. KING OF FRANCE .58 1515. HAppie is that Realme saith the wise man which fals not into a childs hands This was the first comfort which reuiued the hearts of the French oppressed with mourning and heauinesse for the death of their good King Lewis the twelfth The second was that they cast their eyes vppon a worthie successor a Prince well borne iudicious and of a generous spirit liberall courteous in the prime of his age and fit for gouernment affable to the people fauorable to the Clergie pleasing to the Nobilitie who doe naturally loue their Princes good countenance and that which all subiects admire in their Soueraine of an excellent beautie Thus capable was he of the royall dignitie Francis being then two and twentie yeares old before Duke of Valois and Earle of Angoulesme tooke vppon him the gouernment of this Monarchie as sonne to Charles Earle of Angoulesme sonne to Iohn Earle of Angoulesme who was the yongest sonne of Lewis Duke of Orleans murthered by the Bourguignon at Paris in the time of Charles the sixth who was also the yongest sonne of King Charles the fiâ—t Hee was anointed at Rheims the fiue and twentith of Ianuary being attended on by the Dukes of Bourbon and Alanson the Earles of Montpensier Vendosme and Saint Paul the Prince of Roche-sur-Yon al of the house of Bourbon Then hauing made his entry into Paris a sollemne Tournie kept in Saint Anthonies street he confirmed all the ancient officers of the Crowne and to suppâ—ie those which were vacant hee creaâ—ed Charles Duke of Bourbon Constable of France being void by the death of Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon Anthonie Prat Chancellor for then Steuen Poncher Bishoppe of Paris was keeper of the seale Charles of Bourbon Earle of Vendosme Gouernour of the I le of France making the said Countie a Duchie and a Peere of France the Lord of Lautree Gouernour of Guienne Palisse Marshall of France Boisi his gouernour in his youth Lord Steward and Superintendant of his house with whome he ioyned Fleuremonde Robertet His dessâ—â—ins Secretarie of State With this title of King of France he tooke vppon him that of the Duke of Milan not onely as descending of the house of Orleans the true heire of that Duchie but also as comprehended in the inuestiture made by the Emperour according to the treatie of Cambraye And for that hee succeeded equally both to the Crowne and the desire his Predecessor had to recouer that goodly estate of Milan he therfore to worke it with more facilitie renued the peace made betwixt the deceased King and the King of England sending home Mary the widoâ—e of Lewis with a dowrie of threescoore thousand Crownes a yeare· who afterwards married with the Duke of Suffolke Hee also confirmed the alliance this Crowne had with the Senat of Venice The Archduke Charles sent a very honorable Ambassage to the King whereof the Earle of Nassau was the cheefe to doe him homage for the Counties of Flanders Arthois and other Lands which held of this Crowne and the which gaue great hope of a future peace betwixt these two Princes both being yong but marked for great matters to treat a marriage betwixt the said Charles and Renèe the Queenes sister who was after wife to the Duke of â—errare And for that the sayd Earle was greatly fauoured by the Prince Charles the King desirous to gratifie him caused him to marrie with the daughter of the Prince of Orange bred vp in his Court. Charles was yet vnder age but so carefully instructed by that wise Lord of Chieures of the house of Croye whome the deceased King Lewis had made choise of to gouerne him in his youth for that Philippe the father of Charles had by his testament intreated Lewis to accept the charge of his sonne that euen in his yonger yeares hee made him capable to vnderstand the affaires presenting vnto him all pacquets that came causing him to make report thereof vnto his Councell and to determine all things in his presence He did foresee that after the death of Ferdinand his grandfather by the mother the French might crosse him in his passage from Fâ—anders into Spaine holding it dangerous to stand in the midest betwixt the Kings of France and England vnited togither and not to fortâ—fie himselfe with this common alliance Moreouer his subiects of the low Countries would haue no warres with the Realme of France The King likewise desired to take from him all motiues to gouerne himselfe hereafter by the councell of his two grandfathers They therefore agreedâ— That the marriage proceeding betwixt the Archduke and Rene the King should giue him six hundred thousand Crownes and the Duchie of Berry for euer to her and to heires vppon condition she should renounce all rights of inheritance both from father and mother namely to the Duchies of Milan and Brittanie That after the death of the Catholike King the King should ayd the Archduke with men and shippes to goe and receiue his Realmes of Spaine The Arragonois demaunded a continuance of the truce but the King meaning to put out that clause Not to molest the Duchie of Milan during the truce their parle was fruitlesse The Emperour who ioyned his desseins to the councels of Ferdinand opposed against the amitie of the French The Suisses were as forward as before As for the Pope Francis desired to be freed from all bond to him that he mightt resolue for the best according to the course of his affaires To build vpon these foundations he now imployes his Captaines men at armes and the prouisions which his Predecessor had first prepared and makes his armie march with speed to Lions whether his Maiestie comes in Iuly An armie â—o all in the Duchie of 〈◊〉 hauing left the Regencie of the Realme to Louise of Sauyoe his mother The Duke of Bourbon Constable led the foreward accompanied with his brother Francis newly created Duke of Castelleraud the Marshals of Palisse and Triuulce Charles of Tremouille Prince of Talmont sonne to Lewis Vicont of Touars the Earle of Sancerre the Baron of Beard the Lords of Bonniuet Imbercourt and Teligni Seneshall of Rouergue Peter of Naurrre whome the King had drawen to his seruice giuing him his libertie without ransome commaunded six thousand Gascons and the Lords of Lorges grandfather to the late Mongomeries Pirault of Margiron Richbourg Iorteil little Lainet Onatilleu Hercules of Daulphine and Captaine Commarque euery one commaunding fiue hundred foote making foure thousand and eight or nine thousand Lansquenets led by Charles Duke of Guelders The King led the battaile followed by the Duke of Vendosme Lorraine and Albania the Earle of Saint Paul Claude of Lorraine Earle of Guise brother to the Duke of Lorraine the
off the victualls from the Imperialls the French should marche to Biagras the Venetians to Cassan and Sforce to Pauia but the Earle of Saint Paul did wonderfully affect the enterprise of Genes Andrew Dorie was departed the eight of Iune with his gallies to gard the Emperour who passed into Italie This absence put the Earle in good hope that Cesaer â—regose to whome the King had promised the gouernment of Genes would make the Towne reuolt with some fewe foote This was to take a mightie wolfe by the eares which will bite them shreâ—dly that thinke to lay hold They had behind them too vigilant an enemie According to this desseine the Earle in steede of Biagras arriues at Landriâ—ne the twentieth of Iune but in the night a great raine doth so swell the riuer as hee had no meanes to passe his artillerie Enterprise vpon Genes Anthonie de Leue aduertised of the Earles staie parts from Milan ouertakes the Earle who was busie in pulling downe an old house to haue some peeces of Timber to put vnder the carriage of a peece that was all duâ—tie and myred and chargeth him before hee had in a manner discouered him At the first the Earle forceth the Spanish shot to retire into the battallion of their Germains and the French Lansquenets had repulsed those that had passed a little riuer which diuided the two armies but pursuing and following them to the banke they were greatly annoyed by them that were opposite on the other side Guy Eâ—rle of Rangon had in the morning taken the way to Pauia with the foreward so as hee had no notice of the fight vntill it was past time to succour them 1529. Iohn Thomas of Galere and the Castellan of Laude Colonnels of Italian foote were alreadie well aduanced and leauing them ingaged that were desirous to fight they retire on the one side and saue themselues likewise in Pauia Iohn Ierosme of Castillon and Claude of Rangon Commanders ouer two thousand Italians performed wonders But the Imperial horsemen hauing passed the riuer with a great battallion of Germans our Italians turne their backes our Lansquenets yeeld to their Countrymen the Earle and Annebault with those fewe horsemen which remayned made the retreat Fatall to the vndertakers alwaies turning their faces to the enemie vntill they were stayed by a brooke which the Earle was not able to passe through the weakenesse of his horse where as hee and almost all that followed him were put to the sword or prisoners except Annebault and some fewe Lances which leaped ouer the ditch the footemen were all defeated the artillery lost and the baggage taken After all these stormes and confusions after so many fatall sweats caused by the â—â—ight of their armes was it not nowe time to take breath The Alpes and high pointed Pyrenee mountaines bee they not sufficient barres to restraine vs within our bounds content to enioy and defend that which belongs vnto vs was not so much bloud spilt sufficient to make all Italie dronke Such pittifull spectacles of French mens boanes where-with the plaines of the estats of Milan and Naples were made white â—ad they not force and vertue to take from vs all future desire to beare arâ—es in such mortall conquests Without doubt they had reason to make this complaiâ—t with the ancient Church All our remaines haue opened their mouthes vpon vs they haue hissed gnasshed their teeth and sayd we haue coâ—founded them this is the day which we expected we haue found it wee haue seene it And with the like repentance to crie Remember O Lord what hath chanced vnto vs behold and see our reproches Turne vs vnto thee ô Lord we shall be turned Behold now the pittifull reliks of our Frenchmen hatefull to strangers scorned of all the world beaten on all sides returning home with their shirts tied vpon their shoulders who hauing scarce brethed foure yeares wee shall so againe fall to armes This vnfortunate successe of our men hauing caused armes to cease in a manner throughout all Italie the Emperour and Pope both being bare of money treated of some articles of peace The Emperour had no inclynation therevnto yet hee could not graunt it in a season more beneficiall for himselfe The King sought it two notable afflictions drewe him therevnto the imprisonment of his children and the ruine of so many armies with the wasting of his treasor But one especiall consideration did mooue him If the confederats had discouered his intent they would haue preuented him and by their agreement with the Emperour excluded him from League with any of them and by consequence haue brought him to that point as hee should haue beene forced to accept farre lesse tollerable conditions of peace Louyse the Kings mother Marguerite Aunte vnto the Emperour by the Fathers side did treat it at Cambray furnished with authoritie and Councell from both their maiesties and finally they concluded That the King should paie two millions of gold for the freedome of his Children that is twelue hundred thousand crownes when as the sayd Children should bee in France and at libertie Hee should deliuer the lands which Marie of Luxembourg A Peace concluded at Cambray betwixt the Eâ—â—erour and French King mother to the Duke of Vendâ—sâ—e had in Flanders Arthois Brabant and Hainault and those which the Duke of Montpensier cousin germaine to the sayd Duke did possesse in the sayd Countries for foure hundred thousand Crownes to bee redeemed within a certaine time And for the other foure hundred thousand remayning hee should acquite the Emperour of so much to the King of England which hee had lent vnto him and fiftie thousand more which the Emperour did owe vnto the English for the indemnitie of the marriage betwixt the Emperour and Marie Daughter to the sayd King of England whome hee had left to marrie with the Daughter of Portugall Moreouer hee should vngage the â—lower de Lis of gold inritched with pretious stoanes and a peece of the crosse which Philip the Emperours Father had ingaged to the King of Englands Father for fiftie thousand Crownes That tâ—e King should renounce the Soueraintie of Flanders and Arthois That he should mâ—rrie wiâ—â— Eleonor the Emperors sister and if they had a sonne he should haue the Duchy of Bourgongâ—â— That hee should restore whatsoeuer hee possessed in the Duchie of Milan and the Râ—aâ—me of Naples That hee should disanull the Duke of Bourbons proces restore him to his honour and his Children to their inheritance and generally to all others that had beene spoiled by reason of the warres These articles thus coloured were read and published in the great Church of Cambray the 5. day of August But could the King renowâ—ce such pretensions seeing they were inheritances purchased to the infants of France by the succession of Claude their mother daughter to Lewis the 12. Duke of Orleâ—ns of whome depended the sayd succession of Milan This treatie did greatly mooue the confederats for that
erected to a Duchie in the yeare 1329. Lewis Duke of Bourbon and Mary the daughter of Iohn the 18. Earle of Hainault had Peter Duke of Bourbon and Iames Earle of Ponthieu Constable of France Peter had by Isabell the daughter of Charles Earle of Valois Peter Lewis Lewis and Iames. Lewis surnamed the good Duke of Bourbon had by Anne Countesse of Auuergne Lewis Earle of Clermont who died without children Iohn Iames. Iohn Duke of Bourbon had by Bonne Duchesse of Auuergne and Countesse of Montpensur Charles Iohn and Lewis Earle of Montpensier father to Gilbert of whome issued Charles the last Duke of Bourbon Câ—â—â—les Charles Duke of Bourbon had of Agnes the daughter of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne Iohn and Peter Iohn the second of that name married Ioane of France daughter to Charles the 7. and dying without lawfull heyres of his body the name and armes of Duke went to Peter his yonger brother Peter the second of that name Peter Duke of Bourbon had of Anne of France the daughter of Lewis the eleuenth one onely daughter Susanne the generall heire of Bourbon Châ—â—les the last Duke of Bourbon who was wife to the aboue named Charles the youngest sonne of Gilbert who likewise was the youngest sonne of Lewis aboue named Earle of Montpersur and brother to Charles Duke of Bourbon But no children growing from this marriage the branch of the eldest sonne of Lewis created Duke of Bourbon ended in this Charles Duke of Bourbon and Constable of France who died at the seege of Rome and the Duchie of Bourbonoâ—s beeing incorporate to the crowne Iames the yonâ—est son of Lewâ—s duke of Bourbon Iohn we must seeke the line of Iames of Pontieu they also giue him the titles of Earle of Charolois and la Marche Constable of France the yongest sonne of Lewis the first Duke of Bourbon Iames had by Ioue the daughter of the Earle of S. Paul Iohn his successor Earle of la Marche Iohn had of Katherine the onely daughter and heire of Iohn Earle of Vendosme issued from the Dukes of Normandy and Earles of Aniou Iames King of Naples who leauing none but daughters Lewis Earle of Vendosme transported his right of inheritance to Lewis his yongest brother Lewis had no children by Iane of Roussy his first wife the daughter of Ralfe Earle of Montfort and of Anne of Montmorency but of Iane the daughter of Guy Lord of Guare and of Anne heire of Lauall and Vitry in Brittany or of Mary the daughter of Engerard Lord of Coucy and of Isabel his wife the daughter of Edward King of England according to some opinions By his second marriage he had Iohn his successor and Earle of Vendâ—sme Iohn the second of that name Iohn the second had of Iane of Beauieu or of Isabel of Beauuais Frâ—nciâ— daughter to the Lord of Pressigni Francis his successor and Earle chiefe of the Nobility le ts them vnderstand the deceassed Kings will touching 〈◊〉 by a generall or nationall Councell whereof he protests to followe the instruction I giue leaue said he to all such as would leaue me so to doe Yet I am sorry they are no better Frenchmen for their owne good and safety I haue friends enough 〈◊〉 out them to mainteine my authority God hath neuer left mee and will not nowe abandon mee He hath not begun this so miraculous a worke to leaue it vnperfect 〈◊〉 for my sake alone but for his owne names sake and for so many soules affâ—â—cted in this Realme whome I desire and promise by the faith of a King to releeue so 〈◊〉 as God shall giue mee the meanes But how grieuous is this to mee that am your lawfull King and who leaue you in the liberty of your religion to see you go about to force mee to yours by vnlawfull meanes and without former instruction This declaration reteyned them that were least scrupulous in their duties and his promise not to alter any thing in religion might haue shaken many of the League To crosse him the Duke of Mayenne publisheth an Edict of the 5. of August iâ—â—is name and the Councells of the holy vnion established at Paris attending a generall Assembly of the Estates of the Realme to vnite said he all Frenchmen that were good Christians for the defence and preseruation of the Catholike Apostolike Romish Church and the mainteynance of the royall Estaâ—e in the absence of their lawfull King Charles the 10. of that name For whose liberty he inuited them all to armes But he desired no more the liberty of his pretended King then our Henry did to force religâ—on the support whereof serues them for a goodly cloake Some Parlements growe iealous of these sodaine changes in the State and seeme to entertaine the people in doubt and feare of the subuersion of their religion Violent decrees That of Bourdeaux commaunds all men vnder their Iurisdiction by a decree of the 19. of August to obserue inuiolablie the Edict of vnion to the Catholike Apostolike and Romish Church and declarations were thereupon made That of Tholouse is more violent They decree that yeerely the first day of August they should make processions and publike prayers for the benefits they had receiued that day in the miraculous and fearefull death of Henry the third whereby Paris was deliuered and other Townes oâ— the Realme forbidding all persons to acknowledge Henry of Bourbon the pretended King of Nauarre for King declaring him incapable euer to succeede to the Crowne of France by reason said the decree of the notorious and manifest crimes conteyned at large in the bull of excommunicatioÌ„ of Pope Sxtus the 5. Without doubt the authority of the Soueraigne court is much blemished in pronouncing a decree which they must reuoake by a contrary sentence Thus the League kindled anewe the fires which the seege of Paris had somewhat quenched The King raiseth hiâ—â—eâ—ge from Paris the Kings troupes decreased hourely sicknesse diminished their numbers and the Duke of Mayennes increased The King therefore diuides his armye into three one vnder the commaund of the Duke of Longueuille into Picardy the other into Champagne vnder the Marshall d' Aumont and he is aduised to passe himselfe into Normaâ—dy with twelue hundred horse three thousand French foote and two regiments of Suisses as well to receiue succours out off England as to assure some places passages fit for his desseines but with direction to ioyne at neede In his passage he causeth the Kings body to bee conducted and left at Compiegne and reduceth to his obedience His conquests Meulan Gisors and Clermont he receiues from Captaine Roulet both the place and the hearts of the inhabitants of Pont de l' Arche foure leagues from Rouan a passage very commodious for the trafficke betwixt Rouan and Paris He visits Deepe confirmes the towne of Caen forceth Neufâ—hastel to yeeld hauing by Hallot and Guitry his Lieutenants ouercome the
Burgundy fol. 67 The maiâ—iâ—iâ— of K. Charles the sâ—xt Complaints against the Duke of Berry and Bâ—tzac his Treasurer burnt fol. 68 THe tragicall end of Charles King of Nauarre ibid. â—emaâ—keablâ— fâ—r â—is health fâ—â—m tâ—â— yeares 1â—88 vnto 1â—9â— Peter of Craon being disgraced in court is perswaded by the Duke of Britainâ— to murther the Constable whom he assaults but kils not fol. 71 He is condemned for his attempt foâ— 72 Charles being distempered with choller his Vncles and Phisitions dissuade him from the war in Brittaine yet hee marcheth on against the Duke ibid. The duke labors to pacifie the king who parting from Mans a strange accident befell him fol. 73 CHarles fals into a phrensie the court in a pitiful case with a generall censure of this accident fol. 74. The second season remarkable fâ—r his sicknesse from the yere 1393 vnto 1422. The second causes of his phrensie his army dissolued and care taken of his person fol. 75 An order taken for the gouernment of the realm fol. 76 The disposition â—f Philip Duke of Burgondy ibid. FActions and alterations in Court fol. 77 Philip Duke of Burgogne aduanced to the gouernment of the realme by a decree of the Estates The kings Minnions ill intreated ibid. The Constable flyes from Paris and is condemned beeing absent ibid. Charles fals into a relapse by a strange accident fol. 79 Richard king of England marrieth with Isabell of France fol. 80 Is put from his gouernment fol. 81 The French succour the Hungarians and are defeated ibid. Charles his children during his infirmitie fol. 82 Hatred betweene the house of Orleans and Burgundie fol. 83 The Duke of Brittaine and the Constable reconciled ibid. DIscentions between the Dukes of Burgundie and Orleans The beginning of the ciuile warre fol. 85.86.87.88 The duke of Orleans murthered by the Burguignon fol. 89 The sequele of this trecherous murther fol. 90.91.92 The faction of Burgundy and Orleans after some ciuile warre appeased by the Daulphin who dispossesseth the Burguignon and restores them of Orleans from the yeare 1409. to 1413. fol. 93 94.95.96.97.98 Iohn of Burgundy crost by the Daulphin and the house of Orleans stirs vp new troubles from 1412. to 1417. when as the Daulphin died but troubles ceased not The estate of the Court vnder Lewis the Daulphin fol. 100 The Daulphin takes vpon him the name of Regent fol. 101 The Duke of Burgundie disgraced and banished not admitted into Paris proclaimed guiltie of high treason the King marcheth against him and he sues for peace fol. 102.103 Henry the 5. King of England enters France with an army demands Katherine the Kings daughter and marcheth into Picardie fol. 103 The King of England forced to fight and gets the victorie at the battell at Agencourt fol. 104 The Emperour Sigismund comes into France fol. 105. The Daulphin Iohn fauours the Burguignon and his death ibid. Iohn of Burgundy ioines with Isabell the Queene who takes vpon her the regencie and makes warre against her sonne Charles the Daulphin seizeth vpon Paris kils the Constable of Armagnac Henry of Marle Chancelor of France but is slaine in the end by the Daulphin from the yeare 1415. to 1419. fol. 106 A strange confusion the Mother against the Son fol. 106. The Burguignon armes and drawes in the English fol. 107 The Daulphin encountred by three great enemies The Burguignon the English and his mother ibid. The King dislikes of the Queen and the Burguignon ioynes with her fol. 109 The Queene declares her selfe Regent of France erects new courts and officers fol. 110 Paris surprised the King taken and the Daulphin saues himselfe fol. 111 The Daulphin seekes to recouer Paris fol. 112 A horrible massacre at Paris with the number murthered and a plague ensues it fol. 113 Roan besieged and taken and all Normandie yeelds vnto the English fol. 114 The Burguignon and the Queene seeke to reconcile themselues to the Daulphin fol. 115 The Duke of Brittaine leaues the English and ioynes with the Daulphin fol. 116 The Parisians mutinie and kill the Burguignons seruants fol. 117 A peace betweene the Daulphin and Iohn of Burgundie ibid. The Daulphins proceedings reasons and resolution to kill the Duke of Burgundy fol. 118.119 The Daulphin causeth the Duke of Burgundy to be slaine fol. 120 Blood punished with blood with the Catastrophe of this miserable raigne fol. 121 During these occurrents Henry the 5. Charles the 6. dies leauing the Crowne in question betweene Charles the 7. and Henry the 6. proclaimed King of France at the funerals of Charles the 6. from the yeare 1419. to 1422. fol. 122. The exploits of the Daulphin and of Philip of Burgogne after this murther fol. 122 Queene Isabell hates her sonne deadly ibid. Henry the 5. proclaimed heire of France with his proceeding in his new royaltie fol. 123 The English defeated and the Duke of Clarence slaine fol. 124 The great exploits of Henry the 5. ibid. His sicknesse and death fol. 125 Charles the 6. dies ibid. Henry the 6. proclaimed King ibid. Charles the 7. the 54. King of France NOtable particularities of this raigne fol. 127 Charles his raigne his children manners and disposition fol. 128 The miserable estate of this Realme vnto the Coronation of Charles the 7. during 7. yeares  England Burgundy Sauoy Brittany enemies vnto Charles fol. 129 Charles aduanceth Scottishmen and makes a gard of them for his person ibid. The Dukes of Bedford and Burgogne conclude a great league against Charles fol. 130 Warre against Charles in diuers places defeated by the English and Meulan taken fol. 131 The cause of the diuision betweene the Dukes of Bedford and Burgundy fâ—l 132. The notable battell of Creuant where the French and Scottish were ouerthrowne by the Duke of Bedford â—â—l 133. 〈◊〉 11. the eldest Son of Charlâ—â— borne 〈◊〉 134 New supplies â—ome out off Scotlâ—d the French growing weary of the Englâ—sh coÌ„plot agâ—iâ—st thâ—m 〈◊〉 135 The Duke oâ— Bedford sends a challenge to the Fâ—ench Army who are in diuisâ—on 〈◊〉 136. The French defeated at the battell of Veâ—nuill f l. 137. The number taken prisonâ—â—s and slaine fol. 138. Câ—arlâ—â— hiâ— miseraâ—le â—state discâ—ntentes fol. 139. Bedforâ— and Richmont brothers in law at variance f l. 140. Câ—arlâ—â— sends an ambassage to Philip of Burgundy 〈◊〉 141 The Duke of Bâ—ittaiâ—e comes to Charles and 〈…〉 English â—ol 142 Thâ—â—â—â—ttons dâ—fâ—â—ted by their error fâ—l 14â— The Kingâ— mâ—gnoâ—s slâ—â—ne by his Councâ—l 144. 〈◊〉 Duke of â—urgondy made heyre of 〈◊〉  Hamault Hollâ—nd â—nd Zelâ—nd 〈◊〉 145. The Duke of â—edford brings newe forces out of England 〈◊〉 Montargis beseeged by the English releeued by the French and the English defeated fâ—l 146 Pontarson taken by the English fâ—l 147. The famous sâ—â—ge of Orlâ—ans from 〈◊〉 148. 〈◊〉 156. THE Coronation of Châ—rlâ—s the 7. at Rheims 156. The desseigne of the â—urguignon and Sauoyard against Daulphine and Languedoc fol. 1â—7 All Champagne yeelds to
Reason and respect of the common good fights for Robert The same reason ioyned with the royall authoritie armes for Charles against these new desseigne But God who guides the least moment of our life watcheth mightily for the preseruation of mâ—ankind and disposeth of Kingdomes by his wisedome had limited this bold attempt reseruing the change to another season and yet for the same â—ace of Robert Euen so the death of him that had crowned Robert was a foretelling of his owne The armies lodge in the heart of France neere vnto the great Cittie of Paris the seazing whereof was a maine point of State but see what happens he that thought to vanquish is vanquished As the armies approch neere to Soissons striuing in the vew of Paris who should doe best they ioyne The combat is very cruell but Robert fighting in the front is slaine Robert defeated and slaine by Chaâ—leâ— leauing for that time the victorie to Charles the simple and a â—onne in his house shall reuiue his desseine in his posteritie that is Hugues 〈…〉 to Hugh Capet â—he death of Robert did not daunt his armie but it continued firme vnder the commaund of Hebert Earle of Vermandois son in law to Robert And Charles did so ill manage hiâ— victorie as it became a trappe for his owne ruine for seeing these forces to stand fiâ—me hee seekes a treatie of peace with an vnseasonable feare Hebert imbraceth this occasion beseecheth Charles to come to Saint Quentins to confer togither Charles simple indeed comes thither without hostages Câ—aâ—les taken prisoner by 〈◊〉 Hebert hauing him in his power takes him priâ—oner And hauing declared vnto him the will of the French to haue the Realme gouerned by a more sufficient man then himselfe hee resolues to assemble the pâ—iâ—cipall of the Realme to that end conueies him to Chastean-Thierry and from thence to Soissons where hee had assembled the cheefe of the Realme chosen after his owne humor where hee makes him to resigne the Crowne to Raoul his godsonne the first Prince of the bloud by his mother Hermingrade daughterto Lewis and wife of Boson King of Bourgongne So this poore Prince is led from prison to prison for the space of fiue yeares yet 〈…〉 in his raigne and after hee had renounced his right hee payed nature his due Câ—aâ—les diâ—s oppâ—essed with greefe and dying of a languishing melancholie to see himselfe so ignominiously intreated by that audacious affront done by the treacherie of his owne vassall Qâ—eene Ogina flies to England wâ—â—h her sonne Lewiâ— He had to wife Ogina the daughter of Edward King of England a wise and a couragious Princesse by her he had a son named Lewis This poore Princesse seeing her husband prisoner and foreseeing the end of this Tragedie 908 by the strange beginning takes her sonne Lewis and flies speedily into England to her brother Aldesâ—on who then raigned yeelding to the time and the violent force of her enemies Thus Raoul was seated in the place of Charles the simple a Prince of apparent vertue and so they account him RAOVL the 32. King but in effect an vsurper of the Realme RAOVLE KING OF FRANCE XXXII HE was proclaimed and crowned King of France at Sâ—issons 923. in the yeare 923. and raigned about 13. yeares Raoul an vsurper his raigne was vnfortunate during Charles his imprisonment and after his death This raigne was painfull and vnfortunate Normandie Guienne Lorraine and Italy were the cause of mâ—ch fruitlesse labour Hee sought to suppresse the Normans and to repaire the errors of Charles the Grosse and Charles the Simple who were blamed to haue suâ—â—ered them to take footing in that country to the preiudice of the Crowne but he preuailed not nor yet in Lorraine nor in Guienne whether he made voyages with much brute and small fruite From thence hee turned his forces towards Italy where the State was much troubled by the decease of Boson and boldnesse of the Commanders who held the strongest places playing the Kings in refusing to acknowledge the Empire but in name and in effect they commanded as Soueraignes imagining their gouernments to be hereditary for their children Hee performed some things worthy of commendation in suppressing Berenger Duke of Friul 925. who hauing freed himselfe from the Empire had vanquished Lewis the sonne of Boson who inioyed Italie as we haue sayd as husband to the daughter of Lewis one of the sonnes of Lewis the gentle Raoul made a quiet end with Hugues Earle of Arles who had gotten possession of that goodly Cittie as gouernour seated in a fertile Countrie and very conuenient he suffered him quietly to inioy the Cittie and territories about it holding it of the Crowne of France Thus passed the raigne of Raoul without any great profit after so much toyle and trouble vnder a colour to do better then the lawfull heire wrongfully dispossessed by him Leauing no memorie but his ambition and iniustice in a deluge of troubles and confusions wherein the Realme was plonged after his departure to the great discontent of all the French He died after all these broyles in the yeare 936. at Compiegne An age wonderfully disordred Necessarie obseruations for great estates wherein we may profitably obserue by what accidents and meanes great estates are ruined Ciuill warres bred the first Simptomes As order is the health of an estate so is disorder the ruine The seruant hauing tasted the sweetnes of commaund imagins himselfe to be master being loath to leaue the authoritie he had in hand holding it as his owne by testament In this resolution there is nothing holy all is violated for rule all respect is layd aside euery one playes the King within himselfe for one King there are many where there are many masters there are none at all The which we must well obserue to vnfold many difficulties in the History of this confused age wherein we read of many Kings Dukes and Earles although these titles were but temporarie hauing no other title but the sword and the confusion of times Confusions of thosâ— times Thus was France altered after the death of Charles the simple by the practises of Roberts League There was no gouernour of any Prouince throughout the realme which hold not proper to himselfe and his heires those which were giuen vnto them but as offices From hence sprang so many Dukedomes Earledomes Baronies and Seigneuries In France the which for the most part are returned to their first beginnings Italie giuen to an Infant of France was possessed by diuers Princes In Italâ—e and Germanie Germanie withdrawne from the Crowne was banded into diuers factions so as the Empire of the West confirmed in the person of Charlemagne continued scarse a hundred yeares in his race for Lewis the fourth the sonne of Arnoul of whome we haue spoken was the last Emperour of this bloud In his place the Germains elected Conrade Duke of East Franconia the yeare
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
no other respect but for the reuerence of Religion and the zeale of publick peace This famous acte happened at Venice in the yeare 1171. in the presence of the Ambassador of the Kings and Princes of the greatest States of Europe that were Mediators of this Accord From Venice Frederick went into the East with a goodly Armie according to his promise And the dissention was well pacified by his humilitie but not altogether suppressed in Italy for it reuiued afterwards as wee shall see in the continuance of this Historie Thus the Christians liued whilest their enemies preuailed dayly in Asia to the great and shamefull losse of all Christendome Such was the estate of the Church and Empire vnder the raigne of Lewis the 7. 1179. Lewis caused his sonne Philip to bee sollemnly Crowned at Rheims at the age of foureteene yeares in the yeare of Grace 1179. Hee betrothed him to Isabel the Daughter of Baldwin Earle of Hainault and hauing thus disposed of his affaires hee dyed the yeare following 1180. An vnwise Prince and vnhappy with all his pollicies Lewis dyes leauing a Leuin of great miseries to his posteritie Doubtlesse the greatest pollicie is to bee an honest man This assured peace caused the Vniuersitie of Paris to flourish as farre as those obscure times would permit Gratian Peter Lombard and Comesior Complaints against the abuses of the Church learned men liued in that age The inexcusable confusion which raigned in the Church was a iust subiect of complaint to the good as appeares by the writings of Peter of Blois Ihon de Saraburck Bishop of Chartres and Bernard Abbot of Cisteaâ—x great and worthy men Their Bookes liue after their deaths wherein the wise Reader may see an ample and free Commentary of this Text the which the Historiâ— suffers me not to dilate of PHILIP the 2. called Augustus or Gods Gift the 42. King of France PHILIPPE .2 KING OF FRANCE XXXXII. THe title of Augustus giuen to Philip is worthy of his person and raigne who not onely preserued the French Monarchie An excellent King and an excellent raigne amidst so many sorts of enemies and difficulties but enlarged it with many Prouinces diuided to diuers proprietaries by Hugh Capet and vnited them to the Crowne for this cause hee was also called Conquerour His dispositioÌ„ The beginning of his raigne was a presage of happinesse for there appeared in his face a great shew of a good disposition inclined to pietie iustice and modestie being strong quick vigilant valiant and actiue Hee did consecrate the first fruites of his raigne to purge the corruptions which raigned among the people Blasphemies Playes Dicing houses publicke dissolutions in infamous places Tauernes and Tippling houses Hee made goodly lawes which our age reads and scornes doing the contrary with all impuniâ—ie but whilest he raigned they were duly obserued The Iewes were mightily dispersed throughout the Realme who besides their obstinate supeâ—stition vsed excessiue Vsurie and were supported for some great benefit by the Pope and oâ—her Princes and States where as they haue liberty at this day to liue after their owne manner Philip expelled them The Iewes banished out of France although they obtained a returne for money yet in the end they were banished out of all the territories of the French obedience and so continue vnto this day This was a small apprentiship and an entrance of much more happy paine the which hee should vndergoe both within and without the Realme in great and troublesome affaires as a famous subiect worthy of his valour England Flanders and Asia prouided varietie and change of worke to imploy his raigne the which continued fortie foure yeares but the change of his intricate marriages troubled him more then all his affaires 1190. as the progresse of our discourse will shew In the beginning there was emulation who should be neerest to gouerne him Philip Earle of Flanders and the Duke of Guienne were competitors The one as Vnckle to the young Queene Isabell his wife Competitors for the gouerment of the state and named by his Father Lewis The other as his neerest Kinsman and both the one and the other had great meanes to preuaile but Richard was the stronger as well by the Kings fauour as by the forces of England of whence he was an Inâ—ant and well beloued of Henry his brother who then raigned Behold the King is imbarked against the Earle of Flanders by the aduise of his Councell The subiect of their quarrell was for Vermandois which the Earle enioyed the King demanded it being no longer his by the decease of Alix dead without children and therefore must returne to the Crowne From wordes they go to armes Their troupes being in field and ready to fight a peace was made with this condition That Count Philip should enioy Vermandois Troubles in Flanders for the Earldome of Vermandois during his life and after his decease it should returne to the Crowne But this peace continued not long among these Princes The King could not loue his Wife Isabel It seemes this was the cheefe cause of the dislike the King had against the Earle of Flanders her Vncle. In the end hee put her away in the yeare 1188. from which time Philip loued Richard Duke of Guienne But this good agreement continued not long by reason of another coÌ„trouersie betwixt him and the English Marguâ—rite the Daughter of Lewis the 7. sister to Philip marryed to Henry of England as wee haue said dyed then without Children Philip doth presently redemand his Sisterâ— dowâ—ie Henâ—y sonne to Hâ—nâ—y the 1. King of England dyes before the father which was the Countrie of Vexin The King of England is loth to leaue the possession so as they fall to Armes and the mischiefe increased by this occasion Henry first sonne to old Henry dyed Richard Duke of Guienne his brother who might haue compounded this quarrell being called to the Crowne embraceth the action with all eagernesse And to crosse Philip by an important diuersion like to olde Henry auoides the blowe in Normandie and enters Languedoc by Guienne into the Countie of Tholâ—usa renuing the old quarrel he had against Count Raimond Philip being assailed in two places is nothing amased Hauing leuied an Armie with all celeritie Warre with England hee enters the English pale Where he sodenly takes Chasteaucaux Busaâ—cais Argenton Leuroux Montrichard Montsorâ—au Vandosme with other Townes and passing on hee batters and takes Mans and hauing waded through the Riuer of Loire he presents himselfe before Tours which yeelds at the terror of his forces Philip of Frâ—nce and Ricâ—ard of England make â— peace Old Henry amazed at the sodaine valour of this yong Prince faints and oppressed with grieâ—e dyes at Chinon in the yeare 1190. leauing his Realme to his Sonne Richard but noâ— his Malâ—ce For presently after his Coronation hee concludes a peace wiâ—h â—hilip vpon a cause very honourable to them both The
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
Daughters whose names are buried in the confusion of times troubled by the pâ—etences of Males and Females and his wife with Child as wee haue sayd A wombe which shall breed many long and perilous controuersies Charles dyed in the yeare 1328. leauing the Crowne to the second royall branche of Capets wherevnto the order of the fundamentall law did lawfully call them THE SECOND PARCELL OF THE THIRD RACE OF CAPETS CONTAINING THIRTEENE KINGS in the second royall branche called of Valois from Philip of Valois to Henry the third THE NAMES OF THIRTEENE Kings of the second royall branch of Capets called of Valois Philip of Valois Iohn Charles the 5. Charles the 6. Charles the 7. Lewes the 11. Charles the 8. Lewis the 12. Francis the first Henry the 2. Francis the 2. Charles the 9. Henry the 3. the last of this royall branche From the yeare a thousand three hundred twentie eight vnto the yeare a thousand fiue hundred eightie eight PHILIP of VALOIS the 50. King of France PHILLIP KING OF FRANCE L. THe doubtfulnesse of the issue which was expected from the royall wombe of Iane 1328. widow to Charles the faire held the beginning of this raigne in great suspence and perplexitie Controuersie for the realme betwixt Edward the 3. King of England Pâ—iâ—iâ— of Valois euen for the regencie it selfe for Edward the 3. King of England the sonne of Edward the 2. and of Isabell of France the daughter of Philip the faire and sister to the three Kings last deceased pretended it as his right and in case the child died whatsoeuer it were the realme also by the title of royall consanguinitie according to the lawes of England 〈◊〉 Philip of Valois the first Prince of the bloud of France maintained that 〈…〉 of the male if any were borne as the realme if it were a daughter oâ— the sonne died belonged directly vnto him without all controuersie holding the first 〈…〉 among the Princes of the bloud after the decease of the three brethren who had bin 〈…〉 aâ—ter another For Philip the hardie had left two sonnes Philip the faire and 〈◊〉 Earle of Valâ—iâ—â— of whom it is said That he was the sonne of a King brother to a King 〈…〉 father to a King and yet no King 〈◊〉 Philip and Charles had succeeded to the Crowne one after another so as after 〈…〉 the right came to Charles and his children according to the fundamentall law oâ— State To decide this controuersie the generall Estates were called at Paris Philip of Valoâ—â— preferâ—ed to the â—â—owne with great solemâ—iâ—â—e where they decree That Philip of Valois should be Regent of the realme if Queene 〈◊〉 had a sonne and King if it were a daughter 〈◊〉 was delâ—uered of a daughter the first of Aprill at Bois de Vincennes the which was caâ—â—ed Blanche This quaâ—rell thus decided Philip installed King Philip of Valois was saluted and proclaimed King of France and within few daies after was annointed and crowned at Rheims accordiâ—â— to the vsuall custome And â—hen being well accompanied with his Princes Peeres Officers and an infinite number of his nobility he made his entry into his chiefe Citty of Paris with an incredible ioy and pompe this was in the yeare .1328 Being thus in possession of the Realme he studied to settle his estate much disordered by the ill gouernement of the forepassed Kings 〈◊〉 settles his 〈…〉 France and likewise to satisfie the daughter of Lewis Hutin in regard of the Counties of Brye and Champâ—gne lying too neere to his good Citty of Paris to be diuided from the crowne So he treated with her and held them by his prerogatiue giuing vnto her as much in exchange as the said Earledomes were worth lying farther off in the counties of la March Rouergue and Languedoc But Flanders troubled him much more the Earle and his subiects were greatly incensed one against an other by reason of some exactions of money made by the Earle for the payment of his old debtes due by the accord so as they made warre against their Earle and tooke him prisoner Beeing the stronger they controlled their Lord but soone after they payde for their folly for the Earle being deliuered had recourse vnto Philip as to their soueraigne Philip takes the Earles cause in hand He suppresseth the Flemings rayseth a great armie against the Flemings takes sacks and burnes Cassel where they had made the body of their army after the defeate of two and twenty thousand Flemings in a pitched field Hauing subdued this mutinous people hee aduised the Earle to vse that aduantage modestly to win theÌ„ by mildenes not to thrust them into errors by despight or dispaire the which are sooner preuented then repayred in popular tumults Beeing returned from this voyage Philip found newe worke at Paris The Courts of Parlement and all the Soueraigne Iudges assembled from all the Prouinces made a general complaint against the Clergy of France A notable sute of the Patlements against the cleargie they accuse them ofsundry abuses namely that against the due of their charges they intermedled with the politike iurisdiction The sute was vehement famous for the greatnes of the parties The King to reconcile this quarrel calles a general assembly of his whole realme at Paris The cause was pleaded before him with great liberty by Peter of Cugnere this is he who by derision they called M. Peter Cugnet whoÌ„ at this day they finde in the great Temple at Paris noted with a little Monkeys head placed betwixt two pillers to put out the candles being odious by reason of his pleading and as coldly defended by Peter Bertrand both famous Aduocates in those times The issue was doubtfull but Philip foreseeing the euent of so important a busines after that he had seriously exhorted the Prelates to reforme themselues in reforming the abuse to auoide these popular complaints he referred the matter to a further hearing But he had other worke in hand Edward the 3. King of England for that he was not receiued King of France practised great and new desseines against him studying onely vpon reuenge He had purposely refused to assist at his coronation makes no shew of any intent to do homage for Guienne whereunto Philip did cal him Edward hauing no colour to refuse so apparent a duty came to 〈◊〉 with so great and extraordinary a traine as it seemed plainly not to be done to honour the king but rather to strike some feare or admiration into the French of his great forces To check this bold brauâ—do Philip shewed himself a King at his first enteruew with Edward who euen then champt vppon the bit and smothered his choler Edward appeares at the place and time prefixt royallie attired with a long roabe of crimson veluet pouldred with Leopardes of gold a crowne vpon his head a sword by his side and golden spurres on his heeles He presents himselfe standing before Philip
He demands them to this end aâ—cording to the conuentions This charge being deliuered in the Towne house where thâ—se miserable Bourgeses were assembled by his permission to giue their Countâ—y their last farewell they gaze one on an other terrified with so pittilesse a condition As they al stood mute in this common calamity one of the troupe breaking this mournfull silence Sâ—eâ—â—g â—aith he I haue so often imployed my life for my Countriâ—s good should I nowe feare to 〈◊〉 it for my last oblation A notable farewell of the Calisâ—â—s O my Countrimen I doe cheerfully offer my head to the King of Englands 〈◊〉 and will liue no longer in my Countries myserie This hee spake without teares and with so resolute a countenance and a browe so manly big as hee mooued the whole company so as all with one generall voice 〈◊〉 Let vs go to the death it is the last duty we can performe to our poore Countrie Immediatly there was pressing among this great multitude who should be of the six to carry their heads to Edwards triâ—mphe They were chosen out drawen bound and led to execution The Queene hauing notice thereof desired to see them who were brought bound in the executioners hands The Queene 〈…〉 This spectacle mooued her to weepe and compassion caused her to beg a pardon of the King beseeching him to giue life to these men worthy to liue after so constant a loyaltie She obtayne her request and leaue for them to remayne still in Calais esteemed to continue faithfull to their deliuereâ— who had shewed themselues so constant in the faithfull loue of their lost countrie The history did owe this digression to so commendable an act The same Some brought Edward a wisshed successe in Brittaine Troubleâ— in Bâ—iâ—â—ain touching the quarrell for the Duchie Philip had taken Iohn of Montfort and Edward in exchange tooke Charles of Blois whome he led into England and still weakeneth Philips authoritie in Britain and settles his owne Thus passe the affaires of this world euery one hath his turne Vertuous Princeâ—â—es in their husbands miseries The two Duchesses of Britain Ioane the wife of Iohn of Montfort and Ioane the wife of Charles of Blois did wonders in keeping those places they had in their possessâ—ons during the imprisonments of their husbands without entring farther into the discourse of the female wars of these Amazons worthy yet of eternall memory hauing so couragiously releeued the afflictions of their imprisoned husbands and neuer yeelded to necessity Newe troubles in Flanders Flanders likewise grewe mutinous by Edwards practises being then greatly respected for the successe of his victorious armes The Flemings receiued their Earle Lewis of Malle without any opposition beeing sonne to that Lewis which was slaine at Cressy but the Kings of France and Eâ—gland contended who should winne him Lewis was in heart a Frenchmâ—n The Citties were generally affected to England The marriage of this young Prince was great Edward desired him for his daughter but especially the oportunitie of this rich County for his affaires He comes himselfe to Gand to compasse his desire but the euent was not answerable The Earle of 〈…〉 into France for although the Earle made shewe to imbrace this alliance at the great instance of his subiects yet his heart was otherwise affected who vnder colour to go flie at the Heron goes out of Gand with a smal traine flies to Paris to Philip who hauing receiued him gratiously perswades him to espouse Marguerit the second Daughter of the Duke of Brabant thereby to cut off all hope of marying with England Thus the hatred of these two Princes continued which in the ende must breake forth into hostâ—le effects Pacardy was the stage of their lamentable tragedies from thence the miserie was dispersed ouer the whole Realme 1348. Philip giues the gouernement to Geoffry Earle of Charny the Lieutenancy to Anthony of Montmorency They fortifie the Towns and bridle Calais beeing assisted by a great number of voluntary Nobility louing the coÌ„mand of these two great captaines as a schoole of military discipline to shewe that the French did not faint in their afflictions These losses were then repaired by the gaine of the country of Daulphiné one of the noblest and goodliest Prouinces of this Realme And this was the occasion Imbert or Vmbert Daulphin of Viennois hauing lost his eldest sonne in the battell of Cressy as I haue said and his yongest being two or three yeares old by a strange accident they say that he himselfe let him fall out of his armes as he plaide with him at a window thinking to feare him moreouer hauing Amé the 6. Earle of Sauoy an irreconciliable spightfull enemy beeing too weake to resist him nor able to make choise of a kinsman to repaire his estate being wearie of the world and decayed in iudgement he resolues to cast himselfe into the King of France his protection to oppose him against his enemy and to put this goodly inheritance into his hands thereby to preuent the Earles greedy desire Forthwith hauing aduertised Philip of his intention and being graciously intertayned by him he giues all the Countrie of Daulphiné to him and his successors Kings of Francâ— vpon condition that the first son of the house of France should carry the name of Daulphin of Viennois the armes of the country of Daulphiné should be quartered with the armes of France that the Nobility whole country shold be receiued with their priuileges Amé Earle of Sauoy otherwise a deare friend to Philip sends his Embassadors to make his benefit of this exchange but it was not for him all that he could obtaine was to exchange some land with that which laie intermixt within his territories adioyning Daulphin incorporate to the crowne the better to liue in quiet afterwards Daulphiné was thus incorporated to the Crowne of France For we cannot with any reason doubt but in old time it was a meÌ„ber of this our Monarchy as likewise Sauoy was but in these diuersities of portions vnder the children of Lewis the gentle as we haue noted before the Realme and Empire swallowing vp both the effect the name of the Realme of Arles in the which these Estates were comprehended haue maintayned themselues by a remarkable distinction and so vnder the authority of the Empire they haue since held their soueraignty not acknowledging any Emperour but their Princes Daulphiné is returned to his first originall and Sauoy maintaines it selfe vnder the obedience of his soueraigne Prince vnto this day As for the name of Daulphin giuen to the first sonne of France the execution of Prince Imberts will was not put in practise before Charles the fift sonne to Iohn then Duke of Normandy in the life of his father Philip and not giuen to Iohn in the yeare 1348. The towne of Montpâ—llier purchased to the crowne The yeare following the Citty of Montpellier one of
the 19. of May 1364. hauing before his coronation prouided honorablie for his fathers funeralles He raigned sixteene yeares being called and knowne by the name of Wise. In his youth he did taste the bitter rootes and in his age the sweet fruites of vertue His manners beloued honoured feared and respected both of his owne subiects and of strangers A deuout Prince wise temperate chast vigilant louing Iustice order and the people indued with as great authoritie as any Prince that euer raigned ouer this Monarchie accompanied with other vertues fit for those tâ—mes to preserue a state the which had more need of councell then of force too venturously hazarded by his grand father and father He was well assisted by the Princes of his bloud and the officers of the crowne very wished worthy aduantages for a King who being the head of an estate ought to be well serued by the principall members to guide and gouerne the whole body We haue said that he had three brethren Lewis Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry Philip Earle of Tourraine to whom according to his fathers testament he resigned the Duchie of Bourgongne with a mariage of great aduancement He gaue to Lewis the Duchie of Orleans Charles augments his bretherens portions and to Iohn he gaue Auuergne Poitou and Xaintonge besides Berry for his portion and Languedoc for his gouernment He was likewise well serued for Militarie causes by Bertrand of Gueselin a Britton an excellent Captaine whom he honoured with the dignitie of Constable in the place of Maurel de Fiennes hauing deposed him for sundrie crimes and for affaires of state he had Iohn Dormans Bishop of Beauuais and Chancellor of France in the end Cardinall whom his brother succeeded in the same charge With these helpes of councell and force he soone restored the realme being dismembred by the strange confusions of the forepassed raignes In his youth during these former broâ—es he was poisoned by the practises of the Nauarrois of whom we haue so often spoken This was preuented by counterpoysons yet left it a great infirmitie in his bodie the which forced him to a quiet life more profitable both for himselfe and his whole Realme then if he had beene a man of action 1364. for he dispatched affaires in his Closset without danger and incountred his enemies with a happie successe In the beginning of his raigne Charles his marriage and his children he married with Ioane the daughter of Charles Duke of Bourbon a Princesse of excellent beautie the which he preferred before the great wealth of the heire of Flanders and the benefit of his owne realme he had three sonnes and one daughter In the former raigne there was nothing but warre desolation teares cryes lamentations despaire and generally the mournfull image of death After these long and insupportable calamities the wisdom of Charles reducing things to their first beginning by his happy dexteritie gaue France a new forme like vnto a man who hauing a long dangerous sicknesse recouers himselfe by carefull keeping But there remained an infinit number of men accustomed to liue dissolutely through the licentiousnesse of the warre the which if he had sought to reforme by any good order it had bred some tumult in the State according to the violent and head-strong or restlesse humour of the French who must be doing at home if they be not imployed abroad The Eâ—glish prouided worke for these warriers in Brittaine in Flanders in the heart of France and in Castille but the wisdome of Charles preuented all I will note what happened rather according to the subiect then the order of times for that the matters are so confused as I cannot represent the dates distinctly without repetition and tediousnesse Brittaine was the first list to trie our men of warre there might they make warre without breach of tâ—uce and the quarrell betwixt Charles of Blois and Iohn of Montfort continued more violent then before for that Iohn of Montfort had married the daughter of the King of England and Lewis Duke of Aniou the daughter of Charles of Blois who imbraced and inkindled their pâ—iuate quarrels by these new occasions Bertrand of Gueselin a Gentleman of Brittanie of whom we haue before made mention had done the King good seruice during the warre with the Nauarrois Warre in Brittaine Charles relying vpon his fidelitie and valour giues him the charge of the warre to assist Charles of Blois being old and broken who was pressed by the enemie being supported with forces from England Gueselin being arriued the Nobilitie of Brittanie which were of Charles his faction repaire vnto him to the number of 1500. lances The Historie names the houses Rohâ—n Lâ—ual Leon Dinan Rieux Chasâ—eau-Briand Tourne-mire Raiz Malestroit Quintin Auaâ—gour Loheâ—c Ancenis Pont and many others This notable occasion was ministred to imploy these forces seeing that Ioane the heire the Dutchesse of Brittanie would not end this controuersie by composition as her husband Charles of Blois desired Iohn of Montfort beâ—ieged the Castell of Aulroy well defended by the contrary faction Iohn Chandos an Englishman a wise and well experienced Captaine commanded the English troupes He had an aduersarie in front no lesse valiant then himselfe Gueselin who â—ought for his countrie and the despaire of Charles of Blois much grieued with the t0ediousnesse of so painfull a processe The French English fight in Brittanie was a new spurre to animate him to fight They ioyne with their troupes the encounter is furious well charged well defended The two commanders made great proofe of their valours Gueselin Clisson are noted to haue omitted nothing of their duties but God who holds victories in his hand gaue it to Iohn of Montfort and the English armie The ouerthrow was great The French army defeated for Charles of Blois the head of the armie with Iohn his bastard brother the Lords of Dinan Auaugour Loheac Malestroit Pont Quergourlay and many others were slaine the Lords of Rohan Leon Raiz Mauny Tonerre Rouille Frainuille Reneuall and Rochfort were taken prisoners and so were Iohn and Guy the sonnes of Charles of Blois with Bertrand of Gueselin the which did greatly preiudice our Kings reputation The place of battaile the ensignes and the dead bodies remained in the power of Iohn of Montfort who sent the body of Charles of Blois with an honorable conuoy to his widow The Castel of Aulroy the cause of this battaile yeeld to the conquerour This hapned the 29. day of September .1364 This great defeat tâ—oubled Charles as a thing beyond his expectation Iohn of Montfort sends his ambassadors beseeching him as his Soueraigne to receiue homage of him and his 〈◊〉 the Duchie of Brittanie wonne by rightfull armes by the defeat of his enemie as God adiudging vnto him this right and possession 1365. Charles imbraceth this occasion he assignes him a day for the performance thereof and to do right and iustice to both
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
who was yet liuing The Inhabitants of Gand a mutinous people by nature who neuer want matter to mutine Troubles in Flanders pacified by Pâ—ilip had then a great discontent both against their Earle in generall by reason of some new impositions and against them of Bruges in particular iealous to see them in so great fauour with their Prince by reason of a Chanell which they had drawne from the riuer of Lis for the commodity of their country which Riuer crossing the riuer of Gand the Gantois supposed it was all theirs in proper so as none might vse it without their liking This iealousie grew so great that this great citty as big with their wayward and contenâ—ious humors as it was populous and rich being thus moued resolues to make shewe thereof and in this fury they make a League and choose a head bearing a marke or token of their faction and from words they go to blowes One called Leon a bold practiser of popular seditions was found fit to be the Ringleader of this tumult their marke was a white cap for all the troupe These Gaâ—tois gather together they hinder the worke of this chanell and the gathering of the custome beeing the cause of this quarrell they kill Collecters and receiuers and in the ende the gouernour of the cittie called Roger who being there for the Earle laboured to teach them their duties Their fury exceeded so farre as they spoyle the Earles Pallace fire it and in their rage pull it downe to the ground They run in great troupes to other townes to draw them to their league They beseege 〈◊〉 held by the Earles men crying in al places Liberty as hauing a meaning to change their Lord and then to seize vpon Flanders This cruell disorder amazed the Earle when as behold Philip Duke of Bourgogne his sonne in law flies vnto him to quench this fire and as men admire rather the Sunne rysing then sitting and that the name of the house of France and the greatnesse of his goodly portion gaue him great authority so it chanced that he pacified this rebellion to the content both of the Earle and cittyes taking a happy possession of this great inheritance by a famous and profitable occasion But Flanders alone was not subiect to these madde mutinies for those of Montpellier newly reduced to the obedience of our King Sedition at Montpelâ—ier grew into so great a fury as they slew Iames Pontel a Knight of the order and Chancellor to Iohn Duke of Berry Gouernour of the Country Guy of Scery Senâ—shal of Rouergue Arnauld of Montelaur Gouernour of the said citty and other officers of the Kings and Dukes to the number of fower score and cast their bodies into a well As the outrage was odious so the punishment was memorable The Duke of Berry comes with forces assisted by the whole Prouince detesting so â—oule an insolency so as the Inhabitants calling to minde their audacious phrensie resolue to submit themselues to punishment and not to stand desperately against force The Consuls of the Cittie hauing halters about their necks and torne cloaths The Duke of Berry comes to Montpellier to punish the seditions the keys of the citty in one hand and a red cap the marke of their office in the other met with the Duke their gouernour being followed by the Clergy carrying a crosse all crying for mercy and weeping with a lamentable noyse In this mournefull sort the Duke enters the citty gates being without any gard he finds the streets full of poore and desolate people vpon their knees men and women olde and yong crying for mercy and redoubling their pittiful cries as witnesses of their repentance Then the Duke commands they should presently bring all their armes into one place nere vnto his lodging placing a gard at the gates and vppon the walles The next day he caused a scaffold to be made in the market place where hauing sharply rebuked the people for their rebellion he pronounced a sentence in the Kings name whereby he declares That all their priuileges were taken from them their Consulship Towne house The sentence pronounced against them of Montpellier common Arches vniuersity their Bells Saltpannes and all Iurisdictions of the cittye eyther of soueraigne courts or of the commonalty six hundred Inhabitants to be chosen at aduenture condemned to die that is two hundred to loose their heads two hundred to be hanged two hundred burnt their children declared infamous and slaues for euer their goods confiscate The commonalty should pay six score thousand franks of gold and the charges of the Dukes voyage and his armies The Consuls with certaine Councellers that were named should drawe the bodies of such as had beene massacred out of the well and bury them A Chappell should be built for their obsequies With the same Bell which did sound the alarum The gates and citty walles should be beaten downe and their armes burnt publikely This was their doome but it was moderated at the intercession of Pope Clement The sentence moderated then resident in Auignon by the meanes of Cardinall de la Lune The same was qualified the priuileges restored the gates and walles preserued but the Aurhors of this sedition were put to death that the rest of the Inhabitants might liue in safety A notable president for subiects to suppresse their fury euen when they thinke to haue a iust cause of complaint feeling themselues surcharged or otherwise grieued considering the errours are sooner committed then repaired And for commanders that it is a dangerous resolution to let loose the raines to a mad multitude which augments the mischiefe supposing to cure it Queene Ioane wife to our wise Charles daughter to Peter of Bourbon dies about this time Queene Ioane dies to the great griefe of her husband to whom she left two sonnes Charles Lewis both very yong for Charles was borne the 3. of December 1371. and was carried to the Font by Charles of Montmorency and baptised by Dourmans Bishop of Beauuois and Chancellour of France Lewis was Duke of Orleans She leâ—t him also one daughter Isabell marryed afterwards to Richard King of England Necessary obseruations for the course of our history Her children This good Prince after his wiues death was nothing healthfull so as broken with poyson the which had much weakened him with the tedious toiles of his youth more then with age he decayed dayly and he himselfe perceiued it so as feeling the ende of his life to approach remembring what troubles he had past during the mournefull imprisonment of his Father by the contempt vsed of his yong age least the like should happen to his sonne Charles vnder colour of his minority gouerned by tutors he decreed in a general assemblie of the States by a lawe and an irreuocable Edict That after the decease of the king of France his eldest sonne should succeed him presently and at the age of 14. yeares should be
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
to be reuenged vpon Charles the Daulphin and Charles to defend himselfe The exploites of the Daulphin and of Philip of Boâ—rgâ—ogue after this murther Philip was then in Flanders The Parisiens passionate partisans of the Bourguignon who had seene the Duke of Orleans murthered without mouing and they themselues had massacred the chiefe Officers of the Crowne and had shed the bloud of many good men for his pleasure and passion hauing repayed the bloud so treacherously slaine by him in the same coyne they nowe growe into a greater mutinie then if the King himselfe had beene slaine They send their deputies to Philip and promise not onely to bee faithfull but to assist him with all their meanes to reuenge the murther committed on the person of his father And at the same instant Montagu being escaped from the Turn-picke writes to all the Citties vnder the Bourguignons obedience of this accident the which he could report as an eye witnesse Charles on the other side writes to all the good Citties of the realme yeelding a reason of this murther and imputing the fault to the Bourguignons bad dealing who would haue slaine him at a parle exhorting the people not to mourne for the iust execution of a man borne for the ruine of France who had willingly thrust himselfe into this mischiefe offring all his meanes to settle the realme in peace according to the authoritie whereunto God had called him But in talking hee seekes countries Stephen of Vignoles called la Hire and Poton of Xaintrailles winne Crespy in Laonois and Caradoz of Quesne with Charles of Flauye take Roye places very important to trouble the Citties of Picardie where the Bourguignon was chiefely obeyed The strong Caâ—tell of Muin opposite to Crespye and Roye is surprised by the industry of his seruants keepes all Vermandois and Laonois in alarume This beginning caused Philip to seeke al speedie meanes to crosse Charles his proceedings being resolute to continue what he had begunne yet the Parisiens feared pressing Philip againe not to abandon the seruants of his house the which made him more prompt in the execution Philip being assured of his Flemings obtaines a suspension of armes from Henry the 5. King of England and a day and place appointed to treat a general peace betwixt the two realmes Then marching with his army through Picardie hee recouers Crespy Roye and Muin to the great content of his partisans and so he arriues at Troyes in Champagne the appointed place for this treatie Isabel Queene of France a cruell Medea and and vnnaturall mother continued her tragike choller against her Son who hauing defaced the common feeling of nature did soone forget the honor she had receiued to be married into the house of France Being thus wedded to the Bourguignons passions Queene Isabel hates the Daulphin hir sonne deadly she tormented her poore husbands spirâ—ts being exceeding weake perswading him that his best course was to disinherit this wicked son to declare his daughter heire and in marrying her to the greatest King vpon the earth to giue her likewise the realme after his decease to her issue as descended from the bloud of France Philip comming to the King found newe worke for presently Henry the 5. King of England concludes a peace with King Charles the 6. weddes Katherine his daughter and doth obtayne by letters pattents That establiâ—â—ing a firme and free peace in both the Realmes of France and England in regard 〈…〉 marriage of Catherine of France he is declared Regent of the realme during the life of King Charles to whom the title of King remaynes and to â—sabel his wife the title of Queene during their lâ—â—es But presently after the Kings decease The lawfull heire reiected and Henry the 5. declared heire of France the Crowne realme of France with al their rights and dignities should remayne vnto him whome King Charles the 6. calles by his letters patents his most deere and welbeloued sonne and to his heires in chiefe They cause this poore sicke King to sweare vpon the holy Bible to promise this for him and his withall exemptions and necessary clauses in so great and important a businesse This goodly act the finite of the furious passions of ciuill warre was made aâ— Troye the 21. of may in the yeare 1420. This done the French and English forces ioyning and marching vnder the same colours acknowledge one Comander and for their first exploit they win Monstreau-faut-Yonâ—e where they take vp and bury Iohn of Bourgongne againe and so marching on as against Rebells they take Melun Meaux and Morst and beseege Compiegne But least matters should growe cold Henry of England whome they call Regent returnes to Troye and with a goodly traine conducts the King Queene and his newe wife Catherine to Paris being better followed and serued then the King himselfe The Parisiens folly did wonderfully imbâ—ace the comming of this newe royaltie promising vnto themselues a newe heauen but this humor lasted not long hauing tried the power of forraine Princes and the commande of their Kings by very contrary effects The Regent held a Councell presently in great state in the Pallace of Saint Pol Henryes proceeding in his new royaltie of France being the Kings lodging Two throanes were erected for the two Kings and a seate vnderneath for Philip of Bourgongne The Kings councell being fewe in number is supplied by the Court of Parliament and the vniuersity Philip demandes Iustice of the muâ—ther committed on the person of Iohn of Bourgongne his father His Aduocate Rolâ—in made this instance The Kings Aduocate and the vniuersitie assisted him in the 〈◊〉 King Charles promiseth Iustice against his Sonne the Daulphin and to dâ—al good â—ffâ—ces for King Henry his newe Sonne This was the first act of the newe Regencie against the onely Sonne of his house And moreouer they decreed that heereafter all the treasure should be gouerned by the Regents authoritie and commande Henry resolues presently to call a Parliament for the necessity of his returne into England whether he ment to conduct his new Spouse The Bourguignon craues iustice against the Daulphin A Parliament was held according to this decree but all were amazed at this sodaine alteration euen the very report of my Historie hath some fealing thereof for what canst thou see herein gentle reader but frosen ice in the remembrance of these confusions renewed by the fealing of our owne Thus the Regent caused Charles Duke of Touraine and Daulphin of Viennois to be called to the marble table All sollemnities obserued and he not appearing by a decree of the Councell and of the Court of Parliament he was banished the realme The Daulphin banished the realme by a decree and he appeales and iudged vnworthy to succeede in any of the Seigneuries as well present as to come The Daulphin appeales from this sentence To God and his sword who in the ende doing him iustice shall blesse his sword and
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
restore this estate was not amazed nor daunted but hauing commonly in his mouth this Oracle We must haue God and reason on our side He hath recourse vnto God and falles couragiously to worke Hee flies to Rocheâ—l to assure it vnder his obedience Beeing in the Towne there happens a notable accident as he was in councell a part of the chamber sunke and Iames of Bourbon with diuer others were slaine in this ruine The King was but hurt From this danger he passeth on to the chiefe of his affaires He sends into Scotland Milan and Castile to summon his friends to succour him who speedily will send him notable aides He prouides for all the passages vnder his obedience He assures himselfe of Languedoc from whence hedrew his chiefe helpes by the Earle of Clermont from Daulphné by the Lord of Gaucourt from Lions Lyonnois Forrest Beauieâ—lois and Mâ—sconois by Imbert of 〈◊〉 Seneshall of Lions from Gascogne and other countries of high Guienne where he was acknowledged by the Vicont of Narbonne and the maister of Oruall He sendeâ— Iames of Harcourt into Picardy accompanied with Pothon of Xintrailles or S. Treille Stephen Vignoles called la Hire the flower of his captaines And likewise the Bourguignon sent thither the greatest part of his forces Ambrose de Lore goes into Maine â—â—rcâ—e Pregene of Coitiuy into Champagne The Earle of Dunois a bastard of the house of Oâ—leâ—ns â— keepes Orleans The townes lying vpon the riuer of Loire aboue beneath Orleans â—ere vnder the obedience of the French La Charité Gyan Iargeau Meung Baugency 〈◊〉 Amboâ—sâ— Tours Samour diuerse small townes in Beausse La Ferâ—é of â—aules Ianuille Esâ—ernâ—y Pluuiers And in the countries of Gastenois Vrepois Montargis Chastillon Millâ— Neerer vnto Paris Mont-lehery Orsay Marcoussy very strong places then but now desolate kept Paris in alarme Thus the Cardes were shufled but the English had the better part keeping the great citties and the Kings purse and as the stronger he begins the game which had this issue for the remainder of that yeare The English besiege and take Bazas and the French 〈◊〉 in Meulan vpoÌ„ Seine with great slaughter of the English but the Duke of Bedford loth to indure suce a thorne in the sides of Paris doth presently besiege it Charles sends theÌ„ succors vnder the command of the Earle of Aumale the Constable Boucqham Tanneguv of Chastel Too many coÌ„manders to do any great exploit Iealousie of command bred â—uch a confusion as all these troupes marched in disorder no man acknowledging but his priuate coÌ„mander Herevpon the English army arriues who had an eâ—sie coÌ„quest of these disordered troupes then Meulan yeelds to the Duke of Bedford The sharpnes of winter could not temper the heat of these warriours as the fortune of the warre is variable one wins another looseth Ambrose de Lore Iohn of Bâ—lâ—y thinking to take Fresnoy le Conte lost a notable troupe of their men The Lord of Fontaines hath his reuenge vpon the English defeates eight hundred of them at Neaâ—uille and Iohn of Luxembourg a Bourguignon defeates the Lords of Camâ—sches and Amaulry with their troupes The Earle of Salisbury takes the Townes of Vertus and Espeâ—nay and the strong places of Montaguillon and Osny neere vnto Paris The composition is strange the souldiers yeelding at the Regents discretion are brought to Paris bare-headed halters about their necks and swords at their breasts This miserable troupe thus tyed and ledde in triumph passeth through S. Iames street to go to the Tournelles where the Regent was lodged and from thence to bee drawne to the place of execution if the Duchesse of Bedford moued with the pitty of a French woman at so pittifull a spectacle had not begged the liues of these poore condemned men of hir husband Thus that yeare passed wherein Charles the 6. and Henry the 5 died but God to restore our Monarchie beganne in the same yeare to lay a leuaine against the attempts of Strangers The cause of diuision betwixt the Dukes of Bedford and Bourgongne who sought to ruine it Iaqueline of Bauiere Countesse of Hainault and Holland the onely heire of those two states had married with Iohn Duke of Brabant who by a blind and ambitious auarice gaue her selfe to Humfry Duke of Glocester vncle to the King of England and married with him reiecting her lawfull husband Her excuse was that the Brabantin was her cousin germaine but this shal be a meanes to dissolue the alliance so cunningly conioined by the dukes of Bedford Bourgongne Charles hath diuers losses who shall breake vpon this occasion The yeare begins while that losses came by heaps vpon Charles as the current of an vnauoidable ruine whatsoeuer he vndertooke succeeded not Iames of Harcourt was Gouernour of Picardy placed there ouer some remainders of the ship wrack of that country In Picardie he surpriseth Dommart in Ponthieu from the Bourguignon and spoiles the neighbour Abbaies and the country Hauing ruined these poore disarmed men he is charged by Ralfe Butler an English Captaine looseth all his conquest and escapes hardly with his life sees Crotoy taken before his face the chiefe dungeon of his desseines Rue S. Valery and in the ende the goodly Cittie of Abbeuille sufficient to sâ—ay the English forces if it had bin garded by good men After these shamfull losses he comes to Charles to excuse himselfe hee pardons him but GOD made him soone paye the interest of his thefts beeing the cause of his owne ruine Hauing no place of aboad he retires to Parthenay to his vncle who entertained him courteously but Harcourt not content with this kind vsage would be maister of the Castle his practise fell vppon his owne head beeing slaine by the gardes suffring the punishment of his treachery as he had done of his couetousnesse cowardise A lesson for bad seruants to their Princes detestable either for their robberies or for their treacherous cowardises whom God payes in due season In Maine The entrance of this yeare was also infamous in two shamefull losses happened to two great Captaines To Ambrose of Lore who looseth the Castle of Tennuye in the country of Maine and to Oliuer of Magny beaten by the English at the Bishops parke nere Auranches but from small accidents we must come to great actions Champagne was in no better case then Mayne In Champagne The Earle of Salisbury made warre with all violence against Pregent of Coytiuy who defended the Kings party the best he could but not able to beare so great a burthen he flies to Charles who sends him his Constable with forces Bourgongne the which were imployed both in an other cause and with other successe then hee had desseined for behold the towne of Creuant in Bourgongne situated vppon the riuer of Yonne vpon the frontiers of Champagne is surprised by the bastard of Baume for the King The Constable flies thither
their Cittie with exceding ioy the first day of August to the great greefe of the English who see themseues expelled out of the whole realme but they shall yet make a new attempt The oathe of fealtie was autentically made to Charles the All Guâ—enne swear vnto King 〈◊〉 7. both by the Cittizens of Burdeaux and by all the Estates of Burdelois to their naturall King and lawfull Prince renowncing the English The Nobilitie held vp their hands first in this oath namely the Lords of Esparre Montferrand Duras Rosan Pugeols Lansac Lisle Anglade amongest the which how many proued treachers The Archebishop also did take the same oth of homage and fealtie to the King with Gaston de Foix only Captall de Buch would not take the oath for his person but he submitted all his Lands to the obedience of the Crowne an error which shal be preiudiciall to the whole Prouince Thus all Guienne was made subiect to the Kings obedience except Bayonne for the reduction of which Towne being needlesse to keepe togither so great an armie euery Nobleman was commanded to returne to his howse and that the Earle of Dunois should contynue there to imploie the forces of the Country at this seege So the Princes of the bloud depart accompanied with twenty thousand men whom they dismisse euery one into his Countrie The Earle of Foix ioyned with the earle of Dunois they beseege Bayonne the seege was long painefull and dangerous Bayone yeelds vpon hard conditions the which might haue bene more easie and spedie by means of the armie which was redie But in truth the nigard spends more then the bountifull man in euery degree yet in the end Bayonne submits to the obedience of the Crowne vpon these conditions That the tounesmen of Bayonne should deliuer Iohn of Beaumont their Captaine into the Kings hands with their own persons and their goods to be at the Kings wil discretion and to repaire their disobedience to purchase the Kings fauour they should pay fortie thousand Crownes whereto they are referred by the earle of Foix generall of the army This accord was coÌ„firmed by the entrie of the said Earle into the Towne who tooke a sollemne othe in the Kings name Charles forgiues the inhabitants halfe their fine and confirmes halfe their priuiledges The three Estates of the Country of Burdelois send their deputies vnto the King who was then at Taâ—llebourg 1453. to confirme their othes and homages already taken by his Chancellor and the Kâ—ng lâ—kewise doth ratifie their priuileges and receyues them into fauour so as Guienne â—eemed to be reduced to the Kings obedience All Guienne reduced to obedience to the incredible content of the whole realme and so this yeare ended with an vniuersall ioy But seuen or eight moneths were scarse spent in this publike ioy such as the French might haue in euery corner of their country enioying peace the which they had not tasted these hundred yeares and which in outward appearance there was no hope to recouer the English and Bourguignons hauing taken such firme footing in all parâ—s when as behold a great surge which seemed to expose France to the mercie of a more horrible and dangerous storme For Talbot comes to the gates of Bourdeaux with goodly â—roupes of English Talbot enters 〈◊〉 with new Englâ—sh troupes where he was receiued and tooke the Seneshall of Guienne prisoner being gouernour of the Towne and Iohn de Foux deputie Maior of Bourdeaux and in a maneâ— the same day the Nobilitie which had giuen their faâ—th vnto the King noted befoâ—e by their speciall names deliuered all the chiefe places of the countrie to the English Fronsac Coloeuures Casâ—illon Chasteauneuf in Damedoc Cadillac Langen S. Macaire Libâ—rne and Saint Millâ—on Many townes yeeld to the English And after Talbot who came but to discouer there arriued the next day in safetie foure thousand fighting men from England with foure score ships laden with Meale and Salt meates to victuall the Towne The amazement of this losâ—e was as great as the ioy had beene of gaine Charles was then at Tours the Earle of Clermont sonne to Charles Duke of Bourbon was gouernour of Guienne He commands him to haue a care to the preseruation of the rest of Guienne and presently he sends six hundred men at armes vnder the command of three Marshals of France and the Lords of Orual and Rouhault who were then neere the King and sends for the rest of his forces with all speed The motiues oâ— the reuolt in Guiâ—nne But whilest that all prepare to repaire this losse may we not examine the motiue of this great and sodaine change Some new writers accuse the ill vsage of the French to this people newly conquered which made them to wish for the English being more milde and temperate Lords others blamed the negligence of our French vnfit to keepe that which they had so valiantly gotten But who is he that can finde this first cause truly noted hearing the whole History speake and representing the discontent of the French nation against the gouerment of the English And why did the King dismisse his armie but to ease his people euen with the preiudice of his owne affaires As for our negligence in keeping of that which we haue gotten with much paine it is too well knowne by memorable examples but seeing the affâ—ction of the people of Bourdelois had bin confirmed by many proofes in this voluntary obedience to what end had it serued to put them in fetters as a people vanquished by armes and force them to obedience But to find out the causes we must examine the effects L'Esparre Montâ—errand Duras Anglade Rosans and others specified in the register of the oath will bee found straight waies reuolted in these places Captal de Buche protested openly that he was not the Kings seruant so as he might without reproch carrie armes against him for the King of England his maister He might remaine peaceablie within the country inioying his houses being vnder the Kings protection and so make his traffick for the English at his pleasure Iohn King of Nauarre an Arragonois both by birth and humour was an enemy to Charâ—es for two respects as hauing maried the heiâ—e of Nauarre and with that mariage the quarrels hatred of that Charles which was Grandfather to his wife The King of Nauarre an enemie to K. Câ—arles who had so much troubled the raignes of Iohn and Charles the â— and as an Arragonois by reason of the quarrels of Naples against the house of Aniou These were two instruments to moue many mens mindes It could not otherwise be but the authoâ—itie and command of two hundred yeares had purchased England many seruants and such as had alwayes held the English party against France and were not reclaimed to the Kings obedience but by force could not beleeue that they had any such part in the Kings fauour hauing brought
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
The King of Sicile René King of Sicile seconds him Charles had already vpon the â—ope this good old man gaue him sent the Lord of Chasteauguion into Piedmont with twenty thousand Crownes to make a leauie of men to take possession of that Earledome But vpon this defeat he was happy to saue his person to loose but his siluer seized on for the King by Philip of Sauoy Earle of Bresse Vpon this amazement Lewis sends to his Vncle desires him to come and to assure himselfe of good entertainment else he would prouide by force Iohn Cosse Seneshall of Prouence an honest man and of a good house in the realme of Naples perswaded his maister to this voyage giuing the King to vnderstand that the treatie of René with the Bourguignon the which he himselfe had procured tended to no other end but to let the King know the wrong he had done his Vncle Lewis reconciled to the King of Sicile hauing taken from him the Castels of Barre Anger 's and intreating him ill in all his other affaires and that he neuer had any will to performe the accord A liberty of speech very pleasing vnto Lewis who from that time respected his Vncle and they liued like good friends TheÌ„ René made a transaction with the King that after his death the Earledome of Prouence should returne to the king and be incorporate to the Crowne In doing whereof the Queene of England daughter to the said René and widow to Henry the 6. King of England whom Edward held prisoner was redeemed by the King for fiftie thousand crownes For this cause she yeelded vnto the King all the right she might pretend to the said Countie and for a certaine pension which the King assigned her during her life The Duchesse of Sauoy sent Montaigni secretly The Duchessâ— of Sauâ—y The Princes of Geâ—maâ—ie to reconcile her to the King yet will shee trie the issue of the Dukes fortune The Princes of Germanie and the imperiall Townes who before were inforced to temporise now shew themselues enemies and turne from him Frederick Prince of Tarentum grieued with the strange dissemblings The Prince of Taâ—entâ—m leaues Charles touching the pretended marriage leaues him and soone after returning into France he marries a daughter of Sauoy the Queenes sister what then shall hee flie to his Hollanders and Flemings But he knowes their inconstancie and that they fauoured not his flâ—ght yet hee sends his Chancellor Hugonnet with twelue commissioners to require ayde of men and money of his subiects who returne with this resolution That if the Duke their Lord were prisoner they would morgage and sell their liuings to redeeme him that to disswade him from the warre and draw him home into his countries they would assist him with all their power But to continue it they are not resolued to doo any thing To conclude euery bird had his peck at this Owle Euen as when a tempest ouerthrowes some great tree euery one teares off a branch Hee yeelds not yet but would be ashamed to confesse himselfe beaten by such a wretched people Charles armeâ— againe and although all these crosses had wonderfully increased his sicknesse that heauinesse melancholie choller and other passions had altered his bloud with great preiudice to his health yet he gathers together the peeces of his wracke and within few moneths goes to field with his armie Hauing staied some space at Lauzanne He besiegeth Morat he went the 9. of Iune to campe before Morat a small towne two leagues from Berne belonging to the Earle of Rhomont who lead the foreward Anthonie bastard of Bourgongne camped vpon the Lake with thirty thousand men of foote and horse The Duke lodged in the mountaine and Rhomont vpon the descent towards the Lake with 12. thousand men The Cantons were sooner in armes at this shock then at the other and if before they gaue him a lâ—ght defeat they shall now giue him a generall ouerthrow In their league are numbred twenty Townes prelats and commonalties Zurich Berne Lucerne Vri Suits Vnderual Zug Glaris Fribourg Soleurre Basill Chaf houze Appenzel Sangall the Grisons the Earle of Tocquembourg the Abbot of Sangall Valoâ—s la Casse Dye the ten iurisdictions of Malny All these did furnish eleuen thousand pikes ten thousand Halberds 10000. shot and 4000. horse and the King who made warre against the Bourguignon at an other mans cost had vnder-hand giuen the Duke of Lorraine meanes to ioyne with 600. men at armes Moreouer the Townes of the Rhin Songoy and Ferrete had sent a supply of three thousand men All these forces being ioyned the 22. of Iune behold at the first incounter the foreward is so violently charged Charles is ouerthrowne as the Earle of Rhomont is forced to saue himselfe with ten or twelue horse The garrison of Morat falles out and ioynes with the Duke of Lorraines troupes they charge the Bourguignons campe force it and ouerthrow him with a horrible slaughter of his men He recouers Besançon by the swiftnesse of his horse and from thence Riuere in the County of Bourgongne In this battaile died about eighteene thousand men others say two and twenty thousand seuen hundred and of Suisses fiftie men onely At this day are seene the spoiles of this battaile in a Chappell built where the battaile was fought and filled with the bones of such as were slaine The Suisses pursuing their victory take all the places of the County of Rhomont and along the Lake Leman euen vnto Geneua which are at this day vnder the iurisdiction of Berne and the Bishop of Basill and razed many places and Castels vpon the marches of the French Countie The Duke of Lorraine hauing a good share in this notable victory with his French troupes and some supplies from the confederates recouers Vâ—â—demont Espinal Nancy and some other places by composition Now is Charles of Bourgongne exceeding heauie and for that the house of Sauoy had bin the chiefe kindler of this warre wherof the first fire-brand had bin for some Carts laden with skins taâ—en by Rhomont from a Suisse and doubting least she would speedily be reconciled to the King Charles surpriseth the Duchesse of Sauoy with her yongest sonne he sends to take her by force brings her to Rouure neere Dijon with her yongest sonne since Duke of Sauoy Philibert the eldest then Duke was with the helpe of some seruants of his house retired to Chamberi The King who neuer lets slip any aduantage and who politickly builds vpon anothers shipwrack treates with the Bishop of Geneue a sonne of Sauoy a man of a free disposition and gouerned by a commander of Rhodes both tractable who deliuer into his hands the Castles of Chamberi Montmelian and another place in the which were all the Duchesse Iewels She seeing â—er selfe depriued of liberty dissembles no longer but sends Riuerol a Gentleman of â—â—edmont to the King to mediate her peace but with all
keepe those two Prouinces in subiection Oliuer was there some dayes without suspect during the which hee corrupted thirtie or fortie men and fraught with their promises hee sent secretly to the Lord of Mouy that at the breake of a certaine day appointed hee with his company and some other troupes would be in the suburbes Hee comes at the appointed time and maister Oliuer with his men giues him entrance to the content of the people but not of the gouernours of the which hee sent seuen or eight to Paris who departed not whilest that Lewis liued To speake truly Oliuer shewed both witt and valor in this stratageme and for the action of Gand he is not so much to be blamed as he that imployed him Conde a smal Towne betwixt Tournai and Valenciennes cutt of all vittels from the french and hindred the victualling of Tournay It was taken and burnt for that it did but imploy men which might serue elswhere and Tournay was sufficient to keepe the Countâ—ie in obedience It seemed that the prosperitie of the kings affaires and his great desseings began to trouble his spirits for proofe whereof a gentleman of Hainault the originall doth not name him associated with many others offers to deliuer vp the principall Townes and places of the said Countie Hee talkes with the King who likes not of him nor of the rest he named The reason is they would sell a good piece of seruice very deere Yet he referred them to the Lord of Lude bred vp from his youth with him But Lude seasoned with the same humour transported with his priuate profiâ— demands at the first what the townes would giue him to manage their affaires So as the Hannuyer who would haue no competitor in his gaine departed without effecting of any thing and the enterprise proued vaine Without doubt God would not glutt vs with felicitie and it is needfull to haue some crosses to make vs to know our selues Moreouer it was not reasonable to vsurpe any thing vpon this Countie of Hainault for that it holds of the Empire and in regard of the ancient alliances betwixt the Emperours and our Kings whereby they ought not one to take from another And for proofe Cambray Quesnoy le Conte and some other places of Hainault had willingly put themselues vnder the protection of Lewis the which hee deliuered as freely with the 40. thousand Crownes that they of Cambraie had lent him for the charges of the war Ambassage from Mary of Bourgongne Whilest the King was resident at Peronne an Ambassage comes to him from the Infant of Bourgongne consisting of the principall men about her as namely Chancellor Hugonnet a very wise man and honorable Himbercourt a gentleman experienced in matters of waight Vere a great Nobleman of Zeland Cripture otherwise called Grutuse or Gruture with other Ecclesiastical and secular men They intreat the King to retire his armie Their propositions to the King that al controuersies might be quietly ended according vnto right reason They shew that by the customes of France the ordinances of his Predecessors Kings the women did succeed in the Counties of Flanders Arthois and other prouinces there abouts That remaining but one only daughter of the deceased Duke of Bourgongne yong an orphelin he should rather protect theÌ„ oppresse her That the mariage of the Daulphin with her should be more proportionable then with the daughter of England And for the more credit they brought a letter writteÌ„ part of it by Mary the Infanta of Bourgongne and some part by the Douager her Mother in lawe Sister to Edward King of England and some part by Rauastein brother to the Duke of Cleues and neere kinsman to the yong Ladie yet none of any credit but that of the Infanta This letter gaue authority to Hugonnet and Himbercout and sayed moreouer That Mary Duchesse of Bourgongne was resolued to gouerne her affaires by the aduice of foure persons The Douager Rauastein Hugonnet and Himbercourt Mary beseeched the King that whatsoeuer it should please him to negotiat with her should passe by their hands and that hee should not impart it to any other The King foreseeing that by the confusion of this people hee should settle his affaires will cunningly make his profit of this letter but not thinking it should cost two so vertuous heads in sowing diuision betwixt the Dâ—chesse her subiects Yet before he giues audience to these Ambassadors he treats priuately with eyther of them Diâ—isiâ—n betwixt Mary and the Gaâ—toâ—â— Huâ—gonnet and Himbercourt whereof the first had all his liuing in Picardy and the other in Bourgongne they desirous to be continued in their ancient authorities giue eare to the Kings offers they promised to serue him so as the foresayd marriage might take effect The rest whose Estates were not vnder the Kings command would not tie them selues by promise but with the alliance of the houses of France and Bourgongne This was most expedient for the King but the violent conditions they propounded withdrewe his loue much both from her them in particular supposing he should soone haue all without accepting of a part by an accord Lewis esttranged from Mary by the violent conditions that were propounded Moreouer he was possessed with a wonderfull desire to conquer Arras The Lord of Cordes might do much Hee was Lieutenant in Picardie vnder the deceased Duke Seneshal of Ponthiâ—u Captaine of Courtray Boulongne and Hedin Gouernor of Peronne Montdidier and Roye he was younger Brother to the Lord of Creuecoeur and alreadie did shewe himselfe to bee french his estate lying within the territory of Beauuais The Townes vpon the riuer of Somme by the death of Charles the last issue male of the house of Bourgongne returned to the King so des Cordes became the Kings liege man His duty then bound him to yeeld vnto the King such other places as he coÌ„manded but he was bound by oath to his mistresse seruice A dispensation will salue it There is no â—oâ—le but Lewis finds a pinne for it Vpon his motion to the Ambassadors that the deliuery of Arras would make the way plaine for a good peace and request that they would be a meanes to Cordes to open the Citty of Arras vnto him for in those dayes there were both walles and ditches betwixt the Cittie and the Towne Hugonnet and Himbercourt dispense des Cordes of his oath and consent to the deliuery of the sayd Cittie Arras yeelded to Lewis by des Cordes Hee doth it willingly and sweares fealtie to the King who presently stoppes vp all approches to the Towne then he goes to incampe before Hedin leades acs Cordes with him whose men made a shewe to defend the place as ingaged by oath to their Ladie for their credits sake they endured the battery some dayes then seeing their defences taken away and their loope-hoales battered Ralfe of Launoi Hedin followes giues eare to his Captaine and
from them that it should be easie for the Emperour assisted with the armes of Arragou and Naples The Emperoâ—r affects to be Pope to make himselfe Pope the which he had alwaies desired since the death of his wife being installed in S. Peters chaire he should renounce the Imperial Crowne in fauour of the said Archduke Moreouer the bad affection of the irreconciliable Suisses was apparent The flight of the hostages had newly incensed them who threatned Bourgogne or Daulphinè The Pope desired greatly the whole extirpation of the Counsell of Pisa especially for matters decreed either by the authoritie of the sayd Councell or against the Popes authoritie the which not reuoked must needs breed great confusions Yet could he not obteine this abolition before the King did ratifie it Three Cardinals were therefore appointed to redresse these disorders But the greatest difficultie was about the abolition of Ceâ—sures which the King said they had incurred thinking it a thing vnworthie of the Apostolike sea to graunt if the King did not demand it the which his Maiestie would not yeeld vnto whereby both his person and his realme had beene taxed of schisme In the end the King ouerruled by the earnest sute both of the Queene and his subiects wearied with so many crosses resolues to yeeld to the Popes will hoping heâ—eafter by this meanes to find him fauorable And therefore at the eight session of the Councell of Lateran which was in the end of the yeare the Kings agents in his name and by his command renounced the pettie Councell of Pisa adheâ—ing to the Councell of Lateran and so obteined full reâ—iâ—sion of all things committed against the Romaine Church Amidst so many forraine vexations which infiâ—itely troubled the Kings mind there chanceth a home-bred affliction The death of Queene Anie the death of the Qâ—eene his wife A Princesse indued with most verâ—ues incident to an honorable Ladie and for this cause greatly lamented of the whole realme This death was the accomplishmeÌ„t of the marriage betwixt Francis Duke of Valois and Earle of Angoulesnie and Claude the Kings eldest daughter the the which had bin deferred till then for that the Qâ—eene loued not Lowise of Sâ—uoâ—e mother to the said Francis affected more to haue Charles of Austria afterwards Emperour for her sonne in law The Realme being reduced to the obedience of the Church of Rome the Pope to whome the Kings greatnesse was commonly fearefull begins now to feare least his power should bee too much suppressed and that the enemies of France should hereafter ioine their forces to the preiudice of the Romain Court. To balance â—hing in such sort as he might subsist in the middest and that the meanes which ayded â—â—e of his intentions should not hurt an other considering that the irreconciliable hatred of the Suisses might force the King to resigne his rights of the Duchie of Milan to the Emperour and Catholike King in regard of the marriage which they pretended a very preiudiciall thing to the common libertie of Italie and holding it also dangerous to haue the King to recouer it hee perswaded the Suisses that their extreame hatred might force the King to take a course no lesse hurtfull to the libertie of their common weale considering the little loue with Maximilian and Ferdinand did beare them then to the Church and all Italie Moreouer to make the Kâ—gs descent into Italie more difficult at all euents 1514 he labours an accord betwixt the Emperour and the Senate of Venice who being resolute either to haue a firme peace concluded or open warre would by no meanes giue care to any truce for that had beene to settle the Emperours affaires and busines in those Townes which hee inioyed The Popes perswasions were fruitlesse with the Suisses the Emperour and Venetians made him Iudge of their controuersies but without decision for either partie hee onely commands them to surcease from armes vntill the pronunciation of his sentence The Catholike King could not more firmely assure the realme of Nauarre then by a peace Our Lewis he proloÌ„g the truce for a yeare adding to the former articles one that was secret That during the truce the King might not molest the estate of Milan That which the Pope could not get of the Suisses hee obteyned of the King of England Henry discontent that his father in law had againe deceiued him by the prolongation of a truce without his consent grew daily more vnwilling to make warre in France The Pope desiring by some kindnesse to win the Kings loue and fearing daily that Lewis oppressed with enemies would allie himselfe both by a peace and consanguinitie with Maximilian and Ferdinand he sent the Cardinall of Yorke to perswade his King That remembring what correspondencie of faith he had found in the Emperour the Catholike King and the Suisses and contenting himselfe with his happie passage and returne hee should ceasse any more to afflict France with his forces The Cardinall finding Henry disposed to peace whome the Duke of Longueuille a prisoner taken in the warre had alreadie moued and Lewis desiring it with all hâ—s heart hauing sent the Generall of Normandie but more vnder colour to treat of the deliuerie of the Duke of Longueuille and his companions in prison they made an agreement betwixt the two Kings in the beginning of August for their liues and a peace after their death vppon condition A peace with the English That the King of England should enioy Tournay and the King of France should pay him sixe hundred thousand Crownes That they should bee bound to defend the estats one of another with tenne thousand foote if the warre were by land and sixe thousand if it were by sea That the King of France should furnish the King of England with twelue hundred Launces at need and the King of England with tenne thousand foote but at his charge that should haue neede This peace was confirmed by the marriage of Lewis with Mary sister to Henry Lewis King of France marries Mary of England But the Pope was not perswaded so great a hatred might so sodainly bee conuerted into amitie and alliance For as hee had made the first motion so did hee expect to bee made acquainted with the conclusion wherein hee made accoumpt to reserue this clause That the King should not inuade the Duchie of Milan for a time The Emperour and Catholike King were exceeding iealous yet the last assured hiâ— selfe to receiue two contents The one that the Archduke his grandchild â—as out of hope to giue his sister in marriage to Lewis The other that Lewis beiâ—g in possibilitie to haue heires males the succession of Francis Earle of Angoâ—lâ—sme should remaine doubtfull whome hee hated exceedingly seing him greatly inclyned to restore the Realme of Nauarre to the ancient estate The Suisses reioyced not for any affection they beare vnto the King but foreseeing that Lewis hauing truce with the Arragonois and peace with the
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
and Modena The accord being made Alarson entred the Castelâ— with three companies of Spaniards and three of Lansquenets lodging the Pope verie straightly and with small libertie This insolent and hard proceeding against the Pope to the scandale of all Chrâ—stendome caused the Kings of France and England to make warre in Italie at their common charge to free the Pope and his Cardinalls being beseeged both with warre and pestilence and to restore him to the possessions of the Church A new leagâ—â— against the Emperour the King of England contributing for his part threescore thousand angells a moneth and to confirme the League betwixt the King and the Venetians they promised to entertayne ten thousand Suisses in common the King furnishing the first pay and they the second and so consequently The Duke of Milan with the Venetians should likewise entertayne ten thousand Italians Odel of Foix Earle of Lautrec was made generall of the whole army and passed the Alpes with a leauie of sixe thousand horse sixe thousand Lansquenets ten thousand French and Gascons and ten thousand Suisses Then Andrew Dorie was entertayned by the King with eight gallies giuing him thirty thousand Crownes pay euery moneth Before they came to open warre the two Kings sent ioyntly to the Emperour to demand the Popes enlargement the restitution of the children of France with an offer of two millions of gold for their ransom the preseruation of the estats gouernments of Italie and finally a generall peace which the Emperour accepting the Duke of Orleans should marrie with the daughter of England but hauing refused these articles they did sweare and solemnly proclaime their League the 8. of August The expectation of Lautrecs forces was great and the confusions of the Imperiall army great being dispersed by the plague about Rome and so diminished as there scarce remayned ten thousand men of all the Emperours forces Lautrec had no sooner set footing in the marches of Lombardie but hauing intelligence that the Earle of Lodron had sent two thousand LaÌ„squenets to Bâ—sâ—o in the territories of Alexandria he belegard theÌ„ battred it day and night and the tenth day of the seege forced them to yeeld at his discretion who keeping the Captains prisoners dismissed the soldiars but vpon condtion that the Spaniards should returne into Spaine through France and the Lansquenets into Germanie through Suisserland but these were afterwards receiued into the Kings seruice vnder the Earle of Vaudemont Colonnel of the Lansquenets This small victorie was the fore-runner of an other of greater importance Andrew Dorie generall of the Kings gallies made hot warres against the Genouois so as no ship durst go to sea along the riuer of Genes and Cesaer Fregose aduertised by his friends that were within Genes of the great scarcetie of victualls which did presse the Inhabitants beeing sent by Latrec with two thousand men by land hee kept them so short as in fewe dayes there was neyther corne nor cattle for the Inhabitants The bellie is an importune sollicitor especially when many mouthes crie for meate Molâ—stus Clienâ—â—enter The Genouois had no more hope of helpe but in hazarding some gallies to sea They aâ—me some and send them out by hazard to seeke victualls foure laden with 〈◊〉 were taken by the French gallies foure retured fraught with corne and one with other marchandise and nine were gone forth of Genes to west them when as hauing newes of Fregoses approch they abandon their galleies to go to charge him In the meane time Andrew Dorie arriues hee compasseth in these galleies in the port of Genes burnes one takes al the rest whilest the Genouois hauing ouerthrowen the first they encountred chased them so farre as the way being cut off by the French betwixt the Towne and them they were all defeated and Gabriel Earle of Martinengue their generall taken prisoner This misfortune with sundrie other crosses and losses of money and diuers shippes the famyne hauing brought them to the last extremity Genes yeelded to the King reduced the Towne to the Kings obedience where of Lautrec made Theodore Triuulce Gouernor The losse of the Lansquenets had wonderfully daunted them of Alexandria so as although Alberic of Bel-ioyeuse had somewhat reuiued them with a supply of a thousand men Alexandria taken yet the rough and continuall battery of Lautrec forced the Earle of Lâ—â—ron to enter into composition whereby the Lansquenets departed with their baggage taking an oath not to carry armes against the King nor his aâ—lies for six monethes The taking hereof brought Vigeue with all the Country of Lomcline and Biagras to the Kings obedience Anthonie de Leue had not within Milan aboue a hundred and fiftie horse and fiue thousand Lansquenets and Spaniards being readie to abandon the Towne douting to be vnable to defend it with so fewe men and so manye difficulties and to retire to Pauie But Pauie was ill victualed and moreouer his army could not liue there vpon extorsion and spoile as it had done at Milan He therefore sends Lodowike of Bel-ioyeuze to Pauie with two thousand fiue hundred men and resolues him selâ—e to defend Milan Lautrec followes him and beseegeth it on the Castle side the Venetians on the other part hee makes a breach and takes the Towne at the second assault he leaues it eight dayes in spoile to the soldiars leads away Bel-ioyeuze who lately for a quarrel with Frederic of Bossole had forsaken the King prisoner at â—â—nes All which places acccording to the treaty were restored to Francis Sforce Milan wauered the Confederats did sollicit the taking thereof But it was thought good to leaue this thorne in the Venetians feet and Sforces for being both freed from feare of the Emperour Pâ—â—ia taken who hauing this passage stopt should drawe no succors out off Germaine would haue beene lesse affected to fauour the King in his enterprise of Naples Moreouer it was a meanes for the King to make a more easie treaty of peace with the Emperour of whome leauing the estate of Milan he might with more ease obtaine the liberty of his children according to the treaty with the Emperour by the Ambassadors of France England and Venice But the King desyring that Sforce should still stand in neede of helpe gaue the Emperour more meanes to speake bigge Hee was of a great spirit and neuer daunted in aduersitie He protests that neyther loue nor force shal make him to alter any of the coÌ„ditions before propounded his proud demands make proofe that hee had no inclynation to peace As the Venetians and Sforce labored to stay the French forces in Lombardie so the Pope pressed them to driue the Imperiall army out of the territories of the Church Hee therefore passeth the riuer oâ— Po the 18. of October with an intent to attend the rest of the Lansquenets commanded by the Earle of Vaudemont which were not yet arriued to be in the Suisses place being for the most part retired Lautrec
he wished him to appoint the field he would bring the armes the King protesting that if hereafter the Emperour shall write or speake any thing preiudiciall to his honour the shame of the delay should redound vppon himselfe seeing that the combat is the end of all writing Without doubt this proceeding had beene more seemely for Knights then for such Princes and no enterprises are commendable but so farre forth as they agree with the dignitie of their persons and States And for that Granuelle refused to take vppon him this charge the King dismissing him Henry King of England deâ—yâ—s thâ— Empâ—rouâ— puâ—s away his wiâ—e did accompany him with an Herald to present this writing vnto the Emperour Within few dayes after Henry King of England sent him the like defie and did put away Catherine his wife daughter to Ferdinand and Elizabeth Kings of Spaine whom he had married being widow to Arthur his elder brother A diuorce which Pope Clement graunted vppon promise that Henry should for his safetie maintaine him agard of foure thousand foote Lautrecs successe in the Realme of Naples In the meane time Lautrecs forces preuailed in the Realme of Naples with such applause of the people as whether for affection of the French or hatred of the Spaniard almost all the Townes sent to offer their keyes and gates Peter of Nauarre had chased the Prince of Melphe out of Aquile and reduced all Abruzze to the Kings obedience the whole estate of Naples was readie to set vp the banners of France when as the Prince of Orange hauing assembled within Troye and thereabouts fiue thousand Germaines fiue thousand Spaniards and fifteene hundred Italians he made Lautrec to vnite his forces which were dispersed and to turne head to the enemie with an intent to fight with him He wanted the siâ—ews of warre the Kings assignations failed so as he could not long maintaine the burthen of the warre The adauntage of men victuals and the field did inuite him hee must therefore attempt some great matter He goes to field with three thousand French whereof the Lord of Burie was Colonell foure thousand Gascons vnder the command of Peter of Nauarre and the Lord of Candale eight thousand Germaines commanded by the Earle of Vaudemont three thousand Suisses vnder the charge of the Earle of Tende with ten thousand Italians and approched neere the enemie but there was no meanes to draw him out of his fort Many dayes were spent in skirmishes and courses In one of them three hundred horses comming out of their battaillons which marched after the artillerie were charged by Moriac and Pomperant it is that faithfull Achates to the Duke of Bourbon whom the King had drawen to his seruice and honoured with a company of fiftie men at armes for the good seruice he had done him at his taking of Pauia hauing freed him from some souldiars that had inuironed him in and not knowne him were wholy defeated and their enseignes and guidons carried away Lautrec offered battaile yet well pleased not to fight in the absence of Horatio Baillon who brought thirteene enseignes of foote whome Iohn de Medicis had long before trayned in the exercise of armes But behold a heauie signe of a fatall desaster the winds were so violent and the skie so troubled as all the tents in the French campe were ouerthrâ—wne many men slaine Baillon arriues the enemie packs vp the baggage stops the bells of his moyles and marcheth through the woods directly to Naples without sound of drumme or trumpet It had beene a goodly thing to pursue these runawaies The French Captaines flewe after them in their hearts but Lautrec sayd I will haue them at my mercie and without losse of my men But the spirit of man is ignorant of future destinies The emeny retyres Don Hugues de Moncado and other chiefe seruants to the Emperour did so hate the Prince of Orange as without doubt they had shut the gates of Naples against him the which had giueÌ„ the French a great aduantage But the soueraigne Iudge of armes had otherwise decreed The Prince of Orange being dislodged Lautrec sent some troupes of French horâ—e and foote with the blacke bands which were those of Baillon to go before Melfe which might cut off the victualls from the army lying before Naples the Prince thereof defended it with three thousand men who by their continuall â—allies had much indomaged our troupes They made a small breach with two Cannons and the Gascons burning with heat offer themselues to the assault the blacke bands follow them without any commandement or direction from their Captaines A volley of shot makes them retire kiâ—â—es many Gascons and some threescore of the black bands At night they renue the batterie and make a second attempt but with like successe yet at length they carrie it The next day they haue a supplie of artillery wherewith they make two great baâ—â—eries The pesants which were in great numbers within Melphe mutine for feare they are in deed more fit to amaze then to serue at neede Melphe taken The â—oldiars terrefied with this tumult abandon the defenses and recouer the Castell they enter the Towne spoile it and kill of soldiars and Inhabitants six or seauen thousand they take the Castell by composition and the Prince with his wife and children prisoners Barleta Trant Venouse Ascoli with all the places there abouts except Mansfredonia yeeld to the victors fortune who prepared a great masse of victualls for the seege of Naples the Venetians 〈◊〉 hauing fortified the armie with about two thousand men Capoua Acerre Nolâ— Auerse and all places there abouts hauing voluntarilie opened their gates made the way easie for Lautrec who campes before the walles of Naples in the ende of Aprill the Imperialls were resolued onely to defend Naples and Caiette It was a great matter to haue chased the enemie out of the field and to keepe them coopt vp within the capitall Cittie But alas what shall become of so great a multitude of men our French must learne once more to their cost that all their strange enterprises attempted farre off haue beene mournfull graues vnto them The issues of death belong to the eternall God Lautrec imploies all his witts in the seege of Naples but who can hope for any happie successe The Cittie was full of men of defence Naples beseeged and the meane to famish it verie vncertaine for the galleies of Phillipin Nephew to Andrew Dorie being vnable to stoppe vp the port some shippes fraught with meale stoale in those of Venise came not the enemies light horse which were many cut off the victualls from our men the ordinarie grossenesse of the aire the continuall rayne the discomodities of the soldiars who for the most part lay open filled the campe full of diseases The discomodities of the sâ—ege the Kings â—lowe prouision and the negligence of the Treasorers were the cause that no money could passe the mountaynes
they were not acquainted with it especially the King of England notwithstanding his secret desseins made him to temper his choller He ment to put away Catherine his wife Aunte to the Emperour and daughter to Ferdinand King of Spaine saying as it was true that shee â—ad beene before married to his eldest brother wherewith the Pope could not dispence belonging to the Lawe of God which conclusion hee obteyned by the means of the Lord of Langey in the vniuersities of Paris Pauia Padoua â—ologne and others The Emperour and his ministers crost him in this desire This quarrell had neâ—de of a strong support To make vse of the Kings fauour at neede hee lent him the sayd summe of foure hundred thousand Crownes to bee paied in fiue yeares hee foâ—gaâ—e him fiftie thousand Crownes and gaue the flower de Lis to his good sonne Henry Duke of Orleans The tenth of May was come when as the deputies should meete at Bayonne for the exchange of the Infants of France with the paiement of their ransome Montmorency Lord Steward and Marshall of France came for the King for the Emperour came Velasque Constable of Castille the Crownes are told and put to the proofe but being found somewhat altered by the aduice of the Chancellor du Prat who thought to make it a benefit to the King fortie thousand Crownes more payed the interest of the whole summe The Kings children and their ransome payed There were about â—oure monethes spent in the triall of these Crownes and in the beginning of Iulie the Daulphin of France and the Duke of Orleans came to the riuer which runnes by the walls of Fontarabie and diuides France from Biscâ—ie A great boate was fastened in the midest of the streame with anchors and cables that the sea which flowes twise a day raysing the boate to the height of the water might serue as a bridge and ouerthwaâ—t this great boate they made a barre to the ende that the boate which carried the Infants of France and that which brought the money for their ransome beeing fastened on eyther side the great boate the French men should passe into that where the Infants were and the Spaniards where the ransome was Thus it was performed and they came accompanied with Queene Eleonor to meete the King their Father betwixt Roquehort of Marsan and Caprieux in a little Abbie of Nunnes where the King and Queene were espoused an houre before day Then taking their way by Bourdeaux Cognac Amboise and Blois they came to Saint Germaine in Laye attending the prepaâ—atiues for the Queenes coronation at Saint Deâ—is and her entrie into Paris The Emperour beeing thus assured of the King who aboue all others might crosse his desseines he is nowe resolued to bee crowned To this effect hee must winne the Pope for he must receiue the Crowne from him and the Pope who desired some notable reuenge of the Florentins for the iniurie they had done him during his captiuitie vnder the Imperialls they had spoyled all the goods belonging to the Medicis The Empeâ—our comes into Iâ—aâ—y and chased them and their adherents out of the estate of Florenâ—e was easily drawne to the Emperours will yea with such extraordinarie priuileges as the Emperour fitting himselfe to the Popes passions settled the foundation 〈◊〉 that admirable greatnesse which his house doth at this present inioy in Italie 1530. The Pâ—pe hauing graunted the Crowne to the Emperour which hee could neuer obteine of his Predecessor Iulius vpon condition that for recompence thereof he should 〈◊〉 â—im with an armie to â—estore them of his name to their ancient authoritie withâ—â— Florence he imbarkes at Barcellone lands at Genes passeth to Plaisance and at the Pâ—pes request restores Francis Sforce to the Duchie of Milan but he reserues in his 〈◊〉 power the Castles of Milan and Cremona hee marrieth the sayd Sforce with 〈◊〉 Neece Daughter to the King of Denmarke a prisoner and diâ—possessed of his â—â—â—lme and on Saint Mathias day so famoâ—s for his Nâ—tiuitie and the taking of tâ—e King before Pauia hee receiued the ornaments of the Imperiall dignitie from tâ—e Pope One scruple withheld the Emperour from resoluing against the I lorentines The Tâ—â—ke besieged Vienna in Austria with two hundred and fiue twentie thousand fightâ—â—â— men but the valour of Philip Count Palatin the Earles of Salme and Rokendolf and 〈◊〉 â—â—â—cours brought by Ferdinand Archduke of Austria and King of Hongarie hauing 〈◊〉 the Infidels to take their way to Constantinople with shame and â—osse the Empâ—â—â—uâ— gaue the charge of this warre to the Prince of Auranges who ioyning with Don 〈◊〉 of Gonzague and the Marquis of Guast takes from the Florentins Cortone Arâ—â—zâ— Lastre Pistoia Prato Volterra Empoli campes before Florence and redâ—ceth the 〈◊〉 to extremitie The Prince of Auranges â—laine but as he marched to encounter some forces that came to â—â—â—cour the besieged meaning to winne the horse or to loose the saddle he was slaine 〈◊〉 tâ—e charge being in the head of his troupes performing saith the Originall rather 〈…〉 of a man at armes then of a Captaine The succours notwithstanding ouercome the Florentines after a long and painfull sieâ—e of eleuen moneths fell in the end into the popes power who by many and sâ—â—â—â—y punishments of death and banishment did so weaken the Cittie as in the end the power of the Medicis being more free they haue setled the Soueraigntie in either â—amily The Duke of Ferrara had in time purchased fauour with the Emperour and happy was hee for without it they would haue clipt his wings shorteâ— Wherewith the pope was so greatly mooued as hee would not ratifie the sentence by the which the Emperour had condemned the â—errarois in a hundâ—ed thousand Crownes to the Pope neither would hee accept the money nor the rent which according to the ancient custome the sayd Duke caused to bee offered vnto him at the feast of Saint Peter following and euen then began to studie how hee might secretly oppresse or greeue the Duke by ambush or finde some matter or occasion to wrong him openly with the ayde of great princes But hee did not foresee that death would soone cut off the thred of his life and interre with him the issue of his desseins The present estate of things promised in shew a generall peace betwixt these two great princes but their mindes were possessed That of ouâ— Francis with a wonderfull desire to bee reuenged for the rigorous conditions of the treatie of Cambray being forced to renounce the Soueraigntiâ—s of Flanders and Arthois ancient members of the Crowne of France and to quitte his rights to the estates of Milan and Naples the which had wonderfully discontented him That of Charles who feared least the King or his successors should draw those prouinces within the bounds of the realme and by the recouerie of the Duchie of Milan molest him continually in the possession of Naples and Sicile To exclude the King from
place of his named Baux The King gaue money to repaire the losses Amongst his chiefe champions the Emperour lost Anthonie de Leue Marc Busthein another Captaine of Lansquenets his kinsman the Count Horne Baptista Castalde and many other men of accoumpt Let vs apply here that holy Oracle speaking of Senacherib King of the Assirians Thy bragging hath come vnto mine ears I will put my ring into thy nostrils and my bitt into thy mouth and will make thee returne the way thou camest And Thus sayed the Eternall touching the King of the Assirians he shall not enter into this Cittie neither shall â—e shoot an arrow therein he shal not present himselfe before it with shield nor cast c. Behold the Earle of Prouence in imagination who had lately threatned the Prouinces of this Realme with fire and sword and swallowed vp the Crowne thereof by presumption ashamed and confounded in his retreat hauing lost halfe of his troupes turmoyled by the pesants who vsing the armes of his sicke men and of those that were dead seize vppon the passages and straights beat downe the bridges vpon the riuers which were then very violent charge them in front in flanke and behind and the light horsmen led by the Earle of Tende Bonneual Langey and Iohn Paul de Cere follow them so close as they had no meanes to forrage leauing the waies from Aix to Freius couered with dead carcases and men languishing harnes lances pikes harguebuses and all other armes pel mel on a heape The King resolued to march after them and wheresoeuer he should ouertake them to giue them battale and so passe into Italie where at that instant he had a mightie armie in field But he is diuerted from his desseine by letters from the Marshall of La-Marke Hee had no more meanes to hold Peronne long the walls were beaten downe in many places famine pressed the beseeged they wanted harguebusiers and poâ—der So the King caused some part of his men at armes to march speedily and tenne thousand French foote Of the Earle of Nassau resolute to follow after by great marches to raise the seege or to recouer the Towne before the enemie should fortifie it and furnish it with victuals God would preserue him from this toyle and giue him lâ—isure to take breath The Imperials being alwayes repulsed with losse of many and sundry assaults the myne wherin they had long labored prouing fruitlesse besides the death of Phillip of Boâ—linâ—illiers Earle of Dammartin ouerwhelmed in the ruines thereof in a countermine he made to blow vp the enemies myne whose death was reuenged with the slaughter of three hundred Lansquenets and twentie of their men at armes at the last assault giuen by the Tower that was vndermyned and the Towne being releeued with fiue hundred shot euery one carrying ten pounds of powder entring by meanes of a General alarum giuen by the Duke of Guise with two hundred horse and al the trompets he could recouer they dislodged in the night about the middest of September continuing their burning as they had begun France by the grace of God is now free from enemies But nothing is now perfectly happie There are crosse newes which trouble the Court. The English Ambassadors that were neere the King ill affected to his Maiestie and without doubt no faithfull seruants to their master giue him intelligence That the Emperour seeing that hee could neither by spoyle or any other meanes prouoke the King to battaile made shew of a retreat to draw him to poursue him and so to fight or else retyre to take a geeater leape and to inuade Prouence sodenly when as the French forces should bee farthest off That the Emperour himselfe the better to colour his departure gaue out that famine and mortalitie had diminished his forces of one third part and the rest had runne the like danger if he did not retired yet notwithstanding he had no such want of victuals as was supposed and since his comming out of Italie had not lost aboue two thousand men That since the taking of Montiean and Boisy no man durst giue any alarume to the Emperours Campe nor yet follow it at their dislodging These impostures and false impressions had wrought such effects with the King of England as Pomeray being sent from the King to three ends To satisfie him of the truth touching the enterprise of Prouence To procure his liking of the marriage of Magdaleine a daughter of France with the King of Scots and to learne the King of Englands intention vppon the motion before made touching the marriage of the Duke of Orleans with Marte of England daughter to the said King hee had much a doe to alter him any thing from the opinion hee had conceiued But the marriage of Scotland did so incense the King of England as hauing layed open vnto Pomeray his greefes and the causes of his discontent vpon this article hee sent him backe without any conclusion being loath to haue his neighbour so highly allyed The cause of warre betwixt England and France There comes an other matter of greater importance the Country of Tarenâ—aise in Sauoy had lately shaken off the French yoake To reduce it to his obedience the King sent the the Earle of Saint Paul Duke of Esâ—outeuille by his wife with French troupes of horse and foote and the Earle of â—â—rstemberg with his companie of Lansquenets to whome for the purging of their offence the Country was abandoned to the spoile with the Towne of Conâ—â—ans Beeing thus punished they afterwards performed the dutie of subiects and the Duke returned into France with much honour and glory Let vs now discharge our promise and conclude the yeare with the exploits of the assembly made at Mirandole by the Italian Captaines pensioners to the King Their first desseine was vpon Genes and to this effect they came speedily and closely hoping eyther by surprise or by the partisans of Caesar Fregose to become masters of the Towne but a Luquois of the troupes of Cont Guy stealing away in the night had discouered the enterprise to the Cittizens So the Earle retyring his campe halfe a League from Genes betwixt two mountaynes hee suddenly caused many ladders to bee made which prouing too short made the successe fruitlesse These Captaines had no Cannon to make any batterie moreouer Turin being beseeged required their presence They therefore turne head The Imperialls aduertised of the Earles approch abandon the seege and leaue the field at the deuotion of this newe army The Lord of Annebault seeing the Campe disâ—odged sallies out after them and in passing takes the Tower vpon the bridge of Pau by composition the taking whereof the Emperour had so highly commended and the Lord of Burie tooke Groillan the come and wine that was found there serued to refresh Turin The Towne of Quiers was taxed by the Imperialls at fiue and twentie thousand Crownes but whilest the soldiars were busie to force the Inhabitants to pay this
Montrueil with the Constables companie of a hundred men at armes lead by la Guiche his Lieutenant a man of great experience in the Arte of warre Genly Captaine of foure Ensignes of French foote the Earle Berenger and Francis of Chiaramont Neapolitans eyther commanding a thousand men At the beginning of the siege of Montrueil the Duke of Vendosme aduertised of a Conuoy of victuals which came from Aire and S. Omer to the enemies campe garded by eight hundred horse and twelue hundred Lansquenents with foure meane Culuerins to fortifie them selues if they were charged he sent the Lords of Villebon Estree and Eguilly with their companies of men at armes to busie the enemy vntill that hee might come with his company of a hundred men at armes Chastaigneray with fifty of the Daulphins and Senerpont with the like charge who arriuing in troupe charge the enemie breake them put them in rout and besides the dead carrie eight hundred prisoners of Therouenne win two Culuerines the other two remayning for that their carriages were broken and foure enseigns of Lansquenets On the other side the Kings presence before Boullen kindled the courage of the beseegers and daunted Veruein the head of the defendants a man of no worth The first approch of the Cannon killed his heart and amazed with the furious batterie of the enemie after hee had endured a kind of an assault but whilest that Philippe Corse stood by him who being slaine with a Canon shot hee sends presently to sound the intent of the King of England and yeelds him the Towne by composition That the men of warre and Cittizens should depart with their baggage deliuered him the place with all the artillerie munition and victuals whereof there was great store The inhabitants refuse this bad composition the Maior offers with the Townsmen Boullen yeelded and those that were well affected to keepe the Towne A shew of loue very commendable in this people but in such an action he should haue proceeded farther and haue lodged the Captaine where he might haue yeelded a good account to the King and by the effect haue performed what was offered Without doubt his Maiestie would haue allowed the enterprise as done for the good of his seruice for the Capitulation was no sooner concluded and hostages not yet giuen but a horrible tempest of wind and raine ouerthrowes all the enemies tents and leaues not one standing and the soyle being fatt and slipperie they had no meanes to mount to the assault An vndoubted signe of the present assistance of heauen Moreouer the Daulphin marched with speed to succour them who by his approch had made the King of England to change his desseine But sayd Veruein I will not breake my word with the King of England A foolish and impertinent scruple to continue constant in a treacherous promise to the enemie and to make no conscience to breake his faith to his naturall and Soueraigne Prince A scruple which shall soone make him iustly to loose his head on a scaffold at Paris This peace with the Emperour had greatly impayred the King of Englands forces Seege oâ— Montrueâ—â— To surprise their campe before Montrueil and to take Boullen from them before they had fortified it the King causeth his armie to march with speed But the Duke of Norfolke fearing least the French armie would come betwixt Boullen and him and cut off his retreat he raysed his campe and went to ioyne with the King of England who knowing his forces being diuided from the Emperours would be vnable to incounter the Kings armie he imbarked a part of his great artillerie for England and leauing the Duke of Somerset for the gard of his new Conquest hee retyred to Calais The hast he had to dislodge caused him to leaue part of his artillery victuals and munition in base Boullen being fortified only with some small trenches for the surprising whereof the Daulphin sent in the night two troupes led by Fouquessolles and Tais and to second them he leaues six thousand Grisons in a valley Fouquessolles and Tais enter the place cut all in peeces they meet winne both the artillerie and munition and thinke to haue gotten an absolute victorie but for want of making a stand of tenne or twelue enseigns betwixt base Boullen and the high Towne to hinder their sallies and to leaue some troupe in battaile in the market place of the base Towne fiue or six enseigns issue forth from the high Towne and finding souldiars in disorder busied at the spoyle they put them in rout Fouquessolles was slaine Tais hurt The Freâ—â—â— defeated and no perswasions of the Captaines could euer stay the rest but they cast themselues confusedly among the Grisons to saue their liues yet were they saith the Original as good souldiars as any were that day in Europe but in matter of enterprises if all accidents bee not foreseene it is too late to repaire them when the disorder is happened Day being come and the rayne falling in such aboundance as the most part of our shott had no fire the victuals by reason of the bad way could not followe all the Countrie of Boullenois was wasted spoyled and burnt euen vnto Montrueil and from Montrueil to Abbeuille 1545. which were seuenteene Leagues no grasse nor forrage for their horses So the Daulphiu hauing receiued newes from the King dismâ—â—sed his Suisses and Grisons leauing the Marshal of Biez in Montrueil with the French and Italian bands come out of Piedmont and retyred to the King his father at Saint Germain in Laye Then dyed Iames King of Scotland leauing by his death his realme in prey to his neerest neighbour To saue it from oppression and keepe the people in the obedience of the Queene Dowager he had taken to his second wife the daughter of the Duke of Guise the King sent with a good number of men and money the Earle of Leâ—ox of of the house of Steward Nephew to the deceassed Marshall of Aubigny The Earle being yong and ill aduised hauing in his vaine and riotous expences imployed the Kings money and fearing to be accused of theft retyred to the King of England who desiring to vse his seruice and to tie him by some notable bond caused him to marrie a Neece of his daughter to his sister mother to the deceased King of Scoâ—â— Tâ—e King aduertised of this reuolt sent la Broche a gentleman of Bourbonnois wise and well aduised to giue councell and comfort to the widowe and soone after the Lord of Lorges Earle of Montgomery to crosse the King of Englands attempts against the Scots But in caring for the affaires of an other should hee neglect his owne Boullen possessed by the English was too great a beame in his eye it was an open port for the enemie to take footing daily and to fortifie himselfe within the realme They therefore make great preparations by sea and land Boullen beseeged by the King to dislodge them By sea hee
of riuers These grudgings were openly published when as an other occasion makes them both speake aloâ—d and to take armes Practises to surprize the Prince and Admâ—raâ—l In a maner all the Duke of Anious horse staid about Paris with fiâ—e or six thousand foot vnder colour to fortifie the gardes of the King the Qâ—eene mother his bretheren the capitall Citty and Tauannes sent towards Bourgongne with many companies made them suspect that it was to beset and surprize the prince at Noyers a little weake towne of his owne the Admirall at Tanlay a Castâ—e belonging to his brother d' Andelot Some acquainted with this practise giue them adâ—ice they complaine to the King of the iniustice is done them beseeching his maiestie to quench the fires kindled in his realme by the factions of the Guisiens to free themselues they take Rochel for their sanctuary This braue prey being thus escaped Katherin and the faction â—end forth comissions and appoint the rendezuous for the troupes in Guyenne and Poiâ—ou The Duke of Anâ—ou prepares and for a reuenge of Meaux he chaseth away the Protestants The Qâ—eene of Nauarre accompanied with three regiments of foote and eight Cornets oâ— light horse nothwithstanding the endeuours of Escars and Monâ—luc retires to Rochell with the Prince her sonne at this day our most Christian King Henâ—y the fourth and the Princesse her Daughter The Cardinall of Chastiâ—lon is forced to leaue Beaâ—â—oiâ—in and to saue himselfe in a small Barke in England The Nobilitie of Poiâ—ou arme with the first and repaire to Rochell The Earle of Rochefoucault was armed some dayes before D'Andelot marched with a thousand good horse and two thousand shot gathered together in the confines of Maine and Brittaine The â—rotesâ—aâ—tâ—â—â—me The Duke of Martigues gouernour of Brittaine going with three hundred Lances and fiue hundred braue shot to Saumur to the Duke Mâ—ntpensier he is aduertiâ—ed that many of the enemies troupes are lodged in his way He â—ends to discouer them and finding them lodged at large after the French manner passeth brauely through them with the losse but of twenty men and with the gaine of an Enseigne and the slaughter of aboue foure score of his enemies and recouers Saumur whilest that D' Andelot la None and other Commanders ioyned with the Prince If the Dukes of Aniou Montpensier and Martigues who assembled men from all parts to oppose a mighty armie against the Protestants had in time foreseene that those which diâ—lodged in so great hast went to seeke their fortunes a farre off and had sought to crosse their desseignes the Prince all his part had in all shewes bin coopt vp in Rochell But behold of poore vagabonds in two moneths they become maisters of Niort Fontenay S. Maixent Xaintâ—s S. Iead d' Angely Pons Cognac Blay Angoulâ—sme and are strong enough for the continuance of a long war While the Dukes arme the King begins the warre against the Protestants by the Pen. He declares by his proclamation that the Edict of Ianuarie had beene but prouisionall vntill he were of full age The King makes a Proclamation against the Pâ—otesâ—anâ—s that now he forbids all exercise of the pretended reformed religion in all the territories of his obedience forfaits both the bodies and goods of them that shall breake it commands all Ministers vpon penalties to depart the realme within fifteene dayes And by another he suspends all officers making profession thereof from their offices and charges commanding them to resigne them into his hands within fifteene dayes The Protestants make their profit of these Edicts and send them into Germany England and to the Suisses of their religion to proue That they are not pursued as rebels affecting the Crowne crimes by the which their enemies would make them odious And in truth these Edicts were spurres to hasten the League which the Duke of Deuxponts shall bring the next yeare and for the heads of Daulphiné Prouence and Languedoc to go and oppose the forces of the sayd Prouinces against the Kings armie which was ready to fall vpon the prince To this end Acier Mouuans Pierre Gourde and others draw forth sixteene of seuenteene thousand shot but few horse seeming with this multitude of men to haue vnpeopled all that climate But as they did fortifie the princes affaires on the one side they did weaken them on the other for after their departure the Catholickes seized vpon many places the which they might well haue held lodging halfe their forces in them then marching in troupe close and speedily they might haue arriued safe where their presence was most profitable and necessary But the presumption of equalitie doth commonly ingender a pernitious iealousie among great men and the opinion one conceiues of his forces and of his owne valour with an obstinacie not to yeeld vnto another is a dangerous plague in an armie Monuans and Pierre Gourd defeated and slaine Mouâ—ans Pierre Gourde finding themselues annoied by straight lodging as they had done till they came neere to Perigueux they meane to lye more at large at Mensignac not discouering that the Duke of Montpensien approched who at his arriuall puts in route two regiments and kils a thousand â—ouldiars at their Colonels feete who selling their liues deerely so tyre the Dukes troupes as they could not charge Acier yet they were amazed by the fearefull report of such as were escaped who made the Dukes forces exceeding great beyond all truth who retiring to Chasteleraud made the way opeâ— for Aciers troupes which remaiâ—ed of this shâ—pwrack to fortifie the 〈◊〉 aâ—mie and to make it able not oneâ—y to endâ—re tâ—e shocke but to attempt 〈◊〉 thing â—gainst the Catholikes The Prince did mâ—ster in hâ—s armie aboue 〈◊〉 thousand Harguebuziers and tâ—â—â—e tâ—ousand good horse The Dâ—ke had ten tâ—â—â—sand foote beside Suisses and â—oure thousand Lances the Souldiars of both aâ—miâ—s were well expeâ—ienced in warâ—e Hee that takes not the French 〈◊〉 their first heat they are easily broken the 〈◊〉 â—â—news of warre failing migâ—t greatly coole this new vigour and Winter appâ—ocâ—ing withdraâ— the greatest paâ—t of them The Prince therefore seekes to figâ—t tâ—e number and courage of his men inuitâ—â— him He comes within two Leagueâ— oâ— Câ—â—stelleraud and by his appâ—och annoyes the Duke of Aniou The Duke moued witâ— tâ—e like desire and greeued to see so many men at the Princes deuotion knowing aâ—so that the forces of Germanâ—e would be ready to Mâ—â—che in their fauour in the Sâ—ring seekes to diuide his enimies power and to ouercome them by peecemeale 〈…〉 mâ—tions are sodaine but they doe not alwayes bring forth effects premediâ—atâ—d To come to a battaile was properly to cutt away the sinews of the realme 〈…〉 mutuall weakening to inuite tâ—e foâ—raine enemie to the inâ—â—sion of this estate Tâ—e soueraigne commander of baâ—tailes did shew at this timâ— a signe of his 〈◊〉 faâ—our to this Crowne takiâ—g fâ—om bâ—th the Gâ—nerâ—lls the sharpnâ—sse of
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
it vpon his owne head But these men had diuided it amongst them giuing the rest to vnderstand that they fedde themselues with vaine hopes To cast more wood and oyle into the flames of their diuision and to ruine one by another matters were so handled as the 15. of August The Duke of Guise escapes the yong Duke of Guise escaped out of prison from Tours and not farre from the riuer found a troupe of horse appointed by the Lord of La Chastre to conduct him This escape caused many bonfires and greatly reuiued their hearts who held this Prince fitte to make a King of the Vnion But the cleere sighted thought with reason that his arriuall at Paris would rather ruine then aduance their partye and the deuises and practises of other pretendants must needs soone kindle an extreame and common ielousie amongst them Whilest these consult with their most trustie friends and seruants Noyon taken by the King what effects might grow by this new accident the King in the same moneth besieged Noyon in Picardie defeated the succours sent by the League foure times killed their most resolute men at armes tooke many prisoners put the rest to flight and at the Duke of Mayennes nose who to auoyde this check which the League was like to receiue attempted vpon Mante sought to force his Maiesties Suisses lodged at Houdan and approched neere to Noyon but would not fight heaping shame vpon his enemies hee forced the besieged to yeeld to his obedience and moreouer went and dared him to fight before Han. Let vs returne into Daulphiné to behold the most memorable and most fatall defeate for the enemies of this Crowne the most vertuous expedition of armes which for these many yeares hath most broken their desseignes vpon Prouence and Daulphiné The 〈◊〉 of Sauoy defeated and most weakened the League in those Prouinces which the Sauoisien affected Don Amedeo bastard brother to the Duke of Sauoy Don Oliuares chiefe of the Spaniards whom the Duke had lately obtained of King Philip his father in lawe the Marquis of Treuiâ— and others conducted twelue or thirteene thousand men by the plaine of Pontcharra neere to the Castle of Bayard in the vallee of Graisiâ—odan Doubtlesse the place should reuiue the memory of that incomparable Knight who by the valour of his armes hath in former times wonderfully tyed the realme to recommend his merits the Lord Les Diguieres meetes them chargeth and ouercomes them leauing two thousand fiue hundred slaine vpon the place carries away many prisoners and most of the Commanders takes eighteene Enseignes with Red Crosses and makes bootie of all their baggage which amounts to aboue two hundred thousand Crownes in Chaines Iewels plate money both golde and siluer horse and armes Two thousand Romaines and Milanois which had saued themselues with Conte Galeas of Bel Ioyeuse their Commander in the Castle of Aualon were the next day at the Victors discretion sixe or seuen hundred were cut in peeces the rest were sent to a place of safetie with white wands in their hands and then sent home into Italy with an oth neuer to carry armes against France The King seeing that neither by the taking of Noyon nor by any other baite hee could draw his enemies to fight doth presse them yet more neerely To this end hee commands that Paris should bee restrained on all sides both by water and land and should enioy no commodities but by the mercie of the neighbour garrisons the which he entertained vpon the tributes and customes imposed vpon victuals which they suffered to passe to Paris and by this meanes emptied the inhabitants purses stript them and drew out of the Citty necessary commodities for his troopes then with one part of his army hee marcheth into Normandie surpriseth Louuiers approcheth to Rouan to tire the inhabitants Rouan besieged who seemed no lesse obstinate then the Parisiens He is no sooner arriued but they crie out for succors and his Maiestie sees them neere their ruine or at the least ready to yeeld to some reason So the King of Spaine sollicited from many partes Succoured by the Duke of Parma and thrust on by the consideration of his owne priuate interest and satisfaction sends to the Duke of Parma commands him to leaue the gouernment of the Lowe Countries in his absence 1591. to the Cont Mansfield to go and free Rouan and to imbrace such occasions as should be offered The Kings happy successe and his enemies miseries drawes the Prince of Parma the second time into France hee parts from Bruxelles with foure thousand foote and three thousand horse and fortified with the succours of Italy and three thousand Suisses hee marcheth by small iourneys for hee wisely conceiued that his Maister sent him into France for the same considerations that hee would haue giuen him the conduct of his armie by sea into England and vnder this shew of armes hee practised an other desseigne To cause the Estates of the League whereof they purposed a conuocation the next yeare to giue the Crowne of France to the Infanta of Spaine whom the father promised to marry with one of the heads of the partie whome the Estates should name This tended greatly to the preiudice of the Duke of Mayenne for hee was marryed Diuision bewixt the Duke of Mayenne and the sixteene and the eldest sonne of Lorraine the Dukes of Guise and Nemours were to marry Hee is therefore now resolutely determined to crosse the sixteene Tribunes of Paris who with their Champions carried away the peoples voyces and aboue all others did feed the Spaniards hopes in this realme to whome inticed by the gold of Peru and his prodigall promises they had already solde the Capitall Cittie The sixteene growne hatefull through their tyranous authoritie feare to be soone suppressed they resolue to preuent it and rather to vnhorse the Duke the better to aduance their affaires according to King Phillips intentions One thing seemed to aduance their desseigne they held prisoner one named Brigard a Proctor of the Towne-house accused to haue had intelligence with the King and of letters written to his Maiestie Brigard escapes out of prison They suspect the President Brisson and the Councellors Larcher and Tardife to haue fauoured his escape In this furie the 15. of Nouember they seize vpon these three venerable persons hale them to the Chastelet cause them to bee strangled in the close prison and the next day hang vp their bodyes at the Greue with infamous writings on their brests This execrable fact might haue extended farther and made the like spectacle of any one that should in any thing haue controuled the actions of these homicides The Duke of Mayenne who treated with Parma posts to appease this tumult hee caused Louchart Auroux Hameline and Emonnot the chiefe authors of this cursed attempt to bee apprehended and executed in the open view of all the people who bowed their backes mournefully at the damnable commands of
vnto him to haue had intelligence with Chastillon Admirall of France and with William of Nassau Prince of Orange touching the Low Countries This as some say was discouered by Don Iohn his vncle bastard brother vnto the King who being inexorable against them that had offended came vnto the Princes chamber in the night whereas hee found two pistols behind his beds head and some papers which did auerre the intelligences he had with his enemies The King first gaue him a gard afterwards he put him in prison and in the end to death But first he propounded to his Councell of conscience what punishment a Kings sonne deserued that had entred into League against his Estates and had conspired against his fathers life and whether hee might call him in question His Councell layed before him two remedies both iust possible the one of Grace and Pardon the other of Iustice and punâ—shment and the difference betwixt the mercie of a father and the seueritie of a King saying that if by his clemencie he did pardon them which loued him not hee could not but pardon that creature which he should most affect They desired him to imitate the Emperour Charlemagne who imputed the fiâ—st conspiracie of his sonne Pepin against him to lightnes of youth and for the second hee confiâ—ed him iâ—to a Monasterie protesting that hee was a father not a King nor a Iudge against his Soâ—ne The King answered that by the law of Nature he loued his sonne more then him elfe but by the law of God the good and safetie of his subiects went before it Moreouer he demaunded of them if knowing the miseries which the impunitie or dissimulation of his sonnes offences would breed he might with safetie of conscience pardon him and not bee guiltie of those miseries Hereat his Diuines shronke in their shoulders and with teares in their eyes sayd that the health of his people ought to bee deerer vnto him then that of his Sonne and that hee ought to pardon offences but such crimes as abhominable monsters must be supprest Hereupon the King committed his Son to the Censure of the Inquisitors commaunding them not to respect his authoritie no more then the meanest within his Kingdome and to regard the qualitie of his son as if he were a King borne making no distinction therof froÌ„ the partie accused vntil they found that the excesse of his offence would no more admit of this consideration remembring that they carried in their soules a liuely Image of the King which had iudged Angels and should without distinction iudge Kings and the Sonnes of Kings like vnto other men referring all vnto their consciences and discharging his owne The Inquisitors for the practises which hee had with the enemies of his religion The Iudgâ—menâ— oâ— the Inquisitors declared him an Heretike and for that he had conspired against his fathers life condemned him to die The King was his accuser and the Inquisitors his Iudges but the Iudgement was signed by the King which done they presented many kinds of death in picture vnto the Prince to make choise of the easiest In the end hee demaunded if there were no pittie in his father to pardon him no fauour in his Councell for a Prince of Spanie nor no wisedome to excuse the follies of his youth when as they told him that his death was determined and might not be reuoked and that all the fauour was in the choise of the mildest death He sayd that they might put him to what death they pleased tâ—hat there was no choise of any death seeing they could not giue him that which Caesar held to be the best These last words A vnloked foâ— death best deliuered with passion were followed with a thousand curses against his Fortune against the inhumanitie of his Faâ—her and the crueltie of the Inqusition repeating verie often these wordes O miserable sonne of a more miserable father Hee had some dayes of respit giuen him to prepare himselfe for death One morning foure slaues entred into his chamber who awaking him put him in mind of his last houre and gaue him small time to prepare vnto God Hee start vp sodainly and fled to the bed post but two of them held his armes and one his feet The deaâ—h of the Prince of Spaine Death of the Queene of Spaine and the fourth strangled him with a cord of silke Many hold that hee died of letting bloud his feete being in warme water The death of the Queene of Spaine foure moneths after made the world to suspect other causes of his death The King was also vnfortunate in his enterprises against Flanders and England hauing prepared a great fleet which perished in the narrow Seas almosâ— without any fight Hee is blamed for his crueltie against the Indians whome hee abandoned to the slaughter like vnto brute beasts Hee had foure wiues aâ—ter that of Portugal He married with Marie Queene of England by whome hee had no children His third was Elizabeth of France surnamed by the Spaniards the Queene of Peace by whome hee had two daughters the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia now Archduchesse and the Infanta Catherina Michelle who was Duchesse of Sauoy The fourth was Anna of Austria daughter to the Emperour Maximilian and his owne proper Neece by whome hee had three Sonnes and one daughter of the which there now remaines the Prince Charles Laurence surnamed at his comming to the Crowne Philip the third Hee affected the Empire as much as might be and not able to attaine vnto it hee sought the title of Emperour of Spaine The King of Spaines ambition yea hee was resolued to go to the Indies to take vpon him the title of Emperour of Amerâ—â—a After all his ambitious proiects vppon Affricke his attempts against Ireland and his intelligences with the Turkes Barbarians and Persians whome he hath sought to diuide and to make vse of euen against Christian Princes but chiefly and especially against France yet in the end hee was forced to confesâ—e That all the power and pompe of this world was meere vanitie He raigned aboue fortie yeares and was buried with his Ancestors as he had ordayned We haue said that hee drew a writing out of a little Cabinet and deliuered it vnto his sonne Some writers say that it was a translation into Spanish of the Instruction which the King S. Lewis gaue vnto his Sonne Philip the hardie Others say it was the Instruction which followes Instruction oâ— the King of Spâ—inâ— to the Prince his Sonne My sonne I haue beene alwaies sollicitous and carefull to leaue you your Estates peacefull and quiet but neither the many yeares which I haue liued nor the assistance of Princes my Allyes could euer purchase it I confesse I haue spent in lesse then 33. yeares fiue hundred nintie and foure millions of ducats all which haue bred mee nothing but cares and troubles It is true I haue conquered Portugal but as France did hardly escape me so may