thousand Ducats to enter Bourgongne at the same instant with three thousand horse and eight thousand and foote Germaines and Suissâ—s promising the Suisses a certaine summe of money to ioyne their forces with Maximilian being content they should reteâ—ne a part of Bourgongne vntill they were fully satisfied According to this agreement the English enters the marches of Picardie camps before Therouenne with fiue thousand horse of combate and aboue fortie thousand foote But the English forces did not molest France at land only the Admirall of England ran along the coasts of Normandie and Brittanie And the King to resist their incursions caused foure Gallies to passe the straight of Gibralâ—ar vnder the charge of Captaine Pregent At the first incounter the Admirall chased Pregent into Brest Here Pregent turnes his force fights with the Admirall and hurts him whereof he died within few daies after After that foure score English ships and twenty Normands and Brittons ships fought with equall forces ours hauing the winde But in the end Primauguet a Britton Captaine of the Nunne which Queene Anne had caused to be built beset by ten or twelue English ships and resolute to sell his death dearly grapled with the Regent the chiefe ship of the enemies fleete and fiering it burnt both the one and the other with all that was in them Therouenne was defâ—nded by two hundred and fiftie Lances and two thousand foot whilest the King prepared two thousand fiue hundred Launces ten thousand Lansquenets led by the Duke of Gueldres sixe thousand others Thâ—rouâ—â—â—e beâ—eeged which the Duke of Norfolke brought being fled long before out of England and tenne thousand French to succour the beseeged who in the meane time molested the enemie day and night with their artillerie with the which the great Chamberlaine of England was slaine and Talbot Captaine of Calis lost a legge The troupes assembled the King sent them to Aire vnder the comand of Lewis of Longueuille Marquis of Rotelin Captaine of the hundred gentlemen of his houshold Victuals grew scant in Therouenne when as the Lord of Pieâ—es gouernour of Picardie and the French Captaines chose out the most resolute of all their troupes and gaue them charge to carrie victuals to the Towne And for that their enterprise had happily succeeded retyring too confidently and reproching the enemie of couardise hauing no intelligence of their intent the English hauing sent their horse and fifteâ—ne thousand foote to cut off our mens passage who did ride on their nagges disarmed they charge them vnawares being readie to wade through a riuer that passeth at Huchin they kill about three hundred and take many prisoners amongst others the Marquis of Rotelin Bayard la Payete Clermont of Aniou and Bussy of Amboise all the rest casting away their Launces and trusting to their heeles and horses saued themselues by flight And therfore they call it the battaile of spurres which caused the yeelding of Therouenne the which was dismantled The incounâ—â— of 〈◊〉 to take away all cause of discord betwixt the Archduke Charles who by ancient right pretended it and the English who challenged it as conquered from the enemie by the sword From Therouenne Henry went to campe before Tournay following in this resolution not so much the actions of a good Commander in the warre seeing the taking of this place lying within the low Countries brought him small profit as the perswasions of Maximilian hoping that this Towne pulled from the French might in time returne to the obedience of his grandchild Charles to whome they pretended it appertained Tournay taken Tournay vnfurnished of men of warre and dispayring of succours for that the King not being maister of the field nor of sufficient force to incounter the English could not succour it saued her selfe from spoyle paying a hundred thousand Crownes To crosse the English at home The Scots defeated the King had stirred vp Iames King of Scotland an ancient allie to this Crowne but the chaunce of armes was nothing fortunate for him neither at land nor at sea for ioyning with the English armie where Queene Catherine was present he was vanquished vpon Til and slaine with aboue twelue thousand Scots After these victories the end of October approching Henry left a great garrison in Tournai The English retire dismissed his strangers and toke his way towards England carrying no other recompence for so great and sumptuous a preparation for warre but the Cittie of Tournay But some desseins vpon Scotland fallen into a pupils hands hastned him home An other storme threatned France The Suisses armed according to the former conuentions the King sends Tremouille vnto them to disperse them vnder whome many of the Colonels had receiued the Kings pay But neither by presents not promises preuailed he any thing onely he had a secret intelligence giuen him from some Captains to prouide for the defence of his gouernment of Bourgongne whether the Pope the Emperour Sforee did thrust them And behold foureteene or fifteene thousand Suisses with the troupes of the French Countie a thousand horse The 〈◊〉 enter into Boâ—â—goâ—ne and the artillerie which the Emperour gaue them vnder the conduct of Vlric Duke of Wirtemberg camped before Dijon Tremouille was returned with a thousand Launces and six thousand foot who by his practises had greatly altered the Colonels when as the multitude doubting the faith of their Captaines takes the artillerie and batters the wall Tremouille not able to resist the force of this nation which increased daily flies to the last remedy and without expecting any authoritie from his Maiestie agrees with them That the King should renounce the rights he had to the Duchy of Milan should pay them 400000 crownes within a time prefixt which they preteÌ„ded was due for their seruices in the former wars and for assurance therof he gaue for hostages his nephew of Mezieres Bailife of Dijon and foure bourgesses of the said towne who sauing themselues awhile after in Germanie escaped the threats of this people to cut off their heads if the King did not ratifie it Doubtlesse these were wise men to saue their heads from the Suisses choler A very preiudiciall accord for the King if he had beene constrayned to ratifie it But was it not better to lull the Suisses asleepe then to loose Dijon Our Lewis is now freed off two incombrances the English and the Suisses But the exemption of present dangers freed him not from a relaps for the English departing threatned to returne in the spring and prepared alreadie being loth to stay any more so long at the warre The Emperour had the like intent to annoy him The Catholike King deuised as was discouered by a letter written to his Ambassadour resident with Maximilian the meanes to draw this Duchie of Milan to Ferdinand their comon granchild yonger brother to Charles the Archduke shewing that by that meanes all the other estates of Italie should bee forced to take their law
treate with him So as hee begins to taste of some proposition of peace moued before Saint Disier by the Lord of Granuelle and his Confessor a Spanish Monke of the order of Saint Dominike and of the house of Gusmans A â—reatie of peace A day is appointed for the meeting of the Deputies at La Chaussee betwixt Challons and Vitry For the King there came the Admirall of Annebault and Chemans Keeper of the Seale of France â—or the Emperour Fernand of Gonzague and to know if the King of England would enter into it they sent the Cardinall of Bellay Raymond chiefe President of Rouan and Aubespine Secretarie of the State and Treasurer As the Emperour camped towards the riuer of Marne a league beneath Chalons and within two leagues of the French armie a riuer being betwixt both William Earle of Fursiemberg parted about midnight with a guide onely to view a â—oard which hee had in former times passed when as he came into France for the Kings seruice Being come to the foard he leaues his guide vpon a banke sounds it findes it easie and passeth the riuer But he discouered not some Gentlemen of the Kings house and part of the Admiralls company who had the gard that night who without giuing any alaâ—â—m put themselues betwixt the riuer him take him without resistance lead him to the Campe know him and send him to the Bastille at Paris from whence he shall not depart vntill he hath payed thirtie thousand Crownes for his ransome In the meane time the Emperour sees his armie ready to breake for hungar they cutt off his victuals behinde and on either side And if that goodly Captaine whom the Daulphin had sent to draw into Espernay the victuals thereabouts to breake the bridge vpon the riuer and to spoile the Corne Wine and other prouisions which could not be saued had carefully executed his commission the Emperour disappointed of the munition and victualls which he found in Espernay and hauing no meanes to passe the riuer had not in the end enioyed those commodities which he found in Chasteau Thiery an other Storehouse of the French campe whereby his troupes languishing for hungar recouered some strength In the end the Daulphin being come to campe at La Ferté vpon Iouarre and hauing sent a good number of men to Meaux to hinder the Emperours passage who deuising to make his retreat by Soissons he takes his way by Villiers-coste-Retz vnder hand reuiues the proposition of peace with the King The King knowing that a battaile could not be giuen in the heart of his realme so neere vnto his capitall Cittie without a verie doubtfull and dangerous consequence and the losse of men and in case he should vanquish the King of England and the Earle of â—ures would encounter him with as mightie an armie as his owne that by the losse of one and perchance two battailes his realme were in danger that winning them hee should get little especially vpon England being an Iland Moreouer the Marshall of Biez was almost forced to yeeld vp Montrueil to the English â—or want of victualls and succours the sufficiencie of the Lord of Verâ—ein gouernour of Boullen as we shall shortly see was not without cause suspected and without a conclusion with the Emperour hardly could these two important Townes be releeued The King therefore sent the Admirall of Annebault againe to the Emperour being in the Abbie of S. Iohn des Vignes in the suburbes of Soissons where in the end was concluded A peace concluded That Charles Duke of Orleans should within two yeares after marry with tâ—e Emperours daughter or his neece daughter to Ferdinand King of Roâ—aines and at the consummation of the said mariage the Emperour should inuest the said Duke of Orleans in the Duchie of Milan or in the Earledome of Flanders and the Low Countries at the choise of the said Emperour And in exchange this done the King promised to renounce all his rights pretended to the said Duchie and the Kingdome of Naples and to restore the Duke of Sauoy to the possession of his Countries when as the Duke his sonne should eniâ—y the said Duchie of Milan or the Earledome of Flanders and all things during the terme of two yeares as well on this as the other side the Alpes should remaine in the same estate as they were at the truâ—e made at Nice So the Emperour deliuered vnto the King on this side the mountaines Saint Desier Ligny Commercy and the King Yuoy Montmedy and Landrecy Steâ—â—â— was deliuered into the Duke of Lorrains hands and the fortifications razed On the other side the Alpes the Emperour had nothing to yeeld but Montdeuis and the King Alba Quieras Antignan Saint Damian Palezol Cresentin Verruë Montcal Barges Pont d' Esture Lans Vigon Saint Saluadour Saint Germaine and many other places which he possessed These treaties thus concluded and pâ—oclaimed beyond the Alpes the Duke of Anguien returned into France with as great glory and honour as a wise and valiant Prince could enioy and the Emperour retired his armie which the Earles of â—eux Bures lead ioyntly with that of England he dismissed his owne and parting from Soissons tooke his way to Bruxelles accompanied beyond the frontiers by the Duke of Orleans the Cardinals of Lorraine and Meudon the Earle of Laual la Hunauday others The Emperour is now out of the realme let vs also seeke to send the King of England beyond the seas Henry the 8. King of England according to the League he had with the Emperour landing at Calais with an armie of thirty thousand men fortified with ten thousand Lansequenets and three thousand Reistres which the Earle of Bures lead and the troupes of the Earle of Reux chiefe of the army of the Low countries for the Emperour he found Picardie very much vnfurnished of men the King had withdrawne his forces towards Champagne to oppose them against the Emperour and the Duke of Vendosme being weake in men had fiue places of importance to furnish Ardre Boullen Therouenne Montrueil Hedin all equally opposed to the inuasion of the English Henry therefore seeing no armie to withstand him making his accoumpt to carrie a legge or an arme of the body of this realme sent the Duke of Norfolke and the Earles of Reux and Buries to besiege Montrueil The King of England besiegeth Boullen Montrueil and himselfe went and camped before Boulen The Marshall of Biez was gouernour But when hee saw the enemy turne the point of his armie towards Montrueil he left the Lord of Veruein his sonne in lawe to command in Boullen from which he was disswaded by some to whom his sufficiencie was well knowne assisted by Philip Corse a Captaine very well experienced in armes the Lords of Lignon and Aix otherwise called Renty young and without experience with their regiments and halfe the company of a hundred men at armes of the sayd Marshall and he put himselfe into
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
flies to Philip who comes himselfe with a very great army and enters Flanders The vncle supplaâ—â—â— his Nephew for the County of Flanders His meaning was to make a benefit of their common quarrell But it fell out otherwise by his prouidence who doth pull downe one raise vp an other alwaies iustly although the causes be vnknowne vnto vs. Robert defeates the King and his Nephews After this victory hee is receiued Earle of Flanders without any discontent of the King for the distressed pupills who relying no more on him fled for succor to Thierry Bishop of Liege who makes an accord That Robert the Frison should haue the Earledom of Flanders giue his Nephews some recompence After this peaceable possession of the Earledome of Flanders Philip fâ—rsâ—ks Baldwins Children at their neede In England Philip became a deere friend to Robert forgetting the good offices hee had receiued from his tutor measuring friendship by proffiâ— Such was tâ—eÌ„ the state of Flanders England had a greater change we haue sayd that Robert Duke of Normandy had instituted William his bastard sonne his heire and that hee had gotten possession of the Dâ—chie but behold a greater happinesse attends him Edward King of England hauing receiued much kindnesse from him and knowing him fit for the gouernment of the realme names him his heire by his testament by vertue whereof notwithstanding all the policy and force that Herould brother to the Queene could vse William is receiued King of England and crowned in a soâ—lemne assemble of the English homage is done vnto him as to their lawfull Lord this great dignity continued in his posterity Philip sees this new power impatiently Philip discontented at VVilliams aduancement to the crowne of England yet can he not preuent it but God hath prepared it as a rod to correct this realme by the three sonnes which William left to succeed in his Estates Robert William and Henry Ambition is the Leuaine of these warres it shewed it selfe soone after the birth of this new power growen to the Dukes of Normandy whose first breeding we haue seene in the second race by the increase of the realme of England Robert and Henry the sonnes of William come to the King at Constans vpon Oise As they play at Chesse with Lewis the sonne of King Philip there fell some contention among these yong Princes and from iniurious words they fell to blowes Lewis called Henry the sonne of a Bastard Henry struck at him with the Chesse-board and had slaine him if Robert had not staied him This blow being giuen Robert and Henry made all hast to saue themselues in Normandy The Leuaine of distention betwixt France and England where they incensed both heauen and earth with their complaints From this light beginning grew all the troubles which disquieted these two Estates during 400. yeares vpon diuers occasions Robert Henry being escaped the fathers so imbrace the quarrell for their children as they fall to armes Philip goes to field and takes Vernon depending of Normandie Robert goes out of Normandie and doth seize vpon Beauuois King William parts from England and lands in France with a great and mighty power The English enter into Guienne and inuades Xaintonge and Poitoâ— Behold the first check of a dangerous game Philip moued with these losses enters into Normandie with a great and mighty armie but he cures not one wound in making of another William on the other side runnes and spoiles all the Country euen vnto the gates of Paris where hee entred not then but his posteritie did after him Hee dies soone after but the quarrell suruiued in his children who augmented this hereditarie hatred in many sorts While they began to weaue this web Italy was in no better estate being full of horrible combustions and the cause was so much the more lamentable for that the mischiefe came from them Conâ—â—â—â—ons in Italy betwixt the Emperour and Popes from whom all good was to be expected We haue formerly spoken of the deuisions growne betwixt the Emperours and the Popes of Rome for their preheminences In all ancient times the Popes were subiect to be summoned before the Emperour who had authority to create them to depose them that were vnworthy of their charges to call Synods and to confirme all things which concerned the outward gouernment of the Church The Pope on the other side maintaines that all this authority was his The Popes vsurpation as vniuersall Bishop hauing power to bind and loose to iudge of all men and all causes as the soueraigne Iudge of the Church not to bee iudged by any man and so to dispose absolutely of all matters as well Ecclesiasticall as Ciuill as Monarch in the Church not only armed with power of excommunication to damne rebels and authority to remit sinnes but hauing also the temporall sword with soueraigne authority ouer Emperours Kings and Princes of the earth to place and diâ—place and to dispoâ—e of their estates Hereafter we shall find in euery raigne some memorable example of this soueraigne authority This raigne giues a very notable one After the death of the Emperour Conrade called Salique Henry the 3. of that name hauing happily gouerned the Empire left it to his sonne Henry the 4 yet very yong so as the Popes during this weakenesse of the Empire had meanes to fortifie themselues and so imbracing this occasion Gregory the 7. called Hildebrand did prohibite the Emperour all authority ouer the Clergie and forbad vpon paine of excommunication to haue any recourse vnto him for the collation of benefices or for any thing else that depended on the Church Henry moued with so great an affâ—ont Sâ—range confuâ—oâ—s betwixt the Emperoâ—r and the â—ope lets Gregory vnderstand that this his decree was contrarie to the ancient orders the vse of the Catholike Church Vpon this refusall he lets him know that hee will maintaine the rights of the Empire and complaines to the Clergie of Rome in an open assembly Gregorie calls an other wherein hee doth excommunicate Henry and all his adherents and sends forth his Bull into all parts wherby hee declares him excommunicate and degraded of the Empire and in his place causeth Rodolph Duke of Sueuia to be chosen Emperour Thus there growes two factions in Italy and in Germanie one for the Emperour and the other for the Pope behold two armies leuied of these factions ready to shed Christians bloud nine battailes were giuen vpon the quarrell of these preheminences In the end Rodolphe the new Emperour is taken and slaine by Godefroy of Bouillon who followed the Emperour Henry the fourth who after this victorie assembled a great Councell at Bresse where as Gregorie the seuenth is excommunicated and Clement Bishop of Râ—uenna appointed to succeed him they conduct him to Rome with an armie take the Citty after a long siege whereas the new Pope is sollemnlie installed and Henry the 4. Emperour restored
by the decree of Clement But this was not all those which were opposite to the Emperour chose in the place of Gregory Vrbain the 2. and their party growing strong the confusions increased opposing oâ—e Emperour against another Herman of Luxembourg to Henry and after him Egbert Marquis of Saxony the which were taken by Henry and slaine one after another Vrbain hath other practises against Henry hee animates his owne sonne by his first wife against him forcing all the lawes of nature The Pope incenseth the sonne against the father who takes from him both his Empire his life And as Henry had suppressed the practises of this his eldest sonne Pope Paschall who succeeded Vrbain the 2. succeeds him euen in the like monstrous practises incensing his other sonne Henry whom the father intended to make Emperour relying on him as on his child beloued aboue all the rest So this sonne bewitched by ill councell found meanes to seaze on his Father depriuing him first of the Empire and then of his life The Pope added to this death a new disgrace causing by his thundring Bulls The Popes malice against the Emperour being dead the body of Henry to be digged out of his graue These were the fruites of their serious controuersies for preheminence not onely vnknowne to the ancient Church nor practised by the Apostles but expreslie forbidden by the holy mouth of the sonne of God The Popes one after another troubled with these crosses had recourse vnto our Philip so had Henry the 4. being a prisoner to his sonne but the respect of his coÌ„mon friends made him to keepe the stakes and to be a spectator of these lamentable confusions And yet many orders were erected by the Popes amiddest these disorders that of the regular Chanoines for a difference of the secular the Charteaux Templiers Benedictins and Carmes Thus Philip a witnesse of others miseries raignes peaceably during this age full of confusion both in Church and State The Emperour had reduced the realme of Bourgongne to the Imperiall iurisdiction distinguished as wee haue sayd but during these disorders The begining of the estaâ—es of Daulphiné Sauoy Prouence and Francâ—e Conté the whole body was dismembred and reduced to an other forme as when one is wearie of an old garment The industrie of such as held the Citties and Countrie in their possession made foure peeces of this garment The one was for Otho of Flanders which is the Countrie about Besançon with the title of an Earledome whereof it carryes yet the name The other for Berald of Saxony who enioyed Sauoy The third for Guigue the fatte Earle of Grisiuaudan who from little grewe so great in the confusions of times hauing taken the chiefe Citties of the Country and in the end Grenoble the capitall Citty as he became absolute Lord of all that Prouince the which hee called Daulphiné in fauour of his Sonne who hauing married the Daughter of the Earle of Albon and Vâ—ennois named Daulphin would carry the same name holding himselfe honoured by so worthy an allyance The fourth peece is Prouence one of the goodlyest and richest both for the fertilitie of the Countrie and commoditie of Ports most conuenient in all the Mediterranian Sea this was fallen into the hands of Berengers successors by the meanes before specified So the Empire lost the command of these foure Prouinces which fell to foure diuers Lords leauing yet in Daulphiné some traces of the ancient name without any effect for they yet call it the Empire in their common language as wee haue sayd elsewhere But as during the raigne of our Philip these confusions were notable Voyage to the Holy Land so that great and renowned voyage to the Holy Land made by our Argonaâ—tes Christians â—s worthy to be carefully obserued The proiect was to deliuer the Christians of Asia â—ormented by the furious tyranie of the Mahâ—metaines and to repeople the land the which God had honoured with the first fruits of his Church This zeale of Christians was commendable I would to God they had at this day changed their disordered passions glutted with their owne bloud into so holy a resolution vniting their mindes and forces against the common enemie of all Christendome The occasion was giuen by a French Gentleman called Peter the Hermite The motiâ—â— of this enterprisâ— who hauing long trauelled in the East and seene the miseries of the Christians among the Barbarians the maners of the Leuantins and the commodities and discommodities of the Prouinces of Asia neerest to the Holy Land he laide a pâ—ot with Simeon Patriarck of Ierusalem to solicite all Christian Kings and Princes to imploy their forces for the conquest of the Holy land The euent was answerable to the proiect for being come to Rome to Pope Vrbain the 2. he did so well lay open the estate and importance of this action as being satisfied by him he resolues to inuite all the Kings Princes Potentates States Comoâ—altieâ— Lords and Gentlemen of Christendome therevnto To this end hee calls a Councell at Clermont in Auuergâ—e where he assisted himselfe and induced the whole assemblie by his perswasions with so great efficacie as they resolued neither to spare their persons nor estates in the execution of so important a worke Godefroy of Bouilâ—on sonne to Eustace Earle of Boulogne vpon the Sea being Duke of Lorraine by his Vncle Godefroy the Crooke-back the sonne of Gothelon a great and a generous Prince ofâ—â—ed himselfe the first to this expedition and was chosen chiefe of this famous action The Emperour and all Christian Princes promised to contribute their meanes some their persons A troupe of all the selected Nobilitie of Europe did willingly consecrate themselues The names of such as went to the Holy land The most apparent were Eustace and Baldwin brothers to Godefroy Hugh the great Earle of Vermandois brother to Philip King of France Robert the Frison Earle of Flanders Robert the second sonne to William the Bastard Duke of Normandie and King of England Stephen Earle of Blois and Chartres Aimar Bishop of â—uy William Bishop of Oranges Raimond Earle of Tholose and Saint Gilles Baldwin Earle of Hainault Baldwin Earle of Retbel Bohemond Duke of Apouâ—lie Garnier Earle of Grez Harpin Earle of Bourges Ysoard Earle of Die Rambaud Earle of Oranges William Earle of Forest Stephen Earle of Aumal Hugh Earle of S. Pol Rotron Earle of Perche and many others worthy to be registred in this Historie I haue onely noted such as I could finde out All Europe was moued with this voyage France Germanie Italy England Scotland Hongarie Denmarke and Sueden Spaine onely failed being at that time much troubled to keepe their owne home from the Sarrazins who were lodged euen in their bowels France did contribute more then all the rest of Christendom The zeale which moued these generous and valiant men made them to hazard all Dukes Marquises Earles Barons Knights and Gentlemen sold and ingaged their Seigneuries
to furnish themselues in this affected voyage at what price soeuer Godefroy of Bouillon chiefe of the armie sold the Seigneurie of Bouillon to Aubert Bishop of Liege and Metz to the Inhabitants Robert Duke of Normandie ingaged all his lands to his brother William King of England Herpin Earle of Berry his Earledome to King Philip. A sale farre more honorable for the selâ—ers then for the buiers There was a quarrell betwixt the children of Taâ—cred the Norman of whom we haue spokenâ— who by his valour had conquered Scicile Calabria Apulia â— growne from light beginnings It seemed to be immortall the question being betwixt wilfull Kinsmen but this zeale did so pacific their quarrels as they brought aboue twenty thousand braue men to the army with their own persons Iâ— euery 〈◊〉 there was nothing but men making their prouisions the wayes were full of souldiers horseâ— baggage which repaired to the Rendezuous the Ports Hauens and Seas swarmed with sâ—ips and vessels to transport our generous Argonauts they being guided with this holy zeale The number of the Armie to the Holy lâ—nd to settle the State of Christians in the Holy land The number of the armie is diuersly reported Some write they were six hundred thousand fighting men others restraine it onely to a hundred thousand The first number were more likely for what were that in Europe but for our wretched dissentions But that which they adde is to be considered That many else well affected were kept back by reason of the dissentions betwixt the Emperours and Popes so as Germanie a great nurâ—erie of men of warre sent very few and Italy fewer being dispensed withall by the Pope who had ingaged others See the ordinarie frutes of home-bred quarrels the which fortifies the enemies of Christendome Some writers of iudgment adde that Pope Vrbain did cunningly vse the Christians zeale to weaken the Emperour and his Partisans that hee might preuaile with more facilitie causing them to marche in this action and retaining such as were at his deuotion This is their opinion as the wise reader may verifie in their places 1096. The sequell will shewe that this voiage did nothing mortifie the quarrell betwixt the Emperor the Pope the which was reuiued after a tragick maner We follow the traces of truth as euery thing hath succeeded Here we discourse of the beginnings and motiues of this war we shall see the end and issue of this great preparation Let vs reurne to the hauen to our Argonaâ—â—es the trumpets sound they are all ready to set saile Godefroye diuided his army into three fleets making the Rendezuous aâ— Constantinople whether he had sent his Ambassadors to Alexis Emperour of Greece The army parts and arriues at Constaâ—tinople who entring into iealousie of so great an army made some difficulty to grant him ports yet in the end hee yeelded and gaue him an honorable entertainement The departure of these Christian Aduenturers was in the yeare 1096. the first day of Aprill Behold our Latins arriued in safe port thus hereafter wee shall call them to distinguish them from the Greekes being Christians friends the Turkes Leuantins enemies They vndertooke no small worke neither went they to take possession of an empty inheritance The Turkes and Mahometains their enemies were Lords of Asia from the realme of Pontus towards the Mediterranian sea vnto Hellespont after they had expelled the Greekes ouerthrowne the forces of the Caliphes of Babilon and Egipt The Maâ—â—metain command and had seized on Palestina Iudea and all the rest of the Kingdome of Israell from the entry of the holie Land vnto Libanus Ierusalem was in their hands Their estate springing from weake beginnings encreased dayly Soliman Belchiaroc was their fiâ—t Sultan or Emperour who quickned with so hot a sommons of Christians assembled his forces togither stoode vpon his gard and prepared to fight Godefroy taking the aduice of Alexis Emperour of Greece who made shewe to imploy all his meanes to aduance the common cause resolued to passe into Chalcedone and beginning with the Citties of Asia to make his passage more easie The Christian troupes twâ—se defeated by the Turkes Hee had sent Peter the Hermit before the first trumpet of this warre with Gaultier who was a better soldiar and some troupes to discouer the Country but both togither making scarce one good Captaine suffred themselues to be beaten by the Turkes so as Godefroy sends in their place one called Regnaud or Raimond who makes profession to know the Country but he speeds worse suâ—â—ring himselfe to be beaten by the Turkes and to â—ace his life he renounced the Christian religion abandoning al that had followed him to the slaughter This was a â—oretelling of ill successe The army marching by Asia the lesse first they beseege Nicomedia the lesse takes it â—â—en they attempt Nicea a Citty of Bethinia famous for the first generall Councell 〈◊〉 â—as held against Arrius The Sultan had thrust Mahomet into it one of his braâ—est Captaines yet was it taken by assault by the Christians after two and twenty daies â—â—ege The Sultan had his army in field the which approched to fauour the beseeged Godeâ—â—oy winnes the greatest part oâ— Asia and to saue the remainder of this ship-wracke and likewise to hold the Citties in obedience which stood amazed Nicea being yeelded there were some skirmishes so fauorable for the Latins as Soliman retires his army to the mountaines leaues the plaines Citties to Godefroy who puft vp with this happy successe and leauing a good gard in Nicea he passeth through Bethinia and comes to Heraclea the which yeelds presently and goes on with such successe as in lesse then foure yeares he subdued all the goodliest Prouinces of Asia that is to say Lycaonia Cilicia Cappadocia Paphlagonia Siria Mesopotaâ—ia and Comagene as the wise reader may see in the Originalls of the whole History without making of any particular relation in this discourse These happy and gainefull conquests strooke as great a terror in Soliman and the Leuantins as it purchased honour and reputation to Godefroy and the Christians so as hauing taken Antioche Tripaly and other renowned Citties Iudeâ— and Ierusalem taken Godefroy of Boullâ—n chosen King of Ierusalem they came into Iudea and to Ierusalem with a victorious courage Thus Ierusalem is beseeged with such dilligence and resolution as after eight and thirty daies it is taken by assault and all the Turkes â—ut in peeces The poore inhabitants without armes are carefully preserued to purchase a double victory to the Latins of valour in fighting well and of clemency in sparing the vanquished 1109. The Citty wone the Latins assemble in councel with one coÌ„mon consent choose Godefroy of Bouillon King of Ierusalem Al the royall ornaments were taken accâ—pted by him except the Crowne of gold the which he would haue of thornes like to that of our sauiour Iesus Christ to augment the price
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
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
where the Captaines iudgement is more auailâ—able then the souldiers force But why ascend we not from these second causes true in that which doth concerne vs vnto the first and soueraigne cause The arme of the Eternall â—urging this Realme full of vicious and corrupted humours letting it blood but not suffering it to die this bloud letting shal be the beginning of a stronger medicine prescribed by the same Phisition ministred vnto France in the following raignes but in the end we shal finde the operation to the recouery of our estate Let vs now see the progresse of our miseries Edward did all he could to manage this victory wisely Philip to preuent him Edwards procâ—eding after the battell wonne Edward without any stay passeth on without atteÌ„pting the great Citties of Amiens Abbeuille although neerer he makes shew to set vpon Monstreuil Bologne but he posted to Calais a fit place for the passage of England Iohn of Vienne Marshall of France with him the Lord of Andreghan great personages in those daies commanded there with a strong French garnison being assisted with the faithfull resolution of the inhabitants So presently after the bâ—tâ—aile of Cressy Edward did besiege the Towne of Calais A long siege painfull and of remarkable successe He 〈…〉 Philip amazed with these sharp crosses fallen out beyond his hopes of ease slept not although it were with much paine and lesse fruite But his whole care was not for the ouerthrowe at Cressy He had a further reach following the trace of this vnfortunate losse Hee was entred into a newe inheritance this newe losse was to him a newe checke Affliction is a great crime both in great and small A remarkable 〈…〉 this raigne and opens their mouthes which haue their hearts ill affected The people of France were in extreme pouertie and yet the necessitie of the Kings affaires forced them to a new charge The ill gouernment of the publike treasure the falsehoode of the Treasorers who inriched themselues by the pouertie of the miserable people the fall of money imbased the decay of trafficke the increase of taxes A 〈…〉 by a plâ—gâ—e imposts subsidies were the causes of this general want the which drew the people into dispaire in this surcharge of troubles falling vpon the King This burthen grewe the more heauie by a great famine being followed by a strange generall plague throughout the whole realme as if heauen and earth had conspired to the ruine of France Philip inuironed with so many and so great difficulties continues constant with a valorous resolution against them all He prouids for the gard of the Citties of Picardy lying neerest vnto danger and to driue off the time vnfit for armes he calles a great assembly of his estats Philip calleâ— a Parliament to take Councel aide and comfort in the perplexity of so many dangerous occurrents In this assembly it was decreed to call the Treasorers to an accompt and to refer the gouernment of the treasure to Clergie men to the Nobility Therby to free the people from all iealousie of ill imploying it The Abbots of Marmoustier and Corbie are chosen for this Intendancie and to assist them there are ioyned foure Bishops and foure knights Peter of Essars Treasorer of France is committed to prison condemned in a great fiâ—e to the King Many treasorers being condemned iustly or vniustly yeeld that at once which they had bin long in gathering The treasoâ—ers called in question for thâ—â—r charge the sponge being then pressed by necessitie The Bankers Lombards other vsurers are then called to a strict accompt by reason of their vniust exactions The interests are proued to exceede the principall the which is forfaired to the King The interest is remitted to the debitor which payed the principall But the chiefe frute of this assemblie was that the whole body was wel inclined to succor the King in so vegent a necessity Bankers and vsuâ—ers are sifted without any alteration for the new difficulties of State Thus the winter was spent without any memorable acte on either side In the spring Philip goes to field with a great army and approcheth neere vnto Calais to drawe Edward to â—ight but it was in vaine for Edward contenting himselfe with his victorie and not willing to râ—n the hazard of a second battaile kept himselfe within his trenches and to manifest his resolution vnto Philip Edward to 〈◊〉 not to leaue the seege he built houses about Calais to lodge his army drie sends for his wiâ—e protesting publikely by a solemne oth not to rise vntill he did see an end and make the inhabitants pay for their obstinate resâ—lution On the other side Philip labored to crosse Edwards desseines but with small successe To worke a diuersion of this seege hee makes war in England by the King of Scotlands meanes and in Flanders by his sonne Iohn then Duke of Normandy and afterwards King of France but all succeeded ill Dauid King of Scotland hauing by Philips perswasion entred and spoyled England was defeated taken brought prisoner to London through the happinesse of Edwards fortune and the diligence of his officers 〈…〉 losse in his raigne Iohn Duke of Normandie hauing left Guienne by his fathers command comes into Flanders beseegeth the Towne of Cassel held by the English faction but he is forced to rise by theÌ„ within the Towne Then he falles vpon Lislâ— where he hath a newer repulse so as hardly could he retyre himselfe to his father Philip who sees his subiects in danger of shipwracke yet could he not releeue them Guienne abandoned by Iohn for the action of Flanders suffered much for Henry of Lancaster Lieutenant for Edward in Guienne seeing the Country left weake by Iohns departure issues out of Bourdeaux with an army and finding no enemy he doth easily surprise many Townes of Xantonge and Poitou and ladden with spoile he returnes home 1347. In the ende Calais yeelds to Edward standing to his mercy Calais taken after a long and cruell famine and almost a whole yeares siege for the siege began the 30. of September .1346 and the Towne was yeelded vp in August .1347 The French garrison was put to ransome and so set at liberty the Inhabitants were worse intreated the baser sort onely were suffred to depart with what they could carrie about them and in their steed Edward sends a Colony of English to whome he distributed all the goods of the vanquished and fortified the Towne especially towards France to leaue this place hereditary to his posterity who held it .200 yeares that is from the yeare .1346 vnto the raigne of Henry the .2 father to the King last deceased The integrity of these poore inhabitants is remarkable in their extreme affliction Edward had reserued six of the chiefe Cittizens to be at his disposition for the satisfiyng of his oth hauing vowed to make the bloud to flowe in Calais
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
vertue Philip of Arteuille their leader was slaine he was found breathing among the dead carcases whom the King commanded to be hanged and so he had the reward of his imagined Empire This double euent may serue as a lesson both for great and small for great men in the Earles person for small in that of this Tribun For the first to command well for the others to obey well and forall not to passe the bounds of their duties God punishing the great for their tiranny and crueltie and the lesser for their disobedience dangerous plagues of mankinde the which cannoâ— stand but by order and authoritie well gouerned and well applied They calâ—thâ—s ouerthrow the battaile of Rosebecqâ—e which chanced in the yeare 1582. in December it was the more remarkable for that the vanquished had soone their reuenge Charles thus victorious could not manage his victorie for in steed of surprising the Gantois in this amazement he lingers too long at Courtray to seeke out the remainder of those miserable mutynous which remayned in this defeate whereas in pardoning the vanquished the victor getts a double victoâ—y This place also being infamous by a great ouerthrowe which chanced in the yeare 1312. mooued him to choler for that this ill aduised people to noaâ—e the memory of that day did ceâ—ebrate a â—ollemne feast yearely An vnworthy reuenge taken by King Charles and had reserued fiue hundred paâ—er of gilt spures which they had taken from the French in that battaile Charles was so transported with the memorie of this audacious indignitie as he caused this poore Towne to be burnt An vnworthie reuenge of so great a monarke who should hold it the greatest reuenge vpon his enemies to pardon when he may reuenge The Duke of Bourgongne in all this confusâ—on did not forget to seeke for goodly mouables whereof there was abundance He carried away that goodly clock and that exquisite tapistry which is now at Dyion in the Kings house The Gantois seeing their ruine flie to Richard King of England The Gantois flie to England for succore they choose Francis Artremâ—n one of their Cittizens for their head and renue the league of white caps more obstinatly then before being resolued to die rather then to trust their Earle to whome they imputed the cause of all their miseries the which had continued fiue yeares and deuoured two hundred thousand men So fatall are ciuill dissentions betwixt the Lord and his subiects Lewis their Earle hauing labored to settle his affaires both by the French and English against the Gantois fealing daylie the inconueniences of this rebellious people as thornes in his sides fell into such a melancholie as hee died Leauing his whole estate much troubled to his sonne-in-lawe Philip Duke of Bourgongne who beeing faâ—re ingaged in his Father-in-Lawes quarrell was nothing pleasing to this his people The warâ—e was reuiued both by practises of the English and by meanes of Artreman the head of that faction who hauing tasted the sweete of popular commaund desired nothing more then to maintayne this diuision but there fell out a sodaine accident which pacified all this great trouble as a little raine doth a great winde Two Cittizens of Gand whose names deserued well to be registred in this historie discoursing one day of their common miseries A strange meane to pacifie Gand. and noating the true causes of these calamities within their Cittie as feeling the wound they sought the meanes to cure it the which had continued so long and cost their miserable Countrie so deere The Kings pleasure and the Duke of Bourgongnes must be knowne they were not ignorant of the peoples humour being verie weaâ—ie of so many miseries Their enterprise was not without exceeding danger by the absolute authoritie of three or fower who had most credit with the people being susceptible of any mischiefe when they are thrust forward with a shewe of good It was requisite in the managing of so important a busines to vse wisdome and silence vntill the foundation were well layed and for the execution thereof there needed one which had both credit and authoritie with both parties The God of peace presented one vnto them which gouerned this action discreetly Iohn Delle a gentleman of Gand but bred vp in the Court of France He that seekes peace finds it This Delle goes to the King and Duke of Bourgongne hee layes open his dessâ—ine and is well entertayned He returnes with a good answer both by letters of credit and priuate instructions to the Gantois At his returne the matter is so well furthered by those two Cittizens who were in great reputation with the people as without the priuitie of Artreman or the English Negotiators the banner of Flanders the signall of their popular power is sollemnly planted in the great market place Al the people flocke thether where hauing signified vnto the chiefe Magistrats that they would haue peace and obey the Duke of Bourgongne their Prince Deputies are appointed with power to negotiate conclude a peace with him This was effected after a long confusion to the content both of the Earle and Flemings Of a light beginning God performes a great worke when it pleaseth him Thus the Duke of Bourgongne pacified Flanders in the yeare .1384 when as he feared greatest tumults by meanes of some seditious persons to whose great griefe a peace was proclaymed throughout al the Estaâ—s of Flanders 〈◊〉 in Flanâ—â—â—â— which gaue an incredible content to all the people after so manie miseries Nowe King Charles grewe great and although he were but sixteene yeares of age yet was he desiroâ—s to marry The Duke of Aniou his Vncle according to the aduice which King Charles the wise had gâ—uen on his death bed thought good to seeke him out a marriage in Germanie in the house of Bauiere to counterballance the credit of the Emperour Wâ—nceslaus no friend to the house of France what shewe soeuer he made He therefore marrieth with Isabel the daughter of Stephen Duke of Bauiere a Princesse from whom they expected much good but shee brought infinit troubles to France as we shal see hereafter Thus mans wisdome is deceyued when as hee hopes for best that God might bee knowen for the author of al good both in the family and State This imperious Proserpina verâ—fied the prouerbe That a woman raiseth or ruines a house She had almost ouerthrowne the State But shortly there shal an Italian woman be ioyned to this Germain to augment the confusions of this raigne reasonable good in the beginning but verie miserable in the ende This yeare likewise concluded a peace in Brittain after many troubles Iohn of Montfort hauing renued his homage to the King and sworne fealtie which shall not long continue to the great preiudice of the King and his realme The truce was continued in shewe betwixt France and England but with no more loue of the two Kings then betwixt capitall enimies who sought to annoye
one another by new attempts Charles hauing pacified Flanders and Brittaine resolues to bee reuenged of Richard who had sought all meanes to annoy him in eyther prouince besides the ordinary brauadoes he gaue him within the hart of his realme Charles sends men and mâ—nition into Scotland He therefore sends a thousand men at armes to Dauid King of Scots and threescore shippes well appoynted with furniture to arme twelue thousand men of his country vnder the command of Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France Their entry into Scotland was pleasing but the Scottishmen grew soone discontented with our men eyther through their fault or our they accusing vs of insolency and loosenesse and we them of barbarousnes and cruelty to their friend a stranger who came to succour them This diuision caused Dauid to make a peace with Richard and our Admirall of Vienne to returne speedily home with his Frenchmen but not without obseruing the manners strength and commodities of this Iland diuided into two kingdomes And least he should seeme to haue made a fruitlesse voyage yeelding an accompt vnto the King of what he had done seene and learned in Scotland he lets him vnderstand that the strength of Scotland consisted but in fiue thousand horse and thirty thousand foote halfe armed and that of England in eight thousand horse and threescore thousand foote This relation were it true or false gaue aduice to assayle the King of England in his own Country where he might be vanquished with more facility then abroad the which so moued the minde of this yong Prince transpotted with the great harmes suffered with much indignity by the English as it was easie for the Duke of Bourgongne â— whom it much concerned to haue the English molested being often disquieted by him in his country of Flanders Charles resolues to make war in England to perswade the King to vndertake this war Oportunity did likewise seeme to inuite him for that the Duke of Lancaster pretending right to the realme of Castile by his wife had exhausted England both of men and money and the Gantois being pacified all Flanders would be held in subiection by this check The Regent acquainted with the Duke of Bourgongnes humoâ— being his brother who for his priuate interest would hazard the whole and noting the eminent dangers in the Kings person who would imbarke himselfe in this action the great want of money the peoples exclamations the great danger of tumults by the great exactions which must be made and in the action it selfe the inconueniency so apparant to any one that would open his eyes the impossibility of so great an enterprise to assaile a great King so oft a Conquerour within his owne Realme not holding any land there The Regent dislikes of thâ—â— enteâ—prise he was vtterly against it yet he spake soberly least he should offend the King who greatly affected it Lewis Earle of Touraine the Kings brother who soone shal be Duke of Orleans the Constable Clisson the Earle of S. Pol the Lord of Coussy and others in whom Charles had most trust had beene so perswaded by the Duke of Bourgongne as they had nothing else in their mouths nothing sounded in this yong Princes eares but the necessity profit honour and facillity of this voyage What my Liege say they are you lesse then the King of England shal the French yeeld to the English in valour courage or force what an indignity is it to haue this people alwayes at our gates to nourish them in our bosomes and to furnish them with armes to beat vs what a benefit wil it be to take their nest from them and leaue them no place of retreat Your Countries of Guienne Normandie Picardie and Flanders are wholy yours How much doth that import for the honour of your Maiesty and the good of your Realme to returne them their owne who haue so often defeated your armies taken your ancestors spoyled your Estate braued it in your Townes and beseeged your chiefe citty of Paris As for the facility of the execution who sees not but you may effect it if you please The Saxons conquered England with a handful of men far from their own home and with small meanes and William the Conquerour with his sword alone And you my Liege hauing a realme ful of men victualls monie euen at your enemies gate shall not you preuaile England opens her armes vnto you your Realme inuites you which without doubt will imploy both heart and purse for so great generous a desseine the which imports both the honour and quiet of your Maiesty Such and like speeches they did continually buzz into Charles his eares but from his Chamber they were published in the Court and so through out the whole realme as that which pleaseth the King doth commonly please all The desseine was to bee wished against a capitall enemie of the State and the proceeding had a fayre shewe At the generall instance of all the French the King decrees in counsell to leauy a great armie for the voyage of England letters are sent out to all parts Subsidies Taxes Loans imposed greater then during the imprisonment of King Iohn but all was shadowed with this reason That they must endeauour once for all to roote out the English who vndermined this estate and sought to ruine it This decree was put in execution with great applause of all men as if France had layed new foundations of her greatnesse both to warrant it selfe from danger at hand to haue a reuenge of former losses and to build a newe Estate at the cost of the common enemy of the French nation The Nauie is prepared at Scluse and Blanguerge to the great content of the Flemings They armed fower hundred eighty seuen Shipps for warre with an infinite quantity of victuals the which came from all parts like to a flowing streame The nobility striues who shal be best appointed Strange Princes are inuited The King of Spaine then a friend to our King the Earle of Sauoy Preparation for the warre of England The Dukes of Saxony and Bauiere send men Our Princes will not yeeld one to another in costly showes they adde superfiuous curiosity to necessity They paint and gild their shippes All glisters with goodly ensignes penons banners standards and streamors The masts painted with rich grounds shining with leaues of Gold gaue notice to all men that they went not onely to a certain victory but to some ioyfull nuptialls But all this feast was made without any reckoning with God who laughs from heauen at these ants that striue to climbe without a Ladder and at Princes who made these brauadoes at the poore peoples cost who remembred not that God hath a soueraigne court and a register to controll their actions and to oppose against their vanities The armie was prepared in two places in Flanders and in Brittaine It consisted of twenty thousand Knights and Squires as many Ganouois archers on foote and fiue
realme The King followed accompanied with the Dukes of Berry Bourgongne and Bourbon his Vncles and the Dukes of Lorraine and Bar he lodgeth at Blandelle two leagues from Cassell with an intent to charge the English who presently leaue the seege of Ypre Cassel and Grauelins and retyer to Bergues where Charles presently beseegeth them The English demande a parle with the Duke of Brittain they put him in minde of the benefits he had receiued from their nation Charles makes a truce with the English and demande requitall in this occurrent The Duke of Lancaster remaines at Calais by reason of his weakenesse the English Captaines requier respit to vnderstand his pleasure In the ende the King receiues them vpon honest conditions to depart with bagge and baggage and to leaue Flanders the which they performe Being returned into England they are accused to haue sold the Earldome of Flanders to the French so as by Richards commands they are beheaded The Gantois made a dutifull answere and promised obedience and loyaltie to the King A Truce was concluded for one yeare with the English by meanes of the Duke of Lancaster for King Richard and the Duke of Berry for our King Charles Such was the issue of this sodaine voyage of Flanders being a meanes to settle a businesse of a deeper consultation and more dangerous consequence seeing it concerned not onely the heart but the whole body of the Staâ—e They sought how to suppresse the sedition which was apparently bred in Paris and by their example in many great citties of the Realme To this ende Charles vpon his returne from this voyage stayed at S Denis with his vncles the Constable Chancelour and his whole Councell they were all troubled to resolue in so important a cause for what should they do To punish the poore people â—yred with the warres threatened with losses halfe dead by the feeling of so great calamities that were to beat one lying sicke in his bed for his waywardnesse The King consults what course to take 〈◊〉 the mutineus 〈◊〉 and not to cure him of the paine which is the cause thereof It were a meanes to driue him to dâ—â—paiâ—e to apply a remedye worse then the disease And not to punish them would argue â—eaâ—e and make them grow more proud and insolent a means to animate them to all impuâ—â—ty and to lay the way open to a disordered rebellion But the last aduice preuailed beeing well verified that since the paiment of the sine the Parisiens were growne worse and more bitter hauing had conference with the 〈◊〉 audacious mutines and the right artisans of rebellion holding it a vertue to play the madde men against their naturall Lords and also had so farre abused the Kings bountie as they had presumed to sollicit the best Citties of the Realme to the like disorder It did greatly import for the good of the Kings seruice and of the State that such phrensies should be suppressed by an exemplarie punishment done vpon the chiefe authors Iohn de Marais was verie deepe ingaged in these tumults and the more dangerously for that he cast the stone and withdrewe his arme and making a shewe of seruice to the King he fed the people in these madde humours very torches of sedition vnder a colour of the Common weale for who can beleeue they would put so famous a person to death without some â—ust cause I knowe they write diuersly and euery man hath his iudgement â—râ—e yet is it not true not likely that in pardoning a whole multitude offending they would punish him in whome there were no shewe of offence If hee were not culpable at the least he was accused of that which was the subiect of a publike condemnation Charles being aduised to punish the Parisiens for the insolencies they had comitted in hâ—s pâ—cience caused his armie to lodge about the Cittie and on a certen day he sends for the Prouost of Marchants the Sheriffs who come vnto him to Saint Denis with a countenance full of humility and shewe of amendment The King gaue them to vnderstand by Peter Orgemont his Chanceller that he ment to goe to his Cittie of Paris to punish the rebells and seditions who had not respected his presence The Prouost makes answere That the whole bodie of the Cittie was wonderfully greeued for that which had beene committed by men in despaire worthy to be seuerely punished but the good Cittizens had no comunity with these rascalls and that the whole Citâ—ie was readie to do him faithfull seruice There were many about the King which made all odious that concerned the Parisiens but Charles made them no other answer but that he would be soone at Paris The King enters Paris with his army and doe what reason and the dutie of a good King required He causeth his foreward to march led by the Constable Clisson and the Marâ—shall of Sancerre who seaze vpon the gates the which they found open without any gards The King accompained with the Dukes of Berry Bourgongne and Bourbon with other Lords of his Councell and an infinit number of Noblemen and Gentlemen in great shewe terrible to the people marcheth into the Cittie Being come to Saint Denis gate he causeth the barres to bee beaten downe The Prouost of Marchants the Sheriffs with the chiefe Inhabitants of the Cittie carrying the keys beseech the King to giue them audience hee denyeth them and passeth on to the house of Saint Pol but the army is dispersed throughout all the quarters of the Citty Presently they take away all the chaines and send them to Bois de Vincennes 1385. They search all houses for armes the which are instantly carried to the Louure and the Bastile The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne with the Prouost and his Archers go throughout the citty causing 300. of the most seditious to be apprehended The next day many heads were stroke off at the Halles amongst the rest that of Iohn de Marais Iohn de Marais a fâ—mous aduocate with many others executed whoÌ„ al men had heard of late discours so eloquently with admiratioÌ„ being held for the Oracle of France These executions were done by fits with such a shewe of grauitie as the seat of Iustice did more terrifie then the executioners arme vpon the scaffold A whole day was spent in these slowe proceedings the citty gates being kept so straitly as no man might issue forth houses and shops were shut vp with so great a silence as if all had beene dead euery man being hidden in his house or else so amazed as he durst not looke into the streets The vniuersity which then was in great credit with the King becommeth sutor for the people and beseecheth him not to include the Innocent with the culpable The King answereth coldly that he would aduise what to do willing them to retyre In the meane time a great Scaffold is made on the highest staire of the Pallace before the great image of Philip
but yeeld vnto him as his vassall but as coÌ„stable of France and deerely beloued of his Maister the greatest monarch in Europe and Soueâ—aigne to the Duke of Brittaine herein the Duke must needes respect him his place giuing him auâ—hority in many notable actions ouer the greatest personages within the Realme This was the ground of their hate which not onely embarked King Charles lord vnto them both but carâ—ied him so farre into the maine as he could not auoide a notable shipwracke by their meanes By the former accord Iohn of Montfort was to yeeld vnto Clisson all his patrimonye whereon he had seized vnder colour of a confiscation reuoked by Charles â—he which he had not yet performed And alâ—hough he had promised the King and giuen him a newe assurance Complaines against the Duke of Briâ—taine yet did hee not â—â—ust â—he King but continued hâ—s intelligences with the English fortified his places and coyned boâ—h gold and siluer against the Lawes of State He refused likewise to acknowledge Clâ—ment â—he 7 for lawfull Pope whom France approoued noâ— to suffer the Eaâ—le of Ponthiâ—ure aforesaid to beate the name and armes of Brittaine These were the chiefe causes of their complaâ—nts and differences The King and his most secret councell Mercier Montagu and la Riuiâ—re held for the Constable The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne and the Chancellour Orgemont for the Duke of Brittaine a cunning dissembling Prince and high minded He spake proudly by reason of his intelligence with England which could not fâ—ile him and mildly when as he found meanes to do his businesse vnder-hand not to breake with the King 1391. He comes to Tours vnto Charles where afâ—er many discourses their quarrells are ended by marâ—iages He is reconciled to the king Constable the Kings daughter beeing yet yong is promised to the Dukes sonne and the sonne of Iohn Earle of Ponthieure borne of the Constables daughter to the Dukes daughter who promiseth likewise to restore Clisson his lands in shew friends but in their hearts irreconciliable enimies Hereuppon Clisson goes into Brittaine to receiue his lands The Duke held a Parliament at Vannes whether he called his nobility The Constable comes fearing no enemie the Duke had built a Castle called the Hermine where he feasts the Sâ—ates The Constable is called and welcommed with the first this countenance did not shew what was prepared for the end of the banket against the Constable After dinner â—he Duke taking him by the hand vnder colour to shew him his building and to haue his aduise as of a great Captaine and well seene in Architecture he leads him from place to place through halls chambers and closets vntill hee had brought him to a great Towre hauing an iron doâ—e wherein were armed men The Duke enters first the Constable followes him as viewing the proportion of this worke and the thicknesse of the walles by the windowes But behold the Duke slips out of the Towre where he leaues the Constable and shuttes the doore after him This signe giuen â—he armed men seaze vppon the Constables sword and keepe him prisoner putting irons on his legges The Duke of Briâ—â—aâ—â— â—eâ—zeth treacherously on the Constable The Constable was not so much amazed at this strange vsage as the Duke reioyced at this sweet content of reuenge thinking to attaine the full of his desires to be reuenged of a capitall and cruell enemy and in the heat of his fury he commands a faithfull seruant of his called Iohn Baualan to dispatch the Constable presently Baualan accepts this charge but he doth not execute it He goes to the Towre and assures himselfe of the Constables person retaining the souldiours whom the Duke commanded to â—bey him and so he passeth the night with the constable But the night gaue him Councell The Duke transported with ioy in the heat of his choler goes to his rest but care awaked him and reason of more force then his passion lets him know the fault he had committed and repentance followed this first act A wise seruant in not obeying his masters passion The Duke lying restlesse a great paâ—t of the night riseth â—arely in the morning calleth Baualan and demands what is become of the Constable The Duke of Briâ—tain repents him of what he had done his passion bewrayes his minde before he spake witnessing the shame he had of his choler and his griefe for this furious charge Baualan comforts him and assures him that the Constable is well The Duke wonderfully glad of this newes which freed him from so cruell a torment commands he should be well intreated and with respect attending newes from the King from whom there comes post vpon post with complaints and commandements to the Duke The Duke without any great delay excuseth himselfe of his imprisonment and sends the Consâ—able to the King It had beene more auaileable for him to haue suppâ—essed his choler in committing this errour But he did verifie That he which offends doth neuer forgiue The Constable goes to the King to Blois he thanks him for his care of his deliuery the Duke doth likewise send vnto him to craue a safe conduct to come himselfe to make his iust excuses and to shewe what reason had moued him to put the Constable in prison The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne holding openly for the Britton obtaine leaue for him to come vppon the Kings word He comes well accompanied and not onely iustifies the taking of Clisson being his subiect and in his owne Country but also hee would haue the King beholding vnto him for the respect he bare vnto his officer whoÌ„ oâ—herwise he might iustly haue put to death It is an easie matter for great men to manage their aâ—fairâ—s at their seruants cost The Constable digested quietly this new affront being glad to haue recouered his liberty but the Duke of Brittaines malice shal be the cause of great miserie both to the King and realme seeking new deuises to satisfie his choler a furious beast which can neuer bee tamed by flattery It burst forth vppon a light and ridiculous subiect which bred a horrible Chaos of sundry confusions Peter Craon a Nobleman of the Countrie of Aniou 1393. had great credit with the King and with Leâ—is Duke of Aniou his Brother who loued him so deerely as he trusted him with his greaâ—est secreats euen with his amorous passions wherevnto his loose disposition his age â—asâ— and Court made him too proane to the great discontent of Valentine his wife who exceeding iealous of her husband and an Italian seeking by all meanes to learne how he was affected feeling him so colde to her she finds no better expedient then to gaine Craon whome shee handled so cunningly as she drewe the worme from his nose Hauing speciall aduertisment of her husbands loues she threatens the Ladie that was beloued and complaynes to her husband naming the reporter The Duke of Orleâ—ns finding himselfe wâ—onged by this
Vncles Lords Physitians all sigh all lifte vp their eyes to heauen Tears fall from the Duke of Orleance eyes he beats his brest and crosseth his armes he approcheth neere to his poore brother and hee recules from him All are amazed all confounded O my Country what trouble shall this poore head giue vnto thy body But may I lawfully sigh with my Countrimen who sighed then foretelling the miseries thaâ— should befall them by this phrensie as if my selfe had beene in this disorder a witnesse of so great an afflictâ—on both to this poore Prince and to his Estate A generall Censure of this accident The History doth very fitly set downe the diuers Censures that were giuen of this accident both at Rome and Auignon famous places being then the seats of Popes and also in England and in France The poore subiects as men whoÌ„ it concerned spake sobeâ—ly with great griefe some blaming the Duke of Brittain and Peter of Craon others the Coâ—stable of Clisson and Mignons of his chamber who had induced the King into this action but all in generall lamented bitterly this great desaster England was amazed at this report and sorry for it especially the Duke of Lancaster who had conferred with out Charles very pâ—iuatly in the treaty of peace which they had at Amiens He wepâ— commending this good wise Pâ—ince being desiâ—ous of the good of all Christendome Rome and Auignon being then banded one against the oâ—heâ— by reason of the Schisme of Antipopes reioyced at this calamity befallen vnto our poore King â—roisard toâ— 4. Chap. 5. Vrbain as his professed enemy triomphed in his mâ—sery whereinto he â—ayed he was fallen by a iust iudgement of God hauing supported Clement his competitor against him Clement reioyced for that he was not fully confirmed in his authority by him the King hauing busyed himselfe with his subiects quarrells whereas his greaâ—â—st charge was to restore the dignity of the holy Sea to her ancient beauty This the Historie obserueth of the Censures of these Antipopes But the diuine Oracle saies O how happie is he that iudgeth wisely of the afflicted representing an admirable example in the perâ—on of Iob to gouâ—rne themselues discreetly in their Censuâ—es Iob hath the testimony of a very good man and yet he had great afflictions hauing lost goods children howse and helth tormented by his wife and not only abandoned but also persecuted by all his friends in that which was more deâ—re vnto him then his goods and life his credit wherof they seeke to depriue him accusing him that he had liued wickedly like an hipocrite hauing but the shew of a good man and not the integâ—ity of a good life whereof he made profession Such is the vaine iudgment of this world which holdes aduersity for a vice and prospeâ—ity for a vertue measuring things according to their passions and not with â—eason but the tâ—â—th doth teache vs an other lesson O Lord howe great are thy workes thy thoughts are verie deepe the ignorant man doth not know them nor the foole doth not vndersâ—and â—hem Thâ—t we might know the chastisements of God to be alwayes iust although the câ—uses be vnknowen vnto vs. We cannot denie but there werâ— errors in Charles but yet we must confesse in acknowledging things as they be that he was one of the least vicious Kings of France and if we shal examine the zele he had to the gouernment oâ— his Estate he must hold an honorâ—ble ranke among the most vertuous Princes that haue at any time deseâ—ued well of this monarchy Many neerer causes of his infirmitie may be truly and soberly obserued The second causes oâ—â—he Kinâ—s phrensie the disposition of his body his manner of life the â—urcharge of affaires the weaknes of his bâ—aine the abounding of choller greefe and waywardnâ—s the want of rest and foode the importunitie of his voiage the terror of this voice the noise of armes â—o waighe downe the ballance euer charged with so heauie a burâ—hen But why from man do we not ascend to God Truly God doth hold gouerne this rod and as Charles was the head of this great Estate by his wise decree so he not only punished the person of Charles but the whole body of this â—ealme that both great and small might learne by this pittifull spectacle to humble â—hem selues vndâ—r the mightie hand of God who hath created the spirit of man to woâ—ke according to his good and wise will and disposeth absâ—lutely of men their affaires as he pleaseth and that this saying may be the seale of a â—â—ue and sober humilitâ—e I haue held my peâ—ce O Lord for thou hast doone it drawen from this Maxime God dotâ— all wel what so euer he doth O Kings â—his famous example belongs to you in so famous a Kâ—ng O Subiects you must learne by the head oâ— Châ—rles of what pâ—ice his head is whome God hath gâ—uen you for king â—hat you may praie vnto him with all your hearts to make him fit for the gouernment oâ— the whole bodie without the which it cannot subsist But I wil returne to our Charles Paâ—don curteous reader thâ—s dâ—gression for the sâ—arch oâ— the vse oâ— so famous an Accident This new and stâ—ange accident made them presently to dismisse the troupes hauing other worke in hand then to make warre in Brittaine The armie dissolued All the Court is wholy affected to the Kings hâ—alth He is preseÌ„tly caried backe to Mans his sicknes â—ncâ—easeth he must be transported to a better aire The Physitians aduise it shold be to Creilâ— pon Oise one of the royall houses in the Countrie of Beauuaisin betwixt Beauuais and Senlis a pleasant and hâ—lsome seat vpon the riuer He is conducted thether with great care but his frantike feuer conâ—inues still They seeke to conceale it least the fame thereof should be dishonorable but truth speaks generally Iames Harsely an excellent Physicion of Laon is sent for and preformes his duty happely as shal appeere by the euent Caâ—â— of the Kings person Nothing wanted that mans wit could deuise to helpe and cure the infirmitie of so great a King Let vs lâ—aue Charles in the Physicions hands and returne to the Crowne as sicke as the head hauing as great need of a good and spede remedie A Paâ—lement is â—resently called they assemble at Paris with all speed All France mournes for the affliction of their King whom they loued deerely for his myldnes and the siâ—gular hope they conceyued of his reigne whereby Charles purchased the name of Welâ— beloued 1394 The Estats assemble to resolue what was necessary for the gouernment of the realme in this accident They determyne first what might bee fittest for the forme of gouernement hoping verily of the Kings speedy recouery beeing loath to seeke a remedy that might any way preiudice his authority It was therefore set downe for a lawe That they should abstaine from the name of Regent vnfit
authority and the Daulphins who was heire apparent to the Crowne of France the capitall Citty of the realme the aâ—pâ—â—bation of the best Cities most of the Prouinces and wâ—thout comparison gâ—eateâ— means of himselfe both for men and mony Thâ—s â—â—cond warre continued a veare it began in Iuly 1411. and ended the yeare afâ—eâ— 1412. in the same moneth far more variable and violent then the first and memoâ—â—ble in this that the vanquished was victor and the victor vanquished The same authoâ—itie which had supported the stronger was in the ende fauorable to the weaker â—uch as most pleased their masters humor receiued death of him for their reward Very necesâ—aâ—â— obsâ—â—uations to iudge of these Ciuill warres The Orlean faction went first to field They were about seuen or eight thousand horse The number of their foote is not specified 1411 Charles Duke of Orleans makes the body of his army in Gastinoâ—s the Duke of Bourbon in Bourbonois and the the Earle of Alenson in Vermandoâ—s Peronne Chauny Neele and Han yeeld vnto them Clermont which belonged to the Duke of Bourbon is fortified they seeke to surprise Reteil and Bapaumes but in vaine This was the first sally begun by them of Orleans But the Bourguignon takes an other course he prepares the Kings Edicts against them he imployes the peoples force within the Citties and armes in field and all availes him at the first He had a great army both of horse and foote the which doth presently march into Picardy where the Orleanois had begun and easily recouers what they had gotten Han standes resolute they beseege take spoile and sacke it The Flemings which were vassalls to the Duke of Bourgongne being laden with spoile craue leaue to returne home neyther could the Dukes promises nor threats retayne them but they leaue his army and depart This had almost ouerthrowne his affaiâ—es he abandons Mondidier the which was presently surprised by Peter of Quesnes Lord of Gannes of the Orlean faction and putting his army into garrisons doubting the euent of this warre he sends with all speede to Henry the 4. King of England crauing succors in this necessity The Bourâ—ignon crâ—ues aide of the King of England Henry makes his profit of these ciuill dissentions in France he presently sends twelue hundred men to the Bourguignon to supply the Flemings want vnder the commande of Thomas Earle of Arondel The Orleanois loose no time and for their neâ—rer approch to Paris they surprise Saint Denis and Saint Cloud places of importance and fortifie Corbeil for the passage of the riuer of purpose to famish this great Cittie which liues by dayly prouisions brought from diuers parts But hee findes one to countermine his practises vsing the same instrument he had imployed to hurt him The Orleanois keeping the field about Paris must needes be the cause of great calamities And all this was acted in the viewe of the King and Daulphin Iohn informes the King of his enemies insolencie who without appealing to his Maiestie presumed to spoile the heart of Francâ— as if they were strangers or enemies Charles apprehends this error but too easily Tâ—e King Daâ—â—pâ—iâ— incensed against the Duke of Orleans desiring nothing but rest but Lewis the Daulphin especially is incensed by these informations and his chollâ—r encreaseth daâ—ly against his Cousins of Orleans The Bourguignon saied that they played the Kings and could not conceale their intention which was to seize on the Crowne seeing they presumed to take armes against the King There are rigorous Edicts made against the Orleans faction as against rebelles and guilty of high treason All their goods honours and persons are confiscate which remayne in thâ—s army if within fiâ—teene dayes after publication of the Kings letters pattents they retire not themselues to their houses And to begin with thegreatest Charles of Albret Constable of France and Arnolde of Corby the Chanceâ—lor are dâ—spossessed of their dignities and the Earle of Saint Pol preferred to the first place and Dolâ—haing the Duke of Bouâ—gongnes aduocate to the last This stormâ— makes worke at Paris they seeke out all of the Orleans partie and presently cast theÌ„ into prison The Parisienâ— mutine against the Orlean faction Peter of Essars being restored to his place remembers the article made against him at Wincestre and aâ—mes the people against them Whosoâ—uer is found out by the Parisiens bâ—eing of the Orleans faction hee is brought with hazard of his lâ—fe to prison All is lawfull in this popular rage so it bee against the Armagnacs All these engins forced from diuets parts do strangely shake the Orlean partie Such as were restrayned within any Townes duâ—st not breath and many in the army slippe away daily fearing the rigour of these Edicts which were executed withall seueritie Chaâ—les Duke of Orleans hauing taken counsell of the Princes and Noblemen his associaâ—s what course to followe in this alteration before a greater in conueniency resolues to drawe the Bourguignon to battaile although he were fortified with these new forces from England So as hauing passed the riuer of Oyse vpon a bridge of boats all the passages being seized on by the Bourguignon in the Kings name he presents himselfe before the gates of Clermont in Beauuoisis 1412. where Iohn his capitall enemie remayned The Orleans aâ—my yet faire beautified with the presence of great personages the Duke of Bourbon the Eaâ—les of Alenson Clâ—rmont Albret Vertus Vienne Bouciquaut the Archbishop of Sens brother to that Montagu which was beheaded Craon Montbason Hangest with many Batons Knights and Squiers all resolute to ende this quarrell by battaile and to that ende hauing defied the Duke of Bourgongne they attend him betwixt Clermont and Cathenay But the Bourguignon leauing them there to spoile that goodly and fertill country of the Isle of France whereby they increased the hatred and curse of the people more incensed then euer against these Aâ—magnacs exclayming of him as of a coward that durst not fight he arriues at Paris to the peoples great content who attende him with all deuotion Hee presently takes Saint Cloud and Saint Denis from the Orlean partie to their great losse notwithstanding any diligence of Charles their head who proclaymed a victory before the combaâ—e Thus Paris is freed without any restrainte and all the Orleans partie brought verie lowe Neyther Charles noâ— his Associats talke any more of fighting with the Bourguignon they had worke inough to retyre themselues and to defend their Townes expecting a present seege Iohn of Bourgongne failes not to husband this good successe and â—o countenance his forces hee doth intangle the King and Daulphin in the pursuâ—e of his enemies halfe vanquâ—shed So his victorious army enters into Beausse turning head towards the Country of Orleans the inheritance of his chiefe enemie Esâ—ampes yeelds â—o the King The Duke of Bourbon is there taken prisoner and sent presently into Flanders Whilest that all things succeeded thus
happily for the Duke of Bourgongne Henry the 4. King of England calles home the troupes he had sent to his succour The English troupes leaue the Bourguignon vnder the Earle of Arondells commande intreating the Duke to hold him excused if he did vse his owne at his neede Hee had no meaning to fauour the stronger paâ—ty but to succoâ— the weaker as experience did soone teach This sodaine altâ—ration did somewhat stay the Bourguignons desseine to attempt Orleans but making warre aduisedly he attends his enemies proceeding and taking an honest leaue to retyre by reason of the winter he comes to Paris where not to loose any time he continues the Kings thundring Edicts and executes many of his prisoners to flesh the people To bloud he addes Ecclâ—siasticall excomunications against the Armagnacs whilest the Orleanois â—ake cold by making warre in Charolois and sending for succors into England seeking for releefe in the same place where their enemy had found a scourge to whippe them Certaine letters carried by a monke from the Duke of Orleans to the King of Englâ—nd were intercepted and brought to Paris being examined in full assembly of the vnâ—uersitiâ— and from thence imparted to the people with the Bourguignons commentaries They made the Orleans faction so much the more odâ—ous as if the Dukes of Orleâ—ns Berry and Bourbon combined togither had sought to take the Crowne from the King and Daulphin and to dismember the realme in giuing part of it to the English and to deuide the rest among themselues Strange newes without any subiect which vanish at their breeding but yet they serue to purpose according to the desseine of their Architect The King and Daulphin being possessed by Iohn of Bourgongne haue no thought but to ruine the Orlean party and pufte vp with this first successe hoping to finish the rest they imploy all their meanes to leuie a great army the which through the Bourguignons care was held to be a hundred thousand men A notable number after so many miseries and â—n so great a confusion The Cittie of Bourges was of great importance for the vniting of the Prouinces on that side Loire where the Associate Princes had their greatest supplies of men The Bourguignons greatest malice was against the Duke of Berry who not onely had forsaken him but â—or his degree and age vnderstood much iâ— his enemies affaâ—res They resolue therefore to beseege it to make the way more easie for conquest of â—he rest In the beginning of the Spring the King and Daulphin go from Paris to theâ—r army which assembled in â—asâ—inois being entred into Berry the lesser Townes yeeld without question Dun le Roy Fontenay and Sancerre Bourges being summoned makes answere That neyther the King nor Daulphin did make this warre but the Duke of Bourgongne The King Dâ—ulpâ—iâ— beseege Bourges by the Bourguâ—gnons â—eane who holding their persones and willes captiue would depriue the Princes of France of their right hauing imbrued his murthering hands in the bloud of the fiâ—st Prince of the Câ—owne seeking to vsurpe the State There were verye many good soldiars within the Cittie which were supplied with all that might be wished for in a long seege They intreated the enemye in korne that hee would approch neere the Cittie and leaue their gates open in a brauery Many fortunate sallies are made by them crying in field God saue the King They take many prisoners The waters abroad are poisoned and many die before they discouer the cause All â—â—ngs out with military raylings of Armagnacs and Bourguignons but the greatest defeat is in spoyling oâ— the Country â—erry made desolate All â—he prouision being carried into the Citâ—y what a spoile shold an army of a hundred thousand men with their followers make and to increase the miserie all the houses of the champion Country were eyther sackt or burnt The English being victors in France neuer committed greater spoiles then these French armiâ—s As the Duke of â—erry the Lord of that Country was much greeued to see these spoyles so the Daulphin â—he heiâ—e apparent of the Crowne was discontented with his father in Lawes ambâ—tion growing odious vnto him His bloud which could not degenerate mooued him to compassion and the bloud vniustly shed troubled his coâ—scieâ—ce Foâ— to what ende should they ruine a whole â—ealme to maâ—ntaine so execrable a murther The Daâ—lphin disconâ—enâ—ed with his father in Law the Duâ—e of Bouâ—gonâ—â—â— If zeale to reforme the State saieth hee bâ—e the Bourguignons intent is thâ—s the way His father being sicke could not apprehend these things by reason of his infirmitie what râ—proch then were it for him being his â—ldest sonne to â—uffer himselfe to be bâ—flâ—d by his father in Lawe like vnto an infant These apprehensions mooued this yoâ—g Prince who nothing dissembling his conceptions told his â—ather openly that he was not pleased with these confusions that they must finde out some meane to pacifie them It chanced one day as they aduertised the King that in a sally made by them of the Towne they had slaine some one of his seruants the Daulphâ—n câ—ied out in the presâ—nce of the Bourguignon Shall we neuer haue an ende oâ— these misâ—ries I am resolued to make them câ—â—sse The Bourguignon hauing before discouâ—red some coldnesse in this young Prince found his mind now to be wholly changed He therefore replyed mildely That it should be well done so as they of Orleans would acâ—nowledge their error How saith the Daulphin shall they acknowledge thâ—ir fauâ—t if wee do not knowe them for our bloud And then they resolued to make a peace The Duke of Berry had layed the foundaâ—ion by Lignâ—c great master of Rhodes who fayled not to imbrace this occasion seeing the Daulphin so well affected The Eaâ—le of Sauoie had sent his Ambassadors to exhort both parties After a monethes seege they begin to treate of â—he meanes to pacifie these troubles The Bouâ—guignon mâ—kâ—s hast to bee the first in all things and parlees with the Duke of Berry betwiâ—t two barres One accuseth the other excuseth but in the ende a peace is concluded by deputiâ—s The Priâ—ces at an enteruewe imbrace one an other with all shewes of cordial louâ— such as their bloud makes shewe of after long bitternesse The Bourguignou onelâ— is tâ—oubled doubâ—ing this peace to them would be a warâ—e to him for that hee had no peace in his owne Conscience The King enâ—ers into Bourges where â—he peace is signed and for that reason it was called the Peace of Bourges the 25. of Iuly in the yeare .1412 â—he peace of 〈◊〉 A Parliament is called at Auxerâ—e to coâ—firme it by sollemne oath The Princes are receiued inâ—o fauour with the King and Daulphin alâ— Edicts made against thâ—m were disâ—nulled and of no force They and theiâ—s restored â—o their degrees and dignities All things to bee forgotten Tâ—e names of Armagnac and Bourguignon as in famous marks of ciuill dissention
but we sought our owne decay The Constable Albret comanded â—he foreward that day and with him were the Dukes of Orleans Bourbon the Earles of Eu and of Richemont the Lord of Bouciquault Marshal of France the Lord of Dampierre Admiral The Battaile was led by the Duke of Bar and the Earles of Alenson Vaudemont Neuers Blamon Salines Grandpre and Roussy The Reerward by the Earles of Marle Dampmartin and Fouquembergue The King of England forced â—o fight Henry being denied pasâ—age by the Constable resolues to fight puâ—ting his trust in God and in his owne valour determining to vanquish or to die He made choise of a place of hard accesse and the better to fortifie his archers euery one had a sharpe stake planted before him The French ordered as before attended their enemies either looking who should begin the game Impatiencye forceth the weaker like desperate men the English Archers being in fight with such a furie as the French foreward cannot endure the violent fal of this furious storme the CoÌ„stable Albret was slaine fighting in the foremost ranke The Duke Anthony of Brabant brother to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne seeing this disorder leaues his troupe to redresse it but he was also slaine by the English bowe men And gets the victorie with his bâ—other Philip Earle of Neuers The battaile was likewise foâ—ced after a great fight The reerward fled and saued them selues in the neerest places of retreate So as the losse was not so great as the shame and ouerthrow They number ten thousand men slaine but their rashenes was inexcusable The head smarâ—ed for it and the Bourguignons brethreÌ„ had there an honorable tombe Charles Duke of Orleans Lewis of Bourbon the Eaâ—ls of Eu Richemont Vendosâ—e the strongest pillers of the Orlean faction with many Noblemen and Gentlemen were taken and led into England This deâ—eat chancâ—d the 20. of Ocâ—ober in the yeare The Battaile of Agincourt 1415. called the euill Battaile of Agincourt And as one mischief comes neuer alone the bodies at this defeat were scarce buried before Lewis the Daulphin dies This Lewis eldest Sonne to our Charles Sonne in Law Lewis the Daulpâ—in dies and a terror to the Bourguignon was little lamented of the people and lesse oâ— his father in Law who hated him to the death A Prince of little valour and much toâ—le more busied with himselfe then with the affaires he managed the which he made troublesome by his insufficiencie presumptioÌ„ to know much His disposition vnwilling to learne fâ—om others what he vnderstood not for the good of the State and his owne duty Iohn Duke of Touraine his brother succeded him in the first degree of the Prince of the bloud The Duke of Berry dies and the Earle of Armagnaâ— was made Constable in the place of Charles of Albret who shall minister good occasion to speake both of his life and death Iohn Duke of Berry brother to our Charles the 5. augmented these losses A wise Prince and louing Learning coÌ„mendable in al things but for his couetousnes the which made his vertues of lesse fame A blemish very il beeseming a generous and heroicke spirit These great losses should haue made the Bourguignon humble but he became more insolent making new practises to raise him selfe hauing no competitor Imbracing this ocasion he gatheâ—s togither what troupes he can with an intent to go to Paris The Queene and Constable of Armagnac vnwilling he shoud come armed comand him in the Kings name not to aproch The Parisiens were not then so well conceited of the Bourguignon being restrained by the court vnâ—uersitie but especially by the Kings authoâ—ity being present who spake whatsoeuer his wife the Constable would haue him being then alone in authority in the Kings Councell The Bourguignons troupes kept the field 1416. committing all kinde of insolencies and spoyles against whom the King made Edicts as against common theeues The Bourguignon renewes the warre giuing the people liberty to kill them But this did nothing mollify the heart of this reuengefull Prince borne for his Countries misery hauing no other intent but to afflict it wâ—th new calamityes To this ende as in the Kings sicknesse the Daulphin had the name and authority of the State he sought to winne the fauour of Iohn succeeding in the right of his brother deceased This occasion was offered but the issue was contrary to his desseine The misery of our France was such as the common duty of humanity moued forraine nations to pitty foreseeing our ruine if the warre betwixt France and England continued In this common desire The Emperor Sigismond comes into Francâ— the Emperour Sigismond by the consent of the Germans came into France His traine and the good worke he vndertooke deseâ—ued an imperiall Maiestie but the ende will shew hâ—s intent to be other then he protested Being arâ—iued in France to the great content of all the French he findes our Charles at his deuoâ—ion who receiued him with all the pompe he could giue to so great a Monarch making shewe of the great desire hee had to make a peace betwixt the French and the English for the generall good of both estates But this accord was but halfe made The Emperour hauing remained some time with Charles goes into England where he findes Henry of an other humour puft vp with the happy successe of his affaires the weakenesse of ours and in trueth the measure of our miseries was not yet full So Sigismond hauing perswaded Henry in vaine returnes into France Charles to honour him sends his sonne Iohn Duke of Touraine and Daulphin of Viennois into Picardie to meete him hauing married the daughter of the Earle of Hainault as great a friend to the Bourguignon as ill affected to the French The Emperour seeing his labour lost in seeking this reconciliation takes his shortest course into Germany leauing a reasonable subiect to the cleare-sighted The Daulphin Iohn fauours the Bourguignon to iudge that he had an other intent then to settle a peace in France by countenancing of the Bourguignon the instrument of her miseries for after this yong pâ—â—nce had spoken with the Emperour he is wholy changed in fauour of the Duke of Bourgongne and resolues to â—andy with him against the Duke of Orleans This foundation beeing laid by the Emperours pollicy it was fortified by the Earle of Hainault father-in-law to Iohn the Daulphin Nowe he imbraceth the greatest and most dangerous enemie of all true Frenchmen with a wonderfull affection But the subtill is taken in his own snate the end doth often bewray the intent As all things tended to a manifest change by meanes of this yong Prince inchaunted by his charmes hauing a spirit like vnto waxe apt to receiue any impressions from so subtill an artisan as the Bourguignon behold death cuts off all these hopes The Daulphin Iohn dies cast in the mould of
the bridge to be fortified with three turnepikes to stoppe their free entrance into the Towne whether the Bourguignon must come by dutie vnto the Daulphin This succeeded according to his desseine but it carried the shewe of an enemie The Bourguignon sends three gentlemen of his houshold to the Daulphin Thoulongâ—â—â— Ernoy and Soubretier to aduertise him of his comming They giue him notice of the two barricadoes made vpon the Bridge and wish him not to aduenture Hauing referred it to his Counsell all beeing on horsebacke he resolues in the ende to passe onâ— he lights at the Castle where his lodging was assigned and setts his gardes at the entry of the gate towards the Towne Hereupon Tanneguy of Chastell come vnto him who after a due reuerence saluted him from the Daulphin saying that he attended him at the bridge foote at the towne gate Then Iohn of Bourgongne hauing chosen out ten of his most trusty followers Charles of Bourbon the Lords of Nouaille Fribourg S. George Montagu Vergy 〈◊〉 Pontauillier Lens Giaâ— and his Secretarie Seguinat hee approcheth to the first barre where he inco unters with som from our Charles who intreat him to enter vpon their maisters word and assure him by oath Before he enters as if his heart had foretold his harme he stayes sodainely and askes aduice of his company who incouâ—aging him to passe on he enters the second barre the which was presently lockt and then he caused some to go before him and some behind he remaining in the midest Tanneguy of Chastell comes to receiue him and the Duke laying his hand vppon 〈◊〉 shoulder very familiarly This is he saies the Duke in whom I trust I will conclude this bloudy Catastrophe with the very words of the Originall And so he approched 〈◊〉 vnto the Daulphin who stood all armed with his sword by his side leaning on a barre Before whom he kneeled with one knee on the ground to do him honour and reuerence saluting â—im most humbly Whereat the Daulphin answered nothing making him no shewe of loue 〈◊〉 charged him with breach of his promise The Daulphin causeth Iohn of Bourgongne to be slaine for that he had not caused the war to cease nor drawn his men out off garrison as he had promised Then Robert de Loire tooke him by the right armâ— and said Rise you are but too honourable The Duke hauing one knee on the ground and his sword about him which hong not to his minde somewhat too farre backe kneeling downe he laid his hand on his sword to pull it forward for his ease Robert said vnto him doe you lay your hand vppon your sword before my Lord the Daulphin At which 〈◊〉 Tanneguy of Chastell drew neere vnto him on the other side who making a signe saiâ— It is time striking the Duke with a little axe so violently on the face as he cut oâ—f his chinne and so he fell on his knees The Duke feeling himselfe thus wounded layde his hand on his sword to draw it thinking to rise and defend himselfe but hee was presently charged by Tanneguy and others and beaten dead to the ground And sodainely one named Oliuer Layet with the helpe of Peter Fortier thrusts a sword into his belly vnder his coate of Maile Whilest this was doing the Lord of Nouailles drewe his sword halfe out thinking to defend the Duke but the Vicont of Narbonne held a dagger thinking to striâ—e him Nouailles leaping forceably to the Vicount wrested the dagger from him being so sore hurt in the hinder part of the head as he fell downe dead Whilest this was acting the Daulphin leaning on the barr beholding this strange sight retyred backe as one amazed and was presently conducted to his lodging by Iohn Louuet and other his councellers All the rest were taken except Montagu who leaped ouer the turnepike and gaue the Alarum There were 〈…〉 vpon the place but Iohn Duke of Bourgongne and Nouailles S. George and a Aâ—cre were hurt The Dukes men charged home vnto the turnepike but they were eâ—sily repulsed His troupes retyring to Bray are pursued by the Daulphinois with losse and in the ende the castle is abandoned by him that had it in gaâ—d The Dukes body stript off al but his Doublet and Bootes is drawne into a Mill and the next daye buried This happened the tenth of September in the yeare 1419. Behold the ende of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne Seeing then this murther troubled the Daulphin who had caused it to be committed what stonie heart would not be amazed thereat Truly the breach of faith is vnexcusable howsoeuer it be disguised for as faith is the ground of humane society so doth it extend euen vnto enimies with whom it must be inuiolably kept This blowe shall be deere to Charles Through this hole the enimye shall enter so farre into the Realme as he shall put him in danger and in the ende he shall be forced to confesse his fault not able to excuse himselfe without accusing of his councellours But from vniust man let vs ascend to the wisedome of that great Iudge of the world who is alwaies iust The Oracle cries He that strikes with the sword shall perish with the sword and The disloyall to the disloyall They loued misery and misery found them out And wise antiquity saies God punisheth great wickednes with great paines euen in this life And Hardly can tyrants descend into the graue with a dry death that is without blood or murther Oh iustice of God alwaies iust alwaies wise and alwaies good Thy iudgements are righteous O Lord. I condemne the errour of men yet I held my peace Bloud punished with bloud because thou dâ—dest it Draw the curten Iohn of Bourgongne hath played his part vpon this Theater He had slaine the the Duke of Orleans traitorously and now he wallowes in his owne goare being treacherously slaine by the Daulphin Charles Now let vs see the care his son Philip Earle of Charolois had to be reuenged of Charles for this cruell murther but all is not yet ended The Catastrophe of this miserable raigne Philip sonne to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne stirres vp great troubles against Charles the Daulphin in reuenge of his fathers death BY whose meanes Isabell an vnkinde mother makes warre against Charles her sonne and peace with Henry the fift King of England then a capitall enemy to the state She giues him her daughter Katherine in marriage and procures King Charles the 6. her husband to declare Henry his lawfull heire and to dis-inherit his only sonne Charles the 7. from the realme of France 1420. During these occurrents Henry the 5. and Charles the 6. die leauing the Crowne of France in question betwixt Charles the 7. and Henry the 6. proclaimed King of France at the funeralles of Charles the 6. From the yeare 1419. to the yeare 1422. AFter this tragicall and strange murther of Iohn of Bourgongne Philip his sonne Duke of Bourgongne by his decease seekes
the greatest dignities of the realme· for he made Charles Steward Earle of Boucquam his Constable and Iames Earle Du-glas Marshall of France and to honour the Scottish-mens faith he gaue them the gard of his person an institution which continues vnto this day He institutes a gard of theÌ„ for his person He had likewise some friends in Spaine and Italie who succoured him in due time according to their meanes We haue shewed what Prouinces followed the partie of our Charles amongst the which Languedoâ— was a principall The importance of this countrie did much aduance his affaires This reason moued both the Bourguignon and the Sauoiard against this Prouince The instruments fit for this enterprise were Iohn of Châ—â—lons Prince of Orange and the Lord Bochebaron a Nobleman of Velay one of the 22. diocesses of Languedoc The first by the commodity of his neighbourhood did win Nismes Pontsaint Esprit Aiguesmortes and all the rest of base Languedoc vnto Beziers Warre in Languedoc except the Castell of Pezenas the tower of Villenefue by Auignon the castell of Egaliers now wholy ruined neere vnto Vzez This losse was somewhat repaired by the fidelitie of the inhabitants Aiguesmortes set vp their ensigne of libertie by the direction of the Baron of Vauuerbe and killes the garrison of Bourguignons which the Prince of Orange had placed there To this day they shew a great tub of Stone wherein they did salt the Bourguignons The example of this strong and important Citty A strange cruelty whereby they are called Bourguignons sallies to this day awaked the rest and euen vpon the approch of the Earle of Foix who came with a goodly armye all the Townes yeeâ—d vnto him except Nismes and Pont S. Esprit Townes of great importance in that countrye the one beeing the head of that Seneshauce the other a passage vpon the Rosne towardes Daulphiné But as the libertie of time made the seruant presume aboue the Master so it chanced that the Earle of Foix hauing tasted the sweet of command and transported with the common humour of men seeking to make their profit of the common confusions of France deteined the reuenues of Languedoc by his absolute authority imparting none to Charles being exceeding poore in this confused time This necessity was accompanied with a cruell warre stirâ—ed vp in Velay by the Lord of Roche-baron a partisan to the Dukes of Sauoy and Bourgongne who furnished him both with men and money for this rebellion for it was rather a horrible theuery then a warre These 〈◊〉 occasions drew Charles into Languedoc to confirme his authority and his voyage succeeded according to his intent for he chased the Prince of Orange out of Nismes and Pont S. Esprit he pacified the troubles of Velay and put the Earle of Foix from his gouernement giuing the place to Charles of Bourbon Earle of Clermont a Prince of the bloud to the great content of all the people Hauing thus happily prouided for his affaires he takes the way of Velay to returne into France beeing arriued at Espaly a Castle belonging to the Bishop of Puy he is aduertised of his fathers death Charles mouâ—rnes for the death of his father after Henry the 5. his Competitor He falles presently to teares and mourning yet he buries not his affaires in care His Councell aduiseth him to change his blacke roabes into Scarlet to set vp the banner of France in his name and to proclaime himselfe King for the first fruites of his coronation the which being performed at Puy to the peoples great ioye Charles goes to Poitiers where he caused himselfe to de crowned King and receiued the homage and oathes of the officers of the Crowne Princes Noblemen and gentlemen that were about him with such pompe as the strictnesse of time would permit Then he intituled himselfe King of France and made shew of more authority and greater pompe But on the other side the Duke of Bedford beganne to bandy more strongly against him Henry the 6. his pupill a yong infant was in England He caused him likewise to bee crowned King till the seauen yeares after he should be solemnely installed at Paris in the yeare 1430. He set his name vpon the money of France making a new stampe but without any other change then of his name So that hereafter two Kings two factions two armies shall contend for this goodâ—â— Crowne The heire being the weaker shall fight against a strong pretender Law â—â—uours the one and force the other but the Protector of this estate will giue a fauourable doome for the weaker The Dukes of Bedford and Bourgongne hold a counsel aâ— Amiens that the honour of so memorable a preseruation of this monarchy apparently drawne out of the graue may be giuen to him who rules the deluge of our confusions by his miraculous prouidence Scarse had Charles receiued the first fruites of his royall authority when as the Dukes of Bedford and Bourgongne his capitall enemies assemble at Amiens to crosse his new dignity in the breeding There shall be seaueh yeares of exceeding bad time but after this sharpe winter there will come a goodly spring when as all seemed lost and in the ende Sommer shall follow with a plentifull haruest of rest to this Realme whereof the lawfull heâ—e shall remaine in quiet possession and the pretender expelled with losse euen of that which he might haue ciuilly inioyed In this assembly at Amiens great plottes are layde against Charles whose ruine was their soueraigne end All is done at the charge of the English Peter Duke of Brittaine and Arthur Earle of Richmont his brother are there present Amedee Duke of Sauoâ— sends his Ambassadors A great league against King Charles consumed by alliances vnder an other colour but he casts the stone hides his arme The Dukes of Bedford Brittaine and Sauoy make a defensiue offensiue league agaiâ—â—â— Charles The soueraignty of the Crowne should remaine to the English the commoâ—â—ties to the Dukes They set the seale of marriages to this alliance Iohn Duke of â—edford marries with Anne the sister of Philip Duke of Bourgongne and Marguerit his other Sâ—ster takeâ— Arthur the Earle of Richemont Then they seeke the fruits of this alliance with the preiudice of Charles Euery man takes his quarter to torment him on all sideâ— The Bourguignon vndertakes Picardy where he settles Iohn of Luxembourg to expel the Daulphinois out of some places which they held there Henry of Lancaster Earle of Salisbury went into Champagne and Bry to clense the Country about Paris and to budâ—e Orleans The Earle of Warwick vndertooke Guienne to make war against those toâ—nes that held the Daulphins party Lewis Prince of Orange had charge to arme in Languedoc and Daulphiné Behold a great storme rising against the lawfull heire of this crâ—â—ne Amidst all these difficultyes Charles must needs be in great perplexitie but I reade with ioy that he whom God had chosen to
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
seruice Queene of Sicile his mother in lawe with Tanneguy of Chasâ—ell being very acceptable to these two bretheren Their comming did greatly aduance this businesse They preuailed so farre as the Duke of Brittaine the Earle of â—ichmont his brother were both ready to imbrace the Kings friendship and to doe him seruice so as the Duke of Bourgongne would yeeld vnto it and in the meane time to draw this businesse to some good end Richmont should go and treat with his maiesty vpon good hostages for his safety This condition was accepted by Charles and to loose no time the Lord of Albret and the bastard of Orleans were sent vnto him for hostages and the townes of Chinon Loches Lusignan Meung were giuen him for assurance vntill the end of the treaty and ample pasports made to go and come with all liberty This worke began this yeare in Nouember and shal end the next yeare with a notable successe But the Duke of Bourgongne imbraced an other notable occasion which shall more preiudice the English then this occurrent of Brittain We haue said that this leâ—ain was layde in the yeare 1423. by the marriage of Iaquâ—line Countesse of Hainault Holland Zeland a wife contended for by two husbands the Duke of Brabant cousin germaine and a deere friend to the Duke of Bourgongne and the Duke of Glocester brother to the Duke of Bedford and vncle to Henry the 6. King of England two great parties which shall diuide the Dukes of Bedford Bourgongne and shall be the meanes to reconcile the BourguignoÌ„ to Charles A notable processe of Iaqueline against her husband supported by the Bourguignon reduce him to the obedience of this crowne expell the English out of France and restore the realme But the prouidence of GOD which goes insensibly by degrees aboue mans conceipt must be distinctly considered About the ende of this yeare Iaqueline of Hainault comes out of England with the Duke of Glocester her second husband foâ—tified with an armie of fiue thousand English She caused the Nobility and the Citties to renue their othes both to her and the Duke of Glocester her lawfull husband All the Nobilitie obeyes this commandement except the Earle of Conuersan Iohn of Iumont Angilbert of Anghien and all Townes except Hals The Duke of Bourgongne greatly affected this quarrell The Duke of Bedford foreseeing the danger that might growe by the Bourguignons discontent labors to suppresse it in the breeding and to that ende he drawes them to Paris with their friends but in vaine The one striues to inioy his estats and the other to hinder him So as whilest the cause is disputed in the Court at Rome the armies prepare on eyther side to ende it by bloud and spoile The Glocestrian begins the Bourguignon followes So the end of this yeare is the beginning of a warre of foure whole yeares but it shal be ended in fauour of the Bourguignon This newe yeare shal be spent in the altercations of the Court and Brittaine The Brittoâ— made Constable of France The Earle of Richemont comes to Tours to Charles as he had promised to the Queene of Sicile but not able to resolue any thing without the consent of the Duke of Bourgongne as we haue sayed the King seeing it very necessary he should go to him doth sende to him with a very honorable Ambassage Iames of Bourbon Earle of Clermont and a Prince of his bloud the Archbishop of Rheims and the Bishop of Puy The ende of their negotiation was double That the Duke of Bourgongne should like of the alliance betwixt the King and the Princes of Brittain Charles sends an ambassage to Philip of Bourgongne and that hee himselfe should bee reconciled vnto him to liue and continue good friends as they were neere in bloud The first was fully concluded with the Bourguignons consent the other was surseased The causes are specified for that Philip could not with honestie let slippe the death of his father where of Charles was the Authour this reconciliation could not bee well efâ—ected vnlesse that Charles did chase from him all such as had dipped their hands in this massacre eyther as fautors or as executioners They were specified by name Iohn Louuet President of Prouence Tanneguy of Chastel William d'Auaugour Iohn of Gyac son to that Lady of Gyac who perswaded Iohn Duke of Bourgongne to go to Charles at Monsâ—reau-faut Yonne where he was slaine But these were but colours for notwithstanding thâ—ir absence from Court yet the Bourguignon seemed to be nothing inclined to the Kings seruice In effect he stood watching the oportunitie to effect his desseins and so entertayned time to keepe the stakes as the whole course of the Historie will declare Charles imploying all his friends and meanes intreats Amedee Duke of Sauoyâ— to be a mediator of this accord In respect hereof he comes to Monuel in Cresse but in truâ—h this was but a shadow They all sought to get from Charles and so watched for oportunitie Yet the Bourguignon made all shewes of his seruice vowed to the King the establishment of France which he lamented infinitly to be fallen into the hands of Strangers He spared no cheere nor entertaynment for the Ambassadors and for a gage of sincere loue Philip giues his yongest Sister Anne in marriage to the Earle of Clermont but with an intent to winne a Prince of the bloud neere the King Thus the Bourguignon leueled alwayes at this marke did nothing but with an intent to maintaine his greatnesse at what price soeuer In the meane time the meaner smart for the follie of great men The Mignonâ— chased from Court At the returne of these Ambassadours the Court is in an vprore Charles greeues to chase away his seruants which could not be done but in contempt of his authority And yet the Ambassadors cryed out that without it they should not effect any thing and the more they stayed the execuâ—ion the more they hindered the Kings seruice d'Auaugour parted fâ—â—st with the good liking both of King and Court Gyac made his peace by the meadiation of the Queene of Sicile who had all power in this action The King was wonderfully discontented for the departure of Tanneguy of Chastel whome hee called Father A man beloued and of amiable conditions But there was no remedy Hee had giuen the chiefe stroake to Iohn of Bourgongne So likewise hee protested without any difficultie to retyer himselfe whethersoeuer his maister should command him Hee beseeched him to giue him an autenciall testimoniall that it was not for any fact of his 1425. but for the good of his seruice He obtaines it and a promise withall that his offices should be continued him Thus he retyers to Beaueaire in Languedoc and the office of Prouost of Paris remayned to him still with the fee and a good reputation with all men to haue beene a good seruant to the King and carefull of the publicke
violent death of Gyac of whome wee haue spoken hee had fauored Tremouille to plant him in the Kings good fauour But as Ambition hath neyther faith nor honestie Tremouille finding himselfe inward with the King retaynes all fauour for himselfe Newe troubles in Court by the Constable little esteeming both the Constable and the Princes Hee did onely associate vnto him in credit Prie and la Borde men of small accompt to vse them at his pleasure Iealousie mounts againe vpon the Stage the Princes Constable and cheefe officers of the Crowne in steede of taking counsell to pursue the good successe of Montargis they combine togither to worke their wills vpon Tremouille and his partisans as they had done vpon Gyac The plot was orderly layed 1427. Iames of Bourbon Earle of Clermont and Charâ—es of Bourbon Earle of Marche Princes of the Bloud become heads of this league against Tremouille and his companions The league is thus plotted Forasmuch as the King is gouerned by base people to the contempt of the Princes and officers of the Crowne and to the great oppression of the poore people the confederates meane to punish these Flaterers abusing the Kings name and authority and to approach neere vnto his maiestie to gouerne the affaires for the good of his seruice and the â—ase of France The execution must beginne with the seizure of Tremouille and continue with Prie and la Borde The Constable should take Tremouille and the Princes were to seize on the Citty of Bourges where Prie and la Borde were in the great Towre and so to punish them But this enterprise came to naught for Tremouille hauing intelligence of this desseine The King discontented with the Constable and the the Princes not only preserued himself but hauing perswaded the King that this complot was made against his owne person and authority it so troubled Charles as he came in person to Bourges and preuented the Princes entry and without any more disguising he was strangely incensed against the Constable as the author of these troubles and confusions forbidding the citties to receiue him The Constable notwithstanding smothered this disgrace and to shew the deuotion he had to the Kings seruice he goes to field gathers together a goodly troupe of Brittons and puts himselfe into Pontorson a Towne abandoned he fortifies it and mans it with a good garrison vnder the command of Monsieur de Rostrenan and Beaufort This doone he dismisseth his Brettons Pontorâ—on yeelds to the English The Earle of Warwicke watched all occasions to surprise the Towne when as behold these two gouernours minister a fit meanes for making a roade towarps Auranches they are both taken Warwicke marcheth presently to the walles of Pontorson with his army The Constable sends Bertrand of Dinan Marshall of Brittany speedily with great succours Yet the siege continues obstinately New supplies are sent them by the Duke of Brittaine the which were cut in peeces Pontorson beeing painefully parleed with in the ende yeelds to the English the besieged departing with bag and baggage But this was not the ende of this victory They threaten to enter iâ—to Brittaine the English armye increased both in number and courage by this happy successe and threatens Brittaine with fire and sword They prepare to enter Iohn Duke of Brittaine wearied with so many losses and fearing worse making no accompt of the succours of France to whom he was coldly affected takes part with the Duke of Bedford renounceth all other alliances promiseth to acknowledge the King of England for King of France The Britton leaues the allâ—â—nce of France and to take the oath of obedience such as his predecessors were accustomed to doe to the Kings of France Behold the great good which Brittaine brought to our country in her extremest afflictions after so many hopes and imbracings This yeare is painefull shamefull and confused but the forerunner of a worthy deliuerance Take courage then my countrimen in the remainders of this tempest We haue said that after that miserable battaile of Vernueil the towne of Mans yeelded to the English The inhabitants not able to beare the imperious command of the English resolue in the end to shake off that yoake For the effecting whereof they seize vpon a gate giuing intelligence thereof to the Lord of Oruall Mans surprised and the English cut in peeces brother to the Lord of Albret who happily arriues takes the Cittie and cuttes the English in peeces The Earle of Suffolke was within the Castell Talbot that renowmed Captaine was at Alençon he aduertiseth him of this surprise Talbot prepares his succours with such silence and flies thether with such speed as he arriues at Mans the third day after the surprize Our Frenchmen transported with ioy for so noble 2 conquest and fearing no enemy among so many enemies Man 's lost againe by the French Both politick and discontented slept securely in their beds after the French manner without feare or gard When as Talbot hauing entred the Citty by scaling surpriseth them in their beddes and killes them without resistance 1428. A notable example both to imitate and to flie to flie that through carelesnesse we suffer not our selues to be surprized like Swine It is the very terme wherewith the Historie doth blemish this brutish sloath To imitate not to hold any thing impossible when as resolution doth accompany him that hath any notable attempt in hand But this victorie stayes not at Mans the Earle of Suffolke with his braue Talbot goes to field they marche to Laual a Towne of importance vpon the confines of Aniou and Bretanie they take it easily by the onely terror of their victorious armes incountring no enemie to withstand them Domesticall confusions The whole Court was in confusion the Princes of the bloud and our Constable studie not to make warre against the English but against the Mignons It was their proiect as if the whole state depended vpon the Kings fauour who lost daily to the generall discontent of all the French So this yeare had nothing memorable but that our warriours had lost both iudgement courage and force that through their defects God might raise vp some extraordinarie meanes for the deliuerie of this Monarchie almost ruined Our Captaines then did some exploits taking Rochefort Bertan-court Ianuill Chasteau newf Puiset Toury Mompipeau Nogent le Retrou and Lude but what toyes were these in regarde of the stately triumphes of the English That which was most admirable this yeare amidst all these domesticall discontents Tournay yeelds to the French and all these ruines and desolations of the State which might well haue quailed the best affected those of the City of Tournay after long contentions in the end abandon both English and Bourguignon protesting sollemnly not to acknowledge any other King then Charles the 7. sonne to Charles the sixt as the true and lawfull King of Francâ— and by consequence their lawfull Lord yet they made a truce
with the Burguignon being their neighbour with the Kings good liking In the meane time the Duke of Bedford leuies what men and money he can both in France and England for some great attempt Charles hath intelligence from diuers parts but what could he doe in so deepe dispaire of his affaires and in so visible an impossibilitie The famous Siege of Orleance ALL the Citties of this side Loire from the Ocean Sea were lost with the whole countries of Normandie Picardie the 〈◊〉 of France Brie and Champaigne He had nothing left but the Townes lying vpon the riuer of Loire from â—yen to Anger 's for La Charité held for the Bourguignon The chiefe was Orleance this being wonne what could hold out long for the French Bourges could make small resistance if the English had forced Orleans The enemies of our State who called Charles King of Bourges threatned to take from him this small and languishing royaltie Orleans then was the marke whereat the Duke of Bedford aimed who hauing wonne the Britton it greatly fortified the English affaires in France As for the Bourguignon he had in a manner recouered the Estates of Holland Hainault Zeland and Namur And although ambition and couetousnesse may neuer be bridled yet these Princes nothing friendly among themselues but as coÌ„mon enemies to this Câ—owne agreed well in this to make their priuate profit by the ruine of our state But man purposeth and God disposeth we shall soone see how much he scornes their vanities In this lamentable time mans reason could not discerne by what means Charles should resist so mighty enemies But in the weakenesse of this Prince I read with ioy the words of the Original which saith During the time that the English held their siege before the noble Citty of Orleans King Charles was very weake beeing abandoned by the greatest part of his Princes and other Noble men seeing that all things were opposite vnto him yet had he still a good trust and confidence in God He was not deceiued in this hope as the sequele will shew The charge of this siege at Orleans was giuen to the Earle of Salisbury a wise valiant Captaine hauing giuen good testimonies of his sufficiency for the well managing of this siege he resolued to take in all the forts neere vnto Orleans that obeyed the French beginning with the weakest parting from Paris taking his way through the Countrie of Chartâ—es he seizeth vpon all the smal Townes wherein our Captaines had so much toyled but a fewe monethes before Nogent le Retrou Puiset Rochefort Pertrancourt Ianuille Toury Mompipeau the Castell of Pluâ—eâ—s and la Ferte of Gaules The Earle of Salisbury sets downe before Orleans and approching neere the Cittie both aboue and beneath Meung Baugency and Iargeau In the ende he plants himselfe before Orleans the 6. of October in the yeare 1428. A day to be obserued for that the 12. of May the yeare following was the last fit of our disease which changed the estate of our miserable country like vnto a pleasant spring after a long and sharpe winter when as a goodly summer crownes all our labours with aboundance of peace and plenty So this siege continued iust 7. moneths The bruit of this great preparation did wonderfully disquiet both court and country vnder the French obedience in the weakenesse and confusions of the state The King after the taking of la Charité was commonly resident at Poitiers he now retires to Chinon to bee neerer to Orleans The townes willingâ—y contrâ—bute men money Charles his diligenâ—e to relieue Orleans and victualls Many great personages flie to this siege to defend the chiefe strength of our King and Kingdome Lewis of Bourbon the sonne of Charles Earle of Clermont the Earle of Duâ—ois bastard of Orleans the Lords of Boussaâ— and Fayette Marshalls of France Iohn Steward Constable of Scotland William of Albret Lord of Orâ—all the Lords of Thouars Chauigny Grauille Chabannes The Captaines la â—ire Xaintrailles Theolde of Valpergue Iohn of Lessego Lombards with many other gâ—eâ—t personages There were not any of the Prouinces of Daulphiné and Languedoc for that the Dukes of Bourgongne and Sauoy at the same instant prepared a great army by the meanes of Lewis of Chaalons Prince of Orange to invade those Countries being wholly in the Kings obedience The Orleanois resolues to defend himselfe He presently beates downe all that might accommodate the enemy suburbs howses of pleasure wine presses yea and the temples themselues Salisburie doth likewise vse great dexterity and diligence to plant his siege The Earle of Salisbury builds up sorts towards Beausse and the port Banniere he builds a great Bastille which he calles Paris Another at the port Renard which he names Rouen Towards S. Laurence another to the which he gaue the name of Windsore At the port of Bourgongne he fortified a ruined Temple called S. Loup and neere vnto it an other named S. Iohn the white At the Portereâ—n hee built a great fort vppon the ruines of the Augustines Church calling it London from the which hee wonne the Towre vppon the bridge and all with â—onderfull speede All the cittye is inuironed hauing neyther issue 〈◊〉 but with sore fighting And in these toyles they spend the rest of the yeare The first day of the new yeare the English for a new yeares gift to the citty bring their scaling ladders couragiously to the Bulwarke at the port Renard but they were valiantly repulsed by the defendants the next day the Admirall of Cullant hauing passed the riuer of Loire at a foord winter being very drie this yeare visits them of the cittie brings theÌ„ diuers necessaries vpon his returne he incounters some English troupes which came stragling from forrage 1429. He chargeth them cuts them in peeces and so retires without danger Thus the moneth of Ianuarie passeth without any other memorable exploite The battaile of Herings vnfortunate for the French But there happened a strange accident the 20. of Februarie following The Duke of Bedford sent Lenten prouision to the Earle of Salisburie with some munition of warre vnder the conduct of Iohn Fastall and Simon Bowyer with 1700. men for their garde The Duke of Bourbon brought a goodly succour of foure thousand men to the besieged He resolues to charge this English troupe hauing well viewed their numbers It was likely the stronger should haue the victorie but the issue was contrary to the desseigne For it chanced as his men marched confidently as it were to an assured victory without any iudgement the English seeing them in doubt how they should fight either on foote or horseback and irresolute in the end they resolue to charge the French it falling out many times in this exercise that he which begins winnes To conclude without any farther aduise the English imbracing this occasion charge our troupes who were so surprised with this vnexpected impression as they presently giue way to
the English Bowe-men All fâ—â—e some here some there without order without command and without courage and few fight Such as made head were slaine The rest saue themselues within Orleans There were fiue or sixe hundred of our men slaine vpon the place The English lost but one man called Brisanteau The chiefe of our side were the Lord of Oruall of the Noble house of Albret Iohn Stuard Chasteaubrun Montpipel Verduisant Larigot La Greue Diuray Puilly with better then a hundred Gentlemen This ouerthrow was called the battaile of Herings for that they carried them to the besiegers The amazement was greater then the losse for that the Earle of Clermont a Prince of the bloud who should haue beene a ring-leader of resolution and magnanimitie in these extreame accidents was so amazed with this losse as he retired with his men leauing the Cittie to the bastard of Orleans who resolues to attend the end of this siege at what price soeuer In this gallant resolution he was vertuouslie seconded by the Lords of Guitry Gaucourt Grauille Villars La Hire and Xaintrailles lights of great hope in this cruell storme and worthy of eternall memorie in that they dispaired not of this monarchie in so apparent dispaire And that which is chiefely to be obserued herein The King in dispaire of his aâ—â—aires the King vnderstanding this retreate of the Earle of Clermont said that he did see no meanes to saue the rest from shipwrack To increase this feare the Duke of Bourgongne comes to Paris at the same instant with a troupe of six hundred men at armes richly appointed Our Commanders being full of resolution were not onely to incounter with the English but with the confusion of times the Kings mâ—sfortune and which was worst of all the amazement of the men of warre who discouered plainly the disorder of the State They were loth to cast the helme after the hatchet but sought the most assured meanes to saue the Cittie in this storme Orleans stands vpon termes to yeeld to the Duke of Bourgongne They aduertise the King hereof who was so irreâ—olute as he referres all to their discretions They resolue to deliuer the Towne into the Duke of Bourgognes hands to keepe it for the Duke of Orleance or the Duke of Angoulesme his brother being then prisoners in England with the Kings good liking Pothon Xaintrailles and Peter of Orson wiâ—e and valiant men go to Paris to the Duke of Bedford vpon his assurance The Duke of Bedford refuseth the Deputies and discontents the Bourguignon He heares them and returnes them presently both for that he distrusted the Duke of Bourgongne and held the conquest assured The Burguignon was greatly discontented with the Duke of Bedford for his refusall whom after that time he neuer loued The English triumphed thus as a victor so as our Ambassadors could hardly saue themselues with their pasport Then the English saith the originall being in great prosperitie had no consideration that the wheele of fortune hath power to turne dayly But the holy veritie of the church which drawes vs to the wise prouidence of God cries I haue said to the fooles play not the fooles and to the wicked Lift not vp your hornes speake not with so great pride for greatnesse comes not from the East noâ— West neither from the Northâ—â— is God that raiseth vp and casteth downe He holds a cup of Wine in his hand he imparts it tâ— euery one as he pleaseth Truely the pride of the English who possessed of this Monarchy being drunke with his good fortune was nowe come to his height there remained nothing but the hand of the soueraigne Iudge to suppresse him but he shall not long hold it O my country forget not the time of thy visitation reade in this true discourse the estate of thy predecessors Remember their afflictions behold their feare see the image of that time wherein thou hast borne a part and iudge if now onely thou beginnest to be afflicted In this extremity as the French were exceedingly distressed so the English were transported with ioy for their late victory The estate of the French desperate and reioycing with a new hope as if all were wonne they cry to the besieged Will you buy my faire herings At the same instant the townsmen issue forth vpon the shoare The Earle of Salisbury stoode at a window in the tower vppon the bridge beholding the skirmish when as one of his Captaines named Glacidas said vnto him My Lord behold here your citty here may you view it plainely But behold a Cannon charged with stones was shot from the Towne The Earle of Salisbury slain before Oâ—leans which aymed at the Earles head strooke him and left him dead in the place This vnexpected blow comming as it were from heauen changed this exceeding ioy of the English into mourning being a man of great valour who by his carriage had wonne great credit among them beloued honoured of all for the mildenesse of his manners So this losse troubled both the wits and affaires of the English armie The Lord Talbot commandâ— in his place the which had greatly disbanded if the Earle of Suffolke Talbot Iohn Fastoll and Scales famous Captaines had not happily beene there to reuiue their spirits and forces attending the Duke of Bedfords pleasure who gaue the charge to Talbot beeing the choise of their best men with new foâ—ces So as the siege is continued with more vehemencie then before with great presumptions that all would go worse with the besieged In this occurrent Charles knewe not what to doe to whom should he flie his Princes forsake him Orleans beeing taken whether should he retire Bourges was ready to yeeld and withall the Country adioyning King Charles his miserablâ— estate He had no whole Prouinces vnder his obedience but Languedoc and Daulphiné And at the same instant the Bourguignon and Sauoyard prouide worke for him in those countries The taking then of Orleans which in reason seemed vnavoydable was the ouerthrowe of Charles and his estâ—te There was no winking at that which was too apparent That considering the estate of his affaires in generall and of his house in particular If Orleans should be lost all the citties vpon the riuer of Loire and in like fort the rest already varring would abandon him Amidest these fearefull considerations what could the braue and Noble Commanders within Orleans doe but plant their hopes in God and in themselues A soueraigne remedâ—e in extreame daungers So to purchase an honourable and profitable composition they set a good face on it giuing the English to vnderstand that if they desired their liues they should buye them deerely France reduced to so great an extreamity and truely such as men could doe no more behold God raiseth vp an extraordinary meanes the which meanes reason could not foresee and much lesse prouide A meanes which reuiued the daunted spirits God raiseth vp a newe meanes
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
the Countrie in alarme Occasions are offred of dayly skirmishes and daylie the English are beaten But the long stay of this little army and this thorne of Saint Denis stirred vp the people of Paris who loth to be so restrayned prepare a great power to force Saint Denis at what price soeuer The Marshall of Rieux loath to ingage himselfe beeing in all shewe the weaker retyres honorablie to Meulan without any losse The English beat downe the defences of Saint Denis being a common retreat to all men without any more labour eyther to keepe it or to recouer it The accord of Philip Duke of Bourgongne with Charles the 7. King of France IN the ende behold an agreement made with Charles so much expected so vnprofitablie sought after and nowe freely offred by the Duke of Bourgongne The deputies of the Councell presse both French English and Bourguignon to ende al quarrells by some good composition The Cittie of Arras is allowed of by them all to treat in The Assemblie was great from the Pope and the Councell of Pisa there came the Cardinalls of Saint Croix and Cipres An assemblie to treat of a peace with twelue Bishops For the King of France there was the Duke of Bourbon the Earle of Richmont Constable of France the Earle of Vendosme the Archebishop of Rheims Chancellor of France the Lords of Harcourt Valpergue la Fayette Saint Pierre du Chastell du Bois Chastillon du Flay de Railliq de Rommet Curselles and de Cambray first President of the Parliament at Paris with many wise and learned men as Iohn Tudart Blesset Iohn Charetier Peter Cletel Adam le Queux Iohn Taise and la Motte For the King of England the Cardinalls of Yorke and Winchester the Earle of Suffolke the Bishop of Saint Dauids Iohn Ratcliffe keeper of the great seale the Lord of Hongerford Ralfe the wise the Official of Canterburie and some Doctors of diuinity For Philip Duke of Bourgongne there came the Duke of Gueldres the Earle of Nassau the Bishop of Cambray the Earle Vernambourg the Bishop 〈◊〉 Leâ—ge the Earles of Vaudemont Neuers Salines S. Pol and Ligâ—y besides the deputies oâ— many of his best Townes The pompe was great both on the deputies behalfe of the Duke of Bourgongnes who intertained theÌ„ with all the honour good cheeâ—e that might be 〈◊〉 But leauing these circumstances I make hast to the principal matter The Kâ—ngâ— of France and England began the treaty The â—undamentall question was to whom the Crowne of France belonged The English did challenge it The question for the crown of Fâ—anâ—e both for that he was 〈◊〉 from a daughter of France as also by the graunt of Charles the 6. who did instâ—â—ce Henry the 5. and his successors heires of the crowne had disinherited Charles 〈◊〉 7. whom he termed an vsurper The deputies for Charles answered that they ought 〈◊〉 to call in question the ground of the Estate which cannot stand firme without that 〈…〉 heire to whom the lawe appoints and therfore without prouing of that which was apparent of it selfe they came to offers for the ending of all controuersies That if the King of England would both disclaime the title of King of France yeeld vp the countries held by him in diuers parts of the Realme he should inioy the Dâ—chies of Guiâ—nne and Normandy doing homage for them vnto the Kings of France as his soueraigne and with those conditions which his Ancestors Kings of England had formerly inioyed theâ— They stood vpon very different tearmes their authority was limited and possession puâ—t vp the English But sometimes he refuseth that after sues He that striueth to haue all most commonly looseth all One moitie in effect had more auailed the English then all in imagination who in the ende shall finde that the soueraigne Iudge the preseruer of the lawe and of States giues and takes away Charles the English cannot agree appoints and disapoints according to his good and wise will and that there is no force nor wisedome but his Tâ—e mâ—tter was soone ended betwixt the Kings of France and England seeing right could do no good the sword must preuaile Thus the Ambassadors of England returne without any effect those of France stay to treate with the Duke of Buurgongne and his deputies amongest the which he himselfe was the chiefe as well for his owne interest as for his iudgement in affaires A man exceeding cunning who could imbrace all occasions to make his profiâ— by an other as the discourse of his life hath made manifest Bâ—t 〈◊〉 what ende serues all this morter and so great workemanship to frame a building which shall be ruined vnder his sonne and shal bury him in the ruines thereof It is a â—oolish reason which thou calledst reasâ—n hauing no ground of reason and doest not hearken to the voice of heauen O Foole all thy riches shal be taken from thee this night Man walâ—es in a shadow he toyles in vaine to 〈◊〉 â—is name immortall in the graue he hunts with infinite labour and takes nothing As for Charles he sought to retire the Bourguignon from all league and alliance with tâ—e King of England and taking from him all occasions of discontent so to ingage him 〈…〉 honours as he should resolue to follow his faction as the most profiâ—â—â—â—â— knowing that his own priuate interest was the chiefe end of his desseins Matters 〈◊〉 câ—rried in shew according to the humour of that age the dâ—sposition of the court 〈◊〉 for the honour of Charles who must aske the Duke of â—ourgongne pardon hauing 〈…〉 father to be slaine against his faith Charles sends a blank to the 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 what conditions he pleased But was it not true must not the crime be câ—nfessed by hiâ— that was culpable Charles therefore resolues to send him a bâ—anke tâ—e accâ—rd doth testâ—fie that the Bourguignon fiâ—led it with so many vnreasonable conditâ—ons as it is strange so great a monarch should stoâ—p so much to his subiect vassall but necessity â—ath no law A presidâ—nt for great men not to attempt any thing against reason least they bee constrayned to repaiâ—e it with reason and yet to know that it is an amendment of a fault to yeeld to necessity for the good of the state beeing a great thrift to loose for gaine The â—â—iginall sets downe at large all the conditions of this treaty wâ—o so please may reade 〈◊〉 Monstrellet in the history of S. Denis The summe is that the massacre 〈◊〉 〈…〉 person of Iohn Duke of Bâ—urgongne at Montereau-â—aut-yonne 〈…〉 repaired by confession and ceâ—emonies Great sommes of present money with goodly Seâ—gâ—â—uries are giuen to the Duke of Bourgongne so many assurances for him and hi◠〈◊〉 a great volume is full of these scrupulous conditions The Duke of Bourgongnes promise is more simple that he should declare himselfe a friend to Charles the 7. King of France King Charles and the
Bourguignon reconciled enemy to his enimes that he should renounce all alliance and friendship with the king of England and promise both his person and all his meanes to expell him out off France The performance was according to promise Charles Duke of Bourbon and Arthur of Brittaine Earle of Richemont Constable of France in the name of Charles the 7. aske pardon of the Duke of Bourgongne for the death of his father and the Duke pardoned him for the loue of God The Cardinalls in the Popes name and the Counsels absolue the Duke from the oath which he had made vnto the English and eyther part sweares to maintaine the accord in that which did concerne him So the peace was published with great solemnity to the incredible content of all men The King the Duke of Bourgongne and the whole Realme reioyced exceedingly only Iohn of Luxembourg Earle of S. Pol wold not be therin coÌ„prehended he shall suffer for it and his house after him This was the 24. of September in the yeare 1435. a famous day for those things which happened in this raigne whereof this accord gaue the first occasion The marriage of Charles sonne to the Duke of Bourgongne with Katherine of France daughter to our Charles was concluded to seale this accord From this peace sprong a more violent war against the English The Duke of Bourgongne sends backe all his contracts to the Duke of Bedford and hauing shewed him the iust reasons which had mooued him to imbrace the Kings amity beeing his kinseman and Lord hee renounceth the alliance of England with a watch-word that euery one should looke to himselfe Euery man sharpens his sword and scoures his armes to recouer that by force which they could not obtaine by reason War very violent against the English The first fruites of this accord beganne to grow ripe euen in the heart of winter for Corbeil yeelds presently to the King with Briâ—-Conte-Robert and the Castle of Bois de Vincennes The Bourguignon imployes all his friends and intelligences at Paris he vseth all his instruments meaning to set them to worke the yeare following All Normandy begins to reuolt Diâ—pe Fescan Monstier-Villiers Harfleu Tancaruille Bec-Crespin Gomusseule Loges Villemont Grasuille Longueuille Neuf-uille Lambreuille Charles-Mesnill S. Germain Fontaines Preaux Blainuille obey the King willingly chasing away the English receiuing the French for their safety all which was acted in two dayes What more To finish this worke God takes away one of the chiefe causes and one of the principall instruments of the misery which had so long afflicted this estate We haue seene what part Isabell of Bauierre played in this Tragedy wee haue sought her after the death of her poore husband and could not finde her for in trueth she was ciuilly dead Bedford fearing the spirit of this Medea seekes not onely to stay her hands but to keepe her eyes from the managing of affaires And for that shee had deuoured the treasure of the Realme he constraines herto keepe a diet He doth therefore sequester herto the house of S. Pol where she liued vntill the ende of this yeare in great pouerty no more assisted by the Bourgongnon then by the English Beeing dead they caused her bodye to be put into a small boate Queene Isabel dies and so transported by the riuer of Seine to S. Denis where she was buried without any pompe like to a common person A light put out whose sauour doth yet offende posterity In this yeare also died Iohn of England that great Duke of Bedford called Regent of France who hath noted many blacke pages in this volume and so much terrified our Ancestors Hauing seene the former accord and felt so sodaine effects in Normandy fearing the rest would follow he drowned himselfe in sorow and knowing no meanes to auoide this storme he dies at Rouen the 15. of December leauing to King Henry the 6. a bottome very hard to vntwist The Duke of Bedford dies and to his yong wife beeing sister to the Earle of S. Pol a cause of mourning the which continued not long for she married soone after with an English Aduenturer of small accompt giuing causeto laugh at her beeing but little pittied Charles being thus discharged of a heauy burthen by this accord hath more liberty to follow his honest delights He goes to Lions visits Daulphiné and stayes in Languedoc a Prouince which he loues aboue all the rest 143â— hauing found it most denâ—â—â—d to his seruice Montpellier was his aboad a place very pleasantly seated 〈…〉 this time of â—â—reation he had left good lieutenants in France who shal soone send him 〈◊〉 of their exploytes The Citty of Paris yeelds to the King and expells the English THe Bourguignon prepares to annoy the English whilest that the Constable makes way for the reduction of Paris His intent was parting from Pontoise to put himselfe into S. Denis a Towne halfe dismantled but Thomas of Beaumont Captaine of the Bastille hauing intelligence of this desseine preuented the Constable and entred into S. Denis with a notable troupe of soldiers Richmont notwithstanding approcheth neere to S. Denis the sentinell hauing giuen warning of his approch Beaumont issues forth to the bridge vpon the little riuer which is towards Pierre-file where he met with the fore-runners who hauing drawne him forth ingage him in the battaile the which was led by the Constable marching from the valley of Montmorency This English troupe was easily vanquished most of them were cut in peeces The English vanquished S. 〈◊〉 and the rest taken hardly any one of them escapes to carry newes to Paris Thomas of Beaumont is slaine among the rest vpon the place The Constable makes vse of this good successe he presently marcheth with his victorious forces to Paris which stood amazed at this nere power wanting a Regent who was lately deceased and such as were left to command were more fit to handle an Oare then to gouerne the helme Now waâ— the time for good Frenchmen to shew themselues whereof there were many in the Citty The Bourguignon faction being now become the Kings seruants imbrace this occasion and hauing consulted together they resolue to shake off the English yoake the which they 〈◊〉 too long endured The Duke of Bourgongne was then at Bruges but he had leâ—t the Lord of Lislâ—-Adam to 〈◊〉 with his partisans at Paris It is the same whom he had formerly imployed against Câ—â—rles and his father Iohn in the murther of the King seruants He had great credit 〈◊〉 the Parisiens of whom Miâ—hael Laillier was the chiefe Tribune Hee discouers by him the peoples affections being resolute to submit themselues to the King of whom they crâ—â—e onely a generall absolution of what was past This gentle demande beeing brought to Pontoise to the Constable and easily granted all prepare for the effects That quarter nere the Halles gaue the first signe of the French libertie at Paris by the meanes
you haue yet done So the accord was made without comprehending of these three The Dukes of Bourbon and Alenson sweare to serue the King and yeeld vp Loches Corbeil Bois de Vincennes Sancerre Sancouins Erie Conterobert and other places which they held The Daulphin remaynes with his father who changeth all his trayne except his confessor and Cooke But all this is but counterfeit you shal soone see other broyles This phrensie of state bred in the Kings house against the King himselfe was by our Ancestors called the Pragâ—â—â—y Nine monthes of this yeare being spent in these garboiles Charles returnes to Tours to prouide for the raysing of the seege at Harfleu where the Earle of Somerset had lien long but it was in vaine for the Towne was taken in the end after a long and painfull constancie of the Inhabitants who could not be releeued in time by reason of these home-bred troubles and yet there was a second mischiefe The Lord of Gaucourt gouernor of Daulphiné a most profitable seruant of the King returning from the seege and causing some of his baggage which was scattered from the troupe to retire he was surprised by a companie of English and led prisoner to Rouen to the great griefe of Charles who loued him hauing giuen good testymones of his loyaltie in his greatest extremities But in exchange Charles takes Conches and Loâ—â—iers Townes of importance in Normandie from thence he came into Champaigne to subdue a part of these aduenturing theeues who had surprized some places in this Prouince Musse l'Euesque Montagu and others The Kings army led by the Constable takes them and razed them by the Kings commande pardoning most of these theeuish Captaines the bastard of Vergy and the Lord of Commercy A memorable execution but he caused Alexander bastard of Iohn Duke of Orleans to be drowned a notable theefe who hauing followed the discontented Princes had spoken vnworthilie of his maister This execution of Iustice is memorable vpon one of so high a birth being followed the same yeare with the exemplarie death of Gylâ—s de Raiz Marshall of France issued from a great and famous house The Marshall de Raiz burnt for sorcerie who beeing found guilty of Negromancie and Sorcerie was condemned by the Court of Parliament of Brittaine and burnt at Nantes with some of his seruants culpable of the same crymes He was honored for his valour but neither his armes nor his bloud could stay the hand of diuine Iustice meritoriously exâ—cuted by this iust decree of the magistrate Priuate actions worthie to be registred in the historie to shew that the greatest cannot flie the hand of God after they haue long abused his patience But the treaty of peace betwixt France and England being discontinued aboue a yeare was againe reuiued by the industrie of the Duchesse of Bourgongne a Portugall but much affected to the quiet of the Realme and a very sufficient woman who had great credit with her husband She followes it so wisely as in the ende two Kings sends their Ambassadors to Calais On Charles his behalfe were the Archbishops of Rheims Narbon A treatâ—e betwixt the two Kings for a peace but 〈◊〉 and the Earle of Dunois bastard of Orleans For Henry King of England the Cardinall of Yorke and the Duke of Exeter who brought with them Charles Duke of Orleans so being longe kept prisoner in England This poore Prince after the languishing of so long a prison was exceeding glad to see some meanes to returne to his house hauing felt the aire on this side the Sea and imbraced the Earle of Dunois one of the branches of his house hee who â—ad so faithfully serued him in his afflictions but hee greeued to see himselfe presently carried backe into England for that they could not agree vpon the foundamenttall points the English being resolute not to leaue one foote of that which they held in France And although the King were content they should freely inioy what they possessed so as they held it as they had done in times past of the Crowne of France by homage yet would they not yeeld in any sort being loath to relinquish their pretended souerainty But he refuseth which afterwards doth sue At this time they were inforced to retire with this resolution That without infringing any thing of the treaty begun euerie one should go home and consider of his affaires to assemble againe when neede should require The Duke of Orleans deliuered the which eyther part desired And this is al could be done for the general They proceeded farther for the duke of Orleans but as in these trafficks such as hold the possession do coÌ„monly vse policy the stronger giuing lawe to the weaker so in so precious matter as life the English must bee sued vnto making no hast to deliuer him for that they drewe great profit yearely for the pension of this great Prince Moreouer Charles had no great care of his deliuerie for that some malicious spirits had seasoned him with some bad impression against this poore Prince perswading him that his long imprisonment was not without some mistery and that it hatched some mischiefe against the King and his estate The which being miserable in so great a person gaue all men a iust cause of compassion But notwithstanding all these difficulties yet must this Prince one of the goodliest plants of this Crowne be now deliuered to leaue a successor for the realme of France The diuers aâ—flictions of the Duke of Orleans and God who would honor his race with the Crowne had prepared an admirable meanes for his deliuery by his helpe from whom in reason he might least hope euen when his owne friends had abandoned him A notable example for all men in many respects a prison of fiue and twentie years was a great affliction to a Prince borne to commande and yet captiue to an other The losse of all his goods gaue him a sufficient occasion to resolue to perpetual miserie and to leaue it for an inheritance to his posterity In the ende sclander a most cruell sting to a generous minde which hath honour for his assured Treasor had beene able to suppresse him But God who goâ—erns the rodde wisely giues him libertie goods and honour in due season in despight of this deuilish enuy which seeking to afflict the afflicted and controuling aduersitie as well as prosperity is then corrected when it seekes to correct an other but God doth neuer send helpes too late The Duke of Bourgongne vndertaks for the Duke of Orleans ransome Philip hauing resolued to do this good turne for the Duke of Orleans and to withdraw him out of prison compouÌ„ds for his ransome with the King of England for three hundred thousand Crownes He giues his word for it and payes it and so Charles Duke of Orleans being honorably conducted comes first to Calais where the mony beeing payed hee comes free to Grauelin to the Duke of Bourgongne his deliuerer
who receyued him with all the good chere hee could desire Hee was taken at Azincourt in the yeare 1415. and was deliuered in 1440. the 25 of Nouember by the meanes of his sonne that had slaine his father and had done all hee could to ruine his house Beeing come to Philip hauing thanked him for this good will and protested to hold him for his father he swears a perpetuall league with him the which is confirmed by the marriage of Marie of Cleues the niece of Philip with the Duke Two great enemies become great friends and then he swears to the troaty of Arras except the article of the murther committed on the person of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne whereof he was innocent and for confirmation of this sollemne league he takes the order of the golden fleese from the hands of Philip and is admitted into the number of his Knights Behold two great enemies are become great friends by so memorable an occasion The reason that mooued the Duke of Bourgongne to do this good turne The Duke of Bourgongne had his priuate considerations for the safety and quiet of his house he sees himselfe raised to greaâ—nesse But as it is no lesse vertue to keepe then to get and that his bloud profit dutie and necessitie commanded him to hold firme for the French partie as the greatest and most assured for the good of his affaires so likewise hee considered that he should neede some trustie friend neere the King on whome he might confidently relie And what greater personage then the Duke of Orleans the first Prince of the bloud and what greater bond then to free him from Captiuity necessitie also forseeing him thereunto for it was verie apparent that this Prince being freed from prison had the like action against Philip that Philip had against the King for although Philip had not slaine his father yet was he son to the murtherer and the quarell must needs be hereditarie in these great houses where discontents and wrongs go from father to sonne being also likely that the King discontented to haue beene forced by his subiect to aske him forgiuenesse in the viewe of al Europe would mayntaine the right of his bloud in a Prince that had neuer wronged him against his reconciled enemy whose friendship he had so deerely bought wherein he noted well the Kings humor being suspitious iealous and impatient of any new authority which being able to oppose it selfe hee would neuer faile to crosse in all occasions Philip wisely foreseeing all these difficulties preuented them in assuring himselfe of the Duke of Orleans loue vpon so good consideration suppressing thereby all doubt of danger which he might hereafter feare Herein we see a notable example that we must neuer despaire in the greatest crosses of this life that quarrells must be mortall whereas they die friendship must be immortall That the best meanes to vanquish an enemie â—s to do him all the good we can The honour of this good worke was not attributed to the Duke of Bourgongne alone but to the Duchesse his wife who woone as great credâ—t in drawing her husbaÌ„d to this reconciliation as her Predecessor did dishonor by the incensing of her husband against the house of Orleans whence grewe that infamy which poluted these two houses with two tragicall murthers The wiues honour is to pacifie quarrells betwixt the kinsemen and Allies of the house whereinto she is matched and contrariewise it is an importune iealousie to sowe dissention among kinsemen God also blest the mediation of this worthy Princesse in the marriage of Marie of Cleues Neece to her husbaÌ„d with the Duke of Orleans by whome he had Lewis .12 which shal be King of France two daughters the one Elenor which was married into the house of Nauarre of whome is issued Ioane Queene of Nauarre mother to our good valiant King Henry the 4. now raigning This yeare shal be full of warre and succesfull for Charles yet in the ende it shall minister occasion to enter into the former treatie of peace which hauing begunne the yeares before and little aduanced shal be ended in the following yeares after another manner then the English expected Charles seeing that the King of England by his cold delayes sought not onely to make his conditions better being sought vnto but also to drawe him into some inconuenience he resolues to armes The English had taken Creil vpon Oyze and could not bee dispossessed of Pontoise a Towne of importance for the neernesse of Paris The King resolues to take them both The Admirall of Coytiuy beseegeth Creil and forceth it in the Kings presence The memorable seege of Pontoise Thus the way is made to Pontoise the seege was memorable being well assayled and well defended but in the ende it was taken by Charles for the good of France He lodgeth at the Abbie of Maubuisson accompanied with his sonne the Daulphin of Viennois Charles of Aniou the Earle of Clermont the Constable of France the Marshalls of Loheaâ— and Soloigne Lewis of Luxembourg Earle of Saint Paul and of Pigney who brought vnto the King a goodly troupe of men from the Duke of Bourgongne with them of the Cittie of Tournay who sent a gallant squadron of their Cittizens Thus vnitie brought both French and Bourguignons vnder the same enseignes against the common enemie of France There were also the Earles of Eu Albret and Vaudemont the Vidame of Chartres the Lords of Chastillon Tancaruille Ioigny Morneil in Brie Bueil Mouy la Tour Angesi Longeuall Moyencourt Suze Chabannes Flauy S. Symon Mailly Penesac Blanchefort and those braue Captaines la Hire Pothon and Floquet with an infinit number of the Nobility who added their valour to the number of the soldiars which they had brought vnto the King The Citty of Paris sent a goodlie troupe so as Charles had twelue thousand fighting men At the first approch the bastion vpon the bridge next to Maubuisson was taken by la Hire on the other side against the Abbie of Saint Martin they make a bridge with a great bastion where they lodge three thousand archers yet the Towne was not so straightly beseeged but Talbot sent in both men and victualls 1441. Whilest that Charles stood discontented with this error behold a greater brauado for the Duke of Yorke Lieutenant generall for Henry King of England comes to Cenery and Hotonuille places very neere to Pontoise with a goodly army of eight thousâ—nd men and sends his heraulds vnto Charles to offer him battaile Charles who by the aduice of his Councell would not commit this succesfull beginning of his affaires to the hazard of a battaile returnes them with no other answer The Duke of Yoâ—â—e goes with an army to â—eleeue Pontoise but that he should haue his bellie full sooner then he liked The riuer of Oize was betwixt both armies Charles resolues to keepe the passages from Pontoise to Beaumont and the Duke of Yorke to passe the riuer in
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
prisoners and artillerie deliuer vp Arques Caudebecq Tancaruille Lisle-bonne Hâ—nnefleu and Monstreuille The Conditions granâ—ed to the English at Rouen they should pay fiftie thousand Crownes presently and discharge their priuate debts in the Cittie before they departed for assurance whereof they should leaue Talbot the flower of all their men with fiue other hostages such as the King should demande So Talbot remaynes for a pledge After ten dayes all articles agreed vpon beâ—ng performed except Honnefleu all the hostages haue leaue to depart except Talbot who stayes vntill Honnefleu is deliuered But Talbot must haue more time to tast the bountie clemencie of our King and the fruits of French couâ—tesie Thus Charles enters Rouen with great pompe Câ—arles enâ—ers Rouen but the peoples ioye exceeded the statelinesâ—e of his traine Their showtes drowne the Trumpets and Clarons all crie God saue the King 1450. This poore people greedie to see their Prince after so long and cruell a seruitude weepe for ioy men and women young and olde all runne many bonfiers are made but the fire of publike deuotion burnt more cleare This was the tenth of Nouember in the yeare 1449. a notable date for so singular a deliuerance There yet remained some Townes in Normandie to conquer Charles loth to loose any opportunitie or to giue the enemie any leisure to bethinke himselfe would scarse allow of any time for the publike ioy and content of his good subiects but goes presently to field with his armie Honnefâ—eu would not obey the Duke of Somerset the which he must deliuer vp according to the treatie there were fifteene hundred English resolute to defend the place but after fifteene dayes siege they yeelded vpon honourable termes King Charles deales honourablie with Talbot their goods and liues being saued Charles for an increase of the good cheere he had made vnto Talbot during his imprisonment giues him his libertie without ransome with meanes to retire himselfe into England with great gifts but he shall make him no due requitall of this good and honourable entertainment Fougeres the subiect of this last warre and the chiefe cause of this good successe returnes to the obedience of the Crowne through the valour of the Duke of Brittanie and Belesme with the Castell of Fresâ—â—â— by that of the Duke of Alançon As all things succeeded happily for our Charles so all went crosse in England The Earle of Suffolke gouerned King Henry the 6. quietly being a young man and of a weake spirit As all the affaires of England depended vpon this Earle The estate of England so did the reproches The Duke of Somerset a Prince of the English bloud very iealous of his credit and reputation and ashamed to be blemished with these losses in France layes the chiefe fault vpon Suffolke and others that had the gouernment and so incensed the people of London against them The Londoners mutinie and kill the Lord Keeper as the Londoners transported with choller for so great a losse meaning to punish the offenders fall vpon the Bishop of Chichester Lord Keeper of the priuie Seale and kill him in a mutinie they intend the like to Suffolke â—â— by the fauour of some of his friends he had not beene put into the Tower of London to yeeld an accoumpt of his actions Henry who loued him deerely takes him forth The English Chronicle reports quite contrary and sent him into France for his better safetie But it chanced that Suffolke seeking to auoide one danger fell into another where he made his last shipwrack for being met by Somersets people being his capitall enemie he was taken and beheaded his head body were sent to London those cruell spoiles set vp to publike view in places most frequented In the meane time all England troubled for the losse of Rouen and the greatest part of the Prouince resolues to hazard all to saue the rest of their conquests in France They had yet in Normandy the Townes of Caen Vire Auranches S. Sauueur leVicont Falaize Damfront Cherebourg with the strong places of Tombelaine Briquebec New forces sent out of England into France and a great part of Guienne With this remainder the English imagin to recouer the possession of what they had lost So Henry sends speedily 4000. men vnder the command of Thomas Tiâ—el one of his most renowmed Captaines Being landed at Cherebourg without any losse of of time he besiegeth Valonges a strong place and of importance At the brute of these forces all the English garrisons assemble to augment his armie and to fortifie the siege so as being together they make about 8000. men Our armie was lodged in diuers places to refresh themselues since the siege of Honnefleu the season being wonderfull moist in the thawe of the spring when as newes came to Charles of the landing of the English and the imminent danger of the besieged the losse whereof were a foule blemish to his victorie To preuent this he presently sends the Earle of Clermont with sixteene hundred Lances whereof the Earle of Castres the Admirall of Raiz the Seneshall of Poitou and the Lords of Montgascon Couuran and Rouhault were the commanders The English armie was lodged at Fourmigny a village betwixt Carentan and Bayeux in a place of aduantage to keepe themselues free from such forces as they might doubt should be sent from the King being then in the country Matago an old English Captaine came vnto him with a thousand Archers The English being thus fortified set their backes to a Riuer being flanked with diuers Orchards and Gardines before them they make trenches to stoppe their approche and in this sort they attend the enemie The neerenesse of Charles made them to imagine our French to be more in number then they were for this troupe did not exceed sixe hundred fighting men whereof a hundred onely commanded by Geoffray of Couuran and Ioachim of Rouault charged the English vantgard hauing slaine three or foure hundred put the rest of their armie in disorder yet the Earle of Clermont seeing the danger he was in with his troupe if the enemie had discouered his aduantage hauing so great an army against his small troupe sends presently to Charles for speedy succours By good hap as the messenger came vnto the King the Constable of Richmont arriues from Brittaine who marcheth presentlie not giuing his souldiers any leisure to breath exhorting them to go couragiously to an assured victorie His comming strack the stroake and swayâ—d the victory He had 240. Lances and 800. Archers and with him Iames of Luxembourg the Cont of Laâ—all and the Lord of Loheac Marshall of France with the good fortune of Charles He aâ—riues euen when as the Earle of Clermont was farre ingaged in the fight the English had taken two Culuerins from him and in despight had passed S. Clements-forde preparing to discharge these Culuerins when as behold the Constable comes with his troupe with a victorious
King Henry was descended and they wore the redde Rose for a marke and Clarence from whence the Duke of Yorke tooke his beginning bearing the white Rose for a distinction This rancor of parties hath bathed all England with the bloud of her subiects two yeares shall not passe after this losse but Somerset shall dye in a battaile and King Henry the 6. who had carryed himselfe as King of France shall be prisoner and whereas he sought to ioyne the Crowne of France to that of England he shall loose that of England both for him and his teaching vs that we must neuer thinke to doe harme to another but we shall receiue our share againe and not to dispaire in our greatest afflictions The beginning of this raigne did represent vnto vs a ruined realme and this end restores it to her first beautie Thus was this realme restored from the which the English were quite expelled except from Calais and the heyre recouered the possession of his right the which his successors enioye vnto this day The meanes of this singular deliuerance is worthy to be obserued vnder the conduct of the first moouer the which the wise acknowledge to be in the prouidence of God the Soueraigne of Soueraignes and the preseruer of States whereby he maintaines the societie of mankinde Truelie in the course of these ordinarie meanes which we seeke after Charles holds the first place being both capable of Councell and full of resolution to put in execution He was assisted by great personages in the gouernment of his affaires and for the warres He was furnished with two Constables which serued him faithfully the Earle of Boucquam in his aduersitie and the Earle of Richemont in his p osperitie of two Chancellors worthy men and fitte for the time Of Renald of Chartres Archbâ—shop of Rheimes and Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins Baron of Treignel the one for the beginning the other for the end of his affaires And for warriours he had as resolute and happy commanders as might be found in any raigne of whom he had great need But from all this we must ascend vnto the soueraigne cause who hath shewed vs the rodde and cast it into the fire when as it pleased him that by the example of our Ancestors we may more perfectly obserue the causes and remedies of our difficulties Now we drawe neere vnto the end of this raigne but before we conclude we must obserue the estate of the Church finish the discourse of the Schisme wherof we haue shewed the beginning and proceding We haue made relation of this inexcusable conâ—â—sion vntil the councell of Pisa which supposing to reforme the scandalous disorders of two Popes being enemies Gregorie and Benedict aduanced a third which was Iohn the 23 so as at one time there were three Popes Iohn at Boulogne Gregorie at Rimini not able to be resident at Rome and Benedict at Auignon This multiplicitie of Popes bred disorder to the great scandale and preiudice of all Christians So as Sigismond not able to cure this infirmity of the mind by force he resolued to haue recourse vnto the authoritie of the church to that end he passed through France England Spaine and Italie perswading all Kings Princes and Potentates to hold a Councel at Constance whether the Emperours of constantinople Trepisonde with the churches of Grece sent their Ambassadors and all Christian nations assisted to the end this councell might be oeconomicall and vniuersall In this Councell Iohn the 23. being accused and found guilty of greuous crymes was first deposed and then imprisoned Gregory the 12. and Benedict the 13. were likewise deprived Councell of Constance Otho Colomne a Romaine gentleman was chosen Pope by the Councel is called Martin the 15. This decree of the councell was accompanied with great and generall complaints by reason of the corrupted estate of the Church the which had exceded farre in some places Saint Bernard had begun in France as doth appeere by diuers places of his writings and by books written vpon this subiect But many of his disciples had followed him in great numbers Gabriell de Roquetaillade Tomas Couect Great complaints against the abuses of the Romish Church and Nicholas Clemangis had filled all France with these complaints But in England Iohn Wiclef and in Bohemia Iohn Hus had perswaded men with greater vehemencie for Bohemia was ready to disclaime the Popes authoritie Iohn Hus teaching them not only to leaue the abuse of manners but â—he doctrine it selfe as is conteyned at large in acts of the councel of Constance It shal be sufficient to coat them my stile not permitting me to set them downe at large The reader that is carefull to see the grounds of this controuersie may go vnto the Originall and I will obserue the effect according vnto the dutie of the historie Wicâ—efs doctrine was condemned Iohn Hus and Ierosme of Prague came to Constance hauing a pasport from the Emperour Sigismond and the Councell but they were condemned and burnt as heretiks Hus in the Bohemian tong signifies a goose Iohn Hus and Iâ—rosme of Prâ—gue condemned and burnt Iohn Hus when as the Iudges had pronownced this sentence that he should be burnt he said vnto them I appeale from you vnto the soueraigne Iudge and preseruer of all truth who a hundred yeares hence shall raise out of my ashes a Goose which shall not suffer him selfe to be roasted Sâ— as Iohn Hus was burnt in the yeare 1417. and Martin Luther began to shew him selfe in the yeare 1517. There were great complaints against the abuses of the Church made by Peter d' Alliae a Cardinal Iohn Gerson Chancellor of the Vniuersitie of Paris deputie of the French Church The Colledge of Sorbon had giuen him great instructions vpon this subiect but nothing was effected They only make the Pragmaticall Sanction to suppresse the Popes authoritie Gerson returning from Basill died for greefe at Lions But this Councell did not end those two difficulties for the which it had beene called for Peter de la Lune called Benedict 13. being deposed by the councell and retired into Arragon had so incensed Alphonsus King of Arragon as he supported him with all violence The Bohemians take armes for the death of Iohn Hus. against Martin the new Pope And the Bohemians were so moued with the death of these two personages whom they reuerenced as they tooke armes vnder the comand of Zisca a very famous Captaine and did much annoy the Emperour Sigismond Peter de la Lune called Benedict 13. held his court apart doing at Laniscole a Towne in Arragon as Martin did at Rome but this humour brought him to his graue After his death the colledge made choise of Giles Munion who was called Clement the 8. Martin dies in the other seat and his College doth choose a Venetian of the familie of Condelme and calls him Eugene 4. who finds the means to cause the Antipope Clement
8. to relinquish But the Bohemiam action was of more difficulty forthey spake bodly being in armes and Sigismond the Emperour prest to haue audience for them hauing receiued great reproches for that to please the Pope he had violated the publicke faith and suffred the breach of his pasport These causes made Martin the 5. to call a Councell at Basill whether the Bohemians had free libertie to come but the Emperour gaue them hostages for their suerty The Counsell of Basils decree â—gainst the Popes authority trusting his word no more the which he had broken in the death of their Countrimen There were likewise many other besides the Bohemians which desired some redresse for these visible confusions so as it was there freely disputed of the necessity to reforme the Church being fit to begin first with the Pope and not suffer the forepassed disorders to the great scandall of al Christians and that to auoide a future inconuenience by the generall discontent of all men it was reasonable he should submit himselfe to the censure of the Coun cell wherevnto hee was subiect As the fathers of the Councell with a generall consent had thus concluded and had drawen articles That the authoritie of the Councell was aboue the Pope Eugenius foreseeing the preiudiciall consequence of this decree reuokes the Councel assembled at Basill for certaine great considerations which he sayed proceeded from the holy ghost transported it to Bologne to the exceeding discontent both of the fathers the Emperour They resolue to oppose themselues against this brauado of Eugenius and to withstand him by the like authority of the Church wherby he sought to ruine them By the authority of the general Councel lawfully assembled they giue him an assignation to appeere before them The Counsel of Basill summons the Pope to appeere and in case he disobeyes they declare him degraded and excomunicate Eugenius to calme this storme makes shew to yeeld vnto this decree promiseth to obey yet seeking meanes vnder hand to crosse them relying vpon our Charles the 7. who followed his party It chanced also as Eugenius desired that the Emperour Sigismond who was the chiefe opposer to his desseins died during these disorders Yet the Councell of Basill was not dissolued but were resolute to continue firme Albert of Austria is chosen Emperour after Sigismond and succeeds him both in his desire to continue the Councell at Basill and in the Imperiall dignity Matters grewe then more violent our Charles the 7. beeing loath to yeeld in anâ—e thing to the Emperour hauing made a generall truce with the King of England as wee haue sayed the English likewise holding with Eugenius sends his son Lewis neere vnto Bâ—sill with an army compounded of French English vnited to nourish this notable disunion the issue whereof was as we haue saied The Councell of Basill incensed by these bitter and violent courses practised by Eugenius The Duke of Sauoie made Pope in the end they resolue to degrade him and in his place they choose this Amedee Duke of Sauoie of whom we haue spoken in diuers places hauing made himselfe a monke of purpose to be chosen Pope amongest so many which aspired to this dignity and was called Felix But this cured not the dâ—sease for at this new election of a Duke of Sauoy to the Pontificall dignity al Kings Princes Potentats were mooued France England Italie and Spaine at so strange a proceeding and disauowe Felix In the meane time the colledge of Cardinalls at Rome choose Thomas Sarzan Pope name him Nicholas the 5. a man commended in histories All Princes oppose against his election fit to suppresse this Schisme to reduce the Church to vnion being wise modest learned and quiet all Kings and Christian Princes allowed of him by a generall consent Felix was supported by the Germains for Albert fauored him but hee dies soone Frederic the 3. succeeding in the Empire a wise and a modest Prince who not to contradict the Germains at the first followed their humour in fauoring of Amedee but in the end ouerruled by a generall consent of all Christendom he vseth his authority with Amedee to make him renounce his Popedome Our Chaâ—les doth likewise interpose his authority and sends Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins his Chancellor vnto him being well accompained who finds him at Lozanne where he had made his Pontificall seat with a stately colledge of Cardinalles He feared the King more then any man lyuing whom in his conscence he had moued to a iust dislike of him when as he made a good shew and yet betrayed him in his greatest afflictions crosses which wounde euen the verie heart of a generous minde Moreouer Charles was both strong and neere at hand to comptroule him if hee should continue obstinate Felix stands vpon tearmes but in the ende whereas the Kings Ambassadors spake vnto him of force he grew more milde and treated this busines by the Kings authority protesting that for his loue hee did willingly resigne his right Thus all obey Nicholas and Amedee had a Cardinalls hat â—e renounceth his tâ—â—le with the title of Saint Sabine and was Legat ouer his countries and of some part of Germanie This was the end of that feuer which so much tormented all Christendome the raine of Charles being honored with this blessing of God to haue beene a sollemne theater both of the restoring of the realme and the reunion of the Church But alas during these cruell confusions of the westerne Church the Christians of the East who had endured much were now vtterly ruined We left them in very poore estate vnder the raigne of Charles the 6. in the yeare 1396. In fifty yeares during the scandall of this miserable Schisme and the willfull warres of France and England there happened a greater alteration The misâ—â—â—ble state of the â—ast Our Kings and Princes had labored long in vaine to recouer the holy land consuming an infinite number of men and money and preuayled nothing But Constantinople the head of the Easterne Empire remayned stil in state with Grece Macedonie Thessalie and the neighbour countries Sclauonia Walachia Russia Seruia Bulgaria and a part of Natolia whereof Trepisonde was the chiefe of that Empire In this weaknes which drewe nere to a totall ruine the Christians vanitie was so great as to make two Empires the one in Europe and the other in Asia and then euery Empire being diuided into diuers parcels held by sundrie Despotes or soueraine Lords that among so many maisters there should be none at all These confusions did bring in fortifie wholy settle the Turkes who were the horrible instruments of Mahomet and enemyes to all Christendome I enter not into the particular discours of this Easterne historie it belongs not to my subiect I onlie obserue the continuance of time to shew the estate of the Church and the Empire with our Monarchie After our French had abandoned as we haue saied
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
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
pleasing to the Duke as the peace of Conflâ—ns So the King returnes into Touraine Charles out of France iâ—to GuieÌ„ne the Duke of Burgongne into Hainault where he assembles his Estats and shewes the losse he had receiued for that his men at armes were not so soone ready as the Kings and giues order to be no more surprised vnawares Thus the Estate is pacâ—fied but the Duke of Guienne was no sooner returned home The Duke of â—uiene seeke to marry with the heire of Bourgongne but there springs vp new seeds of diuision He receiues the Earle of Armaignac into fauour and restores him to full possession of the Lands which the King had conficate Lewis moued with this reconciliatsion sends forces and takes the lands into his owne hand disappoints the Earle whome he knew to be a stirring and a factious man and euen then he resolued to diâ—possesse his brother of the Duchie of Guienne as he had doone of that of Normandie The Duke foreseing this storme sends often to the Bourguignon and vnder colour to seeke his daughter labours to bind him more fiâ—nely vnto him by that alliance The Bourguignon hauing his heart puste vp with as great conceiâ—s as his person was susceptible of trauell but exceding the capaciâ—ie of his sence he fed him with hope yet had he no such meaning but preserued her as a most pretious iewel to be courted by many and to serue him at need according to diuers occurrents both of their persons and meanes Neither would he haue so great a Sonne in Lawe as the only Brother of a King of France whome he might not rule at his pleasure neither could he digest the words proceedings of the Duke of Brittaine the Constable The Constable would haue the Duke of Guienne beholding vnto him for this marriage the Britton repined he should haue the honor The King comes to crosse it and with â—eason for this alliance had wonderfully fortified his brother who being ioyned with the Duke of Brittaine had gâ—eatly crossed the Kings estate and his childrens Moreouer the King of England did much disswade the effecting thereof said he to the Duke of Bourgongne if the King of France comes to die without children his brother succeeds to the Crowne and this marriage vniting vnto it so many prouinces and Seigneuries the estate of England were neere her ruine But to what ende serue these affectionate and contrarie poursuits Alasse some one thinks himselfe sound that carries death in his bosome But he that raigneth in heauen Psal. â— laughes them to scorne within fewe monethes our Charles of Guienne leauing the world shall leaue his loues So it is that their vehement solliciting extorted some verball promise confirmed by a letter but he had great Corriualls who all pretended to haâ—e the best part in the pie Nicholas Marquis of Pont Corriuals for the heâ—â— of Bonâ—gongne sonne to Iohn Duke of Calabria and Lorraine Philop Duke of Sauoie Maximilian Duke of Austria Son to the Emperour Frederke All these marched in equall ranke but in the end Maximilian shal be conquerour yet not during the life of Charles of Bourgongne This marriage gaue a goodly colour to these mediators but vnder the shadowe thereof they treated of other matters They must auoide this storme ready to oppresse the Duke of Guienne Behold therefore the publike Ambassadors and priuate messengers of these three Dukes are sent respectiuely one to another The Lord of Vrfé and Poncet de la Riuiere Agents for Charles of Guienne The Abbot of Begard since Archbishop of Lion is an instrument for the Britton to the Bourguignon they taxe the King to haue practised and suborned what by friendshâ—p and what by force the Duke of Guyennes seruants to haue already defaced a place belonging to the Lord of Estissac with many other things testifying that the King would soone dispossesse his brother of Guienne if he were not speedily preuented A new league betixt the Duke of Bourgâ—ngne Guiâ—enne and â—â—ittâ—ine against Lewis that to this effect he was armed and ready to enter into Xaintonge The Duke of Bourgongne sends often to the king touching these affaires The King excuseth himselfe and accuseth his brother as hauing treated with the Earles of Armaignac and Foix to his preiudice seeking to inlarge his limits without his priuitie to enter into factions with his enimies yet he promiseth to suffer him to inioy his portion peaceably This promise carryes no credit and works lesse effect the Dukes of Guienne Brittaine insist they presse the Bourguignion yet that it may be done without the assistance of the English the ancient and generall enemie of this Realme seeing that all their coÌ„mon desâ—â—ins tended but to the good and ease of the publicke that his assistance with the great intelligence he had with many gouernours Captaines of places did fortifie them sufficiently pleasant people to seeke with a blody wound once againe to abuse the coÌ„mon people with this baite of publike good to couer their priuate passions with so pleasing a shewe Charles of Bourgougne casts the stone and hides his arme and the better to disguise his proceeding he solicites the English secretly to inuade France on the one side whilst that he seemed blind not to see it .. But it was in vaine the English had more willingly assisted the King if this marriage had allyed the two houses of France Bourgongne In the end behold a number of Princes in great perplexitie the which is more lamentable for that they shall tâ—ouble their heads with so many preiudiciall extrauagant conceptions this confusiâ—n shall in fewe yeares oppresse them in a manner all Lewis particularly fauoured of heauen shall suruiue them and carry away their spoiles They preuaile thus much the Duke of Bourgongne possessed with an earnest desire to recouer Amiens S. Quintin and other townes vpon Somme he armes twelue hundred lances three archers to a Lance well armed weâ—l mounted The Bourguignâ—â— comes armed into Fâ—ance and good leaders What doth our Lewis In trueth he had too good a iudgement to want foresight he that thought to surprise shal be surprised To diuert the Bourgâ—ignons leauy he had often sent the Lord of Craon and the Chancellour of Oriole who being very trusty seruants in the end coÌ„clude an absolute peace The King yeelds to the Dâ—ke the foresaid townes Lewis makes a â—eace with the 〈◊〉 he abandons vnto him the Earles of Neuers S. Paul Constable the one hauing serued the King loyalty at Peronne had purchased the dukes indignation the other hauing nourished hatred and distrust betwixt these two princes for his owne profit had so vnreconciledâ—ie estranged them from him as they bandye ioyntly to his destruction giues him al their lands to incorporate them to his own if he coâ—â—d The Duke in exchange forsakes the Dukes of Guienne and Brittaine and their â—â—igneâ—ries to dispose at his pleasure promising
hundred horse with a sufficient number of foote to keepe the place The Cittizens of Colongne with their neighbours arme sixteene thousand foote and incampe vpon the Rhin right against the Duke to cut off his victualls that came out of Gueldres and to stay the boats with their Cannon The Emperour and Princes both spirituall and temporall do arme as the King had often solicited them they send vnto him to make a triall of his intent Lewis failes not to graunt what they demanded promising twenty thousand men when as the Imperiall army should be at Colongne But he had worke at home Edward King of England discontented The English prepare for France that Lewis had supported Henry and the Earle of Warwicke against him prepares in the Bourguignons fauour fifteene hundred maisters all Gentlemen well mounted and the most part barded which made a great number of horse 14000. Archers all on horse-backe with a great number of foote The Duke of Brittaine hauing already consented to rebellion should receiue three thousand English and ioyne his army with them as appeared by letters written by the hand of Vrfé sometimes master of the Kings horse and then seruant to the Britton the one letter to the king of England the other to Hastings great Chamberlaine of the said realme the which the King did buy of a Secretary of England for three score markes of siluer In the meane time the King treats of a peace with the Duke of Bourgongne to preuent this storme Lewis seekes for a peace of the Duke of Bourgongne is refused or at the least to prolong the truce The Duke excuseth himselfe vpon his word giuen to the English who labours to drawe the Duke from Nuz exhorting him to accomplish the conuentions considering his great charge and that the season fit for warre was almost spent To this ende the Lord Scales Nephew to the Constable makes two iournies to Charles who pretends by friuolous reasons that his honour is much ingaged in this siege and that hee could not rise without great blame Lewis procures to Charles many enimies Lewis to crosse him being alwayes his crafts master in any action eyther of warre or peace procures him many and new enimies It was no matter of difficulty to draw in René the sonne of the daughter of René King of Sicile the heyre of Lorraine by reason of his grandmother after the death of Iohn Duke of Calabria and Lorraine his Vncle and of the Marquis Nicholas sonne to the said Iohn For the Duke being dead Charles of Bouâ—gongne desirous to vnite thiâ— Duchy to his country had caused him to be taken prisoner but he was deliuered in exchange for a young Germaine Prince who was taken studying at Paris and marching presently with his armye hee had easily deuoured that preie if the King following him had not forced him to passe on René Duke of Lorraine René therefore sends to defie him before Nuz and fortified by some French troupes commanded by the Lord of Craon he enters the Duchy of Luxembourg spoyles the country and razeth Pierre-forte a place of the said Duchy and neere to Nancie Sigismond of Austria Sigismond Archduke of Austria had in the yeare 1469. ingaged his country of Ferrete to the Duke of Bourgongne with all the lands he enioyed on eyther side the Rhin for threescore and ten thousand Crownes Charles had placed Peter of Hagenbach there for Gouernour a wicked man a violent extortioner and insupportable both to the nobility people who complaine to Sigismond beseeching him to succour them against the outrage concussions of Hagenbach Sigismond had beene long in dislike with the Suisses his neighbours but by the Kings meanes they were all easily reconciled So they conclude a league in the which the imperiall Citties ioyne Strausbourg Basill Colmar and Slestad and contribute to furnish the summe due by Sigismond to Charles And many Imperiall citties the which they consigne into the hands of a banker at Basill then the inhabitants of these ingaged lands signifie vnto the Duke of Bourgongne that they hold themselues freed of the oath they had made vnto him And holding themselues freed from the Bourguignons obedience they reiect his Lieutenant generals coÌ„mands To suppresse them he assembles a great troupe of Picardes Flemings Hennuiers and Lombards and on Chistmas day at night a good worke on a good day hee seekes to bring them secretly into Enshem The Cittizens beate them back kill and take many the rest flie to Brizac with Hagenbac The Brizançons arme and are the stronger they â—â—ize on the gouernor expell the soldiars and then do they speedily informe of his mildemeanors giuing intelligence to all their allies and demand Iudges to iudge of the processe They depute some from Alsatia Strasbourg Basill Songoye of the blacke forest Fribourg Berne Soleure and other places who condemne Hagenbach to dâ—e vpon foure principall crimes The Duke of Bâ—â—â—gongâ—â—â— Lieutenant executed by the Suisses for that he had caused foure men of honour to bee beheaded at â—han without any forme of Lawe to haue made and displaced officers at his pleasure contrarie to his oath to haue brought in forraine nations into places with all liberty and for that he had rauished women forced virgins and committed incest with Nunnes The Duke of Bourgongne aduertised of the death of Hagenbach resolues to be reuenged of such as had beene actors And herevpon Henry Earle of Vittemberg and Montbeliard is taken by the Dukes men Those of Basill aduertised hereof send a number of men with artillery to Montbeliard to stop the Bourguignons passage who suÌ„mons the Castell the which refusing to yeeld he sends six thousand horse vnder the commande of Stephen Hagenbach to reuenge his brothers death Open warre betwixt the Dukeof Bourgongne and the Suisses and to make war vpon the Bishop of Basill who whilest that Sigismond assembles his coÌ„federats spoiles about thirty villages killes takes carries away and ransomes men women children and cattle Behold a strong party made against Charles of Bourgongne by the Kings policy whereby the Suisses entring into Bourgongne take Blasmont beseege Hericourt defeate the Bourguignons that come to succor it and kill two thousand which done they retyre The truce nowe expired as the King had vnderhand stirred vp the Duke of Lorraine Lewis his exploits the truce being expired the Germains and the Suisses against the Duke of Bourgongne sufficiently busied before Nuz he now by open force takes from him spoiles and burnes Tronquoy Montdidier Roye Montreul and Corbye and then sends the bastard of Bourbon Admirall of France Generall of this army before Arras and there abouts who spoiles and consumes with fire most of the places lying betwixt Abbeuille and Arras The Inhabitants of Arras force their men of warre to go to field vnder the commande of the Earle of Rhomont the Queenes brother But the Admirall hauing layed a strong ambush sends forth about
would haue dangerously shaken the estate of this realme So the English and Bourgiugnon part from Calais passe by Boullen and drawe towards Peronne where thinking to lodge they were disapointed which gaue some dislike vnto the English Being at Peronne the constable sends Lewis of Creuille to the Duke of Bourgongne excusing himselfe for not deliuering vp of Saint Quintin whereby said he he should haue lost all his credit and intelligence in France and hereafter be altogether vnprofiâ—able for him The Constables â—â—iuolous excuse But he was now wholy at his deuotion seing the King of England witâ—iâ— the realme Moreouer he promiseth the saide Duke To serue and succour him and 〈◊〉 friends and allies as well the King of England as others and against al men without any exception and intreats him that that writing of his owne hand may serue as a gage of credit with the sayd King The Duke giues his letter vnto Edward assuring him moreouer that the Constable should not only giue him entrance into Saint Quintin He deceaues both King Edward and Duke Charles but into all his other places Both the King and Duke beleeued it The King for that he had married the Constables Neece the Duke for that the Constable was in so great feare and distrust of our Lewis as it seemed he should not dare to faile of his promises They part from Peronne and approching neere Saint Quintin they send some English troupes before to enter the Towne as to the taking of a certain possession But the Negro saieth the prouerbe changeth not his hewe The signall they giue them of their approach neere vnto them are skirmishes and Canon shot Two or three English are slaine and some taken and so they recouer their armie greatly discontented with this dâ—shonour The Bourguignon to colour this foule and treacherous part The Constable supported by Charles pretends the Constables meaning to be verie good that he could not couer the yeelding thereof with any apparent pretext if at the simple sight of so small troupes he should be amazed that he would be forced therevnto and if all the whole armie marched he would make no refusall But these were â—ests he desired but to winne time and not to shew himselfe enemy for any man The next day Charles of Bourgongne takes his leaue of Edward promising to returne speedily with all his forces Edward and his men had small practise in the estate of our realme they are not those braue warriers which had so long gouerned our France they needed conduct direction to fashion them to our armes without the which they know themselues at their first ariuall to be vnprofitable Another 〈◊〉 in the Duke of Bourgongne but in a short time they are fashioned and become good souldiers In the meane time they are abandoned and the season of doing any thing almost past they must therefore resolue And thus the King discouers that Edward would agree The English had taken the seruant of Iames Grasse a Gentleman of he Kings house but for that he was their first prisoner Edward giues him liberty At his departure Howard and Stanley both in credit with Edward said vnto him Recommend vs to the King your maister if you may speake vnto him Garter the Herald had named these two to obtaine a pasport for the Ambassadors that Lewis should send to treate This message bred some iealousie in the Kings head who then was at Compiegne for Gilbert the brother of Iames Grasse followed the Duke of Brittanie A notable circumstance and was in great credit but being carefully examined they finde he deserued credit Lewis remembers the direction the Herald had giuen him and sodenly takes this resolution with himselfe To send a seruant the sonne of Meridol of Rochel belonging to the Lord of Halles or Scalles in qualitie of a Herald A counterfeit Herald This seruant had his countenance and personage very vnpleasing yet a good wit and a sweet speech But why did Lewis make choise of a seruant whom he had neuer seene but once But well chosen and why amongst so many thousands more capable of that charge he might disauow him if need required as intruding himselfe or at the least aduenturing without his priuitie and at all hazards the losse of a seruant was not great This Herald fashioned after the Kings minde hath his charge deliuered him and is attired with a coate of Armes made likewise in hast of a Trumpets Banner enamelled like a pettie Herald that belonged to the Admirall and then he goes to horseback without any mans priuitie except Villiers Maister of the horse and the Lord of Argenton Being arriued at the English armie he is brought before the King to whom he deliuers his charge That the King his maister had long desired to haue good amitie with him to the end that both their realmes might hereafter liue in peace That since his comming to the crowne he had neuer made warre nor attempted any thing against the Crowne of England If he had receiued the Earle of Warwicke it was onely to crosse the Duke of Bourgongne That the Duke of Bourgongne should not haue procured his pâ—ssâ—ge into France but to make his peace with more aduantage with the King If any others were actors meaning the Constable it was but to serue their owne turnes in â—â—â—ssing him and to worke their priuate profits not regarding the affaires of England 〈◊〉 now Winter grew on that his Armie was not raised without exceeding charge 〈…〉 â—ecretly to offer a recompence of all or part The policie of Lewis which was a great perswader 〈…〉 Thaâ— such as nourished this warre betwixt them were some Noblemen and Marchants who made their profit of the peoples losse That if the King of Engâ—â—â—â— youâ—d giue eare to a treatie the King his Maister would imbrace it with so great aâ—â—ection as both himselfe and his realme should remaine well satisfied And for 〈◊〉 if it pleased him to graunt a safe conduct for a hundred horse the King would leâ—â—â— Ambassadors vnto him well informed of his pleasure vnlesse he desired a mutuall enterview in some place mid-way betwixt both Armies then the King should graunt a safe conduct for his part These speeches please and this counterfeit Herald returnes with a safe conduct as he desired accompanied with an other Herald to carrie one from the King with the same tenor Ambassadors sent froÌ„ both the Kings The next day the Ambassadors of either side meete in a village neere to Amiens For the King came the Bastard of Bourbon Admirall the Lord of S. Pierre and Heberge Bishop of Eureux For Edward came Howard Sellenger and Doctor Morton afterwards Chancellor of England and Archbishop of Canterburie In truth it was much so to humble himselfe but the waightie burthen of affaires which oppressed our King forced him therevnto who with one stone gaue two stroakes for Lewis sent back his enemie to the great
confusion of the Duke of Bourgongne Let vs generally confesse that it is not now alone that God doth shew his singular grace and fauour to this Monarchie The Britton was watchfull and ioyntly with the Bourguignon they practised crosses of dangerous consequence The English from a generall demand of the Crowne of France restraine himselfe to the Duchie of Normandie oâ— Guienne But a franke demander requires a bold denier Lewis protests that hee would doo any thing to send the King of England out of this realme but to yeeld him the possession of any lands hee will rather put all to hazard Hee had a goodly and mighty army which they esteemed saith the Originall a hundred thousand fighting men and in shew might doo much the English being in bad termes with the Bourguignon But the quietest course is the best and both being willing to agree an accorde is soone made In the end the King graunts the English three-score and twelue thousand Crownes present paiment Paris lent the money vpon promises of restâ—tution by the feast of All Saints next following Articles of agreemeÌ„t with the English the marâ—iage of Charles with the eldest daughter of King Edward both being yet very young neither shall it take effect and for the estate of her house the Duchie of Guienne or fiftie thousand Crownes yearely payable in the Tower of London for nine yeares following at the end whereof hee and his wife quietly to enioy the reuenues of the sayd Duchie and the King should remaine discharged of the payment of 50000 Crownes to King Edward Moreouer the King promised sixteene thousand Crownes pension to some of Edwards fauorites who had much assisted in this reconciliation to Hastings two thousand to Howard to Iohn Chene Maister of the Horse to Sellenger Montgommeri and some others the remainder and besides there was great store of Siluer and Plate distributed among King Edwards seruants so euery Saint had his candle These conditions performed Edward should repasse the Sea and leaue Howard and the Maister of his Horse in hostage vntill he had recouered England yet not without an enterview of both Kings This peace should continue nine yeares comprehending the the Dukes of Bourgongne and Brittanie if they pleased The Bourguignon hearing these newes hastes his returne to the English followed onely with sixteene hundred Horse The Duke of 〈◊〉 come to king Edward At his â—irst arriuall hee discouers his inward passions by his outward countenance But hee came too late to preuent it Edward tells him that hee hath made a truce for nine yeares and exhorts him to enter according to the reseruation he had made He reprocheth King Eâ—waâ—d for making a truce Charles replies by fitts and after a reprochfull manner That Edwards Predecessors Kiâ—gs of England had performed many high exploits in France and with much sweare and toyle had woâ—ne great reputation He checketh him that hee did not procure the English to passe for any neede he had but onely to giue them occasion to recouer their ancient inheritance And to make it manifest that hee had no neede of their comming hee would not accept of any truce with the King vntill that Edward had beeâ—e three monethes in his owne Country And hauing thus sayd heereturnes towards Luxembourg from whence hee came A brauadoe of ill digestion to the English and his Counsell but plausible to all the friendes of confusion But what is become of our Constable is there no speech of him during this treatie The Constaâ—â—â— perplexed Nowe is hee more incombred with feare then euer Hee knowes well that he hath displeased the King the English and the Bourguignon all alike and still hee apprehends the conclusion at Bouuines In the meane time hee seekes to please all and setts a good face on it Edward had freely made offer to the French Ambassadors to name some Noblemen that were Traitors sayd hee to the King and his Crowne and to proue it by their hand-writings The King holds a Counsell vpon this matter some maintayne Edward discouers the constables disseins that this accusation is fraudulent and that the English would make his demandes the greater with the wracke of an others honour as hauing good intelligence in France But Lewis his iudgement was more sharpe hee knewe the Bourguignons courses he considered the season that the English had not any one place in their hands and that the Bourguignon had deceyued them Moreouer he knewe well that the Constable would not giue them any entry and least he should bee farther imbarked in the league the King entertayned him with many letters and kept him in good humour and the Constable likewise sent often to the King yet alwayes swimmyng betwixt two streames vnderstanding that the treaty betwixt the two Kings grewe to some perfection he seemed well satisfied and sends Lewis of Creuille a gentleman of his house and Iohn Richer his Secretary aduising the King that to auoyde this threatning forraine tempest hee should procure a truce to satisfie the English it were good to graunt them one or two smal Townes to winter in Hee supposed in doing this the English should be beholding to him and to rest fully satisfied for the affront at Saint Quentin Note alwaies that Lewis was a wonderfull instrument of diuision when he pleased Lewis subtill industry Contâ—y a prisoner at the defeate of Arras went and came vpon his faith to the Duke of Bourgongne to treat a peace Hee was by chance in Court at the comming of these two persons The King hides him in his Chamber behinde the hangings to heare and report to his master the speeches the Constable and his people held of him Creuille by the Kings commandement with a loud voice sayd that the Constable had sent theÌ„ to the Duke of Bourgongne with many instructioÌ„s to diuide him from the English and that they had found the sayd Duke so farre incensed as by their perswasions he was not onely readie to abandon them but to charge them in their retreat Creuille in speaking this did counterfet the gesture of a passionate Prince stamping and sweaâ—ing S. George the oath of Charles of Bourgongne saying that he called the King of England Blanâ—borgne and the sonne of an Archer whose name he carried words accompained with all the indignities that might bee spoken This mooued laughter in the King who taking pleasure at the repetition thereof and seeming somewhat deaffe made him to straine his voice in the report Contay no lesse amazed then the King was pleased would neuer haue beleeued it if he had not heard it And although it grieued the King much to dissemble the Constables counsell to giue some places to the English yet would hee not discouer his discontent to these deputies but answered them gratiously I wil send to my Brother the Queene the Constables wife were Sisters and let him vnderstand my minde hauing cunningly drawen a promise from his Secretary to reueale
what did concerne him And at the same instâ—â—t hee dispatcheth Contay to the Duke his maister with letters of credit of the Kings owne hand and somewhat to satisfie the Constable he giues the English Eu and S. Vallery to lodge in during the treaty of peace In the meane time oh notable trechery behold one of the Constables ordinarie trickes hee sends his confessor to the King of England with letters of credit The Constables trechery and intâ—eats him earnestly not to trust to the Kings promises but rather to seize vpon Eu and Saint Valery and there to passe some part of the winter That within two monethes hee would lodge him better Yet he giues him no other security but much hope and an offer to lend him fiftie thousand crownes with many other goodly shewes Edward reiects the Constables counterfeit offers to drawe him from so profitable an accord Edward answers that the truce is concluded and that he will not alter any thing That if he had kept his word he would haue accepted it Thus our Constable dispaires on all sides The King foreseeing that the CoÌ„stable wold thrust Edward into iealousie resolued by his bounty to take away all cause of suspect 1465. for the effecting whereof he sends Edward three hundred carts laden with the best wine he could get Lewis his policie to preuent the Constables practises and within halfe a League within Amiens Edward lod ging within halfe a league for confirmation of the truce he causeth two long tables to be set vp at the entry of the Towne couered with exquisite meats and all kindes of prouocations to drink with men to attend all comeâ—s and goers at the table At euery table were fiue or six men of reputation fatt and big the better to incourage the Drinkers amongest others were the Lords of Craon Briquebeâ— Bresme and Villiers gentlemen of a pleasant humour and wheresoeuer the English tooke any lodging they might not spend any thing This bounty coÌ„tinued three or foure daies during the which if Lewis had ment treacherously he had good means they entâ—cing into Amiens confusedly to the number of nine thousand for of this great multitude some did sing some slept ouercome with wine and drousines But contrarywise he comitted the gard of the gate to English Archers whome Edward at Lewis his request had sent to take in and put out whome they pleased It was then concluded to appoint a place for an entervewe of these two Kings It is done with lesse confusion and hazard in a smal place Picqugny vpon Somme was held conuenient an antient prophesie which the English obserued described this very place To this effect they build vpon the bridge two pentises of wood An entervewe of the Kings the one for Lewis the other for Edward either of them capable of ten or twelue men Betwixt both was a partition with grates to put through ones armes going ouerthwart the bridge that no man might go from the one to the other Lewis made his profit of fore-passed euents he knew that if the barre at Montereau had had no more passage then this Iohn Duke of Bourgongne had not ended his dayes so lamentablie in the narrowe bounds thereof The 28. of August Lewis comes fiâ—st to the barre accompanied with Iohn Duke of Bourbon the Cardinall his brother and followed only with about eight hundred men at armes Edward comes after hauing with him the Duke of Clarence his brother the Earle of Northumberland his Chamberlain Hastings His Chancellor others and behind him all his army in battaile Either King had twelue men about him foure of the which went from one part to an other to search if there were nothing practised to the preiudice of their maisters They imbrace each other through the grate and sweare vpon the holy Bible to obserue the articles agreeed vpon The othe taken Lewis mingling his serious discours with some mirth inuites Edward to come to Paris that he would feast him with the Ladies and giue him the Cardinall of Bourbon for his Confessor a pleasant man and of free life who willingly would giue him absolution if happily he should sinne in that case Then they conferre together a while without any witnesses And vpon the Kings demand whether the Duke of Bourgongne would not accept of the truce men take an oxe by the horne and a man by his word a nd with the like policie the Duke of Bourgongne might haue bin surprised at his departure from Liege Edward answered that he might doe as he pleased I will summon him againe he saith if he will not harken to it I will referre my selfe to you two This accord being made Lewis begins to play vpon an other string makes the like demande touching the Duke of Brittain for whome he cheefely made the motion But he findes the English resolute in his protection The politike proceding of Lewis as hauing found no friend so kinde in his affliction Lewis surceaseth and with a wonderfull curtesie takes leaue of the King of England contents all his folowers with some kinde words and giues presents to some priuate Noblemen the Heralds trompets who to shew their thankfull mindes began to cry Alargesse for the most noble and mighty King of France a largesse 〈◊〉 largesse He hath alwayes made it manifest that he was exceeding suspitious and that from an antecedent he could cunningly draw a good consequence He is no sooner on his way to Amiens but he studies of Edwards facility to harken to the going to Paris that he was a very goodly Prince and of an amorous complexion and that some nice Parisien might stay him longer then his estate required 1475. or at the the least drawe him to passe the sea an other time that his Predecessors had loued Paris and Normandie but too well He therefore desires to see their backes and must by some meanes bring him from this desire wishing rather to haue him his good brother friend beyond the seas then here The necessitie which forced the King against the Burguignon serued for an excuse Moreouer the King was grieued to see the English so resolute to defend the Brittons quarrell he would gladly haue obtained that freedome to make warre in Brittaine the which hee wonderfully affected and made a second motion vnto him by Bousâ—hâ—ge S. Fierre who returned with this answere That whosouer doth attempt saith he against the Duke of Brittaine I will passe the seas in person and succour him So hee was no more importuned The reason why King Edward protects the duke of Brittanie Edward had an especial cause to entertain the loue of the Duke of Brittanie for at the defeat of Henry King of England as wee haue heard Henry Earle of Richmont and neerest kinsman to the said Henry after the death of his sonne the Prince of Wales saued himselfe with his vncle the Earle of Pembroke and hauing entred a barke in hast they
King will not leaue this outrage vnreuenged vpon such as remaine The treatie made at the Abbie of Victory had beene confirmed by the Estates of Brittanie Lewis had by his Deputies renounced all pretension to this Duchie but hee forgetts nothing though he sleepes He is nowe freed from his most mortall enemy by all probability he should hereafter imploy his forces in Brittain he must therefore warrant himselfe with some fauorable support and must seeke protection from the English This negotiation required much secrecy and silence Discouered by the King for Lewis was exceeding iealous and discouered cunningly such practises So as the subtill were surprised in their owne subtilties Peter Landays Treasorer of Brittain was the man best acquainted with the dukes most secret intelligences and vnder him William Gueguen For the dispatches for England he vsed one Maurice Bromel who for three yeares space was the messenger to carry letters betwixt the Duke of Brittain and the King of England It chanced that Bromel passing at some port discouered himselfe to a seruant of the Kings who presently aduertiâ—ed his maiesty Lewis did cunningly make his profit of these aduentures Yet must he not rashly apprehend the companion thinking it best to discouer more The King to winne this messenger cunningly imploies a certaine man of Cherebourg in Normandie who could counteâ—feit the Dukes hand the king of Englands their Secâ—etaries This Agent for the King treates with Bromell and for a hundred Crownes for euery letter comming from eyther part getts a promise of him a place appointed to deliuer the letter to receiue his money The Agent made coppies couÌ„terâ—eited their hands sealing theÌ„ vp with a seale either couÌ„terfit or stolne by Bromel he sent the coppies into England brought the king the originals In the end 22. letters what of the Duke and Edwards fell into the Kings hands without discouery And although the Duke sought to the English more to defend him at neede then to offend yet would he mainteine himselfe in the Kings good fauour For this effect one day among others he sent Chauuin his Chancellor the Seneshal of Vannes others of his counsel to giue Lewis to vnderstand the deuotion he had to his seruice At that time the king pursued his coÌ„quests vpoÌ„ the heire of Bourgongne being ready to beseege Arras as we shall presently shewe Being arriued they are all committed prisoners sequestred vnder diuers gards After two dayes the King sends for the Chancellor reprocheth him that hauing often conferred with him of the affaires of Brittain holding him for an honest man he fiâ—des it strange Lewis discouers thâ— Dukes of Brittaines letters to his Chancellor that he had alwaies so constantly assured him that his maister had no secret intelligence with the King of England seeing that nowe the contrary was manifest The Chancellor continues in this protestation and for more assurance engageth his life but twelue letters written by Gueguen signed by the Dâ—ke ten others by Edward made him hang downe his head to coÌ„fesse himselfe faulty But for his owne particular he protests of his innocency in cause that he or his companions deputies be found to haue been acquainted with this intelligence he will loose his life â—he King is satisfied herewith hee returnes them backe without any faâ—ther audience and giues them the originalls for a proofe against the Duke He iâ—stâ—y complaines that maâ—ing shewe to fauour him hee doth notwithstanding practise with the most ancient enemy of the crowne That if he do not renounce al intelâ—igence with the King of England he will not take him for his friend Chauuin beeiâ—g returned makes his report deliâ—ers the Kings commandement his answers his couâ—tenance in speâ—king the accents of his words the consequences that might ensue He beseecheth the Duke to retire himselfe in priâ—ate then to certyfie his sayings he layes vpon the table the two and twentie letters The Duke of Brittain amazed to see hiâ— inâ—elligenceâ— discouâ—râ—d The Duke amazed to see that plainly discouered which he thought to haue bin coÌ„mon but to two sends for Landays commands him vpon his life to tel him by what meanes they might fall into the Kings hands the which must needs proceed from one of the two Landays knows the hands seales but cannot conceiue the residue al amazed he offers himselfe to prison and to loose his life if he be any way found guiltie Then he remembers that onely Bromel had alwaies carried and recarried these letters they must finde out him being then imployed in that action and make him vnfold that doubt He therfore sends after him in post takes him at Port-blank where he attended a winde to imbarke and was brought to Nantes His confession did absolue Landays and he was cast into the riuer in a sacke very secretly least the King should bee aduertised thereof who sufficiently informed of the Dukes ill mind without doubt turned his armes into Brittaine But the warre against Mary of Bourgongnie troubled him sufficiently yet to proceed with some lawfull pretext hee would fortifie himselfe with a graunt he obtained from the Lord of Boussac and of Nichole of Brittaine his wife the onely heire of Charles of Brittaine Earle of Ponthieure a house which in old time did quarell for the succession of this Duchie by the which transaction in the yeare 1479. the 19. of Ianuary they yeelded vnto him all the rights they might pretend to the said Duchie But it is now incorporate to the Crowne by a iuster title then by armes By what meanes Abbeuille Dourlans Montreuil Roye Montdidier Peronne Han Bohain Saint Quentin Tournai Arras Hedin Monstreuil Douay Boulongue Terouenne and other places were reduced to the Kings obedience and Bourgongne vnited to the Crowne THe first intelligence the King receiued of the ouerthrow of Charles of Bourgongne gaue no assurance of his death for by meanes of the posts he had newly established he had spedie aduice TherupoÌ„ he resolues to eÌ„ter Bourgongne with the armie he held in Champagne and Barrois attending the Duke and vppon this sodaine terrour to seize vpon the Countrie And hee imagined to haue both right and meanes to doe it right for his rebellion treacherie committed against the Crowne meanes for that the flower of all the Nobilitie of Bourgongne was lost and all his forces dispersed If happely the Duke liued this would bee his ruine It was also to keepe the Germaines and Suisses from the possession thereof and to saue the prouince from destruction loth to suffer a stranger to seize thereon seeing it holds in soueraintie of him In the meane time he giues away in case the Duke be dead some landes which the Duke possessed and sends the Admirall with the Lord of Argenton with â—uthoritie to open all pacquets vpon the way and if the Duke were dead to receiue into his obedience all â—uch as would yeeld themselues Vpon the first
〈◊〉 in the King if he heard thereof he caused them to be trussed vp in packes of silke with cotton These armes passing vpon moyles through Aâ—uergne The Duke of 〈◊〉 armes 〈◊〉 Doyac Gouerâ—or â—f the Country had some intelligence and aduertiseth the King thereof who dâ—clâ—reâ— them forfeited to the benefit of Doyac This buying of armes made Lewis to gâ—pe more then euer after Brittain but he defâ—r the execution to practise the Gouernors of Gand by the Lord of Cordes and treats tâ—e mâ—rrâ—age of the Daulphin his son with Marguerit the daughteâ— of Maximilian and 〈◊〉 lately deceased The late suâ—prise of Aire by de Cordes amazed the Flemings and 〈◊〉 made theÌ„ willing to seeke an agrement with the King To this end Maximiâ—â—â—n they togither send a great Ambassage to Arras managed for the Arche-duke bâ— the Lords of Bâ—rgues and Launoye â—iâ—h some Secretarâ—es and for the Comonalties bâ— the Abbots of S. Bâ—rtin and Saint Peter of Gand. â—he King appoints his Lieutenant generâ—ll in Picardie to heare theÌ„ with la Vacquâ—rie lately created first President of the 〈◊〉 of Paris and other graue peâ—sonâ—ges A peace is concluded by meanes of 〈…〉 marriage in fauor whereof they giue as a portion to the sayd Marguerit the 〈◊〉 of Arthois Bourgongne the Lands and Seigneuries of Mâ—sconois Auxerrois Châ—rolois Salins Bar Sens and Noyon to enioye them for euer A peace betwixt the King and Maximilian And in case that young 〈◊〉 Earle of Flanders should die Marguerite should succeed him in all the Lordships that belonged to her deceased mother the souerainty of Flanders remayning to the King By meanes hereof the Artesiâ—ns that haâ— beene confined returned to Arras and the Citty recouered her ancient name Thus Marguerite was conducted into France by the Lady of Rauastein the bastard dâ—â—ghter of â—hilip Duke of Bourgongne and receiued by the Duke Duchesse of Bourbon who lâ—d her to Amboise the place of the Daulphins abâ—ade where the marriage â—as solâ—emnly celebrated Eâ—ward King of England was wonderfully inceâ—sed at this maâ—riage seing himâ—elfe depriued of hâ—â— peâ—sion The Dâ—ulphins mâ—rriage with Maâ—guerite and fearing least this disgrace should bâ—eed him great contempt yea a rebellioÌ„ of his subiects seing the effects of that which he would not beleeue Moreouer he did finde the King had newly planted strong defences betwixt them two and his conquests did stretch very neere vnto him He concâ—â—â—ed so great a griefe vpon all these considerations as soone after he died partly for 〈◊〉 and partly of an Apoplexie Soonâ— after the death of Edward Lewis recâ—â—â—es letters frâ—m the Duke of Glocester Edward of England dies who by the murther of his two Nephewes tâ—e sonnes of Edward his brother had vsuâ—ped the Crowne of England and was called Richard This Richard sought the Kings friendship but Lewis abhoring so barbarous a câ—uelâ—ie would not vouchsaâ—e to answere his letters nor to heare his message But he enioyed not long this tirannous vsurpation Troubles it England Richard murthers his two Nephews vsurpes the Crowne God raised vp that Earle of Ricâ—emont whome we haue seene so long prisoner in Brittain who with some little money froÌ„ the King and 3. thousand men leuied in the Duchie of Normandy passed into Walles ioyned with his father in law the Lord Stanley with 26. thousand English with which forces he encouÌ„tred Richard fought with him and slewe him in the field then waâ— câ—owned King of England At the same time William of Marche brother to him whom tâ—ey commonly caâ—led the Boare of Ardenne to install his sonne in the Bishoprike of Lâ—ege leaues a great number of foote and horse and beseegeth Lewis brother to the Duke of Bourbon being Bishop there The Bishop craues succors froÌ„ the Arche-duke of Austria and the Prince of Orange his brother in lawe who not able to come in time anâ—â—â—est by some secret partisans of la Marche he goes forth in armes to fight with his enemy was slaine whereby la Marche entred into Leige but soone after he was surprised by the Lord of Montaigni aided with some troupes froÌ„ the Archduke sodenly beheaded 1483. Our Lewis is now well satisfied touching the affaires of Flanders there remained nothing but a reuenge of Brittaine The last act of Lewis his life But oh how doth suspition feare distrust and finally death breake off his great desseins He is now at Plessis neere Tours priuate solitarie and shewing himselfe to few He feares a decay of his estate and yet is become vnable to gouerne a great Estate The opening of a doore feares him his owne shadow amazeth him death terrifies him but the worst is his conscience troubles him Hee puts his most trustie seruants from him hee doubts his neerest kinsmen hee abhors them he suspects them suspects al the world Those whom he doubts most hee dismisseth His disposition in his declining age with a couple of his gard to guide them pensiue sad dreaming froward peeuish and cholerick euery thing displeaseth him all is vnseasonable all offends him he knowes not what is fittest for him either life or death and yet would he liue raigne He knowes that he hath many enemies and hath offended many that the greatest of the Princes loue him not that the meaner sort murmured and that the people hated him for he hath ouercharged them yea more then any of his Predecessors and hath not meanes to ease them and although he hath a will yet it is now too late Oh what a greeuous testimonie is the conscience of our misdeeds fewe enter at Plessis Consciencia mille â—â—â—tes but his houshold seruants and the Archers of his gard whereof there are fouâ—e hundred daily in gard at the gate No Nobleman lodgeth there none come there but his sonne in law Peter afterwards Duke of Bourbon by the death of Iohn his brother and few of his followers and yet he thinkes still that some one enters in to offer vâ—olence to his person or that by loue or force they will pull his scepter from him He causeth his sonne to bee straitly garded and will not suffer many to see him least hee should be made the head of a faction His daughter hath no accâ—sse to him His son in law no credit His sonne in Law returnes from the Daulphins marriage Lewis with a deuise makes the Captaine of his gard to search such as are entred with the Duke to see if they were not secretly armed He commands him to hold the Counsell then he dissolues it for in his abseÌ„ce they would make Monopoles Who did euer see a mind more distract more vnquiet and fuller of cares Hee distrusts his sonne his daughter his sonne in law and generally all those that may commaund The Castle gate is safely garded but they may leape ouer the walls they must bee planted with gadds of iron with many points and so thicke as no man might
stratagems Nowe are we deepely ingaged in warre The Duke of Brittaâ—io accompanied with Lewis of Orleans the Earles of Dunois and Cominges the Lords of Mâ—â—lmorency Ioyeuze du Lis Saint George The Duke of Brittaines army Dampâ—erre and Beauuau tooke a viewe of 〈◊〉 army at Malesâ—roit consisting of six hundred Lances and sixteene thousand foote good and bad iâ—l armed and ill trained whilest the French and Brittons being ioyned tâ—gither â—ake Redon to terrifie Rennes they spoile the Country euen vnto Maçaye beseege Ploërmell batter it and in three dayes take it spoile and ransome it The Dâ—kes armie marched to succor this Towne when as Maurice of Mené being great of bâ—th and courage â—ayd Whether go we my friends Our Duke is onely gouerned by the Fâ—ench by whose perswasions we march against the French who at their first incounter will betraâ—e him to their nation whereof I am well aduertised Were we not better to remaine in our houses with our wiues and Children then to be thus led by the humours of others A speech of great consequence He was of the best allied in Brittanie issued out of the house of Guerlesquin and had well serued Lewis the Xâ— as gouernor of Guise and Captaiâ—â— of a hundred men at armes in the warre against the Flemings a man of valour and â—ounsell and well aduanced by the sayd King hauing the proffits of la Ferté-Bernard Aâ—guesmortes Beuuurage and Gorlonniere but very in constant in his changing of parties At this speech they all scatter so as of sixteene thousaÌ„d scarce the fourth part keepe the field the Duke amazed here with leaues Malestroit and recouers Vennes but he was pursued so speedelie as he looseth his baggage being fauored in his retreat by the Prince of Orange who had posted from Nantes to his succor ' very happily for otherwise hee had beene beseeged and taken Vennes being beleagard yeelds for feare The Duke at his departure had left two thousand eight hundred horse in it vnder the command of Coetquen Lord Stuard of Brittany of Amaulry of Moussay for Captaine of the Towne Iames le Moine who vnable to maintaine the seege retired in hast Coetquen went to Dinan where he commanded la Moussaye with his horse to Nantes where the Duke was and the Kings army did bend that wayes Adrian de l'Hospital a Captaine of men at armes meetes him vpon the way defeated him killes a great number of his troupe and takes many prisoners some six hundred recouer Nantes This was about Witsontide The Duke thus pressed being weake in his person weake in his sâ—bâ—ects being diuided weake in friends weake in those who had ingaged him in this warâ—e for their quarrell Moussayâ— dâ—feated sends the Earle of Dunois and Oliuer of Coetman who soone after fell to the French and was made gouernor of Auxerre to craue succors froÌ„ Henry King of England But to increase his misery Henry was not yet in quiet possession of his Realme crossed by some remainders of Richards party the which he must suppresse The King resolued to beseege the Duke in Nantes he comes in person to Ancenis thether come the associat Brittons repenting their indiscretion for that they had taken Townes spoiled the Country contrary to their promise and their owne Lands suffâ—ed the like extremities Thus Nantes was beseeged the 19. of Iune well battred wel assayled as well defended The deputies of England were foure times shipped to crosse the seas foure times put back by tempest of wether In steed of English they brought fiftie thousand Brittons of the commons greeued to see their Duke beseeged The Kings army eyther holding themselues vnable to fight with them Nâ—ntes beseeged or neglecting them free passage and holding it likewise impossible to force a Towne well furnished with Commanders men and victualls they raised the â—eege the 6. of August to go without losse of men to Dol the which was taken and spoiled without resistance the Brittons and other soldiars were put to ransom During the seege of Nantes Peter of Rohan Earle of Quintin of the French faction surprised Montcontour summoned Guingâ—mp a passage for succors that came to the Duke from the Bishopriks of Treguer Montcontouâ— taken Leon and Cornouaille Iohn of Coetmen Loâ—d of Chasteaugui Captaine of the Towne was at Nantes He flies thither and furnisheth the place with men sufficient to defend it and hauing intelligence that Plusquaelâ—ee with about fiftie Gentlemen Bretons of the Kings armie spoyling the countrie and drawing the Nobility to their partie dined in the Abbie of Begar hauing called togither the neighbour parishes and assembled some troupes he charged them ouerthrewe them and led them all prisoners to Guingamp where the Iudges of Goellâ— and Guincamp by the Dukes expresse commandement began to informe against them and had finished their processe if some friends and kinsmen had not found meanes of delay vntill the Dukes death ended that proceeding This prise gaue courage to the Captaines of Dinan They assemble about fiue thousand men and beseege Montcontour But the Vicont of Roâ—an and the Earle of Quintin offring to succour it and moreouer the seege of Nantes requiring force and expedition they retire to Rennes to ioyne with the other forces consisting of six or seauen thousand men At the same instant Youn of Rocerf Lord of Bois de la Roche Peter Long Lord of Kaeruegues inticed with the great welth which the Earle of Quintin had left in his Castell assemble some soldiars with many pesants and beseege Quintin they take it and against the composition sworne spoile the Towne and Castel and in hatred of the Earle who followed the King burnt it to ashes The Earle by meanes of his subiects recouered it soone after The Briâ—â—ons reconciled to their Duke and Gouiâ—quet captaine thereof before expelled them againe and spoyled the Towne But to what end serued this cruell stratagem seeing that Rocerf had a house in the country and the Earle good meanes to be reuenged as he was a yeare after by the taking of Rocerf himselfe and the spoile and burning of his house The Phrigiens grow wise too late sayeth the Prouerbe The Nobility of Brittain finding their error by drawing their Kings forces into the country to their owne ruyne they send to the Duke protesting to be no way associat with the King but to defend themselues against the French that were neere his person who they doubted had beene drawne in to preiudice them they offer to serue him hereafter and against all men so as he will pardon them The Duke receiues them and graunts â—iâ— letters of abolition deliuery and restitution of al their goods and dignitâ—es as before the warres namely to the Vicont of Rohan to the Lords of Auangour and Rieux lately put from the Office of Lieutenant generall and Marshall of Brittaine as well for themselues as their assistants Rieux enioyed it Rieux reuolts from the King but the
rest persisted in the Kings seruice In the meane time the Kings armie prepares to go into Base Brittanie and to beseege Guingamp but the Marshall of Rieux changing his partie makes them to change their proiect Rieux was at Ancenis wonderfully perplexed to see the French entred the Countrie by a breach which the Nobility of Brittain had voluntaâ—iâ—ie made them deuising some meanes to repaire these confusions drawne therevnto by his reception into grace The Earle of Cominges going Ambassador to the King passed by Ancenis and confirmed Rieux in this good resolution perswading him to go vnto the Duke with assurance that he should be gratiously receiued Rieux thinking to strike two stroakes with one stone sends Francis du Bois to the King who at that time was at Font de Larche giuing him intelligence that the Duke of Orleans the Prince of Orange and others retired into Brittaine were willing to leaue the Country so as they night rest safely in their houses without touch for that was passed Which being concluded he beseeched his Maiesty to retire his men at armes according to the tâ—eaty he had signed with his owne hand Anne hearing this proposition My friend sayed she vnto the gentleman say vnto my Cousin the Marshall of Rieux your master that the King hath no companion and seeing he is entred so farre he will make it good The Earle had no better satisfaction An answer discouering the Kings intentioÌ„ which was to incorporate this Dutchie to the Crowne the which caused the Marshall to yeeld to his Prince without dissembling He drawes some souldiers from Nantes in October and deliuers his Towne of Ancents into their hands swearing they should keepe it for the Duke In the end Francis of Baâ—al Baron of Chasteaubriant sonne in law vnto Rieux suffers him to enter the Castell holding him to be the Kings seruant Being the stronger lodging his troupe within the Towne hee commands 〈…〉 yeelded to the Duke seeing that the King had broken the contract all those that would not sweare fidelitie and seruice to the Duke to retire the next day with bag and baggage Could he be ill receiued of his maister carrying with him the deliuery of two so good places The Prince of Orange hauing ioyned with some Germaine succours sent by Maximilian and lead by Baldwin bastard of Bourâ—gongne and some three thousand men of the countries Cornouaille Leon Trâ—guer â—oello resolued to besiege Quintin where the Brittons ioyned with the French that â—ere commanded by the Baron of Pont-Chasteau did wonderfully annoy Guingamp who being in a towne vnfit for warre left the place and gaue the Prince meanes to campe before la Chaize a Castell belonging to the Vicount of Rohan But weakened by the losse of many of his men part of them going daily to the â—rench The Prince of Orange army breakes off it selfe part disbanding by reason of the winter he retired his armie to Montcontour resolute to take a view to punish such as were departed without licence Yet notwithstanding all his care and the Dukes seuere command to the gentle men to returne to the Campe within two dayes vpon paine of the losse of their goods and honors and to others of corporall punishment those few forces which remained vanished sodenly Thus the Duke wauers betwixt hope and feare fortified on the one side but weâ—kned on the other seeing his estate incline to ruine He had two pillers Compâ—tiâ—oâ—s for the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 which in his conceit might raise him or at the least support him Anne and Isabell. The Prince of Orange wooed Anne for Maximilian Rieux the Lady of Laual and the greatest part of the Nobilitie for Alain of Albret The first promised greater conditions yet the King had incombred him much in Flanders supporting the Gantois against him so as he could not succour his pretended father in law neither with his person nor his subiects hauing small credit amongst them and lesse money for that they would nor assist him to preiudice the King Alain whom others call Amand had some forces in hand and fed with this plausible hope he brought about a thousand men out of Castile three thousand Gascoins The Duke would willingly haue made two sonnes in lawe of one daughter vrgent necessity forced him like vnto Charles of Bourgongne to promise her to many whom he could giue but to one euen as Erisichtâ—on satisfied his glutto◠〈◊〉 and continuall hungar whervnto Ceres had condemned him hauing cut downe her groue by the many sales of his daughter Mnestra In th' end Anne is promised to Maximilian who should come to marry in Brittanie withall he should bring great troups of men to succour the Duke against the oppression of the French But hee abuseth no lesse then he is abused Herevpon Alain comes with his Castillians and Gascons At his first arriuall he went to salute the Dâ—ke at Nantes and then his Mistresse thiâ— king to haue the greatest interest in her loue But oftentimes two braue Grey-hounds coursing of a Hare a third crosseth them and carries away the game as we shall â—oone see The Marshall of Rieux being arriued gaue his consent in fauour of Alain at the Countesse of Lauals request sister in law to the said Alain It was no time now to leaue this Marsâ—all newly reconciled idle The Duke giues him the charge of his armie with commâ—ssiâ—n to take Vennes where Gilbert of Grassai Philip of Moulin of whom we shall make mention in the battaile of Tournoue commanded He marcheth thether batters iâ— and takes it by composition the third of March Then S. Cir Forsais who led the hundred men at armes of Alains company declared themselues Brittons by their Captaâ—â—es commandement Vâ—nnâ—s taken for the Brittâ—â— building friuolously vpon this marriage yet some of the comâ—â—â—â—â— reâ—iâ—ed to the King The Kings armie wintered Aâ—ceâ—â— and 〈◊〉 tâ—ken for thâ— King but Lewis of Bourbon aduertised of the taking of Vennes by Rieux requiâ—es him by the surprise of Ancenis and Chasteauâ—â—â—â— places razed neere the riuer to make the siege of Fougeres more easie on the 〈◊〉 being a frontier towne and of good defence and on the other side that of S. 〈◊〉 Cormier The Brittons army had bin eighteene moneths in field without â—est to make head against the French 1488. but now they must shew what courage is in them The Duke of Orleans Alain of Albret the Earle of Dunois the Marshall of Rieux the Lord Scales an Englishman commanding some 300. men of his nation sent by Henry King of England by the meanes of the Lord Maupertuis the Seignior of Leon eldest sonne to the Vicount of Rohan the Seigniers of Chasteaubriant Crenetes Pont â— Abbé Plessis â—aliczon Montigni Baliues Montuel and other Captaines of bands go forth of Nantes with an intent to raise the siege Their armie was 400. Lances 8000. foote besides 300. English and 8000. Germaines sent by Maximilian
not personally performed to preuent the miseries that growe by warre Maximilian was farre of vnacquainted with these practises no man sought to preuent it and these perswasions did ring dayly in the eares of Anne so as in the ende shee yeelds to follow the resolution of her states They were wonderfully toyled and wearied with the warre the people turmoyled the Nobility impouerished the Clergy oppressed some Townes taken and some waâ—ering and moreouer they did see a great Prince demand their allyance with force and the chiefe Noblemen inclyned to the French faction These reasons made it seeme more conuenient and to be preferred before the slowe succors of Maximilian A finall peace in Brittaine by a treaty of marriage Thus was Anne Duchesse of Brittain perswaded and a peace concluded and ratified by a happy and agreable treaty of marriage by the which to maintayne the subiects of the Country in peace that were armed for eyther side it was sayd That all exploits and offences committed and done vpon assurance or otherwise during the warres on eyther side should be forgotten and remayne without reproch to any as remitted abolished and recompenced euery man should returne to his home and all soldiars depart the Countrie A wise aduice to mainetaine these two Countries in loue and concord The Cittie of Rennes yeelds at this happie composition where the King entred in Nouember vpon the assurance and conduct of the Duke of Orleans with his simple traine and without any men at armes for so it was agreed to see the Duchesse and to ratifie the treaty making the Prince of Orange for that he had beene a chiefe instrument in this busines his Lieutenant generall in Brittaine then he tooke the way to Langeais in Touraine whether Anne was conducted by the Chancellor Montaubon Coetquen Lord Steward and by the Lord of Chasteaubriant and the marriage was consumated the 16. day of December The articles of the contract are to be seene in the Originalls The marriage to Chaâ—ls with Anne If this marriage were pleasing to God or not let vs leaue it to the iudicious reader so it is that of three sonnes they could not bring vp one Soone after Francis of Orleans Earle of Dunois died the chiefe fierbrand of this warre and likewise the principall motiue of 〈◊〉 peace From him are issued the Dukes of Longueuille and a littile before Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon was deceased without Children to whome succeeded Peter Earle of Beauieu who hereafter shal be Duke of Bourbon the eleuenth of that name This yeare was borne Gaston of Foixe Duke of Nemours sonne to Iohn of Foix The practises of the English vpon Brittain Vicont oâ— Narbone and of Mary of Orleans one of the greatest Captaines of his age who shaâ—l giue ample testymonie of himselfe in the warres of Italie which nowe approch There died also at Rome Peter of Foix Cardinall brother to the sayd Iohn and Vncle to Queene Katherin of Nauarre Henry of England wonderfully incensed at this marriage sought by all secret practises to surprize some of the chiefe places of the Prouince and at the first retreate of his army out of Brittaine hee caused it to make an offer at Port-blans and some other ports but they were still repulsed by the faithfull care of the Noblemen of the Country namely by the Chancellor of Montauban of Bertrand d'Acigâ—é and other sea Captaines Thus the Englishmen seeing their attempts like to take none effect bent their course to go towards Calais in the company of their King who was making warre in the Countie of Guines whilest that Maximilian should enter the Realme with forces on the other side then they beseeged Boullen by sea 1492. beeing kept from landing by the Lord of Cordes and the bastard of Cardonne Captaine of Arras with such small forces as they could sodenly oppose But oh Bastard whilest thou repellest this common enemie how preiudiciall shall they absence be from Arras Arras betrayed to Maximilian Foure young gallants saieth the history make false keyes to the gates and giue Maximilian intelligence bringing him by night into the Towne vnknowne to Carqueleuant Lieutenant to Cardonne Some write that one of those in whome he trusted for the opening of the gates made this Stratagem But howsoeuer he was taken in his bed sleeping at his ease and for a second token of base cowardise he yeelded vp the Castell without attending the succors that came vnto him The Towne was spoiled without sparing of the Churches or the traitors houses A worthy reward of their treachery Thus can we preserue our Conquests A while after they attempted Amiens A shame to soldiars that a woman should heare the first report that by her aduertisement to the watch in ringing the great bel of Beffroy should put the Towne in armes And as the first aduice came from a woman so are they honorablie qualified in the history To haue borne weapons and armes with their husbands who by the care and command of Rubempré and of Anthonie Clabault Maire of the Towne did their duties so well euery one repayring to the quarter which had beene formerly assigned him as the enemie returned amazed A duty which made them as famous as their descendants infamous by the notable trechery they committed in our dayes Henry loued peace and was imbarked more at the instance of his subiects least they should thinke him more gratious to the French then the ancient quarrells of both nations required then for any desire he had to haue the King his enâ—my to whom he had a great and strict bond as we haue heard The chiefe cause of his grudge was a great sum of money Peace with Henry which he sayd he had lent to the deceased Duke of Brittaine The King hauing discouered it coÌ„mands the Lord of Cordes to treat with him and payes him the money and so sends him home satisfied into England This peace made Maximilian willing to bee reconciled Moreouer the Princes of Germanie laboured in this pacification and the affaires of the Empire in the which his father had associated him since the yeare 1486. began to call him The Suisses laboured it And with Maximilian and the people especially those of the Lowe Countryey as well through the French warres as by their owne priuate diuisions were so toiled as they detested the warres In the end a peace was concluded for foure yeares onely by the meanes of the Dâ—ke of Bourbon the Prince of Orange and the Lord of Cordes So he receiued his daughter Marguerit againe with the Counties of Artois and Bourgongne receiuing the reuenues and homages and the King keeping the Castles to place garrisons in them vntill the end of foure yeares Behold this estate doth now enioy a happy rest by the vnion of this goodly and great Duchie to the Crowne of France and by a peace confirmed with Henry and Maximilian But as Charles had inlarged his Diadem with
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
oâ— Itaâ—ie sent vnto him some to reconcile themselues others to reioyce this victory Tâ—e Pope did not forget hiâ— ordinary practises to stay the course of the Kings victory and finding the King very obedient to the Sea of Rome they concluded a mutuall league for the defence of the Estates of Italy of the Pope the Church of Iulian and Laurence de Medicis and the Estate of Florence By this accord the King gaue the Dâ—chy of Nemours to Iulian who had married a sister to the Kiâ—gs mother· which Duchy after the death of Iulian the King did giue to Philip of Sauoy who tooke to wife one of the daughters of René Duke of Alanson to whome the Duke of Nemours now lyuing in Grand-child And the Pope deliuered Parma and Plaisance to the King These Articles were confirmed by an enterviewe betwixt the Pope and the King at Bologne in the beginning of December where they treated of manye things touching the Realme of Naples which the King resolued to inuade for the recouery wâ—ereof the Pope promised him his fauour after the death of Ferdinand which euery man thought to be neere or at the least when as the truce were ended He promised alsâ— tâ— giue him power to leauy the tenth part of the reuenues of the Clergie within hiâ— Realme and the collation of benefices the which before belonged vnto the Colleâ—â— and Chapters of Churches and for the Kings sake he made Adrian of Goufieres brother to the Lord Steward Cardinall And the King to gratifie the Pope granted aâ— abolition of the Pragmaticall Sanction making new conuentions in steed thereâ—â— whereunto the French Church and the Vniuersities opposed The Venetians sent foure Ambassadors to the King the chiefe and most honorable persons of their Senate Anthony Grimani Dominic Treuisan George Cornare and Andrew Gritti to congratâ—late his victory and to beseech him to make them partakers of the fruits thereof that by his ayde they might recouer their townes according to their agreement At their request the King gaue commission to the Bastard of Sauoy and to Thâ—odore Triuulce to ioyne with Aluiane with six hundred lances and six thousand foot led bâ— Peter of Nauarre Then leauing the Duke of Bourbon his Lieutenant generall in the Duchy of Milan he returned into France abouâ— Candlemas whether the desseines of Henry King of England did call him Henry discontent that the King had taken the yong King of Scotland into his protection and to that end had sent Iohn Steward Duke of Albania both to gouerne his person and his Realme which Iohn had punished eyther with death or banishment all such as he found to sauour the English and euen the mother of the yong King sister to the sayd Henry for reuenge whereof he thrust the Suisses to new attempts against the king Bâ—t returning to their first sincerity they ioyne in league with this Crowne binding theâ—â—eâ—ueâ— To giue vnto the King for euer in Italy or out of Italy and against all men except the Pope the Emperour such numbers of men as he should require vnder his pay The King did also coâ—firme their ancient pensions promising to pay within a certain time the summe due by the treatie of Dijon and three hundred thousand crownes more yeelding vnto him the townes and vallies which they held belonging to the Duchy of Mâ—â—an but the fiue Cantons which did enioy them hauing refused to ratifie this accord the King began to pay vnto the other eight that part and portioÌ„ of money which was â—ue vnto them who accepted thereof but with an expresâ—e condition That they sâ—ould not be bound to march vnder his pay against the other fiue Cantons A meanes to draâ— the others to the alliance of France Man hath alwaies his mind bent to seeke meanes to anâ—oye his neighbour A new league against the King The 〈◊〉 prosperity makes the Emperour with the kings of England and Arragon to 〈…〉 to crosse him The Emperour alwaies desiâ—ous of innouatiâ—ns could not 〈…〉 owne forces hold the townes he had taken from the Venetians and the English reâ—embring the fruitlesse promises which Ferdinand his father in law had made â—im the which he respected not where he might gaine stood â—aueâ—ng betwixt the disâ—â—â—st he had of his father-in law and the hatred he bare to our Francis but this treaty is soâ—â—â—nly brâ—keÌ„ by the death of Ferdinand who died in the moneth of Ianuary Ferdinand dies A prince eâ—â—elling in counsell many vertueâ— so as if the promises had bin accompanied with 〈◊〉 eâ—fects he might well haue bin numbred amongst the most perfect Tâ—â—s death seemed to make the Kings enterprise vpon Naples moâ—e easie purposiâ—â— to send the Dâ—ke of Bourbon for the execution thereof Many reasons moued him therâ—vnto There was some reuolt in the Realme after the decease of Ferdinand The Archâ—â—ke Charles was young and could not come in time to succâ—â—r it the Popes 〈…〉 aâ—de hiâ— much yet the king trusted to him who deceiued him in the 〈…〉 the â—orld but aboue al the priuate interest of this Croâ—ne to whome the 〈◊〉 of Charles heâ—re to so many realmes by the death of the Catholike king and 〈…〉 of the Empireâ— should bee wonderfully suspect But the desâ—eâ—nes of 〈◊〉 â—â—ancis are crossed by tâ—e Emperours landing with ten thousand Germaines and 〈◊〉 â—oureteene thâ—usand Suisses and fiue thousand horse The Empâ—rours voyagâ— into Lombardy to succour 〈◊〉 ioynâ—ly beâ—eeged by the French and Venetians which made them retire to Milan to the Duke of Bourbon 1516. So Maximilian passing the riuers of Mincie Oglie and Adde without any let had all the countrie betwixt Oglie Po and Adde at his command except Cremona and Creme the one kept by the French the other by the Venetians Then hauing taken Laude by composition he sends to summon the Milanois with threats That if within three dayes they did not expell the French armie hee would intreate them more rigorouslie then Frederick Barbarosse one of his predecessors had done who not content to haue burnt Milan vnto Ashes did sowe Salt there in memorie of his wrath and of their rebellion The inhabitants began to rise and our men grew amazed when as Albert Peter leading thirteene thousand Suisses and Grisons arriuing confirmes them he made them to change their resolution to burne their suburbes and to resolue vpon defence The Cardinall of Sion and many others banished from Milan followed the Emperour feeding him with hope that at the first brute of his approch the Cittizens would set vp his Ensignes Marc Anthonie Colonne likewise followed his armie with two hundred men at armes at the Popes charge a manifest signe of his Councels and dissemblings But Maximilian seeing no shew from the Towne the chiefe of the Gibelin faction being expelled by the Constable of Bourbon as adherent to the Emperour remembring the treacherie of the Suisses to Lodowick Sforce and fearing least through the ancient hatred of that nation to the
to assaile the Duchie of Milan on that side and force the enemie to repasse the riuer of Tesin With this dessein the Admirall comes to lodge at Nouare But the ruine of our men approched Sforce sent Iohn de Medicis against the Grisons with fiftie men at armes three huÌ„dred light horse three thousand foot who ioyned with three hundred men at armes three hundred light horse foure thousand foot of the Venetians and stopt their passage so as being discontented hauing no escorte of horse not foot as Ranâ—e had promised them they returned to their Countrie This thorne pulled out of the Emperalls foote Iohn de Medicis takes Carauage baâ—ters downe with his Cannon the bridge which the French had vpon Tesin at Bufalore and nothing remaining of all the Townes betwixt Milan and the Tesin but onely Biagras which lying vpon the great chanell that runnes to Milan did cut off the victuals which were wont to come to the Towne in great aboundance Sforce followed by all the youth of Milan beseeged it accompanied with Iohn de Medicis he battered it foure or fiue dayes was repulsed from the first assault â—orced it at the second and spoyled it A spoile deerely sold to the Milanois Biagras was infected with the plague so all the houses of Milan whether any of the bootie caâ—e were infected with the same contagion which was the death of aboue fiftie thousand persons Biagras taken Biagras taken by the Milanois to stoppe all passages from the French the Viceroy went to lodge at Marignon and the Admirall considering that it was better to hazard the rest of his armie then to perish by famine and pestilence which had greatly diminished his troupes hee tooke the way of Romagnan to ioyne with eight thousand Suisses which were come to Yuree But they strook â—he last stroke They send him word That it should suffice them to retire their compagnions and conduct them into Suisse seeing the King had broken his promise with them by the which they should meet at â—urâ—e with Claude of Longueuille and foure hundred Launces to accompany them Their Countrimen which remained in the campe vnderstanding that their companions were vpon the banks of the riuer of Stesie fled away for the most part to ioyne with them that were newly come In the meane time the Imperials by the perswasion of the Duke of Bourbon followed the Admirall at the heeles The Admirall defeated who to take from the enemie the knowlege of the Suisses disoâ—der endured the shocke with such men at armes as hee could gather togither but being hurt at the first charge with a shot in the arme and forced through the griefe of his wound to leaue the retreate of the armie to the Earle of Saint Paul and to Captaine Bayard Bayard and Vandenesse performing wondrous deedâ— of armes died there Vandenesse presently Bayard thrust through the bodie caused himselfe to be layed at the foote of a tree by his steward his face turned to the enemie as he that neuer turned his backe The Duke of Bourbon poursuing the chase seeing him in this pittifull estate I am sorry for you said hee hauing knowne you so valorous a Knight Sir sayd Bayard drawing towards his end there is no pittie of mee A worthiie speech of Bayard being hurt and dying I die an honest man you are to bee lamented who serued against your Prince your Countrie and your oth and soone after hee gaue vp the Ghost Lorges arriuing with those few French which remayned repulsed such as pursued vnto the bodie of their armie and the Earle of Saint Paul hauing passed the riuer with the losse of few but the brauest of his men deliuered the artillerie to the Suisses who made their retreat by the valley of Aouste and himselfe by Turin Laude Alexandria Nouare and generally all which the King possessed in Italie remained at the victors deuotion The estate of Milan was thus freed from the French and Italie from their present calamities but the roots were not yet cut vppe it was but deferred for a time Then the Duke of Bourbon gaue the Emperour Councell to transport the warre into France The King of Englanâ— did wilâ—ingly giue eare vnto it The fauour the authoritie the many followers and the great intelligence which the Duke of Bourbon presumed to haue in France inuited him thereunto To this end the Emperour treated with the English and the Duke of Bourbon That the Duke should enter into France with a part of his armie which was in Italie That hauing passed the Alpes the King of England should pay him a hundred thousand Crownes for the charge of the first moneth and should continue the same monethly vnlesse hee would inuade the Realme with a mightie armie That France should bee conquered for the English and Prouence for the Duke of Bourbon according to the treatie wee haue before made mention of That the Emperour at the same instant should make warre vppon the confines of Spaine and should procure the potentates of Italie to concurre in this enterprise for the freeing of themselues for euer from the inuasion of the French Marseilles is a commodious port to annoy France and to passe from Spaine into Italy Marseilles beseeged by the Imperiaâ—s According to the Emperours desire and the former treatye the Duke of Bourbon and the Marquis of Pescara march to the conquest of Marseilles The King aduertised of their desseine sends Rance de Cere a man well experienced in warre and the Lord of Brion with two hundred men at armes and three thousand foote for the gard of Marseilles repayred his army and sent to make a leauie of foureteene thousand Suisses and six thousand Lansquenets The Duke and Marquis had now lâ—en six moneths before Marseilles the King hauing vnited his forces marched with an intent to fight with his enemies before Marseilles who seeing so great a power to approch imbarked their great Ordinance for Genes the lesser they laid vpon Moyles and so made a speedy retreat The Marshall of Chabannes who had the leading of the foreward The Imperiallâ— reâ—â—â—e â—n disorder sent foure or fiue hundred horses after them who ouerthrew many and returned with great spoile euery one leauing his baggage behinde him and the Souldiars casting away their armes to bee more light to runne away The King seeing himselfe to haue a goodly army ready and his enemies retyred resolues to cut off their way or to come before them into Italy many disswaded him the season might well diuert him for it was in the middest of October the Regent his mother aduised him to make warre by his Captaines and not in person and the Bishop of Capoua came from the Pope to treate of a generall peace But the heate which transported this good Prince to his owne ruine and dishonour made him to say vnto the Bishop That hee should treat with him by letters and attend him at Auignon with his Mother The
offers all loue to the French King being a prysoner And now touching the King of England who was then readie to imbarke for Calais he sodenly changeth his hatred into Loue so as growing iealous of the Emperours exceeding greatnesse the Regent hauing intreated him by Iohn Ioachin a Genouois his Ambassador to giue eare to some mylde treaty rather theÌ„ to inuade the Estate of a Captiue Prince he promiseth all succors both of men and money for the Kings deliuery and without any demand of restitution for his charges he dismisseth his army In the meane time the Emperour aduiseth in Councell what course he should hold with the King The Bishop of Osime the Emperours confessor is commended â—o haue aduised him to shew a brotherly loue and to set him free referâ—ing this notable victory to the expresse will of God shewing that the chiefe vse thereof should bee thâ— peace of Christendome thâ—eatened with a totall râ—ine by the â—uâ—kâ—sh armes wheâ—eof we shall soone see fatall effects But the aduice of Fredeâ—ic Duke of Alba a man oâ— great authority with the Emperour was of more force Hee yeelded to the â—ingâ— libeâ—tie but with so excessiue conditions as it might haue been the meanes for Charles to lay the fondation of an absolute monarchie in Châ—istendome According to this aduice he sent the â—arle of Râ—ux his Lord Steâ—ard The Emperours vnâ—â—â—sonablâ— demands to offer the King liberty so as hee would resigne all the rights hee pretended in Italie restore the Duchie of Bourgongnâ— as belonging to him by right with Prouence and Daulphiné for the Dâ—ke of Bourbon to incorporate â—hem with other laâ—ds which he had formerly enioyed and to make all to gither a Kingdome Moreouer the Emperour offâ—ed to giue him his sister in marriage propounding many other condâ—tions so absurd and vâ—ide of reason as it is better to let the curious reade tâ—em in the Origâ—nals themselues Amongest all losses that of liberty toucheth nerest bâ—t our Francis â—aâ—ing learned to â—iâ—â—stand all aduersities with a constant resolution I will die sayd he a prysoner rather then make any breach in my realme for my deliuerance Whereof I neyther wiâ—l nor can alienate any part without the consent of the soueraine Courts and Offâ—cers in whâ—se hands remaynes the authoritie of the whole realme Wee preferre the generall good bâ—foâ—e the priuate interâ—st of Kings persons If the Emperour will treat witâ— mee let him demandâ— reasonable things which are in my power then shalâ— he â—inde me readie to iâ—yne with him The Kingâ— reaâ—onable offâ—rs and to fauour his greatnesse And to redeeme his libertie with hoâ—or and his subiects content 〈◊〉 wonderfully desired his enlargement hee then offred To marrie his sayd sister widow to the King of Portugall and to hold Bourgongne for her dowrie the which should belong to the Children that should come of this marriage to resigne his interest to the realme of Naples and the Duchie of Milan To accompanie the Emperour with an army both by lâ—nd and sea when he should go to Româ— to receiue the Imperiall Crowne Was not this propeâ—ly to giue him all Italie in prey To yeeld vnto the Duke of Bourbon his offices lâ—ndes and moouables confiscated and the râ—uenewes receiued by â—eason of this seisure and to giue him to wife the Duchesse of Alanson his sister newely a widowe by the death of thâ— Duke of Alanson insteede of Eleonor the widowe of Portugaâ—l which had beene promised him To content the King of England with money and to pay what summes of money should be sâ—t downe for his ransome Here vpon the Earle of S. Paul hauing corruâ—ted his gards eâ—caped out of prison ioyntly with the Earle of Vaudemont and the Marquis oâ— Salussâ—s treated by the means oâ— Francis Earle of Pontresme with certaine Princes and Captaines of Italie to stay the Kinâ— froÌ„ being transported out of the Dâ—chie of Milan hoping that the Potentates of Italie fearing least the Emperour should seeke to supplant them would seeke his maiesties deliuerie with their commune forces And the Venetians beinâ— not aduertised of the reconciliation of the English with the King retired themselues from their League with the Emperour But the Viceroy discouering these practises gaue the King to vnderstand that hee had commandement from the Emperour to passe him into Spaine that being there their maiesties by a gracious and fauorable enteruewe would easily conclude a peace which should cause his libertie So the King vnderstanding that the Duke of Bourbon pursued his marriage in Spaine with Eleonor yeelded to this passage hoping shee would rather desire to marrie a King of France then a Prince dis-inherited They imbarke the seauenth of Iune and within fewe dayes after the Emperour hauing commanded that hee should bee receiued The King tâ—ansported into Caâ—tilâ—e with all the honour that might bee as hee passed they arriue happiâ—y in Castille the King was lodged at Madril a place of hunting and pleasure but farre from the sea or the confines of France The Emperour would not admit the King to his presence before the accord were made or in such termes as there were no doubt therof for the aduaÌ„cing wherof a truce was concluded vntill the end of December during the which Marguerite the Kâ—ngs Sister Duchesse of Alanson came with a large commission into Castille to treate â—ith the Emperour Her arriuall was very pleasing and healthfull to the King who findiâ—g him so sick as few men hoped for his recouery she did more reuiue him then aâ—l the Phisitians art But hauing found the Emperour who was come to visit the sicke King constant in his vnreasonable demands especially for the restitution of Bourgongne wherevnto the King would not yeeld but vpon the former condition or that tâ—ey might trie it by lawe to whom it belonged and seeing that the King had recouered his former health she returned into France leauing with the Emperour the Archbishop of Ambrun afterwards Cardinall of Tournon Iohn de Selue chiefe President at Paris to pursue the treatie begun bringing with her an ample declaration from the King whereby resigning vp his Crowne hee gaue her power to inuest the Dauâ—phin his sonne the King remaining resolute rather to continue in perpetuall prison then to passe any thing to the preiudice of his realme But the Emperour seeing the King constant in this resolution in the end agreed to his Maiesties deliuerie The King set at libertie whereof we will set downe the most important points That within sixe weekes after his deliuerie he should consigne the Duchie of Bourgongne to the Emperour with all the dependences as well of the Duchie as of the Countie the which should hereafter be sequestred from the Soueraigntie of the realme of France That at the â—erâ— instant of his enlargment they should deliuer into the Emperours hands the Daulphin and with him the Duke of Orleans the Kings second sonne or twelue of the chiefe Noble men of France such as
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
fourscore thousand men whereof there should bee tenne thousand horse with artillerie requisite for the said Campe. And besides this treatie these two Kings had many causes of discontent Our King found himselfe grieuously wronged for that the Pope and the Emperour with theâ—â— partisans had newly made a League for the defence of Italie whereof they had declared Anthonie de Leue to bee generall The King of England had no lesse cause to complayne of the wrong he sayd the Court of Rome did him touching the matter of 〈◊〉 diuorce seâ—king to force him either to go to prison to Rome for to send then with expresse deputation men of great account that should stand to the Popes Iâ—dgement An insolent proceeding in like cases chanced among soueraine Princes seeing thâ—t such a businesse of that importance and touching the conscience so neere did well deserue that according to the vsuall custome they should send Iudgeâ— to the place it being reasonable that the persons should speake personally and 〈◊〉 by their Atturneyes and very vnreasonable that a Soueraine Prince leauing the 〈◊〉 and gouernment of his estates should goe and plead his cause at Rome Moreâ—â—er hee did complaine vnto the King of the exactions of the Romaine Church vppon the clergie and people of England and did instantly require that they two sâ—ould send their Ambassadors ioyntly togither to the Pope to summon him to appeare at the next Councell forto heare the extortions he did vnto Princes and Chrisâ—â—â—n people The King propounded like abuses The Pope had dissembled with him touching certaine tithes which hee had graunted him to leuie vppon the Clergie and the French Church complayned of him of the vndutifull and new exactions which vnder colour of pietie they made at Rome for the expedition of Bulls by meanes whereof all the treaâ—or was daily carried out of his Realme to the preiudice of the Clergie which grew poore the Churches were not restored nor the poore â—â—â—thed nor fedd their yeerely rents were excessiue no equalitie in them many officeâ—s newly created which were payd vpon the dispatch and expedition of Bulls ouer and aboue the iust price which they were wont in former time to pay the offices which fell voyd were sold to the great benefit and profit of Saint Peter entertaining many gromes Chamberlaines Protonotaries their seruants Gardâ—ners and others and for the repairing of Saint Peters Church a great summe of money was leuied the which they did afterwards imploy to make warre against the King Yet the King would neither wholly allow nor disallow of the King of Englands complaints but for that the Pope had sent him a promise by the Cardinall of Grandmont of an enterview at Nice or Auignon after the Emperours returne into Spaine he reqâ—ested the King of England to attend the issue of their parle These griefes of the French Church had beene presented vnto the King in thâ— assembly of the Estates of the Countrie and Duchie of Brittaine with many other things farre from that charitie which ought to be in the Church In the said Estates it was concluded The Duchie of Brittany incoâ—porate to the Crowne That Francis the Kings eldest sonne Daulphin of Viennois should be acknowledged Duke of Brittaine that the eldest sonne of France should hereafter carrie the titles of Daulphin of Viennois and Duke of Brittanie and the said Duchie should for euer be incorporate to the Crowne So the treatie made by the marriage betwixt King Charles the 8. and Anne Duchesse of Brittanie and others following were disanulled in regarde of the said Duchie As these things passed in England William of Bellay Lord of Langey promised the Germaine Princes in the Kings name That for the affection he bare to the preserâ—â—tion of the priuileges rights and customes of the Empire if the Emperour 〈◊〉 whom he desired to obserue inuiolably the alliances and treaties he had with 〈◊〉 would in that case imploy his forces to their oppression A treatie betwixt the King and the Princes of Germaâ—â—e he would succour them 〈◊〉 all his power so as neither his men nor money should not be imployed to the offâ—â—ce â—f any of his confederates namely of the Emperour but onely to defend the rights 〈◊〉 priuileges of the Empire A great desseine is alwayes shadowed with goodly sheweâ— Herevpon the Emperour came to Bologne to conferre againe with the Pope The Kings of France and England well informed of the Emperours bad disposition and especially the English of the Popes to him by reason of his preâ—ended diuorce they sent the Cardinals of Tournon Grandmont the Popes seruants that vnder coâ—ourâ—â— accompanie him at this enterview they might imploy their authorities that nothing might be done to the preiudice of their Maiesties The Kings of France and England complaine of the Pope or at the least they should giue iâ—â—elligence of their conclusions And the sayd Cardinals had commission to lay â—pen vnto the Pope the griefes and complaints of the two Kings and to summon him to make reparation if not they would take order for it So as his Holynesse might weâ—l perceiue that they two together were not to be contemned and to wish him to câ—nsider wisely of the support and profit he might draw from these two Kings and what disgrace otherwise in discontenting them especially the King of England whose cause the King did no lesse affect then his owne For sayd these two Princes if wee come to demand a generall councell and his Holinesse doth not grant it or delayes it we shall take his delay for a deniall and calling it without him we will easily 〈◊〉 the fact with other Princes who producing the like or greater complaints would in the end forbid their subiects to send or carrie any money to Rome If his Holinesse for so did our Francis protest will proceed by censures against me and my realme and that I be forced to go to Rome for an absolution I will passe the Alpes so well accompanied as his Holynesse shall be glad to grant it me The scandales of Rome haue already withdrawne most part of Germaine and the Cantons from the obedience of the Romaine Church It is to be feared that if these two mightie Kings seuer themselues for want of Iustice they shall finde many adherents and these two together with their open and secret allyes may make such an attempt as it will be hard to resist That if the holy father be disposed to moderate things especially towards the King of England there is hope that at the first enterview all may be ordered by mildnesse before they should proceed to greater bitternesse by a generall summons from both the Kings Thus the King spake vnto those Cardinals whom he sent to Rome But we haue elsewhere obserued that men of the Church do commonly prefer the Popes respect before the seruice of such as imploy them These flea the Eeâ—e by the taâ—â—e 1533 and in steed of following their instructions from point
her Vncle who in the end of their parlee at the Kings request creaâ—ed foure Cardinals the Cardinall of Veneur Bishop of Lisieux and chiefe Almnâ—◠〈◊〉 King one borne of those three notable houses Chastillon Chambre and 〈◊〉 This done the Pope imbarked for Rome the 20. of Nouember and the King to 〈…〉 way to Auignon Here the King resolued in his priuie Counsell vpon a request made vnto him as well by Christopher sonne to the Duke of Wirtemberg both in â—is owne name and 〈◊〉 fathers spoiled of their estates seuenteene yeares since by the Emperour Charlâ—s aâ—d Ferdinand his brother as also by Lewis and William Dukes of Bauiere his Vncleâ— The mother of Christopher was Daughter of a sister to Maximilian Grand-fâ—ther to the sayd Emperour and King of Romaines and the consummation of the marrâ—â—ge of Eleonor their sister with his Maiestie gaue the Father and the sonne hope that tâ—e King in fauour of this alliance interposing his authoritie for them that were pâ—â—led should eyther procure restitution of Ferdinand for these Dukes or refusing Iustâ—ce to purchase him the hatred of all Germanie which in the end might by open foâ—ce dâ—sposesse him of the Duchie of Wirtemberg and of the name of King of the Romaines The King did greatly desire to see these Dukes restored to their estates and to that end would willingly haue opened his purse to weaken the Emperours and 〈◊〉 bâ—others forces and by the same meanes to confirme the amities which he had pâ—rchâ—sed in Germanie and to procure new requiting the Emperour who â—ought by aâ—l meanes to take from the King his ancient alliances But hee sought to 〈…〉 protection of these afflicted Princes in such sort as no man might iustly châ—â—â—eâ—ge him to haue broken the treatie of Cambray Hee therefore sent the Lord of 〈◊〉 with commission to do â—or these Dukes whatsoeuer were in his power not 〈◊〉 contradicting the conuentions and to conclude the consignation of a hundred 〈◊〉 Crownes into the hands of the Dukes of Bauiere with a sufficient bâ—â—d to his Maiestie reseruing notwithstanding this clause That his money should not be 〈◊〉 to the inuasion of any one but onely for the defence of the ancient customes and 〈…〉 the Empire The publike and priuate perswasions of Langey were of such efficacie as that ancient and great League of Sueue which had continued three score and ten yeares to the benefit of the house of Austria was disanulled But for that the â—eintegration of these Dukes could not bee made but by armes they couered iâ—â—ith this expedient That the Duke of Wirtemberg should sell the Countie of Montbeliard whereof he was Lord vnto the King for six score thousand Crownes vpon condition that he might redeeme it which money he might imploy to his vse either in peace or war without any â—reach on the Kings part to the articles of Cambray So the Landgraue of Hessen chiefe of this present League and the Dukes of Bauiere and Wirtemberg with their allies went sodenly to field with an armie before the Emperor or his brother could crosse their attempts restoring them that were spoiled to the possession of their Duchie and soone after 1534. they repayed the Kings money within thirtie or fortie thousand Crownes for the which the Dukes of Bauiere were answerable and the Countie of Montbelliard was restored vnto them Let vs now see what catastrophe the Popes rashe censure giuen against Henry King of Eâ—gland shall cause Henry was wonderfully incensed against the Apostolick Sea Estate of England by reason of the iniustice he said was done him in that they had refused to send him coÌ„mâ—ssioners to tâ—ke knowledge of his cause and of the contempt done to his authoritie in that they would disdainfully force him to abandon his realme and appeare personally at Rome Notwithstanding by the perswasions of Iohn du Bellay Bishop of Paris whom the King had sent vnto him presently after his enterview with the Pope hee granted that in case the Pope would surcease from the sayd sentence vntill he had sent Iudges to be heard that he would likewise surcease from his intention to withdraw himselfe wholy from the obedience of Rome The Bishop offers himselfe to go to Rome to that end Henry intreates him and assures him that hauing obtained his demand he will giue him authoritie presently to confirme what he had yeelded vnto The matter was not yet desperate but the Consistorie of Rome gaâ—e so short a time to haue an answer from the King of England as the Poste came short two dayes at his returne The terme expired they proceed hastily to the confiâ—mation of the curses and censures Troubles through the Popes rash hasty procâ—eding notwithstanding the Bâ—shops instance to obtaine six dayes delay seeing the King of England had wauered six yeares before he fell Two dayes were scarse past after the prefixed time but the poste arâ—iuing with authoritie and declarations from England did greatly amaze those hastie Cardinals who afterwards could finde no meanes to amend that which they had marred The matter saieth the Originall was so hasted as that which could not bee finished in three consistories was done in one This indignitie done to the King of England and the small respect they had to his Maiestie caused both him and his reaâ—me to shake off the yoake of the Romaine obedience declaring himselfe immediatly vnder God supreame head of the Church of England In the meane time the King not able to get by Iustice a reparation of the vnworthy death of his Ambassador at Milan hee studied to haue his reuenge by armes To this end following the example of the Romaines he erected in euery Prouince of his realme a Legion of sixe thousand foote vnder the command of six Gentlemen who for euery thousand should haue two Lieutenants and vnder euery Ensigne fiue hundred men who in time of peace should once a yeare make a generall muster and the Captaines should know their names and surnames with the dwellings of euery one to haue them ready at all commands Then he sent William Earle of Fustemberg into Germanie to make a leauie of twentie Ensignes of Lansquenets and demanded passage of the Duke of Sauoy through his Countrie to bee reuenged of the wrong done him by the Dâ—ke of Milan The Sauoisien refuseth it which causeth our Francis to demand the portion of Louyse of Sauoye his mother sister to the sayd Duke children to Philip Duke of Sauoy Philip had to his first wife a daughter of Bourbon New motiâ—â—â— of warre in Sauoy by whom he had Philibert Duke of Sauoy and Lowyse the Kings mother Then he had to his second wife a Daughter of Ponthieure by whom hee had Charles who is now in question and the Earle of Geneua afterwards Duke of Nemours Philibert was dead without children and therefore the King challenged a good portion in the succession of Sauoy his mother comming of the first venter and sole heire to the
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
and victualls the Daulphin hauing brought but for two dayes the enemies which assembled at Monts and at Quesnoy le Comte the daunger the King did foresee in keeping his troupes diuided the feare that going in person to ioyne with his sonne with whom were his chiefe â—orces he should be constrayned to leaue the fortifications of Landrecy imperfect his Maiesty drawes the Daulphin vnto him he causeth him to beate downe the defences of Maubeuge in his passage and for that the Emperour was wont to assemble his forces there that came out off Germany and the Low Countries to fire the Towne Trelon and Glayon places betwixt Auennes and Simay did greatly annoy the frontiers of Tierasse and Champagne Bonneuall and Stenay Lieutenant to the Duke of Anguien who was in Prouence as we shall shortly see had commission to preuent it Beeing come to Trelon with two thousand French and foure thousand Lansquenets those within at the fiâ—st sight of the Cannon yeelded to haue their liues saued Glayâ—n afterwards submitted with the like facility Both being burnt but their fortifications not ruined shall serue againe to lodge the Imperialls Emery remained still whole but it might not be made fit to endure the attempts of a mighty army in twelue dayes Moreouer it must bee furnished with victualls Two â—iuers noâ— to be waded through betwixt Landrecy and Emery made the victualing difficult Auennes did cut it off and the Commissaries of the victualls reported that to put victualls into Emery were in time to famish the armie to take away the meanes to victuall Landrecy for the want of carriage which was greatly hindred by a continuall raine three weekes together And that which did most import newes comes to that the Emperour armes and approched neere the countries of the Duke of Cleues whom he might not abandon to the pawes of a roaring Lion who had long time vowed his ruine So the Towers of the Dungeon of Emery and the portall of the walls flying into the ayre by myne and other meanes serued to fill vp the trenches Hitherto we haue made warre with small resistance· hereafter wee shall haue a stronger party and by consequence more glory to crosse the Emperours attempts whilest that the famine and the winter driues him from before Landrecy In the end of Iuly Landrecy was in such estate as without any support of an army the fortifycations might well be continued leauing some troupes at Guise and the Duke of Cleues against whom the Empeâ—our banded all his power appealed to the King for succours The King therefore to diuert the Emperours forces to draw him to battell and to trye if he were accompanied with the like happinesse leading his forces in person as hee had beene by his officers or at the least by the taking of Luxembourg to make the way easie to succour his ally he sent the Duke of Vendosme to encounter the enemies attempts vpon the frontiers of base Picardy and to fauour the necessary victualing of Landrecy and for the execution of his enterprise he appointed the Duke of Orleans vnder the conduct of the Admirall of Annebault The Prince of Melphes whome the King had left in Guise with three hundred men at armes and Brissac Collonell of fifteene hundred light horse assembled to go and ioyne with him about Rheims And the Earles of Reux and Roquendolfe with the forces of the Lowe Country came from a skirmish at Landrecy which they did hope to surprise being vnfurnished of victualls As they trouped together with a desseine to attempt the Castle of Bohain newes comes that La Hunaudaye and Theaude Bedaigne an Albanois either of them beeing Captaine of two hundred horse were lodged neere vnto the Castle of Bouhourie making account to dislodge so earely as they might come in time to part with the Generall To surprise them the Lord of Liques Lieutenant to the Duke of Ascots companie drawes eight hundred choise Bourguignon horses out of the Imperiall troupes two hundred Englishmen the King of England being then fauoured by the Emperour The Imperialls charge the French in their lodging are repulst pretended to inuade vs as we shall see hereafter and foure enseignes of footemen But least he should come too late he leaues them behind him and marcheth before with his horsemen At the first they charge Bedaignes lodging who whilest the enemy was breaking open the gate had leysure to put on his Cuirasse he goes to horsebacke with his launce in his hand forceth furiously through them ouerthrowes them he meetes and ioynes his troupe with La Hunaudaye who was likewise on horseback Aché and Bertrand of Foissy Lord of Crené Captaines of two hundred harguebuziers on horsebacke being lodged at the same Abby post to their succours they force the bridge which the Imperialls kept ioyntly with the light horsemen repulse the enemy The alarum is giuen at Guise Theaude Manes arriues with his two hundred light horse to second his companions and Brissac borrowing about threescore horse of the Prince of Melphe his troupes had already taken the way to Marle goes to their aide he is aduertised by Bedaigne that the enemy fearing to haue the whole armie vpon them began to wauer all the troupes ioyne and charge them sodainly they ouerthrowe their horsemen vpon their foote which aduanced put them to rout they pursue them speedily leaue three hundred dead vpon the place carry away six hundred prisoneâ—s and winne foure Enseignes on foote and two Cornets on horse The rest of the Imperiall armie going to assaile Bohain hearing of this defeat and doubting they should be forced to fight with the whole army grew amazed retyred to Quesnoy le Comte The Duke of Orleans hauing already by the taking of S. Mary for Montmedy Yuoy were vnder the Kings obedience since the first conquest made by the said Duke Danuilliers Vireton Arlâ—n and other places made his approches to Luxembourg hee â—â—st it with two batteries at a corner of the high towne towards France the one crossing the other the one was coÌ„mitted to the Duke of Aumale the other to Peter Strossy a Florentine kinseman to Pope Clement deceased who being lately come out off Italy had brought three hundred Tuscane souldiers all men of note and commandement two parts armed with Pikes the third with Harguebuziers all with gilt coâ—selets The Towne was defended by foure hundred horse well appointed three thousand fiue hundred foote well armed vnder the commaund of Giles of Leuant a man well esteemed by the Imperialls and Iohn de Heu one of the Lords of Metz. Yet at the fift or six volle of the Canon hauing demanded coÌ„position they departed with their baggage Longuâ—uil entred as gouernor with his company of men at armes Anglure with a thousand of the Legion of Champagne Haraucourt a Lorraine and the Vicomte of Riuiere commaunding eyther of them fiue hundred men and Ierom Marin a Boulenois sixe score Italians The King hauing passed the feast of
an army to ioyne with the Duke of Anguien There was some likelyhood after so furious a battaile to depriâ—e the Emperourâ— the Estate of Milan But he armed vpon the Rhin his troupes were readie to inuade the frontier The English were at sea and the King had rather neede to drawe forces oâ—t of Italie then to supplie them The Duke therefore to drawe them speedily to the Kings deuotion sends the Lord of Tais with the French bands two hundred men at armes sixe great Cannons with some other peeces to force some places vnder the Emperours obedience Effects following the victory Saint Damian a place of Montferrat had not planted the French nor the Spanish Enseignes notwithstanding beeing without hope of succors they yeelded to the Yoake vpon condition that they should haue none but a French garrison Montcallier followed being a strong place Vigon Pont d' Esture Saint Saluadour Fresenet of Pau to conclude all Montferrat except Casal Trin and Albe yeelded their neckes to the French obedience And the Duke going to campe at Carignan did by many forts so restraine the sallies of the beseeged and the entrie of victualls as extreame necessitie hauing forced them to demand composition they departed with their armes onely without enseignes or drums Carignan yeelded taking an oath not to carrie armes of sixe monethes against the King nor his allies This done the Duke sent vnto the King sixe thousand French soldiars of the olde bands and sixe thousand Italians to oppose against the Emperours inuasions On the other side the Duke of Somme with the other of the French faction hauing leuied ten thousand foote but fewe or no horse came to ioyne with the Duke of Anguien and the Princes of Salerne and Sulmone attended with a number of horse and foote to fight with them at the passage of a riuer They send to the Lord of Tais to demand a Conuoie of horse Hee promiseth but performes nothing And they not able to retire without shame charge the foote which were farre from their horsemen and put them in route But they consider not that leuing a place of strength The Italians of the French partie defeated they giue the enemie the aduantage they had of them The horsemen come and charge them in flanke as they had broken their rankes thinking to haue gotten the victorie and put them to flight they take many prisoners of qualitie kill fewe and no man of marke except Valerius Vrsine the rest saued themselues at Quieras and Carignan Wee commonly say that a small ayde doth a great good The footemen being ouercome a hundred men at armes had made the victorie absolute This checke doth not daunt them The Duke of Somme beeing newely deliuered from prison the Prince of Salerne his Kinseman had freed him fearing least the Emperour should do him some disgrace and Peter Strossy gathering togither sixe thousand men of this shipwracke at Miaandole meaning to ioyne with the Duke of Anguien at what price soeuer hee being vnfurnished of forces for besides the twelue thousand men hee had sent vnto the King all his Suisses except two thousand had beene for want of pay dismissed They giue ouer the playne and passe out of Parmesan with much toyle by the mountaines of Genes The Marquis aduertised of this newe assembly gathers togither what forces he could of horse and foote drawes forth his garrisons and to stoppe to their passage attends them at the fooâ—e of the mountaines They aduertise the Duke Who hauing no men but for the gard of his places resolues notwithstanding to effect two things at once and both to surprise Alba where they had left no men but for the gards of the gates and to succour Strossy and finding meanes to aduertise him that hee should march towards Alba whereof the enemie was left in doubt The Duke comes thether on the one side and Strossy on the other hee makes a hoale in the gate towards the mountaine on the other side of the water about ten foote long prepares to giue an assault and Strossy the scalado which the beseeged seeing Alba taken they growe so amazed as they yeeld the place and depart without carrying away of any thing The Marquis makes hast to succour them but knowing the Towne to be lost frustrate of his hope he retired and the Duke hauing taken many places about returned to Carmagnole Within fewe daies after the Marquis practised a suspension of armes which beeing confirmed by their two maiesties Truce in Piedmont there followed a truce for three monethes Let vs nowe see the enemies attempt inuading the realme The Emperour had no sooner found the King of Englands discontent whereof the marriage of the King of Scotland had beene the chiefe motiue but forgetting or rather dissembling the iniuries he had receiued he winnes him to his deuotion although he had assured the Pope neuer to treat any alliance with him vntill he had repayred the offence done vnto the sea of Rome intitling himselfe supreme head vnder God of the Church of England and punishing them which maintayned the authority of the Pope and the Church of Rome Thus two grey-hounds tearing one an other in peeces lay aside their choller to runne after the wolfe their common enemy And for that during the warre of the Dukes of Wirtemberg by the bond of the Princes of Germanie with the King the Emperours desseins had beene greatly crost nowe perswading them and aboue all the Protestants that he hath done more then his dutie to the King of France for the calling ofa Councell to call backe them that were strayed from the vnion of the Church and to reforme the Pope and his ministers but the King only had hindred this assembly to giue him prouision of men and money and ioyntly to bande with him to the destruction of this realme So hee sends the Earle of Furstemberg with an army before Luxemberg Warre in Picardie which hauing mayntained the seege to the extremity for want of victualls the Viconte of Estauges was forced to capitulate and to depart with baggage Commercy was the second triomphe of his victories Ligny in Barrois the third beeing the way for victualls which came to him from Metz Lorraine The Castell is commanded by two or three mountaines and the beseeged not able to stand to their defences came to parle when as the Imperialls entring behind compassed them in that were come to the breach attending the assault and take them prisoners with small slaughter Without doubt the place was not to withstand the force of an Emperour beeing in person neyther was it so contemptible but it deserued an honest composition But the Earle of Brienne Lord of the place and Roussy his brother Eschenais Gouzolles who commanded about a hundred men at armes and fifteene hundred foote wonne small reputation Doubtlesse the Earle of Sancerre wil winne farre more honor in the defence of Saint Disier a place ill flanked ill rampared and
such obedience as hee required of his subiects and with this desseine he went to Antwerp to receiue money by imposition and borrowing This voiage is a cloake to delay our Ambassadors 1546. But in effect he ment to know the minds of theÌ„ of Antwerp that according to the course of affaires he might be more milde or sharpe in his answers And the sayd Ambassadors discouering his ordinarie delaies and dissimulations in the end tooke their leaue returning with no other assurance but if the King began no warre against him hee was not resolued to make any A word serues to a man of Iudgement What might the King conceiue of this cold entertainement but that the Emperour sought an oportunity to begin a new war with aduantage and if he had forced them to obedience whom hee threatned in Germanie he would bring al forces both Catholiks Protestants ioyntly against the frontiers of this realme To auoide a sodaine surprise hee giues the gouernment of Languedoc to the Duke of Anguien that of Piedmont to the Prince of Melphe lately created Marshal of France he sent to fortifie the weake places of Picardie hee made a fort aboue Maubert-Fontaine seauen leagues from Veruein and fiue from Mezieres at the going out of the wood and for that the frontier of Champagne lay most open to the Germains hee fortified Meziers and Mouzon built a fort vpon Meuze on this side the riuer within the realme betwixt Stenay and Dunle Chasteau the which hee called Villefranche he fortified the Castell of Saint Menehoult Saint Desier Chaumont in Bassigny Coiffy and Ligny and made Bourg in Bresse able to make head against a mighty army Thus the King prouided for his frontiers and places subiect to the enemies inuasions But the plague had so diminished the number of soldiars that were in the fort right against Boullen as of twentie enseigns not aboue eight or nine hundred men escaped this mortalitie A great plague in the â—ort before Boullen The soldiars notwithstanding are commended for their fidelity constancie and patience in the gard thereof The raine snowe and other iniuries of the aire the moistenes of their lodgings being but hoales in the ground coueâ—ed with a pentise of strawe and when a whole household was dead the ruines serued to bury their carcases had bred these diseases But the spring time hauing tempered the season and stayed the plague the Lords of Essé and Riou being refreshed and supplied with men returned to their ordinary skirmishes to the enemies losse The fort wanted victualls Senerpont Lieutenant to the Marshall of Biez was appointed for this execution Three hundred English horse come to hinder this victualing He meetes them the day after Easter day neere to the bridge of bricke beneath mount S. Stephen the skirmish begins on eyther side the Lord of Tais and the Conte Reingraue ariue either of them with sixe or seauen score gentlemen the alarume comes to Boullen the English supplie their men with seauen hundred horse and foure hundred harguebuziers Senerpont chargeth the horsemen before they had ioyned with their shot the Reingraue is hurt at the first charge and ouerthrowen and on the other side the Marshall of Calais beeing chiefe of the enterprise is slaine with a hundred or sixescore English about two hundred horse on eyther side and threescore and fifteene English prisoners all in cassaks of vellet garnished with gold and siluer A while after the Marshall of Biez parted from his campe for the same effect accoÌ„panied with fiftie men at armes the Reingraue with his regiment of foure thousand Lansquenets and two hundred French shot he incountred the Earle of Surrcy followed by six thousand English men with an intent to take from our men the meanes to refresh the fort with victualls and necessarie munition Here the combate was long and furious in the ende the English ouerthrowen retire to a little fort where they force them Seauen or eight hundred of their men are slaine Surrey saues himselfe by flight and leaueâ— seauen or eight score prisoners Boullen was but a Church-yard for the English a wasting for their treasor The King oâ— England considering how obstinate the King was in the recouerie of his Towne that moreouer the Emperour what league soeuer they had togither had his priuate desseins and regarded nothing but his owne interest he lettes the King vnderstand That he is resolued to haue hiâ— for his friend and to ende all controuersies So the Deputies for â—heiâ— maisters meete betwixt Ardres and Guynes For the King came the Amirall Annebault and Raymond the first President of Roâ—an for the English Dudely 〈◊〉 of England and afterwards Duke of Northumberland and finally after many câ—â—â—â—â—tations a peace was made with these conditions That the King within eight daies sâ—ould pay eight hundred thousand Crownes to the King of England as well for the arreriges of his pension as for many other expences made by the sayd King in the fortification of Boâ—lleâ— of the Countrie And in regard of the said sum the King of EnglaÌ„d should deliuer vnto the King Boullen and all the Countrie belonging vnto it with the ancient places or newly 〈◊〉 by him Mont-Lambert the Tower of Ordre Ambletueil Blacquenay and others with all the artillerie victuals and munition in the said places This yeare is famous by the death of Anguien In the moneth of February the snow was very great The death of the Duke of Anguien and the Court being at Roche-guion some yong Noblemen attending the Daulphin made a challeng some to defend a house others to assaile it â—ith snow bals But this pastime ended soone with a pittifull and fatall spectacle As the Duke came out of this house a cofer full of linnen cast out of the window falls vpon his head and within few houres sends him to rest in the graue with his ancestors leauing a suspition of some great men being enuious and iealous of his vertue reputation and fauour which he had gotten with the King the people and men of warre of whome he was more then any other of his age esteemed beloued and respected The beginning is likewise remarkable by the decease of Henry the eight King of England The death of the King of England leauing for his successor his sonne Edward eight yeares of age This death bred a great alteration and change in the health of our Francis they were almost of one age conformable in coÌ„plections And our King taking this for a presage or fortelling that his turne should soone follow after grew then more melancholy and silent then before He fals sicke of a feuer for the auoyding wherof hauing passed many places fit for the pleasure of hunting la Muette S. Germain in Laye Villepreux Dampierre neere vnto Cheureuse Limours and Rochefort he came to lodge at Rambouillet and as the pleasure he tooke both in hunting and hauking stayed him there sometime his feuer increased and grew to a
to the Towne being opened â—alaâ—s taken and the beseeged sodainely surprised without hope of speedy succouâ—s first the castle and then the towne returned to the obedience of this crowne as gâ—adly as we haue seene her antient Burgesses bid their poore desolate country mournfully farewell in the yeare 1347. The county of Oye 1558. and all the forts the English held there returned likewise to the subiection of their first and lawfull Lord. Guines and other places dismantled spare the cost which should be consumed in the defence thereof On the other side the Duke of Neuers did take for the King the Castle of Herbemont the forts of Iamoigne Chigny Rossignol and Villeneufue The Daulphin married to Mary 〈◊〉 of Scotlâ—nd Thus their sorrow was turned into ioye their hearts panting yet with that bloudy battell of S. Laurence The Court was partaker of this ioy celebrating the 28. of Aprill in the midest of these prosperities the marriage of Francis Daulphin of Viennois with Mary Steward Queene of Scotland daughter to Iames the 5. and Mary of Lorraine daughter of Claude Duke of Guise During these happy victories and coniunctions of alliances the Duchesse Dowager of Lorraine laboured to increase these solemne and publike ioyes by the conclusion of a peace betwixt the two kings The Cardinall brother to the Duke of Guise met with her at Peronne to that intent but this parâ—e without effect hastened the execution of an enterprise vpoÌ„ Theonuâ—lle the which being battered froÌ„ the 5 to the 21. of Iune with fiue and thirty Canons and the mynes ready to plaie receiued an honourable composition The proiect of this prize is giuen to the Duke of Neuers the glory of the execution to the Duke of Guise and the Duke of Nemours the Marshall of Strossy who was slaine there with a shot vnder his left pappe the Duke of Guise leaning on his shoulder as they caused a platforme to bee vndermined the Lords of Montluc Theonâ—â—â—le taken by the French Vâ—elleuillâ— and Bourdillon had the honour to haue giuen good testimonies of their valours in this prize Chigny taken afterwards from the Wallons was fortified Arlon Villemont and Rossignol burnt and made vnprofitable for the warre The English in the meane time spoyled the coasts of Normandy and Picardy and the King to stop their courses prepares two small armies one at la Fere vnder the Duke of Aumale the other at Calais vnder the Marshall of Termes who succeeded Stroâ—â—y The Marshall attempts Berghes they feared not the French there the towns which the Spaniards held vpon that coast were ill furnished he takes it sacks it and by that meanes opens the way to Dunkerk Dunkerkâ— being taken and spoyled in foure dayes inriched both the souldiers and boyes of the armie But the Flemings force them to make restitution the Marshall camped before Grauelines and the Cont Aiguemont Lieutenant for the King of Spaine in the Lowe Countries hauing speedily assembled out off the neighbour garrisons and of other forces about sixtâ—ene thousand foote a thousand or twelue hundred Reâ—stres and two thousand horse cuts off his way vpon the Riuer of A which comes from S. Omer and forceth him to fight At the first charge the French army ouerthrowes some squadrons of horse but at the second shocke The Marshall of â—ermes defeated the Marshall is hurt and taken with Villehon Senarpont Moruilliers and Chaune a great number of Captaines and souldiars are slaine vpon the place and all the troupes so discomfited as of all the companies of men at armes of three corners of light horse Scottishmen fourteene enseigns of French foot and eighteene of Lansquenets fewe escaped death or imprisonmentâ— a wound which reuiued the â—â—ar of S. Laurence and did frustrate the Duke of Guise his enterprise vpon Luxembourg but it was partly recompenced by the Lord of Kersimon vpon six or seuen thousand English Flemings which landed at the hauen of CoÌ„quest spoyling and burning the weakest parts of the coast of Brittain This was in the end of Iuly The Duke of Guise fayling of Luxembourg came to lodge at Pierrepont in Tirasâ—â—e and there â—ortified with seauen Cornâ—ts of Reistres brought by William younger sonne to Iohn Frederick Elector of Saxony and a newe regiment of Lansquenets led by Iacob of Ausbourg made the French army as strong as the yeare before Aboue all others were most apparant the companies of the Duke of Guise Lieutenant geneâ—all of the Dukes of Montpensier Neuers Aumale Bouillon Nemours Saxony Lunembourg of the Prince of Roche-sur-yon of the Prince of Salerne of the Cont Charny the Marshall S. Andre the Marquis of Elheuf and of the Lords of Rochefoucault Randan Curton Montmoâ—ency the Constables elâ—est sonne Esâ—henets Roche du-Mâ—â—â—e Ienlis La Veuguion Mourdillon Tauanes of Beâ—uuais The light horse of the Earles of Eu and Roissy of the Lords of Valete Bueil Laigny Rottigotty Lombay and others wherof the Duke of Nemours was generall and so great a number of â—ermaines Suisses and Frenchmen as this flourishing armie of men lodging neere to Amiens along the riuer of Somme preuailed much for the treatie of peace which followed soone after Philip had his armie likewise vpon the riuer of Anthie both intrenched and fortified with artillerie as if they meant to continue there and in time to tire one another Some moneths passe without any other exploite then inroades and light skirmishes In the end the eternall God of armes who from his heauenly throne beheld tâ—e seate of these two mightie armies changed the bitternesse of former warre into a pleasiâ—g peace confirmed by alâ—iances the yeare following The Abbie of Cercamp vpon the limits of Arthois and Picardie gaue tâ—e first entâ—ie And as the Constable being freed from prison the Marshall of S. Andrew the Cardinall of Lorraine Moâ—uilliers Bishop of Orleans and Aâ—bestiâ—e Secretarie of State assâ—mbled for the King treated with the Duke of Alua the Prince of Orange Regomes de Silues Cupbearer to King Philip Granduelle Bâ—shop of Arras and Vigle of Zuichem President of the Councell of State of the Lowe Countries behold the death of Charles the 5. Emperour chancing in September and that of Mary Queene of England aâ—out the middest of Nouember changed both the place and the time of this conclusion Castle Cambresis had the honour to finish it at the second conference the which was confirmed by the marriages of Philip with Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Henry of Phillibert Emanuel Duke of Sauoy with Marguerite the Kings onely sister and of Charles Duke of Loâ—raine with Claude a yoâ—ger daughter of France The King yeelded to the Castillan all that hee had taken from him as well on this side as beyond the mountaines To the Sauoyard he restored Bresse Sauoy Piedmont to the Genouoiâ— the Isle of Corse and about foure hundred places more conquered during these â—atall and pernitious Warres which had made so many Prouinces desolate ruined so many Castâ—es Villages
the beginning Both Generals taken the other in the end of the battaile so as the field was left by both parties but after the retreat it was vewed and taken againe by the Duke of Guise and the next day as it were recouered by the Admirall who presented himselfe in battaile So the Prince had the aduantage ouer the dead the honour to haue made his retreate with order but the Duke had the aduantage of the victorie for that he lodged vpon the place of battaile spoyled the dead and wonne the Princes artillerie who a strange matter considering their hatred supped and lay all night with the Duke of Guise Doubtles it was a curtesie in the one and a resolution in the other By the taking of the two Commanders the Duke of Guise was declared the Kings Lieutenant Generall in the armie and the Admirall tooke the command for the Protestants Either had sundrie desseins The Duke to recouer the places held from the King the Admirall to preserue Orleans with more facilitie by the conquest of some places about it and then to finish his voyage into Normandie whether the treasor of England called him So hauing taken Selles in Berry Saint Aignan Montrichard and Suâ—â—â— vpon Loire he deliuered the gard of Orleans to his brother d' Andelot with foureteene enseigns of French and Lansquenets foure of the inhabitants of the Towne and a great number of the Nobility vnder the conduct of Duras 1562. 1563. Bouchauanes Bussy S. Cyre Auaret other voluntaries and tooke the way to Normandie thinking by this meanes to diuide the enemies forces who had Orleans for the cheefe obiect of their armes The fift day of February he camps before it and the next day hee wins the Portereau with the slaughter of foure hundred good French souldiars being abandoned by the Lansquenets who cowardly left the place they had in charge The 18. of the moneth hee was readie to giue an assault The seege of Orleans by the Duke of Guise and making his reckoning to winne the Towne he writes to the Queene mother that within 24. houres he would send her newes of the taking thereof and would make the day very memorable sparing neither sexe nor age that after he had shroued there he would extinguish the remembrance of the Towne But man knoweth not his destinie nor what shall happen vnto him The same day as he returned towards night vpon a little moyle from the Campe to the Castle of Coruâ—y his ordinary lodging Iohn Poltray Seigneur of Mercy a gentleman of Angoulmois mounted vpon a Spanish horse by his owne proper and priuate motion shoots him into the shouldar with a pistoll charged with three bullets and saues himselfe by flight but hauing wandred all night The Duke of Guise slaine he was taken the next day soone after hee was pincht with hot irons and so drawne in peeces with horses at Paris The Duke of Guise died the 24. of the said moneth and was interred at Paris with pompe like vnto a King Henry his sonne being yong of age was preferred to the place of great Chamberlaine and Lord Steward of France The Admirall in the meane time runnes ouer Normandie without opposition and followed with foure thousand horse he coopt vp them into their forts who had had free scoape since the taking of Roüen The Marquis of Elbeuf namely and Renouâ—rt a new Knight of the order molested by the Protestants of Caen tooke some and â—lue others The money artillerie powder with fiue companies of English and two of French which he newly receiued câ—me very fitly to reduce the Towne and the strong Castle thereof to his deuotion Mouy conquered him Honesfleu and the Lord of Colombiâ—râ—s Bâ—yeux and by this prize he so amazed the garrison of Saint Lo as they left the place The Admirall sent Montgomery thither who was receiued into Auranches without contradiction Vire being taken by assault endured the ordinary rigour of the war The Earle went on with his forces euen as the pacquet of peace arriued the which called the Admirall to Orleans So the 14. of March he marcheth thitherward the 18. he entreth into Berâ—ay by force and causeth some Preests to be hanged being found in armes and perswading the people to 〈…〉 paltâ—ie dog-hole Two daies after the Vicâ—nt of Dreux takes Aigle and put 〈…〉 sword that he finds armed Falaâ—se â—ompounds Argenton redeemes it selfe fo◠〈…〉 francks Mortagne a great vilage in Perche seduced by some 〈…〉 makes resistance They force it and the most mutinous pay for their 〈◊〉 with the price of their liues The mâ—â—ks of S. Calais had receiued garrison and 〈…〉 of the houshould seruants of the Lâ—â—d of Coigneâ— but now he takes a 〈…〉 and Ceruoy surprizing the Castle of Mezieres neere vnto Dreux makes 〈…〉 foreuer after vnable to beare armes So the Admirall re-enters into 〈…〉 and twentith day of March. At the beginning of the seege of Orleans the 〈…〉 the priuie Councel and certaine deputies of the Court of 〈…〉 â—ome to Chartres to arraigne said they the Prince of Condé The Duke of Guise had by this meanes giuen two strokes with one stone for the losse of the Prince of Condes head had strâ—ke of the Constables But Damuille hauing the honour to haue taken the Prince in battaile had likewise the honour to preserue his life by the dispersing of this assemblie Now that the Queene mother stands no more in feaâ—â— the Duke of Guises authoritie shee reuiues the treatie of peace begun before his death For the effecting whereof shee holds an assemblie in the Isle of Oxen where the Prince and the Constable assist being prisoners yet The Constable protests at the beginning that hee will not suffer any peace made with the conditions of the Edict of Ianuary The Prince craues leaue to conferre with his Councell in Orleans His Councell giues him to vnderstand that neither the Queene nor he can derogate from the Edict so solemnly made confirmed and sworne at the instance of the Estates and so notable an assembly of the Parliaments of the realme But the Prince was grieued to see himselfe garded by a companie of horse and three enseignes of foote and many Gentlemen had not of long time seene their families Moreouer they gaue the Prince to vnderstand A peace concluded at Orleans that the Articles of the Edict of Ianuary were not altered but onely to content the Catholikes that armes being laide aside they should by little and little obtaine free libertie So the articles of peace drawne in forme of an Edict were concluded the xii of March and all confirmed in the Kings Councell at Amboise the xix following verified in Parliament the xxvii and the same day proclaimed throughout the Towne by the sound of Trumpet The executions qualified with the name of Iustice the robberies generall priuate massacres committed in the persons of the Protestants at Paris Senlis Amiens Abbeuille Meaux Chaalons Troyes Bar vpoÌ„
ruine the house of Bourbâ—n and to aduance that of Guise sowe a pernitious seed of rebellion throughout the Citty and frame a petty Councell of the chiefe Cittizens who take the câ—arge of the sixteene quarters of the Citty and Sâ—burbes to practise all they could aâ—d to entertaine them with discourses grounded vpon the malice of the time full of schisme heresie and tyrannie This petty Councell compounded of Rocheâ—lond Compans a Marchant Cruce a Proctor La Chapelle Louchart a Comissarie aâ—d Bussy le Clâ—â—â— a Proctor brought their deliberations and proiects to the grand Councell â—hich coâ—sisted of Doctors Curats Preachers and other men of marke Iâ— short time they make a great brotherhood and fiâ—ding themselues strong they adueâ—tise the Duke of Guise of the affection of the good Catholikes of Paris that is the name which the Leaguers challenged to themselues and their zeale to the preseruation of religion and the rooting out of the contrary and the ruine of tyrannie Hee conferres with his bretheren and sends both to giue and to take an othe in an assembly held in Reims a place at Paris Then the most fact ous are sent to the Townes and Prouinces of the realme with good instructions to ioyne new confederates to their body vnder a pretext to fight against heresie and tyrannie Trumpets of rebellion Then might we haue seene the chiefe pillars ouerthrowne that support a Prince loue and authoritie and hatred and contempt to supply their places The Preachers publikely in all places diâ— terme the King a tyrant and fauourer of heretikes The people did applaud them and from this deadly hatred which they had conceiued against the King his Councell aâ—d fauourites sprung that fury which was soone after dispersed ouer all the body of France The better to countenance this League they present it to Pope Gregorie the 13. that he might blesse it and declare himselfe the God-father The League presented â—o the Pope as made for the ornament and support of the Catholike and Apostolike Romane Church Gregory was well pleased they should attempt any thing against the Huguenots but he did not approue those popular rebellions which were made against a most Christian and Catâ—olike King neither would he be the fire-brand of a warre which he could not quench And â—o he sent the Deputies back without aâ—y answer But not approued The Leagâ—e impatient to attend the resolution of Rome layes open his desseignes and makes them plausible causing one of the chiefe Princes of the bloud to be an actor and carry the bable They publish that the King dying without children hee hath no heyre nor successour but the Cardinall of Bourbon a Prince broken in yeares without hope of issue or to suruiue the King who was sound lustie and yong But they secretly season the simple peoples mindeâ— wiâ—h that vniust vsurpation of the Capets vpon the â—eires of Charlemagne they Print Bookes they cast forth diuâ—rs Libels yea some Preachers make it the text of tâ—eir Sermons Two principall fire-brands inflame the League Assembly at Montaubaâ— The assembly made by the King of Nauarre and the Depâ—ties of that party at Montauban to resolue of the meanâ—â— to mainteine themselues if the League abusing the Kings name and authoriâ—ie should seeke to offend them And the voyage of the Duke of Espernâ—n to the Kâ—ng of Nauarre to conferre priuately with him in the Kings name 1585. The chiefe of the League presume that the King meanes to arme and to impâ—oye the King of Nauarres forces against them D Espernons voyage into Gasconiâ— They seeke to preuent him and to that intent they send forth many Commissions but least any should controule them they cloake them with the Kings name wherwith they maintaine themselues to be well allowed as a thing done for his Maiesties seruice The King in the end of March desauowes them and forbids all leuies of men of warre Motiues of the League To iustifie themselues and their rysing they publish the motiues of the Cardinall of Bourbon who notwithstanding serued them but as a Cipher with the Princes Noblemen Townes and Catholike Commonalties to oppose themselues against heretikes That they had contemned the resolution of the Estates to make warre against heretikes and to disanull all Edicts made in their fauour That the succession of the King of Nauarre whereof hee hath conceiued a great hope sence the death of the Duke of Aniou would cause great confusions within this realme That preparations were alreadie made both within and without That by an accord made at Magdebourg the fifteenth of December last past the troupes of the King of Nauarre the Prince of Condé the Queene of England the King of Scottes the Count Palatin the Dukes of Saxony Pomerania and Wirtemberg of the Landgraue of Hessen the Suisses and other Protestants should ioyntly enter into France before the fifteenth of Aprill next following That the Huguenots would not yeeld vp the Townes which they held for the assurance of the last Edict of peace That there is great abuse in the prouision of offices in the leuies of money in the inuention of excessiue imposts Then they complaine of the mignons in Court who abusing the Kings name and bountie keepe the Princes and Noblemen that were truely Catholike from all accesse to his Maiesty perswading him that it is necessary for the preseruation of his Estate to diminish their authority they braue the Nobility dispose of gouernments in fauour of their followers wast the treasure oppresse the people restrayne the libertie of Iustice ruine the Clergie with tenthes and extraordinarie charges And then they declare That these iust motions and the sodennesse of the mischiefe had thrust them into armes the small credit they had with the King hauing no other meanes to let him vnderstand their complaints and in the end they protest that their taking armes was onely to restore the Church of God to her true and auncient dignity vnder the exercise of one religion throughout the realme To restore the Nobility to their honour and freedome to ease the people of extraordinarie charges inuented since the raigne of Charles the ninth and not to imploy the money leuied thereby but for the Kings seruice To require the King to prouide for his succession against the publike and priuate calamities which the pretentions and contentions for the same might cause and to chase from the Court such as abused his fauour and authority In the ende they protest and vowe not to laie downe armes vntill their proposition bee fully executed and that his Maiestie had preuented the daunger the feare whereof hath made them to take armes These false impressions had wonderfully incensed the people but when as they talke to them of a sinode held at Montauban and of a Diet in Germanie where they complotted to inuade France and to chase away both masse and Priestes they take the words of these passionate men for Oracles of truth They presse
takes her Coach and comes amazed to intreat the Duke to pacifie this tumult Bellieure followes to the same ende But the Duke answered These are wild bulls broke loose whom I cannot stay So great a desseine was not attempted to faint in the midest thereof It was no longer time nowe to dissemble the maske vncouered and the ford sounded they must go on and seize vpon his person without whose ruine their victory should be imperfect for the effecting whereof ten or twelue thousand men were readie to enter by night at the newe gate to beset the Louure and to shut vp all the passages Foure gentlemen familiar with the Duke aduertise the King hereof yet canne hee hardly beleeue it but that the people will alwayes willingly yeeld to the Kings clemency Yet his Councell desired to be out of Paris They lay open before his Maiestie the generall reuolt in the which Philip the faire was forced to saue himselfe among the Temples The partie-coloured hoode of redde and skie coloure wherewith Charles Duke of Normandie and afterwards King of France the fift of that name and surnamed the wise was hooded to saue himselfe from the peoples insolencie during the captiuity of King Iohn his father in England The reuolt of the Mailotins The mutinie of the Caboches the crosses of S. Andrew the deposition of Salcedo the aduertisments of the King of Nauarre and the conspiracies of the last yeare which now hath broken the bankes and ouerflowed all Hâ—s feare increaseth yet he settles his countenance It is reason saith he to prouiâ—e for these disorders to assemble the Councell and to giue all men contentment And the better to disguise his intent he sends back the Qâ—eene Mother vnto the Duke to perâ—wade him to come vnto the Louure and to assure him that he shall returne with such satisâ—action as hee can desire She intreates him in this vrgent necessitie to make kâ—owne vnto the King that he hath more will to preserue then to ruine his Crowne and to settle the Estate which this mutinie hath wonderfully shaken To intreate an enemy is to shew that he feares him The Duke seemes colde he layes the motiues of these tumults vpon the people to whose assistance he is drawne more by the violence of necessitie then by his owne desire It were a great indiscretion sayd he for me to cast my selfe naked into a suspected place at the mercy of my enemies The Kâ—ng vnderstanding by his Mother the Dukes obstinacie in his desseigne The King râ—tires from Paris resolues for the safety of his person He goes from the Louure with a small traine with a shew to walke in the Tuilleries and from thence hee goes to lodge at Trapes I giue thee my curse said he turning at Chaliot towards Paris disloyall and ingratefull Cittie a Cittie wâ—ich I haue alwayes honoured with my continuall aboad a Cittie which I haue more inriched then any of my predecessors I will neuer enter within the compasse of thy walles but bâ— the ruine of a great and memorable breach Cursed likewise bee you all for whose content I haue purchased the hatred of so many O Duke thou hast drawne thy sword against thy Soueraigne but God hath stayed thine arme from striking It is a folly onely to terrifie him who may finde meanes of reuenge Many of his faction blame him to haue erred in the maine point wherein consisted the perfection of his victory By this attempt he hath blemished his reputation with all Princes All Kings are bretheren one royall bloud summons an other they haue an interrest in this cause they affect troublers of anothers Estate but they cannot endure them in their owne Without doubt the prouidence of God had prepared a strange Catastrophe for the Duke for the King and for his realme who at this time by his singular loue to this Crowne did diuert the successe which they expected of this shamfull and reprochfull mutinie O Paris King Charles the eight had in former times made the 12. day of May famous by the absolute conquest of the realme of Naples and now thou deuisest to hâ—ue this twelfth day noted with red letters and hereafter to bee celebrated for that in the same day thou hast presented vpon the Theater of thy rebellions a King dispossessed of the capitall Citty of his realme Nay rather what coale can sufficiently note to our posteritie this mournefull and vnfortunate daye What lawe of forgetfulnesse may wipe out the remembrance of thy shame ingratitude and treacherie what lotion can wash away the spottes of thy pollution filthinesse and villanies what fire shall euer consume the memory of the rebellions tyrannies and seditions of this fatall and abhominable League O Barricadoes you are the spring of those flouds which shall for a time drowne this Estate and the instrument wherewith that inscrutable wisedome would chastise both the King and the realme The sixteene did presently qualifie this cursed conspiracie with the title of a iust defence against the King They aduertised other Townes that God had preserued that holy religious Cittie from a great massacre and a fearfull spoile That the Duke of â—uise had subuerted the Councell of the Politikes namely of the Duke of Espernon by whose counsell the King had resolued the ruine of the chiefe and most Cathoâ—â—ke families in Paris as if the peoples suppression were the chiefe meanes to keepe thâ—m in obedience And the Duke of Guise at the beginning of this bold and insolent attempt writes â—reâ—ently to his most trusty friends to repaire speedily vnto him with armes and horses but no baggage I haue ouerthrowne the Suisses â—aid he to Entrâ—guâ—s Goâ—erno◠〈◊〉 leans cut in peeces some part of the Kings gards and hold the Louure so straitly beset 〈…〉 giue a good account of what is within it This victory is so great as it will bee 〈◊〉 for euer But oh Duke is it prâ—sumption that bandies thee against the rules of reaâ—â—◠〈◊〉 weakenesse which abates thy courage and resolution in suffering him to escape 〈◊〉 within fewe moneths shall heape this thy victory vpon thy head and by tâ—y vtter â—â—â—fusion shall make it memorable for euer Both the one and the other 〈…〉 â—â—daine repentance vnto man and makes him wise too late Thou seekest oh 〈…〉 touch the heauens with thy forehead and hell with thy foote but learne that out â—â—stories are full of the violent deaths of those proud spirits who seeke their glory 〈◊〉 profit with the ruine of their Country the preiudice of States and the subuersiâ—â— of common peace That great God which reuengeth the iniuries of Kings and people laâ—es publike ruines vpon them that doe them The slaughter at Vassy kindled 〈◊〉 fire of the first ciuill warres So thy Father died soone after the newe troubles which followed Euen so the like storme threatens thy ruine in the middest 〈◊〉 tâ—y violent passions Entragues had assembled the Nobility of the League at Baugency but the 14. of the moneth he
in the Kings heart and to preuent all contrarie euents they thinke it not yet time to satisfie the oath which they had made to renounce all intelligences Leagues which they had made both within and without the realme They take newe Councells and resolutions at Paris Newe resolutions of the League to maintine this authority and credit gotten with so many crosses and disgraces vnto the King and so to presse him and to subiect his will vnto theirs as he shall not see speake nor mooue but by the eyes tongue and sinews of the League to haue the Deputies of the Parliament house of their faction with instructions drawne out of the articles of Peronne Nancy Nemours and Ginuille To vrge the King against the Huguenots and to sollicit him to ease the people by the discharge of taxes thereby to make him odious if he refuseth these first fruits of their vnion To make them strong at the Parliament and to that ende to send for all the Nobility of their owne faction and their adherents to assist with their armes To hold good correspondencie with the Duke of Parma and to aduertise the King of Spaine that this accord made with the King tended onely to effect their common desseins To retaine Pfiffer Colonell of the Suisses and Balâ—gny gouernour of Cambray with the priuate conuentions passed betwixt them To preuent least the Duke of Neuâ—rs whome the King resolued to send into Picardie to suppresse the violences of the League should winne away their most trusty friends To binde the Cittie of Paris vnto the Lord of Villars gouernour of Newe-hauen for the summe of thirtie thousand Crownes yearely to haue him fauorable to their partie These newe Councells bred newe teares The King cannot conteine from subscribing of these newe articles but his misfortune forceth him to hazard his Estate to preserue his person Hee knowes well that these are but imaginations that his Edict of reunion wil be obserued by none but by himselfe or so farre as it toucheth the subuersion of his Crowne And yet too much bountie or too great an apprehension makes him scrupulous to preuent it The Protestants offer to trie this greate quarrell at their owne perilles so as hee will remaine a neuter and suffer them to oppose against the mutinies of the League Hee reiects this aduice For there is lesse danger sayeth he to remayne with those which persisâ— in the vnitie of our religion then with them which are diuided and beecome heads of newe opinions So whether it were of a good meaning or of purpose hee returnes to Chartres He sees imbraceth and maketh much of the Duke of Guise and there all his fauours and bounties are liberally bestowed on the chiefe pillers of the League Hee giues the Duke of Guise the generall commaunde ouer all the mâ—n at armes of the Realme This was not the name and title but in effect the office and charge of Constable He makes the Cardinall of Goise Legate of Auignon the which hee promiseth to obtaine for him of his holinesse To the Duke of Mayenne a goodly army for the warre of Daulphine To the Duke of Nemours the gouernment of Lions as his father had enioyed it and hee determined to giue the seale to Peter of Espinac Arch-bishoppe of Lion to winne him vnto him by this great bounty promising to procure him a Cardinalls hat of Pope Sixtus by the meanes of the Cardinal of Gondy whoÌ„ he had sent to Rome Without doubt he had receiued more honor by being Chancellor of France then in being Chancellor of the vnion The Chancellor Hurault Earle of Chyuerny and the Lord of Belieure and Villeroye had then leaue to attend the Kings pleasure at their houses He declares the Cardinall of Bourbon the first Prince of the bloud deciding by a doubtfull speech that great question of prerogatiue betwixt the Vncle and the Nephew whereon there hath beene so much written and so much disputed peruerting the ancient order of succession and making the Cardinall to serue the passions of the League They present vnto the King being but sixe and thirty yeares of age a successor who had euen then passed the Climacterical yeare of threescore and three Was it not the Leagues meaning vnder the Cardinall of Bourbons image to raise vp a stranger and violently to aduance his tirany to vsurpe the royaltie To conclude the King continues renues and amplifies his fauours to all such as haue any credit with the League he doth nothing without them hee opens the very secrets of his heart vnto them and for their sakes causeth euery one of their partisans to tast some portion of his bounty and makes shewe to beleeue whatsoeuer they say vnto him His Councell blind his eyes so as hee cannot discerne what is the dutie of a good King they disguise the truth from him and studie onely to satisfie their ambition and couetousnesse The Kings Councellors dismissed the Court. So as to please them euen in this he himselfe pulls out those eyes whereby he did see most cleere giues them leaue to retire to their houses there to shrowd them selues from these confusions of state The Duke of Espernon was out of Court but hee had authority from the King to command in the Prouinces of Aniou Troubles against the Duke of Espernay in Angoulâ—sme Touraine Poictou Angoulmois and Xaintonge Being at Loches hee is aduertised that the League practised with some inhabitants to deliuer them Angoulesme Hee posts thether and the people receiue him with great honour as the Kings Lieutenant He publisheth the Edict of reunion his words and deeds testifie nothing but a courage resolued to preserue the Catholike religion But behold sodenly a strange Catastrophe Some Leaguers had perswaded the people that he ment to drawe the Huguenots troupes into the Castell and so subdue the Towne The Maior beeing the head of the conspiracie enters into the Castell on Saint Laurence day vnder colour to present vnto the Duke certaine postes that were come from Court he mounts vp to his Chamber at his entry he dischargeth two pistolls and seekes to force the house The Duke was then in his Cabinet attending the houre of masse wheâ—e hee red the history of Pierce Gaueston in old time deerely fauored by Edward the second King of England prefered before all others in Court inriched with the Kings treasure and the peoples wealth but after banished the reaâ—me and in the end beheaded at the sute of the Parliament This slanderous libell beeing printed at Paris not so much against the Dukes honour as the Kings compared the Duke with Gaueston and concluded that vnder Henry the third hee should ende his daies by the like tragedie Vpon the first tumult the Dukes gentlemen flie to armes and repulse this armed multitude the Maior beeing hurt with the shot of a pistoll through a doore died within seauen houres after The alarume â—lâ—es into the towne The people arme storme and make barricadoes But
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
of Birons troupe make them abaâ—don the trench become masters thereof spoile all the Kings soldiars take the Enseignes of his Maiesties Suisses Lansquenâ—ts and deliuer this trench vnto the Leaguers but they shall not long enioye it For the King seeing that the treachery of these villaines had made the issue of the câ—mbaâ—e doubtfull seconded by the Duke of Montpensier and his Cornet and releeued with fiâ—e hundred shot led by the Lord of Chastillon hee comes furiously to charge A third charge imbrâ—ues his sword with the bloud of many of them takes many priâ—oners driues them out of the trench and presently plants two Cannons there which shot into the battayllon of the enemies Suisses that made the retreat and strikes such a terror among them as in short time all leaue him the place of battaile beeing couered with the carcases of his rebells Doubtlesse this spittle-house should bee honored with an eternall triumphe It is the place where they thought to haue driuen the King into an extremity eyther to suffer himselfe to be taken at Diepe or to seeke his safety beyond the seas It is the place where the veines of the League beeing opened they poured forth streames of that bâ—oud and vigour which maintayned their first ioylity It is the place where fiue hundred horse â—welue hundred French foote and tâ—o thousand Suissets had as it were prodigiously triumphed ouer thirtie thousand men who with a giantlike brauery boaâ—ted to bring eyther dead or bound hands and feeâ—e the greatesâ— King the greatest Captaine of the world who like a lightning finding nothing that might withstand the â—urie of his victorious armes dispersed and suppressed with the point of his sword the presumptuous and rash attemptes of his mutinous subiects The Earle of Blain one of their Marshalls of the field was taken prysoner many souldiars but a greater nâ—mber of men at armes many Gentlemen and moâ—â— Commanders serued as a prey to the birdes of the aire and the beastes of the fiâ—â—ds The King lost the Earle of Roussy sixe or seauen Gentlemen and some souldiâ—rs Some few dayes after the King doubting his troupes being but small might be beaten from their lodging at Arques he abandoned that quarter and lodged them neere vnto Deepe vnder the fauour of the Castle The Duke of Mayenne finding that lodging abandoned passeth with his whole armie vnto the other side of the Towne within halfe a mile he plants sixe Canons and about midnight shootes into the port of the Towne to keepe them from issuing forth The King vpon this alarum cast vp a trauers before the port to blind their sight and sends speedily into England to hasten the forces which he expected from the Queene the which were 4000. men vnder the command of the Lord Willowbie But some few dayes after these troupes being ready to land the Duke of Mayenne seeing all his attempts prooue vaine dislodgeth and thinkes he hath done much for his reputation if by some volee of Canon â—here the King was and then against Argues hee publisheth throughout all France that he is maister of those Townes without entring In the end toiled with the Kings continuall skirmishes and toucht with apprehension at the first newes he hearing of the Earle of Soissons approch who had cunningly escaped out of prison of the Duke of Longueuills and the Marshall D' Aumonts with their troupes he went to seeke his safetie beyond the riuer of Somme To assure sayd he those places which by the treatie of Arras he was to deliuer vnto the Spaniard and then returning to Paris did nothing memorable but established his Councell of sixteene and forty the which afterwards he reuoked and disanulled all he could as wee shall see in the course of the Historie In the meane time to busie the Parisiens those three Enseignes which the treacherous Lansquenets had by a traiterous stratagem stolne in the Trenches brought forth twenty other counterfeit which the Dowager of Montpensier sister to the Duke of Mayenne caused to be made at Paris in the Lombards streete This was a patterne of the subtill deuises of that woman who euery morning suborning some new poste made him to go forth at one gate and to enter at an other as bringing still some aduertisement of happy successe which she sent vnto the Curats to deliuer in their Sâ—rmons And by these politike stratagems entertained the people in their disorder and â—â—eeced the purses of the most credulous The Dukes retreat made the Kiâ—g suspect that hee retired for an aduantage and tâ—at marching to defeate the supplies that came vnto him he would returne puft vp with greater courage and new hopes His Maiestie therefore leaues the Mâ—rshall of Biron at Diepe with the armie and resolues to goe meeâ—e the Earle and the rest with foure hundred horse Being ioyned he takes the Towne and Caâ—tell oâ— â—amache and recouers the Towne of Eu. This bayte might haue drawne the Duke but hee found his aboad in Picardie more safe and La Fere which hee deliuered into the Strangers and enemies hands made him continue the intelligences hee had with the Duke of Parma whereof wee shall shortly see strange effects So the King returning to Diepe prouided for the affaires of Normandie leauing the Duke of Montpensier there with the forces hee had brought for his Lieutenant generall hee receiued from the Queene of England foure thousand men money and munition belonging vnto warre With this supply his Maiestie parts the 21. of October and alwayes coasting the enemie comes to passe the riuer of Seine at Meulan and marcheth directly to Paris The King approcheth to Paris with a double desseigne eyther to fight or at the least to drawe the Duke out of Picardie The last of October hee arriues about Paris and diuides his troupes into three bâ—tâ—aillons The first had foure thousand English two regiments of French and one 〈◊〉 â—he Suisses vnder the command of the Marshall of Biron for the suburbes of Saint 〈◊〉 and Saint Marâ—ell The second was of ten regiments of French and 〈◊〉 committed to the Marshall D' Aumont for Saint Iames and Saint Michell The 〈◊〉 ten Regiments of French one of Lansquenets and one of Suisses commanded 〈◊〉 Chasâ—illon and La Noue for Saint Germaine Bussy and Nesâ—e Hee giues to eyâ—â—er oâ— these troupes a good number of Gentlemen on foote well armed to support the footmen in case of resistance and behind eyther of them two Cano◠〈◊〉 two Culuerins The King commanded the one the Count Sâ—issons and the 〈◊〉 of Longueuille the other Hee causeth the Trenches and Rampars withoâ—◠〈◊〉 Towne to be viewed and the next day by the Sunne rising hee sets vpon them and forceth them in lesse then an houre The Suburbes taken seauen or eight hundred souldiers slaine in the streetes thirteene peeces of Cannon carried away foureteene Enseignes taken and much spoile gotten did verifie the saying That all comes to one end to him that can attend Here
But hee will teach vs that the surest stroakes come from the head and if the olde Duke of Guise could by a gallant stratageme recouer a towne from the English most important for the Estate of this Crowne he in like sort by the like exploite will make himselfe the terror of all Picardie 1596 Hee departs from Bruxells and giues it out that hee will succor la Fere. For his first fruites he findes meanes to giue them some releefe of men and munition in March. Calais and Aâ—dres taken by the Spaniaâ—d Then in Aprill he causeth his army being very strong to turne head towards Calais beseegeth batters and takes both towne and Castell by assault against all the resistance of the beseeged and puts many French gentlemen to the sword being sent to supply the Castell The Senâ—shall of Montlimart commanding the French and Aluarez Osorio the Spaniards in la Fere hauing for the space of fiue monethes endured all the toyles of warre and seene the riuer within the towne to rise two or three foote by the labour of men La Fâ—re lost had the 22. of the sayd moneth by a good composition some-what recompenced this so notable a losse if the Cardinall had planted here the lymits of his victories But contynuing the prosperity of his armies whilest the Kings are weary and demand rest after so great toyle hee goes in the beginning of Maye and campes before Ardres a very strong towne and notwithstanding their great defence became Master thereof the 23. of the moneth and resolues to people these townes of his newe Conquest with straâ—ge Colonies and prepares to adde vnto them that of Hulst in Flanders In the meane time the two armies spend the rest of the Sommer in light roads one into an others Country Warre in Arthois In the beginning of September the Marshall of Biron enters Arthois takes the Casteâ—l of Imbercourt encounters with fiue Cornets of horse of the Marquis of Varambon followed by fiue or sixe hundred horse of combate chargeth them hee kills all that seeke to withstand the violence of his armes puts the rest in route takes the Marqâ—is prisoner afterwards had fortie thousand Crownes for his ransome filled the whole Country with feare then inuading the County of Saint Paul he tooke and spoyled the towne and some other places The Cardinall busied at the seege of Hulst hearing that the Marquis was taken hee sent the Duke of Arscot to commande in his place As hee enters into Arâ—as the French assaile it on the other side spoile the Country about it and laden with bootie the Marshall retires safely to the fronters oâ— Picardie Being discharged hee returnes to Bapaume spoiles Hebuterne Benuiller Courcelles and other places defeates such as would make resistance and carries away more spoile then at the first And seeing the Duke of Arscot incamped neere to Arras vnder the fauour of the Cannon intrenched carefully and loath to hazard any thing knowing that he was to deale with one of the happiest and most valiant warriors of Europe they fire all and reuenge as oportunitie would suffer them the Spaniards outrage in places lately taken they make a roade towards Bethune and Therouenne bring away many prisoners furnish their places with Cattell at the enemies cost and without any resistance go and campe in the plaine of Azincourt The Duke supplied with eight hundred â—oote ioyned to the regiment of Colonel Bourlote parts from Arras the 5. of October and goes and incampes at Saint Paul The Marshall leaues him there returnes into Arthois runnes vnto Douay spoiles all then returning into Picardie hee gaue the Duke of Arscot meanes to recouer the Castell of Himbercourt who content with this conquest dismisseth his army and disposed of his companies into garrisons Then by the meanes of the Duke of Bouillon the alliance was confirmed and sworne betwixt the King the Qâ—eene of England and the vnited Prouinces of the Lowe Countries For matters past there is no remedie and the Polititians hold that there is no Lawe more vnprofitable then that which tends to reforme what is past The King therefore to settle his affaires and to prouide for the future resolute not to suffer theâ—e newe Colonies of Dourlans Capelle Castelet Cambray Calais and Ardres and with the newe yeare to renue a deadly warre against the Spaniard which might not bee attempted without a mighty army An Assâ—mbly aâ— Rouâ—n in â—orme of a Parliament nor the army leuied without treasure the which he could not recoueâ— without the helpe of his subiects hee assembled in manner of a Parliament the greatest and most discreet of the three orders of his realme at Rouan the fourth of Nouember where the Inhabitants of their owne voluntariâ— free will 5596 spent foure hundred thousand Crownes to make his Maiestie an honorable reception where he receiued the gaâ—ter a badge of the order of England by the hands of the Earle of Shrewsburie His Maiestâ—e desired to deserue these two glorious titles of Deliuerer â—estorer of of his estate At his coming to the Crowne hee had found France not onely in a manner ruined but almost all lost for the French but by the grace of the Almightie by the prayers by the good counsell of his loyall Subiects who make no profession of armes by the sword of his Princes and of his braue and generous Nobilitie by his paines and labour he had preserued it from losse Let vs saue it now from ruine said our King speaking to the assembâ—ie Participate my deere subiects with mee in this second glorie as you haue done in the first I haue not called you as my Predecessors did to make you approue my will I haue caused you to assemble to haue your Counsells to beleeue them and to follow them finally to put my selfe into your hands A desire which seldome commaunds Kings that haue white haires and are Conquerors But the vehement loue I beare vnto my Subiects and the exeding desire I haue to adde these two goodly titles to that of King makes mee to find all easâ—y and honorable The sharpnes of winter had layd armes aside and the excessiue raine caused many inundations whereof amongst others followed that of the millers bridge at Paris which sinking on Saint Thomas night was the losse of three hundred persons slaine in the ruines of the building and drowned in the riuer Whilest they examine the resolutions taken in this honorable assemblie and that the King prepares for a mightie armie to chase the Spaniard out off Picardie behold the capitall Cittie of this Prouince strong of seat and well fortified where his Maiestie pretended to make his Arcenall and storehouse for the warre against the Sranger in Arthois and other Prouinces of the Low Countries was surprised in the day time the people being at sermon without force without defence by the practise of some factioâ—s and the carelesse basenesse of the Inhabitants who standing vpon their ancient
and to ruine all the world with his delights At this time there sprong vp Religious men in France who said they were true Obseruers of the Order of S. Francis The order of 〈◊〉 and that the Franciscans and Capuchins did not maintaine it so exactly but they needed Reformation The King gaue them a Couent at Beauâ—ort by the example of this piety many other places desired it They would lodge at Balmette neere vnto Anger 's the which had beene Founded by Rene King of Sicilia The FranciscaÌ„s who could not indure to be dispossessed by these Recollets beseeged them offered to force their Gates and to scale their Walles The Beseeged defended not themselues with Words and Excorcismes but with Stones and in such Choller as if the People had not come the Scandall had not ended without Murther The Prouinciall seeing that the Recollets would not receiue him Trouble in the â—ouent of Balmâ—â—te and that the Bishop would not suffer him to vse force appealed as from an abuse of their Establishment The Recollâ—ts shew vnto the Court that they are the true Children and Disciples of S. Francis liuing according to the Rule and Discipline that was obserued in Italy from whence the good Precepts of the Reformation of Regulers were drawne that if those of the Famely of Obseruance and of Capuchins were tollerated honoured in France they should be of no worse Condition This cause was the Argument of a famous pleading in the Court Parliament in the which Seruin the Kings Aduocate said That a Reformation was necessary not only in the Order of the Franciscans or Grey-Friars A great pâ—eadâ—â—g â—n the Court of Parlament but also in all others but they must be careful not to transforme by Nouelties in steed of Reforming by Censures alleadging many reasons against the bringing in of nâ—we Orders Whereupon the Court pronounced that there was abuse and restored the Ancient Religious to the Couent of Balmette forbidding all religious Men of the Order of Grey-Fryars to go out off the Realme without license from the King or their Superiors Iealous and distrustfull heads gaue it out that the Peace was in weake estate when as after the iniury done vnto Rochepott in Spaine The King gâ—es to Calais and the forbiding of Trafficke they see the King gonne sodainely to Calais and that from thence hee had sent the Duke Biron into England The Archdukes tooke a sodaine Alarum and to that end sent the Count Soâ—a vnto the King to deliuer vnto him the state of the Seege to Ostend The Count Sora sent vnto the King and to beseech him not to suffer that their enemies should thinke that these approches should be to their aduantage and that their rebellion should be fauoured by an example so hatefull to all Princes The King sent the Duke of l' Esguillon to visit them The Duke of l' Eâ—guillon sent to the Archdukes and to assure them that his intention was not to trouble the Peace but onely to visit his Fronter and to prouide for the fortifications They did not generally beleeue this for although he made this Voyage in Post many thought that he would imbrace this occasion of the seege of Ostend and all the Court followed him as to some great Exploite And for that he would not haue the world in suspence of his desseignes he gaue the Gouernors of his Prouinces to vnderstand that the cause of his going to Calais was but to visit his frontier and to prouide for that which should bee necessary to assure it not from present dangers but from those that might happen He declared also that he had no other desseigne then the preseruation of Peace withall his neighbours to enjoy that which God had giuen him But there were other practises which could not be dispersed but by the Kings presence The Queene of England sent Sir Thomas Edmonds to visit the King and the King returned her the like by the Duke of Biron Hee went accompanied with a hundred and fifty Gentlemen The Count of Avuergne was there as vnknowne The Duke of Biron sent into England but his qâ—aâ—ity discouered him There was nothing omitted that might be for the reception of an Ambassador somewhat more Being at London many Noblemen receiued him and accompanied him to Basing where he rested a day or two before he did see the Queene who made him knowe that shee was honoured by her Subiects aboue other Princes A Prince should loose no occasion to let Strangers see the greatnesse of his Estate to giue them cause to admire him and to maintaine his Subiects in the dutie which they owe him The Queene of England who hath made good proofe that Wonten may raigne as well and as happely as Men obserues this bâ—â—tâ—r then any Prince of her age making all them that followed the Duke of Biron in this Legation to giue the like Iudgement The Queene beeing set in State all the French Gentlemen entred first His entry to the Queene but when as shee discouered the Duke of Biron whome shee knew by the description they had made of his Face and stature shee spake with a loud voyce Ha Monsieur de Biron how haue you taken the paynes to come and see a poore old Woman who hath nothing more liuing in her then the affection shee beares vnto the King and her perfect iudgement to knowe his good Seruants and to esteeme Knights of your sort As she spake this the Duke made a low reuerence the Queene rose from her Chaire to imbrace him to whoÌ„ he deliuered the charge he had from the King and withall his Maiesties Letters the which she read She thanked the King for his remembrance of her but she said she could not conceale The Queenes speech that as there was nothing vnto a heart like vnto hers full of affection and desire more pleasing then to see and heare what it desired so could she not but feele an extreme torment to see her selfe depriued of the sight and presence of the obiect which shee had most desired whose actions she esteemed not onely immortall but diuine being ignorant whether she should more enuy his Fortune then loue his Vertue and admire his Merits so much the one the other did exceede the greatest maruailes in the world That she could not say that a courage which feared nothing but the falling of the Pillers of Heauen should feare the Sea or not trust vnto it for a passage of seuen or eight houres blaming them rather which had not instructed him as well to contemne the Waues of the Sea as the desseignes of his enemies vppon the Land From these speeches shee fell into some bitternesse of Complaints which shee deliuered with a little vehementie saying That after she had succored this Prince with her Forces Purse and Meanes and if she could haue done it with her owne bloud and had as much desired the happy successe of his affayres as himselfe
Canisia The seege of Canisia raysed in the ende was forced to leaue it with shame and disorder loosing his Artillery and Baggage and abandoning the sicke wounded He lost his reputation there for the good had successe of enterprises are euer imputed to the General although it were true that the diuision among the Commanders of the Christians Army the great want of victuals the â—ury of the Plague gaue this aduantage vnto the enemy The Duke of Biron came to Fontainbleau whereas the King Queene and Daulphin remayned The Duke of Biron returnes out of England to Court he gaue an account of his Ambassage into England deliuered the Queens Letter vnto his Maiesty He continued in Court vntill the ende of the yeare and presented vnto him the three Estates of Bresse Beaugey Veromey and Gex whom the King receiued as gratiously The King coÌ„firmes the Priuileges of Bresse as if they had bin Frenchmen by birth and affection he confirmed their Priuileges and made them â—eele the fruits of this change He erected a Presidiall Court at Bourg depending vpon the Parlament at Dijon notwithstanding any opposition made by that of Grenoble preteÌ„ding that the Countries exchanged should hold the place of the Marquisate of Saluces be incorporate vnto Daulphine He releeued the CouÌ„tries exchanged in their Impositions Taxes and with such moderation as the most miserable promised vnto theÌ„â—elues happines vnder his sweet subiectioÌ„ Among other speeches which the King vsed vnto the Deputies these were noted It is reasonable said he seeing you speak French naturally His speech to the Deputies that you should be subiect to a King of France I am well pleased that the Spanish tongue shall remaine to the Spaniard the Germaine tongue to the Germaine but all the French must belong to me The Daâ—â—phin made his first entry into Paris the 30. day after his birth the Port was beautified with Armes The Daulphins first entry into Paâ—is the 2â— Octob. 1601. The pompe was of a Cradle in a Litter wheras the Lady of Moâ—glas sat with the Nurce The Prouost of Marchants Sheriffes went out off the Citty to meete him The Gouernesse made answer to the Oration His first lodging was at Zamets house Two dayes after he was carried back to S. Germain in Lay to the end the people might see him passing through the Citty the Nurce held him at her Breast The King had determined to conduct the Queene to â—loys but the desire he had to instruct the Duchesse of Bar his Sister in his Religion A Conference to instruct the Kings Sister stayd them all at Paris whether he had sent for the most learned Prelats Diuines to satisfie her in the presence of such Ministers as she had brought with her But they coÌ„iured her not to yeeld vnto this chaÌ„ge nor to dismember her selfe from the body and society of the children of God to bow her knees vnto Idolatry She continued so constant in her beleefe as she made a protestation that if her Religion were preiâ—â—icial to the Estates of the Duke of Lorraine she was ready to returne into Bearn beseeching the King to suffer her to end her life as she had begun it So as the CoÌ„ferences vpon this subiect remained vnprofitable were of no more effect then that which was made at Ratisbonne at the same time for the â—ame cause The King hauing setled as happy a Peace in France as could be desired he sought to redresse the disorders which could not be cured during the violence of the War The King did two things to reforme the disorders of the Treasure in the one he cut off a great number of Officers belonging to the Treasure in the other he caused a great and seuere search to be made of their abuses Many of the Treasury â—ischarged The more Officers the King hath for the managing of his Treasure the lesse profit comes vnto his Coffers for that a great part is spent in their entertainement So as it was resolued at the Estates held at Roan to suppresse the Offices of the Treasurers of the Generalities of France by death without hope of reuiuing As for the abuses of Treasorers their couetousnes was so great and their abuses so countenanced as no man liued happely but they Such as robbe the Poore die in prisons and are hanged but they that steale from the King and the publicke are at their ease When as Rhosny was called to bee Superintendant of the Treasor they were out of hope to do their busines as they had wont By his aduice the King commanded a strict search to bee made of their abuses in the Treasure A Chamber royall eâ—ected and to that ende he erected a Chamber or Court which hee would haue called Royale consisting of Iudges chosen out of his Soueraigne Courts And for that they had giuen the King to vnderstand The transport of gold and siluer â—orâ—â—dden that nothing did so much impouerish his Realme as the transport of gold siluer the which was vsuall by the suffrance of Officers he therefore reuiued the ancient Lawes for the transporting of gold and siluer or bullion out of the Realme adding paine of death therevnto and losse of all their goods that should do to the contrary the third whereof should go vnto the Informer He commanded all Gouernors to haue a care of the obseruation of these prohibitions and not to grant any pasports to the contrary vpoÌ„ paine to be declared partakers oâ— these transports and for their Secretaries that should countersigne them confiscation of their goods and perpetuall banishment The wearing oâ— gold and siluer forbidden But the forbidding of the transportation of gold and siluer is not the onely meanes to make a Realme abound therewith if the vse of it within bee not well ordred And therefore the King did forbid the superfluous vse of gold and siluer in Lace or otherwise vpon garments This Edict did greatly trouble the Ladies in Court yet it was obâ—erued for that it was generall and expected none the King himselfe did frowne of a Prince of his house who had not yet thought of this reformation The King continuing the same care to settle all things in good Estate seeing that forraine Coynes went at a higher rate in his Realme then where they were coyned he commanded that the vse of forraine coynes should bee forbidden after a certaine time giuen to the people to put it away reâ—â—oring gold to his iust value This commandement was iust but it was a great ruine to the peopole for the Strangers seeing that their Coynes were not currant among vs discontinued the trafficke and liued without that without the which wee thought they could not liue Those which were wont to come to Lions went to Geneua where the Duckates were raised as much as we had abated them The King by all these Edicts had nothing releeued the necessities of the
hundred thousand Crownes They offer him one of the Duke of Sauoyâ—s daughters in marriage and the transport of all the rights of the Soueraigntie of Bourgongne The Duke of Sauoy gaue him more hope then assurance of this marriage and it was not credible that hee would accept of a meane gentleman for his Sonne in Law who was not of soe great a house but there were many better then his in France Princes promise all and hold nothing but what doth not preiudice their greatnesse Whilest that La Fin treated of the Dâ—ke of Birons capitulation in Italie the Treatie of Peace at Lions was concluded The ignorant sayd that the King had done ill in not proceeding and that hee should keepe that great Rampar of the Alpes for the frontier of Gauâ—e These were discourses oâ— men which did not consider how dangerous it is to goe farre from the frontier and to leaue behind his backe a strong conspiracie without this peace the King had beene forced to passe the Alpes the which had beene a fauorable occasion for this Treâ—son He was aduertised of the bad seruices the Dâ—ke of Biron did him and that the enterprises which hee had vpon the Cittadell of Thurin and the best places of Piedmont were discouered by their treacherie to whome hee had trusted his Crowne and Scepter A Prince that hath Traitors in his armie neuer fights happely Charlemagne repented his trust reposed in Gauelon and Charles Duke of Bourgongne in Campobaccio The Duke of Biron craues pardon of the King The Duke of Biron had alwaies disswaded this peace But finding that this peace must send him home to his gouernment that the King had some notice of his practises with La Fin hee seemed to bee verie penitent and asked pardon of the King walking in the Cloyster of the Franciscane friars at Lions beseeching him with a countenance full of contrition and humilitie to forget his bad intentions the which rage and dispight for the Cittadell of Bourg had possessed his heart with The King pardoned him Saying that he was well pleased that hee had relyed vpon his clemencie and the loue which hee bare him whereof hee would alwaies giue him so good proofs as hee should haue no cause to doubt nor to attempt any thing against the assurance he had of his loyaltie Going from thence hee met with the Duke of Espernon saying that as to his best friend hee would impart vnto him the best aduenture that euer happened vnto him hauing discharged his conscience from the terrors and horrors that did afflict him and that the King had pardoned what was past and had promised him all fauour hereafter Crimes of treason are not pardoned wiâ—hout an abolishment The Duke of Espernon answered that he was glad but he must craue an abolishment for offences of that qualitie are not so easily remitted How should I sayd hee assure my selfe better then in the Kings word If the Duke of Biron must sue for an abolishment what must others do The Duke of Espernon had reason to aduise him to take an abolishment the other was in no error in trusting to the Kings word who had forgotten his fault if hee had done nothing since to renew the remembrance But here they obserued an act which had all the signes of an implacable hatred The Duke of Biron being sent for by the King to come and receiue his commandements and the testimonie of his clemencie parts from Bourg and comes to lye at Vimie There hee made a dispatch to La Fin who was at Milan He continues the offence pardoned Hee goes to Lions and is receiued of the King as the Father doth his lost Child whome hee hath found againe Hee stayed some dayes at Lions and hauing accompanied the Queeâ—ne at her departure hee returned to Vimie where hee made an other dispatch to La Fin by one Farges As soone as he comes to Bourg hee sends away Bosco Cousin to Roncas to aduance the busines This negotia tion was continued at Some betwixt the Duke of Sauoy the Count of Fuentes and La Fin. The Count of Fuentes led La Fin to Milan desiring to bee satisfied of some points but finding his answeres not constant he thought it not fit to trust the secret vnto him but to dispatch him who finding that he was vnpleasing vnto theÌ„ in this negotiation stayed not long there Hereupon he sent him backe requested him to passe by the Duke But he did wel in taking his way by the Grisons to recouer Basill Paurentin Besancon Renazâ— stayed prisonâ—r bâ— the Duke of Sauoyâ— command for Renaze his Secretarie who passed into Sauoy was stayed prisoner The worke changed nothing but the instrument Alphonso Casal Roncas continued it with the Baron of Lux. In the meane time the Duke of Biron slept not hauing sent a man into Spaine although he were neere vnto the King who for that he would not loose him kept him about him hee carried him to the fronter and sent him into England where he heard of the death of the Earle of Essex A fresh example of Iustice against those that seeke to be feared of their masters and abuse their loue At his returne he made a voiage into Gascone wher he was honored of the Nobility as a Prince and being returned to Dijon he went into Suisse to coÌ„clude the renewing of the Kings Alliance where he coÌ„tinued his practises with the Count of Fuentes to whom he sent his Secretary vnder colour to conduct his Pages to Noua Palma a Fort of the Venetians Being returned out of Suisse he went not to giue an account of his charge excusing himselfe vpon the holding of Estates of the Prouince The King who had some inkling of these broiles by Combelles desired greatly to speake with La Fin to be informed of the truth La Fin who had his heart big with dispight that the Baron of Lux would haue all the frute of of this negotiation and that Renaze was detained prisoner in Sauoy sent Cerezat to the Duke of Biron to tell him that â—e could no longer he his seruant if hee did not deliuer him Renaze aduertising him also that hee could no longer deferre his going vnto the King and that he desired to know what he would haue him say touching things past He made small account of one of his propositions and spake of Renazé as if he were no more among the liuing Touching the other he sayd to Cerezat that he was of opinion he should goe to the Court with a small traine Instructionâ— gâ—uen by the Duke of Bâ—â—on to â—a Fin. and that he should prepare himselfe at the first to receiue words of choller and contempt from the King the which hee should easily calme in beseeching him to beleeue that the voyage which he had made into Italy was onely for deuotion to our Lady of Loretto and that passing by Milan and Thurin they had charged him to
him for a Study said vnto him My Son I see that he whose Natiuity this is shall come to great Honours by his industry and Millitary valour and may be a King but there is a CAPVT ALGOL which hinders it And what is that said the Baron of Biron Aske me not said la Brosse what it is No said the Baronâ— I must know it In the end he sayd vnto him My Son it is that he wil do that which shall make him loose his Head WhervpoÌ„ the BaroÌ„ as they report did beat him cruelly hauing left him halfe dead he went downe carried away the Key of the Garret dore whereof he bragged wheÌ„ he was gone They say he had conference with one Caesar who was a Magitian at Paris who told him That onely a backe-blow of the Bourguignon would keepe him from being â— King He remembred this prediction beeing a Prisoner in the Bastille And intreated one that went to visit him to learne if the Executioner of Paris were a Bourguignon and hauing found it so he said I am a dead man During these last Ciuill Wars 〈◊〉 Father being Commander of the Kings Army of a young Baron hee was sodainâ—y made a Captaine and Marshall of the Campe. After his Fathers death at Eâ—pernâ—â— he was Generall and Admirall of France then Marshall and Lieutenant of the Kings Armyes the defeate of the Spanish succors at Laon with his exploytes in Burgunâ—y and Picardy made the King so to loue him as he onely was in credit there remayned nothing but to vse his happinesse modestly Doubtlesse hee did great seruices to the King and to the Crowne but he was rewarded with great fauours and 〈◊〉 to the greatest Dignities and Honours of the Crowne the which if he could haue vsed temperately euen in the height of his Fortune he had beene too happy 〈◊〉 reported that his Father sayd vnto him seeing his haughty disposition Baron I would aduice thee when a Peace shal be made The Marshall birons words vnto his Son when he was but Baron of Biron to go and liue priuately at thine owne house else thou must leaue thy head at the Greue All Princes that were allied to the Crowne of France reioyced at the discouery of the Duke of Birons Treason The Queene of England and the King of Scotland sent their Ambassadors vnto the King to congratulate that God had so happily preuented this last Conspiracy The King of Spaine did the like by Taxis The â—rchduke sayde all the blame vpon the Count of Fuentes The Duke of Sauoy sent the Count of Viesque vnto the King as well to obserue howe the Duke of Birons death had beene taken in Court and in that Great Citty whereas there was diuersity of Humors and Opinions as to excuse him from the Imputation which was layd vpon him to be the first Architect of this Conspiracy The Ambassadors of England Scotland and Sauoy were receiued of one day at Monceaux Ambassadors sent to the King to congratulate The King in receiuing of them made a great difference for hee receiued them not with one Countenance The last was not vsed like vnto the first the King leaning vpon a Window shewed by his gesture that he was not pleased with his excuses and that words alone could not repayre so bad effects nor make him beleeue that the Duke of Sauoy had not beene an Actor to corrupt the Duke of Biron The Dukes Ambassador made his excuse with a great Grace and Boldnesse although it be a very hard thing to discourse of a subiect to one that can giue no beleefe vnto it The Count of Viesque passing through Lions visited the Gouernoâ— and gaue him a Letter from his Maister the which he sent vnto the King who was very well pleased with his proceeding The Kings Letter to 〈◊〉 de la 〈◊〉 the 1. of September 1â—02 and writ vnto him in this sort It was not needefull to send me this Letter but onely to giue mee a newe Confirmation of your loyalty which I hold so assured as it needed neyther that nor any other But the wisest do alwayes obserue the ancient formes whereof that is one of the principall not to sâ—e nor heare any thing from forraine Princes without the priuity and permission of his Maister The King parted from Monâ—eaux to go to Paris where he dispatched the Ambassadors That of Sauoy came to his Maister being newly returned from Vercel where he had visited the Duke of Saxonies brother passing into Italy He presented him with eight Horses richly furnished and a Hat-band with a Iewell esteemed at twelue thousand Crownes Soone after hee â—ent to Riuoly for his pleasure of Hunting leading D' Albigny with him to whom hee made shewes of extraordinary Loue. Mens coniectures were not able to peerce into the secrets of that which they treated of together but they will burst forth before the yeare shall end The Count of Viesque came to Riuoly in the beginning of October Euery man said at Thurin that his Ambassage was Gratious Bâ—uâ—es of war after the death of thâ— Duke of Biron and that the King was weâ—l pleased with that which the Duke of Sauoy would haue him beleeue yet all Sauoy was â—ull of Souldiars and no man knew howe they should bee imployed Some sayd that the Duke of Birons death would breed a newe storme in France but all the choller and threats of them that repined thereat was but a fantasticall lightning The Count of Fuentes would haue done his best to haue bred a storme his spirit which hath no rest but in exercise thinking with Teres father to Sitalâ—es that nothing doth dâ—stingâ—ish him from the rest of his Maisters seruants but War was so much discontented for this death as he could not sleepe He did meditate of reuenge and the King was well aduertised thereâ—f It was thought that vnder colour of passing a newe army ouer the Alpes hee would discouer some desseine and the King was aâ—uerâ—iâ—ed from many parts that the Cittie of Lions was not the last nor the least in his chollenke thoughts That three and twentie companies of Spaniards in the which wereâ—t the least three thousand men had past the Mountaines and were dispersed in Sauoy that the Duke of Sauoy had at Romilly fiue hundred men vnder the Regiment of Valdisers and at Anissy 1500. Neapolitains that they attended some Lansâ—uenets that neere vnto Genoa their were thirtie Companies of Spaniards landed and that they fortâ—fied Saint Genis against the last Treatie of Peace a fit place to execute any desleine vppon Lions or Vienne The King therefore foreseeing that if they sought any aduantage vppon France it should be rather for Lions then any other place hee therefore lodged in the Bastions of Saint Iohn and Saint Clair fiue Companies of the Regiment of Bourg L' Espinasse and those of Nerestan at Montlael and Seissel The opinions of this new Armie were as diuers as their desseins were secret yet
that it would not bee taken ill at Rome knowing that he did it onely to please the King and to haue audience But he had some difficulty to decipher himself when he was to speake vnto the King for he could not vnder one habit play two contrary personages neither had hee words in his mouth nor teares in his eyes for this sorrow He that will ease an others griefe must shew that he hath a part feeling thereof Hee went after an other maner and his spirit did fit him with an other kinde of complement the which although it were free yet was it not vnpleasing Hee sayd vnto the King that such as knew what he was and in whose name hee spake would wonder at the office which he did but he had more occasion then any other for that al lamented the losse of the Body but his Maister the losse of the Soule The King sayd vnto him that hee beleeued his Sister was saued for that in the last gaspe an extreame griefe might carry her right into Heauen the Noncio replied My Lord that discours is more Metaphisicall then Phisicall and so they both entered into other talke The great Duke of Tuscany had an enterprise profitable glorious for ChristendoÌ„ The Knights of his Order presented unto him often many occasions which might fill their hands with palmes and charge the Turkes with blowes and shame The burning of the Turkes gallies at Algier hee made choise of the most difficult important in burning of the Turkes gallies at Algier that he might make all that season fruitlesse and his preparation vnprofitable The time did hasten the execution but the wisedome of the great Duke did iudge that the stay was more safe then the hazard if a Diomedes were fit to do this enterprise an Vlisses was as necessary to coÌ„duct it Policy Wisdom being better then Force An English Captain arriued happily with a Ship laden with Marchandize for a Marchant of Pisa. The great Duke informes himselfe of him in what estate the Gallies were in the Port of Algier He told him that they were eight in number ready to set sayle in the beginning of Aprill to scowre along that coast The great Duke discouered his desseigne vnto him the Captaine gaue him some reasons to make this enterprise easie and the great Duke â—eanes to execute it He laded his ship with Salt vnder the which he had hidden his Fire-workes Powder Armes and to the end that if the execution succeeded not as he hoped the King of England should not be offended he left the English Flag and tooke that of the Estates of Holland and Zeland Hee entred the Pâ—râ— of Algier making a shew that he would vnlade his Salâ— Where finding two other English Vessells he discouered his desseigne vnto the Captaine offering them part of the Honour and Profit of the execution if they would hazard themselues in the same danger They agree and prepare for it happilie taking such good oportunity to cast the fire as if the great Duke had bin as well serued by them which made the artificiall fires as by them which cast theÌ„ the Turke had saued nothing of his Gallies but the ashes which the Winde had left vpon the Port and the spoyles of this Pyâ—at had beene preuented He had another Enterprise against the Turke where in he was not hindred but by the Infidelity of those to whom he had giuen the Word Faith of a Prince to dwell safely in his Estates An other enterprise of the great Dukes in Negrepoâ—t The Iewes which liue at Liuorno did discouer it giuing intelligeÌ„ce thereof so soone as the Marriners which came from the Leâ—ant and past by the Port said that they attended the great Dukes Gallies in Negrepont The great Duke did but laugh at it Theâ—e be the affects of Fidelity and Affection which Princes may expect in nourishing those Serpents in their bosomes The Iewes bee the Turkes best spies who knowes that they are madde against Christians with an implacable furye Curst Dogges are kept tyed all day and let loose at night But these People should be straitly garded at all times And in all places they should be still kept in seruitude as their rebellion against the Trueth hath deserued The King of Spaine discontent The King of Spaine is offended that the French go to serue Prince Maurice to hinder his brother the Archduke in the taking of Ostend That he lends them money that he prohibits his Subiects to trafficke into Spaine and Flanders The King saies that he hath not therby any cause to coÌ„plaine For the first he doth not aduow them that go to serue the States For the second he reâ—tores that which they haue lent him paies in small summes the grosse which he had receiued in his necessity But the King hath two great occasions to be offended with the King of Spaine The one was that he refuseth to reuoake the impositioÌ„ of 30. in the 100. which he hath set vppon all Marchandize that goes in or comes out off Spaine Discomodities vpon the Inhibition of Trafficke Vpon this refusal he was couÌ„celled to forbid the French to Trafficke into Spaine or Flanders The MarchaÌ„ts of the Towns of Traffike made great sute to haue it taken awaye and deliuered in reason that deserued consideration if the King had not had others of greater importance the which made him to continue constant although he in his own priuate receiued more preiudice then any other by the great dimynution of his Customes But he respected not this losse in regard of a greater good hauing found that the continuance of the Trafficke which the French made into Spaine into the Archdukes Countries would be more ruinous then profitable vnto theÌ„ for the great and insupportable impositions which they lay vpon the Marchandize that went in or out off their Estates An Ambassador fâ—om the King of Cusco at Valence The King of Spaine should haue pleased many if hee would haue made shewe of this discontent vppon this Interdiction But he had other thoughts And hauing had some speech with the Ambassador of the King of Cusco at Valence many beleeued that he would againe attempt Algier for that he caused him to be conducted by a Maister of the Campe an Ingener with great store of munition and wilde fire laden in three Frigats This Inhibition did nothing alter the Peace of Veruins as they desired which cannot carry their Hands but vpon the pomells of their Swordes their Feet but vppon a breath and their eyes but vpon a place of Battaile but a wise Prince doth neuer vndertake any Warre lightly considering that the time of frindship is more sweete then that of reuenge Treason discouered The other cause of offence was that hee did withdrawe the Kings subiects from their faith and loyalties and that he alwaies entertained some Traitors in â—rance Desbarraux the Kings Ambassador in Spaine
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
King Charles fol. 159 The â—state of the Empire and â—hurch A horrible Schisme with the cause thereof fâ—l 160.161.162.163.164.165 The English seâ—ke to crosse Charles in his affairs fol. 166. Iâ—are 〈…〉 the Pucelle disswades 〈◊〉 from fighting is sore wounded and her meâ— dâ—fâ—atâ—d fol. 167. The Institution of the order of the Golden-fleece by the Duke oâ— Buâ—gundy ibid. I 〈…〉 the Virgin called the Pucelle taken at CoÌ„piegâ—e sent to Roan condemned for a Wâ—ch and buâ—â—t fol. 168 Compeigne releeued by the French the 〈…〉 fol. 169. The Duchesse 〈◊〉 Bedforâ— dies fol. 170. 〈…〉 by the English and Chartres by the 〈◊〉 ibid. Henry King of England â—rowned at Paris ibid. A Treat◠〈◊〉 the French and English fol. 172 A quarâ—ell betweene the Dukes of Bourbon Bourgoâ—nge and Bedford ibid. King 〈◊〉 goes into Daulphine and 〈…〉 takes armes against the English fol. 173. The English defeated and the Earle of Aâ—undell slaine 〈◊〉 174 The Accord of Philip Duke of Bourgoing with King 〈◊〉 the 7 ibid. Waâ— very violent against the English fol. 176. Queene Isabell and the Duke of Bedford dies 〈◊〉 The Citty of Paris yeâ—ldes to the King and expells the English 〈◊〉 177. The Constable râ—câ—iuâ—d into Paâ—is 〈◊〉 178. The Daulphin 〈◊〉 marâ—ied to a Daughter of Scotland 〈◊〉 179 The Duke of Sauoye becomes a Monke 〈◊〉 180. 〈◊〉 Son of 〈◊〉 of Bouâ—gongne 〈…〉 of France 〈◊〉 182. 〈◊〉 calles a Parliament at Orleance to treat of a gâ—nâ—rall Peace fol. 181. The Pâ—â—nces of the blâ—ud makâ— a League to aduâ—â—ce thâ— Daulphin 〈◊〉 183. King 〈◊〉 goes with an Army against the Duke of Bouâ—bon and the Daulphin flies into Burgundy 〈◊〉 184 The 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 Sorcery 〈◊〉 185 A Tâ—â—aty 〈◊〉 the 2. Kiâ—gs for a Pâ—aâ—e but fruâ—tâ—â—sse ibid. Aâ—â—er the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of the Duke of O lâ—aâ—câ— the Duke of Bouâ—gâ—nge and he becomeâ— greâ—t fâ—iends 〈◊〉 186 The mâ—morable seege of Penthoâ—â—e fâ—l 187. The Parliament of Tholouse erected 〈◊〉 192. A generall Tâ—uce and the French and English make Warre in Suisseâ—land with the causes thereof 〈◊〉 193. The Sâ—isses â—ight valiantly but are defeated fâ—l 194. The English breake the truce and suâ—prize Fougers fol. 195. 〈◊〉 and the Duke of Brittaine combine against the English and take townes in Guienne and Normandy fol. 196. Charl sends his Army to Roan 〈◊〉 197. Takes it and bâ—seegeth the English in their Forts fol. 198. The Earle of Sommerset and Talbot yeeld and come to King Câ—â—arles ibid. King Câ—arlâ—â— deales honourably with Talbot fol. 199. The English defeated at 〈◊〉 fol. 200. All Normandy yeelds to Câ—arles ibid Guiâ—â—ne returnes to the Crowne of France fol. 201. THE French Army in Guienne takes Blay Bourg Liborne Fronsack Boudâ—aux and Baionne fol. 202.203 Talbot enters with newe English troupes and takes Bourdeaux and all the Townes againe fol. 204. The English defeated and Talbot slayne fol. 205. Troubles in England fol. 206. The Councell of Basill with the miserable Estate of the Church fol. 208.209 Constantinople taken by the Turke and Constantine the Emperor smoothered fol. 210. Printing inuented fol. 221 King Charles and the Dolphin discontented one with another ibid. The king sends an armie against his sonne fol. 212. Lewis the Dolphin marries againe to the great dislike of his father fol. 213 Charles his waiwardnes his loues fol. 214 An enterprise vpon England and Sandwitch taken fol. 215. The tragicall death of Charles fol. 216 Lewis the 11. the 55. King of France HIs wiues and children fol. 218 He purchaseth the Countie of Rousillon fol. 219. The Common-weale makes a league against him which he discouers fol. 220.221 The warres of the Common-weale fol. 222. The battel of Montlehry fol. 223. Famous for running away fol. 224 Paris beleagred fol. 225 The confedâ—rates and Lewis after much trouble make a peace at Coâ—â—ans 226.227 Difference betweene the Duke of Britany and Charles Duke of Normandy fol. 228 Lewis discontent with the duke of Britanie fol. 229 He makes a league with the Liegeois ibid. A horrible outrage committed by them of Dinan fol. 230. He supports the rebellious Liegeois against their Duke fol. 231. He makes a peace with the Duke of Bourgogne fol. 233. Duke Charles besieges takes and ruines the rebellious citie of Leige fol. 234.235 Edward king of England and the Earle of Warwicke diuided fol. 236. Warwicke flies into France fol. 237. Is slaine and his whole army defeated by Edward ibid. Charles the 8. borne at Amboise ibid. S. Quintin taken by the duke of Bourgogne and by and by the king fol. 238. Charles of Bourgogne abandoned by his friends ibid. Submits himselfe and obtaines a truce fol. 239. A new league against Lewis fol. 240 The Duke of Guienne dyes by poison fol. 241 The Bourguigons practises against Lewis fol. 242 Perpignan deliuered by treason to the king of Arragon fol. 243. The Duke of Alonson condemned but pardoned by king fol. 244 The king and the Burguignon conspire the Constables death fol. 245 The Burguignon seekes to poison the king ibid. He marrieth his two daughters fol. 246 Adolfe the sonne of the Duke of Gueldres an vnkinde sonne fol. 247 The English prepare for France fol. 24â— The Duke of Burgogns Lieutenant executed by the Suisses fol. 249 Open warre betweene the Duke of Bourgogâ—â— and the Suisses ibid. Mournefull presages to the Constable fol. 25â— Lewis sends an ambassador to the Emperor fol. 251 Charles in great perplexity leaues the siege of Nuz ibid. Edward King of England defies Lewis fâ—l â—52 Lewis sends a counterfait Herald to King Edwâ—â—d fol. 253. Ambassadors sent from both Kings with â—he Articles of agreement between them 〈◊〉 254 The Duke of Burgogne reprocheth King Edward for making a Truce ibid. Edward King of England discouering the Constables disseins reiects him fâ—l 255. An enterview of the kings at Picqugny with Lewis his politike proceedings fâ—l 256 King Edward protects the Duke of Brittaine and returnes home into England â—ol 257 King Edward being discontent with the Burguignon offers Lewis aide against him â—ol 258 The last act of the Constables tragedie with his pitifull and desperate estate fol. 259 The Constable yeeldes to the Burguignon is deliuered to the king and beheaded fol. 260 Campo-bachio a traitor to Charles of Burgogne offers Lewis to kill him which Lewis discouers to Charles fol. 262 Charles Duke of Burgogne makes warre against the Suisses ibid. Is ouerthrown at Granssen and looses al his baggage esteemed at 3. millions fol. 263. The Suisses reuenge the crueltie of Charles at Granssen fol. 264. Charles armes again besiegeth Morat and is ouerthrowne fol. 265. The battell of Nancy where Charles is ouerthrowne and slaine fol. 267. Lewis discouers the Duke of Brittanes practises with his Chancelor fol. 269. Townes in Pycardie yeeld to the king fol. 270 The Duke of Nemours beheaded fol. 271 Lewis his health decaies fol. 272 Arras Hedin Therouenne and Montreuill yeeld to Lewis fol. 273 The insolencie and barbarous crueltie
of the Gantois fed by Lewis his policie fol. 274.275 The Gantois ouerthrowne and Adolfe Duke of Guelders slaine fol. 276 Maximillian and Marie maried fol. 277 The politique liberalitie of Lewis fol. 278 The disposition of Edward King of England fol. 279. Is fed by Lewis his dilatorie hopes ibid. He neglects Marie of Burgogne ibid. Affects greatly the alliance with France ibid. A trecherous attempt at Florence against the house of Medicis fol. 280 The mutinie appeased and the murtherer hanged ibid. The battell of Guingaste where many were slain and the French left the field fol. 281 Lâ—wis seeking to reforme his Realme is hindered by infirmities yet is iealous of his authority eueÌ„ in sicknesse ibid. The death of Mary of Burgogne pleasing to Lewis fol. 282. Edward the fourth King of England dies fol. 283 Râ—â—hard murthers his two nephewes vsurpes the Crowne ibid. Lewis his disposition in his declining age fol. 284 His inuentions to make beleeue he liued still fol. 285. His death and disposition â—â—l 286 The Estate of the Church vnder Lewis â—â—l 286.287 The Estate of the Empire fol. 288.289 The Turkes ouerthrowne twice in Asia winne the third battell fol. 290 Scanderbeg his death and vertues ibid. Charles the 8. the 56. King of France A Breefe rehersall of his raigne fol. 291 His disposition and education fol. 292 Contention betweene the Duke of Orleans and the Earle of Beau-ieu for the Regency ibid. Landais gouerns the Duke of Brittaine insolentlie ibid. King Charles his coronation fol. 293 The Duke of Orleans being put from the RegeÌ„cy discontented leaues the Court. fo â—94 The Duke of Brittaine being troubled is forced to deliuer Landais who is hanged fo 295 Charles seekes to diuide the Brittons from their Duke and makes a secret treaty with the Nobility fol. 296 The Brittons reconciled to their Duke and Rieux reuoults from the French fol. 298 Ancenis Casteaubriant Vennes taken for the Brittons fol. 299 Diuision in the Brittish Army fol. 300 The Battle of St. Albin where the Duke of Orleans and the Earle of Dunois are takeÌ„ prisoners fol. 301 Diuers Townes in Brittany yeelded to the FreÌ„ch fol. 302 The Duke of Brittane after a peace made with the King dyes fol. 303 The pittifull estate of Brittaine fol 304 Anne of Brittaine succored by the English and Spanish foo 305 The Marshall of Riux and the English beseedge Brest and Conquett fol. 306 Maximillian made Arbitrator betweene king Charles and Anne of Brittaine fol. 307 Nantes and Guingam taken by the French fol. 308 A finall peace in Brittaine by Charles his mariage with Anne fol. 309 The practises of the English vpon Brittaine ibid. Arras betrayed to Maximillian fol. 310 Motiues for the voyage of Naples with the waÌ„ts for the voyage â—oâ— 31â— Lodowick Sâ—orza vsurps Milan and surpriseth the Castle fol. 312 The estate of Italy in 1490. fol. 31â— The peace of Italy ruined by Peter of Medicis â—ol 314 A league betweene the Pope the Venetians and the Duke of Milan fâ—l 3â—5 Charles his right to Naples and Scicilia ibid. He could not be diswaded by his counsell from the enterprise of Italy fol. 316 His voyage to Naples vndertaken without money fol. 31â— Lodowicks perswations to Charles with the death of Iohn Galeat Duke of Milan fâ—l 318 The â—lorentines and Peter de Medicis offer king Charles their citty withall other his demaunds â—ol 319 Peter de Medicis and his bretheren expelled â—lâ—rence fol. 32â— King Charles enters Florence ibid. The Pope perplexed hauing many enimies sends to the King fol. â—â—â— The walles of Rome and of the Castle St. Angelo fall alone at the kings entrance â—ol 322 Alphonso frighted with horrible visions for his cruelties crownes his Sonne and â—lyes fol. 323 Vpon the first entry of the French into the kingdome of Naples Capna Auerse Nola Naples yeelds fol. 324 Zemin being thrice ouerthrowne by Baiaâ—et â—lyes and is poysoned by Pope Alexander fol. 326 The Venetians discouer to the Turke an enterprise vpon Scrutaâ—y fol. 327 A league concluded against the French fol. 328 King Charles takes order for Naples and goes towards Rome and the Pope â—lyeâ— fol. 3â—9 Sauanoccllas predictions fol. 330 Milan and the whole Dutchy ready to reuolt against Lodowickâ— fol. 331 A foule reuenge by the Suisses repaired by a notable peece of seruice fol. 332 The Battle of Fornone where the King is in great danger fol. 3â—3 The Army of the league ouerthrowne fol. 334 Ferdinand defeated by Aubigny enters Naples and the most part of the kingdome reuolts from the French fol. 336 Caiette sackt by the French ibid. The Marquesse of Pescara slayne fol. â—37 The newe Castle at Naples compounds with Ferdinand ibid. Twentie thousand Suisses at Verceil for the king fol. 339 The Suisses practise to seize vpon the King ibid. The Venetians propositions to the King fol. 340 The beginning of the Poxe ibid. The treachery and couetousnesse of Entraques fol. 341 A newe French fleete in the kingdome of Naples fol. 343 Ferdinands lansquenets defeated by the French fol. 343 A truce betwixt the kings of France and Castile ibid. Charles greatly affects the enterprise of Italie but is disswaded by the Cardinall of S. Malo fol. 344 The last act of this tragedy and the French defeated fol. 345 A dishonorable coÌ„position made by the French fol. 346 The Earle of Mountpensier dies with most of his troupes ibid. King Ferdinand dies fol. 347 The Duke of Orleans refuseth to make warre against the Duke of Millan in his owne name ibid. The Duke of Millan perplexed is succoured by the Venetians fol. 348 Reasons to draw the King into Italie fol. 349 The castle of Amboyse built by Charles ibid. His death and disposition fol. 350 Lewis the 12 the 57. king of France THe happines of his raigne fol. 351 The genealogie of Lewis the 12. fol. 352 Lewis his title to the Dutchie of Millan ibid. The Pope capitulates with the King fol. 354 The Venetians and Florentines congratulate his comming to the crowne ibid. Borgia comes to court and commits a treacherous murther ibid. King Lewis associats with the Venetians fol. 355 Millan mutines against Lodowicke and hee flies shamefully fol. 356 Millan beeing yielded Lewis makes his entrie fol. 357 Vitelli besiegeth Pisa is taken and beheaded at Florence ibid. Our Ladies Bridge at Paris falls fol. 358 The estate of the East ibid. Millan and the Suisses reuolt and Sforza recouers it againe fol. 359 Lâ—dowicke Sâ—orza taken fol. 360 Millan pardoned by the King fol. 361 The potentates of Italy reconciled to the King fol. 362 The exploits of Câ—sar Borgia fol. 363 The pittifull death of the Lord of Faenza murthered by Borgia fol. 364 The warres of Naples reuiued fol. 365 The realme of Naples diuided betwixt the Kings of France and Arragon ibid. Fredericke king of Naples simplicitie fol. 366 The lamentable taking of Capua with the souldiers insolencies fol. 367 The capitulation of Fredericke who of king of Naples is
made Duke of Amou ibid. A treatie betwixt the Emperour and Lewis fol. 368 The beginning of diuision betwixt Lewis and Ferdinand fol. 369 Gonsaâ—ue the great captaines vertues ibid. New broyles in Italie fol. 370 The Duke of Valentinois cruelty ibid. The exploits of the French in the kingdome of Naples fol. 371 The Valentinois fearefull to the potentates of Italie ibid. The Venetians oppose against him fol. 372 The King discontented with the Pope and his sonne fol. 373 A counterfeit peace with the Spaniard but not ratified fol. 374 The Duke of Atri defeated by the Spaniard fol. 375 A generall ouerthrowe of the French and the Duke of Nemours slaine fol. 376 The kings new armie for Naples fol. 377 The estate of the church and the death of Pope Alexander the 6. fol. 378 The Vrsins and Colonnois reconciled bandy against the Valentinois fol. 379 Iulius the 2. chosen Pope ibid. Borgia the Valentinois a prisoner fol. 380 A truce betweene France and Spaine the wars of Naples reuiued ibid. The Marquis of Mantoua general of the French giues ouer his charge of the army fol. 381 The realme of Naples wholly lost by the French fol. 382 Lewis makes peace with the Spaniard and Emperour against the Venetian fol. 383 The death of Fredericke of Naples fol. 384 Lewis seekes by all meanes to crosse the Emperor and his sonne Philip. fol. 385 Bâ—ntiuoll deliuers Bolonia to the Pope fol. 386 The death of Philip Archduke of Austria ibid. The death of Borgia duke of Valentinois ibid. An enteruiewe of the Kings of France and Arragon fol. 387 The Suisses forsake the Emperour and Maximilian is defeated fol. 388 King Lewis goes into Italie fol. 389 The Venetians excommunicated by the Pope and ouerthrowne at Agnadell by the French fol. 390.391 The Venetians begin to recouer their losses take Padua and surprize the Marquis of Mantoa fol. 392 Padua besieged againe by the Emperour fol. 393 The Venetians make warre against the Duke of Ferrara fol. 394 The Suisses forsake the alliaÌ„ce of the FreÌ„ch and ioyne with the pope fol 395 A French armie enters Italie and the pope seekes to expell them fol. 396 397 The Suisses retire and the Venetians make an attempt against Genoa fol. 398.399 Eight conclusions made by the French Church against the pope fol. 400 The siege of Bolonia fol. 401 The death of Charles of Amboyse Lord of Chaumont fol. 402 A Councel begins at Pisa and is transported to Millan fol. 403 Bolonia beseeged by the Spaniards where there happened a miracle fol. 404. Brâ—â—â—e taken by the Venetians and recouered by the French fol 405. The French Army in Italy getts the battaile of Rauenna where 〈◊〉 of Foâ—x is slaine fol. 406.407 Rauenna taken and sackt fol. 408. The French Army disordered they loose Milan fol. 409. Lodowick Sforze restored to the Duchy of Milan fol. 410. Nauar vsurped by the Arragonois fol. 411. A royall Army in the Duchy of Milan and Genoa taken fol. 413. The memorable valour of Robert de la Marke fol. 414. Terouenne and Tournay taken by the English fol. 415. Charles the Emperor affects to be Pope fol. 416. Queene Annâ— of France dies and Lâ—wis marries Mary of England fol. 417. The death of Lewis the 12. and his vertues fol. 418.419 Francis the fiâ—st of that name the â—8 King of France HEE goes with a Royall Army into the Duchie of Milan and takes Genoa fol. 421. His first passage ouer the Alpes fol. 422. The inconstant treachery of the Suisses with the battell of Marignan â—ol 423. Milan yeelds to the French fol. 424. A League against the King broken by the death of Ferdinand fol. 425. Brescia and Verona taken by the French and deliuered to the Venetians fol 426. Francis Maria chased from Vrbin and Laurence of Medicis inuested in the Duchy fol. 427. Franâ—â— the Daulphin borne fol. 428. A peace concluded with the English and Spaniards fol. 429. Charles the 5. elected Emperor 1520. fâ—l 430. The beginning of Lutâ—ers doctrine fol. 431. Troubles in Spaine fâ—l 432. The Pope capitulates with the Emperour fol. 433. The King and the Emperor at open warre Tournay Meziers beseeged and Mouson taken fol 4â—4 4â—5 Mouson recouered Fontarabâ—e taken fâ—l 4â—6 The Emperor retreating dishonourably Hedin and Turney are recouered by the French fol. 4â—7 The Pope declares himselfe against France fol. 4â—9 An ominous signe to the French at Milan Ibid. Errors of the French Army fol 440. Lautrâ—ch odious to his Army fol. 441. Milan taken and sackt iâ—id Pope Leo his death with the altâ—râ—tions afterwards fol. 442 Adâ—ian the 6 created Pope and the war reuiued fol. 443. Milan and Pauia beseeged by the French and Nouarre taken fol. 444. Lâ—utrech forced to fight by the Suisses and is ouerthrowne fâ—l 445. Laude and Cremona taken from the French fol. 446. The Venâ—tians foâ—sake the French Genoa is taken by the Spaniards fol. 447. Fontarabie beeseeged by the Spaniard and â—eleeued by the French ibid. Wars in Picardy Douilans beseeged Teâ—igny slaine fol. 448. The English land in France take Hedin and returne fâ—l 449. Rhodes taken by the Turke ibid. The Castle of Milan yeelded fol. 450. A League betweene the Emperor and the Venetians fol. 451. The Duke of Bourbon reuolts and flies disguised fol. 452.453 The Milannois fâ—aude with the seege of their Towne fol. 454. The Castle of Cremona releeued Baionne beseeged ibid. Fontarabie taken from the French fol. 455. The valour of 〈◊〉 with the taking of Roy and Mont-didier by the English fol. 456. Pope Aâ—riaâ— diâ—s and Pope Clement the 7. chosen in his place ibid. Iohn de Medicis stratagems with the death of Prosâ—er Colonâ—â— fol. 457. The French charged and ouerthrowne by the Imperialls fol. 458. Briares taken by the Milannois and the Admirall defeated fol. 459. Marseilles beseeged by the Imperials froÌ„ whence they retreate in disorder fol. 460. King â—rancis goes into Italy and takes Milan ibiâ— The Esâ—ate of the Imperialls fol. 461. The Pope makes a League with the King who sends an Army into Naples fol. 462. A notable victory gotten by the Marquis of Salusses ibid. The death and worthy exploytes of Pontdormy fol. 463. The Imperiall and French Army approch ibid. Sadde fore-runners of an ouerthrow fol. 464. Battell of Pauia where the French King is taken prisoner fol. 465. The King of England offers all loue to the French King beeing a prisoner fol. 466. The Emperors vnreasonable demands with the Kings resonable offers fol. 467. King Francis carried prisoner into Castile ibid. King Francis released fol. 468. The Marquis of Pescara dies fol. 469. The miserable estate of Milan and Cremona taken by the Confederates fol. 470. Rome surprized and sackt by the Imperialls where the Duke of Bourbon is slaine fol. 471.472 A newe League against the Emperor fol. 473. Genoa Alexandria and Pauia taken by thâ— King and the Pope deliuered fol. 474. The King of England and France proclaime war against the
Emperor fol. 475. King Francis challengeth the Emperor to the Combat fol. 476. Henry the eight King of England defies the Emperor and puts away his Wife ibid. The seege of Naples with the discommodities there of fol. 477. Phillipin Doria gets a victory at Sea and the successe thereof fol. 478 The reuolt of Andrew Doria with the great constancy of Lautrech fol. 479. Lautrech dies and the seege of Naples is raysed fol. 480. The French Army wholy ruined with the number that dyed at the seege of Naples fol. 481. Genoa recouered from the French fol. 482. A Peace concluded at Cambray betwixt the Emperor and the French King fol. 483. The Kings childrens ransome paid the Emperor returnes into Italy fol. 484. The Prince of Auranges slaine fol. 485. Causes of the Kings discontent fol. 486. A League of the Princes of Germany against the Emperor ibid. A League and interviewe betweene the Kings of England and France fol. 487. The Duchy of Britany incorporate to the Crown of France fol. 488. The Kings of England and France complaine of the Pope ibid. The Cardinalls meanes to winne the Pope fol. 489. The first motiue of the separation of the Church of England froÌ„ the Church of Rome fol. 490 The Pope excoÌ„municats the King of EnglaÌ„d ibid An entervew betwixt the Pope King fol. 492. The estate of England in 1534. fol 493. Charles the Emperors dissimulation fol. 494. The King discontent with the Duke of Sauoye conquers his Country fol. 495 Wars begin in Piemont fol. 496. The Emperors entry into Rome fol. 497. The Emperors protestation at Rome fol. 498. The Kings preparation for Warre with the treachery of the Marquis of Salusses fol. 499. Anthony de Lâ—ua forced to flie out off his Campe. fol. 500. The Emperors conceit of his passage into France fol. 502. Francis the Daulphin poysoned ibid. The Emperors passage into Prouence and the Kings order against him fol. 503 The defeate and taking of Monteian and Boisy fol. 504. The Earle of Nassaw in Picardy takes Guise and beseeges Peronne ibid. The Imperialls defeated fol. 506. Marseilles surprized by the Emperour in imagination fol. 507. The Daulphin comes to the Campe. fol. 508. Exploits in Piedmont fol. 509. The Imperialls retreat and burne Aix ibid. The cause of Warre betwixt 〈…〉 fol. 511. Pursute against the 〈…〉 〈◊〉 512 Hedin S. Paul and 〈…〉 S. Paul beseeged by the 〈…〉 Recouered by assault and 〈…〉 fol. 515. Therovenne victualed and the 〈…〉 and beaten Francis Marquis of Salusses slaine The Imperialls attempt 〈◊〉 and are 〈◊〉 fol. 518. Piedmont being like to be lost for waâ—t â—f money first the Daulphin and afterwaâ—d the King goes thither 〈◊〉 51â— An enteruiew at Nice with a Truce for ten yeaâ—s fol. 520. The Emperors passage through France fol. 521. The Kings Ambassadors surprized and murtâ—â—red â—ol 522. Ferdinands Army defeated by the Turke ibiâ— The Emperor goes to Algier without successe ibid. The reasons that moued the King to Waâ—â—â— fol. 523. Warre in Luxenbourg and in Rossillion with 〈◊〉 causes thereof â—â—l 524. Attempt of Rossillion fruitlesse fol. 526. War in Picardy and Piedmont 〈◊〉 A gallant stratageme of Monsieur de Lâ—ngâ—y fol. 527. A new French Army in Piedmont where Monsieur de Langey dyes fol. 528 The rebellion of the Rochellois and the Kings Clemency fol. 529. Exploytes in Picardy with the taking of Landrecy and other places by the French fol. 530. The Castle of Emery taken fol. 531. The Imperialls surprised at Bains fol. 532. The Imperialls charge the French in their lodging and are repulst fol. 5â—â— The King sends to succour the Duke of Cleues he yeelds to the Emperour fol. 534. Landrecie beseeged distrest and victualled fol. 535. A braue Retreat made by the French fol. 5â—6 Nice attempted by Barbarousse and taken but not the Castle Mont-deuis yeelded and the Capitulation bâ—â—ken â—ol 5â—7 The Imperialles desseigne the French preâ—â—preparations to fight with the sonnâ— of 〈◊〉 two Armies fol. 5â—8 5â—9 The battaile of Sâ—risoles which the Duke of Anguien winnes after hee had bin in grâ—at danger with the number of the dead and prisoners fol. 540.541 Effects following the victory 〈◊〉 542. Truce in Piedmont warre in Picardy â—ol 54â— Saint Desier beseeged after a furious assault yeelded fol. 544. The King of England takes Bullen and Montrueâ—l and defeates the French fol. 546.547 The French Kings Army against England fol. 548. The French consult to take the I le of wight and to fortefie it fol. 550. Death of the Duke of Orleance fol. 551. Discription and sack of the Land of Oye fol. 552. A great plauge in the forte before Bullen fol. 553. The death of the Duke of Anguien fol. 554. Of Henry the 8. King of England Ibiâ— Of Francis the 1. King of France Ibid. Henry the 2. of that name the 59. King of France THe Constable restored fol. 555. Henry the 2. crowned sends an Army into Scotland fol. 556. Cruelties coÌ„mitted by the rebells in Bordeaux La Vergnâ— drawne with foure horses Ibid. Trobles in England fol. 557. Peace with the English and warre with Italy fol. 559. A leauge betwixt the King and the Protestants of Germany fol. 560. The Kings Army enters into the Country of Metz. fol. 561. Metz yeelded to the French and beseeged againe by the Emperor fol. 562. The Imperialls spoile Picardy recouer Hedin retire from Metz. fol. 563. Terouenne and Hedin taken and sackt and the Duke of Arscot taken fol. 564. The two Armies meete fol. 565. The Arrierband of France defeated and warre beyond the Alpes fol. 566. Sienna in Italy beseeged fol. 567. The Emperor resignes his Kingdome to his sonne fol. 568. Valence and Ostia with other places recouered by the French fol. 569. The Battaile of S. Lawrence lost by the French Ibid. The Pope reconciles himselfe vnto the Spaniards fol. 570. A great Inundation at Rome Ibid. Calais recouered froÌ„ the English Anno. 1558. fo 571. Francis the Daulphin married to Mary Queene of Scotland Ibid. Persecution for religion certaine Councelors of the Parliament Imprisoned fol. 572. The death of Henry the 2. his children and dispotition fol. 573. Francis the 2. of that name the 60. King of France Factions and alterations in Court fol. 574. Anthony King of Nauar and the chiefe Officers of the Crowne disgraced in Court fol. 575. Anne de Bourg executed and a tumult at Amboyse fol. 576.577 The Protestants petition to the King fol. 579. An Assembly of Princes and Noble-men fol. 580. The King comes to Orleans and the Prince of Condo Imprisoned fol. 581. Commissioners to arraigne the Prince and condemne him fol. 582. The death of King Franciâ— the second fol. 583. Charles the 9. of that name the 61. King of France A Parliament held at Orleance put of to Ponthoise fol. 584.585 The Kings Coronation a conference at Poisy fol. 586. A Petition and Protestation made by the Protestants fol. 587. The King of Nauar forsakes the Protestants
the Valachians 〈◊〉 8â—1 Publication of the Iubile the beginning tâ—erâ—of 〈◊〉 882. New-yeares gifts sent by the King and Duke ibid. The Duke of Biron refuseth a presâ—nt fâ—om the Duke of Sauoy 〈◊〉 The chiefe cause of the Dukes voyage â—ntâ— France ibiâ— The Duke of Nemours his affection to the Kâ—ngs seruice foâ— 883. The Duke of Sauoyes pollicy ibiâ— The Duke of Biron impatient to heare an otheâ—s praise ibid. The King leades the Duke of Sauoye to the Court of Parliament to heare a cause pleaded ibid. Anne Robert Aduocate for the Plaintife fâ—l 884. Anthony Arnault for the Defendresse fol. 888. L. Seruin for the Kings Attorney generall fol. 891. Monsieur d' Alincourt comes to Genoa fol. 899. He comes to Rome ibid. The Duke of Bar goes to Rome disguised ibid. Deputies for the King and Duke of Sauoye fol. 900. The Popes Nuncio intreates the King to leaue the protection of Geneua ibid. Exchange demanded insteed of the restitution of the Marquiâ—ate of Salusses ibid. The Emperor of Geâ—many hath little more then the Title fol. 901. The Duke of Sauoy demands the Marquisatâ— for one of his Sonnes iâ—id The Duke of Sauoye perplexed fol. 902. A pretext of the Dukes stay fâ—l 903. Articles of the treaty of Paâ—is ibid. The Duke of Sauoyes departure and his discontent fâ—l 905. The Duke going out off Bourg shedde teares fol. 906. The Archdukes men mutine in Saint Andrewes Fort. iâ—â—d The Fort of Creueeaeur beseeged and yeelded to Count Maurice ibid. S. Andrewes Fort beseeged ibid. And yeelded fol. 907. Briaute killes his enemy fol. 908. He is murthered ibiâ— An Ambassador from the Turke to the Palatin of Valachia ibid. George Basta and the Palatin of Valachia hate one another fol. 909. Thâ— Valachians demands of the Emperor ibid. The Moldauian and Battory defeated ibid. The Valachian abandoned by his friends for his cruelty ibid. Basta receiued Vaiuode of Transiluania for the Emperor ibid. The Valachian defeated fol. 910. The Treason of two hundred souldiars in Pappa and thâ—ir punishment ibid. Schuartzbourg slaine before Pappa ibid. A treaty of the Kings marriage fol. 911. The Quâ—enes picture sent to the King ibid. A Conference at Fontainbleau ibid. The manner of their sitting at this Conference fol. 912. The Duke of Sauoyes irresolution ibid. He sends Ambassadors into Spaine their answer to him ibid. The King comes to Lions ibid. The Dukes Ambassadors come to Lions fol. 913 The Kings answer to the Ambassadoâ—s ibiâ— Monsieâ—r de Sillery and President Ianin Deputies for the King ibid. Difficulties inuented by the Duke ibid. An attempt to poyson the King ibid. She is burnt aliue fol. 914 Foure enterprises against the King ibiâ— Tâ—e States resolue to make ware in the County of Flanders ibiâ— Count Maurice prepares for it and lands at the Fort of Philipâ—n in Flanders fol. 915 Oudenbouâ—g abandoned by the Spaniard ibid. Count Ernestus and his Troupes defeated ibid. The order of the Princes Army fol. 916 The battell of Niewport The Admirall of Arragon prisoner Men of Account slaine on the Archdukes side The chiefe prisoners ibid. The Prince returnes to the seege of Nieuport fol. 917. He beseegeth Isabâ—llas Fort. ibid. The Archduke releeues it and rayseth the seege ibid. Count Maurice returnes into Holland ibid. The exploytes of the Vice-admirall of Flanders ibid. The Admirall of Arragon set at liberty fol. 918. Eaâ—le Gouries attempt to kill the King of Scotland ibid. The Duke of Sauoy refuseth to signe the Articles concluded by his Ambassadors ibid. The Kings preparatiues for War fol. 919 The Duke sends the Patriarke of Constantinople vnto the King fol. 920 The Kings answer to the Patriarke ibid The Duke demands two Legates of the Pope fol. 921. The King offers mercy to the Inhabitants of Chambery fol. 922 The King comes to Conâ—â—ance and batteâ—s it ibid. The King of Spaines Ambassador in Suisse complaines of the King fol. 923 Two desperate men senâ— to kill the King fol. 924. The seege of the Castle of Montmelian it is summoned The Earle of Brandis answer ibid. The vanting of the Sauoyards fol. 925. Cardinall Aldobrandin sent Legate vnto the French King ibid. He comes to Turin and is receiued by the Duke fol. 926. The Duke of Sauoy resolues to fight ibid. The King returnes to Montmellian fol. 927 The Capitulation of the Castle of Montmelian ibid. Hermiâ— iâ— returnes to the Legate fol. 928. The Dukes Letters to the Earle of Brandis ibid. The Legates speech vnto the King ibid. The Kings answer fol. 929. The situation of S. Kathâ—rins Fort. fol. 930. The Capitulation of the Fort. ibid. The Cardinall Alâ—â—brandin comes to Florence fol. 931. His speech vnto the Queene ibid. The Queenes answer vnto the Cardinall ibid. The Queene parts from Florence to goe into France ibid. The Queene enters into Lyons ibid. The Kings fiâ—st sâ—ght of the Quâ—ene fol. 932. The Duke of Mercure Lieutenant generall to the Emperor Canisia beseeged The Dukes answer to the Veâ—ir ibid. Canisia yeelded to the Turke fol. 933. The Gouernor of Canisia beheaded at Vienna ibid. The Dukes deputies demand Peace of the King and his answer fol. 934 The Kings speech to the Ambassador of Spaine ibid. Bouvens letter to the Dukes Ambassadors fol. 935. Monsieur de Rhosny renewes the Treaty of peace ibid. A Peace concluded ibid. The Ambassadors of Sauoy consult with Taxis fol. 936. Bourg yeelded to the King fol. 937. The Marquisate of Salusses transported to the Duke ibid. The King and Queene go to Paris ibid. The Legate is Aduertised that the Duke refused to signe the Peace fol. 938. The King grants a prolongation of the truce ibi The Legate dâ—scontented with the Duke of Sauoy ibid. The Count of Fuentes excuse fol. 939. The Legate and the Duke of Sauoy meete ibid Diuers opinions of the Peace fol. 940. Commodities which the Duke got by the Peace ibid. The death of Queene Loise of the Princesse of Condy the Princesse of Conty and the Duchesse of Eguillion ibid. The Queene comes to Paris ibid. An Enterprise vpon Marseilles discouered by the complices fol. 941 An enterprise vpon Metz. ibid. Berk beseeged by Count Maurice yelded ibid. Maeurs taken by Count Maurice fol. 942 A Christian Renegado sent by the Turke vnto the King fol. 943. The Scriuano reuolted in Asia fol. 944. The King of Persia sends his Ambassador to the Pope Emperor and King of Spaine ibid. The Duke of Biron sent into England His coÌ„ming to the Queene The Queenes speech fol. 945. The Duke of Biron returned out off England fol. 946. The Queene in trauell The Princes of the bloud may be then in the Chamber ibid. The Daulphin borne ibid. The Queene of Spaine deliuered of a Daughter ibid. The Spanish Army at Sea goes to Naples ibid. Cigala at Sea fol. 947. Chaâ—teauneuf in Morea taken by the Galleys of Malta ibid. The Prince of Parmas speech to Prince Doria his answer ibid. The policy of Count Fuentes fol.
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
of gold pretious stones dedicated to his Crowne by a Holy humility and a religious acknowledgement of the victory which the Son of God hath gotten by his bloud to giue vs in Heauen the Crowne of immortall life This famous act chanced in the yeare 1099. in the moneth of March. Hauing put Godefroy and the Christians in possession of the Holy Land let vs returne into France to our Philip not without griefe to see the dissention betwixt the Emperour and Pope who were nothing reconciled by the voiage to the holy Land The increase of this newe power purchased in England to the Sonnes of William the Conquerour gaue him no small occasion to looke to his affaires and the rather for that this newe King of England had begonne to make a breach in his Estate taking Xaintonge and Poitou Countries very important being members of one of the principall Prouinces of his realme The sonnes of VVilliam King of England foreseeing also that Normandy would bandy it selfe against France without all respect William had leâ—t three sonnes of great hope William surnamed Rufus King of England Robert Duke of Normandie whome wee haue left in the holy Land and Henry Earle of Maine withall his treasure Philip therefore to secure his Estate following the example of his Ancestors caused Lewis his sonne whome hee had by Berthe daughter to Baldwin Earle oâ— Flanders to bee Crowned King Philip dies There was a scandalous breach in this marriage for Philip falling in loue with Bertrade the wife of Foâ—ques Earle of Aniou puts away Berthe and afterwards hauing reiected Bertrade hee receiued Berthe againe His disposition being mother to King Lewis to whome hauing resigned the crowne at Orleans hee died at Melun in the yeare of grace 1109. of his age 57. and of his raigne 49. hauing raigned long to settle his Estate but not without a leuaine of much trouble to come hauing degenerated from the vertues of his grand-fathers and father He was disloyall couetous louing nothing but his owne profit pittilesse ingrate and one who sowed dangerous seeds of much mischiefe which began to bud in the raigne ensuing LEWIS the 6. called the grose the 40. King LEWES .6 KING OF FRANCE XXXX AS wee foresee a storme by the clouds that rise 1110. by the darke mists of the thicke ayre The estate of this raigne pierced through with sparkles like the shining of a close fire and by the motiues of the water driuen with a violent and sudden wind euen so there be simtomes fits in an estate which foretell the alterations which shall insue the which fall not all at one instant but the subiect being gathered togither in processe of time breakes forth when it can no longer hold There is this difference betwixt naturall things and those which belong to man for that men can well discerne what the wether will be but he is blind in that which concerns himselfe and neuer beleeues vntil he feeles the blow falling into the danger which he flies by his owne fault neuer wise but after danger France had inioyed peace aboue a hundred yeares vnder these forepassed raignes shee now growes wearie This raigne is a preamble to a mornfull song which shal make them to weepe that reioyced in the fruition of so long rest The name of royall authoritie held all those great men backe which had any interest therein the wisedome of Capet Robert Henry and Philip had so bridled them as they willingly obeyed Now they are of an other humor The Duke of Normandie who since Capet had beene obedient and affectionate to the Crowne The French begin to fall from their obedience seeing himselfe strengthened with the Realme of England hee frames all his practises to ouerthrow this order by rebellions and tumults Lewis had scarce performed his fathers funeralls before the fire of rebellion kindled in diuers parts of the realme and as if the Kings youth had beene a blemish to his dignitie euery one will play the pettie King The places neere vnto Paris began these first reuolts by reason of the many great horses thereabouts Corbeil had an Earle 1109 Chartres an other Piseaux in Beause had one Crecy had his Lord Marle his Pompone his and so diuers other Seigneuries had euery one their particular Lord. But as a disease stirres vp all the humors in a weake bodie so all that were discontented with Lewis gather togither into one head to afflict him vnder the countenance of the King of England They were for a time suppressed yet this was but to open a vaine and not to cure the feuer Guy of Crecy the Lord Piseaux 〈◊〉 Earle of Dammartin Thibaud Earle of Champagne and Brye Pean of Louure in Parisi Milon of Montlehâ—ry and Philippe the bastard of King Philippe all ioyntly play the mutines and rise against their King At the same instant Henry King of England goes to field his priuate quarrell was for the Towne of Gisors seated vpon the riuer of Epre on the confines of Normandie Rebels suppressed and punished But this small processe was soone ended for Lewis hauing defeated the English neere vnto Gisors hee forced Henry to retyre and afterwards punished all these rebells increasing his reuenues by their confiscations But the quarâ—ell betwixt the Emperour and the Pope did hatch a more dangerous proces for France We haue sayd that Henry the 5. banded against his father Henry the 4. who had associated him to the Empire and had cast him into prison by the Popes Councell where this poore man died for greefe Henry the 5. wonderfully troubled in consciâ—nce and vexed with daily approches that hee had violated the Imperiall rights resolued to haue his reuenge of Pope Pascall the author of this cruell and vnkind Councell To conclude he aâ—mes and that with so great a resolution as in few dayes The Emperour 〈◊〉 for his 〈…〉 hee assembles threescore thousand foote and thirtie thousand horle with this army hee goes into Itâ—lie and hauing taken and spoyled Noâ—arre Pontremolo and Arezzo hee comes a Conqueror to the gates of Rome the which were opened without any resistance Being entred the Cittie and causing the Pope and Colledge to assemble he makes knowne vnto them the rights of the Empire as Pope Leo the eight had acknowledged them to Otho the second Emperour The Emperour comâ—s to Româ— and 〈◊〉 the â—oâ—e to take an oth and before him Adrian to Charlemagne according to the decâ—ee of the Councell at Rome conteined in the sixtie third distinction and to conclude he forced him to take the oath of fidelity as to the true and lawfull Emperour and then returnes with his army Pope Pascal extremely moued with this 〈◊〉 calls a Councell wherein he protests to haue beene forced by 〈◊〉 so by consequence pronounceth that whatsoeuer he had promised was of no force and after all these toyles he died Gelisais succeeded him both in place and hatred against the Emperour
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
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
he would not accept of this gouernment without the good liking of the Duke of Berry so as all the punishment fell vpon Betizac his chiefe Treasurer who 〈◊〉 burnt at Beziers Betizac the Dukes treasurer burnt purging in the fire the extorsions he had committed vnder his maisterâ— authoritie At that time Charles King of Nauarre died so often blemished in the truth of this historie we haue noted how he had retired himselfe from Court into his realme of Nauarre As this retreat was vnto him a reprochfull banishment so this shamefull solitarinesse was a ciuill death But the Catastrophe of his tragicall life was a famous proofe that God doth often reuenge notable sinnes by notable punishments euen in this life He was much broken by the excesse of venery and all sorts of dissolutions the which he had exceedinglie vsed with his wonderfull tyrannie and crueltie As they did anoint him with medicines fit to warme and comfort his benummed members some say they had chafed him with Aqua-vitae The tragicall 〈◊〉 of the Nauarroâ— and wrapt him in a sheete but behold fire takes hold of this sheete with such violence as being vnable to quench it he was consumed by degrees liuing some daies as suruiuing his paine and that which encreased the horror of Gods iudgement his death made both great and small to reioyce and was receiued in France with as great content as the winning of a great and famous battaile Great robbing during the truce There was a generall truce betwixt the French and English so as the garrisons lying stâ—ll the Souldiars bred vp and nourished in armes fighting no more by order vnder their eâ—sâ—gnes sought now their prey by disorder vpon the labourer and marchant The countries of Rouergue Perigort Limosin Auuergne and La Marche had English garrisons who spoiled these countries and did runne vp into the neerest parts of Languedoc Velai Geuaudan Viuarez and Suenes where the villages are for the most part walled in to preuent these sodaine incursions There were many theeues amongst them Teste noire or Black-pate in the Castell of Ventador Amerigor Marcel at Roâ—h-Vandais who breaking the truce sought to be supported by the King of England but in the end they all fell into the hang-mans hands or perished miserably by some strange death an Image of our late confusions Libertie had bred vp these warriours with so great aboundance as the English passed the sea to make Turneys and to fight at Barriers as they vse at great Triumphes There was a Tilt set vp betwixt Calais and Saint Iaquelvuert where the Nobilitie made triall of their valour as in a Schoole of Fence To take away this troublesome aboundance they tooke occasions to make long voyages into Castille and Italie but in the end there was a very famous one offred against the miscreaâ—ts of Barbarie at the Geneuois request who suffred many discommodites in their traffick by these barbarous Affricans Charles granted them succours willingly and gaue the charge of this warre to Peter duke of Burbon assisted with the Earles of Auuergne and Foix the Lords of Coucy Guy of Tremouille A voyage into Affâ—â—â—ke by â—he Frenâ—h English together Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France Philip of Arthois Earle of Eu Philip of Bar Harcourt Antoing Linge Pyquiny and many other great men from all parts of the Realme which ranne to so famous an action vnder so worthy a commander and at so great leysure more painfull then the toyle of warre to men that desired nothing but imployment Richard King of England to imitate Charles granted succours to the Geneuois vnder the command of the Earle of Salisburie accompanied with many Noble men and Engâ—â—sh Gentlemen moued with desire like vnto the French in the enterprise of this pleasing paine The Deputies of the Kings of France and England assembled to treate of a generall peace but not able to effect it they continue a truce for foure yeares with goodly pâ—ouisions against robberies for the safetie and quiet of their Estates Charles gaue free passage to the English by the Countries of Langâ—edâ—â— and Daulphiné to passe the Alpes safelie All come to Genes to the great ioy of the Geneuois Being shipt they land within fewe dayes in Barbarie Presently they beseege the Citty of Affricke So our histore termes it as bearing the name of all the vast and barbarous counâ—ry They call the Afâ—ricanic commanders Agadinquor of Oliferne and Brahadist of Thunes But our Argonautes found them which stayed their fuâ—y The Barbarians defended themselues with an obstinate resolution But their foâ—ce did them lesse harme then the ayre and diet beeing very contrary to theiâ— complexions so as our armie decreased dayly especially of men of accompt This siege conâ—inued six weekes with much losse no hope to preuaile The 〈◊〉 noated alwaâ—es to be â—aithlâ—sse The Geneuois hauing conceiued a hope of a sodaine victorie began to grow cold and slacke in furnishing of the armie The Duke of Bourbon foreseeing the difficulties which might grow in continuing obstinaâ—e at this siege fearing the winter and not trusting the Geneuois who are famous for that they haue no faith remembring the example of the King S. Lewis resolued to returne wiâ—hout any greater losse He trusseth vp his baggage bringes backe his troupes into France coÌ„tinuing the example to al such as are capable of reasoÌ„ how difficult it is for Christâ—ans to performe these strange attempts after the experience of many ages The â—rench and the English hauing liued louingly together in this voyage returned to their houses without doing of any memorable act but to haue endeauored to doe sometâ—ing worthy of memory to auoide idlenesse during so peacefull a time â—ritâ—aine did then conceiue and afterwards bring forth more preiudiciall effects then Bâ—rbary iâ— selâ—â— and the way was made by light occasions to horrible and monstrous efâ—ects to the great preiudicâ— both of the King and Realme for a notable tesâ—imonie to posterity what Councellors Enuye and ambition be in a state we like wretches seeke for peace and when God gâ—ues it we flie from it we maligne an other mans good and depâ—â—ue our selues of our owne But alas it were a small matter for a great personage to hurâ— himselfe by his owne passions if this poison did not spred abroad to the preiudice of â—he common weale We haue said that Iohn of Montfort remained peaceably Duke of Brittaine by the death of Charles of Blois and the agreement he made with his widow Hatred betwixt the duke of Briâ—â—â—ine the Constable Clisson whose eldest sonne Iohn of Brittâ—ine Earle of Ponthieure was redeemed from prison out of England by the constable Clisson who gaue him his daughter in marriage payed his â—ansome The constable was a Briâ—ton and so a subiect to Iohn of Montfort Duke of Brittaine his ancient and capitall â—nimy and yet by this newe succession was become his Lord. Doubtlesse in this quality Clisson could not
forbidden vpon paâ—ne of death and the English come to the succor of the associat Princes to bee satisâ—â—ed out of the Kings tâ—easor Without the Cittie of Auxerre neeâ—e to the Abbie of Saint Mâ—riâ—â— a stately scaffold was made where the King sitting in his seat of Iustice enuironed with his Princes the officers of his Crowne and the chiefe deputies of the Parliament the peace was proclaymed with as great ioy as the warre had beene tedious and mournfull To confirme this peace with Iohn of Bourgongne Philip Earle of Vertus married his daughter but all this could not reconcile him to the house of Orleans The Daulphin reioyced much at this peace and made all shewes of loue to his Cousins lately reconciled being greeued to haue bin so long dissentioÌ„ betweene them desirous â—o repaire what was past aboue all to maintaine an inviolable peace wâ—thin the Realme The good sicke King present at all yeelding his consent and authority somtimes inclyned to good sometimes to ill Queene Isabel held with the strongest but all these good motions were crossed by the Bourguignon so as all the confusions of this raigne are not yet ended Iohn of Bourgongne seeing himselfe crost by Lewis the Daulphin and the house of Orleans restored to grace stirres vp newe troubles from the yeare 1412. Vnto 17. when as the Daulphin died but the troubles ceassed not FRance began to hope for better by the meanes of Lewis the eldest Sonne to King Charles hauing a desire to make a peace against the Bourguignons will But this was not all they expected of the Daulphins first resolution yet the weakenesse of the sicke King The Boâ—â—guignons 〈◊〉 in Court and the inconstancie of his yong Lieuâ—enant gaue the subtill braine of Iohn of Bourgongne too great an aduantage to suffer the French to enioy the fruiâ—s of peace so much desired who neuer yeelded to baâ—e threats but grewe more resolute And notwithstanding this alteration of the Daulphin his sonne in lawe yet he left not the Court being alwayes neere the King keeping the Councel in breaâ—h who were for the most part all on his side and although they worshiped the Sunne rising yet seeing the spirit â—f this yong Prince to be weake and inconstant and the Bourguignons fiâ— me resolutâ—on they stood vpon their gard doing nothing that might openly offend eyther the one or the other but vnder hand they sought to please the most polâ—â—â—ke and redoubted maister who else mâ—ght proue a most cruell and dangerours enemie Thus were affaires handled in the Kings councell And as not only the Court but the whole world is an ebbing and flowing of diuers humors the which doe change according to occasions and the scaffold whereon dissembling trechery and treason play their parts diuersly so at that time the Bourguignon a principall artisan of these goodly shewes found an ample subiect wherein to imploie his filthy trade But although he seemed to haue gained all whatsoeuer he desired that should come to passe and to haue attayned the full of his desires yet all his enterprises came to nothing and in the end he paied with the price of his bloud the great debt of his horrible wickednesse But this acte shall haue manie Scenes In the first our History shall set downe the new gouerment of Lewis the Daulphin The estate of the Court vnder Lewis the Daulphin This yong Prince was not capable of so great a charge hauing an idle braine being carelesse and voluptuous giuen to his owne will obstinate taking no aduice from any but of himselfe or from yong men of his owne humour loth to yeeld to any that vnderstood more then himselfe and especially to his vncles whose graue haires he disdained neither could he loue his father in lawe being resolued to gouerne the realme alone The Queene seeing her Sonnes humour inclyned to loue the house of Orleans made shew to fauour them but in effect she was indifferent being wholy giuen to flatter which her husband and to gouerne him according to the time The Bourguignon dissembling his sonne in Lawes wayward humours was alwayes neer the King giuing him such goodly reasons as the good Prince could not gainsaie him The subiect of his sutes was pleasing to the Parisiens whose good liking he entertained carefully but alwayes with an intent to bee reuenged of his enemies vnder this goodly name of the common wealth as the soueraigne ende of all his desseins but in effect he held still one of the cheefest places not yeelding in any thing to gouerne them which seemed to rule and to keepe backe such as might crosse his authoritie By the peace of Bourges the Constable of Albret should bee restored to his dignitie and Arnold of Corbie to his Chancellourship They delaie them from daye to day but in the ende they are restored with much difficultie The meanest haue many delaies more troublesome then a flat repulse being more willing to leaue al then to make these frutlesse poursuites Arnold of Corbie being honorably restored to his place resigned it into the Kings hands to auoide the danger of so confused a time more wisely then Henry of Marle that suceded him being slaine at the massacre at Paris with the Constable of Armagnae But the Bourguignons flew a higher pitche then to preiudice the house of Orleans in their goods and honors or to crosse their affaires and their followers The Bourguignons resolution He found no better expedient then to do as he had doone with Lewis their father for a dead Lion doth no harme To this ende he assembles some of his most trustye followers at Paris to finde meanes to murther the Dukes of Orleans Berry and Bourbon But Peter of Essars one of his most violent partisans discouered this practise for the which hee soone after smarted By the treatie of Bourges the Englishe which came to the Duke of Orleans succour must be satisfied They presse for paiement one part being discharged to the Duke of Orleans great hindrance he was forced to leaue his brother Iohn Earle of Angoulesme in in hostage for the rest Being carried into England he was in the end redeemed after much trouble and many dâ—laies In this article the Bourguignon made shew of his good husbandrie solliciting the English vnder hand on the one side for to presse Charles his principall debtor and on the other side he cried out against the disorder of the Kings treasor so â—ll gouerned as there was not sufficient to furnish the ordinarie expences of his house pretending all these great summes to be wasted either by the Tresorers in gifts or in superflous expences This complaint was very plausible but it was a pitfall to catch his enemies to muâ—ine this discontented people by reason of their great oppression 1413. being easie to be mooued at the name of the common weaâ—e He soone obtayned from the King a generall conuocation of the chiefe Citties to reforme the abuses of the Realme and
stranged sease Henry the â— sicke which the vulgar sort terme 〈…〉 and Phisitians 〈◊〉 which is a Gowâ—e with a Craâ—pe Enguerand 〈◊〉 that the chiefe disease whereof he dyed was Saint Anthonies fire but it is more credibly reported that he dyed of a Plurisie a disease in those dayes so rare and vnknowne that Physitions being not therewith acquainted nor with the cause whence it proceeded could not prefer be not apply any remedy therefore Henry hauing his minde fixed vppon this voyage and his supposed victory partes from Senlis hauing taken leaue of the King Queene and wife whom he shall see no more he caused himselfe to be carried to Melun in a â—â—tter but feeling himselfe prest by his infirmitie he returned to Boâ—s-de-Vincennes where hauing taken his bed he sent his army into Bourgongne vnder the commande of the Duke of Bedford his brother and the Earle of Warwicke commandâ—ng them to pâ—rsue the Daulphin At the 〈◊〉 of this great armie the Daulphin Charles leaues Cosné and retires to Bourges and 〈…〉 was freed Henry was not so freed from his sicknesse the which increasing daily made him to thinke of his ende disposing as he pleased touching his sonne Henry the 6. of that name whom he had by Katherine the daughter of France and the Duke of Exeter his Vnâ—le to be Regent of England commanding them expressely to liue in concord with Philip Duke of Bourgongne and 〈◊〉 to make any peace with Charles of Valois for so he called him vnlesse they might haue Normandy in soueraignty neither to release the Dukes of Orleans and Bourbon vntill his sonne were of a competent age And thus Henry the 5. dies beeing neare about forty yeares old Henrâ— the â— dies in the vigor of his age and spirit borne and aspiring to great matters hauing already giuen proofe of what he might haue done if he had liued longer But God would punish France by an Englishman yet would he not suffer France to haue any other â—â—ng then a Frenchman This vnexpected death in the great course of Henry the fifts victories hapened the last day of August in the yeare .1422 followed soone after by one no lesse memorable Charles the 6. dies For Charles the 6. our good King but subiect to the miserablest raigne that France had euer seene to that day â—ell sicke dyed the 22. of October in the same yeare 50. daies after the decease of Henry of England A sicknesse death remarkable in so great a King for after that he had languished in so long infamous an infirmity he died in a manner alone They name but the Chauncellour the first Chamberlaine his Aâ—moner with some groomes of his chamber which were present at his end After his death he was visited by such as had caused him to die liuing and by his miserable life had made all the realme to Languish At the funeralls of this poore Prince 〈…〉 proclaimâ—â— King after the herald had proclaimed The King is dead an other cried God saue the King God send a long hâ—ppy life to Henry the 6. by the grace of GOD King of France and England our soueraigne Lord. To the end that passion might triumph ouer the infiâ—â—itie of our King 1422. euen in his graue This Henry shal be crowned King at Paris soone after But where is that Isabel or rather Iezabel who had so much tormented her poore husband I seeke her in all the corners of this history yet cannot finde her She whâ— caused so great diuisions dies without any memory but to haue liued too long for France and her children Oh the vanity of this world which doth inâ—erre the most busie in the forgetfullnesse of the graue when as they thinke themseues raised to the toppe of their desseines Thus Charles the 6. raigned thus he liued and thus he died miserable in his raigne miserable in his life but most happie in his death as well to free himselfe from paine and by his occasion his whole realme from confusion as also by death to change his tumultuous and miserable life into a quiet rest and eternall happinesse for what else can we say of him whose misery gaue him the title of welbeloued hauing nothing reprochefull in his life but his afflictions This is all I can speake touching the iudgement of this raigne after the repetition of so many miseries so as measuring others by mine owne apprehension I thinke to ease them in not reuiuing so tedious a subiect noting that this raigne was alwaies miserable both in the minority and maiority of our King His manners his race his raigne and his age do appeere by that which wee haue written He liued 54. yeares and raigned 42. He had many sonnes and daughters Katherine is famous hauing bâ—â— the mournfull gage of many miseries Of three Sonnes which came all to the age of men Charles onely remayned successor of his Crowne but not of his fortunes for hee shall settle the realme redeming it out of Strangers hands as shall appeere in the following discours CHARLES the seuenth the 54. King of France CHARLES THE .7 KING OF FRANCE .54 · AFter the long and painefull Carriere of the fore-passed raignes 1422. were it not time now to breath Since the vnfortunate battaile of Cressy we haue felt nothing but thornes tempests forces and shewes of ruines And if wee shall abate that little happinesse which Charles the 5. brought vnto our Ancestors there are not lesse then seuenty yeares of confusion But all is not yet ended we must passe thirty yeares more before the conclusion And as if we felt the crosses of our fore-runners we must shut our eyes recouer new forces grow resolute against all stoâ—mes and ende couragiously with them The remainder of this painefull course in the troublesome discourse which we shall finde in the beginning of this raigne Notable particularities of this raigne to see in the ende a happy Catastrophe in the restoring of this Estate and the vnion of the Church diuided by a long and dangerous schisme which disquieted Christendome during the troubles of this raigne Here our Frenchmen may reade with admiration and profit that as it is not now alone that France hath beene afflicted so God doth not now beginne to watch ouer it deliuering it by miraculous meanes when as it seemed neerest to ruine Here Charles the 7. the least and last of his Brethren shall deface the ignominie of France and triumph ouer the victories of a stranger who had in a manner dispossessed him of his Realme of a truth God ment to punish vs by meanes of the English but not to ruine 〈◊〉 The French cannot be commanded but by a Frenchman The Ocean is a strong bar to diuide these two Estates content with their owne rights This raigne abounding in miraculous accidents is the more considerable being the perfect Idea of the raigne of Henry the 4. vnder whom we liue But to represent so variable a subiect
with profit it is necessary to distinguish it in order There are three parts famous both for the subiect and successe The first shewes the confused and troublesome beginning of this raigne The order of this discourse vntill our Charles was sollemnely installed King and thereby acknowledged of all the French for vntill that day the greatest part called him Earle of Ponthiâ—ure or King of Bourges in mockerie and such as were more modest termed him Daulphin of Viennois The second putts him in possession of his royall authoritie shewing by what meanes he reduced the Citties subdued by the English to his obedience beginning with the Cittie of Paris and so proceeding to the rest of the Realme expelling the English from all but onely Calais The third shewes the ende of this raigne discouering the Kings domesticall discontents which hastened him to his graue after the happy euents of all his difficulties So this raigne continued thirty nine yeares variable in good and euill The beginning difficult the middest happy and the ende mournfull This is the Theater of mans life where ioye sorrow happinesse and misfortune play their parts diuersly both with great and small Charles the 7. was one and twentie yeares old when hee began to raigne and raigned 39. yeares for after the decease of his father Charles the 6. hee tooke vpon him the name of King of France notwithstanding the pretension of the English the 22. of October in the yeare Charles his raigne 1422. he died the thirteenth of Iuly .1461 He was married at aleuen yeares of age to Marie the daughter of Lewis of Duke Aniou and King of Sicile By this marriage hee had three Sonnes and fiue Daughters His sonnes names were Lewis Philip and Charles Lewis the eldest shall succed him to the Crowne Philip died very yong Charles liued somewhat longer but without any great successe His childeren hauing only the titles of the Dukedomes of Berry Normandie and Guienne His daughters were Radegonde Yoland Catherine Iane and Magdaleine The first died being betrothed to Sigismond Duke of Austria Yoland was married to Amedee Duke of Sauoie Catherine to that great Charles Duke of Bourgongne who shall be his owne ruine Iane to Iohn Duke of Bourbon and Magdalein to Gaston Earle of Foix and this was his race His manners and disposition His manners will appeere by his life he was of a tractable and gentle disposition capable of counceil but louing his ease too much and suffring himselfe to bee often carried away by his seruants And yet as God would vse him for the establishing of the French Monarchie so did he bring him vp in the schole of affliction to fortifie him against all difficulties assisting him with great worthie persons both for warre and councell by whose meanes he did raise vp this estate yet with great and confused combats and by a long and painfull patience But let vs proceede to that which hath chanced vnder his raigne most worthy of obseruation The miserable estate of this raigne vnto the Coronation of Charles the 7. during seauen yeares From the ende of the yeare 1422. vnto .29 in the moneth of Iune when as hee was solemnly installed King in the Cittie of Poitiers SVCH was the estate of Charles when his fathers death called him to the Crowne Wee haue seene after that the miseries of France had caused his mother Isabell to forget her owne bloud making him to bee reiected from the Crowne and Henry the 5. King of England substituted in his place yet he fainted not in these extreamities but did valiantly withstand the pretended desseignes by whose death God soone laid the foundation of this realmes restoring Yet after the death of King Henry the 5. Charles was incountred with infinite difficulties He had small meanes fewer friends and many mighty enemies He scarce enioyned the least part of his estate followed by intreatie and obeyed by halues euen of such as made profession to be most faithfull The Citties had diuers motions Diuersitie of humours in the Citties as priuate interest drew mens mindes to that partie which they held most profitable There were but too many which followed the fortune of the English being a Conquerour the corruption of man inclining commonly to the stronger But amidest these vncertaine humours of people The enemies of Charles he had enemies which incountred him with aduantages apparently victorious for Henry the 6. although he were very young yet did he exceed him in all things he had a realme hereditarie and absolute The King of England the best part of the French Monarchie the assistance of the Duke of Bedford his Vncle with many worthy men and great meanes To these enemies were ioyned some great men which fished in a troubled streame euery one imagining to haue a part of this garment building their desseignes vpon the Sepulcher of Charles and the alteration of the State Among the chiefest were Philip Duke of Bourgongne Amedee Duke of Sauoie Peter Duke of Brittaine with his Brother the Earle of Richemont Diuers instruments vnder that great engin of England but all these motions were to ruine France and to build their greatnesse vpon her ruines The Burguignon who had a great hand in the State was most interessed and most opposite to Charles being apparently the author of his fathers murther The Duke of Bourgongne Yet Philip a iudicious Prince so hated him whom necessitie commanded him to hate in this accident as if he should loue him in time not wedding himselfe absolutely to the English yet did he so worke for him in shew as making himselfe in effect the stronger he might counterpeise him if necessitie required and strike the last stroake for him to whom the French should incline Reason likewise taught him that the people would respect the lawfull heire of the Crowne louing their Prince naturally and in the end would reiect the Stranger as an vnlawfull Tenant who made himselfe daily insupportable by his imperious cariage Amedee Duke of Sauoye being on the Stage and farre from blowes kept the stakes and entertained Charles The Duke of Sauoye as if he should be an assured mediator in these quarrels to end them with more aduantage then any Christian Prince and so he nourished this diuision by a strict intelligence which he had with the Bourguignon As for the humour of the two Brethren of Brittaine the course of the Historie will soone shew it Thus Charles charged by many enemies The Duke of Britaine had few faithfull and confident friends and in that golden age so small meanes to entertaine his friends as he could hardly supply the ordinary charges of his traine selling and ingaging peece after peece of his inheritance So as he had nothing more assured then the equitie of his cause and his resolution in this great necessitie He had yet some good friends remaining in Scotland whom he bought dearely Charles aduanceth Scottishmen aduancing them to
first motions put Charles in some hope of a better estate but behold a newe checke which cooles his courage At the same time that hee made his leauie in Scotland the Duke of Exeter prepared a great armie in England to releeue the Duke of Beford his brother that hee might haue meanes to contynue the warres in France There comes vnto him eight thousand archers and eighteene hundered men at armes For the imploying of these men Nâ—we forces â—aised in England he beseegeth Galardon taketh it at his first approch and without the losse of any houre hee plants himselfe before Yury and at the same instant all his forces come to him vnder the commande of the Earle of Salisburie The army being thus increased he presseth the seege Girault of Paliere held the Towne for the King The Duke of Bedford summons him to yeeld it â—iraud demandes respit to aduertise the King Charles was then at Tours well accompanied both of his subiects and forraine friends for after the defeat of Creuant foreseeing that the English would pursue the cause with more violence hee had prouided men to oppose against them The Marshall Du-glas Duke of Touraine by his newe pourchase â—ad brought him succors from Scotland The Vicont of Narbonne a goodlie troupe from Languedoc the which was the flower of the whole army The Duke of Alencon the Earles of Aumale Ventadour Tonerre Du-glas Moiry the Viconte of Mardonne the Lords of Fayette Tournon and other Noble men of Marke with their followers were readie to do their best endeauor So as hee had eighteene thousand fighting men The rendez-uous is in Perche and they were shortly to march to Yury The King stayes at Chastecudun The Constable of Bouâ—qhingam sends to vewe the enemies countenaÌ„ce The skouâ—s report the greatnesse of the English army and their dilligence at the seege who being discouered and pursued hardly escape They resolue that in steede of charging the English army they should beseege Vernueil a Towne obeying the English eyther to take it or to make a diuersion from Yury The first succeeded for our men approching to Vernueil with a victorious countenance and bragge as if the English army had beene defeated Vernueil yeelded to the French Yury yeelded Vernueil opens the gates without any question and yeelds to the Kings seruice But this shewe of victory cost our French men deâ—re who had done better to succour Yury then in loosing it to hazard their owne ruine as it happened afterwards Girault of Paliere hauing long and in vaine expected succors and doubled the prefixed time hee yeelds to the Duke of Bedford who hauing nowe no other impediment he resolues to fight with our army at his aduantage for the effecting whereof he had the better meanes by their long stay Hauing intelligence of the Estate of our Armie he resolued to drawe them to battaile knowing howe much it did import to send a victorious soldiar against one whome he hath vsually beaten Hee therefore sends a herauld to defie them giuing him charge to direct himselfe to the Duke of Touraine The Duke of Bedford sends a challenge to the French army a Scottish man being Marâ—shall of France To whome he saies The Duke of Bedford my maister commanded mee to tell you that he comes to drinke with you Du-glas answers him That he should be welcome but hee must make some hast for that diner was readie Vpon this brauado they go to Counsell The mischiefe was the army had no head hauing indeede too many A multitude of commanders and commaundements is a plague to all good order and especially in militarie discipline which consists wholy in authoritie Euery one had varied in his opinion Some were of aduice to attend the enemie A diuision among the heads of the French army others thought it fittest to take him at his worde without induring of these brauadoes Thus their diuided opinions diuided the armie and those which in shewe made the armie ouerthrew it Du-glas and Narbonne Du-glas sayed Seeing the army is well lodged hauing a good Towne to backe it to what ende should they runne rashly against a victorious enemie The Narbonnois replies To endure these brauadoes were to take away the hearts of the French Soldiars and to coole their courage without any reason and what greater indignities might a vanquished man beare The Duke of Alenâ—on and the Constable were of the first opinon but the contention grewe so great as the Viconte sayed That if the wiser had no minde to fight heewould go and defend the honor of France with the hazard of his life so being retyred to his quarter he coÌ„manded to sound a marche notwithstanding the Duke of Alensons intreatie to stay and march together On the other side the Duke of Touraine discontented at the Visconts choller keepes back the Scottes But necessitie drew forth the whole armie The French armie one Battaillon after another This disorder was the cause they could not choose a sit place of armes nor dispose of their Battaillons All were in grosse confusedly without any vantgard The chiefe of the armie were on foote They place two wings and to euerie wing a thousand horse The Italians had the right and the French the left In the â—ore-fronte of this battaile they planted foure hundred horse to beginne the skirmish The Duke of Bedford had oportunitie to dispose better of his armie The English armie he makes abode all on soote where he placeth his chiefe force and lodgeth there himselfe In the front of this body he placeth great store of Archers and euery Archer hath a stake stâ—câ—t in the ground to withstand the chaâ—ge of the horse Vpon either wing he plants the choise of his most resolute Archers Behind are his vnarmed people with the bagage the horses being tyed close together taile to taile with two cordes or wit hs but for their gard he left two thousand choise Archers In this order he attends the French whom he discouers comming a farre off resolute to fight with the countenance of conquerours They were long before they could set their troupes in order aâ—d ranne a full gallop to their death So as in these stirres and in their hast to fight they were out of breath before they came to blowes All the morning is spent in approches the two armies fronting one another a little after noone a signall is giuen to the battaile our aduenturers go to the charge to trie if they can force the grosse of the English armie The foure hundred Italian Lances lead by Cameran with one eye made the point and at the first charge beate back the English Archers that were in the front At the same instant our two wings of horse charge the English armie in flanke seeking to breake their ranckes The finy of the fight was violent on either side our men striuing to enter into the body of the English foote and the English labouring to withstand our men with a continuall
storme of Arrowes Then behold our Launciers hauing forced one side of the battaile begin to crie Victorie but the first rancks being forced they are seconded by the rest without disorder and with the like impression the whole body of the English armie raise a great crie and aduance to the combate Thus the two armies ioyne with a horrible conflict which continued aboue an houre one fâ—eshed against another with a cruell and bloudie furie And sayes the originall there were neuer seene two parties of so great power fight so long without knowledge who were victors But behold a new change in our Armie our French and Italian horse appointed to force the English battaile being valiantly repulsed flie and leaueâ— our footemen open to the English shot Both the battailes had continued long in fight and that which had made it equall The battailâ— of Vernuâ—il was not onely the equalitie of their forces but the counterpeize of horses which serued honourably But the English had a supply of 2000. Archers reserued at the taile of his armie to garde the bagage The Duke of Bedford seeing our foote naked of Launces resolues to imploy them So as this fresh squadron doubling a fearfull cry fall violently vpon this wearied troupe and being halfe disordered disperseth them Then all are in a route some flie others kill The French defeated The massacre was exceeding great in this first furie kindled by the obstinacie of the fight Yet after this first heaâ—e the English accustomed to our bloud sell to take prisoners Vernueil was the neerest reâ—treat but the gates were shutte fearing least the English should enter pel mel with them that sied so as the Ditch serued for a graue or a prison to many Thus the English had the victorie but they bought it full dearely for they lost aboue fiâ—eteene hundred men our losse was farre greater Our Histories confesse fiue thousand the English report fiueteene thousand Yet all was not lost for Xaint-railles and La Hire gathered togither a good number of them that fled and saued them in Mans the neerest place of retreate There happened a memorable thing in this route The Italian troupe which had fled being intrenched in a neere village A braue retreat of Italians to fight for their liues hauing a false aduertisement that our men had wonne the victory they presently part and come to the place of battaile being knowne they are charged by the English but their retreat was exceeding hardy for in despight of their armie they saued themselues Being to passe a riuer at the end of certaine hedges by so narrow a passage as they could go but one after an other these Lombards plant their Cornets there as the marke of their way with sixteene armed men to make a stand while the troupe should passe All escape this way without any other harme then feare So much order preuailes euen in disorder This ouerthrow chanced the sixt of August The losse was the greater for that it did aggrauate the former many great personages were slaine The Earle of Boucqinqham Constable of France The Noblemen that were slaine the Marshall Du-glas a short time Duke of Touraine the Earles of Aumale Harcourt Ventadour Tonerre Moyry the Lords of Grauille Montenay Combrest Fontenay Bruneil Tumblet Guitry Peisy Mathe Rambels Lindesay Gamaches Malestroict Boyn Rembouillet Harpedane la Treille Fourchouinere la Salle Lappe Roche-baron la Tour and many other in great numbers The Vicount of Narbonne a rashe instrument of this misfortune was taken by the Bourguignons and presently hanged for a punishment The prisoners hauing assisted at the massacre of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne The chiefe prisoners were Iohn of Bourbon Duke of Alenson and the bastard of this house the Marshall of Fayette the Lord of Hormid Peter Herisson Lewis of Vaucourt Roger Brousset Hiues of Saint Marc Iames du Puys and many others from whom the English drew great summes of money Vernueil takeÌ„ Vernueil to augment this misfortune was yeelded by Rambures vpon an honourable composition with their liues and bagage freed except that which belonged to the armie The insolent English spoiled the poore Souldiars when as the Earle of Salisburie arriuing slue one of these treacherous wretches causing these poore vanquished men to bee conducted into Berry or Tourraine in good safetie With many other places After this notable victorie the Duke of Bedford hauing triumphed at Paris managed this profitable accident to our losse Hee presently deliuers these victorious troupes carrying in their hearts and foreheads the fortune of England to the Earle of Salisburie one of the wisest and most valiant Captaines of his armie who imploied them with great successe for he tooke from Ambrose de Lore a braue and valiant Captaine the Fortes of Saint Susanne Mahannes la Hines la Ferté-Benard as the remainders of this Shipwracke and in the end he carried it to the Towne of Mans although the fidelitie of the inhabitants yeelded him their obedience more slowlie and with greater difficultie The English insolencie increased daily and apparently like the swelling of a riuer Watches were set to obserue all such as did but mutter for their libertie The Lords of Maucourt and Rocomp were put to death as guiltie of high treason The goods of such as were absent were confiscate In France it was a great crime to be a Frenchman But as one mischiefe comes not alone and griefe vpon griefe procures no health these misfortunes which touched the members had almost ruined the head for this lamentable battaile of Vernueil which made all France to mourne had almost thrust Charles into his graue The miserable estate of Charles in diuers sorts Besides these generall losses this poore Prince was surcharged with many difficulties the incredible burthen of his pouertie and the reproches of his subiects accusing him as the author of these banquerout losses which chanced daily to his armies and Townes Thus he was abandoned both of himselfe and his subiects his great and many afflictions hauing killed his courage and lost his credit with the people In this disgracefull necessitie there was no speach but of ingaging the reuenues of the Crowne to pay the garrisons of places which else would be lost The Kings table failed daily he eate no more in publike but sparingly in his Chamber attended on by his domesticall seruants The Historie notes that as Pothon and and la Hire came to him to Chasteaudun to require succours they found him at Table with a rumpe of Mutton and two Chickens and yet in this extreame pouertie of his the great men snatcht on all hands The Duke of Alencon had Niort in Poitou and the bastard of Orleans the County of Gyan for money they said had bin lent for the Kings seruice who auowed all and paide all for nothing But that which was of harder digestion was the continuall discontent of his subiects against him as if neglecting his affaires he had abandoned himselfe to the
loue of faire Agnes A blot which doth yet blemish the name of Charles the 7. in the generall conceipt of the French nation registred as a certaine truth by the writers of our time which haue described that raigne As it is my course to search the originalls The King reproched for the loue of faire Agnes and not to alledge any new writer for an Author so haue I carefully noted what the Ancients did obserue Alain Charretier the Kings Secretarie saies nothing Monstrelet speakes but vpon occasion in the end of this raigne And for as much saith he as the King did see her willingly the common fame was that he kept her dishonestly for the vulgar is more inclined to speake ill then well But the loue which the King did shew her was for her pleasing behauiour and eloquent speach and also for that she was of all faire creatures the fairest The Historie of S. Denis written by the Historiographer of France doth cleerly excuse him in these termes I a Chronicler desiring to write the truth haue duly informed my selfe and without falsifying of the truth doe finde by Knights Councellors Physitians Surgians and other domesticall seruants examined by othe as appertâ—ined to my charge to the end to free the peoplâ— from scandall That during fiue yeares that faire Agnes liued with the Queene the King neuer frequented her but in great companie nor in the absence of the Queene he neuer vsed any lasciuious countenance vnto her nor touched her beneath the chinne And after his sports Charles retired himselfe vnto his lodging and Agnes vnto hers But he loued her for that she was pleasant and young among the fairest seeking all kind of delights to sweeten his thoughts and cares These are his very words But howsoeuer this scarre remaines vpon Charles his face that he neglected his affaires loosing both his time and iudgment with this woman and in his Gardens the which blemished his reputation much euen with his enemies The subiect diâ—contented against Charles who held him for an idle person and of small valour But as this report made him contemptible so the insolent behauiour of his Mignions made him hatefull for that vnder his authoritie these Horse-leeches oppressed the people and tooke all reward from such as had ventured their liues for the Kings seruice Thus this poore Prince surcharged with many difficulties was so discouraged as he had not any care to preserue himselfe by armes howsoeuer Charles desires an accord with Brittanie and Bourgongne but imployed all his spirits to finde some meanes of an accord at what price soeuer with the Duke of Bourgongne and Britaine But he was much deceiued for they had all conspired his ruine and euery one pretended a part in this confiscation The Duke of Sauoy looked for a share and Lewis of Chaalon Prince of Orange was in hope to make him selfe great with the remainders of this spoile But where the wisdom of man ended there the prouidence of God began who prouided meanes for Charles the which he could not foresee neither by his industrie or authoritie finde out that the restoring of this realme might be knowne to proceed from the miraculous bountie of God the Gardien of this estate We haue shewed with what care the Duke of Bedford had built an vnion with the Dukes of Bourgongne and Brittany to confirme the English affaires in France Arthur of Brittanie Earle of Richemont brother to the Duke of Brittanie began to make a breach in this alliance He had married one of the Burguignons Sisters and Bedford the other The League wâ—th England shaken This Arthur was a Prince of good iudgement who gouerned his brother peaceably and had a great interest in his Brother in lawe of Bourgongne Hee shall helpe much in the restoring of this estate vniting the hearts of Princes distracted from the King but his soure complections did much distemper Charles who shall pay deerely for the fruites of his seruice as the course of the Historie will declare The Duke of Bedford being at Paris mightily puft vp with his victories plaid the King this insolent greatnesse which made him odious to the French although they durst not shew it was likewise hatefull to his owne people Man hath alwaies the miserie that he seekes and is the plotter of his owne misfortune This pride bred a iarre betwixt him and the Earle of Richemont Bedâ—ord and Richemont brother to the Duke of Brittaine at iarre being brothers in law and made a way to the generall diuision of these confederate Princes and reunion of the whole realme Richmont was come vnto him to be imployed in some honorable charge fit for his house perâ—on making great esteeme of his loue whereof their alliance seemed an assured gage But he found nothing but discontents Arthur was of a French humour nourished in the mildnesse of our Kings bred vp in their armes and had beene prisoner for them at the battaile of Azancourt the time onely had withdrawne him from the Kings seruice whom euery man held â—ost The pride of Bedford reuiued in him this first affection so as not able any longer to accord with the English he resolues to seeke all meanes to recouer the Kings good grace and fauour and to intangle his brother the Duke of Brittaine Thus he leaues the Duke of Bedford and retires to his house with this discontent There falles out a fit occasion to aduance this businesse Arthur of Bâ—â—ttaine leaues the Engâ—ish to the good liking of Richemont for the office of Constable was voide by the death of the Earle of Bouâ—qham slaine in the battaile of Vernueil Charles sleepes not at these newes but as if he had attended some good opportunitie hee presently sends a trustie Gentleman to the Earle of Richemont to offer him his loue and for a gage thereof the dignitie of the Constable of France with all aduantages that a King may honour his seruant with This first sommons Richmont tooke reasonable well but he answered That he could not doe any thing without his Brother the Duke of Brittaine with whom hauing conferred he would presently aduertise Charles of his resolution But as the Kings vrgent necessitie made him to reckon the minutes so the tediousnesse of the Brittons answer made him to languish His counsell likewise allowed well of this league the which shall proue more troublesome vnto him then honourable and more preiudiciall then profitable vnto France Charles without attending any answer from Richemont sends Iohn Louuet President of Prouence one of the chiefe fauourites then in credit but he remembred not that he was in dislike with these Princes so as Louuet returned without any effect Yet Charles lothe to loose this opportunitie and to giue the English time to reconcile himselfe to these Brittons sends to him with all speed a very honourable Ambassage which was Yoland of Arragon Charles sollicits the Duke of Brittâ—â—â— his brother wins them to his
best meanes to honour her This great liberty gaue her meanes to make an escape from this goodly cage so as hauing practised some for her guide shee disguiseth her selfe in the habit of a man and retyres fâ—om Gand to Breda where shee doth assure the riuer of Garide and doth solicit the Townes of Holland by her Agents The Bourguignon foreseeing by these beginnings a long countinance of trouble flies thether with his army He enters the Countrie She escapeth from Gand. at the fiâ—st they all resist him for the respect the subiects bare to their Lady But as the inconueniences of warre increased dayly and that Philip did shewe by publike writings and priuate practises that whatsoeuer hee did was to maintaine the right of the lawfull husband many Townes yeelded vnto him At this time Iohn Duke of Brabant the lawfull husband of Iaqueline dies in the Castell of Leneuure Philip of Bourgongne made heire of Braâ—â—nt 〈◊〉 Holland and â—â—land hauing instituted Philip of Bourgongne his heire The Citties seeing the Bourguignon supported both by force and right followe him by a common consent as twise a Conquerour and perswade their Lady not to oppose her selfe obstinately against so reasonable a necessity So without any other force but the happy successe of the stronger an accord was made betwixt Philip Duke of Bourgongne and Iaqueline Contesse c. Hainault and Holland vpon these conditions That Iaqueline doth acknowledge her Cousin Philip Duke of Bourgongne for the lawefull heire of her Countryes and from thence forth doth make him gouernour of Hainault Holland and Zeland All these Estaâ—s should take their oath and do homâ—ge of fealtie vnto Philip. All fortressâ—s should bee dâ—liuered into his hands and she promiseâ—h neuer to marrie without his consent This Philip was honorably receiued throughout all these Estats to the content of some and discontent of others according to their diuers humours but force controwled all Iaqueline made a good shewe yet greatly discontented to see him her maister Such was the Tragicall Comedie of this long sute for the quiet of these Estats and the greatnesse of the Duke of Bourgongne who made his profit of all sides He is made heirâ— of Nâ—maâ— for soone after William Earle of Namur left him the Earldome of Namur whereof he takes possession to the great disconâ—ent of the Liâ—geois as wee shall see heereafter This greatnesse of the Duke of Bourgâ—â—gne bred iealousie in the Duke of Bedford hee being assisted by the Duke of Brittain his open enemy and the Earle of Richmond Constable of France whome he sees hourely to growe great in his authority Thus â—earing more mischeefe to fall vnto him by that meanes hee resolues to 〈◊〉 himselfe with newe helpes and to this ende hee goes into England leaâ—â—ng the affaires of France in charge of the Earles of Warwike Suffollke and Salisburie His stay was not long necessitie pressed him Hee obtaines both men and money fit remedies to preuent a storme The Duke of Bâ—â—ford bâ—ingâ— newâ— forces out of England Hee returnes into France with ten thousand men and a notable summe of money for their pay For the good imployement of these newe forces hee resolues to beeseege Montargis a dangerous thorne both for the neerenesse to Paris and the conuerse of the Bourguignon who continued his desseâ—ngs notwithstanding the stil iealousie of these Princes The charge of this seege was giuen to the Earles of Warwicke and Suffolke with three thousand men the rest were dispersed in Normandie and in Townes bordeâ—ing vpon Picardie for feare of the Bourguignon in whome he had no confidence Montargis is beeseeged and although the waters hindered their approach to the walles yet within â—ewe dayes it was fiercly battered by the English and valiantly defended by the French The seege of Montargis happie for the French They câ—ie out for succour but the affaires in Court were so wonderfully confused by the inâ—estine icalousies of the great men that one gazed vpon an other yet no man stirred although Charles continually cried to armes In the ende they beegin to march and although the Constable had busied himselfe in this leuie yet feating the example of Saint Iames hee would not hazard himselfe in the leading thereof The Constable loth to go to the releese of Montargis alleaging many colours to saue himselfe from blowes For want of him the charge was giuen to the Earle of Dunois a bastard of Orleans to William of Albret Lord of Oruall to the Lords of Gaucourt Guitry Grauille Villar la Hire Gyles of Saint Simon Gaulter of Frossard Iohn Stuard a Scot and other valiant Captaines who led fifeteene or sixteene hundered fighting men Their purpose was onely to vitteil the beseeged whilest the King raised greater forces in the Countries of his obedience The Constable remayned at Iargeau attending the issue which succeeded more happily then the desâ—eine of so flight a succour The Earle of Dunois doth aduertise the beseeged of his approach The riuer forced the English to make three lodgings those within the Towne had cunningly surprised the bridges vpon the riuer of Loing and after the succours had secreatly recouered the Rendez-uous those within the Towne stopped the course of the water so artificially Montargis releâ—ued and the English defeated as the riuer ouerflowes the bridges At the same instant all the troupes charge the English la Hire leading the first troupe chargeth the quarter where the Lord de la Poole brother to the Earle of Suffolke commanded crying Montioye S. Denices he fills all with confusion killing burning and spoyling de la Poole with much adoe saues himselfe with seauen more in his brothers lodging in the Abby without the Towne vpon the way to Nemours The Earle of Dunnois whose rendez-uous was towards the Castle hauing ioyned with the Townesmen who were issued forth with great resolution chargeth the body of their Campe the which he wholy ouercame The slaughter was great for so small troupes for they numbred sixteene hundered slaine vpon the place In this charge the Earle of Suffolke fauored by the waters gathers togither al he can in his quarter and recouers the hilles to make his retreat to Chasleau-Landon and Nemours places vnder the English commaunde and of neerest retreat The honour of this happie successe was attributed to the Earle of Dunois whereat the King recâ—yued an incredible content as a refreshing to this buâ—ning â—euer and the Constable Richemond a greeuious discontent being absent and so this yeare ended But the newe yeare will shewe what fruits Brittain yeelded to France during her great necessities This châ—â—ke at Montargis did somewhat coole the Duke of Bedfords heat The Constable seekes all meanes to crosse the King but the Constables ambition nothing at all who hauing vndertaken to play the King with the King sought to crosse all the humors of this Prince hee hated what hee loued disallowed what hee allowed and dispraysed what hee commended After the
growes very hote Our men greatly incouraged by this Virgin runne headlong to the Bastion and force a point thereof Then fire and stones raigne so violently as the English being amazed forsake their defences Some are slaine vpon the place some throw themselues downe headlong and flie to the Towre vpon the bridge In the end this braue Glacidas abandons this quarter and retires into the base Court vpon the bridge Many English drowned at Orleans the bridge breaking and after him a great troupe of his Souldiars The bridge greatly shaken with Artillerie tried by fire and ouer-charged with the weight of this multitude sinkes into the water with a fearefull crie carrying all this multitude with â—t Thus the riuer of Loire was the Sepulchre of Glacidas and of his troupe alwayes accustomed to vanquish but when they were vanquished An example of mans vanitie who drunke with their victories cannot conceiue that the rodde of the Iudge of this world may touch them The English lost in these three dayes skirmishes aboue eight thousand men and we scarse a hundred the which was Gods handie worke If the ioy of Orleans were great Orleans freed from the English and the Virgins honour proclaimed in this happy successe being proofes of her true foretellings If her triumph were double when as passing through the Citty hauing her arme honourablie hurt she was inuironed by the Earle of Dunois Pothon Xaintrailles and all the most famous Captaines the perplexitie of Suffolke Talbot and Sâ—ales was not lesse foreseeing the vnauoidable proceeding of their misfortune if they should obstinately defend the other fortes that were towards Beausse although a good part of their armie remained there So they take councell from danger to abandon all these Fortes to retire into some place of safetie and to aduertise the Duke of Bedford of their misfortunes The same night they gather together with great silence about nine thousand men and take the way to Baugency The Orleanois are watchfull obseruing their departure The English retire with their forces prepare to charge the enemie but the Virgin would not consent therevnto And in truth this remainder was appointed for other victories The inhabitants thus freed issue early in the morning out of the Cittie they come to the Bastions where hauing gathered together great store of armes victualles and baggage they cast these great monuments of the English labours vnto the ground They giue sollemne thankes vnto God the author of so miraculous a deliuerie and to the end this singular benefit might be celebrated yearely they erect a monument for this memorable successe King Charles the seuenth armed and Ioane the Virgin likewise armed both kneeling vpon their knees Truely thanksgiuing for so excellent a good is due to God onely and this memory ought to bee religiously consecrated to posteritie as the first fruites of the restoring of this Estate then halfe dead through the force and might of Strangers To confirme this goodly victorie the Virgin parts well accompanied from Orleans and goes to the Kâ—ng to Chinon to yeeld him an accoâ—mpt of her Commission It cannot be spoken with what ioy this Prince beheld her and what credit she purchased by this miraculous successe But My Liege saith she This is but a beginning we must finish the God of heauens worke causing you to be crowned at Rheims and chasing your enemies out of your state This is the commandement I haue receiued And so by her aduice Charles assembles all his forces The Constable of Richemont The Constable of Riâ—hemont reconciled to thâ— King who neuer durst shew himselfe after the quarrell with Tremouille is now reconciled by the Virgins intercession and hereafter shall doe very good seruice to this Crowne Charles of Bourbon Earle of Clermont is now wonderfully discontented to haue retired himselfe from the battaile of Herings hauing not honourably assisted in these exploits in the which he had held the first ranke But Iohn of Bourbon Duke of Alençon arriued happily out of prison from England he had beene taken at the battaile of Vernuâ—il to be commander of these goodly troupes which go resolutely to take possession of the Citties of Champagne being all then in the possession of the English Men post from all parts to this banket Their hearts being reuiued their countenances change and their affaires take a new forme They then plot saying But whilest the King prepares for his Coronation at Gyen and to be neere his chiefest affaires let vs suppresse these English which remaine after that great defeat of Orleans The English defeated at Iaâ—geau the Earle of Sufâ—olâ—e taken his â—rethren slaine and let vs take from them those Townes which are neere about The Earle of Suffolke was at Iargeau the Towne is besieged and taken all the English are either slaine or taken prisoners one of the Earles bretheren was slaine in the fight another of them drowned and he himselfe was taken vpon the Bridge as he was flying away Meung was taken by Guy of Lauall and seuen or eight hundred English-men slaine Baugency yeeldes by composition The Duke of Bedford gathers together what forces he can to preserue the rest of the Townes from shipwrack sending a troupe of foure thousand men to fortifie them Talbot with Thomas Rameston haue the charge This troupe was presently subiect to our victorie and when as they finde that neither men nor Townes can hold out for them they seeke to retire themselues but they are incountred at Patay a small village in Beausse The English defeated at Patay where all are slaine or taken yet our mens furie being past many are spared both in the fight and in prison that the English might haue a testimonie of our mildenesse The great Talbot is taken and brought to Charles who vseth him with great respect Iohn Fastoll flies shamefully and is therefore degraded by the Duke of Bedford This chanced the 20. of May. Wee had all the tokens of an absolute victorie The Commanders slaine or taken the field wonne A hundred and ten Ensignes brought to our Temples Their Canons Artillerie and all other habillements of warre are seized on and moreouer the hearts of the King and the French were resolued to end the matter Behold the first fruites the haruest shall be gathered in time as the Historie will shew by degrees But let vs go to Rheims to Crowne Charles according to the Virgins appointment THE CORONATION OF CHARLES the seuenth BY this happie successe the way was made to Rheims although the Kings Councell framed many difficulties to hinder this voyage King Charles crowned at Rheims as superfluous and almost impossible for why say they should Charles be crowned The lawe of State made him to bee borne a King and he was Crowned at Poitiers But if to please the people it must of force be so where is the meanes to effect this decree Rheims and all the Townes of Champagne bee in other mens possessions Thus did
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
Duke of Brittanie first interessed by the English begins first to resist him But Charles is drawne to force by constraint The Ambassadors of France and England were assembled at Louuiers to redresse the breach at Fougeres when as behold Pont de l'Arche a Towne vpon the riuer of Seine foure leagues from Rouen is surprized by the Lord of Breze for the Duke of Brittanie This troubled Somerset who presently sends to make complaint vnto the assemblie Charles makes him answer that it is a requitall but if he will render vp Fougeres and the goods that were stolne valued at sixteene hundred thousand Crownes he should haue Pont de l'Arche againe The which being disdainefully refused by Somerset Charles protests by his Ambassadors in open assemblie 1449. That if warre followed which God forbid the fault should not be his causing an autentike acte to be taken by certain Apostolike Imperiall Notaries for his discharge and iustification Seeing therefore that this milde course was skorned by his stout enemy hee resolues to haue his reuenge by force of armes Charles and the Duke of Brittain combine against the English To this end he combines with Francis Duke of Brittain to make warre against the English their common enemy vpon condition the Britton should not treate with him without his leaue A very needefull restraint hauing often failed as we haue seene All prepare to warre in euery place where the English had any footing in Gasconie in Normandie and in all other parts where there was any remainder of their ancient Conquests Guienne shall begin the game but it shall ende in Normandy to make perfect the French obedience whereof it offers these first fruits to Charles in the beginning of this yeare as to their lawfull King Cognac was surprised for him by Verdun a Gascon but the manner was notable The exploits of the French in Guienne Normandie Mondot an English Captaine was gouernor of the place he was absent when the Towne was taken Verdun keepes the gates carefully that no intelligence might be giuen vnto him so as he comes to the gates without knowledge of any thing but he found some which added him vnto their prise being taken prisoner wheras before he was a gouernor The same day Saint Maigrin was taken by Alliac likewise a Gascon The newes of Cognac and S. Maigrin were scarse brought to Charles when as the Lord of Moâ—y giues him intelligence that he had taken Gerberond and the Bailiffe of Eureux Couches with great slaughter of the English Complaints are presently made by the English Talbot is the messenger Charles letts them know that they are in the sault seeing they began first Yet he offers to yeeld all that had bin taken by his commandement according to the lawe of reprisalles so as they would deliuer what they had takeÌ„ and suffer his friends and Allies to liue in peace Talbot answering that he had no such charge Charles lettes him vnderstand that he would redresse it by lawfull force that he did vnwillingly enter into waâ— yet would he soone shewe the English that his myldnesse had a sting and so he goes to held with a goodly army There were three chiefe dens for theeues the Rendez-uous of al the English roberies in those parts Verneuil Mante and Loigny Verneuil an infamous place for our defeate was first taken a Miller gaue them entry by a hoale in the Towne wall by the which the water did run to his mill ioyning to the wal Townes in Normandie yeeld vnto the King The Towne began and the Castel followed a strong Tower deuided from the Castel held out some daies but it yeelded when as Charles arriued Mante yeelded in viewe of the army Loigny was surprised by scalado but the English intrenched in the base Court fought it out resolutely lost both liues and goods Vernon a Towne vpon Seine yeelded of it selfe by the voluntaâ—y obedience of the Inhabitants Ponteau â—â—mer was forced by the Earles of Eu and S. Pol wheras many English men were lost But Lizieux by the graue aduice of their Bishop yeelds voluntary obedience and auoids the miseries of the vanquished Louuiers did the like Gournay was sold by an English Captaine that held it Essâ—y was taken by a gentle stratagem of the Duke of Alançons The Captaine accompanied with the soldiars of his garrison was gon forth to fish a poole while he seeks for fish he is taken himselfe and his Lieutenant deliuers vp the Castell to the Kings seruice Fescampe is taken by the Abbot hauing intelligence with the Monks at the same instaÌ„t a ship arriues out off England being ignorant of this losse the French suffer them to land and take them all prisoners Harcourt makes shewe to resist but it yeelds by composition aâ—ter the seege of eight daies The army marcheth against Neufchastell of Nicourt takes the Towne by force the Castel yeelds by composition The Earle of Clermont was desirous to recouer his chiefe house wherof he carried the name his subiects gaue him entry into the Towne and so by the Towne he wins the Castell S. Loo at the sight of the army demands and obtaines a good composition with all the neighbour Castells Carenten yeelds after three daies and Pont d'Oâ—ë is taken by assault Constances and Gauray by composition Alenson freed it selfe from the English yeelds to the mild command of their good Prince the Duke of Alanson who shewed his mercie euen to the English being vanquished to whom he gaue both life and goods La Rochequien was yeelded vp by the Captaine of the Castell who of an English man becomes French by the perswasions of his wife who was a French woman Chasâ—â—angaillard a Fort of importance vpon the Riuer of Seine endured a siege of six weekes but the pâ—esence and good fortune of Charles made him maâ—ster of the place Gisors so famous for the English quarrels was yeelded to the King by the Captaine who likewise came to the Kings seruice and in the end Valonges a place of importance the which hereafter shall come in question by a famous accident As the Kings armie made this progresse in Normandie so it increased daily by these new conquests René King of Sicile and the Duke of Brittanie arriue with goodly voluntarie tâ—oupes and some townes newly reduced to the Kings obedience with an infinite number of warlike people but aboue all the Court was goodly by the multitude of Noblemen who went not onely to honour the Kings good fortune but carried by an inward instinct of his right well gouerned as it were by a celestiall guide did runne to an assured victorie and to the possession of an heires lawfull right The Dukes of Bourbon Alanson and Brittanie were there with the Earles of Richemont Constable of France of Maine Eu Saint Pol Dunois Castres Tancaruille and Dampmartin The Duke of Lorraine and Iohn his brother augmented the traine of King René Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins Baron of Treignel
were with tempest driuen vpon the coast of Brittaine and there forced to take land where they were seized on and led with sure guards to Vannes A verie happie chance for the Duke for while hee holds this goodly gage hee was assured to commaund the forces of England but very vnhappy for the Earle for if hee might haue landed in France Lewis without doubt to crosse Edward would haue laboured to restore him This truce did wonderfully displease some of Edwards househould seruants Lewis of Brettailles among the rest a gentleman of Gascony Edwards seruants discontented with the truce was greatly discontented giuing out that the King his maister hauing in person wonne nine battails had gotten more dishonour by the voluntary losse of this tenth which was in a manner gotten then he had purchased honour in the former nine That the French might with reason laugh at Edwards credulous facilitie Lewis aduertised by the Lord of Argenton of this Gascons free discourse resolues to stoppe his mouth to the end he should not hereafter spend his tongue to the preiudice of this Estate He sends for him Lewis a free buier of meÌ„s seruices and makes him dine with him offers him great aduancements so as hee will serue him Vpon his refusall hee giues him a thousand crownes presently and promiseth to doe good for his brethren that remayned in France binding him to maintaine as much as in him did lie the friendship growing betwixt these two Crownes Bretailles did not iudge amisse Our Lewis had sometimes a more liberal tongue then was conuenient and feared much least some words had passed him whereby the English might discouer that he mocked him and so it chaunced yet behold how hee couered it The day after this enteruewe being in his Cabinet he fell to iest of the wines other presents he had sent to the English But hee discouered not a Gascoyne marchant dwellâ—ing in England who by chance was crept in to obtaine a lycense of the King for the transporting of certaine pipes of wine freed froÌ„ impost This marchant might talke he must therefore be woon and staied in France vnder some apparent pretext The King sent the Lord of Argenton to talke with him aduaunceth him to a good office in the towne where he was borne hee giues him a thousand frankes presently to transport his familie the transport of wines he required and a man to condâ—ct him to Bourdeaux but all vppon condition that not he but his brother should make the voyage into England Thus the King made amends for his rashe speech Edward is now vnder saile he was a newe Conqueror Causes that mooued Edward to passe and to returne home into England his presence was therefore more needful in England he did neuer much affect the voyage Two principal reasons dâ—ewe him into the action The one was all his subiects gaping after the possession of this Crowne did sollicit him and the Bourguignon prest him An other was he might reserue a good part of the mony that should bee raysed for this voyage for the Kings of England leuie no thing aboue their reuenues but for the warres of Fraunce But see the policie of Edward he had of purpose brought with him ten or twelue of the chiefe bourgesses of the Cittie whose credit was great with the Commons and who had with all care procured this taxe These men were soone weary with this military toile Presuming that at the first arriuall a profitable battaile should decide the quarrell And to make them tast more fealinglie the sweetenesse of peace from the sharpenesse of warre Edward doth sometimes trouble their heads with doubts sometimes with feares to keepe them from murmuring at his returne into England On the other side he loued his pleasures was of a complexion not able to endure the trauells requisite for the conquest of this Realme and although the King was ouercharged with enemies yet had he prouided well for his defence But see the most vrgent reason of Edwards retreate The performance he desired of the marriage betwixt the Daulphin and his daughter A marriage which made him dissemble many things whereof Lewis will make his profit To conclude as they which haue beene deceiued in their friendship hate without dissembling Edward seâ—â—â—s the Constables letters vnto Lewis Edward before hee parted from Calais sent the King those two letters of credit which the Constable had written vnto him with all other verball assurances which he had giuen him Sufficient testimonies to accuse and conuince him of those crimes wherewith he shal be hereafter charged Let vs nowe reconcile the Duke of Bourgongne and Brittain with the King Contay was now returned from the Duke of Bourgongne the day of the enterviewe and had found his maister in a good humour when as the English were returned Hugonnet Chancellor of Bourgongne other Ambassadors for the duke meete at a bridge midde way betwixt Auennes and Veruins in Hainault so well accompanied with Archers and other men of warre that one of the English hostages whome the King had led with him tooke occasion to say that if the Duke of Bourgongne had beene followed with many such men when he came to salute King Edward peraduenture they had not made a peace Discontent betwixt the English and Bougguâ—gnons The Viconte of Narbonne answered That the Duke wanted no such men and that hee had sent them to refresh themselues but six hundered pipes of of wine and a pension which the King gaue them made them hast home to their Country The English mooued herewith It is as euery mansaied replies he that you wold deceiue vs. Do you call the money the King giues vs a pension It is a tribute and by Saint George you may talke so much as we will returne againe This quarrell stayed their proceeding neyther did they preuaile any more the second time when as the King appointed Tanneguy of Chastel and the Chanceller Oriole to heare the sayd Ambassadors at Veruins but the third assembly which was in the Kings Chamber made a full conclusion and in truth Brezey had reason to say one day to the King that his horse was well laden when he was on him A truce betwixt Lewis and the Bourguignons for that hee carried all his Counsell with him for in deed he did effect more in his presence then al his Ambassadors togither where there was a truce accorded for nine yeares according to the other but by reason of the oath which Charles of Bourgongne had sworne to Edward in his choller it might not be published vntill the 17. of October following Edward discontented that the Duke of Bourgongne would treate a part sends Montgomery a Knight very inward with him to the King to Veruins Edward offers to ayde Lewis against the Bourguignon hee requires two things the one that hee would take no other truce with the Duke then that which hee had made the other that hee
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
Arras Boulongne Hedin and so many other Townes and to be lodged many dayes before S. Omer In truth our Lewis had a quick conceit and very watchfull He knew well that the English in generall were wonderfully inclined to warre against this realme as well vnder colour of their ancient pretensions as for the hope of gaine inticed by many high deeds of armes wherein they haue often had the aduantage and of that long possession both in Normandie and Guienne where they had commanded three hundred and fiftie yeares vntill that Charles the 7. dispossessed them That this baite might well perswade them to crosse his desseignes These two mighty Princes neighbours cannot see without iealousie the one to growe great by new conquests and the other to be at quiet He therefore entertaines Edward with sundrie Ambassages The politike liberalitie of Lewis presents and goodly speeches causeth the pension of fiftie thousand Crownes to be duely payed at London and some sixteene thousand distributed among such as were in credit about him so as the profit they drew from the iudicious bountie of Lewis tyed their tongues and blinded their eyes Money was muck to him in regard of a man of seruice and he was pleased to vaunt that the great Chamberlaine whereof there is but one in England the Chancellor Admirall Maister of the horse and other great Officers of England were his Pensiooners So he gaue vnto Howard foure and twenty thousand Crownes in money and plate besides his pension in lesse then two yeares and to Hastings great Chamberlaine a thousand markes of siluer in plate at one time as appeares by their quittances in the chamber of accoumpts at Paris Lewis had great need to vse this policie and bountie for this yong Princesse did infinitly presse Edward who for her cause did often send to the King to demand a peace or at the least a truce and in the Court of England there wanted not some to incense Edward that seeing the terme was expired by the which Lewis should send for the Infanta of England whom they called Madame the Daulphine hee would deceiue him Yet no respect neither priuate nor publick could moue Edward he was pursie louing his delight vnable to suffer paine glorious of nine famous victories The disposition of Edward King of England and fraught with home-bred enemies and aboue all the loue of fiftie thousand Crownes so well paide in his Tower of London kept him at home Moreouer the Ambassadors that came from him returned laden with rich presents and alwayes with irresolute answers to winne time promising speedily to resolue the points of their demands to their maisters satisfactions But let vs obserue another ingenious policie Lewis neuer sent one Ambassador twise vnto Edward to the end that if the former had happily treated of any thing that tooke not effect the latter knew not what to answer and so ignorance serued him for an excuse with delay of time Moreouer he instructed his Ambassadors so well as the assurance of the marriage they gaue to the King and Queene of England the accomplishment whereof they both greatly desired made them take hope for paiment Lewis feeds Edward with dilatorie hopes Yet the King had neuer any such meaning there was too great an inequalitie of age and thus getting a moneth or two by mutuall Ambassages he kept his enemy from doing him any harme who without the baite of this marriage would neuer haue suffred the house of Bourgongne to be so oppressed An other reason disswaded Edward from imbracing of Maries quarrell The reason why Edward neglects Maâ—â— of Bourgongne She had refused to marry with the Lord Riuers brother to the Queene of England The which match was not equall hee being but a poore Baron and she the greatest heire of her time And the better to keepe Edward quiet the King inuited him to ioyne with him and consented that he should haue for his part the Prouinces of Flanders and Brabant offring him to conquer for him at his owne charge foure of the greatest Townes in Brabant to entertaine him ten thousand English men for foure moneths and to furnish him with Artillerie and carriages so as Edward would come in person and seize vpon Flanders whilest that hee imployed his forces else-where But Edward found that Flanders and Brabant were hard to conquer and painefull to keepe and also the English by reason of the commoditie of their trafficke had no will to this warre Yet said hee since it pleaseth you to make mee partaker of your victories giue mee of those places you haue conquered in Picardie Boulongne and some others then will I declare my selfe for you and assist you with men at your charge A wise and discreet demand but those places were no lesse conuenient for Lewis who was loth to beat the bush for an other to get the birds It appeares that Edward did wonderfully affect the alliance of France Edward greatly affects the alliance with France and feared to â—iue the King any occasion to infâ—inge it so as some say hee caused his brother the Duke of Clarence to be put in prison vpon colour that hee would passe the seas to succour the Dowager of Bourgongne for the which crime he was condemned to haue his head cut off and his body to be quarteâ—ed a punishment inflicted vpon traitors in England But at the entreaty of their mother Looke the Chronicles of England Edward did moderate this sentence and gaue him the choise of what death he would wherevpon he was drowned in a Pipe of Malmesey But this Duke was sonne in lawe to the Earle of Warwicke whome Edward had slaine in battaile as wee haue sayde and it seemes the greatest crime they could obiect against him was the priuate hatred which vsurpers commonly beare to those whome they doubt might but erosse their tyranicall vsurpations And as wee haue recreated our selues beyond the Seas let vs now passe the Alpes and see what is done there suffering our warriours to enioy a truce vntill the next yeare There were at that time two mighty families at Florence the one of Medâ—â—â—s the other of â—acis These were supported by Pope Sixtus the fourth Troubleâ— as Florence and by Ferâ—inand King of Naples to ouerthrowe the absolute gouernement of the Citties they attempt to murther Laurence de Medicis and all his followers and gaue for watch-word to the murtherers when as the Priest celebrating the high Masse should say Sanctus in the Church of S. Raparee where they should assist at a certaine day A treacherous attempt against the house of Medicis Laurence escaped but being maymed of many of his members he saued himselfe in the vestry Iulian his brother was slaine and some of their followers Then runne they to the Pallace to murther all those which had the gouernement of the Citty but being mounted they see that some of their men had abandoned them so as they were not aboue foure or
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
aboue named ordinances by an Edict The Rector fearing a check keepes all the Schollers within their lodgings and reuokes the commandement he had giuen Iohn Standon a Doctor of Diuinitie a Brabanson and one of the chiefe authors of this counsell was banished the realme Thomas Warnet of Cambraie who preaching had barkt out some thing against the kings authority preuented this decree and â—anished himself Lewis his title to the Duchie of Milan Bâ—ing thus content in minde quiet within his realme his thoughts â—oâ—red beyond the Alpes and now he takes vpon him the title of Duke of Milan He was 〈◊〉 vpon the right of succession Valentine besides her dowry which was the 〈◊〉 and Country of Ast with a great summe of money had obtaymed this clause 〈◊〉 in her contract of marriage That for want of heires male of Galeas Valentine 〈…〉 the Duchie or she being dead her next descendants 〈◊〉 â—â—uention was of no force but the Imperiall seat was then vacant and the 〈…〉 it The Popes pretending the Empire being without an Emperour that the administration belongs to them And seing that by the death of Philip Maria Visconte the masculine line of Iohn Galeas failed who then should succeed in this goodly estate many contended for it the Emperour Frederick mayntained that it should be vnited to the Empire considering the line specified in the Institution made to Iohn Galeas by Wenceslaus King of the Romains was extinct Alphonso King of Arragon Naples armed himselfe with the testament of Philip by the which hee was made his heâ—re But in worldly affaires the strongest most often carries it Francis Sforce one of Philips Captaines sonne to Sforce Attendule an Aduenturer a braue and actiue spiâ—â— had married Blanche bastard daughter to the sayd Philip and hauing no man at 〈◊〉 â—â—stant that might resist his violence hee did so cunningly winne all the greatest 〈◊〉 of Milan as by their support suffrance he soone seized on the state the which 〈◊〉 easily effect hauing all the forces at his command no competitor For 〈◊〉 Lewis Duke of Orleans nor his Children had any meane to recouer this Duâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Francis by reason of the great warres which followed in France by the 〈◊〉 of the sayd Lewis and of the Duke of Bourgongne slaine likewise at Monterea◠〈◊〉 â—â—wis the 6. and 7. Charles sonne to the sayd Lewis taken at the bâ—ttâ—â—lâ— of Azâ—â—â—â— â—â—guishing twentie fiue yeares a prisoner in England and deliuered by Philip 〈◊〉 â—ourgundy could neuer obtaine any aide from Lewis the eleuenth beeing 〈◊〉 by homebred warres from the beginning of his raigne Moreouer Lewis did alwaies make accompt to settle his authority by the suppression of his neerest bloud And for this cause our Lewis his sonne in lawe sonne to the sayd Charles had no whit the more credit with his father in lawe for the recouery of his inheritance And the â—word which hee did vnsheath against Charles the eight his brother in lawe of whome hee pretended the Regencie and after in the warres of Brittaine tooke from him all meanes to attempt this enterprise vntill such time that the King hauing left him in Ast to crosse the attempts of Lodowike Sforce the seized vpon Nouarre but with a â—â—â—â—lesse euent Nowe is he seated vpon the royall throne of his Ancestors peaceable within himself and peaceable with his neighbors Triuulce doth not cease to lay open vnto him 〈◊〉 to expell Lodowike To make the way easie Pope Alexanders friendship 〈…〉 Florentins and other Potentats of Italy was very requisite Hee seeke 〈◊〉 Ambassadors and findes that the death of Charles the eight had bred an alâ—â—â— in their dispositions The Pope conceyuing that the peace of Italy was the 〈◊〉 of his priuate estate did easily alowe of newe troubles The Venetians beâ—â—◠〈◊〉 by the Kings decease from the feare they had of him for the iâ—â—â—gnities 〈◊〉 had receyued did not beleeue that a newe King would so vehemently imbrace 〈…〉 of his Predecessor and foreseeing that also that if S force were once quiet he would oppose him selfe against them for the affaires of Pisa whereof he did â—olâ—â—â— but coldly the restitution vnto the Florentins by the Popes meanes The Florentins had not yet so much estranged their affection from the French but there was good meanes to recouer it Being thus affected they all send their Ambassadors to the King The Popes affection The Pope who 〈◊〉 to nothing more then the temporall aduancement of Caesar Borgia his sonne 〈◊〉 then Cardinall did willingly imbrace this occasion to plant him in the Kings 〈◊〉 sauour and by some especiall bond to purchase his masters loue He knew well 〈◊〉 Lewis would willingly put away Ioane his wife to marrie with Anne the widowe of Charles and euen then hee resolued to exchange spirituall graces for temporall commodities He then agrees with the King for thirty thousand Ducats and drawes a promise from him 1499. He Capitulates with the king to aide him presently after the conquest of Milan to reduce to the obedience of the Apostolike sea the Townes possessed by the Gouernours of Romagna And for his sonne Caesar a company of a hundred Lances twenty thousand Frankes pension a wife in France to his liking and Valence in Daulphine with the title of a Duchie Then he committed the matter of diuorce to Ferdinand Bishop of Sept his Nuncio in France to Philip Cardinall of Luxembourg and to Lewis Bishop of Albi some name George of Amboise Arch-bishop of Rouan who vpon report of the protestation made by Lewis to a Notarie the day of his marriage That his meaning was not to contract any marriage and that the sollemnitie which he did celebrate was onely to please the King whom hee knew to be cruell against those by whom he thought himselfe to bee wronged And moreouer If by chance Lewis eyther by the expresse commandement of his father in law or after of his brother in law did lye with his wife hee did interpose secret witnesses that should depose of his abstinencie And besides the Physitians and Philosophers hauing iudged her incapable of issue they declared the sayd marriage voyde and gaue him liberty to marry with Anne who marrying elsewhere should haue diuided the Duchie of Brittanie from the Crowne of France The Venetians sent to congratulate his comming to the Crowne The Venetians and by way of excuse gaue him to vnderstand that the controuersies they had with King Charles proceeded onely of distrust and iealousie wherof he had giuen them cause seeing that not content with the realme of Naples he had cast his desseâ—gnes vpon all Italie The Florentiâ—es The Florentins did not forget their ancient customes in like cases to the Crowne of France but especially to put him in minde of their deseruings to the deceased King solliciâ—â—d therevnto by Lodowick Sforce to the end that when the two commonweales of Venice and Florence should come to treate of the affaires
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
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
beseeged And the King relying vpon the assurance he had of the Marshall of Biez aduanced hoping that the Bulwarks and the Courtynes of the fort had beene in such defence as he might haue imployed his armie elsewhere But there are two reasons which diuert him The one priuate which was the death of the Duke of Orleans his yongest sonne who supprised with a Quotidian feuer Death of the Duke of Orleance which they held to be pestilentious died the eight of September in the Abby of Forest-montier betwixt Abbeuille and Montrueil being three and twentie yeares old leauing a second greefe to the father to haue lost two sonnes at such times as they grew capable to ease his decaying age and without doubt the the waywardnes which made this Prince melancholike and difficult will hasten the course of his life to bring him to his graue The other was publike the Prince of Melphe being sent to visit the fort hauing considered the time of the foundation and the terme it required to come to the perfection reported that winter would bee well passed before it should bee made fit for seruice without the assistance of an armie So the King seeing his hopes lost and the season spent for the effecting of his desseins he retyred towards Amiens to the Abby of Saint Fuscien Skirmishes before Boullen In the meane time the neernes of the Kings Campe at Monâ—-Lambert did inuite both nations daily to make great skirmishes One day amonst the rest the Duke of Aumale seing our men withstand a charge of the enemies but faintly and were readie to be ouerthrown making a count hee should bee seconded by his troupe hee fals vppon a company of English which went to charge our French vpon the flanke at the first approch stayes them but being stroken with a launce betwixt the nose and the eye it breaks in peeces and left the tronchion halfe a foot within his head without doubt we may admire the generositie of this yong Nobleman who for so rough a charge lost neither stirops nor vnderstanding to free himselfe from those which had compassed him in and his admirable patience in induring the paine when they came to draw forth the three square head as constantly as if they had pulled but a haire from his head Winter approched and the King considering that his enterprise vpon Guines was â—râ—strate aduertised moreouer that the English made a new leauie in Germanie of ten thousand Lansquenets and foure thousand horse with this supply to come and raise the siege at Boullen he fortified all the approches in the countrie of Tierache and aboâ—t Aubenton Veruein and Guise to stop their passage He sent the Marshall of Biez to inuade ruine and burne the land of Oye for that Calais Guines and Hames which the English held vpon the maine land had no other reliefe but out of that Countie and to dispose of the affaires as occasion should serue he marched towards la Fere vpon Oize The land of Oye containes about foure leagues in length and three in breadth a marish very fertill in pastures Description and â—ark of the land of Oye hauing on the one side the sea and at the one end towards the sea Calais at the other end Grauelin of the land of Flanders towards the land and alongst the bankes of the Marish is the Towne of Guines and the Castle of Hames and at the end towards Arthois stands Ardres For the safetie of this land the English had made great trenches towards the firme land the which were commonly full of water and fortified with Rampars and to flanke them fortes and bastions well manned to defend the entrie into the countrie The affection which euery one bare vnto the Kings seruice made them to passe the channels which flowed into the countrie directly against the fortes They assaile them force them and put all to the sword they finde Two thousand English come to their succours the French men at aâ—â—es charge and defeate them and kill the most part the rest cast themselues into the trenches where the horsemen could not follow foure score or a hundred of our horse with manie men at armes test fâ—ed by their deaths or wounds the furie of this incounter The English were strong both in high and base Boullen and in the Tower of Ordre this Tower was built by Iulius Caesar the second time he passed into England to haue a Lampe vpon the top of it to direct his ships if they should be diuided by any stoâ—me at Sea as in his first voyage and the retiring of our troupes made them to enterprise vpon our â—orte wâ—ich was made on the other side of the water right against base Boullen Seuen or eight thousand choise men come an houre before day and mount sodenly to the top of the rampar where they might easily enter in many places without any ladders Thibault â—ouhault Lord of Riou Lieutenant for the King within the fort finding his succours farâ—e off saies the originall watched in the night and rested the day If the enemy charged furiously he repels him with no lesse assâ—rance kils all them that mounted ouertâ—rowes the rest puts them in route so as by this gallant repulse he was afterwards freed from the attempts of the English We must now plant strong barres against the Lansquenets which come to succour the King of England A leuie of Lansquâ—nets â—or the English mâ—de fruitleâ—â—e They were lodged at Fleurines a great village in the countrâ—e of Liege 〈◊〉 leagues from Mezieres Mezieres was of great importance if the enemy had surprised it And the Emperor fearing that this great swarme of men finding his countries vnfurnished of souldiars would doe some harme had hindred their passage through his teâ—â—itories This refusall might haue made the Germaines to haue sought a passage by force through the realme So the King to crosse them sent Laâ—gey into Mezacres with a thousand foot and the horsmen of Bourgongne and part of Champagne he sent Longueuall his Lieutenant into Champagne to muster the Legion of the country manneâ— the pâ—ssages where he thought the enemie would attempt He sent the Duke of Angâ—ien into Guise with three hundred men at armes and a number of foote In the end the Lansquenets hauing staied 3. weekes at Fleurines doubtfull where they should make their passage the day of their pay being come and the money yet in England they turne their enseignes returne home the same way leading with them the King of Englands Treasurers for assurance of their entertainment Our Francis is now freed of a great care By the death of the Duke of Orleans the chiefe conditions of peace made with the Emperour were voide so to enter into new treaties his Maiestie sent from Folambray neere to Coussy the Admirall Annebault and the Chancellor Oliuier â—he Emperour was at Bruges and determined to send an armie against the Protestants and commonalties of Germanie who yeelded him no
troupe of others in the moneth of Aprill 1545. fired many villages neere vnto Merindol pâ—t many of the Countrimen into the gallies spoyled razed and burnt Merindoll being vnpeopled tooke Cabrieres by composition and against his faith in cold bloud hee cut in peeces fiue and twentie or thirtie men chosen at his pleasure rauished â—iues and yong virgins burnt about fortie in a barne whereof the most part were with child put aboue eight hundred to the sword and carried away many prisoners to Marsâ—â—lles Aix and Auignon This did too farre exceed a decree giuen against seuenteene persons abusing the Kings authoritie with too great violence who in his latter age toucht with a remorâ—e of conscience by reason of this horrible proceeding against his subiects whome hee had too lightly abandoned to these butchers greeued that hee could not before his death punish the authors of these murthers exemplarly lying in the bed of death he commanded Henry his sonne expresly King Francis touched in conscience not to make his memory hatefull vnto strangers nor subiect to the wrath of God in not punishing of this guilt Euen so that great King Dauid amongst other dispositions of his last will Thou knowest said hee to him that should sit on the throne after him what Ioab the sonne of Tseruia hath done vnto me and what he hath done to the two Commaunders of the armies of Israel Abner the son of Ner and Amasa the son of Iether whom he hath slaine hauing shed bloud in time of peace Thou shalt not suffer his white haires to descend with peace into the graue But Salomon performed his fathers will more religiously Yet one at the least must suffer for many the chance fell vpon one that was least guiltie named Guerin an aduocate by proâ—ession who was hanged at Paris The Cardinall of Tournon Grignan and la Garde were in some trouble but more feared then hurt Menier escaped but hee died after being tragically possessed with a furie and a secret fire which consumed his bowels Gods iust iudgements vpoâ— murther The people of Guienne reconciled to the Kings fauour The yeare ended with the death of two famous personages Pope Paul the ninth of Nouember to whome succeeded Cardinall Iohn Maria Bishop of Mantoua and the vertuous Princesse Marguerite of Valois sister to King Francis deceased and wife to Henry of Albret King of Nauarre the fourteenth of December They say commonly that for all offences there needes but one satisfaction Seeing then that by the punishment of the cheefe authors of the sedition in Guienne the King had pardoned the commons he was not so inexorable but for a small satisfaction they were easily admitted to fauour so as in October past they of Bourdeaux had obteyned a remission binding themselues perpetually to his Maiestie To entertaine at sea for euer as wel they as their desceâ—dants two ships furnished for the warre to vittle the Castle of Trompet and du Ha and to renewe the victuals euery yeare By this meanes their Parliament was restored in Ianuarie and all things setled in their former estate By their example the three estates of Poictou Xaintonge Angoulmois Perigort Limosin and la Marche in the beginning of this yeare obteyned abolition of the custome vppon salt in Guienne paying foure hundred and fiftie thousand franks and fiue and twentie thousand for the satisfaction of the Kings officers of the said custome Then sprong there many and sundrie fiâ—ebrands of warre But before wee quarrell with the Emperour the English must yeeld vs Boullen The fort which the Lord of Chastillon had built in the yeere 1548. annoyed them much and the recouery of the forts of Selaque Blaeonnet and Bonlamberg and so many men defeated by the surprise of them gaue the Duke of Summerset and the Earle of Warwike to vnderstand that there was no thing but blowes to bee gotten in maintayning the warres of Boullen Moreouer the diuisions of England 1550. and the warre of Scotlanâ— called home their troupes So as for the summe before specified Peace with the Eâ—glish payable at two termes a peace was againe concluded with the English and Boullen restored to the King into the which his Maiesty made his entrye the 5. of May and did his homage wherevnto the Kings of France are bound by the institution of Lewis the XI as we â—aue elsewhere obserued Hereafter those small sparkles which began to appeare after the murther of Peter Lewis sonne to Pope Paul Farnese deceased slaine by his houshold seruants by the perswasion of Andrew Doria and Ferdinand Gonzague with the priuity and consent of the Emperour to seize vpon the Citty of Plaisance with the more facillity haue kindled so great fires as we shall see France Germany and Italy in combustion Paul had giuen â—arma to Octauian Farnâ—se sonne to the said Peter Lewis whereof he had institution of Iulâ—o his successor This Peter Lewis inclined much to the French party He had giuen victualls and ayde to Peter Strossy when as he came into the Countrie of Plaisance with â—ome forces for the seruice of the most Christian King and that which more inceâ—â—â—d the Imperialls he was suspected to haue assisted the Cont of â—iesque in an enterease made vpon Genes for the kings seruice the yeare 1547. in the which Ianeim Doria was slaine and Andrew Doria expelled This caused the death of Peter Lewis Faâ—nese Octauian his sonne had married the Emperours bastard daughter But they say that charity begins by it selfe The Emperour did labour him much he would gladly ioyne Parma to Plaisance that by lawfull meanes letting the Pope to vnderstand That Parma being of the patrimony of the Church the which was in his protection he ought to be preferred before Farnese seeing that Farnese could not keepe it but wiâ—h the men and money of his holmes The Pope being of a base mettall and fearing the touch tempted with the Emperours practises sends to Duke Octauian That he could no more furnish the extraordinary charges wherewith he had promised to assist him and Farnese finding that the Emperour laide this plot to dispossesse him off his inheritance he seekes a strong support in France against his father in-lawes practises The king who had not renounced the auncient pretensions of the house of Orleans to the Duchie of Milan declares himselfe but with the Popes good liking protector of the patrimony of the Church and of the Farneses The Emperour is in a rage who with his violent exclamations so terrifies the Pope as he abandons his vassall Octauian The Pope on the other side nothing well affected to the French grew bitter against the King he commands him to renownce this protection and for not obeying hee threatens to curse boâ—â— him his realme Thus Iulio the 2. not able to satisfy his greedy desire with the keies of S. Peter he vnsheaths the sword of S. Paul kindling by his madnesse these deadly diuisions throughout all Christendome as if the
to Rome for the Duke of Guise presuming vpon the conuention lately made betwixt the King the Pope and the Duke of Ferrara whereby the Pope should furnish twentie thousand foote a thousand horse and the charge of the armie the King the like number of foote and two thousand horse the Duke six thousand foote two hundred men at armes sixe hundred light horse and twentie peeces of battery But the Popes haue commonly aduanced their affaires at their costs that haue beleeued them and then haue abandoned them very lightly that haue assisted them at their neede The Dâ—ke of Guise comming to Boullen findes no men in field neyther were the Popes cofers open· and it may be if they had not toucht this string the expedition had beene more succesfull In the meane time the French army decreased for want of pay the Spaniards increased and the Ferrarois in steede of assisting craued aide of the Dâ—ke of Guise his sonne in Lawe What could our men do but studie of their returne into France but the Pope had not yet firmely setled his affaires and if hee had long remayned a lone betwixt two stooles without doubt the Spaniard would haue ouer-ruled him And therefore to stay the Duke of Guise hee sweares Not to treat any accord without the Kings consent and that for assurance thereof hee would send his sonne the Duke of Palliane for â—ostage into France But it was rather to attend the successe of the affaires of Picaraâ—e where they prepared a Theater to play a bloudie Tragedie then with any intent to diâ—charge his oath The Admirall hauing by the taking and spoile of Leâ—s in Artois begonne the warre in Picardie the Duke of Sauoye accompanied with Ernest and Henry Dukes of Brunswike the Duke of Aâ—scot newly come our of prison the Earles of Mansfeld Aiguemont Meigue and Barlemont leading fortie thousand foote and fifteene thousand horse ten English â—oote and fifteene hundred horse came soone after that to his succour The Qâ—eene of England hauing newely proclaymed warre against the King came threâ—â—ned Guise but in effect it was to belegar Saint Quentin beâ—â—â— vnâ—urnâ—shed of men The Admirall enters into it with such men as the present necessâ—â—y could furnish and the Coâ—stable desyring to saue Saint Quentin vndertooke to lead sufficient sorces to withstaâ—d the enemy As he returnes the x. of August being iâ—â—eriour in number and thereâ—ore without any intent to fight Philips army followes 〈…〉 neere as he is forced to fight The 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 in the which the Constable is hurt and taken 〈◊〉 with the Dukes of Montpensier and Longueuille the Earle of Rochefoucault Lodowike Prince of Mantona the Marshall of Saint Andrew the Lords of Aubigny Vasâ—é Curton Roche du Maine Rochfort in Brie Biron Saint Heran Neufuy Mouy Molinont Monsalez and many other Noblemen and gentlemâ—n of account There were slaine Iohn of Bourbon Duke of Anguâ—en the Vicount of Turaâ—e 〈◊〉 Constables sonne in lawe the elder brother of Roche du Maine Pontdormi Chanâ—â—mer the most part of the Captaines on foote and fiue thousand men some say eight thousand with many souldiars prisoners This fatall battel caused the losse of S. Quentin the beseeged being but eight huÌ„dred indured a generall assault S Quentin taken but vnable to defend eleuen breaches being forced at a tower which was vnfurnished of men they remained the 27. of August a lamentable pâ—â—y to the Conquerour The sonnes of Fayete the Captains Saleuert Oger Vicques la Barre Estang Gourdes and almost al the souldiars were slaine The Admirall D' Andelot his brother but he soone escaped Iarnac S. Remi Humieres and many others of marke were prisoners The successe of the Spanish army Castelet was the Spaniards third Trophey Han Chauny and all other places that might annoy them made their victory absolute Thus the Spanish forces had a happy season and the Pope resolued to leane to the stronger Theâ—e losses make him easily forget the speedy succors he had found in France so as at the first approach of the Duke of Alba he sends him a blanke by the Cardinall Caraffe and renouncing in September following the league made with the King The Pope reconciles himselfe to the Spaniards he made frustrate all his deâ—â—eines against Italy Doubtlesse the Councell of the Constable the Admirall and many others aduising to maintaine the truce was farre more expedient then this light and painefull enteâ—prise in fauour of a Pope who was content to haue imbarked vs in a newe Labirinth of confusions whereof we shall not be freed without a mournefull and exemplary spectacle To teach Princes That an accord confirmed by a reciprocal oath ought to be holy and inuiolable So this reconciliation was made famous by a strange wonder The same day and the day after this peace was concluded almost a third part of the buildings of Rome A great inundatioÌ„ at Rome and a great number of Christians perished by a sodaine and violent inundation of Tiber. There was some likelihood that Philip would haue entered further into the realme with his army but vnderstanding that the King expected a supply of foureteene thousand Suisses and prepared his campe at Laon hee was content to fortifie his last Conquests and so gaue the King meanes to stay in Bresse and Lionois the troupes which the Dukes of Guise and Aumale brought out off Italy to chase the Baron of Polleuille from Bourg in Bresse the which he beseeged in the Duke of Sauois name witâ— twelue hundred horse and twelue thousand foote Should the King then suffer the courage of these forces newely arriued to quaâ—â—e with idlenesse when as he might profitably imploye them The English had held Calais from vs two hundred and ten yeares the Constables imprisonment had hindred the execution of a desseine which he and the Admirall his Nephewe had vppon this towne by the meanes of Senarpont Gouernour of Boullen But nowe they win that by force which they could neuer get by policy or industry His Maiesty declares the Duke of Guise his Lieutenant Generall in all his countries he leauâ—es two armies the one he giues to the Duke of Guise the other to the Duke of Neuers The first aduanceth vnder colour to hinder the victualing of S. Quentin The other turning towards Luxembourg drawes the Spaniards and Wallons to the defence thereof then sodainely he sends his forces to the Duke of Guise who marcheth with all speed against Calais In this army among many others were the Princes of Conde and Roche-sur-yon the Duke of Aumale and the Marquis of Elbeuf brethren the Marshall Strossy Montmorency eldest sonne to the Constable the Lords of Aâ—delot Termes Grandmont Creuecoeur Piennes Randan Allegre Sansaâ— Tauanes Senarpont Estree maister of the Ordidinance and Gourdan who lost a legge in this action The French army appeared the first day of Ianuary and at the first arriuall takes the fort of Niâ—ullay and the next day that of Risban Thus the waye
a King then to repaire the ruines of time when as they bee buildings which regard the Glory of the Prince and the common profit of the people when as the Morter is not made with the bloud and sweat of his poore subiects At one time the King had Masons in diuers places in the great Church of Orleans at Fontambleau at Saint Germain at Monceaux and at the newe bridge at Paris Aâ—l great workes whether that wee consider the building by the desseigne or the desseigne by the building Among manie merueâ—les of his life that was admirable that hee did builde and make Warre both togither The first daie hee entred into the Lovure hee did desseigne and set downe what he hath since continued He hath made Saint Gâ—rmaine and Fontainbleau two houses of the Kings his Predecessors royall and stately Pallaces He finished in the hottest of the Warres and forraine tempests that which they â—ad vndertaken in a calme and Peacefull season Wee haue seene what the King does wee must also knowe where vnto the Court is inclyned Howe can they liue without Warre that thiâ—ke it a dishonor to die in their beddes who are accustomed to triumphe ouer Idlenesse and rest not but to take newe breth What doe so many Noblemen Exercise of Noblemen in Court which cannot endure rest but with impatiencie Some goe a hunting others dwell and die among Ladies Many giue themselues to the knowledge of Tongues and the Mathematikes the most quarrelous strippe themâ—elues â—nto their shirtes notwithstanding any prohibition of Duells or Combats the most temperate retire themselues from great expences Some there are who loth that ease should triumph ouer their reputations goe out of tâ—e Realme with the Kings permission It is a signe of a great and Noble courrage to go and make Warre vpon a forraine Theater and to see the diuersity of People and Nâ—tions that hee may settle his Iudgement and Arme himselfe with experience When wee speake of them that haue well imployed the ease and libertie of Peace we must remember the Duke of Neuers He went into England Flanders and Hungary and through a great part of the North. Hee past to the King of Denmarke who â—or the respect of those two great and famous houses of Gonzage allied to the greatest houses of Europe and of Neuers which carries the title of Dukes of Brabant and Limbourg but much more for the Loue of this Crowne receiued him with great and famous Honours The King was aduertised that the Seigneury of Venice would renue a negotiation which they had attempted and left vnperfect twenty yeares since A League concluded betwixt the Venetians and the Grisons which they nowe sought to conclude De Vic Ambassador for the King in Suisserland hauing discouered that both parties had begun without the King gaue them to vnderstand that they could not fynish nor conclude that without his Maiesty The Count Fuentes did also crosse it for that this newe League should make him to loose the hope of that which the Spaniards had pursued so many yeares As soone as the King had giuen them to vnderstand that hee was well pleased therewith it was concluded neither partie respecting the threates of the Count Fuentes who sware that hee would take â—rom the Grisons the trafficke which they had in the Duchie of Milan and the releefe of Corne which they receiued from thence The Articles of this Alliance are sett downe at large in Peter Mathewe The Count Fuentes discontented with this League made the Grisons repent it hauing cut of their Commerce and all commodities which they dreâ—e out of the territories of Milan without the which they could not well liue The two Countries ioyne togither and the Barrenes of the one is supplied by the Fertility and aboundance of the other To bring them vnder the yoake of Spaine and to force them to breake with the Venetians hee built a fort at the entry of their Country wherof shal be spoken heereafter An Ambassador sent from Venice An Ambassador sent from Venice into France about the same time past by Lions a graue and wise man and well practised in affaires of State The Gouernor of Lions did visite him among other discourses vnderstood from him that the Seigneures of that Common-weale dâ—d hold themselues more bound vnto the Count Fuentes then to any man lyuing for that they had made vse of his threates to sharpen their courrages which time had made blunt and dull His braueries had made them to take resolutioâ—s for the good of the State which they had neuer drempt of drowning their Councells in the delights of Peace and presuming that they should not feare any storme in so great a Calme but hauiâ—g seene the Counts humor to stirre vp Warre in Italie and that he bragged hee had Instruments to drawe them in that had no will to dance they had so well prouided for their affaires as they feared his hand no more then his tongue The last yeare the Lord of Pont had beene in newe France called Canada from whence hee had brought two Sauages The nauigation oâ— the â—rench to new â—â—ance or Canada which hee presented vnto the King they learned of them that the great Râ—uer which they thought to haue beene but a Gulfe for that it is eighteene leagues broade where it enters into the Sea was aboue foure hundred leagues long and past through many goodly Countries and Lakes into the which many other goodly Riuers did runne and that hee might goe vp into it in Canowes which the Sauages do vse to sayle in that Riuer He reâ—olued with some other Sea Captaines with the Kings good lyking to returne and to search into the hart of the Country by meanes of the Sauages as well as he had discouered along the Sea Coast where is nothing but Rockes and high Mountaynes and sands full of Pynetrees Sapins Cipres and Holley He parted from Honfleur the 15. of March carrying the 2. Sauages back with him and the 18. of April he came into the great Riuer of Canada where hauing entred a 100 leagues in the end he came to Tadousae the 24. where he found many Sauages in Cabines Going on land he went with some of his companie to the Cabin of the great Sagamo called Anadabijon where they found him with some foure score or a hundred of his companions which made Tabagie that is to say a Feast who receiued them very well according to their custome and made them to sit neere him all the Sauages being placed one by another on either siâ—e of the Cabin One of the Sauages which he had carried with him began to make his oration of the good reception which the King had made them and of the good vsage which they had receiued in France and that his Maiestie wished them well and dâ—sired to people their land and to make peace with their enemies which be the Irocois or to send them forces to vanquish them He
948 Troubles at Constantinople ibid. The Valachian committed to prison fol. 949. Alba Regalis taken by Duke Mercure ibid. The seege of Canisia raysed fol. 950. The Duke of Biron returnes out off England to Court ibid. The Daulphins first entry into Paris ibid. A Conference to instruct the Kings sister ibid. A Chamber royall erected fol. 951. Sebastian King of Portugalls speech to the Seignâ—ury of Venice fol 953. D. Sebastian deliuered after two yeares imprisoÌ„ment ibid He was stayed by the Duke of Florence sent prisoner to Naples where he was condemned to the Galleys fol. 954. His speech to the Duke of Medina Sidonia fol. 955. The Duke of Biron sent to the Cantons to confirme the Treaty His speech to the Suisses fol. 957. The Marquisate of Finall surprized ibid. An Army at Sea in Calabria fol. 958. The King disquieted touching the Duke of Biron ibid. The death of the Duke of Mercure ibid. The Duke of Birons conspiracy discouered fol. 959. He contemnes the Kings aduice fol. 961. The Duke of Biron craues pardon of the King fol. 962. Instâ—uctions giueÌ„ by the Duke of Biron to la Fin. fol 963. The King expects repentance onely of the Duke of Biron ibid. An Army at Sea for the King of Spaine fol. 964 The President Ianin sent to the Duke fol. 966 Diuers aduices giuen to the Duke of Biron not to come to Court Badde signes of his voyage ibid. The Duke of Biron comes to Fontainbleau ibâ—d He excuseth his stay The Kings fauour to him growne cold He is not respected He seekes to iustifie himselfe fol. 967. The Duke of Biron praysed the King of Spaine  He playes at Primiero with the Queene fol. 968 He will not submit himselfe to the Kings clemeÌ„cy He is seized on at the Kings ChaÌ„ber dore fol. 969. False brutes of the causes of the Dukes imprisâ—ment fol. 970. The King comes to Paris fol. 971. The Dukes words in prison fol. 972. The Duke is amazed to see Renazé fol. 973. His Processe reported fol. 974. The Duke pleades for himselfe in the Golden Chamber ibid. Accusations of the Duke of Biron fol. 975. The Dukes answer ibid. Proofe by writing of the continuance of his practises fol. 977. The King did giue him his word without demanding it fol. 978. The iudgement of the Processe fol. 979. In Treason intents are punishable fol. 980. Euill vnpunished is suffered fol. 981. They that reueale conspiracies are to be rewarded fol. 983 The Chancellour pronounceth the sentence of death ibid. The Duke of Biron desires to see Monsieur de Rhosâ—y ibid. The Chancellor comes to the Bastille The Dukes words vnto him ibid. The Duke of Biron deliuers vp the Kings Order fol. 986. He falles into choller at the reading of his sentence fol. 987. He resolues to dye fol. 988. He sends commendations to the Count of Auvergne fol. 989. The Duke of Biron in chollor when hee sees the Executioner ibid His Head cut off fol 991. Honors done to great Gonsalue at his death fâ—l 992. The Duke of Birons Vertues his Vanitie and his Glory and compared with Sâ—â—la ibid. He went to a MathematitiaÌ„ to know his Fortune fol. 993. The Marshal Birons words vnto his sonne being but Barron fol. 994. The Duke of Sauoy leuyes Forces for Geneua fol. 995. The Duke of Birons Secretary rackt and Fontanells broken vpon the wheele ibid. The Duke of Bouillon refuseth to come vnto the King his Letter vnto his Maiesty fol. 996. The Prince of Ginuille committed fol. 997. Deputies sent out of Daulphine to the Daulphin of France A Present giuen vnto the Daulphin fol. 998. Alba Regalis yeelded to the Turke fol. 999 Cigale goes forth of Constantinople fol. 1000. The Galleis of Spaine commanded by Spâ—â—cla fol. 1001. Mines of Gold discouered ibid. An Edict for the ordring of those Mines ibid. Deputies from the Suisses to sweare the new alliance ibid. The towne of Mahomet taken by the knights of Malta 〈◊〉 1003. Muâ—thers committed this yeare for Adultery fol. 1005. A Pardon promised to all of the Duke of Birons conspiracy 〈◊〉 1006. The Duke of Sauoys enterprise vpon Geneua ibid. The Dukes pretensions and the Geneuois defence 〈◊〉 1007. The first discouery of the surprise of Genâ—ua fol. 1008. The Dukes forces repulsed and some of his men are slaine and some taken fol. 1009. Letters from the Seigneury of Geneua to the Gouernor of Lions fol. 1010. Monsiâ—ur de Viâ— sent to Geneua fol. 1011. Geneua resolues to a Peace the which is concluded betwixt the Duke and them fol. 1012 The Inuention to make silke and the profit thereof fol. 1013. Rebellion in Asia against the Turke ibid. The Ianissaries power in Turky fol. 1014 A woman sent in Ambassage fol. 1015. The two Castels of Lepanthe taken by the Knights of Malta fol. 1016. The Kings voiage to Metz. ibid. Sobole deliuers vppe the Cittadell of Metz. fol. 1017. Foure Iesuits come to Metz for their restablishment ibid. A Controuersie for the Bisho-prike of Strausbourg ibid. The King returnes to Paris fol. 1018. The Princes of Sauoy go into Spaine ibid. Brute of the Kings sicknes fol. 1019. A League concluded betwixt the Venetians and the Grisons fol. 1020. The nauigation of the French to newe France or Canada ibid. A quarrell betwixt the Count Soisons and the Marquis of Rohsny fol. 1023. A Synod held at Gap by them of the refomed Religion fol. 1024 The Constable of Castile passeth through France fol. 1026. Alexander Monsieur made Knight of Malta fol. 1028. The death of the Dutchesse of Bar the Kings Sister fol. 10â—0 The Kings sorrowe for the death of his Sister fâ—l 1031. The burning of the Turkes Gallies at Algier ibid. An other enterprise of the great Dukes in Nâ—grepont fol. 1032. Tâ—eason discouered and L osâ—â— the Traitoâ— râ—turnes into France and serâ—es 〈…〉 fol. 1033. The Traitor â—â—oste drownes himselâ—e fol. 1034. Creation of new Cardinalls fol. 10â—5 The great promises of the Count Fuentes to the Gâ—â—sons fol. 1037. Halfe a Sedition at Rome fol. 1039. Pâ—sta abandoned by the Christians fol. 1040. The Iesuites restored in France and a newe colledge built for them at La Flesche in Aniou fol. 1041. A channell from the riuer of Seine to Loyre ibiâ— New Inuentions of workes brought into France fol. 1042. The Coâ—stable of Castille comes to the King is receiued with all Honour and the King sups with him fol. 1043. Sluse lost by the vanity of 〈…〉 the Gouernor fol. 1044. Ostend yeelded by composition the 15. of September ibid. Aduantages of the vnited Prouinces for the warre fol. 1045. The Marquis Rohsny goes into Poitou ibid. The Daulphins second voyage to Fontainbleau ibid. Enteruiew of the Dukes of Sauoy and Mantoa ibid. The King sends for the Count of Auvergne to Ciermont who refuseth to come but with conditions He is taken and brought prisoner to the Bastille at Paris from fol. 1045. to 1050. A happy discouery of a Conspiracy the Conspirators amazed fol. 1050. Monsieur D' Antragues Gouernor of Orleans coÌ„mitted to prison and the Marquise of Vernuill restrained fol. 1051. The Kings Letter to La Guiche from Fontaiâ—bleau the 15. of Nouember Anno 1604. ibid. The Duke of Bouillon in danger to be surprised ibid. The death of the Duke of Tremouille ibid. FINIS
endure all vnder their wise and faithfull gouernor rather then to fall into the hands of strangers whose gripes they had formerly felt If they were fiercely beseeged by the English and Bourguignons Compiegne releâ—ued by the French so were they as well succored by the French vnder the happie commande of the Earle of Vendosme gouernor of Beauuais and the Marshall of Boussac who hauing valiantly forced the first bastions enter the Towne hauing victualled it they issue forth with great resolution so as they take all the other forts to their enemies great losse So Huntington and Luxembourg retyre with disgrace leauing not onely that Country free The Bourguignon chased from Compiegne but their victualls artillerie munition habillements of warre in their lodgings of Venete and Royaulieu sauing themselues with some difficultie at Pont l'Euâ—sque through the fauour of Noyon The Bourguignon was so amazed as hee retyred into Arthois hauing as bad successe by force as by policie Our French forces being maisters of the field they recouer all the Bourguignons conquests Choysy Gournay Bertueil Garmigny Ressons Pont Remy Pont Saint Maxence Longueil Saint Mary la Boyssiere Ireligny Verdueil and other places where hee had gathered togither all the corne and cattell of the Countrie the which was restored to the poore people to their great content The Bourguignons pride thus taken downe after so many victorious hopes was a principall part of this victorie But hee resolues to haue his reuenge of this affront Being come to Arras hee gathers togither all the forces he can and from thence hee goes to Pâ—ronne to attend the bodie of his armie His intent was to recouer what hee had lâ—st in his last warre oâ— Compiegne meaning to begin at Garmigny which did greatly anoye all that Country He â—ends a troupe of 6â—â— men before vnder the conduct of Thomas Tirâ—ell an English man Girard of Brimeâ— Goueâ—nor of Roye augments this troupe with a hundred of his men In this order they go to the seege of Garmigny as to a marriage but Pothon who had his spies in al places and had put himselfe into Garmigny at the brute of this seege slept not Hauing therfore sent to discouer the enemies countenance hee learns that these â—icards beeâ—ng neere to Bouchoire did hunt after hates whereof there are great storie in those parts and that this troupe was wholy in disorder runing vp and downe with great 〈◊〉 Pothon imbraceth this occasion sodenly and hauâ—ng drawen his men to â—ield hee surpriseth these hunters The Bourguignons deâ—eated beeing dispersed and out of breath 〈◊〉 bâ—comes a hunter o◠〈◊〉 peace hee defeats them kills them and in the ende cryes that they take the runneawayes The Comander is taken with most of their bâ—st mâ—n Anthonie of Vienne and the Lord of Hailly beeing greatly lamented by the â—ourguignon were first led to Garmigny and then to Compiegne in great tâ—iâ—mph The newes heereof did greatly trouble the â—ouâ—guignon especially when as the Earle of Veâ—â—â—sme went with the French army to braue 〈◊〉 at the gates of â—oye offring him battaile He made shewe to accept thereof but â—auing called a Councell he framed a reasonable excuse that his soldiars were not willing he should fight in the ende of the yeare Wâ—th these affâ—onts the yeare ends and with the death of a sonne which hee had by his 〈…〉 use whome hee loued deerely his spirits were so oppâ—â—â—sed with sâ—rrowe for this 〈◊〉 as this Prince being too paâ—â—ionate had speeches vnworthy the grauitie of his person and the greatnesse of his bloud euen weeping and wâ—â—shing for death Doubtlesse it often falls out that he which is too much puft vp in prosperity The Bourgâ—â—gnon daunted in aduersitie is easily daunted in aduersity A goodly lesson 〈…〉 men who 〈◊〉 learne but by great examples that their grâ—atnesse 〈…〉 from the common condâ—tion of mankind that they are men 〈…〉 O man 〈◊〉 soeuer thou beest behold good remedies 〈…〉 to be dronke with prosâ—erity nor drowned 〈…〉 haue nothing memorable but an entry to the 〈…〉 of Paris 〈◊〉 shall giue exâ—mple to all the rest of the realme 〈…〉 parties was necâ—â—sary for the making of an accord The Duke of 〈…〉 do much but 〈…〉 desseins had traâ—â—ported him beyond the cloud◠〈…〉 disgraces did 〈…〉 who expected much 〈…〉 by the effects but that 〈…〉 in their 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 â—riendship The Ducâ—eâ—â— of Bedford dies which till then was very necessarie but 〈…〉 although in this occurâ—ent theâ—r leaâ—ue was not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 weeps for his wife the other â—or his sister The beginning of this 〈◊〉 wâ—s noted 〈◊〉 the taking of Montargis from the French through the notable 〈…〉 a wâ—man 〈◊〉 taken whâ—â—aue entrance to the English and who presently 〈◊〉 the fruits 〈◊〉 treacherie But let vs attend the yeare following where wee shall see a 〈◊〉 change in this mâ—serable Towne At the same time in recompence of 〈◊〉 Chaâ—tres returnes to the Kings obedience The meanes is woâ—thâ—e obseruation 〈◊〉 â—ut in practâ—se in our times in many places A Carter 〈◊〉 at Chartâ—es 〈◊〉 brother resident in Couâ—t with a Treasoâ—er Chaâ—les â—eelds to the King The familiarity this Carter haâ— to go and come into the Towne made him both desire and to lay the plot of so 〈◊〉 an enterprise Neere vnto the gate there was an olde ruined house in the whâ—ch there was a 〈◊〉 vault halfe â—illed vp with rubbish heere they lodge a hundre◠〈◊〉 on the other side they conuay a thousand men secretly in the night into a house 〈◊〉 vnto the Towne The Carter comes at the breake of day with his Cart vnto the 〈◊〉 where he ouerthrows it of purpose faining that a wheele was slipt 1431. While the gard labours to helpe him the Ambush issues forth out of these ruines and surpriseth the Port and the rest second them with such speed as the Cittie is wonne This had beene done without any effusion of bloud if the Bishop had not animated the inhabitants to fight against their King where hee himselfe was slaine with some of the Câ—ttizens About this time René Duke of Bar brother to Lewis Duke of Aniou and King of Sicile A quarrell betwixt the Duke of â—ar and the Earle of Vaudâ—mont who shall make himselfe famous in the following raigne receiued a great check He had a notable quarrel against the Earle of Vaudemont pretending the Earldome from words they go to blowes René fortifies himselfe with the forces of France Vaudemont with those of Bourgongne René being farre stronger in shew besiegeth the Towne of Vaudemont and when as the Earle with the helpe of his friends would haue raised the siege René drawes him to fight defying him and promising to himselfe an assured victory But God the soueraigne Iudge of these factions gaue it to the Earle and René remained prisoner in the hands of the Duke of Bourgongne to whom he paied a great ransome