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
all sutes among his subiects and happily hee might haue preuailed in reconciling that great deuision betwixt the Emperor and the Pope if zeale to releeue the afflicted Christians had not made him to abandon his owne quiet with all his good workes to transport his treasure and life into Affrick and there to leaue them among the Barbarians All declined in the East Mahomet preuailed so both there and in Affricke as Europe was threatned by their neighbor-hood Spaine as the neerest and Prouence and Languedoc by the easie aboard of the Mediterranian Sea Lewis not able to liue without seeking the aduancement of the Christian religion resolues a voyage into Barbarie Lewis goes into Barbèrie against the aduise of his estate and contrary to his owne experience A zeale which shall succeed ill for himselfe and his whole realme whom we cannot excuse of indiscretion Thus he inrouled himselfe the second time and his Sonne Philip likewise which shall succeed him with Peter Earle of Alanson and Iohn Earle of Neuers surnamed Tristan He left the Regencie to Simon of Neele and Mathew of Vendosme of whose fidelitie he relyed much Before his departure he made a league with the King of England to whom he had done many good offices in his great necessitie It was agreed A League wiâ—h Enâ—land 1269. â—hat the English should pretend no interest to Normandie nor to the Earledome of Aniou Maine Poitou and Touraine and as for Guienne hee should enioy the Countries of Quercy Limosin and Xainronge vnto the Riuer of Charenton all which Countries hee should hold by homage of the Crowne of France and in this regard he should be Vassall and Leege-man to the King of France For confirmation of this accord Edward his Sonne enters into societie of Armes with Lewis for the voyage of the Holy-land to maâ—che at the same time This accord was made in the yeare 1269. and their departure was the yeare after 1270. the first day of May. He paâ—ted from Aigues-mortes and not from Marseilles as some haue written for that there was no good port vpon the Mediterranian Sea hee caused the Cittie of Aigues-mortes in Languedoc to bee built and compassed it with goodly Walles which speake yet of him and with Chanels for the commoditie of the shoare the largest is calâ—ed The great Lewis by his name Edward takes his course for Asia and Lewis for Affrike the French armie consisting of forty thousand fighting men that of England is not specified The voyage was shott vnhappy for them both but especially for our good Prince Lewis had scarce lost the sight of shoare and discouered the Iland of Sardinia when as both he and his whole Fleete had almost perished in a storme Lewis in danger at Sea A presage of a mournfull successe In the end he lands in Affricke A Country worthy to loose that ancient name among vs and to be called Barbarie for the barbarous and vnfortunate successe it brought Lewis resolues to take Carthage a new Cittie built vpon the ancient name and held for a strong garrison of the Barbarians He takes it but with great paine and losse From thence heâ— goes to Thunis a strong and well garded Cittie resolute to haue it at what price soeuer But man purposeth and God disposeth For as Edward sonne to the King of England turned backe from his voyage of the East The Armie infected with the plague hauing passed but to Malta and Charles King of Sicilia going to ioyne with him to set vpon the Barbarians of Affricke altogether In a manner at the same time as they arriued all at Thunis the plague had deuoured a great part of the French armie and taken away many Noblemen And to encrease the mischiefe 1270. it enters the Kings pauiâ—â—on and strikes Lewis although some say it was a Flux But whatsoeuer it be our Lewis is extreamly sicke and feeling it deadly Lewis being sicke giues his sonne instruction hee calls for Philip his eldest sonne whose age and vertue preferred him to the Crowne Hauing giuen him goodly admonitions and exhorted him to serue God to liue verâ—uously and to gouerne his people â—atherly vnder the obedience of his lawes which hee himselfe must first obey hauing recommended vnto him the loue of his brethren Lewis dyes and intâ—eated all the Nobilitie about him to obey Philip he yeelded vp his soule to God to take his true rest in heauen leauing all his followers in great heauinesse being the most perfect patterne of a good King that euer was read off in Historie He only wanted the happinesse of a good writer although these small gleans which wee finde in the writings of the Lord of Ioinuille make his vertue admitable A Prince borne for a testimonie to that obscure age Lewis his vertues and for ours which is corrupted to be a President to all Kings and Princes of Religion Equitie Clemencie Wisdome Valour Magnanimitie Patiencie and Continencie to Loue Pietie Iustice Order and Peace to ioyne the loue of holy things and the modestie of manners with armes and State Hauing shewed that it is very fitting for a King To be a good Christian a good Warriour a good Husband a good Father a good Gouernour a good Iusticer and to know how to make Warre and Peace Verâ—ues required in a prince That it is very necessary to ioyne vnto the Maiestie royall Pietie Clemencie and Authoritie to gaine the Loue Respect and Obedience of all men And to conclude That the best gaâ—de and most assured reuenew of a Prince is the loue of his subiects worthy of that venerable name of Holy wherewith posteritie hath iustly honored him He was twelue yeares old when he began to raigne His raigne and gouerned 44. yeares So hee died in the 56. yeare of his age hauing receiued this mortall Crowne in the yeare 1226. and the immortall in the yeare 1270 the 25. of August Of Marguerite the Daughter of Raymond Earle of Proâ—ence His Children hee had foure Sonnes and foure Daughters A Princesse worthy of so great a husband the sole Wife of one husband and hee the onely Husband of one Wife His Sonnes were Philip surnamed the Hardie King of France Peter Earle of Alanson Robert also Earle of Alanson succeeding his brother Peter deceased without Children and he likewise died without any issue and Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauvoisin His Daughters were Blanche Queene of Castile Isabell Queene of Nauarre Marguerite Countesse of Brabant and Agnes Dâ—chesse of Bourgongne His posteritie in his two sonnes Philip and Robert So as of his foure Sonnes there suruiued but two Philip and Robert From Philip the 3. called the Hardie his eldest Sonne are issued successiuely eyther from Father to Sonne or from brother to brother or from the neerest kinsman to the next of bloud Philip the 4. called the Faire Lewis the 10. called Hutin Philip the 5. called the Long Charles the 4 called the Faire Philip
FRANCE XXXXVI HE found his authoritie respected within the Realme 1286. as well for his age The dâ—spâ—sition of Philip. as hauing gouerned the State with dignitie vnder his Father Philip. A good Prince Iudicious and of a noble minde and the which was not the least point of happinesse in this life he was well married with Ioane Queene of Nauarre whereof he tooke the name of King before the decease of his father His issue enioying her as a sweete companion of his complexions He had three sonnes by her goodly Princes of body and excellent spirits Lewis Philip and Charles which shall bee Kings successiuely one after another but all so ill matched Philip vnhappie in the marriage of his sonnes as it was his greefe to see his childrens houses infected with three Strumpets and put away without all hope of issue hauing seuerely punished the corrupters of his Daughters in lawe and confinâ—d these inâ—atiat mastiues into Monasteries He had also one Daughter of the same bed named Isabel who was married to Edward King of England leauing vnto France a heauie and dangerous Leuaine of horrible confusion by the meanes of her sonne a fatall scourge for this realme Philip after the decease of Ioane His second wife maried Constance the Daughter of Charles King of Sicilia a faire and a young Princesse whom he left great with a sonne the which was borne eight dayes after his decease and suruiued him but few dayes His raigne He began to raigne in the yeare 1286. and dyed in the yeare 1315. hauing raigned twenty and nine yeares The entrance of this raigne was goodly but Flanders Guienne and the Pope gaue him vpon diuers occasions and at diuers times many great and painfull crosses He loued Iustice and Learning wherin he was well instructed for that age so as he did consecrate the first fruits of his raigne to honor both the one the other as also the Muses did honour him with a goodly Oration which is read in the Originall of this Historie 1287. for a commendable memorie to posteritie of the vertues of this great Prince The Parliament was not tyed to any place but changed according to the necessitie of Prouinces Sutes were most commonly iudged definitiuely by the Bayliffs and Seneshals and the greatest causes were decided Soueraignly in the Kings Councell who gaue free audience to their Subiects Philip hauing obserued by the experience of former raignes that it was very necessarie to haue â—urisdictions distinctly limited The Parliament of Paris erected left a Soueraigne power to his Parliament at Paris a part of his royall authoritie in ciuill and criminall causes and the better to gouerne it he appointed a sufficient number of Presidents and Councellors with his Aduocate and â—roctor which number hath beene since augmented according to occasion and for the greater countenance of this dignitie hee placed it in his chiefe Cittie of Paris and to that end he caused that great Pallace one of the most admirable buildings vnder the coape of Heauen to be built by the meanes of Enguerand of Marigny Earle of Longueuille The Palace built Superintendant of the Treasurie of France Hee first oâ—dained but two sittings of the Parliament in the yeare the which necessitie hath made ordinâ—rie vnder Lewis Hutin his Sonne who also erected an Exchequer at Roan Other Prouinces had their Parliaments at diuers times and vpon diuers occasions With like affection he fauoured his Vniuersities of Paris with all maner of priuiledges hauing his Wife Ioane a companion of the same humour whom he suffered to build in her name that goodly Colledge of Nauarre where at this day in this Iron age Colledge of Nauâ—râ—â— wee may bâ—hold with admiration the great bountie of â—ur Kings in commendable and vertuous actions These goodly beginnings in shew the first fruites of a sound peace were crossed with many difficulties both within and without the realme Flanders gaue the fiâ—st subiect This Countrie is one of the chiefe Seignâ—uries of this Monarchie and in the yeare 1225. this lawfull subiection was acknowledged at Meluâ— by the Earle of Flanders Cause of the wâ—râ—e in Flanders In the beginning of this raigne Guy Earle of Flanders came to do his homage to Philip who required to haue the Citties of Flanders to ratifie this peace of Melun the which was performed but vnwillingly by this riche people who still complained vnto Philip that his Parliament at Paris did infringe their Priuiledges for the which hee wisely prouided but the great securitie of these rich Citties musâ— â—eeds be the cause of their own afflictions as it chanceth ofteÌ„ that a rich people being too faâ—r The cause of quâ—rrell in Guyenne seâ—ke wilfuâ—ly their owne ruine Guyenne did likewise much trouble Philip and these two quarrels were intricate one with another like vnto diseases which come together according to the times and occasions when they chance The King of England was Duke of Guienne since the marriage of Elenor as wee haue seene but many difficulties haue fallen out the accord made by the King S. Lewis specified by vs had limittâ—d the Seignâ—uries of Guienne to the English the which hee should hold by homage of our Crowne but he could not limit his desire being watchfull vpon all occasions to free himselfe from the subiection of France Let vs follow by degrees the actions and the orâ—er of times in the combersome report of these new stormes falling out diuersly and in diuers places like as in a time inclined to raine a Cloud dischargeth it selfe by Planets in diuers parts â—he force and neighbourhood of England increased the quarâ—ell and caused a continuance by diuers accidents Edward the first of that name Sonne to Henry the third liued then in England and Count Guy in Flanders Edward came likewise into France and did homage to the new King for the Duchie of Guienne and other lands which he held of the Crowne Occâ—sioâ—â— to râ—nue the war with the â—â—glish as Guy had done for his It chanced that certaine English Ships scouring along the coast of Normandie made a great spoile of the subiects of France Philip vpon their complaints intreates Edward to cause restiâ—â—â—ion to be made of that which had beene vniustly taken by his subiects Edward neglects it so as Philip causeth him to be adiourned to yeeld a reason of this attempt as vasâ—all to the Crowne He appeares not and so by sentence he is declared guiltie of fellonie and of high Treason and to haue forfeited his interest in all his Seigneuries of France For the execution of this decree Arnoul of Neele Constable of France is sent into Guienne with an armie 1293. in the yeare 1293. a notable date to coate the fiâ—st letter in this Inuentarie of a very long processe although with some inteâ—mission yet so violent as it had a most ruined France The Constable doth his exploit Pâ—ilip sends an armiâ— into
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
much eased This prouision came happily for the preseruation of France against the which Edward made then great preparatioÌ„ at the instance of the Nauarrois The truce expired he did forbid the FreÌ„ch to trafficke into England in the meane time his army laÌ„ds at Calais himself follows in persoÌ„ with a goodly traine Being landed resolued to take possession of the realme of France or by force to turne it he marcheth directly to Arras the which he takes in 3. daies Edward enters France with an army hauing assured it with a stroÌ„g garâ—ison he goes towards Champagne where passing onely he besieged Sens which yeelds without resistance and by their example Neuers All Bourgongne was strooke into such a terror as they redeemed their country froÌ„ spoile with a great summe of mony Hauing thus found means to intertaine his armie at his enimies charge enriched his souldiers with an inestimable booty he marcheth towards Paris as the head city of the whole realme the chiefe end of his desseâ—â—e the certain triumph of his conquest the goodly theater of his victories Our â—egent was nothing amased at these threats of Edward for hauing asseÌ„bled a goodly army with great expeditioÌ„ he atteÌ„ds him at Paris where the whole burthen of this was did lie He lodgeth his army in the suburbes fortifieth against approches being taught by the examples of his grandfather father not to hazard any thing resoluing only to defend himselfe within his trenches This resolutioÌ„ succeeded happily He besiegeth Paris but in vaine for Edward seeing the impossibility to draw the regent to fight notwithstaÌ„ding al his alarums raiseth his siege marcheth into Britany to refresh his army to the great conteÌ„t of the ParisieÌ„s who could not sufficiently coÌ„mend the wisdom of their regent hauing so politikly auoided this storme The regent imbraceth this occasion he furnisheth Paris with aboundance of victualls commands the souldiers to liue orderly without oppression of the inhabitants he fortifies the weakest places with all speed and doth so incourage the people as they are ready to sacrifice theÌ„selues for the preseruation of the State Edward supposing the great wast caused by the men of warre resident in this great citty would haue taken from them al means to coÌ„tinue haue bred an impatiency in the minds of this vnconstant people giuing him the better meanes to enter it he returnes with his army being strong lusty by this good refreshing of Britaine Being returned he finds things better ordered then before so as preuailing nothing but walking about the citty beholding a far off the great towers and the admirable masse of so many buildings as a briefe of the whole world he resolues to leaue the siege returne no more Thus experience teaching him what the strength of our chiefe citty was he packes all vp and goes towards Chartres meaning to besiege it But whilest he lodged there his army making a horrible spoile of the whole couÌ„try there chanced an occasioÌ„ as the worke of heauen which sodainely quailed his ambitious disseine to ruine France for behold a horrible extraordinary tempest of haile thuÌ„der and lightning falls with such violence as many horses men in the armie perished as if that God had stretched forth his hand from heauen to stay his course Edward amazed with thunder He resolues to conclude a peace with King Iohn This amazemeÌ„nt causeth Edward to vow to make a peace with King Iohn and the regent his son vpon reasonable conditions He which had thus thundred did likewise opeÌ„ the Duke of Lancasters mouth shewing how reasonable it was to limit humane attempts within restrained bouÌ„ds not to attend an infinit perpetuall prosperity in wordly affaires beeing more safe to content himself with a meane successe theÌ„ to be traÌ„sported with the violent course of humane hopes cast in the mould of indiscreet desires He likewise laied before him the impossibility of so extraordinary a desseine as to make himselfe maister of all France a notable example for Princes to behold their own infirmities and the greatnes of God to whoÌ„ they owe the homage of their enterprises being theÌ„ most happy when they are most sober â—â—â—rate without imagining an infinite power in the short weaknes of this mortal life wherevnto they are subiect like other men A peace concluded at Bretignie The Articles This lessoÌ„ mollified Edwards hart inclining to the deliuery of K. Iohn his prisoner to a general peace the which was concluded at 〈◊〉 a village nere vnto Chartres in the yeare 1360. the 8. of May vpoÌ„ these coÌ„ditioÌ„s That the country of Poitu the Fiefs of Thouars Belleuille the couÌ„tries of Gascony Agenois Peregort Limosin Cahors Tarbe Bigorre Rouergue and Angoumois in soueraignty with the homages of the two next yeares after 1360. at reasonable paâ—ments And for the consideration the said King of England and the Prince of Wales his sonne both for themselues 〈◊〉 successors should renoâ—â—â— all rights pretended to the Crowne of France the Duchie of Normandie the countries of Tourance Aniou and Maine the soueraingty and homage of Brittâ—ine and the Earldome of Flanders and within three weekes they should deliuer King Iohn at Calais at their charge the expences of the Kings house onely excepted The hostages giuen for the performance of the conditions For assurance of which agreement there should be deliuered into the King of Englands hands these hostages Lewis Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry sonnes to the King of France Philip Duke of Orleance the Kings brother Philip Duke of Bourgongne the Earles of Blois Alanson Saint Pol Hâ—â—court Porcian Valentinois Grandpre Denne and Forest the Lords of Vaudemont Coussy Pyennes Saint Venant Preaux Montmorency Careneieres Boâ—â—â— guion Estoute-ville the Daulphin of Auueigne Andregel and Craon A choâ—â—â— of well selected personages to be a sufficient caution for the money and conditions that were to be performed The Deputies that treated The Deputies for King Iohn were Iohn of Dormans Bishop of Beauuais and Chanâ—eller of France Iohn of Melun Earle of Tanearuille the Lord of 〈◊〉 Marshaâ—â— of France â— the Lords of Montmorency and Vigny Iohn Croâ—â—â—e Simon of 〈◊〉 Iohn Marâ—â—â— Lawyers and Iohn Maillard and Stephen of Paris Bourgesies of Paris For the King of England were Iohn Duke of Lancaster the Earles of Northampton Warwicke and Suffoâ—â—â— Renauâ—d of Celâ—sâ—an Gualtâ—r of Maâ—ny Knights with certaine learned men for their Councell This treatie of a generall peace signed by the two Kings was ratified by their two eldest sonnes Charles and Edward and proclaimed by Heraulds first at the wiâ—dowâ—â— of the Kings and Princes lodgings and then at the corners of the streetes in great solemnitie The hostages were deliuered to Edward the father who imbarked at 〈◊〉 and lead them into England leauing the Earle of Warwicke in France to see the execution of the peace King Iohn brought to Calis
euent answered the proiect and by an admirable meanes the which ruined Peter through his owne folly This tyrant growne proud by the wishfull successe of the English forces makes no regard to satisfie the Prince of Wales for the charges of this warre although the successe were for his good but busying himselfe to take reuenge of such as had risen against 〈◊〉 he contemned such as had succoured him yea treading all pietie vnder foote he allyed himselfe with the King of Belle-marine a Sarasin and marrying his daughter he abiured the Christian Religion holding the neighbourhood of so mighty a King Peter forsakerâ— by the English is taken prisoner to be more certaine and profitable then all the forces of England But it fell out contrary to his conceipt for Henry assisted by the constable Guesâ—lin and the French forces hauing won fiue battels against Peter in the ende he was quite defeated and taken prisoner Hauing him in his power Peter King of Castile beheaded at the Castilians suâ—e wonderfully incensed against this Tyrant he caused his head to be cut off reaping the fruites of his impiety the which made him to forsake the true religion of his vanity trusting to a rotten planke with the losse of his conscience and of his exceeding cruelty hauing murthered his wife tiranised ouer his subiects and spoyled his brother of his estate against all right An excellent lesson for all men especially for great Princes not to dally with God who punisheth haynous crimes with haynous punishments euen in this life attending the euerlasting paine in the life to come Charles King of Nauarre was much perplexed seeing himselfe betwixt two armies for desiring to be a neuter and to please both he knew not how to gouerne himselfe He seeks to intertaine both Charles and Edward although he were more ingaged to the English and could not well trust his brother in law hauing greatly offended him The King of Nauarres dissembling So hee lets the English army to passe through his dominions when it marched into Castile to succour Peter and suffered himselfe to be taken prisoner by Oliuer of Mauny a Gentleman of Britaine who led him into Castile to make the English thinke he had bin forced and the French that hee did willingly imploy himselfe for them beeing in their troupes A miserable hypocrisie which of a maister makes himselfe a slaue who might haue bin one of the chiefe of the army without this wretched dissembling The good and wise King taught by the example of his father Iohn that an Eele is lost by ouergriping it desiâ—ed onely to pacifie his brother in lawe although he were well acquainted with his bad disposition and the practises he continued with England So he gaue him a safe conduct to come vnto him and restored vnto him Mantes and Meulan and the free possession of his lands in Normandy but this prince fraught with malice could not be reclaimed neither by the Kings prosperity noâ— by his clemency for not trusting him hee retires to his realme of Nauarre where he continues his old practises with the English Th◠〈…〉 King Charles hee helps the Britton with men out of Normandie and attempted against the Kings person seeking to poyson him by Iaquet Rue and Peter of Tertre his domesticall seruants who were executed and the Nauarrois places seized on as guilty of high treason Thus Charles was forced to fight against his owne bloud and to haue the malice of his kinsmen and allies No small combate for a great Prince We haue discoursed at large of the valour and happy successe both of Edward the 3. King of England and of Edward his sonne Prince of Wales But as humane things are not durable so there chanced a great accident vpon his returne from the war of Castile which brought them both to the graue The Prince of Wales finding himselfe threatned with a dâ—opsey passed from Bourdeaux into England to take the ayre of his natiue country but hee died soone after his ariuall the 46. yeare of his age A Prince of great hope not onely lamented of his friends but coÌ„meÌ„ded of his enimies Edward the father The death of both Edwards seeing his right arme as it were cut off died for griefe leauing Richard the son of his son Edward in his place who was receiued without any questioÌ„ made by his vncles as the first by right of succession Richard not to degenerate from the example of his grandfather and father The English second passage through France being crowned King vndertakes a warre in France whether he sends a goodly army vnder the coÌ„maund of the Duke of Clarence his vncle who hauing landed at Calais passeth the Riuer of Somme at Clery neere vnto Peronne bending towards Soisson he crosseth the Riuer of Oise Ain Then marching towards Chaalons he passeth Marne and shewing himselfe before Troyes in Champagne he spoyles the country and so goeth ouer Seine betwixt Ville-neufue and Sousey and bending towards Beausse and Gastinois he crosseth into Brittaine there 〈◊〉 the war in fauour of Iohn of Montport spoyling the country with a strange desolatioÌ„ On the other side there lands an other army at Bourdeaux the which hauing entred the country fortified such places as held for the English to nourish the seeds of this new warre 1380 In the country of Geuaudan a dioces in that large Prouince of Languedoc there was a Castle neere to Mande named Randon whereas the English maintayned a strong garnison a retreat for theeues which did infinite harme in the country The country hauing sued vnto the King to free them of this incombrance he graunted them Guesâ—lin the Constable a man of great reputation but the army should be defrayed at their charges He comes into Languedoc 〈◊〉 Randon and brings them to the last extremity but as the beseeged not able to hold out were entered into composition behold the Constable sick to the death yeeldâ— vp the ghost At the same instant the place was yelded vnto the King so aâ— in signe that the honour of this prize was due to Guesâ—lin the Captaines carried the keyes of the castle vpon his herse The death of the Constable 〈◊〉 Thus died 〈◊〉 leauing an honourable testimony of his valour and loyalty and to Charles an 〈◊〉 sorrow for his death who honoured him with a notable obsequie causing his body to be interred with the Kings at S. Denis at the foot of his own tombe was that of Guesâ—lin with a burning Lampe maintained by foundation called The Lampe of Guâ—selin vnto this day King Charles had g uen all Bourgogne to his brother Philip for his portion according to the will of his father Iohn as we haue said and had married him with Margueret the rich heyre of Flanders Being in possession of Bourgogne there happened another occasion in Flanders which won him great credit with those people whom he should comand after the death of Lewis his father in law
in 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 Bourgongne and intreats the King to forbeare in the excution of this charge Behold a sharpe touch which might easily open the Dukes eares to harken to these malcontents yet would he not enter but suffers the Earle his sonne to vse all his meanes for this effect beeing discontented for the gouernment of Normandie taken
〈◊〉 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
that the subiects consent who offer their goods and liues to their King be held in due degree This hinders no more the hereditarie prerogatiue of a Roialtie then the diuerse ministerie of the members do the soueraigne authoritie of the head ouer the whole bodie And as in the beginning or in the rising or infancie of an estate vertue ministers occasion for the people to choose such as should commaund ouer them successiuely leauing as it were in sacred gard in the hands of their best men what they hold most pretious and so to their successors who by all reasonable coniecture must be good and vertuous being borne of good parents euen so in the end vice makes them to hate such as abuse this prerogatiue and in like manner the same vertue makes them flie to others whome they hold more worthy to command in that they are obedient vnto reason This Maxime then stands firme that the authority of the states not being incompatible with the soueraignty of a king the royaltie of France is and hath alwaies beene merely hereditary without any exception nor can it otherwise subsist and stand all well considered And who so thinkes or speakes otherwise imagyning popular common-weales in France he is ignorant of the disposition of the French and feeds himselfe with a dangerous vanity The third The mâ—le only capable of the Crowne the female excluded in France But this lawe of a succeeding royaltie is limitted by a third Maxime That the right of the Crowne is tied to the heires male whereas in many nations for want of males the soueraigne Authority of a royaltie falles to the females of the royall race And this lawe receiued by the approbation of the subiect people is happily put in practise The president is very memorable and remarkable in the Realme of England whereas Queene Elizabeth alone hath surpassed the happinesse of the greatest Kings her predecessors ruling a long time with great Authority in peace So as hauing gotten most famous victories ouer her enemies shee hath erected through peace the goodliest trophies that euer king of England could haue planted there So great is the force of the lawe in the society of mankinde the which God will haue inuiolable vnder the gage of faith and publique order The French were often called Saliens of the riuer Sal in Francoâ—ia and the French lawes termed Salique lawes But the royaltie of France is wholy restayned to the males the fundamentall lawe of state being called the Salique lawe not admitting the females For this soueraigne lawe is set downe in these words In the Salique land let no portion of the inheritance come to the female but let the male haue the possession That is to say the males onely are capable of the Crowne of France the females being wholy excluded and by coÌ„sequence their issue the which can pretend no more interest then their mothers neither haue they any portion in the reuenewes of the Crowne which cannot be alienated So as it is giuen them but for terme of life by assignation of dowrie at the Kings good pleasure Thâ— fundamentall lawe called Salique This fundamentall lawe is called Salique by excellency although the Salique lawes conteine the rights of priuate men but amongest them that which concernes the maiesty of the prince is the principall and for this cause is knowne by this worthy obseruation 428. The practise of this fundamentall law is apparent in the first race where the cheefe proofe of antiquitie must be made in the daughters of Childebert The practise thereof sonne to the first Clouis In the daughters of Cherebert sonne to Clotaire the first in the daughters of Gontran son of the same Clotaire all which were excluded from the Crowne and in their places the neerest Princes of the blood admitted by the consent of all the French The second race hath no examples of this law in the particular circumstance of women The third hath very notable ones Edward King of England was excluded by iudgment of the States from the right he pretended to this Crowne being sonne to one of the daughters of France the onely daughter of Philip le bell Philip of Valois was preferred before his Neece daughter to Lewis Hutin And of late memory Francis the first of that name Duke of Angoulesme before the two daughters of Lewis the twelfth without any controuersie This law was obserued among the French before Pharamond was borne and by vertue of this law he reigned as Successor to his Ancestors Marcomir Sunno Melobaudes Here the Author wouâ—d haue a â—amed sâ—pposition to be taken for an vndoubted truth and others And as he was appointed by the wise prouidence of God to bee the first Architect of this Monarchie so was hee indued with singular graces fit for so excellent a worke in the which the law should fortifie the valour of this fierce warlike nation Thus Pharamond is renowned for his wisdome and iudgment who did countenance authorize the Salique lawes and that especially which was the chief to take away all future debate from his Successors And for the better strengthening of his lawes he assembled his captaines whereof the Counsellors of our ancient Kings were chosen They name among the chiefe of them Widogast Sabogast Wisogast and Bosogast the which our fabulous curiosities do transforme into some great Orators without any appreheÌ„sion of truth These were good warriors yet wise men and iudicious But who can beleeue they were great Rhetoricians So Pharamond was not the Author but the bewtifier of the SALIQVE lawes as Iustinian of the ciuill lawes of the Romaines To search out the originall of the word neither my style nor my humor will suffer me to dispute thereof Of the word Salique euery one hath his iudgement free But this is my opinion as words be the images of things so are they inuented to represent the nature of the thing whereunto they are applied It appeares that among the French the Saliens were those that held the cheefe degrees What the Saliâ—ns were and gaue the name to the whole Nation So as all Frenchmen are ofteÌ„ times called Saliens The SALIQVE lawes therfore are the FreÌ„ch lawes appointed to rule and gouerne the French It was the aâ—cient name continued with the most ancient lawes the which the honour of the Nation and the reuerence of so sacred a thing hath forbidden in any sort to alter So the SALIQVE lawe hath continued time out of mind the Soueraigne law of State vnder the which the French haue liued and so haue continued from father to sonne without any alteration either in the substance or the word maiesticall in the heartes and tongues of all French men What apparence is there then that Phillip of Valois hath borrowed the name of Pharamond in the inuention of this law to make it serue his turne How much vnlikely is it that so important a law being the ground of the Estate should
bee vnknowne to the French What a drowsines had it beene in so wise circumspect a nation to suffer themselues to be abused by a new-come Prince and by so grosse a pollicie to drawe themselues into apparent combustion which hung ouer their heads in preferring the French before the English who had then so good a portion in France where hee possessed the goodliest and richest prouinces How vnsound is this policy to imagine that a poor Prince Count of Valois hauing to do with a rich King of England who encountred the Frenchmens minds with an intestine force by the golden vertue of his Angels could haue abused such as were kept in their obedience by the force of right and reason for the preseruation of the Crowne of France their Countrie Who sees not but it had beene the ouerthrowe of Philip of Valois cause to say that hee had forged a law at his pleasure to exclude the lawfull heire and her ofspring from her right Truely the good cause of Philip of Valois made him victorious against the forces of Edward King of England and the auncient reuerence to him 430. authorized by a continuall vse and receiued by the common consent of the French reiected gold to respect the order of right for the benefit of the lawfull heire These French lawes were called Saliques of the riuer Sal which is in Franconia Etimologie of the word Salique or East Franco it ioynes with Mein and is not yet dryed vp It is neyther new nor extraordinary for people to deriue their names from Mountaines or Riuers and to shewe an example springing from the same thing by noting the Riuers The Country where the Citty of Paris is seated not onely the chiefe of this great realme but the Theatre of the whole world if by a happy peace she may recouer her ancient beauty is called the Isle of France for the concurse of diuerse riuers which ioyne with Seine and to this end the ship the armes of our chiefe Cittie shewes the oportunity of these goodly riuers Who can with reason reiect the apparency of this likely-hood That as our ancestors remayning alongst the riuer of Sal were called Saliens so the name hath continued to posteritie the which for the like reason are called Ripuaires as made for the commodity and vse of the dwellers vpon that banck the which they likewise called Ripuaires or Ribberots Truely long time after Conrad of Franconie the Emperour was called Salique to marke his beginning in that Country by the ancient name Thus much for the word But the inuiolable Maximes and Principles of the state of France the consent of all the true ancient writers the prescription of so many ages the generall approbation of all the French nation should make vs hold this Salique lawe for certaine without seeking for new opinions not onely weake and vnprofitable but insupportable in the state where the olde prouerb must stand for an oracle Remoue not the stâ—ane well layed Thus hauing briefely set downe the principall lawes of the state of France I will returne to the course of my history Thus hee raigned thus he liued and thus died Pharamond the first King of France Death of Pharamond leauing for hereditary successor of his Realme his sonne Clodion according to the right of lawe and King in effect by consent of the French This age was the sincke of Babarous nations by whome God would iustly punish the vniust pride of the Râ—mains The greatest parte came out of Asia staying first in Germany and from thence like Caterpillers or Grassehoppers â—read themselues ouer Gaule Italie and Spaine that is to say the Goths or Getes Alans Hunnes Sueues others from the North the Bourguignons Normans and Lombards We must know the Chaunge of these nations for the vse of his history But it sufficeth to touch them briefly in their places without cloying our chiefe subiect with a cumbersome discourse 431. CLODION or CLOION the hairy 2. King of France CLODION·KING OF FRANCE .2 CLODION the sonne of Pharamond succeeded his father in the yeare 431. and raigned one and twenty yeares The first attempâ— of Clâ—dâ—oâ— He laboured to follow his fathers course and to settle himselfe in Gaule but hauing transported certaine troupes which made a happy beginning passing to the couâ—trâ—es of Cambresie and Tournay betwixt the riuers of Somme and â—scout behold a furious mulâ—itude oâ— diuers nations assembled toâ—eâ—her of â—andales Alans Sueues and Burgâ—ignons iealous to see this great and warlâ—â—e people follow their steps in the conquest of a land not onely â—et to â—ale but abandoned in the disorders of the Romaine Empire oppoâ—ed themselues against them The French not able to withstand â—o great vnited forces retyred themselues into their Country oâ— Franconia To this iealousie was added the practise of Stillico Lieutenant generall tâ— Honorius Emperour of the West who easily ingaged these Nations seeking for woâ—ke against the French laboured by all meanes to crosâ—e them and to possesse â—imselâ—e of Gaule yet the successe did not fitte his desseigne for being preuented by Honorius his maister he was slaine with his sonne Euâ—herius whom he had appointed absolute heire of that goodly portion But the prouidence of God had left it in prey to these great and victorious Nations being come from diuers parts of the world to diuide the Empire Thus confusion preuailed by his authority who had most interest in the practises of Stillico who in taking Gaule for himselfe reteined still the Romaine name being ouerthrowne by Honorius The deluge of these barbarous nations oâ—erflowed all Gaule which from yeare to yeare was replenished with new guests The Bourguignons had already seized on a great part with the title of a kingdome whereof Arles was the chiefe Citty The Goths possessed Gaule Narbonnoise 440. euen by the Emperours consent who granted what he could not take from them with promise to passe no further So this victorious nation dispersed in diuerse places in Italy Gaule and Spaine were called by sâ—ndry names Wisigoths and Ostrogoths according to the place where they were planted by their great multitudes and valour Such was the disorder of the Romaines who in their seasons had subdued the whole world by their victorious armes These tempests and stormes raigned during the Empires of the two brethren Arcadius and Honorius the one commanding in the East The estate of the Empâ—re and the other in the West of Theodosius the second sonne to Arcadius and in the beginning of Vâ—lentinian the third a vitious and vnhappy Prince The raigne of Clodion fell out in those times not greatly memorable but to obserue his resolutions and manly endeuours to settle and increase the conquests of his father but with no successe Thus great and heroicall enterprises haue often stayes and lets in the beginning or such difficult crosses as they seeme quite suppressed Aetius a Romaine borne succeeded Stillico for the Emperour in that which
Reason and respect of the common good fights for Robert The same reason ioyned with the royall authoritie armes for Charles against these new desseigne But God who guides the least moment of our life watcheth mightily for the preseruation of mâ—ankind and disposeth of Kingdomes by his wisedome had limited this bold attempt reseruing the change to another season and yet for the same â—ace of Robert Euen so the death of him that had crowned Robert was a foretelling of his owne The armies lodge in the heart of France neere vnto the great Cittie of Paris the seazing whereof was a maine point of State but see what happens he that thought to vanquish is vanquished As the armies approch neere to Soissons striuing in the vew of Paris who should doe best they ioyne The combat is very cruell but Robert fighting in the front is slaine Robert defeated and slaine by Chaâ—leâ— leauing for that time the victorie to Charles the simple and a â—onne in his house shall reuiue his desseine in his posteritie that is Hugues 〈…〉 to Hugh Capet â—he death of Robert did not daunt his armie but it continued firme vnder the commaund of Hebert Earle of Vermandois son in law to Robert And Charles did so ill manage hiâ— victorie as it became a trappe for his owne ruine for seeing these forces to stand fiâ—me hee seekes a treatie of peace with an vnseasonable feare Hebert imbraceth this occasion beseecheth Charles to come to Saint Quentins to confer togither Charles simple indeed comes thither without hostages Câ—aâ—les taken prisoner by 〈◊〉 Hebert hauing him in his power takes him priâ—oner And hauing declared vnto him the will of the French to haue the Realme gouerned by a more sufficient man then himselfe hee resolues to assemble the pâ—iâ—cipall of the Realme to that end conueies him to Chastean-Thierry and from thence to Soissons where hee had assembled the cheefe of the Realme chosen after his owne humor where hee makes him to resigne the Crowne to Raoul his godsonne the first Prince of the bloud by his mother Hermingrade daughterto Lewis and wife of Boson King of Bourgongne So this poore Prince is led from prison to prison for the space of fiue yeares yet 〈…〉 in his raigne and after hee had renounced his right hee payed nature his due Câ—aâ—les diâ—s oppâ—essed with greefe and dying of a languishing melancholie to see himselfe so ignominiously intreated by that audacious affront done by the treacherie of his owne vassall Qâ—eene Ogina flies to England wâ—â—h her sonne Lewiâ— He had to wife Ogina the daughter of Edward King of England a wise and a couragious Princesse by her he had a son named Lewis This poore Princesse seeing her husband prisoner and foreseeing the end of this Tragedie 908 by the strange beginning takes her sonne Lewis and flies speedily into England to her brother Aldesâ—on who then raigned yeelding to the time and the violent force of her enemies Thus Raoul was seated in the place of Charles the simple a Prince of apparent vertue and so they account him RAOVL the 32. King but in effect an vsurper of the Realme RAOVLE KING OF FRANCE XXXII HE was proclaimed and crowned King of France at Sâ—issons 923. in the yeare 923. and raigned about 13. yeares Raoul an vsurper his raigne was vnfortunate during Charles his imprisonment and after his death This raigne was painfull and vnfortunate Normandie Guienne Lorraine and Italy were the cause of mâ—ch fruitlesse labour Hee sought to suppresse the Normans and to repaire the errors of Charles the Grosse and Charles the Simple who were blamed to haue suâ—â—ered them to take footing in that country to the preiudice of the Crowne but he preuailed not nor yet in Lorraine nor in Guienne whether he made voyages with much brute and small fruite From thence hee turned his forces towards Italy where the State was much troubled by the decease of Boson and boldnesse of the Commanders who held the strongest places playing the Kings in refusing to acknowledge the Empire but in name and in effect they commanded as Soueraignes imagining their gouernments to be hereditary for their children Hee performed some things worthy of commendation in suppressing Berenger Duke of Friul 925. who hauing freed himselfe from the Empire had vanquished Lewis the sonne of Boson who inioyed Italie as we haue sayd as husband to the daughter of Lewis one of the sonnes of Lewis the gentle Raoul made a quiet end with Hugues Earle of Arles who had gotten possession of that goodly Cittie as gouernour seated in a fertile Countrie and very conuenient he suffered him quietly to inioy the Cittie and territories about it holding it of the Crowne of France Thus passed the raigne of Raoul without any great profit after so much toyle and trouble vnder a colour to do better then the lawfull heire wrongfully dispossessed by him Leauing no memorie but his ambition and iniustice in a deluge of troubles and confusions wherein the Realme was plonged after his departure to the great discontent of all the French He died after all these broyles in the yeare 936. at Compiegne An age wonderfully disordred Necessarie obseruations for great estates wherein we may profitably obserue by what accidents and meanes great estates are ruined Ciuill warres bred the first Simptomes As order is the health of an estate so is disorder the ruine The seruant hauing tasted the sweetnes of commaund imagins himselfe to be master being loath to leaue the authoritie he had in hand holding it as his owne by testament In this resolution there is nothing holy all is violated for rule all respect is layd aside euery one playes the King within himselfe for one King there are many where there are many masters there are none at all The which we must well obserue to vnfold many difficulties in the History of this confused age wherein we read of many Kings Dukes and Earles although these titles were but temporarie hauing no other title but the sword and the confusion of times Confusions of thosâ— times Thus was France altered after the death of Charles the simple by the practises of Roberts League There was no gouernour of any Prouince throughout the realme which hold not proper to himselfe and his heires those which were giuen vnto them but as offices From hence sprang so many Dukedomes Earledomes Baronies and Seigneuries In France the which for the most part are returned to their first beginnings Italie giuen to an Infant of France was possessed by diuers Princes In Italâ—e and Germanie Germanie withdrawne from the Crowne was banded into diuers factions so as the Empire of the West confirmed in the person of Charlemagne continued scarse a hundred yeares in his race for Lewis the fourth the sonne of Arnoul of whome we haue spoken was the last Emperour of this bloud In his place the Germains elected Conrade Duke of East Franconia the yeare
Lothaire dyes detâ—sted of all men and Lewis his sonne for a finall conclusion of his race as an outcast of great Charlemagne LEWIS the 5. the 35. King and the last of this second race LEWES .5 KING OF FRANCE XXXV HE raigned one yeare onely and dyed without heire 964. without friends and without memorie The last King of the race of Charlemagne leauing his place voyde at time of need in troubles of State and confusion of times horribly corrupted He was likewise called idle hauing done nothing worthy of memory but in leauing the place to a better Prince and more worthy then himselfe whom God the protector of the Crowne of France had reserued for this estate in so great necessitie God the disposer of Kingdomes and states for as God had decreed that out of the house of Hugues the great should issue a great King which should repaire the errors of this bastard race of Charlemagne so likewise hee had prepared the meanes both for the father to lay the foundation and for his sonne Hugh Capet appointed for this dignity to finish this goodly building as it appeares in the following discourse THE THIRD RACE OF THE KINGS OF FRANCE Called Capets or Capeuingiens of the name of Hugh Capet Father to the Kings which raigne happily to this day I haue made the earth with a stretched out arme and dispose of the estates of men at my pleasure By me Kings doe raigne A particular Chronologie of the third Race Yeares of grace Kings From the yeare 988. vnto the yeare 1598. 988. 36. Hugues or Hugh Capet The first of that race who setled the Estate of the French Monarchie much shaken by the confusion of ciuill warres and the multiplicity of masters He reckons twentie and eight Kings issued from him successiuely from father to sonne or from branch to branch according to the order of the fundamentall Law of the State of France Hauing raigned nine yeares he leaues 996. 37. Robert his sonne alone of that name a peaceable King who raigns 32. yeares and to him succeeds 1028. 38. Henry the first of that name his sonne who raigns 33. yeares and to him 1061. 39. Philip the 1. his sonne who raigned 49. yeares and to him 1109. 40. Lewis the 6. called the grosse his sonne who raignes 29. yeares and to him 1137. 41. Lewis the 7. called the yong who raigned 44. yeares and to him succeeded 1181. 42. Phillip the 2. surnamed Augustus or giuen of God his sonne who raigned 44. yeares and to him succeeded his sonne 1223. 43. Lewis the 8. called the father of Saint Lewis who raigned 3. yeares and to him 1227. 44. Lewis the 9. called Saint Lewis a great and famous Prince he reigns 44 yeares and to him his sonne 1271. 45. Philip the 3. surnamed the hardie who raigned 15. yeares and to him his sonne 1286. 46. Philip the 4. called the faire who raigned 29. yeares and to him his sonne 1315. 47. Lewis the 10. surnamed Hutin hauing raigned 2. yeares hee leaues the Crowne to his brother 1317. 48. Philip the 5. called the long who raigned 6. yeares and leaues the scepter to his brother 1322. 49. Charles the 4. called the faire who raigned 6. yeares And by the law of State for want of sonnes or brother the Estates of France notwithstanding the pretentions of Edward King of England 1328. 50. the sonne of the onely daughter of Philip the faire placed in the royall throne 1350. 51. Philip of Valois the 5. sonne of Charles Earle of Valois and second sonne to Philip the 3. and by consequence the neerest kinsman to the three former Kings Heraignes 23. yeares and to him succeeds his sonne Iohn alone of that name   Vnder him began a confusion in the Realme the which continued neere a hundred yeares with much miserie that is from this Iohn vntill the warre of the common weale vnder Lewis the XI So wee reckon 5. very troublesome raignes vnder Iohn Charles 5. Charles 6.  Charles the 7. and Lewis the XI who setled and augmented the Estate of the realme being greatly decayed by the continuance of ciuil wars Iohn hauing raigned 14. yeares leaues the realme to 1364 52. Charles the 5. his sonne called the wise who raigned 18. yeares and to him succeeded 1382. 53. Charles the 6. his sonne who raigned with much paine 42. yeares and to him 1424. 54. Charles the 7. his sonne   Who expelled the English out of France and setled the Crowne seized on by the King of England who was Crowned and proclaimed King in Paris hauing raigned 39. yeares He leaues the royall scepter to 1463. 55. Lewis the XI his sonne   Who vnited Bourgongne and Prouence to the Crowne and thereby tooke away all occasions of trouble leauing the royall scepter to his sonne 1483. 56. Charles the 8. with peace   The which continued without any disturbance a boute a hundred yeares from the yeare 1462. vnto the yeare 1562. vnder the raigns of Lewis 12. Francis 1. and Henry 2. Charles the 8. hauing raigned 14. yeares dying without Children the realme was transported to 1498. 57. Lewis the 12. Duke of Orleans who raigned 18. yeares and for want of heires male remits the Crowne to 1515. 58. Francis the 1. of that name Duke of Angoulesme who raigned 32. yeares   An excellent Prince who after the long ignorance of obscure ages caused the knowledge of learning to flourish hauing beautified his vniuersity of Paris with excellent learned men in the tongues and sciences the which were dispersed ouer all Europe and to him succeeded his sonne 1547. 59. Henry the 2. of that name who raigned 12. yeares and to him succeeded 1559. 60. Francis the 2. his sonne who dying without Children there succeeded him his brother  61. Charles the 9. who dying without Children left the Crowne to  62. Henry the 3. his brother the last of the royall race of Valois who beeing slaine by a Iacobin and dying without Children there succeeded in the lawfull masculine line  63. Henry the 4. before King of Nauarre and the first King of the royall line of Bourbon who now raignes and long may he rule happily and holyly beloued obeyed and respected The Genealogy of King Henry the 4. now raigning according to the order of succession is at the ende of the royall branch of Valois HVGVES or Hugh Capet the 36. King and the first of the third race the which raignes at this daye vnder Henry the fourth HVGH CAPET KING OF FRANCE XXXVI THE royall throne of France remayning voide 987. by the death of Lewis the 5. did visibly call Charles Duke of Lorraine to the Crowne of whome we haue before made mention as the first Prince of the bloud royall to whome I say the fundamentall Lawe did adiudge the Crowne for want of heires males Charles Duke of Lorraine hâ—ire presumptiue reiected from the Crowne and. Hugh Capet chosen King of
reader may peruse it without passion Here beganne the great iarres and contentions betwixt the Emperours and Popes The Estate of the Church and Empire The ancient custome of the Catholike Church practised from Constantin the great the first Christian Emperour was That the Emperour should be president in the election of all Bishops euen of the Bishop of Rome The Popes would not allowe the Emperour should hold this prerogatiue ouer them since the time that Boniface the 3. tooke vpon him the name preheminence of vniuersall Bishop but were chosen without license froÌ„ the Emperour Iohn had held the pontificall sea by vnlawful meanes did lead a dissolute life to the discontent of many for the redresse whereof the Emperour Otho comes to Rome and vpon complaints hauing labored to reclaime this man to his dutie whome he found incorrigible in the ende hee calls a Councell within Rome where by a decree of this Assemblie Iohn the 12. was deposed and Leo 8. substâ—tuted in his place But the Emperour is scarce gone out of Rome The Pope confirmed by the Emperour when as behold newe factions Leo the 8. beeing chosen by his order is exâ—eâ—led by disorder and Benedict the 5. seated in his place Otho returnes and restoreth Leo who vpon this occasion made a decree That in executing the ancient rule of discipline which giues the election to the people and Clergie The power to chose and consecrate the Pope and to rule things belonging to the Apostolike sea and to establish and confirme the Bishops should belong vnto the Emperour as the head and first moderator of discipline Seditious election of Popes So the remedy was well expounded but not well applied for after the restitution of Leo they number seauen Popes Iohn the 14. Benedict the 6. Donus the 2. Boniface 7. Benedict 7. Gregory 5. Iohn 1â— which were one after another placed and displaced by sedition eyther expelled or imprisoned or strangled vntill that Gilibert Arch-bishop of Rauenne of whome wee haue spoken came to be Pope beeing named Siluester the 2. In the life of Siluester the 2. He was brought in by so strange a manner as I haue horror to read Platina who saies it was by deuilish arts But the wise reader may vewe the rest of this troublesome report in the author himselfe altogether vnreprouable beeing a confident seruant to the Popes and so may eaâ—e vs of this tedious toyle Such was the Empire and the sea of Rome amidest these horrible confusions Hugh Capet dies whilest that our Capet labored to repaire the breaches of his newe Kingdome Hauing raigned peaceably nine yeares he died the 22. of Nouember in the yeare 996. Leauing his sonne Robert not only successor to the Crowne but alâ—o of his vertues his happinesse his credit in the deuout loue of the French He had him by Adelais the daughter of Edward King of England in whome hee was so happy as not onely to see him of age but also crowned King and well married He raigned both alone accompanied with his sonne 996. beloued and honored of him and his subiects if euer father and Prince were A patterne of a great States man coming to the extremity of a desperate disease wherevnto he applied such seasonable remedies as hee might well bee called the Restorer of the French Monarchie But from him wee must ascend to God the true gardien of this estate meaning to preserue it by his care and wisdome who gouernes changes by his wise prouidence and giues vertues and successe at his pleasure Now we begin a new raignâ— a wiser more happy and longer then the two precedent whereof the one continued but three hundred and twenty yeares and the other two hundred thirty eight and this vnto Henry the 4. now raigning continueth 619. yeares so as counting the date of it first beginning from the yeare 420. making of all these particulars one grosse summe The Monarchâ—e of France of greater continuance then euer any from the yeare of our Redemers comming into the world we shall finde in all 1596. yeares inclusiue A terme which no State euer atteined vnto It is true that the bounds of this Monarchie shall not be so large as vnder Charlemagne yet better limited and although it seemes that Hugh Capet in yeelding the propertie of the Crowne lands vnto the Gouernours of places did diminish it yet in effect he did augment it in assuring the Crowne by this good husbandry being extraordinary yet very conuenient in such extreame necessitie And since all that which seemed to bee dismembred is returned from whence it came We must therefore set before our eyes all this great Monarchie imparted to diuers Lords aâ—d the royall authority ouer all as the head ouer the whole body which hath diuers members giuing life and force to euery part to exerciâ—e his proper function we shall see in order as things haue fallen out the greatest part of those Prouinces which were made hereditarie by this conuention of Capet returne to the Crowne againe The which I will labour to effect so long as the light shall guide me in the diuersiâ—ie of these changes We shall now enter into a more temperate raigne then the two former We shall not see so many armies in field so many victories nor so many conquests neyther shall we see so many audacious and infamous outrages so many murthers and parricides so many vnnaturall cruelties of children against the father of bretheren against bretheren of husbands against their wiues and of wiues against their husbands wee may well note and obserue diseases but neither so dangerous nor so tedious as haue beene played on the theater of horrible Tragedies in former raignes Doubtlesse as the body and minde haue their proper diseases so hath the estate of mankinde Man cannot be alwayes sound nor alwayes pleasant his body and minde haue their passions in their seasons according to the degrees which God hath prescribed them by the course of nature Likewise the changes are remarkable in all this Monarchie but this raigne iudicially considered we may admire the notable proofes of Gods prouidence who would fortifie this estate for the preseruation of his Church in Europe whereof France is a notable member and doth import much to all other nations The History therefore of this third raigne is most worthy of memory for the vse whereof we may obserue three famous parts to helpe the iudgement and memory An order for the vse of this third raigne The first from Hugh Capet to Philip of Valois where began the controuersie of the English against the French long and lamentable for the pretension to the Crowne of France The second from that raigne to Henry the third the last King of that branche of Valois The third begins at Henry the 4. now raigning the first of the most noble race of Bourbon This Inuentary shall faithfully and briefely quote the particularities of these last reignes to sent
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
these butchers attending their misery Lewis King of France punisheth the rebells shut themselues into the great Tower of S. Donas Lewis doth first bury the body of this good Earle honourably the which had lien without sepulchre and then doth punish the murtherers and their complices rigourously But this is not all He must prouide for the Earledome remayning without a Lord by the death of Count Charles deceassed without children Pretendants for the Earledome of Flanders There wanted no pretendants William of Ypre sonne to Philip of Flanders the second sonne of Robert the Frison King Henry of England who desired greatly to ioyne this goodly Country with his Normandy Stephen of Blois Earle of Montreuill and Bologne Baldwin Earle of Hainault and William the sonne of Robert called Court-house brother to the King of England but his sworne enemy hauing vsed his father ill and kept him prisoner Lewis was soueraigne Iudge of this controuersy Flanders depending on the crowne of France He assigned all the pretendants of the Citty of Arras signifiyng that his intent was to do him iustice but in effect he inclined to fauour adiudging the Earledome of Flanders to the last that is to William of Normandy to binde him with more strict bounds against his â—â—nsman On the other side the Flemings assemble at Ypre and chose William of Loâ— Lord of Ypre The King aduanceth with his forces to Ypre to preuent this popular election where he enters the stonger and forceth William to renownce it VVilliam of Normandy made Earle of Flanders From thence he goes to all other good Citties where by his authority he causeth William of Normandy to be receiued for lawfull Earle and puts him in solemne possession by a publike act But his fauour had ill bestowed this goodly inheritance of an vnworthy man whose fury depriued him presently Lewis hauing installed him He oppresseth his newe subiects returnes into France William insteed of winning his newe subiects by equity and mildnesse begins to oppresse them after a rigorous and imperious manner by infringing of their preuileges ostentations of his authority taxes subsidies newe impositions and by all other meanes which Princes that seeke to loose their Estates hold to torment their subiects He had so far exceeded as the Citties without any wauering resolue to prouide a better Earle and to this intent they seeke a head The memorie of their good Earle makes them to cast their eyes vpon him that hath most right to this inheritance as the neerest kinsman which is Thierri son to the Duke of Alsatia and of Gertrude daughter to Robert the Frison The Flemings intreat him to come into their country The Flemings chooâ—e them a new Earle promising him all assistance to conquer the State He comes and is receiued with an extraordinary ioy by all the people All the Citties assemble to acknowledge him by order and dismisse William of Normandy who seeing a flat repulse by this people thus freed repayres to Lewis for succour in this extremity Lewis fayles him not his army marcheth with great speed hee himselfe comes in person and is receiued into Arras from thence he adiornes Thierry to come and answer before him as his soueraigne by what warrant hee carries himselfe for Earle this sommons is made vnto him at Ypre whether he had retired himselfe Hauing condemned him by default Thierrithe new Earle of Flanders defeated he approcheth his army to Ypre to vexe the inhibâ—bitants Thierri sallies forth with a notable troupe of men they ioyne the fight is fierce but the check falles vpon Thierries forces who with much a doe saues himselfe in Alost William pursues him and approcheth the towne sommoning the Inhabitants to obey and to deliuer vp Thierri as an Vsurper VVilliam of Normandy stâ—â—â—e in Flanders But he was not aduised that one with a Crossebow shot an arrow at him and pierced him through the arme Behold hee is wounded and within two dayes he dies Thierri and the Flemings send presently to Lewis to beseech him to receiue them into fauour whereby he may be assured of theyr faithfull seruice Lewis consents and confirmes him and hauing caused him to take the oath of fidelity and receiued his homage after the manner of his Ancestors 1121. he returnes into France But Flanders continued not long in quiet as we shall see hereafter To these stirres of Flanders were added some garboyles in Bourbonois and Auuergne Archibauld Earle of Bourbon was deceassed leauing one sonne of the same name Troubles in Bourbonois but a young man and a brother called Haman who abusing the time in the weake minoritie of his Nephew would make himselfe Maister of Bourbonois pretending the Earledome to appertaine vnto him by the death of his elder brother to whom hee must succeed in order as the yongest of the house The mother and friends of Archibauld opposed against Hamon the right of representation inuiolable in France in great houses which is that the sonne of the eldest brother represeâ—ts the Father and without doubt succeeds in all his rights to enioy them as if he himselfe liued for that the Father reuiues in the Sonne Hamon building his chiefe interest vpon force would not admit any reason that made for his Nephew so as the matter was brought before the King who by the aduise of his Councell declares Archibauld the lawfull heire and puts Haman from his pretensions commanding him to leaue the possession of Bourbonois free to his Nephew 1123. This Archibauld did afterwards marrie his daughter Beatrix to Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauuoisis sonne to the King S. Lewis The stâ—â—ke of the house of Bourbon and of this marriage by the royall stemme is discended the most famous race of Bourbon the which at this day doth happily enioy the Crowne and realme of France But Haman who held some places in Burbonois would not leaue the possession refusing to obey the Kings commandement relying vpon the fauour of Eustache Earle of Auuergne who sought to free himselfe There was a priuate subiect of complaint against him hauing displaced the Bishop of Clermont against the Kings will These occasions drew the King into Bourbonois where hauing besieged Haman he ended this controuersie in fauour of Archibauld The affaires of Auuergne were more difficult by reason of William Duke of Guienne who imbraced the cause for the Earle of Auuergne pretending that he was his vassall This quarrell seemed to take a long course but it was pacified by this meanes Lewis had six sonnes Philip Lewis Henry another Philip Peter Robert and one Daughter Constance He had crowned his eldest sonne Philip who dyed by a strange accident going to take the aire on horseback Philip eldest sonne to Lewis died by a strange accident a Hog passed vnder the bellie of his horse the which being feared did shake this young King so violently as he threw him downe and so brused him as within few dayes after hee
her impudencie did so faâ—re exceed as shee would dishonourablie haue stayed in Antioche and left her husband presuming to cloake her shame with a shew of Religion saying without blushing that she could be no more the wife of Lewis to whom shee was Cousin in the fourth degree preferring the loue of a Iester named Saladin of the Sarrazin race Queene Elenoâ— vnchast before the greatnesse of a King of France her lawfull husband Lewis being much disquieted perswades this woman to returne a heauier burthen to his minde then to his ship being returned to his house hee frees himselfe with all the speed he can And whereas hee should haue cast this insatiate woman into the Riuer being no more his wife and retained her Dowrie iustly gotten she playing bankerout of her honour Lewis pretends a cause to be diuorsed from Elenor and restores her Guienne hee calles a Councell at Baugency to haue her diuorsed the which was granted vnder colour of this farre fetcht consangunitie But his desire was to bee freed from her So retaining two Daughters borne vnder the vale of their marriage hee restores vnto Elenor all her Countrie of Guienne that is he puts into the hands of his furious enemie a Torche to set his whole Realme on fire for so soone as shee sees her selfe freed from the subiection and feare of a husband shee stayed not long to acquaint her selfe with Henry King of England and Duâ—e of Normandie Elenor marries with Henry King of England the greatest and most capitall enemie that Lewis had So hee obtained Guienne by the voluntary cession which Lewis made to haue the better meanes to annoy him and his whole realme Moreouer Lewis payde deerely for so great a discomoditie for the Pope would not giue him a dispence to marrie againe without a great summe of money to be imployed in the warres of the Holy Land and to finish this worke hee tooke to Wife Constance the Daughter of Alphonso King of Galicia being a weake friend Lewis marries againe and farre off This marriage was not greatly conuenient neither for his owne quiet not the peace of his subiects This subiect of deadly rancor encreasing the hatred of these two neighbour Monaâ—kes of France and England burst forth soone by dangerous effects The benefit of the new purchase of Guienne was the cause of that perrilous warre the which had so long and so lamentable a continuance William Duke of Guienne Grand-father by the Father to Queene Elenor had marryed the onely Daughter of the first Raimond Earle of Tholouse who had ingaged the sayd Countie to Raimond Earle of Saint Gilles who since also called himselfe Earle of Tholouse being seized of the sayd Countie and enioyed it quietly vnder the Kings obedience Henry King of England offers the money to Raimond to redeeme it The first war betwixt France and England for the Earledome of Tholouse and demands the Earledome as his Wiues right Vpon his refusall he armes enters into Quercy takes Cahors spoiles the Countrie and besiegeth Tholouse Lewis intreated by Raimond runnes to quenche this fire Beeing arriued and the two Armies readie to ioyne a peace was made betwixt the two Kings by the marriage of Marguerite the Daughter of Lewis with Henry the eldest Sonne of Henry King of England The two kings reconciled by a marriage But for that shee was very young and not yet mariageable shee was deliuered into Henry the Fathers hands vntill shee were of fitte age to marry Lewis had now buryed his wife Constance who left him but two Daughters without any heyres male so as being desirous to haue a successor hee made no delay to matry and tooke to his third Wife Alix the Daughter of Thibaud Earle of Champagne his vassall 1151. and newly reconciled but not greatly affected vnto him vntill that time Hee had a Sonne presently by her whom hee called Dieu Donné or giuen of God as an acknowledgement that God had sent him at his and his subiects praiers This is hee that shall succeed him I should begin to describe his raigne but order commands me to relate what happened during the raigne of Lewis in the neighbour nations of England and Italy wherein Lewis had great crosses Henry King of England had two sonnes by Elenor Richard and Geoffrâ—y and by his first wife hee had Henry who was made sure to Marguerit of France of whom wee haue spoken The Father caused him to be crowned to settle him in his life time and tyed the English vnto him by homage A young Prince ambitious audatious ill aduised and rash who cannot long conteine himselfe with the taste of this new authoritie Notable troubles in England betwâ—â—â— the father and the sonne but will play the King with his Father And although his Fathers admonitions restrained him for awhile yet this ambitious humour still burst forth So as the Father from milde admonitions came to threats the insolencie of this young Prince increasing dayly Some yeares passed whilest this fire lay smothered very long for young Henry to whom the Fathers life seemed too tedious and the children of the second wife grew by the care of Elenor their Mother Henry the Father discontented with his Sonne and fearing that in consumating the mariage betwixt him and the Daughter of France the young Prince would grow proud augmenting his traine and State and through the fauour of King Lewis his Father in Lawe attempt something preiudiciall to his authoritie Hee delayed the accomplishment of this marriage although the Virgin werâ— of more then sufficient yeares to marrie To this mischiefe was added an other more shamefull for that Henry the Father caused this Princesse to bee carefully kept the which should bee his Daughter in Lawe fearing least his Sonne should violently take her away Prince Henry iealous of his owne father and marry her Elenor falles into iealousie as if Henry had abused her And it was easie to settle this conceit in her sonne in Lawe Henryes head who had the chiefe interest in this delay And to publish this scandolous report vnto the people to make the old man more odious vnto the whole world A malitious and importune woman borne for a great plague to both these Estates As men doe commonly adore the Sunne rising so there wanted no Sicophants in Court to flatteâ— the cares of this young King and likewise to incense the two Kings one against the other in flattering their passions Thus Henry transported by these occasions complaines to Lewis of the double wrong his Father did him both in the delay of his marriage and deniall of his authoritie And as Lewis at his request had giuen some admonitions vnto Henry in the end this passionate young Prince came to Paris where beeing well receiued hee enters League with Lewis to make warre against his Father and to disquiet him in diuers parts William King of Scotland is an associate vpon condition that Henry shall giue him
the Countrie of Northuâ—â—â—â—and adioyning vnto Scotland for his charges in the warres Henry the father aduertised of all these preparations moues not hoping that reason should reclaime his Sonne and to this end hee sends an honourable Ambassage to Lewis and to his Sonne being in France the which made them more resolute an vsuall thing in such as are sought vnto Elenor addes more to this dissention great enough of it selfe The sonnes make warre against the Father to crosse the affaires of her old husband with whom shee stood in very bad termes Shee doth bandie her two Sonnes Richard and Geoffrey against the Father causing them to ioyne with their Brother Henry who is puft vp wonderfully here-with hauing his bretheren for companions of his furie The warre breakes forth amongst them the Kings Armie enters into Normandie the which obeyed the Father Henry the Sonne takes some places and ingageth some men of warre with great promises and by great assurances of good the which was not in his power to performe Henry the Father hauing prouided for England against William King of Scottes passeth into Normandie where laye all the burthen of the warre and Armes with great speede The coldnesse of his age was chased by the liuely apprehension of so many indignities The greatest part of his subiects detested the presumption of this Sonne neither could they allowe of Lewis his proceedings 1155. who had done better in casting Water then Oyle into this home-bred fire Lewis supports the sonnes against the father Lewis besiegeth Vernueil and fearing to be forced to raise the siege vnder colour of a parley with Henry he takes the Towne and sends forces from other parts into England to cause new broyles Richard Duke of Guienne by his Mothers right makes warre there but all these vnlawfull attempts haue no successe The French that passed into England are beaten Richard preuailes not against his Father to whom most of the Citties yeeld daily leaue the Sonne Richard drawne to his duty by the respects of Nature But they preuaile not which cannot be denied forced by necessitie desires to parley with his Father He is receiued into grace and deales with his brother Henry for the like reconciliation Lewis finding Henryes disposition allowes of it They send Ambassadors of either side This vnciuill vnlawfull warre was ended by this accord Henry King of England reconciled to his sonnes That the Father should reâ—aine alone in the Royall authoritie acknowledged and obeyed of all his sonnes that he should giue honorable allowances to eyther of them according to their degrees That the marriage of Henrie with Marguerite the eldest Daughter of King Lewis should be consumated and that Alix his other Daughter should be giuen in marriage to Richard the other Sonne of Henry to make an absolute accord Thus this Tragedie seemed to end with a Comedie But there shall be change of subiects vpon another Scaffold As these things passed in England Italy was nothing quieter by the dissentions that were reuiued betwixt the Emperours and Pope After the death of Conrad Frederick surnamed Barberousse is created Emperour of whom Histories yeeld an honourable testimonie of his wisdome and valour Hauing pacified Germanie he came into Italie to repaire the confusions bred both by long absence and the death of Conrad The Emperour hauing punished the Veronois and the Milanois New dissencion betwixâ— the Emperor and Pope had incensed Pope Adrian who supported them the factions of Guelphes and Gibelins beeing confusedly spred throughout all the Citties so as hee was ready to excommunicate him when as death stayed this storme leauing it ready to his successors The Schisme which grewe in the Sea of Rome by these factions stayed the blowe some hauing called Victor as most affectionate to the Emperours partieâ— others Alexander as his sworne enemie To remedie this deuision Frederick calles a Councell at Pauia and sends to both the Popes to come thether Victor comes and offers to performe what should be decreed Alexander on the other side makes the old answer these be the words of the Historie That the Pope was not to bee iudged by any man liuing and that hee neyther ought nor would appeare The Councell being thus dissolued without any good conclusion the Emperour for the making of an accorde intreates Lewis King of France Henry King of England and the Kings of Scotland and Bohemia to meete in some conuenient place for a parley Dijon was appointed as bordering vpon the Empire They meete but their conference did aggrauate the quarrell Lewis was wholy for Alexander who had likewise gained the Venetians and the greatest part of Italy The issue of this paâ—ley was open force the which Frederick imployed against the Milanois being the principall cause of this dissention Frederick the Emperor ruines Milan whome hee did punish seuerelie hauing taken spoiled and sackt their Cittie ruined it vtterly causing Salt to bee sowen there punishing the authors of this rebellion capitally Alexander not able to resist Frederick retires himselfe into France from whence he planted his battery against the Emperour The Milanois sauing what they could in this shipwrack begin to build their Citty vnder the fauour of Pope Alexander to make new desseignes against Frederick who returns into Italy makes himselfe maister of Genoa He takes Româ— and creates a new Pope from whence their means came defeats the Romaines in a pitched field takes Rome causeth another Pope called Calixtus to be created in the place of Alexander the 3. Alexander saues himselfe at Venice Otho The sonne of Frederick folows after to take him with 75. galleis Otho the Emperors sonne caâ—en by the Veneâ—ians But the chance turned for he himselfe was taken by Cian Generall of the Venetians and carried prisoner to Venice TheÌ„ Frederick grew more mild accepted of such conditions of peace as Alexander had prescribed That he should craue absolutions on his knees and himselfe should lead his armie into Asia So as Frederick comes to Venice and being prostrate at the Popes feet in a sollemne assemblie 1171. he asketh pardon The Pope sets his foote vpon his neck and cries with a lowd voyce Super aspidem et basiliscum ambulabis The Emperour moued with this disgrace The Emperor subiects himselfe basely to the Pope answers Non tibi sed Petro. The Pope replies Et mihi Petro. This brauado of Alexander seemed so strange to some of his traine as Theodore Marquis of Misnia trembling and gâ—ashing his teeth with choller was held back by the reines of respect yet hee runnes to the Emperour and takes him vp The Pope fearing least these Germaines should offer him some violence beeing amazed casts himselfe about Fredericks neck whome euen now hee held vnder his feete beseeching him to preserue him from his traine The Emperour giues him his word for hee was the stronger both within the Cittie and without hauing humbled himselfe for
Willam King of Sicilia Al these were preparatiues of great warre against France And could Baldwine Earle of Flanders be wel satisfied being intreated as we haue seene Richard ioynes with him They resolue to make warre against Phiâ—ip in diuers places Hauing assembled foâ—ces their Baldwine enteâ—s into Artois Richard into Vexin contries then in Controuersie wherby reasoÌ„ the warre should begin seing the processe was bred there Philip without any amazement prouids for Artois sending forces thether vnder the command of his Sonne Lewis Warres with Richard King of England He himselfe marcheth in person against Richard who beseeged Corceeile the which he releeued in despight of him Richard not able to hinder these souccors takes his way into the Contrie of Beauuoisin and spoyles it Phillip doth the like in Normandy All tends to trouble by the willfulnes of these two Princes when as the Pope some say Celestin others Innocent .3 sends his Noncio to exhort them to peace This perswasion staied it not but only made a diuersion of their armes for Richard supposing that Philip could not auoide the blow being ingaged in Nomandie he marcheth into Berry and being assisted wâ—th all his forces of Guienne beseegeth Yssoudun hauing wasted and spoyled all the country Philip beseeged Vernon although the name be diuersly coated Vernon Vernueil or Aumale he leaues the Towne and flies to Richard to draw him to fight who finding himselfe to weake retyres to his towne Philip returnes to his seege and wins the Towne not withstanding all the attempts of Richard who now takes breth to seeke his reueng but God had otherwise disposed with whome all Princes ought to accoumpt for their actions 1223. who laughes at men when they vexe themselues most During his aboade at Limoges hee was aduertised that one of his men at armes had found a great treasure in the ground This Souldiar fearing to bee ill rewarded by Richard flies to a small Towne of Limosin which the Historie called Caalac or Cailus held by the French although it were of the Prouince of Guienne then belonging to the English Richard besiegeth it but as hee approched too neere the walles hee was wounded with an Arrow in the left arme His desire to follow this siege makes him to neglect his wound which impaires not being drest He takes the Towne but the man saues himselfe hauing hidden his treasure so as Richard tooke not the treasure which hee hunted after with a desire so vnseemely for a great Prince but insteed of taking gold Richard King of England dyes death surprised him who leauing his life vpon so light an occasion leaues a notable example of the vanitie of this world in the lightnesse of humaine spirits who suffer themselues to bee transported with couetousnesse a miserable councellor both to great and small This death did somewhat temper the bitternesse of their dissentions but it did not quench it betwixt France and England Iohn had right to succeed in the Realme of England as brother suruiuing the King deceased Iohn succeeds Richard and makes peace with Philip. but Arthur Duke of Brittanie sonne to Geoffrey the other brother as wee haue said pretended the Crowne to belong vnto him as the sonne of the elder Elenor their mother being yet liuâ—ng Iohn was receiued by the English so as being in possession he had the better and stronger title Philip fauoured Arthur but hee meant to make his profit of the Brothers dâ—uision and to keepe the stakes Being sought vnto by Iohn the new King of England who had then nothing of greater import then his friendship hee concludes a peace with him vpon condition That Iohn should yeeld vp all that his Brother had taken in Berry and neuer pretend any thing of that which Philip had taken Vexin in these latter warres and that Elenor Mother to Iohn Duchesse of Guienne should doe homage to the King for that Prouince as depending of the Crowne of France This aâ—cord is ratified by a new alliance the which encreased no loue Lewis the Sonne of Augâ—stus takes to Wife Blanche the Daughter of Alphonsus King of Castill War betwixt Iohn King of England and Artâ—ur his Nephew and of Iohns Sister being his Neece In the meane time Philip fauours Arthur vnder-hand who assisted by his meanes takes the Cittie of Tours to his great content Arthur doth him homage presently for the Countries of Touraine Aniou and Maine and so passeth on and takes Mirâ—â—eau where Elenor his Gâ—and-mother was resoluing to proceed on further but the Almightie GOD stayed his course For Iohn comes besiegeth and takes Mircbeau againe and Arthur his Nephew likewise Iohn murthers his Nephew Artâ—ur Elenor extreamly afflicted with these diuisions dyes for griefe and Iohn puts his Nephew Arthur whom he held Prisoner to death to extinguish all controuersies for the title â—f the Realme although this death were cloaked as accidentally falne out for sorrâ—w The cauâ—e of a cruell warre Hence sprung a cruâ—ll Warre Constance the Mother of Arthur Duchesse of Brittanie demands Iustice of Philip as her Soueraigne Philip adiornes Iohn and for not appealing hee condemnes him as guiltie of the crime imposed Iohn declared 〈◊〉 of murtheâ— felony by 〈◊〉 and of fellonie in disâ—beying of his commandements Hee proclaimes him an enemie and doth confiscate all hee held of the Crowne This sentence is seconded by open force to make the execution thereof more easie The Brittons and Poiteuins wonderfully greeued with this cruell fact arme and come to Philip. So Iohn abandoned of all flies to Pope Innocent the third accusing Philip of the breach of his faith in making Warre against him Innocent the third declaring that the breache of faith belonged properly to his authority and so by consequence carrying himselfe for Soueraigne Iudge of the câ—ntrouersie betwâ—xt the two Kings commands both the one and the other to laye aside Armes and to suffer the Churches in peace threatning to cursse his realme that should disobey his authority Pope Innocent â—â—â—â—rposeth his authority Philip shewes that hee hath neyther broken his faith nor peace with Iohn But that hee being his vassaile had slaine his Nephew in the territories of his obedience as it appeared by good proofes so as it was not reasonable the holye authoritie of the Church should serue as a defence or support for his impunity in so detestable a crime seeing the punishments of subiects and vassals 1201. appertained to the Prince by all diuine and humane Lawes But there were new complaints to the Pope against Philip that finding himselfe oppressed with war he imposed certain tenths vpon the Clergy to ease the people who complayned of their burthens He did not exact this of the Church by his owne decree but had assembled a Nationall Councell at Soissons to that end The Pope said this was done against his authority and not onely threatned Philip by his Censure but also all the Clergy that had assisted
Guienne hee taketh Bourdeaux the chiefe Cittie of Guienne and then most of the other Townes doe willingly yeeld obedience vnto the King Rions and some other Castels well fortified by the Eâ—glish â—old good to serue as a Leuaine of this waâ—re Edward seeing himselfe thus assailâ—d aâ—mes by Sea and Land By Sea hee sends an Aâ—mie vnder the conduct of Robert Tiptoste A Leâ—â—ue beâ—wixt Edwaâ—d oâ— Enâ—land Gâ—y of Fâ—anders the Emperor and Dukâ— oâ— Bâ—r against Philip. By land hee sends some forces vnder the command oâ— Iohn Breton to preserue that which remained in Guienne and to fortifie himselfe with friends in the doubtfull euents of so important a cause hee makes a league with Guy Earle of Flanders and for confirmation thereof hee demands his Daughter Philip for his eldest sonne the Prince of Wales the heire apparant to the Crowne of England which the Earle accepts willingly And to omit nothing that might auaâ—â—e him hee enters league with Henry Duke of Bar giuing him Elenor his Daughter in marriage and with Adolphe of Nassau Emperour both hauing pretensions against France The Duke of Bar demanded Champagne of the King by the rights hâ—e preâ—ended and enters it with forces Philip sends Gualter of Creâ—y the Loâ—d of Chaâ—â—illion vpon Marne against him with a goodly Armie who on the other side entâ—ing into Barrois makes a diuersion and forceth the Duke to returne to defend his owne against Gualter â—he Emperour brauâ—ngly giues notice vnto the King that he will make warre against him to recouer the Lands belonging to the Empire Philip makes no other answer but sends him a packet well sealed vp in the which was a whiâ—e Paper foulded like a Letter without any writing This scofâ—e was a great defie as indeed the braueries of Adolphe had no successe The Earle of Flanders was the neerest and most dangerous enemie to preiudice Philip who had ioyned himselfe to the King of England by so strict a bond as the marriage of his Daughter Philip hauing three great enemies in front tryes his wittes to staye them The most dangerous was hee that dealt vnder hand that is the Fleming who made a good shew to Philip Stâ—â—ars dâ—luditur 〈◊〉 and yet treated with his most dangerous enemie but pollicie did circumuent pollicie The King findes meanes vnder-hand to giue him notice that hee would gladly see his Daughter whome hee had Christened and was called Philip by his name before he led her into England Guy brings her with him to Paris being arriued he is committed prisoner by the King The cause is made knowne vnto him by such as had commanâ—â—ment to arrest him That being his Vassaâ—le hee had presumed to allye himselfe with a capitall enemie to the Crowne giuing him so precious a gage as his Daughter Guy obtaines leaue to speake with the King Hee excuseth himselfe Philip sâ—izeth vpon â—he â—aâ—le oâ— Flâ—nâ—eâ—s Daugâ—ter but his Daughter â—â—maines as a pawne with the Queene to bee marryed at the Kings good pleasure 〈◊〉 Daughter although kindly entertained by the King and Queene was full of greefe lamenting dayly as if this honourable gaâ—de had beene a most cruell prison The Earle intreates Philip to send him his Daughter hee answers him plainely that hee tooke her not to restore her Herevpon Guy takes occasion to complaine of the great wrong hee pretended to bee done him by Philip who detaines his Daughter forceably without reason The English in the meane time make open warre in Guienne Philip foreseeing that this was the beginning of a greater storme meaning to lay the burthen vpon him that might doe him most harme sends a goodly Armie into Guienne against the English vnder the conduct of two great Commanders his Brother Charles Earle of Valois and the Constable of Neele to molest the enemie in diuers places Rions and Pondesaâ— Townes vpon the Riuer of Garonne then strong but now desolate are besieged and after many diâ—ficulties yeeld vnto the King and in the end Saint Seuer but with more paine Edmond Brother to the King of England is defeated at Sea The English affaires succeeded ill and reâ—uâ—nâ—ng into England repaires his Nauâ—e But striuing afterwards in vaine to besiege Bourdeaux with new forces hee goes and dyes at Bayonne then belonging to the English 1296. Thus all things succeeding ill for the English hee seekes all meanes to fortifie himselfe He flies to the Emperour Adolphe the chiefe instrument of his hope and sends him money to leuâ—e an armie To Pope Bâ—niface the eight beseeching him to remeâ—ber the priuate bond he had to the preseruation of England whereof he was protector Guy Earle of Flanders ioynes openly with the English in this societie to make warre against Philip with all his forces But from these light beginnings sprung diuers occasions which â—â—oubled these great Princes The Fleminge is the chiefe aduancer of this Trageâ—â—â— and shall haue his share in it A great assembly of Princes against Philip. He cals a great assemblie in the Cittie of Gramont in the yeare 1296. at the feast of Châ—istmas where Adolph thâ— Emperour Edward King of England the Duke of Austria Iohn Duke of Brabant the Earle of Iuliers William of Iuliers his Sonne Iohn Earle of Holland and of Haynault Robert Earle of Neuers William Henry and Guy of Flanders Ihon Earle of Namur and many other great personages meete and with one coâ—seâ—â— resolue to make warre against Philip. The colour was to maintaine Guy Earle of â—landers vniustly afflicted by Philip who had violently taken and stolne his Daughter against the right of Nations and detained her refusing obstinately to restore her to her Father It was decreed that Guy should begin by force and bee well secoâ—ded by the Emperour and the English in case of necessitie But before they come to Armes Pope Boniface should make the first point by the luster of his authoritie All things threatned Philip with much trouble but the end will shew that the attempts of man are all but vaine Boniface according to the intent of their league sends his Nuncio to Philip Popâ— Boniface eâ—enâ—y to Pâ—ilip which was Iames Bishop of Metz to exhort him to doe Iustice both to the Earle of Flanders and to the King of England protesting that hee desired nothing more then peace betwixt Christian Princes Hee sent the same Nuncio vpon the same subiect into England but with an other intent then hee made shâ—w of vnto Philip casting Wood and Oyle into this fire in steed of Water to quench it But for that this Pope must appeare in many acts of this Theater wee must obserue his disposition by some sufficient and not suspected testimonie Platina the â—opes Secretarie Being saith hee a Priest Cardinall of Saint Martin of the Mount Platina i◠〈…〉 hee affected the Pontificall dignitie with such vehemencie as hee omitted neither ambition nor fraude to compasse it and moreouer hee was puft vp with such arrogancie â—s â—ee
they feared Of this great army there hardly escaped three hundred all are pact together great smal Not one CoÌ„mander escaped very few Noblemen Robert Earle of Artois cosin to the King of France General of the army Arnoul Lord of Neele Constable of France Iames of Chastilion A wonderfull defeate of the French Gouernor of FlaÌ„dâ—rs Iohn King of Maiorica Godfroy of BrabaÌ„t his Son the Lord of Viezon the Earls of Eu la Marche Damartin Aumale Auge Tancaruille many other great personages which were the offerings of these cowardly spirits They number 12000. Gentlemen slaine in this battell by this inraged multitude A notable president not to contemne an enemy which teacheth what a furious people well led may do An enemy is not to be contemned howâ— weake soeuer and especially that victories come froÌ„ heauen for here the lesser number vanquished the greater the weakethe strong This victory called of Courtray or Groeminghe was followed with an absolute reuolt of all Flanders against the French It happened in the yeare 1302. the 11. of Iuly Iohn of Namour remaining their gouernour in the absence of their imprisoned Earle Philip receiued a great check in this battell but he had more botoms to vntwist Aâ—â— the tâ—reats of Edward King of England of the Emperor Adolphe vanished only Pope Boniface the 8. shewed himselfe obstinate in his hatred against Philip. A discourse worthy to be carefully described In the hottest of these Flemish affayres Pope Boniface did excoÌ„municate Philip curse his Realme vpon this occasion A notable affront done by Pope Boniface to Philip. The Christians estate was lamentable in the East the Tartarians encreased dayly Cassan King of Tartars allyed with the King of Armenia a Christian made a great professioÌ„ of loue to the Christians and for that the Mamelus held Iudea Ierusalem he desired to drawe the Kings and Princes of Christendome to their ayde To this end he sends an Ambassage to Pope Boniface the 8. and to Philip King of France to intreat them both to imploy their authorities and meanes in so good a worke Boniface failes not to imbrace this occasioÌ„ he not onely exhorts Philip to succor the Tartar but also commands him proudly and imperiously vpon paine of excommunication This Bull was giuen to a sufficient man named Stephen an Arragonois whom he had made Bishop of Apaâ—ters a Cittie in the Countie of Foix which they commonly call Pamiers and had erected this new Bishoprick in the Archbishoprick of Tholouse without the Kings priuity or consent who acquitted himselfe of his charge so stoutly that when as Philip represented vnto him the greatnesse of his affaires so as he could not obey the Popes command he answered with a bold face That if the King would not obey the Pope hee would depriue him of his Realme The subiect the manner and the person aduanced thus against his will did so moue Philip grieued with this late losse as if the Pope would insult ouer him for this bad successe that hee imprisoned this Bishop Boniface transported with choller sends to him againe one Peter a Romane borne Archbishop of Narbonne with sharper Buls to summon him to vndertake this voyage of the East to command him not to touch the reuenues of the Clergie to reprehend him sharpely for that hee had presumed to lay hands vpon the Bishop whom he had sent to inioyne him to send him presently back in full libertie His charge extended to no other censures in case he disobeyed not in the principall The Archbishop executed his charge boldly Philip shewed him with great modestie the impossibilitie of this voyage the reasons which had moued him to leuie this tenth of the Clergie and so to intreate the Bishop hauing spoken vnto him without any respect Arrogancie of the Popes Nuncio The Archbishop replied with more arrogancie That he was ignorant of the Popes authoritie who was not onely the Father of Christian soules but also Soueraigne Lord and Prince in temporall things And therefore by that authoritie he did excommunicate him declaring him vnworthy to raigne and his realme forfaited to the Church of Rome to inuest whom he pleased Moreouer he brought another Bull directed to the Prelats and Noblemen of France by the which he did acquire and dispence all Frenchmen from their oth of obedience to Philip. And a third by the which he did cite all the Prelats and Diuines of the French Church to appeare before him at Rome disanulling all indulgences and priuiledges granted to the French by any Popes his predecessors The Earle of Artois disdaining this affront takes the Bull and casts it into fire saying That no such dishonor should euer befall the King to submit himselfe to any such conditions Philip amazed at these bold affronts referres the whole matter to his Councell who conclude to send back the Popes two Nuncios to Rome and to forbid the Prelats of France to goe or to send any money to Rome beseeching Philip to proceed in the affaires of his Realme and not to stay in so goodly a course This done Philip raiseth new great forces to returne into Flanders At his entry the Flemings were defeated at Arques neere to S. Omer in a straight passage Guy of Namur beseeging Xiriâ—xé was ouerthrowne by the Kings Nauie assisted by 16. Galleys of Genoa vnder the command of Renier Grimaldi and being taken is carried to the King being in his armie betwixt Lisle and Douay After this fortunate beginning Philip subdâ—es the Flemings many Cittie 's yeelded to the French the rest fearing the euent stood amazed the sume of their victorie being evaporated so as the first heat being colde they intreate the Earle of Sauoy to be a mediator to Philip for a truce whereby they might obtaine a peace after so many miseries Philip of Flanders Iohn of Namur brethren were great persâ—aders thereof for the naturall desire they had to free their poore father so long time a prisoner But Philip thirsting after reuenge for his losse at Courtray refuseth it He aduanceth and defeats the Flemings at Aire and at Tournay There chanced in the end that notable incounter at Mons in Penelle where they were wonderfully beaten to make them loose the â—ast of the battaile of Courtray yet Philip was in danger of his life and bought this victory dearly and the Flemings like men in dispaire assembled together from all parts although vnder-hand they did sue to Philip for peace the which in the end they obtained Philip makes peace with the Flemings at the instance of Iohn Duke of Brabant vpon these conditions That the Soueraignty remaining to the King and the Flemings enioying their liberties the Earle Guy all other prisoners should be set at libertie without ransome and the Flemings should pay eighty thousand pound sterling for the charges of the war the Castels of Lisle Douay Cassell Courtray should be deliuered into the Kings
hands 1303. as a pawne vntill the end of the paiment and he might beat downe what he had built in the Castels of Lisle Douay deliuering them to the Earle as to their lawful Lord. The Flemings tyed to sâ—â—ict conditions That the Flemings should raze the walls and Forts of fiue principal Citties Gaunt Bruges Ypre Lisle and Douay and neuer to build them againe That the King should make choise of 3000. men at his pleasure in Bruges and thereabouts that were coulpable of the seditions and murthers committed a thousand of them to bee imployed beyond the seas and two thousand on this side and that the Flemings should furnish 600. men at armes to serue the King one whole yeare where hee pleased And for the performance hereof the Citties should bee bound Six thousand pounds and should forfaire threscore thousand Liuers for non-payment for the effecting whereof Deputies should bee appointed During this treatie the Earle Guy and his daughter Philip Guy Earle of Flanders and his daughter dye the subiect of this troublesome reuolt died to the great great greefe of Philip who sees himselfe frustrate of al meanes to shew his clemencie and bountie But when these Articles were brought vnto the Citties the people did mutine with great impatiencie so as the Deputies perswaded Philip to moderate those which were most greeuous The demantling of the Townes except Bruges where the reuolt began and the banishment of the men conuerting it into a pecuniary fine and a great summe to an annuall pension prefixt to easie paiments Thus the accord was made Robert William and Guy brethren The conditions moderated the sonnes of the Earle Guy of Flanders were deliuered with all the prisoners but we shal see that in the execution thereof there was much trouble During these hard rough proceedings Edward King of England hauing receiued a check in Guienne was quiet fearing Philips resolution in greatest dangers whereof hee could wisely free himselfe in the end an accord is made by the marriage of Isabel the daughter of Philip Isabel the daughter of Philip married to Edward King of England with Edward the 2. who in regard of this marriage recouered all he had lost in Guienne in the taking of Isabell he left to his posteritie a heauy pawne to pretend a title to the whole Realme Philip had his reuenge of this Emperour Adolphe who had so boldly braued him in the beginning of this quarrell vnder coulour of demanding the lands of the Empire lying in the Countries of Bourgongne Daulphiné and Prouence being in old time the realme of Arles but then in the power of diuers Lords as we haue sayd vnder the Kings authoritie The King of England and Earles of Flanders had great cause to complaine of him hauing receiued two hundred thousand Crownes to make war against Philip the which he imployed in the pourchase of Thuringe taking possession of that goodly Land so vniustly gotten being solde by an vnnaturall Father who would disinherit his Children This filthie traffick agrauated by the complaints of the King of England and Earle of Flanders Adolphe the Emperour deposed made Adolphe of Nassau very odious and contemptible being issued from a noble and worthie race but this Act against the poore Children made him vnworthy of the Empire from which he was deposed by a decree of the Electors Albert of Austria seated in his place who poursuing him with war slâ—e him as they write with his owne hand in an incounter neere vnto Spire But Pope Boniface the 8. Philips greatest enemie remained yet vnpacified who stil continued his chollor against him in a season when as he thought him to be drawne drie both of men and money for they write that this warre of Flanders had wasted aboue three hundred thousand Frenchmen in eleuen yeares during the which it coÌ„tinued We haue seene how he vsed him by his Nuncios this last Act will not onely shew the continuance of his spleene but shal also represent a bad Catastrophé in this Tragedie the which shall light vpon the head of Boniface sought for by himselfe Albert of Austria was no sooner chosen and installed Emperour by the Electors but Boniface applyed his wit to winne him against Philip supposing to preuaile against Philip Pope Boniface his practise against Philip. as Gregorie the ninth had done against Frederic the second Hee proclames him Emperour inuests him King of the realme of France giuing him both the title and armes and taking occasion to sowe deuision in the heart of the Realme by meanes of the Clergie who by reason of their reuenues had great power in the State and for the interest thereof great will to preserue them Hee did also write his letters to Philip in this manner Boniface Bishop seruant of the seruants of God to Philip King of Frenchmen Feare God He write arâ—ogantly to Philip. and obserue his commandements wee wil thee to vnderstand that thou art subiect to vs both in spirituall and temporall things and that it belongs not to theâ— to giue any prebend or benifice If thou hast the keeping of any of them being vacant thou must reserue the profits of them to the successors If thou hast giuen any wee iudge thy gift to be void and do reuoke all that hath beene done and whosoeuer beleeueth otherwise wee iudge them heretikes giuen at Latran the fourth of the Nones of December the 6. yeare of our Popedome The King answeres him thus Philips answere to the Pope Philip by the grace of God King of France to Boniface calling himselfe the soueraigne Bishop little or no health Let thy great follie and rashnes be aduertised that in tempâ—ral things we acknowledge none but God for superiour and that the gift of prebends being void belongs to vs by our royall prerogatiue and the fruits that grow thereby the which wee will defend by the sword against all them that shall seeke to hinder our possession esteeming them fooles and without iudgement that shall thinke otherwise These are the very words drawne out of the originall But Philip to preuent the plots of Pope Boniface asseÌ„bled the Prelaâ—s of his realm at Paris with al speed hauing represeÌ„ted vnto theÌ„ the wrong which Pope Boniface had done him by his decree from the which he had appealed as erronious he makes them to renew their oath of fidelitie Hee thankes the King of England in that he yeelded not to the perswasions of Boniface who would haue incensed him against him and in the end he seekes to stay the violent course of his furious practises There was a Gentleman following the Court whose name was Felix of Nogaret borne in Seuennes a mountaine Countrie of Languedoc of the familie of the Albigeois as in that Countrie there were many reserued from father to sonne since the grant made them by Saint Lewis whome Philip held fit for the execution of this charge there was likewise a guide
nothing memorable vnder his raigne but that through his facilitie all was tollerable to his bad seruants who vnder his name laid great exactions vpon the people the which caused them to mutine in many places neither did he being great of body and therefore called Long but little of witte vse his authoritie Vnder colour of a voyage to the East two seditious men a Priest and a Monke of the order of Saint Benedict 1322. assembled a multitude of mutinous people which committed a thousand insolencies where they passed Rebels calling themselues Shepherds calling themselueâ— Shepheards but in the end they were defeated in Languedoc The Iewes expelled before were now admitted to returne for money a wretched nation giuen to all kinde of wickednesse and therefore odious to the people An artificiall plague who exclaimed against the disorders growen vp by the facilitie of Philip. This generall hatred bred such a rage in the licentious mindes of the Iewes as they brought the plague into diuers parts of the realme vsing the helpe of Lepars Many were greeuously punished by Iustice and the rest banished out of the dominions of France Flanders seemed ready to fall into new troubles but in the end they were pacified by the marriage of Marguerite the Kings second Daughter with Lewis Earle of Flanders Flanders pacified Neuers and Rethel and the paiment of certaine summes due by the sayd accord These are the most famous acts of that raigne for to what end serues it to relate that priuate Iustice was done vpon a Prouost of Paris who was hanged for that he had put to death a poore innocent for a riche man that was guiltie and condemned to dye Or that Philip would make one waight and one measure throughout his Realme but he could not maintaine his authoritie by the rule of reason These things either too common or not effected are not worthy of a Historie Thus Philip the fift died with small fame the fift yeare of his raigne in the yeare 1322. CHARLES the 4. called the Faire the 49. King of France CHARLES .4 KING OF FRANCE XLIX 1322. AS Philip the Long had succeeded Lewis Hutin his brother with some dispute Charles crowned without opposition so Charles brother to Philip the last of the Sonnes of Philip the Faire succeeded without any dâ—fficultie the question being formerly decided He was Crowned King with great solemnitie the Princes of the bloud and Noblemeâ— assisting â—n the yeare 1322. and raigned six yeares A wise and a temperate Prince His dispositioÌ„ louing Iustice and yet vnfortunate in his familie He was thrice married His first wife Blaâ—che was acâ—uâ—ed and conuicted of Adulteâ—ie duâ—ing his fathers life and was confined to Chasâ—eaâ—-gaillâ—rd by Andely vpon Seine His second Wife was Mary the Daughter of Henry of Luxenbourgh Emperor by whom he had one Sonne whiâ—h dyed as he was borne and his Mother soone after at â—â—ssoudon in Bâ—rry His third Wife was Marguerite the Daughtâ—r of Lewis Earle of Eureux by whom he had Daughters onely His issue leauing â—er with Child as shall be said But let vs make a collection of his life which is not long The facilitie of Philip the Long the furie of Lewis Hutin and the long warres of Philip the Hâ—rdie had peâ—uerted all and giuen libertie to euery man to do what he pleased especially the Nobilitie who being armed committed many insolencies by this libertie and impunitie Charles being annointed he held a great Sessions in his chiefe Citty of Paris to heare all mens complaints and causeth many Gentlemen to be punished Câ—arles punisheth disorders without respect Among the rest Iourdain of Lâ—sâ—e a Gasâ—on who vnder colour of being Nephew to Pope Iohn the 22. then resident in Auignon hauing had his pardon for eighteene crimes whereof the least deserued death continued still in his wickednesse In the end he was taken and brought to Paris The remitting of what was past made him presume of Impunitie But the Iustice of God which comes in 〈◊〉 euen when the insolent and obstinate sinner dreames not of it preuented him 1324. 〈…〉 laying all respect aside caused him to be hanged as a memorable examâ—â—â—â—â—at respâ—ct is an enemy to Iustice which must bee executed without sparing of any oâ—â—â—hat is guâ—ltie of any notable crime 〈…〉 second King of Eâ—gland stood vpon termeâ— for his homage of Guienne 〈…〉 sâ—nt his wife Isabel the Daughter of Philip the Faâ—re and Sister to the King 〈…〉 pouâ—d with him Chaâ—lâ—s brought him to reason bâ— his authoritie and as Hugh 〈◊〉 Lord of Montpesat in Agenâ—is would haue fortified his house without his permisâ—â—â—â—â—e forced him to obey razing the Casteâ—l of Montpesat whence the quarrell 〈◊〉 and made him to giue hostages for the assurance oâ— that hee had promised 〈◊〉 lâ—st these generall quarrels Isabel complaines of her husband Edward King of England there chanced a iarre betwixt Edward and his wife Isabâ—â— dâ—â—contented with her husband for that both she and her Sonne had lost their 〈◊〉 wiâ—h him by the pernicious councell of Hugh Spencer Yet was he so supported by King â—harles as he sent her back into England without any countenance commandiâ—g her to apply her selfe to her husbands humors the which she endeuored to doe bâ—ing a wiâ—e and a couragious Princes yet being assisted as it is likely vnderhand by tâ—e meaâ—es of her Nephew Charles the Faire she preuailed in her desseignes causing Hâ—gh to be apprehended and punished as the Leuaine of all their breach and hauing bâ—ougâ—t heâ— Husband vnto reason she confirmed her Sonne Edward the third a Prince who shortly shall be the cause of much trouble to this Monaâ—chie Charles likewise râ—duced Lewis Earle of Flanders to obedience although he were husband to his Aunt 〈◊〉 hauing called and condemnâ—d him by Court of Parliament at Paris he restored hâ—m to his estates the which he had forfaited by fellonie shewing in one subiect both hâ—s seueritie to punish offences and his clemencie to remit the due punishment The same Eaâ—le being fallen in some dislike with his chiefe Townes seeking to reclaime them by force Charles aduised him to winne them by mildnesse The subiectâ— infirmities must be cured by mildnesse a true remedie to reconcile subiects which are accustomed to oppose themselues against rigour and in resistâ—ng to know their owne forces the which belongs to their Princes by obedience Thâ—s he pacified these discontents betwixt the Earle and the Citties of Flanders by a common reconciliation vpon condition That the Earle should bee acknowledged in his degree and the King as Soueraigne Tâ—is is all that chanced worthy of obseruation in the raigne of Charles the Faire A Prince worthy of the French Monarchie and to bee numbred among the greatest aâ—d most famous men of State His life was veâ—y short in regard of his great sufficienciâ—â— yet with more order and authoritie then his brother Philip the Long who left noâ—e but
Daughters whose names are buried in the confusion of times troubled by the pâ—etences of Males and Females and his wife with Child as wee haue sayd A wombe which shall breed many long and perilous controuersies Charles dyed in the yeare 1328. leauing the Crowne to the second royall branche of Capets wherevnto the order of the fundamentall law did lawfully call them THE SECOND PARCELL OF THE THIRD RACE OF CAPETS CONTAINING THIRTEENE KINGS in the second royall branche called of Valois from Philip of Valois to Henry the third THE NAMES OF THIRTEENE Kings of the second royall branch of Capets called of Valois Philip of Valois Iohn Charles the 5. Charles the 6. Charles the 7. Lewes the 11. Charles the 8. Lewis the 12. Francis the first Henry the 2. Francis the 2. Charles the 9. Henry the 3. the last of this royall branche From the yeare a thousand three hundred twentie eight vnto the yeare a thousand fiue hundred eightie eight PHILIP of VALOIS the 50. King of France PHILLIP KING OF FRANCE L. THe doubtfulnesse of the issue which was expected from the royall wombe of Iane 1328. widow to Charles the faire held the beginning of this raigne in great suspence and perplexitie Controuersie for the realme betwixt Edward the 3. King of England Pâ—iâ—iâ— of Valois euen for the regencie it selfe for Edward the 3. King of England the sonne of Edward the 2. and of Isabell of France the daughter of Philip the faire and sister to the three Kings last deceased pretended it as his right and in case the child died whatsoeuer it were the realme also by the title of royall consanguinitie according to the lawes of England 〈◊〉 Philip of Valois the first Prince of the bloud of France maintained that 〈…〉 of the male if any were borne as the realme if it were a daughter oâ— the sonne died belonged directly vnto him without all controuersie holding the first 〈…〉 among the Princes of the bloud after the decease of the three brethren who had bin 〈…〉 aâ—ter another For Philip the hardie had left two sonnes Philip the faire and 〈◊〉 Earle of Valâ—iâ—â— of whom it is said That he was the sonne of a King brother to a King 〈…〉 father to a King and yet no King 〈◊〉 Philip and Charles had succeeded to the Crowne one after another so as after 〈…〉 the right came to Charles and his children according to the fundamentall law oâ— State To decide this controuersie the generall Estates were called at Paris Philip of Valoâ—â— preferâ—ed to the â—â—owne with great solemâ—iâ—â—e where they decree That Philip of Valois should be Regent of the realme if Queene 〈◊〉 had a sonne and King if it were a daughter 〈◊〉 was delâ—uered of a daughter the first of Aprill at Bois de Vincennes the which was caâ—â—ed Blanche This quaâ—rell thus decided Philip installed King Philip of Valois was saluted and proclaimed King of France and within few daies after was annointed and crowned at Rheims accordiâ—â— to the vsuall custome And â—hen being well accompanied with his Princes Peeres Officers and an infinite number of his nobility he made his entry into his chiefe Citty of Paris with an incredible ioy and pompe this was in the yeare .1328 Being thus in possession of the Realme he studied to settle his estate much disordered by the ill gouernement of the forepassed Kings 〈◊〉 settles his 〈…〉 France and likewise to satisfie the daughter of Lewis Hutin in regard of the Counties of Brye and Champâ—gne lying too neere to his good Citty of Paris to be diuided from the crowne So he treated with her and held them by his prerogatiue giuing vnto her as much in exchange as the said Earledomes were worth lying farther off in the counties of la March Rouergue and Languedoc But Flanders troubled him much more the Earle and his subiects were greatly incensed one against an other by reason of some exactions of money made by the Earle for the payment of his old debtes due by the accord so as they made warre against their Earle and tooke him prisoner Beeing the stronger they controlled their Lord but soone after they payde for their folly for the Earle being deliuered had recourse vnto Philip as to their soueraigne Philip takes the Earles cause in hand He suppresseth the Flemings rayseth a great armie against the Flemings takes sacks and burnes Cassel where they had made the body of their army after the defeate of two and twenty thousand Flemings in a pitched field Hauing subdued this mutinous people hee aduised the Earle to vse that aduantage modestly to win theÌ„ by mildenes not to thrust them into errors by despight or dispaire the which are sooner preuented then repayred in popular tumults Beeing returned from this voyage Philip found newe worke at Paris The Courts of Parlement and all the Soueraigne Iudges assembled from all the Prouinces made a general complaint against the Clergy of France A notable sute of the Patlements against the cleargie they accuse them ofsundry abuses namely that against the due of their charges they intermedled with the politike iurisdiction The sute was vehement famous for the greatnes of the parties The King to reconcile this quarrel calles a general assembly of his whole realme at Paris The cause was pleaded before him with great liberty by Peter of Cugnere this is he who by derision they called M. Peter Cugnet whoÌ„ at this day they finde in the great Temple at Paris noted with a little Monkeys head placed betwixt two pillers to put out the candles being odious by reason of his pleading and as coldly defended by Peter Bertrand both famous Aduocates in those times The issue was doubtfull but Philip foreseeing the euent of so important a busines after that he had seriously exhorted the Prelates to reforme themselues in reforming the abuse to auoide these popular complaints he referred the matter to a further hearing But he had other worke in hand Edward the 3. King of England for that he was not receiued King of France practised great and new desseines against him studying onely vpon reuenge He had purposely refused to assist at his coronation makes no shew of any intent to do homage for Guienne whereunto Philip did cal him Edward hauing no colour to refuse so apparent a duty came to 〈◊〉 with so great and extraordinary a traine as it seemed plainly not to be done to honour the king but rather to strike some feare or admiration into the French of his great forces To check this bold brauâ—do Philip shewed himself a King at his first enteruew with Edward who euen then champt vppon the bit and smothered his choler Edward appeares at the place and time prefixt royallie attired with a long roabe of crimson veluet pouldred with Leopardes of gold a crowne vpon his head a sword by his side and golden spurres on his heeles He presents himselfe standing before Philip
sitting in his royall throane attyred with a long robe of violet coloured veluet pouldred with Fowers-deluce of gold a crowne on his head and the scepter in his hand holding a royall Maiesty accompanied with his Constable Chauncellour and great Chamberlaine The Vicount of Melun great Chamberlaine of France coÌ„mands Edward to take off his crowne sword spurs to kneele downe the which he doth Then hee tooke both his hands and hauing ioyned them both together hee spake vnto him in this manner The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 King oâ— England to 〈◊〉 You become a Leege man vnto the King my Lord who is here present as Duke of Guienne and Peere of France and you promise to be faithfull vnto him loyal Say yea And Edward answered yea In like sort he did him homage for the countie of Ponthieu intreating Philip to restore him all those places in Guienne 1330. which his Predecessors had inioyed Philip answered him with great grauity that he would consider thereof This was the homage which Edward King of England did vnto Philip King of France the which I haue particularly noted as the first act of a notable Tragedy The euent will shew that Philip had done farre better without preiudice to his authority Philips error in receiuing homage lawfully purchased by the law of State to pacifie Edward by all ciuill meanes obseruable betwixt Kings and not to braue him vpon an inferiour quality the which is no blemish to the other for in the end he shewed himselfe his equall in dignity A furious bayte of hatred among Princes which cannot be reconciled Edward departed discontented from Philip The cause of Edwards disconteÌ„t against Philip. resolute to attempt all meanes to crosse him and to ruine him Hee seekes out all instruments fit for this dessigne both in Flanders Brittaine and Germanie whereof followed mournefull euents both for the King and his Realme I will note euery thing in order reseruing the Estate of the Church and Empire to the ende of his raigne least I should intterrupt the order of this discourse Philip was otherwise affected then Edward as commonly desire makes shewe of that which is not pleasing men with vaine imaginations for supposing that he had tamed Edward with his imperious homage he presumed that he had well setled his affayres to be obeyed by him without any contradiction and to haue his realme enioy an assured peace without any anoyance vnder his commaund Vpon this conceipt he intends a voyage to the East Philip resolues to go into the East desirous to be nothing inferior to the glorious and renowned zeale of his Predecessors In this deuotion he easily yeelds to the perswasions of Pope Benedict .xi. borne at Tholouse then resident at Auignon His fleete was then preparing at Aiguesmortes a sea Towne of Languedoc whilest that he prouides for the regencie of the Realme giuing it to Iohn Duke of Normandy his eldest sonne being foureteene yeares old leauing him a graue and learned Counsell And seeking to sownd Edwards mind if he would accompany him in this holy warre imitating the example of his Predecessors he learnes by certaine intelligence that he watched his departure to inuade France This new occasion gaue him a reasonable subiect to change his resolution and not willingly to expose his new inheritaÌ„ce to his enimy But this satisfied not Pope Benedict The Pope disconteÌ„ted with the King who grew so bitter vpon this alteration that exclaiming generally of Philip as disloyall he sought all meanes to annoy him There was a capitall hatred betwixt the Emperour Lewis of Bauiâ—re and the sea of Rome hauing excomunicated him as an heretike Benedict absolues him and becomes his friend seeking to oppose him against Philip who dislyking of this proceeding sends Entragues a gentleman of Viuarez to Auignon to let Benedict vnderstand that if he did not forbeare to speake ill of him he would force him to silence after the example of that his Predecessor whose name he bare and who had left so famous a remembrance of his rashnes to posterity Edward being returned into England sleepes not A Prince of an excellent iudgement great courage and of a resolute and actiue spirit high minded and a fatall instrument to chastise France His repulse his homage and his great meanes Edward resolues to make warre against Philip. were both the baite and the 〈◊〉 to this generous resolution which thrust him on to disquiet the possession of that by force which he could not obtaine by reason But for so great a proiect he needed a â—â—eat Counceller to direct and fortifie him in the execution of an enterprise of so great import Robert Earle of Artois a Prince of the blood of France descended from an other Robert sonne to Lewis 8. and brother to S. Lewis had a great suite with his Aunt Mahauld Countesse of Burgongne for the Earledome of Arthois Robert had laboured much for Philip in his great question for the crowne against Edward King of England before mentioned assuring himselfe that Philip would requite him in his vniust pretention but Philip preferred the countesses right before Roberts wrong so as leauing the course of iustice free the County of Arthois was adiudged to Mahauld Robert of Arthois the frebrand of war by a decree of the court of Parliament of Paris This losse did so discoÌ„tent Robert as he presumed to brag openly that he would dispossesse Philip of the crowne by the same meanes that he had raysed him vnto it But this presumptuous threat deliuered rashely before many witnesses cost both the realme and himselfe deere 1331. who in the ende smarted for his malitious and vnâ—easonable discontent He flies into England carrying nothing with him but a minde transpoâ—ted with passion armed with pollicy He flies into England Philip proclaimes him guilty of high Treason and seizeth vpon his lands Edward receiues him with al shewes of loue giues him the first place in his couÌ„cel Behold these two great Kings banded one against another entring into a dangerous warre which shall much afflict their estats as commonly the subiects pay for the follies of Princes The first breach began in the easiest places Guienne was the first exchecker of this long and dangerous game The Earles of Foix and Armagnac were for the King in Guienne the Earle of Albret for Edward The King of Scotland is a formall partaker for France warre begone in Guienne Scotland against Edward Edward begins to spoile Philips Countrie and Philip takes from Edward the Castell of Xaintes by Charles Earle of Alanson his brother Edward on the other side makes war against Dauid King of Scots and Philip sends him succors These were the first drops of that cloude which darkened the heauens attending the storme which shall fall after these thunder cracks but what is al this in regard of that which shal presently succeed By the aduice of Robert of Arthois Edward makes a proclamation against
them to his wise and irreuocable decree the which neuer failes to execute things in their due season Philip had the like desire to fight although his counsel were otherwise affected The like aduertisements were giuen from all parts and reason it selfe did wish him not to expose his new Crowne to the hazard of a generall and doubtfull battaile So the armies stand some daies at the gaze In the end Edward to draw him to fight besieged Tournay Some skirmishes were made in the which the English were beaten The place is victualled by Philip but the English army stands firme in the same quarter watching a fit oportunity for their desseine All Europe stood gazing at this great and dangerous spectacle The friends of both parts were greatly perplexed with so doubtfull an euent the which brought the estate of two realmes into question But God who reserued the victory and scourge to an other season dispersed this storme being in shew ready to fal by this occasion Iane of Valois sister to Philip widowe to William Duke of Hainault and mother to Marguerite the wife of Edward a Princesse of excellent vertues hauing since her widowhood willingly giuen ouer al affaires of State had professed her selfe a Nun at Fontenelles to attend her deuotion and fasting 1337. She resolues to imploy all her credit as a Sister and Mother in lawe with Philip and Edward to keepe them from so dangerous abattaile She runnes to the one and to the other Iaâ—e of Valois labor to stay them froÌ„ shedding of bloud but finds them both so resolute in their desseins as shee is often reiected Yet is she nothing daunted In the end she incounters their violent passions with such patience and dexteritie as she obtaynes a day and place for a parle although Ieames of Arteuille a dangerous flie in a State tickled Edwards eares to crosse so comendable a resolution An example of a woman worthy of eternall praise euen in this iron age whereas women haue beene miserable instruments of ciuil dissentions Nota. and hellish fier brands to consume France with the fier of conâ—usion and miserie The great armies of France and England 〈◊〉 without fighting Edward takes on him the tittle of King of France A parle being concluded deputies were chosen on either side to treat and by them a truce was made Tournay is deliuered and the armies dismissed and so the storme prâ—uented for this time the which threatned both realmes All good men reioyced none but Ieames of Arteuille his faction were greeued So as not able to auoide it yet to feed Edwards humour he aduiseth him to take vpoÌ„ him the name of King of France by the which both he and his complices should auoide the infamie of rebellion and the punishement of high Treason as hauing done nothing but by the comaundement of their soueraigne The date of this title of France was in the yeare .1337 The which England holds to this day and our Kings the realme in effect Edward left his wife at Gaâ—d to keepe the flemings at his deuotion being a wise and a vigâ—â—ant Princesse he himselfe returned into England extremely greeued for being vnable to satisfie his Germains for want of money who expected a great bootie by this warre from the which they scarce returned with their pay The Germaineâ— leaue Edward and ioyne with Phiâ—â—â—â—pe There spâ—ong vp a newe combustion from this discontent the fier being onely smothered in the embers but not quenched Philip makes his profit of the Germains discontent and by the meanes of Iane the wife of Lewis of Bauiere Emperour being his neâ—câ— he wins them to leaue Edwards part and to imbrace that of France Edward in like sort striues to haue his reuenge on Philip. But to what ende serues all this but to disquiet their estates the which they ought to maintaine in peace Thus the passions of Princes are bad councellers for the good of their subiects This was the occasion of this newe breach betwixt the two Kings Arthur Duke of Briâ—taine sonne to that Iohn 2. Duke of Brittâ—ine who as we haue saied had beene slaine at Lions at the coronation of Pope Clement 5. had two wiues A newe quarâ—el for the Duchie of Bâ—ittaâ—ie and by either of them children of the first named Bâ—atrix vicontesâ—e of Limosin he had two sons Iohn and â—uy of his second wife Yoland countesse of Montfort 〈◊〉 he had Iohn of Montfort who contended for the duchie of Brittaine Iohn 3. the sonne of Arthur dying without issue hee made his niece Iane the daughâ—er of his brother Guy who died before him his heire in the succession of the sayd duchie In regard of this prerogatiue giuen to Iane Charles of Blois nephewe to King Philip married her vpon condition That those children which should be borne of this marriage should bee lawfull heires to the duchie of Brittaine whereof Charles was inuesied after the consummation of the marriage all homages done vnto him and hee was puâ—◠〈◊〉 reall and full possession of â—he said Countrie in the life of Iohn After whose decease behold Iohn of Montfort halfe brother to Iane as we haue saâ—eâ—â— pretending to the said duchie surpriseth Nantes then Rennes Vâ—nnes Brest the Castel of Aulroy with many other places hauing receiued the homages of the Brittons he comes to Paris to do his soueraigne homage to the King for the saâ—d duchie and to be 〈◊〉 therein Charles of Blois opposeth in the right of his wife and hereupon they are both â—ent by the King to the Court of Parlement of Paris to do them iustice Adiudged to 〈◊〉 of Bâ—â—iâ— against 〈◊〉 of Montfort The Court with the Kings authority sitting in his seat of Iustice and in the presence of many Princes decrees that Charles of Blois in the name of Iane his wife the lawfull hâ—â—â—â— of the duchie of Bâ—ittanie as succeeding the second son of the first bed should be receiued by the King to fealty and homage for the Countrie of Brittaine and Iohn of Montfort the third son of Arthur of the second bed should be acknowledged in his degree to enioy his right when it should fall vnto him Iohn of Montfort disdaining this order 1341. resolues to win that by force which he could not recouer by reason and in this humor he goes into England crauing aide from Edward who receiues him very gratiously but from thence he returnes into Brittaine Philip aduertised of these practises pursueth Iohn of Montfort with such successe as hauing taken him prisoner with the Castell of Nantes whether hee was retired he confined him to the Louure While these difficulties fall out in Brittain Troubles at Naples there growes a newe trouble by a strange accident at Naples in the familie of our Princes of France of whome we haue spoken Wee haue saied that Charles the Lame had manie sonnes Charles Robert Lewis and Philip Robert after this losse of Sicilie had for his
Earle of Alanson incensed much against the Geneuois for thus giuing backe doubâ—â—s his choler against them The battaile of Crecy crying on like a desperate man Go go sayes he my fâ—iends leâ— vs charge these English horse making our way ouer the bellies of these Geneuois who do but hinder vs. And without any longer stay he gallops through the Geneuois foote who began to gather themselues againe together according to their discipline The Geneuois finding themselues wronged with this new affront crie out againe like desperate men being impatient of any disgrace so as striuing to breake their bowes in â— rage they make way for the horse who passe through them The Earle of Alanson being followed by the Dukes of Lorraine and Sauoy and by the Dolphin of Viennois â—anne with such fury and haste as they were out of breath before they came to charge the enimie whom they found in better order his hoâ—se being flanked on the one side with a good troope of foote with bowes and crossebowes whose strings had not felt the raine like to the Geneuois This troupe of French horse being very violent at the first charge was to be feated bâ—t they were sodainly stayed by a storme of English at rowes which gald both horse and menâ— and for a supply behold a newe troupe of English comes to succour them that were iâ—gaged in the fight and to increase the mischiefe Yong Edward chargeth the French with 〈◊〉 other band of horsemen and his crossebow men in flanke being placed on the one side to fauour their horse and to ioyne their arrowes which played continually with the 〈◊〉 tâ—las masses and lances of their horsemen The which not onely prolonged the parle but also encreased the losse of the French being charged on al sides The Combat growes hot being very equal in valour and courage but not in force by reason of the troupes of reserue which Edward kept for the last charge Philip seeing his brother ingaged among so many enemies runs to his resâ—â—e At his arriuâ—ll the fight is doubled the English bending their forces against Philip and the French against yong Edward Philip is ouerthrowne vnder his horse the which was slayne with many arrowes but he was presently resâ—ued by Iohn Earle of Beaumont and then all the French crye out that the King should retyre himselfe out of the Combat This crye proceeding from loyall and well affected Frenchmen gaue courage to the English beeing in fight seeing the King in this danger Yong Edward was in no lesse perill being compassed in on all sides by the French and assisted by his owne so as they fearing the euent of this charge send to his father to sâ—â—couâ— him who presently demaunded of the messenger What blowe what wound hath my sonne receiued A noble speech of Edward hath he beene ouerthrowne But vnderstanding that there was no such danger and that they onely feared the worst Returne sayes he vnto him with this charge 〈◊〉 him eyther vanquish or die and I will be a witnesse of his valour to second him when 〈◊〉 shall require Prince Edward and his men incouraged with this message doubled both their couraâ—â— and their blowes and behold they are relieued with a fresh supply Then the party â—â—came vnequall these men being fresh and lusty charge the wearied and tyred who see 〈◊〉 hope of succours but discouered a great groue of horse of rescue wherein Edward the father beheld the sport and kept the stakes Despaire should haue made out French troupes resolue to hazard all as it hath chanced in other times but their hearts fainted with their bodies For this last battaillon where Edward remained comming from the hill and charging our men without any great resistance gaue the last blow as checke and mate to our men already much disordered Then they all giue way all are disordered all dispersed The slaughter is generall without respect of persons the butchery is so bloody as in the ende Edward hauing compassion of so great effusion of blood cries out to spare the rest yet he was not able by these first cries to stay the souldiers from so easie an execution who cut in peeces those poore runawayes here and there like scattered sheepe In the end Edward sounds a retreat and riding vp and downe he doubles his command to kill no more although in effect the night and the wearinesse of the victors made an end of this execution So all were not slaine but all ouercome A horrible defeat of the French Some troupes saued themselues in this generall ouerthrowe hauing neere places for a fauourable retreat King Philip after this vnexpected defeat of so goodly an armie being fallen from his hope followed with a small troupe saued himselfe at Bray whether comming by night and approching neere the walâ—es the gouernour being in armes vpon so notable an occasion cries out Who is there Philip â—aues himselfe Philip answers The Fortune of France Being knowne by his voice the gates were presently opened but not without terrible cries and lamentations of his poore subiects flocking about him like his poore children Shall it in like sort be lawfull for mee to weepe in the remembrance hereof being moued by the bitter apprehension of our present losses O my country it is not at this day alone that we mourne for thy miseries King Philip then comforts them with a resolute countenance and intreates them to hope for better He is resolute in this great calamity Hee was to be commended in this that he despaired not in the apparent despaire of his affaires Hauing stayed at Bray some howre to take breath he retires withal speed to Amiens The number of the dead was great they hold for certaine that there were slaine aboue thirty thousand men vpon the place The number of the dead and the flower of all the French Nobility died or was takeÌ„ there as Charles Earle of Alanson the Kings brother Lewis of Luxembourge King of Bohemea Charles Earle of Blois the Kings Nephew Raoul Duke of Lorraine Lewis Earle of Flanders Iames Daulphin of Viennois the sonne of Imbert the Earles of Sancerre and Harcourt with many Earles Barons and gentlemen to the number of fifteene hundred This miserable defeat happened in the yeare 1346. the 26. of August A moneth famous by the euent of many miseries within this Realme Edward King of England had al the markes of an absolute victorie as the place of battell the enseignes many of the greatest coÌ„manders his prisoners and in a manner all except the Soueraigne whom the bounty of God reserued for this Realme the campe the spoiles the bodies of the vanquished which could not be buried but by his mercie Some examine the causes and motiues of this great defeat The causes of this losse the which they attribute to the choler hast and rashnesse of the King and his Brother Truely hasty rash heat is the stepdame of great actions especially in warre
King Iohn who had already granted his pardon vpon good assurance Iohn grants his request yet could he not command his heart to leaue this malitious iealousie the which made him to seeke new occasions daylie to crosse his father in Lawes actions He then offers his seruice to the King of England who failes not to imbrace this occasion hauing the heart and hand of a Prince of the bloud whose power was great in the State Vpon this assurance he sends Edward his eldest sonne Prince of Wales into Guienne with a goodly armie a yong man of an exceeding hope And giues him for councell Iohn Shandos Robert Knowles Fraâ—cis Hali and Iohn of Arondel great men in their times and which shal be famous in those actions which shall follow New warre by the King of Nanâ—s practises He attended the end of truce the which being expired he enters Guienne and passeth into Langnedoc to Thâ—louse Narbonne ouer al he spoiles sacks kils and finds no resistance and returnes wiâ—hout difficulty to Bourdeaux being loaden with spoiles At the same instant another cloud of English men breakes out of Calis and spoiles the Country of Picardy but Ioâ—n by these skirmishes foresees the tempest of a greater warre measuring the forces of England by the will of King Edward his assured and tryed enemie He therefore seekes a remedie by an ordinarie course he calls a generall Parliament to take Councell and comfort from them in these newe occurrents Charlâ—s of Nauaâ—re assists but with an intent to crosse the Kings procedings by indirect practiâ—es and to withdrawe the subiects affections from assisting the King with their meanes in this necessitie Open force of the 〈◊〉 against the King but it was in vaine for in regard of Iohns promise to better the coyne they granted him a reasonable aide to raise and intertaine a great armie This faithful resolution of the French did for that time suppresse the violence of the English but not the furious malice of the Nauarrois for hauing labored in vaine to disswade the people from their promised succours and hauing raised by these practises seditions in diuers parts of the realme he lands at Cheâ—ebourg with two thousanâ— men robs and spoiles the countâ—y and takes â—he Castel of Coâ—ches in Normandie from the King An intollerable presumption of a subiect against his Prince after the muâ—ther of a Constable But Iohn disâ—embles this assiont and by the mediation of his sonne Charles Daulphin of Viennois he remâ—ts this second fault and receiues the King of Nauarre his son in Law againe into fauour but in effect he doth it to frustrate his purposes and to punish such as had assisted him Iohn did then giue the Duchie of Normandie to the Daulphin for his portion so as hee must take posâ—ession thereof An apparent cause to drawe him thether but in effect Iohns intention was to drawe the Nauarrois into a place of easie surprise to make him and 〈◊〉 adherents to giue an accompt of their wicked actions and to preuent them hereafter The new Duke of Normandie arriues at Roan whether all the good Townes of the Countrie runne to do him homage The King of Nauarre who held Eureux and many great Lordships in the Country with one of the greatest dignities in the realme comes to do him honouâ— well acompanied but better receiued by Charles his brother in law The King aduertised that the Nauarrois was at Roan with his sonne goes speedilie from Paris accompanied with his Brother Philip Duke of Orleans Lewis his second sonne Duke of Aniou the Earle of Tancaruille and Arnoul of Endreghan Marshall of France and ranne to Roan with this great traine 1352. Arriuing about dinner time he presently goes to his sonnes lodging where he findes him at table accompanied with the King of Nauarre and the most of them which had assisted him at the Constables murther where without any more deliberation or delay he causeth them all to be apprehended And then not pausing longer he made choise of fower out of this number the two Brethren of Harcourt the Lord of Maubue and Colinet Doublet chieâ—e actors in the foresaied murther and without any other forme of proceeding as a matter long before determyned he causeth their heads to be cut off Charles of Nauarre taken pâ—isoner by the King Fower of his complices beheaded setting theÌ„ vpon stakes and drawing their carcases to the gibet The next day he made choise of prâ—soners and sends the Nauarrois with Friquet and Bontabu his domesticke and most trustie seruanâ—s to Arras vnder sauegards and presently dismisseth all the rest to their houses enioyning them expresly vnto fidelitie and loyaltie to his seruice bynding them by a new oath This vnexpected execution amazed the whole Countrie like to a cracke of thunder but it roused vp the Nauarrois faction especially Philip of Nauarre brother to Charles and Geoffroy of Haâ—court Vncle to the two Bretheren beheaded Occasion of newe warre the which opened the gates to a strange confusion which shal cast Iohn into miserable captiuitie and drawe the Nauarrois out of prison with a flaming torch in his hand to fier the whole realme Behold Philip and the house of Haâ—court presently in England crying out against murther They intâ—â—ate Edward to stretch â—orth his hand to bee reuenged of so notable an iniustice and disloyaltie They offer him their hearts persons goods Townes and hauens to land in Nâ—rmandie without any difficultie and there to make warre comodiously against so trecherous and cruell a Prince Edward a wise and vigilant Prince who had his eyes open to all occasions that might annoy his enemy imbraceth this offer hee asâ—embâ—es his troupes to send them speedâ—ly into No mandie And to do nothing by halues hee imploies all hee can to leuie a great army the which he sends into Guienne to make worke for Iohn in diuers places and not to suffer this first heat of the discontended french to coole hee then without anie delay sends the Duke of Glocester into Normandie with .4000 choise men who lands easily Warre in Normandy and ioynes with Philip of Nauarre and so they ouerrune and spoile the Champion Countrie The terror of these newe forces spâ—eads presently ouer all The Towns of Lizieux Orbes B cheloin and Ponteau on the sea yeeld presently And not staying to beseege any great Citties he goes to Bretueil and Tuillieres and from thence to Vernueil in Perche the which he takes easilie giuing it out in all places that it was to reuenge the wrong done to the King of Nauarre and his seruants a dutie of humanitie which Kings ought not to refuse one to another in their greatest necessity King Iohn hasteth thither with his armie and recouers Bretueil and Tuillieres and had easily repossessed all the rest if a new occasion had not drawen him else where and the secret decree of God to his owne ruine Edward Prince of Wales the eldest sonne of Edward King of England
parties being hard the widow of Charles of Blois being called King Charles reconciles the pâ—eâ—endants for Britâ—aine and the matter debated he reconciles them vpon these conditions That for the interest which Ioane pretended for her and hers to the Duchie of Brittaine she should haue the Earldome of â—onthieure the Seigneuries of Auaugour Guello Gincamp Rochedorie Lauuton Chaâ—â—eaulin in Cornwaille Dualt Vhelgost and Rospreden to the value of twentie thousand Eures or franks of rent 2000 pound starling and if Iohn of Montfort died without lawfull heires the Duchie of Brittaine it should returne to Ioane and her issue male or female This accord drew Iohn of Montfort to Paris where hauing done his fealtie and homage as well for the Duchiâ— Brittain as the Earldome of Montfort and other Lands hee had in France the widow of Charles of Blois ratified it by vertue of the decree Oliuer of Clisson at the same treatie was restored to the possession of all his Lands forfaited when his father was beheaded as we haue saied He shal be Constable and shall giue vs good cause to speake of his life This accord was made in the Towne of Guerande in the yeare .1365 but it continued not long for Lewis of Aniou the Kings brother sonne in lawe to the Duchesse of Brittain was not pleased with this agreement whereby he saied he was greatly wronged Iohn of Montfort distrusting King Charles had his recourse to the King of England to whome he went in person to require ayde against the forces which he pretended would come against him The warre reuiued in Brittanie leauing Robert Knowles an Englishman in Brittaine who not attendâ—ng Iohns returne began to make warre vpon the French with all violence Charles being pressed both by the Duches Ioane and by Lewis of Aniou his brother declares Iohn guiltie of high Treason for that he had broken the accord would noâ— appeare vpon sundry summons dayly made vnto him So the warre began againe the successe whereof we wil note heere after Thus there passed six or seauen yeares with varietie of accidents in Brittaine In Fâ—anders Whilest that Brittaine was thus shaken with sundrie stormes Flanders was not without trouble by the accustomed practises of the English Lewis Earle of Flanders sonne to that Lewis which was slaine at the Battaile of Crecy had one only daughter named Marguerite who remayning heire of this great and rich estate was the Lâ—uaine of the antient iealousie betwixt the two Kings Charles and Edward striuing who should haue her The Citties of Flanders of greatest power in this purâ—ute held stoutly for the Engliâ—â— Conâ—e Lewis father to the maide was in suspence feaâ—ing both the English and the Freâ—ch for diuers respects and yet hee loued the first and feared the last But in the end by the meanes of Marguerite of Arthois mother to the Earle a marriage was concluded in fauour of Philip the hardy brother to Charles King of France to Edwards great griefe both father and son who in disdaine of this refusal sought al meanes to breed new troubles in France The treatie of Bretigny ministred a newe subiect and apparent cause of discontent to the King of England who complayned that hee had beene deceiued by Charles vnder a shewe of faithfulnesse hauing restored vnto him all his hostages receyuing onely the sommes promised for the ransome leauying vpon his simple word the reuenues of those Seigneuries granted him by the treatie The cause of new warre 〈…〉 and â—nâ—â—and Charles had retyred all his hostages in good time paying readie money and making knowne vnto Edward the sundrie charges he had giuen to the Countries and places comprehended in the treatie to yeeld them selues whollie into his power he likewise signified vnto him his subiects answers who in the beginning excused themselues ciuilly by honest delayes but in the ende the generall Estats giue Charles to vnderstand That the question being for the generall interest of the States they were not to bee forced to yeeld to an vnlawfull action directly contrarie to the fundamentall lawe of the realme which suffers not the King to preiudice the Crowne nor to alienate the reuenues thereof which were not to be alienated That tâ—is accord made in prison for the Kings redemption was forced and so by consequence vneiuill and not to be allowed by the Lawe of nations The effects followed this resolution with such an obstinacie of the Countries Citties Noble men which were charged by this treatie to yeeld as they protest freely to Châ—rles that they wil willingly spend goods liues rather then fal into the king of Englands hands coÌ„trariwise wold imploy al their meanes to liue vnder the subiectioÌ„ of the king of Fraâ—ce This faithâ—ull constancie of the interessed subiects must needs be pleasing vnto Charles 1366. but to that he himselfe had made this treatie his honouâ— was greatly ingaged the which he must 〈◊〉 by good and auaylable reasons and make it â—nowne vnto all Europe who haâ— tâ—eir eyes fixed vpon these two Princes playing their parts vpon so famous a Theater 〈◊〉 complaines by a sollemne Ambassage to the Emperour Charles the fourth 〈…〉 the paines to come into France The Emperor seâ—kes to reconcile theiâ— two Kings with an intent to imploy his authoritie and 〈◊〉 to reconcile these two Princes but it was in vaine The cause of this fruitlesse 〈◊〉 pâ—oceeded from Edward being resolute to haue his part tryed by armes being 〈…〉 by his victorious successe in the former raignes Châ—rles â—ad alwayes protested to obserue the treatie of â—retigny inuiolable But hauing 〈◊〉 the geneâ—all resolution of the States and of the countries and Noblemen 〈◊〉 bâ— the said treatie he resolues to protect them and hauing excused himselfe both to the Emperour and forraine Princes by a publike declaration he sends a Gentleâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Bâ—â—ussâ— called Chapponeau to the Prince of Wales being at Bourdeaux summoning 〈◊〉 to appeare before him at Paris Câ—arlâ—s proclaimes waâ—â—e against the Kinâ— of Eâ—â—â—lâ—nd at the instance of the Nobilitie and commons of 〈◊〉 complaining of him He also sent a Herald to the King of England to proclaime wâ—rrâ— against him The Earle of Armagnac the Lord of Albret who had newly maried 〈…〉 Boâ—rbon and by this alliance was become French the Earles of Perigort Cominâ—â— and Carmaâ— the Lords of Barde Condon Pincornet Pardaillan and Agenois began 〈…〉 against the King of England followed by all those Prouinces protesting 〈◊〉 the crowne of France At 〈◊〉 example all the Townes of the Countie of Ponthieure yeelded to Guy Earle of 〈◊〉 and to 〈◊〉 of Chastillon Maister of the Crosbowes Then the Kings armies marche 〈◊〉 parts vnder the commands of the Dukes of Aniou and Berry the Constable 〈◊〉 to whose wisedome especially to the Chancellor Dourmans The successe oâ— the Frâ—nâ—â— armie in Gâ—â—â—nne they attribâ—â—e the obedience of the people of Guienne discreetly practised by them Limoges and
〈◊〉 yeeld at the sight of the Kings armie Carlâ—â— Bergerac S. Seuere and in the end Rochell by siege and by the successe of these Citties reduced to the Kings obedience by force 〈◊〉 Aâ—gely Angoulesme Xaintes Fontenay Parthenay and many other Townes obey voluntarily The fortresses of Mortaigne Lusignan and Sâ—nzay are added to this conqâ—â—st aâ—d in the end Tours stretcheth forth her hands to the King and shakes off the 〈…〉 Whilest that the Kings armie performed these happy exploits in Guienne the Prâ—nce of Wales a hardie and generous warriour to turne aside this deluge the which he 〈…〉 vpon the countrie of Bourdeaux resolues to enter by another quarter The exploits of the Prinâ—e of Wales which 〈…〉 enâ—mie should be found without defence Hauâ—ng made a flying campe of 〈…〉 well armed he slips into Auuergne from thence into Bourâ—onois Berry wâ—â—re hauâ—ng refreshed his troupes some daies â—e passeth into Forest and gathering together the 〈◊〉 vpon the riuer of Loire he passeth ouer at Morsigny of Nunnes so crossing 〈◊〉 he comes into Bourgongne where finding all desert withâ—ut victualles all 〈…〉 into walled Townes by the care of Philip the Kings brother he marcheth into 〈◊〉 and from thence into Gastinois in the end he stayes before Espernan with an armie of twenty thousand men which terrifies the whole country and takes the Towne easily being not relieued Châ—rles recalles his armie out of Guienne giuing the Constable 〈◊〉 commission to 〈…〉 the which he executes so happily as all thâ—s cloud was presently 〈…〉 as the Prince of Wales could hardly retire himselfe to Bourdeaux not laden with 〈◊〉 as in former times but with shame and losse This was the successe of the first passage the English made through France But what is become of our Nâ—uarrois we haue obserued how he made his peace with K. Iohn The Nauarrâ—is doth practâ—se vnder hand against Charâ—es when as he returned from prison He thence retired himselfe quietly into his realme of Nauarre 〈◊〉 his iealousie and watching all opportunities to crosse the affaires of Charles 〈◊〉 spared him with so great respect The neernesse of Bourdeaux was a fit meanes for 〈…〉 continue his practises with the English vnder-hand although by meanes of the Queenes he entertained a shew of friendship with Charles his brother in law Castille ministred matter of imploiment for our warriours with a very notable successe Peter King of Castille The subiect of warre in Castile sonne to Alphonsus making great profession of loue to the French married Blanche the daughter of Peter duke of Bourbon and sister to Ioane the wife of our Charles the wise and so brother in law to the King Whilest the Castillian loued his wife the alliance and friendship of our King was his greatest honour but abandoning himselfe to a strumpet named Padille he forsooke all duty to his wife left France and linckt himselfe with the English Peter King of Castile murthers his own wife against his sworne faith to his allies To this treacherie he addes the murther of his wife and a cruell tyrannie against his subiects These execrable proceedings procured the wrath of God against him with the hatred both of great and small which drew him headlong to his ruine Alphonsus his father making him his heire and successor of his realme of Castille had bequeathed a legacie by testament to Henry his bastard sonne a vertuous man that is to say as lawfull by his vertue as Peter was growne degenerate by his vices and as greatly beloued of the people as Peter was hated in generall by reason of his abhominable life He spoiled Henry his brother of this legacie the which his father had left him but thinking to take from another he lost his owne for Henry thus ill intreated flies to Pope Vrban the 5. resident at Auignon besâ—â—ching him to vse his authoritie by admonitions to his brother aduising him to restore that which his father had giuen him Vrban inclining to his iust request cites them both to appeare before the consistorie Charles sends an armie into Castile against the King beeing a murtherer and a tyrant to draw them to their duties Peter not onely refuseth to obey the Pope but doth outrage to his Nuncio Henry thus repulsed repaires to Charles by the meanes of Peter of Bourbon brother to the Queene of Castille whom her husband Peter had murthered The indignitie of this fact procured Henry great succours from King Charles euen at such a time as he wanted worke for his men of warre The command of this armie was giuen to Peter of Bourbon a Prince of the bloud with the councell and direction of the Constable Guesâ—lin who also baâ—e the name as he tooke the greatest paines The armie is leuied in Languedoc by the kings command the exceeding care of the Duke of Berry The Castilians reuolt against Peter and expell him gouernour of that country to the incredible ioy of many voluntaries who went cheerefully to so iust a warre the successe was both happy speedy sodenly as the French armie appeared for the succour of Henry all the Castillians reuolt against Peter who with great difficultie saues himselfe with his concubine and three daughters he had by her and one onely seruant carrying nothing with him but a little ready money and the miseriâ— of a dispossessed Prince This his calamitie did first moue the Prince of Wales to compassion then his father Edward commanding his sonne to succour him with all his forces The King of England succors Peâ—er restores him the which he perfomed speedily with a goodly army meaning to crosse the deâ—â—eignes of our Charles But oh the patience of God which giues a sinner so long a time of repentance that in the end without any excuse he might pay both the principall and interest the successe of this English armie was such in fauour of Peter of Castille The French defeated in Castile by the English that hauing vanquished the French armie by a notable defeat of foure twenty thousand men taken Guâ—sâ—lin the Constable Arnoâ—l of Andreghen Marshall of France and many other great men prisoners Peter was restored to the possession of his realme and Henry dispossessed who escaped hardly in this great danger retires himselfe into Languedoc to Iohn duke of Berry the Kings brother and gouernour of that countrie But after this gracious assistance of Gods mercy his iustice must take place as it did against Peter by this meanes Henâ—y being courteously receiued by the Pope the duke of Berry and the Constable of Guâ—selin set at libertie with all his companions hauing paied their ransomes to the Prince of Wales he recouers a second aide by the bounty of our wise Charles and the diligence of the duke of Berry to attempt a new the recouerie of the realme of Castile The Constable Guesâ—lin was appointed to this charge to withstand the first check if it were possible The
the Countrie in alarme Occasions are offred of dayly skirmishes and daylie the English are beaten But the long stay of this little army and this thorne of Saint Denis stirred vp the people of Paris who loth to be so restrayned prepare a great power to force Saint Denis at what price soeuer The Marshall of Rieux loath to ingage himselfe beeing in all shewe the weaker retyres honorablie to Meulan without any losse The English beat downe the defences of Saint Denis being a common retreat to all men without any more labour eyther to keepe it or to recouer it The accord of Philip Duke of Bourgongne with Charles the 7. King of France IN the ende behold an agreement made with Charles so much expected so vnprofitablie sought after and nowe freely offred by the Duke of Bourgongne The deputies of the Councell presse both French English and Bourguignon to ende al quarrells by some good composition The Cittie of Arras is allowed of by them all to treat in The Assemblie was great from the Pope and the Councell of Pisa there came the Cardinalls of Saint Croix and Cipres An assemblie to treat of a peace with twelue Bishops For the King of France there was the Duke of Bourbon the Earle of Richmont Constable of France the Earle of Vendosme the Archebishop of Rheims Chancellor of France the Lords of Harcourt Valpergue la Fayette Saint Pierre du Chastell du Bois Chastillon du Flay de Railliq de Rommet Curselles and de Cambray first President of the Parliament at Paris with many wise and learned men as Iohn Tudart Blesset Iohn Charetier Peter Cletel Adam le Queux Iohn Taise and la Motte For the King of England the Cardinalls of Yorke and Winchester the Earle of Suffolke the Bishop of Saint Dauids Iohn Ratcliffe keeper of the great seale the Lord of Hongerford Ralfe the wise the Official of Canterburie and some Doctors of diuinity For Philip Duke of Bourgongne there came the Duke of Gueldres the Earle of Nassau the Bishop of Cambray the Earle Vernambourg the Bishop 〈◊〉 Leâ—ge the Earles of Vaudemont Neuers Salines S. Pol and Ligâ—y besides the deputies oâ— many of his best Townes The pompe was great both on the deputies behalfe of the Duke of Bourgongnes who intertained theÌ„ with all the honour good cheeâ—e that might be 〈◊〉 But leauing these circumstances I make hast to the principal matter The Kâ—ngâ— of France and England began the treaty The â—undamentall question was to whom the Crowne of France belonged The English did challenge it The question for the crown of Fâ—anâ—e both for that he was 〈◊〉 from a daughter of France as also by the graunt of Charles the 6. who did instâ—â—ce Henry the 5. and his successors heires of the crowne had disinherited Charles 〈◊〉 7. whom he termed an vsurper The deputies for Charles answered that they ought 〈◊〉 to call in question the ground of the Estate which cannot stand firme without that 〈…〉 heire to whom the lawe appoints and therfore without prouing of that which was apparent of it selfe they came to offers for the ending of all controuersies That if the King of England would both disclaime the title of King of France yeeld vp the countries held by him in diuers parts of the Realme he should inioy the Dâ—chies of Guiâ—nne and Normandy doing homage for them vnto the Kings of France as his soueraigne and with those conditions which his Ancestors Kings of England had formerly inioyed theâ— They stood vpon very different tearmes their authority was limited and possession puâ—t vp the English But sometimes he refuseth that after sues He that striueth to haue all most commonly looseth all One moitie in effect had more auailed the English then all in imagination who in the ende shall finde that the soueraigne Iudge the preseruer of the lawe and of States giues and takes away Charles the English cannot agree appoints and disapoints according to his good and wise will and that there is no force nor wisedome but his Tâ—e mâ—tter was soone ended betwixt the Kings of France and England seeing right could do no good the sword must preuaile Thus the Ambassadors of England returne without any effect those of France stay to treate with the Duke of Buurgongne and his deputies amongest the which he himselfe was the chiefe as well for his owne interest as for his iudgement in affaires A man exceeding cunning who could imbrace all occasions to make his profiâ— by an other as the discourse of his life hath made manifest Bâ—t 〈◊〉 what ende serues all this morter and so great workemanship to frame a building which shall be ruined vnder his sonne and shal bury him in the ruines thereof It is a â—oolish reason which thou calledst reasâ—n hauing no ground of reason and doest not hearken to the voice of heauen O Foole all thy riches shal be taken from thee this night Man walâ—es in a shadow he toyles in vaine to 〈◊〉 â—is name immortall in the graue he hunts with infinite labour and takes nothing As for Charles he sought to retire the Bourguignon from all league and alliance with tâ—e King of England and taking from him all occasions of discontent so to ingage him 〈…〉 honours as he should resolue to follow his faction as the most profiâ—â—â—â—â— knowing that his own priuate interest was the chiefe end of his desseins Matters 〈◊〉 câ—rried in shew according to the humour of that age the dâ—sposition of the court 〈◊〉 for the honour of Charles who must aske the Duke of â—ourgongne pardon hauing 〈…〉 father to be slaine against his faith Charles sends a blank to the 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 what conditions he pleased But was it not true must not the crime be câ—nfessed by hiâ— that was culpable Charles therefore resolues to send him a bâ—anke tâ—e accâ—rd doth testâ—fie that the Bourguignon fiâ—led it with so many vnreasonable conditâ—ons as it is strange so great a monarch should stoâ—p so much to his subiect vassall but necessity â—ath no law A presidâ—nt for great men not to attempt any thing against reason least they bee constrayned to repaiâ—e it with reason and yet to know that it is an amendment of a fault to yeeld to necessity for the good of the state beeing a great thrift to loose for gaine The â—â—iginall sets downe at large all the conditions of this treaty wâ—o so please may reade 〈◊〉 Monstrellet in the history of S. Denis The summe is that the massacre 〈◊〉 〈…〉 person of Iohn Duke of Bâ—urgongne at Montereau-â—aut-yonne 〈…〉 repaired by confession and ceâ—emonies Great sommes of present money with goodly Seâ—gâ—â—uries are giuen to the Duke of Bourgongne so many assurances for him and hi◠〈◊〉 a great volume is full of these scrupulous conditions The Duke of Bourgongnes promise is more simple that he should declare himselfe a friend to Charles the 7. King of France King Charles and the
countenance who at his first approche winnes the bridge vpon the riuer The English are amazed especially when they see Matago who was somewhat retired from the body of their armie to succour at all euents take the way to Bayeux The Constable makes his profit of this flight who without pursuing them chargeth their dismayed Armie The victorie of Fourmigny against the English Thomas Tirell puts himselfe in defence with the fauour of the riuer the Orchards Gardens but the Constable commands some of his horsemen to leaue their horses The Earle of Clermont inuirons the enemie on the other side the English being charged of all sides feeling the waight of their blowes giue way leaue their armes and suffer themselues to be slaine and taken to mercy The courtesie of the French spaâ—ed many in this ouerthrow The number of the dead there were more taken prisoners then wâ—re slaine They buried in three pits 3774. carcases by the report of the Heralds priests and good men that were there This losse did likewise bury all the conquests which the English had made in Normandy The commanders of the armie were prisoners Tirell Noâ—bery â—rient Kirqueby Warberton Arpel Alengour Vaquier Calleuile and a great number of English Nobilitie armed with coates of armes all are lead to Charles with their Ensignes An honorable spoile to his triumph but a perpetuall ignominie both to the runners away that saued themselues and to the cowards that were taken prisoners This absolute victorie cost France but eight men to the end they might doe homage to the great God of armes and victories who by this memorable ouerthrow made the way for the restauration I read with ioy the warrant of the Originall And therefore wise men do say that the grace of God was the cause of the Frenchmens victorie and so by his diuine power the English were ouercome This victory was giuen vs from heauen the 19. of Aprill in the yeare 1450. and thankes were giuen vnto God throughout the realme A solemne procession was made at Paris of foureteene thousand young children from the age of seuen to ten yeares carefully chosen ouâ— to the great content of the people going from S. Innocents to our Ladies Church All Normandie yeeldes to Câ—arles This notable victorie of Fourmigny did soone after cause the rest of Normandie to yeeld Vire yeelds by composition the which was granted to 400. Lances who might well haue contended for their liues Auranches stood the longer vpon termes through the resolution of fiue hundred voluntaries but in the end they departed with their liues onely and a whâ—te wand in their hands The strong Castell of Tombelaine garded by a hundred English yeelded two daies after Bayeux resolues to fight it out all prepare to armes After the ordinance had made a great breach and the mine ready to play Charles fearing the sacke of his subiects as well as of his enemies would not suffer his men to attempt so dangerous a matter and the souldiers on the other side crie out to be led vnto the breach But â—n the end they march without command and are twise repulsed yet Matago being amazed at the furie of these desperate men demands a parle the which â—s granted by Charles but he obtained life onely and a white wande for euery Souldier to some gentlemen of marke a horse and to poore families some carts to carry them A pitous spectacle to see foure hundred women carrying their children eyther in their armes or in their cradels leauing al their goods and mouables behind them and hardly carrying a poore clout for their greatest neede So Misery comes to him that spoiles for he shal be spoiled that makes an other weâ—pe for heeshall haue time to weepe Yet Charles caused this troupe of 900. men being disarmed to be safely conducted with the rest to Câ—â—â—â—bouâ—g a place which they had demanded for their retreate Bayeux being thus yeeâ—â—ed the Kings army marcheth to Saint Sauueur le Viconte the which yeelds without batterie They had a good composition for the number of men of waâ—re that were 〈◊〉 being fiue or six hundred they grant them their liues and goods retyring to Cheâ—eâ—ouâ—g Charles was loath to looose his men vnconstrayned â—or that there remained yet â—â—me pâ—â—ces of strength Caâ—n a goodly and populous Citty was beseeged with great preparation The composition at Caâ—n but to what ende should I consume time in the priuate report of assaults seeing we hast to the viâ—â—ory A great peece of the wall being beaten downe and our men burning with desire to 〈◊〉 to this hnorable breach Robert de Vere being gouernor demands a parle he hâ—ld the Castell being one of the goodlyest peeces in France with foure thousand soldiâ—rs So by the commandement of Charles the Earle of Dunois yeelded them 〈◊〉 honorable composition to depart with bag and baggage and their armes except the artiâ—leâ—â—e the prisoners were set at libertie and all that the Cittizens might owe vnto the English â—as discharged to the benefit of the debtâ—r All depart the fift of Iuly and are conducted in safety according to the accord and the King makes his entry two dayes after Falaize is beseeged in the meane time and yeelds the one and twentith of the same moneth Fifteene hundred English of their best soldiars obtayned a good composition to depart with bag and baggage Domfront garded by fiueteene hundred franke archers yeelds vpon the like composition the second of August following Cherebourg one of the strongest places of Europe in those dayes was the conclusion of that account and the crowning of this happie worke It was garded by .2000 desperat aduenturers who wonderfully greeued with so many misfortunes would be buried in the ashes of this last losse but Thomas Gomel gouernor of the place preuailed more tâ—â—n their obstinate resolution shewing that they had discharged their duties to their 〈◊〉 in being the last to fight But nature swayed most with Gomel for hauing his some prisoner with the King he would not loose himselfe with his sonne The accord was made absolute for his soldiars and his sonne and vpon this accord he leaues the 〈◊〉 and retires last into England to admonish Henry to prouide for Guienne â—here the whole burthen of the warre would fall So the 12 of August in the yeare .1450 Normandie one of the goodlyest and 〈◊〉 Prouinces belonging to this Crowne was reduced to the Kings obedience in a yeare and six dayes hauing remayned in the possession of the English thirty yeares and 〈◊〉 kept by them as it is a miraculous worke of God they were â—o easily dispossessed 〈…〉 Normandie let vs come to Guienne to finish the restoring of this Estate Guienne returnes to the Crowne of France GVienne had begon her last seats of armes by the taking of Cognac and Saint Maâ—grin as we haue sayed whereas the wane continued coldly during that of Normandie But Charles after the happie conquest of this Prouince The
mounted on a horse of the same proportion rushes through them diuids them that held him Then happilie arriues the bastard of Bourgongue and the Earles garde by means whereof the French retire themselues to their ditch Charles of Bouâ—ggongâ—e taken and rescued where they had beene in the morning During the which a false brute of the Kings death had almost ouerthrowne all for euery one began to faint The Earle of Maine the Admirall of Montauban and the Lord of Barde imbracing this common beleefe flie with al the rereward Lewis aduertised of this amazement takes off his helmet shewes him selfe to his soldiars and so assures them that he is aliue On the other side the Bourguignon rallies his men dispersed and wearied readâ—e to flie if they had bin charged At the same instant the Count Saint Paul goes to the field and gathers together vnder his enseâ—gne about eight hundred men at armes and but fewe foote Behold the two armies ranked one against an other noâ— like vnto tired men but hauing vewed one another and mutuallie discharged their Canon The night approched A famous battaile for running away which ended the battaile an in counter where the nâ—table flying on either side did wonderfully moderate the furie of the fight The which beâ—ng thus ended the King was conducted by the Scottes to the Castell of Montlehery hauing neither eaten noâ— dronke all that day and then he retyres to Corbâ—il The Earle keeps the field â—poiles the dead and therfore holds himselfe a Conqueror· Amongest the Kings men were knowne Iefferie of Saint Bâ—lain Charleâ— Earle of 〈◊〉 mastâ—r of the plâ—â—e of Battaile the great Steward of Normandy Captaine Flâ—â— uel Baylife of Eureux with many gentlemen to the number of foure hundred horse and but fewe of foote men Our Burguignons the Lords of Lalain Hames Oâ—gnie Varenne and almost all the Earles Archers Haplainonurt Aimeries Inchy and many others were taken flying and brought prisoners to Paris of footemeÌ„ there were more slaine then of the Kings part A'l which were estemed by some at two thousand of both sides The number the dead others heâ—d theÌ„ three thousand six hundred but al affirme constantly that there were more Bouâ—guignons theÌ„ French although Lewis lost more horsemen In trâ—th the firme resolution the constant labour the dangerous hazards manfully passed by the King were sufficient motiues to incourage his men to honor and if he had beene well and couragiously followed notwithstanding his small number and want of artillery the Earle of Charoloâ—s soldiars had digged their graues at Montlehery Three daies after the battaile the Earle of Châ—rolois being aduertised that his confederates approched Succors come to the Earle of Charolois went to receiue them at Esâ—ampes The Dukes of Berry Brittaine the Earle of Dunois and Dammartin the Lords of Lohâ—ae Marshall of France of Buâ—â—l Chaumont and Charles of Amboise his sonne all disgraced by Lewis and put from their offices although they had well serued the King his father They brought with them saith the historie eight hundred good men at armes most Brittains who had newly lest the companies euery one pretending some discontent Of Archers and other men of war resolute wel appointed six thousand on horsebacke all of the Brittons charge who assured by some meÌ„ at armes that fled vpoÌ„ the Kings death promiseth to himselfe much good in conceit in case the Duke of Beâ—ry come to the Crowne And if at that instant they would haue giuen him credit they should haue suppressed the Bourguignons or at the least dismissed them verifiyng That there is small loyaltie and lesse pitty in men of warre On the other side the Duke of Berry began to loath these broyles for in open Councel hauing vewed seuen or eight hundred hurte men wandering vp and downe the Towneâ— he said how much more glad would I haue beene if this warre had neuer begon 〈◊〉 Duke Beâ—â—y lotheâ— the esâ—uâ—iâ—n of bloud then to purchase my selfe riches and honor which the price of so much bloud A speech worthy of a milde Prince and not bloudie but ill digested by the Bourguignon supposing that Charles would easely make his peace vpon the least motion made by Lewis And to assure him selfe as wel without as within the realme he sends William of Cluni afterwards Bishop of Poitiers to Edward King of England although he had alwayes supported the house of Lancaster from whence he was issued by his mother against that of Yorke Hauing refreshed their troups they all dislodge from Estampes and take the way to Saint Mathurin of Laroham and Moret in Gastinois and hauing an intents to passe the riuer of Sâ—ine the Earle imployes many coopers to make pipes hauing brought great store of stuffe for that purpose whereon a bridge was made for want of conuenient boats through the fauour of the Canon which the Earle had planted in an Isâ—â—nd in the midest of the riuer There ioynes with them Iohn Duke of Calabria the onelie sonne of René King of Sicile the Prince of Orange Thibauld of Neuf-chastel Marshall of Bourgongne Other succors come to the confederate Princes and Montagu his brother the Marquis of Rotelin the Lords of Argueil and Thoulongeon with many others leading nine hundred men at armes of the Duchie and Countie of Bourgongne six score men at armes barded Italians commanded by Galeot and Campo-bâ—sso foure hundred Germain crosse-bowes sent by the Cont Palatin and fiue hundred Suisses the which were the first that came to our warres A fatall and lamentable alliance for the Bourguignon as we shall see in his place of other footeman very fewe All this great torrent of a hundred thousand men inuiron Paris Paris beleagard they seize vpon S. Maur on the ditches Pont Charenton Consâ—ans S. Deâ—is and other Places there abouts they tyre the inhabytants with contynuall skirmishes euen at their gates and shakes theyr affections by practises and deuises The Duke of Berry writes to the Clergie to the Court of Parlement to the vâ—iuersitie which then was in great credit in Paris and to the Bourgesses to euery one a part shewing them that all these forces tend not but to the peoples ease and profit and requires them to depute men of iudgement and learning to vnderstand more at large the causes of this their great assemblie Ten Deputies heare their complaints being led by William Chartier Bishop of Paris they report it to the Counsell of the Cittie who answeres That the Cittie shal be free for the Princes to enter into at their pleasure they and theirs abstaining from violence and paying their expences Surely this would haue beene a Conquest of the cittye of Paris But the great Maister of Nantouillet the Marshal Ioachim and other Captaines take a vew of their forces and by this meanes retayne the Parisiens who changing their minds are fully confirmed by the arriuall of Iohn of Rohan Lord of Montauban Admirall of France with
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
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
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
eldest sonne the Emperour for his sonne Maximilian King of the Romains Mary desired much the alliance of France but the King had done her a great disgrace deliuering her letters to the Gantois 1478 the which shee had secretly written which caused the death of those two good men and the banishement of her most affectionate seruants Moreouer her Estate required a man to gouerne it She would willingly haue married with the Earle of Angoulesme if the King had beene so pleased The humours of the heire of Cleues pleased her not nor such as were about her The Emperour kept as a pawne a diamond with a letter which the Infanta had written vnto him by her fathers commande whereby she promiseth to accomplish the marriage in forme according to her fathers pleasure He sends it to the Duchesse to auerre her hand and promise demanding if she would persist therin She doth auouch the contents and agrees to make it good So Maximilian comes to Gand and there the marriage was consummated A marriage which should proue a firebrand to kindle by their descendants both within this Realme and in manie other Estates the Combustious tumults and furies which haue followed the which happilie had beene auoided by a french alliance But God had other wayes decreed This marriage was consummated during the Orangeois reuolt in Bourgongne Maâ—â—iage of Maximiliâ—â— and Marie the which continued somewhat long by the support the Germaines gaue him in fauour of Sigismond of Austria vncle to Maximilian who hauing his territories adioyning and especially the Countie of Ferrete the which he had retyred by the Suisses meanes would gladly haue gotten somewhat of his neighbours But the indiscretion of Sigismond and the want of money to pay the Bourguignons were a meanes that the King did more easily preuent the Prince of Orange his practises who nowe called himselfe Lieutenant to the sayd Germaines They supplied him with some troupes with the which he recouered almost all the Countie contynuing his course vntill that Craon came to beseege him in Gy a small Towne of the sayd County Chasteauguion seeing his Brother cooped vp and the place readie to yeeld to Craons discretion posts thether with all the forces he can The Prince of Orange deâ—eated and comes to charge Craons armie in front whilest that the beseeged should set vpon him behind So charged both before and behinde he found the match hard yet by the defeate of fourteene or fifteene hundred men for the most part enemies and the taking of Chasteauguion he wonne the victorie Craon leads his army after this victory before Dole the chiefe Towne of the County but for that he did presse it but slackly and neglected his enemie whose forces he knewe to be but small he had ill successe For in a fierce sallie they slewe many of his men and carried away a great part of his artillerie This affront brought him in disgrace with the King Craon beaten before Dole who fearing a more dangerous checke hearing likewise complaints from all parts of his great exactions and money vniustlie taken puts him from the gouernment of Bourgongne preferring in his place Charles of Amboise Lord of Chaumont a valiant wise and vigilant Captaâ—ne Loue preuayles more then force He is in disgrace with the King He perswades the King to pacifie the Suisses and other Germaines who followed the Prince of Orange in fauour of the house of Austria and to make the way more easie for the King he him selfe doth practise the Commanders Then began the Suisses first league with the King the which he effected by meanes of twentie thousand franks he gaue yearely among the Cantons and the like summe to be distributed among some Captaines which he imployed And to please them he made himselfe a bourgeois amongest them and obtayned the title of the first allied to their Commonweale A title which the Duke of Sauoie pretended to be due vnto him aboue all others They likewise for their parts promised to furnish six thousand men to serue the King continually for foure Germaine Florins and a halfe a moneth a number which continued alwayes vnto the death of Lewis A league with the Suiâ—ses The Suisses 〈◊〉 vnder the Kings pay and so the Bourguignons party much weakened who asseâ—ble the Nobility of the Country togither vnder the Prince of Orange and defeate the companies of Salezard and Coninghen neere vnto Grey But Amboise being fortified with men and artillerie takes Verdun Montsauion Semeur in Lauxois Chastillon vpon Seine Bar vpon Seine Beaulne and Rochefort neere vnto Dole belonging vnto Vauâ—ray Thus hauing freed all the approches to Dole Dole with many other Townes taken by Amboise he Campes before it batters it makes a breach giues an assault and takes it Some troupes of the Townes last subdued thrust themselues into it either to warrant it from spoile or to haue a better share but there enters such a multitude of franke archers as it was impossible to saue it from sack and fire Yet the King repaired the ruines about the walles building a great part of the wall towards the riuer of Doux with a great trenche whereby a great part of the said riuer did runne forth inuironing of that part of the wall but this is nothing in regarde of the fortifications which haue beene since built whereby it exceeds most of the Citties of Christendome beeing excellent at this day in Senate Vniuersitie and armes Auxonne deserued a long and sharpe siege but the wisdome of Amboise preuailed so well after the siege of Dole that giuing the chiefe offices of the Towne to such as demanded them it was yeelded within fiue or sixe dayes and likewise the Castles of Iou S. Agnes vpon Salins Champagnole Arguel and some others built vpon rockes Besançon an Imperiall Towne yeelded to the King by his Lieutenant Generall the like duties as they were accustomed to doo the Earle of Bourgongne Thus Bourgongne being conquered remained some time in the Kings quiet possession A young horse hath need of a gentle hand to make him taste the Bit with delight But Verdun and Beaulne not able to endure the command of the French began first to kick yet by the Gouernours discretion they were speedily subdued and recouered from Simon of Quingey who led a troupe of sixe hundred men of foote and horse Germains and others tumultuouslie assembled in Ferrete and thereabouts to put into the aboue named places Verdun was taken by assault and subiect to the accustomed insolencies in the like prises Beaune yeelded by composition in the beginning of Iuly with liues and goods saued and for a fine they payed fortie thousand Crownes These sodaine exploites did so terrifie the other Townes as all kept themselues within their due obedience But how doth Edward King of England looke vpon this Theater where our men play the pettie Kings And how doth he suffer the King without any opposition to enlarge his estate by the taking of
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
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
expell the customers sack many good houses vnder colour to seeke for these exactors the commons enter to the towne massacre all that follow not their party Moneins lieutenant for the King within Bourdeaux sends a number of shot out of the Castle of Ha thinking to terrifie this inraged multitude But all this increased their popular furie They forced the Councellors of the Parliament Cruelties comitted in Bourdeaux by the rebels to lay aside their gowns to put on Mariners caps to carry pikes to follow their Ensignes the maisâ—ers of Saulx bretheren the one Captaine of the towne the otheâ— of Castle Trompet to be their leaders to assist at the sacking of many houses and to see their friends fellow cittizens massacred before their eyes They spoile the Towne-house a goodly store-house for armes to increase their villanies they murther Moneths most cruelly being come amongst them thinking with courteous words to pacifie the fuâ—ie of these muâ—mes Hauing wrought their wils and being laden with booâ—y they disband some one way some another the parliament fortified with men of honor and resuming their authority punish by exemplary iustice La Vergne one of the chiefe Tribunes of this rebellion La Vergne drawne with â—oure horses and some other of the most apparent The King was no lesse ready to reuenge this outragious and rashe rebellion then the commons were actiue in the execution The Constable had the commission for Guienne Francis of Lorraine Duke of Aumale whom we shall afterwards see Duke of Guise so famous vnder Francis the 2. and Charles the 9. that of Xaintonge with foure thousand Lansquenets many French horse This man seeking to win the reputation of a mild mercifull Prince pacified the CouÌ„try without punishment of what had passed The other marched after another maner for ioyning both armies togither he entered into Bourdeaux disarmed the people tooke and burnt all the records registers rights priuileges of the Câ—ttizens of al the country of Bourdelois he caused the Court of Parliament to cease beats downe their bells forced 7. score of the chiefe to go vnto the Carmes they had three daies after the mutiny in the night takeÌ„ vp this poore dismeÌ„berd carcase lying filâ—â—ly vpon the ground with a gentleman of his named Montâ—lieu to fetch the â—odie of Mâ—neins and to conduct it in mournful sort vnto S. Andrews Church by the punishmeÌ„t of the two Saulx Estonnac an other Tribune who had seized vpon the Castel Trompâ—t many others he purged their offence Talemagne and Galaffie Colonnels of the coÌ„mons were afterwards broken vpon the wheele either of them carrying a Crowne of burning iron for a marke of the soueraignty which they had vsurped The end of this yeare was more comicall Anthony of Bourbon Duke of Vendosme married Ioane of Albreâ— daughter to Henry of Albret King of Nauarre and of Marguerit sister to King Francâ—s the 1. and the Duke of Aumale the daughter of Hercules of Esâ—é Duke of Ferrare of Renâ—è of France Daughter to king Lewis the 12. And during these sports in Court that extraordinary chamber against them whoÌ„ they call Lutherans was erected who persisting constaÌ„tly in the profession of their faith suffred their bodies to be consumed to ashes The birth of Lewis the Kings yonger son the 3. of February at S. Germaine in Laye his baptisme the 19. of May the coronation of Queene Katherine at S. Denis the x. of Iâ—ne the stately entry of their Maiesties at Paris the 6. of the same moneth and the great â—ournoy at the Tournells made in fauor of the Ladies continued the sports in Court which finished the King sitting in his seat of Iustice the 2. of Iuly would giue sentence in his Court of Parliament at Paris according to the ancient custome of his predecessors The presence of the Prince giues authority to the Magistrate and the eye of the king saith the wise man scatters il counsells Troubles in England At that time the nobility of England weâ—e at iarre with the CoÌ„mons The people required restitutioÌ„ of religion The nobles who by their change of religion enioyed the Clergy lyuings would not yeeld So the people rise the nobility takes armes Thomas Semer Admirall of the realme Vncle to yoâ—g King Edward the 6. by the mother is accused to haue supported their party which folowed the Romish church by coÌ„sequence to haue conspired against the king his own brother the Dâ—ke of Somerset caused his head to be publickly cut off Edward 〈◊〉 for those forces which he had prepared beyond the seas against our Henry Cleâ—eâ—s Gueldrois Bourguignons and Germains a means to reconcile the Nobles with the Câ—mmons During these tumults in England the King sent Paul Lord of Termes to continue the war in Scotland begon by Essé who hauing lately defeated the English before Hedingâ—on and taken the Isle of horses resigned his charge to his successor In the moneâ—h of Iune Iames of Coucy Lord of Veruein was beheaded at Paris Oudard of â—â—ez Marshall of â—rance degraded after a long imprisonment the one for that he had incoâ—sideratly comitted the gard of Boullen to his son in Law the other for that he had so lightly yeelded vp a strong and well fortified place vnto the enemy Yet in the yeare 1575 â—he heire son of Veruein shal restore the memory of his father grandfather by the mother side to their former honor dignity and renowne There falls out an other suâ—e since the yeare 1540. the Parliament of Prouence had for matter of religion condemned 17. persons of Merindol to be burnt the village to be razed and the trees to be cut downe withi◠〈◊〉 huÌ„dred paces The Clergy pursued it but some gentlemen and others lesse bloudy staied the execution of this decreee and King Francis fiue monâ—thes after sent â— pardon to these Vaudois of Merindol other places vpon 〈…〉 within three monethes they should abiure their errors They appeere in 〈◊〉 protest that 〈◊〉 â—â—ue not maintayned nor published any erroneus thing ofâ—â—ag to 〈…〉 the word of God they can shew them any sounder doctrine they 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 in writing with an answer to the reproches wherewith 〈◊〉 were taxed and require to be allowed or iudicially heard in their defences Foure yeares passe away 1549. during the which being onely threatned with 〈…〉 subsist But the President Chassané being dead Iohn Menier his successor a violen◠〈◊〉 became a mortall enemie to those of Cabrieres and Merindol amongst whome◠〈◊〉 dwelt certain subiects of his Oppede whose lands he possessed to ioine theÌ„ to â—is 〈◊〉 Through the perswasions of Menier the Cardinall of Tournon obteines letters paâ—e its from King Francis to the Court of Parliament for the execution of the first sentence according to the which Menier terming himselfe Lieutenant of the Lord of Grignan gouernour of Prouence accompanied with the Baron of la Garde and a great
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
the stemme foundation of the third royall race which raigne at this day Robert Philip the â—iâ—st Lâ—wis 7. called the Long. Lâ—wiâ— the eight Philip 3. called the bardy Lewis 10. called Huâ—in Henry Lewis 6. called the grosse Philip 2. called Augustus Lewis 9. called S. Lewis Philip 4. called the faire Philip 2. surnamed the long Charles the 4. called the Faire the last of this fiâ—st branch Robert the 37. King of France THe raigne of Robert long happy fol 129 He preferres Henry his younger sonne to the Crowne before the elder ibid. His disposition ibid. Wise Kings and of long life are happie for an Estate fol. 130 He giues Burgundie to Robert his eldest sonne ibid. Robert makes an agreement with the emperor for Lorraine ibid. He reconciles the Duke of Normandie and the Earle of Chartres ibid. Henry 1. the 38. King of France HIs raigne fol. 131 Contention betwixt the brethren ibid. Odo earle of Campaigne seekes to seize vpon Burgundie fol. 132 Robert Duke of Normandie preferres his bastard before his lawfull children fol. 133 Happie succâ—sse of the Normans in Italy ibid. Henry dies ibid. Philip 1. the 39. King of France BAldwin Regent in Philips minoritie fol. 134 He punisheth the rebels of Gascoine ibid. He dies much lamented fol. 135 The disposition of Philip. ibid. Philip forsakes Baldwins children ibid. William bastard of Normandie aduanced to the Crowne of England Philip discontented at his aduancement ibid. The Leuaine of dissention betwixt France and England fol. 136 The English enter Guienne ibid. Confusions in Italy betwixt the Emperour and Popes ibid. The Pope incenseth the sonne against the father and takes both Empire and life from him fol. 137. The beginning of the states of Daulphine Sauoy Prouence and Franche Countie ibid. A voyage to the Holy land and the motiue of this enterprise ibid. The names of such as went to the Holy land fol. 138. The number of the Army ibid. The Mahometans command fol. 139 The Christian troupes twice defeated by the Turkes ibid. Godfrey conquers the greatest part of Asia ibid. He is chosen King of Ierusalem ibid. The sonnes of William King of England fol. 140 Philip dies his disposition ibid. Lewis 6. called the Grosse the 40. King THe estate of this raigne fol. 141 Rebels suppressed and punished fol. 142 The Emperour grieued for the ill vsage of his father comes to Rome and forceth the Pope to take an oath ibid. The Emperour degraded by the Popes decree ibid. The Emperor and King of England ioine against France ibid. The French King and the Emperour reconciled fol. 143. Great troubles in Flanders ibid. Crueltie in the citie of Bruges ibid. Lewis King of France punish the rebels fol. 104 Pretendants for the Earledome of Flanders ibid. William of Normandie made Earle of Flanders ibid. The Flemmings chuse them a new Earle and Thierry the new Earle of Flanders defeated ibid. William of Normandie slaine in Flanders ibid. Troubles in Bourbonois fol. 145 The stocke of the house of Bourbon ibid. Philip eldest sonne to Lewis died by a strange accident ibid. Lewis the yong marries the heire of Guienne ibid. Lewis the 6. dies fol. 146 Lewis 7. called the yong the 41. King of France THe estate of his raigne fol. 146 The Christianâ— affaires in the East ibid. Godâ—frâ—y of Bouillon dies and the Christians loose all in the East fol. 147 The Emperor and King of France resolue to succour the Christians ibid. A horrible massacre coÌ„mitted by the souldiers of Lewis and by his consent fol. 147 The Emperour and Lewis goe into the East ibid. The Emperor of Greece deales trecherously with the Emperour and the King ibid. The Emperor and King of France make a shamefull returne from the East fol. 149 Queene Elenor vnchast ibid. Lewis pretends a cause to be diuorced from Elenor and restores her Guienne ibid. Elenor marries with Henry King of England ibid. The first Warre betwixt France and England for the Earldome of Tholouse ibid. Great troubles in England betwixt the Father and the Sonne fol. 150. Prince Henry â—ealous of his owne Father ibid. The Sonnes make Warre against the Father and Lewis supports his Sonne against him fol. 151. Henry King of England reconciled to his Sonnes ibid. Frâ—derike the Emperor ruines Milan takes Rome and creates a newe Pope ibid The Emperor subiects himselfe basely vnto the Pope fol. 152. Lewis dies ibid. Complaints against the abuses of the Church ibid. Phillip the 2. called Augustus the 42. King of France An excellent King and an excellent raigne fol. 153. His disposition The Iewes banished out of France ibid. Competitors for the gouernment of the State fol. 154. Troubles in Flanders for the Earldome of Vermandois ibid. Henry Prince of England dies before his Father ibid. Phiâ—lip of France and Richard of England make a Peace ibid. The miserable Estate of the Christians in Asia ibi The Christians in Asia at Ciuill warre fol. 155. The Emperor of Greece murthered by his Tutor ibid. King Philip and Richard King of England make a voiage to the Holy Land ibid. Richard exploits in Asia ibid. Philip stirs vp Iohn against his Brother Richard King of England fol. 156. Richard makes a truce with â—elâ—din ibid. Hee is kept prisoner by the Emperor and put to ransome ibid. An vnknowne Aduocate pleads against the King for his wife Gâ—lbâ—rge ibid. Philipâ— warre against the King of England and the Earle of Flanders fol. 157. Richâ—rd King of England dies fol. 158. Iohn succeeds Richard and makes a Peace with Philip. ibid. Warre betwixt Iohn King of England and Arthur his Nephew ibid. 〈◊〉 murthers his Nephew 〈◊〉 ibid. Iohn declared guilty of murther and felony by Philiâ— ibiâ— Philip takes Normandy and Poitou from Iohn ibiâ— Great enemies against Philip and a dangerous League against him ibid. His Victory at Bouines against the Empeâ—or fol. 159. The Emperor dies for griefe of his disgrace ibid. Iohn makes the Realme of England tributary to the Pope â—ol 160 He doth homage to the Popes Legat. 〈◊〉 Iohns oppression of his subiects is tâ—e cause of his ruine 〈◊〉 The English reiect Iohn and offer the Realme to Philip. 〈◊〉 Lewis of France receiued by the English 〈◊〉 King Iohn dies for griefe â—â—l 161. The English change their opinion They â—â—ceâ—ue Henry the Sonne of Iohn and dismisse 〈◊〉 of France 〈◊〉 Philips Actions Testament and his Lands vnited to the Crowne fol. 162. His death and his conditions 〈◊〉 The Estate of the Empire 〈◊〉 The Pope opposeth against the Emperor 〈◊〉 The Emperor muâ—thered by Otho who succâ—eded him ibid. The faction of Guelphes and Gibelius fâ—l 163. The Popes seekes to haue soueraigne authority ouer Christendome 〈◊〉 Orders of Relligious men ibid. Lewis the eight Father to Saint Lewis 43. King of France HIS raigne and death fol. 164. His manners ibiâ— Languedoc returnes to the Crowne ibid. Diuers opinions of the Albigeois and their opinions as some write ibid. The Earle of Tholouse
head of the Albigeois in the raigne of Philip Augustus fol. 165. The Popes Legat slaine by the Albigeois ibid. An Aâ—my against the Albigeois a great slaughter of them by Symâ—n oâ— Monfort ibiâ— Count Raymond and his confederats defâ—ated by Symâ—â— of Monfort 〈◊〉 167 The Councell of Latran The Eaâ—ldome of Tholouse giuen to Symon of Montfort ibid Symoâ— hated by his subiects of Languedock is slaine before Tholouse Count Raymond is receiued againe into Languedock ibid Warre in Guienne against the English fol. 168. Lewis compounds for Languedock with the Sonnes of Simon of Monfort ibid. Count Raymond submits himselfe to the Pope Desolation of the Albigeois ibid. Lewis dies ibid. Lewis the ninth called Saint Lewis the 44. King of France QVeene Blanche Regent of the King and Realme fol. 169. Afection in France for the Regencie ibid. Languedock annexed to the Crowne by marriage fol. 170. Blanch preuents the discontented princes ibid. Lewis in danger to be surprized by his rebels ibid. Prouence comes to Charles of Aniou a sonne of France fol. 171 Lewis his disposition the patterne of an excellent prince fol. 172 A happy peace in the raigne of Lewis the rest of of the Albigeois fol. 173 Estate of the Empire and of the Church ibid. The Pope seekes to driue the Emperour out of Italie ibid. The Emperour goes with an armie against the Pope and his confederats ibid. The Pope drawes the French to his succour fol. 174 The Popes pollicie to supplant the Emperours ibid. Fredericks happie successe in Asia ibid. The Popes hatred against the Emperour irrecoÌ„ciliable ibid. The Emperour enters Italie with a great armie fol. 175 Gregorie turnes enemie to Fredericke beeing chosen Pope ibid. The Emperour Fredericke excommunicated and degraded the Germaines choose another Emperour ibid. The death of Fredericke fol. 176 Conrades sonne poysoned by Manfroy his bastard brother hee vsurpes Sicilia and Naples ibid. Lewis refuseth Sicilia and Naples offered him by the Pope ibid. Charles Earle of Prouence defeates and kills Manfroy in Sicilia ibid. The Empire without an Emperour by their ciuil confusions fol. 177 Charles of Aniou vicar of the Empire and king of Naples and Sicilia ibid. Conradin seekes to recouer his realme and is defeated ibid. He is cruelly beheaded by Charles with many others ibid. Lewis resolues to goe into Asia the confused estate of the Empire there ibid. The Empire of the Greekes translated to the French ibid. Three Emperours at one instant in the East 178 Lewis goes with an army into the East ibid. The Tartars refuse the Christian religion by reason of their ill life fol. 179 Lewis takes Damiette ibid. He besieged Caire indiscreetly The plague falls into his campe ibid. Lewis is distressed taken by the Sultan of Egypt and paies his ransome ibid. The French generally lament for their King fol. 180 Lewis makes good lawes ibid. Blanch his mother dies ibid. The English rebell against their King ibid. Lewis reconciles the English to their King ibid. Diuision in Flaunders pacified by Lewis ibid. Lewis goes into Barbarie fol. 181 Makes a league with England ibid. In danger at Sea ibid. His army infected with the plague ibid. Lewis beeing sicke giues his sonne instruction 182 His death vertues raigne children and posteritie ibid. The house of Orleans called to the Crowne ibid. Philip 3. called the Hardy the 45. king of France QVeene Isabel dies fol. 183 Richard sonne to Henry king of England slain traiterously ibid. Great contention for the election of a new Pope fol. 184 Lewis eldest sonne to Philip poysoned And the Countie of Tolouse annexed to the crowne ibid. The French expelled Constantinople by the Greekes fol. 185 Philips disposition and why called Hardie ibid. Charles king of Sicilia a turbulent Prince ibid. Peter of Arragon leuies an armie to inuade Sicilia fol. 186 Sicilian Euensong where all the French are slain ibid. Peter of Arragon Charles beeing expulst enters Sicilia and is crowned king fol. 187 The Pope supports Charles against Peter fol. 188 Philip succours his vnckle Charles and the Sicilianâ— seeke to make peace with Charles but Peter politickly auoides all danger ibid. A combate appointed betwixt two kings ibid. Peter fortifies himselfe in Sicilia fol. 189 Charles the sonne called the Lame taken prisoner and Charles the fathers death ibid. Philip makes warre against Peter of Arragon is defeated and dies ibid. Philip set vpon vnawares in danger with his death and children fol. 190 Philip the 4. called the Faire the 46. King of France PHilips disposition and issue vnhappy in the mariage of his sonnes fol. 191 The Parliament of Paris erected the Palace and the colledge of Nauarre built fol. 192 Cause of warre in Flaunders and Guienne ibid. Occasions to renew the war with the English ib. A league betwixt Edward of England Guy of FlaÌ„ders the Emperour the Duke of Bar against Philip. fol. 193 Philip seizeth vpon the Earle of Flanders daughter ibid. The English affaires succeeded ill ibid. A great assembly of Princes against Philip. fol. 194 Pope Boniface enemy to Philip. ibid. The Pope makes a decree against Philip and hee prepares to defend himselfe fol. 195 Philip hauing admonished the Earle of Flanders of his dutie inuades his countrey and defeats the Flemmings seizeth vpon all Flanders the Earle beeing forsaken by his confederates ibid. Guy put into prison and Flanders annexed to the crowne of France fol. 196 The people of Flanders oppressed reuolt and ioyne with the Nobilitie and kill the French ibid. Battaile of Courteay famous for the great defeate of the French fol. 197. A notable affront done by Pope Boniface to Philip. ibid. Arrogancy of the Popes Nuntio fol. 198. Philip subdues and makes peace with the Flemmings ibid. Guy Earle of Flanders and his daughter died fol. 199. Isabell the daughter of Philip married to Edward king of England ibid. Adolph the Emperor deposed and the Pope practiseth against Philip ibid. Pope Boniface his death and disposition fol. 201 The Colledge of Cardinals apply themselues wholy to please Philip. ibid. Pope Clement the 5. crowned at Lyons and remooues his seate to Auignon ibid. Philips death and the fruites of the Easterne voyages fol. 202 The Christians loose all in the East fol. 203. The estate of Sicilia ibid. Lewis the 10. callâ—d Hutin the 47. king of France THe maners of Lewis Hutin his wiues f. 204 Enquerand of Maâ—â—gny vniustly put to death ib. Ione the daughter of Lewis Hutin pretends the realme fol. 205 The Parliament made ordinary ibid. Philip the 5. called the long the 48. king of France COntrouersie for the crown of France fol. 206 Philips coronation childreÌ„ disposition ibid. Rebels calling themselues Shepards fol. 207. Flanders pacified ibid. Charles the 4. called the faire 49. King of France CHarles crowned without opposition fol. 208 His disposition and issue ibid. Isabel complaines of her husband Edward king of England fol. 209 The second parcell of the third race of the Capets containing 13. kings in
the second royall branch called of Valois from Philip of Valois to Henry the third The names of the 13. kings of the second royall branch of Capets called of Valois Philip. Iohn Charles the 5. Charles the 6. Charles the 7. Lewis the 11. Charles the 8. Lewis the 12. Frances the 1. Henry the 2. Frances the 2. Charles the 9. Henry the 3. and last of this royall branch Philip of Valois the 50. king of France fol. 1 His controuersie with Edward the king of England ibid. Preferred to the Crowne and installed king ibid. Setles his affaires in France fâ—l 2. Suppresseth the Flemmings ibid. A notable sute of the Parliament against the Clergie ibid. Takes homage of Edward king of England for Guienne ibid. King Edwards oth to Philip. ibid. He resolues to go to the holy land fol. 3 The Pope discontented with Philip. ibid. Edward king of England makes warre with Philip ibid. Robert of Artois the firebrand of warre fâ—l 3 He flies into England fol. 4 Warre in Guienne and Scotland ibid. Iames of Artevill ring-leader to the seditious Flemmings ibid. Edwards practises in Flanders and Germanie ibid. Battell of Scluse in fauour of the English fol. 5 The English and French Army retire without fighting Edward takes on him the title of King of France fol. 6 Ione Queene of Naples kils her husband and the kingdome is taken by Lewis King of Hungary fol. 7 Arteuil slaine by the Flemmings fâ—l 8 The French defeated at Blanquetaque ibid. The battell of Crery with many particuler accidents that happened in it fol. 10.11 King Edward besieges and takes Calice fol 12.13 Dolphin incorporate to the crowne fol. 14 Monpelier purchased to the crowne ibid. Queene Ione of France dies ibid. Philips death and disposition fol. 15 Estate of the Empire and Church ibid. Iohn the 1. and 51. king of France COnsiderable obseruations in his raigne fol. 16 His children and most remarkable personages in his raigne fol. 17 Charles of Nauars humors and discontents ibid. Charles of Spaine Constable of Fâ—ance slaine in his bed by the king of Nauarre ibid. Nauars practises and force against the king fol. 18 Nauarre taken prisoner by the king and foure of his complices beheaded fol. 19 Warre in Normandie and Guienne betweene Iohn and the Prince of Wales sonne to Edward the 3. fol. 19. and 20 The battell of Poytiers where the French were ouerthrowne by the English and king Iohn taken Prisoner with the number slaine and taken fol. 21. and 22 Assembly of the Estates for Iohns deliuery with the insolencies of the people during his imprisonment fol. 23 The Kâ—ng of Nauarr set at libertie comes to Paris and the Dolphin yeelds to him fol. 24 Iohns generous answere to King Edward fo 25 The Parisians comes into the Dolphins lodging solicite the Cities to rebell but they refused them fol. 26 The Dolphin leaues Paris fol. 27 The Nauarrois seekes to ruine him ibid. A Parliament Compiegne and the Dolphin declared Regent fo 28. Two French armies one against another fol. 29. The Parisians mutiny with the English that had serued them who beate them backe in sight of the Nauarrois fol. â—0 The Regent is receiued into Paris with the Nauarrois attemps against him fol. 31 Edward repents an opportunitie neglected ibid. The desolate estate of France fol. 32 The Dolphin executes the Parisians and pacifies the rest ibid. Conditions for the Kings deliuery and preparation to defend the Realme ibid. Edward enters France with an Armie besiegeth Paris but in vaine fol. 33 Edward amazed with a thunder concludes a peace with Iohn at Bretigny ibid. The two Kings swear a mutuall league of friendship fol. 34 King Iohn brought to Calis and after receiued by his sonne with great ioy ibid. Iohn receiued into Paris fol. 35 Difficulties in the performance of the conditions of peace ibid. Iohns death in England the 8. of April 1â—64 with his disposition ibid. Charles the 5. called the wise the 52. king of France HIs raigne and manners with the augmentation of his brethrens portions fol. 36 His Marriage and children fol. 37 Warre in Brytany where the French are defeated by the English ibid. He reconciles the pretendants for Britany fol. 38 Wars receiued in Britany Flanders and between France and England ibid. The Emperor seekes to reconcile them fol. 39 Charles proclaimes war against the King of England ibid. The successe of the French army in Guienne with the exploits of the Prince of Wales called the Blacke Prince ibid. Peter king of Castile murthers his own wife fol. 40 Charles sends an army against him as a muâ—therer and a Tirant ibid. The king of England restores Peter and defeats the French ibid. Peter forsaken by the English taken prisoner and beheaded fol. 41 The English second passage through France vnder the Duke of Clarence ibid. Troubles in Flanders pacified by Philip. fol. 42 Sedition at Monpelier punished by the Duke of Berry with the sentence against them but moderated fol. 43 Charles his death disposition with some obseruations worthy to be obserued by Princes f. 44 The state of the Empire and Church with the originall of the Canto in Swisserland fol. 45 Diuision at Rome for the election of a new Pope And an Antipope chosen fol. 46 Charles the sixt 53. King of France NEcessarie obseruations for the vnderstanding of this raigne fol. 47 The minoritie of K. Charles the sixt Strange euents in the beginning of his Raigne fol. 48. Lâ—wis of Aniow Regent and Oliuer Clisson Constable fol. 49 Controuersie betweene his vncles at his coronation for precedence ibid. Tumults in France ibid. And in Flanders between the Earle and the Gantois fol. 50.51 King Charles succours the Earle of â—landers against the aduice of the Regent and his counsell fol. 52 He ouerthrowes the Flemmings and kils threescore thousand of them fol. 53 The Gantois appeased and a peace in Flanders fol. 54. Charles marrieth Isabell of Bauiere and concludes a peace in Brittany ibid. He sends men and munition into Scotland and resolues to make warre vpon England which the Regent dislikes of fol. 55 Preparation in France and England for war fol. 56 The Regent opposeth against this warre â—ol 57 The enterprise broken oâ— and Naples offered to the Regent fol. 58 The seditious and cruell insolencies of the Parisians but they faint and â—ue to the King for pardon fol. 59 Lewis of Aniow crowned King of Naples fol 60 A schisme in the Church fol. 61 Queene Ioan 〈◊〉 Naples taken and smoothered and Lewis Duke of Aniow and adopted King of Naples dies ibid. The English enter Picardie and Charles makes a truce with them fol. 62 The King hauing consulted what course to take with the mutinous Parisians enters the city with an army executes many they cry for mercie and he pardons them fol. 63.64.65 Charles out of his vncles gouernement who grew discontented fol. 66 HE giues the Dutchy of Orleans to his brother Lewis and visits
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
of grace 920. the Empire being then very weake After Conrad was chosen Henry the â—ouler Duke of Saxony and after him his sonne Otho Princes adorned with great singular vertues fit for the time to preserue the West for the East did runne headlong to her ruine so as since Nicephorus who liued in the time of Charlemagne they did not esteeme them but held them as abiects in regard of those great Emperours which had liued before them namely Michel Curopalates Leo Armenien Michel the stamering Conâ—usion in the East the two Theophiles father son Basiâ—e the Macedonien Leo the Philosopher Alexander Constantine a Romaine all which had nothing of the Romaine but the name Thus this poore sicke bodie languished being torne in peeces by the infamies of these men either of no valour or altogither wicked attending the last blow by the hand of the Mahomeâ—ans whose power they fortified by their vitious liues vntill they had lodged them vpon their owne heads A notable spectacle of Gods iust iudgement who dishonours them that dishonour him In the Church and expells them from their houses that banish him from their hearts In these confusions of State the Pope of Romes power increased daily by the ruines of the Empire who thrust himselfe into credit among Christians by many occurrents Their desseins was to build a Monarchie in the Church by authoritie power Seigneuries ciuil Iurisdictions armes reuenues and treasor being growne to that greatnes as afterwards they sought to prescribe lawes to Emperours and Kings who refusing it and disputing vpon this primacie many dissentions grew among them and so were dispersed among the people This is the summe of all that shall be discoursed in the future ages in Christendome wherein we shall view the the sea of Rome the Empire and the kingdome I treat but of matters of State 929. wherevnto the subiect and the order of our desseine doth tie me to report by degrees so long and so obscure a discourse of those ages plonged in darkenesse Plantina the Popes Secretary reports a very notable accident happened at Rome in those times a yong maide loued by a learned man these are his words came with him to Athenes attyred like a boy In vita Ioannis octaus and there profited so well in knowledge and learning as being come to Rome there were fewe equall vnto her in the Scriptures neyther did any one exceede her in knowledge so as she had gotten so great reputation as after the death of Pope Leo she was created Pope by a generall consent was called Iohn the eight But it chanced that hauing crept too neere to one of her gromes shee grewe with child the which she did carefully conceale But as she went to the Basilique of S. Iohn de Lateran betwixt the Colises and S. Clement she fell in labour Pope Ioan deliuered of a Child in the open streete and was deliuered of this stolne birth in a sollemne procession in view of all the people And in detestation of so fowle a fact a piller was erected where this profane person died So without flattering the truth not the Empire alone went to wrack but also the realme and the Church being in those daies full of confusions in which they fell from one mischiefe to an other by the barbarous ignorance of all good things both in the State and Church as the wise and vnpassionate reader may obserue in the continuance of the history plainly described But let vs returne from the Empire and sea of Rome to France Wee haue sayd that when Charles the simple was first imprisoned the Queene Ogina his wife had carried her sonne Lewis into England to Aldestan the King her brother She had patiently suffred all during the furious raigne of Raoul the vsurper while the experience of diuers masters did ripen the French-mens discontents to make them wish for their lawfull Lord. After the death of Raoul Aldestan King of England hauing drawne vnto him Willam Duke of Normandie the sonne of Rhou sends a very honorable Ambassage to the States of France intreating them to restore his Nephewe Lewis to his lawfull and hereditary dignity The French wish it so as without any difficulty Lewis the sonne of Charles was called home by the Estates of France whether he was accompanied with a great troupe of English-men and Normans as the shewe of a goodly army which might seeme to force them to that which they willingly yeelded vnto LEWIS the 4. surnamed from beyond the seas 33. kâ—ng LEWES .4 KING OF FRANCE XXXIII 935. LEWIS returnes into France hauing remayned nine yeares or thereaboutes in England surnamed D'outremer or from beyond the seas by reason of his stay there He beganne to raigne in the yeare 935. and raigned 27. yeares A disloyall and vnfortunate Prince hauing made no vse of his afflictions 〈…〉 disloyaâ—â—â—rince vnworthy the bloud of Charlemagne And thus their ruine aduanced by the default of men the which God held back by his patience He fouÌ„d the Estate of his realme like vnto one that returnes to his houâ—e after a long and dangerous nauigation He was receiued with great ioye of all men Those which had beene most opposite vnto him made greatest shewes of faithfull and affectionate seruice to insinuate into his fauour Amongest the rest William Duke of Normandy but especially Hugâ—es the great Maior of the Pallace whome wee haue already noted as the sonne of Robert the chiefe of the said League Hee had imployed all his meanes for the calling home of Lewis into France and at his returne he spared nothing to confirme his authority This was the meanes to â—ay the foundation of a greater authority for his successors They must begin the newe gouernment of this Prince with a wife to haue lawfull issue The Emperours allyance was very needefull Otâ—o heâ—d the â—mperiall dignity being the sonne of Henry the fowler Duke of Saxony â—ewis marrieth one of the Emperors sisters 〈◊〉 â—ather to Hâ—gh Caâ—et marriâ—th an other He had two sisters Heâ—bergue and Auoye King Lewis marrieth the eldest and in signe of brotherly loue he motioned the marriage of the youngest with Hugues the great Lewis had two sonnes by Herbergue Lothaire who succeeded him to the Crowne of France and Charles who shal be Duke of Lorraine and contend for the Crowne but shall loose it Hugues the great was more happy then Lewis for of the yongest hee had Hugh Capet who shall take their place and ascend the royall throne to settle the French Monarchie 937. shaken much in the confusions of these Kings vnworthy to raigne or beare any rule And of the same marriage Hugues had Otho and Henry both Dukes of Bourgongne one after another Behold now vpon the Stage two great and wise personages the King and his Maior whom we may call a second King they striue to circumuent each other the which their actions will discouer but man cannot preuent that on earth
Henry but being too weake of himselfe neither hauing any such friend as the King of France according to the triall so often made time out of minde he comes into France but he died at Cluny and in his place Calixtus son to the Earle of Bourgongne was chosen Pope The reputation of the place from whence he was descended was great so as he being a Frenchman easily called a Councell in France to the great satisfaction of the French The Emperor degraded by the Popes decree in a Councell at 〈◊〉 It was held at Rheims where by an ecclesiasticall decree he declared Henry an enemy to the Church and degraded of the Imperiall dignity As this ignominious decree did moue the Emperor so did it minister matter to the King of England his brother in lawe to imbrace all occasions to annoy Lewis his capitall enemie for seeing this Councell had bin held in France and consisted chiefly of the French Church it was very apparant that the Kings fauour was very preiudiciall to the Emperours affaires The English fayles not to harpe vpon this string to the Emperour The Emperor and â—ing oâ— England ioyne against France being already incensed by the thing it selfe promising him all his meanes incouraging him to enter France on the one side whilest that he came on the other with all the forces of Normandy and England The party was not small neither had Lewis small cause to feare being incountred by two such enemies But God shewed him the rod and reserued the punishment for an other season for as the Emperour was going to field the Germaine Princes foreseeing the misery of a warre vndertaken lightly vpon despight and weighing the importance of neighbourhood gaue him to vnderstand that he ought not to attempt warre against the King of France without declaring vnto him the causes of his discontent Hee therefore sends his Ambassadors to this end 1112. Lewis doth wisely answer him that hee is exceedinglie sorrie to see the two great Pillers of the Church so shaken by these dissentions and that it was to bee feared the whole building would bee ruined So as being a friend to both hee desired greatly to be a mediator of concord and not to carrie coales to increase the fire too much kindled alreadie the which ought to be quenched for the good and quiet of all Christendome This Ambassage was pleasing and preuailed so much as the Emperour disarmes The French King and the Emperour reconciled and was content to make Lewis a mediator for an accord betwixt him and the Pope to the great griefe of the King of England who expected a long continuance of this iaâ—â—e The composition was made at Wormes very beneficiall for the Pope in the yeare 1122. whereby Henry grants him the installing of Bishops and other benefices This did ease the sore but not cure it as the sequell of the Historie will shew While that Princes haue leisure to contend the poore people dye for hunger in many places of Europe This famine was exceeding great in Flanders Notable troubles in Flanders who then had for their Earle Charles surnamed the good for his good disposition and great charitie to the poore He sought by all meanes to releeue them But as barrenesse was one of the causes of this famine so the cruell couetousnesse of the rich was a great hinderance to the commoditie of victuals whereby there grew as remarkable an act as the successe was strange the particular report whereof the reader must pardon in the breefenesse of our stile There were three brethren at Bruges of the chiefe of the Countrie the which had gathered together a great quantitie of graine and would not sell it expecting a greater dearth which might cause a greater price that is Bertholphe Wendestrate Pouost of S. Donas and Chancellor of Flanders Lambert and Boussard Wendestrate brethren and an other rich Bourges called Lambert one of the chiefe of the Cittie This dignity of Prouostand Chancellor was so great as hee supplied the Princes place in his absence Vpon the peoples complaint the Earle decrees that all the graniers of these great houses should be opened and the Corne sold to the people at a reasonable rate The Comission was giuen to Thamard Almoner of the Earles house as a thing befitting his charge he causeth the graniers of these rich Bourgesses to be opened the corne is sold to the people and the money deliuered to the owners The people being releeued by the couragious care of Thamard commend him The Wendestrates and Lambert greatly discontented with this sale wherein they held themselues interessed cause many indignities to be done vnto him Lambert is directly accused by informations being a very audatious young man and the Wendestrates were touched therewith The Earle offended with these audatious attempts repaired them by Iustice threatning Lambert that if he continued he would seuerely punish him There was also an other complaint made by an old Abbot against the Prouost Treacherie against the good Earle of Flanders to whom the Earle spake roughly commanding him to restore vnto the Abbot what he ought him These free admonitions of the good Earle Charles did so alter the proud trecherous minds of these Cittizens as they resolue to kill him his milde facilitie giuing these wicked spirits both courage to attempt and boldnesse to execute And the end is answerable to their wicked desseine As the good Earle Charles went ill accompanied in the morning to his deuotion to the Church of S. Donas on Ash wednesday behold a troope of yong mad men led by this Lambert comes vnto him being vnarmed on his knees in a Chappell the Priest attired in his ornaments at the Altar the Earle holding forth his arme to giue his almes to a poore woman without any warning they beat him downe with their swords kill him and so forcing all to giue way The Earle of Flanders and his Almonet murthered they seeke for Thamard whom they find massacre with so great a furie as they leaue him vpon the place hewed into many peeces Their troope increaseth and they flie to the Pallace where all are amazed and finding it without gard without keyes without any gate shut they enter it with horrible cryes they kill sack and spoile and running from thence into the Cittie Crueltie in the Citty of Bruges they commit the like in those houses which they knew best affected to the good Earle Charles This furious crueltie was accompanied with an ouerweening indiscretion as if they had made some goodly conquest they braue it 1117. and play the maisters without feare of any punishment The people exceedingly grieued to see these barbarous cruelties against their good Prince whom they loued as a father durst not speake a word during this furye whereas this troupe of murtherers commaunded absolutely But the wisest Cittizens fled to Lewis as to their soueraigne Lord. Lewis comes to Bruges with great speede
Philip of Valois as an vsurper of the realme of France and labours to stirre vp both the French and Flemings to maintaine his title as the lawfull heire being the sonne of a daughter of France against an vnlawfull King pretending the realme to appertaine vnto him 〈◊〉 sends Ambassadors into Flanders and Germany Moreouer hee sends an honorable stately Ambassage into Flanders and Germanie to incense those Prouinces against Philip. These Ambassaders went with a goodly and an honorable trayne great in expences shewe bankets and presents They began in Hainault to take directions there from Conte William father in Lawe to Edward The Earle doth cause them to be accompanied throughout all the Citties of Flanders and Brabant doth countenance them with the fauour of his friends in all those citties They spare nothing in good cheer Iames of 〈…〉 leader to the seditious 〈◊〉 nor goodly preseÌ„ts according to the popular humor of this natioÌ„ One of the chiefe Tribunes or Colonells of this people was Iames of Arteuille a brewer but in effect he had more credit with the flemings theÌ„ the Earle himself They begin to vndermine the flanke of this fort by the means of this artisan He becomes an EnglishmaÌ„ by vertue of the Angels of Englâ—d He shal act his part in this tragedy but in the end he shal leaue his skin in this peoples hands whom he had inchanted as after many turns the keeper is deuoured by his lion Lewis Earle of Flanders stood stifly for the King his soueraigne Lord but he preuailed nothing in exclayming against this ringleader of the multitude who were the more incensed by Lewis his choler against their captaine For Arteuille making it knowne to all men that he was hated The Flemings 〈…〉 tooke occasion to demaÌ„d a gard the which he choose among the most seditious being entertained by him at the charge of England and so hee mayntained and augmented his seisure of this confused authority the which he had vsurped ouer the Flemings in Edwards fauour There was an occasion which made this popular humor to breake forth being yet somewhat restrained by the respect of soueraigne authoritie a bridle for the most audacious A french gentleman being at Gand was too familiar with this multitude The Earle suspects him to be traitor and without any other proofes but only the deuotion he had to the Kings seruice he cutts off his head The coÌ„mon people were so incensed with this execution An vnseâ—sonâ—â—le execution as the Earle could hardly recouer France to auoide the outragious crueltie of this furious multitude which pursued him to death without any respect Arteuille being then without controule sets vp his ensigne openly for Edward who presently sends a fleet into Flanders 〈◊〉 practises in Flanders and Germany He comes himselfe to Antwerp with his wife and children and giues his sister in marriage to the Duke of Gueldres the better to confirme his loue And leauing his wife in Flanders for a gage of his faith hee comes to Cologne where he is honorably receiued by Lewis of Bauiere Emperour by whom hauing made an offensiue and defensiue League hee is declared Vicar of the holy Empire both in Germanie and France to haue thereby a title to force the Vassalls and subiects of that Empire to succor him both with men and money against Philip of Valois as an vsurper of the realme of France and sworne enimie to the Empire In his absence the Queene his wife had so politikely managed his affaires as at his returne he did but passe and with an incredible celerity sent an army 1335. the which he found ready vnder the conduct of the earle of Salisburie But it chanced Equall losses as this Earle hauing ioyned with the Flemings went inconsiderately to the siege of Lisle he was defended by the Lord of Rombats which surprised him in this disorder being drawne into an Ambuscadoe This first checke did import Edwards affaires very much and euen with the Flemings being subiect to alterations To repaire this error hee departs presently from England with his fleet yet he must fight for the passage with Philips Nauy the which attends him with great forces and with a resolute intent to stay him The English armye was not lesse neither were their courages any thing daunted with this first losse The coÌ„bate was fierce but the victory remained to Edward Who notwithstanding bought it deere by a great losse of his Nobility and an honourable hurt which he receiued for a testimony of his valour Philip lost thirty thousand men Battaile of Seluse in fauour of the English French and Flemish and his Admirall Hugh of Quieret with the aduantage of a good beginning This battell fell out in the yeare 1337. in the moneth of Maie noted by the name of Scluse where it was giuen It was seconded with a greater losse the which made the way open to Edwards desseins who being receiued with great ioy by the Flemings resolued to trie his fortune and to inuade France by Tournay and S. Omer measuring the courage and not the number of his victorious armie ordayned to greater and more famous exploits Philip was nothing amazed at this first checke but relying in his great forces 1337. hee thought himselfe assured of a victory against Edward to the ende that hee might haue no competitor in his hereditary Kingdome nor France any English Prince to trouble it againe He had leuied an armie worthy the possession of this new inheritance of a hundred thousand fighting men and many great personages The Kings of Bohemia Nauarre Scotland Philips Army The Dukes of Normandy Brittaine and Lorraine The Earles of Alanson Sauoy Flanders Armagnac Eu. and others to the nuÌ„ber of twenty six with an infinit number of the nobility He diuides his armie into three to answer the enemy in all places One part for Tournay vnder the conduct of the Earle of Eu Constable of France the Mareshall of Montmorancy the other for S. Omer vnder the Duke of Bourgongne and Earle of Armagnac and he himselfe remaines with the battell betwixt them and Arras The English armie had neither so many men not so great personages being but threescore thousand men The English Army but the tryall made proose that it was nothing inferiour to the French neyther in courage nor valour It consisted of English Flemings and Germaines the which was the fruite of his Embassage and voyage The imperiall Eagle appeared in the formost ranckes in great shewe and the title of vicar of the sacred Empire sounded out in all their military proclamations Edward desires nothing more then to fight All his men had the same will being nothing amazed with the number nor brauery of the French armie not with the fame of their commaunders Such is the force of the great God of armies who disposeth of the hearts of such as shal be conquerors or conquered drawes the motions that are in
retreate Philips impatience resolues to be reuenged of Edward to follow him and to drawe him to battaile His councell aduised him rather to rest his troopes some time to take breath that they might recouer their spirits and in the meane time to let Edward alone and to obserue his countenance but hardly had he the patience to stay one day at Abbeuille to repaire the bridge ouer which his armie was to passe but his drummes sound a marche going to seeke Edward like a Stagge that flies and to giue him 〈◊〉 at what price so euer puft vp with a certaine hope of an infallible and triumphant victorie But he had not made his accompt with God who is not callâ—d the God of armies in vaine who rules combats and disposeth of the victories of great Monarkes notwithstanding all their councels desseignes courage and endeauours The armies were in view one of an other Edward had lodged his armie and stood vpon his guard with a wonderfull care being in the Countie of Ponthieu a countrie belonging vnto himselfe by the right of his mother in camped in a village named Crecy the which he intrenched and fortified carefully both with trees cut out of the neighbour forrest and trenches wherewith he had strengthened his campe His armie was about thirty thousand men but their order industrie and resolution made them double He gaue the foreward to Prince Edward his sonne The English 〈◊〉 being yet very young and for a guide that Geoffrey of Harcourt who as we haue said was retired vnto him to whom he had giuen the office of Constable of England The battaile he giues to the Duke of Suffolke and reserued the rereward to himselfe hauing placed his croâ—bowemen in front and next ranked his horse putting in the formost rankes his battell axes and maces and behinde his Lances so as euerie parte of the armie should fight when as they came to ioyne to their best aduantage So much may order and foresight doe vnder that great God of battailes without whome it is in vaine to order armies Philips armie was farre greater of a goodlier shewe and more aduantage The Frencâ— armie consisting of aboue threescore thousand fighting men well armed with an infinit nomber of noble men as Charles Earle of Alaâ—son brother to the King Lewis King of Bohemia and duke of Luxembourg Charles Earle of Blois Nephewe to the King Raoul Duke of Lorraine the Earles of Flanders Neuers and Sancerre the Daulphin of Viennois and may Barons and gentlemen in number aboue three thousand who were come at the call of this newe King to the first fruites of his newe possession against him who contended for the Crowne His aduantage was far greater then that of Edwards who fought in another mans countrie But in truth the commodities and titles hee had in France did balance this aduantage but with a different consideration Vppon the Eue of this battaile Ame Eaâ—le of Sauoie arriues with a thousand men at armes as if all things had conspired to make Philip a conquerour Philip full of hope of an assured victorie desires to fight placing his armie in this order He giues the foreward to his brother Charles Earle of Alanson the rereward to the Earle of Sauoâ—e and hee himselfe commands the battaile But his desire to fight was so great as he held euerie little stay for a great delay They gaue it out in the army that the English fledde so as they now vaunted of a victorie euery one disposing of the English according to his humour but in searching out the reason of this brute Philip thinks it good to discouer his enemies countenance Behold sodenly he receiues a contrary aduise His scouts report that Edward had already taken the field ordred his armie attending the battaile Then there was no hold Philip wilâ— needes fight hardly can they hold a councell standing about him The two armies redy to ioyne to aduise what they had to doe in so notable an occurrent and euen hast the stepdame of better affaires would not suffer them to resolue For at the same instant as the King had aduerâ—isement of Edwards readinesse to fight Philip without any breathing would haue led forth his army to battaile The King of Bohemia aduised him to refresh his men before the fight and that his foote consisting of crossebowes and a good part of them Geneuois Description of the battails of Crecy which were held to be resolute men should make the front and the horse should followe according to the appointed order At the last they obtained so much respitte of the King as to feede their men speedely This done they al prepare to another feast The foreward made the first head where Charles Earle of Alanson the Kings brother commaunded But behold presently an vnfortunate occasion of a ruinous disorder The Earle of Alanson against the order decreed in Councell misliked that the Geneuois footemen were in the first ranks and makes them to change their places with some disgrace saying that it belonged not vnto them Remarkable circumstances in this greate battaile and yet on this push depended all on their side The Geneuois discontented with his repulse not onely fainted in courage but also fell into a rage so as changing their places they cried out for anger as giuing a signe to the enemie of their bitter discontent This was seconded with an other accident as if Heauen had fauored the English Sodenly there fell a great shower of raine and then the burning Sunne appeared out of a cloud with a rainbowe In this forced and despightfull changing of places the Geneuois couered not their bowes so as the strings being presently wett they yeelded and to increase the mischiefe this alteration made them to change the order of their battaile so as the Sunne lay in the Frenchmens faces and on the Inglishmens backs and to make their misfortune absolute euerie one was more incensed against his commander then against the enemie as a signe of some check at hand Dangerous imaginations they being ready to fight Philip was sufficiently aduertised of the armies disdaine against his brother yet must hee needes fight he held himselfe lost if all were not lost Edward who stood vpon a high eminent place as it were in sentinell to discouer with iudgement the countenance of the enemie sees this change heares the shout and markes the place resoluing to charge it at the weakest part The euent fauours his desseigne he embraceth this occasion not suffering them to take breath or to repayre this error he sends forth a troupe of crossebow men chosen out of the foremost ranckes they sodenly discharge a showre of arrowes so thick and violent as at this first charge the Geneuois who were transported with choler and surprised with this sodaine storme brake theâ—â— ranckes and gaue way to the enemy their wet strings beeing vnfit to serue and their mindes not yet pacified could not resist so great a force The
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
nineteene moneths a prisoner This young Prince inuironed with all these difficulties had yet one which exceeded the rest The King of Nâ—â—aâ—â—e set at liberty comes to Paâ—â—â— The Bishop of Laon the chiefe of his councel betraied him bâ—ing a priuate and passionate partaker of the Nauarrois Charles King of Nauarre is deliuered meaning to come to Paris and therefore he demands a safeâ—conduct from the Daulphin who grants it will he or no that is he puts a sword into the hands of his most malicious and â—urious enemie and lodgeth him in his owne house These were bitter pilles but he must digest them euen the Daulphin and all good men that did assist him But many of them lothe to allow of these confusions by their free conâ—ents retire themselues to their houses The Nauarrois hauing his pasport from the Daulphin not onely as a gage of the publike faithfulnesse but as a sentence against king Iohn being prisoner goes to Paris with a stateâ—â—â— traine where they all prepare for his entertainment The Bishop of Laon and the Prouost of Marchants with a great troupe of his Partisans meet him who went to lodge in the Abby of S. Germaine He lets the people vnderstand that he desires to speake publikly vnto them A scaffold is built the people throng in great troupes bringing both hearts and eares The Nauarrois a subtill and an eloquent man represents vnto them the wrong of his imprisonment and his interest to the Crowne he desires iustice might be done him according to his deâ—â—â—t and qualitie but aboue all he spares not to touch that string which should aduance him to the royaltie The people applaud him and giue charge to the Pâ—ouost of Marchants to make the Daulphin acquainted therewith The Bishop of Laon a traâ—tor to his maiestie the which he perfoâ—mes with a brauado The Bishop of Laon a treacheâ—ous seruant to his Maisteâ— answeâ—s for him being silent in this necessitie That the Daulphin should shew grace and fauour to the King of Nauarre as one good brother ought to another He makes the Daulphin so humble as he preuents the Nauarrois who kept his lodging but to preach to this seditious multitude and doth vâ—sit him first whom he doth scaâ—se meete at the doore with a colde welcome He requires audience of his demands They are read in councell which consisted for the most part of men corrupted Wheâ—e it was decreed That all which the King of Nauarre and his complices had done against the King and his realme should be forgotten as neuer done The 〈◊〉 yeelds to the 〈◊〉 his goods seized and in the Kings hands should be restored both to him and his with their honours which had beene beheaded by the commandement of King â—hon their bones should be gathered together and honourablie interred all acts of condemnation dâ—sâ—nulled and an actâ— of their iustiâ—â—cation autentically drawne to free them and theirs hereafter from all 〈◊〉 The demand of the King of Nauarres pretended title was remitted to another time But the Nauarrois brings in the king of England of whom the Daulphin demaÌ„ded a truâ—e the which he grants vpon condition New causes of warre That he might succour the King of Nauar Iohn of Montfort duke of Brittaine in their pretensions Thus the seeds of warre were sowen during the confused calamitie of this poore realme by the meanes of Charles of Nauarre At the same instant Edward makes rigorous demands of his prisoner Iohn on whom for all his good couÌ„tenance he meant to make a benefit by his captiuity He required homage of him for the realme of France as holding it of the realme of England and vpon this condition he would set him at libertie K. Iohn being of a couragious spirit though a prisoneâ— in his person answers him freely That he must not speake to him of that which he neither ought nor would do to alienate a right inalienable That he was resolued at what price soeuer The generous answer of King Iohn to Edwards demands to leaue it to his children as hee had receiued it from his Ancestors That affliction might well ingage his person but not the inuiolable right of the Crowne where he had the honour to be borne ouer the 〈…〉 prison nor death had any power especially in him who should alwaies hold his life well imployed sacrifiâ—ing it for the immortall preseruation of France This generous magnanimitie of King Iohn gaue as great occasion to pittie his calamity as the strange conditions of the English being victor ministred matter of griefe and 〈◊〉 to all true hearted Frenchmen but all this could neitheâ— temper the malice of the Nauarrois not the furious impudencie of this inchanted people Hâ—â—evpâ—n the Daulphin intreats the Parisiens to take pittie of his poore father who not able to auâ—id the ineuitable crosses of fortune common to all degrees The Parâ—sienâ— in 〈◊〉 to their King could well shewe 〈◊〉 in greatest afflictions But these brutish mindes will not be mooued by any 〈…〉 reasons so as after this poore Prince had vsed all the submissions necessity could 〈◊〉 to win the people in the end after the losse of his paines he sought to the other Citâ—â—◠〈◊〉 France Hauing left Lewis Duke of Aniou his brother at Paris to supply his place 〈◊〉 maintaine some shewe of authority The Daulphin â—olieâ—s the other Citties for the Kings liberty the effect wherof crept hourely into the Nauarrois power he went from Cittie to Cittie crauing aide of the French for the deliuerie of his father and the restoring of his Estate The hâ—story doth much honor the Prouince of Languedoc to haue made greate showes of 〈◊〉 to their King being prisoner for it obserues That the three Estatâ— of the Country assembled in one body at Tholouse vnder the authority of the Earle of Armagnac their gouernor did freely grant a great aide to the King for the performance whereof The loue and duty of them of Languedoâ— to their Kingâ— and of Champagne they would not only imploy their reuenewes but their most precious mouables yea their wiues iewells And to testifie their generall heauines they abandoned all sumptuous apparell and bankets especially all dances maskes plaies and other pleasures during the captiuity of their King Champagne followed this commendable example But examples did no more mooue the Parisâ—â—ns hearts then reason had done who answere the Daulphin â—oughly when hee intreats them most humbly that hee should call an other Parliament where they would aduise what was to be done Their intent was to take all authority from the Daulphin and to vâ—uâ—pe it themselues to dispose of the tresor of honors and dignities of peace and war and of the life and death of the Kings subiects at their pleasures Horrible â—â—solenciâ—s of the Parisiens against their Prince To this end they made this young Prince coÌ„temptible odious assembling together both without his priuity against his will in
King Iohn hauing long expected the time of his deliuerie parts from England with a strong garde and is conducted to Calis attending the money 〈◊〉 the first pawne of his libertie The Regent his sonne labours earnestly the 〈◊〉 of Paris did contribute willingly a hundred thousand Royals and after their example all other citties paied their portions Of such power is our head cittie both to 〈◊〉 good and euill so by this ende they made amends for all former errors The money is brought to S. Omer whether the Regent comes to see the deliuerie Edward returnes to Calis he is wonderfull kinde to Iohn The two Kings sweare a mutuâ—ll league of friendship and they sweare a league of friendship and comprehended Charles King of 〈◊〉 being absent in this peace his brother Philip vndertaking for him to the end that all quarrels might be troden vnder foote and all men liue in peace vnitie and concord So Iohn being set at libertie after a languishing imprisonment foure yeares take his 〈◊〉 of Edward with all the shewes of loue that might be betwixt brethren and 〈◊〉 friends Being parted f om Calis he findes his sonne Charles comming to meete him with a great and stately traine I cannot well expresse the ioy of this first encounter this good King imbracing his sonne as his redeemer with ioy mixt with teares and full of fatherly affection with the content of his sweete recouered libertie seeing himselfe in his 〈◊〉 armes who had giuen him so many testimonies of his faithfull loue in his necessitie 〈◊〉 in the middest of his subiects with his first authoritie depending no more vpon anothers will King Iohn receiued by his sonne with great ioy And contrariwise what ioy was it for this wise sonne to enjoy his father so precious a gage of the authoritie order and obedience of a State and a great discharge for him of this painfull burthen Thus discoursing of what had bin done during his imprisonment and of what was to be done they arriue at Heâ—in whether not onely the whole countrie repaires 〈…〉 the Deputies of Paris and of all the prouinces of the Realme to congratulate their good Kings deliuerie where he disposeth of the gouernment of his house The King of Nauarre meetes him at Compiegne hauing fiâ—st sent back his hostages to shew that he relyed onely on his word put himselfe into his power Thus passeth the world after a storme comes a calme 1361. King Iohn made his entrie into Paris with this goodly traine being receiued with an incredible ioy of all his subiects The Kings reception into Paris The Parisiens going to kisse his hands offer him their hearts with a goodly cubberd of Plate worth a thousand markes for homage of their fidelitie and obedience The Parliament had surceased aboue a whole yeare Iohn for the first fruits of his recouered authoritie would honour the opening of the court with his presence being set in the seat of Iustice in the midst of all his officers to the incredible content of all men who beheld the cheerefull countenance of this Prince like the Sunne beames after a troubled skie Such was the returne of King Iohn into his realme after his imprisonment as the catastrophe of a Comedie in the which after mourning they reioyce This happened in the beginning of the yeare 1361. Some moneths were spent in these publike ioyes but they must seeke to get againe his hostages in the effecting whereof they found many difficulties for neither the priuate Lords whose homage he had bound to the King of England nor the countries whose Soueraignties he had yeelded by this accord would obey They argue with the King in councell and demand an acte shewing Difficulties in the performance of the conditions of peace that the King cannot dispose of the soueraigntie of his realme nor alienate the reuenues of the crowne Iohn on the other side fearing least Edward should reproche this vnto him as a practise betwixt him and his subiects made them sundry commandements to obey He went to Auignon to visit Pope Innocent who dyed at this time and Vrban the sixt succeeded in his place both Limosins To hansell Iohns recouered libertie and to ease his minde afflicted with long imprisonment Vrban exhorts him to vndertake the voyage of the holy land as generall of the action Iohn promiseth the Pope to goe with an armie Iohn not remembring the examples of Kings his Predecessors Lewis the 7. 9. nor apprehending the present burthen of his great affaires nor the danger of so mighty and watchfull an enemie who had so long and with so great paine kept him prisoner accepts the charge and makes a solemne promisse and to hasten the execution thereof he returnes into England Some saye the loue of the Countesse of Salisbury whose husband had the garde of the King being a prisoner was the principall motiue of his returne The which I cannot beleeue vpon the report of the English being vnlikely that his age his aflictions his great affaires and the voyage wherevnto he prepared should suffer this Prince to follow so vnseasonable a vanitie But whatsoeuer moued him therevnto he dyed there leauing his life in England where he had so long languished as a presage of his death Thus Iohn died in England in the yeare 1364. the 8. of Aprill Iohn dies in England His dispositioÌ„ leauing Charles his eldest sonne heire to the Crowne of France A good man he was but an vnfortunate Prince wise in ordinarie things but ill aduised in great affaires iust to all men but not warie how or whom he trusted in matters of consequence temperate in priuate but too violent in publick To conclude a good Prince but not considerate more fit to obey then to command Truely these heroicke vertues are the proper Iewels of Crownes and wisdome is a companion to the most excellent vertues especially in Princes who are aduanced vpon the Theater of manslife to gouerne the rest We haue noted that Bourgogne had beene giuen to Robert the grand-child of Hugh Capet for his portion A little before the deceasse of King Iohn Bourgogne annexed vnto the Crowne it was vnited to the Crowne of France by the death of Duke Philip a young man of the age of fifteene yeare sonne to that Iohn which dyed in the battaile of Poitiers He was betrothed to the heire of Flanders but both the Duchie and the Daughter were for another Philip the sonne of Iohn to whom the father gaue this new succession in recompence of the faithfull seruice he had done him the day of his taking and had continued it in prison CHARLES the 5. called the Wise the 52. King of France CHARLES THE V. KINGE OF FRANCE .52 THis Charles during the life of his father Iohn had giuen so many testimonies of his sufficiencie to gouerne well 1364. that he was held for King before he tooke the crowne Charles his raigne the which he receiued at Rheine
men and gentlmen which had assisted these murtherers died of the plague except Lisle-Adam who was reseâ—ued to receiue his punishment from King Henry of England although vpon an other occasion as you shall see here after And was not this God who reuenged this crueltie But let vs returne to our discourse for seeiâ—g the punishment was so sodaine we might not well remit the rehersall to any otherplace Charles lookes but coldly vpon his wife whome he loued not neither in health or sickenesse Hee welcomes the Duke of Bourgongne with a cheerefull countenance who had wonne his heart by framing himselfe to his weakenesse with mild speeches shewes of honour and apparant humility Impressions of common sense whereof phrensie for the most part doth not depriue mad men The Bourguiguon alters all at Paris The Kings councell assembled presently many things were propounded the first day they began with Officers the Constables place was confirmed to the Duke of Lorraine and the Channcellors hip to Eustache of Lastre Lislle Adam and Chastelus are made Marshalls of France for their well deseruing at the masaker at Paris Our Bourguignon creates Charles of Lens Admirall of France being Captaine of Paris and Phillip of Moruilliers the Queenes Aduocate first President of the Court of Parliament The English take all Normandie During this confusion Henry King of England makes other worke He was in Normandy taking Townes and Castles without any resistance Touques a Câ—stell held impregnable was forced by him during the passions of our mad-men as the first fruites of his conquestâ— Louuiers Pont larche Caen Cherebourg Falaisse Argenton Alencon Constance S. Lo and other places followed to make the way open to Rouen without any great difficulty Rouen is besieged in a manner the very day of the massaker at Paris Henry doth assault it with all the force and policie he can as the Dongeon and chiefe strength of all Normandy Rouen besieged taken The cittizens giue a testimony of good and faithfull subiects by their valour and constancie They demand sucâ—ours from the King with a protestâ—tâ—on of the euent The Court makes shew to stirre and to prouide for their defence but what remedy can the dead giue vnto the sicke In the ende after all their resistâ—â—ce seeking to maintaine themselues vnder the obedience of France Rouen yeelds to Henry King of England vppon hard conditions All yeeldâ— vnto King Henry To paye him three hundred sixty fiue thousand Crownes of gold and three Cittizens at his choise to doe his pleasure And so he suffered them to inioy their priuileges Of the three which he had chosen to punish he pardoned two and caused Alain â—lanchart Captaine of the commons to bee beheaded worthy to be eternized in our history dying for the seruice of his Kâ—â—g and countrye in a time so famous for so desperate a confusion The sequile waâ— great for not onely all the Townes of Normandy yeeld vnto him but also the Iâ—â—e of France was so amazed as all obey hiâ— euen to the gates of Paris where the fuâ—â—e of our miserable dissentions prepared a Throne for the sworne enemye of 〈◊〉 Realme I am weary to report our shamefull losses as reuiuing our old soares Henry migâ—t haue grauen in his triumph I came I sawe and oâ—crâ—â—me onely Mont S. Michel in Normandy was maintained vnder the obedience of our crowne through the vallour 〈◊〉 some Gentlemen Normans whose names the history owes to posterity Iohn 〈◊〉 Montfort Duke of Britanie seeing this happie sucsesse makes composition wâ—tâ— tâ—e English shrowding him selfe vnder his protection but he shall soone leaue him 〈◊〉 a more happie season shall make him turne to the Daulphin In this shipwracke the Queene and the Bourguignon had meanes to glut their ambition and furie at Paris beholinge the ruine of France hoping that in all extremities they should make their peace with the King of Ingland at their Countries cost hauing a daughter for a paâ—â—e and confirmation of this accord They send Ambassadors to Henry King of England being a Conquerour and â—or a baite they carry the portrait of Katherine of France the Kings daughter a Princesse of excellent beauty who must likewise bee the Leuiâ—n of our miserie But Henry finding this figure to be faire The Bourguignon treates with the English but in vaine desires to see the essentiall substance so as the Queeâ—e and the Borguignon gouerning the spirit of this poore sicke King conducts 〈◊〉 person with his daughter to their enimy neere to Meulan to aduise of a meanes for a generall peace but they departed without any conclusion by reason of the great demaunds which Henry made puft vp with this victorious successe seeking to sell â—is friendship at too high a rate Yet the image of Katherine had made an impression in his heaâ—t beeing much discontented that they had refused her with these conditions The Bourguignon likewise found lesse kindnesse then he expected and returned maleconâ—nt for that Henry puft vp with these fortunate incounters and carried away with hope of future victorye spake more proudly then the Bourguignons humour could well digest which was the cause of his destemperature He growes discontented and seekes to reconcile himselfe to the Daulphin for Hâ—nry said in his choler That he would haue both daughter and Bealme whosoeuer said nay and that there was no sufficient security for what they promised seeing the Daulphin did â—ot consent theâ—eunto A pill which the Bourguignon could not easily swallow So he chawed vpon this speech of the English which drewe him to his ruine for euen then he beganne to study by what meanes he might reconcile himselfe vnto the Daulphin hoping to fiâ—de a better composition with a yong Prince his kinsman and weary of the warres then with the English growne insolent by his victories Charles was not quâ—et in minde fearing least in these treaties they should conclude something to his preiudice So as they both inclined to an accord but vppon diuers causes to oppose against their common enimie with a common force But before we shewe the effect of this common desire we must see both the estate of our Daulphin since hee retired himselfe from Paris and of the Bourguignon since hee became Tribune of the people Although this terrible storme might haue shaken the young yeares of the Daulpâ—in Charles vnacquainted with the affaires of the world and his disposition inclining to pleasure seemed vnfit to indure much paine and toyle The Daulphinâ— estate yet the effects at need shewed his constant resolution against all difficulties They attribute this consâ—ancie and resolution to the faithfull councell of his seruants yet was it much for him to follow it Tannegay of Chastell Iohn Louuet president of Prouence the Vicont of Narbone and Robert Masson were those which serued him most for Councell in the beginning but God soone after did raise him vp strong hands to mannage armes couragiously and valiantly La Hire Pothon
stranged sease Henry the â— sicke which the vulgar sort terme 〈…〉 and Phisitians 〈◊〉 which is a Gowâ—e with a Craâ—pe Enguerand 〈◊〉 that the chiefe disease whereof he dyed was Saint Anthonies fire but it is more credibly reported that he dyed of a Plurisie a disease in those dayes so rare and vnknowne that Physitions being not therewith acquainted nor with the cause whence it proceeded could not prefer be not apply any remedy therefore Henry hauing his minde fixed vppon this voyage and his supposed victory partes from Senlis hauing taken leaue of the King Queene and wife whom he shall see no more he caused himselfe to be carried to Melun in a â—â—tter but feeling himselfe prest by his infirmitie he returned to Boâ—s-de-Vincennes where hauing taken his bed he sent his army into Bourgongne vnder the commande of the Duke of Bedford his brother and the Earle of Warwicke commandâ—ng them to pâ—rsue the Daulphin At the 〈◊〉 of this great armie the Daulphin Charles leaues Cosné and retires to Bourges and 〈…〉 was freed Henry was not so freed from his sicknesse the which increasing daily made him to thinke of his ende disposing as he pleased touching his sonne Henry the 6. of that name whom he had by Katherine the daughter of France and the Duke of Exeter his Vnâ—le to be Regent of England commanding them expressely to liue in concord with Philip Duke of Bourgongne and 〈◊〉 to make any peace with Charles of Valois for so he called him vnlesse they might haue Normandy in soueraignty neither to release the Dukes of Orleans and Bourbon vntill his sonne were of a competent age And thus Henry the 5. dies beeing neare about forty yeares old Henrâ— the â— dies in the vigor of his age and spirit borne and aspiring to great matters hauing already giuen proofe of what he might haue done if he had liued longer But God would punish France by an Englishman yet would he not suffer France to haue any other â—â—ng then a Frenchman This vnexpected death in the great course of Henry the fifts victories hapened the last day of August in the yeare .1422 followed soone after by one no lesse memorable Charles the 6. dies For Charles the 6. our good King but subiect to the miserablest raigne that France had euer seene to that day â—ell sicke dyed the 22. of October in the same yeare 50. daies after the decease of Henry of England A sicknesse death remarkable in so great a King for after that he had languished in so long infamous an infirmity he died in a manner alone They name but the Chauncellour the first Chamberlaine his Aâ—moner with some groomes of his chamber which were present at his end After his death he was visited by such as had caused him to die liuing and by his miserable life had made all the realme to Languish At the funeralls of this poore Prince 〈…〉 proclaimâ—â— King after the herald had proclaimed The King is dead an other cried God saue the King God send a long hâ—ppy life to Henry the 6. by the grace of GOD King of France and England our soueraigne Lord. To the end that passion might triumph ouer the infiâ—â—itie of our King 1422. euen in his graue This Henry shal be crowned King at Paris soone after But where is that Isabel or rather Iezabel who had so much tormented her poore husband I seeke her in all the corners of this history yet cannot finde her She whâ— caused so great diuisions dies without any memory but to haue liued too long for France and her children Oh the vanity of this world which doth inâ—erre the most busie in the forgetfullnesse of the graue when as they thinke themseues raised to the toppe of their desseines Thus Charles the 6. raigned thus he liued and thus he died miserable in his raigne miserable in his life but most happie in his death as well to free himselfe from paine and by his occasion his whole realme from confusion as also by death to change his tumultuous and miserable life into a quiet rest and eternall happinesse for what else can we say of him whose misery gaue him the title of welbeloued hauing nothing reprochefull in his life but his afflictions This is all I can speake touching the iudgement of this raigne after the repetition of so many miseries so as measuring others by mine owne apprehension I thinke to ease them in not reuiuing so tedious a subiect noting that this raigne was alwaies miserable both in the minority and maiority of our King His manners his race his raigne and his age do appeere by that which wee haue written He liued 54. yeares and raigned 42. He had many sonnes and daughters Katherine is famous hauing bâ—â— the mournfull gage of many miseries Of three Sonnes which came all to the age of men Charles onely remayned successor of his Crowne but not of his fortunes for hee shall settle the realme redeming it out of Strangers hands as shall appeere in the following discours CHARLES the seuenth the 54. King of France CHARLES THE .7 KING OF FRANCE .54 · AFter the long and painefull Carriere of the fore-passed raignes 1422. were it not time now to breath Since the vnfortunate battaile of Cressy we haue felt nothing but thornes tempests forces and shewes of ruines And if wee shall abate that little happinesse which Charles the 5. brought vnto our Ancestors there are not lesse then seuenty yeares of confusion But all is not yet ended we must passe thirty yeares more before the conclusion And as if we felt the crosses of our fore-runners we must shut our eyes recouer new forces grow resolute against all stoâ—mes and ende couragiously with them The remainder of this painefull course in the troublesome discourse which we shall finde in the beginning of this raigne Notable particularities of this raigne to see in the ende a happy Catastrophe in the restoring of this Estate and the vnion of the Church diuided by a long and dangerous schisme which disquieted Christendome during the troubles of this raigne Here our Frenchmen may reade with admiration and profit that as it is not now alone that France hath beene afflicted so God doth not now beginne to watch ouer it deliuering it by miraculous meanes when as it seemed neerest to ruine Here Charles the 7. the least and last of his Brethren shall deface the ignominie of France and triumph ouer the victories of a stranger who had in a manner dispossessed him of his Realme of a truth God ment to punish vs by meanes of the English but not to ruine 〈◊〉 The French cannot be commanded but by a Frenchman The Ocean is a strong bar to diuide these two Estates content with their owne rights This raigne abounding in miraculous accidents is the more considerable being the perfect Idea of the raigne of Henry the 4. vnder whom we liue But to represent so variable a subiect
with the Burguignon being their neighbour with the Kings good liking In the meane time the Duke of Bedford leuies what men and money he can both in France and England for some great attempt Charles hath intelligence from diuers parts but what could he doe in so deepe dispaire of his affaires and in so visible an impossibilitie The famous Siege of Orleance ALL the Citties of this side Loire from the Ocean Sea were lost with the whole countries of Normandie Picardie the 〈◊〉 of France Brie and Champaigne He had nothing left but the Townes lying vpon the riuer of Loire from â—yen to Anger 's for La Charité held for the Bourguignon The chiefe was Orleance this being wonne what could hold out long for the French Bourges could make small resistance if the English had forced Orleans The enemies of our State who called Charles King of Bourges threatned to take from him this small and languishing royaltie Orleans then was the marke whereat the Duke of Bedford aimed who hauing wonne the Britton it greatly fortified the English affaires in France As for the Bourguignon he had in a manner recouered the Estates of Holland Hainault Zeland and Namur And although ambition and couetousnesse may neuer be bridled yet these Princes nothing friendly among themselues but as coÌ„mon enemies to this Câ—owne agreed well in this to make their priuate profit by the ruine of our state But man purposeth and God disposeth we shall soone see how much he scornes their vanities In this lamentable time mans reason could not discerne by what means Charles should resist so mighty enemies But in the weakenesse of this Prince I read with ioy the words of the Original which saith During the time that the English held their siege before the noble Citty of Orleans King Charles was very weake beeing abandoned by the greatest part of his Princes and other Noble men seeing that all things were opposite vnto him yet had he still a good trust and confidence in God He was not deceiued in this hope as the sequele will shew The charge of this siege at Orleans was giuen to the Earle of Salisbury a wise valiant Captaine hauing giuen good testimonies of his sufficiency for the well managing of this siege he resolued to take in all the forts neere vnto Orleans that obeyed the French beginning with the weakest parting from Paris taking his way through the Countrie of Chartâ—es he seizeth vpon all the smal Townes wherein our Captaines had so much toyled but a fewe monethes before Nogent le Retrou Puiset Rochefort Pertrancourt Ianuille Toury Mompipeau the Castell of Pluâ—eâ—s and la Ferte of Gaules The Earle of Salisbury sets downe before Orleans and approching neere the Cittie both aboue and beneath Meung Baugency and Iargeau In the ende he plants himselfe before Orleans the 6. of October in the yeare 1428. A day to be obserued for that the 12. of May the yeare following was the last fit of our disease which changed the estate of our miserable country like vnto a pleasant spring after a long and sharpe winter when as a goodly summer crownes all our labours with aboundance of peace and plenty So this siege continued iust 7. moneths The bruit of this great preparation did wonderfully disquiet both court and country vnder the French obedience in the weakenesse and confusions of the state The King after the taking of la Charité was commonly resident at Poitiers he now retires to Chinon to bee neerer to Orleans The townes willingâ—y contrâ—bute men money Charles his diligenâ—e to relieue Orleans and victualls Many great personages flie to this siege to defend the chiefe strength of our King and Kingdome Lewis of Bourbon the sonne of Charles Earle of Clermont the Earle of Duâ—ois bastard of Orleans the Lords of Boussaâ— and Fayette Marshalls of France Iohn Steward Constable of Scotland William of Albret Lord of Orâ—all the Lords of Thouars Chauigny Grauille Chabannes The Captaines la â—ire Xaintrailles Theolde of Valpergue Iohn of Lessego Lombards with many other gâ—eâ—t personages There were not any of the Prouinces of Daulphiné and Languedoc for that the Dukes of Bourgongne and Sauoy at the same instant prepared a great army by the meanes of Lewis of Chaalons Prince of Orange to invade those Countries being wholly in the Kings obedience The Orleanois resolues to defend himselfe He presently beates downe all that might accommodate the enemy suburbs howses of pleasure wine presses yea and the temples themselues Salisburie doth likewise vse great dexterity and diligence to plant his siege The Earle of Salisbury builds up sorts towards Beausse and the port Banniere he builds a great Bastille which he calles Paris Another at the port Renard which he names Rouen Towards S. Laurence another to the which he gaue the name of Windsore At the port of Bourgongne he fortified a ruined Temple called S. Loup and neere vnto it an other named S. Iohn the white At the Portereâ—n hee built a great fort vppon the ruines of the Augustines Church calling it London from the which hee wonne the Towre vppon the bridge and all with â—onderfull speede All the cittye is inuironed hauing neyther issue 〈◊〉 but with sore fighting And in these toyles they spend the rest of the yeare The first day of the new yeare the English for a new yeares gift to the citty bring their scaling ladders couragiously to the Bulwarke at the port Renard but they were valiantly repulsed by the defendants the next day the Admirall of Cullant hauing passed the riuer of Loire at a foord winter being very drie this yeare visits them of the cittie brings theÌ„ diuers necessaries vpon his returne he incounters some English troupes which came stragling from forrage 1429. He chargeth them cuts them in peeces and so retires without danger Thus the moneth of Ianuarie passeth without any other memorable exploite The battaile of Herings vnfortunate for the French But there happened a strange accident the 20. of Februarie following The Duke of Bedford sent Lenten prouision to the Earle of Salisburie with some munition of warre vnder the conduct of Iohn Fastall and Simon Bowyer with 1700. men for their garde The Duke of Bourbon brought a goodly succour of foure thousand men to the besieged He resolues to charge this English troupe hauing well viewed their numbers It was likely the stronger should haue the victorie but the issue was contrary to the desseigne For it chanced as his men marched confidently as it were to an assured victory without any iudgement the English seeing them in doubt how they should fight either on foote or horseback and irresolute in the end they resolue to charge the French it falling out many times in this exercise that he which begins winnes To conclude without any farther aduise the English imbracing this occasion charge our troupes who were so surprised with this vnexpected impression as they presently giue way to
Bourguignon reconciled enemy to his enimes that he should renounce all alliance and friendship with the king of England and promise both his person and all his meanes to expell him out off France The performance was according to promise Charles Duke of Bourbon and Arthur of Brittaine Earle of Richemont Constable of France in the name of Charles the 7. aske pardon of the Duke of Bourgongne for the death of his father and the Duke pardoned him for the loue of God The Cardinalls in the Popes name and the Counsels absolue the Duke from the oath which he had made vnto the English and eyther part sweares to maintaine the accord in that which did concerne him So the peace was published with great solemnity to the incredible content of all men The King the Duke of Bourgongne and the whole Realme reioyced exceedingly only Iohn of Luxembourg Earle of S. Pol wold not be therin coÌ„prehended he shall suffer for it and his house after him This was the 24. of September in the yeare 1435. a famous day for those things which happened in this raigne whereof this accord gaue the first occasion The marriage of Charles sonne to the Duke of Bourgongne with Katherine of France daughter to our Charles was concluded to seale this accord From this peace sprong a more violent war against the English The Duke of Bourgongne sends backe all his contracts to the Duke of Bedford and hauing shewed him the iust reasons which had mooued him to imbrace the Kings amity beeing his kinseman and Lord hee renounceth the alliance of England with a watch-word that euery one should looke to himselfe Euery man sharpens his sword and scoures his armes to recouer that by force which they could not obtaine by reason War very violent against the English The first fruites of this accord beganne to grow ripe euen in the heart of winter for Corbeil yeelds presently to the King with Briâ—-Conte-Robert and the Castle of Bois de Vincennes The Bourguignon imployes all his friends and intelligences at Paris he vseth all his instruments meaning to set them to worke the yeare following All Normandy begins to reuolt Diâ—pe Fescan Monstier-Villiers Harfleu Tancaruille Bec-Crespin Gomusseule Loges Villemont Grasuille Longueuille Neuf-uille Lambreuille Charles-Mesnill S. Germain Fontaines Preaux Blainuille obey the King willingly chasing away the English receiuing the French for their safety all which was acted in two dayes What more To finish this worke God takes away one of the chiefe causes and one of the principall instruments of the misery which had so long afflicted this estate We haue seene what part Isabell of Bauierre played in this Tragedy wee haue sought her after the death of her poore husband and could not finde her for in trueth she was ciuilly dead Bedford fearing the spirit of this Medea seekes not onely to stay her hands but to keepe her eyes from the managing of affaires And for that shee had deuoured the treasure of the Realme he constraines herto keepe a diet He doth therefore sequester herto the house of S. Pol where she liued vntill the ende of this yeare in great pouerty no more assisted by the Bourgongnon then by the English Beeing dead they caused her bodye to be put into a small boate Queene Isabel dies and so transported by the riuer of Seine to S. Denis where she was buried without any pompe like to a common person A light put out whose sauour doth yet offende posterity In this yeare also died Iohn of England that great Duke of Bedford called Regent of France who hath noted many blacke pages in this volume and so much terrified our Ancestors Hauing seene the former accord and felt so sodaine effects in Normandy fearing the rest would follow he drowned himselfe in sorow and knowing no meanes to auoide this storme he dies at Rouen the 15. of December leauing to King Henry the 6. a bottome very hard to vntwist The Duke of Bedford dies and to his yong wife beeing sister to the Earle of S. Pol a cause of mourning the which continued not long for she married soone after with an English Aduenturer of small accompt giuing causeto laugh at her beeing but little pittied Charles being thus discharged of a heauy burthen by this accord hath more liberty to follow his honest delights He goes to Lions visits Daulphiné and stayes in Languedoc a Prouince which he loues aboue all the rest 143â— hauing found it most denâ—â—â—d to his seruice Montpellier was his aboad a place very pleasantly seated 〈…〉 this time of â—â—reation he had left good lieutenants in France who shal soone send him 〈◊〉 of their exploytes The Citty of Paris yeelds to the King and expells the English THe Bourguignon prepares to annoy the English whilest that the Constable makes way for the reduction of Paris His intent was parting from Pontoise to put himselfe into S. Denis a Towne halfe dismantled but Thomas of Beaumont Captaine of the Bastille hauing intelligence of this desseine preuented the Constable and entred into S. Denis with a notable troupe of soldiers Richmont notwithstanding approcheth neere to S. Denis the sentinell hauing giuen warning of his approch Beaumont issues forth to the bridge vpon the little riuer which is towards Pierre-file where he met with the fore-runners who hauing drawne him forth ingage him in the battaile the which was led by the Constable marching from the valley of Montmorency This English troupe was easily vanquished most of them were cut in peeces The English vanquished S. 〈◊〉 and the rest taken hardly any one of them escapes to carry newes to Paris Thomas of Beaumont is slaine among the rest vpon the place The Constable makes vse of this good successe he presently marcheth with his victorious forces to Paris which stood amazed at this nere power wanting a Regent who was lately deceased and such as were left to command were more fit to handle an Oare then to gouerne the helme Now waâ— the time for good Frenchmen to shew themselues whereof there were many in the Citty The Bourguignon faction being now become the Kings seruants imbrace this occasion and hauing consulted together they resolue to shake off the English yoake the which they 〈◊〉 too long endured The Duke of Bourgongne was then at Bruges but he had leâ—t the Lord of Lislâ—-Adam to 〈◊〉 with his partisans at Paris It is the same whom he had formerly imployed against Câ—â—rles and his father Iohn in the murther of the King seruants He had great credit 〈◊〉 the Parisiens of whom Miâ—hael Laillier was the chiefe Tribune Hee discouers by him the peoples affections being resolute to submit themselues to the King of whom they crâ—â—e onely a generall absolution of what was past This gentle demande beeing brought to Pontoise to the Constable and easily granted all prepare for the effects That quarter nere the Halles gaue the first signe of the French libertie at Paris by the meanes
excuses of his long delay and to crosse the Duke of Bourgongne hee giues his Cousin of Orleans towards the payement of his ransome a hundred and fiftie thousand frankes a very great some in those dayes the which was not giuen for nothing in so great a necessity of the Kings affaires Lewis of Luxembourg and the widowe of Iohn of Luxembourg partisans to the Bourguignon do homage to Charles and yeeld the Towne of Marle vnto him these be fruits no doubt of the victorie at Pontoise In the meane time the Princes assemble at Neuers the Dukes of Bourgongne Bourbon and Alençon with the Earle of Vendosme The Duke of Brittain sent his Ambassador not able to come himselfe for that he was not yet in the Kings good fauour There were for the most part priuate discontents The Princes admonitions to the King and their demands tending to euery mans priuate interest As not to be maintayned in their degrees to be called to Councelles respected in their aduises honored in their charges payed their pensions and eased in their lands But the zeale of the publike good shadowed all with a shewe of Iustice peace order and releefe of the people That it was fit the King should proceede more speedily in the treaty of peace with the English the which had beene too coldly followed That he should supplie his Parliaments with good and sufficient men and thereby prouide for the offices and not for the persons that by their faithfull diligence suites might be shortned and speedie â—ustice administred without delay or respect of eyther of the parties That he should prouide for the ease of the subiect ouercharged rule the soldiars preuent robberies ransomings and extortions the which were daylie committed vnder too apparent an excuse that the soldiar was not payed That he should giue honors without respect of forepassed diuisions and declare alâ— his subiects capable of Offices and dignities indifferently not remembring what was past That he should haue a competent number of graue men in his great Councell worthy of that charge not to coÌ„mit the gouernment of the affaires of the Realme to two or three as had beene done in former times These are the chiefe points of their demands drawen word by word out of the Originall Charles was nothing pleased with these Assemblies made both in his absence and without his priuitie whereby many inconueniences must ensue all being done without his authority But being taught by his owne experience he digested this kinde of affront quietly being loath to alter any thing at such a season when as he had no neede of newe enemies and hauing eyther excused what had beene done or contented euery priuate person he proceeded to the principall which was the establishment of the affaires of the Realme The disorders of men of warre were insupportable the which must be reformed but that which troubled the King was the seege of Tartas remarkable by this circumstance Tartas is a Towne in Gasconie belonging to the house of Albret This Towne was beseeged by Captall de Buch a great Nobleman of that Countrie and of the English faction It was concluded for the extreame necessitie of the Country that there should be a surceasse of armes and lâ—bertie of free trafficke in that Prouince vntill midsomer following vpon condition that if the King did not succour the Towne by that day it should yeeld to the English or else the French should remayne in free possession without any controuersie And for assurance of this treaty the eldest sonne of the Lord of Albret should remayne in hostage The matter was of great waight being not onely a question of the losse of a place of great importance but of the Kings reputation who leauing his subiects was in danger to be abandoned by them so to loose all Gascoâ—â—e where the English had gotten many paâ—tisans Charles prouiding carefully for his affaires giues two blowes with one stone wherewith he strooke both the theeues and the English He armed with exceeding speede hauing drawen togither foure thousand horse eâ—ght thousand archers and eight thousand other foote An infinit numbeâ— of great personages and voluntarie Noblemen posted to this iourney as to a solemne assignation whereon depended the quiet and honour of France The Daulphin did accompany him in this voiage Charles of Aniou Earâ—e of Maine the Constable of Richmont the Earles of Marche Eu Castres Foix Lomaigne the eldest son of the Lord of Aâ—maignac the Lords of Albert Gaure Cominge Estrac Tartas Tancaruille and Montgascon the eldest son to the Earle of Boulongne Auuergne Philip of Culant Admiâ—aâ— of France with an infinit number of gallant Nobility Thus Charles parting from Parâ—â— comes first to Saumur whither Iohn Duke of Brittaine sent his Ambassadors to offer him homage and men Shame to haue so often lest him in al his extremities would not suffer him to see the King although the Constable were a good mediator for him He restored to the King the forts of â—ssars Palluau which annoyed al the CouÌ„try of Poâ—â—tou and Charles gaue them in gard to the Constable from thence he passed into Poiâ—tou and prouids that Marueil and Saint Hermine should no more trouble the people he then comes into Xaintonge which had beene much tormented by the Lord of Pons who humbled himselfe vnto the King promising to liue in peace Taillebourg was taken by force and the theeues punished Bretueil was taken and razed Thus Charles spent this yeare against theeues who had surprised some Townes The next yeare was haâ—pilie imployed against the English our open enemies making a great breach in Gasâ—â—nie and there abouts where the English had gotten deepest footing by the ancient and lawfull possession of his Ancestors In the ende by this breach the whole Prouince remained his but the prouidence of God imparts his blessings by degrees 1442. Hauing thus pacified Poitou and Xaintonge he comes to Limoges and so to Tholouse which was the Rendez-uous of all his troupes Being arriued hee giues notice to them of Tartâ—s that they should continue firme and that they should be releeued by the prefixed day but as he labors on the one side to settle his affaires so the English on the other side seeke to ouerthrowe them Behold Talbot comes out of England into Normandie with two thousand men and the Duke of Yorke hauing leuied men in the Countrie it selfe and places of their obedience goes to field with foure thousand men With these forces he thinks to take all that Charles held in that Prouince where he had left the Earle of Dunois and the Vidame of Chartres for the gard of those places but this enterprise had small successe Talbot beseegeth Couches and at the same instant the Earle of Dunois Galardon a place holding for the English to cause a diuersion Talbot hauing taken Couches the Earle leaues Galardon hauing no reason to hazard his small troupe against so great forces and putts them into garrison
prisoners and artillerie deliuer vp Arques Caudebecq Tancaruille Lisle-bonne Hâ—nnefleu and Monstreuille The Conditions granâ—ed to the English at Rouen they should pay fiftie thousand Crownes presently and discharge their priuate debts in the Cittie before they departed for assurance whereof they should leaue Talbot the flower of all their men with fiue other hostages such as the King should demande So Talbot remaynes for a pledge After ten dayes all articles agreed vpon beâ—ng performed except Honnefleu all the hostages haue leaue to depart except Talbot who stayes vntill Honnefleu is deliuered But Talbot must haue more time to tast the bountie clemencie of our King and the fruits of French couâ—tesie Thus Charles enters Rouen with great pompe Câ—arles enâ—ers Rouen but the peoples ioye exceeded the statelinesâ—e of his traine Their showtes drowne the Trumpets and Clarons all crie God saue the King 1450. This poore people greedie to see their Prince after so long and cruell a seruitude weepe for ioy men and women young and olde all runne many bonfiers are made but the fire of publike deuotion burnt more cleare This was the tenth of Nouember in the yeare 1449. a notable date for so singular a deliuerance There yet remained some Townes in Normandie to conquer Charles loth to loose any opportunitie or to giue the enemie any leisure to bethinke himselfe would scarse allow of any time for the publike ioy and content of his good subiects but goes presently to field with his armie Honnefâ—eu would not obey the Duke of Somerset the which he must deliuer vp according to the treatie there were fifteene hundred English resolute to defend the place but after fifteene dayes siege they yeelded vpon honourable termes King Charles deales honourablie with Talbot their goods and liues being saued Charles for an increase of the good cheere he had made vnto Talbot during his imprisonment giues him his libertie without ransome with meanes to retire himselfe into England with great gifts but he shall make him no due requitall of this good and honourable entertainment Fougeres the subiect of this last warre and the chiefe cause of this good successe returnes to the obedience of the Crowne through the valour of the Duke of Brittanie and Belesme with the Castell of Fresâ—â—â— by that of the Duke of Alançon As all things succeeded happily for our Charles so all went crosse in England The Earle of Suffolke gouerned King Henry the 6. quietly being a young man and of a weake spirit As all the affaires of England depended vpon this Earle The estate of England so did the reproches The Duke of Somerset a Prince of the English bloud very iealous of his credit and reputation and ashamed to be blemished with these losses in France layes the chiefe fault vpon Suffolke and others that had the gouernment and so incensed the people of London against them The Londoners mutinie and kill the Lord Keeper as the Londoners transported with choller for so great a losse meaning to punish the offenders fall vpon the Bishop of Chichester Lord Keeper of the priuie Seale and kill him in a mutinie they intend the like to Suffolke â—â— by the fauour of some of his friends he had not beene put into the Tower of London to yeeld an accoumpt of his actions Henry who loued him deerely takes him forth The English Chronicle reports quite contrary and sent him into France for his better safetie But it chanced that Suffolke seeking to auoide one danger fell into another where he made his last shipwrack for being met by Somersets people being his capitall enemie he was taken and beheaded his head body were sent to London those cruell spoiles set vp to publike view in places most frequented In the meane time all England troubled for the losse of Rouen and the greatest part of the Prouince resolues to hazard all to saue the rest of their conquests in France They had yet in Normandy the Townes of Caen Vire Auranches S. Sauueur leVicont Falaize Damfront Cherebourg with the strong places of Tombelaine Briquebec New forces sent out of England into France and a great part of Guienne With this remainder the English imagin to recouer the possession of what they had lost So Henry sends speedily 4000. men vnder the command of Thomas Tiâ—el one of his most renowmed Captaines Being landed at Cherebourg without any losse of of time he besiegeth Valonges a strong place and of importance At the brute of these forces all the English garrisons assemble to augment his armie and to fortifie the siege so as being together they make about 8000. men Our armie was lodged in diuers places to refresh themselues since the siege of Honnefleu the season being wonderfull moist in the thawe of the spring when as newes came to Charles of the landing of the English and the imminent danger of the besieged the losse whereof were a foule blemish to his victorie To preuent this he presently sends the Earle of Clermont with sixteene hundred Lances whereof the Earle of Castres the Admirall of Raiz the Seneshall of Poitou and the Lords of Montgascon Couuran and Rouhault were the commanders The English armie was lodged at Fourmigny a village betwixt Carentan and Bayeux in a place of aduantage to keepe themselues free from such forces as they might doubt should be sent from the King being then in the country Matago an old English Captaine came vnto him with a thousand Archers The English being thus fortified set their backes to a Riuer being flanked with diuers Orchards and Gardines before them they make trenches to stoppe their approche and in this sort they attend the enemie The neerenesse of Charles made them to imagine our French to be more in number then they were for this troupe did not exceed sixe hundred fighting men whereof a hundred onely commanded by Geoffray of Couuran and Ioachim of Rouault charged the English vantgard hauing slaine three or foure hundred put the rest of their armie in disorder yet the Earle of Clermont seeing the danger he was in with his troupe if the enemie had discouered his aduantage hauing so great an army against his small troupe sends presently to Charles for speedy succours By good hap as the messenger came vnto the King the Constable of Richmont arriues from Brittaine who marcheth presentlie not giuing his souldiers any leisure to breath exhorting them to go couragiously to an assured victorie His comming strack the stroake and swayâ—d the victory He had 240. Lances and 800. Archers and with him Iames of Luxembourg the Cont of Laâ—all and the Lord of Loheac Marshall of France with the good fortune of Charles He aâ—riues euen when as the Earle of Clermont was farre ingaged in the fight the English had taken two Culuerins from him and in despight had passed S. Clements-forde preparing to discharge these Culuerins when as behold the Constable comes with his troupe with a victorious
in doing well How farre better and more honourable had it beene for Charles to haue beene beloued and respected by his sonne Lewis who bâ—ing growne great and hauing giuen many testimonies of his iudgement and valour might well haue eased him in his greatest affaires as Robert did Hugh Capet being associate in the same raigne to be honoured and serued by the Princes of his bloud especially of this his trustie friend who had giuen him so many proofes of his loyaltie in his greatest affaires and receiued likewise from him such firme gages of his loue and to â—cape the fruites of this so much desired peace with his subiects the which he had 〈◊〉 for all his subiects But if â—e afflicts others he hath a good share himselfe He makes hâ—s Sonne to flie and to beg his bread in a strange countrie he causeth a poore Pâ—iâ—ce of hâ—s bloud to languish in prison and he himselfe feeles in his soule a continuall torment of greefe a fier of choller and a torture of iealousie trusting no man but liuing in continuall feare and was this man at rest A strange torment he hath brought peace to all men and cannot inioy it himselfe he hath bread and cannot eate it But what read I in the Originall of the manners of our Charles This King Charles saieth Monstrelet after his reconcilement with Philip Duke of Bourgongne His loues was of a good life and deuoute but when he had recouered his realme he changed his manners and polluted his life in maintaining dishonest women in his Court leauing the companie of a good and loyall wife suffring more honour and reuerence to be done to those women by the greatest of his Court then to the Queene they being more richly attired then the Queene her selfe the which was an ill president in such a person yet he gouerned his realme very nobly and wisely was indued with goodly vertues maintaining iustice throughout his whole realme Monstreleâ— and the historie of S. Denis excuse the loue of faire Agnes and here they accuse Charles My duâ—ie is to coate euery part faithfully in this my Inuentorie in the which there is nothing of mine owne but the bare report whereby it appeares that vertues are mixt with vices and that it is more easie to beare aduersitie then prosperitie Let the example of Dauid be confronted with this Wine causeth drunkennesse and water tempers Sometimes age is more weake and imperfect then youth to the end the whole honour of any good that is in man may be ascribed to God who is the Author thereof â—oy and griefe iealousie and loue be they not contrary affections and yet behold they are both in one subiect distracting him diuersly Inconstant nature of man who is a slaue to sinne by the meanes of sinne which receiues the motions of diuers windes from North South East and West both soure and sweete It will be now time after all this to shew the end of our Charles but we may not omit some notable things which chanced in this season during the ebbing and flowing of these seuen variable yeares Lewis the Daulphin was resident at Geneppe in Brabant and married with the daughter of Sauoy by whom he had a sonne The Duke of Sauoy with his wife who was daughter to the King of Cypres came to visit Charles and to pacifiâ— him with hope that he should soone see his sonne with this new gage of loue but all this did but ease and not cure Charles his infirmitie We haue said before Troubles in England that Henry the sixt King of England was put in prison by the Duke of Yorke who pretended the Crowne to appertaine vnto him by a iuster title then vnto Henry He makes an accord with the Duke of Yorke to free himselfe from this captiuitie That Henry should inioy the Crowne during his life but after his decease it should come to the Duke of Yorke and to his heires after him and so the Prince of Wales sonne to King Henry should be excluded from the succession of England By this accord Henry was released but Yoland his wife daughter to King René of Sicile shewes her selfe more resolute then her husband who hauing prouided for her affaires disauowes this accord as preiudiciall to her sonne and against the lawes which allow of no forced contract made by a prisoner and so she armes to maintaine her sonne the lawfull heire of the Crowne The Duke of Yorke likewise leuies an army to frustrate the Queenes desseines At that time the Queene did winne both the victorie and the heads of the Duke of Yorke of his second soone and of the Earle of Salisburie his chiefe partisan whom she tooke prisoners in the battaile and caused to be beheaded but she shall haue her turne In the meane time these troubles ministâ—ed an occasion vnto Charles to attempt against the English although transported with these home-bred discontents he had a troublesome enemie within himselfe without seeking one beyond the seas This was done by the councell and aduice of the Constable of Richmont who fearing the Kings humour and loth to deale in thâ—se discontents laboured to diuert him giuing him a better subiect to exercise his spirit It was also happy for the Constable that he was faâ—re off being likely that iealousie would haue brought him first in question whom Charles loued not much for the crosses he had receiued by him in the beginning The cause which had drawâ—e Richmont from Court was honourable for him for by â—he dâ—â—th of Peteâ— Duke of Brittanie his Nephew he was called to the Duchie Being Duke he would not leaue the office of Constable notwithstanding all the intreaties of his subiects being desirous to honour that charge in his age the which had honoured him in his youth although he inioyed the Dukedome but three yeaâ—es dying with the goâ—d opinion of all France hauing assisted it much both with his councell and valour This aduise to attempt against England giuen by the Constable Enterprise against England was executed by the Normans vnder the command of Peter of Brezay Seneshall of Normandie accompanied with a good number of the Nobilitie of Normandie and foure thousand fighting men these might do some great exploit in a countrie diuided and troubled but God hath appointed the limits of Kingdomes and that great ditch of the sea is sufficient to distinguish these two Monarchies who haue inough to content them without attempting against their neighbour To conclude this armie lands in England and takes Sandwich the which they presently spoile leaue and so returne to Honnefleu from whence they imbarked carrying away store of prisoners and spoile Their speedie returne was chieflie to saue their liues and goods which had beene in great danger if they had ingaged themselues farther for any rich spoile Charles was intreated by Ladislaus King of Hongarie sonne to that great Iohn Huniades one of the strongest Champions against the Turke â—o graunt him Magdalâ—ine his
himselfe forsaken by his most confident seruants Ienlis and Mouy whome the King had receiued These might haue assisted him in his peace making the which hee shadowed with some recompence that the King had promised him for the County of Guise Lewis heares them giues them good words and commands the Constable to come vnto him But it is a grieuous testimony the conscience of our misdeeds The variety of his troubled thoughts will not admit any easie beleefe Hee offers to come so as his Maiesty wil sweare vpon the Crosse of S. Laâ— that he will neyther do cause nor suffer any treachery nor outrage to bee done to his person This crosse hath beene kept at Angiers time out of minde with an old beleefe That whosoeuer swearing theron doth forsweare himselfe he dies within the yeare of a miserable violent death Lewis refuseth this oath but submitts himself to any other The more he excuseth himselfe the more the Constable presseth him Lewis sends an Ambassadour to the Emperour Thus posts flie hourely froÌ„ eyther of them vpon this assurance Behold two great personages of sundry humours wonderfully troubled in minde and it seemed they feared alike to perish or to separate themselues absolutely Yet Lewis was the more cunning did his busines more coueâ—tly But if these two afflicted themselues in this sort Edward of England and Charles of Bourgongne were in no lesse doubt one of an other The King had sent Iohn Tierselin the Lord of Brosse to make his excuse vnto the Emperour for that he had not sent the army promised by the treaty assuring him to do it when he had ended his enterprises begun for the most part well forward both in Bourgongne and Picardie intreating him in the meane time not to make any agreement with the duke Charles in great perpleâ—â—itie that the one should not treat of a peace without the other That he should confiscate all the Duke seigneuries that held of the Empire and that he would seize vpon such as depended on the Crowne of France as Flanders Arthois Bourgongne and many others The Emperour a man of more wit then vertue answers by a gentle Apology That they must not diuide the beares skin before the beast be dead As if he should say Come according to your promise let vs take this man and then weare his spoiles Let vs nowe see what he doth before Nuz where we haue left him much perplexed how to free him selfe with his honor from that enterprise Two mighty armies attended him and cutts of his victualls both aboue and beneath the Rhin al the Princes of Germany both spirituall and temporall had ioyned their forces in infinit numbers all the Townes and coÌ„monalties did willingly contribute to this charge Two other considerations did troubâ—e him The king made great warre against him and had burnt many places in Bourgongne Picardie Arthois and Ponthieu Moreouer hee had labored all his life to drawe in the English but without any effect till now and would he abandon so goodlâ— an army passing now betwixt Douer and Calais complayning of his breach threatning if he delay it any longer to take an other course Yet must the Bourguignon finde some honorable pretext for his rising There was with the Emperour an Apostolike Legat going from army to army to 〈◊〉 a peace The King of Denmarke was there in person for the same effect In the 〈◊〉 tâ—e place is deliuered into the Legats haÌ„ds to dispose as the sea of Rome should deâ—â—ee Thus Nuz after a yeare seege sees the Bourguignon disâ—odge with the losse of foâ—re thousand of his choise men A hard departure that notwithstanding the necessity of his army and this mighty Imperiall power yet not daring to disgrace him He leaues the seege of Nuz he did see the beseeged and Cittizens ouercome with hungar and toyle who had bin forced within ten dayes to yeeld to his mercy Charles would willingly haue bin reuenged of René for his defie yet he forbeares vntil the next yeare but with an other issue then he expected he shal be well beaten and then slaine At this time vrgent necessity drawes him else where and his troupes hauing need to be refreshed he sends them to liue vpon the spoiles of Lorraine and Barr and himselfe with a small traine goes to meet Edward at Calais Edward being yet at Douer sends Garter his King at armes a Normand by nation to Lewis with a leter of defiance the tenor wherof smelt more of the French then the English He summons him To yeeld vnto him the realme of France as his right that he might restorethe Church Edward defies the King Nobility and people to their ancient liberties and free them from their great burthens and afflictions and vppon his refusall he protests of all the miseries that should follow after the accustomed manner and forme in such like cases A bare defie grounded vpon occasion long before debated and often decided The King reades the letter comands the herald to be brought into a Chamber vnto him being alone and saies vnto him That he knew well the King of England was thrust into this enterprise by the people of England The policie of Lewis by the Duke of Bourgongne and by the Constable of Saint Paul That the Duke came from Nuz like a vanquished man and needy that winter grew on vnfit for the effects of warre That the Constable would deceiue King Edward liue only in his dissimulations entertayning euery man and trusting no man In the end he sollicits Garter to perswade his Maister to make an agreement with him giuing him 3. hundred Crownes with his owne hand and promise of a thousand if it might be accomplished and in publicke he caused a goodly peece of crimson veluet to be giuen him containing thirty elles The Herald promiseth to do his best endeauour aduising him to send a Herald to obtaine a safe conduct for the sending of Ambassadors at what time as Edward should haue passed the sea The first cause of Edwards dâ—scontent against Chaâ—les who at his first entrie findes himselfe much deceiued of his expectation for the Duke had promised to ioyne with him with two thousand fiue hundred men at armes with a great number of other house and fote and for his assurance to put some strong places into his hands namely Saint Quintin relying vpon the Constable That finding the King ouercharged and redy to receiue a mate he should begin the warres in France three moneths before the leading of the English army but his army was so weake and poore as he durst not shew it Let vs here acknowledge an other notable fauour of God to this Crowne who had so blinded the iudgment of this Duke as he continued obstinate and wilfull before this strong place resolutely defended An other error of the Bourguignon that disscontents the English where as he should haue attended the English We confesse that both together
continuing his desseâ—â—e he arriued at Bresse nine daies after his departure besieged it takes it by force and sacks it Doubtlesse this braue Prince did hazard his owne ruine if he had not with gâ—eat iudgement and order commanded that no man should looke to any spoile Bresse recouered by the 〈◊〉 before the towne were fully at his command And he dâ—â— so well put it in practise as the first that made shew to abandon his ranke was slaine by his companions But who doth vse such discipline at this day when as being greedy of bootie they loose so goodly occasions Our French lost some men at armes and many foote but the enemy lost about eight thousand some inhabitants armed some Venetians who were fiue hundred men aâ— a 〈◊〉 eight hundred light hoâ—se two hundred stâ—adâ—ors and eight thousand foote 〈◊〉 Contaâ—in Comissary of the Stradiots was slaine Andrew Gritti Anthoâ—ie Iusâ—iniâ—n Iohn Paul Maâ—fron and his sonne the Cheualier Volpe Balthazar of Sâ—ipion one of 〈◊〉 soâ—â—es of Anthonie of Pié Count Lewis Aâ—ogare his two sonnes and Dominique 〈◊〉 Captaine of the Stradiots were prisoners Count Lewis and his children the chiefe 〈◊〉 of this rebellion were afterwards beheaded A reuolt deeâ—elâ— bought by this 〈◊〉 which yeelded not to any other in Lombardie in Nobilitie and dignity and in wealth nâ—xt vnto Milan it exceeded all the rest This chasâ—â—sement made â—ergame and the other reuolted Townes to call backe the French whom they had lately expelled These prises and reprises conquests and happy successe prolonged the stay of the French in Italy and yet they did nothing settle their 〈◊〉 seeing what they enioyed was rather a charge and expence to them then any profiâ— Buâ— behold strange crosses both by land and sea do hereafteâ— bandie against the happinesse of our men They giue the King intelâ—igence from Rome A new league against the King that Henry the 8. King of England notwithstanding his promise was ioyned in league with the Pope it was coâ—firmed by writing that a Galeasse laden with wines corne and other prouision arriuâ—ng in England from the Pope had exceedingly altered Henry with the 〈◊〉 Clergie and commons of England That he should with his armie at sea inuade the coasts of Normandie and Briâ—tanie and send 8000. foote into Spaine to begin warre in Cuâ—enne ioyntly with the Arragonois And they made already great preparations of men and shipping in England and likewise of ships in Spaine to passe into England Moreouer the Emperour was altered and changed in his affection complaining that the King contrary to the capituâ—ation of Cambrai did hinder the aduancement of the Empire in Italy Hee required that Renee the Kings yongest daughter should be promised to Charles his grand-child giuing him Bourgongne in dowâ—ie and that the Maide should then bee presently deliuered into his hands and custodie That the controuersies for Ferrare Bologne and the Councell should be referred to him And moreouer hauing made a truce with the Venetians for eight monethes he protested not to suffer the King to increase his estate in Italie But these were but bare shifts to couer his bad intent Besides the Cantons of the Suisses were so incensed against this Crowne that although the King sought to winne their loues with store of gold yet the perswasions of the Cardinall of Sion whereby wee may see that Cardinalles haue beene alwayes dealers in matters of state had newly made them graunt to the confederats a leuie of six thousand men And the Pope to straine all his strings against our Lewis fearing least his extreeme rigour should induce the Florentins to followe the Kings fortune to the preiudice of his desseins he reuokes without any sute the Censures wherevnto he had bound them To quench this fire before it flamed farther the King commanded his Nephew to march with speede against the confederats army of whome he promised himselfe the victory being amazed and yet the weaker and then to assaile Rome and the Pope with all violence desirous that this warre to seeme the lesse odious should be made in the name of the Councell called first at Pisa and that a Legat deputed by the Counsell should receiue the conquered Townes in the name thereof The Cardinall of Saint Seuerin was appointed Legat of Bologne in the army So the Duke of Nemours furnishing all places with men necessary for defence gathers togither all the forces the King had in Italie â—e makes a company of sixteene hundred Lances fiue thousand Lansquenets fiue thousand Gascons and eight thousand French and Italians to whom the Duke of Ferrare added a hundred men at armes two hundred light horse The French army in Italy and a great quantitie of good artillery Gaston hauing left his at Finall by reason of the bad way The enemies army was 1400. men at armes a thousand light horse seauen thousand Spaniards three thousand Italians newly leuyed Gaston thrust forward aswell by the Kings commande as by his owne valour and desire of Glory was desirous to see if the enemy would willingly trie the hazard of a battaile They on the other side temporised attending their Suisses and that the English and Spaniards beginning warre in France should force the King to call backe all or the greatest parts of his troupes and yet coasted alongest the French army least the Townes of Romagnia should bee left in prey and the way layed open to go to Rome lodging alwayes in strong places neere to some strong towne which might serue them for a retreate at neede So the Duke of Nemours not able to cut off their viâ—tualls through the commodity they had of the Tâ—wnes of Romagnia nor force them to fight without great disaduantage goes and inâ—amps before Rauenna hoping they would not be so base minded as to suffer such a Citty to bee lâ—â—st before their eyes and by this meanes an occasion should be offered to fight with them in an equall place The enemy discouering this purpose sends Marc Anâ—honie Colonne to Rauenne with threescore men at armes of his company â—eter of Castâ—e with a hundred light horse â—alezar and 〈◊〉 â—ith six hundred Spaniards The â—owne is seated betwixt two riuerâ— Ronâ—ne and Monâ—one which descending from the Appenin hills straighten themselues neere vnto Rauenna with so small a distance that on eyther side they passe close to the walles Sauenna beseeged by the Duke of Nemâ—urs 〈◊〉 ioyning togither they runne into the sea three miles from thence Gaston incamps himâ—elfe betwixt the two riuers plants his artillery some against the toâ—er of 〈◊〉 betwixt â—ort Adrian and Ronque and some on the other side of the 〈◊〉 of Montâ—ne whether almost halfe his troupes were passed to batter in diuers places and tâ— hold the riuer at his will Hee batters the wall makes a breach of thirty fadome choseth ten out of euery companie of men at armes to couer the foote diuides his army into three squadrons giues a furious
Quotidian So finding his houre come he disposed of his conscience and of his house he greatly recommended his subiects and seruants to the Daulphin his successor and the last day of March The death of Franâ—is the â— in the yeare 1547. being fiftie and three yeares old hee changed the painfull and continuall toyles of this mortall life with the eternall rest which the happie inioy for euer A Prince wonderfully lamented both of his subiects and strangers whose vertues deserue to bee placed among the most famous valiant Courteous bountifull iudicious of a great spirit and an excellent memorie A louer of learning and men of merit to whome arts and sciences owe the perfections they haue gotten at this day hauing by his bringing vp of youth founded Colleges in Paris in the Hebrew Greeke and Latine tongues assembled from all parts of the world learned men and of good life and by this meane cleered the darknes of Ignorance wherewith the world had beene so obscured by the malice of time and negligence of former ages A Prince fauoured with many good yet crost with as many bad and sinister fortunes Happie notwithstanding that no aduersitie could euer make him degenerate from a noble and royall mind nor from the true beleefe of a good and faithfull Christian. Happie and blessed in his end to haue pacified all forraine confusions which had so long troubled his estates and his subiects quiet But without doubt hee had beene far more happie if he could haue left his realme free from those fatall diuisions which euen in his raigne had so miserably diuided his subiects and shall cause hereafter strange combustions the first consideration whereof makes my haire to stand vpright and my heart to tremble at that which is to come HENRY the second 59. King of France HENRY .2 KING OF FRANCE .59 · NAture his age and the good education he had receiued vnder his father in the gouernment of the Estate 1547. did countenance him in this succession the which he receiued on the same day that he was borne and confirmed it in Saint Germaine in Laie by the restâ—tution of the Constable of Montmorentie by the publication of many goodly ordinances for the reformation of apparell ordering of the Treasure prouiding for the poore suppression of new erected offices gouernment of the riuers and forrests maintenance of Iustice and releeuing of his subiects but aboue all that necessarie lawe against blasphemers as we may see in the Originall Doubtlesse this was a commendable beginning and worthy the homage he did owe to the Soueraigne Lord as an acknowledgment of the fee whereof he tooke possession if he had not polluted it with the mournfull spectacle of that bloudie and fatall combate betwixt Iarnac and Chastaigneray whereof he would be an eye witnesse and behold the laters bloud shed contrarie to all mens opinion by Iarnaâ— being the weaker and newly recouered from sicknesse So shall we see in the end of this raigne that Gods diuine Iustice doth suffer That the man which did thirst after an others bloud shall finde some one to drinke his owne The restoring of the Constable disapointed the Cardinall of Tournon The Constable restored and the Admirall of Annebault touching the chiefe gouernment of the State and the Lords of Longueual Esâ—ars Boncour Framezelles Antibe Grignan the Baron of la Garde the Generall Bayard and many others accused some for theft some for other disorders in their charges did somewhat trouble the Court It was an olde saying That he which eaâ—es the Kings Gooâ—e will cast vp the feathers a hundred yeares after but since they haue turned this saying into a Prouerbe He that steales a hundred thousand crownes from the King 1548. is quit if he restore ten thousand So some preâ—aâ—â—â—d by 〈…〉 others escaped rigorous punishments through fauour In the meane time the ceremonies of the Kings Coronation were 〈…〉 Rheims and hauing receiued it the 27. of Iuly by the hands of Charles of Lorraine Archbishop of Rheims Henry the 2. crowned he made a voyage into Picardie and did visit the 〈…〉 were made about Boullen then did he prepare an armie to succour Scotland 〈◊〉 whom the English made warre for that the Lords of the countrie had refused to giue their Princesse Mary Steward in marriage to yong Edward hoping by this bond tâ— vnite the two realmes of England and Scotland to the preiudice of the French of the common alliance betwixt France and Scotland The Lord of Essé was chiefe of the armie Peter Strossy generall of the Italian bands d' Andelot Colonnell of the French â—oote the Reingraue chiefe of the Lansquenets An armie in Scotland marching by land against the English forces and Leon Strossy Prior of Capoua by sea spoiled the English of the greatest part of their conquests but the confirmation of the peace lately concluded betwixt the deceased Kings of France and England ended this warre and brought back our aduenturers into France 1548. Francis at the end of his daies had well foreseene the leuaine which should soone breed new combustions with the Emperour Henry must be heire to his quarrell aâ— well as to his crowne and knowing that the Pope had a fresh and iust cause of indignation for the murther of Peter Lewis Duke of Parma and Plaisance his sonne and sortâ—â— inuasion of Plaisance by Ferdinand of Gonsagne Lieutenant for the Emperour in Italieâ— he sent Charles of Lorraine lately honoured with a Cardinals Hat this is he that shall minister so much matter to talke of him vnder the successors of Henry to draw the Pope from the Emperours partie to the Kings alliance but death shall frustrate the Pope of his intended reuenge Commonly men fish best in a troubled streame many knowing this new King to be of a mild spirit addicted to the delights of Court little practised in affaires they kindled a desire in his minde to reuenge the wrongs the Emperour â—ad done to France whereof they vrged for a testimonie the death of Vogelsberg beheaded in Ausbourg at his returne from the Scottish warres for the Kings seruice Oâ— the other side the Emperour grew not a little iealous of the progresse the King made into Bourgogne Bresse Sauoy and Piedmont as if he had carried with him an alarum 〈◊〉 to sâ—â—rre vp the people to the following warre And it may be it had then been kindled but an home-bred mutinie staied it for a time During the Kings voiage the extorsioâ—s of the tol-gatherers and farmers of Salt Sedition for the customes caused the commons of Guienne Xainâ—onge and Angoulmois to rebell In few weekes forty thousand men go to field armed with all kind of weapons the Ilanders ioyne with them and with a common consent fall vpon the tol-gatherers The people of Gasconie do presently follow this pernitious example The commons of Bourdeaux rise finding la Vergne Estonnac Maquanan and others Tribunes fit for their humors they
charged them defeated them and followed them aboue a League hee slue seuen or eight hundred men tooke about fiue hundred prisoners and amongst the rest the Duke himselfe with seuen enseignes The Kings armie consisted of about seuen thousand horsemen fiue and twentie thousand foot with a hundred peeces of artillerie great and small desiring nothing more then to make his valour admirable by the issue of some happie battaile The Emperour on the other side sought to temper this heat and to wast this great power at the seege of some place oâ— importance The King to sound the Emperours resolution aduanceth neere to Valentiennes he wearieth his enemie with daily skirmishes gals him to the quicke and gets the aduantage But the Emperour apprehends it not the King finding him loth to hazard any thing sent the Marshall of Saint Andrew to spoile the Countâ—e of Saint Paul then in the end of October he puts part of his forces into garrison the rest hee dismisseth and sendeth away Now our armes are layed aside vntill the â—ext spring At the spring the King diuided his forces into three armies The first was commaunded by the Prince of la Roche-sur-yon being compounded of tenne thousand foote three hundred men at armes and fiue or sixe hundred argoletiers The Constable had the charge of the second conteining fiue and twentie enseigns of French as many Suissee two regiments of Lansquenets two thousand horse some of them light horse and some argoletiers with some English and Scotish horsemen The third led by the Duke of Neuers had twentie enseignes of English and Scots two regiments of Lansquenets three hundred men at armes eight hundred light horse and shott on horsebacke with two hundred Reisters pistoliers and all three breathed nothing but reuenge and desire to â—equite those confusions in Picardie New exploits The Prince enters into Arthois hee spoyles burnes and defeats two Comets of horse he kills two hundred vpon the place and sends their colours to the King The Constable takes Mariembourg fortifies Rocroy ruines the forts of Trelon Glaion Simâ—y and others built within two yeares The Duke batters and takes the castells of Oâ—â—mont and Beaurin by composition ruines and burnes a great number of villages then hauing by the taking of some strong places seated vpon the Meuze opened the passage of the riuer he enters Liege and takes Agimont and Bouuines by assault putting almost al the Inhabitants to death eyther by tâ—e sword or by the â—aÌ„d of Iustice for that they presumed to stand against an army royal for their outragious speeches and to increase their punishment he burnt the Towne he assured himselfe of Castelthiery and Valuin being abandoned he tooke spoiled Dinan but he preserued the female sexe from the violence of the Germains being fled into a Church Emanuâ—l Philâ—bert Duke of Sauoie by the death of his father Charles lately deceased assembled his army with an inteÌ„t sayd he to fight with the French if they aduanced We must trie this braue resolution The King passeth the riuer of Sambre the 25. of Iuly being followed by the Duke of Neuers he enters the Country of Hainalt spoiling burning and making all desolate seeking to drawe the enemie to fight Some troupes charge euen vnto the suburbs of Niuelle the fiâ—st towne of Brabant and for a noate of their passage they fire the sayd suburbes and villages there abouts so as many pleasant dwellings were consumed vnto ashes The Duke of Sauoye flies the listes and the army marching towards â—ains one of the chiefe Townes of Hainault lefte no thing behind it but tears sighes desolation fire smoake and ashes and to conclude a mournefull scaffold whereon two great Princes played a horrible tragedie being cruelly incensed one against an other The Castells and pleasant dwellings of the gentlemen of the Country yea Bains it selfe and Mariemont that stately house and others belonging to Mary Queene of Hongarte sister to the Emperour Tragny that goodly and proud Castell Reux Bauets with an iâ—finit number of others were in reuenge of that goodly place of â—olembray reduced to that estate as they might well say here was Bains here was Marâ—emont here were Tragny Reux and Bauets In the end the French hauing spoiled the whole Country drewe the Emperour to fight the two armies incounter about the midest of August neere vnto Renty The two armies mâ—ete the Imperiall foreward chargeth the Duke of Guise his troupes but to their confusion he deâ—eats them with the helpe of those succors that came speedely vnto him he kills eight or nine hundred men and strikes such a terror into the rest of the Imperiall army as they retire hastely into their campe as hauing no more desire to fight So the winter aâ—proching and want of forrage troubling the men at armes the King dismissed the â—uisses and his Nobility then leauing the Duke of Vendosme generall of the rest of the army he tooke from the enemy all meanes to endomage the realme but by sacking bâ—rning of the Country about Hesdin The 23. day of March Pope Iulius the 3. died Marcel Ceruin borne in Tuscane succeeded him but soone after his election death burieâ— botâ— his name and memorie Iohn Peter Caraffe a Neapolitaine called Cardinall Theaâ—m the câ—iefe author oâ— the Iesuists sect held the Romain sea and called himselfe Paul the 4 We shal this yeare quench the fires of the yeare past but it shall kindle new câ—mbâ—stions both on this side and beyond the Alpes So as no affection to the publicke good but the onely indisposition of the aire hath made vs till nowe surceale oâ—r armes Philip sonne to the Emperour Charles had the yeare past married with Mary Qâ—eene of England by the decease of Edward 6. and whilest that England did flame 〈…〉 by reason of the burning fires against such as had shaken off the yoake of â—â—e Romish obedience they did solicit our two warriors to pacifie their mutuall 〈◊〉 by some firme and durable peace Cardinall Poole an Englishman was imployed the 〈◊〉 but without effect for the soare not was yet ripe The courses of the Imperialls made the French to attempt vpon Castell Cambrose yet making faâ—re warres with the Spaniards and to victuall Marâ—embourg at diuers times 1555. while on the other side Francis of Cleues Duke of Neuers with the Admirall of Chastillon gouernour in the absence of the Duke of Vendosme who was gone to take possession of his new estates fallen to him in the right of his wife by the death of Henry of Albret and shall here after bee King of Nauarre and Soueraigne of Bearne gaue order for the defence of the fronter But behold one of the tricks of our ordinarie confidence Fifteene hundred of the Arrierban and foure hundred foote with some garrisons of Picardie returned home laden with spoile The Arâ—ier-ban of France defeated Without Scoutes saieth the Originall without order without feare of the enemie and without courage Haulsimont