flies to Philip who comes himselfe with a very great army and enters Flanders The vncle supplaâ—â—â— his Nephew for the County of Flanders His meaning was to make a benefit of their common quarrell But it fell out otherwise by his prouidence who doth pull downe one raise vp an other alwaies iustly although the causes be vnknowne vnto vs. Robert defeates the King and his Nephews After this victory hee is receiued Earle of Flanders without any discontent of the King for the distressed pupills who relying no more on him fled for succor to Thierry Bishop of Liege who makes an accord That Robert the Frison should haue the Earledom of Flanders giue his Nephews some recompence After this peaceable possession of the Earledome of Flanders Philip fâ—rsâ—ks Baldwins Children at their neede In England Philip became a deere friend to Robert forgetting the good offices hee had receiued from his tutor measuring friendship by proffiâ— Such was tâ—eÌ„ the state of Flanders England had a greater change we haue sayd that Robert Duke of Normandy had instituted William his bastard sonne his heire and that hee had gotten possession of the Dâ—chie but behold a greater happinesse attends him Edward King of England hauing receiued much kindnesse from him and knowing him fit for the gouernment of the realme names him his heire by his testament by vertue whereof notwithstanding all the policy and force that Herould brother to the Queene could vse William is receiued King of England and crowned in a soâ—lemne assemble of the English homage is done vnto him as to their lawfull Lord this great dignity continued in his posterity Philip sees this new power impatiently Philip discontented at VVilliams aduancement to the crowne of England yet can he not preuent it but God hath prepared it as a rod to correct this realme by the three sonnes which William left to succeed in his Estates Robert William and Henry Ambition is the Leuaine of these warres it shewed it selfe soone after the birth of this new power growen to the Dukes of Normandy whose first breeding we haue seene in the second race by the increase of the realme of England Robert and Henry the sonnes of William come to the King at Constans vpon Oise As they play at Chesse with Lewis the sonne of King Philip there fell some contention among these yong Princes and from iniurious words they fell to blowes Lewis called Henry the sonne of a Bastard Henry struck at him with the Chesse-board and had slaine him if Robert had not staied him This blow being giuen Robert and Henry made all hast to saue themselues in Normandy The Leuaine of distention betwixt France and England where they incensed both heauen and earth with their complaints From this light beginning grew all the troubles which disquieted these two Estates during 400. yeares vpon diuers occasions Robert Henry being escaped the fathers so imbrace the quarrell for their children as they fall to armes Philip goes to field and takes Vernon depending of Normandie Robert goes out of Normandie and doth seize vpon Beauuois King William parts from England and lands in France with a great and mighty power The English enter into Guienne and inuades Xaintonge and Poitoâ— Behold the first check of a dangerous game Philip moued with these losses enters into Normandie with a great and mighty armie but he cures not one wound in making of another William on the other side runnes and spoiles all the Country euen vnto the gates of Paris where hee entred not then but his posteritie did after him Hee dies soone after but the quarrell suruiued in his children who augmented this hereditarie hatred in many sorts While they began to weaue this web Italy was in no better estate being full of horrible combustions and the cause was so much the more lamentable for that the mischiefe came from them Conâ—â—â—â—ons in Italy betwixt the Emperour and Popes from whom all good was to be expected We haue formerly spoken of the deuisions growne betwixt the Emperours and the Popes of Rome for their preheminences In all ancient times the Popes were subiect to be summoned before the Emperour who had authority to create them to depose them that were vnworthy of their charges to call Synods and to confirme all things which concerned the outward gouernment of the Church The Pope on the other side maintaines that all this authority was his The Popes vsurpation as vniuersall Bishop hauing power to bind and loose to iudge of all men and all causes as the soueraigne Iudge of the Church not to bee iudged by any man and so to dispose absolutely of all matters as well Ecclesiasticall as Ciuill as Monarch in the Church not only armed with power of excommunication to damne rebels and authority to remit sinnes but hauing also the temporall sword with soueraigne authority ouer Emperours Kings and Princes of the earth to place and diâ—place and to dispoâ—e of their estates Hereafter we shall find in euery raigne some memorable example of this soueraigne authority This raigne giues a very notable one After the death of the Emperour Conrade called Salique Henry the 3. of that name hauing happily gouerned the Empire left it to his sonne Henry the 4 yet very yong so as the Popes during this weakenesse of the Empire had meanes to fortifie themselues and so imbracing this occasion Gregory the 7. called Hildebrand did prohibite the Emperour all authority ouer the Clergie and forbad vpon paine of excommunication to haue any recourse vnto him for the collation of benefices or for any thing else that depended on the Church Henry moued with so great an affâ—ont Sâ—range confuâ—oâ—s betwixt the Emperoâ—r and the â—ope lets Gregory vnderstand that this his decree was contrarie to the ancient orders the vse of the Catholike Church Vpon this refusall he lets him know that hee will maintaine the rights of the Empire and complaines to the Clergie of Rome in an open assembly Gregorie calls an other wherein hee doth excommunicate Henry and all his adherents and sends forth his Bull into all parts wherby hee declares him excommunicate and degraded of the Empire and in his place causeth Rodolph Duke of Sueuia to be chosen Emperour Thus there growes two factions in Italy and in Germanie one for the Emperour and the other for the Pope behold two armies leuied of these factions ready to shed Christians bloud nine battailes were giuen vpon the quarrell of these preheminences In the end Rodolphe the new Emperour is taken and slaine by Godefroy of Bouillon who followed the Emperour Henry the fourth who after this victorie assembled a great Councell at Bresse where as Gregorie the seuenth is excommunicated and Clement Bishop of Râ—uenna appointed to succeed him they conduct him to Rome with an armie take the Citty after a long siege whereas the new Pope is sollemnlie installed and Henry the 4. Emperour restored
by the decree of Clement But this was not all those which were opposite to the Emperour chose in the place of Gregory Vrbain the 2. and their party growing strong the confusions increased opposing oâ—e Emperour against another Herman of Luxembourg to Henry and after him Egbert Marquis of Saxony the which were taken by Henry and slaine one after another Vrbain hath other practises against Henry hee animates his owne sonne by his first wife against him forcing all the lawes of nature The Pope incenseth the sonne against the father who takes from him both his Empire his life And as Henry had suppressed the practises of this his eldest sonne Pope Paschall who succeeded Vrbain the 2. succeeds him euen in the like monstrous practises incensing his other sonne Henry whom the father intended to make Emperour relying on him as on his child beloued aboue all the rest So this sonne bewitched by ill councell found meanes to seaze on his Father depriuing him first of the Empire and then of his life The Pope added to this death a new disgrace causing by his thundring Bulls The Popes malice against the Emperour being dead the body of Henry to be digged out of his graue These were the fruites of their serious controuersies for preheminence not onely vnknowne to the ancient Church nor practised by the Apostles but expreslie forbidden by the holy mouth of the sonne of God The Popes one after another troubled with these crosses had recourse vnto our Philip so had Henry the 4. being a prisoner to his sonne but the respect of his coÌ„mon friends made him to keepe the stakes and to be a spectator of these lamentable confusions And yet many orders were erected by the Popes amiddest these disorders that of the regular Chanoines for a difference of the secular the Charteaux Templiers Benedictins and Carmes Thus Philip a witnesse of others miseries raignes peaceably during this age full of confusion both in Church and State The Emperour had reduced the realme of Bourgongne to the Imperiall iurisdiction distinguished as wee haue sayd but during these disorders The begining of the estaâ—es of Daulphiné Sauoy Prouence and Francâ—e Conté the whole body was dismembred and reduced to an other forme as when one is wearie of an old garment The industrie of such as held the Citties and Countrie in their possession made foure peeces of this garment The one was for Otho of Flanders which is the Countrie about Besançon with the title of an Earledome whereof it carryes yet the name The other for Berald of Saxony who enioyed Sauoy The third for Guigue the fatte Earle of Grisiuaudan who from little grewe so great in the confusions of times hauing taken the chiefe Citties of the Country and in the end Grenoble the capitall Citty as he became absolute Lord of all that Prouince the which hee called Daulphiné in fauour of his Sonne who hauing married the Daughter of the Earle of Albon and Vâ—ennois named Daulphin would carry the same name holding himselfe honoured by so worthy an allyance The fourth peece is Prouence one of the goodlyest and richest both for the fertilitie of the Countrie and commoditie of Ports most conuenient in all the Mediterranian Sea this was fallen into the hands of Berengers successors by the meanes before specified So the Empire lost the command of these foure Prouinces which fell to foure diuers Lords leauing yet in Daulphiné some traces of the ancient name without any effect for they yet call it the Empire in their common language as wee haue sayd elsewhere But as during the raigne of our Philip these confusions were notable Voyage to the Holy Land so that great and renowned voyage to the Holy Land made by our Argonaâ—tes Christians â—s worthy to be carefully obserued The proiect was to deliuer the Christians of Asia â—ormented by the furious tyranie of the Mahâ—metaines and to repeople the land the which God had honoured with the first fruits of his Church This zeale of Christians was commendable I would to God they had at this day changed their disordered passions glutted with their owne bloud into so holy a resolution vniting their mindes and forces against the common enemie of all Christendome The occasion was giuen by a French Gentleman called Peter the Hermite The motiâ—â— of this enterprisâ— who hauing long trauelled in the East and seene the miseries of the Christians among the Barbarians the maners of the Leuantins and the commodities and discommodities of the Prouinces of Asia neerest to the Holy Land he laide a pâ—ot with Simeon Patriarck of Ierusalem to solicite all Christian Kings and Princes to imploy their forces for the conquest of the Holy land The euent was answerable to the proiect for being come to Rome to Pope Vrbain the 2. he did so well lay open the estate and importance of this action as being satisfied by him he resolues to inuite all the Kings Princes Potentates States Comoâ—altieâ— Lords and Gentlemen of Christendome therevnto To this end hee calls a Councell at Clermont in Auuergâ—e where he assisted himselfe and induced the whole assemblie by his perswasions with so great efficacie as they resolued neither to spare their persons nor estates in the execution of so important a worke Godefroy of Bouilâ—on sonne to Eustace Earle of Boulogne vpon the Sea being Duke of Lorraine by his Vncle Godefroy the Crooke-back the sonne of Gothelon a great and a generous Prince ofâ—â—ed himselfe the first to this expedition and was chosen chiefe of this famous action The Emperour and all Christian Princes promised to contribute their meanes some their persons A troupe of all the selected Nobilitie of Europe did willingly consecrate themselues The names of such as went to the Holy land The most apparent were Eustace and Baldwin brothers to Godefroy Hugh the great Earle of Vermandois brother to Philip King of France Robert the Frison Earle of Flanders Robert the second sonne to William the Bastard Duke of Normandie and King of England Stephen Earle of Blois and Chartres Aimar Bishop of â—uy William Bishop of Oranges Raimond Earle of Tholose and Saint Gilles Baldwin Earle of Hainault Baldwin Earle of Retbel Bohemond Duke of Apouâ—lie Garnier Earle of Grez Harpin Earle of Bourges Ysoard Earle of Die Rambaud Earle of Oranges William Earle of Forest Stephen Earle of Aumal Hugh Earle of S. Pol Rotron Earle of Perche and many others worthy to be registred in this Historie I haue onely noted such as I could finde out All Europe was moued with this voyage France Germanie Italy England Scotland Hongarie Denmarke and Sueden Spaine onely failed being at that time much troubled to keepe their owne home from the Sarrazins who were lodged euen in their bowels France did contribute more then all the rest of Christendom The zeale which moued these generous and valiant men made them to hazard all Dukes Marquises Earles Barons Knights and Gentlemen sold and ingaged their Seigneuries
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
〈◊〉 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
thousand Ducats to enter Bourgongne at the same instant with three thousand horse and eight thousand and foote Germaines and Suissâ—s promising the Suisses a certaine summe of money to ioyne their forces with Maximilian being content they should reteâ—ne a part of Bourgongne vntill they were fully satisfied According to this agreement the English enters the marches of Picardie camps before Therouenne with fiue thousand horse of combate and aboue fortie thousand foote But the English forces did not molest France at land only the Admirall of England ran along the coasts of Normandie and Brittanie And the King to resist their incursions caused foure Gallies to passe the straight of Gibralâ—ar vnder the charge of Captaine Pregent At the first incounter the Admirall chased Pregent into Brest Here Pregent turnes his force fights with the Admirall and hurts him whereof he died within few daies after After that foure score English ships and twenty Normands and Brittons ships fought with equall forces ours hauing the winde But in the end Primauguet a Britton Captaine of the Nunne which Queene Anne had caused to be built beset by ten or twelue English ships and resolute to sell his death dearly grapled with the Regent the chiefe ship of the enemies fleete and fiering it burnt both the one and the other with all that was in them Therouenne was defâ—nded by two hundred and fiftie Lances and two thousand foot whilest the King prepared two thousand fiue hundred Launces ten thousand Lansquenets led by the Duke of Gueldres sixe thousand others Thâ—rouâ—â—â—e beâ—eeged which the Duke of Norfolke brought being fled long before out of England and tenne thousand French to succour the beseeged who in the meane time molested the enemie day and night with their artillerie with the which the great Chamberlaine of England was slaine and Talbot Captaine of Calis lost a legge The troupes assembled the King sent them to Aire vnder the comand of Lewis of Longueuille Marquis of Rotelin Captaine of the hundred gentlemen of his houshold Victuals grew scant in Therouenne when as the Lord of Pieâ—es gouernour of Picardie and the French Captaines chose out the most resolute of all their troupes and gaue them charge to carrie victuals to the Towne And for that their enterprise had happily succeeded retyring too confidently and reproching the enemie of couardise hauing no intelligence of their intent the English hauing sent their horse and fifteâ—ne thousand foote to cut off our mens passage who did ride on their nagges disarmed they charge them vnawares being readie to wade through a riuer that passeth at Huchin they kill about three hundred and take many prisoners amongst others the Marquis of Rotelin Bayard la Payete Clermont of Aniou and Bussy of Amboise all the rest casting away their Launces and trusting to their heeles and horses saued themselues by flight And therfore they call it the battaile of spurres which caused the yeelding of Therouenne the which was dismantled The incounâ—â— of 〈◊〉 to take away all cause of discord betwixt the Archduke Charles who by ancient right pretended it and the English who challenged it as conquered from the enemie by the sword From Therouenne Henry went to campe before Tournay following in this resolution not so much the actions of a good Commander in the warre seeing the taking of this place lying within the low Countries brought him small profit as the perswasions of Maximilian hoping that this Towne pulled from the French might in time returne to the obedience of his grandchild Charles to whome they pretended it appertained Tournay taken Tournay vnfurnished of men of warre and dispayring of succours for that the King not being maister of the field nor of sufficient force to incounter the English could not succour it saued her selfe from spoyle paying a hundred thousand Crownes To crosse the English at home The Scots defeated the King had stirred vp Iames King of Scotland an ancient allie to this Crowne but the chaunce of armes was nothing fortunate for him neither at land nor at sea for ioyning with the English armie where Queene Catherine was present he was vanquished vpon Til and slaine with aboue twelue thousand Scots After these victories the end of October approching Henry left a great garrison in Tournai The English retire dismissed his strangers and toke his way towards England carrying no other recompence for so great and sumptuous a preparation for warre but the Cittie of Tournay But some desseins vpon Scotland fallen into a pupils hands hastned him home An other storme threatned France The Suisses armed according to the former conuentions the King sends Tremouille vnto them to disperse them vnder whome many of the Colonels had receiued the Kings pay But neither by presents not promises preuailed he any thing onely he had a secret intelligence giuen him from some Captains to prouide for the defence of his gouernment of Bourgongne whether the Pope the Emperour Sforee did thrust them And behold foureteene or fifteene thousand Suisses with the troupes of the French Countie a thousand horse The 〈◊〉 enter into Boâ—â—goâ—ne and the artillerie which the Emperour gaue them vnder the conduct of Vlric Duke of Wirtemberg camped before Dijon Tremouille was returned with a thousand Launces and six thousand foot who by his practises had greatly altered the Colonels when as the multitude doubting the faith of their Captaines takes the artillerie and batters the wall Tremouille not able to resist the force of this nation which increased daily flies to the last remedy and without expecting any authoritie from his Maiestie agrees with them That the King should renounce the rights he had to the Duchy of Milan should pay them 400000 crownes within a time prefixt which they preteÌ„ded was due for their seruices in the former wars and for assurance therof he gaue for hostages his nephew of Mezieres Bailife of Dijon and foure bourgesses of the said towne who sauing themselues awhile after in Germanie escaped the threats of this people to cut off their heads if the King did not ratifie it Doubtlesse these were wise men to saue their heads from the Suisses choler A very preiudiciall accord for the King if he had beene constrayned to ratifie it But was it not better to lull the Suisses asleepe then to loose Dijon Our Lewis is now freed off two incombrances the English and the Suisses But the exemption of present dangers freed him not from a relaps for the English departing threatned to returne in the spring and prepared alreadie being loth to stay any more so long at the warre The Emperour had the like intent to annoy him The Catholike King deuised as was discouered by a letter written to his Ambassadour resident with Maximilian the meanes to draw this Duchie of Milan to Ferdinand their comon granchild yonger brother to Charles the Archduke shewing that by that meanes all the other estates of Italie should bee forced to take their law
the 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
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
gouerned this dislike so wisely as in the end Hebert was hanged And this was the meanes Lewis pretending to loue Hugues shewed a good countenance to all such as were affected vnto him especially to this Cont Hebert whome hee fauored extraordinarily protesting to trust him in all things the successe was answerable to his plot He calls an assembly of his vassalls at Laon and fortifies himselfe to be the strongeâ—t thether he calls Cont Hebert of whose councell in shewe he made great esteeme and writes his letters vnto him that he would vse him Hebert growne familiar with Lewis and sent for by him comes to the assembly fearing no enemy Lewis being master of the Citty reading a letter after diuer in the great hall he cried out Treachery punished with treacheâ—ie It is truely sayd that English men are not very wise The Noblemen about him desirous to knowe the cause of this speech hee fained that the King of England had demanded his aduice by this letter What he should do to a subiect that had called his Lord into his house vnder colour of good cheere had seized on him and caused him to die shamefully Hebert answereth with the rest That he must die infamously The King replies vnto him presently Thou hast condemned thy selfe by thine owne mouth thou wicked seruant thou didst inuite my father to thy house with a shewe of loue being there thou didest detaine him and cause him to die cruelly The company stood in shew amazed but in effect readie to execute the Kings pleasure not able to contradict so manifest a truth for the information of the death of King Charles the simple was notorious to the world â—ont Hebert hanged so as presently by Lewis absolute command Hebert was taken away deliuered to the executioner and hanged in vewe of all the world the place being neere vnto Laon noted by so memorable an execution is called Mont Hebert vnto this day And thus the treachery of Hebert after a long delay when he least suspected was punished by the treachery of Lewis Lewis dies hated oâ— his subiects and he himselfe after all these exploits died at Rheims in the yeare 955. hated and detested of the French leauing to Lothaire his sonne a Crowne neere the ruine and to Charles his yongest the faâ—our of his elder brother for a poore portion as wee shall declare heereafter LOTHAIRE the 34 King of France LOTAIRE KING OF FRANCE XXXIIII HE began to raigne in the yeare 956. and raigned 31. yeares 956. performing nothing that was memorable but that hee was heire to his fathers treacherie misfortune and the last but one of his race He was a forerunner of the change which happened to his posteritie Lothaires treacherous King He renued a League with the Emperour Otho the second who had succeeded his father Otho the first with an intent to â—eâ—iue the enterprise of his father Lewis against Richard Duke of Normandie either by policie or else by open force He sought twise to surprise Richard a good and a wise Prince with a shew of good meaning but hauing attempted all in vaine in the end hee vsed open force and was shamefully repulsed and beaten Thus he spent some yeares vnprofitably in this wilfull passion against the Normans Hee attempts warre against Richard of Normandy but in vaine bringing infinit confusions into â—â—ance both by his owne forces and by theirs against whome hee vndertooke this voâ—â—â—tary warre These miseries are set forth at large by those writers which liued in that age This breefe will serue for the matter according to our stile to shew That these calamities bred only by the passion of an il aduised King thrust the subiects into furie and dispaire and then into hatred against him being vnworthie to be respected hauing so litle regard of publike peace The general Estates assemble for the redresse thereof The Normans suffering as well as the French demaund nothing more then peace and Duke Richard notwithstanding his treatie with Lewis the fourth offered to hold of the Crowne to France so as his subiects might liue in quiet These honest profitable and necessarie offers augmented their hate against Lothaire 〈◊〉 sought war without any cause although he were vnfortunate alwaies mutinous and alwaies beaten To this phreneticall passion of his fruteles quarrels against the Normans 957. a new fantasie possessed Lothaire to breake the league with the Emperour to make warre with the Germaines or the possession of Lorraine anciently called Austrasia the which he sayd belonged vnto him by right time out of minde He sought by ill gouernment to repossesse that which lay farre off being vnable to keepe that which he had in his possession Lothaire makes warre against the Emperour He ingaged Regnier and Lambert the sonnes of the Earle of Mons in this action promising to diuide the conquest and did so contemne his Brother Charles whom his father had recommended vnto him leauing him no portion but his fauour hoping this liberty should breed more loue in him and also the reuerence of a brother tyed to his eldest should make him respectiue to the publike authority as he fled to the Emperour Otho for helpe Otho imbracing this occasion determines the sute which Lothaire would commence against him in respect of Lorraine inuesting Charles therein who sought releefe of him for his brothers discontent but Otho restoring Lorraine vnto him tooke from it great Seigneuries giuen to the Bishops of Cologne and Liege Lorraine giuen to Charles of France by the Emperour with condition also that hee should depend of the Empire Hereof grew great iarres betwixt the French and the Germaines with so violent a rage and passion as they were rather furious robberies then iust and well gouerned warres Charles the brother of Lothaire carried himselfe very indiscreetly as if he had been no Frenchman but a Germaine and was wedded to the Emperours passions with such vehemencie as if all his good fortune had depended thereon and had vtterly renounced France as a capitall enemie Moreouer the ordinary trafficke from France to Germanie was a dayly cause of discontent to the French to whom Lorraine was an ordinary passage for their commerce so as diuers persons receiuing dayly and vpon diuers occasions discurtesies from Charles Duke of Lorraine the French conceiued a hatred in their hearts against him which burst out in a seasonable time for the vtter ouerthrow of all the good hap wherevnto God had called him the which he could not gouerne by his indiscretion and cruelty But the prouidence of God making way for his decrees would expell them from the Crowne which had banished all faith valour humanitie Iustice and other royall vertues and disposed the people to these changes by their default who had the principall interest to entertaine their loues by equity and good vsage Lothaire hated of all men dyed in the yeare 964. leauing behind him an execrable memory of his actions
of the Realme being very carefull to entertaine their loues Richard Duke of Normandie was one of his most confident friends whom hee had gratified mainteining him in the possession of his estate Hee receiued requitall of this good turne with interest in the person of Hugh his sonne to seate him in the royall throne as our History shall declare But all these aduantages were not onely crowned with a goodly and great offspring but also with a sonne endowed with singular graces both of body and minde Hee had sixe Sonnes and two Daughters The offspring of Hugues the great but his eldest was the chieâ—e heire of his name vertue authority credit and happinesse with such successe as he made perfect the worke his father had begun Hee was named Hugues and by surname Capet eyther for that he had a great head He was called Capitosus or that being young hee was accustomed to catch at his companions cappes as a presage of that hee should do to Kings Othâ— and Henry two other sonnes of Hugues were Dukes of Bourgongne one after another his other sonnes were aduanced to Ecclesiasticall dignities the one Archbishop of Tholouse the other of Rouan and the third dyed young One of his Daughters was married to the Duke of Normandie the other to Frederike Earle of Metz. Hee had taken his first wife from England the Daughter of King Edward and sister to Queene Ogina the wife of Charles the Simple mother to Lewis the fourth and although he had no children by her yet did he carefully preserue the friendship of this allyance and before his death he chose a wife out of this great house for Hugh Capet his eldest sonne the which was Adelais the daughter of King Edward Thus he fortified his greatnesse by all meanes the which raised his posterity to the royall throne purchasing credit both within and without the Realme by all meanes fitte to establish a great family These were the ordinary proceedings which humaine pollicie being the gift of God and a branch of his wisdome in those that he will blesse leauing the wretched plonged in their wretchednesse by their owne indiscretion doth vsually prescribe to wise and carefull men But Hugues the great had another benefit which surmounted all these his great meanes or the force of his friendships and alliances hauing a sonne capable of iudgement for great attempts fit for the time brought vp and instructed by himselfe To conclude all things were so disposed in France as they must necessarily receiue him for King Necessity the generall consent both of great and small and a meanes to preserue the Crowne from ruine the which hee alone could effect But if the French were forward in seeking to him Hugues was so much the more incouraged to imbrace so great and famous a dignity And in the execution of this generous desseigne hee carried himselfe with so great wisdome moderation and dexteritye as wee may well say that God called him as it were from heauen There remayned nothing but an orderly proceding to that which reason presented vnto them Hugues beganne with the greatest who had a speciall interest to preserue what they held Hugh Capets proceeding to attaine the Crowne He treated mildly with them for the coÌ„mon necessitie The condition was To leaue them all that by inheritance which they held of the Crowne by title of office and they to do homage and acknowledge him for their lawfull King Thus was the accord made betwixt the Nobilitie of France Hugh Capet profitable for the great meÌ„ necessarie for the people honorable for Hugues beneficial for the realme for by this meane the realme was maintained in one bodie vnder the authoritie of one absolute Commaunder Hugues was well furnished hauing a sonne capable of the realme which was hereditarie The better sort had what they could desire for them or theirs A Parlement called at Noyon â—or the election of Hugh Capet and the people remayned in quiet after so many miseries Things being thus disposed on all sides the Parliament assembles at Noyon whither they runne from all parts and both necessitie and desire to winne his fauour to whome reason should assigne the Realme brought all the citties and made such hast thither as sought to settle their priuat estates by this publike authoritie Hugh failes not likewise to call all his friendes to reape the frute so long sought for with so great paine and trauaile both by himselfe and his father and now to imploy them as in a day of battaile The assembly was great by the concurse of all the Prouinces and Citties of the Realme which repaired thither It was the more famous for that in shew the French offâ—red the Realme to Capet as if hee had not affected it As things passe in this sort Charles Duke of Lorraine well aduertised of the Frenchmens intent the desseignes of Hugh labours to preuent him and being resolued to imploy all his forces hee begins first by admonitions but so ill seasoned as it made the way more easie for Capet for hee sends his Ambassadors to the assembly of the States not to intreat them to receiue him into their fauours Charles sends his Ambassadors to the Estates and and so to the Crowne according to his hereditarie right but to summon them That if they did not speedily obey hee would reduce them to obedience by force The French alreadie incensed against Charles and hauing placed their hopes in Hugh being present and soliciting for himselfe assisted with his best friends fell into so great a rage against Charles by his rough and importune speeches as hardly could the law of nations restraine them from doing some outrage vnto his Ambassadors for their indiscretion Then the Estates inact by a sollemne decree That for as much as Charles had shewed himselfe a friend to the enemies of France I reiâ—cted from the Crowne and a sworne enemie to the French so likewise did the French renounce his friendship declaring him incapable of the benefit of the Law both for that hee gaue the first cause as also not being bound to acknowledge him for King that is an enemie to the State their oth binding them to a King which is a father iust wise mild and temperate And therefore Betweene God and their consciences without any alteration of the fundamentall law they renounce him and declare that their intention is to choose a King which should prouide for the quiet of France They deliuer this declaration to Charles his Ambassadors commanding them to auoid the Realme presently Thus Charles his reiection was the raysing of Hugh Capet for presently the generall estates assembled in one bodie and representing all the Prouinces of the Realme declare by an autentike and sollemne decree That being necessarie to choose a King for the preseruation of the Crowne of France destitute as well by the death of Lewis the fift as by the apparent treacherie of Charles Duke of Lorraine That in
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
no other respect but for the reuerence of Religion and the zeale of publick peace This famous acte happened at Venice in the yeare 1171. in the presence of the Ambassador of the Kings and Princes of the greatest States of Europe that were Mediators of this Accord From Venice Frederick went into the East with a goodly Armie according to his promise And the dissention was well pacified by his humilitie but not altogether suppressed in Italy for it reuiued afterwards as wee shall see in the continuance of this Historie Thus the Christians liued whilest their enemies preuailed dayly in Asia to the great and shamefull losse of all Christendome Such was the estate of the Church and Empire vnder the raigne of Lewis the 7. 1179. Lewis caused his sonne Philip to bee sollemnly Crowned at Rheims at the age of foureteene yeares in the yeare of Grace 1179. Hee betrothed him to Isabel the Daughter of Baldwin Earle of Hainault and hauing thus disposed of his affaires hee dyed the yeare following 1180. An vnwise Prince and vnhappy with all his pollicies Lewis dyes leauing a Leuin of great miseries to his posteritie Doubtlesse the greatest pollicie is to bee an honest man This assured peace caused the Vniuersitie of Paris to flourish as farre as those obscure times would permit Gratian Peter Lombard and Comesior Complaints against the abuses of the Church learned men liued in that age The inexcusable confusion which raigned in the Church was a iust subiect of complaint to the good as appeares by the writings of Peter of Blois Ihon de Saraburck Bishop of Chartres and Bernard Abbot of Cisteaâ—x great and worthy men Their Bookes liue after their deaths wherein the wise Reader may see an ample and free Commentary of this Text the which the Historiâ— suffers me not to dilate of PHILIP the 2. called Augustus or Gods Gift the 42. King of France PHILIPPE .2 KING OF FRANCE XXXXII. THe title of Augustus giuen to Philip is worthy of his person and raigne who not onely preserued the French Monarchie An excellent King and an excellent raigne amidst so many sorts of enemies and difficulties but enlarged it with many Prouinces diuided to diuers proprietaries by Hugh Capet and vnited them to the Crowne for this cause hee was also called Conquerour His dispositioÌ„ The beginning of his raigne was a presage of happinesse for there appeared in his face a great shew of a good disposition inclined to pietie iustice and modestie being strong quick vigilant valiant and actiue Hee did consecrate the first fruites of his raigne to purge the corruptions which raigned among the people Blasphemies Playes Dicing houses publicke dissolutions in infamous places Tauernes and Tippling houses Hee made goodly lawes which our age reads and scornes doing the contrary with all impuniâ—ie but whilest he raigned they were duly obserued The Iewes were mightily dispersed throughout the Realme who besides their obstinate supeâ—stition vsed excessiue Vsurie and were supported for some great benefit by the Pope and oâ—her Princes and States where as they haue liberty at this day to liue after their owne manner Philip expelled them The Iewes banished out of France although they obtained a returne for money yet in the end they were banished out of all the territories of the French obedience and so continue vnto this day This was a small apprentiship and an entrance of much more happy paine the which hee should vndergoe both within and without the Realme in great and troublesome affaires as a famous subiect worthy of his valour England Flanders and Asia prouided varietie and change of worke to imploy his raigne the which continued fortie foure yeares but the change of his intricate marriages troubled him more then all his affaires 1190. as the progresse of our discourse will shew In the beginning there was emulation who should be neerest to gouerne him Philip Earle of Flanders and the Duke of Guienne were competitors The one as Vnckle to the young Queene Isabell his wife Competitors for the gouerment of the state and named by his Father Lewis The other as his neerest Kinsman and both the one and the other had great meanes to preuaile but Richard was the stronger as well by the Kings fauour as by the forces of England of whence he was an Inâ—ant and well beloued of Henry his brother who then raigned Behold the King is imbarked against the Earle of Flanders by the aduise of his Councell The subiect of their quarrell was for Vermandois which the Earle enioyed the King demanded it being no longer his by the decease of Alix dead without children and therefore must returne to the Crowne From wordes they go to armes Their troupes being in field and ready to fight a peace was made with this condition That Count Philip should enioy Vermandois Troubles in Flanders for the Earldome of Vermandois during his life and after his decease it should returne to the Crowne But this peace continued not long among these Princes The King could not loue his Wife Isabel It seemes this was the cheefe cause of the dislike the King had against the Earle of Flanders her Vncle. In the end hee put her away in the yeare 1188. from which time Philip loued Richard Duke of Guienne But this good agreement continued not long by reason of another coÌ„trouersie betwixt him and the English Marguâ—rite the Daughter of Lewis the 7. sister to Philip marryed to Henry of England as wee haue said dyed then without Children Philip doth presently redemand his Sisterâ— dowâ—ie Henâ—y sonne to Hâ—nâ—y the 1. King of England dyes before the father which was the Countrie of Vexin The King of England is loth to leaue the possession so as they fall to Armes and the mischiefe increased by this occasion Henry first sonne to old Henry dyed Richard Duke of Guienne his brother who might haue compounded this quarrell being called to the Crowne embraceth the action with all eagernesse And to crosse Philip by an important diuersion like to olde Henry auoides the blowe in Normandie and enters Languedoc by Guienne into the Countie of Tholâ—usa renuing the old quarrel he had against Count Raimond Philip being assailed in two places is nothing amased Hauing leuied an Armie with all celeritie Warre with England hee enters the English pale Where he sodenly takes Chasteaucaux Busaâ—cais Argenton Leuroux Montrichard Montsorâ—au Vandosme with other Townes and passing on hee batters and takes Mans and hauing waded through the Riuer of Loire he presents himselfe before Tours which yeelds at the terror of his forces Philip of Frâ—nce and Ricâ—ard of England make â— peace Old Henry amazed at the sodaine valour of this yong Prince faints and oppressed with grieâ—e dyes at Chinon in the yeare 1190. leauing his Realme to his Sonne Richard but noâ— his Malâ—ce For presently after his Coronation hee concludes a peace wiâ—h â—hilip vpon a cause very honourable to them both The
Christians affaires in Asia declined still The Pope perswaded the Kings of France and England with many reasons The Christians â—stâ—â—â— in Asiâ— very miserable and the zeale of the common interest of Christendome made them resolue They became good friends with an intent to make a voyage together to the Holy Land to the incredible content of all their subâ—ects But whilest they prepare for this voyage let vs passe into Asia to visit the afflicted Christians After the fruitlesse returne of the Emperor Conrad and of Lewis King of France things went from bad to worse hauing caused the Christian forces to loose their reputation with the Turkes being growne proud with this vaine shew of Armes Baldwin dyes after the fruitlesse attempts of these great Princes Amaulry his Brother succeeds him who toyled himselfe in Egipt against Sultan Sarracon and Saladin his successor Hee was releeued by the comming of Fredericke Barbarousse who failed not to performe what he had promised to Pope Alexander But the Christians found small comfort in his comming The forces of the Empire which were great being dispersed by the death of the Emperour Amaulry likewise dyes who leaues one Sonne named Baldwin both yong and a Lepar so as hauing voluntarily resigned the charge finding himselfe vnfit he did inuest his Nephew Baldwin the sonne of William Long-sword Marquis of Monâ—errat and of Sibell his Sister and considering the weaknesse of his age he appoints Raimond Earle of Tripoli for his Tutor 1121. Hence sprung a horrible dissention among the Christians for Sibille by whom the right came to Baldwin her sonne after the death of Marquis William was married to Guy of Lusignan who was seized of the yong Infant Hee is now his Tutor by force the child dyes and Guy of a Tutor becomes a King The Christians in Asia at Ciuill warres not without great suspition of treacherie against the Infant and in the end they fall to warre Euery one doth strengthen himselfe for this goodly realme and they are incensed with greater fury then when they ioyntly made warre against the Infidels Guy seekes for succour of Saladin Sultan of Egipt who embraceth this occasion and runnes with a great Armie to besiege Tiberiades The Christians assemble and are defeated in a set battaile The Crosse is taken by Saladin and carried in triumph Then was Tripoly deliuered into his hands The Infidels make their profit by their dissentions and the Earle Raymond found dead in his bedd when as hee should haue raigned to teach all men how to trust Infidels Saladin passeth on he beeseegeth takes and sacks Ierusalem and in this amazement Ptolomais Azot Baruth and Ascalon yeeld vnto him These victorious conquests of Saladin were accompanied with great mildnesse to the people whome he had subdued that by this wise course the Miscreant might incounter the Christians disorders by a notable example of vertue Moreouer there happened another tragicall confusion Alexis a young man of fifteene yeares The Emperor of Greecâ— murthered by his Tutor sonne to Emanuell the Emperour issued from that Alexis of whom wee haue spoken in the beginning of this Easterne warre was cruelly slaine by his Tutor Andronicus and he himselfe afterward by Isaac and the people of Constantinople who had called him to the Empire Such was the sick estate of the East when as our Kings were solicited to go and visit it in the yeare 1190. Philip calles a Parliament at Paris to settle his estate they disswade him from the voyage but zeale transported him and made him fight with impossibilities So great efficacie this resolution had to go to this warre which seemed to be the gaine of their soules health as the Historie saith King Philip Ricâ—aâ—d King of England made a voâ—age to the East great charges were imposed vpon such as went not the voyage to pay the tenth of all their reuenues both spirituall and temporall called for this occasion the Saladins Tenths Richard King of England came with manie Dukes Marquises Earles Barons great Lords and an infinite number of young Gentlemen The Kings sweare a brotherly and inuiolable League The great 〈…〉 among Kings breeds contempt and hatred but the continuall and priuate entercourse by the way bred a familiaritie and this familiarity engendred a contempt and contempt hatred as the course of the History will shew A notable lesson for Kings and Princes to teach them how farre they should conuerse familiarlie Hauing crossed the Seas with some difficulties in the end they come into Syria The losse of the Crosse made them to besiege Acon the which they take very valiantlie after great losse of their men but the Crosse would not bee found As the Originall saieth The plague fell among their troupes euery one talkes of returning Philip speakes 〈…〉 indisposition Richard made some difficultie least that Philip in his â—bâ—ence should attempt some thing in his territories of France Philip hauing assured him by othe returnes and passing by Rome comes safe into France Hauing left the greatest part of his forces in the East vnder the command of Odo Duke of Bourgongne Richard remaining alone was better obeyed of the Armie and atchiued great and memorable exploits against Saladin being already amazed by the taking of Acon Richard King of Englandhis exploits in Asia 〈…〉 Gaza and Iaffa hauing repeopled them with Christian Colonies and vainquished Saladin in battaâ—le From thence he resolued to besiege Ierusalem but as hee was kept from this enterprise by reason of the Winter so was hee forced to leaue Asia vppon this occasion and returne into England During his voyage and Philips there had passed some vnkinde speeches by reason of Alix Sister to Philip and the wife of Richard who in great disdaine said That he had neuer toucht her that she should neuer come neere him blaming her as if shee had beene prodigall of her honour by a monstrous Incest with his Father Notwithstanding all shewes at their parting yet this did sticke in Philippes stomake 1061. who at his returne found his Sister Alix at Saint Germaine in Laie whether she was retired expecting his returne who failed not to seeke all means of reuenge Richard had left his brother Iohn in England to gouerne the State in his absence Philippe solicitts him and promiseth him all his meanes with his Sister Alix being vnworthely reiected for a gage of his loue Philippe stâ—rs vp Iohn against his brother Richard King of â—ngland But Elenor the mother of these Princes kept Iohn in awe from ioyning openly with Philip against his absent brother yet could she not restraine Iohn from giuing his word to Phillip who failes not to seaze couertly seing his faith plighted and the reuerence of the cause which held Richard from his house would not suffer him to worke openly So he takes Gisors by intelligence and all the other Townes of Vexin which were in controuersie These newes gaue Richard iust cause to resolue vpon
his returne but it cost him deere for Saladin whom he had kept in awe sence the taking of Acon Richard makâ— a truce with Saladin vpon vnreasonable conditions well informed of his necessity resolution makes him to buy a truce for fiue yeares at a deere rate yeelding him vp all that had beene taken sence the comming of the two kings into Asia and so the Bloud Time and Cost spent in this conquest were lost in an hower by the ill gouernment of our Kings Richard hauing left the absolute comande of the affaires of Asia to Henry Earle of Campegne takes his way for England but as he came to Vienna in Austria he was knowne and staied Richard King oâ— England staiâ—d by the Emperour mâ—de to pay a raâ—â—ome first by Leopold Duke of Austria and then by Henry the Emperor for some discontent he had against him Thus Richard was retained 22. monethes and not deliuered but for a ransome of an houndred thousand pounds sterling which was then a great and notable summe This was the successe of that long and dangerous Easterne voiage crossed with so many toyles takings and yeeldings vp and with such troublesome consequences for both Kings and both Realmes for the quarrell ended not vpon King Richards release out of prison as we shall see Richard being returned into England Strange marriages of Pâ—ilip he sought all meanes of reuenge for the Wrongs he supposed to haue receyued vnworthely of Philip in his absence and calamitie But let vs returne to Philip he had put a way Isabel taken Alix the daughter of the King of Hungary who liued not long with him She being dead he tooke Gelberge sister to the King of Denmarke whom likewise he put away and in her place married Marie the daughter of the Duke of Morauia After a long and bitter controuersie vpon the repudiation of Gelberge the king remaning obstinate in his resolution yet in end he receiued her againe beyond al hope and ended his daies with her sending backe Marie with honorable meanes to liue in this kind of sollitary life in manner of a widow But our Inuentary may not excuse it selfe vpon the breuitie of the stile without reporting the manner which Philip held in receyuing Gelberge after so long and obstinat a sute The King of Denmarke pursued vehemently in the Court of Rome for the honor and quiet of his sister reiected Philip not able to auoyd the decision of the cause And yet resolute not to receiue Gelberge prepares his Aduocates to shew the reasons which had moued him to put her away The cause was to bee pleaded before the Popes Legate in the great Hall of the Bishops Pallace at Paris thether they runne of all sides In this great and sollemne assembly Philipps Aduocates pleaded wonderfullie well for him against his wife but no man appeared for her As the Cryer had demanded three times if there were any one to speake for Gelberge and that silence should be held for a consent behould a yong man vnknowne steppes forth of the presse and demands audience An Aduocate vnknowne pleads against the King for his wife Gelberge It was granted him with great attention King Philip assisting euery mans ears were open to heare this Aduocate but especially Philipps who was toucht and rauished with the free and plaine discourse of truth which he heard from the mouth of this newe Aduocate so as they might perceiue him to change his countenance After this young man had ended his discourse hee returnes into the presse againe and was neuer seene more neither could they learne what he was who had sent him nor whence he came The Iudges were amazed and the cause was remitted to the Councell Pâ—ilip relents â—nd takes Gelberge againe Philip without any stay in Court goes to Horse and rides presently to Bois de Vincennes whether he had confined Gelberge hauing imbraced her hee receiues her into fauour and passed the rest of his dayes with her in nuptiall loue 1193 By Isabel he had Lewis the 8 of that name whome during his life he imployed in affaires and left him the Crowne But the peace of his house was blemished by these crooked changes whereby we may obserue by the disquieted mind of this worthy Prince that there is nothing absolutly perfect in humain affaires He which could surmount the insolencies of his enimies could not vanquish his owne passions He that could get else where could not preserue that which was most pretious that is the peace of his howse and of his bed and which is more of his soule who could not liue quietly a midest these contynual debates bred and norished in his bosome This was the banket which was prepared for him at his returne after so many broâ—les passed in the voiage of the â—ast Flanders and England ministred him matter of troubles all his life time 〈◊〉 had â—oudry wâ—rres 〈…〉 King of England and 〈◊〉 Earle of Fâ—andâ—rs and he requited his enemies with the like ouer whome he had victorious aduantages Balâ—wine Sonne to Baldwin Earle of Hainault and Namur called the fourth and of Marguerit of Alsatia the Heire of Flaunders by the decease of her brother Philip dead of late in the East was then seased of these goodly Seigneuries wherevnto he had added Vermandois the which he pretended to belong vnto him by a certaine agreement but in effect it was by the right of conueniencie the which he had seazed on in Philips absence who at his returne recouered it from him by force with the countrey of Artois the which he gaue to his Sonne Lewis being now growne great who tooke possession and receyued homage from them of the Country Moreouer Philip caused Bauldwin to doe homage as his vassal for Flanders and other Lands of the Low countries noted by that name at Paris according to the sollemnities required from thence he marcheth into Normandie takes Gisors and the Country of Vexin giuing it for a dourie to his sister Alix being put away by Richard whome he had married againe to the Earle of Ponthieu But sodenly there are complaints from England That Phlilip did breake his promise He replies That seing his sister was nothing to Richard there was noâ— reason he should enioye her doury But this quarrell must proceed farther Richard receiues his brother Iohn into fauour and pardons what is past so as he will serue him faithfully against Philip and be no more seduced by his practises It chanced moreouer that Otho of Saxony the Son of Richards sister was choseÌ„ Emperour in his absence being then in England froÌ„ whence he presently departs assisted with his Vncles meanes the which hereafter shall import him much Richard seing how much Tholouse did import him for his countries of Guienne enters into a strict League of friendship with Raymond Earle of Tholouse theÌ„ a widower by the death of Constance Aunte to Philip giuing him Ioane his sister in marriage the widowe of
at this Assembly Philip lets him vnderstand That touching the Clergy of the Realme it was necessary that out of their aboundance they should helpe to beare the charge for their common preseruation the which hee would discharge when as the necessity ceassed And hauing thus sent backe the Popes Noncio he pursues Iohn so as in fewe dayes he becomes master of all Normandy the which had beene deuided from the Crowne since the yeare 88â— as we haue said Normandy beeing thus reduced to obedience with an admirable celerity Philip takes Normandy Poitou from Iohn Poitou doth likewise yeeld vnto him Iohn vppon this Alarum comes to Rochelle and from thence passeth into Aniou but in vaine He takes and vnpeoples Anger 's and seekes to seize vpon Brittaine being well garded through the care of their Duke Guy so as hee knowes not which way to turne him when as sodainly behold new occasions in Flanders the which he feedes all he can to kindle newe troubles whereby he hopes to finde some rest but his death shall seale all these toyles as due punishments for his blind couetousnesse and horrible paricide He seekes all meanes possible to trouble Philip with the ruine of France Flanders ministers matter by this meanes We haue formerly spoken of Baldwin Earle of Flanders after he had done his homage to Philip he resolues to passe into Asia to succor the afflicted Christians Hee had two Daughters Ioane and Marguerit the which hee left in the gard of Philip Earle of Namour their Vncle with the Kings good lyking who required the eldest to giue her in marriage to Ferrand of Portugall to the dislike of the Flemings and in the end he tooke her himselfe when as he hoped for profit Iohn imploying all his meanes he first vseth this instrument to oppose him against Philip in his ayde Great enemies against Philip. Otho the Emperor his Nephewe ioynes with him in such sort as France was in great danger of ruine by so great forces in so resolute an Enterprise Philip takes counsell for his passage into England finding so good successe in his affayres Ferrand hauing openly in Counsell disswaded this attempt shewing it to bee both vniust and impossible he made many of the cheefe to wauer ouer whom Philip commanded with great respect and among the rest Reginold Earle of Bullen of whom he had great neede for his descent into England Holding him in suspect he sought to make triall of his faith offering him a French Garrison the which he refused whereupon Philip comes to Bullen where the people giue him entry and Count Regnauld descouering himselfe retires into Flanders to Ferrand The league was great against Philip being incountred by two so great enemies neighbours and vnited A dangerous league against Philip. but Otho the Emperor swaid most hauing promised to assist Iohn his Vncle with all his meanes in this warre But the issue of this great League was not answerable to their desseigne Philip foresees this storme and resolues to preuent it Hee goes to field seizeth vpon Cassal Ypre and Lisle and takes assurance of the Citties of Gand and Bruges imploying his sonne Lewis in these exploits hauing meanes thereby to be in sundry places by so faithfull a Lieutenant On the other side Count Ferrand falls vpon Tournaisis and hauing taken Tournay he crosseth Philips disseignes Iohn hauing sent an Army to Sea-defeats the Kings Fleete at Dan and hauing passed into France he recouers Poitou In the meane time the Emperor Otho comes downe with a great and mighty army in the which they number a hundred and fifty thousand foote and a notable troupe of horse not specified There were great Captaines on eyther side Against the King were Ferrand and Regâ—old resolute men who had fury and hope to incourage them Otho the Emperour brought his honour with the Imperiall Eagle in the view of all Europe Iohn hauing intelligence of some stirres in England returnes with speede leauing his army to his Confederats 1215. and prouiding to send vnto them vpon all occasions On Philips side his greatest aduantage was in his owne person which did shine like the Sunne Lewis likewise was there Odo Duke of Bourgongne and the Earle of S. Paâ—l held the first rankes The common souldiars were nothing inferiour to their enemies in courage Yet the surmoâ—nted them in nomber and expectation of victory for who would doubt but the greatest number should vanquish But the soueraigne Iudge of victories had otherwiâ—e decreed whom Philip had called on in this extreame danger He sought to incounter his enemies a part but God had prepared him a greater triumphe in a greater Combate The Armies were betwixt Lisle and Tournay where there was a Riuer to be passed by a bridge Philip takes it and whilest the Army passed in their rankes he sleepes being awaked they giue him intelligence that the Emperor had pasâ—ed the Riuer at a Foard meaning to charge him behinde Philip when he had prayed vnto God a circumstance very profitablie obserued in the history meaning to preuent him he causeth those troupes to turne head which had passed the Riuer and that with such celerity as they came vpon their enemies backes The Combate was furious on eyther side vnder the most famous Ensignes of the world On the one side was the Eagle holding a Dragon in his Talents on the otherside the Auriflaine or standard of France The Germaines Dutch and English shot at the King the French at the Emperor the King was in extreame danger ouerthrowne vnder his horse Philip in danger oâ— his life in the battell the which was slaine and rescued by Hugh of Marueil The fame of which fact is more honourable to his posterity then the Lordship of Ville-bois which was giuen him by the King in recompence of so worthy a seruice The Emperor Otho hauing fought valiantly was in great danger and had fallen into the Kings hands as the Earles Ferrand and Reginald did hauing performed as much as Great and Valiant Captaines might do Philipâ— victory at Bâ—â—â—uenâ— against the Emperor But God would punish both in the Emperour and in them the rashnesse of an vnnecessary war The slaughter was great on either side bloud vniustâ—y spilt through ambition and couetousnes were reprochfull causes of a voluntary losse The signes of an absolute victory remayne to our Augustus The Field Ensignes yea and the Imperiall Eagle the which was torne insteed of tearing the chiefe commanders the Campe and the dead bodies Philip added Clemency to this victory of his valour dismissing all the baser prisoners and honouring the Nobility with good vsage Ferrand and Râ—gnalâ— prisoners led in triumpâ— and their liberty He retained Ferrand and Regnald prisoners whom he accused of ingratitude and rashnes to haue rebelled without cause against their Lord and benefactor he led them in tâ—iumphe to Paris where he made a stately entry drawing them chayned in Litters and condemned them to perpetual prison Regnald to
of K. Alphonso attending meanâ— to repaire his affaires in better season In the meane time Simon doth promise himselfe the property of all Raymonds estates the which he had gotten with his Sword but for that it was apparent that the King of France would hardly grant so goodly a Prouince taken from his kinsman to one of his subiects Simon therefore flies vnto the Pope by whose authority this war was chiefely ingaged from whom he attended his chiefe recompence hauing laboured for him Innocent the 3. finding that Philip who would not desist in his pursute against Iohn King of England notwithstanding his interdictioÌ„â— would not be moued now by his simple authority to leaue so important a peece he assembles a great Councell meaning to force the King to yeeld vnto his will â—he Patriarkes of Ierusalem and Constantinople were there in person The Councell of Latran and those of Antioche and Alexandria sent their deputies there were 70. Archbishops 400. Bishops and 1000. Abbots Priors The Emperors of the East West the Kings of France England Spaine Ierusalem Cipres and other Kings Princes and great estates had their Ambassadors By a decree of this notable assembly Count Raymond was excommunicated with all his associats The Earldome of Tholouse giuen to Simon of Montfort by the Pope his lands adiuged to Simon of Montfort for his seruice done and to do to the Catholike Church Philip could not gain-say this decree confirmed in a maner by the consent of the whole world He therfore receiued SimoÌ„ to homage for the Prouince of Languedoc whereof he tooke peaceable possession but he did not long enioy it â—or seeing himselfe inuested he began to oppresse his new subiects An Eâ—le is lost with ouer griping The people of Languedoc finding themselues oppressed with this insupportable burthen of Simon they resolue to call home their Count Raymond who was retired into Spaine to seeke some meanes to recouer the possession of his estate His case was not desperate for hee enioyed the Earldomes of Viuareâ—z Venaissan and the Citty of Auignon places kept by his subiects during these occurrents whether Simons forces were not yet come Raymond being called by his subiects returnes into Languedoc accompanied with a notable troupe of Arragonois being discontented for the death of their King Alphonso The whole Countrey baâ—died against Simon hating him as an vsurper Simon hated by his subiects of Languâ—doc for hâ—s oppression â—yâ—â—nie and detesting him as a tyrant for doubtlesse vniust violent things cannot continue Whilest that Simon seekes to bridle the Citties of his new conquests leaping from place to place with an infinite toile behold Raymond is receiued into Tholousâ— by intelligence with great ioy of the inhabitants Simon abandons all the rest and flies thether but he finds a stop for comming to the gates of the Citty as he approched neere the walles to parley he was hurt in the head with a stone wherof he died The example of Tholouse made the greatest part of the subdued Citties to reuolt Simon of Montfort left two sonnes Simon of Montfort slaâ—n before Tholouse Guy and Amaulry vpon the reuolt of Tholouse the one seizeth vpon Carcassone the other of Narbonne but Guy was slaine in Carcassone by the Inhabitants who were the stronger Amaulry hauing fortified Narbonne repaires to Philip Augustus beseeching him to succor him in his necessity Philip had the Wolfe by the eare for as on the one side he desired this goodly Prouince for himselfe rather then for the children of Simon of Montfort so was he also restâ—ained by the authority of the Pope and Councell He theâ—fore sends his sonne Lewis into Languedoc to reduce the Country to his obedience But he had scarce taken any one Castell when as his fathers death calls him home Count Raymond receiued againe in Languedock So as Count Raymond his subiects of Languedoc had time to reuiue their spirits recouer many places gotteÌ„ by Simon The king of England would neither assist nor send to the coronatioÌ„ of Lewis although he were held as Duke of Guienne 1223. This occasion moued Lewis to warre against him Warre in Guienne against the English whereby he got Niort and Rochel and Sauary of Mauleon Gouernour for the English retired to his seruice This losse made the warre more violent Richard Earle of Cornwaile brother to Henry King of England passed into France with a goodly armie and hauing taken S. Macaire Langon and Reolle Townes seated vpon the Riuer of Garonne and defeated some French troupes he made way for a truce which was fauourable for both parties But especially for Lewis being desirous to settle matters in Languedoc the which troubled him for the daily proceedings of the Albigeois yet was hee loth to labour for another For this reason he treats with Amaulry Earle of Montfort touching the right he had to that Countrie with whom hee preuailed the more easily for that hauing lost the greatest part of the Prouince he was not able to hold the rest with the Kings dislike to whom hee resigned it by order of a decree made by the Pope in the Councell of Latran and in recompence hee made him Constable of France with the consent of Pope Honorius Lewis compounds for Languâ—doc with the â—oâ—n of Simon Montfort Hauing compounded with the Children of Simon Montfort hee resolued to winne Count Raymond to his deuotion and to perswade him to lay aside armes whereof hee did see the euents to be very doubtfull His intent was to vnite this rich Prouince of Languedoc to the Crowne But reason which saith that no man thinkes his owne too much the respect which great men do vsually beare one to another and the alliance which the house of France had with the Countie of Tholouse were great restraints for the couetousnesse of Lewis But how soeuer he determined to make himselfe the stronger to prescribe them a law To this end he leuied a great Armie fortified with his Edicts by the which hee thunders against these poore Albigeois as Heretikes and Rebels These Edicts were of force whereas his authoritie was respected Count Raymond considering with himselfe the cruell beginning of this warre and the continuance of the like miserie in these second armes fearing to imbarke himselfe the third time with a people against his King is easily perswaded by Lewis to reconcile himselfe to Pope Honorius Thus Raimond leauing to oppose himselfe Count Raymond submits himselfe vnâ—o the Pope yeelds to Lewis and perswades the â—arle of Cominges the chiefe agent of his desseignes to the like obedience Thus both of them abandon the people go to Rome they make their peace with the Pope and leaue the Albigeois to the mercie of Lewis who seeing them without a head imbraceth this occasion to their ruine High and base Languedoc was wholy in his power by Raymonds departure Auignon remained with many other places in the Countie of
depart from Corbeil and enter Champagne in hatred of the Earle who had forsaken them to follow the Kings partie But Lewis taking him into his protection and marching towards them with his men at armes all their desseignes came to nothing And yet they had imbarked the Duke of Lorraine and the King of England in this quarrell Lewis hauing expelled them Champagne followes his course takes Angiers without any contradiction belonging then vnto the Brittons and from thence hee marcheth into Brittanie Terror opens the Gates of all the Citties The Earle of Dreuz leaues his Brother who seeing himselfe abandoned of them all but first of iudgement confesseth his fault and doth homage to the King for Brittanie The League broken and by this rebellion he gets the name of Maâ—clerck hauing so ill imployed his time as to suffer himselfe to bee vanquished by a Child and a Woman These troubles thus pacified to the dishonor of the Authors the young King wonne great reputation and his Mothers wisdome was generally commended Lewis makes a progresse throughout 〈◊〉 realmâ— who thought it fitte that her Sonne should bee seene of all his subiects As hee went this progresse hee receiued homage from all his Nobilitie and ordained many things according to occurrents It chanced that hauing erected Poitou to an Earledome and giuen it to Alphonso his brother Hugh Earle of Marche which lyes within Poitou would not acknowledge Alphonso for his Lord His Wife Isabell Mother to King Henry of England who had beene first married to King Iohn was the motiue scorning to subiect her selfe to an Earle of Poitou This ambitious passion was the cause of great Warre First shee drewe in the Earle of Lusignan vnder the same pretext for that there had beene Kings of Ierusalem and Cipres issued out of this Noble house and afteâ—wards the King of England The first tumult not preuented had almost surprised Lewis within Saumur and this Woman transported with pride and hatred sought to make him away eyther by poison or sword kindling the Warre in England by hired Preachers In the end after the two armies had made great spoile in Poitou Xantonge and Angoulmois both of friend and enemie a peace was concluded with the English vpon condition that La Marche should remaine in France This was the end of that feminine rage ridiculous in the issue but lamentable for the poore people who alwayes pay for the folly and malice of Princes Prouence was gouerned by the Berengers as wee haue sayd since the ouerthrow of Lewis the Sonne of Boson and then in the hands of Raymond Berenger Prouence comes to Charles of Aniou a sonne of France a fierce and cruell man who had so incensed his subiects being impatient and turbulent of themselues as they had recourse to Raymond Earle of Tholouse his neerest Kinsman to install him in their Earles place with whom they would haue no more correspondencie Being ready to arme the felicitie of Lewis pacified all Raymond Earle of Prouence had foure Daughters Marguerite which was wife to our Lewis the ninth and Queene of France Elenor which was married to Henry King of England Sanchia to Richard his brother Duke of Cornwaile and Beatrix which was to marry Daughters of great hapines hauing had three Kings and a Royall Prince The Earle of Prouence would hardly haue beene comptrould by Lewis but GOD who meant to plant a generall peace in France by the hand of this good King buried Raymond with his rage in one Tombe taking him out of the world whome a whole world could not containe Lewis after the decease of Raymond pacified the Prouençals in marrying his brother Charles the Earle of Aniou with Beatrix the Daughter of their Earle to their great content adding in fauour of this marriage Maine to Aniou And since this Charles was King of Sicilia Robert the yonger brother was Earle of Arthois By this meanes his bretheren remained satisfied Alphonsus being Earle of Poitou and Tholouse by his portion and mariage Charles Earle of Prouence and Aniou and Robert Earle of Arthois and the Realme continued in happy peace These things thus happily performed by Lewis hee imployed his care in the reformation of the Realme beginning first with himselfe and his houshold Lewis his disposition then did he plant Religion and Iustice the principall Pillers of a State for the good and ease of the people Hee lead a life worthy of a King louing and honoring Religion with much zeale and respect taking delight in the reading of the holy Scripures the which hee cauâ—ed to be Translated into the French tongue which I haue seene in a Gentlemans custodie carrying this title He did greatlie honor Clergie men being worthy of their places and was a seuere censor of them that did abuse it whom hee charged to liue according to their Canons and to shew themselues patternes of good life to the people That they should bee preferred to Ecclesiasticall dignities according to order in all libertie and should enioy their reuenues without lett That the exactions and insupportable charges imposed by the Court of Rome these are the words of his Edict on the realme of France by the which it was mâ—ghtily impouerished and which hereafter might be leuied should not in any sort be leuied without apparent cause his expresse command and the approbation of the French Church He had a good soule being iust sober modest The Patterne of an excellent Princâ— temperate in his eating and drinking in his talke habits and conuersation neither melancholie nor exceedinglie merry circumspect of a good iudgement staied charitable moderate vigilant and seuere in the obseruation of that he had decreed And as the Prince is the rule of his house he either chose seruants of his owne humor or else his seruants framed themselues vnto his disposition so as his Court was like vnto a well ordred Church His traine was royall and stately according to the times but there was nothing superfluous not lost so as hee had his Treasurie replenished to giue to such as deserued He paied his seruants wel yet he gouerned his treasure in such â—ort as his officers could hardly steale from him and such as offended he punished with so exact a seueritie as the rest feared to commit the like The orders for his treasure are registred in his Ordinances where you may see them at large He loued learning and learned men and delighted to read and heare good workes fauouring his Vniuersitie of Paris and drawing the Parisians to lâ—ue Scholleâ—s so as in his time the Vniuersitie of Paris had great prerogatiueâ— as the eldest Daughter of our Kings The realme was corrupted with the iniustice extâ—â—sion of former raignes by the sale of offices being most certaine that what we buy in grosse we must sell by retaile He did therefore expresly prohibite these sales and supplied such places as were voide according to the merits of persons after due examination to draw good men and
that go to forrage Lewis who lay in his bed extreamly sick had nothing but courage to maintaine life zeale to die in this holy warre in the which he had imbarked himselfe very inconsiderately Lewis distressed And not to giue his enemies all aduantages to braue him thus daily he makes choise of such as were least sick being resolute to dye vnder the command of Alphonsus and Robert his bretheren This poore maimed troope was easily beaten by a fresh and strong enemy The Kings brethren were taken Lewis being then prâ—st daily by Melexala to yeeld he giues eare to a composition which till then he had reiected seeing himselfe a prisoner without hope of recouerie The conditions were very hard in so great an extremitie Lâ—wis taken by the Sultan of Egipt That Damiette should bee restored to the Sultan all prisoners freed and eight thousand pounds of golde payed to the Mammelucks to redeeme his life the which they held as it were in their hands Lewis payes foure thousand presently hauing left the Hostie the Pix as a most precious pawne he was deliuered Hâ— paies his ransome but before he returned into France he paid the Summe and tooke his pawne 1250. hereof it comes that in the Tapistry of Egipt you shall alwaies see the Host and the Pixe for a memoriall of this worthy victorie Attending the paiement of this summe verie great for that age Lewis fortified the Citties of Iudea and redeemed prisoners and relikes being loth to returne into France with empty hands But these newes were presently brought thether with an incredible celeritie All things semeed to inuite fooles and ambitious men to innouations but God had setled so great a loue in the hearts of the French to their good King as they come all iointly to his mother The French generally lament for their King wonderfully perplexed for her Sonnes losâ—e a greife which caused her to die with as great obedience and respect as if he himselfe had beene present in his greatest prosperitie Priuate houses publicke places and especially Churches were ful of sorrow teares and vowes for the distresse of their good afflicted Prince for the which al sounded out with praiers and deuotion Their purses were as open as their hearts to furnish what soeuer was needfull for their Kings ransome or his returne so much was he beloued and wished for of al men The money is â—pedely prouided sent and deliuered to the enemie and Lewis returnd into his realme fiue yeares after his departure bringing with him Marguerite his deere spouse with the conceyt of the same chastitie he had before But after his absence he neither found his realme so well ordred as he had left it not his neighbour State in any better peace He began by the reformation of his owne making constitutions concerning the Church Lewis makeâ— good Laweâ— Iustice and the releefe of the People against publike dissolution Blasphemies Stewes Dicings-houses Playes and other enormities He made orders for Marriages Debts Impositions Offices benefices the which ar e contayned more at large in the originall Historie this was in the yeare .1251 A true commendation of Saint Lewis The fruits of his voâ—age and affliction was that he became a better man hauing increased in zeale modesty wisdome and dilligence better beloued and respected then before his departure and generally had in great admiration for his good life and constancy in the midest of greatest dangers as a miracle among kings he found his mother Bâ—anch wanting in his house Blanche his mother dies being dead a litle after the imprisonment of her Sonne surcharged with age and the greefe of so great an affliction Lewis hauing ordered the confusions sprong vp in his absence he imploied the rest of his time and authoritie to pacifie quarrells growen among his neighbours as the Generall Arbitrator among Christians The English â—â—bell against their King England did offer a noâ—able occasion The English were reuolted against King Henry vnder the command of Simon of Monâ—fort a man of great credit for some discontentments touching their preuiledges By the countenance and conduct of this commander their complaints are conuerted into open warre in the which Henry and his brother Richard are taken prisoners Lewis exhorts the English to concord and doth not seeke to nurrish these dâ—uisions for his owne benifit as his father Lewis had done Edward Sonne to Henry that was prisoner giues them an other battaile in the which Simon of Montfort was slaine yet his faction dies not but the warre was reuiued vnder the commande of Guy the Sonne of Simon Lewis imployed his authority so happely both with Guy and the people who held his pietie and wisdom in great respect that hauing perswaded his brother Charles King of Sicilia to make Guy his Lieutenant and as it were companion in the conquest of Tuscanie he was a meanes to restore King Henry to his authory Lewis reconciles the Engâ—â—sh to their King and the people to their liberty with a generall content Flanders presented him an other subiect Marguerite Countesse of Flanders issued from Baldwin father to Iane the wife of Ferrand as we haue said had children by diuers men Two by one bed which were held vnlawfull hauing beene abused either by William her scholemaster who was a preest or by Bessard of Auuergne her gouernor or by both of them hauing volontaryly yeeled to eyther of them and three in lawful matrimony by Guy or Dampierre a Gentleman of Champagne The two first were the eldest and strongest in credit whereby must needs growe great troubles among a stirring people as we haue seene a great cumbustion of a smaller fire Diuision in Flanders paceâ—â—ed by Lewis Lewis pacified this quarrell without force as the soueraigne Iudge assigning the Earldome of Haynault to the first and Flanders to the last and so ended a sute which in shew seemed infinite and should immortalize a dangerous dissention 1260. holding those children for legitimate which could not bee reiected without troubling the lawfull equitie of the countrie According to the rule that a common error makes a iust title But Languedoc was ready to rise vpon the controuersie of the Earles of Tholouse and Rossillon both parties were strong his brother Alphonsus on the one part and Iames King of Arragon on the other The question for those lands was the cause This great familie had diuers branches and by this occasion diuers diuisions and so diuers names were giuen to this Prouence now called the Earledome of Tholouse sometimes S. Gilles sometimes Beziers and other whiles Narbone as we shall declare in the Theater of Languedoc Lewis decreed that Iames King of Arragon should enioy the County of Rossillon and all the rest should remaine to his Brother without controuersie the which was obserued by them and their successors Thus this good Prince laboured happily to compound controuersies in notable actions being carefull to pacifie
FRANCE XXXXVI HE found his authoritie respected within the Realme 1286. as well for his age The dâ—spâ—sition of Philip. as hauing gouerned the State with dignitie vnder his Father Philip. A good Prince Iudicious and of a noble minde and the which was not the least point of happinesse in this life he was well married with Ioane Queene of Nauarre whereof he tooke the name of King before the decease of his father His issue enioying her as a sweete companion of his complexions He had three sonnes by her goodly Princes of body and excellent spirits Lewis Philip and Charles which shall bee Kings successiuely one after another but all so ill matched Philip vnhappie in the marriage of his sonnes as it was his greefe to see his childrens houses infected with three Strumpets and put away without all hope of issue hauing seuerely punished the corrupters of his Daughters in lawe and confinâ—d these inâ—atiat mastiues into Monasteries He had also one Daughter of the same bed named Isabel who was married to Edward King of England leauing vnto France a heauie and dangerous Leuaine of horrible confusion by the meanes of her sonne a fatall scourge for this realme Philip after the decease of Ioane His second wife maried Constance the Daughter of Charles King of Sicilia a faire and a young Princesse whom he left great with a sonne the which was borne eight dayes after his decease and suruiued him but few dayes His raigne He began to raigne in the yeare 1286. and dyed in the yeare 1315. hauing raigned twenty and nine yeares The entrance of this raigne was goodly but Flanders Guienne and the Pope gaue him vpon diuers occasions and at diuers times many great and painfull crosses He loued Iustice and Learning wherin he was well instructed for that age so as he did consecrate the first fruits of his raigne to honor both the one the other as also the Muses did honour him with a goodly Oration which is read in the Originall of this Historie 1287. for a commendable memorie to posteritie of the vertues of this great Prince The Parliament was not tyed to any place but changed according to the necessitie of Prouinces Sutes were most commonly iudged definitiuely by the Bayliffs and Seneshals and the greatest causes were decided Soueraignly in the Kings Councell who gaue free audience to their Subiects Philip hauing obserued by the experience of former raignes that it was very necessarie to haue â—urisdictions distinctly limited The Parliament of Paris erected left a Soueraigne power to his Parliament at Paris a part of his royall authoritie in ciuill and criminall causes and the better to gouerne it he appointed a sufficient number of Presidents and Councellors with his Aduocate and â—roctor which number hath beene since augmented according to occasion and for the greater countenance of this dignitie hee placed it in his chiefe Cittie of Paris and to that end he caused that great Pallace one of the most admirable buildings vnder the coape of Heauen to be built by the meanes of Enguerand of Marigny Earle of Longueuille The Palace built Superintendant of the Treasurie of France Hee first oâ—dained but two sittings of the Parliament in the yeare the which necessitie hath made ordinâ—rie vnder Lewis Hutin his Sonne who also erected an Exchequer at Roan Other Prouinces had their Parliaments at diuers times and vpon diuers occasions With like affection he fauoured his Vniuersities of Paris with all maner of priuiledges hauing his Wife Ioane a companion of the same humour whom he suffered to build in her name that goodly Colledge of Nauarre where at this day in this Iron age Colledge of Nauâ—râ—â— wee may bâ—hold with admiration the great bountie of â—ur Kings in commendable and vertuous actions These goodly beginnings in shew the first fruites of a sound peace were crossed with many difficulties both within and without the realme Flanders gaue the fiâ—st subiect This Countrie is one of the chiefe Seignâ—uries of this Monarchie and in the yeare 1225. this lawfull subiection was acknowledged at Meluâ— by the Earle of Flanders Cause of the wâ—râ—e in Flanders In the beginning of this raigne Guy Earle of Flanders came to do his homage to Philip who required to haue the Citties of Flanders to ratifie this peace of Melun the which was performed but vnwillingly by this riche people who still complained vnto Philip that his Parliament at Paris did infringe their Priuiledges for the which hee wisely prouided but the great securitie of these rich Citties musâ— â—eeds be the cause of their own afflictions as it chanceth ofteÌ„ that a rich people being too faâ—r The cause of quâ—rrell in Guyenne seâ—ke wilfuâ—ly their owne ruine Guyenne did likewise much trouble Philip and these two quarrels were intricate one with another like vnto diseases which come together according to the times and occasions when they chance The King of England was Duke of Guienne since the marriage of Elenor as wee haue seene but many difficulties haue fallen out the accord made by the King S. Lewis specified by vs had limittâ—d the Seignâ—uries of Guienne to the English the which hee should hold by homage of our Crowne but he could not limit his desire being watchfull vpon all occasions to free himselfe from the subiection of France Let vs follow by degrees the actions and the orâ—er of times in the combersome report of these new stormes falling out diuersly and in diuers places like as in a time inclined to raine a Cloud dischargeth it selfe by Planets in diuers parts â—he force and neighbourhood of England increased the quarâ—ell and caused a continuance by diuers accidents Edward the first of that name Sonne to Henry the third liued then in England and Count Guy in Flanders Edward came likewise into France and did homage to the new King for the Duchie of Guienne and other lands which he held of the Crowne Occâ—sioâ—â— to râ—nue the war with the â—â—glish as Guy had done for his It chanced that certaine English Ships scouring along the coast of Normandie made a great spoile of the subiects of France Philip vpon their complaints intreates Edward to cause restiâ—â—â—ion to be made of that which had beene vniustly taken by his subiects Edward neglects it so as Philip causeth him to be adiourned to yeeld a reason of this attempt as vasâ—all to the Crowne He appeares not and so by sentence he is declared guiltie of fellonie and of high Treason and to haue forfeited his interest in all his Seigneuries of France For the execution of this decree Arnoul of Neele Constable of France is sent into Guienne with an armie 1293. in the yeare 1293. a notable date to coate the fiâ—st letter in this Inuentarie of a very long processe although with some inteâ—mission yet so violent as it had a most ruined France The Constable doth his exploit Pâ—ilip sends an armiâ— into
Guienne hee taketh Bourdeaux the chiefe Cittie of Guienne and then most of the other Townes doe willingly yeeld obedience vnto the King Rions and some other Castels well fortified by the Eâ—glish â—old good to serue as a Leuaine of this waâ—re Edward seeing himselfe thus assailâ—d aâ—mes by Sea and Land By Sea hee sends an Aâ—mie vnder the conduct of Robert Tiptoste A Leâ—â—ue beâ—wixt Edwaâ—d oâ— Enâ—land Gâ—y of Fâ—anders the Emperor and Dukâ— oâ— Bâ—r against Philip. By land hee sends some forces vnder the command oâ— Iohn Breton to preserue that which remained in Guienne and to fortifie himselfe with friends in the doubtfull euents of so important a cause hee makes a league with Guy Earle of Flanders and for confirmation thereof hee demands his Daughter Philip for his eldest sonne the Prince of Wales the heire apparant to the Crowne of England which the Earle accepts willingly And to omit nothing that might auaâ—â—e him hee enters league with Henry Duke of Bar giuing him Elenor his Daughter in marriage and with Adolphe of Nassau Emperour both hauing pretensions against France The Duke of Bar demanded Champagne of the King by the rights hâ—e preâ—ended and enters it with forces Philip sends Gualter of Creâ—y the Loâ—d of Chaâ—â—illion vpon Marne against him with a goodly Armie who on the other side entâ—ing into Barrois makes a diuersion and forceth the Duke to returne to defend his owne against Gualter â—he Emperour brauâ—ngly giues notice vnto the King that he will make warre against him to recouer the Lands belonging to the Empire Philip makes no other answer but sends him a packet well sealed vp in the which was a whiâ—e Paper foulded like a Letter without any writing This scofâ—e was a great defie as indeed the braueries of Adolphe had no successe The Earle of Flanders was the neerest and most dangerous enemie to preiudice Philip who had ioyned himselfe to the King of England by so strict a bond as the marriage of his Daughter Philip hauing three great enemies in front tryes his wittes to staye them The most dangerous was hee that dealt vnder hand that is the Fleming who made a good shew to Philip Stâ—â—ars dâ—luditur 〈◊〉 and yet treated with his most dangerous enemie but pollicie did circumuent pollicie The King findes meanes vnder-hand to giue him notice that hee would gladly see his Daughter whome hee had Christened and was called Philip by his name before he led her into England Guy brings her with him to Paris being arriued he is committed prisoner by the King The cause is made knowne vnto him by such as had commanâ—â—ment to arrest him That being his Vassaâ—le hee had presumed to allye himselfe with a capitall enemie to the Crowne giuing him so precious a gage as his Daughter Guy obtaines leaue to speake with the King Hee excuseth himselfe Philip sâ—izeth vpon â—he â—aâ—le oâ— Flâ—nâ—eâ—s Daugâ—ter but his Daughter â—â—maines as a pawne with the Queene to bee marryed at the Kings good pleasure 〈◊〉 Daughter although kindly entertained by the King and Queene was full of greefe lamenting dayly as if this honourable gaâ—de had beene a most cruell prison The Earle intreates Philip to send him his Daughter hee answers him plainely that hee tooke her not to restore her Herevpon Guy takes occasion to complaine of the great wrong hee pretended to bee done him by Philip who detaines his Daughter forceably without reason The English in the meane time make open warre in Guienne Philip foreseeing that this was the beginning of a greater storme meaning to lay the burthen vpon him that might doe him most harme sends a goodly Armie into Guienne against the English vnder the conduct of two great Commanders his Brother Charles Earle of Valois and the Constable of Neele to molest the enemie in diuers places Rions and Pondesaâ— Townes vpon the Riuer of Garonne then strong but now desolate are besieged and after many diâ—ficulties yeeld vnto the King and in the end Saint Seuer but with more paine Edmond Brother to the King of England is defeated at Sea The English affaires succeeded ill and reâ—uâ—nâ—ng into England repaires his Nauâ—e But striuing afterwards in vaine to besiege Bourdeaux with new forces hee goes and dyes at Bayonne then belonging to the English 1296. Thus all things succeeding ill for the English hee seekes all meanes to fortifie himselfe He flies to the Emperour Adolphe the chiefe instrument of his hope and sends him money to leuâ—e an armie To Pope Bâ—niface the eight beseeching him to remeâ—ber the priuate bond he had to the preseruation of England whereof he was protector Guy Earle of Flanders ioynes openly with the English in this societie to make warre against Philip with all his forces But from these light beginnings sprung diuers occasions which â—â—oubled these great Princes The Fleminge is the chiefe aduancer of this Trageâ—â—â— and shall haue his share in it A great assembly of Princes against Philip. He cals a great assemblie in the Cittie of Gramont in the yeare 1296. at the feast of Châ—istmas where Adolph thâ— Emperour Edward King of England the Duke of Austria Iohn Duke of Brabant the Earle of Iuliers William of Iuliers his Sonne Iohn Earle of Holland and of Haynault Robert Earle of Neuers William Henry and Guy of Flanders Ihon Earle of Namur and many other great personages meete and with one coâ—seâ—â— resolue to make warre against Philip. The colour was to maintaine Guy Earle of â—landers vniustly afflicted by Philip who had violently taken and stolne his Daughter against the right of Nations and detained her refusing obstinately to restore her to her Father It was decreed that Guy should begin by force and bee well secoâ—ded by the Emperour and the English in case of necessitie But before they come to Armes Pope Boniface should make the first point by the luster of his authoritie All things threatned Philip with much trouble but the end will shew that the attempts of man are all but vaine Boniface according to the intent of their league sends his Nuncio to Philip Popâ— Boniface eâ—enâ—y to Pâ—ilip which was Iames Bishop of Metz to exhort him to doe Iustice both to the Earle of Flanders and to the King of England protesting that hee desired nothing more then peace betwixt Christian Princes Hee sent the same Nuncio vpon the same subiect into England but with an other intent then hee made shâ—w of vnto Philip casting Wood and Oyle into this fire in steed of Water to quench it But for that this Pope must appeare in many acts of this Theater wee must obserue his disposition by some sufficient and not suspected testimonie Platina the â—opes Secretarie Being saith hee a Priest Cardinall of Saint Martin of the Mount Platina i◠〈…〉 hee affected the Pontificall dignitie with such vehemencie as hee omitted neither ambition nor fraude to compasse it and moreouer hee was puft vp with such arrogancie â—s â—ee
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
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
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
himselfe out of this great forest of Paris into Champagne to the Towne of Vertus where he assembles the 〈◊〉 of the Country and according to the honorable offers they had made him he obtayned all he could desire answerable to their meanes and faculties But the greatest benefit he did reape was the good example they gaue to other Prouinces who imployed all their meanes not to yeeld to Languedoc or Champagne in the honor of their loyaltie whervnto God and nature bound all good subiects to their King especialy being in necessity Thus the Daulphins courage began to reuiue seeing by effect in his extremest danger that all good â—renchmen were not dead A lesson for great men neuer to despaire in most desperate extremities The Nauarrois had no other care but to ruine the Daulphin the Nauarroiâ— seekes all meanes to ruine the Daulphin Not satisfied with his 〈◊〉 in Paris he solicits the King of England instantly and represents vnto him by sundry messages that a fit oportunity is now offred to make himselfe master of this goodly estate There was great likelehood the King being a prisoner and the affaires brought to that extremity that the English should soone haue preuailed ouer this realme But God had otherwise decreed who shewed the rod but stayed his arme holding in his handâ— both the hearts of men and the euents of things Edward obserued well the meanes to effect his desseins in this confusion but knowing the ambitious disloial humour of the Nauarrois he could not trust him Yet not to contemne so plausible an occasion he assists him with some helpes by degrees Edward distrusts the Nauarrois onely to balance what force should be offered expecting some better and more safe oportunity the which hee promised himselfe rather by treatie with his prisoner then by all the intelligences and practises of this Prince importunately disloyall against his owne bloud and the State the which hee should haue mayntained with the hazard of his life This turbulent spirit not able to containe it selfe within the limits of duty assembles al his forces to beginne the game by open hostility against the Daulphin and to this ende he labours to corrupt the Captaines of places but hee could no more moue their loyaltie then the 〈◊〉 had done the Citties The Daulphin seeing the Nauarrois in armes vnder the commaund of his brother Philipâ— doth likewise arme and very lawfully against so vniust a violence But heerein hee did wisely drawe proffit from his enimy and maintaine his authority not duely respected with 〈◊〉 force of armes nor pleasing if armes had not beene taken by necessity And frâ—m hence there grewe a great occasion to confirme his authority in the reasonable and necessarie imployment of his forces Laques â—orhomme The disorder and confusion of times had wonderfully dispensed the Nobility against the people by reason that the Nauarrois hauing impâ—â—yed them two yeares to make himselfe redoubtable and fearefull and keeping certaine troupes in field which were abandoned to all licentiousnesse for want of pay they had no other enemy but the Oxe and the Asse of Iames the goodman for so did 〈◊〉 soldiars of confusion call the countriman in derision Country men defeated by the Daulphin whome they had long tormented with al impunity But patience too much mooued turnes into surie The poore Country man thus tortured in the ende resolues to shewe his teeth to this 〈◊〉 of the people and to fall on them with open force who had so often oppressed 〈◊〉 without any resistance Vpon this occasion they make a popular League in the Country of Bâ—auâ—ois the people being armed in great troupes skirmish in diuers places and fall vpon the gentlemen by whome they had beene wronged they kill them their wiues and children without respect spoile sack burne and pull downe their houses This armed multitude in the beginning did much harme like to a fire sodenly kindled A dangerous course and of great consequence but it was happily suppressed by the Daulphin payring the fault for the which the Nauarrois was blamed This popular frenzie quencht in the breeding was called the Iaquerie of â— aques or Iames the good man too common in the souldiers mouthes as we haue said more ready to deuoure the couÌ„triman then to looke vpon an armed enimie Thus it was suppressed by the Daulphins diligence who opposing his men of warre to this seditious multitude vanquished them easily as the peoples rage moued against reason cannot long continue dangerous fits of ciuill warre when as such as haue the gouernement in hand neyther can nor will do iustice to the subiect vniustly oppressed who haue reason alwayes to demandâ— and can complaine when it is denied them But they seeke a remedie worse then the disease wheÌ„ as being culpable of the insoleÌ„cles they reprehend in such as oppresse them they will take vpon themselues to seeke reuenge the which they may not expect but from the hand of such as may lawfully take it that is from such as haue the publike authority vnder the law The Daulphin hauing repaired this confusion assembles the Estates at Compiegne to the great dislike of the Parisiens A Parliament called a Compâ—â—gne being partisans to the Nauarrois They sought as it were by especiall priuiledge to hold the possession of the Estates still at Paris and were much discontented they should be held in any place else But the Parliament proceeds without regard of their complaints and decrees That Charles the Kings sonne Daulphin of Viennois who till then had bin called but lieutenant to his father beeing prisoner should be acknowledged and called Regent of the Realme of France that all good Frenchmen should obey him as the King himselfe The Daulphin declared Regent This new title purchased great authority to this yong Prince throughout all France and making him to appeare in these obscure times of afflictions as a lanthorne during the tempest of a cloudy night it reuiued his courage seeing himselfe at liberty without the walles of Paris whereas Marcell should not braue him nor murther his seruants in his chamber yea in his bosome Thus did he settle his authority by degrees wonderfully shaken by the audacious credit of the Nauarrois who hauing another intent did runne a contrary course For as the Nauarrois desseine was to usurpe the state against all order so he troade it vnder his feete hauing recourse to vniust violence So as in the field he had armed troupes in the citty of Paris a sedicious multitude and generally passion and fury The two pillers of his desseins were Iniustice and Violence supported by the peoples fauour who may do much being wel aduised but what mischiefe can we imagin in an 〈◊〉 which a multitude will not attempt being bewitched by such as abuse them like a 〈◊〉 beast which goes where he is driuen The proâ—ect of this Prince otherwise great both by blood and meanes had an vnfortunate issue as wicked attempts
then our own experience Open warrâ— Thus harme growes both froÌ„ the enimy which assailes the friend that desends so as we may truely say that in ciuil wars the cure is often times more hurtful then the disease The Nauarrois finding himselfe too weake alone calls in the English to the sack of France without a head and almost without a soule Edward aduertised from the Nauarrois by sundry messengers of the Estate of Frante Regents happy successe condemned himselfe as hauing failed his owne good fortune taking the King of Nauarrs complaint in no better part who saied Edward repents an opportunity neglected that he had not bin assisted as the cause required applying all his wit to the ruine of his Country holding it againe to take from his owne bloud so blind are passionate Councells He â—uâ—on Edward sends new forces to the Nauarrois who fortefied with these succors and with his goodly promises begins the war more fiercely then beforce He takes the Castel of Melun with halfe the Citty by the meanes of Queene Blancke whilest that the Kings soldiars fight for the rest he burnes the Abbie of Lis al other places alongest the forest of 〈◊〉 and Gastenois Then crossing the Isle of France to anoy the Parisiens and to strike a terror by his forces he taks S. Germaine in Laie Creil vpon Oise Poissy and many other places with great booties many prisoners runing daily to the gâ—ts of Paris The exploits of the Nauarrois Hauing stayed some daies at Mont he goes to meete with the succors from England taking Castres vnder Montlhery as they passe the which he spoiles sacks and burnes led by Captal de 〈◊〉 in Medoc a Country in Bourdelois a great and a mighty Lord who resignes them to his brother Philip of Nauarre With these forces he takes Clermont in Beauuoisin On the other side Rebert Knowles a valiant English Captaine with a troupe of theeues rather then souldiers runs vp the riuer of Loire into the country of Auxerre spoyling sacking burning and carrying away both men and beasts into his forts bringing the country to a miserable desolation This was rather a robbing then a warre as commonly ciuill warres be the which with more reasoÌ„ they may call vnciuill The desolate estate of France The cattel taken houses burnt men being dead or beggered the land remained desolate vntilled and vnsowne So as there fell so great a famine as halfe the people died for hunger lamentable troups of poore families wandred vp and downe creeping into townes like desperate folkes to beg bread of them which had it not The Parisiens seeing that this alteration did nothing repaire their estates grew mad as the common sort values no friendship but for their profit The Parisiens mutiny againe they abated much of the loue and respect which in the beginning of their reduction they did beare vnto the Regent who was not onely troubled to incounter armed men in field but also with mens humors growne bitter by affliction especially in Paris a sea subiect to the ebbing and flowing of mens sundry humors and affections The Nauarrois who was still watchfull to imbrace all occasions to annoy the Regent seekes meanes to nourish the seedes of his ancient credit with the Parisiens by some of his faction The Nauarrois makes new practises in Paris giuing them to vnderstand by diuers writings spred abroad that he lamented to see France vndermined with this desolation whereof the Regent was the original cause He sounded forth the vaine name of liberty and reformation of State vexing the Regent more by his practises theÌ„ by open force although he were supported by the succours of England The Regent was thus perplexed with many difficulties finding himselfe as it were besieged not only within the walls but also within the humours of this great citty being ignorant howe to counterbalance force with mildnesse in the perplexity of so many miseries and the diuersity of such contrary humors wherein he sees himselfe ingaged Amidst all these difficulties the wisedome and courage of this Prince is very considerable for he seemed to the people of a resolute countenance and in the managing of affaires he had alwaies a care to their reliefe so as they could not but loue him for his amiable sweet behauiour yet for the maintenance of his authority being come within the citty he caused some notable executions to be done The Daulphin executes some within Paris of certaine desperate seditious men and committed others to prison This was done with the peoples liking incensed against the Nauarrois but seeing themselues to fallout of one mischiefe into another the Parisiens began to returne to their old waywardnesse The Regent hauing worke for both hands incounters his enemie in field by force and in the Citty by eloquence He pacifies the Parisiens being discontented causing the people to assemble at the Creue sitting vpon that crosse which we see at this day his tongue preuailed more then his souldiers armes wherof we obserue no great successe but his eloquence was so happy as the people regarded it as an Oracle giuing him the title of wise hauing ioyned a wise carriage to his admirable eloquence as appeares in those goodly discourses Three yeares passed thus during the imprisonment of our King Iohn whom it is now time to visit in England Edward had caused Iohn to be conducted from London to the Castle of Windsore with his sonne Philip. Conditions for the Kings deliuery not granted There he propounded vnto him new conditions of peace not so rigorous as the former but yet so hard as beeing deliuered to the Regent and by him to the Estates then assembled at Paris all the Kings good subiects though very desirous to redeeme him did not allowe thereof for that they did import the honour of the King and realme too much making too preiudiciall a breach in the soueraignty The extremityes were notable in the Kings languishing being a prisoner and the present war The resolution of the Parliament but least they should suffer al to run to ruine in so great a suspence of affaires the Estates resolue to comfort the King by aduice to attend an other time for his liberty and to labour by all meanes to maintaine the warres The Prouinces did their best endeauours to furnish money for this necessity and euen Paris promised to maintaine 600. Lances 400. Archers and a thousand Corselets that is 1000. foote armed with Brigandines a kind of armour then much vsed Preparation to defend the Realme The Nobilitye notwithstanding their priuileges offered to contribute towards the charges and restored the orders for martial affaires in a manner forgotten through the indulgency of our kings 1359. The clergie shewed a notable zeale and all those officers which had managed the publike treasor made a great extraordinary summe of mony by meanes whereof they were discharged froÌ„ further accoÌ„pts and the realme
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
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
vertue Philip of Arteuille their leader was slaine he was found breathing among the dead carcases whom the King commanded to be hanged and so he had the reward of his imagined Empire This double euent may serue as a lesson both for great and small for great men in the Earles person for small in that of this Tribun For the first to command well for the others to obey well and forall not to passe the bounds of their duties God punishing the great for their tiranny and crueltie and the lesser for their disobedience dangerous plagues of mankinde the which cannoâ— stand but by order and authoritie well gouerned and well applied They calâ—thâ—s ouerthrow the battaile of Rosebecqâ—e which chanced in the yeare 1582. in December it was the more remarkable for that the vanquished had soone their reuenge Charles thus victorious could not manage his victorie for in steed of surprising the Gantois in this amazement he lingers too long at Courtray to seeke out the remainder of those miserable mutynous which remayned in this defeate whereas in pardoning the vanquished the victor getts a double victoâ—y This place also being infamous by a great ouerthrowe which chanced in the yeare 1312. mooued him to choler for that this ill aduised people to noaâ—e the memory of that day did ceâ—ebrate a â—ollemne feast yearely An vnworthy reuenge taken by King Charles and had reserued fiue hundred paâ—er of gilt spures which they had taken from the French in that battaile Charles was so transported with the memorie of this audacious indignitie as he caused this poore Towne to be burnt An vnworthie reuenge of so great a monarke who should hold it the greatest reuenge vpon his enemies to pardon when he may reuenge The Duke of Bourgongne in all this confusâ—on did not forget to seeke for goodly mouables whereof there was abundance He carried away that goodly clock and that exquisite tapistry which is now at Dyion in the Kings house The Gantois seeing their ruine flie to Richard King of England The Gantois flie to England for succore they choose Francis Artremâ—n one of their Cittizens for their head and renue the league of white caps more obstinatly then before being resolued to die rather then to trust their Earle to whome they imputed the cause of all their miseries the which had continued fiue yeares and deuoured two hundred thousand men So fatall are ciuill dissentions betwixt the Lord and his subiects Lewis their Earle hauing labored to settle his affaires both by the French and English against the Gantois fealing daylie the inconueniences of this rebellious people as thornes in his sides fell into such a melancholie as hee died Leauing his whole estate much troubled to his sonne-in-lawe Philip Duke of Bourgongne who beeing faâ—re ingaged in his Father-in-Lawes quarrell was nothing pleasing to this his people The warâ—e was reuiued both by practises of the English and by meanes of Artreman the head of that faction who hauing tasted the sweete of popular commaund desired nothing more then to maintayne this diuision but there fell out a sodaine accident which pacified all this great trouble as a little raine doth a great winde Two Cittizens of Gand whose names deserued well to be registred in this historie discoursing one day of their common miseries A strange meane to pacifie Gand. and noating the true causes of these calamities within their Cittie as feeling the wound they sought the meanes to cure it the which had continued so long and cost their miserable Countrie so deere The Kings pleasure and the Duke of Bourgongnes must be knowne they were not ignorant of the peoples humour being verie weaâ—ie of so many miseries Their enterprise was not without exceeding danger by the absolute authoritie of three or fower who had most credit with the people being susceptible of any mischiefe when they are thrust forward with a shewe of good It was requisite in the managing of so important a busines to vse wisdome and silence vntill the foundation were well layed and for the execution thereof there needed one which had both credit and authoritie with both parties The God of peace presented one vnto them which gouerned this action discreetly Iohn Delle a gentleman of Gand but bred vp in the Court of France He that seekes peace finds it This Delle goes to the King and Duke of Bourgongne hee layes open his dessâ—ine and is well entertayned He returnes with a good answer both by letters of credit and priuate instructions to the Gantois At his returne the matter is so well furthered by those two Cittizens who were in great reputation with the people as without the priuitie of Artreman or the English Negotiators the banner of Flanders the signall of their popular power is sollemnly planted in the great market place Al the people flocke thether where hauing signified vnto the chiefe Magistrats that they would haue peace and obey the Duke of Bourgongne their Prince Deputies are appointed with power to negotiate conclude a peace with him This was effected after a long confusion to the content both of the Earle and Flemings Of a light beginning God performes a great worke when it pleaseth him Thus the Duke of Bourgongne pacified Flanders in the yeare .1384 when as he feared greatest tumults by meanes of some seditious persons to whose great griefe a peace was proclaymed throughout al the Estaâ—s of Flanders 〈◊〉 in Flanâ—â—â—â— which gaue an incredible content to all the people after so manie miseries Nowe King Charles grewe great and although he were but sixteene yeares of age yet was he desiroâ—s to marry The Duke of Aniou his Vncle according to the aduice which King Charles the wise had gâ—uen on his death bed thought good to seeke him out a marriage in Germanie in the house of Bauiere to counterballance the credit of the Emperour Wâ—nceslaus no friend to the house of France what shewe soeuer he made He therefore marrieth with Isabel the daughter of Stephen Duke of Bauiere a Princesse from whom they expected much good but shee brought infinit troubles to France as we shal see hereafter Thus mans wisdome is deceyued when as hee hopes for best that God might bee knowen for the author of al good both in the family and State This imperious Proserpina verâ—fied the prouerbe That a woman raiseth or ruines a house She had almost ouerthrowne the State But shortly there shal an Italian woman be ioyned to this Germain to augment the confusions of this raigne reasonable good in the beginning but verie miserable in the ende This yeare likewise concluded a peace in Brittain after many troubles Iohn of Montfort hauing renued his homage to the King and sworne fealtie which shall not long continue to the great preiudice of the King and his realme The truce was continued in shewe betwixt France and England but with no more loue of the two Kings then betwixt capitall enimies who sought to annoye
one another by new attempts Charles hauing pacified Flanders and Brittaine resolues to bee reuenged of Richard who had sought all meanes to annoy him in eyther prouince besides the ordinary brauadoes he gaue him within the hart of his realme Charles sends men and mâ—nition into Scotland He therefore sends a thousand men at armes to Dauid King of Scots and threescore shippes well appoynted with furniture to arme twelue thousand men of his country vnder the command of Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France Their entry into Scotland was pleasing but the Scottishmen grew soone discontented with our men eyther through their fault or our they accusing vs of insolency and loosenesse and we them of barbarousnes and cruelty to their friend a stranger who came to succour them This diuision caused Dauid to make a peace with Richard and our Admirall of Vienne to returne speedily home with his Frenchmen but not without obseruing the manners strength and commodities of this Iland diuided into two kingdomes And least he should seeme to haue made a fruitlesse voyage yeelding an accompt vnto the King of what he had done seene and learned in Scotland he lets him vnderstand that the strength of Scotland consisted but in fiue thousand horse and thirty thousand foote halfe armed and that of England in eight thousand horse and threescore thousand foote This relation were it true or false gaue aduice to assayle the King of England in his own Country where he might be vanquished with more facility then abroad the which so moued the minde of this yong Prince transpotted with the great harmes suffered with much indignity by the English as it was easie for the Duke of Bourgongne â— whom it much concerned to haue the English molested being often disquieted by him in his country of Flanders Charles resolues to make war in England to perswade the King to vndertake this war Oportunity did likewise seeme to inuite him for that the Duke of Lancaster pretending right to the realme of Castile by his wife had exhausted England both of men and money and the Gantois being pacified all Flanders would be held in subiection by this check The Regent acquainted with the Duke of Bourgongnes humoâ— being his brother who for his priuate interest would hazard the whole and noting the eminent dangers in the Kings person who would imbarke himselfe in this action the great want of money the peoples exclamations the great danger of tumults by the great exactions which must be made and in the action it selfe the inconueniency so apparant to any one that would open his eyes the impossibility of so great an enterprise to assaile a great King so oft a Conquerour within his owne Realme not holding any land there The Regent dislikes of thâ—â— enteâ—prise he was vtterly against it yet he spake soberly least he should offend the King who greatly affected it Lewis Earle of Touraine the Kings brother who soone shal be Duke of Orleans the Constable Clisson the Earle of S. Pol the Lord of Coussy and others in whom Charles had most trust had beene so perswaded by the Duke of Bourgongne as they had nothing else in their mouths nothing sounded in this yong Princes eares but the necessity profit honour and facillity of this voyage What my Liege say they are you lesse then the King of England shal the French yeeld to the English in valour courage or force what an indignity is it to haue this people alwayes at our gates to nourish them in our bosomes and to furnish them with armes to beat vs what a benefit wil it be to take their nest from them and leaue them no place of retreat Your Countries of Guienne Normandie Picardie and Flanders are wholy yours How much doth that import for the honour of your Maiesty and the good of your Realme to returne them their owne who haue so often defeated your armies taken your ancestors spoyled your Estate braued it in your Townes and beseeged your chiefe citty of Paris As for the facility of the execution who sees not but you may effect it if you please The Saxons conquered England with a handful of men far from their own home and with small meanes and William the Conquerour with his sword alone And you my Liege hauing a realme ful of men victualls monie euen at your enemies gate shall not you preuaile England opens her armes vnto you your Realme inuites you which without doubt will imploy both heart and purse for so great generous a desseine the which imports both the honour and quiet of your Maiesty Such and like speeches they did continually buzz into Charles his eares but from his Chamber they were published in the Court and so through out the whole realme as that which pleaseth the King doth commonly please all The desseine was to bee wished against a capitall enemie of the State and the proceeding had a fayre shewe At the generall instance of all the French the King decrees in counsell to leauy a great armie for the voyage of England letters are sent out to all parts Subsidies Taxes Loans imposed greater then during the imprisonment of King Iohn but all was shadowed with this reason That they must endeauour once for all to roote out the English who vndermined this estate and sought to ruine it This decree was put in execution with great applause of all men as if France had layed new foundations of her greatnesse both to warrant it selfe from danger at hand to haue a reuenge of former losses and to build a newe Estate at the cost of the common enemy of the French nation The Nauie is prepared at Scluse and Blanguerge to the great content of the Flemings They armed fower hundred eighty seuen Shipps for warre with an infinite quantity of victuals the which came from all parts like to a flowing streame The nobility striues who shal be best appointed Strange Princes are inuited The King of Spaine then a friend to our King the Earle of Sauoy Preparation for the warre of England The Dukes of Saxony and Bauiere send men Our Princes will not yeeld one to another in costly showes they adde superfiuous curiosity to necessity They paint and gild their shippes All glisters with goodly ensignes penons banners standards and streamors The masts painted with rich grounds shining with leaues of Gold gaue notice to all men that they went not onely to a certain victory but to some ioyfull nuptialls But all this feast was made without any reckoning with God who laughs from heauen at these ants that striue to climbe without a Ladder and at Princes who made these brauadoes at the poore peoples cost who remembred not that God hath a soueraigne court and a register to controll their actions and to oppose against their vanities The armie was prepared in two places in Flanders and in Brittaine It consisted of twenty thousand Knights and Squires as many Ganouois archers on foote and fiue
he would not accept of this gouernment without the good liking of the Duke of Berry so as all the punishment fell vpon Betizac his chiefe Treasurer who 〈◊〉 burnt at Beziers Betizac the Dukes treasurer burnt purging in the fire the extorsions he had committed vnder his maisterâ— authoritie At that time Charles King of Nauarre died so often blemished in the truth of this historie we haue noted how he had retired himselfe from Court into his realme of Nauarre As this retreat was vnto him a reprochfull banishment so this shamefull solitarinesse was a ciuill death But the Catastrophe of his tragicall life was a famous proofe that God doth often reuenge notable sinnes by notable punishments euen in this life He was much broken by the excesse of venery and all sorts of dissolutions the which he had exceedinglie vsed with his wonderfull tyrannie and crueltie As they did anoint him with medicines fit to warme and comfort his benummed members some say they had chafed him with Aqua-vitae The tragicall 〈◊〉 of the Nauarroâ— and wrapt him in a sheete but behold fire takes hold of this sheete with such violence as being vnable to quench it he was consumed by degrees liuing some daies as suruiuing his paine and that which encreased the horror of Gods iudgement his death made both great and small to reioyce and was receiued in France with as great content as the winning of a great and famous battaile Great robbing during the truce There was a generall truce betwixt the French and English so as the garrisons lying stâ—ll the Souldiars bred vp and nourished in armes fighting no more by order vnder their eâ—sâ—gnes sought now their prey by disorder vpon the labourer and marchant The countries of Rouergue Perigort Limosin Auuergne and La Marche had English garrisons who spoiled these countries and did runne vp into the neerest parts of Languedoc Velai Geuaudan Viuarez and Suenes where the villages are for the most part walled in to preuent these sodaine incursions There were many theeues amongst them Teste noire or Black-pate in the Castell of Ventador Amerigor Marcel at Roâ—h-Vandais who breaking the truce sought to be supported by the King of England but in the end they all fell into the hang-mans hands or perished miserably by some strange death an Image of our late confusions Libertie had bred vp these warriours with so great aboundance as the English passed the sea to make Turneys and to fight at Barriers as they vse at great Triumphes There was a Tilt set vp betwixt Calais and Saint Iaquelvuert where the Nobilitie made triall of their valour as in a Schoole of Fence To take away this troublesome aboundance they tooke occasions to make long voyages into Castille and Italie but in the end there was a very famous one offred against the miscreaâ—ts of Barbarie at the Geneuois request who suffred many discommodites in their traffick by these barbarous Affricans Charles granted them succours willingly and gaue the charge of this warre to Peter duke of Burbon assisted with the Earles of Auuergne and Foix the Lords of Coucy Guy of Tremouille A voyage into Affâ—â—â—ke by â—he Frenâ—h English together Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France Philip of Arthois Earle of Eu Philip of Bar Harcourt Antoing Linge Pyquiny and many other great men from all parts of the Realme which ranne to so famous an action vnder so worthy a commander and at so great leysure more painfull then the toyle of warre to men that desired nothing but imployment Richard King of England to imitate Charles granted succours to the Geneuois vnder the command of the Earle of Salisburie accompanied with many Noble men and Engâ—â—sh Gentlemen moued with desire like vnto the French in the enterprise of this pleasing paine The Deputies of the Kings of France and England assembled to treate of a generall peace but not able to effect it they continue a truce for foure yeares with goodly pâ—ouisions against robberies for the safetie and quiet of their Estates Charles gaue free passage to the English by the Countries of Langâ—edâ—â— and Daulphiné to passe the Alpes safelie All come to Genes to the great ioy of the Geneuois Being shipt they land within fewe dayes in Barbarie Presently they beseege the Citty of Affricke So our histore termes it as bearing the name of all the vast and barbarous counâ—ry They call the Afâ—ricanic commanders Agadinquor of Oliferne and Brahadist of Thunes But our Argonautes found them which stayed their fuâ—y The Barbarians defended themselues with an obstinate resolution But their foâ—ce did them lesse harme then the ayre and diet beeing very contrary to theiâ— complexions so as our armie decreased dayly especially of men of accompt This siege conâ—inued six weekes with much losse no hope to preuaile The 〈◊〉 noated alwaâ—es to be â—aithlâ—sse The Geneuois hauing conceiued a hope of a sodaine victorie began to grow cold and slacke in furnishing of the armie The Duke of Bourbon foreseeing the difficulties which might grow in continuing obstinaâ—e at this siege fearing the winter and not trusting the Geneuois who are famous for that they haue no faith remembring the example of the King S. Lewis resolued to returne wiâ—hout any greater losse He trusseth vp his baggage bringes backe his troupes into France coÌ„tinuing the example to al such as are capable of reasoÌ„ how difficult it is for Christâ—ans to performe these strange attempts after the experience of many ages The â—rench and the English hauing liued louingly together in this voyage returned to their houses without doing of any memorable act but to haue endeauored to doe sometâ—ing worthy of memory to auoide idlenesse during so peacefull a time â—ritâ—aine did then conceiue and afterwards bring forth more preiudiciall effects then Bâ—rbary iâ— selâ—â— and the way was made by light occasions to horrible and monstrous efâ—ects to the great preiudicâ— both of the King and Realme for a notable tesâ—imonie to posterity what Councellors Enuye and ambition be in a state we like wretches seeke for peace and when God gâ—ues it we flie from it we maligne an other mans good and depâ—â—ue our selues of our owne But alas it were a small matter for a great personage to hurâ— himselfe by his owne passions if this poison did not spred abroad to the preiudice of â—he common weale We haue said that Iohn of Montfort remained peaceably Duke of Brittaine by the death of Charles of Blois and the agreement he made with his widow Hatred betwixt the duke of Briâ—â—â—ine the Constable Clisson whose eldest sonne Iohn of Brittâ—ine Earle of Ponthieure was redeemed from prison out of England by the constable Clisson who gaue him his daughter in marriage payed his â—ansome The constable was a Briâ—ton and so a subiect to Iohn of Montfort Duke of Brittaine his ancient and capitall â—nimy and yet by this newe succession was become his Lord. Doubtlesse in this quality Clisson could not
Vncles Lords Physitians all sigh all lifte vp their eyes to heauen Tears fall from the Duke of Orleance eyes he beats his brest and crosseth his armes he approcheth neere to his poore brother and hee recules from him All are amazed all confounded O my Country what trouble shall this poore head giue vnto thy body But may I lawfully sigh with my Countrimen who sighed then foretelling the miseries thaâ— should befall them by this phrensie as if my selfe had beene in this disorder a witnesse of so great an afflictâ—on both to this poore Prince and to his Estate A generall Censure of this accident The History doth very fitly set downe the diuers Censures that were giuen of this accident both at Rome and Auignon famous places being then the seats of Popes and also in England and in France The poore subiects as men whoÌ„ it concerned spake sobeâ—ly with great griefe some blaming the Duke of Brittain and Peter of Craon others the Coâ—stable of Clisson and Mignons of his chamber who had induced the King into this action but all in generall lamented bitterly this great desaster England was amazed at this report and sorry for it especially the Duke of Lancaster who had conferred with out Charles very pâ—iuatly in the treaty of peace which they had at Amiens He wepâ— commending this good wise Pâ—ince being desiâ—ous of the good of all Christendome Rome and Auignon being then banded one against the oâ—heâ— by reason of the Schisme of Antipopes reioyced at this calamity befallen vnto our poore King â—roisard toâ— 4. Chap. 5. Vrbain as his professed enemy triomphed in his mâ—sery whereinto he â—ayed he was fallen by a iust iudgement of God hauing supported Clement his competitor against him Clement reioyced for that he was not fully confirmed in his authority by him the King hauing busyed himselfe with his subiects quarrells whereas his greaâ—â—st charge was to restore the dignity of the holy Sea to her ancient beauty This the Historie obserueth of the Censures of these Antipopes But the diuine Oracle saies O how happie is he that iudgeth wisely of the afflicted representing an admirable example in the perâ—on of Iob to gouâ—rne themselues discreetly in their Censuâ—es Iob hath the testimony of a very good man and yet he had great afflictions hauing lost goods children howse and helth tormented by his wife and not only abandoned but also persecuted by all his friends in that which was more deâ—re vnto him then his goods and life his credit wherof they seeke to depriue him accusing him that he had liued wickedly like an hipocrite hauing but the shew of a good man and not the integâ—ity of a good life whereof he made profession Such is the vaine iudgment of this world which holdes aduersity for a vice and prospeâ—ity for a vertue measuring things according to their passions and not with â—eason but the tâ—â—th doth teache vs an other lesson O Lord howe great are thy workes thy thoughts are verie deepe the ignorant man doth not know them nor the foole doth not vndersâ—and â—hem Thâ—t we might know the chastisements of God to be alwayes iust although the câ—uses be vnknowen vnto vs. We cannot denie but there werâ— errors in Charles but yet we must confesse in acknowledging things as they be that he was one of the least vicious Kings of France and if we shal examine the zele he had to the gouernment oâ— his Estate he must hold an honorâ—ble ranke among the most vertuous Princes that haue at any time deseâ—ued well of this monarchy Many neerer causes of his infirmitie may be truly and soberly obserued The second causes oâ—â—he Kinâ—s phrensie the disposition of his body his manner of life the â—urcharge of affaires the weaknes of his bâ—aine the abounding of choller greefe and waywardnâ—s the want of rest and foode the importunitie of his voiage the terror of this voice the noise of armes â—o waighe downe the ballance euer charged with so heauie a burâ—hen But why from man do we not ascend to God Truly God doth hold gouerne this rod and as Charles was the head of this great Estate by his wise decree so he not only punished the person of Charles but the whole body of this â—ealme that both great and small might learne by this pittifull spectacle to humble â—hem selues vndâ—r the mightie hand of God who hath created the spirit of man to woâ—ke according to his good and wise will and disposeth absâ—lutely of men their affaires as he pleaseth and that this saying may be the seale of a â—â—ue and sober humilitâ—e I haue held my peâ—ce O Lord for thou hast doone it drawen from this Maxime God dotâ— all wel what so euer he doth O Kings â—his famous example belongs to you in so famous a Kâ—ng O Subiects you must learne by the head oâ— Châ—rles of what pâ—ice his head is whome God hath gâ—uen you for king â—hat you may praie vnto him with all your hearts to make him fit for the gouernment oâ— the whole bodie without the which it cannot subsist But I wil returne to our Charles Paâ—don curteous reader thâ—s dâ—gression for the sâ—arch oâ— the vse oâ— so famous an Accident This new and stâ—ange accident made them presently to dismisse the troupes hauing other worke in hand then to make warre in Brittaine The armie dissolued All the Court is wholy affected to the Kings hâ—alth He is preseÌ„tly caried backe to Mans his sicknes â—ncâ—easeth he must be transported to a better aire The Physitians aduise it shold be to Creilâ— pon Oise one of the royall houses in the Countrie of Beauuaisin betwixt Beauuais and Senlis a pleasant and hâ—lsome seat vpon the riuer He is conducted thether with great care but his frantike feuer conâ—inues still They seeke to conceale it least the fame thereof should be dishonorable but truth speaks generally Iames Harsely an excellent Physicion of Laon is sent for and preformes his duty happely as shal appeere by the euent Caâ—â— of the Kings person Nothing wanted that mans wit could deuise to helpe and cure the infirmitie of so great a King Let vs lâ—aue Charles in the Physicions hands and returne to the Crowne as sicke as the head hauing as great need of a good and spede remedie A Paâ—lement is â—resently called they assemble at Paris with all speed All France mournes for the affliction of their King whom they loued deerely for his myldnes and the siâ—gular hope they conceyued of his reigne whereby Charles purchased the name of Welâ— beloued 1394 The Estats assemble to resolue what was necessary for the gouernment of the realme in this accident They determyne first what might bee fittest for the forme of gouernement hoping verily of the Kings speedy recouery beeing loath to seeke a remedy that might any way preiudice his authority It was therefore set downe for a lawe That they should abstaine from the name of Regent vnfit
men which chanced in the beginning of the yeare 1394 shal burne farther and kindle a greater fire betwixt the vncle and the Nephewe foâ— the space often yeares vntill the death of Philip Duke of Bourgongne leauing this hatred hereditary to his posterity There is no meanes which the Bourguignon doth not attempt to wrong his Nephewe of Orleans Certaine Augustin Fryars vndertake to cure the King by incisions in his head wheâ—by he was in great danger of his life These counterfets were brought forth publikely in their habits and beheaded but the scarres of these wounds will remaine in Lewis his â—ace who recommended them vnto the King The women are dealers in these actions The Duchesse of Bourgongne perswades Queene Isabel that Lewis his meaning was to kill the King her husband his children These impressions are confirmed by the graue and sweet discouâ—ses of the duke her husband who by degrees setled a hatred in the Queenes minde agaiâ—st her brother in-law Thus this faction is much fortified by the authority of Queene Isabel and by her with her husbands name whom she makes to speake what she pleaseth sometimes as her will directed him but not alwaâ—â—â— Yet this weake braine is the checker of all these courâ—ly pollicâ—es by the meanes oâ— women who are continually about his bedde or his chaire to distemper his braine with variety of newes springing from their wretched passions and this poore Prince is sometimes won sometimes lost and alwaies tormented wâ—th these imporâ—unâ— discoâ—râ—es Vâ—lenâ—ine to the Duke of Orleans an Iâ—aâ—â—an and daughter to Iohn Galeaz one of the cunningest and most subtill witts of her time which subtilty some held she increased by coniuring would not yeeld to the brauadoes of these two Princesses against whom she opposed her selfe not only by her husbands degree but also by a politike courage bred in her selfe visiting the sicke king with such ciuill entertainment as her greatest enemies could not finde any honest colour to deny her the dore So as the King did not onely willingly see her but did call for her and in his greatest fits did know her onely among all the rest refusing to take any thing but from the hands of his good Sister of Orleans The more the Kings loue kindled a iealousie in these two Princesses her enemies the more it raysed vp the mind of Valentine and by hir meanes of her husband who remeÌ„bring too hatefully the degree whereunto he was borne and the wrong done him in reiecting him yet hauing neither dexterity nor meanes to win many seruants he gaue the Duke of Bourgongne all aduantages being graue cold pleasing and modest so as by his wise teÌ„per he disolued the heate of the Duke of Orleans immoderate vehemencie who tyring himself with the shew of his greatnesse makes it known by effects that all the authority was in the Duke of Bourgongne for whosoeuer had neede of any publike helpe he must pasâ—e through his hands what busines soeuer chanced either within or without the realme the true rendez-uous was at his lodging Thus the Vncle made his Nephew towalke horses as they say although he chafed and stamped beyond all measure These diuisions troubled the whole court making them to neglect the affaires of state and what can we obserue more famous in so disordered an estate Al businesses are done in the Kings name yet without the King vnlesse the parties would haue him to countenance some great passion I do purposely omit all that which passed in this raigne touching the schisme of the Church and the house of Aniou in the realmes of Naples and Arragon not to breake off the course of my intent meaning to represent in due place all that concernes this forrain history Richard King of England sends his Ambassadors to Charles to congratulate his recouery offring him a generall peace and demanding his daughter in marriage The Kings relapse delayed the conclusion for a time Richard king of England marrieth with Isabell of France but soone after by the care of the Duke of Bourgongne who had a great interest in this alliance by reasoÌ„ of his country of Flanders it was concluded in the yeare 1395. Charles had some intermissions by meanes whereof he could ride Richard repayres to Calais and Charles to Ardres whether Richard came to ratifie the peace concluded betwixt their Ambassadors and to receiue his new spouse The Kings encountred one another with loue and kindnesse making shewes of great good will but it was a short ioy for either of them For as it seemed that the quiet of these two realmes had beene setled by this generall peace sealed by this marriage and seasoned with so many reciprocall shewes of cordial affection betwixt these two great Kings behold a great combustion in England which intangles both these Kings in this common calamity Richard being of himselfe effeminate carelesse voluptuous and idle grew more delicate by this profound rest built vpon the alliance of his enimy who alone might haue quickned him He is alwayes with his yong wife imbracing her dallying with her and attiâ—ing her with such contempt of his authority abassing himselfe too much to his subiects so as he grew contemptible vnto his enimies who presâ—med to attempt against his person The ordinary warres of England against France had caused many necessary impositions without any grudging of the subiects but when as necessity ceased by this generall peace the people require to bee relieued William More makes an oration vnto the king in the name of all the English in generall Richard hauing no meanes in these infinite exactions to supply the charges of his idle voluptuous life contemned his subiects request and in the ende pressed vpon the same matter by the Duke of Glocester the Earle of Arondel in the name of them all he puts them vniustly to death The English madde with rage for the death of their deputies flie to such remedies as despaire giues to necessitie From this general discontent sprong a strange Tragedie against Richard for the English seeing themselues thus despised by their King they cast their eyes vpon Henry of Lancaster his cousine and hauing called a Parliament they put Richard into prison and crowne Henry of Lancaster in his place Richard King of England put from the Crowne Richard being forced in open assembly to resigne the Crowne and to condemne himselfe to perpetuall prison as hauing abused his royall authoritie and his subiects But this tâ—agicke change concernes the Histoâ—ie of England This may bâ—ieflie suffice for ours in the conference of our estate with theirs Charles did greatly grieue at this deiection of Richard his sonne in lawe from whom he expected great loue and quiet for his subiects But who seeth not the vanitie of this world both in great and small to feare a shower euen when the Sunne is hottest Hee sends for Isabell his daughter of twelue yeares old whom Richard had not yet toucht being content to behold her
that this charge was imposed vpon the subiects against his consent laying a good foundation of firme correspoÌ„dencâ—e with the Parisâ—â—ns he retires into Flanders to take possession of his mother Marguerits inherâ—tance and credit with that rich people but in effect it was to build vppon the hereditary hatred he had against his cousin and capitall enemy To omit nothing that might auaile him agâ—inst tâ—e Dâ—ke of Orleans being at Brussels hee sends his Ambassadors to King Charles beseeching him with all affection to consuÌ„mate the marriage betwixt Lewis his eldest sonne Duke of Guienne Daulphin of Vienne Katherine of Bourgoâ—gne his daughter Charles thought it fiâ— to content his cousin Iohn vpon this demand but his brother Lewis crossed this marriage as preiudicial to the housâ— of France beeing â—lready weakened by the vniting of Bouâ—gongne to Flandâ—rs the which would be much more â—ortified by this alliance with the Kâ—ngs sonne Iohns Aâ—bassadors after long delaieâ— returne home without any effect making theâ—r maâ—stâ—â— acquainted with the cold proceedâ—ngs of the Court the which required his preâ—eÌ„ce Iâ— the end he reâ—olues to go in perso â—o â—ollicite a matter of so great imporportance But beeing ready to march behold the King of England sends an armie into Flanders The Dukâ— of Oâ—â—eaâ—â— â—oâ—â—eth the Duke oâ— Boâ—â—gâ—ngâ—â— to bâ—siege Scluse â—hich make him yeeâ—d â—o neâ—essity to demand succours of the Kiâ—g 〈◊〉 hâ—s â—oueraigâ—e against the common enemâ— of the Sâ—ate staying himselfe in Flandâ—rs to preuent theâ—e practises of the English Lewis of Orleans pretending a truce betwâ—xt France and England causeth succors to be denied him as if they should dâ—aweâ—â—arre vpon Francâ— being already tired â—ith sâ— great and long troubles Iohn held him selâ—e mâ—ch â—ronged by this deniall to haue the better meanes to returne to Paris he compounds with the English being desirous to make it knowne that hee would oppose himselfe against the Dâ—â—e of Orleans desseines taking hold of the occasion which he himselfe offeâ—ed him to his gâ—â—at preiudice The imposition was leuied by the Dâ—ke of Oâ—leans his commande and commissionâ— were brought into Flanders At â—aris it was exacted with all rigour but Iohn commâ—nd his subiects of Flanders â—oâ— to pay â—t â—nd goe well accoâ—panied to â—aris to assist the peâ—ple who gâ—eatly dâ—sâ—oâ—tented with â—his burthen durst not yet vtter their griefe expecting the countenance of a great commander The Parisiâ—ns incensed agâ—inst Lâ—wis of Orleans 〈◊〉 Iohn of Bâ—urgâ—â—gne â—o comâ— to Paris being resolued to imploy all their means in the defence of thiâ— cauâ—e The Paâ—iâ—ions solicite Iâ—â—n of 〈◊〉 to come whiâ—h they heâ—d to be very important for their reliefe Iohn desiâ—ed nothing mâ—re so as redoubling his courage aâ— these calls he goes in haste to Paris stâ—ies at Louure in Paâ—isâ—s gâ—uing the Parisiens nâ—tice to coâ—e vnto him The King remained at Paris as he was accustomed the queene Lewis of Orleans hauing discouered the Dâ—ke of Bourgongnes â—â—tent fearing leâ—â—t being the stronger hauing tâ—e Parisiens at his deuotion â—e should force the king to marry the Daulphin Lewis made sure to his daâ—ghter they thought it best to coâ—ueâ—gh this yâ—ng prince into Germany to some place of safety And going togither from Paris they lefâ— the Daulphin with Lewis of Bauâ—ere his vncle by the mothers side who shoâ—d câ—nduct hâ—m secreâ—ly in a litter to Corbeil where a goodly troupe attended him The Bâ—â—â—gâ—ignons fâ—lloâ—ers giue him present intelligence of their departure Iohn folloâ—es so speedâ—ly as he â—ueâ—takes the Daulphin Lewis at Vâ—liuifâ—e Iohn of Bâ—â—rgoâ—gne â—eizeth on the Dâ—â—â—pâ—â—ns person coÌ„ducted in a lâ—tter by Lewâ—s of Baâ—â—ere hiâ— vncle bring him back gâ—ntly to Paris where they receiue the Dâ—ke of Bâ—uâ—gongne â—â—th great ioy and are glad of the Daulphins returne going to meete them â—n great pompe as at a ioifull triumph Iohn beeing come to Paris hath conference witâ— them of this faction and findes them at his deuotion The Prouost of Mâ—rchantâ— â—nd the Vniueâ—sity assure him of their faithfull seruice they intâ—eat him to vndertake the reformation of the State a charge which he doth willingly imbrace as a fit maske â—or his ambitious humor He then presents a petition to the King beseeching him to reâ—orme the Sâ—ate 1406. strangely corrupted by the ill gouernement of the treasure whereby tâ—e subiects were oppâ—â—â—sed with insupportable charges and sacred iustice ill adâ—inistred the ordinary â—ubâ—eâ—â— of the peoples complaints but in effect it was to araigâ—e the Duke of Orleans Tâ—â— King forbare to make any answer vntill his brothers retuâ—ne beeing Pâ—esident of thâ— counsell and greatly interessed in this complaint bâ—t these had bin words witâ—â—uâ—â—ffect if force had not followed this admonition The Bourguignon had brought grâ—at â—roupes vnder the conduct of Iohn without pitty Bishop of Lâ—ege Ciuâ—ll waâ—â—â— beâ—inâ— and tâ—e Duâ—e oâ— Cleues The Duke of Orleans had also assembled an armie from diuers parts by the Lord of Hâ—rpendanne fortified with the forces of the Dâ—ke of Lorraine and the King of Sicily beeing made reâ—dy for the voyage of Naples Thus the Iâ—le of France is full of souldâ—â—â—â— of one liuery but of contrary humors as the manner is in ciuill warres French against French and kinseman against kinseman all making profession to maintaine the good of their country in ruining it Iohn of Bourgongne in shew had the aduantage being in the capitall Citty and possessed of the peoples harts he had the King in his poâ—er and for a gage of this newe authority which men honour like the sunne rising the Daulphin of the house of France â—hom he pretended to be his sonne in lawe All these considerations made his heaâ—â— sâ—ell and his tongue to speake proudly But Lewis Duke of Orleans soundâ— forth the name of publike authority which then remained in his hands as in a sacred gard Tâ—e most passionate make a stay at the name thereof to attend the euent of â—o great a quarrell Such force hath the name of lawfull authority and order in a Sâ—ate whereon it depends as on a firme foundation These armies thus lodged about Paris the Generalls minds appeared in the deuises of their standards In that of the Duke of Orleans was written Ielâ—enuie The deâ—â—seâ— of the 〈◊〉 with a staffe â—â—ll of â—nots painted in it signifiyng that he would knock him on the fiâ—gers that should presume tâ— touch his authority In the Duke of Bourgongnes was written in Flemish Ick Houd tâ—at is to say I hold it with a ioyners plane to make smooth the knotty staffe â—o to incounter the force that threatned him yet these passions were suppressed by the only reâ—pect of authority without the which al had teÌ„ded to a violent spoile The Princes of the bloud who were not ingaged in these quarrels labouâ— to reconcile their cousâ—â—â— seeing the Kings infirmity will not suffer him to vse his absolute authoâ—iâ—â—
the bridge to be fortified with three turnepikes to stoppe their free entrance into the Towne whether the Bourguignon must come by dutie vnto the Daulphin This succeeded according to his desseine but it carried the shewe of an enemie The Bourguignon sends three gentlemen of his houshold to the Daulphin Thoulongâ—â—â— Ernoy and Soubretier to aduertise him of his comming They giue him notice of the two barricadoes made vpon the Bridge and wish him not to aduenture Hauing referred it to his Counsell all beeing on horsebacke he resolues in the ende to passe onâ— he lights at the Castle where his lodging was assigned and setts his gardes at the entry of the gate towards the Towne Hereupon Tanneguy of Chastell come vnto him who after a due reuerence saluted him from the Daulphin saying that he attended him at the bridge foote at the towne gate Then Iohn of Bourgongne hauing chosen out ten of his most trusty followers Charles of Bourbon the Lords of Nouaille Fribourg S. George Montagu Vergy 〈◊〉 Pontauillier Lens Giaâ— and his Secretarie Seguinat hee approcheth to the first barre where he inco unters with som from our Charles who intreat him to enter vpon their maisters word and assure him by oath Before he enters as if his heart had foretold his harme he stayes sodainely and askes aduice of his company who incouâ—aging him to passe on he enters the second barre the which was presently lockt and then he caused some to go before him and some behind he remaining in the midest Tanneguy of Chastell comes to receiue him and the Duke laying his hand vppon 〈◊〉 shoulder very familiarly This is he saies the Duke in whom I trust I will conclude this bloudy Catastrophe with the very words of the Originall And so he approched 〈◊〉 vnto the Daulphin who stood all armed with his sword by his side leaning on a barre Before whom he kneeled with one knee on the ground to do him honour and reuerence saluting â—im most humbly Whereat the Daulphin answered nothing making him no shewe of loue 〈◊〉 charged him with breach of his promise The Daulphin causeth Iohn of Bourgongne to be slaine for that he had not caused the war to cease nor drawn his men out off garrison as he had promised Then Robert de Loire tooke him by the right armâ— and said Rise you are but too honourable The Duke hauing one knee on the ground and his sword about him which hong not to his minde somewhat too farre backe kneeling downe he laid his hand on his sword to pull it forward for his ease Robert said vnto him doe you lay your hand vppon your sword before my Lord the Daulphin At which 〈◊〉 Tanneguy of Chastell drew neere vnto him on the other side who making a signe saiâ— It is time striking the Duke with a little axe so violently on the face as he cut oâ—f his chinne and so he fell on his knees The Duke feeling himselfe thus wounded layde his hand on his sword to draw it thinking to rise and defend himselfe but hee was presently charged by Tanneguy and others and beaten dead to the ground And sodainely one named Oliuer Layet with the helpe of Peter Fortier thrusts a sword into his belly vnder his coate of Maile Whilest this was doing the Lord of Nouailles drewe his sword halfe out thinking to defend the Duke but the Vicont of Narbonne held a dagger thinking to striâ—e him Nouailles leaping forceably to the Vicount wrested the dagger from him being so sore hurt in the hinder part of the head as he fell downe dead Whilest this was acting the Daulphin leaning on the barr beholding this strange sight retyred backe as one amazed and was presently conducted to his lodging by Iohn Louuet and other his councellers All the rest were taken except Montagu who leaped ouer the turnepike and gaue the Alarum There were 〈…〉 vpon the place but Iohn Duke of Bourgongne and Nouailles S. George and a Aâ—cre were hurt The Dukes men charged home vnto the turnepike but they were eâ—sily repulsed His troupes retyring to Bray are pursued by the Daulphinois with losse and in the ende the castle is abandoned by him that had it in gaâ—d The Dukes body stript off al but his Doublet and Bootes is drawne into a Mill and the next daye buried This happened the tenth of September in the yeare 1419. Behold the ende of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne Seeing then this murther troubled the Daulphin who had caused it to be committed what stonie heart would not be amazed thereat Truly the breach of faith is vnexcusable howsoeuer it be disguised for as faith is the ground of humane society so doth it extend euen vnto enimies with whom it must be inuiolably kept This blowe shall be deere to Charles Through this hole the enimye shall enter so farre into the Realme as he shall put him in danger and in the ende he shall be forced to confesse his fault not able to excuse himselfe without accusing of his councellours But from vniust man let vs ascend to the wisedome of that great Iudge of the world who is alwaies iust The Oracle cries He that strikes with the sword shall perish with the sword and The disloyall to the disloyall They loued misery and misery found them out And wise antiquity saies God punisheth great wickednes with great paines euen in this life And Hardly can tyrants descend into the graue with a dry death that is without blood or murther Oh iustice of God alwaies iust alwaies wise and alwaies good Thy iudgements are righteous O Lord. I condemne the errour of men yet I held my peace Bloud punished with bloud because thou dâ—dest it Draw the curten Iohn of Bourgongne hath played his part vpon this Theater He had slaine the the Duke of Orleans traitorously and now he wallowes in his owne goare being treacherously slaine by the Daulphin Charles Now let vs see the care his son Philip Earle of Charolois had to be reuenged of Charles for this cruell murther but all is not yet ended The Catastrophe of this miserable raigne Philip sonne to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne stirres vp great troubles against Charles the Daulphin in reuenge of his fathers death BY whose meanes Isabell an vnkinde mother makes warre against Charles her sonne and peace with Henry the fift King of England then a capitall enemy to the state She giues him her daughter Katherine in marriage and procures King Charles the 6. her husband to declare Henry his lawfull heire and to dis-inherit his only sonne Charles the 7. from the realme of France 1420. During these occurrents Henry the 5. and Charles the 6. die leauing the Crowne of France in question betwixt Charles the 7. and Henry the 6. proclaimed King of France at the funeralles of Charles the 6. From the yeare 1419. to the yeare 1422. AFter this tragicall and strange murther of Iohn of Bourgongne Philip his sonne Duke of Bourgongne by his decease seekes
to be reuenged vpon Charles the Daulphin and Charles to defend himselfe The exploites of the Daulphin and of Philip of Boâ—rgâ—ogue after this murther Philip was then in Flanders The Parisiens passionate partisans of the Bourguignon who had seene the Duke of Orleans murthered without mouing and they themselues had massacred the chiefe Officers of the Crowne and had shed the bloud of many good men for his pleasure and passion hauing repayed the bloud so treacherously slaine by him in the same coyne they nowe growe into a greater mutinie then if the King himselfe had beene slaine They send their deputies to Philip and promise not onely to bee faithfull but to assist him with all their meanes to reuenge the murther committed on the person of his father And at the same instant Montagu being escaped from the Turn-picke writes to all the Citties vnder the Bourguignons obedience of this accident the which he could report as an eye witnesse Charles on the other side writes to all the good Citties of the realme yeelding a reason of this murther and imputing the fault to the Bourguignons bad dealing who would haue slaine him at a parle exhorting the people not to mourne for the iust execution of a man borne for the ruine of France who had willingly thrust himselfe into this mischiefe offring all his meanes to settle the realme in peace according to the authoritie whereunto God had called him But in talking hee seekes countries Stephen of Vignoles called la Hire and Poton of Xaintrailles winne Crespy in Laonois and Caradoz of Quesne with Charles of Flauye take Roye places very important to trouble the Citties of Picardie where the Bourguignon was chiefely obeyed The strong Caâ—tell of Muin opposite to Crespye and Roye is surprised by the industry of his seruants keepes all Vermandois and Laonois in alarume This beginning caused Philip to seeke al speedie meanes to crosse Charles his proceedings being resolute to continue what he had begunne yet the Parisiens feared pressing Philip againe not to abandon the seruants of his house the which made him more prompt in the execution Philip being assured of his Flemings obtaines a suspension of armes from Henry the 5. King of England and a day and place appointed to treat a general peace betwixt the two realmes Then marching with his army through Picardie hee recouers Crespy Roye and Muin to the great content of his partisans and so he arriues at Troyes in Champagne the appointed place for this treatie Isabel Queene of France a cruell Medea and and vnnaturall mother continued her tragike choller against her Son who hauing defaced the common feeling of nature did soone forget the honor she had receiued to be married into the house of France Being thus wedded to the Bourguignons passions Queene Isabel hates the Daulphin hir sonne deadly she tormented her poore husbands spirâ—ts being exceeding weake perswading him that his best course was to disinherit this wicked son to declare his daughter heire and in marrying her to the greatest King vpon the earth to giue her likewise the realme after his decease to her issue as descended from the bloud of France Philip comming to the King found newe worke for presently Henry the 5. King of England concludes a peace with King Charles the 6. weddes Katherine his daughter and doth obtayne by letters pattents That establiâ—â—ing a firme and free peace in both the Realmes of France and England in regard 〈…〉 marriage of Catherine of France he is declared Regent of the realme during the life of King Charles to whom the title of King remaynes and to â—sabel his wife the title of Queene during their lâ—â—es But presently after the Kings decease The lawfull heire reiected and Henry the 5. declared heire of France the Crowne realme of France with al their rights and dignities should remayne vnto him whome King Charles the 6. calles by his letters patents his most deere and welbeloued sonne and to his heires in chiefe They cause this poore sicke King to sweare vpon the holy Bible to promise this for him and his withall exemptions and necessary clauses in so great and important a businesse This goodly act the finite of the furious passions of ciuill warre was made aâ— Troye the 21. of may in the yeare 1420. This done the French and English forces ioyning and marching vnder the same colours acknowledge one Comander and for their first exploit they win Monstreau-faut-Yonâ—e where they take vp and bury Iohn of Bourgongne againe and so marching on as against Rebells they take Melun Meaux and Morst and beseege Compiegne But least matters should growe cold Henry of England whome they call Regent returnes to Troye and with a goodly traine conducts the King Queene and his newe wife Catherine to Paris being better followed and serued then the King himselfe The Parisiens folly did wonderfully imbâ—ace the comming of this newe royaltie promising vnto themselues a newe heauen but this humor lasted not long hauing tried the power of forraine Princes and the commande of their Kings by very contrary effects The Regent held a Councell presently in great state in the Pallace of Saint Pol Henryes proceeding in his new royaltie of France being the Kings lodging Two throanes were erected for the two Kings and a seate vnderneath for Philip of Bourgongne The Kings councell being fewe in number is supplied by the Court of Parliament and the vniuersity Philip demandes Iustice of the muâ—ther committed on the person of Iohn of Bourgongne his father His Aduocate Rolâ—in made this instance The Kings Aduocate and the vniuersitie assisted him in the 〈◊〉 King Charles promiseth Iustice against his Sonne the Daulphin and to dâ—al good â—ffâ—ces for King Henry his newe Sonne This was the first act of the newe Regencie against the onely Sonne of his house And moreouer they decreed that heereafter all the treasure should be gouerned by the Regents authoritie and commande Henry resolues presently to call a Parliament for the necessity of his returne into England whether he ment to conduct his new Spouse The Bourguignon craues iustice against the Daulphin A Parliament was held according to this decree but all were amazed at this sodaine alteration euen the very report of my Historie hath some fealing thereof for what canst thou see herein gentle reader but frosen ice in the remembrance of these confusions renewed by the fealing of our owne Thus the Regent caused Charles Duke of Touraine and Daulphin of Viennois to be called to the marble table All sollemnities obserued and he not appearing by a decree of the Councell and of the Court of Parliament he was banished the realme The Daulphin banished the realme by a decree and he appeales and iudged vnworthy to succeede in any of the Seigneuries as well present as to come The Daulphin appeales from this sentence To God and his sword who in the ende doing him iustice shall blesse his sword and
the greatest dignities of the realme· for he made Charles Steward Earle of Boucquam his Constable and Iames Earle Du-glas Marshall of France and to honour the Scottish-mens faith he gaue them the gard of his person an institution which continues vnto this day He institutes a gard of theÌ„ for his person He had likewise some friends in Spaine and Italie who succoured him in due time according to their meanes We haue shewed what Prouinces followed the partie of our Charles amongst the which Languedoâ— was a principall The importance of this countrie did much aduance his affaires This reason moued both the Bourguignon and the Sauoiard against this Prouince The instruments fit for this enterprise were Iohn of Châ—â—lons Prince of Orange and the Lord Bochebaron a Nobleman of Velay one of the 22. diocesses of Languedoc The first by the commodity of his neighbourhood did win Nismes Pontsaint Esprit Aiguesmortes and all the rest of base Languedoc vnto Beziers Warre in Languedoc except the Castell of Pezenas the tower of Villenefue by Auignon the castell of Egaliers now wholy ruined neere vnto Vzez This losse was somewhat repaired by the fidelitie of the inhabitants Aiguesmortes set vp their ensigne of libertie by the direction of the Baron of Vauuerbe and killes the garrison of Bourguignons which the Prince of Orange had placed there To this day they shew a great tub of Stone wherein they did salt the Bourguignons The example of this strong and important Citty A strange cruelty whereby they are called Bourguignons sallies to this day awaked the rest and euen vpon the approch of the Earle of Foix who came with a goodly armye all the Townes yeeâ—d vnto him except Nismes and Pont S. Esprit Townes of great importance in that countrye the one beeing the head of that Seneshauce the other a passage vpon the Rosne towardes Daulphiné But as the libertie of time made the seruant presume aboue the Master so it chanced that the Earle of Foix hauing tasted the sweet of command and transported with the common humour of men seeking to make their profit of the common confusions of France deteined the reuenues of Languedoc by his absolute authority imparting none to Charles being exceeding poore in this confused time This necessity was accompanied with a cruell warre stirâ—ed vp in Velay by the Lord of Roche-baron a partisan to the Dukes of Sauoy and Bourgongne who furnished him both with men and money for this rebellion for it was rather a horrible theuery then a warre These 〈◊〉 occasions drew Charles into Languedoc to confirme his authority and his voyage succeeded according to his intent for he chased the Prince of Orange out of Nismes and Pont S. Esprit he pacified the troubles of Velay and put the Earle of Foix from his gouernement giuing the place to Charles of Bourbon Earle of Clermont a Prince of the bloud to the great content of all the people Hauing thus happily prouided for his affaires he takes the way of Velay to returne into France beeing arriued at Espaly a Castle belonging to the Bishop of Puy he is aduertised of his fathers death Charles mouâ—rnes for the death of his father after Henry the 5. his Competitor He falles presently to teares and mourning yet he buries not his affaires in care His Councell aduiseth him to change his blacke roabes into Scarlet to set vp the banner of France in his name and to proclaime himselfe King for the first fruites of his coronation the which being performed at Puy to the peoples great ioye Charles goes to Poitiers where he caused himselfe to de crowned King and receiued the homage and oathes of the officers of the Crowne Princes Noblemen and gentlemen that were about him with such pompe as the strictnesse of time would permit Then he intituled himselfe King of France and made shew of more authority and greater pompe But on the other side the Duke of Bedford beganne to bandy more strongly against him Henry the 6. his pupill a yong infant was in England He caused him likewise to bee crowned King till the seauen yeares after he should be solemnely installed at Paris in the yeare 1430. He set his name vpon the money of France making a new stampe but without any other change then of his name So that hereafter two Kings two factions two armies shall contend for this goodâ—â— Crowne The heire being the weaker shall fight against a strong pretender Law â—â—uours the one and force the other but the Protector of this estate will giue a fauourable doome for the weaker The Dukes of Bedford and Bourgongne hold a counsel aâ— Amiens that the honour of so memorable a preseruation of this monarchy apparently drawne out of the graue may be giuen to him who rules the deluge of our confusions by his miraculous prouidence Scarse had Charles receiued the first fruites of his royall authority when as the Dukes of Bedford and Bourgongne his capitall enemies assemble at Amiens to crosse his new dignity in the breeding There shall be seaueh yeares of exceeding bad time but after this sharpe winter there will come a goodly spring when as all seemed lost and in the ende Sommer shall follow with a plentifull haruest of rest to this Realme whereof the lawfull heâ—e shall remaine in quiet possession and the pretender expelled with losse euen of that which he might haue ciuilly inioyed In this assembly at Amiens great plottes are layde against Charles whose ruine was their soueraigne end All is done at the charge of the English Peter Duke of Brittaine and Arthur Earle of Richmont his brother are there present Amedee Duke of Sauoâ— sends his Ambassadors A great league against King Charles consumed by alliances vnder an other colour but he casts the stone hides his arme The Dukes of Bedford Brittaine and Sauoy make a defensiue offensiue league agaiâ—â—â— Charles The soueraignty of the Crowne should remaine to the English the commoâ—â—ties to the Dukes They set the seale of marriages to this alliance Iohn Duke of â—edford marries with Anne the sister of Philip Duke of Bourgongne and Marguerit his other Sâ—ster takeâ— Arthur the Earle of Richemont Then they seeke the fruits of this alliance with the preiudice of Charles Euery man takes his quarter to torment him on all sideâ— The Bourguignon vndertakes Picardy where he settles Iohn of Luxembourg to expel the Daulphinois out of some places which they held there Henry of Lancaster Earle of Salisbury went into Champagne and Bry to clense the Country about Paris and to budâ—e Orleans The Earle of Warwick vndertooke Guienne to make war against those toâ—nes that held the Daulphins party Lewis Prince of Orange had charge to arme in Languedoc and Daulphiné Behold a great storme rising against the lawfull heire of this crâ—â—ne Amidst all these difficultyes Charles must needs be in great perplexitie but I reade with ioy that he whom God had chosen to
for their deliuery changed the face of our affaires and dismaied the enemies And to conclude by a miraculous meanes gaue a happy successe both to our King and Realme and this was the 〈◊〉 A young Maiden named Ioane of Arâ— borne in a village vppon the Marches of Barre called Domremy neere to Vaucouleurs of the age of eighteene or twenty yeares issued from base parents her father was named Iames of Arc Ioane the virguâ— and her mother Isabell poore Country folkes who had brought her vp to keepe their cattell shee said with great boldnesse That she had a reuelation howe to succour the King how he might be able to chase the English from Orleans and after that to cause the King to bee crowned at Rheims and to put him fully and wholy in possession of his Realme After shee had deliuered this to her Father Mother and their neighbours she presumed to go to the Lord of Baudricourt Prouost of Vaucouleurs she boldly deliuered vnto him after an extraordinary manner all these great misteries as much wished for by all men as not hoped for especially comming from the mouth of a poore country maide whom they might with more reason beleeue to be possessed by some melancholy humour then diuinely inspired beeing the instrument of so many excellent remedies in so desperate a season After the vaine striuings of so great and famous personages At the first he mocked her and reproued her but hauing heard her with more patience and iudging by her temperate discourse and modest countenance that she spake not idlely in the ende he resolues to present her to the King for his discharge So she arriues at Chinon the 6. daye of May attyred like a man The disposition of Ioane She had a modest countenance sweet ciuill and resolute her discourse was temperate resonable and retyred her actions cold shewing great chastity Hauing spoken to the King or Noblemen with whom she was to negociate Shee presently retired to her lodging with an olde woman that guided her without vanitie affectation babling or courtly lightnesse These are the maÌ„ners which the Original attributs vnto her The matter was found ridiculous both by the King and his counsell yet must they make some triall The King takes vpon him the habit of a countriaman to be disguised this maide being brought into the Chamber goes directly to the King in this attire salutes him with so modest a countenance as if shee had beene bred vp in Court all her life They telling her that shee was mistaken shee assured them it was the King although she had neuer seene him She beginnes to deliuer vnto him this new charge which she saies she had receiued from the God of heauen so as shee turned the eyes and mindes of all men vpon her This matter being referred to counsell it was concluded they should take the aduise of diuines They answer that in desperate diseases the prouidence of God doth commonly raise vp extraordinary remedies and imployes women when as men grow faint hearted as in the afflictions of Israell he hath mightily vsed Debora and Abigail The one to teach the people the other to kill a furious tyrant and Iudith which 〈◊〉 that great tyrant in the middest of his army So as necessity which made them to seeke all sorts of remedies caused the King to try if this maide spake trueth but without the hazard of any thing This Ioane holden for a prophetisse by many is reported by Girrard called Lord of Haillin Ioane held to be an impostor or mad and sundâ—y other French writers plainely said to haue bin induced to this imposture by three Noblemen who had incited hir thereto and layed that plot onely to encourage King Charles to battaile dispayring of his state She is armed and sent to Orleans She desires of the Kâ—ng that she may be conducted to Orleans to begin the worke which she said she had in charge A sword remaining in Touraine in a place called S. Katherine of Fierebois was brought vnto her to bee armed therewith They gaue her armes and horse with a sufficient troupe to enter the Citty Lewis of Cullent Admâ—ral of France and Iames of Rieux Marshall had charge to accompany her with some victualls to the besieged and to haue a care that all should bee wisely carried without hazard She prepares her colours being armed at all points she went to take leaue of the King with a grace worthy of a great Captaine Beseeching him to trust in God in whose name she spake Thus she parts from Chinon the 12 of Aprill Now they reckoned the sixt moneth of the siege the â—esieged crie out for hunger This victualing prouided at Blois is conducted by the abâ—ue named commaunâ—â— with great care as well for feare of the English who had their seâ—â—inels 〈◊〉 plâ—ce as for the distrust they had of this new commander She marched in the foremost rank betwixt the Admirall and the Marshall very watchfully carrying the countenaâ—ce of a very resolute personage She victualls and relieues Orleans They arriue with this prouisioÌ„ safely at Orleans the English making no shew of arming although she passed before their forts in viewe of the army yet had they scarce six hundred men in this supply The power of Gods prouidence is admirable in the hearts of men making them to yeeld insensibly to what he hath decreed 1426. This first blow stirred vp the spirits of the French Orleans begins to reioyce at the sight of this maide attired like a man standing vpon the point of yeelding This first releefe was not sufficient for so great a multitude They resolued to fetch more victuals and to that end would returne to Blois But before their departure the Maiden writes this Letter following to the chiefe of the English armie and sends it by a Trumpet I haue truly set it downe out of the originall in the owne proper stile both for the reuerence of antiquitie the noble courage of this Virgin and the truth and state of the subiect King of England doe reason to the King of Heauen for his bloud royall yeeld vp to the Virgin the Keyes of all the good Citties which you haue forced Ioan sends threats to the English She is come from heauen to reclaime the bloud royall and is ready to make a peace if you be ready to doe reason Yeeld therefore and pay what you haue taken King of England I am the chiefe of this warre wheresoeuer I incounter your men in France I will chase them will they or no. If they will obey I will take them to mercie The Virgin comes from the King of heauen to driue you out of France If you will not obey she will cause so great a stirre as the like hath not beene these thousand yeares in France And beleeue certainly that the King of heauen will send her and her good men at armes more force then you can haue Go in Gods name into
In the end by the Dukes meanes yeelding him his libertie this quarrell was ended marrying the eldest sonne of René with the daughter of the Earle of Vaudemont But let vs reserue the rest to the following raigne About the end of this yeare a solemnitie was done in Paris which carried more shew then substance We haue said before how that Henry the 6. King of England Henry King of England crowned at Paris had beene crowned King of France when as our Charles was crowned at Poitiers after the decease of his father Henry was but two yeares old and came not out of England vntill that Charles had bin sollemnly crowned at Rheims to the great ioy of all the French but when as the Duke of Bedford found how much this autentike publication aduanced the affaires of Charles he caused Henry to be brought into France and to be crowned at Paris with an extraordinarie Maiestie to out-countenance Charles his Coronation by a greater shew of pompe But the bloud of France cannot dissemble no man was moued thereat no more then to see a Tragedie acted vpon the Stage This yeare is very barren of all memorable exploits but that this silence noted an entrance to an accoâ—d both parties being weary of pleading yet with great slacknesse as we see in diseases which come sodenly and passe away slowly we must therefore crosse this rough way before we come to Paris Montargis taken by the English as we haue said Montarâ—is taken and lost againe was noâ— recouered by the French but after a diuers maner for the English lost the Toâ—ne by the Castell and the French the Castell by the Towne yet were they three moneths in winning of the Castell Hauing taken all they lost all by the same meanes tâ—at made them so much to gape after the Castell which was the want of money This shamfull losse greeued many of the greatest in Court and bred a new trouble by this occasion Tremouille was yet in great credit with the King Tremouille taken and deliuered againe hauing by this meanes a great hand in the State they accused him to haue heaped vp great treasure to the preiudice of such as daily imployed their liues for the Kings seruice The greater men reâ—olue to take Tremouille prisoner and to punish him like vnto Giac and others before mentioned The King was at his Castell at Chinon Tremouille followes him as his 〈◊〉 but it chanced as he was in his chamber the Lords of Brueil Coytiuy and Fetard 〈…〉 with 40. armed men enter and take him not one of a hundred of that sort could escape But six thousand Crownes saued his life hoping to returne againe into credâ—t The Constable of Richmont growes into greater fauour then before Thus misfâ—rtune is good for some thing Bedford puft vp with the successe of Montargis takes Mâ—lly in Gasâ—enois but hauing besieged Lagny in Brie he was repulsed· and at the same time Iohn of Luxembourg of the Bourguignon faction is dispossessed of Ligny in Barrots by the Gentleman of Comeâ—cy A disgrace which shall draw the Bourguignon to a â—â—mposition so much desired togither with the happy successe of the French in the Câ—untry of Arthois the taking of S. Valery in Ponthieu The confusion of the warre and the generall wauering of 〈◊〉 câ—iefe Citties in Picardy tired with these confusions being so great as no man was 〈◊〉 of his person of what partie soeuer if he were the weaker The Cardes were so shuffled 1432. as an English man would become French to take a Bourguignon and a Frenchman become English or a Bourguignon to take a Frenchman These vnkinde treacheries were vsuall especially at Amiens Abbeuille and throughout all Picardie where the warres had been most licentious Which outrage hath been reuiued in ouâ— miserable age through the crueltie of these wretched warres which causeth men to make shipwracke both of faith and honour This yeare had a plausible beginning but without any great effect The Councell of Pisa being assembled as we haue said to redresse the confusion of Antipopes and to reduce the Church diuided by this Schisme vnto vnion sends the Cardinall of Auxerre vnto the Kings of France and England to exhort them vnto peace Charles protested that he desired nothing more the English said the like They assemble to this end at Auxerre in great troupes but at their first meeting all this treatie was broken off for both the one the other stood vpoÌ„ the qualitie of King of France being the fundameÌ„tall point of all their quarrell The Duke of Bedford spake more proudly then Charles himselfe A treatie betwâ—xt the French and English as if the law of State which maintained this Monarchie had beene made in England an Iland become firme land and France changed to the Isle of Albion or of Brittanie of such force is error euen in matters of State when as passion ouer-rules the light of reason So as they all depart without any effect They onely conclude a truce for the great want of the poore people who could suffer no more But this truce was a pit-fall for many trusting the countenance of this courteous warre which making profession to meane nothing so is more to be feared when she smiles then when she frownes Ioâ—n Duke of Bourbon dies in England Wee haue saied that Iohn Duke of Bourbon was taken prisoner in the battaile of Azincourt whom they could neuer redeeme at any rate This yeare he dyed in England and his sonne Charles succeeds him He had to wife the sister of the Duke of Bourgongne but they fall to words for their rights and so to warre Charles takes from Philip A quarrell betwixt the Dukes of Bourbon and Bourgongne Grancy Aualon Perepertuis Mucy-l'Euesque Chaumont and other places The Bourguignon had his reuenge and besiegeth Belleuille in Beauieulois belonging vnto Charles Mary Duchesse of Berry labours to reconcile these Princes and drawes them to a peace the which shall soone be a meanes of a generall accord betwixt the Bourguignon and France by the mediation of the Duke of Bourbon a profitable instrument of so good a worke This occasion not preuented was seconded by an other for the Duke of Bedford Bedford marrieth againe after the death of his wife being sister to the Duke of Bourgongne marries with Iaquelin the daughter of Peter of Luxembourg Earle of S. Pol who was no friend to the Bourguignon and moreouer the youth and beautie of this new spouse had so bewitched Bedford as he was easily drawne from Philip whose loue he entertained with great difficultie The Duke of Bedford and Bourgongne in dislike yet in respect of the generall cause they made a good shew and had met at S. Omer to that effect but this enterview encreased their discontents In the meane time the truce being ill obserued on either side is conuerted into a languishing warre Bedford makes warre in the Countrie of Maine by Scales and
him to finde some meanes to compounde with the English and not to lanquish longer in the ordinarie losses of a lingering and preiudiciall warre The Duchesse of Bourgongne for her husbands priuate interest layes the first stone treating for the deliuery of Lewis Duke of Orleans as wee haue sayed This first act was seconded by the request which the Prouinces of the realme made vnto the King Charles calleâ— a Parliament at Orleans to treat of a generall peace the which ministred occasion vnto Charles to call a generall Parliament at Orleans whether not onely all the Citties sent their deputies according to the custome but all the Noblemen which came not in person sent their Agents for the subiect was to treat of a generall peace if it might not be effected to set some order for the men of warre for the ease of the poore people who could endure no more The King was there in person accompanied with these Noblemen the Earles of Marche Bourbon Vendosme and Richemont Constable and the Archbishop of Rheims beeing Chancellor of France The Agents of the Duke of Orleans of the Duke of Bourgongne and of the Earle of Armaignac assisted with the deputies of Paris Languedoc Daulphiné Guienne and other Prouinces subiect to the French The Chancellor a wise and an eloquent man did set downe at large the miseries of war and the inestimable good of peace but what better commentarie then the feeling of forepassed miseries and the visible demonstration of our present calamities It was decreed that in regard of a general peace they should make al necessarie 〈◊〉 with speede As for the ordring of men of war they should presently take some course to auoide confusion hereafter The Lord Chancellor the first President were chosent to negotiate this treaty with the English through the meanes and fauour of the Duke of Bourgongne as hauing layed the foundation presently a decree was made for the gouernment of soldiars both of horse foote and to discharge the army of hangers on the which did but incomber to the great oppressioÌ„ of the poore people This was the institution of the frank-archers The first day of May was appointed by the common consent of both Kings to meete at Saint Omer but the King of England was aduised by the Duke of Yorke his vncle who had succeeded the Duke of Bedford in his authority although the name of Regent was not giuen him since the Kings coronation that he should stand vpon termes as hauing no neede of peace but only mooued with compassion of the poore people and therfore he failed in the assignation But there fel out an vnexpected occasion to Charles which not only brake of the course of this businesse all others but had wel neere plounged France into greater miserie then before The King was gone to Anger 's where he had intelligence of the taking of Saint Susanne for his seruice one of the most important places of the Countrie of Maine and of his losse at the seege of Auranches which was ill attempted succeeded ill when as stranger newes made him loose the pleasure of this gaine forget the bitternes of his losse He was growne woÌ„derful wayward suspitious inclining visibly into too extremities being too familiar with some of his domestical seruants too seuere to his Princes chiefe officers either he shold not haue maried his eldest son Lewis Daulphin of Vieâ—â—ois so soone or else he shold not haue vsed him like a child But Charles lookt on him with sower countenance as if he had bin vnder the rod. All this was done of purpose practised by his secret councellors to keepe great men from attempting against him vnder the name of this yong Prince to the preiudice of his royall authority but what he feared chanced The Earle of Marche a prince of the bloud had the charge of the young Daulphin a Prince whom Charles trusted being both wise and temperate The Princes of the bloud discontented Lewis of Bourbon Duke of Alençon Godfather to Lewis was not so familiar with Charles as hee was accustomed The Duke of Bourbon was not altogether in so bad tearmes yet was he not so great in the Kings fauour as he desired greeuing that such base men should haue countenance These two Princes must lead the dance if their desseine had succeeded many wold haue ioyned but now they would be lookers on only At this time the Princes had men fit to execute their desseine the Lords of Chaumont Boueiquaut Prye with many aduenturers theeues and such like Tremouille hauing some notice of this plot Make a league to aduance the Daulphin offers himselfe vnto them and is intertained a matter as wisely performed by them as rashly done of him The proiect of these discontented Princes was to settle the Daulphin that hereafter all things might be done by his authoritie being ruled by the aduice of the Princes of the bloud and so in effect they would haue King Charles gouerned by his sonne For the execution hereof they first seize vpon the Daulphin The Daulphiâ— carried away by the princes with his owne liking who was an assistant himselfe to be freed from the Earle of March his gouernour He was lodged in the Castle of Loches in Touraine gouerned with great respect who seeing him of age married and of a liuely disposition gaue him great liberty hee might go abroad at his pleasure where he found the bastard of Bourbon Anthony of Chabanes with other Captaines aduenturers who conducted him honorably into Bourbonois The same day the Duke of Alenson seized vpon Niort and by his commandement Iohn de la Roche tooke S. Maxent The Duke of Bourbon hauing the Daulphin in his power a Prince full of youthfull courage he caused him to write to the nobility of Auuergne The Princes desseâ—â—e and to the Duke of Bourgongne praying them to ayde him in his desseins which was to haue more liberty to gouerne matters of state hereafter for the better satisfiyng of men of honour whom he did see to his great griefe kept back by certain flatterers which possessed the King his father to the great preiudice of the whole Realme These newes being brought to Charles he presently sends to the Duke of Bourbon to returne him his sonne and to the Duke of Alenson to deliuer his townes of Niort S. Maxent to theÌ„ both to come yeeld an accompt of these inouations who finding by their answers that they excused theÌ„selues and sought delayes he resolues to come to the effects and to suppresse this mischiefe in the breeding He was well serued at this time The Duke of Bourgongne lets the Daulphin vnderstand The Duke of Bourgongne answers the Daulphins letter that all his meanes are at his commandement so as it be not against his father but he aduised him to go vnto him not to aggrauate one error with an other being most certain that the shortest
who receyued him with all the good chere hee could desire Hee was taken at Azincourt in the yeare 1415. and was deliuered in 1440. the 25 of Nouember by the meanes of his sonne that had slaine his father and had done all hee could to ruine his house Beeing come to Philip hauing thanked him for this good will and protested to hold him for his father he swears a perpetuall league with him the which is confirmed by the marriage of Marie of Cleues the niece of Philip with the Duke Two great enemies become great friends and then he swears to the troaty of Arras except the article of the murther committed on the person of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne whereof he was innocent and for confirmation of this sollemne league he takes the order of the golden fleese from the hands of Philip and is admitted into the number of his Knights Behold two great enemies are become great friends by so memorable an occasion The reason that mooued the Duke of Bourgongne to do this good turne The Duke of Bourgongne had his priuate considerations for the safety and quiet of his house he sees himselfe raised to greaâ—nesse But as it is no lesse vertue to keepe then to get and that his bloud profit dutie and necessitie commanded him to hold firme for the French partie as the greatest and most assured for the good of his affaires so likewise hee considered that he should neede some trustie friend neere the King on whome he might confidently relie And what greater personage then the Duke of Orleans the first Prince of the bloud and what greater bond then to free him from Captiuity necessitie also forseeing him thereunto for it was verie apparent that this Prince being freed from prison had the like action against Philip that Philip had against the King for although Philip had not slaine his father yet was he son to the murtherer and the quarell must needs be hereditarie in these great houses where discontents and wrongs go from father to sonne being also likely that the King discontented to haue beene forced by his subiect to aske him forgiuenesse in the viewe of al Europe would mayntaine the right of his bloud in a Prince that had neuer wronged him against his reconciled enemy whose friendship he had so deerely bought wherein he noted well the Kings humor being suspitious iealous and impatient of any new authority which being able to oppose it selfe hee would neuer faile to crosse in all occasions Philip wisely foreseeing all these difficulties preuented them in assuring himselfe of the Duke of Orleans loue vpon so good consideration suppressing thereby all doubt of danger which he might hereafter feare Herein we see a notable example that we must neuer despaire in the greatest crosses of this life that quarrells must be mortall whereas they die friendship must be immortall That the best meanes to vanquish an enemie â—s to do him all the good we can The honour of this good worke was not attributed to the Duke of Bourgongne alone but to the Duchesse his wife who woone as great credâ—t in drawing her husbaÌ„d to this reconciliation as her Predecessor did dishonor by the incensing of her husband against the house of Orleans whence grewe that infamy which poluted these two houses with two tragicall murthers The wiues honour is to pacifie quarrells betwixt the kinsemen and Allies of the house whereinto she is matched and contrariewise it is an importune iealousie to sowe dissention among kinsemen God also blest the mediation of this worthy Princesse in the marriage of Marie of Cleues Neece to her husbaÌ„d with the Duke of Orleans by whome he had Lewis .12 which shal be King of France two daughters the one Elenor which was married into the house of Nauarre of whome is issued Ioane Queene of Nauarre mother to our good valiant King Henry the 4. now raigning This yeare shal be full of warre and succesfull for Charles yet in the ende it shall minister occasion to enter into the former treatie of peace which hauing begunne the yeares before and little aduanced shal be ended in the following yeares after another manner then the English expected Charles seeing that the King of England by his cold delayes sought not onely to make his conditions better being sought vnto but also to drawe him into some inconuenience he resolues to armes The English had taken Creil vpon Oyze and could not bee dispossessed of Pontoise a Towne of importance for the neernesse of Paris The King resolues to take them both The Admirall of Coytiuy beseegeth Creil and forceth it in the Kings presence The memorable seege of Pontoise Thus the way is made to Pontoise the seege was memorable being well assayled and well defended but in the ende it was taken by Charles for the good of France He lodgeth at the Abbie of Maubuisson accompanied with his sonne the Daulphin of Viennois Charles of Aniou the Earle of Clermont the Constable of France the Marshalls of Loheaâ— and Soloigne Lewis of Luxembourg Earle of Saint Paul and of Pigney who brought vnto the King a goodly troupe of men from the Duke of Bourgongne with them of the Cittie of Tournay who sent a gallant squadron of their Cittizens Thus vnitie brought both French and Bourguignons vnder the same enseignes against the common enemie of France There were also the Earles of Eu Albret and Vaudemont the Vidame of Chartres the Lords of Chastillon Tancaruille Ioigny Morneil in Brie Bueil Mouy la Tour Angesi Longeuall Moyencourt Suze Chabannes Flauy S. Symon Mailly Penesac Blanchefort and those braue Captaines la Hire Pothon and Floquet with an infinit number of the Nobility who added their valour to the number of the soldiars which they had brought vnto the King The Citty of Paris sent a goodlie troupe so as Charles had twelue thousand fighting men At the first approch the bastion vpon the bridge next to Maubuisson was taken by la Hire on the other side against the Abbie of Saint Martin they make a bridge with a great bastion where they lodge three thousand archers yet the Towne was not so straightly beseeged but Talbot sent in both men and victualls 1441. Whilest that Charles stood discontented with this error behold a greater brauado for the Duke of Yorke Lieutenant generall for Henry King of England comes to Cenery and Hotonuille places very neere to Pontoise with a goodly army of eight thousâ—nd men and sends his heraulds vnto Charles to offer him battaile Charles who by the aduice of his Councell would not commit this succesfull beginning of his affaires to the hazard of a battaile returnes them with no other answer The Duke of Yoâ—â—e goes with an army to â—eleeue Pontoise but that he should haue his bellie full sooner then he liked The riuer of Oize was betwixt both armies Charles resolues to keepe the passages from Pontoise to Beaumont and the Duke of Yorke to passe the riuer in
where Charles was resident whilest that his army afflicted these poore people He feasted conducted this Princesse as his own daughter euen with tears of ioy The King of England marrieth but this ioy was sodenly coÌ„uerted into heauines by the death of the Daulphins wife his daughter in Lawe whom he loued deerely for her vertues which made her amiable to all France She was one of the chiefest in this great solemnity from the which she went to the bed of death her death was the sepulchre of her Mother the widowe of Iames King of Scotts who was come to see her and whilest her funeralles were making her Sisters ariue from Scotland to attend on her nay rather to descend with her into the graue if the humainty of Charles had not reuiued them giuing them honest meanes to maintaine their estats in France Thus passeth the Ocean of this miserable life in the which there is more cause of mourning then of ioy The Daulphins wife dies both in great and small The marriage likewise of England wherein were so great shewes of ioy shall end with a lamentable Tragedie as we shall see hereafter The truce was so pleasing to both Realmes A truce prolonged for fiue yeares that before it was expired the Kings of France and England renue it for fiue yeares more in hope of a perfect peace promising by their seuerall writings published generally to meete togither within six monethes in some conuenient place to confirme this peace so generally desired of all their subiects 1445. 1446. 1447. 1448. And to confirme the assurance of their promises the English deliuers Mans to Charles with all thee held in the Countrie of Maine but all is put into the hands of King René his father in lawe Francis Duke of Brittain doth homage to the King for the Duchie of Brittain and the Earldome of Montfort This was at Chinon but some monethes after there chanced a tragicall desaster in that house Francis suspecting that Gyles his brother would deale treacherously with him by the too familiar correspondency he had with the Engâ—ish caused him to bee put in prison by the Councell and care of Charles who had sent him foure hundred lances vnder the comand of the Admirall Coitiuy But they dealt worse with him causing him to die in prison for hungar The history of Brittain describes this accident very plausibly The cruâ—lty of the Duke of Bâ—ittany against his brother but it is true that Gyles died beeing prisoner with his brother Peter who suruiued him not long after hauing a great remorse for this tragicke accident In the rest of this yeare and the three following there is nothing memorable but the pursuts which Charles made for the reunion of the Church But not to breake off the course of our history which is properly to treate of that which concernes our Estate we reserue it for a more conuenient place A worke in truth not onely worthy of a great Monarke but of a peaceable time that in the peace of the State we may see the peace of the Church The soldiars insolencie was nothing abated by this voiage of Germany They returne more flesht then before against the poore laborer Charles made new orders to restraine them causing them to bee duly obserued but the ouerwening violence of the English increased daylie not onely by the negligence but by the command of such as had the charge The Duke of Yorke being called home into England the duke of Somerset succeeded him a proud man who thinking to do better then the rest did absolutely ruine the English affaires in France Hee dispenced with his soldiars in all their villaines 1448 and kept them ready to breake the truce vpon any profitable occasion The English breake the truce In the meane time the Souldiers ordinarie practise was to stand in Sentinell to surprise some good house in the countrie being ill garded to robbe it spoile it and carry away the prisoners by vnknowne wayes To this end they had their spies their guides and their retreats The fields were full of robberies by men disguised in strange and fearfull habits being masked when they espied their pray and therefore they called them counterfeit faces But to draw men into danger they marched like passengers expecting the commoditie to surprize them There is heard nothing but complaints and repulses All the pursuites which were made to repaire the breaches of truce did but increase the paine and charges of the interessed But of these small disorders committed by the Souldiars there grew so great an inconuenience as in the end it filled vp the measure against the English being hated and detested of all the French for their pride and insolencie Fougeres surprized by the English during the truce Fougeres a Towne of Brittanie vpon the confines of Normandie then very riche and populous being without garde vnder the assurance of the truce was easily surprised by Francis of Surienne called the Arragonois a Knight of the order of the Garter and a great Captaine vpon the marches of France obeying the English The Towne being surprised by him being accompanied with six or seuen hundred souldiers suffered all the miseries that might be They kill spoile and sack rauish women robbe Churches take prisoners and from thence they runne into Brittanie and fill all full of feare and combustion The Britton appeales to the King and both complaine to Henry King of England and to the Duke of Somerset his Lieutenant in France they presse them to repaire so notable a breach else they would seeke a meanes of reuenge But they receiue nothing but words disauowed by mouth and aduowed in effect for Somerset causeth S. Iames of Beueron to be fortified contrary to the treatie Charles receiuing these bare answers from England sees which way the chance would fall and that the game would not passe without blowes yet he restrained his men with great modestie holding it for a maxime that he must vse no force But when as moderate remedies can take no place with men not capable of reason then to oppose force against the iniurious passion of his enemie I read with ioy in the Originall that Charles conteined himselfe and was forced to this last warre To haue God on his side and the wrong on his enemie To conclude this moderate proceeding did so iustifie the good cause of Charles as it was continued with a happy euent not onely to abate the pride of the English but to expell them out of the whole realme as the iust iudgement of God pursued their arrogancie in this attempt by the breach of publike faith the vndoubted ruine of humaine societie which hath no certaine foundation but in perfect faith Here endeth the yeare but the controuersie shall begin more hotly by iust armes accompanied with a victorious sentence the which the Iudge of the world shall pronounce against the pretender of this estate Normandie reduced to the Kings obedience THe
prisoners and artillerie deliuer vp Arques Caudebecq Tancaruille Lisle-bonne Hâ—nnefleu and Monstreuille The Conditions granâ—ed to the English at Rouen they should pay fiftie thousand Crownes presently and discharge their priuate debts in the Cittie before they departed for assurance whereof they should leaue Talbot the flower of all their men with fiue other hostages such as the King should demande So Talbot remaynes for a pledge After ten dayes all articles agreed vpon beâ—ng performed except Honnefleu all the hostages haue leaue to depart except Talbot who stayes vntill Honnefleu is deliuered But Talbot must haue more time to tast the bountie clemencie of our King and the fruits of French couâ—tesie Thus Charles enters Rouen with great pompe Câ—arles enâ—ers Rouen but the peoples ioye exceeded the statelinesâ—e of his traine Their showtes drowne the Trumpets and Clarons all crie God saue the King 1450. This poore people greedie to see their Prince after so long and cruell a seruitude weepe for ioy men and women young and olde all runne many bonfiers are made but the fire of publike deuotion burnt more cleare This was the tenth of Nouember in the yeare 1449. a notable date for so singular a deliuerance There yet remained some Townes in Normandie to conquer Charles loth to loose any opportunitie or to giue the enemie any leisure to bethinke himselfe would scarse allow of any time for the publike ioy and content of his good subiects but goes presently to field with his armie Honnefâ—eu would not obey the Duke of Somerset the which he must deliuer vp according to the treatie there were fifteene hundred English resolute to defend the place but after fifteene dayes siege they yeelded vpon honourable termes King Charles deales honourablie with Talbot their goods and liues being saued Charles for an increase of the good cheere he had made vnto Talbot during his imprisonment giues him his libertie without ransome with meanes to retire himselfe into England with great gifts but he shall make him no due requitall of this good and honourable entertainment Fougeres the subiect of this last warre and the chiefe cause of this good successe returnes to the obedience of the Crowne through the valour of the Duke of Brittanie and Belesme with the Castell of Fresâ—â—â— by that of the Duke of Alançon As all things succeeded happily for our Charles so all went crosse in England The Earle of Suffolke gouerned King Henry the 6. quietly being a young man and of a weake spirit As all the affaires of England depended vpon this Earle The estate of England so did the reproches The Duke of Somerset a Prince of the English bloud very iealous of his credit and reputation and ashamed to be blemished with these losses in France layes the chiefe fault vpon Suffolke and others that had the gouernment and so incensed the people of London against them The Londoners mutinie and kill the Lord Keeper as the Londoners transported with choller for so great a losse meaning to punish the offenders fall vpon the Bishop of Chichester Lord Keeper of the priuie Seale and kill him in a mutinie they intend the like to Suffolke â—â— by the fauour of some of his friends he had not beene put into the Tower of London to yeeld an accoumpt of his actions Henry who loued him deerely takes him forth The English Chronicle reports quite contrary and sent him into France for his better safetie But it chanced that Suffolke seeking to auoide one danger fell into another where he made his last shipwrack for being met by Somersets people being his capitall enemie he was taken and beheaded his head body were sent to London those cruell spoiles set vp to publike view in places most frequented In the meane time all England troubled for the losse of Rouen and the greatest part of the Prouince resolues to hazard all to saue the rest of their conquests in France They had yet in Normandy the Townes of Caen Vire Auranches S. Sauueur leVicont Falaize Damfront Cherebourg with the strong places of Tombelaine Briquebec New forces sent out of England into France and a great part of Guienne With this remainder the English imagin to recouer the possession of what they had lost So Henry sends speedily 4000. men vnder the command of Thomas Tiâ—el one of his most renowmed Captaines Being landed at Cherebourg without any losse of of time he besiegeth Valonges a strong place and of importance At the brute of these forces all the English garrisons assemble to augment his armie and to fortifie the siege so as being together they make about 8000. men Our armie was lodged in diuers places to refresh themselues since the siege of Honnefleu the season being wonderfull moist in the thawe of the spring when as newes came to Charles of the landing of the English and the imminent danger of the besieged the losse whereof were a foule blemish to his victorie To preuent this he presently sends the Earle of Clermont with sixteene hundred Lances whereof the Earle of Castres the Admirall of Raiz the Seneshall of Poitou and the Lords of Montgascon Couuran and Rouhault were the commanders The English armie was lodged at Fourmigny a village betwixt Carentan and Bayeux in a place of aduantage to keepe themselues free from such forces as they might doubt should be sent from the King being then in the country Matago an old English Captaine came vnto him with a thousand Archers The English being thus fortified set their backes to a Riuer being flanked with diuers Orchards and Gardines before them they make trenches to stoppe their approche and in this sort they attend the enemie The neerenesse of Charles made them to imagine our French to be more in number then they were for this troupe did not exceed sixe hundred fighting men whereof a hundred onely commanded by Geoffray of Couuran and Ioachim of Rouault charged the English vantgard hauing slaine three or foure hundred put the rest of their armie in disorder yet the Earle of Clermont seeing the danger he was in with his troupe if the enemie had discouered his aduantage hauing so great an army against his small troupe sends presently to Charles for speedy succours By good hap as the messenger came vnto the King the Constable of Richmont arriues from Brittaine who marcheth presentlie not giuing his souldiers any leisure to breath exhorting them to go couragiously to an assured victorie His comming strack the stroake and swayâ—d the victory He had 240. Lances and 800. Archers and with him Iames of Luxembourg the Cont of Laâ—all and the Lord of Loheac Marshall of France with the good fortune of Charles He aâ—riues euen when as the Earle of Clermont was farre ingaged in the fight the English had taken two Culuerins from him and in despight had passed S. Clements-forde preparing to discharge these Culuerins when as behold the Constable comes with his troupe with a victorious
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
in doing well How farre better and more honourable had it beene for Charles to haue beene beloued and respected by his sonne Lewis who bâ—ing growne great and hauing giuen many testimonies of his iudgement and valour might well haue eased him in his greatest affaires as Robert did Hugh Capet being associate in the same raigne to be honoured and serued by the Princes of his bloud especially of this his trustie friend who had giuen him so many proofes of his loyaltie in his greatest affaires and receiued likewise from him such firme gages of his loue and to â—cape the fruites of this so much desired peace with his subiects the which he had 〈◊〉 for all his subiects But if â—e afflicts others he hath a good share himselfe He makes hâ—s Sonne to flie and to beg his bread in a strange countrie he causeth a poore Pâ—iâ—ce of hâ—s bloud to languish in prison and he himselfe feeles in his soule a continuall torment of greefe a fier of choller and a torture of iealousie trusting no man but liuing in continuall feare and was this man at rest A strange torment he hath brought peace to all men and cannot inioy it himselfe he hath bread and cannot eate it But what read I in the Originall of the manners of our Charles This King Charles saieth Monstrelet after his reconcilement with Philip Duke of Bourgongne His loues was of a good life and deuoute but when he had recouered his realme he changed his manners and polluted his life in maintaining dishonest women in his Court leauing the companie of a good and loyall wife suffring more honour and reuerence to be done to those women by the greatest of his Court then to the Queene they being more richly attired then the Queene her selfe the which was an ill president in such a person yet he gouerned his realme very nobly and wisely was indued with goodly vertues maintaining iustice throughout his whole realme Monstreleâ— and the historie of S. Denis excuse the loue of faire Agnes and here they accuse Charles My duâ—ie is to coate euery part faithfully in this my Inuentorie in the which there is nothing of mine owne but the bare report whereby it appeares that vertues are mixt with vices and that it is more easie to beare aduersitie then prosperitie Let the example of Dauid be confronted with this Wine causeth drunkennesse and water tempers Sometimes age is more weake and imperfect then youth to the end the whole honour of any good that is in man may be ascribed to God who is the Author thereof â—oy and griefe iealousie and loue be they not contrary affections and yet behold they are both in one subiect distracting him diuersly Inconstant nature of man who is a slaue to sinne by the meanes of sinne which receiues the motions of diuers windes from North South East and West both soure and sweete It will be now time after all this to shew the end of our Charles but we may not omit some notable things which chanced in this season during the ebbing and flowing of these seuen variable yeares Lewis the Daulphin was resident at Geneppe in Brabant and married with the daughter of Sauoy by whom he had a sonne The Duke of Sauoy with his wife who was daughter to the King of Cypres came to visit Charles and to pacifiâ— him with hope that he should soone see his sonne with this new gage of loue but all this did but ease and not cure Charles his infirmitie We haue said before Troubles in England that Henry the sixt King of England was put in prison by the Duke of Yorke who pretended the Crowne to appertaine vnto him by a iuster title then vnto Henry He makes an accord with the Duke of Yorke to free himselfe from this captiuitie That Henry should inioy the Crowne during his life but after his decease it should come to the Duke of Yorke and to his heires after him and so the Prince of Wales sonne to King Henry should be excluded from the succession of England By this accord Henry was released but Yoland his wife daughter to King René of Sicile shewes her selfe more resolute then her husband who hauing prouided for her affaires disauowes this accord as preiudiciall to her sonne and against the lawes which allow of no forced contract made by a prisoner and so she armes to maintaine her sonne the lawfull heire of the Crowne The Duke of Yorke likewise leuies an army to frustrate the Queenes desseines At that time the Queene did winne both the victorie and the heads of the Duke of Yorke of his second soone and of the Earle of Salisburie his chiefe partisan whom she tooke prisoners in the battaile and caused to be beheaded but she shall haue her turne In the meane time these troubles ministâ—ed an occasion vnto Charles to attempt against the English although transported with these home-bred discontents he had a troublesome enemie within himselfe without seeking one beyond the seas This was done by the councell and aduice of the Constable of Richmont who fearing the Kings humour and loth to deale in thâ—se discontents laboured to diuert him giuing him a better subiect to exercise his spirit It was also happy for the Constable that he was faâ—re off being likely that iealousie would haue brought him first in question whom Charles loued not much for the crosses he had receiued by him in the beginning The cause which had drawâ—e Richmont from Court was honourable for him for by â—he dâ—â—th of Peteâ— Duke of Brittanie his Nephew he was called to the Duchie Being Duke he would not leaue the office of Constable notwithstanding all the intreaties of his subiects being desirous to honour that charge in his age the which had honoured him in his youth although he inioyed the Dukedome but three yeaâ—es dying with the goâ—d opinion of all France hauing assisted it much both with his councell and valour This aduise to attempt against England giuen by the Constable Enterprise against England was executed by the Normans vnder the command of Peter of Brezay Seneshall of Normandie accompanied with a good number of the Nobilitie of Normandie and foure thousand fighting men these might do some great exploit in a countrie diuided and troubled but God hath appointed the limits of Kingdomes and that great ditch of the sea is sufficient to distinguish these two Monarchies who haue inough to content them without attempting against their neighbour To conclude this armie lands in England and takes Sandwich the which they presently spoile leaue and so returne to Honnefleu from whence they imbarked carrying away store of prisoners and spoile Their speedie returne was chieflie to saue their liues and goods which had beene in great danger if they had ingaged themselues farther for any rich spoile Charles was intreated by Ladislaus King of Hongarie sonne to that great Iohn Huniades one of the strongest Champions against the Turke â—o graunt him Magdalâ—ine his
in their words countenance appaâ—ell the Castillian of the plainnesse of the French attire for Lewis had short garments of bad stuffe the which the Spanish nation did impute to miserablenesse wherewith he was neuer blemished So as from that day these Kings did neuer loue but both nations conceiued such a mutuall hatred one against an other as they haue left it hereditarie to their posteritie and we haue felt the bitternesse of this old leuaine in our late and more then vnciuill tumult So perilous shall the enterview be of our Lewis with Charles of Bourgongne who shall hereafter come often in place at Peronne as we shall see Lewis being returned to Paris as by the purchase of Roussillon he had fortified his realme towards Spaine so desired he to assure it on the other side redeeming the townes lying vpon Somme the which had beene ingaged by the treatie of Arras to Philip Duke of Bourgongne for foure hundred and fiftie thousand crownes with this condition that the King should maintaine all the officers aduanced by the Duke in the said Townes a promise without performance for after the oath taken to serue him against all persons at the first he tooke away the Captainship of Amiens of Arras of Dourlans from Saueuse that of Mortaigne from Haut-bourdin a bastard of Bourgongne and the Bailâ—wike of Amiens from the Lord of Creuecoeur whose lands he did confiscate soone after aduancing to these offices Launoy the Nephew of Croy 1463. whereby he did greatly discontent the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne more who in despite of the said redemption did afterwards chase away the Lord of Croy with his whole family and confiscate their goods they beeing the meanes thereof Beeing retyred into France Lewis gaue him the county of Guynes with the office of Lord Steward of his house A discontent which shall hasten the Charolois to arme against our France Moreouer Lewis to tye the Pope vnto him by the meanes of Iohn Balue Bishop of Arras who since was made Cardinall in recompence of so good a seruice done to the court of Rome sends Godfrie Bishop of Albi Cardinall of Abbeuille vnto him to renounce all rights of the pragmaticall sanction So doing the Pope promised to send a Legat into France that should giue all benefices to the ende that all the money which should bee raised thereby might remaine within the Realme and be no more transported to Rome But the Pope beeing seized vpon the charter of the said Sanction made no accompt to performe his promise and to please the Romans he caused it to be dragged through the streetes So as Lewis being thus deceiued did forbid to carry any more money to Rome nor to bring any Bulls from thence He made Sforce Duke of Milan his vassall giuing him Sauonne which the French held a heauy motiue of lamentable warres which followed and receiued his homage But whilest he labours to purchase friends abroad he procures himselfe insensiblie mighty enimies at home The princes and Noblemen to whom the first places in court The League of the common â—ecale and offices of the crowne did appertaine seeing themselues with great indignity supplanted by these mushromes growne vp in one night put from the Kings fauour they sound one another both by mouth writings and by diuers messengers being assured of their mutuall loues they open their mindes discouer their conceptions and conclude To defend and maintaine their dignities For say they to what end do we suffer the indignities and braueries of these new vpstarts we should shew want of courage not to apprehend the wrong the King doth vs. Wee haue armes men friends money to force him to reason seeing we are debarred his preseÌ„ce by these base people that posâ—esse him The cheefe were Charles Duke of Berry the kings brother The chiefe of the league Iohn Duke of Bourbon who had married Charlotte the kings sister Francis duke of Brittaine Iohn Earle of Dunois bastard brother to Lewis Duke of Orleans the Duke of Nemours the Earle of Armaignac and the Lord of Albret The Duke of Berry was easily drawne into this league discontented to haue no better portion then Berry The Duke of Bourbon had not yet receiued his marriage money The Britton could not digest foure hard conditioÌ„s the which Lewis hauing an army ready in case he refused required of him That he should no more intitle himselfe By the grace of God Duke of Brittaine That he should coyne no more money without his permission That from thence foâ—th the King should leauie taxes and subsidies in Brittaine and not the Duke And that all that were beneficed within the Dukedome should acknowledge him immediately for Patron soueraigne Priuileges which till then had bin alwayes expresly reserued to all the Dukes his predecessors in the homages they did to the crowne The Earle of Dunois had alwaies bin of the chiefe of the army Lieutenant generall to Charles the 7. and now is depriued of all his offices and dignities by Lewis his sonne So euery one pretended diuers causes of complaint Charles of Berry must carry the bable a young Prince credulous an age which doth easily make men bold â—ash for they would vse him as the reuenging instrument of their passions But it is the means to draw him from Court without iealousie Behold an occasion is offred After that Lewis had visited the Townes of Picardy lately redeemed hauing crossed Normandie and Touraine he passeth to Poitiers leading Charles his brother with him Lewis going one day to his deuotion Iohn of Rommillé Tanneguy of Chastel Nephew to that Tanneguy that was charged for the death of the Duke of Bourgongne agents for the Britton in this action vnder colour to carry Charles Duke of Berry to the huntiug they lead him into Brittayne Tanneguy was discontented for that hauing disbursed fifty thousand franckes at the funeralls of Charles the 7. in the absence of Lewis he had neither recompence nor any thankes of the king and was not satisfied for the space of ten yeares There remayned nothing but to be assured of Philip Duke of Bourgongne 1464. who euen then had great cause of discontent for during the partialities of England betwixt the houses of Lancaster and Yorke Lewis supported Henry against Edward he being of Lancaster and this of Yorke for that Henry had married the daughter of René King of Sicile and by consequence was neere kinsman to Lewis In fauour therfore of this Queene he makes a proclamation in the territories of the Duke of Bourgongne forbidding them to aide or assist Edward terming himselfe King of England And for a greater disgrace King Lewis would impose a custome vpon the Salt in the Duchie of Bourgongne The Bourguignon opposeth he protests that Edward King of England is his allie and that he could not deny him succors being required As for the custome he shewes forth the ancient priuileges of
came a new taske in hand To kepe them in practise he sends part of them vnder the command of the Admiral bastard of Bourbon for Montauban was dead and the Earle of Dammartin into Armagnac He had beene one of the common-welth and this enterprise did alwaies sticke in Lewis his stomack At the fiâ—st without any effution of bloud they make him peaceable possessor of the countrie whereof they invest his brother and so the yeare ended But let vs se the first frutes of the following yeare To be revenged of Charles of â—ourgongne A new pretext of reuenge he must haue some apparent colour Lewis doth vnderhand practâ—se the Townes lying vpon the riuer of Somme animates the Nobility of the Countrie to complaine in the Parlement at Paris of the difficulty they had to receyue iustice and therevpon to require the Kings assistance fauour Moreouer they charged the Bourguignon that he extended his limits farther then he ought by the treatie vsurped the Kings rights and prerogatiues forcing some Lords whose lands did hold directlie of the King to doe him homage and seruice against all men Vpon colour of these complaints Lewis assembles the Estats at Tours in the moneth of March and Aprill the which was all he euer held but he calls none but his most confident seruants who would not contradict him in any thing For a conclusion of the assemblie the Duke is summoned to appeere at the Parlement of Paris He retaines the officer many daies at Gand and in the end sends him back As all things were prepared to ruine the Duke of Bourgongne behold there falls out another matter of some moment in this action The Earle of Warwick hauing aboue all others supported the house of Yorke against that of Lancaster had besides his patrimonie inriched himselfe aboue 4000. Crownes a yeere reuenue in rewardes and offices by Edward King of England Competitor to Henry the 6 whom he kept prisoner at London which Henry had so long ruled our France This his great credit drawes iealousie after it too ordinary in soueraine Princes especiallie to theÌ„ whom they haue raiâ—ed vp Edward King of England the Earle of VVâ—â—wick diuided wherby the Earle falls into some disgrace with Edward The Duke of Bourgongne to whome the Earles great authoritie and the secret intelligences he had with our Lewis was wonderfull odious and suspect for the Duke had married the sister of Edward to fortifie himselfe against Lewis not for any affection he bare to the howse of Yorke being by his mother issued out of the house of Lacaster feeds this harted of Edward agaiâ—st Warwicke who finding himselfe forced to yeeld to the stronger resolues to retyre into France hee leads with him Marguerite the wife of Henry 1470. daughter to Rene King of Sicile the Prince of Wales son of the sayd Henry and Marguerite Warwike â—lies into Fâ—ance the Duke of Clarence son in lawe to Warwicke and brother to Edward the Earle of Oxâ—ord with their wiues and children and many followers In his passage he takes many ships from the Bourguignons subiects and sells the bootie in Normandie And â—or a requital Charles causeth all the French Marchants to be taken that were come to the faire at Antwerp hee complaines to the Court of Parliament at Paris The Duke of Bourgungnes arrogancy of the reception the King had made of the Earle of Warwick threatning to fetch him wheresoeuer But the arrogance of his words was but the leuaine of his splene Lewis giues such entertaynment to the Earle of Warwick as he might hope for he armes all the ships he can finde in his fauour by meanes wherof he returnes happily into England and gathers togither an infinite number of men which ioyne with him from al parts he marcheth against Edward and forceth him to fly to his brother in lawe into Holland being accompained only wih seauen or eight hundred men for his gard without mony and without apparell other then for war Hee drawes Henry out of prison where he himselfe had formerly lodged him and installes him againe in his royall state Edward notwithstanding the presence of the Dukes of Glocester and Somerset sent by Henry obtaynes of the Duke of Bourgongne but vnderhand and secretly The Earle of VVarwike slaine and his whole army defeated by Edward for that hee would by no meanes incense Henry whom al England now obeied succors of meÌ„ ships money he returnes into the realme is receiued into London he meets with the Earle of Warwicke fights with him and kills him with his brother the Marquis of Montagu cuts all his army in peeces The Duke of Clarence before the battaile goes to â—is brother Edward and with his owne hand slue as some write Henry whom Edward had taken in London and led to this battaile this was in the yeare 1471. on Easter day This happy victorie is seconded by an other no lesse famous The Prince of VValles sonne to Henry deâ—eated by Edward The Prince of Wales sonne to Henry followes after with whome the Dukes of Glocester and Somerset had already ioyned leading fortie thousaÌ„d men of his faction Edward pufte vp with the prosperous successe of his first victory marcheth towards him fights with him kills him takes the Earle of Somersâ—t prysoner and the next day cutts off his head To conclude Warwicke had conquered the realme of England in eleuen days and Edward recouered it in twentie and remayned in peaceable possession vnto his death If the Earle had patiently attended the great forces which Prince Edward brought vnto him who will not thinke but he had remayned a conquerour But he feared Somerset whose father and brother he had put to death and hee must feale the effects of the diuine Oracle Hee that hath shed mans bloud his bloud shal be shed for God hath made man after his owne image and Gen. 9.6 Math. 26.52 Apoc. 13 10. All those that haue taken the sword shall perish by the sword In the meane time whilest these stirres are in England Charles the 8. of that name afterwards King of France was borne vnto Lewis at the Castell of Amboise a happie proppe of an old decayed father This birth causeth the Princes hereafter to be lesse respected and the King more feared and honored who hauing now an heire to whome he might leaue the Crowne Charles the 8. borne bandies all his witts to weakeÌ„ his enemies as wel for his own priuate regard as to leaue therealme wholie peaceable to his sucâ—essor Charles of Guienne lyued for shew in good amity with the King Francis of Brittain although he had preferred the order of the golden fleece before that of Saint Michell the which Lewis had offred vnto him being loath to loose assured friends to accept the friendship of a Prince in whom he could repose no confidence yet he contayned himselfe Charles of Bourgongne woare the garter openly molested the Kings subiects
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
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
would not suffer Saint Quentin to bee yeelded vnto him and if hee would continue the warre against the sayd Duke hee would returne the next spring and ioyne his forces with the Kings so as hee would recompence him for the losse hee should sustaine by the customes of wooll at Calais which would be of no value being estimated at fifty thousand Crownes and pay halfe his army The King to satisfie Edward answers that it is the same truce they had made togither and for the same terme but the Duke would haue letters apart hee thankes him for his good offers and returnes him home his Ambassador and hostages Lewis had lately learned that the French the English do easily quarrel when they are togither and a small matter would reconcile them with the Bourguignons As for the Britton the King could not well digest the answere which Edward had made to Bouchage and Saint Pierre whereby he easily discouered the strict allyance betwixt them but â—eeing he could not diuide them beeing in the Abbie of Victorie neere to Seâ—lis where he had a priuate deuotion the peace was absolutely confirmed whereby the King renounced all rights pretended by him to the Duchie of Brittain reseruing the souerainty and homage according to the ancient Custome A peace confirmed with the Duke of Brittain Hee promised to keepe the Dukes person in safety and to maintaine his priuileges and prerogatiues 〈◊〉 forcing him to follow him out of his Duchie but with his owne good liking moreouer he should cause to be giuen vnto the Duke of Brittain the hands seales of all the Princes of his bloud and of the Noblemen of the Realme both spirituall and teâ—porall with reuocation of all alliances or former promises and restitutions to be made of all things takenduring the warre The patent hath the same date with that of the Duke of Bourgongne Let vs nowe bring the Constable into open veiwe to play the last acte of his Tragedy finding that all these shifts and deuises The 〈◊〉 act of the Constables Tragedie could not breake the reconciliation of the 〈◊〉 Kings the next day after their enterviewe he writes very humbly to the King by a seruant of his named Rapine That he was well informed howe his enemies labored to briâ—g him in disgrace charging him with many things wheroâ— he had shewed contrary effects for that during all the forepassed confusions hee had faithfully kept all those places which his maiesty had committed vnto him and beate backe the enemie whensoeuer hee presented himselfe And to purchase some credit hee offers to deale with the Duke of Bourgongne who if the King please shall helpe to defeate Edward and all his army Lewis dissembles and writes to the Constable what was concluded the day before that at this time hee was busied with many affaires Lewis disembles with him and had neede of such a head as his A captious word but well vnderstood by Rapine who takes it for a beginning of fauour for his maister But alas howe easily doth man deceiue himseâ—fe in his vaine imaginations and what can a perplexed soule produce but trouble and confusion The truce is no sooner confirmed with the Bourguignon but the conclusion of Bouuines is renued whereof wee haue made mention Nowe this poore Constable knowes not to whom to flie And as euery man runnes as farre as hee can from an imminent shipwracke his best friends his most affectionate seruants The Constables piteous estate and his most confident soldâ—ars abandon him What shall hee then do Whome shall hee implore What Sanctuary What succors Hee knowes well hee hath equally dipleased Lewis Edward and Charles his Lands are on all sides inuironed by his enemies He is too farre from any 〈◊〉 reâ—â—eat He holds strong places yea almost impregnable but who shall defend them Hee inioyes great treasure but they violently hunt after it What refuge 〈…〉 choose Shall he go to the King but by what meanes shall hee purchase gâ—ace hee is too farre incensed and is seized of the letters which the Constable hath wâ—â—â—ten to the King of England and the Dukes of Bourbon and Bourgongne May he reâ—ie vpon Lewis his word but he would not sweare vpon the crosse of Saint Lau. The Frenchmen beleeued that whosoeuer brake that oath died violently within a yeare Shall 〈◊〉 the seas he gaue Edward too vnkind a welcome neere S. Quintin Shall he cast â—â—â—selfe into Charles of Bourgongnes armes but he hath spoâ—led his Country of Hainâ—ult â—e would haue forced him to marry his daughter with the Duke of Guienne deceaâ—ed and hath often treacherously deceiued him being aduanced by his meanes to thâ—t gâ—eat at dignity of Constable To conclude hee alone hath more then all others maintayned these Princes in hatred 〈◊〉 as what partie soeuer he takes hee is vndoone Yet must hee needes vnmaske â—â—â—selfe and flie to one The Constable in a despeâ—rate estate for what meanes hath he to warrant himselfe alone against so â—â—ghty enemies which shall he choose Poore â—oule beaten with distrust feare and 〈◊〉 for yeelding to the one he incensed the other Moreouer there is lesse danger for him to be beseeged by two then by one alone being impossible for two armies 〈◊〉 accord long togither and contrariwise being charged but by one there is some hope to make his peace Sometimes he resolues to flie into Germany and to buy a place there vntill he be reconciled to the one sometimes to kepe his strong Castell of Han the which hee had well fortified to serue him at neede But he is so amazed as he dares not discouer himselfe to those fewe seruants that are left him Moreouer they are all subiects to some one of these Princes Yet he must resolue and better is it to fall once then stagger alwayes But they haue both ioyntly conspired his death he is well informed thereof and hath seene a coppie of their mutuall seales Yet when once he hath passed his word he will make a conscience to breake it But there is no faith in the Court of France he hath offended the King too much and hath too great aduersaries and no man might safely loue him whome Lewis hated The Duke of Bourgongne is more moderate more easie to pacifie and if he giue his faith he wil be ashamed to deliuer him who had thrust him selfe vnder his protection He gaped after Saint Quentin he must yeeld it vp vnto him redeeme his head with the price of this good place He stands firme in this resolution The Constable yeelds to the Bourguignon and beseecheth Charles to send him a safe conduct to go and treat with him of matters concerning his estate and person At the first Charles makes some difficulty but in the end he thinkes he may well dispense with his conscience for Saint Quentin So the Constable accompained onely with fifteene or twentie horse goes towards Mons in Hainault to Esmeriez great Bayliffe
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
valiantly defended as assailed Gouiâ—quet thrust into the thigh with a pike is carried out of the fight The night brings counsell those which had withstood 2. assaults will be vnable for the 3. being now weakned of one of their chiefe supports who was made vnable to serue by reason of his hurt moâ—ning being come a truce is graunted to take aduice of their Duchesse Rohan presseth it the Captaines seeing their men decayed in number as well by the taking of the suburbs as at the two assaults coÌ„pound for ten thousand Crownes to the Generall to retire his armie and to receiue them into his protection promising to furnish victuals and munition for the siege of Concq the which he had charge from the King to besiege and for want of present money by reason of the losses sustained by the warre Fougeres taken to giue hostages But this parle was friuolous During which time Captaine Boissel declares himselfe for the French seizeth of the gate of the Tower Quencile and brings in the Earle of Quintin who gaped onely for reuenge of this place hee takes and spoiles the Towne and ransomes the inhabitants and amongst them Captaine Chero Gouiequet saues himselfe at la Roche de Rien This chanced the 23. of Ianuarie after fiue dayes siege Concq yeelds vpon the approach and Brest followed a most strong place and the key of all the Countrie Thus Ploermel Ghasteaubriant Malestroit Vitré Fougeres S. Malo Dinan S. Aulbin Guingamp The pittifull estate of Brittanie Concq Brest and other places are in the Kings power The Nobilitie dispossessed for the most part of their best places shroud themselues vnder the conquerors there is small hope of succours The English are diuided amongst themselues the King of the Romains hath worke at home and those small succours that come from both preuaile nothing there is no money in the Treasury the Souldiers are not paid the Crowne is worth eight Frankes Anne is forced to sell of her reuenues for the maintenance of her house and to aggrauate these mischiefes her counsell is greatly diuided about her maâ—iage The Marshall of Rieux and the Lady of Laual hold for Alain of Albret· but she will none of him She protests that what soeuer she had done in her fathers life was in respect of him being loth to disobey him or to cause his griefe and causeth the said protestation to be signified vnto him The Chancellor the Earle of Cominges support her against the Marshall he flyes to armes and besiegeth the Chancellor at Guerrende being seized of Annes person to keepe her from falling into his hands who would marry her against her will where he pleased but he could not enter All these confusions made an easie way to the King for the execution of his enterprises Being thus oppressed she sends to her allies the Kings of England Castile and Romaines the English succours her and in a manner beyond her expectation with an army of nine or ten thousand men vnder the command of Chene Maister of the horse accompanied with the Comptroller and Ambassador of England not for any hatred he bare vnto the King but for feare of too mighty a neighbour if hee vnited this goodly Prouince to the Crowne The Marshall of Rieux hauing an other meaning a part seeking to tye the English commanders vnto him and to draw them to his faction sends the maister of the horse of Brittanie and the Lord of Kaërousi to Penmarch to receiue this Ambassador and to offer him a conuoy to go to the Duchesse who to haue this armie neere vnto her person makes it to land at Croisiâ— a port neere vnto Guerrende And to haue the people at his deuotion Rieux giues out that the Earles of Dunois and Cominges the Chancellor and others had laied a plot to deliuer the Duchesse to the King of France Anne fortified with this new supply goes to field desirous her selfe being a Virgin to attend the Marshall of Rieux if he presented himselfe and being preuented of her entry into Nantes by the Marshall shee retires to Rennes to giue order for the recouery of Guingamp For this effect she assembles some troupes being assured that the French garrison could not be sodenly releeued the Kings armie being imploied farre off in the conquest of the Townes of base Britaine These troupes were seized of Pontrieu and to stop the courses of Guingamp had sent some Gentlemen with a number of the common people Those of Guingamp incouÌ„ter them charge them ouerthrow them kill many of the chiefe gentlemen of note William of Rostrenen Lord of Breledi Yuon of Ploësqueler Seigneur of Kaërgabin Yuon of Lesuersault Kaërloët Pontglou Kaernechrion Botloy The Brittons ouercome 〈◊〉 Pontrieu Pregent the eldest sonne to the Lord of Lanechriou and an infinite number of the commons They presently take Pontrieu sack it and burne it This was the 7. of Aprill The next day Gouicquet aduertised that about 1500. men of the English armie appeared at the Isle of Brehat he went vnto them and so wrought with the commanders as they landed at Pontrieu The French hauing notice hereof being about 1500. horse being loth to ingage their honours in a place not to be held without succors and ill furnished with victuals and munition they set fire of many places of the towne carry away what they can exact 12. thousand crownes of the inhabitants and retire themselues leading eight hostages for the security of fifty thousand Frankes granted by the inhabitants to the Vicount of Rohan This English armie was presently followed by another of Spaniards commanded by Don Diego Peres of Sarmiento Earle of Salmas consisting of 2000. men at armes and a great number of foote Now Anne is strong Anne succoâ—red by the English and Spanish fortified with two new armies and the king feares that in steed of inuading another mans country he shall be forced to defend his owne To preuent all danger he fortifies his frontiers sends Francis of Luxembourg Vicount of Martigues Charles of Marigni to Henry the 7. K. of England to draw him from the alliance of Brittany considering his bond vnto the King by whose meanes he was installed in the royall throne but they were fruitlesse admonitions The King calls for his Nobilitie and all his companies of ordinary and resolues to enter Brittaine with the greatest forces of his Realme Iâ— the meane time he putts two thousand foure hundred foote into Chasâ—eaâ—gontier and Prouence Iohn of Bellay with his company of fortie Lances into Brest into Coâ—cq Claude of Montfauson and Bongars Captaine of foote with artillery victualls and munition and foure thousand French and Suisses were distributed into Dinan Fougeres Saint Malo and Vitre But this was not sufficient to assure these places a man of seruice doth ofte times import more then the whole bodie of a Towne He therfore practiseth with Iohn of Quelleneâ— Vicont of Fou The Admiral of Brittanie for the King Admirall
hostility Some Germaines enter into Brittaine The Chancellor of Montauban goes to sollicit in England Charles will haue Anne first to discharge her English and Castillians Anne replies that in like sort he ought by the treaty of Francford to yeeld her her places to leaue the other foure aboue mentioned as newters She imputes the spoiles of Nantes to the former diuisions betwixt her and the Marshall of Rieux and promiseth that hereafter the like insolences shall not be committed Newe causes of warre That the Germains comming was onely to force some of her subiects to obedience That the Chancellors going to the King of England was to agree vpon the charges due for the succors he had sent That in truth seeing the King to make newe preparations to the preiudice of their treaty shee had giuen the Chancellor commission to treate for some succors of men The King is discontented herewith so as Guemené and Coetquen her Ambassadors returne with no other answer but a newe assignation at Tournay In the meane time the King armes and makes great preparations at Pont-See Anne serues him with the same sauce Shee solicits the Kings of England and Castille and her newe spouse to ioyne their forces and to inuade France with a mighty army Hee that cannot circumuent his enemie with the Lions skinne must vse the Foxes Charles is aduertised of his newe alliance of Austria and Brittaine The neighbourhood is dangerous beeing thus fortified King Charles seekes to haue Anne to wiâ—e He must auoide this and by some meanes get that for himselfe which an ill neighbour pretends Hee therefore sends to treate with the Duchesse but she cannot affect him that had shewed himselfe so violent an enemy Yet he finds an other expedient Alain of Albret was frustrate of his hopes and this deniall had mightily discontented him he was therefore easily drawne away The Duke of Bourbon gouernes him so absolutely for a time that vpon certaine promises and other preferments he winnes him for the King who promiseth to deliuer him the Towne of Nantes wherein hee might doe much being armed with the Marshall of Rieux fauour The effects follow Alaine surpriseth the Castell of Nantes and in hatred of Annes disdaine he spoiles the Treasurie of the Dukes of Brittanie in the which were all their pretious stones and the Duchesses Iewels Nantes taken for the French and deliuers both Towne and Castell into the Kings hands yeelding him the right hee pretended to the Duchie by reason of his wife Francis of Brittanie daughter to William Vicont of Limoges a younger brother of the house of Ponthieure for a pension of six hundred pounds a yeare issuing out of the lands of Gaure neere Tholouse wherevnto the Chamber of Accoumpts at Paris with the Kings Proctor generall and the inhabitants of Gaure opposed maintaining that there was no recompence due to the Lord of Albret for that interest seeing he had none The King who was in Sentinell marcheth thether in person with his armie the 4. of Aprill hoping now to finish this warre and to send home the English He marcheth with an intent to besiege Anne in Rennes whether this new terror had drawne her But they had so sodenly pestred all the approches with numbers of trees cut out off the neerest forrest as they were forced to giue ouer that enterprise to vndertake the siege of Guingamp being the key of base Brittanie The inhabitants were reduced to extreame pouertie hauing lodged the English armie almost a yeare who for want of payment had spoiled them of all their goods and left it ill garded with men for defence Tremouille Lieutenant for the King had this charge who sent Adrian l'Hospitall before with part of the armie to beleagar the place At his approche the inhabitants demanded a composition Guingamp taken the Lieutenant receiues them with assurance of life and goods But in his absence he cannot saue the towne from spoile Then fell out the appointment for Tournai Anne sends sixteene Deputies who findes the gates shut against them and no lodging but in the Suburbes the King disdaining this treaty hauing intelligence of the marriage of Maximilian with Anne foreseeing that from this stock might spring a plant which hereafter might crosse his estate Maximilian was now much moued for the taking of Nantes the Emperour Frederick his father held a Diet at Noremberg to prouide some meanes to recouer this losse and to encounter the French forces The Princes of Germanie promise him twelue thousand Lausquenets which the Colonell George of Terreplâ—ine should bring to him by August following The King of England should augment this armie with a leuie of six thousand English But the discord that fell out betwixt these two Princes and the tediousnesse of the Germaines who are wonderfull heauie gaue the King meanes to effect his desire and to supplant Maximilian The Duke of Orleans freed from prison At that time the King freed the Duke of Orleans from prison and by the same meanes the Prince of Orange and the Earle of Dunois were reconciled vnto him These men were great meanes to put the King in Maximilians place beeing onely married by a Deputie Anne much discontented with King Charles The Counsell found no better expedient to quench all these quarrelles and troubles But the Duchesse was strange what meanes is there saieth she to loue a Prince who these three yeares hath made such cruell warres against mee being a pupill and vnder age Who detaynes my Townes vniustly Who spoiles my subiects Doth outrage and kill my Officers vpon refusall to pay him my rents and reuenues Who notwithstanding former transactions passed betwixt vs spoiles my Country makes desolate my Townes and hath sought tirannically to seize vpon my person It was needful to imploy many great personages to pacifie this discontented minde The King sends the Duke of Orleans to that ende who cunningly doth practise the Marshall of Rieux the Chancellor of Montauban and others of the Counsell with the Ladie of Laual gouernesse to the Duchesse and other Ladies her familiars who both publickly and priuatly lay before her her forepassed dangers then miseries in the which her subiects had beene plunged through warre the neighbourhood of so mightie a King who would continually oppresse her and the farre distance of Maximilian 1491. Her Councell perswade her to imbrace the alliance of France a poore Prince full of affaires and of small credit who hath no meanes to raise her neyther could he euer succor her with aboue two thousand men That she had no better meanes to purchase rest to her selfe and peace to her subiects then by imbracing the alliance of King Charles whereby she should not onely recouer her places but of a Duchesse of Brittaine should become a peaceable Queene and well beloued of the whole Realme If they were both married it was but by Attorneyes finally in such accidents the Church doth willingly dispence with such couenants
not personally performed to preuent the miseries that growe by warre Maximilian was farre of vnacquainted with these practises no man sought to preuent it and these perswasions did ring dayly in the eares of Anne so as in the ende shee yeelds to follow the resolution of her states They were wonderfully toyled and wearied with the warre the people turmoyled the Nobility impouerished the Clergy oppressed some Townes taken and some waâ—ering and moreouer they did see a great Prince demand their allyance with force and the chiefe Noblemen inclyned to the French faction These reasons made it seeme more conuenient and to be preferred before the slowe succors of Maximilian A finall peace in Brittaine by a treaty of marriage Thus was Anne Duchesse of Brittain perswaded and a peace concluded and ratified by a happy and agreable treaty of marriage by the which to maintayne the subiects of the Country in peace that were armed for eyther side it was sayd That all exploits and offences committed and done vpon assurance or otherwise during the warres on eyther side should be forgotten and remayne without reproch to any as remitted abolished and recompenced euery man should returne to his home and all soldiars depart the Countrie A wise aduice to mainetaine these two Countries in loue and concord The Cittie of Rennes yeelds at this happie composition where the King entred in Nouember vpon the assurance and conduct of the Duke of Orleans with his simple traine and without any men at armes for so it was agreed to see the Duchesse and to ratifie the treaty making the Prince of Orange for that he had beene a chiefe instrument in this busines his Lieutenant generall in Brittaine then he tooke the way to Langeais in Touraine whether Anne was conducted by the Chancellor Montaubon Coetquen Lord Steward and by the Lord of Chasteaubriant and the marriage was consumated the 16. day of December The articles of the contract are to be seene in the Originalls The marriage to Chaâ—ls with Anne If this marriage were pleasing to God or not let vs leaue it to the iudicious reader so it is that of three sonnes they could not bring vp one Soone after Francis of Orleans Earle of Dunois died the chiefe fierbrand of this warre and likewise the principall motiue of 〈◊〉 peace From him are issued the Dukes of Longueuille and a littile before Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon was deceased without Children to whome succeeded Peter Earle of Beauieu who hereafter shal be Duke of Bourbon the eleuenth of that name This yeare was borne Gaston of Foixe Duke of Nemours sonne to Iohn of Foix The practises of the English vpon Brittain Vicont oâ— Narbone and of Mary of Orleans one of the greatest Captaines of his age who shaâ—l giue ample testymonie of himselfe in the warres of Italie which nowe approch There died also at Rome Peter of Foix Cardinall brother to the sayd Iohn and Vncle to Queene Katherin of Nauarre Henry of England wonderfully incensed at this marriage sought by all secret practises to surprize some of the chiefe places of the Prouince and at the first retreate of his army out of Brittaine hee caused it to make an offer at Port-blans and some other ports but they were still repulsed by the faithfull care of the Noblemen of the Country namely by the Chancellor of Montauban of Bertrand d'Acigâ—é and other sea Captaines Thus the Englishmen seeing their attempts like to take none effect bent their course to go towards Calais in the company of their King who was making warre in the Countie of Guines whilest that Maximilian should enter the Realme with forces on the other side then they beseeged Boullen by sea 1492. beeing kept from landing by the Lord of Cordes and the bastard of Cardonne Captaine of Arras with such small forces as they could sodenly oppose But oh Bastard whilest thou repellest this common enemie how preiudiciall shall they absence be from Arras Arras betrayed to Maximilian Foure young gallants saieth the history make false keyes to the gates and giue Maximilian intelligence bringing him by night into the Towne vnknowne to Carqueleuant Lieutenant to Cardonne Some write that one of those in whome he trusted for the opening of the gates made this Stratagem But howsoeuer he was taken in his bed sleeping at his ease and for a second token of base cowardise he yeelded vp the Castell without attending the succors that came vnto him The Towne was spoiled without sparing of the Churches or the traitors houses A worthy reward of their treachery Thus can we preserue our Conquests A while after they attempted Amiens A shame to soldiars that a woman should heare the first report that by her aduertisement to the watch in ringing the great bel of Beffroy should put the Towne in armes And as the first aduice came from a woman so are they honorablie qualified in the history To haue borne weapons and armes with their husbands who by the care and command of Rubempré and of Anthonie Clabault Maire of the Towne did their duties so well euery one repayring to the quarter which had beene formerly assigned him as the enemie returned amazed A duty which made them as famous as their descendants infamous by the notable trechery they committed in our dayes Henry loued peace and was imbarked more at the instance of his subiects least they should thinke him more gratious to the French then the ancient quarrells of both nations required then for any desire he had to haue the King his enâ—my to whom he had a great and strict bond as we haue heard The chiefe cause of his grudge was a great sum of money Peace with Henry which he sayd he had lent to the deceased Duke of Brittaine The King hauing discouered it coÌ„mands the Lord of Cordes to treat with him and payes him the money and so sends him home satisfied into England This peace made Maximilian willing to bee reconciled Moreouer the Princes of Germanie laboured in this pacification and the affaires of the Empire in the which his father had associated him since the yeare 1486. began to call him The Suisses laboured it And with Maximilian and the people especially those of the Lowe Countryey as well through the French warres as by their owne priuate diuisions were so toiled as they detested the warres In the end a peace was concluded for foure yeares onely by the meanes of the Dâ—ke of Bourbon the Prince of Orange and the Lord of Cordes So he receiued his daughter Marguerit againe with the Counties of Artois and Bourgongne receiuing the reuenues and homages and the King keeping the Castles to place garrisons in them vntill the end of foure yeares Behold this estate doth now enioy a happy rest by the vnion of this goodly and great Duchie to the Crowne of France and by a peace confirmed with Henry and Maximilian But as Charles had inlarged his Diadem with
continuing his desseâ—â—e he arriued at Bresse nine daies after his departure besieged it takes it by force and sacks it Doubtlesse this braue Prince did hazard his owne ruine if he had not with gâ—eat iudgement and order commanded that no man should looke to any spoile Bresse recouered by the 〈◊〉 before the towne were fully at his command And he dâ—â— so well put it in practise as the first that made shew to abandon his ranke was slaine by his companions But who doth vse such discipline at this day when as being greedy of bootie they loose so goodly occasions Our French lost some men at armes and many foote but the enemy lost about eight thousand some inhabitants armed some Venetians who were fiue hundred men aâ— a 〈◊〉 eight hundred light hoâ—se two hundred stâ—adâ—ors and eight thousand foote 〈◊〉 Contaâ—in Comissary of the Stradiots was slaine Andrew Gritti Anthoâ—ie Iusâ—iniâ—n Iohn Paul Maâ—fron and his sonne the Cheualier Volpe Balthazar of Sâ—ipion one of 〈◊〉 soâ—â—es of Anthonie of Pié Count Lewis Aâ—ogare his two sonnes and Dominique 〈◊〉 Captaine of the Stradiots were prisoners Count Lewis and his children the chiefe 〈◊〉 of this rebellion were afterwards beheaded A reuolt deeâ—elâ— bought by this 〈◊〉 which yeelded not to any other in Lombardie in Nobilitie and dignity and in wealth nâ—xt vnto Milan it exceeded all the rest This chasâ—â—sement made â—ergame and the other reuolted Townes to call backe the French whom they had lately expelled These prises and reprises conquests and happy successe prolonged the stay of the French in Italy and yet they did nothing settle their 〈◊〉 seeing what they enioyed was rather a charge and expence to them then any profiâ— Buâ— behold strange crosses both by land and sea do hereafteâ— bandie against the happinesse of our men They giue the King intelâ—igence from Rome A new league against the King that Henry the 8. King of England notwithstanding his promise was ioyned in league with the Pope it was coâ—firmed by writing that a Galeasse laden with wines corne and other prouision arriuâ—ng in England from the Pope had exceedingly altered Henry with the 〈◊〉 Clergie and commons of England That he should with his armie at sea inuade the coasts of Normandie and Briâ—tanie and send 8000. foote into Spaine to begin warre in Cuâ—enne ioyntly with the Arragonois And they made already great preparations of men and shipping in England and likewise of ships in Spaine to passe into England Moreouer the Emperour was altered and changed in his affection complaining that the King contrary to the capituâ—ation of Cambrai did hinder the aduancement of the Empire in Italy Hee required that Renee the Kings yongest daughter should be promised to Charles his grand-child giuing him Bourgongne in dowâ—ie and that the Maide should then bee presently deliuered into his hands and custodie That the controuersies for Ferrare Bologne and the Councell should be referred to him And moreouer hauing made a truce with the Venetians for eight monethes he protested not to suffer the King to increase his estate in Italie But these were but bare shifts to couer his bad intent Besides the Cantons of the Suisses were so incensed against this Crowne that although the King sought to winne their loues with store of gold yet the perswasions of the Cardinall of Sion whereby wee may see that Cardinalles haue beene alwayes dealers in matters of state had newly made them graunt to the confederats a leuie of six thousand men And the Pope to straine all his strings against our Lewis fearing least his extreeme rigour should induce the Florentins to followe the Kings fortune to the preiudice of his desseins he reuokes without any sute the Censures wherevnto he had bound them To quench this fire before it flamed farther the King commanded his Nephew to march with speede against the confederats army of whome he promised himselfe the victory being amazed and yet the weaker and then to assaile Rome and the Pope with all violence desirous that this warre to seeme the lesse odious should be made in the name of the Councell called first at Pisa and that a Legat deputed by the Counsell should receiue the conquered Townes in the name thereof The Cardinall of Saint Seuerin was appointed Legat of Bologne in the army So the Duke of Nemours furnishing all places with men necessary for defence gathers togither all the forces the King had in Italie â—e makes a company of sixteene hundred Lances fiue thousand Lansquenets fiue thousand Gascons and eight thousand French and Italians to whom the Duke of Ferrare added a hundred men at armes two hundred light horse The French army in Italy and a great quantitie of good artillery Gaston hauing left his at Finall by reason of the bad way The enemies army was 1400. men at armes a thousand light horse seauen thousand Spaniards three thousand Italians newly leuyed Gaston thrust forward aswell by the Kings commande as by his owne valour and desire of Glory was desirous to see if the enemy would willingly trie the hazard of a battaile They on the other side temporised attending their Suisses and that the English and Spaniards beginning warre in France should force the King to call backe all or the greatest parts of his troupes and yet coasted alongest the French army least the Townes of Romagnia should bee left in prey and the way layed open to go to Rome lodging alwayes in strong places neere to some strong towne which might serue them for a retreate at neede So the Duke of Nemours not able to cut off their viâ—tualls through the commodity they had of the Tâ—wnes of Romagnia nor force them to fight without great disaduantage goes and inâ—amps before Rauenna hoping they would not be so base minded as to suffer such a Citty to bee lâ—â—st before their eyes and by this meanes an occasion should be offered to fight with them in an equall place The enemy discouering this purpose sends Marc Anâ—honie Colonne to Rauenne with threescore men at armes of his company â—eter of Castâ—e with a hundred light horse â—alezar and 〈◊〉 â—ith six hundred Spaniards The â—owne is seated betwixt two riuerâ— Ronâ—ne and Monâ—one which descending from the Appenin hills straighten themselues neere vnto Rauenna with so small a distance that on eyther side they passe close to the walles Sauenna beseeged by the Duke of Nemâ—urs 〈◊〉 ioyning togither they runne into the sea three miles from thence Gaston incamps himâ—elfe betwixt the two riuers plants his artillery some against the toâ—er of 〈◊〉 betwixt â—ort Adrian and Ronque and some on the other side of the 〈◊〉 of Montâ—ne whether almost halfe his troupes were passed to batter in diuers places and tâ— hold the riuer at his will Hee batters the wall makes a breach of thirty fadome choseth ten out of euery companie of men at armes to couer the foote diuides his army into three squadrons giues a furious
the fiue no otherwise but for the defence of his owne estates As for the Castells of Lugan and Lugarne strong passages and of great importance for the surety of the Duchie of Milan they desyred rather to raze them then to take three hundred thousand Ducats for the restitution thereof Let vs nowe lay out all armes aside for a certaine space and giue our warriours time to take their breath and returne againe shortly to warre by the ambitious factions of two most great and mighty Princes This yeare in Febuary was borne Francis 1â—17 Daulphin and successor to this Crowne if his end had not beene violently forced The Daâ—â—pâ—in Francis borne Laurence of Medicis did present him at the Font for the Pope â—is Vncle. A Christening celebrated with iousts skirmishes incounters besieging and taking of places and other such stately shewes as the memory of man hath not obâ—erued greater And the King to make a more stricter league with the Pope he caused the said Laurence to marry with Magdaleine daughter to Iohn Earle of Auuergne and Auraguez and of Ioane sister to Francis of Bourbon Earle of Vendosme who died at Verceil when as King Charles the eight returned from Naples Of this marriage came Katherin of Medicis whom we shall see Queene of France and Mother to the three last Kings of the name of Valois At the same time the King sent Gaston of Breze Prince of Fonquarmont brother to the great Seneshall of Normandie with two thousand French foote to succour Christierne King of Denmarke against the rebels of Sueden who after they had wonne a battaile for the King being abandoned in the end by the Danes in a combate vpon the Ice where those Northerne Nations are more expert then ours were ouerthrowne and the most part slaine such as could escape the sword returned without pay without armes and without clothes 1518. The yeare following the last of March Henry the Kings second sonne was borne who by the death of the Daulphin his brother shall succeed his father Henry King of England was his God-father and gaue him his name During this surcease of armes among Christian Princes the Pope motioned but saith the Originall rather in sâ—ew then with any good intent Estate of the East a generall warre of all Christendome against Selim Prince of the Turkes Baiazet as we haue sayd in his latter age studied to install Acomath his eldest sonne in the throne of the Turkish Empire Selim the younger brother through fauour of the Ianisaries and Souldiers of his fathers gard forced him to yeeld the gouernement vnto him Selim was no sooner in possession but as they say hee poisoned his father and murthered his bretheren Acomath and Corcut and in the end all that discended from the line of the Ottomans Then passing from one warre to an other he vanquâ—shed the Aduliâ—ns ouerthrew the Sophi of Persia in battaile tooke â—â—om him Tauris the chiefe seate oâ— his Empire and the greatest part of Persia rooted out the Sultans of Egipt and the Mammelius tooke Caire and seized vpon all Egipt and Syria So as hauing in few yeares almost doubled his Empire and taken away the hinâ—â—rance of so mightie Princes who were iealous of his Monarchie Christian Princes did not without cause feare the happy course of his victories Hongarie was weake of men and in the hands of a Pupill King gouerned by Prelates and Barons of the realme diuided amongst themselues Italie dismembred by former warres â—eared least the part alities of these Princes should cause Selim to turne his eyes towards it The â—ope and all the Couâ—t of Rome making shew to preuent this imminent danger thought it expediâ—nt to make a great prouision of money by a voluntarie contribution of Princes and a generall taxe ouer all Christendome That the Emperour accompanied with the horse of Polonia and Hongarie and an armie of Reistres and Lâ—â—squenets fit for so great an enterprise should assaile Constantinople and the King of France with the forces of his Realme the Venetians Suisses and Potentates of Itaâ—ie should inuade Greece being full of Christians and ready to rebell vpon the first approach of forâ—aine â—oâ—ces The Kings of Spaine Portugall and England should passe the straight of Gallipoli with two hundred saile and hauing taken the Castell at the enâ—rie thereof they should approach neere to Constantinople That the Pope should follow the same course with a hundred great Galleys These were goodly plottes in conceit This counteâ—feit shewe to send an armie into Turkie was but a deuice to fill the Popes coffers which was made emptie by the former warres especially by that of Vrbin To treate of these propositions Leo published in the Consistorie a generall Truce for fiue yeares amongst all Christian Princes and vpon rigorous censures to them that should breake it Appointing for Legats the Cardinall of Saint Sixte to the Emperour the Cardinall of Saint Marie in Portico to the King the Cardinall Giles to the King of Spaine and the Cardinall Laurence Campege to the King of England hee proclaymed his Bulls of pardon to all such as should contribute a certaine summe for so woâ—thie an expedition All Princes accept of this truce and shewe themselues verie willing to so honorable in action But the meanes howe in so short a time to make a firme Vnion among so many Potentats who had beene long at deadly warre Euery one studies of his priuate interest and finding the danger to concerne one more then an other they care for themselues and manage these affaires carelesly more with shewe then deuotion This negligence of the publicke state and greedinesse of priuate men was the more confirmed by the death of Selim who leauing his Empire to his sonne Soliman young of age but of a milder spirit and not so enclyned to warre A peace concluded with the English then all things seemed to incline to peace and loue betwixt so many great warriors The Kings of France and England renued their friendship by a defensiue League betwixt them vppon promise of a marriage betwixt the Daulphin King Francis eldest sonne and the onely daughter of Henry King of England both very young which contract many accidents might hinder before they came to sufficiencie And Henry yeelded Tournay for foure hundred thousand Crownes the one halfe for the charge in buâ—â—ding the Citadell and for the artillery powder and munition which the King of England should leaue in the place the other halfe for the expenses in conquering thereof and for other pensions that were due vnto him Thus often times the looser paies the shott On the other side the Kings eldest daughter being dead And with 〈◊〉 Spaniards whome they had appointed to bee wife to the King of Spaine a peace betwixt these two Kings was reconfirmed according to the first Capitulation with promise of the yonger An alliance which eyther Prince did confirme with great outward shewes of friendshippe King Francis wearing the order
king goâ—â— into Italy If the King makes hast to pursue the Duke and Marquis made as great hast to arriue in time for the defence of Milan so as in one day the King arriued at Verceil and the Marquis at Alba the Duke followed one daiâ— after him with the Laâ—squenets At that time Claude Queene of France died at Blois leauing three sonnes by the King and her Francis the Daulphin Henry Duke of Orleans and Charles Duke of Angoulesme and two daughters Magdalene married afterwards to the King of Scots and Marguerit which shall be Duchesse of Sauoy The Viceroy seeing the King to march directly towards Milan without stay hee put Anthony de Leue into Pauia with twelue hundred Spaniards and six thousand Lansquenets posting himselfe with exceeding speed to Milan with the rest of the armye Milan had changed her minde the plague had wonderfully wasted the Cittizens many to auoide this daunger had absented themselues there was no such store of victualls within it as was vsuall the traffick had ceased there was no meanes to recouer money they had made no accompt to repaire the fortifications and the King had from Vigeue sent Michel Anthony Marquis of Salusses The estate of Mâ—lan with two hundred men at armes and foure thousand foote who at the first ouerthrewe the Spaniards that were set to gard the suburbes of Milan beate them into the Towne and kept the suburbes notwithstanding their continuall sallies by meanes of the Lord of Tremouille who came to second him The Viceroy finding the Cittizens mindes to be little at his deuotion issued forth by the port Romaine leading with him the Duke of Bourbon the Marquis of Pescara and the rest of the army Milan taâ—en and went to Laude The Milanois freed from the daunger of the Imperials receiued in the Marquis of Salusse and Tremouille The Imperiall army retyred in great confusion and disorder tyred with the tediousnesse of the way hauing lost many horse and armes if they had beene whotly pursued without doubt they had beene easily ouerthrowne Moreouer if our men had presently gone to Laude the Imperialls had not dared to stay there and it may be passing the Riuer of Adde with speede they had disordered the rest of the armie with the like facilitye But when as the prouidence of GOD meanes to chastise any people hee blindes the eyes of their vnderstandings in such sort as they cannot iudge of occurrents but often times they imbrace those wayes that bee most dangerous Thus it fell out with our Francis for according to the aduice of such as held it not fit for his Maiesties affaires to leaue a strong Towne behinde him manned with manie Souldiars he turned head to Pauia in the end of October He had with him Henrie of Albret King of Nauarre the Dukes of Alançon Lorraine Albaine and Longueuille the Earles of Saint Paul Vaudemont Laual and Tonerre the Marshals of Foix Chabannes and Montmorency the Bastard of Sauoy Lord Steward the Admirall of Bonniuet the chiefe author of this Counsell Lewis of Tremouille the Marquis of Salusses Anthonie of Rochefouâ—ault the Lords of Brion Escars Bonneual Fleuranges Paulmy Rochedu-maine the Vidame of Chartres Aubigny Clermont Bussy d' Amboise de Conty Fontenay a yonger brother to Rohan d' Aumont and a great number of others two thousand Launces eight thousand aduentuâ—ers eight thousand Lansequenets sixe thousand Suisses and foure thousand Italians which number did afterwards greatlie increase The Imperials gathered together the remainder of their shipwracke The estate of the Imperials and made a new leuie of twelue thousand men in Germanie but want of money did greatly trouble their affaires The Emperour could not helpe them to draw any out of the Duchie of Milan there was no meanes From their ancient confederates they hoped for small or no succours at all The Pope and the Florentines contented them but with generall words Clement sought to mainteine himselfe in the midest of these stormes and would make no League with any other Prince The Venetians vrged by the Viceroy to furnish the men wherevnto they were bound by the Capitulation made colde answers They grew now more iealous of the Emperours ambition All Italie complained that hee would not inuest Sforce in the Duchie of Milan vnto which the Popes authoritye did mooue him to whose examples and councels they had then great regarde being willing in like â—oâ—t to frame themselues to present occurrences And the King of England in stâ—â—d of furnishing them with the money hee had promised demanded all that which hâ—â—ad lent All these considerations made our 〈◊〉 resolue to the siege of Pauia Pauia besieged by the French He batters it in two places makes a breach and 〈◊〉 an assâ—ult they winne the breach but had not meanes to enter they â—iâ—de 〈◊〉 and deepe trenches to stay them and the neerest houses pierced and furnâ—shed wiâ—â— shoâ—te forced them to abandon the breach afâ—er the losse of many good meâ— As they despaired to take Pauia by force Iames of Silly Bayliffe of Caâ—n proâ—â—â—nds a more easie meanes to force it The riuer of Tesin diuides it selfe into two bâ—anches two miles aboue Pauia and ioynes againe a mile beneath the Towne before it runnes into Po. By reason of the depth of the water the Wall was nothing fortified vpon the greatest streame Hee vndertakes to cut this arme and to driue all the Streame into the lesse hoping that the course of the water being dryed and making a sodaine and furious batterie on that side the Towne should bee forced before the enemy had any meanes to pâ—euent it They spend many dayes imploy an infinite number of men and make a great expense in this worke But the water is of more foâ—ce then the labour of men or the industrie of Enginours A continuall raine did so swell the riuer as breaking the Sluces and Bankes which were made within the Chanell in one houre it made all this great labour fruitlesse So all the attempts of our men were reduced to a hope to force them to yeeld at length by necessitie The Pope in the meane time mooued with the sodaine spoiâ—e and conquest of the Duchie of Milan by the â—â—ng desirous to settle his affaires and businesse and to pacifie Italie the better hee sent Iohn Mathieu Gilbert Bishop of Verone his Dataire to exhort our warriours to peace and concord The Viceroy trusting in the strength and valour of Pauia refused to giue eare to any agreement or composition whereby the King should hold any foote of land in the Duchie of Milan The King on the other side puft vp with this good successe the greatnesse of his armie the hope not onely to mainteine it but also to increase it to preserue vnto himselfe the estate of Milan to recouer Genes and afterwards to assaile the realme of Naples made him as vnwilling to yeeld to any peace The Pope makes a league with the King Thus the Pope hauing
fourscore thousand men whereof there should bee tenne thousand horse with artillerie requisite for the said Campe. And besides this treatie these two Kings had many causes of discontent Our King found himselfe grieuously wronged for that the Pope and the Emperour with theâ—â— partisans had newly made a League for the defence of Italie whereof they had declared Anthonie de Leue to bee generall The King of England had no lesse cause to complayne of the wrong he sayd the Court of Rome did him touching the matter of 〈◊〉 diuorce seâ—king to force him either to go to prison to Rome for to send then with expresse deputation men of great account that should stand to the Popes Iâ—dgement An insolent proceeding in like cases chanced among soueraine Princes seeing thâ—t such a businesse of that importance and touching the conscience so neere did well deserue that according to the vsuall custome they should send Iudgeâ— to the place it being reasonable that the persons should speake personally and 〈◊〉 by their Atturneyes and very vnreasonable that a Soueraine Prince leauing the 〈◊〉 and gouernment of his estates should goe and plead his cause at Rome Moreâ—â—er hee did complaine vnto the King of the exactions of the Romaine Church vppon the clergie and people of England and did instantly require that they two sâ—ould send their Ambassadors ioyntly togither to the Pope to summon him to appeare at the next Councell forto heare the extortions he did vnto Princes and Chrisâ—â—â—n people The King propounded like abuses The Pope had dissembled with him touching certaine tithes which hee had graunted him to leuie vppon the Clergie and the French Church complayned of him of the vndutifull and new exactions which vnder colour of pietie they made at Rome for the expedition of Bulls by meanes whereof all the treaâ—or was daily carried out of his Realme to the preiudice of the Clergie which grew poore the Churches were not restored nor the poore â—â—â—thed nor fedd their yeerely rents were excessiue no equalitie in them many officeâ—s newly created which were payd vpon the dispatch and expedition of Bulls ouer and aboue the iust price which they were wont in former time to pay the offices which fell voyd were sold to the great benefit and profit of Saint Peter entertaining many gromes Chamberlaines Protonotaries their seruants Gardâ—ners and others and for the repairing of Saint Peters Church a great summe of money was leuied the which they did afterwards imploy to make warre against the King Yet the King would neither wholly allow nor disallow of the King of Englands complaints but for that the Pope had sent him a promise by the Cardinall of Grandmont of an enterview at Nice or Auignon after the Emperours returne into Spaine he reqâ—ested the King of England to attend the issue of their parle These griefes of the French Church had beene presented vnto the King in thâ— assembly of the Estates of the Countrie and Duchie of Brittaine with many other things farre from that charitie which ought to be in the Church In the said Estates it was concluded The Duchie of Brittany incoâ—porate to the Crowne That Francis the Kings eldest sonne Daulphin of Viennois should be acknowledged Duke of Brittaine that the eldest sonne of France should hereafter carrie the titles of Daulphin of Viennois and Duke of Brittanie and the said Duchie should for euer be incorporate to the Crowne So the treatie made by the marriage betwixt King Charles the 8. and Anne Duchesse of Brittanie and others following were disanulled in regarde of the said Duchie As these things passed in England William of Bellay Lord of Langey promised the Germaine Princes in the Kings name That for the affection he bare to the preserâ—â—tion of the priuileges rights and customes of the Empire if the Emperour 〈◊〉 whom he desired to obserue inuiolably the alliances and treaties he had with 〈◊〉 would in that case imploy his forces to their oppression A treatie betwixt the King and the Princes of Germaâ—â—e he would succour them 〈◊〉 all his power so as neither his men nor money should not be imployed to the offâ—â—ce â—f any of his confederates namely of the Emperour but onely to defend the rights 〈◊〉 priuileges of the Empire A great desseine is alwayes shadowed with goodly sheweâ— Herevpon the Emperour came to Bologne to conferre againe with the Pope The Kings of France and England well informed of the Emperours bad disposition and especially the English of the Popes to him by reason of his preâ—ended diuorce they sent the Cardinals of Tournon Grandmont the Popes seruants that vnder coâ—ourâ—â— accompanie him at this enterview they might imploy their authorities that nothing might be done to the preiudice of their Maiesties The Kings of France and England complaine of the Pope or at the least they should giue iâ—â—elligence of their conclusions And the sayd Cardinals had commission to lay â—pen vnto the Pope the griefes and complaints of the two Kings and to summon him to make reparation if not they would take order for it So as his Holynesse might weâ—l perceiue that they two together were not to be contemned and to wish him to câ—nsider wisely of the support and profit he might draw from these two Kings and what disgrace otherwise in discontenting them especially the King of England whose cause the King did no lesse affect then his owne For sayd these two Princes if wee come to demand a generall councell and his Holinesse doth not grant it or delayes it we shall take his delay for a deniall and calling it without him we will easily 〈◊〉 the fact with other Princes who producing the like or greater complaints would in the end forbid their subiects to send or carrie any money to Rome If his Holinesse for so did our Francis protest will proceed by censures against me and my realme and that I be forced to go to Rome for an absolution I will passe the Alpes so well accompanied as his Holynesse shall be glad to grant it me The scandales of Rome haue already withdrawne most part of Germaine and the Cantons from the obedience of the Romaine Church It is to be feared that if these two mightie Kings seuer themselues for want of Iustice they shall finde many adherents and these two together with their open and secret allyes may make such an attempt as it will be hard to resist That if the holy father be disposed to moderate things especially towards the King of England there is hope that at the first enterview all may be ordered by mildnesse before they should proceed to greater bitternesse by a generall summons from both the Kings Thus the King spake vnto those Cardinals whom he sent to Rome But we haue elsewhere obserued that men of the Church do commonly prefer the Popes respect before the seruice of such as imploy them These flea the Eeâ—e by the taâ—â—e 1533 and in steed of following their instructions from point
to point beginning with rigour and ending with mildnesse they take a contrary course They feared sayd they in their iuâ—â—ification that his Holynesse holding the Wolfe by the eares pressed on the one side sometimes with promises sometimes with threats by the Emperour and on the â—ther side in a maneâ— despairing euer to finde grace or fauour with the King should in tâ—e end cast himselfe into the Emperours armes and runne the same fortune with him To drawe him therefore to the French party they offer the Pope in the Kings name To make him Iudge and Arbitrator of such controuersies and quarrels as hee had with the Genouois the which his Maiestie pretended were not conteined in his renunciation And the better to drawe him The Cardinals meanes to win the Pope they renued without any speciall commission the proposition first made by Pope Leo and after reuiued by Clement of the marriage of Henry Duke of Orleance with Katherine Daughter to the Duke of Vrbin This did greatly please Clement who then began to hold vp his head and resolued to strâ—ke whilest the Yron was hotte This match was wonderfull honourable and beneficiall for his Holinesse and helpt much for the ratifying and support of his house the which he had in singular regard The Emperour did presently discouer that vpon the comming of these Cardinals the Popes affection to him was greatly altered And vpon the first discouerie of this tâ—eatie of marriage hee imployes the Lordes of Cannes and Granuelle to breake it in fauour of Francis Sforce with the sayd Duchesse of Vrbin and to perswade â—â—e Pope that his practices was artificially brought in by the King to entertaine him onely but not with any intent to conclude it considering the great disparitie of their degrees and qualities and seeing theâ—e two Cardinalls said he had no sufficient authoritie touching this allyance it was an euident proofe of the fraude But by meanes of this marriage the King thought to strengthen his house and to get new footing in Italie and the Pope did thereby free himselfe from the feare of a Councell wherewith he was threatned from France Germanie and England While the Cardinals attend a Commission from his Maiestie to conclude this marriage the Emperour continued his pursute for the assurance and declaration of his league comprehending the estate of Genes And the better to vnite it he required his confederates to make a taxe among them for the pay of such Souldiars as should be fitte to entertaine in Italie for the peace and quiet thereof that the first paiment should bee presently consigned into the hands of a Banker of Genes and that the Emperour should not be tied to any contribution in regard of his great charge to resist the Turkes inuasion and to preuent the attempts of such as would trouble the common quiet of Italy whereof there was now great likelihood By the force of his perswasions the matter was in a maner concluded But through the liuely reasons of the French Cardinals and the Lord of Velly Ambassador for the King shewing That the Emperour had no other desseine but to entertaine his armie vpon the frontiers of Italie at other mens charges being ready to assaile the King vpon all occasions without any charge to himselfe and that without doubt the King hauing reason to looke to his affaires would incounter him with another armie on the frontiers of Italy in the Marquisate of Salusse or in Daulphiné which would breed no quiet but troubles and combustions throughout all Italy for two armies being neere they willingly fall to blowes they concluded not to make any consignation but that euery one of the confederates should taxe himselfe for his portion any warre chancing in Italy and should giue a caution for his part the which did amount to a hundred or sixe score thousand Crownes a moneth So the Emperour sent three thousand men out of his Armie into Spaine as many likewise to Naples and the rest he dismissed Then came authority from the King to the Cardinals his Ambassador with an expresse clause for the confirmation of the marriage And the Emperour seeing himselfe frustrate of his intent to make the Pope declare himselfe openly against the King he imbarked the 8. of Aprill at Genes and sailed towards Spaine the Pope 〈◊〉 towards Rome The Emperor râ—tâ—râ—s into Spaine whether the aboue named Cardinals did accompanie him alwayeâ—â—â—sisting by the Kings importunitie that the troubles of England might be pacified before the fall of that great storme which threatned the Churches But the King of England wearied with the Popes dissembling and delayes â—hâ—m he then called but Bishop of Rome vpon the matter of his diuorce he caused it t◠〈◊〉 decided by the English Church The Arch-bishop of Canterburie Primate of England being president where by sentenceof the said Church his marriage was declared voide The first motiue of the separation of England from the Church of Rome and the dispensation voide as giuen in a case that was not dispensable and which is not in the Popes power not in the Churches According to this sentence he left his first marriage and tooke to wife Anne Bullen and in her name did publish an ample Treatie against the authoritie and preheminences of the Church of Rome resolute to sequester himselfe wholy if the Court of Rome did him not iustice These newes being published the Emperour growes in choller threatens to raise all the world against England takes his Aunts cause in hand summons the Pope to administer the like iustice to her that was put away as her cause required if hee doth it not he protests with an oath to be reuenged The Colledge of Cardinalls stoâ—â—â—â— they enuiron the Pope and all with one voyce demand iustice against the attemâ—t◠〈◊〉 the King of England and the Archbishops hauing taken knowledge of a cause the deciding whereof belonged to Iudges deputed by his Holinesse His Holynesse desired to temporise and to make a more quiet end He did 〈◊〉 that proceeding to condemnation and hauing no meanes to execute it really were a fruitlesse enterprise and would make his Apostolick authoritie contemptible 〈◊〉 no meanes to put it in execution without the Emperours assistance besides they â—ad a great let which was the strict alliance of the most Christian King with the 〈◊〉 who ioyning their mutuall forces offensiue and defensiue might ingage all Câ—â—istâ—ndome in more mortall warres then euer Notwithstanding in the end as well tâ— gratifie the Emperour as his Cardinalls The Pope censures the King of England he pronounced his censures against the King â—f England if within a certaine time he made not reparation of the sayd attempts Tâ—en he prepared for his enterview with the King notwithstanding all the crosses 〈◊〉 the Imperialls gaue him transforming themselues into as many shapes as Proteus 〈◊〉 draw him from this resolution all which are to be read in the Originals Nice had beene appointed for this effect
Duke of Bourbon and to fauour his rebellion against the King the letters of congratulation he had written for his taking at Paâ—â—a his pursute to withdraw the Suisses from the alliance of France the purchase of the Countie of Ast his refusall to lend Nice for the enterview of Pope Clement and his Maiestie and to giue him passage against Sforce the detention of his Mothers inheritance which the King could not by any amiable meanes drawe his Vncle to restore This must be tryed by the sword The King therefore sent Francis of Bourbon Earle of Saint Paul who before the Duke could oppose his forces conquered all Sauoy Conquest of Sauoy except Montmelian where Francis of Charamont a Neapolitane commanded who wanting victuals and without â—ope of succours in the end yeelded vp the place to depart with baggage and aftâ—râ—ards contemned by the Duke he followed the victors fortune in the end did good seruice to the Crowne Then the Emperor granted by the Lord of Cannes and Granuelle the Duchie of Milan to the Duke of Orleans But when it came to demand the securitie and conditions of his instalment they made ansâ—er to the Ambassador de Velly That it was sufficient for that time to haue granted the principall the rest should be treated of with Philip Chabot Earle of Busançois Admirall of France who should presently arriue they supposed he should first make a voyage without any forces and that they must keepe this conclusion secret from the knowledge of his Holynesse All this discouered plainely that it was a tricke of their ordinary craft and dissembling to lull the King asleepe in the beginning of his course At the same instant the King hath newes The Emperours practisâ—â— vnder hand sufficient to giue hâ—m a certaine impression of the Emperours desseins That the Pope had beene duely aduertised by the Emperours ministers of all these practises which hee would haue secretly managed That the Venetians at the vrgent request of the Emperour were entred into a defensiue League for the Duchie of Milan in fauour of any one hee should inuest That he offered great matters to the King of England to drawe him to his dâ—uâ—tâ—on That Du Prat passing by Milan had deliuered speeches quite contrarie to the hopes and promises which the Emperour had giuen and that in 〈◊〉 he had made great preparation for warre That the Emperour tooke vpon him 〈◊〉 protection of the Duke of Sauoy And for the sixt point the preparations made 〈◊〉 Andrew Dorie It was therefore resolued to proceed in Sauoye and farther without breaking off on his part this negotiation with the Emperour To this end the King sent for his Lieutenant generall the Earle of Busaâ—sâ—â—s Admirall of France with eight hundred Launces whereof the seuerall Captaâ—â—â—s weâ—e Iames Galeat The Kings armie maister of the horse and maister of the Ordinance of Fraâ—ce Robert Steward Maâ—shall of France René of Montiean Francis Marquisse of Salussâ—s Claude of Annebault Anthonie Lord of Montpesat Iohn d'Estouteuille Lord of Villebon Prouost of Paris Gabriel d' Alegre Charles Tierâ—â—lin Lord of Roche du Maine and Iohn â—aul dâ— Cere A thousand light horse vnder the command of the Lords oâ— Esse Terme Aussun Verets of Sauoy Twelue thousand of his Legionarie men that is tâ—o thousand Picards commanded by Michel of Brabançon Lord of Cany and Anthonie of Mailly Lord of Auchy Two thousand Normans vnder their Captaines La Sale and Saint Aubin the Hermit Two thousand Champanois lead by Iohn d' Arâ—lure Lord of Iour and by the Lord of Quinsy A thousand of Languedoâ—s vnder the Knight d' Ambres Foure thousand out of Daulphiné vnder the Lord of Bresâ—â—â—x and others And a thousand vnder the Lord of Forges the Kings ordinarie Câ—pbearer of all which bands René of Montiean was Colonell sixe thousand Lâ—â—â—quenets lead by William Earle of â—ursâ—emberg Two thousand French not Legionaries lead by their Captaines Lartigue-Dieu Blanche Anguar and Warâ—â—s a Nauarrois Two thousaâ—d Italians vnder the command of Marc Anthonie of Cusan a Gentleman Milâ—nois and a thousand vnder Captaine Christopher Gâ—â—â—o eight hundred Pioners sixe hundred and foure score horse for Artillerie and the charge thereof appointed to be â—â—der the gâ—uernment of Claude of Couâ—is Lorde of Burie Count Philip Torniel and Iohn Iaques of Medicis Marquis of Marignan marched before to stoppe the passage of Suze but Annebâ—ult aduancing with the troupes of Daulphiné Beginning of the warres in Piedmont pâ—euented them with speed chased them before him from lodging to lodging and at the first summons putâ— into the Kings handes the tâ—wnes of Turin and Chiuas Don Laurence Emanuel Iohn Iaques de Medicis and Iohn Baptista Caslaldo camped vpon the riâ—er of Doaire The French and Lansquenets impatient to attend the making of a bridâ—e wade thrâ—â—gh the water euen vnto the brestâ— repulse the Imperialls and make them retâ—re towards Verceil A gallant Legionarie to whom the Historie ought his name â—wimming through the riuer brought away a Boate in despight of the enemies shotte for the building of a Bridge The Admirall to incourage the rest according to the Kings command caused a gold â—iâ—g to be giuen him in view of the whole armie The Emperour was vpon termes of his departure from Naples to make his entrie into Rome when as these happy beginnings made him to renue the treaties of an accord but with such slow proceeding as a man might easily iudge that his onely intent was to staye the King in his course labouring to entertaine him with doubts hopes and delayes In the meane time hee sollicites the Pope to declare himselâ—e on his partie hee assured the Duke of Sauoye to cause all hee had lost to bee soone restored to him againe hee hastened the leuie of his Lansquenets causeth his horsemen to aduance drawes Artillerie and Munition out of Imperiall Townes makes them to march towards Italy protests againe to the Pope that he would neuer yeeld Milan to the King nor suffer him to possesse one foote of land in Italy hee sollicited the Court of Rome the Senate of Venice and all other Potentates of Italy to oppose against the inuesting of any stranger in the Duchie of Milan These were vehement presumptions to shewe that the Emperour meant not to treate but armed which caused the King to command his Admiral to proceed in his first course he had temporised by his Maiesties commaundement attending the issue of this new parle and to march against Verceâ—lâ— and if hee encountred his enemies with equalâ—tie to â—ight with them There were three thousand men to defend Verceil and foure miles 〈◊〉 Anthonie de Leue camped with about six hundred horse and twelue thousand 〈◊〉 not as Lieutenant to the Emperour but as Captaine generall for the League of Italâ—e cutting off the passage to Caguin and Hanniball Goâ—sâ—gue Guy Earle of â—â—â—gan anâ— some other pensioners to the King who had brought for his seruice fiue hundred
treate with him So as hee begins to taste of some proposition of peace moued before Saint Disier by the Lord of Granuelle and his Confessor a Spanish Monke of the order of Saint Dominike and of the house of Gusmans A â—reatie of peace A day is appointed for the meeting of the Deputies at La Chaussee betwixt Challons and Vitry For the King there came the Admirall of Annebault and Chemans Keeper of the Seale of France â—or the Emperour Fernand of Gonzague and to know if the King of England would enter into it they sent the Cardinall of Bellay Raymond chiefe President of Rouan and Aubespine Secretarie of the State and Treasurer As the Emperour camped towards the riuer of Marne a league beneath Chalons and within two leagues of the French armie a riuer being betwixt both William Earle of Fursiemberg parted about midnight with a guide onely to view a â—oard which hee had in former times passed when as he came into France for the Kings seruice Being come to the foard he leaues his guide vpon a banke sounds it findes it easie and passeth the riuer But he discouered not some Gentlemen of the Kings house and part of the Admiralls company who had the gard that night who without giuing any alaâ—â—m put themselues betwixt the riuer him take him without resistance lead him to the Campe know him and send him to the Bastille at Paris from whence he shall not depart vntill he hath payed thirtie thousand Crownes for his ransome In the meane time the Emperour sees his armie ready to breake for hungar they cutt off his victuals behinde and on either side And if that goodly Captaine whom the Daulphin had sent to draw into Espernay the victuals thereabouts to breake the bridge vpon the riuer and to spoile the Corne Wine and other prouisions which could not be saued had carefully executed his commission the Emperour disappointed of the munition and victualls which he found in Espernay and hauing no meanes to passe the riuer had not in the end enioyed those commodities which he found in Chasteau Thiery an other Storehouse of the French campe whereby his troupes languishing for hungar recouered some strength In the end the Daulphin being come to campe at La Ferté vpon Iouarre and hauing sent a good number of men to Meaux to hinder the Emperours passage who deuising to make his retreat by Soissons he takes his way by Villiers-coste-Retz vnder hand reuiues the proposition of peace with the King The King knowing that a battaile could not be giuen in the heart of his realme so neere vnto his capitall Cittie without a verie doubtfull and dangerous consequence and the losse of men and in case he should vanquish the King of England and the Earle of â—ures would encounter him with as mightie an armie as his owne that by the losse of one and perchance two battailes his realme were in danger that winning them hee should get little especially vpon England being an Iland Moreouer the Marshall of Biez was almost forced to yeeld vp Montrueil to the English â—or want of victualls and succours the sufficiencie of the Lord of Verâ—ein gouernour of Boullen as we shall shortly see was not without cause suspected and without a conclusion with the Emperour hardly could these two important Townes be releeued The King therefore sent the Admirall of Annebault againe to the Emperour being in the Abbie of S. Iohn des Vignes in the suburbes of Soissons where in the end was concluded A peace concluded That Charles Duke of Orleans should within two yeares after marry with tâ—e Emperours daughter or his neece daughter to Ferdinand King of Roâ—aines and at the consummation of the said mariage the Emperour should inuest the said Duke of Orleans in the Duchie of Milan or in the Earledome of Flanders and the Low Countries at the choise of the said Emperour And in exchange this done the King promised to renounce all his rights pretended to the said Duchie and the Kingdome of Naples and to restore the Duke of Sauoy to the possession of his Countries when as the Duke his sonne should eniâ—y the said Duchie of Milan or the Earledome of Flanders and all things during the terme of two yeares as well on this as the other side the Alpes should remaine in the same estate as they were at the truâ—e made at Nice So the Emperour deliuered vnto the King on this side the mountaines Saint Desier Ligny Commercy and the King Yuoy Montmedy and Landrecy Steâ—â—â— was deliuered into the Duke of Lorrains hands and the fortifications razed On the other side the Alpes the Emperour had nothing to yeeld but Montdeuis and the King Alba Quieras Antignan Saint Damian Palezol Cresentin Verruë Montcal Barges Pont d' Esture Lans Vigon Saint Saluadour Saint Germaine and many other places which he possessed These treaties thus concluded and pâ—oclaimed beyond the Alpes the Duke of Anguien returned into France with as great glory and honour as a wise and valiant Prince could enioy and the Emperour retired his armie which the Earles of â—eux Bures lead ioyntly with that of England he dismissed his owne and parting from Soissons tooke his way to Bruxelles accompanied beyond the frontiers by the Duke of Orleans the Cardinals of Lorraine and Meudon the Earle of Laual la Hunauday others The Emperour is now out of the realme let vs also seeke to send the King of England beyond the seas Henry the 8. King of England according to the League he had with the Emperour landing at Calais with an armie of thirty thousand men fortified with ten thousand Lansequenets and three thousand Reistres which the Earle of Bures lead and the troupes of the Earle of Reux chiefe of the army of the Low countries for the Emperour he found Picardie very much vnfurnished of men the King had withdrawne his forces towards Champagne to oppose them against the Emperour and the Duke of Vendosme being weake in men had fiue places of importance to furnish Ardre Boullen Therouenne Montrueil Hedin all equally opposed to the inuasion of the English Henry therefore seeing no armie to withstand him making his accoumpt to carrie a legge or an arme of the body of this realme sent the Duke of Norfolke and the Earles of Reux and Buries to besiege Montrueil The King of England besiegeth Boullen Montrueil and himselfe went and camped before Boulen The Marshall of Biez was gouernour But when hee saw the enemy turne the point of his armie towards Montrueil he left the Lord of Veruein his sonne in lawe to command in Boullen from which he was disswaded by some to whom his sufficiencie was well knowne assisted by Philip Corse a Captaine very well experienced in armes the Lords of Lignon and Aix otherwise called Renty young and without experience with their regiments and halfe the company of a hundred men at armes of the sayd Marshall and he put himselfe into
Montrueil with the Constables companie of a hundred men at armes lead by la Guiche his Lieutenant a man of great experience in the Arte of warre Genly Captaine of foure Ensignes of French foote the Earle Berenger and Francis of Chiaramont Neapolitans eyther commanding a thousand men At the beginning of the siege of Montrueil the Duke of Vendosme aduertised of a Conuoy of victuals which came from Aire and S. Omer to the enemies campe garded by eight hundred horse and twelue hundred Lansquenents with foure meane Culuerins to fortifie them selues if they were charged he sent the Lords of Villebon Estree and Eguilly with their companies of men at armes to busie the enemy vntill that hee might come with his company of a hundred men at armes Chastaigneray with fifty of the Daulphins and Senerpont with the like charge who arriuing in troupe charge the enemie breake them put them in rout and besides the dead carrie eight hundred prisoners of Therouenne win two Culuerines the other two remayning for that their carriages were broken and foure enseigns of Lansquenets On the other side the Kings presence before Boullen kindled the courage of the beseegers and daunted Veruein the head of the defendants a man of no worth The first approch of the Cannon killed his heart and amazed with the furious batterie of the enemie after hee had endured a kind of an assault but whilest that Philippe Corse stood by him who being slaine with a Canon shot hee sends presently to sound the intent of the King of England and yeelds him the Towne by composition That the men of warre and Cittizens should depart with their baggage deliuered him the place with all the artillerie munition and victuals whereof there was great store The inhabitants refuse this bad composition the Maior offers with the Townsmen Boullen yeelded and those that were well affected to keepe the Towne A shew of loue very commendable in this people but in such an action he should haue proceeded farther and haue lodged the Captaine where he might haue yeelded a good account to the King and by the effect haue performed what was offered Without doubt his Maiestie would haue allowed the enterprise as done for the good of his seruice for the Capitulation was no sooner concluded and hostages not yet giuen but a horrible tempest of wind and raine ouerthrowes all the enemies tents and leaues not one standing and the soyle being fatt and slipperie they had no meanes to mount to the assault An vndoubted signe of the present assistance of heauen Moreouer the Daulphin marched with speed to succour them who by his approch had made the King of England to change his desseine But sayd Veruein I will not breake my word with the King of England A foolish and impertinent scruple to continue constant in a treacherous promise to the enemie and to make no conscience to breake his faith to his naturall and Soueraigne Prince A scruple which shall soone make him iustly to loose his head on a scaffold at Paris This peace with the Emperour had greatly impayred the King of Englands forces Seege oâ— Montrueâ—â— To surprise their campe before Montrueil and to take Boullen from them before they had fortified it the King causeth his armie to march with speed But the Duke of Norfolke fearing least the French armie would come betwixt Boullen and him and cut off his retreat he raysed his campe and went to ioyne with the King of England who knowing his forces being diuided from the Emperours would be vnable to incounter the Kings armie he imbarked a part of his great artillerie for England and leauing the Duke of Somerset for the gard of his new Conquest hee retyred to Calais The hast he had to dislodge caused him to leaue part of his artillery victuals and munition in base Boullen being fortified only with some small trenches for the surprising whereof the Daulphin sent in the night two troupes led by Fouquessolles and Tais and to second them he leaues six thousand Grisons in a valley Fouquessolles and Tais enter the place cut all in peeces they meet winne both the artillerie and munition and thinke to haue gotten an absolute victorie but for want of making a stand of tenne or twelue enseigns betwixt base Boullen and the high Towne to hinder their sallies and to leaue some troupe in battaile in the market place of the base Towne fiue or six enseigns issue forth from the high Towne and finding souldiars in disorder busied at the spoyle they put them in rout Fouquessolles was slaine Tais hurt The Freâ—â—â— defeated and no perswasions of the Captaines could euer stay the rest but they cast themselues confusedly among the Grisons to saue their liues yet were they saith the Original as good souldiars as any were that day in Europe but in matter of enterprises if all accidents bee not foreseene it is too late to repaire them when the disorder is happened Day being come and the rayne falling in such aboundance as the most part of our shott had no fire the victuals by reason of the bad way could not followe all the Countrie of Boullenois was wasted spoyled and burnt euen vnto Montrueil and from Montrueil to Abbeuille 1545. which were seuenteene Leagues no grasse nor forrage for their horses So the Daulphiu hauing receiued newes from the King dismâ—â—sed his Suisses and Grisons leauing the Marshal of Biez in Montrueil with the French and Italian bands come out of Piedmont and retyred to the King his father at Saint Germain in Laye Then dyed Iames King of Scotland leauing by his death his realme in prey to his neerest neighbour To saue it from oppression and keepe the people in the obedience of the Queene Dowager he had taken to his second wife the daughter of the Duke of Guise the King sent with a good number of men and money the Earle of Leâ—ox of of the house of Steward Nephew to the deceassed Marshall of Aubigny The Earle being yong and ill aduised hauing in his vaine and riotous expences imployed the Kings money and fearing to be accused of theft retyred to the King of England who desiring to vse his seruice and to tie him by some notable bond caused him to marrie a Neece of his daughter to his sister mother to the deceased King of Scoâ—â— Tâ—e King aduertised of this reuolt sent la Broche a gentleman of Bourbonnois wise and well aduised to giue councell and comfort to the widowe and soone after the Lord of Lorges Earle of Montgomery to crosse the King of Englands attempts against the Scots But in caring for the affaires of an other should hee neglect his owne Boullen possessed by the English was too great a beame in his eye it was an open port for the enemie to take footing daily and to fortifie himselfe within the realme They therefore make great preparations by sea and land Boullen beseeged by the King to dislodge them By sea hee
sends Captaine Paulin hereafter Baron of the Garde into Prouence to bring fiue and twentie gallies out off the East seas into the Ocean by the straight of Gibraltar and eight or tenne Carracks of Genoa but they came so late as they serued to no vse most part of them perished at the mouth of Seine for want of expert Pilots By land hee raiseth a mightie armie vnder the commaund of the Marshal of Biez to campe before Boullen the riuer betwixt both attending his armie by sea and there building a good fort vpon the point of the Tower of Ordre to keepe the enemie within their walâ—s with the Canon and to cut off al meanes for the shipps to enter into the hauen to succour the Towne making account to goe afterwards in person to beseege Guines there to fortifie to keepe Calais and the land of Oye in subiection and by that meanes to famishe Boullen But man purposeth and God disposeth wee shall see both Boullen and Calais by other meanes and at diuers seasons reduced to the obedience of this Crowne According to these desseines the King sent Cont Reingraue the Colonnels Reichroc and Lodowike to fill vp their regiments of Lansqueneâ—s to the number of foure or fiue thousand a peece and to ioyne with tenne thousand men which he leuied in Gasconie and Languedoc This done his Maiestie tooke his way to Normandâ—e to embaâ—ke his armie at Newhauen and being at Touques about Midsomer he discouered his armie out of the Leuant seas then vpon the assurance which the Marshall of Biez hauing receiued the Lansquenets and sixe or seuen thousand pioners gaue him that by the midest of August the sort of Boullen would bee in defence he causeâ— hiâ— Nauie to set sayle wherein the Admirall of Annebault commaunded But behold a pittiful beginning As they come to weigh anchor in the Carraquon which was the goodliest ship of the westerne sea and the best sayler being of eight hundred tuâ—â—s burthen in the which the Admirall should fight fire takes the gunners roome and consumes it to ashes Many to auoyd the fury of the fire leaped into the sea the galleyes saued many and many were cast away the fire takes the artillery there were a hundred great peeces of brasse which sinking all that was before them behind or on the sids forced the other ships to giue roomer A hundred and fiftie great ships threescore baâ—ks Thâ— King of Franâ—â— hâ—s â—rmâ—e â—gainst England and fiue and twentie galleyes set sayle the 6. of Iuly and beâ—r their course towards the Iâ—le of Wight and the hauen of Portesmouth in England where the Eâ—glâ—sh had threescore ships well appointed for warre The Admirall resolued to fight with them made choise of thirtie ships 1544. to accompanie that wherein he would fight Bouâ—ieres coasting this squadron on the right wing with thirtie sixe shippes and the baron of Curton on the left with the like numbeâ— The aduantage of the place where the enemie lay defended on the one side by some sorts and on the other with rocks banks and sands couered with water which lie in thâ— midest of the way and make a narrowe and crooked entrie disswaded him To draw them to sea the gallies aduance skirmishing with their Canon and fighting they retyre towards their squadrons The calmnes of the sea without any wind or great current shewed it selfe fauourable to our men for the space of a whole houre in the morning hauing meanes to gouerne their gallies at pleasure and annoy the enemie who for want of winde lay open to the French artillerie So the Mary-rose one of the best ships of their fleete was sonke with the Canon and of fiue or six hundred men onely fiue and thirtie escaped the great Henry whâ—ch carried their Admirall had made the like end if the neere ships had not succoured it And greater losses threatned them when as the wind changed and became good for them preserued them from perill and serued them to charge our ships with full sayles which change was so sodaine as the English ships pursuing our gallies were readie to ouerrunne them if by a great assurance of the Commanders and experience of the â—aylers and rowers hauing no Canon in their poupeâ— they had not speedily turned their prowes who being without the reach of the Canon slacke their course seeking to draw the enemie out of the rocks and bankes as they had beene directed Some English pinaces these be shippes more long in forme then round more narrow then our gallies swift and easie to gouerne and which better command the currants in that sea followed with an incredible swiftnes and with their artillerie did wonderfully annoy our gallies when as the Prior of Gapua brother to Peter Strossy impatient of this brauadoe turnes his gallie against a Pinace which surpassing his companions was readie to grapple with one of our gallies in poupe and forceth him to retire to the bodie of their battaile And our Admirall hauing now put his ships in order and readie to giue the signe of battaile he sees the enemie retire from the chase and returne to their hold In this conflict they loose some slaues few souldiars and no men of account They must now prepare an other baite The King of England was at Portsmoth and the Admirall burning his Countrie and killing his men in his sight imagined that the indignation of this wrong the compassion of his subiects bloud spilt the sacke and burning of his Countrie would force him to send forth his ships to succour them being not aboue two Canon shot off or else the subiects wrongs being no way releeued by the presence of their Prince would breed some sedition and mutinie in the Countrie He therefore makes three sundrie landings to diuide the enemies â—orces The one by Strossay vpon a little fort furnished with artillerie which did beat our gallies in flanke and manned by the Countrimen who seeing the resolution of our men abandon their â—ort and flie to a wood neere by some behind were slaine and the houses about it burnt The Lord of Tais and the Baron of la Garde both Generals the first of the foot the other of the gallies land in another place they incounter some squadrons of foot who by couert wayes in the woods were gathered togither to fight at their aduantage they make head against our men and hurt some but the rest of the troupes marching in battaile make them abandon the place and flie to recouer their straights where they could not follow but in disorder Marsy and Pierrebon Captaines of galleis were hurt in their landing at an incounter of the English but to draw them in grosse to fight it was not possible and lesse meanes to charge them on their owne ground Neither Captaines nor souldiars wanted will but the danger was too apparent They must slip downe a narrow chanell where but foure shipps could go in front and the like number of the enemies ships
such obedience as hee required of his subiects and with this desseine he went to Antwerp to receiue money by imposition and borrowing This voiage is a cloake to delay our Ambassadors 1546. But in effect he ment to know the minds of theÌ„ of Antwerp that according to the course of affaires he might be more milde or sharpe in his answers And the sayd Ambassadors discouering his ordinarie delaies and dissimulations in the end tooke their leaue returning with no other assurance but if the King began no warre against him hee was not resolued to make any A word serues to a man of Iudgement What might the King conceiue of this cold entertainement but that the Emperour sought an oportunity to begin a new war with aduantage and if he had forced them to obedience whom hee threatned in Germanie he would bring al forces both Catholiks Protestants ioyntly against the frontiers of this realme To auoide a sodaine surprise hee giues the gouernment of Languedoc to the Duke of Anguien that of Piedmont to the Prince of Melphe lately created Marshal of France he sent to fortifie the weake places of Picardie hee made a fort aboue Maubert-Fontaine seauen leagues from Veruein and fiue from Mezieres at the going out of the wood and for that the frontier of Champagne lay most open to the Germains hee fortified Meziers and Mouzon built a fort vpon Meuze on this side the riuer within the realme betwixt Stenay and Dunle Chasteau the which hee called Villefranche he fortified the Castell of Saint Menehoult Saint Desier Chaumont in Bassigny Coiffy and Ligny and made Bourg in Bresse able to make head against a mighty army Thus the King prouided for his frontiers and places subiect to the enemies inuasions But the plague had so diminished the number of soldiars that were in the fort right against Boullen as of twentie enseigns not aboue eight or nine hundred men escaped this mortalitie A great plague in the â—ort before Boullen The soldiars notwithstanding are commended for their fidelity constancie and patience in the gard thereof The raine snowe and other iniuries of the aire the moistenes of their lodgings being but hoales in the ground coueâ—ed with a pentise of strawe and when a whole household was dead the ruines serued to bury their carcases had bred these diseases But the spring time hauing tempered the season and stayed the plague the Lords of Essé and Riou being refreshed and supplied with men returned to their ordinary skirmishes to the enemies losse The fort wanted victualls Senerpont Lieutenant to the Marshall of Biez was appointed for this execution Three hundred English horse come to hinder this victualing He meetes them the day after Easter day neere to the bridge of bricke beneath mount S. Stephen the skirmish begins on eyther side the Lord of Tais and the Conte Reingraue ariue either of them with sixe or seauen score gentlemen the alarume comes to Boullen the English supplie their men with seauen hundred horse and foure hundred harguebuziers Senerpont chargeth the horsemen before they had ioyned with their shot the Reingraue is hurt at the first charge and ouerthrowen and on the other side the Marshall of Calais beeing chiefe of the enterprise is slaine with a hundred or sixescore English about two hundred horse on eyther side and threescore and fifteene English prisoners all in cassaks of vellet garnished with gold and siluer A while after the Marshall of Biez parted from his campe for the same effect accoÌ„panied with fiftie men at armes the Reingraue with his regiment of foure thousand Lansquenets and two hundred French shot he incountred the Earle of Surrcy followed by six thousand English men with an intent to take from our men the meanes to refresh the fort with victualls and necessarie munition Here the combate was long and furious in the ende the English ouerthrowen retire to a little fort where they force them Seauen or eight hundred of their men are slaine Surrey saues himselfe by flight and leaueâ— seauen or eight score prisoners Boullen was but a Church-yard for the English a wasting for their treasor The King oâ— England considering how obstinate the King was in the recouerie of his Towne that moreouer the Emperour what league soeuer they had togither had his priuate desseins and regarded nothing but his owne interest he lettes the King vnderstand That he is resolued to haue hiâ— for his friend and to ende all controuersies So the Deputies for â—heiâ— maisters meete betwixt Ardres and Guynes For the King came the Amirall Annebault and Raymond the first President of Roâ—an for the English Dudely 〈◊〉 of England and afterwards Duke of Northumberland and finally after many câ—â—â—â—â—tations a peace was made with these conditions That the King within eight daies sâ—ould pay eight hundred thousand Crownes to the King of England as well for the arreriges of his pension as for many other expences made by the sayd King in the fortification of Boâ—lleâ— of the Countrie And in regard of the said sum the King of EnglaÌ„d should deliuer vnto the King Boullen and all the Countrie belonging vnto it with the ancient places or newly 〈◊〉 by him Mont-Lambert the Tower of Ordre Ambletueil Blacquenay and others with all the artillerie victuals and munition in the said places This yeare is famous by the death of Anguien In the moneth of February the snow was very great The death of the Duke of Anguien and the Court being at Roche-guion some yong Noblemen attending the Daulphin made a challeng some to defend a house others to assaile it â—ith snow bals But this pastime ended soone with a pittifull and fatall spectacle As the Duke came out of this house a cofer full of linnen cast out of the window falls vpon his head and within few houres sends him to rest in the graue with his ancestors leauing a suspition of some great men being enuious and iealous of his vertue reputation and fauour which he had gotten with the King the people and men of warre of whome he was more then any other of his age esteemed beloued and respected The beginning is likewise remarkable by the decease of Henry the eight King of England The death of the King of England leauing for his successor his sonne Edward eight yeares of age This death bred a great alteration and change in the health of our Francis they were almost of one age conformable in coÌ„plections And our King taking this for a presage or fortelling that his turne should soone follow after grew then more melancholy and silent then before He fals sicke of a feuer for the auoyding wherof hauing passed many places fit for the pleasure of hunting la Muette S. Germain in Laye Villepreux Dampierre neere vnto Cheureuse Limours and Rochefort he came to lodge at Rambouillet and as the pleasure he tooke both in hunting and hauking stayed him there sometime his feuer increased and grew to a
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
Bishop carried the spirituall sword in his hand to draw it for vnlawfull things at the fiâ—st impression of his fantasie To crosse the Pope the King forbids expresly to carry or send any gold or siluer to Rome for any dispatches Bulles Annats Dispensations or any other thing commaunding the Metropolitaines of the Realme to prouide according to the ancient priuileges and liberties of the French Church And for that Gonzague beseeged Parma to giue both the Emperour and the Court of Rome a blowe hee commâ—unded Charles of Cosse Marshall and Lord of Brissac his Lieutenant generall in Piedmont by the death of the Prince of Melphe to fortifye and furnish Miranâ—oâ—e Brissac sends some Souldiars Gonzague surpriseth them and puts them secretly to death and sodaynly doth belegar Mirandola War in Italy Warre is nowe begunne on all sides and for light occasions hee that seekes a quarrell wants no apparent shewes to colour it Both these Princes expected some worthye occasion But let vs raise vp our thoughts and say That GOD had not powred 〈◊〉 all his iudgements against Christendome being full of excesse and worthy of 〈◊〉 puâ—â—ishment 1551. The King sends newe forces into Piedmont and commands the Marshal to 〈◊〉 Parma and Mirandola He effects it and by the taking of Quiers S. Damain 〈…〉 places he forceth Gonzague to abandon the country of Parmesan to succour Montâ—errat and to defend the estate of Milan On the other side Mary Queene of Hongary and Gouernesse of the Lowe Countries for the Emperour armed in fauour of her brother both by sea and land And vnderstanding that for a greater confirmation of loue the Marshall S. Andre earned in the Kings name the order of France to young Edward King of England she caused certaine ships to lie betwixt Calais and Douer to seize on him in his passage Buâ—â—o preuent her policy the Marshall caused some Flemish ships to be stayed which lay at anchor in the road of Diepe vntill they were assured of his arriuall in England And Mary likewise seized vpon all the French ships that were within her gouernement Thus hart burning grew on all sides which burst out into open warre euery one calls home his Ambassadors and assures the places neerest to the enemie the King especially of Lorraine hauing some iealousie of Christienne the Dowager and neere allied to the Emperour who to free her selfe from that imputation did put her selfe with her Sâ—n Charles into the Kings protection who caused him to be brought vp with the Daulphin Francis and afterwards he married one of his Maiesties daughters Before we proceed to open acts of hostility the King excused himselfe vnto the Pope by the Lord of Termes for that which he did in sauour of Octauian Farnesâ— and by the Abbot of Bellosanne he protested against the decrees of the Assembly which was held at Trent the which considering the Popes and the Emperours spleene against France he could not hold to be a lawfull and holy generall Councell Not that I pretend said he to withdraw my selfe from the obedience of the Church but onely to auoide the surprises of such as vnder colour of reformation seeke to disgrace both my person and realme And in trueth he confirmed sufficiently this last clause by the rigorous ordinances which he published against those which had their cause common with the Protestants of Germany touching matters of religion whereby fires were a new kindled against them in many parts of the Realme and yet the King treated priuately with the Protestant Princes of Germany and generally with all the Electors and free Citties of the Empire Who sawe their liberties and freedomes in a manner ruined if they did not oppose some mighty aduersary against the Emperour who by maine force might stay the course of his vnmeasured couetousnesse The Emperour contrary to his oath detained Iohn Duke of Saxony and Philip Landgraue of Hesse in miserable captiuity A league betwixt the King and the Proteâ—â—â—nts of Germany He had vanquished most of the other Princes in war and fearing least the French should in the ende demaund the right vsurped in old time by the Saxons ouer the heires of Charlemaigne when the Empire was hereditary he pretended to transport the Imperiall Crowne into his house for euer and now he thought to haue a fit oportunity He had suppressed his enemies in Germany he had a Pope at his deuotion he was armed The most part of the Cardinalls who assisted at the Councell were either naturall Spaniards or of the Spanish faction and by consequence might easily by a decree of this councell giue authority to what hee intended With this disseine he had caused his son Prince Philip to come out off Spaine who died King of Spaine in the yeare 1598. to haue him declared his successor or at least his associate in the Empire oppressing the people of Germany by insolent and tyrannicall exactions The Electors not accustomed to seruitude and lesse to the slauery of Spaine not able with their own forces to shake off the yoake which they see ready to be layd vpon them they repaire vnto the King shewe him the wrongs and outrages done vnto them they pretended the ouerthrow of the holy Empire and the abolishment of the rights and priuileges of the Electors Commonalties and Lords of the same they beseech him that in regard of the auncient league betwixt the Empire and the crowne of France he would take their iust cause in hand and maintaine the common liberty of Germanie The King resolues to enter into League with them 1552. and graunts the succours which they demanded They giue him this honorable title Defender of the Germains The King makes a league with the 〈◊〉 of Germany against the Emperour protector of the nation and of the holy Empire He armes thirtie thousand men and desirous to countenance his forces with his owne presence he appoints Queene Katherine his wife Regent in France he makes many goodly Edicts for the gouernment of the state for the ordring of his men at armes and for the obseruation of military discipline hee reformes the abuses of Commanders suppresseth the insolencie of souldiars a commendâ—ble institution in comparison of that which hath beene seene in the raignes of his children and giues the Rendezuous â—or his armie at Vitry Hee was accompanied with â—â—thonie Duke of V ndosme whom we shall shortly see King of Nauarre by the decease of Henry of Albret his father in Lawe Iohn Duke of Anguien Lewis Prince of Conde all bretheren Lewis Duke of Montpensier Charles Prince of Roche-sur-yon al of the royall familie of Bourbon the Dukes of Neuors Nemours Guise Aumale Elbeuf The Kings armie the Lords of Rohan Rochefoucault Chastillon d' Andelot and others in great numbers in very good order The Câ—nstable of Montmorencie was made generall of the armie a house which sâ—aâ— hereafter be made a Duchie and Peere of France Claude of Loâ—râ—ine Duke of 〈◊〉 a yonger brother
buried the which the greatest â—earcâ— of his enemies could neuer discouer They therefore make the forme of a man dragg it through the Cittie and then cause it to be hanged Moreouer the King commands by his letâ—ers pattents That those of the pretended religion should be maintained in safetie in their houses bodies goods and libertie of consciences And to excuse what was past they cast abroad many libels defaming the memory of the Admirall and his followers They giue new charges to the Ambassadors being in Germanie Polanâ— England Suisserland and other forraine Countries to iustifie the actions of the King and of the Catholikes to the confusion and shame of the Admirall and his paâ—tie But all these proceedings were meanes to discouer the iniquitie of their perâ—â—tiâ—us Councels For the intent of this declaration in fauour of the Protestants was presently discouered by the tenor of the letters which the Duke of Guise did write vnto his wife the day that Briquemault was executed The King said he hath decreed in Councel vtterly to roote out this seditious vermine But few would be taken and the practises against the Prince of Auranges and others being discouered by this letter vanished into smoâ—ke In the meanetime they continued their attempts against Rochell and Essars being chosen cheefe of the warre for the Rochelois hauing taken one of the Baron oâ— la Gards galleys who had approched too neere vnder colour of bringing a letter to the whole bodie of the Towne caused Biron to publish the Kings letters pattents giuen the sixth of the moneth and to make open warre to the Rochelois Bâ—t Charles waâ— not willingly drawne to aâ—mes hee sees well that hee had kindled a fire which hee â—hould not queâ—ch when hee would Hee now tries the last stratageme La Noue sent home by the Duke of Alba after the taking of Monts in Hainault had great credâ—t amâ—â—g the Protestants as one of the cheefest Captaines which remained The King sollicits him to bee a meanes to bring the Rochelois to composition The impossâ—biliâ—â—e of the thing ansâ—eres hee and my conscience will not suffer mee to aduise the Rochelois to offer their throtâ—s to them that will cut them Yet the Kings authoritie makes him tâ— accept of tâ—is charge but râ—ther with an intent to serue the Rochellois and to retire himselfe from Court then to hurt them of his religion After hee had giuen an account of his Ambassage to Biron who was then at Saint Iean d' Angâ—li hee returnes to Rochâ—ll where hee performed his dutie so well and carefully as they acknowledge him for one of the cheefe Instruments of the preseruation theâ—eof during the seege Then appered there a new starre in heauen hauing the forme of a Lozenge of foure points A Comet and continued beginning the ninth of Nouember the espace of nine moneths immouable by the saying of the Astronomers the first three weekeâ— resembling that which serued as a guide to the wise men that came out of the East to worship Iesus Christ in Bethlem An other repealâ— of the 〈◊〉 Protestants The nineteenth of the said moneth the King by an other Edict called home all his subiects to their houses vpon paine of losse of their goods and sollicited the Protestant Suisses to chase away such as were fled to them for succour But the Ambassadors instance was of no force the taking of Sommiers by the Marshal of d' Anuille from the Protestants the perswasions of Gourdes to drawe into the bâ—sâ—me of the Cathoâ—ike Câ—urch Monbrun Mirabel and Les Diguieres who euen then made shew of a most valiant most wise and most happy Captaine for their party and shall hereafter haue a good share in our History the assurance hee gaue them Tâ—at the King was resâ—lued to suffer but one religion within his realme with all the preparations for the destâ—â—ction of them in diuers Prouinces tooke from them all desire to returne Seeing then that no Edicts can draw them home to their houses and that Rochell â—â—â—câ—rre and other places being threatned prepare for defence they must at the least take from the Protestants such refuges as they haue within the realme To shut vp Rochell Biron enters into the Country of Onis in the beginning of December with â—euen Cornets of horse and eighteene Enseignes of foote Those of Sancerre runne yet â—t libertie but the opinion of their chiefe Commanders that they would attempt some other thing and the vaine presumption they had of the situation of their hilly place made them the more negligent both to furnish it with victuals and to repaire the necessarie fortifications to endure a siege against the which they should haue foreseene the small hope of succours and the constant resolution of the assaylants Let vs consider of these circumstances and prepare our selues to see the greatest reâ—oâ—uâ—ion of men lead by Captaines to whom the necessitie of the time gaue more credit then their beginning gaue them authority Martignon Pilard Marâ—inat La â—eur Chaillou Montaubâ—n Buisson Paquelon La Minee and Doriual commanded there â—uer sixe hundred and fifty men and for Colennel they had Andrew Ionneau Bayliffe of the Towne A hundred and fifty strong labourers in the Vines wrought great effects â—ith their slings which were called the Pâ—stols of Sancerre for seruices vpon the wall in assaults scalladoes and â—allies In Ianuary La Chastre Lieutenant for the King in the gouernment of Berry and generall of this armie came before it with about fiue hundred horse 1573. and fiue thousand 〈◊〉 sixteene enseignes of Pioners Siege of Sancerre and a great number of pesants gathered together at the first he offers a reasonable composition to the besieged if they will accept it As the beginning of the Generall was courteous so was the proceeding of the bâ—sieged inciuill disdainfull and contrary to the lawe of nations They reteyne the â—â—rum and make no answer To make his approches La Chastre builds a fort withâ—â—â—â—ure hundred paces of the Towne towards Pontenay another vpon the way of â— â—â—â—â—â—ult a palissadoe in the field of S. Ladre intrenched the approches and wayes â—bâ—ut the Towne planted ten peeces of Artillery in the field of Saint Ladre and sixe â—thers at Orme au Loup it is a â—igh mountaine vpon the South side of Sancerre which commands the Towne he shootes against the walls and houses at randon and spends in two moneths aboue six thousand Canon shot and yet the besieged lost not aboue fiue and twentie men giues an assault but with the losse of many that were slaine and a great number hurt The 18. of March La Chastre by a second battery in three diuers places beates downe the defences both of Towers and wall makes a breach of about three hundred paces gâ—ues a generall assault presents a scalado on an other side mines and sappes on the third that the Sancerrois wearied with so many difficulties might shriâ—ke vnder thâ—ir burthen But well assayled and
ruine the house of Bourbâ—n and to aduance that of Guise sowe a pernitious seed of rebellion throughout the Citty and frame a petty Councell of the chiefe Cittizens who take the câ—arge of the sixteene quarters of the Citty and Sâ—burbes to practise all they could aâ—d to entertaine them with discourses grounded vpon the malice of the time full of schisme heresie and tyrannie This petty Councell compounded of Rocheâ—lond Compans a Marchant Cruce a Proctor La Chapelle Louchart a Comissarie aâ—d Bussy le Clâ—â—â— a Proctor brought their deliberations and proiects to the grand Councell â—hich coâ—sisted of Doctors Curats Preachers and other men of marke Iâ— short time they make a great brotherhood and fiâ—ding themselues strong they adueâ—tise the Duke of Guise of the affection of the good Catholikes of Paris that is the name which the Leaguers challenged to themselues and their zeale to the preseruation of religion and the rooting out of the contrary and the ruine of tyrannie Hee conferres with his bretheren and sends both to giue and to take an othe in an assembly held in Reims a place at Paris Then the most fact ous are sent to the Townes and Prouinces of the realme with good instructions to ioyne new confederates to their body vnder a pretext to fight against heresie and tyrannie Trumpets of rebellion Then might we haue seene the chiefe pillars ouerthrowne that support a Prince loue and authoritie and hatred and contempt to supply their places The Preachers publikely in all places diâ— terme the King a tyrant and fauourer of heretikes The people did applaud them and from this deadly hatred which they had conceiued against the King his Councell aâ—d fauourites sprung that fury which was soone after dispersed ouer all the body of France The better to countenance this League they present it to Pope Gregorie the 13. that he might blesse it and declare himselfe the God-father The League presented â—o the Pope as made for the ornament and support of the Catholike and Apostolike Romane Church Gregory was well pleased they should attempt any thing against the Huguenots but he did not approue those popular rebellions which were made against a most Christian and Catâ—olike King neither would he be the fire-brand of a warre which he could not quench And â—o he sent the Deputies back without aâ—y answer But not approued The Leagâ—e impatient to attend the resolution of Rome layes open his desseignes and makes them plausible causing one of the chiefe Princes of the bloud to be an actor and carry the bable They publish that the King dying without children hee hath no heyre nor successour but the Cardinall of Bourbon a Prince broken in yeares without hope of issue or to suruiue the King who was sound lustie and yong But they secretly season the simple peoples mindeâ— wiâ—h that vniust vsurpation of the Capets vpon the â—eires of Charlemagne they Print Bookes they cast forth diuâ—rs Libels yea some Preachers make it the text of tâ—eir Sermons Two principall fire-brands inflame the League Assembly at Montaubaâ— The assembly made by the King of Nauarre and the Depâ—ties of that party at Montauban to resolue of the meanâ—â— to mainteine themselues if the League abusing the Kings name and authoriâ—ie should seeke to offend them And the voyage of the Duke of Espernâ—n to the Kâ—ng of Nauarre to conferre priuately with him in the Kings name 1585. The chiefe of the League presume that the King meanes to arme and to impâ—oye the King of Nauarres forces against them D Espernons voyage into Gasconiâ— They seeke to preuent him and to that intent they send forth many Commissions but least any should controule them they cloake them with the Kings name wherwith they maintaine themselues to be well allowed as a thing done for his Maiesties seruice The King in the end of March desauowes them and forbids all leuies of men of warre Motiues of the League To iustifie themselues and their rysing they publish the motiues of the Cardinall of Bourbon who notwithstanding serued them but as a Cipher with the Princes Noblemen Townes and Catholike Commonalties to oppose themselues against heretikes That they had contemned the resolution of the Estates to make warre against heretikes and to disanull all Edicts made in their fauour That the succession of the King of Nauarre whereof hee hath conceiued a great hope sence the death of the Duke of Aniou would cause great confusions within this realme That preparations were alreadie made both within and without That by an accord made at Magdebourg the fifteenth of December last past the troupes of the King of Nauarre the Prince of Condé the Queene of England the King of Scottes the Count Palatin the Dukes of Saxony Pomerania and Wirtemberg of the Landgraue of Hessen the Suisses and other Protestants should ioyntly enter into France before the fifteenth of Aprill next following That the Huguenots would not yeeld vp the Townes which they held for the assurance of the last Edict of peace That there is great abuse in the prouision of offices in the leuies of money in the inuention of excessiue imposts Then they complaine of the mignons in Court who abusing the Kings name and bountie keepe the Princes and Noblemen that were truely Catholike from all accesse to his Maiesty perswading him that it is necessary for the preseruation of his Estate to diminish their authority they braue the Nobility dispose of gouernments in fauour of their followers wast the treasure oppresse the people restrayne the libertie of Iustice ruine the Clergie with tenthes and extraordinarie charges And then they declare That these iust motions and the sodennesse of the mischiefe had thrust them into armes the small credit they had with the King hauing no other meanes to let him vnderstand their complaints and in the end they protest that their taking armes was onely to restore the Church of God to her true and auncient dignity vnder the exercise of one religion throughout the realme To restore the Nobility to their honour and freedome to ease the people of extraordinarie charges inuented since the raigne of Charles the ninth and not to imploy the money leuied thereby but for the Kings seruice To require the King to prouide for his succession against the publike and priuate calamities which the pretentions and contentions for the same might cause and to chase from the Court such as abused his fauour and authority In the ende they protest and vowe not to laie downe armes vntill their proposition bee fully executed and that his Maiestie had preuented the daunger the feare whereof hath made them to take armes These false impressions had wonderfully incensed the people but when as they talke to them of a sinode held at Montauban and of a Diet in Germanie where they complotted to inuade France and to chase away both masse and Priestes they take the words of these passionate men for Oracles of truth They presse
obedience and rebeâ—â—ion some remayned iâ— their fidelitie the rest might haue beene assured wiâ—h small force But Caâ—herine terrefies 〈◊〉 most of all You haue saith shee to do with tâ—e Pope the Emperour tâ—e King of Spaine the Duke of Sauoie with some Princes oâ— Germanie with the Cathâ—â—ike Câ—â—tons of the Suisses who renounce your aâ—liance and with al the house of Lorraiâ—e Theâ— number fiue and twentie Prouinces and great commaunders in this pâ—rtâ—â— yâ—â—r â—est Townes are ingaged all are resolute to hazard goods persons and liues to saue reâ—â—gion from shipwracke Thus this poore Prince is terrefied hee thinkes tâ—e Dâ—ke 〈◊〉 Guise is at his heeles holds the Capuchinâ— Cloister to be more safe for him 〈…〉 Louure He is not the same mâ—n that vanquished his enemies at Iarnac Montcontour he wants courage hee desires nothing more then to purchase the Dukes fauour 〈◊〉 promiseth that for a peace he will giue him a good part of his Kingdome The Duke of Guise a Prince of great experience discreet valiant and worthie to be numbâ—ed amongst the brauest Captaines knowes the King is seized with fright and sees that the lustre of his armes shines ouer all His courage swels through the Kings chiâ—dish feare hee continues his course and begins to hope for more then hee had pâ—â—tended Hee therefore demaunds much and his request ioynes his owne priuate interest with the publike The Duke of Guâ—sâ— fortified by a peace hee beseecheth the King to make an irreuocable Edâ—ct for the extirpation of heresies to take away the Townes held by the Huguenots by force to renounce the Protection of Geneua to allow of their armes to ioyne his vâ—to theâ—rs Which was as much to say of a King to make himselfe a partisan The King makes a counterfeit peace with them and by his Edict of the 18. of Iuly reuokes all other made in fauour of the Protestants The peace reuoked by the Edict of Iuly hee commaunds their ministers to depart the realme and to all his subiects within six monethes to make profession of the Catholike religion or to auoyd the countrie He approues the Leaguars armes as leuied for his seruice allowes of their pretexts and by secret articles concluded at Nemours contents them in all matters onely with this condition To leaue the League and instantly to lay downe armes a trappe whereby they should in the ende be taken As for their security they left it to the Kings good pleasure yet would they haue in their powers the towne of Chalon Thoul Verdun S. Disier Reims Soissons the Castell of Dijon Beaune Rue in Picardie Dinan and Concq in Brittaine they caused the King to pay two hundred one thousand sixe Crownes and two third parts for the strangers which they had leuied they had a discharge for a hundred sixe thousand three hundred and fortie Crownes eight sols and three deniers which they had taken vpon the generall receites They obtayned a hundred thousand Crownes to build a Cittadell at Verdun and entertaynment for gards on horse-backe for all the Princes of the League To conclude the extorsions robberies burnings profanations and other insolencies which such armes drawe after them deuoured more flesh in three moneths that this warre continued wasted more fat and suckt more bloud from the poore people for whose ease they had so often protested to haue taken armes then the ordinary charges could haue consumed in many yeares This outrage was the cause of seauen and twenty Edicts to discharge those millions of gold which this furie had wasted to the peruerting of Iustice policy and the treasure A rash enterprise ruines it selfe when it finds resistance but if the attempters finde that they are feared their impunity growes confident This peace had made a great breach in the Kings authortie but they had extorted it by force not three daies before hee had proclaymed them rebells and guilty of treason they might then easily iudge that hee would hatch an egge whereof should spring some notable reuenge Doubtlesse Henry determined it but the three bretheren who were the chiefe architects of this conspiracie kept themselues apart and could not bee catcht in one net and to maintaine themselues they had no better expedient then by armes They make the King resolue to warre against the Protestants they shewe him the facility thereof three mornings say they will ende it We haue the assistance of all Christian Princes the Germaine forces will march no more for the King of Nauarre a poore Prince without money and withour credit The Queene of England shall haue worke inough to resist the Spaniards attempts the Spaniarde prepared then that great armie against England which wee shall see dispersed with small resistance like a puffe of winde and their strongest places will parle at our first approches Let vs make warre saith the King against them in Gods name Warre against the Protestants I will entertayne three armies one in Guyenne an other about mine owne person and the third vpon the fronter against the strangers whome the Huguenotes expect out of Germanie there wants nothing but money the charge amounts to foure hundred thousand Crownes a moneth I haue by your aduise broken the peace saith hee to the best of the Clergie of the Parliament and of the Cittizens of Paris beeing assembled at the Louure assure me nowe of meanes to make warre And afterwards he saied to the Cardinall of Guise The heads of the Clergie are they which haue most importuned mee to warre it is no reason I alone should beare the charge of that which redounds to the publike I assure my selfe you will not faile to assist mee And to the first president notwithstanding the Parliament had lately verified the letters pattents whereby the King condemned the authors of this rebellion as traytors I haue found so much zeale and affection in you to cause mee to reuoake the last Edict of peace as I assure my selfe you will finde reasons sufficient to perswade them of your facultie to forbeare their entertaynments so long as the warres shall continue And then to the Preuost of marchants he saied The Cittie hath shewed it selfe most affectionat tothe breach of the Edict they must be as willing to contribute the charges of the warre Go presently and assemble the bodie of your Cittie and make mee an imposition of two hundred thousands Crownes Without doubt euery one of these was verie willing to haue warre but loth to feale the discommodities it brought They begin to finde that the most preiudiciall peace is better then the most triumphant and victorious warre Yet the League 〈◊〉 haue warre and euen they whose forefathers were wont to carrie it beyond the 〈◊〉 into Asia Affricke and to the end of the world do nowe nourish it in their owne Câ—untrie But the authors thereof could not stand but in the midest of a generall confusion The King of Nauarre seeing tâ—is cloude readie to breake vpon his partie complaines that the
lookes bigge the Clergie reioyceth the Preachers tongues are fire-brands of sedition they speake in derâ—sion of the King in their Pulpits before time the Pulpits of trueth are now beâ—â—â—me the Chaires of Iuglers they make the King a Saul and the Duke of Guise a â—auid Saul slew his thousand but Dauid his ten thousand They publish generally in their Sermons that the King had leuied the Riestres to oppose them against the Dukes holy enterpriâ—es and to expose Paris as a prey but by the Dâ—kes valour and constancie religion had now triumphed ouer heresie The 〈◊〉 sends vnto the Duke a Sword grauen with flames The King of Spaine and thâ— Dâ—ke of Sauoye conceiue great hopes The Duke of Parma salutes him and Amongst all the Princes of Europe saith he Henry of Lorraine alone deserues to command in warre â—hey make bonfires in all places and sing the wondrous workes of the Duke of Guise to the Kings diâ—grace The people of Paris especially possessed with the praises of the house of Guise the disorders of the King the dissolutnes leachery anâ—â—yâ—ocrisie of the Court vnder a shew of penance leane to the party which they hold most certaine they disdaine the present estate apprehend what is to come and thinke to loose nothing by the change Henry of Lorraine discouers all this and thinkes to make his profit of so goodly an 〈◊〉 He knowes moreouer that Ioubert and Miron haue giuen their opiniâ—◠〈◊〉 the Kings disabilitie to haue children Hee makes himselfe more pleasing to the people who feare the succession of a Huguenot Prince hee entertaynes them 〈◊〉 great familiarity but with an humour aspiring vnto tyrannie Hee sees the mâ—iestâ—e of his Soueraigne disgraced his enemies retired to Rochelle England readâ—e to bee inuaded by a proud Armie from Spaine hee giues eare to the counsell of the Arche leaguers encreased to the number of sixteene by reason of the sâ—â—teene quarters of Paris He is crafty aduised foreseeing The disposition of the Duke of Guise generous and valiâ—â—t but variable corrupt a dissembler secret and patient Hee will by no meanes vse his owne name in any thing yet will hee effect that by another which hee atteâ—â—tâ— or takes in hand He aduertiseth the Cardinall of Bourbon who goes but as he as led that this goodly oportunity must not be lost 1588 But the secrets of his 〈◊〉 contrary to his outward shewes This assembly at Nancy tended only to force the King to make his will and to 〈◊〉 the regencie to them It was therefore conculded That the King should be 〈◊〉 to ioyne his forces effectually with the League To displace such from their offices aâ— should be named To bring in the inquisition of Spaine and to publish the Councell of Trent but with a moderation of such things as derogate from the priuileges of the French Church To consent to the restitution of the goods sold by the Clergie for the charges of the warre To giue them Townes to bee manned and fortified as the time and necessity required To forâ—â—it the Huguenots bodies goods and to entertayne an army vpon the frontiers of Lâ—rraâ—ne against the Germains who threatned reuenge for the insolencies committed in the Countie of Montbelliard But to subiect the Kings authority to the desseins practises of the league what â—as it but by this means to aspire to the Crowne To haue him ruine them he loued and that were alied vnto him in bloud what was it but to make a bush of a forest and a desert of a goodly kingdome And this word of Inquisition is it not hatefull vnt◠〈◊〉 men It was necessary for the Spaniards who had no better meanes to plant and maintaine Christianity But the tediousnes and manner of their proceeding is horrible the malice and Calumniation of their spies and informers abhominable their pâ—isons vnder ground fearefull their rackes and tortures intolâ—erable the yellow gowne without sleeues painted all ouer with deuills the Miter and Corde and for the last act of this pittifull Tragedie the fire haue made it detestable to the Flemings and execrable to the French As for the reception of the Councell of Trent the â—oueraigne Courts of this realme haue neuer so aduised our King for the preiudice they should do vnto the Crowne and the pruileges of the French Church To require redemption of the Clergie goods and to haue the King force them that were beneficed to redeeme them was it not to haue him make warre for the Church and the Clergie should giue the alarme and shadow themselues vnder the temporality whilest that the Nobility should go to fight and the people languish The League had obtayned some townes of assurance and the Parliaments labored to put downe the Huguenots To conclude the King had not refused the chiefe of the League any demande that he might lawfully graunt and had yeelded them many things which he might by his authority refuse Besides the motions of the Kings apprehensions the first beginning of his misâ—â—â— iâ— that almost all his councellors of state are corrupted The Kings Councell corrupted they conceale the truth they fit themselues to his humors they are fearefull weake and inconstant 〈…〉 that Prince is miserable saied anâ— Emperour from whome they 〈…〉 They perswade him the Duke of Guises partie is strong that the Townes anâ— Pâ—ouinces looke onely after him if hee enters not into it hee must be subiect both to League and Huguenot Yet he meanes to be master ouer both but hee takes nâ—t the safest course Hee becomes the head of the Guisards party and talking of nothing but of the voyage of Poitou thinks to winne the peoples loue and to stoppe the mâ—â—muring of the League Deaâ—h of the â—rince of Conde The Prince of Condes death made the enterprise easie A great debility of the stomacke a difficulty of breathing a great costiuenes a continuall vomiting with an alteration and extreame paine surprised him the third of May halfe an houre after supper and the second day of his sicknesse a suffocation of all his vitall â—pirites sent him from the bedde vnto the graue Hee was a Prince indeed with aâ—l the qualities fit for a great Captaine vnder whose magnanimity the Protestants conceiued great hopes The bodie was opened and the iudgement of Physitians was diuers The botome of his bellie was pale and burnt his bowells oueâ—flowed with a reddish water the stomacke aboue the orifice perced through with a round hoâ—e the vitall parts being vlcered made some suspect poyson others held that it was the remaynder of the potion he swalowed in the yeare 1572. which making an impression in the bowells had by little and little weakened the stomake of the paine wherof as alâ—o of his side by reason of the blowe he receiued at the battaile of Coutras with a Lance he had complayned many weekes before his death The schoole of Montpellier did subscribe to this last opinion Iâ— the meane time the King doth
of the Duke of Aniou His holinesse hath beleeued that religion was the onely motiue of the Duke of Guises armes The Barricadoes with the vsurpation of the Bâ—stille and Bois de Vincennes haue made him to change his beleefe Hee himselfe hath sayde vnto the bishop of Paris that the fact was too bold that the estate is interressed and that the offence is irreconciliable Hee hath written vnto the King aduising him to assure himselfe of the Estates at what price soeuer that in such imminent dangers â—ee must seeke out all extraordinary remedies and vpon this consideration hee graunted the King a confessor to absolue him of all reseruing the matter to the holy sea Obiâ—ction Yea but the Estates are vnder the kings oath protectioÌ„ Without doubt an oath was neuer brokeÌ„ without repeÌ„tance But how is the soueraigne bound to his subiect who by â—ebellion hath violated his oth to his Prince Necessitie forceth the law great punishments of rebels haue beene often done in great assemblies The Kings of England and Poland do practise it well and our Charles hath died his sisters nuptialls with more bâ—oâ—d then wine Moreouer the Duke of Guise hath great credit with the people of France It is true but his partie hath no credit but with the multitude An other the which is a very moueable and inconstant foundation Men of account Townes gouernours and tâ—e Kings officers mutine not but by meanes of the multitude and seeing him fallen that gaue mouing to their rebellion they will conteine themselues Liege say they who feare least this violent counsell which they gaue him in so vrgent a necessitie should be discouered the Duke of Guise will surprise you They haue alreadie published in Paris that this is your climacterical yeare they shewe forth the rasor that shall shaue you they demaund how long they shall suffer you to liue in a Cloyster The lightning goes before the thunder the guilt of treason is extraordinarie in the head â—o the punishment goes before the instructions and formes of Iustice. One must punish the offendor and then informe of the offence The mildest common-weales most politike and greatest enemies to rigour haue alwaies held That whereas the esâ—ate is in danger they may begin with the execution In the end the King is saâ—â—â—fied The Kings last reâ—olution hauing remained long in suspence betwixt the rigour of his reuenge and the mildnesse of his owne disposition By the Kings countenance or some wordes let slippe by some one of the foure they find it dangerous to coÌ„tinue long at the Estates But the more the Duke of Guise enters into discourse the more the Kings good countenance disswades him And the Archbishop of Lion attending a Cardinals hatt within a few dayes from Rome Retyring yourselfe from the Estates said he vnto him you shall beare the blame to haue abandoned France in so important an occasion and your enemies making their profit of â—our absence wil sone ouerthrowe al that which you haue with so much paine effected for the assurance of religion Man doth often loose his iudgement vpon the point of his fal Aduertisements were come to him from all parts both within without the realme from Rome Spaine Lorraine and Sauoye that a bloodie Catastrophe would dissolue the assemblie The Almanakes had well obserued it it was generally bruted in the Estates that the execution should be on Saint Thomas day The eue before his death the Duke himselfe sitting â—oâ—ne to dinner found a scroule vnder his napkin aduertising him of this secret ambâ—sh â—ut as ambition blinds those whome shee hath raised vp to the pies nest and 〈…〉 of Gods iudgements confounds such as trust in their authoritie he writ vnderâ—eath with his owne hand They dare not and threw it vnder the table The Duke of Guise following the councell of the Cardinall Morosin had the one 〈◊〉 â—â—entith of December incensed the King a new by some bold and presumptuous â—eeches Liege â—said he â—â—ing I find that the affaires decline from bad to worse and that those things which seemed curable are growne desperate I beseech your Maâ—estâ—e to receiue againe the charge you haue committed vnto mee and giue me leaue â—o â—â—tire my selfe He spake this to the end that by this discontent hee might take an â—câ—â—sion to dissolue the estates and bringing the King into extreame hatred with 〈◊〉 â—â—biects hee might play the last act of his long foreplotted Tragedie The 〈◊〉 had the two and twentith day following prepared seuen of his fiue and 〈◊〉 they were gentlemen whâ—me hee had appointed to be neere his person besides 〈◊〉 Archers of his gard to execute his will and by many dispatches had 〈◊〉 those Townes which hee held to bee most mutinous The three and twentith 〈◊〉 his Councell somewhat more earely in the morning then was vsuall 〈…〉 deuotion to go after diâ—ner and to spend the holidayes at our Ladie of 〈◊〉 The Caâ—dinalls of Vendosme Guise and Gondy the Arche-Bishop of Lion 〈◊〉 Mâ—â—shallâ— of Aâ—mont and Retz the Lords of d'O Rambouillet Maintenon Marcell and â—â—â—remolle ouerseers of the Treasor were assembled The Duke of Guise comes 〈◊〉 atâ—ending the beginning of the Councell sends for a handkercher the groome of his chamber had forgotten to put one into his hose Pericart his Secretarie not daring to commit this new aduertisement to any mans report ties a note to one of the corners thereof saying Come forth and saue your selfe else you are but a dead man Bâ—t they stâ—y the page that carried it Larchant Captaine of the Kings gard causeth aâ— other to be giuen vnto him with all speed by Saint Prix the chiefe grome of the Kâ—ngs chamber The Castle gates are shutt and the Councell sits about eight of the clocke The spirit of man doth often prophecie of the mischeefe that doth purâ—ue him So whilesâ— they dispute of a matter propounded by Petremolle the Duke feeles strange alterations and extraordinary distemperatures and amidest his distrâ—st a great fainting of his heart Saint Prix presents vnto him some prunes of Brignolles and raisins of the sunne Hee eats and thereupon the King calls him into his Cabinet by Reuoll one of the secretaries of his Estate as it were to confer with him about some secret of importance The Duke leaues the Councell to passe vnto the Cabinet and as he did â—ift vp the tapistrie with one hand to enter The Duke oâ— Guise slaine they charge him with their swords daggers and pertuisans yet not with so great violence but he shewed the murthereâ—s the last endeauours of an inuincible valour and courage Thus liued and thus died Henry of Lorraine Duke of Guise a Prince worthie to be in tâ—e first rankes of Princes goodly great tall of proportion amiable of countenance great of courage readie in the execution of his enterprises popular dissembling but couering the secrets of his minde with his outward bahauiour imbracing all times and occasions politike in
Canisia The seege of Canisia raysed in the ende was forced to leaue it with shame and disorder loosing his Artillery and Baggage and abandoning the sicke wounded He lost his reputation there for the good had successe of enterprises are euer imputed to the General although it were true that the diuision among the Commanders of the Christians Army the great want of victuals the â—ury of the Plague gaue this aduantage vnto the enemy The Duke of Biron came to Fontainbleau whereas the King Queene and Daulphin remayned The Duke of Biron returnes out of England to Court he gaue an account of his Ambassage into England deliuered the Queens Letter vnto his Maiesty He continued in Court vntill the ende of the yeare and presented vnto him the three Estates of Bresse Beaugey Veromey and Gex whom the King receiued as gratiously The King coÌ„firmes the Priuileges of Bresse as if they had bin Frenchmen by birth and affection he confirmed their Priuileges and made them â—eele the fruits of this change He erected a Presidiall Court at Bourg depending vpon the Parlament at Dijon notwithstanding any opposition made by that of Grenoble preteÌ„ding that the Countries exchanged should hold the place of the Marquisate of Saluces be incorporate vnto Daulphine He releeued the CouÌ„tries exchanged in their Impositions Taxes and with such moderation as the most miserable promised vnto theÌ„â—elues happines vnder his sweet subiectioÌ„ Among other speeches which the King vsed vnto the Deputies these were noted It is reasonable said he seeing you speak French naturally His speech to the Deputies that you should be subiect to a King of France I am well pleased that the Spanish tongue shall remaine to the Spaniard the Germaine tongue to the Germaine but all the French must belong to me The Daâ—â—phin made his first entry into Paris the 30. day after his birth the Port was beautified with Armes The Daulphins first entry into Paâ—is the 2â— Octob. 1601. The pompe was of a Cradle in a Litter wheras the Lady of Moâ—glas sat with the Nurce The Prouost of Marchants Sheriffes went out off the Citty to meete him The Gouernesse made answer to the Oration His first lodging was at Zamets house Two dayes after he was carried back to S. Germain in Lay to the end the people might see him passing through the Citty the Nurce held him at her Breast The King had determined to conduct the Queene to â—loys but the desire he had to instruct the Duchesse of Bar his Sister in his Religion A Conference to instruct the Kings Sister stayd them all at Paris whether he had sent for the most learned Prelats Diuines to satisfie her in the presence of such Ministers as she had brought with her But they coÌ„iured her not to yeeld vnto this chaÌ„ge nor to dismember her selfe from the body and society of the children of God to bow her knees vnto Idolatry She continued so constant in her beleefe as she made a protestation that if her Religion were preiâ—â—icial to the Estates of the Duke of Lorraine she was ready to returne into Bearn beseeching the King to suffer her to end her life as she had begun it So as the CoÌ„ferences vpon this subiect remained vnprofitable were of no more effect then that which was made at Ratisbonne at the same time for the â—ame cause The King hauing setled as happy a Peace in France as could be desired he sought to redresse the disorders which could not be cured during the violence of the War The King did two things to reforme the disorders of the Treasure in the one he cut off a great number of Officers belonging to the Treasure in the other he caused a great and seuere search to be made of their abuses Many of the Treasury â—ischarged The more Officers the King hath for the managing of his Treasure the lesse profit comes vnto his Coffers for that a great part is spent in their entertainement So as it was resolued at the Estates held at Roan to suppresse the Offices of the Treasurers of the Generalities of France by death without hope of reuiuing As for the abuses of Treasorers their couetousnes was so great and their abuses so countenanced as no man liued happely but they Such as robbe the Poore die in prisons and are hanged but they that steale from the King and the publicke are at their ease When as Rhosny was called to bee Superintendant of the Treasor they were out of hope to do their busines as they had wont By his aduice the King commanded a strict search to bee made of their abuses in the Treasure A Chamber royall eâ—ected and to that ende he erected a Chamber or Court which hee would haue called Royale consisting of Iudges chosen out of his Soueraigne Courts And for that they had giuen the King to vnderstand The transport of gold and siluer â—orâ—â—dden that nothing did so much impouerish his Realme as the transport of gold siluer the which was vsuall by the suffrance of Officers he therefore reuiued the ancient Lawes for the transporting of gold and siluer or bullion out of the Realme adding paine of death therevnto and losse of all their goods that should do to the contrary the third whereof should go vnto the Informer He commanded all Gouernors to haue a care of the obseruation of these prohibitions and not to grant any pasports to the contrary vpoÌ„ paine to be declared partakers oâ— these transports and for their Secretaries that should countersigne them confiscation of their goods and perpetuall banishment The wearing oâ— gold and siluer forbidden But the forbidding of the transportation of gold and siluer is not the onely meanes to make a Realme abound therewith if the vse of it within bee not well ordred And therefore the King did forbid the superfluous vse of gold and siluer in Lace or otherwise vpon garments This Edict did greatly trouble the Ladies in Court yet it was obâ—erued for that it was generall and expected none the King himselfe did frowne of a Prince of his house who had not yet thought of this reformation The King continuing the same care to settle all things in good Estate seeing that forraine Coynes went at a higher rate in his Realme then where they were coyned he commanded that the vse of forraine coynes should bee forbidden after a certaine time giuen to the people to put it away reâ—â—oring gold to his iust value This commandement was iust but it was a great ruine to the peopole for the Strangers seeing that their Coynes were not currant among vs discontinued the trafficke and liued without that without the which wee thought they could not liue Those which were wont to come to Lions went to Geneua where the Duckates were raised as much as we had abated them The King by all these Edicts had nothing releeued the necessities of the
Nobility An Edict for vsury if hee had not prouided for Vsuries which haue ruined many good and ancient houses filled Townes with vnprofitable persons and the Country with miseries and inhumanity Hee found that Reâ—ts constituted after ten or eight in the hundred did ruine many good famylies hindred the trafficke and commerce of Marchandise and made Tillage and Handicraftes to bee neglected many desiring through the easines of a deceitfull gaine to liue idely in good Townes of their Rents rather then to giue themselues with any paine to liberall Arts or to Till and Husband their inheritances For this reason meaning to inuite his subiects to inâ—ich themselues with more iust gaine to content themselues with more moderate profit and to giue the Nobility meanes to pay their debtes hee did forbid all Vsury or constitution of Rentes at a higher rate then sixe pounds fiue shillings for the hundred The Edict was verefied in the Court of Parliament which considered that it was alwaies preiudiciall to the common-weale to giue money to Vsury for it is a serpent whose biting is not apparent and yet it is so seâ—cible as it peerceth the very heart of the best families The affaires of the Realme beeing in so great tranquility as the King had no â—are but to enioye the fruites of Peace Ambassadorâ— chosen to send to forraine Princes Hee made choise of Ambassadors to send to forraine Princes that were in League with him Barraux was named for Spaine Betunes for Rome the Count Beaumont was chosen for England and the President Fresnes Canaye to goe to Venice who had a particular aduice giuen him the which for that it is of consequence and serues for instruction to others in the like charges deserues to bee noted It hath alwaies beene obserued at Venice betwixt the Popes Nontio and Princes Ambassadors that remaine there that the last come is alwaies first visited by the others before hee returnes them the like 1602. It happened that Huraut de Messe the King Ambassador at Venice hauing beene twise or thrise sent backe thither by his Maiestie and no other Ambassador at his last returne the Popes Nuncio refused to visit him saying that he was not a new Ambassador and that it was in him to visit him 〈◊〉 the which he did as well for that they could not take his returne for the beginning of a new Ambassage from this complement of courtesie the Popes Noncio would dâ—aw a consequence of dutie and would challenge a right to bee visited first So as the Ambassador of Spaine hauing made difficultie to visit the Nuncio attending it first from him according to the ancient order they stood so long vpon this Ceremonie as they passed all the time of their Legation without visiting one another And therefore the King foreseeing that if de Fresnes Canay were not informed of these particularities hee might haue beene surprised in this Complement of visiting In this discourse of Ambassadors Mâ—ns dâ— Câ—eurieres Ambassaâ—or to Thuriâ— let vs see the issue of two important Ambassages the one for the King at Thurin the other for the Duke of Sauoy at Paris both for the swearing of the peace Iames Mictes of Myolans Lord of Saint Chaumont Knight of both the Kings Oâ—ders was commanded to goe to Thurin to receiue the Dukes oath Hee went well accompanied with gentlemen and neuer Ambassador was better receiued then hee was in Sauoy PiedmoÌ„t D' Albigny Gouernour of Sauoy feasted him at ChaÌ„bery like a Pâ—ince the Duke commanding him to entertaine him in all places as himselfe Comming to Thurin he was entertayned with all honour that might bee and the ceremonie being ended hee tooke his leaue and was no lesse honoured at his departure then at his comming giuing the Ambassador a Iewell of foure thousand Crownes and to all the Gentlemen Horses The Marquis of Lulâ—â—â—s Ambassador for the Duâ—e The Marquis of Lulâ—ins came into France to take the Kings oath The Ceremonie was done at the Celesâ—ins in Paris according to the accustomed manner and â—orme vsed in the like Treaties and in the presence of many Princes of the bloud Noblemen and Councellors of State the Act being signed by the King by Vilieroy and Forget Secretarie of State The Seigneurie of Geneua intreated the King to giue them the Balewike of Gâ—x as a necessarie thing for the saâ—etie of their Estate The King answered that being concluded by the treatie which hee had made with the Duke of Sauoy that the lands exchanged for the Marquisate of Saluces should remaine vnited and incorporated to the Crowne hee requested them to rest satisfied with this condition and not to hope for any alteration for this consideration these Countâ—ies being of one condition with the other Prouinces of the Realme the would not admit any diuersitie in their Lawes hee therefore established the exercise of the Romish religion and sent the Baron of Lux to put the Bishop of Geneua in possession of the Churches of his Diocesse causing Masse to be said in the Churches of Gex They of Geneua made fasts and publike prayers to the end sayd they to keepe the Idolls from their walls We must add to this discourse one of the most famous Impostures as some said that euer age had seene Of D· Sâ—â—â—stian King of Poâ—tugal It was a generall bruite throughout Europe that Don Sebastian King of Portugall was aliue and the Portugalls did presently giue credit thereunto It was Atheiâ—me among them not beleeue it inhumanitie in Princes and Common-weales not to succour him and iniustice not to intreat him as a King Maâ—ie Impostures haue beene seene throughout the world but none like vnto that which is spoken of this prisoner It is aboue twentie yeares that the friends of D. Sebastian King of Portugal haue lamented his misfortune the Moores reioyced therat They write to 〈◊〉 the bodie of the King D. 〈◊〉 being knowne was caâ—â—ied into Seâ—te after the battaile the realme of Portugal made his funeralls and the King of Spaine giuen a hundred thousand Crownes for his bodie Foure Kings haue raigned since acounting the electon of Don Antonio and yet there is a man found say the Spaniards so audatious as he wil trouble all the world to make them beleeue that hee is the true King D. Sebastian of Portugal He presented himselfe to the Seigneurie of Venice and demands audience He relats vnto them the Historie of his life and the raigne of his Fathers in Portugal his defeate in Affrike his retreate into Calabria 1601. the resolution which he had taken neuer to shewe himselfe more in the world for the shame of his misfortune and the punnishment of his indiscretion if the spirit of God had not inspired him with an other will and giuen him hope to make himselfe knowne for a King as he was borne Hee sayd moreouer that among so many soueraigne powers that were in the world hee would not addresse himselfe to any
but such as were ordinarily with him That the Gouernours of places who were then the Dukes subiects and now the Kings could witnes if there were any fauour vsed And if in making warre hee had any other obiect but the execution of his Maiesties commandements That if he had had any bad intent he had not yeelded vp Bourg so easily as he did To the fourth vppon the aduise giuen to the Gouernour of Saint Katherins Fort to kill the King He beseecheth his Maiestie to remember that hee alone did disswade and diuert him from going to vew the Fort giuing him to vnderstand that there were very good Gunners in the place and that he could not goe without great danger That vpon this aduise his Maiestie altered his purpose saying that if hee desired to see the place hee would bring him a plot of it the next day offering his Maiestie to take it with fiue hundred hargubuziers and that â—e himselfe would goe vnto the assault To the fift that he had treated with the Duke of Sauoy and the Count of Fuentes by the mediation of La Fin. He answered that being denied the keeping of the Cittadell of Bourg hee grew into that dispayre as he had desired to bee all couered with bloud being capable to say or to doe any thing At these words the Chancellor asked him with what bloud hee desired to bee couered with mine owne answered the Prisoner wishing to liue no longer after this refusall and I would haue ingaged my selfe in such sort among the enemies as I would haue dyed there or would haue returned all couered with bloud That for two moneths space he had written and spoken more then he ought but he had not omitted to doe well Hee added moreouer that La Fin had â—oe bewitched him with inchanted waters and by speaking Images as hee was forced to submit himselfe to his wil That he spake not vnto him but in secret vnknowne words calling him his Master his King his Prince his Lord. And scratching his left eare He spake execrable things against La Fin to moue the Court not to regard his accusation testimony Hee that had not seene the fact verefied by his owne letters would haue sayd it was Vlisses accusation forgâ—ng false letters from Priam to Palamedes He still fled to his pardon saying that hauing done nothing since the Kings clemency should remit his fault and that if he must implore it once more he had his Knees as supple as euer to doe it The Chancellor sayd vnto him that he had written a letter vnto la Fin since the Daulphins birtâ— by the which hee did aduertise him that seeing it had pleased God to send the King a Sonne he would no more dreame of those vanities desiring him to returne and if he had not imployed him he would not haue written This letter was produced to shewe the continuance of his bad desseignes whereof he made vse to iustefie himselfe and to shewe his repentance saying alwaies that hee had done well â—rooâ—e by writing of the conâ—â—nuâ—nce of his practises although hee had some thought of doing ill The Chancellor sayd vnto him that seeing he felt his coâ—science so cleere and knowing that hee had done nothing why did he not laie himselfe more open vnto the King who sought him with great affection at Fontainbleau to tell him the truth of that which hath beene since discouered by the processe Hee wauered at this demand saying that he did not thinke the King had knowne any thing of that which had passed betwixt him and la Fin for that hee had assured him by othes and fearefull curses that hee had sayd nothing that might hurt him That hauing conferred with a relligious man of the order of the Minimes to knowe if hauing past his word with an othe to la Fin neuer to discouer what had past betwixt them he might with a safe conscience say any thing He had answered him that seeing there was no more any intent to execute the things that were sworne betwixt them he ought not to reueale them That this resolution continued so constant in his minde that although the Arch-bishop of Bourges had visited him in prison and had giuen him many reasons to free him from these scruples yet hee held it an act vnworthy of a man to falsefie his oth and that it was onely fit for a Soule hardened with Atheisme the spring of all impiety to sweare with an intent to circumuent Here his speech fayled him with the violence of his greefe but recouering his spirits he spake these words My misfortune hath this consolation that my Iudges are not ignorant of the seruices which I haue done to the King and Realme and with what loyaltie I haue carried my selfe in the greatest and most important affaires to restore the King vnto the Realme and the Realme vnto the King to preserue the Lawes of State and to settle you in this place from the which the Saturnales of the League had expelled you This Bodie wherof you hold the life and death in the disposition of your Iustice hath no veine which hath not beene opened and which I would not willingly open for you This hand which did write the letters which are nowe produced against mee is the same which hath done the contrary to that which it hath written It is true I haue written I haue sayd and I haue spoken more then I ought but no man can shewe that I haue done ill And there is no Lawe that punisheth the lightnesse of a simple word or the motions of the thought with Death my words haue beene alwayes Feminine but the effects of my courage Masculine Choller and Despight haue made mee capable to say all and to do all but Reason would not suffer mee to doe any thing but what deserued Praise and Imitation I haue had bad desseignes but they neuer past my thougâ—t At the same instant they sprong vp they were smothered If I had beene desirous to nourish and make shewe of them I haue had great meanes and occasions I could haue done bad seruice to the King in England and in Suiserland There are aboue a hundred Gentlemen that can witnesse of my behauiour in the first Ambassage and for the second He shewâ—â— by what means he might hauâ— done ill I desire no other testimony but that of the Seigneurs Sillery and de Vic who know in what maner with what fidelity I imployed my selfe to reconcile and vnite so many wills disioyned with-drawne from the Kings alliance If you will consider howe I came and in what Estate I lefte the places of Bourgongne it wil- be impossible to haue any badde conceite of my desseignes They found not a man of Warre in my Gouernment I haue left the places without garrisons I haue giuen the Captaines no other commandement but to serue the King well and to doe that onely where vnto they are bound Euery man aduised mee not to
him for a Study said vnto him My Son I see that he whose Natiuity this is shall come to great Honours by his industry and Millitary valour and may be a King but there is a CAPVT ALGOL which hinders it And what is that said the Baron of Biron Aske me not said la Brosse what it is No said the Baronâ— I must know it In the end he sayd vnto him My Son it is that he wil do that which shall make him loose his Head WhervpoÌ„ the BaroÌ„ as they report did beat him cruelly hauing left him halfe dead he went downe carried away the Key of the Garret dore whereof he bragged wheÌ„ he was gone They say he had conference with one Caesar who was a Magitian at Paris who told him That onely a backe-blow of the Bourguignon would keepe him from being â— King He remembred this prediction beeing a Prisoner in the Bastille And intreated one that went to visit him to learne if the Executioner of Paris were a Bourguignon and hauing found it so he said I am a dead man During these last Ciuill Wars 〈◊〉 Father being Commander of the Kings Army of a young Baron hee was sodainâ—y made a Captaine and Marshall of the Campe. After his Fathers death at Eâ—pernâ—â— he was Generall and Admirall of France then Marshall and Lieutenant of the Kings Armyes the defeate of the Spanish succors at Laon with his exploytes in Burgunâ—y and Picardy made the King so to loue him as he onely was in credit there remayned nothing but to vse his happinesse modestly Doubtlesse hee did great seruices to the King and to the Crowne but he was rewarded with great fauours and 〈◊〉 to the greatest Dignities and Honours of the Crowne the which if he could haue vsed temperately euen in the height of his Fortune he had beene too happy 〈◊〉 reported that his Father sayd vnto him seeing his haughty disposition Baron I would aduice thee when a Peace shal be made The Marshall birons words vnto his Son when he was but Baron of Biron to go and liue priuately at thine owne house else thou must leaue thy head at the Greue All Princes that were allied to the Crowne of France reioyced at the discouery of the Duke of Birons Treason The Queene of England and the King of Scotland sent their Ambassadors vnto the King to congratulate that God had so happily preuented this last Conspiracy The King of Spaine did the like by Taxis The â—rchduke sayde all the blame vpon the Count of Fuentes The Duke of Sauoy sent the Count of Viesque vnto the King as well to obserue howe the Duke of Birons death had beene taken in Court and in that Great Citty whereas there was diuersity of Humors and Opinions as to excuse him from the Imputation which was layd vpon him to be the first Architect of this Conspiracy The Ambassadors of England Scotland and Sauoy were receiued of one day at Monceaux Ambassadors sent to the King to congratulate The King in receiuing of them made a great difference for hee receiued them not with one Countenance The last was not vsed like vnto the first the King leaning vpon a Window shewed by his gesture that he was not pleased with his excuses and that words alone could not repayre so bad effects nor make him beleeue that the Duke of Sauoy had not beene an Actor to corrupt the Duke of Biron The Dukes Ambassador made his excuse with a great Grace and Boldnesse although it be a very hard thing to discourse of a subiect to one that can giue no beleefe vnto it The Count of Viesque passing through Lions visited the Gouernoâ— and gaue him a Letter from his Maister the which he sent vnto the King who was very well pleased with his proceeding The Kings Letter to 〈◊〉 de la 〈◊〉 the 1. of September 1â—02 and writ vnto him in this sort It was not needefull to send me this Letter but onely to giue mee a newe Confirmation of your loyalty which I hold so assured as it needed neyther that nor any other But the wisest do alwayes obserue the ancient formes whereof that is one of the principall not to sâ—e nor heare any thing from forraine Princes without the priuity and permission of his Maister The King parted from Monâ—eaux to go to Paris where he dispatched the Ambassadors That of Sauoy came to his Maister being newly returned from Vercel where he had visited the Duke of Saxonies brother passing into Italy He presented him with eight Horses richly furnished and a Hat-band with a Iewell esteemed at twelue thousand Crownes Soone after hee â—ent to Riuoly for his pleasure of Hunting leading D' Albigny with him to whom hee made shewes of extraordinary Loue. Mens coniectures were not able to peerce into the secrets of that which they treated of together but they will burst forth before the yeare shall end The Count of Viesque came to Riuoly in the beginning of October Euery man said at Thurin that his Ambassage was Gratious Bâ—uâ—es of war after the death of thâ— Duke of Biron and that the King was weâ—l pleased with that which the Duke of Sauoy would haue him beleeue yet all Sauoy was â—ull of Souldiars and no man knew howe they should bee imployed Some sayd that the Duke of Birons death would breed a newe storme in France but all the choller and threats of them that repined thereat was but a fantasticall lightning The Count of Fuentes would haue done his best to haue bred a storme his spirit which hath no rest but in exercise thinking with Teres father to Sitalâ—es that nothing doth dâ—stingâ—ish him from the rest of his Maisters seruants but War was so much discontented for this death as he could not sleepe He did meditate of reuenge and the King was well aduertised thereâ—f It was thought that vnder colour of passing a newe army ouer the Alpes hee would discouer some desseine and the King was aâ—uerâ—iâ—ed from many parts that the Cittie of Lions was not the last nor the least in his chollenke thoughts That three and twentie companies of Spaniards in the which wereâ—t the least three thousand men had past the Mountaines and were dispersed in Sauoy that the Duke of Sauoy had at Romilly fiue hundred men vnder the Regiment of Valdisers and at Anissy 1500. Neapolitains that they attended some Lansâ—uenets that neere vnto Genoa their were thirtie Companies of Spaniards landed and that they fortâ—fied Saint Genis against the last Treatie of Peace a fit place to execute any desleine vppon Lions or Vienne The King therefore foreseeing that if they sought any aduantage vppon France it should be rather for Lions then any other place hee therefore lodged in the Bastions of Saint Iohn and Saint Clair fiue Companies of the Regiment of Bourg L' Espinasse and those of Nerestan at Montlael and Seissel The opinions of this new Armie were as diuers as their desseins were secret yet
that it would not bee taken ill at Rome knowing that he did it onely to please the King and to haue audience But he had some difficulty to decipher himself when he was to speake vnto the King for he could not vnder one habit play two contrary personages neither had hee words in his mouth nor teares in his eyes for this sorrow He that will ease an others griefe must shew that he hath a part feeling thereof Hee went after an other maner and his spirit did fit him with an other kinde of complement the which although it were free yet was it not vnpleasing Hee sayd vnto the King that such as knew what he was and in whose name hee spake would wonder at the office which he did but he had more occasion then any other for that al lamented the losse of the Body but his Maister the losse of the Soule The King sayd vnto him that hee beleeued his Sister was saued for that in the last gaspe an extreame griefe might carry her right into Heauen the Noncio replied My Lord that discours is more Metaphisicall then Phisicall and so they both entered into other talke The great Duke of Tuscany had an enterprise profitable glorious for ChristendoÌ„ The Knights of his Order presented unto him often many occasions which might fill their hands with palmes and charge the Turkes with blowes and shame The burning of the Turkes gallies at Algier hee made choise of the most difficult important in burning of the Turkes gallies at Algier that he might make all that season fruitlesse and his preparation vnprofitable The time did hasten the execution but the wisedome of the great Duke did iudge that the stay was more safe then the hazard if a Diomedes were fit to do this enterprise an Vlisses was as necessary to coÌ„duct it Policy Wisdom being better then Force An English Captain arriued happily with a Ship laden with Marchandize for a Marchant of Pisa. The great Duke informes himselfe of him in what estate the Gallies were in the Port of Algier He told him that they were eight in number ready to set sayle in the beginning of Aprill to scowre along that coast The great Duke discouered his desseigne vnto him the Captaine gaue him some reasons to make this enterprise easie and the great Duke â—eanes to execute it He laded his ship with Salt vnder the which he had hidden his Fire-workes Powder Armes and to the end that if the execution succeeded not as he hoped the King of England should not be offended he left the English Flag and tooke that of the Estates of Holland and Zeland Hee entred the Pâ—râ— of Algier making a shew that he would vnlade his Salâ— Where finding two other English Vessells he discouered his desseigne vnto the Captaine offering them part of the Honour and Profit of the execution if they would hazard themselues in the same danger They agree and prepare for it happilie taking such good oportunity to cast the fire as if the great Duke had bin as well serued by them which made the artificiall fires as by them which cast theÌ„ the Turke had saued nothing of his Gallies but the ashes which the Winde had left vpon the Port and the spoyles of this Pyâ—at had beene preuented He had another Enterprise against the Turke where in he was not hindred but by the Infidelity of those to whom he had giuen the Word Faith of a Prince to dwell safely in his Estates An other enterprise of the great Dukes in Negrepoâ—t The Iewes which liue at Liuorno did discouer it giuing intelligeÌ„ce thereof so soone as the Marriners which came from the Leâ—ant and past by the Port said that they attended the great Dukes Gallies in Negrepont The great Duke did but laugh at it Theâ—e be the affects of Fidelity and Affection which Princes may expect in nourishing those Serpents in their bosomes The Iewes bee the Turkes best spies who knowes that they are madde against Christians with an implacable furye Curst Dogges are kept tyed all day and let loose at night But these People should be straitly garded at all times And in all places they should be still kept in seruitude as their rebellion against the Trueth hath deserued The King of Spaine discontent The King of Spaine is offended that the French go to serue Prince Maurice to hinder his brother the Archduke in the taking of Ostend That he lends them money that he prohibits his Subiects to trafficke into Spaine and Flanders The King saies that he hath not therby any cause to coÌ„plaine For the first he doth not aduow them that go to serue the States For the second he reâ—tores that which they haue lent him paies in small summes the grosse which he had receiued in his necessity But the King hath two great occasions to be offended with the King of Spaine The one was that he refuseth to reuoake the impositioÌ„ of 30. in the 100. which he hath set vppon all Marchandize that goes in or comes out off Spaine Discomodities vpon the Inhibition of Trafficke Vpon this refusal he was couÌ„celled to forbid the French to Trafficke into Spaine or Flanders The MarchaÌ„ts of the Towns of Traffike made great sute to haue it taken awaye and deliuered in reason that deserued consideration if the King had not had others of greater importance the which made him to continue constant although he in his own priuate receiued more preiudice then any other by the great dimynution of his Customes But he respected not this losse in regard of a greater good hauing found that the continuance of the Trafficke which the French made into Spaine into the Archdukes Countries would be more ruinous then profitable vnto theÌ„ for the great and insupportable impositions which they lay vpon the Marchandize that went in or out off their Estates An Ambassador fâ—om the King of Cusco at Valence The King of Spaine should haue pleased many if hee would haue made shewe of this discontent vppon this Interdiction But he had other thoughts And hauing had some speech with the Ambassador of the King of Cusco at Valence many beleeued that he would againe attempt Algier for that he caused him to be conducted by a Maister of the Campe an Ingener with great store of munition and wilde fire laden in three Frigats This Inhibition did nothing alter the Peace of Veruins as they desired which cannot carry their Hands but vpon the pomells of their Swordes their Feet but vppon a breath and their eyes but vpon a place of Battaile but a wise Prince doth neuer vndertake any Warre lightly considering that the time of frindship is more sweete then that of reuenge Treason discouered The other cause of offence was that hee did withdrawe the Kings subiects from their faith and loyalties and that he alwaies entertained some Traitors in â—rance Desbarraux the Kings Ambassador in Spaine
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
Emperor fol. 475. King Francis challengeth the Emperor to the Combat fol. 476. Henry the eight King of England defies the Emperor and puts away his Wife ibid. The seege of Naples with the discommodities there of fol. 477. Phillipin Doria gets a victory at Sea and the successe thereof fol. 478 The reuolt of Andrew Doria with the great constancy of Lautrech fol. 479. Lautrech dies and the seege of Naples is raysed fol. 480. The French Army wholy ruined with the number that dyed at the seege of Naples fol. 481. Genoa recouered from the French fol. 482. A Peace concluded at Cambray betwixt the Emperor and the French King fol. 483. The Kings childrens ransome paid the Emperor returnes into Italy fol. 484. The Prince of Auranges slaine fol. 485. Causes of the Kings discontent fol. 486. A League of the Princes of Germany against the Emperor ibid. A League and interviewe betweene the Kings of England and France fol. 487. The Duchy of Britany incorporate to the Crown of France fol. 488. The Kings of England and France complaine of the Pope ibid. The Cardinalls meanes to winne the Pope fol. 489. The first motiue of the separation of the Church of England froÌ„ the Church of Rome fol. 490 The Pope excoÌ„municats the King of EnglaÌ„d ibid An entervew betwixt the Pope King fol. 492. The estate of England in 1534. fol 493. Charles the Emperors dissimulation fol. 494. The King discontent with the Duke of Sauoye conquers his Country fol. 495 Wars begin in Piemont fol. 496. The Emperors entry into Rome fol. 497. The Emperors protestation at Rome fol. 498. The Kings preparation for Warre with the treachery of the Marquis of Salusses fol. 499. Anthony de Lâ—ua forced to flie out off his Campe. fol. 500. The Emperors conceit of his passage into France fol. 502. Francis the Daulphin poysoned ibid. The Emperors passage into Prouence and the Kings order against him fol. 503 The defeate and taking of Monteian and Boisy fol. 504. The Earle of Nassaw in Picardy takes Guise and beseeges Peronne ibid. The Imperialls defeated fol. 506. Marseilles surprized by the Emperour in imagination fol. 507. The Daulphin comes to the Campe. fol. 508. Exploits in Piedmont fol. 509. The Imperialls retreat and burne Aix ibid. The cause of Warre betwixt 〈…〉 fol. 511. Pursute against the 〈…〉 〈◊〉 512 Hedin S. Paul and 〈…〉 S. Paul beseeged by the 〈…〉 Recouered by assault and 〈…〉 fol. 515. Therovenne victualed and the 〈…〉 and beaten Francis Marquis of Salusses slaine The Imperialls attempt 〈◊〉 and are 〈◊〉 fol. 518. Piedmont being like to be lost for waâ—t â—f money first the Daulphin and afterwaâ—d the King goes thither 〈◊〉 51â— An enteruiew at Nice with a Truce for ten yeaâ—s fol. 520. The Emperors passage through France fol. 521. The Kings Ambassadors surprized and murtâ—â—red â—ol 522. Ferdinands Army defeated by the Turke ibiâ— The Emperor goes to Algier without successe ibid. The reasons that moued the King to Waâ—â—â— fol. 523. Warre in Luxenbourg and in Rossillion with 〈◊〉 causes thereof â—â—l 524. Attempt of Rossillion fruitlesse fol. 526. War in Picardy and Piedmont 〈◊〉 A gallant stratageme of Monsieur de Lâ—ngâ—y fol. 527. A new French Army in Piedmont where Monsieur de Langey dyes fol. 528 The rebellion of the Rochellois and the Kings Clemency fol. 529. Exploytes in Picardy with the taking of Landrecy and other places by the French fol. 530. The Castle of Emery taken fol. 531. The Imperialls surprised at Bains fol. 532. The Imperialls charge the French in their lodging and are repulst fol. 5â—â— The King sends to succour the Duke of Cleues he yeelds to the Emperour fol. 534. Landrecie beseeged distrest and victualled fol. 535. A braue Retreat made by the French fol. 5â—6 Nice attempted by Barbarousse and taken but not the Castle Mont-deuis yeelded and the Capitulation bâ—â—ken â—ol 5â—7 The Imperialles desseigne the French preâ—â—preparations to fight with the sonnâ— of 〈◊〉 two Armies fol. 5â—8 5â—9 The battaile of Sâ—risoles which the Duke of Anguien winnes after hee had bin in grâ—at danger with the number of the dead and prisoners fol. 540.541 Effects following the victory 〈◊〉 542. Truce in Piedmont warre in Picardy â—ol 54â— Saint Desier beseeged after a furious assault yeelded fol. 544. The King of England takes Bullen and Montrueâ—l and defeates the French fol. 546.547 The French Kings Army against England fol. 548. The French consult to take the I le of wight and to fortefie it fol. 550. Death of the Duke of Orleance fol. 551. Discription and sack of the Land of Oye fol. 552. A great plauge in the forte before Bullen fol. 553. The death of the Duke of Anguien fol. 554. Of Henry the 8. King of England Ibiâ— Of Francis the 1. King of France Ibid. Henry the 2. of that name the 59. King of France THe Constable restored fol. 555. Henry the 2. crowned sends an Army into Scotland fol. 556. Cruelties coÌ„mitted by the rebells in Bordeaux La Vergnâ— drawne with foure horses Ibid. Trobles in England fol. 557. Peace with the English and warre with Italy fol. 559. A leauge betwixt the King and the Protestants of Germany fol. 560. The Kings Army enters into the Country of Metz. fol. 561. Metz yeelded to the French and beseeged againe by the Emperor fol. 562. The Imperialls spoile Picardy recouer Hedin retire from Metz. fol. 563. Terouenne and Hedin taken and sackt and the Duke of Arscot taken fol. 564. The two Armies meete fol. 565. The Arrierband of France defeated and warre beyond the Alpes fol. 566. Sienna in Italy beseeged fol. 567. The Emperor resignes his Kingdome to his sonne fol. 568. Valence and Ostia with other places recouered by the French fol. 569. The Battaile of S. Lawrence lost by the French Ibid. The Pope reconciles himselfe vnto the Spaniards fol. 570. A great Inundation at Rome Ibid. Calais recouered froÌ„ the English Anno. 1558. fo 571. Francis the Daulphin married to Mary Queene of Scotland Ibid. Persecution for religion certaine Councelors of the Parliament Imprisoned fol. 572. The death of Henry the 2. his children and dispotition fol. 573. Francis the 2. of that name the 60. King of France Factions and alterations in Court fol. 574. Anthony King of Nauar and the chiefe Officers of the Crowne disgraced in Court fol. 575. Anne de Bourg executed and a tumult at Amboyse fol. 576.577 The Protestants petition to the King fol. 579. An Assembly of Princes and Noble-men fol. 580. The King comes to Orleans and the Prince of Condo Imprisoned fol. 581. Commissioners to arraigne the Prince and condemne him fol. 582. The death of King Franciâ— the second fol. 583. Charles the 9. of that name the 61. King of France A Parliament held at Orleance put of to Ponthoise fol. 584.585 The Kings Coronation a conference at Poisy fol. 586. A Petition and Protestation made by the Protestants fol. 587. The King of Nauar forsakes the Protestants
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
Pironne and Ferrand to the Lovure at Paris All France made Bonfires for this happy successe and Philip built a Temple in honor of the holy Virgen which de called Victory nere vnto Senlis By a decree of the Parlament at Paris the Earledome of Flanders was adiudged vnto the King as forfeited who gaue it againe to Iane the heyre of the sayd Earledome being not guilty of her husbands trechery This memorable victory called the battel of Bovuens chanced in the yeare 1215. the 25. of Iuly To make his triumph absolute Philip gaue free passage to the Germaines and Otho the Emperor being returned to his house willingly resigned the Empire died of a pining griefe The Emperor diâ—s for grâ—eâ—e of his loâ—â—e diâ—grace which neuer left him after that shamefull flight hauing willingly sought his owne misery in supporting wrong against right and serching danger to perish in danger A notable example which shewes That victories come from the Eternall that mortall man dies before his time by his owne rashnes and that no vniust warre can bee succesâ—efull But what shall become of Iohn the onely motiue of this warre while the Emperor and the Earles of Flanders and Bullen great Princes whom he had imbarked be at warre hee remaines at home free from blowes attending the euent Seeing his Confederates thus defeated hee feares the whole storme will fall vppon him what doth hee hee playes at Double or Quit and flies to Innocent the fourth as to his Sanctuary And being forced to saue his Estate in this extremity he resolues to giue him a good part The Popes hatred with the power of France was the last end of his downe fall The Pope had excommunicated him not onely for the parricide of his Nephew Arthur but for the ill vsage of his Clergie To purchase so difficult an absolution there needed a great satisfaction He therefore sends confident men in all hast to Innocent 4. humbly beseeching him to pitty him in his calamity Iohn makes the realme of England tributarie to the Pope That if it would please him to receiue him into fauour and protect him against the King of France he would bind the realme of England and Seigneurie of Ireland to hold of him and his successors and in signe of obedience to pay him a yearely tribute of a thousand markes of siluer This franke offer caused Iohns Ambassadors to be well entertained Innocent â—ends his Legat presently to absolue him to passe the contract and to receyue the homages of fealtie as well of himselfe as of his subiecâ— Iohn is absolued hauing laid his Crowne Scepter Cloake Sword and King the royal enseigns of a King at the Legats feet Iohn doth homage to the Popes Legate he doth him homage for his realme of England kissing his feete as his tributarie and binds the English to the like duty by a sollemne oth He was also willing to discharge that which he had taken from his Clergie This shal be the means to make him loose both his estate and life This hapned in the yeare 1215. These things performed in England the Legate returnes into France and denonceth vnto Philip in the Popes name That hee should suffer Iohn to enioyne his realme of England in peace and freely to possesse the lands which he held by homage of the Crowne of France Moreouer that he should satisfie the great complaints which the Clergie of his realme had made against him restoring that which he had exacted from them during the warres vpon paine of excommunication if hee did not presently obey Philip promiseth to submit himselfe and before the Legates departure hee frees the Clergie of his realme of the tenths which he had exacted for the charge of the warres according to the decree of a Nationall Councell held at Soissons Iohn liues at peace in England for that which concerned Philip but see hee is the instrument of his owne miserie Being exhaust of meanes through the long and chargeable warres wherewith England had beene afflicted hee had bound himselfe to the Pope to restore vnto the Clergie all such summes of money as he had extorted from them during his troubles and for want of paiment he sees an excommunication readie the which was reuoked but vpon condition of obedience Iohns oppression oâ— his subiects the cause of his ruine Thus freeing the Clergie he sur-chargeth the people and pressed by the Pope to satisfie his command hee oppresseth his subiects by extraordinarie impositions and tyrannicall exactions adding force to his commands So as it fell out that as hee could not helpe the one without hurting of the other and that the people hate him commonly that wrongs them behold the English make strange complaints in Parliament against Iohn who doth incense them the more by his rigorous answers The English seeing themselues reiected by their King flie to extraordinarie remedies and being denyed iustice by him that should giue it they seeke it else where chosing a King in the place of a Tyrant France was their onely refuge in these extremities The English reiect â—ohn anâ— offer the realme to Philip. and therefore they send the chiefe Noblemen of the realme to Philip to offer him the Crowne of England promising to obey him as their lawfull King Philip who desired nothing more makes shewe to refuse it pretending both the truce made with Iohn and his worde passed to the Pope but vnder hand he sends them his sonne Lewis his faithfull Lieutenant giuing him a traine fitt for his person in so great an exploite Lewis hauing taken hostages of the English for assurance of their faith Lewis of France receiued by the English hee passeth into England being receiued of them all with great ioy as the Prince from whom they attended their health and quiet Hee makes his entrie into London which was the Rendezvous of his most confident friends and by their example many Ciâ—ties come and offer him obedience In the meane time complaints come to Philip from Pope Innocent as if hee had broken his faith and threats if hee did not repaire it Philip denies any breach of faith The Poâ—e sends to Philip â—or Iohn They bee sayd he the discontents of the English against Iohn whom they accuse to haue slaine Arthur their lawfull King and hauing free libertie to make a new election they repaired to his Sonne who was of age to gouerne himselfe for whose errors hee was not answerable But attending the end of this sute let vs returne to England 1217. Iohn held strong places Winchester whether hee had retired himselfe Windolisor or Windsor The Pope â—ends to Philip for Iohn Norwiche and Douer hee had likewise factions in other Citties Lewis hauing receiued homage from many of them commandeth his Armie to marche to reduce the Citties to obedience who for the most part receiued him willingly Norwiche yeeldes without any dispute from thence hee goes to Douer hauing attempted the Captaine
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
hundred men at armes Brittons vnder the command of the constable Clisson who was with the fleet in Brittaine They had a care safely to lodge this great army after their descent in England expecting with safety the variable euents of warre against a king and people whom they came to fight with on their owne dunghill To preuent all in conueniences they build a great frame or engine some attribute this inuention to the Constable Clisson others to Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France who had layde the first plot of this enterprise like to a towne of warre with towers bastions bulwarks A strong sort of wood made flankes and other defences according to the manner of that age There was a lodging for the King and his court according to the degrees of Princes Officers and Noblemen of marke Lodgings for the chiefe of the armie according to their quarters and space to set vp their tents and pauillions halls and common places for the munition and victualls which followed the army and to conclude conuenient roome to imbattell a great number of men of warre Thâ—s inclosure or frame was round and made of many peeces with admirable arte and so great aboundance of stuâ—fe as if they had cut downe a whole foâ—rest it was finished with wonderfull speede by the great number of workemen which came from all parts To the men shippes victualls and this engine the Kings court gaue an extraordinarye beauty being accompanied with the Dukes of Lorraine and Bar the Earles of Sauoy Armagnac Geneue S. Pol. Longueuille Eu Daulphin of Auuergne the Lord of Coussy Master William of Namur with all the great Barons of France and an infinite number of braue nobility who imbarked themselues more willingly then in the voyage to the holy land The preparation of the English for their defence Thus was the preparation made in France for England where they remayned in great perplexity to see so great a storme readye to fall vpon them They prouide the best they can first by deuotion hauing recourse vnto God then they fortifie their ports and all passages with great dilligence both with men of warre and all sorts of incombers to helpe those places which nature had made of hard accesse in this Iland They say that Richard leauied a hundred thousand foote and ten thousand horse which was not answerable to the Admirals relation the first Architect of this ridiculous attempt But thus are princes oft times abused imbarking themselues in dangerous actions without reason whose endes are not answerable to their beginnings All was ready in the end of September the King had prouided for the gouernement of the realme in his absence leauing his brother Lewis Earle of Touraine assisted with the Duke of Berry his vncle and the bishop of Beauuois his chancellour Thus he parts from Paris and comes to Scluse with great speed to recouer the time lost The Regent should not abandon his person in so long and important a voyage but he stayes behind the King promising to follow presently but his meaning was to bring this enterprise to nothing The king beeing arriued the howers of stay are tedious he tells the minutes and complaines of the time lost he sollicites his vncle to come by sundry letters The Regent seekes to ouerthrow the action and sends post after post he stampes he chafes by reason of his stay The whole Court is of the same humour The Duke of Aniou answers the King that he will part to morrowe but he stayes at Paris to make good cheere at leysure of purpose to draw on winter to make the voyage impossible and so to ouerthrow the action the which was neuer pleasing vnto him eyther for that it was pleasing to the Duke of Bourgongne his brother and so to crosse him or for that he held it preiudiciall to the King and his realme But seeing himselfe prest by importance and impatient letters from the King he parts from Paris and the same day the Constable Clisson waies anckor at Lantriguer in Brittaine with this great Towne of wood and seuenty two ships of warre meaning to ioyne with the whole bodye of the armie at Scluse but it fell out contrary to his disseine and otherwise then the facility of his supposed victory had represented vnto him For hauing â—un his course towards Flanders to take port at Scluse behold a contrarye wind casts him vpon the coast of England Part of the French nauie dispersed at sea where notwithstanding all the diligence of his Marriners his fleete was dispeâ—sed into diuers parts three ships wherein this great Engine was are driuen into England and runne on ground at the mouth of the Riuer of Thames Behold our Argonautes as much amazed to see themselues taken in a weyre as the English were glad who with ioy and admiration see themselues possessed beyond all hope and without any paine of that which had cost their enimies so much to ruine them These newes flie speedily to King Richard who commaunds this great booty to bee brought vp the riuer vnto him whether all the Country flocks to so strange a spectacle and euery one holds it for a presage of good successe to haue taken their Citty which should haue taken them An other part of the Fleet is driuen into Zealand and the Constable of Clisson with the rest arriues at Scluse much amazed at this first successe All their ioy of an assured victory is conuerted into a generall feare least some newe losse should followe this vnfortunate beginning The Regent opposeth himselâ—e directly against thiâ— voyage But whilest this amazement troubled most of the French the Duke of Bourgongne and those of his faction who desiâ—ed the performance of this voyage at any rate made these difficulties light as common accidents which should not hinder great enterprises the which cannot bee executed without some crosses for the which they must seeke a remedy and not dispaire He had perswaded the King againe easie to be drawne to what he desired Hereupon the Regent arriues who seeing the King resolued to imbarke vales his maske speakes plainely and tels the King in his Counsell That he will neuer consent he should expose his person and estate to the hazard of the sea of weather and of war and vpon an aduice which seemed apparently false being most certain that the King of England had assembled aboue a hundred thousand fighting men That these first losses were aduertisements froÌ„ heauen to bridle those vaine hopes which are sooner conceiued then brought forth He had alwayes sufficiently declared that it was not his aduice yet for that he would not seeme to contradict the Kings will crosse such as gaue him this councel as honorable to himselfe and profitable to his Realme he would not rashly oppose himselfe But seeing now that God spake he did open his mouth the more boldly bearing in his heart a faythfull zeale vnto the Kings seruice and the good of the State That
shortest errors being best it were better to retire in time then to make an absolute shipwracke of the Kings person and the honour and good of the Realme too much dismembred by former afflictions The enterprise broken off This checke from heauen which God had sent Winter and the feare of worse made the Regents aduice to be allowed both by the King and his councell who changed opinion for their voyage to England So this great interprise was disappointed being very preiudiciall to the poore people who endured the warre that their enemy should haue felt by an vnseasonable and excessiue charge I haue coated this action in the yeare 1381. vnder the Regency of the Duke of Aniou I know some attribute it to the Duke of Berry but I haue followed the first opinion vpon the relation of true Authors and as it shall appeare by the progresse of this report most likely This action was the cause of seditions at Paris and Rouen bred without doubt by the discontent of this bad gouernement for this great shewe so incensed the people beeing weary and greiued to haue borne so great a burthen for so vaine an enterprise as they rise at Paris Rouen Amiens Pottiers Lions and many other Citties by this new occasion which presently succeeded the first folly The Regent was blamed by the people to haue beene too slacke in his oppositioÌ„ against this preparation for England Sedition at Paris and the chiefe in Court hated him for beeing so hastie for that he was the onely staie thereof Thus ill thought of by both he was maligned of all handes It chanced the realme of Naples was offered vnto him by Queene Ioane and Pope Clement the 7. This was his whole desire but he must conquere it by dint of sword The title only was offered him Naples offered to the Regent both by her that might giue it as being heire and by him that might confirme the donation as being Pope All the Kings councell being weary of the Regents coÌ„mand wished to see him gone but they must flie to the people for money the which was hard to get as experience did witnesse Presently as they heare talke at Paris of a newe imposition although they sweetned these bitter pilles with the goodly name of subsidies all the world begins to crie out and from Paris this bâ—uâ—te flies through the whole Realme The people runâ—e tumultuously to the Greue they desire the Prouost of Marchants to bring them to the Regent thâ— which he delayes from day to day by excuses but in the end he cannot retaine them A great multitude runs to the Regents lodging they giue him to vnderstand by their Prouost into what extremity they were brought and vrge the late superfluous expences To what ende then say they serues a new warre to conquere a new kingdome in the aire with the ruine of the widow and the Orpheline This was not decreed noâ— practised by the good and wise King Charles wherevnto he had bound his sonne who should not suffer the memory of his fathers ashes to be taxed with this dishonour The Chancellour Dormans speakes at the Regents request he layes before their eyes the necessity of this voiage wherby both the King and realme might reape profit honour promising the King should prouide for the reliefe of the people This was gently put off to make them loose this humour in diuiding them but the people continue more obstinate they require a plaine resolute answer to their demaund so as the next day they come in troupe before the Kings lodging where the whole Councell was assembled with the Regent The King giues audience to the prouost of Merchants in the peoples name who deliuers the same complaints Then Iohn de Marais an aduocate in Parliament an eloquent and popular man prepared carefully for the purpose makes a goodly and artificiall oration to diuert the people from this bitternesse laying before them their duties the necessity of the Kings affaires and the good which should redounde by the enterprise of this forraine warre He omitted nothing of the office of a good Orator but he preuayled not for the people going from thence without respect of the King or his Councell runne presently to the Iewes Lombards and such other Marchants houses as had beene accustomed to gather all publike exactions they breake vp their shopps and counting houses they take away what was good and ill intreate all such as they meete of that profession yet they kill no man in this first tumult The Regent winking at this insolencie and fearing least it should encrease by moouing the people alreadie in choller thinks it best to referre the matter to an other time vntill the fume of this bitter discontent were blowen ouer aduâ—rtisments comming from all parts of the realme that the Citties grewe into the like humour But all this disswads him not from his enterprise he imployes all such as he thinks fit to winne the people Iohn of Marais Peter de la Riuiere Iames Andelle and such like Tribuns who seemed to be in credit with the people in shewing themselues affected to the common good And to loose no time he prepars his armie being resolute to leuie this imposition byforce whatsoeuer it cost The farmors of this leuie haue charge to beegin it A Colâ—ector at the Hales requiring a denier from a poore gardiner for a basket of herbes she crying out a great troupe flocke about this Collector and teare him in peeces But this is not all in this tumult all runne to gither on heaps Porters Pedlers The Parisiâ—â—â— in 〈◊〉 Cartâ—rs Butcheâ—s Tauerners and such like the scumme of the baser sort they goe in troupes to the Towne house they breake open the doores and take such armes as they finde By the Constables command they had made beetles or axes to arme their men withall they take them and so vse them as this sedition was afterwards called by the name of Maillotins Being thus armed they goe to the Farmers Lodgings beat downe the doores breake open cofers cubberds and coumpting houses they drawe forth their books and papers they teare and buâ—ne them they take away money and mouables and in the ende they kill and massaker all the farmers they can finde searching all corners of their houses They crie that one had saued himselfe in Saint Iames Church at the Butchery they runne theâ—her and murther him holding the image of the blessed virgin in his armes The cruelâ—â—nsolency of thâ— Parisiâ—ns Some saue themselues in Saint Germains Abbay where they are presently beseeged But whilest that some labour after this seege the rest runne to the prisons of the Chastelet and Fourl'Euesque where they release the prisoners and arme them They bethinke themselues of a head there was a very sufficient man in prison named Hugh Aubriot who in former times had beene Prouost of the Marchants and had with honour executed great charges both in the Treasorie and State but
authority and the Daulphins who was heire apparent to the Crowne of France the capitall Citty of the realme the aâ—pâ—â—bation of the best Cities most of the Prouinces and wâ—thout comparison gâ—eateâ— means of himselfe both for men and mony Thâ—s â—â—cond warre continued a veare it began in Iuly 1411. and ended the yeare afâ—eâ— 1412. in the same moneth far more variable and violent then the first and memoâ—â—ble in this that the vanquished was victor and the victor vanquished The same authoâ—itie which had supported the stronger was in the ende fauorable to the weaker â—uch as most pleased their masters humor receiued death of him for their reward Very necesâ—aâ—â— obsâ—â—uations to iudge of these Ciuill warres The Orlean faction went first to field They were about seuen or eight thousand horse The number of their foote is not specified 1411 Charles Duke of Orleans makes the body of his army in Gastinoâ—s the Duke of Bourbon in Bourbonois and the the Earle of Alenson in Vermandoâ—s Peronne Chauny Neele and Han yeeld vnto them Clermont which belonged to the Duke of Bourbon is fortified they seeke to surprise Reteil and Bapaumes but in vaine This was the first sally begun by them of Orleans But the Bourguignon takes an other course he prepares the Kings Edicts against them he imployes the peoples force within the Citties and armes in field and all availes him at the first He had a great army both of horse and foote the which doth presently march into Picardy where the Orleanois had begun and easily recouers what they had gotten Han standes resolute they beseege take spoile and sacke it The Flemings which were vassalls to the Duke of Bourgongne being laden with spoile craue leaue to returne home neyther could the Dukes promises nor threats retayne them but they leaue his army and depart This had almost ouerthrowne his affaiâ—es he abandons Mondidier the which was presently surprised by Peter of Quesnes Lord of Gannes of the Orlean faction and putting his army into garrisons doubting the euent of this warre he sends with all speede to Henry the 4. King of England crauing succors in this necessity The Bourâ—ignon crâ—ues aide of the King of England Henry makes his profit of these ciuill dissentions in France he presently sends twelue hundred men to the Bourguignon to supply the Flemings want vnder the commande of Thomas Earle of Arondel The Orleanois loose no time and for their neâ—rer approch to Paris they surprise Saint Denis and Saint Cloud places of importance and fortifie Corbeil for the passage of the riuer of purpose to famish this great Cittie which liues by dayly prouisions brought from diuers parts But hee findes one to countermine his practises vsing the same instrument he had imployed to hurt him The Orleanois keeping the field about Paris must needes be the cause of great calamities And all this was acted in the viewe of the King and Daulphin Iohn informes the King of his enemies insolencie who without appealing to his Maiestie presumed to spoile the heart of Francâ— as if they were strangers or enemies Charles apprehends this error but too easily Tâ—e King Daâ—â—pâ—iâ— incensed against the Duke of Orleans desiring nothing but rest but Lewis the Daulphin especially is incensed by these informations and his chollâ—r encreaseth daâ—ly against his Cousins of Orleans The Bourguignon saied that they played the Kings and could not conceale their intention which was to seize on the Crowne seeing they presumed to take armes against the King There are rigorous Edicts made against the Orleans faction as against rebelles and guilty of high treason All their goods honours and persons are confiscate which remayne in thâ—s army if within fiâ—teene dayes after publication of the Kings letters pattents they retire not themselues to their houses And to begin with thegreatest Charles of Albret Constable of France and Arnolde of Corby the Chanceâ—lor are dâ—spossessed of their dignities and the Earle of Saint Pol preferred to the first place and Dolâ—haing the Duke of Bouâ—gongnes aduocate to the last This stormâ— makes worke at Paris they seeke out all of the Orleans partie and presently cast theÌ„ into prison The Parisienâ— mutine against the Orlean faction Peter of Essars being restored to his place remembers the article made against him at Wincestre and aâ—mes the people against them Whosoâ—uer is found out by the Parisiens bâ—eing of the Orleans faction hee is brought with hazard of his lâ—fe to prison All is lawfull in this popular rage so it bee against the Armagnacs All these engins forced from diuets parts do strangely shake the Orlean partie Such as were restrayned within any Townes duâ—st not breath and many in the army slippe away daily fearing the rigour of these Edicts which were executed withall seueritie Chaâ—les Duke of Orleans hauing taken counsell of the Princes and Noblemen his associaâ—s what course to followe in this alteration before a greater in conueniency resolues to drawe the Bourguignon to battaile although he were fortified with these new forces from England So as hauing passed the riuer of Oyse vpon a bridge of boats all the passages being seized on by the Bourguignon in the Kings name he presents himselfe before the gates of Clermont in Beauuoisis 1412. where Iohn his capitall enemie remayned The Orleans aâ—my yet faire beautified with the presence of great personages the Duke of Bourbon the Eaâ—les of Alenson Clâ—rmont Albret Vertus Vienne Bouciquaut the Archbishop of Sens brother to that Montagu which was beheaded Craon Montbason Hangest with many Batons Knights and Squiers all resolute to ende this quarrell by battaile and to that ende hauing defied the Duke of Bourgongne they attend him betwixt Clermont and Cathenay But the Bourguignon leauing them there to spoile that goodly and fertill country of the Isle of France whereby they increased the hatred and curse of the people more incensed then euer against these Aâ—magnacs exclayming of him as of a coward that durst not fight he arriues at Paris to the peoples great content who attende him with all deuotion Hee presently takes Saint Cloud and Saint Denis from the Orlean partie to their great losse notwithstanding any diligence of Charles their head who proclaymed a victory before the combaâ—e Thus Paris is freed without any restrainte and all the Orleans partie brought verie lowe Neyther Charles noâ— his Associats talke any more of fighting with the Bourguignon they had worke inough to retyre themselues and to defend their Townes expecting a present seege Iohn of Bourgongne failes not to husband this good successe and â—o countenance his forces hee doth intangle the King and Daulphin in the pursuâ—e of his enemies halfe vanquâ—shed So his victorious army enters into Beausse turning head towards the Country of Orleans the inheritance of his chiefe enemie Esâ—ampes yeelds â—o the King The Duke of Bourbon is there taken prisoner and sent presently into Flanders Whilest that all things succeeded thus
forbidden vpon paâ—ne of death and the English come to the succor of the associat Princes to bee satisâ—â—ed out of the Kings tâ—easor Without the Cittie of Auxerre neeâ—e to the Abbie of Saint Mâ—riâ—â— a stately scaffold was made where the King sitting in his seat of Iustice enuironed with his Princes the officers of his Crowne and the chiefe deputies of the Parliament the peace was proclaymed with as great ioy as the warre had beene tedious and mournfull To confirme this peace with Iohn of Bourgongne Philip Earle of Vertus married his daughter but all this could not reconcile him to the house of Orleans The Daulphin reioyced much at this peace and made all shewes of loue to his Cousins lately reconciled being greeued to haue bin so long dissentioÌ„ betweene them desirous â—o repaire what was past aboue all to maintaine an inviolable peace wâ—thin the Realme The good sicke King present at all yeelding his consent and authority somtimes inclyned to good sometimes to ill Queene Isabel held with the strongest but all these good motions were crossed by the Bourguignon so as all the confusions of this raigne are not yet ended Iohn of Bourgongne seeing himselfe crost by Lewis the Daulphin and the house of Orleans restored to grace stirres vp newe troubles from the yeare 1412. Vnto 17. when as the Daulphin died but the troubles ceassed not FRance began to hope for better by the meanes of Lewis the eldest Sonne to King Charles hauing a desire to make a peace against the Bourguignons will But this was not all they expected of the Daulphins first resolution yet the weakenesse of the sicke King The Boâ—â—guignons 〈◊〉 in Court and the inconstancie of his yong Lieuâ—enant gaue the subtill braine of Iohn of Bourgongne too great an aduantage to suffer the French to enioy the fruiâ—s of peace so much desired who neuer yeelded to baâ—e threats but grewe more resolute And notwithstanding this alteration of the Daulphin his sonne in lawe yet he left not the Court being alwayes neere the King keeping the Councel in breaâ—h who were for the most part all on his side and although they worshiped the Sunne rising yet seeing the spirit â—f this yong Prince to be weake and inconstant and the Bourguignons fiâ— me resolutâ—on they stood vpon their gard doing nothing that might openly offend eyther the one or the other but vnder hand they sought to please the most polâ—â—â—ke and redoubted maister who else mâ—ght proue a most cruell and dangerours enemie Thus were affaires handled in the Kings councell And as not only the Court but the whole world is an ebbing and flowing of diuers humors the which doe change according to occasions and the scaffold whereon dissembling trechery and treason play their parts diuersly so at that time the Bourguignon a principall artisan of these goodly shewes found an ample subiect wherein to imploie his filthy trade But although he seemed to haue gained all whatsoeuer he desired that should come to passe and to haue attayned the full of his desires yet all his enterprises came to nothing and in the end he paied with the price of his bloud the great debt of his horrible wickednesse But this acte shall haue manie Scenes In the first our History shall set downe the new gouerment of Lewis the Daulphin The estate of the Court vnder Lewis the Daulphin This yong Prince was not capable of so great a charge hauing an idle braine being carelesse and voluptuous giuen to his owne will obstinate taking no aduice from any but of himselfe or from yong men of his owne humour loth to yeeld to any that vnderstood more then himselfe and especially to his vncles whose graue haires he disdained neither could he loue his father in lawe being resolued to gouerne the realme alone The Queene seeing her Sonnes humour inclyned to loue the house of Orleans made shew to fauour them but in effect she was indifferent being wholy giuen to flatter which her husband and to gouerne him according to the time The Bourguignon dissembling his sonne in Lawes wayward humours was alwayes neer the King giuing him such goodly reasons as the good Prince could not gainsaie him The subiect of his sutes was pleasing to the Parisiens whose good liking he entertained carefully but alwayes with an intent to bee reuenged of his enemies vnder this goodly name of the common wealth as the soueraigne ende of all his desseins but in effect he held still one of the cheefest places not yeelding in any thing to gouerne them which seemed to rule and to keepe backe such as might crosse his authoritie By the peace of Bourges the Constable of Albret should bee restored to his dignitie and Arnold of Corbie to his Chancellourship They delaie them from daye to day but in the ende they are restored with much difficultie The meanest haue many delaies more troublesome then a flat repulse being more willing to leaue al then to make these frutlesse poursuites Arnold of Corbie being honorably restored to his place resigned it into the Kings hands to auoide the danger of so confused a time more wisely then Henry of Marle that suceded him being slaine at the massacre at Paris with the Constable of Armagnae But the Bourguignons flew a higher pitche then to preiudice the house of Orleans in their goods and honors or to crosse their affaires and their followers The Bourguignons resolution He found no better expedient then to do as he had doone with Lewis their father for a dead Lion doth no harme To this ende he assembles some of his most trustye followers at Paris to finde meanes to murther the Dukes of Orleans Berry and Bourbon But Peter of Essars one of his most violent partisans discouered this practise for the which hee soone after smarted By the treatie of Bourges the Englishe which came to the Duke of Orleans succour must be satisfied They presse for paiement one part being discharged to the Duke of Orleans great hindrance he was forced to leaue his brother Iohn Earle of Angoulesme in in hostage for the rest Being carried into England he was in the end redeemed after much trouble and many dâ—laies In this article the Bourguignon made shew of his good husbandrie solliciting the English vnder hand on the one side for to presse Charles his principall debtor and on the other side he cried out against the disorder of the Kings treasor so â—ll gouerned as there was not sufficient to furnish the ordinarie expences of his house pretending all these great summes to be wasted either by the Tresorers in gifts or in superflous expences This complaint was very plausible but it was a pitfall to catch his enemies to muâ—ine this discontented people by reason of their great oppression 1413. being easie to be mooued at the name of the common weaâ—e He soone obtayned from the King a generall conuocation of the chiefe Citties to reforme the abuses of the Realme and
but we sought our owne decay The Constable Albret comanded â—he foreward that day and with him were the Dukes of Orleans Bourbon the Earles of Eu and of Richemont the Lord of Bouciquault Marshal of France the Lord of Dampierre Admiral The Battaile was led by the Duke of Bar and the Earles of Alenson Vaudemont Neuers Blamon Salines Grandpre and Roussy The Reerward by the Earles of Marle Dampmartin and Fouquembergue The King of England forced â—o fight Henry being denied pasâ—age by the Constable resolues to fight puâ—ting his trust in God and in his owne valour determining to vanquish or to die He made choise of a place of hard accesse and the better to fortifie his archers euery one had a sharpe stake planted before him The French ordered as before attended their enemies either looking who should begin the game Impatiencye forceth the weaker like desperate men the English Archers being in fight with such a furie as the French foreward cannot endure the violent fal of this furious storme the CoÌ„stable Albret was slaine fighting in the foremost ranke The Duke Anthony of Brabant brother to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne seeing this disorder leaues his troupe to redresse it but he was also slaine by the English bowe men And gets the victorie with his bâ—other Philip Earle of Neuers The battaile was likewise foâ—ced after a great fight The reerward fled and saued them selues in the neerest places of retreate So as the losse was not so great as the shame and ouerthrow They number ten thousand men slaine but their rashenes was inexcusable The head smarâ—ed for it and the Bourguignons brethreÌ„ had there an honorable tombe Charles Duke of Orleans Lewis of Bourbon the Eaâ—ls of Eu Richemont Vendosâ—e the strongest pillers of the Orlean faction with many Noblemen and Gentlemen were taken and led into England This deâ—eat chancâ—d the 20. of Ocâ—ober in the yeare The Battaile of Agincourt 1415. called the euill Battaile of Agincourt And as one mischief comes neuer alone the bodies at this defeat were scarce buried before Lewis the Daulphin dies This Lewis eldest Sonne to our Charles Sonne in Law Lewis the Daulpâ—in dies and a terror to the Bourguignon was little lamented of the people and lesse oâ— his father in Law who hated him to the death A Prince of little valour and much toâ—le more busied with himselfe then with the affaires he managed the which he made troublesome by his insufficiencie presumptioÌ„ to know much His disposition vnwilling to learne fâ—om others what he vnderstood not for the good of the State and his owne duty Iohn Duke of Touraine his brother succeded him in the first degree of the Prince of the bloud The Duke of Berry dies and the Earle of Armagnaâ— was made Constable in the place of Charles of Albret who shall minister good occasion to speake both of his life and death Iohn Duke of Berry brother to our Charles the 5. augmented these losses A wise Prince and louing Learning coÌ„mendable in al things but for his couetousnes the which made his vertues of lesse fame A blemish very il beeseming a generous and heroicke spirit These great losses should haue made the Bourguignon humble but he became more insolent making new practises to raise him selfe hauing no competitor Imbracing this ocasion he gatheâ—s togither what troupes he can with an intent to go to Paris The Queene and Constable of Armagnac vnwilling he shoud come armed comand him in the Kings name not to aproch The Parisiens were not then so well conceited of the Bourguignon being restrained by the court vnâ—uersitie but especially by the Kings authoâ—ity being present who spake whatsoeuer his wife the Constable would haue him being then alone in authority in the Kings Councell The Bourguignons troupes kept the field 1416. committing all kinde of insolencies and spoyles against whom the King made Edicts as against common theeues The Bourguignon renewes the warre giuing the people liberty to kill them But this did nothing mollify the heart of this reuengefull Prince borne for his Countries misery hauing no other intent but to afflict it wâ—th new calamityes To this ende as in the Kings sicknesse the Daulphin had the name and authority of the State he sought to winne the fauour of Iohn succeeding in the right of his brother deceased This occasion was offered but the issue was contrary to his desseine The misery of our France was such as the common duty of humanity moued forraine nations to pitty foreseeing our ruine if the warre betwixt France and England continued In this common desire The Emperor Sigismond comes into Francâ— the Emperour Sigismond by the consent of the Germans came into France His traine and the good worke he vndertooke deseâ—ued an imperiall Maiestie but the ende will shew hâ—s intent to be other then he protested Being arâ—iued in France to the great content of all the French he findes our Charles at his deuoâ—ion who receiued him with all the pompe he could giue to so great a Monarch making shewe of the great desire hee had to make a peace betwixt the French and the English for the generall good of both estates But this accord was but halfe made The Emperour hauing remained some time with Charles goes into England where he findes Henry of an other humour puft vp with the happy successe of his affaires the weakenesse of ours and in trueth the measure of our miseries was not yet full So Sigismond hauing perswaded Henry in vaine returnes into France Charles to honour him sends his sonne Iohn Duke of Touraine and Daulphin of Viennois into Picardie to meete him hauing married the daughter of the Earle of Hainault as great a friend to the Bourguignon as ill affected to the French The Emperour seeing his labour lost in seeking this reconciliation takes his shortest course into Germany leauing a reasonable subiect to the cleare-sighted The Daulphin Iohn fauours the Bourguignon to iudge that he had an other intent then to settle a peace in France by countenancing of the Bourguignon the instrument of her miseries for after this yong pâ—â—nce had spoken with the Emperour he is wholy changed in fauour of the Duke of Bourgongne and resolues to â—andy with him against the Duke of Orleans This foundation beeing laid by the Emperours pollicy it was fortified by the Earle of Hainault father-in-law to Iohn the Daulphin Nowe he imbraceth the greatest and most dangerous enemie of all true Frenchmen with a wonderfull affection But the subtill is taken in his own snate the end doth often bewray the intent As all things tended to a manifest change by meanes of this yong Prince inchaunted by his charmes hauing a spirit like vnto waxe apt to receiue any impressions from so subtill an artisan as the Bourguignon behold death cuts off all these hopes The Daulphin Iohn dies cast in the mould of
men and gentlmen which had assisted these murtherers died of the plague except Lisle-Adam who was reseâ—ued to receiue his punishment from King Henry of England although vpon an other occasion as you shall see here after And was not this God who reuenged this crueltie But let vs returne to our discourse for seeiâ—g the punishment was so sodaine we might not well remit the rehersall to any otherplace Charles lookes but coldly vpon his wife whome he loued not neither in health or sickenesse Hee welcomes the Duke of Bourgongne with a cheerefull countenance who had wonne his heart by framing himselfe to his weakenesse with mild speeches shewes of honour and apparant humility Impressions of common sense whereof phrensie for the most part doth not depriue mad men The Bourguiguon alters all at Paris The Kings councell assembled presently many things were propounded the first day they began with Officers the Constables place was confirmed to the Duke of Lorraine and the Channcellors hip to Eustache of Lastre Lislle Adam and Chastelus are made Marshalls of France for their well deseruing at the masaker at Paris Our Bourguignon creates Charles of Lens Admirall of France being Captaine of Paris and Phillip of Moruilliers the Queenes Aduocate first President of the Court of Parliament The English take all Normandie During this confusion Henry King of England makes other worke He was in Normandy taking Townes and Castles without any resistance Touques a Câ—stell held impregnable was forced by him during the passions of our mad-men as the first fruites of his conquestâ— Louuiers Pont larche Caen Cherebourg Falaisse Argenton Alencon Constance S. Lo and other places followed to make the way open to Rouen without any great difficulty Rouen is besieged in a manner the very day of the massaker at Paris Henry doth assault it with all the force and policie he can as the Dongeon and chiefe strength of all Normandy Rouen besieged taken The cittizens giue a testimony of good and faithfull subiects by their valour and constancie They demand sucâ—ours from the King with a protestâ—tâ—on of the euent The Court makes shew to stirre and to prouide for their defence but what remedy can the dead giue vnto the sicke In the ende after all their resistâ—â—ce seeking to maintaine themselues vnder the obedience of France Rouen yeelds to Henry King of England vppon hard conditions All yeeldâ— vnto King Henry To paye him three hundred sixty fiue thousand Crownes of gold and three Cittizens at his choise to doe his pleasure And so he suffered them to inioy their priuileges Of the three which he had chosen to punish he pardoned two and caused Alain â—lanchart Captaine of the commons to bee beheaded worthy to be eternized in our history dying for the seruice of his Kâ—â—g and countrye in a time so famous for so desperate a confusion The sequile waâ— great for not onely all the Townes of Normandy yeeld vnto him but also the Iâ—â—e of France was so amazed as all obey hiâ— euen to the gates of Paris where the fuâ—â—e of our miserable dissentions prepared a Throne for the sworne enemye of 〈◊〉 Realme I am weary to report our shamefull losses as reuiuing our old soares Henry migâ—t haue grauen in his triumph I came I sawe and oâ—crâ—â—me onely Mont S. Michel in Normandy was maintained vnder the obedience of our crowne through the vallour 〈◊〉 some Gentlemen Normans whose names the history owes to posterity Iohn 〈◊〉 Montfort Duke of Britanie seeing this happie sucsesse makes composition wâ—tâ— tâ—e English shrowding him selfe vnder his protection but he shall soone leaue him 〈◊〉 a more happie season shall make him turne to the Daulphin In this shipwracke the Queene and the Bourguignon had meanes to glut their ambition and furie at Paris beholinge the ruine of France hoping that in all extremities they should make their peace with the King of Ingland at their Countries cost hauing a daughter for a paâ—â—e and confirmation of this accord They send Ambassadors to Henry King of England being a Conquerour and â—or a baite they carry the portrait of Katherine of France the Kings daughter a Princesse of excellent beauty who must likewise bee the Leuiâ—n of our miserie But Henry finding this figure to be faire The Bourguignon treates with the English but in vaine desires to see the essentiall substance so as the Queeâ—e and the Borguignon gouerning the spirit of this poore sicke King conducts 〈◊〉 person with his daughter to their enimy neere to Meulan to aduise of a meanes for a generall peace but they departed without any conclusion by reason of the great demaunds which Henry made puft vp with this victorious successe seeking to sell â—is friendship at too high a rate Yet the image of Katherine had made an impression in his heaâ—t beeing much discontented that they had refused her with these conditions The Bourguignon likewise found lesse kindnesse then he expected and returned maleconâ—nt for that Henry puft vp with these fortunate incounters and carried away with hope of future victorye spake more proudly then the Bourguignons humour could well digest which was the cause of his destemperature He growes discontented and seekes to reconcile himselfe to the Daulphin for Hâ—nry said in his choler That he would haue both daughter and Bealme whosoeuer said nay and that there was no sufficient security for what they promised seeing the Daulphin did â—ot consent theâ—eunto A pill which the Bourguignon could not easily swallow So he chawed vpon this speech of the English which drewe him to his ruine for euen then he beganne to study by what meanes he might reconcile himselfe vnto the Daulphin hoping to fiâ—de a better composition with a yong Prince his kinsman and weary of the warres then with the English growne insolent by his victories Charles was not quâ—et in minde fearing least in these treaties they should conclude something to his preiudice So as they both inclined to an accord but vppon diuers causes to oppose against their common enimie with a common force But before we shewe the effect of this common desire we must see both the estate of our Daulphin since hee retired himselfe from Paris and of the Bourguignon since hee became Tribune of the people Although this terrible storme might haue shaken the young yeares of the Daulpâ—in Charles vnacquainted with the affaires of the world and his disposition inclining to pleasure seemed vnfit to indure much paine and toyle The Daulphinâ— estate yet the effects at need shewed his constant resolution against all difficulties They attribute this consâ—ancie and resolution to the faithfull councell of his seruants yet was it much for him to follow it Tannegay of Chastell Iohn Louuet president of Prouence the Vicont of Narbone and Robert Masson were those which serued him most for Councell in the beginning but God soone after did raise him vp strong hands to mannage armes couragiously and valiantly La Hire Pothon
with profit it is necessary to distinguish it in order There are three parts famous both for the subiect and successe The first shewes the confused and troublesome beginning of this raigne The order of this discourse vntill our Charles was sollemnely installed King and thereby acknowledged of all the French for vntill that day the greatest part called him Earle of Ponthiâ—ure or King of Bourges in mockerie and such as were more modest termed him Daulphin of Viennois The second putts him in possession of his royall authoritie shewing by what meanes he reduced the Citties subdued by the English to his obedience beginning with the Cittie of Paris and so proceeding to the rest of the Realme expelling the English from all but onely Calais The third shewes the ende of this raigne discouering the Kings domesticall discontents which hastened him to his graue after the happy euents of all his difficulties So this raigne continued thirty nine yeares variable in good and euill The beginning difficult the middest happy and the ende mournfull This is the Theater of mans life where ioye sorrow happinesse and misfortune play their parts diuersly both with great and small Charles the 7. was one and twentie yeares old when hee began to raigne and raigned 39. yeares for after the decease of his father Charles the 6. hee tooke vpon him the name of King of France notwithstanding the pretension of the English the 22. of October in the yeare Charles his raigne 1422. he died the thirteenth of Iuly .1461 He was married at aleuen yeares of age to Marie the daughter of Lewis of Duke Aniou and King of Sicile By this marriage hee had three Sonnes and fiue Daughters His sonnes names were Lewis Philip and Charles Lewis the eldest shall succed him to the Crowne Philip died very yong Charles liued somewhat longer but without any great successe His childeren hauing only the titles of the Dukedomes of Berry Normandie and Guienne His daughters were Radegonde Yoland Catherine Iane and Magdaleine The first died being betrothed to Sigismond Duke of Austria Yoland was married to Amedee Duke of Sauoie Catherine to that great Charles Duke of Bourgongne who shall be his owne ruine Iane to Iohn Duke of Bourbon and Magdalein to Gaston Earle of Foix and this was his race His manners and disposition His manners will appeere by his life he was of a tractable and gentle disposition capable of counceil but louing his ease too much and suffring himselfe to bee often carried away by his seruants And yet as God would vse him for the establishing of the French Monarchie so did he bring him vp in the schole of affliction to fortifie him against all difficulties assisting him with great worthie persons both for warre and councell by whose meanes he did raise vp this estate yet with great and confused combats and by a long and painfull patience But let vs proceede to that which hath chanced vnder his raigne most worthy of obseruation The miserable estate of this raigne vnto the Coronation of Charles the 7. during seauen yeares From the ende of the yeare 1422. vnto .29 in the moneth of Iune when as hee was solemnly installed King in the Cittie of Poitiers SVCH was the estate of Charles when his fathers death called him to the Crowne Wee haue seene after that the miseries of France had caused his mother Isabell to forget her owne bloud making him to bee reiected from the Crowne and Henry the 5. King of England substituted in his place yet he fainted not in these extreamities but did valiantly withstand the pretended desseignes by whose death God soone laid the foundation of this realmes restoring Yet after the death of King Henry the 5. Charles was incountred with infinite difficulties He had small meanes fewer friends and many mighty enemies He scarce enioyned the least part of his estate followed by intreatie and obeyed by halues euen of such as made profession to be most faithfull The Citties had diuers motions Diuersitie of humours in the Citties as priuate interest drew mens mindes to that partie which they held most profitable There were but too many which followed the fortune of the English being a Conquerour the corruption of man inclining commonly to the stronger But amidest these vncertaine humours of people The enemies of Charles he had enemies which incountred him with aduantages apparently victorious for Henry the 6. although he were very young yet did he exceed him in all things he had a realme hereditarie and absolute The King of England the best part of the French Monarchie the assistance of the Duke of Bedford his Vncle with many worthy men and great meanes To these enemies were ioyned some great men which fished in a troubled streame euery one imagining to haue a part of this garment building their desseignes vpon the Sepulcher of Charles and the alteration of the State Among the chiefest were Philip Duke of Bourgongne Amedee Duke of Sauoie Peter Duke of Brittaine with his Brother the Earle of Richemont Diuers instruments vnder that great engin of England but all these motions were to ruine France and to build their greatnesse vpon her ruines The Burguignon who had a great hand in the State was most interessed and most opposite to Charles being apparently the author of his fathers murther The Duke of Bourgongne Yet Philip a iudicious Prince so hated him whom necessitie commanded him to hate in this accident as if he should loue him in time not wedding himselfe absolutely to the English yet did he so worke for him in shew as making himselfe in effect the stronger he might counterpeise him if necessitie required and strike the last stroake for him to whom the French should incline Reason likewise taught him that the people would respect the lawfull heire of the Crowne louing their Prince naturally and in the end would reiect the Stranger as an vnlawfull Tenant who made himselfe daily insupportable by his imperious cariage Amedee Duke of Sauoye being on the Stage and farre from blowes kept the stakes and entertained Charles The Duke of Sauoye as if he should be an assured mediator in these quarrels to end them with more aduantage then any Christian Prince and so he nourished this diuision by a strict intelligence which he had with the Bourguignon As for the humour of the two Brethren of Brittaine the course of the Historie will soone shew it Thus Charles charged by many enemies The Duke of Britaine had few faithfull and confident friends and in that golden age so small meanes to entertaine his friends as he could hardly supply the ordinary charges of his traine selling and ingaging peece after peece of his inheritance So as he had nothing more assured then the equitie of his cause and his resolution in this great necessitie He had yet some good friends remaining in Scotland whom he bought dearely Charles aduanceth Scottishmen aduancing them to
first motions put Charles in some hope of a better estate but behold a newe checke which cooles his courage At the same time that hee made his leauie in Scotland the Duke of Exeter prepared a great armie in England to releeue the Duke of Beford his brother that hee might haue meanes to contynue the warres in France There comes vnto him eight thousand archers and eighteene hundered men at armes For the imploying of these men Nâ—we forces â—aised in England he beseegeth Galardon taketh it at his first approch and without the losse of any houre hee plants himselfe before Yury and at the same instant all his forces come to him vnder the commande of the Earle of Salisburie The army being thus increased he presseth the seege Girault of Paliere held the Towne for the King The Duke of Bedford summons him to yeeld it â—iraud demandes respit to aduertise the King Charles was then at Tours well accompanied both of his subiects and forraine friends for after the defeat of Creuant foreseeing that the English would pursue the cause with more violence hee had prouided men to oppose against them The Marshall Du-glas Duke of Touraine by his newe pourchase â—ad brought him succors from Scotland The Vicont of Narbonne a goodlie troupe from Languedoc the which was the flower of the whole army The Duke of Alencon the Earles of Aumale Ventadour Tonerre Du-glas Moiry the Viconte of Mardonne the Lords of Fayette Tournon and other Noble men of Marke with their followers were readie to do their best endeauor So as hee had eighteene thousand fighting men The rendez-uous is in Perche and they were shortly to march to Yury The King stayes at Chastecudun The Constable of Bouâ—qhingam sends to vewe the enemies countenaÌ„ce The skouâ—s report the greatnesse of the English army and their dilligence at the seege who being discouered and pursued hardly escape They resolue that in steede of charging the English army they should beseege Vernueil a Towne obeying the English eyther to take it or to make a diuersion from Yury The first succeeded for our men approching to Vernueil with a victorious countenance and bragge as if the English army had beene defeated Vernueil yeelded to the French Yury yeelded Vernueil opens the gates without any question and yeelds to the Kings seruice But this shewe of victory cost our French men deâ—re who had done better to succour Yury then in loosing it to hazard their owne ruine as it happened afterwards Girault of Paliere hauing long and in vaine expected succors and doubled the prefixed time hee yeelds to the Duke of Bedford who hauing nowe no other impediment he resolues to fight with our army at his aduantage for the effecting whereof he had the better meanes by their long stay Hauing intelligence of the Estate of our Armie he resolued to drawe them to battaile knowing howe much it did import to send a victorious soldiar against one whome he hath vsually beaten Hee therefore sends a herauld to defie them giuing him charge to direct himselfe to the Duke of Touraine The Duke of Bedford sends a challenge to the French army a Scottish man being Marâ—shall of France To whome he saies The Duke of Bedford my maister commanded mee to tell you that he comes to drinke with you Du-glas answers him That he should be welcome but hee must make some hast for that diner was readie Vpon this brauado they go to Counsell The mischiefe was the army had no head hauing indeede too many A multitude of commanders and commaundements is a plague to all good order and especially in militarie discipline which consists wholy in authoritie Euery one had varied in his opinion Some were of aduice to attend the enemie A diuision among the heads of the French army others thought it fittest to take him at his worde without induring of these brauadoes Thus their diuided opinions diuided the armie and those which in shewe made the armie ouerthrew it Du-glas and Narbonne Du-glas sayed Seeing the army is well lodged hauing a good Towne to backe it to what ende should they runne rashly against a victorious enemie The Narbonnois replies To endure these brauadoes were to take away the hearts of the French Soldiars and to coole their courage without any reason and what greater indignities might a vanquished man beare The Duke of Alenâ—on and the Constable were of the first opinon but the contention grewe so great as the Viconte sayed That if the wiser had no minde to fight heewould go and defend the honor of France with the hazard of his life so being retyred to his quarter he coÌ„manded to sound a marche notwithstanding the Duke of Alensons intreatie to stay and march together On the other side the Duke of Touraine discontented at the Visconts choller keepes back the Scottes But necessitie drew forth the whole armie The French armie one Battaillon after another This disorder was the cause they could not choose a sit place of armes nor dispose of their Battaillons All were in grosse confusedly without any vantgard The chiefe of the armie were on foote They place two wings and to euerie wing a thousand horse The Italians had the right and the French the left In the â—ore-fronte of this battaile they planted foure hundred horse to beginne the skirmish The Duke of Bedford had oportunitie to dispose better of his armie The English armie he makes abode all on soote where he placeth his chiefe force and lodgeth there himselfe In the front of this body he placeth great store of Archers and euery Archer hath a stake stâ—câ—t in the ground to withstand the chaâ—ge of the horse Vpon either wing he plants the choise of his most resolute Archers Behind are his vnarmed people with the bagage the horses being tyed close together taile to taile with two cordes or wit hs but for their gard he left two thousand choise Archers In this order he attends the French whom he discouers comming a farre off resolute to fight with the countenance of conquerours They were long before they could set their troupes in order aâ—d ranne a full gallop to their death So as in these stirres and in their hast to fight they were out of breath before they came to blowes All the morning is spent in approches the two armies fronting one another a little after noone a signall is giuen to the battaile our aduenturers go to the charge to trie if they can force the grosse of the English armie The foure hundred Italian Lances lead by Cameran with one eye made the point and at the first charge beate back the English Archers that were in the front At the same instant our two wings of horse charge the English armie in flanke seeking to breake their ranckes The finy of the fight was violent on either side our men striuing to enter into the body of the English foote and the English labouring to withstand our men with a continuall
the Constables good seruices After this shamefull disgrace hee seekes to couer his fault He exclaimes against the King exclayming first against the King as if hee had beene the cause of this infamous disorder happened at Saint Iames hauing too freely discouered his grieâ—es vnto the King he presumed to take Iohn of Malesâ—roit Chancellor of Brittain prisoner as beeing particularly charged to solicit the payement of such money as was appointed for this Britton army Charles was much offended with this presumption and in despight of the Constable caused Malestroit to bee presently released and sent into Sauoy The Constable was greatly discoÌ„tented with this proceeding the which he tooke as an affront done to his person and resolues to be reuenged So great were the confusions of that age as the seruant durst prescribe a Lawe to his maister and his counsell bandâ—e against him to controll his will Yea the Princes of the bloud so great was the corruption of that wretched age were the chiefe controllers of the Kings actions Then was there nothing more miserable then France who discontented with her King A dangerous waywardnesse to make the King odious or contemptible nourished the ambition of many Kings This iealous ambition did nothing cure the infirmities of our Estate Charles found it lost he could not raise it alone To debase his authority was no meanes to cuâ—e the confusions of the realme And as there is nothing more troublesome then affliction the French nation beeing then extreemely afflicted did nothing amend their condition in casting vpon the King the reproches of their calamities This deptiue themselues of their head wherein consists the whole life of the bodie An vnreasonable discontent The whole body of the State was sicke and this distasted people would haue their head sound A notable circumstance for it is strange that after so many miseries this domesticall confusion had not beene the vâ—ter ruine of the State But let vs returne to our discourse The Constable had great credit with the counsell whome in the beginning the King had greatly countenanced but the priuate practises and the generall discontent of great persons had made him halfe a King to crosse the Mignons whome al men hated Great men hated them as possessing the King the people detested them as managing all things at their pleasure to the preiudice of the common weale There were two Mignons that did greatly vexe them Gyac and Camus of Beaulieu They resolue by a generall consent to dispatch them The Princes with the Lords of Albret and Tremouille who had a great interest in the Sate were of the partie But the Constable must do the execution The matter concluded betwixt them was thus executed Gyac was taken in bed with his wife carried to Dun le â—oy condemned and executed that is he was put into a sacke and cast into the riuer The Kings Mignons slaine by the Councell The Constable performed this office without any other forme of lawe then his bare commande Afterwards Camus borne in Auuergne as hee walked in the Kings lodging was venturously slaine by a soldiar belonging to the Marshall of Boussac Charles vnderstood it and in a manner toucht the bloud of his two domesticall seruants beeing wonderfully discontented but the time which did authorise these confusions caused him to swallowe this pill quietly Tremouille married Gyacs widowe the heire of Lisle Bouchart and entred newly in credit with the King giuing him to vnderstand that all was for his seruice so as there was no more speeche thereof euery man shut both eyes and eares But Tremouille shall haue his turne hee shall leaue some of his haire and hardly saue the moulde of his doubled Thus the affaâ—â—es of Court ebbed and flowed the which raiseth vp one and cast downe an other In this deceytfull manner of life there is nothing certaine but incertentie fauours beeing â—â—uen not by desert but most commonly by a blind appetite which hath no other iudgement but the apprehension of weake heads diuiding the happinesse of a 〈◊〉 life into quarters this day to one and to morrowe to an other A goodly lesson for such as are fauored in Court not to bee transported with vaine hope toyes to deceiue the indiscreete The surest gards of prosperity are Integritie wisdome modesty and patience to remember aduersity in prosperitie according to the precepts of the wise This was the good gouernment of the Constable of Richmont a bolde practiseâ— of these domesticall confusions whilest the Bourguignon plied his businesse Wee haue made mention of the sute of Iaqueline Contesse of Hainault and Holland for Humfry Duke of Glocester her pretended husband against Iohn Duke of Braâ—â—nt her lawfull husband for so had Pope Martin pronounced it in fauour of the Bâ—â—bantin but from lawe they go to armes The Bourguignon supported the 〈◊〉 These Princes hauing prepared their forces begin by writing The 〈◊〉 accuseth the Bourguignon of couetousnesse and trecherie The Bourguignon giues him the lie But from reproches they fall to armes The Bourguignon offers the Glocâ—â—â—â—an to ende the question by combate and by that triall to auoide the effusion of theâ—â— sold aâ—s bloud The Glocestrian accepts it all is prepared for the combate but the Duke of Bâ—â—â—ord interpeseth his authoritie To this ende hee calls the cheefe men of all estats to Paris to quench this fire and by common aduice decrees That that day 〈◊〉 disanulled â—eyther should it bee preiudiciall to eyther partie That is to say 〈◊〉 being well vewed and considered there was no iust cause for eyther to call the other to this wilfull combate from the which they could not depaâ—t althouâ—â— it were accepted without great preiudice to both their honours In the meane time neither the Popes authority nor the Regents decree by the generall aduice of the States could preuaile but all bursts forth into open warre The Bourguignon proued the stronger so as the Glocestrian leauing Iaqueline at Mons posted into England for newe forces but all was in vaine the Bourguignon making his profit of this Princes absence did easily effect his desire hauing no oposite but a woman dishonored for her infamous adulteries Hee failes not to enter Hainault with a stronge army and vseth all force to reduce this people to reason The Country seeing it selfe pressed by the Bourguignons forces neyther hoping for noâ— desiring any succors from England The Duke o◠〈◊〉 leaseth on Iaqueline Countesse of Haâ—â—â—auâ—â— and perswaded that Iaqueline supported a bad cause resolue to obey the stronger Hauing to that effect protested vnto their Lady what they thought fitting for their dutie they seize on her person and deliuer her into the hands of the Duke of Bourgongne Philip receiues her honorably and promiseth her all offices of friendship to comfort her From Mons hee causeth her to bee conducted with a goodly traine to Gand by Lewis of Chaalons Prince of Orange a braue Noble man The Gantois imploy their
best meanes to honour her This great liberty gaue her meanes to make an escape from this goodly cage so as hauing practised some for her guide shee disguiseth her selfe in the habit of a man and retyres fâ—om Gand to Breda where shee doth assure the riuer of Garide and doth solicit the Townes of Holland by her Agents The Bourguignon foreseeing by these beginnings a long countinance of trouble flies thether with his army He enters the Countrie She escapeth from Gand. at the fiâ—st they all resist him for the respect the subiects bare to their Lady But as the inconueniences of warre increased dayly and that Philip did shewe by publike writings and priuate practises that whatsoeuer hee did was to maintaine the right of the lawfull husband many Townes yeelded vnto him At this time Iohn Duke of Brabant the lawfull husband of Iaqueline dies in the Castell of Leneuure Philip of Bourgongne made heire of Braâ—â—nt 〈◊〉 Holland and â—â—land hauing instituted Philip of Bourgongne his heire The Citties seeing the Bourguignon supported both by force and right followe him by a common consent as twise a Conquerour and perswade their Lady not to oppose her selfe obstinately against so reasonable a necessity So without any other force but the happy successe of the stronger an accord was made betwixt Philip Duke of Bourgongne and Iaqueline Contesse c. Hainault and Holland vpon these conditions That Iaqueline doth acknowledge her Cousin Philip Duke of Bourgongne for the lawefull heire of her Countryes and from thence forth doth make him gouernour of Hainault Holland and Zeland All these Estaâ—s should take their oath and do homâ—ge of fealtie vnto Philip. All fortressâ—s should bee dâ—liuered into his hands and she promiseâ—h neuer to marrie without his consent This Philip was honorably receiued throughout all these Estats to the content of some and discontent of others according to their diuers humours but force controwled all Iaqueline made a good shewe yet greatly discontented to see him her maister Such was the Tragicall Comedie of this long sute for the quiet of these Estats and the greatnesse of the Duke of Bourgongne who made his profit of all sides He is made heirâ— of Nâ—maâ— for soone after William Earle of Namur left him the Earldome of Namur whereof he takes possession to the great disconâ—ent of the Liâ—geois as wee shall see heereafter This greatnesse of the Duke of Bourgâ—â—gne bred iealousie in the Duke of Bedford hee being assisted by the Duke of Brittain his open enemy and the Earle of Richmond Constable of France whome he sees hourely to growe great in his authority Thus â—earing more mischeefe to fall vnto him by that meanes hee resolues to 〈◊〉 himselfe with newe helpes and to this ende hee goes into England leaâ—â—ng the affaires of France in charge of the Earles of Warwike Suffollke and Salisburie His stay was not long necessitie pressed him Hee obtaines both men and money fit remedies to preuent a storme The Duke of Bâ—â—ford bâ—ingâ— newâ— forces out of England Hee returnes into France with ten thousand men and a notable summe of money for their pay For the good imployement of these newe forces hee resolues to beeseege Montargis a dangerous thorne both for the neerenesse to Paris and the conuerse of the Bourguignon who continued his desseâ—ngs notwithstanding the stil iealousie of these Princes The charge of this seege was giuen to the Earles of Warwicke and Suffolke with three thousand men the rest were dispersed in Normandie and in Townes bordeâ—ing vpon Picardie for feare of the Bourguignon in whome he had no confidence Montargis is beeseeged and although the waters hindered their approach to the walles yet within â—ewe dayes it was fiercly battered by the English and valiantly defended by the French The seege of Montargis happie for the French They câ—ie out for succour but the affaires in Court were so wonderfully confused by the inâ—estine icalousies of the great men that one gazed vpon an other yet no man stirred although Charles continually cried to armes In the ende they beegin to march and although the Constable had busied himselfe in this leuie yet feating the example of Saint Iames hee would not hazard himselfe in the leading thereof The Constable loth to go to the releese of Montargis alleaging many colours to saue himselfe from blowes For want of him the charge was giuen to the Earle of Dunois a bastard of Orleans to William of Albret Lord of Oruall to the Lords of Gaucourt Guitry Grauille Villar la Hire Gyles of Saint Simon Gaulter of Frossard Iohn Stuard a Scot and other valiant Captaines who led fifeteene or sixteene hundered fighting men Their purpose was onely to vitteil the beseeged whilest the King raised greater forces in the Countries of his obedience The Constable remayned at Iargeau attending the issue which succeeded more happily then the desâ—eine of so flight a succour The Earle of Dunois doth aduertise the beseeged of his approach The riuer forced the English to make three lodgings those within the Towne had cunningly surprised the bridges vpon the riuer of Loing and after the succours had secreatly recouered the Rendez-uous those within the Towne stopped the course of the water so artificially Montargis releâ—ued and the English defeated as the riuer ouerflowes the bridges At the same instant all the troupes charge the English la Hire leading the first troupe chargeth the quarter where the Lord de la Poole brother to the Earle of Suffolke commanded crying Montioye S. Denices he fills all with confusion killing burning and spoyling de la Poole with much adoe saues himselfe with seauen more in his brothers lodging in the Abby without the Towne vpon the way to Nemours The Earle of Dunnois whose rendez-uous was towards the Castle hauing ioyned with the Townesmen who were issued forth with great resolution chargeth the body of their Campe the which he wholy ouercame The slaughter was great for so small troupes for they numbred sixteene hundered slaine vpon the place In this charge the Earle of Suffolke fauored by the waters gathers togither al he can in his quarter and recouers the hilles to make his retreat to Chasleau-Landon and Nemours places vnder the English commaunde and of neerest retreat The honour of this happie successe was attributed to the Earle of Dunois whereat the King recâ—yued an incredible content as a refreshing to this buâ—ning â—euer and the Constable Richemond a greeuious discontent being absent and so this yeare ended But the newe yeare will shewe what fruits Brittain yeelded to France during her great necessities This châ—â—ke at Montargis did somewhat coole the Duke of Bedfords heat The Constable seekes all meanes to crosse the King but the Constables ambition nothing at all who hauing vndertaken to play the King with the King sought to crosse all the humors of this Prince hee hated what hee loued disallowed what hee allowed and dispraysed what hee commended After the
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
humble himselfe to all men doth nowe braue all them which had newely raysed him to this dignity He threatens to keepe them vnder and checks them with reprochefull wordes Otho Duke of Brunswick husband to Ioane Queene of Sicilie and Naples comes to congratulate his election and for a proofe of his great humilitie as Vrban called for wine Otho takes the cuppe from his taster and kneeling before the Pope presents it vnto him Vrban takes it leauing him on his knee with a frowning countenance without speaking any thing The pride of Pope Vrban the 6. This insupportable arrogancie displeased the whole Colledge but especially Queene Ioane holding this disgrace done to her selfe and made Vrban so odious as they all resolue to depose him and to choose another Pope wherunto Ioane doth promise her assistance They all ioyntly resolue to retire themselues quietly out off Rome into some place of libertie So vnder colour to auoide the heat of Sommer they take their leaues to go to Anagnia where hauing soiorned some weeke they go to Fundy a Cittie in the Kingdome of Naples a fit place to enioy their liberties vnder the Queenes protection Then began they to plant their batteâ—ie against Vrban They set downe for the grownd of their right that the condition specified in the election of Vrban should bee auailable to those that did choose him to declare him incapable of the dignity whereof hee shewed himselfe vnworthy and to obserue all formalities they cite Vrban before them and write vnto the other Italien Cardinalles that their meaning is to name an Italien Pope Vrban deposed by the Colledge Clement chosen A meanes to drawe them to increase their number Beeing assembled they depose Vrban by the plurality of voices and beeing to choose another at the same instant they aduance Cardinall Rupert of the noble house of the Earles of Geneua and call him Clement the 7. This bred a great alteration both at Rome and in Vrbans minde for Rome is presently abandoned and Vrban so amazed as hee knowes not what to do Behold two Popes in one chaire which is too little froÌ„ them both seing the world wiâ—l not suffice them for in chosing Clement they found no more clemencie then vâ—banity and ciuill conuersation in Vrban Clements disposition Clement yeelding nothing to the vices of his competitor an ambitious man willfull audacious sumptuous and poore hauing nothing rich but the heart pufte vp with the greatnesse of his house These two do worthy exploits especially Vrban whose name the people changed and for Vrban they called him Turban that is a troubler of world to note his barbarous and fierce nature louing troubles and confusion And that which made a way to this mischeefe Kings and Princes who should haue imployed their authorities to quench this fire were nothing affected therevnto for the Emperour Charles the 4. died soone after the breeding of this Schisme leauing an insufficient successor France and England were too far ingaged to determine their owne quarrells by the sword As for the particular of France during the imprisonment of Iohn the infirmity of Charles the 6. and the halfe shipwrake of Charles the 7. what helpe could the French bring to these confusions being almost drowned in their owne In the beginning Clement had all aduantages ouer Vrban The authority of the ordinarie and ancient College Canonically chosen followed by the Court of Rome and the Castle Saint Angelo by the which he might enter the Cittie All the French the greatest part of the Italiens many Germains al the Spaniards and English which were at Rome repaired vnto him and consequently all those nations followed him France Spaine England with a part of Germany and Italie There remayned the Hongarians some Germains who for feare of the affaires at Naples not daring to trust themselues in Anagnia were forced to continue in Rome a leuaine which shal soone cause great deuisions Vrban as much daunted in aduersitie as he was puft vp in prosperity humbles himselfe to all men he weepes and deplores his miseâ—â—e and craues ayde of euery man promising all fauour if they did helpe to restore him There is neyther Hongarien Germain nor Italien which belong vnto the Court but he sues vnto him By their aduice and direction Pope Clement vseth the Emperours Ambaâ—â—adors disgracefully he flies to the Emperour Charles the 4. and to Lewis King of Hongarie intreating them to be mediators to the Colledge of Cardinalles who were discontented with him But Clement growen ouer proude with this first successe gaue him means to repaire his estate He hath a desseine to surprise Rome by the Castell but as Bernard Cazal with a troupe of Neapolitans would haue seized vpon one of Rome gates hee was valiantly repulsed by the Inhabitants The Emperour Charles the 4. and Lewis King of Hongarie sent their Ambassadors to Clement and to the Colledge of Cardinalles Pope Vrtain makes a newe Colledge of 26. Cardinals to treat an accord Clement vseth them without all clemencie he checks them putts them in prison and in the ende sends them away with many indignities This affront mooued Charles and Lewis so as by their means both Germanie Hongarie Poland Denmarke Sueden Norway and Prusse were all affected to Vrbans faction Charles was a spectator of this first Scene and died three monethes after leauing vpon the stage dangerous actors against Clement Vrban being thus fortified grewe high minded and for a marke of his authority hee erects a new Colledge of six twentie Cardinalls all created in one day being Italiens Germains Hongariens Polonians and other nations that fauored him to haue a support of this authority in all parts Clement works likewise and to haue his reuenge for that hee could not seize vpon a gate of Rome hee resolued to send an armie to field to vexe the Romans and to force them to obedience but the successe of this desseine was not answerable to his desire for hauing sent the Lord of Montioux his Nephew with goodly troupes furnished by Queene Iane Clements forces defeated by the Romans the Romains led by Alberic of Barbiane defeated this army and tooke Montioux prisoner whome they beheaded as a disturber of the publicke quiet and so they chase the French out of the Castell Saint Angelo Clement finding himselfe nothing safe at Fundy meanes to retyre to Naples but the Neapolitans would not receiue him notwithstanding the Queenes perswasions and so he passeth to Auignon whether he brings the Pontificall sea for the second time as Clement the 5. had done at the first Clement comeâ— to Auignon It was in the yeare 1384. that the Popes second sea was planted in Auignon fiue yeares after that Gregory had retired himselfe Clement frustrate of all hope of his returne to Rome faints not in these first difficulties finding himselfe in a place of safety where he might command at pleasure beeing proud by nature by reason of his great birth and by
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
this yeare he shall shewe a strange alteration of humor to the great amazement of all the world for being in his Castell of Thonnon a Towne seated vpon the Lake Leman he retiers with a small traine to Ripaille where he had an Abbaie of Monkes of Saint Maurice and hauing imparted his desseine but to two of his most confident seruants hauing bound them to keepe him faithful company he takes vpon him the habit of these monkes that is A graye frocke a longe cloake a gray hood a short cornet and a red bonet vnder his hoode but vpon his gray frocke he ware a great girdle of gold vpon his cloake a crosse of gold Hauing thus changed his habit his meaning was not to change his degree nor to leaue the world but vnder the colour of this habit his intent was to aspire higher as the course of his life will shew Being now retired to Ripaille His â—â—ssimulation he calles a parliament and shewes them his intention in this newe manner of life That being weary of the world where there was nothing but toyle and trouble hee would sequester himselfe to dedicate his life wholy to the seruice of God But to the end he might prouide for the gouernment of his estate he declares his eldest sonne Prince of Piedmont and Claude his yongest Earle of Geneue and he himselfe remaynes Duke of Sauoie although he had vowed himselfe to the order of Saint Maurice and without altering of any thing he reserues to himselfe the sole and soueraigne authority of al his estats Hauing thus published his intent he retires with his monks to Ripaille into one quarter of the lodging the which he had built apart accompanied with twenty of his fauorits in Monks attire but not liuing like vnto that profession for leauing them their water rootes Death of great Princes he qualified this sollitarie life with the best cheere he could get from Chamberie or Turin This yeare is likewise memorable by the death of three great Princesses of Catherine Queene of England sister to Charles the 7. the mournfull leuanie of our long miseries of the old Queene daughter to the King of Nauarre Mother to the Princes of Brittaine the Duke Constable and of the old Countesse of Armaignac daughter to the Duke of Berry and Mother to the Duke of Sauoie the Earle of Armaignac and the Earle of March All died almost in one day hauing seene the strange tragedies of France acted during their liues and vpon their children and in their ends seeing no end of our miseries As the furie of fighting grew colde so the war was turned into trafficke There was no Towne but the gouernor kept it for him that would giue most Sale of places an vnworthy traffick and Charles held it more expedient to haue a Towne or place for money then to beseege it with great charge to the oppression of his subiects and with a doubtfull euent Montargis had cost eyther partie much money to take it and to recouer it againe Charles buies it of Francis of Surienne an Arragonois vnder the English pay for ten thousand Crownes He bought Dreux the which he could neuer yet obtayne for eighteene thousand Crownes of William Brouillart of Beause a filthy trafficke worthy of that confused time but vnworthy of all good order and all royall authority The which being layed open vnto Charles he resolues to vse an honorable force to spend more money to get more honor So he beseegeth Meaux and takes it victoriously these were the first fruits of this newe yeare In the moneth of May Charles the only son of Philip Duke of Bourgongne comes to Tours where King Charles was resident and takes Catherine of France his daughter to wife according to the treatie of Arras Charles son to Philip of Bourgongne marries Katherin of France Hauing conducted her through his fathers Countries to Saint Orem where the duke attended him hee solemnized the marriage with exceeding great pompe the which did nothing increase the loue of these Princes allied nor the happynesse of the marriage the which was of small continuance and lesse loue betwixt the parties as the course of the historie will shew In the meane time the Bourguignon hath still two strings to his bowe Although he had renounced the alliance of England yet had he not left all his intelligences the necessity of their neighbour-hood giuing them still occasions to confer togither And as he was alwayes watchefull of his profit so had he a good gage in England to settle his affaires inretyring Lewis Duke of Orleans out of prison being taken at the battaile of Azincourt He caused Charles to entertaine a treatie for a truce with the English the first grounds were layed by the Duchesse his wife a cunning Princesse and careful of her husbands good The Cardinall of Wincestre comes to Grauelin to that effect yet this was but to lay the first foundation of the worke which shal be finished in due season We haue made mention of Iohn of Luxembourg who would not bee comprehended in the treaty of Arras Philip made great shewe to be displeased with him and Luxembourg likeâ—wise to be his enemie causing his men to be slaine in great disorder Philip treats with him vpon complaint of them that were wronged and all is pacified The cleere sighted did easily finde that this was the Bourguignons policie who seemed to bee in choller against him to gratifie Charles being much displeased with Luxembourg who played the pettie King with his maister but he shall not carrie it long for he died soone after the Bourguignon lost the whip he held ready for al euents 1439. and the children of Luxembourg stood in need of the Kings fauour But nowe the Bourguignon flies to an other practise He desired infinitly to be maister of Calais A ridiculous practise to take Calais and seeing that force could not preuaile he meanes to trie policy Some of his subiects perswaded him that in breaking of a dike they should let in the sea and so drowne the Towne Countrie about whereby they should force them to obedience He beleeues this imagination and imployes much paine and cost to effect it But this fancie of a floud vanished away like vnto the flemish army at the first seege whereof we haue seene the fruitlesse issue So this fantasticall floud proued ridiculous But the Duke to shew that he had done something caused the bridge of Milay to be beaten downe and some small dikes which onely watered the Countrie The beginning of this yeare layed the foundation of great matters for the restoring of our estate the which doth drawe on daiely by meanes not foreseene and without the wisdome or care of Charles who was chiefely interessed After the reduction of Paris all the Townes in generall were resolued to free themselues by force if the King had beene so affected but finding his minde inclyning rather to peace they beseech
you haue yet done So the accord was made without comprehending of these three The Dukes of Bourbon and Alenson sweare to serue the King and yeeld vp Loches Corbeil Bois de Vincennes Sancerre Sancouins Erie Conterobert and other places which they held The Daulphin remaynes with his father who changeth all his trayne except his confessor and Cooke But all this is but counterfeit you shal soone see other broyles This phrensie of state bred in the Kings house against the King himselfe was by our Ancestors called the Pragâ—â—â—y Nine monthes of this yeare being spent in these garboiles Charles returnes to Tours to prouide for the raysing of the seege at Harfleu where the Earle of Somerset had lien long but it was in vaine for the Towne was taken in the end after a long and painfull constancie of the Inhabitants who could not be releeued in time by reason of these home-bred troubles and yet there was a second mischiefe The Lord of Gaucourt gouernor of Daulphiné a most profitable seruant of the King returning from the seege and causing some of his baggage which was scattered from the troupe to retire he was surprised by a companie of English and led prisoner to Rouen to the great griefe of Charles who loued him hauing giuen good testymones of his loyaltie in his greatest extremities But in exchange Charles takes Conches and Loâ—â—iers Townes of importance in Normandie from thence he came into Champaigne to subdue a part of these aduenturing theeues who had surprized some places in this Prouince Musse l'Euesque Montagu and others The Kings army led by the Constable takes them and razed them by the Kings commande pardoning most of these theeuish Captaines the bastard of Vergy and the Lord of Commercy A memorable execution but he caused Alexander bastard of Iohn Duke of Orleans to be drowned a notable theefe who hauing followed the discontented Princes had spoken vnworthilie of his maister This execution of Iustice is memorable vpon one of so high a birth being followed the same yeare with the exemplarie death of Gylâ—s de Raiz Marshall of France issued from a great and famous house The Marshall de Raiz burnt for sorcerie who beeing found guilty of Negromancie and Sorcerie was condemned by the Court of Parliament of Brittaine and burnt at Nantes with some of his seruants culpable of the same crymes He was honored for his valour but neither his armes nor his bloud could stay the hand of diuine Iustice meritoriously exâ—cuted by this iust decree of the magistrate Priuate actions worthie to be registred in the historie to shew that the greatest cannot flie the hand of God after they haue long abused his patience But the treaty of peace betwixt France and England being discontinued aboue a yeare was againe reuiued by the industrie of the Duchesse of Bourgongne a Portugall but much affected to the quiet of the Realme and a very sufficient woman who had great credit with her husband She followes it so wisely as in the ende two Kings sends their Ambassadors to Calais On Charles his behalfe were the Archbishops of Rheims Narbon A treatâ—e betwixt the two Kings for a peace but 〈◊〉 and the Earle of Dunois bastard of Orleans For Henry King of England the Cardinall of Yorke and the Duke of Exeter who brought with them Charles Duke of Orleans so being longe kept prisoner in England This poore Prince after the languishing of so long a prison was exceeding glad to see some meanes to returne to his house hauing felt the aire on this side the Sea and imbraced the Earle of Dunois one of the branches of his house hee who â—ad so faithfully serued him in his afflictions but hee greeued to see himselfe presently carried backe into England for that they could not agree vpon the foundamenttall points the English being resolute not to leaue one foote of that which they held in France And although the King were content they should freely inioy what they possessed so as they held it as they had done in times past of the Crowne of France by homage yet would they not yeeld in any sort being loath to relinquish their pretended souerainty But he refuseth which afterwards doth sue At this time they were inforced to retire with this resolution That without infringing any thing of the treaty begun euerie one should go home and consider of his affaires to assemble againe when neede should require The Duke of Orleans deliuered the which eyther part desired And this is al could be done for the general They proceeded farther for the duke of Orleans but as in these trafficks such as hold the possession do coÌ„monly vse policy the stronger giuing lawe to the weaker so in so precious matter as life the English must bee sued vnto making no hast to deliuer him for that they drewe great profit yearely for the pension of this great Prince Moreouer Charles had no great care of his deliuerie for that some malicious spirits had seasoned him with some bad impression against this poore Prince perswading him that his long imprisonment was not without some mistery and that it hatched some mischiefe against the King and his estate The which being miserable in so great a person gaue all men a iust cause of compassion But notwithstanding all these difficulties yet must this Prince one of the goodliest plants of this Crowne be now deliuered to leaue a successor for the realme of France The diuers aâ—flictions of the Duke of Orleans and God who would honor his race with the Crowne had prepared an admirable meanes for his deliuery by his helpe from whom in reason he might least hope euen when his owne friends had abandoned him A notable example for all men in many respects a prison of fiue and twentie years was a great affliction to a Prince borne to commande and yet captiue to an other The losse of all his goods gaue him a sufficient occasion to resolue to perpetual miserie and to leaue it for an inheritance to his posterity In the ende sclander a most cruell sting to a generous minde which hath honour for his assured Treasor had beene able to suppresse him But God who goâ—erns the rodde wisely giues him libertie goods and honour in due season in despight of this deuilish enuy which seeking to afflict the afflicted and controuling aduersitie as well as prosperity is then corrected when it seekes to correct an other but God doth neuer send helpes too late The Duke of Bourgongne vndertaks for the Duke of Orleans ransome Philip hauing resolued to do this good turne for the Duke of Orleans and to withdraw him out of prison compouÌ„ds for his ransome with the King of England for three hundred thousand Crownes He giues his word for it and payes it and so Charles Duke of Orleans being honorably conducted comes first to Calais where the mony beeing payed hee comes free to Grauelin to the Duke of Bourgongne his deliuerer
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
King Henry was descended and they wore the redde Rose for a marke and Clarence from whence the Duke of Yorke tooke his beginning bearing the white Rose for a distinction This rancor of parties hath bathed all England with the bloud of her subiects two yeares shall not passe after this losse but Somerset shall dye in a battaile and King Henry the 6. who had carryed himselfe as King of France shall be prisoner and whereas he sought to ioyne the Crowne of France to that of England he shall loose that of England both for him and his teaching vs that we must neuer thinke to doe harme to another but we shall receiue our share againe and not to dispaire in our greatest afflictions The beginning of this raigne did represent vnto vs a ruined realme and this end restores it to her first beautie Thus was this realme restored from the which the English were quite expelled except from Calais and the heyre recouered the possession of his right the which his successors enioye vnto this day The meanes of this singular deliuerance is worthy to be obserued vnder the conduct of the first moouer the which the wise acknowledge to be in the prouidence of God the Soueraigne of Soueraignes and the preseruer of States whereby he maintaines the societie of mankinde Truelie in the course of these ordinarie meanes which we seeke after Charles holds the first place being both capable of Councell and full of resolution to put in execution He was assisted by great personages in the gouernment of his affaires and for the warres He was furnished with two Constables which serued him faithfully the Earle of Boucquam in his aduersitie and the Earle of Richemont in his p osperitie of two Chancellors worthy men and fitte for the time Of Renald of Chartres Archbâ—shop of Rheimes and Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins Baron of Treignel the one for the beginning the other for the end of his affaires And for warriours he had as resolute and happy commanders as might be found in any raigne of whom he had great need But from all this we must ascend vnto the soueraigne cause who hath shewed vs the rodde and cast it into the fire when as it pleased him that by the example of our Ancestors we may more perfectly obserue the causes and remedies of our difficulties Now we drawe neere vnto the end of this raigne but before we conclude we must obserue the estate of the Church finish the discourse of the Schisme wherof we haue shewed the beginning and proceding We haue made relation of this inexcusable conâ—â—sion vntil the councell of Pisa which supposing to reforme the scandalous disorders of two Popes being enemies Gregorie and Benedict aduanced a third which was Iohn the 23 so as at one time there were three Popes Iohn at Boulogne Gregorie at Rimini not able to be resident at Rome and Benedict at Auignon This multiplicitie of Popes bred disorder to the great scandale and preiudice of all Christians So as Sigismond not able to cure this infirmity of the mind by force he resolued to haue recourse vnto the authoritie of the church to that end he passed through France England Spaine and Italie perswading all Kings Princes and Potentates to hold a Councel at Constance whether the Emperours of constantinople Trepisonde with the churches of Grece sent their Ambassadors and all Christian nations assisted to the end this councell might be oeconomicall and vniuersall In this Councell Iohn the 23. being accused and found guilty of greuous crymes was first deposed and then imprisoned Gregory the 12. and Benedict the 13. were likewise deprived Councell of Constance Otho Colomne a Romaine gentleman was chosen Pope by the Councel is called Martin the 15. This decree of the councell was accompanied with great and generall complaints by reason of the corrupted estate of the Church the which had exceded farre in some places Saint Bernard had begun in France as doth appeere by diuers places of his writings and by books written vpon this subiect But many of his disciples had followed him in great numbers Gabriell de Roquetaillade Tomas Couect Great complaints against the abuses of the Romish Church and Nicholas Clemangis had filled all France with these complaints But in England Iohn Wiclef and in Bohemia Iohn Hus had perswaded men with greater vehemencie for Bohemia was ready to disclaime the Popes authoritie Iohn Hus teaching them not only to leaue the abuse of manners but â—he doctrine it selfe as is conteyned at large in acts of the councel of Constance It shal be sufficient to coat them my stile not permitting me to set them downe at large The reader that is carefull to see the grounds of this controuersie may go vnto the Originall and I will obserue the effect according vnto the dutie of the historie Wicâ—efs doctrine was condemned Iohn Hus and Ierosme of Prague came to Constance hauing a pasport from the Emperour Sigismond and the Councell but they were condemned and burnt as heretiks Hus in the Bohemian tong signifies a goose Iohn Hus and Iâ—rosme of Prâ—gue condemned and burnt Iohn Hus when as the Iudges had pronownced this sentence that he should be burnt he said vnto them I appeale from you vnto the soueraigne Iudge and preseruer of all truth who a hundred yeares hence shall raise out of my ashes a Goose which shall not suffer him selfe to be roasted Sâ— as Iohn Hus was burnt in the yeare 1417. and Martin Luther began to shew him selfe in the yeare 1517. There were great complaints against the abuses of the Church made by Peter d' Alliae a Cardinal Iohn Gerson Chancellor of the Vniuersitie of Paris deputie of the French Church The Colledge of Sorbon had giuen him great instructions vpon this subiect but nothing was effected They only make the Pragmaticall Sanction to suppresse the Popes authoritie Gerson returning from Basill died for greefe at Lions But this Councell did not end those two difficulties for the which it had beene called for Peter de la Lune called Benedict 13. being deposed by the councell and retired into Arragon had so incensed Alphonsus King of Arragon as he supported him with all violence The Bohemians take armes for the death of Iohn Hus. against Martin the new Pope And the Bohemians were so moued with the death of these two personages whom they reuerenced as they tooke armes vnder the comand of Zisca a very famous Captaine and did much annoy the Emperour Sigismond Peter de la Lune called Benedict 13. held his court apart doing at Laniscole a Towne in Arragon as Martin did at Rome but this humour brought him to his graue After his death the colledge made choise of Giles Munion who was called Clement the 8. Martin dies in the other seat and his College doth choose a Venetian of the familie of Condelme and calls him Eugene 4. who finds the means to cause the Antipope Clement
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
of Hainault the deerest of his friends attending newes from the Duke of Bourgongne who made warre in Lorraine vpon the deffie we haue spoken of The Foxe is nowe out of his earth Yt must be foreseene that this yeelding reconcile not the Constable to the Duke The King well informed what troupes were in Saint Quentin Saint Quentin yeelded to the King of the inhabitants affectioÌ„ hasteth thether with seauen or eight hundred horse They meete him with their keyes the quarters are ordered all his forces enter and he followes And to take from the Bouguignon all hope to recouer Saint Quentin by the Constables meanes he giues him aduice of the taking thereof for although in the diuision made at Bouuines of the Constables places this fell to the Duke yet would not the King that he should make his peace with the Bourguignon by the deliuery thereof Charles aduertised hereof sends to the great Bayliffe that he should gard Mons well that the Constable go not forth The Constable prisoner and that hee should appoint him his lodging for a prison Here the Bayliffe preferres obedience to his maister before the Constables loue Lewis aduertised of the Constables detention requires the Duke of Bourgongne by Bouchages and Saint Pierre eyther to deliuer him or to performe the conuention Hee promiseth to do it and causeth him to bee carried with a sure gard to Peronne He had nowe taken diuers places in Lorraine and Barrois and did batter Nancy whereof hee desired to see the issue for the deliuery or retayning of the Constable so as with this desseigne in steed of eight dayes concluded on at Bouuines hee lets passe a moneth and more But the Kings great instance and his army which laie houering in Champaigne as ready to succor the Lorraine and to crosse the Bourguignon in that enterpriâ—e the conquest whereof he greedily pursued to vnite his territories and to passe freely from Luxembourg into Bourgongne for inioying this Duchie hee came from Holland vnto the Confines of the Diocesse of Lion vpon his owne land made Charles to send Himbercourt The Constable deliuered to the King and the Chancellor Hugonnet both great enemies to the Constable to deliuer him at an appointed day to such as the King should send Charles supposed to haue wonne Nancy by that day but hee was deceiued in the time And in truth they had no sooner left him but a countermand comes from the Duke after the taking of Nancy but too late The prefixed day being come they deliuer the Constable at the gats of Peronne into the hands of the bastaâ—d of Bourbon Admirall of France Bouchages S. Pierre Cerisay and others Who led him prisoner to the Bastille at Paris the said Admirall charging the Chancellor fâ—â—st President and other Counsellors of the Parliament beeing there present in the Kings name to make a speedy trial of him vpon his letters written to the King of England and the Dukes of Bourbon and Bourgongne So by iudgement of the Court giuen by the President Popincourt he was beheaded at the Greue the 19 of December and by an especial grace was buried at the white Friars in Paris The Constâ—ble beheadeâ—â— A pittifull spectacle to see so great a personage layed vpon a scaffold allied to the houses of France England Bourgongne Saâ—oye many other great personages the chiefe Officer of this Crowne mighty in Lands in treasure and in friends abandoned of his friends his goods confiscate degraded of his offices and finally to serue as a spectacle to the whole world He was witty valiant and of great experience but in his latter yeares bereaued of the grace of God Let vs apprehend this Oracle It is a horrible thing to fall into the hands of the lyuing God The pit hee had digged for an other must swallowe him vp He had with all his force labored to maintayne these two Princes in hatred and mutual dissension to subsist in the midest of their partialities He had often impudently lied vnto them and being both very reuengefull it was impossible to auoide their snares But who can warrant the Duke of Bourgongne froÌ„ the lawe Cornelia must his cruel couetousnesse force him to giue security to this poore Lord to thrust him into an vnboubted ruine Foure score thousand crownes in mouables and three score thousand crownes in ready money which hee got by his spoiles were they valuable to the falsifying of his coÌ„science god leaues nothing vnpunished we shal learne hereafter that this disloyall act in him was the iust ruine of his house Charles oâ— Bourgongne breakes his oath with the Constable a house for a hundred yeares florishing in all perfections of felicity the which hereafter shall runne headlong to a strange Catastrophe and by the meanes of a young and vnexperienced enemy weake in regard of the Bourguignons great and redoubted power God resists the high minded and choseth contemptible things to ruine and confound the proude Let vs with one breath see the declyâ—ing and ouerthrowe of this house of Bourgongne The violent ambition of Charles had as we haue heard before armed him with a boyling desire to be a King but Frederic the 3. scorned it Charles affecting the title of a King From that time he still plotted to get this qualitie René before Earle of Vaudemont sonne to Ferry of Lorraine and of Yoland daughter to René King of Sicile and Duke of Aniou of the only daughter of the Duke of Lorraine eldest brother to Iohn Earle of Vaudemont Father to the sayd Ferri and nowe Duke of Lorraine had defied him before Nuz greeued with the Bourguignons outrages This is a good expedient to puâ—â—hase this pretended royaltie Lorraine made him a free passage to vnite his Countries and moreouer by the Conquest of this Duchie hee should qualifie himselfe King of Sicile and Ierusalem the hereditary title of this house The meanes whereby he sought it This vent of vaine glory transports Charles into Lorraine and for pretext of a quarrell he pretends a greaâ— sum of money to be due vnto him by Renes Predecessor for non-paâ—ement wherof after the taking of many places he campes before Nancy beseegeth it batters it but takes it not so soone as he presumed being valiantly defended beyond his expectation The King also vnderhand fauored this yong Duke procuring him secretly the alliance of the Suisses Charles makes an vniust pretension vnto Lorraine the Imperial Townes of Alsatia Charles since the seege of Nuz had in pay about a thousand men at armes Neopolitains for the most part The Earle of Compobasso commanded foure hundred a partisaÌ„ of the house of Aniou against that of Arragon for this cause being banished his Country had alwaies followed the Duke René of Sicile or Nicholas sonne to Iohn Duke of Calabria and Lorraine after whose death Charles of Bourgongne entertayned many of his seruants especially this Earle a wicked man and of
off the victualls from the Imperialls the French should marche to Biagras the Venetians to Cassan and Sforce to Pauia but the Earle of Saint Paul did wonderfully affect the enterprise of Genes Andrew Dorie was departed the eight of Iune with his gallies to gard the Emperour who passed into Italie This absence put the Earle in good hope that Cesaer â—regose to whome the King had promised the gouernment of Genes would make the Towne reuolt with some fewe foote This was to take a mightie wolfe by the eares which will bite them shreâ—dly that thinke to lay hold They had behind them too vigilant an enemie According to this desseine the Earle in steede of Biagras arriues at Landriâ—ne the twentieth of Iune but in the night a great raine doth so swell the riuer as hee had no meanes to passe his artillerie Enterprise vpon Genes Anthonie de Leue aduertised of the Earles staie parts from Milan ouertakes the Earle who was busie in pulling downe an old house to haue some peeces of Timber to put vnder the carriage of a peece that was all duâ—tie and myred and chargeth him before hee had in a manner discouered him At the first the Earle forceth the Spanish shot to retire into the battallion of their Germains and the French Lansquenets had repulsed those that had passed a little riuer which diuided the two armies but pursuing and following them to the banke they were greatly annoyed by them that were opposite on the other side Guy Eâ—rle of Rangon had in the morning taken the way to Pauia with the foreward so as hee had no notice of the fight vntill it was past time to succour them 1529. Iohn Thomas of Galere and the Castellan of Laude Colonnels of Italian foote were alreadie well aduanced and leauing them ingaged that were desirous to fight they retire on the one side and saue themselues likewise in Pauia Iohn Ierosme of Castillon and Claude of Rangon Commanders ouer two thousand Italians performed wonders But the Imperial horsemen hauing passed the riuer with a great battallion of Germans our Italians turne their backes our Lansquenets yeeld to their Countrymen the Earle and Annebault with those fewe horsemen which remayned made the retreat Fatall to the vndertakers alwaies turning their faces to the enemie vntill they were stayed by a brooke which the Earle was not able to passe through the weakenesse of his horse where as hee and almost all that followed him were put to the sword or prisoners except Annebault and some fewe Lances which leaped ouer the ditch the footemen were all defeated the artillery lost and the baggage taken After all these stormes and confusions after so many fatall sweats caused by the â—â—ight of their armes was it not nowe time to take breath The Alpes and high pointed Pyrenee mountaines bee they not sufficient barres to restraine vs within our bounds content to enioy and defend that which belongs vnto vs was not so much bloud spilt sufficient to make all Italie dronke Such pittifull spectacles of French mens boanes where-with the plaines of the estats of Milan and Naples were made white â—ad they not force and vertue to take from vs all future desire to beare arâ—es in such mortall conquests Without doubt they had reason to make this complaiâ—t with the ancient Church All our remaines haue opened their mouthes vpon vs they haue hissed gnasshed their teeth and sayd we haue coâ—founded them this is the day which we expected we haue found it wee haue seene it And with the like repentance to crie Remember O Lord what hath chanced vnto vs behold and see our reproches Turne vs vnto thee ô Lord we shall be turned Behold now the pittifull reliks of our Frenchmen hatefull to strangers scorned of all the world beaten on all sides returning home with their shirts tied vpon their shoulders who hauing scarce brethed foure yeares wee shall so againe fall to armes This vnfortunate successe of our men hauing caused armes to cease in a manner throughout all Italie the Emperour and Pope both being bare of money treated of some articles of peace The Emperour had no inclynation therevnto yet hee could not graunt it in a season more beneficiall for himselfe The King sought it two notable afflictions drewe him therevnto the imprisonment of his children and the ruine of so many armies with the wasting of his treasor But one especiall consideration did mooue him If the confederats had discouered his intent they would haue preuented him and by their agreement with the Emperour excluded him from League with any of them and by consequence haue brought him to that point as hee should haue beene forced to accept farre lesse tollerable conditions of peace Louyse the Kings mother Marguerite Aunte vnto the Emperour by the Fathers side did treat it at Cambray furnished with authoritie and Councell from both their maiesties and finally they concluded That the King should paie two millions of gold for the freedome of his Children that is twelue hundred thousand crownes when as the sayd Children should bee in France and at libertie Hee should deliuer the lands which Marie of Luxembourg A Peace concluded at Cambray betwixt the Eâ—â—erour and French King mother to the Duke of Vendâ—sâ—e had in Flanders Arthois Brabant and Hainault and those which the Duke of Montpensier cousin germaine to the sayd Duke did possesse in the sayd Countries for foure hundred thousand Crownes to bee redeemed within a certaine time And for the other foure hundred thousand remayning hee should acquite the Emperour of so much to the King of England which hee had lent vnto him and fiftie thousand more which the Emperour did owe vnto the English for the indemnitie of the marriage betwixt the Emperour and Marie Daughter to the sayd King of England whome hee had left to marrie with the Daughter of Portugall Moreouer hee should vngage the â—lower de Lis of gold inritched with pretious stoanes and a peece of the crosse which Philip the Emperours Father had ingaged to the King of Englands Father for fiftie thousand Crownes That tâ—e King should renounce the Soueraintie of Flanders and Arthois That he should mâ—rrie wiâ—â— Eleonor the Emperors sister and if they had a sonne he should haue the Duchy of Bourgongâ—â— That hee should restore whatsoeuer hee possessed in the Duchie of Milan and the Râ—aâ—me of Naples That hee should disanull the Duke of Bourbons proces restore him to his honour and his Children to their inheritance and generally to all others that had beene spoiled by reason of the warres These articles thus coloured were read and published in the great Church of Cambray the 5. day of August But could the King renowâ—ce such pretensions seeing they were inheritances purchased to the infants of France by the succession of Claude their mother daughter to Lewis the 12. Duke of Orleâ—ns of whome depended the sayd succession of Milan This treatie did greatly mooue the confederats for that
they were not acquainted with it especially the King of England notwithstanding his secret desseins made him to temper his choller He ment to put away Catherine his wife Aunte to the Emperour and daughter to Ferdinand King of Spaine saying as it was true that shee â—ad beene before married to his eldest brother wherewith the Pope could not dispence belonging to the Lawe of God which conclusion hee obteyned by the means of the Lord of Langey in the vniuersities of Paris Pauia Padoua â—ologne and others The Emperour and his ministers crost him in this desire This quarrell had neâ—de of a strong support To make vse of the Kings fauour at neede hee lent him the sayd summe of foure hundred thousand Crownes to bee paied in fiue yeares hee foâ—gaâ—e him fiftie thousand Crownes and gaue the flower de Lis to his good sonne Henry Duke of Orleans The tenth of May was come when as the deputies should meete at Bayonne for the exchange of the Infants of France with the paiement of their ransome Montmorency Lord Steward and Marshall of France came for the King for the Emperour came Velasque Constable of Castille the Crownes are told and put to the proofe but being found somewhat altered by the aduice of the Chancellor du Prat who thought to make it a benefit to the King fortie thousand Crownes more payed the interest of the whole summe The Kings children and their ransome payed There were about â—oure monethes spent in the triall of these Crownes and in the beginning of Iulie the Daulphin of France and the Duke of Orleans came to the riuer which runnes by the walls of Fontarabie and diuides France from Biscâ—ie A great boate was fastened in the midest of the streame with anchors and cables that the sea which flowes twise a day raysing the boate to the height of the water might serue as a bridge and ouerthwaâ—t this great boate they made a barre to the ende that the boate which carried the Infants of France and that which brought the money for their ransome beeing fastened on eyther side the great boate the French men should passe into that where the Infants were and the Spaniards where the ransome was Thus it was performed and they came accompanied with Queene Eleonor to meete the King their Father betwixt Roquehort of Marsan and Caprieux in a little Abbie of Nunnes where the King and Queene were espoused an houre before day Then taking their way by Bourdeaux Cognac Amboise and Blois they came to Saint Germaine in Laye attending the prepaâ—atiues for the Queenes coronation at Saint Deâ—is and her entrie into Paris The Emperour beeing thus assured of the King who aboue all others might crosse his desseines he is nowe resolued to bee crowned To this effect hee must winne the Pope for he must receiue the Crowne from him and the Pope who desired some notable reuenge of the Florentins for the iniurie they had done him during his captiuitie vnder the Imperialls they had spoyled all the goods belonging to the Medicis The Empeâ—our comes into Iâ—aâ—y and chased them and their adherents out of the estate of Florenâ—e was easily drawne to the Emperours will yea with such extraordinarie priuileges as the Emperour fitting himselfe to the Popes passions settled the foundation 〈◊〉 that admirable greatnesse which his house doth at this present inioy in Italie 1530. The Pâ—pe hauing graunted the Crowne to the Emperour which hee could neuer obteine of his Predecessor Iulius vpon condition that for recompence thereof he should 〈◊〉 â—im with an armie to â—estore them of his name to their ancient authoritie withâ—â— Florence he imbarkes at Barcellone lands at Genes passeth to Plaisance and at the Pâ—pes request restores Francis Sforce to the Duchie of Milan but he reserues in his 〈◊〉 power the Castles of Milan and Cremona hee marrieth the sayd Sforce with 〈◊〉 Neece Daughter to the King of Denmarke a prisoner and diâ—possessed of his â—â—â—lme and on Saint Mathias day so famoâ—s for his Nâ—tiuitie and the taking of tâ—e King before Pauia hee receiued the ornaments of the Imperiall dignitie from tâ—e Pope One scruple withheld the Emperour from resoluing against the I lorentines The Tâ—â—ke besieged Vienna in Austria with two hundred and fiue twentie thousand fightâ—â—â— men but the valour of Philip Count Palatin the Earles of Salme and Rokendolf and 〈◊〉 â—â—â—cours brought by Ferdinand Archduke of Austria and King of Hongarie hauing 〈◊〉 the Infidels to take their way to Constantinople with shame and â—osse the Empâ—â—â—uâ— gaue the charge of this warre to the Prince of Auranges who ioyning with Don 〈◊〉 of Gonzague and the Marquis of Guast takes from the Florentins Cortone Arâ—â—zâ— Lastre Pistoia Prato Volterra Empoli campes before Florence and redâ—ceth the 〈◊〉 to extremitie The Prince of Auranges â—laine but as he marched to encounter some forces that came to â—â—â—cour the besieged meaning to winne the horse or to loose the saddle he was slaine 〈◊〉 tâ—e charge being in the head of his troupes performing saith the Originall rather 〈…〉 of a man at armes then of a Captaine The succours notwithstanding ouercome the Florentines after a long and painfull sieâ—e of eleuen moneths fell in the end into the popes power who by many and sâ—â—â—â—y punishments of death and banishment did so weaken the Cittie as in the end the power of the Medicis being more free they haue setled the Soueraigntie in either â—amily The Duke of Ferrara had in time purchased fauour with the Emperour and happy was hee for without it they would haue clipt his wings shorteâ— Wherewith the pope was so greatly mooued as hee would not ratifie the sentence by the which the Emperour had condemned the â—errarois in a hundâ—ed thousand Crownes to the Pope neither would hee accept the money nor the rent which according to the ancient custome the sayd Duke caused to bee offered vnto him at the feast of Saint Peter following and euen then began to studie how hee might secretly oppresse or greeue the Duke by ambush or finde some matter or occasion to wrong him openly with the ayde of great princes But hee did not foresee that death would soone cut off the thred of his life and interre with him the issue of his desseins The present estate of things promised in shew a generall peace betwixt these two great princes but their mindes were possessed That of ouâ— Francis with a wonderfull desire to bee reuenged for the rigorous conditions of the treatie of Cambray being forced to renounce the Soueraigntiâ—s of Flanders and Arthois ancient members of the Crowne of France and to quitte his rights to the estates of Milan and Naples the which had wonderfully discontented him That of Charles who feared least the King or his successors should draw those prouinces within the bounds of the realme and by the recouerie of the Duchie of Milan molest him continually in the possession of Naples and Sicile To exclude the King from
battaile Strossy entertaynes it and with a bloudie fight giues testimony of the valour of his courage But Bighet an Italian being enseigne Colonnell of the army turnes his backe cowardly and the French sauing their liues after him by the nimblenesse of their legges leaue the horse the Gascons and the Suisses to endure the charge who had rather die with their armes in their hands then turne their backs Bighet and the Earle of Alte were afterwards beheaded the first as being the principall cause of this defeate the other for that he had cowardly yeelded Lusignan a place impregnable They reckon two thousand fiue hundred slaine some say foure thousaÌ„d besides a great number wounded to the death and fiue or six hundred prisoners Strossy saued himselfe in Montalein the Marquis recouered Foyan Martian Lucignan some other places which euen then began to force the Sienois to obey the Conquerours command who camped before their towne with all his forces Montluc comforts them and confirmes their resolutions but the comming of Strossy with two enseigns of foot and two companies of men at armes saued in this ship wrake reuiued them more the which he did hazard in fauour of the beseeged vpon a report of the death of Montluc Montluc foreseeing that bread would sooner faile the beseeged then courage had alreadie set an order for euery mans diet The Marquis repulsed by the losse of six hundred men at a sâ—alado giuen in the night to the Cittadell and the fort of Camollia and finding that by skirmishes batteries assaults intelligences nor other stratagems he should neuer bee maister of Siene he reâ—olues vpon the longer but the more easie expedient so as the watches the toyles the diâ—eases and worst of all famine and dispaire of succours forced Montluc the twentie one of Aprill this yeare to saue the rest of his men by an honorable composition which is read at large in the historie of the warres of Italie Siene fell afterwards into the hands of the Duke of Florence· and the Marquis for that he had prolonged the warre of Siene contrary to the Emperours liking and wasted a mightie armie before it died in disgrace in the end of the same yeare Now the Emperour whose humour wee haue sufficiently learned by the discourse of the historie shrinking vnder the burthen of the affaires of this world wearied with the toyles of warre toucht with some remorse for the bloud spilt in those long and mournefull wars of Christendome being perswaded that his discords with our Kings had made the Turke to preuaile much in diuers parts of Europe his coming of late in fauour of the French to the Isle of Corse to assist them at the seege of Calui and Saint Boniface to ayd them to conquer the Island then in their retreat to spoyle the coast of Tuscane to beseege Plombin and the Isle of Elbe of the territorie of Florence to afflict the estates of Naples Sicile and Calabria with infinite miseries and being laden with great spooles to carrie away without controule and to sell infinite numbers of Christian soules at Constaneinople and other places These considerations caused him to call Philippe his sonne from England to Bruxelles The Emperour resignes his Kingdome to his sonne where by autentike letters of the fiue and twentith of October hee resigned al his realmes vnto him commaunding all his estates and subiects to acknowledge him as their true and lawfull King aduising him particularly among other exhortations To make a peace and entertaine loue with the King of France vniting their common forces rathet for the defence then oppression of Christendome Philip was inclyned to peace and his wife Mary Qâ—eene of England more who desired to hold him by her to raise vp an heire for the Realme and by the confirmation of the old religion to restore the Clergie to the possession of their lands held by the Nobilitie So as a truce was concluded for fiue yeeres but it was as soone broken as made Paul the fourth was enemie to the Spaniards and the Colonnes suspecting him to be of the French faction as in trueth the house of Caraffes had of old time fauoured the title of our Kings to the realme of Naples sought to assure their estates and persons To this end they held some secret assemblies within Rome in the houses of Marc Anthony Colonne and the Cardinall of Saint Fior enemies to the house of France The Pope to crosse them imprisons this Cardinall in the Castle of Saint Angelo with Camille Colonne Iulian Cesarin and the Abbot of Bresâ—gue he summons Marc Anthonie and plants gards and sentinels throughout all the Cittie The Colonnes and their adherents flie to the Castillian He commaunds the Duke of Alua to succour them The Duke marcheth with that desseine and takes from the Pope about Rome Anagne Pilastine Segne Tiuoli and by the seege and taking of Ostia cuts off the victuals fâ—om Rome and the Colonnois fortifying themselues about Rome kept the Pope mewed vp within compasse of his wals The Pope appeales to the King for ayd and sends him by his nephew the Cardinall Caraffe a triumphant hatt with a stately sword Our two Kings did not greatly loue their ancient hatred and discontents were yet fresh and their houshold flatterers to whome common confusions did serue as a ladder to aduaâ—ce their estats and to inrich their houses whereas peace sends the most of them home to line priuately 1557 were glad that Rome kindled the coales of newe quarrells betwixt their maisters So the French meaning to crosse the Castillian in fauour of the Pope sent Strossy Marshall of France in the place of the Lord of Sedan lately deceased after his returne from prison out of the Lowe Countries to oppose against the Spaniards attending the succors led by the Duke of Guise The Duke of Guise arriued at Turin with about fifteene thousand foote eight hundred men at armes and twelue hundred light horse being assured of supplies so soone as the warres should begin hauing ioyned his foâ—ces with those of the Marshall of Brissac he marcheth directly to Valence making this his colour that the garrison had shot at the French going to succour the Pope and for that it was secretly giuen out that the French had taken Pauia hee amazeth Spoluerin who kept the Towne with two thousand men summons him to yeeld threatning him to put all to fire and sword if he enter by force Thus Spoluerin being terr fied departs with bagge and baggage Valenâ—e taken and looseth his head at Pauia for a reward of his base cowardise Oâ— the other side Strossy Montluc and others which were in Rome With Ostia and other places issue forth with sixe hundred horse and fiâ—e thousand foote recouer Osâ—ia by composition and expell the Spaniards from Velitres Tuscule Marin Groteferrate Palesan Saint Angelo Saint Paul Vico Valerio and other small places in the territories of Rome The Duke of 〈◊〉 retreat had opened the way
well defended the besieged with the losse of seuenteene Souldiars not onely repulse the enemy but also make them leaue about three score of their most resolute men slaine in the ditches aboue two huâ—dâ—ed wounded to the death and as many maimed for euer then coole their heate caâ—sing them to change this hasty fury of Canons and assaults into a more long but a more violent war They make many forts neerer vnto the Towne notwithstanding tâ—e â—allies and ordinary sâ—irmishes of the Sancerrois they furnish them with artillery men sâ—fficient to cut off all releefe so as being shut vp on all sideâ— they begin to want ordinary victuals in the begâ—nâ—ing of Aprill they eat their Asses Moiâ—es Sancerre in greâ—â— extremitie for victuals then fal they tâ— horses dogs cats mice moales lether in the end to parchmin hornes trappings oâ— horses girdâ—es and wilde rootes And in the end of Iune three parts of them had â—o bread to eate some make it of flaxe seede others of all kinds of hearbes â—â—xt 〈◊〉 branne beaten and ground in morters and others of straw of nut shels and of sâ—â—tes grease and tallow serued for pottage and frying yea some a strange thing and neueâ— heard of laboured to incounter the crueltie of their hungar by the excrements of horses and men But a horrible thing to see the nineteenth of Iune a labourer iâ— tâ—e vines and his wife satisfied their hungar with the head and intrayles of their young daughter about three yeares old being dead in languishing giuing no other graue to the members of this poore carkase but their bellies But the magistrate aduertised of this inhumanitie did for examples sake shorten their dayes finding them guiltie of other crimes neither were they forced hereunto by any extremitie seeing the â—ame day they had beene releeued with pottage made of hearbes and wine whereof there was store in the Towne To conclude foure score men died by the sword at Sancerre saith the Historie but of hungar both within and without aboue fiue hundred And euen now the King began to see his threats to take effect An admirable meanes for the deliâ—erie of Sancerre I will make them said he eate one an other They were hopelesse of all humaâ—ne helpe such as they sent out for succoâ—rs either fell iâ—to their enemies hands or died by the sword or returned no more or could not reenter So as they could not hope for any helpe but in dispayring of helpe when as the prouidence of God brings them a strange and far-bred nation to giue them the liberâ—ie â—f the fields and the vse of bread The Estates of Poland had chosen Henry Duke of Aniou brother to our Charles for their King as wee shall see in the end of the seege of Rochell but with a promise and oth taken by the Bishop of Velence and Lansaâ— in the name of the King their master That all the Townes and persons in France molested for the cause of religion should be set at libertie At the request thereof the Ambassadors of Poland thâ—s poore people languishing for hungar yet resolute to die one after another rather then to fall into their enemies hands who threatned them with a geneâ—all massacre the nineteenth of August they obteyned of la Chastre in the Kings name To depart with their armes and baggage impunitie for such as would remaine still permission to dispose of their goods Sancâ—rre yeelded by câ—mpositâ—on promise to preserue the honour of women and maidens and to pay la Chastre forty thousand francks by the inhabitants that were absent So la Chastre entring the last of the sayd moneth dâ—smanteled Sancerre beate downe some houses tooke away the Clocke Belles and other markes of a Towne but the other pointes of the capitulation were reasonablie well obserued the Baylife Ionneau was massacred the 12. of September neere vnto la Chastres lodging Seege of Rochel Nowe followes one of the most memorable seeges that hath beene in many ages A seege where many of the Commaunders and most part of those which were noted to haue forced the Admiralls lodging began the butchery and committed so many murthers at Paris and else where came to seeke their graues The Kings army â—as held to be fifty thousand men by land and sea and threescore peeces of artilleâ—y The beseeged had a good number of gentlemen and horsemen eight companies of Inhabitants nine of strangers one of the Mayor one of voluntaries consisting of twentye Mâ—squetiers fiue and twenty armed with corselets of proofe and thirty hargue busiers the two thirds thereof were Gentlemen and such as had the charge in the former warres Yet the mildest way is the best And therefore Bâ—ron in the beginning seekes some meanes of an accord but the Rochelois discouering euery day some new practise beleeued that their preseruation consisted in distrust And a gentleman being in Rochell reuealed the intelligences which Biron had with him for the surprising of the Towne hauing alreadie drawne into the Towne some souldiars of Puigaillards and Saint Martins companies and was readie to drawe in the most resolute Captaines if the Mayor and Councell had not held it more fit by a small exemplarie execution to breake off a great and dangerous enterprise To incounter the enemie la Noue is chosen chief of the forces within the Towne without any diminution of the Maiors rights and authoritie in other things Montgoâ—â—â—â—â—â— succors could not passe la Noue sends newe deputies into England to the same 〈◊〉 but the league confirmed of late yeares betwixt our Charles and Queene Elisaâ—â—â—â— â—owe agâ—ine renewed by the baptisme of the Kings daughter whereof Elisabeth 〈◊〉 â—oâ—mother with the Empresse seemed to withdrawe the affection which was woâ—t to come from beyond the seas for the releefe of the Protestants whilest the salâ—eâ— and daylie skirmishes at Rochell inflame both the one and the other where oâ— the reason of the nerenesse of their retreat they do greatly wast the number of the 〈◊〉 The eleuenth of February the Duke of Aniou arriues at his army accompained with 〈◊〉 brother the Duke of Alanâ—on the King of Nauarre The Duke of Aniou comes â—o campe the Princes of Condé and Daulâ—â—â—né the Dukes of Longueuilâ—e Bouilâ—on Neueâ—s Aumale and Guise the yong Earle of Rochefoueault the Grand Prior and many other Noble men bringing with them a great trayne of men who for the most part would haue beene greeued they should 〈◊〉 taken this Sanctuarie and succor from the Protestants This seege was great and 〈◊〉 seeme to be of long continuance Euery man runnes thether euery one will haue 〈◊〉 share They prepare things necessarie for the batterie and in the meane time make many skirmishes Before they come to their greatest force the Duke sollicits tâ—e gentlemen and Inhabitants by letters conteyning both promises and threats They hâ—mbly shew vnto him the necessity of their defence knowing no fitter meanes to preâ—erâ—e their liues against
were prest to these extremities by the violences of such as would take from them their goods and liberties their religion liues Contrariwise I will giue the Parisiens life which Mendosa the Ambassador of Spaine takes from them by famine As for religioÌ„ informe your selues of these Princes and Noblemen Catholikes if I do force their consciences in the exercise of their religion or otherwise The comparison with them of Gant is not good The Parisiens haue sufficiently shewed their courage in suffering their suburbs to be taken I haue fiue thousand Gentlemen with me who will not be intreated after the Gantois maner I haue likewise God and the equitie of my cause Make a faithfull report of my words to them that haue sent you With this answere other speeches testifying the Kings good meaning the smal feare he had of the League these Deputies go to the Duke of Mayenne and hee sends them backe to the King and giues great hope to incline to a peace But Be not amazed at this treatie said he to the Parisiens by a Secretary of his going after the Deputies I will rather die then make a peace And being aduertised that Paris would shortly bee forced through want to yeeld vnto the King The taking thereof answered he shal be preiudiciall vnto him this conquest shall disperse his armie and then we shall preuaile easily But his Maiestie would neither see nor suffer the ruine of his capital Cittie and his meaning was not to seize vpon Paris in such sort as his enemies supposed It greeued him to see so many ill aduised people And if the Dukes of Mayenne and Parma coming to succour them would hazard a battaile he hoped by their ouerthrowe to bring the Parisiens vnto reason Thus the Duke thought to abuse the King with deuises and vnder a colour of treatie win time in fauour of the beseeged But the King being aduertised that the Duke of Mayenne was parted from Bruxelles The King goes against his enemies and tooke the way to Paris followed by Balagny Captaine Saint Paul and other troupes his Maiestie aduanceth with a troupe of horse and marcheth seuenteene Leagues to incounter him and missing them but one houre he forceth them to flie into Laon. The Duke fortifies himselfe there with his forces and approching vnto Meaux he giues a generall hope of a battile The King goes againe towards him but hee finds the Duke fortified betwixt two riuers attending the Duke of Parmaes comming who being come renues this first hope and with this desseme he goes to lodge at Claye and Fresnes sixe Leagues from Paris The King raiseth the seege comes to meet him appoints the Rendezuous for his armie The next day the tâ—irtith of August on the plaine of Bondy in the way to his enemies he chaseth their quarter masters from Chelles The seege of Paris â—aâ—sed who began to marke out their lodging and forceth a troupe of eight hundred horse to retire into the bodie of their armie The first of September the Kings armie is in battaile aboue the village of Chelles about sixe thousand horse in the which were sixe Princes two Marshalls of France many Noblemen The King ofâ—ers battaile more commaundets more great Captaines then are in all the rest of the woâ—ld foure thousand French Gentlemen whom the bare shew of a combat doth draw more cheerefully to the place of battaile then to a gallant wedding eighteene thousand foote French and strangers The Duke of Parma standing vppon a hill to view them Be these sayd hee to the Duke of Mayenne the tenne thousand men which you assured mee would bee so easily ouercome there appeares aboue fiue and twentie thousand in the best order that I haue seene This Duke made more account to saue one of his men then to kill ten of his enemies So resoluing not to hazard any thing they change their Swords and Lances into shouels and Pâ—keaxes and intrenching themselues in the Fenne auoyded the danger and preserued his armie and neither could skirmishes nor alarums make him abandon his trenches On the eight day of the moneth the miste was great and the winde being contrarie carryed away the noyse of the enemies Canon The Dukes laying holde of this occasion make a bridge of Boates besiege Lagny vpon Marne a weake Towne lying behinde their backes and halfe a mile from their Campe they batter it and take it by force but not without an honourable and vertuous resistance of three hundred men that kept it but holding it not gardable they razed it To drawe them out of their Forte his Maiestie makes shew of a great enterprise against Parts Lagny taken by the Dukes he makes his desseigne knowne that hee will attempt it by scaladoe and the tenth daye at nigâ—t goes from the Campe with a good troupe But they keepe themselues within their Fennes yet could they not long subsiâ—t in this straight where they endured all wantes and hungar in the end would driue the Woolfe out of the wood The King offred them battaile in vaine hee attended the tryall of the Dukes forces in 〈◊〉 Hee therefore mans those places hee held about Paris sends backe some of his troupes into Touraine Normandie Champagne and Bourgongne and retaines a sufficient armie to annoy his enemies This proceeding drawes the Dukes to field to free Paris Parma calles himselfe a redeemer and to make his profit of this aduantage and Corbell hee besiegeth and taketh Corbeil by force and kills all that hee findes in armes Rigaude a braue and valiant Captaine commanded there and hauing not time to fortifie against so great a power hee found there his honourable Sepulcher For dying at the breach hee performed the dutie of a faithfull and valiant seruant to the King But the Parmesan lost the Marquis of Renty with a great number of men blemished his reputation and weakened his armie for whilest that he wastes time the King makes new desseignes which shall bring the League into greater difficulties Euen then the Agents of Philip would haue filled his good Cittie of Paris for so the Spaniard called it with numbers of Spaniards and Walons But on the one side the plague was great and vâ—ctualls very skant and on the other side the forces of Maurice Earle of Nassau pâ—euailed in the Lowe Countries the Queene of England sending great succours thether And the sixteene of Paris seeing themselues at some more libertie thanked the Duke of Parma giuing him to vnderstand that his aboâ—d at Bruxelles would be more pleasing and more safe for him His armie decayed visibly hee sees himselfe in the midest of an inconstant multitude Thâ— Duke of Parmas retreate and to dismember his forces to leaue any with the Parisiens were to loose them to drawe the King vpon him and to bee in danger of an ouerthrowe So in the end of Nouember he gathers together his troupes and makes his retreat beeing pursued tyred and beaten with dayly
But hee will teach vs that the surest stroakes come from the head and if the olde Duke of Guise could by a gallant stratageme recouer a towne from the English most important for the Estate of this Crowne he in like sort by the like exploite will make himselfe the terror of all Picardie 1596 Hee departs from Bruxells and giues it out that hee will succor la Fere. For his first fruites he findes meanes to giue them some releefe of men and munition in March. Calais and Aâ—dres taken by the Spaniaâ—d Then in Aprill he causeth his army being very strong to turne head towards Calais beseegeth batters and takes both towne and Castell by assault against all the resistance of the beseeged and puts many French gentlemen to the sword being sent to supply the Castell The Senâ—shall of Montlimart commanding the French and Aluarez Osorio the Spaniards in la Fere hauing for the space of fiue monethes endured all the toyles of warre and seene the riuer within the towne to rise two or three foote by the labour of men La Fâ—re lost had the 22. of the sayd moneth by a good composition some-what recompenced this so notable a losse if the Cardinall had planted here the lymits of his victories But contynuing the prosperity of his armies whilest the Kings are weary and demand rest after so great toyle hee goes in the beginning of Maye and campes before Ardres a very strong towne and notwithstanding their great defence became Master thereof the 23. of the moneth and resolues to people these townes of his newe Conquest with straâ—ge Colonies and prepares to adde vnto them that of Hulst in Flanders In the meane time the two armies spend the rest of the Sommer in light roads one into an others Country Warre in Arthois In the beginning of September the Marshall of Biron enters Arthois takes the Casteâ—l of Imbercourt encounters with fiue Cornets of horse of the Marquis of Varambon followed by fiue or sixe hundred horse of combate chargeth them hee kills all that seeke to withstand the violence of his armes puts the rest in route takes the Marqâ—is prisoner afterwards had fortie thousand Crownes for his ransome filled the whole Country with feare then inuading the County of Saint Paul he tooke and spoyled the towne and some other places The Cardinall busied at the seege of Hulst hearing that the Marquis was taken hee sent the Duke of Arscot to commande in his place As hee enters into Arâ—as the French assaile it on the other side spoile the Country about it and laden with bootie the Marshall retires safely to the fronters oâ— Picardie Being discharged hee returnes to Bapaume spoiles Hebuterne Benuiller Courcelles and other places defeates such as would make resistance and carries away more spoile then at the first And seeing the Duke of Arscot incamped neere to Arras vnder the fauour of the Cannon intrenched carefully and loath to hazard any thing knowing that he was to deale with one of the happiest and most valiant warriors of Europe they fire all and reuenge as oportunitie would suffer them the Spaniards outrage in places lately taken they make a roade towards Bethune and Therouenne bring away many prisoners furnish their places with Cattell at the enemies cost and without any resistance go and campe in the plaine of Azincourt The Duke supplied with eight hundred â—oote ioyned to the regiment of Colonel Bourlote parts from Arras the 5. of October and goes and incampes at Saint Paul The Marshall leaues him there returnes into Arthois runnes vnto Douay spoiles all then returning into Picardie hee gaue the Duke of Arscot meanes to recouer the Castell of Himbercourt who content with this conquest dismisseth his army and disposed of his companies into garrisons Then by the meanes of the Duke of Bouillon the alliance was confirmed and sworne betwixt the King the Qâ—eene of England and the vnited Prouinces of the Lowe Countries For matters past there is no remedie and the Polititians hold that there is no Lawe more vnprofitable then that which tends to reforme what is past The King therefore to settle his affaires and to prouide for the future resolute not to suffer theâ—e newe Colonies of Dourlans Capelle Castelet Cambray Calais and Ardres and with the newe yeare to renue a deadly warre against the Spaniard which might not bee attempted without a mighty army An Assâ—mbly aâ— Rouâ—n in â—orme of a Parliament nor the army leuied without treasure the which he could not recoueâ— without the helpe of his subiects hee assembled in manner of a Parliament the greatest and most discreet of the three orders of his realme at Rouan the fourth of Nouember where the Inhabitants of their owne voluntariâ— free will 5596 spent foure hundred thousand Crownes to make his Maiestie an honorable reception where he receiued the gaâ—ter a badge of the order of England by the hands of the Earle of Shrewsburie His Maiestâ—e desired to deserue these two glorious titles of Deliuerer â—estorer of of his estate At his coming to the Crowne hee had found France not onely in a manner ruined but almost all lost for the French but by the grace of the Almightie by the prayers by the good counsell of his loyall Subiects who make no profession of armes by the sword of his Princes and of his braue and generous Nobilitie by his paines and labour he had preserued it from losse Let vs saue it now from ruine said our King speaking to the assembâ—ie Participate my deere subiects with mee in this second glorie as you haue done in the first I haue not called you as my Predecessors did to make you approue my will I haue caused you to assemble to haue your Counsells to beleeue them and to follow them finally to put my selfe into your hands A desire which seldome commaunds Kings that haue white haires and are Conquerors But the vehement loue I beare vnto my Subiects and the exeding desire I haue to adde these two goodly titles to that of King makes mee to find all easâ—y and honorable The sharpnes of winter had layd armes aside and the excessiue raine caused many inundations whereof amongst others followed that of the millers bridge at Paris which sinking on Saint Thomas night was the losse of three hundred persons slaine in the ruines of the building and drowned in the riuer Whilest they examine the resolutions taken in this honorable assemblie and that the King prepares for a mightie armie to chase the Spaniard out off Picardie behold the capitall Cittie of this Prouince strong of seat and well fortified where his Maiestie pretended to make his Arcenall and storehouse for the warre against the Sranger in Arthois and other Prouinces of the Low Countries was surprised in the day time the people being at sermon without force without defence by the practise of some factioâ—s and the carelesse basenesse of the Inhabitants who standing vpon their ancient
the Emperouâ— who besides the donation which he expected from the Emperour his brother of his right desired that during the life of Duke Iohn a Catholike Gouernour should be named and at his appoinment that after his death he might vnite these Duchies lying neere vnto the Lowe Countries the which he hoped should be giuen him in marriage and become Maister thereof But all the enterprises which hee made and all the ruiâ—es and spoyles which his army committed vnder his Lieutenant the Admirall preuayled nothing but his army was forced to reâ—ire and to deliuer vp those places which they had taken vnto Duke Iohn who at this present is married with the daughter of the Duke of Lorraine as shall be said hereafter The fourth Demaund That the sentence giuen against them of the Towne of Aix should be presently put in execution It did much import the King of Spaine and Albert the Cardinall that the towne of Aix lying in the Country of Iuilliers nere vnto Lembourg should bee at the Protestants deuotion He therefore required the execution of the sentence giuen against them in the Imperiall chamber for the reestablishment of a Catholike Magistrate According to this demaund the Bishop of Leege was appointed by the Emperour to execute the sayed sentence To the fift Demaund That he prouide a speedy remedy for the Hans Townes to restrain the insolencye of English Pirats The Spaniard made this demaund for the townes of the East Country as Lubeck Rostoch Hambourg Breme Stode and others which did trafficke with his subiects and from whome he receiuâ—d great store of munition for the Warre Vpon this pretext the English ships did take and spoyle the Esterlings Whervppon the Emperour by an Imperiall decree did forbid the English to trafficke in the Hans Townes And the Queene of England did answer by proclamation that it should be lawfull for her subiects to take all ships that should carry any munition of War vnto the Spaniard By this answer we may see that the Queene did not greatly feare the Emperours prohibitions who answered vnto the said demand of the Admirall That hauing more ample complaints he would prouide as his duty and the equity of the cause doth require To the sixt Demaund That he would suffer him to leuy men in the territories of the Empire his Imperiall Maiesty made answer That the Catholike King should in no sort doubt of his good affection for that during so many yeares space he had suffered him to make the like leuies of men The which was neuer graunted vnto his aduersaries who notwithstanding haue leuied some but without his Maiesties pâ—iuity But for his Imperial Maiesty to graunt such a thing vnto the King of Spaine either by Letters pattents or by commission it was not conuenient for that they haue imployment for many souldiars against the Turke so as it was to be feared the whole Empire would murmure yet vnder hand his Imperiall Maiesty was coÌ„tent to assist him all he could And if the affaires of Hongary would permit to satisfie him fully openly But the Admiral did presse him much to haue Letters pattents with commission to leuie men notwithstanding the former reasons or any other respect seeing that the Emperour may leuy men in the Lowe Countries to serue against the Turke Whervnto the Emperour answered That he could not graunt the King of Spaine any Pattent generall or leaue to leauy as many regiments of Souldiars as he pleased seeing it had not beene vsed in former â—imes But seeing that his Imperiall Maiesty was not of sufficient power to beare the burthen of this Warre without the assistance of the Princes of the Empire there was no doubt but at the first Campe and at the first occasion hee should bee charged and reproached therewith so as the contributions and support of those Princes would fayle him To conclude the Emperour intreated the King of Spaine as well in this regard as in all other things to rest assured of his loue and affection and how welcome his Ambassador was vnto him These were the demaunds the King of Spaine made vnto the Emperour To what ende they tended will appeare by the actions of the sayde Admirall of Arragon hauing entred the countries of Iuilliers and Cleues with the King of Spaines army as we shall shew in the ende of this yeare 1598. Whilest these things passed in Germany the most Christian King was at Nantes he pacified Brittaine discharged the new Garrisons and some Imposts and placed for Gouernour there Cesar Monsieur his base sonne nowe Duke of Vandosme who was betrothed to the onely Daughter of the Duke of Mercoeur He then graunted the Edict of pacification to them of the reformed Religion within his realme as wee shall shewe hereafter A Peace being concluded at Veruins betwixt the two Kings there was nothing yet agreed vpon for the Duke of Sauoy It seemed the King of Spaine had forgotten him and that hee did not acknowledge him for his sonne-in-lawe The French King helde him for neither kinsman nor friend so long as hee should detaine the Marquisate of Salusses The Marquis of Lullins who was there Agent for the Duke assured the Deputies that the Duke had no other intention The Duke of Sauoy desires to bâ— comprehâ—nded in the Treaâ—y but to giue the King more contentment hereafter then forepassed occasions would giue him meanes Vppon this assurance he entred into the Treaty the which by his occasion was in a manner broken off three dayes before the conclusion For the King was resolued not to thinke of any accord with the Duke but by present effects without defferring the satisfaction of that which was due vnto him It was not likely the King would conclude a peace with the Duke of Sauoy with lesse honourable conditions then hee had done with the King of Spaine from whom he had recouered all his places But the Pope fearing that this Marquisate of Salusses would proue an Aetna to fire all Italy preuailed so with the King as he preferred the publike good before his owne priuate interest The King prefers the publike good before his priuâ—te interest beeing content for the finishing of this building of Peace that the Dukes Interest and his Right should be put to compromise It was agreed that the Pope should bee the onely Iudge of this discord touchâ—ng the restitution of the Maâ—quisate of Salusses and that within a yeare So a Peace was concluded signed by the Deputies but it was not published till a moneth aâ—ter only a general suspension of armes was proclaimed The King being at Rennes in Brittaine came post to Tours and so to Amiens for the better execution of the Peace A Peace concludâ—d the 2. of Mâ—y 1598. coâ—teyning 37. Articles Proclaimed the 2. of Iunâ— which was coÌ„prehended in 37. Articles the which Peter Mathew sets downe at large All which Articles conteyned in the Treaty and all that had beene concluded agreed and passed by the said
vnto him to haue had intelligence with Chastillon Admirall of France and with William of Nassau Prince of Orange touching the Low Countries This as some say was discouered by Don Iohn his vncle bastard brother vnto the King who being inexorable against them that had offended came vnto the Princes chamber in the night whereas hee found two pistols behind his beds head and some papers which did auerre the intelligences he had with his enemies The King first gaue him a gard afterwards he put him in prison and in the end to death But first he propounded to his Councell of conscience what punishment a Kings sonne deserued that had entred into League against his Estates and had conspired against his fathers life and whether hee might call him in question His Councell layed before him two remedies both iust possible the one of Grace and Pardon the other of Iustice and punâ—shment and the difference betwixt the mercie of a father and the seueritie of a King saying that if by his clemencie he did pardon them which loued him not hee could not but pardon that creature which he should most affect They desired him to imitate the Emperour Charlemagne who imputed the fiâ—st conspiracie of his sonne Pepin against him to lightnes of youth and for the second hee confiâ—ed him iâ—to a Monasterie protesting that hee was a father not a King nor a Iudge against his Soâ—ne The King answered that by the law of Nature he loued his sonne more then him elfe but by the law of God the good and safetie of his subiects went before it Moreouer he demaunded of them if knowing the miseries which the impunitie or dissimulation of his sonnes offences would breed he might with safetie of conscience pardon him and not bee guiltie of those miseries Hereat his Diuines shronke in their shoulders and with teares in their eyes sayd that the health of his people ought to bee deerer vnto him then that of his Sonne and that hee ought to pardon offences but such crimes as abhominable monsters must be supprest Hereupon the King committed his Son to the Censure of the Inquisitors commaunding them not to respect his authoritie no more then the meanest within his Kingdome and to regard the qualitie of his son as if he were a King borne making no distinction therof froÌ„ the partie accused vntil they found that the excesse of his offence would no more admit of this consideration remembring that they carried in their soules a liuely Image of the King which had iudged Angels and should without distinction iudge Kings and the Sonnes of Kings like vnto other men referring all vnto their consciences and discharging his owne The Inquisitors for the practises which hee had with the enemies of his religion The Iudgâ—menâ— oâ— the Inquisitors declared him an Heretike and for that he had conspired against his fathers life condemned him to die The King was his accuser and the Inquisitors his Iudges but the Iudgement was signed by the King which done they presented many kinds of death in picture vnto the Prince to make choise of the easiest In the end hee demaunded if there were no pittie in his father to pardon him no fauour in his Councell for a Prince of Spanie nor no wisedome to excuse the follies of his youth when as they told him that his death was determined and might not be reuoked and that all the fauour was in the choise of the mildest death He sayd that they might put him to what death they pleased tâ—hat there was no choise of any death seeing they could not giue him that which Caesar held to be the best These last words A vnloked foâ— death best deliuered with passion were followed with a thousand curses against his Fortune against the inhumanitie of his Faâ—her and the crueltie of the Inqusition repeating verie often these wordes O miserable sonne of a more miserable father Hee had some dayes of respit giuen him to prepare himselfe for death One morning foure slaues entred into his chamber who awaking him put him in mind of his last houre and gaue him small time to prepare vnto God Hee start vp sodainly and fled to the bed post but two of them held his armes and one his feet The deaâ—h of the Prince of Spaine Death of the Queene of Spaine and the fourth strangled him with a cord of silke Many hold that hee died of letting bloud his feete being in warme water The death of the Queene of Spaine foure moneths after made the world to suspect other causes of his death The King was also vnfortunate in his enterprises against Flanders and England hauing prepared a great fleet which perished in the narrow Seas almosâ— without any fight Hee is blamed for his crueltie against the Indians whome hee abandoned to the slaughter like vnto brute beasts Hee had foure wiues aâ—ter that of Portugal He married with Marie Queene of England by whome hee had no children His third was Elizabeth of France surnamed by the Spaniards the Queene of Peace by whome hee had two daughters the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia now Archduchesse and the Infanta Catherina Michelle who was Duchesse of Sauoy The fourth was Anna of Austria daughter to the Emperour Maximilian and his owne proper Neece by whome hee had three Sonnes and one daughter of the which there now remaines the Prince Charles Laurence surnamed at his comming to the Crowne Philip the third Hee affected the Empire as much as might be and not able to attaine vnto it hee sought the title of Emperour of Spaine The King of Spaines ambition yea hee was resolued to go to the Indies to take vpon him the title of Emperour of Amerâ—â—a After all his ambitious proiects vppon Affricke his attempts against Ireland and his intelligences with the Turkes Barbarians and Persians whome he hath sought to diuide and to make vse of euen against Christian Princes but chiefly and especially against France yet in the end hee was forced to confesâ—e That all the power and pompe of this world was meere vanitie He raigned aboue fortie yeares and was buried with his Ancestors as he had ordayned We haue said that hee drew a writing out of a little Cabinet and deliuered it vnto his sonne Some writers say that it was a translation into Spanish of the Instruction which the King S. Lewis gaue vnto his Sonne Philip the hardie Others say it was the Instruction which followes Instruction oâ— the King of Spâ—inâ— to the Prince his Sonne My sonne I haue beene alwaies sollicitous and carefull to leaue you your Estates peacefull and quiet but neither the many yeares which I haue liued nor the assistance of Princes my Allyes could euer purchase it I confesse I haue spent in lesse then 33. yeares fiue hundred nintie and foure millions of ducats all which haue bred mee nothing but cares and troubles It is true I haue conquered Portugal but as France did hardly escape me so may
a peace but desired warre and to entertayne it not only in Flanders but throughout all Europe whilest that the Turke most cruelly inuades and vsurps all he can vpon the Christians imbracing the occasion whilest that Christian Princes are troubled with the seditions of their subiects and by this meanes doth inlarge the limits of his most cruell Empire But aboue all the sayd Hollanders haue of late done a great and intollerable wrong refusing to heare the Ambassadors sent vnto them from the Emperour and the Princes of Germanie and yet the Emperour hath not forgotten the desire he had to seeke a Peace but hath sent a new Ambassage vnto them whereof the issue is yet vncertaine and yet the sayd Hollanders omitt not to do all kind of hostilities against their lawfull Princesse being growne proud by some happie successe in their opinions when as the Spaniards were busied in the warres of France Moreouer a Peace being made with the French they haue vsed all the policie they could to hinder the Conclusion And being required by the King of France to inclyne to a peace they haue not onely refused the treatie but haue also renewed the warre by their meanes who holding the Estate in their power haue no other care but to thrust all the world into combustion To them this inconuenience is to be imputed if no frute of peace hath beene imparted to any of the Belgick Prouinces In former times they pretended for their excuse that they could not giue eare to any peace whilest that Spaniards and strangers commaunded of whome they would not depend for that they could not trust them But the deceased King by his clemency had taken from them this pretext sending vnto them the Archdukes Ernest and Albert whose care and singular desire was only to imploy themselues for the publike good the which was knowne vnto all the world for that either of them did labour for a peace with great care and diligence offering to be mediators for them to recouer their Princes fauour Contrariwise they had contemned them and would not vse so great a benefit So as the poore people being opprest with tyrannie and reduced to dispaire contemne or cannot comprehend the things which are for their quiet and tranquilitie yea their Princes whome the King had appointed for them were contemned by them wheras the States of other Prouinces had exhorted them to acknowledge Her returning her Ambassadors which shee had sent vnto them not vouchsafing Her any answere The which may iustly bee held too vnworthie for that all the world wil so conceiue that no man ought to haue society nor confederation with them which make warre against God their Prince and their Countrie That vnto this day they haue had free libertie to trafficke the which hath produced no other frute but to make them more bitter for that they abuse the Entries Excises Imposts and Customes to imploy them for the mayntenance of the Warre whereof they haue raysed a great commoditie And as for the Archduchesse shee hath imployed all meanes by her Councell and with the intention of the King her brother to haue her Subiects liue in Peace and submit themselues vnto their duties Seeing then these people cannot be reclaymed by mildnesse nor any benefits shee as a Soueraigne Princesse by the aduice of her Councells namely of Cardinall Andrew forbids all her subiects to haue any more trafficke or commerce with the said Hollanders and Zelanders and that nothing bee vented vnto them by her subiects neither by Land nor Sea directly reuoking all letters and pasports concerning the Nauigation and fishing and also all other pattents for negâ—â—â—ation vnlesse within one moneth they resolue to harken vnto a Peace Which doing shee promiseth them all Clemency and Fauour although they haue so often refused it vnto this daie This Edict of the Infantaes was scarce proclaymed The answer of the vnited Prouinces to the Infantaes Proclamation when as the Estates made an o the contrary vnto it after this manner That it is easie to see what the Spaniards pretended as well by this Edict as by the other stratagems of thâ—ir Councells which tends to no other ende but to ouerthrowe all the liberty not onely of Flanders but of all other Nations will challenge vnto themselues a right and power not onely ouer Bodies and Goods but â—â—so vpon Soules and Consciences wherevnto tended those great late enterprises not â—nely by secret conspiracies and suborning of the subiects of France and England against their Princes but also the Spaniards haue sought by maine armes both by Land and Sea to inuade the sayd Realmes whereof being frustrate they haue attempted against the Princes of Germaine the Electors of the holie Empire to vexe them taking their Townes and Castells and spoyling their Countries making all desolate by Rapin Rauishing and Murthers without any respect of sexe or quality of persons hauing massacred Princes and Earles And they threaten neuer to lay aside armes vntill they haue reduced all them to the ancient Ceremonies that were fallen from the Romish Church So as they change Religion freely and the administration of the Common-weale by force and violence in Emperiall Townes and Citties Yea and they shewe by their proceeding and publish it euery where that they wish the Princes Electors and other Estates of the Empire would defend themselues by Warre taking armes so should they more comodiously effâ—ct what they pretended That in the same shop this present Councell hath beene forged by the which the King of Spaine hath forbiden all vse of trafficke and hath vsed the Marchants and Marriners most cruelly whome they haue taken seized vpon the Shippes stolne the Goods and Marchandise that was in them and violated his promises in diuers sortes whereof the Infanta following his example hath commanded the like should bee done in Flanders It is for that they are greeued that wee haue expelled the tiranie which did hang ouer our heads by meanes of vnion that is amongest vs and by our Courage Goods Meanes and Forces haue withstood their attemptes and made frustrate their fraudes relying chiefely vpon the fauour of God and then being aided by the Queene of England and other Kings and Princes The which we haue resolued to do and to endeauor with all our powers not onely to defend our limits from iniury but also to reuenge the wrongs which haue beene done vs not doubting but God will assist our endeauors with his fauour beeing so necessary and inspire the hearts of Kings and Princes with this good intention to prouide for their affaires and maintaine their Dignities against the wicked practises of them that seeke to supplant them In so doing they hope vndoubtedly that within short time the Spanish forces being expelled out of the limits of the Empire and aboue all out of Flanders a generall peace shal be confirmed as it is most desired with as great assurance as euer was And for as much as to perfect this
England Warre in Guienne where the Princes of Wales commanded was then in Guienne to gouerne the Countrie vnder his Fathers authoritie Edward sends him two thousand hoâ—se and 8000. English Archers with commission to assemble all he can in the Country of Guienne vnder his obedience where hee was followed by a great number of the Nobilitie and houses of marke The cheefest were Captal de Buch and the Lord of Grail some thinke that out of these two houses vnited the race of Candale is issued with the Lords of Esparre of Mueidan of Montferrat of Duras and of Segur All prepares for a great hurliburlie Iohn hauing leuied a goodlie armie turnes head to the place King Iohn marcheth against the Prince of Wales whether the greatest burthen of the warre did call him Hauing therefore lefte sufficient forces in Normandie to make head against the Duke of Glocester he matcheth towards Poitou whether the Prince of Wâ—lâ—s was nowe come Pope Clement the 6. a Limosin resident at Auignon sends the Cardinal of Peregort his legate to these two Princes being ready to fight to calme this storme But the preparatioÌ„ of Iohns great fâ—rces was the chiefe motiue to make Edward willing to giue ouer who began to stay and to thinke of his retreate and of reasonable composition by the Legats â—eaâ—es â—â—â—6 who goes from one to another to make this accord Iohn demanded That Edwâ—rd should giue him fower hostages and as one vanquished should remaine at his mercy and dâ—screâ—iâ—n Edward was content to yeeld vp all that he had taken from him but without any blemish to his honour whereof he said he was accomptable to God and his country Iohn would not accept of this offer notwithstanding all the intreaties and perswasions the Legate could vse finding himselfe farre stronger then his enemie 〈◊〉 forceth Eâ—warâ— to defend hiâ—selfe saying it was his aduantage to prescribe him lawes But his Fathers experience so deerely bought should haue taught him wit and not so willingly to runne into a mischiefe Oh miserable France which aâ—t neuer wise but too late This King shuts his eyes to Presidents stops his eares to all admonitions of reason seeking his own ruine wilfully The errour of King Iohn as if the time had beene too short for his perdition He desired at any hand to fight presently to whip this yong warriour hauing forgotten that he◠〈◊〉 plaâ—d his prize at Câ—essy and learned not to be rash in a matter of so great consequence but what followed The onely meanes to preserue the vanquished is to hope for no helpe So Edward seeing himsâ—lâ—e reduced to this extremity either to loose his honour or his life he resolues to imploy his life couragiously to saue his honour vertuously the euent fauored his resoluâ—ion Iohn had all aduantages ouer Edward both of number force shewe country and conceit the which is commonly a consideration of no small importance in worldly affaires and withall the choise of all his horsemen esteemed then the bâ—st in Europe with the greatest and wisest Captaines of his whole Realme Being wel aduertised of the number and estate of the English armie The order of the French armie which consisted for the most paâ—â— of foote-men his meaning was to draw him to baâ—â—ell presuming easily to defeat this troupe of English bowmen with so great a number of Lances and battell axes well armed So as putting all hope of victory in his horse he makes the forme of his battell according to this desâ—einâ— But he had forgotten that neither horse not horseman â—aues the man in the day of battel He resolues therefore to charge onely with his horse and to giue his Nobility the honour of the victory the which he held confidently in his hands before the battell Vpon this proiect he arrangeth his foote apart in one baâ—aâ—lion and deuides his horse into three squadrons whereof he giues the first to his Coâ—â—â—â—ble some name the Duke of Athenes the stemme of the house of Tremoâ—â—ile and som◠〈◊〉 thaâ— he was of the house of Bâ—emâ— accompanied with two Marshalls of â—â—ance Arnould of Enâ—reghan and Iohn of Clermont The second was giuen to Charles his eldest sonne and the third with his sonne Philip hee reserues to himselfe In this confidence of his horsemen he bethiâ—kes himselfe of a new stratagem out of euery squadron he choseth a hundred horse and so made one body of three hundred meaning therewith to breake the first â—ankes of the enemies army which for the most part were foote The Prince of Wâ—les prest by necessity had another dâ—sseine Standing vpon his defence he resolues to incourage himselfe and by courage to animate his army with an obstinate resoluâ—ion to fight desperately agaynst so great and strong an enemy and so to gouerne his forces as the combate might proue difficult to the enemie â—he Engâ—ish Army whom hee sees ready to charge He lodgeth his armie in a place of aduantage fâ—r the dâ—â—â—nce against the horâ—e hauing both behind them and on their flankes Vines Busâ—â—s Hedgerowes and vnderwoods all of hard appâ—oach for the horse But hee adds industry and makes the place more inaccessible causing the souldiers to cast vp great tâ—â—nches with wonderfull expedition Hauing prouided for his campe he doth place his Arâ—hâ—rs vpon the approches so politikely as they might succour the horse and be reliâ—ued by thâ—m and likewiâ—e resiâ—t the enemy when they should be charged But aboue all her labors to animate hâ—s Soâ—â—diars so as the courage of his small troupe did equall the◠〈◊〉 of the greater in 〈◊〉 firme resolution eyther to vanquish or to die together to maintaine their honours and good fortunes in this order the English attend the French army confidently whom they see preparing to fight Whilest that Edward prouides thus for his defence there befell a great contention in the French armie the which swaies much in this dayes fight A diuision in the French armie very preiudiciall For comming to make choise of a hundred horse out of euery battaillon there were some discontented the places being giuen rather by fauour then merit so as such as were left behind finding themselues grieued as with a repulse were more ready to double their despight then their courages to fight Impressions which import much in these great occurrents when the minde must still be present with that we doe and not be distracted with any other affections but they are now ready to fight Behold this troupe of 300. horse departs The French charge the 〈◊〉 commanded by Eustache of Ribemont The trumpets sound to battaile they all runne to the easiest approche of the English trenches to drawe forth their footemen and to prouoke them to fight This was another â—rrour of Iohns that being stronger then Edwards beseeging him in the Vines and cutting off his victuals in few dayes he might haue vanquished him without blowes But ouer-weening impatiencie and hast drew
endure all vnder their wise and faithfull gouernor rather then to fall into the hands of strangers whose gripes they had formerly felt If they were fiercely beseeged by the English and Bourguignons Compiegne releâ—ued by the French so were they as well succored by the French vnder the happie commande of the Earle of Vendosme gouernor of Beauuais and the Marshall of Boussac who hauing valiantly forced the first bastions enter the Towne hauing victualled it they issue forth with great resolution so as they take all the other forts to their enemies great losse So Huntington and Luxembourg retyre with disgrace leauing not onely that Country free The Bourguignon chased from Compiegne but their victualls artillerie munition habillements of warre in their lodgings of Venete and Royaulieu sauing themselues with some difficultie at Pont l'Euâ—sque through the fauour of Noyon The Bourguignon was so amazed as hee retyred into Arthois hauing as bad successe by force as by policie Our French forces being maisters of the field they recouer all the Bourguignons conquests Choysy Gournay Bertueil Garmigny Ressons Pont Remy Pont Saint Maxence Longueil Saint Mary la Boyssiere Ireligny Verdueil and other places where hee had gathered togither all the corne and cattell of the Countrie the which was restored to the poore people to their great content The Bourguignons pride thus taken downe after so many victorious hopes was a principall part of this victorie But hee resolues to haue his reuenge of this affront Being come to Arras hee gathers togither all the forces he can and from thence hee goes to Pâ—ronne to attend the bodie of his armie His intent was to recouer what hee had lâ—st in his last warre oâ— Compiegne meaning to begin at Garmigny which did greatly anoye all that Country He â—ends a troupe of 6â—â— men before vnder the conduct of Thomas Tirâ—ell an English man Girard of Brimeâ— Goueâ—nor of Roye augments this troupe with a hundred of his men In this order they go to the seege of Garmigny as to a marriage but Pothon who had his spies in al places and had put himselfe into Garmigny at the brute of this seege slept not Hauing therfore sent to discouer the enemies countenance hee learns that these â—icards beeâ—ng neere to Bouchoire did hunt after hates whereof there are great storie in those parts and that this troupe was wholy in disorder runing vp and downe with great 〈◊〉 Pothon imbraceth this occasion sodenly and hauâ—ng drawen his men to â—ield hee surpriseth these hunters The Bourguignons deâ—eated beeing dispersed and out of breath 〈◊〉 bâ—comes a hunter o◠〈◊〉 peace hee defeats them kills them and in the ende cryes that they take the runneawayes The Comander is taken with most of their bâ—st mâ—n Anthonie of Vienne and the Lord of Hailly beeing greatly lamented by the â—ourguignon were first led to Garmigny and then to Compiegne in great tâ—iâ—mph The newes heereof did greatly trouble the â—ouâ—guignon especially when as the Earle of Veâ—â—â—sme went with the French army to braue 〈◊〉 at the gates of â—oye offring him battaile He made shewe to accept thereof but â—auing called a Councell he framed a reasonable excuse that his soldiars were not willing he should fight in the ende of the yeare Wâ—th these affâ—onts the yeare ends and with the death of a sonne which hee had by his 〈…〉 use whome hee loued deerely his spirits were so oppâ—â—â—sed with sâ—rrowe for this 〈◊〉 as this Prince being too paâ—â—ionate had speeches vnworthy the grauitie of his person and the greatnesse of his bloud euen weeping and wâ—â—shing for death Doubtlesse it often falls out that he which is too much puft vp in prosperity The Bourgâ—â—gnon daunted in aduersitie is easily daunted in aduersity A goodly lesson 〈…〉 men who 〈◊〉 learne but by great examples that their grâ—atnesse 〈…〉 from the common condâ—tion of mankind that they are men 〈…〉 O man 〈◊〉 soeuer thou beest behold good remedies 〈…〉 to be dronke with prosâ—erity nor drowned 〈…〉 haue nothing memorable but an entry to the 〈…〉 of Paris 〈◊〉 shall giue exâ—mple to all the rest of the realme 〈…〉 parties was necâ—â—sary for the making of an accord The Duke of 〈…〉 do much but 〈…〉 desseins had traâ—â—ported him beyond the cloud◠〈…〉 disgraces did 〈…〉 who expected much 〈…〉 by the effects but that 〈…〉 in their 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 â—riendship The Ducâ—eâ—â— of Bedford dies which till then was very necessarie but 〈…〉 although in this occurâ—ent theâ—r leaâ—ue was not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 weeps for his wife the other â—or his sister The beginning of this 〈◊〉 wâ—s noted 〈◊〉 the taking of Montargis from the French through the notable 〈…〉 a wâ—man 〈◊〉 taken whâ—â—aue entrance to the English and who presently 〈◊〉 the fruits 〈◊〉 treacherie But let vs attend the yeare following where wee shall see a 〈◊〉 change in this mâ—serable Towne At the same time in recompence of 〈◊〉 Chaâ—tres returnes to the Kings obedience The meanes is woâ—thâ—e obseruation 〈◊〉 â—ut in practâ—se in our times in many places A Carter 〈◊〉 at Chartâ—es 〈◊〉 brother resident in Couâ—t with a Treasoâ—er Chaâ—les â—eelds to the King The familiarity this Carter haâ— to go and come into the Towne made him both desire and to lay the plot of so 〈◊〉 an enterprise Neere vnto the gate there was an olde ruined house in the whâ—ch there was a 〈◊〉 vault halfe â—illed vp with rubbish heere they lodge a hundre◠〈◊〉 on the other side they conuay a thousand men secretly in the night into a house 〈◊〉 vnto the Towne The Carter comes at the breake of day with his Cart vnto the 〈◊〉 where he ouerthrows it of purpose faining that a wheele was slipt 1431. While the gard labours to helpe him the Ambush issues forth out of these ruines and surpriseth the Port and the rest second them with such speed as the Cittie is wonne This had beene done without any effusion of bloud if the Bishop had not animated the inhabitants to fight against their King where hee himselfe was slaine with some of the Câ—ttizens About this time René Duke of Bar brother to Lewis Duke of Aniou and King of Sicile A quarrell betwixt the Duke of â—ar and the Earle of Vaudâ—mont who shall make himselfe famous in the following raigne receiued a great check He had a notable quarrel against the Earle of Vaudemont pretending the Earldome from words they go to blowes René fortifies himselfe with the forces of France Vaudemont with those of Bourgongne René being farre stronger in shew besiegeth the Towne of Vaudemont and when as the Earle with the helpe of his friends would haue raised the siege René drawes him to fight defying him and promising to himselfe an assured victory But God the soueraigne Iudge of these factions gaue it to the Earle and René remained prisoner in the hands of the Duke of Bourgongne to whom he paied a great ransome
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 from him and his pension not payed for the redeeming the Townes vpon Somme and the aduancement of Croy in France Lewis discouers the League And although the passing and repassing of the Agents and factors of these Princes were very secretly performed by men disguised like religious men pilgrims beggars yet could they not worke so secretly but the King had intelligence that the Britton had sent to practise the loue and association of the King of England that by Iohn of Rommilli vice-chancellor of Briâ—tanie he had made a strict allyance with the Earle of Charolois a violent valiant Prince Thus the King sends the bastard of Rubempré a sea Captaine to surprise such as hee should finde passing out of Brittanie into England or from the Bourguignon to the Britton This bastand lands at La Haye in Holland hee enters the Towne with three in his company where then the Earle was resident Being examined of his quality and of the cause of his landing he makes some difficultie to discouer himselfe He is put in prison as a pirate sent saied they by Lewis to surprise the Earle trecherously and so to preuaile more easily with the Duke his father This brute was dispersed through the Countrie and made the King odious At the first report of these newes Philip being at Hedin dislodgeth without taking his leaue although he had promised not to depart without speaking againe to the King Lewis aduertised of the bastards detention sends the Earle of Eu the Chancellor Moruilliers and the Archbishop of Narbonne to Philip beeing at Lisle Ambassadors from Lewis to Philip. they accuse his son of treachery and infidelitie for that he had made a League with the Duke of Brittanie a friend and confederate with the English he complaines of the restraint of Rubempré his seruant and demands amends for words blowen giuen out against the Kings honour that the prisoner should be inlarged and for expiation of the crime that the authors of this slander should be deliuered into the Kings hands especiallie Oliuer de la Marche one of the chiefe in the Dukes Court to bee exemplarily punished The Chancellor who deliuered the speech being but a blunt man made it as bitter as he could and omitted nothing that might make the fact odious and criminall for the which he shall in time and place bee disauowed by the King and loose his office adding moreouer that he could not conceyue the cause of the Earles discontent if it were not for the pension and gouernment which the King had giuen him and since taken away Philip answers that Rubempré being charged with many crimes was iustly taken and in a Countrie where Lewis had no right If the informations did acquit him Philip answers to the Ambassadors he would send him to the King That la Marche was of the Country therfore the King not to be his coÌ„petent Iudge yet if he had done or sayed any thing against the honor of his maiestie he would punish him to his liking Moruillier insists vrging that Philip should not deny the King and that he should command his sonne not to entertaine any bad conceite of his Maiestie nor beleeue the sclanders imposed vpon Rubempré The Duke replies That till then hee had neuer denyed the King anie thing and contrariwise the King had failed of his promise 1465. in that contrary to their transaction he had fortified the Townes redeemed with great garrisons the which he should haue inioyed during his life taking an oathe of the Nobility to carrie armes indiffereâ—tly against all he should command That if his sonne were iealous and distrustfull hee tooke it of his mother who had often suspected him to go to other Ladies not from him who suspected no man The Earle of Charolois toucht with the Chancellers speech would haue taken the defence of his honor and the Duke of Brittaines but Philip fearing least choller should transport him beyond reason commands him to prepare for the next day The night brings Counsel The Earle hauing considered well of his plea answers very respectiuely yet he maintaynes that the proces of Rubempre would shew that his imprisonment was both iust and duly made That hee had made an allyance and strict league with the Duke of Brittain being brothers in armes but their association did nothing preiudice the Kings seruice nor the good of his realme but rather their common forces should be alwaies ready for the preseruation of his crowne and the publicke good As for the losse of his gouernment and pension whereof he had neuer receyued but one quarter hee was nothing displeased that as for any welth and honours the fauour of the Duke his Lord and father did suffice him Thus the Ambassadors returne nothing to Lewis but threats from the Earle who charged the Archebishop of Narbâ—nne particularly with this speech That within one yeare he would make the King repent the iniurious words he had caused his Chaunceller to giue him in the presence of the Duke his father And hauing spedily assembled a great armie out of Artois Henault Boullen Flanders Holland and Brabant consisting of foure thousand men at armes The warres of the Common weale and eight or nine thousand archers vnder the enseignes of Lewis of Luxembourg Earle of Saint Paul and afterwards Constable of France the Lord of Rauestin brother to the Duke of Cleues Anthonte bastard of Bourgongne Haut-bourdin bastard brother to the Earle of Saint Pol Contai and Lalain valiant and wise knights with many other Noblemen and gentlemen and great store of artillery and carriages hee enters into Picardie as Lieutenant generall to the Duke of Berry taking armes to releeue sayes he the people surcharged with taxes and subsidies The Earle of Câ—arolois enters Picardie and to recouer their ancient freedomes and liberties to restore the Nobilitie to their honors and ancient dignities and to gâ—ue vnto the Clergie their rights and preheminences In truth these were goodly shewes able to perswade the credulous and to supplant the affections of the simple For the first fruits of his forces he takes Nesle a little Castell neere vnto Noyon in the which there was a garrison Roie He takes Nesle Roie and Mondâ—dâ—er Montdidâ—er Beaulieu and Pont Saint Maxence then hauing passed the riuers of Somme Oise he comes with little spoile of the Country to S. Denis where all the confederats should meete but they failed of their appointâ—enâ— Hauing presented himselfe before Paris and skirmished at the gates with some losse to the Inhabitants supported onely by the companies of men at armes of Charles of Melun Baylife of Sens