Friends put forth a Declaration wherein the Prince promised to second the Duke of Orleans in making the Coadjutor Cardinal All these acts were by Croisy and Camertine intimate friends to the Coadjutor carried to the Duke of Orleans who underwrit two copies without reading them nor knew he what the contents were more than what the Coadjutor was pleased to acquaint him with Without whose suggestion doubtlesly Orleans intended no ill to the Cardinal nor would the Princes friends have demanded more than the Prince his liberty which when it should have been had the Parliament would not have prest for keeping the Cardinal from Court These writings being afterwards carried to the Princess Palatine and to the Duke of Nemeurs to be subscribed by them they agreed that they should remain with Croisy who was to deliver them to the Duke of Orleans or to Conde when he should be at liberty Incouraged by these Treaties the Frondeurs began to solicit the Princes liberties which made the Cardinal aware ere long of Orleans his alienation from him not so much out of any coolness that he found in him as for the bad speeches which many of his Court used concerning him but he was not yet fully inform'd of the secret plots that were a weaving against him and it was strange that so many days being spent in these Treaties he got no perfect notice of them they were too far advanc't before he perceived them so as after having imploi'd many persons in Messages and Proposals he at last offer'd in the presence of both King and Queen to be reconciled but this was rather in appearance than real but though Orleans forbore not the Cardinals Conversation and Dined sometimes with him yet after he had underwritten the aforesaid Treaties he could not so well dissemble as not to discover his inward mind The Cardinal who was not to be parallel'd for wariness finding this and knowing that there could be nothing but the ill impressions suggested by the Frondeurs and of his other Enemies speaking thereof with the Queen in her Chamber on the Twenty sixth of Ianuary at night told her that her Majesty must warily observe the proceedings of Parliament where it might be there were Fairfaxes and Cromwells The Duke who minded nothing but how to execute the Coadjutors suggestions thought the pretence fit to give fire to the Mine so as the Parliament being met on the first of February to think of the fittest means how to get the Princes out of Prison being perswaded that the Court did not desire it and that the Kings promise was only to gain time the Coadjutor being now sure to be assisted by Orleans unmasked himself and spoke more freely than before he shewed how necessary it was to get the Princes liberty as soon as might be and that he had order from the Duke to assure them that this was his opinion which he would imploy all his power to effect The Counsellors wonder'd much to hear this for believing hitherto that the Duke stood well with the Queen they could not discern whence this alteration should proceed Beaufort ratified what the Coadjutor had said and declared that he was of the same mind nothing was resolved upon that day for the Members being astonished at the novelty adjourn'd till the next day and the Coadjutor going to acquaint Orleans how well the Parliament was pleased with what he had told them in his name made him the more inamored with their applause and established him more firmly in the Resolution which he had taken Monsieur Tillier going at that instant to know from the Duke whether what the Coadjutor had said in Parliament was by his Highness permission or no or done barely by the Coadjutors self answered somewhat angrily that what the Coadjutor had said was done by his desire and that he should always approve of what he should say or do The whole Court was much surprised with this answer and made them resolve to send to Treat with the Princes touching their liberty The next day the Duke of Orleans moved thereunto by the Coadjutor sent for the Lord Keeper for Marishal Villeroy and for the Secretary of State Tillier and bad them tell the Queen in his name That he would never come to Court nor sit in Council as long as the Cardinal was there and said further to Villeroy That as Lieutenant General of the State he assigned over the keeping of the King's person unto him which his head should be answerable for On Friday the third of February having with yet greater energie by order from Orleans repeated his opinion touching the Princes liberty told the Assembly how the Cardinal had told the Queen in presence of the King that there were Fairfaxes and Cromwells in the Parliament that it was to be feared that their intentions were to suppress Regal Authority according to the example of England That the Duke not able to tolerate so great a Calumny had assured the King that it was altogether false and that there was none but faithful servants to his Majesty either in the Parliament or City whereof he would become surety both in general and in particular and that the Duke had told the Cardinals self that he was a wicked man and worthy to be reprehended for instilling such ill opinions into a young King against his affectionate Subjects by whom his Majesty was generally loved their hatred extending only to the Cardinal whom they knew to be the only cause of the Kingdoms ruine And that upon this the Duke had sent the day before for the aforesaid Lords and had wisht them to tell the Queen that he would come no more to Court whilst the Cardinal was there At the names of Cromwell and Fairfax they were all highly scandalized insomuch as three propositions were made against the Cardinal the first that he should be made Prisoner the second and this was made by President Viola who was more incens'd against him than all the rest that he should be sent for to the Parliament to give an account of his Administration and for the words which he had said to the dishonour of the French Nation Here the first President interrupted him saying he was too hasty and after some contest between him and Coulin who spoke impertinently against the Cardinal the third proposal was made which was humbly to desire the Queen that he might be sent from Court the meanwhile the Coadjutor's friends having divulged throughout the City the aforesaid words spoken by the Cardinal of Cromwell and Fairfax the male-contents resented it and said they were injured for the French do not only love but even idolatrize their King so as in a moment the whole City which was quiet before grew mutinous the people running up and down the Streets yea even in the Palace it self crying out Let the King live and let Mazarine dye The Queen sent the next day to the Duke of Orleans to know whether he would be content or no that
they obtained from him in these words We do consent and approve that the Nobility do Assemble to give in their grievances in writing so asthey put them into our hands and that they comprehend not any thing therein which is not conformable to the orders and decrees of the States General and that when they shall have received satisfaction in their grievances they dissolve when we shall bid them Vpon these conditions we promise them our protection This was written and subscribed on the second of February 1651. They then sent to the Prince of Conde and to the other Princes to congratulate their liberty and Marquess Lordis President of the Nobility made an Encomiastical Oration to the Prince the act of Union was subscribed on the 21 th of February as it had been drawn up seventeen days before by all the Nobility of the Assembly except the elder Marquess Vieville who was won over to the Court upon hope of being made superintendant of the Finances The Princes were well satisfied with the Assemblies complement they then dispatched away Letters through all the Provinces to exhort all other Gentlemen to enter into their Union and continued the Assembly that they might advance their designs Count Fiesco did very much labour the Convocation of the States General as the only means to come by the wisht for general peace strove to keep the Clergy firm to their first intentions and accordingly Archbishop Ambrune and Bishop Cominges spoke boldly for this Convocation using examples and places of Scripture to draw all men to the same opinion In this interim the Parliament which did not like the Convocation of the States General as well for fear left their Authority might thereby be moderated and that the Sale of places might peradventure be thereby suppressed and confer'd upon better deserving men as also out of the innate jealousie which is commonly found between Parliaments and States the latter pretending to be superior in Authority and the other did maintaining that States can resolve nothing unless it be by them verified notwithstanding met And here Monsieur de Coqueley brought a request presented by the Procurator General wherein he blamed the Assembly of the Nobility for being met without the King's Authority and insisted upon the inhibiting thereof but whilst they were deliberating hereupon and that the first President moved that the first Authors thereof should be punished reading the Letters sent by the Assembly to the several Provinces wherein the Duke of Orleans was concerned by whose permission the Assembly met that Duke and the Prince of Conde were intreated to come to the Parliament to deliberate upon this weighty affair for the Assembly began to be in great vogue in the Provinces and there was danger that by continuing the Assembly new disorders might arise This mean while the Queen by agreement with the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde sent on the 16 th of March to the Marishal de L' Hospitalle to inform the aforesaid meeting that it should break up and that as for their desire of having the States General called they should have it granted to meet on the first of October next at Tours The same was confirmed by the Duke of Orleans and the Captain of his Guard past his word that what had been said by the Marishal de L' Hospitalle in the name of the King and Queen should be punctually perform'd The like did the Cavaliere de Vieville by order from the Princes of Conde and County none of which were pleased with the calling of the States General as things too prejudicial to Regal Authority and to themselves in particular and therefore they sought by such excuses and promises to carry things on to the end that all might afterwards dissolve into nothing The Duke of Orleans instigated by the Coadjutor who partook of all his secret Councils became Protector of the Assembly of the Nobility the major part whereof depended upon him as being his intimate friends And the Coadjutor being very much troubled that even French Cardinals were by Decree of Parliament debar'd being of the Privy Council whereby he was deprived of his hope of becoming the chief Minister of State and of being Cardinal made the Duke of Orleans incourage the Clergy to joyn with the Nobility and to complain onto the Queen of the unjust proceedings of Parliament whereat the Court was not at all displeased seeing her adversaries at variance within themselves This Assembly of the Nobility was introduced when the King's Authority began to totter by reason of the hatred conceived against the Cardinal and it was begun by certain Bishops who were discontented at the Court proceedings and by certain Nobles who were not therewith well pleased only to make a noise and to make themselves of some consideration at first these Assemblies were held but by a few and in private houses The chief Authors of those of the Clergy were the Archbishop of Sens Brother to Marquess Termer the Bishops of Orleans Haghen and the old Bishop of Albi who were all three of the house of Bene and come to France from Florence the Bishop of Cominges and others the Marquess of Lourdis and of Vieville the Counts of Betumirs Fiesco Montresore Vrse Fourilles Montignack and others who were all without any charge and but little considered at Court they took their pretence from some ill usage of the Nobility in the Country of Vexin by the King's Officers about a suit touching some counterbar'd Salt brought in by the Soldiers and hid amongst their baggage in the March which the Army made towards the Frontiers some of them came to Paris to complain thereof and finding men displeased at the imprisonment of the Princes and laying hold of that pretence that Mazarine had told the Queen in full Council that the Nobility of France hated the King and that the Parliament would do as that of England had done they bethought themselves of calling the Assemblies by the Assent and Authority of the Duke of Orleans who was not altogether content with the Court. So as nothing but novelty was sought after whereby to win credit and get some Office or place in the King's Council The same whereof being spread over the whole Kingdom so numerous was the concourse of Prelates and of Cavaliers as they became formidable not only to the Court and Parliament but even to the Princes who had first protected the Assembly for they thought that the States General would moderate their power by taking away their Governments and places and that peradventure they would take the boldness of England for when the third Estate should concur and the States General should be met the Arbitrement of affairs would almost depend upon these Afterwards private houses proving too little for these Assemblies they were adjourned to the Covent of St. Francis and St. Augustine where in the great Halls thereof affairs were disposed of in good order But this being done without the King's
His Majesty was met at the Louvre-gate by the Cardinal de Retz together with a great number of Prelates at night Fire-works and Bone-fires were made the Bells rung Cannons went off from the Bastile and Arsenal and you might read Joy in the Faces of all honest men for this return whereby that City was quieted which had been so mâ—ch disturbed and so it did succeed for his Royal Presence dissipated all turbulent Clouds as doth the Sun Some Malecontents said notwithstanding that the Court came to Paris only for refuge That Conde might return who had a great Army that the design was to raise Impositions that therefore it behoved them to keep in Arms and to keep better Guards than bâ—fore for the King beguirt the Louvre with Guards and his Army lay not far off The night of the King's Arrival Monsieur Saivin was sent to the Duke of Orleans to will him from the King to retire to his House at â—imoâ—â—s He answered somewhat sharply and Beaufort who was present said That he should contain himself within his Quarters But they consulted again what Orleans had best to do some were for his not obeying but that he should tarry in his House at St. Germain's Suburbs from whence he could not be so easily driven out by the King 's bare Guards for it was thought the people would not take up Arms against a Prince so near a kin to the King and besides many Parisians depended yet upon him and upon others of his Party whereof Cardinal de Retz was one and who was much favour'd by the Parisians he insisted that if all the well-affected people would repair to those parts they might withstand the Court by the help of the Inhabitants of the Suburbs and that making Conde return with his Army and with the Spaniards and Lâ—rrainers it might be that the King unwilling to live amongst such confusion upon the foundation of Citizens who were subject to change might return to St. Germains or else that the business falling to a Treaty wherein Retz might become necessary to the Agreement he might be well with the Court and assisted by Orleans might be taken in to have a share in the State Government which was â—â—s main end The Duke would not follow this advice but resolved wisely to obey and to withdraw the next Morning to Lymours accompanied by Beaufort and Rohan and many others of their Party His Daughter Madamoâ—selle went also out and lived at Fargeaux a Castle of hers by the Loire towards Briara It was happy for the Court that Orleans would not agree and that he withdrew from Paris for the King being now in full Authority and the Duke refractory and out of Paris with all his adherents happy events might easily succeed The same day the Parliament met at the Louvre all save those who had not received particular Letters from the King which were the Presidents Bâ—llieule Thou and Violet the Councellours Brouselle Salement Genoa Pertaile Brisack Croysy Fouquet Machault and Martinau and all of them having their places in the great Hall near the King's Lodgings the King being underneath his Cloth of State said His Guard de Seaux should acquaint them with his will who after a short and Eloquent Oration upon the present Occurrences acquainted them with Four Declarations the Re-union of the Two Parliaments the general Amnesty the Prohibition that the Parliament should meddle in nothing but in things Civil and Criminal according to Law and the Names of those who by the King's orders were to withdraw which were the fore-named who had received no particular Letters from the King to whom Councellour Bitaut was added who by mistake had a Letter sent him all these were willed to withdraw as also Beaufort Roâ—an Rochefaucauâ— Frontailles Bulley Penis the Domesticks of Conde and of the Dutchess of Longueville President Perâ—ult the Wives Children and Domesticks of all that served then under the Princes and in any Towns held by them as well in Guienne as elsewhere who were not to return to Paris without the King's leave it being laid to their charge That they were those who had alwayes subverted the Parliament and made the People seditious Express Orders were also made against all things contained in the third Declaration The Queen of England and the Dutchess of Chevereux went the same day to visit the Dutchess of Orleans who sâ—aid in Paris by reason that she was with Child to whom Cheverâ—ux said in the Queen of France her Name That her Highness had leave â—o stay in her Palace or to go whither she pleased The Dutchess was very much affected with the novelty of this Action and answered modestly That she could not abandon the Duke her husband and thâ—â— not being able to do otherwise in the condition she was in she would be carried in Mens Arms but she did not so for she had express Orders from her Husband not to hazard her self being so near her being brought to bed as she was some few dayes after of a Daughter Prince Thomaso went to visit her and said That he was never of opinion that the Duke should go from Court whereunto if he would have come he should have been received with all cordial Affection by their Majesties But because it was not thought fit to suffer so conspicuous a Prince to remain an Enemy to the King Duke Anuille was sent to him to Limours on Wednesday to Treat of Agreement wherein the King desiring that Mazarine might be comprehended nothing was done The Duke was resolute never to be reconciled to him nor never to come at Court whilst â—e was at the Helm of Government for all things else he would have comply'd with the King A while after Secretary Tilliere and some others went to win him over but they could not prevail at last having acquainted Conde with what had past to whom he sent Camp-master Godoviâ—â— and being answered That he agreed with him in all things it was agreed That he should go 〈◊〉 quietly at Bloyse that he should send for his Forces from Conde's Army and joyn them to those of the King on Condition that they should not be imploy'd against the Prince to whom professing himself a friend he could not fail him in any whatsoever condition The Duke's Affairs being thus adjusted he perform'd what was agreed upon and withdrew himself wholly from the care of the World applying himself to live quietly and free from trouble Beaufort retired to Vandosme and all the others that were banisht went to their Country-houses mightily grieved and much more mortified that Mazarine should triumph over their Miseries President Nesmond and Councellour Vedau propounded the meeting of le Chambers of Requests to think how they might protect their companions who were in disgrace saying They would rather quit their Imployments than suffer such a prejudice But the major part being of another Opinion the Chambers met not and Nesmond being sent for to Court received a sharp reprehension accompanied
duty by submitting to his Majestie 's Authority These good Successes in Guienne were seconded by other Accidents which were of great advantage to the King's Party for the Newes came That on the 28th of February there had been a great Fight at Sea between the English and the Hollanders wherein each Party taking themselves to have the better and the loss of Ships being almost equal the Victory remained undecided And this Engagement of the English in a Warr against the Hollanders hidâ—red them from being able to embrace those resolutions against France which otherwise they might have done by assisting those of Bourdeaux to the great prejudice of the Crown of France which would have run great hazard being attacked on the one side by the powerful Forces of the King of Spain and on the other by Intestine Broyls if at the same time it had been also assaulted by the English But the good Fortune of France subordinate unto the Will of God which disposeth all things according to the order of his Providence preserved in that conjuncture this most Christian Kingdom from receiving prejudice by that Nation different in Religion and Customes which at that time met with the fairest opportunity that might be to have wrought her ends it being governed then by a violent party had she not undertaken Enterprises different from what was expected and being confounded within her self had not given leisure to the King's Authority to gather strength and to destroy the force of those who being disobedient themselves endeavoured by their Cabal to bring all the rest into confusion This was by the Warr with Holland of which I shall onely touch the principal Motives because I would not with long digressions break off the thred of that Narration I have prescribed unto my self After the Parliament of England had made it self Master of that whole Kingdom and overcome with its Victorious Arms the Realms of Scotland and of Ireland they cast about how to maintain themselves in Arms with Forrainers having no Enemy at home because in times of quiet Factions use to arise and Armies weaken which brings ruine to Commonwealths especially in the beginning of a new Government when their minds are wavering between the hopes of settlement and fears of falling It happened then that no just cause appearing for a breach with France they took a fair pretence for a Warr with the Hollander as being those who having gained a considerable reputation at Sea seemed to eclipse the lustre of the long feared and unresistible force of the English on that Element These Jealousies between them besides the natural Emulation usual amongst bordering States were heightned by the art and industry of the neighbouring Crowns who observing with a jealous Eye two Common-wealths by their sides grown powerful by Warr and Violence could not but suspect from them some of those inconveniencies which are usually offered by those who are strongly provided with Sea Forces The cause of difference was the Herring Fishing about the Orcades Islands on the North of Scotland and Members of Great Britain to which the Hollanders send yearly a vast number of Ships and draw from it an excessive Profit The English pretended That the Hollanders possession of this Fishing was an effect onely of the negligence of their Kings accompanied with so great a loss unto the Commonwealth by the Hollanders usurpation and therefore not to be longer suffered by a Nation that before Holland was so much as known enjoyed without contest the principal Dominion of the Ocean To this the States-General pleaded That their Right was sufficiently established by their long continued possession and Prescription This was the Motive upon which either party beginning first to raise Forces at Sea the one for recovery of this loss and the other for the preserving of it fell afterwards to an open breach with so great a prejudice to both parties whose principal subsistence and strength depended upon Trade that the same being hereby interrupted produced all the effects of a miserable and destructive Warr but principally to Holland which being straitned by the smallness of their Territory upon Land had no means of subsisting but by the Sea To these Reasons which were derived from profit and interest of State were added others touching the punctilio of Reputation The English pretending themselves to have been slighted by the Hollanders upon several occasions and principally in the killing of their Ambassadour at the Hague who was against the Law of Nations assassinated there by some English of the King's Party And the Hollanders who by their fresh and frequent Victories obtained against the Power of the King of Spain had already gained so great a Reputation that they were generally much esteemed and feared and had besides concluded so advantageous a Peace with his Catholick Majesty not daigning to give way unto the threats of England wherein the wounds of their Intestine Broyls were yet fresh bleeding took little care to satisfie the Parliament therein but sent to Sea a numerous Fleet and either Party falling to Acts of Hostility many Merchants Ships were lost on either side And their Fleets who were above 100 Sayl strong on either side meeting at last there passed the said Battle and many other Fights at Sea with loss on both sides but in such manner as each Party pretending to have the Victory it could not be well told which side had got it the loss consisting only in that of one or two Ships more or less than the Relations which were published and therefore each Party failed not to put to Sea afresh with an intention of fighting for it the Hollanders notwithstanding were very sensible of the loss of Van Trump their General a Person of great Valour and extraordinary Experience at Sea And we may well believe that as there is no comparison between the Greatness and Power of England and Holland which is far inferior to it in richess in extent of Land and Bodies of men so without doubt the English would have prevailed had they not been distracted by new intestine Broyls and Troubles The Court of France therefore considering how fit it was to make use of this favourable conjuncture of time to assure themselves of Guienne and Bourdeaux a City so disposed to risings resolved to make all fitting preparations for the reducing of them and therefore besides the Fleet sent into the Garonne as hath been said and the advance of Souldiers from all parts into the Province the Cardinal Mazarine continued the Treaties of Agreement with several Parties to see if he could give an end rather by Composition than Arms unto that War which being against Subjects renders the Victory weak and languishing whereof reserving the Account to the next Book I will resume the Relation of what was done during this time in Champagne where all persons being encouraged by the arrival of the Cardinal's Army and the Recruits sent from him after the taking of Barleduc and passing of the River Aisne
By this fortunate success the French should have fallen upon Cremona which in this confusion would soon have yielded but they forbore the attempt for two reasons the one was necessity for they wanted Victuals and Artillery to batter The other for that the whole Council of War agreed that it would be better to pass over the River Adda without engaging in any Siege and march into the bowels of the State of Millain whereby depriving the people of gathering in their Harvest which was yet in the fields they might ruine them but they failed in this for being forc'd to tarry for the getting of Victuals they were forced to tarry at Cava longer than they thought to have done Howsoever they attempted to pass over at Maeastorna and at several other parts but still in vain by reason that the River was so swoln by the great fall of Rain and by the Spaniards vigilant Guards They therefore retreated to Crotta and advanced to Spinadesco and from thence with their whole Army drew neer Cremona placing their Artillery against the Fortifications which the besieged raised at the Mills upon the Poe. The Marquiss of Caracena was glad that the Enemies Army which he feared would have pass'd over Adda sat down before Cremona for knowing that he could relieve it as he lifted he thought to make them wait their Forces there to no purpose He therefore re-enforced the Garrison again and failed not in the part of an expert and valiant Commander Wherefore the French knowing how hard it is to take Towns that may be relieved by Water they fought to keep the Spaniards from coming upon the Poe but failed for other Armed Vessels coming out against them they forsook their Boots and got to land The Duke of Modena would have fallen upon the City with all his Forces as being but weakly walled which being gotten the Castle might be brought to yield the more easily being to be invironed by a few men He alleadged the Example of Tortona when Prince Thomaso took it and was seconded in his opinion by Marquiss Villa who was then come thither with a recruit of 3000 Horse and 2000 choice Foot accompanied by Marquiss St. Andrea Lieutenant-General Mombrune and by Marquiss Monte who commanded in the third place But Marquiss Plessis Pralin and other French Commanders diverted them making them resolve to fall onely upon the Castle because they had not Foot enough to assault the large compass of the City in several parts and for that the Castle being taken the rest would soon be had This advice prevailing the French pass'd over the Water which runs by the side of the Castle and advanc'd against the Half-Moon of Ambrosio where they fortified themselves Don Alvano di Chignones Governour of the Castle came out against them and fought them many of both sides were slain of the French Monsieur de la Lieu Mareschal of the Camp and Monsieur Guillotiere was mortally Wounded And of the Besieged Count Piatti Don Giuseppe Monpavone and Don Carlo Stampa were slain The Duke then endeavoured to block up the Poe with a strong and long Chain but did no good for the Besieged sallying out ever and anon with many choice Souldiers hindred them amongst other Sallies one was remarkable made by Don Diego Quintano a Spanish Camp-master by night on the 19 th of August where both sides fought bravely where the same Quintano with many other brave Officers were slain and of the French Count Vaian was slain and Count Navayles mortally Wounded Other actions past daily wherein sometimes one sometimes another had the advantage but the French fared always worst They were chiefly prejudiced by Marquiss Villa his failing to pass over Ada who went from his quarters to the Camp to advise with the Duke and Marshal where whilst he staid expecting the springing of a Mine which the French gave fire unto he was slain by a Cannon with much sorrow to the whole Army and much grief to the Dutchess of Savoy of whom he had deserved very well by his long and faithful service yet the French continued the Siege more fervently than before and though they were still worsted yet they forbore not making attempts At length the expected Forces from France not appearing who were retarded by the troubles which hapned in that Kingdom the French Army being much lessened and the Spaniard's increased they resolved to raise the Siege The French discamped on the 8 th of October and retreated to Castore and when they had carried their Artillery Baggage and Sick folks to Monticello they went to Rebecko Thus did this Campaigne end unfortunately which was thought at first would have proved glorious for France The Austrians happiness was afterwards Crown'd with the Marriage between the King of Spain and his Niece Anna Maria Daughter to the Emperour Ferdinand the 3 d. She was first designed for a Wife to the Prince of Spain who dying and the King of Spain having no Issue Male he resolved to marry her himself and writ to the Emperour that in remembrance of his Daughter the Empress he had chosen her for his Wife whom he intended for his Daughter The Marriage-Ceremonies were made by the Cardinal d'Arach and the King of Hungary married her on the 8 th of November in the King of Spain's Name THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The SECOND BOOK The CONTENTS The Queen being displeased with the Parliament goes out of Paris with the King and the whole Court Retreats to St. Germains Great Rumours arise hereupon The People incited by some seditious people take up Arms. Both sides prepare for War The City is at last besieged by the King Before which several accidents happen The Duke d'Elboeuf is with great applause chosen General of the Parisians The Prince of Conty and Duke Longueville come to Paris Conty goes to Roan and Longueville is declared Generalissimo The Siege continues with advantage to the King Arch-Duke Leopold sends to offer himself to the Parisians Victuals grow scarce The Inhabitants are aware of their loss An Agreement is endeavoured Peace concluded Agreement is made in Italy between the King of Spain and the Duke of Modena The King of England is beheaded by the common Hangman The Spaniards make divers attempts in Catalonia Some proceedings in Flanders WAR being resolved upon against Paris by the King 's Privy Council consisting of the Queen the Duke of Orleans the Prince of Condé the Cardinal the Marshals of Milleray and Villeroy the Abbot della Reviera and Monsieur Tilliere Secretary of State it was held expedient that the King together with all the great ones of the Court should go out of Paris to the end that the Sun being vanished which illuminates the City she might remain in that obscurity whereinto her own indiscretion had concentrated her About the beginning of the year 1649 the Queen and Cardinal went in a Coach together after Dinner to L'Hostelle d'Orleans to agree upon many things with the Duke touching their Majesties going
put all things in good order before Ypre pass'd over the Lis with part of his Army set upon it and within six days brought it to Capitulation which was no little help to the other Enterprize and then return'd to the Camp before Ypre and the Arch-Duke advanced to Commigne Count Beauveau Lieutenant to Count Palvau who was then absent commanded in the Town with about 2000 Foot and 200 Horse who defended themselves so valiantly as it became the Arch-Duke to re-enforce his Army and to go himself to the Camp with the Forces which he had with him and to cause General Lamboy's men to come thither also resolving to take it before the French could relieve it On the 6th of May two days after his arrival he made Don Gaspero Bonefaccio the Marquiss of Sfondrato and Signior Stopullara assault all the Counterscarps which were taken not without mortality on both sides and forc'd the Defendants within eight days after to beat a Call and to surrender the Town upon honourable terms Ypre being thus taken and St. Venant lost the Spaniards thought they had done enough and for the present attempted nothing else for their Forces were much lessened and the French were much increased The Spaniards thought to reap no less advantage in Catalonia by the same troubles in Paris for there wanted a Viceroy there Mareshal Schomburg who commanded there being returned to France So mustering a good Army commanded by Don Iovan di Garay they thought to carry Salsona and Cordona Towns in the midst of the Province seated on the left side of the River Lobregate These places were very convenient for holding Intelligence with divers of that Province and whereby they might facilitate the taking of Flix and Mirauet Towns which were fortified and Garrison'd by the French and Catalonians seated between Lerida and Tortosa beyond the River Ebra The Catalonians who remained still at the Devotion of the King of France hearing by their Agent Doctor Siviglia that the King was gone from Paris and of the Troubles there dispatcht away a Messenger by whom they offered to abandon their own Country and to come and assist his Majesty if it were needful The Messenger was staid three Leagues from Paris by a party of the Prince's had his Letters taken from him which were read in the Parliament to their no little shame who saw thereby that a forrain and far-distant Nation offered to do that which the Kings natural Subjects refused Here my Author enters upon the Relation of our late Troubles of England which were so damn'd and unparallel'd Rebellious as I who I praise my God never contributed any thing thereunto by action do wish with all my Soul that they were for ever buried in Oblivion and am resolved never to write any thing that may recal them into memory wherefore I must crave my Author's pardon if I trace him not therein save onely in what he says by way of short Character of our Blessed and Barbarously-murthered King Charles the first in these following words An unparalell'd goodness was observed in him and so free a Soul as his Ruine was by many attributed more to this than to any thing else He was in all the actions of Conscience infinitely pure He feared God greatly was given to Spirituality and made himself known to understand and to be capable of all Knowledge He was milde in Commanding free in Treating generous in his Favours in his punishments Merciful and to winde up much in short which might be said of his Conditions His Life was a Compendium of Moral Vertues and the true Idaea whereunto every Prince set his Religion aside would be proud to conform himself THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The THIRD BOOK The CONTENTS The continued Iealousies between the Court and Parliament of Paris are rebated The Siege and Succour of Cambray The King goes from St. Germains to Compeigne The Duke of Vendome returns to France Treaties of Marriage between the Duke Mercoeur and Madamoiselle Marcini Niece to the Cardinal which caused much envy in many Princes and Ladies of the Court The original of the distastes between the Prince of Condé and the Cardinal The King returns to Paris The proceedings of Duke Beaufort and of the Frondeurs Their Ends Designes and Interests Troubles arise in Provence The Insurrection and War of Bourdeaux Divisions and Factions in the Court of France Liege surprized Castro in Italy taken Those of Parma are routed in the Bolognese The falling from favour of Marquiss Gaufredi Favourite to the Duke of Parma The Emperour marries the Princess of Mantua And Duke Carlo marries the Arch-Dutchess of Inspruch The Spaniards attempts against Ceva in Piedmont together with what hapned in those parts TThe War of Paris being thus ended Peace consequently ensued contrary to the intention of the Frondeurs who were declared Enemies to all quiet and it was wrought by the means of the first President and of other well-minded Citizens who resolved to have Peace upon any terms and not to expect greater necessity nor vain hopes given by those who desired troubles and though there was no mention made of the Cardinal in the Articles yet all the Decrees of the King and of the Parliament being annull'd he by consequence remained in Statu quo This was a blow by the by and covered by those who would not give matter of contestation to the Frondeurs and it was wink'd at by the Princes For though they appeared to be sincere in their actions in the beginning of the War yet Interests altering afterwards all except Duke Beaufort began to order their particular affairs apart by Treaty with the Queen so as the people presently conceived they held private intelligence with the Queen and that they designed to get Money of the City and to regain favour at Court The Duke d'Elboeufe was one of these who got nothing in this War but scorn and hatred But the Prince of Condé got much more hatred who was held to be the Author of the Siege and of all the misfortunes When Peace was made Beaufort invited Duke Longueville to continue Friendship with him and to joyn with him in making head against the Court but Longueville being a wise Prince laughed at him and would not listen to his Proposals nor would he by any means busie himself any more in Troubles Beaufort tarried still for all this in Paris being inamored of the peoples applause and went not to St. Germains to reverence their Majesties under pretence that he would not see the Cardinal as did the other Generals who visiting the King and Queen complied with the Cardinal In the Conference of Peace held at St. Germains the Abbot de la Riviere renewed the Proposition of Marriage between Duke Mercoeur and Mancini the Cardinal's Niece the Duke of Orleans and Prince of Condé would move it themselves to Mercoeur And because by the Treaty of Paris it was propounded that the Duke of Vandosme instead of being Governour of Britany should be made
this new Commonwealth as for Piracies committed by the French upon divers of their Merchants Ships in the Mediterranean Sea and out of the natural emulation between those two Nations for it was easie for them to get a great many Irish Foot from the English for their King's service in Spain which were willingly granted them as well to weaken that Island by taking away many of their Soldiers which were almost all Catholicks as also thereby to ballance the power of France whereof England was very jealous And to back the Prince of Conde in Guienne after they had confederated with him they sent Baron Batteville with 13 Frigats and 6 fire Ships from St. Sebastian to Burdeaux carrying with them 1500 Foot monies and other warlike provisions who coming upon the Coast of St. Onge was there complemented in the Prince his name by Marquess Lusignan and on the 25 th of October a Spanish Brigantine entred Burdeaux with some men and monies who in the name of the King of Spain negotiated a good intelligence with the Burdelois to make them keep firm to Conde The Spaniards were first received into Talmont a Town upon Garomne and then into Bury to the number of 1200 commanded by Iuseppe Oxorio who was made Governour and fortified the Towns this was given as a cautionary Town to the Spaniards The King of Spain did also command Archduke Leopald in Flanders to foment the Princes in France as much as he could and to give over all other proceedings rather than to let slip so fair an opportunity of nourishing civil War in these two chief parts of France to wit Guienne and Champagnia The Queen was much troubled at these preparations knowing how prejudicial it would be to the Crown if the Spaniards and Rebell French should make a nest there whereby revolts might daily be made in the Kingdom she therefore wisely applyed all means to destroy it and since all the rest of the Kingdom was quiet and that only Burdeaux and some other few Towns in that Province stood for Conde without Veteran Soldiers with but little monies and provisions she was resolved to vanquish him before he should have fortified himself better and before the Spaniards should give him any more assistance She brought the Council to resolve that the King should advance with his Army into Poictiers as was done but before they marched from Burges the King writ a Letter to Mazarine dated the 26 th of October the words whereof were these Cousin I have reason to believe that according to orders which were sent you you have raised the Troops which you were commanded to do and that they are already ready to march to my relief My desire is that it be suddenly done and that you come along with them to which purpose I have also written to Marishal de Oquincourt to advance with the Forces he hath raised in Picardy and Champagnia and by an order sent unto him have commanded all the Cities and Towns within my Kingdom to give them quarter and to all my Officers and Subjects to be assistant to them in their march I am confident out of the affection and loyalty which you have always born to my service that you will do this it being my will and so Cousin God have you in his protection He also writ to Marishal de Oquincourt to raise as many men as he could in Picardy and Champagnia to joyn with the Cardinal and that they should come joyntly in to his succor Things being thus ordered the King Queen Duke of Anjou and all the Court went with their Forces on the 25 th of October towards Poictiers the greatest Town in France next Paris but not much peopled it is the Metropolis of Poictou seated in the heart of France very strongly partly on a plain partly on a hill watered by the River Cleive and inclosed within Ponds and Marishes which render it almost inaccessible it is not far from Rochel and because Marishal de Estres had not the Command of this Army who being Lieutenant General of Vallois and Laonois was gone thither to keep them in obedience during the King's absence Count Paluau was last Commander in chief in St. Amand near Montrond to continue the Siege slowly the Court being unprovided of men and monies for so many enterprises at one and the same time Count Harcourt being design'd General of the Army and Governour of Guienne followed the Court to Poictiers from whence the King writ to the Duke of Orleans complaining grievously of the Prince his proceedings saying that by his procurement the Spanish Fleet was in the mouth of the Garomne and that many of his Subjects forewent their obedience that it being therefore necessary for his Majesty to go into those parts he gave him notice of it to the end that he might know he was resolved to keep his Subjects from being injured by the Prince who having forgotten his word solemnly given and confirm'd by oath that he would never have any dependance upon the Crowns Enemies nor receive any assistance from them could not but expect punishment from God for failing in his duty and alliegance to his King The Prince having this mean while secured Agen the second City of Gascony and Marquess St. Luke having fortified Montauban and Cohors with men and monies he left Marsine to command the Forces in those parts and he himself accompanied by Duke Rochefaucolt and Prince Taranto resolved to go to Xantes where staying upon Charente he pretended to keep the War from Burdeaux whose Inhabitants dreaded the King's neighborhood very much reflecting upon what had been done before but it being hard to maintain an Army without the conveniency of a City or some great Towns from whence Bread Munition and other provisions may be had before he went from Burdeaux he sent Prince Taranto Duke Richelieu and Count de Ognon with such as they had raised to take Xantes the Metropolis of St. Onge Monsieur Bassompeier Son to the Marishal of that name who was Bishop of that place strove to make the Inhabitants defend the Town but they considering the weakness of their old walls and the want of many other necessaries instead of taking up Arms accepted of an honourable composition offer'd by the Princes and received them into the Town where they made their head quarter and grounded their greatest security After the taking of Xantes the like of the Castle of Taleburg followed upon the same Charente wherefore the Prince bethought himself of taking Angalesme which hath a considerable Castle but not being sufficiently provided for such an enterprise he turn'd upon Cognack begirt with old weak walls but guarded with a great Garrison by Marquess Gionsack Governour thereof by which Conde would have secured that tract of Country which extends it self to the Rivers of Dordone and Garomne and would have kept the King's Forces from entring into Guienne and might have quartered in that rich and plentiful Country He left the taking
by two Musket shot near to the Duke of York Brother to the King of England who served as a Voluntier as also Monsieur de Niaville Son to the superintendant of the Financiers who died Marquess Vardis and Mancini Mazarines Nephew had their Horses shot under them Monsieur Sorvia being shot in the Foot had his Leg afterwards cut off General Turenne hearing the noise came in with his own Regiment and those of Naivales and Picardy commanded by Monsieur Berbese But the store of fire which the besieged gave made them retreat with some loss whereupon Berbese advancing drove the Enemy at last away took the work and planted his Banner upon the Parapet The besieged indeavoured again to beat them out but in vain The next morning they sallied out upon the Pioniers who were working in the Trenches slew many of them and beat the Troops which backed them and kill'd a Lieutenant of the Gens de Armes Turenne coming in seasonably with some Voluntiers withstood the Enemy who would have past the line beat them back and made the station good So as the Kings men having gotten the said work they got into the ditch and fell to undermine the Walls of the Town which they would certainly have won had their mines plaid well and what shall be related had not hapned for the Princes finding that their Army could not subsist long in Estampes by reason of their continual loss of Soldiers prevailed with the Spaniards that the Army of Duke Charles of Lorrain should come to succor them This Duke had wont every year Di far un tratto di Campagnia to draw out into the field for the which he received some monies and was bound to serve them they had ingaged him this year to go into France to relieve the Princes in order whereunto he marched with 4000 Foot 500 Horse and some pieces of Artillery through Champagnia towards the Seene to raise the siege of Estampes and leaving his Forces at Lagni he came to Paris and was met without the Town by Orleans Conde and all those of that party whereupon the Court fearing Corveile which was then an important place sent Monsieur Almerat presently away with 500 Foot 200 Horse and six pieces of Canon to guard that Town and provided for all other Towns which were worth preserving Here the Duke of Lorrain visited divers great ones and amongst the rest the Dutchess of Chevereux who was allied to his Family who being a wise Woman and of a great reach making use of the jealousie which is always between the Princes of the blood and the Dukes of Lorrain and particularly against Conde who was more considerable to the Spaniards than all the rest told him it would be ill for him to assist them The Duke embraced the Counsel willingly that he might find a pretence to perform his undertakings to the Spaniards whom he had promised to relieve Estampes thereupon Chasteauneuf writ to the Court and received Authority to negotiate with the Duke wherefore they secretly agreed that to disingage himself of his promise and keep unblamed by the Spaniards the siege of Estampes should be raised making it appear that the condition of the Kings Army required it and that the next day after Turenne should be retreated from Estampes Lorrain should promise to withdraw from the Frontiers of the Kingdom to which purpose he should be furnished with Victuals and pay The Princes knew by his guidance of affairs that he held intelligence with the Court and it may be they were advertised thereof by some private friend They therefore went to his Camp to perswade him to pass over the Seene but he told them they were to rest satisfied if the siege of Estampes were raised and that there being hopes that the Court would be perswaded thereunto it was needless for him to ingage himself any further Conde told him the siege of Estampes would easily be raised if he would afford them means of putting their men that were there in safety for they could no longer subsist in a ruined place so as after much discourse Lorrain was insensibly perswaded to make a Declaration in writing to Orleans and Conde wherein he ingaged himself to tarry a while in his quarters upon the Seene in which time the Princes might withdraw their Forces from Estampes and bring them nearer Paris The Kings Army being disingaged from the siege before Estampes and the Court finding that Lorrain failed in performing his secret treaty with Chasteauneuf Turenne marched speedily with his Army towards Corbeille intending to fight the Lorrainers before they should pass the River and joyn with the Princes Forces and when he came to face them they being astonished and affraid to be ingaged in a battle retreated presently and sheltred themselves by a little River which falls there into the Seene As the Kings Cavalry came towards Corbeille they took divers Prisoners which made Duke Charle's desire Beauâ—eiu who negotiated the agreement with him to tell him why the Army marched against him whilst he was in treaty with the Court. Turenne made him be answered that he thought there was no more treaty with him since he had failed in effecting his promise which if he would yet faithfully perform he would advance no further allowing him four hours space for answer which being past he waited an answer no longer but marched presently without baggage against a Castle which the Duke held upon the River within half a league of his quarters which he took and throwing a Bridg over the River he past most of his Foot and his Canon over making the rest of his Army ford over a little higher and came within shot of the Lorrainers which Lorrain perceiving he sent my Lord German a near servant to the King of England and who had interessed himself in the agreement to Turenne to let him know he was ready to make his word good Turenne answered that this had been good the day before but that now being ready to fight and he not having kept his word there were no more words to be made of any preceeding treaty for the face of affairs was changed But he sent Monsieur Varennes back with my Lord Germain to find the Duke out and to tell him he would not forbear falling on unless the Duke would give him the Bridg of Boats which he had upon the Seene unless he would also forbear to fortifie and return presently by the way that he would appoint him and get out of France within fifteen days and give him Hostages hereupon The Duke after having made some difficulty was again threatned by Turenne whereupon he consented to all that was desired upon condition that Turenne should not make use of the Boats which he gave him to go against the Princes Army and that the Princes Forces that were with him might have a pass to return to Paris that conduct money might be given him for his march and fifteen days allowed him to get out of the
ought never to believe where they had once deceived nor think to find truth in those who had been so fouly false But Prince Thomaso of Savoy who had a chief hand in the Government and who as a Forreigner desired what might be most serviceable to their Majesties wisely weighing the prejudice which might be received by suffering favourable occasions to escape their hands was for entring Paris without delay for driving the prime Seditious out and as the Princes had made use of the popularity to strengthen their party so the King ought to serve himself of the same to overthrow the contrary faction Turenne was of the same Opinion who considering that the parts about Paris were totally ruin'd and the King's Army consequently but ill maintain'd said It was requisite to be Masters of Paris in respect of the abundance of all things there and that without that City the King might be called a Prince without a Crown This Opinion was imbraced In pursuance hereof the Mareschal de l'Hospitall the Provost des Merchants and the Sheriffs being restored to their places went with the said Colonels into Paris to the great satisfaction of the people Those of the contrary party indeavoured to keep them from coming into the City saying That they would find but little safety there amongst a people that hated them And Orleans said in particular That he not being able to promise them any thing they ought to think what a hazard they should run But these Threats did no good for being informed how well the people were disposed to receive the King they were also assured to be made welcome The Mareschal de l'Hospitall presently took possession of the Bastile and of the Arsenal putting out Louvieres and order was taken through all the Corners and Streets of the City that the people might rest quiet His Majesty ordered his Parliament at Pontoise to meet on the Two and twentieth day afterwards at the Louvre where he intended himself to lodge and the King of England who lived in the Cardinal's Palace withdrew himself he moreover writ to the Commonalty that his Majesty would make his Entry the same Two and twentieth day that therefore Souldiers should be removed from the Gates and that all Inhabitants should exercise their Professions which was speedily done and all the Guards were taken off Madamoiselle was made acquainted that the Duke of Anjou being to lye in her Lodgings at the Louvre she was to leave them which she unwillingly did retiring to the House provided for extraordinary Embassadours in the Suburbs of St. Germains near the Duke her Father's House On Monday Morning the Parliament met whither Orleans Beaufort Estampes and other Lords met President Nesmond told them He had received a Letter from the King and that the like was sent to every particular Councellour willing them to be the next Morning at the Louvre to understand his Majesties will touching the particular Affairs Orleans and twelve other Councellours said they had received none which they seemed to resent much and were greatly abashed finding that their ends were utterly ruin'd the business was debated The King's party being call'd to speak their Opinion were for the Parliaments Meeting in the Gallery at the Louvre Those who had received no Letters knowing thereby that they were in disgrace opposed it shewing how harmful such a president might be to the priviledge of Parliament Nesmond said The King might keep his Parliament in what place of Paris he pleased alledging that the like had formerly been done in the time of Henry the 2d and Henry the 3d. He moreover said That la Camera delle Vacationi had resolved to carry the Cloth of State and the King's Seat of Justice into the same Gallery and that it behoved them to obey the major part agreeing herein They resolved to be the next Morning by Sun-rising at the place appointed in red Robes Yet the Councellours Meusniera and Refuge were appointed to acquaint the Chancellour and Guard de Seaux how prejudicial this would be to the King's Service and to their Authority The same 21 of October their Majesties and the whole Court went from St Germains towards Paris whither about noon came the Chancellour and Guard de Seaux and after them the Presidents Noyon and Cognieux The King din'd at Ruell in the Dutchess of Aiguillon's Palace where he was nobly entertain'd by the said Dutchess from hence he sent Count Noget one who was very zealous in the King's Service to acquaint the Duke of Orleans with his Majesties coming and to wish him as from himself to meet and complement his Majesty assuring him that he should be gratiously received The Duke was strangely surprised not thinking that the King would come so unexpectedly to Paris where the unquiet disposition of those yet remained who had so much outraged his Authority He answered the Count coldly That he askt eight dayes to give his Resolution since he could not do it without acquainting the Prince of Conde with it with whom he was ingaged in friendship The King being come to St. Clous and hearring no news of the Dukes coming sent the Duke to say the same thing unto him His Highness was much beset with two weighty considerations on the one side he was troubled to think he must deny to pay his due respects to his Nephew the King on the other side he feared to fail in his friendship to the Prince of Conde which might make the World doubt whether he did it out of necessity or out of any other respect At last he resolved not to go and it was thought he did it by the advice of the Cardinal de Retz who thought if the Duke would tarry in Paris he might inable him against the Court by many who depended upon him The mean while the Mareschal de l'Hospitalle the Provost de Merchants the Sheriffs and others who were met in the Town-House prepared to meet the King with all Magnificency and to Welcome him as became faithful Subjects to do They met his Majesty with a great number of civil People besides Magistrates and Officers and returned that night with him to Paris 't was late ere the King arrived for he linger'd by the way expecting Orleans his coming not thinking it fit to enter the City whilst he was there or that he would promise to go out the next morning for it became not Regal Dignity that he should tarry there without seeing his Majesty He was met by a great number of people without the Gates of all Conditions above 300000 persons came to see his Entry which he made on Horse-back accompanyed by the King of England Prince Thomaso by a great number of Princes Dukes and Mareschals of France and other Lords who were then in the City The Queen came after the King in Coach together with the Duke of Aâ—â— jou she entred by Port St. Honore and went by the Cardinal's Palace where the King of great Britain lighted from Horse-back
powerful and the rashness of the Common People incapable of reason was too prevalent so as they abandoned themselves to be wholly guided by presumption and especially those of the Olmiera giving a sinister interpretation unto the counsels of good Citizens terming those false who with the greatest candour and strongest reason laboured for the Publick Good and thereupon rejected all Advice and Counsel and moreover threatned those who concurred not with them and grew the prouder hereupon as being given to understand that the Propositions made unto them were not the effects of love and kindness but were produced by fear and weakness The surest Props they thought to be those Promises made them by the Spaniard who with Money and other Arts had gained the Principal Persons of the Councils and Factions they thought also that the English would not neglect an occasion so favourable to them to advance their own Interests during the Divisions in France by assisting that City which was establishing it self like another Rochel they hoped the Prince of Conde with the Arms of Flanders would make an impression as far as Paris and that he would make that way so powerful a diversion as the King's Forces should be no more able to advance towards Bourdeaux wherein the Princess the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville by their presence gave some splendour of light unto the darkness wherewith they were overshadowed These considerations seemed likely and the colours wherewith they were set out were able to deceive a prudent eye so as their obstinacie grew so obdurate that 't was thought difficult if not impossible to re-establish the King's Authority over that furious people linked unto Spain which omitmitted no mean with the profuse expence of Gold to keep up that Party that gave life unto their greatness But for as much as particular Interests are generally preferred before the Publick and those hopes which seem to flourish most in shew fail oftnest in producing their effects The Burdelois were disappointed in their expectations and although they dispatcht Deputies to London to represent unto the Parliament and General Cromwel how important their subsistance was unto the Interests of England and that the English well knew how much it concerned them to keep up the Divisions in France and had also a will and desire to do it yet were these reflexions so counterpoized by other considerations that the regard to future things had greater force to move them than the present The English had upon their hands a Warr with Holland that tottering Government had not foundations strong enough to support a design of such importance and the consideration that by ruining France the Power of Spain most averse alwaies to their Religion would be increased made them know it suited not with the present state of things to break with France which would be able in that case concluding a Peace with Spain by the assistance of Holland and intelligence with the English who obey that New Government onely because they want Power to oppose it to bring their King Charles into the Kingdom and let in amongst them those Confusions and Disorders which they endeavoured to produce amongst their Neighbours in all probability unto their total ruine so as they esteemed it better for them that the Discord between the two Crowns should be continued that they might mutually weaken each other than to turn onely against one of them which could be no advantage to the English To these Reasons was added another Point of Policy then a great Secret and that was The particular Design of Cromwell to reform that Government which iâ— the form it stood he knew could not continue so as it was not fit to ingage in Forraign Quarrels having occasion to make use of the Forces for himself and to imploy his Thoughts in the first place about the stablishing of his own Dominion in those Kingdomes full of Malecontents of persons envious of his Fortune and of people greedy of Novelties so as he assured Monsieur Burdeâ—u who was then resident in London from the Christian King that he would preserve Peace and good intelligence with France The Burdelois notwithstanding did not totally despair of relief being hopes given them that the Warr with the Hollander being ended and a peace concluded with them which was now in Treaty there should be some care taken of their Interests As for Spain she did what possibly she could to keep up that advantage for her self but the Indian Fleets and other the Revenues of the Catholick King were not sufficient to satisfie so many Pretenders and maintain War in so many places neither could his Kingdomes and Dominions exhausted of Men furnish the Souldiers that were necessary and therefore he was forced to move in England for leave to raise some Irish which was forthwith granted thereby to purge the Countrey from Catholicks and persons ill-affected to the new Republick from Germany no Souldiers could be had because Money was wanting to supply the charge those Levies being more expensive notwithstanding the favourable conjuncture of circumstances to their advantage which was a great proof of the Spaniards weakness There were at several times above 2000 Irish sent to reinforce the Prince's Party in Guienne the Marquiss de Santa Cruz had order to make ready the Fleet in Biscay and the Baron of Batteville to draw together Men and Provisions fit to make a return into the Garonne and upon promises and other engagements of repayment considerable Sums of Money were remitted as well to Bourdeau's as Flanders for making of new Levies and fitting out the Army that it might march with the Prince of Conde into France on the one side whilest the Burdelois should make a strong diversion on the other But the Money which was remitted was so well liked of by the persons into whose hands it came that the part which they converted to their own particular uses was generally greater then what was laid out in the publick business whereby the designs of the Catholick Court were not onely retarded but sometimes also overthrown the said Court not being able by reason of its distance from the Provinces wherein the Warr was managed to give those Orders and Directions necessary to be taken according to accidents and the present conjuncture of Affairs whereby great inconveniencies do sometimes happen and the most prudent Orders and Designs are overthrown To this was also added That the Spanish Councel was very often deceived by the different relatives of the French that served them who magnifying the Forces and intelligence of their own party and vilifying and abasing that of their King filled with vain hopes even thâ— most Prudent persons who grounding their deliberations thereupon found themselves after to be involved in greater difficulties Whereas on the contrary France being an united Body was able readily to give directions unto all its Members and having for Steers-man to the Government Cardinal Mazarine who had a most clear and perfect knowledge
of the nature and interests of all Nations we must not wonder that he was able to take all advantages and to give a suddain cure to that disease which but for his care and fore-sight had gangrened and grown to an incurable disease But whilest the Court of Spain was thinking of Expedients whereby to nourish the French Troubles and the Cardinal in France was casting in his mind how to restore the declined greatness of that Potent Kingdome the Generals of the Forces were vigilant to make such progresses as they esteemed to be for the advantage of their Princes The Count Marsin General of the Prince of Conde's Forces in Guienne desirous to enlarge his Souldiers Quarters by taking of some Neighbouring places easie to be gotten sent Colonel Baltasar with a Recruit of 〈◊〉 Irish to take Grenade upon the Garonne in the County of Gaure thereby to facilitate his Entry into the Countries of Armagnac and Aâ—ches Monsieur de Baz Mareschal de Camp endeavoured to possess a Pass upon the River of Lâ—don whereby he hoped to oblige Monsieur d' Aâ—â—eterrâ— to abandon that Countrey and to gain a notable advantage unto himself and his Souldiers by getting thither but Aâ—beterre being advertised of it with 300 Horse and 50 Musquetiers marching speedily unto the place chaâ—ged â—uriously â—00 Horse and so many Foot who were already passed that puâ—ting 〈◊〉 to flight part were drowned in the River and others killed and taken prisoners the Horse saved themselves in great disorders at Tartas one of the best places which the Princes had thereabouts being followed by the King's men to the Town Gates where they took prisoner Monsieur de Fagâ—â— first Captain of Baltasar's Regiment and Monsieur Doroâ—â—in was mortally wounded This happy Encounter made the Inhabitants of Sarlat taâ—e heart who being greatly discontented at the injuries they suffered from the Souldiers of the Regiment of Anguien commanded by Monsieur Saâ—â—gnac Governour of the Place sent to the Marquiss de Sambeuf That iâ—â—afe he would 〈◊〉 thither with his Troops they would give him Entrance at a Channel which râ—â—s under the Wall But that design not taking the same Toâ—nâ—â—men Treated with certain Officers of the Garrison who were discontented with Marsin and having concluded with them they gave notice thereof unto the Duke of Candale who immediately sent Count Marin thither with 400 men The Inhabitants took Arms and by the Assistance of the said Officers happily brought in the King's Souldiers the 23. of March an hour before day where being met by Monsieur Boriel an Advocate and Consul of the City they went joyntly to assault the Bishop's Palace where Sâ—vagnac was quartered who hearing the noise leaping out of bed endeavoured to save himself in his shirt by flight but pursued by the Citizens was taken prisoner the Guard at the place of Arms made some small resistance but Monsieur de Boisâ—â—le Lieutenant of Aâ—gâ—ien and three Captains wiâ—h other Officers being killed Monsieur de Chaâ—â—elloy Maistre de Câ—â—â— and Monsieur de â—a Roche Major General and all the other Officers who had barâ—â—cadoed themselves up in the house yielded freely and took Imployment under the King This good fortune was followed by the taking of several other Towns and walled places where the Prince's men were quartered so as the King's Forces always advancing towards Bourdeaux and the City being thereby straitned the samâ— was no small cause of fear and apprehension unto judicious persons who considered of it They thought what end this thing would have and saw a speedy and seanoble succour was necessary or otherwise the King's Party growing daily stronger in that Province would be afterwards much more difficult to hinder him from making farther progress there The Bourdelois could not then receive aid but from Spain or England Monsieur de Choppes and the Count Marsin's Secretary were therefore sent away to Saint Sebastians and from thence to the Court of Spain to solicite the effect of the promises had been made unto them for keeping up that Party which being now forsaken by the other Cities and Provinces of France there remained only Bourdeaux ready to become a Prey either of those who defended it or of those who fought against it Monsieur d' Agolin had not been wanting to sollicite continually in Spain the sending of more Money and of the Fleet and at last protested in the Prince of Conde his Patrons Name that in case no Money were advanced before the end of February he would be gone there had been already sent to Bourdeaux 10000 Crowns but the Catholick Court being informed by the coming of Choppes who was also followed by a Deputy of the Council d'Olmiere of the danger Guienne ran by the endeavours used by Mazarine for the reduction of it there were 30000 Doubloons forthwith dispatcht unto the Port of Passage in Biscay with order that they should forthwith put to Sea six great Vessels and four Fire-ships to enter into the Garonne and make opposition to the French The said Envoye's had also farther satisfaction by 15000 Crowns for the Prince of Conde and because there was an opinion that Monsieur Lenet did not observe the respect due to the Prince of Conty by reason of the great dearness between him and Marsin who did also fail in his duty towards the said Prince there were therefore some Instructions given by the Spaniards touching the manner of their Conduct that the Prince of Conde's Party might be kept up But the Count d'Ognon's agreement with the King of France gave a great trouble unto Don Lewis d' Aro and the other Grandees of the Council wanting thereby that foundation which they had built on the adherence of that Cavalier for supporting of the Troubles in Guienne where the King's Forces daily increased and those of the Prince's hourly lessened and this being one of the greatest inconveniences apprehended by the Court of Spain they failed not upon this occasion to send Orders and Instructions and to contribute supplies of Men and Money according to the extent of their abilities There was afterwards represented unto the Court by the Baron de Batteville the difficulty of bringing Ships into the Garonne unless they were reinforced by a more considerable strength Whereupon there were forthwith sent unto him 20000 Crowns with Orders to take Sea immediately with those six Vessels and to carry 500 Irish unto Bourdeaux but as things daily change face so was it necessary to vary also in their Counsels and Batteville could not effect the Spanish Orders without being provided of a greater Force which being wanting it followed consequently that the things resolved upon were spoken of but could not be put in execution The Marquiss of Lusignan was a while after sent from Bourdeaux to Madrid in shew to congratulate with their Majesties for the recovery of the Queen who had been sick of the small Pox and in great danger and of his Majesty who had been for some days sick of a Feaver
who arrived there in May but his true Errand was to sollicite for Supplies because the French being Masters of the Garonne did so fortifie themselves there that 't was very hard to drive them thence and in case that were not done it followed consequently that Bourdeaux in which the King's Party grew daily stronger must be lost Lusignan had good words given him there were 200000 Crowns consigned unto him and at his parting the Order for the Vessels to set sail from the Port of Passage were put into his hands but that was afterward suspended by reason of the impossibility of putting it in execution and in lieu of it Batteville was commanded that he should with all speed possible get into Bourdeaux by the Lake of Archazon to keep up the hearts of the people and give some hopes unto the Prince of Conty and the Principal Persons of the Party He was there to propose three things to them One Whether they thought fit the Spanish Fleet should advance into the Garonne and hazard a Battle The Second Whether they would have him lie in the Mouth of the River And the Third Whether they were willing he should sayl to Britanny or Normandy to divert the French by giving disturbance in those Places There were also sent 900 Irish more towards Guienne and the Archduke and Spanish Ministers in Flanders were written unto by the King that they should forthwith draw into the Field and pay 200000 Crowns more unto the Prince of Conde to re-inforce his Troops that he might march into France whereby the Cardinal being obliged to draw that way with all his Forces should not be able to continue the Enterprize of Guienne and that there might be during that time some fit means used for putting things into a good posture in that Province But neither could these Orders be performed because the Ship which carried 300000 Rials into Flanders falling into the English hands they took the Money although the King of Spain were then a friend to England and kept for some time as lawful prize it being in a Holland Bottom But these Misfortunes are not to be imputed unto the negligence of Ministers but to the accidents of time which often frustrates the success of prudent Counsels There were 30000 Doubloons more sent to the Fleet and Batteville was Commanded to try all ways of getting into the Garonne and opening the Passage into Bourdeaux and that he should make use of that Sum to corrupt some of the French Commanders which notwithstanding prevailed nothing they being all of them loyal and constant in their Duty to his Majesty The Count Fiesco and divers others went again also into Spain to represent the Necessities and solicite for Assistance unto Guienne though 't were conceived by some 't was rather to receive the Money and Rewards which by the Catholick King 's generosity were prodigally dispensed unto as many French as came to his Court which caused many to endeavour more the getting of his Money than his Service whereby he was abused And whosoever shall consider the Sums of Money distributed among the Male-contents of France will find them to have been sufficient to have conquered a whole Kingdom and notwithstanding were issued only upon expectations which either through treachery or ignorance were disappointed Mean while the Duke of Vendosme hastned the building of the Fort Ca sar upon the Garonne and of another in the Countrey about the place where the two Rivers meet beginning at the rising ground of the House of Aliâ—â—t and from thence making Forts to hinder the Communication of the Places held by the Princes with Bourdeaux and to take from them Lerâ—â—ns a place sâ—ituate at the Point where the Dordogne falls into the Garonne which was garrisoned by 500 Irish under the Command of Colonel Dillon To which purpose upon the 26th of May he shipped the Regiments Melleray and Normandy in Gallies and Brigantines and by the favour of the Tide the Cavalier Albret Mareschal de Camp and the men under his Command skirmished in passing by with the Gallies which lay under that Fort there imbarked then the Count Cominges Lieutenant-General the Brothers Count and Baron of Montesson and the Lord Garteret who treated with the said Colonel Dillon Governour of the place and perswaded him instead of defending himself to change his Party and to put himself and all his Souldiers into the King of France his Service this happened because the Irish Souldiers were extremely discontented as having been sold like slaves unto the Spaniard and therefore having no tie of Honour or other Obligation lying upon them This Example had been seconded by others of that Nation by reason of a scruple of Conscience they had to serve the Spaniard who were so much united with the English contrary to the Allegiance they owed their Prince if Marsin foreseeing it had not enforced the Officers of every Regiment to give Hostages into their hands The loss of Lermont was very grievous to the Bourdelois for the importance of the place whereby the Royallists took from them the benefit of the Rivers in the Command of which consisted their safety or their ruine Notwithstanding all these advantages the clemencie of his Majesty and of his Ministers made him continue still the Treaty of Peace with those who amongst that crowd of rebellious Spirits seemed best affected to it upon perswassion that the hope of Pardon would work more than the fear of punishment And therefore in the Month of May another General Pardon and Oblivion was published for all in Bourdeaux with Expressions That his Majesty was more inclined to use Mercy than Rigour Upon this there was a general Assembly made in the Publick Palace to consult whether it were better to accept thereof and give an end unto the Publick miseries or persist in their disobedience 'T was thought by men of the best Judgment that 't was much more expedient for Subjects to live in obedience under their own natural Prince than with the shadow of Liberty under a stranger The fear of the Olmiere kept every one in awe there were notwithstanding several things debated amongst some of that Council but the obstinacie of those Plebeyans could not be overcome with Politick considerations They seemed to be all of them charmed by the Spaniard they inclined to think they should be forthwith freed they perswaded themselves what they desired they believed nothing which thwarted their imaginations and being conceited they had that in their hands which by false colours was represented to them by the Princes they concluded no other Oblivion or Amnesty was to be accepted but that wherein the Prince of Conde was included for whose cause they had taken Arms and brought a War to their own Doors and that whoever should speak contrary to this resolution should as a Traytor to his Country be drowned in the River These Persons made account the offers which the Court made were an effect of weakness proceeding from Necessity
and from thence drew great hopes of being able to maintain the Divorce they had made from the King's Obedience they sollicited upon that score General Cromwel at London that he would undertake the protection of them and in case that succeeded according to their hopes they thought they should be able to make good their own contumacy and by the assistance of England make themselves free and independant of their own Sovereign This Discourse was dictated rather by Fury and Passion then Solid Reason and accordingly they found themselves in a short time deluded by those vain imaginations All wayes of sweetness therefore used by the Court of France to mollifie the obdurate obstinacy of that fierce untamed people proving fruitless they are resolved to use rigour to prosecute the Warr vigorously against them There were therefore express Orders sent that they should endeavour by all means to streighten the City on every side thereby to enforce them by necessity to comply with their duty since other means would not incline their wills and above all that the Maistry of the River should be made good against all attempts the Spaniard should make which would reduce the City to despair and specially if they could keep things in that posture till the Vintage and if the King's Forces could disturb them therein it would be one of the great damages and punishments could be inflicted on them the Revenues of that City consisting principally in the great plenty of Wines there made by sale of which unto the English Hollanders and others they raise a very considerable profit But in respect 't was also necessary to provide for the Frontiers towards Flanders where the Prince of Conde united with the Spaniards made extraordinary preparations and boasted that they would make a very advantageous Campagne by reason of the Towns he held in Champagne and the intelligence he had in Paris towards which it was the publick talk he meant to march The Cardinal therefore with no less diligence sought to prevent the blow by making all provisions â—itting for it He considered that all consisted in the uniting the Forces of the Kingdome it being very hard to beware of a domestick Enemy and that therefore if he could not reduce Conde whose Mind was carried away with high pretences and the advantages and hopes he drew from Spain unto his duty 't was fit to deprive him of the Credit and Party he had in France which being done he would be then reduced to the condition of being a private Captain onely to the Spaniard The Cardinal therefore bent his thoughts in order thereunto upon two things the one to take from him those Places he held in France and the other to deprive him of those Friends which followed him Upon this design there was a General Amnestie granted unto all persons who repenting their Errour would return unto the King's Obedience Whereupon the Count of Tavannes who had alwaies declared high for the Prince and had worthily performed all parts of a Valiant and undaunted Cavalier being unsatisfied with him left his Party and retired to his own House The same did also several other of his adherents perceiving well that nothing can be an act of greater rashness than to oppose the Soveraign Authority of ones own Prince to submit unto the obedience of a stranger The Prince made shew not to be troubled at it because he had not Forces sufficient to maintain his Friends and repair the loss they suffered for him in their own Countrey and that 't was necessary for him to keep unto himself that little pittance he had from the Spaniard which being far short of the vast promises were made though hardly sufficed to maintain himself in a condition inferiour to his Birth and Quality He would also himself have made his Peace â—if the King's Council would have condescended to his Pretensions which in such case he would have moderated But as it was a thing very desireable to gain him when he had a great Train of discontented French that followed him so now when he was abandoned by all and as it were a private Captain to the King of Spain his Propositions were no more to be admitted he being at that time rather a trouble than advantage to the Spaniard so as he would be able to do less harm abroad than by returning into France As to the first 't was thought that being covetous of Glory and Reputation he would ill suit with the Spaniards who are full of Ambition and Pretensions that the free and open carriage of a French-man would never be well matcht with the reserved and close deportments of a Spaniard that the imperious absolute demeanour of Conde could not but make him odious unto the Spanish Commanders who are all upon punctilio's that the Antipathy between the Nations and difference in Language would presently put him into disorder who knew not how to command and be punctually obeyed but by French-men If his Actions should meet with good Success the Glory of them would make him envied and suspected as a Forraigner in the same manner as Mazarine's had caused him to be in France And if 't were otherwise the damage would be accompanied with scorn there having been as much spent upon his single person as would have served to keep an Army The Jealousie which the Spaniards would alwayes have That he who was not satisfied with being the first Prince of France could not content himself with being a Servant to the King of Spain would keep them in a continual distrust of him which in a short time would destroy the grounds of Friendship And this could not happen but with notable advantage unto France because it would at last be brought to this that either the Spaniards must destroy Conde or he to revenge himself must destroy them so as to leave the Prince in their hands was a great charge unto them which instead of being an advantage to them would puzzle all their Counsels and deliberations As to the second if the Prince should be agreed with and restored to Court and that the Affairs should prosperously succeed all the applause would be attributed only to his Direction so as he would eclipse the Lustre of all others with the splendour of his Glory and re-assuming his first thoughts of giving Law to all without receiving it himself from any would consequently destroy the order of Government which in a Monarchy must depend onely upon one single Person Besides that there would then be no occasion to shew the World that France had other Captains no less Valiant and Ministers of State as Prudent as those the King of Spain could boast of The King would out of his own Clemency have condescended to restore him unto his former degree of Place and Favour if Conde without farther medling with the Affairs of the Kingdome would have resolved quietly to retire himself and enjoy the benefit of his Estate and Revenues in any Country out of France which
the Malecontents of the Prince's Party were above measure disturbed foreseeing that this loss was a true prefage of their utter ruine The French on the other side proud of so fortunate Success resolved to make a farther progress and without making stop resolved to take Libourne and thereupon whilest the Duke of Vendosme staid in Bourg to give such Orders as were necessary and to dispatch away Artillery and Provisions fitting for the Enterprise Monsieur d'Estrades with 1200 Foot and 400 Horse after two dayes stay marched towards it and in his passage took the Castles of Savagnac and Laubardemont and passed the River Iolla the 9th of Iuly the Foot in Boats at Guistres and the Horse a League from thence at the Foord of Coustras The Place was next day viewed and Quarters set out for the Troops until the coming of Vendosme who the 11th day at Night arrived with the Cannon and Ammunition going up the Dordogne and passing happily under the Enemies Fort not above half Pistol shot off by the assistance of the Galley being one of those appointed for his Guard which was commanded by Monsieur de la Monnerie Commissary General of the Admiralty after which the Trench was begun on that side of the River where the Duke of Vendosme was lodged and the care of this Attack was given to the Count of Montesson Colonel of the Regiment of Bretagne and a Battery of two pieces of Cannon d' Estrades attacked on the other side of the River Ille and Monsieur de St. Romain assisted in making the Approaches and another Battery with the Regiment of Douglass In this mean time the besieged made a great Salley on that side with Horse and Foot but were so briskly repulsed that they durst never after peep abroad Both the Attacks were advanced with so much vigour that the second day the French were Masters of two Half-Moons in one of which they took 17 prisoners and a breach being there opened on the Duke's side and a Mine ready to be sprung on that of d' Estrades the besieged upon the 17th of Iuly founded a Parley and demanded the same Terms as were granted unto Bourg but 't was refused them the French thinking it not reasonable that Libourne should think it self 'equal to Bourg at last it was agreed That as to the French and Irish Souldiers they should be Prisoners of Warr the Officers should have liberty to return to their own houses and twelve onely should have liberty to carry the Baggage away with them The Souldiers who were about 800 divided themselves under the King's colours where they voluntarily entred themselves into Service The Justice of the King's Cause was visibly approved by the facility wherewith these two Important Places were gained by his Forces and the diligence and abilities of his Captains appeared likewise to be very great and particularly in the Enterprise of Libourne which being Garrison'd by more than 800 Souldiers in pay was besieged and taken by an Army of 2200 Foot and Four hundred Horse the remainder of the Troops being divided part of them placed in Garrison at Bourg part part left to make good the Posts of Castillon and Monreal and the rest Commanded upon several Parties by the Generals upon the notice they got by Letters of Marsin intercepted and undeciphered that his Lieutenants marched with some Troops of Perigord and Quercy unto the relief of that place which being the principal foundation of the subsistance of Bourdeaux was furnished with all things necessary for the holding out of a long Siege This second loss put all the Inhabitants into a wonderful apprehension and the Prince's Party lost much of their first Credit the people crying out That in lieu of the Succour which they hoped for they were contriving to cast them into the slavery abominated by them The Citizens therefore made several Assemblies and examining the state of their Affairs found clearly that their hopes of subsistence were very small without speedy Succour which could not be elsewhere had but from Spain or England they therefore sent away to sollicite the Catholique King's Generals for their promised Succours and failed not to request of General Cromwell That he would open the Passage of the River and give maintenance unto that City which would bring so great advantages to England But the Spaniards who desired very much to perform this Request wanted Forces and the English who could with ease have done it had no thoughts of putting it in execution The French who saw well that Expedition was the Mother of Success and were sensible that either the Spaniard might get Forces or the English an inclination to succour Bourdeaux disposed themselves with extraordinary diligence to put in execution all those things which might serve to reduce that People speedily under obedience and therefore Libourne being taken they quarter'd their Troops as near as possibly they could to Bourdeaux that they might incommodate the Citizens and deprive them of all communication with the Countrey The Duke of Vendosme held the Castle of Lermont all the Countrey between the two Seas and by means of the Fleet was Master of the River The Duke of Candale with his Forces divided upon the principal Passes was Master of all the Avenues having to back them the Fort Casar the Bourg of Blanquefort and the Quarter of Begle and thereby hindred the City from receiving any Relief on that side where they had before got it and expected it afresh from Spain and the Count de Marin was sent to take the Castle de la Teste de Certes wherein was that Garrison which had facilitated the Count de Fiesco his passage formerly But although 't were certain that Force was the securest means to restore the King's Authority within that City yet considering it might be long first 't was thought fit to try the means for reducing the Inhabitants unto a voluntary submission The House of Espernon had in it a great number of Creatures and well-affected persons gained by their long abiding in those Parts who notwithstanding the Seditious Cabals had alwaies retained their good affections Which made it easie for the Duke of Candale a Prince generally beloved for his Virtuous and Noble Qualities to set on foot a Treaty upon this design with the well disposed Citizens By means therefore of Friends and Confidents there being many others disposed to Peace they thought fit to attempt the means of bringing it about The multitudes of Country people running into the City for fear of the Souldiers served wonderfully to make the scarcity of Provisions appear because the Corn being with great dexterity bought up and hidden in private houses and the Mills being out of order by biding of the stones and other implements the Bakers were not able to find Bread sufficient to furnish such a multitude whereupon the throng of people who were present at the distribution of it began to think that the want was extream great and that therefore the publick