with great pompe into Tournay 64. His message to the Duke of Britany 65. Hee separates the heads of the League 107. Two errours which he cōmitted in the assurance of his person 111. 112 His politick dissimulation with the Constable 170. His iudgement to distinguish spirits 183 His message to the King of England Ibid. He discouers the Constables double dealing to the Bourgundian 186. His iests vpon the peace made with Edward 4 th and his feare to haue them related againe 191. Learning disalowed by the Turke 219. Liberty the ancient coulour for innouation 80. Lie especially in a Gentleman how to be punished 169. Leige reuolts against the Duke of Bourgundy 103. Is supported by the French king 107. Submits it selfe and demands pardon 109 Hath her wals beaten downe 110. Is againe besieged by the Bourgundian 114. Loue without regard of honour or profite 58. Loue continued towards children for their fathers sake 76. M Marriage of Lewis the 11 th 6. Misery of imprisonment mittigated by kind vsage 177. miseries of France for 70. yeares 5. Modesty of Blanch daughter to Iohn King of Nauarre 6. Mony leuied vnder the pretext of warre and ill employed 46. Multiplicity of Popes 38. Murder iustified by the Duke of Bourgundy 2. N Nauigation contemned by the French 180. Neutrality in a subiect is meere Treason 98. Normandy yeelded to the King 99 O Obedience in a Souldier is as much commendable as courage 177. Obseruations of the Duke of Guiennes life 150. Occasion which caused an ouerture of peace betwixt the French and English 182. Opinion causeth terrible motions in the soule 15. Opportunity of fight neglected 81 Ostentation of Maiesty not suteable with misery 6. P Paris reduced to the French Kings obedience 9. Famisheth the Army which would haue famished it 91. Almost vnpeopled 99. Parpignan besieged and wonne by famine 154. Parts which frame a Prince 16. Peace of Bourges 3. Peter Hagembach his crimes iniustice and death 174. Phillip Duke of Bourgundy wins Dinan by force and ruines it 104. His death the greatnes of his house Ibid. His bounty courage and moderation 105. Pius 2 presseth the abolition of the Pragmaticall sanction 44. His affection to the house of Arragō and his threat against France 45. He disauowes his own writings 48. His death birth fortune and dignities 72. Plurallity of chiefes is for the most part ruinous vnprofitable 88 Pontoise taken by assault 18. Power which is not feared by strāgers is not well obeyed by Subiects 32. Pragmaticke Sanction abolished and dragged through the streets of Rome 51. Praecipitation is a shelfe couered with the shipwrackes which she hath caused in great occasions 78. Princes are especially to provide that great houses vnder their gouernment ally not themselues against their liking 19 Princes seeme very weake or very fearefull which giue an Enemy-army leasure to make a bridg 89 Princes in marrying regard not their pleasure but the necessity and profit of their affaires 144. They are no lesse bound by simple words then priuate persons are by Oathes 163 Q Quality of Cardinals 50 R Reasons which perswaded the English to peace 184 Reformations of the disorders of the Realme 95 Reception of the King of Portugall into Paris 219 Representations ridiculous 43 Reputation of a generous Father makes a valiant sonne lesse remarkeable 20 Rigor of Lewis in the beginning of his reigne 53 Royalty endures no equall 8 Rubempre staid at the Hage by the Earle of Charalois 66 Ruine and desolation of the Legeois 118 S Sedition ought to be smothered in the beginning 76 Sedition cloked by Religion 106 Siege of Pontoise 17 Siege of Saintron 109 Siege of Nancy 221 Seuerity of discipline is hardly obseruable in ciuill warres 80 Son-in-law against father-in-law 3 Succours of Men and Money sent to the Earle of Charalois 94 Suisses before Zurich 21. defeated 23. they send succours to the Duke of Lorraine 222 Summe of the Pragmaticke Sanction 49 T Talbot relieues Pontoise 17 Temporising profitable 149 Thornes and Roses of Marriage 44 Trechery most damnable 158 Treaty made without Liberty bindes not 119 Treaty of peace between the Frēch King and the Bourgondian 192 Trifles want not their moment and serue many times to driue weightier matters out of the heads of the people 132 Troubles in England 140 Truce betweene France and England prolonged 24 Truth not to be found in an enemies tongue 25 Tumults in Cyprus 127 Turkes make their profit of the diuision of Christendome 46 V Valour and bounty of Lewis the Dauphin 9 Valour and fidelity of the Scottishmen 117 W Water not to bee digged for in a neighbours house before we haue sought for it in our owne 148 Wisedome and temporising surmount all difficulties Words of S. Bernard 49 Words of the Duke of Bourgondy 79 Words of K. Lewis at his departure from the Duke of Bourgondy 119 Words betwixt the King of England and the Duke of Bourgondy 187 Y Youth and Inconstancy are Sisters of one Mother 78 A Table of the principall Matters contained in the last foure Bookes ADmonition made by the king to the Dauphin 70 Age becomes couetous when it hath not any need of goods 64 Alponso King of Castille his death 87 Anaxagoras his speech of the Sunne 11 Andrew Archbishop of Krane preacheth against the Pope 58. and persisteth in his proposition 60 Armies are not to bee entertained without tribute 42. Arras yeelded to the French King by composition 14 Artillery inuented 43 Audiences of Henry the third at his returne from Poland 159 Authority of the King is an Ocean 135 B Balue the Cardinall his policy to get out of prison 66 Barbarisme in the time of Lewis the eleuenth 190 Basnesse aduanced forgets it selfe the fauor which raised it 10. Basill excommunicated by the Pope 58 Beginnings of the diminution of Flanders 76. Bishop of Liege trecherously slaine being abandoned of his owne people 37. 38 Boloigne vnder the virgin Maries homage 13 Bosio's errour in the History of Malta 137 C Changes of gouernment at Florence 2 Charlemaine founder of the Vniversity at Paris 124 Chauvin Chancellor of Brittanie his lamentable end 10 Chronicles often follow toyes and leaue out most famous actions 88 Claudius Seissel his hard iudgement 121. Comandements extraordinary of the King 110 Confession of the fault is the best rethorick to appease iust choler 9 Conspiracy against the life of the French King miraculously discouered 31. 32. c. Contempt is the fore-runer of sedition 65 Contempt of discipline in Souldiers 184 Controuersie for the Lands of Berne Foix and Bigorre 84 Cosmo de Medicis his great riches and bounty 167. his exile and returne 168 Credit of Astrologians 188 Cruelties of Mahomet at the taking of Constantinople 46 Curing of the kings euill 123 D Danger in employing forraigne Souldiers 39 Death of the Lord of Nantoillet 199 Desolation is the house of Bourgondy 161 Discourse of a powerfull charme 127 Discommodities of prouision for Horse-men 39
could not be giuen to any other Plut. where they dranke to his health as to Iupiter the Deliuerer The Assembly of Noblemen and Ladies was great he related his great dangers his diligence and toyle He drew teares of ioy and pitty from the hearers euery man said all is well z The King reported his aduentures and in so doing spake and declared many goodly words and pittifull where at all wept aboundantly Chro Martin seeing the King is wel a The health of a good Prince is the health of his Estate the people said of Alexander Seuerus Saluâ— Roma quia saluns est Alexander Lamprid. Hee assured all his seruants that he would neuer cease vntill he had chased all his enemies out of his realme Yet his designe was to doe what he could to end it other-wise then by Armes He sent the Bishop of Paris to the Earle of Charolois Bishop of Paris sent to the Earle of Charolois to let him vnderstand that he desired to know to what end he was entred into his Realme with so great a troupe for that hee could remember that when as he went into Flanders in the time of King Charles the seauenth his Father hee was not followed with so great a traine He commanded him to let him know the iniustice of his desseine That he vndertooke a warre vnder collour of the publik-weale to vndermine the whole estate and to set fire of the house to driue them out that clensed it That there was no such Phrensey as to make ones selfe sick to vse remedies b Peace is sweet after warre but much more proffitable before It is better neuer to haue beene an enemy then to bee reconcyled being naturall for a sick man to desire health But for him that was found to make himself sicke vpon hope of cure was folly and madnesse The Bishop of Paris went and hauing represented vnto the Earle of Charolois the Kings intentions and complaints Say vnto the King answered the Earle fretting the bitternesse of his ambition with humanity and myldnesse c Princes desirous to raigne haue made seruitude sweete with courtesie and mildnesse By this poysoned mylâ—nesse Caesar ouer threw the common-wealth of Rome that I am not come to doe any ill but to procure the good of his Realme hauing liued in such sort with mine army as noe man hath occasion to complaine that being as I am able to serue and succor my friends and to anoy myne enemies I am not bound to yeeld any other reason of my desseignes But not to conceale them from him I am heere for two reasons the one not to fayle of my word to the Princes which haue taken armes for the publike good the other to haue two men which the King hath fauored and supported against me d Priuat interâ—st are alwaies mingled with the sublike causes of warre The E. of Charolois was an implacable enemy to the Earle of Neuers and the Lord of Croy be added this hatred to the causes of war If I be come well accompanied it is to defend my selfe in France from that harme which the king would haue done me in Flanders That when he came hee was receiued honorably richly and quietly and then was not that done vnto him which hee had a will to doe vnto mee That in a word France had more need of a warlike and armed liberty then of a quiet and miserable seruitude After the Battell the Earle of Charolois caused the whole army to bee lodged at Estampes and there abouts Armes of the League loged at Estampes The commodity of this lodging saued that which one more discomodious had lost e â—f time and occasion giue leaue to chose a lodging to stay there they must consider two things which the ancient Romans haue alwaies obserued in their lodgings The helthfulnesse of the place for one and water with commodity of victualls for the other They knew what places were not helthfull obseruing their scituation the coÌ„plexion of the inhabitants In this place as the Earle of Charolois spake vnto Mounsieur at a window with great attention and affection a Britton cast a squib which strooke against the barre where they leaned and being amazed at this accident they thought it done of purpose to hurt them The lodging was presently enuironed with souldiers to gard them There was a dilligent search made for him that had done it who beeing only couered with his inocency descouered him-selfe and said that it was but a squib which he had cast to shew them pastime wherevpon this great amazement was turned to a iest All their forces being vnited they tooke councell how they shold imploy them Their opinions were alwaies applyed to their passions and desseines Charles the Kings brother weary of the warre An ordinary mischiefe in enterprises where there are many commanders f The pluralâ—ty of heads is alwaies rumous and vnproffitable euery one seekes to prefeâ—re his owne reasons and counsells They doe and vndoe indespight on of another Tâ—ndendo ad sua quisque consilia cum aliud alii videtur ad inuasioneÌ„ loâ—um hosti apperiunt Tit. Lâ—u lib. 4. That of the duke of Brittain was not answerable to that of the Earle of Charolois Monsieur seemed already weary of the warre he lamented those that were slaine hurt or maymed in the army which shewed that matters were represented to his imagination of another collour in the vndertaking then in the executing g Matters wheÌ„ they are conceiued and proiected haue an other fâ—ce then when they are executed He wisht that they were to begin greeuing that they made him the cause of so many miseries h A generous spirit is not sensible of the ruines and desolations which grow by warre and ciuill broyles The Duke of Berry was heauy seeing so great a number slaine and hurt in the Battell of Mâ—ntlehery The first slaughters of warre sticke terror into them that haue not seene them as of humain miseries the most lamentable is that which proceeds from his fault that complaines He had kindled the fire yet could not endure the flame he had begun the tragedy nay rather a cruell game whereas men made but a sport to force spoyle burne and kill He is not esteemed a soldiar that cannot doe al this in ciuill wars the most wicked of all others whereas by a fatall disorder they saw the fathers bury their children i When Craesus was prisoner to Cyrus by this reason that in the time of peace the children buried the frather and â—n warre the fathers bury their children be preferred peace before warre And of all warres ciuill is the most vniust iâ—humaine furious SummuÌ„ Brute naefas ciuilia bella fatemur Luc. These words were well obserued by the Earle of Charolois King of England sends the garter to the Earle of Charolois who from that time perswaded him-selfe that there would be noe great difficulty to reconcyle the
Aduise my Lord if there bee any thing whereof you repent y A breach in the obseruation of forced promises is not dishonorable and hee wants force that obserues them it is at your choise to doe it or leaue it I desire to adde one Article in fauour of the Lords of Lau Vrfet and Poncet of Riuiere that they may bee restostored to their lands and offices I am content replyed the King so as the Earle of Neuers and the Lord of Croui may bee also restored The Duke who bare a deadly hatred to these two spake no more of the rest and the King declared that he would obserue the Treatie z In Treaties which are made by equals impertinent demands are choked with the like demands Hee had so great a desire to be farre off as to make no stay of his departure he made no show of discontent Hee concealed his griefe so cunningly as it was impossible to iudge that hee felt any The Duke vsed some complements to excuse himselfe for that hee had drawne him to the warre of Liege Excuses of the Duke He had need of very artificiall poulders a Words of excuse and complements in actions which caÌ„not be excused are like spices and sauce of a delicat taste to meate which is tainted to make this sauce pleasing the gilding tooke not away the bitternes of these pilles Hee did accompanie him a mile at their farewell and imbracings the King to shew his affection and trust Words of the K. at his departure said vnto him Sir if my Brother which is in Brittanie were not contented with the portion which I giue him for your sake what would you haue me doe The Duke answered if hee will not accept it I referre my selfe to you two and care not so as he be satisfied These words beeing spoken somewhat roughly were well considered by the King who from that time resolued not to lodge his Brother in Normandie too neere to England nor in Champagne too neere to Bourgundy The Duke continued the rigour of warre vpon the country of Franchemont Warre in Franchimâ—nt leauing the Towne of Liege on fire b The Duke appointed three thousand foote to burne the Town of Liege and to desend the Churches It was fired thrice in three seuerall quarters They reserued three hundred houses for the Priests with whom many inhabitants lodged Phil. de Com. not excepting any thing but Churches and the houses of such as attended the diuine seruice c Impiety respects sacred things after that liberty hath profaned them Fab. Maximus hauing spoyled Tarentum and made it desolate with all kindes of cruelties When his Secretary came to aske him What shall we doe with our enemies Gods he answered let vs leaue the angry Gods vnto the Tarentins Plut. in Fabio They respected the Temples after they had offended him who was worshipped there by all sorts of impieties Whilest that the souldiers warmed themselues at this fire the rest endured incredible cold in the Mountaines of Franchemont whereas the wine being frozen in the hogs-heads Sharpe Winter it was cut in peeces with Axes and carried away in hats and baskets without decrease Oliuer de la March writes that the Dukes tysan was frozen in siluer flagons and that the force was so great as they brake At the same time the death of the King of Albania was spred ouer all Europe Death of the King of Albania Lewis was much grieued for that hee alone stayed the Turkes furie who were cruell scourges to punish the disorders of that depraued Age. He was the yongest Sonne of nine children to Iohn Castriot d Voysane daughter to the King of the Tribâ—leâ— a part of Macedonie Bulgaria hauing conceiued George Castriote drempt that shee was deliuered of a serpent of such greatnes as he spred ouer all Epirus who commanded at Croy the chiefe Towne of Albania who gaue him with his Brethren to Amurath to assure the faith of his promises beeing forced to yeeld vnder the yoke of that command Amurath George Castriot circumcised caled Scanberbeg the Nabuchodonosor e God hath vsed the power of infidels to punish his people and by diuers meanes he hath giuen them power to trouble them He raised Nabuchodonosor to ruine the Israelits therefore leremie calls him his seruants although he were most cruell of the Israelites made them all be circumcised and change their names George was called Scanderbeg that is to say Alexander Lord and as Alexander he began betimes to make such proofes of his valour f Scanderbeg was instructed in all the exercises of war before the force of his body could shew what his courage was He also learned the Turkish Sclamonian ArabiaÌ„ Greeke Italian tongues as euery man thoght that his militarie toyles would make him worthy of that name that he would end more Battels in effect then the Princes of his time had seene painted g When Cicero spake of PoÌ„pey he said that he had brought more battels to a happy end theÌ„ others had read in Histories conquered more Prouinces then any one before him had conceiued in his wishes that hee had triumphed almost as many times as he had followed the warre yeares that he would winne more victories then others had encountred dangers He was Sangiac the first dignitie next vnto a Basha then was he sent into diuers expeditions and knowne to be the sole authour of all the good successe which happened in Greece Asia and Hungarie there being nothing in the Art of warre but in the end came to his knowledge But this great valour had almost vndone him Amurath apprehended it to haue such a Prince neere him and the enemies of his courage but more of his hopes said that he nourisht a domestick enemie to weaken his intentions and disappoint his intelligences He put his Brethren to death beeing resolued to make him runne the like fortune if he had not made it knowne by his cariage that he had no other thought nor passion but that of his seruice and that his Father h After the death of Iohn father to Scanderbeg Amurath seazed vpon the Realme of Epirus and put a garrison into Croy. Scanderbeg dissembled the griefe of his fathers death the taking of his estate the murther of his Brethren so from that time he resolued to pull that Crowne from Amurath and his Brethren did reuiue in the affection which he bare vnto him Amurath puts Scanderbegs brethren to death And when as Amurath to sound him had offered him the crowne of Albania he said that he preferred the honour of his seruice before all the Scepters and Empires of the world and that he felt his hand fitter for a sword then his head for a Crowne This answere pleased Amurath He grovves fearfull of his valour but it freed him not from all his feares which the greatnes of his spirit imprinted in his
reciued shall bee maâ—e ready and laid before the Kings sâ—at vppon a Carpet of Crimson Tâ—ffata or Saâ—ten hanging dâ—wne at either â—nd and the said coller â—obes shall bee perfumed with incense after that the Preest hath perfumed the Altar Art 82. of the amplifying the Statutes of the Order in the yeaar 1476. hauing his hands vpon the Crosse and the holy Euangill which done the said Knight newly chosen shall come reuerently before the Soueraigne The Kings words in giuing the Coller who taking the Coller of the Order shall put it about his necke saying or causing these words to bee said The Order receaues you into this amiable company 〈◊〉 token thereof giues you this present Coller God graunt you may carry it long to his glory and seruice aduancement of the holy Church and increase of the honor of the Order and of your merrits and good â—ame In the name of the Father the Sonne and holy Ghost whereunto the said Knight shall say Amen God giue mee the grace After which the eldest Knight shall lead the said Knight newly receiued vnto the Soueraigne who shall kisse him in signe of perpetuall loue and in like maner all the Knights that are present shall doe the same in order Bonds of Knights reciprocall Besides this the knights are bound to certaine respects one towards another They did promise at their entrie into the Order to serue the King as their head in all occasions both within and without the Realme and the King did promise to maintaine them in their goods Lewis the elâ—uenth bound himselfe not to vndertake any warre nor any other matter of importance without making iâ— knowne to the Knights of the order lands and estates as his Bretheren and companions and not to attempt any warre without their aduise Hee thought to hold those hearts which had been distracted fast bound vnto him but infidelity was so bold and so contagious as all the respects of honor and conscience were too weake to restraine her from drawing them from their dueties who say the lawes of their birth were most bound vnto it It was a difficult thing for good men to bridle themselues from running into ill so licentious was the time To doc well when as vertue raignes good men are honored is ordinary and easie but not to suffer himselfe to bee infected with the corruptians of the time but to haue a good intent to dare vndertake it and effect it in a bad season is the true signe of a generous spirit and so hard a matter it is to do well when as euery man glories in doing ill and that crimes become examples and customes Iohn Duke of Bourbon continued his intelligence with the Duke of Bourgondy and aduertised him of what the King practised vppon the Townes in Picardy The Constable vsed all his practises betwixt the two Princes Intelligences continued betwixt Bourgondy and Bourâ—on fearing that if the Kings Choller found not some subiect to worke vppon abroad it would fall vppon the neerest that were about him That a long peace would cut off the entertainment of his soldiers making him vnproffitable to the King and without reputation in the realme promising vnto himselfe that whilst the warre continued hee should gouerne all The perpetuity of his charge which could haue no other end but with his life held him not in those apprehensions wherewith their mindes are troubled which hold them as a Wolfe by the eare u Charges which are aboue others should be short least they should grow insupportable and insolâ—nt Those which are but temporary hold them that enioy them in ther duties and the perpetuall makes them forgetfull Peace alone makes a ciuill warre in his soule wherefore he assures the King that when he pleased hee would recouer him St. Quentin by the meanes of some places which he held about it and would speedily execute the intelligences which he had in Flanders and Brabant Warre beeing concluded by the Estates at Tours Wars proclaimed it was as soone begun as proclaimed The Duke being at Gand receiued the Citation to appeare in person at the Court of Parliament who caused the Vsher of the Court to be imprisoned hauing adiourned him as hee was going to Masse and beeing madde to see himselfe made equall to the meanest of the Realme he resolued to appeare with his sword in his hand and to transport the warre as neere his Iudges as hee could The Kings practises began then to breake forth many declared themselues French Baldwine Bastard of Bourgundy retired himselfe vnto the Kings seruice The Duke is surprised The Duke of Brittanie had made an accord with him x Accord of the D. of Brittanie with the King at Anceâ—is the 18. of September 1468. The Duke of Guienne was satisfied and if hee could not haue all that hee desired hee was content with that which did suffice him y The ease of great Princes must be considered by their coÌ„tent They haue but too much so as they thinke they haue enough One demanded of Zeleuchus what Reuenewes hee had to whom hee answered As much as I need Plut. The Constable sent word to the Duke of Bourgundy that all was lost that there was no reliefe for him in England being fallen into the same convulsions which had in a manner smothered it in the yeare 1461. Edward being bound to the Earle of Warwicks vertue for his fortune made him a sharer Troubles in England and gaue him goodly peeces depending of the Crowne and the continuation of the gouernment of Calice with fourescore thousand Crownes rent to increase his reuenues Yet the Earle of Warwick did not hold these recompences proportionable to his great seruices beeing moreouer discontented for that the King hauing sent him into France to seeke the Kings Alliance by the marriage of Bonna of Sauoy z The King of England sent the Earle of Warwicke into France to demand Bonna of Sauoy daughter to Lewis Duke of Sauoy the Queenes Sister in marriage had mockt him in marrying with Grayes widdow the which Lewis made sensible to the Earle of Warwicke to the end this complaint might bee as a thorne of discontent in his heart And as Princes take delight to pull them downe whom they haue raised and aduanced and doe not willingly suffer such high heads of Poppie to grow in their gardens Edward grew iealous and an enemie to this great authority which had cherished made speed vnder the shadow of his He brake quite with him and some say that hauing attempted against the honour of a Kinswoman of his a Of wrongs which make the greatest impression in the hart those which regard â—he honor of Lâ—dies are most sensible Polidore Virgil wâ—ites thus of this attempt Nec abhorret a veritate EduarduÌ„ tentasse vt aiunt nescio quid in domo Comitis quod ab honestatâ— omnino abesset cum homo esset qui
that any other should deale in it Hee represented vnto him the greatnes and commoditie of the Estates which this marriage would bring him after the death of his brother and father in law makes him to apprehend it in such sort as this yong Prince who filled not his fantasie with small imaginations continued his first poursuite of an alliance with duke Charles assuring him that it would produce great effects for their common fortunes and profit o An apparent and important profit is a great motioÌ„ to diuert the effect of a promise The Duke of Brittanie promised vnto himselfe the honour of the mediation for a matter which did profit few men and offended many The King had no desire his brother should be so great p Tâ—e Kings of France haue in former times repented themselues for that they had made their brethreâ— so great Charles the â—ifu gaue to Philip the hardie the Duchie of Bourgundy which K. Iohn had vnited vnto the Crowne maâ—ied â—im to the heyre of â—landeâ—s The house of Bourgundy grew so mighty as it would equall it selfe with that of France The King of England sent often to the Duke of Bourgundy to diswade him from this alliance entreating him to consider that the Duke of Guienne Designe of the King of England succeeding the King who had no children and holding the countries belonging to the house of Bourgundy England did foresee her ruine and destruction The Duke of Bourgundy would haue no such sonne in Lawe he gaue a desire and appetite to all men with one hand and tooke all hope from them with the other he promised her to all gaue her not to any he made vse of his daughter to entertaine the loue of Princes and to passe ouer his affaires with more successe to repaire by pollicy the defects he found in his owne strength thinking that his weaknes did dispence him of his word and that fraud was glorious against his enemies q Deceit which makes an enemy receiue an affront is as commendable as it is to bee blamed when it deceiueth him that is not so declared whereas they say that fraud is glorious in warre it is not to be vnderstood in breaking words and promises but of politick fained and artificiall stratagems But he had no desire to marry her propounding vnto himselfe in this marriage more the aduancement of his owne designe then the contentment of his daughter hee promised her to Maximilian sonne to the Emperour Frederic Princes pretending to marry the Daughter of Bourgundy and inclined much to that party to doe his busines in Germany where he desired to purchase some credit for at the same time Sigismond ArchDuke of Austria had ingaged vnto him for fourescore thousand florins the Country of Alsatia and Brisgaeu with the County of Ferette r The Country of Alsatia Brisgâ—â— the black Forrest the Contie of 〈◊〉 or Forrest Were ingaged by Sygismond Arch-duke of Austria for 80000. floriâ—â— vpon condiâ—ion that the D. of Bourgundy should not alter any thing of the Lawes and Customes of the Country in the yeare 1496 Hee promised her in like manner to Nicholas sonne to the Duke of Calabria to draw him from the Kings allyance who had promised him his eldest daughter To the Duke of Guienne to trouble the Kings of France and England and to Phillip Duke of Sauoy for an other designe Yet the practise was so followed by the Duke of Brittaine and the Constable who promised in regard of that marriage to draw him into Amiens and S. Quintin as he gaue his word to consent vnto it and at the same instant hee assured the King of England that hee would not doe it his words vppon this subiect were neuer of one tune s It was a witty comparison of him that said that mens actions were like notes of musick sometimes in spaces sometimes in lines sometimes aboue and sometimes beneath and neuer or seldom straight for any long coÌ„tinuance and did not accord with his heart The Dukes of Guienne and Brittanie being well aduertised that their hopes were crost by the King of England gaue the Duke of Bourgundy to vnderstand by their Ministers that without the assistance of the English they were strong inough and had sufficient intelligence to force the King to doe him right and that the principal end of their Armes being for the publike good of the realme they could not haue that successe which they expected imploying their ancient enemies and that so long as they had forces and meanes in France it was not needfull to seek them in England t Wâ—ilest that wee may passe without succors we should not seek them Plato in his Lawes forbids to dig for water in a neighbors house before that hee had sought it in his owne These words were deliuered vnto him by Vrfe in the behalfe of Monsieur Wherevpon the Duke said to Philip de Commines Behold the Lord of Vrfe presseth me to make mine armies as great as I can and tels me that we shall doe great good vnto the Realme doe you thinke if I enter with the company that I shall lead that I shall doe any good Philip de Commines answered smiling In my opinion no Then the Duke said I loue the good of France better then my Lord of Vrfe thinkes for whereas there is but one King I would there were six He would gladly haue had the whole peece u Ambition striues to diuide and teare in peeces that which shee can not breake nor carry wholly away but knowing the impossibilitie that the ascent was too steepe and the top too slipperie hee had no care but to breake that which he could not wholly enioy x There is not any one of so great a courage but thinking to make himselfe a King he trembles the ascent vnto a royaltie is slipperie the top shaking and the precipise fall fearefull He prepared great forces and the King sent his into Guienne being incensed that his Brother had restored the Earle of Armagnac to his lands which had been confiscate and hee spoyles both the one and the other He wins his cheife seruants the more easely to chase him out of Guienne The Duke of Guienne prest the Duke of Bourgondy to succor him the Duke sent vnto the King to intreat him to suffer Monsieur to liue in peace The King answered that hee had no intent to alter any thing of his brothers portion but to keepe him from attempting beyond his bounds And behold a remarkable poynt of wisedome in this Prince whilest the Duke prepared his army he sent Peter D'oriole Chancellor of France vnto him and the Lord of Craon to make an ouerture of an accord A Peace treated and a promise made to restore Amiens A peace was treated and the King promised to restore Amiens and Saint Quentin the duke was so much greeued for the losse of these two townes and had so great
house of Armagnac done to France against the English freed him from all suspition of intelligence with them being most certaine that they were neuer no good English men they haue alwaies resisted them they haue spent their liues and goods to expell them out of the realme and had detested them hauing slaine their Predecessors cruelly and inhumainly f Bernard E. of Armagnac Constable of France for maintayning the quarel of the Crowne was slaine at Paris and flead Hee serued the King so courragiously as all good Frenchmen were called Armagnacs But such was the misery of the Age as they must aduow that which was beleeued more by coniecture then by assistance He that is held of all men to be wicked is forced to doe wickedly All waters returne into the sea from whence they flow This goodly Prouince of Armagnac consisting in the lands which are called the Counties of Armagnac and Falensac base Armagnac Perdiac Biran and Baran in the Viconties of Lomagne Auuillar Fesensaguet and Brouliois In the Siegneuries of Lectoure Auzan the base riuer whereas Castellnau stands and Malbourquet Aure Magnoac Barrouce Nestes is wholly come to the crowne of Nauarre vnder the raigne of Henry of Albret King of Nauarre Earle of Foix and Armagnac FINIS THE CONTENTS OF of the sixth BOOKE 1 THe Duke of Bourgondies discontent for the death of the Duke of Guienne 2 Cruelties committed at Nesle in Vermandois 3 Memorable Seege of Beauuais 4 Spoile done by the Duke of Bourgondies Armie in Normandy 5 The King drawes the Duke of Brittaine from all intelligence with the Duke of Bourgondy 6 Ambitious desseines of the Duke of Bourgondy for the which hee goes to the Emperour Frederic to Treues 7 Assembly at Bouuines and the Resolution taken against the Constable 8 The King and Constable parle vppon a causey hauing a barre betwixt them 9 New desseignes of the Duke of Bourgondy in Germany 10 The King stirres vp the Arch Duke of Austria the Suisses and some Townes in Germany against the Duke 11 Peter of Hagembach the Duke of Bourgondies Lieftenant beheaded at Brissac 12 Army of the Duke of Bourgondies in the County of Ferrette and vppon the fronter of the County of Bourgondy 13 Places taken and burnt by the Kings troupes vppon the fronter of Picardy and in Artois 14 Ambassage sent by the King vnto the Emperour Frederic who makes answer by an Apologie 15 Continuation of the Siege of Nuze the Constables pollicy 16 Edward King of England passeth into France and sends Letters of defiance vnto the King 17 Wisdome of the King to auoid this storme 18 The Duke of Burgondy leaues the siege of Nuze 19 The Constable failes of his promis made to the King of England and the Duke of Burgundy 20 Ouerture of a peace betwixt the two Kings and conferences of their deputies 21 The King labours to make the Duke of Burgundy vnderstand the Constabels double dealing 22 Truce for nine yeares betwixt the two kinges where-with the Duke of Burgundy is discontented and the wordes he had vpon that subiect with the King of England 23 Good cheere made to the English at Amiens 24 Enteruiew of the two Kings vpon the Bridge of Pyquigny to sweare the peace 25 Wordes which escaped the King vpon the treatie of the peace THE HISTORY of LEVVIS the XI THE SIXTH BOOKE IF the death of the Duke of Guienne had not put this exception into the Kings mouth Matters are changed his word which was a The simple word of a Prince bindes him as much as othes doe priuaâ— persons AlfoÌ„so Panormi in his life as much as all the othes of his religion bound him to restore Amiens and S t Quentin to the Duke of Bourgundy The Duke who was then in Arâ—ues to recouer them seeing that the King had changed his minde resolued to loose all or to haue all Hee wrote vnto the Townes to rise against him and speakes more vnworthily of him Death of the Duke of Guienâ—e breakes the Treatie then Artaban K of Persia did of Tiberius b Suetonius writes that Artaban railed of Tyberius by his letters reproaching him with his muâ—thers Parricides cowardise veluptuousâ—esse Parricidia caedes ignauiam Luxuriam he exclaimes of him as a Tyrant ouer his subiects a Murtherer of his brother and periured of his promises and in this fury he begins to make war by fire which he had neuer done A kinde of hostilitie vnknowne to Christians and to those generous Nations which carry not their sword to kill but in fighting c To spoile the vanquâ—shed to put thâ—m toraÌ„some and to wast their countries is the iustice of warre but this was neuer allowâ—d â—fter a victorie wâ—en as an enemie yeelds It is a wicked thing saith Plato in his commonweale to burne spoile and make one an others countrie wholly desolate it sufficeth to carrie away their annuall fruiâ—s and who hold that the fewer they kill the more there remaine to honour their triumph He besieged Nesle in Vermandois Cruelties committed at the taking of Nesle into the which the King had put a Captaine called Pettie Picard with three hundred Archers of the Isle of France who defended the Bourguignons assaults valiantly but being prest by necessitie hee accepted of a composition for himselfe and his men to depart with their liues and Armes But the trecherie was strange beeing followed by an excesse of brutish cruelty As soone as the besieged were disarmed the Bourgundians â—lue them Euery man thought that the Church should haue been a Sanctuarie vnto him euery man ranne thither and the souldiers made such a slaughter as the bloud ranne in all places The Captaine and his companions were hanged The Duke was no lesse pleased with the bloud then the sacke of the Towne Entring into the Church he spake these words more fitting for a Busiris then for a Christian Prince and of the bloud of the most Christian Kings d In the Chronicle of Lewis the eleuenth these words are read vppon the desolation of Nesle On Friday the 12. of Iune 1472. the Duke of Bourgundy entred the church on horseback the which was halfe a foote deep with the bloud of poore Creatures which lay naked and dead there And when as the said Bourguignon saw them in this maner hee began to smile and said that he saw a goodly sight that he had with him many good butchers Behold this is goodly I haue good Butchers Inhumane words of the D. of Bourgundy The griefe for the death of Monsieur and for the losse of S. Quentin transported him to these outrages which then were noted by the Cassandras of those times to bee the chiefe cause which prouoked Gods Iustice to cut off the course of his daies in reuenge of innocent bloud e A cruel prince continues not long The Emperor Anastasius the fourth was so and had no religion In the end an old man with a sower countenance
realme of FraÌ„ce which did belong vnto him to the end hee might restore the Church the Nobilitie the people to their ancient liberty and ease them of their troubles and charges and in case of refusall he protested of the miseries which should follow after the manner and forme accustomed is like cases CHRONIC of some bad Frenchman He demanded the Realme of France as his ancient inheritance he declared his Armes to be iust to recouer it and to set the French at libertie and to deliuer them from the oppressions which they endured The Letter being read the King drew the Messenger apart and spake vnto him alone with words of such Emphesie as hee left an opinion in him that the King of Englands enterprise hauing no support but the weaknesse of the Duke of Bourgundy the dissembling Constable and the passion of some English would not finde any great credit in France and so he sent him back with a present of three hundred Crownes and thirty elles of Crimson Veluet so full of good will as hee promised not to returne but to offer him a peace The Chronicle saies that the King sent vnto King Edward the goodliest Courser he had in his stable And after that an Asse a Woolfe and a wilde Beare all signes of affection and of other thoughts then warre and hatred for it is as great a testimonie of friendship to receiue a present as to giue l He that giues offers friendship he that receiues it accepts and binds himself to loue Wherefore among all the pride of the Romans they haue noted this to disdaine the presents which came not from friends Pharnax sent a Crowne of gold to Caesar who sent him word that hee should first doe that which hee was commanded then send him presents which Roman Emperors after the happy successe of their enterprises were accustomed to receiue froÌ„ their friends This great Prince desiring rather to saue a Cittizen then to kill an hundred enemies was resolued not to hazard any thing but money preferring the price of an assured Peace before a doubtfull victorie and notwithstanding that his Armie was great and mightie being in number aboue an hundred thousand men yet would he shew himselfe a Hercules m The Priests of Hercules Temples in Sicile told the Syracusans that they should bee victors if they did not affaiâ—e first but did onely defend themselues for that Hercules had preuailed in all his Enterprises defending himselfe when they câ—me to assaile him Plut. rather in defending then assailing Hee knew the body was not well purged from those vicious humours Considerations of the K. to haue a Peace that there were yet great windes to raise tempests Earthquakes that France was not without it like vnto Egypt This descent of the English had three great passions to moue it Ambition Reuenge and feare The King of England commanded in his Armie and Ambition commanded the King of Englands heart who promised vnto himselfe the conquest of the whole Realme The Duke of Bourgundy reioyced to see the English reuenge his quarrel as they had before a wrong done vnto his Grandfather The Constable thought that he could not otherwise appease the growing feare which presented vnto him an infallible losse both of life and fortune but in kindling these troubles The King found himselfe much troubled to auoide this storme Wisedome of the King to auoid the storme he must needs content these three passions He had many seruants of whose fidelitie he did not doubt n It is a great aduantage for a Prince against the discontentment of great men to haue the hearts and affections of his subiects firme He may well assure himselfe against few enemies but against a generall what safety Quello che ha per nemici pochi facilmente senza â—olti scandali si asâ—icura ma chi ha per nemico vniuersale non si assicura mai Guicciard lib. 11. Cap. 16. He that hath few for enemies may eaâ—sly and without any great scandall recouer himselfe but he that hath a generality for 〈◊〉 can never be secnred there was no rebellion discouered within any townes yet there were many great men which promised vnto themselues that the English would take reuenge of their discontents He feared that S. Quentin would be a prey to his enemies He was no lesse troubled to keepe the Constable from failing then to seeke meanes to punish his fault He sent to haue him come vnto him The King sends for the Constable to ioyne their Councels together and to prepare for a iust defence against his enemies promising to giue him the recompence which hee demanded from the Countie of Guise The Constable let the King vnderstand that he desired nothing more then to be neere his Maiestie to yeeld him the dutie of his seruice and to make new vowes of fidelity and obedience vnto him so as it would please him to sweare vppon the crosse of S t Laud that he would not doe Hee will haue the K. sweare for his safety not suffer any harme to be done vnto him o Constantine would not go to the Court of Michel Paphlagon Emperor of Constantinople before he had made him sweare his safety vpon the wood of the true Crosse vppon the Image of our Sauiour and vppon the letter which hee had written Angarus Cedren Ann. Pa. 607. It is in the Cittie of Angiers where the people hold this old beleefe that whosoeuer sweare vpon this crosse and forsweare themselues die miserably before the end of the yeare The King sent the Constable word that he had sworne neuer to take that oath to any man liuing and that there was not any other but hee would willingly take although he should relye vpon his word p Princes will be trusted of their word It is a great rashnes in a subiect to make his Prince sweare euery oth as Plutarke saith is like a torture giuen to a free man This refusall did sufficiently discouer the Kings intent and the Constable knowing that hee had once made no difficultie to take the same oath for the Lord of Lescun thought that there was no other safety for him then not to come neere the King and not to see him but by his picture In the meane time the English armie past the sea and landed with so great difficulties as they spent three weekes there and if it had incountred any let with that speed and diligence that the affaires q Caesar being ariued in England hauing cast another admonished his Lieutenants and Colonels to dâ—ligence for sea causes being very sodaine mutable they must be executed in an instant and in the turning of an eye of the sea which is sodaine and mutable requires it had been disperst of it selfe One ship alone of Eu tooke two or three English But the King vnderstood not sea-matters and they that had charge of his armies lesse then himselfe The French haue neuer
intent and that the place deserued some ceremonies that he would not purchase that reproch to haue yeelded at the first sight of the enemy and that he knew his humor not to attempt any thing but when he may doe it safely profitably and honorably He thought otherwise in his heart and Edward knowing well that the Constable deceiued them The K of England repents that he beleeued did not conceale it that the duke had done him wrong to imbarke him vpon his assurances The Duke take his leaue vnder a pretext to goe fetch his forces and retired into Brabant to passe at Mezieres into the Dutchie of Bar. The King of England did not like of the reason of his sodaine departure knowing well that the Dukes affaires were in no good estate and might impaire The English were amazed and discouraged as they are commonly which ground their enterprises vpon the promises and passions of strangers z They that haue needs of forraine succors promise wonders to ingage them and doe not commonly performe halfe their promises Their wils wauered betwixt hope and repentance For all the Townes whereof they promised themselues the conquest and which they had sometimes held they had onely Perronne and that was but by way of passage to refresh them The season was incommodious The Duke of Brittanie remained quiet to see the game and who should win He had incensed the King too much who had new drawne from a Secretarie of England two Letters written by Vrse a The Duke of Brittanie promised to loyne his forces with those of England and to receiue 3000. English This designe was discouered by two letters written by Vrse who then serued the D. of Brittany the one vnto the King of England and the other to Hastings his Lord Chamberlaine which discouer his practises and the promise which he had made to ioyne with the English All these reasons make Edward incline to a peace he hath some about him would gladly haue re-past the sea His chiefe seruants were not very eager of warre and remembring the entertainment at S. Quentin they found that the English were too blame to trust in the French against the French and to beleeue that Rauens will pick out one anothers eyes The Ceremonie was who should speake first there was not any one betwixt these two Princes that would attempt this mediation they thought that hee which should first demand a Peace had confest himselfe vanquished There is a great disparitie betwixt the affaire of Princes and priuate men their rules and Maximes are very different like to the Kings of Thrace whose Gods which they serue are not the Gods of the common people b The dissemblance of the affaires of great men shâ—wes it selfe in many respects and ceremonies which are not considered among priuate persons The King of Thrace is distinguished from his suâ—iects by the difference of the sâ—ruice of his Gods he hath his apart which his subiects are not suffred to worship Haward and Stanley Occasion which caused an ouerture of a Peace who were neerest about the King of England offred an occasion to breake this Ice They had taken a Groome of the Kings Armie who was sent back without ransome as the first prisoner of the English Being at libertie and readie to depart Haward and Stanley said vnto him Recommend vs to the good grace of the King your Master if you may speake vnto him He failed not and the King remembring what Garter had said vnto him found that his veluet had wrought These salutations draue him into a great perplexitie Whatsoeuer comes from an enemie is to be suspect He caused the messenger to be put in Irons fearing that he was a spie he is sounded into and curiously examined by his most confident seruants hee himselfe speakes vnto him and findes him constant without varying This perturbation of minde held him vntill the next day with the which he sate downe pensiue to his meate Posture of Lewis the eleuenth when hee was pensiue When as he was in his deepest cogitations the minde did so neglect the actions of the bodie and left them in such disorder as no man would haue taken him for a wise man c Phil. de CoÌ„ represents in these world 's the grace of K. Lewis when hee had any fantasie in his head As soon as he was set at the table and had studied a little as you know he did in such sort as it was very strange to them that did not know him for without knowledge of him they would haue held him vnwise but his deeds witnes the contrary After that he had been a while pensiue hee told Philip de Commines that hee should take away the table and went to dine in his chamber causing the seruant of the Siegneur of Halles to come vnto him of whom he demanded if hee would goe into the King of Englands Armie in the habite of a Herauld He had bethought himselfe of this man to whom hee had neuer spoke but once and notwithstanding that Phil. de Commines told him that in his opinion hee had neither stature nor grace yet would hee not any other Iudgement of the King to distinguish spirits He had made choise of him as of a man of good vnderstanding and who had as the Historie saith a sweet and pleasing voice He considered that if the charge hee gaue him did not succeed he should quit in disauowing him and make it knowne that he was but in a disguised habite like vnto Comediens d They demanded of Polistratidas Embassador of Sparta if he came in the behalfe of the commonweale or of himselfe hee answered eloquently 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If you grant me that which I demand said Polistratidas I will cause my selfe to be aduowed if not I let you vnderstand that I haue no charge He would not accept this charge for any thing that Philip de Comines could say or promise him he fell vpon his Knees as if hee had beene condemned to die e When as the King thought this man was in a good humour he sent the master of his horse for the banner of a trumpet to make him a coate of Armes for the K. was not curious nor accompanied with Heralds and Trumpets as many princes be Phil. de Com. l. 4. c. 7. The King came and spake with him and wonne him at the first word A Herald sent to the King of England promising him mony and the office of an Esleu in the I le of Rez Hee must be attired and there was some trouble to make him a coate of armes and more to send him away secretly and not to seene but most of all to instruct him in that which he should say His coate of armes was in a bouget behind his saddle hauing commandement not to put it on vntill hee did enter into the English army Philip de Comines obserues in this place the little care and
commends his Councells gaue Eu and Saint Valery to the King of England onely to lodge in during the treaty of Peace But hee had giuen such order as the English in these townes were rather in prison then in Garrison The Constable by Edwards answer saw himselfe almost in dispair with more subiect to be amazed how hee liued then to reioyce that he was liuing apprehending on the one side seruitude and on the other punishment and seeing no other port in this torment of mind but death The Dukes of Bourgundy and Brittanie were comprehended in this truce if they would The Duke of Bourgundy being aduertised of this Treatie came from Luxembourg with sixteene horse to finde King Edward who discouered in his Cousins face the s It is an extreame misery to stand betwixt 2. great powers haue no meanes to maintaine himselfe A little nag betwixt 2. great horses is alwaies subiect to some stripe spleene he carried in his heart and seeming amazed at this sodaine arriuall he demanded of him what brought him I came said the Duke to speake with you will you said Edward that it be in priuate or publike wherevpon the Duke who could not containe his choller and who came to speake what he would not considering that he might he are what he would not t demanded of the King of England if hee had made a Peace No said Edward but a Truce for nine yeares in the which you are comprehended with the Duke of Brittanie I pray you accommodate your selfe vnto it The Duke replyed in English which hee vnderstood and spake That his Armie should not haue past the sea for that this Treatie ruined the reputation of the Kings of England and that he had need of that Lyons heart interred at Rouen u Richard the first King of England was called Coeur de Lion he dyed at Osneyâ— and his heart was interred at Rouen a reasonable good Poet for these times made him this Epitaph * Then he addes I had procured you a good occasion to doe your busines which you shall neuer recouer to get that which belongs vnto you It was not for mine owne interest for I could well passe without it and to let you know how little I regard your Truce Words betwixt the K. of England and the Duke of Bourgondy By S t George I will not treat with the King before that you are returned into England and haue stayed there three monethes Edward taking no delight in these words full of choller left him there He went to horseback and so returned as he came being well content to haue said that which hee would say to him who had not done that which he would doe and carrying in his heart a wonderfull discontent that this Treatie tooke from him the meanes to purchase glorie x To loose the occasion of any great matter by the meane of Armes is a very sensible griefe to a great courage Epaminondas did shew it in causing his sonnes head to be cut off who had won a Battell coÌ„plaining that he had depriued him of part of his glory at the Kings charge and once againe to giue him a Battell * Viscera Carceolum corpus fons serâ—â—t Ebrardi Et cor Rhotomagum magne Richarde tuum In tria diuiditur vnus qui plus fuit vno Nec superest vna gloria tanta viro And this other Hic Richarde Iaces sed mors si cederet Armis Victa timore tui cederet ipsa tuis The King fearing that the Duke of Bourgundies choller and the Constables practises would cause Edward repent or make him distrust the expectation of that which had been promised would make his proceedings free from all suspition Confidence is the true cyment of friendship Good cheer made to the English at Amiens The English entred continually in what troupes they would into Amiens There were long Tables at the gates furnished with good meate and delicate wines and good companions attended to entertaine all that came All the Tauerns and Innes were full The Marshall of Gié hauing charge to obserue how the English liued came one morning into a Tauerne where they told him they had alreadie made a hundred and eleuen reckonings Gran favores comery no escotar and it was not yet nine of the clock Among other commodities the souldiour found it sweet to dine well and not to pay any thing It was in the Kings power to cut the throats of nine or ten thousand who could neither goe on their legges nor finde the gates to returne vnto their quarters they were so full They were content to see them drunke with wine who would haue been drunke with bloud But when they came and told him that it was dangerous to suffer so many men to enter he left his howers which he was saying and the ceremony of Innocents y The Romans did obserue good daies to assaile but all were good to defend Macrob l. Satur. cap. 16. All daies are good and fit to care for defence and safety We must beleeue that which he saies that saw it and hath written it The King being vp and saying his howers one came and told him that there were at the least nine thousand English in the Towne I resolued to aduenture to tell him and entring into his retiring place I said vnto him Sir although it be S. Innocents day yet is it necessarie that I tell you that which hath been deliuered vnto mee and so acquainted him at large with the numbers that were entred and still came all armed and that no man durst refuse them the gates least they should be discontented The King was not obstinate but soone left his deuotion and told me that they must not keep the ceremonie of Innocents z The Christian religion holdes the obseruation of daies superstitious Eas culpat saith S t Aug. qui dicunt non proficiscat hodie quia praeposterus dies est It blames them that say I will not goe forth this day because it is ominious whereby wee may gather that the day whereon the Feast of Innocents fell was for all the rest of the yeare following superstitiously ceremonious to this Prince on which hee would not haue them speake vnto him of any affaires Phil. de Commines hauing been in danger of a disgrace vpon that occasion Yet he receiued this aduice in such an humor as he beleeued that he might referre his deuotion to another time and dispence with it to the end that he might prouide that this troupe should retire quietly The King dines at the gate of Amiens He caused his dinner to bee carried to the Porters house not to shew his distrust but to make much of the English which came in and out He stayed some to eate at his table and made others drinke and withall prouided for the safety of the Towne hauing caused three hundred men to be armed in their Captaines houses and appointed some vpon the Portall to
to moue humours not to purge the bodie It was told Pompey that there were amoÌ„g Stertorius papers many Senators Letters who exhorted him to come into Italy and to attempt against Rome but Pompey did an Act not of a yong man but of a graue setled inâ—gement causing all his Letters to be burnt and not suffring one to be read Plut. but the King who contemned not any thing thought that it was an Arrow shot against the Constable therefore he desired to be satisfied from Edward who dissembling not his great discontentment against the Constable related vnto him the whole History of his preuatications and for proofe thereof deliuered two Letters into his hands After a long discourse accompanied with infinite shews of loue honor and respect the two Kings parted Edward past by the Sea leauing Hostages in the delights and feasts of Paris and the chiefe Noble men of his Court talked of nothing but the Kings bountie The Heralds and trumpets of England at their parting cryed out A largesse a largesse h Liberalitie is like the Sunne amoÌ„g the other lights of a royaltie It is the myâ—rhe which preserues the reputation of Kings incorruptible for the most noble and mightie King of France A largesse a largesse The King went to lie at Amiens by the way he entertained himselfe with that which he had obserued in this Action speaking these words to Phil. de Commines confidently A wise obseruation of the king I found the King of England so willing to come to Paris as it did not please me Hee is a goodly King and loues women much hee might finde some Mignion at Paris who would tell him so many goodly tales as he might haue a desire to returne His Predecessors haue beene too much in Paris and Normandie His company auailes me nothing on this side the Sea but on the other side he is my good brother and friend Being come to Amiens and ready to set downe to meate Haward one of the Hostages thinking to doe him a great pleasure came and told him in his eare that if he pleased he would draw the King of England vno Amiens and it might bee to Patis to make good cheere there with his Maiestie The King who hauing saued the Capitoll i It is good to see an enemies back The Gauls demanded boats to passe the Riuer of Tyber and the Senate commanded to giue them some beeing put to rout they assured them the way to saue them Poliâ—nus Lib. 2. had no care but to make a large way for the Gaules to passe receiued this speech with a good countenance although it did not please him and as if he had thought of other matters he began to wash and to speake of other things Haward remembred him after supper hauing not obserued the Kings intention by the first euasion The King being prest by his importunity said that he was then ready to goe to horse to see what the Duke of Bourgundy would doe and to make him runne the hazard of Armes seeing he had contemned the opportunitie of an accord They that past the Sea vnwillingly would haue beene glad to haue found some occasion to haue stayed longer in France they had some reason for the good of their estate and that Paris might be to London as Carthage had been to Rome k Estates maintaine theÌ„selues by the common feares and iealousies they haue one of an other And therfore Scipâ—o Nasiâ—a did aduise theÌ„ to preserue Carthage notwithstanding that she had put the 〈◊〉 of Rome to comprimise Ne metu ablato aemula vrbis luxuriarâ— felicitas vrbis inciperâ—t Least being freed froÌ„ the feare of a Citie that was enemy the Citie in her prosperitie should fall to â—yot Flor. Lib 2. de Bello Punice They had such hot spirits among them as if they had not some imploiment without the Iland they were capable to beginne the Earle of Warwicks game During the Kings abode at Amiens he was visited by the English especially by those that would not returne without some present The King giues preâ—â—mâ—s to the English The Duke of Glocester who seemed much discontented with this Truce found it good after that the King had giuen him plate and horses This Prince did sow euen in barren groundes the feare of ingratitude did not stay his handes from giuing vnto them who being gone neuer gaue him thankes l They doe not forbeare to sow after an â—â—n fertill haruest hee must not leaue to binde one after ingratitude although the benâ—fit perish with the other he must not suffer it to perish with himselfe He was very well pleased with that day but he was greeued that the King of England had shewed so much passion for the Duke of Brittaine for his desire was not to suffer him in peace Edward declares the Duke of Brittanâ— to be his friend Hee caused him to bee sounded againe by the Lords of Bouchage and St. Pierre but they brought nothing back but rough wordes sweating that he would repasse the sea againe if they quarreled with the Britton m Besides the bond which K. Edward had to the D. of Brittany for that hee had assisted him in his greatest necessiâ—y he feared to discoÌ„tent him least he should set Henry whom he held prisoner at libertie The King seeing that he could not diuide them thought to make him a good friend whom he could not declare a iust enemy Peace betwixt the King and the Du of Brittany seing that he was comprehended in the Truce Wherefore there was a Treaty of peace betwixt them signed and concluded in the Abbey of Senlis the 16. of October 1475. published in the Parliament of Paris and at the estates of Brittaine The King of England was not more content to see his realme againe then the King seemed ioyfull to haue sent him out of his Princes somtimes let slip free speeches in their Cabinets which are obserued and reported againe The King being some dayes after King Edwards departure with his seruants reioyced at the happy successe of his affaires saying that there was nothing to be compared to vanquish without fighting n The victorie which costs least bloud is mâ—st glorious said Alphonso K. of 〈◊〉 Panorm in his life and that they which returned from the place whether they came to make warre without doing any thing were vanquished Words escaped the K. vpon the Treatie of Peace He iested that with wine and money he had sent away the English This flowing of words with more truth then wisedome came to the hearing of a Gascon Marchant remaining in England who was come into the Cabinet to craue leaue to transport a certaine number of pipes of wine Impost free Heard by a Gascon Marchant The King would haue been glad that this man hauing seene the Palace of his Councels bare and vncouered had been blind deafe but he made no shew of it acknowledging
shall seldome see a great spirit without some medley of fâ—lly wherof the purest comâ—s froÌ„ the finest wisdom and therefore Thucidides will not haue the choose high aspiring spiriits into the Counceller of Princes nor to the maâ—naging of affâ—ires but those that are meane who are lesse obstinate Hee thought to make a perpetuall warre betwixt the King of France the King of England and the duke of Bourgundy behold he is amazed to see them reconcyled and against him He hath made him-selfe vnworthy of grace with the first of succors and defence with the second and of all hope with the third and in opinion with all three that hee would play the companion b As it is dangerous to contend with ones equall so is it madaâ—sto quarrell with his superior and to seeke to go hand in hand with him with them raise his reputation and merits vpon the ruine of their affaires mingle his ashes with those of their Estates and eternize his memory not in burning one Temple alone Ill with the King but the Estates of them all three The King had done him good not in respect of his person but of the seruices which he might doe him and when as he saw his affections altered his will also grew could making it knowne that great hatred proceeded from great friendship c The fauors benefits of Princes are not for the respect of the persons but in consideration of seruices and merits which they find in their seruants when these qualities change it is not strange if in like manner their fauors and affections alter Hee could not forget the practises which hee had made to keepe France in trouble and combustion nor the arrogant and insolent shew of armes vpon the Causey of Compiegneâ— nor the letters written to the King at the sight whereof he sware his great oath which hee did neuer violate that he should die Nor so many acts of a spirit which made it selfe miserable for that he could not beare his felicity The Duke had neuer pardoned him the taking againe of Amiens and Abbeuille Ill with the Duke the desire of his reuenge was a riuer d Reuenge runnes on still although it appeares not Plutarque compares it to riuers which runne vnder the earth and afterwards hurst forth with more violence which had his course through the rockes of the difficulties of his affaires He could not forget his cunning practise to marry his daughter to the Duke of Guienne nor his refusall to receiue his men into Saint Quentin after that he had caused them to come Moreouer he was incensed e Offences often renewed end with immortall paynes for that he had first made warre in his country by fire the rest being contented to vse the sword for whilest he lay incamped before Amiens the Constable had made a roade into the country of Haynault and burnt the Castell of Seurre belonging vnto Baldwin of Lannoy whome the Duke loued Ill with the King of England The King of EnglaÌ„d was offended with him for that hauing councelled and perswaded him to come into France to tryumph there hee had returned without tryumph All three would rather haue made an other hell then haue suffered such trecheries vnpunished All things seemed to bandie and conspire his ruine hee could not keepe himselfe vp firme seeing so many persons about him ouerthrowne The Constables perplexity after the peace f It is no wonder not to bee mooued in traÌ„quillity but we may be amazed to see a man rise when as all others shrinke and to stand firme amongst them that stuÌ„ble Sen. Epist. 73. The disgraces which fortune hath done him in the publike ruines are augmented by many other priuate crosses His wife the only support of his greatnes is dead Iames of S. Paul his brother prisoner la Scala his nephewe returning out of England was taken by the Kings men and found seazed of daungerous Instructions the Earle of Roucey his Sonne in the duke of Burbons hands The Earle of Dammartin his enemy with the Kings forces neere vnto S. Quentin And the Prince of Orange at liberty carrying the title of Prince by the grace of God g Ielousie and enuy worke strange diâ—â—emperatures in their mindes which martch hand in hand The Constable of S â— Paul could not indure the prosperity of some greate men in court He is grieued that the prince of Orange is set at liberty for thirty thousand Crownes and that the king hath suffered him to carry the title of Prince by the grace of God to coyne money and to pardon all offences except heresie and treason All these things were so many thornes in his bed to keepe him from sleepe he doth not dreame wake nor thinke but how to stand firme against all these violent stormes of fortunes but he seekes to cure his harmes h A pernitious remedy to cure one mischiefe with another and to think to be cured by disorders which caused diseases the intemperance of the Patienâ— causeth the cruelty of the Phisition by other mischefes He is like vnto an earthen vessell which must needes breake if it fall vppon a stone or a stone fall vppon it The nedle of his Compas turnes toward the Kings Clemencie as to his north He sends Rapin his secretary vnto him with silken words humble and milde beseeching him to beleeue that the King of England and the Duke of Bourgundy desired nothing more then to draw him to the extremitie of dispayre The Constable seeks the Kings fauor and to seeke his safty of them beeing that he could not finde it with the King That a desire to bee reuenged of him who had not offended theÌ„ but in that he had not offended his maiestie had giuen way vnto the slanders which had bin published against him and fauoured by the il will of his enemies which were about his maiestie namely by the Lord of Dammartin and Lude who did not loue him and that his heart could not bend vnto that diuine rule to loue his enemies i To loue ones enemies is a diuine Action to loue his friendes humane but to hate his friendes is bruitish But men are of that disposition especially great men they cannot indure the prosperity of their enemies Good workemasters know one anothers worke one line makes them iudge by whome the picture was made The King his craftsmaster in dissembling did iudg that whatsoeuer the Constable pretended to doe was but couÌ„terfeit Aristotle speakes of a rock which burnes hauing oyle cast vppon it that an ambitious spirit dissembles as he list k It is dangerous to giue credit to the wordes and actions of those that haue any designe 〈◊〉 a desire to attaine vnto it makes them to faigne any thing that a wicked man is neuer worse then when hee will counterfeit to be good wherfore all the oyle of his goodly l words doe not allwayes serue to open but to couer the
inteÌ„tions Archidamus sonne to Agesilaus said that sheepe knâ—w but one note but Kings had many to vse as they pleased words did but inflame the flint of his reuenge the more and from the concurrence of these two contraries rose the last tempest which ruined the Constable Yet he made shew to approue his Intentions he said they were good and called a secretary vnto him to write a letter The King sends for the Constable by the which he gaue him aduice of all that had past with the English and that for the troble of minde wherein he was to dispatch many great affayres he had greate neede of his head If he had promised to saue him he would haue accepted the neck of his promises he was so constrained to make an example of the trechery of a bad subiect Rapin was not cunning enough to obserue two things which past at this instant m Paul Erizze gouernor of Negrepont hauing yeelded in the yeare 1470. vppon condicioÌ„ that they should saue his head Mahomet caused him to be sawne in two and when he reproched him with the breach of his word he said vnto him that the flanks were not comprehended in the promise to saue his hed Iustinian the one was that the king turning to the Lord Haward deputie for the King of England and the Siegneour of Contay expounding vnto them the counterfence of this letter saied I doe not meane that we should haue his body but his head only The other was that the Lord of Lude demanded of Rapine if he knew where his masters ready money was a word which should haue condemned the mouth from whence it came to perpetuall silence n By the law of the Gymnosophists they that haue once accused the vse of the tongue are condemned to perpetuall sylence It was sooner deliuered then considered there are witts which betraie wisdome and discretion their suddainesse stayes vppon the first obiects they are not allwayes ready This speech should haue serued as a Trumpet to giue the Constable an Alarum who vnderstanding what Rapine had done and heard chose rather to commit his safty to a good place then to the Kings good words He had caused the Castell of Han to be built and within it a Tower six and thirtie foote thick Castell of Han built by the Constable vppon the porte whereof there was seene a corde wouen with two tassells hanging on the one side and the other and this motto of his humor Mon Mieux He assured himselfe to finde his best alwayes in that place in the worst estate of his fortune and from thence hee should see as from a safe shoare the waues and winds play vppon France But there is no rock nor Acrocorinthe that can hould at the presence of a Prince which meanes to punnish the infidelity of his subiect Against a iust enemie they must make it knowne that a greate courage hath not lesse Clemencie beeing discouered then valour in Armes o Mithridatus king of Bosphorus being defeated vanquishâ—d he intreated the Emperor to make him fire warre his answere was short and generous That at Rome there was as much clemency against the vanquished as courage against an armed enemie But against disloyalltie and ingratitude all pitty is crueltie Hee had propounded to retire himselfe thether but considering that hee should bee beseeged by the Kings forces and the Duke of Bourgundies hee resolues to goe into Germany to imploy his mony in the pourchase of some place vppon the Rhine or else to passe into Spayne Perplexities of the Constable There was not any Sainct in paradice in whom hee durst trust By Sainct Quentin hee had alwaies shrowded himselfe from the thunderclaps of these two Princes By Saint Quentin he did hope to passe without touch amidst so many arrowes that were shot at him He would haue kept these Princes in feare doubt and they now driue him into an amazement p A dangerous course to keepe his maister in feare and iealousie Although that euery man saith Phil. de Com seekes to free himselfe from suspition and feare and that euery man hates him that keepes him in it yet there is not any one that in this point comes neere to Princes for I neuer knew any but did mortally hate them that would keepe them in feare and to the sad thoughtes of his ruine This Castle of Saint-Quentin was but a prison vnto him q Great men in the gouernemeÌ„t of publike affaires must make themselus famous and not enuyed by their pride and insolencie hee neuer heares it named but his soule is tormented Hee added to these meditations publike hatred raysed against him by the Insolency of his carriage hauing vsed his great offices to purchase enuy of the great and to oppresse the meaner sort besides the libells scandalous songs which had been heard publickly throughout Paris the which had had more credit and course beeing prohibited then if the reading had beene allowed for such drogues do presently loose their sent when they are vented the trouble to recouer them augments the currosity Beeing prest and opprest with these difficulties all resolution abandons him as he had abandoned himselfe There was danger in going forth and danger in staying France threatned him with death England with captiuity and Flanders with scorne In these trances and amazements which are not so great without as those which his Conscience giues him inwardly to see that he is held of all men as r It were much better not to be in the number of men then to be held among those that are borne for the ruine of the coÌ„mon-weale borne to the ruine of the Common-weale he cast his eyes to that part whereas nature had first opened them The Constable reâ—ires to to Mons in Hainault desiring rather to giue himselfe vnto the Duke then to suffer himselfe to bee taken by the King hee goes to Mons in Henault vppon a pasport which they gaue him with fifteene or twentie horse not considering that the firmest frendship doth not passe the Altars nor the respects of dutie which we owe vnto superiors and that in Accidents of iniustice the proofe is s It is dangerus to trie frends against Princes and lawes Alcibiades to make this triall one a time called them whom he held to bee his friends and led them one after another into a darke place shewing them the Image of a dead body and saying that it was a man whome hee had slayne intreating them to helpe to bury him but hee found but one among them all that would yeeld vnto it and that was Callias Happy is hee that hath manie friends but vnhappy that hath neede of them daungerous He trusted in the Lord of Emery Balife of Henault his surest frend who commanded there for the Duke It is hard to take an old fox Mucho sabe la Raposa pero mas el que la toma A she Fox knowes
sometimes in sachirresolution as not daring to make warre heâ— doth things preiudiciall to peace Phillip de Commines saith His Exercises and pleasures that hee had no thought but of Ladies and more then was fit of Hunting and to entreate his owne person well When hee went a Hunting hee caused many Pauillions to be carried for Ladies and in this sort made great feasts for hee had a body as fit for it as any that euer I saw being yong and as beautifull as any man that liued in his time q Edward was held in his youth to excell all the Princes of his age in beauty and stature but when as hee came into France in the yeare one thousand foure hundred three score and fifteene He was growne grosse Fâ—w men become so but by their owne meanes Entring into the Realme hee saw himselfe surprized with a storme and expelled by him who had assisted him to conquer it Hee retired into Holland with two Hulkes a little Ship and many men without mony seeing himselfe to giue a gowne furred with â—ables to satisfie the Marriner who had transported him At the end of sixe monthes he re-entred into London when as his enemies had held him to be lost In eleuen daies the Earle of Warwicke had wonne the whole Realme for Henry the sixth Edward recouers it in twenty daies with the hazard of two great battles The strongest carried it r They are sometimes bound to fortune and sometimes to pollicy for the happy euents of great enterprises but most coÌ„monly the stronger is the Maister 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Occurrat forti qui mage fortis erat and remained peaceable King yet with some remorse to haue beene bound for the quiet possession of his Realme to the cruelties and inhumanities which he committed against his owne bloud For he put to death King Henry the sixth and Edward Prince of Wales his sonne with the Duke of Clarence his brother The cause of this brothers death is not very certaine The most common opinion is that hee would haue armed to succour the Princesse of Bourgundy contrary to his brothers liking Polydore Virgil saith that enforming himselfe he learned of them that liued in those times that King Edward being aduertised by a Coniurer s All the answeres of Sorcerers are doubtfull and deceiue them that trust in them They spake truely meaning the Duke of Glocester and the King deceiued himselfe vnderstanding it of his brother of Clarence that his name that should succeed him beganne with a G. had a conceit that George Duke of Clarence his brother should take the Crowne from his children Death of the Duke of Clarence the Kings brother and vpon this apprehension hee put him to death in a But of Malmesey Others haue written that hee sought the Alliance of the Princesse of Bourgundy and that the Dutchesse Margaret sister to Edward fauoured his Designes which the King not wishing so great a fortune to his brother hindred That at the same time one of the Dukes seruants hauing beene condemned to dye for poyson the Duke of Clarence was offended and spake in such sort as the King taking his words for threates of some great trouble caused him to die in pryson t George Duke of Clarence brother to the King of England made choice to dye in a But of Malmeâ—cy to die with some content which an 〈◊〉 disolution of the soule is wont to cause as Seneca saith or to make himselfe drunke and to free himselfe from the horrour end feeling of death Drusus meaning to dye of hunger would not cate any thing in nine daies but the flockes of his bed Tacit. l. 6. Annal. An act notwithstanding which did afflict him with such griefe and repentance as remembring the great precipitation of his iudgement procured by his brothers enemies when as any came to sue for a pardon for any one that was condemned to dye u Repentance doth vndoubtedly follow cruell and rash actions Caracalla hauing put his brother Getâ— to death hee did neuer thinke of him or looke vpon his stature but hee wept Hee caused Loetus who had perswaded him to this paracide to be imprisoned and did all kindes of honour vnto his Funerall Funus Gerae accuratius fuisse dicitur quam eius qui à fratre videretur occisus Getas Funerall was performed with more then his that seemed to bee murthered by his brother AELIVS SPARTIANVS he alwaies said My poore brother had not any to sue for him He left two children Margaret who was married to Richard Poole and Edward whom the King made Earle of Warwicke All the crosses which Edward had suffred did not so much afflict him as he receiued contentment at his returne from the warres of France for the peace which he had brought backe and the Treatie of marriage which he had made of his daughter with the Dauphin of France and the pension of fifty thousand Crownes So when he saw the Dauphin married vnto the Lady Margaret of Austria he was so grieued as hee resolued to returne into France to reuenge this iniury Choller and griefe were so violent in his soule as he dyed the tenth of Aprill at Westminster whereas the Parliament was assembled to resolue vpon the warre of France His body was carried to the Castle of Windsor and interred in S. Georges Chappell He had tenne children by Elizabeth his wife and left Edward Prince of Wales and Richard Duke of Yorke liuing All his life hee had beene liberall and dyed coueâ—ous Hee recommended his wife His brother murthers his children children and Realme to Richard Duke of Glocester who to haue the Crowne put Edward who had raigned but two monthes and Richard his Nephewes to death x Edward had a base sonne called Arthur his daughters were married to diuers Princes Brigit the last was a religious woman The daughters were declared Bastards by the Parliament for that a Bishop affirmed that hee had married Edward vnto a Lady of England before that hee was married to the Lady Elizabeth Riuers Hee caused himselfe to bee Crowned King in Iuly following The parricide of his two Nephewes caused so great scandall and horrour in all the orders of the Realme and the mother who had fledde into the Sanctuary at Westminster y This trust and recommendation of such precious Iewels bound the Duke of Glocester to haue a care of them IS DIGERDES King of Persia seeing that ARCADIVS the Emperour his enemy had recommended his some THEODOSIVS vnto him found himselfe bound to preserue his Estates and laying aside all passions of precedent hatred hee proclaimed warre against any one that should molest his pupill hauing fore-seene the rage of this Tiger filled the Citty of London with very pittifull and strange complaints as euery man found this greedy and vnsatiate desire to raigne inhumane and tyrannous hauing forced him brutishly to teare in peecees the Lawes of Nature and to pollute his hands with
great Princes good and wise going before this who had continued sixescore yeares or more and liued well and vertuously God gaue this duke Charles who continâ—ally held his Subiects in great warres toyle and expence and in â— manner in Winter as much as in Sommer so as many rich men were slain or ruined by imprisonment in these warres The greatlosses began before Nuz and were continued by three or foure batels euen vnto his death so as in this last battell all the force of â—is Country was consumed and his men either slaine or taken prisâ—ners who might and would haâ—e defended the State and honour if his house And so as I haue said it seemes that this losse hatâ— beene equall to the time that they were in felicitie for as I haue said to haue seene it great rich and honoured so I may say to haâ— seene it all in his Subiects for I thinke that I haue seene and knowne the best part of Europe yet haue I not knowne any State or Country so much for so much nor of larger limits that did so much abound in riches moueables and buildings nor in prodigaliti expence feasting and good cheare as I haue seene during the 〈◊〉 I was there And if it seeme to any one who was not there in â—ose times that I speake too much others that were then preseâ— will happily say that I speake but little It is God which made this great and sumptuous building to fall suddenly that powerfull house which hath fed and maintained so many good men and hath been so much honored both far off and neere by so many trophees and victories as not any Neighbour in those times hath receiued the like And this felicity grace of God continued an hundred and twentie yeares when as all their Neighbours did suffer as France England and Spaine and they haue all come thither to require aide as you haue seene by experience of the King our Maister who in his youth and during the life of King Charles the seuenth his Father liued sixe yeares there in the time of the good Duke Philip who receiued him louingly From England I haue seene King Edwards two Brethren there the Duke of Clarence and the Duke of Glocester who afterwards called himselfe King Richard and of King Henries partie who was of the house of Lancaster I haue seene in a manner all that race there I haue seen this house honoured from all parts and then suddenly fall and to be the most desolate and ruinous house both in Princes Subiects of all her Neighbours Enemies THere is not any thing which a Prince should not doe to send an Enemie out of his Realme Lib. 4. Chap. 8. but he must not yeelde to giue him any land by the example of king Lewis the eleuenth to haue Edward the fourth repasse the Sea who said that hee would hazard all rather then giue him any places Enterprises WE must be slow and fearefull in Enterprises Lib. 2. Cha. 10. pursue them in such sort as we may be sure to be the stronger Such was Lewis the eleuenth In all Enterprises we must relie cheefely vpon God Lib. 2. Chap. 1. Battailes THe cheefest things in battailes are Archers Lib. 1. Chap. 3. 〈◊〉 as there be thousands for beeing in a small number they are not of any force and that they be ill mounted to the end that the bee not greeued to loose their horses or that they haue not any at 〈◊〉 And it is better for this kind of armes in a day of battaile to haue â—hose that neuer saw any thing then others that haue had much praâ—ise The English hold this opinion who are the flower of all the â—rchers of the world Battailes are in the hand of God Lib. 1. Chap. 3. who disposeth 〈◊〉 victories at his pleasure Matters succeed not in the field as they are coâ—cluded in a Chamber Example of the battaile of Montlehery whereaâ—he Earle of Charolois did quite contrarie to that which had been resolued It is dangerous for any one to hazard his estate vpon a battell Lib. 2. Chap. 2. if he may auoide it For although the number be small that he loose yet the hearts of his men are danted and the change more then can be imagined as well in feare of their enemies as in contempt of of their Master and of their trustie seruants and they fall into mutinies and practises demanding more boldly then they were wont and they grow angry if they be refused One Crowne before would haue satisfied them better then three wil now And if he that hath lost be wise he will not at such a time hazard any thing with them that haue fled But onely stand vpon his gard and seeke out something easie to vanquish whereas they may be Masters to put fresh courage into them and take away feare Howsoeuer a lost Battell hath alwaies a great traine and bad for the looser True it is that Conquerors should seeke it to shorten their worke especially they that haue good footmen and better then their neighbours as wee may say at this day the English or Suisses I speake not this to contemne other Nations but those haue had great victories and their men are not to hold the field long without imploiment as the French or Italians can doe who are wiser or more easie to leade Contrariwise he that gaines growes into greater reputation and esteeme with his men then before His obedience encreaseth among his subiects In this estimation they grant him whatsoeuer he demands and his men grow more couragious and hardie Also the said Princes do sometimes grow so glorious and proud as they miscarry afterwards and hereof I speak vpon knowledge But such grace comes onely from God Euery one should be fearefull to hazard a battell that is not forced Lib. 2. Chap. 4. But if there be no remedie before he come to it he must cast all the doubts that can be thought on For commonly they that doe things fearefully make prouision for all euents and gaine oftener then they that proceed with pride yet when God will haue a hand in it nothing can preuaile Euery man should doe what he may Lib. 2 Chap. 3. and what he ought in a day of Battell and acknowledge that it is one of the accomplishments of the worke of God begun sometimes vpon small occasions and giuing victorie sometimes to the one and sometimes to the other And this is so great a misterie as Realmes and great Siegnories are sometimes ruined and others increase and begin to raigne Warre IT is an easie matter to begin Warre betwixt two great Princes but hard to pacifie it by reason of the accidents which happen For many exploits are done of either side to anoy his enemy which on the sudden cannot be recalled It is a great folly in a Prince to submit himselfe to the power of an other especially when they are in warre It is a great show of