he was freed from taxes Necessitie in whose schoole hee had learned great experience dispenst with him for the obseruations which are made in the choice of souldiers These were called Franke Archers who being well led did great seruices being able to indure all paine as beeing bred vp in discommodities and wants without cunning or malice They beganne their profession at the siege of Vernon The defects which are obserued in the life of this Prince as the griefes of Kings n The raignes of Princes doe not continue and end alwaies as they haue begdnne The first fiue yeares of Neroes raigne were iust Constant was good ten yeares cruell twelue and prodigall ten doe not alwaies incounter ends like vnto their beginnings His loues and his diuersions could not hinder it but that France hath giuen him the well deserued title of Victorious The end of the first Booke THE CONTENTS OF the Second BOOKE 1 KIng Lewis his going into France His entrie and Coronation at Rheims 2 The Duke of Bourgundy doth him homage and followes him at his entrie into Paris magnificence of the Parisians vpon this occasion 3 Estate of the Kings affaires with Pope Pius the second Reuocation of the Pragmatique Sanction 4 Discontent of the Noblemen of the Realme vpon the Kings first actions An obseruation of his Humors 5 His voyage and designes in Brittanny 6 Oppression of the people by new inuentions of Subsedies 7 Strange and furious reuolutions in England betwixt the houses of Lancaster and Yorke 8 Edward the fourth expels Henry the sixt King of England 9 Hee seeks to marry the Queene of France her Sister and takes a widdow in England 10 The King goes to Bourdeaux and there treates a marriage betwixt his Sister and the Earle of Foix. 11 Troubles betweene the Crownes of Castill and Arragon The Earledome of Rousilion engaged to the King 12 The Kings of Castille and Arragon referre their differences to the King 13 Enteruiew of the Kings of France and Castille vpon the Riuer of Vidaazo 14 The King returnes to Paris redeemes the Townes vpon the Riuer of Somme and visits the Frontiers 15 The Duke of Bourgundy comes to the King at Lisle to demaund his aduise touching a voyage which he pretended to make against the Turke 16 Ariuall of Lewis Duke of Sauoy at Paris 17 The King declareth his pretentions vpon the soueraigne rights of Brittany 18 The Earle of Charrolois stayes the Bastard of Rupembrâ— at the Haage 19 Ambassadors from the King to the Duke of Bourgundy vpon diuers complaints 20 The Duke of Bourbon first author of the league of the common weale Death of Charles Duke of Orleans 21 Charles Duke of Berry the Kings brother retires into Brittany 22 His Letters to the Duke of Bourgundy and his declaration vpon the taking of Armes 23 Death of Pope Pius the second to whom succeeded Paul the second a Venetian THE HISTORY of LEVVIS the XI THE SECOND BOOKE A Death which brings Scepters Crownes 1461 doth not alwaies meete with sorrow and teares When there is a question of the succession of the Realme An heyres teares are sone dried vppe a desire to raigne doth presently dry vp the teares which the law of Nature drawes from the eyes a There is no water whose spring is sooner dryed vp then that which flowes from a profitable mourning Lewis longed too much to be at home to be grieued when as they brought him newes that Charles the seuenth had quit him the lodging Hee had already spent two third parts of his age in obeying hee held the rest very short to command and to end at in great enterprises worthy of his qualitie b Life is very short for great entrriprises and inconstancie makes it much shorter Hee entertained the Iuie of his hopes in the ruines of this old building he did not hope for any light but by the ecclipse of this Sunne and his vowes were no let that his Father was not already among the God c The Romans held their Fathers dead in the number of the Gods and their Images were reuerenced as persons deysied Wherfore among the predictions which Antonin had of his adoption and successim to the Empire they note that In somrio saepe monitus suit penatibus suis Adriani simulacrum inserere Capitol Hee was often admonished in his sleepe that hee should place Adrians Image among his boushould Gods And what can a Kings eldest Son desire but to raigne euery obiect lesse theÌ„ a crown is vnworthy of his birth Lewis comes into France but the wishes are vnnaturall monstrous vpon vniust effects To desire for a crownes cause the death of him of whom he holds his life is ingratitude impiety The same day that Charles dyed Lewis was aduertised of his death d They that haue written that these newes were sent by Charles Duke of Aniou Father in lawe to Charles the seuenth are mistaken both in the name and matter for Lewis Duke of Anion liued since the yeare 1417. He went presently to horse to goe into France fearing least Charles his brother should make his profit of his absence The Duke of Bourgundy and the Earle of Chartolis accompany him with foure thousand horse chosen out of the flower of all the forces of their Estates and the Princes their friends He makes his entry into Rheims Hee entred into Rheims the fourteeene of August e The King arriued at Rheims the 14. August and caused himself to be annointed the next day A remarkable diligence They cannot goe too speedily to so great a Feast The Duke of Bourgundy being followed by the Earl of Charolois the Earle of Neuers the Earle of Estampes the Duke of Cleues the Earle of S t. Pol and many other Noblemen went out of Rheimes to the Abbcy of Saint Thierry to meet the King being attired in white and crimsin damask vpon a white courser caparonessed with the armes of France The next day he was anoynted and crowned The peeres of the Church were there in person The Duke of Burgundy Deane of the peeres The Duke of Burbon held the place of the Duke of Normandy The Earle of Angolesme for the Duke of Guienne The Earle of Eu for the Earle of Tholousa The Earle of Neuers for the Earle of Flaunders and the Earle of Vandosme for the Earle of Champagne The King is anoinâ—ed and Crowned The ceremony of his coronation was beautified with an other which they found very new and strange The King is anointed and Crowned The King drawing his sword presented it to the Duke of Bourgundy and intreates him to make him Knight He gaue this honour of Knight-hood to an hundred and seauenteene Gentlemen the first were the Lord of Beauieu Iames of Burbon the Earle of Geneua the Earle of Pontieu the Earle of Witembergh Iohn of Luxembergh and to the Marques of Saluces Sonne From the Coronation they went to the Royall feast whereas
to submit himselfe to the mildest yoake seeing that hee could not remaine free o The miseries of ciuill diuision reduced Rome to that estate as hauing no hope euer to recouer her liberty she sought for nothing but for the mildest serâ—itude Hee left vnto Henry the name of King onely for all the authoritie was in his hands he gaue to the Earle of Salisbury the Office of Lord Chancellor of England and to Richard Neuell his Sonne the gouernment of Callis He disposed of publike charges as he pleased still giuing them vnto those of his faction In the end the king discouers the Duke of Yorkes designe Queene Margaret his wife who had been aduertised thereof le ts him vnderstand that he did temporise but vntill the partie were made to ceaze both of the king and Realme and among his partisans the king was held but for a Tyrant As if his Raigne had been by vsurpation or constraint p Among many differences betwixt a King and a Tyrant they put this that a King raigns with the loue anâ— consent of the people and a Tyrant rules by constraint The king imparted this to his principall seruants D. of Yorke retires from the Court of England who were of aduise to restraine this great authoritie which the Duke of Yorke had within the Realme The Duke beeing suddenly aduertised thereof retired secretly to Wigmore in Wales Richard Neuell to his Castle of Midleham in the North Countie and Richard Earle of Warwicke to Callis so as the cruell seditions in England grew more violent then before during the which the French spoiled the coasts of Kent and Iames king of Scotland inuited by the same occasion entred by Roxborge The same cause which made this warre ended it q The shaâ—pest Ciuill wars are pacified when as strangers meddle to gaine by them The two parties agree against the third and although the Prince be offended yet it is better to remit the punishment The king of England let the Duke of Yorke vnderstand that the ciuill discord and the bad intelligence which was betwixt them had opened a gate to the enemies to inuade England that the common danger did binde them to vnite their forces to defend it and that hee was contented to forget all matters past vpon hope of a better conduct hereafter English cease their ciuill discords to war against the French excusing himselfe that matters had not alwaies gone directly being impossible for a Prince to obserue all the kinds of Iustice and equitie r Many things vniust of themselues are made iust when they are countenanced by necessitie or profit wherfore Plutark obserues That if there were question to accomplish al the kindes of iustice Iupiter himself might not in that case bee a Prince The Kings intention was allowed by all men the Duke of Yorke being loth to be the author of the ruines of the Realme declared that all his affections tended to his greatnes and quiet and to take away all occasions of doubt He came vnto the King to London with the chiefe of his faction The feare of a forraine warre quenched the ciuill s There is no such indiscretion as to hazard ones own to get another mans and to draw forth the bloud which is needfull for the life of the bodie It is more glorie for a Prince to maintaine himselfe them to grow great Preseruation safety is the essence of an estate profit it but an accessary Mens mindes altered with things past grew milder and all their wills were vnited in one accord for the defence of the Realme detesting the discord which had drawne them into a warre which was not necessarie nor could bee happie and made them a prey and triumph to their auncient enemie But as the fire of sedition is neuer so well quenched but there remaines some sparks in the ashes Troubles renewed in England which kindle again if they be a little blowne that there be alwaies some which delights in troubles for that it is their rest t Seditions commonly are fed supported by three sorts of men First the heads of factions Secondly they that cannot liue in safety in the time of peace Thirdly they which are out of the presse find themselues free from dangers and in danger for that they come not neere them being like vnto those riuers which enter into the sea and doe not mingle their streames the Duke of Yorke and the Earle of Salisburie being retired to their houses after this accord were presently forced to leaue them to reuenge an affront done to the Earle of Warwick at VVestminster where he had been set vpon by the kings guard and forced to saue himselfe by the Riuer of Thames with the hazard of his life They said that Queene Margret was the author thereof being very desirous to ruine the Nobility of England and to ouerthrow the cheefe howses u A King should maintaine great families neither can hee suffer theÌ„ to be wâ—onged but hee shal weaken the greatnes of his maiesty wherof the Nobility is the cheese piller In all estates the Nobles haue beene respected and distinguished from others euen amongst the Thracians the genlâ—emen went only vppon horseback and at Rome Noblemens wiues went in Littors who were the pillers of the Realme The warre began as soone as it was declared The three Richards are in field King Henry hauing leuied great forces comes to York Andrew Trollop who was come from Calleis with the Earle of Warwick thinking to serue the King when as he saw their armes turned against him left the Earle of Warwick to follow the King who in moment scattered his enemies and forced the Duke of York to passe into Holland there to attend vntill his Partisans had raised the ruines of that party Battaile before London whereas K. Henry was defeated Presently after the three heads of the faction returne into England with an intent to vanquish or to dye they present themselues at the gates of London they giue and winne a great Battell whereas the Victors saw tenne thousand men slaine and as many prisoners King Henry who seemed to haue beene raised vp to show the inconstancy of Fortune and the misery and vanity of man remained at the Victors discretion The English remembring that his grandfather had caused King Richard to dye in prison began to acknowledge the iudgements of Gods iustice who punisheth the Children for the offences of their fathers x Henry Earle of Harford and Duke of Lancastre tooke armes against Richard the 2. seazed on him puts him into the Tower of London and caused himselfe to bee crowned King and after that he had forced him to resigne the Crowne hee sent him to Langleâ— where hee was murthered In this great prosperity the make falls from the Dukes face He speakes plainely Duke of York declared Regent that whatsoeuer he had done was grounded vppon the rightes of the house of Yorke the
inuenias Quorsum enim eâ—rei nomen imposuissent cuius ipsi nullum penitus vsum habuissent nec imposterum vilum fore sperabant Quas enim Reginas alii suo quisque sermone nos Regum vxores appellamus Our Elders were so farre from giuing the gouernment of publike affaires to women as if you will examine all words there is not any one to be found with them of a womans gouernment why should they giue that a name whereof they had no vse neither did they hope there should be Those whom other Nations in their language tearme Queenes we call Kings wiues That for these reasons he could not councell the Estate of the Realme to preferre the gouernment of a woman before that of a man not to the Queene to attempt it beseeching her to thinke that they which councelled her did it more for their owne fortunes then for her honour That although her vertues were not vnknown to Scotland and that they must hope well of the vigour of her spirits and the greatnesse of her courage yet they had but two many examples of the ruines which verie sufficient women had brought to States when as striuing to excell their sexe they would exceed the bounds ordained by nature g Zenobia Palâ—â—yrenâ— hauing vanquished the Parthians and valiantly defended the Romaine Empire in the end she saw her selfe vanquished and a prisoner In a moment she lost the realme which her husband had inlarged and inricht This seemes to shew that the enterprises of women beyond their reach are alwaies dangerous His aduice was that they should chuse one or more capable to gouerne the Realme vntill the King had force of minde and body to discharge them This opinion was followed by the greatest part and they that would willinglie haue crost it Councell appointed for the Regency of Scotland seeing themselues ouerswaied by the multitude consented But to the end one faction should haue no aduantage ouer the other they tooke two of either giuing them power to keepe the Prince and to gouerne the Realme They left vnto the Queene the care to bring vp his two Brethren Alexander Duke of Albany and Iohn Earle of Marre and his two Sisters but she died the yeare following The affaires being thus setled in Scotland the King of England made a truce with the Scottish men for fifteene yeares About the sixt yeare of his raigne Robert Bothwell fauoured by the King Robert Bothwell a bold spirit being desirous to haue a share in the affaires found meanes to approach neere vnto this young Prince and told him that hee had beene long enough vnder the gouernment of these old men that it was time to make himselfe knowne and what God had ordained him to be Perswasions to raigne and commaund are alwaies sweet especiallie to Princes who thinke they cannot begin their raignes too soone nor end theÌ„ too late Vpon this discourse the King suffered himselfe to be led to Edingbrough to begin his raigne The Regents of the Realme were incensed at this presumption make Bothwells processe But the King declaring that hee had done nothing but for his seruice and by his commaundement makes him Lieutenant Generall of the Realme and a Companion both in his authoritie and affaires h Tiberius called Seianus Socium laborum a Companion of his labouâ—s he caused his statue to be honored in Pallaces and Theaters Tacit. lib. 4. He commits vnto his charge his owne person his Brethren and Sisters his Forts and Townes vntill hee should come to the age of one and twenty yeares he bindes all the Noblemen that were about him to acknowledge him in this qualitie and he giues his eldest Sister in marriage to Thomas Bothwell the sonne of Robert i The points reserued to Soueraigne Maiesty should neuer be imparted to any Subiect no not by Commission least they open a way to the Subiect to enter into the Princes place That which the King thought to do to assure this breeding greatnesse was that which ouerthrew it Nobility of Scotland conspire against Bothwell for the Nobles of the Realme did so enuy it and did pretend so many dangers in this great Communication of the Royall Authoritie to a priuate person as they coniured the ruine of this house The King had demaunded Margaret the King of Denmarkes Daughter in marriage whereunto they did the more willinglie accord for that by the treatie the controuersie was ended betwixt those two Crownes for the Ilands of Orcades The question was to send one to conduct the Queene This charge was giuen to Thomas Bothwell by the aduice of his enemies to the end that this absence might coole the great heare of the Kings loue as commonly Princes affections fauour that onelie which they see and weaken his faction giuing more courage to his enemies to make their party against him They that had neuer spoken word during his great prosperitie cry now against those Horseleeches of State against those Rauens and Harpies k For a time they suffer and dissemble the publike iniuries and oppressions of priuate men but when as any one begins to cry all pursue them All the complaints which had beene made against the Father for the bad gouernment of affaires were reuiued with such vehemencie as the King saw himselfe in a manner forced to heare them and to prouide for it A Parlament being called at Edinbourg they make a great instance vnto him he cannot bandie himselfe against such wholesome resolutions and they let him vnderstand that the force of his Estate consists in the Accord of his Will with those of his Senate l A Prince cannot shâ—w to much fauour loue and protection to the generall Councell of his Estate from whence goe all the resolutions for the good of the CoÌ„mon-weale Otho speaking of the Senate of Rome said vnto his Armie Quid vos pulcherimaÌ„ hanc vrbem domibus tectis congestu lapidum stare creditis Muta ista et inanima intercidere reparari promiscue possuÌ„t aeternitas rerum par gentium mea cum vestra salus in columitate Senatus firmatur What doe you thinke that this goodly Citty consists in houses buildings and heapes of stâ—nes these dumb sencelesse things may fall and bee repaired againe the eternitie of things the peace of Nations and my health with yours is setled by the safety of the Senate Robert Bothwell is sent for to appeare in person and to giue an account of his actions Bothwell coÌ„demned by the Parliament His flight into England did conuict him His Sonne being ficke and not able to flie away was staied a prisoner and condemned to loose his head in the Spring following Thomas Bothwel being come to Edingbourg with the Queen much amazed after so many dangers which hee had runne for his seruice to see his house thus ruined and vpon the aduice which his Wife gaue him of the small hope there was to returne into fauour he
They might forbid them that were no Gentlemen to carry Armes which were not fit for their profession or for Gentlemen to carry any other Crests then their Fathers had done or to open the Helmet or to crowne them without permission It was also their duty to keepe the Blason of Armes of Houses u There were great considerations in the forme of Scutchions and in the Crests of Armes A Knights Scutchion might bee cut square or voided at his pleasure wherevnto a Crest was added taken out of part of the Armes and the Helmet shut and standâ—ng straight A Squires Scutchion was round like vnto a Rondache and had had no Crest but his Helmet onely shut turned on the one side to haue recourse vnto them vpon any dispute that might growe vpon differences and conformities Office of Heralds at Armes They kept a Register of the Deuices and Colours of Soueraigne Houses as White for France Blacke for England Red for Bourgondy Blewe for Savoy Yellow for Lorraine and Greene for Anjou The King at Armes in the house of Bourgondy had a care that such as were made noble should not carry a field gueles for that it was the colour reserued for the Prince This house did greatly obserue the Respects and Ceremonies of a Soueraigne pompe Magnificence of the house of Bourgondy When the Duke did eate at any solemne Feast besides all the ordinary state of Kings he had behinde him the Kings at Armes and Heralds with their Coates and Crownes and before him were set at a low Table two Vshers and two Sergeants with their Maces who had alwayes their eyes vpon his to execute his commandements vpon the least signe he should make yea to take the greatest prisoners which could not be taken else-where These Charges haue beene contemned by the contempt of persons which haue not desired them but to couer the indignity of their birth In former times they were not held but by Gentlemen whose honour carried them vnto dangers with the same courage that they which are lesse generous flye from them They had the guard of the Kings Chamber and had that charge which since the Archers of the Guard haue x The Sâ—rgeanâ—s at Armes by day carried a Mace before the King and guarded his Chamber by night and therfore du Tillet thinkes that they held the place of the Archers of the guard They shewed good proofe of their valour at the battell of Bouuines vnder Philip Augustus by reason whereof Saint Lewis did build the Church of Saint Katherine du Val des Escoliers and King Charles the fifth appointed the brotherhood there whereas at this day many Tombes are to bee seene which haue preserued the ancient forme of their habit and Armes That which Philip de Commines obserues of a Gascon which came into the place where as the King was at the stoole with three or foure confirmes this opinion of the small care hee had of the formes befitting Maiesty for although there were no Vshers at the doores Duty of Chamberlaines yet this facility to enter euen into the Cabinet was dangerous His Predecessors had prouided for it and the Chamberlaines were bound y The first care of the kings person belongs to the Lord Chamberlaine he was bound to lye at the Kings feete wheÌ„ the Queen was not present and so Peter Lord Chamberlaine to the king S. Lewis was buried at Saint Denis at his maisters feet as hee serued him liuing And at this day in the Assembly of the Estates when as the King sits in Iustice the Lord Chamberlaine sits at his feet by the duty of this charge not to suffer it but hee contemned it all the time of his reigne vntill the end when hee was more carefull of it then was needfull passing from a great facility and confidence to a rigorous seuerity and distrust to keepe his gates shut wee finde these words very remarkeable in the Ordonance of King Philip the long After the care of the soule they must not bee so negligent of the body as through negligence or bad guard any perils arriue especially when for one person many troubles may happen Wee therefore ordaine and doe therewith especially charge our Chamberlaine that no vnknowne person nor boy of poore estate enter into our Wardrope nor lay their hand nor bee at our bed making and that they suffer not any strange sheetes to bee layd on And wee command the Steward of our house that our Pantrie or Kitchin and all other Offices of our house bee so well and carefully kept as no danger may arriue and these things wee will haue obserued in the houses of our Company and of our Children The other precept of Maiesty Great Offices shold not be hereditary is not to continue great Offices in one Family z The perpetuity of great charges is dangerous They that haue commanded long are loath to obey Antiquitas voluit Prouinciarum dignitatem amica successione reparaâ—i ne diutina potestate vnus insolesceret Antiquity would that the Gouernments of Prouinces should be supplyed yearely least that any one by a continuall command should grow insolent and to make them hereditary The Order and iustice of the state will that a distribution be made of those who by the quality of their birth or the greatnesse of their merite are capable The perpetuall Dictatorship did ouerthrow the state of Rome the great authority giuen to the Mayors of the Palace did ruine the first Family of our Kings To those that are ambitious of the same Offices their Predecessors enioyed wee should wish the like moderation and integretie that Quintus Fabius Maximus had who hauing beene fiue times Consull and vndergone many great charges intreated the Senate not to conferre that Honour vnto his sonne not that hee thought him vnworthie but that hee knewe well that the Common-weale should receiue preiudice by the perpetuity of great Offices in one Family a In an other occasion Quintus Fabius Maximus did shewe that in the election of great Charges there should be no respect had but of the publicke good hee would not consent that T. Octacilius who had married his wiues daughter should bee Consull for that hee held him not capable of that charge nor of courage to make head against Hanniball T. Liu. lib. 24. This was to loue the State more then himselfe Lewis the eleuenth tooke more delight then hee receiued content or profite to change his Officers often When as a place is executed worthily and profitably by any one his dismission is vniust and the Princes seruice is wronged Offices are to bee maintained if they be good for if the place bee not supplyed by a man of the like experience and sufficiencie the Common-weale is damnified b As the ruine of Families comes commonly from new seruants so the fall of Estates proceedes from new magistrates which enter into Offices without experience those that are new come beeing greedy of
month a Porter a Pastry man a Baker two Carters to either of them sixe pounds a yeare To a Groome of the Stable and two to assist him eight and forty shillings a month A Farrier twelue pounds The Maister of the Chamber of the Kings Treasor had sixe score pounds and the Comptrouler fifty i King Lewis the 11. gaue thirty pounds of increase to Martin Barthelot Maister of the Chamber of his Treasure but the chamber of Accompts would not allow of it without a speciall command the which was dispatched at Paray le Moinat the sixt of Aprill 1481. They gaue but fiue shillings for the Groomes Liuery and foure and twenty shillings for Cloakes for the Clarkes Notaries and Secretaries of the house and Crowne of France His expence was not all in one place many did profite by it and did draw their commodities out of the liuely Springs of the Princes Magnificence Lewis remained little at Paris but most at Plessis I haue obserued in the Accomps of the Chamber of the Treasure k By the Accompts of the Kings house which were made monthly we find that in twelue yeares they were made but twice at Paris the one in the Kings house and the other in that of Maister Iohn of Popin court that there past not any yeare but hee made many voiages and that Paris saw him but seldome In the meane time he kept not his Chamber to liue at his ease neither did hee imitate the first Kings who did not shew themselues vnto their subiects but like the Images of the Gods which they drew once a yeare out of their gilded boxes He did visite his Prouinces hee spent not the twelue monthes in one sole lodging of the Zodiake Neither did hee send his affaires to the Maior of the Pallace l Clouis the 2. the 12. King of France beganne to giue to his successours vntill Charlemaigne the name of idle They were seene but once a yeare Magnificence doth not alwaies consist in the priuate expences of a Princes house Magnificence how farre it extends in numbers of Horses and Dogs nor in the shew of Lyons Tygers Leopards or Elephants it should appeare in Receiuing Lodging Feasting and defraying forraine Princes and their Embassadours This Prince in such occasions made it knowne that Magnificence doth not dwell but in Kings houses and that Frances was the Theater Hee receiued in this manner the King of Portugall the Queene of England and the Prince of Wales her sonne René of Aniou King of Sicile the Duke of Sauoy and the Princesses of Sauoy Anne Louyse and Mary m The expence of these three Princesses came to forty two pounds eleuen shillings and a peny from the 28 of October to the 24 of Nouember By the same respects of Magnificence which will that a Prince labour to content the eyes and minds of others as himselfe n A Prince doth many things wherewith hee might dispence if hee had none to content but his owne s◠lf Magnum est personam in Repubtueri principis qui non animis solum sed occulis ciuiū seruire debet It is a great matter to maintaine the person of Prince in a state who is not onely bound to serue the Cittizens minds but also their eyes Cic. hee made many other expences which were esteemed and commended both by his Subiects and Strangers He did often and for many daies feast and defray the Embassadours of England Hungary Arragon and Naples In the yeare 1477. in March the king of England sent the Lord Howard to visite him being followed by three score and tenne persons whom he defrayed all the time of his abode in France The good cheere hee made vnto the English at Amiens after the Treaty of Pyquigny and the twelue pipes of wine of the growth of Fay Monjan which hee caused to be conueyed to Deipe to giue to Edward King of England bound the English to those cries of ioy which were heard in their Army and at their departure A largesse for the Noble King of France But as there is one kind of Magnificence which is all in shew and doth purchase great applause among the people so there is another which is not so glorious and hath much fruite It is that which giues pensions to strangers and doth bind them to serue the Prince o He doth gratefie his memory in binding learned men vnto him who haue credit with posterity Senec. which doth nourish aduance and recompence good wits entertaines excellent Artists fauours good inuentions and all those that haue any credite with posterity There is also an other which is Religious Religious Magnificence and which hath not beene knowne but by the most Christian Kings who without wronging the greatnesse of their Maiesty made their houses a refuge for the miserable Robert sonne to Hugh Capet had commonly a thousand poore men in his traine hee gaue them horses to follow him and to pray for him p Lewis the 9. was founder of 28. Colledges in France who dying commanded his sonne to bee deuout to God and charitable to the poore Lewis the eleuenth had ordinarily sixe score and in Lent two hundred and forty whom he fed with meate from his Table And yet this is not the whole extent of Magnificence it goes farther and will be seene in Plaies Shewes and Iousts and in things which are rare and not common q In publicke calamities the Greeks and the Romans did vow Hecatombs they did sacrifice a hundred beastes vpon so many piles of wood Si verò Imperatorum votum esset centū Leones centumque Aquilae vnà mactabantur If it were the Emperours vow then were there a hundred Lyons and a hundred Eagles slaine together when as the people did vow Hecatombes of hundred Oxen and a hundred Sheepe the Emperours did offer a hundred Eagles and a hundred Lions But the expence which is wholy employed for sight entertaines the people but till they thinke of the belly A remembrance which dispenceth with all other things and hath no share in publicke cares but that which doth prouide meanes to content it r The multitude cares not for the conduct and good successe of affaires so they find corne at Market Vulgo vna ex republica Annonae curae The common people haue no care of the Common-weale but for Corne. when it endures any want all Sights all Plaies all Sports are tedious and makes them say that the Feast is made at their charge The Princes Magnificence must therefore shew her effects in things whereas the pleasure incounters with profite and which passe not with the contentment which the spirit takes in admiring them like vnto the daughter of Maruell which inamels her halfe circle vnprofitably in the Aire The Prince must not imitate the pride of the Pharaohs of Egypt who employed the sweate of their Subiects and the treasure of their Cofers in workes of Ostentation s They say that
as it seemed he would canonize him before his f Flattery giues honors to mortall men which belong not vnto them Tertullian reprocheth the Pagans of lying and flattery which made them declare men Gods and Tacitus saith Deum honor Principi non ante habetur quam agere inter homines desierit Tac. An. lib. 15. The honor of the Gods is not to bee giuen vnto the Prince vntil hee hath left to liue among men death after this followed an accord by the which the Duke of Burgundy should for a reparation aske pardon of the King vpon his knee The Queene the Dauphin the Kinges of Sicile and Nauarre the Duke of Berry making the like request for him in the presence of the Children of the Duke of Orleans melting with teares and weeping with sobs to see the bloud of their Father put to compromise and themselues forced to forget so sencible an Iniurie France was presently deuided into two factions of Orleanois and Burgundians A league of Armagnacs Th' one taking his fauour and authority from the ruines disgrace of the other The Duke of Burgundy hath the soueraigne gouernment of affaires and forceth them of the howse of Orleans to make an offensiue and defensiue league against that of Burgundy g League of Orleanois at Gâ—en the tenth of March 1410. the heads were Charles Duke of Orleance and his brethren Iohn Duke of Berry Lewis Duke of Bourbon Iohn Earle of Alanson Francis Earle of Clermont Bernard Lord of Armagnac and Charles of Albert Constable of France The heads of the Bourgundy faction were Iohn Duke of Bourgundy his brethren Charles King of Nauarre son to Charles the bad the Dukes of Lorraine Brabant Brittaine the Marques of Pont the Earles of Neuers Vaudemont St. Paul Ponthure The name was of Armanacks the marke a white scarfe the cause the Kinges liberty who was in captiuity vnder the law and will of the Duke of Burgundy Challenge sent to the Du. of Burgundy and to the end the quarel might be ended with lesse danger losse of men and time Charles Duke of Orleans sent a challenge to the Duke of Burgundy to fight a combate with him and to be reuenged of his fathers death The Duke of Burgundy who had drawn the Queene vnto his party had noe great dificultie to perswade the King that the designe of the howse of Orleans was nothing but ambition and rebellion in denying him to demaund succors from Henry the fourth king of England The Dolphin being of yeares able to iudge of the intentions of the one and the other The sonne in lawe against the father in lawe found that the interest of the house of Orleans was that of the Crowne and that the ambition of the Duke of Bourgondy his father in law h Queene Isabel being banded against her nephewes of Orleans adhered to the Duke of Burgundy made the marriage of his daughter Catherinâ— with the Dauphin Lewis was the cheefe motiue of those troubles wherefore he vndertooke to crosse his designes and to make a peace this soule was seasond with good thoughts at the siege of Burges for when they told him that in a salley which the besieged had made some of his seruants were slaine and that the souldiers dyed of poisoned waters he said vnto the King his Father and the Duke of Burgundy That this warre lasted too long and that he would make an end of it Iohn of France Duke of Berry and i Enguerand of Monstrelet notes in what manner the Duke of Berry came to this treaty in his armes notwithstanding that hee was 70. yeares old for he llued aboue 80 hauing vpon theÌ„ a Cassocke of purple with a band poudred with marigolds and so he is painted in the gallery of the â—oâ—ure Philebert of Lignac great master of Rhodes employed themselues vertuously to reconcile the nephewes and the vnckle The conditions of this peace were concluded at Burges Peace of Burges sworn in a great assembly at Auxerre the names of that fatall faction of Armagnac and Burgundian were comprehended in the forgetfulnes of things past and Philip Earle of Vertus was married to the Duke of Burgundies daughter But all the parts of France recouer not their former health The warre renues againe and the Dauphin is no more for the Burgundian whose principall force consists in the sedition of Paris and the succours of the English who making their profit of ciuill diuisions win the battell of Azingcourt which was called the vnfortunate day of the 25. of October 1415. The battle of Azing-Court The Duke of Orleans armed to reuenge his fathers death and the libertie of his country was led prisoner into England and if religion had not comforted him he had no lesse reason then Pompey k The Mitcleniens came to salute Pompey after the battel intreating him to land which he refused and aduised them to obey the victor and not to feare any thing for that Caesar was a iust man and of a mild nature and then turning to the Philosopher Cratippus who was also come to see him he complained and disputed a little with him touching the diuine prouidence wherein Cratippus yeilded mildly vnto him putting him still in better hope to be amazed at the prouidence of God which seemeth to fauour the most vniust party tyranny against libertie and couetousnes against freedome Death of the Dolphin and Duke of Turraine This losse was followed by the death of Lewis the Dauphin and of Iohn Duke of Touraine the Kings second sonne By the death of these two Charles Earle of Ponthieu saw himselfe in the first degree of the Princes of the bloud and presently made show that he had been bred vp to apprehend the iniury which the Duke of Burgundy had done vnto his vncle All the Princes and Noble men which had followed the house of Orleans came vnto him and among others the Constable of Armagnac but his greatest affliction was for the vnnaturall hatred which the Queene his mother bare him who declared her selfe against him Regent of the Realme was maintained in that quarrel by the Duke of Burgundy vnder her was that cruell massacre committed the 12. of Iune 1418 whereas the l Amassacre at Paris vpon the Armagnacks from 4 of the clock in the morning the 12 of Iune vntil the next day 10. of the clock To note the Constable by the scarse which he carried they flead a bend of his skin and tyed it crosse his body his office was confirmed to the Duke of Lorraine and the Chancellors to Eustace de Lastre Constable of Armagnac and the Chancellor de Marle were slaine and the Dauphin ranne a daungerous fortune if Tanneguy du Chastel Prouost of Paris and his faithfull seruant had not saued him in the Bastille Paris saw it selfe reduc'd to that miserable estate as it seemed a retrait for Beares and Tigers During this fatall diuision the English
which belonged vnto him The Parlament did then consider the iustice not the fortune and respected the Maiesty of the King though hee were a prisoner intreating the King to rest satisfyed with the Regency of the Realm and to assure the succession to his house after the death of Henry He accepted the declaration of the Parlament but considering that Queene Margaret had a great Army on foot to set her husband at liberty Battell at Wakefield he resolued to fight with her He gaue her battell at Wakefield against the aduise of his Councell who intreated him to stay vntill the troupes which his sonne Edward Earle of March brought him were arriued Presumption troubleth his spirits with a motion contrary to that of Reason which should haue diswaded him from fighting y The violence of courage is dangerous vppon the point of a battell for it darkens the clearenes of Iudgement doth easily change it to the trouble of reason and to that perturbation which the Philosoph call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â— Some haue written that the Queene caused the head of the Duke of York to bee cut off carrying a Crowne of paper others say it was the Lord Cliffords deed for their forces were not equall although in the courage of the Commanders there was no other difference but that of sexe No no it shall not be said that the Duke of York who had so often fought in France without any other trench or defence then his owne armes is shut vp that he attends a woman and doth not go forth to fight with her He spake this and went forth with 5000. men and met her The Combate in the beginning was terrible and furious The Queen cuts off the Earle of Salisburies head The Queene shewed her selfe among the troupes exhorting the Souldiers to honour glory Richard Duke of York was slaine Richard Earle of Salisbury whose head soon after the Commons who hated him cut off the which with many others of the same faction was set vpon the walles of York to bee a terror and an example to other Rebells After this victory the Queene whose courage was eleuated vppon the apprehension of all sorts of dangers 2. Battell at St. Albons and who held them lesse then the captiuity of her husband resolues to loose her life or to restore him to liberty She goes directly to London and comming to S. Albons she encounters the Earle of Warwick who aduanced to succour his generall with the same courage that she had defeated the Duke of Yorke shee chargeth the Earle of Warwick puts him to rout and frees the King a The excellency of courage shewes it selfe when as the soule is carried beyond all showes and apprehensions of dangers fortitudo contemptrix est timendorum Senec. Epi. 89. Edward Earle of March being aduertised of the death of the Duke of York his father refused not to tread in his steppes and to imbrace the toile Edward Earle of March succeeds the Duke of York his father in his authority from whence he expected his greatnes and glory He staid in the Prouince of Wales and expelled Iasper Earle of Pembrooke The Earle of Warwick ioyned with him and with all their forces he came to London where he was receiued with incredible ioy and acclamations He was one of the goodliest Princes of his time and in great reputation his bounty courage and liberality were powerfull charmes to winne mens hearts the English thinking that hauing him they had all and that their felicity was tyed to the long continuance of his Raigne b A Prince can desire no greater proofes of the affection of his people then when hee beleeues that nothing can saile him so as hee faile not them From thence are come these goodly acclamations Augusto Constantine Dâ—te nobis seruent vestra salus nostra salus â—od Theod lib. 7. tit 20. In te omnia per te omnia Antonine habemus A El. Lamprid Dion reports an excellent one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we haue all in hauing you He is proclaimed King and for that hee would haue no companion in his royalty hee resolues to fight with King Henry and marched directly to York lodging in a little village called Touton Henry being prepared to receiue him would not shew himselfe for that it was Palme sunday desiring to spend that day in the seruice of God but the souldiers seeing themselues so neere would not referre the partie vntill the next day They come to hands the combat continued tenne howers and the victory hauing beene long doubtfull and in ballance betwixt both Armies sodainely inclined to Edward The King and Queene seeing all their troopes put to flight they saued themselues in Scotland with their seruants c The Regent of Scotland led K. Iames the third to meet with King Henry the 6. and Q. Margaret The good reception with the succor which he receiued caused him to restore Barwick to the Realm of Scotland and from thence Margaret passed into France to her father to demand succors Henry the 6. flies into Scotland Edward returned triumphing to London and caused himselfe to be crowned King at Westminster the 28. of Iune 1461. he called a Parlement where all that had bene decreed by King Henry the sixt was reuoked After that Henry had gathered together some forces in Scotland he returnes into England being followed by a great number of his ould seruants The Iustice of his cause gaue him good hope d Hee that hath reason on his side is alwaies accompanied with good hope hee pursues his quarrell with more courage and assurance be exposeth himselfe to all dangers and his subiects serue and succour him more willingly and in all accidents the iustice of his cause doth comfort him but he was repulsed with great dishonor by Iohn Marques of Mountague King Edward beeing aduertised of the practises of Margaret both in France Scotland and England to restore her husband to his crowne he sets guards vpon the Ports and passages of Scotland to stop her entrie but as there is no miserie more insupportable then the remembrance of what we haue been King Henry bare this change of condition so impatiently as not apprehending the danger neither of his life nor of his first captiuitie and not considering that fortune had neuer done him so much good but might doe him more harme e Miseries doe but begin when as they seeme to end There is not any man but may haue more harme then hee hath had good Neminem eo Fortuna pronexit vt non tantum illi minaretur quantum permiserat Sen. Epi. 4. he returned into England in a disguised habite where hee was discouered taken and presented to Edward Hen. the sixt put into the Tower of London who lodged him in the Tower of London If he had thought that he had gone forth as hee did to get the crowne hee would haue giuen him one of copper made fast
was not obserued for the Princes were aduertised of all the resolutions that were taken against them yea of the time and of the sally which should be made vpon their Armie in three seuerall places the first and the greatest towards Paris the second towards Pont Charanton and the third by Bois de Vincennes Wherefore all this siege the king was euer in Iealousie t They watch in vaine for the safety defence of a Town besieged if fidelitie sleepes at the gates the gard must bee committed to them whose loialtie is well assured for that one night he found the Bastille gate open towards the field The Chronicle saith it was on Thursday the 29. of September He was conceited it had beene done by Charles of Melun but he made no shew of it Wise Princes should not lightly call in doubt two such deere and precious things as the reputation and loyaltie of their seruants u It is hard to repaire and recompence the iniuries done to faith and reputation Famae et fidei damna maiora sunt quaÌ„ quae estimariqueant Tit. Liu. Phil. de Commines saith notwithstanding that the king had not a better seruant that yeere then this Charles de Melun and the Chronicle attributes to his care the honor to haue saued Paris The best blowes which were giuen at this siege were drawne from his head and from the wise resolution which he tooke not to haue any thought but to diuide the company he had forces sufficient to fight with all the Princes together without paine or perill they had not yet past their Apprentiship in warre Onely the Duke of Calabria knew something hauing learned it vnfortunately in the warre of Naples The Earle of Charolois had in his youth followed his Father in his Armies and Battels but a long peace had made him forget more then hee knew As for the Duke of Berry and Brittanie the amazement wherein they were when as the Canon played vppon their quarter made it knowne that warre was not their Element The Historie hath obserued that after the Armie had past the riuer of Seine the Earle of Charolois and the Duke of Calabria troubled themselues much to haue the souldiers march in order and represents them so well armed as they seemed to haue a great desire to fight But when it describes the equipage of the Duke of Berry and Brittaine it makes a right Prosopopeia seruing onely for the number and pompe They did ride saith Phil. de Commin vpon little nags at their ease carrying for the most part but little light Brigandins yet some said they had nothing but little gilt nayles vpon Sattin that they might not weigh yet I know not the truth He that goes to the warre without his Armes shewes that he hath no desire to come neere blowes FINIS THE CONTENTS OF the fourth BOOKE 1 Entry of Queene Charlot into Paris She is accompanied by Amé duke of Sauoy her Brother and Bonna of Sauoy her sister 2 Rebellion of them of Liege and Dinand Their Insolencie against the Duke of Bourgondy The seuere punishment of their folly 3 Death of Phillip Duke of Bourgondy greatnesse and felicity of his estate his bounty and reputation in Europe his chiefe Actions 4 Entry of Charles Duke of Bourgondy into Gand sedition for the abolishing of customes 5 Wisdome of K. Lewis the eleuenth to descouer the desseines of the Dukes of Brittaine and Bourgondy His Army in Brittany 6 Newe reuolt of them of Liege They consult whether they should put their hostages to death An Ambassage from the King to the Duke of Bourgondy touching that The taking of the Towne of Liege and the desolation thereof 7 The Ganto is acknowledge their errors The Duke makes his entry there armed The King deuides the Dukes of Normandy and Brittaine from all Intelligence with the Duke of Bourgondy 8. Enteruiew betwixt the King and the Duke of Bourgondy at Peronne his perplexity in the apparant danger wherein he was he treats with the Duke of Bourgondy and accompanies him to Liege 9 The Liegeois beseeged by the King and the Duke of Bourgondy their furious sallie they are surprised spoyled and slaine 10 The King returnes to Paris his wordes leauing the Duke of Bourgondy continuation of the warre in the Contry of Liege 11 A breefe recitall of the chiefe actions life and death of Alexander Scanderbeg King of Albania THE HISTORY of LEVVIS the XI THE FOVRTH BOOKE PARIS was all in Feasts and Ioy for the happie successe of the Kings affaires who had so wisely pacified the windes which threatened his ship with shipwracke but much more for the discharge which he made of certaine souldiers and impositions which the people found insupportable a On Saturday the third of August 1465. the King remitted the fourth peny of the wine to the eight tooke away all impositions except of MarchaÌ„dise of the six farmes in grosse These publike ioyes were doubled by the Queenes entrie into Paris Queenes entry into Paris She went by Bote to our Ladies church past to the Celistins and so to the Tournelles She was accompanied by the Duke Amé her Brother and the Lady Bonna of Sauoy her Sister married to Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan The Historie of these times as curious to represent the order of Feasts that were made as that of Battels b Paul Aemilius obserued a wonderfull order and disposition in feasts saying that there was the like suffâ—ciencie of Iudgement to know how to order a Battell fearefull to the enemies and a feast pâ—easing to friends for the one and the other dâ—pend of good iudgment to know how to order things Plut. as if the knowledge of the one gaue as great proofe of sufficiencie as the other reports the magnificence and addes that in the house of Iohn Dauuet the first President they had made foure bathes they were alwaies acknowledged among the delights for the Queene and for the Ladies Her indisposition and that of the time would not suffer her to bathe One of the bathes was for the Ladies of Bourbon and Sauoy the other for the Daughter of the Lord of Monglat married to the sonne of Nicholas Balue brother to the Bishop of Eureux and Perrete of Chalon a Bourgesse of Paris This woman is particularly named in diuers places of the Historie and here shee hath her share in the delights and pleasures of the bathes The Duke of Sauoy procured libertie for his Brother Philip whom the King married vnto Margarete the third Daughter of Charles Duke of Bourbon and of Agnes of Bourgundie but the content of his libertie was not of such force in his remembrance as the distast of his imprisonment the apprehension whereof made him to follow the humors of Charles Duke of Bourgundy against the King Amé dyed three or foure yeares after in the Towne of Orleans of a Flix c Ame the third dyed at Orleans about the end of Iune 1471. he left 2.
soule as often as he returned from any exploits of war which were more admirable then imitable Wherefore hauing resolued to make warre against George Lord of Misia i Misia is commonly called by the Turke Segoria and comprehends Seruia Bosnia Russia and the Prince is called Despote of Seruia he made him Generall of his Armie as well for that he had not any one more capable as also to be rid of him thinking that being forward and fierie by nature hee would thrust himselfe into dangers from which he should not free himselfe for his braue and generous Captaine like an other Cato k Cato as Tit. Liu. saith wold be euery where and execute euery thing in person sparing himselfe no more then the least of his soldiors hauing no other aduantage ouer them but the honour of his commandements would see all himselfe and had no other aduantage in militarie labours then to haue the honor to command them and to be the first to execute them But as often as hee went so often did Andrinopolis see him returne laden with honor and victories A remarkeable worke of Gods prouidence to preserue this braue courage for his seruice At length Scanderbeg Scanderbeg leaues the Turke who had alwaies the heart of a Christian and an Albanois being wearie to liue in the continuall disquiettings of so many distrusts and conspiracies to kill him resolues to quit Amurath m Scāderbegs retreat was in the year 1444. hee conferred with Huniades of his enterprise that vnder a coulour of making warre against him hee might retire on his side whereupon hee ioined with Huniades Prince of Transiluania He ioynes with Iohn Huniades and with him defeates the Basha of Romania who had fourescore thousand men he caused his Secretarie to be taken and setting a dagger to his throat forced him to write letters to the Gouernor of Croy carrying a commandement in Amuraths name to consigne the place vnto him The Gouernor of Croy obayed and receiued Scanderbeg Entrie of Scanderbeg into Croy. all the Infidels were put to the sword and the Christians preserued and such as would become Christians He besieged the other places of Albania and in few daies with much paine and no money he recouered his forefathers estate and made the black Eagle n The house of Scanderbeg caried an Eagle sables in a field gules When as the people of Albania saw them in his Exsignes Standards they presently renewed the ancient affection they bare vnto their Princes with two heads to be seene in all places Hitherto hee had fought for himselfe now he fights for Christendome Ladislaus King of Hungary and Poland intreats him to assist him against Amurath hee was hindred by Huniades o Iohn Despote of Transiluania otherwise called Huniades being discōtented with the King of Hungary for that certaine places in Seruiae which had bin granted him in reward of his vertue were detained from him refused passage to Scāderbeg to ioin with the Christian Army Despote of Transiluania neither did the cause of the warre seeme iust for it brake a peace solemnely sworne with Amurath Battell of Varna It was decided in the valley of Varna on the limits of Misia or Segoria vppon the Euxin Sea within foure dayes iourney of Andrynopolis to the dishonour of the Christians who were put to flight but the triumph cost Amurath so many men as his ioy was turned to repentance If hee made some triumph Scanderbeg reapt the profit for seeing that hee had retired his forces hee went to field p These say that Amurath hauing escaped this danger grew more sad then he had been accustomed and being blamed by his followers he answered I would not win after this manner Amurath caused a pillar to be set whereas the Battell was giuen with an inscription of the victory and at this day the heapes of dead mens bones are to bee seene which shew that the slaughter had been wonderfull and made such sharpe warres as the Turke wrote vnto him rather to stay his exploites then to threaten him with reuenge and yet his Letters were full of reproches and pride Letters frō Amurath to Scanderbeg the ordinarie Passion of an incensed spirit Hee sweares that if hee will returne vnto him hee will forget all his offences past for that hee is more mindfull of the seruices hee hath done him then of his ingratitude hee offers to leaue him the Towne of Croy and the Lands which his Father held vpon condition that hee should yeeld vp all the other Townes of Albania and Misia These letters were receiued with that contempt they deserued q The letters beginne after this manner Amurath and Ottoman Soueraigne of the Turks and Emperour of the East sends no salutations to Scanderbeg his ingrateful nurschild He saith that he knowes not what wordes to vse to him for that hee doth not merit any good for his ingratitude and a rough sharp speech would make his arrogant nature more insolent Scanderbeg thinking that Amuraths feare who grew old and broken had made him to write them hauing a desire to leaue his Empire in some safety Scanderbegs answer yet he made him an answer and after that hee had told him that he should remember the good which he had receiued from him if the numbring did not renew the remembrance of a greater number of ills he concluded with these wordes Such fortune as it shall please God to giue vs we will beare In the meane time we aske no councell of the ennemy of that we intend to doe neither do we sue for peace of you but hope with the helpe of God r A Christian Prince should not referre any thing to fortune but to the prouidence of God who is the only cause of all causes guids al things after his will the moouable by their motions the immoueable by their firmenesse the voluntary by their liberty and the reasonable by their will to haue victory ouer you Within a while after he was victorious ouerthrew great armies which Amurath sent into Epirus the first led by the Basha Ferise and the other two by Mustapha He wonne the Battell of Drinon against the Venetians Battall of Drinon in Dalmatia and vsed this victory so well as the Venetians to make him raise the seege from before Dayne s Dayne is a little Towne planted vppon a high hill as in a manner all those of Epirus bee yet the soile of it is fat and the aire good and holsome they haue store of Venison and bees and all kindes of trees and fruites which was in their protection yeelded that he should haue a part of the Country of Scutarii which was very commodious for him Amurath besieged Sfetigarde where as Scanderberg flew in single Combate Seege of Sfetigarde Ferise Basha Generall of the Army yet it was taken and presently besieged againe by Scanderbeg but he was forced to raise the siege
Liuius did of the Romans n Nulla vnquam Respublica nec maior nec sanctior nec bonis exemplis ditior fuit nec in quam tam serae auaritia luxuriaque immigrauerint nec vbi tantus ac tamdiu paupertati ac parfimoniae honos fuerit There was neuer Common-weale greater nor more holy nor richer in good examples nor into which auarice luxury crept later nor whereas pouerty and parsimony were so long honoured That neuer Common-weale was better maintained in her ancient discipline nor wheras Auarice had lesse credit and Simplicity more honour then in that of the Suisses For these reasons the king made a defensiue leaue with them Alliance of France with the Suisses by the Treaty gaue himselfe the Name of the first Ally of their Common-weale and tearmed himselfe their Bourgesse o The Duke of Sauoy said that the Title of the first Ally of the Suisses belonged to him before all others They promised to furnish him with eight thousand men at all times for foure German Florins and a halfe of monthly pay 2000 pouÌ„d sterling Moreouer he gaue them a pension of twenty thousand Franckes to be distributed among them By the meanes of this Alliance his forces increased greatly in Bourgondy Dole was taken by assault spoiled ruined and made miserable But this pillage did impouerish the King beeing certaine that what is taken from Townes vanquished is lost for the Victor p Craesus King of Lydia seeing Cyrus Souldiers running vp and downe the Towne of Sardes he demanded whither they did run They go to the spoyle of the Towne answered Cyrus They take nothing from me replied Craesus all they carry away is thine and not mine Aussonne held out but fiue dayes Besançon an Imperiall Towne continued in her liberties and was not forced to more duety then shee had beene accustomed to yeeld vnto the Earles of Bourgondy Verdun would not yeeld but by force and suffered for her wilfulnesse Beaune auoyded it submitting herselfe to a fine of forty thousand Crownes The King labouring to ruine the house of Bourgondy Estate of the affairs of Castille apprehended the rising of that of Castille seeing that by the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabel the Realmes of Castille and Arragon which had beene diuided 405 yeares were vnited q Castille Arragon in the beginning were but Earldomes they were made Realmes after the death of D. Sancho the great king of Nauarre who was the last Earle of Arragon Castille He would haue beene nothing sorry if the contention which was betwixt them who should haue the gouernment of Castille had continued longer Queene Isabel said that as daughter to King Iohn of Castille shee was sole heire of the Realme and that her marriage should not depriue her of her quality King Ferdinand obiected that he was sonne to Iohn the second King of Nauarre and Arragon descended in the direct line from Iohn the first King of Castille and that it was not fit a woman should carry the Scepter of so great a Realme r Lipsius speaking of this Prince and Princesse giues this censure Maritus caetera vir egregius restrictor aut timidior erat retinere sua melior quam augere Haec dilatabat The husband a worthy man a holder fast or more fearefull hee was better to hold his owne then to augment it She enlarged it It was concluded by the aduise of the Grands that all Letters and Expeditions should bee made in the name of both and vnder the Seale of both Realmes of Castille and Arragon and the money coined with the Armes quartered This iudgment wherwith Ferdinand was not well pleased was grounded vpon the great and eminent vertue of Isabel Vertues of Isabel of Castille another Zenobia of Spaine and who did neuer breath any thing but what was great and generous A great Iusticer if euer any were and inexorable to rebellions s The Citty of Seâ—ile being reuolted through the factions betwixt the house of Gusman and Ponti the queen Isabella went thither forst them all to their duties she caused all that were in the Castle to bee hanged hauing refused her the entry she made the Court of Spaine a true Academy of honour and vertue out of which came Gonsalue the great Captaine her counsels were followed as Oracles and often times her husband and the Grands of the realme hauing found that no great matter was effected if it were not approued by her aduice neuer disputed against that which she had resolued It is she that began and ended the war of Portugall expelled the Moores out of Grenado added the realme of Nauarre to that of Castill and gaue meanes to Christopher Columbus t In the yeare 1492. the third of August the Queene D. Isabella sent Christopher ColuÌ„bus from Palos de Moguet in Andalusia to discouer the westerne Indies hauing sailed 2. moneths and 8. dayes hee first landed in the Iland of Guanahamo betwixt Florida Cuba to discouer new countries they also commend her for her great constant piety and for her admirable sobriety hauing neuer drunk wine she loued learned men and tooke delight in the knowledge of the Latine tongue she was full of courage resolution in aduersity for being vpon the treaty of her daughters marriage with Emanuel King of Portugall newes being brought her of the death of her only sonne u The Prince D Iohn of Castille being married to Margaret of Austria died at SalamaÌ„ca The History of Spaine saith that the King D. Ferdinand to acquaint his wife D. Isabella with this death caused a brute to be raised that hee was dead and then presently shewed himselfe vnto her so one sudden consolation betwixt two great afflictions did moderate both the one and the other she did not cease to proceed suppressing her griefe vntill that Emanuel was aduertised therof by others She was very constant in al distemperatures and dolours of the body for she was deliuered of her children without any groane or cry x In partus acutissimis doloribus gemitum vocem supprimebat rem incredibilem nisi à fidissimis matronis quae à cubiculi cura erant id certo se cognouisse Marinaeus Siculus adfirmaret In the bitterest pangs of childbearing she did neither groane nor cry an incredible thing if Marinaeus the Sicilian did not affirm that he had receiued it from the faithfullest matrons of her chamber King Lewis beeing very iealous of the county of Rousillon Death of D. Iohn King of Nauarre which was a thorne in the foot of Castille held the kings in iealousie and expences and desired to haue the realme of Nauarre continue in the possession of the successors of King Iohn who died in the end of the yeare 1479. y D. Iohn king of Arragon died at Barcelona being 81 yeares old hauing raigned in Nauarre 53. yeares and 4. moneths and 21 yeares six moneths in Arragon He
was buried in the Monastery of Poblete He was a great Prince like vnto others had past the pikes of fortune It hath beene said before that his son Charles and after his death his subiects of Barcelona and after all that the king of Castille and then the kings of France made warre against him he saw his realme in horrible combustions by the factions of Beaumont and Grandmont which he had seene spring vp neglected to quench them in their breeding About the end of his dayes when as he had more need of a Tombe then a wife and that the law Papia z Augustus in his latter dayes caused the Senate to make the Law Papia it had many heads amongst others a man of 60 yeares old a woman of 50 might not mary This word Buckle was vsed by Seneca and after him by Lactantius Quid ergo est quare apud Poetas salacissimus Iupiter desierit liberos tollere sexagenarius factus est illi â—ex papia fibulam imposuit had buckled him vp being aboue fourescore years old he fell in loue with a yong maid named Francina Rosa which was no helpe for him to recouer his sight which extreme age for the interest of so long an abode in the world had taken from him The yeare before his death he went to see his son D. Ferdinand at Victoria to conferre with him vpon the affaires of the realme which he should leaue vnto him In this incounter the father had not any with him but ancient men aboue threescore years old and the sonne was attended on by the flower of all the Nobility of Castille It was noted that the father in all things gaue place to the king D. Ferdinand his son as the head of the house of Castille from whence he was desended a Alphonso the fifth King of Arragon brother to Iohn the second king of Nauarre would haue his Embassadors giue place to them of Henry the fourth K. of Castillâ— in signing the Articles of a Treatie made at Naples The dispute of this precedence had bin begun in the Councell of Constance and decided in that of Basil in fauour of Castille Alphonso the fift king of Arragon would not yeeld it to his father Iohn the second King of Castille b It is a difficult thing sometimes for the prerogatiue of nature to giue place to that of fortune dignity witnesse the Senator of Venice who would not giue place to his sonne although he were Duke who to binde his Father did alwayes carry a great Crucifix to the which the father said hee did his duty The law of Maiesty was of more force then that of respect and naturall obedience wherof the son how great soeuer many not dispence himself towards his father The Crowne of Castille had alwaies pretended that Arragon depended of it in soueraignty and that if it were free it was by grace The King D. Iohn the second at his returne from this voyage dyed at Barcelona It was by his aduice that a peace was at that time treated Peace and Alliances renewed with Spain of betwixt king Lewis the eleuenth and the kings of Castille to confirme the ancient Alliances that were betwixt the two Crownes d Philip de Comines saith that the Alliances of France and Castille are betwixt King and King Realme Realme Man Man of their subiects The Embassadors of France were the Lord of Lescut and the Bishop of Lombais Abbot of S. Denis they of Castille were Iohn de Gamboa Gouernour of Fontarabie and Iohn de Medina one of the kings Councell This peace being concluded the Embassadors of Castille came into France they were receiued at Paris with great honour on Saturday the third of Iuly 1479. they did the like to the Embassadors of France who went to Guadalupa whereas D. Ferdinand and D. Isabella were busied in punishing the disobedience of the Marques of Villena who had hindered D. George Manriquez from chastizing them of Cinchilla who had reuolted At that time when as the Court was at Guadalupa the Marques of Villâ—na head of the faction being incensed that his enemies had caused six of his Souldiers to be hanged wold do the like to as many of theirs being his prisoners the chance fell vpon a Souldier of Villeneufue of Laxara neere to Allarcon in whose place the yonger brother presented himselfe and intreated that hee might dye for him for that his brother had wife and children who was set at liberty and his offer accepted Hist. of Spa. Lib. 22. The Articles are sworne by the king and moreouer it was agreed that the Towne of Parpignan should be put into the possession of the Cardinall of Spaine that the two kings should name an Arbitrator to decide within fiue yeares what K. Lewis did pretend to be due vnto him After the death of D. Iohn the 2 d king of Nauarre and Arragon D. Ferdinand succeeded in his fathers Estate of Arragon and Sicile and D. Leonora to the Mothers as daughter to Blanche Queene of Nauarre but this succession which shee would haue aduanced contrary to the Lawes of Nature and Humanity beeing blamed by the Histories of Spaine to haue caused her elder Sister to be poysoned f D. Blanch being put away by D. Henry the vnable was carried as it were a prisoner to Lescut in Bearne by Gaston Earle of Foix her Brother-in-law to the end she should not marry againe The Spaniards write that her sister Elenor caused her to bee poysoned did not passe the fifteenth day after her Coronation Shee had by Gaston Earle of Foix many worthy Children Gaston Blanche Countesse of Foix mother of many children Earle of Foix Iohn Vicount of Narbona Peter Cardinall of Foix Iames who serued King Lewis the twelfth in the warres of Lombardy and fiue daughters g Out of this house of Foix were issued four Queenes cousin germans at one time Catherin Q. of Nauarre German Q. of Castille and Arragon Anne Queene of France and Dutchesse of Brittaine Anne Queene of Bohemia Hungary Mary wife to William Marquis of Montferrat Ioane married to the Earle of Armagnac Margaret to Francis Duke of Brittanie Catherine to the Earle of Candalâ— and Elenor promised to the Duke of Medina Celi The peace of Castille did not hinder the warre which the King had against Maximilian of Austria 1479. who to diuert the Kings forces and frustrate his designes besieged Therouenne h Maximilian camped before Therouenne with 20000. Flemings some Troopes of Germans and 300. English It was reâ—ieued by de Cordes with 8000. Franke Archers and eleuen hundred men at Armes the Lord of Cordes came to succour it Maximilian went to meet him and both Armies encountred at Guinegaste The i The Gaules Horsemen were alwaies estemed and feared Plutarch Polibius and Appian coÌ„mend theÌ„ Caesar saith that in the war of Affricke 30 horsemen Gaules put to rout 2000. horsemen Numidians
that which hee loues and to ruine that which he hath raised In the end this charge of Lord Steward is returned into the house from whence it went It did honor others Charles of Bourbon Earle of Soissons doth honor it at this day by the great and goodly qualities which heauen addes to the greatnesse of his birth he restored order in the kings house and reuiued the glory of his Maiesties seruice With the same courage that Iohn the second followed the King against his rebellious subiects he serued him against forraigne enemies e He was present at the great Assembly at Ambois with all the Princes of the bloud and the chiefe Officers of the Crowne to resolue a warre against the house of York in England against the duke of Brittanie where there was a league made for the defence of the house of LaÌ„caster and Edward sonne to King Henry the sixth was married to the Earle of Warwicks daughter and was imployed with the Duke of Bourbon to disperse the storme wherewith King Edward the fourth threatned France being come thither not so much to fight as to receiue the triumph which the vanity of his ambition promised him The proofes of his seruice are not verified by those of recompence and wee may say that this Prince beeing not present at the distributions of the great honours of the Realme had no great share in the Kings fauours and bounty Wee see him hold his ranke at the Coronation and in the Assembly of the Estates but being none of those that were honoured with the first colours of the Order of Saint Michael hee hath remained in the ranke of those great Spirits whose contentment dependes onely of themselues All the Princes of the bloud cannot haue all the honours of the Realme All Planets make not a shadow the refusall of a dignity augments the glory of him that hath well deserued it and the concession doth not make him famous that is vnworthy f They ordained statues for them that had made war in Affricke against Tacfarinates though they did not vaÌ„quish him Dolabella went thither defeated him slue him he demanded the same honours which had been giuen to others which Tiberius refused Taciâ—us thereupon said Sed neque Blesus illustrior huic negatus honor gloriaÌ„ intendis He had sixe daughters Ioane of Bourbon married to Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon Catherine married to Gilbert of Chabannes Ioane wife to Lewis of Ioyeuse Charlotte married to Engelbert of Cleues Earle of Neuers René Abbesse of Paintes and then of Fonteuerard and Isabell Abbesse of Caen and two sonnes Lewis Earle of Vendosme g Lewis of Burbon haâ— 2 sons Iohn Earle of Vendosme and Lewis of Roche-sur you head of the house of Montpensier who married Mary of Luxemburg and Charles his eldest sonne the first Duke of Vendosme married Frances of Alençon and had by her seuen sonnes and six daughters the second of his sonnes was Anthony who married Ioane of Albret Queene of Nauarre and heire of the house of Foix Albret Bearn and Armagnac Of their marriage was borne Henry the fourth king of France and Nauarre their third sonne was Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Condé father to Henry Prince of Condé to Henry Prince of Conty to the Cardinall of Vendosme and to Charles Earle of Soissons and Grand-fahter to Henry Prince of Condé first Prince of the bloud The yonger sonne of Iohn the 2 d Earle of Vendosme was Lewis head of the branch of Montpensier and of Roche-sur-yon whom death hath cut off from this great tree There remains one daughter promised to the Duke of Orleans the Kings second sonne Death freed the Earle of Vendosme from the cares which a longer life had augmented by the iealousies and distrusts which the King conceiued of all the Princes of his bloud which kept him continually in the diuers agitations of hatred and feare It is impossible but that he who by his extreame rigors seuerities hath offended many should feare alwayes hee cannot trust his subiects as his Children seeing he hath not entreated them as a Father h Loue is a strong guard of a Princes person Agesilaus said that he wold liue safe without gardes if he coÌ„manded his Subiects as a good father doth his children He must be beloued of his subiects and feared of strangers Amorem apud populares meâ—â— apud hostes quaerat Tacit. he hath his share of the feare which hee hath made common Wheresoeuer hee casteth his eyes he seeth markes of his seuerity so hee findeth not any one but puts him in feare hee hath feare of his Children feare before him and feare behind and as in his life hee had alwayes desired more to be feared then loued so in the end he found himselfe composed of the same humor fearing more then he loued Hitherto it seemeth he did not trust any man but Peter of Bourbon Lord of Beaujeu his son-in-law in whom he had so great a confidence as he referred vnto him all the care of his affaires when as the pleasure of hunting entertained him in the Forrests not for some few dayes but whole moneths The Author of the Annals of the house of Bourbon who hath seene the originals of many great treaties speakes after this maner This Peter of Bourbon Lord of Beaujeu was in such fauour with the king as his Maiesty desiring to retire himselfe from affaires kept commonly at Chamois and places thereabout a Countrey at that time full of wood and wilde beasts causing the said Lord Peter of Bourbon his son-in-law to remaine at Montereau-faut-yonne to bee chiefe of the Councell to whom all men repaired for their dispatches which had any businesse in Court i A Prince must be feared and loued but for that it is difficult to haue these two things concurre together it were better and more safe to be feared for that Princes which haue grounded themselues vpon the loue of the people haue found that there is nothing more inconstant men do sooner offend him that makes himselfe to be loued then hee that is feared yet must they not in seeking to bee feared make themselues odious The King loued the woods and hunting to free himselfe from cares reposing all vpon the said Lord of Beaujeu His Maiestie also said That hee did hate deadly them of Bourgondy Aniou Alençon and the Dukes of Brittanie for their pride And contrariwise that hee loued Charles of Artois Earle of Eu for that hee retained nothing of the arrogancy of his predecessours and them of Bourbon more for their mildnesse and humility k It is not the first testimony which the kings of France haue giuen of the mildnesse wisedome and moderation of the Princes of the house of Bourbon When as King Charles the â—sâ—h passed from Auâ—gaon where hee had seene Pope Clement the sixth iâ—to Laâ—gueclock to settle an order for the coplaints of the Countrey against the oppressions which they
habes à currente flumine quantâ—m hauris ita ex aâ—nis semper euntibus nihil accipis nisi quod in res duraturas collocaris Thou hast so much of a running streame as thou drawest forth so of yeares which still slide away thou retainest nothing but what thou dost employ in durable things for his successors giue him the honour to haue freed them from subiection and France is bound vnto him to haue beautefied it with the Crownes of Dukes and Earles The death of Charles the last Duke of Bourgundy restored vnto him the Dutchy and County of Bourgundy but his good title must be so assisted by force as his Prouinces were rather conquered then restored He vnited also vnto the Crowne the Dutchies of Anjou and Mayne which had beene separated for the portion of Charles the first King of Sicile x The returnes of the Counties of Anjou and Maine which had beene very remote from the Crowne was drawne 〈…〉 â—arriage of Charles of Valois who married the daughter of Charles the second King of Sicile vpon condâ—tion that he should renounce the rights and hopes of the Crowne of Valencia and Arragon and giuen for a Dowry to the Lady Margaret of Sicile who married with Charles of France Earle of Vallois This marriage restored that hope vnto France which she had in a manner lost to revnite those Prouinces for that contrary to the Law of the Realme they had beene giuen in marriage to a daughter France is also bound vnto him for the acquisition of the County of Prouence by the meanes which haue beene formerly mentioned The peece was not entire for the Principallity of Orange was seperated yet in the yeare one thousand foure hundred three score and fifteene he had purchased the homage and iurisdiction of William of Chalon Prince of Orange and made it subiect to that of Dauphine y Lewis of Chalon Prince of Orange bought of René King of Sicile the â—omage and Soneraignty of the Principallâ—ty of Orange which was held of the County of Prouence and William of Chaloâ— sold it to King Lewis the 11. Hee past the three score and third yeare of his age the which he had alwaies apprehended for that the Kings of this branch had neuer attained vnto it Age of Lewis the eleuenth And as it is the nature of man to desire to liue and to repent to haue liued when he had attained vnto it he would willingly haue kept backe that tearme in the which nature by the great infirmities wherewith hee was brought low chased him out of this life not as from a Ship-wracke but as out of an Inne where hee had made good cheere z Themistius compares the death of old meÌ„ to the going out of an Inne and that of yong men to a Shipwracke In like manner Princes and they that haue liued in pleasure feare not death for want of courage as many thinke but for the long continuance of their delights and contents Hee arriued not at this port without stormes and great perils in the which hee was preserued by the same hand which had diuerted many damnable attempts against his person The most doubtfull of these accidents was at Peronne the greatest at the battle of Montlehery the most vnexpected vnder the port of the Castle of Alençon Dangers which hee did escape a This accident happened on Sunday the 8 th of August 1473. Edward the 2. King of England playing at Chesse ended his game so fitly as a great stone fâ—ll vpon the place as soone as he was vp and had slaine him if hee had stayed Thomas Walsingham when as a great stone falling from the Vault did but touch his sleeue An accident which shewes that no man knowes where death shall surprise him and that a wise man should alwaies attend it resolutely in all places This Raigne was rough difficult and tossed with strange reuolutions Such as liued in those times said that the world had neuer beene more wicked Opinion which like vnto Orpheus Harpe doth alwaies moue the lesser and weaker spirits hath made this beleefe common among them that the world doth daily impaire that the Golden Age is changed into Siluer then into Copper and in the end into Iron and Brasse That our b It is true that the older the world growes the more remote it shall bee from the innocency and simplicity of the first Age. Aetas parentum peior auis tulit Nos nequiores mox daturos Prolem vitiosiorem But in all ages men haue beene corrupted and disordered Seneca saith that his coâ—plained and that such as should come after would make the like complaint Grand-fathers times were better then that of our fathers that ours hath increased in wickednesse and that they which shall succeed shall be more wicked Paradox that the world growth not worse But I find in this Princes time as famous villanies as haue bene since His Chronicle doth produce many besides those great distractions which the History hath obserued in publicke actions as rebellions Infidelities Attempts Treasons and Conspiracies not discouering many other excesses which haue remained smothered in the consciences of two or three I haue collected the examples which it setteth downe as a lumpe of many poysons to make a Treacle against vice The first in shewing a great liberty discouereth a great bounty The yeare that the King made his entry into Paris a yong woman left her husband to follow her owne disordered lusts and after her husband beeing well aduised these are his very words tooke her againe Wise men hold the sower and sweete of marriage secret That age as well as those which haue gone before and haue followed after doth furnish examples of men who in fauour of Mecanas c Galba hauing inâ—â—ted Mecâ—â—nas to supper seeing his wife and him to court is by lookes and signes hee 〈◊〉 downe vpon his Câ—shâ—â—a fâ—yning to be vâ—â—y sleepy to giue way vnto their leues The which hee maintained with a good grace for his man being ready to take away the dishes which stood vpon his Table hee cryed out vnto him how now Knaue dost thou not see that I sleepe not but for Mecaenas haue shut their eies whilst they courted their wiues In the warre of the Common-weale Examples of diuers disorders there were seene passe through Paris two hundred Archers on horse-backe after them eight Strumpets with a blacke Monke their Confessor In the yeare one thousand foure hundred three score and fiue the sixt of Iune a Capper in Saint Dennis Streete strangled his wife in his owne house and a Labouring man of Clignancourt cut his Throate Another Gentle-woman of Paris was accused of Adultery and poysoning by her owne husband A father had long abused his owne daughter and had many children by her and as the wicked are neuer content with one wickednesse hee fell from Incest to Parricide d When as the minde of man hath once subiected