daughter named Katherine all by Elizabeth of Bauiere Charles vnworthily married one of the chiefe fier brands of this Tragedie an outragious woman an vnnaturall mother and altogether vnworthy of this crowne These three sonnes were Daulphins one after another in their fathers life but Charles succeeded him notwithstanding all crosses and difficulties and Katherine his sister was married to Henry the 5. King of England a mournfull gage of a horrible confusion for this Realme But alas how many cruell acts of ambition vanitie and treacherie of such as held the helme of this estate being either royall persons or setled in the highest dignities How many changes and reuolutions of these froward humors daring any thing vnder the libertie of this raigne the King being eyther a child or sick and alwayes weake and vnable to gouerne so great a charge Strange â—uents In the first Scene of this Tragedie we shall see the Vncles of this young King in diuision one against another Lewis Duke of Aniou declared Regent as first Prince of the bloud is crossed by his bretheren the Dukes of Berry and Bourgogne and he abuseth his authoritie imperiously Lewis Duke of Aniou being dead Lewis Duke of Orleans brother to King Charles the sixt shall take his place as the first Prince and shall fall to quarrell with Philip the Hardie duke of Bourgogne his Vncle who dying shall leaue Iohn his sonne successor of his iealousie against Lewis Duke of Orleans his cousin Iohn shall exceed all humanitie and kill him but the hatred shall not dye being transplanted into Charles Duke of Orleans sonne to Lewis massacred the which shall breed infinite troubles The Daulphins shall play their parts sometimes friends and sometimes enemies one to another Iohn who had murthered Lewis of Orleans shall be slaine by Charles the Daulphin who shall be King but from Iohn shal spring another Philip of Bourgongne who shal kindle a new fire to be reuenged of his fathers death The Stranger is ingaged in these ciuill warres women augment it by their furies On the one side Valentine Dutchesse of Orleans on the other Isabel Queene of France The Constables of Clisson and Armagnac are likewise drawne in and the subiect growes licentious in these disorders Passion preuailes with such furie as the mother forgets the birth of her owne wombe and so abuseth her authoritie as she dares attempt against the fundamentall law of state to giue the realme to a Stranger who was crowned and proclaimed King in the heart of France by her boldnesse These be the contents of this wretched raigne with these two parcels distinctly to be obserued the Kings Minoritie and his Maioritie and thereby we shall diuide our whole discourse THE MINORITIE OF KING Charles the sixt From the yeare 1380. When as Charles receiued the Crowne by the decease of his Father vnto the yeare 87. that he dismissed his Vncles to rule alone with absolute authoritie THe generall estates assemble at Paris 1380. presently after the death of Charles called the Wise to prouide for the gouernment of the King and realme and to auoide all apparant iealousie betwixt the Kings Vncles they decree That according to the declaration made by their good King deceased Charles his sonne should be annoynted and crowned King and that vntill he were of competent age to gouerne so great an estate Lewis Duke of Aniou as eldest of the house of France and so the first Prince of the bloud should be Regent Lewis of Aniou Regent and haue the authoritie of Councell and royall command And likewise by vertue of King Charles his will Clisson Constable Oliuer of Clisson a braue and valiant Knight borne in Brittanie was made Constable of France Oliuer of Clisson tooke possession of his charge preparing for the Kings Coronation And the Duke of Aniou receiuing the Kings treasour which they say was eighteene hundred thousand Crownes A very great summe for those times and after so wretched a â—eason He forced Sauoisy the head Treasurer to deliuer those summes into his hands and by this excesse laide the ground of a great presumption which followed Charles is anoynted at Rheâ—ms and Crowned after the custome of France the 25. of October in the yeare 1380. in a sollemne assemblie of his Princes of the bloud A controuersie for precedence betwixt the Kings Vncleâ— at his coronation Princes allyed and Officers of this Crowne The Dukes of Aniou Beâ—ry and Bougrongne the Kings Vncles Wencelin Duke of Brabant the Dukes of Lorraine and Barre the Earles of Sauoy of Marche and Eu friends and confederates to our Kings did assist At this solemnitie there was some question for place whether should take it the Duke of Aniou as Regent of the Realme or the Duke of Bourgongne as first Peere of France and Deane of the Peeres distinguishing the degrees according to their qualâ—ties to whom the order was giuen The King to crowne his installment by some notable act tooke vpon him to decide this controuersie and decreed That for as much as at the Kings annointing the Peeres of France ought to hold the first ranke in all ceremonies the Duke of Bourgongne as the first Peere sâ—ould take place of the Duke of Aniou And so Philip was preferred before his elder brother continuing the possession of the name of Hardie the which he purchased in defending his father Iohn so stoutly at the battaile of Poitiers But he encreased this name of Hardy too much in his carriage leauing it hereditarie to his children conuerting this stoutnesse into an imperious presumption which bâ—ed a huge deluge of miseries to the great preiudice of the whole realme The day after the coronation the States beseech the Regent to prouide for the releefe of the poore people whose burthen was too heauie for the great arrerages they were to pay of debts growne in former raignes and the rather for that there was no warre which imposed the necessity of so great a charge The Regent did not yeeld therevnto Tumults in France but continued these leauies of money more and more which was the occasion of tumults in diuers Prouinces of France as if this popular humour had beene like vnto a pestilent feauer or an infectious disease Flanders likewise kindled great fiers vpon sundry occasions which were quenched with much trouble after memorable combustions Flanders shall imbarke first in this misfortune and shall come last to land not without danger by strange accidents To teach Princes how farre they should presse their subiects And for subiects with what respect they should reuerence their Superiours in seeking out remedies for their afflictions for in the ende amiddest all these tumults the victors weepe and lament in the ruine and notable losse and ouerthrow of the vanquished Flanders We haue sayd that Philip Duke of Bourgongne made a composition for the Gantois with the Earle of Flanders his father in lawe But this accord lasted not long for the Earle disdayning the
people and shuttes himselfe into his Castell They enter Bruges The Gantois following and killing them that fled enter pel mel and seized vpon the gates Arteuille hauing speedily prouided for the guard thereof the Gantois being victorers disperse themselues through out the Cittie crying against the vanquished The Cittie is wonne and proclaimed for the good Cittizens Libertie killing all such as they found to fauour the Earle searching all houses for his seruants and commanding to spare the good Cittizens The Earle foreseeing by this brute that the enemy would presently pursue him he sodenly leaues his riche attire and takes the simplest of one of his gromes and so forsakes the Castell to seeke some corner to hide his head in He was scarse gone out but his Castell was beset and easily taken and spoiled whilest that he saues himselfe in a poore womans house The Earle hides himselfe where in her sillie cottage she had onely one roome beneath and aboue a gatret to the which they mounted by a ladder The Earle creepes into this cabbin and the woman hides him in the bed-strawe where her children did lie and comming downe tooke away the ladder The Gantois hauing made search in euery corner for the Earle they came to the house where the Earle was and searching it they went vp to the place where hee laye hidden The Earle of Flandâ—rs in great peâ—plexâ—â—e He that could haue read the secrets of this poore Princes heart in this amazement should haue seene a remorse of conscience for that he had not intreated his subiects with more mildnesse Being thus freed hee creepes out of this cottage and gettes forth of the Towne being alone and on foote running from bush to bush and from ditche to ditche fearing euery one that passed when as behold lying hidden in a Ditch he discouers a houshold seruant of his owne named Robert Marshall who takes him vp on horse-backe behind him and in this order he recouers Lisle This vnexpected successe bred new desseignes in the frantick braine of this Tribune and of this furious multitude who should haue beene satisfied to haue auoyded shipwracke The error of the Gantois and returning to their houses should haue fallen to their vsuall trades and haue vsed this profitable successe to good purpose and made their peace with their lawfull Lord being sufficiently chastised But vanitie thrusts them on and the certaintie of Gods threats shewed it selfe in the following punishment to teach vs That man hath but the miseriâ— which he seekes by his owne folly A generall lesson for great and small both for men families and States Arteuille with his Gantois hauing glutted themselues with the sacke and blood of such as were any way affected to the Earle hauing spoyled his Castle and left it desolate beaten downe the gates of Bruges and filled vp the ditches From thence they goe to conquer the other citties of Flanders where he conceiued a newe Empire Presently all obey him Ypre Dam Bergues Bourlbourg Furnes Scluse Pourprigné Courtray and the lesser townes Andenard resists It is presently besieged At the brute of this sucesse all Flanders flies thither so as in few daies there were aboue a hundred thousand men assembled before the towne All Flanders reuolts and ioynes with the Gantois The Earle amazed with so violent a reuolt of all his subiects hath recourse to his son-in-law Philip Duke of Bourgongne that by his meanes hee might bee relieued from the King although he were more affected to the English then French hauing beene too much respected by our Kings A proud Prince he was in prosperity and too much deâ—ected in aduersity The Regent and the Councell refused to venture the King with this man in so dangerous a cause but two reasons moued the King thereunto and made him ouerrule both the Duke of Aniou his Vncle and his whole councell by the perswasions of the Duke of Bourgongne King Charles succoâ—s the Earâ—e oâ— Flanâ—â—â—â— contrarie to he aduice of the Regent and Councel The one was Arteuille himselfe who during the siege of Andenard not content to haue ruined the Noblemens houses of the Country had made some roades vpon the frontiers of France The other was King Charles dreamed that he was mounted vppon a flying hart which carried him gently through the ayre and a Heron vnder him which did beat downe all other birds came then flying to his fist and the Hart brought him to the place from whence he carryed him to his great content Arteuille to auoide this storme fortâ—fies the passages into Flanders especially Pont du Lis neere to Comines The french surprise this passage cunningly hauing patiently attended all night in the miery fenne vp to the ancles expecting the commoditie of the passage there As the King conceiued a delight to report this dreame 1382. as presage of some good successe so the Duke of Bourgongne labored to drawe him into Flanders The King vpon these motiues doth presently leuie an armie and goes to field Arteuille to auoide this storme fortefies the passages of Flanders especially Pont du Lis neere vnto Comines The French surprise this passage politikly hauing attended all night in the dirty maâ—â—sh vp to the ancles expecting the comoditie of the passage Their patience was the more comendable for that it was in the depth of a sharpe winter in December Comines and Veâ—rain being taken sackt and burnt the Towne of Ypre killes their gouernor who wold not suffer them to obey the King and yeeld themselues paying fortie thousand fraâ—ks for a composition By their example Cassel Bergues Bourlbourg Grauelin Furnes Dunkerke Fourprigné Tourront Vaillant Messine other neighbour Townes resolue to seaze vpon their Gouernors being Gantois and to send them bound hands and feete vnto the King as testimonie that they had yeelded vpon force Charles receiues the Townes to mercie and cuts off the heads of these vnlawful Gouernors Arteuille fearing the reuolt of other Citties The Townes of Flandâ—rs seaze vpon their Gouernors and send them to the King and that his forces which were great would fall from him resolues to preuent Charles and to force him to fight promising himselfe the like successe as he had against the Earle before Bruges With this resolution he chargeth the French army betwixt Courtray and Rosebecque vpon the Mount of gold but hee â—ound an alteration The Gantois charge ouâ— foreward like furious beasts which at the first shocke did somewhat amaze them they recoyling a little but without any disorder yet supported by the Battaile and rereward they breath and all togither charge this multitude with so great a furie as all are put to flight are cut in peeces or taken with a strange disorder They number aboue threescore thousand men slaine and an infinite number of prisoners taken after the Nobilitie had glutted their choller vpon this seditious rable The Flemings ouercome by Charles and threescore thousand slaine who had made rebellion a
of Hierges in Ardennes yet through the fauour and credit which Aimeries had with Charles of Austria and the greatest in his Court hee was releeued although hee had not appealed from the said sentence in time grounding the causes of his reliefe vpon the lets and hinderances hee had had during the former warres at the which hee had alwayes assisâ—ed in person So as a Commission being granted before the great Chancellor of Brabant and a day assigned to the heires of Symay 1521. to come to heare the reasons of Aâ—mâ—ries releefe and if neede were to see the former sentence giuen to their behoofeâ— reuoked They found this commission so vniust and vnreasonable seeing that both their father and they had beene in long and quiet possession of the said Towne and that this decree was not subiect to appeale as they repaired to Robert de la Marke Duke of Bouillon as to their Lord and Protector that with their right hee might defend the liberties and priuileges of his Duchie Robert discontented that his companie of men at armes had bin cassierd for the extorsions and robberies they had committed in Italie and else where had left the King and was retired to the Emperour But seeing that iustice was denied him as well for the priuate interest of puâ—â—ls whose vnkle and Tutor hee was hauing married their Aunt sister to the Prince of Symay hee made his peace with the King by the mediation of his wife and his sonne Fleuranges being daughter to the Earle of Brenne with the Kings mother A bold and insolent â—act Robert hauing assured his affaires with the King sent to defie the Emperour at Wormes where he had called a Diet of the Princes and free Townes of Germanie against the new-bred troubles by reason of Luther A bold attempt of a pettie Prince against an Emperour mightie in meanes men and courage A great riuer runs quietly betwixt the bankes that bound it but at the first breach it ouerflowes the whole Countrie so there is nothing more easie then to incense Princes but being once moued they are hardly appeased This defie giuen Fleuranges the eldest son of Robert notwithstanding the Kings expressed prohibition made leuie as well in France as in other places of three thousand foot and foure or fiue hundred horse with the which hee beseeged Vireton a small Towne in Luxembourg belonging to the Emperour But soone after he retired his armie by the Kings commaundement and dismissed it But their spleens were wonderfully incensed vpon new occasions The King for that the Emperour fayled in the payment of the pension for the Realme of Naples and in the restitution of Nauarre and withall his preferment to the Empire had greatly discontented him The Emperour was greeued for the enterprise of Nauarre and the attempt of the Duke of Bouillon being also well informed Lâ—os ordinary dissembling that the King sought the meanes to recouer the Realme of Naples Francis had sent a gentleman to the Pope to know when it should please him to performe his part for the execution of that which they had concluded togither the which his Maiestie knewe according to the disposition of Leo to bee more counterfeit then currant And Leo giuing to the gentleman a note of the horse foot and artillerie that was necessarie for this enterprise assigned the King two and twentie dayes to arme whilest the Venetians might enter into this League The Pope had no meaning that Naples should bee subâ—ect to the French If the King had not in the meane time neglected his affaires Leo had beene forced to runne another course And the Pope glad to haue some colourable shew of disdaine accuseth the King either to be carelesse or ill affected hauing not drawen the Venetians into the sayd League for the defence of Italie He complaines that his maiestie had not payed but the first moneth for the leuie of Suisses which they had beene forced to make against the Spaniard who a little before had inuaded the territories of the Church whereof the King should pay a moitie and makes a shew as if the King had treated some thing with the Emperour without his priuitie and to his preâ—â—dice Thus Leo seeming iustly dspleased receiued into Regium contrary to his agreement with the King all the banished men of Milan hee inuested Charles of Austria The Pope capitulates with the Emperour in the Realme of Naples made a defensiue League with him including the house of Medicis and the Florentines and deuising how to conquer Milan they agreed That Parma and Plaisance should remaine to the Church to hold them with the same rights it did before That Francis Sforce brother to Maximilian should bee put in possession of the Duchie of Milan as hauing right from his father and his brothers renunciatâ—on and that the Emperour should ayd the Pope against his subiects and feudataries namely to conquer Ferrara This mutuall resolution of allyance was a meanes by Gods prouidence to shew his wonderfull iudgements and a scourge to punish both French Italians and Spaniards for many yeares whereby followed so many euersions of Townes oppressions of people desolations of Prouinces and the death of so many men of valour La Marks estate ruined The Emperour in the meane time leuies a great armie of horse and foote vnder the command of Henry Earle of Nassau who tooke Longnes from Robert de la Mark rased the Towne and hanged the Captaine with twelue of the chiefe of his troupe The Captaine of Musancourt deliuered by some of his souldiers with the place to the said Earle escaped the gallowes at the intreatie of the chiefe of his armie but twentie of his Souldiers were hanged and the place likewise razed and spoiled to the ground About this time there was much controuersie touching the Duchie of Milan the Emperour pretending it to belong absolutely to him not onely by conquest but much rather by inheritance concerning which the most learned in the lawes of the Empire produced many and very probable reasons and arguments These two prises caused Fleuranges and Sansey his brother the sonnes of Robert to put themselues into Iametz with a resolution to die or to keepe it The Earle after foure dayes siege hauing seene the garrisons firme resolution raised his campe to take the way to Fleuranges The Germaines which kept it yeelded vp both the Towne and their Captaine the Lord of Iametz the sonne of Robert into the Earles hands who hauing ruined it did the like vnto Sansy Bouillon was afterwards yeelded vnto him by intelligence After this Robert obtained a truce of the Emperour for six weekes But the Emperour Charles dreamed of a more important warre If his spleene had beene onely against the house of La Marck why should he grant them a truce being almost ruined The Kings armie against the Emperour and being a conquerour and strong enough to subdue the said Robert why did he still increase his armie The King hauing
battered Ganache the fourth of Februaâ—â—â—â—uing spent eight hundred Cannon shot hee made two breaches and gaue a◠〈◊〉 with the losse of aboue three hundred men and growing resolute in this 〈◊〉 where his honor was ingaged hee letts Plessisgecte Captaine of the place vndeâ—â—tand that hee had wonne reputation inough in the defence of so weake a place that his obstinacie did preiudice the King of Nauarres affaires That the King by the execution done at Blois had sufâ—iciently declared warre against the League and that he mâ—â—t to imploy the saied Kings forces against them Plessis aduertiâ—eth the King his mastâ—â— he marcheth to succor him but his violent traâ—ell on foote to get him a heate in an extreame colde season Ganacâ—e yeelded to the Duke of Neuâ—rs made him stay so dangerously sicke of a feuer at Saint Pere as the newes of his death was carried to Court So Plessis yeelded vp the Towne his armes and baggage saued But this royall armie came to nothing The Duke went to refresh himselfe at his house wauering some moneths doubtfull of his party and the King of Nauarre whom God would vse in so confused a time to bring him vpon the Theater not as a disinâ—erited Child according to the intent of the Estates but to teach men that their sâ—â—â—uing is in vaine against the decrees of his diuine prouidence hauing recouered his peâ—â—eâ—t health assured himselfe of the places neere vnto Niort Saint Maixant Mallâ—zaye Chastelleraut Loudun Lisle Bouchard Mirebeau Viuonne and others pretending to do the King some great and notable seruice The King by this blowe had amazed but not suppressed the League He had begun well for the waranty of his Estate but he must not do things by halues In steed of going to horse making his armes to glister shewing himselfe betwixt Orleans and Paris calling backe his army out off Poictou to oppose it against the attempts of the Duke of Mayenne Error in state and being armed and the Townes amazed at this great effect to diuert the mischiefe which oppressed him within fewe monthes hee returnes to his first remedies being soft and fearefull against a mad multitude hee is content to send words to retayne his subiects alreadie entred into sedition hee releaseth some prisoners whome he held least dangerous continues the Estats renues the Edict of vnion and by a generall forgetting of what was past thinkes they will lay downe their armes against him to imploy them against the King of Nauarre But a multitude growes mad with mildenesse and is reteyned by seuerity The King finds that in lesse then sixe weekes â—ours and Baugency are the fronters of those prouinces that were vnder his obedience And whereas he thought to begin hee nowe ceaseth to raigne So God who had laughed at the vaine attempts of the one will likewise heâ—pe vpon the other remedies no lesse violent then those he had practised Nowe manie awaked from their amazement and began to stirre the people studâ—â—ed of new mutinies and new armes Orleans shut vp their gates the Towne made barâ—icadoes against the Cittadell Paris shewed the furie of their mutinie against the Louurâ— they beate downe the Kings armes impryson his seruants and aswell by their ransomes and spoile as by a voluntary contribution they leuie a great summe of money for the warre Marteau Cotteblanche Compan Roland and others deliuered vpon promises to reclaime the Parisiens had contrariwise seduced the people The sixteene let vs know them by their names euen as they are set downe in an oration made by the Bourgeses of Paris to the Cardinall Caietan la Bruyere Crucé â—ussyle Clere the Commissary Louchard Morlier Senault the Comissary de Bart Drouart an Aduocate Aluequin Emonnâ—t â—ablier Messier Passart Oudineau Tellier Morin a proctor of the Chastelet euery one of which had many Agents followers like sixteene fuâ—ies coÌ„ming out offhel sharpened their weapons kindled the coales of murther dissolutenes first at Paris then in a maner in al the good townes of the realme being seasoned with the leuaine of these furious tribuns The Preachers fire brands of these furies came not into the pulpit Paâ—isiens insolencies but to poure forth reproches and iniuries against the King and by an Iliade of Curses to kindle the peoples mindes to rebeâ—lion The people came neuer from their sermons but hauing fire in their heads readines in their feet to runne and disposition in theâ—r hands to fall tumultuously vppon such as were not branded with the marke of the League Hee was neither a good nor a zealous Catholike that had not a beadroule of outrages to detest and abhore that execution of Blois The porters at the Palace babled nothing but a cursing of the Kings life an elegie to lament the calamitie of these two bretheren an oration in memorie of the commendable exploits of the Duke of Guise in Hongary against the Turke at Iarnac against the Protestants at Poitiers at Montcontour against the Reistres of Thoré at Vimorry and at Auneau They cried aloud at Paris That France was now sicke and could not bee cured but by giuing her a drinke of French bloud And because they haue not the bodie at their deuotion those things he possesseth must suffer for it his furniture at the Louure his pictures are broken his armes beaten downe his images dragged vp and downe his great sâ—ale defaced they call him impious vniust vilaine prophane tyrant damned The Colledge of Sorbonne concludes by a publike act of the 7. of Ianuary That the people of France are freed from the othe of obedience and fealtie which they ought to Henry of Valois and that lawfully and with a good conscience they may arme against him receiue his reuenues and imploy it to make warre against him On the other side Charles of Lorraine Duke of Mayenne dreaming on his brothers death prouided for the assurance of his owne life The Duke of Maâ—ennes courâ—â—â—â— and consulted with the Arche-bishops Officiall the Lord of Botheon Seneshall of Lionnois and some others of the chiefe whether there were any safety for him within their Towne We are sayd they bound vnto the King before all others Make no tryall we pray you of your seruants in that which shall bee contrary to the Kings will Arme not your selfe against him without doubt hee will seeke your seruice when you shall submit the passion of reuenge vnto reason and will aduance your house to the good of all France the which trembles with apprehension of the calamities which this warre shall cause If the people call you to set them at lâ—berty you shall abandon them to the spoile and to defend the Monarchie against the King you shall make your selfe the head of a confused and monstrous Anarchie God did neuer forget the protection of Kings against their mutinous subiects They bee the image of God the children of heauen and whosoeuer armes against them armes against heauen Moreouer the winde of the peoples
Graue and a part of his Armie beeing mutined for their pay and seized vpon Hoochstraten retired himselfe into Spaine where hee was receiued with small grace and countenance hauing serued his Master ill in the Lowe Countries This yeare all the Elements did contribute to the prosperity and blessings of the Peace the Earth did let the King see a newe production of his Treasor Mines of gold dâ—â—couered They discouered in many partes of the Realme mines of Gold Siluer Copper and Lead In the Country of Lionois neere vnto â— village called Saint Martin the plaine which depends of the Country of Saint Iohn of Lions there was a Mine of Gold found by a Countryman who laboring in his Vineyard found a flint stone intermixt with Gold whereby they gathered an infallible assurance that this member was not without a bodie De Vic Superintendant of the Iustice at Lions had commandement from the King to set some to worke in it The first production was admirable and among many goodly peeces one was shewed vnto the King very riche in the which the Gold did appeere and put forth like vnto the budds of a Vyne as fine as that of Carauana so as it might bee sayd that these fiue thousand yeares the Sonne had made nothing more perfect in the bowells of the Earth For it was not Gold in Pepin nor in Poulder as in the running streames of the newe found Land nor mixt with sand as in Bohemia but in Stoanes and in Rockes all pure Gold or pure Siluer for alwaies the one goes with the other perfect of it selfe without mixture of any other mettels The King immitating his Predecessors who had alwaies fauored the workes of Mines which bring infinite commodities made a generall Edict for the ordring of the worke and worke-men An Edict for the ording of the Minâ—â— Hee created a great Master and a Controuller generall ouer all the Mines of France with priuiledges to drawe in forraine worke-men which they could not want Bellegarde was the first great Master of the Mines who resigned it to Ruse Beaulieu Secretary of State Bellingin first grome of the Kings Chamber was Controller generall The newe allyance with the Suisses beeing concluded they deputed fortie two among them to whome they gaue power to sweare the obseruation thereof They came into France in September beeing honorablie receiued in all places The fourth of October they came to Charanton a League from Paris where they were Royally feasted at the Kings owne charge in Senamys house After diner the Duke of Montbazon and the Lord of Montigny Gouernor of Paris went out of the Citty with a hundred or sixscore Gentlemen to meete them and to welcome them in the Kings name At S. Anthonies Gate Bargelone Prouost of Marchants with the Sheriffes Councellors of the Citty Quarter-Maisters chiefe Bourgesses and the three Companies of the Archers of the Citty Their reception receiued them and conducted them to their lodging in S. Martins Streete The next day they dyned with the Chancellor after Dâ—nner he went to his Maiesty to the Lovure desiring them to haue a little patience vntill the King sent for them Soone after the Duke of Esguillion accompanied with fifty young Gentlemen of the best Houses that were then in Court went to fetch them and to conduct them vnto the King entring into the base court of the Lovure the Duke Montpensier with many Knights of the Holy Ghost and Noblemen of mâ—ke receiued them in the Kings name at the Stayres foote going vp to the Hall the Count of Soissons with many Gouernors of Prouinces and old Knights of the Order receiued them and so conducted them into his Maiesties Chamber where they did their obeysance the King taking euery one of them by the Hand Then the Aduoyer of Bearne who was their speaker said vnto him in his owne language That the cause of their comming was to sweare the renewing of the Alliance and to assure his Maiesty of their faithfull seruice Viger did interpret vnto the King who after hee had answered them and witnessed the content which he had of the Declaration they had made in the behalfe of their superiors he told them that they were welcome from thence they went to kisse the Qâ—eenes hand who was in her Chamber with all the Princesses and Ladies of the Court presenting their seruice vnto her and the good affection of their Superiors for the which she thanked them Before the oath was taken they intreated the King that it would please him to heare some particular charges they had from their Superiours The Chancellor was appointed to heare what they demanded The Suisses demands the which the Aduoyer of Bearne deliuered vnto him in three Demands The first was that it would please his Maiesty to augment the summe of foure hundred Crownes which was appointed to be distributed euery yeare among them being not sufficient to pay their interests The second was that the priueleges of those of their Nation which trafficked in France might be confirmed The third was to giue them the declarations that were promised as well vnto the fiue petty Cantons for the continuance of their alliance with Milan and Sauoy without infringing that of his Maiesty as to the Protestant Cantons that they might not be forced to giue men to make Warre in France against them of the Râ—ligion To the first his Maiesty made answer that the ciuill and forraine Warres where-with his people had beene ruined would not giue him meanes to do better yet and that they must content themselues with that which had beene promised The second and third were granted and the declarations required by them signed Sunday the 12. of October was appointed for the swearing of the Alliance in our Ladies Church whether the Ambassadors were conducted by Monsieur de Vic. The King being come to the Church and set in State the Princes of Condé and Conty went to fetch the 42. Ambassadors in the Bishops Hall and conducted them to their places All beeing set the Archbishop of Vienne approched to his Maiesty carrying a booke of the Euangelists in his hands and at the same instant the Ambassadors drewe neere also Before them was Vaguer Secretary of State at Soleuvre betwixt M. de Sillery de Vic he carried betwixt his armes a Cushion of Crimson Veluet garnished with Gold on the which were two treaties of the Alliance Treaties of Alliance presented to the King the one in French the other in the Germaine tongâ—e sealed with his Maiesties seale and those of the Cantons and their Allies After they had all done their duties and saluted his Maiesty Monsieur de Sillery saide vnto the King That these Treaties of Alliance were the same which his Predecessors had made with the Seigneuries of the Cantons and that whatsoeuer was added was for the honour and profit of his Maiesties seruice The Aduoyer of Bearne who delâ—uered the speech The Aduoyers speech vnto the King
must say that with the end of the last yeare the King began the foure and fifteth yeare of his age a tearme which Cato held to bee ripe and well aduanced whereunto few Kings of Francâ— had atteyned The Kingâ— age and yet it hath nothing abated the vigour and strength of this Prince who is actiue and disposed and as liuely as hee was at the age of thirtie yeares Cares and yeares hauing only made his beard white it is true that now he begins to feele some flâ—x of the gout A disease which breeds with ease and which comes to Princes rather by excesse then by trauell in their youth and which is sooner gotten by the case of Venus then by that of Diana there beeing no pleasure in the world which doth not carrie some displeasure behind it The best course is to repent the euill before they commit it that is to say to haue onely intended it and the meanes to growe old is neither to doe nor to eate any thing through voluptuousnes A great Condition or Qualitie to whom all things are lawfull that please will find this rule of gouernment very hard Great men commit great excesse and in the end they tast the fruits which they haue sowne It is reaâ—on that after a time infirmities should cease and cleere the troubles of their soules as thunder and lightning doth purge the ayre that diseases as fore-runers of death and porters of the prison wherein they are inclosed should teach them that are men and subiect to humaine miseries that they are not raysed vpon the clouds to be free from a world of miseries that are dispearsed vpon the earth and that they should remember that the more their delights abound the more their strength decayes and that hee that doth least doth least harme and passeth the last yeares of his life with more content and lesse greefe The King would not complaine much of that little touch of the gout for that it had beene but gentle and when that after his recouerie the Courtiers did see him to weare furred boots they saâ—ed it was more to hould the greefe in some reputation then for any need he had Hee did a publike Act which hath particularities worthie to bee knowne I doe not forget these occasions for that they supsupplie the discourse of this Historie Peter 〈◊〉 without the which it should bee constrayned to seeke for matter farre without the Realme for of secret things and which are treated of in the Councel of the Cabanet we must atttend the knowledge therof by the euents which time shal discouer and not trouble our selues to seeke out the springs of Nilus A father how great powreful soeuer cannot thinke too soone nor to often to breed vp the youth oâ— his child in vertue nor to assure his fortune I say a child without distinction for although the Law doth distinguish Bastards from them that are lawfully begotten yet nature makes no difference The King hauing determined to make Alexander Monsieur his Bastard Son of the order of the Knights of Malta resolued to do it in time that he might receiue the name the effect The great Master reputing it an honor to haue a Prince of their Company issued from so valiant and couragious a race 1604. sent all necessarie expeditions The King hauing receiued them would haue the execution to be accompanied with a sumptuous and stately ceremonie An Assembly of the Knights of Malta He caused the great Commander of France and that of Champaigne to come to Paris and commanded them to call the greatest number of Commanders and Knights they could thither The King had chosen the Augustines Church for this effect but the Commander of Ville-Dieu being Ambassador of their Order beseeched him that it might be in that of their Temple There were at this Ceremonie 2. Grand-Priors twelue Commanders and sixteene Knights as one of the cheefe houses of the Order On the Sunday morning the King and the Queene went in one Carosse hauing Alexander Mounsieâ—r betwixt them who was deliuered by the King vnto the Grand-Prior who attended him at the first gate with all the Commanders and Knights As the Church was hung with the richest Tapestrie that could bee found so was it filled with that which was of greatest worth in Paris The Princes the Princesses the Cardinall of Gondy the Popes Noncio many Bishops the Ambassadors of Spaine and Venice the Constable the Chancellor the seuen Pesidents of the Parliament and the Knights of the order of the holy Ghost The Ceremonie began by the blessing of the sword and by the change of his habits to let the Knight vnderstand that hee did bind himselfe to change his life and to take vpon him the true ornaments of vertue without the which aâ—l the pompe and felicitie of the world is but wind and vanitie for being aâ—tyred in white â—atten layed thicke with gold lace the sleeues whereof were garnished with rich Medailles a Carkanet of stones crosse vnder his arme a blacke veluet Cappe with a little white feather and a band couered with great pearls he put on a roabe of blacke taffata and was conducted neere vnâ—o the great Altar being accompanied by the Duke and Duchesse of Vendosme and followed by the Commander for the conduct of this Ceremonie Saincte Foy Bishop of Neuers made him a little admonition of the greatnes and excellencie of the order whereinto he entred It is the first of Christendome as that of the Germaines is the second Oâ— Calatraua the third Of S. Iaques in Spaine the 4. Of Saint Marie de la Mercede in Arragon the fift Of Iesus Christ in Portugall the sixth Of Saint Lazare and Saint Maurice in Sauoy the 7. Of Saint Stephen in Toscane the eight This exhortation ended the Masse began and after the Gospell Alexander Monsieur presented himselfe vppon his knees before the Grand-Prior of France with a burning torch of white waxe in his hand to demand the Order Hereat the King who was â—et vnder a ritch cloth of Estate of Purple veluet imbroydred in the midest of the quier left his place and comming neere to helpe him to answere he sayd aloud that he left the ranke of a King to doe the office of a Father The Grand-Prior gaue him the Order after the accustomed manner and after Masse was done as a new Knight he presented himselfe the second time to make profession The King aduanced againe and promised for him that comming to the age of sixteene yeares he should make the vowes and profession perfect The King doth the office of a Father They be the same vowes which religious men doe make Obedience Pouertie and Chastitie Hee did his Obedience in the same place and then being disrobed the Grand-Prior set vppon his brest a plastron of blacke satten with a great white Crosse and so the Ceremonie ended with great ioy and sounding of Trompets The new Knight feasted the Grand-Priors of France
intelligence that warre was proclaimed against him prepared his forces to withstand the Emperour and to this end he gaue a commission to Francis of Bourbon Earle of Saint Paul to leuie six thousand foote to the Constable of Bourbon eight hundred horse and sixe thousand foote and to the Duke of Vendosmâ— the like charge And to reuenge the disgrace receiued by Esparre he sent six thousand Lansequenets of whom Claude of Lorraine Earle of Guise was generall vnder William of Gouffiers Lord of Bonniuet Admirall of France to whom he gaue fiue companies of horse and commission to leuie what number of Gascons and Basques he should thinke necessarie The Lord of Lescut was in like sort â—eleeued with French and Suisses Open warre for the warre of Italy The armies on eyther side were in field there remaines nothing but for the one to make a breach the imperialls begin There had beene a long and a great quarrell betwixt Lewis Cardinall of Bourbon and the Lord of Liques a Gentleman of Hainault for the Abbie of Saint Amand which the Cardinall enioyed Liques takes this occasion to assault the Abbie which being of no strength was deliuered vnto him by Champeroux Lieutenant for the King in Tournaisis in the which de Loges Gouernour of Tournay was surprised We might pretend that these were but priuate quarrels but Liques aduanced with his forâ—es to Mortaigne a place subiect to the King the which he said he had some times enioyed In the end Pranzy Captaine of the sayd place hauing no hope of succours yeelded it Seege of Tournay not to Liques but to the Lord of Portien vpon condition to depart with their liues and baggage But contrary to the lawe of armes and honestie they were pursued stript and hardly escaped with their liues On the other side Fiennes of the house of Luxembourg Gouernour of Flanders besieged Tournay with a thousand horse eight thousand foote and six Canons continuing there fiâ—e moneths whilest that the Bourguignons did take spoyle and raze Ardres the Lord of Teligni in exchange did charge defeat and cut in peeces six hundred Bourguignons that were entred the realme to spoile it In the beginning of these garboyles Henry King of England did offer himselfe an Arbitrator betwixt these two Princes Charles and Frances and Calis was named for the treatie of a good peace But what meanes was there to yeeld to the Emperours vnreasonable demaunds to restore him to the Duchie of Bourgongne with an abolition of the homage which hee ought vnto this Crowne for the low Countries beeing vnreasonable as he pretended that an Emperour should doe homage to a King of France as if wee did not commonly see Princes hold their lands by homage of simple gentlemen So this parle tooke no effect Hitherto the Imperials dealt vnder had protesting not to make warre against the King· but now they discouer themâ—elues and come with enseignes displayed to beseege Mouzon they batter it in two places the one by the medow towards the Port of Rheims the other from the mountaine going to Iuoy The footmen newly leuied and not yet trayned grew amazed and force Montmort the Captaine of that place to demaund a composition for the obteyning whereof hee went with Lassigny his companion to the Earle and obteined That euery man at armes should depart Mouson takeâ— with a â—urtall vnarmed and the foote men and archers without armes and a white wands in their handes what policie was this to see two Lieutenants to a King go forth off a place to capitulate with the enemie without doubt they diserued the shame which many haue suffered â—or the like rashnesse to be detained prisoners put to ransome and forced to yeeld the Towne at discretion The taking of all these Townes without opposition drew the Earle to Meâ—â—eres commaunded by the Cheualier Bâ—yard Seege of Mezieres but hee found a more valerous resolution then at Mouzon The experience and valour of the Captaines and the desire which Anne Lord of Montmorency had to doe the King some notable seruice in his youth had drawne him into the Towne with many well minded gentlemen of the Court amongst the rest the Lords of Lorges d'Annebault Lucè Villeclair Iohn de la Tour Lord of Bremont Iohn Dureil Lord of Berbee Nicholas of Thouâ—rs Lord of Suilly Mathurin and Charles des Cleres whose valours and fidelitie deserue a place in our Historie Anthony Duke of Lorraine whose Lieutenant Bayard was and the Lord of Orual gouernour of Champangne commaunded either of them a hundred men at armes Boucart and the Baron of Montmoreaâ— had either of them a thousand foote This might seeme too much for a small place but it was strong and of importance The Canon did no sooner begin to batter but most of the foote grew amazed and in despight of their Captaines â—â—ed some by the gate others ouer the wals Bayard by the basenesse of them that fled tooke occasion to assure the resolutions of such as remained For said hee preseruing the Towne with the helpe of few men wee shall haue the more merit and reputation our troupes are of the more force being discharged of this vnprofitable burthen The Earle comming neere to Mezieres sent to summon the Commaunders to yeeld the Towne vnto the Emperour The Valianâ— resolution of Bayard He reports to the Earle of Nassau sayd Bayard to the Trâ—mpeâ— That before hee shall heare mee speake of yeelding vp the Towne which the Kâ—ng hath giuen mee in charge I hope to make a bridge of my enemies carkases ouer the which I may march Henry makes two batteries and shakes the wals for the space of a moneth But fiâ—ding by sundrie sallies in the which the beseeged did most commonly carrie the honour and profiâ—e the resolution of the Commaunders men at armes and souldiers hauing also intelligence of the defeat of a hundred choise horse of the Eâ—perours Campe and two hundred foote led by Earle Reinfourket to spoile Attigni vppon Aisne all which Francis of Silli Baylife of Caen Lieutenant to the Duke of Alenson had put to the sword except fiue or six which were carried prisoners to the said Earle to Rheims the Towne hauing beene also releeued the first of October with a thousand foote led by Lorges foure hundred horse by â—â—â—gni and some munition hee abated the first furie of his aâ—tâ—llerie and despayring to 〈◊〉 the Towne by force or famine he raised his Campe and made his retreat by Mont-Coâ—â—et in Ardennes Maubert fontaine and Aubenton to Verâ—in and Guise spoyling burning and killing The Earle of Nâ—ssau leâ—ues Meâ—â—ers men women and children without distinction a mournefull beginning of the cruelties which haue beene committed in the succeeding warres Bâ—yarâ— for a worthie reward of his vertue was honored by the King with a companie of a â—undred men at armes and the order of Saint Michell In the meane time the King assembles his forces at Fernacques to cut off the enemies way about
company of Italians who were come to charge him behind in his retreat The tower of Moric Castle of la Graue Talmonde and the Castle of Chise beeing taken againe by Puigaillard recompenced the losse of Luson and the conquests of Puigaillard were at the same time crost by Puuiault Gouernour of Marans by the death of Captaine Dante who scoured all Poictou by the route of theiâ— companie and wounding in a manner of all the members thereof and by the ouerthrow of Chaumont and Goulenes issued out off Angoulesme with two Cornets of horse by the death also of Guitiniere Gouernour of Saint lean d'Angely the ouerthrowe of young Riuiere Puâ—taillé the route of his men and the losse of two Enseignes But the death of Captaine Herbelete commanding a company of French and two of Italians and the defeate of his troupes by Coignees issued out of Angoulsâ—â—e 〈…〉 held for the Princes made the mid-may famous a season when as the second 〈…〉 peace was reuiued Time brings many changes nowe it fauours the Protestants reuiues 〈…〉 The Protestants fortified fortifies their hopes and the Catholikes are newe â—o beginne the King 〈…〉 with this variable continuance of warre it drewe his subiects from his 〈◊〉 ruined his Prouinces wasted his treasure and consumed his forces The Queene Mother sence the battell of Meaux did still nourish in her brest a fire of reuenge Sâ—e was wonderfully discontented that the Protestants in the beginning of the first 〈…〉 had so violently opposed against her desire to rule by the mutuall ruine 〈…〉 and the other But there was paine and perill to suppresse the heads of the 〈◊〉 many murtherers and many poisoners offred themselues but the 〈…〉 drewe backe when it came to the effect Moreouer the Princes grewe in age and iudgement they framed themselues to affaires they began to knowe the friendâ— and enemies of the Common-weale And on the other side many Noblemen of eyther parrie labored to temper the humors both of such as were best affected to the publike quiet and of those 〈…〉 these inciuill confusions made a way for their ambitious deâ—â—emes 〈…〉 â—iron and Teligny chiefe deputies the one for the King the other for the Princes â—â—bour about a peace Let vs see what course the Princes tooke sence the 〈◊〉 â—f Montcontour vntiâ—l the peace A small ball of snowe rowled from a high 〈◊〉 growes great in a shoâ—t time and becomes able to endure a great force 〈…〉 Councell whereby the Princes resolued to retire farre from the Conquerâ—â—rs army did much auayle them for they assured their men fortified themselues 〈…〉 troupes and consumed their enemies in the taking and retaking of places which they had possessed The Princes voâ—â—ge aâ—ter the battaile But still the poore people suffer for great mens follyes Agenois and Querâ—y serues nowe as a good retreat for the Protestants They find there a faâ— a fruitfull Country where by the spoile of the contrarie party they refresh their persons and make a newe bodie There is nothing but inroads spoiles and robbings of the enemie but there was violent warre about Tholouse and horrible fires in their houses which belonged to the Court of Parliament They haue beene saied the Protestants verie violent to burne them of our religion beheaded Captaine Rapin who carrieâ— tâ—â—m the Edict of peace from the King and to commit many other insolencies whereof opportunitie nowe cryes for vengeance Doubtlesse the iustice of God doth 〈◊〉 send a wâ—shed encounter to bee reuenged of an indignitie receiued The Marsâ—aâ—l of Danuille la Valette and some other Commanders of qualitie made some 〈◊〉 with diuers variable euents but not strrying farre from their walles for feare of surprise Carmain Oriaâ— la Faye Lesbos Montestruc and generally all they beseege except Saint Felix from whence the Gasâ—ons were repulsed in the assault with the losse of fiâ—â—ie men and the Vicount of Montclar hurt whereof he died at Chastres is forced and the garrisons cut in peeces During the armies aboade in Albigeois the Prince notwithstand the crosses of Escars Pompadour la Vauguion and others commanding three thousand men being fortified with fiue or six hundred horse brought from Rochelâ—e by Beaudiné and Renty send Piles into the Countie of Roussillon where he did spoile and greatly anoy the Spaniard whilest the Kings deputies conferred nere vnto Carcassonne with Teligny Beauuais and la Chassetiere who going afterwards to his maiestie concluded what we shall see in briefe Languâ—doe Viuarez and Daulphiné hauing fortified the army with about three thousand harguebuzies most of them mounted at the Countrie mens charge in steede of those which Moubrun had through fauour of the fort which hee built vpon Rosne right against Pusin led away to refresh themselues in their Countrie hauiâ—g surmounted the difficulties of the mountaines and the Admirall being freed fâ—om a grieuous sicknes which had brought him to deaths dore at S. Estienne in Forest the army comes into Bourgongne where being fortified with fifteene hundred light horse come from la Charité and the neighbour garrisons vnder the command of Briquemault they incounter a good occasion to aduance the peace It seemed to the Protestants a matter of some difficulty to obtaine a peace vnlesse they approched neere vnto Paris and to that ende the Admirall had suffered almost all his footemen to furnish themselues with horses and aduanced by great iourneys into the heart of France whilest his troupes were fresh and lusty and free from diseases But he had before him the Marshall of Cosse the Kings Lieutenant in the absence of the Duke of Aniou who to hinder the Pâ—inces approch to Paris seekes meanes to fight with them They incamped at Renéle Duke a place not very strong of situation from whence they thought to dislodge them with their Canon whereof the Princes were vnfurnished and by diuers vollâ—es of shot to make them leaue certaine passages which they held The Marshall la Valette Strossy and la Chastre come with al speede charge and recharge them and at the first they force them from a passage Incouâ—ter at Renelâ— Dâ—â— Briquemault Marshall of the Campe Montgomery and Ienlis endure the shocke they kill hurt take many and by this firme resolution make it knowne that their lodgings are not to be forced So the Marshall sounds a retreat and the Princes to whom all stay was preiudicial being strengthned with newe companies drawne out off Sancerre la Charité Antrain Vezelai and other places of their partie and furnished with some artillery they turned head towards Paris But a truce of ten dayes stayed all exploits of war betwixt them Truce in the armies and the Marshall While the Barron of la Garde Puigaillard Reniere Puitaille chiefe enemies to the Protestants laboured to become Masters in Guyenne the neighbour country To that ende after they had ouercome the troupes of horse and foote led by la Noue Soubize and Puuiault and by a shamefull chafe shut their companies
the fury of this massacre to the ancient quarrell of those of Guise with the house of Chastillon But the foulnesse of the fact might heape vpon them and their posteritie the hatred of all men The Guisians denie to take the maâ—â—acre vpon thâ—m with whom humane society and vertue is in recommendation For they had not spared an infinite number of learned men of reuerent old men honest virgins honourable matrons women with child chaste maydens young Schollers and little infants hanging at the brests of their mother Arming themselues therefore with the peoples loue they refuse to go out of Paris handling the matter so politikely as they cause the King to auouch all that had beene done So Charles writes other letters to his Ambassadours and Gouernours aduertising them That the tumult which had happened concerned not religion but the preseruation of his estate his house and person against the practises of the Admirall and some other seditious persons who had ioyntly conspired his death his Mothers The Admiral accuâ—ed oâ— conâ—piracie and his bretherens and therefore he would haue his Edict of pacification religiously obserued Yet if any Huguenots moued with these newes oâ— Paris should assemble in armes they should roote them out as perturbers of the pubâ—ike peace referâ—ing the surplusage of his will to the credit of the bearer And the better to authorise this approbation the 26. of August Charles with his bretheren assists in Parliament all the chambers being assembled where sitting in his seate of Iustice he declares openly that those things which had chanced in Paris were done by his owne proper motion and commandement yet making no mention of the cause Chrisâ—opher of Thou the cheife President commended his zeale in the name of all the company But to what end did he write the contrary the next day to his officers and the Magistrates of Townes That to his great griefe the Admirall his Cosin and some others of his party had beene slaine at Paris commanding them to preuent all mutinies and murthers and to proclaime that euery man should remaine quiet in his house without taking of armes or giuing any offence and to giue order that his Edict of pacification be exactly obserued and yet the same day to publâ—sh a declaration of the former tenour conteining that by his expresse commandement the Admirall and other his complices had beene slaine not for matter of religion but to preuent the execution of a wicked practise made by them against the Kings person the Queene Mother his bretheren the King of Nauarre this was for a colour of excuse to such as would obiect why then was this Prince saued from shipwrack and it may be for the loue of him the Prince of Condé his cousin and generally against their houses and the houses of France Doubtlesse there was small likelyhood that a little troope of men dispersed some â—n the suburbes others within the Citty in small numbers should presume to attempt any thing against the Estate Charles had both night and day his ordinary gardes Frâ—â—ch Suisses and Scottâ—shmen the most of the Princes Noblemen and Gentlemen of the realme were in Court to honour the marriage Those which had accompanied the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Condé had no other armes but their swords and for a gage of their innocencie had brought for the most part their wiues children sisters and kinsfolke studying onely to shew themselues at the Tilt and â—ourney The accusation made no mention of time place or adherents neyther of the meanes or any witnesses of this conspiracy If it had beene plotted since the Admirals hurt three hundred Gentlemen vnarmed which had accompanied him could they haue effected any thing vnder a Commander tyed by both the armes and ready to see the one cut off by the aduise of the Physitians and Chirurgians in a mighty Citty and against aboue three score thousand men ready to be opposed at the first alarum Moreouer the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé who had beene still present at all councells would they haue blemished their honours and houses with so great an infamie And if their innocencie had freed them from the common danger the consultations of the Admirall and his followers had they not beene very childish at such a time in such a place among so many naturall Frenchmen come with him wâ—o had neither goods kinsfolke pleasure nor content without the Realme Besides if the Admirall were suspected of this attempt might they not haue committed him presentâ—y to a safe prison informe of his practises and take such conclusions as the crime might deserue according to the Lawes To conclude admit the Admirall after his hurt or else his friendes had giuen forth some bad speeches must the same punishment deuoure so many persons who conuersed onely with their bookes and papers with their trafike and with their worke so many women who dreamt but of their huswiferie so many virgins and infants whose age and condition kept them from the conference of any councell As for the attempt against the King of Nauarre that accusation is friuolous Had not the Admirall him in his power for the space of three yeares what benefit sâ—ould he reape by his death Haue they not conuersed long togither with an humble sincere respect of the Admirall towards him and a perfect loue of the said King to the Admirall â—ut omitt all other reasons that might refute this slander let vs onely obserue the testimonie which Monluc giues in the 7. booke of his remembrances vppon this subiect The Queene mother saith he did me the honour to write vnto mee that they had disâ—ouered a great conspiracie against the King and his Estate the which was the cause of what had happened I knowe what my belief was it is not good to offend ones master The King did neuer foâ—get how the Admirall made him retire in hast from Meaux to Paris wee loose â—ur iudgments sodenly and doe not dreame that Kings haue greater harts then we haue and doe sooner forget seruices then offences And a little aboue My Lord the Admirall was â—â—l aduised to thrust himselfe into Paris to shew that hee gouerned all I wonder that so aduised and wise a man should comit so grosse an errour Hee payed deerely for it it cost him his life and many more The particularities of such as during this horrible butcherie haue shed their blouds for religions sake at Meaux Troyes Orleans Bourges la Charité Lions Tholouse Fourdeaux Rouan and other Townes in villages and in the open fields as they sought to saue themselues without the realme haue beene obserued in other workes that are extant and the bloud of these murthered persons which amount to aboue thirty thousand hauing died the earth and made the waters redd haue cryed so loude that the heaâ—ens haue contiâ—ued their vengeance ouer great and small for so many yeares as tâ—ere remaines scarse any one of the authors of this violent
in the Archdukes Court The Duke of Sauoy who enioyed the same benefit of the Peace M r de 〈…〉 King â—f the Duke oâ— â—irâ—â— practâ—â—es was bound to the obseruation thereof by the like forme The King sent to M r dela Guiche Gouernour of Lion that hee would willingly haue giuen him that charge but that he feared his absence might somewhat preiudice the good of his affaires and his indisposition not suffer him to performe the voyage Hee therefore commanded Guadagnes Seneshall of Lion and Knight of both orders to vndertake this charge The oth was taken in the Friars Church of Chambery on Sunday the second of August The Dâ—ke of Sâ—â—oy sweares thâ— pâ—ace where the Duke was assisted with all his Knâ—ghts of the Auanciado and to witnesse the content which hee had of this peace and reconciliation with his Maiesty he sayd vnto Guadagnes that hee held this day the happiest of all the daies of his life and that all which remayned should bee to maintayne and honour the memory thereof That it were not onely an indiscretion but a blindnesse and a madnes for him to change the felicities of Peace for the miseries of Warre The Duke gaue vnto Guadagnes to the chiefe gentlemen of his trayne Iewells Horses Chaines of gold and to all so many good words as there was not any one but did wishe him more profit by this Peace then he reaped He refused not any thing that was demanded of him in the execution of the treaty for the deliuery and ransome of prisoners but onely the liberty of the Admirall Chastillons wife Hee made answere to the Instance which Guadagnes made in the Kings name Iaâ—â—â—line Countâ—sse of Antiemâ—nt wife to the Admirall was Prisoner at 〈◊〉 and there dâ—d That the respect hee bare vnto his Maiesties comandement was so great as to please him hee would restore her goods and giue her some more liberty whilest that hee might giue his Maiesty to vnderstand the iust causes of her restraint That whatsoeuer had beene decreed at Rome for her absolution was rather in sauour of his Maiesty then for any reason for that hee was seized vpon bookes and writings that were execrable and damnable The afflictions of this Lady did mooue the harts of the chiefe Officers of this Crown of many great Noblemen of the realme her kinsmen and allies The King had commiseration of her for her misfortunes her imprisonment losses and disgraces deserued pitty The Constable the â—â—rdinall of 〈◊〉 the Duke of Ioyenze and M. Danâ—â—â—lot intreated the Legâ—t to do hâ—r â—ustice She was so transported with the good successe of the Kings affaires that although shee were among her enemies yet the fire of her desires could neyther be smothered vnder the ashes of affliction nor vnder the fume of dissimulation If she could haue done that whereof they accused her she would haue made as soden alterations on the earth as Henry King of Sueden did in the aire and as admirable as her will was absolute to desire that the King might ouercome his enemies and haue satisfaction for Nice and Salusses Vpon the hope that this Peace should giue her some content and that the Kings commendation by his Ambassador should giue some truce to her miseries shee writ a letter of the pittifull course of her misfortunes wherby appeared the excellâ—y of her spirit in these words Although saith shee the comparison bee as different as an Elephant and a Gnat yet are they both vegeratiue and sensitiue creatures My fortune and that of my house hath alwaies followed that of France and the Kings for as since his marriage I haue alwaies seene my Estate declyning euen vnto the period of a totall ruine The Councelle of Antâ—emonts letter to Peter Mathieâ—â— by the ill successe of his affaires so now when as God hath powred his blessings vpon him that hee hath reueÌ„ged him of his enemies euen by his enemies that against the conspiracies of the wicked the iudgement of the good hee doth enioy his Inheritance I will hope there shal be some change in my condition I desire it may be good but if it proue otherwise I will not alter my resolution to receiue both good and euill as from the hand of God I haue this aduantage ouer fortune that hereafter her iniuries how violent and soden soeuer shall not be strange vnto me Custome makes afflictions easie I am inured to my afflictions as a Galley-slaue to his oare Necessity â—eacheth me to suffer constantly and custome makes my suffrance eaâ—â—â— The King also gaue Guadagnes charge to let the Duke vnderstand that hee had receiued three seuerall complaints from the Citty of Geneua how that his troupes which he entertayned thereabouts vsed insupportable hostâ—lities tooke prisoners chopt and changed them that his Maiesty desired the Towne might reape the fruite and safeâ—y which the common good of the peace did promise them Comâ—laiâ—ts from the Towne of Geneua and that the Dukes troupes might be retired to the end all Iealousie and distrust might ceasse The Duke would not answer herevnto by writing least saith he he should preiudice the pretensions which he had to that Towne for aboue foure hundred yeares saying only that hee did not thinke it had beene comprised in the treaty of peace for that all other Townes and Prouinces had beene particularly named and not that of Geneua That hee could not free his neighbors from feare and distrust The Dukes pretensions but in retyring his troupes that were about the towne to refresh them in Lombardie hee should take away the cause hauing no intention to prefer War before the happines of Peace He therefore commanded Don Iuan de Mendoza a Spaniard to draw his Regiment which consisted of twelue hundred men out of the territories of Geneua to passe to Milan The King of Spaine fiâ—ding himselfe decrease daily both in strength and health desiring to fâ—â—ish that which he had resolued for the mariage of his eldest Daughter Madam Isabelle with Albert the Archduke his Nephew although he were aduanced to great Ecclesiasticall dignities Donation of the Lowe Countries to the Infanta of Spaine especially to the rich Archbishoprick of Toledo he called before him in the Citty of Madril the 6. of May Prince Philip his onely sonne being about 20. yeares old whom he had also promised in mariage to Madam Mary daughter to the Ferdinand Archduke of Austria but she died soone after accompanied with Don Gomes d'Auila Marquis de Vellada Gouernour and Lord Steward of Prince Philips house DoÌ„ Christopher de Mora Earle of Castel Roderigo great CoÌ„mander of the Alcantara Don Iuan d' Idiaques great CoÌ„mander of Leon all 3. being Councellors of State M. Nicholas Damant Knight CouÌ„cellor President Chancellor of Brabant with Lâ—lâ—o Secretary for the affaires of the Low Countries no more whereas the King made a Grant of the Lowe Countries to his Daughter the which
manner of great men in Turky with a Persiâ—n Ciâ—iter all glistering with gold and precious stones with many other presents among the which were fethers of Hearnes and Cranes al black the which are excellent among them there were also two red Enseigns 7 Horses a braue Falcon exquisitely set out· which presents were after their manner carried aloft before the sayd Palatin Hee holding the right hand as Lord and the Ambassador the left they entred into Cronstat the souldiars standing of either side whilst the Cannon shot off in signe of â—oy The Emperours Agents were there and beheld all this the Palatin doubing theâ— would enter into some iealousie called them wished them not to bee moued for all this nor to thinke that hee would incline to the Turkes friendship and that he would alwayes doe what should be reason but that hee could doe no leste then intreat this Ambassador ciuilly and honorably if hee would not be reputed discourteous Notwithstanding he intreated them to cause George Basta to retyre for some prâ—uat respects that were betwixt them and that they should cause some other to come The Emperours Agents made shewe to beleeue him and presented him with thâ—râ—ie thousand Crownes in the Emperors name wherwith he was not very well pleased This George Basta had beene Lieutenant of the Emperors army in Transiluania since that Sâ—gâ—smona Batterie would haue yeelded it to the Emperour George Basta the Palatinâ— of Valaâ—hia hate one another and afterwards repented him giuing it to Cardinall Andrew his Kinsman The Palatins hatred against Basta was for that he had discouered the Intelligences that he had with the Turke and aduertised the Emperour thereof In the meane time the Valachian blinded with this great victorye against Battory treated with the Emperors Agents by Atticles First he would that Transiluania the which he sayd belonged to him and to his Son by heredâ—tarie right should remaine vnto him demaunding moreouer Varadin Hust The Valachians demands of the Emâ—our Nagban and the coâ—fiâ—es of Hangary Secondly hee would haue the same pensions that SigismoÌ„d Batory had where-withall to maintaine an army coÌ„tinually on foot Thirdly that the Emperour and other Christian Princes should promise to reduce him in case he were taken prisoner by the Turke And moreouer if he should be expelled Valachia and Transiluania that they should giue him a hundred thousand Crownes yearely to maintaine him like a Prince and vpon these conditions he would stand firme to the Christian party and would vndertake to bring in subiection vnto the Emperor aâ—l the Country lying from the Ponticke Sea vnto Buda Alba regalis and Solnoâ— so as he might be Lord of the Riuer of Tibische These insolent demands did offend the Emperors Agents and were the cause of the Valachians ruine In the meane time Sigismond Batory hauing taken armes againe and ioyned with Ierome Vauoide of Moldauia made a Campe volant of meane forces consisting of Moldauians Polonians Turks and Tartarians The Valachian goes to incounter Batorie with fiftye thousand men the which hee ledde through the Mountaines where for want of victualls they were forced to eate leaues of trees Notwithstanding Batory and Ierome beeing terrified fled into Poland The Palatin seizeth vpon Moldauia where Ierome was much hated for his exactions He made them to take an oth as well to the Emperor as to himselfe and his Sonne Then hee seekes for his enemy who was towards the Riuer of Danuby The Moldauian Batory defeated with thirty thousand men at a strong Castle called Ortan He gaue him battell and wonne it with the losse of twoe thousand men but the Moldauian lost eight thousand men The Valachian after he had setled his Sonne in Moldauia retired himselfe into Transiluania At that time Zamoscki the great Chancellor of Poland leuied a newe army The Polonians leuy an army to reduce Moldauia to the ancient Gouernment of the Polonians This Army recouered Moldauia and conquered almost all Valachia The Valachian aduertised the Lieutenant of the Emperours Armye in high Hungary to be ready in case of necessity and the Emperor himselfe whom he promised by his letters to serue very faithfully so as he would call Basta out of Transiluania but it fell out contrary for Doctor Petzen the Emperors Ambassador commanded him to obey Basta the which did so transport him with rage as he vsed all cruelty against the Noblest Houses of Transiluania tormenting some and putting others to death The Valachiâ—â— abâ—ndonâ—d by his friends for his cruelty the which purchased him the hatred of all men and his friends forsooke him euen Moyses Secala who had before assisted him more then any other abandoned him so as he lyued in feare on all sides of the Turkes the Tartars the Polonians Maldouians and Transiluanians Basta vpon this occasion of hatred drew the Transiluanians vnto him by loue and taking Clausembourg Basta receiued Vauâ—dâ— of Transiluania for the Emperoâ—r the cheefe towne all the Estates of Transiluania came vnto him receiued him for their Vauoide in the Emperors name The Valachian remained at Visbourg with an army of 18000. men being resolued to attend his enemie but George Basta surprised and defeated him hauing lost 4000. 〈◊〉 The Valachian retired himselfe into the Mountaines The Valachian defeated which deuides Valachia from â—ranâ—siluania but being there the Moldauian and Batory charge him and bring him to thaâ— extremitie as he was forced to submit himselfe with all humilitie to the Emperour deliuering into his hands his Treasor Wife and Children for Hostages And so the Valachian came to Vienna where hee was honorably receiued by the Archduke 〈◊〉 and stayed there by commandement vntill that that the Emperour came to Prague In the meane time the Transiluanians mutyned and threatned to yeeld themselues vnto the Turke if they would not grant them certaine conditions so as the Emperour would haâ—e sent his Brother Maximillian the Archduke vnto them to goâ—eâ—â—ie them but he excused himselfe And the Valachians being opprest by the Zamosâ—â—â— â— Polonois demanded Michel their Palatin or Despot or some other for that they would not obey the Moldauians Brother The reuolt and treason of two hundred souldiars in Pappa and their punishment whome the Polonois had giuen them for their Despot wherewith the Emperour was much troubled as you shall heare hereafteâ— About this time there were 2000. souldiars most of them Wallouns and French which were mutined in Pappa a fort of importance for that their pay stayed to long making a cruell reuolt whereof sixe among them were the cheefe Authors First they elected one called La Mot for their Cheefe and forced the rest to consent else they would kill them Their conspiracie was to yeeld vnto the Turke and to that end they had taken Michael Marot their Gouernour prisoner and others that comanded in the â—ort to deliuer them vnto the Turkes They set all the Turkish prisoners at libertie and sent
tyme. Being at Aigueperses he writt vnto the King The Count of Auvergne writs vnto the King At the same place hee told the Baron of Camillac that hee was aquainted with the desseine of his taking It is true sayd hee I knew it well and I beleeue you thinke I am a very honest man He sayd that hee submitted himselfe to all the rigours of the Kings Iustice if hee had sayd done thought or attempted any thing since his Abolition All the way hee seemed no more afflicted then when hee was at libertie Hee tould youthfull and idle tales of his Loue and the deceiuing of Ladies Hee shott in a harguebuse at birds wherein hee was so perfect and excellent as hee did kill Larkes as they were flying Sometimes hee would cast forth wordes of apprehension to enter into that great heape of stones of the Bastille where hee had alreadie tryed his patience for the space of foure or fiue monethes Descures mett him at Briarre and there hee entred into a Caâ—osse and was garded and led vnto Montargis and from thence hee was imbarked vppon the riuer and presently conducted vnto the Bastille without passing by the Arcenall And entering into the Duke of Birons chamber hee knew his bed with some feeling of greefe and taking leaue of them that had conducted him He assures theÌ„ of his innocency he assured them that hee would goe out of that place as he had entred and if they found him more guiltie then he had sayd he desired them not to pittie him Entring in he sayd vnto Ruvigny that he had rather lodge in any Tap-house in Paris then in the Bastille Those that beleeue that he is not lodged there to get out so soone as hee did the other time thinke also that it is the worst that can happen vnto him But it shall be an incomparable miserie to bee alwayes depriued of the Kings grace and fauour whithout the which the best conditions are most lamentable and a life of this manner how short soeuer is a tedious and a languishing Life it is no Life it iâ— to languish and to abuse Life The happy discouery and so fitly of all that was done and in a manner thought against the Kings seruice is no small signe of the prosperity of his Raigne and of his Fortune A happy discouery of Conspiracieâ— and an assurance that those heads which shall strike against this rocke of Diamant will proue Glasse The desseignes of his enemies haue sometimes shewed themselues like vnto fixed Starres in the Firmament of their ambition and in the end they haue proued but Comets exhallations which drawne out off the Earth haue beene lost in the Ayre of their Vanity and Imagination All these practises in the end were like vnto those poore wretched Cottages built vp of Durt and couered with Stubble And if all the Conspirators bee not yet taken yet they do nothing being discouered and knowne to the eyes of the Kings Iustice. Conspiracyes are like vnto Coâ—les The Conspirators amazed which in the shadowe do flame but when as the Sunne shines on them they â—all into ashes It is not the seuerity nor the Rigour of his Iustice neither the terrour of examples and punishments that hath discouered these Conspiracies He hath not caused the Bell of Ramire King of Spaine to bee runge to terrifie all the Conspirators with the sound thereof This King being offended with the Conspiracies of his Subiects sayd D. Ramiâ—es Bell. that hee would show them a Bell the which hee had caused to bee cast the â—ound whereof might be heard throughout all the whole world Curiosity made them goe and they found in a great place the Heads of the principall men of the Realme set one vpon an other in forme of a Bell. It is the great obedience that is yeelded vnto the King euen by them that are least inured to obey that hath discouered these practises It is the great Wisdom of his carriage the Order he hath taken to be aduertised of all and to knowe all It is the Authority and respect which neuer was so absolute and perfect in his Predecessors as in him This apprehension was a famous president For the time was when he must haue had more men to take the Count of Avuergne and to conduct him vnto Paris without let Considâ—â—â—tions vpon his taking Wee may obserue in this apprehension many things that may breed Admiration and amazement and which shewe that Men do in vaine furnish themselues with Wisedome against Heauen and with Intelligences against the King The Count of Avuergne had aduertisements from all places that they should take him and that the Kings Pensioners were in the field to that effect His most inward and neerest friends and among others Florac knewe it and said nothing vnto him preferring his duty to his Prince before all affection The Constable was also as well informed thereof as any other and yet he made no shewe thereof A shewe of great Wisedome Wisedome of the Constable His duty prescribed him a Lawe to all the bounds of Nature so there is not any one but is more bound to the seruice of the King and his Country then to his owne health or to that of his Children A Gentleman being at his Table speaking of this taking said Sir if the King should command mee to take you I would doe it although I bee your most humble seruant that you march in the first rankes of Greatnesse in the Realme and that all things touching Armes depend vpon your commandments I beleeue it answered the Constable else you should do ill for the King is both your King and mine I am your Friend There is no loue nor affection to dispence any one from the Kings Commandments The Count of Auvergne long before and since his taking hath not said nor done any thing whereof the Kings seruants haue not kept register He complayned of those that were daily about him that they sayd nothing vnto him and they all answered that they were too honest to tell him anything Hee is a Prince of great vnderstanding capable of all sorts of desseins of a quicke disposition warlike vigâ—lant and full of inuentions and subtilties But all this auayled him nothing against the King of whome wee may say that hee hath wicked wretches inough in his Kingdome that would deceiue him but they are not cunning enough to doe it Soone after that the Count of Auvergne was lodged in the Bastille D' Aâ—tragueâ— commâ—tted to pâ—ison and his daughter the Marquis of Verneuil restrayned D' Antragues Gouernor of Orleans was committed to the Concergerie of the Pallace and the Marquis of Vernuill his daughter garded in her house by the Knight of the waâ—ch Sâ—ee tried that hee that is capable to loue earnestly may also hate extâ—eamely We can say nothing of the causes of this change but what may bee learned by the issue of the Processe They bee affaires which
concerne the King his Person and his State and if it bee tollerable to heare what is sayd yet is it not lawfull to â—peake or publish it His Maiestie himselfe hath not yet declared the cause of the Count of Avuergues restraint and in the letter which hee did write vnto the Gouernour of Lions vppon that subiect hee did onely send him these wordes The Kings letters to la Guiche from Fontainbleau the 15. of Nouemb 1604. You haue vnderstood how that I haue againe caused the Count of Auvergne to bee apprehended being aduertised that hee continued still in his bad practises and that hauing sâ—nt often for him hee would not come At the least I will keepe him from doing ill if I can At the same time when as the Count of Auvergne was taken the brute was that the Duke of Bouillon had like to haue beene surprised When as he could find no other refuge for his â—ffayres but to retire himselfe out of the Realme hee hath vsed the lâ—bertie of his retreat wisely and hath alwayes sought the Kings fauour for the assurance of his reâ—urne Some forraine Prince of his friends aduised him not to returne to Court to hold all reconciliation suspect and to beleeue that when a Prince is oâ—ce offended he is neuer qâ—iet vntill the offence bee reuenged That hee must not trust to that which hee promiseth nor to that which hee sweares houlding both the one and the other lawfull for reuenge That the word of a Prince that is offended is like vnto Zeuzis cluster of grapes which takes Birds but his oth is like vnto Parrasius vayle which deceiues Men. Those which haue lost the fauour of their master for that they had intelligence with them whome they could not serue without cryme are alwayes in continuall distrust the which followes the offence as the Boat doth the Shippe vntill they haue quenched and smothered the cause and made it knowne that they are diuided and enemies to all their wils that would distract them from their duties for Men that are double and dissemblers are neuer tamed no more then a Batt which is halfe a Ratt and halfe a Bird or the Chastor which is flesh and fish The Duke of Bouillons patience hauing giuen the King time enough to consider of his intentions The Duke of Bouillon is redie through the Kings Clemencie to obtaine all that he could desire to returne to a greater fortune in the which lesse is allowed then to a meaner estate The Duke Tremouille ended his fortune by death Hee might haue dyed when as the King would haue lamented the losâ—e of him more Death of the Duke of Trâ—mâ—uille for hee was not now well pleased with certaine wordes which had beene reported vnto him and if hee had liued he would haue beene in paine to excuse himselfe of the commandement hee had made him to come vnto him to answere it From hence spring two fruitful considerations the one that there is nothing so fearefull and terrible as the threats and disgrace of his King the other that it is alwayes dangerous to speake ill of his Prince For the first Cassander greatlly feared Alexander euen when hee was dead for that hee had seene him once transported with choller against him And although that after the death of Alexander he was aduanced to the Throne of Macedon yet walking in the Cittie of Delphos and hauing seene an Image of Alexanders who was nowe rotten in his graue he did so tremble as his Hayre stood right vp his knees fayled him and the palenesse of his countenance shewed his amazement and the terrible assault which his memory gaue him for the second when a free speech hath once escaped against the respect of the Prince he must haue a great and a strong Citty as Lisander sayd to defend his liberty of speech They haue neither Friendes not Councell against the King and if their misery findes any shadowe or protection it is but like vnto Ionas Gourd of one night Let them not flatter themselues in the greatnes of theiâ— houses nor their Allyances this qualitie doth but increase their offence Princes are not so much mooued with that which the common people do as with the Lycentious words of great men Caius disguised himselfe into as many fashions as he imagined there were Gods A Cobler seing him set in his Pallace like Iupiter with a scepter in one hand a Thunderbolt in the other and an Eagle by his side burst out in a great laughter Caius causing him to come neere asked him why he laught I laugh at this foolerie answered the Cobler The Emperour laught also suffering it to passe freely without choller yet punishing other speeches seuerely which came from persons better quallified Thus ends the seuenth yeare after the conclusion of the Peace FINIS ⧠A TABLE OF THE MOST memorable things contained in this Historie Pharamond the first King of France THe fundamentall date of the French Monarchy Folio 1 The estate of the Empire at the beginning thereof ibid. The time of his raigne fol. 2 The estate of the Church ibid. The French can endure no gouernement but a Royaltie â—ol 3 The Royaltie of France successiue and the efficacie of a successiue Royaltie ibid. A successiue Royaltie the best kind of gouernement fol. 4 The manner of the receiuing of a new King in old time ibid. The people consent not to preiudice the Kings prerogatiue at his first reception fol. 5 In France the Male is onely capable of the Crowne ibid. The fundamentall Law which they call Salique ibid. The practise of the Salique Law â—ol 6 Of the word Salique and what the Saliens were ibid. The death of Pharamond fol. 7 Clodion or Cloion the hairie the second King of France THe first attempt of Clodion fol. 8 The estate of the Empiâ—e fol. 9 A Law â—or wearing of long haire ibid The Estate of the Church ibid. Mâ—roâ—â—è the third King of France HE enters France â—ol 10 The French ioyne with the Romanes and Gothes fol. 11 Orleans besieged by Attila hee is ouerthrowne but not quite vanquished ibid The happie raigne of Meâ—ouâ—è fol. 12 The estate of the Empire and the Church ibid. Childeric or Chilperic 4 King of France HE is expelled for his vice fol 13 He is called home againe ibid. Clouis 1. the 5. King of France and the first Christian King HE aspires to the Monarchy of all Gaule fol. 15. The fiâ—st rooting out of the Româ—ins ibâ—d Clouis becomes a châ—istian fol. 16 Religion the only true bond of aâ—â—ectâ—ons ibid. Gaule called France ibid. Waâ—res against the Wisigothes fol. 1â— Warres in Burgundy and the cause why ibid. Clouis conquests in Burgondie fo 18 A â—recherous attempt of Gondâ—bault hee is justlie punished for his murthers ibid. The first winning of Burgundy Daulphine and Prouence ibid. Alaric slayne by the hand of Clouis ibid. The Emperour sends Ambassadours to Clouis fol. 19 Clouis being conqueâ—or is conqâ—ered ibid. He looseth