GAbels are a kind of Impositions especially upon Salt 114 Garde des Seaux is Lord Keeper 3â—7 359 Gautiers Countrey People Sixteen thousand of them fight for the League 395. fortified in three places after they had fought a long time some are cut in pieces and some yield 396 Geneva undertaken to be protected by Henry III. 250. besieged by the Duke of Savoy 426 Gentry alwayes meant by the French Nobles as well as Lords 237 A German Troopers bold act 317. Sixteen of them killed by a Woman with a Knife 328 Germans of the League make sign of coming to the Kings Party are received by them at the Malâ—dery but being entred fall hostilely upon them that brought them in and make themselves Masters of the place 420. German Infantry raised for the King turn to the League 441. all put to the Sword 447. kilâ— little Children to eat in Paris 469. joining with the King and taking Atâ—igny he gives them the Piâ—lage 511 Geux a sort of Hereticks 108 Du Ghast Captain of the Kings Guards causes the Cardinal of Guise to be slain by four Soldiers 373 Godfrey of Bullen and a Daughter of Charles the Great were Ancestors of the House of Lorrain and Guise Page 6 Goville a stout Priest fighting singly alwayes got the victory 525. is kill'd with a Musket-shot 528 Grand Maistre is Lord High-steward of the Kings Houshold heretofore called Count de Palais and le Seneschal de France 248 Grâ—nd Provost de l'Hostel 376 Grenoble after a long Siege returns to the obedience of Henry IV. 484 De la Guesle runs Jacques Clement through who killed Henry III. 405 Guise's the three Brothers of them made absolute Administrators of the Politick and Military Government by reason of their Alliance with the Dauphin 9 H. HAN its Siege 679 Harquebusiers on Horseback differ'd from our Dragoons in that they served both on Foot and Horseback and 't is conceived they were the same with Argolettiers 276 Havre de Grace delivered upon Conditions 89 Henry II. killed in a Tournament by Montgomery his Obsequies last Thirty three dayes 11 12 Henry IV. his birth 10 Henrietta de Cleve Sister to the Duke of Nevers married to Ludovico Gonzaga Duke of Mantua 99 Heresie to be judged by the Bishops 50 Hereticks their divers opinions 50. A Seat of them called Gueux 108 House of Bourbon next to the Crown and grown to a monstrous greatness was hated and supprest by the Kings 5. the Crown divolved upon it 406 House of Guise descended from that of Lorrain reckons in the Malâ—-Line of their Ancestors Godfrey of Bullen and shews a Pedigree from a daughter of Charles the great 6 House of Lorrain too much puft up by prosperous success 331. vid. Lords House of Momorancy descended from one of those that issued out of Franconia with the first King Pharamond and pretends to be the first that received Baptism 6 House of Valois ended in Henry III. 405 Hugonots whence named 20. manner of their proceeding 21. determine to meet at Blois where the King and Court was are defeated at Ambois 25. Petition and demand by the Admiral Liberty of Conscience and Erection of Temples 30. grow insolent towards the Catholicks 49. slight the Kings Edict 65. their Heads declared Rebels 71. receive the English to Hauvre de Grace Diepe Rouen 72. Negligence their ordinary defect 81. one of their Ministers prints and preaches 't is lawful to kill the King 110. jealous of his preparations resolve upon a War ib. resolving to besiege Paris stop passages make incursions into the Suburbs and burn the Mills 112. retake the City of Orleans 114. accept not the Accommodations motioned by the Queen 124. their Manifesto 130 set out a Fleâ—t to fetch in Provision ibid. rise from before the Catholicks for want of Provision 148. possess themselves of Chastel-rault c. 152. rise and do great outrages 167. chief of them in the Louvre are killed 183. Ten thousand of them massacred at Paris at ringing a Bell whereof Five hundred were Barons and Men of Quality 85. begin again to take Arms 196. stir up new Commotions 240. take and sack Cahors 241 their Answer to the Kings Edict 281. take the Castle of Angiers suddenly 289. incompassed by the Catholicks they disband and save themselves by flight 291. threaten to forsake the King and take the Crown from him which they said they had gotten him 662. plot new Troubles being jealous of Henry IVs. conjunction with the Pope 712. the chiefs absenting from Court and drawing Soldiers together near Rochel the King sends to appease them 713 Philip Huralt chose Chancellor in the place of Birago made Cardinal 335 I. JEsuites banished out of the whole Kingdom of France 661 Inclinations of Innocent IX to the Affairs of France 530 Infanta of Spain proposed and urged in the Assembly of the States to be chose Queen of France 592 c. her pretensions to Bretagne 713 Inheritance of the Royal Family 4 Insurrection of the Hugonots 197. of the Parisians 377. another appeased with the death of divers that made it 464 Interview between Charles IX and Duke of Savoy 95. between Charles IX and the Queen-Mother with the Queen of Spain at Bayonne 96. between the Queen-Mother and King of Navarre at Bris 305. between the Most Christian King and King of Navarre at Tours 396 397 John Bodin contradicts the Prelates of the General Assembly at Blois 229 John Chastell a Merchant of Paris wounds Henry IV. in the mouth whil'st he was saluting the Knights of the Holy Ghost at the Louvre Confesses he was moved thereto by the Doctrine he learned of the Jesuites condemned to be dragged to pieces by four Horses 661 D'â—varra his opinion concerning the League 529 Izabella Daughter of Maximilian the Emperor married to Charles IX 582 K. KEyes of the Palace taken from the Duke of Guise and delivered to the King of Navarre Page 46 King Charles IX after much opposition declared out of Minority by the Parliament of Paris 91. opposes the Popes Monitory against the Queen of Navarre 94. makes a general Visitation of the whole Kingdom ib. meets with the Popes Ministers at Avignon 95. Not being able to persuade the Queen of Navarre to change Religion moves her to restore the Masse and Priests to their former liberty 97. disbands part of his Army by advice which proves hurtful 167. his answer to the Duke of Guise resolved to marry Catharine de Cleves 173. commands Ligneroles to be kill'd for shewing he knew what he desir'd to be kept secret 175. Graciously receives the Admiral prostrating himself at his feet after so many years Wars 176. dissembles so with the Hugonots that he is suspected by strange Princes presents a rich Iewel with his own hands to Cardinal Alessandro and Pope Pius Vs. Legat who refuses it his Sister married to the Prince of Navarre by dispensation from Pope Gregory XIII 177. displeased with the Admiral but dissembles it 178. visits the Admiral and
Lymoges away from the Court and cunningly excluded Mervillier from the Cabinet-Council suspecting that they held secret intelligence with the Duke of Guise and that they had perswaded him to declare himself Head of the League not sincerely but to assist that party for though the â—rtifice had succeeded happily be thought nevertheless he had discovered that in many occasions they had disswaded the War with the Hugonots which they having done because they thought it so became their Order being of the Clergy had thereby stirred up the Kings anger and suspicion who was jealous beyond measure of seeing the League favoured or not opposed by any of his own Creatures The Bishop of Lymoges being retired to his own house lived very quietly all the rest of his days but Morvillier a man secretly full of great ambition was possessed with so deep a melancholy that within a few months he ended his life with grief The King presently dispatched Monsieur de Byron and Secretary Villeroy to the King of Navarre that they being joined with the Duke of Montpensier might prosecute the Treaty of Agreement But though the King of Navarre who with wise consideration measured the strength of his party which was not very powerful at that time making shew to do it through a moderation of mind and a desire of the general quiet did yield to decline the late conditions and consent to what was proposed by the Kings Agents yet the Prince of Conde of a fierce haughty nature and the Hugonot Ministers with whose advice all things were necessarily to be governed were still obstinate against Peace unless upon the Capitulations already established disputing about such things as necessity disposed another way wherefore as soon as their stubbornness and the difficulty of the Treaty appeared to the King being resolved to put the Hugonots in mind of their weak estate and force them to receive conditions of Peace if they persisted in their wilfulness he sent out two several Armies against them in the beginning of April one into the Countries near the Loyre and the Provinces on this side the River under the command of the Duke of Alancon who to remove all disgusts was declared his Lieutenant-General the other on that side of the River in Xaintonge under the Duke of Mayenne whom he made use of much more willingly than of the Duke of Guise because he found him of a more moderate mind and inclination and besides those two Armies he set forth a Fleet under Monsieur de Lansac to clear the coasts and hinder the entry into Rochelle By this means he thought presently to make the Catholick party weary of those expences which by the management of the Duke of Alancon would become intolerable and at the same time to break the obstinacy of the Hugonots letting them see how little means they had to resist his forces whereby he might afterwards accommodate the conditions of Peace in such a way as should appear to him just and reasonable since the former Capitulations could be neither broken nor moderated unless there were first some beginning of a War It was not hard for either of the Kings Armies to do great matters in a little time for the Hugonots being reduced to an exceeding want of men and money were not able to keep the field and their fortified places though valiantly defended yet having no assistance ready either of their own party or of strangers their only help and refuge in all times of their need they were fain either to let themselves be miserably destroyed or yield to the discretion of the Conquerors So no Head of the Hugonots appearing in the Field the Duke of Alancon having attacked and within a few days taken la Charite was marched into Auvergne and had besieged Isoire a place strongly situated and well fortified but which imported most constantly or to say better desperately defended by the inhabitants Yet as the event always proves it impossible to keep any place that cannot be relieved it was brought to such extremity at the beginning of Iune that being at last yielded to discretion it was not only sacked and the inhabitants put to the sword as it pleased the immoderate will of the Duke of Alancon but it was also set on fire and burnt to the very ground On the other side the Duke of Mayenne having without difficulty taken Thone-Charente and Marans had laid siege to Brouage a place for situation strength and the profit of the Salt-pits of very great importance where the Prince of Conde having tryed all possible means to relieve the besieged the Hugonots after some difficulty were brought into such a condition that about the end of August they delivered it up saving only the lives of the Souldiers and inhabitants which agreement the Duke punctually observed Nor did their affairs prosper better by Sea than Land for Lausac with the Kings Fleet having driven away that of the Rochellers commanded by the Sieur de Clairmont and taken two of their greatest Ships landed also in the Isle of Oleron took it and being at last come to the Cape of Blaye did exceedingly incommodate the affairs of Rochel These accidents having qualified the Prince of Conde's fury and overcome the obstinacy of the Ministers there was not any of the Hugonots who foreseeing their total ruine did not desire and labour for peace with so great an inclination of all private men that the Souldiers forsook their colours the Gentlemen retired to their own houses and the inhabitants of the City detesting the exercise of Arms returned to the business of their shops besides the Mareschal d' Anville who in their prosperity had united his Counsels and Forces with them now pretending he had been abused and ill dealt withal by certain Heads of the Faction did endeavour to make his peace and return unto the Kings obedience and had already taken Arms against some of the Hugonots by whom he gave out that he had been grievously offended Nor were the Catholicks more cool and moderate in their desires of peace for though the good success of the War redounded to the benefit of the King and of the Catholick Religion yet the charge of contributions and the losses the Country sustained by the insolencies of the Souldiers and want of Government in the Duke of Alaneon's Army resulted to the detriment and ruine of private men whereforâ— seeing that the War though unactive and not very dangerous was yet like to be â—ong and tedious a great many of those who at first either desired it or did not oppose it began now to long for peace to free themselves from the burthens and incommodities of the War and except the Lords of Guise and their dependents there was not any who did not think it requisite to procure an agreement for the ease of the people who were so exceedingly oppressed But the expectation of the Hugonot party was setled upon the King of Navarre who having from the beginning foreseen that mischief
the Sieur de Ragny and Montigny in the action the King used stooping to imbrace one of those Knights struck him with a knife in the face thinking to strike him in the throat The blow being diverted as it were by a Divine Hand hit him in the lips and having met with the hindrance of his teeth made but a slight inconsiderable wound At the commotion of the by-standers the young Merchant having dextrously let the knife fall mingled himself in the crowd hoping to get out of the room undiscovered but being known by many he was instantly seized on and whilst every one transported with a just indignation would furiously have fallen upon him the King commanded that the Malefactor should not be hurt and having caused him to be delivered into the Custody of the Grand-Prevost de l' Hostell he was by him carried to prison from whence being put into the Power of the Parliament and examined with the wonted forms he freely confessed and afterwards ratified his â—onfession when he was tortured That he was bred up in the Schools of the Jesuites and had often heard it discoursed and disputed that it was not only lawful but also meritorious to kill Henry of Bourbon a relapsed Heretick and Persecutor of the Holy Church who falsly appropriated to himself the Title of King of France wherefore having afterwards fallen into hainous and abominable sins even to the attempting to lie with one of his own Sisters he fell into so great despair of having Gods forgiveness that he chose to execute that fact which he believed to be of inestimable merit to free him from the horrour and punishment of his offences that he had imparted his design unto his Father who had effectually disswaded him from it but that being more effectually moved by an inward Spirit he had at last resolved it and attempted to perform his resolution that having in his private confession conferred about it with the Curate of St. André in the City of Paris he was by him though ambiguously confirmed in his intention so that after long contriving he had chosen that place and time to put it in execution As soon as he had made this confession they presently sent to lay hold on his Father Mother and Sisters with the Writings that were in the house among which there was nothing found considerable save a Confession written with his own hand wherein he had set down his sins to confess them to the Priest which for the most part consisted in wicked and beastly dissoluteness But the ill will the Parliament bore unto the Jesuites the first Authors and continual Fomenters of the League added to the conjectures drawn from the confession of the Traytor who said more than once that he learned that Doctrine from them was the cause that their Colledge was suddenly beset and that some of them were led to prison and the Writings which every one had in his Chamber diligently searched among which in the Closet of Father Iehan Guiguard born at Chartres there were many Writings found which taught the Doctrine praised the murther of the late King perswaded the killing of the present and contained many other such like things with odious Epithets and Attributes given to those Princes and many others They likewise proved many things of that like nature spoken in the fury of the War by Father Alexander Haye a Scotch-man and others not very unlike spoken in the same times by Father Iehan Guerat Master in Philosophy and the ordinary Confessor of this Iehan Chastel wherefore after many debates in the Parliament the Counsellors at last agreed in this sentence That Iehan Chastel being bare-head and bare-foot before the gate of the Cathedral Church should abjure the Doctrine which till then he had believed and confess the enormity of that parricide which he had attempted and then be put into a Cart and his flesh pulled off with pincers in the four principal places of the City and being brought to the place of execution his right hand should be cut off holding the same knife wherewith he had hurt the King and finally that he should be dragg'd in pieces by four horses that the Jesuites as well those that were professed as the others not professed should be as Enemies of the Crown and of publick tranquillity be banished out of the whole Kingdom their goods and revenues distributed to pious uses and all Frenchmen prohibited to study or converse in their Schools that Father Iehan Guigard should be condemned to the Gallows and Father Iehan Gueret and Father Alexander Haye perpetually banished from all places under the dominion of the Crown that Pierre Chastel the Delinquent's Father should be banished for ever from Paris and nine years out of the whole Kingdom that his House standing right over against the great Gate of the Palace of the Parliament should be razed to the very foundation and a Piramide erected in the place wherein the present Decrees should be registred as well against Chastel as against the Company of Jesuits the Mother and Sisters of the Criminal were let at liberty To this decree of the Parliament the Divines of the City being met together in Cardinal Gondi's House added a Declaration whereby they determined that the Doctrine which taught to kill Princes was Heretical prodigious and diabolical and gave expresly in charge to all men of Religious Orders to acknowledge and obey King Henry the Fourth as their lawful Prince and Lord and that in their Masses and Canonical hours they should insert those prayers which were wont to be said for the safety of the most Christian Kings of France In the end of the Decree they intreated the Cardinal as Bishop of that City to beseech the King in the name of them all that he would send a new Embassy to the Pope to hinder by his reconciliation the imminent and manifest danger of Schism This was procured by the Cardinal himself who believing he had apprehended the Popes mind desired to give the King a fair colour and occasion to try again to get his benediction In this condition of affairs began the year 1595 the first business whereof after the King was cured was the promulgation of the Edict in favour of the Hugonots They at the Kings Conversion had not only been much moved to their hopes lost of having a King of their own Religion and of obtaining by that means that it might be the chief in the Kingdom and that the Catholicks should be reduced to be but by permission but they had also begun to waken new thoughts and practise new designs to unite themselves more closely to one another and to provide themselves a new Head For which having turned their eyes upon the Duke of Bouillon they perceived that he as a most prudent man was very backward to separate himself from the Kings prosperous fortune to follow the uncertainty of new and not well grounded hopes and therefore he protracted businesses
Parliament of Paris exceedingly resented that a business of such great weight should be decided and determined in any other feat than theirs which hath the pre-eminence of all the rest and is ordinarily held as a general Council of the whole Nation But the King being already declared out of Minority and by nature of a manly masculine Spirit was much the more offended that the Parliament of Paris presumed to interpose in matters of Government which belonged not to them and sharply admonished the Councellours that they should busie themselves to do Justice to which they were deputed and not meddle with the affairs of State which depended wholly upon his will and arbitrement By which admonitions the Councellours being somewhat mortified they accepted and published without farther contest the Declaration of his Majority The King having assumed the power of the command in name and appearance the Queen whose counsels were of more authority than ever turned all her thoughts to quiet and pacifie the Kingdom which like the Sea when the storm is newly past after the conclusion of the Peace remained troubled and unquiet It was no longer necessary to keep the parties divided and balance the force of the Factions since on the one side the Kings Majority had removed all pretences of affecting the Administration of the Government and already his Authority partly by such noâ—able Victories partly by taking the power into his own hands was so confirmed and established that the past suspicion ceased of the machination and treachery of the great ones who it was doubted aspired by casting the Pupils out of the Royal Seat to transfer the Dominion of the Crown upon themselves and on the other side the death of the King of Navarre and the Duke of Guise had so notoriously weakened the Catholick Faction and the rash proceedings of the Prince and the Admiral had so abated their credit and diminished their followers that the power of both parties being suppressed discords quieted and civil dissentions removed the Kingdom might easily reassume that form in which the preceding Kings had so many ages past enjoyed it Upon this the Queen bent all her intentions having devised together with the King and the High Chancellor de l' Hospital who by their secret counsels wholly managed the affairs to try all means possible to draw the Prince of Conde from the protection of the Hugonots Faction to appease the Admiral and Andelot who being full of suspicion stood as it were retired from frequenting the Court and having in this manner deprived that party of Heads and Protectors by little and little without noise or violence to eradicate and destroy them so that at the last as in former times it hath happened with many others it should fall of it self and be extinguished as it were insensibly By these arts dissimulations wariness and dexterity they hoped so to work that the Kingdom should be setled again in that sincerity of quiet to which by violent sharp means by force and the sword it was very difficult and dangerous to seek to reduce it For the effecting these ends it was necessary to have a peace with England to renew the confederacy with the Commonalty of the Swisses and to maintain a good intelligence with the Protestant Princes of Germany that the Hugonots might be deprived of such support and stranger Nations of pretences to come into the Kingdom from whose invasions they had lately freed themselves with such infinite labour danger and prejudice both publick and particular To this purpose an Overture of a Treaty was made with Queen Elizabeth by Guido Cavalcanti a Florentine who was conversant in the affairs and understood the interests of both Kingdoms To the Protestant Princes of Germany they sent Rascalone a man formerly imployed in that Country by the Duke of Guise to quiet and gain the Protestants with power besides to treat of divers things that concerned the mutual instruments of both Nations And to the Republick of the Swisses went Sebastian de l' Aubespine Bishop of Limoges to renew the ancient Capitulations made with the Father and Grandfather of the present King But with the Prince of Conde they used all subtil arts to convert him sincerely to his obedience For the King and the Queen receiving him with great shews of confidence and respecting him as first Prince of the Blood presently conferred upon him the Government of Picardy the taking away of which was the first spark that kindled in him a desire to attempt alterations in the State and entertaining him as much as could be at Court with Plays Feasts and all manner of pastimes sought to make him in love with the ease and pleasures of peace and in some measure at least to forget the fierceness of his nature To these practises being added the death of Eleanor de Roye his Wife a woman of an unquiet nature and that continually spurred him on to new undertakings the Queen perswaded Margarite de Lustrac Widow to the Mareshal de S. Andre who was left very rich both by her Father and Husband to offer her self to him in marriage believing that the Prince by this match supplying the necessity of his fortune and living at ease and in the splendor belonging to the greatness of his Birth would not easily be induced hereafter to involve himself in new troubles which had already proved so disastrous and dangerous But to separate and withdraw him from the friendship of the Chastillons whose conversation it was plain stirred his thoughts to innovations they indeavoured by the same Court-flatteries to make him believe that the loss of the Battel of Dreux proceeded from the cowardise and treachery of the Admiral and Andelot who either too careful of saving themselves or envying the valour with which he began to conquer fled a great deal too soon leaving those alone that fought couragiously and principally him in the hands of the Enemy which things being prest home and instilled into him might distract his mind and put him in diffidence of his ancient friends and confederates But he being exceedingly enamoured of Limeville one of the Queens Maids whom she not seeming to take notice of it he enjoyed having besides the hope of so rich a match that was offered him these two Considerations contributed more to the pacifying of his natural fierceness than all the arts that were used to withdraw him from the adherence of the Admiral and the other Brothers of Chastillon who not trusting in the Queen nor believing she could ever have any confidence in them could by no means be secured but continually practising to raise new hopes in the Hugonots stood upon their guard at a distance from the Court. The common peace and the Queens intentions were not more opposed by the Hugonots than the Catholick party intent to revenge the death of the Duke of Guise and impatient to see a toleration of Religion Francis Duke of Guise by his Wife Anne d' Est Sister to Alphonso Duke
certain number of men and to bear Arms against all his Enemies From Bearne the King continuing his Visitations came to the City of Lyons in which the Hugonots had so great a party that in the last War it was one of the first that rebelled and the last that returned into obedience Wherefore considering the importance thereof the neighbourhood of Geneva and Germany with other conditions of the place it was resolved in the Council to build a Cittadel between the Rhofne and the Saone two great Rivers that run through the Town whereby to bridle the people and secure the City from the treachery of its neighbours The foundation of which Fortification being laid then in the presence of the King it was afterwards brought to perfection by the diligence of Monsieur de Losse newly put into that Government by the discharge of the Count de Saut who had rendred himself suspected by favouring the Hugonot party From Lyons the King being come to Valence in Dolphine he caused the City to be dismantled and built there a new Fortress that Town having ever been a great place of receipt for those that were in rebellion But being arrived at the Castle of Roussilion Filibert Emanuel Duke of Savoy came thither post to meet him with whom having treated of such things as concerned both States this Prince was sufficiently informed of the Kings intentions and of the way designed to free himself without noise or danger from the molestation of the Calvinists So that being fully perswaded and satisfied he promised such aids as could be sent from those parts From Roussilion the King went to Avignion immediately under the Jurisdiction of the Pope where Fahritio Serbelloni the Governour and the Bishop of Fermo Vice-Legate received him with very great solemnity and Lodovico Antinori one of the Popes trusty Ministers a Florentine being according to the Queens desire come thither they began to confer about businesses of common interests There the King and the Queen gave an Answer to the Popes Embassie which they would not trust to the Embassadors shewing that they were ready to extirpate Calvinism and to cause the Council to be observed in their Dominions but to avoid the Introductions of the English with the Incursions of the Lutherans of Germany and to effect their purpose without the danger or tumult of new Wars in which so many thousands of Souls perished and the Christian Countries were miserably destroyed they had deliberated to proceed warily with secret stratagems to remove the principal Heads and chief Supports of that party to reduce the Prince of Conde and the Brothers of Chastillon to a right understanding to fortifâ—e such Cities as were suspected re-establish the Kings Revenues gather Moneys and make many other provisions which could not be had but by the progress and benefit of time that they might be able afterward to work their ends with more security without those dangers and prejudices which a too precipitate haste would plunge them into with little hope of good success By the apparence of which reasons the Pope being perswaded who was by nature averse from cruel counsels and the effusion of Christian Blood in civil dissentions he consented that the publication of the Council should be deferred till such time as they had brought their designs to maturity It was now the beginning of the Year 1565. when the King continuing his Voyage through the Province of Languedock and celebrating the Carnival with youthful pastimes arrived at Bayonne situated in the Bay of Biscay and upon the confines of Spain just in that place where ancient Writers describe the Aquae Augusti The Queen of Spain being come to this place accompanied with the Duke of Alva and the Count de Beneventa whilst they made shew with triumphs turnaments and several kinds of pastimes to regard only their pleasures and feastings there was a secret conference held for a mutual intelligence between the two Crowns Wherefore their common interest being weighed and considered they agreed in this That it was expedient for one King to assist and aid the other in quieting their States and purging them from the diversity of Religions But they were not of the same opinion concerning the way that was to be taken with more expedition and security to arrive at this end for the Duke of Alva a man of a violent resolute nature said That to destroy those Innovations in Religion and Insurrections in the Commonwealth it was necessary to cut off the Heads of those Poppies to fish for the great Fish and not care to take Frogs by these conceptions he expressed himself for the winds being once allayed the billows of the common people would be easily quieted and calmed of themselves He added That a Prince could not do a thing more unworthy or prejudicial to himself than to permit a Liberty of Conscience to the people bringing as many varieties of Religion into a State as there are capritious fancies in the restless minds of men and opening a door to let in discord and confusion mortal accidents for the ruine of a State and shewed by many memorable examples that diversity of Religion never failed to put Subjects in Arms to raise grievous treacheries and sad rebellions against Superiours Whence he concluded at the last That as the Controversies of Religion had always served as argument and pretence for the Insurrections of Male-contents so it was necessary at the first dash to remove this cover and afterwards by severe remedies no matter whether by sword or fire to cut away the roots of that evil which by mildness and sufferance perniciously springing up still spread it self and increased On the other side the Queen fitting her deliberations to the customs and disposition of the French desired to avoid as much as was possible the imbruing of her hands in the Blood of the Princes of the Royal Family or the great Lords of the Kingdom and reserving this for the last resolution would first try all manner of means to reduce into obedience and the bosom of the Church the Heads of the Hugonots who being withdrawn from that party they should likewise take away though not by the same means the fuel that nourished the fire of civil dissentions She said that she well knew the inconveniences that were derived from a Liberty of Conscience and that it would have been indeed expedient to have provided against it by severity at the beginning when it was newly planted but not now that it had taken root and was grown up that the motives of Religion are so universal and efficacious that where they once take footing it is requisite to tolerate many things which without that necessity would not be indured and to make a long various navigation to that Port where they could not arrive by steering a direct course shewing withal that in the Government they were to do what they could not all that they would and in matters of Conscience it
same was done by the other side for the rest staying behind the Prince the Admiral the Cardinal of Chastillon Roche-fou-cault and Andelot came to meet them The Prince spake very modestly though he departed not at all from the conditions already proposed but the Cardinal of Chastillon told the Constable who perswaded him to relie upon the Kings word without seeking any further security for their Propriety and Lives that they could not trust to the King and much less to him who had broken his word and was an occasion of the present calamities by having counselled his Majesty to violate the Edict of Pacification Whereupon the Constable gave him the Lye and so they parted with ill language no hopes remaining of an agreement Wherefore the King having called together the Princes Knights of the Order Captains of the Gens d' Arms and Colonels of Foot in the presence of many of the Nobility and others made a Speech full of couragious resolute expressions in which he told them That there was nothing he desired more than the peace and quiet of his Subjects which had induced him to grant the Hugonots many things repugnant to his own inclinations and contrary to his nature but notwithstanding so many graces and priviledges some of them abusing his favours with divers scandalous imputations sought to raise a Rebellion in the Kingdom and were grown so bold in their wickedness that they durst conspire against him the Queen and his Brothers for which enormous Treason he might justly chastise and cut them off nevertheless nothing altering him from his first resolution on the contrary to the prejudice of his own Authority and to the diminution of the Royal Dignity he had sent some of the principal persons in the Kingdom to treat with them to whom they were not ashamed to make those Propositions which were already well known to every body therefore he had at length determined to have that by force which he could not obtain by their consents and that he was confident easily to effect his desires by the assistance of those Lords he saw there about him who having been ever faithful to the Kings his Predecessors he hoped would not abandon him now in so great a necessity and in so lawful and just a cause wherefore he desired them couragiously to imbrace the occasion of meriting both from their King and Country and not to consider those dangers to which he would first expose his own Person for the preservation of the Commonwealth The Constable answering for all said Intreaties were not necessary for every one there was ready to venture his life and fortune in his Majesties service and then turning about to the Nobility continued his Speech in this manner Gentlemen there is no such true real Nobility as that which is acquired by Vertue and you that are born Gentlemen not to degenerate from your Ancestors cannot better imploy your selves than in defence of our King against those who to make a King for their turns endeavour to extinguish this Race Be resolute then and as with one accord you inviron his Majesty in this place prepare your selves with your Courage and Vertue to encompass him in Arms and I who have the charge of the Militia though I am old promise to be the first to assail the Enemy Which Exhortations were followed by general Acclamations and consent of all that were present though for the most part it was believed the Constable and his more in words than in deeds favoured the Kings party and gave too willing an eaâ— to the discourses of the Hugonots who were no less hated by the Nobility than detested by the Parisians and not without reason The City began to feel the incommodities of a Siege and suffered extreamly through want of Victuals for the Admiral in a bravery at Noon-day in the face of the Kings Army possessed himself of the Bridge at Charenton a league distant from the Walls whereby the passage of the River being cut off all manner of provision began to be at an excessive rate but the greatest difficulty was how to nourish such a number of Horse as were then in the Town for which reason the Constable provoked by the cries of the people and impatient having a much greater Army than the Enemy that the City to the small reputation of the Kings Forces should be so straightned and incommodated issued out of Paris the ninth day of November and quartered his Van-guard at la Chappelle a place upon the high-way between the City and the Enemies Camp which resolution obliging the Hugonots to lie close together in a Body that they might not be surprized apart they quitted the Villages about so that the passages were again open and the ways free to carry all things that were necessary into Paris They sent likewise to call back Andelot who with eight hundred Horse and about two thousand Foot had passed the River to streighten the Siege on that side believing that the Constable as it was true being much superiour in force would advance and presently either shut them up in St. Denis or else force them with great disadvantage to fight The Prince of Conde with the Battel lodged close under the Walls of St. Denis keeping that Town for his security behind him the Admiral with the Van lay on the right hand at St. Ouyne a Village near the bank of the River which served him both for a fence against the Waters and the Enemy and Muy and Genlis with the Rear at Aubervilliers a Town on the left hand and because on one side of them was a great open champagne they made a ditch and raised an indifferent work to secure them from being assaulted in the Flank and placed a guard there of six hundred small shot But the Hugonots entring into debate what was best to be done being so much inferiour in number to the Kings Army in which were sixteen thousand Foot and more than three thousand Horse many were of opinion it would do well to retreat till the Supplies they expected from divers parts were arrived the Prince of Conde and the Admiral thought it impossible to retreat without receiving an absolute defeat for the Kings Army lying so near they could not possibly march away without being discovered and consequently followed and assaulted wherefore they judged it best as well to maintain their reputation which to the Heads of a popular Faction and especially at the beginning of a War is ever of great consequence as also that they might the better make a retreat to give them battel for the days being at the shortest it would quickly be dark and soon stay the fury of the fight in which they hoped their Horse which were very good would so damnifie the Kings Army that they would not be able to follow them that night by the benefit whereof they might retire and meeting Andelot with fresh supplies secure themselves from danger Whilst the Hugonots were in this consultation
the kindred was also gone from Court as likewise the Prince of Daulphine his Son But about that time the Kings designs which with so much care and diligence had been kept secret were like unexpectedly to have been discovered The Duke of Anjou did much favour and was very familiar with Monsieur de Ligneroles a young Gentleman of very acute wit and high spirit who often discoursing intimately with the Duke of the present state of affairs induced him at last to impart the Kings most secret designs to him partly because he was most confident of his fidelity partly to hear his opinion upon so important a business and to receive his advice and counsel in that as he was wont in many other things Ligneroles by means of his favour being grown into such esteem that the Queen-Mother the Duke of Guise and even the King himself made great account of his wit and courage He being one day in the Chamber with the King who much displeased at the high insolent demands of some of the Hugonot Lords after he had dismissed them with shew of favour letting loose his anger and laying aside dissimulation shewed some tokens of being extreamly offended either moved with ambition to appear not ignorant of the nearest secrets or with the lightness incident to youth which often over-shoots discretion told the King in his ear that his Majesty ought to quiet his mind with patience and laugh at their insolence and temerity for within a few days by that meeting which was almost ripe he would have brought them all into the net and punished them at his own pleasure with which words the Kings mind being struck in the most tender sensible part he made shew not to understand his meaning and retired into his private lodgings where full of anger grief and trouble he sent to call the Count de Retz thinking that he who was likewise familiar with Ligneroles had revealed this secret to him and with sharp injurious words reproached him with the honours and benefits he had conferred upon him threatning to take vengeance on that perfidiousness wherewith forgetful of so great favours he had betrayed him and discovered his most secret intentions but the Count constantly denying it and offering to be shut up in prison till the truth were known he called the Queen-Mother and complained grievously to her that she had made known those thoughts which he with such patience and constraint of his own mind forcing his nature had so long dissembled to which words the Queen smiling answered That she needed not to learn the art of secresie from him and that he should look whether by his own impatience he had not discovered something of that which he thought to be revealed by others the King as he was exceeding cholerick fretting and storming very impatiently sent at last for the Duke of Anjou who without further urging confessed freely that he had imparted the business to Ligneroles but withal assured them they needed not fear that he would ever open his lips to discover so weighty a secret No more he shall not answered the King for I will take order that he shall be dispatched before he have time to publish it The Duke of Anjou either not daring to oppose that so sudden resolute determination or else angry at the lightness of Ligneroles and for fear of the worst not caring to divert it the King sent to call George de Villequier Viscount of Guerchy who as Masters are seldom ignorant how their Servants stand affected he knew bear a secret emulous hatred to Ligneroles and commanded him by all means to endeavour the taking away of his life that very day with which resolution the King presently taking horse with the Duke of Anjou as he often used to do without staying for any attendants went to hunt in the fields and woods not far off which the Courtiers no sooner heard but as fast as their horses could be brought they followed severally stragling after the cry of the Hounds and Ligneroles by their example instantly did the same but the Viscount de la Guerchy and Count Charles of Mansfield who was privy to his purpose mounted upon fiery unquiet horses hunted in the same company with Ligneroles and drew near under colour of talking and discoursing with him which while he endeavoured to avoid not being able to keep his horse in order among theirs that was so quarrelsom and unruly and while they persisted still following him as it were in sport they presently came to high language and then to challenges whereupon the Viscount suddenly drawing his sword and Count Charles at the same instant they fell so furiously upon him that before he could be rescued by those that came to help him they left him dead upon the place which being come to the Kings knowledge with great shew of anger and trouble he caused them both to be taken and imprisoned in the Palace from whence in process of time by the intercession of Monsieur d' Angoulesme the Kings Bastard-brother and by particular grace and favour they were after set at liberty This business being passed over which for a while had troubled the whole Court the next was to overcome the obstinacy of the Lady Marguerite who more fix'd than ever to her former thoughts denyed now absolutely to marry at all since she was forbidden to take the Duke of Guise to which the Popes continued denyal of a dispensation being added the conclusion of that marriage remained still uncertain The Queen-Mother by the means of the Bishop of Salviati the Popes Nuncio to whom she was near allied endeavoured to perswade them at Rome that the effecting of that match would conclude to the good of the Catholick Religion for to draw the Prince of Navarre into so near a relation and confidence with the King would be an occasion that not only he being young and easie to be won to better opinions would come into the bosom of the Church but also infinite others part moved by his example and part out of fear to lose so considerable a prop as the first Prince of the Blood would do the like that they often had tryed in vain to overcome the Hugonots with sharpness and violence therefore it was now fit to try some gentle remedies But when they saw the Popes mind could not be changed by perswasions they began to try if they could alter it by neglect the King and the Queen saying openly That being necessitated to make a match with one of another Religion they would do it howsoever without caring for any dispensation nor would they suffer the peace and quietness of their Kingdom to be disturbed and by the Popes obstinacy involved in the former wars dangers and inconveniencies Which things confirming the assurance and boldness of the Hugonots the Admiral in the end perswaded by Count Lodowick of Nassau and the counsels of Teligny his Son-in-law and of Cavagnes a man great in his esteem but much
forward by the Sieur de Balagny who under colour of travelling to see the World stayed there and had gotten the acquaintance of many principal men of that Kingdom it was afterwards managed with more life by Ioan de Monluc Bishop of Valence and Guy Sieur de Lansac and other persons of less quality but not of less esteem appointed to treat with the States of that Kingdom The greatest impediment which the Kings Agents found was the opposition of the Evangeliques of that Kingdom in Poland they so call the followers of the new opinions in matter of Faith who had but small inclination to the Duke of Anjou partly because the Victories he atchieved had been against those of the same belief partly because the Massacre of Paris variously spoken of by the Protestants in those places so far remote made them fear that being chosen King he would molest and disquiet those that were averse from the Apostolick See and not of the Catholick Religion whereof they knew he was so sincere a Professour The fears of the Evangeliques were fomented by the Letters and Embassies of many Protestant Princes of Germany much displeased at the slaughter of the Hugonots in France and ill-affected to the Duke of Anjou's greatness For which cause the King endeavoured by divers writings and by means of his Embassadors to remove the opinion which was commonly held that the Massacre of Paris was contrived long before-hand attributing the business as sudden and accidental unto the temerity of the Admiral who seeing himself wounded by his Enemies began rashly to plot a new conspiracy against all the Royal Family and declared that he would tolerate a Liberty of Conscience though not the free profession of Calvin's Doctrine nor did this seem sufficient but fearing more to exasperate the minds of the Protestants and Evangeliques he began to proceed more coldly in the enterprize of Rochel lest the Duke of Anjou taking it by force should stir up more hatred against him and by the desolation of the City should increase the difficulties of his Election which seemed to be in a fair way of coming to a happy issue Nor was the King alone of this opinion but his Embassadors in Poland and particularly the Bishop of Valence very much pressed the King that to facilitate that business he would proceed more gently against the Hugonots in France For these respects new treaties of agreement were begun with the Rochellers yet still continuing their assaults and batteries till news came that upon the ninth day of May Henry Duke of Anjou was with a general consent elected King of Poland Wherefore he seeking to come off from that siege with such moderation that his reputation might be safe and the minds of his new Subjects not unsatisfied from whom he endeavoured to remove all suspicion of his taking away their Liberty of Conscience he proceeded not so violently against the Hugonots who quite tired out and in despair of defending themselves any longer forgot their wonted constancy and were desirous to obtain their peace This was favoured by the natural inclination of the Duke who was weary of the toils of War and desirous not only to return to the pleasures of the Court but also shortly to go take possession of his new Kingdom Wherefore the City having often sent their Deputies into the Camp to treat after many difficulties they agreed at last upon the Eleventh day of Iuly that the City should yield it self unto the Kings obedience with these conditions That the King should declare the inhabitants of Rochel Nismes and Montaban to be his good and faithful Subjects and should approve of all that they had done from the month of August the year before being 1572. until that present time pardoning all faults and enormities whatsoever had been committed during the Civil War by the said Inhabitants their Souldiers or Adherents declaring all to be done by his order That in those three Cities he should allow the free and publick exercise of the Reformed Religion they meeting together in small numbers and without Arms the Officers appointed for that purpose being there amongst them That in all other outward matters except Baptism and Matrimony they should observe the Rites and Holy days observed and commanded by the Roman Catholick Church That the King should confirm all the Liberties Immunities and Priviledges of those three Towns not permitting them to be in any part diminished altered or violated That the Rochellers should receive a Governour of the Kings appointment but without a Garison who might freely stay there inhabit go and return into the City at his pleasure and that they should be governed by the Laws Ordinances and Customs with which they had been governed under the Kings of France ever since they were Subjects to that Crown That they should break all Leagues Friendships Intelligences and Confederacies whatsoever within or without the Kingdom not lending any relief or assistance to those which should continue up in Arms though of the same Religion That the use and exercise of the Catholick Religion should be restored in those Cities and all other places whence it had been taken leaving freely unto the Church-men not only the Churches Monasteries and Hospitals but likewise all the profits and revenues belonging to them That all Lords of free Mannors through the Kingdom might in their own Houses lawfully celebrate Baptism and Matrimony after the manner of the Hugonots provided the assembly exceeded not the number of ten persons That there should be no inquisition upon mens Consciences and that those who would not dwell in the Kingdom might sell their Estates and go live where they pleased provided it were not in places that were Enemies to the Crown and that for the observing of these Articles the said three Cities should give hostages which should be changed every three months and always should follow the Court. When these Conditions were established and the hostages given which by the Duke were presently sent to Court Monsieur de Byron the Governour appointed by the King entred Rochel with one of the Publick Heralds took possession of the Government and caused the Peace to be proclaimed after which the Duke of Anjou now King of Poland having dismissed the Army went with a noble Train of Princes Lords and Gentlemen unto the City of Paris where assuming the Title of his new Kingdom and having received the Polish Ambassadors he prepared for his journey to go take possession of the Crown In the mean time Sanserre which was not comprehended in the Capitulation of the Rochellers because it was not a free Town under the Kings absolute Dominion as the rest but under the Seigniory of the Counts of Sanserre being reduced to extream misery by famine without all hope of relief yielded it self to Monsieur de la Chastre who having by order from the King to gratifie the Polish Ambassadors pardoned all their lives fined the Town in a certain sum of money to be
to take away that Prerogative and settle it in a certain number who should have power to conclude and determine all businesses without contradiction or appeal Wherefore the Deputies of the Nobility and Clergy partly consenting and the Deputies of the Commons not altogether opposing they thought it unfit to dispute openly whether the States were superiour to the King or no a very ancient question though disproved by the manner of holding the States and always deluded and made vain by the Kings authority but to petition the King that for the dispatch of all businesses with speed and with the general satisfaction he would be pleased to elect a number of Judges not suspected by the States who together with twelve of the Deputies might hear such motions as from time to time should be proposed by every Order and conclude and resolve upon them with this condition that whatsoever was jointly determined by the Judges and Deputies together should have the form and vigour of a Law without being subject to be altered or revoked The King was not ignorant of the importance of that demand and though he was inwardly much displeased that they went about to deprive him of the power which was naturally â—his and from a free King bring him to the slavery of his Subjects yet by how much greater the force of that storm was with so much the more dexterity endeavouring to overcome it he answered graciously that as often as the States should offer any propositions or demands he would without delay hearken to the twelve Deputies which he gave them power to nominate and that as soon as he had maturely weighed their reasons they should have a speedy and resolute answer to determine whatsoever was necessary for their general contentment and that for the better satisfaction of them all he was willing to deliver unto the States the names of such as were admitted to his Councils to the end that they might know the qualities of those persons by whose advice he meant to govern which he would consent to do by the example of any of his Predecessors but to confirm and ratifie whatsoever others should determine without himself it was not possible for him ever to yield to in any manner it being contrary to all precedents observed by the King his Predecessors The States being excluded from that hope and despairing of being able to compass their desires since the cunning of the demand was taken notice of tuâ—ned another way and began to propose That matters of Religion might first of all be decided for it being once established to admit no other but the Catholick which neither the King himself would dare to oppose nor any of the Deputies though there were many of them who secretly were of another mind all hope of Peace would be laid aside and the War with the Hugonots presently be resolved on Wherefore the Archbishop of Lyons proposing for the Clergy the Baron de Senecey for the Nobâ—lity with the consent of Pierre Versoris one of the principal Deputies for the Commons a man depending upon the House of Guise and one of the chiefest sticklers in the League â—he Clergy concurred in this Vote That the King should be moved to prohibit the exercise of any other than the Roman Catholick Religion and that all sorts of people subject to the Crown should be forced to live according to the Rites of that Church the same Proposition was followed by many of the Nobility who suffered their Votes to be swayed by the will of others though many of that Order 〈◊〉 against not the integrity of the Roman Catholick Faith but the taking up of Arms desiring the preservation of Religion and reducing of such as were out of the way but by those means which might be used without War The Commons assented to this last opinion because the burthen of the War lay chiefly upon the meanest people as Merchants Tradesmen and Husbandmen nor could any of the Deputies who in particular reaped fruit by those troubles and being engaged with the Heads of the League did therefore obstinately follow the Vote of the Prelates have power to perswade any of them to change their verdict for Iean Bodin a man famous for learning and experience in State-affairs one of the Deputies of the Commons of Vermandois and who was secretly induced by the King to contradict the Church-men in that particular endeavoured by a long discourse to make appear unto the Assembly how ruinous and fatâ—l the new taking up of Arms would be repeating from the beginning all the dangers and miseries of the late Wars which made a very deep impression in the minds of the third Estate and would have done the like in both the other Orders if their Consciences had been absolutely free and sincere but meeting with men who were not only carried by the zeal of Religion but whose opinions were byassed and pre-ingaged it was determined by plurality of voices that request should be made unto the King to establish only the Catholick Religion in the Kingdom and to exclude for ever all communion with the Hugonots Nevertheless Bodin procured certain words to be entered in the Records of the Order of Commons to certifie their desire of unity in Religion without the noise of Arms and the necessity of War This motion of the States being propounded to the King who had already sounded the secret practices of the Assembly made him resolve no longer to oppose knowing that the plurality of voices would be clearly against him but to delude the propositions of the Deputies for by opposing he saw those Arms of the Catholick League would be turned upon him which were then prepared against the Hugonots wherefore seeking obliquely to hinder that determination he proposed to the States and perswaded them that before it were enacted Commissioners ought to be sent to the King of Navarre the Prince of Conde and the Mareschal d' Anville who by true substantial reasons should perswade them to obey the will of the States without returning again to the fatal hazard of Arms hoping by such delays to find some remedy against that resolution which he saw the major part of the Deputies was obstinately bent upon To that purpose they chose the Archbishop of Vienne Monsieur de Rubempre and the Treasurer Menager Commissioners to the King of Navarre the Bishop of Autun Monsieur de Momorine and Pierre de Rate to the Prince of Conde the Bishop of Puits the Sieur de Rochefort and the Advocate Toley to the Mareschal d' Anville to know the last resolution of every one of them But the King of Navarre having notice which way the States inclined and seeing so terrible a storm preparing against him whilst the time was spent at Bloys in consulting and things were drawn out in length by diversity of opinions and other obstacles which were interposed he being resolved to make ready for War busied himself in gathering Souldiers with infinite diligence from all
parts and in seising upon many places convenient for the defence and maintenance of party which succeeding according to his desires he had possessed himself of Bazas Perigâ—eux and St. Macaire in Guienne Chivray in Poictou Quimperley in Bretagne and with a more Warlike than numerous Army laid siege to Marmande a great Town seated upon the bank of the Garonne near to Bourdeaux and therefore very commodious to strengthen that place which was the only principal City of that Province that made resistance In the mean time the States Commissioners being come unto him he gave them audience at Agen in the beginning of the year 1577. with demonstrations of great honour and respect There the Bishop of Vienne having eloquently declared the resolution of the States to suffer no other but the Catholick Religion in the Kingdom of France exhorted him effectually in the name of all the Orders to come unto the Assembly to re-unite himself in concord with the King his Brother-in-law to return into the bosom of the Church and by so noble and so necessary a resolution to comfort all the Orders of the Kingdom by whom as first Prince of the Blood he was greatly esteemed and honoured and afterward inlarging himself he represented the several commodities of Peace and the miserable desolations of War The King of Navarre with succinct but solid words replyed punctually That if the happiness of Peace and miseries of War were so great and many as he alledged the States ought therefore sincerely to establish that Peace which was before concluded and not by new deliberations and by revoking Edicts already made to kindle again the sparks of War which were almost extinguished That it was an easie matter to discourse of the rooting out of a Religion by the Sword but experience had always shewed it was impossible to effect it and therefore it was to be esteemed a more discreet advice to allow a spiritual Peace thereby to obtain a temporal one than by disquieting mens Consciences to fancy the conservation of an outward Peace That for his part he was born and brought up in the Religion he professed and he believed still that it was the right and true Faith but yet when by sound reasons urged to him by men of understanding and not by force and violence he should find himself to be in an errour he would readily repent his fault and changing his Religion endeavour the conversion of all others to the belief of that Faith which should be acknowledged the true one Therefore he prayed the States not to force his Conscience but to be satisfied with that his good will and intention and if that answer were not sufficient to content them he would expect new and more particular demands for the better answering whereof he would presently assemble a full Congregation of his party at Montauban but in the mean time while he saw all things prepared to make War against him he was constrained to stand armed upon his own defence to prevent that ruine which he plainly saw contrived by his Enemies The Prince of Conde's answer was very different for having received the Commissioners privately he would neither open their Letters nor acknowledge them for Deputies of the States General alledging that that Assembly could not be called the States General which wanted the Deputies of so many Cities Towns and Provinces and which treated of violating mens Consciences by force of shedding the Blood-Royal of France and suppressing the Liberties of the Crown to comply with the desires of strangers who were so hot upon the prosecution of their own intolerable pernitious interests of ambition and private ends that it was a Conventicle of a few men suborned and corrupted by the disturbers of the publick Peace and therefore he would neither open their Letters nor treat with their Commissioners The Mareschal d' Anville gave an answer not much unlike but something more moderate the Deputies having found him at Montpellier For having represented to them that his heart was real as any mans to the Catholick Religion wherein he had been born and would continue as long as he lived he told them that it would be both vain and impossible to prohibit the exercise of the Reformed Religion granted by so many Edicts and confirmed by so many Conclusions of Peace and that by blowing up the flames of War the destruction and ruine of all parts of the Kingdom would be continued but that it ought to be consulted of in common in a lawful Assembly of the States General of France and not in a particular Congregation as that of Blois where only the Deputies of one party were met together and therefore he did protest against the validity of whatsoever should be there decreed or resolved The Commissioners returned to Bloys with these answers in the beginning of February and the Duke of Guise being come thither to give a colour to the business on his part the inclination of the States appeared manifestly ready to disanul the late Edict of Pacification and resolve upon a War with the Hugonots Wherefore the King not willing to draw the hatred of all the Catholick party upon himself nor give them cause to suspect the sincerity of his Conscience making the Pope and all Christendom believe he held intelligence with the Hugonots which jealousie would have endangered the Catholick League to take Arms of themselves without his Authority and disorder the whole state of things Besides being advised by the Bishop of Lymoges and Monsieur de Morvillier two of his principal Councellors he determined since he could not by open resistance hinder the designs and progress of the Catholick League which already had taken too deep a root to make himself Head and Protector of it and draw that Authority to himself which he saw they endeavoured to settle upon the Head of the League both within and without the Kingdom hoping that he being once made Moderator of that Union in time convenient means would not be wanting to dissolve it as a thing directly opposite to his intentions Wherefore shewing a great desire to extirpate the Hugonot Faction and making all believe that he was highly offended with the Princes answers he caused the Catholick League framed by the Lords of the House of Lorain to be read published and sworn in the open Assembly where they themselves were present establishing it as an Irrevocable and Fundamental Law of the Kingdom Then he declared himself principal Head and Protector of it with loud specious protestations that he would spend his last breath to reduce all his people to an unity in Religion and an entire obedience to the Roman Church Thus did he labour to avoid that blow which he saw he could not break by making resistance But the King having for many days shewed a wonderful desire to suppress the Hugonots purposed with one mortal blow to try the constancy of the Deputies for having sent his Brother the Duke of Alancon and
possibly be governed These so weighty difficulties which on all sides seemed impossible to be overcome and the hope of drawing over many to the League in time unto his party and of loosening by his wonted arts that bond which then seemed invincible by strength made the King resolve to take the counsel of the Queen his Mother and of Bellieure and Villeroy which was to procure delays as much as possibly he could and in the end to give the League such satisfaction as was necessary to divert the violence and force of the Confederates and to endeavour by art and time to disunite their Combination experience having so often given certain proofs that by fighting and resistance the forces and dangers both at home and abroad were increased but that by yielding and complying those hazards might be deferred and those imminent calamities and miseries avoided To this end the Queen undertook the charge of treating with the Duke of Guise and the other Princes of the League and being attended by the Mareschal de Retz Monsieur de Brulart Secretary of State and Monsieur de Lansac she went to Espernay in Champagne ten Leagues from Chalons to confer with the Lords of Guise and the Cardinal of Bourbon Thither also came the Confederate Lords and without further delay they began to treat of the means of an Accommodation But the intentions of the parties were so different that they could hardly come to any conclusion for the Queen minded only the gaining of time as well to give the King leisure to arm and prepare himself and the Swisses to draw near to Paris as to give opportunity to those engines which were secretly set on work to disunite the League whereas on the other side the Guises taking very good heed to each of those particulars pressed for speedy expedition either of an advantageous Agreement or of a resolute War Wherefore though the Queen laboured very much both by her authority and perswasions yet could she obtain no more but a truce for four days in which space she dispatcht Monsieur Myron her chief Physitian to the King to bring back his resolution touching the Accommodation The time of truce being expired the Queen drew nearer and advanced as far as Charry a place belonging to the Bishop of Chalons whither the Confederate Lords came also to meet her she let them know that the King by Myron the Physitian had sent her Order to assure them that in matters of Religion he was of the same mind with them and that he desired the security of the Catholick Faith the extirpation of Heresie and one only Religion and Belief in his Kingdom no less than they but that to attain unto that end he neither had sufficient Forces nor money enough to maintain the War in so many places and that therefore they that shewed themselves so zealous of it ought to propound the means of gathering Armies together and of providing for their pay and maintenance The King hoped by this proposition to put the Confederates in as great confusion as he had done the Deputies at Blois in the same manner for there was no doubt but the charges would necessarily fall on the Clergy and upon the Commons a thing contrary to the Proposition of the League which was to ease the grievances of the Kingdom and in these Armies that were to be raised in several parts it was necessary to imploy all the Nobility to the burthen and obligation as well of their Estates as Persons wherefore it was not very easie for the Duke of Guise and the other Lords to resolve this doubt and thereupon to the great contentment of the Queen they took three days time to give their answer After many consultations they determined at last to shun the encounter of those means and advertisements which the King required lest they should discover express falshood in those promises which they made at the propounding of the League and draw upon themselves the hatred of those burthens and grievances which at that present lay upon the Kings own person and therefore making use of both Force and Authority they answered the Queen resolutely that it concerned not them to provide those means but that the King who was conscious to himself of his own Forces ought to find them and that without further delay they would presently have a Declaration and an Edict against the Hugonots security for themselves and a certainty that the War should not be deferred towards which they proffered those Forces they had then in readiness or else they would make their Army to march whither they thought most convenient for the end of their enterprise and indeed they dispatched the Duke of Mayenne at that very instant with part of their Forces and with Commission to meet the Kings Swisses and if he thought fit to fight with them presently At this resolute determination the Queen demanded eight days time to give the King notice of it and to know his pleasure and the Duke of Guise who had need to meet his German Souldiers which as he was informed were near to Verdun was easily perswaded to consent unto it But whilst he goes to meet them and to take order for their coming in the Queen watching all opportunities imployed Luigi Davila a Cyprian who was a near attendent of hers to work with Francisco Circarssi a Gentleman of the same Country belonging to the Cardinal of Bourbon to try if she could by that means remove and separate him from the combination of the Lords of Guise which business being followed and redoubled many times whilst the Treaty lasted the old Sieur de Lansac chief of the Queens Gentlemen was cunningly engaged in it and on the Cardinals part the Sieur de Rubempre himself who being of a haughty mind and not having that authority in the League which he thought he deserved began to apply his mind to a reconciliation with the King and his Party and in the end Monsieur de Lansac conferred with the Cardinal himself under colour of a complemental visit They urged many reasons to him in substance that he might take notice that he was not Head of the League as befitted the quality of his Person and the honour of his Blood but a Subject and Vassal to the passions and affections of the Duke of Guise and the other Lords of his Family that the business was not any interest at all of Religion since the King having offered to give them all manner of satisfaction in matters of Faith his offer was not accepted but that it was now manifest and publick to all the World that under colour of Religion they prosecuted their private ends and interests that it was not fit for a man of so great zeal and integrity and one that was placed in the most eminent dignities of the holy Church to serve for a stale to the pretensions of the Lords of Lorain and to give colour to a most open Rebellion against the Person of a
first Month for the maintenance of the War would amount to Four hundred thousand Crowns a month In the end he turned toward the Cardinal of Guise saying with something an angry countenance that for the first moneth he hoped he should be able to do well enough without the help of the Clergy searching to the bottom of all particular mens purses but for the other moneths as long as the War endured he purposed to raise moneys upon the Church and that in so doing he thought he should not do any thing at all against his Conscience nor would stand upon any leave or authority from Rome for they were the Heads of the Clergy who had put him upon that business wherefore it was reasonable they should bear part of the charge in conclusion that he was resolved every one should bear his share the Nobility and the Kings Revenues having already been sufficiently burthened There he held his peace to hear their answers and when he found they made some difficulty he cried out with an angry voice It had been better then to have believed me and to have enjoyed the benefits of peace and quietness then standing in a Shop or in a Quire to determine Councels of War I am very much afraid that going about to destroy the Presche we shall put the Mass in great danger But howsoever deeds are more needful here than words And in that manner he retired into his Chamber leaving them all in trouble for fear of their purses who had been promoters of that War But neither did this take off the edge of the people stirred up continually by their Preachers and the Guises being a far off murmured that the War would never be begun to recover those places which were possessed by the Hugonots Wherefore the King lest he should destroy all that was built up and be brought again to those difficulties which he had overcome already began to think of drawing an Army together to be sent into Guienne He was exceedingly vext and troubled in his mind that he must be fain to chuse Commanders for that enterprise at the pleasure of the League considering that besides putting his own Forces into other hands all the good success of it would be publickly attributed to the Lords of the House of Lorrain who without doubt desired to be Generals of those Armies themselves but as a Prince who by the sharpness of his wit would alwayes find an evasion in the hardest and most difficult businesses after he had for many dayes turned the matter on every side he sent Guy Sieur de Lansac to the Duke of Guise to know his intention about those that were to command the Armies who after long consultation resolved that the Duke of Mayenne his Brother should command the Army that was to march into Guienne against the King of Navarre and he reserved to himself the charge of keeping the Confines and hindring the passage of the Protestant forces of Germany thinking that to be the more difficult enterprise and it concerning him verymuch to be near the Court to frame his resolutions according to those occurrences which are often wont to happen unexpectedly The King having had this answer resolved that the Marescal de Matignon of whose fidelity he might confidently assure himself should command in Guienne as Lieutenant of that Province under the Duke of Mayenne that the Mareschal de Byron should go with Forces to make War in Xaintonge and that the Duke of Ioyeuse with an Army should march into Gascogne Provinces so near that the Duke of Mayenne would be encompassed on every side by those Armies and because about that very time happened the death of Monsieur de Angoulesme Grand Prior of France the Kings Bastard Brother who was Governor of Provence he conferred that Government upon the Duke of Espernon and resolved to send an Army thither with him against the Hugonots designing by that means not onely to have many Armies on foot commanded by his Confidents and Favourites but also retarding the Duke of Mayenne's progress by making him want Money Ammunition and Victual that the honor of those actions might fall upon them that were nearest to him But not to give occasion of new complaints and murmurings the Duke of Mayenne s Army was prepared first of all and yet to delay the proceedings of it he first sent three Ambassadors to the King of Navarre to endeavour his conversion which were the Cardinal de Lenon-Court one antiently bred up in his Family the Sieur de Poigny Knight of the St. Esprit and President Brulart who went but a few dayes before the Duke of Mayenne's Army whereupon the Dutchess of Vzes a Lady of an excellent wit taking occasion to jest told the King that the state of the King of Navarre was now at the very last gasp and that he would certainly be converted now for fear of dying without repentance since that after the Ghostly Fathers the Minister of Justice went to put the Sentence in execution The Ambassadors had Commission to excuse the breach of the Edict of Peace with many specious reasons to exhort the King of Navarre to return to the obedience of the Catholick Church to move the restoring of those places they held into the Kings hand to come and live near his Person and remove all occasions of the present War and all this onely to seek occasions to delay the beginning of the War The King of Navarre more resolute then ever not to return to the Prison of the Court as he called it whilst the Lords of the House of Guise had more Forces and Adherents then he had and seeing himself in so weak a condition that it was necessary for his defence to make shew of not being afraid after having with great submission given the King thanks for the care he had of his Salvation and after having modestly complained of the breach of the Edict in a time when he in all reason should have believed that Armes would rather have been imployed against the Seditious Abettors of the League then against him who was most observant of the Kings commands and of the Articles of Peace he began very gravely not onely to condemn the perverse Ambition of the Heads of the League in contending about the Kings Succession during his life but also the poorness of the Duke of Guise in not accepting his Challenge which might have ended the differences and enmities between them hand to hand without troubling the King and disturbing the whole Kingdom and concluded finally that as he would ever willingly submit himself unto a lawful Councel and the instructions which should be sincerely given him by learned men so neither did it stand with his Conscience nor with his honor to be brought to Mass by force hoping that God would protect his innocence as he had miraculously done in former times At the departure of the Ambassadors the Army advanced to enter Guienne the War beginning to
with reason that their common Enemies being the same and the same interests pleading for them both he would labour with that candour and that efficacy which the exigency of the matter required To these reasons the Queen answered That as his Conversion was easie so neither could it want just pretences for if the King should make a League with him while he was disobedient to the Catholick Church and openly excommunicated besides the infamy which his name would incur by mingling in a conjunction not only abhorred and never so much as in thought consented to by any other of the most Christian Kings but also immediately contrary to the Vow and Oath taken solemnly at his Consecration he should moreover give colour to the complaints and justifie the practices of the League and which was of very great consideration he should stir up all other Catholick Princes of the World against him That upon their agreement would presently ensue the revolt of the City of Paris already in an uproar with but seeing that they treated with him and the rebellion of many other chief Cities as also the alienation of all the Catholick Nobility and the greater part of the Kingdom that this was the way to facilitate the King of Spain's assistance of the League who would presently be forced to turn those preparations into France which were made against England That at the first news of it the Pope of an angry hasty nature would run precipitately to Excommunications and Interdictions would presently dispatch great Supplies in favour of the League and stir up all the Italian Princes to unite themselves with him for the defence of Religion That the Duke of Lorain would not consent the marriage of his Daughter should be consummate whilst he was an alien from the Church nor would the States endure he should be declared the lawful Successor of the Crown whilst he held the Faith of the Hugonots In conclusion that his perseverance was accompanied with all manner of difficulties and impediments but his conversion did wonderfully facilitate and lay open the way to all his hopes neither doubtful not uncertain but well grounded and secure The King of Navarre excused himself sometimes with the indecency of changing sometimes with his Conscience sometimes discovering his fear of being brought into the net again but in his excuses the perplexity of his mind and the force of the Queens reasons appeared whereupon new time was taken and another Conference appointed within two or three days wherein to facilitate the business the Duke of Nevers was admitted on the Queens side and the Viscount de Turenne on the King of of Navarre's but they contrary to expectation did rather increase the difficulties than open the way to any resolution for the Duke of Nevers desiring to shew his Eloquence and Learning as he was wont to do wrought greater doubts in the mind of the King of Navarre to whom the Italian arts were suspected and the Viscount a man no less wise and cunning than stout and valiant though he shewed a great inclination to favour the Queens reasons yet the common opinion was that for fear of being abandoned with the Duke of Momorancy so they called the Mareschal d' Anville after the death of his Brother and of losing those great hopes which he had of power and command in the Hugonot party neither desired Peace nor the King of Navarre's Conversion and that therefore he secretly disswaded him from it wherefore neither in this third Conference could they conclude any thing but at the very time the King of Navarre had warning given him to take heed of the artifices of the King and Queen who at the same instant while they treated with him did assure the Popes Nuncio the Duke of Guise and the people of Paris that whatsoever was done was in favour of the League and that the end would justifie that this Treaty included such a design as would at last break forth for the good of Religion whereby his jealousie increasing not thinking it safe to trust either the Kings inconstancy or the Queens too much cunning he resolved in the end to follow the fortune of the Hugonots and not to trust the Court neither would he come to the Conference any more himself in person but continued to send the Viscount of Turenne who treating very dexterously with the Queen would never come to any conclusion at all With these Negotiations began the year 1587 upon the first day whereof the King celebrating the Ceremonies of the Knights of the St. Esprit in Paris swore solemnly not to suffer any other Religion than the Roman Catholick This Oath of his as it was sudden and inconsiderate so both then and many times after it was blamed as absurd and contrary to his own designs for to treat of an Agreement with the King of Navarre and vow the extirpation of the Hugonots did immediately contradict one another But neither they that spake of it then nor they that looking upon things afar off reprehended it did so afterwards when they knew either the Kings intention or the contents of what was secretly treated with the King of Navarre for Monsieur de Rambouillet being come post from Pâ—ictou and arrived already at Court upon the 27 of December with Letters from the Queen and with a Relation of all that had passed with the King of Navarre whereby the King was certified that it was impossible to conclude any thing he standing averse from changing his Religion and proposing an Agreement without speaking any thing about matters of Faith the King to take away that hope from the King of Navarre and to make him consent to be converted or if he would not change his mind being resolved or rather necessitated to join with the League to oppose the German Army made this Protestation very opportunely whereby he at once beat down all the complaints and calumnies of the Heads of the League and appeased in great part at least for a time the minds of the Parisians who as the commotions of the people are wont varied their thoughts and inclinations with the breath of every the slightest accident whereupon he was afterward able to stir to gather an Army and turn against the foreign Forces without being molested by the Parisians though the wonted Incendiaries did not fail to strive to raise them more than once The Kings inclination was clearly seen in this That when the course of affairs did necessarily force him to treat of any thing in favour of the Hugonots he consented to it very slowly ambiguously and after long consideration But if the business were to favour or unite himself to the Catholick party he concurred in that with so much readiness and resolution that his motion to the benefit to the benefit of the Catholick Faith plainly appeared to be natural but the other produced by necessity and violently constrained And as for the King of Navarre the news of the Kings Proteâ—â—ation being
King 's which things did in this manner as it were declare him the lawful Successor to the Crown To these great and important matters others of less consequence were added also the King's Familiarity with the Duke of Guise his veneration of the Cardinal of Bourbon and the favours which by their means he daily granted to divers persons the alienating of his old favourites his secret and confident discourses with the Archbishop of Lyons the Sieur de la Chastre Bassompiere and other intimate friends of the Duke of Guise and principal followers of the League and many other such like things which as evident signes of the King 's good inclination served in the mean time to cover the hidden web of his more real designs to the continuance whereof he was much excited by the Pope's demonstrations who moved with the Duke of Guise's success in driving the Germans out of the Kingdom and dissipating their Army with so much facility had written Letters to him full of infinite praises comparing him to those holy Maccbahees the defenders of the People of Israel so highly extolled in the Sacred Scripture and exhorting him to continue successfully and gloriously to fight for the advancement of the Church and the total extirpation of the Hugonots Which Letters to increase the Duke's fame and reputation were by his Dependents caused to be printed and divulged in Paris with as much applause of the people as anger and trouble in the King who could no way be pleased that another should have more credit and authority in his Kingdom then he himself and therefore the expressions of the Pope and opinion of the Court of Rome kept his mind beyond measure in perplexity as well in regard of his Conscience as for other important respects and consequences From the displeasure received by those Letters he began to proceed to a remedy not onely to divert the Pope's deliberations but also to bring to pass that in the belief of the World he might not be esteemed to have so little correspondence with the Apostolick Sea and to be in so little awe of the holy Catholick Church The Pope desired to have to do in these businesses that passed in France and as much as possibly he could to promote the enterprise of the Catholicks against the Hugonots for which purpose he was minded to chuse a Legat who might be present at that famous Convention of the States and understanding what concerned the interest of the Apostolick Sea with the Duke of Guise and Cardinal of Bourbon might sollicite the King about the assembling of them about the declaring of the War against the King of Navarre but most of all that he and all those of his Family as being manifestly guilty of Heresie might be judged incapable of ever coming to the Crown yet because he thought he saw not clearly into the affairs of that Kingdom and was not very sure what the ends of the League might be he was doubtful unto what person he should commit the charge of that business desiring neither utterly to alienate the King's mind nor to displease the Duke of Guise and thinking it a matter of so great importance as required a man of singular prudence and ability to manage it But he was not resolved of his choice till the King being advertised beforehand by the Ambassador Pisani sounded the bottom of his design whereupon desiring to have such a one as he might trust and nor one wholly devoted to the pleasure of the League he used all possible endeavours trying the most powerful means of that Court to procure that Giovan Francesco Moresini a Senator of Venice Bishop of Brescia who then resided in the Kingdom as the Pope's Nuncio might be chosen Legat a man truly of so much worth as being well informed of the present affairs was not a little acceptable to the King and yet not altogether distrusted by the Duke of Guise in regard of the dexterity wherewith he knew how to behave himself with every body The Pope disliked not the Nuncio because he knew him and esteemed him a man of singular wisdom and because having been employed in the Government of his Republick he believed him no less experienc'd in State-affairs and besides that being a Noble Venetian and by consequence well-affected to the Crown of France he thought he would not cast himself inconsiderately as a prey unto the League the Pope desiring he should hold the balance even and not favour the Duke of Guise's designes more then the service of the Catholick Religion and of the Roman Church required But though the King was much pleased with the person of the Legat who at that very time was created Cardinal yet was he beyond measure displeased that the Pope gave account of his Election to the Lords of the League exhorting them to communicate and consider of their counsels with him and that the Letters concerning it were printed and published by the League with their usual pride and yet this consideration had not so much power over his mind but that dissembling his disgust he sought by all possible ways to gain the Legat to the end that that by his means he might be the better able to justifie his own actions to the Pope and by degrees to take off the favour and assistance which he seemed to lend unto the enterprize of the League These things busied the Court when news was brought of a Conspiracy against the Duke of Espernon at Angoulesme whereby he was very like to have been suddenly ruined for the King's Letters being come though late wherein he commanded that he should not be received nor admitted into the possession of that Government some of the City who as mens affections are different were not much pleased to see him there and who were easily perswaded they should do the King acceptable service if they could drive him from that possession dispatched one of their confidents straight to Court unto Secretary Villeroy to know the King's intention more particularly and to give notice that they would venture either to drive him out of the City or take him prisoner though he stayed continually in the Castle a place very secure and well fortified This man's Proposition was not unpleasing unto Villeroy who by reason of his enmity with the Duke and because he had received commission to write the aforesaid Letters thought that the occasion complyed exceedingly with the King's desire and therefore spake of it to the King himself who beginning to distrust Villeroy of whom he was very jealous would not declare his pleasure openly in the business but to the end he might not sound into his most secret thoughts wherein he still loved and trusted the Duke of Espernon as much as he was wont said that he should not be sorry to see him driven out of Angoulesme or brought prisoner into his power so that his life might not be in danger which words being spoken coldly by him were hotly
urged by the Secretary to the Messenger of the Conspiratours who being a while after admitted into the King's Closet and known by him had Commission to be referred to such Orders as he should receive from the Secretary who though he would not give him any thing in writing yet he commanded that they should endeavour without fail to get the Duke of Espernon alive into their hands or drive him from the City affirming that it was his Majesties effectual desire and that by so doing they might very much oblige him The Conspiratours much quickned both by the relation of Villeroy different enough from the King's coldness and by the addition which as the custom is the Messenger made both of words and actions to shew themselves able executors of their promise talked not onely of taking the Duke alive but of killing him if they could not get him otherwise and having conferred of the business with the Sieurs de Mere de la Messeliere the Viscount of Aubeterre and some other Gentlemen of the Country upon the tenth day of August being the Feast of St. Laurence they ran suddenly to the Castle and having taken possession of the Gate the Guards not having the least suspition they went on to the Duke's most private lodgings and there fell upon his servants that were in the ante-chamber while he in the Room within was talking with the Sieur de Marivant and the Abbot del Bene. Here the resistance of a few stopt the violence of many for Raphaello Gieronimi a Florentine defended the entry of the door a great while with the death of three of the Conspiratours till he lost his life being shot with a Pistol when he was dead Sorlin the Duke's Chirurgion opposing the Enemies most stoutly though he were grievously wounded and with a loud voice calling up the Family which was in the lower Room to joyn in the defence stayed the fury of the assailants while the Duke and they that were with him having shut the door of the Chamber and made it up with Trunks and Chests which they found there had time to defend their lives against so sudden a violence In the mean time while these fought at the Chamber-door the Duke's Gentlemen among which Lancillotty di Nores a Cyprian first of all having heard the noise and taken Armes recovered the Gate of the Castle where the Sieurs d' Ambleville and l' Artigues staying to defend it the rest ran armed upon the staires and having found the Conspiratours who strove as much as possibly they could to get into the Chamber cut them all in pieces except one of the Consuls of the City whom they laid hands on and took alive The Duke having put on his Armes came forth of the Chamber and with his servants stood undauntedly upon his defence and being come into the Court where the clamour encreased he with his own hand slew the Consul's brother who was got thither having scaled the Castle-walls with some others that had armed themselves to relieve their Friends There they took five more of the chief Citizens prisoners who were got in by the same means and in that manner the furious assault of the Conspirators was repulsed In the mean time at the ringing of the Toquesaint all the People in the City were raised the chief whereof ran to seise upon the Duke's Lady who not suspecting any thing was gone to Mass in the great Church The Conspirators received new supplies every minute by the Gentry who knowing the business came in to them wherefore being increased in strength and courage they presently set things in order to assault the Castle But the Duke and they that were with him defended it valiantly and by threatning to kill the prisoners that were in their hands who were persons of note and principal men among the Citizens they kept the people in awe till the Sieur de Tagens came up with his Gens d' Armes who being quartered hard by made haste presently at the noise which was heard a great way off in the Fields at his arrival the people were affrighted and the Heads of the Conspiracy being dismayed at last by means of the Bishop of the City and of the Abbot del Bene they agreed that the Prisoners should be set at liberty the Dutchess likewise restored the Gentlemen that were of the Conspiracy put out of the City and the Duke as before acknowledged Governour for the King who shewing much courage in defending himself and much moderation after the Agreement did quickly extinguish that fire which had like suddenly to have consumed him The news of this business put Secretary Villeroy absolutely out of the King's favour who would not believe if the Messenger from the Citizens of Angoulesm had been answered as doubtfully and coldly in that matter as he intended that ever they would have dared to go so far as to attempt even against the Duke's life he having expresly forbidden them to do any such thing but thought for certain that Secretary Villeroy laying hold of that occasion had made use of it to wreak the open enmity and bitter hatred which he bore the Duke of â—spernon wherefore fretting within himself believing that he was surrounded on every side by Ministers that were sway'd with passion and interests and condemning their too much wisdom whereby they searched even into the marrow of his thoughts he remembred the example of his Grand-father who in the later times of his Reign had put away from him all those old Ministers of State which were become suspected for their too much wisdom and had imployed men of great integrity but such as were not of too high an understanding from whom he had received betterand more fruitful service then from those that were grown old in the prudence and experience of affairs With thisthought as soon as he was gone from Chartres to continue his journey towards Blois where he had determined to accomplish the end of his designs he dismissed from Court the Sieurs de Pinart and Brulart his old Secretaries of State and sent Benois his trusty Cabinet-Secretary to tell the High-Chancellor Chiverny Monsieur Bellieure and the Sieur de Villeroy who were gone to their houses to order their affairs and return that the King satisfied with the pains they had already taken commanded them to return no more to Court which order was received and executed by Bellieure with great moderation the High Chancellor laboured in vain to justifie himself and to get leave to return and the Sieur de Villeroy though he obeyed shewed nevertheless a great sense of grief thinking that his long toilâ— and services happily performed were unjustly despised and too ungratefully requited In the place of the High-Chancellor the King as the custome is chose Francois de Monthelon his Advocate in the Parliament of Paris to be Garde des Seaux a man of great integrity and honest intentions but not much accustomed to matters of Government wherein
Lyons with infinite speed so that upon Christmas-day in the evening about Sun-set the Duke left the City to retire to Dijon a place under his Government at the same time the Colonel entered the City by another Gate to execute the Commission he had received and so of the three Brothers he escaped free from danger into whose valour and wisdom all the foundations and hopes of the League were now reduced The death of the Queen-Mother shut up the last act of the Tragedy of Blois who in the 70 th year of her age having been long afflicted with the Gout and at last oppressed with a slow Feaver and extream abundance of Catharrs departed this life upon the fifth day of Ianuary 1589. being the Eve of the Epiphany of our Lord a day which was wont to be celebrated with great joy by the Court and the whole Kingdom of France The qualities of this Lady conspicuous for the spacious course of thirty years and famous thorow all Europe may better be comprehended by the context of things that have been related than described by any Pen or represented in a few words For her prudence always abounding with fitting determinations to remedy the sudden chances of Fortune and to oppose the machinations of humane wickedness wherewith in the minority of her Sons she managed the weight of so many Civil Wars contending at once with the effects of Religion with the contumacy of her Subjects with the necessities of the Treasury with the dissimulations of the Great Ones and with the dreadful engines raised by Ambition is rather to be admired distinctly in every particular action than confusedly dead-coloured in a general draught of all her vertues The constancy and greatness of courage wherewith she a Woman and a Stranger durst against so potent Competitors aspire to the whole weight of Government having aspired compass it and having compassed maintain it against the blows of art and fortune was much more like the generosity and courage of a man versed and hardned in the affairs of the world than of a woman accustomed to the delicacies of the Court and kept so low during the life of her Husband But the patience dexterity sufferance and moderation with which arts in the suspicion which her Son after so many proofs had conceived of her she knew still how to maintain the authority of Government in her self insomuch as without her counsel and consent he durst not resolve of those very things wherein he was jealous of her was as it were the highest pitch and most eminent proof of her great worth To these vertues which appear plainly in the course of her actions here related were added many other endowments wherewith banishing the frailties and imperfections of the Female Sex she became always Mistress of those passions which use to make the brightest lights of humane prudence wander from the right path of life for in her were a most elegant wit royal magnificence popular courtesie a powerful manner of speaking an effectual inclination liberal and favourable to the good a most bitter hatred and perpetual ill-will to the bad and a temperature never excessively interessed in favouring and advancing her dependents Yet could she never do so much but that being an Italian her vertue was despised by the French pride and those that had a desire to disturb the Kingdom hated her mortally as contrary to their designs wherefore the Hugonots in particular both in her life-time and after her death blasted and tore her Name with poysonous Libels and with malicious Narrations and Execrations and a certain Writer who deserves rather the name of a Satyrist than a Historian hath laboured to make her actions appear very different from the truth attributing often either ignorantly or maliciously the causes of her determinations to a perversity of nature and an excessive appetite to govern abasing and diminishing the glory of those effects which in the midst of so certain dangers did more than once securely produce the safety and divert the overthrow of the Kingdom Not but among so many excellent vertues some weeds of worldly imperfections did also spring up for she was esteemed of a most deceitful Faith a condition common enough in all times but very peculiar to that age greedy or rather prodigal of humane blood much more than became the tenderness of the Female Sex and it appeared in many occasions that to attain her own ends though good she thought no means unfit which seemed conducing to her designs though of themselves they were unjust and perfidious But the eminence of so many other vertues may certainly to reasonable Judges cover many of those defects which were produced by the urgency and necessity of affairs The King was present with demonstrations of extream griefs at the last gasps of her life which ended very Christianly and her death was honoured with his tears and with exceeding great lamentations by the whole Court though the present distractions did in the hasty Funeral of the Mother very much hinder the wonted Magnificence of the Son Her Heirs were Chrestienne de Lorain Wife to Ferdinando Grand Duke of Thuscany and Charles Grand Prior of France Bastard-Son to Charles the Ninth who was therefore called the Count of Auvergne and to her Servants she left many Legacies but the unquietness of the times that followed and some debts contracted by her liberality did by divers ways swallow up in great part both the Inheritance and the Legacies The End of the Ninth BOOK THE HISTORY OF THE Civil Wars of France By HENRICO CATERINO DAVILA. The TENTH BOOK The ARGUMENT IN the Tenth Book are related the Insurrections caused by the death of the Cardinal and Duke of Guise the Union renewed in Paris and many other Cities of the Kingdom The Authority of command and Title of Lieutenant-General of the Crown given to the Duke of Mayenne The King commands process to be made against the actions of the dead Princes he continues the States but breaks them up at last the Deputies being variously inclined The King strives to appease the Pope who is highly offended at the Cardinal of Guise's death He dispatcheth the Bishop of Mans to Rome for that purpose but the Pope persists and makes grievous complaints in the Consistory The King endeavours to make peace with the Duke of Mayenne but neither doth that design take effect The Duke goes to Paris and begins several ways to take up Arms he establishes the General Council of the League and the particular one of the Sixteen at Paris He dispatches Ministers to Rome to confirm the Popes inclination who afterward publisheth a Monitory against the King of France and foments the League exceedingly The King being necessitated to make War agrees with the King of Navarre and concludes a Truce with him The Spanish Ambassador leaves the Court and goes to reside in Paris with the Heads of the League the Popes Legat departs also and not having been able to perswade the
having power to do or determine any thing without the Council of Sixteen and because every one cried out tumultuously that the City ought to be kept from the machinations and violences of the Hugonots and Politicks who upon occasion of the slaughter of Blois might plot against the general peace and safety the Duke having taken the name and authority of Governor put the people in Arms and under their Commanders distributed them to the keeping of the principal places taking care that the goods and houses of the Citizens might not be pillaged by the Seditious Rabble The same evening and the next day the Preachers thundered from their Pulpits the praises of the Duke of Guise's Martyrdom and detestations of that slaughter most cruelly committed by the King in such manner that not onely the mindes of the baser people but also of the most noted Citizens were won by their perswasions and kindled with an infinite desire to take revenge Which boldness both in the Preachers and People was doubled when they heard the news of the Cardinals death also which brought them to the highest pitch of rage and madness so that upon the Eight and twentieth of December being Innocents day the Council of Sixteen caused a Writing to be presented to the Colledge of Divines called the Sorbonne in the name of the Provost and Eschevins of the City wherein relating how much the Lords of Guise deserved of the Catholick Church and their being murdered by the King as Protectors of the faith they demanded whether he might not lawfully be said to have forfeited his Crown and whether it were not lawful for his Subjects notwithstanding their Oath of Allegiance to withdraw their obedience from him as an Hypocrite Prince an open favourer of Heresie and a persecutor of the holy Church who had bloodied his hands in the sacred Order and eminent Person of a Cardinal The Colledge of Sorbonne being assembled there was no great debate about the matter For though Iehan Fabray Dean of the Colledge a man of profound Learning followed by Robert Vauvarrin and Dennis Sorbin two of the Senior Doctors argued that though it were true that the business had passed as the Writing related which was doubtful yet neither for all that could the King be said to have forfeited the Kingdom nor was it lawful for his People to withdraw their obedience from him so great nevertheless was the ardour of the younger men excited by the Preachings of Guilliaume Roze Bishop of Senlis of the Curats of St. Paul and St. Eustache of Iehan Vincestre Iohn Hamilton Father Iaques Commolet a Jesuit Father Bernard a Fuillant and of Father Francois de Feu-ardant a Franciscan that they unanimously concurred to determine both the points and with concurring votes declared That the King had forfeited his right to the Crown and that his subjects not onely might but ought to cast off their obedience and that providing for the Government they justly had power to make confederacies to impose Subsidies raise Soldiers dispose of the Revenues of the Crown and to do all other things which were opportune or convenient for the defence of Religion and their own security They added with the same universal consent that the Decree of this Declaration should be sent to the Pope that he might confirm it and make it so authentick that the validity of it might not at all be called in question for the time to come after which Declaration the people as it were loosened from the bonds of obedience and having broken the rein of Modesty ran violently to the breaking down of the King's Armes and Statues wheresoever they found them and began furiously to seek out all those which could be accounted dependents of his party by them called Narvarrists and Politicks which insolent tumultuous search forced many quiet men and such as were averse from those turbulent wayes to leave their houses to save their lives many others were fain to compound with money and some notwithstanding the Duke of Aumale took great pains to prevent it lost their lives unfortunately in the business while which things were done with infinite disorder all the streets were full of Arms noises and confusions and the meanest people raging against the marks of Royalty committed scandalous and intolerable insolencies all Churches eccho'd with voices of the Preachers who aggravated the Parricide committed by Henry of Valois no longer called King of France but the Heretick Tyrant and persecutor of the holy Church and all places were full of Libels both in Verse and Prose which contained and amplified the same things several wayes But the Council of Sixteen desiring to reduce the City totally into their power and seeing the Parliament divided part being inclined to follow the popular commotions part disposed to persevere in their obedience to the King determined that the Presidents and Counsellors which held the King's party should as enemies to the publick good and adherents to the Tyrant be not onely removed from their Offices but also shut up close prisoners in the Bastille foreseeing well that if they continued at liberty and had power to manage their affairs it would infinitely cross their designs and with very great danger interrupt the union and concord of the other Citizens Wherefore having resolved among themselves what was to be done and brought all the Heads of the people to their opinion upon the Sixteenth of Ianuary they with a great number of armed men beset the Palace-Hall where according to the custom the Counsellors of Parliament were met together and having made good all the passages and set guards at every door they called forth Achille de Harlay first President of the Parliament and all the rest by name whom they had determined to lay hold on who being come readily forth to know what they would have with them already presaging very well what would come to pass the Sieur de Bussy deputed to execute that business gave them order to follow him which command grounded rather upon force than reason being by them obeyed without resistance they were led thorough the cries and injurious usage of the people to the Bastille onely Pierre Segiver and Iaques Auguste de Thou by the help of fortune secretly saved themselves who depending upon the King's party had laboured stoutly to keep the Parliament from medling in the Insurrection The favourers of the League being encouraged and the opposers of it terrified by this vehement resolution the remaining Presidents and Counsellors chose Barnabe Brisson first President and Head of the Parliament a man of deep learning and singular eloquence but of a violent various inclination and therefore very subject to alter his opinions easily and afterward the Parliament being solemnly assembled to the number of 160 they with a publick Declaration assented to the deposing of the King and to the freeing of the City and substituted new men in the places of those whom they had put out and imprisoned Nor
done The Count de Randan held the command in Auvergne and in Provence the Marquess de Villars and the Sieur de Vins an old adherent to the House of Guise The Dukes of Ioyeuse Father and Brother to him that was slain in the Battel of Contras fighting against the King of Navarre had the Government of Gascogne in which Province except the City and Parliament of Tholouse the party of the Confederates was not very strong and in Dauphine Languedoc and Guienne the League had but very slender Forces But before all these preparations the Duke dispatched Lazare Coqueille Counsellor in the Parliament of Paris to Rome and with him were gone two Doctors of the Sâ—rbonne to confirm the Decree of their Colledge by which they had determined That the King had forfeited his right to the Crown and that his Subjects might justly withdraw their obedience from him the Duke foreseeing well that the popular Cause wholly founded upon the pretence of Religion was to look for and take its increase and nourishment from the Apostolick Sea and the Popes approbation But the King who afflicted with his wonted melancholly though he dissembled it had since the death of his Mother been many days troubled with a Bloody Flux was no less sollicitous concerning the affairs at Rome than the Duke of Mayenne as well because being a very great honourer of Religion he could not be satisfied to live disobedient to the Apostolick Sea as because making the same judgment as they of the League he saw that the greatest foundation of the adverse party consisted in the approbation and encouragement from Rome Wherefore though he had caused absolution to be given him for the death of the Cardinal by vertue of a Breve granted to him a few months before by the present Pope to make himself be absolved in all reserved cases by his own Ordinary Confessor yet seeing that that was not enough he sent Claude d' Angennes of his beloved Family of Rambouillet Bishop of Mans a man of profound Learning and singular Eloquence to the end that being informed of all his Reasons he might as his Sollicitor sue for an absolution from the Pope and endeavour to reconcile him to the Apostolick Sea to which so he might but secure himself he was ready to give the most exact satisfaction The Bishop of Mans came to Rome and having conferred with the other Ambassadors they went together to receive audience from the Pope where after words of compliment full of most deep submission they first argued that the King had not incurred any Censure not having violated the Ecclesiastical Liberties and Immunities for the Cardinal was guilty of the crime of Rebellion in which case the Prelates of France notwithstanding any dignity whatsoever are understood to be subject to the Secular Jurisdiction and so much the rather because he having been a Peer of France his causes naturally ought to be judged in the Court of Peers which is no other but the great Court of Parliament with the assistance of the Princes and Officers of the Crown so that if the King had infringed any Jurisdiction it was that of the Parliament and not the Ecclesiastical one which hath nothing to do with the Peers of France But because this reason was not only disapproved by the Pope but that also he seemed more displeased and offended at it alledging that the eminency and Priviledges of the dignity of Cardinal were immediately subject to the Pope and no other the Ambassadors began to dispute that the Kings of France could not incur Censure for any Sentence they should give and urged the Priviledges of the most Christian Kings and the Jurisdiction of the Gallique Church But this incensed the Pope so much the more who bad them take heed how they proposed things that had a touch of Heresie as this had for he would cause them to be punished To which though the Marquiss replied That as Ambassadors they could not be medled withal nor punished and that no fear should make them forbear to propose the Kings right yet having received Commission to appease and not to exasperate the Pope they alledged in the third place That the King by virtue of the Apostolick Breve granted to him by his Holiness had caused himself to be absolved and therefore they insisted only that his Holiness knowing the Pardon he had granted him would either confirm it or not be displeased if the King valuing it as he ought had made use of it in a seasonable occasion For not having in the heat of danger considered so particularly and having never had any intention to offend the Jurisdiction of the Apostolick See after he had been made sensible of it he being moved with scruple of Conscience had prostrated himself at the feet of his Confessor and had begged and obtained absolution for as much as need should require though he thought he had not transgressed effectively To this the Pope answered That the Breve was granted for things past but could not extend to future sins the absolution whereof cannot be anticipated That such a case as this in which the Apostolick See was directly offended and all Christendom scandalized was not comprehended under that Breve and that the Exposition was to be demanded from him who had granted it which now he declared affirming that it had never been his intention to enable the King to receive absolution for his future faults and for so evident a violation of the Dignity of Cardinal This Treaty having been often repeated and discussed with great allegations of Right and Authority in the end the Ambassadors were contented to petition in writing for the Popes absolution who expressed a desire to have it so and that it was the means to appease and satisfie him Wherefore after good Offices done by the Venetian and Florentine Ambassadors in favour of the King having received order from their Princes to take great pains in his behalf the Bishop with a Petition of a very submissive form demanded absolution of the Pope who with pleasing words answered That he would willingly grant it when he should be assured of the Kings contrition whereof he would have this token that he should set at liberty the Cardinal of Bourbon and Archbishop of Lyons it being vain to grant him absolution for one thing whilst he persisted in the act of another which did infer the same prejudice to the Apostolick See which he could not dissemble At this the Ambassadors and those that favoured them were exceedingly perplexed conceiving themselves to have been deceived and thinking that another kind of moderation ought to be used towards a King of France wherefore laying together all those reasons already alledged in the former Conferences they concluded that the King by setting those Prelates at liberty should but increase the fire in his Kingdom with the evident danger of his own Life and Crown and that therefore it was not fit to free them To which the Pope
party The Monitory was posted up in Rome upon the Three and twentieth of May and within a very few dayes after published at Meaux ten Leagues distant from Paris the Bishop of which place was made High-Chancellor by the Duke of Mayenne in the Council of the Vnion The King was so grieved for this determination of the Pope that it produced an universal sadness and the progress of the Army was very much slackened by it Wherefore the Archbishop of Bourges began publickly to comfort him saying That as the Pope ill-informed by the suggestion of the Confederates believing what they did was out of zeal to Religion had pronounced that Sentence so when he should be better informed and assured that they fought for Passion and Ambition and not for the Apostolick See nor for the Faith he certainly as a common Father would change his opinion But the King after a deep sigh replied That he thought it very hard that he who had ever fought and laboured for Religion should be rashly excommunicated because he would not suffer his own throat to be cut by the Armes of his Rebel-Subjects and that those who had sacked Rome and kept the Pope himself prisoner had never been Excommunicated to which the King of Navarre who was present answered But they were victorious Sir Let your Majesty endeavour to conquer and be assured the Censures shall be revoked but if we be overcome we shall all die condemned Hereticks The King assented and all the by-standers did the like and upon that hope order was given the Army should march and having laid siege to Estampes and that Town being taken by assault the King very much exasperated and moved by his natural melancholly now outwardly stirred up by so many provocations caused all the Magistrates to be hanged and gave the pillage of the Town freely to the soldiers From Estampes the King being desirous to shut up all the passages of those Rivers that were fit to streighten the City of Paris marched on with the body of his Army to besiege Poissy and the Duke of Espernon enlarging himself with the Reer took and with the same violence sacked Montereau upon the River Yonne Poissy made very little resistance and the Town yielding it self the King was Master of that brave spacious Bridge which there gives passage over the Seine by the help whereof he was able to enlarge himself on both sides the River In this place the D. of Montpensier who had followed the track of the D. of Mayenne out of Normandy without receiving any opposition joined with the King's Army who intended to make that Town his Magazine gave the Government of it to the Sieur de Villiers and leaving his Baggage Ammunion and part of his Artillery there put in a Garrison of 2000 Foot Poissy being taken and manned the King of Navarre with his Van-guard went without delay to besiege Pontoise in which Monsieur d'Alincourt was Governor and with him the Sieur de Hautfort put in also by the Duke of Mayenne to supply what should be defective these having fortifi'd a Church which stood in a corner of the Town and reduced it to the form of a Raveline stood constantly upon their defence The first force was imployed against the Church which battered and assaulted and no less resolutely defended maintained it self for the space of nine dayes at the end of which Hautfort being killed with a Cannon-shot the Church was also taken and utterly demolished and the defendents retired to make good the Walls But the Sieur d'Alincourt being wounded in the shoulder and the most valiant of the Defendents being slain by the violence of the Artillery and in the fury of a bloody assault the rest were necessarily forced to yield who marched out of the Town upon the four and twentieth of Iuly with this condition that they should not bear arms again in service of the League till after three months The next day after the taking of Pontoise the forreign Army arrived at Poissy-bridge for Monsieur de Sancy being first met by the Count de Tavannes with Five hundred Horse in the Confines of Bourgongne and then in Champagne by the Duke de Longueville and the Sieur de la Noue with Twelve hundred Horse and Two thousand French Muskettiers had advanced with great diligence nor durst the Duke of Mayenne who had made shew that he would oppose his passage meet him with so much weaker Forces so that upon Saint Iames's day they passed the Bridge at Poissy being received with great joy and provided for with great plenty to refresh themselves by Monsieur de Villiers who had caused many carts full of Wine and provisions to be brought beyond the Bridge to welcome the Swisses and the Germans The next morning which was Saint Annes day the King desired to see them and view them in their Divisions largely spread over the fields and being accompanied by the King of Navarre and the Duke of Montpensier he welcomed and cherished the Commanders with great familiarity honouring them with such warlike presents as the state of things in the fury of Arms would permit There were 10000 Swisses 2000 German Foot 2000 Reiters to which the Forces of the King the Duke of Longueville the Duke of Montpensier the Baron de Giury the King of Navarre being added the Army amounted to the number of Two and forty thousand fighting men The terror of this Army made all the places thereabout to yield and the Bridge of St. Cloud a place within a League of Paris having had the boldness to shut their Gates upon the nine and twentieth day was victoriously forced open and the relief which the Sieurs de Bourdaisiere and Tremblecourt had attempted to put into it with two Regiments of Foot and Four hundred Horse was likewise furiously driven back by the Cavalry The affairs of Paris were already reduced into an exceeding ill condition for all the Bridges being lost all the neighbouring Towns surrendred all the passages of the River stopped and the City streightned on all sides there was no other hope left than what the presence of the Duke of Mayenne and of the Army afforded which was all shut up within the circuit of the Suburbs of Paris The Army was 8000 French Foot and 1800 Horse but so great was the scarcity of victual and the terror that had seized every one by reason of the Kings's prosperous successes and severe resolution that within two dayes the French Foot were reduced to Five thousand and the Germans demanding meat and money began to threaten that they would go over to the Enemies Camp Nor were the inhabitants more resolute or more unanimous than the soldiers for the common people following the ordinary course as they had been precipitate to rebel so hoping by their meanness and obscurity to lie hid and escape unpunished were easily induced to submit themselves to the King and those who from the beginning had been inclined to his devotion
still with continual pains and exceeding great charge he endeavoured to subdue the City of Geneva the basis and foundation of Calvinism he laboured to win the protection of the Legate who not being well informed how matters went did not take notice that the Duke brought on his pretensions that way because he had no better prop to uphold them and strove to get into favour with the Pope and Legate to draw supplies from them of men and money whereby he might bring those of Geneva under his yoke and fortifie and establish himself in the possession of the Marquesate of Saluzzo against whosoever should at last be elected and acknowledged King of France wherein he saw he could not have a more safe Protector than the Pope But the Cardinal Legate being come into France was not long before he found effects contrary to his opinion for having sent to require Colonel Alfonso Corso not only to forbear molesting Grenoble and Valence which Cities alone held for the League in Dauphine but also that as a Catholick and a Stranger he should forsake the King's party and joyn with the Vnion that trial proved vain for the answer he received was That he was indeed a Catholick and an obedient Son to the Apostolick See in Spiritual things but that having made his fortune as a Soldier in the service of the King of France he could not desist from following him and following him he was bound to do that to Grenoble and Valence which he thought fit for the affairs of the Prince whom he served By which answer the Legat was a little dashed who was so much the more troubled when being come to Lyons he found the business of the League in such disorder by the King 's prosperous success that he was so far from obtaining any thing else that he could neither have security nor convoy to prosecute his journey for the Count of Brissac appointed at first by the Duke of Mayenne to meet him and secure his passage was necessitated to face about and imploy himself in the affairs of Normandy and Monsieur de la Bourdaiâ—iere to whom that Commission was given afterward had been defeated by the King's Forces under the command of the Sieur de Pralin near Bar upon the Seine so that being reduced into very great perplexity he knew not by what resolution to steer his course so various were the things that represented themselves to his consideration The Duke of Nevers being retired home and not interessed on either side invited him to come into his State where standing neuter as befitted one that represented the Apostolick See he might freely take those wayes that should appear most convenient to him and this determination seemed to agree with the Popes intentions and instructions On the other side the Duke of Mayenne ceased not to sollicite him to come to Paris shewing him that without the authority of his name and without those helps which were hoped for from him the League was in danger to be dissolved and to be subdued by the King's Forces and by consequence not only the City of Paris but all the rest of the Kingdom would remain oppressed by the Hugonot party The King did not at all despair but that if he could not be wrought to come into the places under his obedience he might at least be perswaded to stay in some Neutral Town out of the way and perchance to go to the City of Avignion till he saw the issue of the Duke of Luxembourgs Embassie at Rome to forward which hopes he had caused to be published That if the Popes Legat who was reported to be coming should take his journey toward him every one should receive honor and reverence him taking care neither to offend him nor any of his followers and should by all means give him safe conduct and security But if he went towards the quarters of the League he did expresly forbid every one to acknowledge him for a Legat or to receive him into those places that were under his obedience upon pain of Rebellion But the Legat did not only think it unsafe to go to the Duke of Nevers a weak Prince who had neither Fort nor principal City wherein he might shelter himself from the snares of the Hugonots and unhandsome to return back But also he esteemed it much more indecent and prejudicial to abandon the Catholick party and by that demonstration utterly to confound and deject the mindes of those who were for the League with a manifest increase of the King's Forces and reputation from whence a greater mischief would have followed in Spiritual then in Temporal Matters because to the Popes dishonor the Catholick party would have been abandoned through his default and the King who at that time for fear of his enemies made shew both in words and actions that he would turn Catholick would be left free with power to do what he pleased without respect of any Body and finally he thought with himself that he was come into France not onely to compose the Discords but principally to endeavor the suppression of the King of Navarre an enemy to the Church and the election of a new King depending wholly upon the Pope as a friend and confident to the Kingdom of Spain This opinion had so much power with him that being grounded upon decency and not finding any obstacle to the contrary in his Commission he resolved at last to satisfie the party of the League and to go on without delay to Paris Wherefore seeing the Duke of Mayenne extreamly taken up with Military employments he sent Monsignor Bianchetti to the Duke of Lorain to demand a Convoy of him for his safe passage which being obtained without difficulty passing by Dijon and Troys he came upon the Twentieth day of Ianuary into the City of Paris being received with most solemn pomp and lodged in the Bishops Palace richly and sumptuously furnished with the King's stuff taken out of the Lodgings of the Louvre At his arrival he caused the Popes Breve of the Fifteenth of October to be published wherein after an honorable commemoration of the merits of the Kingdom of France toward the Apostolick See and of the reciprocal benefits and kind demonstrations of it towards the most Christian Kings in all times and after having compassionately deplored the present troubles and calamities he attested that with the counsel of the Cardinals he had chosen Cardinal Gaetano Legat to the Kingdom of France with power to use by the Divine assistance all means which by him should be thought fit to protect the Catholick Religion to recall Hereticks into the bosome of the Church to restore the peace and tranquillity of the Kingdom and finally to procure that under one onely good pious and truly Catholick King the people of the Kingdom might to the glory of God live in quietness and tranquillity after so many dangers and calamities of War Wherefore he did pray and exhort all the Orders
On the other side the Count de Schombergh with the German Horse not wheeling off but charging home into the very Body of the Enemy with Volleys of Pistols did great execution upon the Squadron of the Chevalier d' Aumale who no less valiant than fame reported him being seconded by a strong party of his men made the Conflict very sharp and dangerous But the Reiters who were placed before the Duke of Mayenne having received much damage by the Artillery advancing nevertheless wheeling to make their charge but when they came into the hollow of the field they found the Forlorn-hope who standing up courageously upon their feet welcomed them with a terrible storm of Musket-bullets by which the Duke of Brunswick one of their chief Commanders being slain and many other wounded and beaten to the ground assoon as ever they had discharged their Pistols they fell off according to the custom of their Discipline turning to get behind the Body of the Army as they had received Orders from their General but not having found the passage open as by directions it should have been they by reason of the narrowness of the Intervals between the Squadrons rushed upon and disordered that great Body of Lances wherewith the Duke of Mayenne followed them to charge the Battel so that he was constrained to stop and make his men couch their Lanches setting himself to keep off the Reiters and disingage himself from them lest he should have been routed by their inconsiderate violence which the King observing and laying hold of the opportunity that disorder of his Enemies afforded him setting spurs to his Horse and being boldly seconded by the flower of the Nobility that followed his Cornet he fell in fiercely to the Battel before the Duke of Mayenne could recover himself from the incumbrance of the Reiters and make his Lances take their career whereby they becoming useless because they do their effect and receive their force and vigour by running it was necessary to throw them away and fight with their Swords alone against the Kings Squadrons in which all were Knights and Gentlemen who besides their Tucks were admirably well armed and had each man a Case of Pistols at his Saddle yet did not this startle the valour of the Duke nor make those that followed him lose courage but after a furious Volley of Carabines rushing in boldly with gallant horses they made the Victory first doubtful and then bloody to the Enemy for in the very beginning the Sieur de Rhodes a youth of great expectation who carried the Royal white Cornet being slain with a thrust thorow the fight of his Bever and a Page falling in the same place who wore a great Plume like that of the Kings it was commonly believed of all that the King himself was dead upon which mistake the Squadron began to break some yielding back to the right some to the left hand But the Kings Horse and Plume being known afterwards he himself fighting desperately with his Sword in his hand in the first rank and with his voice exhorting those that were near to follow him they turned and shut themselves close together all in the same place and taking their second Pistols fought with the wonted valour of the French Nobility so that all impediments being overcome and broken to pieces they at length overthrew the Enemy with an exceeding great slaughter and made them turn their backs and being mingled with them pursued them terribly wounding and killing to the very entry of the Wood into which the Reiters also being disordered first falling foul upon their Cannon and then sometimes upon one Squadron sometimes upon another were retreated without ever turning their faces to their own infinite dishonour and the no less prejudice of their Army Almost at the same instant the Duke of Montpensier relieved by the Mareschal d' Aumont who fell in upon the flank had routed the Vanguard of the Duke of Nemours and the Count of Schombergh relieved by the Baron de Byron had likewise beaten the Reerguard of the Chevalier d' Aumale and the Grand Prior having rallied his Light-horse had broken and done great execution upon those of the Spaniards and Bourguignons who shut up the Reerguard in the very uttermost parts of the Army so that all the Cavalry of the League being disordered and put to flight had left the field free unto the Enemy and fleeing with all speed made towards Yvry to save themselves by passing the River But the Victory was neither secure nor pleasing in the Kings Camp because they did not yet see the Kings Person and the first news of his death that was dispersed was yet believed true by many nor would there have been any joy in the Army if he had not appeared at the head of his Squadron wherewith he had routed and pursued the Enemies But at his appearance who had put off his Helmet to be better known that joyful cry of Vive le Roy was reiterated which in the beginning had given an happy Omen of the end of the Battel The Infantry of the League remained untouched but invironed on all sides by the Kings Forces The Swisses made shew as if they would defend themselves but seeing that the Cannon were bringing up to rake thorow and break them they took a resolution to yield which the King seeing because he would not exasperate that Nation whose friendship was nearly to be valued assoon as they had laid down their Colours and Arms upon the ground they were received and quarter given them by the Mareschal de Byron The Germans thought to have done the like but being the same who having been raised with the Kings money had revolted to the Duke of Lorain and with a mercenary spirit had born Arms in favour of the League after they had ordered their Pikes and laid down their Colours were by the Kings command all cut in pieces for a punishment of their perfidiousness The French Infantry that yielded had their lives given them for the King from the very beginning of the Victory having to gain the general love cried out aloud often times that the strangers should be put to the Sword but the French saved alive the same voice being taken up by the whole Army thorow all parts of the field and every one even in the fury of the Battel enjoying the benefit of this remarkable clemency the French that yielded themselves were received without any difficulty These things being dispatched with very great haste and the Army remaining Master of the whole field the King rallying his men in order followed towards Yvry whither the Enemy was gotten in which place the tumult was dreadful and the confusion miserable for the Duke of Mayenne having passed the Bridge had caused it to be broken down that the Enemy might not have means to follow him Whereupon a great number of Run-a-ways crowding and stopping one another by reason of the narrowness of the
Prelates and Doctors who in a short time might certifie him of the truth That it was not good to foment War any longer and let Discords run on without end but by the observation of his promises to comfort all his Subjects as well those that had gotten the Victory as the others who for the zeal of Religion stood alienated from him Finally That it could no longer be said that either contumacious or seditious persons were cause of the War things being now reduced to that point that it was in his Majesties power to give Peace by his Conversion which if he should not do after so many promises all future evils and calamities would be imputed to him and to no other body These last words pierced the King's mind to the very quick who answered That he would take the Opinion of his good and faithful servants that followed him and that therefore he would confer with them about it and give his resolution the day following At which time he being already upon the point of his departure from Melun sent for the Sieur de Villeroy and bad him return to the Duke of Mayenne and tell him That he took in good part what had been delivered from him that he desired to be reconciled and to do good to every one and particularly to the Duke of Mayenne and all the rest of his Family if by them he should be assisted to settle peace in the Kingdom as they might easily do and that in it he would give them all reasonable satisfaction That for the point of Religion he had already contented those Catholicks that followed him who were many of great extraction of exceeding great strength and of profound wisdom to whose determination he thought all the rest might accommodate themselves That if they desired to have more security and caution for the preservation of their Religion and safety of their Consciences he was ready to give it most fully having taken into consideration all that he had represented to him but that he could not proceed to treat further with him having no power nor authority at all from the Duke of Mayenne to conclude any thing but if Deputies and Commissioners should be sent unto him with sufficient power he would willingly admit them use them well and endeavour to give the Dukes party the greatest and most compleat satisfaction that might be out of his great desire to free his people from the afflictions and calamities of Civil War The Sieur de Villeroy answered That his Majesties consideration of not treating but with such as had power to conclude was very prudent and reasonable but that he should remember the Duke of Mayenne was not absolute Master but Head of his party which hath relation to all the other members without whose consent he could not acknowledge his Majesty to be King of France nor determine in point of Religion That it was necessary for him to confer with them and that they should resolve together how his Majesty having been so many years Head of his party had by his own experience found that that could not be done without delaying time it being needful to unite those that were interessed from so many several distant Provinces That while the War was so hot it was impossible to make that Assembly wherefore a Cessation of Arms was necessary or at least a sufficient number of passes to draw those together who were to deliberate about the sum of affairs At the naming a Cessation of Arms the King replied suddenly That that was not to be spoken of for he would not by any delay lose the fruit of his Victory nor slacken the progress of his Arms having had experience of how great importance that was to the whole business but that for the manner of assembling his party he left the thought to the Duke of Mayenne being resolved not to forbear the prosecution of his Arms no not for a moment With this answer and such like discourses had with the Mareschal de Byron Villeroy departed without any conclusion either of Peace or Truce and all the endeavours used to divert the siege of Paris proved ineffectual Wherefore the King to whom Cressy and Moret weak places had surrendred themselves and Provins a rich Town but not strong though chief of the Province of Brie and but twenty leagues from the City of Paris marched to Nangy where having re-united his Army which had been divided to gain these places he advanced upon the Fifteenth day of April to take other Towns which might streighten and block up Paris Montereau Bray Comte-Robert and Nogent upon the Seine yielded without resistance but Mery a little place having had the boldness to stand out was by the violence of the Souldiers most furiously taken and sacked There remained on that side the City Sens a great Town and affectionate to the League seated upon the Confines of Brie and Bourgogne wherein were the Sieur de Chanvalon and the Marquiss Fortunato Malvicino but they agreed not well together for Chanvalon sought an opportunity to go over to the King and to make his peace by giving up the City into his hands but the Marquiss on the other side would defend it as his honour obliged him having as a stranger no other aim but to shew himself a gallant Souldier and to do service for the Duke of Nemours being Lieutenant of his Troop of Gens d' Arms wherefore Chanvalon having treated secretly with the Mareschal d' Aumont and exhorted the King to come before the Town siege was laid unto it the Cannon planted and they began to batter with hopes that some tumult might arise among the Citizens in favour of the King but having to try the constancy of the Defendents made an assault which the Marquiss and those of the Town resisted valiantly the King not willing to lose time about that place which was not very necessary and interrupt his design upon Paris wherein consisted the sum of his affairs raised the siege without delay and minded the taking and fortifying of those other places which might cut off the passage of provisions to Paris In the mean time the Cardinal Legat anxious and sollicitous both for his own danger and the imminent siege of the Parisians had caused a new Treaty of Agreement to be introduced between the Bishop of Ceneda and the Mareschal de Byron for which purpose the Bishop came to Bray to confer with the Mareschal and as one who because he was a Venetian and so of a Country favourable to the Kings affairs had freer access than any other he treated with a great deal of liberty about his Conversion and afterwards descended to speak about a Cessation of Arms by means whereof they might have leisure to negotiate Peace maturely on either side but this attempt was no less vain than the rest the King being resolved not to delay the progress of his Arms and by how much the more the Enemy laboured for it so much the
more unwilling was he to allow them any space to take breath and the more he saw the Lords of the League intent upon gaining time to get Armies and Supplies the more did he enter into a secure hope within a while to obtain the City of Paris by means of a siege without danger and without blood Wherefore all things proving contrary to the Bishops design he procured to confer personally with the King but in such manner as it might seem to have hapned by chance and not to have been sought by him which having spoken of to the Abbot del Bene he brought to pass that the King should go forth betimes in the morning a hunting and that the Bishop should depart a little later to return to Paris so that they met as it were accidentally upon the way which incounter began with kind salutations and then riding together a good part of the way the Bishop entred into the discourse which he had intended to make exhorting the King to his conversion and to return into the bosom of the Church To which the King having made his wonted answers That he was not obstinate but would be made capable of the truth by those circumstances of times persons and places which were fitting nor would he be driven by force or the threatnings of his Enemies but be drawn by the Grace and Inspiration of God The Bishop replied The best means for that would be a Truce wherein the commotions of mens minds kindled by the exercise of Arms ceasing he might have opportunity to receive instruction and to do with honour and deliberation whatsoever was needful But as soon as the King heard him motion a Truce he answered with a loud voice That if he had been a good Venetian he would not have given him that counsel but that these were the devices of Cardinal Gaetano who shewed himself a much better Spaniard than a Church-man And here he began to complain very much of him that carrying himself differently from the Popes Commission he had declared himself his Enemy at his entry into the Kingdom and made his residence in that City which was Head of the contrary party whereas it had been fit for him that represented the Apostolick See to have stood Neutral and to have endeavoured and procured a Peace by his good counsel and by actions conformable to right and his profession which then would have had more credit but that now terrified by the present danger or else co-operating with the designs of the Spaniards he sought not to introduce Peace but to frustrate the effects of his labours and the fruits of his Victories while the League might gain time to recover strength and thâ—t therefore he was not disposed to give any ear unto it With which words they parted and the Bishop returned with this final answer to Paris But at his return all hope of Truce failing they set their minds with so much the more sollicitousness to make necessary provisions to sustain the strict siege which the Enemy was preparing The people was already disposed by the long exhortations of their Preachers and the earnest negotiation of those that governed to endure the siege and hazard their lives rather than their consciences being wrought upon by the frequent Decrees of the Sorbonne and by the Declarations and Protestations of the Cardinal-Legat that an Agreement could not be treated with the Hereticks without damnation and that a King of a different Religion obstinate in his opinion a Persecutor of the Church and an Enemy to the Apostolick See was not to be received By these opinions which every hour were thundered out of the Pulpits and discoursed of in meetings mens minds were so effectually moved and confirmed that they were not only ready to suffer constantly the danger and toil of bearing Arms and that which was much more evident and more terrible the extream misery of an enraged hunger but moreover they could not so much as endure any one that durst hold or affirm the contrary so that many who let slip some words that it was better to make an Accommodation than starve for hunger and that Peace was better than a Siege were by the fury of the people either executed in publick or cast headlong into the River as damned persons Enemies of the Catholick Faith and infected with the poison of Heresie This constancy was augmented by the presence of the Cardinal-Legat the residence of the Dutchesses of Nemours Montpensier and Mayenne the forwardness and vigour of the Duke of Nemours and Chevalier d' Aumale and much more by the most certain hopes which the Duke of Mayenne gave them every hour by effectual Letters that he would relieve the City powerfully within a few weeks The Heads being desirous to increase and confirm this inclination of the people by some outward circumstances a great solemn Procession was made by order from the Cardinal-Legat to implore Gods assistance in those present necessities in which Procession the Prelats Priests and Monks of the several Religious Orders walked all in their accustomed habits but besides them armed openly with Corslets Guns Swords Partezans and all kind of Arms offensive and defensive making at once a double shew both of devotion and constancy of heart prepared to defend themselves which Ceremony though to many it seemed undecent and ridiculous was yet of great use to augment and confirm the courage of the common people who saw the same men that exhorted them with words to stand it out prepared and armed to hazard the same dangers and unanimously to undergo the same sufferings Thus sometimes even the vainest slightest things help forward the most weighty important thoughts and designs After this Procession they made another of all the Magistrates of the City and among the Ceremonies of it the Duke of Nemours their Governour and other Commanders of the Souldiers and the Magistrates of the people swore publickly in the great Church to defend the City to the last man nor ever to incline to yield or make an Agreement with an Heretick Prince for any calamity danger sufferance or necessity whatsoever that should fall upon them There were in the City two hundred chosen Horse commanded by the Sieur de Vitry the Duke of Nemours his Company of Gens d' Arms and that of Chevalieur d' Aumale one hundred Harquebusiers on horseback and eight hundred French Foot part whereof hath been in Melun with the Sieur de Forone five hundred Swisses and one thousand and two hundred of those German Foot that were levied by the Count Collalto commanded by the Baron of Erbestein But the foundation of their defence consisted in the union and constancy of the people which infinitely numerous and now by long use accustomed to Arms being disposed under their Magistrates and divided into several Bands according to the division of their Quarters presented themselves voluntarily and ready for all encounters and by the example of the Priests and Friers
reason that he fell into this thought for the strictness of the siege being over many of the Citizens not well assured of the event had taken refuge in the Country and those that remained in the City surfeiting in their great weakness with excess of meat which their hunger made them greedily devour were so faint and sickly that for the most part they lay unfit for service besides many of the Souldiers were gone forth to convoy the Victuals which were brought from Chartres and other places and to guard them from the King's Garrisons which were near on every side and which imported most of all it was credible that the Neighbourhood of so great an Army of Friends which they knew waited close upon the King 's would make men already tired out and spent with hard duty and suffering more negligent in their wonted Guards and fitting Watches to keep and make good so great a circuit of ground Now the King being resolved to attempt that enterprise gave order that all should meet as at a general Rendezvous in the Plain of Bondy not far from the City and having put the Scaling-ladders together which for that use were carried with the Army he took his way toward Paris between eight and nine of the Clock at night The Mareschal d' Aumont led a fleeing squadron with its Ladders the Baron de Biron led such another and a third in the same order was brought up by the Sieur de Lavardin The King followed with all the Princes and Commanders and with the Cavalry drawn up ready to fight and having passed the Seine went toward that part of the City which as being furthest from danger they thought would be least guarded The Scaling-ladders were presented to the gates and walls of St. Germain by the Mareschal d' Aumont at St. Michel by Biron and by Lavadin between St. Iaques and St. Marceau But they found the defendants ready and vigilant every where for the Duke of Nemours who caused the wayes to be diligently scowred had had an inckling of their drawing together at Bondy and of their marching toward Paris and therefore had carefully disposed and visited the Guards in every place whereupon the foundation of the surprise failing which was negligence and the small Guards of the Citizens the Commanders without much obstinacy brought off their Ladders and returned to the place where the King with the Cavalry â—arried for them who facing about with an easie pace drew off the same way he came but not being able to withhold himself from trying to effect something and thinking that the Defendants having beaten off his men would perchance after that nights watch be more negligent and secure in the morning having caused his Cavalry to make an halt he turned about again to lead up the three fleeing Squadrons into the Trenches of the Gate and Curtine of St. Merceau being resolved there to make his last attempt nor was his opinion altogether deceitful for the Towns-men already wearied with long watching were retired to sleep by which means two Ladders were set up with great silence so that none either heard the noise or stirred to hinder them but a Jesuite who stood sentinel without the Corps de Garde which was kept by those Fathers and Nicholas Nivelle a Book-seller who was likewise upon the Gate though farther off hearing the noise gave the Alarm and running presently to that place with the Halberds they had in their hands overturned one of the Ladders which being too long reached above the Wall and made so good resistance at the head of the other that the Sieur de Cremonville and Parabiere's Lieutenant being killed who were neer getting upon the Brest-work gave time for the coming of help for at the noise of Arm arm and the cry of the Sentinels the Guards who were asleep drew forth armed and a great number of Citizens running from all parts before whom the Duke of Nemours was come who with singular diligence had rode round the Walls all that night wherefore the second attempt proving also vain the King retiring with all his Forces when it was broad day marched off to the Walls of Sâ— Denis Many were of opinion that in this occasion the King failed much in point of art and Military discipline for if leaving the principal post near Paris well guarded with part of his Army he had advanced with the rest as far as Claye a much more fenny and a much more defensible place than â—helleâ— and had there foâ—tified and intrenched himself keeping that place diligently he might perchance have held the Duke of Parma's Army so long in play which could pass no other way to Paris that the City being reduced to extreme necessity would have been forced to yield since the D. of Parma would not have been able to have forced that passage kept by such a strength if it had been fitly intrenched and fortified Nor could he have had passage to have got to Lagny if the King had been encamped on that way Many others considered that the King being resolved to fight and being risen from Paris with that intent he ought in the first encounter to have fallen boldly upon the Duke of Parma before he had time to intrench himself for though the time from night to morning was but short yet the Duke's soldiers accustomed to labour wrought with so much order and industry that in less than Twenty four hours they finished their Trenches wherein the Gommanders and Gentlemen working no less than the common soldiers the Duke himself assisted likewise making the Engineers draw forth and divide the work in his presence Some others taxed the impatiency of the King's Army which had seen so great constancy in the common Trades-men and the very women that were shut up in Paris that after so many moneths of desperate hunger they held out stoutly nevertheless to the uttermost and yet that so many Lords Knights and Gentlemen whereof that Army was composed had not had the courage to endure no not so much as the suspition of hungeâ— but after a short stay and in a manner no opposition except only the shew of a desire to fight left the field free and the honour of the Victory to the enemy whereupon on the one side the D. of Parma's art and discipline was praised to admiration and on the other the French humours and impatiency was much blamed having lightly believed that a Soldier of so great fame would rashly put that into the hand of Fortune which might securely be obtained by solid counsel and upon this belief had neglected those things which the commodiousness of their ground afforded Others excused the King and said perhaps with as good reason that the leaving of weak Guards about Paris would have been but a giving of them up to be cut in pieces by the Citizens and Soldiers who would have sallied desperately out of the City in great abundance and that to assault the Duke's Army
received into Paris not being in all both Spaniards and Neopolitans above One thousand and three hundred Foot a number fitter to sasatisfie the people in appearance than to bridle the City Nor being yet able to wean himself from his conceived hopes as soon as he had received the safe-conducts he dispatched them with Letters added to all the Provinces that they should meet together in the City of Rheims in Champagne not to apply themselves to Peace as had been agreed but to make election of a new King which as soon as it was known and divulged abroad the King finding himself deceived since now the talk was of assembling the Deputies to his prejudice which he had permitted to meet together to treat of a re-union and peace between the two parties having made grievous complaints thereof to Villeroy he recalled his safe-conducts and gave command that all the Deputies that should fall into the hands of any of his party should without delay be put to death which nevertheless would not have hindred the Duke of Mayenne from calling the Assembly But things not being yet ripe nor disposed fully in the manner he desired under pretence of that fear the Convocation of the States was suffered to vanish insensibly of it self The Dukes hopes were augmented by the Declaration of Gregory the Fourteenth who as the resolutions of Popes are almost ever hot and earnest at their first coming in despising that flegmatick humour which Sixtus not to foment with the colouâ— of Religion the interests of those who were in greatest power had in the latter end of his life expressed in the affairs of France shewed himself wholly inclined to favour and promote the progress of the League accounting it necessary so to do for the safety of Religion and the reputation and greatness of the Apostolick See and desirous that Hercole Sfondrato his Nephew newly by him invested in the Title of Duke of Montemarciano should with military actions and eminent command increase in reputation and riches he decreed to send him with numerous Forces in assistance of the League and had therefore given order that Horse and Foot should with all speed be raised in the Territories of the Church for the payment of which though he found great contradiction in the Consistory of Cardinals he resolved to take those moneys which having with extream diligence been gathered together by Sixtus were kept in the Castle of St. Angelo and to spend what should be requisite as in the greatest and most urgent occasion the Church could have And at the same time he appointed Legat to the Kingdom of France Monsignor Marsilio Landriano a Prelat of Milan his Confident and a man that was wont as they say stoutly to assert the liberty of the Church Which things after they were resolved on and set in order he sent several Messengers with speed to the Duke of Mayenne and to the Bishop of Piacenza whom he had in the mean time confirmed Vice-Legat in France promising to them both plentiful supplies of men and money that they might be able not only rooting out heresie to secure the Kingdom from imminent danger but chusing a Catholick peaceable King and one obedient to the Church to compose discords in peace and restore tranquillity and repose to the people already wearied out and ruined with the calamities of War and because the City of Paris had with infinite merit shewed it self by proof to be the true Metropolis of the Kingdom and the constant Bulwark of Religion he professed That he would imploy his utmost endeavouas to ease it of its grievances and settle it again in its first splendor of riches and greatness These Letters did not only rejoyce the Vice-Legat and confirm the courage of the Duke of Mayenne and so much the more because with them the Pope sent an assignment of Fifteen thousand Crowns a month to be paid by the Merchants of Paris and Lions but being published in Print to the whole party did also fill every one with infinite expectation seeing that the new Pope stood not like Sixtus doubtful and unresolved what he should determine to do but declaring himself resolutely shewed he was an open Enemy to the King and an effectual Protector of the Union adding also deeds to words while he was scarcely sought unto That which increased the hopes of the Duke of Mayenne no less than the Popes forwardness was the cunning of the Duke of Parma who persisting in his design of drawing out the French Wars in length to make advantage at last of their weariness and weakness and therefore not willing that the Duke of Mayenne remaining inferiour in strength should lose courage and resolve to make an Agreement with the King seemed not to like well of those things which Mendozza and Don Diego d Ivarra who were in Paris managed particularly without the Duke and with frequent Messages assured him that he was setling the affairs of Flanders that he might be able with all speed to march with his Army into France promising him that he would dispose of things in such manner as they with a joint consent should resolve without taking notice of the opinions of others the Commissions being such which he had from the Catholick King For confirmation of which things to those men the Duke of Mayenne sent to him he shewed preparations for the gathering of an Army and the lists of Forty thousand fighting men to enter into Picardy for the payment of which and to supply the League plentifully with money according to the desires of the French he affirmed a course was taken in the Court of Spain and that he expected the assignment for it every hour By which the Duke of Mayenne being encouraged and returned to his wonted hopes had dispatched his Secretary Baudoin Sieur des Portes to Rome the second time with order to sollicite the Pope to hasten away the Duke of Montemarciano who was to pass thorow the States of the Duke of Savoy and the County of Bourgongne streight into Lorain to oppose the Forces which were preparing for the King in Germany by the Viscount de Turenne and the Prince of Anhalt and to the same effect he dispatched an express Messenger into Spain to President Ieannin who was already gone to that Court to the end that he might obtain from the Catholick King that the Forces which that year were to pass from Milan into Flanders should join in Lorain with those of the Pope for the same purpose hoping assuredly that the Germans finding a brisk opposition at the Confines so that they might not be able to advance and unite themselves with the King and the Duke of Parma with the Forces of Flanders entering into Picardy the League would quickly and very easily remain victorious In the mean time he had invited the Duke of Lorain and the other Lords of his Family to meet at Rheims to the end that with their general liking and consent things might
declared that he desired a Catholick King and an Enemy to Heresie should be elected and that he abhorred that one who still persevered in his errours should be admitted to the possession of the Crown and therefore made shew to consent also to the assembling of the States to come in the end to a good and wholsom election yet he dispatched his Nephew the Pronotary Agucchi to the Legat himself giving him secret advice to carry himself very dexterously and very cautiously and not to suffer that in the Assembly of the States Votes should either be forced or corrupted but that mens wills should be free and their voices not interessed That he should not permit the election of a King who was more like to kindle discords than to put an end to the War That he should endeavour no wrong might be done to any one That that course should be taken which by the most easie most secure way and with the least novelty that could be possible might produce Peace and that he should not be over-scrupulous but yield what he handsomly might to time and the nature of affairs and provided Religion were secure he should pass by many other considerations in the order and manner of treating Admonishing him finally That this was a business of so great importance as could never be sufficiently pondered and examined and that therefore he should keep himself from hasty resolutions and from specious counsels and that without other respect he should aim only at the quiet of Souls and at the service of God The Pope believed these Instructions without any further Declaration would be sufficient to the prudence of the Legat to cause moderate proceedings in the States and to make him understand that he should not carry the election for a Foreign King about whose establishment longer and more ruinous Wars would necessarily ensue than ever yet had been but that if with the honour of the Apostolick See and the Security of Religion he could either establish a King of the House of Bourbon or compose the discords with the King of Navarre it would be a much better and more expedient determination But the Legat giving himself wholly over to the will of the Spaniards by whom he hoped to be raised to the dignity of being Pope since the favourable endeavours of the Catholick King being in good earnest added to the merit of his labours he thought himself in a condition to attain it and having by his long residence in France and by conversation with the Parisians already contracted a partiality to the League and an enmity to the King was either so blinded by affection that he could not or so drawn by his own designs that he would not understand the Popes meaning and therefore set himself with all his power to advance the enterprises of the Spaniards But the Duke of Mayenne being by his Secretary des Portes and by the Bishop of Lisieux advertised in part of the Popes moderate Commissions judged that his mind inclined to favour him and that those words of causing a Catholick King to be elected who might be a Defender of the Church and an Enemy to Hereticks but such a one as might be established with the general approbation without commotion or subversion pointed at his person and therefore firmly hoping he should have the Popes favour and by consequence the Legats and that the attempts of the Spaniards were not fomented by them having loosened himself from the Treaty of Peace he turned his mind wholly upon the assembling of the States being intent to do it in such manner that it might succeed to the advantage and secure establishment of his Affairs For this purpose he had with exceeding great diligence laboured that the Deputies who were selected might not be of those that were taken with the gold or promises of the Spanish Ministers but of his dependents and where those could not be had he at least obtained that they should be for the most part men of good understanding affectionate to their Country and the general good thinking that such would hardly condescend to a Foreign King and one that was not of their own Blood The place where this Assembly of the States was to be held remained to be resolved on and the Spaniards who designed at the same time when it should be convened to make the Duke of Parma enter into France and draw near with the Army to back and colour the Catholick Kings pretensions desired principally that it might be the City of Soissons The Duke of Lorain proposed the City of Rheims as nearest to him from which the Spaniards did not much dissent But President Ieannin and the Sieur de Villeroy counselled the Duke of Mayenne to reduce the Assembly into the City of Paris without having regard to the length of the journey the danger of the Deputies or to the incommodiousness and dearth of victual to give content and satisfaction to the inhabitants thereof who were wonderful earnest to have it so and had need after so many calamities to be comforted and kept faithful And moreover to make the Congregation of the States more publick and more famous by the quality of the place and not to put the Cities of Rheims or Soissons in danger for it was considered that the Duke of Parma coming thither accompanied according to his custom with strong Forces might easily force the Assembly to his will and make himself Master of those places which would be hard for him to obtain in Paris as well by reason of the greatness of it and the number of the people as because it was further from the Frontiers and all surrounded and encompassed with the Kings Fortresses full of strong Garisons which upon all occasions might be called to hinder any violence that should be offered to the City or to the States Besides this the City was better inclined than ever it had been in former times for the pernicious power of the Sixteen being weakned the Government remained in the hands of the wonted Magistrates elected with great care by the Duke of Mayenne himself and the Incendiaries not being there they quieted the minds of the people without those insurrections that were wont to disturb all businesses Moreover the Parliament residing in the City might serve as a fit instrument to treat and hinder many things This determination did very much displease the Spanish Ministers and they opposed it at the first shewing the necessity of the Duke of Parma's being there who could not advance so far into the Kingdom and withdraw himself so far from the Frontiers and arguing also that the great number of the Deputies would increase the dearth and necessity of the Parisians But the objection concerning the Duke of Parma was removed by his death and the interests of the Parisians was not put into consideration for they themselves perswaded the Spaniards to desist from interposing any hindrance because the City esteemed it to be for
the Earth to look upon humane Laws you forget not the divine Law that came from Heaven It is not Nature nor the right of Nations that teacheth us to acknowledge our Kings but the Law of God the Law of his Church and that of the Kingdom which require from the Prince that is to command us not only proximity of blood which you stand upon but also the profession of the Catholick Religion and this quality hath given name to that Law which we call the Fundamental Law of the State always followed and observed by our Ancestors without any exception though the other of proximity of blood hath been sometime altered the Kingdom remaining nevertheless entire and in its former dignity To come therefore to so holy and necessary a reconciliation we accept the Conference which you demand provided it may be only between Catholicks and to deliberate about the means of preserving Religion and the State And because you desire it should be between Paris and St. Denis we intreat you to like of Mont-Martre St. Meaux or Chaliot in the Queens Palace and that you would be pleased to send those that shall be deputed by you upon some day you shall think fit before the end of this month whereof we being advertised will not fail to have ours there and to proceed with sincere affection free from all passion praying to God that the event of it may be such that we may find the preservation of Religion and of the State and a good secure durable peace as we also pray him to conserve you and give you his Spirit to know and imbrace the most wholsom profitable counsel for the general safety This answer being received and read in the Council of the King who was not yet come back from his journey into Poictou they that were there present determined to prosecute the Conference but to defer the particulars thereof till they had the Kings consent to them and the general votes of the Council Thus by a Writing full of courteous expressions they excused the delay and finally having received their approbation and replied again with other Letters they concluded to hold the Conference at Surenne between Paris and St. Denis There was great contention at Paris about the election of the persons that were to intervene at this Treaty for the Legat and the Spanish Ambassadors strove to procure that one of them might be Guilliaume Rose Bishop of Senlis a man of a sowre nature and sharp eloquence which for many years he had profusely used against the Kings and against their party and on the other side they that inclined to peace desired the Sieur de Villeroy might be admitted who by many was excluded as partial to the King at last for the common satisfaction they were both left out and those that were unanimously chosen were the Archbishop of Lyons Pericard Bishop of Auranche Godefrâ—y de Billy Abbot of St. Vincent de Laon the Admiral Villars the Count de Belin the Baron de Talmay the Sieurs de Montigny and Montaulin President Ieannin and President Maistre Estienne Bernard Advocate in the Parliament of Dijon and Honoré de Lâ—urent Counsellor in the Parliament of Aix They of the Kings side chose the Archbishop of Bourges the Sieurs de Chavigny and Bellieure the Count de Schombergh President de Thou Nicholas Sieur de Rambouillett the Sieur de Pontcarré and Secretary Revol But at the first meeting with the mutual consent of the Deputies there were added the Sieur de Vic Governour of St. Denis on the Kings side and for the League the Sieur de Villeroy who the Duke of Mayenne desired by all means should assist in the Treaty and in the progress of it the Sieurs de Rosne and la Chastre were likewise admitted In the mean time the Duke of Feria upon the second of April had solemn publick audience of the States at which in a Latin Oration he proffered the Catholick Kings assistance and supplies to the Assembly for the conservation of Religion and the election of such a King as the condition of the times required and likewise presented Letters from King Philip wherein after many courteous expressions he referred himself to what the Duke of Feria and the other Ambassadors should represent in his name who said that they reserved themselves to do it when the Duke of Mayenne and the other Princes should be come unto the States who were yet at the meeting at Rheims with the Duke of Lorain There their minds were no less disagreeing nor the opinions less differing than in the States for the Duke of Lorain seeing the rest were not inclined to yield to him as Head of the Family and knowing the Spaniards were already engaged in the design of getting the Infanta elected began to be weary of the War which he had sustained all those late years to the great damage of his people and though the Spaniards sometimes scattered reports that the Infanta being chosen Queen should take the Cardinal his Son to be her Husband it seemed to him so absurd that he was not at all inclined to believe it and since he could attain to nothing else would have been content with Peace whereby the Cities of Thoul and Verdun should remain his On the other side the Duke of Mayenne desired he should persist in Arms and favour the election of him and his Sons thinking his pains and endeavours deserved that reward and that no other body at that present was able to undergo that weight but he rather gave signs of this intention than propounded it and laboured dexterously to insinuate it into the rest among which as the Dukes of Aumale and Elboeuf adhered to him so the Dukes of Nemours and Guise assented not both being intent to endeavour for themselves and full of hopes that the Spaniards might at last concur to marry the Infanta to one of them The Duke of Mayenne strove to withdraw them from that thought by letting them see it was far from the intent of the Spaniards who had no other design than to get the Crown into the power of the Infanta and by her either in her life-time or after her death to have it united and incorporated to that of Spain to which it was very repugnant to give her a young French Husband and such an one as might be able not only to govern her but also the people and forces of the Nobility and Kingdom It was a remarkable thing that though this was an Assembly of the House of Lorain the King should yet have a very great party in it for by the Grand Duke of Thuscany's consent Girolamo Gondi had formerly begun and now continued to treat with the Duke of Lorain to induce him and the rest to think of agreeing with the King proposing his Conversion full caution and security for Religion and to give his Sister in Marriage to the Prince of Lorain with those Cities which the Duke desired
any respect might discompose all things and put them in confusion But the D. of Mayenne endeavoured with dexterity to excuse the Bishop of Senlis his words ascribing them to excess of zeal or too much fervour of mind intimating that sometimes he went beyond himself and shewing that when he was made sensible of reason and what was fit he would of himself correct that which being drawn by his first violence he had so licentiously spoken unawares The Ambassadors took heart again at the encouragement of the Duke of Mayenne of Cardinal Pelleve and some others but truely it remained evident that it was not out of ambition or for any interests as many would have had it thought but because his conscience so perswaded him that the Bishop of Senlis in all the course of those commotions had so profusely favoured the party of the Vnion and spoken so sharply and with such continued Liberty against the person of the present King and the memory of him that was dead However it were certain it is his words helped to abate the credit of the Spaniards and his example moved many of those who followed the League not for their own interest but in respect of Religion And yet the Spaniards not losing heart by reason of the Duke of Mayenne's dissimulation and of the hopes they had in many of the Deputies demanded publick audience in the assembly of the States and having obtained it upon the Six and twentieth day Iuan Baptista Tassis was the first that spoke who with a short but very cunning speech made the proposition of the Infanta and after him Inigo de Mendozza with a long disputation divided into seven heads explained the rights that she pretended to the succession of the Crown both of them concluding that it was not to put that in controversie which was to be acknowledged from the voluntary election of the State but to inform and satisfie them that he alledged those reasons to the end that with prudent advice the free disposal of the assembly might go along with right and conform it self to Justice the Infanta being willing to acknowledge that from them by way of election which duely belonged to her by rightful succession This proposition was no less deeply resented by the major part of the Deputies than it had been by the Bishop of Senlis many disdain'd that the dominion of Strangers should be proposed to them as to men who were either slaves to the will of others or ignorant of their own interests others laught to see this proposition made without preparations of Arms men and moneys as both need and the reputation of the business required others condemned the Spaniards of little discretion in having had the boldness to declare their design without having prepossessed their minds and disposed them towards it by the powerful preparative of private interest and there wanted not of those who disputed also about the right and said that though women should be declared to have right to the inheritance of the Crown it probably belonged not to her but to the Kings of England who were first descended from daughters of France and with whom there had been so many and so tedious Wars to reject that pretention and to uphold the Salique Law and the legitimate succession of the Males But they that were most of all displeased at it though secretly were the Princes of the House of Lorain who pretended to the election themselves and the Duke of Mayenne though he more cunningly dissembled it shewing in appearance that he would not dissent from the King of Spain â—s will nor from what he had agreed upon with the Ambassadors at Soissons yet he underhand stirred up the Deputies to reject that proposition as dishonorable to the Nation dangerous in point of servitude hurtful to themselves and to the liberty of those that should come after them and not grounded upon any present security but all vainly supported by the uncertainty of future promises There was no doubt but the Deputies would unanimously refuse that proposition yet not to exasperate the Spaniards and to give matters time to ripen they answered after many complements that their desire should be taken into consideration to the end an answer might be given as soon as was possible which while it was expected the Duke of Mayenne to find out a way to exclude that business began to treat with the Ambassadors what Husband the Infanta should have when the Sates had elected her Queen and urged them to declare what Commissions they had from the Catholick King concerning that Their answer was altogether like the rest of the treaty for they made no scruple to declare that the King thought of matching her to Ernest Archduke of Austria the Emperors Brother whom he had also appointed to succeed the Duke of Parma in his Country of Flanders This answer was presently excluded for all replyed with joynt consent That they would not have a King of a different Language and Nation and that the Ears of Frenchmen could never endure to hear it and though the Duke of Mayenne for divers respects feigned to approve of the Archduke the rest notwithstanding declared freely they would none of him which as soon as the Spaniards knew seeing the Infanta's election would go but in a desperate course if some considerable prop were not added to uphold it they said they had Commission in case the States approved not of the Archduke to propose that the Catholick King would marry the Infanta to a French Prince who should be nominated and elected by him within six months This Proposition displeased not all of them in general because there were many pretenders among which were the Duke of Guise the Duke of Nemours and the Cardinal of Lorain but the Duke of Mayenne publickly commending the proposition endeavored to sound whether they inclined to any one of his Sons and being sufficiently certified they were not like to consent unto it because they would not put the Dominion of the Kingdom into his hands being certain the Infanta should be barely a Wife not a Mistriss he began to draw the contrary way much more than he had done before and applyed himself to foment the Conference which had never been intermitted at Surenne between the Catholicks of both parties The King who had notice of all that was in agitation sought every way by means of the Conference to hinder each resolution of the States but his Deputies could not do much in it by reason of the important opposition of Religion nay rather his own Catholicks were discontented themselves that his Conversion so much desired and so often promised was deferred more and more every day The Princes of the Blood threatned openly and now thought in good earnest of taking some resolution because they saw the election of a King of another Family was so closely treated of And every one even of himself fell easily into an opinion that by going
necessities of the City by opening the passes only because their aim was to curb them and keep them down whensoever the Ambassadors went abroad in publick they were followed with ill language and cries of derision The Kings seasonable resolution absolutely turned the scale of affairs for he knowing all things that were in agitation doubted with reason that if the League should elect the Cardinal of Bourbon the Catholicks that followed him would all be like to forsake him whereof there appeared such manifest signs and such open murmurings were heard that it was not at all to be doubted for the things alledged by those of the Vnion in the Conference at Surenne had made impression in mens minds and not only the Princes and Lords but generally all private men grieved and detested to spend their lives and fortunes for the establishment of Heresie which formerly they were wont to fight against and persecute and even in the Kings own lodgings there were heard continually the voices of them that cursed their own blindness and exhorted one another mutually to change their resolutions showing that since so many promises made to them had been broken they were obliged to take a course for the maintenance of Religion and their common safety that it was now no longer time to shed their blood for a Prince obstinate in Heresie and who abusing their credulity so long had fed them vainly with words that it was high time to take notice how by fighting madly Catholick against Catholick they did nothing else but prepare the Kingdom either for the Spaniards or the Hugonots equally their Enemies that there had been enough done to maintain the lawful Successor of the Crown but he shewed himself ungrateful for so great services and obstinate in his errour that he was no longer to be followed in his perdition but it was fit reuniting the Consciences of the Catholicks to establish a King who should acknowledge the gift he received from the good will of his Subjects that there were already so many Princes and Lords so many Knights and Gentlemen and so many valiant Souldiers slain in that cause that the Kingdom was thereby all wounded bloodless and dying and if some remedy were not applied they were near sacrificing the very Carcass of France to the wickedness of the Hugonots and to the pride of the Spaniards The Princes of the Blood after many Consultations were much more resolute and the Duke of Montpensier who lay in Bed by reason of his hurt told the King when he came to visit him that all the Princes were ready to forsake him and that he himself in the condition he then was though hâ— did it with grief of heart would not yet be the last to save his Soul and satisfie his Conscience Lastly the Count of Schomberg being advertised by Monsieur de Villeroy told him the Admiral Villars was already upon his way carrying Articles to the Cardinal of Bourbon that within a few days he should hear he and all the rest of the Princes would be at Paris that God had given him the victory and expected the fruit thereof that having taken Dreux with so much honour in the very face of his Enemies he might now turn unto God and to the Church and none could believe he did it perforce The same did Secretary Revol confirm the same Villeroy himself wrote unto him from Ponâ—oyse shewing him that he could not avoid one of two things either that the Cardinal of Bourbon being elected King would deprive him of the adherence of his Catholicks or that the Infanta being chosen with the Duke of Guise all the strength of the King of Spain would be poured out and come like a torrent upon him The King moved by these considerations or else interpreting the so urgent conjuncture of affairs to be as it were a Divine Inspiration and thinking himself called by some heavenly and more than humane power determined to turn Catholick and sent Messengers with speed on all sides to call Prelates and Divines to assist and instruct him in his Conversion Among these he invited some of the Preachers of Paris whereof some refused to go and some few among which was the Curate of St. Eustache though the Legat advised and commanded otherwise would yet be present at so solemn an action All these being met together at Mante the King having received sufficient instruction in matter of the Articles of Religion that were in controversie seemed to clear up his mind and visibly to apprehend the Hand of God which recalling him from his Errours brought him back into the Bosom of the Church and made it be noised abroad that upon the Five and twentieth of Iuly he would go to Mass at St. Denis This news his Deputies brought to the Conference of Surenne where the Archbishop of Bourges recapitulating all things past concluded That the King had caused the Marquiss of Pisany to be sent to Rome to find means that his Conversion might be authorised by the Pope but since he had not been received he would no longer defer nor put off his own Salvation but would reconcile himself to the Church that afterwards he might send to render due obedience to the Pope by a solemn conspicuous Embassie and that having consulted with the other Prelates and Divines they had determined That the King should make himself be absolved ad futuram cautelam and go to Mass that afterward he might demand the Popes Benediction and that this for many reasons had been thought the nearest and most secure way as well not to put the Crown in arbitrement to the discretion and declaration of Strangers as to find a speedy remedy for the necessities of the Kingdom The Archbishop of Lyons on the contrary disputed that he could not be received without the Popes assent nor absolved without his Declaration and protested that they would neither account him a Catholick nor acknowledge him King without order from the Pope to whom absolutely address was to be made before coming to those Acts of Absolution But the report of his Conversion being spread abroad among the people there was no curb could bridle men from rejoycing nor their tongues from divulging and arguing that upon it depended the Pacification of the Kingdom so that the Cardinal-Legat in great perplexity of mind published a Writing to the Catholicks of France upon the Thirteenth of Iuly wherein he advertised them of the perverse Authority which some Prelates arrogated to themselves of absolving the King of Navarre from Censures and exhorted them not to believe that false Conversion and the perverse way that was taken about it And lastly forbad all men to go to those Conventicles with danger of incurring the Censure of Excommunication and of being deprived of those Ecclesiastical Benefices and Dignities they possessed But it was all in vain for all mens minds were in motion and the obstacle of Religion being removed every one enclined to acknowledge the lawful Successor and
goes to relieve that Province the King goes likewise to re-inforce those tâ—at were besieging the Castle of Dijon They meet and fight with wonderful various fortune at Fountain Francoise The Constable retires beyond the River Soane the King follows him passes the River and they fight again without any great effect The King returns to the siege of the Castles which surrender themselves he concludes a Truce with the Duke of Mayenne that they might treat of an accommodation and makes his entry into Lyons The Pope resolves to give the King his Benediction the Ceremony is solemnized with great joy at Rome the news of it is brought to the Court whither there likewise come good tidings from Dauphine and Languedoc THE Kings Conveâ—sion was certainlâ— the most proper and most powerful remedy that could be applied to the dangerous disease of the Kingdom but the Truce so opportunely concluded did also dispose the Matter and gave dâ—e time for the working of so wholsom a Medicine for the people on both sides having begun to taste the liberty and benefits that resulted from concord in a season when Harvest and Vintage made them more sensible of the happiness fell so in love with it that it was afterward much more easie to draw them without many scruples or cautions to a desire of peace and a willing obedience of their lawful Prince As soon as the Truce was begun men presently fell to converse freely one with another being not only of the same Nation and same Blood but many of them straitly conjoyned either by friendship or kinred in such sort that discords and haâ—reds being driven away or indeed those factions and interests that had kept them so long divided every one rejoyced to reunite himself with his friends and again to take up their former love and interrupted familiarity and with mutual helps and assistances to redress those necessities and calamities which the length of War had produced And there being frequent kind meetings among all persons every one related his past sufferings detested the occasions of such wicked discords inveighed against the Authors of such pernicious evils praising and magnifying the benefits that followed Peace and Concord in which meetings and discourses the Kings Cause being much more favourable by reason of the manifest rights he had to the succession of the Crown and because scruple of Conscience was in great part taken away by his Conversion those things that were spoken in his favour began already to be popularly embraced and mens minds enclined to yield themselves to his obedience rather than continue so ruinous a Civil War to satisfie the pretensions of the Duke of Mayenne or the already manifest intentions of the Spaniards They of the Kings party talking and discoursing with those of the League alledged the clemency and goodness of the Prince they served the sincerity wherewith he had turned to the Catholick Faith his familiarity and affability to all his followers his valour and courage in Arms his prudence and sagacity in Government his prosperous success in enterprises And on the other side asked those that were for the League if they did not yet perceive the Ambition of the House of Lorain and the subtilties of the Spaniards Upbraided them that they made War against the good true Frenchmen in favour of the ancient Enemies of the Nation and that with their own bloods they sought to establish the Spanish Monarchy upon the ruines and desolations of France they deplored so great a blindness and prayed them that recovering their wonted charity towards their Country and taking compassion of themselves they would take shelter under the benignity of that Prince who stood with his Arms open ready to receive and content them These things made wonderful impressions in mens minds quite tired with the War and beaten down with the calamities they had continually endured and the King behaving himself with his utmost industry gratiously received and filled with very large hopes all those that came to speak with him and under pretence of going to see their Houses and their Friends cunningly made his most trusty Counsellors disperse themselves into several places labouring with great art to draw men in all places to his devotion And because the Duke of Mayenne still kept practices on foot either to conclude the Peace or prolong the Cessation under this excuse the Sieur de Saucy the Count of Schombergh and President de Thou went to Paris and staying there many days endeavoured both by wary managing the business and by force of eloquence to gain the King the most adherents they could possibly The Archbishop of Bourges went to that City under colour of visiting his Diocess to treat with the Sieur de la Chastre whom they had already discovered to be much scandalized with the Spaniards manner of proceeding The High Chancellor went into the Territories of Orleans under pretence of over-seeing his own affairs The first President of the Parliament of Rouen went thither to introduce some Treaty with the Admiral Villars for which effect the King himself also hovered about those quarters The Sieur de Fleury went to Pontoyse to treat with his Brother-in-law the Sieur de Villeroy and the Prelates that had had to do in the Kings Conversion dispersed themselves into several places to testifie the sincerity of his repentance and to imprint those reasons by which they argued in justification of that authority whereby they had given him absolution In this manner the Kings businesses went on within the kingdom whilsâ— Lodvieo Gonzaga Duke of Nevers chosen Ambassador to Rome set himself in order to go with a gallant Train to yield obedience in the Kings Name unto the Popâ— and at his feet to desire the confirmation of matters already done The King resolâ—ed to send along with him Claude d' Angoneâ— Bishop of Mans a man for his learning and experience known in the Court of Româ— Iaques Davys Sieur du Perron elected Bishop of Eureux Loüis Seguiere Dean of Paris and Claude Goüin Dean of Bâ—â—â—viâ— both famous Canonists but because the Duke of Nevers both by reason of the quality of his person and in respect of his indispositions could not make the journey with so much haste the King dispatched the Sieur de la Clielle poste before with Letters to the Pope full of humility and submission wherein he gave him account of his Conversion and of the Embassie he had appointed to ask his Benediction and render him due obedience The King thought the Duke of Nevers very fit for that imployment not only as being a Prince exceedingly famed for wisdom and a person full of honour and reputation but also because being an Italian besides his readiness of language to be able to negotiate without Interpreters he had many dependencies among the Princes of Italy and much interest with many of the Cardinals and he added those four Prelats that with Canonical and Theological reasons they might be able to represent and
seemed to urge that the Absolution given to the King in France might be confirmed and approved but not to propose the submitting of the King to the censure and judgment of the Apostolick See he said he would think upon aâ— aâ—swer and two dayes after not having the heart to talk any more with the Duke and to answer his reasons he let him know by Silvio Antoniani that he could not prorogue the term of ten dayes lest he should discontent those Catholicks who being obedient to the Church had ever and did yet uphold Religion and that that time was sufficient having nothing else to treat of that it was not fit he should speak unto the Cardinals having been admitted as a private man not as an Ambassador and that as concerning the Prelats that came along with him he could not admit them to his presence unless first they submitted themselves to Cardinal Santa Severinâ— the chief penitentiary to be examined by him This was the Popes last resolution for though the Duke obtained another audience yet could he not alter his determination but he sent Cardinal Toledo to let him know the same things with whom having had many long discourses the substance of the business varied not and though the Duke very much troubled with a Catarrhe was of necessity fain to stay beyond the time of ten dayes yet could he not prevail any thing at all and finally being brought to his last audience in the Popes presence after having at large repeated all his reasons he fell upon his knees and beseech'd him that at least he would give the King absolution in Foro Conscientiâ— but neither could he obtain this and departed exceeding ill satisfied having finally with more liberty and spirit than he was wont aggravated the wrongs that were done unto the King and the injuries that were put upon his own person who forgetting his want of health his age and quality had taken the pains to come that journey for the safety and quiet of Christians After he was gone from his audience Cardinal Toledo came to him again and told him that if the Prelats did so much abhor the face of Cardinal Santa Severina they should be heard by the Cardinal of Aragon Chief of the Congregation of the Holy Office but the Duke answered that they being come as Ambassadors in company with him he did not mean they should be used as Criminals but that the Pope should admit them to his presence for to him as Head of the Church they would give a good account of their actions but the Cardinal replied that it was not decent for them to contend and dispute with the Pope the Duke added that he would be content if the Pope would but admit them to kiss his feet and that then they should render an account to Cardinal Aldobrandino his Nephew But neither would the Pope accept of this condition whereupon the Duke of Nevers having distinctly set down in writing all that he had done departed from Rome taking the Prelates with him and went to the City of Venice where the Bishop of Mans published a little book in Print wherein he set forth the reasons that had moved the Prelates to absolve the King one of which was that the Canons permit the Ordinary whom it concerns to absolve from excommunication and every other case when the penitent is hindred by a lawful cause from going to the Popes feet hiâ—self and another that in the point and danger of death the penitent might be absolved by any one in which danger the King manifestly was being every day exposed in the encounters of War to the peril of his enemies and besides that conspired against a thousand wayes by their wicked treacheries to which reasons adding many others he concluded they had power to absolve him ad futuram Cautelam reserving his obedience and acknowledgment to the Pope which he at that time fully rendred him When the Duke was gone the Pope having assembled the Cardinals in the Consistory declared That he had not been willing to receive the King of Navar 's excuses and obedience because his conscience would not suffer him to lend his faith so easily to one that had formerly violated it that to admit one to so potent a Kingdom without great regard and due caution would have been a very great lightness and being certain that others would have believ'd and follow'd his judgment it was not fit proceeding blindly to make himself a guide to the blind and to lead the good French Catholicks to the ruinous precipice of damnation and that therefore they should be assured he would continue constant and would not accept of false dissimulations and politick tricks in a matter of so great consequence Thus the Spaniards remained satisfied and the Catholicks of the League contented yet was not the King moved with all this or turned aside from his first intention the Sieur de la Chelle's relation having applyed an antidote to that so bitter potion The King at this time was at Melun in which Town one Pierre Barriere was taken and put in Prison who had conspired to kill him but by whom he was instigated is not well known he was born obscurely in the City of Orleans and followed the profession of a Waterman in those Boats that are wont to go upon the Loyre but being known for a man of a brutish cruel nature he had been made use of in the acting of many villanies from which and the dissoluteness of his carriage being grown to a vagabond kind of life he was as last fallen upon a thought of this fact which having imparâ—ed to two Fryers the one a Capuchin the other a Carmelite he was as he â—aid earnestly persuaded to it by them but being yet doubtful and uncertain in his mind he would needs reveal his Secret also to Seraphinâ— Banchi a Dominican Frier born in Florence but living in Lyons This man struck with horror to hear the boldness and wicked intent of this Fellow dissembled nevertheless and told him It was a thing to be well considered and not to be so soon resolved on and bad him come again the next day for his answer which he would think upon and study to know how he should determine the question in the mean time thinking how the King might be warily advertised of it he intreated the Sieur de Brancaleon a servant of the Queen Dowagers who was then in the City to come to him the same day and hour he had appointed and they being both of them come at the same time he made them stay and talk a great while together to the end that Brancaleon might know Baâ—riâ—re perfectly then having told him he could not yet resolve what counsel he should give him because the question was very full of difficult doubts he dismissed him and discovered the whole business to Brancaleon to the end that giving the King notice of it the mischief might be prevented Barriere going from
might march out of the City armed in rank and file their Drums beating Colours flying and light Match to go whither they thought good That two hundred thousand Crowns should be paid to the Count de Brissac in recompence of his expences and losses and that he should have twenty thousand Franks of an annual pension the Charge of Marshal of Frâ—nce conferred upon him by the Duke of Mayenne should be confirmed and the perpetual Government of Corbie and Mante granted to him which things with many other of less moment being agreed upon both sides applyed themselves to the execution of them The King at this time was at Chartres where he had caused himself to be Crowned and Anointed or as they call it Sacré about which there had been many difficulties which nevertheless by the authority of the Council were seasonably removed for he that he might take away the doubts of scrupulous minds desiring to his Conversion to add this Ceremony which is wont to be used to all Kings some objected that the Consecration by an ancient custom could not be but at the City of Reimes nor by the hands of any other than the Archbishop of that Church but having diligently over-looked the History of former times the learned found that many Kings had been Consecrated in other places and since that City was not in the Kings power reason consented not that he should therefore remain without that due Ceremony which they thought necessary for his perfect Establishment This difficulty being removed there succeeded another how the King could be Anointed without the Oyl of St. Ampoule which was kept in the Cathedral of that City and which as fame reports was brought down by an Angel from Heaven purposely for the Consecration of King Cloüis and the other Kings of France his Successors but neither of this was there any other necessity save bare tradition whereupon it was determined that neither the City nor the Oyl being in the Kings power the Oyl should be brought that is kept in the City of Tours in the Monastery of the Friers of St. Martin of which there is a report confirmed by the authority of many Writers that it was likewise brought from Heaven to anoint that Saint when falling from the top of a Ladder all his bones were broken and shattered in pieces wherefore Monsieur de Souvray Governour of Tours having caused that Vial to be brought out in Procession by those Monks that had it in keeping and having placed it under a rich Canopy of State set round pompously with lights in the top of a Chariot made expresly for that purpose and guarded by four Troops of Horse he himself going before it all the journey brought it along with him to the City of Chartres and with that Oyl they Anointed the King at his Consecration causing it afterward to be carried back to its place with the same Ceremony and Veneration There arose also a Competition among the Prelates Which of them should perform the Act of Consecration for the Archbishop of Bourges pretended that Function belonged unto him as Primate and on the other side Nicholas de Thou Bishop of Chartres alledged That the Ceremony being to be Celebrated in his Church it could not be taken away from him The Council sentenced in favour of the Bishop of the Diocess and so upon the Twenty seventh of February the King was consecrated with great Solemnity and Pomp both Ecclesiastical and Military the twelve Peers of France being present at the Ceremony six Ecclesiastical and six Secular which were the Bishop of Chartres Nantes Mans Maillezays Orleans and Angiers representing those of Reimes Langues Laon Beauvais Noyon and Chalons and for the Secular Peers the Prince of Conty for the Duke of Bourgogne the Duke of Soissons for the Duke of Guienne the Duke of Montpensier for the Duke of Normandy the Duke of Luxemburgh in stead of the Earl of Flanders the Duke of Retz in stead of the Count de Toulouse and the Duke of Vantadour in stead of the Count de Champagne the Archbishop of Bourges did the Office of Grand Aumosnier the Mareshal de Matignon of High Constable the Duke of Longueville that of High Chamberlain the Count de St. Paul that of Grand Maistre and the High Chancellor Chiverny holding the Seals in his Right Hand sate on one side of the Cloth of State The King according to the custom of the Kings of France upon the day of this Solemnity received the Communion in both kinds took the Oath which all the Kings of France are wont to take to maintain the Catholick Faith and the authority of the Holy Church and at his coming out of the Church touched those that had the Kings Evil to the number of three hundred from the Church he went unto the Feast where according to the custom sate the twelve Peers that had been present at the Ceremony the Princess Katharine Sister to the King with the other great Ladies that were at Court and the Ambassadors of the Queen of England and the Republick of Venice After Dinner the King went to Vespers where he received the Order of the St. Esprit renewing his Oath for the conservation of the Faith and the persecution of Heresie which Ceremonies as they filled the hearts of his own party with great joy and gladness so did they the more move the inclination of the others to acknowledge and obey him In the mean time the Treaties in Paris were ripening for the reducing of that City being managed with great dexterity and secresie by the Governour the Prevost des Marchands and President le Maistre but thwarted more than ever by the violent perswasions of the Preachers who ceased not to cry from their Pulpits that the Kings Conversion was feigned and dissembled and no body could acknowledge him with a good Conscience The business was likewise crossed by the practices and boldness of the Sixteen who since the accident of President Brisson having remained with small credit and less power being now fomented by the Legat and the Spaniards and no less by the Dutchesses of Nemours and Montpensier who had turned their Sails according to the Wind they began to rise again meeting frequently often stirring up commotions and proceeding audaciously against those that were suspected to be of the Kings party but the Governour making use of his authority and also of the Duke of Mayenne's Name laboured to dissipate and suppress them under colour that he would have no Conventicles nor armed insurrections in a time of so great suspition and finally having accorded with the Parliament they caused publick Proclamation to be made That upon pain of death and confiscation of goods none should go to any Meeting except in the Town-House and in the presence of above five Magistrates Upon the foundation of this Decree the Governour sharply using force did within a few days destroy and take away the opposition of the Sixteen insomuch
of Religions stirred up their minds one against another Les Diguieres being a Hugonot and the Duke sincerely a Catholick they were very sharp upon one another besides the one having been so much favoured by Henry the Third and the other an Enemy who had always lived in rebellion during his Reign there grew a private enmity between them very prejudicial to the publick businesses they had in hand whereupon the Treaty of Agreement being broken Les Diguieres past the River with his whole Army in the beginning of the month of May and the same day there was a hot encounter between the Forces of the two Armies which lasted many hours but though the difference was not great in the event yet Les Diguieres remained Master of the Field and the Duke made his retreat without receiving any loss carrying away many of the Enemies prisoners with him But at last the Duke seeing the Forces of Dauphiné joined with those of Provence against him and as he was very prudent not seeing any seasonable opportunity of forming a third party nor no support ready to which he could have recourse for the present having about the same time received the news of the revolt of Paris and of the other Cities of the League he thought it no wise resolution to swerve from the Kings obedience when others returned so fast unto it and therefore taking hold again of the Treaty of Accord which had never been totally intermitted he submitted himself to the Constables arbitrement who declared that he should put the Fort of Aix into the hands of Monsieur de la Fin and draw out his Garisons from Thoulon St. Paul Treques and Mirebeau till such time as the King should determine the manner of proceeding for the future in execution of which order the Duke delivered the Fort into the hands of la Fin upon the tenth of May and the same day Les Diguieres entered into Aix and was received with great solemnity by the Citizens but whiles their Arms are suspended in expectation of orders from the Court Les Diguieres taking for an excuse that some of the Dukes Souldiers had taken some of his and pillaged the Country and that therefore the Truce was broken entered suddenly into the Fort without staying for the Kings orders and delivered it up into the hands of the Citizens who with a wondrous concourse of people slighted it so in two days that there remained not any kind of Foot-steps of it which being performed according to the common desire he having left the other places in the hands of the Count de Carsy returned with the rest of the Army into Dauphiné Afterwards followed the Accommodation with the Duke of Guise to whom the King granted the Government of that Province which though it afflicted the Duke of Espernon yet he thought it best to dissemble the matter reserving himself to take a resolution with the benefit of time and being desirous to have it believed that the businesses that had passed were but private enmities and contentions between him and Les Diguieres though he was not faulty to himself in neglecting any means possible to keep possession of that Government But in Dauphiné whiles Monsieur de Les Diguieres in the beginning of September prepares himself to go into Piedmont having received intelligence that the Duke of Savoy had laid strait siege to Briqueras he was constrained to do that by necessity which he would have done by choice before The Duke of Savoy had got together four thousand Germans commanded by the Count of Lodrone five thousand Italian Foot commanded by Colonel Barnabo Barbo a Millainese and fifteen hundred Horse under the conduct of Don Alonso Idiaques with which Body of men he resolved to try to drive the French from beyond the Alps and because Briqueras was the principal place they held he laid siege before it and afterwards having battered it with many Cannons he caused it to be assaulted by Don Filippo of Savoy his Bastard Brother and at the same time a scalado to be given on the other side by Don Sancho Salina wherefore the Defendents invironed on all sides left the Town and retired into the Castle It was closely besieged without delay in which interim Les Diguieres having passed the Mountains came to relieve that place but the Duke had provided against that for in the narrowness and difficulty of those ways of themselves sâ—eep and full of Precipices he had caused all Passes to be so shut up and had set so strong Guards upon them that after the French had made many attempts without any fruit at all they were constrained to retire and the besieged straitned on all sides and having no longer any hope of relief resolved to surrender so upon the second of October they delivered up the Castle into the Dukes hands who having freed himself from that impediment within a few days recovered Fort San Benedetto which had been taken by Les Diguieres in his retreat and within a while the Snows fell which put an end to the troubles of this year in those parts The Duke of Nemours escaped not long before from his imprisonment in the Castle of Pierre-Ancise being much more cunning in saving himself than he had been wary in avoiding the dangers of imprisonment for having a certain Servant that had an extream long and thick head of hair which sometimes hanging down covered all his face he found means to have a perruque made like it very secretly and knew how to manage his business so subtilly that one morning having put his Servant into his bed and covered him in his place he went forth of the Chamber carrying a Close-stool-pan as if he went to empty it and going hastily escaped out of the Castle-gate hiding himself first among certain Houses and afterwards getting down opportunely into the Field where being received by some few that waited for him he came safe to Vienne in Dauphiné and there being joined with the Marquiss his Brother continued to make War in favour of the League and above all to infest the Country and trouble the Inhabitants of the City of Lyons with which besides publick businesses he had a private enmity but his and his Brothers weakness and their want of money and adherents would not suffer them to do any great matter The year was shut up with an hainous fact dangerous beyond all belief and which was like in an instant to have subverted all that had with so long pains been victoriously atchieved for the King being returned to Paris from the War of Picardy upon the Seven and twentieth of December whilst having alighted from his Horse he in one of the Chambers of the Louvre saluted the Knights who being elected to receive the order of the St. Esprit upon New-years-day were come to do their wonted obeysance to him a young Merchant named Iehan Chastel born in Paris being got into the same room with the train of
all his own affairs had in times past troubled and little less than conquered the King himself in the heart of his own Provinces and in the midst of his Forces it seemed to them a ridiculous thing that now with his Forces still divided and discords still burniâ—g in his State he should dare to think of offending the States of the Catholick King founded upon the Basis of so great a Monarchy wherefore they should have thought it much more to the purpose for the King to have endeavoured by some tolerable conditions to attain Peace than to provoke and stir up War so much the more by the vanity of a publick Declaration But the Causes that moved the King were very powerful for he foresaw that the overture of a Foreign War would help to close the wounds of a Civil War as skilful Chirurgions are wont with seasonable Cauteries to divert the hurtful humours that corrupt and infect our Bodies He knew there was nothing that could move the French more to a Reconcilement and Re-union than the appearance of a War with the Spaniards the natural Enemies of their Nation he desired the War might no longer carry the name of a Civil War for Religion but of a Foreign one for interest of State and that in the flame of this Controversie between Crown and Crown the yet remaining sparks of the League might be extinguished he knew that howsoever he should still have the Catholick Kings forces against him which since they could by no means be avoided it was less hurtful to have them open and publick than treacherous and dissembled He thought the Princes confederate with the Crown of France would have much less caution in lending him favour and assistance in the War between the Spaniards and the French for matter of Empire than between Frenchmen and Frenchmen whether they were real or feigned for matter of Religion He considered that nothing would more please nor satisfie the Hugonots than War against the Spaniards in which they being imployed with their utmost spirits their minds might be withdrawn and diverted from the thoughts of new designs besides all these causes having made a League offensive and defensive with the United Provinces of the Low-Countries with a mutual obligation of concurring jointly in War and hoping to draw the Queen of England and some of the Princes of Germany into the same confederacy it was necessary to imploy his forces in some enterprize of common profit and conveniency in Flanders and the County of Bourgongne and being desirous to do it for his own reputation and to interess the other Confederates he judged the Declaration of the War to be very proper to stir up the minds of his Subjects and to necessitate the forces of the Confederates But above all being again to treat of his Reconciliation to the Apostolick See and knowing he should have all the power of the King of Spain against him he desired to have him known for his open Enemy and that he and his Ministers might not be admitted to that deliberation as being excluded and excepted by the publick and open War which should yet be between the Crowns and if the minds of great persons among so many interests of State are sometimes also moved and driven by passions the old persecution he had suffered from the Catholick King stirred up and spurred on by the so late danger in which he was like to have lost his life by the suggestions of persons whom he esteemed to be dependents upon that Crown had perchance some part in this resolution for the execution whereof upon the Twentieth day of Ianuary he caused a Declaration to be published and the same to be proclaimed by Heraulds in the Towns upon the Confines wherein after having related all the injuries done by the King of Spain unto himself and the King his Predecessor imputing also the act lately attempted against his person to the suggestion of his Champions he denounced open War against him by Land and Sea took away all Commerce between the two Nations and permitted his Subjects to invade spoil and possess the States under the Dominion of that Crown King Philip answered this Proclamation about two months after with another Writing wherein reckoning up the benefits and supplies lent to the most Christian Kings his Confederates and Allies he declared and protested that he would not break the peace which he had with the most Christian Crown and the good Catholicks of the Kingdom but persevere in their assistance and defence to the end they might not be oppressed by the Prince of Bearne and the Hugonots his Confederates and commanded all his Subjects not to molest or hurt those French that should follow the Catholick party in the Kingdom giving order on the other side to his Governours and Commanders to defend his Countries and likewise to offend the Prince of Bearne and his adherents This Declaration was slow but so were not the preparations for not only in Flaâ—ders Count Charles his Army was recruiting to enter upon the Confines of Picardy in the Spring but also Hernando de Valeseo Constable of Castile and Governour of the State of Milan was preparing a great Army in Italy to march into Bourgongne and in Spain new Forces were raising that they might send new Supplies to Don Iuan del Aquila in Bretagne as soon as the season would permit the like preparations were made in France Holland and England so that the course of this year seemed on all sides likely to prove formidable and bloody In the mean time the King cured of his hurt had celebrated the solemnity of the Knights of the Holy Ghost among the Ceremonies whereof he renewed his Oath of living and dying a Catholick and of defending Religion and afterwards with great pomp and demonstrations of honor he had received Vincenzo Gradenigo and Giovanni Delfino Ambassador of the Venetian Senate who came to congratulate his assumption to the Crown and Pietro Duodo that came to reside in the place of Giovanni Mocenigo who for the space of seven years together had made his residence with him and the King his Predecessor having with exceeding great praise of singular prudence managed the most weighty businesses in the ambiguous revolutions of past affairs The first action in the War of this year was the taking of Beaune a principal Town in the Dutchy of Bourgogne wherein some of the chief Citizens having begun to mutiny from the year before to put themselves under the Kings obedience the Duke of Mayenne who had a special jealousie concerning the affairs of that Province as being his own particular government went speedily at his return from Lorain into that City where having found businesses all in a combustion he caused fourteen of the Citizens which seemed to him more inclined to an alteration than the rest to be imprisoned in the Castle and having removed that difficult scruple he in all things else sought to appease the generality of
to send a Captain to the Archduke that he might know the certainty of his Command which being courteously granted he sent Federico Pacciotto who brought express leave to make Composition whereupon having treated a while they agreed to surrender upon these Conditions That the Monuments of Hernando Telles Portocarrero and of all other Commanders slain in the siege should not be stirred nor their Inscriptions cancelled it being nevertheless lawful for the Spaniards to take away their Bodies when they pleased That all the Souldiers that were in the City should march out in Battalia with their Arms and Baggage Colours flying Drums beating and Trumpets sounding and should be fuâ—nished by the King with Carts to carry away their Goods and their Sick as far as Dourlans That if any sick or wounded person should remain in the City he should receive good usage and have liberty to go away at his pleasure That the Souldiers should be exempt from paying for any Physick or Surgery they had had in the City and likewise for Two thousand pound weight oâ— Musket-Bullet which they had taken up from particular men and made use of That Prisoners on both sides should be set free without Ransom That the Towns-men might stay without being oppressed and be used as good Subjects renewing their Oath of Allegiance to the King of France but those that would march out with the Souldieâ—s might have free liberty so to do That there should be a Truce for the six next ensuing days within the term of which if they were not relieved with at least â—wo thousand men they should deliver up the City and that in the mean time they should give Hostages for security a Spanish Commander an Italian and a Walloon The Serjeant Major carried the Capitulations to the Archduke who having ratified them the Defendents of Amiens marched forth upon the Five and twentieth of September being Eighteen hundred Foot and four hundred Horse the Marquiss of Montenegro being at the head of them in a Souldier-like gallantâ—y upon a brave Horse wiâ—h a Truncheon in his hand and being come to the place where the King and the whole Army in Battalia expected him saying aside his Truncheon alighted and kissed the Kings knee and said so loud that he was heard by the by-standers That he delivâ—red up that place into the hands of a Souldier-King since it had not pleased the King his Master to cause it to be relieved by Souldier-Commanders which words moved every one to consider that if the Spanish Army had either taken the way beyond the River or laid hold of the occasion which fortune had presented them at the disorder in the Trenches the siege had certainly been raised The King answered That it ought to satisfie him that he had defended the place like a Souldier and now restored it into the hand of the lawful King with the honour of a Souldier To these words he added many other favourable demonstrations as well toward him as the other Commanders whom he desired to know by name one by one and being dismissed with the praise of the whole Army they were convoyed safe to Doâ—rlans There entred into Amiens the Constable who received the place the Mareschal de Byron and the Duke of Mombason and after them the King himself who having visited the Cathedral Church gave the Government of the Town to Monsieur de Vic and went forth without making any stay as well out of a suspition of the Plague as out of a desire to march after the Archduke who having sâ—aid only two days upon the Pass of the River Ants was in this interim gotten within the Walls of Arras Upon the six and twentieth day there hapned an accident which if it had faln ouâ— before would have discomposed all things but at this time it proved rather a matter of sport than trouble for there brake out suddenly so great a Fire in the Kings quarters the cause thereof not being at all known that in a short space all the Huts were burned which was no way harmful either to Men or Baggage because the Camp was already raised and marching away The whole Army rejoyced calling it a Bonfire and many from thence took a good Omen of future quiet which was confirmed by the event for the General of the Cordeliers being returned from the Court of Spain and come with Letters to the Archduke about the same time caused an interview upon the Confines which divide Piâ—ardy from the County of Artâ—is between Secretary Villeroy on the Kings part and President Riâ—cardoâ—to for the Archduke who determined that at Vervins a place upon the same Confines famous for the Peaces that had formerly been treated there the Cardinal-Legaâ— Father Francisco Gonzaga Bishop of Mantua the Popes Nuncio and the Deputies on both parts should meet together to apply themselves to a Treaty of Peace That which moved King Philip to an inclination to Peace was the urgency of the affairs of Flanders which by reason they had been abandoned for two years together were extreamly much gone down the wind so that the necessity of his own affairs constrained him not to think of getting that which was anothers To this was added the exceeding great scarcity of money for which he had been fain this very year to suspend all payments to the disreputation of his greatness and the undoing of those Merchants that were wont to have dealings with the Crown Nor was the respect of establishing the Succession upon his Son last in his consideration for being now far in years and knowing that his death drew near he desired that his Successor who was very young might not be ingaged in a great and troublesom War against a King of manly age and strength full of experience and upheld by the manifest favour of Fortune His dependents add that being in the latter end of his life careful to satisfie his Conscience he desired to end his days with the Peace of Christendom and the restitution of that which was not his own yet it is most clear that the loss of Amiens gave great force to his first disposition and perswaded even the Cardinal Archduke who being to marry the Infanta Isabella and with her to have the Dominion of the Low-Countries endeavoured not to have so powerful and so troublesom a War as that with the King of France Secretary Villeroy returned with the resolved appointment and found that the King with his Army following the prosperity of Fortune was incamped before Dourlans for having made an incursion even to the very Walls of Arras filling the whole Country with terrour he perceived afterward that the places of Picardy were left behind with very great danger and therefore was come to besiege Dourlans as the nearest place the taking whereof would be of wondrous advantage to his Country But already the Rains of Autumn did very much incommode and annoy him and his Army which had been healthful till then
General to Prince Casimire leads the Army 313. His excuse to the Emperor commanding him to disband ib. his Acts 324. disbands his Army 328 Battel between the Armies 37. at Brisac 140. at St. Denis 117 Bellegarde usurps the Marquisate of Saluzza 238 Birth of Henry IV. in the Territory of Pau 10. in the Viscounty of Bearn a free State Decemb. 13. 1554. ib. Bishop of Monsâ— sent on purpose by the King to demand absolution for the Cardinal of Guise's death 385 Bishop of Paris gives way that the Church-Plate should be turned into money for relief of the Poor 460 Bishops to judge â—f Heresie 50 Blois taken and pillaged by the Kings Army 70 Jean Bodin contradicts the Prelates in the General Assembly 229 Body of Henry III. laid in the great Church of Campeign 416 Francis de Bonne made Head of the Hugonots and after Constable of the Kingdom 212 Bourges rendred upâ—â— Condition 71 Brigues in French signifies Factions 64 C. CAhors taken and sacked by the Hugonots 241 Calais recovered from the English and besieged by the Spanish Army 702. A description of its situation 703. agrees to surrender if not relieved within six days but de Martelet getting in with 300 Foot they refuse the Castle stormed Governor killed and all put to the Sword 705 John Calvin a Picard preacheth and publisheth in Print 128 Principles differing from the Roman-Catholick Religion which had their foundaetion in Geneva at first hearkned to out of curiosity but at last produce great mischief 19. Henry II. severe against the Calvinists of whose death they boast much 20 Cambray its Siege 685 c. yields to the Spaniard 690 Cardinal Alessandrino Legat from Pope Pius Quintus refuses a rich Iewel presented to him by the Kings own hand 177 Cardinal Alessandro de Medici who was after Pope Leo XI appointed Legat into France 675. received with great demonstrations of Honour by Monsieur des Digâ—ieres a Hugonot His solemn entry into Paris 710. setling Religion he begins to promote a Treaty between France and Spain 711 Cardinal of Bourbon Vncle to the King of Navarre desired for the Head of the Catholicks 252. His pretensions to the succession of the Crown 253. put into the Castle of Amboise 374 declared King of France by the League and called Charles X. 417 Cardinal of Chastillon changing his Religion calls himself Count of Beauvais 64. the Lye passes between the Constable and him 115. flies disguised like a Mariner into England and remains with the Queen as Agent for the Hugonots Page 130 Cardinal of Guise made Prisoner 370. is slain and his body and the Duke of Guise's two Brothers burn'd in Quick-lime and their bones buried in an unknown place 373 Cardinal Gondi and the Legat meet the Marquis of Pisani upon a Treaty but nothing concluded 465. he and the Archbishop of Lyons chose by the Council of Paris to treat with the King 466. he and the Marquis of Pisani chosen to go to Rome by Henry IV. 557. sends his Secretary to excuse himself to the Pope 561. notice that he should not enter into the Ecclesiastical State by the Pope 163. is permitted by the Pope to come to Rome but not to speak a word of the affairs of France 644. return'd to Paris commands they should use the Prayers were wont to be made for the King and to acknowledge Henry IV. lawful King 653 Cardinal Henrico Gaetano a man partial to Spain declared Legat to the League in France 431. the Popes Commissions to him 432. his request to Colonel Alphonso Corso and his answer 433. overcoming many difficulties arrives at Paris 434. Grants the Duke of Mayenne 300000 Crowns brought for enlargement of the Cardinal of Bourbon 439 meets with the Mareshal de Byron they treat of divers things without any conclusion 453 Cardinal of Sancti Quattro succeeds Gregory XIV by name of Innocent IX 530 Cardinal Hippoliâ—o d'Esâ—é Legat in France 51 Cardinal Hippolito Aldebrandino aged 56 succeeds Pope Innocent IX by the name of Clement VIII 555 Cardinal of Lenon-Court gives the King notice of the Cardinal of Vendosme's designs 499 Cardinal Sega Legat in France hath prudent instructions from the Pope by Monseignor Agucchi touching the affairs thereof 564. executes not his Orders ib. his Declaration and Exhortation 577. his Proposition 584. opposes an offer of the Catholick Lords but to no purpose 500 persuaded by the Archbishop of Lyons he secretly consents to it 597. sets forth a Writing to keep the League on 〈◊〉 630 Goes out of the Kingdom 637 Cardinal of Tournon called a second time to Court 13 Cardinal of Vendosme raises a third party of Catâ—olicks to make himself Head and so come to the Crown 498. sâ—ndâ— Scipio Balbani to treat with the Pope and communicate his design 499. Cardinal Lenon-Court gives the King notice of his designs ib Catharine de Medicis Wife to Henry II. dyed in the 70th year of her age thirty whereof she spent in the regency and management of greatest affairs and troubles of France 374 Catholicks besiege la Charité which being stoutly defended they give it over 156 raise the Siege before Chastel-rault 157. take all the Hugonots Baggage and Cannon and 200 Colours 163. King of Navarre proceeds against them 217. desire the Cardinal of Bourbon for their Head 259 War again between them and the Hugonots 288. recover the Castle of Angâ—ers taken suddenly by the Hugonots 290 besiege Maran 295. Lâ—se a Battel are all killed and taken Prisoners except a very few that save themselves by flight 322. assemble themselves to consult about a future King 408. resolve to declare the King of Navarre King of France upon assurance of changing his Religion 409. swear Fidelity to the King by a Writing sign'd and establish'd 410. complain of Henry IV. continuing in Calvinism 405. they of Henry IV. party displeased that the Peace should be treated by du Plessis a Hugonot renew a third party 555 Causes that moved the Guises to frame the League 224. vid. 325 Cause of distaste between Duke d'Espernon and Secretary Villeroy 348. of Hatred between the Prince and King of Navarre 407 that moved the Duke of Mayenne to hope to be chosen King 565 Ceremonies used at the Conversion of Henry IV. 613 Chancellor Birago made Cardinal and Philip Huralt chose in his place 235 Chancellor Chiverney put out of his place 357 recall'd to his Office by Henry IV. 466. his opinion 467 Chancellor Olivier call'd a second time to Court 13. dyes Chancellor de l'Hospital succeeds him 29. put out of his Office upon the Kings jealousie 130. and conferred upon Monsieur de Morvilliers ib. Charles IX marries Izabella Daughter of Maximilian the Emperor 171 Charlotte de la Marc Heir to the Dutchy of Bouillon married to Henry de la Tour Viscount de Turenne 511 Chartres voluntarily sets open its Gates 402. its Description and Siege 494 496 Chastel-rault besieged 156. Siege raised 157 Jaques Clement his birth age and
nothing concluded 465. is chosen to go to Rome with Cardinal Gondi by Henry IV. 557. hath notice from the Pope not to enter the Ecclesiastical State 563 Marshal d'Anville Son of Anna de Montmorancy deprived of his Dignities by the Kings Decree 198 Marshal de Byron meets with the Popes Legat but nothing concluded 453. treats with Mocinego but accepts not of a Cessation of Arms. 458 Marshal de Byron lays Siege to Rouen 558. killed with a Cannon-shot in the 65th year of his age 559. the King wept for him 561. his Son to revenge his death scales a great Tower at Espernay and takes it though sorely wounded 56. routs the Spaniards at his entrance into Artois 714. gives a Scalado to Dourlans but the Ladders being too short it succeeds not 720. labours unweariedly in the Siege of Amiens ibid. Marshâ—l de Cosse inclining to the Hugonots makes no progress against them 169 Massacre at Paris 183 184 c. Michael de l'Hospital succeeds Francis Olivier in the Chancellorship 29 Moderation more profitable in Victory than at another time Page 455 Money coyned by the Queen of Navarre with her own Figure on one side and her Sons on the other 143 Monitory Letters from the Pope decreed to be burnt by the Parliament of Chalons and Tours 502 Monsieur des Disguires though a Hugonot receives Alessandro de Medici the Popes Legat with great demonstrations of Honour 710 N. NAmes of Royalists and Guizards 365 Names which the Factions give one another 381 A Narration of several Successes which happened through all France 425 Navarrists and Politics persecuted and slain 379 Negligence the ordinary defect of the Hugonots 81 Nicholas Paulain discovers all the Plots of the League to the King 391. and one against his person 334 Nobility and Militia divided into two Factions 40 Nobility return to Henry IVs. Army with great Supplies 544 De la Noue sent Governor by the King to Rochel turns General of the Hugonots 189. stirs up a new insurrection of them 197. tells the King of Navarre he must nevâ—r think to be King of France if he turn not Hugonot 410 Noyon its situation besieged by Henry IV. 505. surrendred 507 O. OBjections against Crowning Henry IV. 634 Obligations of the Kings of France upon the day of their Consecration 635 Obsequies of Henry II. lasts Thirty three dayes 12 Offer of the Catholick Lords of the Kings Party 585. condemned by the Spaniards for Heretical 596 Officers that adhered to Henry III. imprisoned in the Bastille 379 Orillons what they are 524 Orleans made the Seat of the Hugonot Faction 61. with whose Reliques Andelot sustains a Siege there 85. have Conditions of Peace 88. retaken by them 114 Opinions of the Hereticks 50 P. PAlace of the Admiral raz'd and his Statue burnt 185 In Paris were 800 000 Inhabitants yet during the Siege neither the Lecturers nor Lawyers discontinued their Lectures or Audiences 79. Council of Sixteen framed and governed by it 300 Parisians make Insurrection at the News of the Duke of Guise's death 377. at the news of the Truce between Henry III. and the Hugonots besides publick signs of Contempt forbid him to be pray'd for in the Canon of the Masse 394. being blocked up are in great want of victuals 459 c. their Bishop gives way the Church Plate should be turned into money to relieve the Poor 560. the miseries they suffer'd 463. make bread of dead mens bones 464. their Council for fear of an Insurrection choose Cardinal Gonde and the Archbishop of Lyonâ— Deputies to treat with the King and their Speech to him 466 make provision of victuals 471 c. after 8 years space they return to the obedience of Henry IV. 637. murmur against the King at the lâ—ss of Amiens 639 Parley between the Prince of Condé and Queen-mother 64 Parliament of Paris expels the Hugonots the Kingdom 49. its Answer to the Prince of Condé's Manifesto 62. Eight Parliaments in France 51. that of Paris declares Charles IX out of minority 91. of Chalons and Tours decree the Popes Monitory Letter to be burnt 502. that of Paris the contrary 503. of Paris and Tours Decree none should go to Rome to procure Benefices 557. of Tours forbids to acknowledge the Legat and the Parliament of Paris exhort all to give him due reverence 434. of Paris determines to do justice to the Dutchess of Guise demanding it and choose those should form the Process 380 A third Party composed of Catholicks and Hugonots called Politicks and Malecontents 194 Peace published but full of jealousie 170 published and the Army dismissed 193. published by Torch-light 234. concluded between Henry III. and King of Navarre 390 Peers of France are Twelve Ecclesiastical and Civil 47 Petitions the manner observed at Court in granting them 213 Pope Clement VIII gives Supplies to the League with more moderate Expences than his Predecessors 556. gives notice to Cardinal Gondi and Marquis de Pisani that they should not enter into the Ecclesiastical State 563. sends Monseigneur Agucchi to Cardinal Sega Legat in France with prudent instructions touching the Affairs of that Kingdom 564. sends Innocentio Malvagia into France in place of Matteuchi to Cardinal Sega 582. approves the Infanta's Election and Marriage as not feasible and seems to consent only not to disgust the Spaniards 618. wishes some Catholick Prince of the House of Bourbon might be elected King and marry the Infanta and when he heard Henry IV. intended to turn Catholick inclines tâ— him 619 sends Antonio Possevino a Iesuite to let the Duke of Nevers know he should not come to Rome as Ambassador because the King was not yet acknowledged Catholick 621 c. his words to the Duke of Sessâ— the Spanish Ambassador 654. inclines to the King and is averse to others 672. sends his Nephew into Spain to treat of the Affairs of Hungary and of the King's absolution 673 c. absolves him in St. Peter's Porch Page 673 Pope Innocent IX his inclinations concerning the Affairs of France his death 530. succeeded by Cardinal Hippolito Aldebrandino 555 Pope Julio II. excommunicates the Kingdom of France and its Adherents 42 Pope Pius Quintus requires the Cardinal of Chastillon be deprived his Habit and Ecclesiastical Preferment because he was of Calvin's belief 103. Gregory XIII succeeding him grants a Dispensation for the Marriage between the Prince of Navarre and the Kings Sister 177. dyes 1585. Sixtus Qâ—intus succeeds 284. who writes Congratulatory Letters to the Duke of Guise full of high praises said he thought he saw not clearly into the Affairâ— of the League 355. told of the Cardinal of Guise's death is much offended at it and answers the Ambassadors coming to excuse it very sharply 382. chooses a Congregation of Cardinals to consult of the Affairs of France 383. suspects Moresini his Legat to the King and counts him guilty 390. declares the King liable to Censure by a Monitory if within Sixty days he release not the Prelates
other discontented Lords The King of Navarre goeth to the Court solliciting the King in the name of the Princes of the blood that they might participate in the Government Queen Blanch Mother to St. Lewis having taken upon her the Government of the Kingdom in the minority of her Son the Barons took arâ—s to maintain the right in those to whom it belonged So did Lewis Duke of Orleans in the time of Charles the eighth The Admiral maketh a proposition to the Male-contents to protect the followers of those opinions in Religion introduced by Calvin and it is embraced Iohn Calvin a Picard preacheth and publisheth in print 128 Principles differing from the Roman Catholick Religion which at first are hearkned to only in curiosity but at last make great impressions in the minds of men and produce great mischief Calvins opinions had their first foundation in Geneva The Reformed Religion began to spread in France in the time of Francis the First Henry the Second was very severe against the Calvinists 1560. The Calvinists use to boast much of the death of Henry the Second The name of Hugonot derived from certain places under ground near Hugo's gate in the City of Toâ—rs whâ—re thosâ— opinions â—irst took growth The manner of the Hugonots proceedings Renaudie a man of a desperate fortune is made Head of the Hugonots Conspiracy 1560. The fifteenth of Maâ—ch was a day more than once appointed for the execution of great designs in France and this day Anno 1560. the Hugonots determined to meet at Blois where the King then was The Conspirators arrive near Ambois where the Court was and are all defeated 1560. After the suppression of the Conspirators in a secret Council held in the Kings Chamber it is resolved to punish the favourers of the Hugonots To get the favourers of the Hugonots into their power it is resolved to call an Assembly of the States at which amongst others the Princes of the blood are to assist The Prince of Conde who was as a prisoner is set at liberty By the death of Olivier Michel de l' Hospital is made High Chancellor Anne of Mâ—morancy with all his adherents goes to the Assembly at Fountain-bleau The King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde go not thither The Assembly at Fountain-bleau The Admiral pâ—esents a Petition from the Hugonots in which they demand erection of Temples and Liberty of Conscience A National Council proposed A general Assembly of the States is resolved upon and the present Assembly dismissed Saga a servanâ— to the King of Navarre is taken prisoner at Estampes with divers Letters about him and being tortured confesseth certain practices against the Crown The Prince of Câ—nde practiseth to possess himself of Lions but without success The three Estates of the Kingdom The Prince of Conde committed to prison The King of Navarre kept 〈◊〉 a prisoner The Assembly of the States begins The Prince of Conde excepts against his trial and appeals to the King but the appeal is not accepted Sentence pronounced against the Prince of Conde The King under the Barbers hands taken with an Apoplexy Charles the IX All the Nobility and the Militia is divided between two Factions Pope Iulio the second excommunicates the Kingdom of France and the Adherents thereof in which the King of Navarre being included he applieth himself to follow the opinions of Beza and Peter Martyr The Constable Anne of Momorancy restored to his Command The Prince of Câ—nde set at liberty and the Sentence pronounced against him declared void 1561 The 〈◊〉 of the States d smissed A kind of toleration permitted to the Hugonots The Kâ—ys of the Kings Palace taken frâ—m the Duke of Guise and delivered to the King of Navaâ—re The private interests and enmities are covered with the vail of Religion and the two Factions take the name of Hugonot and Câ—â—holâ—ck At Rhâ—â—ms a vial is kept with the oyl whereof the first Christian King â—louis was consecrated The Dâ—ke of Guise as first Peer of France is declared to precede all the rest The Peers are twelve six Ecclesiastical and six Secular An â—dict th t no â—oâ—y shoulâ— be mâ—lâ—sted for matters of Religâ—â—n with the reâ—â—itution â—f confiscated goodâ— The Hugonots grow insolent towards the Catholicks The Cardinal of Lorain in the Kings Council inveighs against the Hugonots The Edict of Iuly The Parliament of Paris expels the Hugonots out of the Kingdom The juâ—gment of heresie committed to the Bishops The conferenâ—e of Poissy The divers opinions of the Hereticks There are Eight Parliaments in France 1562. The Edict of Ianuary The Cardinal Hippolito d' Est Legat in France Propositions to exchange Navaâ—re for Sardinia The union of the King of Navarre with the Duke of Guise and the Constable which the Hugonots called the Triumvirat Queen Câ—theâ—ine in opposition to the Triumvirat joins with the Prince of Conde and the Admiral The Queen feigning an inclination to the Hugonots Religion In a conflict between the Duke of Guise his servants and the Hugonots the Duke is hurt wiâ—â— a stone A saying of the Duke of â—uisâ— which made him thought the author of the ensuing War Persons of desparate â—ortunes the incendiaries of Civil Wars The Queen is forced to declare her self fâ—r the Catholicks and at the same time maintains hoâ—es in the Hugonots Charles the IX wept at his restraint Orleans made the seat of the Hugonot Faction The Prince of Conde's Manifest The Parliament of Paris Answer to the Princes Manifest The Answer of the King and Queen The Prince of Câ—nde coynâ— the Plate belonging to Churches An Edict published at the instance of the Parisians to forbid the Hugonot Assemblies in their City or neâ—â— the Court. The Kings Army movâ—s towards Oâ—leans * Brigues a French word signifying factions or contentions The Cardinal of â—hatâ—llin changing his Religion calleâ—h himself Count of Fâ—â—â—vais The Parley between the Queen-Mother and the Prince of Câ—nde The Prince of Conde's demands in favour of himself and the Hugonots The Kings Edict slighted by the Hugonots The Queen perswadeth the Duke of Guise and the Constable and the Mareshal de S. Andâ—â— to leave the Court which they promise The Queen having it under the Princes hand that he woulâ— retire himself the Catholick Lords leave the Camp The Prince of Conde returneth to his Army ROYALISTS and HUGONOTS The Hugonots through the faults of their guides march all night without advancing The Armies face one another and retreat wiâ—hout fighting The Protestants of Germany are Lutherans Conditions offered by Queen Elizabeâ—h of England to the Hugonots That Montgomery who killed Hâ—nâ—â— the Second Blois taken and pillaged by the Kings Army and Tours the first Assault Poictiers taken and saâ—kt Bourges reâ—dred upon condition The Heads of the Hugonot Faction are declared Rebels * Toquesaint an allarum Bell used as the ringing of the bells backwards with us The English received by the Hugonots to Havre de Grace Diepe and Râ—â—en * The
Quintus writes congratulatory Letters to the D. of Guisâ— full of high praises The Pope thought he saw not cleerly into the affairs of the League The Pope chuseth Giovaâ— Francesco Moresini Bishop of Bergamo Legat to the Congregation of the States he being much desired by the King to whom he was Nuncio At the same time he is made Cardinal The Duke of Espernon is conspired against at Angoulesme Secretary Villeroy fomenting the business upon a secret order from the King The King according to the example of his Grand-father dismisseâ—h many old servants for their too much wisdom In the place of the High-Chancellour Chiverny Francois Sieur de Mâ—ntâ—elon is chosen Garde de Seaux * Lord Keeper The Assembly of States-General called at Blois upon the agreement between the King and the League begins with extraordinary preparations The King begins the Assembly with a fine Speech which sâ—ings the Duke of Guise and his adherents Monthelon the Garde des Seaux prosecutes and amplifies the King's Speech * Râ—naud de Beaune * Michel Marâ—eaâ— The King and the States swear in solemn manner to perform the Edict made before or persevâ—ring in the Catholick Religion The common opinion that the Duke of Guise aspired to the authority which the Masters of the Palace were wont to have * Les Maires du Palais Câ—ipâ—ric King of France of an effeminate nature put into a Monastery by Charles Martel and Pâ—pin Masters of the Palace The Proposition of receiving the Council of Trent made in the Assembly of the States-General is rejected with great contradiction The King is râ—quested to declare the King of Navarre incapable of the Crown and all others suspected of heresie after much opposition he consents coldly unto it The King seeing the râ—solution of the States against the King of Nâ—varre procures an abâ—oluâ—ion at Rome for the Prince of Câ—nâ—y and Count Soissons of the House of Bourbâ—â— which much troubles the Duke of Guisâ—â— Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy possesseth himself of the Marquesate of Saluzzo Causes alledged by the Duke of Savoy in excuse for his surprisal of the Marquesate of Saluzzo They send to the Duke of Savoy to demand the restitution of Saluzzo and upon his refusal to denounce War A fray happens among the Lords Pages one of the Duke of Guises is slainâ— the uproar riseth to that height that the whole factioâ—â— are divided under the names of Royalists and Guisaâ—ds the King himself being armed goes to the quarrel The King admits Giâ— Mocenigo Ambassador from Venice though he were not one of the Sauii dâ— Tâ—â—ra Firma * Magistrates so called at Venice because they have the principal adminâ—stration of affairs by land and the care of matters belonging to Peace and War Chrestienne de Lorain which should have been given to the King of Navarre is married to Ferdinandâ— de Medici Grand Duke of Thuscany The King desiring â—o free himself of the Duke of Guâ—se proposeâ— his design to four of his most trusty Confidents who after long consultation resolve to have him killed * Le porche aux Bretons The answer of Grillon Captain of the Guards Lognâ—c promiseth the King that the Duke of Guise should be slâ—in The King's resolution against the Duke of Guise comes to the ear of the Duke of Guise himself A consultation between the Duke of Guise the Cardinal his Brother the Archbishop of Lyons and the Duke d' Elbeuf The order taken by the King for the killing of the Duke of Guise The Captains invention to double the Guards and not be suspected by the Duke of Guise * The French Translation says Grand Mastre de la Garde robbe Pelicart the Dukes Secretary sends him a Note in a Handkerchief to bid him save himself but it comes not to his hands The Duke of Guise swoonin theCouncil-Chamber An ill omen of his approaching death The Duke of Guise is slain as he lifts up the hanging of the Closet-door The Cardinal of Guise and Archbishop of Lyâ—â—s are made prisoners as also all the Lords and other chief adherents of the Duke of Guise * The ordinary Iudge of the Kings houshold his command extends to all places within six leagues of the Court. It was reported that the Duke of Guise had received from Spain the sum of two millions of Crowns The King admitting every one into his presence speaks very resentingly The King says to his Mother Now I am King of France for I have put to death the King of Paris The King discourseth a long while with the Cardinal of Moresini about the Duke of Guises death The King seeing that the Legat shewed no trouble at the imprisonment of the Cardinals commands that Lewis of Lorain Cardinal of Guise be also put to death Du Gast a Captain of the Kings Guard causes the Cardinal of Guise to be slain by four Souldiers The bodies of the two Brothers were burned in quick Lime and their bones buried in an unknown place The Duke of Guise's Virtues and Endowments both in body and mind The Archbishops of Lyons being often examined would never answer alledging that as Primate of all France he had no other Superiour but the Catholick Church The Cardinal of Bourbon the Prince of Iainville now called Duke of Guise the Archbishop of Lyons and the Duke d'Elbeuf are all put into the Castle of Amboyse Charles Duke of Mayâ—nne third Brother to the Guises being advertised of his Brothers death flees from Lyons 1589. Katherine de Medicâ—s Wife to Henry the Second died on Twelfth-Eve in the 70 year of her age thirty whereof she spent in the Regency and in the management of the greatest affairs and troubles of the Kingdom of Franceâ— 1588. 1589. The Insurrection of the Parisians at the news of the Duke of Guise's death Charles of Lorain Duke of Aumale being made Governor of Paris by the City armes the people and orders them regularly under Commanders The Preachers detracting from the King celebrate the Duke of Guise his Martyrdom with exceeding high praises The Colledge of Sorbonne declares Henry the Third to have forfeited his Right to the Crown and his Subjects free from their Oath of Allegiance The King's Arms and Statues are thrown down the Navarrists and Politicks persecuted and slain All the Counsellors of Parliament and Officers who adhered to the King are imprisoned in the Bastille A Decree is made to combine themselves for the defence of Religion and it is called the Holy Vnion The Dutchess of Guise comes to the Parliament and demands justice they determine to do it her and chuse those that should form the Process Places and Cities which rise and unite themselves with the Parisians * Rather in Languedâ—â— A description of the miserable condition that France fell into by the means of the Duke of Guise his death The Names which the Factions gave one another * Bandes Blanckes Sixtus 5. being told of the Cardinal of Guise's death is highly offended and answers
the King ' Ambassadors very sharply who came to excuse it to him Sixtus Quintus chuseth a congregation of Cardinals who were to consult about the affairs of France * The French sayes Commandeur Vn Commandeur is one that having Ecclesiastical Livings may not Marry and yet is not compelled to be a Priest as the Grand Prior of France and all the Knights of St Iohn's in Iâ—rusalem Commines lib. 7. cap. 9. The King writes kind Letters to the Duke of Mayâ—nne promising him very great things The Duke of Mayenne notwithstanding the Kings promises being perswaded by Madam de Montpensier his sister makes himself Head of the Holy Vnion * Oâ— sâ—veral C urâ—s The Duke of Mayenne being come to Paris is declared Lieutenant-General of the Crown of France The Council of the Union is chosen consisting of forty of the chiefest persons of the League The Bishop of Mans is sent by the King on purpose to demand absolution for the Cardinal of Guise his death The Abbot of Orbais sent to Rome by the Duke of Mayenne treats of the affairs of the League very effectually The Legat propounds a Truce to the Duke of Mayenne but he refuseth it The King of Navarre grants Liberty of Conscience in those places he had taken and publisheth a Manifâ—st offering to take Arms against those that rebelled against their natural King The Duke of Espernon returned into his former Greatness treats a Truce with the King of Navarre Cardinal Moresini the Legat makes grievous complaints unto the King The Spanish Ambassador departs from Court without taking leave and goes to Paris Cardinal Moresini stays with the King and the Pope falling into suspicion of him accounts him guilty The peace is concluded between the King of France and the King of Navarre Capt. du Gast who killed the Cardinal of Guise treats an agreement with those of the League by the perswasion of the Archbishop of Lyons The prisoners given in custody to Captain du Gast Governour of Amboise are sent to several fortresses under safer guards The Truce is concluded for a year between the most Christian King and the King of Navarre Cardinal Mâ—resini the Legat assoon as the Peace is concluded with the Hugonots departs from Court to go out of the Kingdom * Two thousand pounds sterling The Legat moves the Duke of Mayenne to an accommodation who refuses to hearken to it The Parisians at the news of the Truce between the King and the Hugonots besides many publick signs of contempt forbid the King to be prayed for any longer in the Canon of the Mass. The Duke of Montpensier begins the war against those of the League and besieges the Falaise The Gautiers Country people up in Arms to the number of 16000 fight for the League Montpensiâ—r defeats the Count de Brissac's Forces who came to divert the siege of Falaise The Gautiers being fortified in three places after they had fought a long time some are cut in pieces and some yield Vendosme taken by the League by agreement with the Governour * Or Plessis les Tours The Interview between the most Christian King and the King of Navarre at Tours The Duke of Mayenne defeats the Count de Brienne and takes him prisoner The Duke of Mayenne assaults the Kings Army at Tours where they fight a long time The King himself orders and disposes his Souldiers puts himself among those that fight At last supplies coming from the King of Navarre the Duke of Mayenne gives off the enterprise St. Malin who gave the first wound to the Duke of Guise at Blois slain in the Fight at Tours his death is boasted of as a Miracle and as a presage of Victory The Duke of Aumale besieges Sâ—nlis Monsieur de Longueville goes with small forces to relieve it and raises the siege with a great slaughter of the Leaguers The Duke of Aumale loses the day with his Artillery Baggage and thirty Colours Monsieur de Sancy having raised great Forces in Switzerland and begun the War with Savoy marches-towards Paris against the Leaguers The Count de Soissons assaulted at Chasteau-Gyron by the Duke de Mercoeur is taken prisoner The Sieur de Saveuse going with 400 horse to joyn with the Duke of Mayenne is routed by the Sieur de Chastilloâ— and taken prisoner The King takes Gergeau and Piviers Chartres voluntarily sets open the Gates The Pope by a Monitory declares the King liable to Censure if within 60 dayes he releases not the Prelates and does not Penance for the Cardinal of Guise's death The King troubled at it fasts forty hours Words of Hen. the Third upon the Excommunication thundered out against him The King of Navarr's Answer The King taking Estampes hangs the Magistrates and gives the pillage of the Town to the Soldiers The Swisses arrive and joyn with the King at Poissy The King with a victorious and numerous Army lays siege to Paris having taken all those placâ—s that furnisht it with victual A saying of the Kings who having been to discover the Enemies Works staid at a place from whence he looked upon the whole City of Paris The birth age and condition of Iaques Clement a Fryar of the Order of St. Dominick The King is called Henry of Valois the Tyrant and Persecutor of the Faith Frier Iaques Clement having advised with the Prior and others of his Order resolves to kill the King and to that end goes from Paris A Question made to the Frier and his Answer Upon the first of August the Frier brought in to the King gives him a Letter and then drawing a Knife thrust it into his Belly The King strikes the same Knife into the Friers Forehead Monsieur de la Guesle runs him thorough and being cast out of the window he is torn in pieces The death of Hen. the third upon the first of August at night Anno 1589 he having lived 36 years and reigned 1â— and two months the House of Valois ended in him and the Crown devolved upon the House of Bourbon The King of Navarre having many Lords in the Camp ill-affected to him in respect of Religion and other private causes is in great perplexity Causes of hatred between the King of Navarre and the Duke of Espernon The Catholicks assemble themselves to consult about the future Kâ—ng The Catholicks resolve to declare the K. of Navarre K. of France upon assurance that he would change his Religion The Duke of Luxembourg delivers the resolution of the Catholick Lords in the Camp to the K. of Navarre The King thanks the Catholicks and his answer about changing his Religion The Sieur de la Noue a Hugonot tells the King that he must never think to be King of France if he turn not Catholick The Catholicks of the Camp swear fidelity to the King by a Writing signed and established and the King Swears to the maintenance of the Catholick Religion by the same Writing The Duke of Espernon standing upon precedency will not sign the
Kings Army for the battel in the field of Yvras * The French Translation says five hundred * The French say four hundred The manner how the Army of the League was imbattelled The Armies face one another but being overtaken by the night they retire to quarters The errour of the Viscount de Tavaâ—nes in drawing up the Divisions of the Horsâ— The King all arm'd on horse-back visits and exhorts his Souldiers with great efficacy and at the head of his Army lifting up his eyes to Heaven prayeth heartily The sign of Battel given Count Egmont and his Lanciers all câ—t in pieces A page being slain who wore a great white Feather like the Kings it was thought the King himself was killed The Cavalry of the League being defeated save themselves by flight The Swisses have quarter given them The Dutch that had been raised by the King and had taken Arms for the League are put to the Sword The Kings clemency towards the French The Reiters of the League being reduced to necessiâ—y fight till they aie all destroyed Six thousand of the League slain Two hundred and four Ensigns and Cornets taken by the King with all their Cannon and Baggage On hiâ— side but Five hundred slain After the Victory the King made his Commanders sup with him at Rosny familiarly speaking to every one and praising even the meanest Soldier Father Christino of Nizza tells the Parisians in the Pulpit of the defeat anâ— makes them resolve to endure any thing for the Catholick Religion taking an occasion to discourse of these words Those whom I love I râ—bucke and chasten Pope Sixtus V. grows jealous that Cardinal Gaetano is inclined to favor the Spanish designs The Cardinal Legat meets with the Mareschal de Byron divers things are treated of without any conclusion Melun stands upon the Seinâ— above Paris The siege and taking of Melun by the Kings Army The Sieur de Villeroy being come to Melun to treat an Agreement with the King perswades him by many reasons to turn Catholick and propounds a Cessation of Arms. The King 's Answer to the Sieur de Villeroy Moderation more profitable in Victory than at another time The Sieur de Villeroy is dismissed without conclusion the King being resolved not to grant a Cessation of Arms. Marc ' Antonio Mocâ—nigo Bishop of Ceneda treats with the Mareschal de Byron and propounds a Cessation of Arms but it is not accepted The Bishop of Câ—neda confers with the King prays him to grant a Truce the King absolutely denies it complaining of the Cardinal Legat. Some are put to death by the fury of the people for saying it was better to make Peace with the King than starve with hunger A solemn Procession in which the Ecclesiastical Orders appear in their religious habits and not only so but armed as Souldiers A solemn Oath taken by the Magistrates The City being blockt up on every side is in great scarcity for want of Victual The Bishop of Paris gives way that the Church-plate should be turned into moneâ— for the relief of the poor The Cardinal of Bourbon dies at Fontenay which produceth no alteration aâ— all only the Duke of Mayenne invites the Deputies of the Provinces to Meauâ— to chuse another King The interests and designs of the King of Spain The Duke of Parma's opinion The Duke of Mayenne having met the Duke of Parma at Conde and not being able to perswade him to go into France obtains some supplies for the relief of Paris The Spanish Ministers â—eal with some Governors of places to deliver them up into the hands of the King of Spain The Sieur de St. Paul puts in relief into Paris The description of the miseries the people suffered in the siege Renard the Procureur of the Chastelet with some others executed for having cried in the face of the Council Bread or Peace * Bread or Peace An Insurrection appeased with the death of divers of those made it The Parisians make Bread of Dead mens Bones Upon Saint Iames his day the King assaults and takes the Fauxbourgs of Paris The King at the siege of St. Denis sits on his Horse back Forty hours together A Treaty propounded the Legat and Cardinal Gondy meet the Marquiss of Pisani in the Fauâ—bourgs but return without concluding any thing For fear of an Insurrection the Council of Paris chuseth two Deputies the Cardinal Gondy and Archbishop of Lyons to treat with the King The High-Chancellor Chiverny recalled to the execution of his Office by Henry the Fourth The Speech of the City-Depu ies unto the King The King's Answer The opinion of the High Chancellor Chiverny The Mareschal de Byrons opinion to which the Kings Counsellors assent The Deputies return with the Kings Aâ—swer All thought of Peace is laid aside The Duke of Parma hath express order from Spain to go and relieve Paris At the coming of the Duke of Parma's Letters which promised relief within fifteen days the souldiers and people despairing strive to flye away from the City The German Souldiers in Paris having no other food kill little children to eat The Duke of Mayenne to give hope to the Parisians advances with his Army as far as Meaux The Duke of Parma declares that he had never been of opinion that the King of Spain should send his Army into France to serve the League The Duke of Parma moves with his Army from Valenciennes to relieve Paris The Duke of Parma's manner of conduct in his marching thorow France The Duke of Parma's arrival at Meaux where he joins with the Duke of Mayenne An Accommodation is again propounded but the Duke of Parma saying he had only order from the King to relieve Paris and not to treat the Deputies return The Abbot 〈◊〉 Bene dieâ— Upon the 30 of August the King rises from the siege of Paris and marches to Chelles to hinder the relief The manner how the Kings Army was disposed at Chelles The Dukes of Mayenne and Parma while their Horse skirmish go to discover the situation and strength of the Army While the two Armies lie still observing one another the Parisians make some provision of Victual The King sends a Trumpet to thâ— D. of Mayenne challenging him to Battel The Duke of Mayenne sends him to the D. of Parma who returns a notable answer to the King The Duke of Parma draws his Army into Battalia marches towards the Enemy makes shew as if he would give Battel then running suddenly goes to Lagny and deceives the King who thinking to fight had disposed his Army in a readiness * In Lagny The Duke of Parma takes Lagny before the face of the Kings Army whereby the passage of the River Marne bâ—â—ng freed upâ—â— the sixth of September great store of victual enters Paris The King withdraws his Army from the enemy and marches towards St. Denis * Thâ— Italian sayes Su lâ— due â—ore della noâ—â—â— but their account of hours beginning from Sun-set and so to 24 which end
cut in pieces The Prince of Conty without ever turning his face saves himself with all the Horse at Chasteau-â— ntier The Declaration made by the Duke of Mayenne for the congregation of the States published the fifth of Ianuary 1593. 1593. 1592. 1593. * Mem. de la Ligne Him The Tenor of another Declaration published by the Cardinal Legat wherein he exhorts the Catholicks of the Kings party to forsake the Heretick and unite themselves with the States to elect a Catholick King Pope Clem. 8. sends Innocentio Malvagia into France in the place of Commissary Matteucci with more particular Commissions to Cardinal Sega the Legat but they work small effect The Spanish Council resolves to propose the election of the Infanta Isabella to be Queen of France Diego d' Ivarra ill affected to the Duke of Mayenne practises with the Deputies of the States apart to dispose them to the election of the Infanta but every one of his private treaties comes to the Duke of Mayenne's knowledge The Spanish Ministers ill informed of the inclinations of the French and of the Duke of Mayenne's authority contrary to Iuan Baptista Tassis's opinion prosecute their Treaty a wrong way The Duke of Mayenne knowing the Spanish practices as he was certain that without his consent none of their designs would take effect so was he troubled at the pretensions which the Lords of his House had to the Crown as well as he The Overture of the States is made in Paris Ian. 26. 1593. The Duke of Mayenne fitting under the Cloth of State as King in the Hall of the Louvre makes the Overture of the States exhorting them to elect a Catholick King able to sustain the weight of the Crown The Cardinal Legats Proposition The Arch-bishop of Lyons his Answer A Trumpet of the Kings comes to Paris and brings a Packet to thâ— Governor which being opened by the Duke of Mayenne in the presence of the Confederates contains an offer from the Catholick Lord and Prelats of the King's party The Sieur de Villeroy averse from the Spaniards and a friend to peace writes to the Sieur de Fleury to advertise the Catholicks of the danger the King was in and of the attempts to cause the Infanta Isabella to be elected Queen The Duke of Bouillon a Hugonot was ever of opinion That the King could not be a peaceable possessor of his Crown unless he turned Catholick perhaps to the end he might remain Head of the Hugonots The Legate's opposition against the Propositions of the King 's Catholicks It is concluded by the Votes of the major part of the Lords in the private meeting that the Writing should be read in the assembly of the States notwithstanding the opposition of the Legat and the Spaniards The tenor of a Manifest published by â—he King at Câ—arâ—â—es 1592. The Duke of Mayenne resolveth to deferr the business of the protestation of the Kings Catholicks till he had conferred with the Duke of Feria Ambassador from Spain to the Assembly of the States The Duke of Mayenne having left order with the Deputies not to meddle with matters of importance till his return goes to Soissons where having conferred with the Spanish Ambassadors they break out in disgusts The Duke of Feria and Mâ—ndozza Spanish Ambassâ—dors urge the Duke of Mayenne for the election of â—he Infanta Isabella to the Kingdom The Answer of the Catholick Ambassadors to the Duke of Mayenne The Duke of Mayenne by reason of the answers and threats of the Spanish Ambassadors departs in anger from the Meeting The Popes Ministers and others labour so far that the differences between â—he Duke and the Spaniards are composed in show but not in their hearts The Duke of Mayennâ— with the Spanish Forces commanded by Câ—aâ—lâ—s of Mâ—nâ—fâ—lt and with the Popes commanded by Appiâ— Conti and with his own besieges Noyon Monsieur d'Estrâ—e surrenders Noyon to the Duke of Mayenne afteâ— a few days siege It is determined at Paris that the Popes Forces should enter into the City â—ut their Commander being killed and the Souldiers dismissed the Duke of Mayâ—nne sends hiâ— Sonâ— Regiment thither to put heart into his adherents Count Soissons to whom the King had formerly promised his Sister the Lady Catherine to wife departed from the Camp and went secretly into Bearne where being assisted by Madam de Granmont once beloved and after forsaken by the King he intends to marry the Princess but the King being advertised goes into those parts and bringing back his Sister with him cuts off the Counts designs The Writing of the Kings Catholicks sent to the Convocation of the Stateâ— is damned by the Spaniards for Heretical and therefore they urge that it should neither be accepted nor answered The Cardinal-Legat perswaded by the Archbishop of Lyons consents in secret that an answer should be given to the Catholicks of the Kings party The Tenor of the Answer wherein the Conference demanded is accepted Surenne is chosen for the place of conference The persons elected on both sides to intervene at the Conferenâ—â— The Lords of the House of Lorain being met at Rheims to treat about the election of a King differ in opinions by reason of their own interests Girolamo Gondi with the Grand Duke of Thuscany's consent treats an Agreement with the Duke of Lorain in the Kings behalf offering him the Princess Catherine in marriage for the Prince his Son and the Count de Schombergh treats an agreement with the Duke of Mayenne but with weak hope of success A Truce is concluded and published for four Leagues about Paris and as much about Surenne for the security of them that treated the Parisians rejoyce at it very much May the 19 1593 there is a private meeting in the Legats Palace where the Lords of the House of Lorain are present and other Deputies representing the three Orders The Duke of Feria in the meeting proposeth the election of the Infanta to be Queen being Daughter to Philip the Second King of Spain by Elizabeth elâ—est sister to Hâ—nry the Third King of France The Bishop of Senlis though a â—ieâ—er Enemy to the King answers the 〈…〉 The Duke of Mayenne dextrously excuses what the Bishop of Senlis had too freely spoken Iuan Baptista Tassis and Inigo Mendozza propose the Election of the Infanta in the publick Assembly of the States The Spanish proposition is ill relished by the Deputies and esteemed unjust The Spanish Ambassadors Answer concerning a Husband for the Infanta The Duke of Mayenne being assured that none of his Sons should be named for the Infanta's Husband prosecutes the Treaty with the Royallist Pretenders to the Infanta out of hope to attain the Crown The Royallists excluded from the hopes of reigning and weary of their toils make great complaints against the Kings obstinacy saying That whereas before they had a King of gold they had now a King of iron The King perswaded by those he trusted in and by necessity causes a Proposition to be
take a great deal of Victual and Ammunition which were brought from Noâ—on to be put into Laon. The Mareschal de Byron having placed himself in ambush falls upon and takes great store of victual which were going from la Fere to the Enemies Camp The Duke of Mayenne makes his retreat by day in the face of the Enemy much superior to him in number with so good order that he receives no losâ— at all The Baron de Guiry slain The mines are sprung Laon is assaulted and valiantly defended * Fougade is a kind of mine of about eight or ten foot square covered with stones pieces of Timber bricks and such things as â—hey do mischief to to the â—ssailanâ—s bâ—ing fiered when they come upon it The number of the defendents being diminished they not longer able to hold out Capitulate and Surrender Col. St. Paul takes upon him the title of Duke of Retelois and while he plots to get also the City of Rheims he is killed by the D. of Guise The Sieur de Presâ—â—ay Governor of Chasteau-Thierry submits himself with that place to the Kings obedience The Citizens of Amiens raise a tumult against the D. of Aumale and put themselves into the Kings hands The Sieur de Balagny who had had the Government of Cambray from Queen Kâ—therine as hetress to the D. of Alancon and after adhering to the League had made himself Master of it makes composition with the King up-very large conditions Cardinal Gondi being returned to Paris commands as superior of the Clergy of that City that they should use again the Prayers that were wâ—nt to be made for the King of France and that they should acknowledge H. the Fourth their lawful King Words of Pope Clemâ—nt the Eighth to the Duke of Sâ—ssa the Spanish Ambassador The Duke of Mayenne goes to Bruxelles where he is treated with complyance The Substance of the agreement concluded between the Duke of Mayenne and the Spaniards at Bruxelles The Duke of Lorain makes a truce with the King * Or County of Bourgongne The King sends the Lorain â—orces that were come to him to make incursions into the County of Bourgongne The Duke of Guise leaves the League and makes his composition with the King The Duke of Guisâ— as heiâ— of the House of Anjou pretends rights unto Provence The Duke of Mercoeur is disgusted at the Spaniards in Bretagne because they would not meddle in matters out of that Province The Mareschal d' Aumont Governor for the King in Bretagne besieges the Fort of Croisil begun by the Spaniard * Sir Iohn Norris The French assault Coisil but are bravely repulsed by the Spaniards * Storm-piles The French renew the assault but are beaten off with great loss The Duke of Mercoeur takes no care to relieve Croisil Don Iuan del Aquila marches to relieve his Country-men but having neither horse nor other preparations sufficient he finds the enterprize very difficult After many assaults the defendents of Croisil are all cut in pieces but with fame of most remarkable valour and very great loss to the assailants Fort Croisil slighted by the French The City and Parliament of Aix not being able to resist the Kings forces under the Duke of Espernon surrender upon condition that the Duke shall have no superiority in that City The Mareschal d' Anville is deputed by the King to compose the differences of the Provencials by removing the Duke of Espernon The Duke of Espernon declares that he will defend the Government of Provence and the Sieur de Les Diguieres goes with good forces into the Province to put him out The Duke of Espernon refers himself to the Constables arbitrement who declares that he should go out of the Governmenâ— The Duke of Savoy besieges Briqueras and the French not being able to pass to relieve it he takes it The Duke of Nemours escapes out of the Castle of Piâ—rre Ancise Iehan Chastel a Merchant of Paris wounds the King in the mouth with a knife whilst he was Saluting the Knights of the Holy Ghost in his lodgings at the Louvre Iehan Chastel being imprisoned and tortured confesseth that he was moved to attempt the killing of the King by the Doctrine he had learned of the Jesuiâ—es whereupon some of them are put in prison Iehan Chastell is condemned to be dragged in pieces by four horses The Jesuites are banished out of the whole Kingdom of France The Divines of Paris make a Decree wherein they declare the Doctrine that teaches to kill Princes to be Heretical 1595. The Mareschal d' Anville imbraces the Kings Conversion The Hugonots threaten to forsake the King and take the Crown from him which they said they had gotten him After many difficulties the Edict in succour of the Hugonots is accepted by the Parliament and proclaimed being the same which King Henry the III. had made Anno 1577. Henry the IV. resolves to proclaim open War against the King of Spain Causes that moved King Henry the IV. to proclaim Wars against Spain Upon the 20th of Ian. 1595. Henry the IV. causes War against Spain to be proclaimed by his Heralds in all the Confines King Philip answerâ— the King of France his Declaration about two months after 1594. The Venetian Ambassadors sent to congratulate the Kings assumption to the Crown are received with great demonstrations of honor The Citizens of Beâ—â—ne in the Dutchy of Bourgâ—ngne calling the Mareschal de Biron submit themselves to the Kings obedience 1595. The Baron de Sâ—nâ—cey goes over to the Kings party with the City of Ossonne The Citizens of Autun put themselves under the Kings obedience The Constablâ— of Castile with 8000 Foot and 2000 Horse goes into the Franche 〈◊〉 and being united with the Duke of Mayenne recovers some places and takes others The Sieur de Tremblecâ—urt not being relieved by the Marâ—schal de Biron surrenders the Castle of Vezu to the Constable of â—astile The King comes to Dijâ—n and gives order that both the Castles be besieged The Constable of Castile perswaded by the Duke of Mayenne advances with his Army to attempt the recovery of Dijon The Baron d'Ossonville sent â—orth to discover the Army of the League is charged and constrained to retire The Mareschal de Biron going to receive the Baron d'Ossonville puts a Troop of the Enemies Cavalry to flâ—ght The Mareschal de Biron being without his head-piece is wounded in the head The King half disarmed succors the Mareschal de Biron The King follows the Forces of the League which retire still skirmishing The Constable of Castile noâ— to hazard the Fraâ—che â—â—mte by a Battel makesa halt having resolved not to fight The Constable retires with his Forces though the Duke of Mayenne labours to the contrary The Duke of Mayenne seeing himself forsaken by the Spaniards and advertised that the Pope inclined to the absolution of the King makes an agreement with him The King goes into the Fraâ—che Comâ—e to molest the Spaniards The French pass