the Bastard was excluded and that they pretended not to change any thing of the rights which he had ouer the Crowne of Cypres as Protector o After that the Christians affaires were ruined in Soria and the East the Kings of Cypres of the house of Lusignan put themselues vnder the protection of the Souldiers of Egypt This reason had pacified him being resolued to quit the Protection of the Bastard But Mahomet sent him word that it was a thing worthy of his greatnes and profitable to their common religion to restore this Prince to his Estates exhorting him to remember the iniuries which they of that Nation and those of Lewis his house had done vnto the Mahometans protesting that if hee had a desire to haue peace with Christians he should be sure to haue warre with him The assistance which the Souldan of Egypt gaue vnto the Bastard was the cause that he was presently acknowledged by them who could not oppose against his power He coÌmanded ouer their bodies more then their hearts which being full of feare were also so of wishes and desires of his death who made them feare p Feare is a bad gard for them that command For they that feare studie still how they may be rid of him that keepes them in feare Quem metuunt oderunt queÌ quisque odiit periisque expedit Lewis was forced to quit the field and to retyre himselfe into the Castle of Cerines where he was besieged by the Bastard who seeing it impossible to take this place and that all the Princes of Christendome were offended at this vsurpation he sent his Embassadors âope Pius the second to yeeld him obedience and to beseech him to hold him in the ranke of Catholike Kings The Pope would not see them but sent them away with bitter words Hereupon Lewis saw himselfe forced to retire to the Duke his Father King and Queene of Cypres driuen out of their owne Realme and the Queene Charlotte to Rome to seeke succors but the diuisions of Italy hindred that which they desired and stayed her there during the time of Pius the second of Paul the second and of Sixtus the fourth and Lewis remained at Ripaille Pope Pius the second q It was tâoght that Lewis D. of Saucy had some secret spleene against Pope Pius the second for that he had been Secretarie to his father when he was but in base condition and had abandoned him to follow Eugenius his enemie said that hee had beene chased out of Cypres for that his father had failed of his promise at the assembly at Mantoua for the holy warre and that the same Lewis his Sonne being then neere vnto Mantoua and hauing not vouchsafed to see him and demand his blessing hee had saied by prediction vnto the Embassadors of Sauoy that it would happen his Sonne would loose the Realme of Cypres for a punishment of that the father did and that one day hee would demand those succors in vaine from others which his father had denied vnto the Church The Bastard seeing himselfe in quiet possession of the Crowne of Cypres remembred that Marc Cornaro a Gentleman of Venice had assisted him in his necessitie with ships r Good deedes neuer dye in great courages others forget the good remember the ill Quid autem est eo miserius cui beneficia excidunt hereÌt iniuriae Sen. money and Councell Catherine Carnaro adopted by the Venetians and had giuen him meanes to goe vnto the Souldan of Egypt hee resolued to marry his Daughter named Catherine whom the Senate of Venice after the death of Marc Cornaro her Father had adopted as their Daughter The mariage was treated with the consent of the Siegneurie who gaue her a great dowrie this marriage was made in the yeare 1466. Iames King of Cypres fell sicke of a bloudy Flix and seeing that his cure was desperate hee had not the trouble which great Princes as well as priuate men haue when they die to know to whom hee should recommend his realme hauing the Senate of Venice wholly at his deuotion but it troubled him what his successor should be which was yet in the mothers wombe s Princes haue no lesse need then mean persons of strong consolations to help them to depart the world to leaue their affaires in some safety Mocenigo assured him that neither the Venetians forces nor his priuate seruice should neuer faile him After his death Charlotte demanded succors of the Venetians the Duke answered that the Siegneurie was bound to defend her who was her adopted Daughter and that King Iames had instituted her heyre with the fruit in her womb That moreouer he wondred that she vnderstood not that rights of Realmes were debated rather by Armes then by Lawes t In former times wheÌ they haue demanded of conquerors of Prouinces the titles of their CoÌquests some haue shewed them their Canons and others their swords and that the Realme of Cypres had not been solely to her but also to the Geneuois who at that time held a great part The widdow of King Iames was presently troubled with new Combustions within the Realme A Bishop of the house of the Gotholans Tumults in Cypres who had great authoritie and credit in the Iland being Embassador to Ferdinand King of Naples when as King Iames dyed propounded to marry the Bastard of the deceased King of Cypres Many were of his partie but the wiser sort were contented to passe these rockes with open eyes and deafeeares u There are some things which are good to be seene but dangerous to be harkened vnto They saw the ruines whereinto they did runne and did not giue eare to the promises inchantments that were made them The designe of marriage tooke effect x The Cipriòts seazed vpon the Kings Palace and made his base daughter beeing but six yeares old sure to King Ferdinands base son and gaue him the title of Prince of Galilee but that of the royalty was preuented by the Venetians who sent Mocenigo thither The courage of the conspirators quailed their iudgement failed them at his arriuall their last refuge was flight The soueraigne Authoritie remained peaceably in the Queene who in acknowledgement of the succours she had receiued from Venice Presents of the Queene of Cypres to Mocenigo presented Mocenigo with a Target richly wrought and a standard of the same Shee was brought in bed of a Sonne who dyed at the end of the yeare By this death shee remained Queene alone vnder the Protection and defence of the Siegneurie of Venice Ferdinand King of Naples seeing that his first designe did not succeed for the marriage of the Bastard hee sought the Queene widdow for his Sonne imploying in this Treatie Riccius Marineus a Neapolitaine Ferdinand K. of Naples seeke the alliance of the Queene of Cypres a very deere friend to the deceased King and Tristan Cybellet a Cypriot who had a Sister
was buried in the Monastery of Poblete He was a great Prince like vnto others had past the pikes of fortune It hath beene said before that his son Charles and after his death his subiects of Barcelona and after all that the king of Castille and then the kings of France made warre against him he saw his realme in horrible combustions by the factions of Beaumont and Grandmont which he had seene spring vp neglected to quench them in their breeding About the end of his dayes when as he had more need of a Tombe then a wife and that the law Papia z Augustus in his latter dayes caused the Senate to make the Law Papia it had many heads amongst others a man of 60 yeares old a woman of 50 might not mary This word Buckle was vsed by Seneca and after him by Lactantius Quid ergo est quare apud Poetas salacissimus Iupiter desierit liberos tollere sexagenarius factus est illi âex papia fibulam imposuit had buckled him vp being aboue fourescore years old he fell in loue with a yong maid named Francina Rosa which was no helpe for him to recouer his sight which extreme age for the interest of so long an abode in the world had taken from him The yeare before his death he went to see his son D. Ferdinand at Victoria to conferre with him vpon the affaires of the realme which he should leaue vnto him In this incounter the father had not any with him but ancient men aboue threescore years old and the sonne was attended on by the flower of all the Nobility of Castille It was noted that the father in all things gaue place to the king D. Ferdinand his son as the head of the house of Castille from whence he was desended a Alphonso the fifth King of Arragon brother to Iohn the second king of Nauarre would haue his Embassadors giue place to them of Henry the fourth K. of Castillâ in signing the Articles of a Treatie made at Naples The dispute of this precedence had bin begun in the Councell of Constance and decided in that of Basil in fauour of Castille Alphonso the fift king of Arragon would not yeeld it to his father Iohn the second King of Castille b It is a difficult thing sometimes for the prerogatiue of nature to giue place to that of fortune dignity witnesse the Senator of Venice who would not giue place to his sonne although he were Duke who to binde his Father did alwayes carry a great Crucifix to the which the father said hee did his duty The law of Maiesty was of more force then that of respect and naturall obedience wherof the son how great soeuer many not dispence himself towards his father The Crowne of Castille had alwaies pretended that Arragon depended of it in soueraignty and that if it were free it was by grace The King D. Iohn the second at his returne from this voyage dyed at Barcelona It was by his aduice that a peace was at that time treated Peace and Alliances renewed with Spain of betwixt king Lewis the eleuenth and the kings of Castille to confirme the ancient Alliances that were betwixt the two Crownes d Philip de Comines saith that the Alliances of France and Castille are betwixt King and King Realme Realme Man Man of their subiects The Embassadors of France were the Lord of Lescut and the Bishop of Lombais Abbot of S. Denis they of Castille were Iohn de Gamboa Gouernour of Fontarabie and Iohn de Medina one of the kings Councell This peace being concluded the Embassadors of Castille came into France they were receiued at Paris with great honour on Saturday the third of Iuly 1479. they did the like to the Embassadors of France who went to Guadalupa whereas D. Ferdinand and D. Isabella were busied in punishing the disobedience of the Marques of Villena who had hindered D. George Manriquez from chastizing them of Cinchilla who had reuolted At that time when as the Court was at Guadalupa the Marques of Villâna head of the faction being incensed that his enemies had caused six of his Souldiers to be hanged wold do the like to as many of theirs being his prisoners the chance fell vpon a Souldier of Villeneufue of Laxara neere to Allarcon in whose place the yonger brother presented himselfe and intreated that hee might dye for him for that his brother had wife and children who was set at liberty and his offer accepted Hist. of Spa. Lib. 22. The Articles are sworne by the king and moreouer it was agreed that the Towne of Parpignan should be put into the possession of the Cardinall of Spaine that the two kings should name an Arbitrator to decide within fiue yeares what K. Lewis did pretend to be due vnto him After the death of D. Iohn the 2 d king of Nauarre and Arragon D. Ferdinand succeeded in his fathers Estate of Arragon and Sicile and D. Leonora to the Mothers as daughter to Blanche Queene of Nauarre but this succession which shee would haue aduanced contrary to the Lawes of Nature and Humanity beeing blamed by the Histories of Spaine to haue caused her elder Sister to be poysoned f D. Blanch being put away by D. Henry the vnable was carried as it were a prisoner to Lescut in Bearne by Gaston Earle of Foix her Brother-in-law to the end she should not marry againe The Spaniards write that her sister Elenor caused her to bee poysoned did not passe the fifteenth day after her Coronation Shee had by Gaston Earle of Foix many worthy Children Gaston Blanche Countesse of Foix mother of many children Earle of Foix Iohn Vicount of Narbona Peter Cardinall of Foix Iames who serued King Lewis the twelfth in the warres of Lombardy and fiue daughters g Out of this house of Foix were issued four Queenes cousin germans at one time Catherin Q. of Nauarre German Q. of Castille and Arragon Anne Queene of France and Dutchesse of Brittaine Anne Queene of Bohemia Hungary Mary wife to William Marquis of Montferrat Ioane married to the Earle of Armagnac Margaret to Francis Duke of Brittanie Catherine to the Earle of Candalâ and Elenor promised to the Duke of Medina Celi The peace of Castille did not hinder the warre which the King had against Maximilian of Austria 1479. who to diuert the Kings forces and frustrate his designes besieged Therouenne h Maximilian camped before Therouenne with 20000. Flemings some Troopes of Germans and 300. English It was reâieued by de Cordes with 8000. Franke Archers and eleuen hundred men at Armes the Lord of Cordes came to succour it Maximilian went to meet him and both Armies encountred at Guinegaste The i The Gaules Horsemen were alwaies estemed and feared Plutarch Polibius and Appian coÌmend theÌ Caesar saith that in the war of Affricke 30 horsemen Gaules put to rout 2000. horsemen Numidians
to submit himselfe to the mildest yoake seeing that hee could not remaine free o The miseries of ciuill diuision reduced Rome to that estate as hauing no hope euer to recouer her liberty she sought for nothing but for the mildest serâitude Hee left vnto Henry the name of King onely for all the authoritie was in his hands he gaue to the Earle of Salisbury the Office of Lord Chancellor of England and to Richard Neuell his Sonne the gouernment of Callis He disposed of publike charges as he pleased still giuing them vnto those of his faction In the end the king discouers the Duke of Yorkes designe Queene Margaret his wife who had been aduertised thereof le ts him vnderstand that he did temporise but vntill the partie were made to ceaze both of the king and Realme and among his partisans the king was held but for a Tyrant As if his Raigne had been by vsurpation or constraint p Among many differences betwixt a King and a Tyrant they put this that a King raigns with the loue anâ consent of the people and a Tyrant rules by constraint The king imparted this to his principall seruants D. of Yorke retires from the Court of England who were of aduise to restraine this great authoritie which the Duke of Yorke had within the Realme The Duke beeing suddenly aduertised thereof retired secretly to Wigmore in Wales Richard Neuell to his Castle of Midleham in the North Countie and Richard Earle of Warwicke to Callis so as the cruell seditions in England grew more violent then before during the which the French spoiled the coasts of Kent and Iames king of Scotland inuited by the same occasion entred by Roxborge The same cause which made this warre ended it q The shaâpest Ciuill wars are pacified when as strangers meddle to gaine by them The two parties agree against the third and although the Prince be offended yet it is better to remit the punishment The king of England let the Duke of Yorke vnderstand that the ciuill discord and the bad intelligence which was betwixt them had opened a gate to the enemies to inuade England that the common danger did binde them to vnite their forces to defend it and that hee was contented to forget all matters past vpon hope of a better conduct hereafter English cease their ciuill discords to war against the French excusing himselfe that matters had not alwaies gone directly being impossible for a Prince to obserue all the kinds of Iustice and equitie r Many things vniust of themselues are made iust when they are countenanced by necessitie or profit wherfore Plutark obserues That if there were question to accomplish al the kindes of iustice Iupiter himself might not in that case bee a Prince The Kings intention was allowed by all men the Duke of Yorke being loth to be the author of the ruines of the Realme declared that all his affections tended to his greatnes and quiet and to take away all occasions of doubt He came vnto the King to London with the chiefe of his faction The feare of a forraine warre quenched the ciuill s There is no such indiscretion as to hazard ones own to get another mans and to draw forth the bloud which is needfull for the life of the bodie It is more glorie for a Prince to maintaine himselfe them to grow great Preseruation safety is the essence of an estate profit it but an accessary Mens mindes altered with things past grew milder and all their wills were vnited in one accord for the defence of the Realme detesting the discord which had drawne them into a warre which was not necessarie nor could bee happie and made them a prey and triumph to their auncient enemie But as the fire of sedition is neuer so well quenched but there remaines some sparks in the ashes Troubles renewed in England which kindle again if they be a little blowne that there be alwaies some which delights in troubles for that it is their rest t Seditions commonly are fed supported by three sorts of men First the heads of factions Secondly they that cannot liue in safety in the time of peace Thirdly they which are out of the presse find themselues free from dangers and in danger for that they come not neere them being like vnto those riuers which enter into the sea and doe not mingle their streames the Duke of Yorke and the Earle of Salisburie being retired to their houses after this accord were presently forced to leaue them to reuenge an affront done to the Earle of Warwick at VVestminster where he had been set vpon by the kings guard and forced to saue himselfe by the Riuer of Thames with the hazard of his life They said that Queene Margret was the author thereof being very desirous to ruine the Nobility of England and to ouerthrow the cheefe howses u A King should maintaine great families neither can hee suffer theÌ to be wâonged but hee shal weaken the greatnes of his maiesty wherof the Nobility is the cheese piller In all estates the Nobles haue beene respected and distinguished from others euen amongst the Thracians the genlâemen went only vppon horseback and at Rome Noblemens wiues went in Littors who were the pillers of the Realme The warre began as soone as it was declared The three Richards are in field King Henry hauing leuied great forces comes to York Andrew Trollop who was come from Calleis with the Earle of Warwick thinking to serue the King when as he saw their armes turned against him left the Earle of Warwick to follow the King who in moment scattered his enemies and forced the Duke of York to passe into Holland there to attend vntill his Partisans had raised the ruines of that party Battaile before London whereas K. Henry was defeated Presently after the three heads of the faction returne into England with an intent to vanquish or to dye they present themselues at the gates of London they giue and winne a great Battell whereas the Victors saw tenne thousand men slaine and as many prisoners King Henry who seemed to haue beene raised vp to show the inconstancy of Fortune and the misery and vanity of man remained at the Victors discretion The English remembring that his grandfather had caused King Richard to dye in prison began to acknowledge the iudgements of Gods iustice who punisheth the Children for the offences of their fathers x Henry Earle of Harford and Duke of Lancastre tooke armes against Richard the 2. seazed on him puts him into the Tower of London and caused himselfe to bee crowned King and after that he had forced him to resigne the Crowne hee sent him to Langleâ where hee was murthered In this great prosperity the make falls from the Dukes face He speakes plainely Duke of York declared Regent that whatsoeuer he had done was grounded vppon the rightes of the house of Yorke the
which belonged vnto him The Parlament did then consider the iustice not the fortune and respected the Maiesty of the King though hee were a prisoner intreating the King to rest satisfyed with the Regency of the Realm and to assure the succession to his house after the death of Henry He accepted the declaration of the Parlament but considering that Queene Margaret had a great Army on foot to set her husband at liberty Battell at Wakefield he resolued to fight with her He gaue her battell at Wakefield against the aduise of his Councell who intreated him to stay vntill the troupes which his sonne Edward Earle of March brought him were arriued Presumption troubleth his spirits with a motion contrary to that of Reason which should haue diswaded him from fighting y The violence of courage is dangerous vppon the point of a battell for it darkens the clearenes of Iudgement doth easily change it to the trouble of reason and to that perturbation which the Philosoph call ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã â Some haue written that the Queene caused the head of the Duke of York to bee cut off carrying a Crowne of paper others say it was the Lord Cliffords deed for their forces were not equall although in the courage of the Commanders there was no other difference but that of sexe No no it shall not be said that the Duke of York who had so often fought in France without any other trench or defence then his owne armes is shut vp that he attends a woman and doth not go forth to fight with her He spake this and went forth with 5000. men and met her The Combate in the beginning was terrible and furious The Queen cuts off the Earle of Salisburies head The Queene shewed her selfe among the troupes exhorting the Souldiers to honour glory Richard Duke of York was slaine Richard Earle of Salisbury whose head soon after the Commons who hated him cut off the which with many others of the same faction was set vpon the walles of York to bee a terror and an example to other Rebells After this victory the Queene whose courage was eleuated vppon the apprehension of all sorts of dangers 2. Battell at St. Albons and who held them lesse then the captiuity of her husband resolues to loose her life or to restore him to liberty She goes directly to London and comming to S. Albons she encounters the Earle of Warwick who aduanced to succour his generall with the same courage that she had defeated the Duke of Yorke shee chargeth the Earle of Warwick puts him to rout and frees the King a The excellency of courage shewes it selfe when as the soule is carried beyond all showes and apprehensions of dangers fortitudo contemptrix est timendorum Senec. Epi. 89. Edward Earle of March being aduertised of the death of the Duke of York his father refused not to tread in his steppes and to imbrace the toile Edward Earle of March succeeds the Duke of York his father in his authority from whence he expected his greatnes and glory He staid in the Prouince of Wales and expelled Iasper Earle of Pembrooke The Earle of Warwick ioyned with him and with all their forces he came to London where he was receiued with incredible ioy and acclamations He was one of the goodliest Princes of his time and in great reputation his bounty courage and liberality were powerfull charmes to winne mens hearts the English thinking that hauing him they had all and that their felicity was tyed to the long continuance of his Raigne b A Prince can desire no greater proofes of the affection of his people then when hee beleeues that nothing can saile him so as hee faile not them From thence are come these goodly acclamations Augusto Constantine Dâte nobis seruent vestra salus nostra salus âod Theod lib. 7. tit 20. In te omnia per te omnia Antonine habemus A El. Lamprid Dion reports an excellent one ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã we haue all in hauing you He is proclaimed King and for that hee would haue no companion in his royalty hee resolues to fight with King Henry and marched directly to York lodging in a little village called Touton Henry being prepared to receiue him would not shew himselfe for that it was Palme sunday desiring to spend that day in the seruice of God but the souldiers seeing themselues so neere would not referre the partie vntill the next day They come to hands the combat continued tenne howers and the victory hauing beene long doubtfull and in ballance betwixt both Armies sodainely inclined to Edward The King and Queene seeing all their troopes put to flight they saued themselues in Scotland with their seruants c The Regent of Scotland led K. Iames the third to meet with King Henry the 6. and Q. Margaret The good reception with the succor which he receiued caused him to restore Barwick to the Realm of Scotland and from thence Margaret passed into France to her father to demand succors Henry the 6. flies into Scotland Edward returned triumphing to London and caused himselfe to be crowned King at Westminster the 28. of Iune 1461. he called a Parlement where all that had bene decreed by King Henry the sixt was reuoked After that Henry had gathered together some forces in Scotland he returnes into England being followed by a great number of his ould seruants The Iustice of his cause gaue him good hope d Hee that hath reason on his side is alwaies accompanied with good hope hee pursues his quarrell with more courage and assurance be exposeth himselfe to all dangers and his subiects serue and succour him more willingly and in all accidents the iustice of his cause doth comfort him but he was repulsed with great dishonor by Iohn Marques of Mountague King Edward beeing aduertised of the practises of Margaret both in France Scotland and England to restore her husband to his crowne he sets guards vpon the Ports and passages of Scotland to stop her entrie but as there is no miserie more insupportable then the remembrance of what we haue been King Henry bare this change of condition so impatiently as not apprehending the danger neither of his life nor of his first captiuitie and not considering that fortune had neuer done him so much good but might doe him more harme e Miseries doe but begin when as they seeme to end There is not any man but may haue more harme then hee hath had good Neminem eo Fortuna pronexit vt non tantum illi minaretur quantum permiserat Sen. Epi. 4. he returned into England in a disguised habite where hee was discouered taken and presented to Edward Hen. the sixt put into the Tower of London who lodged him in the Tower of London If he had thought that he had gone forth as hee did to get the crowne hee would haue giuen him one of copper made fast
embroydered He is receiued with great pomp into Tournay as a signe that their heartes were all French This Towne bragging that they had neuer knowne any other command then French There the Lord of Crouy came vnto the King who made him Lord Steward of his howse and gaue him the County of Guisnes In the beginning of Lent and at the end of the yeare whose beginning was then accompted from the resurrection the King went to Lisle whether the Duke of Bourgondy came to conferre with him of his voyage to the holy land Crâysado published against the Turke Pope Pius the second continuing the designes of Calixtus the third had published a Croysado to releiue the Christians of the East t Calixtus the 3. perswaded all Christian Princes to make warre against the Turke he sent Lewis of ãâã a ârier to Vsâm Casâan King of Persia and Armenia and to the great Tartarâ hee exhorteth them with such vehemency as they were resolued Platin. Hee inuited all the Princes who imbraced his designe with such resolution as Mahomet was terrified with the great preparation u The deuise of this Câoysado carâied these words Dieu la veut God will haue it Mahomet was so amased as writing to Pius the second he said I am not guilty of the death of Iesus Christ do abhorre the Iewes who crucified him The Pope declared that he would go thither in person Croysado published against the Turke But great Cosmo de Medicis said that it was the designe of a yong man in a great age The Kinges of Naples and Hungary were resolued to accompany him The Duke of Bourgondy promised also to be of that party and demanded aduise and leaue of the King who represented vnto him the discommodities both of his age and voyage finding him much broken to beginne such a building x The age must be considered in great and lâng enterprises Marcus Crasâus found King Deiotarus in the Realme of Galacia who being very old built a new Citty who said vnto him in mockage O King mee thinkes you build very late beginning at the last hower of the day To whom the K. answered sodainely And you O Captaine came not forth very early to make warre against the Parâhians Foâ Crassus was aboue 60. yeareâ old But the Duke carried his courage beyond all these difficulties The king propounded so many vnto him as hee diswaded him for a yeare assuring him that after that yeare hee would giue him 10000. men entertained for foure monthes to accompany him The Duke of Bourgondy for that hee would not giue the Pope any subiect of discontent sent Anthony his Bastard thither with 2000. men The king left the Duke of Bourgondy at Lisle and returned to Paris Duke of Sauoy comes into France He found Lewis Duke of Sauoy the Queenes father at S t. Clou who was come to see him and to complaine of Phillip his yonger sonne who for that he had a more generous and actiue spirit then the elder had wonne the heartes of the chiefe of the Noblemen of Sauoy and of his Subiects y The Duke of Sauoy was a simple and a mild Prince Amy Prince of Piemont his eldest sonne was of the same humâr and had great inclinations to solitariââs Phillip his yonger Brother giuing greater impressions of his generosity and courage was followed by all the great men of the Country vppon this complaint the king commands Prââce Phillip to repaire vnto him z Lewis Duke of Sauoy dyed at Lyon the 24. of Ianuary 1466 his heart and bowels were interred in the Celestins Church which he had caused to be built His body was carried to Geneua and laid by Ame of Lusignan his wife and he comes with speed beeing arriued hee was sent prisoner to Loches The Duke being well satisfied to see his sonne lodged whereas hee repented him of his ambitious and extrauagant humors returned into Sauoy and two yeares after dyed at Lion whereas hee attended the king who was at Molyns Amy his sonne succeeded him The king being at Paris made it presently knowne that he was not to indure that which the necessity of time had caused his forefathers to suffer to the preiudice of the rights of the Crowne and hauing prepared his designes he made choyce of the occasion to execute them a To haue a will to doe and disposition to know how to doe and yet to attend the occasion of well doing it the act of a Prince of great patience and wisdome he sent Moruillierre his Chancellor to the Duke of Brittaine to let him vnderstand that if he called himselfe any more Duke of Brittaine by the grace of God if hee continued to coine any gold b The Duke of Brittaine as a souâraigne Prince had right to coyne âââuer but that of gold was reserued by treaty to the Crowne of France the great whereof should bee expresâ Charles the fift gaue it to the Duke of Berry who did coyne peeces of gold stampâ with a sheepe which Bodin affârmes to be the finest gold that euer was since within this Realme or if he hindred him from leuying of taxes and from the collation of Benefices in his country he proclaimed warre against him The Duke being amazed at this demaund answered that it was so great and of such importance as hee could make no answer without the aduise of his estates intreating the King to giue him three monthes respite to assemble them But this was to plead law to men that were armed c PoÌpey being in Sicile pressing the Mammartines to acknowledge his authoritie they sought to auoid it pretending that they had priuiledges and ancient Decrees from the people of Rome to whom Pompey answered in Choller will you plead law vnto vs who haue our swords by our sides Plut. The King had an Army vppon the frontier The Duke was prest and surprised yet resolute rather to loose himselfe then to quit that which his fathers had purchased for him wherefore he thought to make answer vnto the Kings intentions by armes rather then by wordes He aduertised the Duke of Bourgondy of the estate of his affaires and coniurd him to thinke of their common safety seeing that the Kinges designe was to entreat them alike and to ruine them Romille Vice Chancellor of Brittanny made many voiages into Flanders vppon that subiect The King who had eyes and eares in euery place being aduertised thereof commanded the Bastard of Rubenpre d The King sent a sea Captaine and the bastard RubeÌpre with him into Holland he landed at the Hage with three others in his coÌpany Hee was examined what hee was and wheÌce he came but hee made some difficultie to discouer his name and the cause of his coÌming The Earl of Charolois being their caused him to be apprehended as a Pirate to passe with a ship along the Coast of Holland to surprise Rommille and to bring him vnto him or to
was not obserued for the Princes were aduertised of all the resolutions that were taken against them yea of the time and of the sally which should be made vpon their Armie in three seuerall places the first and the greatest towards Paris the second towards Pont Charanton and the third by Bois de Vincennes Wherefore all this siege the king was euer in Iealousie t They watch in vaine for the safety defence of a Town besieged if fidelitie sleepes at the gates the gard must bee committed to them whose loialtie is well assured for that one night he found the Bastille gate open towards the field The Chronicle saith it was on Thursday the 29. of September He was conceited it had beene done by Charles of Melun but he made no shew of it Wise Princes should not lightly call in doubt two such deere and precious things as the reputation and loyaltie of their seruants u It is hard to repaire and recompence the iniuries done to faith and reputation Famae et fidei damna maiora sunt quaÌ quae estimariqueant Tit. Liu. Phil. de Commines saith notwithstanding that the king had not a better seruant that yeere then this Charles de Melun and the Chronicle attributes to his care the honor to haue saued Paris The best blowes which were giuen at this siege were drawne from his head and from the wise resolution which he tooke not to haue any thought but to diuide the company he had forces sufficient to fight with all the Princes together without paine or perill they had not yet past their Apprentiship in warre Onely the Duke of Calabria knew something hauing learned it vnfortunately in the warre of Naples The Earle of Charolois had in his youth followed his Father in his Armies and Battels but a long peace had made him forget more then hee knew As for the Duke of Berry and Brittanie the amazement wherein they were when as the Canon played vppon their quarter made it knowne that warre was not their Element The Historie hath obserued that after the Armie had past the riuer of Seine the Earle of Charolois and the Duke of Calabria troubled themselues much to haue the souldiers march in order and represents them so well armed as they seemed to haue a great desire to fight But when it describes the equipage of the Duke of Berry and Brittaine it makes a right Prosopopeia seruing onely for the number and pompe They did ride saith Phil. de Commin vpon little nags at their ease carrying for the most part but little light Brigandins yet some said they had nothing but little gilt nayles vpon Sattin that they might not weigh yet I know not the truth He that goes to the warre without his Armes shewes that he hath no desire to come neere blowes FINIS THE CONTENTS OF the fourth BOOKE 1 Entry of Queene Charlot into Paris She is accompanied by Amé duke of Sauoy her Brother and Bonna of Sauoy her sister 2 Rebellion of them of Liege and Dinand Their Insolencie against the Duke of Bourgondy The seuere punishment of their folly 3 Death of Phillip Duke of Bourgondy greatnesse and felicity of his estate his bounty and reputation in Europe his chiefe Actions 4 Entry of Charles Duke of Bourgondy into Gand sedition for the abolishing of customes 5 Wisdome of K. Lewis the eleuenth to descouer the desseines of the Dukes of Brittaine and Bourgondy His Army in Brittany 6 Newe reuolt of them of Liege They consult whether they should put their hostages to death An Ambassage from the King to the Duke of Bourgondy touching that The taking of the Towne of Liege and the desolation thereof 7 The Ganto is acknowledge their errors The Duke makes his entry there armed The King deuides the Dukes of Normandy and Brittaine from all Intelligence with the Duke of Bourgondy 8. Enteruiew betwixt the King and the Duke of Bourgondy at Peronne his perplexity in the apparant danger wherein he was he treats with the Duke of Bourgondy and accompanies him to Liege 9 The Liegeois beseeged by the King and the Duke of Bourgondy their furious sallie they are surprised spoyled and slaine 10 The King returnes to Paris his wordes leauing the Duke of Bourgondy continuation of the warre in the Contry of Liege 11 A breefe recitall of the chiefe actions life and death of Alexander Scanderbeg King of Albania THE HISTORY of LEVVIS the XI THE FOVRTH BOOKE PARIS was all in Feasts and Ioy for the happie successe of the Kings affaires who had so wisely pacified the windes which threatened his ship with shipwracke but much more for the discharge which he made of certaine souldiers and impositions which the people found insupportable a On Saturday the third of August 1465. the King remitted the fourth peny of the wine to the eight tooke away all impositions except of MarchaÌdise of the six farmes in grosse These publike ioyes were doubled by the Queenes entrie into Paris Queenes entry into Paris She went by Bote to our Ladies church past to the Celistins and so to the Tournelles She was accompanied by the Duke Amé her Brother and the Lady Bonna of Sauoy her Sister married to Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan The Historie of these times as curious to represent the order of Feasts that were made as that of Battels b Paul Aemilius obserued a wonderfull order and disposition in feasts saying that there was the like suffâciencie of Iudgement to know how to order a Battell fearefull to the enemies and a feast pâeasing to friends for the one and the other dâpend of good iudgment to know how to order things Plut. as if the knowledge of the one gaue as great proofe of sufficiencie as the other reports the magnificence and addes that in the house of Iohn Dauuet the first President they had made foure bathes they were alwaies acknowledged among the delights for the Queene and for the Ladies Her indisposition and that of the time would not suffer her to bathe One of the bathes was for the Ladies of Bourbon and Sauoy the other for the Daughter of the Lord of Monglat married to the sonne of Nicholas Balue brother to the Bishop of Eureux and Perrete of Chalon a Bourgesse of Paris This woman is particularly named in diuers places of the Historie and here shee hath her share in the delights and pleasures of the bathes The Duke of Sauoy procured libertie for his Brother Philip whom the King married vnto Margarete the third Daughter of Charles Duke of Bourbon and of Agnes of Bourgundie but the content of his libertie was not of such force in his remembrance as the distast of his imprisonment the apprehension whereof made him to follow the humors of Charles Duke of Bourgundy against the King Amé dyed three or foure yeares after in the Towne of Orleans of a Flix c Ame the third dyed at Orleans about the end of Iune 1471. he left 2.
this indisposition hee assembled his Captaines and recommended his sonne vnto them Sicknes death of Scanderbeg whom hee would haue conducted into Pouillia vntill he came to age leauing him vnder the Venetians gouernment And for his last wordes he said vnto him That if he were good he gaue him a Realme most firme and stable if otherwise very weake and feeble yeelding vp his last groanes the 17. of Ianuary 1467. he gaue an amazement to his enemies This Prince with small forces defeated great Armies who beside the good qualities of the mind for Iudgement Conduct and Councell f The Turkes came running about Croy some horsemen went out of the towne by ScaÌderbegs commandemeÌt the enemy thinking he had been there in person grew amazed and fledde through the mountaines although they were 15000. horse and left the booty they had taken froÌ the Scutariens had an admirable strength of body comparable only to that of the ancient Champions Force and dexterity oâ Scanderbeg Biton g Biton carried a great Bull vppon his shoulders Pauâanias Fusius Saluius went lustily vp a ladder with 200. pounds waight in his hands 200. at his feet and as much vpon his shoulders Plinie Seruilius did sight 23. times body to body and was alwaies Victor Plut. Fusius Saluius Seruilius Talking with Ieams Picenin Generall of the Duke of Calabrias Army he did lift him aboue his head like a child of sixe yeares old He had a Cimiterre with the which he had done miraculous deedes as cutting of the head of a Boare at a blow and of a wild Bul which was famous for the ruines it had done in the Country hauing hurt and slaine many that assayled it This dexterity force and agility of body continued all his life and exercise h Exercise doth continue the dexterity and disposition of the body long Philopemen of whom Plutarch speakes was nimble in his age by great exercise made it in the beginning of his age in a manner equall to that it had beene in the prime of his youth After the siege of Croy they presented vnto him in chaines Iouyma and Hedert the Brother and Nephew of Baillaban this representing vnto him the cruelties which they had committed vppon his subiects put him into such choller as hauing not the patience to attend any other hand he cut them both asunder by the wast at one blow He punished them with the like paine that their Prince did punish Christians i Mahomet made one man die as it were of two deathes he made them to be cut off by the wast at a blow of tentimes it happened that hee dyed of two deathes for Chalcondile saith you might see either part liue long after the blow During the Truce he had with Mahomet he sent him this Cymeterre for that he desired to see it hauing heard say that with it he cut any armes asunder The strongest armes of his Country would trye if it were true and finding not the vertue which was ascribed vnto it he sent it back againe disdainefully thanking him for a thing which he held to haue beene better Scanderbeg answered The vertue of my sword depends of mine owne arme which I cannot send him for that I reserue it against mine enemies It was an increase of glory and reputation to the common weale of Venice to see Kings and Realmes vnder their charge But at that time they did an act of prouidence k Prouidence is one of the most apparant effect of wisdome Prudents postumus dicere prouidentes which shewes that wisedome hath long held the helme of that Estate They did adopt for daughter of the common-weale the heyre of Marc Cornare and married her to the King of Cypres after whose death and of the after-birth his sonne she was acknowledged for Queene and made present of her Crowne vnto the Venetians her fathers by adoption From this action followed two diuers effects the one of great ioy to the Venetians the other of extreame afliction to Charlotte of Sauoy the French Queene who by this act saw her Brother as it were exiled from Cipres and seperated from the Queene his wife The History is long and tragicall but thus in breefe By the like accidents that other realmes haue beene made desolate the Crowne of Cipres fell from the house of Lusignan l Iames of Lusignam King of Cypres put Peter his brother to death and being told him that the Genouois were entred into his Pallace with armes had some designe vpon his person hee put many innocent Marchants to death a cruelty which made the Signory of Genoua to arme against him Bolius writes the History at large in the which it had long remained A Fratricide was the cause for Iames of Lusignan hauing put his brother to death to raigne alone added other violences to this cruelty which made him odious to the people and forced the Genouois to arme against him Cruelty makes the Princes of Lusignan odious to reuenge an iniury done vnto certaine Marchants of their Common-weale Hee was dispossest of the Crowne his brothers Children restored to the Realme and he himselfe carried prisoner to Genoua where he had one sonne who was King of Cipres m King Iames of Lusignan had one sonne named Iohn or Iames who was K. of Cypres and Anne married to Lewis Duke of Sauoy sonne to Amidee Iohn had one daughter named Charlotte who was first married to Iohn King of Portugall and after his death to Lewis of Sauoy and this sonne one daughter whom he left sole heire to the Crowne She was married to Lewis of Sauoy sonne to Lewis Duke of Sauoy and to Anne of Cypres Sister to King Iohn Lewis imbarked at Venice to passe into Cipres to take possession of his wife and Realme Iames base sonne to King Iohn Bishop of Nicosia past into Egipt to haue succours from the Soldan of Egipt who made him to be proclaimed King of Cypres Letters of the SouldaÌ to the King of Cipres prepared a great Fleet at Sea to goe into Cypres and wrote in these termes to King Lewis Thou art come out of the Westerne parts to possesse another mans Realme in the East and to spoile the heire of his iust inheritance whâch is in thee a foolish enterprise The Iland of Cypres is tributary vnto me and it belongs to me to dispose assure thy selfe if thou dost not dislodge presently thou shalt dye by the sword of Egipt If thou hast a desire to carry away thy wife I am content vpon condition that thou dost not attend a second Summons This barbarous letter deserued no other answer but by the sword n Perswasions are vnprofitable when as Iustice is inferiour to force but Iustice being forced to yeeld vnto tirrany King Lewis by the meanes of the great maister of Rhodes let him vnderstand that by the Christian lawes the Realme did be long vnto the lawful daughter that
made his Brother the packhorse of his passions sought to put him out of hope to marry his daughter Marriage sought in Castille and perswaded him to seeke the marriage of the King of Castiles daughter f The K. desired the Marriage of Isabella Infanta of Castile with his brother but she was married to D. Fernando Prince of Arragân King Henry treated for his Daughter D. Ioane Monsieur submitted his will to the Kings and Deputies were sent into Castille to King Henry the fourth The King had for his part the Cardinall of Alby and the Lord of Torcy The Duke of Guienne gaue his procuration to the Earle of Bolloigne and to the Lord of Malicorne to consent vnto this marriage and had neuer beheld the Bride Princes drinke these waters without seeing them This poursute was pleasing to the King of Castile who was offended that his Sister D. Isabella had married to Ferdinand of Arragon without his consent The King sends Ambassadors into Castile and tooke it for a great honor that shee whom the Grandes of Spaine held and who in effect was the supposed Daughter of Castile should bee wife vnto the French Kings brother hauing no meanes to lodge her in a better house Hee commanded the Archbishop of Seuill the Bishop of Siguenç and the master of the order of S. Iames to treat the marriage with the Embassadors of France All being concluded the King would haue the promises made in a great Plaine g The Princesse D. Ioane was brought into the field by the Marques of Santillana who had her in charge and to whom the King gaue in recompence of his seruice three Townes of the Infantasgo Alâocer Valdolinas and Salmeron neere vnto the Monasterie of Paular enual de Locoia in the view of an incredible multitude which came thither The K. hauing renued his declarations against his sister D. Isabella and confirmed to his Daughter D. Ioane the title of Princesse and heire of Castille the Cardinall of Alby addressing himselfe to the Queene her mother besought her to sweare whether D. Ioane were the Kings daughter or not She sweare that she was He made the like adiuration vnto the King who affirmed the same They had not any need to seeke for the Iewes waters of probation h The Iewes to proue adultery had probation waters as they caled them The adulterous woman drinking therof did burst The Geâmans tried if their Children were lawfull making them swim vpon the riuer of Rhin nor to make this Virgin swim vpon the Riuer to know the truth of her birth And yet vpon this affirmation all the Grandes at that time kist her hands and she was againe sworne Princesse of Castille In this qualitie the Cardinall of Alby made her sure to the Duke of Guienne the Earle of Boulongue promising and receiuing the promises for him Whilest the King laboured to prouide a wife for his Brother Birth of Charls the 8. God sent the King a Sonne i Charles Dauphin of France was borne at Amboise the 14 of Iuly or as the Annales of Aquitaine report the last of Iune 1470. Charles of Bourbon Archbishop of Lion was Godfather and gaue him his name This birth reuiued the King who began to grow old his Maiestie was more respected factions were weakened Monsieurs hopes recoyled and France wholly preserued by these two great and speciall fauours of heauen valor and prosperitie or vertue and fortune which haue made her reputation to passe through so many ages k Valour without the which a great enterprise cannot bee ended laied the foundation of the Monarchy of France and prosperity withâout the which the best setled estates are not assured preserues it The Constable seeing that by Monsieurs marriage with the Daughter of Castille Constables new practises all his designes vanished into smoke labors with all the capacitie of his iudgement to disswade him from this alliance letting him know that it was dishonorable by reason of the vnlawfull birth of Bertraiamina for so they called her and dangerous for the hatred which he should purchase of D. Ferdinand and D. Isabella declared Kings of Castille with the like Art he represented vnto him the greatnes he should expect by the marriage of the Princesse of Bourgundy Death of Pope Paul the second Pope Paul the second died l Paul the second dyed of an Apoplexie the 28. of Iuly 1471. hauing raigned 6. yeers ten moneths during this poursuite and after that he had yeelded vnto it hee was sodainly surprised by death hauing held a Consistorie and eaten two melons at his dinner His election was as vnexpected as his death Cardinall Scarampi who was his enemie m Cardinall Lewis Scarampy Patriarke of Aquilea was enemie to P. Paul the second being yet a Cardinal Lewis reproched to Peter the sumptuousnes of his buildings and Peter said that he had rather exceed in that then in dice playing wherein Lewis tooke great delight did in the beginning of the Conclaue breake off the proposition which was made and yet contrarie to the ordinance of elections the suffrages agreed vpon the same subiect which they had reiected and the contention which had begunne the Conclaue ended This Pope shewed a great generosite for beeing chosen and seeing that the gowt or rather shame and discontentment hindred this Cardinall from comming to the adoration hee went to meete him imbraced him assured him of his loue and to forget all matters past This Pope augmented the pompe of the Court of Rome hee gaue Scarlet foot-clothes to the Cardinals Mules Platina saith that he loued not learned men and called all them hereticks that made profession and therefore he supprest the Colledge of Abreuiators which was full of great excellent spirits The feeling which Platina seemed to haue of this iniury did wholly ruine his fortune in the affliction whereof he wrote a letter vnto the Pope n âlatinas letter had thâse words Si tibi lâcuit indicta causa spoliare nos âmptione nostra iusta eâ legiâima debet nobis licere conqueri illatam inâuriam inââstamque ignominiâm eiecti a te ac tam insigni coÌâumelia affâcti dilabemur paâsim ad reges ac Principes eosque adhortabimur vt tibi consilium indicanâ in quo potissimuÌ rationem reddere cogatis cur nos legitima possessione spoliaueris full of bitternes and without respect This Pope was also taxed to be very greedy of money Paul the secoÌd a great builder and not to haue held the iustest meanes to get it and yet his magnificence in the sumptuous building of the Pallace of St. Mark and in the reparation of that of S. Peter freed him from blame with such as know that magnificence is the daughter of liberalitie The promises beeing broken in the Castille the poursuite of the marriage with the Duke of Bourgundies Daughter was followed by the Constable with great vehemencie who could not endure
Queene being Imperious high minded proud sent him the choice either to go assaile her in her owne countrey where she would attend him or that he would stay in his owne and she would go vnto him to say vnto him If thou comest not I will goe that euery one followed the strangers fortune they sent a great Embassage vnto the king consisting of many Noble-men and of all the orders of the Countrey among which were William Hugonet her Chancellor and the Lord of Himbercourt the dukes chiefe seruants they found the king at Peronne where he had made his entry and present the Princesses letters vnto him who besought him to protect her rather then oppresse her as hauing the honour to come out of the House of France and rather consider the pittifull estate of her present Condition and Sexe the which besides was subiect to the Councels and Authority of passionate Men then the respects of his owne priuate Interest That all subiects of Hatred and Offence should bee buried in the Tombe of Duke Charles her Father z When ãâã the Supreame Authority lights vpon a woman she must of necessity bee supported with great and eminet vertues with a generous courage and a wise conduct to gouern her selfe vpon the first refusall disconteÌtments grow and then factions Simon Rosgon Bishop of Agria demanded of Q. Elizabeth daughter to Sygismond and wise to Albert King of Hungary the Arch-bishoprick of Strigonia to whom shee answered Whilst I raigne you shall not haue it and he replied as long as I liue you shal not raign and they both kept their words That it was piety for a great Prince her Kinsman and Soueraigne to defend her in her Countries and Estates whereunto she succeeded according to the Lawes and Ordinances of Kings his Predecessors and in the end that she was resolued to referre her affaires to the good gouernment of foure persons of the Dowager her Mother Sister to King Edward of England of Rauasteen brother to the Duke of Cleues her neere kinsman of Hugonet her Chancellour and of the Lord of Himbercourt The King gaue them good words The King winnes the Princesses Embassadors and hauing entertained euery Deputy a part following the first precept not to force all at once but to pull of the horses taile haire by haire a To shew that perseuerance coÌtinuance doth by little and little preuaile ouer all things Sertorious caused two horses to be brought the one leane feeble and old the other fat and strong behind the leaner he set a strong and mighty man and behind the other a slender weake one a signe being giuen the strong man tooke the leane horse by the taile and sought with all his force to pull it of but he laboured and sweate in vaine The weake man who was behind the great horse began to pull it haire by haire and soone stript it without any paine Plu. Hee drew the cheife of them to be at his deuotion vpon the assurance of the marrying of his sonne with their Mistresse Hugonet hauing all his lands in Picardy towards Amiens and Himbercourt in Bourgundy giue themselues vnto him and for the first proofe of their affection they dispose Phillip of Creuecoeur Lord of Cordes to open the gates of Arras vnto him holding him freed from his oath to the Princesse They thought that if this marriage tooke effect there were nothing to be diuided betwixt the house of France and Bourgundy Vpon the same opinion Townes yeelded to the King Hedin Therouenne and Monstreuill yeeld b That which the Ancients called Gessoriacum is at this day named by the French Bologne by the English Bollen and by the Flemings Beunen Beatus Rhenatus saith that he had seene an old Inscription where were these words Gessoriacum quod nune Bononia Bulloine did not beleeue so lightly it endured a Battry the King entred and finding this Towne fit for the fortification of the frontiers as it hath bene alwaies famous on either side the Sea he compounded with Bertrand de la Tour who was Lord in propriety and as the new Lord he did homage without Girdle or Spurres bare-head and on his knees to the Virgin Mary offering as a right and duty vnto her image a Hart of Massiue Gold weighing two thousand Crownes Boloigne vnder the Virgine Maries homage vpon condition that from thence-forth he and his successors Kings should hold the Earledome of Bulloine of the Virgine should do her homage and at euery change of a Vassall should pay a Hart of pure Gold of that weight Thus the Princesse of Flanders Arras besieged saw herselfe forced to quite that which she could not keepe c It is better to quite that which we cannot keepe then to loose it in keeping it Phillip of Macedon did willlingly abandon many places vnto the Romanes and a great continent of his Country which he saw he could not defend rather then to be seene to haue lost it vnwillingly So after the Battell of Cannes the Romanes refused to succour many of their Allies desiring rather to loose them then to be blamed for that they were not able to defend them T. Liu. Dec. 4. yet the King held nothing of Arras but the Citty which de Cordes had deliuered vnto him and wherein he remained Gouernour The Lord of Lude defeated the Horsemen which they of Doway had sent and in this Encounter Vergy was taken and remained a whole yeare prisoner in chaines for that he would not be sworne vnto the King protesting obstinately that he could not cease to be seruant to the house of Bourgundy nor begin to affect that of France d It is dishonorable rashly to fall from the duty which we owe vnto the Prince L. Maenius an Officer to Augustus being carried prisoner to M. Anthony he demaÌded of him What wilt thou shall bee done with thee that they strangle mee answered Maeniuâ forneither for grace nor punishmeÌt will I euer cease to be Caesars souldiour neither will I beginne to be yours They of the Towne seeing themselues prest demanded a Pasport of the Bastard of Bourbon Admirall of France for two or three and twenty Deputies vnder colour of going to Bollen to treat with the King They go forth with this pasport but being followed and surprised vpon the way to Flanders they were led to Hedin and by a sentence giuen by the Prouost condemned to loose their heads the King arriuing vpon the execution staid it Princes alwaies cause punishments to cease when they are in presence They told him that among them that were executed there was a Parisian called Oudard of Bussy to whom he had giuen the office of a Maister of Accompts in the chamber at Arras Hee caused his head to bee set vpon a stake in the Market-place wearing a scarlet hood furred with Meneuer Arras yeelded by composition A breach being made an assault valiantly giuen basely defended Arras yeelded by composition the
month a Porter a Pastry man a Baker two Carters to either of them sixe pounds a yeare To a Groome of the Stable and two to assist him eight and forty shillings a month A Farrier twelue pounds The Maister of the Chamber of the Kings Treasor had sixe score pounds and the Comptrouler fifty i King Lewis the 11. gaue thirty pounds of increase to Martin Barthelot Maister of the Chamber of his Treasure but the chamber of Accompts would not allow of it without a speciall command the which was dispatched at Paray le Moinat the sixt of Aprill 1481. They gaue but fiue shillings for the Groomes Liuery and foure and twenty shillings for Cloakes for the Clarkes Notaries and Secretaries of the house and Crowne of France His expence was not all in one place many did profite by it and did draw their commodities out of the liuely Springs of the Princes Magnificence Lewis remained little at Paris but most at Plessis I haue obserued in the Accomps of the Chamber of the Treasure k By the Accompts of the Kings house which were made monthly we find that in twelue yeares they were made but twice at Paris the one in the Kings house and the other in that of Maister Iohn of Popin court that there past not any yeare but hee made many voiages and that Paris saw him but seldome In the meane time he kept not his Chamber to liue at his ease neither did hee imitate the first Kings who did not shew themselues vnto their subiects but like the Images of the Gods which they drew once a yeare out of their gilded boxes He did visite his Prouinces hee spent not the twelue monthes in one sole lodging of the Zodiake Neither did hee send his affaires to the Maior of the Pallace l Clouis the 2. the 12. King of France beganne to giue to his successours vntill Charlemaigne the name of idle They were seene but once a yeare Magnificence doth not alwaies consist in the priuate expences of a Princes house Magnificence how farre it extends in numbers of Horses and Dogs nor in the shew of Lyons Tygers Leopards or Elephants it should appeare in Receiuing Lodging Feasting and defraying forraine Princes and their Embassadours This Prince in such occasions made it knowne that Magnificence doth not dwell but in Kings houses and that Frances was the Theater Hee receiued in this manner the King of Portugall the Queene of England and the Prince of Wales her sonne René of Aniou King of Sicile the Duke of Sauoy and the Princesses of Sauoy Anne Louyse and Mary m The expence of these three Princesses came to forty two pounds eleuen shillings and a peny from the 28 of October to the 24 of Nouember By the same respects of Magnificence which will that a Prince labour to content the eyes and minds of others as himselfe n A Prince doth many things wherewith hee might dispence if hee had none to content but his owne sâ lf Magnum est personam in Repubtueri principis qui non animis solum sed occulis ciuiuÌ seruire debet It is a great matter to maintaine the person of Prince in a state who is not onely bound to serue the Cittizens minds but also their eyes Cic. hee made many other expences which were esteemed and commended both by his Subiects and Strangers He did often and for many daies feast and defray the Embassadours of England Hungary Arragon and Naples In the yeare 1477. in March the king of England sent the Lord Howard to visite him being followed by three score and tenne persons whom he defrayed all the time of his abode in France The good cheere hee made vnto the English at Amiens after the Treaty of Pyquigny and the twelue pipes of wine of the growth of Fay Monjan which hee caused to be conueyed to Deipe to giue to Edward King of England bound the English to those cries of ioy which were heard in their Army and at their departure A largesse for the Noble King of France But as there is one kind of Magnificence which is all in shew and doth purchase great applause among the people so there is another which is not so glorious and hath much fruite It is that which giues pensions to strangers and doth bind them to serue the Prince o He doth gratefie his memory in binding learned men vnto him who haue credit with posterity Senec. which doth nourish aduance and recompence good wits entertaines excellent Artists fauours good inuentions and all those that haue any credite with posterity There is also an other which is Religious Religious Magnificence and which hath not beene knowne but by the most Christian Kings who without wronging the greatnesse of their Maiesty made their houses a refuge for the miserable Robert sonne to Hugh Capet had commonly a thousand poore men in his traine hee gaue them horses to follow him and to pray for him p Lewis the 9. was founder of 28. Colledges in France who dying commanded his sonne to bee deuout to God and charitable to the poore Lewis the eleuenth had ordinarily sixe score and in Lent two hundred and forty whom he fed with meate from his Table And yet this is not the whole extent of Magnificence it goes farther and will be seene in Plaies Shewes and Iousts and in things which are rare and not common q In publicke calamities the Greeks and the Romans did vow Hecatombs they did sacrifice a hundred beastes vpon so many piles of wood Si verò Imperatorum votum esset centuÌ Leones centumque Aquilae vnà mactabantur If it were the Emperours vow then were there a hundred Lyons and a hundred Eagles slaine together when as the people did vow Hecatombes of hundred Oxen and a hundred Sheepe the Emperours did offer a hundred Eagles and a hundred Lions But the expence which is wholy employed for sight entertaines the people but till they thinke of the belly A remembrance which dispenceth with all other things and hath no share in publicke cares but that which doth prouide meanes to content it r The multitude cares not for the conduct and good successe of affaires so they find corne at Market Vulgo vna ex republica Annonae curae The common people haue no care of the Common-weale but for Corne. when it endures any want all Sights all Plaies all Sports are tedious and makes them say that the Feast is made at their charge The Princes Magnificence must therefore shew her effects in things whereas the pleasure incounters with profite and which passe not with the contentment which the spirit takes in admiring them like vnto the daughter of Maruell which inamels her halfe circle vnprofitably in the Aire The Prince must not imitate the pride of the Pharaohs of Egypt who employed the sweate of their Subiects and the treasure of their Cofers in workes of Ostentation s They say that
delight to be what he appeares and to appeare what he is wise and fore-seeing without deceit iust without rigor couragious without feare or indiscretion courteous milde magnanimous without pusillanimitie liber all with iudgement and religious without hypocrisie Lewis the eleuenth contemned the Sciences and learning Henry fauours them makes choise of the best wits to restore the exercises peoples the Colledges and labors to make the famous Academies of France to flourish and the Vniuersitie of Paris the eldest daughter of Kings the Queene of the Academies of Christendome Lewis was blamed for the little care he had in the breeding and institution of his son Henry considering how much it doth impârt that the generous inclinations of my Lord the Dauphin should be seconded with good instruction hath committed the care to a Noble-man which abounds in wisedome generositie experience and fidelitie for the greatnes of that charge Hee doth alwaies hold the minde of this Prince elleuated to things worthy of his birth and courage France is bound vnto the King who could make so good a choice the election proues the dignitie of the person chosen makes the excellencie of the choosers iudgement to bee seene and shewes that heauen hath conspired with him to make so happy an accord of two such different ages Lewis would not suffer his sonne to vnderstand aboue two words of Latin Henry wils that his deare sonne should haue as much knowledge as a Prince ought to haue he causeth his yonger yeeres to be instructed in learning by the diligence of a great and excellent wit who carefully and indiciously doth shew him vvhat he should know and vvhat he should be ignorant of he giues him the whole vvorld for a lesson for companions the study of Emperors and Kings for a table the image of glory for Philosophy the knowledge of humors and manners and entertaining him sweetly in the varietie of Historie vvhich is onely the Booke of Kings frames his mind to a knowledge vvhich should shew it selfe more by actions then by discourse for as he himselfe saies For one that 's not wedded to Arts nor of them is vnknowing T is skill enough to render them such honor as is owing Lewis had more care then his predecessors to fortefie his frontiers and forts Henry hath made great workes for the beautifying of his royall houses and for the commoditie of his people he makes his forts vnexpugnable and hath freed his affaires from the outrages and violence of necessitie Lewis was inconstant in his resolutions and did sometime impaire them by change Henry in his greatest affaires saies nothing but vvhat he does and doth nothing without premeditation calling vppon God in his thoughts That vvhich is framed in his minde remaines firme He hath so much foresight as he preuents all impediments and hath so great power as nothing is impossible vnto him Lewis loued a country ruined rather then lost Henry giuen from heauen for the generall good of the earth hath saued enricht and preserued the townes which by the iustice of his armes he might haue spoiled and ruined Lewis neuer left offences vnpunished Henry hath lost no part of his memory but iniuries Lewis tooke a delight to cut off the heads of poppy and eares of corne which doe ouertop the rest the torrent of his iustice hath often carried away the innocent with the guiltie Henry hath so vsed his clemencie towards his greatest enemies as if the Iustice of God should demand of him the number he would easily giue him an account Lewis left France so weake so ruinous and so deiected as it had nothing remaining but the tongue to complaine Henry hath chased neâde idlenes and pouerty out of France and from the necessitie of his affaires and to conclude the paralel there is not any nation which doth not reuerence the name admire the fortune extoll the vertues enuie the triumphs sing or vveepe for the victories loue the gouernment and feare and redoubt the power of this great and incomparable Prince This Historie doth truely show the diuersitie of the two portraits and giues the King an incredible content to see that the raigne of a great mighty redouted and wise King may not enter into comparion with his by the difference which hee hath set in the order of his treasure in the number of his forces in the force of his armes in the fortification of his frontiers in the structures of his great buildings and in the restablishment of the publike safety and felicitie As for the other obiection which I haue made as done it is true that Philip de Commines hath related the life of this Prince so exactly and iudiciously as if Statius who hath written the life of Achilles after Homer did not maintaine my designe by his example I should yeeld my selfe vanquished of indiscretion and presumption Quamquam acta Viri multum inclita cantu Moeonio sed plura vacant nos ire per omnem Sic amor est heroa velis Sciroque latentem Dulichia proferre tuba nec in Hectore tracto Sistere sed tota iuuenem deducere Troia Though his great deeds by Homers lofty vaine Be highly sung yet much is left vnsaied Wee le trace him all and in Dulichian straine Sound how this peere was close in Scyros laid Nor in his dragging Hector stop our verse But his yong Acts in all Troyes siege rehearse Iudgement must be the poulder of separation to reduce euery thing to his element and will show that he hath not so reapt his field but he hath left some eares to gather In like manner I doe not thinke that I haue spoken all things so fully and cleerely after him but there will yet remaine something to exercise others after me The huntsman is commended that hunts and takes but he is not blamed if hee hath not taken all We must yeeld something to the curiositie and diligence of others He teacheth not well that teacheth all Another spirit will happily finde somethings wherewith to please himselfe in this goodly ample field of the life of this Prince I confesse I haâe drawne the principall pieces of this building from Philip de Commines but the order of the work the Architecture and the Ornaments are mine owne He could not speake of his owne knowledge of the affaires of Lewis the eleuenth but from the yeare 1472. when as he left the D. of Bourgundy to serue him but this History speaketh of the infancy of this Prince of his retreat into Flanders and of all that had happened memorable throughout the world during the three and twenty yeeres of his raigne and besides many manuscripts I haue seene the forraine Histories of those times The ten bookes are extended vpon that which concernes his life and the eleuenth vpon the obseruation of that which was done in those times and of that which is done now to show that Lewis hath been as much inferiour to Henry as he was held superior to other Kings If all things
as it seemed he would canonize him before his f Flattery giues honors to mortall men which belong not vnto them Tertullian reprocheth the Pagans of lying and flattery which made them declare men Gods and Tacitus saith Deum honor Principi non ante habetur quam agere inter homines desierit Tac. An. lib. 15. The honor of the Gods is not to bee giuen vnto the Prince vntil hee hath left to liue among men death after this followed an accord by the which the Duke of Burgundy should for a reparation aske pardon of the King vpon his knee The Queene the Dauphin the Kinges of Sicile and Nauarre the Duke of Berry making the like request for him in the presence of the Children of the Duke of Orleans melting with teares and weeping with sobs to see the bloud of their Father put to compromise and themselues forced to forget so sencible an Iniurie France was presently deuided into two factions of Orleanois and Burgundians A league of Armagnacs Th' one taking his fauour and authority from the ruines disgrace of the other The Duke of Burgundy hath the soueraigne gouernment of affaires and forceth them of the howse of Orleans to make an offensiue and defensiue league against that of Burgundy g League of Orleanois at Gâen the tenth of March 1410. the heads were Charles Duke of Orleance and his brethren Iohn Duke of Berry Lewis Duke of Bourbon Iohn Earle of Alanson Francis Earle of Clermont Bernard Lord of Armagnac and Charles of Albert Constable of France The heads of the Bourgundy faction were Iohn Duke of Bourgundy his brethren Charles King of Nauarre son to Charles the bad the Dukes of Lorraine Brabant Brittaine the Marques of Pont the Earles of Neuers Vaudemont St. Paul Ponthure The name was of Armanacks the marke a white scarfe the cause the Kinges liberty who was in captiuity vnder the law and will of the Duke of Burgundy Challenge sent to the Du. of Burgundy and to the end the quarel might be ended with lesse danger losse of men and time Charles Duke of Orleans sent a challenge to the Duke of Burgundy to fight a combate with him and to be reuenged of his fathers death The Duke of Burgundy who had drawn the Queene vnto his party had noe great dificultie to perswade the King that the designe of the howse of Orleans was nothing but ambition and rebellion in denying him to demaund succors from Henry the fourth king of England The Dolphin being of yeares able to iudge of the intentions of the one and the other The sonne in lawe against the father in lawe found that the interest of the house of Orleans was that of the Crowne and that the ambition of the Duke of Bourgondy his father in law h Queene Isabel being banded against her nephewes of Orleans adhered to the Duke of Burgundy made the marriage of his daughter Catherinâ with the Dauphin Lewis was the cheefe motiue of those troubles wherefore he vndertooke to crosse his designes and to make a peace this soule was seasond with good thoughts at the siege of Burges for when they told him that in a salley which the besieged had made some of his seruants were slaine and that the souldiers dyed of poisoned waters he said vnto the King his Father and the Duke of Burgundy That this warre lasted too long and that he would make an end of it Iohn of France Duke of Berry and i Enguerand of Monstrelet notes in what manner the Duke of Berry came to this treaty in his armes notwithstanding that hee was 70. yeares old for he llued aboue 80 hauing vpon theÌ a Cassocke of purple with a band poudred with marigolds and so he is painted in the gallery of the âoâure Philebert of Lignac great master of Rhodes employed themselues vertuously to reconcile the nephewes and the vnckle The conditions of this peace were concluded at Burges Peace of Burges sworn in a great assembly at Auxerre the names of that fatall faction of Armagnac and Burgundian were comprehended in the forgetfulnes of things past and Philip Earle of Vertus was married to the Duke of Burgundies daughter But all the parts of France recouer not their former health The warre renues againe and the Dauphin is no more for the Burgundian whose principall force consists in the sedition of Paris and the succours of the English who making their profit of ciuill diuisions win the battell of Azingcourt which was called the vnfortunate day of the 25. of October 1415. The battle of Azing-Court The Duke of Orleans armed to reuenge his fathers death and the libertie of his country was led prisoner into England and if religion had not comforted him he had no lesse reason then Pompey k The Mitcleniens came to salute Pompey after the battel intreating him to land which he refused and aduised them to obey the victor and not to feare any thing for that Caesar was a iust man and of a mild nature and then turning to the Philosopher Cratippus who was also come to see him he complained and disputed a little with him touching the diuine prouidence wherein Cratippus yeilded mildly vnto him putting him still in better hope to be amazed at the prouidence of God which seemeth to fauour the most vniust party tyranny against libertie and couetousnes against freedome Death of the Dolphin and Duke of Turraine This losse was followed by the death of Lewis the Dauphin and of Iohn Duke of Touraine the Kings second sonne By the death of these two Charles Earle of Ponthieu saw himselfe in the first degree of the Princes of the bloud and presently made show that he had been bred vp to apprehend the iniury which the Duke of Burgundy had done vnto his vncle All the Princes and Noble men which had followed the house of Orleans came vnto him and among others the Constable of Armagnac but his greatest affliction was for the vnnaturall hatred which the Queene his mother bare him who declared her selfe against him Regent of the Realme was maintained in that quarrel by the Duke of Burgundy vnder her was that cruell massacre committed the 12. of Iune 1418 whereas the l Amassacre at Paris vpon the Armagnacks from 4 of the clock in the morning the 12 of Iune vntil the next day 10. of the clock To note the Constable by the scarse which he carried they flead a bend of his skin and tyed it crosse his body his office was confirmed to the Duke of Lorraine and the Chancellors to Eustace de Lastre Constable of Armagnac and the Chancellor de Marle were slaine and the Dauphin ranne a daungerous fortune if Tanneguy du Chastel Prouost of Paris and his faithfull seruant had not saued him in the Bastille Paris saw it selfe reduc'd to that miserable estate as it seemed a retrait for Beares and Tigers During this fatall diuision the English
of the Arsacides it was discouered and preuented by the Scotchmen of whom afterward he made his guard of his royall person She past notwithstanding the ambushes of the English more by the prouidence of God then the foresight of men for whiles the English were busie in fighting with a ship which was lade with wine for Flaunders the Scotts vessell past freely and landed the Princesse at Rochell f Reuenge runnes alwaies against the enemie that hath most offended and in the contention of three Nations there is alwaies one that saues himselfe and does his busines She was conducted to Tours whereas the marriage was solemnized the 24. of Iune Murther of Iames King of Scotland But this ioy lasted not long in her fulnes newes comming of the death of the king of Scotland being miserably murthered with sixe and twenty wounds by his Vncle and Cousin in the sight of the Queene his wife who presenting herselfe vnto the murtherers and making a buckler of her body to defend her husbands receiued two wounds The thoughts of Lewis were in those dayes more inclined to Armes then to Ladyes Nature did dispence them from their seruitude and his breeding had diuerted him from all intemperance which makes men inferior to beasts and bound him to the exercise of vertue which makes Princes superior to Men. He had learned by the infancie of King Charles the 6. g Charles the fift meaning to try the generous disposition of his sonne did set a crowne of gold a scepter vpon a veluet cushion and on another an helmet and a sword Charles made choice of the sword and the helmet his Grand-father to lay hould of a sworde as soone as of a Crowne They did gird him with it sooner for necessity then to grace him more to defend himselfe then to adorne him So it is fit that a Prince should carry an honorable marke h In places whereas armes are in a degree of excellencie and necessitie the Prince and they of his bloud should make great esteeme of them which make profession of the most excellent and necessary profession of his estate He could no more draw it but against the English the French and the Burgundians were in the way of an accord The Dutchesse of Burgundy Duches of Bourgundy drawes her husband to the treatie of Arras Infanta of Portugall a good Frenchwoman was the cheef instrument She tould the Duke that he should be generally blamed if he refused a peace offered with honor and profit that indiscretion would not excuse the repentance of so preiudiciall a refusall She drew the heart of this Prince to her intention making it knowne that burning iron is not soner quencht in water then the heat of coller and reuenge is lost by the perswasion of a milde and moderate spirit and that nothing is vnpossible to Princesses of courage when as their vnderstanding hath power ouer their husbands i The effects are ãâ¦ã they ãâã good to good and bad to bad Tamerlânes wife flaid him long fââm making warre against Buazet but being incensed by an iniurious wish which hee had made shee did animate her husband by an extreame fury against him Chalcondylas By her perswasions the Duke yeelded vnto the Kings youth the blowe which he had caused to be giuen being Dauphin and the excesse of his offence to the greatnes and maiesty of the King considering that forgetfulnes is an Antidote against the deadly poyson of Iniuries which may ruine the soule when it doth too egerly seeke reuenge and that it is a great folly to continue immortall hatred amongst mortall men k Reuenge continues iniuries makes them hereditarie A strange distemperature of men Quid iuuat tanquam in aeternam genitos it is indicere breuisfimam aetatem dissipare Sen. libr. 3. De ira What doth it auaile to make hatred eternal and to leade a short life The Counsell of Basil imployed it selfe seeing that whiles France was not in peace Christendome should be still in trouble They sent two Cardinals to mediate this peace to exhort the Kings of France and England and the Duke of Burgundy to cause their discords to cease to accord their wils for the defence of the Church To strayne their courages and tackle against the force of the winds that did shake that vessell that they should haue pitty of themselues and of their subiects The English growing obstinate not to leaue any thing had no part of this peace There is nothing so difficult in a Prince as restitution they left the Dutchies of Guienne and Normandy l King Charles the seuenth offered to the K. of England the Dutchies of Normandy and Guienne to hold them by homage of the Kings of FraÌce as soueraignes and vpon such conditions as the Kings of England his Aneectors had enioyed them in the beginning to the King of England to quite the rest but the prosperity of his affaires doth preiudice him of the possession and the desire to continue a reueng trouble the soules of so many persons as reason had no more commaund Wilfulnes of the English opinion held the scepter A Royalty endures no equall The great God of peace who is all spirit all light all eye all seeing all hearing all m Treaties of peace are concluded when as men hold them broken and impossible they bee the effects of the eternall prouidence of that great God whom Clement Alexandrious cals ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã totus mens totus luâ totus oculus all minde all light all eye knowing inspir'd the hearts of these two Princes with the holy resolution of Concord and a ful forgetfulnes of iniuries so as the Duke seeing the King of England too difficult made his treaty apart They contented in euery degree the interests both of dead and liuing The Kinge transported to the Duke of Burgundy the Townes vpon the riuer of Somme whereof mention shall be often made st Quintin Corbie Amiens Abbeuille and others vpon condition to redeeme them for the summe of foure hundreth thousand old Crownes of gould The marriage of the Earle of Charolois and of Catharin the Kings Daughter was the seale of this treaty n The marriage of the Earle of Charolois with the Kings Daughter was the seale of this treaty hee was then but two yeares old and when he come to age he married isabel of Bourbon The Lady Catherine who was promised dyed at eighteene yeares of age the 28. of Iuly and was interred at Brusseis in S. Gould Charles Duke of Bourbon and Arthur Duke of Brittany with the Earle of Richmond Constable of France craued pardon of the Duke of Burgundy for the death of his father in the name of King Charles the vij It is a cruel thing when he must take a Law from his inferior but the good of a peace and the necessity of the Kings affaires forced him from all these formalities without this satisfaction a peace had not
of the Dauphins wife Death of Margaret Stuard and his heauines was so apparent as the whole Court did participate thereof But there was more then teares to witnesse that hee loued this Princesse and that the remembrance of her should not end with weeping k Affection is not tryed by teares onely To ceace to weepe is not to forget the remembrance is too short which lasteth no longer them teares for he receiued the Princesses of Scotland her Sisters with all kindes of honor whom she had greatly desired to see They came at the time of her Funerals and finding themselues as it were vnknowne in a country whereas that which should make them to be knowne and respected was wanting they dyed for griefe All consolations made their greefes comfortles l We must giue time and ayre to sorrow to euaporate it In those which are extremâ it is a part of the griefe to heare of consolations and made them desire that the Queene their sister being in the bosome of the earth had them vpon hers But the King to witnes that the affection which he bare vnto their Sister was not dead made them to feele the effects He married the one to Francis Duke of Brittaine and the other to Sigismond Archduke of Austria m Iohn Duke of Brittanie sent Ambassadors into Scotland to treat the marriage of his Sonne with Isabel daughter to the King of Scotland at whose returne he enquired what the Princesse was Who made report That shee had beautie sufficient a bodie well disposed to beare children but shee had no ready speech To whom he answered That she was as he demanded and that he held a woman learned enough if she could make a difference betwixt her husbands doublet and shirt Annal. of Aquitaine It is impossible to finde truth in an enemies tongue The iudgement of two Historians of England Hony how sweet soeuer it be is sharpe and offensiue to a mouth vlcered with passion and slander Edward Hall and Grafton two writers of England seeing that their imposture would take no hold vpon the manners and actions of this Princesse haue indiscreetly written that she was vnpleasing to her husband n Buchanan in the tenth booke of the Historie of Scotland saith that two Historians of England hauing as little sufficiencie as modestie haue beene so Impudent as not finding any thing wherewith to slander this Princes haue said Ob oris graueolentiam marito fuisse ingratam But there are records yet to be seene both in France and Scotland of the griefe which Charles the seuenth and the Dauphin his Sonne had for her death and Monstrelet speakes as of a Princesse who excelled in beautie both of minde and bodie She fauoured the good wits of her age Alain Charretier was held at that time one of the first of the Court and this Princes did esteeme him so rare as shee honoured him with a singular fauour for passing by a Chamber whereas he slept vpon a forme she kist him and to satisfie the amazement of the Ladyes of her traine she added I kisse not the man I kisse the mouth from whence haue come so many goodly Discourses Yet it was one of those mouthes which haue learned to talke and not to bee silent o There is no such itching of the spirit as a desire to write It is not cured but by silence Eusenius demanded of Apolonius Thianeus why hee did not settle himselfe to write for that said hee I haue not yet learned to hold my peace This warlike and Marshall season was debarred both of learning and learned men For whereas warre speakes learning is silent The Prouinces troubled by armes neither teach nor are taught and the money which should serue for the stipend of publicke Readers is imployed for the musters of souldiers p The Emperor Leon made an answere to one that counselled him to imploy his treasure in the entertainement of souldiers vtinaÌ meis temporibus eueniat stipendia militum in doctores artium absumi I would it might happen in my time that the stipends of souldiers might bee imployed vpon Doctors of Arts. The yeares of Truce being expired The warre renues the warre was renued with all violence against the English The Historie speakes nothing of the actions of Lewis vntill his retreat into Dauphine neither are the causes thereof well exprest Shee hath well obserued his discontents His Father held him somewhat short and his actions were not so temperate The wretched life of a great King but they gaue him some cause of suspition that he had a desire to be master q The opinions of children should be limitted in that sort as it is not lawfull for them once to thinke to aduance the time they must suffer heauen the order of nature to work The King being come to an end of his affayres would recompence the troublesome nights which hee had past r A troubled youth requires a quiet age he that hath liued in the waues desires to dye in the Port. when as melancholly had dryed vp his bones that all his demeanes were engaged the chiefe forts of the Realme in the power of the English that his table often fayled and that hee liued in such frugalitie as hee had no need of excellent Cookes such as those of the Romans were 1446 for they found him not with three or foure Dishes like vnto Charlemaine but with a messe of Pottage made with a rumpe of Mutton and a couple of Chickens rosted for his whole seruice s The sobrietie of Charlemaine hath beene commended he had but foure dishes hee dranke but thrice and neuer betwixt meales he did eate some fruits after dinner Eghinard The great toyles which hee had past deserued some good daies but he sought them not in his family nor in his children t Rest after their trauels is iust and lawfull but it is most sweet in his owne house And therefore Hercules was represented playing with a little Child The familie hath consâiations Bella planè accinctis obeunda sed reuertentibus post laborem quid honestius quam vxorium leuamentum TAC. His spirit plunged it selfe in delights He giues himselfe to delights and to Ladies for the which like vnto another Iupiter he transformed himselfe into diuers shapes vnworthy of his Maiestie and although he was impatient of seruitude as all Kings be yet he vowed himselfe to the seruice of Ladies which followed the Queeene Aboue all their appeared the fayre Agnes beautifull in the flower of her age and as louely as worthily to bee beloued u The Obiect of Loue is Beauty and Beautie is the marke of many desires It is for blind men to demaund why Kings loue fayre things She stole the Kings heart who made her Mistris of the Castle of beautie as she was Queene of all the beauties but beauty was in her a bad Hostes in a goodly lodging The Historie which
should not be curious to lay open matters which are distastfull Modestie of the History ãâã the Kings loâes hath beene so carefull of the Kings respect and of the honor of this Ladie as it hath spoken very lightly of that which in those daies was knowne to all and published by few It onely saith that for that shee appeared alwaies richly attyred was one of the Queenes maides and that the King saw her oft they thought she was wholly the Kings x The fayre are easily suspected of incontiuency for that chastitie and beauty doe not alwaies agree That her eyes were the Altars whereon he made his vowes vnder the vales of Night and secret The Author of the Historie of S. Dennis saith that by the duty of his charge The Historie of France in those dayes was written by Monkes as it was at Rome by the High Priests y By the policy of Rome the charge of the History and the Anualls did belong vnto the High Priests Res omnes singulorum aunorum man dabat literis Pont. Max. Cic. 3. de Orat Penes Pontifices scribendae Historiae potestas suit Fla. Vopis He informed himselfe most curiously of his most inward seruants making some of them sweare whether the common brute were true from whom hee had learned what hee had written That Charles loued her onely for her gallant humor Shee was excellent in many pleasant conceits but especially in her speech and incounters which is one of the gestures of Loue. Strangers whose testimonie in these Occasions is as free from flatterie as it is subiect to Hatred haue spoken no more plainely Oliuer de la Marche saith that in the yeare 1444. the Duches of Bourgundy passing into Flanders saw the French Queene at Chalons Where they had great and priuate conference together z There is some kinde of case in the conference of troubles and afflictions For they had one griefe and one disease and there were reasons for their iâalonsies for that the King had giuen vnto Agnes de Soret a traine comparable to that of great Princesses and the Duke was very louing and had many base children both sonnes and daughters But who sees not that flatterie hath falsified the Annales of those times And that the little which they report is sufficient to assure that Charles and Agnes knew where to meete and to haue newes one of another they were not troubled to write vppon the marbles of Churches and on the Mercuries of the high waies Pithius is on the right hand and Pithias on the left Princes who thinke they may say if it please it is lawfull haue sometime greater want of enterprises then of fortune The King which held a peace miserable which gaue not some rest stole some howers in his affayres to imploy them in his loues gardeus He went no farther to seek for palmes and bayes he would not haue any but from the hands of this Lady Shee had a daughter Mont strellet saith that she was not auowed a Charlote Base Daughter to Charles the seuenth and Agnes Sorter was married to the Earle of Mauleurier sonne to Peter or Iohn de Brese Seneshall of Normandy and the Author of Lewis the eleuenths Chronicle writes that she was married to the Seneshall of Normandies sonne Yong Princes haue alwaies discoursers which speake of euery thing not to dispute thereof but to taxe it who carrying their thoughts to the future neuer speake of the present but with distaste and disdaine b Pleasures are enemies to libertie Wee should bee our owne if they were not ours These droanes buz continually about the Dauphins eares and raise vp in his soule vnlawfull murmurings against the Kings delights They made him beleeue that Charles could neither loue himself nor any other so long as he loued faire Agnes The Dauphin could not dissemble his discontent The Dauphin enemy to fayre Agnes c A malicious spirit looscth no occasions to doe ill they seeke them and this cunning woman for the safetie of her fortune did all shee could to seaze vpon the fathers loue And that hee should not receiue any grace but at her discretion least that her disgrace should grow by their accord The King by the bad offices of this Lady who incensed the Fathers wrath against the Sonne and sought occasions to content his dislike who by the iealousie which hee had conceiued that a sonne of thirtie yeares of Age did tread vpon his heeles saw him no more but with an eye troubled with way wardnes and despight Princes who haue children growne to age should not vse towards them the austere grauitie of fatherly authoritie whereby denying them the honour of their familiaritie they depriue themselues of the sweetest conuersation of d Princes should breed vp their children in a liuely and not a falned and constrainted affection towards them they may alwaies cause themselues to be feared but they were better to purchase loue There are saith Michael de Montagne so many defects in age so great weaknes and it is so subiect to contempt as the best purchase item make is the affection and loue of his owne command feare are no more his armes life For whom doe they keep this loue and proofe of affection Feare they that it will shorten their power and that God and Nature and the Lawes haue not well prouided to maintaine it If they haue loued them in their infancie when as they could not distinguish of the force and respect therof why doe they take from them the knowledge when as age giues them the feeling and commands them to yeeld vnto this loue the tributes of the same loue feare and obedience Many young Princes dying haue left vnto their Fathers this troublesome griefe nay rather this reproch that they haue neuer let them know that they loued them amidst these austere courses The Dauphin by reason of his age and his disposition being tractable and quick was carried to sodaine alterations during the which hee onely considered the qualitie of the first Sonne of France and not the authoritie of the King e Although the father stray in many things froÌ that which he ought yet the sones ought rather to think of that which hee is bound to doe rather then of that the father hath not done nor the reuerence of the Father R. Gaguin He strikes her writes that during these impatiencies he stroke fayre Agnes at Chinon They adde to these discontents an other occasion which made him leaue the Court. Anthony de Chabanes Earle of Dammartin a man valiant but not able to endure was in the greatest fauour in Court and these fauours had taken such deepe rootes f The fauour of Courtiers must take deepe rooting before it be setled This seed of a Princes fauour lies long before it springs It seemes often to flourish when it hath no roof so as the first paffe of choller or disgrace ouer throwes it as
disposition suspitious h Suspition and facillistie is to beleeue all things Suspitionum credendi temeritas Taâ ruins friendships and the most firmest affections and boyling made them of Croüi to feele the indignation which hee durst not euaporate against Lewis who fauoured them It burst forth at such time as they setled the estate of the Earle of Charrolois house The Duke would haue Philip de Croui Sonne to Iohn de Croui set downe for the third Chamberlaine in the absence of the Lord of Auchy the first and of the Lord of Formelles the second Chamberlaine The Earle of Charrolois entred Anthony Raulyn Lord of Eimeries The house was diuided some followed the Fathers will and others the Sonnes i A controuer sie between two priuate Noblemen is able to diujde the opinione of a whole Court That which was betwixt Chimay of Emeries who should haue the first place in the absence of the L. of Auchy first Chamberlaine to the Duke was so affected as the father was for the one the son for the other The Duke seeing the danger which might grow by this adoration of the sunne rising made it knowne that he was both master and father commanding his Sonne to bring him the Rowle and in his presence cast it into the fire and then willed him to goe forth Monstrelet saith that the Duke commanded the Earle of Charolois to cause Croui to martch in his ranke I will not answered the Earle they of Croui shall neuer gouerne as they haue done and that the Father being offended at an answer so bold and of so little respect he would haue fallen vpon his Sonne but not able to get him he commanded him to auoid the country The Sonne departs full of murmuring and despite the Father comming to himselfe and seeing that his Sonne returned not Displeasure of the Duke of Bourgundy to his Sonne goes to horseback all alone sad and pensiue in a raynie night rides through the country to let the Dauphin know the griefe hee had and his Son the choller wherin disobedience had drawen him k Whatsoeuer the Sonne doth yet must the Father alwaies show himselfe a Father matters are very foule strange when as hee is forced to forget the dutie of a Father He lost himselfe in a wood and lay all night in a Collyars cabbin with hunger in his belly and choller in his head He came the next day to Seuenbergh a little towne of Brabant whereas he found one of his huntsmen who conducted him to Guinneppe where as the Dauphin the cause of all this trouble besought him to pardon the Earle of Charrolois The Duke would haue held the refusall of so iust a request cruell being made by and for a person so neere vnto him l As it is vnpleasing to intreat a stranger so is it a very sensible discipleasure to bee refused of his owne for he could not but loue his onely Sonne in despight of his youthfull wayward affections He required no other satisfaction but that hee should dismisse two seruants William Bithe and Guiot of Vsie who retired themselues into France Soone after the Earle of Charrolois bred another subiect of choller in his fathers hart Wandring of the Dauphin being a hunting he was come from hunting without the Dauphin and had suffered him to wander in a wood thinking that hee had been before When the Duke saw him returne alone he blamed him sharpely and commanded him to goe presently to horsebacke to seeke the Dauphin They sought him long by torch-light and found him on the way to Bruzells conducted by a Pesant m The Dauphins wandring was in the night abeue eight leagues from Brussels The Duke caused him to bee sought for with torches the next day hee gaue a crowne to the Pesant which had conducted him The Duke was exceeding glad to see him returne for he knew that he should be alwaies bound to yeeld an account of so precious agage and that he might be assured whilest he held him he might haue what he desired from the King Birth of Mary of Bourgundy the 13. of Feb. 1457 God sent the Earle of Charolois a Daughter for the first fruits of his marriage the Duke intreated the Dauphin to christen her Mary This birth did moderare the grief which the Lady Isabel of Bourbon her Mother had conceiued six monthes before for the death of her Father Charles Duke of Bourbon n Charles the first Duke of Bourbon dyed in the end of the yeere 1455. he was Sonne to Iohn the first Duke of Bourbon and of Boâna of Bourgundy daughter to Philip the hardy Hee married Agnes of Bourgundy Daughter to Iohn Duke of Bourgundy and had fiue sonnes and fiue daughter His sonnes were Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon Lewis who died yong Peter Lord of Beauien Charles Cardinall of Bourbon Archbishop of Lyon and Lewis Bishop of Liege The Daughters were ãâã Princesse of Orange Catherine Dutchesse of Gueldres Margaret Countesse of Bresse and Dutchesse of Sauoy Isabel wife to Charles Duke of Bourgondy and Mary married first to the Duke of Calabria and afterwards to Gaston de Foix. The King was offended for that hee did not yeeld him his Sonne and desired some occasion to let him know his discontent the which hee did not dissemble when as the Duke sought to punish the Gantois for a rebellion commanding him to suffer them to liue in peace as being vnder his protection The Dauphin thought the time of his returne into France long and had sworne that he would not make that voyage vntill his Father were past vnto another world 1459. The first yeare of his abode there Charlotte of Sauoy Daughter to the Duke of Sauoy was brought to Namur to consumate the marriage which had beene concluded fiue yeares before o One of the goodliest parts of ciuill society is marrage the first gate to enter into it is loue there is none to go out of it but that of death And for that in the marriages of Princes they regard more the interest of subiect estates then their own content It happens that their loues are not so pure and free A marriage which being made vnwillingly was continued without loue When the Duke of Bourgundy gaue the Dauphin his pension of 12000. Birth of the Dauphins sonne at Gnenneppe in Iune 1459. Crownes Oliuer de la March writes that it was vpon condition that he should marry her which shewes that he had no great desire She was deliuered of a sonne who was named Ioachim the Duke of Bourgondy was so glad of this newes as he gaue a thousand Lyons of gold to Ioselin du Bois which brought it He was the Godfather and the Countesse of Charrolois the Godmother The Insant dyed presently after and left the father very sorrowfull who being not then in those distrusts which age brings desired to see him great knowing well that the Children which were
he was freed from taxes Necessitie in whose schoole hee had learned great experience dispenst with him for the obseruations which are made in the choice of souldiers These were called Franke Archers who being well led did great seruices being able to indure all paine as beeing bred vp in discommodities and wants without cunning or malice They beganne their profession at the siege of Vernon The defects which are obserued in the life of this Prince as the griefes of Kings n The raignes of Princes doe not continue and end alwaies as they haue begdnne The first fiue yeares of Neroes raigne were iust Constant was good ten yeares cruell twelue and prodigall ten doe not alwaies incounter ends like vnto their beginnings His loues and his diuersions could not hinder it but that France hath giuen him the well deserued title of Victorious The end of the first Booke THE CONTENTS OF the Second BOOKE 1 KIng Lewis his going into France His entrie and Coronation at Rheims 2 The Duke of Bourgundy doth him homage and followes him at his entrie into Paris magnificence of the Parisians vpon this occasion 3 Estate of the Kings affaires with Pope Pius the second Reuocation of the Pragmatique Sanction 4 Discontent of the Noblemen of the Realme vpon the Kings first actions An obseruation of his Humors 5 His voyage and designes in Brittanny 6 Oppression of the people by new inuentions of Subsedies 7 Strange and furious reuolutions in England betwixt the houses of Lancaster and Yorke 8 Edward the fourth expels Henry the sixt King of England 9 Hee seeks to marry the Queene of France her Sister and takes a widdow in England 10 The King goes to Bourdeaux and there treates a marriage betwixt his Sister and the Earle of Foix. 11 Troubles betweene the Crownes of Castill and Arragon The Earledome of Rousilion engaged to the King 12 The Kings of Castille and Arragon referre their differences to the King 13 Enteruiew of the Kings of France and Castille vpon the Riuer of Vidaazo 14 The King returnes to Paris redeemes the Townes vpon the Riuer of Somme and visits the Frontiers 15 The Duke of Bourgundy comes to the King at Lisle to demaund his aduise touching a voyage which he pretended to make against the Turke 16 Ariuall of Lewis Duke of Sauoy at Paris 17 The King declareth his pretentions vpon the soueraigne rights of Brittany 18 The Earle of Charrolois stayes the Bastard of Rupembrâ at the Haage 19 Ambassadors from the King to the Duke of Bourgundy vpon diuers complaints 20 The Duke of Bourbon first author of the league of the common weale Death of Charles Duke of Orleans 21 Charles Duke of Berry the Kings brother retires into Brittany 22 His Letters to the Duke of Bourgundy and his declaration vpon the taking of Armes 23 Death of Pope Pius the second to whom succeeded Paul the second a Venetian THE HISTORY of LEVVIS the XI THE SECOND BOOKE A Death which brings Scepters Crownes 1461 doth not alwaies meete with sorrow and teares When there is a question of the succession of the Realme An heyres teares are sone dried vppe a desire to raigne doth presently dry vp the teares which the law of Nature drawes from the eyes a There is no water whose spring is sooner dryed vp then that which flowes from a profitable mourning Lewis longed too much to be at home to be grieued when as they brought him newes that Charles the seuenth had quit him the lodging Hee had already spent two third parts of his age in obeying hee held the rest very short to command and to end at in great enterprises worthy of his qualitie b Life is very short for great entrriprises and inconstancie makes it much shorter Hee entertained the Iuie of his hopes in the ruines of this old building he did not hope for any light but by the ecclipse of this Sunne and his vowes were no let that his Father was not already among the God c The Romans held their Fathers dead in the number of the Gods and their Images were reuerenced as persons deysied Wherfore among the predictions which Antonin had of his adoption and successim to the Empire they note that In somrio saepe monitus suit penatibus suis Adriani simulacrum inserere Capitol Hee was often admonished in his sleepe that hee should place Adrians Image among his boushould Gods And what can a Kings eldest Son desire but to raigne euery obiect lesse theÌ a crown is vnworthy of his birth Lewis comes into France but the wishes are vnnaturall monstrous vpon vniust effects To desire for a crownes cause the death of him of whom he holds his life is ingratitude impiety The same day that Charles dyed Lewis was aduertised of his death d They that haue written that these newes were sent by Charles Duke of Aniou Father in lawe to Charles the seuenth are mistaken both in the name and matter for Lewis Duke of Anion liued since the yeare 1417. He went presently to horse to goe into France fearing least Charles his brother should make his profit of his absence The Duke of Bourgundy and the Earle of Chartolis accompany him with foure thousand horse chosen out of the flower of all the forces of their Estates and the Princes their friends He makes his entry into Rheims Hee entred into Rheims the fourteeene of August e The King arriued at Rheims the 14. August and caused himself to be annointed the next day A remarkable diligence They cannot goe too speedily to so great a Feast The Duke of Bourgundy being followed by the Earl of Charolois the Earle of Neuers the Earle of Estampes the Duke of Cleues the Earle of S t. Pol and many other Noblemen went out of Rheimes to the Abbcy of Saint Thierry to meet the King being attired in white and crimsin damask vpon a white courser caparonessed with the armes of France The next day he was anoynted and crowned The peeres of the Church were there in person The Duke of Burgundy Deane of the peeres The Duke of Burbon held the place of the Duke of Normandy The Earle of Angolesme for the Duke of Guienne The Earle of Eu for the Earle of Tholousa The Earle of Neuers for the Earle of Flaunders and the Earle of Vandosme for the Earle of Champagne The King is anoinâed and Crowned The ceremony of his coronation was beautified with an other which they found very new and strange The King is anointed and Crowned The King drawing his sword presented it to the Duke of Bourgundy and intreates him to make him Knight He gaue this honour of Knight-hood to an hundred and seauenteene Gentlemen the first were the Lord of Beauieu Iames of Burbon the Earle of Geneua the Earle of Pontieu the Earle of Witembergh Iohn of Luxembergh and to the Marques of Saluces Sonne From the Coronation they went to the Royall feast whereas
the twelue peeres were set on either side the King At the end the Duke of Bourgundy kneeled downe intreating the King to forget the iniuries of such as had offended him during his Fathers raigne f This request is reported by Monstrelet in these termes When the tables were taken away the noble duke of Burgundy vsing his accustomed gentlenes in the nobillity of his courage kneeled downe before the King and intreated him for the honor passion and death of our Sauior that he would pardon all those which he held suspect to haue set discord betwixt his father and him which request he granted reseruing seauen persons He answered there are seauen which I cannot pardon Reuenge had mounted with him to the Royall throne he had not trod it vnder foote he carryed it in his head it was in his mind like vnto those starres that were fixed about the pole Hee findes it not so sweet to recompence the good as to reuenge the bad The King cannot forget the iniuries which they had done vnto the Dauphin g A royalty should make meÌ forget forepassed iniuries The Emperour Adrian being come to the Empire said vnto his enemy which was before him Euasisti thou hast escaped Quos in vita priuata ânâmicos habuit Imperator neglexit AE Spart And Lewis the twelfth said generously it is not fit that a King of France shold reuenge the iniuries done to a duke of Orleans Two daies after the ceremony of the Coronation the Duke did him homage for his countries which held of the crowne of France and offered him others which he held in Souerainty h The Duke of Burgundy was receiued to fealty and homage by King Lewis the eleuenth and to be Peere and Deane of the Peeres of France by reason of the Dâââie of Burgundy the 17. of August 1461. From Rheims the King went to Meaux then to Saint Dennys and made his entry into Paris where they did number twelue thousand horse which followed him All the pompe and magnifficence which was made at this entry did represent aswell the simplicity and ignorance of those times as the greatnesse and State of Paris Good witts in such occasions do not represent all things so plainely to the eye as there doth not remaine some thing where-with to content curiosity by the paine it hath to seeke and the pleasure to finde and to deuine at the intelligence of their inuentions Brokers were then more necessary then paynters for they did only set persons of diuers ages and sexes for all kinds of histories A Virgin was sufficient to represent the Citty of Paris as we finde not any more in bookes nor in auncient medalls for Rome nor Athens and there were fiue to signifie Paris euery one carrying a letter of it name They were conducted on horsebacke by a Herald towards Saint Ladros Church and there presented vnto the King The Cronicle saith that they had all personages fitted to the signification of fiue letters making Paris and that all spake vnto the King as they were appointed The Frontispice of S. Denis gate was beautified with a great ship in the which were the three Estates in three Persons which made the Prosopopeia Ridiculous representations and Iustce sate in the prow who spake vnto the King On the toppe of the Mast there was a Lilly out of the which came a King conducted by two Angells At the fountaine du Ponceau they gaue wine and Ippocras to them that past i The Chronicle vseth thee wordes in this place A little within the Towne at Foâtaine du Ponceau were wild men and women which did fight made many countenances and there were also three fairâ maidens representing mermaides naked where they might see the faire white pap seperated round and hard which was a pleasant sight and they had pretty speechââ and neer vnto them were certaine fâll Instruments which made great melody And to refresh such as entred into the said Towne there were diuers pipes in the said Fountain casting mike wine and lippocras wherof euery man dranke that would And beneath the said Fountain right against the Trinity there was a passion by men without speech Christ being hanged on the Crosse and the two theeues on the right and left hand There were also three Virgins like Mermaides all naked and at the Trinity was the passion of Iesus Christ represented by a liuing man being tyed vnto a Crosse betwixt two theeues At S. Innocents Fountaine there was a Hinde put forth beeing followed by a great cry of Hounds and Huntsmen At the Burchery was the Bastille of Diepe as the most glorious trophee of this Princes youth Passing ouer the Changers Bridge which was couered ouer head they let flye two hundred dozen of small Birdes The King went to pray in our Ladies Church he supt and lodged in the Pallace and the next day he went to the Tournelles in St. Anthonies street where hee made a new world changing his chiefe Officers The Duke of Bourgondy and the Earle of Charolois made a great part of the pompe they and their traines being so ritchly appointed as there were not any more stately The King made shew of great loue both to the father and sonne but there was so great a diuersity of manners and humors betwixt Lewis and Charles as this harmony lasted not long k Enây and Iealousie which trouble great men will not suffer the one to reioyce at anothers good Themiâtocles not able to indure Cymons prosperity dyed through Impatiencie Into their most sincerest affections Iealousie which is the poison of friendship did alwaies creepe There was nothing pure nor perfect the prosperity of the one was a troublesome crosse vnto the other The King came vnto the Crowne like a new heire to his fathers possessions Lewis seeks for the rights of the Crown who doth not so much affect his kinsmen and tutors as he desires to see his Registers examine his accompts and know if he doth enioy all the rights of his successions from these first wordes they iudge what his designes and actions would be l Not onely by the first actions but by the first wordes of a Pâince comming to the Câowne they iudge of the future so the word which Seuerâs spaâe Lâboremas and that of Pertinax militemâs were taken for signes of warre or peace in the Empire AElms Spart The Pompe and magnificence of this publike ioy being ended the Duke of Bourgondy and the Earle of Charolois tooke their leaues of the king to returne The Duke went into Flanders and the Earle of Charolois to Diion Death of Mary of Aniou Queene of France and then to St. Claude the King to Ambois to see the Queene his mother whose dowry he assigned vppon the County to Xaintonge and the Towne of Rochell shee did not long inioy this assignation passing from this life vnto a better Her death aflicted them who knowing that this King did all of his
esteeme of so great a dignitie which made them which were aduanced companions to the Pope and the hinges whereon the gates of the church were set o Statult sancta synodus vt deinceps Cardinalium numerus adeo sit moderatus vt ne sit grauis ecclesia nec superflua numerositate vilescat qui de omnibus Christianitatis partibus quantum fieri commodè poterit astumantur vt notitia rerum in ecclesia emergentium facilius haberi super his maturius deliberari possit sic tamen quod numerum 24. inter eos qui nunc sunt ad assumeÌdos non excedat Ita quod de vnâ natione vltra tertiaÌ partem respectu Cardinalium pro tempore existentium ac de vna ciuitate et dioe cesi vltra vnum inde oriundum de ea natione quae nunc vltra tertiaÌ partem habet vsque ad ipsius tertiae pattis reductionem else neâqueant The quality of Cardinals It would haue them also thirtie yeares of age lawfull and not deformed in bodie nor defamed in manners Doctors or Licentiates in the one or the other lawe with a rigorous examination and that the third or at the least a fourth part should bee Diuines not suffering them to receiue the Nephewes of Popes or of Cardinals that were liuing The congregation of the French Church being assembled at Bourges found this Article too rigorous It did also ordaine due recompences for learning and merit And that there should be Prebends in Cathedrall and Metropolitane churches for Diuines to read and preach and that graduates should be preferred to prouisions of benefices It did not allow that commonalties or prouinces should bee interdicted for the offences of priuate men or of Magistrates nor that excommunications should be of force before the sentence had beene pronounced and published It disposed of that which was necessarie for the ornament policie and direction of Diuine seruice it did punish but gently publike concubinaries hauing been first aduertised to reform themselues p Publici concubinarii saith the Councell of Basill intelligeÌdi sunt non solum hi quorum concubinatus per sententiam aut confessionem in iure factam seu per rei euidentiam quae nulla possit tergiuersatione celari notorius est sed qui mulierem de incontinentia suspectam tenet per superâorem admonitus eam non a dmittit Prag Sanct. ¶ Publici tit de concubinariis They were freed for the priuation of the fruits of their benefices during three monthes Pope Pius the second was not to be blamed if he did so earnestly presse this reuocation and his Ministers did often solicite the King filling his conscience with feare of excommunication and telling him continually that there was neither Iustice necessitie nor profit that could giue the title of a lawe to that which was ordained without authoritie and that it was a sinne to subiect his subiects thereunto The Cardinall of Albie managed this pursuite La Balue q Hierom Garimbert Bishop of Galicia hath written these words of Balue essendosi infignorito dell animo dele Re simulamente loteneus in contiââo disparer con la sede Apestolica per vligar pâi il Papa a riconoscer la Reconciliatione dall opera dall autorita sua per consequente a gratificar lo del capel rosso come fece who had great credit with the King interposed great difficulties to make the Pope know that the effect of his intensions depended of him But as soone as he had promised to make him a Cardinall hee did fit his head to that hat La Balue being of a turbulent Spirit The Bishop of Eureux vndertakes to satisfie the Pope being desirous to trouble the affayres and to excell rather in Authoritie then merit went to the parliament to haue this reuocation passe S. Roman the Kings Attourney Generall opposed himselfe whom they threatned with the losse of his estate and to make him repent it He who desired that all things should faile him rather then to faile of his dutie and the dignitie of his charge said vnto Balue I had rather loose my estate my goods and my life then to doe a thing contrary to my dutie and the good of the Realme What Prisâus Heluidius r Priscus Heluidius was aduised not to come vnto the senate hee answered It is in the Emperors power not to make mee of the Senate but whiles I am a Senator hee shal not let me from going to the Pallace You shal be suffered said the other to goe so as you speake not Helu I wil not speake a word if they demand nothing of mee But they will aske you Helu And I will answere what I shal thinke fit If you speake they will put you to death Heluid And wheÌ did I brag that I was immortall You shall doe your duty I mine It is in you to kill me and in mee to die without feare it is in you to banish me and in mee to goe vnto it cheerefully could haue answered more generously The Vniuersitie of Paris made her Remonstrances vnto the king not to suffer the decrees conformable to the purest constitutions of the Church for discipline pollicie and libertie to be broken In this great agitation of minde the Popes Ministers promised the king that the reuocation of the Pragmatick Sanction should bee made without preiudice of the ancient liberties of the French Church and that the Pope would send a Legate into France to conferre the prouisions of Benefices so as the French should not be bound to send money to Rome The king vpon this assurance consented to the abbrogation Pragmatick Sanction abolished dragged through the streets of Rome The Cardinall of Alby was sent to Rome with charge to tell the Pope that the King submitted all the busines of the Church and the goods thereof to the Holy Father to vse in this Realme prout vellet as he pleased without any regard of the liberties of the French Church But being satisfied he had no care to giue the king that contentment which hee promised and suffered the patents to bee shamefully drawne through the streetes of Rome Behold how choller spares not euen insensible things They shaddowed this choller with a reason that the Pragmatick Sanction was bred in a time of Schisme and Sedition The courts of Parliament of France which haue the rights of the church as it were in protection did not allow of this reuocation so as it was neuer obserued and the Clergie did not obserue the Popes command vpon this subiect s In the beginning of Pope Leo his Bull wee read this Licet Pius 2. Nunciâs ad clarae memoriae LudouicuÌ 11. Franciae Regem Christianissimum destinatis tântis eisdem persua serit rationibus rationibus vt Rex ipse Pragmaticam Sanctionem tanquam in seditione Scismatis tempore natam suis patentibus literis abrogaâerit tamen huiâsmodi abrogatio nec etiam
to his head with foure nayles f The Emperor Henry the sixt beeing in Sicile discouerâd some conspiracie against him and his estate He caused the chief of them to bee apprehended to punish his ambition he set a crowne of copper vpon his head caused it to be fastened with foure nayles Nic. li. 2. Queene Margaret to effect her designe had drawne some succours from Rene King of Cicile her Father The King lent her sonne two thousand pound sterling at Chinon vpon condition that as soone as King Henry should recouer Callice hee should deliuer the gouernment thereof to Iasper Earle of Pembroke or to Iohn of Foys Earle of Candalles paying him moreouer fortie thousand crownes But all this preuailed nothing the King remained a prisoner and the Queene had much adoe to saue her selfe with the Prince of Wales her Sonne g Monstrellet saith that Queene Margaret her Son La Varenne were met by theeues that she said vnto a theefe that met her bold my friend saue the son of thy King that shee went to Scluce and from thence to Bourges and that the Duke of Bourgundy caused her to be coÌducted to her Father The Princes of the house of Lancaster retired themselues whether their feete and dispaire carried them Some were seene in the Duke of Burgundies Court in miserie Misery of the house of Lancaster begging their bread Fortune how cruell soeuer can doe no worse vnto a Prince then to reduce him to the apprehensions of hunger h Ph. de Commines saith hee had seene a Prince of this house of Lancaster follow the D. of Bourgundyes traine and without hose begging his bread from house to house and that being knowne they gaue him a small pention to liue on The beasts are freed from it The fishes pay no tribute to passe from Riuers into the sea Swallowes flying through so many regions dyed not of Hunger It is a pittifull thing that men and the chiefe among men haue difficultie to liue and to finde what to eate and drinke and wherewith to cloth themselues i Nature comprehends all the necessities of the world in these three words Non esurire Non sitire Non algere not to be hungry thirstie and cold all the rest is superfluous Edward in this great prosperitie of affayres troubles not his iudgement but considers that the house of Lancaster was ruined without hope of recouerie and the Red Rose withered That it was impossible euer to rise againe if it were not assisted with the forces of France Wherefore he desired to make his alliance with the king and sent the Earle of Warwicke to demand Bonna of Sauoye the Queenes sister in marriage Edward fals in loue with a Widdow But during this negotiation Loue which may be held a kinde of furie k Loue is put in the ranke of Melancholly diseases and kindes of fury it peruerts the iudgement and confounds the good with the euill for that it troubles the iudgement carried the affections of this Prince to the seruice of a Ladie who would haue held her selfe much honoured to haue serued the Queene of England and yet she had the ambition to be so Fortune agreed with her beauty Being widdow to Sir Iohn Grey her age bound her to follow rather the life of the Doue then of the Turtle l The Empresse Barba wife to Sigismond the Emperor being told after the death of her husband that she should imitate the Turtle If I must said shee initate beasts why rather the Turtle then the Doue or the sparrow Aeneas Sil. de dict Sigismondi et Frederici Imper. for her first marriage had scarce touched the flowers of her beauty nor of her youth Edward did not liue but for her his heart receiued no law but from her eyes to whom he did submit the full disposition of his fortunes She being powerfull in the charmes of loue let him presently vnderstand that she did not accept of the sacrifice of the hearts of Kings but of the Altar of honour that he might not hope to haue her for a Mistris if he would not assure her to make her his Queene They that loue ardently are easie and tractable m Hee that loues refuseth not any thing In loue there is force and pleasure force constraines the will and pleasure deceiues the iudgement they spare neither wordes nor oathes Edward transported with this fury forgets the sute which he made in France and changeth all his wills into the obedience of this Lady who seeing her selfe to command ouer the Kinges heart assures her selfe to raigne soone in his Realme He is not capable to refuse her any thing The wind of her disdaines and the couldnes of so faire a mistris may well quence the fire in the beginning but being once kindled it giues it nourishment and increase In the end Edward promised to make her Queene and his promise was presently followed with the consumation of the marriage to the great amazement of the Nobility of England who thought the King was bewitcht n Beauty and grace are the mighty charmes of loue said Olimpias the mother of Alexander Loue which growes from amorous drinckes continues not Plutarch gueth these Epithites ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã short toublesome changeable And he saith it doth easily change into hatred and disdaine and wisht him a more honorable alliance Lewis tooke it ill and the Earle of Warwick was so greeued as from that time he was wholly the French Kings who by his counsell plotted a reuenge which shall shew it selfe in the yeare one thousand foure hundred seauenty one Marriages and alliances vnworthy of the greatnes of Princes cause murmurings and discontentments in the people o The people which loue their Princes reioyce at their victories and prosperities They are aflicted at their losses especially if they do any thing which may impaire their honor as when they treat of alliances vnworthy the greatnes of their houses Tot luctibus funesta ciuitate pârs maeroâis fuât quod Iulia Drusi filia quondam Neronis vxor dempsit in domum Rubelliâ Blandi cuius Auum Tiburtem equitem Romanum plerique meminerant Rome did mourne generally when as Iulia daughter to Drusus the sonne of Tiberius and widdow to Nero son of Germanicus married with Rubellius Blandus whose Grandfather had carried no other title then of a Knight The great Calme which was in France King Lewis goes into Guienne did notwithstanding presage a great storme and gaue the King meanes to visit some of the prouinces of his realme he went to Burdeaux whereas he treated of a marriage betweene the Lady Margret his sister and Gaston of Foix who was sonne to Elenor of Aragon daughter to Iohn King of Aragon and Blanch Queene of Nauarre He accepted this Alliance for that this yong Prince was valiant and coragious and that the successions of the Crowne of Nauarre Foyx Berne Bygorre and other Lands lying in
France did belong vnto him The Earle of Foyx sent his Ambassadors and Deputies to the King being at Bordeaux to conclude the treaty p The cheife condition of the Marriage was that the children which should be borne without distinction of malâ or female should succeed in the counties of Foix and Bygorre He past to Bayonne to end a controuersie betweene the 2. Kinges of Nauarre and Aragon 1462. and Henry King of Castile his Nephew A controuersie begun with great spleene and was continued with the like and had not ended without excesse if he had not dealt in it for the parties flattered themselues in their pretentions were blind in their interests and found that the obscurenes proceeded rather from the thing then their owne blindnes But behold the causes and the effects After the death of Charles the third q Charles the third King of Nauarre taking delight to build at Olîta died suddenly in September 1425. the threescore and foure yeare of his age and the thirty nine of his raigne he was buryed at Pampeluna King of Nauarre the Crowne past from the house of France and Eureaux into that of Castile and Aragon not without trouble and discord Iohn second sonne to Ferdinand of Aragon married Blanch Infanta of Nauarre presumptiue heire of the Realme of Nauarre and widdow to Martin King of Sicilie and it was agreed by a treaty of marriage that in case she should die before her husband hee should raigne the rest of his life in Nauarre after king Charles the third his father in law Of this marriage was borne at Pegna Charles Prince of Viana born Charles Prince of Vianna a title belonging to the eldest Sonne of the King of Nauarre r Charles the the third King of Nauarre ereected Viana into a principalitie and did affect it to the eldest son of Nauarre in the yeere 1421. as Dauphin to that of France The Asturiez in Castille and Wales in England Charles the third his grandfather made him to bee sworne heyre of the Realme by the Estates after the death of Iohn his Father Charles being dead Iohn was declared King of Nauarre by some and Blanch his wife was acknowledged Queene by others yet both were crowned at Pampeluna Iohn had great warres with his brother the King of Castille Marriage betwiât the Prince of the Asturies and Blanch of Nauarre who did confiscate the lands which he held in Castille Iohn Earle of Foyx reconciled them by a marriage betwixt Henry Prince of the Asturies sonne to Iohn King of Castille and Blanch Daughter to Iohn king of Nauarre s By the constitution of the marriage of this Princesse which was of 42112. Florens of gold wee may iudge in what estate K. Charles the third had left the Realme of Nauarre The marriage was celebrated with great pompe and solemnitie but the Prince was vnable to consummate it The which the Princesse did long dissemble Shee had great cause to complaine of this want and to wish her selfe to be a widdow or her husband vnmarried t The dissembling of couiuâall imperfections is very seemly especially in a woman Tullia a great Romane Lady is blamed for her ordinarie complaints murmùring at her husbands disabilitie De viro ad fratrem de sorore ad viruÌ se rectius viduam illuÌ caelibem futurum Tit. Liu. but like an other Eusebia shee did long suffer for the disabilitie of Constans desiring rather to wrong her youth and beautie then her modestie A while after Blanch Queene of Nauarre died and king Iohn married againe with Ione Henriques Charles Prince of Viana fearing that his alliance would keep him back from the hope of raigning and from the inheritance of the Queene his Mother did not dissemble his discontent u A desire to raigne makes the father iealous of the sonne Plutarc saith in the life of Demetrius that the greatest and most ancient of all Alexanders successors did glorie that he feared not his sonne but suffered him to approch neere his person holding a Iauelin in his band pretending that by the lawes of the Realme his Father by marrying againe had lost the fruit of the Crowne Behold all naturall affection is altered betwixt the Father and the Sonne The desire of rule makes them enemies the Father growes iealous and would not suffer his Sonne to come neere him armed On the other side this second wife seeing her selfe mother to Ferdinand did what she could to show that she was mother in law to Charles x What will not an ambitious mother doe and vndoe for her children D. Ioane lying in the bed of death by reason of a Cankar which did consume her remembring what she had done to assure the Realme vnto her Sonne spake often these words with sighes which are reported in the 21. booke of the history of Spaine O my Son thou hast cost me deare For him she had caused Don Charles to bee poysoned and neuer ceast vntill this young plant were quâââht by the nipping cold of her bad intentions seeking to haue a share in the regencie of the Realme in the absence of the king who had reuiued the warre in Castille Hence sprung those two great factions Factions of Beaumont and Grandmont that of Beaumont which followed the intent of of the Prince against the King and that of Grandmont which was for the father against the sonne so as presently the Realme was diuided into two kings two constables Lewis of Beaumont Earle of Lerin was Constable to the Prince and Peter of Perault was Constable to the king The kings cause as the better and more iust remained victorious the Prince beeing twice ouerthrowne is forced to flye to Alfonso king of Arragon Valencia Sardinia Maiorca Minorca and Sicile hee had recourse vnto his clemencie and besought him to pardon him The king who could not forget the loue of a Father vnto him who shewed the dutie of a Sonne receiues him but hee had new aduertisments that hee made secret practises to trouble him wherefore he sent him prisoner vnto the Alferie of Saragossa from whence hee was drawne by the Cattallans who tooke armes for his libertie Charles of Nâuarre poisoned by his mother in law but he went out of the prison to enter into a graue y Charles Prince of Viana died being forty yeares old a valiant Prince a great Historian a subtill Philosopher and a good Poet hee translated Aristotles Ethicks into the Castilain tongue and hee wrote the History of Nauarre vnto the time of King Charles his Grandfather For the very day of his deliuerie he was poisoned and dyed with much repentance for that hee had rebelled against the king his father The Infant Don Ferdinand was acknowledged heyre of the crowne of Arragon They of Cattellonia tooke armes to reuenge the death of Prince Charles The seditious who blow the cole of this desection said that his soule walked in the
night through the streetes of Barcellona complaining that the Queene his mother in law had separated it from his bodie by the violence of poison The Queene who was come to Girona saw her selfe besieged with Prince Ferdinand her Sonne and the Tower wherein she was retyred furiously battered The king seeing this great reuolt of his subiects entreates Lewis the eleuenth to succour him with men and money hee ingageth the Counties of Rousillion and Sardaigne vnto him for three hundred thousand crownes King of Nauarre demaunds succors froÌ the French King The king sent vnto him Gaston Earle of Foix Prince of Berne z Gaston Earl of Foâx married the second Daughter of Iohn King of Nauarre and of Queen Blanch his first wife and sonne in law to the king of Nauarre who freed the Queene and raised the siege of Gironna The Cattellanes nothing tractable to endure the humors of their Prince made a proclamation against the king declaring him falne from all the authoritie which he might haue ouer them and a murtherer of his owne sonne and violating the lawes of the country a They of Cattellonia declaâed the K. an enemy vnto the countrey by diuers informations proceedings against his actions and the murther of his son the which they sent to Pope Pius the second They sent to Henry King of Castile to embrace their defence and protection submitting themselues vnder his obedience and offering him the crowne of Arragon beseeching him to adde vnto the iust title which their election gaue him vnto the Realme the right of Armes they alone doe purchase Empires b There are fiue kindes of Titles to Realmes the first by Armes so Cyrus Alexander anâ Caesar made themselues Monarches secondly by the grace of God and in this manner raigned Moses Dauid thirdly by succession fourthly by election and the fist by the nomination of the Prince Marc. Anthony named Lucius Verus for his successor Dioclesian Maximinian and Gratian Theodosius and being gotten defend and preserue them He gaue them for succors two thousand and fiue hundred horse vnder the command of Iohn of Beaumont Prior of S t. Iohn of Nauarre The K. of Castill aides the Cattellans when the French and the Castillians met neere vnto Ixar they would not fight c No man can dispose as hee pleaseth of Auxiliary troupes they haue respects coÌtrary to the designe of such as imploy them and the French intreated the king of Nauarre to take it in good part if they sought rather to end then entertaine their quarrels The Earle of Foix who was brother in law to the king of Castill and sonne in law to the king of Nauarre disposed the two Princes to referre themselues to the iudgement of the French king They yeelded sending their embassadors to Baiona where the French king was an honor pleasing to the humor of Lewis who would be interessed in all things and very deere to the reputation of France which was in possession not onely to iudge of the controuersies of forraine crownes but also to giue kings vnto those which had not any d The realmes of Christendome haue taken Princes out of the house of France to raign ouer them Alphonso son to the Earle of Tollousaraigned in Spaine the house of Eureux in Nauarre the Dukes of Normandy in England they of Aniou at Naples and Sicilie The Empire of Constantinople was held three yeres by the French They haue raigned a hundred yeares in Sora Cipres Palestina Charlemain Lewis the gentle haue added vnto the Empire of the Gaules all Italy Bohemia Hungarie and Germany In a word the seat of Popes haue beene in France The king of Nauarre went not from Saragossa Lewis the French K. made arbitrator betwixt the Kings of Castill and Arragon nor king Henry from S t. Sebastians in the prouince of Guipuscoa relying vppon that which their Embassadors treated The king hauing conferred of the controuersie betwixt them and of the causes which had moued the Cattellans to reuolt did iudge in such sort as to reconcile the parties it was necessarie they should meete and speake together vpon the frontier The enterview was at Endaia whereas the sentence giuen at Bayona was read by Aluaro Gomes The Cattellans were not content with this Iudgement saying that as the king of Castille had abandoned them so his Embassadors had betrayed them The king of Nauarre being offended for that hee was condemned to yeeld the towne of Estella to the king of Castille Enteruiew of the Kings of France and Castill to the preiudice of the reuenues of the crowne of Nauarre made the estates of Nauarre protest of nullity King Lewis reaped the greatest profit of this action for he practised and drew vnto his seruice some Ministers of these two kings and made them his pensioners e The King of Castille suffered himselfe to be gouerned by the great master of Castille and the Archbishop of Tolledo King Lewis made much of them to be informed of the state of Castille or at the least to drew them to his deuotion It is the least a Prince can attend of one that comes to see him This assembly did not confirme the affections which the crownes of France Castill had had together f The friendship and alliance betwixt the French and the Castâllans haue continued long Vpon which assurance K. Charles the sixt sent his Embassadors to Iohn King of Castill in the yeare 1418. to ãâã succors against the English The Castillians who could not lodge at Bayona with the French without quarrelling did not forbe are to scoffe at them at this enteruiew vpon the Riuer of Vidasa g The riuer of Vidâso diâides the two realmes the Spaniards hold it is all theirs The King of Castill past the Riuer and came vnto the king The Castillians seeing him attired in cloth and very short with a hat differing from the rest and for a Iewell an image of lead imputed it to miserablenes h Apparell doth often minister cause of laughter The Siciliens did not esteeme of Gilippus their generall seeing him simply apparelled in a poore cloake wearing long bayre yet Syââââs saith that the ancient Kings were knowne and distinguished rather by the minde then the pompe and ãâ¦ã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Syn Orat ãâã regno There are Nations whereas they contemne the Prince if hee bee not so gorgeously attired as if he should show himselfe vpon a theater It is impossible to abstaine from laughter looking vpon the portraites of the Emperors of Greece which are so couered with Pearle and precious stones as they can not bee knowne but by their beards The French finding also the habites of the Castillians vnpleasing their king very hard fauoured and their manners insolent and full of African pride Of all this there could grow no great Alliance for such enteruiewes are alwaies noted more by the alienation of mindes then by alliances of estates
The two Princes are obserued by two Nations that which pleaseth the one disliketh the other i ãâ¦ã King said that hee deserued to be Emperor and called the Emperor a little man a ãâ¦ã Prince Saâ lib. 15. They are contemned sometimes euen by them that follow them when as they obserue in the other something that is more gallant Thus France fortified and inlarged her frontier with the County of Roussillion notwithstanding that it was sufficiently assured on that side both by the great rampiors which serue for bounds and by the weaknesse and barrenesse of those prouinces k An army cannot come out of Spain on this side the Pyrâne mountainâs out it will be halfe defaâed the Prouinces wher it shall be ãâã and by wâtch it shall passe are so âarren as ãâã can hardly feed tâe inhabitants But she lay open towards the Low-countries The duke of Burgundy holding in Picardy by ingagement fiue important townes Amiens Abbeuille S t. Quentin Corbie and Pontheau for the summe of 400000. ovld crownes of gold and of 64. to the marke Although the King found not that in his coffers which prouident and wise Princes should leaue vnto there successors to mayntaine and assure their estate Redemption of the Townes vpon the Riuer of Some l As a body cannot moue without siâewes so a Realme cannât maintaine it self without trâasure Wise Princes haue alwaies had care to leaue vnto their successor Cyrus left fifty millions of gold Tyberius 67. Occhus King of Persia 80. millions and Dauid 120. yet hee disposeth himselfe to redeeme them There was some difficulty on either side For the king had no mony and the Duke had no will to leaue these goodly places The Earle of Charolois thinking that his father had beene perswaded therevnto by them of the house of Croii held them for his enemies and made an assembly against them at Cambrey The father supports and countenanceth them he murmures and stormes and quits them both court and credit and so retires to Gaunt The estates of the countrey depute men capable to restore him to his fathers fauour for that this diuision could bring nothing but ruine to the state and content to the enemie m A diuision which grows among persons whom Nature hath vnited giues subiect to ãâã enemies to make their profit ââââratus being in had termes with his children knew that his ãâ¦ã he assembled his councell and ãâã after this manner I haue desired to reduce my children to reason and to their duties but now seeing that they are wilfull and obstinate I pardon will doe what they will haue me Plut. The Earle of Charolois being accompanied by many Noblemen of the countrey came vnto the Duke being at Bruges craued pardon His repentance and humilitie would not suffer him to be refused They of Croiâ felt the smart which fals vppon those that sow diuision betwixt persons so neere allied When the king had drawne out of many purses the money necessarie for this redemption Redeeming of the townes engaged he sent it to Hedin whereas the Duke was and came thither presently after himselfe The Duke intreated him to continue and confirme the officers which had beene preferred during the ingagement The King promised it but his intention was not to keepe promise but so farre forth as the good of his affayres did permit nor to assure himselfe in the affection of those which depended of him of whom he could not assure himselfe n Monstâlet saith that the King gathered together a greatnesse of treasure ãâ¦ã for there was ãâ¦ã Chancerie nor famous Marchant in France but he did ãâ¦ã that commanded for the Dâ in the townes redeemed were put from their places the Captaineship of ãâ¦ã which ãâã held and that of Mortague which Hault ãâ¦ã Many things past which the Duke of Bourgundy beeing impatient could not dissemble He sent Chimay to complaine and to let the King vnderstand that hee was neither of age nor humor to be exercised by the continuance of iniuries in the schoole of Patience Chimay let the King know that the Duke his master was not insencible of his actions and spake of his vertues and courage as of a Prince that was inuincible and incomparable borne of another fashion then other men like vnto the Lunarie women of Herodotus p Herodotus speakes of certaine Lunarie and extraordinary women who layd egges which brought forth men fifteen times bigger then those of the ordinary ââature The which made the King to aske him if hee were of harder steele then other men Yea Sir answered Chimay for if he were not harder hee neuer durst haue attempted to haue nourished you fiue whole yeares against the threates of a great King such as your father was The Earle of Charolois did not beare this restitution so patiently as his Father hee cannot diuert his thoughts Amiens is the obiect of his eyes in his Feasts and Bankets his heart is still vppon Peleponesus q Cleomenes King of Lacedemonia being at a feast where there were two Orators one demanded of him which of the two had discoursed best for my part said bee my mind was vpon Peloponesus After the King had redeemed the Townes ingaged and changed the officers and Gouernours which the Duke had placed there not being able to trust them who had bene made by one who had giuen so many crosses to France r There is no treaty of accord or alliance that can free the hearts of Princes froÌ the distrust they haue one of another he would see Arras and lighted at the towne gate going on foot to our Ladies Church He remained eight dayes in the Citty and had some cause of discontentment for that they had refused lodging to his Harbingers saying that they were not bound by their priuiledges before that all the Innes were full Entering there were many banished men presented themselues to haue Pardon but he told them that it depended vpon the will of the Duke his Vncle wherein hee would not attempt any thing He visited the Church and Abbey of St. Vaste in those times Kings went to see religious men for religious men went not out of their Cloisters to see Kings The King goes to Arras s Charles the 6. besieged Arras in Iuly 1414. Lewis Dauphin of Vienna his first son was there with the Earles of Orleance Bourbon Barre Baùaria and Charles of Albert Constable of France The Towne was yeelded by a treaty of peace published on twesday the fourth of Sept. following without the Towne hee also saw the place whereas king Charles the fixth his Grandfather had incamped and lodged when as he besieged Arras in the yeare 1414. 1463. They obserue that hee would not lodge in the Bishops Pallace but in the Officialls house taking more delight in small lodgings then in great From Arras he went to Tournay where he was met by 3000. men euery one carrying a Flowerdeluce
Cardinals hat which Martin the fift had giuen him The masters pouertie forced him to take another He placed himselfe with the Bishop of Noara but seeing that hee was in like manner persecuted by Pope Eugenius hee left him and did serue Nicholas Cardinall of S t. Croix and followed him to Arras when as he was sent by Pope Eugenius to reconcile the French King to the King of England and the Duke of Bourgundy At his returne finding that he was in no grace with Pope Eugenius His dignities commissions he came to Basill where he was imployed in the goodliest actions of the Councell he had the charge of Abreuiator Secretarie President in the chamber of the faith l In the Councell of Basill there were foure chambers or foure assemblies which they called four deputations that of the faith of Peace of reformation and of common affaires Euery chamber had a president which was changed euery three monethes and Orator in diuers sessions When there was Question of an embassage to any Prince or commonweale there was not any one but He fit for it He was sent to Amedeus Duke of Sauoy then to the Emperor Frederick to Pope Eugenius to Philip Vicecount Duke of Milan and to Alfonso King of Arragon It was he which perswaded the Emperor Frederick to goe to Rome to be crowned there Frederick sent him to Sienna to receiue Ellenor of Portugall his wife and afterwards into Bohemia to pacifie a controuersie which was growne for that the Emperor Frederick did not restore them their King Ladislaus m The Emperor Frederick seeing the troubles schismes in the realme of Hungarie seazed vpon the yong King Ladislaus gaue him in charge to Eneas Siluius He was sent to the dyet of Ratisbona whereas Philip Duke of Bourgundy assisted His oration to arme against the Turke he laid open the necessities of a warre against the Turke with such efficacie and eloquence as many Princes resolued to employ both their liues and goods But these suddaine resolutions went presently into smoke n Platina saith that all which heard him were wonderfull resolute to this war VeruÌ hoe natura coÌper tum est eorum animos cito residere quoruÌ affectus facile mouentur But it is found true by nature that their minds are soone changed whose affections are easily moued Hee also pacified a great complaint which Germany made against the Pope and the which hath been since continued the Princes and comminalties of the Empire being resolued not to acknowledge him in the policie and direction of spirituall things if he did not first grant them the same rights which Italy and France had by the Pragmatick Sanctions The Emperor found their first suite iust and was soone drawne to yeeld vnto it Aeneas Siluius changed his opinion representing vnto him that there was more honor and safety for him to haue good correspondence with the Pope then to fauour those who would diminish his authoritie whereof the Emperors were protectors o These complaints were pacified reuiued in the beginning of the Emperor Charles the fifths raigne when as they presented vnto the Popes Legate being at Nuremborg A. Remonstrance vnder this title Sacri Romani imperii Principum ac procerum grauamina aduersus sedem Romanam He was Archbishop of Sienna His bad affection to Lewis the eleuenth and after the death of Calixtus was aduanced to the Popedome in a manner without thinking of it Hee began with the assembly at Mantua whither all the Princes of the Empire sent their Embassadors Hee made open show that he loued not France as hath beene said and this affection continued after the death of Charles the seuenth for p Ludouieo Gallorum regi aduersatus est quod libertatem Ecclesiae minuere conaretur cum ab eo antea Pragmaticam Sanctionem Ecclesiae Romanae pernitiosissimam pestem extorsisset Platina saith that although he had wrested the Pragmatick Sanction out of the hands of Lewis the eleuenth yet he did not forbeare to crosse him for that hee thought to diminish the libertie of the Church Paul the second called Peter Barbo a Venetian succeeded him FINIS THE CONTENTS OF the third BOOKE 1 THe Wisedome of Lewis the eleuenth vppon the troubles of the League of the common weale 2 Hee sounds and discouers the intentions of the King of England 3 He labours to deuide the heades of the League and beginns with his Brother 4 The order which he set to preserue Paris He passeth into Bourbonois besiegeth Ryon and treats with the Dukes of Bourbon and Nemours 5 Entry of the Duke of Bourgondies army into Picardy that of Brittany musters at Chasteaubriant 6 Battell of Montleherry The victory is vncertaine and in a manner equall The Earle of Charolois is hurt The place of Battell remaines to him with a great disorder of either side 7 Obseruations of that which hapned both before and after the battell 8 The King passeth the night at Corbeil and goeth the next day to Paris 9 The army of the league lodged at Estampes whereas the Dukes of Berry and Brittanny arriue 10 It passeth the Riuer of Seine and besiegeth Paris 11 The Princes let the Parisians vnderstand the causes of their armes and demand a conference Paris sends her Deputies to St. Maur. 12 The Kinges army breakes the Conference and assures Paris yet he resolues to graunt all they should demand and to desperce this Army 13 Enteruiew of the King and the Earle of Charolois for a peace and the needles feare of the Dukes armie 14 Supplies of men and money sent by the Duke of Bourgundy to the Earle of Charrolois 15 The Kings second meeting with the Earle of Charrolois 16 Peace concluded and sworne at Bois de Vincennes 17 The Duke of Berrij is receiued into Roane with the Duke of Brittanie and the Earle of Charrolois returnes into Flanders 18 The King returnes to Paris and makes the Earle of S. Paul Constable of France 19 The Earle of S. Paul cannot liue in peace and takes for a maxime of his conduct to entertaine the two Princes in warre 20 Discords betwixt the Dukes of Normandy and Brittanie THE HISTORY of LEVVIS the XI THE THIRD BOOKE WHO so succeeds a good Prince hath a great aduantage ouer the affections of his owne subiects The loue the children for the fathers sake how rough and difficult soeuer his raigne be They hold themselues so much bound to the fathers bounty a The bounty of a Prince doth so binde the hearts as euen after his death they yeelde prootes of their affection to thier children although wicked Cambises was beloued for the loue of Cyrus his father CoÌ modus for the respect of Marcus Aurelius as they doe patiently endure the sonnes rigor France did owe her libertie to King Charles the seuenth he had freed her from the miseries of warre shee did acknowledge no other restorer then him This respect retained
many in their obedience and dutie who suffering themselues to be carried away with this torrent of the league Sedition must be bee smothered in the beginning had become fooles for company and by infection For the people is a sea which moues with the winde yet neuer followes if some one goes not before b This beast the people have so many beads that although it hath great terrible forces yet it is base cowardly if it bee not stirred vp and led vultus sine rectore praeceps pauidum socors Tacit. but the number seemed but too great and it had multiplied speedily if the Kings wisedome had not foreseene it Conspiracie in the beginning is like vnto raine which enters into a small cranny on the top of the house and beeing neglected in the end expels the master thereof The King did consider hereof for being aduertised of his brothers retreat he knew well that the partie was made against him if hee did not oppose himselfe That what appeared not might be greater then what was in show and that besides the Princes of his bloud many Catylines had drunke in the same cup the wine and bloud of this conspiracie c Euery conspiracie hath crueltie and bloud hath been taken for the seale oath that bind the conspirators Salust saith that Catylân mingled wine with bloud in a cup and presented it to his associates Iâde ãâã post execrationem omnes degustauissent sieuti in solemnibus sacris fieri consueuit aperuit consiliuââââ His first resolution was to diuide that which hee could not breake Hee sent to the Duke of Bourbon to come vnto him Who for that hee would vse no dissembling a great and powerfull vertue in these corrupted ages would not disguise his intentions nor represent them otherwise in words then they were in his heart He was the first mouer of all these spheares he had first giuen his voice and vowes to this generall reuolt of France he had offered to hang a bell at the Cats necke d In great resolutions there is danger to giue the first voice and hazard to execute that wâich is resolued It is more safe to follow then to leade Insiita mortalibus natura propere sequi quae piget inchoare Tacit. And if they bee reduced to the conduct of an other it must be wâth the restraint of his owne wisdome Ne consilâis alterius regi recuses Est illius atque esto tuus tuumque serua In poste tuo velle modum in velle alieno when as euery man expected who should dare to doe it and had more desire to end then to begin If hee had made any show of repentance or feare in this beginning the rest which had martcht in his steps would soone haue turned their backes He answered that he had the same designe with the other Princes for the good and profit of the publike weale intreating the King to excuse him if hee came not to Court and for a greater declaration of his will he ceazed vppon the reuenues of Bourbonois and stayed Iuuenall des Vrsines Lord of Traynill Peter of Oriola and the Lord of Crussoll prisoners making it knowne that Ambition hath no other Law then the fancie of the Ambitious and takes away the maske from all respect When the King saw that there was no meanes to reclaime these Princes and that the Duke of Bourgundy was in armes he aduertised all the chiefe noble men of his Realme and wrote vnto the Clergie to the gouernours of Prouinces Letters froÌ the K. to the gouernors of the Prouinces and townes to the Magistrates and townes who faint and lose their courage for a little e As a little feare makes the people to faint so a weake hope makes them returne by nature they are fearefull and do not think what they shall doe to indure but to flye the danger that they should not suffer themselues to bee carried away with the false showes of the enemies of the estate who had suborned his brother to ingage France in those desolations from the which it was but newly freed That if they which had suffered themselues to bee abused in this reuolt did not bethinke themselues there wilfulnes would make them vnworthy the clemencie which he offered them That with the grace of God and the fidelitie of his good subiects hee assured himselfe to abate and disperse these bad designes Then considering that this league did consist of those who had sometimes called the English into France f He that hath two enemies must agree with the one the better to preuaile ouer the other The RomaÌns did neuer fight against two Hercules could not do it After the Parthian warre they began that of the Marcomanians They would not breake with Antlochus who had wronged them before they had ended âith Philip. to haue a share of the shipwracke The King seeks to the King of England that the old enemies fauouring the new he might fall betwixt the Anuile and the hammer hee sent to the King of England dissembling cunningly the wrong which hee had done him when as in demanding Bonnâ of Sauoy k Richard Earle of Warwick was sent into France in the yeere 1464. to demand Bonna of Sauoy in mariage of King Lewis the eleuenth for K. Edward The King granted it but during this negotiatiân the King of England fell in loue with a meane gentlewoman widdow to one Grey a Knight Daughter to Richard Riuers and âaqueline eldest Daughter to Peter of Luxemburgh Earle of S t. Paul the Queenes sister for his wife he had married an other He intreates and coniures him not to assist this new rebellion the which like to a puffe of smoke would vanish as soone as it should begin to rise Edward beeing already engaged to the Duke of Bourgundy let the King vnderstand that he was a sharer with him Edward the fourth declares himselfe for the Burgundian Hee sent the same letters which the King had written vnto him to the Duke of Bourgundy promising to assist him as constantly as his forefathers l Edward the third King of England wânne the battell of Cressy the 26. of August 1346. France lost 1500. Gentlemen all were not slaine but all were defeated The Prince of Wales his Sonne wonne the battell at Pâicters ten yeeres after the 9. of September 1356. had done This young Prince felt a boyling desire in his heart to performe that in France which other Kings of his name had done He was glad to finde without the Iland an exercise for turbulent spirits to entertaine and quench that furious heate of fighting m He that commands a warlike Nation must finde exeâcise for his soldiers abroad if hee will not suffer them to take it at home There is not saith Tit. Liu. in âis thirteenth booke anâ great and mighty Potentate that caâ leâg continue in peace for if âee hath not sâme enemie abroad hee shall finde
could not be giuen to any other Plut. where they dranke to his health as to Iupiter the Deliuerer The Assembly of Noblemen and Ladies was great he related his great dangers his diligence and toyle He drew teares of ioy and pitty from the hearers euery man said all is well z The King reported his aduentures and in so doing spake and declared many goodly words and pittifull where at all wept aboundantly Chro Martin seeing the King is wel a The health of a good Prince is the health of his Estate the people said of Alexander Seuerus Saluâ Roma quia saluns est Alexander Lamprid. Hee assured all his seruants that he would neuer cease vntill he had chased all his enemies out of his realme Yet his designe was to doe what he could to end it other-wise then by Armes He sent the Bishop of Paris to the Earle of Charolois Bishop of Paris sent to the Earle of Charolois to let him vnderstand that he desired to know to what end he was entred into his Realme with so great a troupe for that hee could remember that when as he went into Flanders in the time of King Charles the seauenth his Father hee was not followed with so great a traine He commanded him to let him know the iniustice of his desseine That he vndertooke a warre vnder collour of the publik-weale to vndermine the whole estate and to set fire of the house to driue them out that clensed it That there was no such Phrensey as to make ones selfe sick to vse remedies b Peace is sweet after warre but much more proffitable before It is better neuer to haue beene an enemy then to bee reconcyled being naturall for a sick man to desire health But for him that was found to make himself sicke vpon hope of cure was folly and madnesse The Bishop of Paris went and hauing represented vnto the Earle of Charolois the Kings intentions and complaints Say vnto the King answered the Earle fretting the bitternesse of his ambition with humanity and myldnesse c Princes desirous to raigne haue made seruitude sweete with courtesie and mildnesse By this poysoned mylânesse Caesar ouer threw the common-wealth of Rome that I am not come to doe any ill but to procure the good of his Realme hauing liued in such sort with mine army as noe man hath occasion to complaine that being as I am able to serue and succor my friends and to anoy myne enemies I am not bound to yeeld any other reason of my desseignes But not to conceale them from him I am heere for two reasons the one not to fayle of my word to the Princes which haue taken armes for the publike good the other to haue two men which the King hath fauored and supported against me d Priuat interâst are alwaies mingled with the sublike causes of warre The E. of Charolois was an implacable enemy to the Earle of Neuers and the Lord of Croy be added this hatred to the causes of war If I be come well accompanied it is to defend my selfe in France from that harme which the king would haue done me in Flanders That when he came hee was receiued honorably richly and quietly and then was not that done vnto him which hee had a will to doe vnto mee That in a word France had more need of a warlike and armed liberty then of a quiet and miserable seruitude After the Battell the Earle of Charolois caused the whole army to bee lodged at Estampes and there abouts Armes of the League loged at Estampes The commodity of this lodging saued that which one more discomodious had lost e âf time and occasion giue leaue to chose a lodging to stay there they must consider two things which the ancient Romans haue alwaies obserued in their lodgings The helthfulnesse of the place for one and water with commodity of victualls for the other They knew what places were not helthfull obseruing their scituation the coÌplexion of the inhabitants In this place as the Earle of Charolois spake vnto Mounsieur at a window with great attention and affection a Britton cast a squib which strooke against the barre where they leaned and being amazed at this accident they thought it done of purpose to hurt them The lodging was presently enuironed with souldiers to gard them There was a dilligent search made for him that had done it who beeing only couered with his inocency descouered him-selfe and said that it was but a squib which he had cast to shew them pastime wherevpon this great amazement was turned to a iest All their forces being vnited they tooke councell how they shold imploy them Their opinions were alwaies applyed to their passions and desseines Charles the Kings brother weary of the warre An ordinary mischiefe in enterprises where there are many commanders f The pluralâty of heads is alwaies rumous and vnproffitable euery one seekes to prefeâre his owne reasons and counsells They doe and vndoe indespight on of another Tândendo ad sua quisque consilia cum aliud alii videtur ad inuasioneÌ loâum hosti apperiunt Tit. Lâu lib. 4. That of the duke of Brittain was not answerable to that of the Earle of Charolois Monsieur seemed already weary of the warre he lamented those that were slaine hurt or maymed in the army which shewed that matters were represented to his imagination of another collour in the vndertaking then in the executing g Matters wheÌ they are conceiued and proiected haue an other fâce then when they are executed He wisht that they were to begin greeuing that they made him the cause of so many miseries h A generous spirit is not sensible of the ruines and desolations which grow by warre and ciuill broyles The Duke of Berry was heauy seeing so great a number slaine and hurt in the Battell of Mântlehery The first slaughters of warre sticke terror into them that haue not seene them as of humain miseries the most lamentable is that which proceeds from his fault that complaines He had kindled the fire yet could not endure the flame he had begun the tragedy nay rather a cruell game whereas men made but a sport to force spoyle burne and kill He is not esteemed a soldiar that cannot doe al this in ciuill wars the most wicked of all others whereas by a fatall disorder they saw the fathers bury their children i When Craesus was prisoner to Cyrus by this reason that in the time of peace the children buried the frather and ân warre the fathers bury their children be preferred peace before warre And of all warres ciuill is the most vniust iâhumaine furious SummuÌ Brute naefas ciuilia bella fatemur Luc. These words were well obserued by the Earle of Charolois King of England sends the garter to the Earle of Charolois who from that time perswaded him-selfe that there would be noe great difficulty to reconcyle the
Duke of Berry to the King his brother wherefore he sent vnto the King of England although he were his enemy for that he had fauoured the house of Lancaster he accepted the Order of the Garter which he ware all his life and sought his sister in marriage although hee had noe will to marry her but being ingaged in this proposition he was taken at his word that which in the beginning was but a meere will became necessity William of Cluny a Prothonotary was imployed in this treaty as in many other great occasions to recompence the which the Duke of Bourgundy demanded a Cardinalls hat for him and sent Philibert Hugonet Bishop of Mascon to Pope Sixtus the fourth who seeing the great oppositions which Cardinall Latin of Vrsins made he fell into some hope to attayne vnto that dignity the which he demanded and obtayned A resolution was taken to goe directly to Paris k He that will doe any great effect in an enemies estate must go directly to the hart and not busie him-selfe vpon the fronter the Army leaues Estampes passeth by Saint Mathurin of Larchant and Moret in Gastionis These two smale townes were appointed for the Dukes of Berry and Brittaine The Earle of Charolois was lodged at Piguet in a large medow fast vpon the riuer of Seine The Marshall Ioachin and Saleâart could not stop their l If there bee any thing that doth import in the conduct of an army and binds a generall to be carefull it is the passage of riuers which may not be waded through in the which there are a thousand incânueniences Among many meanes which Vegâtius sets downe hee aduiseth to carry smale boates of one peece and plankes to âay vpon them Vege lib. 3. cap. 7. passage for they had much Ordinance to make their way and there were none but some few horses on the other side to hinder them In all this he was assisted by the wise councel and experience of the Earle of Dunois who was an Vlisses in pollicy and an Achilles in valour Hee caused small boats and wine pipes to be carried in cartes In the midest of the riuer of Seine there was an Iland in the which he lodged through the fauor of his Canon remayning there all night with fifty men at armes Passage of the army into the Isle of France and the next day he finished his bridge vnto the other banke The building of this bridge brought reputation to the army for that Prince seemes either very weake or very fearefull which giues an army leysure to make a bridge As there is shame not to hinder it so there is glory to finish it The Romans who were rightly borne for the conquest of the world were so Iealous of their honor at the passage of riuers as they neuer passed ouer their Legions but vpon bridges m To passe riuers without a bridge was held vnworthy the greatnesse and Maiesty of the Roman people Caesar Nisi poÌtibus presidiisque impofitis dare in discrimen legiones haud Imperatorium ratusâ and after that they had planted gards vpon the approches At this passage the army was fortified by nine hundred horses led by Iohn Duke of Calabria Sonne to Rene King of Sicile foure hundred Crosbow-men Germans and fiue hundred Swisses n The first Swisses which carried armes came to serue the league of the common-weale Phil. de Commines saith that they wan credit for them that came after for they behaued themselues most valiantly in all places where they came They hold that their were an hundred thousand horse in this army They tooke Pont Charanton whereas the quarters were giuen vnto the troupes to besiege Paris The Earle of Charolois and the Duke of Calabria held all the banke of Seine from Charanton to Conflans Disposition of the leagues Armie The Campe was inclosed with a number of carts The Dukes of Berry and Brittaine were lodged at S. Maur and all the rest towards S. Denis The Princes did presently let the Parisiens vnderstand why they were in Armes for the which they gaue such plausible pretexts and offered so many offices o Offers made to a multitude must be of ãâã things as please them They offer offices to the inhabitants of Paris Phil de Comines giues the reasoâ That offices are more desired in that Citty then in any other in the world for such as haue them make of them what they can and not what they ought and there are offices without wages which are sold for eight hundred crownes and others which haue final vvages are sold for more then their wages can amount vnto in fifteen yeares and preferments to them that fauoured their designes as hauing let them know that they desired to conferre together to consult of the meanes to reforme the disorders of the Realme the Citie sent her Deputies whereof VVilliam Chartier Bishop of Paris was the chiefe There was some Ceremonie vsed in it The Princes assembled at S t. Maur. Assembly of the league and Deputies of Paris The Duke of Berry was set in a chaire the Duke of Brittanie and Calabria on the one side and the Earle of Charolois on the other with his Cuirasse and a rich mantle ouer it and these three stood p. If this conuersation had beene suffered saith Phil. de Com. the Princes might haue said the Towne had beene won for the people would soone haue turned to their partie for many reasons by coÌsequence the whole realme Iohn Bastard of Orleans Earle of Dunois propounded in the behalfe of the Princes that the designe of their league tended onely to the publike good and that it was necessarie to vnderstand one an other and to haue free entrie into Paris to treat and conferre together that the fittest meanes depended of that Conuocation of the Estates intreating them not to bee amazed if they presented themselues before their Citie in Armes hauing no other intent but to cause the King to giue eare q Marc Anthonie saith that although all sedicious bee dangerous yet that is iust and necessary when the people being opprest demaÌss reliese from the whole congregation of citizens lawfully assembled to the good and wise counsell which they would giue him for the publike good of the Realme the which they said was ill gouerned laying many imputations vpon the King If the King Conference broken by the Kings presence who was gone into Normandie to raise his troupes had not come as a Prince should come to fortifie a people amazed and wauering this first conference had giuen the Princes of the league a great aduantage for the Citie yeelded to receiue them and their men paying and liuing without excesse but being arriued no man durst once speake of a conference or an accord and such as delt in it repented themselues beeing forced to depart the Realme The Bishop of Paris liued in disgrace with the King It was not a cloud r When
might be seperated from the Crowne The King gaue them all the assurances they could desire but he shewed that his intent was not to lodge his daughter in a house which he could not loue The conditions of the accord being treated after this manner with the Earle Charolois as hee who had all the power in his hands euery man stood vpon his gard The Earle was aduertised of the kings designes and there was still some one which discouered the Earles vnto the King k In ciuill warres Councels are not secret and the most hidden are diuulged euery one hath some friend on the contrarie partie A page came at midnight to the riuer side crying that they should be set vpon by all the forces that were in Paris Dukes of Berry and Brittanie armed once during this warre This cry gaue so hot an Alarum as no man doubted it Monsieur and the Duke of Brittanie shewed themselues armed which else they had neuer done and so past through the armie to finde the Earle of Charolois and the Duke of Calabria who had sent skouts to discouer These men troubled with the darknes of the night and the generall feare l Caesar sent Consydius at the break of day to discouer the enemy and going feare surprised him so as he returned with all speed and although hee had not seene any thing yet hee said that the enemy had already gotten the top of a mountaine wheras Caesar ment to loâge and that hee knew that by their Armes Caââs with knowldege of the Gaulâs Caesar âib 1. of the wars of Gaule beeing neere vnto Paris tooke thistels for the pikes and lances of an Armie put in Battell and so returned sweating to tell them that all Paris came vppon them Iohn Duke of Calabria came vnto the Dukes standard who like a couragious Prince beleeuing that which hee desired spake after this manner Now we are come to that which we haue alwaies desired behold the King and all the people sallied out of the Cittie and marching as our skouts report and to the end euery man may haue courage euen as they sallie out of Paris wee will measure after the Cittie Ell which is the greatest measure The Duke of Bourgundy vppon some aduertisement that the Duke of Berry and Brittanie might make their accord apart as the Kings designe was onely to diuide them he held it not fit to leaue his Sonne in that Estate as he should bee forced to doe any thing vpon necessitie m He that suffers himselfe to bee surprisâd by necessitie dâth no more any thing freely his councels actions sauor of a troubled iudgement and that if he were fortified with men and Armes he should keep his confederates in awe Succors of men and money sent to the Earle of Charolois and make his conditions more assured n To make a peace honorable and with aduantage it must be done in arms and that hee whom they will wrong may say boldly I will not doe it He sent him a hundred and twenty men at Armes led by the Lord of Saueur a thousand fiue hundred Archers and sixscore thousand crownes the which would haue made him more difficult in the Treatie if they had come before the conclusion It had been concluded that Monsieur should resigne Berry vnto the King Dutchie of Normandie giuen to the Kings brother and haue the Duchie of Normandie that Iohn Duke of Bourbon should enter into the Castle of Rouen o The Duke of Bourbon entrâd into Rouen by the Castle the widdow to the signior of Brezay Sânâshal of Normandie fauoured this entrie contrary to the âingâ intention The Bishop of Bayeux and Iohn Hebert Generall of the Finances of France aduanced the same designe All offended the K. and repented the displeasure they had done him during the treatie but hee entred also into the Towne When as the King saw that the Normans had allowed of this change without those difficulties and moderations which he expected he sent word vnto the Earle of Charolois that he desired to meete with him neere vnto Conââans Hee came and the King said vnto him that the Peace was made seeing his Brother was in Rouen This did so please the Earle of Charolois Earle of Charolois in a danger not foreseene as vnwittingly hearing and speaking with affection of this accord hee found himselfe at the entry of the Bulwarke which was at the end of the trench which the King had caused to be made by the which they might enter into the Towne The long black cloake which he carried for the losse of his wife seemed in a manner to mourne for his libertie He was much amazed but hee dissembled his feare and his amazement all hee could fearing that if the King perceiued it he would hold himselfe wronged and it may bee proceed farther The chiefe men that were in the Armie held their master lost and represented vnto theÌselues that which had hapened to his Grandfather at Montreaâ Faut Yonne p Aniâiury must bee dissembled when as he that receiues it is not in case to reuenge it and that he is in daÌger to receiue a greater if hee make show of it So Agripina seemed not to perceiue that Nero would haue slaine her Choller forced the signior of Neufchastell Marshall of Bourgundy to vse these words If this foole and mad man hath vndone himselfe we must not follow him nor ruine his house nor his fathers affaires let euery man thinke of his owne safety and of an honorable retreat No man can hinder vs from recouering of the frontier The ioy was exceeding great when they saw him returne This Marshall seeing him said vnto him that he was not at his seruice but by loane so long as his father liued q A young Prince must bee reprehended by such persons whose age experience and authoritie giue power to speake freely but the acknowledgement of the error must cause the reprehension cease the which must not be done publikely least it breed contempt and that they which should bee confirmed in an opinion that their commanmander hath nothing imperfect grow doubtfull of his conduct So all hold speeches free aduertisements to a delicate Prince that cannot endure to be grieued by hearing are dangerous Chide mee not answered the Earle Heacknowledgeth his error and is ashamed I confesse my great error but I found it so late as I was neere vnto the Bulwarke The Marshall of Bourgundy added you haue done it without me The Earle of Charolois held downe his head and made no answere for that which he had done exceeded the bounds of all iudgement The King was commended to haue dealt so iustly and the Earle of Charolois to haue committed himselfe so freely into a strongers hands The conditions of the peace beeing all concluded the King gaue to the Earle of Charrolois the Castle of Bois de Vincennes for his assurance promising to come thither the
and restored them to Iuuenall of Vrsins from whom he had taken them The treaty c Treaty of Conflans proclaimed at Paris the 28. of October 1465. signed and sworne was proclaimed and thereby the warre for the publicke weale was ended Contentment of priuat men maks them forget the publike contenting the interests of priuate men The King desired to quench the fire of this deuision rather with siluer then with blood and teares of his subiects To the Duke of Bourbon was assigned the like pension that he receiued of Charles the seauenth Anthony of Chabannes Earle of Dammartin was restored to his landes and soone after made Lord Steward of France in the place of the lord of Crouy d Ther was neuer so great a marriage but some dined ill some did what they listed and others had nothing Phil de Com. lib. 1. Cap. 14. Many others suffered themselues to bee vanquished by the King thinking themselues more happy to fall vnder his power then to escape e Those that were subdued by Alexaâder were more happy ãâã they that escaped his power for these had not any one to free theÌ from their misery the others were made happy by the Victor Plut. for they were freed from miseries and such as remained with the Earle of Charolois could not hope for any great felicity knowing his Councells and designes to be vnfortunate and it seemed his head was not made but to aflict ruine his body Earle of S t. Paul made Constable of France And for that the Earle of St. Paul was as it were Arbitrator of all the Earles Councels the King wonne him offring him the sword of France which Valeran or Luxembourg f Valeran of Luxembourg Earle of St. Paul was made Constabâe of France Anno 1411. two yeares after be yâelded vp the sword to Charles Earl of Albret Suylly from whom Kiâg Charles the sixth had taken it had sometimes carried It is the first dignity of all the orders of France First dignity of the State hee carries the sword not in a scabberd behind the King as they do before the Duke of Venice to shew that the vse and authority depends of them that follow it but naked before the King who alone commands to draw it and to put it vp when he pleaseth as hauing the only power of the sword ouer his subiects That of his Iustice remaines in the hands of his soueraigne Courts for the punishment of Crimes wherewith he meddles not Iupiter doth not strike hurt nor condemne any man Not only the Princes eyes but his pictures and his statues g A Prince should abhorre all that is inhumane and cruel The Emperor Claudius caused Augustus Image to bee taken froÌ the place wheras slaues were punished which had slandered their Maisters vnder the Empire of Caius or Tiberius to the end it should not be violated nor behold those punishments Dion should be farre from executions The Kings of France haue held this course to reserue vnto themselues pardons benefits and rewards leauing the distribution of punishments to their officers Lewis of Luxembourg was declared Constable at the marble table he tooke his oath and his authoritie was verified by the Court of Parliament As Arthur h Arthur of Brittaine was chosen Constable of France by the suffrages of all the Princes and great Counsell and although the King was then troubled in his iudgement and the seales of France stampt with the Queenes picture yet by letters of prâuâsion But the keeping of the Kings sword is giuen for the Kings sârvice in fealty and homage and to be the chiefe in warre aboue all next vnto the King of Brittanie Earle of Richmont was the first whose letters of Constable were there published so Lewis of Luxembourg was the first that tooke his oath there We must not iudge of a mans fortune by the glorie of such dignities they bee peeces of Christall which as they glister so they will breake To hold a man happie that enters into great charges is to giue the name of the image to the mettle which is not yet molten Wee must see him come liue and runne to the end of the course to know what the issue will be With this charge Lewis of Luxembourg was wedded to his own ruine and did himselfe adde much vnto it for notwithstanding that he were bound vnto the King both by reason and oath Affection of the Constable S t. Paul yet as it is hard but the tree will retaine something of the soyle where it first tooke roote i Strangers ãâã not at the first leaue their affection to their party although they quit it Solon would not allow a stranger to be a Bourgesse in Athens if he were not banished from his Country the affections of men beeing like vnto a streame which ouerflowes and waters a field and is nothing the cleerer He still kept a naturall inclination to the seruice of his first Prince grounding his affections vpon one maxime in the which hee found his ruine in stead of greatnes whereunto he aspired k Theramenes an Atheââan the sonne of Aignon for that he was not firme in his opinions holding sometimes one party somtimes another was called Cothureue which is a kind of buskin vsed in Tragedies fit for either foot Pluâ in the life of Niceas He thought to play k Theramenes an Atheââan the sonne of Aignon for that he was not firme in his opinions holding somtimes one party somtimes another was called Cothureue which is a kind of buskin vsed in Tragedies fit for either foot Plut. in the life of Niceas Theramenes in this Tragedie to remaine a neuter betwixt these two great Potentates to make them quarrell when he pleased to iudge of the blowes and to keep himselfe from danger thinking to be alwaies supported by the one when the other should seek to ruine him and to make both of them depend so vpon his will as as hee should prescribe them a lawe of warre and peace when hee pleased nt considering that newtrality which may bee commended in a prince when by reason of wisedome or weaknes he cannot doe otherwise is meere trechery and treason in a subiect who can haue but one maister It was a great miserie for him to be betwixt two Princes which could not agree He that is in this estate is not like vnto the towne of Siria l Pliny saith that the towne of Palmira in Syria remained without touch amidst the powers of the Romane and Parthian Empires which was nothing anoyed being inuironed by the Armies of the Romans and Parthians Hee finds his condition oftentimes like vnto the miserable marriner of Tire whom one waue cast out of the ship and another brought him in againe His humor did fauor his bad fortune wauering alwaies amidst the vncertainty of his resolutions and a spirit of contradiction When he was freed from one businesse he intangled himselfe with another
called an assembly of the Princes and chiefe noblemen and propounded this question which he seemed to receiue from the K. of England to haue his aduice What punishment that farmer descrued who hauing inuited his maister to come vnto his house had put him to death All concluded that the crime was punishable and Hubert said that hee ought to be hanged You shall bee said the King you haue condemned your selfe And hee had noe sooner spokeÌ the word but hee was hanged the simple being lodged at the foot of the Tower where he had beene imprisoned He made some offer to pacifie the Duke and to giue hostage to procure such satisfaction from the Liegeois as was fit He had friends in the Dukes Councell i The aduice of that which was done in the D. counsell came as it was said from Phil. de Commines and casting twelue or fifteene thousand Crownes among them And he himselfe writes after this manner The King had some friend which aduertised him that he should haue no harme if he did yeeld vnto those two points but if he did otherwise hee thrust himselfe into very great danger he was by that meanes aduertised of the Resolutions which were taken wherof the mildest and most moderate were not pleasing vnto him The first opinion was that they should keep promise with him so as he would declare himselfe an enemy to them of Liege The second that being offended as he was it was dangerous to giue him liberty to reuenge himselfe The third that they should send for the Duke his brother and the other Princes to consult what was to be done In the end they past by this straight that he was constrained and it is the greatest violence that may be done vnto a King to consent vnto a a warre against them of Liege who had relyed vppon his protection The Duke continued three dayes in great alterations and past the third night in such disquietnes as he did not vncloath himselfe but lay downe vppon his bed then rising sodainly he would walke and talke to Phillip de Commines his Chamberlaine whose integrity and moderation did serue to calme those violent stormes that troubled his soule He was wholly French k Philip de Commines became a Partisan to the King who drew him into France gaue him the signory of Argenton in Poictou and the Seneshalship of the same Country and from that time some thought he resolued to retire himselfe into France But it is not credible that there was any trechery in him The vptightnes and sincerity of his writings frees him from suspition If he had been blemished with infidelity ingratitude vices which dissolue al humane society l All the greatest reproches are comprehended in these two wordes Ingrate and trecherous Nihil aeque Concordiam humani generis dissociat et distrahit quam hoc ingratitudinis vitium Sen. the King had not trusted him with so many great and important affaires The Duke went early in the morning vnto the Castell to the King who was already aduertised of what he would say vnto him and had time to thinke of his answer and to fit it not so much vnto reason as to necessity m Amazement should neuer bee seene on a Princes forehead He should be maister of his wordes but much more of his countenance for his lookes do often contradict them and betray the secrets of the heart and aboue all to carry so euen a countenance as the Duke should not discouer that he had any ill game or that he had any apprehension to loose for if he had thought that hee had made him affraid he would haue done him a mischeefe n Many times a bad designe begun is not ended when as he that doth it thinkes that he is not discouered And it is a maxime grounded more vpon experience then Conscience in such occasions not to do so much or to do more all together The Duke was accompanied by the Lordes of Crequy Charny and la Roche He could not by the humility of his wordes so well dissemble his proud and threatning gesture The Duke coniures the King to go to Liege but the trembling of his voice discouered the motion and storme which choller caused in his heart â And then there is no great reason in humble wordes and respectiue countenances when as the effects are contrary and that the inferior braues the superior o To what end sârues respect and humility of wordes if the action be proud The day when K. Iohn wââ taken at the battell of Poictâers the prince of Wales serued his maiesty at supper bareheaded The King intreated him to sit downe It belongs not to the subiect answered the Prince and yet hee held him prisoner He demanded of him if he would hold the treaty and come to Liege to help to reuenge him and the Bishop of Liege his kinsman of the Liegeois who by reason of his comming were reuolted The King granted it the Peace was sworne vppon Charlemaignes crosse and the whole towne was full of ioy for this accord the 12. of October 1468. 1468. Oliuer de la March reports this otherwise then Phillip de Commines The King saith he was not well assured but as soone as he saw the Duke enter into his Chamber he could not conceale his feare but said vnto the Duke Brother I am not safe in your house and in your Country and the Duke answered yes sir and so safe as if I should set an arrow come towards you I would put my self â before you to preserue you And the King said vnto him I thank you for your good will and will goe where I haue promised you but I pray you let the peace be presently sworne betwixt vs. Then they brought the Arme of St. Leu and the King of France sware the peace betwixt him and the Duke of Bourgondy and the Duke of Bourgondy sware the said peace and promised to keepe and entertaine it with and against all men The next day they parted and came to Cambray p Notwithstanding their speeches vnto the Duke of BourgoÌdy that hee should be blamed to break the assurance which he had promised the King hee still answered Hee hath promised me and hee shall hold it I will make no Conscience to force him Peter of Goux his ChaÌcellor was one of those which counselled him not to offând the King Oli. de la March. and entred into the Contry of Liege in the beginning of winter The King had no forces but his scottish garde and 300. men at armes The Duke held a Counsell in the sight of Liege what he should do Some were of opinion that he should send back part of his Army for his forces were too great against a demantled towne which could not be releeued seing the King was with him He gaue no credit to this Counsell and it succeeded well for he could not be too strong hauing a mighty
prest by two powerfull and violent motions despaire and boldnes and had alreadie made knowne how deerely they would sell their liues n When as a multitude begins to know that matters are reduced to these termes as nothing caÌ happen but misery they assure theÌselues in dangers they change their boldnes into fury their hopes into despaire yet he would be present with the rest and had no reason to goe to Namur He might haue safely retired for he had a hundred Archers a good number of Gentlemen and three hundred men at Armes Yet for more danger then hee apprehended hee would not haue made one dishonourable step The respect of his honour o There is not any great courage but starts at this word Honor. A Prince must go into all places where his reputation is ingaged The King saith Phil. de Com. where it coÌcerned his honour would not bee blamed of cowâdise and that great desire of glorie the onely Obiect of great spirits was more deere vnto him then his life About eight of the clocke on Sunday morning being the 30. of October 1468. the signe for the assault was giuen the inhabitants hauing no thought that they would trouble their rest on Sunday p The Earle of Montfort who was caled Iohn the valiant D. of Brittany sent to intreate the Earle of Blois his enenmy to referre the Battel which hee ment to giue him vntil the next day for that it was Sunday St. Michels feast and it was one of those dayes on the which the Countesse of Blois his wife had forbidden him to fight but the Earle of Blois would not beleeue any of them and was slain there This hapened in the yeare 1364. a day by the scrupulous of that time held vnfortunate to fight in and moreouer much tired for that euery day they had beene in gard and now they were gone to dinner They were surprised without any resistance euery man sauing himselfe either in the Forrest of Ardennes or in Churches he that escaped the fury of the sword fell into that of cold and hunger and all tryed that in vaine q King Ferdinand going out of Naples with Don Frederic the Queene his Grandmother the Princesse Ioan his daughter and imbarked in the Galleys to recouer the Iland of Ischia which the Ancients called Enaria thirty miles from Naples had no other words in his mouth but this Verse of Dauid saying That Sentinels and gards auaile not if God keep not the Citie men keep the Citie if God take not the care The Duke being master of the Citie came and conducted the King vnto the Pallace This prince fitting his words vnto the time and to the Dukes humors commended his victorie and spake to all that past of the Dukes valour and good conduct who tooke a wonderfull delight to haue a King for a Panegyrist The Towne was reduced to that estate as it might serue to posteritie for an example not of conseruation Ruine and desolation of the Liegeois but of extreame miserie The gates and walles were ouerthrowne the ditches filled vp the priuiledges reuoked the lawes changed and all the Churches except the Cathedrall spoiled The Duke caused it to bee kept by some of his houshold against the souldiers who sought to force the two doores A strange thing to see churches r Seeing that God ought to be feared and worshipped in all places that which belongs vnto his seruice should also hee religiously respected euen in the Armies Zenophon saith that Agesylaus would not allow them to touch any Temples in the enemies country in daunger among Christians whose impieties are such as euen the most Barbarous Nations doe abhorre them for they haue alwaies respected holy places but it was so peruerse and corrupted an age as there were men without soules and soules without religion The Duke not able to restraine this furie slew a souldiour to make the rest dislodge all was reduced to a vast and fearefull wildernes The Duke repented himselfe of the cruelties which had been committed in the furie of the Sacke and offered for an expiation the S t. George wherewith S t. Lamberts church in Liege is at this day adorned The King fiue daies after the desolation of a countrey which relyed vpon the succors of his power and which stumbled into seruitude for it could not goe straight in libertie s Liberty is to be desired when as they that will not be subiect to haue meanes to liue free but as Plato saith Epist. 8. Many haue fallen into seruitude for that they could not vse their libertie vvell tooke leaue of the Duke and told him that if he had any more cause to vse him that he should not spare him but if all were done he desired to goe to Paris to haue their Treatie verified yet hoping to meet againe the next Summer in Bourgundy I will said he The King desires to returne to Paris that wee remaine a month together to make good cheere t Princes as all other men are by nature subiect to passions and alterations and not able to endure the toyle of the body and minde long without tiring and haue need of some rest and recreation It is that which K. Lewis the eleuenth in this place cals good cheere The forme and manner of his words did much help the matter for he deliuered them with an open countenance and a heart which seemed free which did binde the Duke to please him An Act of incomparable wisedome to fit his words and actions for the necessitie of the time and place wherein he was and humilitie in these actions doth no wrong vnto a great Prince u Humilitie abates nothing of a princes greatnes for either hee that humbles himselfe is inferior and then it becomes him well or superior but brought to such a straight as he is forced to beÌd if he escapes he greeues not at his humility although that doe him good who hath intreated him with pride and arrogancy which knoweth there is no other meanes to continue with spirits that are insolent of their fortunes but dissembling The Duke also knowing the humor of this Prince murmured still Treatie made without liberty bindes not made his distrust knowne he did consider that bonds of promises made by men which cannot say they are in libertie are light that force hath no power to prescribe a force sufficiently noted in the solemne words of the oath wherevnto they desired the King should consent that in case of contrauention to the Treatie all his subiects should retire from his obedience and adhere to the Earle of Charolois And therefore he would that before the kings departure their Treatie should be read and read againe and all the points expounded x In Treaties of peace they must vnderstand one an other well Al words must be made plaine and those that are comprehended or excluded expressed and that vpon all hee declared his intention
white Damask imbrodered thick with fine gold of Cypres with buttons of gold furred with fables a little black hat of his head with a feather of gold On either side of him were the Cardinall of St Susanne Bishop of Anger 's and Rene Duke of Anjou and King of Sicile o At the foote of the Kings scaffold were set The Vicont of Narbonne George of Pem ãâã the Lords of Tancaruille Chasttillon Buell Longueuille Lauall Aigle Câaon Cruââol la Forest The Prince of Piedmont a yong Infant was vppon one of the steps Princes which werâ about the King and of either side stood the Earle of Foix Prince of Nauarre and the Kings brother in law with the Earles of Neuers and Eu The Earle of Dunois high Chamberlaine of France was by reason of his gowt set vpon a little stoole behinde the King of Sicile with many other Noblemen There were two other places rayled in the one in the middest of the Hall neere vnto the Kings for the Princes of the bloud the Constable the Chancellor the Patriarke of Ierusalem the Arch-bishop of Ierusalem the Arch-bishop of Tours and other Bishops p In the second place railed in were the Marquis of Pont the Earle of Perche the Earl of Guise the Earle of Vendosme the Earle Dauphin and the Earle of Montfort The other being great and spacious which did inuiron the first of either side was for the Deputies of the three Estates Betwixt the Kings Theater and that of the Princes were two formes directly against the King on the one were the Peeres of France and on the other were the Officers of the Crowne Euery man being set q It is obserued that the Earle of S t Paul CoÌstable of France was at the vpper end next vnto him Monââurde Trayâell Chancellor of France in Crimson veluet coâes and a little beneath theÌ on the same forme the Archbishop of Tours the Bishops of Paris Charâres Perigueux Valences Limogis Senlis Soissons Aire Anranches Angoulesme Lodeue Neuers Agen Cominges Bayone and others and all the greatest of the State humbled before the Prince like vnto the rods and Maces of the ancient Magistrates of Rome r In the assemblies of the people of Rome the Magistrates did hold downe their rods and Mâces in signe of humilitie and spake standing the people being set shewing that they had no power to command and all Magistrates dealt by Petition vsing these words velitis Iubeatis the Chancellor rose from his place and presented himselfe vpon his kneee on the right side of the King who told him in his eare what his intention was Oration made by the Chancellor Hee made the Estates acquainted therewith in a long Oration the Deputies beeing prepared vpon the Kings instructions finde that they neither could nor ought to grant vnto Charles of France the Duchie of Normandie for his portion It was said that it should remaine vnto the Crowne and the King was intreated to maintaine the auncient lawes of the Realme concerning his Patrimonie holy sacred and inalienable either by contracts or by prescription of time and against any whatsoeuer and that the Princes of the bloud should not therein haue any more fauour nor priuiledge then priuate men s That which may make an alienation perfect and giue â title of iust possession doth not comprehend those demands which are inalienable may be reunited although the alienation were made for euer yet the purchaser shall not recouer the price of the thing alienated the King himselfe being bound by oath at his Coronation not to alienate any thing and in doing so to giue vnto his Brother a portion with the title of a Dutchy or an Earledome the which should be worth twelue hundred poundes starling a yeare and a yearely pension of foure thousand and eight hundred pounds starling without drawing it to consequence t This clause of coÌsequence was superstuous shewes from what respect it came For the portion was so small as no man would make it a President There are houses in France where the yonger sons would not bee so satisfied for the yonger brethren of the house of France The King gaue the Dutchy of Guienne besides the riuer of Charante Guienne giuen to the Kings Brother the countrie of Agenois Perigort Quercy Xanictonge the Gouernment of Rochell and the Bailewike of Auins hee changed the Parliament of Guienne from Bourdeaux to Poitiers This resolution was carried to Monsieur and to the Dukes of Brittany and Bourgundy his confederates Monsieur was so ill and so desirous to change the ayre as notwithstanding that hee found small profit in the change of his condition yet would he not refuse it the Lord of Lescun perswaded him to reconcile himselfe vnto the King and to accept of what he should giue him The Estates did also resolue that the Duke of Bourgundy should be adiourned to appeare in person before the Parliament at Paris Adiournement of the Duke to the Parliament of Paris to doe right vnto the Earle of Eu u Charles of Artois Earle of Eu dyed without children in the yeare 147â Hee was taken prisoner at the Battel of Azincourt and remained three twenty years in England for St. Valery and other lands which he detained The King was well pleased with this resolution for that he knew well that when the Duke should see himselfe charged in this manner he would make an answer according to his humorfull of contempt and that some grose-headed fellow executing his commission indiscreetly for profit would moue him and prouoke him to do somthing whereat the Court should bee offended and vrged to seeke reparation The same Court of Parliament sent Iohn Loyselier Complaints for the Pragmatike Sanction x The Deputies of the Court of Parliament let the K. vnderstand that the abolitioÌ of this Pragmatick was shamefull and iniurious for the FraÌce had neuer had in like causes Ordinances which had taken their authoritie from the vniuersall all Church That as long as she had obserued this Pragmatick she was full of all prosperitie and feared of her enemies whom she had chased out of Normandie and Guienne and had seene Prelates of such holines as they had done miracles and Iohn Henry Councellors of inquests to represent vnto the King to the Estates the great preiudice which France had receiued by the abolition of the Pragmaticke Sanction that it was depriued of a rule which comprehended all the liberties and freedomes of the French Church approued in the Conciles of Basill and Constance That by the cessation of such decrees France must needs looke for some great confusion of the Ecclesiasticall Order and a generall impouerishment by the transport of gold and siluer beyond the Alpes But the King hauing obtained what hee desired against his Brother and the Duke of Bourgundy hee carried his thoughts to other things then to that which the Estates expected for
reciued shall bee maâe ready and laid before the Kings sâat vppon a Carpet of Crimson Tâffata or Saâten hanging dâwne at either ând and the said coller âobes shall bee perfumed with incense after that the Preest hath perfumed the Altar Art 82. of the amplifying the Statutes of the Order in the yeaar 1476. hauing his hands vpon the Crosse and the holy Euangill which done the said Knight newly chosen shall come reuerently before the Soueraigne The Kings words in giuing the Coller who taking the Coller of the Order shall put it about his necke saying or causing these words to bee said The Order receaues you into this amiable company ãâã token thereof giues you this present Coller God graunt you may carry it long to his glory and seruice aduancement of the holy Church and increase of the honor of the Order and of your merrits and good âame In the name of the Father the Sonne and holy Ghost whereunto the said Knight shall say Amen God giue mee the grace After which the eldest Knight shall lead the said Knight newly receiued vnto the Soueraigne who shall kisse him in signe of perpetuall loue and in like maner all the Knights that are present shall doe the same in order Bonds of Knights reciprocall Besides this the knights are bound to certaine respects one towards another They did promise at their entrie into the Order to serue the King as their head in all occasions both within and without the Realme and the King did promise to maintaine them in their goods Lewis the elâuenth bound himselfe not to vndertake any warre nor any other matter of importance without making iâ knowne to the Knights of the order lands and estates as his Bretheren and companions and not to attempt any warre without their aduise Hee thought to hold those hearts which had been distracted fast bound vnto him but infidelity was so bold and so contagious as all the respects of honor and conscience were too weake to restraine her from drawing them from their dueties who say the lawes of their birth were most bound vnto it It was a difficult thing for good men to bridle themselues from running into ill so licentious was the time To doc well when as vertue raignes good men are honored is ordinary and easie but not to suffer himselfe to bee infected with the corruptians of the time but to haue a good intent to dare vndertake it and effect it in a bad season is the true signe of a generous spirit and so hard a matter it is to do well when as euery man glories in doing ill and that crimes become examples and customes Iohn Duke of Bourbon continued his intelligence with the Duke of Bourgondy and aduertised him of what the King practised vppon the Townes in Picardy The Constable vsed all his practises betwixt the two Princes Intelligences continued betwixt Bourgondy and Bourâon fearing that if the Kings Choller found not some subiect to worke vppon abroad it would fall vppon the neerest that were about him That a long peace would cut off the entertainment of his soldiers making him vnproffitable to the King and without reputation in the realme promising vnto himselfe that whilst the warre continued hee should gouerne all The perpetuity of his charge which could haue no other end but with his life held him not in those apprehensions wherewith their mindes are troubled which hold them as a Wolfe by the eare u Charges which are aboue others should be short least they should grow insupportable and insolânt Those which are but temporary hold them that enioy them in ther duties and the perpetuall makes them forgetfull Peace alone makes a ciuill warre in his soule wherefore he assures the King that when he pleased hee would recouer him St. Quentin by the meanes of some places which he held about it and would speedily execute the intelligences which he had in Flanders and Brabant Warre beeing concluded by the Estates at Tours Wars proclaimed it was as soone begun as proclaimed The Duke being at Gand receiued the Citation to appeare in person at the Court of Parliament who caused the Vsher of the Court to be imprisoned hauing adiourned him as hee was going to Masse and beeing madde to see himselfe made equall to the meanest of the Realme he resolued to appeare with his sword in his hand and to transport the warre as neere his Iudges as hee could The Kings practises began then to breake forth many declared themselues French Baldwine Bastard of Bourgundy retired himselfe vnto the Kings seruice The Duke is surprised The Duke of Brittanie had made an accord with him x Accord of the D. of Brittanie with the King at Anceâis the 18. of September 1468. The Duke of Guienne was satisfied and if hee could not haue all that hee desired hee was content with that which did suffice him y The ease of great Princes must be considered by their coÌtent They haue but too much so as they thinke they haue enough One demanded of Zeleuchus what Reuenewes hee had to whom hee answered As much as I need Plut. The Constable sent word to the Duke of Bourgundy that all was lost that there was no reliefe for him in England being fallen into the same convulsions which had in a manner smothered it in the yeare 1461. Edward being bound to the Earle of Warwicks vertue for his fortune made him a sharer Troubles in England and gaue him goodly peeces depending of the Crowne and the continuation of the gouernment of Calice with fourescore thousand Crownes rent to increase his reuenues Yet the Earle of Warwick did not hold these recompences proportionable to his great seruices beeing moreouer discontented for that the King hauing sent him into France to seeke the Kings Alliance by the marriage of Bonna of Sauoy z The King of England sent the Earle of Warwicke into France to demand Bonna of Sauoy daughter to Lewis Duke of Sauoy the Queenes Sister in marriage had mockt him in marrying with Grayes widdow the which Lewis made sensible to the Earle of Warwicke to the end this complaint might bee as a thorne of discontent in his heart And as Princes take delight to pull them downe whom they haue raised and aduanced and doe not willingly suffer such high heads of Poppie to grow in their gardens Edward grew iealous and an enemie to this great authority which had cherished made speed vnder the shadow of his He brake quite with him and some say that hauing attempted against the honour of a Kinswoman of his a Of wrongs which make the greatest impression in the hart those which regard âhe honor of Lâdies are most sensible Polidore Virgil wâites thus of this attempt Nec abhorret a veritate EduarduÌ tentasse vt aiunt nescio quid in domo Comitis quod ab honestatâ omnino abesset cum homo esset qui
facile puellas oculis adiiceret easque deperiret the Earle of Warwick being wounded in so sensible and tender a part began to distaste the seruice which he did him and repenting him of that which he had formerly done hee retired from Court into his Earldome of Warwicke The Earle of Warwick reuolts whereas his hard fortune made him know the difference of his friends b In the disgrace and crosses of fortune friends are knowne Namertes answered him that required a rule to know them by ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Plut. and where he shews that a great courage had rather die reuenged then liue with the reproch of a wrong or an affront The Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother the Archbishop of Yorke and the Marquis of Montague came vnto him Euery one brought his complaint with him and the vlcer he had in his heart against Edward The Earle of Warwick represented vnto them the miserable estate they ranne into if they did not labour to restore King Henry to his Fathers throne and themselues to libertie To binde the Duke of Clarence to this designe hee giues him his Daughter He makes a league with the Duâ of Clarence Proximitie of bloud did sufficiently binde the other two being his Brethren whose friendship he might account among the sweet fruits of his felicitie c It is a part of the sweetnes felicitie of life to see Telemachus recounting his miseries amoÌg which he reports that he is ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã without a broââer Plut. The partie was made and the resolution taken vpon the consideration of things present to come was that he should goe to Calice and in his absence they should make some stirres in the Prouince of Yorke to the end hee might haue a subiect to come thither and to arme The pretext of rising was for the deniall of some Corne which they of the Earle of Warwicks faction refused to pay for the entertainment of St Leonards Hospitall in Yorke and there were others which did murmure giuing it out that what should serue the poore was spent by great men d Sedition can haue no iust causes but the most apparant are wheâ as priuate men make their profit of that which belongs to the publike In a word it is inequalitie and Iniustice This refusall did so incense the people Commotion in Yorkshire as in a short time there were fifteene thousand men in armes which marched directly to Yorke to haue reason of them which refused to pay what they ought vnto the Hospitall But when as they found themselues too weake An Armie at the gaâes of London being a multitude of seditious and mutenous fellowes who are naturally cowards and hauing no Canon to force an entrie they past to London to demand Iustice of the King with torches of rebellion in their fists e Seâition is alwaies saint and cowardly and cowards are euer most seditioâs QuantuÌâabes ad âustinendum laboreÌ miles tanto ad discordias proÌptior Tac. Hist. Lib. 2. The Earle of Warwick was no sooner aduertised of these broiles but he parted from Calice with the Duke of Clarence and came and ioined with this multitude who wanted not any thing but a head King Henries presence and the Earles did countenance the faction and increase it with a greater number with the which he resolued to giue Battell to recompence the errors ruines and occasion past f Hee that knowes how to giue a Battell recouers âis reputation if it were blemished it restores him if he be ruined excuseth all errors which he hath coÌmitted in warre for a Battell won defaceth all misfortunes reproch of other precedent actions The Earle of Pembroke whom the King of England had sent not to fight but to punish those rebels was put to route and they had the victory Richard Lord Riuers father to Queene Elizabeth and his sonne Iohn Wooduille with some other Gentlemen lost their heads The King sought to make some accord with the Earle of Warwicke and vpon the assurance which he gaue him neglected to keep good gard in his Campe the which should not bee omitted euen among friends Loue goes naked by day and armed by night g Crates said that loue went al day naked but at night hee caried a Cuirasse that a prince which trusts in the loue of his subiects may by day goe in safety and without feare but by night he should haue his gard The Earle of Warwicke hauing obserued this carelesse guard by his spies he vndertooke to charge him by night âdward defeated and taken prisoner with so great aduantage as killing all he found in the trenches hee came without any resistance to the place where the King was whom he tooke prisoner and led away But for that they could not make good vse of this fortune they ruined themselues and vndid King Henry for whom they had taken Armes God who hath a speciall care of Kings depriued them of Iudgement for although they knew well that it was impossible to settle King Henry peaceably in the Realme during Edwards life yet could they not keep him so well but hee escaped hauing corrupted his gards with hopes and goodly promises whereof great men are no nigards when they haue need of their inferiors Edward being at libertie recouers Yorke where he was receiued with ioy which was as great as it was vnexpected From thence he went to London to confirme their wils whom his captiuitie had made to wauer and considering that victory doth alwaies fauour them which haue the aduantage both of Councell and force h A prince hath a great aduantage ouer his enemie when he exceeds him in Armes and that hee hath the CouÌcels executions sooner readie then he he raised a might Armie and went to seeke out the Earle of Warwicke Earle of Warwick defeated whom he put to rout and returned triumphantly the victorie was made famous by the death of ten thousand men Queene Margaret Prince Edward her Sonne the Duke of Clarence and his wife the Earle of Warwick with their children and friends were forced to flye They came to Calice but the Earle of Warwicks Lieutenant would not receiue them nor scarce suffer them to carrie two bottels of Wine for the Duchesse of Clarence who was deliuered of a Sonne whilest the ship rode at an Anchor This rudenes and indiscretion did so please King Edward and the Duke of Bourgundy as the one sent him authoritie to command as Gouernor of Calais and the other a good pension to increase his entertainement The Earle of Warwicke who was much esteemed in France and in great credit with the King for his worthy deeds which had made his reputation great and not easie to bee shaken i ReputatioÌ is a Colosse which is hardly raised by reason of its waight buy wheÌ it is vp it staÌds firme and supports it selfe by his owne heauines It is hard to lay the
foundation and to raise it for it canâotlast vpoÌ light actions That of the E. of Warwiâk must needs be great hauing twise changâd the estate of EnglaÌd and as it were disposed of the Crowne sent vnto the King to receiue him The King seemed to haue a great desire to see him and succour him He landed at Diepe and was conducted with all his troupe to Amboise The people flockt vppon the high-wayes to see those mournefull relikes of Troy Euery man had heard speake of the desolation of the house of Lancaster they did regard them as Prodigies of fortune whom she had chosen to be pittifull examples of her inconstancie Within six monethes the King gaue them meanes to returne into England The K. giueâ succors to K. Henry with such forces as Edward durst not affront them Hee was forced to quit the partie and seeing how dangerous it was to stay vntill the Earle of Warwick came vnto the gates of London hee retired into Holland to the Duke of Bourgundie carrying nothing with him but a hope to returne k It is a poore equipage for a Prince which goes out of his estate with hope to returne but a retreat of this sort against a Prince that is stronger is honorable Valentinean the second left Aquilea to Maximin and fled into Thessalonica with Iustina his mother where he obtained succors of the Emperour Theodosius who restored him to the Contrie Sigon Lib. 9. Imp. Occident Behold Henry the sixt drawne out of prison and set in the royall throne Henry the sixt ãâã it lâbertie and Edward expelled but he continued but six monethes for Edward being relieued with ships and men from the Duke of Bourgundy returned into England and presented himselfe before the gates of London where he entred victorious The Duke of Clarence left the Earle of VVarwick l The Duke of Clarence being in France was sollicited and wonne by a Gentlewoman which came out of England from the King his Brother and he ãâã that belong in England he would turne to his side side King Henry was murthered in the Tower his sonne was detained prisoner Death of King Henry the sixt and soone after slaine The Earle of VVarwicke was slaine vpon the place and the Queenâ was a prisoner Thus the Realme which Edward had lost in eleuen dayes was recouered in one so true it is that Estates change in a moment m The euersions and conuersions of the estates are most commââty ãâã Breui bus momentis suÌma verti possunt Tac. lib. 8. An. that it is hard to make good vse of things ill ãâã During these Tragedies the King who wisht they had continued longer the more to weaken the Dukes designes and to humble his thoughts continued the warre which he had begun in Picardie The Constable who would needs be a necessarie euill n Hibrea a wise Cittizen of Messala a Towne in Caria said smiling to Eutidianus a man very profitable but difficult and insupportable in the gouerment of publike affairs that hee was a necessary euill to the Towne for that noâ manâ could indure him for his roughnes nor âliue without him for his good gouermeÌt to these two Princes was glad to let the Duke vnderstand what he could doe Amiens S t. Quentin taken He took S t Quentin Amiens opened her gates vnto him Abbeuille the Cittadell of Picardy had entred into the same partie if Philip of Creuecaeur Lord of Cordes had not entred The Duke not holding himselfe safe in the middest of the Constables friends retyred to Dourlans and from thence to Arras Being there he receiued a letter from the Duke of Guienne containing these wordes Labour to content your subiects and then care not for you shall find friendes The Duke seeing himselfe thus surprised and dispossest of the Townes which he did so much esteeme intreated the Constable not to presse this warre so hotly nor to doe the worst he could and to consider that the King without any precedent offence had taken armes and broken the treaty of Peronne before that he had disclaimed his friendship o The Romans before they made war Renunciabant amicitiam Germanicus being wronged by Piso Gouernour of Soria sent him word that he was no more his friend The Constable beeing glad to see the pride of his first maister humbled Pollicy of the Constable of S t. Paul makes the danger greater then it was hee threatens him with an ineuitable ruine if he did not open his eyes to those expediments which he propounded vnto him letting him know that in the darknes of his infidelity he did alwaies reserue a good day for his seruice p I neuer knew saith Phil. de Commines that man haue a good end that sought to terrifie his Maister and keep him in Iealousie Yet will he not declare himselfe to be other then a good Frenchman for to mannage his busines with honour the leape was too dangerous from S t. Quintin to Brussels The passage from one contrary to another is neuer made without violence q MeÌs thoughts passe not sodainly from one extreame vnto an other they goe by degrees there must be a meane betwixt both to vnite the two extreames He promiseth to serue the Duke in effect in seruing the King in shew and to make knowne the fruites of his seruice by the bad intelligence and diuision which hee would still entertaine and was already framed betwixt the two brethren the King and Mounsire the only means for him to be in safety and his estate in peace r The hatred and discord of brethren is the ruine of States all well as of priuate families This mischeefe hath bin long in the world the examples are borne with it And if two brethren could not agree together in their mothers womb it is no wonder if two brethren being armed quarrell But to end this war which was begun and would continue with such cruell effects Hee councells the Duke to giue his daughter to the Kings Brother against him there was no other help but to win Monsieur in giuing him his daughter in marriage that all his desires should ayme at this marke as the true end of his contentment from the which he might wander by many waies s They say we may come to one end by diuers meanes But to hit one marke there is but one direction the straightest lines are the shortest we may misse by diuers meanes ayming too high or too low on the right hand or on the left It is euen so in the actions of men and could not attaine vnto it but by this Allyance that if he were so resolued hee would follow his party and bring his head to his seruice with the Towne of S t Quentin and a good number of his seruants In a word that he would doe any thing yea set fire of the Temple of peace t There are seruants âound sit for all assaies
belong vnto the Earle of Armagnac If he tooke his part as some taxed him he did contrary to the duty of a Generall who should content himselfe with the glory of the command and execution c The glory honor of well executing the coÌmandements of his Prince serues for a booty in the distributioÌ wherof he that commands must consider that there is not any thing for himselfe Themistocles seeing a great nuÌber of Collers chains in the enemies Camp said vnto him that did accoÌpany him Take off theÌ for you are not Themistocles and leaue vnto the soldier that which concernes profit The Earle of Armagnac seeing that hee must haue time to cleere these brutes He retires to Fonteraby and that oftentimes Innocency is forced to yeeld vnto a sodaine euent d We must giue time to broyles to make them vanish away when there is no meanes to resist Innocency it selfe is troubled when she is surprized Relinquenda rumoribus tempus quo senescant innocentes recente inuidiae impares Tac. An. Lib. 2. was aduised to goe out of the Realme and to retire to Fonteraby with his wife being loth that his person should be at the Earle of Dammartins discretion who beeing aduertised of his flight past on and seazed vppon the towne of Lestoré The Court Parliament of Paris vppon the informations of the Intelligences which the Earle of Armaignac had with the enemies of the Realme decreed a personall adiournment against him His processe was made by reason of his contumacy e The first default was obtained the 24. of Nouember 1469. the second the 19. of February 1469 the third the 6. of August 1470. and before that the E. of DaÌmartin had seazed vppon all the County of Armagnac and by a sentence giuen the 7. of September 1470. he was condemned to loose his head But he was in a place of safety whereas the sentence could not be executed hauing an intent to let them know which had condemned him that he was aliue After that he had for two yeares space indured the miseries and discommodities which they suffer which are expelled from their owne houses and liue in a strange country hauing tryed that the wandring starres were as vnfortunate as the fixed f There is no such sweet abode as ones owne house They which bold them happy that runne from Prouince to Prouince are like vnto those saith Plutarch which iudge the wandring flârres more fortunate then the fixed and sought by all meanes to returne into the Kings fauour Returnes into Guienne vnder the Dukes protection when as he saw that by the resolution of the Estates held at Tours the Kings brother left Normandy and tooke Guyenne for his portion and that hee was arriued at Bourdeaux he thought that he could not find a better refuge nor portion then with him he acquaints him with the misery of his life which was such as liuing his life was nothing but a liuing death g It is not life to stand alâwaies in feare â fall in to the handes of a mighty enemy which hath long armes Ita viuere vt non sit viuendum miserimuÌ est Cic. and the power which his enemies had against his innocency The Duke of Guienne pittied his estate and gaue him prouision to be restored to all his lands This displeased the King who saw that the Duke of Guienne ioyning with them whom hee held enemies to the Crowne aud continuing his poursute of marriage with the Duke of Bourgondies daughter Army of the King in Guienne might reuiue the League which he had smothered This feare h A Prince can make no greater shew that he feares his vassall then when âhee retires from him Alexander by bis proclamation gaue leaue to all bannished men to returne into their Contries except the Thebanes and therefore Eudamidas said that Alexander feared none but the Thebans Plut. caused him to send 500. Lances with Foot-men and Canon vnto the fronter of Guienne deferring a more priuate reuenge against the Earle of Armagnac vntill another time He felt it cruelly after the death of the Duke of Guienne when as the King sent the Lord of Beaujeu Brother to to the Duke of Bourbon Seege of Lestore the Cardinal of Alby Bishop of Aras the Seneshals of Tholousa and Beaucaire the Lord of Lude with many other Captaines and a great nomber of Soldiers with Artillery who laid siege to Lestoré and contiââed it sixe or seauen monthes The Earle of Armagnac sent them his Chancellor being Abbot of Pessant i The Deputies for the Earle of Armaâgnac were the Abbot of St. Denis and Bishop of Lombes with the Lords of Barbasan Raulsac and Palmarieux to tell them that it was not needfull to imploy such great forces against him The Earle desires a safe Conduct to iustifie himselfe that the Kings commandements should find no resistance in his contry that all was vnder his obedience and disposition yea his person so as it would please the King to giue him good security that he might go vnto him to iustifie his life and loyalty The offers were not accepted k It hath beene alwaies found strange that a subiect whose will should be conuerted into obedience and his reasons to humility should capitulate with his Prince The Duke of Nemours the Earle of St. Paul the Duke of Brittaine and the Earle of Armagnac repented it to late the Capitulations of an Inferiour beeing then more odious then they haue been since with Kings Al the Contry was ouerrunne spoiled and ruined and yet the Earle would not suffer his people to defend themselues declaring alwaies that he was the Kings seruant desiring nothing more then to iustifie himselfe offering to deliuer vp the Towne of Lestoré and for a greater declaration of his will hee caused the white Crosse and the Armes of France to be set vpon the Towers and Walles The Lord of Beaujeu and the Cardinall of Alby seing that without hazarding the Kinges forces they might enter the place Accord made with the E. of ârmagnac by an accord which the King was not bound to keepe l This Maxime That a Prince being forced to make a peace or treaty to his disaduantage may fall from it at his pleasure had already taken footing in the councells of Princes they entred into treaty with the Earle of Armagnac and it was agreed That the said Lord of Beaujeu as Lieutenant to the King hauing speciall power soe to doe did pardon all crimes and delicts which he might haue committed against the King as wel in adhering vnto the Duke of Guienne m The Earle of Armagnac had followed the D. of Guienne in the warre of the Common weale and since had termed him selfe his Lieutenant Generall as otherwise That noe trouble nor hinderance should be giuen to himnor his seruaÌts going nor comming That he might goe safely vnto the King with a hundred or sixe-score Horses
without Armes to iustifie himselfe of those crimes wherewith he was charged according to the offers made by him That the Lord of Beaujeu and the Cardinall of Alby should obtaine all Letters and expeditions necessary for his better assurance That in the meane time he might remaine in his Countrey of Gascoine in what place he should thinke good except the Towne of Lestoré the which should be deliuered into the hands of the Lord of Beaujeu It was also agreed that in case they gaue him not this assurance n A man of quality should desire nothing more then to make his innocency knowne and to see himselfe purged from all accusaâion For the consideration of their honor many haue desired to be araigned or that the thinges promised were not effected the Towne of Lestoré should be restored vnto him The Lord of Beaujeu hauing receiued the Kings commauÌdement vpon this accord the assurance demaÌded Lestore recouered by the E. of Armagnac he sent it vnto Barran whereas he then was by the which it was granted him to goe vnto the King with threescore horse But in steed of going thither he executed an enterprise which he had vpon Lestoré by the meanes of Iohn D. Aymier The younger brother of Albert surprised it o In the Earle of Armagnacs defence it is said that seeing that the Lorde of Beauieu commaunded him to void the Country he required him to restore him the Towne of Lâstore seing that he had not any Town whether to retyre himselfe and that it was deliuered and tooke the Lord of Beaujeu with the Noble-men and Gentle-men that were with him prisoners D' Aymier was quartred at Tours and the younger brother of Albert being Lord of St. Basile lost his head at Poitiers Hereupon new forces ar sent to the Cardinall of Alby and to the Seneshals of Toulouza and Beaucaire to beesiege Lestoré The siege continued three months and the Cardinall seeing that force would not preuale p To make men subiect either force or fraude must be vsed Sparta was forced by Alexander Siracusa deceiued by Denis he added policy for Townes and Common-weales loose their liberties and are made subiect by the one or the other They propounded againe the precedent condition of the accord A second accord made with the Earle of Armagnac The Abbot of Pessans Bishop of Lombes Chancelor to the Earle comes on his part to treat they granted the assuraÌce which he desired to go vnto the King a bolition of all thinges past of the seruices which he had done in the Duchie of Guienne against the King pardon for the Noble-men Gentle-men of his party of al that had bene done in the surprise of the Town of Lestoré q This treaty iustified the E. of Armagnac if it had bene represented but it was not seene They say that the Earles Secretary who had it in his custody was threatned to be âast into a well if he deliuered it not to the Cardinall of Alby In consideration of this he deliuered vp Lestoré vnto the King The articles were signed by the Cardinal Ranfort Balsac Gaston of Lyon Iohn Daillon Lord of Lude on Thursday the fourth of March 1472. In execution of the treaty the Earle of Armagnac deliuered vnto the Cardinall the Castell of Lestoré caused his men to disarme and retired his Cannon making all the ports to be sett open to the Kings men r They that trust are easily deceiued The wise prepare themselues for dangers in assurances In ipsa securitate animus ad difficilia se preparat At this entry there was a great disorder the treaty was broken Earle of Armagnac slaine vnder the assurance of a treaty the Earle of Armagnac was slaine in his house and cast naked into the streets the Townespoiled the Countesse of Armagnac carried prisoner into the Castell and within fewe dayes after was deliuered of a Sonne before her time the Castell and walles of the Towne were razed and it was fiered in euery place and in the end all were intreated with that liberty which the rigor of war permits against Townes and people that rebell s Razing burning and sacking are the ordinary punishments of rebellious Townes Alba was razed Carthage burnt the Vâiens were râoted out So we finde in the Roman History vpon the punishment of reuolts seditions Muri deiecti senatus abductus Charles of Armagnac the Earles Brother was caried prisoner to the Bastille Charles of Armagnac a prisoner and mad This Imprisonment which continued foureteen yeares bred him wonderfull sorrowes and griefe and as the passage is not great from melancolly to madnes his spirit grew weake and made him incapable to rouse the enemies of his howse They gaue him certaine Noble-men of the Countrey to be his gouernors Many haue written the Taking of Lestoré and the death of the Earle of Armagnac after an other manner and such as if they which had vndertaken to iustifie his memory had held it true it had not beene forgotten in their Apology t The Pagans did so much respect others as they held a Periurâd maÌ to deceiue the Gods In sui ranâum perinde estimandum quaÌ si Iouem fesellicet Deorum Iniurias Diis curae Tacit. The more promises are colored with straÌge âaths and misteries the more they are to be suspected The Accord made betwixt the K. of Nauarre Charles Regent of France was sworne vpon the Sacrament They say therefore that the Cardinall of Alby entred into some treaty with the Earle of Armagnac for the assurance whereof he vsed a damnable pollicy Trechery most damnable for seeing that the Earle feared to fall into the Kings hands he sware his promises by the most sollemne misteries of his Religion giuing halfe a consecrated Hoste vnto the Earle and himself taking the other halfe That in the meane time the soldiers slipt into the Towne and that the Earle meaning to charge them fearing a surprise u Vntill the capitulation be made all pollicies all surprises are alowed They laugh at them who suffering themselues to be surprised in those bargaines cry out of disloialty In courses of hostility there is nothing more excellent then deceipte nothing more safe then distrust they cryed out for succors the Kings Armie entred by the breaches which the cannon had made the Towne was spoiled and ruined all were put to the sword and the Earle slaine The Lord of Beaujeu with the other Gentle-men prisoners were deliuered Such was the Tragicall and fatall end of the Earle of Armagnac Fortune who desired to ouerthrow the greatnes of his house blinded his eyes that hee could not apprehend the dangers which did threaten it She had not a more powerfull instrument then the hatred which the King bare him A hatred conceiued long before nourished and augmented by many free hardy actions He was therfore inuironed with so many perplexities and perturbations as hee needed
Body hath no cause to grieue when the head is wounded Suet. The Admirall tould them that by the Kings commandement hee did deliuer the Constable ouer vnto them to make his processe with all speede vppon the letters written and sealed which the King of England and the Duke of Bourgundie and Bourbon had sent the which he presented vnto them d The want of rewarding the good is not so preiudiciall to an estate as the impunity of the wicked The Empires of the world martcht vppon two feete vppon the recompence of good and the punnishment of ill and they must goe streight on the one and not halt on the other and yet it is better to faile on the right foote which is the reward of good then on the left which is the punnishment of whomesoeuer On this foote they went against the Constable but somewhat to swiftly Hee saw him selfe reduced vnto those termes as they did not regard his seruices past but his present offences He beares this affliction as impatiently e They carry prosperities insolently and aduersities impatiently which thinke that neither the one nor the other can euer chaÌge as hee past his prosperities insolently They began his processe by his answers Hee must eyther speake or beee silent His processe is made his words discouer the treason his silence the Traytor There is nothing but pitty to speake for him and there is not any to be fouÌd for crimes of this sort His own writings were against him He coÌfest that to maintaine his office of Constable and trouble the Kings estate he had alwayes entertayned war betwixt the king the Duke of Bourgundy His Conââssions to this effect had giuen him his seale and promise that when as the souldiers which martcht vnder his commaundement should be ready to strik hee would cause them retyre That seing a marriage f He that desires to continue warre in an Estate let him follow the Maxime of the Constable of S t. Paul alwaies to keepe the King in bad termes with the neerest of his bloud As the Princes of the bloud beeing well vnited vnto the Prince make him to bee more assured and redoubted so when as they are drawne away the state must needs suffer Hereof we reade two goodly examples one of Hipparcus in Thucid the other of Sext Tarquinius in Tit Liâius treated and concluded betwixt the Duke of Guyenne the kings brother the princesse of Castill he wrote vnto M sr aduising him to haue a care how he proceeded as soon as he should be gone into Spayne to fetch his wife the King was resolued to send an Army into the Dutchie of Guienne to dispossesse him to make him miserable and that if he would giue eare to marry with the Duke of Bourgundies daughter he assured himselfe to make him haue her so as hee would send his seale to the Duke of Bourgundie that he would passe a procuration to obtaine a dispensation of the oth for his promse of marriage with the Princesse of Castill That the Duke of Bourgundie hauing sent a man expressely to him to haue his seale the which he would send to the Duke of Sauoy he would that they should paffe to the Duke of Bourbon to draw him vnto their league and intelligence against the King who answered them that he had rather be as poore as Iob g There is no misery comparable to that which treason and infidelâty causeth and therefore the Duke of Bourben did rather choose the condition of Iob then to reuolt against his K. then consent to their conspiracie and that the end would be miserable That the king hauing commanded him to write to the king of England to the Queen to the Earle of Somerset and to M sr de Candalles touching the E. of Warwick that he had writen quite contrary to the kings intentions They desired to heare him touching the barre and Causey of Compeigne At that word he found his owne mistaking and that the perfection of mans actions depends of well knowing himselfe h The first precept or rather the summary of the Instructions of the conduct of mans life is to know himselfe wel Theron depends the good or bad issues of actions Heraclitus speaking of a great and high cogitation of his spirit said that he sought himselfe He could not denie but that he had there played the companion with his master He confest that when he spake with the king neere vnto Compiegne he had caused a barre to be made betwixt the King and him to the end he might talke in safety and yet the king notwithstanding past the barre to imbrace him and to intreat him to holde his partie the which he promised and sware notwithstanding two dayes after the Duke of Bourgundy sent one vnto him to know if he would performe that which he promised him to offer him a pension of a thousand pounds sterling That he had writen vnto the Duke of Bourgundie that he could finde meanes to seaze vppon the king and then kill him or carry him to any place and that he would lodg the Quene and the Dauphin where as they should be allwaies found They shewed him the letters which he had written to the king of England He acknowledgeth his letters written and he doth acknowledg them and if there had bene no other cryme i Phil. de Commines saith that the hast of this proceeding was sound strange and that the King did much presse the Commissioners The Historiens haue not well obserued the time but wee may coniecturâ it in that the Earle of Mârle the Constables sonne sent on the 4. of December a herald called Montioy who did reside commonly with the Constable to Iohn Ladreche President of the accounts borne in Brabant to intreat him to succour and to stay the Constable if this were the beginning of his âmprisonment as it is credible his processe was made in fifteene or sixteene dayes it had bene sufficient to conuict him The king did presse the Commissioners very earnestly and they proceeded but slowly in a matter of that weight The treason being apparent their opinions tended to death by the courses of extremitie and of the highest point of Iustice and the sentence was pronounced in Parliament by the President of Popincourt It was necessary that the prisoner should heare it in Parliament Hee is sent for to the Court of Parliament and therefore the Siegneur of S t. Pierre went early in the morning to the Bastile to fetch him comming into his Chamber he demanded of him what he did and if he slept he answered that he had been long awake but he kept his bed hauing his head full of fancies The Siegneur of S t. Pierre told him that the Court of Parliament had viewed his processe for the expedition whereof it was necessary hee should be heard He rose and prepared himselfe to goe vnto the Pallace not thinking that
his life Hee liued six yeares eleuen monthes Philip Earle of Bresse sonne to Lewis and great Grandfather to Charles Emanuel who had been prisoner at Loches succeeded him a great Prince as all they haue been whose fortunes haue been tost and crost z They whom a variable vnconstaÌt fortune hath exercised and tryed gouerne theÌselues better then others Tacitus speaks it of Caractatus QueÌ multa ambigua multa prospeta extâlerant vt câteros Britannorum Imperato resprâmineret Whom many crosses and many good fortunes had raised vp that he might exceed the rest of the Brittish commanders After that Iustus Lipsius to confirme this truth hath spoken of Charles the fiât and Lewis the eleuenth he addes Emanuel Philibert Duke of Sauoy and concludes that the Greeke word is true ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã I haue learned of them that haue hurt me Miseria brudentiae bona mater Misery iâ a good mother of wisedome At the Kings returne from Lyon Alfonso K. of Portugal comes to demand succors in France Alfonso King of Portugall came to salute him being at Tours hee came vnto him as to his last refuge being no longer able to resist the power of King Ferdinand and Isabelta The cause of their contention is well worthy the knowing and to vnderstand it wee must remember that it was formerly said that by the peace made betwixt Iohn King of Castille and Iohn of Nauarre Blanche the eldest Daughter of Nauarre was married to Henry of Castille Prince of the Asturies and that the marriage was not consummated by reason of the disabilitie and coldnes of the husband a Pope Eugenius the third gaue a dispensation for the degree of proximitie that was betwixt the married couple and the marriage was celebrated at Madrid in the yeare 1440. The bashfulnes and modestie of this Princesse made her dissemble her misfortune Disabilitie of Henry K. of Castillâ whereof no man might inconsiderately grow in doubt for the Prince was of a manlike and braue aspect but his actions were faint and languishing They were but fiue and twentie yeares old when they were married At one and thirty he succeeded to his father who died in the yeare 1454 of a quartaine Ague after that he had put Aluaro de Luna b Dom Aluato de Luna abusing the greatnes of his charge and the great loue the King bare him was hated of the Princes Noblemen of Castille they forced the King to banish him six yeares from the Court His faction won the Prince D. Henry who armed against his father wroght so as he was restored to fauor and made Master of the Order of S. Iames but seeking to be reuenged of his enemies and making many enterprises against them Queene Isabel fauoring them made the King resclue to put him in prison to haue him exâcuted at Vaile dosât The King did forfeit al his goods they did set a siluer Basin whereas his head was to receiu that which passers by would giue for his entertainment A remarkable example of the inconstancy of Kings and fortunes fauours Al sin ãâ¦ã vita a la tarde loa el dia. The life is commended by the end and the day by the Euening his Constable to death and had raigned nine and forty yeares and six monethes Henry succeeded him and Alfonso his second sonne was great Master of the Order of St. Iames hee would willingly haue giuen him his Crowne for the griefe he had conceiued for Henries disobedience His Daughter Isabella was but three yeares old to whom he gaue the Towne of Cuellar and a great summe of money for her mariage All things succeeded otherwise then he had proiected The eternall prouidence which hath written in his tables of Diamond the aduentures of things which are haue been and shall be had disposed after another manner But as the most constant patience is tired at length this Princesse The Pope dissolues the mariage for sterilitie hauing for a long time endured her husbands disabilitie began to murmure and he preuented her complaints presenting a request vnto the Pope to bee seperated from her and shewed that she was barren and could not be a mother and that the affaires of Castille required an heire The Pope dissolued the first marriage and suffered him to marry againe with Ione Infanta of Portugall Sister to King Alfonso and Daughter to King Edward a Princesse exceeding faire who more desirous to bee a Queene then a wife consented to this marriage notwithstanding that shee was fully aduertised of the disabilitie of the husband which she tooke who although he were a great Prince could not haue found a woman where as euery one may haue for his money But shee made it knowne that a politick woman neuer dyes without an heyre On the other side the King held the blemish of disabilitie to be so dishonourable as to make the contrarie knowne and to haue children to succeed vnto his Crowne he consented that Bernard de la Cueua one of his fauourites c Some write that D. Ioane consented therevnto by force but when she had once made this leape she had more need of a bridle then a spurre A wonderfull incontinency and impudency Being at it were confined to the Castell of Alacaes vnder the custody of the Archbishop of Seuelle she had by D. Pedro the Archbishops Nephew two children D. Ferdinand and D. Apostol should lye with the Queene who presently conceiued with child and to the end it should not bee thought to be done by supposition he would haue her deliuered in the presence of Henry Earle of Alba de Lista the Archbishop of Toledo and the Marquis of Vellena It was a Daughter which had for her Godfather the Earle of Armagnaâ who was at that time Embassador in Castille to King Lewis the eleuenth Wisedome and discretion might haue made this deceit more fortunate then it was Henry the king of Castille degraded for all Spaine made demonstration of incredible Ioy for the birth of this Daughter but there was follie and indiscretion of all sides The King who would confirme this opinion that he was a gallant man sought the loue of other women who soone discouered the deceit The Queene made shew to be iealous entertained her loue securely with D. Bernard so as the great familiaritie he had with her made the world doubt of her chastitie and when as they saw that the King honored him with the chiefe charges of the Realme making him master of the order of St Iames and then Duke of Albuquergue they did imagine that he made him play his part in this Comedie which ended with cruel tragicall effects for the Great men of the realme made a league to seaze vpon D. Alfonso and D. Isabella brother Sister to the end that this Bastard should not depriue them of their rights Alfonso being about twelue yeeres old was proclaimed K. of Castille by them and then did D. Henry shew
the ancient alliances u The Allâances betwixt France Castille were confirmed by the Dâputies of both Kings betwixt Baâonne Fontaraby of France with Castile Alphonso retires into Portugall would cause him to be taken he thought to retire himselfe with an intent to shut himselfe into a Monastery or to make a voyage to Ierusalem hoping for no succours but from God hauing in vaine attended them from men The King being loth to abandon him in this preplexity caused certaine ships to bee armed in Normandy to conduct him into Portugall where his sonne dispairing of his returne had already taken the title of King D. Beatrice widdow to D. Ferdinand of Portugall Aunt to the Qâeene of Castile Accord betwixt the Kings of Castile and Portugall vndertooke to reconcile them intreating her Neece to come to Alcantara to conferre together Their Conference did produce a peace for a hundred yeares x It was said by this accord that the peace should bee kept betwixt the Kings of âastile Porâugal for a huÌdred years one to come to the content of both Realmes and to the glory of both Kings who then carried their armes and their designes to the conquest of new contries y In the yeare 1475. the first voyage was made to Guinee by the marriners of Castile after they had conquered the canaries in the yeare 1417. Of this enterprise Iohn of Batencourt a french was Generall and carried the title of King Of that of Guinee Pedro de Colied s. By this peace it was said that the King of Portugall should not marry D. Ioane that shee should depart out of Portugall or if shee would remaine there she should haue her choise either to marry with D. Iohn Prince of Castile newly borne when he should come to age or enter into a monastery This Princesse did rather choose a monastery then marriage and tooke vpon her the habit of S ta Clara in the royall Monastery of Coimbra who for the greatnes of her courage and contempt of the world deserued of posterity the surname of excellent The flight of Granson and the losse of Morat two fatall accidents to a spirit insupportable both in prosperity and aduersity z There are spirits like vnto sick bodyes which are distempered with heat and cold they cannot iud ure prosperity nor aduersity brought comfortles aflictions vnto the Duke Afliction of the Duke of Bourgondy after the Battell of Morat and made him continue sixe weekes solitary at Riuiere suffring his beard to grow carelesly feeling his vnderstanding to grow weake and his naturall heat so cold as they made him to drinke wine alone in stead of Ptysan which before was his ordinary drinke And to recouer his spirits and to cheere his heart they applyed therevnto diuers sorts of remedies and if by fits he came to his good sence it was but to make him haue a more liuely apprehension of his vnfortunate Estate a A great courage is very seÌsible of puâlââe disgraces Mahomet seeing himselfâ forced to raise the siege from Belgâade with losse and shâme called for poison to Râl himselfe He neuer remembred this ahhâoât but ãâ¦ã his is head against the wall and âare his mustastachos The solitarines which hee vsed to passe away his greefe did but augment it and let him know that there is no worse estate then that of a discontented mind in an vnsound body Hee woould not endure any one to talke vnto him and was mad when they spake If hee would haue suffred himselfe to be seene it would haue giuen him ease and by the cheerfulnesse of his countenance his soldiers would haue recouered their spirits which this accident had danted b Princes in the change of their fortunes entâr into fury against them ãâã at seek to adââse them Perseus hauing been defeated by Paulus AEmilius slue 2. of his greatest fâiendes wâo sâept foreward to tell him some truth Euery thing disâleaseth an aflicted mind Great sorrows must be euaporated for the more they are restrained the more they swell and grow more violent but beeing past they must shew a countenance free from all perplexity or basenes He is contemned of his friends Time did but increase the wound in the Soule of this Prince his friends and allies contemned him Galâas Duke of Milan seeing that by this losse all his Intelligences were crost in Italy turned his back to him Frederie Prince of Tarentum abused with a hope to marry his daughter allies himselfe to the house of France whilst that this triumphant Chariot went well euery one would be on the top of it but now it is ouerthrowne they abandon it c Prosperity fiâds many friends kinsmen misfortune and misery hath noâany ãâã shiâ doth most commonly fellow fârtune who hath hauour good successe at her sides The Duke of Lorraine seeking to make his profit of the Duke of Bourgundies misfortune recouers his places lost in Lorraine with the horsemen he had of France Duke of Lorraine recouers his own CoÌtry and beâleegeth Nancy and some footemen from the Suisses and the Townes of Germanie He besieged Nancy forced the Lord of Bures of the house of Croy to yeeld after that hee had in vaine sollicited succors from his Master d Râne Duk of Lorraine recouered many places which the Bourgândians held Eâpinal wouâd not yeeld without seeing him for that they were made beleeue that he was dead Nancy hauing indured ten weekes seege it yeelded the 7. of Nouember 1476. The English which were within it hauing lost Cohin their leader began to murmure more at the length of the succors then the languishing of the siege for they had no other torment then the impatiencie of that which they attended They told de Bures that if hee did not compound they would make their owne appointment De Bures in steed of opposing himselfe to so vniust dishonourable a demand yeelded vnto them The Pilot beleeued the Galley slaues and the Phisition yeelded to the pleasure of his sicke patient e Pompey resolued to makewarre at the appetite of his soldiers the which the Captaine of a shâp should not doe much lesse the Generall of an army and against his owne mind for he was wont to commend those Phisitions which did not please the disordred Appetiâe of their Patienâs Plut. The composition was made and three daies after succors came The Duke of Bourgundy Army of the Duke of Bourgon dies before Nancy not to giue the Duke of Lorraine leisure to fortifie Nancy nor to furnish it with men and victuals blockt it in on euery side hauing Pont a Mousson for his retreat This was not done with the aduice of his best Captaines f Notâing doth more aduance the ruine of a Prince then not to beleeue Counsâll and to presume to know more then any They hold him saith Paulus AEmilius that would manage all thinges after his owne braine for an arrogânt
the one had beene depriued of his benifice the other two saw their Sisters dishonoured by the voluptuousnes of this Prince y Galeas Duke of Milan defloured the Sister of Charls Viscount master of his ward robe and then gaue her to one of his Mignons to abuse Paul Iou. The conspiracie being resolued and they furnished with courage and armes for the execution they go to him being at the doore of St. Stephens Church in Milan approching neere him He is slaine at the Church doore making shew to salute him Iohn Andrew Lampognano strook him in the windpipe z They write that Lampognano to accustome and incourage himselfe to this execution did euery day stabbe the Dukes picture with a dagger and after his cruell meditations executed his desseigne Ierosme Olgiato in the throat and stomacke and Charles Viscount wounded him in the belly It was impossible to escape presently the Dukes Seruants seazed of them The first being content to die seeing that Galeas was dead cried out as they cut him in peeces After this manner I desire to die Ierosme was taken aliue and being condemned to be fleied and quartered vpon a scaffold aliue he saied making no other repentance for this crime that of so cruell a death the reputation would be perpetuall a Ierosme Olgiati beeing strecht out vpon the scaffold to be quartered said Mors acerba fama perpetua stabit vetus memoria facti Burt. Lib. 5. Hist. Florent A bitter death but a perpetual fame the memory of the fact shall remaine old The King was not so much greeued for the death of Galeas as he had beene for that of Francis Sforce Lewis xi a friend to Francis Sforce the best of his good friendes froÌ whom he receiued 500. men at armes and 3000. foot led by Galeas against the league of the Commonweale and to whom he was resolued to retire if he might not haue entred into Paris When as the King saw himselfe freed of one enemy Lewis sends an Ambassador into Scotland he studied what he should do to be reuenged of another and remembring that K. Edward had past the seas for the D. of Bourgundies passions hee desired to cry quittance with him and therfore he sent Robert of Ireland a Scottishman and a Sorbonist with two French Gentlemen to perswade Iames 3. King of Scotland to make warre against England but the Estate of Scotland was so full of bad humours as they could not stir this bodie without danger of an incurable disease b Whilist that a body is found it feeles not the putrified and corrupted humors which are disperced into diuers mebeâs but as soone as one part is grieued all gather together run thither It is euen so of states whilst they are in peace but vpon the first trouble any thing that is wicked seditious and rebellious discouers it selfe The King was but seauen yeares old when he succeded to his Father ContentioÌ in Scotland for the Regency and the diuision was great to know who should haue the Regencie and Gouernment of the Realme Some were for Queene Marie his Mother Others were for Iames Kenneth and George Douglas Earle of Anguse The Queene caused her selfe to be declared that which she would be they that were for her saied that if they regarded Proximitie there was not any neerer vnto the Sonne then the mother If they did consider the good of the childe not any one could haue more care then she If they could not contend with her in the degree of Proximitie it were indiscretion to call her affection and fidelitie in doubt hauing therein nature for her Caution If they respect the common good the condition of her birth was considerable for that being a stranger no way possest with loue nor passion they should not finde that she would support the one to the preiudice of the other as they might doe which had Alliances Kinsmen and Intelligences within the Realme who carried their dessignes beyond the Kinges life and might builde vpon his toombe As for her the death of her Son could bring her no other fruits but a perpetuall sorrow and therefore she was bound to desire his health and preseruation Kenneth seeing this ScottishmeÌ hate the commaund of women stirs vp the people to apprehend the iniurie which was done vnto the Lawes of a Realme which had alwaies detested the rule of Women as contrary to that of nature c Gynecoratis or the gouernment of women is directly against the laws of nature which hath giuen vnto men seâce wisedom arms and commaundment and hath taken it from womeÌ and the law of God hath wisely decreed that the woman should bee subiect vnto the man not onely in the gouernment of realms and Empires but also in euery mans priuate family Bodin Lib. 6 cap. 5. and which had seen the raigne of an hundred Kings and not any one of their Daughters that succeeded Shall wee not finde saied hee among so many thousands of men one man that is capaple to commaund men must a Nation which hath no other experience but armes beforced to subiect their swords to the lawes of a distaffe and suffer themselues to be gouerned at the discretion of a woman and of a strange woman d The first woman which opened the waie for the rule of women in Scotland was Mary Stuard and Mary the Daughter of Henry the 8. in England To pacifie this discord they resolued to leaue all matters as they were for a moneth during the which the passions of both parties were but the more enflamed Many within the Realme desired rather to obey the Queene then any other that should be of an equall condition or superior vnto them But as in such occasions a man of credit and authority workes wonders drawing the hearts and opinions of men as he pleaseth Iames Kenneth Archbishop of St. Andrew giuing the Parlament to vnderstand e Cato desirous to let the Romans vnderstand that the commandemeÌt of women was shameful spake these wordes vnto them All men coÌmand women wee coÌmand men and women command vs. Plut. that to giue the authority to the Queene was to contradict the auncient Lawes of the Realme to expose Scotland to dangers and Scottishmen to the scorn of a shamefull gouernment and who should iustifie the reproach which might be made vnto them to commaund men and to be commaunded by women That Scotland neuer knew what the gouernment of women was they found no names in their language to expresse it they had neuer seene woman preside in their Councels nor Parliaments nor to dispose of Iustice nor of the Treasure and that which other Nations call Queene Scotland cals the Kings Wife f The history of ScotlaÌd reports the wordes of Iames Kenneth Mairoes nostri adeo erant a cura publica muliaeribus mandanda alieni vt si omnia reruÌ vocabula excutias ne mulâebus quidem imperii nomen opud eas
inuenias Quorsum enim eârei nomen imposuissent cuius ipsi nullum penitus vsum habuissent nec imposterum vilum fore sperabant Quas enim Reginas alii suo quisque sermone nos Regum vxores appellamus Our Elders were so farre from giuing the gouernment of publike affaires to women as if you will examine all words there is not any one to be found with them of a womans gouernment why should they giue that a name whereof they had no vse neither did they hope there should be Those whom other Nations in their language tearme Queenes we call Kings wiues That for these reasons he could not councell the Estate of the Realme to preferre the gouernment of a woman before that of a man not to the Queene to attempt it beseeching her to thinke that they which councelled her did it more for their owne fortunes then for her honour That although her vertues were not vnknown to Scotland and that they must hope well of the vigour of her spirits and the greatnesse of her courage yet they had but two many examples of the ruines which verie sufficient women had brought to States when as striuing to excell their sexe they would exceed the bounds ordained by nature g Zenobia Palââyrenâ hauing vanquished the Parthians and valiantly defended the Romaine Empire in the end she saw her selfe vanquished and a prisoner In a moment she lost the realme which her husband had inlarged and inricht This seemes to shew that the enterprises of women beyond their reach are alwaies dangerous His aduice was that they should chuse one or more capable to gouerne the Realme vntill the King had force of minde and body to discharge them This opinion was followed by the greatest part and they that would willinglie haue crost it Councell appointed for the Regency of Scotland seeing themselues ouerswaied by the multitude consented But to the end one faction should haue no aduantage ouer the other they tooke two of either giuing them power to keepe the Prince and to gouerne the Realme They left vnto the Queene the care to bring vp his two Brethren Alexander Duke of Albany and Iohn Earle of Marre and his two Sisters but she died the yeare following The affaires being thus setled in Scotland the King of England made a truce with the Scottish men for fifteene yeares About the sixt yeare of his raigne Robert Bothwell fauoured by the King Robert Bothwell a bold spirit being desirous to haue a share in the affaires found meanes to approach neere vnto this young Prince and told him that hee had beene long enough vnder the gouernment of these old men that it was time to make himselfe knowne and what God had ordained him to be Perswasions to raigne and commaund are alwaies sweet especiallie to Princes who thinke they cannot begin their raignes too soone nor end theÌ too late Vpon this discourse the King suffered himselfe to be led to Edingbrough to begin his raigne The Regents of the Realme were incensed at this presumption make Bothwells processe But the King declaring that hee had done nothing but for his seruice and by his commaundement makes him Lieutenant Generall of the Realme and a Companion both in his authoritie and affaires h Tiberius called Seianus Socium laborum a Companion of his labouâs he caused his statue to be honored in Pallaces and Theaters Tacit. lib. 4. He commits vnto his charge his owne person his Brethren and Sisters his Forts and Townes vntill hee should come to the age of one and twenty yeares he bindes all the Noblemen that were about him to acknowledge him in this qualitie and he giues his eldest Sister in marriage to Thomas Bothwell the sonne of Robert i The points reserued to Soueraigne Maiesty should neuer be imparted to any Subiect no not by Commission least they open a way to the Subiect to enter into the Princes place That which the King thought to do to assure this breeding greatnesse was that which ouerthrew it Nobility of Scotland conspire against Bothwell for the Nobles of the Realme did so enuy it and did pretend so many dangers in this great Communication of the Royall Authoritie to a priuate person as they coniured the ruine of this house The King had demaunded Margaret the King of Denmarkes Daughter in marriage whereunto they did the more willinglie accord for that by the treatie the controuersie was ended betwixt those two Crownes for the Ilands of Orcades The question was to send one to conduct the Queene This charge was giuen to Thomas Bothwell by the aduice of his enemies to the end that this absence might coole the great heare of the Kings loue as commonly Princes affections fauour that onelie which they see and weaken his faction giuing more courage to his enemies to make their party against him They that had neuer spoken word during his great prosperitie cry now against those Horseleeches of State against those Rauens and Harpies k For a time they suffer and dissemble the publike iniuries and oppressions of priuate men but when as any one begins to cry all pursue them All the complaints which had beene made against the Father for the bad gouernment of affaires were reuiued with such vehemencie as the King saw himselfe in a manner forced to heare them and to prouide for it A Parlament being called at Edinbourg they make a great instance vnto him he cannot bandie himselfe against such wholesome resolutions and they let him vnderstand that the force of his Estate consists in the Accord of his Will with those of his Senate l A Prince cannot shâw to much fauour loue and protection to the generall Councell of his Estate from whence goe all the resolutions for the good of the CoÌmon-weale Otho speaking of the Senate of Rome said vnto his Armie Quid vos pulcherimaÌ hanc vrbem domibus tectis congestu lapidum stare creditis Muta ista et inanima intercidere reparari promiscue possuÌt aeternitas rerum par gentium mea cum vestra salus in columitate Senatus firmatur What doe you thinke that this goodly Citty consists in houses buildings and heapes of stânes these dumb sencelesse things may fall and bee repaired againe the eternitie of things the peace of Nations and my health with yours is setled by the safety of the Senate Robert Bothwell is sent for to appeare in person and to giue an account of his actions Bothwell coÌdemned by the Parliament His flight into England did conuict him His Sonne being ficke and not able to flie away was staied a prisoner and condemned to loose his head in the Spring following Thomas Bothwel being come to Edingbourg with the Queen much amazed after so many dangers which hee had runne for his seruice to see his house thus ruined and vpon the aduice which his Wife gaue him of the small hope there was to returne into fauour he
happened in Florence The Duke of Milan entred also into their League The warre was managed with that spleene wherewith their spirits were then transported The Venetians contemne these flashes of lightening and are amazed that Rome when it was Pagan had forbidden their Priest to looke vpon dead men o The Priestes at Rome diuerted their âeyes from all funerall sights when as Tiberius made his sonnes funerall Oration there was said Seneca a vaile betwixt him and the body Quod Pontificis oculos à funere arecret That it might keepe the high Priests eies froÌ that mournfull sight Sen. in Cons. ad Mart. and being Christian that he suffers men to kill one another That Pallas Priests durst not cursse Alcibiades p Pallas Priests at Athens would not cursse Alcibiades although the people commanded it for I haue answered shee the office of a Priest to pray for men and not to cursse them and that the Pope being head of the Church should cursse a whole Common-wealth Italy became the force and store-house of the warres of Christendome there being no hope to quench the fire which his wilfulnesse had kindled but by the bloud of the vanquished 5 Lewis intreats the Pope for the peace of Italy The King knowing that the common enemy should reape all the profite of this warre sent his Embassadours to the Pope to beseech him not to show himselfe implacable to these two Christian Common-wealths The Pope receiued them with much contentment as the Angels and Messengers of peace They came to Rome in February q All this dâscourse is drawne out of the Oration which is in the Acts of the Vatican of Sixtus the 4. the which is cloquÌet iudicious for that time and for the estate of the businesse it begins after this manner Proximo Februario venientes ad nos dilectos filios Oratores Christianissimi Franceorum regis pro nostra in eum principem solita charitate laeti suscepimus Auxit laetitiam missionis tam longinquae causa Ad paceÌ enim in Italia procuranda dicebaÌtur venire Our deere sonnes the Embassadours of the most Christian French King coÌming vnto vs we receiued theÌ ioyfully for our wonted charity vnto but Prince The cause of this long Embassage did encrease the ioy they were said to come to procure a peace in Italy and had audience as soone as they demanded it They let the Pope vnderstand that the Kings affection to the holy Sea and his zeale and piety to the seruice of the Church had bound him to seeke the meanes to quench this great diuision and to vnite the childrens will vnto the fathers for that he was well aduertised that Christendome should haue need to ioyne all her forces to resist the Turke who had a desire that yeare to inuade Christendome and it may be would begin with Italy and therefore the League did promise to giue care vnto a Pacification Offer made by the King for the League to the end they might contribute their forces and meanes for the common defence of Christendome The Pope r Egimus pro meritis gratias pium magni regis desideriumlaudibê° quibus potuimus extulimus NoÌ vinci nons tanti boni affectu monstrauimus Wee gaue them than thankes for their well deserning we did coÌmend as much as wee could the godly desire of that great King And we did shew that we could not be vanquished in affection to so great a good did thanke the Kings Embassadours with great affection he did much commend that commendable desire in Lewis whom he termed the Great King he that saith Great saith enough it was the glorious Title of the Kings of the East s For the title of Kings that of Great is excellent and common to the kings of Persia ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and which comprehends all other greatnesse and desired that when there should be any occasion presented to seeke and aduance the good of Christendome his affection should neuer giue place to any other and that he had made it well knowne all the time of his Popedome by so many Legations which he had sent into all places The Pope desires Peace to maintaine the Publique Peace and make warre to cease and by that meanes supply the necessities and serue for the defence of the Faith That neuer Bishop t The History of Affricke saith that the Bishop of Nola after that he had sold all his goods to redeeme Christian slaues he sold himselfe vnto the Vandales for his brethren sold himselfe more willingly for his brethren then he would do for so many poore Christians which do groane vnder the yoake of Infidels The Kings Embassadours as Arbitrators and Iudges of the Controuersie Embassadours of France make an ouerture for a Peace propounded some Articles to end it and among others That there should be a suspension of Armes and Censures That the Cardinall of S. George should be set at liberty That they should ordaine certaine Suffrages and Prayers for them that had beene slaine in the Tumult of Florence That the Florentines and Laurence de Medicis should humble themselues vnto the Pope as they offered to do for the reuerence of the Apostolicke Sea And that all together should demand absolution after the forme ordained by the Church That they should giue caution and assurance for their obedience and fidelity and to maintaine the Liberties of the Church That all the forces of either side should be vnited together and paied for two or three yeares to make warre against the Turke The Pope hauing imparted the Articles and Instructions of the French Embassadours to the Colledge of Cardinals Articles of peace imparted to the Consistory Euery man commended the Kings Integrity Religion and Wisedome but they found them not full enough in matters which concerned the Holy Sea u Non multos post dies jideÌ oratores sicut internos atque aduersantes nobis mediatores accesseraÌt ita media quedam ad conueniendum scripta dederunt integritatem religionem sapientiaÌ deuoti regis monstraÌtia Iudicio tamen nostro venerabilium fratruÌ nostrorum ad honoreÌ sedis quem imprimis seruatum volebaÌt satis non plena After some few daies as there came aduerse mediators vnto vs so they propounded certaine meanes for an accord shewing the integrity Religion and wisedome of the Great King yet in our iudgemeÌt and of our reuerent brethren they were not ample enough for the honour of the Sea which they would haue chiefly kept which the Pope did chiefly regard and yet they were allowed vpon hope that they would produce a Peace and an vnion of Christian Forces against the enemy of the Church and also for that the King pretended to make the Venetians and Florentines consent to any thing that should be thought reasonable for satisfaction of the holy Sea Vpon this assurance The Pope receiues the Embassadours of Venice and Florence the Embassadours of Venice and
Liuius did of the Romans n Nulla vnquam Respublica nec maior nec sanctior nec bonis exemplis ditior fuit nec in quam tam serae auaritia luxuriaque immigrauerint nec vbi tantus ac tamdiu paupertati ac parfimoniae honos fuerit There was neuer Common-weale greater nor more holy nor richer in good examples nor into which auarice luxury crept later nor whereas pouerty and parsimony were so long honoured That neuer Common-weale was better maintained in her ancient discipline nor wheras Auarice had lesse credit and Simplicity more honour then in that of the Suisses For these reasons the king made a defensiue leaue with them Alliance of France with the Suisses by the Treaty gaue himselfe the Name of the first Ally of their Common-weale and tearmed himselfe their Bourgesse o The Duke of Sauoy said that the Title of the first Ally of the Suisses belonged to him before all others They promised to furnish him with eight thousand men at all times for foure German Florins and a halfe of monthly pay 2000 pouÌd sterling Moreouer he gaue them a pension of twenty thousand Franckes to be distributed among them By the meanes of this Alliance his forces increased greatly in Bourgondy Dole was taken by assault spoiled ruined and made miserable But this pillage did impouerish the King beeing certaine that what is taken from Townes vanquished is lost for the Victor p Craesus King of Lydia seeing Cyrus Souldiers running vp and downe the Towne of Sardes he demanded whither they did run They go to the spoyle of the Towne answered Cyrus They take nothing from me replied Craesus all they carry away is thine and not mine Aussonne held out but fiue dayes Besançon an Imperiall Towne continued in her liberties and was not forced to more duety then shee had beene accustomed to yeeld vnto the Earles of Bourgondy Verdun would not yeeld but by force and suffered for her wilfulnesse Beaune auoyded it submitting herselfe to a fine of forty thousand Crownes The King labouring to ruine the house of Bourgondy Estate of the affairs of Castille apprehended the rising of that of Castille seeing that by the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabel the Realmes of Castille and Arragon which had beene diuided 405 yeares were vnited q Castille Arragon in the beginning were but Earldomes they were made Realmes after the death of D. Sancho the great king of Nauarre who was the last Earle of Arragon Castille He would haue beene nothing sorry if the contention which was betwixt them who should haue the gouernment of Castille had continued longer Queene Isabel said that as daughter to King Iohn of Castille shee was sole heire of the Realme and that her marriage should not depriue her of her quality King Ferdinand obiected that he was sonne to Iohn the second King of Nauarre and Arragon descended in the direct line from Iohn the first King of Castille and that it was not fit a woman should carry the Scepter of so great a Realme r Lipsius speaking of this Prince and Princesse giues this censure Maritus caetera vir egregius restrictor aut timidior erat retinere sua melior quam augere Haec dilatabat The husband a worthy man a holder fast or more fearefull hee was better to hold his owne then to augment it She enlarged it It was concluded by the aduise of the Grands that all Letters and Expeditions should bee made in the name of both and vnder the Seale of both Realmes of Castille and Arragon and the money coined with the Armes quartered This iudgment wherwith Ferdinand was not well pleased was grounded vpon the great and eminent vertue of Isabel Vertues of Isabel of Castille another Zenobia of Spaine and who did neuer breath any thing but what was great and generous A great Iusticer if euer any were and inexorable to rebellions s The Citty of Seâile being reuolted through the factions betwixt the house of Gusman and Ponti the queen Isabella went thither forst them all to their duties she caused all that were in the Castle to bee hanged hauing refused her the entry she made the Court of Spaine a true Academy of honour and vertue out of which came Gonsalue the great Captaine her counsels were followed as Oracles and often times her husband and the Grands of the realme hauing found that no great matter was effected if it were not approued by her aduice neuer disputed against that which she had resolued It is she that began and ended the war of Portugall expelled the Moores out of Grenado added the realme of Nauarre to that of Castill and gaue meanes to Christopher Columbus t In the yeare 1492. the third of August the Queene D. Isabella sent Christopher ColuÌbus from Palos de Moguet in Andalusia to discouer the westerne Indies hauing sailed 2. moneths and 8. dayes hee first landed in the Iland of Guanahamo betwixt Florida Cuba to discouer new countries they also commend her for her great constant piety and for her admirable sobriety hauing neuer drunk wine she loued learned men and tooke delight in the knowledge of the Latine tongue she was full of courage resolution in aduersity for being vpon the treaty of her daughters marriage with Emanuel King of Portugall newes being brought her of the death of her only sonne u The Prince D Iohn of Castille being married to Margaret of Austria died at SalamaÌca The History of Spaine saith that the King D. Ferdinand to acquaint his wife D. Isabella with this death caused a brute to be raised that hee was dead and then presently shewed himselfe vnto her so one sudden consolation betwixt two great afflictions did moderate both the one and the other she did not cease to proceed suppressing her griefe vntill that Emanuel was aduertised therof by others She was very constant in al distemperatures and dolours of the body for she was deliuered of her children without any groane or cry x In partus acutissimis doloribus gemitum vocem supprimebat rem incredibilem nisi à fidissimis matronis quae à cubiculi cura erant id certo se cognouisse Marinaeus Siculus adfirmaret In the bitterest pangs of childbearing she did neither groane nor cry an incredible thing if Marinaeus the Sicilian did not affirm that he had receiued it from the faithfullest matrons of her chamber King Lewis beeing very iealous of the county of Rousillon Death of D. Iohn King of Nauarre which was a thorne in the foot of Castille held the kings in iealousie and expences and desired to haue the realme of Nauarre continue in the possession of the successors of King Iohn who died in the end of the yeare 1479. y D. Iohn king of Arragon died at Barcelona being 81 yeares old hauing raigned in Nauarre 53. yeares and 4. moneths and 21 yeares six moneths in Arragon He
Caualarie of France shewing their ancient valour Battell of Guinegaste brake that of Maximilian and chased them as farre as Aire which made their Foot-men to wauer yet they were staied by the constancy and good order of the Captaines which did fight on foot Maximilian put himselfe among the foot-men the Earle of Rhomont and Engelbert Earle of Nassau behaued themselues so valiantly that day as they carried away the honour and Maximilian had the field and profite The French being Victors busied themselues at the spoyle k Greedinesse of spoyle hath many times made them loose the victory who had it most assured They that escaped froÌ this battell and were at that of Nouora committed not this error in pursuing the victory as to fall to spoyle they were heard to cry out in the sield Companions remember Guinegaste and lost the victory which they had certaine When newes was brought vnto Lewis hee would not beleeue that the losse was such as they said If it be true said he that the victory be lost for me fare-well all my Conquests This losse made a Truce and the Truce a peace Christendome had great need to vnite her forces against Mahomet who besieged Rhodes The King obtained a Iubile from Pope Sixtus and caused it to be published throughout his Realme to gather mens Almes and Deuotion for the reliefe and defence of that mighty Bulwarke of Christendome But the History doth not say that he gaue any thing of his owne to the Relligion as King Charles the seuenth had done to prepare himselfe against the Agression of so mighty and fearefull an enemy who vnder a vaine and deceitfull proposition of peace l Nothing doth so much fauour the designes of warre as an opinion of peace Mahomet caused his sonne Zizimi to make some ouerture of a truce vnto Demetrio Sofrano Embassador of the Order and vnder his negotiation he prepared for the warre laboured to discharge vpon them all the furies of warre But it was vaine against Rhodes Siege of Rhodes by Mahomet valiantly defended by the valour and vigilancy of the great Maister of Aubusson who vpon the first aduice that was giuen him of Mahomets designe prouided carefully for the defence and safety of the Towne hee caused some Churches to bee beaten downe which might haue annoyed them if the enemy should get them but hee would not attempt this demolition tumultuously nor of his absolute authority but would first haue the Priests Monkes and all others that were interessed These men by the permission of the Metropolitan of the Grecians and of the Archbishop m There is alwaies a great correspondency betwixt the Order of the Church the inferiors ordaine nothing without the aduice of their superiors The Synode of Laodicea forbad the Bishops diuided among the Villages of the Prouince to doe any thing without the Bishop which was in the Towne Colossensis or of Rhodes for there is a great Relation of authority and obedience of power and respect among them consented In all his designes hee euer respected the Kings aduice and counsell and informed him of all that past yea of the fortifications which he made in the Island and of the ouertures of an accord which Mahomet made to deceiue him beseeching him that the French Commanders and Knights which were within his Realme should not loose so goodly an ocasion to serue Christendome The siege of Rhodes began after that of Scutari n At the siege of Sâutari the Assailants shot so many Arrowes into the Towne as the besieged for a long time after the siege burnt no other wood but Arrowes Mahomet was forced to raise the siege The Venetians Lords of Scutari left it him to haue a peace in the end of May 1480. 1480. After that Mahomet had knowne Tribute refused to Mahomet that it was impossible for him to haue that tribute from the Rhodians which he demanded in regard whereof he would suffer them to liue in peace the Army camped on Saint Stephens Mountaine and vpon little Hilles thereabouts it consisted of an hundred thousand men and a great quantity of Artillery A great troope of horse and foote came furiously from the Mountaine to discouer the Towne of Rhodes the which were twice beaten and repulst Their Batteries being planted the Canon played against S. Nicholas Tower The great Maister was informed of euery thing in the Turkes Army by a Germaine Inginer who cast himselfe into the Towne and left the Infidels making shew that the onely zeale of religion had moued him hee related the whole estate of the Campe and discouered that which they could not learne but by him But his zeale was meere treachery and treason Treason of a German Inginer for the which he was soone after hanged by the commandement of the great Maister who feared Traitors more then Enemies o At the siege of Towns the practises within are no lesse to bee feared then the attempts without Scipio Affricanus said that he was not so carefull to defend himselfe from the enemy as from traitors He refresht the Garrison in S. Nicholas Tower and placed of the most valiant Knights and best Souldiers to guard it he viewes the ruines which the battery had made and causeth them to be repaired speedily The Turkes assaile it with an incredible fury but they were so receiued Assault giuen by the Turkes as in lesse then an houre they lost 700 Souldiers besides them that were wounded and they that retired suddenly to their Gallies were drowned The great Maister went triumphing to Rhodes to giue God thankes for this victory The Turkes to weaken the forces of the besieged and to vanquish them the more easily being diuided batter the Towne in many places p The Artillery battering the walles of Rhodes caused the Iland tremble and it was heard plainly at the Iland of Castle Rosso towards the East an incredible way off with peeces and Engines of warre of an vnknowne greatnesse There was neuer Fort more furiously battered neither was there euer Campe more annoyed by the battery of the besieged The assailants made some shot whose noyse was like vnto Thunder and their ruines like that of Thunder-bolts The Rhodians had a Canon which they called the Tribute which carried away great heapes of the enemies The Scorpions Rammes Slings and Crosse-bowes of the old warres which carried and forced Mil-stones and Rockes with such great violence and so farre off wrought not such terrible effects The Turkes shot out of Engines the stones whereof ruined houses where they fell And after this maner Philip Augustus and Richard King of England had in former times ruined Ptolemaid There was danger to remaine within and danger to come out of the houses q Pauâus Aemilius saith that at the siege of Ptolemaid Saxorum ictu quae Tollenonibus mittebantur tecta domorum superne perfringebantur The toppes of housâs were broken downe with the stones they cast out of engines
were armed Souldiers They entred but seeking to seaze vpon the gate the Portcullis was let downe and they all taken and slaine in the Towne which they would haue surprized the first hauing beene vnlucky and vnfortunate Thus there remained not any Male of the Branch of the Dukes of Lorraine there was not any but that of the yonger brethren of Vaudemont and Guise Branch of Vaudemont The Law preserued the right of the succession for the daughters of René Duke of Aniou and of Isabel of Lorraine Margaret Queene of England being a prisoner pretended not any thing Yoland widdow to Ferry Earle of Vaudemont succeeded Shee was mother to many children and the right of Priority gaue the title of Lorraine to René but Yoland reserued the authority and command vnto her selfe the which held ten yeares René assured himselfe to be Earle of Prouence as he was Duke of Lorraine that his Grandfather by his mother side disposing of his estate would remember him but the King had perswaded him to make Charles of Maine his Nephew his Heire f René Duke of Aniou King of Sicile and Earle of Prouence made his Will at Marsellis the 22. of Iuly 1474. as hee did in all his Estates except in the Dutchy of Bar the which hee gaue to René Duke of Lorraine with the lands of Lambesque and Orgon Hee gaue to Iohn his base sonne the Townes of S. Reny S. Canat and the Marquesat of Pont. They would both haue had Prouence but the good old man to let them know that neither of them should haue it being one day at Table hee cast a shoulder of mutton to two Spannels which fought for it and at the same instant hee let slippe a great Dogge which scattered them and tooke it away It shall bee euen so said René of your affaires you contend for that which one that is more mighty shall carry away This Embleme is yet to bee seene imbost and ingrauen on a chaâre in his Oratory in Saint Sauiours Church at Aix This Discourse grounded vpon the very Originals do contradict the opinion of them that haue written René did not giue Prouence to the King g An errour of some Writers which haue beleeued that which the chronicle hath spoken of this donation making expresse mention that René being at Lyon concluded with the King that after his death the County of Prouence should returne directly vnto the King and bee vnited vnto the Crown that René gaue the Earledome of Prouence to Lewis the eleuenth That the losse of the battell at Gransson hauing altered the minds of many Princes towards the Duke of Bourgundy King René changed that which hee had done to institute him his Heire and that being come to Lyon he flatly renounced his friendship and did consent that Prouence should bee vnited to the Crowne vpon condition that the King should set at liberty his daughter being Widdow to Henry the sixth King of England and prisoner to Edward and that for her ransome hee should pay fifty thousand Crownes that in regard of this summe shee should renounce the pretensions which she might haue vnto Prouence That to content those which the children of his daughter Yoland Dutchesse of Lorraine might also haue hee left them the Lands of Lambesque and Orgon That to make the King know that the declaration of his Will came from his heart with an extraordinary content hee wrot this Donation in letters of Gold with his owne hand and did enrich it with exceeding faire Lymning h Wee must obserue that among the titles which René tooke in Testament hee addes that of Earle of Prouence Barcelona Forcalqueci Pâdmont The Testament of this Prince speakes not any one word of King Lewis neither is it found that he made any other notwithstanding that hee came vnto him the yeare following being at Lyon Hee named for Executors of his Will Queene Ioane of Lauall his wife Executors of Renes TestameÌt Charles Earle of Mayne his first and cheifest Heire René Duke of Lorraine his second Heire William of Harcourt Earle of Tancaruille Gui of Laual Knight Signior of Louë and Seneschall of Anjou Iohn of Vignolle Deane of Anger 's and President of the Assises and Accounts of Anjou Iohn Pinot Doctor of Diuinty his Confessor Peter Le Roy called Bemanon Vice-Chancellour of Angiers Iohn Buell Doctor of the Lawes and Maister of the Accounts i Beside the contentment which the obseruation of these names may giue vnto those families which haue any interest therein it serues to the curiosity of diuers qualities vnited in the same persons the which at this time seeme incompatible Hee would also that if hee dyed in Prouence the Archbishop of Aix and the great Seneschall of Prouence should bee among the Executors of this Testament The King being aduertised that René Duke of Lorraine made practises in Prouence and fearing that by his meanes King René should change his mind commanded that they should seaze on him k Kings haue long hands and many sâares to entrap their enemies It is hard to auoid all their ambushes and laid so many ambushes for him as it had beene impossible for him to escape if hee had not speedily recouered Marsellis where hee imbarkt Hee remained three monthes at Sea past into Sicile came to Venice and crossing through the Grisons Country hee arriued in Lorraine neuer complaining of the dangers which had runne nor the time which hee had lost to make hast and flye from an incensed Prince whose clemency is nothing but a wearied seuerity and rigour René had that misfortune which is insupportable to great courages ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã to suruiue the greatnesse of his house Hee saw the Crownes which had honoured the heads of Kings his Predecessours broken Battell of Rocgueseiche Lewis Duke of Anjou his Grand-father second sonne to King Iohn had gotten the second Title of Right vnto the Crowne of Naples but his bad Gouernement after the battell which hee had wonne against Ladislas in the yeare one thousand three hundred foure score and three l At the battell of Rocqueseich the troupes âf Ladislas were defeated by them of Lewis but the victory was not pursued wheÌ as Ladislas spake of this encounter he said that the first day after the battell his enemies had beene Maisters both of his person and the whole Realme if they done their endeuours to vanquish the second day they might haue beene Lords of the Realme and not of his person if they had followed the victory but the third day they could neither haue had his person nor the Realme whereof hee had reaped not the profite which hee should haue done forced him to quitte Italy where hee had entred with an Army of fifty thousand men and to retire into France grieuing very much at the vnfortunate and ill successe of his enterprises His sonne Lewis the third Duke of Aniou was also declared King
reiected by a Decree of Parliament giuen the 22. of February The same hath beene obserued in other Portions of the Princes of France for the Prouinces of Berry Orleans Anjou Maine the Countie of Clermont Artois Alançcon Perche and Eureux The Deputies did not agree vpon these points and the proofes could not be so cleere but there would be still found some exception or diuersity Moreouer they treated for two Princes who stood not vpon words but held all things doubtfull wherefore they thought it fit for the good of a peace to giue more power to trust then to iealousy i In Treaties it is neccessary to vse all the cautions which wisedome and foresight can inuent but in the end wee must trust them with whoÌ wee treate else it is impossible to resolue any thing which is a shelfe against which affaires suffer ship-wracke They did winke at many things and did turne from that which the necessity of affaires did forbid them to encounter For in Treaties of this sort Hee that can giue must giue and hee that cannot must seeme liber all of that which hee can neither sell nor keepe He that will haue all looseth all Matters past as they desired not by the rigor of restitution but in fauour of the marriage of the Dauphin Charles with Margaret Princesse of Flanders k Margaret of Austria was married to the Dauphin but shee was not his wife for in the yeare one thousand foure hundred foure score and twelue He sent her backe and married the Dutchesse of Brittany Shee was married to the Prince of Castile who dyed in the first yeare of his marriage For the Arch-duke and the Estates representing Prince Phillip as Heires to the Princesse Mary appointed for her Dowry and promised the Counties of Artois Bourgundy Mafconois Auxerrois Salins Bar-sur-seine and Noyers for her and her Heires Males and Females For want whereof all the afore-named land should returne to Prince Phillip and to his Heires l Phillip the first was married to D. Ioane of Castile and had many children Charles the fift Emperour Ferdinand King of the Romanes then Emperour and King of Hungary D. Elenor Queene of Portugall and France D. Maria wife to Lewis king of Hungary D. Isabella Queene of Denmarke D. Katherine wife to D. Iohn King of Portugall That if the lands returned to any other but Prince Phillip and his Heires then the King might retaine them vntill the controuersy were decided for the Townes of Lisle Douay and Orchies the which should be done within three yeares after the case should happen The said Signiory should be gouerned vnder the Dauphin who should make satisfaction for the mony borrowed in the Counties of Artois and Bourgundy and suffer that the pensions granted by former Princes should take effect And if the marriage were not consummated all those places should returne to Prince Phillip reseruing onely a Dowry of fifty thousand Florins by the yeare assigned vpon Bois de Vincennes Montargis Crecy and other places of Champagne Bry and Touraine That during the minority of Prince Phillip and before his marriage the King nor Dauphin should not demand the gouernement of his Low Countries There was a generall pardon granted to all banished men of either side and euery man should re-enter into his possessions without restitution of fruits m It was also agrâed that be Prince of Orange the Earle of Ioigny Leonard of Chalousiâuâ Maister William of Baume Signior of Ilain and Claud of Theolongeon Signior of Bastie comprehended in the peace should returne into the possession of their lands in Bourgundy Dauphinè and the Realme The King also promised to fauour the Signior of Romont for the recouery of his lands All priuileges giuen by the Princes should remaine to them that had obtained them The houses of Flanders at Paris and Conflant should be restored to Prince Phillip and that of Artois to the Lady Margaret This marriage was the gate by the which many Families of the Franch-County past into France The Signiors of the house of Chalon Iohn Dandelot Maister of the Kings horse and Balife of Amont Iames of Colligny father to Gaspard of Colligny High Admirall of France Guy of Rochefort Signior of Pluuant Chancellour of France Iohn of Ache Signior of Verreu Captaine of Dijon Balife of Auxois and Chamberlaine to King Lewis Iames of Vaudre and some others of the house of Mouy and of Saint Fall These Conditions of such aduantage were yeelded vnto without any difficulty for the King had wonne them of Gand who had the children in their n If they of Gand could haue giuen vnto the King the Counties of Namur and Henalt with all the subiects of that house which speake French they would willingly haue done it saith Phillip de Commines to weaken Maximilian possession and whose onely care was to weaken Maximilian and to take from him all meanes to arme against them not considering that flying one mischiefe they did runne into another giuing the King meanes to haue them at his discretion and that they were like vnto the horse which suffred it selfe to be bitted and backt by man to encounter the Stagge During this Treaty the King was growne soâleane pale and disfigured as a man could hardly know him and in an other Religion they would haue commended him more to haue encountred death then to attend it Hee was nothing but a shadow and a voyce in the hottest daies of Summer his body was content with his owne coldnesse without seeking any other refreshing Hee made difficulty to signe any Articles not for that he did not allow of them but to hide the deformity of his griefe o When as age or sickenes causeth any deformityin a Prince he should suffer himselfe to bee seldome seene Tiberius did therefore liue out of Rome Facies parum decora aetas grauior valetudo imbecillis saepe risui fastidio sunt A deformed face old age and ãâã are often subiect to be laught at and loathed L. Lips ex Tacito and there was not any one that durst speake vnto him nor demand any thing of him When as the King of England receiued aduertisement of the resolution of this marriage Death of the King of England he was so much grieued as hee dyed he saw his hopes frustrate in France and his actions contemned in ângland repenting that hee had not giuen credite to his Councell who thought it necessary to breake betimes with the King not to suffer him to fortefie himselfe with the ruines of the house of Bourgundy seazing vpon the Townes so neere vnto England for the taking of Bollegne did threaten him with the losse of Callice and Guines Towards the end of his daies he recompensed the toiles of his life and plunged himselfe in delights taking care how to make himselfe fat That which was superfluous became necessary to him p The increase of a Neighbours power holds a Prince in perplexity and
sometimes in sachirresolution as not daring to make warre heâ doth things preiudiciall to peace Phillip de Commines saith His Exercises and pleasures that hee had no thought but of Ladies and more then was fit of Hunting and to entreate his owne person well When hee went a Hunting hee caused many Pauillions to be carried for Ladies and in this sort made great feasts for hee had a body as fit for it as any that euer I saw being yong and as beautifull as any man that liued in his time q Edward was held in his youth to excell all the Princes of his age in beauty and stature but when as hee came into France in the yeare one thousand foure hundred three score and fifteene He was growne grosse Fâw men become so but by their owne meanes Entring into the Realme hee saw himselfe surprized with a storme and expelled by him who had assisted him to conquer it Hee retired into Holland with two Hulkes a little Ship and many men without mony seeing himselfe to giue a gowne furred with âables to satisfie the Marriner who had transported him At the end of sixe monthes he re-entred into London when as his enemies had held him to be lost In eleuen daies the Earle of Warwicke had wonne the whole Realme for Henry the sixth Edward recouers it in twenty daies with the hazard of two great battles The strongest carried it r They are sometimes bound to fortune and sometimes to pollicy for the happy euents of great enterprises but most coÌmonly the stronger is the Maister ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Occurrat forti qui mage fortis erat and remained peaceable King yet with some remorse to haue beene bound for the quiet possession of his Realme to the cruelties and inhumanities which he committed against his owne bloud For he put to death King Henry the sixth and Edward Prince of Wales his sonne with the Duke of Clarence his brother The cause of this brothers death is not very certaine The most common opinion is that hee would haue armed to succour the Princesse of Bourgundy contrary to his brothers liking Polydore Virgil saith that enforming himselfe he learned of them that liued in those times that King Edward being aduertised by a Coniurer s All the answeres of Sorcerers are doubtfull and deceiue them that trust in them They spake truely meaning the Duke of Glocester and the King deceiued himselfe vnderstanding it of his brother of Clarence that his name that should succeed him beganne with a G. had a conceit that George Duke of Clarence his brother should take the Crowne from his children Death of the Duke of Clarence the Kings brother and vpon this apprehension hee put him to death in a But of Malmesey Others haue written that hee sought the Alliance of the Princesse of Bourgundy and that the Dutchesse Margaret sister to Edward fauoured his Designes which the King not wishing so great a fortune to his brother hindred That at the same time one of the Dukes seruants hauing beene condemned to dye for poyson the Duke of Clarence was offended and spake in such sort as the King taking his words for threates of some great trouble caused him to die in pryson t George Duke of Clarence brother to the King of England made choice to dye in a But of Malmeâcy to die with some content which an ãâã disolution of the soule is wont to cause as Seneca saith or to make himselfe drunke and to free himselfe from the horrour end feeling of death Drusus meaning to dye of hunger would not cate any thing in nine daies but the flockes of his bed Tacit. l. 6. Annal. An act notwithstanding which did afflict him with such griefe and repentance as remembring the great precipitation of his iudgement procured by his brothers enemies when as any came to sue for a pardon for any one that was condemned to dye u Repentance doth vndoubtedly follow cruell and rash actions Caracalla hauing put his brother Getâ to death hee did neuer thinke of him or looke vpon his stature but hee wept Hee caused Loetus who had perswaded him to this paracide to be imprisoned and did all kindes of honour vnto his Funerall Funus Gerae accuratius fuisse dicitur quam eius qui à fratre videretur occisus Getas Funerall was performed with more then his that seemed to bee murthered by his brother AELIVS SPARTIANVS he alwaies said My poore brother had not any to sue for him He left two children Margaret who was married to Richard Poole and Edward whom the King made Earle of Warwicke All the crosses which Edward had suffred did not so much afflict him as he receiued contentment at his returne from the warres of France for the peace which he had brought backe and the Treatie of marriage which he had made of his daughter with the Dauphin of France and the pension of fifty thousand Crownes So when he saw the Dauphin married vnto the Lady Margaret of Austria he was so grieued as hee resolued to returne into France to reuenge this iniury Choller and griefe were so violent in his soule as he dyed the tenth of Aprill at Westminster whereas the Parliament was assembled to resolue vpon the warre of France His body was carried to the Castle of Windsor and interred in S. Georges Chappell He had tenne children by Elizabeth his wife and left Edward Prince of Wales and Richard Duke of Yorke liuing All his life hee had beene liberall and dyed coueâous Hee recommended his wife His brother murthers his children children and Realme to Richard Duke of Glocester who to haue the Crowne put Edward who had raigned but two monthes and Richard his Nephewes to death x Edward had a base sonne called Arthur his daughters were married to diuers Princes Brigit the last was a religious woman The daughters were declared Bastards by the Parliament for that a Bishop affirmed that hee had married Edward vnto a Lady of England before that hee was married to the Lady Elizabeth Riuers Hee caused himselfe to bee Crowned King in Iuly following The parricide of his two Nephewes caused so great scandall and horrour in all the orders of the Realme and the mother who had fledde into the Sanctuary at Westminster y This trust and recommendation of such precious Iewels bound the Duke of Glocester to haue a care of them IS DIGERDES King of Persia seeing that ARCADIVS the Emperour his enemy had recommended his some THEODOSIVS vnto him found himselfe bound to preserue his Estates and laying aside all passions of precedent hatred hee proclaimed warre against any one that should molest his pupill hauing fore-seene the rage of this Tiger filled the Citty of London with very pittifull and strange complaints as euery man found this greedy and vnsatiate desire to raigne inhumane and tyrannous hauing forced him brutishly to teare in peecees the Lawes of Nature and to pollute his hands with
his owne bloud z Churches are Sanctuaries but they giue no safety but to Innocents and to them that are wrongfully ãâã The Temples of the Ancient were a Sanctuary to three sorts of men to Offendours to Slaues and to Debtors God did raise vp the Earle of Richmond Earle of Richmond prisoner to the Duke of Brittany who was prisoner to the Duke of Brittaine all good men desired it to reuenge the innocent bloud and this Tyrant fore-seeing that there was nothing to bee feared but from that part sent Thomas Hutton to the Duke of Brittany to deale with him that hee might not bee set at liberty a Ambition of raigne is not restrained neither by the respect of piety nor the motions of Nature Cupido regni fratre fillia potior The desire of raigne is deerer then brother or daughter Tacit. Annal. lib. 12. seeking the friendship of King Lewis who would not make any answeres vnto his Letters nor heare his Embassadours calling him most inhumane cruell and wicked for the most horrible and execrable murther of his Nephewes The King assisted the Earle of Richmond who being set at liberty by the Duke of Brittany past into England with three thousand Normanes the scumme as Phillip de Commines saith of the whole Prouince and was presently fortified by all them that were offended for the death of their lawfull Prince Earle of Richmond King of England giuing him battell within few daies after his arriuall in the which this Tyrant was slaine and the Earle of Richmond acknowledged for King In all these great reuolutions wee must confesse a Diuine Iustice which doth earely or late reuenge iniquities pursuing them euen in the generations of children who are punished for their fore-fathers offences Henry the fourth caused Richard the second to dye in prison Henry the sixth his Grand-child dyed a prisoner to King Edward the fourth Richard Duke of Glocester murthers Edwards children and Richard is slaine by Henry Earle of Richmond the seuenth of that name Who can deny but there is an Eternall Iustice in all this b When ãâã â wicked man commits any villany hee is presently a prisoner to GODS Iustice and like a fish hee is taken with the baite of pleasure and delight which hee hath taken in doing it which doth punish the wicked by themselues and makes vse of them to scourge others and it deferres publicke punishment for a time the secret doth neuer abandon the crime and is a perpetuall thorne in the offenders soule Francis Phoebus sonne to Gaston Earle of Foix dyed also hauing succeeded to Elenor of Arragon his grand-mother Death of Francis Phoebus King of Nauarre hee being but twelue yeares old and raigned vnder the gouernement of his mother c The Ladie Magdaline of France during her sonnes minority carried this Title Magdaline Daughter and Sister to the Kings of France Princesse of Viana Gouernesse to our most deere and wel-beloued sonne Francis Phoebus by the Gracâ of GOD King of Nauarre The Realme of Nauarre was so diuided as it had neede of a Prince of more greate respect and farre better experience and yet for that hee was neere allied to the Kings of France and Castile the most factious were quiet and tooke the oath of Alleageance when as hee entred with incredible applause into the Towne of Pampelone the tenth of December in the yeare one thousand foure hundred foure score and two Presently after his Coronation Ferdinand King of Castile offered him Ioane his second daughter in marriage The Queene his mother did still protest that her will did wholly depend vpon King Lewis the eleuenth her brother The History of Spaine saith that he had a desire to marry her to D. Ioane a Nun at Coimbra to the end hee might renue the pretensions which shee had to the Realme of Castile as daughter to Henry the fourth and by this meanes hee did alwaies assure himselfe of the County of Rousillon But when as his mother had brought him backe into Bearne hee was poisoned at Pau playing on a Flute Hee dyed with this griefe that his life nor death did not profite any man d As no man should desire to liue to himselfe alone so that death is honourable which is imployed for the publicke Turpe est sibi soli vivere mori Plut. there being nothing that doth more trouble a great spirit then when he liues and dyes not for himselfe Dying hee spake these holy words which the mouth of the Sonne of God pronounced a little before his death My Kingdome is not of this world If hee had liued he was borne to be a great Prince but the world to speake truely is so small a matter as the Phylosopher had reason to mocke at Alexander who had carried the Title of Great e Alexander would be instructed in Geometry to learne the greatnesse of the earth Hee found that the Title of Great which he carried was false coÌsidering QuaÌ pusilla terra esset ex qua minimum occupauerat Quis enim esse magnus in pusillo potest How little the earth was wherof hee held the least part who can be great in a small thing Sen. The Lady Catherine his sister succeded him Katherine of Foix Queene of Nauarre and was married to Iohn of Albret Iohn of Foix Vicount of Narbona her Vncle did quarrell with her for the Earledomes of Foix and Bearn saying that these lands lying within the Realme of France whereas women did not succeede Queene Katherine could not pretend any thing and did by force seaze vpon Maseres and Monthaut and besieged Pamiers but could not take it Queene Katherine aduertised King Lewis the eleuenth with this inuasion f France doth furnish many examples against the Vicount of Foix to shew that the daughters being neerest of bloud did exclude the Males that were farther off who sent Commissioners into the Country to forbid the Vicount of Narbona to proceed by way of fact vpon paine of loosing his right This controuersy was of such importance as he himselfe would be iudge thereof Controuersy for the lands of Foix Bern and Bigorre and after him Charles the eighth was Arbitrator In the end they must passe by the censure of the Court Parliament of Paris Iohn of Foix Vicount of Narbona and after his decease the Kings Atturney Generall as Tutor and Gardien to Gaston of Foix his sonne said against Katherine of Foix that daughters being vncapable of dignites by reason of their sexe might not succeed in the Realme g King Charles the eighth sought to make an agreement betwixt the parties and therefore committed it to the Cardinall of Foix and Monsieur D'Alby but seeing they could not agree hee sent them to the Court Parliament All which proceedings in writing were imparted vnto me by Maister Galland one of the most famous Aduocates of the Parliament Dutchies or Counties but onely the Males and that they might not
had suffered vnder the gouernment of the Duke of Berrie his vncle hee commanded the Dukes of Berrie and Burgondy to retire and would not haue any other prince neâre vnto his presence but Lewis duke of Bourbon his vncle by the mothers side and Iohn of Burbon Earle of March of V endosme whom hee loued infinitây giuing a reason hereof openly That he loued those Princes for that they had neuer serued any other maister and had neuer had any ambition nor design against the state neither had they euer giuen him any occasion to complaine of them This vertue was neuer found in a great spirit but it did purchase power and affection with others Pride is barren humility fructifieth a vine spreading vpon the earth beares excellent fruit the high and straightest Cypres-trees are vnfruitfull Hee was not so bountifull of his fauours to the Lord of Beaujeu but hee was as sparing to the Duke of Bourbon his brother he had an implacable hatred against Iohn Duke of Bourbon sonne to Charles the Achilles of France This hatred was nourished with a fresh apprehension for that this Prince lamenting the disorders of the State the miseries and oppressions of the people and the bad vsage which Charles Duke of Berrie suffered had laid the first foundations of the league had left it by the Treaty of Ryon and re-entred againe into it vpon despight for that during this Treaty the Duke of Millan by the Kings commandement had ouer-run and ruined his Countrey of Beaujolois and Forrest But for that hee was a Prince of great power great courage and great credit in the heart of all France hee would not euaporate this fire of reuenge and indignation which hee had against them and considered rather what he might doe then what he should do And the Duke who was acquainted with the disposition of this King knewe well that all Princes write offences done them in brasse and the seruice which they receiue vpon sand wherefore he remained long in his Dutchy of Bourbonois and would not come to Court The King whose chiefe care was to weaken his enemies and to diuide them gaue him the gouernement of Languedoc dissembling the remembrance of things past Vpon this assurance the Duke of Bourbon shewed that hee did not breathe any thing but the Kings seruice neither had he any greater content then to yeeld him proofes equall to his affection and therefore hee followed him to Peronne and we must beleeue that without him in this voyage hee had giuen his Enemies more courage to execute those dangerous councels hauing resolued to stay him For besides the respectes of Alliance the Duke of Bourgondy respected this Prince who had the two principall partes necessary in great Captaines Valour and good Fortune l The two qualities necessary in the Generall of an Army are Valour and good fortune Duo sunt quae Claros Duces faciunt summa virtus summa foelicitas Lat. Pac. Paneg. Wee haue formerly seene that the Constable of Saint Pol did what hee could to drawe him to the Duke of Bourgondies partie Fidelity of the Duke of Burbon and to make him ioyne with the King of Englands forces and that this braue Prince made it knowne that nothing was able to shake his loialty no not if he should be reduced to the misery of Iob m An extreme oppression is no lawfull cause to arme against the Prince rebels seeke pretexes and coulors to shadow their discontents but good subiects suffer with patience although that the sincery of his actions could neuer wipe away the blemish which distrust had put in this Princes eyes yet would he not trouble the content which hee had receiued by the testimony which his conscience gaue to fidelity and vertue The King also fore-seeing that if his enemies were fortefied with his fauour and forces hee should be much troubled hee coniured him to come vnto him The Duke excused himselfe vpon a resolution which hee had taken to liue quietly in his house the which no man could enuy him hauing purchased it with incomparable toyles and crosses Hee besought the King to suffer him to rest in the port of this tranquility after so many stormes and to content himselfe with the seruice which the other Princes of his house and his Bastard the Admirall did him The King entreated and coniured him to come and to reape the same fruits in Picardy which he had sometimes receiued in Guienne n The honour of the glorious victory of Fromigny is giuen to Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon who then tooke the title of Earle of Clermont for hee charged the English with such fury as with the losse of tenne men onely hee defeated fiue thousand English and tooke 1400. prisoners to the shame and confusion of the English sending the Bishop of Mande vnto him to deliuer his requests and recommendations more confidently and to assure him that the occasion was not lesse glorious then at Fromigny The Duke being loath to faile France in so great an occasion and remembring that his predecessours had not desired a more glorious graue then to die vpon a field of battell couered with the bloud of their enemies o The Princes of the house of Bourbon who haue dyed for the seruice of the Crowne are Peter of Bourbon slaine the 19. of September 1356. at the battell of Poicters Iames and Peter his sonne at the Battell of Brignay neere vnto Lyon Lewis at the Battell of Agincourt 1415. Francis at the battell of Saint Bridget on holy Crosse day in September 1525. Iohn at the battell of Saint Laurence 1557. and Anthony at the siege of Roan 1562. and to free the King from all conceite that he had a will to giue eare vnto the Constable who did solicite him with all vehemency he deliuered the Constables letters into the Bishops hands protesting that hee would neuer carry Armes against the Kings seruice The effects did not differ from his words for seeing the Duke of Bourgundies troupes approach to enter the Country he went to horse and put them to rout The Earle of Conches was slaine there the Earle of Rousillon Marshall of Bourgundy was taken prisoner there with the Earle of Dammartins sonne and the Signiors of Longy de Lisle Digoin Ruygny Chaligny and the two sonnes of the Signior of Viteaux one of which was Earle of Ioygny Being then assured of the discent of the English and that they had passed the Sea he came vnto the King with sixe hundred horse and commanded part of his Army which was neere vnto Beauuais Matters being reduced to those tearmes that the King desired and the King of England hauing repassed the Sea he retired himselfe to Moulins to performe the last duties to his mother p The Lady Agnes of Bourgundy dyed in December 1476. Shee was wife to Charles Duke of Bourbon and mother to Iohn the second of that name Duke of Bourbon to Charles Cardinall and Arch-bishop of Lyon
They might forbid them that were no Gentlemen to carry Armes which were not fit for their profession or for Gentlemen to carry any other Crests then their Fathers had done or to open the Helmet or to crowne them without permission It was also their duty to keepe the Blason of Armes of Houses u There were great considerations in the forme of Scutchions and in the Crests of Armes A Knights Scutchion might bee cut square or voided at his pleasure wherevnto a Crest was added taken out of part of the Armes and the Helmet shut and standâng straight A Squires Scutchion was round like vnto a Rondache and had had no Crest but his Helmet onely shut turned on the one side to haue recourse vnto them vpon any dispute that might growe vpon differences and conformities Office of Heralds at Armes They kept a Register of the Deuices and Colours of Soueraigne Houses as White for France Blacke for England Red for Bourgondy Blewe for Savoy Yellow for Lorraine and Greene for Anjou The King at Armes in the house of Bourgondy had a care that such as were made noble should not carry a field gueles for that it was the colour reserued for the Prince This house did greatly obserue the Respects and Ceremonies of a Soueraigne pompe Magnificence of the house of Bourgondy When the Duke did eate at any solemne Feast besides all the ordinary state of Kings he had behinde him the Kings at Armes and Heralds with their Coates and Crownes and before him were set at a low Table two Vshers and two Sergeants with their Maces who had alwayes their eyes vpon his to execute his commandements vpon the least signe he should make yea to take the greatest prisoners which could not be taken else-where These Charges haue beene contemned by the contempt of persons which haue not desired them but to couer the indignity of their birth In former times they were not held but by Gentlemen whose honour carried them vnto dangers with the same courage that they which are lesse generous flye from them They had the guard of the Kings Chamber and had that charge which since the Archers of the Guard haue x The Sârgeanâs at Armes by day carried a Mace before the King and guarded his Chamber by night and therfore du Tillet thinkes that they held the place of the Archers of the guard They shewed good proofe of their valour at the battell of Bouuines vnder Philip Augustus by reason whereof Saint Lewis did build the Church of Saint Katherine du Val des Escoliers and King Charles the fifth appointed the brotherhood there whereas at this day many Tombes are to bee seene which haue preserued the ancient forme of their habit and Armes That which Philip de Commines obserues of a Gascon which came into the place where as the King was at the stoole with three or foure confirmes this opinion of the small care hee had of the formes befitting Maiesty for although there were no Vshers at the doores Duty of Chamberlaines yet this facility to enter euen into the Cabinet was dangerous His Predecessors had prouided for it and the Chamberlaines were bound y The first care of the kings person belongs to the Lord Chamberlaine he was bound to lye at the Kings feete wheÌ the Queen was not present and so Peter Lord Chamberlaine to the king S. Lewis was buried at Saint Denis at his maisters feet as hee serued him liuing And at this day in the Assembly of the Estates when as the King sits in Iustice the Lord Chamberlaine sits at his feet by the duty of this charge not to suffer it but hee contemned it all the time of his reigne vntill the end when hee was more carefull of it then was needfull passing from a great facility and confidence to a rigorous seuerity and distrust to keepe his gates shut wee finde these words very remarkeable in the Ordonance of King Philip the long After the care of the soule they must not bee so negligent of the body as through negligence or bad guard any perils arriue especially when for one person many troubles may happen Wee therefore ordaine and doe therewith especially charge our Chamberlaine that no vnknowne person nor boy of poore estate enter into our Wardrope nor lay their hand nor bee at our bed making and that they suffer not any strange sheetes to bee layd on And wee command the Steward of our house that our Pantrie or Kitchin and all other Offices of our house bee so well and carefully kept as no danger may arriue and these things wee will haue obserued in the houses of our Company and of our Children The other precept of Maiesty Great Offices shold not be hereditary is not to continue great Offices in one Family z The perpetuity of great charges is dangerous They that haue commanded long are loath to obey Antiquitas voluit Prouinciarum dignitatem amica successione reparaâi ne diutina potestate vnus insolesceret Antiquity would that the Gouernments of Prouinces should be supplyed yearely least that any one by a continuall command should grow insolent and to make them hereditary The Order and iustice of the state will that a distribution be made of those who by the quality of their birth or the greatnesse of their merite are capable The perpetuall Dictatorship did ouerthrow the state of Rome the great authority giuen to the Mayors of the Palace did ruine the first Family of our Kings To those that are ambitious of the same Offices their Predecessors enioyed wee should wish the like moderation and integretie that Quintus Fabius Maximus had who hauing beene fiue times Consull and vndergone many great charges intreated the Senate not to conferre that Honour vnto his sonne not that hee thought him vnworthie but that hee knewe well that the Common-weale should receiue preiudice by the perpetuity of great Offices in one Family a In an other occasion Quintus Fabius Maximus did shewe that in the election of great Charges there should be no respect had but of the publicke good hee would not consent that T. Octacilius who had married his wiues daughter should bee Consull for that hee held him not capable of that charge nor of courage to make head against Hanniball T. Liu. lib. 24. This was to loue the State more then himselfe Lewis the eleuenth tooke more delight then hee receiued content or profite to change his Officers often When as a place is executed worthily and profitably by any one his dismission is vniust and the Princes seruice is wronged Offices are to bee maintained if they be good for if the place bee not supplyed by a man of the like experience and sufficiencie the Common-weale is damnified b As the ruine of Families comes commonly from new seruants so the fall of Estates proceedes from new magistrates which enter into Offices without experience those that are new come beeing greedy of
good in Court it is greater happinesse for a Man when as the Prince whom hee serues doth him a great fauour for a small merite wherefore he remaines bound vnto him which should not bee if hee had done so great seruices as the Prince had beene much bound vnto him Wherfore hee doth by nature loue them more that are bound vnto him then those to whom hee is beholding When as pride goes before shame and confusion followes at the heeles c Pride is alwayes followed by Ruine and Shame Dominare tumidus spiritus altos gere Sequitur superbos vltor à tergo Deus SEN. When hee changed his seruants he excused this change saying That Nature was pleased with variety Hee said That if hee had entred his Reigne otherwise then with Feare and Seuerity hee had serued for an example in the last Chapter of BOCACE his Booke of vnfortunate Noblemen And considering that secresie was the soule and spirit of all designes he said sometimes I would burne my Hat if it knew what were in my head d Metellus said the like that if hee knewe his shirt vnderstood his secerets hee would burne it Hee remembred to haue heard King Charles his father say that Truth was sicke and hee added I beleeue that since shee is dead and hath not found any Confessor Mocking at one that had many bookes and little learning hee said that he was like vnto a crooke-backt man who carries a great bunch at his backe and neuer sees it Seeing a Gentleman which carried a goodly Chaine of Gold hee said vnto him that did accompany him You must not touch it for it is holy shewing that it came from the spoyle of Churches It is long since that this sacrilegious liberty hath beene in custome and that Princes that would please GOD and Men haue detested it but custome to euill hath more power ouer the willes of men to entertaine them in it then it giues horror and shame to flye from it e Caesar did bite Pompey to the quicke for that hee had taken away the ornaments of Hercules Temple Pecuniam omnem ex fano Herculis in opidum Gades intulit and giuing himselfe the honour to haue caused it to bee restored Referri in Templum iubet He took delight in quick answers which were made without study for if there be premeditation they loose their grace On a time seing the Bishop of Chartres mounted on a Mule with a golden bridle hee said vnto him that in times past Bishops were contented with an Asse and a plaine Halter The Bishop of Charters answered him That it was at such times when as Kings were Sheepheards and kept Sheepe The Annals of Aquitane which report this adde that that the King began to laugh for hee loued a speech which proceeded from a sudden wit Hee loued Astrologians and this loue proceeded as it were from a naturall and hereditary curiosity hauing much troubled the mindes of his fore-fathers Charles the fifth was gouerned by them Credite of Astrologians and gaue them meanes to teach Astrologie publickely in the Vniuersity of Paris Hee had for his Physition one called Monsieur Garuis Cretin a great Astrologian f CHARLES thâ fifth caused many Bookes of Astrology to bee Translated into French he built a Colledge for Astrologie and Physicke and gaue them the Tithes of the Village of Caugie and caused the foundation to bee confirmed by Pope VRBAN the fifth He caused the Natiuity of King Charles the sixtth to bâe cast by Monsieur Andrew of Suilly The like curiosity made Charles the 5 th to loue and cherish familiarly Michael Tourne-Roue a Carthusian who was very skilfull in the practise of Elections Hee made that of the day when as the King went a hunting where as hee found the great Stagge which had a Coller of Copper about the necke wherein these words were written Hoc Caesar me donauit Caesar gaue me this The figure of it was set vp in the palace of Paris Hee was also much bound to the aduice which Iames of Angiers gaue him of the bad Intention which two Augustine Monks had to open his skull who were beheaded at Paris g In the booke of SIMON of Phares which is in the Kings Library wee reade this IAMES of Angiers was in that time who discouered the false intent which the two Augustines had which did open King CHARLES his head saying They would cure him beeing ignorant both in Physicke and Chyrurgery They were suborned by PHILIP Duke of Bourgondy as was said to worke this effect The matter beeing discouered the said Augustines were degraded and lost their heads as was reason Hee also made great account of Charles of Orgemont who foretold him that the Duke of Aniou his brother should bring nothing backe from his voyage at Naples but shame want and misery the which happened for all the Knights which had followed him returned with white stickes in their hands h Vpon this Prediction SIMON of Phares speakes thus The French were forced to flye and the Duke of Millan forgetting his Faith and Oath did kill them that were taken and suffered the Dogges to eate them and therefore let this be an aduertisment to the Kings of France and to the French neuer to trust in a Lombards tongue or dyed in Hospitals He was also aduertised of the issue of the voyage which Boucicant made to Genoa and of the treason of the Marques of Montferrat and of Count Francisque CHARLES the seuenth had Astrologians all his life Hee entertained in his Court IOHN of Bregy a Knight who cast the Natiuity of AME Duke of Sauoy and of the Lady YOLAND of France his wife and Germaine of Tibonuille who fore-told the death of King Henry the fifth and of Charles the sixth He receiued into Pension and into his house IOHN of Buillion whom the English had kept prisoner at Chartres for that hee had fore-told that which hahpened vnto them at the siege of Orleans Hee gaue entertainement also to SIMON of Phares borne borne at Orleance whose booke of excellent Astrologians is to be seene in the Kings Library i This Symon of Phareswrites of himselfe that hee did foretell The great famine at Paris and the great plague which followed vnder the raigne of Charles the â that the Lands were vntilled and the woods so âfull of wolues as they deuoured women and children and that it was proclaimed that for euery Woolfe they could take they should haue two shillings besides that which the Commons might giue Maister Lewis of Langre a Spaniard a Physition and Astrologian at Lyon told King Charles of the victory he should get at Fromigny in the yeare 1450. of the great plague which was at Lyon a yeare after for the which hee gaue him forty pounds a yeare pension In all the chiefe actions of the life of Lewis the eleuenth wee finde that Iohn Merende of Bourg in Bresse did cast his Natiuity and speaking of his
Florence after Argyropile Hee went away through the practise and iealousy of Angelus Politianus and retyred to Milan Marcus Musurus a Candiot Iohn Lascaris of the Imperiall race whom the Magnificent Laurence de Medicis employed to get leaue from Bajazeth to visite the Libraries of Greece from whence are come many good books which where so many Lampes â dispierce the clouds of Ignorance and Barbarisme The Vniuersity of Paris as fruitfull a moââer of good wits as a carelesse Nurse to cherish them is much fallen from her first glory Her Schooles which were sometimes more famous then those of Athens in Greece are vnpeopled the water of her Fountaines which did water all the youth of Europe is troubled there is no Spring in the yeare for these goodly flowers which are cherished of some for the rarenesse of others for the smell and of all for the assurance of fruites The Northerne blasts of the last troubles haue in a manner withered them and hardly will they recouer their beauty if the same Sunne which hath raised the Flower de Luce doth not reuiue them Hercules after so many glorious labours did not disdaine the name of Musagete y Fuluius caused a Temple to be built in Circo Flaminio at Rome to Hercules Musagete that is to say the conductor of the Muses and Eumonius the Rector giues this reason Quia mutâis operibus premijs iuuari ornaâique deberent Musarum quies defensione Herculis virtus Herculis vocâ Musarum For that they should be releeued and adorned by their mutuall workes and rewards The quiet of the Muses by the defence of Hercules and the vertue of Hercules by the voice of the Muses France dare not hope that any other will finish that which Henry the fourth shall leaue vnperfect he will not suffer that she which carries the glorious name of his eldest daughter and hath purchased it by her immortall watches and by the production of many great personages which haue worthily serued the Church and State shall languish any longer in hope to recouer her first dignity There wants nothing else for the tryumph of his glory Iames Dauid Cardinall du Perron High Almoner of France nothing but that can make his Bayes immortall The Muses haue neede of Hercules valour and the labours of Hercules haue need of the recommendation of the Muses The generous thoughts which our Augustus hath of this restauration are wonderfully reuiued by the liuely and powerfull perswasions of the learned Cardinall the miracle of our daies But where shall we finde so many Bâdeus Turnebus Cuias Murets and Scales as is necessary to haue the effect answereable to the designe and reputation Temperance Temperance wherein it consists If it were not taken but for the moderation which seasons all things that great temper which he had in prosperities and his constancy in aduersities had purchased him the palme of this vertue but if they take it for the rule and restrainte of voluptuousnesse and of other motions of the minde it is not so apparent in his heart as in that of Alexanders Cyrus and Scipioes The two base daughters which he had shewes that he was not contented with the lawfull intemperance of marriage z After the Battell of Montlehery the King gaue his base daugâter to the Bastard of Bourbon and the assuraÌces were made in the Towne house of Paris Hee married the first to the Admirall of Bourbon and the other to the Lord of Saint Valier The letters which were dispatcht for the declaration of her Armes would not be vnprofitable to insert in this place and they were in these termes Lewis by the Grace of God King of France to all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Hauing of late treated and accorded the Marriage of our deere and louing Base daughter Mary with our deere and faithfull Cozen Aymard of Poicters Lord of Saint Valier Wee haue thought it expedient to appoint the Armes which it shall please vs our said daughter shall cary Wee therefore giue to vnderstand that being assured that the said Mary is truely our base daughter and desiring to honour her and her posterity that shee may enioy the honours dignities and prerogatiues which belong to the Bastards of Princes for the great loue and affection which we beare her a Du Tillet saith that the Surname of France is allowed to the base daughters of Kings if vpon the aduow there be no other Surname giuen theÌ and the Armes of France with the difference of a Bende Some haue beene aduowed by letters Pattents and others by fact being nurst Wee will and ordaine by these presents that the said Mary our base daughter carry the Armes of France and for a difference a Bend Or beginning at the sinister Canton as base children haue accustomed to do for the which wee haue and do giue her power and faculty for euer In witnesse whereof wee haue caused our Seale to be set to these Presents Giuen at Meslay the eleuenth of Iuly 1467. and of our Raigne the sixt By the King the Lord of Crussol Peter Doriole others being present L. Toustain It were a great proofe of Inconstancy Opinion that Charles the 8. was supposed and prophane pollicy if that were true which many haue said that King Charles the 8. was not sonne to Queene Charlot and that the King hauing him by a Mistresse made this supposition They that write things whereof they cannot speake which are not knowne to all men do often erre for that they trust to their owne conduct and turne away their eyes from that which might giue them light in the darkenesse of such difficulties It is the melancholy of men of this profession presumption and vanity b Vanity hath much power among learned men Iustus Lipsius hath obserued it in his time O litterae litterae quam semper à vobis aliqua vanitas quam illud verum oportere omnibus corydalis cristaÌâinesse makes them thinke that they see cleere enough and as the Citties of Greece ruined themselues for that they would do their businesse a part Errour of learned men not to communicate they loose by this disvnion that which they might preserue by conference I haue alwaies held it an honour to learne and a happinesse to bee reprehended A man should hold himselfe more bound to bee warned of a fault in his writings then of a blemish in his face Vpon this supposition I went to Monsieur du Haillan for that in the second booke of the estate of the affaires of France he reports this opinion and promiseth a more ample discourse in the History of this King not yet printed c Many were of opinion that Charles the 8. was supposed others held that hee was the Kings sonne but not by the Queene and that the King to quench the troubles which had beene raysed by his brother made this supposition the which is more amply written in the
History of the said King and not yet printed Bernard of Girard Signior of Haillan in his second booke of the estate of the affaires of France He answered me that hee held it from them who thought they knew it well and that he hath written many other things of like consequence vpon the beleefe of Tradition Princes will haue their loues excused for that loue doth not alter the generosity of a great courage Caesar did sacrifice his heart to Armes and Ladies d Wee cannot find a more perfect patterne of Ambition and Loue then Caesar As for Ambition his life is full of it For Loue he had the Maidenhead of Cleopatra he made loue to Eunoë Queene of Mauritania to Posthumia wise to Seruius Sulpitius to Lollia of Gabinius to Tertulla of Crassus to Mutia of Pompey and to Seruilia Sister to Cato and mother to Marcus Brutus He changed wiues foure times But I finde this Prince sometime in delights which were not ordinary nor scarce knowne to the Kings of France his Predecessours His Chronicle speakes of Bathes prepared for him for the Queene and Ladies I was of opinion that he had brought that custome from Flanders when Phillip de Commines speakes of the excesse and dissolutions which peace had brought into the Low Countries hee makes mention of Bathes The great and superfluous expences saith he of men and women in apparell The greatest and most prodigall bankets that I haue knowne in any place The Bathes and other feastings with women great and disordered and with little modesty Delights and pleasures are not fashioned in an instant e Besides the Bathes of Agripina of Nero of Vespasian and of Titus Rome hath beene beautefied with them of Domitius of Alexander of Gordian of Seuerus of Aurelian and of Constans Marcus Agrippa to purchase the peoples fauour caused 170. Bathes to be built in Rome to the end that euery Quarter should haue one Antonin was the first that decreed they should pay nothing for Bathing for before him they gaue the fourth part of an Assis. they haue their beginning increase and continuance That of Bathes was the like At Rome in the beginning they did wash nothing but their Armes and legges after labour and painefull toyle for that they would not haue their members vncleane and their pores stopt with sweate They did wash the whole body at Faires and health was the end of Bathing as a thing generally held holdsome since health is growne vnto voluptuousnesse and they adde vnto it vanity and needlesse pompe The rarest Marbles of Affrick and Alexandria were sought for and the most industrious Caruers and Architects were employed in these Bathes as for the building of Temples If Temperance gaue no other content vnto a Prince but the quiet enioying of health Fruites of temperance he should be wonderfull curious f Health is to be preferred before all things as the richest presânt of nature Pithagoâas said that men should demand 3. things of God Beauty Riches and a good constitution of minde and body for there is not any thing but we should do for that which is the best and richest present which Nature hath giuen and without the which liâe is but a languishing and all other felicities troublesome and importune men are miserable in that they know not the price of things but by the losse of them They do not taste of rest but in labour nor of peace but after warre nor health but in sickenesse When they are sicke they make vowes to health when they are in health they do what they can to be sicke They sacrifice to health and eate the meats of the sacrifice euen vntill they burst so as drinking eating sleeping playing watching sicknesse itselfe health and all the actions of mans life are so many steps to death g One demanded of Hypocrates a rule for his health he answered him Cibi potus somni Venus omniaâ oderata sint Let thy meate drinke sleepe and Venus sports bee moderate And although that delay of payment be no quittance yet life is longer or shorter according to the Order of these things Princes are not alwaies knowne in these eminent places they must be seene in actions which are not so glorious Let vs look vpoÌ Lewis the 11. in his priuate carriage and course of life Great spirits haue not their heads alwaies busied with great affaires their thoughts descend often to meane things and of small consequence Egypt worships her Gods cloathed in those formes which are farthest from the Maiesty and greatnesse which she thinkes is in them h Nicias going froÌ Councell shut himselfe vp and caused Hieron his man to say that hee left his owne affaires to thinke of the publicke yet in the meane time he informed himselfe by a Deuine of the issue of his affaires and thought of his mines of Siluer which he caused to bee digged Plut. in Nicias Nicias makes men thinke that he extracts the quintessence of his wit for the affaires of State whilst that hee entertaines himselfe with the hope and profite of his Mines Traian did sometimes spend whole nights in telling tales with his seruants i It is good a Prince should be sometime familiar with his seruants but the more rare the better Traian surprised them sometime at meate he came to their houses without Gard and spent whole nights there Xiphilinus But they do not all w that Titus went to the Bathes and washt himselfe openly with the people Affability is a goodly thing so as it draw not neere to contempt When as Lewis the 11. was in his solitary aboade at Plessis he tooke delight to go into the Offices and to talke with the first he met One day he went into the Kitchin whereas he found a yong Lad turning of the spit he demanded his name of whence he was and what he did earne This Turne-spit who knew him not told his name that of his father of his Village and although hee were in the Kings seruice yet he got as much as the King For the King said he hath but his life and so haue I God feeds the King and the King feeds mee k A small matter rayseth the fortune of a man and changeth his basensse into greatnesse Mahomet Bachas who was Vizier to three Emperâurs was beholding for all his greatnesse to a leap which he made when he was yong Sultan Solymari being at a window which did looke into a Garden let fall a Letter euery man ran downe the slâires to fetch it but Mahomet who was a yong Lad leapt out at the window and brought the letter vnto the Emperour This ready answer pleased the King who drew this Boy out of the Kitchin to make him serue in his Chamber froÌthence raised him to great wealth Behold how fortune fauours euen theÌ which haue no knowledge of it nor seeke it not Hee added to the pleasures of solitarinesse those of rusticke Husbandry I haue seene by the
of Chastel a He was one of the Commissioners whom the King appointed for the accusation and Imprisonment of the Cardinall of Balue one of the Architects of the league found in the end that there was no better lodging then at the kings armes His fortune was ruined in Brittany and raised in France Hee did negotiate the enter-view of the King and Duke of Bourgondy at Peronne he was imployed in the Truce of nine yeares 1475. and was aduanced to the gouernment of Rousillon The Lord of Nantoillet had for a time the authority ouer all the Armies of France Lord of Nantoillet he wanted nothing but the name of Constable for he did exercise the Functions the King hauing made him his Lieutenant Generall throughout his whole Realme and afterwards Lord Steward of France He was so fauoured as the King gaue him often the moity of his bed This fauour lasted not long The Chronicle of the Kings library saith That the King could not pardon any one of whom he had suspition Death of the Lord of Nantoillet He caused his head to be cut off in the yeare 1468. and that the Hangman hauing cut off but a peece at the first blow hee lest him force and courage enough to stand vp and to protest before heauen and the people that hee died an Innocent After that Philip de Commines had said that he had serued the king well in Paris in the warre of the Common-weale he addes In the end he was ill rewarded more by the pursuite of his enemies then by the Kings fault but neither the one nor the other can well excuse themselues Anthony of Chabannes Anthony of Chabannes Earle of Dammartin brother to Iames of Chabannes Lord Steward of France saw the ship of his fortune cast vpon the shelfe in the beginning of this Princes Reigne His good fotune drew him out of the Bastille to go to the warre of the Common-weale in the end whereof hee was made Lord Steward of France hee had the chiefe charge of the Kings Army in Guyenne and was then much fauoured by this Prince with whom hee was so inward as when hee meant to marry his second Daughter to the Duke of Orleans hee discouered his secret affections vnto him by a letter which hee did write vnto him vpon that subiect wher of the Chronicle in written hand of King Lewis the twelfth makes mention hee sent him word that whatsoeuer they said hee was resolued to giue his daughter to the yong Duke of Orleans but no man should bee troubled to nourish the Children that should bee borne of that marriage Peter of Termouille Peter of Tremouille Lord of Croan saw not his life to end with the fauours and honors hee had had of this Prince His Predecessors Guy of Tremouille and Iohn of Tremouille Lord of Ionuelle were made great in following the Duke of Bourgondies party The eldest of this house married Ioane Countesse of Boulleyn and Comminges Widow to Iohn of France Duke of Berry b K. Charles ãâ¦ã yeare 1430. King Charles 7 supported George of Tremouille Lord of Craon in the quarrell which he had with the Earle of Richmont for the Lands of Thouars and Benon Peter of Tremouille defeated the troopes of the Prince of Orange before Gy in the Franch-County but hauing beene repulst from the siege of Dole hee was disgraced by Lewis the eleuenth who loued the seruices better then the seruants Hee was saith Philip de Commines a very fat man who being reasonably well content and rich retired himselfe to his house Charles of Ambois did long feele the disgrace of Peter of Chaumont his father Charles of Ambois who retired himselfe in the begining of the reigne of Lewis with the Duke of Berry c The House of ãâ¦ã by the Kings Commandement in the ãâã 1465. He was afterwards imployed in great affaires and continued vnto the end His brother was Bishop of Alby and then Cardinall and the greatest fauourite of Lewis the twelfth who called him M r. George Philip de Commines calleth Charles of Ambois a most Valiant Wife and Diligent Man Peter of Rohan Peter of Rohan Lord of Gy did gouerne his fortune happily amidst the waues and stormes of this Princes reigne who made him Marshall of France He was one of the foure which vndertooke the gouernment of affaires during the Kings infirmity and disability d ãâ¦ã the Bishop of ãâã the Lord of Châumont the Marshall of Gye and the Lord of Lude gouerned the Estate for 10 or 12 dayes Hee continued this great Authority vnder the reigne of Charles the eighth for the respect whereof the Lady Anne of France Regent to the King and Wife to Peter of Bourbon offended that the Duke of Orleans attempted vpon her Authority would haue taken him prisoner by the Marshall of Gye The Duke of Orleans retired himselfe and hee that was chosen to stay him was the Instrument of his returne and made his peace with the Regent Iohn of Chalons Prince of Orange Iohn of Chalons left the Duke of Bourgondy to serue Lewis the eleuenth then hee left Lewis to serue Mary daugther to the Duke of Bourgondy This first discontentment against his first maister grew for that disputing the succession of Iohn of Chalons Prince of Orange his Grand-father e Iohn of Chalons sonne to Lewis Margaret of Vienne was married to Mary of Baussac heire of the principalitie of Orange by whom hee had Lewis surnamed the Good Lewis first maried Ioane of Montbelâart by whom hee had William and then hee maââied Elenor of Armagnaâ by whom hee had Lewis and Hugh Williaâ was married to Katherine of ãâã of ãâã Iohn of Chalons was borne of whom wee now make mention against Lewis and Hughe his vncles the Duke of Bourgondy being President in his Councell when as the cause was pleaded made a Decree against him This despight drew him to the Kings seruice who promised to restore him to his lands and to giue him the gouernment of Bourgondy but when as he saw that he had but the name and that the Lord of Tremouille had the command of all the forces he returned to the seruice of the Princesse of Bourgondy and caused the whole Countrey to reuolt from the King He troubled him much and let him see that a great Prince hath no small enemies that a Hornet is able to put a Bull into fury Iohn of Esteteuille Iohn of Eââteuille Lord of Torcy gouerned his fortune amidst so many rockes and shelues vnto a safe port The King made him maister of the Cross-bowes and committed vnto him the guard of the Cardinal of Balue in the Castell of Montbason It was he that came and aduertised the King of the danger in suffering such numbers of English to enter into Amiens during the Treaty of Piquigny Philip of Creuecoeur Philip of Creuecoeur Lord of Esquerdes or Cordes Marshall of France He had great
His Humour disposition 105. Is constrained to grant the Gantois their demand 107. Is forced to raise the siege of Nuz and comes to Callice to the King of England 180. His profite and blame by the death of the Constable 205. His iourney against the Suisses 207. c. He looseth the battell but not his courage 211. Hee seizeth vpon the Dutchesse of Sauoy and her children 214. His affliction after the Battell of Morat 220. His defeat and death 224. An example of his Iustice 227. 227. Charles Prince of Nauarre makes warre against his father 151. Chastity and Beauty are rare companions 27. Choler and Praecipitation are two blind guides 67. Combustions in England 53. Complaints against Lewis the Dauphin 30. Complaints for the Pragmaticall Sanction 135. Confidence is the true cyment of friendship 187. Considerations of the King to haue a peace 179. Conspiracy against King Henry the sixt 54. Constantinople taken 123. Consultation taken to put the Hostages of Leige to death 108. Contention in Scotland for the Regency 230. Contentment of priuatemeÌ makes them forget the publicke 96. Councell of Basile seekes an accord with the Dauphin 24. Counsels in perplexity 85. counsels sauor of the passions of counsellours 173. counsell contemned drawes on destiny 223. Courage of the women at the siege of Beauuais 165. Courtesy proffered but not meant 189. Crosse of S. Laud. 179. Croysado published against the Turke 64. Cruelties makes Princes odious 125. cruelties committed at the taking of Nesle 163. cruelty base and villanous 227. D Death of Charles Duke of Orleance 2. Death of the Signior of Contay 108. Death is sweete when it is the end and not the punishment of life 204. Declaration of the house of Bourgundy 36. Delight in publicke miseries for profite sake 24. Desire of rule sets father and son at variance 60. Desire to haue things as we wold makes vs oftentimes accept appearances for the things themselues 87. Dignities change the Maximes of conscience 48. Disability supplyed by Deputy 216. Disobedience rightly punished 81 Displeasure of the Duke of Bourgundy against his sonne 34. Disposition of the Earle of Charolois 33. Distraction of Charles the sixt 1. Dutchesse of Bourgundy drawsher husband to the treaty of Arras 8 Duke of Bourgundy flies into Flanders 2. and is slaine by Taneguy Du Chastel 4. E Earle of S. Paul is made constable of France 97. His naturall affection Ibid. His bad conduct 98. His pollicy 143. His dissimulation to creepe againe into the Kings fauour 168. the manner of his comming to the King 169. His double dealing with the King of England 181 Is abandoned of all his friends 196. His grieuous perplexities 198. Is deliuered prisoner to the King 200. His confessions Arraignement sentence and execution 201. 202. c. Ease found in conference of troubles and afflictions 27. Education is as another nature 16 Edward 4. proclaimed King of England 57. He declares himselfe for the Bourgundian 77. Hee sends the Garter to the Earle of Charolois 88. Is defeated taken prisoner 141. His passage into FraÌce 177. His repentance for his passage 182. Eloqueâce naturall in Lewis the eleuenth 133. Embassage from the Frenâh King to the Emperor Frederick 176. Enemies that are ambitious must haue more work made theÌ then they can compasse 173. English well entertained at Amiens 187. Enterveiw of the Kings of France and Cistile 62. Enterveiw of the French King and Earle of Charolois 93. Enter veiw of the French King and King of England â89 Estates assembled at Clârmont 13 Exploits done by captain Salezard at the siege of Beauuais 165. F Faction of the Orleanoâs and Bourgonians 1. Famine extreame in Nancy 222. Fatality of names 6. Feare and the strange operation thereof 93. Ferdinand King of Naples seeks the alliance of the Queene of Cyprus 127. Fidelity deuotion of the French towards their Kings 5. France the Sanctuary of Popes 47 G Galeas Duke of Milan his death 229. His cruelties and whooredomes 230. Gantois profite by the Ligeois 110 George Castriot circumcised called Scanderbeg 120. Hee leaues the Turk ioynes with Iohn Huniades 121. Hee demands succors of the Pope 123 his death 124. His force and dexterity Ibid. Gyles of Brittany his Tragicall end 151. Good of a peace and necessity of affaires respect not formalities 9. Gouernement of Venice commended 129 Guienne giuen to the Kings brother 135. H Heirs teares are soon dryed vp 41 Henry the sixt King of England is crowned King of France at Paris 4. Hee flies into Scotland 57. Is imprisoned in the Tower of London 58. Is set at liberty againe 143. Henry King of Castile degraded 217. I Iames the first King of Scotland murdered 7. Iests should end when they begin to moue laughter 28. Iewes probationâwaters 146. Impatience of the Earle of Charolois 67. Importance of the Office of the Constable of France 205. Indignities and insolences of people reuolted 103. Inequality of recompence after the battell of Montlehery 84. Inhumanity of the Duke of Bourgundy 164. Iniuries done to faith and reputation are not easily repaired nor recompenced 100. Insolence in victory punished 23. Institution of the order of Saint Michael 136. Intelligences continued betwixt Bourgundy BourboÌ 139. IntelligeÌces of the Constable with the Duke of Bourgundy 177. Iohn Earle of Armagnac expelled his Country 154. accused by a Welchman 155. Desires a safe conduct to iustifie himselfe 156 Is reconciled to the King 157. And is afterwards slaine vnder the assurance of a Treaty 158. His incest 159. His superstition in holding it a bad presage to meete an Englishman with a Red Crosse. 160. Isabella of Cstaile marries Ferdinand of Arragon 218. K Katherine Cornari adopted by the Venetians 126. King Lewis in danger to be taken or slaine 116. His letters to the Lord of Lude 152. King and Queene of Cyprus driueÌ out of their owne Realme 126. King of Scotland giuen to Sorcery 234. and is slaine in fight by his Nobility 235. Knights habite of the Order of S t. Michael and the marke of the Order 137. Knowledge better how to die then to kill is the best and onely part of vallour 17. L League of Armagnac 2. Learning is silent when warre speakes 26. Letters from Amurath to Scanderbeg 121. And the answer ot it 122. Letters of the Soldaâ to the King of Cyprus 125. Letters of defiance from Edward 4. to the French King 178 Lewis excited against his father by bad counsell 10. He soliciteth the good Townes of France to ioyne with him 12. Is reconciled to his father 14. He desireth rather to be held a bad son then a bad master 15. He takes Deipe 20. Is too true in his threats promises of reuenge 29. auoyding one danger he fals into another 31. Is dispossest of his reuenewes in Dauphiné 32 His wandring being in Hunting 34. His coronation 42. His voyage into Brittany 52. Is made Arbitrator betweene the Kings of Castile and Arragon 62. Is receiued
attending on the Queene The Generall of the Venetians Armie beeing aduertised of their practises and what they intended caused them to bee stayed and sent them presently to Venice y Tristan fearing some more shameful death poisoned himself with a Diamond which he swalowed drinking salt water after it George Cornaro Brother to the Queene was sent into Cypresi to assist his Sister and to dispose her to free her selfe from troubles and the Realme from danger in retiring her selfe to Venice and leauing the Crowne to the Gouernment of the Siegneurie She who had beene bred vp after a royall manner Queene of Cypres exhorted by her brother to goe to Venice and who knew the great difference that was betwixt a Venetians life and that of a Soueraigne Princesse found this proposition very strange and the Venetians ambition vniust to desire to haue Kings and Realmes vnder their protection z The highest degree of greatnes and glorie whereunto a popular or an Aristrocraticall Estate may come vnto is to haue Kings vnder their Dominátion The Romans did not disposses Kings of the Realmes they had conquered Tacitus giues the reason v thaberent instrumenta Seruitutis Reges But when her Brother let her vnderstand that if the Siegneurie of Venice did abandon her protection as it might doe if shee did not follow her Councels shee was in danger to become a prey vnto the Turke and to serue as a triumph and spectacle to the people of Constantinople That shee should not relye vpon Christian Princes who would all loue the Iland and the Realme rather then her selfe and she should beleeue that they courting her Crowne rather then her fayre eyes she were to blame if she did not preferre a quiet life and safe abode before an vncertaine Royaltie an assured rest before honor which was but winde and a title which was but a vapor To perswade her the Historie saith that to the reasons of feare and danger he added those of vanitie adorned with stuffes of immortall glorie What greater honor these are the wordes of G. Cornaro and what a nobler commendation can you leave of your selfe hereafter then to haue giuen so goodly a realme vnto your a That spirit is weake which thinkes there are any reasons forcible enough to perswade it to quit acrown country and that they write in the Historie of Venice that Catherine Cornaro hath honored and augmented the Venetians Estate with the Realme of Cypres Then he represented vnto her the danger and infallible disgrace of her house b Councels how pure soeuer they be doe still sauour of the passions priuate interest of them that giue them if shee did not grant it vnto the common-weale for that euerie one would thinke shee had beene diuerted by her Brother in whom she had great confidence These words entred into the Queenes heart and framed a resolution to goe to Venice and to make a present of her Crowne vnto the Siegneurie Resolution of the Q. of Cypres The Standard of S t Marc was set vp in the Market of Famagosto and the Realme of Cypres became a Prouince to Venice c Catherine Cornaro Q of Cypres receiued honorably into Venice by the Duke Augustin Barbarico Shee entred into the Bucentaure a honour which neuer had been done to any Venetian woman The Queene made her entrie into Venice in the Bucentaure Entry of the Queene of Cypres into Venice being honored by the Senators and the great Dames of the Citie The Councell of ten presented vnto her ten pounds waight of gold and appointed fifty for her entertainment in the Castle of Azolle vpon the hils of Treuisan Thus the Common-weale of Venice purchased a rich Crowne without any paine imploying nothing but her wisedome with the which shee hath alwaies preferred easie conquests before the most glorious if they were without hazard It is a curious obseruation that the Estates doe commonly retaine the humour of their first founders The Citie of Rome hath been alwaies possest with an ambitious desire to raigne for that her founder was full of it who not content to haue recouered the Realme of Numitor his Grandfather cast his eyes presently vpon Alba and vppon the small Estates which hindred the extention of this first command d The Estate of Rome increased sodainly as Polibius obserues The Romanes hauing once gotten the command of all Italy in a short time they made all the world subiect ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Polib Lib. 7. So as the first profession was Armes which hath not been discontinued by posteritie being desirous of glorie and command It seemed that all other vertue except militarie had been defended Contrariwise the founders of the Common-weale of Venice were men which had no such ambitious thoughts but loued peace and quiet who being afflicted with the long calamities of Italy and the inundation of the barbarians had cast themselues into these Fens of the Adriatike sea seazed vpon many small Ilands which were caled Venetie they liued there a time contenting them with an assured rest in a place which nature made inexpugnable e The scituation of Venice is by nature inexpugnable she is garded without walles or garrison and hath alone for so many ages remained vnuiolated which hath alwaies braued the attempts of the mightiest Princes of the world This first inclination not to arme but for their owne defence hath made them contemne Armes and hath made them more carefull to maintaine themselues in peace then to inlarge their Empire Who so will consider of their first enterprises shall finde them limitted with a desire onely to maintaine and defend themselues f The Art of war saith Cardinal CoÌtarin hath been banished out of the CoÌmonweale of Venice but it hath bin done inseÌsibly within these two hundred yeares for before they haue been very war like especially against the Genouois By this contempt of the Art of warre they are constrained to imploy forrain forces they choose not a Captaine amoÌg theÌ The which they doe least that priuate meÌ hauing forces vnder their coÌmand should attempt something against the state Their first warres against the French were onely for the defence of their liberty when as Pepin K. of France past the mountains to subdue the Lombards when as the Huns came like a violent floud vpon Italy only the commonweale of Venice opposed it selfe like a rampar against these furious inundations and it is no wonder if beeing forced to resist such furious attempts shee had noe meanes to thinke of other Conquests Iealousie for the command of the Sea held it long in quarrell with the Genouois And as in her first beginning she had no care but to fortifie herselfe at Sea against the iniuries of the firme land so all her Conquests haue beene by Sea An error and negligence which some that haue come after haue better considered g Francis Foscarin Duke of Venice was
France Parricides and cruelties with his wife Daughter to the Earle of Bullen being forced to make that his contrie where he found his fortune thinking to see the same sunne euery where which he saw in Scotland He besought K. Lewis the eleuenth to assist him with sufficient forces to make war in Scotland t Euery soile is the Countrie of a great courage Quo modo lucem noctem que omnibus hominibus ita omnes terras fortibus viris natura aperuit As nature hath opened the day and night for all men so hath she al contries for men of courage Tac. lib. 4. The bad vsage he had receiued froÌ his brother caried him to these motions to ouerthrow all that hee could not remoue The K. thought it not fit to ground a war against his allies vpon an other mans passions so as the Duke of Albany seeing that he could not obtain that he expected froÌ the king he past ouer into England and perswaded K. Edward to make war against the K. of Scotland u It is alwaies dangerous to make warre vpon the Councels of men that are banished from their countries and reduced to those extremities to ruine it for reuenge Passion doth easily transport them they promise that which they cannot hold and their wils are subiect to change The Noblemen of the Realme apprehending this storme assembled together by night in a Church where they resolued to cast all that into the Sea which was the cause of this tempest and which made the King to play at tenis with his subiects heads x Nothing is of so little respect to a cruell Prince as the bloud of his subiects Stratocles seeing them buy the heads and nâckes of beasts for his supper said it was that wherwith they that gouerned the commonweale played at tosse-ball Plut. in Demet. being necessary to rid himselfe of domesticke enemies before he did incounter strangers The King who had spies in all places was aduertised of this assembly and sent Cocheran one of his fauorites to discouer it he was met by Archembald Douglas Earle of Anguse Conspiracie of the Nobilitie executed who took him by the neck and made him fast with the same chaine of gold which he himselfe ware and then he gaue him in gard to certaine soldiors vntill it was day at the breake of which hee was carried vnto a gibbet lamenting his hard fortune which had raised him vp to ruine him Some cried out to haue him dispacht others were moued to pittie y In these changes of fortune some sing others weâp wâân Radamystus caused Mithridates to bee taken vnchained the people remembering the rigour of his coÌmandemenâs added blows to his misfortune others lamânted the change of his fortune Vulgus duto Imperio habitum probra ac verbera intentabat Et erant contra qui tantuÌ fortunae commutationem miseretentur The common people required his hard command with reproches and blows And there were others which Pittied the change of his fortune Tac. lib. 4. To be wise we must fly the conuersation of fooles Magna pars sanitatis est hortatores Insaniae reliquisse Sen. Epist. 94. It is a great part of health to haue left the perswades to madnes All reioiced to see the Court purged from this contagious plague He goes directly to the Kings Chamber and seazeth vpon all these Empericks of state vnder whose gouernment impietie had so raigned and iniustice been in such credit in Scotland and causeth them all to be hanged The King of England made his profit of these broiles King of England sends an armie into Scotland for hauing sent Richard Duke of Glocester his brother into Scotland with a mighty Armie he forced the King to restore him Barwick which the Scottishmen had kept one and twenty yeares by meanes wherof a Peace was treated and sworne The Nobilitie of Scotland thought that the King would grow wise hauing no more these instruments of folly about him z but hee made them to change their opinions for hauing setled his affaires abroad he began to call them to an account at home and to be reuenged of them which had prescribed him a law This caused anew reuolt to pacifie the which the King fled to the Pope who sent a Legate to draw the Rebels to their duties and hee intreated the King of France and England by his Embassadors to assist him to quench a mischiefe the contagion whereof might creep in among their subiects Not holding himselfe safe in Edinbourg hee would haue retired to Sterling but the Gouernour would not giue him entry He was then forced to keep the field hauing no retreat his enemies incounter him he accepts the Battel which they presented King of Scotland ââairne and fought valiantly but finding his horse wounded he retires vnto a Mill whether hee was pursued and slaine in the yeare 1488. the 31. of his age and the eight and twentith of his raigne FINIS THE CONTENTS OF of the eighth BOOKE 1 THe King is aduised to make his profit of the diuisions of Italy but he will not heare of it 2 Troubles at Florence and conspiracies against the house of Medicis 3 The Pope excommunicates the Florentines and for their sakes the Venetians arming the King of Naples against them 4 The King declares himselfe for the Florentines and forbids to send money to Rome The Venetians ioine in league with the Florentines 5 He sends his Embassadors to Rome and is arbitrator of the controuersie Ouerture for a Peace The lets of the Venetians side 6 The Popes complaint against them 7 Intelligences of the Duke of Brittany discouered and Letters surprized by the King 8 Punishment of Peter Landais 9 Townes of the Riuer of Somme recouered by the King 10 Negotiation of Oliuer le Dain at Gand. Taking of the Towne of Tournay 11 Princesse of Bourgundy sends Embassadors vnto the King to haue his Peace and protection 12 The King wins the Embassadors Restoring of the Townes of Hesdin Therouenne and Monstreuil Siege of Bullen two and twenty Deputies of Arras hanged 13 Arras yeelds vpon a composition which is not obserued 14 The Gantois rise against their Princesse and will haue part in the gouernment of affaires Their Embassadors sent vnto the King bring back a letter which the Princesse had written contrarie to their Embassage 15 The Princesse Chancellor and the Lord of Himbercourt Gouernor of Liege put to death 16 Ingratitude and impietie of Adolpe of Gueldres against his father 17 The King entertaines friendship with the King of England and keepes him from inclining to the Princesse of Bourgundy 18 Marriage of Maximilian Archduke of Austria with the Princesse of Bourgundy 19 The Kings armie in the Franch Countie 20 The fiâst alliance of France with the Suisses 21 Estate of the affaires of Castille vnder the new raigne of Ferdinand and Isabella 22 Death of Iohn the second King of Nauarre and Arragon 23 Peace and alliances renued
with the Spaniards 24 Blanch Countesse of Foix Queene of Nauarre the mother of many children 25 Battell of Guinegast 26 Siege of Rhodes by Mahomet the second and the valiant resistance of the great Master ⧠THE HISTORIE Of LEWIS the eleuenth THE EIGHTH BOOKE TWO great occasions presented themselues vnto the King to augment his Empire 1477. after the death of the Duke of Bourgondy In the first it seemed that Italy was not diuided but to vnite it againe vnder the gouernment of one alone and that not any one but the French King might vndertake it or hope for it They councelled him to make his profit of these diuisions K. Lewis councel'd to make his profite of the diuision of Italy and to renue the right which the Crowne of France had to the Realme of Naples since Charles Earle of Aniou a Pope Vrban the third called Charles of Aniou against MaÌfroy and promised him the Inuestiture of both Siciles Charles came to Rome in the yeare 1264. in May and receiued it froÌ Clement 4. and from the same hand the Crown at S. Iohn de Latran the 28. of Iune Prouence brother to the great King who renowned by the power of Armes and much more by the holinesse of his life deserued to be declared a Saint Robert of Saint Seuerin came vnto the King b Robert of S. Seuerin came to the King to make him resolue to come into Italy Paulus Aemilius saith that the King answered him that he had learned froÌ his Predecessors that the FreÌch could neuer keepe any thing in Italy and made him diuers ouertures to moue him thereunto but he who was a Prince which made more account of the essence then of the appearance of things would not hearken to it The Geneuois intreated him to take them vnder his command hauing liued happily vnder King Charles the 7. He was contented that Iohn Galeas Duke of Millan c Iohn Galeas Duke of Millan did homage for his mother for the Dutchy of Genoa to the Lord of Argenton returning from his Embassage to Florence in the yeare 1476. should do him homage and wheÌ they said that they gaue themselues vnto him he gaue them vnto the Diuell refusing a command so ill grounded as vpon the quicke-sand of the will of a multitude He was also resolued not to meddle with the affaires of Italy hauing learned from his fore-fathers that to send Armies beyond the Alpes was nothing but to purchase repentance with much charge and great difficulties d The Geneuois haue often sought a Maister Guichardin saith that desiring with great instance to giue themselues to Lewis the eleuenth he did not accept the donation and had often refused Dimescolarsi in Italia come cosa piena dispese difficulta all vltimo perniciosa al regno di Francia to meddle with the affaires of of Italy as a thing full of charge and difficulties and in the end dangerous for the realme of France Guic. l. 1. He sent the Signior of Argenton to Florence Troubles at FloreÌce being full of troubles for a conspiracy made against the house of Medicis Laurence de Medicis liued in that Common-weale as a Cittizen and commanded as a Prince for alwaies in states which depend of the authority of many heads there are some which excell the rest e In popular Estates there hath alwayes beene some priuate man more eminent then the rest Pericles at Athens Epaminondas and Pelopidas at Thebes His Grand-father the great Cosmo Cosmo de Medicis surnamed the Great had laid the foundation of a great authority which did threaten the Common-weale with a new forme of gouernement vnder the power of one alone He was in such reputation through fauour of his wisedome as he began to terrifie the liberty of the Citty and as Machiuel saith the other Citizens held it dangerous to offend him and most dangerous to suffer him The contrary faction attempted to stoppe the growing of this designe the which they thought they could not effect but in killing Laurence and Iulian de Medicis brethren who were not odious vnto great men but for that they had too great credite and their vertue too much reputation and applause f In a free Cittye the great vertue and reputation of one alone is alwaies suspected Cato said against Scipio that a Citty could not termed free in the which the Magistrate did respect feare a priuate man Heauen which reserues vnto it selfe the disposition of States and which aduanceth or staies the Destinies as it pleaseth had resolued to raise the house of Medicis by the same meanes that their enemies sought to ruine it g Conspiracies do many times succeed happily for them against whom they are made Brutus in his History of Florence the 6. Booke saith Consilia quae à coniuratis ad Medicum potentiam euertendam inita fuerant ad eoruÌ principatum stabiliendum mirifice contulerunt The councels which the CoÌspirators had taken to ouerthrow the house of Medicis did wonderfully serue to settle their power and authority It was already growne to that splendor and raised so high as the fight of the vulgar sort was dulled and could not discerne it The Lords which carried this Name being hardy and couragious knew their owne merit and knowing themselues capable to reigne worthily past all difficulties to reigne assuredly The Conspiracie was executed vpon Iulian being at Masse in Saint Reparees Church but Laurence saued himselfe in the Vestry The Conspirators were hanged at the Palace-windowes and the Conspiracie held so execrable throughout all the world as Mahomet h All Princes are interessed in the punishment of traytors When as Mahomet vnderstood that one of the Conspirators was in Constantinople he caused him to be apprehended and sent bound to Florence would not suffer one of the Conspirators to liue safely in Constantinople Pope excommunicates the Florentines The Archbishop of Pisa was among them that were hanged Nicholas Cardinall of Saint Georges was put in prison Pope Sixtus the fourth was offended and fauoured all those that had beene dealers in this Conspiracie he did excommunicate the Florentines Army against the Florentines and caused Ferdinand of Arragon King of Naples to Arme against them the Duke of Vrbin was Generall of the Popes Army and of the King of Naples and with him the Kings two sonnes they did ouer-runne the Territories of Florence yet they spared that which did belong to Laurence de Medicis to bring him into suspition and to make the people beleeue that he had intelligence with them i So Hanibal spoiling and burning the houses which were about Rome forbad the Souldiers to touch any thing that did being to Fabius Maximus This Common-weale was in deadly conuulsions of her liberty Changes of gouernment at Florence scarce knowing what should become of her Her Physitions had rather see her rot with languishing then to cure her or bury her
waxt by which hole we did looke into the Castle-yard Hee saith also that Margaret of Clisson Mother to the Earle of Ponthieure came scoft at him vsing these words Deposuit potentes de sede He hath put the Mighty from their seate Hist. of Brit. Lib. 11. it had felt the ruines and desolations which the Iustice of God brings vpon Principalities for the sinnes of the Princes and People The diuision betwixt the Houses of Montfort and Blois had brought it to the last extremity and it had seene an Act of wonderfull presumption of a vassaile against his Lord Duke Iohn hauing beene prisoner to Oliuer of Blois with such vnworthy vsage as hee was in a manner depriued of the aire which all the powers of the world cannot take from Man there beeing nothing but death that can depriue him of breath This poore Prince had no Aire at all but was in darkenesse p When as God saith Epictetes takes from thee necessary things as food raiment and thy sences he sounds a retreat hee opens the doore and commands thee to come and in a little Chamber where hee could not see but by a hoale made with a Pinne the Sunne for the which many haue beleeued they were in the world Anaxagoras said that hee was in the world to admire the Sunne A more tedious kinde of life then death it selfe and hee that is reduced vnto it hath a strong resolution if he doth not murmure that God suffers him to liue so long One of the wise Stoickes thought that hee gaue man leaue to depart this life when as he gaue him no meanes to liue But let vs returne vnto the King Townes vpon the riuer of Somme recouered by the king Before the newes of Duke Charles his death was assured hee brake the Truce which should haue continued seuen yeares longer and seized vpon Abbeuille Dourlans Monstreuil Montdidier Peronne Han Bohain Saint Quintin and the Townes vpon the Riuer of Somme which by the death of Charles the last Male of the House of Bourgondy returned vnto the King Hee wisht hee might haue done as much to all the Low Countreyes and by some iuster meanes then by Armes in marrying his sonne to the heire of Bourgondy Lewis desires to marry his sonne to the heire of Brittain But beside the great inequality of their ages hee had promised him to the Princesse of England and he desired to giue him the heire of Brittaine for she was more sutable to his sonnes age and this Princesse was a Rampart against the fury of the English who being seconded by the Dukes of Brittaine haue entred that way and come into the heart of the Realme He perswaded himselfe to preuaile by other meanes he had good seruants at Gand who had made shew that this kinde of gouernement was against their mindes and that they affected new Maisters q The day after that the Ganto is receiued newes of the Dukes death they put to death 25 men of their Lawe The pretex was for that they had executed a man before they were confirmed in their charge He thought that in taking some of the chiefe Townes of the Countrey the rest in this confusion of Councels and weakenesse of forces would yeeld of themselues and as if there had beene no other difficulty he disposed already of places and gouernments of Prouinces His humor was to imploy meane men in great affaires and to handle great works with small engines He sent Robinet of Odenfort to S. Omer and Oliuer le Dain his Barber to Gand who was of such power and authority euen with the King as the French going out of the Realme they demaunded of them in mockery among other newes of Court Presumption of Oliuer le Daine if Lewis were in good tearmes with Oliuer r StraÌgers mock at princes which depend vpon ãâã companions and giue themseles as it were in a prey to their conduct This man for that hee was borne in a village neere vnto Gand was so presumptuous as hee thought he could make this Towne subiect to the Kings will and tooke this charge vpon him to goe thither vnder colour to carry some message to the Princesse who had called an Assembly of the Estates at Gand s Estates in the Law Countries held at Gand. The Oath of fidelity was renued to the Princesse for it had in already taken by Guy of Roââfort Lord of PluvaÌt her Chamberlain by Guy Perrot her Secretary of state and vnder hand practised men to what he had intended he stiled himselfe Earle of Melun This purple-hue did nothing at all beautifie the Ape but made him more ridiculous to them that knew the basenesse of his breeding t Basenesse of birth is a reproach which is giuen to them that gloriously forget theÌselues Iphicrates Tully and Marius endured it Yet the King perswaded himselfe that hee would doe wonders in this Citty telling the chiefe Noble-men of his Court that they whom he had sent to Gand and Saint Omer were able to get the keyes of the Towne and to draw in his Troopes He made account of the one as Augustus did of Mecenas u Augustus Caesar loued 2. men aboue all others Agrâppa for his patience and Mecenas for his secresie and discretion Being in Councell with them after the war of Actium how hee should gouerne himselfe Agrippa aduised him to liue a priuate life but Mecenas wisht him to think of a monarchy Dion Plut. Suet. and of the other as Agrippa Oliuer hauing demanded audience of the Princesse Affront done to Oliuer at his audience with the Princesse and refusing to speake vnto her but in priuate hee caused himselfe to bee scorned and this disgrace concerned him that had sent him who had not considered that such Commissions did properly belong to men of birth or of great merit and that it seemes they contemne the Prince to whom they send Embassadours of base condition x They that carry the Title of Embassadours should be men of credit reputation Caesar said that the Suisses sent Embassadors vnto him the chiefe wherof was Deuico he who in the Cassian warre had bin their Generall The Gantois hauing discouered Negotiation of Oliuer le Dain at Gand and taking of Tournay that hee had some secret practises in their Towne hee was in danger to haue beene cast into the Riuer whereupon hee retired to Tournay and practised thirty or forty men by whose meanes hee brought in Mony with his Company which hee had at Saint Quintin and seized of the Towne sending seuen or eight of the Gouernors to Paris The Princesse Councell seeing that her subiects fidelity was shaken and the Townes of Picardy deliuered vnto the King that she had to deale with a Cyrus Embassage sent from the Princesse of Bourgundy to the King and that she was no Tomyris y Cyrus hauing attempted against the Massagets a people of Scythia Tomyris their