vertue Philip of Arteuille their leader was slaine he was found breathing among the dead carcases whom the King commanded to be hanged and so he had the reward of his imagined Empire This double euent may serue as a lesson both for great and small for great men in the Earles person for small in that of this Tribun For the first to command well for the others to obey well and forall not to passe the bounds of their duties God punishing the great for their tiranny and crueltie and the lesser for their disobedience dangerous plagues of mankinde the which cannoâ— stand but by order and authoritie well gouerned and well applied They calâ—thâ—s ouerthrow the battaile of Rosebecqâ—e which chanced in the yeare 1582. in December it was the more remarkable for that the vanquished had soone their reuenge Charles thus victorious could not manage his victorie for in steed of surprising the Gantois in this amazement he lingers too long at Courtray to seeke out the remainder of those miserable mutynous which remayned in this defeate whereas in pardoning the vanquished the victor getts a double victoâ—y This place also being infamous by a great ouerthrowe which chanced in the yeare 1312. mooued him to choler for that this ill aduised people to noaâ—e the memory of that day did ceâ—ebrate a â—ollemne feast yearely An vnworthy reuenge taken by King Charles and had reserued fiue hundred paâ—er of gilt spures which they had taken from the French in that battaile Charles was so transported with the memorie of this audacious indignitie as he caused this poore Towne to be burnt An vnworthie reuenge of so great a monarke who should hold it the greatest reuenge vpon his enemies to pardon when he may reuenge The Duke of Bourgongne in all this confusâ—on did not forget to seeke for goodly mouables whereof there was abundance He carried away that goodly clock and that exquisite tapistry which is now at Dyion in the Kings house The Gantois seeing their ruine flie to Richard King of England The Gantois flie to England for succore they choose Francis Artremâ—n one of their Cittizens for their head and renue the league of white caps more obstinatly then before being resolued to die rather then to trust their Earle to whome they imputed the cause of all their miseries the which had continued fiue yeares and deuoured two hundred thousand men So fatall are ciuill dissentions betwixt the Lord and his subiects Lewis their Earle hauing labored to settle his affaires both by the French and English against the Gantois fealing daylie the inconueniences of this rebellious people as thornes in his sides fell into such a melancholie as hee died Leauing his whole estate much troubled to his sonne-in-lawe Philip Duke of Bourgongne who beeing faâ—re ingaged in his Father-in-Lawes quarrell was nothing pleasing to this his people The warâ—e was reuiued both by practises of the English and by meanes of Artreman the head of that faction who hauing tasted the sweete of popular commaund desired nothing more then to maintayne this diuision but there fell out a sodaine accident which pacified all this great trouble as a little raine doth a great winde Two Cittizens of Gand whose names deserued well to be registred in this historie discoursing one day of their common miseries A strange meane to pacifie Gand. and noating the true causes of these calamities within their Cittie as feeling the wound they sought the meanes to cure it the which had continued so long and cost their miserable Countrie so deere The Kings pleasure and the Duke of Bourgongnes must be knowne they were not ignorant of the peoples humour being verie weaâ—ie of so many miseries Their enterprise was not without exceeding danger by the absolute authoritie of three or fower who had most credit with the people being susceptible of any mischiefe when they are thrust forward with a shewe of good It was requisite in the managing of so important a busines to vse wisdome and silence vntill the foundation were well layed and for the execution thereof there needed one which had both credit and authoritie with both parties The God of peace presented one vnto them which gouerned this action discreetly Iohn Delle a gentleman of Gand but bred vp in the Court of France He that seekes peace finds it This Delle goes to the King and Duke of Bourgongne hee layes open his dessâ—ine and is well entertayned He returnes with a good answer both by letters of credit and priuate instructions to the Gantois At his returne the matter is so well furthered by those two Cittizens who were in great reputation with the people as without the priuitie of Artreman or the English Negotiators the banner of Flanders the signall of their popular power is sollemnly planted in the great market place Al the people flocke thether where hauing signified vnto the chiefe Magistrats that they would haue peace and obey the Duke of Bourgongne their Prince Deputies are appointed with power to negotiate conclude a peace with him This was effected after a long confusion to the content both of the Earle and Flemings Of a light beginning God performes a great worke when it pleaseth him Thus the Duke of Bourgongne pacified Flanders in the yeare .1384 when as he feared greatest tumults by meanes of some seditious persons to whose great griefe a peace was proclaymed throughout al the Estaâ—s of Flanders 〈◊〉 in Flanâ—â—â—â— which gaue an incredible content to all the people after so manie miseries Nowe King Charles grewe great and although he were but sixteene yeares of age yet was he desiroâ—s to marry The Duke of Aniou his Vncle according to the aduice which King Charles the wise had gâ—uen on his death bed thought good to seeke him out a marriage in Germanie in the house of Bauiere to counterballance the credit of the Emperour Wâ—nceslaus no friend to the house of France what shewe soeuer he made He therefore marrieth with Isabel the daughter of Stephen Duke of Bauiere a Princesse from whom they expected much good but shee brought infinit troubles to France as we shal see hereafter Thus mans wisdome is deceyued when as hee hopes for best that God might bee knowen for the author of al good both in the family and State This imperious Proserpina verâ—fied the prouerbe That a woman raiseth or ruines a house She had almost ouerthrowne the State But shortly there shal an Italian woman be ioyned to this Germain to augment the confusions of this raigne reasonable good in the beginning but verie miserable in the ende This yeare likewise concluded a peace in Brittain after many troubles Iohn of Montfort hauing renued his homage to the King and sworne fealtie which shall not long continue to the great preiudice of the King and his realme The truce was continued in shewe betwixt France and England but with no more loue of the two Kings then betwixt capitall enimies who sought to annoye
nationall Counceâ—â—â—f the French Churches The Deputies notwithstanding especially the Clergy will allowe of no reason Tâ—ey are for the most part transported with passion and apprehend nothing but 〈◊〉 maâ— aduance the League Iâ— the King refuseth this article the Duke of Gâ—ise 〈◊〉 dâ—sâ—olue the Estates and laie all the blame vpon his Maiestie He hath so well prouâ—â—â—d for his affaires as he holds himselfe maister of the Castle of Blois and of the Kâ—ngs person There is neither gate hall chamber nor Cabinet but the keyes are at his â—leasure He hath great forces ready He checkes them that speakes not to his liking their voices and consents are forced in the Parlament house he puts in and puts out and doth what he pleaseth Those whom the King and Parlements hold inâ—â—pportable finde accesse and support with him To conclude see the first Prince oâ— tâ—e bloud the first of the most ancient and most famous house that doth at this daâ— weare a Crowne the first of that royall branch of Bourbon which onely remaines aftâ—r so many sisters and cousins of Aniou Alençon Eureux Berry Bourgongne Angâ—ulesme and Orleans and which onely succeeded that of Valois depriued of the right which nature hath giuen him without calling him or hearing his iustifications The Clergy sayes he ought to be no more cited his heresie his incapacity to the Crowne is apparent The Bishop of Chaalons in Champagne deliuers this conclusion to the Nâ—bâ—lity The Bishop of Cominge to the third Estate and the Archbishop of Ambrun to the King to make a law thereof and then followed the last act of the Tâ—agedie of a dispossessed King But oh men the Eternall lookes on you and laughes at your Counsells he nowe 〈◊〉 vpon the stage to act his part and to bring forth effects far from his thoughts The King is aduertised from all paâ—ts of a great conspiracy against his Maiestâ—e The Duke oâ— Espernon assures him by letters The Duke of Mayenne iealous it may be of hiâ— bâ—others greatnes aduertiseth his Maiesty from Lion by a Knight of worship and the Duke of Aumale from Blois it selfe by his owne wife that the Duke of Guise hâ—d very pernicious desseines that the houre of the execution did approch that they 〈◊〉 to seize on him and to lead him to Paris These aduerâ—isements kindle a newe courage in the King hee meanes to preuent â—im and disâ—ouâ—rs his minde to foure whom he knowes as faithfull to his Maiesty as â—nemieâ—â—o the damnable proâ—ects of the League He must suppresse this newe starre 〈◊〉 tâ—e East whom the people worshipped already The present necessity will not suffer 〈◊〉 to bring him forth in viewe the Popes respect retaines him his oath to protect 〈◊〉 Estâ—â—eâ— makes him irresolute the troubles which this execution will cause in 〈◊〉 diâ—â—osed to the League makes him doubtfull yet he must die Hee hath no 〈…〉 France but of a simple subiect and yet without the Kings authority 〈…〉 he hatâ— built a League had intelligence with the stranger leauâ—ed 〈◊〉 waâ—re attempted vpon townes and broken the publike peace He continues 〈…〉 against the oath of the Edict of vnion with the Cardinall Morosine Legate 〈…〉 and Don â—â—igo of Mendosa Ambassador of Spaine He confirmes his 〈…〉 â—ederations with the Gouetnors of reuolted townes Hee published by 〈…〉 that hee hath not taken armes but for Gods and the Kings seruice aâ—d yet by the surprise of so many townes he hath hindered the aduancement of the Kings army in Guienne against the Huguenots The obiect of his aâ—mâ—â— is the safety and religion of the Catholikes and to depriue the King of Nauarre oâ— all hope of succession to the Crowne and in the meane time it appeares that he hath sought the loue of the King of Nauarre he hath promised to giue him his sonne in hostage and to meete him with seuenteene Princes of his house at the riuer of Loâ—re to serue him and make him King of France Many letters intercepted discouer that after his maiesties pardon of many capitall crimes he renues his disseynes against the King and against his estate Obiecâ—ions against the Duke of Guise The surprise of the Marquisate of Salusses is by his intelligence He disgraceth the Kings actions he blames him to haue vnwillingly made warre against the Huguenots to haue sold the said Marquisate that vnder colour of recouering it hee might diuert the warre against the Heretikes In steed of reducing the Townes held by the Huguenots hee keepes his Captaines and men of warre at Blois vpon assurance of a profitable change Hee hath caused bookes to bee Printed in fauour of the lawfull succession of the house of Lorraine to the Crowne At the Barricadoes this voice was heard It is no longer time to dally let vs lead my Lord to Reimes He hath suffered himselfe to be saluted by the people with cries and acclamations which belong onely to the Soueraigne Prince He hath vaunted that he was able to take the King prisoner or to do worse although he entered but with eight horses into Paris being assured of the force and wills of the Citizens He hath â—eized on the places of strength within Paris made Gouernors Magistrates and officers at his pleasure He hath so corrupted the Estates as the Deputies speake not but by his mouth they produce nothing but what hath beene first examined in his Councel Many crie out that he stayes too long beâ—ore he strikes Hee speakes no more but in termes of a Souereigne with pride disdaine and threats He hath refused to subscribe the Edict which the King would publish in cases of treason He doth already seale Letters pattents with his great seale He forbids the Commons to giue victualls or munition to such companies as the King had sent vnto them There remaines no more but to confirme in his person that ancient greatnes sometimes vsurped by the Maâ—ors of the pallace and to deale with the King as Charles Martel had done with Childeric In the ende they represent vnto the King the Processe of Salcedo a party in this conspiracy the counsells of Nancy and of Paris in Lent last whereof the chiefe point was To seize vpon the Kings person the instructions of the Aduocate Dauid the letters of the Qâ—eene Doüager of Denmarke to the Duke of Lorraine her sonne the attempt of the Barricadoes and to heape vp the measure the practises corruptions and violences done by the Duke of Guise to the Estates The like and lesse crimes haue in former ages brought more famous heads then the Duke of Guises to the blocke The Leagues and practises of an Earle of Harcourt of a Constable of Saint Paul of a Duke of Nemours haue brought them to shamefull endes Pope Sixtus now liuing hath of late put to death the Earle of Pâ—poli of the noblest families of Italy only for that he had concealed some banished men in his house The Duke of Guise himselfe did of late pursue with all violence the disobedience
remained in Gaule he opposed himselfe violently against the French who at diuerse times endeuoured to passe the Rhin and to returne into France Clodion fortifying himselfe couragiously against this storme fainted not for all these first difficulties In the end hee resolued to hazard all vpon this last cast and to this effect hee raysed a mighty army with an intent to go in person to the conquest of this goodly kingdome But God had resolued to giue it to the French yet by an other hand then that of Clodion for he dyed in this voyage being on the bankes of Rhin with an intent to passe it in the yeare of grace 451. leauing Merouce heire of his desseigne and valour He was called Le Cheuelu or hayrie for that he made a lawe that none but Kings and their children with the Princes of the bloud should weare long hayre Law for wearing long hayre in token of command after the Romaine maner who shaued the heads of their slaues and seruants and left the Periwig onely to the Patriciens and the head bare This custome confiâ—med by the law of Clodion hath beene long time obserued in France so as by this maâ—ke Clodamyre the sonne of Clouis being slaine in a battaile by the Bourguignons was knowne among the dead and in token of a degrading or dishonouring they shaued such as they degraded from the royall dignity as it appeares by infinite examples amongst the which our History makes mention of one very memorable of Qâ—eene Clotilde who chose rather to cut off the heads of her young sonnes then to haue their hayre pold or shauen that is to say she preferred an honest death before the dishonour of her children for in cutting off their hayre the marke of their naturall dignity they were depriued of all hope to enioy their degree and were confined into a base estate vnworthy of their greatnesse to dye continually with heart-breaking reproche and infamie Genseric King of the Vandales at that time seized vpon Affricke The estatâ— of the Church and euen when as he besieged Hippone which at this day they call Bonne famous for the fishing of corall S. Augustine dyed the third moneth of the siege the fourth yeare of his ministery in that Citty and the 76. of his age hauing both seene and felt those tragicall desolations in the desolate estate of the Church afflicted then in diuers parts of the world by these Barbarians Theodosius the second the sonne of Arcadius a good and a wise Prince did his best endeuour to stop the course of this lâ—st shipwrack but hee preuailed not The insolencie of Valentinian the third a Prince extremely vitious thrust it headlong and the ill gouernment of his seruants namely of Bonifacius gouernour of Affricke and of Aetius gouernour of Gaule called in the Barbarians to the subuersion of the Empire who to be reuenged one of another being capitall enemies for the iealousie of their greatnesse did whaâ— they could to ruine their maister MEROVEE the third King of France who gaue the name and greatest grace to this first race MEROVEE KING OF FRANCE III 451. MErouee sonne or the nearest kinsman to Clodion succeeded to the Crowne as well by vertue of the fundamentall lawe of state as by the free Election of the French in the yeare 451. He was farre more happy then Clodion for he not onely effected his desseine in passing the Rhin and taking footing in Gaule but did happily extend the limits of his new kingdom further And the same Aetius which crossed Clodion Meâ—â—uee sets footing into France made the way easie for Merouee vnawares for the execution of his enterprise by this occasion Aetius fell in disgrace with Honorius his maister being greeued to see the great successe of the Goths Vandales and other barbarous nations in the Empire imputing the fault vnto his seruants and officers Thus growing iealous hee calles him from his gouernment of Gaule and sends Castinus in his place who was not onely vnacquainted with the estate of the Gaules bâ—t was also discontented with Bonifacius gouernour of Affricke with whome he had commandement to ioyne his forces to oppose against the common enemies of the Romaines During those actions Honorius died leauing Theodosius in the East and Valentinian in the West two yong princes of diuers humors Merouee imbracing this occasion with great dexterity sounds the hearts of his neighbors the Gaulois and finds them disposed to his deuotion He rayseth an army passeth the Rhine takes Treues at the first comming and then Argentin which is nowe called Strasbogh with the Countries adioyning to it Hee extends euen vnto Cambresie and Tournay and proceeding farther into Gaule hee seised on the best Citties of Champaigne with so great expedition as no Romaine appeared to stop the course of his victory Valentinian aduertised of this successe called back Aetius to quench this fiâ—e 452. sending him into Gaule with an armie against the French but there was other worke prepared for him for Attila King of the Huns The â—â—ench ioynâ— with the Romaâ—nes and 〈◊〉 who named himselfe the Scouâ—ge of God to chastise the Empire hauing assembled an incredible number of men in the desarts of Asia being fiue hundred thousand souldiars falles downe like a furious deluge spoiling all the countries where he passed and hauing crossed through Poland into Germanie and passed the Rhin he threatned to inuade France a country desired by all these nations for her fertilitie and beauty Aetius had no shorter course nor better meanes to auoyde this storme then to become friends with the French and with all the other possessors of Gaule who were threatned by this common storme so as in steed of warre he made a peace with Merouee vpon this extremity Attila entred Gaule and aduanced so farre that hee besieged Orleans Oâ—leans besieged by Attilâ— where Auian liued then a most famous Bishop who did greatly comfort the besieged by his piety and wisdom whilest that the forces of their confederate friends assembled by the meanes of Aetius the Romaines French Gothes and Bourguignons Orleans being at the point to yeeld Thierri King of the Goths arriues so happily as he forceth Attila to raise his siege to take another course Attila marching away with this vaste body of an armie he was pursued speedily by Aetius and his confederates who ouertooke him in the fields of Catalauna the which is diuersly taken either for the country about Chalons or about Tholouse The battaile was giuen and the combate was furious Attila ouerthrowne but not quite vanquished but the check fell â—pon the Huns who lost as it is constantly written 180000. fighting men and the victorie remained in commun to the Romaines French and Goths but the triumph and honour to Merouee and his men who fought very valiantly Thierri King of the Goths was slaine very happily to make the way easie for Merouee It was propounded in councell to pursue Attila but Aetius would not
contemned the whole world Hee reports also that hee vsed a notable pollicie to circuâ—uent Celestin being chosen to the dignitie of Pope a simple man and vnfit for maâ—â—eâ—s of State hee suborned some one to talke to him in the night like an Angell perswading him to leaue this charge if hee would be saued hee preuailes by his pâ—actises and wrought so by subtill deuises as hee was chosen Pope in his place Being Pope hee desired nothing more then to kindle the warre betwixt the Guelphes and the Gibelins then called Blacke and White by a name and marke of a faction Platina coates a singular proofe of his disposition nothing inclined to procure peace among Christian Princes Prochâ—t Archbishop of Genoa affected to the Gibelin faction kneeled at Boniface feete on Ashwednesday As the Priest is accustomed to say Memento homo quia ciuis es in â—inerem reuerteris he sayd changing the wordes Memeâ—to homo quia Gibilinus es et eâ—m Gibilinis in cinerem reuerteris casting the Ashes into his eyes where as they are accustomed to cast them on the head in signe of humilitie and submission Boniface thus inclined to the peace of Christendome that is to say as the Lord of Haillan writes more puft vp with glory and vanitie then good zeale to the peace of Christian Princes hee commands Philip by his Nuncio to restore to the English and Flemmings what they demanded and for not obeying hee cites him to appeare at Rome vpon paine of excommunication Philip a wise and a valiant Prince although hee were discontented with this course yet hee sent an Honorable Ambassage to Rome by the Archbishop of Rheims and the Earle of Saint Paul to lay open his right before the Deputies of the King of England and the Earle of Flanders who were then at Rome to complaine as being wronged All parties being heard Boniface decrees that Philip as the fountaine and cause of all the miseries and inconueniences which had happened should yeeld to Edward and to Gâ—y all they demanded both in Guienne and Flanders The Pope makes a decree against Philip. charging the Archbishâ—p of Rheâ—ms to signifie this Bull vnto the King vpon paine of excommunication for not obeying This was the first blowe giuen by Boniface against Philip The other Sceane of this Theater shall represent an other acte But what doth Philip after these great threates He prepares for deeds not suffering himselfe to be daunted with words and tâ—ies his witte to finde out meanes to maintaine himselfe against so mightie enemies not holding it fiâ—te nor worthy of a King of France to be terrified with these CoÌ„minations from Rome imployed without reason against his lawfull authoritie So seeking for all helpes he resolues to be ready for all euents holding words insufficient to calme this storme Philip prepares to defend himselfe He layes great impositions which they call Maletost vpon his Subiects for the leâ—ying of Souldiars and imposeth great tenths vpon the Clergie But in the search of thâ—s remedie he was incountred with two difficulties On the one side The French mutine being surcharged his Subiects suâ—charged with the exaction of these great summes being almost in dispaire were ready to rebell in diuers places especially in the greater Citties And on the other side Pope Boniface thundred against him by new Comminations and Censures â— forbidding the Clergie to contribute any thing This Prince crossed with these difficulties continues his course resolutely Philip admonisheâ—h the Earle of Flandeâ—â— of his duty as a great worke requires a noble and vndanted spirit But before he enters warre against Guy Earle of Flanders he sends the Archbishop of Rheims and the Bishop of Seâ—lis vnto him to aduise him not to enter into a voluntarie warre That the King was as carefull of his Daughter as himselfe to marrie her honorablie according to her qualitie That hee did nothing vnworthy of a good King or a good God-father in not suffering his subiects to allie themselues to his capitall enemies the which hee spake not for feare of the Earles forces or of his friends but for the care hee had of his Subiects not to see them runne headlong into ruine and therefore he presents him the choise of Peace of Warre Count Guy answers â—hat hee is resolute to recouer his right by force from the King seeing hee might not haue it by reason Philip hauing tryed mildnesse in vaine comes to force Hee had a goodly Armie whereof hee takes the one halfe and giues the other to Robert Earle of Artois his cousine He turnes the head of his Armie against Lisle and besiegeth it Philip inuades Flanders and defeates he Flemings whilest that Robert defeates the Flemings at Furnes and takes the Earles of Iuliers and Albemont with many other of great accoumpt and sends them prisoners into France So continuing his victory hee takes the Townes of Cassel Bergues Saint Winoch Furnes and all the West part with an incredible celeritie The King hauing taken Lisle hee enters victoriously into Bruges At this sodaine check all the rest of Flanders stâ—nds amazed This happy beginning did shake the desseignes of the confederate Princes so as without any more delay they sue for peace Ambassadors come presently vnto him from the King of England demanding a truce the which hee granted comprehending the Earles of Flanders and Neuers vpon condition they should put their controuersies to compromise And so he returned into France leauing Raoul of Neele his Constable Gouernor of the Countrie of â—landers This was the first voyage of Philip into Flanders in the yeare 1297. All things seemed to bee thus mildely pacified He seizeth vpon all Flanders but the progresse will soone shew that Philip had no meaning to receiue the Earle of Flanders into fauour For the truce being newly expired Charles Earle of Valois enters into Flanders with the same victorious Armie where hee takes Bethâ—ne Douay Courtray and all the rest of the Countrie of Flanders except Gand whether the Earle Guy was retired with his Children being disapointed of succours from his allyes and confederates England is quiet and the Emperour Adolphe is no more to be seene The Earle of Flanders forsaâ—â—n by his confederates who had made this poore Earle to weare the Bable And the Gaâ—tois make their peace with the King keeping their Priuileges But what shall become of the Earle hee yeelds himselfe absolutely into the hands of Robert Eaâ—le of Artois with promise that by his intercession he should be restored into the Kings good fauour and so into the possession of his estate 1299. Vpon this promise of Robert Guy accompanied with his children Robert William and Guy and his Nobilitie that were most confident vnto him comes to Paris but his hope was soone turned into a languishing sorrow for both himselfe his children and all his followers were dispersed into sundry places vnder sure gardes Guy put into prison as the Kings prisoners
they feared Of this great army there hardly escaped three hundred all are pact together great smal Not one CoÌ„mander escaped very few Noblemen Robert Earle of Artois cosin to the King of France General of the army Arnoul Lord of Neele Constable of France Iames of Chastilion A wonderfull defeate of the French Gouernor of FlaÌ„dâ—rs Iohn King of Maiorica Godfroy of BrabaÌ„t his Son the Lord of Viezon the Earls of Eu la Marche Damartin Aumale Auge Tancaruille many other great personages which were the offerings of these cowardly spirits They number 12000. Gentlemen slaine in this battell by this inraged multitude A notable president not to contemne an enemy which teacheth what a furious people well led may do An enemy is not to be contemned howâ— weake soeuer and especially that victories come froÌ„ heauen for here the lesser number vanquished the greater the weakethe strong This victory called of Courtray or Groeminghe was followed with an absolute reuolt of all Flanders against the French It happened in the yeare 1302. the 11. of Iuly Iohn of Namour remaining their gouernour in the absence of their imprisoned Earle Philip receiued a great check in this battell but he had more botoms to vntwist Aâ—â— the tâ—reats of Edward King of England of the Emperor Adolphe vanished only Pope Boniface the 8. shewed himselfe obstinate in his hatred against Philip. A discourse worthy to be carefully described In the hottest of these Flemish affayres Pope Boniface did excoÌ„municate Philip curse his Realme vpon this occasion A notable affront done by Pope Boniface to Philip. The Christians estate was lamentable in the East the Tartarians encreased dayly Cassan King of Tartars allyed with the King of Armenia a Christian made a great professioÌ„ of loue to the Christians and for that the Mamelus held Iudea Ierusalem he desired to drawe the Kings and Princes of Christendome to their ayde To this end he sends an Ambassage to Pope Boniface the 8. and to Philip King of France to intreat them both to imploy their authorities and meanes in so good a worke Boniface failes not to imbrace this occasioÌ„ he not onely exhorts Philip to succor the Tartar but also commands him proudly and imperiously vpon paine of excommunication This Bull was giuen to a sufficient man named Stephen an Arragonois whom he had made Bishop of Apaâ—ters a Cittie in the Countie of Foix which they commonly call Pamiers and had erected this new Bishoprick in the Archbishoprick of Tholouse without the Kings priuity or consent who acquitted himselfe of his charge so stoutly that when as Philip represented vnto him the greatnesse of his affaires so as he could not obey the Popes command he answered with a bold face That if the King would not obey the Pope hee would depriue him of his Realme The subiect the manner and the person aduanced thus against his will did so moue Philip grieued with this late losse as if the Pope would insult ouer him for this bad successe that hee imprisoned this Bishop Boniface transported with choller sends to him againe one Peter a Romane borne Archbishop of Narbonne with sharper Buls to summon him to vndertake this voyage of the East to command him not to touch the reuenues of the Clergie to reprehend him sharpely for that hee had presumed to lay hands vpon the Bishop whom he had sent to inioyne him to send him presently back in full libertie His charge extended to no other censures in case he disobeyed not in the principall The Archbishop executed his charge boldly Philip shewed him with great modestie the impossibilitie of this voyage the reasons which had moued him to leuie this tenth of the Clergie and so to intreate the Bishop hauing spoken vnto him without any respect Arrogancie of the Popes Nuncio The Archbishop replied with more arrogancie That he was ignorant of the Popes authoritie who was not onely the Father of Christian soules but also Soueraigne Lord and Prince in temporall things And therefore by that authoritie he did excommunicate him declaring him vnworthy to raigne and his realme forfaited to the Church of Rome to inuest whom he pleased Moreouer he brought another Bull directed to the Prelats and Noblemen of France by the which he did acquire and dispence all Frenchmen from their oth of obedience to Philip. And a third by the which he did cite all the Prelats and Diuines of the French Church to appeare before him at Rome disanulling all indulgences and priuiledges granted to the French by any Popes his predecessors The Earle of Artois disdaining this affront takes the Bull and casts it into fire saying That no such dishonor should euer befall the King to submit himselfe to any such conditions Philip amazed at these bold affronts referres the whole matter to his Councell who conclude to send back the Popes two Nuncios to Rome and to forbid the Prelats of France to goe or to send any money to Rome beseeching Philip to proceed in the affaires of his Realme and not to stay in so goodly a course This done Philip raiseth new great forces to returne into Flanders At his entry the Flemings were defeated at Arques neere to S. Omer in a straight passage Guy of Namur beseeging Xiriâ—xé was ouerthrowne by the Kings Nauie assisted by 16. Galleys of Genoa vnder the command of Renier Grimaldi and being taken is carried to the King being in his armie betwixt Lisle and Douay After this fortunate beginning Philip subdâ—es the Flemings many Cittie 's yeelded to the French the rest fearing the euent stood amazed the sume of their victorie being evaporated so as the first heat being colde they intreate the Earle of Sauoy to be a mediator to Philip for a truce whereby they might obtaine a peace after so many miseries Philip of Flanders Iohn of Namur brethren were great persâ—aders thereof for the naturall desire they had to free their poore father so long time a prisoner But Philip thirsting after reuenge for his losse at Courtray refuseth it He aduanceth and defeats the Flemings at Aire and at Tournay There chanced in the end that notable incounter at Mons in Penelle where they were wonderfully beaten to make them loose the â—ast of the battaile of Courtray yet Philip was in danger of his life and bought this victory dearly and the Flemings like men in dispaire assembled together from all parts although vnder-hand they did sue to Philip for peace the which in the end they obtained Philip makes peace with the Flemings at the instance of Iohn Duke of Brabant vpon these conditions That the Soueraignty remaining to the King and the Flemings enioying their liberties the Earle Guy all other prisoners should be set at libertie without ransome and the Flemings should pay eighty thousand pound sterling for the charges of the war the Castels of Lisle Douay Cassell Courtray should be deliuered into the Kings
hands 1303. as a pawne vntill the end of the paiment and he might beat downe what he had built in the Castels of Lisle Douay deliuering them to the Earle as to their lawful Lord. The Flemings tyed to sâ—â—ict conditions That the Flemings should raze the walls and Forts of fiue principal Citties Gaunt Bruges Ypre Lisle and Douay and neuer to build them againe That the King should make choise of 3000. men at his pleasure in Bruges and thereabouts that were coulpable of the seditions and murthers committed a thousand of them to bee imployed beyond the seas and two thousand on this side and that the Flemings should furnish 600. men at armes to serue the King one whole yeare where hee pleased And for the performance hereof the Citties should bee bound Six thousand pounds and should forfaire threscore thousand Liuers for non-payment for the effecting whereof Deputies should bee appointed During this treatie the Earle Guy and his daughter Philip Guy Earle of Flanders and his daughter dye the subiect of this troublesome reuolt died to the great great greefe of Philip who sees himselfe frustrate of al meanes to shew his clemencie and bountie But when these Articles were brought vnto the Citties the people did mutine with great impatiencie so as the Deputies perswaded Philip to moderate those which were most greeuous The demantling of the Townes except Bruges where the reuolt began and the banishment of the men conuerting it into a pecuniary fine and a great summe to an annuall pension prefixt to easie paiments Thus the accord was made Robert William and Guy brethren The conditions moderated the sonnes of the Earle Guy of Flanders were deliuered with all the prisoners but we shal see that in the execution thereof there was much trouble During these hard rough proceedings Edward King of England hauing receiued a check in Guienne was quiet fearing Philips resolution in greatest dangers whereof hee could wisely free himselfe in the end an accord is made by the marriage of Isabel the daughter of Philip Isabel the daughter of Philip married to Edward King of England with Edward the 2. who in regard of this marriage recouered all he had lost in Guienne in the taking of Isabell he left to his posteritie a heauy pawne to pretend a title to the whole Realme Philip had his reuenge of this Emperour Adolphe who had so boldly braued him in the beginning of this quarrell vnder coulour of demanding the lands of the Empire lying in the Countries of Bourgongne Daulphiné and Prouence being in old time the realme of Arles but then in the power of diuers Lords as we haue sayd vnder the Kings authoritie The King of England and Earles of Flanders had great cause to complaine of him hauing receiued two hundred thousand Crownes to make war against Philip the which he imployed in the pourchase of Thuringe taking possession of that goodly Land so vniustly gotten being solde by an vnnaturall Father who would disinherit his Children This filthie traffick agrauated by the complaints of the King of England and Earle of Flanders Adolphe the Emperour deposed made Adolphe of Nassau very odious and contemptible being issued from a noble and worthie race but this Act against the poore Children made him vnworthy of the Empire from which he was deposed by a decree of the Electors Albert of Austria seated in his place who poursuing him with war slâ—e him as they write with his owne hand in an incounter neere vnto Spire But Pope Boniface the 8. Philips greatest enemie remained yet vnpacified who stil continued his chollor against him in a season when as he thought him to be drawne drie both of men and money for they write that this warre of Flanders had wasted aboue three hundred thousand Frenchmen in eleuen yeares during the which it coÌ„tinued We haue seene how he vsed him by his Nuncios this last Act will not onely shew the continuance of his spleene but shal also represent a bad Catastrophé in this Tragedie the which shall light vpon the head of Boniface sought for by himselfe Albert of Austria was no sooner chosen and installed Emperour by the Electors but Boniface applyed his wit to winne him against Philip supposing to preuaile against Philip Pope Boniface his practise against Philip. as Gregorie the ninth had done against Frederic the second Hee proclames him Emperour inuests him King of the realme of France giuing him both the title and armes and taking occasion to sowe deuision in the heart of the Realme by meanes of the Clergie who by reason of their reuenues had great power in the State and for the interest thereof great will to preserue them Hee did also write his letters to Philip in this manner Boniface Bishop seruant of the seruants of God to Philip King of Frenchmen Feare God He write arâ—ogantly to Philip. and obserue his commandements wee wil thee to vnderstand that thou art subiect to vs both in spirituall and temporall things and that it belongs not to theâ— to giue any prebend or benifice If thou hast the keeping of any of them being vacant thou must reserue the profits of them to the successors If thou hast giuen any wee iudge thy gift to be void and do reuoke all that hath beene done and whosoeuer beleeueth otherwise wee iudge them heretikes giuen at Latran the fourth of the Nones of December the 6. yeare of our Popedome The King answeres him thus Philips answere to the Pope Philip by the grace of God King of France to Boniface calling himselfe the soueraigne Bishop little or no health Let thy great follie and rashnes be aduertised that in tempâ—ral things we acknowledge none but God for superiour and that the gift of prebends being void belongs to vs by our royall prerogatiue and the fruits that grow thereby the which wee will defend by the sword against all them that shall seeke to hinder our possession esteeming them fooles and without iudgement that shall thinke otherwise These are the very words drawne out of the originall But Philip to preuent the plots of Pope Boniface asseÌ„bled the Prelaâ—s of his realm at Paris with al speed hauing represeÌ„ted vnto theÌ„ the wrong which Pope Boniface had done him by his decree from the which he had appealed as erronious he makes them to renew their oath of fidelitie Hee thankes the King of England in that he yeelded not to the perswasions of Boniface who would haue incensed him against him and in the end he seekes to stay the violent course of his furious practises There was a Gentleman following the Court whose name was Felix of Nogaret borne in Seuennes a mountaine Countrie of Languedoc of the familie of the Albigeois as in that Countrie there were many reserued from father to sonne since the grant made them by Saint Lewis whome Philip held fit for the execution of this charge there was likewise a guide
where the Captaines iudgement is more auailâ—able then the souldiers force But why ascend we not from these second causes true in that which doth concerne vs vnto the first and soueraigne cause The arme of the Eternall â—urging this Realme full of vicious and corrupted humours letting it blood but not suffering it to die this bloud letting shal be the beginning of a stronger medicine prescribed by the same Phisition ministred vnto France in the following raignes but in the end we shal finde the operation to the recouery of our estate Let vs now see the progresse of our miseries Edward did all he could to manage this victory wisely Philip to preuent him Edwards procâ—eding after the battell wonne Edward without any stay passeth on without atteÌ„pting the great Citties of Amiens Abbeuille although neerer he makes shew to set vpon Monstreuil Bologne but he posted to Calais a fit place for the passage of England Iohn of Vienne Marshall of France with him the Lord of Andreghan great personages in those daies commanded there with a strong French garnison being assisted with the faithfull resolution of the inhabitants So presently after the bâ—tâ—aile of Cressy Edward did besiege the Towne of Calais A long siege painfull and of remarkable successe He 〈…〉 Philip amazed with these sharp crosses fallen out beyond his hopes of ease slept not although it were with much paine and lesse fruite But his whole care was not for the ouerthrowe at Cressy He had a further reach following the trace of this vnfortunate losse Hee was entred into a newe inheritance this newe losse was to him a newe checke Affliction is a great crime both in great and small A remarkable 〈…〉 this raigne and opens their mouthes which haue their hearts ill affected The people of France were in extreme pouertie and yet the necessitie of the Kings affaires forced them to a new charge The ill gouernment of the publike treasure the falsehoode of the Treasorers who inriched themselues by the pouertie of the miserable people the fall of money imbased the decay of trafficke the increase of taxes A 〈…〉 by a plâ—gâ—e imposts subsidies were the causes of this general want the which drew the people into dispaire in this surcharge of troubles falling vpon the King This burthen grewe the more heauie by a great famine being followed by a strange generall plague throughout the whole realme as if heauen and earth had conspired to the ruine of France Philip inuironed with so many and so great difficulties continues constant with a valorous resolution against them all He prouids for the gard of the Citties of Picardy lying neerest vnto danger and to driue off the time vnfit for armes he calles a great assembly of his estats Philip calleâ— a Parliament to take Councel aide and comfort in the perplexity of so many dangerous occurrents In this assembly it was decreed to call the Treasorers to an accompt and to refer the gouernment of the treasure to Clergie men to the Nobility Therby to free the people from all iealousie of ill imploying it The Abbots of Marmoustier and Corbie are chosen for this Intendancie and to assist them there are ioyned foure Bishops and foure knights Peter of Essars Treasorer of France is committed to prison condemned in a great fiâ—e to the King Many treasorers being condemned iustly or vniustly yeeld that at once which they had bin long in gathering The treasoâ—ers called in question for thâ—â—r charge the sponge being then pressed by necessitie The Bankers Lombards other vsurers are then called to a strict accompt by reason of their vniust exactions The interests are proued to exceede the principall the which is forfaired to the King The interest is remitted to the debitor which payed the principall But the chiefe frute of this assemblie was that the whole body was wel inclined to succor the King in so vegent a necessity Bankers and vsuâ—ers are sifted without any alteration for the new difficulties of State Thus the winter was spent without any memorable acte on either side In the spring Philip goes to field with a great army and approcheth neere vnto Calais to drawe Edward to â—ight but it was in vaine for Edward contenting himselfe with his victorie and not willing to râ—n the hazard of a second battaile kept himselfe within his trenches and to manifest his resolution vnto Philip Edward to 〈◊〉 not to leaue the seege he built houses about Calais to lodge his army drie sends for his wiâ—e protesting publikely by a solemne oth not to rise vntill he did see an end and make the inhabitants pay for their obstinate resâ—lution On the other side Philip labored to crosse Edwards desseines but with small successe To worke a diuersion of this seege hee makes war in England by the King of Scotlands meanes and in Flanders by his sonne Iohn then Duke of Normandy and afterwards King of France but all succeeded ill Dauid King of Scotland hauing by Philips perswasion entred and spoyled England was defeated taken brought prisoner to London through the happinesse of Edwards fortune and the diligence of his officers 〈…〉 losse in his raigne Iohn Duke of Normandie hauing left Guienne by his fathers command comes into Flanders beseegeth the Towne of Cassel held by the English faction but he is forced to rise by theÌ„ within the Towne Then he falles vpon Lislâ— where he hath a newer repulse so as hardly could he retyre himselfe to his father Philip who sees his subiects in danger of shipwracke yet could he not releeue them Guienne abandoned by Iohn for the action of Flanders suffered much for Henry of Lancaster Lieutenant for Edward in Guienne seeing the Country left weake by Iohns departure issues out of Bourdeaux with an army and finding no enemy he doth easily surprise many Townes of Xantonge and Poitou and ladden with spoile he returnes home 1347. In the ende Calais yeelds to Edward standing to his mercy Calais taken after a long and cruell famine and almost a whole yeares siege for the siege began the 30. of September .1346 and the Towne was yeelded vp in August .1347 The French garrison was put to ransome and so set at liberty the Inhabitants were worse intreated the baser sort onely were suffred to depart with what they could carrie about them and in their steed Edward sends a Colony of English to whome he distributed all the goods of the vanquished and fortified the Towne especially towards France to leaue this place hereditary to his posterity who held it .200 yeares that is from the yeare .1346 vnto the raigne of Henry the .2 father to the King last deceased The integrity of these poore inhabitants is remarkable in their extreme affliction Edward had reserued six of the chiefe Cittizens to be at his disposition for the satisfiyng of his oth hauing vowed to make the bloud to flowe in Calais
one another by new attempts Charles hauing pacified Flanders and Brittaine resolues to bee reuenged of Richard who had sought all meanes to annoy him in eyther prouince besides the ordinary brauadoes he gaue him within the hart of his realme Charles sends men and mâ—nition into Scotland He therefore sends a thousand men at armes to Dauid King of Scots and threescore shippes well appoynted with furniture to arme twelue thousand men of his country vnder the command of Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France Their entry into Scotland was pleasing but the Scottishmen grew soone discontented with our men eyther through their fault or our they accusing vs of insolency and loosenesse and we them of barbarousnes and cruelty to their friend a stranger who came to succour them This diuision caused Dauid to make a peace with Richard and our Admirall of Vienne to returne speedily home with his Frenchmen but not without obseruing the manners strength and commodities of this Iland diuided into two kingdomes And least he should seeme to haue made a fruitlesse voyage yeelding an accompt vnto the King of what he had done seene and learned in Scotland he lets him vnderstand that the strength of Scotland consisted but in fiue thousand horse and thirty thousand foote halfe armed and that of England in eight thousand horse and threescore thousand foote This relation were it true or false gaue aduice to assayle the King of England in his own Country where he might be vanquished with more facility then abroad the which so moued the minde of this yong Prince transpotted with the great harmes suffered with much indignity by the English as it was easie for the Duke of Bourgongne â— whom it much concerned to haue the English molested being often disquieted by him in his country of Flanders Charles resolues to make war in England to perswade the King to vndertake this war Oportunity did likewise seeme to inuite him for that the Duke of Lancaster pretending right to the realme of Castile by his wife had exhausted England both of men and money and the Gantois being pacified all Flanders would be held in subiection by this check The Regent acquainted with the Duke of Bourgongnes humoâ— being his brother who for his priuate interest would hazard the whole and noting the eminent dangers in the Kings person who would imbarke himselfe in this action the great want of money the peoples exclamations the great danger of tumults by the great exactions which must be made and in the action it selfe the inconueniency so apparant to any one that would open his eyes the impossibility of so great an enterprise to assaile a great King so oft a Conquerour within his owne Realme not holding any land there The Regent dislikes of thâ—â— enteâ—prise he was vtterly against it yet he spake soberly least he should offend the King who greatly affected it Lewis Earle of Touraine the Kings brother who soone shal be Duke of Orleans the Constable Clisson the Earle of S. Pol the Lord of Coussy and others in whom Charles had most trust had beene so perswaded by the Duke of Bourgongne as they had nothing else in their mouths nothing sounded in this yong Princes eares but the necessity profit honour and facillity of this voyage What my Liege say they are you lesse then the King of England shal the French yeeld to the English in valour courage or force what an indignity is it to haue this people alwayes at our gates to nourish them in our bosomes and to furnish them with armes to beat vs what a benefit wil it be to take their nest from them and leaue them no place of retreat Your Countries of Guienne Normandie Picardie and Flanders are wholy yours How much doth that import for the honour of your Maiesty and the good of your Realme to returne them their owne who haue so often defeated your armies taken your ancestors spoyled your Estate braued it in your Townes and beseeged your chiefe citty of Paris As for the facility of the execution who sees not but you may effect it if you please The Saxons conquered England with a handful of men far from their own home and with small meanes and William the Conquerour with his sword alone And you my Liege hauing a realme ful of men victualls monie euen at your enemies gate shall not you preuaile England opens her armes vnto you your Realme inuites you which without doubt will imploy both heart and purse for so great generous a desseine the which imports both the honour and quiet of your Maiesty Such and like speeches they did continually buzz into Charles his eares but from his Chamber they were published in the Court and so through out the whole realme as that which pleaseth the King doth commonly please all The desseine was to bee wished against a capitall enemie of the State and the proceeding had a fayre shewe At the generall instance of all the French the King decrees in counsell to leauy a great armie for the voyage of England letters are sent out to all parts Subsidies Taxes Loans imposed greater then during the imprisonment of King Iohn but all was shadowed with this reason That they must endeauour once for all to roote out the English who vndermined this estate and sought to ruine it This decree was put in execution with great applause of all men as if France had layed new foundations of her greatnesse both to warrant it selfe from danger at hand to haue a reuenge of former losses and to build a newe Estate at the cost of the common enemy of the French nation The Nauie is prepared at Scluse and Blanguerge to the great content of the Flemings They armed fower hundred eighty seuen Shipps for warre with an infinite quantity of victuals the which came from all parts like to a flowing streame The nobility striues who shal be best appointed Strange Princes are inuited The King of Spaine then a friend to our King the Earle of Sauoy Preparation for the warre of England The Dukes of Saxony and Bauiere send men Our Princes will not yeeld one to another in costly showes they adde superfiuous curiosity to necessity They paint and gild their shippes All glisters with goodly ensignes penons banners standards and streamors The masts painted with rich grounds shining with leaues of Gold gaue notice to all men that they went not onely to a certain victory but to some ioyfull nuptialls But all this feast was made without any reckoning with God who laughs from heauen at these ants that striue to climbe without a Ladder and at Princes who made these brauadoes at the poore peoples cost who remembred not that God hath a soueraigne court and a register to controll their actions and to oppose against their vanities The armie was prepared in two places in Flanders and in Brittaine It consisted of twenty thousand Knights and Squires as many Ganouois archers on foote and fiue
shortest errors being best it were better to retire in time then to make an absolute shipwracke of the Kings person and the honour and good of the Realme too much dismembred by former afflictions The enterprise broken off This checke from heauen which God had sent Winter and the feare of worse made the Regents aduice to be allowed both by the King and his councell who changed opinion for their voyage to England So this great interprise was disappointed being very preiudiciall to the poore people who endured the warre that their enemy should haue felt by an vnseasonable and excessiue charge I haue coated this action in the yeare 1381. vnder the Regency of the Duke of Aniou I know some attribute it to the Duke of Berry but I haue followed the first opinion vpon the relation of true Authors and as it shall appeare by the progresse of this report most likely This action was the cause of seditions at Paris and Rouen bred without doubt by the discontent of this bad gouernement for this great shewe so incensed the people beeing weary and greiued to haue borne so great a burthen for so vaine an enterprise as they rise at Paris Rouen Amiens Pottiers Lions and many other Citties by this new occasion which presently succeeded the first folly The Regent was blamed by the people to haue beene too slacke in his oppositioÌ„ against this preparation for England Sedition at Paris and the chiefe in Court hated him for beeing so hastie for that he was the onely staie thereof Thus ill thought of by both he was maligned of all handes It chanced the realme of Naples was offered vnto him by Queene Ioane and Pope Clement the 7. This was his whole desire but he must conquere it by dint of sword The title only was offered him Naples offered to the Regent both by her that might giue it as being heire and by him that might confirme the donation as being Pope All the Kings councell being weary of the Regents coÌ„mand wished to see him gone but they must flie to the people for money the which was hard to get as experience did witnesse Presently as they heare talke at Paris of a newe imposition although they sweetned these bitter pilles with the goodly name of subsidies all the world begins to crie out and from Paris this bâ—uâ—te flies through the whole Realme The people runâ—e tumultuously to the Greue they desire the Prouost of Marchants to bring them to the Regent thâ— which he delayes from day to day by excuses but in the end he cannot retaine them A great multitude runs to the Regents lodging they giue him to vnderstand by their Prouost into what extremity they were brought and vrge the late superfluous expences To what ende then say they serues a new warre to conquere a new kingdome in the aire with the ruine of the widow and the Orpheline This was not decreed noâ— practised by the good and wise King Charles wherevnto he had bound his sonne who should not suffer the memory of his fathers ashes to be taxed with this dishonour The Chancellour Dormans speakes at the Regents request he layes before their eyes the necessity of this voiage wherby both the King and realme might reape profit honour promising the King should prouide for the reliefe of the people This was gently put off to make them loose this humour in diuiding them but the people continue more obstinate they require a plaine resolute answer to their demaund so as the next day they come in troupe before the Kings lodging where the whole Councell was assembled with the Regent The King giues audience to the prouost of Merchants in the peoples name who deliuers the same complaints Then Iohn de Marais an aduocate in Parliament an eloquent and popular man prepared carefully for the purpose makes a goodly and artificiall oration to diuert the people from this bitternesse laying before them their duties the necessity of the Kings affaires and the good which should redounde by the enterprise of this forraine warre He omitted nothing of the office of a good Orator but he preuayled not for the people going from thence without respect of the King or his Councell runne presently to the Iewes Lombards and such other Marchants houses as had beene accustomed to gather all publike exactions they breake vp their shopps and counting houses they take away what was good and ill intreate all such as they meete of that profession yet they kill no man in this first tumult The Regent winking at this insolencie and fearing least it should encrease by moouing the people alreadie in choller thinks it best to referre the matter to an other time vntill the fume of this bitter discontent were blowen ouer aduâ—rtisments comming from all parts of the realme that the Citties grewe into the like humour But all this disswads him not from his enterprise he imployes all such as he thinks fit to winne the people Iohn of Marais Peter de la Riuiere Iames Andelle and such like Tribuns who seemed to be in credit with the people in shewing themselues affected to the common good And to loose no time he prepars his armie being resolute to leuie this imposition byforce whatsoeuer it cost The farmors of this leuie haue charge to beegin it A Colâ—ector at the Hales requiring a denier from a poore gardiner for a basket of herbes she crying out a great troupe flocke about this Collector and teare him in peeces But this is not all in this tumult all runne to gither on heaps Porters Pedlers The Parisiâ—â—â— in 〈◊〉 Cartâ—rs Butcheâ—s Tauerners and such like the scumme of the baser sort they goe in troupes to the Towne house they breake open the doores and take such armes as they finde By the Constables command they had made beetles or axes to arme their men withall they take them and so vse them as this sedition was afterwards called by the name of Maillotins Being thus armed they goe to the Farmers Lodgings beat downe the doores breake open cofers cubberds and coumpting houses they drawe forth their books and papers they teare and buâ—ne them they take away money and mouables and in the ende they kill and massaker all the farmers they can finde searching all corners of their houses They crie that one had saued himselfe in Saint Iames Church at the Butchery they runne theâ—her and murther him holding the image of the blessed virgin in his armes The cruelâ—â—nsolency of thâ— Parisiâ—ns Some saue themselues in Saint Germains Abbay where they are presently beseeged But whilest that some labour after this seege the rest runne to the prisons of the Chastelet and Fourl'Euesque where they release the prisoners and arme them They bethinke themselues of a head there was a very sufficient man in prison named Hugh Aubriot who in former times had beene Prouost of the Marchants and had with honour executed great charges both in the Treasorie and State but
young Germaine Prince of a good house but not of abilitie to support Ioane so as she held him not as a husband but vsed him as a Stallion Amidest these alterations of Naples the sea of Rome was not quiet for after the death of Pope Gregorie XI who retired from Auignon to Rome the Colledge of Cardinalls fell to a horrible contention for the Popes election the Romains being resolute to haue one of their owne nation and the French one of theirs from whence sprong that strange Sichsme whereof we shall speake Vrbain the 6. was chosen at Rome after the decease of Gregorie the XI and the French Cardinalles yeelded to this election but for that they sayed they had beene forced by the Romains who had them in their power and threatned to kill them vnder colour to change the aier hauing obteined leaue to goe to Anagnia they retier to Fundi a Cittie of the realme of Naples fauored by Queene Ioane French by stock and humour A Schisme in the Church and there they choose Clement the 7. for Pope to oppose him against Vrbain Clement retyred to Auignon and Vrbain keepes at Rome Two Popes two Seas two Factions which trouble all Christendome with horrible confusions Clement seekes to fortifie himselfe and as France held for him so did he labour to haue Naples wholie at his deuotion by reason of the neerenesse much importing for the Cittie of Rome where the chiefe quarrell was debated Contrariwise Vrbain the 6. to be reuenged of Ioane a partisan to Clement the 7. his enemie hath recourse to Lewis King of Hongarie the first interessed beeing brother to him whome this strumpet had slaine that he might oppose the same scourge which had alreadie corrected her But Lewis excusing himselfe by his age and the infirmity of his body sent him Charles issued from that Lewis Prince of Durazzo who we sayed was sonne to Charles of Aniou seeking euen in the race it selfe a man to punish this wicked woman giuing him a goodly armie to that ende Ioane seeing this great storme readie to fall on her flies to Pope Clement the 7. and by his aduice adopts our Lewis Duke of Aniou of whome we nowe treat Lewis hauing prepared his army and beeing crowned King of Naples and Sicile by Pope Clement the 7. in Auignon hee lands at Naples to take possession of the realme Estate of Naples wherevnto the lawefull heire and the Popes authoritie did call him But he came too late for Charles of Durazzo being parted from Hongarie with his army and happylie landed entred the Country ouercame Otho the pretended husband of Ioane and holding him prisoner he forced this miserable woman to yeeld vnto his mercy the which was too great for that he only caused her to be smothered betwixt two pillowes Queene Ioane taken and smothered deseruing as cruell a death as her life had bin execrable Notwithstanding all these difficulties Lewis of Aniou thrust forward by his owne ambition proceeded hauing giuen such order to his affaiers after the adoption made by Ioane in his fauour and the Popes coronation as he procured all the Captaines of places to hold for him hauing ingaged them by money and golden promises so as many places held good for him and the people desyred him being glad to be freed from Ioane and to haue so mightie a Lord to maintaine them in peace Lewis enters the realme of Naples at the first hee winnes Tarentum and Beri Lewis Duke of Aniou and King of Naples by Adoption dies but whilest he determines to proceede in his desseines death surpriseth him making an ende of his infinit ambition and of all his toyles but not of his childrens Lewis and Charles nor of their posterities Thus Charles Pince of Durazzo of the race of Aniou called the Hongarien for that he had beene borne and bred in Hongarie and brought vp by King Lewis remayned peaceable King of Naples 1384. leauing two Children Ladislaus and Ioane who shall prepare a newe stage whereon our Princes shall soone playe their parts as you shall vnderstand Let vs nowe returne to France The Duke of Anious departure put all authoritie into the hands of the Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne The Duke of Berry and Bourgongne in credit who began to manage the affaiers of State at their pleasures There was no great loue betwixt them although they were bretheren but onely to maintaine themselues against such as might hinder their ambitious plotts And for that they had knowen the Chanceller Dormans to be wholy affected to the Regent they perswaded the young King to dismisse him for some reasons the which are not specified in the Historie The Chancellor Dormains disgraced But Princes want no colours when they will disgrace their seruants Peter Orgemont was appointed in his place after the seale had remayned some time in the hands of Robert of Corby first President of the Court of Parliament of Paris and of Philip Moulins a Chanoine of the sayed Cittie But Flanders which alwayes bred some monster in that age stirred vp by the English and pufte vp by the ridiculous conclusion of this great and vaine preparation began new troubles and had practises with them of Paris to drawe the rest of the Citties of the realme into some popular league New troubles in Flanders These newes put the King into great perplexitie the rather for that he had surprised certaine letters from the Maillotins of Paris to the white capps of Gand to make a correspondencie betwixt them the accustomed Leuaine of rebellion with ill aduised people As these things amaze both the King and his Vncles behold Richard lands at Calais with an army vnder the command of the Duke of Lancaster who at first spoiles Picardie and then plants himselfe before Ypre The English enter Picardie and beseegeth it The Gantois had made a good shewe both to the King and Duke of Bourgongne vntill that time seeming resolute to obserue their former accord but the English armie being entred into Flanders they go to field and ioyne with them before Ypre The Kings Vncles muster men in all places with great dilligence and intreat their neerest friends to come speedily to their succour The Duks of Lorraine and of Bar make hast the Duke of Brittain comes with a goodly troupe They haue sodenly assembled twentie thousand Frenchmen at armes besides the succors of Lorraine and Brittain the number of foote is not specified Charles thus accompained comes to Saint Denis in France and hauing taken leaue of the Martyrs according to the ancient custome of Kings and giuen the foreward of his army to the leading of the Constable Clisson and the Duke of Brittain the Constable marching before the Duke A great quarrell growes for Precedence by reason of his place the ground of a dislike fell out betwixt them which beeing nourished by diuers occasions shal be the subiect of a great desaster both for the King and
especially of the treasure for the releefe of the poore people To make this partie good the Citty of Paris must make the first point The Bourguiâ—non raiseth sedition at Paris but the vniuersity which stood as a newter dealing with nothing but their bookes should make the proposition and first instance The cause was vehemently set downe by a Doctor chosen for the purpose and auoched by the Cittie and deputies of the Prouinces Such as were subiect to accompts were much terrified and the greatest number fled Such as were taken lost their heads at the Halles or Greue to the peoples great content who highlie commend the Duke of Bourgongne as the onely Prince which loued the good of the realme The Daulphin growes â—ealous at the sound of the praises as preiudicall to his honouâ— vowing neuer to suffer the Bourguignon to attempt any thing against his authoritie The Daulphin takâ—s vpon him the name of Regent Such as were interessed fedde the yong Princes humor Who by the meanes of Lewis of Bauiere his Vncle by the mother side perswade him to take the name of Regent for a marke of his greatnesse He takes this title and giues notice to the Duke of Bourgongne that it is nowe high time he were knowne in his degree The Bourgongnon protesting that hee hath no other obiect but the good of the Realme makes no shewe to deale in these affaires leauing the gouernment thereof to whome it appertayned yet vnder hand he caused the Parisiens to arme and least the better sort should be called into question he imployes the basest beeing led by one Caboch a butcher followed by a multitude of rascalles who being armed come in troupe to the Regents lodging and require of him by rowle the chiefe enemies of the Bourguignons house who they sayed had gouerned the treasure or had beene enriched by excessiue gifts A strange sedition in Paris Amongst the which was Peter of Essars who without any long proces lost his head receyuing a iust reward for his great wickednesse by his hands who had then caused him to commit them But this was not one dayes furie the next day the people assemble in great multitudes and taking white cappes for their badge they come to Saint Pol where the King lodged and demaund audience hauing seized on all the passages to his lodging after a terrible manner A Carmelit Frier was speaker for the people accompanied with the Deputies of this multitude as his ruffians Being entred into the Kings chamber after many tedious speeches he demands reformation of the State The Parisiens insolenâ— bâ—hauiâ—r protesting they would not be fed with words they vrged the King to punish such whose names they had conteyned in a liste being guiltie of capitall crimes The Duke of Bourgongne makes a good shewe and answers That the King would consider thereof This Frier replies impudently that they would not depart before they had such as they demanded Their rage was such as the King and Princes tooke white cappes the marke of the seditious They demand the chiefe seruants of the King Queene and Daulphin not onelie men but also women which had beene in any credit and aboue all Lewis of Bauiere the Queenes brother There was not any one but stood amazed at these audacious impudencies The Queene comes weeping shee intreats the King the Monke and the deputies of the people They answere it is their charge and they cannot alter it The people crie fâ—om the base Court with a violent noyse that if they deliuer not these prysoners â—hey will force the lodging So as after all these intreaties Lewis the Queenes brother with the rest specified in the rowle both men and women yeeld vnto the mercie of these madde and furious men and are by them led into diuers prysons The Bourguignon the secret practises of all these insolencies This night passed not without many murthers many were strangled and many cast into the riuer without any other formes of iustice but the Bourguignons secret commandement who with his cold and graue countenance made shewe to haue no interest in the action 1414 The Citty was neuer in so lamentable an estate by this shameâ—full contempt of Law order of the King Princes Magistrates There is no taâ—ke but of bloud killing hanging and drowning of poore prisoners The horror of this confusion toucht the hearts of the most passionate The vniuersity which had b in the mouth of these captious complaints repaires to Henry of Marâ—e the first president to Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins the Kings aduocate protesting that they were not guilty of these infamous disorders And hauing taken aduice they resolue to go to the King The vniuersity dislikes of these disorders as well to purge themselues of the suspition of these abhominable confusions as to intreat him to giue eare to a good peace They giue him meanes to winne the heads of this popular faction and set vp an Ensigne with the Kings armes crie in all parts of the Cittie Peace peace good people an inuention which preuailed much in this action Ill councell is most hurtfull to him that giues it the Bourguignons practises light on his owne head The people pacified The people seeing themselues disauowed by the vniuersity who then had great credit for their esteeme of wisdom and knowledge hauing the King and his parliament opposite being abandoned by their Tribunes they hide themselues in â—ourgongne and he himselfe feeling the storme to approch retires to Compiegne attâ—â—ding the euent The Orlean faction repaires to Paris with speede and were receiued ioyfully by the people as the Anchor of their hope All the world exclaimes of the Bourguignon as the onely motiue of the troubles of France The King incensed against the Bourgongâ—ion and the people forsake him and vnworthy to hold so honorable a â—ancke among the Princes of the bloud The Queene feedes this dislike for the interest of her brother imprisonned and the King thunders forth his edicts against the Bourguignon the which are seuerely executed vpon such as are apprehended Scaffolds riueâ—s and streetes witnesse the reuenge of the murthers committed by the Bourguignons vppon the Orleanois All Officers preferred by the Bourguignon are displaced and all such as had supported him are ill intreated Valeran Earle of S. Pol is put from the dignity of CoÌ„stable Guichard Daulphin of Auuergne from that of great Maister Charles of Rambures from beeing maister of the crossebowes The Bouâ—guignon faction disgraced and banished the which is at this day as the colonell of the infantery Three hundred men and women of the Bourguignon faction are banished by a decree of the Court of Parliament Iohn Duke of Brittain leaues the Bourguignon comes to court against him To conclude all bandie against the Bourguignon yet he is nothing amazed but continues constant against all stormes He craues ayde of his citties in Flanders in this necessity being thus
King Henry was descended and they wore the redde Rose for a marke and Clarence from whence the Duke of Yorke tooke his beginning bearing the white Rose for a distinction This rancor of parties hath bathed all England with the bloud of her subiects two yeares shall not passe after this losse but Somerset shall dye in a battaile and King Henry the 6. who had carryed himselfe as King of France shall be prisoner and whereas he sought to ioyne the Crowne of France to that of England he shall loose that of England both for him and his teaching vs that we must neuer thinke to doe harme to another but we shall receiue our share againe and not to dispaire in our greatest afflictions The beginning of this raigne did represent vnto vs a ruined realme and this end restores it to her first beautie Thus was this realme restored from the which the English were quite expelled except from Calais and the heyre recouered the possession of his right the which his successors enioye vnto this day The meanes of this singular deliuerance is worthy to be obserued vnder the conduct of the first moouer the which the wise acknowledge to be in the prouidence of God the Soueraigne of Soueraignes and the preseruer of States whereby he maintaines the societie of mankinde Truelie in the course of these ordinarie meanes which we seeke after Charles holds the first place being both capable of Councell and full of resolution to put in execution He was assisted by great personages in the gouernment of his affaires and for the warres He was furnished with two Constables which serued him faithfully the Earle of Boucquam in his aduersitie and the Earle of Richemont in his p osperitie of two Chancellors worthy men and fitte for the time Of Renald of Chartres Archbâ—shop of Rheimes and Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins Baron of Treignel the one for the beginning the other for the end of his affaires And for warriours he had as resolute and happy commanders as might be found in any raigne of whom he had great need But from all this we must ascend vnto the soueraigne cause who hath shewed vs the rodde and cast it into the fire when as it pleased him that by the example of our Ancestors we may more perfectly obserue the causes and remedies of our difficulties Now we drawe neere vnto the end of this raigne but before we conclude we must obserue the estate of the Church finish the discourse of the Schisme wherof we haue shewed the beginning and proceding We haue made relation of this inexcusable conâ—â—sion vntil the councell of Pisa which supposing to reforme the scandalous disorders of two Popes being enemies Gregorie and Benedict aduanced a third which was Iohn the 23 so as at one time there were three Popes Iohn at Boulogne Gregorie at Rimini not able to be resident at Rome and Benedict at Auignon This multiplicitie of Popes bred disorder to the great scandale and preiudice of all Christians So as Sigismond not able to cure this infirmity of the mind by force he resolued to haue recourse vnto the authoritie of the church to that end he passed through France England Spaine and Italie perswading all Kings Princes and Potentates to hold a Councel at Constance whether the Emperours of constantinople Trepisonde with the churches of Grece sent their Ambassadors and all Christian nations assisted to the end this councell might be oeconomicall and vniuersall In this Councell Iohn the 23. being accused and found guilty of greuous crymes was first deposed and then imprisoned Gregory the 12. and Benedict the 13. were likewise deprived Councell of Constance Otho Colomne a Romaine gentleman was chosen Pope by the Councel is called Martin the 15. This decree of the councell was accompanied with great and generall complaints by reason of the corrupted estate of the Church the which had exceded farre in some places Saint Bernard had begun in France as doth appeere by diuers places of his writings and by books written vpon this subiect But many of his disciples had followed him in great numbers Gabriell de Roquetaillade Tomas Couect Great complaints against the abuses of the Romish Church and Nicholas Clemangis had filled all France with these complaints But in England Iohn Wiclef and in Bohemia Iohn Hus had perswaded men with greater vehemencie for Bohemia was ready to disclaime the Popes authoritie Iohn Hus teaching them not only to leaue the abuse of manners but â—he doctrine it selfe as is conteyned at large in acts of the councel of Constance It shal be sufficient to coat them my stile not permitting me to set them downe at large The reader that is carefull to see the grounds of this controuersie may go vnto the Originall and I will obserue the effect according vnto the dutie of the historie Wicâ—efs doctrine was condemned Iohn Hus and Ierosme of Prague came to Constance hauing a pasport from the Emperour Sigismond and the Councell but they were condemned and burnt as heretiks Hus in the Bohemian tong signifies a goose Iohn Hus and Iâ—rosme of Prâ—gue condemned and burnt Iohn Hus when as the Iudges had pronownced this sentence that he should be burnt he said vnto them I appeale from you vnto the soueraigne Iudge and preseruer of all truth who a hundred yeares hence shall raise out of my ashes a Goose which shall not suffer him selfe to be roasted Sâ— as Iohn Hus was burnt in the yeare 1417. and Martin Luther began to shew him selfe in the yeare 1517. There were great complaints against the abuses of the Church made by Peter d' Alliae a Cardinal Iohn Gerson Chancellor of the Vniuersitie of Paris deputie of the French Church The Colledge of Sorbon had giuen him great instructions vpon this subiect but nothing was effected They only make the Pragmaticall Sanction to suppresse the Popes authoritie Gerson returning from Basill died for greefe at Lions But this Councell did not end those two difficulties for the which it had beene called for Peter de la Lune called Benedict 13. being deposed by the councell and retired into Arragon had so incensed Alphonsus King of Arragon as he supported him with all violence The Bohemians take armes for the death of Iohn Hus. against Martin the new Pope And the Bohemians were so moued with the death of these two personages whom they reuerenced as they tooke armes vnder the comand of Zisca a very famous Captaine and did much annoy the Emperour Sigismond Peter de la Lune called Benedict 13. held his court apart doing at Laniscole a Towne in Arragon as Martin did at Rome but this humour brought him to his graue After his death the colledge made choise of Giles Munion who was called Clement the 8. Martin dies in the other seat and his College doth choose a Venetian of the familie of Condelme and calls him Eugene 4. who finds the means to cause the Antipope Clement
and friends Moreouer Lewis had iust cause to be greeued for the brauado done him at Peronne The nobility thrust him on therto namely the Constable of S. Paul foreseeing that the continuaÌ„ce of peace would be a hinderance to his great offices and pensions He had a pay without checke for foure hundred lances of forty thousand franks yearely besides the fee for his office and allowance for many places where he coÌ„manded Men fish most easily in a troubled water The Constable labors to deuide Lewis and the Duke of Bourgongne Hee offers the King to take S. Quentin by meanes of the credit hee had in the Country most of his lyuing lying there abouts and vants to haue great intelligence in the lowe Countries The Duke of Guienne offers both his person and his meanes 1471. with fiue hundred men at armes for this warre but it was the least of his desires for he was corrupted with the infections of that age in the which all great men sought to maintaine themselues with the ruine one of an other The Duke of Bourgongne takes the alarme putts the greatest forces he can to field entertayned with halfe their pay Lewis suffers him to runne on foure or fiue monethes entertayning him with sundrie Ambassages to free him from all feare so as troubled with that great charge in a season when as money was scant he dissolues this army and leauing his frontier Townes vnfurnished retyres into Holland In the meane time Arthur of Longueuall takes Saint Quentin S. Quintin taken from the Duke of Bourgongne Amiens yeelds to the King the Constable enters it with two hundred Lances and takes an oath for the King They practise Amiens the Kings army comes before it one part holds for the King an other for the Duke who might haue assured it if hee had sufficient forces ready to enter but foure or fiue hundred horse with the the which he came posting would not suffer him to hazard his person The Kings friends discouering this brag double their courages let in the kings army Abbeuille meanes to follow wheÌ„ as the Lord of Cordes enters for the Duke assures the place The Duke vnprouided of men and doubting the intelligences which the Constable bragged of retyres with feare and speede to Arras to hasten a leuie both of men and money Thether notwithstanding the promise which Charles of Guienne had made to the King comes a secret messenger vnto him with this aduise written and signed by the sayd Charles Labour to content your subiects and then take no care for you shall finde friends but these were but iests This letter makes the Duke breathe he sends to the Constable to let him vnderstand that this warre was without defie or summons intreating him not to deale against him according to the rigour of his present forces The proiect of the Dukes of Guienne and Brittain with the Constable was to imbarke these two great Princes in mutuall warre in a season of aduantage for Lewis that the Bourguignons necessity being abandoned of his allies might force him to giue his only daughter to the sayd Duke of Guienne the which he had often promiâ—ed but without performance The Constables malice whom as Oenomaus did his Hippodamia hee promised to many gaue her not to any So this Constable who tooke a delight to nourish these Princes in feare and mutual distrust answers the Bourguignon That the King had a strong and florishing army and great intelligences in his Countries that hee knewe no better expedient to auoide this storme then to accomplish that to the Duke of Guienne which he had so often reiterated which done the Dukes of Guienne and Brittain would declare themselues for him and would succor him with their forces But what shall the Constable get to entertaine these Princes in distrust and iealousie one of an other Charles of Bourgongne abandoned of his friends eyther of them being too cunning to discouer his policies Within short time both of them hauing ioyntlie conspired against him shall set his head to sale and in the ende plant it vpon a scaffold for a spectacle The Britton writes to him in the like and more rigorous tearmes suffring the Lord of Lescut to lead a hundred men at armes Brittons to the King This proceeding caused Charles of Bourgongne to conceiue a great hatred in his heart against them all but misfortune is good for something It made them the more affected to the Kings seruice during this warre so as at this time the Bourguignons estate was in great danger whereas by the sayd marriage he had wonderfully weakened the King but man purposeth and God disposeth It is commonly sayed that halfe the world knowes not how the other liues the ordinary custom of maÌ„ is to be cleere sighted in other mens affaires but blind in his own Behold two Princes incensed one against an other Lewis his army in Picardy yet who so should examine their consciences they could alleage but friuolous pretexts Lewis hauing put fourteene hundred men at armes and foure thousand franke-archers into Amiens commanded by the Constables other chiefe Officers of the crowne he assembles the body of his army at Beauuais hauing with him the Duke of Guienne his brother Nicholas Duke of Calabria the eldest son of Iohn duke of Calabria and Lorraine the onely heire of the house of Aniou a great number of Nobilitie whereby he recouers Roye Montdidier Abbeuille all the Countie of Ponthieu Charles passeth the riuer of Somme takes Piquigny plants himselfe betwixt Bapaumes Amiens keeps the field about six weeks with a firme resolution in shewe to fight with the King if he presented himselfe But blockt vp within his Campe and seing himselfe ready through want to be forced to yeeld at the Kings wil and discretion his Maiesties army in Burgongne comanded by the Cont Daulphin of Auuergne sonne to the Earle of Montpensier in the which were the Earle of Cominges the Lords of Combronde and Charente Maister William Cousinot others hauing likewise vanquished all the enemies forces Charles submâ—ts himselfe taken many prisoners and some places Charles by a letter of his owne hand humbles him selfe to the King he is greeued that he had so wronged him for an others pleasure not being duly informed of all things Vertue finds some respect euen in an enemie Lewis who vnder a simple bait to rerecouer the Townes vpon Somme had not so hotly kindled this quarell And obtaynes a â—ruce without the great intelligences wherewith the Constable had abused him especially in the Towneâ— of Antwerp Bruges and Brussels he graunts a truce for one yeare This was the 4 of May. An vnseasonable truce for the Constable who then serued his maister without dissembling and other horseleches whome neither troubles oppression of the people nor the tediousnes of affaires did any thing touch New troubles by the Duke of Guieâ—ne but as
affaires of Roussillon The King making the Ambassadors to iudge of the whole peece by a patterne cau eth theÌ„ to see the 20. of Aprill a hundred and foure thousand men armed in battaile all in one liueâ—â—e with red cassocks crossed with white all officers Bourgesses and inhabitants of Paris We haue sayd this truce should proue an incomber to the Duke of Bourgongne let vs examine the effects by the causes Adolfe an vnkind sonne At what time the King tooke Amiens from the Bourguigâ—on Adolfe the pernitious and vnkinde sonne of Arnold Duke of Gueldâ—es repyning at his fathers long life tooke him prisoner one night going to bed and making him to march on foote without hose in a most cold season fiâ—e germaine leagues he shuts him in the bottome of a Tower whereas the sunne did neuer shine but by a smal grate and there he held him six monethes The Duke of Cleues whose sister the prisoner had married vndertakes his quarrell and seekes by force to free his brother in law But Adolfe haâ—ing married the Duke of Bourbons sister in the Bourguignons house finds great fauour So the Duke of Bourgongne labors to reconcile them The Emperour deales in it but all without effect vntill the Pope had interposed his authority who coÌ„manded Charles of Bourgongne vnder great penalties to drawe the old man by force out off prison seeing his sonne would not inlarge him by intreaty Adolfe on the one side seeing so many Potentate busied in this action and on the other side fearing the Dukes forces hee releaseth Arnold who in the sayd Dukes chamber notwithstanding the inequality betwixt the father the son offers his son the combate Charles seekes to reconcile them to the sonnes aduantage The father chalengeth the sonne to the combats to whome hee offers the title of Gouernor of Bourgongne the Country of Gueldres with all the reuenues only Graue a small Towne should remayne to the father with three thousand Florins of rent and so much pension the title of Duke But oh impious and horrible answer I had rather saies Adolfe to those that deliuered this speeche vnto him to haue cast my father headlong into a ditch and cast my selfe after him then accept of this accord he hath bin Duke these 44. yeares it is nowe time that I were I wil willingly leaue him three thousand Florins a yeare vpon condition that he neuer enter into the Dukedome with many other words vnworthy of a Sonne Charles greeued at the obstinacy of Adolfe leaues both father and sonne at Dourlans retyres to Hedin Adolfe to recouer the Country disguiseth himselfe like a Frenchman passing a ferrie neere vnto Namur hee is discouered by a Priest who giues intelligence wherevpon this yong Duke is taken and carried prisoner to Namur where he remayned vntill the death of the Duke of Bourgongne that the Gantois deliuered him Adolfe taken prisoner hoping by force to make him marrie with Mary the heire of Bourgongne afterwards Duchesse of Austria after the folly they had made him commit before Tournay a fatall place for the reuenge of the wrongs he had done to his father Arnold died during Adolfes imprisonment Charles donâ—taâ—y of 〈◊〉 whose ingratitude had iustly mooued him to leaue the succession to the Duke of Bourgongne So Charles building vpon this donation goes wiâ—h force to take possession of the Duchie This newe conquest bred new proiects and euen then he conceiued such an imagined authority as in the end he sunke vnder the burthen He neuer had so goodly an army especially in horse The Earle of Campobasso and Galeot a Neapolitain gentleman the first a Greeke in disposition and most wicked the second a very honest man commanded a thousand men at armes Italiens hee had three thousand good English and good numbers of his owne subiects wel mounted well armed and of long time trayned vp in warre with great store of artillery He was at truce with our King and to keepe him occupied the English by his practise were readie to land in France What then should he suffer his men to liue idle without imployment Gueldres had incouraged him The Emperour was no man of resolutâ—on willing rather to endure some disgraces then to be at charge without the aide of some Princes of Germany his power was small These baits thrust him forwards but the expiration of the truce might haue stayed him Yet he obtaines a prolongation of the King for six monethes whervnto Lewis yeelds willingly Foreseeing as he had a more sound iudgement then those which did dissuade him that this Prince sought his owne ruine that hauing finished one enterprise an other would spring vp so quarrell grow vpon quarrel which the Princes of Germanie would well preuent Charles begins war in Germany being alwayes vnited in matters which concerne the Emperour So it chanced And as in so gâ—eat a proiect he must needs wonderfully discoÌ„tent the nobility coÌ„munalties of Germany so was it expedâ—eÌ„t for him to tie some vnto him He procures an enterview with the emperour at Treues there treats of the mariage of Mary of Bourgongne his daughter with Maximilian Archduke of Austria the Emperours son which done He demands strange things of the Emperour who leaues him without bidding him farewell the Emperour should erect his lands seigneuties in Gaule Belgique to a royalty he should incorporate foure Bishopriks to this new kingdoÌ„ wherof the roialty should appertaine vnto him not to the Emperour shold creat him vicar general of the Empire Frederic findes these demaÌ„ds 〈◊〉 inciâ—il and vnreasonable as he leaues the Duke Bourgongne at Treues parts without bidding him farewel And now an other occasioÌ„ thrusts him on He that hath once passed the bâ—uÌ„ds of modesty must needs grow exceeding impudeÌ„t Two contended for the Archbishoprike of Colongne the one was brother to the Lantgraue of Hessen the other a kinsman to the Conte Palatine of Rhin whom the aduerse faction had expelled Charles was banded for the latter vndertakes to restore him by force hoping to plant his ensignes in Germany or at the least to haue some part for his charges Charles before Nuz He fiâ—st comes to Nuz vpoÌ„ the Rhin foure leagues from Colongne supposing that if he tooke it to fortifiâ—â—t wel theÌ„ to plant an other forte aboue Cologne by the surprise of some towne of importance thereby to force the towne to yeeld and so to mount vp the Rhin vnto the County of Ferrete the which he held in pawne of Sigismond Duke of Austria brother to the Emperour and so to command all that great and rich passage of the Rhin euen vnto Holland where it ends thereby to deuour Lorraine and so without the Emperours ayde to vsurpe the title of King of Sicile and Ierusalem But Nuz was not vnfurnished The Landgraue of Hessen had cast himselfe into it with many of his kinsemen and friends to the number of eighteene
forty Lances to draw forth the Townsemen who sallying out as an assured victorie are compassed in like partriges in a net defeated chased and slaine to the number of foureteene or fifeteene hundred many are taken prisoners and of the better sort Iames of S. Paul the Constables brother the Lords of Centay Carency and others At that time the King did set the Prince of Orange at liberty being of the house and bearing the armes of Chalon taken in warre being set at thirty thousand Crownes ransome the which the King did moderate to ten thousand and caused it to be presently payed to the gentleman that held him by meanes whereof he became the Kâ—ngs Liege man and did him homage for the sayd Principality So as the King gaue him power to intitle himâ—eâ—fe by the grace of God Prince of Orange Priuileges granted to the Prince of Orange by Lewis and to coyne money of gold and siluer of as high a standard as that of Daulphiné to grant all graces remissions and pardons but for heresie and treason This transaction with the former prises did wonderfully discontent the Constable iealous of the Kings good successe and fearing likewise some checke by so mightie an army which the Admirall and the Earle of Dammartin had at his gate The Constables malice For the auoyding whereof he giues the King a false intelligence that the English were at sea reâ—die land at Calais he perswades the King to prouide for the places of Normandie he promiseth faithfully to defend the marches of Picardie and in his Masters absence to reduce Abbeuille and Peronne to his obedience But let vs heare an other notable part of trechery hee seekes by all meanes to weaken the King 1475. and yet would he not fortifie the Bourguignon but that the English should crosse both their Estats that his owne might stand firme in the miâ—est of their confusions With this desseine he procures the Duke of Bourgongne to send Philip Bouton and Philip Pot Knights to the Duke of Bourbon and he for his part sends Hector of Escluse The Constable seekâ—s to suborne the Duke of Bourbon to signifie vnto him that the English would soone land that the Duke of Bourgongne and he the Constable ioyning all their powers togither would easily conquer the Realme exhorâ—iâ—g him for the auoiding of his owne ruine and his Countries to ioyne with them the which if he refuse and that it fall out ill for him he was not to be pittied The Duke of Bourbon sends the King two letters of this tenor brought to him at diuers times by Escluse who makes answer to the Duke and Constable that neyther promises nor threats should drawe him from the obedience and faithfull seruice hee did owe vnto his maiesty Lewis will produce these letters to the Constables confusion in the end of the next yeare For the present hee must assure his frontiers There is no newes yet of the English Lewis markes well this chase and will cause the Constable who supposed himselfe to haue the aduantage of the game to loose the partie Poore Nobleman Mournâ—ul presages to the Constable howe many misfortunes foretell they approching ruine Thy Brother prisoner Thy wife dead at the same instant one of the chiefest pillers of thy house who as sister to the Queene might at neede haue preserued thy head Thy Nephewe Scales prisoner with the instructions he brought from England to the Bourguignon And to fill vp the measure thy sonne the Earle of Roussy defeated at Grey in Bourgongne and prisoner with the Duke of Bourbon who shall not leaue him vntill the end of the yeare for fortie thousand Crownes ransom with the losse of two hundred men at armes Lombards the Baron of Couches and many others The Marshall of Bourgongne sonne to the Earle of Saint Martin two sonnes of the house of Viteaux whereof the one was Earle of Ioâ—gny the Lords of Longey Lisle Digoine Montmartin Ragny Chaligny the Bayliffe of Auxerre the Enseigne bearer to the Lord of Beauchamp and many others escaped death but not imprisonment Sufficient warrnings to amaze a resolute minde Hereafter the Constable is afflicted with strange distemperatures fed with the neighbourhood of the Earle of Dammartin being lodged neere S. Quentin whome he knewe to be none of his friends And fearing least the King should assault him he sends to take assurance of the Duke of Bourgongne intreating him to send him his brother Iames of Saint Paul the Lord of Fiennes and some other his kinsmen and friends to put them into Saint Quentin and to keepe the Towne at the Dukes deuotoÌ„i without bearing the Saint Andrewes crosse the which he promised to restore vnto him within a prefixed time They come they present themselues within viewe of Saint Quentin once twise and thrice The Constable seekes to the Duke of Bourgongne deceiues him but the Constable suspects them and sends them backe They came still eyther too soone or too late so as at the bruit of these forces the Admirall casts himselfe into Arras whereof followed the taking of Iames of Saint Paul who being brought before the King hauing liberty to speake he confessed that at the two first iourneyes hee came onely with an intent to comfort his brother but at the third time seeing the Constable had deceyued both his Master and him if he had beene the stronger hee would haue kept the place for his Master without offering any violence to his brother wherevpon his maiestie set him at libertie very well appointed seruing him vnto his death Lewis dissemâ—les with the Constable And although the Constable had lately done a notable disgrace vnto the King yet his maiesty dissembled it wisely and to take from him all cause of iealousie he willes him to go and make warre in Hainault and to beseege Auennes whilest that the Admirall was busied in Artois He goes but very loath and with exceeding feare and staies but little he retyres betimes being aduertised as he informed the King of two men in his army whome he described by apparent signes suborned to kill him He accuseth 〈◊〉 that he â—ought to kill him This newe feare accompained with distrust bred a terrible distemperature in the Constables head who hauing lost his credit both with the King and Duke will yet entertayne himselfe by both and perswade them that he is seruant but to one He sent often to the Bourguignons campe to drawe him from the seege of Nuz that he might ioyne fitly with the English at coÌ„ming on land then vpon the returne of his messengers he gaue the King some plausible intelligence to cause him to like of his conference with the Duke sometimes disgracing his affaires to winne the credit of an affectionate seruant with Lewis sometimes extolling the Duke to terrifie the King But oh policie simply shadowed On the other side hee knewe well that he had greatly offended the King by his last action He sees
of Hainault the deerest of his friends attending newes from the Duke of Bourgongne who made warre in Lorraine vpon the deffie we haue spoken of The Foxe is nowe out of his earth Yt must be foreseene that this yeelding reconcile not the Constable to the Duke The King well informed what troupes were in Saint Quentin Saint Quentin yeelded to the King of the inhabitants affectioÌ„ hasteth thether with seauen or eight hundred horse They meete him with their keyes the quarters are ordered all his forces enter and he followes And to take from the Bouguignon all hope to recouer Saint Quentin by the Constables meanes he giues him aduice of the taking thereof for although in the diuision made at Bouuines of the Constables places this fell to the Duke yet would not the King that he should make his peace with the Bourguignon by the deliuery thereof Charles aduertised hereof sends to the great Bayliffe that he should gard Mons well that the Constable go not forth The Constable prisoner and that hee should appoint him his lodging for a prison Here the Bayliffe preferres obedience to his maister before the Constables loue Lewis aduertised of the Constables detention requires the Duke of Bourgongne by Bouchages and Saint Pierre eyther to deliuer him or to performe the conuention Hee promiseth to do it and causeth him to bee carried with a sure gard to Peronne He had nowe taken diuers places in Lorraine and Barrois and did batter Nancy whereof hee desired to see the issue for the deliuery or retayning of the Constable so as with this desseigne in steed of eight dayes concluded on at Bouuines hee lets passe a moneth and more But the Kings great instance and his army which laie houering in Champaigne as ready to succor the Lorraine and to crosse the Bourguignon in that enterpriâ—e the conquest whereof he greedily pursued to vnite his territories and to passe freely from Luxembourg into Bourgongne for inioying this Duchie hee came from Holland vnto the Confines of the Diocesse of Lion vpon his owne land made Charles to send Himbercourt The Constable deliuered to the King and the Chancellor Hugonnet both great enemies to the Constable to deliuer him at an appointed day to such as the King should send Charles supposed to haue wonne Nancy by that day but hee was deceiued in the time And in truth they had no sooner left him but a countermand comes from the Duke after the taking of Nancy but too late The prefixed day being come they deliuer the Constable at the gats of Peronne into the hands of the bastaâ—d of Bourbon Admirall of France Bouchages S. Pierre Cerisay and others Who led him prisoner to the Bastille at Paris the said Admirall charging the Chancellor fâ—â—st President and other Counsellors of the Parliament beeing there present in the Kings name to make a speedy trial of him vpon his letters written to the King of England and the Dukes of Bourbon and Bourgongne So by iudgement of the Court giuen by the President Popincourt he was beheaded at the Greue the 19 of December and by an especial grace was buried at the white Friars in Paris The Constâ—ble beheadeâ—â— A pittifull spectacle to see so great a personage layed vpon a scaffold allied to the houses of France England Bourgongne Saâ—oye many other great personages the chiefe Officer of this Crowne mighty in Lands in treasure and in friends abandoned of his friends his goods confiscate degraded of his offices and finally to serue as a spectacle to the whole world He was witty valiant and of great experience but in his latter yeares bereaued of the grace of God Let vs apprehend this Oracle It is a horrible thing to fall into the hands of the lyuing God The pit hee had digged for an other must swallowe him vp He had with all his force labored to maintayne these two Princes in hatred and mutual dissension to subsist in the midest of their partialities He had often impudently lied vnto them and being both very reuengefull it was impossible to auoide their snares But who can warrant the Duke of Bourgongne froÌ„ the lawe Cornelia must his cruel couetousnesse force him to giue security to this poore Lord to thrust him into an vnboubted ruine Foure score thousand crownes in mouables and three score thousand crownes in ready money which hee got by his spoiles were they valuable to the falsifying of his coÌ„science god leaues nothing vnpunished we shal learne hereafter that this disloyall act in him was the iust ruine of his house Charles oâ— Bourgongne breakes his oath with the Constable a house for a hundred yeares florishing in all perfections of felicity the which hereafter shall runne headlong to a strange Catastrophe and by the meanes of a young and vnexperienced enemy weake in regard of the Bourguignons great and redoubted power God resists the high minded and choseth contemptible things to ruine and confound the proude Let vs with one breath see the declyâ—ing and ouerthrowe of this house of Bourgongne The violent ambition of Charles had as we haue heard before armed him with a boyling desire to be a King but Frederic the 3. scorned it Charles affecting the title of a King From that time he still plotted to get this qualitie René before Earle of Vaudemont sonne to Ferry of Lorraine and of Yoland daughter to René King of Sicile and Duke of Aniou of the only daughter of the Duke of Lorraine eldest brother to Iohn Earle of Vaudemont Father to the sayd Ferri and nowe Duke of Lorraine had defied him before Nuz greeued with the Bourguignons outrages This is a good expedient to puâ—â—hase this pretended royaltie Lorraine made him a free passage to vnite his Countries and moreouer by the Conquest of this Duchie hee should qualifie himselfe King of Sicile and Ierusalem the hereditary title of this house The meanes whereby he sought it This vent of vaine glory transports Charles into Lorraine and for pretext of a quarrell he pretends a greaâ— sum of money to be due vnto him by Renes Predecessor for non-paâ—ement wherof after the taking of many places he campes before Nancy beseegeth it batters it but takes it not so soone as he presumed being valiantly defended beyond his expectation The King also vnderhand fauored this yong Duke procuring him secretly the alliance of the Suisses Charles makes an vniust pretension vnto Lorraine the Imperial Townes of Alsatia Charles since the seege of Nuz had in pay about a thousand men at armes Neopolitains for the most part The Earle of Compobasso commanded foure hundred a partisaÌ„ of the house of Aniou against that of Arragon for this cause being banished his Country had alwaies followed the Duke René of Sicile or Nicholas sonne to Iohn Duke of Calabria and Lorraine after whose death Charles of Bourgongne entertayned many of his seruants especially this Earle a wicked man and of
a corrupt conscience who in the beginning of the warre of Lorraine entred into practise with Duke René heire apparant to the house of Aniou after the death of King René his grandfather by the mother promising to prolong the seege of Nancy cause defects in necessary things touching the seege He might wel do it Camâ—obassâ— a traitor to Charles of Bourgongne hauing more authority in this army theâ— any other captaine But behold an other act of notable villany The duke of Bourgongne had giuen him forty thousand ducats before hand to raise his câ—mpanie Passing at Lion to â—o into Italie he grewe familiar with a Physitian named Simon of Pauie giuing by him the King to vnderstand that for an hundred thousand crownes in ready money his company entertained and a good Earldome at his returne 1476. he would deliuer him the Duke of Burgongne and confirmes the same to S. Prye He offers to kill the Duke who then was Ambassadour for the King in Piemont Being returned and his troupe lodged in the Countie of Marle he reiterates his offer to the King to kill the Duke when he should come to the Campe if he desired not to haue him brought prisoner vnto him assuring himselfe to execute it easily for saith he he is accustomed to visit his armie mounted vpon a Nag and ill accompanied Or if the King and the Duke should at any time fight a battaile hee would turne to the King with his companie Lewis discouers his treason to Charles Lewis abhorres the treacherie of this wicked wretch and to shew the Duke his franke and royall disposition he giues him intelligence thereof by Contay In the meane time Campobasso diuerts the Bourguignon all he can from the warre of Lorraine and makes the taking of Nancy prooue more difficult The Duke is so much incensed therewith Charles strikes Campobasso as from iniutious words he proceeds to blowes and strikes him A blowe which the Earle will reuenge in time and place Hee dissembles for the present and Charles either thinking the Neapolitane had forgotten this outrage or supposing that his hired souldier had been bound not to reuenge it or happily fearing if he lost him his affaires would receiue some dangerous check he entertaines him still in his seruice yea euen contrary to the Kings aduice he loued or made shew to loue him better supposing that Lewis his intention was to set diuision betwixt him and his most trustie seruants But let vs rather say that he which sounds euen to the deepest thoughts of man had by a iust iudgement altered the sense of this Prince not to taste the holesome counsels that were giuen him with most apparent reasons This proud presumption like vnto Nembroth made him conceiue a world of Chimeres and bring forth a shamefull confusion as we shall read hereafter Hee is now puft vp with the new purchase of Lorraine by the taking of Nancy with the possession of S. Quentin Chaâ—les puft vp with his new conquest Han and Bohaâ—n and with the Constables moueables but he would not make this the limits of his conquests The Suisses had incensed him redeeming of the Countie of Ferreâ—e for Sigismond Archduke of Austria Moreouer they had spoiled Iames of Sauoy Earle of Rhomont Hee makes warre against the Suisses brother to the Duke of Sauoy of the Countrie of Vaux and the Lord of Chasteanguion brother to the Pâ—ince of Orange of many places lying 〈◊〉 their marches These Noblemen were allied and partakers to the Duke and thrust him on to reuenge On the other side the King desired to parle with him after the manner of Picquigny wishing him to lodge and refresh his troupes tired both with the siege of Nuz and the reuenues of Lorrain and to graunt a peace to this mountaine nation being poore but yet froward But Charles prefers the violent passioÌ„â— of his ambition The Suisses craue peace of Charles with great submission before the honest and holesome counsell of Lewis and enters into Suisseâ—land The Cantâ—ns hearing of his approach intreate for peace they offer to yeeld vp the place in question and by a second Ambassage to renounce all alâ—iances that should dislike him especially the Kings to serue him against all men yea against the King with six thousand men for what pay he would giue them and as often as he would call them If he did triumph ouer them by an absolute victory there were no profit to be found seeing the spurres of his horsemen and the bittes of his horses were of more value then all their countrie He proudly refuseth it But he refuseth all accord no preuention can stop this streame He marcheth and after thiâ— imaginarie conquest of the Cantons he passeth the Alpes and layes holde of Italy for that Frederick Prince of Tarentum sonne to Ferdinand King of Naples was lately come to him with hope to marry his daughter Moreouer old René King of Siâ—ile and Duke of Aniou and Vncle to the King seeing his sonne Iohn and his Grandchild Nicholas were deceased promised to resigne vnto him his pretensions of Sicile to adopt him for his sonne and heire and soone after to put into his hands the Earledome of Prouence But wee shall soone learne the causes that mooued him to this attempt hee gaped aboue all other things after the goodly estate of Milan where hee presumed to haue great intelligences The Suisses arme for their defence The Ambassadours being returned the Suisses protest of their submission and of their desire to pacifie all things calling God and the world to witnesse then they prepare for their defence Charles for the fiâ—st fruits of his army fortified with fifteene thousand men from the Duke of Milan fiue thousand from the Duchesse of Sauoy for now he loues strangers better then his subiects and the troubles of his mind makes him conceiue a hatred and iealousie against them takes Lozâ—â—na a mountaine Towne seated vpon the Lake Leman with other places in the Countrie of Vaux causing the garrisons for the most part to be hanged Then he brings the whole body of his armie being about fiâ—tie thousand men and fiue hundred peeces of Artillerie of all sorts before Gransson lying neere to the Lake of Yuerduâ— Câ—arlâ—s his great forces which belonged to Rhomont being defended by seuen or eâ—ght hundred Suisses of the Canton of Berne He batters makes a breach and giues an assault with the losse of a hundred men But the batterie continuing the defendants not able to hold the Towne fire it and recouer the Castell where hauing many Towers beaten downe they compound to haue their liues saued An accord treacherously broken Granssâ—n taken and the souldiers cruelly and treacherously slaine for he cauâ—ed foure score to be hanged some write fiue hundred and twelue he drownes two hundred and puts the rest in prison A detestable crueltie and so odious vnto all the Citties vpon the Rhin as
they send men to the Duke of Lorraine and the Suisses to their aide He is nothing amazed therewith but for the statelie entertainment of Ambassadours that came vnto him from diuers countries namely from Germanie and Italie he shewes himselfe in his campe with incredible pompe and state Pauilions and riche tents glistâ—ing armes goodâ—y standards vessell of gold and siluer of inestimable value rich apparell exquisite Tapistrie Iewels precious stones and other costly ornaments to conclude the goodliest furniture that might beautifie a campe The Suisses not yet aduertised of the losse of Gransson send foure or fiue thousand meÌ„ to releeue it but too late The Duke contrary to the opinion of the best aduised goes to meete them They campe at the entrie of the mountaines hold the straites of hard accesse and of great aduantage for the foote and dangerous for the horse where one man might stay fiâ—tie But he was as the Prouerbe sayes mounted to the Pies neast and God blinding his vnderstanding prepared an exemplarie abatement of his pride He sends a hundred Archers before to seize on a passage of the mountaines who discocouer not an ambush of shotte that kept it the which suffer a part of the foreward to enter whereas the battaile could not succour them whom they charge â—ith such resolution and furie that with this terror the Bourguignous flie and fall vpon the other part which was yet in the plaine which likewise turnes head toward the Campe. The battaile and reereward seeing the foreward in route shâ—inke presently and notwithstanding all the Dukes labour to stay them they saue their liues by flâ—ght ill informed of the small numbers of their enemies who pursue them with all furie Charles himselfe was forced to ioyne with them that sled abandoning both Campe Artillerie to saue their persons staying in no place vntill he came to Ioigne The ouerthrow of Granssâ—n whâ—re Chaâ—lâ—s lost all his baggage fifteene or sixteene leagues from Gransson A hastâ—er flight then the pursute for want of horâ—es so as the Duke in the middest of so great a terror lost but seâ—en men at armes but very many foote This happened the second day of March. A day not so famous for the losse of men as of spoile esteemed at three millions wherewith the Suisses not so cunning in those dayes as now made themselues rich Esteemed at three millions although they were ignorant of the value of things For a proofe of their grosse aâ—d râ—de ignorance the Originall obserues The Suisses â—gâ—orant theâ— oâ— the valuâ— of things that they did teare in peeces the goodliest most sumptuous pauilions in the world to apparell themselues That a Souldier did sell a siluer dish like vnto pewter for two pence halfe penie An other taking vp the case of the Dukes great Diamond wherat did hang a great Pearle the which he viewing put vp againe and so cast it into a Cart comming afterwards to fetch it he sold it to a Priest for a Florin worth twelue pence the Priest sent it vnto their Lords who gaue him six shillings They held it to be the goodliest in Christendome Besides manie others they got three Pearles of inâ—stimable value the which they called the three bretheren with two other the most rare stones that could be found To conclude whatsoeuer the Duke had of rich or sumptuous hee caused to be carried after him in ostentation to shew his superfluous and fearfull greatnesse vnto stâ—angers So the eternall God did signifie vnto Ezechias by Esay Gods punishment for pride and ostentation That all the cofers of his drugs siluer and gold his sweete perfumes and pretious ointment with all his artillery yea all that was found in his treasures all that was in his house all that his fathers had gathered together vnto that day should be carried into Babilon for that he had made a shew to the Ambassadors of Berodac-Baladan the sonne of Baladan King of Babilon The Suisses reuenge the crueltie of Charles at Gransson Presently after this battaile the Suisses recouer their lost places take downe their companions and burie them hang vp as many Bourguignons with the same halters The King remained at Lion attending the successe of the Bourguignons forces fearing exceedingly least he should subdue the Cantons Lewis feares the good successe of Charles He disposed of the house of Sauoy as his owne the Duke of Milan was his allie he held Lorraine and hoped for Prouence which sucâ—eeding his power extended from the westerne sea vnto the East France had had no issue out but by the Dukes fauour And seekes all meanes to crosse him or by sea for the preuenting whereof Lewis sent often to the Duchesse of Sauoy his sister in law being wholy at the Dukes deuotion to René his Vncle being much incensed against him so as he would scarse heare his messengers to the Princes commonaltie of Germany who returne him an answer Say vnto the King that if hee warre not against him we will make our peace and warre our selues against him This was it â—e feared yet would he not breake the truce neither haue Charles discouer the messages hee sent But now the Bourguignions shipwracke cheered him grieuing onely at the small number that were slaine The Duke on his part was toucht with feare to preuent it he sends Contay to the King The Duke feares the King should breake the truce charged with humble and gratious speeches contrary to his custome He beseecheth his Maiestie to obserue the truce loyally excuseth himselfe that he did no assist at their enterview neere vnto Auxerre and promiseth to be there shortly or wheresoeuer it should please the King The King assures him of his demands neither was it yet time to do otherwise but to keep himselfe in the shade whilest that Charles chafed himselfe Lewis was well acquainted with the loialtie of the Dukes subiects who would easily crosse him His friends allies leaue him and he falles sicke seeing him oppressed with aduersitie One mischiefe comes neuer alone the losse shame despight to see himselfe vanquished laies him sick in his bed But behold a rougher charge in prospeâ—ity friends come by hundreds in aduersitie they flie by thousands Galeas Duke of Milan lead the dance he was allied to Charles by reason of his practises in Italy The Duke of Milan which being dissolued by this check he sends a Cittizen of Milan to the King he disswades him from making a peace with the Bourguignon and to preuent it he offers him a hundred thousand Ducats presently The King detesting the inconstancie of this man who three weekes before was estranged from him hunting after the Bourguignons good hap with a great and sollemne Ambassage considering also that their wiues were sisters and his couetous proceeding he reiects his money reprocheth the little loue he bare to his brother in law but in the end he accepts of his aâ—â—iance
eldest sonne the Emperour for his sonne Maximilian King of the Romains Mary desired much the alliance of France but the King had done her a great disgrace deliuering her letters to the Gantois 1478 the which shee had secretly written which caused the death of those two good men and the banishement of her most affectionate seruants Moreouer her Estate required a man to gouerne it She would willingly haue married with the Earle of Angoulesme if the King had beene so pleased The humours of the heire of Cleues pleased her not nor such as were about her The Emperour kept as a pawne a diamond with a letter which the Infanta had written vnto him by her fathers commande whereby she promiseth to accomplish the marriage in forme according to her fathers pleasure He sends it to the Duchesse to auerre her hand and promise demanding if she would persist therin She doth auouch the contents and agrees to make it good So Maximilian comes to Gand and there the marriage was consummated A marriage which should proue a firebrand to kindle by their descendants both within this Realme and in manie other Estates the Combustious tumults and furies which haue followed the which happilie had beene auoided by a french alliance But God had other wayes decreed This marriage was consummated during the Orangeois reuolt in Bourgongne Maâ—â—iage of Maximiliâ—â— and Marie the which continued somewhat long by the support the Germaines gaue him in fauour of Sigismond of Austria vncle to Maximilian who hauing his territories adioyning and especially the Countie of Ferrete the which he had retyred by the Suisses meanes would gladly haue gotten somewhat of his neighbours But the indiscretion of Sigismond and the want of money to pay the Bourguignons were a meanes that the King did more easily preuent the Prince of Orange his practises who nowe called himselfe Lieutenant to the sayd Germaines They supplied him with some troupes with the which he recouered almost all the Countie contynuing his course vntill that Craon came to beseege him in Gy a small Towne of the sayd County Chasteauguion seeing his Brother cooped vp and the place readie to yeeld to Craons discretion posts thether with all the forces he can The Prince of Orange deâ—eated and comes to charge Craons armie in front whilest that the beseeged should set vpon him behind So charged both before and behinde he found the match hard yet by the defeate of fourteene or fifteene hundred men for the most part enemies and the taking of Chasteauguion he wonne the victorie Craon leads his army after this victory before Dole the chiefe Towne of the County but for that he did presse it but slackly and neglected his enemie whose forces he knewe to be but small he had ill successe For in a fierce sallie they slewe many of his men and carried away a great part of his artillerie This affront brought him in disgrace with the King Craon beaten before Dole who fearing a more dangerous checke hearing likewise complaints from all parts of his great exactions and money vniustlie taken puts him from the gouernment of Bourgongne preferring in his place Charles of Amboise Lord of Chaumont a valiant wise and vigilant Captaâ—ne Loue preuayles more then force He is in disgrace with the King He perswades the King to pacifie the Suisses and other Germaines who followed the Prince of Orange in fauour of the house of Austria and to make the way more easie for the King he him selfe doth practise the Commanders Then began the Suisses first league with the King the which he effected by meanes of twentie thousand franks he gaue yearely among the Cantons and the like summe to be distributed among some Captaines which he imployed And to please them he made himselfe a bourgeois amongest them and obtayned the title of the first allied to their Commonweale A title which the Duke of Sauoie pretended to be due vnto him aboue all others They likewise for their parts promised to furnish six thousand men to serue the King continually for foure Germaine Florins and a halfe a moneth a number which continued alwayes vnto the death of Lewis A league with the Suiâ—ses The Suisses 〈◊〉 vnder the Kings pay and so the Bourguignons party much weakened who asseâ—ble the Nobility of the Country togither vnder the Prince of Orange and defeate the companies of Salezard and Coninghen neere vnto Grey But Amboise being fortified with men and artillerie takes Verdun Montsauion Semeur in Lauxois Chastillon vpon Seine Bar vpon Seine Beaulne and Rochefort neere vnto Dole belonging vnto Vauâ—ray Thus hauing freed all the approches to Dole Dole with many other Townes taken by Amboise he Campes before it batters it makes a breach giues an assault and takes it Some troupes of the Townes last subdued thrust themselues into it either to warrant it from spoile or to haue a better share but there enters such a multitude of franke archers as it was impossible to saue it from sack and fire Yet the King repaired the ruines about the walles building a great part of the wall towards the riuer of Doux with a great trenche whereby a great part of the said riuer did runne forth inuironing of that part of the wall but this is nothing in regarde of the fortifications which haue beene since built whereby it exceeds most of the Citties of Christendome beeing excellent at this day in Senate Vniuersitie and armes Auxonne deserued a long and sharpe siege but the wisdome of Amboise preuailed so well after the siege of Dole that giuing the chiefe offices of the Towne to such as demanded them it was yeelded within fiue or sixe dayes and likewise the Castles of Iou S. Agnes vpon Salins Champagnole Arguel and some others built vpon rockes Besançon an Imperiall Towne yeelded to the King by his Lieutenant Generall the like duties as they were accustomed to doo the Earle of Bourgongne Thus Bourgongne being conquered remained some time in the Kings quiet possession A young horse hath need of a gentle hand to make him taste the Bit with delight But Verdun and Beaulne not able to endure the command of the French began first to kick yet by the Gouernours discretion they were speedily subdued and recouered from Simon of Quingey who led a troupe of sixe hundred men of foote and horse Germains and others tumultuouslie assembled in Ferrete and thereabouts to put into the aboue named places Verdun was taken by assault and subiect to the accustomed insolencies in the like prises Beaune yeelded by composition in the beginning of Iuly with liues and goods saued and for a fine they payed fortie thousand Crownes These sodaine exploites did so terrifie the other Townes as all kept themselues within their due obedience But how doth Edward King of England looke vpon this Theater where our men play the pettie Kings And how doth he suffer the King without any opposition to enlarge his estate by the taking of
aboue named ordinances by an Edict The Rector fearing a check keepes all the Schollers within their lodgings and reuokes the commandement he had giuen Iohn Standon a Doctor of Diuinitie a Brabanson and one of the chiefe authors of this counsell was banished the realme Thomas Warnet of Cambraie who preaching had barkt out some thing against the kings authority preuented this decree and â—anished himself Lewis his title to the Duchie of Milan Bâ—ing thus content in minde quiet within his realme his thoughts â—oâ—red beyond the Alpes and now he takes vpon him the title of Duke of Milan He was 〈◊〉 vpon the right of succession Valentine besides her dowry which was the 〈◊〉 and Country of Ast with a great summe of money had obtaymed this clause 〈◊〉 in her contract of marriage That for want of heires male of Galeas Valentine 〈…〉 the Duchie or she being dead her next descendants 〈◊〉 â—â—uention was of no force but the Imperiall seat was then vacant and the 〈…〉 it The Popes pretending the Empire being without an Emperour that the administration belongs to them And seing that by the death of Philip Maria Visconte the masculine line of Iohn Galeas failed who then should succeed in this goodly estate many contended for it the Emperour Frederick mayntained that it should be vnited to the Empire considering the line specified in the Institution made to Iohn Galeas by Wenceslaus King of the Romains was extinct Alphonso King of Arragon Naples armed himselfe with the testament of Philip by the which hee was made his heâ—re But in worldly affaires the strongest most often carries it Francis Sforce one of Philips Captaines sonne to Sforce Attendule an Aduenturer a braue and actiue spiâ—â— had married Blanche bastard daughter to the sayd Philip and hauing no man at 〈◊〉 â—â—stant that might resist his violence hee did so cunningly winne all the greatest 〈◊〉 of Milan as by their support suffrance he soone seized on the state the which 〈◊〉 easily effect hauing all the forces at his command no competitor For 〈◊〉 Lewis Duke of Orleans nor his Children had any meane to recouer this Duâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Francis by reason of the great warres which followed in France by the 〈◊〉 of the sayd Lewis and of the Duke of Bourgongne slaine likewise at Monterea◠〈◊〉 â—â—wis the 6. and 7. Charles sonne to the sayd Lewis taken at the bâ—ttâ—â—lâ— of Azâ—â—â—â— â—â—guishing twentie fiue yeares a prisoner in England and deliuered by Philip 〈◊〉 â—ourgundy could neuer obtaine any aide from Lewis the eleuenth beeing 〈◊〉 by homebred warres from the beginning of his raigne Moreouer Lewis did alwaies make accompt to settle his authority by the suppression of his neerest bloud And for this cause our Lewis his sonne in lawe sonne to the sayd Charles had no whit the more credit with his father in lawe for the recouery of his inheritance And the â—word which hee did vnsheath against Charles the eight his brother in lawe of whome hee pretended the Regencie and after in the warres of Brittaine tooke from him all meanes to attempt this enterprise vntill such time that the King hauing left him in Ast to crosse the attempts of Lodowike Sforce the seized vpon Nouarre but with a â—â—â—â—lesse euent Nowe is he seated vpon the royall throne of his Ancestors peaceable within himself and peaceable with his neighbors Triuulce doth not cease to lay open vnto him 〈◊〉 to expell Lodowike To make the way easie Pope Alexanders friendship 〈…〉 Florentins and other Potentats of Italy was very requisite Hee seeke 〈◊〉 Ambassadors and findes that the death of Charles the eight had bred an alâ—â—â— in their dispositions The Pope conceyuing that the peace of Italy was the 〈◊〉 of his priuate estate did easily alowe of newe troubles The Venetians beâ—â—◠〈◊〉 by the Kings decease from the feare they had of him for the iâ—â—â—gnities 〈◊〉 had receyued did not beleeue that a newe King would so vehemently imbrace 〈…〉 of his Predecessor and foreseeing that also that if S force were once quiet he would oppose him selfe against them for the affaires of Pisa whereof he did â—olâ—â—â— but coldly the restitution vnto the Florentins by the Popes meanes The Florentins had not yet so much estranged their affection from the French but there was good meanes to recouer it Being thus affected they all send their Ambassadors to the King The Popes affection The Pope who 〈◊〉 to nothing more then the temporall aduancement of Caesar Borgia his sonne 〈◊〉 then Cardinall did willingly imbrace this occasion to plant him in the Kings 〈◊〉 sauour and by some especiall bond to purchase his masters loue He knew well 〈◊〉 Lewis would willingly put away Ioane his wife to marrie with Anne the widowe of Charles and euen then hee resolued to exchange spirituall graces for temporall commodities He then agrees with the King for thirty thousand Ducats and drawes a promise from him 1499. He Capitulates with the king to aide him presently after the conquest of Milan to reduce to the obedience of the Apostolike sea the Townes possessed by the Gouernours of Romagna And for his sonne Caesar a company of a hundred Lances twenty thousand Frankes pension a wife in France to his liking and Valence in Daulphine with the title of a Duchie Then he committed the matter of diuorce to Ferdinand Bishop of Sept his Nuncio in France to Philip Cardinall of Luxembourg and to Lewis Bishop of Albi some name George of Amboise Arch-bishop of Rouan who vpon report of the protestation made by Lewis to a Notarie the day of his marriage That his meaning was not to contract any marriage and that the sollemnitie which he did celebrate was onely to please the King whom hee knew to be cruell against those by whom he thought himselfe to bee wronged And moreouer If by chance Lewis eyther by the expresse commandement of his father in law or after of his brother in law did lye with his wife hee did interpose secret witnesses that should depose of his abstinencie And besides the Physitians and Philosophers hauing iudged her incapable of issue they declared the sayd marriage voyde and gaue him liberty to marry with Anne who marrying elsewhere should haue diuided the Duchie of Brittanie from the Crowne of France The Venetians sent to congratulate his comming to the Crowne The Venetians and by way of excuse gaue him to vnderstand that the controuersies they had with King Charles proceeded onely of distrust and iealousie wherof he had giuen them cause seeing that not content with the realme of Naples he had cast his desseâ—gnes vpon all Italie The Florentiâ—es The Florentins did not forget their ancient customes in like cases to the Crowne of France but especially to put him in minde of their deseruings to the deceased King solliciâ—â—d therevnto by Lodowick Sforce to the end that when the two commonweales of Venice and Florence should come to treate of the affaires
the Popes army led by Laurence of Medicis and the Spanish by Raimond of Cardone should ioyne with them Maximilian Sforce and the Cardinall pressed them but distrust one of another staied them Raymond had surprised letters of credit sent from the Pope to the King and was wel aduertised that Laurence had secretly sent whether vpon his owne motion or by the Popes command he knew not a gentleman to the King to excuse himselfe for the army which he led against him being forced by the dutie he did owe vnto his Vncle promising that without offence to his Vncle or bâ—emish to his owne honor he would endeuour to content his maiesty according to the desire he had alwayes had and now especially more then euer More ouer the Arragoncis desseine was to remaine quiet so as this army did not threaten his new conquest of Nauarre And Laurence on the other side seeing the delayes of Raimond conceiued that hee had some secret charge from the King his master to forbeare to fight and giue others leaue to decide the quarrell both ioyntly feared to ingage themselues betweene the Kings army the Venetians led by Bartolmew of Aluiane the which was very auailable for the King Without doubt all their priuate intent was to act this tragedie with the bloud and losse of the poore Suisses Thus these two armies of Arragon and the Popes did onely labour to keepe the Venetian from ioyning with the French and the French these two froÌ„ the Suisses A miserable estate of Italie the which at one instaÌ„t was oppressed with fiue sundrie armies French Venetian Suisses Spaniards and Italians Vpon hope of this treatie of peace the King had countermanded Aluiane who was at Laude and Lautreâ— to carrie vnto the Suisses all the mony they could get out of the Kings cofers or borrow of the Princes and Nobility but through the perswasions of this mutinous Cardinall they resolue both to take the money from Lautree and sodenly to giue the King battaile when he least doubted any enemie This counsell had preuailed with some drousie commander But Lautree aduertised by his spies of the treacherous resulution of these Suisses left the way and retired into Galere And the Suisses fayling of their purpose passed on to wreake their choller vpon the King The King was come from Marignan to lodge at Saint Donat the 13. of September â—hen as behold they come with a resolution The battaile of Marignan and charge the artillery of the vantgard which the Lansquenets garded they ouerthrewe the first they incountred recouer some peeces of Cannon and amaze a battaillion of Lansquenets who supposing tâ—at the treaty of peace with the Suisses had continued firme feared least they should deliuer them into the hands of their ancient enemies But seeing the horse and the King himselfe in person come to second them they recouer their courage enter the combate stay this violence of the Suisses and with a soare fight maintaine the shocke with variable and doubtfull euents vntill the dust and approching night made them retire At this fiâ—st charge were slaine Francis of Bourbon Duke of Chastelleraud the Earle of Sancerre Imbercourt and many other braue gallant gentlemen The King seeing the greatnesse of the danger planted his artillerie in conuenient places ordred his battaillions gathered his horse togither sent for Aluiane and lay all might armed with all peeces but his helmet vpon the carriage of a Cannon The sunne was scarce risen when as the Suisses growne proude with the conceite of some aduantage charge the Lansquenets force them to recoyle aboue a hundred 〈◊〉 but for horsemen who repelled the violent force of the Suisses the issue haâ—â—in very dangerous The Cannon thunders through their squadrons the French and â—aston shot make a horrible slaughter the horse charge them in flanke Aluiâ—ne coâ—e vpon their backe in the fury of the fight They had all continued many houres veâ—â— hot in skirmish when as the Suisses hauing lost most of their Captaines being châ—â—ged in front in flanke and behinde grow amazed despaire of victory turne their squâ—drons and make a goodly retreat some to Milan otheâ—s home to theyr houses A great numbeâ— shut themselues into the Constables lodging where refusing to yeeâ—d to the kings mercy they were all burnt and many of our men that were entred peâ—l mell with them amongst others Iohn of Mouy Lord of Maâ—lleray who carried the white Corâ—et In this second battaile were slaine the Prince of Talmont Bussy of Amboâ—se tâ—e Lord of Roye and many other valiant Knights Gilbert of Leui Lord of Venâ—â—dour was hurt Claude Earle of Guise ouerthrowne and troden vnder the horse feeâ—e but he was releeâ—ed by Captaine Iame a Scottishman a Gentleman of the Kings chambeâ— The King was often in danger of his person receiuing many a push of the Pike vpon his armour Without doubt this was the most furious battell that euer the Suisses gaue the which by the testimony of Triuulce seemed rather to haue beene fought by Giants then by men For that the eighteene wherein he had beene were lâ—ke the incounters of small children in regardâ— of this That which happened to Gaston of Foix at the batâ—ell of Rauâ—nna made the King to giue them that fled free passage leauing foureteene or fiâ—teene thousand slaine vppon the place Thâ— number oâ— the â—ead The King lost of French and Lansquenets about three thousand The Cardinall of Sion the chiefe author of this battell â—â—ed at the fiâ—st charge to Milan and from thence seeâ—ng the Suisses in a mutiny as weâ—l for their losse as for three moneths pay that were due vnto them into Germany to Maximilian We may iustâ—y â—ay that the Suisses had need of this correction for the remembrance oâ— their forepassed prosperities â—ad made them insolent beyond the bounds of modesty but they reaped a benefit by their shame groâ—ing more tractable fâ—ieâ—dly to them that corrected them Moreouer this should be a good aduertisement to the King to consider rightly of the warres of Italy in the which for want to iudgement both he and hiâ— Realme weâ—e afterwards in a manner ruined Aâ—ter this happy victory Milan and all other places of the Duchy followed the Conquerors foâ—tune Mâ—laâ— yeeldeâ— Peter of Nauarre had by a myne blowne vp a Câ—â—emate at the Castle gate Maximilian Sfoâ—ce and the Suisses beseeged therein by the Dâ—ke of 〈◊〉 yeeld it vpon condiâ—ion That the Suissâ—â— should depart with bagge and baggâ—ge and Mâ—ximilian should deliuer the Castle with that of Cremono vnto the King â—nd all 〈◊〉 places 〈◊〉 by him and should go into France where the King during his life should giue 〈◊〉 tâ—â—â—â—score thousand Crownâ—s a yeare pension According to this capitâ—lâ—tâ—on 〈◊〉 brâ—ther to Tremouille Francis Earle of Pontreme with many other Gentlemen â—â—â—â—dâ—cted him iâ—to Francâ— The King entred into Milan armed accompanied witâ— tâ—e aboue named Princes and the Nobility of his army whether the Potentates
come out of Albe and Quieras he forceth the passage of Suze against Cesar of Naples who kept it with ten thousand men chaseth them two miles wins all their baggage makes the Marquis to retyre all his forces to Riuole and Montcallier leauing Pignerol at libertie opens a way by the taking of Villane from two hundred Spaniards which were cut in peeces addes to his conquests Riuola abandoned by the Marquis turnes head to the enemie incamped on this side the riuer of Po right against Montcallier but hauing the bridge to fauour him to retyre when he pleased he begins the skirmish with his light horsemen against theirs kills many takes some and looseth few he chaseth all their troupes beyond the bridge who breaks it after them but with the hazard of their liues that remayned behind Those of Montcallier come with a great shew of affection and repaire it and then receiue into their Towne all the souldiars which the Daulphin had left to guard the riuer whilest the armie passed at Carignan The Marquis dislodging still left in Quiers Don Anthonie of Arragon his brother in law with foure thousand men and himselfe recouered the Countrie of Ast. Thus our men being at libertie on all sides become masters of Poirien Riue de Quiers Villeneufue d' Ast Montafié Antignan and of all other forts vnto the gates of Ast of Quieras Albe and Fossan whether they retyred all the Corne of the Country which did serue for the victualing of the Campe and places of conquest About thirtie thousand sacks of corne which the Marquis had gathered togither but had not leysure to bring from Montcalier and much other munition found in diuers places supplyed Turin for a yeare During these actions the King comes accompanied with the Earle of Saint Paul the Cardinall of Lorraine and many other great personages And as his Maiestie tooke councell at Carignan with the Daulphin and the Lord Steward newes comes vnto him that the garrison of Vulpian kept the valley of Suze The King comes into Piedmont and for that Riuole nor Villare had any horsemen to stay their incursions they did wonderfully annoy those that followed the Campe. Hee presently sent away Martin du Bellay and very happily They had newly seized vppon six moyles laden with money for the payment of the armie driuing the moyles and the treasorers in the midest of them Du Bellay passeth the riuer of Doüaire intercepts their way and ouertakes them three miles from Vulpian he makes them to leaue the moyles and only with the losse of the Treasorers which they carried away brings them safe to Riuole The conclusion of this Councell was to beseege Quiers where the King would imploy the first fruits of his last forces But the great commander of battailes 〈◊〉 him a more fauorable issue Truce betwixt the two Princes The truce of Picardie had giuen libertie to the 〈◊〉 of Hongarie and likewise to the King to send some gentlemen into Spaine to 〈◊〉 a peace or a generall truce and the deputies had so well performed their 〈◊〉 as a suspension of armes was concluded on either side from the eight and 〈…〉 of Nouember vntill the two and twentith of February following whereby euery oâ—e enioying that whereof hee should bee found seized at the time of the pubâ—â—cation the garrisons of Turin Vorlin Sauillan Montdeuis and other frontier places were no t slacke to inlarge their limits as farre as they could nor to put men in the Kings name into all the small places and castles there about Three dayes after the truce was proclaymed the Marquis of Guast came to â—â—sse the Kings hand whome he receiued very gratiously and the king making the Lord of Saint Montiean gouernour of Piedmont he left William of Bellay his Lieutenant generall in Turin Francis Earle of Pontreme at Pignerol the Baron of Castell-pâ—â—s 〈◊〉 Sâ—uillan Charles of Dros a Piedmentois at Montdeuis hee had surprised and kept the place from the Imperials when they were the strongest in field Lodowike of â—â—rague at Vorlin and Nicholas of Rusticis at Carmagnole he dismissed his Suisses and taking his way to France he sent the Cardinall of Lorraine from Lions with Montmorency the Lord Steward to Locate where the Emperours deputies should meet concerning a peace betwixt their Maiesties The confusions had bin great their splene not easily to bee pacified which made them to prolong the truce for sixe moneths more After all these toyles and painfull endeuours the loyall seruice of the most worthy deserued reward which make the King being at Molins to aduance Anne of Montmorency to bee Constable of France the place being void by the reuolt of the Duke of Bourbon he gaue his place of Marshall to Montiean and that of the Marshal la Marke deceased to Claude of Annebault It was now time to suppresse these infernall furies An enteruew at Nice which had so long troubled the quiet of Christendome with such fatall combustions and that the Pope doing the office of a common father should therein imploy his authoritie Hee procures an enteruew of these two great Princes at Nice and himselfe assists being about threescore and fifteene yeares of age in the beginning of Iune Their mutuall hatreds had taken too deepe roots in their hearts and that fatall and bloudie checke which his brother Ferdinand King of Hongarie had lately receiued from the Turke had nothing mollified the Emperour Time doth pacifie discontents Ten yeares were sufficient or neuer â—o dispose both the one and the other to a generall peace A truce foâ— ten yeares The Pope therefore seeing that by the full deciding of their quarrels he could not confirme a finall peace he propounded a truce for tenne yeares the which they concluded betwixt their Countries and subiects and then euery one returned home But Charles was borne to bee a perpetuall scourge to this realme and many yeares shall not passe before â—e put vs in alarum with an vnworthy and base motiue of new confusions Let vs now see how he worketh like a foxe to produce effects for his owne benefit The Emperors polâ—icy The Gantois being opprest with many extraordinarie tributs had spoyled the Emperours officers who growing desperate and seeking to fortifie themselues against the reuenging wrath of Charles they secretly offer obedience to the King as to their Soueraine Lord. The King performing the dutie of a good brother and faithfull friend giues the Emperour intelligence thereof The Emperour deuiseth by some notable examples to suppresse the Gantois insolencies But the passages thither were not very certaine By Germanie the protestants might somewhat hinder him By sea a storme might as well cast him vpon the coast of England as vpon Flanders the diuisions he had with the King of England by reason of the diuorce of Queene Katherine his Aunt would not suffer him to take any assurance from him France was very comodious for him to this end he demaunds the Kings word for his
is to say vntill a Councell were held to determine all controuersies of religion euery one should peaceably enioy the beleefe and ceremonies whereof he then made profession and in doing this the restoring of the Duke of Sauoy to all his estates was granted at the Germains charge Soone after William of Roquendolfe Lieutenant generall for Ferdinand King of Hongarie Ferdinands armie defeated by the Turke was defeated before Bude with the losse of twenty thousand Germains It was a great shame for the Emperour being neere to so mournfull and fatall a check if hee should not imploy his forces in his brothers fauour He vndertakes againe the voyage of Algier in Afrique with an intent that if passing through Italie he should finde the Kings affaires disordred and his sorces dispersed to attempt some thing against him making accoumpt that the King would not faile to be reuenged of the violence and wrong done vnto him in the persons of his Ambassadors But the good prouision which the King had made in Prouence and in Piedmont by Langey his Lieutenant generall caused him to passe on without attempting any thing Being at Luques hee had conference with the Pope and the King sent his Ambassador vnto them to demand satisfaction for the crime but he was put off with shifts The enterprise of Algier was vnfortunate The Emperor goes to Algier without successe the violence of the windes the continuall raine the stormes and haile with all the iniuries of the ayre had coniured against him breaking some of his shippes hee was beaten backe with great danger of his person and losse of his men Hetherto the Marquis had as couertly as he could disguised the matter but finding now that all men had discouered his deuises that notwithstanding the death of the Ambassadours he could not decipher the Kings desseine that the King demanded as well from the Emperour as from the Estates of the Empire satisfaction for this soule fact Now to make his cause seeme good hee writes to the Estates which were assembled againe at Ratisbone for their common defence against the Turke whereby he maintaines that he committed no act that might touch him for breach of the truce and in shew to iustifie him selfe of the crime wherewith he was charged There are saith he neither denying nor aduowing the fact two wayes of iustification the one ciuill the other Knightly I offer to maintaine ciuilly that there is no breach of truce growne by me The Marquis of Gâ—aâ—t iustifies himselfe and to deliuer into our holy fathers hands the protector of the truce both my selfe and all those the King shall thinke culpable of this act to the end the truth might be knowne and if any Knight my equall will charge me with any such fact and proue his saying by armes I will maintaine that he hath spoken falsely and as often as he shall charge me with the like so often shall he speake falsely We do often shadow a lye with such good words as it giues it a colour of trueth But did he thinke by this brauado to proue his innocencie the retreat of those murtherers to him bringing them all prisoners that were left aliue within the boates to the end there should be no meanes to discouer this infamous murther the detention hee made of the Water-men whom hee afterwards transported into other prisons vnder his command the penall Edicts hee did publish in places where the fact might be knowne against them that should be found discoursing of this action the ill vsage of them that had spoken of it the fauours honours and aduancements giuen to them that had beene the actors the depositions of prisoners freed by Langey were not all these sâ—fficient witnesses to crie vengeance against the Marquis Langey answering to the pretended iustifications of the Marquis was the Knight to make triall thereof by the one or the other way But the Marquis had no such meaning Wee haue heard how the King demanded of the Emperour being in conference with the Pope at Luques satisfaction of the murther audaciously and against all diuine naturall and humaine lawes committed vpon the persons of two of his especiall seruants men of estate and of reputation by their birthes hauing by their merites deserued the one an honourable degree amongst his chiefe Gentlemen the other an especiall place amongst the greatest Noblemen They would haue satisfied him with friuolous reasons and excuses perswading him to leaue the abolition of their bloud to the forgetfulnesse of time which might haue beene an imputation to his Maiestie eyther of want of witte and iudgement or of valour or courage Profit vrged the King honour prickt him forward and necessitie constrained him to vse those meanes which the law of Nations did allow to him which doth acknowledge no other superiour and three chiefe reasons did vrge him therevnto The first reason that moued the King to warre Vnder this colour of peace the Emperour had a thousand practises vpon the frontiers of his realme and the King had no sooner cut off one of this Hydras heads but presently there riseth vp an other or many mo Moreouer this truce allowed the trafficke and conference of eythers subiects The second by meanes whereof so many treasons were practised Neyther could hee drawe his subiects from the commerce of the Lowe Countries belonging to the Emperour without expresse prohibitions the which by consequence would argue hostilitie The third But that which did most mooue a noble and generous spirit hee had good and certaine intelligence that the Emperour seeing warre proclaimed in case hee did not within a certaine time make satisfaction for the aboue named murthers made his accoumpt that vnder colour of zeale to the Common-weale of Christendome filling the eares of the whole world with a goodly and great enterprise against the enemies of the faith hee would raise great forces and prouide great preparation at the cost and charge of his most credulous subiects lying most open and neerest vnto the Turkes inuasion and coniure the most Christian King to assist him eyther with men or money If then the fumes of an Affricane or Turkish voyage had beene proclaimed through the world before that warre were denounced betwixt these two Princes those which were not acquainted with the deuises of the one would haue imputed the stay of so holy an enterprise to the other Let vs adde that howsoeuer he mâ—st â—ntertaine men both in Italie and vpon the frontiers of Languedoc and Prouence for that both a truce and warre were of equall charge vnto him There were two meanes to beginne the warre The one profitable and lesse honest Many thrust him on some with discontent others with reuenge some with couetousnes some with desire of innouation or some other priuate passions offering to seize vpon diuers places for his Maiestie the conquest whereof might be a worthie reward for a long and doubtfull warre The other was more honest but of lesse profit iust
both with French and forren forces Hauing thus lost the oportunitie of a battaile the Prince maintaines his armie about two monethes with a commendable discipline without blaspheming whoring robbing or theft In the end they loose all patience Baugency taken by assault opens the dores to disorders for this first heate soone past with the French growes cold money for their pay growes short the nobility could not frame themselues to this strict discipline of war which the Admiral did practise being a great enemie to robbings In many Prouinces matters weÌ„t indifferently betwixt the Catholikes and the Protestants and to giue two strokes with one stone to stay the disputation of this armie and to releeue them that might in the end fall the Prince sent the Earle of Rochefoucault with some troupes into Poitou Xaintonge and Angoulmois Soubize to Lions Yuoy brother to Genlis to Bourges Montgomery into Normandy d' Andelot to hasten the succours of Germany and Briquemaut into England These troupes from the moneth of Aprill vntill the midest of August did possesse Orleans Baugency Vendosme Blois Tours Poitiers Mans Anger 's Bourges Angoulesme Rouan Chalon vpon Soan Mascon Lion the most part of Daulphiné with many others not without effusion of bloud spoyling of Churches and such insolencies as the warre doth cause in a Countrie of Conquest Orleans and Bourges held by the Prince did much helpe their affaires but Bourges might be easily surprised before it were fortified Bourges recouered The King then whom the coÌ„manders had drawne into the armie marcheth thither and the composition which Yuoy made with his Maiestie put him for a time in disgrace with the Prince This arme cut off as the Gnissens said from the Huguenots inuited the Kings armie to the seege of Orleans where the Prince and the Admiral were But the resolution of these two Commanders and the feare to receiue shame losse made them passe on to Roüen where Montgomery commanded with seuen or eight hundred souldiars of the old bands and two companies of English Death of the King of Naâ—aâ—â—e The end of September was the beginning of this seege a famous seege by the hurting of the King of Nauarre in the shoulder as hee suruayed the weakest part of the Cittie whereof he died the 17. of Nouember three weeks after it was taken by assault and spoyled Montgomery saued himselfe in a gallie but many of the chief passed through the executioners hands On the other side Lewis of Bourbon Duke of Montpensier Rouen taken reduced to the Kings obedience the Townes of Anger 's Mans Tours the Marshal S. André tooke Poitiers from the Lord of S. Gemme and Henry of Montmorency Lord of Damuille incountred the Protestants forces in Languedoc whilst the Earles of Tende and Suze The Protestants beaten in diuerse places by the defeat of Mombrun tooke Cisteron for the King Montluc with Burie gouernours of Guienne put to rout the troupes of GascoÌ„s which Duras led to the Earle of Rochefoucault beseeging S. Iean d' Angeli The ouerthrow of Duras brought the Earle with 300. gentlemen the remainder of the defeated armie on this side Loâ—re to ioyne the Prince with the Reistres whom d' Andelot brought This supplie made the Prince resolue to go to Paris by aÌ„noying it to encrease the feare wherwith they were possessed He marcheth forceth Pluuiers takes Estampes beseegeth Corbeil but finding it better furnished with men then he expected he approcheth to Paris makes a great skirmish beates backe the troupes that were come out off their trenches So hee camped at Gentilly Arcueil Mont-rouge and other neighbour villages The Queene mother busies him seuen or eight dayes with diuers parles during the which foure and twentie enseigns of Gascons and Spaniards arriuing were lodged within the suburbs of Saint Iames. The Prince then seeing his enemies forces to encrease resolues to fight with them before they were fully assembled so as all hope of peace conuerted into smoake hee riseth the tenth of December takes the way to Chartres and resolues to goe into Normandie to receiue the men and money which came out of England and by that meanes to diuert the seege of Orleans The Constable and Duke of Guise march after him Dreams are lies as we comonly say A notable dreame yet haue we often tried those which present theÌ„selues in the morning the spirit hauing taken sufficient rest to bring certaine aduertisements of that which is to come The night before the eue of the battaile the Prince dreames that he had giuen three battailes one after another obteyned the victorie ouerthrowne his three principall enemies and finally himselfe wounded to the death hauing layed one vpon another and he aboue them all yeelding in that sort his soule to God And to say the trueth haue wee not seene this vision verified by the death of the Marshall of Saint André which is at hand by that of the Duke of Guise before Orleans the yeare following and by that of the Constable at the battaile of S. Denis and of the Prince himselfe in that of Bassac In the Kings armie they numbred two thousand horse The battaile of Drâ—ux and nineteene thousand foot In that of the Prince foure thousand horse and twelue thousand foot They ioyne the nineteenth of December and without any skirmishes charge with all their forces The Princes Suisses loose seuenteene Captaines with three parts of their â—oâ—pes which were aboue three thousand and endure three charges before they could bee broken On the other side the taking of the Constable the death of the Marshall Saint André the defeat of their troupes caused a generall confusion in the Kings armie if the Duke of Guise charging the white cassaks the Reisters with furie whose pistols had made a great slaughter of his men had not forced through the Princes horse who straying too much from the battaile fel prisoner into the hands of the Lord of Damuille the which made the victorie doubtfull seeming before to incline to his side The conflict continued from tenne of the clocke in the morning vntill night with many charges there were seuen thousand men slaine vppon the place on both sides many hurt and in a manner all died and a great number of prisoners The King lost besides his Suisses the most part of his horse and a great number of foot There were slaine of men of marke the Duke of Neuers killed by one of his houshould seruants either by hazard or of purpose the Lords of Montbrun the Constables son d' Annebault Giury la Brosse and his sonne there were hurt the Duke of Aumale brother to the Duke of Guise Rochefort and Beauuais Aussun a Nobleman of Gasconie whome feare made flie to Paris and there he died of greefe The Prince lost about two thousand two hundred foote and a hundred and fiftie horse French and Reisters This battaile is famous by the taking of two Generals the one in
speedily repayred to their Cornets whilest the Dukes men were busie at the spoile The Duke of Mayenne receiued two pistol shot on his caske by the Baron and in exchange the Duke gaue the Baron a wipe on the forehead with his coâ—rtelas but with small hurt This losse of horses and baggage makes the Reistres to mutine againe growing impatient neither seeing their pay nor the King of Nauarre for a bayte they force Châ—steaulandon and spoile it The Prince of Contys arriuall neere vnto Chartres The Prince of Conty arriues at the army where the Duke of Bouillon resigned him the charge and the white cornet pacified this mutinie Then the Suisses treated with the King by the Duke of Neuers means his Maiesty hauing now coniured them by their alliance with this crowne to serue him or to retire themselues Defection of the Suiâ—ses some of the Captaines followe the Kings party others receâ—â—ing foure hundred thousand crownes returne to their country but some of them at their arriuall lost their heads By this defection the army is halfe decreased the toiles of the warre tire them the discommodities proue at length insupportable many of the troupes disbande they foresee an apparent danger if they giue battell They take Councell the 24. of Nouember to turne head and to draw this languishing army vp to the springs of Loire But the Duke of Guise had well obserued from the beginning that striking the shepheard he shall disperse the flocke The Baron lodged at Auneau neere to Chartres with seuen Cornets of Reistres but he trusted too indiscreetly to a promise made by the garrison of the said Castle not to commit any acte of hostility and to furnish him with victualls for his money The Duke manned it with good store of harguebusiers and and at the fiâ—st sound of the Trompet to horse he enters the Towne with all his forces euen as their Carts stopt vp the streets and gates in the morning Being thus surprised Râ—istres defeated at Auneau and hauing no meanes to recouer the fields they are forced to returne into their lodgings and to remaine at the Conquerors mercy either slaine or taken The spoyle was great eight hundred Wagons great store of armes Iewells and chaynes of gold Two thousand horse of combate and of carriage So as in one night all the Dukes footemen were in a manner horsed rich in spoiles and rich in prisoners The Baron with some fewe other leaped ouer the walles and saued themselues through the fauour of the night and in a marishe He makes a stande halfe a league from Anneau and rallies them together that escape The Suisses that remained come vnto him all determine to breake The Prince of Conty the Duke of Bouillon Chastillon Cleruaut and the rest become answerable for what is due so as they will marche on They might easily haue forced through the Duke of Guises army but they were surprised with feare a passion which doth easily vanquish the quicknesse of mans iudgement The army hath now but one wing to flie withall it is a body without armes or legges yet the hope of paiment makes them continue their course vp against the riuer But the disorder was great feare accompanies them many Gentlemen slipt away dayly to their houses and most of them which remained could not easiâ—y resolue to fight They must make long marches to auoide the enemie they had no guides no smiths for their horses who were spoiled for want of shooes no bread for the souldiars no forrage for their horses their troupes wasted most of them were without pouder without bullets and without meanes to recouer any the Lansquenets are reduced to two thousand and most vnarmed and the Suisses haue changed party The Reistres thinke of nothing but of their returne into Germany the French slippe away hourely The Duke of Espernon coasts them with the Kings armie and â—isheth they would accept of a capitulation to disapoint the Duke of Guise of an absolute victory which he did expect The Duke of Guise pursues them yet is it not fit for the Kings estate he should wholy vanquish these maimed troupes the seruant would then presently attempt against the maister Moreouer this army still holding the field the Realme should be much impouerished and ioyned with the King of Nauarre they might effect great matters The King offers them a safe conduct to returne vppon condition that the French should deliuer vp their colours Capitulation giuen to the Reiâ—â—â—es that the Reistres trusse vp their Cornets and that all sweare not to beare armes in France without the Kings expresse command The eight of December they accept of this capitulation at Lency in Masconois and so disband The Lord of Chastillon protests neuer to deliuer vp his Ensignes but to the King of Nauarre Câ—aâ—â—illons retreat He vnderstands the Reistres threaten to carry him away as a pledge but hee frees himfelfe from theyr mutiny like a gallant Gentleman hee assembles a troupe of a hundred horse and some shot on horsebacke and takes the â—ay of Râ—uanne towards the head of Loire Mandelot Gouernour of Lionois Cheurieres the Earle of Tournon and others seâ—ke to stoppe his passage hee is beset on all sides by his enemies hee makes his way with his sword and passeth through them like a lâ—ghtning and forcing his enemies to flie he causeth the children of that Country to call it the battaile of Turne-taile The Strangers thinke to refresh themselues at Geneua but the most part were not able to get thether and many of the Câ—mmanders eyther with languishing and griefe or as the common saying was â—iâ—h the sweete Wines they drunke with the Duke of Espernon gaue vp the ghost The Duke of Bouillon dyed the xi of Ianuary in the 25. yeare of his age Death of the Duke of Bouillon leauing Charlotte his sister for his heire marryed since to the Vicount of Turenne now Duke 〈◊〉 Bouillon and Marshall of France An other troupe of Reistres marched towards the French Conté the Marquis of â—oâ—t eldest sonne to the Duke of Lorraine and the Duke of Guise pursuing them agaâ—â—st the pâ—blike faith vnto the Mountaines of Saint Claude enter the territories of Montbeliard and Hericourt where by a lamentable reuenge vpon a poore innocent people by the burning of two hundred Villages by the forcing of many wines and maideâ— and by the muâ—ther of a great number of all ages all sexes and all qualities they leaue the markes of the inhumanitie and the brutish fury of the League and carâ—y the â—poiles of their triumph into Lorraine All the chiefe of the League assemble at Nancy where they resolue to make the last triall of their ambition The season inuites them mens humours are well affected The Catholikes consciences freed from the furie of strangers confesse themselues wonderfully bound to the Duke of Guise the people extoll the victory of Auneau and the dispersing of this great armie the Nobility of the League
charge the Kings light horse The Marâ—shall ioynes with them and makes them turne their tayles presently their groue of Reistres is so violently repulsed and driuen backe as they turne sodenly to rallie themselues behinde the other troupes An other squadron of Lanciers Wallons and Flemings seeing his Maiesties troupe separated some-what from the rest which the Reistres had charged come hotly vpon them The Baron of Biron makes it good A second charge and not able to charge them in the front takes them behinde perceth a part of them the rest breaketh away like a billowe against a rocke The Baron had two wounds one in the arme and the other in the face Nowe comes the Duke of Mayenne with his bodie of horse-men in the which were the Dukes of Nemours and Aumale hauing vpon their wings foure hundred Carabins which were Harguebuziers on horse-backe armed with murrions and plaistrons who make a furious sally fiue and twentie paces off vpon his Maiesty troupe This done the King parts like a violent lightning from the head of his squadron beeing sixe hundred horse hee chargeth two thousand of the enemies hee breakes them scatters them and is so ingaged among the thickest of them A bloâ—die charge as notwithstanding the great plume in his Caske and that in his horse head which made him apparent hee remayned a good quarter of an houre vnknowne euen to his owne people in this great forest of Lances amidest a great shower of strokes giuing a good testymony that if before he could do the office of a great King and Captaine in ordring so could hee nowe performe the dutie of a braue soldiar and resolute man at armes in fighting But aboue all of a most milde and mercifull Conqueror who in this bloudâ—e fight did sound forth that gratious speeche Saue the French and downe with the stranger Doubtlesse hee is well kept whome God keepes Some were greatly astonished and amazed others trembled and quaked hauing lost the sight of the Kings Maiesty This great bodie whose foundation was so much shaken beganne to wauer those who euen nowe presented their faces so furiously with the points of their Lances and swords 1589. do now shew their heeles cast away their armes and trust to their horses His Maiestie being freed from this presse hauing with twelue or fifteene in his company A generall ouâ—â—thâ—owe taken three Cornets and slaine the Wallons that did accompanie them and returning to his squadron a triumphing Conquerour he filled the armie with exceeding ioy and the armie the ayre with that louing crie of God saue the King The Suisses remayned yet whole but abandoned of all their horse and layed open They propound to send the French foot on the right hand who had not yet fought to breake them But the respect of the ancient alliance of that nation with this Crowne made the King to graunt them life and receiue them vnto mercie Laying downe their armes they passed to his Maiesties side and those French that were with them inioyed the like clemencie But the time his Maiestie lost in pardoning the Suisses did greatly fauour their retreat that fled gaue the Duke of Mayenne leisure to passe the riuer of Euâ—é to breake the bridge after him and to recouer Mante in safetie The Marshaâ—l of Biron stood firme without striking yet did he more terrifie the enemie then any other for seeing this troupe of rescue whole they supposed that this old souldiar hauing bin practised in so many battailes in his life time would easily breake them and make the victory absolute Hereupon the Marshal d' Aumont the Earle of Ciermont the Baron of Biron and other Commaunders returne from the chase gather togither their troupes and ioyne with the King And the King hauing receiued his forces that came out of Normandie makes a bodie leaues the Marshall of Biron with the armie to follow him sends the Earle of Auuergne before takes the Baron of Biron on his right hand and an other troupe on his left and accompanied with the Prince of Conty Duke Montpensur Earle Saint Paul Marshall d' Aumont the Lord of Tremouille and many others poursued the point of his victorie chasing beating and killing vntill that the broken bridge diuerting them a League and a halfe out off the way to passe at the foard of Anet and the horses whose logges the Reistres had cut to stoppe the way hindring the ponrsute and the approching night ended the victorie The disorder was great in the retreat of the vanquished and the slaughter great in the fury of the fight Losse of the Leaguers aboue fiue hundred horse were slaine or drowned and aboue foure hundred prisoners The Cont Egmont the yong Earle of Brunswike Chastaigneray and a great number of other Noblemen slaine Bois-Daulphin Mesdauit Cigongne who carried the white Cornet to the Duke of Mayenne Fontaine Martel Lonchamp Lodonan Falendre Hâ—nguessan the Marshals of the field Trenzâ—y Casteliere Dâ—â—imeux and many other French Germaines Spaniards Itolians and Flemings were prisoners whereof the most part being gratiously released did afterwards abuse the Kings bountie by a reuolt who neuer could practise that vnciuill maxime of State a dead man neuer makes warre There were twentie Cornets taken the white Cornet the great standard of the Generall of the Spaniards and Flemings the Cornets of the Colonnel of the Reistres threescore ensieignes of foot of diuers nations and the foure and twentie of Suisses which yeelded All the footmen which yeelded not or were not drowned were cut in peeces All their artillerie all their baggage carried away Such as fled into the woods found lesse mercie in the peasants then in the men of warre The Duke of Mayenne saued himselfe in Mante and gaue the Townesmen this flout for their comfort that the Beaâ—nois wâ—s slaine or little better The Duke of Nemours Bassompiert the Vicont of Taâ—ennes Rosne and some others tooke the way of Chartres To conclude his Maiestie poursues them almost to the gates of Mante finding the wayes notwithstanding his lets full of runners away which remayned at his discretion And if those of Mante persisting in their first resolution to keepe their gates shut had not yeelded to the Dukes earnest request both hee and all his followers had fallen into the victors hands Thus God poured out his wrath vpon this armie thus a handfull of men defeated many Leagions thus the French spoyled Perou euen in France On the Kings side were slaine Clermont of Entragnes Captaine of his Maiesties gards Tieb Schemberg Colonnell of the Reistres Lost on the Kings side fighting then vnder the white Cornet Loneaulnay of Normandie beeing three score and twelue yeares olde an honorable graue for that braue olde man Crenay Cornet to the Duke of Montpensier Fesquiers 1590 and at the most twenty Gentlemen more The Marquis of Nesle being hurt died within eâ—ghâ— daies after The Earle of Choesy the Earle of Luden d' O Monlouet Lauergne Rosny
these Tribunes hee shortned their number weakened their authoritie and maintained his owne as well as hee could and to paeifie the people guiltie of this mutinie hee published the 10. of December an abolition of things past in this disorder The King in the meane time made his necessary prouisions for the siege of Rouan and appointed his store-houses at Caen Pont Larche Ponteau de Mer and other places On the other side the hope of speedy succours from the Stranger the presence of Henry of Lorraine eldest sonne to the Duke of Mayenne and the arriuall of the Segnieur of Villars with sixe hundred horse and twelue hundred Musketiers A treacherous decree of the Court of Parliament of Rouan made the Cittizens to persist in their rebellion and the Parliament to forbid all men by a dâ—cree in any sort to fauour the part of Henry of Bourbon vpon paine of death ordaining that the oth of the vnion made the 20. of Ianuary in the yeare 1589. should bee monthly renued in the generall assembly made to that effect in the Abbay of Saint Owen with commandement by the sayd Court to the inhabitants to obey the Lord of Villars Lieutenant to the sayde Henry in all hee should command for the preseruation of the Towne Moreouer Bauquemare then first President procured that all the Inhabitants should sweare before La Londe Mayor of Rouan to reueale all such as by worde or deed should fauour the King of Nauarre to be exemplarily punished Villars hauing got footing within Rouan hee presently displaced his superior 1592 settles his authority expells all such as hee suspected fortified Saint Catherins mount and did all acts of hostility against the King annoying his army what he could the which besides the obstinacy of the beseeged was to encounter with the extreame rigour of the winter sicknes and want of victualls But they surpassed all these difficulties cheerefully and the beseeged were readie to yeeld when as newes comes that the Dukes of Mayenne and Parma had taken Neufchastell abandoned by the Kings garrison and were lodged at Franque-Vâ—â—le halfe a daies iourney from Rouan The Duke of Guise la Chasire and Vitry his Nephew led the foreward The Dukes of Mayenne of Parma and Sfondrate Nephew to Gregorie the 14. the battaile The Duke of Aumale the Earle of Chaligny brother to the Queene Douagâ—r Boisdaulphin Balagny and Saint Paul the rereward Bassompierre and la Motte Lorrains led the Suisses and the artillery Whilest that the King made a necessary voiage to Diepe to frustrate some intelligences of his enemies the Marshall of Biron drawes forth seauen peeces of artillery to Bans a village aboue Darnetall plants them in three places and puts himselfe in battaile to receiue the Duke of Parma who should come to lodge in the valley on that â—ide and by his countenance made them thinke that hee had a desire to fight The King arriâ—es continues in battaile almost thirtie houres and prouoakes his enemie by continuall â—kirmishes But he was encountered by a cunning temporiâ—er who passing with his troupes wide of Darnetall made the King to deuise a new stratageme to drawe him on more and to engage him as it happened soone after The King dismisseth his Nobility but with charge to be readie at the first command and by continuall skirmishes kept Rouan from any releefe from the twentith of March to the 21. of Aprill In the ende the Dukes of Mayenne Guisâ— and Parma seize vpon Caudebec Rouan succored but not victualed from whence the garrison was dislodged and the same day they come to Rouan but staie not many howers neyther had they meanes to victuall it His Maiesty seeing that Rouan was not supplyed with victualls passeth at Pont-Larche causeth his armie to aduance towards Fontaine le Bourg and sends for all his garrisons of Louuiers Mante Meulau Vernon and other places nere so as fortified with aboue three thousand horse and sixe thousand foote in lesse then sixe daies hee turnes head towards the village of Iuetot where the Dukes of Mayenne and Guise were lodged chargeth their foreward and deâ—eates it quite The enemy defeated of Iuetot chaseth the Dukes aboue two leagues from Parmaes quarter leauing their baggage and plate in the possession of la Guisch The first of May hee takes from them an other lodging leaues aboue sixe hundred Leaguers dead vpon the place and looseth but fiue souldiars and eighteene or twentie hurt All these checkes should drawe the Dukes to fight but Parma seekes onely to free himselfe from the King and the rest had no desire to make tryall of their sufficiencie They held themselues verie close intrenched and fortified within their Campe issuing forth no more then they had lately done neere vnto Lagny The King presseth them and takes from them all passages both for victualls and retreat They likewise intrench a great woode and to stoppe the Kings approach lodge there two thousand Spaniards and Wallons In sight of their whole armie his Maiestie forceth this intrenchement and had it not beene for a small number who by great speede recouered the army had defeated the whole troupe For ten daies space the King tired them with continuall skirmishes and inroads during the which hee vewes the situation of their Campe the tenth of May hee made choise of such forces as hee held necessary and by fiue of clocke in the morning chargeth a quarter which the Leaguers held to bee most safe and without resistance kills about two thousand fiue hundred men vpon the place carries away aboue two thousand horse and winnes all the baggage To conclude this warre brought forth nothing so memorable as that which was done at Caudebec at Iuetot and at Aumale But for a proofe of the perpetuall assistance and fauour of heauen to our King amidest this thundring of artillery and so many showers of shot his Maiestie was hurt with a Harguebus in the reynes but yet so miraculously The King miraculously hurt as the force of the bullet was spent in the emptines of the aire and lay betwixt his armor and his backe giuing the King this lesson by a diuine aduertisment My Lord husband your life more sparingly it is necessary for your subiects The Duke of Parma â—scaped not all these encounters without a musket shot in the arme the wound did accompany him to his graue The Dukes â—etreaâ— In the end blowes hungar and extreame thirst forced these Dukes to take their way to Paris in confusion from whence Parma carrying no tokens of victory passed through Brâ—e recouered Arthois and so went to refresh himselfe at Bruxelles then in the ende of the yeare he died in Arras as hee returned from the Spawe His reputation beganne to decay Death of the Duâ—e of Paâ—â—a He had preuayled little in France and Conte Maurice did daylie take some thing from him in the Lowe Countries Hee had beene aduertised as by a prognostication that hauing taken the Towne of
soueraigne Lord. The 26. of August Peter Barriere borne at Orleans was taken prysoner at Melâ—n where his maiesty was then by the discouery of a Iacobin a Florentine Execution of Peter Barriere to whome he had confessed himselfe in Lions the Preest reuealing this crime incurres no Ecclesiasticall Censure He confessed That seduced and perswaded by a Capuchin of Lions and afterwards confessed by Aubry Curate of Saint Andrew des Acts at Paris by his vicar and by father Varade a Iesuite hee was come thether expresly to murther the King And in truth the wretch was found seized of a sharpe knife with two edges and for this cause hee was pinched with hot pincers his right-hand burnt off holding the sayd knife his armes legges and thighes broken and his bodie burnt to ashes and cast into the riuer Reuolt at Lions against the Duke of Nemours Whilest the Agents of Spaine labour for this election and their partisans doting do as the frogges who weary of their quiet King made choise of the Storke who in the ende deuoured them all the Duke of Nemours made his faction apart and seeing that by the nomination of these goodly Estates hee should be excluded from his pretensions knowing moreouer that his brother on the Mothers side did crosse all his desseines and bare him no good affection hee resolued to canton himselfe in his gouernment and by many and sundrie fortes both on the water and on the land to plant his fortunes there Already the Citadells and fortes he held a Toissay Vienne Montbrison Chastillon in Dombes Belleuille Tisy Charlieu and else where threatned all Lionois with seruitude if the Lord of Saint Iulian would haue sold him Quirieu for readie money whome in the ende thrust on by the perswasions and presence of their Arch-bishop sent by the Duke of Mayenne with this Comisson among others they force in his house and the 18. of September put him with a gard into a straight prison in the Castell of Pierreancise from whence in the ende disguised playing the part of a grome of the Chambe which carryed forth the excrements of his master he passed through the gardes turning away his face more for feare of beeing knowne then for the ill smell and escaping from them the three and twentith of March following being dispossessed of all his meanes and expelled from his places hee went and died in Anecy a house of his owne in the County of Geneue in Sauoye not without suspition of beeing poysoned at a feast that was made him This generall surceasing of armes prolonged vnto the ende of the yeare and religioâ—sly obserued on eyther side Assembly at Mante brought a great quiet to France gaue the kiâ—g leâ—sure to assemble some of the chiefe of the realme at Mante to consult vpon sundy affaires and particularly to heare the complaintes of such as stoode in doubt of the Kings change in religion and were greeued at diuers contrauentions of his Maiesties Edicts 1553. whereby they suffred many wrongs in all Prouinces for the partisans of Spaine for their last refuge continually exclaymed of the incompatibility of two religions in France and many inclyned to this opinion That the King ought not bee admitted but he should promise expresly to banish al such as made profession of any other religion then that which hee did imbrace or at the least to abolish all publike profession But the King imployed all his care to vnite his people in concord and this new change did nothing alter the affection which hee did beare indifferently to all as a common father of his subiects Thus armes were layd aside whilest the Lord of Les-Degiueres hauing beaten the Sauoyard in diuers incounters in Prouence in Daulphinè vpon the fronters and in Sauoye vpon his owne land conquered many places in Piedmont and lately succored Cauours which the Duke had beseeged two monthes gaue great hope to force this neighbour enemy soone to yeeld what hee had lately vsurped of this Crowne if hee had beene supplied with men munition and money and if some priuate seeds of newe combustions had not drawne him away to quench those fires which threatned to consume Prouence By what meanes and degrees the townes subiect vnto the League returned to the obedience of this Crowne and the Spaniard chased out of the Realme BVT courage oh my Countrymen After a long and sharpe winter wee begin to feele a pleasant spring Preparatiâ—s of obedience to the King As the sunne rising on his horizon increaseth in heate and brightnesse so the people are readie to imbrace the French liberty their natural affection to their lawfull Prince reuiues nowe wee shall see them which made the wound giue the remedie the French striue now to submit themselues vnto their King and the King to receiue his subiects with an admirable clemencie and fatherly affection The Lord of Vitry giues the first checke to the Spaniards The sundrie conferences he had had with his Maiesty before Paris and else where do now worke a great effect Meaux begins Orleans and Bourges second it for deliuering the towne of Meaux to the King as a New-yeares-gift he gaue a plausible beginning to this yeare and made the way for the Lord of la Chastre his Vncle to bring vnto his Maiesty two goodly Duchies at once of Orleans and of Berry Some townes practised by the heads of the League demand a continuance of the truce but it was onely to prolong the miseries of France The King therefore doth publish a declaration shewing the wicked and damnable practises of the Leaguers who vnder the continuance of a truce would confirme their tiranny He prescribes to all in generall one moneth of respit to acknowledge their lawfull King and to performe all necessary submissions to be restored to their charges benefices goods and liberties Hee condemnes the rebells and reuoakes his pardon the time beeing expired The brute of this declaration and the Kings preparatiues to punish the obstinate terrefied the heads and the most part of the townes and Comonalties yet he was content to hold the staffe but not to strike and the prouidence of God conducted the worke of this restauration by other then violent meanes The Duke of Mayenne sought all meanes to auoide this blowe but he had no forces able to preuent it So this vnion câ—â—ented togither with so many shiftes oathes and coniurations is dismembred on all sides the most obstinate apprehend their totall ruine if they persist in their rebellion 1554. The Kings Coronation THere was one thing very necessarie to seale the generall approbation of the Kings lawfull authoritie Hee was not yet anoynted nor Crowned and the want hereof as if his Coronation were the essentiall forme of a royaltie serued yet as a maske to many to withhold their obedience It is good in some things to please the peoples humor and doubtlesse the end will shew that this solemne action did serue as a bright Lanterne to
Honories gate whereof hee had the keies and draw in a good number of men of warre to fauour the enterprise and that by Saint Denis gate should enter an other troupe of sufficient armed men as well to seize on the gate as of the rampar on either side to make a barre betiwixt the Spaniards and the Wallons and keepe them from ioyning They keepe two gards nere Saint Denis gate one at Saint Eustace Crosse and the other at the Temple At the same instant the garrisons of Melun and Corbeiâ— should enter by boat at the Bulwarke by the Celestins and should be receiued by Iohn Grossier and by the Seigneur of Cheuallerie the first being Captaine of the sayd Bulwarke and the other Lieutenant Generall of the artillerie remayning in the Arcenall And to auoyd a popular tumult a brute should be spred abroad of a peace betwixâ— the King and the Duke of Mayenne whom vnder colour of the peoples iealousie of the Spaniards which he had caused to approch vnto Beauuois they had found meanes to send him out off Paris with promise to cause them to retire That ouer night they should giue tickets to the cheefe whome they knewe desirous of a peace as for the multitude of factious and the partisans of Spaine they durst not speake openly vnto them to bring in the King some that were desirous of peace could not rest assured of his clemencie and bountie by the which they should bee aduertised of the accord and intreated to arme with their friends for the bringing in of the Deputies of either part which should come in the morning to make the publication and resist the Spaniards that would oppose themselues So it was decreed and so executed This order being resolued on it was imparted to those with whom the enterprise had beene long before concluded by the meanes of the Lord of Vicques then Gouernour of Saint Denis to whome the greatest honour is due both for that all the associats did rely vpon him and daily were aduertised and incouraged by him and also for that hee did carrie himselfe so wisely in Saint Denis as he was more Gouernour of Paris then of S. Denis The nineteenth of March the Secretaries of the Lords of Brissac and S. Luc carrie it to Senlis to the king with a portrait of the Cittie setting downe the places of the Strangers gards of their partisans They are searched going out of the Towne but they remember not to looke into their gloues where their instructions were written by the hand of the sayd Langlois the Sherife The King giues them aduice for the execution the night before the 22. day of the moneth A bold and 〈◊〉 execution about foure of the clocke he finds all things readie and the new gate and S. Denis gate at his deuotion He enters with his troupes led by the Lords of Hâ—mieres â—elin Vicques Fauas at the same gate by the which the deceased king parted mournfully out of Paris At the same instant the Lord of Vitri comes with a troupe of men at armes to Saint Denis gate beats backe the strangers who made resistance vppon the rampar enters the Towne sets gardes at the gate and on the rampâ—rs then passing through Saint Denis street he incounters his Maiestie whose troupes were come to Saint Michels bridge and before the Pallace Thus according to the oth which his Maiestie had taken of the Captaines of euery companie Paris oâ—ey the King Not to do or suffer any insolencie or outrage to any Cittizen but to such as should obstinatly make resistance all his troupes enter without disorder without murther without spoyle and by their perfect obedience testifie how great his authoritie is that commaunds ouer them The King being seized of the Loâ—ure the pallace both Chastellets and other cheefe places of the Cittie and assured of the Duke of Feriâ— and his Strangers hee went armed with his caske on his head with an incredible concourse and ioy of the people to our Ladies Church and there gaue sollemne thankes to the Soueraigne Protector of this monarchie who hauing as it were led him by the hand by such extraordinarie and miraculous meanes into the Capitall Cittie of the realme gaue him hope that he should soone chase the stranger ouâ— off his inheritance and peaceably inioy the throne of his predecessors In the meane time the Earle of Brissac Iohn L'huillier master of the accounts and â—rouost of the Marchants with the Shriefe Langlois accompanied with the Heraults â—ent through the Cittie proclayming the Kings generall pardon causing them to take white scarfes and gaue tickets printed at Saint Denis conteining an abolition of all offences past So as in lesse then two houres all the Cittie was quiet euery man went to his ordinariâ— exercise the shops were oâ—ened as if there had beene no alteration and the Townesmen grewe familiar with the men of warre There was nothing but signes of wonderfull ioy and loue the bitternesse of the proud and insolent commaund of the Spaniard made the Parisiens to tast the sweetnes of the fatherly rule of their Kings and those detest him as an enemie who lately feared and respected him as a master A happie and famous day wherein the people lately so contrary and full of crueltie reduced to that miserie as they durst not sigh in their miserie exceeding glad to see a meanes to inioy their ancient libertie know not with what acclamations to receiue their peacefull and gratious King who by his wonderfull clemencie washing away the blemishes wherewith Paris had beene vnworthily polluted made the Inhabitants of slaues Cittizens restores them their wiues children goods honours Magistrates and liberties and giues peace to them who lately held it a crime to demaund bread onely and capitall to demaund bread and peace togither His Maiestie suffred the Duke of Feria Dom Diego with other Commaunders and men of warre to depart with their baggâ—ge theiâ— matches out and their armes downe The Bastille made some shew of resistanâ—e but as al was prepared to force it that their victuals which were purposely kept backe began to faile them De Bourg hauing the commaund thereof yeelded it three dayes after and his Maiestie to recompence such as had serued him in this enterprise gaue them great gâ—fts with many offices and aduancements Hee confirmed all the companies of the Cittie and disanulled the declarations which had beene published in the moneth of March 1589. he restored the Lord d'O to his gouernment from the which the generall reuolt had expelled him hee appointed him to go to the Towne house to take an oth of the offiâ—ers in the presence of Monsâ—eur Francis Miron one of the Kings priuie Councell master of Requests and President of the great Councell ouerseer of the gouernment of the Kings armies and appointed to assist him And the Earle of Chiuerny Chancellor of France assisted with the Seigneâ—rs of Ris Pontcarre Miron and other Councellors of the priuie Councell
and masters of Reqâ—ests of the Kings house to the number of twelue went to the Pallace and caused the letters of reestablishment of the Court of Parliament to be read and at the instance of Loiâ—el appointed in the absence of the Kings officers they tooke the oth of all the Presidents Counâ—ellors and officers of the said Court before the returne of the Parliament remoued to Tours in the yeare 1589. And so in like sort to other companies the chamber of accounts Court of Aides chamber of the money to whom Councellors were sent to do the like as to the Parliament and to continue their places and dignities with the other officers resident at Tours whome this happie reduction brought within few weekes after to their antient seat of iustiâ—e Paris being freed from the command of strangers A decree against the League and the Duâ—e of Mayenne and reduced vnder the obedience of their natural and lawfull King it was needfull to repaire that which the libertie of warre had changed touching the Lawes and grounds of the Estate and the rights and honours of the Crowne To this end the Court of Parliament lately establishes reuoakes and disanuls by a decree of the 30. of March all other decrees orders or othes giuen or made since he 29. of December 1588. to the preiudice of the Kings authoritie and the lawes of the realme decreeing that as things forced by violence they should remaine suppressed for euer And especially they disanulled all that had beene done against the honour of the deceased King as well during his life as after his decease forbidâ—ing all persons to speake of his memorie but with honour respect commanding to informe oâ— the detestable paricide committed on his person and to proceed extraordinarily against such as should bee found cuâ—pable They reuoked the authoritie giuen to the Duke of Mayenne vnder the title of Lieutenant generall of the Estate and Crowne of France forbidding all men to acknowledge him with that qualitie to yeeld him any obedience fauour comfort ayd vpon paine of high treason They likewise inioyned the Duke of Mayenne vpon the like paines other Princes of the house of Lorraine to acknowledge King Henry the 4. of that name for King of France Nauarre for their king to yeeld him the obedience of faithfull seruants and subiects And to all other Princes Prelates Noblemen gentlemen Townes Commonalties priuate men To 〈◊〉 that pretended faction of the League wherof the Duke of Mayenne had made 〈◊〉 the head and to yeeld vnto the King obedience seruice and fealtie vpon paine to 〈◊〉 said Princes Prelates Noblemen and gentlemen to bee degraded of their 〈◊〉 and gentry and they and their posteritie declared base with confiscation of 〈…〉 goods and the razing of their Townes Castels and places that should infâ—â—â—ge 〈◊〉 Kings ordinances and commaundements They reuoked and dissanulled all tâ—â—t had beene done or decreed by the pretended Deputies of the assemby held at Paris vnder the names of the generall Estates of the Realme as voyd done by priuat perâ—ons chosen and suborned for the most part by the factious of this Realme and partisans to the Spaniard hauing no lawfull power forbidding the said pretended Deputies to take vpon them this qualitie and to assemble any more in the sayd Cittie or else where vpon paine to be punished as troublers of the publike quiet and guiltie of high Treason They inioyned such of the pretended Deputies as were yet resident at Paris to retyre home to their houses to liue there vnder the Kings obedience and to take the oth of fealtie before the Iudges of those places Moreouer they decreed that all processions and sollemnities instituted during the troubles thereof should cease and insteed thereof the two and twentith day of March should bee for euer celebrated and the same day a general procession should be made after the accustomed maner where the said Court should assist in their scarlet roabes as a remembrance to giue God thankes for the happie reduction of this said Cittie to the Kings obedience As the vniuersitie by their treacherous decision had before countenanced and supported the Parisiens insolencies and mutinies The voluntary submission of the vniuersitie so now by their humble and due submission of their owne proper motion they seeke to repaire the crime they had committed Iames of Amboise Doctor in Physicke chief Rector chosen since the reduction of Paris the Deane and the Doctors of Sorbonne the deanes and doctors of other faculties all the members and Officers of the vniuersitie come to the King to yeeld him a testimonie of their loue and finding him in the chapell of Bourbon prostrate before his Maiestie they acknowledge him their true and onely naturall Prince sweare to be obedient and faithfull seruants to him for euer and beseech him as to his other people which submit themselues like good and loyall subiects to extend his fauour vnto them The Kings owne disposition did moue him but the place did inuite him to this pardon He protests before God to be as readie to remit the offences of others as he desired Gods diuine Maiestie to be merciful vnto his So he receiued them and sent them home gratiously Paris gaue example to all the rest of the Realme And the first fruits of this happie reunion began to ripen in the hearts of other Townes and Comonalties So the monethes of Aprill and May were spent to receiâ—e the submâ—ssions of diuers Prouinces and drâ—wing to the Kings obedience many Captaines gentlemen Noblemen and other châ—â—e pillers of the League So as euery birde hauing his fether the Crow in the Fable remayned in the end naked Diuers reductions in Nâ—râ—andie The Lord of Villars submits himselfe to his â—oueraine Lord and yeelding him the townes of Rouan Newhauen Harfleu Montiuillier Ponteau de â—er and Vernueil hee obtaines in exchange the office of Admirall of France In Picardie and hereafter resolues a most obstinat warre against the Spaniard But a sad accident shall â—oone frustrat the desseins he made with his Maiestie Abbeuille hath bin alwaies caâ—led the Cittadell of Picardie lying at the mouth of the sea Maupin the Maior and some inhabitants had resolued to giue a great check vnto the League but the feare of the Duke of Aumales factions restrained them and the seditious impressions of Preachers who throughout the Realme haue beene the greatest motiues of these last mutinies made this their good will fruitles The King being aduertised hereof did hazard Franc one of the Secretaries of his Chamber who was borne at Abbeuille to â—ound and discouer the end of their intentions Hee parts in Aprill and vnder colour to visit his friends he behaues himselfe so discreetly in his negotiation that in lesse then eight dayes they resolued in open assembly to send their deputies to yeeld themselues at his Maiesties feete who in token of so good a seruice ennobled France and his posteritie and augmented
from the Archduke Ernest Lieutenant generall for the King of Spaine in the Low Countries who soone after perswaded the subiects of the sayd Countries to arme and to inuade France The better to knowe Picardie and to iudge of what should be necessary against the attemptes of this newe enemy the King makes a voyage to the fronter and then returnes to Paris to celebrate the solemnity of the knights of the order of the holy Ghost and to receiue the Ambassadors of Venise Vincent Gradenico and Iohn Delphino being sent to congratulate the happy successe of his affayres and Peter Duodo to succeed Iohn Mocenigo At his arriuall hee receiues three good aduertisements That the Marshall d' Aumont had taken from the Spaniard one of the places he had fortified in Brittaine That the Spaniards thinking to enter into Montrueil hauing giuen fiftie thousand Crownes to the gouernour had beene repulsed with the losse of fiue or sixe hundred men And that the Marshall of Bouillon had ioyned with the army of Cont Maurice in despight of Cont Charles But oh monstrous attempt the onely remembrance should make our haire to stare and our hearts to tremble The 27. of December the King being booted in one of the Chambers of the Louure The Kingâ— hurt in the â—â—ce hauing aboute him his Cousins the Prince of Conty the Cont Soissons and the Earle of S Paul and a great number of the chiefe Noble men of his Court bending downe to receiue the Lords of Ragny and Montigny who kist his knee a yongman called Iohn Chastel of â—he age of eighteene or nineteene yeares the sonne of a wollen draper in Paris a Nouice of the Iesuits 5594 encouraged by their instructions thrust on by a diuelish furie creeps into the chamber with the presse surprising his Maiestie as he was stooping to take vp these gentlemen in steed of thrusting him into the bellie with a knife as he had determined he strooke him on the vper lippe and brake a tooth This wretch was taken and confessed it without torture The King vnderstanding that he was a disciple of that schoole Must the Iâ—suits then said hee be iudged by my mouth Thus God meaning by this cursed and detestable atttempt to countenance the pursute of the vniuersitie of Paris against that sect Iohn Chastel hauing declared the circumstances of his wicked intent was found guiltie of treason against God and man in the higest degree and by false and damnable instructions holding that it was lawfull to murther Kings A decree against the murtherer and that the King now raigning was not in the Church vntill he were allowed by the Pope was by a decree of the Court condemned to do penance before the great dore of our Ladies Church naked in his shirt vpon his knees holding a burning torch of two pound weight to haue his armes and legges pinched at the Greue with burning pincers and his right hand holding the knife wherewith hee sought to commit this parricide to bee cut off his bodie to bee torne in peeces by foure horses burnt to ashes and cast into the wind and all his goods forfeit to the King The said Couâ—t decreed by the same sentence That the Preests schollers and all others terming themselues of that societie as corrupters of youth troublers of publike quiet and enemies to the Kings state should depart within three dayes after the publication of this decree out of Paris and other places where they had colledges and within fifteene out of the Realme vppon paine after the said time to bee punished as guiltie of high treason all their mouable and immouable goods to bee forfaited to bee imployed in godly vses forbidding all the Kings subiects to send any Schollers to the Colledge of the said societie without the Realme there to be instructed or taught vnder like paines as before The Decree was executed the nine and twentith of the said moneth Peter Chastel the father and Iohn Gueret schoolemaster to this murtherer were banished the first for a certaine time out off Paris and fined at two thousand Crownes the last for euer out off the Realme vppon paine of death The fathers house standing before the pallace razed and a piller erected conteyning for a perpetuall monument the causes of that ruine Amongst the writings of one named Iohn Guignard of Chartres were found certaine outragious and scandalous libells against his Maiestie made since the generall pardon granted by him at the reduction of Paris for the which hee was executed the seuenth of Ianuary following Experience hath often taught Warre proclaymed against the Spaniard that armes produce greater effects abroad in the enemies Countrie then at home and that the goodliest triumphe is sought farthest off Our vnciuill confusions were forged cheefly in Spaine and the Iesuits had beene the cheeâ—est workemen One Francis Iacob a scholler of the Iesuits of Bourges had lately vanted to kill the King but that hee held him for dead and that an other had done the deed And this horrible attempt of late vppon the sacred face of his Maiestie wherein hee was miraculously preserued doth witnes that they were the cheefe firebrands So the King grounding the necessitie of his armes vppon these considerations after hee had rooted out this sect of Schooles which they held within the Iurisdiction of the Parliament of Paris hee published a declaration for the making of warre against the King of Spaine Without doubt the reasoâ—s were verie apparent and manifest and the beginning more fauourable then the end The Marshall of Bouillon begins this new warre he enters the Duchie of Luxemâ—ourg with an armie of a thousand horse and foure thousand foote and at the first putâ—â—o rout eleuen Cornets of horse of Cont Charles neere to Wirton kills two hundred and fiftie vppon the place makes the rest to leaue armes horse and baggage and to saue themâ—â—lues in the next forrest 1595. Philip likewise for his part proâ—â—â—iâ—es 〈◊〉 against our Henry The Duke of Lorraine on the other side hauing taken a truce 〈◊〉 his Maiestie Some Lorrains serue the King the Baron of Aussonuille with the Seignieurs of Tremblecourt and 〈◊〉 George who before made warre vnder him now take the white scarfe they enter the County of Bourgongne with a thousand horse and fiâ—e thousand foote and at the first they seize vpon Vezou de Ionuille and other places Behold the fire which threatens two Prouinces but the Spaniard suffers them not to be consumed as men presumed that being busie to quench it he would leaue Picardie in quiet Hee commands the Archduke Erneste that with the hazard of the Lowe Countries he should transport all his forces into Picardie and moreouer causeth the Constable of Castille gouernour of Milan to passe the Alpes with a great armie of Spaniards and Neapolitanes who recouered the places and forced the Lorraines to disperse themselues The Artesiens and Hannuyers foreseeing the desolation which the continuance of this warre would
But hee will teach vs that the surest stroakes come from the head and if the olde Duke of Guise could by a gallant stratageme recouer a towne from the English most important for the Estate of this Crowne he in like sort by the like exploite will make himselfe the terror of all Picardie 1596 Hee departs from Bruxells and giues it out that hee will succor la Fere. For his first fruites he findes meanes to giue them some releefe of men and munition in March. Calais and Aâ—dres taken by the Spaniaâ—d Then in Aprill he causeth his army being very strong to turne head towards Calais beseegeth batters and takes both towne and Castell by assault against all the resistance of the beseeged and puts many French gentlemen to the sword being sent to supply the Castell The Senâ—shall of Montlimart commanding the French and Aluarez Osorio the Spaniards in la Fere hauing for the space of fiue monethes endured all the toyles of warre and seene the riuer within the towne to rise two or three foote by the labour of men La Fâ—re lost had the 22. of the sayd moneth by a good composition some-what recompenced this so notable a losse if the Cardinall had planted here the lymits of his victories But contynuing the prosperity of his armies whilest the Kings are weary and demand rest after so great toyle hee goes in the beginning of Maye and campes before Ardres a very strong towne and notwithstanding their great defence became Master thereof the 23. of the moneth and resolues to people these townes of his newe Conquest with straâ—ge Colonies and prepares to adde vnto them that of Hulst in Flanders In the meane time the two armies spend the rest of the Sommer in light roads one into an others Country Warre in Arthois In the beginning of September the Marshall of Biron enters Arthois takes the Casteâ—l of Imbercourt encounters with fiue Cornets of horse of the Marquis of Varambon followed by fiue or sixe hundred horse of combate chargeth them hee kills all that seeke to withstand the violence of his armes puts the rest in route takes the Marqâ—is prisoner afterwards had fortie thousand Crownes for his ransome filled the whole Country with feare then inuading the County of Saint Paul he tooke and spoyled the towne and some other places The Cardinall busied at the seege of Hulst hearing that the Marquis was taken hee sent the Duke of Arscot to commande in his place As hee enters into Arâ—as the French assaile it on the other side spoile the Country about it and laden with bootie the Marshall retires safely to the fronters oâ— Picardie Being discharged hee returnes to Bapaume spoiles Hebuterne Benuiller Courcelles and other places defeates such as would make resistance and carries away more spoile then at the first And seeing the Duke of Arscot incamped neere to Arras vnder the fauour of the Cannon intrenched carefully and loath to hazard any thing knowing that he was to deale with one of the happiest and most valiant warriors of Europe they fire all and reuenge as oportunitie would suffer them the Spaniards outrage in places lately taken they make a roade towards Bethune and Therouenne bring away many prisoners furnish their places with Cattell at the enemies cost and without any resistance go and campe in the plaine of Azincourt The Duke supplied with eight hundred â—oote ioyned to the regiment of Colonel Bourlote parts from Arras the 5. of October and goes and incampes at Saint Paul The Marshall leaues him there returnes into Arthois runnes vnto Douay spoiles all then returning into Picardie hee gaue the Duke of Arscot meanes to recouer the Castell of Himbercourt who content with this conquest dismisseth his army and disposed of his companies into garrisons Then by the meanes of the Duke of Bouillon the alliance was confirmed and sworne betwixt the King the Qâ—eene of England and the vnited Prouinces of the Lowe Countries For matters past there is no remedie and the Polititians hold that there is no Lawe more vnprofitable then that which tends to reforme what is past The King therefore to settle his affaires and to prouide for the future resolute not to suffer theâ—e newe Colonies of Dourlans Capelle Castelet Cambray Calais and Ardres and with the newe yeare to renue a deadly warre against the Spaniard which might not bee attempted without a mighty army An Assâ—mbly aâ— Rouâ—n in â—orme of a Parliament nor the army leuied without treasure the which he could not recoueâ— without the helpe of his subiects hee assembled in manner of a Parliament the greatest and most discreet of the three orders of his realme at Rouan the fourth of Nouember where the Inhabitants of their owne voluntariâ— free will 5596 spent foure hundred thousand Crownes to make his Maiestie an honorable reception where he receiued the gaâ—ter a badge of the order of England by the hands of the Earle of Shrewsburie His Maiestâ—e desired to deserue these two glorious titles of Deliuerer â—estorer of of his estate At his coming to the Crowne hee had found France not onely in a manner ruined but almost all lost for the French but by the grace of the Almightie by the prayers by the good counsell of his loyall Subiects who make no profession of armes by the sword of his Princes and of his braue and generous Nobilitie by his paines and labour he had preserued it from losse Let vs saue it now from ruine said our King speaking to the assembâ—ie Participate my deere subiects with mee in this second glorie as you haue done in the first I haue not called you as my Predecessors did to make you approue my will I haue caused you to assemble to haue your Counsells to beleeue them and to follow them finally to put my selfe into your hands A desire which seldome commaunds Kings that haue white haires and are Conquerors But the vehement loue I beare vnto my Subiects and the exeding desire I haue to adde these two goodly titles to that of King makes mee to find all easâ—y and honorable The sharpnes of winter had layd armes aside and the excessiue raine caused many inundations whereof amongst others followed that of the millers bridge at Paris which sinking on Saint Thomas night was the losse of three hundred persons slaine in the ruines of the building and drowned in the riuer Whilest they examine the resolutions taken in this honorable assemblie and that the King prepares for a mightie armie to chase the Spaniard out off Picardie behold the capitall Cittie of this Prouince strong of seat and well fortified where his Maiestie pretended to make his Arcenall and storehouse for the warre against the Sranger in Arthois and other Prouinces of the Low Countries was surprised in the day time the people being at sermon without force without defence by the practise of some factioâ—s and the carelesse basenesse of the Inhabitants who standing vpon their ancient
victory There is no so great prosperity but is crossed with some aduersity S. Luc slaine and trouble Two daies after the Lord of Saint Luc gouernor of Brouage and great Master of the Artillery of France slaine in the trenches obteyned that graue and worthy testymonie of his valour from his Maiesties mouth to haue 〈◊〉 that day a most valiant and faithâ—ull seruant leauing his people much greeued and the whole campe lamenting this generall losse to France as of one of the braue Captaiâ—es of his age In the meane time the Cardinall approched vaunting that he would fight within foure daies Yet had hee no inclynation to put it in practise The King to drawe him to battaile preuents the policy which the enemy would vse to succour the place he takes his place of battaile on the toppe of Long-pré a quarter of a league behind the inclosure of his campe intrenched as well to saue themselues from the Cannon shot of the towne as from theirs that came to succor them And to keepe the enemy from sending in any succors on the other side of the riuer he leaues the Lords of Montigny La Noue de Viâ—ques and Cluseaux there with three thousand foote and foure hundred horse The 15. of the sayd moneth the towne beeing reduced to that Estate as without succors it must needes yeeld of it selfe The Cardiâ—al approchetâ— the Cardinall in the morning castes two artificiall bridges vpon the riuer of Somme where through the fauour of his forces and Cannon hee passeth two thousand fiue hundred men amongest which were eight hundred choise Captaines to thrust themselues into the Towne and about two of the clocke hee shewes himselfe in the vewes of Long-pré with an order which in shewe did promise a generous attempt But the dilligence of his Maiesty his courage without feare and the wise order hee presently gaue at his arriuall changed their braue countenance into a cowardly and base feare The King leaues three thousand men to gard the trenches against the sallies of the towne hee presently marcheth with all his troupes to the place of battaile and plants his Cannon to his best aduantage The artillery of the beseeged and of them that came to succor them thunders but they passe ouer his Maiesties esquadrons Our men during this seege haue beene well acquainted with the shot of the Cannon but they stand firme like rockes They tire the enemy with continuall skirmishes the Cannon mightely annoye them the admirable gournment of the Leader and the firme resolution of the assaylants doth so terrefie them as at the first attempt they thinke of a retreat and presently they retire to the quarter where the Kings light horse did lodge by the riuers â—ide The foure aboue named Colonels hauing discouered the Cardinalls Stratageme charged them that came to succor the towne kill take and force the whole bodie to repaâ—se the riuer in disoâ—der and to abandon their bridges The King seeing the enemy lodged alongst the riuer passeth three Cannons ouer the water shootes at them and doth annoye their lodging and remayning all night on the place of battaile abates the ioye which the beseeged had showen by the number of fires which they had made So the Cardinall seeing all his attempts fruitlesse in steede of turning head to the towne or against the French troupes The Cardinal retireâ— hee beginnes verie earlie in the morning to retyre and to take an other lodging on the mountaine of Vâ—gnancourt The King followes him with foure thousand horse and twelue thousand foote lodgeth vpon the next hill and a great valley betwixt them continues foure or fiue houres in battaile before their army prouokes them by his Cannon and continuall skirmishes vewes all their forces number forme and countenance and seeing them disposed to retire determines to charge them in their lodging But it is good some-times to make a bridge of gold to a flying enemie Moreouer it was a great glorie for his Maiesty to haue shamefully chased him away without raysing the seege from so great a towne and to haue pursued him with the Cannon three Leagues They take a contrary way and couer the right wing of their army which lay next to the French with their wagons chained togither they cause their horse to aduance into the head of the army in forme of a halfe moone and their foote into battaillons diuided into foreward battaile and rereward they place their Cannon in the head of these esquadrons in this sort they place their troupes and their baggage in â—afety making a shewe some-times as if they would charge But seeing that to come to the gates of the Citty beseeged they must force through the Kings army which being in battaile did fight with their countenances and gesture they haue no will to attempt this passage and by their speedie retreat giue all France an assured hope to be soone freed from this strange nation which sought to ruine it The beseeged are nowe forced to yeeld to the victors Lawe This shamefull retreat hath ouerthrowne their first resolution Their practises inuentions engins their incredible labour to cast vp earth their many Cannons their deepe trenches their continuall watching nor the strength of the place could not keepe the assaylants from lodging vpon their rampar and rauelin so nere as they came to handie blowes So two daies after the Marquis of Montenegro who coÌ„manded in the towne after the death of Hernand doth promise to yeeld the place if within six daies he be not succored with two thousand horse that should enter into the towne So was it sayd and so done The time inuited the Cardinall and gaue him leysure Amiens yeelded and the Spaniards depart being with all his forces within seauen Leagues of the towne but he had neyther will nor power to releeue them And therefore according to the capitulation made the 19. that the soldiars should depaâ—t with their armes their matches light their colours flying and drums sounding with their horse and baggage and whatsoeuer they could carry-away of theirs the fiue and twentith of the moneth his Maiesty hauing put his army in battaile sent the Constable the Marshall of Biron the Duke of Montbason and the Lord of Vicques to the port of Beauuois where the garrison should come forth who comming to the gate the bridge is let downe and the Marquis comes forth on horse-backe alone but followed by a hundred and thirty horse and as many Harguebuziers on foote for the gard of his person They receiue him and conduct him to his Maiesty who attended him halfe a League from the towne The King was accompanied with his white Cornet wherein were about seauenteene hundred horse and fiue hundred Suisses hauing about him the Prince of Conty the Dukes of Montpensier Neuers and Nemours the Prince of Ioinuille twelue Marshalls of France and other Noblemen in great numbers mounted vpon a goodly courser with a rich caâ—arason and a sadle imbrodered with
thereof for the obtayning wherof he had vsed the intercession of the most Christian King of France of the Duke and Seigneury of Venise of the Duke of Florence and other great Princes as well Italians as Germains and euen of the Emperour himselfe but he could neuer obtaine this fauour although hee offred great summes of money equalling in a manner the value of the said Duchie wherewith he grew so discontented as dying he aduised his nephew the Bastard to seeke by al meanes to maintaine himselfe in the said Duchie by aâ—mes procuring him the fauour of Princes his Allyes Confederats Neighbours and Friends There was much expected from the Dukes of Guise and Mayenne of the house of Lorraine by reason of the famous Princesse their mother who was daughter to the Duke of Ferrara and to Madam Renée daughter to Lewis the 12. King of France but the pietie of the most Christian King and the modestie of thoâ—e Princes would not suffer them to attempt any thing against the Church Caesâ—r prepareâ— to armes Yet Caesar although hee were base takes vppon him the title of Duke hee fortifies himselfe leuies men and prepares for a braue defence Hereupon Pope Clement the eight holds a Conclaue and resolues with his Cardinals that the said Caesar should bee called to Rome to yeeld his obedience and in the meane time nothing should bee attempted but all should remaine in peace Caesar refuseth to obey and seekes the fauour of his vnckles friends So as many inclined in the beginning to giue him succours and there were great controuersies among the Doctors vpon this point of Law Qui filij sint legitimi Some affirming that bastards may succeed being once aduowed to be of the bloud Others sayd that they could in no sort inherit although they were aduowed In the end all inclyned to the Holy Sea considering the coÌ„ditions of the institution made to the fiâ—st of the familie by the Church Yet Caesar fainted not but scornes all that was â—â—tempted against him The Pope excommunicates him and all his adherents Neither doth that dismay him but he giues them battaile neere to Boulognia where many were â—â—aine but more of the Popes side then of his He seekes by offer of monâ—y to pacifie the Pope and Cardinalls but he preuailes nothing His friends by little and little grew cold and dealt no more but by secret Intelligences He sees the danger whereinto hee was readie to fall not onely to loose what hee demaunded but also his fathers inheritance which was not called into question So as in the end hee resolues to submit himselfe and to obteine as profitable a Peace as he could After much consultation in the end a conclusion was made at Faenza conteining sundrie articles Thus ended the warre of Ferrara whereuppon his Holines resolued to go thither After hee had visited the holy places of Rome hee departs accompanied with seuen and twentie Cardinals foure and thirtie Bishopps and fiue â—undred Knights and gentlemen hee fell sicke at Camerate whereuppon processions were made in Rome and the prisons set open Hee past by Lauretto and visited our Ladies Chappell The Duke of Vrbin receiued and conducted him through his Countrie where the Dukes Caesar and Alexander d' Esté with the Earle of Mirande came to kisse his feete The Popâ—s Entry into Ferrara After that the Cardinall Aldobrandin his nephew had â—eceiued the homage of the Cittie and Duchie of Ferrara his Holines made his entrie with great solemnitie whereas he continued all that Summer The King of Spaine before his death had concluded a marriage betwixt his Sonne and Margaret daughter to the Archduke of Austria of Gratze yongest sister to Marie who being promised him to wife died before the espousals Albert the Archduke had commaundement to go and receiue the said Margaret at Gratze to conduct her into Spaine but being readie to depart and hauing sent the Admirall of Arragon Captaine Generall of his armie into the Countrie of the Duke of Iuilliers and Cleues hee receiued newes of the death of the King of Spaine Notwithstanding hee went on his iourney The Archduke Alâ—ert meets with Margaret of Austria and met with the Princesse Margaret of Austria not farre from the same place whereas the Emperour Charles the fift and Ferdinand his brother would haue a memoriall left of their happie enteruiewe comming from diuers parts the which is represented in a table This Princesse was accompanied by her mother being of the house of Bauiere and fiue hundred gentâ—â—men of high Hungarie where the Archduke her father hath most commonly his cheeâ—e aboade The nine and twentith of October they came to Trent and so entring the territories of the Venetians two Senators were sent by the Seigneurie to receiue the sayd future Queene with great honour They pâ—sse throuâ—h the Veâ—etiâ—nâ— Countâ—y in a Village named Delce situated vpon the banke of the riuer of Athesis called by the Italians L' Adice whereas they passed by an artificial bridge newly made by commaundement of the Seigneurie There were in the future Queenes and the Archdukes traynes about 2000. horse and three thousand fiue hundred men all which were defrayed ten dayes togither by the State of Venice Being past Verona they entred into the Duke of Mantouas Countrie There is a small â—owne câ—llâ—d Ostia The Duke of Mantoua vppon the bankes of Po thither Vincentio Gonzague Dâ—ke of Mantoua came in post with ten Noblemen to salute the Qâ—eene There were boates prepared to passe the riuer being all very richly appointed among the rest there was one Nuptial barke into the which the future Queene with her mother the Archduke the Noblemen and Ladies entred it was diuided into Parlours Chambers and Cabinets hanged with cloth of siâ—uer Being entred the Qâ—eene found the table layd and furnished with all exquisite seruices of meate from thence they were carried doâ—ne the riuer to Ferrara where the Pope had remayned since the composition made at Faence with Caesar Duke of Estè The Pope and the Lâ—gats The Pope being assured of the sayd Queenes arriuall he presently sent the Cardinalls Aldobrandin and Saiâ—t Clement his Legats with a great number of Prelâ—ts and gentlemen to meet her They mâ—t the Qâ—eene three miles off euen as shee landed and receiâ—ed her very honorably in the name of the Holy Apostolike Sea and of the Holy â—ather presenting her a very rich Carrosâ—e the iâ—oÌ„ worke being al guilt drawne by â— white horses in the which she entred Ferrara with her Mother the Archduke Without the Cittie gate the Duke of Sessa Ambassador for the Catholike King attended her and presented vnto her in the name of the sayd King a litter couered with cloth of siluer guilt with two white Moyles with rich harnesses and the Muâ—etiers in the same liuerie The Duke of 〈◊〉 Ambassaâ—or oâ— Spâ—iâ—e and withall a Carrosse with sixe pied horses and two Coachmen in cloth of gold At
the Cittie gate called Angels gate she was receiued by two other Câ—rdinalls Sforce and Montalto and led into a house artificially made where she was seated in a royall throne attending the rest of the Cardinals that went to receiue her After this the said Queene mounted vpon a white Steed the Princesse her mother vpon the like wâ—ich were sent them by his Holines so entred into the Cittie being lâ—te The Qâ—eene went betwixt the two Cardinalls with her Duch gard about her and her mother following after with Albertus the Archduke The Constable of Lombardie as they call him after the Spanish manner the Duke of Aumale the Earle of Cand the Prince of Orange the Earle Dietriessan and many other Noblemen of great name and authoritâ—e followed them with a great number of Carosses and Coaches in the which the Lâ—dies and gentlewomen were and in this order shâ—e arriued at the Emperours Ambassadors lodging passing vnder many triumphant arches The Queenes entriâ— into 〈◊〉 The future Queene being come vnto the Pallace shee mounted vp and retyred her selfe into a chamber neere vnto the Holy Consistorie where the Pope was set in his Pontificall throne with the Colledge of Cardinals staying there vntill the Oration was made by Bernardin Lâ—scot of Milan in prayse of the house of Austria and of the happie arriuall of the sayd future Qâ—eene Which done she her mother and the Archduke were brought in and admitted to kisse his Holines feet who receiued them gratâ—ously and gaue them his Benediction The next day hauing bin present at the Masse which the Pope did say the Queene her mother The King of Spâ—â—neâ— marrâ—â—ge and the Archduke were feasted at the Popes table But the Sunday following which was the fifteenth oâ— Nouember and appointed for the marriage all hauing left their mourning weedes for the death of the King of Spaine they put on their Nuptial robes His Holynes was gone before to the Cathedrall Church with his Pontificall Roabes and Diademe sitting in his throne to celebrate the Masse The said Qâ—eene attyred in white glistering with Pearle and precious Stones of inestimable price beeing followed by her Mother the Arch-duke and all the troupe of Princes Noblemen and Ladies was so led by the Cardinalls of Santiquatro and Farneze as a bride vnto the samâ— Church the which glistered all with hangings of cloth of siluer Being placed in her â—hrone all of Gold vnder a cloth of Estate of the same and her Mother with her and the Arch-duke beeing set in an other of the same the Pope began the Masse then the Queene was conducted towards the Pope by the Cardinalls with her Mother and a great traine of Ladies and the Arch-duke approched in like sort being followed by the Princes and Noblemen The King of Spaines procuration to the Arch-duke beeing read Foure personages of the same family of the same name and of the same armâ—s married togâ—ther the Pope did celebrate the marriage betwixt Philip the 3. King of Spaine in the person of Albert his Vncle substituted by him to that end and appeering in his name on the one part and Queene Marguerite being present on the other part She turning vnto her Throne all the Princes saluted her congratulating her marriage with wishes of all happinesse The Arch-duke continued still before the Pope vntill the Duke of Sessa came with the lâ—ke procuration from the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia which being read the sayd Infanta was married by her deputy to the Arch-duke Albert by the Popes hand The Masse being ended the Pope caused the married Qâ—eene to approch neere the Altar giuing vnto her a Roâ—e all of gold consecrated The Pope nuptâ—â—ll â—uiâ—t to the Qâ—enâ— of Spaine the which his Holinâ—sse doth vsually giue vnto Queenes and Princesses as hee is accustomed to send a Sword and a Hat to the chiefe Princes of Christendome From Ferrara the Queene went to Mantoua where the Duke reâ—eiued her very honorably and entertained her with her whole traine being esteemed to be 5000. men and 4000. horse nine whole daies from thence they passe by Cremona to Milan which belongs vnto the King of Spaine where they resolued to attend the Kings farther pleasure Let vs nowe see what passed in the Lowe Countries since the Arch-dukes departure from Bruxelles The Amirall of Arâ—â—goâ—s exploits in the Duchie of Iuâ—llieâ—s We haue noted in the 3. demaund which the Admiral of Arragon made vnto the Emperour that the Duke of Iuilliers was a widower without heires and weake of spirit which caused trouble in his Country whereof they had concluded the vsurpation at Bruxelles but it must haue some pretext A Peace being concluded in France the Arch-duke prepares to make Warre against the States hee leuies a great Army whereof he made the Admirall his Generall commanding him to passe the Meuze with all speede to enter into the Duke of Iuilliers Countrie and to seize vpon as many places as hee could vpon the Rhine and to fortifie them that hee might be the stronger vpon all occasions and haue thereby a more easie entry to make Warre in Frizeland Zuiphen and other Prouinces beyond the Rhine The Admirall according to his commandement passed the Meuze with his whole Army nere vnto Ruremonde in the beginning of September consisting of 178. Enseignes of foote of all nations Spaniards Italians Bourguignons Germains Wallons Irish and others making about 25000. foote and 25. companies of Horses besides 12. which hee had left in Brabant so as his whole armie was neere 30000. men Hauing past the Meuze hee dispersed his troupes in the Countrie of Iuilliers the Diocese of Cologne and there abouts so as approching the Rhine he sent the Colonel Barlotte to passe it first and to maintaine the passage for the rest the which he did at Kerckraet betwixt Cologne and Bonne whether hee drewe downe all the boates he could recouer hauing past onely with 800 men of his regiment and some field peeces with the which going downe the Rhine beneath Cologne hee chased away all the States shippes that were vpon the Riuer where hauing gathered togither all the barkes and boates he could find hee passed the rest of his regiment with some more artillery The Admiralâ— the Earle of Berghes and other Noblemen marched thither and approching neere the Rhine they came first with their troupes before Orsoy a place easie to fortifie lying vpon the Rhine belonging to the Duke of Cleues The Admirall summoned it desired to haue entraÌ„ce to passe the Rhine The Lord of Horst Marshal of Cleue-land and the Secretarie would haue made refusall pretending their neutralitie but the Inhabitants beeing terrefied and vpon promise that they would but passe the Rhine they suffred them to enter Hauing the Towne at his deuotion hee came before tâ—e Castle Oâ—soy yeelded to the Admiral Where there was a garrison of some souldiars of the Duke of Cleues 〈◊〉 hee did so terrefie threatning to hang them
sent to Court to knowe the Kings pleasure touching this difficulty The King demanded of him what a Chanoine of Honour was and if the Duke of Sauoies reception had beene like vnto his La Faye answered that the great and famous Churches of Europe had Chanoines of Honour who were either Soueraigne Princes in whose domynions they were founded or forraine Princes who by their piety haue bound the Church to this acknowledgement of Honour That the place of a Chanoine of Honour is neither for the office nor for the charge but onely for reuerence and priuiledge for as the Prince who is a Chanoine of Honour is not bound to any other thing but to sweare the protection and preseruation of the rights of the Church so hee reapes no other proffit but is partaker of their Prayers which they make there That this Honour should be of small import if the greatnesse of Princes which had disired it did not make it great in a great Church the which being one of the cheife of France as well in Antiquity as in Dignity the reputation thereof haue beene spred in farre nations who haue founded their Churches after this modell That this Honour had beene giuen in ancient time to the most Christian Kings Chanoins of honor are bound to shewe the antiqâ—â—ty and greâ—â—nesâ—e of their extractio◠〈◊〉 but the â—ing to the Dukes of Sauoy Earles of Villards to the Dukes of Bourgondy Dukes of Berry and Daulphins of Viennois which haue beene receiued Cannons of Honour in that Church but those receptions did differ from that of the Kings The King asked the opinion of his Councell in that case and by their aduice he answered that the Duke of Sauoy holding no more the County of Villards should not pretend the rights that depended thereon that comming into France to reconcile himselfe vnto his Maiesty hee would make so small an aboad in Lions as hee did not thinke that hee would stay for so simple a Ceremony That if he should demand that place of Chanoine of Honour as they had giuen it to his deceased Father the Chapter should excuse themselues vntill they knewe the Kings pleasure to do their duties at his returne The Duke was much offended with the refusall of that was due to him and the which they had giuen vnto his deceased Father Neither did hee dissemble his discontent for he would not go into this Church although he were lodged in the Archbishops Pallace nor passe ouer the place which is before the principall doore and when as the Deane with the whole body of the Church went to salute him hee sayd that he had alwaies honored that Companie as hauing the Honour to be of it Being receiued into Lions according to the Kings order command he had many presages of discontentment in his voyage His seruants in Court aduertised him that if he came without other desseine then to offer the Marquisate of Saluces hee would reâ—ent his comming One sayd vnto him that hee should not get any great matter of the King seeing hee was not pleased that the Cathedrall Church at Lions should afford him a little Honour and Ceremony A man at armes of the company of the Marquis d' Vrfe was put in prison vpon a false aduice that came from Geneua that hee followed the Duke with an intent to do a bad act at Paris It was strange in Court that the King had not sent any other vnto him then the Controuler generall of the Postes But nothing troubled him more then when as Varenne among other discourses which the Duke offred to sound their opinions touching his voyage sayd vnto him he should bee welcome so as hee restored the Marquisate A speech which toucht the Duke vnto the quick who esteemed not all the Estates of his patrimony as the Marquisate alone It is true that they loue that better which they haue gotten then that which hath beene purchased by their Predecessors Hee went by post from Lions to Roane from thence hee went by water to Orleans whether the King sent the Duke of Nemours to receiue him Betwixt Orleans and Fontainbleau he was met first by the Marshal Biron and then by the Duke Montpensier beeing followed by many Noblemen The 13. of December at night a memorable day for the Kings birthe hee arose when he knewe his traine to bee a sleepe and departs secretly to get to Fontainbleau before his people were awake Varenne who had commandement from the King to come before aduertise him had much adoe to follow him and if the Duke had found horses readie at the first post they had not carried the first newes of his arriuall He found the King comming from Masse with all the Noblemen of his Court attired all in redde and ready to go to horse-backe to meete him they did walke long togither after their first imbracings excuses Then the Duke told him the occasions of his voiage the which he had kept secret from his Councell The King his nobles werâ— aâ—â—ired in red the Dâ—â—e and his â—raine in black But hee could drawe nothing from the King by this first parle but hee should haue him his friend in yeelding him his Marquisate It is a difficult thing to feede a King with a white beard with words The King sayd alwaies that he desired nothing but his owne And the Duke of â—â—uoy beeing in the Lovure spake boldly that no power in the world should euer make him yeeld to this restitution A free couragious speech in anothers Country not among his owne people but to Villeroy the Kings chiefe most confident Secretary of State From Fontainbleau he went to Paris with a goodly traine he was lodged in the Lovure spent the Christmas in Nemours house He admired this great Court where he sees the chiefe Noblemen of the realme and noted that L'Esdiguieres who had so much trobled him was not so great in Court as in Daulphiné The Dukes presence did increase his reputatioÌ„ The Dukes praises he gouerned his actioÌ„s in such sort as hee freed theÌ„ from the skorne mockery of the Court His wisdom his Discretion his Courtesie made theÌ„ to forget the tales which were yet told of the good Duke Charles his Grand-father They did obserue in his actions Curtesie Courage Liberality Discretion Policy This yeare ended in all sorts of pleasures and sports familiarities and profes of true friendship so as many beleeued that the two hearts and the two Courts of these Princes were but one but there was alwaies some marke of constraint and amidest these embrasings there alwaies past some gird or quip The King who is ready and sodaine in his answers gaue him alwaies some touch to thinke on There was too great difference betwixt the tunes of their humors to make along good harmony But whilest the Court abounds in pleasure and delights Duke of Mercaeur voiage into Hungary in October 1599. the Duke Mercaeur
past the Ilands of Baleares they doubted no more that his desseâ—gne was for Alger it was giuen out that they should be assisted by eight or ten thousand horse-men of the Moores and some Christians But the Turkes who prepared themselues to receiue them would not bee in danger of their enemies and of their slaues knowing that as they could hope for no fauour of the one so the victory of them that serue them is alwaies cruell towards their Masters for this reason and to take from the Christians meanes to fauour this Army they retired into the Towne all that liued along the Sea-coast and did shut vp in Caues at Alger aboue ten thousand slaues tyed with doble Chaines and well garded This enterprise was iust and commendable and worthy of the first millitarie executions of a Prince which must beginne his raigne by some Act of great reputation The Spaniards in deede did promise much and sayd openly that their King would make knowne the affection hee bare vnto Christendome Besides the generall fruite which was expected this attempt made a great and profitable diuersion of the Turkes forces in fauour of the Arch-duke Ferdinand who was at the seege of Canisia Prince Doria the more to fauour this desseigne intreated the great Master of Malta in the behalfe of the King of Spaine to send some Galleys into the Leuant Seas to make some spoiles there to drawe on the Turkish Army and to aduertise him of his course The which was so happely executed as with fiue Galleyes they runne into Morea Beauregard a French Knight had the charge to plant a Petard to the port Chasteâ—uneuâ— called by the Turkâ—s Passana taken by the Galâ—ies of Malta in Morâ—a the 17. of August of Chasteauneuf whilest that Bouillon and Tiolierre also French Knights should giue the scaladoe on the other side Where they entred with such fury as the Turkes who were seauen or eight hundred men could not hinder them from forcing of the second port They tooke a hundred and foure score slaues cloyed eighteene peeces of Cannons spoyled and burnt the Towne and in foure houres spoyled the whole Country The Spanish fleete recouered the coast of Affrick as men were banded against it at Land so the Windes made Warre against it at Sea Prince Doria finding both Heauen Earth and Sea opposite to his desseigne commanded a retreate withoâ—t attempting any thing Prince of Parmas speech to Prince Doria The Prince of Parma desiring rather to fayle in iudgement then in courrage sayd vnto Prince Doria that hee should not suffer so great an Army to returne without attempting any thing the which had no other effect but to haue mooued a mighty enemy who to bee reuenged of a dead enterprise ready to be executed would resolue to inuade the King of Spaines Estates of all sides Prince Dorias anâ—swere The old man answered sodenly I knowe well my charge my haires are growne white in learning it Your excellency are to giue account vnto the King my Master but of a pike and I must answere for an army in the which if fortune hath fayled mee yet will I not that other partes requisite to my charge as courrage experience nor authority shall fayle mee or that they shall reproch mee to haue erred therein A goodly and a memorable answere to shew that a Pâ—ince howe great soeuer hee bee in an Army must onely studie to obey and followe and not lead or goe before the which belongs onely to the Generall So Prince Doria hauing dismissed his Army tooke his way to Genoa chosing rather to giue them subiect to murmur at his retreate then vainely to haue attempted an impossible enterprise 1602. The Popes Gallies stayed at Barcelona for the Duke of Parma who was gone into Spaine to kisse the Kings hands Those of the great Duke of Florence passed to Genoa and from thence to Liuorne Most of the men of Warre came to refresh themselueâ— in the Duchy of Milan wholy to ruine the Country But the Count of Fuentes found a new inuention to make this newe oppression sweete and supportable The poâ—lecy of the Count of Fuentes He vndertooke to make a passage for trafficke by Water betwixt Milan and Pauia and caused them to worke in the trenches to make the riuers betwixt the two Townes to meete The people seeing so great commodities that might recompence all their losses enduâ—eâ— their burthen patiently But the Count of Fuentes incountred many difficulties in this desseigne The Italian companies cast which made him to desist and the people to renewe their complaints when they saw themselues surcharged and that the souldiars come from the army of Algier liued in Lombardie according to their owne discretion He intreated the Duke of Sauoy to lodge the regiment of Barbo in the Marquisate of Saluces but knowing how hard it is to dislodge the Spaniard he excused himself Wisely vpon the miseries generall â—uine of all his Estates In the end these poore Italians beeing in Alexandria were cast The King of Spaines Officers tooke and foulded vp their Enseignes disarmed them and left them almost naked without any other pay then ten shillings of our Country money The want of money would not suffer them to do otherwise the King of Spaine being forced to furnish money to the Suisses and Germains and his treasure beeing almost exhaust through the great charges of this last Army at Sea The charge of the sea army was fiue 〈…〉 Crownes the which did not answere the opinion which all Europe had conceiued of so great a preparation Yet the occasion of well doing was goodly and fauorable The lanissayres were mutined against the great Turke and had stiâ—red vp the people for the disorder of his carriage his carelesnesse idlenesse and stupidity Things were in the worst termes that might bee and they talked of nothing but to choose a Prince that was more Martiall they drewe seauen of his greatest fauorits forth of the Serrailia â—orced him to consent that those heads should serue as an oblation to the people promising to haue more care of the administration of Iustice and the affaires of State Troubles at Constantinople The Citty was fiue or sixe daies togither in danger to bee sackt If ChristendoÌ„ had made vse of this diuisioÌ„ of the reuolts of Asia there had bin no doubt of the ruine of the Ottomans If the great Turke auoided the storme which he feared by the forces of Spaine Sigismond Battori Prince of Transiluania was quite defeated by theÌ„ of the Emperor What pâ—st in Transiluania He had drawne togither an army of eighteene thousand horse and 22 thousand foote to recouer his authority in Transiluania froÌ„ whence he had bin shamefully expelled He lodged himselfe vpon a Mountaine to giue Lawe vnto all the Country Sodenly when as this aduice was brought vnto Michel Vaâ—oide of Valachia and to Georg Basta Generall of heigh Hungary they let sleepe their priuate
Adultery and Incest for satisfaction whereof they condemne them to loose their heads The King during the Processe was often sued vnto for their pardon But considering that in such Crimes it were impiety to shewe pitty that mildenesse was seuerity and clemency cruel and that the most holie and the most iust of his Predecessors reuoked a pardon which hee had giuen to a malefactor falling vpon that verse of the Prophet Dauid in his praier-booke Doe Iustice at all times Sayd that hee reâ—erâ—ed it to the Iustice of his Court of Parliament The Father desired to change the infamie of the punnishment into a death lesse shamefull but longer and more cruell the which the Emperor Opilius Macrinus vsed causing such as were condemned for crimes to be shut vp betwixt foure Walles Hee offered all his Lands to procure his Children that manner of punishment The executioÌ„ of the parties condemned This could not be for that by the doome of the Iudgement the execution was to be done at the Greue where it moued pitty and compassion in many lamenting the youth of the Brother the beauty of the Sister and the misery and blindnesse of them both The yeare ended in Peace as it had begunne in pleasures and sports there was no newe occasion offered but the passage of the Constable of Castille to go into England for the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace betwixt the Kings of England and Spaine The Constable of Castills passage The King aduertised of his passage by Bourdeaux sent to the Marshall d' Ornano to receyue him the which he did going to meet him with a great number of Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Country The Emperor Charles the 5. passing through France admired the great and goodly Traynes of Gouernors of Prouinces which came to receiue him commending them very much The Constable of Castille fuller of these Spanish fumes made no great account thereof and receiued these honours after a Spanish manner The Marshall d' Ornano entertayning him with the singularities of this Realme told him That heeshould see a Country yea a World in seeing Paris He answeâ—ed him That he had left behinde his backe the goodliest Citties of Christendome But they are not so Great nor so well peopled saide the Maâ—shall D' Ornano The People answered the Constable Adde nothing to the excellency of Citties although it helpes something for the strength of the State The Marshal asked him If he would not see the King He shewed by his answer Thas he was not greatly curious yet must hee see him with the respect that was due to that Maiesty Hee came to Paris with a great Trayne The King of Spaine spares no cost in such occasions and thinkes no expences more royall then those which makes his Golde to glister in the Eyes of strangers In like sort his Ministers and Ambassadors seeing themselues so well followed and serued take delight in shewing the greatnesse of their Maister and are not silent when they must publish his power Mendoza who neuer went out off his Lodging but on Horse-backe in Litter or in Carosse with all his Traine although it were but to go to the Church the which was very neere his Lodging hee neuer spake three words but two were for the greatnesse of his Maister saying often Mendozas speech That God was mighty in Heauen and the King of Spaine on Earth An other going out of Rome to accompany the Pope went with sixe Litters six Carosses euery one hauing six Horses two hundred Gromes and threescore Carts for baggage and all for a small iourney The Prince of Parmas Traine was admirable and royall shewing by his equipage the greatnesse of his Maister whom he serued The Constable of Câ—stille did not hide it neither in his Wordes nor in his Traine hee had alwayes some wordes of ostentation to shewe it The Constable comes to visit the King He went to the Lâ—vâ—re and did see the King in his Cabinet he entred with a good Grace but stately and proude the which was sodenly conuerted into great humility for approching neere vnto his Maiesty who was sitting in a Chayre he kneeled vpon one knee and continued so a little longer then hee thought The King tooke him vp imbraced him and shewed him a very good Countenance He spake much to assure him that the King of Spaine held nothing more deere then the preseruation of the Peace Hâ— lets him vnderstand his Masters affection to the Peace and vnlesse that time should greatly force his will hee had no other power but to continue it in this Resolution and to bring forth fruites of great Loue and Friendship the which is firme and constant betwixt equall powers Hee heard from the King words of the same affection then he tooke his leaue to go see the Queene Going downe to crosse the Court where he was attended by his people with forty Torches of white Waxe hee said to some of his Company That the King had receiued him with the Maiesty of a King He saâ—uâ—es the Queene â—nd the Daulphin and had imbraced him as his Kinsman Hauing done his duty vnto the Queene he demanded leaue to go and see the Daulphin The King caused him to be conducted the next day to S. Germaine Being arriued there the gaue notice to his Gouernesse that the Constable was there with a great Traine of Spaniards At that word of Spaniards the little Prince opened his eyes and makes them speak it againe They be Spaniards that come to see you Spaniards said the Prince ça ça giue me my sword Who so had not known that this word came from his own motioÌ„ would haue thought that they had printed in his fantasie the same opinion which King Charles the seuenth Lewis the eleuenth and Charles the eight had had in thier infancie of the English and Bourguignions And if the Spaniards had heard him the strangenes of such a word would haue caused them to apprehend new worke and to feare and beleeue that which the French souldiar saith that they must present Milan for the first tryall of this yong Eaglet The Constable admired his constant eye and his Phisiognomie and was amazed at so great a boldnesse in that age and so much Iudgement in that Infancie Monsieur the Daulpin told him tales in his language and according to his vnderstanding as Alexander did to the Ambassadors of Persia. All the Spaniards did meruaile and the more for that the dore was open for the least of the trayne They see about him a goodly companie of young Noblemen Alexander Monsieur the Prince of Longueuille and the three sonnes of the Duke of Espernon The Constable of Castille past on to goe into Flanders he came to Bruxelles and descended at the Archdukes Pallace where he was well receiued and from thence hee past into Flanders Although the subiect ought not to reckon the yeares of his Prince but to wish him a long and prosperous life yet we
must say that with the end of the last yeare the King began the foure and fifteth yeare of his age a tearme which Cato held to bee ripe and well aduanced whereunto few Kings of Francâ— had atteyned The Kingâ— age and yet it hath nothing abated the vigour and strength of this Prince who is actiue and disposed and as liuely as hee was at the age of thirtie yeares Cares and yeares hauing only made his beard white it is true that now he begins to feele some flâ—x of the gout A disease which breeds with ease and which comes to Princes rather by excesse then by trauell in their youth and which is sooner gotten by the case of Venus then by that of Diana there beeing no pleasure in the world which doth not carrie some displeasure behind it The best course is to repent the euill before they commit it that is to say to haue onely intended it and the meanes to growe old is neither to doe nor to eate any thing through voluptuousnes A great Condition or Qualitie to whom all things are lawfull that please will find this rule of gouernment very hard Great men commit great excesse and in the end they tast the fruits which they haue sowne It is reaâ—on that after a time infirmities should cease and cleere the troubles of their soules as thunder and lightning doth purge the ayre that diseases as fore-runers of death and porters of the prison wherein they are inclosed should teach them that are men and subiect to humaine miseries that they are not raysed vpon the clouds to be free from a world of miseries that are dispearsed vpon the earth and that they should remember that the more their delights abound the more their strength decayes and that hee that doth least doth least harme and passeth the last yeares of his life with more content and lesse greefe The King would not complaine much of that little touch of the gout for that it had beene but gentle and when that after his recouerie the Courtiers did see him to weare furred boots they saâ—ed it was more to hould the greefe in some reputation then for any need he had Hee did a publike Act which hath particularities worthie to bee knowne I doe not forget these occasions for that they supsupplie the discourse of this Historie Peter 〈◊〉 without the which it should bee constrayned to seeke for matter farre without the Realme for of secret things and which are treated of in the Councel of the Cabanet we must atttend the knowledge therof by the euents which time shal discouer and not trouble our selues to seeke out the springs of Nilus A father how great powreful soeuer cannot thinke too soone nor to often to breed vp the youth oâ— his child in vertue nor to assure his fortune I say a child without distinction for although the Law doth distinguish Bastards from them that are lawfully begotten yet nature makes no difference The King hauing determined to make Alexander Monsieur his Bastard Son of the order of the Knights of Malta resolued to do it in time that he might receiue the name the effect The great Master reputing it an honor to haue a Prince of their Company issued from so valiant and couragious a race 1604. sent all necessarie expeditions The King hauing receiued them would haue the execution to be accompanied with a sumptuous and stately ceremonie An Assembly of the Knights of Malta He caused the great Commander of France and that of Champaigne to come to Paris and commanded them to call the greatest number of Commanders and Knights they could thither The King had chosen the Augustines Church for this effect but the Commander of Ville-Dieu being Ambassador of their Order beseeched him that it might be in that of their Temple There were at this Ceremonie 2. Grand-Priors twelue Commanders and sixteene Knights as one of the cheefe houses of the Order On the Sunday morning the King and the Queene went in one Carosse hauing Alexander Mounsieâ—r betwixt them who was deliuered by the King vnto the Grand-Prior who attended him at the first gate with all the Commanders and Knights As the Church was hung with the richest Tapestrie that could bee found so was it filled with that which was of greatest worth in Paris The Princes the Princesses the Cardinall of Gondy the Popes Noncio many Bishops the Ambassadors of Spaine and Venice the Constable the Chancellor the seuen Pesidents of the Parliament and the Knights of the order of the holy Ghost The Ceremonie began by the blessing of the sword and by the change of his habits to let the Knight vnderstand that hee did bind himselfe to change his life and to take vpon him the true ornaments of vertue without the which aâ—l the pompe and felicitie of the world is but wind and vanitie for being aâ—tyred in white â—atten layed thicke with gold lace the sleeues whereof were garnished with rich Medailles a Carkanet of stones crosse vnder his arme a blacke veluet Cappe with a little white feather and a band couered with great pearls he put on a roabe of blacke taffata and was conducted neere vnâ—o the great Altar being accompanied by the Duke and Duchesse of Vendosme and followed by the Commander for the conduct of this Ceremonie Saincte Foy Bishop of Neuers made him a little admonition of the greatnes and excellencie of the order whereinto he entred It is the first of Christendome as that of the Germaines is the second Oâ— Calatraua the third Of S. Iaques in Spaine the 4. Of Saint Marie de la Mercede in Arragon the fift Of Iesus Christ in Portugall the sixth Of Saint Lazare and Saint Maurice in Sauoy the 7. Of Saint Stephen in Toscane the eight This exhortation ended the Masse began and after the Gospell Alexander Monsieur presented himselfe vppon his knees before the Grand-Prior of France with a burning torch of white waxe in his hand to demand the Order Hereat the King who was â—et vnder a ritch cloth of Estate of Purple veluet imbroydred in the midest of the quier left his place and comming neere to helpe him to answere he sayd aloud that he left the ranke of a King to doe the office of a Father The Grand-Prior gaue him the Order after the accustomed manner and after Masse was done as a new Knight he presented himselfe the second time to make profession The King aduanced againe and promised for him that comming to the age of sixteene yeares he should make the vowes and profession perfect The King doth the office of a Father They be the same vowes which religious men doe make Obedience Pouertie and Chastitie Hee did his Obedience in the same place and then being disrobed the Grand-Prior set vppon his brest a plastron of blacke satten with a great white Crosse and so the Ceremonie ended with great ioy and sounding of Trompets The new Knight feasted the Grand-Priors of France
nothing to his seruice but necessitie and constraint These men being wonne doe animate or rather force the people making themselues the strongest in places where there was no gards whereof they were not onely wearied but were plunged in the trust and assurance of a profound peace Who seeth not then but this made the way more easie for these disloyall treachers to surprize those Townes which they had deliuered to the English but from whence soeuer the mischiefe came 1454. this was the remedie Talbâ—t was the Kings prisoner as we haue said at the taking of Rouen Charles had shewed him all the fauour a man might hope for of so great a Monarche he gaue him his libertie without ransome and had honoured him with goodly presents yet he is become head of the English armie which were esteemed eight thousand fighting men and marcheth directly against the Kings armie which made hast to recouer what had beene lost and to preserue what remained Castillon was become English The Earle of Ponthieure with the Admirall and Marshalls of France besiege it attending the King who came posting to quench this fire Talbot makes hast from Bourdeaux with the choisest of his men bearing an assured victory in his conceâ—t and being ignorant that he went to seeke death At the first charge our men begin to wauer vpon the braue arriuall of Talbot but they gather themselues together againe with great resolution to stay the course of this streame Talbot on the other side incourageth his men as going to a banket and not to a battaile he beates out the heads of pipes of Wine to make his men drinke himselfe being drunke with presumption and making his Souldiers drunke with the vaine hope of victorie being mounted vpon a little Nagge but followed by six or seuen thousand men they come to fight The combate was fierce but the English are repulsed scattered and ouer-throwne There were two thousand slaine vpon the place and amongst the rest The English defeated and Talbot slaine Talbot was ouer throwne from his horse and slaine with his Sonne The Earle of Candal sonne to Captal de Buche Montferrand and Anglade are taken prisoners Esparre escapes for an other time In the end Castillon yeelds at discretion Saint Million and Liborne returne to the Kings obedience to the great content of the inhabitants being surprized to their griefe Charles did also warrant them from all losse in this reprise Cadillac Langon Villandras and S Maquaire shake off the English yoake at one instant and open their gates with their hearts The Kings armie goes from thence to Bourdeaux being full of Englishmen but fuller of feare seeing the English lothe to buy it so deare as Talbot had done so as they suffer the French to wander at their pleasure vp and downe the country of Medoc This victory was due to the presence of Charles who being arriued at Fronsâ—c the which was held a place inuincible by force it yeelds as vanquished The English haue their liues granted them with a white wand through the bounty of Charles Charles puâ—â— to death the French Captaines that reuolted He doth not so intreate the reuolted French for the Captaine of Cadillac being taken is beheaded for an exemplatie punishment From thence he comes to Bourdeaux the which was the chiefe place of his affaires but the multitude that came vnto his seruice was admirable they came from all parts knowing that the King was present so willingly do the French obey their Prince There were foure thousand English remaining in the Towne Bourdeaux bâ—â—sieged and as many of their faction being drawne together from diuers parts of the country the siege continued two moneths Charles had built vp Bulwarkes to stop the entrie and to incounter the English defences but there were no memorable assaults The sicknesse which increased in the Kings armie hastened the composition for the Citty the which he might haue forced but that he desired to spare the bloud of his subiects The composition was thus made That all the English should passe into England with their goods that the Cittizens of Bourdeaux should be all in the Kings protection taking a new oath And yeelded by composition neuer to rebell against him their Soueraigne Lord. And for that some of the country and of the Citty of Bourdeaux had drawne in the King of England contrary to their oath the King pardoning the greatest number he should chose twenty at his pleasure to banish them out of the Realme their goods remaining forfeited to the Crowne of this number were Captal de Buâ—he and Candal his sonne Duras Anglade Rosan and Esparre who in the end lost his head being found guiltie of a new treason a yeare after this pardon The Cittizens of Bourdeaux renue their oath of fidelitie with teares and receiue a great garrison to preuent all surprises they build two strong Castels to that end one towards the Sea called Castell Trompette an other towards the maine named Castell du Ha. The Earle of Clermont gouernour of Guienne remaines in the Citty to settle the Kings authority Charles carried this true commendation in the recouery of his losse to haue doubled his army by the good order which he caused to be carefully obserued and by his victorie in vanquishing his enemies not onely by force but by clemencie his subjects by loue and mildnesse So as both the treachery of these disloials and the rashnesse of his enemies with their new attempts were parts due to his victory so much the more admirable for that he doth vanquish when as he seemed vanquished he winnes when as in shew he was lost and forced as it were to warre for the desire he had of peace he reaped the â—ruites both of warre and peace The fruites of Charles his victorie in fighting valiantly and vsing the victorie modestlie to the eternall memorie of posteritie Charles returnes from Bourdeaux to Tours hauing happily finished so doubtfull an action But oh the inconstancie of this world England which had so much troubled vs takes occasion to trouble it selfe for the losses which they supposed to haue made of that which they had taken from vs and as affection is wayward and often blind so it sowes dissention vpon strange subiects Troubles in England The Dukes of Yorke Somerset and Glocester accuse one another and make factions within the realme Richard Duke of Yorke being of a branche of the bloud royall pretended the Crowne to belong more iustly vnto him then vnto Henry the 6. then raigning but contemned by reason of his great losses and of his naturall defects Somerset being fauoured by the King as the ringleader of his faction was pursued by Yorke and so cunningly as the Londoners hating him as the cause of all the losses in France put him in prison but in the end he was freed by the Kings authoritie This diuision burst out into open warre vnder the names of two factions Lancaster from whence