their wounded but the Catholicks in Paris durst not come out to engage in this battel was slain the Constable on the Kings side On the fourteenth day the Prince and Admiral with their Army the Prince of Conde and Admirall with their Army march to joyn with the Prince Casimirs Army of 11. thousand marched to Campagn and so past into the confines of Lorrain to joyn with Prince Caisimir son to the Prince Palatine of Rhine Elector to the Sacred Empire whose royall worth cannot shine through the description of my pen according to the lustre of his native and intrinsick worth who had now for the defence of the Protestants raysed an Army of ten or eleven thousand who in their march took in som towns In this mean while the Duke of Lorrain was created Generall of the Kings Army and the Duke of Anjon Lieutenant Generall now Prince Casimir aforesaid writ to the King protesting that it was not any profit or privat interest of his own that prompted his resolutions Prince Casimirs noble declaraton in behalf of the protestants but only and really to assist those that afflicted and persecuted for the same religion had required his help And further declared That if yet the King would grant them free liberty according to his promise in the last Edict he was ready to retreat A noble and brave resolution of a gallant Prince and a true friend such friendship shall never want it's reward in this or another world Sincerity in affection will endure the touch of affliction But here succeeds a block that must be removed out of the way which the Prince of Conde out of a tender respect to a conscionable performance of his promises did only surmise which was bravely and couragiously performed as follows The Prince of Conde had promised to the Prince of Casimirs Army at their approach to the confines the sum of one hundred thousand crowns the Prince of Condes Brave speech to the Army with Christian resolution to keepe his covenants the present want of which did much perplex the Prince of Conde but calling the Army together he there soberly and wisely related their present condition acquainting them that their generall welfair consisted in their particular assistance and that in outward apearance the Prince of Casimir was the greatest pledg of their hopes and on whose help did depend their future hapiness if God blessed their willing resolutions and therefore it were better to hazzard their private estates for a prosperous Issue then lose life liberties and estates to a bloody cruell and perjured enemie and so excited them freely to contribute what they could and with the price of their present assistance to redeem their lawfull liberty Estates Lives and Families A gallant and free contribution of the Protestants Army with their noble resolutions not to be parralleld So there were two Ministers appointed to receive their free contribution now though nothing could be worse spared yet nothing was more freely given for this brave Comander the Prince of Conde like a pious adventurer with a forward inclination to redeem their liberty though with loss of estates sets them a faire coppy to imitate for he was the first that gave all his monies and plate yet not contented gave the very rings off his fingers and all the valuable riches he had the Admirall chearfully follows this Christian and unparralled example then as willingly follows the chief officers of the Army and so from the gentlemen to the privat soldiers and from them to the footmen and boyes in the Camp There was such joyfull and freewill-offering even to the valew of all they had by which chearfull contribution was made up in monies The Armies of P. Casimir P. Conde joyne foreces Plate chaines of Gold Rings and Jewels to the valew of fourscore thousand Franks which for the present satisfied Prince Casimir's Army who doubtlesse would not let their resolutions stop in a vigorous prosecution of their purposes though they had not had this rare piece of affection and care of their prosperity But it was more the noble prince of Condes care to perform his promis then any promptitude in the Princes Army who wer exceedingly pleased Now all parties being fully satisfied on the eleventh of January 1568. they both joyned in a harmonious conjunction Rochell for the Protestants both of force and affections In the mean while the Pope sends aid to the King of France being four troops of Italian Horse six companies of Italian foot with two French Regiments and four thousand Swisses who were all joyned to the Kings Army under comand of the Duke of Anjou Whilest these things were agitating Rochell declared for the Protestants The Prote stant sn their march beseiged Charteres which proved ever after by the wise and mercifull care of God a good sanctuary for his poor people Now the Prince of Conde with Prince Casimir advance and in their way beseige Charteres which place was now as a store-store-house for Paris and the parts adjacent for it was a plentifully filled with Corne Now the Kings Army encamped before Sein and was loath to put all to the hazard of a battle which did put Charteres to a great strait The Queen Mother of France her treacherous Speech The Queen Mother perceiving which way the game was like to play falls to trade in her old Treacherous policy the only way for her security who used to say She could make three sheets of paper do more then the power of a whole Army To which purpose she sets on foot a Peace which indeed was no less necessary for the Catholicks then desired by the Protestants which may admit of one necessary observation The protestants in the height of their power yet alwaies ready to embrace the least motion of peace That when the Protestants had the greatest advantage of the King yet the least notice of peace was hearkned too and imbraced though in the full carrier and pursuit of their unresistable power and prevalency Therefore it may safely be concluded That if they had had any other intent in taking arms but for Lives Liberties Estates and Families they would never have laid down arms to embrace a peace which at all times they found as a Snake in their bosomes and did expose them to the greatest cruelty an inraged enemy could inflict So that now the Catholicks disadvantage in power meeting with a peaceable though powerful enemy A peace with full liberty of conscience but oh treason and deceit is the sad effects were the wheels that moved to a conclusion of War and so to sit down under a settlement so that the War having continued about six Moneths a Peace was concluded at Lonianieau with the same liberty allowed to the Protestants as was expressed in the Edict of Pacification granting liberty of Religion That they should Really Fully and Publickly enjoy the liberty and free exercise of the Religion
to the King of Navar the King crowned the Princes of the Bloud and Duke of Guise contends at the Coronation about precedency the King gives it to the Duke of Guise the Constable forsakes the Protestants and cleaves to the Duke of Guise the Queen Mother for her own advantage joyns with the King of Navar and gives some liberty to the Protestants which so enrages the Catholick party as presently all former Edicts in behalf of the Protestants were broken by a contrary Edict that no Religion should be suffered in the Kingdom but the Romish the King and Queen Mother subscribes thereunto the Protestants at their request have a Conference granted they meet and confer in a hot Dispute but agree not the Catholicks murder many Protestants in Paris the eight Parliaments of France assembles the Duke of Guise disapproved of it and so in a fury departs the Court and goes for Spain the Protestants deluded by the Queen Mother gives her a List of all their Forces the King of Navar turns Catholick the eight Parliaments meet and with the consent of the King and Queen Mother do decree a free and publick Toleration of the Protestant Religion but speedily a sad and cruel Massacre the Duke of Guise furiously assaults the Protestants at a Sermon and murders two hundred of them the Protestants complain to the Prince of Conde of breach of Covenant and Edict the Duke of Guise seises on the King and carries him to Paris the Queen Mother writes to the Prince of Conde for aid against the Duke of Guises Attempt the Prince in his journey to Court suddenly retires to Orleance and possesses it the first Civil War begins The death of King Francis and Reign of King Charls FRancis second King of that name dying the fourteenth of December 1560. made entrance for the Reign of Charls the ninth and as the first died of a Feaver so the last reigned in a Frensie the legitimate off-spring of his Predecessours disease whose short Reign was thought too much lengthened by the train of all sorts of bloudy cruelties which filled this poor distracted Nation of France whose wicked Reign was also attended with the sable clouds of Flagellum Dei which swept both Field and City The beginning of his wicked Reign had a bloudy ending to the poor Kingdom and himself for the bodies of the murthered Protestants was a Prey to the Birds of the Air and Beasts of the Fields the whole Nation wearing the Pensive Weeds of a Ruinous Distraction for through the Lords just Judgments on the Nation they suffer nothing less than all Roberies Rapes and all sorts of Cruelties with horrid Massacres for the space of twelve years And as the Prologue of his Reign was Perjury and Treachery so was the Epilogue Bloudy to himself and poor Nation especially to the poor innocent Protestants A Parliament sits and the Government committed to the Queen Mother during the Kings minority A Parliament being called they begin the 23. of December Now at this time in the Court of France was Katherine de Medices Pope Clements Brothers Daughter and this Kings Mother who being born in Florence a City of Italy had conferr'd upon her the Government of this Kingdom in the Kings minority for it is well known that according to the Laws of this Nation neither the Administration nor Inheritance thereof can justly be cast on the shoulders of a Woman and yet against this Law and through the negligence of the King of Navar the said Queen Mother was joyned with him in the Office of Protectorship the confirmation of her Regency being allowed of by the Chancellour was afterwards confirmed by the Speakers Now in this Assembly of Parliament one John Quintin a Doctor of the Common Law at Paris for the Clergy pleads that none of the Religion Reformed for so they called the Protestants should any more be tolerated or suffered and desired that the Laws in that case provided might be put in speedy execution but the day following that brave Commander and good Christian Gasper de Coligni the Admiral of the Protestants complained to the Queen Mother against the said Quintin who presently excuses himself and in his second Speech moderates his Plea to the Admirals content The Parliament a little enlarges the Protestants privileges Now the Estates proceeds in their consultations making themselves and the beginning of this year somewhat happy by some moderation in matters of Religion whereby the reproachfull names of Papist and Hugenot was forbidden upon pain of Death which name Hugenot they fixed in disdain and derision to the Protestants and was derived from a Gate-house in Tours called St. Hughs Gate where they met in Assemblies Many good and necessary Laws were then published but with more confusiom than advantage for Laws though good and many yet through want of a due execution by the Magistrates power makes the good intent thereof to be perverted and turned into an indirect Channel giving the people cause to slight such wholesom Laws and grow bad under a good Government Great contentions and private animosities arose between the Princes of the Bloud that is the Prince of Conde and King of Navar who were Protestants and Francis Duke of Guise who was descended of the House of Lorain and now Grand Master of the Kings House who being a strong Catholick was no less a bitter Enemy to the poor Protestants the Queen Mother in her affections did secretly incline to the Duke of Guise yet to secure her own interest and power in the Kings minority carried fair to both The Princes of the Bloud being Protestants in discontent absent from Court but the King of Navar and Prince of Conde with the Constable seeing themselves justled out of that power and favour in Court which as due they did expect and also foreseeing the event which must necessarily ensure having onely the pacings of the Duke of Guise they absent from Court with all their Attendants resolving to right their wrong on the Queen Mothers Regency and the Guisans usurpation of their unlimited power Now the Queen Mother by her subtil and natural insight to secret affairs judged so at their Discontent that she politickly cast her Cards that both might have a good hand yet deald her self the Trumps checking their power that they might not check hers The King of Navar by the Queens policy jointly governs with her To which purpose she makes a new Agreement with the Navarois concluding him in the Government that taking the Title and Power of Regency to her self he should be called and but called Lieutenant General to his Majesty All this but in Paper and Ink composed of a double intent but those that can break Oaths witnessed by God and all the World how soon can they swallow and digest the breach of such Paper-promises like that good Actor in Smyrna that cried O Terram yet pointing to the Heaven and O Coelum yet pointing to the earth
tacit Toleration granted the Protestants which doubtless was as real as his malice to their persons for the sad event will too soon and surely demonstrate so that now the discords of these great men seemed to be enveloped in a good satisfaction of their present conditions all discontent seeming to be vanished and laid aside in the Grave of obscure forgetfulness The King of France crowned Now is thought the fittest time to confirm the Kings authority by crowning him though in his minority which was ordered to be done according to the usual Ceremonies accustomed to all the Kings of France in their Coronation to which end and purpose the King journeys to Rheims and there by the Cardinal of Lorain was solemnly crowned and conducted to the City of Paris The King at the Coronation gives the right of precedency from the Princes of the Bloud to the Duke of Guise Now at this time of Coronation the Princes of the Bloud and Duke of Guise contend about precedency but it was ordered by the King though against order that the Duke of Guise should precede all the rest which accordingly was performed the Duke of Guise hereupon like Tinder to the Spark took fire of Ambition flying high with an exasperated spirit to the Princes Admiral and principal of the Protestants and to make his power greater and to ingraft himself more firmly to wrestle with opposition and to strenghthen his malicious resolution The Constable turns Catholick he and the Constable strikes a League together for the preservation of the Catholick Religion and to endeavour the utter extirpation of the Religion Reformed But the Queen Mother hearing of their intended intended purposes presently Aprehended her own danger by the Guisans growing greatness and what tall Cedars they would grow if this confederacy took root according to their desires she also considered that the Princes of Lorain were unsatisfied with her late proceedings in behalf of the Protestants and would Assist and endevor a conjunction with the Guisans faction to deprive her of her Government A thing she only desired peacable to enjoy shee Therefore to preserve her own Interest enters into a firm union with the King of Navar the better to ballance the Guisans power and secure her self so that in this juncture of time shee was well pleased that the King of Navar and his party should have some power which she resolves should stand her instead against the Duke of Guise and his Adherents Which indeed fitly served for her own ends It was therefore commended to all the Parliaments by new edicts and Decrees No further to molest any of the Religion and to restore the goods houses and possessions of those that only for the cause of Religion were deprived of them The Parliament in Paris with the assistance of King and Q. Mother dashes in pieces all former Edicts for Toleration and passes an Edict that no Religion should be suffered but the Romish and that all the Protestants should be expelled the Kingdom This gave an ill gust to the Guisans palat who being enraged with malice set on foot all their power in a strong opposition of the Government whereupon the Cardinall of Lorain took occasion at the Councell table the King and Queen Being present to speak against those of the Religion and against the Tolleration and Edicts lately passed in their behalfs whereupon it was resolved with consent of the Councill to summon A Parlament to meet at Paris which accordingly appeared at the day appointed the thirteenth of July and then and there in a full appearance of Palament they shewed to the King their dislike of the Edict passed the 28. of January Beseeching his Majesty to force his subjects to An open profession of the Catholik Appostolik and Romish Religion upon such pains as should he adjudged of in Councill Which Councill brought forth an hellish bratt from the bosoms of their wicked desires for now contrary to all former edicts they pass an edict That all Protestant Ministers should be expelled the Kingdome no religion to he professed but the Romish all Protestant Assemblies forbidden in all places in the Kingdome And thus was the poor Protestants banished their habitations and condemned to seek refreshment and abode else where and to this edict did the King and Queen Mother subscribe whereupon the cheif of the Protestants were very much greived in regard they knew themselves free from any guilt that might challenge such hard measure from the King and Court of France to such faithfull allegiance concluding it must needs proceed from some inveterate malice or deep design Therefore The Protestants desire conference and had it granted The Prince of Conde and Admirall being not able to hinder this edict presently flies to the Queens promise which she had assuredly given them but now as assuredly broke so that no redress could be found there Whereupon they demand of the King liberty for a conference between the Ministers of the Protestants and the Kings Prelats To examine the Articles of their Doctrins before the Kings presence being not without hopes by this moderate way to Interpose that if possible some liberty might be granted At first it was not allowed of but afrer second considerations it was thought meet to answer their desires and give a hearing The Pope hearing of this meeting for a conference and doubting some liberty might thereby follow to be granted to the Protestants and disadvantage of his Authority presently speeds away the Cardinal of Ferrara his Legat to the Court of France withall giving in command that the cause might be referred to the Councell of Trent which by him was published The Protestant Ministers that were banished by reason of this late edict and settled their a bodes in Geneva now had safe conduct allowed them for there security in their journy to Poissy five leagues from Paris being the place apointed for the conference Them that were at this meeting for the Protestants were Theodora Beza Theodora Beza Peter Martir and others with the K. Court and Prelats meet at Poissy but break up and no good done Peter Martir a Florintin John Virell Augustin Virnmelio Marlorat and other Ministers to the Number of twelve with twenty-two Deputies from the Protestant churches On the Romish side came besides the King and Court the Cardinalls of Lorain Tournon Armagnac Bourbon Guise and Chastillon together with the Bishops and Prelats many Doctors of Sorbon also with many others sent for from most Cities and Universities in the Kingdom This meeting began the nineth day of September in the year 1561. the Relation being at large Recorded I leave the reader to peruse at his liberty But this conference proved not such a salve for the sad distractions of the kingdom as was expected for the Catholicks resolved to continue in force the late edict against the Protestants so that they were in many places forced to stand upon their own guards against the violent attempts of
but was a plot to cut them of His Oathes being as carfully broken as solemnly made And that which gave the Protestants too sure grounds of fear least a storm should fall undiscovered till unavoydable was this When Ferdinando Alvares de Tolleda Duke of Alva was marching into the Low Countries with a puissant Army to subdue the Protestants there that embraced the reformed Religion against the King of Spains will and desire the Queen Mother ordered the raysing of six thousand Switzers and brought them into France pretending forsooeh that they went for guarding the fronteirs of the Kingdom against the attempts that might be made by the Duke of Alva's Army But see how the light of Heaven penetrats into the dark designes of Hell Letters are intercepted in their way from Rome Letter intercepted the Plot discovered and Spain wherein was discovered a plot for the Protestants for therein was found That it was decreed in a secret Councell to apprehend the Prince and Admirall to destroy the one and keep the other Prisoner and therefore if the Prince and Admirall escaped this bloody Tragedy prepared for them and should try it by Arms that then on a sudden ere they could Arme or be provided those six thousand Switzers were to arrive at Paris where was to remain two thousand as many into Orleans and the rest into Poictiers and thus was the six thousand Switzers pretended to be raised for defence of the Protestants against the Duke of Alva that was indeed for their utter ruin the King and Queen Mother concluding that if the head were off The wickedness of the Duke of Alva the body would fall to the ground calme the winds and the billows will soon surcease their rage Now this bloody Duke of Alva carried himself against the Protestants in such an unhuman way that he permitted his Soldiers to ravish Virgins and one time at his Table boasted the Prince and Admirall and chief Protestants take Lyons Troys and Tholouse for their defence that besids privat Massacres and what the War had destroyed he had Caused to be put to death by the Hangman Eighteen Thousand in six years time And now the Protestants seeing so clear a Plot in the midst of Peace nay that under pretence of safety lurked ruin and Treacherie They prepare to defend themselves by force and stand on their own ground for their Lives and Estates because they see peace is the direct road to a murderous death resolving rather to die in field like men and Soldiers than be cut off by Plots Oh! that they had continued and never embrased Peace may all true Protestants say ere this History ends they therefore to the aforesaid purposes seize on three principall Towns Lyons Troyes and Tholuse The King of France as the usuall Custom is was then preparing for Meaux the King forced to a disorderly retreat from Meaux to Paris to solemnize the day af St. Michaell the Prince of Conde with five hundred Protestants approach Meaux the King and Queen Mother hearing thereof Retire with great disorder and fearfull hast to Pars with six thousand Switzers and other Horse and thus begins the second War being armed on all sides and a generall rising in the Land Now sundry particulars which happened in this second War for our better proceeding in this Tragicall History and for our present purpose must only be touched at carrying along with us the most observable deeds The King sends to the Prince of Conde and Admirall for a more clear understanding of the whole business that we may go on in som order till we come to the rest The second War thus beginning the King sent an Herald to the Protestants whom the Prince and Admirall received in behalf of the rest to whose message they return this Answer That they were resolved to continue the Kings good subjects and what they did was for the defence of their religion liberty granted by the Edict which the King by Oaths had promised faithfully to keep that they desired nothing more then the security of their Lives and Estates in A peaceable enjoyment of the liberty of their Consciences which might the better enable them to be the more firmly fixt in obedience to his Majesties Command The heads of both sides meet and treats but to no purpose But if they should disband it were the most compendious way to their assured Ruin and a plaine laying of their necks to the block and so offer their throats be to be cut by their merciless enemies the Kingdome being full of Swisses Flemings Italians and Germans Hereupon the heads of both parties meet at St. Denis the Constable desires the Prince and Admirall to relie on the Kings word of whose performance he hoped they need not doubt to what ever he promised Oh! that the poor protestants had found is so then had not forty thousand Innocent souls been slain basely and murthered treacherously The Prince and Admiralls noble answer to the constalle To this answer was returned that it was not now time to trust in the Kings word which how little it was kept was too visibly to be read in the bloody effects of the constant breach thereof An Edict being made and sworn to by the King was by the same King violated which was a manifest signe of treachery and perjurie and so perfidious The Prince and Admiralls noble answer to the Constable as few christian Kings would signe to so that they could no more depend upon the Kings word which had hitherto been a snare a sure trap to catch them in and truly they that run may read that all along this sad History the poore Protestants were never und on but when they took the Kings word which indeed at all times proved but the umbrage or shadow of a promise The Protestants never embraced their ruin but when they trusted to the Kings word in a peace being alwayes made with a resolution never to be kept which at last proved a faithfull paslage to their utter ruin so that now this meeting brought nothing conducing to peace for it is certaine that in such a short tract of time I could never yet hear or read of such a constant practise of covenant breaking which all along in this Kings reigne was so often practised as if it had been reckoned amongst their meritorious works as if there were not a God to punish perjurie or treachery And now the Protestants lay their Army down before Pâ—â—is and shortly after both Armies meet and on the tenth of November gave battle and the Protestants received the worst by reason de Andelot came not into the Princes assistance till midnight The two Armies give Battle after the battle therefore next day they enter the field with their Army shew themselves in battalia ready to fight the enemie and so standing some houses before the great citty of Paris they bury their dead the Constable slain cure
and doubtless is a firm pledge of the Kings fidelity what can be done more is not all clear from the least suspition of fraud yet he resolved to depart only waited for a fit opportunity to take leave But the Deputies that were sent from the Reformed Churches complained of the cruelties still committed on the Protestants and understanding of the Admirals intentions to depart they apply themselves with all speed to him and delivering him their books and petitions they earnestly beseech him not to absent from the Court till he had pleaded the cause of the Churches and delivered their petitions to the King and Council Hereupon he resolves like a good Advocate to stay a while and plead their cause But there was another great cause of the Admirals stay for there was on arriers to the Ruttiers of Germany great sums of money for their service under the Admiral during the Wars in which he laboured earnestly to effect But oh I tremble to enter into the ensuing narrative so full of inhumane and cruel bloodshed oh that I could enough bewail the sad fate of these poor innocent souls led as sheep to the slaughter to consider that so many brave Commanders that scorned any other death than like Souldiers must now suffer base murthers and bloody slaughters oh lamentable and to be pittied of all Protestants nay and of ingenuous Papists that so many innocent children and women should suffer for they know not what for we shall shortly see all the Protestants of France in mourning and following the Hearse of their own Ruin in the Papists unparalleled crueltie The Admiral coming from Court with a great train of Nobles and Gentlemen is treacherously shot in both the Arms with a Harqurbuss These businesses being the occasions of the Admiralls stay he did on the 22. day of August repair to the Kings Privy Council to effect his desire which day was the fifth day after the King of Navars marriage but about noon returning from the Council with a great number uf Noblemen and Gentlemen reading a petition as he went was shot thorow both arms with two bullets by a Harquebuzier out of a Window who feeling himself shot shewed no alteration of countenance saying only through yonder window it came what kind of treachery is this It was no news to the King to know his will and command was performed The Admiral speedily sends to the King a Gentleman of his company to give notice of it who being at Tennis with the Duke of Guise shewed such dislike as that in a rage he threw away the Racket that he played withall being exceedingly and outwardly vexed and taking with him his Brother in Law the King of Navar he retires into the Castle of the Lour the King swearing and promising to execute such severe justice upon the offenders Deep hypocrisie that the Admiral and all his Friends should think themselves exceedingly satisfyed The King causes the City gates to be shut pretending lest the Murtherer should escape but indeed was lest the Protestants should escape their cruelty The King therefore to delude the Admiral and Protestants caused all the Gates of the City to be shut except two only which were pretended to be open for bringing in provision yet there was careful watch kept by a strong Guard with a colour of singular care of his Majesty to find out the Murtherer and that if he were in the City he might by no means escape but the truth was lest any of the Protestants should escape this cruel plot laid for their blood by getting out of the City or net of destruction the King swearing and blaspheming that he would not by any means that they should escape which had committed such a horrid act those that durst presume to commit such a hainous crime even at the gates of his Royall Palace The Queen Mother also seems discontented for saies she Who would have thought any ones impudence could arrive so high as this affront to the great prejudice of his Majesty and if ever the King suffer this to go unpunished in the end the next attempt will be on his Royal person But alas alas for a King Queen and Court so to dissemble as if there were no God that could see into their hearts and discover to the World that this was done by the Kings special command and commission as we shall shortly see it was Presently after the Admiral was shot some Gentlemen of his retinue entered by force and violence into the house from whence the shot was where they find only the woman of the House and a Boy that was his lacquey which did the deed finding also a Harquebuss lying upon the Table in the Chamber from whence it was shot but the wretched villain they found not for that he was fled out of the back Gate Fresh horses prepared at several gates to speed away the Murtherer with security and so mounted on a Spanish Gennet which was waiting for him he speedily posted to St. Anthonies Gate where another fresh horse assisted his more swift flight and if he had gon to Marcelles gate there was also another waiting for him Now the King to perswade the Princes Admiral and all the Protestants that he was really sorry and how much it was against his will though God knows to his great satisfaction and inward content he commands sundry to post out into all parts to persue him Set a thief to catch a thief The Admiral shews himself a good Christian and patient sufferer Now the Admiral being safely conveyed to his lodging shewed great piety according to his Godly soul filled with grace and prudence most like a constant and true Christian and faithful holy servant of Christ The Prince of Conde and King of Navar had thought to have departed Paris but the Kings carriage levelled all suspitious thoughts and so turned their resolutions to a longer stay at Court Three Judges to examine the murther At request of the King of Navar and Prince of Conde the King to dissemble with more facility did order three principal men of the Parliament of Paris Thuan Morsant and Viol to examine the business whereupon it was found that the House belonged to one Villimure a Priest and Cannon of St. Germane once the Duke of Guise his Schoolmaster and now a retainer under him That the woman that was in the house being brought before the Judges did acknowledge that a few daies before there came to her one Chally once a Master de Hostel of the Duke of Guises house and now Steward of the Kings houshould commanding her to respect much the man that had done the deed and to lodge him in Villumures own bed-chamber in regard he was his Friend Several speeches there was concerning the person that did it some said it was one Manrevel who in the last Civil War traiterously flew his own Captain a most valiant Commander and Noble Gentleman in the Admirals
Army and thereupon immediately fled to the Kings Camp Others said it was Bondot an Archer of the Kings Guard Now when this confession of the Woman of the house aforesaid was brought to the King he commanded Monsieur de Nance Captain of his Guard to apprehend and bring Chally before him but Chally as soon as he heard the stroke of the piece fled into the Kings Castle of the Loure hiding himself in the Duke of Guises chamber but as soon as he heard of the Kings command he fled Now De Nance Captain of the Kings guard being informed of his escape and no doubt was himself the Informer answered that Chally was a Gentleman of good repute and no doubt but on notice given of the Kings mind would appear before his Majesty or the Magistrates The man that shot the Admiral had commission from the K. to do it Ob horrible The Admiral in danger of death desires the K. visit But not to hold the Reader longer I find it recorded by the most exact Narration that it was Manrevel one whom the Duke of Guise had at his request to the King and by his Commission procured to kill the Admiral which at large is fully related in the Civil wars of France The Admiral now wounded and under the Chirurgians hands dressing his wounds commanded his Son Teligny to go to the King and humbly to beseech his Majesty in behalf of his Father to vouchsafe him a visit for that the wounds lately received were likely to terminate his life and put a short period to his daies desiring therefore to see his Majesty and deliver something to his care that might greatly concern his Majesties safety The K. Q. Mother many other visit the Admiral To which the King in his wonted strain of courtesie answered He would perform his request and so in the afternoon the King goes to visit the Admiral taking along with him the Queen Mother the Duke of Anjou the Duke of Monpenseir a most affectionate Servant to the Church of Rome the Count de Retz a great familiar of the Queen Mothers with Chavigny and Entragny both chief Ringleaders in the bloody Butchery following the King no sooner arrives at the Admirals lodging but he lovingly saluted the Admiral demanding kindly and courteously some few questions concerning the state and health of his body to which the Admiral answered with such a Christian mild and sweetly-quieted countenance with Gods dealing as all that stood by admired at his patience The King hereupon seemed to be so much moved that he uttered these words The hurt my Admiral is done to thee but the dishonour to me and swearing a great Oath saies The K. by a deep oath protests to revenge the Admiralls Hurt I swear I will so sharply and severely revenge both this hurt and dishonour that justice shall have no cause to complain nor the World left without example of my integrity to your deserts And so made many Oaths and Protestations of the Resolutions to punish the Offender as also of his great care he had to preserve the Protestants and the Admirals life against all his Enemies but oh these pretences of friendship will at last prove a smiling harlot that whilest she kisses is like Judas to betray The King further demanded of the Admiral how he did approve of the Judges who had Commission by his appointment to examine the business who answered that he could not dislike of his Majesties care and choise yet humbly intreated his Majesty to let it stand with his good pleasure that Cavagnes might be in Council with them but the wrong he told his Majestie he had committed to God yet desired his Majestie would give order for a strict search and narrow scrutinie into the fact which the King again with his usual Protestations vowed to do and to revenge his wrong as much as his own The K. and Admiral being alone the Admiral declares much faithfulness to the King The Queen Mother and her two Sons withdrew and left the Admiral and King alone the Admiral began to advise the King to remember that he had often told his Majesty of the danger that hovered over his head by some persons neer to him and although he was the mark was shot at yet there was no less hanging over his Majesties head and that long ago there was treason plotted against his Life which his Majesty might please to take notice of as friendly advice and to beware betimes And further declared that now God was pleased to give large symptoms of the decay of his earthly tabernacle and he doubted that his good name would be hoysted up to the pinacle of envious slander by his Enemies and that he often told his Majestie the real Authors of all the late distractions of the Civil War faithfully opening the causes thereof and that he took God to be his witness of his faithful and cordial heart to the King and Kingdome and he never yet knew what was in this world dearer than his Countrey and publick safety all which Discourse the Admirall before his death declared to be spoken betwixt him and his Majesty The King desires the Admiral to lodge in the Loure for his security but was indeed in policy to secure his life and level it to his bloody will To all which the King after such answer as he thought fit with a high voice desired the Admiral to take protection in his own Castle of the Loure wherein his security should be equally envell oped with his own and this he wished might be embraced for fear some sudden commotion might happen from the rabble of that mad and tumultuous people which was a speech preparatory for the plot and yet so much were these poor Protestants blinded in their strange belief of the Kings protestations and not suspecting what followed that they never understood the treacherous intent of these prepared Pills of Hellish Dissimulation The Admiral refused his gilded pretexts of love and care for his ruin A great token of of treason The Admiral most heartily thanked his Majesty and excusing his non-acceptance at present till advice had with his Physicians which when he received it was by them all concluded to be not safe in regard the least motion would increase his pain and so it was resolved not to stir The Count de Retz turned to some of the Admirals Friends in the Chamber saying it were to be wished the Admiral would follow the Kings loving invitation to lodge in the Loure for it was to be feared that some sudden tumult might arise that the King might not be able to appease which was no sooner spoken but it deeply penetrated the Admiral and all his Friends and though they had no proof of reason to fear yet the Admiral desired the King to grant him the favor of a Guard The King grants the Admiral a Guard and flatters damnably To which the King lovingly answered He should
have as firm a guard for his person as he desired Further saying that in his safety consisted his own and that he would defend the Admiral as the hall of his eye having in admiration his fortitude and constancy protesting he did not believe so much valorous courage could reside within the brittle walls of mortallity Thus the King Queen Mother and the rest carried it with great signs of reality returning to the Loure committing the care and custody of the Admiral to the Duke of Anjou one of the conspiracy against him The Admiral and Protestants advised to take leave of the Court and their own ruin but they trust more to the Kings promise than their Friends advice But though the Admiral and Gentlemen about him saw not the ecclipse of the Kings treachery through the deep dissimulation of affection yet the Vidame of Charteres a cleer-sighted and wise man through his foresight of a bloody Comet advised the King of Navar the Prince of Conde and the Admiral with the Nobility Gentlemen and chief of the Protestants presently to take leave of their own ruin in time which was both too certainly and evidently hanging over their innocent thoughts assuring them that blow of the Admirals was but the prologue to a more bloody tragedy which could not but speedily ensue But the King of Navar Prince of Conde the Admiral with the rest of the Nobility and Gentry of the Protestants said That they could not but trust to the Kings solemn Oaths his sacred vows and covenants as a secure harbour from all threatning and ensuing storms besides the late marriage was an evident demonstration of the Kings intentions tying at once both affinity to the Protestant King of Navar and security for his promises CHAP. VII The Contents THe King and Queen Mother by Letters let the world know how the Admirall was hurt to their great grief They order a Guard for the Admiral but is such a one as secured the Admiral or any of his Friends from escaping their ruin The Gentlemen of the Admirals Friends lodged in the same Street where the Admirall lodged which was desired in pretence of their security also but proved their secure destruction The names of the Protestants in Paris with their several Lodgings put into a Catalogue The Nobles and Gentlemen of the Protestants meet in the Admirals Chamber and advises to remove for security from the threatnings of an ensuing storm yet resolve to rely on the Kings Oaths and Promises The King and Queen Mother assembles to take order for the manner and time of the Admirals Murther To colour this plot they order that it must be given out That the occasion was through the difference betwixt the house of Guise and Chastillon On Consultation it was resolved to spare the King of Navar and Prince of Conde if they would turn Papists The Duke of Guise and his bloody Followers force a strong report to be spread throughout all the City of their danger by the Admirall and his Adherents and so complain to the King and depart the Court in shew of discontent but privately lie in Paris to prosecute his hellish Plot and the Kings command two thousand men on Sabbath night are commanded by the King to be in arms The King sends word to the Admirall that he needs not fear for all was done by his command Some Protestant Gentlemen profer to watch all night with the Admiral but were refused the Officers of the City Assemble and are commanded by the King to destroy the Protestants The tokens to distinguish the murtherers from others to be a Napkin about their arms and a cross on their caps Divers Lords guard the King all night The bloody murtherers approach the Admiralls Lodging The Admirall is fearful yet often silenced his suspition by as often reiterating the Kings Oaths Promises Leagues Covenants and Law of Nations c. They enter his Lodging kill all they meet with The Admirall rises goes to prayer and commands his Servants to save their lives by flight They get on the tops of houses but are persued and slain They thrust the Admirall through the body beat him on the head shoot him with a Pistol and wound him the third time whereof he dies his body thrown out of the window the Duke of Guise kicks him on the face with his foot They cry out Kill Kill this is the Kings command The Alarum bell rings to a sad and generall Massacre The Admiralls head cut off and sent to the Pope All in the Admiralls lodging murthered among whom two young children of honourable birth Brave Count Rochfoucault basely murthered The Admiralls Son basely slain his Lieutenant fights gallantly for his life but is slain many brave Noblemen and Gentlemen basely murthered they give the plunder to the Soldiers crying kill this is the Kings command They spare neither young nor old but kill women and children and women with child till the very streets are covered with dead bodies nothing to be heard but sad crys and groans of the dying with cruel shouting of the Murtherers The River dyed with blood ten thousand slain this day WE concluded the last chapter with the great preparations of the King Queen Mother and Councfl ro effect their Plot and yet how they coloured all with a distembling carriage of love too and sorrow for the Admirals condition now in this chapter we shall see the saddest massacre that ever was acted by any Prince or in any Place Thus we leave the Admiral basely cowardly and bloodily wounded and knew not how to have justice The K. and Q. Mother write Letters testifying their sorrow for the Admirals hurt and yet done by the K. cōmand and so lay in his wounds expecting death as the inevitable issue of his Enemies cruelty Now we shall further see the Kings dissimulation and treachery for the very same day the Admiral was thus wounded does the King the more neatly to colour his own act of treachery with smooth pretences write Letters to Embassadours of Forein Princes and Letters also to the Governours of all his Provinces shewing How sadly he resented the Admirals hurt how ready he was to execute justice in the punishment of the a Forgetting himself Agent desiring that all the world might know how much b How much it rejoiced his aeart is no errata it did grieve him to the Soul that any such thing should happen And yet he ptesently after declares openly that he was slain by his Command for treason against his person as by other Letters we shall shew in due place The Queen Mother did also write letters to the same purpose But Christian Reader when thou perusest the whole story then wilt thou be able to judge of this deep Hypocrisie before ehe face of God and as it were against the face of Heaven But to proceed The King orders a Guard that the Protestants might not escape their Guard being their Enemies an intended for
credit with other Princes By this time the Admiral understood of the noise and though he had but ten persons in his house able to bear arms and in his own chamber but two Chirurgians one Minister and two Servitors yet was he so confident of the K. promise as he could not be made afraid trusting as he often did repeat upon the Kings good will to him testified by so many and ample proofs of assurance having like confidence that if the Parisians did but once know the Kings mind to be against this tumult they would soon cease but especially when they saw Cossin the Kings own Captain waching at the gates for his defence But alas he did little think who they were and by whose command or to what intent all was don these reasons were the Admirals Remora's to stop the passage of any belief of treason hid in the Kings heart and it is commonly found that most suffer Shipwrack on the rocks of crudelity and as one saies it is no heresie to affirm That many have been saved by their infidelity The Admiral recounted the Oath and Edict of Pacification so openly and so often sworn recorded by the King Queen Mother and the rest The late League with Queen Elizabeth of England The Articles covenanted with the Prince of Orange His faith given to the Princes of Germany The mariage of the Lady Margaret his own Sister with the King of Navar being done on no other account as the King publickly declared but to keep his faith and to declare his integrity to all he professed which solemn act was but six days old and which doubrless he would not suffer to be defiled with innocent blood Lastly it would stain the glory of the Nation with Forein Princes and States and of posterity never to be believed more besides the great shame as also honour and constancy of a Prince all which the Admiral said he could not believe would ever be forgot by the King or buried in the grave of cruelty and blood And thus he perswaded himself with the Kings faithfulness to keep his promises and oaths He breathed in no other air than that which might gently fill his Sayls with belief of the Kings integrity setting say I towards the cape of good hope but alas alas he sails by this cape to his own ruin They enter the Admirals lodging kill all they meet As soon as the Duke of Guise and bloody Noblemen drew neer the Admirals lodging Cossin knockt at the Gate which he was to keep a goodly guard for the wolf to keep the Sheep he that opened the Gate was presently stabbed as soon as they enter with a number of armed men they kill all they find within the porch which were a few of the King of Navars Harquebuzeirs only one escaped to the Admirals Chamber crying Sir the Lord calls us to him when the Admiral understood it he caused those that were in his Chamber to lift him out of his bed and casting a night-gown upon him he arose on his feet and with his Minister Mr. Merlin in short ejaculations did commend their souls to God He rises goes to prayer commands his Friends servants to shift for their lives the Admiral commands all his Friends and Servants to save their lives by flight if possible and take no more care for him For that he was willing and ready to surrender his Soul to the Lord calling for his Spirits which for a time was lent for his use saying this violent and unexpected cruelty was not only intended for his destruction alone but for the dishonour of Christ and the bloody persecution of so many poor Saints and Servants of God which at the Petition of all the Godly Protestants and the Lord good Grace he had his heart drawn out to the faithful defence of the Protestant Cause through many hazards and dangers The sincerity whereof he left to the Lord to Judge and that he had no other end Then Mr. Merlin the Minister with the rest got up to the top of the House creeping out of the Windows to the Gutters to hide themselves but alas most of them were sought out and slain in the next house yet through Gods mercy the Minister wounderfully escaped as you may at large see in the reverend Author Mr. Clark his Examples a Book worth the perusal of every Christian Presently ascends up the stairs a Germain named Benvese who maried the Cardinall of Lorrains Daughter with him also Cossin the Gascoin Attin a Piccard a Familiar and Depender on the Duke of Aumale one that not long before sought to murder de Andelot by Treason as also Hamfort an Avernois These bloody Murtherers break into the Admirals chamber and blaspheming God thrust him through knock him on the head shoot him with a Pistol wound him again and so he dies all being prepared and armed with Swords Targets and Shirts of male These break into the Admirals Chamber who being no so sooner entred but Benvese advances towards him and bending his drawn Sword at his Breast said Art thou the Admiral who with a Christian countenance full of constancy and quiet satisfaction in Gods good pleasure answered I am so called and withall said young man thou oughtest to consider my age and the weak case I am now in but do what thou wilt for thou canst shorten my life but a very little But he blaspheming God thrust him through the Breast and after strook him on the head then Attin shot him with a pistol in the breast the Admiral was not with these wounds quite dead therefore Benvese gave him the third wound upon the thigh and he presently fell for dead so lying gasping death freeing him from misery wafting him with speed to the Haven of rest and happiness where all tears are wiped from his eyes His body thrown out of the window the D. of Guise with his foot kicks him on the face Now the Duke of Guise and rest of the Noblemen staied below in the Court to hear how things went the Duke of Guise with a lowd voice cryed Hast thou done Benvese who replied I have done the Duke replied our Chevalier the Kings bestard Brother will not believe it unless he see it throw him out of the Window So Benvese with the help of the rest did lift his body to the window who yet breathing laid hold with his hand on the window but these butcherly blood-hounds and cruel Murtherers whom a hundred at once durst not in his life venture to face in the field violently thrust him out of the window into the Court the Duke of Guise presently draws nigh and because his face was bloody and dirty he kneeled down the berter to know him and with a napkin wiped his face saying now I know it is him and so kicked him on the face with his Feet whom all the Murtherers in France feared so much when he was alive They proceed crying kill this is che K.
comand this is the K. comand Presently the Duke of Guise and his ignoble Train of Nobles goes out of the Court crying Armour Armour we have had good success and a happy beginning let us now proceed to the rest for it is the Kings Commandment which words he repeated often This is the Kings command This is his commandment this is his Will this is his express Pleasure The Alarm bell rings to a general Massacre Then was caused to ring the bloody token for a General Alarum being the great Bell of the Palace and instantly it was bruted and published as the cause of this Murther That the Protestants had conspired against the King Queen and Court and were about to put this design into practice being armed to that purpose The Admirals body cruelly abused his head cut off and sont to the Pope by the King Then a certain Italian of Gonzagues band cut off the Admirals head which was sent to the King and Queen Mother and by them preserved with spices and so sent to the Pope and Cardinal of Lorrain at Rome as a rich Present Others cut off his hands others his secret parts then the common rascally rable for three daies together dragged his dead body which was mangled and besmered with blood and filth through the streets and afterwards drew it out of Town to the common Gallows and so with a rope left his body hanging by the feet at Montfaucon These cruelties were the badges of the Kings commands and these bloody Hell-hounds wore their Masters Livery All they find in the Admirals lodging are basely murthered among whom 2 children of honourable birth Now the Nobles and their cruel Murtherers brake into the rest of the Admirals chambers and those they found in their beds or hidden in any corners they mangled with many bloody-wounds and so cruelly destroyed them amongst which number thus slain was two young innocent babes Pages of an honourable birth and extract which indeed seemed to all that heard it to be too great an act of cruelty but what was bad enough to be done was their best deeds whereby they hoped with the help of the Popes Bulls to prove not only pardonable but also meritorious Count Rochfoucault a brave and noble Commander basely slain and extreamly pittied There was basely murthered the Count Rochfoucault which for his great wisdom pleasant wit and exeeding valour was highly esteemed of by King Henry and for the same cause this King shewed the like favour This brave Commander Statesman and Nobleman de Naunce was commanded to kill but for the true worth he knew was lodged in the heart of this brave Worthy and for the old acquaintance he had with him he utterly abominated it in an absolute refusal but one Laberge an Avernois and Limb of Hell one that was willing to sell his Soul for a little profit one that would receive a reward though it were from the Devils hands one that would enter upon any bloody service though his pay was damnation Deut. 27.25 Cursed is he that taketh are-ward to slay an innocent person and all the people shall say Amen The Admirals Son a noble and valiant Gentleman basely slain his brave speech This bloody unworthy fellow offered himself to the King to murther this brave nobleman if his Majesty would grant him the Count's Captainship of Horse and thus was this gallant Count basely murthered by men not to be spoken of for men when the Count will be remembred and named with respect in the Court of honour At the same time also and in the same place the Admirals Son Teligny was slain he was a young Gentleman of great accomplishments both of wit and valor insomuch that the King by his respects and affections shewed to him did do homage to his great deserts even to exalting him to the highest strain of Adulation this gallant young Gentleman I say being designed to such a cowardly death and base murther cryed out That now he saw it was even grievous for him to live in that he was the cause of his Fathers confidence of the Kings Love in that he had often commended the Kings faithfulness to him and so this brave Gentleman refused not this death offered him yielding his life as a sacrifice to their wrath and cruelty and thus was this poor Gentleman miserably butchered His Lieutenant shews great valor and fights stoutly but is murthered But his Lieutenant a resolute and brave young Gentleman having the advantage of his arms lengthened out his life in a stiff and stout resistance shewing that he would do what he could not who like a valiant Souldier wrapping his cloak about his arm he fought for his life to the feeling and applause of his bloody and merciless enemies but at last overpowred with number and strength was as unworthily slain as highly applauded Many brave Noblemen Gentlemen basely bloodily and inhumanly murthered in their chambers and streets At this time also was murthered Collonel Montaumar and Rouray Son to the Baron Des Adretts with all the rest of the Gentlemen that had relation to the Admiral amongst whom were many flourishing young Noblemen and Gentlemen all being basely and cruelly murthered and butchered in the prime of their youth and so cut off from all future hopes of high attempts who as they were the cream of the Protestnt Gallantry so were they the But of their Enemies cruelty And thus fell these Noble Gentlemen that at all times carried so much intrinsick worth as purchased immortal praise After this Cossins Souldiers with the Noblemens bands The Soldiers encoraged to blood by having the plunder free for their reward Men Women and children murthered children taken out of the womb alive and murthered the street strewed with dead bodys went ransacking from House to house tearing all away that was worth carriage and in such a manner as is commonly done at taking a Town by storm and so many grew rich by others poverty For the Duke of Guise Duke of Montpenscir the Cavalleir King Henry's bastard Gonzague Tavignes and other Principal Lords encouraged the Soldiers to proceed to blood with promise of all the booty free for their pains still crying out This is the Kings commandment So all the day from Morning to evening the skum of the City the gleanings of all villains did run up and down with their bloody Swords raging and glorying in their bloody Massacres unheard of murthers for they spared not the aged nor the women with child nor the poor innocent babes some whereof being taken alive out of their Mothers wombs without pitty they cruelly and presently destroyed and in a Triumphant joy they threw the slain bodies out of the Windows insomuch that there was scarce a lane that was not strewed with the dead bodies of the poor Protestants Nothing to be heard but the doleful crys and groans of the dying and terrible noise of the murtherers And as the City felt
attempt what they pretend which reasons for general satisfaction I shall gather together because it is declared by the King that it was for a Plot against him and the Court although it is clear that it was resolved on by the King Queen Mother and Cabinet Council to destroy the Admiral and his Friends which by the Kings Commandment is lamentably and wofully effected to the great dishonour of the King and the whole French Nation and cannot but ly as a blot to after ages and a time there must be to satisfy God and the World for it Now who can imagine that the Admiral should think with a few Gentlemen allowed for his Guard to attempt any thing against the King within Paris there being in the Court constant watch and at the entrance to the Castle a strong Guard of Scots Switzers and Gaseoins and was then more strictly kept in regard of the number of Lords Noble-men and Gentlemen met to solemnize the mariage of the King of Navar and the Lady Margaret and that it is well known that in three hours space may be ready at command sixty thousand men in arms Besides all these Reasons the young Noblemen and Gentlemen that came with the King of Navar and Prince of Conde had no other arms than their Swords and Innocency which latter in the greatest danger would defend them best And yet further to clear all doubts the Princes and Noblemen of the Protestants for a Pledge and Testimony for a Solemn Engagement of their innocency they brought with them their Wives Sisters Children and Kinswomen having no thoughts of any thing but Triumph and Recreation The Nobles and Gentlemen intending to shew their expert skill at the Tilt and Tourney Now if it be said it was after the Admirals Hurt that he studied to be revenged It is answered With what probability can any sober mind imagine or conceive that the Admiral lying wounded on both arms tyed up and hourly waiting when one Arm should be cut off by the Doctors advise that the Admiral I say being Guarded by the Kings own Guard should attempt with three hundred Gentlemen of his Guard to surprize the King c. being so sick as few daies was expected to pass over till God would call him to himself that any should think three hundred so resolute as to set upon a City wherein was sixty thousond in Armes by the first Alarum But doubtless had such a thing been known or suspected he would have been secured by Cossin and his men who had by the Kings commandment environed and beset him how soon might the sick Admiral been apprehended as well as murthered There was never any thing laid to his charge which could be proved by the least witness nor what they laid to his charge had the least mention of time place adherents means or witness so that if it had been proved or suspected the King should have proceeded according to Law and Justice which are well known to be the props and Pillars on which a Kingdoms happiness stands secure But suppose we that all these things had been really true and that the manner of the Admirals death and his Complices had been allowable by all nations yet let us consider a little and demand a reason of the insolent cruelty infamous barbarism and unheard-of bloodshed of those that were thought by themselves altogether innocent of any plot being antient Matrons many Noble young Ladies and Gentlewomen in the flour of their Age cut off so basely and barbarously a number of women great with child against the Law of nature were cast into Rivers before the time of their Delivery many aged persons also which lay sick in Bed Many Counsellours Advocates Proctors Physicians c. that consulted only with their books and the rest sequestered from the conference of any Counsel by the Sex and degrees Why was there also so many learned Teachers and Professors of the Arts and Sciences amongst whom was Peter Ramus that famous man for learning through out the world who stands in the memory of the truly learned as really as these bloody actours render France infamous How many young Students without hearing or pleading their cause were here destroyed by this sad Decree of the King and Council Lastly what Armour was found what weapons was found in any of the Protestants houses by which means suspition might grow to proof Or why was the Kings Letters sent to command the like murthers at Meaux Lyons Troys Tholouse and all over his Dominions such slaughters were committed till the very blood of Gods saints made the Rivers swell and streamed through the streets reaking hot that at least 40000. were slain by his bloody command Thus has this King and Court imbrewed their hands in the blood of so many thousand innocent souls even to the great expectation of some vengeance which in Gods due time must needs break out on that land to the third and fourth Generation if a General repentance do not expiate this deserved punishment Now Christian Reader to bring this Kings reign to a close I shall only abstract the most notable passages together which hapned after this sad Massacre CHAP. XI The Contents THe Protestants that escaped this sad Massacre fled to many Places Some set forth Books of this perjury and bloody cruelty Others flie to divers Towns and Cities and fortifie them Rochel strongly fortified Fourty seven Ministers fly to Rochel and escape The King and Court keep a day of Thanksgiving for this Victory The Rochelois refuse a Garrison sent by the King The French King lets the King of Spain know the War against him was in jeast as well as his Oaths and Promises The Counts Army routed and spoyled by Treachery Monsieur de la Nove turns to the Protestants The unparallel'd Siege of Sancerre yet yielded on honourable terms The unheard-of siege of Rochel Yet had honourable Conditions granted The Protestants fortifye and resolve to sell their Lives at a Dear Rate The King takes Villars and performs not Covenant The Protestants take in sundry Towns The King besieges Sommiers and with great loss leaves it and they besiege it again and take it on terms The King besieges Caussade and with great loss retires the Protestants are encouraged by their good Success They Protest against the Kings last Edict contrary to the Edict of Pacification Their Noble and gallant Declaration Their demands of the King and desire of Peace The King terrified with their Resolutions The King recovers of a desperate sickness A Parliament called and the Protestant Deputies resolve to meee them but no good done A new Plot discoverod Count Montgomery with his Fleet from England is besieged at St. Lo he escapes in person and is besieged at Danfront he yields on terms of life but the King breaks Engagement and basely beheaded him in Paris The Conclusion of this sad History The King dies wallowing and rowling himself in his own blood The Duke of Anjou succeeds to
of Vines herbs red Snails and Blackberries they endured all miseries till famine had imprinted old age on the Visages of Children so that the youths appeared like the Ghosts of the deceased Eighty persons died by the Sword but the famine destroyed five hundred Some Souldiers and Townsmen choosing to cast themselves upon the Enemy than dy by famine adventured out whereof some were killed some imprisoned and others executed The King having sworn that he would make them devour one another was disappointed by a special hand of Providence and a thing no waies expected by the besieged Protestants who indeed looked for a general Massacre according to the K. threats who was resolved to bring their houses of a threatning height as low as their foundation and their aspiring resolute minds lower than them resolving to raze the City into a solitude and to bury his Resolution in their Ruin but it pleased God that the Duke of Anjou this Kings Brother being chosen K of Poland Ambassadours were comming for him and by the way hearing of this siege they earnestly solicite the Bishop of Valence to perform his promise for the Bishop had sworn in the name of the King his Master that all Towns molested for Religion should be free So the poor Town was saved from the fury of a bloody and cruel Enemy and yielded on condition to depart with their arms bag and baggage those that stayed to be free from any further question for what was past with a promise to preserve the Honour of women and maids The King with an Army of fifty thousand men and sixty pieces of Artillery besieges Rochel both by Sea and Land The Town was fortified strongly nothing wanting to annoy the Enemy and encourage valor among themselves In one Months time was shot no less than thirteen thousand cannon and many assauls But alas the Catholicks were too weak to encounter with the Protestants strength and Courage Till at length having endured some Moneths the King Queen Mother Duke of Arjou all the Nobles with the Cavalry and all the Infantry both Swiss and French arrive to this famous siege the beginning of February 1572. of the French Nobility there was the Duke of Alancon third Brother to the King the Duke of Montpenseir the Duke of Aumale the Duke of Guise and Mayen his Brother The Duke of Nevers Bouillon D' Uqes and the Duke of Longueville the Prince Dauphine the Count of Manlevrier Marshal de Cosse the Bastard De Angoulesm the Count de Retz Monsieur de Moluc and all the Catholick Commanders in the Civil Wars and Massacre In Rochel there was a great number of Horsemen and Gentlemen eight Companies of Inhabitants nine companies of Strangers one Company of the Mayers one Company of Volentiers consisting of twenty Musquetiers twenty five armed with Costlets of Proof and thirty Harquebuzeirs Two thirds whereof were Gentlemen and such as had command in the late wars The siege continued with great valour on both sides and great loss to the Kings Army which in the assaults made and often sallies lost the Duke of Aumale and Cossin Field-Marshal who was the first that entered the Admirals lodging an infinite number of Gentlemen and Officers with twenty thousand Souldiers and the Duke of Anjou wounded in the Neck side and left hand by a Harquebuzeir but six thousand fresh Switzers coming to the siege did much straiten the Rochellers that at last having no hope of Relief they grew in great want of Victuals yet in their straits the hand of good was wonderfully seen for in the midst of their wants when all other provision failed there came before the Haven an infinite number of small fishes which proved a great Supply in their needs Which wonderful sign of Gods goodness amazed them the more because it was never before nor since that ever the like was seen During this sharp siege the same occasion happened now as did at Sancerre for the Ambassadours of Poland being come for the Duke of Anjou proved a relief for the Rochelois when they expected none So Articles were agreed on both sides That there should be a free exercise of Religion in Rochel Montauban and Nismes and to other Towns to be in their houses without search That Baptism and Matrimony should be freely administred not above ten persons meeting together and that those that had a mind to sell their estates might do it and live where they pleased Thus ended the two famous sieges of Rochel and Sancerre Let us now observe a little the Transactions of both parties during these Sieges Whilst these sieges continued the other Provinces which the Protestants had in their power they fortifie The Baron of Serignac a discreet and virtuous Protestant and no less valourous did with some others fortifie Montauban and afterwards they advance into the Field with their Troops and garrison Terride assault Buzet upon Tar and many other Places and strongly fortifies the Towns that they had kept during the Civil Wars so at an Assembly held at Realmont in Albigeois they consent to separate to their several charges apart A part of Quercy towards Cadenac was the lot of the Vicount of Gourdon the Count of Serignac governed towards Montauban and Gasconie The Viscount of Paulin had the command of Lauragais And the County of Foix and the Mountain Country was under the command of Vicount Cauâ—â—ont These Commanders resolve to defend their several charges to secure themselves as well as God would enable them retiring all to their several Commands The Earl of Villars Admiral and Lieutenant to the King gathers forces against the Protestants takes in St. Geniz and contrary to Articles carries the Lord of the Place away Prisoner The Protestants to ballance this loss takes in Foreze Montesquian and other places Against the Protestants does the Marshall de Anville appear in arms claps siege to Sommiens the Earl of Candale brother to the Marshall arrives to his Assistance and strengthens the Siege who now with a resolute charge assault the Town but meeting with a sharp encounter were forced to as nimble a retreat and that not without the loss of 300. of their most resolute Souldiers After a months time and five thousand Cannon shot spent the Marshal by his Brothers perswasions to revenge the loss of his Captains and Souldiers set on a fresh assault and having before his eyes lost many of his men fell on himself but was as gallantly repulsed as assaulted The Town now being straitned and their wals beaten down yielded on honourable terms after which the Marshall seeing and considering the Protestants resolutions there and elsewhere concludes it best for him to disband which being done he made seizure and sale of the estates of those Protestants which lay within the power of his merciless cruelty The King besieges Caussade and meeting with resolution amongst the Protestants who did so wast his Army that the Kings Admiral drew off and persued by the Vicount of Gourdon in their
in large volumes now it is reduced and fitted to the time and purses of those that had no occasion and less abilities to accomplish the perusal or purchasing of large Folio's which I think was the grand reason of stifling the knowledge hereof to many of this age Reader thou art here presented with the most horrid Rapes Murthers Perjury and Treacherous Cruelty of a Prince and Court that ever landed on European shore for in few daies all the Protestant Nobility and Gentry with Ladies and innocent Gentlewomen and children to the number of fourty thousand were inhumanely butchered and cut off by the Kings special Commandment Here thou mayest see a Prince besmearing himself with the Goar blood of his own Subjects and at last wallowing in his own we shall here see Religious Vows and Promises no stronger ties to the King and Court than a Rope of sand to a wild beast being gone so far in perjury that the Kings faith was accounted like the Greeks whose unfaithfulness to their promises is become Proverbial that when one would express perjury they termed it Greca fides for though a Creditor had ten bonds and as many Sureties and Seals yet will he find it extreme hard to accomplish his debt so when a Jew is to deal with a Genoa he puts his finger in his eye fearing his Treachery They resolve to have no other virtue rampant than perjury and cruelty Abandoning that part of Religion which ties to a strict observance of Duty Omnia Religiosa nunc ridentur they will wade no further in Religion than may serve their cruel ends insomuch that in one Town which the Protestants kept they engraved on the gate this Motto Roy sans foy ville sans peur the King had no faith nor they no fear And as the Roman Emperor Caligula said of Seneca's Works they were Arena sine calce sand without lime having no connexion so was the King of France his Solemn Oaths and Promises It is a Christian accomplishment in Princes to govern non per timorem sed per amorem as it is said of Octavus Augustus And when any judgment befalls this Nation let them remember that as they made it an Acheldema or Field of Blood so will God the place of his Plagues for who knowes not that the Blood of so many thousand souls crys to heaven for vengeance upon the third and fourth Generation and I could wish that all Protestant Princes would beware how they shake hands with such faithless People Now the right use of these sad and sudden murthers should be to learn us the necessity of being ready prepared for such violent deaths and that prosperity is as diet to us Adversity as Physick reducing to a right tast of these mortal enjoyments How happy will the Torments of cruelty be when our cyes are fixed by faith on an Eternal inheritance linking our selves in that golden Chain of Salvation which extends from Eternity to Eternity Death comes not unexpected when a soul is interessed in Christ our Saviour how necessary is it for us to live ready to dy He that too closely hugs transitories makes a rent in his constancy and a greater in his soul How can a Christians Judgement but be at nonage when he values not the true worth of Celestials but puts them in the ballance with Terrene things He indeed hath found the Philosophers stone that can turn all events into a Subjection to Gods Will. It was the gratious words of Holy Greenham having food and rayment let us take the rest as an overplus these poor Souls had no other warning peice to dy than sudden and violent deaths that like the flying fish reported to be in great hazzard by the Shark and Dolphin in the Sea yet when advanced into the air to escape he is by Birds of prey in no less danger so were these poor Saints of God in War hazardous in Peace undone What shall we say of that Religion which perjury cruelty blood and the greatest cruelties are reckoned as virtuous Jewels in the Crown of their Government they are sweet when seasonable and parallel to their murtherous Hearts and it must needs presage ruin to that Nation that stands on no other Pillars for their foundation than bloody and infamous Plots and Treachery who will not conclude that Nation lies level to justice and I wish the large field of Liberty allowed the Papists in England to walk in may not insensably grow our inavoidable and swift ruin since it is well known by all how they wait for our destruction But to contract let me intrea◠〈…〉 my sincere and publick intentions which is all I adopt to be mine and that ex abundanti amoris out of the surplusage of Love thou wilt waft my Endeavours to the Haven of thy kind embraces where I cast Anchor and rest Reader these Books following are printed for and are to be sold by Richard Tomlins at the Sun and Bible neer Py-Corner THe General Practice of Physick Folio Drummonds Hist of 5. Kings of Scotl. fol. The Fortune Book in fol. English Pleasant Notes upon Don Quixot Fol. Mr Collings Cordials 1st 2d 3d. part quarto His Vindiciae Ministerii quarto His answer to Mr Sheppard quarto His answer to Fisher and Hammond quarto His answer to Boatman Prin Humfries qua Dr Holdsworths one and twenty Sermons quar Euclides Elements in quarto Eng. History of seven Champions quarro Packet of Letters quarto Cupids Messengers quarto The birth of Mankind or Womens book quar The perfect Pharisee under Monkish holines qu. The false Jew quarto Mr Collings 5 lessons for a Christian to learn 8. His Faith and Experience octavo Mr Wincolls Poems octava Excellency of Christ octavo Erasmus Colloquies octavo Wings and Libourns Urania Practica octavo Velitationes Polemicae octavo Janua Linguarum octavo Brinsley's Cordelius octavo Mr Sidenham's Mystery of Godliness octavo Mr Sidenham's hypocrisie discoved octavo Paul Hobson's last book of Queries octavo Watson's untaught Bridegroom twelves Place this fol i Men quartered Aliue Roasted on a spit Rauishing woomen Burning men Aliue Beating mens Braines out Ripping vp woomen w th Child Cutting Throats 300 protestants Murthered in a Church Stabbing with daggers Men Cutt in peeces The Civil Wars of France CHAP. I. The Contents THe Reign of Charls the ninth A Parliament called the Government committed to the Queen Mother during the Kings minority the names of Hugonet and Papist forbid on pain of death Prince of Conde and King of Navar in discontent departs the Court the King of Nevar made Lieutenant General and joyntly interessed in the Government with the Queen Mother the Princes desire a Toleration of Religion for the Protestants which is privately granted the Protestants multiply and the Princes protect them demanding the Queens promise for Toleration the Protestants that were in Prison for Religion freed by a Decree of the Council the Duke of Guise surrenders the Keys of the Palaces
which when one of the Spectators saw in anger he said to the company This fellow has made a Solicism spoken as it were false Greek with his hand And indeed here it was so with the Queen Mother too many Leagues being betwixt her heart and her mouth for we shall ere long see these two parties the Princes of the Bloud and Duke of Guise and Queen Mother make greater wounds in a short time than Ages can afterwards cure The Prince of Conde we must understand was now at liberty and freed from the unjust Sentence against him in the Reign of Francis the second which was for some pretended Fact but indeed was for his Religion sentenced to be executed but the Kings death prevented it The Protestant Princes desire a Toleration The Prince of Conde and King of Navar with the Admiral and other principal of the Protestants desire of the Queen Mother a Toleration for their Religion but the Queen Mother now tottering between these two Factions of the Princes of the Bloud and Guisans counted all things below the present danger of either parties getting power and so thought it not fit therefore to deny their request telling them withall that it could not yet publckly be granted by her to the content and satisfaction of all therefore she would secretly promise them her best way of bargaining that she governing by common consent with the King of Navar would by indirect by ways so work under hand upon emergency of occasions which might daily occur that at last it should incensibly yet assuredly come to pass to their own desire which says she suddenly proclamed might render you in danger and my self out of power to help you These things the Queen Mother promised being forced by necessity and dissembling pollicy for her own safety and security but it is ill making a fast Bargain with a loose Merchant nothing by her being less intended than really promised for she thought it fit and convenient for preservation of her Son's and own interest not wholly to put under hatches nor quite to extinguish the power of the Duke of Guise who was an apt weight to ballance and counterpoise the Power of the Princes of the Bloud desiring to carry it so to both that she might displease neither till she had a sure staff of the one and the other no power lest to oppose hers which at last answered her hellish Plot so that reserving many things to the benefit of time and future industry she left no stone unrolled to provide for time to come and to remedy the present Distractions The Protestants increase and the Princes of the Bloud protect them and presses the Queen Mother for her promise of Toleration Now the goodness of God in converting many to the Protestant Religion appears in a great and vast multiplication of the Professours thereof the King of Navar and Prince of Conde with the Admiral protects and defends them who earnestly presses the Queen Mother to perform her Promises for a free Toleration of their Religion she findes many nice excuses and well-spun pretences to evade the dint of their resolute desires and her absolute promise endeavouring by most subtile arts of perswasion to put off the performance of her Promise till a seasonable oportunity offered to ripen her Designs But the King of Navar daily pressed forward and grew more and more earnest for the speedy effecting of it and he did so publickly reason their case that many of the Kings Council yielded to the force of his Arguments disbanding their former Reasons on the contrary for the King of Navar alleged that it pittied his soul to see so many Protestants and the Kings true Subjects scattered from their peaceable habitations for fear of death and danger and did further profess it did deeply penetrate his heart with an abhortency to think of any more effusion of blood Amongst those of the Religion were many of pregnant wit and Christian courage that with small Tracts in Print dispersed as also with sober Petitions seasonably presented did at last help forward their desires to a speedy Grant A Decree for Release of all Protestants that were imprisoned for their Religion The Queen being now forced to yield gave way by a Decree of the Council at Fontainbleau the 28. of January 1560. That the Magistrates should release all such Prisoners as stood committed for matters of Religion to their former freedom prohibiting all Reproaches of either party with Heretick or Papist To search no mans house The Protestants by this being not fully authorized by a full Toleration and free Exercise of their Religion yet were somewhat satisfied by this seeming Inclination thereunto at least being protected from the present violence daily threatned The Queen Mother would not suppress their power yet would she depress their growth The King of Navar has the Keys of the Palace delivered to him which his great Enemy the Duke of Guise kept Now the King of Navar falling short of the full Grant of the Queens Promise proceeds further to a full Grant which she had secretly made to him requiring that as he was the Kings Lieutenant General the Keys of the Palace might be assigned to him which the Duke of Guise as Grand Master always and at this day kept The Queen as she was loath to offend the Duke of Guise and his party who with the Duke of Lorain upheld the Catholick Cause and Religion so was she as carefull to please the King of Navar and Protestant Princes till time gave a more secure season to bring about her desires for her desire was to be firmly seated betwixt them both by a plausible carriage to either and keeping them both dependents to her power and both equal in strength that neither might have encouragement to murmour To which purpose she is the more willing to favour the King of Navar in his request by reason at this time she findes the power of the Duke of Guise a Pin higher than the Princes of the Bloud and invested with more power than jumped with her purposes she conceived this a fit oportunity to pull down the Guisans power to an equal ballance with the Princes of the Bloud which suiting with her own interest she willingly executed their growth at this time being high and insolent and at all times of an aspiring nature as that they could not be content to fit under the Pent-house of their present power but must suddenly aspire to the pitch of their ambitious aim So the Queen caused the Keys of the Palace to be delivered into the custody of the Kings Lieutenant General the King of Navar. At this the Duke of Guise is highly enraged whose pride findes no bounds but reserved and secret revenge waiting for a fit oportunity to desplay his envenomed hate so that he dissembles his inveterate anger and malice he bore to the Princes of the Bloud and Admiral so he onely makes some shew of discontent for the
the Catholicks cruelty This made the Papists take up couragious resolutions Mutining in divers places A mutinie in Paris and many Protestants stoned and distroyed with fire and sword especially at Paris where the poor Protestants through the violence of cruell and bloody men suffered the enemies persecution with stones staves swords and in their return they set fire on the Suburbs of St. Marceau At St. Medard they Ring the Alarum Bell they kill and wound many others they take and hang One Gabaston Knight of the warch lost his head for atempting to appease the people so suffered some others also The whole Kingdom being full of broils and in a civil flame of combustions that it seemed to all spectators as if the whole Land was turned upside down And thus were the poor Protestants at the merciless cruelty of their malitious Enemies Hereupon the Queen Mother fearing this might disquiet and annoy her Regency An Assembly of eight Parliaments and endanger the tranquillity of the Kingdom during the Kings Minority Especially fearing the Duke of Guise should be too powerfull she therefore causes to be Issued out orders for calling and assembling of the eight Parlaments of France with the Princes of the Blood Noblemen and they of the Privye Councill to consider of the estate of all the Provinces and to consult about a way to heal these breaches to her content and lasting peace of the Kingdom she knew this was the ready way to enjoy her power which must necessarily fall if either party rise if either partie prevailed in a successive power they would too soon give a pull at hers the Duke of Guise in A Rage departs the Court for Spain The Duke of Guise and his confederate Catholiks was so swelled at the heart That his breast the Poyson of his purposes could not be contained within the limits of moderation But like a rapid Torrent bandies against this course And as water cast upon lime burns inwards till it breaks without into a flame so this cruel Duke foaming with malice and cherishing those furies that Hell would cast out disaproves of this Assembly and openly enveighs against the King of Navar the Prince of Conde Admiral and chief of the Protestants and so in discontent departs the Court for Spain there to plott for effecting a tragicall and more bloody effusion of Protestant blood then by his presence could be effected in the French Court. Whereupon the Queen Mother still to strengthen hir self betwixt these two factions dissembles hir secret intentions and gives out publickly an inclination to cleav to the Protestants which indeed did astonish all that heard thereof Nay she did so hipocritically mannage her secrefie That the Admirall and all the Chief Protestants could give no other interpretation of her carriage then Reality and she the more effectually to penetrate into their perswations more to confirm their credulous opinion and perfectly to blind their eies she declares her carriage to he the bottom of her intentions the Protestants deluded by the Queens dissembling gives her A list of all their forces So making her impious treachery turn treason parent The Protestants believing all true she said were so farr deluded into a firm belief thereof That they gave her a list of two thousand one hundred and fifty Protestant churches who by their Deputies offered their Goods and persons to the King to withstand the force of the Guisants who had invited the Spaniards into France And thus with this deep dissimulation covered with fair pretexts the Protestants were drawn in to discover their strength which when shee collected her desires were satisfied with this handsome dissimulation But none could know it but the eternall and alseeing eye of God for she had so carried it that the very Catholick party thought all as reall as it was Hypocriticall At this time the King of Navar being not fully fixed in the firmament of an established mind the King of Navar turns Catholick The Reverend servant of Christ Theodora Beza laboured much to bring him to a right understanding of the truth but he like a carnall pollititian replies quod pellago se non ita commissurus esse quin quando libere pedem referre possit That he would launch no further into the deeps then he might with safety return again And so he fully declares for the Catholicks which by a little dispondency of Spirit did weaken the Protestants and strengthen the Guisants But now like lightening before death wee shall see a greater part of bloody treacherie then ever was acted in any Christian Nation For In this year 1561. mens Spirits were so malitiously bent that they were redy to receive any fire of commotion The Protestants have no security nor safety for lives or goods there was great danger for these poor Christians that professed the name of the Lord yet like palme the more depressed the more they grew like trees upon high Mountains though under the power and in the cie of the greatest storms and gusts yet are more firmly rooted then those that grow in fruitfull valies so these poor Saints of God through their affliction did increase more and more whereupon did arise to them great troubles and persecutions in regard the late edict against them gave courage to the Catholicks to persecute them by Authority by which also it did frustrate their more publick meeting And Here it is to be taken notice of That formerly the custome in France of pounishing the Protestants was besides their estates seased on for the Kings use their bodies were to be burned at the Tyrannicall request of their Lords and nobillity but now God who is rich in mercy has freed his poor servants from the unheard of and slavish bondage and given a little more liberty though against the will of his and their adversaries The eight Parliaments meets with the King and Queen Mother And now according to the forementioned order of the Queen the eight Paliaments of France meets where was present with them the King and Queen Mother and thus this great Assembly of Estates from all the Provinces meets at St. Germans in Lay near to the City of Paris where with the Royal assent of Charls the ninth Was that famous and so much celebrated edict brought forth wherein there was great Liberty to the weary Protestants that was so tossed up and down which indeed had proved more happy then I can express if they might have enjoyed the benefit of performance with as much liberty as it promised The eight Parliaments with the King and Queen decree A liberty for the Protestants but speedily a sad and cruel Massacre of 30. thousand Protestants The contents of this edict which did Invest the Protestants with these privileges were A free liberty to enjoy profess and exercise their Religion To have Assemblies and publick meetings at sermons But without the Towns and in the Subburbs onely This Edict crossing that which was made in
July last took date the seventh of January which for the great liberty it gave the present freedom from persecution and hope of peace to all the Nation was commonly called by the name of the edict of January But Alas alas wee shall too soon see the sad effects of this edict for instead of bringing forth the peaceable fruits of a desired and expected tranquillity it brought forth such a sad Perisian Massacre as it may well be termed a monster of nature wherein was such a slaughter of poor Protestants as for the horidness of the fact it is not to be parrelled For before wee come to the end of this sad History wee shall see such a slaughter of Noble gentelmen Gallant souldiers poor Ladies and Gentlewomen and other innocent souls as in three dayes were no less slain then ten thousand whereof 500. were Noblemen Gentlemen and Ladies that were invited to Paris by the Kings dissimulation and treacherous bayt to their sad ruin And in other parts of France in ten dayes by the Kings own commandement were Murtherd most inhumanly thirty thousand Innocent Soules besides what the wars destroyed Such were the sad effects of solemn engagements as if there were no other way of keeping Covenant then by breaking it Nay this edict of peace was by the Kings command and so was the Masacre Oh! that it may stand as a Pyramide to all Nations to be ware how they Make a Peace with those that know no way of Lawfull keeping but unlawfull breaking their most sacred and solemn Oathes promises and engagements This edict being proclaimed did much trouble and dismay the Principal Catholicks setting them all on fire with rage and malice But the greatest enemies the Protestants had were the Duke of Guise King of Navar the Constable and Cardinalls the Queen also was a secret enemie and Ianus like had two faces One full of the greatest dissemulation that ever was found in a female sex taking their parts onely with fair words before their faces yet had the foulest heart wicked inventions as could be imagined And so to support her own power between the indifferent state of the Princes of the blood and the Guisans The Queen Mother being now returned to Fontanbleav Assures the Prince of Conde by all the protestations of Reality that her intentions was no less resolute to preserve the Edict of pacification for their good then it was to secure her own life and so likewise protested to the King of Navar and Duke of Guise that she would never forsake the Catholick partie Now what a wonderfull art of dissimulation was this Queen arrived too what depth of deceit lay hid in her breast which she so ordered by fair pretences that the Protestants that had cause and the Catholicks that had no cause of mistrust yet both alik doutbed of her Reality The Duke of Guise aforesaid being at Spain was absent from this Assembly of estates Asad Massacre of the Protestants at Vassay where the Duke of Guise blaspheming fell on them at a sermon and murthered 200. which was the begining of the first Civil war and consequently affented not to this famous Edict granted by the King Queen and eight Parliaments But he no sooner heard of it but his wonted malice begins to work it is not to be conceived or imagined how full loaden he was which malice and venemous intentions of Injurie to the poor Protestants and so boyling with incredible sorrow at this decree in their behalfs he resolves to wreak his furie on their Innocency He therefore with the constable Cardinal many Gentlemen of the prime Catholicks and two squadrons of Lances advances towads Paris Now as they march from Ianuile to Vassay a little Town in Campagne comming neer and understanding the bell was ringing to Sermon he draws nigher and whilst the poor Protestants were serving God in his holy Ordinances in a barn he furiously sets upon them crying Death of God kill those Huguenots Whereupon he murthered to the number of two hundred men and weomen some had their heads cleft in two others their hands and heads cutt off so that the walls and Galleries of the barn were died with the blood of the slain The Duke with his sword drawn stood among them charging his men to kill without sparing The faithfull Minister of Gods Word was brought to the Duke who cursing called for the Provost and commands him to be hanged on a Gibbot yet through Gods mercy he was released at the request of the Prince of Portion this sad murder we shall shortly see will produce sad effects The Protestants complain to the Prince of Conde of the Breach of the Edict and demands justice of the King Those that were the principal of the Protestants were Lewis of Bourbon of the Bloud Royal commonly called Prince of Conde after the name of a certain Town which Prince was of great force with the King in regard of his alliance so that when the Duke of Guise attempted the breach of the famous Edict endeavouring the utter ruine thereof especially in his bloudy cruelty at Vassey which coming to the hearing of the Admiral and his Brother Francis de Andelot Captain of the Fantery and other Princes Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Protestants they flock daily in heaps with Complaints to the Prince of Conde of the outragious malice and violent attempt of the Duke of Guise against their Brethren the Protestants demanding also of the King Justice for that bloudy Breach of his special Edict and Command The Duke of Guise to countenance his wicked intentions seizes on the King and carries him to Paris Presently after the Duke of Guise arrives at Paris with his bloudy Train and thought it not unfit for carrying on of his Design to get the King into his power that what afterwards he did might be in the Kings name well knowing what great Authority the name of the King would carry in France Whereupon he with the Constable and Marshall of St. Andres seizes on the Kings person and so carries him from Fontanbleau to Paris and there fell a defacing and overthrowing the places where the Protestants used to assemble which so encouraged the Romish party that in every place they abused the Protestants as the most cruel barbarous would blush to act The Queen Mother by Letters desires the Prince of Conde's help for the King and her assistance Hereupon the Queen Mother fearing the power and fierce pride of the Guisans makes a virtue of necessity and writes with her own hand to the Prince of Conde which Letters were produced by the Prince and at the Assembly of the Princes of Germany at Frankford holden under Ferdinand the Emperour were openly read the Contents were Earnestly to intreat his speedy succour and in so great danger and distress not to forsake her but to account both the Mother and the children meaning her self the King and his brethren as committed to his faith and natural kindness desiring
him that he would with all carefull speed powerfully to provide for their common safety assuring him that she would imprint his willing care into the Kings minde that he should never be a loser by it The Prince of Conde possesses Orleans The Prince of Conde being on his journey to Court news was brought him in the way how things were carried That they had taken the King and brought him to Paris Then presently the Admiral advances towards him and overtaking him they make a stand and there consulted what to do whereupon seeing their own danger the Duke speedily hasted to Orleans and possessed it And this was the beginning of the first Civil War CHAP. II. The Contents THe Prince of Conde publishes a Manifesto laying down the Reasons of taking Arms. Burges and Orleans are the Potestants refuge The King declares against the Prince The Armies meet but engage not The Prince and Admiral dispose of their Armies into Garisons The Kings Army takes and sacks some Towns takes Burges on conditions The Queen Mother unmasks her self causing the Protestants to be proclamed Rebels The Prince and Admiral delivers up Roan Diep and Haverdegrace to Queen Elizabeth of England The Kings Army besieges Roan where the King of Navar is slain and the City stormed and sacked for three days together with cruel murdring De Andelot joynswith the Admiral The Prince of Conde and Admiral advances to the City of Paris The Kings Army advances for defence of the City The Protestants march toward Normandy to receive Queen Elizabeths supplies The Kings Army follows them they joyn Battel where both Generals are taken Prisoners The Admiral with his Army marches to Normandy The Duke of Guise with the Kings Army besieges Orleans the Duke slain before it The Admiral returns from Normandy and enters Orleans A Treaty is begun and Peace concluded at Orleans with free liberty for Religion which is publickly proclamed THe Divisions thus increasing made way to erect a Theatre for a sad Tragedy for the Prince of Conde published a Manifesto and sent Letters also to the King Parliament of Paris Protestant Princes of Germany and to all other Christian Princes The Prince of Conde prints a Manifesto of the grounds of his proceedings The Reasons laid down by the Prince of Conde for his taking Arms. were these The defence of the famous Edict of Toleration which was made by the King being the high Road to Peace if duly observed which could not but be kept without horrible breach of faith and assured ruine of the French Nation in regard there were so many of the Nobility and Gentry of the Nation that were Protestants and daily came in to the Religion And those of Noble birth that were in power dignity or otherwise above others thought it not meet to suffer the cruel punishments and Massacres daily inflicted on some and threatned to others since God had given them power to help themselves And further it was declared that the Duke of Guise a new-come Foreiner translated from the Forests of Lorain should usurp such power in France such dominion and command as the Princes of the Bloud must lose their proper interests to be his slaves and vassals against all the Laws of the Nation further declaring That if the King should cause an observation of the Edict for Religion already signed and that Arms might be laid down on the Kings part they were ready to do the like and would speedily lay down their Arms To this he added the Queen Mothers singular care as it was reported and as indeed she did outwardly shew for preservation of peace and pulling down the powerful rage of the Guisans which indeed she so dissembled that on the very account hereof it is certain above twenty thousand Catholiks joyned themselves to the Protestants in defence of their cause Burges Orleans proves a Sanctuary and hiding place in time of Gods These flames being begun could not so easily be extinguished mauy cruelties being committed on the bodies of the poor Protestants without mercy such as will no question draw out tears from the eies of serious Christians being such sad examples of crueltie as cant be believed should have proceeded from any that had known that ever Christianity had been in the world nothing being drunk more eagerly then the blood of the poor Saints Yet in this callamity God provided a place of refuge for such as he pleased in mercy to preserve from their cruelty For Bourges and Orleans being kept by the Protestants The King declares against the prince of Conde did greatly administer comfort to many distressed Christians that fled theither Hereupon the King at Paris declares against the Edict and the Prince of Conde The Queen Mother now arms those she privately huggs in the bosom of ther affections The Prince of Conde desires to lay all private interests aside for preservation of the Publick efusion of blood But the King of Navar the Duke of Guise the Constable and Marshall of St. Andre by an Edict banishes the Protestants out of Paris and sudenly advances towards the Prince of Conde with twelve thousand foot and three thousand horse They find the Prince strong enough to encounter them contrary to ther expectations and De Andelot and Boucart strongly urged to engage the Kings Army the Queen with subtilty and treacherous pollicie beguils the Protestants But the Queen Mother abuses them with her subtile treachery telling them the hopes of agreement was too near for them to undo all by a too hasty ingagement in so much that she fed them with hopes till the Catholick Army increased in strength both with French and forein forces Thus the Queen having delayed and protracted all hopes of Issue by battle the Prince of Conde maintains his Army about two months in such peace to the Country as was not in the least found to be outragious by spoyling or robbing such was the Christian and carefull discipline of the Prince and Admiral of the Protestant Army which in France was the greater wonder because whoring robbing and blaspheming was the usual attendants and constant harbingers to the Catholick camp which could not be avoyded because the King could not keep to so strickt a discipline as the Prince of Conde and Admiral The Prince and Admiral disperse the Armie into several Provinces The Prince of Conde and Admiral wisely prudently like valliant carefull Commanders take all waies to use their present power for future advantages and ensuing Storms so they send out to several Provinces men of approved fidelity to the Protestant cause which proved next to Gods blessing a great help to their success in possessing many strong holds in sundry parts of France as Roan Deip Angiers Blois Vendosme Tours Poictiers Ragency Maus Angoulesme Chalon upon Soan Maskon and the most part of Daulphin The Kings Army secures what they had and falls upon several Towns taking and miserably sacking them which
shall shortly in particular be related with all the sad circumstances of their cruelty The Catholicks take Bourges oâ— conditions Now the Kings Army sits down before Burges the 10. of August where they felt the valour and courage of the Protestants by many salies even to their trenches but in regard they had no time to fortifie the place their innate valour was forced to yield to necessity whose law has no bounds and so the Governour Monseiur D'Yvoy began to capitulate and at last on conditions yielded but was out of favour ever after by the Prince of Conde and Admiral the Queen discovers her selfe agrinst Protestants and prcolaims them Robels And now the Queen shews her selfe in her colours casts of her vizard and openly appears what she was inwarly For the Catholick cause and against the Protestants and so moved by her implacable malice and inward hatred she with the consent of the King caused the Principal of the Protestants to be Proclaimed Rebels and thus made way for a more open discovery of her most secret treachery whose close hypocrisie til now was so hid under hatches by deceitfull slights that on all hands her deep dissimulation was esteemed real But we shall shortly perceive that the copy of mens actions are sooner read than the copy of their countenances The Prince of Conde delivers up Roan Deip and Haverdegrace to the Queen of England In this mean while the Protestants had delivered up to the Queen of England the Towns of Roan Haverdegrace and Deip as pledges for her security And now the Kings Army marches towarde Roan and on the five and twentieth of September 1562. the whole Army Lodges at Darnettel two Leagues from the City of Roan where the Count Montgommery was Governour for the Protestants and commander of the City The Kings Army Advances to Roan having with him for defence thereof two thousand English and twelve hundred French foot four troopes of horse and an hundred Gentlemen of quallity whose valour was well known to the Army of the Kings that on all times and upon all occations felt the power of their resolutions whose strength and provision failing together with the Kings taking their principal fort did much trouble and hinder their promised success whereupon they sent to Haverdegrace for such supplies as could possibly be spared which in part was effected although the Kings Army had planted Cannons along the River but their great want could not be supplied with a little although at one time from the English arrived with great difficulty to their greater necessity seven hundred men with monyes and ammunition King of Navar slain And here at this seige was remarkably slain the Apostate King of Navar who felt the reward thereof from a divine hand of puunishment The City taken by storm and for three dayes nobus cruelties and murthers The twenty sixt of October the Kings Army storms the City and with great loss and valor on both sides takes it and for the cruelties they used against the poor Protestants lying at their mercy for the space of three dayes I refer the Reader to peruse in the Massaces at Roan which is fully and shortly related in the following Chapter Count Montgomery saved himself through great danger in a galley passing to Haverdegrace and so for England The Admirals Brother D'Andelot with 11000. horse and foot joyns with the Prince of Conde and Admiral Lewis of Burborn Duke of Montpenseir took from the Protestants severall Towns whose barbarous course of cruelty and treacherie is also contracted into a narrow compass which follows in the next chapter Mean while D'Andelot with five thousand foot and four thousand horse with great policie and and no less danger and toyle marches through the enemies power and at last joyfully and seasonably arrives and joyns with the Prince of Conde and Admiral who with great joy and welcome embrases him as much sorrow presently balances all for the success in another place was differently carried by the like Adventure of a Noble Commander the Baron of Duras who having levied five thousand horse and foot in Gascoin and Provinces adjacent endeavouring to pass through difficulties was obstructed by a sharp encounter by the Kings Horse under Command of Monsieur de Mouluc and Burie and at last was defeated yet with good part he escaped to the assistance of the Prince of Conde and Admiral The Prince and Admiral advance with their Army to the walls of Paris who now all march against Paris the Metropolis of the Nation and in their March taks in Estampes Piviers and Dordane and so marches to Paris where after some skirmishes beat back their enemies with Terrour and Confusion into the City putting them all to a stand in their councils but the Queen by Treaties and often Messengers did so with ther subtilty treat with the Prince and Admiral that by delayes the City was strengthened and their gallant Enterprize suprized for want of quick execution but the truth is the Protestants at all times were ready to embrace peace in the midst of their power and so suffered that convenient opportunity to slip and fall into the hands of the Queens policy which opportunity had the Catholicks ever enjoyed peace had not gone before their cruelties But it falls into course here to let the world take notice of this full demonstration of the Princes and Protestants Declarations That they sought only liberty for â—heir Estates and Lives and therefore would to their own prejudice wait an opportunity to effect their peaceable desires But alas it is to be bewailed that ever the Protestants down-right in their actions and words should ever have to deal with such an enemy whose treachery is their refuge and cruelty their mercy Now when they see their Enemies Designs they begin to remember the loss of their own yet falls on the City by a general Assault shoots many Cannons at last face the City to provoke and incite the Enemy to battel all which not answering their desires the Prince and Admiral draw off their Army The Kings Army advances to the defence of the City and the Prince withdraws and marches towards Normandy And now the Kings Army having by this time gathered a great strength from all parts advances under the command of the Duke of Guise and Constable and so follows the Princes Army who now resolves to march into Normandy to joyn with the Forces and Provisions that Queen Elizabeth of England had then according to covenant promised the Protestants being six thousand men twenty pieces of Cannon much Ammunition and fifteen thousand Ducats This March being resolved on at Beauss on December 14. they advance by the way of Chartres and so for Normandy The Kings Army follows the Protestants swiftly and the Protestant Army being very weary and both Armies very near they were by a manifest necessity driven to a Battel The Kings Army follows and they join battle
The Protestant Army under the command of the Prince of Conde and Admiral lodged about Dreux being a Town twenty six Leagues from Paris and situated on the confines of Normandy in which place on a Plain the 19. of December they joyn Battel The Kings Army was reckoned to be nineteen thousand foot and two thousand Horse The Prince of Conde's Army consisting of twelve thousand Foot and four thousand Horse And now the Battle of Dreux begins where the Admiral of the Protestants with great courage leading the Van fell upon the Kings Cavalry commanded by the Constable and at first onset slew Gabriel de Momorancy and laid dead on the place Count de Rochefort the whole cavalry running away The Constable taken prisoner the Constable himself taken Prisoner and the Duke of Nevers Monsieur de Givry d'Annebault La Bross and his Son with many other Gentlemen and Cavaleirs slain upon the place The Duke of Aumaule Brother to the Duke of Guise and Beauvais were wounded Now the Princes forces being in a too eager pursuit of the Enemy was furiously set upon by the Duke of Guise where after a furious on set and doubtful shock on both sides endured at last the Prince of Conde was taken Prisoner Prince of Conde taken prisoner and on the Kings side was taken Monsieur d'Anvelle being sore wounded which the Admiral perceiving rallies and advances but the former encounter so wearied and weakned his men that after a sharp conflict he was put to the worst and so made an honourable retreat In this encounter was slain on the Catholike party the Marshal de St. Andre The same night all the Army of the Protestants were met together where the Admiral by general consent was chosen General of the Army instead of the Prince of Conde Prisoner Both Armies leave the field the Duke of Guise by the speedy advance of night upon him was forced to lodge upon the Plain at Blainville where the Prince of Conde and the Duke of Guise two mortal enemies both supped and lay in one bed together The next morning after Battle the Admiral presents himself with his Army in the field in Battalia There was in this battle slain seven thousand whereof on the Protestants two thousand foot and one hundred and fifty horse and doubtless it was a dubious engagement for had the Protestants carefully maintained their first encounter in an orderly station they had not been so assailed and foyled at last but Victory had crowned their valour without hazard of doubt but however the Battle proved fatal to the Catholicks and famous to both in that both Generals were taken Prisoners And as the Admiral was chosen General so for the Catholicks was the Duke of Guise General in lieu of the Constable prisoner The Duke of Guise hereupon suddenly marches to lay siege â—o Orleans The Admiral proceeds to the Resolution before determined The Admiral marches for Normandy and keeps his march for Normandy but before their March takes Selles in Bervy St. Aigna Sulli upon Loire and Montrichard and so leaving the care of Orleans to his Brother D'Andelot he advances towards Normandy to meet with Queen Elizabeths supplies and so to come with more strength to annoy the Catholicks and assist his Friends The Duke of Guise with the Kings Army layes siege to Orleans On the fifth day of February the Duke of Guise lays siege to Orleans where the King and Queen Mother came in person D'Andelot was Governour of Orleans who was also assisted with Monsieur de St. Cyr the Sieur de Avaret Bussay Duras and Bouchavanes under whose command were fourteen companies of foot consisting of Germans and Gascoins with five Troops of French Horse that were old Souldiers to whose valour was joined for assistance the unanimous consent of the Citizens to withstand the enemy whose harmonious and joint resolutions for defence of Religion and Liberty did strive to out-vy the Souldiers valour and thus being resolved to dy in pursuit of so good a cause they encourage one another to repulse the enemies assaults The Defects of the Town-walls being supplyed with Resolutions which made weakness impregnable and stood as a Rock against the strongest shock of the enemies force Now the Duke with the whole strength of his Army sets upon a Fauxburg of the City and suddenly surprizes it the first day The Duke of Guise threatens to destroy men women and children in Orleans but is himself cut off which so encouraged the Catholick party and especially the hot spirit of the Duke of Guise whose inveterate malice could not be contained in the bounds of moderation or secresie but openly delivers it by word of mouth and writes by Letters to the King boasting that twenty four hours should not pass so sure as he would in the same compass force the City to his obedience And further declared The day should be made memorable by destroying both men women and children sparing none But behold his hellish rage was confined by a judgement from Heaven whose death was not much unlike our late Duke of Buckingham for the same night there was a young Gentleman descended of a noble family known by the name of John Poltrat Sieur de Merebourn who being mounted on a Spanish Jennet and watching his own opportunity did by his proper and private motion shoot the Duke of Guise into the shoulder with a Pistol laden with three bullets and so this wretched enemy of God and the poor Protestants dyed the four and twentieth of February who by Gods justice was deprived of his unjust and bloody intentions the said Poltrat being afterwards taken and executed did freely declare at his death that what he did in destroying the Duke was to deliver France and especially the City of Orleans from his violent and bloudy threatnings The Admiral returns from Normandy and with his Army enters Orleans This accident in the Kings Army stopt their furious assaults till the seasonable advance of the Admiral from Normandy with Supplies which made a full stop in the siege who after he had greatly annoied the Catholicks in Normandy came to Orleans the 17. day of March and enters the City where was Prisoner the Constable General of the Kings Army taken at the Battle at Dreux and in the Kings Army was the Prince of Conde Prisoner Now the Kings Queen Mother with the Privy Counsellours and Deputies of the Court of Paris were about to arraign the Prince of Conde which being ballanced with a fearful expectation of the like to the Constable they let their resolutions fall A Treaty begun and finished with the Edict of January for liberty granted The Queen Mother at this time fearing the issue of War and seeing success alike to both doubted her desired expectation would fall by reason of the unexpected and constant supplies the Admiral had on all straits she therfore enters on the Old Way Her only way making use of that Proverb VVhere force will
not prevail shee 'l peice it with the Foxes tail And so sets on foot a Treaty of Peace with the Admiral and principal of the Protestants holding an assembly in the Isle of Oxen The Constable though prisoner assists in Council and at first vows he will not admit of any peace grounded on the Edict of January The Prince of Conde prisoner with the King desired also to have liberty to send a messenger to confer with his Council at Orleans who gives him to understand that the Queen nor he can in the least derogate from the famous Edict of Liberty in Ianuary so solemnly made and sworn at the instance of the Estates and so great assembly of the 8 Parlaments in France The K. Q. Mother let the Protestants know it should not be altered but only to please the Catholicks and that Arms being laid down on both sides they should by little and little assuredly obtain their free liberty So presently the Articles of peace were drawn up in form of an Edict containing the Articles of the Edict in Ianuary which was as aforesaid That the Protestants should have the free exercise of their Religion and shauld have the freedom of the same in certain places every one to live free in their conscieuces from trouble and Molestation That all Princes Lords Gentlemen Captains and Souldiers should be free from all troubles for any thing done in time of the wars and so every one to be restored to their dignities goods privileges and prerogatives which Edict was concluded The Edict for Liberty proclamed by a Trumpet signed and confirmed in the Kings Conncil at Amboise verified in Parliment and on the eighteenth day was proclamed throughout the Town Camp and Court by sound of Trumpet and the same day the Prince of Conde and Constable were both freed from prison The Reiters were also conveyed to their Confines being paid in full for their services so returning home to their own habitations The many Executions murthers Rapes Robberies Massacres general and particular committed on the persons of the poor Protestants during this first Civil War from April 1562. to this present March 1563. when the peace was concluded I have for the benefit of all Christian sober perusers abstracted from large volumes and here inserted by themselves that the judicious Reader may by a Christian simpathy tast the sad afflictions that these poor Protestants did endure being so shamefully murthered as to this day stands as a stain to the honor of the French Nation when ever they please to review their predecessors cruelty and yet all comes short of what this little book will tell thee CHAP. III. The Contents A Lamentable and sad prospect of the bloody cruelties committed on the Protestants in France during the first civil wars not sparing old nor young virgins nor women with child Their cruelties at Paris At Senlis Their murders at Les Bordes A godly Minister cruelly used yet providentially escaped Three Gentlemen stabbed by their own cosen and sixteen more killed by Treachery Sad slaughters at Nevers La Charity yielded on conditions yet all put to the Sword Lamentable murthers and cruelties At Amiens Bibles burnt The murthers at Abeville Four hundred murthered at Meaux Virgins abused and children dashed against the walls The cruel murthers at Troys the sad bloudshed at Bar upon Sein Cutting off womens breasts then take their hearts and eat them At Sens a hundred of good birth murthered The cruelties at Auxere At Chastillon women murthered that were ready to be delivered The horrible and cruel murthers at Maus at Montagris at Gyen A child cut in two and liver eaten The murthers at Aurilac Many hanged in Molins At Angiers after promise of life all murthered Horrible blasphemy A Ministers eyes put out and body burnt At Aze a Minister and thirty Protestants drowned In Tours one hundred and fourty massacred and the River dyed with blood The Queen Mothers Incivillity At Valongre many of Quality massacred and a Minister blasphemously and inhumanely slain A child roasted Children killed in the womb The sad murthers at Bloys One buried alive The unheard of massacre at Tholouse Rivers filled with bodies and dyed with blood Three thousand stand on their guard are promised life on submission yet are massacred The horriblest blasphemy that ever was heard and one hundred and twenty burnt The Murthers at Mont de Marsan at Carcasson at Foix at Aurenge where Virgins of six years old are ravished Ninety killed after promise of life Murthers at Grenoble At Bearne At Revel At Monpelleir a Captain quartered alive One hundred murdered after promise of life The like at March Castle Women with childe ripped and buried alive THe Protestants during this sharp war had many cruelties and sad sufferings done to their persons without any pitty or remorse the which was not in one City but in most parts of France and with such bloodshed as will make any Christian heart to bewail their said sufferings and may serve to teach us our habitation is not in this world and so may encourage us to look out for another whose foundation and building is in Jesus Christ that Rock of ages that good and gracious anchor-hold in time of Storms and Tempests and to let us a little taste what a happiness it is that when men come with bloody resolutions to assault our innocency then for a soul to have his eye fixed on heaven by a firm faith of assurance in Gods mercy that though mens rage be like the lofty billows yet our salvation and our strength is in God and thrice happy is that soul that can assuredly say in times of persecution that God is my Rock and hiding place in times of Storm Cruelties at Paris The poor Saints of God in Paris were cruelly persecuted by the bloody papists who being fully delighted and set on blood together with the help of the Parliament there did spare none that fell into their bloody hands either in the City of Paris or such as by appeal or summons were brought thither The bloody usage of Christians at Senlis Many dear and pretious Saints of God at Senlis suffered the fury of bloody and deceitfull men some murthered in a popular tumult some beheaded others cruelly whipped imprisoned and sent to the Gallies not so much as sparing women There murthers at Les Bordes At Les Bordes the Duke of Nevers being Governour of Campagn his Lieutenant slew many men and women imprisoning others and spoiling their houses Their unheard of crueltie to a Godly Minister of Christ At Chaalons a godly Minister of Gods word Mr. Fournier was so basely abused as the merciless cruelty by his Enemies and Gods merciful deliverance must crave leave to have a little remembrance and indeed is worthy our Christian perusall and observance This Godly servant of Christ being prisoner was stript of his cloaths put into a Cart and with many abusive jears taunts and scoffs was often in danger
Protestants in France during this Civil War they are so sad they need no comment An unparralled murther but indeed that which follows is not to be paralleld for perfidious treachery Breach of the faith of a King and Court and for hellish and unheard-of cruelties sad murthers in cold blood upon Lords Gentlemen poor Ladies Rivers swimming with bodies and died with blood Indeed the most sad Tragedie that ever was yet acted upon the theatre of the world by Turks Heathens or Christians CHAP. IV. The Contents THE King and Queen Mother lay siege to Haver de grace which surrendered on Henourable tearms The King is declared out of his minority and swears to observe the Edict of Pacification but keeps not his oath nor promise The Council of Trent meet a League is made between the King of France and King of Spain called the Holy League the Cardinal of Lorain posts to Rome to desire the Pope to cause the French to observe the decrees of the Council of Trent Great heart-burnings arise The Protestants dayly complain to the King of their injuries desiring him to keep to his covenant but to no purpose The King and Queen Mother in progress rides through the Nation and secretly confer with the Popes Messenger and the King of Spain They come to Lyons and forbid the exercise of the Protestant Religion Many Protestants cruelly and inhumanly murthered by the Catholicks in several places The King and Queen Mother treacherously leavie six thousand Switzers to destroy the Protestants Letters are intercepted which discover a bloody plot against the Prince of Conde the Admiral and all the Protestants The Prince Admiral and Principal Protestants seize on Troys Lyons and Tholouse The King and Queen Mother forced to ret reat to Paris Thâ—â— beginning of the second war the King sends an Herauld to the Prince of Conde and Admiral Their answer The Principal of both Parties treat but to no purpose The Prince and Admirals answer to their Demands The Protestants never embrace a more sure ruin then a peace with the King The Armies meet and engage the success The Prince of Conde and Admiral march to join with Prince Casimir who had raised twelve thousand men for their aid The Duke of Lorrain made General of the Kings Army Prince Casimirs Noble Declaration in defence of the Protestants The Prince of Conde's Gallant speech to the Army A gallaut Resolution in a free Contribution through the Princes Army Prince of Conde and Admiral join with Prince Casimirs Army The Prince of Conde besieges Chartres The Queen Mothers treachery and speech a peace concluded but full of Treason Guile and hypocrisie The Protestants no sooner dismiss their Armies and deliver up their Garrisons but are speedily filled with Souldiers of the Kings A bloody Cabinet Council erected by the King They plot to cut off the Protestants but are discovered The Kings Army suddenly begirts the chief of the Protestants but they escape with their families to Rochel The Queen of Navar comes to Rochel with horse and foot Cardinall Castillon flies to England disguised The Prince of Conde and Admiral publish a manifesto to all Christian Princes the Queen of Navar declares for the Protestants A bloody Edict is published by the King that none should profess any other Religion but the Romish the King of France strangely declares to all the world That he meant not what he said WE concluded the latter part of the second chapter with a Peace concluded at Orleans whereupon was publickly proclamed a free liberty for the Protestants according to the Edict of Pacification Now the King and Queen Mother endeavour to reduce Haverdegrace to their obedience which the Protestant party had delivered up to the Queen of England as aforesaid The Kings Army besieges Haverdegrace To which purpose they lay siege the Town holds out a good while till at last being sore streightned and no hopes left of relief they come to conditions of surrenders but before Hostages were delivered and English Fleet of sixty brave Ships appears under sayl fleering directly to the Port but the Earl of VVarwick like a true hearted Englishman scorning to dishonour his Nation with such perfidious treachery as most of the French acted he sends word to the Admiral of the Fleet Honourably surrendred that the Town was to be surrendred that day being the seventeenth day of July and so performed his Contract to his great Honour I cannot compare this noble act to any but that brave Roman Consuls who being taken by the Carthaginians in Africa had liberty given to return to Rome to effect the release of some Prisoners and in them his own in exchange promising to return prisoner if he could not Now when he came to the Senate he perswades them not â—o accept of the conditions and so according to his promise returned and was miserably tormented to death Oh that it might be said so of our Charls the Ninth that he had but been regardful of his Oaths and covenants then had not we been partakers of such a sad spectacle of cruelty by reading this bloody Tragedie The Catholicks now after this peace at Orleans feared the greatest visible power rested in the Prince of Conde So the Queen Mother treads in her old paths of deceit intending by her cunning subtilty to cut off all pretences of right to the Government by the Princes of the blood The King declared out of his minority and swears in the presence of God to olserve the Edict of Pacification to which purpose she causes the King now but fourteen years old to be declared King and past his Minority She carries his Majestie to Roan and there the fifteenth day of December 1563. they went Solemnly with all the Lords of the Court and Officers of the Crown to the Parliament Where in the presence of the Counsellours he received the usual Ceremonies used in France at the Coronation the Parliament publishing the Declaration of his Majority the King there publickly protested and swore in the presence of Almighty God That be would for ever after duly observe the Edict of Pacification threatning all opposers for such was his express will and pleasure Thus all things seem in a peaceable way one would now think so much blood expences of treasure and a consumption of his subjects would weary any nation and make any King rejoice For a peace is the more sweetned by the effects of a Civil war already felt for two extreams illustrate each other The peace not kept But alas this peace succeeds not the hopefull expectation of his peaceable subjects in many places it was not observed The Council of Trent meets The King of Spain and France make a league and call it the Holy league And now assembles that Council known by the name of the Council of Trent who meet for the maintainance of the Catholick Religion Now the Cardinal of Lorrain being an active Agent to forward any design
that might put the Protestants backward the Council to fit his purpose finds this expedient That the King of France and Spain should make a firm and inviolable League and that the King of Spain should assist with such forces as might be needful to the aid and succour for the King of France Which League was called the Holy League And that nothing might be wanting to break that famous Edict the Cardinal promises his best aid to assist their commands assuring them that the King and Queen Mother stand firmly for what they decree The Cardinal posts to Rome and endeavours all be can against the protestants Now as soon as this Council broke up the Cardinal posts to Rome and labours with Pope Pius Quartus to send to the King and Queen Mother of France to cause publickly the Decree of the Council to be observed throughout the Kingdom of France presently they begin to have it put in execution for the Embassadours of Spain Italy c. demand of the French King the Observation of the Decrees of the Council of Trent that the Edict should be disannulled and Hereticks rooted out Secret animosities in the hearts of both parties Now begin new firebrands to be cast again all their designe from first to last being to work out the poor Protestants who would be glad of peace with lives and liberty but could have it granted no wayes but in jeast in order to their more secure ruine in earnest for they never meant to be in earnest with their most solemne promises and protestations When they cannot overcome by Warre then a Peace most be made and in that Peace a damnable plot couched to destroy them when by Gods mercifull providence the Plot is discovered and they Arme for defence of Lives and Liberty and by Gods blessing grow too potent and powerfull for their treacherie and Armes then a peace againe and thus they play fast and loose till they cut the Throats of the two peaceable Protestants who were no way to be overcome but by peace The Protestants complain to the King of their daily wrongs desire justice and the performance of his promises but to no purpose Insomuch that wee may here insert a paradox in Divinity that it had been no sin in this cause to be unbeleeving nay they had no other way to be saved but by unbeliefe And thus the Edict that should have been the Cord of Peace was now a breaking in pieces by all the powers of Hell and Rome insomuch that those that were worse affected to the Edict and most forward to crush it cryed out They could not endure two Religions which seemed say they as prodigious as two Sunns And now as just Occasion was the cause of complaints soe now the Protestants sound in the Kings Ears their sad conditions and how little the Edict was like to be kept if such courses were nourish but the King heard to little purpose for it made a noise in his Eare but not in his obdurat heart for this King instead of hearing the complaints and redressing the wrongs of his to good subjects turnes his Ears forsaking the good Example of King Lewis the first of France A notable example of Justice who used three dayes in a week publickly in Person to hear the complainnts of his subjects and judge their Cause A poor woman desiring the Emperour Adrian to hear her Complaint and do her justice he answered that he was not a leisure the poore woman then replies boldly the King and Queen Mother in progress meet the Popes Minister and King of Spain and secretly confer in person together that he ought not to be at leisure to be Emperour Augustus Caesar exceedingly rejoyced to do justice and hear the causes of his subjects insomuch as the night could not allay his vigorous mind to do justice nay when he lay sick he would order the parties to appear at his bed side But this King was so far from following the Command of God or example of Heathens so far from delighting to settle his own Throne in the peace of his subjects that he seeks to overthrow his own tranquillity in his subjects ruine To which purpose the King and Queen Mother make their progress through many parts of the Kingdom and smoothly coloured their plots and conferences with the Duke of Savoy in Dauphine with the Popes Minister at Avignon and with the King of Spaine on the confines of Guienna whereby they might better cōmunicate their secret Counsells without the hazard of revealing their trust to French men whom they thought by their Alliance one way or other might reveale their secret hellish plots to the Protestants And it is to be taken notice of that now at this time was laid a Plot which Embasadors nor Councells intrusted must not know The King Q. coms to Lyons forbids the exercise of Protestant Religion and fortifies the place In this progress the King and Q. Mother comming to Lyons they forbid the Protestants the exercise of their Religion being one of the Towne assigned them for freedom the Protestants being numerous in this City the King orders a Citadell to be built not stirring out of the Towne till it was finished Now this was an Example to other Towns and did very much exasperat and hearten the Catholicks against the Protestants who with cruell Courage seize on them in sundry Towns and shamefully abuse them So that Many Protestants in many places murthered In Crevan in Burgongue the Catholicks fall on the Protestants and murther many being met together for the exercise of their Religion Curee Governour of Fendosme a Protestant was murthered by command of Cavigni Leiutenant to the Duke of Montpenseir at Tours they fell so furiously upon the poor Protestants murthering some hurting others coming from the Sermon and with great rage came into the Town with their bloody swords in their hands and being dyed with blood A gallant Gentleman murthered they proceed further falling on all they meet with murthering without destinction of sex age or Quality Drawning Killing and distroying all they could find many Protestants of Quality were murthered without any account given of their death by justice on the Murtherers Now the daily threats against the Protestants put them into a doubt of their security The sad massacres at Tours for the King and Queen Mother having concluded with the King of Spain secretly to assist one another It now fiftly falls out to discover that treacherous part which all this while lay hid under the plauseble pretences of an Edict of Liberty which indeed was that part of Hypocrisie which as a Cloak covered all their perfidious Treacherie and breach of promise That now what was written on the word of a King before the Eternall God was no more kept or observed than if it had been only written in sand the King and Q. Mother Raises an Army of Switzers pretending to defend the Protestants
reformed and that it should be executed according to the tenure of the Edict notwithstanding all Restrictions and Interpretations to the contrary And thus this second war was peaceably ended by the Protestants and no less treacherously intended by the Catholicks The peace begins and ends in treason by the papists Now I shall shew you the Treachery therof and the sad effects for alas it is not to be imagined what treason is hid under this fair vizzard of Peace To see what a foul sin they make of such a fair virtue they pretend nothing more then a firm and durable peace and intend nothing less But ah poor Protestants that you had foreseen this Foxes Snare this storm of bloody cruelty intended but truly their laying wait for innocent blood could not be descerned nor penetrated into unless by the deep wisdom and narrow search of a divine eye so dark and so deeply laid was there hellish Treason for a few daies discovered their intentions to be full of deceitful treachery and that they put onely the name of peace on their most horrid and bloody designs taking Gods holy name in vain by all their promises void of performances But the poor Protestants saw not their intentions The protestants dismiss their Armies no sooner deliver up their Holds to the K. but they are filled So that the Princes and Admiral dismisse their Armies and the Strangers are safely conducted into Lorrain and all the Towns that the Protestants did deliver up to the King were presently by his command possessed and strengthened with Garrison Souldiers Rochel only excepted which place enjoyed the benefit of an antient condition granted two hundred years before between the King and them viz. Never to have a Garrison put into the Town against their desires The Protestants had also by the Edict of peace these three under their command Mentaubon Cognac and La Charite to be held full two years and no more in the Prince of Conde's name The King not trusting to his Court counsel picks a choice crew fit for his purpose and calls them a Cabinet Council Now the King and Queen Mother not trusting to their present Council some whereof being supposed to have too tender consciences to swallow the bloody plot intended therefore erect a choice Council pickt on purpose which his Majesty calls a Cabinet Council consisting of such as would contrive and carrie on any bloâ—dy design whatsoever Insomuch that those which by their Birth and place might challenge a room in the most privy Councils were now utterly excluded and exempted as men not fit to impart unto the secrets of the Kings and Q. Mothers Intentions A Hellish plot by the Cabinet Council And now let us see a little what this Brave Cabinet Council will act what a brat of bloudy resolutions they can creat out of their hellish Breasts They at last conclude that force of arms is not the direct road to travel in for subduing of their Enemies but Macbevil must be called to Council and his politicks put in practice resolved they are to try what plots the attendants of the Devils Councils and the Legitimate son of Hellish production will do so at last they conclude and vote it to be enacted as that which must be put in practice viz. the death of the Prince of Conde and Admiral and so to cut off all future fears of their attempts as also hopes from the Protestants so that no troubles for Religion might after arise But the fear of God is not before their eyes they run swiftly to shed bloud not considering that Gods vengeance can persue them more swiftly This design they commit rather to secrecie than strength and therefore that they might have one fit for their designs they chuse one Cavagnes to whom they impart the business who being a man fit for bloud and cruelty was ordered to take the charge upon him as one that could drink deep draughts of innocent bloud without any regret and with full delight who could be full of cruelty without the least pitty now all was thought so sure that if the Prince and Admiral did not escape they should inevitably fall into the cruelty of their adversaries The plot discovered to the Prince and Admirall Thus the plot being laid they forgot that God could see and as the Psalmist saies He shall redeem their souls from deceit and violence and precious shall their blood be in his sight And so it pleased the Lord of his good grace mercy to discover their deceit intentions of Bloud for it was no sooner contrived in dark but discovered in light by one that speedily posted to the Prince and Admiral and revealed the Plot yet the Kings Army was so quick that ere the Prince and Admiral removed from their quarters They are surrounded yet by Gods mercy escape with their families to Rochel they were by orders of the King Queen Mother and the rest of the Cabinet Council surrounded in Noyers a Town situated on the confines of Burgundy which they had so cunningly ordered to avoid suspition that lifting and removing under pretence of fresh quarters they came at last to quarter at a small distance from them and doubtless they had been taken and destroyed if GOD had not surrounded them in mercy from the purposes of the Kings treachery The Prince and Admiral knowing the scope and drift of their Serpentine windings and turnings speedily advance towards Rochel with wives children Servants and two hundred Horses where at last they safely through many dangers arrive and were joyfully entertained by the Rochelois The Queen of Navar also comes to this Rendezvous at Rochel Q. of Navar joins with the protestants accompanied with a considerable number of horse and foot The Cardinal of Chastillon who lived at Beauvois far remote from Rochel did with great hazard travel in a Seamans habit to the Sea-coast The Cardinall of Chastillon escapes to England and so by Gods good Providence embarqued and safely arrived in England where in Queen Elizabeths Court he was freely welcome and there he did faithfully negotiate with the Queen in behalf of his fellow Protestants in France The Prince and Admirall with the chief protestants publish a Manifesto to all Christian Princes The Prince and Admiral seeing their past danger and present safety solved now to defend themselves and secure their Religion Lives and liberty by Power which could not be allowed nor obtained by peace To which purpose they publish a Manifesto to all Christian Princes in the world wherein they briefly declare That in the integrity of their hearts and cleer witnesses of their consciences they had many waies peaceably endeavoured to enjoy their libertie and lives under a loyal obedience and subjection to the Kings commands and that the world could not but take notice how little conditions of peace was observed by the King that in the midst of Peace it was not to be recounted what
unsufferable injuries and cruel murthers were dayly heaped and committed upon the poor Protestants even to the loss of the Estates and Lives of many of their dear friends which opposition was the greater being done by the Kings Liberty granted contrary to Articles of peace and Edict of Pacification promised by Oaths and Covenants therefore though they dayly waited yet now they saw no other way but to arm in their own defence which was the least they could do being tyed by the laws of God and Nature to preserve their Religion Lives and Estates of themselves with their poor wives children and families that else would be left to the power and rage of bloody and deceitful men and that this was their only design of taking arms And further did declare that if they could espy and other way to enjoy their Estates Liberty and Lives they would speedily lay down their arms yet notwithstanding they desired and resolved to continue his Majesties faithful Subjects in obedience to all lawful commands wishing a period to their lives the same moment their obedience ceased if they could but herein see security for enjoyment of their Religion and Lives The Q. of Navars noble Declaration in behalf of the protestants At the same time the Queen of Navar with some dashes of her illustrious pen and a full Testimony of a Christian Resolution does by Letters declare That she could do no less than joyn with the Prince of Conde and Protestants which with the life of her self and children as also the miserable Reliques of the Kingdom of Navar The Cardinal of Lorrain on the one hand and Spaniards on the other did jointly indeavour by force and policy to destroy which was so discernable that all the world was witness to her injuries And indeed this Noble Queen The Q. of Navars high merits in part described would be ecclipsed of her due value by the draught of my rude pen the highest Encomiums will but stain her virtues but to a little belief of her high deserts know only this That her enemies confessed her virtues and Christian valour to exceed the very applause of her Friendly admirers and therefore her deserts was concluded as much undeniable to them as unspeakable by her friends Thus the very beginning of this pretended peace ends in a third Civil War whose effects was as bloody as sharp and at last we shall speedily see in a Tragical Massacre of many thousand Protestants of all degrees and sexes so securely were the Protestants lull'd asleep in their too credulous opinion of the King and Court Now in this Cabinet Council of the Kings was Charls Cardinal of Lorrain The King publishes a bloody Edict that no Religion should be exercised but the Romish on pain of death which cuts off all former promises and Edicts as if they had never been made to be kept Brother to the Duke of Guise a man of a most crafty and terrible nature insomuch that at Rome he was no less reputed for he was a bitter enemy to the Protestants and for the cruelty of his nature was termed the Firebrand of all Civil Flames whose hands being deep in the blood of the Protestants For by his means and the willing mind of the King and bloody Council was published an Edict in his Majesties name levelling the famous Edict of January and enjoyning That none should profess any Religion but the Romish and that it was treason to embrace any other requiring upon pain of death a general conformity to the Catholick Religion Which bloody Edict was accordingly published whereupon all the Protestant Ministers were banished all places of the Kingdom which were in the Kings power The King declares he meant not what be said Oh deep deceit And that the King may stand amazed at this deep hypocrisie this following Sentence was expressed in this Edict printed at Paris And it was further then declared that albeit the King had in many Edicts before that time permitted the freedom of Religion yet his meaning was to retain and cause to be retained of all men the only Romish or Popish Religion within his Realm Which Edict and clause being so wonderfully strange to all that heard or saw it and because it stained the Kings name with the most horrid spot of perjury and breach of faith it was therefore in other impressions afterward printed purposely omitted in the Edict This Edict was published with an incredible confluence of all sorts of Catholicks and received with the highest celebrations of joy as can be imagined and the rather because the Catholicks much doubted of the Queen Mothers intentions in regard of her dissembling carriage to the Protestants and now all was put out of doubt by this Edict Which clearly demonstrates that the King and Queen Mothers intentions all along was to destroy the Protestants root and branch only took their best opportunity to effect their desires with the least noise of suspicion and greatest security to drive the nail home to the head and their bloody Swords to the hearts of the most innocent souls And thus begins strong preparations for a third Civil War for Religion the sad effects whereof we shall peruse in the next chapter CHAP. V. The Contents THe Protestants gallant Resolutions Both parties arm Queen Elizabeth aids the Protestants The protestants take several towns the Armies face one another but ingage not the Battel at Brisac where the Prince of Conde is slain the Prince of Navar and Prince of Conde chosen Generalls of the protestant Army the Admirall and whole Army swears subjection to these two young Princes the Queen of Navar coins money to pay the protestant Army the Princes and Admiral draw their Army into Garrisons the Kings army sits down before Cognac but are valiantly repulsed they take Mucidan put all to the Sword but lost Count Brisac the Duke Deux Pont with 14. thousand marches to join with the Princes but dies himself by the way The Pope sends Forces to ayd the King Both armies engage the Kings Army retires to Garrisons the Princes take in Chastelrault and Lusignan Town and Castle they lay siege to the great City Poictiers the Kings forces besiege La Charite but leave it after the loss of many brave Gentlemen and Commanders the Duke of Anjou besieges Chastelrault but after great loss leaves it the young Duke of Guise advances to Court and his Fathers place at once the Cabinet Council meets the Armies ingage in a bloody Battel the Kings Army besieges Angeli but receives a gallant shock of a resolute defence by that brave Commander Monsieur de Pilles and at last yielded honourably the Kings Army disbands the protestants increase and are Masters of the field The King summons his forces together and gives the command to Marshall de Coss the King Queen Mother and Cabinet Council plot to linck a peace and the Protestants ruin together the protestants at all times willing to embrace a peace the end
of the third Civil War the K. and Queen Mother speed Messengers to the princes and Admiral to make way for a peace they yield to imbrace a treaty the King propounds for both armies to join against a foreign Enemy A firm peace concluded with free liberty of the Edict Several protestant Princes congratulate the King for his happy peace the King subscribes to keep the Edict the Armies dismissed the peace not fully observed the King with the Council plot destruction the King and Court feed the protestants with favours to make them the easier to swallow their own ruin and his love together the King dissembles with the Princes in shewing a dislike to the Catholick party the prince of Orange and his Brother offer the King of France their assistance against the King of Spain and is accepted the Count of Nassaw disguised goes to the King the King invites the Admiral to Court the Duke of Guise and Cardinal Lorrain depart the Court the better to allure the Princes and Admiral to their Ruin the Prince of Orange takes the Spaniards slips the King propounds his Sister the Lady Margaret in mariage with the Prince of Navar the Popes Embassadour arrives at the Court the Kings plot to surprize Rochel the King pronounces the Admiral not guilty many protestants at Roan murthered the Admirall perswaded of the Kings Reality by a Letter under his own Hand and Seal The protestants noble resolutions NOw begins the third bloody War wherein the Protestants solemnly covenanted together so to cleave fast one to another so to knit themselves firmly together in their affections and resolutions as no future transactions should with the help of God ever make them to forget or forsake the cause of God concerned in the Protestant Religion but resolutely to maintain it to the loss of their lives and all that was dear to them Both sides prepare for war Hereupon the King arms amain so also the Princes and Admiral who send out a fleet of thirty sail for Provision for the Army to supply them for the ensuing Winter The Queen of Navar also endeavours all she can for their aid and assistance Q. Eliz. aids the protestants Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory sent over to their aid one hundred thousand Crowns besides ships of Corn and Ammunition A thing to be treasured up in the remembrance of her lasting fame The protestants take in many Towns both armies meet but fight not The Prince and Admiral advance with their Army and soon levels the force of many strong Towns to their power in taking them in and so become Masters of the Field At length both Armies meet yet no battel in regard of the cold season neither Army would fight but on advantage which would be given by neither The Winter being now past in the year 1569. the Armies engage at Battel at Brisac the 16. of March The Battel at Brisac the prince of Conde slain to his eternal honour fighting on his knees to the last wherein the Prince of Conde was wounded and his horse shot under him yet did valiantly defend himself on his knees in the midst of his Enemies but at last was slain On the Kings side was slain the Duke of Monsalez whom de Andelot the Admirals Brother charged so furiously that with his bridle hand he lifted up the Bever of his Helmet and discharged his Pistol in his face and so laid him dead on the ground Great was the slaughter on both sides of Gentry especially wherein the Protestants were worsted by the Catholiques comming upon part of their Army in full bodies which unfortunately was scattered by their too great security and sudden approach of the Kings yet their demeanor in the fight was such that the Kings Army had reason to bewail their great loss and admire their Enemies valour and undoubtedly in outward appearance had the body been entire and both encountred on equal advantatages the day was generally believed would have been otherwise for the Horse only was engaged but the foot never came to any service but secured themselves in a body And thus died that brave Prince of Conde exceedingly commended for virtue and valour and asmuch bewailed for his loss Prince of Navar and prince of Conde Generalls for the protestants After this Battel the Protestants rallie their Forces and by a General choice of the Army Henry Prince of Navar and Henry Son to the deceased Prince of Conde were both elected Generals of the Protestant Army The Prince of Navar was of a noble and gallant Spirit full of Urbanity and Civil courtesie The Prince of Navar shews a gallant spirit in a piâ—hy speech of a Warlike courage and being naturally given to valourous and heroick actions he embraces this courteous invitation and like a Souldier of a long standing being but fifteen or sixteen years old he lengthned their hopeful expectations by a short pithy speech wherein He promised to protect the true Religion and to persevere constantly in defence of the common-cause till death or victory proved the Issue Now to ballance this Royal assent and Christian magnanimity of so tender a Sprout of virtue The Admiral and whole Army profess fidelity and obedience to the princes of the blood and the protestant cause the Admiral and Count de la Roch-fou-caut first submitted and swore fidelity then followed the principal Officers and Soldiers in joint Resolutions to order their steps after his Royal commands and the religious ends proposed in his Speech All of the Army protesting fidelity to the Princes of Bourbon And thus with a volley of applause was this Gallant young Prince elected General of the Army and Protector of the Protestants whose yeers were far younger than his wise conduct of affairs in whom it was hard to say whether his resolution valor and wisdom or youth was more perspicuous for he seemed as if nature which accomplishes others by degrees had finished him in a trice He was no sooner come to his Horizon but his deserts lifted him up to his Meridian The Queen of Navar mother to this virtuous Prince approved well of their choice and his acceptance so that she sharpned all their resolutions by her couragious assistance of the Protestants The Religious and Noble Q. of Navar coins money and inserts a christian and resolute Motto She was a religious Queen in whom resided much virtue and constancy to a good cause Wherefore she caused monies to be coined with her picture on one side and the Princes on the other with these words Pax Certa Victoria Integra Mors Honesta A Motto becoming her noble Spirit Thus they fall to consultation how to order the Army with the best prudence they resolve to divide and draw into Garrisons so also does the King The Princes Army draws into Garrisons So the Princes and Admiral retire to Saint Jean D' Angeli Brave Monsieur de Pilles defended Xaintes Montgomery and Puviant
fill his Gorget the Protestant Army forced to retire and run down his male At last the Protestants Army being worn out with a tedious march was forced to retreat and with the Prince the Count of Nassaw Count Volrade all which without any disorder meet that night at Partenay the K. besieges St. Jean d'Angeli which brav Pilles did keep After this bloody Battel the King Queen Mother and Duke of Anjow sit down before St. Iean d'Angeli which was kept by that famous renouned commander Armand Sieur de Pilles whose same spread it self throughout all France by his stout resistance of the Kings power and valorous keeping of the place for against the continuall assaults of the whole Army His excesding valor his brave Soldiers kept it for two months and one time in this seige a truce was made that if in certain dayes relief came not they should yeeld on conditions Relief by a handsome policy the day comes and St. Severin with forty horse deceives by policy the sentinells and Kings Army and as friends passe all to the relief of the Place After many bloody assaults and great loss to the Kings Army the place not able any longer to continue did at last deliver up on honourable rearms Yields on honourable terms To depart with their Goods Arms Horses and ensignes displaied and for four months should not carry armes in defence of the Protestant religion But as Monseiur de Piles made his seige famous so the Catholicks made themselves infamous But dishonourably kept by the King by his Majesties breach of faith given for as they advance to receive the articles of the Kings promise and their own deserts they are spoyled of Armes Apparell and Monies rob their baggage take away their Horses and spoil their Men. Nay a Regiment quartered at St. Jultan halfe a League off under the command of Sarrien fals on Beats Kills Murthers and destroyes many They are murthered casts some into the River and he that can make a safe escape to Angoulesme is happy though he have nothing else but his shirt Whereupon Mounseiur Piles was freed from his engagement by a non-performance of the Kings promise 10000. men lost at the siege and five thousand canon shot spent The King lost at this seige Sebastian of Luxembourg Duke of Martignes and governour of Brittain five thousand cannons shot spent ten thousand men of War lost twenty five or thirty Commissaries of the artillery which was slain in their charge many crept away from the Army and such hot service insomuch that the Camp decreased eighteen or twenty thousand men The K. disbands the Army In the year 1570 for many reasons and after much consultation had the King did resolve to disband his army which accordingly was don The Princes Army increases Now the Protestants labour to gather Strength by the Industrious pains of the most incomparable Prince of Navar who passing the expectation of his age presently Armes the nobility and others in those partes on whom his father the King of Navar had great influence by reason of their near alliances and neighbour hood whereby the Princes Army was now again got to such a degree of strength That they were masters of the field The K. Armie meets and Marshall de Cosse General The King seeing things go contrary to his desire and expectation summons his Army together and in regard the Duke of Anjou was sick the charge of the Army was delivered to Marshall de Cosse the Armies never came so neer as to give battel but often skirmishing and little likelhiood there was for the King to conquer the Protestants by force which opinion as it was grounded on good reason so was it increased by newes which came to the Court that Prince Casimir was raising new forces for aid of the Protestant Princes which indeed put the Catholicks in a great doubt and fear of any success against them The K. Cabinet Council meet and plot a peace and ruin together Now begins the bloody game for the King Queen Mother Duke of Anjon and Cardinall of Lorrain meets privately together and according to their disposition and custome fall a ploting holding it the best way when they could not mend it to think of accommodation and giving liberty to the Protestants Who might better have enjoyed it by war than by peace as the Issue proved If it had pleased the Lord to discover the inside of their treachery which though fatal to the poor Protestants yet so dishonourable to the King of France and the French Nation that it cannot but draw down Gods just Judgements upon them The secret Council thought this way of peace might be the quickest and safest way to their designs of destroying the Protestants better than by War for if they could cut off the chief supporters of the Protestant cause the rest would follow and so they aim at an opportunity to gain a peaceable though bloody access to their persons which in time of War their Sword could not reach so by this means hoping to cut off the Root the Branches would wither Indeed it had been well if it had fallen out that the branches had naturally withered but ah sad and doleful we shall see a horrid and bloody Tragedy which will astonish any heart but flint to hear and read this sad and miserable story and truly it makes my heart bleed to think of the sad cruelties and unparalleld massacres of Gods people And now they discover their Inclinations to peace which they knew at all times would gladly be embraced and acceptably welcom to the Protestants if covered with Liberty and Lives the things they only desired For if they had delighted in any thing but Allegiance or fought for any thing but liberty they would not now incline to peace in the midst of their unlimitted power but poor souls they had been far more happy if they had dyed like men in Warr than murthered in their Bods like Dogs This third war was sharp and thought the greatest in regard of the Kings unfaithfull dealing in the breach of his promise that he should give a free liberty for religion and engage to keep it binding himself thereto by Oath yet the same King speedily after breaks all oaths and promises declaring that solemn engagement before God to be void and that what he then promised was not so meant by him and therefore proclaimes it death for any man to professe any Religion but the Romish and Catholick Now the Princes and Admirall in the behalf of themselves and Protestanrs did declare in the sincerity of their hearts that they desired nothing more then the performance of the Kings edict and socurity to enjoy their Liberties Lives and Families Thus having given as succinctly as possibly I can the most remarkable passages of this War we shall now come to the last Tragicall part of the most unheard-of treachery and bloody massacre
that ever I read or heard of The K. sends to desire a peace to take it in all it's circumstances After many battels and much loss of treasure and blood a treaty was begun by the King and Q. Mother who sends messengers to the Princes and Admirall signifying how desirous they were of a firm and inviolable peace The Admiral yields to a treaty The admirall being so often deceived with fair pretences of peace could not be so ill an observer but to learn somthing by transactions past therefore was so afraid and jealous that he knew not well how to advise seeing all their fair pretexts of peace since he could remember was but a shorter cut to their invitable ruin so that the burnt child dreads the fire yet being desirous of a peace on good grounds which proved as a Quagmire to swallow up all their hopes he yeelded to embrace a treaty Now the King that he might better colour and varnish over his treachery sends messengers to the Admiral to signifie in his Majesties name that the King himself had now found out a sure way for a lasting peace which way his Majesty thought so safe as none could doubt of his integrity therein which indeed was a subtile piece of policie as follows The subtle and treacherous design of the K. propounding a war against the K. of Spain as a means to a peace one with another That now both Armies which had so long fought against one another in the feirce flames of a Civill War might now unanimoufly joyn against the Duke of Alva as a forein enemie and one that had been too great an instrument of the late combustions in France And that it might appear no French Romance in regard of the suddeness and the ayd lately received by his Majesty from the Duke of Alva against the Protestants as also supplies from the King of Spain his Master therefore he further signified that his Majesty the King of France had high cause prompting him to a War with the King of Spain and among many this was not the smallest the Kings pretended reasons of war against the King of Spain viz that the King of Spain had by violence taken from his Majesty the King of France the Island Florida in new-found-land suddenly slaying all the French Soldiers as also the Marquesdome of Finall the Inhabitants whereof had lately surrendred themselves under the command of the King of France And therefore he desired in his Majesties behalf that the ground of this war might not be misinterpreted but taken in a good sense and that his Majesties ends of propounding both Armies to joyne against the Duke of Alva in the Low-countries might be looked upon as a designe of his Majestie to unite all former discords in a firm bond of union and concord by cleaving together against a common enemie And to set off this business the better he further propounds that it was now a fit opportunity to imploy Count Lodovick of Nassaw Brother to the Prince of Orange for management of the business that he might easily by the assistance of his Commanders and Soldiers suddenly surprise certain Cities which mighe be of great advantage to the future hopes of success the Admiral reasons the case could hardly be brought to believe this war real and oh that he had never believed it Now this penetrated the more into the Admiralls heart in regard this Count of Nassaw was one that had been under his command for two years who behaved himself with an exceeding courage and approved valour and fidelity in a great proof to the Admiralls knowledge and there needed no spur to the Count being a man banished out of his own Country for Religion by the Duke of Alva and was a man of much resolution and courage The Admirall receiving this message was wonderfully put to understand what to do or say for although he seemed not to suspect the Kings fidelity yet he saw strong reasons to look about him for though he valewed not his own life yet he drew along with him the wellfare of all Protestants therefore he considered thus with himself The great power of the Cardinall and Guisans in the Kings Court and was also too well known to be no less greatly in favour with the King and Court of Spain against whom this war should be and therefore could not conceive how this war with Spain could really be caried on when these men were the prime managers of the affairs of France having also severall pensions from the King of Spain therefore could not but increase and confirme his jealousie to suspect treason and deceit when he considered that these men were dependents of Spain who were of the King of France his Cabinet Councell and yet for them to wage war against the King of Spain Oh! Treachery The Admirall could not but take notice that at the same time the Embassadour of the King of Spain was admitted into the Privie Councell of France which to forein nations seemed utterly incredible and that also one Brirragio a Lumbard reported a traitor to his own Country being ignorant of the Law was for his subtil wit hoysted to the honourable office of Chancellour in the room of Michael Hospitall displaced a man well known to be a true Patriot to his own Country and also so learned and able as the like could never be found in France Thus the Admiral on whom did hang all the weight of affaires doubted what to do in this great strait The Admirall in a strait what to resolve on he therefore considered on the contrary side what his adversaries would say against him that they would hereby take occasion to report him backward to Peace as one delighting to live in the fuell and fire of blood and civill wars not knowing how to live but in troubled waters not able to endure the sweet relish of a quiet peace these reasons amongst others did perplex his wavering mind Now the Kings Messenger in behalf and for defence of his Majesty The Kings Messengers reply to the Admiralls Objections did anâ—wer to all the Objections of the Admiral and said That the suddenness of the King of France his resolutions to war with the King of Spain was That he and his Mother the Queen had been informed by one Albery come lately from Spain That for certain King Philip a little before had poisoned his Queen the French Kings Sister and had basely given out through all Spain that he had such things against her as for the credit of many persons of honor were not fit to be published The Admiral perswaded by Count Lodowick to the war with Spain Now all this being said moved not the Admiral so much as the free and chearful resolutions of the Count of Nassaw whose indefagitable earnestness was boundless and perswasions to the Admiral endless till effected The Admiral hereby perswaded laies aside all dishonorable thoughts that might stain the Kings loyalty
and so stood ready to embrace a peace to which purpose was sent Beavois and Teligni the Admirals Son and with them Monsieur de la Chossetire the Prince of Navars Secretary and so on the eleventh day of August 1570. was a peace concluded according to the Edict of Pacification in January A peace concluded with free Liberty That every one should have free liberty of conscience to use and profess the Reformed Religion Rochel and Montauban was to be held in the Princes name for the space of two years by the Protestants The Articles of Peace were afterwards published and Registâ—ed in the Parliament But alas we shall see that this Sun-shine of Peace like the poor Traveller in the sable sooner makes the Protestants cast off the cloak of their security than all the blustering storms of the Kings Warlike forces could For by embracing a peace they hug in their bosoms and nourish in their hearts their own calamities and know it not by reason it is printed and gilded with the name of peace Several Protestant princes sends Embassadours to congratulate with the King and his peoples tranquillity in the peace concluded The King olemnly gives his faith for ever to observe the Edict Not long after this peace thus concluded several Princes of Germany that had respect to the Protestant Religion among whom was the three Electors the Palsgrave the Duke of Saxony and the Marquess of Brandenburgh all sent their several Ambassadors to the French King to congratulate this happy peace and to shew their joyful resentment of the same promising that if any new commotion should arise they would assist him to the uttermost against the Contrivers and authors thereof To this Embassage the King replies by words and afterwards subscribes to a Book with his own hand giving his faith by both That he would for ever most sacredly and faithfully observe the late Edict of Pacification But alas his heart was too many leagues from his mouth his promises are no better than if written in water with ones finger being too far short of truth and intention which is sad to confider that the King should have no way to keep his faith but to break it that oaths and promises which should ty devils fast is the onely way to levell all faith and engagements For now it is to be taken notice of that wheras before the Kings age made his Authority fit only to advise and countenance now he manages affairs with his own Council and command for being now come to the years of 22. he displaies himself on the Theatre of the World in such a splendid equipage that all might see him to be of a fierce resolute nature and above all an absolute dissembler as one of the French nation very well observed and if he did not yet this History will sufficiently evidence The Armies dismissed and the Princes and Admirall go to Rochel Now this peace being thus concluded the Armies are dismissed and the Strangers retire to their own Country after which the Princes retired to Rochel for now to effect the deep and bloody plot nothing wanted but the Art of perswasion to entice the Princes Q. of Navar the Admiral and Principal Protestants Lords to come to Paris nothing more desired for their the trap was laid for their destruction and doubtless this mock-peace had never been embraced if it had pleased God to have given them an insight to the bottome of this unheard-of and unimaginable depth of Treachery and Deceit which being hatcht and brought forth in the Hellish Court of the Cabinet Council we shall too soon see the speedy and sad effects of it the Lord knows it will too soon come to the birth of their bloody hopes and cruel desires for as vengeance persues blood at the heels so a hideous storm of cruelties succeeds this peace The Peace though fully concluded of between the King and Protestants yet was not fully observed in all places according to the Edict So that the Princes and Admiral to give a reason why they stood at such a distance from his Majesty send to Court Theligny Briquemault Beauvais La Nocle and Cavannes They are no sooner come but the King welcomes them to the Court and professes that it is his Royal pleasure that the full Observation of the Edict was no less than he really intended and therefore to scatter all mists of doubt from the Princes and Admiral he desired that they would acquaint him of his real resolutions for their good The King and Cabinet Council plots the ruin of the Protestants being desirous to get the Princes Admiral to Paris and so to cut them off And now they begin their Politick Maxim Parvi sunt Arma foris nisi sit consilium domi That policy is of more force in Military affairs than valour They now to the Trade of Politick treachery the King and his Cabinet Council meets and their Result is With speed and secrecie by Serpentine Labyrinths and enfoldings to bring the principal Protestants into the Not of destructior A Wor being thought too hazardous and weak to effect therefore must the principle of Machevil take place in their judgements and practice i. e. To effect their desires though they swim through a Sea of blood For now they have hopes that their plot might take effect in regard that their private actings were now mannaged by those that were jointly concerned in the effects of their desires and hoped to have some share in eheir bloody success The King by fair carriages intends to slide into the Protestants affections and so draw them to Paris and cut them all off which was the plot laid for them To which purpose a good opinion of the Kings sincere intentions for the Protestants good must be fixed in the minds of the Princes of the blood the Queen of Navar and the Admiral so that all their foul actings might seem so fair as no tincture of suspition should enter into their thoughts he penetrates their hearts with shews of love but his own heart is filled with deceitful plots and treacherous Resolutions endeavouring so to insinuate into their good natures that he might lodge in their hearts good thoughts of his bad intents so that all carriages must be screwed up to the highest pin of affection and love as we shall shortly see conferred on them by an outward confluence of all favours that the least doubt might not have any footing to the prejudice of their bloody aims hoping by this means to have their desires and success to lodge under one roof All their plot being to get them to Paris the Theatre of this most horrid and cruel Tragedy ensuing unarmed and then by further progress to put in execution the practical part of their bloody plot so marshalling their affairs that all the Protestants shall be immediately cut off in the bloodiest war that ever was known Now the plot being laid the Gin being set they fall to
work labouring to bring this bloudy brat to the Birth To which purpose the King and Queen Mother calls to Council the Duke of Anjou the Cardinal of Lorrain the Duke of Guise and Alberti Conde Count de Retz and speedily resolve them of their secret intentions if by any means it could be effected they therefore desire their best aid and assistance together with their approbation which needed not be doubted for they were men ready enough at all times to act the Kings pleasure The King therefore begins sending out strict orders to all the Provinces of his Kingdome Now the King begins to dissemble strictly commanding an observation of the Edict which he intends not should be observed The King outwardly carried it harshly to the Catholicks to more to work the Protestants to their lure to have a high esteem and regard to the late Edict in behalf of his good Subjects the Protestants and that it was his Majesties express command to have it strictly observed and to make their Hearts understand what they heard by the ear the King gives Order to have this message proclaimed at Rochel the Seat of the Princes and Admiral assuring them in particular of the Kings favourable intentions to what he had confirmed with his Royall Hand which should be kept inviolable from all attempts of the strongest perswasion And yet to penetrate more deep to make one act of dissimulation out-vy another to let the world see he was a good proficient in the Art of Treachery and Bloodshed he carries himself outwardly very harsh to the Catholicks telling the Commissioners that the Power of the Duke of Guise and Cardinal of Lorrain was not to be feared for that the Government now rested in himself and had no dependency on any of their commands and therefore though they live at Court yet needed not the Princes of the Blood or Admiral fear them as Adversaries for they lived as Subjects not as Masters and that ere long he hoped all acts of forformer hostility and enmity should be by his means buried in eternal forgetfulness and that both parties should be reconciled to the Kings desire and their own good All which did not only peirce the hearts of the common people but wonderfully wrought upon the hearts of the Princes and Admiral with the chief of the Protestants who now begun to believe the Kings intentions real and that being now weary of the bloudy Civil Wars and Distractions and beginning now to govern by himself and not by his Council might at last sincerely desire a firm peace But alas they are too short sighted to espy and too sincere to doubt that such unparalleled deceit should lodge in the hearts of devils much less in a King a Christian King not so much as in his thoughts much less in his intentions and practice but it is the less wonder seeing it is so that not only in publick actions of great men but also in our common intercourse with things of smaller moment we all experience that the greatest hatred and malice is covered with the greatest love and friendship and that there is no greater knavery then that which borrows a cloak of Religion to cover it with some men again make use of friendship as a stepping stone to their own ends as the For being environed with a high Wall and hotly persued by his Enemies was put to great straits for his liberty for he could not leap over the Wall at last espying one by the Wall side stooping for a stone to throw at him he suddenly leaps on the mans back and by that step of advantage leaps over Little did the poor Princes and Admiral with the Queen of Navar and Nobles and Gentlemen of the Religion think their Noble blood to be so neer spilling by such base and unheard-of cruelties covered under so much love who would not pitty to read that so much valor as was in these brave Commanders should be murthered and laid in the bloody grave of a Treacherous death which shortly we shall sadly peruse The first thing the Admiral embraced by these perswasions was the War against the King of Spain which made the way easier to the rest that followed and yet he often said to his Son-in-Law Teligny that he suspected the rowling wit of the Queen Mother whom he was afraid would lead them on in this enterprize and leave them in the midst The Prince of Orange and Count Lodowick his Brother profer their service to the King in the war of the Low Countrys The Count of Nassaw advising with his Brother the Prince of Orange sends word to the King That if it were his Majesties pleasure to War against the King of Spain in the Low Countries they would so order themselves under his commands as that by their service therein his Majesty should find them faithful and useful and perceive their affections to him and the cause in hand to this the King replies in loving Letters commending their resolutions and gave them hearty thanks for their loving Message which tended highly to a free manifestation of their affections to his Service The Emperour mediates between the Prince of Orange and the K. of Spain The King of France encourages the Prince of Orange against the perswasions of the Emperour Now Maximillian the Emperour pretending to pitty the Estate of the Prince of Orange had obtained by Embassadours to the King of Spain that the Prince should have his goods restored conditionally that he should not settle his habitation in the Low Countryes but in some other place and yet nevertheless should enjoy freely all his Revenues As soon as the French King hears hereof and doubting it might be a hindrance to his present design he speedily posts Messengers to the Prince of Orange to perswade him that what the Emperour had done was nothing but to hinder their progress in so good and advantagious a cause and being only a devise to break up his leavies that he had begun in Germany letting him further understand that if he will please to give him credit he should not want assistance sufficient to regain his Estate from the King of Spain These perswasions of the King being not suspected to come from dissimulation and hypocrifie by the Prince of Orange so did he firmly believe all to be real insomuch as he proceeded in his Musters resolving a while to bear the charges thereof whilst all things else fitting for the war were in readiness though the charge at that time was very heavy Count Lodowick disgrised goes to Court and treats with the King and agrees about the War Now Count Lodowick his Brother being of a resolute disposition essayed his own fortunes and by encouragement from the King he secretly journies from Rochel taking with him onely two companions giving out he was going for the Prince of Orange his Brother but in a disguised habit he privately departs and that night arrives at the Court which then was kept at
Bloys where the King and Queen Mother shewed great demonstrations of a joyful welcome and at this time the King in person himself did treat with the Count without the assistance of any of his Council which the rather was done that the Count might see and report that now he acted by the Counsel of his own command that so the Admiral and Princes might see and understand his promises could not be hindred or frustrated by the counsels of their adversaries about him at Court that so also they might receive the better encouragement to come to Court seeing their Enemies was not of his Council At this meeteng of Count Lodowick and the King it was agreed that the War should go forward against the King of Spain The Admirall desired by the K. to come to Court and be Captain General in the War with all possible speed and that the Count should go before to prepare that the Admiral shall go Captain General desiring further of the Count that he would signifie as much to the Admiral and to desire him in his Majesties name to come to Court the better to treat and confer fully thereof whose advise should have as great power with the King as could be expected that he should have allowed for his Guard fifty persons in Arms at Paris The K. very earnest to have the admiral at Court under spetious pretences of favour for safety of his person or should have any other security that might put him out of hazard of his Enemies Attempts and might also bring him into a good opinion of the Kings real intentions Oh! deep dissimulation This being don betwixt the Count of Nassaw and the King the Count returneth to Rochel who poor Prince not seeing this depth of Treacherous deceit used all Rhetorical Art of perswasions to the Princes and Admiral to journey to the Court and indeed he was the only Spur to them and much perswaded them of the Kings real intentions and how joyful the King would be of their Company and Counsel in his affairs The King now returns to Paris and takes his pleasure that the World might see he minded only recreation but God knows plotted his poor subjects ruin who with the Cabinet Council sits close for effecting their bloody desires in the plot laid for their destruction The Dukâ— of Guise Cardinall of Lorrain feign a discontent depart the Court on purpose to allure the Princes Admirall to Court by their absence from it To which purpose the Duke of Guise and Cardinal Lorrain give out the better to draw and allure the Protestants to Court in their absence their high displeasure against the late proceedings of the King in behalf of the Protestants by his favours conferred on them therfore in great disdain and greater Policy the Cardinal of Lorrain departs the French Court and carries with him Cardinal Pelvey Duke of Pontmenseir and the Prince Dauphine pretending to go to the Election of a New Pope but indeed was only to draw the Princes and Admiral to Court by being encouraged with their adversaries absence that they may come to Court with more confidence and less fear but we shall shortly see that though they divide in opinion yet they unite in Counsel and bloody crueltys The Prince of Orange his Fleet takes the Spaniards Ships and sells them as Prizes in Rochel by the Kings permission And that this Treachery might still be more compleatly freed from all suspition and all things seem to be carried on by the Kings mind his Majesty gives leave to the Prince of Orange his fleet to hover about Rochel and by opportunity to set on the Spaniards Ships and Portugalls which might happen to sail along that Coast taking such as they cold which they did and brought them into the Haven of Rochel where they openly sold their prizes which the K of Spain by his Embassadour often complained of But to set the world a fair copy of a Kingly treachery to his poor Subjects to lay the Top-stone of Dissimulation in the fairest pretences of affection and desire of peace the King ushers in one of the handsomest pieces of Hypocrisie that ever carryed the face of Reality for although the thing he pretended was really effected yet the grounds and ends by him proposed which was the only thing pretended by him was clean contrary to his promise and what he did in it was basely to defile his own actions with his ruin And indeed it put all out of doubt of the Kings integrity The King propounds his Sister the Lady Margarite in mariage with the Prince of Navar. The business was this The King sends Mounseir de Byron with propositions to the Queen of Navar that the Lady Margarite the Kings own Sister should be given in mariage to her Son the Prince of Navar that the anticut consanguinity and present peace might be more confirmed and established to the liking of all parties And indeed this did put on a great confidence in all especially the Princes the Queen of Navar and Admiral that the King was now real in what he professed and propounded But Oh the bloody effects it produced shall at last too sadly be related An Embassadour from Rome arrives in the French Court. In the midst of these transactions secretly carried on arrives in the depth of a most sharp winter in the King of France his Court the Cardinal Alexandrio who came from Rome by the advice of Cardinal de Pelve that went from the French Court with Cardinal Lorrain This Pelve was sometimes a Scholar in the College of Montaigue and during his study there was a Servant to the Cardinal of Lorrain and afterwards was grown to be a Scullion but now being advanced to the place of Cardinall was so fitted for any Treason or act of cruelty that nothing though never so horrid would stick in his throat but he was able to swallow down that which was able to damn a World for the sinfulness thereof Now the Instructions that Cardinal Alexandrio brought along with him from the Pope was to perswade the King to enter into the Society of the Council of Trent the first and principal Article whereof was That the Confederation should join their power to make war upon the Turks and Hereticks meaning all Princes that suffered the use of the Protestant Religion The Cardinal was honourably received and welcomed to Court he urged how much it was against the profession of a Christian King to make peace with Hereticks and to war against the King of Spain how it did weaken his Friends and strengthen his Enemies treating in Leagues with Forein Princes that were excommunicated by the Apostolick Sea which negotiation was so mannaged as the result was not published but it was publiquely rumored amongst the Common people that he had not the effects of his desire yet the Cardinal returned cheerfully to the Pope and it was reported that he did say he had such answer
from the King and Queen Mother as was not fit to be published The King for a secure mannagement of the Wars against the King of Spain The Kings strange plot to surprize Rochel gave Commission to Strozzi and the Baron de li Guard to rig forth ships from Burgess and Rochel and to surprize any Vessels that were going through the English Seas to the aid of the Duke of Alva in the Low-Countreys the Spanish Embassadour complains hereof but these two Captains had secretly and privately an underhand Commission to seize on Rochel and by open or secret force to get into their power for his Majesty although all was carried fair on against the Duke of Alva The King also gave command to the Admiral to send Espials into Peru and Island in the New found World which being plentiful of Gold the Spaniard had possessed himself thereof and there to attempt what he could against the King of Spain which business according to his Majesties command the Admiral undertook committing it to one of his Gentlemen who with a certain Portugal skilful in those navigations he had joined in Commission The King heaps unexpressible favours on the Admiral and Friends Now the King heaped unexpressable favours on the Admiral Count Rochfoucault and Theligni with the rest of the principal Protestants and chief Noblemen of the Religion for what ever was taken from any of them in time of the Civil Wars was now most lovingly restored by the Kings command and if any one that the King could learn was a friend to the Admiral to him he did shew singular respect even to the height of an unimaginable dissimulaeion He commanded one time to be given to the Admiral one hundred thousand pounds of his own treasury in recompence of his great losses When the Cardinal of Chastillon formerly fled to England disguised and having great Revenues and Wealth his death being known to the King he did give to the Admiral all the fruits of the whole year with all his rich and costly Houshold-stuff and though all former Admirals in Council and publick Ceremonies had ever given place to the Marshall of France yet for the Admirals greater honour it was the Kings will and pleasure that he should sit next Monseiur de Momorancy who was the first Marshall and above all the rest The K. desires the Duke of Savoy to favour the Protestants The King also writes to the Duke of Savoy that for his sake he would please to be favourable to the Protestants under his Dominion it should ly upon him as an acceptable favor It is not to be thought what kindnesses the King shewed to the Protestants even to the great amazement of the Catholicks and rejoicing of the Protestants The K. so far dissembles that by his shew of respects to the Protestants the Catholicks suspect him who poor souls thought all true that he said but this love proved bitter hatred like Judas kiss nay the King did so carry it that the Catholicks began to surmise and say that the King did not only favour the Protestants but would himself turn one shortly And in regard there was a mighty enmity betwixt the Duke of Guise and the Admiral by reason of a report fixed on the Admiral as if he should be an instrument of his Fathers death The Admiral and Duke of Guise reconciled and the Admiral declared not guilty of the Duke of Guises death the King therefore to make up all breaches and in order to a perfect peace he prescribes a perfect form of Reconciliation the foundations whereof was laid six years ago in the Town of Molins where the King summoning the principal estates of his Kingdom did on consultation and deliberation declare and pronounce the Admiral not guilty of the death of the Duke Guise a thing his Majestie was before bound in conscience to do but now was acted and done as a piece of good policy this block being taken away as an advance for the Admiral to the Court. But as we said before the most solemn bond and ty for a secure peace is the Lady Margarite Sister to the King of France to be given in mariage to the Prince of Navar who was Son to the most virtuous Queen of Navar. who also had all the last civil war been General of the Protestant Cause and couragiously defended it to his Eternal Praise which mariage the King did declare That he did it for the effecting and establishing a durable peace and as a signal testimony of his loyall affections to the Protestants And yet in the mean while the Papists in Roan murthered divers Protestants and grievously beat others as they came from a Sermon Many Protestants murthered in Roan And in regard that it was objected That the King of France his Sister was of the Roman Religion and the Prince of Navar a Protestant it could not well be effected to a good purpose To which the King answered he would free her by a Dispensation from the Pope that no Impediment might stand in the way to so great a good as a sure peace betwixt him and his Subjects nothing being more delightful or desired by him As soon as this was spread to the Courts of Forein Princes it did amaze the Popish Party that ever the King should proceed in behalf of Hereticks But on the contrary it did exceedingly possess the hearts of the Prince The K. plot takes effect and Admiral and all forein Princes of the same Religion with exceeding joy being such a large demonstration of the Kings affection and as a Seal of fidelity to all he promised and did also drive out of their hearts all jealousies of plots or secret Contrivances but the Admiral which had most reason and was most backward to believe all reall yet he at this time was now most forward to believe and most ready to be confirmed not only by this but also by a Letter which the King sent him by his Son Theligni The Admiral at last perswaded and deluded by a Letter from the King under the Kings own hand and Seal assuring the Admiral That whatever he should do in the Business of the war in the Low Countries against the King of Spain should be by his Majesty allowed of and ratified as if done by his special command such was his alluring baits and pretences of good will and trust to the Admiral And thus the poor Protestant Princes are too much perswaded of the Kings faith who intended their ruin without remedy we shall shortly see them come to Paris and embrace the mountains of treacherous pretences of faith and affection and so be swallowed up in their Enemies malitious and unparallel'd cruelty for all the huge promises of the Kings stood but as an Earnest till their plot was ripe and then they are more swift to shed blood than real to what they promise and truly such a piece of Kingly tteachery is not in any age to be
parrallelled CHAP. VI. The Contents THe Queen and Prince of Navar with the Prince of Conde comes to Court the Articles of the War of the Low Countries put in writing the Mariage between the Lady Margarite and Prince of Navar agreed on the King heaps honours on the Admirall and friends the King invites the Admiral to Court and protests his own life is envelloped in his a cross in derision of the Protestants is pulled down by his Majesties command the Plot almost discovered by a lively instance the King threatens severe punishment to any that shall affront the Admirall or Protestants the Admiral comes to Court and welcomed the King allowes 50. for his Guard the Count Lodowick of Nassaw enters the Low Countries and takes in Montz A league offensive and defensive with Queen Elizabeth of England but proved a deep plot the Queen of Navar poisoned by the Kings Apothecary by whose death the Prince is King of Navar the joyful and bloody mariage of the King of Navar and the Lady Margarite the Kings plot to take Rochel the names of the Protestants in Lyons is taken in a bloody Book sad complaints commeth to the Admiral and great suspition of a bloody Massacre at hand but he believed it not the Admiral from a Window shot in both Arms with a Harquebuzier as he walked in Paris the King in great rage dissembles his treachery but publishes his hypocrisie by a shew of grief and discontent he that shot the Admiral escapes having fresh horses waiting for him the Admiral shews himself a true Christian and patient sufferer the matter examined by Judges and the Issue he that shot the Admiral had commission from the King for it the Admiral like to dy requests the Kings visit the King and Queen Mother with many Attendants perform his request they profess sorrow and dissemble wonderfully the King and Admiral discourse alone the Admiral commits his injuries to the Lord the King intreats the Admiral to lodge in the Loure the Admiral refuses a great suspition of Treason by a sudden speech of the Count de Retz in the Protestants hearing the Admiral requested a Guard for his person which the King grants the Admiral and Protestants advised of their ruin but they depended on the Kings promises carriages mariage and solemn Oaths for their security and safety THe last Chapter concluded with the great favours of the King to the Protestants whereby he had so won into their affections and to perswade them all he said was true and to embrace his cruelty for loyalty now in this chapter we shall see the effects of his desires accomplished for we shall behold all the Nobles of the Protestant Religion and Princes with the most of the Gentry environed in Paris by the Treacherous baits of the Kings allurements The Queen of Navar with her Son the Prince and the Prince of Conde with a numerous train of the Nobility Gentry of the Protestants all come to the Court with many brave Commanders But Oh! my heart bleeds to think of the bloody issue In the beginning of June the Queen of Navar and Connt Lodowick of Nassaw arrived at the French Court at Paris the Count came to receive orders about the War in the Low Countries the Queen of Navar was courteously invited by the King to help prepare all things fitting for the Wedding who to that purpose came and was received with a joyful welcome both of the King and whole Court but as now we see their faces smiling with a good aspect so we shall shortly see their hearts full of poison Two daies after arrives the Prince of Navar the Prince of Conde accompanied with the Count de Rochfoucault with all the Trains of the Princes being the chief Commanders Cavalliers and Gentlemen of the Religion amongst which was brave Pilles Briquemault and Pluveault Collonels and resolute Souldiers who in time of the War through their undaunted and resolute valour for the Protestant cause may challenge a right of honour amongst the prime in France their courage being such as their Enemies yielded to them much glory and renown as well as felt the power thereof Amongst the rest also came to Court that famous Commander the Sicur de Guerchy that defended the City Sancere where all miseries were endured and their enemies cruel mercy a place which was driven to such extream wants as no filthy thing was left unfed upon also came the Marquess de Revel the Sieurs de Nove de Collumbiere one Lavardin a famous Commander of Horse with many Noble Lords and gallant young Gentlemen all Protestants in the Bud of their years with a great many more â—f quality and reputation but alas we shall see these poor innocent Gentlemen basely murthered by the Kings command and so deprived of all that Gallantry which their sprightful valour promised to fill the World withal Articles of the Low Countrey war put in writing The Count of Nassaw had with the King concluded on Articles for the Low Country war which Articles were put in writing So that we may say the King used the Count and the Prince of Orange in this War as the Monky did the Cats foot to pull the Chessnuts out of the fire Articles of the mariage And now to the mariage of the Lady Margaret and Prince of Navar the agreement being made That the Prince of Navar should have with the Lady Margaret four hundred thousand Ducats whereof three hundred thousand should be paid by the King and security given by the Queen Mother and the Duke of Anjou the mariage to be in the City of Paris and now Christian Reader the plot begins The King advances a Gentleman of the Admirals to high Honour his name Cavagnes a Gentleman of great Worth and really honorable in himself for excellent parts and no less valour whom the King The Admiral intreated by the K. to come to Court the better to work his Designs sends as Messenger to the Admiral to intreat his presence at Paris in order to honour the King and Court in this mariage as also to consult about the War against the King of Spain assuring him that the King intends his safety in that City as much as his own and that although the Parisians did cordially hate him by reason of their great superstition in that City being with seditious preaching of Moncks and Fryers dayly inflamed to cruelty and bloodshed against the Protestants yet his Majestie would take such care of his person as he should be as safe as the watchfull eye and command of a King would make him A stone Cross pulled down by the K. command at the Admiralls request The King finding a stone cross erected in Paris in a reproachful Triumph against the Protestants in time of the Civil Wars did at the request of the Admiral pul it down in regard it was a publick occasion of offence And thus the King and his Council were hid with the love-hood
of secrecie that whilst they could see others others could not see them But alas God can easily discover all their close contrivances when he pleases but it must be let alone to the secret will of God why at this time he was pleased to let his people and the Earth be burthened and oppressed with such hellish designs that one would think should make Devils afraid to contrive but however God suffered them to act their lustful rage and bloody cruelty yet he pleased so to unmask the pretences of friendship that in despight of Worldly secrecie the whole Universe may perceive the plot of Popish cruelty This wonderful and Tragical instance will cleerly evince any Impartial Reader and if there were no other yet would it stand alone as an irrefragable Argument that there was a premeditated plot to cut off the Admiral and Protestants which story for the strangeness of the Discovery and the Kings more strange way of Justice to prevent the further spreading of his plot take as followeth and because of its use I hope may prove no digression The secret design of the K. and Council to destroy the Protestants is almost discovered in this cleer and pretty Story There was in the Court of France at this came one Monsieur de Lignoroles a young Gentleman of a sharp and accute wit attended also with a high and bold Spirit which Gentleman was the Duke of Anjou's great Familiar which reason together with the neerness of affection to each other the Duke did impart to him the secret Counsels of the King with this Plot of cutting off all the Protestants by a fair pretence of an alluring carriage till they were under his power and mercy This young Gentleman by his great intimacy with the Duke grew also into high favour with the King and Queen Mother and for his wit and carriage drew the eyes of all the Court towards him attracting great esteem from King Queen Mother and Court This unfortunate Gentleman more happy in the imployment than wise in the improvement of his parts who being in the high Road of Honour wanted but few steps to a high preferment which time and his wise mannagement would necessarily have courted him with and conferred on him This Gentleman I say hapned by his great esteem to be admitted to the presence of the King and Nobles and once on a time when many Nobles of the Religion were present with his Majesty through some occasion of a Treaty for a peaceable enjoyment of freedom of Religion according to the Edict At this time the King was highly moved with the Protestant Nobility this young Gentleman seeing the King angry presently stepped to the King and whether to please the King or to let his Majestie know he was thought worthy of counsel by the great trust some had put him in or moved by ambition to appear no stranger to the Kings nearest secresies which sometimes in young wits many times runs before a discreet conduct of their advantages But he I say whispers in the Kings ear Desiring his Majesty that he would please to silence his mind with a patient forbearance of anger and to smile away their insolency and folly for his Majesty well knew that few days would ripen their destruction and lay them level to justice which saies he by a secret policy of your Majesties great Wisdom and compleat contrivance was almost brought to a full conclusion last meeting and which no doubt in the end will speedily and securely render your Majesty in a full and ample capacity to be avenged on their haughtiness The King at these words startled within himself being touched at the quick to have such a secret imparted to one that was not of the conspiracy whose raw retention might prove fatal to them all wondering how and by what means he should come to the knowledge thereof Now the King in whom lodged a knowledge beyond his years dissembled his understanding at this time and made no shew of any thing that might tend to the understanding of his speech but speedily retired to his chamber with a mind full of anxity and fury and presently without any delayes examines the Count de Retz who denies that ever he revealed any thing to any or to him he then charged the Queen Mother who answered she was not to learn of him to keep secrets at last he fell to examine the Duke of Anjou who confessed it and fell to perswade the King that it was as securely locked from any further discovery as in his own breast and like a Spring lock would shut but not open of it self That his Majesty need not fear that any secret imparted to Ligneroles should ever come neerer his mouth than his heart the King answers No more it shall and I wish it had never come there for I shall take order that he shall not have time to do it So the King calls George de Villequier Vicount of Guerchy whom his Majestie knew hated Ligneroles perfectly and commanded him to use his Discretion for a speedy removal of Ligneroles out of this world and to put off the effecting his desire no longer and that day to bring to pass his pleasure and command without fear or delay which with the Assistance of another was accordingly done as soon as the King heard hereof he was seemingly angry and commanded the Vicount and Count Charls his assistant to be imprisoned in the Palace but in a Months time by the intreaty of Monsieur de Angolesm as also by particular grace and favour they were set at Liberty This Story needs no Comment The King charges the Magistrates of Paris that none in the City should offer the least affront to the Admirall or Protestants After all the Kings favors to the Protestants and pulling down the stone Cross erected to their dishonour the King knowing the extreme inveterate hate the Parisians bore to the Admiral and Protestants he wrote a Letter to the Provost de Marchands one Marcel which is one of the highest places of advancement in Paris giving out severe threatnings against any that should give occasion of commotion or Affront to the Admiral at his comming So also did the Queen Mother and Duke of Anjou write to Marcel and Magistrates of the City insomuch that nothing was now left as a hindrance or objection for the Admirals coming and safety The King sends a Protestant Gentleman to invite the Admiral to Court who comes and is joyfully welcomed Shortly after the King sends a Noble Gentleman of the Protestants named Briquemault to the Admiral being a faithful assistant of the Admirals as also a man of singular vertue and esteem among the Protestants and at last proved a sad though Christian Sufferer for the Protestant cause him the King sends to the Admiral to let him know how greatly his Majesty longed for his counsel in so weighty a business as the War which could not be done without his assistance and present
aid of his great Wisdom and therefore was impatient of his delay The Admiral at last is now perswaded and resolved to go to Paris he comes and no sooner arrived but was very honourably and affectionately embraced with a courteous and joyful shew of welcome and so was speedily conducted to the King who under fair pretences of friendly ends with a mouth full of courtesy with well pleased words and a worse tuned heart with courteous expressions baited with Treason he calls the Admiral Father protesting That in all his life he had not enjoyed a day adorned with more variety of content thad this day was The Kings unheard of and devilish dissimulation wherein he assures himself than his real desires of peace and the success thereof shall for the time to come shelter under one Pent-house and lodge under the roof of a sweet tranquillity and that he hopes a period will be put to all his troubles not questioning but all as well as himself were no less glad in this expectation hoping that times to come would reap the future as the times now the present benefit of this blessed day wherein he wished and as much hoped that all former acts of civil dissentions should new be put in one grave of oblivion in remembrance of the sad war past and Commemoration of this Sunshine day present Now what a wonderful thing it is to consider that the King should so perfectly dissemble with one that had so often brought the power of his Crown and Kingdom to so many doubtful hazards as to call him Father and to make the World think his treachery to be sincerity The Queen Mother and her Sons with the rest of the great Courtiers received him with greater demonstrations of joy and love than the Admiral expected The King allows the Admirall 50. of his Friends to guard him The King also allowed him fifty Gentlemen to be about him in Paris armed for the greater security and guard of his person Now the King Queen Mother and Admiral falls on consultation about the Wars of the Low Countreys But however the King was in jest with the King of Spain yet the Count Lodowick of Nassaw was in good earnest who with a resolution according to his Manly spirit he enters the Frontiers of the Low Countries The Count of Nassaw enters the Low Countries and takes in Montz taking with him as Partners and assistants three French Gentlemen Saucourt La Nove and Genlis men of great esteem and account with the Admiral besides many Gentlemen that they gathered to go along in the Expedition which the Admiral hearing advised the Count not to be too rash well assuring him that such strength as was requisite would take forty days to gather but the Count as banished men are being enflamed with the sight and desire of his own Country and desirous not to depend too much on the Kings changeable mind suddenly resolved and as speedily attempted to take in Valentiennes but finding a repulse speedily hasted to Montz and though strong by nature and Art yet took it which comming to the ears of the Court of France and the whole nation did the more confirm the Protestants that the Kings mind was real Now Genlis being from the Count to Paris related the whole progress of the War to the King desiring leave to raise certain bands of footmen and Horsemen to strengthen Montz which being quickly granted he as speedily raised four thousand foot and four hundred horse but in his Martch was set upon by the Duke of Alva and quite overthrown which was wrought by the treacherous advice of the Duke of Guise The treachery of the Duke of Guise by private intelligence to the Duke of Alvaâ— of all that was done which thing was very ill resented by the very Catholicks themselves because many of the Romish religion were flain in the business The King of France is afraid that his war in jest might make the King of Spain war in earnest These things troubled the King very much for fear his counsels might be disclosed to the King of Spain and so might occasion some quarrel to the breaking forth of a War yet he gave order to the Admiral to assist the Prince of Orange in Germany with as many horse and foot as he thought fit which was done and because moneys might be had for their pay the King called for the Treasurer and commanded him to deliver the Admiral so much money as he should desire commanding him that the receipt should not express the cause Great dissimulation by the K. but should run thus Paid such a Sum to the Admiral by the Kings Commandement which is for certain uses the King commands should not be written to which the King subscribes with his own hand the King wrote a Letter also to Monducet to use his best endravour for the release of those taken under the conduct of Genlis by the Duke of Alva To the full effecting of their desire A League with Q. Elizabeth of England and the first Article was the observation of the Edict but it proves a deep plot against the Protestants and ties the hands of the English from all assistance in their greatest need and extremity it was thought convenient to enter into League with Queen Elizabeth of England which the King committed to the Admiral which he did so diligently and industriously handle that by his elaborate pains in a speedy time By faith given by Embassadours sent and by Oaths it was confirmed concerning a further procuring of other Leagues as might most stand for the Low Country War and of those Leagues by the Admirals care the principal Condition was That the Liberty of Religion should be continued according to the Edict and that the King should most solemnly observe and keep his most sacred Oath and Promise so strictly made for Liberty to the Protestants according to the Edict of Pacification And now The Religious Q. of Navar poisoned by the K. Apothecary a sad presage of further treachery Courteous Reader I must give thee a sad Tast of what follows like one of Jobs Messengers for the Queen of Navar being all this while at Court thinking of a joyful Mariage of her hopeful Son it pleased God to permit a sudden sickness and as sudden a death in the fourty third year of her age who being on too good grounds suspected to be poisoned was therefore opened by Physicâ—ans but they would find no figures of poyson but by more narrow search in earnest and by the advice of one A. P. it was found That her brain was poisoned with an invenomed smell of a pair of perfumed Gloves ordered by one Renat an Italian and the Kings Apothecary who kept a shop on St. Michaels bridge in Paris neer to the Palace And it is well known that the same Renat some certain years ago gave a pair of poisoned Pomander Gloves to Lewis Prince of Conde which the Prince
leaving with one La Gross his Chirurgion was by degrees poisoned and swelled so that the wonderfully and narrowly escaped with his life But these Gloves that poisoned this virtuous Queen were ordered in such a secret sort and just proportion that having worn them a while a violent Feaver seized on her which ended her life in four daies And thus died this Noble Queen bewailed exceedingly by all the Protestants for I find her Enemies say The Queen of Navar in part described She was a Lady of a noble Spirit invincible courage many degrees above most of her Sex qualities besides her Chastity and Magnificence worthy Eternal praise She was one that dived into the deep Mysteries of Divinity which raised her illustrious mind to a high pitch of Christianity being also very judicious of a ready wit invincible in adversity absolute in her actions capable of Counsel comprehending things with great vivacity of Spirit delivering her mind with an admirable grace either by word or writing her comprehension of deep things was of a treble magnitude above any of her sex neither can my pen drop her praise but her infinite merits and if it were possible for any pen to erect Trophies of Honour to the peerless challenges of her immortal praise the lustre of her incomparable merits would be the truest guide in the darkest night This noble Queens Death gave way to the Prince her Son to be King of Navar The Q. death intitles her Son the P. to be K. of Navar. to whom the Kingdome came This unhappy death was looked on by many as very ominous portending a sure prognostick of some unfortunate Catastrophe many bing struck with amazement at this sudden treochery and bloody death concluding it to be a sad Fore-runner of some mischief to come But that which made many Protestants cast away all fear was the Kings loving carriage to them insomuch that things at this time looked with a peaceable countenance throughout the Kingdom of France Now the day of marriage between the Lady Margaret and the King of Navar was appointed which was a great day of joyful hopes to all the Protestants and made all things seem more serene and calm on their side in that also the Guisans and the rest of the chief Catholicks shewed great discontent thereat for all good men judged it an assured pledge of the Kings fidelity and of peace in as much as he shewed such outward joy and declared It was not so much for the wedding as that he said it was for a strong knot of Peace and would tend to a general satisfaction of peaceable Spirits and for the Good of the whole Nation August the 17. the King of Navar The K. of Navar and Lady Margarite maried with great joy on both sides but greater sorrow succeeds and the Lady Margaret was maried with great Solemnity before the great Church of Paris on a Scaffold in sight of all the People and there was a certain form of words so ordered as agreed with both parties which by the Kings commandment was pronounced by the Cardinal of Bourbon the King of Navars Uncle and so was this mariage solemnized with the joy of all good men being kept with Banquets dancing and Masques with a strange mixture of Papists and Protestants together Thus the poor Protestants thought with joy to welcome their own comforts but alas their hopes are frustrate in a contrary success of their expectations and the Kings promises After this the Bride with great magnificence accompanied with a great confluence of Gallants was led to the Church to hear mass The Bridegroom misliking these Ceremonies did with Henry Prince of Conde the Admiral and other Noblemen of the Protestants walk and wait without the Church door for the Brides return The Queen Mother Dukes of Anjou Guise plot But the Queen Mother and her bloody Companions with the Dukes of Anjou and Guise consult about the last Tragical act which was to kill the Admiral and to divide the Protestants thus-like moles under ground they drive on their Hellish designs in Secrecy The King to delude the more speaks publickly The K. publickly declares that he gives his Sister in Mariage as a ty of Union and peace The Admiral of the Kings fleet endeavours to surprize Rochel That he gives not his Sister in mariage to the King of Navar only but as it were to the whole Church of the Protestants to join with them in a undissoluble union and as a ty to their peace and safety Oh! painted ruin whither at last will the fury of thy bloody Chariots drive thee Now while these things proceeded thus at Paris Strozzi as aforesaid Admiral of the Kings Fleet rides before Rochel and at select times sends Captains and Souldiers into the Town under pretence of buying necessaries for their Fleet and sometimes did come ashoar himself but the King had given him Commission to seize on the City although as before it was given out that he say to entrap all the supplies going from Spain to the aid of the Duke of Alva in the Low Countries The like Treachery was used in another part of France by Gonzague Duke of Nevers with a party of Horse neer to La Charite where a bridge passes the River Loyre which the Protestants then had The protestants at Lyons had their names put in a bloody Book this Gonzague requests Liberty of the Town to muster shewing the K. Letters which indeed he had The Governour of Lyons commanded he names of the Protestants to be written in a Book which in regard of their Horrid cruelties committed and devillish Bucheries committed in this City was justly called the bloody Book The Admiral The Admiral desires to depart Paris but the K. desired his stay which on some other grounds he did but sad complaints and great suspition of treason came to his cars but he believes it not after the mariage being then the time he appointed and desired to return to his own house did move the King about his departure but so great was the Court revellings that the Admiral coul not have private access to his Majesty to deal in State-matters Rochel at this time was in a manner besieged with Souldiers arriving hourly giving out terrible threats against the Town which made the Protestants begin to cry to the Admiral for succour and relief for indeed the Admiral was as a nursing Father to them in other Towns also was heard secret murmurings terrifying the most cleer-sighted Protestants giving too sure cause to think a bloody and terrible spectacle would be shewed beyond present conception which will shortly be seen in a horrible manner The Admiral knew not what to answer to all these sad complaints that uncessantly flowed in as one wave on the back of another and all to get him from the Court He answered to all the King had made us swear before him to be Friends the Lady Margaret is given in mariage
their Ruin The Duke of Anjou the Kings Brother commanded Cossin Captain of the Kings Guard to place a band of Souldiers to watch before the Admirals Gate giving strict charge that no Catholicks should enter Now none could be pitched on as the grand Enemy to the Admiral and Protestants and friend to the Guisans than was this Cossin as we shall see by the following narrative The Admirals friends that lay scattered up and down the City were desired under pretence of care and affection to remove their lodging into the same street with the Admiral that they might be sure not to escape Oh! Monstrous and Hellish Plot covered with the Kings care Now the Duke of Anjou as an inheriter of his Brothers Dissimulation strives also to colour his damnable Plot and Treason in the lovingest and highest demonstrations and and care of the Admiral and Protestants and therefore advises that the Admirals friends that now lodged so far distant from his person as the Fauxburgh might have liberty to have their lodgings neerer to him for saies he they being so far assunder they might on any uproar be hurt and no means to prevent it which being neerer one another they might join force to affection and better afford one another their joint aid And so presently commanded the lodgings in that street to be provided Now this was a bait that took off all suspition for alas who could suspect or imagine this to be out of any treacherous intent but rather of care and respect but Oh sad and hellish plot under the vizard of friendship these poor Noblemen Gentlemen and brave Commanders that might have escaped from the calamity are intangled and allured into a narrow street as into a fold or narrow path of destruction no way to escape the fury of their Enemies rage and cruelty All the names of the Protestants and place of abode is taken into a Catalogue against the day of their calamity The next day the Duke of Anjou and Duke of Guise commanded the Undermasters of the streets vulgarly termed Quartermen to take a view of all the Inns and victual-houses from one house to another and to take all the names of the Protestants and so to bring in an Account of their names and places of abode in writing and to deliver them to the Duke of Anjou and Duke of Guise so that presently after the Protestants begun to discover some bloody intentions through the prospect of these preparations Now the King had by this time set a Guard of fifty Harquebuzeirs at the Gate of the Admirals Lodging and great store of Arms were carried into the Loure and about the evening all the people of the City were in arms The Protestants meet advice given to remove from Paris but they still resolve to depend on the K. vows promises Hereupon the chief Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Protestants assemble together again in the Admirals lodging where amongst the rest was the Vidame of Charteres who as before so now advised speedily to try if by any means the Admiral might be forthwith carried out of Paris and that presently the rest should dislodge yet all refused this Counsel resolving to rely on the word of a King sealed with so many Vowes Covenants and Solemn protestations in the presence of God and to the clear witness of all Princes and States The K. and Q. meet and consult of their bloody cutting off the Protestants in a merciless cruelty and devillish massacre In the afternoon the King and Queen Mother walk forth into a Garden named Tegliers accompanied with the Duke of Anjou Gonzague Tavignes and Count de Retz which garden being remote from Resort was thought the fittest place for secrecie and a silent place for privacy and very well fitted for the present conclusion of their last and bloody consultation Here in this bloody Council it was considered of and spoken That the Princes Admiral with the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Religion were now securely entangled in the Fetters of their own confidence which was so well wedged into their minds as prisons could prove no better instruments to ripen their desires the Admiral he was lying bedsick and could not stir by reason of his wounds the Prince of Conde was fast in the Castle of Loure the City Gates kept shut all night and watched all day those Gentlemen that lodged in the Suburbs were now lodged in the same street with the Admiral and all within the Gates of Paris the rest of the principal Protestants in other Towns were all unarmed and unprepared besides there was not ten Protestants to a thousand Catholicks that the Parisians were in arms and able to make sixty thousand fighting men and that in one hour all might be slain and if these were destroyed they would never make head again in the Kingdom but on the contrary if the Admiral recover such an opportunity would never offer therefore saies the Queen Mother this season must not be lost but taking time by the Foretop all our desires will now come to a period in a success proportionable to all our wishes if we let slip time it withers like a neglected rose on a stalk with a languished head if we shake hands with this golden opportunity our designs will grow under the Sunshine of our desires Thus they lie perdue under the shelter of an unmercifull and bloody Balcony all being resolved to be so swift in execution of the Kings pleasure that no time shall be delayed between his commands and the execution but the moment of performance for now they resolve to take journey from contemplation to action they have learned the Theory of Treachery perjury and cruelty now they come to the practical part of this sad Tragedy But this being a gross and downright murtherous way and no handsome Apology provided to cast over the eyes of peoples understandings it was thought fit to frame some smooth pretext They study a smooth pretext for their bloody cruelty to cosen the vulgar conceptions and honest interpretations But oh who can hide the greatest secrets from Gods searching eye to take off the force and dint of vulgar reports and so to divert the natural current of this tragedy into the illegitimate name of convenient necessity whereupon they order that the common vogue of the peoples tongues should be tipt with this specious pretence that the Duke of Guise and Admirals enmity was the cause of this Massacre They resolve to spare the K. of Navar and Prince of Conde if they will turn Papists Now in this bloody Assembly it was moved whether the King of Navar and Prince of Conde should be destroyed in this Massacre or whether saved the King of Navar in regard of his affinity was concluded to be saved but for the Prince of Conde it was doubtfully carred they considered first whether for his age it were best to spare him or secondly whether to put him to death in revenge of
his Fathers protection of the Protestant cause as also in a hatred of his Fathers name the Duke of Guise urged with a pressing forwardness to have both the Prince of Navar and the Prince of Conde to dy amongst the rest but all thought that too abominable if any thing could be so indeed to such bloodthirsty wretches that two young Princes in the flower of their age of the Royal Family the one in the imbraces of his dear Spowse under the protection of such neer friends and late conjunction by mariage that they should be so miserably destroyed so that the opinion of Gonzague was prevalent who pleaded that with fear of death and torment they should be violently turned to the Catholick Religion The plot is committed to the Duke of Guise to put in execution next day And so this Hellish vaux-like Council broke up with firm and fixed Resolutions to act their several parts and so it was appointed that next morning about three or four a cloak it should be put in execution and that all things should be committed to the mannagement and care of the Duke of Guise On Saturday morning it is bruited and noised throughout all the City of Paris A report is spread that the Duke of Guise was in danger of the Admiral and friends that the House of Gâ—ise was in danger of the Admiral and rest of the Protestants by their great threatenings The Dukes of Guise and Aumale speed to the King and complain of their danger and insolent threatnings of the Admiral and Adherents against their lives protesting sorrow to his Majestie that their services were not accepted but their persons slighted and so desired leave of his Majesty to absent from Court and retire to their houses The Kings horrible dissembling for they were ready to depart the King with a frowning countenance saies Go where you please I will have you at all times if you be found guilty of the Admirals Hurt So with a shew of discontent they mount their Horses and bloody resolutions at once but instead of going home they ly in Paris all night Bloody treachery The King sends the Duke of Guise to provide 2000 men in arms on Sabbath day at night All things being resolved on the 24. day of August being Sabbath day at twilight the Duke of Guise with orders from the King comes to President Charron Provost des Marchands the chief head of the People of Paris giving him to understand that by the Kings command he was fotthwith to provide and order in readiness two thousand armed men which accordingly was done The Admiral having word brought thim that there was great noise of armour The Admirall at the noise of armour fears danger and sends to the King Oh! bloody and cruel command of a King They refuse to let any Protestant Gentlemen to watch with the Admiral The Officers assemble and are commanded by the King to destroy the Protestants whom he calls Rebells and great threatnings heard in all parts of the City and preparations of all things in order for a tumult that night presently he sends word to the King who gave answer that the Admiral needed not fear for all was done by his command and that he had appointed in certain places of the Citie a number of men in arms for fear of any tumult This evening some Protestant Gentlemen profer to watch with the Admiral but poor Gentlemen they were refused A sad presage of Treachery my heart relents and bleeds to write the rest When the Duke of Guise saw all things ready he called to him one Marcel charging him a little after midnight to assemble together the Masters of the Streets commonly called Diziners into the Town House for he was to declare from his Majesty and by his command several things they assemble according to the appointed time Charron the Provost des Marchands guarded with Entrague Puygailart and certain other Guisans did there declare that the King had given him in command to destroy all the Rebells meaning the Protestants to cut off root and branch of that Rebellious race letting them understand that the business was so mannaged to their hands that now with great facility his Majesties desire might be accomplished for the Admiral and all the chief were securely under their power being lodged within the walls of the City that it was first intended they should begin with the Admiral and the principal Protestants lodged in that street and then with speedy alacrity to follow on and to cut off the rest in the City and Suburbs and that the like should be done to the Protestants in all parts of the Kingdom which was in the Kings power for his Majestie would take order that it should be speedily effected The token given to be ringing the great Bell and the murtherers to be distinguished with a Napkin on their arms and a cross on their caps and to begin at the Admirals lodging first Orders given to be couragious in shedding blood Divers Lords guard the King The bloody Murthers assaults the Admiralls lodging Now for better order in this bloody undertaking the token given should be with ringing the great Bell of the Palace called Tocksein at break of day which said bell was only rung on great and emergent occasions and that the distinguishing marks should be a white cross on their caps that candles should be lighted at every window that without confusion or disorder they might proceed from house to house to the exact execution of the Kings command Now the Duke of Guise the better to prepare all things acquaints the Captain of the Kings Guard consisting of Gascoins French and Switzers that they would be in readiness to go on with a bold courage exhorting them to be speedy in bloody executions So at midnight the Provost Sheriffs and Captains of each ward in the City had the same commission given them The Duke of Montpenseir and Duke of Nevers with many other Lords of the Court take arms and being accompanied with their Friends guard the Kings person all the Guards being in Arms at the Gates of the Lour At the Prefixt hour the Duke of Guise the Duke of Aumale and Monsieur de Angoulesm Grand Prior of France the Kings bastard Brother with other Commanders to the number of three hundred went to the Admirals house where they found by the Duke of Anjou's order Cossins company with lighted maches placed for a Guard before it and on both sides the Streets Some of the Gentlemen and Commanders of the Protestants that was lodged in this Street awaken with the noise of men running up and down in arms and lighted Torches they presently got up to enquire what was the matter but alas poor Gentlemen it was now too late they were all dead men no way to escape The Admiral is still perswaded of the K. fidelity repeated his Oaths Promises Leagues Publick Faith sacred respect to the Law of Nations and
his most Solemn Vows and Protestations which by the Law of God and Nations he was bound to keep but know saies this noble Prince that for my Religion it is so closely enshrined in a fixed resolution to preserve with my soul that it is beyond the reach of Mortality and I hope by Gods grace am so resolved that loss of life shall not shake my steddy soul to batter my conscience And though your great threatnings peirce my understanding yet shall they not make me lose my hold of that Religion which by Gods grace is planted and by your promises and oaths freely granted to me the free exercise of and as for my body and goods you may use as you please but my unspotted soul is in the hands of God Many Nobles and brave Commanders that waited on the K. of Navar and Prince of Conde by the K. order and in his fight are cut in peices crying out to his Oaths and Promises Brave Monsieur de Piles his sad death lamented and pittied by his enemies yet basely murthered in the K. fight This notable answer of this tender young Prince did so move his raging cruelty that letting loose the reins of his furious indignation he calls him Rebell and the Son of a Rebellious person with horrible threatnings that he should lose his life if within three daies he did not obey his command and without any more ado he assaults him with a furious countenance issuing out these terrible words Mass Death or Bastile But now their poor Friends that waited upon them being many gallant Gentlemen as also their Servitors in their chambers their Schoolmasters and those that had the bringing them up were thrust out one by one among the crowd of Murtherers being the K. Guard of Switzers that stood in two ranks prepared for blood and cruelty These Gentlemen crying out to the Kings Oaths Promises and fidelity were nevertheless by the K. command and in his own sight unmercifully hewen and cut in pieces There did dy of note amongst these in the Loure the Marquess de Rennet with several others of noble blood as also many brave Gentlemen but no mans death was so much bemoaned of many both friends and enemies as brave Monsieur de Piles whose valour though great yet could not be victor over his Religious and Godly zeal whose great courage and greater Christianity fought for Mastery for he had defended as aforesaid the little Town of St. Jean de Angeli against the K. great Army for fourty daies who at last yielded not so much to their valour as their number There this brave Commander got such Renown that of his Enemies who felt his valor he was highly honoured and was thought to be beloved and much esteemed of by the King This brave de Piles I say with Leranne Odou's Son were both lodged by the Kings command all night in a Wardrope next the King of Navars own chamber but this command of the Kings was looked on by the poor Gallant Gentlemen rather to be an act of special favour then base treachery these noble Commanders a little before day hearing a great noise of running of men in Armour with doleful cryings and howlings of the slain for mercy wondered what should be the matter and so arose who were no sooner up but de Naunce approaches their chamber and tells them it was the Kings Commandment that they should come down into the Court leaving their weapons behind them and so to depart out of the Castle He disclaims against the Kings treachery Proclaiming his Trayterous infidelity and cruelty in the Kings hearing Now when this brave Monsieur de Piles saw himself disarmed and thrust out amongst the murthering Souldiers who stood ready to kill him and viewing the sad spectacles of so many of so many of Gods people already slain he cryes out with a loud voice to the peircing of the Kings ear protesting against the Trayterous infidelity of his bloody cruelty that Covenants nor Oaths could not bind his loose hands and cruel heart no more than fetters can ty the raging Ocean but who is deaser than he that will not hear for his words peirced the air but not this Tyrants heart So having a rich Cloak he takes it off and gives it an acquaintance Saying Take here this token of Piles and let posterity know poor Piles most shamefully cowardly and unworthily slain by the perfidious command of a perjured King Oh! my good and noble Monsieur de Piles replyed he I am none of them I thank you for your Cloak but I will not receive it on that condition He is thrust out amongst the Murtherers slain so immediately Monsieur de Piles was thrust through the body with a Partisan by one of the Kings Guard and so was there basely murthered and slain And thus died this most noble and valiant Gentleman pittyed by his Enemies that knew him to be a valiant Commander thus was he haled to a cowardly death that never knew what compulsion meant but when his virtues and valour incited him to good actions so his body was thrown into the quarry with the rest the beholders crying out these are the Traytors that plotted our destruction and would have killed our King Now it pleased God to dispose of Leranne otherwise who being thrust through the Body with a sword escaped by running into the Queen of Navars chamber who preserved him from their cruelty and presently obtained his pardon and also by the assistance of her own Doctor of Physick he recovered and lived 200 Gallant Noblemen and Gentlemen basely slain by the K. command Amongst these Gentlemen and at the same time was also murthered Pontbreton Pluviault Bandine Francourt Chancellour to the King of Navar Pardillan Lavardin and other chief Commanders Gentlemen to the number of two hundred whose cryes no more peirced the Kings cruel heart than an arrow can an Adamantine Rock Count De Montgomery and the Vidam of Charteres with some others escape to England Now it fell out by Gods good providence otherwise with those of the Protestants that lodged in the Fauxburg At St. Germain beyond the Sein amongst whom was the Count de Montgomery and the Vidame of Charteres who presaging some intended mischief having a cleer foresight of this Tempest provided for an escape and so would by no means be drawn to lodge with the Admiral who now hearing the noise and understanding the matter instantly fled but were quickly persued by their grand enemie the Duke of Guise who as soon as the day had relieved the night passed the water with many horse and foot and overtaking the Protestants in their flight found some without shoes some without arms others without Saddles some without bridles all equally unable to make resistance and so were without mercy scattered and cut off the Count De Montgomery and Vidame of Charteres with about ten in company by the good mercy of God saved themselves and after many
dangers and difficulties got to the Sea side and so escaped over to England bringing sad news in their dejected countenances for the loss of their dear and pretious Friends who were also as kindly welcomed by our good Queen Elizabeth as safely escaped from the cruelty of their treacherous and perjured King Whilst these bloody and unheard of crueltys were committed in Paris A bloody plot against Rochel but prevented Strozzi the Kings Admirals lay hovering at Rochel endeavouring to surprize it under pretence of a Banquet to be made for his Friends of the Castle of La Cheine but being discovered he retreated without the effects of his desire or performance of the Kings command The Protestants murthered at La Charite The murthers at Paris is renewed next day But the poor Protestants of La Charite as aforesaid was entraped by the Italian horse and were now put to the Sword But to return to the bloody City of Paris the next day the slaughter was renewed for all that was found hidden in corners or private places of the City were all sought out brought forth and murthered insomuch that the day before and this day were massacred in Paris above ten thousand Protestants of all degrees and sexes the very common Labourers Porters and the most rascally and desperate villains of the City did this day abuse the dead bodies by pulling off their cloaths and throwing them naked into the River of Sein The places of preferment which now lay empty by reason of this horrid massacre were now by the King given to whom he pleased The Admirals office he gave to the Marquess de Villars c. And so like a true Tyrant leaves nothing his poor Subjects can call their own but their miseries In this butcherly Massacre at Paris were sacked above four thousand houses and above five hundred Barons Knights and Gentlemen who had held the chiefest imployments in the War with many noble and gallant yong Ladies and Gentlewomen that had now purposly met together from all parts to rejoice in honour of the King of Navars mariage with the L. Margaret who poor Noblemen Gentlemen Ladies thought of nothing more then of jollity and pleasures but now suffer the Tyrannical rage of a furious King and bloody death to be pittied by all that shall hear this sad story for poor Ladies they expected no such tragical welcome from a Royal King contrary to his Oaths and their spotless innocency and it must needs stick as the greatest badge of inhumanity and cowardice nay a true character of a bad cause To murther like Devils not fight like men Immediately after these unheard of murthers were acted in Paris the King not yet glutted with blood sends Messengers by post to all parts of the Kingdom often shifting horses for more speed with express command to all other Cities to follow the example of Paris commanding all Protestants which were amongst them to be slain and yet at the same time the same King writes other Letters wherein he laid the fault of the Murthers upon the Admiral and the Duke of Guise Now this command of the King to cut off all the Protestants in all Towns and Cities under his command it cannot he expressed how chearfully willingly and readily they were obeyed by the greatest part of the Cities in France for on the receipt of his Majesty Letters they fell on the Protestants at Meaux Troys Orleans and other parts murthering them without all pitty And now let us a little read with melting hearts the sad affliction of Gods Church let us bring the sad ruins of a good cause to our neer view by a spiritual improvement as a prospect draws the object nearer for we must now relate the sad catastrophe of many thousands of poor Christians who fell under the cruel and bloody command of the King to all his Magistrates which indeed is not to be expressed what sad cruelties were committed to the wonderful astonishment of all that hears or reads it for no sooner does the King let loose his cruel commands but speedily the bloody Papists break out with horrid Massacres more like Devils than men For now in Paris the Prisons that had any Protestants by which reason they escaped for a time were now brought forth and basely slain by the multitude of murtherers in which were three gallant Gentlemen of great reputation viz. Captain Monius a very valourous and stout Gentleman next Lomen Secretary to the King and greatly honored and esteemed for his faithful service in his place and lastly Chappes an antient Lawyer of fourscore years And was also of great renown and fame in the Court of Paris all three were basely murthered as cannot be expressed Amongst the rest must be set forth that unparallel'd bloody and treacherous death of Monsieur de la Place President of the Court of Wards which must I say for the strangness of the murther begg leave to have place in this history Their comes a Captain armed to the Gentlemans house and acquaints him that the D. of Guise had slain the Admiral by the Kings commandment and also many other Protestants but out of his deserts he desired to protect him from their fury with all desiring to see his Gold which he might as well bestow on him for saving him as on others for destroying him the Lord de la Place admires at the Captains audatious and petulant demeanour and so confidently required of him whether he thought there were a King or no the Captain blaspheming desired him to go to the K. to know his pleasure the Lord De la Place thinking danger too near absented from him to a place of better secutity the Captain hereupon plunders his house This poor Gentleman seeking shelter in three houses for his life was refused and so at last was forced to return to his own house again where finding his wife very pensive and sad he rebuked and exhorted her not to be so full of dispondency of spirit for death was the utmost and heaven the crown of their afflictions and sufferings and so spoke fully and sweetly of the promises of God which jointly knit their hearts together in comfort and so calling together his Family he sweetly exhorted them expounding out of a chapter to them then went again to prayer and so resolved with the assistance of Christ to suffer all Torments of death rather than dishonour God in the least drawing back presently after comes the Provost Marshal to his house with many Archers with a pretence to secure him and conduct him to the King who answered that he freely desired to continue his obedience to the King but could not see how to escape the fury of the present danger by continual massacres Presently after comes the Provost des Marchands with order to bring him to the King but he excused it as before but he would not have any delay or excuse so that this Noble Lord resolves to meet death by a Christian preparation and
them all in a most cruel manner For thirty days nothing but killing of poor innocent Protestants The Copy of the Kings letters laying the fault of the Admirals death and the murthers on the D. of Guise yet the same day sends Letters to command it to be done and caused all the murthers to be done by his comand both in Paris and all over France The King in Parliament opens his design and acknowledges all to be done by his own command The Kings Speech in Parliament The true Copy of the K. Declaration printed at Paris The President of Parlament congratulates the King for his bloody success The Advocate advises the King to cease the murthers and to colour his crueltits with the name of Justice A Parliament is called and Proclamation is made that all murthers should cease Many gòes to view the body of the Admiral hanging on the common Gallowes The King and Queen Mother goes also but his body over night was secretly taken away and buried so they lost their journey Judges pickt out to condemn the innocent with the pretence of Justice The Admiral dishonoured by a man of straw and Libels printed The King sends to surprize the Admiralls wife but she was fled to Geneva The Admiral a little described Brave Caviagnes and Briquemault tortured to confess themselvs and the Admiral Traytors they shew much Christianity the Judges refuse to sit in judgement against them new Iudges are chosen they are condemned and led to the Gallows their Speech they are hanged in sight of King Q. Mother Prince and Nobles with many thousand Spectators The Man of Straw for the Admiral hanged with them Some Letters collected according to the Original which gives much light to the History and discovers how Queen Elizabeth of England resented the Murther with the General pitty and Dislike of the whole English Court. These cruelties spotted the French Nation with a great Odium among Forein Princes The Duke of Guise his Letter to his Wife intercepted and the Plot discovered The King notwithstanding his former Edicts granted and Oaths to keep his Promises does now proclaim that none should exercise any Religion on pain of Death but the Romish A form of Abjuration sent to those that would come in and forsake the Protestant Religion and when they did they were murthered contrary to the Kings proclamation A true Copy of the Remembrances of the King to all his Lieutenants and Governours of his Provinces with a Copy also for Abjuration NOw when all was murthered that could very well be laid hands on and the King understanding that divers Protestants had in many parts of the Kingdom fled and left their Habitations for security of their Lives He acts the second and worst part of his Devilish Treachery and cruelty for after many sweet baits of inticing and alluring promises for them to come in he at last published Letters and sent Messengers Wherein he shewed The great grief it was to him that so much blood should be spilt in the Nation contrary to his will promising to punish the Actors of such horrid villainies with as much crueltie as Justice could inflict and they deserve And that if the Admiral and his Associates deserved the death inflicted for their treasonable practices yet was it no reason so many innocents should bear part of this punishment that had no hand in the Plot. Now many poor Protestants that had left all and fled into the woods being encouraged by these inticing and fair pretexts returned home especially they that had fled from Diep Roan and Tholouse now we shall see the King like a Thorny Bush to the poor sheep that in a storm they run to shelter and instead thereof are intangled and their wool pull'd off their backs But oh wretched Tyrant and worse King whose furious and bloody mind like an impetuous Whirlewind or Hiricane could not be kept in bounds but ere two daies past he imprisons them all and appoints base fellowes to murther them with cruel Torments And thus for thirty daies together was nothing but horrible slaughter throughout the Kingdom of France insomuch that there were about a hundred thousand little Babes Widdowes and children wel-born that fatherless and Motherless lived long in wandering and beggary And truly that reverend and faithful Servant of Christ did not miss the Mark of the Kings treachery and perfidious dealing when he made this Anagram on his name CHARLES VALOIS Anagram Chasseur desloyall i. e. Perfidious Hunter or Persecutor In this calamity many that would have saved their lives among their own friends could not have the favour nay their own parents refused them others betrayed by their friends and yet it pleased God to move the hearts of some of their Enemies by their high detesting these cruelties and villainies insomuch as they hazarded their own lives to save some of the Protestants Was ever such unheard of cruelties permitted and commanded by any Christian King and Court with such delight of shedding Protestant blood We may say of the French nation as the case here stood as the poor Indian said of the Spaniards The story stands recorded thus A Prince of the Indians being so far wrought upon as to receive baptism at the hands of a Fryer he first questioned whether the souls of such as were baptized went Answer was returned To Heaven then saies he whether must they go too that are not baptized They answer To Hell but he further demanded To which of these two places the Spaniards went Answer is returned To heaven then said the Indian Let me go to Hell if the Spaniards go to Heaven for I cannot believe heaven to be a good place that is a reward for such bloody Butchers and Masters of such unheard of cruelties May we not say so of this sad Massacre of France but I leave the application to the judicial reader The King now fearing the Dishonour of falsehood treachery and perjury and that it might not fix any reproachful blot or stain on the Kings name This King at the same time that he sends Letters through France giving in command to cut off and destroy the Protestants the same King with the same hand and at the same time sends Letters to the Governours of his Provinces wherein he lets the world know that the late mischief in Paris had to his great sorrow hapned by means of the Duke of Guise who having raised the people they tumultuously broke through the Guard which he had appointed for the Admirals safety and with great Fury killed the Admiral and his Friends and that he with the Queen Mother and Brethren were through the danger of a furious multitude forced to retreat for safety to the Lour all which he said was against his mind and will and therefore he desired the Edict of Pacification to be kept inviolable The like Letters he writ to England Switzerland and Germany which because they bear one tenure and pen'd after one manner I have to avoid prolixity
incerted only this following Letter The true Copy of the Kings letter to the Governour of Burgundy Cousin YOu have perceived what I wrote unto you Yesterday concerning my Cousin the Admirals wounding and how ready I was to do my endeavour to search out the truth of the deed and to punish it wherein nothing was left undone or forgottou But it hapned since that they of the house of Guise and other Lords and Gentlemen their Adherents whereof there be no small number in this City when they certainly knew that the Admirals friends would proceed to the revenge of his hurt and because they were suspected to be the Authors thereof were so stirred up this last night that a great and lamentable sedition arose thereof insomuch that the Guard by me appointed for his defence about his House was set upon and he himself with certain of his Gentlemen slain and havock of others made in divers places of the City which was handled with such rage that I could not use the remedy I would but had much ado to employ my Guards and other Defence for the safety of my self and my brethren in the Castle of the Loure to give order hereafter for the appeasing of this Sedition which is at this hour well appeased thanks be to God and came to pass by a particular and private quarrel of long time fostering betwixt these two houses Whereof when I foresaw that there would succeed some mischievous purpose I did what I could possibly to appease it as all men know and yet hereby the Edict of Pacification is not broken which I will to be kept as straitly as ever it was as I have given to understand in all places throughout my Realm and because it is greatly to be feared that such an execution might stirr up my Subjects one against another and cause great murthers through the Cities of my Realm whereby I should be greatly grieved I pray you cause to be published and understood in all places of your Government that every person abide and continue in the safeguard of his own house and to take no weapons in hand nor one to hurt another upon pain of death commanding them to keep and diligently to observe our Edict of Pacification and to make the Offenders and Resisters and such as would disobey and break our will to be punished You shall assemble out of hand as great force as you can as well of your friends as of them that be appointed by me and others advertising the Captains of Castles and Cities in your Government to take heed to the safeguard and preservation of the said places so that no fault ensue on their behalf advertising me also as soon as you can what order you have given herein and how all things have passed within the circuit of your Government Hereupon I pray God to keep you Cousin in his Holy safe-guard At Paris August 24. signed Charles and underneath BRULAND Now at the same time were Orders given out by the King for all Towns and Provinces within his Power to follow the example of Paris and to murther and put to death all of the Religion and the very next month he wholly abolishes that famous Edict giving command to root out all the Protestants both from Estates and Places and at last as we shall see causes a Form of Abjuration to be made and causing it to de proclaimed That no Religion should be exercised in the Kingdom but the Romish Now we see by these Letters that the King would fain lay the blot of this foul crueltie to the antient Quarrel of the houses of Guise and Chastillon therefore the Guisans foreseeing the foulness of the fact strove as much to evade the dint of the Dishonour as the King did though the Guisans were the Plotters and chief Agents in the practical part of this cruel Tragedy whereupon they handled the matter so that the King was forced to acknowledge and avow publickly this horrid act and indeed none more fit than the King that commanded it And truly the sad effects of these unheard-of cruelties would make any one disown it and gladly would the King don so for he loved the effects and now could neither evade the dishonour nor Gods just Judgements But he is not yet ripe for them although in these many massacres he had not spared but basely caused to be butchered an infinite number of gallant Noblemen and Young Ladies with abundance of learned men many reverend old men many young Gentlewomen and Virgins many honourable Matrons of good account women with child and little infants at their mothers breasts Now the King being forced to let the world know his perjury and cruelty he labours to set a good face on his cruel heart so that the King that had the four and twentieth day of August 1572. declared by Letters to all the Provinces and several Princes abroad that the tumult in Paris arose betwixt the two parties of the Guisan and Admiral now but two dayes after being the twenty sixth of the same mouth This most mighty King and by consent of all nations commonly called the most Christian King comes into the Parliament with a great Train of his Brethren and other Princes and Lords of his Court attending him where in a full Assembly of his Council he ascends the Throne and sitting thereon he directs his Speech to this great Assembly in manner following The Kings Speech in Parlament That having been informed that the Admiral with certain of his confederates notwithstanding all his favors gratious pardons granted to their former Rebellions yet have now plotted against my person with my mother and Brethren to our utter perdition which being discovered I was forced to prevent my own ruin by Justice to procure theirs and by a speedy course have heaped on their own heads what they would have heaped on mine For this cause therefore it was that by my command the Admiral and his Complices are deservedly cut off hoping thereby that a period is not only put to their Treason against my self and Nobles but also to future troubles which would have fallen on this poor Nation to an utter ruin thereof Now although at first he had both by words and Letters laid the whole Business on the fury of a popular tumult headed by the faction of the Guisans yet now at this time unmasking his Design he discovers himself like his actions and now laid down his Reasons and grounds of this manner of proceeding against these Rebells as he calls them and so further declared That he thought it not altogether unfit to make his Magistrates acquainted with it That what was done at Paris in the late Slaughters was by his own commandment for the safety of his own life and national tranquillity and also that they might proceed with the like severity against such Traytors and Rebells of such a wicked Conspiracy and that it was a sudden thing and not premeditated a deep reach to take
off the edge of suspition hapning in a manner saies he by chance and not by any plotted contrivance This Speech of the Kings was by himself and the Parliament commanded to be written and entered into the Records of Parliament proclaimed by Heraulds and published in print a Book also was published by the Kings commandment which because it is within four daies of the same date of that Letter wherein he laies the blame of the Admirals death c. on the Duke of Guise and here takes it to himself therefore I say I thought fit to insert that printed Book by way of Declaration which is as followeth A Declaration of the King concerning the occasion of the Admirals death and his Adherents and Complices hapned in the City of Paris August 24. 1572. By the King HIs Majesty desiring to have all Seigniours Gentlemen and other Subjects understand the cause of the Murther of the Admiral and his Adherents and Complices which lately happened in the City of Paris the four and twentieth day of this present month of August lest the said deed should be otherwise disguised and reported than it was indeed His Majesty therefore declareth that which was done was by his express commandment and for no cause of Religion nor breaking his Edicts of Pacification which he alwaies intended and still mindeth and intendeth to observe and keep yea it was rather done to withstand and prevent a most detestable and cursed conspiracy begun by the said Admiral the chief Captain thereof and his said Adherents and Complices against the Kings person his Estate the Q. his Mother and the Princes his Brethren the King of Navar and other Lords about him wherefore his Majesty by this Declaration and Ordinance giveth to understand to all Gentlemen and others of the Religion which they pretend Reformed that he mindeth and purposeth that they live under his Protection with their wives and children in their houses in as much safeguard as they did before following the benefit of the former Edicts of Pacification most expresly commanding and ordaining that all Governours and Lieutenants General in every of his Countreys and Provinces and other Justices and Officers to whom it appertaineth do not attempt nor suffer to be attempted any thing in what sort soever upon the persons and goods of them of the Religion their wives children and families on pain of death to be inflicted on those that shall be found faulty and culpable in this behalf And nevertheless to withstand the troubles slanders suspitions and defiances that may come by Sermons and Assemblies as well in the houses of the said Gentlemen as in other places as it is suffered by the said Edicts of Pacification it is expresly forbidden and inhibited by his Majesty to all Gentlemen and others of the said Religion to have no assemblies for any cause at all till his Majesty hath provided and appointed otherwise for the Tranquillity of his Realm upon pain of disobedience and confiscation of body and goods It is also expresly forbidden under the pain aforesaid that for the aforesaid accasions none shall take or retain any Prisoners or take ransome of them and that incontinently they certifie the Governours of every Province and the Lieutenant General of the name and quality of every such Prisoner whom his Majesty hath appointed shall be released and set at liberty except they be of the late Conspiracy or such as have made some practice or device for them or had intelligence of and they shall advertise his Majesty of such ro know his further pleasure It is also ordained that from henceforth none shall take or arrest any Prisoner for that cause without his Majesties commandment or his Officers nor that none be suffered to roave abroad in the Fields to take up Dogs Cattel Beefs Kine or other Beasts Goods Fruits Grain or any thing else nor to hurt the Labourers by word or deed but to let them alone about their work or calling in peace and safety At Paris August 28. 1572. signed Charls and underneath Fizes Imprinted at Paris by Iohn Dalleir Stationer dwelling on Saints Michaels Bridge at the sign of the White Rose by the Kings Licence There was Letters also writ by the King to the Officers of Burghs also remembrances sent to the General Lieutenant of Burgundy which being to the same purpose is omitted for brevity The Kings Oration in the great Assembly aforesaid being ended before this Assembly broke up one Christopher Thuane the President of this Assembly in Parliament being one of a high Spirit and subject to admire his own parts and actions ready to wonder what a fool he could make of Solomon being a man reported to be notable for his light brain and cruel heart who trusting more to a slipery tongue than a sound cause congratulated the King for his wise Policy and good success in a speedy conquest over his Enemies But alas how did he conquer Only by wearing the vest of the Innocent to conceal and cover the deformed ugliness of his perfidious perjury But the Advocate of the Finanees succinctly delivered his mind to this purpose That though his Majesty had just cause to punish Delinquents yet it were more becoming the justice of a Prince to proceed according to the Lawes by himself decreed and established and so more fit for his Majesty to command a speedy cessation of such violent slaughters and to enter upon a judicial proceeding according to the Laws which was well known to be the proper and peaceable establishment of Empires and Kingdoms This advice takes well for now the King begins to do unjustly in the name of Justice so he proceeds to dissemble a Legality for all his future Butcheries unwilling to murther any more without a statute and pretence of Justice for it This being a brave principle of a Tyrant and that whereas the Laws at first were known to be the legitimate daughter of judgement it must now be made the adopted daughter of Tyranny Now is an arrest of Parliament with his Royall assent so that immediately Heraulds went about the City and an Edict was proclaimed in the Kings name That all murthers should cease but those that he intended more immediately to have a hand in himself by sitting in judgement and quallifying his cruelty and bloodshed with the name of Justice And first let us see a little of this new Justice of the Kings which now must be exercised on the dead Admiral which being as aforesaid hung by the heels on the common gallows of Paris the people by flocks and multitudes gathered to see it The Queen Mother to delight her self with that sad vâ—ew of her Sons and her own bloody cruelty she takes the King and his Brethren and so advances towards this sad sight but his body was in the night conveyed away by two of the Marshall de Momorancies Servants and was secretly buried at Chantilly whose faithfulness and adventure is beyond a terrene Reward And now the King begins
to put in execution the advise of the Advocate being also perswaded to it by Morvilleir a wicked fellow and the first that brought the Priests into the Kingdom of France now it was thought fit to bring to publick Justice those that were taken flying and hiding themselves and so after the usual manner of Judicial proceedings should be examined by chosen Judges cull'd on purpose and so by Sentence condemned that in view of all the world they might receive their execution as the effects of justice and reward of there Treasonous practices The Judges thus appointed was Birage Thuan Limege and Belleuxe who presently gave order for a man of Hay made in shape of a mans body and so to personate the Admiral whom they had murthered and so it was dragged through the streets by the Boreau his memory was condemned and razed out of remembrance his arms and Ensigns of Honour and Chivalry demolished his Castles and Farms razed to the ground his Children pronounced infamous and unnoble and all the trees in his woods to the growth of six foot to be cut down And now to make way abroad in the World in the Court of Forein Princes and Nations for a more neat excuse to their unheard-of baseness They disperse Libells full of dishonour to the Admiral and his Adherents and stuft with the Defamation of their memories and that their Actions might not run in a Line Antartick to their words The King dispatches his Grand Provost with all diligence to seize upon the Admirals wife and Mounseir de la Vall the Son of Andelot deceased who by Gods good Providence were already fled to Genova and the better to escape further danger went to live among the Switzers in the Canton of Bearn the younger Children both male and female were condemned to death in their tender years They give also new charges to their Ambassadours negotiating in Germany Poland England Switzerland and other Forein Countreys to justify the actions of the King and Catholicks tending also to the Publick reproach and shame of the Admiral and his Friends But God used these things afterwards as a further mean to discover their treachery and so proved against their expected advantage For had the King and Court of France declared at first that they designed to cut of their Enemies as the exuberous branches of the Kings indulgency and now grown his Enemies hy their plotted treachery this would have excused them from perjury and treason but to pretend that they intended not what they really resolved to do and nothing less than what they did This I say was the height of dishonour to the Crown of France And thus died that famous Religious and Noble Commander Gasper de Colligny Admiral to the Protestant Army and cause for the space of twelve years whose deserved Fame lived with great renown in the hearts of all the Godly and with no less terrour and amazement often filled the Kingdom of France whose valour purchased great merit from his Enemies He that made the King and Court afraid in a hasty and disorderly retreat from Meaux to Paris And that I may add one mite to the Treasure of his true worth this is he that many praised and all admired that through a wise conduct of his affairs terrified his boisterous Enemyes to a submissive calm of subjection A man so inspired with great courage and constancy that to take a Description by any pen would be the highest road to lay his merits in the grave of obscurity being a man full of the sail of valour and sound judgment a star of the greatest magnitude in the affairs of highest importance shining for ever in the lowest obscurity of discords sudden dangers and insurrections One that cannot be enough admired commended or honoured being above all a man of profound judgement in point of reality This being the least part of honour that is paid to his eternal worth by all that knew him He he it was that basely suffered the unresistable shock of a perfidious and treacherous death cowardly murthered by those that durst never draw a Sword with a Resolution of valour against this Champion but trembled at his Remembrance and Presence who was never overcome by valour but by cowardice Amongst the rest that were brought to a Legal murder was one named Caviagnes Master of the Requests to the King and one named Briquemault both inward friends to the Admiral and in great reputation in the Court of honour and Camp of Chivalry Now this brave Commander and old Souldier Briquemault having great renown by his service under King Francis and King Henry was therefore honoured by all but such as love no Rivals nor valued any crueltie if they could but out shine others loyalty by their own treachery This brave Gentleman was about fourscore and ten years old and poor Gentleman had gone through too much proof of fidelity now to end his life under the command and protection of such a cruel Tyrant Now these gallant Commanders aged with experience and filled with innocent integrity were like Lambs before Wolves threatened to be torn in pieces unless without delay they would with their own hands subscribe that they were of the Admirals Councel to cut off the King by an untimely death together with the Queen his Mother and his Brethren and promising pardon if they would accept of it These innocent Gentlemen cryed out That they were ready to suffer the Torments of their merciless cruelty upon their bodies rather than pull down vengeance upon their spotless souls so humbly beseeched the King to spare his torments seeing none could peirce so far as force themselves to a false accusation yet if his Majesty pleased to totment their bodies they hoped God would so in his mercy order it as to lessen the pain thereof by his gratious presence in their souls in whose goodness they hoped to depend for aid rather than perjure their own Souls by a false accusation of themselves and others being as full of innocency and integrity as they of cruelty and perjury they were resolved never to accuse murthered innocency wherein they never were guilty nor commit such an execrable crime as the King requested and say they though the King values the tranquility of his Realm before the blood of Christians yet we hope to embrace a peaceable conscience in trampling underfoot the high esteem of a transitory possession for what will it gain us to gain our lives and lose our immortal souls The Judges having some remorse of conscience began to deny the embracement of that infamy The Judges toucht in conscience do refuse to fit in Judgement which must justly fall on their unjust Sentence for indeed their reasons were unrefistable and these Judges understood the intent of the King by the Defendants Pleas so they refused any more to hear or determine much less to give Sentence whereupon were new Judges appointed in their room and to them was joined a Tormenter and Notary as
might suit with them so at last these eminent and brave Cammanders and Gentlemen were by a shadow of Law and illegal Legality condemned to dy and so the 22. of October 1572. in the fight of the King Queen Mother her Sons with many thousand gazing on them they were led to the gallows seated in the prime street of the City but before execution as Briquemault ascended the Ladder came to him the under Provost of the Town whom the King had commanded to insinuate into him and to profer pardon for life if he would confess what was laid to his charge saying further that his Majesty being of an easie nature and courteous affability would as speedily grant pardon as he ask it but he like one truer to his own soul then the K. to his promise replyed That it was the K. duty to ask pardon of God if the day of Gods mercy had not past upon his cruelty and perjury and so was far from asking forgiveness for that whereof God and his soul were witnesses of his innocency yet to prove himself as good a Christian as the King a ernel Tyrant he cordially desired God of his great mercy to forgive the King And so lifting up his eyes to heaven he uttered these Words Oh my God upon whose Tribunal seat I stand and whose face I hope shortly to see thou knowest well that I know nothing nor did not so much as once think of any Conspiracy against the King nor against his Estate though I stand charged with the same in my process but I beseech God to pardon the King and all those that have been the cause of this my unjust death even as I desire pardon at thy hands for my sins and offences committed against thy Divine Majesty so ascending another step of the Ladder he onely said I have somwhat to utter to the King which I would be glad to communicate unto him but saies he I see that I may not and so shrunk up his shouldiers forbearing to use any further speech so these two brave Gentlement were at last with halters about their necks most basely unjustly and dishonorably thrown off the Ladder by the Hangman whose deaths ere this are accounted for and as Briquemaults constancy was much commended so was his death much bewailed by many Catholicks that were spectators of this sad crueltie Two things was very ill spoken of by the Catholicks and Protestants first the presence of the King as a thing unworthy the Head of Justice to see the Execution Secondly That Briquemault being a Gentleman of Good descent was basely hanged being a thing rare in France but especially now in regard he was reputed of his Enemies to be free from the charge for which he died about an hour after this unheard-of Justice and execution the bloody Catholicks of Paris drew their bodies through the Streets thrust their dead bodies through with daggers shooting of dags at them cutting off their ears and omitted no other kind of cruelty and barbarous villany that could be imagined And thus the Noble Gantlemen by their Christian Moderation and composedness of mind reared Trophies of Honour out of the Ruins of their own misfortunes Et Miserias infularum loco habuere wore their disasters like holy vestments as robes of honour They let the world know they could not only do but suffer and that passive fortitude is as good as active valour Et facere pati fortia hoc Romanum est L. Flo. And now to perfect all they likewise with these two famous Gentlemen cause to be hanged a man of straw made for a shadow of the Admiral These barbarous cruelties strange Treacherie and unheard-of perjury in these bloody proceedings against the poor Protestants of France brought an odium and bred a Hatred from Stranger Princes but especially in Poland likewise did much frustrate the French Negotiations in behalf of the Duke of Anjou And Courteous Reader since the first beginning of publishing this sad Tragedy there came in the interim a book to my hand wherein is somwhat discoverd of this History but specially the resentment and judgement of Sir F. Walsing ham then Ambassador in France for Q. Eliz. of blessed memory as also some orher Letters the matter contained therein I have shortly collected for the publick good which though abstracted here yet may more at large be read in the Author In a Letter to Sir Tho. Smith page 245. And therefore I hope her Majesty will stand upon her Guard and strengthen her self with the Amity of the Protestant Princes of Germany who as I hear are awake and marvelously stomack this late cruelty and do think that the danger thereof will reach to themselvs if they do not seek to prevent it One Roulart a Catholick and Canon of Nostre Dame and also a Counsellour in the Parliament uttering certain Speeches in misliking this lawless kind of proceeding without Justice was apprehended and committed to Prison and in prison murthered as disorderly as any of the Rest wherewith divers of the Catholicks themselves were offended This manner of proceeding breedeth General distrust in them of the Nobility and every man feareth Gods vengeance Paris 16. Sept. 1572. F. Walsingham In a Letter to Sir Francis Walsingham page 246. The Ambassadour proceeded shewing also outwardly a marvellous inward grief of mind for this shameful fact professing himself ashamed to be accounted a French man Although indeed the same informations had been true yet the manner of the cruelty used cannot be allowed in any kingdom or Government and least in that place where the King might by order of Justice have done due execution both to the Admiral and all others that should have proved offenders for it cannot be denied that the same forces that murthered so many might have more easily attached them all or the principals and brought them to answer to Justice when the King would c. whose age and knowledge ought in such case to have foreseen how Offenders ought to be justified with the Sword of the Prince and not with the bloody Swords of Murtherers being also the mortal enemies of the party murthered c. And as for the Admiral she confesseth that she was very sorry for his death as for one whom she thought a good Minister to continue Amity betwixt their two Majesties and she had cause to bewall the rest of the Noblemen for the like cause c. Her Majesty did greatly lament their death and doth surely perswade her self that if the King shall not use his power to make some amends for so much blood so horribly shed God who seeth the hearts of all as well Princes as others will shew his Justice in time and place when his honour shall therin be glorified as the Author of all Justice and the Revenger of all blood-shedding of the innocents c. Woodstock Sept. 9. 1572. W. Burleigh F. Knowles Rob Leicester T. Smith James Croft In a Letter to Sir Francis Walsingham folio 250. SIR
the Crown but is justly murthered The Duke of Guise is murthered The Queen Mother broke her Heart and died AFter this sad and lamentable Butchery and blood-shed the poor Protestants that were escaped fled with all speed to the several Sanctuaries which God in his mercy had decreed for their preservation Those that inhabited upon the coast of Bretaign Picardy and Normandy which were Provinces lying on the Sea over against England They fled to Queen Elizabeths Protection and if occasion offered to fight under the command of Count Montgomery who then was in the Queens Court. The poor distressed remnant of Protestants in Dauphine Provence and Lyonois fled into Swisserland amongst whom was the Admirals sons and Andelots who by the fame of their Fathers Authority and the tenderness of their years were joyfully welcomed from such a Land flowing with blood and vengeance Some imploy their time and Talents in setting forth to the World in Writing this horrid Treachery and Massacre acted in France and to let all the Protestants in other parts of the World beware by their sad example letting the World know the stratagem that the French Court use is to destroy by Peace and that to shake hands in a peace with Papists is the ready way to destruction the instance whereof was so fresh in their minds that they needed no grand Jury of examples to inforce belief their own late woful experience being sufficient to testifie this for a truth The Protestants of Burgundy and Campagn fled to the Cities of Germany The Protestants in the heart of the Kingdome and towards Rochel flocked to some strong Towns which it pleased God of his goodness to reserve for their safety which places they fortified with all the strength they could They that inhabited in the Isle of France Nivernois and Beausse were possessed of Sancerre Those that lived in the Provinces of Languedoc and Gascoiny placed themselves in Nismes and Montaubon And the Protestants in Guienne Poictou Zaintonge and Anjou fled to Rochel which proved a safe harbour from the cruel Birds of Prey Henry Jaques Maior of the City had the Civil government thereof To this City also resorted three thousand five hundred men and came from sundry parts which had been Souldiers in the Wars and men of approved valour also to their assistance came fifty Gentlemen of good quality from the adjoining parts about the City there came thither also fifty seven Ministers of Gods Word which by Gods mercy were preserved in this sad blow and for Ammunition and other Provision there wanted none to supply their necessity of a strong and lasting siege Now at last the King Queen Mother with his Brethren and Court orders a Day of extraordinary thanksgiving to be returned for the good Success against the Protestants Thus they reared up Castles of Triumph to their Eternal dishonour which practice is condemned by a Turk Sultan Orchan second King of the Turks when he had overcome the Christians in Battail word being brought to him advise was demanded what should be done to those Prisoners that yet alive remained in their mercy whether they should be killed or not who more like a Christian than a Turk replyed Oh no it is not the part of a Souldier to drown Mercy in Cruelty for saies this brave Sultan Mercy is the Alms of Victory a noble saying of a Heathen Now the King sends Monsieur de Byron to Rochell to place a Garrison the Protestants refuse it being a priviledge granted them by the King to receive no Garrisons whereupon Byron proclaims a War against them Poor souls they had sadly felt the smart of the K. perfidiousness by their too credulous opinion of these fair pretences and therfore now thought good to preserve their lives from Treachery or dy with honour And now to let the World know what little reality is sometimes found in Princes the King of France declares to the King of Spain that the war which he seemingly countenanced under command of Count Lodowick of Nassaw was only a plot to bring about his ends which as it could not be seen by all so could it not but be believed by the King of Spain so that the undertakers under Count Lodowick were sharply persecuted by them that afterwards got power over them Thus were these poor Souldiers betrayed out of the Kings own Treachery Only Monsieur de la Nove was preserved secretly who being safely conducted to the Kings Court his Majesty commands him to Rochel to solicite the City to a Composition Brave Monsieur de la Nove stoutly and like a Christian answers the King That it was against his Conscience to advise his fellow Protestants to lay their throats open to them that would too readily cut them But the King commands and together with his secret desire to see Rochel spurs him on so having came to Monsieur de Byron who was at St. Jean de Angeli and after a visit to him delivering the Kings Message he enters Rochel who by a joint Consent of all the City was chosen their Captain General who willingly accepted of it and gave a good proof of his faithful adherence to the Protestant cause In January by the Kings Commandment Monsieur de la Chastre with six thousand men besieges Sancere where finding a furious and resolute Enemy which would not yield to their Summons after the expences of great toil and labour discharging in two moneths about six thousand Cannon shot they made an assault but were bravely repulsed to the Eternal praise of the Sancerrois valour and Resolution The 18. of March by a second battery on all sides they at last made a great breach and so assault and attempt to scale but the besieged who questionless had many friends slain in the bloody Massacre had some sparks of their Friends blood in their minds which then shewed it self in their resolutions that they fall on the Enemy by a strong defence and made not only a Halt in the Catholicks proceedings but made them retreat with the loss of sixty of their best Souldiers dead in the ditch two hundred mortally wounded and two hundred utterly lamed all with the loss of seventeen men of the Protestants which piece of valour so cooled the courage of the Kings Army that they resolved no more attempts to be made again such impregnable defendants So they begirt them close on all sides no relief being able to come to them which did so extreamly streighten the besieged that they were forced to eat their Asses Mules Horses Cats Dogs Mice Moles Leather and at last to eat parchment and trappings of Horses horns wild roots Girdles making bread of the seeds of flax and herbs mixed with Bran and of straw and Nutshels they made use of slates Grease Tallow and Ointments served for pottage frying therewith the Excrements of Horses and Men nay the very filth in the streets also such as went out to seek relief were either killed by the Enemy or lived on Sprigs
March to the siege at Rochel Wherepon the Protestants assemble in many places settle the Countie of Montauban ordering that City to be their Principal seat and in that County the Vicount of Paulin being chosen Governor of Nismes it was made the principal seat in the County of Languedoc which lay under the Government of St. Romain These preparations and resolutions thus taken strikes an arrow in the Kings heart who now too late saw that all the blood he and his Council had shed proved not as he expected and now the horrour of so much blood fell upon his bloody and guilty conscience insomuch as he knew not which way to turn once he was resolved to fall on those that had perswaded him that the cutting off the Protestants would terminate his Troubles in a quiet calm and enjoyment of one Religion and that putting a period to the Protestant power would estate him in the throne of his full desires Another while he would stop his brother the King of Poland and not suffer his absence in such a pinch of occasions But God will not now let blood go long unavenged even on the prime instrument of such wicked cruelty thus straightened on all sides he is ready to be oppressed with anger and vexation stranger Princes openly reproach him for the irreparable injuries done to the poor innocent Protestants and his too loyal Subjects for a King which should be a Protector of his people to prove a Tyrant a cruel murtherer and Butcher of his own Subjects The King with anxity of mind falls into a desperate sickness at Vitry in Campagn as he was setting forward his brother towards Poland but he recovers again in the midst of these actings the Protestants of Languedoc fortifie themselvs Now the King to give some hopes to grant the Protestants their desires summons a Parliament to meet at Campagn the Protestants in several Provinces prepare their Deputies with instructions and had it given them in Commission to speak home against the Authors of the late unheard-of cruelties and murthers the Q. Mother and the rest are afraid of the Touch and so at first labour to pacifie the Protestant Commissioners with fair words but that will not do the Protestants must not play away their lives in an equal stake of fair words the late woful experience of their murthered friends frighted them from putting too much trust in these words whereupon not receiving content to their just and honest demands they withdraw to their several charges and endeavour their own security and safety In the mean time the Count Montgomery arrived with his fleet from England in a part of France called Le Payes de Constantine a part of the Province of Normandy who being safe landed had assistance from several Protestants and seized on several Towns as Danfront Carentane St. Lo and Valognes but the Protestants had better success in all parts than in this Province of Normandy The Kings Army under the command of the Field Marshall lay siege to St. Lo wherein was the Count Montgomery and all his ships lying under the command of the Town the Count secreatly escaped from the danger of so weak a place but Jaques Sieur de Martignon with Villers and St. Columb leave St. Lo besieged with a party under command of Fervagues and Malicorn and so they persue the Count with two Regiments of foot six hundred horse and four small field pieces and ere they were a ware begirts them close in a small Town called Danfront which though a weak Town yet the Castle was well seated insomuch that they resolved to stand and dy like Souldiers with Swords in their hands at a breach than be shamefully murthered or dy on a Scaffold At this siege by the valour of the Count and Friends the Catholicks lost St. Colomb and a great many Gentlemen Voluntiers and two hundred of their most valiant men but at last no longer able to continue they yield to Martignan with these tearms viz. to have their lives carry away their arms and yet it was so as they were to remain sometime in the power of Martignan and Vassey with security for the Counts life But was it ever read of in such a small History and in Wars of so short time that ever there was such a common breach of faith and promise when signed and sealed for a strict observance as a good Author says he that is a base so is constantly false in friendship The Count being in his Enemies custody yielded to too much cruelty on terms of mercy who I dare say had rather died a thousand deaths like a true Souldier then be so basely delt withal for in the night he was guarded away Prisoner to Paris and there basely executed in the sight of the King and Q. Mother who received much joy at his death but the just God saw all these treacheries and justly rewarded some according to their bloody deserts And now to conclude this sad and dolefull reign of a bloody Tyrant let us see after his blood reign and flatigious life a sad and suitable death a spectacle of Gods anger and an embleme of his bloody dealing who falling sick in the prime of his years being forced to his Bed he was sore tormented and handled with a great effusion of blood which issued out of all parts of his body and that which very much astonished many he did once rowl himself in hit own blood vomiting blood through all the Conduits of his body that it may be said as of Tiberius Caesar Lutum Sanguine Maceratum a lump of clay soaked in blood So this King by the just judgement of God expired his last the 24. year of his age and in the year of our Lord God 1574. Julius Caesar sacrificing to the Gods found a Beast without a heart which was looked upon as very ominous and surely may we not infer from this Kings bloody reign that he Had no heart a bloody Heart or A Heart and a Heart Thus this King having lived in other mens blood dyed in his own which as it was the issue of his own deserts so it was an immediate hand of Gods justice And it cannot but be taken notice of that the rest of the chief Agents of this bloody Tragedy were strangly and justly cut off The Duke of Anjou being then King of Poland succeeds this King Charls by being called from Poland to the Crown of France Yet God follows him for by the means of a young Jacobine Monck named Fryer Jaques Clement the said King was stabbed in the same Chamber where he held Council for the acting the late Tragedies The just hand of God persued the Duke of Guise who was murthered in the Kings own Chamber five and fourty waiting with Rapiers and Poinyards to do it The Queen Mother with grief broke her heart and died the first of January after To conclude it hath been observed by a good Author that since the year of God 1560. that of a thousand murtherers which remained unpunished by men there was not ten escaped the Divine hand of God but came to deserved and wretched ends suitable to their bloody and butcherly lives Laus Deo FINIS