A Declaration of the causes that haue mooued the Cardinal of Bourbon the Princes Peeres Gentlemen Townes and Comminalties Catholike of this Realme of Fraunce to oppose themselues to those which by all meanes do seeke to subuert the Catholike Religion and the Estate IN the name of God Almightie King of Kings Be it manifest to all men that the Realme of France hauing bin troubled and afflicted these foure and twentie yeres with a pestilent sedition mooued and stirred to subuert the auncient Religion of our forefathers which is the strongest bande of the Estate there haue bene remedies applied the which contrary to the hope of their Maiesties haue fallen out to be more apt to nourish the euill then to quench the same the which had nothyng of peace but the bare name and haue not established the quiet and weale of the Realme but for their behoofe who troubled the same leauing the honester sort offended in their consciences and interessed in their goods And in stead of remedie the which in tyme was hoped and looked for against these mischiefs such hath bene the will of God that our kings of latter time haue deceased in their yong yeeres without leauing any children able to succeede to the crowne And hitherto it hath not pleased him to the great griefe of all good men to graunt any issue to the king now raigning although his subiectes haue not omitted neither hereafter at any time will cease their most earnest prayers to obtaine that fauour of the goodnesse of God In such sort as remaining the last of so many children that God had giuen to the late King Henry it is greatly to be feared which God forbid that this royall race through our euill happe shall be quite extinguished without any hope of issue And that in the establishing of a successour in the royall estate there will fall out great troubles throughout all Christendome and it may be the whole subuersion of the Catholique and Apostolike religion in this most Christian Realme where an heretike shall neuer be suffered to beare rule in so much as the subiects are not bound to acknowledge and suffer a Prince that is swarued and fallen from the Catholike faith for that the first othe which our kings doe make when they are crowned is to maintaine the Catholike Apostolike Romaine Religion vpō which othe they receiue that which their subiects doe make of fidelitie and allegiance and not otherwise Notwithstanding sithence the death of my Lord the Kings brother the purposes of those which by open profession haue shewed themselues alwayes persecuters of the Catholike Church haue bene so bolstered and fauoured that it is very needefull to thinke of some speedie and sound remedy thereby to auoide the inconueniences most apparant whereof the calamities are already knowne to all men the remedy to fewe and the way how to apply the same almost to no man And so much the rather that a man may easily iudge by the great preparations and practises which they make to leuie souldiers as well within as without the realme the detainyng of townes and strong holdes which long agoe they should haue restored and yeelded vp into the Kinges handes that we are very neere the effect of their euill intentions beyng very certaine that they haue of late sent to practise the Princes Protestants of Germanie that they might haue forces in a readinesse to suppresse at their pleasure all good men as it is very apparant that they entend nothing els but to assure themselues and sease of all necessary meanes to ouerthrow the Catholike religion wherein euery man hath interest and especially the noble men and great personages which haue the honour to hold the first and principall charges in this common wealth whom they doe goe about to vndermine and ouerthrowe during the kings life and vnder his authoritie to the ende that leauing no man which hereafter may be able to oppose himselfe to their will it may be more easie for them to bring to passe that change and alteration of the Catholike religion which they doe pretend thereby to enrich themselues with the patrimonie of the Church following the example which was begun to them in England especially in that euery man doeth know sufficiently and seeth as it were with open eyes the behauiour actions of some which being crept into the fauour of the King our Soueraigne Lord whose Maiestie hath bene and alwayes shall be sacred redoubted vnto vs they haue in a maner seased vpon his authoritie to maintaine the greatnesse which they haue vsurped fauouring and aduauncing by all meanes the purposes of the aforesayd And such hath bene their audacitie to banish from about the King not onely the Princes and the Nobilitie but also those that are most neerest and deerest vnto him giuing accesse to none but to such as depend vpon them Wherein they are alreadie so farre foorth that there is no man which hath any part or doing in the administration of the gouernement of the Estate or that is suffered to exercise entirely his charge Some are bereft of the title of their dignities other of the authoritie and execution of their offices though they are suffered to enioy the vaine and fruiteles name In like maner the like hath bene done in the behalfe of diuers Gouernours of Prouinces and Captaines of strong places and to their Officers who haue bene constrained to forgoe and yeelde vp their charges in respect of some recompence of money which they haue receiued against their owne will and desire because they durst not say nay vnto them which haue power to compell thē A newe example and neuer heretofore practised within this Realme for some peece of money to take away the offices and charges from those to whom the same were giuen for recompence of their vertue and fidelitie And by this meanes they are become masters and haue possessed them selues of the forces of the Realme as well by sea as by land and doe goe about dayly to doe the like to others that are in office so that there is no man can be assured and that standeth not in feare and looketh that his office shall be taken from him Howbeit the same hauing bene giuen him for desert and seruice hee ought not to bee depriued thereof by the auncient lawes of the Realme vnlesse it be for some iust and reasonable considerations or that he hath committed some fault in the execution of his charge In like maner they haue emptied the Kings Cofers of his treasure where they cause the readie money of the generall receipts to be brought and to be conuerted to their particular vse and hold at their deuotion all the chiefe reuenues the which are the very wayes to dispose of this Crowne and to place the same on whose head they shall thinke good Moreouer through their couetousnesse it is come to passe that abusing the gentlenesse of the Subiects they haue enhanced by litle and litle to most
his Maiesty that none can iustly doubt of his entent concerning the same whereby it appeareth that they néeded not to haue practised his subiectes gathered thē into armes or leuied forein power wherwith to induce him to accepte of such motions as they pretende to exhibite concerninge the same in case they were iust possible and commodious to his subiectes In respect of the said religion his said Maiesty before his comminge to the crowne hath aduentured his owne life and with most happy successe fought for the propagation of the same also since that it pleased God to cal him to the gouernement of this realme he hath oftentimes to the like purpose hazarded his estate and imployed his best meanes together with the liues and wealth of his good subiectes and seruants whereby they may presently be persuaded and beleue that no man who so euer either in this realme or els where of whatsoeuer professiō hath more harty care of religion and godlines then alwaies he hath had which by Gods grace he will still continue Moreouer although after the example of the late king his brother with diuers other Christian Princes whose Empires dominions haue ben afflicted with sondry opinions of the said religion his Maiesty by the prudent aduise of the Quéene his Mother my Lord the Cardinall of Bourbon with other the Princes Officers of the Crowne and Lords of his Counsaile who then were about him hath pacified such troubles as were amonge his subiectes by reason of the saide religion vntill it might please God to revnite them into the bosome of the church It doth not neuerthelesse therefore follow that his zeale and deuotion so farre as concerneth the glory of God and perfect restoration of the Catholike Apostolike Romish Church should bee any whit changed or diminished rather now then he shewed it to be during the said troubles Yea so farre is he there froe that his Maiesty wisheth euery one to vnderstand that he concluded the said peace purposedly to trye whether by the meanes therof he might revnite to the Church of God such his subiectes as the iniquity and libertye of the time may haue separated therefrom as hauing so long founde euen with the daunger of his owne person and hazard of his estate price of the blood of so many Princes Lordes gentlemen and other his subiectes as haue died during the said troubles and by reason of the same since the originall of the discorde for matter of religion moued rooted in the sayd realme during the minorities of the late kings his bretheren and his to the great grief of the aforesaid Lady the Quéene their Mother cannot be determined by force of armes without the destruction of his subiectes and imminent daunger of his realme A matter wherein hée was resolued vppon notice giuen him that all sortes of people were wearied and ouer toyled with the long course of the said troubles as also that he wanted meanes any longer to supply the charges of such warre which shoulde not haue happened if in the assembly of the generall estates of this realme holden at Bloys the deputies there present had aswel prouided for a leuy of a stocke of quoyne wherewith to prosecute the said warre to the end as was requisite and his Maiesty did require as being induced through feruent zeale to the Catholike Religion they could desire him vtterly to prohibite the exercise of the said Religion pretended reformed whereof did ensue the resolution there taken and sworne vnto which since his Maiesty did endeuour to put in execution nether should they now haue any pretence to complaine no not they who neuertheles do publish abroad that euery man was sone depriued of that glistering beame of good hope which before by reason of the resolution taken in the said estates did shine vpon them Besides that it is vnséemely and not lawfull for the subiect to iudge of his kinges actions were it but in respecte that many times he is ignorant of the motiue causes of his commandementes which for the most parte are more pregnant then those that are apparant manifest to all men neither is it for any to doe but onely God the searcher and cleanser of the harts and dealings of Princes who knoweth the causes that did most enforce his said Maiesty to the conclusion of the said peace As being certaine that if he had any longer deferred the doing thereof this realme had bene replenished with forreine power and diuers partialities and new diuisions which would haue bene very preiuditiall to the estate His Maiesty did therefore graunt the sayde peace to the end to withstand all the aforesaide inconueniences to preuent the effectes therof and to try better remedies and not as they alledge to ground or establish any heresie in the realme for such a thoughte neuer entred into the hart of so Christian and good a Prince as his Maiesty is who hauing foreséene felte found the difficulties aforesaid haue thought it his duety the rather to harken to the said pacification to the end by meanes thereof to bée the better able to graunt to his subiectes the enioying of that reliefe whervpon they hoped in other the articles propounded and required at the assembly of estates aforesaid for the cōmon wealth of the said realme peace vnion being a fore-running and necessary meane to the establishing of good lawes and reformation of manners Herevnto hath his Maiesty continually euer since entended as is euident by the edictes and rules therevpon made which he hath endeuored to put in effect and cause to bee obserued and although his entent hath not béene executed according to this desire the same hath redounded to his greater grief and hath happened peraduenture asmuch by the negligēce of some of his officers and sleightes of his euill willers as also by such footing and aduantage as impiety corruption and disobedience haue set in this realme during the said warres Through this peace diuers townes replenished with Catholike Citizens inhabitants are deliuered from the souldiers that had seazed vpon them The exercise of the Catholike Apostolicall and Romane religion is renewed in the same as likewise through his Maiesties diligence and care it is in most townes of this realme yea euen in those wherein the professors of the saide religion pretended reformed haue euer since the troubles beene and yet are the stronger and from whence both before and euer since his comming to the Crowne the said exercise hath beene banished The face of iustice also hath thereby appeared though not altogether so fully and wholy as were to be wished yet at the least in such estate as for the most part it hath shewed force sufficient to comfort the good and make the bad afraide The Prelates clergy are reentred into their Churches the enioying of their goods whereof they had béene spoiled The Nobilitie and Gentlemen might liue safe in their houses and not be subiect to such expenses as in the time of
grieuous exactions not only matching those which the calamitie of warre had brought in whereof in tyme of peace nothing was euer remitted and abated but other infinite oppressions growen from day to day at the appetite of their vnbrideled wils There was some hope when through the often complaints and exclamations of the whole Realme the conuocation of the generall Estates was published at Blois which is the auncient remedy to heale these domesticall woundes and as it were a conference betweene the Princes and their subiectes to enter into a reckoning together of the due obedience of the one part and due preseruation of the other which is the groundworke and foundation of the state of Fraunce But of this troublesome and great assembly there sprung nothing but the authorizing of the mischieuous counsell of some who fainyng themselues to bee good Politikes shewed themselues in effect to bee euill affected to the seruice of God and of the weale publike who were not contented to remoue the King of his owne nature most enclined to godlinesse from that holy and most holesome determination which at the most humble request of all the States he had made to reunite all his subiects to one Catholike Apostolike and Romane religion to the ende that they might liue together in the auncient faith wherein the Realme was established and tooke encrease to become the most flourishing of all Christendome which then might haue bene executed without any daunger and in a maner without resistance Notwithstanding they to the contrary did perswade him that it was necessary for his seruice to abate and diminish the authoritie of the Princes and Catholike Lordes which with great zeale had oftentimes put their liues in hazard vnder his ensigne for the defence of the sayd Catholike religion as though the reputation which they had gotten by their vertue fidelitie in stead of honour should bring them in suspition So likewise the abuse which by litle and litle had taken hold and encrease afterwardes is come vpon vs like a floud and downefall with so violent a fall that the poore Realme is euen at the point to be ouerwhelmed without any hope of helpe For the Ecclesiastical order notwithstanding the declarations and petitions which they haue exhibited is at this day oppressed with tenthes and extreme exactions to the despising and contempt of holy orders and of the Church of God wherein now all things are polde and pilde The Nobilitie is greatly aggrieued driuen to pay exactions in despite of their priuiledge if that they will bee contented to liue that is to say if they will either eate drinke or apparell themselues The townes Officers of the Crowne and common people shorne so neere by the daily paying of new impositions which they doe terme inuention of Finances that there remayneth nothing els but to inuent some good way how to remedy this mischief For these iust causes and considerations Wee Charles Cardinall of Bourbon the next Prince of blood to whome it belongeth especially to take in hande the safegarde and protection of the Catholicke religion in this Realme and the coÌ„seruation of the good and loyal seruants of his Maiestie and the Estate being assisted with the Peeres Cardinals Princes Prelates officers of the Crowne gouernours of Prouinces Noble men Gentlemen captaines of Cities and others which make the best soundest part of this Realme hauing wisely considered the cause mouing vs to vndertake this enterprise and taken the aduise and counsell as well of our good friends well affected to the weale and quiet of this Realme as of learned and wise men and such as feare God whome wee woulde not offâ—nde heerein for all earthly treasure Wee declare and make it knowen that wee haue all sworne and made a holy vowe to keepe our selues in armes to the ende that the holy Church of GOD may bee restored to his former dignitie and the true and Catholicke religion established that the Nobilitie may enioye as they ought their freedomes wholy and entirely and that the people may be released the newe impositions abolished and all exactions taken away which haue bene made since the reigne of Charles the ninth whome God absolue That the Parliaments may be restored to the fulnesse of their authoritie entier soueraintie of Iudgement euery one for his iurisdiction and all the subiects of the Realme mainteyned in his gouernment charge and office the which may not be taken from them but in such case as by law is established and by ordinarie iudgemeÌ„t that all such money as is leuied of the people may be employed to the defence of the Realme and to such purposes as is appointed and that from hencefoorth the generall Estates may be assembled freely and without any practise as oft as the state of the Realme shall require the same with free libertie to euery man to exhibite their complaints as they shall finde themselues agreeued These things and others shall be more particularly prouided for at the assembly of the Estates which shall be held in armes for the reformation of the whole Realme for the maintenance of the good Subiects and punishment of the euil and for the suretie of our persons who haue bene sought and namely within these few dayes thorow secret conspiracies should haue bene made away vtterly ouerthrowen as though the safetie of the Estate did depend of the ruine of good men and of those which so often haue ventured their liues for the preseruation of the same hauing nothing left vnto vs more to warrant vs from hurt to auoyde the sword which alreadie hangeth ouer our heads but to haue recourse to those remedies which wee haue alwayes abhorred Whereto notwithstaÌ„ding we woulde not haue trusted for the onely perill of our liues if the subuersion of the Catholique Religion in this Realme had not bin vnseparably ioyned withall for the preseruation maintenance wherof we would neuer feare nor refuse any danger making full reckoning that we cannot chuse a more honorable Tombe then to die for so iust and holy a quarrell both to discharge our selues of the duetie bond which we owe as good Christians to the seruice of God as also to auoide as faithfull and good subiectes the ouerthrowe of this Estate which ordinarily doeth followe such alteration Protesting that it is not against the King our Soueraigne Lord we doe take Armes but for the defence of his person his life and his estate for the which we doe sweare all of vs to expose and spend our goods and liues to the last drop of our bloud with the like fidelitie that we haue shewed heretofore And to lay downe our weapons so sone as it shall please his Maiestie to cause the perill to cease which doth threaten the ruine of the seruice of God and so many good men the which we most humbly beseeche to procure with al speede testifying to euery man by good and true effects that he is a most christian king hauing the feare of